diff --git a/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_summary.txt b/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b3d295ad72383f0523beb62daae4b6252be172aa --- /dev/null +++ b/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,57 @@ +• Repeated expressions of "thank you" +• Opening prayer and liturgical elements +• Christmas prayer, focusing on humility and vulnerability +• Requests for guidance, peace, and light in a world filled with weariness and worry +• Thanksgiving and celebration of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection +• Call to stand and sing +• Praise to God +• Prayer for Tessa and her family +• Giving opportunities for missionaries in Mexico +• Prayers for those who are sick or awaiting treatment +• Prayer for peace and reconciliation in relationships +• Petitioning God's presence and sustaining power +• Thanksgiving and praise to God throughout the transcript +• Prayer and worship, asking God's peace and guidance +• Reading from the Gospel of John (John 1:1-14) +• Discussion of the play "Waiting for Godot" and its themes of waiting and disillusionment +• Comparison between the men in the play and believers who wait on God's presence and promise +• The play "Waiting for Godot" expresses a post-World War II fractured belief in the presumption of progress. +• The world in the play is indifferent to the characters' plight, leading them to be terrified that if Godot doesn't come, nothing has meaning. +• The play explores the idea that hope is a necessary delusion and that companionship replaces transcendence. +• Meaning must be improvised by the individual. +• Godot's haunting feature is that he is always almost present but never arrives. +• This theme echoes the human longing for something or someone that is always just out of reach, reflecting our current moment and emotions. +• The play contrasts with Christian theology, which posits that waiting culminates in arrival (incarnation), rather than perpetual delay. +• Waiting and longing for presence, connection, and meaning +• Human ache to not be alone and for reality to be meaningful +• Advent season themes of waiting and anticipation +• Longing to worship and experience the divine +• Spirituality vs. incarnation: promise of transcendence vs. human need +• World's attempts to fill the void without God: technology, achievement, self-expression +• Inadequacy of human efforts to find meaning and connection +• The true light and life of humanity, Jesus, has been with us since the beginning +• God's arrival in human form is not just a past event, but an ongoing reality +• Many people miss God because they cannot see past their own expectations and convictions about what God should do +• People often expect dramatic changes or solutions to problems when encountering God, leading them to assume God is distant or silent if these expectations are not met +• The presence of God can be gentle, slow, and close, but this is often uncomfortable for individuals who have strong ideas about how God should operate. +• The challenge of recognizing God's presence in times of difficulty and mess +• Misconceptions about judgment vs. mercy when God is present +• Humility as a key aspect of God's nature that can be overlooked +• The significance of the incarnation: God becoming flesh to be with us +• Understanding Christmas as God giving himself, not just gifts or help +• The Nicene Creed and its significance in understanding the nature of Christ +• The significance of the incarnation and God's presence with humanity +• Waiting, obedience, worship, and declaration of God's truth +• How Jesus Christ is the answer to human aches and longings +• The Christian life as living in a different way in the world, not necessarily having changed circumstances +• The role of followers of Jesus to be unexpected presences of God in various aspects of life +• Waiting and longing for Christmas is normal +• God's presence is near, regardless of life circumstances +• Jesus is humble, gentle, and meets us in our mess +• He is enough to wait, trust, obey, and worship +• God is with us through Jesus Christ +• Praying for a deeper understanding of God's presence +• Praying for transformation and the ability to spread hope to others +• Nvidia mentioned +• Gaøre acknowledged as the speaker's name +• Hymn or song being sung, with various verses repeated \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_transcript.txt b/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..cb2f03eda9a9ad6f623da2bbb8e37ae3b2147ea5 --- /dev/null +++ b/Christmas Day, December 25, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1024 @@ +[0.00 --> 3.80] Goddess +[3.80 --> 15.10] Your +[15.10 --> 18.18] quest +[18.18 --> 20.78] and +[20.78 --> 23.34] are +[23.34 --> 27.30] Right +[27.30 --> 57.28] Thank you. +[57.30 --> 87.28] Thank you. +[87.30 --> 117.28] Thank you. +[117.30 --> 147.28] Thank you. +[147.30 --> 177.28] Thank you. +[177.30 --> 207.28] Thank you. +[207.30 --> 237.28] Thank you. +[237.30 --> 267.28] Thank you. +[267.30 --> 297.28] Thank you. +[297.30 --> 327.28] Thank you. +[327.30 --> 357.28] Thank you. +[357.30 --> 387.28] Thank you. +[387.30 --> 417.28] Thank you. +[417.30 --> 447.28] Thank you. +[447.30 --> 477.28] Thank you. +[477.30 --> 507.28] Thank you. +[507.30 --> 537.28] Thank you. +[537.30 --> 567.28] Thank you. +[567.30 --> 597.28] Thank you. +[597.30 --> 627.28] Thank you. +[627.28 --> 657.26] Thank you. +[657.28 --> 687.26] Thank you. +[687.26 --> 717.24] Thank you. +[717.26 --> 747.24] Thank you. +[747.26 --> 777.24] Thank you. +[777.26 --> 807.24] Thank you. +[807.26 --> 837.24] Thank you. +[837.24 --> 867.22] Thank you. +[867.24 --> 897.22] Thank you. +[897.24 --> 927.22] Thank you. +[927.24 --> 957.22] Thank you. +[957.24 --> 987.22] Thank you. +[987.24 --> 1017.22] Good morning. +[1017.22 --> 1047.20] Welcome to this +[1047.20 --> 1077.18] Amen. +[1077.18 --> 1107.16] As we're in the presence of God. +[1107.16 --> 1137.14] All God's people said, amen. +[1137.14 --> 1167.12] Thank you. +[1167.14 --> 1197.12] This morning, we'll light the light, you're in the light, you're in the light, you're in the light, +[1197.12 --> 1227.10] Christ has come. +[1227.10 --> 1257.08] Thank you. +[1257.10 --> 1287.08] Thank you. +[1287.10 --> 1317.08] Thank you. +[1317.10 --> 1347.08] Thank you. +[1347.10 --> 1377.08] Thank you. +[1377.10 --> 1407.08] Come and adore, come and adore, come and adore, come and adore. +[1407.08 --> 1434.44] Prophet +[1437.08 --> 1439.08] o +[1439.08 --> 1441.08] o +[1441.08 --> 1443.08] o +[1443.08 --> 1445.08] o +[1445.08 --> 1447.08] o +[1447.08 --> 1449.08] o +[1449.08 --> 1451.08] o +[1451.08 --> 1453.08] o +[1453.08 --> 1455.08] o +[1455.08 --> 1457.08] o +[1457.08 --> 1459.08] o +[1459.08 --> 1461.08] o +[1461.08 --> 1463.08] o +[1463.08 --> 1465.08] o +[1465.08 --> 1495.06] Thank you. +[1495.08 --> 1525.06] Thank you. +[1525.08 --> 1527.08] Thank you. +[1527.08 --> 1529.08] Thank you. +[1529.08 --> 1531.08] Thank you. +[1531.08 --> 1533.08] Thank you. +[1533.08 --> 1535.08] Thank you. +[1535.08 --> 1537.08] Thank you. +[1537.08 --> 1539.08] Thank you. +[1539.08 --> 1541.08] Thank you. +[1541.08 --> 1543.08] Thank you. +[1543.08 --> 1545.08] Thank you. +[1545.08 --> 1548.08] Thank you. +[1548.08 --> 1549.08] Thank you. +[1549.08 --> 1551.08] Thank you. +[1551.08 --> 1571.62] Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it, mount of God's redeeming love. +[1571.62 --> 1581.96] Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it, mount of God's redeeming love. +[1584.54 --> 1588.70] Please be seated and join me in a Christmas prayer. +[1588.70 --> 1608.00] Jesus, Emmanuel, on this day of wonder we pause, not to add to the noise, but to lean into the quiet mystery of your arrival. +[1608.86 --> 1614.04] You came not with fanfare, but with humility, not in power, but in vulnerability. +[1614.82 --> 1617.26] Help us to see you in the unexpected places. +[1617.26 --> 1622.82] Lord, we confess we often race past the manger to get to the next thing. +[1623.70 --> 1624.78] Slow our hearts today. +[1625.62 --> 1627.62] Let us sit in the awe of your presence. +[1628.80 --> 1634.92] May we, like the shepherds, carry our ordinary lives into the extraordinary story of your love breaking in. +[1636.02 --> 1642.22] May we, like Mary, treasure the weight of your promises, holding them close even when they're hard to understand. +[1642.22 --> 1650.38] May we, like Joseph, listen for your guidance in the midst of uncertainty, trusting your hand even when the path isn't clear. +[1651.70 --> 1653.38] Jesus, you are our peace. +[1653.94 --> 1659.14] In a world that can feel heavy with weariness and worry, teach us to rest in your unshakable grace. +[1660.00 --> 1661.66] You are the light of the world. +[1662.28 --> 1664.72] Shine through us in small, steady ways. +[1664.72 --> 1668.78] Let our lives point others to the hope that only you can bring. +[1670.06 --> 1674.50] May our hearts, homes, and hands reflect the generosity of your love today. +[1675.96 --> 1681.42] Help us to give, to forgive, and to live in the freedom you came to offer. +[1682.44 --> 1686.96] We celebrate you, Jesus, not just your birth, but your life, death, and resurrection. +[1687.66 --> 1691.44] Thank you for stepping into our story so we could be part of yours. +[1691.72 --> 1692.04] Amen. +[1692.04 --> 1692.16] Amen. +[1692.16 --> 1692.20] Amen. +[1694.72 --> 1699.74] Please stand and sing with us. +[1701.30 --> 1707.02] Please rise. +[1707.02 --> 1722.02] Glory to God +[1722.02 --> 1727.14] Glory to God +[1727.14 --> 1729.82] In the highest +[1729.82 --> 1732.50] In the highest +[1732.50 --> 1738.34] In the highest +[1738.34 --> 1744.08] Praise be on earth +[1744.08 --> 1749.04] Praise be on earth +[1749.04 --> 1758.28] To the peace of whom God divides +[1758.28 --> 1762.48] Glory to God +[1762.48 --> 1764.48] Glory to God +[1764.48 --> 1768.32] In the highest +[1768.32 --> 1772.48] Glory to God +[1772.48 --> 1778.48] In the highest +[1778.48 --> 1784.32] Praise be on earth +[1784.32 --> 1788.48] Praise be on earth +[1788.48 --> 1794.48] Praise be on earth +[1794.48 --> 1799.48] Praise be on earth +[1799.48 --> 1802.48] To the people +[1802.48 --> 1804.48] To the people +[1804.48 --> 1808.48] To the people +[1808.48 --> 1810.48] Whom God delights in +[1810.48 --> 1812.48] To the people +[1812.48 --> 1814.48] Whom God delights in +[1814.48 --> 1816.48] Whom God delights in +[1816.48 --> 1817.48] Glory to God +[1817.48 --> 1829.48] Glory to God +[1829.48 --> 1830.48] Glory to God +[1830.48 --> 1832.48] In the highest +[1832.48 --> 1833.48] In the highest +[1833.48 --> 1834.48] In the highest +[1834.48 --> 1841.48] In the highest, in the highest +[1841.48 --> 1848.48] Praise be on earth +[1848.48 --> 1852.48] Praise be on earth +[1852.48 --> 1863.48] To the people who God delights in +[1863.48 --> 1869.48] Amen +[1869.48 --> 1875.48] Amen +[1893.48 --> 1899.48] I want to take just a moment and lead us in a little bit of a prayer +[1899.48 --> 1903.48] Before we pray, just a couple notes +[1903.48 --> 1909.48] First, there is an opportunity to give in your tithes and offerings today +[1909.48 --> 1913.48] We're doing a little bit differently because it is Christmas +[1913.48 --> 1917.48] And so the ordinary ways to give are still available +[1917.48 --> 1921.48] And you can see that there on the slide behind me +[1921.48 --> 1927.48] In addition to that, our giving today is in support of Jody and Uriel Gonzalez +[1927.48 --> 1929.48] We support our missionaries in Mexico +[1929.48 --> 1931.48] We support them through C10 +[1931.48 --> 1933.48] As many of you are aware +[1933.48 --> 1939.48] They had a bit of a circumstance happen with their move to a new property +[1939.48 --> 1941.48] And a washout that took place +[1941.48 --> 1945.48] And so we've been working with them and supporting them to repair that +[1945.48 --> 1949.48] And hopefully to partner with them in that work +[1949.48 --> 1951.48] And so you'll have an opportunity to give +[1951.48 --> 1953.48] As you leave today +[1953.48 --> 1955.48] Their deacons will be at the doors +[1955.48 --> 1956.48] And they'll have the bags there +[1956.48 --> 1958.48] You can give either directly there +[1958.48 --> 1961.48] There's envelopes in the seats in front of you +[1961.48 --> 1964.48] Please just designate your giving as you do so +[1964.48 --> 1965.48] Or you can give online +[1965.48 --> 1968.48] Additionally, before we pray +[1968.48 --> 1971.48] We have been praying for the past number of weeks +[1971.48 --> 1975.48] For Tessa, who's Jerry's daughter and Enoch's sister +[1975.48 --> 1977.48] Tessa is here this morning +[1977.48 --> 1979.48] And she would like to say thank you to everyone +[1979.48 --> 1982.48] For our praying for her +[1982.48 --> 1984.48] And so Tessa, we are grateful that you are here +[1984.48 --> 1987.48] We continue to pray that God will work in your life +[1987.48 --> 1989.48] So thanks for being with us this morning +[1989.48 --> 1997.48] Let's come to God in a time of prayer together +[1997.48 --> 2007.48] Glory to you, God +[2007.48 --> 2010.48] Glory to you in the highest +[2010.48 --> 2013.48] And peace on earth +[2013.48 --> 2017.48] To those on whom your favor rests +[2017.48 --> 2021.48] God, as we gather today for worship +[2021.48 --> 2025.48] May we experience your favor resting on us +[2025.48 --> 2028.48] May we experience your peace that comes +[2028.48 --> 2031.48] In the presence of your Holy Spirit +[2031.48 --> 2036.48] Your peace that comes because you have come to us +[2037.48 --> 2041.48] God, we pray that in this moment +[2041.48 --> 2042.48] And today +[2042.48 --> 2046.48] That you would be glorified in our midst +[2046.48 --> 2048.48] We pray that in this moment +[2048.48 --> 2050.48] And today and every day going forward +[2050.48 --> 2055.48] We would know the sustaining power of your presence +[2055.48 --> 2059.48] God, as we gather today +[2059.48 --> 2062.48] So many of us with family or with friends +[2062.48 --> 2067.48] We are especially mindful of those who don't gather with us +[2067.48 --> 2069.48] Mindful of those whom we have lost +[2069.48 --> 2073.48] Mindful of those whom relationships are strained +[2073.48 --> 2076.48] And so we pray +[2076.48 --> 2081.48] May the peace of this season +[2081.48 --> 2084.48] Pervade even into those relationships +[2086.48 --> 2089.48] May the memories of joy and stories +[2090.48 --> 2092.48] Encourage our hearts today +[2092.48 --> 2096.48] May we be the kind of people who +[2096.48 --> 2098.48] Because of the peace that we have from you +[2098.48 --> 2100.48] Are able to have hard +[2100.48 --> 2103.48] Reconciling and restoring conversations +[2103.48 --> 2105.48] With friends and families +[2105.48 --> 2107.48] With kids and loved ones +[2107.48 --> 2111.48] And may we be the kind of people who +[2111.48 --> 2113.48] Know your presence +[2113.48 --> 2117.48] And so God for those who are sick +[2117.48 --> 2120.48] For who are in the midst of treatment +[2120.48 --> 2121.48] Who are awaiting treatment +[2122.48 --> 2124.48] For those who have treatment upcoming +[2124.48 --> 2126.48] Even already this weekend +[2126.48 --> 2128.48] We pray for your hand to be upon them +[2128.48 --> 2131.48] Give them peace and sustaining power +[2131.48 --> 2136.48] And we pray that in this time of questioning +[2136.48 --> 2138.48] Answers may come +[2139.48 --> 2140.48] That a direction may be discerned +[2140.48 --> 2143.48] And that a path forward may reveal itself +[2144.48 --> 2146.48] And while we wait +[2147.48 --> 2149.48] May we know your peace +[2150.48 --> 2153.48] May we be a people who wait well +[2153.48 --> 2156.48] Because of your presence with us +[2156.48 --> 2159.48] Father God we praise you +[2159.48 --> 2161.48] For this great and glorious day +[2161.48 --> 2163.48] We praise you for the magnificence +[2163.48 --> 2165.48] Of your coming down to us +[2165.48 --> 2167.48] And may it be this morning +[2167.48 --> 2168.48] As we turn to your word +[2168.48 --> 2171.48] That we glimpse you more clearly +[2172.48 --> 2174.48] May we hear the voice of Jesus +[2175.48 --> 2177.48] Resonating in our hearts +[2177.48 --> 2178.48] And transforming our lives +[2179.48 --> 2180.48] And stirring in us +[2180.48 --> 2182.48] A Holy Spirit imagination +[2182.48 --> 2184.48] For what is possible +[2184.48 --> 2186.48] Because of what you have done +[2187.48 --> 2190.48] We pray this Jesus in your most holy name +[2191.48 --> 2192.48] Amen +[2193.48 --> 2194.48] Amen +[2196.48 --> 2197.48] If you have a Bible +[2197.48 --> 2198.48] I want to invite you to +[2199.48 --> 2201.48] Open it up to John 1 +[2202.48 --> 2203.48] If you have a device +[2203.48 --> 2204.48] You can get that ready +[2205.48 --> 2206.48] And we're going to read together +[2207.48 --> 2208.48] From John 1 +[2208.48 --> 2210.48] The first 14 verses +[2210.48 --> 2212.48] Of the Gospel of John +[2212.48 --> 2225.48] Allow me to read God's word for us this morning +[2227.48 --> 2229.48] In the beginning was the word +[2230.48 --> 2231.48] And the word was with God +[2232.48 --> 2233.48] And the word was God +[2234.48 --> 2235.48] He was with God in the beginning +[2236.48 --> 2239.48] Through him all things were made +[2239.48 --> 2241.48] Without him nothing was made +[2242.48 --> 2243.48] That has been made +[2244.48 --> 2245.48] In him was life +[2246.48 --> 2249.48] And that life was the light of all mankind +[2250.48 --> 2251.48] The light shines in the darkness +[2252.48 --> 2253.48] And the darkness has not overcome it +[2254.48 --> 2257.48] There was a man sent from God +[2258.48 --> 2259.48] Whose name was John +[2260.48 --> 2262.48] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light +[2263.48 --> 2264.48] So that through him all might believe +[2264.48 --> 2266.48] He himself was not the light +[2267.48 --> 2269.48] He came only as a witness to the light +[2270.48 --> 2273.48] The true light that gives light to everyone +[2274.48 --> 2275.48] Was coming into the world +[2276.48 --> 2277.48] He was in the world +[2277.48 --> 2279.48] And though the world was made through him +[2280.48 --> 2281.48] The world did not recognize him +[2282.48 --> 2283.48] He came to that which was his own +[2284.48 --> 2286.48] But his own did not receive him +[2287.48 --> 2289.48] Yet to all who did receive him +[2289.48 --> 2291.48] To those who believed in his name +[2292.48 --> 2294.48] He gave the right to become children of God +[2295.48 --> 2297.48] Children born not of natural descent +[2298.48 --> 2299.48] Nor of human decision +[2300.48 --> 2301.48] Or a husband's will +[2301.48 --> 2302.48] But born of God +[2303.48 --> 2305.48] The word became flesh +[2306.48 --> 2309.48] And made his dwelling among us +[2310.48 --> 2312.48] We have seen his glory +[2313.48 --> 2315.48] The glory of the one and only son +[2315.48 --> 2316.48] Who came from the father +[2316.48 --> 2318.48] Full of grace +[2319.48 --> 2320.48] And truth +[2321.48 --> 2322.48] This is the word of the Lord +[2323.48 --> 2324.48] Amen +[2328.48 --> 2331.48] Okay, to start this morning +[2332.48 --> 2334.48] I want to acknowledge that this is +[2335.48 --> 2337.48] Perhaps a deep cut or a bit of a niche pull +[2338.48 --> 2339.48] For some of you +[2340.48 --> 2341.48] But have any of you heard of the play +[2342.48 --> 2343.48] Waiting for Godot? +[2343.48 --> 2346.48] Six people, excellent +[2347.48 --> 2350.48] We have like five or six cultured people over here +[2351.48 --> 2352.48] And the rest of you +[2353.48 --> 2354.48] And Kevin, yeah +[2355.48 --> 2359.48] Waiting for Godot is a French play +[2360.48 --> 2361.48] Written by Samuel Beckett +[2362.48 --> 2363.48] In the early 1950s +[2364.48 --> 2368.48] It emerges from the post-World War II +[2369.48 --> 2370.48] Absurdist movement +[2370.48 --> 2373.48] That wrestled with meaning +[2374.48 --> 2375.48] In a world shattered +[2376.48 --> 2379.48] By the destruction of post-war Europe +[2380.48 --> 2384.48] And full of disillusionment and questioning +[2385.48 --> 2386.48] The play follows two men +[2387.48 --> 2389.48] Vladimir and Estragon +[2390.48 --> 2393.48] Who wait by a roadside for someone named Godot +[2394.48 --> 2395.48] Hence the title +[2396.48 --> 2398.48] Godot, however, never arrives +[2398.48 --> 2399.48] Never arrives +[2400.48 --> 2401.48] And so these two men +[2401.48 --> 2403.48] Fill the silence with talk +[2404.48 --> 2406.48] And with sort of ritualistic behavior +[2407.48 --> 2408.48] And with a kind of scheming +[2409.48 --> 2411.48] Not because they're certain he will come +[2412.48 --> 2415.48] But because they're waiting together +[2416.48 --> 2418.48] Provides shape for their lives +[2419.48 --> 2422.48] Gives them a moment to do something +[2422.48 --> 2424.48] The world that they encounter +[2425.48 --> 2428.48] As different people come on and off stage +[2429.48 --> 2431.48] Is not so much hostile to them +[2432.48 --> 2433.48] As it is indifferent +[2434.48 --> 2435.48] To the plight +[2436.48 --> 2439.48] And the characters are terrified +[2440.48 --> 2441.48] That if Godot doesn't come +[2442.48 --> 2443.48] Nothing has meaning +[2444.48 --> 2447.48] And there is no safety or purpose +[2447.48 --> 2448.48] Or purpose +[2449.48 --> 2450.48] So like I said, the play expresses +[2451.48 --> 2452.48] This post-World War II +[2453.48 --> 2454.48] Fractured belief +[2455.48 --> 2456.48] In the presumption of progress +[2457.48 --> 2458.48] Right? +[2459.48 --> 2460.48] This era is really the seedbed +[2461.48 --> 2463.48] For what will become the post-modern philosophies +[2464.48 --> 2465.48] Of French deconstructionism +[2466.48 --> 2467.48] And relativity +[2468.48 --> 2469.48] And in the midst of it +[2470.48 --> 2471.48] The world is being told that hope +[2471.48 --> 2472.48] Hope and feeling hope +[2473.48 --> 2474.48] Is less a conviction +[2475.48 --> 2476.48] That we cling to +[2477.48 --> 2478.48] And more of a necessary delusion +[2479.48 --> 2480.48] That we have to give ourselves over to +[2481.48 --> 2482.48] The play is telling us +[2483.48 --> 2485.48] That companionship in the world +[2486.48 --> 2487.48] Replaces transcendence +[2488.48 --> 2490.48] And that we just have to exist +[2491.48 --> 2492.48] As time passes us by +[2493.48 --> 2494.48] And the last bit that I want to note here +[2495.48 --> 2496.48] The play is trying to teach us +[2497.48 --> 2500.48] That meaning must be improvised +[2502.48 --> 2503.48] That you have to make it up +[2504.48 --> 2506.48] And in this play +[2507.48 --> 2509.48] Godot's most haunting feature +[2510.48 --> 2512.48] Is not who he is +[2513.48 --> 2515.48] Because we actually don't get to know that +[2516.48 --> 2518.48] His most haunting feature +[2519.48 --> 2520.48] Is that he is always +[2521.48 --> 2522.48] Almost present +[2523.48 --> 2525.48] He's always almost there +[2526.48 --> 2528.48] And their longing +[2529.48 --> 2530.48] Is never resolved +[2531.48 --> 2532.48] The ache remains open +[2532.48 --> 2533.48] Because their waiting +[2533.48 --> 2534.48] Is never satisfied +[2535.48 --> 2536.48] With his arrival +[2537.48 --> 2539.48] And for some of us +[2540.48 --> 2543.48] This 1953 play +[2544.48 --> 2545.48] Echoes our current moment +[2546.48 --> 2547.48] Echoes our hearts +[2548.48 --> 2549.48] Even right now +[2550.48 --> 2551.48] This is our truth, right? +[2552.48 --> 2553.48] There's this ache in us +[2553.48 --> 2554.48] For the always almost present +[2555.48 --> 2556.48] There's a longing +[2557.48 --> 2558.48] That's never resolved +[2558.48 --> 2559.48] That exists in our heart +[2559.48 --> 2560.48] That's always just open +[2561.48 --> 2562.48] And hoping +[2563.48 --> 2564.48] But we start to wonder +[2564.48 --> 2565.48] Is hope realistic? +[2565.48 --> 2566.48] Or is it this delusion +[2566.48 --> 2567.48] I have to buy myself into? +[2568.48 --> 2569.48] And Christmas, honestly +[2570.48 --> 2571.48] Is for many people +[2572.48 --> 2573.48] In the world today +[2573.48 --> 2574.48] A chance to disguise this reality +[2575.48 --> 2576.48] For just a brief moment +[2577.48 --> 2578.48] Right? +[2578.48 --> 2579.48] To color over it +[2579.48 --> 2580.48] With Hallmark movies +[2580.48 --> 2581.48] Or to stuff it full +[2581.48 --> 2582.48] With what Kevin says +[2582.48 --> 2583.48] Are apparently uncounted calories +[2584.48 --> 2586.48] But that fades +[2587.48 --> 2588.48] And our hunger returns +[2589.48 --> 2590.48] And that longing in us +[2591.48 --> 2592.48] Rises up again +[2593.48 --> 2595.48] Bubbles to the surface +[2596.48 --> 2597.48] In Samuel Beckett's world +[2598.48 --> 2599.48] Someone never comes +[2600.48 --> 2601.48] In the modern search for meaning +[2602.48 --> 2603.48] Everything feels elusive +[2603.48 --> 2610.48] Just out there +[2611.48 --> 2612.48] Always almost present +[2613.48 --> 2614.48] But the truth of Christmas +[2615.48 --> 2620.48] That shines so bright for us this morning +[2621.48 --> 2622.48] Is that someone is coming +[2623.48 --> 2624.48] That someone has come +[2624.48 --> 2625.48] And in fact +[2625.48 --> 2626.48] That someone will come again +[2627.48 --> 2628.48] Right? +[2628.48 --> 2629.48] And that contrast is that +[2629.48 --> 2630.48] It's the moment of the world +[2630.48 --> 2631.48] Right? +[2631.48 --> 2633.48] And that contrast is powerful +[2634.48 --> 2635.48] In Beckett's world +[2636.48 --> 2638.48] Waiting doesn't culminate in arrival +[2639.48 --> 2640.48] In John's Gospel +[2641.48 --> 2642.48] Waiting ends with incarnation +[2643.48 --> 2644.48] Right? +[2645.48 --> 2647.48] Where Beckett's characters fill the silence with talk +[2648.48 --> 2650.48] So that they don't disappear into nothingness +[2651.48 --> 2652.48] John proclaims boldly +[2653.48 --> 2654.48] The word became flesh +[2655.48 --> 2657.48] And made his dwelling among us +[2657.48 --> 2658.48] Waiting for Godot +[2659.48 --> 2660.48] Waiting for Godot +[2660.48 --> 2661.48] Is what the world looks like +[2661.48 --> 2662.48] If verse 14 never happens +[2662.48 --> 2666.48] And at the deepest level +[2667.48 --> 2668.48] The human longing +[2669.48 --> 2671.48] Beneath all other longings +[2672.48 --> 2673.48] Is not a longing simply for answers +[2674.48 --> 2675.48] Or for relief +[2675.48 --> 2676.48] Or for improvement +[2677.48 --> 2678.48] It's the longing for presence +[2679.48 --> 2680.48] Right? +[2680.48 --> 2681.48] The longing to be with someone +[2682.48 --> 2684.48] We ache to know that we are not alone +[2684.48 --> 2686.48] And that reality itself +[2687.48 --> 2688.48] Is not indifferent to us +[2689.48 --> 2690.48] And that the meaning is not something +[2691.48 --> 2693.48] We must manufacture alone in the dark +[2694.48 --> 2695.48] This is the ache +[2696.48 --> 2697.48] If you've been with us through our Advent season +[2698.48 --> 2699.48] This is the ache of the waiting +[2700.48 --> 2701.48] That Zechariah and Elizabeth +[2702.48 --> 2703.48] That Anna and Simeon had +[2704.48 --> 2706.48] This is the ache behind Mary's surrender +[2707.48 --> 2708.48] And Joseph's obedience +[2709.48 --> 2710.48] This is the ache behind the shepherds +[2711.48 --> 2712.48] Needing to tell someone what they have seen +[2712.48 --> 2715.48] And the Magi's longing to worship +[2716.48 --> 2717.48] This is the ache behind the angels +[2718.48 --> 2719.48] Singing a cosmic Christmas +[2720.48 --> 2721.48] Instead of a cutesy one +[2722.48 --> 2724.48] This is the ache of God with us +[2725.48 --> 2726.48] Of God come down +[2727.48 --> 2729.48] This is the ache of the word became flesh +[2730.48 --> 2731.48] And dwelled among us +[2732.48 --> 2734.48] Now, to be sure +[2735.48 --> 2736.48] The world around us +[2737.48 --> 2738.48] Doesn't deny that this ache exists +[2739.48 --> 2740.48] And really, how could it? +[2740.48 --> 2742.48] Because it's part of what it means to be created +[2743.48 --> 2744.48] In the image of God +[2744.48 --> 2745.48] Part of what it means to be human +[2745.48 --> 2748.48] Is that this rests and resides in us +[2749.48 --> 2750.48] But what the world does +[2750.48 --> 2752.48] And tries to convince all of us to do +[2753.48 --> 2754.48] Is to fill it +[2754.48 --> 2755.48] To solve it without God +[2756.48 --> 2758.48] The world whispers +[2759.48 --> 2760.48] The echoes of the lie +[2761.48 --> 2762.48] That you don't need God +[2762.48 --> 2766.48] And so technology and constant connection +[2767.48 --> 2768.48] Promise presence +[2769.48 --> 2772.48] But it comes without real intimacy +[2773.48 --> 2774.48] Right? +[2775.48 --> 2776.48] Achievement and legacy +[2777.48 --> 2778.48] Promise permanence +[2779.48 --> 2781.48] But at the cost of real relationship +[2782.48 --> 2785.48] Self-expression and the value of authenticity +[2786.48 --> 2787.48] Promises meaning +[2787.48 --> 2790.48] But it makes identity contingent on your feelings +[2791.48 --> 2792.48] And the affirmations of other people +[2793.48 --> 2796.48] Which, in my experience, are pretty fleeting +[2798.48 --> 2800.48] Spirituality without incarnation +[2800.48 --> 2801.48] Promises transcendence +[2801.48 --> 2802.48] Promises transcendence +[2803.48 --> 2804.48] And experience of the divine +[2804.48 --> 2805.48] But it actually gives no place +[2806.48 --> 2807.48] For it to live in you +[2812.48 --> 2813.48] And if I can be +[2815.48 --> 2817.48] Pastorally candid with you +[2819.48 --> 2821.48] These approaches +[2822.48 --> 2823.48] Aren't foolish +[2823.48 --> 2824.48] But they are anemic +[2825.48 --> 2828.48] And they're missing something +[2829.48 --> 2830.48] They're earnest +[2831.48 --> 2832.48] But they're built on our effort +[2833.48 --> 2834.48] And not on God's grace +[2835.48 --> 2836.48] Right? +[2836.48 --> 2837.48] They're sophisticated +[2837.48 --> 2838.48] And increasingly more so +[2839.48 --> 2840.48] But they confuse the reality +[2841.48 --> 2842.48] Of our circumstances +[2843.48 --> 2844.48] The deeper truth +[2844.48 --> 2845.48] That we're beginning to learn +[2845.48 --> 2846.48] And see +[2846.48 --> 2847.48] And reveal here +[2847.48 --> 2848.48] Is that +[2848.48 --> 2850.48] These ways of being in the world +[2850.48 --> 2851.48] Are ultimately insufficient +[2851.48 --> 2853.48] To hold the weight of glory +[2854.48 --> 2855.48] That we place on them +[2856.48 --> 2857.48] And John +[2858.48 --> 2859.48] Already knows this +[2859.48 --> 2860.48] He names this tragedy +[2861.48 --> 2862.48] With an almost brutal clarity +[2863.48 --> 2864.48] In verse 10 +[2865.48 --> 2866.48] He says +[2867.48 --> 2868.48] He was in the world +[2868.48 --> 2869.48] And though the world was made through him +[2870.48 --> 2872.48] The world did not recognize him +[2873.48 --> 2875.48] He came to that which was his own +[2876.48 --> 2878.48] But his own did not receive him +[2878.48 --> 2879.48] This +[2881.48 --> 2882.48] Ache in us +[2883.48 --> 2884.48] Remains +[2885.48 --> 2886.48] Because the world rejects +[2887.48 --> 2888.48] And doesn't even recognize +[2889.48 --> 2890.48] The very one who made us +[2891.48 --> 2894.48] And the only one who can satisfy us +[2895.48 --> 2897.48] The true answer to our need +[2898.48 --> 2899.48] And to our waiting +[2900.48 --> 2901.48] And to our longing +[2901.48 --> 2902.48] Is the arrival of God with us +[2903.48 --> 2906.48] The God-man, Emmanuel, Jesus +[2906.48 --> 2907.48] Jesus +[2908.48 --> 2910.48] And we can know that this is true +[2911.48 --> 2913.48] Because he is before all things +[2914.48 --> 2915.48] In the beginning was the word +[2916.48 --> 2917.48] And the word was with God +[2918.48 --> 2919.48] And the word was God +[2919.48 --> 2920.48] He was with God +[2921.48 --> 2922.48] In the beginning +[2923.48 --> 2924.48] He is before all of this +[2925.48 --> 2928.48] And if we want anything that lasts after all of this +[2929.48 --> 2930.48] Kind of makes sense to me +[2931.48 --> 2933.48] That we would look to what is there before all of this +[2933.48 --> 2934.48] Before there was longing +[2936.48 --> 2937.48] There was the word +[2938.48 --> 2940.48] And the story of the word +[2941.48 --> 2942.48] It doesn't begin in a manger +[2943.48 --> 2946.48] The story of Christmas actually begins already at creation +[2947.48 --> 2948.48] Right? +[2948.48 --> 2949.48] Through him all things were made +[2950.48 --> 2952.48] Without him nothing was made that has been made +[2953.48 --> 2954.48] In him was life +[2955.48 --> 2958.48] And that life was the light of all mankind +[2958.48 --> 2963.48] The word is the light of all humanity +[2964.48 --> 2966.48] The true light that gives light to everyone +[2967.48 --> 2968.48] Was coming into the world +[2969.48 --> 2970.48] And then comes this sentence +[2971.48 --> 2972.48] Right? +[2972.48 --> 2974.48] This reality redefining truth +[2975.48 --> 2976.48] The word became flesh +[2977.48 --> 2979.48] And made his dwelling among us +[2981.48 --> 2982.48] The counterpoint +[2983.48 --> 2984.48] Right? +[2984.48 --> 2985.48] The one that we have to attempt to reach God +[2985.48 --> 2986.48] Or to reject God +[2987.48 --> 2989.48] Is God coming to us? +[2990.48 --> 2994.48] So unlike when waiting for Godot +[2995.48 --> 2996.48] When waiting for God +[2997.48 --> 2998.48] He actually shows up +[2999.48 --> 3004.48] But this is the strange miracle of Christmas +[3005.48 --> 3009.48] And this is the part that the story +[3009.48 --> 3011.48] The story and the people of the story +[3011.48 --> 3012.48] And the people of today +[3012.48 --> 3013.48] And the people of today +[3013.48 --> 3015.48] Often unbeknownst to them +[3015.48 --> 3017.48] Still reenact every Christmas +[3018.48 --> 3019.48] And increasingly so +[3020.48 --> 3021.48] In our post-Christian culture +[3021.48 --> 3024.48] We reenact this every day of the year +[3026.48 --> 3029.48] The world didn't recognize Jesus +[3030.48 --> 3031.48] As God come down +[3032.48 --> 3034.48] Not because he was absent +[3034.48 --> 3038.48] But because he was too close +[3039.48 --> 3041.48] Because he was too humble +[3042.48 --> 3043.48] He was too embodied +[3044.48 --> 3045.48] Too weak +[3046.48 --> 3047.48] Too much a baby +[3048.48 --> 3049.48] Too ordinary +[3050.48 --> 3052.48] To fit into our expectations +[3053.48 --> 3054.48] Of God showing up +[3055.48 --> 3056.48] Right? +[3056.48 --> 3058.48] Most people missed the Messiah +[3059.48 --> 3061.48] Because they couldn't see past their own convictions +[3061.48 --> 3063.48] And ideas about what God should do +[3064.48 --> 3065.48] And the same is true today +[3066.48 --> 3067.48] Right? +[3067.48 --> 3068.48] And this isn't just out there +[3069.48 --> 3070.48] It's in here +[3070.48 --> 3071.48] And even more so +[3071.48 --> 3072.48] It's in here +[3073.48 --> 3074.48] Right? +[3074.48 --> 3075.48] My ideas +[3076.48 --> 3077.48] About what God should do +[3078.48 --> 3080.48] Lead me to miss +[3081.48 --> 3082.48] What God is doing +[3083.48 --> 3086.48] I miss him +[3087.48 --> 3088.48] Because God is gentler +[3089.48 --> 3090.48] Than I expect +[3092.48 --> 3093.48] I miss him +[3093.48 --> 3095.48] Because he's often slower +[3096.48 --> 3097.48] Than I want +[3098.48 --> 3099.48] And I miss him +[3100.48 --> 3102.48] Because he is regularly +[3103.48 --> 3104.48] Closer to me +[3105.48 --> 3106.48] Than I am comfortable with +[3109.48 --> 3110.48] Look +[3111.48 --> 3113.48] Maybe you have really strong ideas +[3114.48 --> 3115.48] About what God should do +[3116.48 --> 3117.48] Right? +[3117.48 --> 3119.48] If God is really at work in the world +[3119.48 --> 3121.48] You expect your problems to resolve +[3122.48 --> 3123.48] Your diseases to be healed +[3124.48 --> 3125.48] Your habits to break +[3126.48 --> 3127.48] You expect clarity to +[3128.48 --> 3129.48] For what to do next to come +[3130.48 --> 3132.48] You expect peace to arrive quickly +[3133.48 --> 3134.48] And when that doesn't happen +[3135.48 --> 3136.48] You then assume that God is distant +[3137.48 --> 3138.48] Or that he's somehow disappointed with you +[3139.48 --> 3140.48] Or that he's silent +[3141.48 --> 3143.48] Because he doesn't love you +[3143.48 --> 3144.48] Love you +[3145.48 --> 3146.48] But what if +[3147.48 --> 3148.48] What if you're not missing God +[3149.48 --> 3150.48] Because he's absent +[3151.48 --> 3152.48] But because he is present +[3153.48 --> 3154.48] In a way that you didn't plan for +[3156.48 --> 3158.48] He's present in a way that you can't anticipate +[3158.48 --> 3159.48] When Christ comes near us +[3160.48 --> 3163.48] When Christ comes near us in our mess +[3164.48 --> 3165.48] We often misread his presence +[3166.48 --> 3167.48] Right? +[3167.48 --> 3169.48] We brace ourselves thinking that judgment is coming +[3170.48 --> 3172.48] When in fact mercy has arrived +[3173.48 --> 3174.48] Right? +[3174.48 --> 3175.48] We wait for God to fix us +[3176.48 --> 3178.48] But instead he chooses to sustain us +[3179.48 --> 3180.48] In the midst of the trial +[3181.48 --> 3182.48] We look for him above us +[3183.48 --> 3184.48] Kind of cowering +[3184.48 --> 3185.48] Because we're worried about judgment +[3185.48 --> 3186.48] When in fact +[3186.48 --> 3187.48] He's standing right beside you +[3187.48 --> 3188.48] With his arms open +[3188.48 --> 3189.48] Waiting to embrace you +[3190.48 --> 3195.48] The tragedy of this moment is +[3196.48 --> 3197.48] Is not that God has failed to show up +[3198.48 --> 3200.48] It's that he's shown up in humility +[3201.48 --> 3204.48] And humility is easy to overlook +[3205.48 --> 3208.48] To put it another way +[3209.48 --> 3211.48] Humility doesn't get clicks +[3211.48 --> 3216.48] God comes close enough to be touched +[3217.48 --> 3219.48] God comes close enough to be misunderstood +[3220.48 --> 3222.48] He comes close enough to be rejected +[3223.48 --> 3225.48] And that's why John doesn't simply say +[3226.48 --> 3227.48] That the word spoke to us +[3227.48 --> 3228.48] Or that the word ruled over us +[3229.48 --> 3230.48] But he says the word became flesh +[3231.48 --> 3233.48] And made his dwelling among us +[3234.48 --> 3235.48] The God that we long for +[3236.48 --> 3237.48] Doesn't stand at a distance +[3237.48 --> 3238.48] Waiting for us to improve +[3238.48 --> 3240.48] Waiting for us to come to him +[3241.48 --> 3242.48] He comes near +[3243.48 --> 3244.48] Lowly in heart +[3244.48 --> 3245.48] And gentle in spirit +[3245.48 --> 3246.48] To be with us +[3247.48 --> 3248.48] Christmas is not God giving +[3249.48 --> 3250.48] What we expected +[3251.48 --> 3253.48] It is God giving us himself +[3261.48 --> 3262.48] And so that's the thing +[3263.48 --> 3265.48] Alright, we can't understand Christmas +[3265.48 --> 3266.48] Unless we understand +[3266.48 --> 3267.48] Unless we understand +[3268.48 --> 3269.48] Who has come +[3270.48 --> 3272.48] The church throughout history +[3273.48 --> 3274.48] Has worked hard +[3275.48 --> 3276.48] To help us understand +[3277.48 --> 3278.48] Who has come +[3279.48 --> 3280.48] By pulling together different creeds +[3281.48 --> 3282.48] And confessions, different statements +[3283.48 --> 3286.48] And this past year, 2025 +[3287.48 --> 3289.48] Was the 1700th anniversary +[3290.48 --> 3291.48] Of the Nicene Creed +[3291.48 --> 3292.48] Which comes to us +[3292.48 --> 3293.48] Which comes to us +[3293.48 --> 3295.48] From 325 A.D. +[3296.48 --> 3297.48] And I just want to put +[3297.48 --> 3298.48] A part of that on the screen +[3298.48 --> 3299.48] Behind us +[3299.48 --> 3300.48] Holding up +[3301.48 --> 3302.48] The Gospel of John +[3302.48 --> 3303.48] That we have read beside it +[3304.48 --> 3305.48] As we try to wrestle with +[3306.48 --> 3308.48] Who is that has come +[3309.48 --> 3312.48] Right, this is what John +[3313.48 --> 3315.48] And the church coming out of this text +[3316.48 --> 3317.48] Have taught us +[3318.48 --> 3319.48] Who has come at Christmas +[3319.48 --> 3320.48] First +[3321.48 --> 3324.48] That he is begotten of the Father +[3325.48 --> 3326.48] Before all ages +[3327.48 --> 3328.48] That is eternally begotten +[3329.48 --> 3330.48] Not created, right? +[3330.48 --> 3331.48] In the beginning was the Word +[3332.48 --> 3334.48] That he is of the same essence +[3335.48 --> 3336.48] As the Father +[3336.48 --> 3337.48] The Word was with God +[3338.48 --> 3339.48] And the Word was God +[3340.48 --> 3341.48] And that through him +[3342.48 --> 3343.48] All things were made +[3344.48 --> 3346.48] Through him all things were made +[3346.48 --> 3348.48] Without him nothing was made +[3349.48 --> 3350.48] That has been made +[3351.48 --> 3353.48] Right, this Jesus who comes +[3354.48 --> 3356.48] Is not God's representative +[3357.48 --> 3359.48] It's not some other lesser divine being +[3360.48 --> 3361.48] It's not some moral teacher +[3361.48 --> 3363.48] That people later chose to exalt +[3364.48 --> 3366.48] This being who has come to us +[3367.48 --> 3368.48] In the manger at Christmas +[3369.48 --> 3370.48] Is true God from true God +[3370.48 --> 3371.48] The eternal Son +[3372.48 --> 3373.48] The one through whom +[3373.48 --> 3374.48] And for whom +[3374.48 --> 3375.48] All things exist +[3376.48 --> 3379.48] Now stepping into his creation +[3380.48 --> 3382.48] Christmas isn't God just sending help +[3383.48 --> 3384.48] Christmas is God himself +[3385.48 --> 3387.48] Coming into the world +[3388.48 --> 3389.48] This is the miracle of Christmas +[3390.48 --> 3391.48] That he who is mighty +[3392.48 --> 3393.48] Has done a great thing +[3393.48 --> 3394.48] Has taken on flesh +[3394.48 --> 3395.48] And conquered death's sting +[3395.48 --> 3396.48] Shattered the darkness +[3397.48 --> 3398.48] And lifted our shame +[3400.48 --> 3401.48] And so all of our waiting +[3402.48 --> 3403.48] Obedience +[3403.48 --> 3404.48] All of our worship +[3405.48 --> 3406.48] All of the heavenly declaration +[3407.48 --> 3408.48] At this time +[3408.48 --> 3410.48] Come together in Jesus Christ +[3411.48 --> 3412.48] Emmanuel +[3413.48 --> 3414.48] God with us +[3415.48 --> 3416.48] And this is our big idea here +[3416.48 --> 3417.48] This is the purpose of it all +[3418.48 --> 3419.48] All waiting +[3419.48 --> 3420.48] All obedience +[3420.48 --> 3421.48] All worship +[3421.48 --> 3422.48] All heavenly declaration +[3422.48 --> 3424.48] Come together in Jesus Christ +[3425.48 --> 3426.48] God with us +[3427.48 --> 3428.48] What Elizabeth and Zechariah +[3429.48 --> 3430.48] Anna and Simeon +[3430.48 --> 3431.48] Waited for +[3431.48 --> 3432.48] He fulfills +[3433.48 --> 3434.48] What Mary and Joseph obeyed +[3434.48 --> 3435.48] He accomplishes +[3436.48 --> 3437.48] What the shepherds and the Magi +[3437.48 --> 3438.48] Worshipped +[3438.48 --> 3439.48] He is +[3440.48 --> 3441.48] What the angels declared +[3441.48 --> 3442.48] He brings about +[3443.48 --> 3445.48] The word does not merely speak grace +[3446.48 --> 3447.48] He is grace +[3448.48 --> 3450.48] We have seen his glory +[3450.48 --> 3452.48] The glory of the one and only son +[3452.48 --> 3453.48] Who came from the father +[3453.48 --> 3454.48] Full of grace +[3455.48 --> 3456.48] And truth +[3456.48 --> 3458.48] The word does not merely speak truth +[3458.48 --> 3459.48] He is truth +[3460.48 --> 3464.48] The answer +[3465.48 --> 3470.48] The answer to our deepest ache +[3471.48 --> 3472.48] Is right here +[3473.48 --> 3475.48] Not explanation +[3475.48 --> 3476.48] Not explanation +[3477.48 --> 3478.48] But incarnation +[3479.48 --> 3480.48] Not escape +[3481.48 --> 3482.48] But presence +[3483.48 --> 3484.48] Not improvement +[3484.48 --> 3485.48] But communion +[3486.48 --> 3487.48] With your God +[3488.48 --> 3489.48] And look +[3490.48 --> 3491.48] Here is the reality for us +[3492.48 --> 3493.48] Right? +[3493.48 --> 3494.48] Our circumstances may not change +[3495.48 --> 3496.48] Right? +[3496.48 --> 3497.48] In this text +[3497.48 --> 3498.48] In this time +[3498.48 --> 3499.48] Rome still rules +[3500.48 --> 3501.48] Herod still rages +[3501.48 --> 3503.48] Because life is still fragile +[3504.48 --> 3506.48] Most of us are still waiting for something +[3507.48 --> 3510.48] But you change +[3511.48 --> 3512.48] Because God is now with you +[3513.48 --> 3515.48] Your expectations change +[3516.48 --> 3517.48] Because God has come +[3518.48 --> 3519.48] And so you can face suffering +[3520.48 --> 3521.48] Knowing that God has entered into it +[3522.48 --> 3523.48] You can endure waiting +[3523.48 --> 3524.48] Knowing that God honors it +[3525.48 --> 3527.48] You can obey knowing that God has done it +[3527.48 --> 3533.48] You can worship knowing that heaven and earth have met in Christ Jesus +[3534.48 --> 3537.48] The Christian life is not a promise of a different world +[3538.48 --> 3540.48] At least not a promise of a different world right now +[3541.48 --> 3542.48] Not yet +[3543.48 --> 3547.48] But it is a promise of a different way of being in the world right now +[3548.48 --> 3552.48] Because the son has taken on our flesh and made it his home +[3552.48 --> 3554.48] This Christmas +[3555.48 --> 3557.48] And this is Christmas +[3558.48 --> 3559.48] God is not far away +[3560.48 --> 3561.48] This is not God waiting to be found +[3562.48 --> 3564.48] But God dwelling with us +[3565.48 --> 3568.48] The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us +[3569.48 --> 3570.48] And so this Christmas +[3571.48 --> 3574.48] Have your expectations reshaped +[3575.48 --> 3576.48] And then go +[3577.48 --> 3579.48] Be the unexpected presence of God +[3579.48 --> 3580.48] In your homes +[3580.48 --> 3581.48] In your homes +[3581.48 --> 3582.48] And in your families +[3582.48 --> 3583.48] In your workplaces +[3583.48 --> 3584.48] In your schools +[3584.48 --> 3585.48] On your sports teams +[3586.48 --> 3587.48] And in your knitting clubs +[3588.48 --> 3589.48] Right? +[3589.48 --> 3590.48] People who don't know Jesus +[3591.48 --> 3594.48] Expect his followers to be a certain way in the world +[3595.48 --> 3597.48] And so surprise them +[3598.48 --> 3599.48] With your gentleness +[3600.48 --> 3601.48] And respect +[3602.48 --> 3604.48] Surprise them +[3605.48 --> 3606.48] With your reasonableness +[3606.48 --> 3607.48] And your empathy +[3607.48 --> 3608.48] Right? +[3608.48 --> 3610.48] The world expects a particular kind of person +[3610.48 --> 3612.48] To come out of church on Sunday morning +[3613.48 --> 3614.48] Surprise them +[3615.48 --> 3616.48] With your generosity +[3617.48 --> 3618.48] And with your humility +[3619.48 --> 3622.48] Jesus is who your heart aches for +[3623.48 --> 3624.48] And in his heart +[3625.48 --> 3627.48] He desires for you to come near +[3628.48 --> 3629.48] So much so +[3630.48 --> 3631.48] That he came to us +[3632.48 --> 3634.48] And so if you're still waiting +[3634.48 --> 3635.48] This Christmas +[3635.48 --> 3637.48] Know that you're not left behind +[3638.48 --> 3639.48] If you're still weary +[3640.48 --> 3641.48] Still uncertain +[3641.48 --> 3642.48] Still longing +[3643.48 --> 3644.48] You are not failing +[3645.48 --> 3647.48] The good news of Christmas +[3648.48 --> 3649.48] Is not that your life +[3649.48 --> 3650.48] Has finally come together +[3651.48 --> 3652.48] But that God has come near +[3653.48 --> 3654.48] Right? +[3654.48 --> 3655.48] The waiting doesn't disqualify you +[3656.48 --> 3657.48] The longing in your heart +[3657.48 --> 3658.48] Doesn't surprise him +[3659.48 --> 3660.48] The mess of your life +[3660.48 --> 3661.48] Doesn't repel him +[3661.48 --> 3663.48] This is the God +[3663.48 --> 3664.48] Who dwells +[3664.48 --> 3665.48] Among us +[3665.48 --> 3666.48] This is the word +[3666.48 --> 3667.48] Who became flesh +[3667.48 --> 3668.48] This is Jesus +[3669.48 --> 3670.48] Humble and gentle +[3671.48 --> 3672.48] In heart +[3672.48 --> 3673.48] Who meets you +[3673.48 --> 3674.48] Not on the other side +[3674.48 --> 3675.48] Of your circumstances +[3675.48 --> 3676.48] But right here +[3677.48 --> 3678.48] Right now +[3679.48 --> 3680.48] And he is enough +[3682.48 --> 3683.48] Enough to wait +[3684.48 --> 3685.48] Enough to trust +[3686.48 --> 3687.48] Enough to obey +[3687.48 --> 3689.48] And enough to worship +[3690.48 --> 3692.48] Because in Jesus Christ +[3693.48 --> 3696.48] God is with us +[3697.48 --> 3698.48] Amen +[3699.48 --> 3700.48] Let's pray together +[3706.48 --> 3707.48] Lord Jesus +[3708.48 --> 3712.48] Open the eyes of our heart +[3713.48 --> 3715.48] That we might see you +[3715.48 --> 3716.48] This morning +[3716.48 --> 3718.48] Open the eyes of our heart +[3718.48 --> 3720.48] That we might know you +[3720.48 --> 3721.48] This morning +[3722.48 --> 3726.48] May we hear your voice +[3727.48 --> 3729.48] And go transformed +[3730.48 --> 3731.48] Into whatever today +[3732.48 --> 3733.48] And tomorrow +[3733.48 --> 3734.48] And the next day +[3734.48 --> 3735.48] And the week to come +[3736.48 --> 3737.48] May we go +[3738.48 --> 3740.48] Declaring your presence +[3740.48 --> 3742.48] May we come +[3742.48 --> 3743.48] May we come +[3743.48 --> 3744.48] May we come as a people +[3745.48 --> 3746.48] Who have met you +[3747.48 --> 3748.48] In our mess +[3750.48 --> 3751.48] And who are used by you +[3752.48 --> 3753.48] To bring the hope +[3753.48 --> 3754.48] Of the nations +[3754.48 --> 3755.48] To the nations +[3756.48 --> 3757.48] Who are used by you +[3757.48 --> 3759.48] To reveal your kingdom come +[3759.48 --> 3760.48] And your kingdom coming +[3761.48 --> 3764.48] And so teach us your gentleness +[3764.48 --> 3765.48] And respect +[3766.48 --> 3767.48] Teach us your humility +[3768.48 --> 3769.48] And empathy +[3770.48 --> 3772.48] That we might surprise people +[3773.48 --> 3774.48] With a hope +[3775.48 --> 3776.48] That endures +[3777.48 --> 3779.48] May this be our Christmas gift +[3780.48 --> 3782.48] To a world crying out for you +[3783.48 --> 3785.48] In Jesus name we pray +[3786.48 --> 3787.48] Amen +[3788.48 --> 3789.48] Amen +[3789.48 --> 3790.48] Amen +[3819.48 --> 3823.48] Come Thou long expected Jesus +[3824.48 --> 3828.48] Born to set Thy people free +[3829.48 --> 3834.48] From our fears and sins releases +[3835.48 --> 3840.48] Let us find our rest in Thee +[3840.48 --> 3843.48] Israel +[3843.48 --> 3847.48] Israel strength and consolation +[3848.48 --> 3852.48] Hope of all the earth Thou art +[3853.48 --> 3858.48] Dear desire of every nation +[3859.48 --> 3864.48] Joy of every longing heart +[3864.48 --> 3867.48] Born Thy people to deliver +[3867.48 --> 3876.48] Born a child and yet a king +[3877.48 --> 3882.48] Born to reign in us forever +[3883.48 --> 3888.48] Now Thy gracious kingdom bring +[3888.48 --> 3894.48] By Thine own eternal spirit +[3895.48 --> 3900.48] Rule in all our hearts alone +[3901.48 --> 3906.48] By Thine all-sufficient merit +[3907.48 --> 3911.48] Raise us to Thy glorious throne +[3911.48 --> 3926.48] In just a moment we're going to sing our closing song +[3927.48 --> 3930.48] Led again by our ensemble up here +[3931.48 --> 3934.48] Before you go know that God himself goes with you +[3935.48 --> 3939.48] And so receive the blessing of our good God +[3939.48 --> 3941.48] God +[3942.48 --> 3943.48] God go before you to lead you +[3944.48 --> 3946.48] God go behind you to protect you +[3947.48 --> 3949.48] God go beneath you to support you +[3950.48 --> 3952.48] And God go beside you to befriend you +[3953.48 --> 3955.48] Do not be afraid +[3956.48 --> 3958.48] Let the blessing of God come upon you today +[3959.48 --> 3964.48] Do not be afraid but go in peace to love and serve the Lord +[3965.48 --> 3966.48] Amen +[3969.48 --> 3972.48] Amen +[3972.48 --> 3973.48] Amen +[3974.48 --> 3975.48] Vincent +[3976.48 --> 3978.48] Nvidia +[3978.48 --> 3985.48] Gaøre +[3990.48 --> 3991.48] Yes, that's me +[3992.48 --> 3994.48] Oh, always +[3994.48 --> 4017.70] Joy to the world, the Lord is come. +[4017.70 --> 4024.54] Let earth receive our King. +[4024.96 --> 4032.52] Let every heart prepare Him new. +[4032.80 --> 4035.94] And heaven and nature sing. +[4036.26 --> 4039.60] And heaven and nature sing. +[4039.60 --> 4047.30] And heaven and nature sing. +[4047.70 --> 4054.66] Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns. +[4054.66 --> 4060.88] Let all their songs inflow. +[4060.88 --> 4068.66] What fields and floods, what seals and plains. +[4068.66 --> 4072.04] Repeat the sounding joy. +[4072.04 --> 4075.54] Repeat the sounding joy. +[4075.54 --> 4082.50] Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. +[4082.50 --> 4112.50] +[4112.50 --> 4119.46] As far as the curse is found. +[4119.46 --> 4125.46] He rules the world with truth and grace. +[4125.46 --> 4132.42] And makes the nations breathe. +[4132.42 --> 4138.42] The glory is of His righteousness. +[4138.42 --> 4145.38] And wonders of His love. +[4145.38 --> 4154.34] And wonders of His love. +[4154.34 --> 4158.70] Overb magnets use of His grace to deliver +[4159.34 --> 4163.30] into a Mark. +[4163.30 --> 4165.30] And desire the seventh... +[4165.30 --> 4170.30] Let all your li shape Jill again and his love +[4170.30 --> 4173.24] we will, will, of this being our Savior... +[4173.24 --> 4175.24] Amen. +[4203.24 --> 4205.24] Amen. +[4233.24 --> 4235.24] Amen. +[4263.24 --> 4265.24] Amen. +[4293.24 --> 4295.24] Amen. +[4323.24 --> 4325.24] Amen. +[4353.24 --> 4355.24] Amen. +[4383.24 --> 4385.24] Amen. +[4413.24 --> 4415.24] Amen. +[4443.24 --> 4445.24] Amen. +[4473.24 --> 4475.24] Amen. diff --git a/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_summary.txt b/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..5a4f4fbd112bc02421196bd1e2a63b180ef81344 --- /dev/null +++ b/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,46 @@ +• The song "Mary Did You Know" is sung in various sections +• A list of prophecies and attributes are attributed to Jesus Christ +• References to biblical accounts of Jesus' life and miracles +• Alleluia is repeated multiple times throughout the singing +• Introductory remarks at the end for an Evensong Christmas service +• Candle to be used at the end of the service +• Encouragement not to light candles during the service +• Introduction of worship team members +• Special guests joining the service, including musicians and singers +• Christmas song to be sung by special guests (Marvelous Light) +• Octet singing What Child Is This? +• Readings from Scripture and participation in singing Christmas songs +• Fellowship and hot chocolate after the service +• Pastor Kevin's prayer for the evening +• Invitation for God's greeting, with reading from Revelation +• Reading of Matthew 1:18-23 +• Singing of a hymn (Holy is His name) +• Praise to God's name and redemption through Jesus Christ +• Creation story from Genesis, specifically God creating light and separating it from darkness +• The need for a savior, with Jesus being born to take on flesh and conquer death +• Discussion of sin and salvation through faith in Emmanuel +• A hymn-like section with lyrics mentioning Emmanuel and giving glory to His name +• The Lord's existence and attributes +• Israel's history, including their rejection of God as king and adoption of an earthly ruler +• Prophecies of a savior, including Isaiah's "shoot from Jesse" passage +• Birth and life of Jesus Christ, with references to His names (e.g. Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father) +• Worship and celebration of Jesus' birth, with hymns and poetry +• The Virgin sings the story of Christ's birth +• The visit of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus +• An angel appears to shepherds in a nearby field, announcing the birth of Jesus as the Messiah +• The shepherds visit Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in Bethlehem +• A company of heavenly hosts appear with the angel, praising God and singing hymns +• Shepherds and angels share the news of Jesus' birth with others +• Hymns are sung in praise of Jesus as the King of kings +• The story is told through a series of lyrical passages +• The Magi and the birth of Christ +• Waiting for Christ's second coming +• Celebrating Christ's work and sacrifice +• Revelation and God's promise to return soon +• Light vs darkness, with reference to Genesis 1:3 ("Let there be light") and Jesus as the light in the world +• Church service including singing, lighting candles, and passing them down the rows +• Invitation to sing praises of God in darkness +• Encouragement to connect with own church for Christmas gatherings +• Invitation to join the speaker's church on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. +• Receiving God's blessing before departure +• Pastor Kevin and elders come forward, candles are lit, and worship begins \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt b/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..35493700c3dc2e12d2f61efb4916bb20db0f0874 --- /dev/null +++ b/Christmas Evensong, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,594 @@ +[0.00 --> 2.00] Oh +[2.00 --> 4.00] Oh +[4.00 --> 6.00] Oh +[6.00 --> 8.00] Oh +[8.00 --> 10.00] Oh +[10.00 --> 12.00] Oh +[12.00 --> 14.00] Oh +[14.00 --> 16.00] Oh +[16.00 --> 18.00] Oh +[18.00 --> 20.00] Oh +[20.00 --> 22.00] Oh +[24.00 --> 26.00] Mary did you know +[26.00 --> 28.00] That your baby +[28.00 --> 30.00] Boy would one day +[30.00 --> 32.00] Walk on water +[32.00 --> 34.00] Mary did you +[34.00 --> 36.00] Know that your +[36.00 --> 38.00] Baby boy +[38.00 --> 40.00] Would save our sons +[40.00 --> 42.00] And daughters +[42.00 --> 44.00] Did you know +[44.00 --> 46.00] That your baby +[46.00 --> 48.00] Boy has come +[48.00 --> 50.00] To make you new +[50.00 --> 54.00] This child that you +[54.00 --> 56.00] Delivered +[56.00 --> 58.00] Will soon +[58.00 --> 60.00] Deliver you +[60.00 --> 62.00] Mary did you know +[62.00 --> 64.00] That your baby +[64.00 --> 66.00] Boy will give +[66.00 --> 68.00] Sight to a blind man +[68.00 --> 70.00] Mary did you know +[70.00 --> 72.00] That your baby +[72.00 --> 74.00] Boy will calm the storm +[74.00 --> 76.00] With his hands +[76.00 --> 78.00] Storm with his +[78.00 --> 80.00] And did you know +[80.00 --> 82.00] That your baby +[82.00 --> 84.00] Boy has walked +[84.00 --> 86.00] Where angels +[86.00 --> 88.00] Tried +[88.00 --> 90.00] When you kiss +[90.00 --> 92.00] Your little baby +[92.00 --> 94.00] You kiss +[94.00 --> 96.00] The face of God +[96.00 --> 98.00] Medal +[102.00 --> 104.00] Oh +[106.00 --> 108.00] Mary did you know +[108.00 --> 110.00] Mary did you know +[110.00 --> 112.00] Mary did you know +[112.00 --> 114.00] Mary did you know +[114.00 --> 116.00] Mary did you know +[116.00 --> 124.00] The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again +[124.00 --> 135.00] The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb +[135.00 --> 147.64] Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? +[147.64 --> 156.94] Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nation? +[156.94 --> 166.94] Do you know that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb? +[166.94 --> 176.94] That sleeping child you're holding, it's a great light +[176.94 --> 190.94] Mary, did you know? +[196.94 --> 200.94] Mary, did you know? +[206.94 --> 213.94] Mary, did you know? +[213.94 --> 218.94] Mary, did you know? +[218.94 --> 223.94] Mary, did you know? +[223.94 --> 243.94] Alleluia. +[243.94 --> 249.94] Alleluia. +[249.94 --> 253.94] Alleluia. +[253.94 --> 257.94] Christ the Savior of the world. +[257.94 --> 261.94] He has come. +[261.94 --> 265.94] Alleluia. +[265.94 --> 269.94] Alleluia. +[269.94 --> 273.94] Alleluia. +[273.94 --> 279.94] To the highest name of all. +[279.94 --> 285.94] Alleluia. +[285.94 --> 291.94] Alleluia. +[291.94 --> 293.94] Alleluia. +[293.94 --> 295.94] Alleluia. +[295.94 --> 297.94] Alleluia. +[297.94 --> 301.94] Alleluia. +[301.94 --> 307.94] Christ the Savior of the world. +[307.94 --> 309.94] He has come. +[309.94 --> 311.94] Alleluia. +[311.94 --> 313.94] Alleluia. +[313.94 --> 315.94] Alleluia. +[315.94 --> 317.94] Alleluia. +[317.94 --> 319.94] Alleluia. +[319.94 --> 321.94] To the highest name of all. +[321.94 --> 323.94] Alleluia. +[323.94 --> 325.94] Alleluia. +[325.94 --> 329.94] To the highest name of all. +[329.94 --> 331.94] Alleluia. +[331.94 --> 333.94] Alleluia. +[333.94 --> 335.94] Alleluia. +[335.94 --> 337.94] Alleluia. +[337.94 --> 339.94] Alleluia. +[339.94 --> 345.94] The heavens roar, the angels sing. +[345.94 --> 351.94] All glory to our God and King. +[351.94 --> 359.94] Alleluia. +[359.94 --> 361.94] Alleluia. +[361.94 --> 365.94] The heavens roar, the angels sing. +[365.94 --> 370.36] The angels sing +[370.36 --> 373.38] All glory to +[373.38 --> 376.40] Our God and King +[376.40 --> 378.76] O night divine +[378.76 --> 381.76] Forevermore +[382.42 --> 387.76] Alleluia +[387.76 --> 395.76] Alleluia +[395.94 --> 403.94] Alleluia +[403.94 --> 407.52] Christ the Savior +[407.52 --> 410.00] On the world +[410.00 --> 413.70] He has come +[413.70 --> 421.38] Alleluia +[421.38 --> 427.38] Alleluia +[427.38 --> 432.38] To the highest name of all +[432.38 --> 437.38] Alleluia +[437.38 --> 444.60] To the highest name of all +[444.60 --> 449.38] Alleluia +[449.38 --> 450.38] Alleluia +[450.38 --> 451.38] Alleluia +[451.38 --> 453.38] Alleluia +[453.38 --> 455.38] Alleluia +[455.38 --> 473.38] Good evening everyone and welcome to this Evensong Christmas service. Whether you're a member of this church or a guest visiting today, we are just so glad that you are here tonight. +[473.38 --> 481.38] Before we begin, I want to thank actually a whole bunch of people. But before I thank a whole bunch of people, I want to make one little announcement. +[481.38 --> 489.38] You were given a candle on the way in. That candle is, well at least we're planning on this, going to be used at the very end of the service. +[489.38 --> 496.38] So if you happen to have like a lighter in your pocket and we're planning on lighting that randomly throughout, we're just going to encourage you not to do that. +[496.38 --> 504.38] Hang on to those. We're going to use those at the very end. There will be instructions so you will be adequately informed as to what to do. +[504.38 --> 513.38] A few thank yous today already. Just I thought we'd start with this. This wonderful worship team behind me is going to be leading us in our worship tonight. +[513.38 --> 524.38] And they've been working very, very hard for the last couple weeks. And so I just want to thank Ken on the piano, Seth on the guitar, Kobe on the drums, Denise on the keys, Peter, Mel, Sarah and Ava who are going to be singing away. +[524.38 --> 533.38] And Andy on the mandolin and whatever other instruments he decides to pull out of his pocket. We're also very pleased to have some special guests joining us tonight. +[533.38 --> 543.38] Andy's friend Andy. There's two of them. Andy is also going to be here. He's on the guitar behind me as well, as well as Nadia and her daughter Olivia on the violin over here. +[543.38 --> 549.38] Later in the service, actually, the two Andys and Nadia and Olivia are going to be joined by Karen and Ivy. +[549.38 --> 557.38] And they're going to sing a song called Marvelous Light, which is a song that Andy wrote and was performed by this group when they were a band called the Pacific Salt. +[557.38 --> 562.38] And so we're looking forward to that as well. Also in the service, we're going to hear an octet. +[562.38 --> 572.38] They're going to sing What Child Is This? And that is going to be followed up with a whole number of Christmas songs tonight as well that we're all going to participate in singing. +[572.38 --> 576.38] So we're looking forward to all of that. Throughout the night, you're also going to hear readings. +[576.38 --> 582.38] We're going to hear the Christmas story as Scripture tells it. And the readings are going to be done by these three over here from Atang and Kezia and Alyssa. +[582.38 --> 586.38] So we thank you for that, too. And after the service is done, you're, of course, invited out. +[586.38 --> 590.38] We're going to have some fellowship and some hot chocolate out in the foyer. So do stick around for that. +[590.38 --> 597.38] My prayer tonight, our prayer for tonight, is that as we make our way through the Christmas story, this Christmas story is found in Scripture, +[597.38 --> 605.38] that we're all drawn a little closer to God and a little closer to what he has accomplished with this baby Savior of ours. +[605.38 --> 609.38] I usually do this at the top. I'm going to do this at the end. My name is Kevin Lobert. I'm one of the pastors here. +[609.38 --> 615.38] And now I'd love to invite you all up to receive God's greeting this evening. +[615.38 --> 617.38] So please do stand. +[617.38 --> 625.38] My hands are full. God's greeting. They're here. Hold this. Yeah, there we go. Thanks, Peter. +[625.38 --> 627.38] God's greeting comes to us from Revelation. +[627.38 --> 631.38] Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, +[631.38 --> 636.38] and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, and by Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, +[636.38 --> 641.38] the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler, the kings of the earth. Amen. +[641.38 --> 661.38] This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, +[661.38 --> 666.38] but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. +[666.38 --> 672.38] Because Joseph, her husband, was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, +[672.38 --> 676.38] he had in mind to divorce her quietly. +[676.38 --> 681.38] But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, +[681.38 --> 686.38] Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, +[686.38 --> 689.38] because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. +[689.38 --> 692.38] She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, +[692.38 --> 695.38] because he will save his people from their sins. +[695.38 --> 700.38] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet. +[700.38 --> 705.38] The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel, +[705.38 --> 710.38] which means God with us. Matthew 1, 18-23. +[710.38 --> 738.38] Oh, the mercy our God has shown to those who sit in death's shadow. The sun on high pierced the night, born was the cornerstone. +[738.38 --> 738.88] Ginini is born. +[740.38 --> 741.38] How many years may find him? +[741.38 --> 742.38] Black since a yearebeest age, kabo constantly remain viver�만 grew up in world. +[742.38 --> 743.38] Billie.. +[743.38 --> 744.38] grandpaode.. +[744.38 --> 745.38] figure the miscar rue by addition to us. +[745.38 --> 746.38] gotta go. +[746.38 --> 747.38] whoever.. +[747.38 --> 748.38] khác.. +[749.38 --> 750.38] T одной.. +[750.38 --> 752.38] Father.. +[752.38 --> 754.38] shall you die... +[754.38 --> 755.38] Let'sende theé.. +[755.38 --> 757.38] Contre to him… +[757.38 --> 758.38] nano recherche. +[758.38 --> 760.38] Fran vi.. +[760.38 --> 761.38] Chr hope... +[761.38 --> 762.38] Time.. +[762.38 --> 763.38] Chapter.. +[763.38 --> 764.38] Lear... +[764.38 --> 769.14] Holy is His name +[769.14 --> 782.64] Oh, the freedom I save, the one +[782.64 --> 786.98] The yoke of sin has been broken +[786.98 --> 792.34] Once a slave, now but raised +[792.34 --> 796.94] No more condemnation +[796.94 --> 801.84] Unto us a son is given +[801.84 --> 806.56] Unto us a child is born +[806.56 --> 811.28] He who is mighty has done a great thing +[811.28 --> 816.08] Taken on flesh and come with good steam +[816.08 --> 820.76] Shattered the darkness and lifted our shame +[820.76 --> 825.36] Holy is His name +[825.36 --> 830.66] Holy is His name +[830.66 --> 837.08] Now my soul magnifies the Lord +[837.08 --> 838.56] I rejoice +[838.56 --> 843.16] In the God who saves I will trust +[843.16 --> 850.76] His unfailing love I will sing His praise in all my days +[850.76 --> 855.36] My soul magnifies the Lord +[855.36 --> 861.16] I rejoice in the God who saves I will trust +[861.16 --> 869.36] His unfailing love I will sing His praise in all my days +[869.36 --> 873.96] He who is mighty has done a great thing +[873.96 --> 879.16] Taken on flesh, conquered death's sting +[879.16 --> 883.36] Shattered the darkness and lifted our shame +[883.36 --> 887.96] Holy is His name +[887.96 --> 892.36] Holy is His name +[892.36 --> 916.34] Why did this baby need to be born? +[916.76 --> 918.68] Why is this event so important? +[918.68 --> 921.68] Why do we wait to celebrate Christ's birthday? +[922.08 --> 923.28] To answer these questions +[923.28 --> 925.48] We need to go back to the very beginning +[925.48 --> 930.68] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth +[930.68 --> 933.94] Now the earth was formless and empty +[933.94 --> 936.06] Darkness was over the surface of the deep +[936.06 --> 938.76] And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters +[938.76 --> 941.10] And God said let there be light +[941.10 --> 942.12] And there was light +[942.12 --> 944.14] God saw that the light was good +[944.14 --> 946.22] And He separated the light from the darkness +[946.22 --> 949.60] God called the light day +[949.60 --> 951.26] And the darkness He called night +[951.26 --> 952.54] And there was evening +[952.54 --> 954.16] And there was morning the next day +[954.16 --> 957.48] Then God said +[957.48 --> 959.68] Let us make mankind in our image +[959.68 --> 960.68] In our likeness +[960.68 --> 963.20] So that they may rule over the fish of the sea +[963.20 --> 964.42] And the birds of the sky +[964.42 --> 967.16] Over the livestock and all the wild animals +[967.16 --> 969.68] And over all the creatures that move along the ground +[969.68 --> 999.66] And the birds of the sea +[999.66 --> 1001.12] Or they pray +[1001.12 --> 1007.28] And o'er the fish of the sea +[1007.28 --> 1010.62] From the mother's sea +[1010.62 --> 1012.00] From the Switzerland +[1012.00 --> 1015.28] The backing of the fossil +[1015.28 --> 1020.82] From the heaven of the donde'sE +[1020.82 --> 1024.70] From the 끼 and the present day +[1024.70 --> 1027.06] From the deficit side of God's candle +[1027.06 --> 1057.04] Thank you. +[1057.06 --> 1087.04] Thank you. +[1087.06 --> 1117.04] Thank you. +[1117.06 --> 1130.76] Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal, he was lifted on a cruel cross. +[1130.76 --> 1136.76] He was punished for a world's transgressions. +[1137.76 --> 1142.76] He was suffering to save the lost. +[1142.76 --> 1154.76] He fights for breath, he fights for me. +[1154.76 --> 1167.14] Losing sinners from the claims of hell, and with a shout, our souls are free. +[1167.14 --> 1172.14] Let me be defeated by Emmanuel. +[1172.14 --> 1180.14] Now who am I? +[1180.14 --> 1182.14] Let me be defeated by Emmanuel. +[1182.14 --> 1186.14] Let me be defeated by Emmanuel. +[1187.14 --> 1188.14] I'm sorry. +[1188.14 --> 1189.14] Let me be defeated by Emmanuel. +[1189.14 --> 1191.14] I'm sorry. +[1191.14 --> 1196.14] To see His love, He lost me by me +[1196.14 --> 1202.14] To His love and love to be His Lord +[1202.14 --> 1209.14] To stand His heart and the mountainside +[1209.14 --> 1214.14] To stand His love and the glory in the name +[1214.14 --> 1220.14] To stand His love and the true love and the size +[1220.14 --> 1225.14] Give His glory to the name +[1225.14 --> 1232.14] And the skies will part as the trumpet sounds +[1232.14 --> 1237.14] Hope of heaven or the fear of hell +[1237.14 --> 1244.14] But the pride will run to His love and the love +[1244.14 --> 1249.14] Giving glory to Emmanuel +[1249.14 --> 1251.14] щ plains His love and the dead +[1253.14 --> 1257.14] Lord, elas pop reverence +[1258.14 --> 1259.14] Galvish whPOS +[1259.14 --> 1285.44] O come, all ye faithful, +[1285.44 --> 1291.74] joyful and triumphant. +[1291.74 --> 1303.44] O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. +[1303.44 --> 1310.24] Come and behold Him, +[1310.90 --> 1315.82] born the King of angels. +[1315.82 --> 1333.12] O come, all ye faithful, +[1333.12 --> 1340.74] kitty and by the Lord. +[1349.54 --> 1354.86] The 온en quiet ع Riddle the King of angels. +[1355.12 --> 1360.68] Sing His الط را WILLIAMS, +[1360.68 --> 1371.22] The people who see us in the day of the night +[1371.22 --> 1377.68] Glory to God, +[1377.68 --> 1382.62] O the end of the night, +[1383.28 --> 1388.34] O God, and and and and and +[1388.34 --> 1394.18] Paret Its pasture były +[1394.18 --> 1399.08] Op on their�长's way +[1399.08 --> 1404.84] V Superman liless to be +[1404.84 --> 1434.82] Thank you. +[1434.84 --> 1464.82] Thank you. +[1464.84 --> 1470.94] Oh, come let us adore Him. +[1471.22 --> 1476.84] Oh, come let us adore Him. +[1476.84 --> 1478.84] Thank you. +[1478.84 --> 1482.84] Thank you. +[1482.84 --> 1484.84] Thank you. +[1484.84 --> 1486.84] Thank you. +[1486.84 --> 1488.84] Thank you. +[1488.84 --> 1490.84] Thank you. +[1490.84 --> 1492.84] Thank you. +[1492.84 --> 1494.84] Thank you. +[1494.84 --> 1496.84] Thank you. +[1496.84 --> 1498.84] Thank you. +[1498.84 --> 1500.84] Thank you. +[1500.84 --> 1502.84] Thank you. +[1502.84 --> 1504.84] Thank you. +[1504.84 --> 1506.84] Thank you. +[1506.84 --> 1508.84] Thank you. +[1508.84 --> 1510.84] Thank you. +[1510.84 --> 1512.84] Thank you. +[1512.84 --> 1518.84] Thank you. +[1518.84 --> 1520.84] Thank you. +[1520.84 --> 1522.84] Thank you. +[1522.84 --> 1541.84] For all that I shall hold is I, the Lord, the Lord. +[1541.84 --> 1564.16] His name shall be Wonderful Counselor, His name shall be Everlasting Father, His name shall be Christ of Peace, mighty God, His name shall be Emmanuel. +[1571.84 --> 1586.36] The Lord established His nation, yet His people kept turning away from Him. +[1586.94 --> 1590.78] God Himself was meant to be their ruler, but they demanded an earthly king. +[1590.78 --> 1594.74] So God gave Him one, a good and faithful king named David. +[1595.12 --> 1600.54] But as the years went on, many of the kings who followed David led with selfishness and greed. +[1600.98 --> 1606.90] Israel, God's own kingdom, slipped into indulgence, idolatry, and immorality. +[1609.98 --> 1614.82] Still the Lord was not finished. He continued moving towards the salvation of His creation. +[1614.92 --> 1622.30] He sent prophets to call the people back, to encourage them, and to most importantly, to proclaim the Savior that was on His way. +[1624.56 --> 1630.12] A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse, but from his roots a branch will bear fruit. +[1630.54 --> 1640.74] The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. +[1640.86 --> 1642.72] And he will delight in the fear of the Lord. +[1644.50 --> 1656.22] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. +[1656.22 --> 1661.62] A side of the Lord, county wird's treasure, but will be called for nous. +[1662.10 --> 1672.58] For to us a son of three years ago, ace titania in theologian teens,ips of am I stand after a child from the miracle and the flame staravam He deu? +[1672.58 --> 1673.58] Over to us a son of his daughters, a father of his own children and 1925, Venice the question of the hope. +[1673.58 --> 1674.78] In terms of the truth and righteousness, he would endlich with women. +[1674.78 --> 1676.72] It's been a cause of Glue, with a tremendous pain and잖아요 in the grace that travel to work. +[1676.72 --> 1678.78] Yet, he will always have to offer in the legacy that the portal to our children with wickedâ wielis. +[1678.78 --> 1680.16] After the theme of the years, and his great andバ prácted resourcessinging empire with the place, +[1680.16 --> 1680.58] and the grateful is given by them to us. +[1680.58 --> 1681.26] the prepare and the justification of the是什麼 by the Familien that puzzles, +[1681.26 --> 1681.88] a home of the peace of theust & или a partner of Jesus. +[1686.22 --> 1715.22] ¶¶ +[1716.22 --> 1721.22] ¶¶ +[1721.22 --> 1726.22] ¶¶ +[1726.22 --> 1731.22] ¶¶ +[1731.22 --> 1733.22] ¶¶ +[1733.22 --> 1738.22] ¶¶ +[1738.22 --> 1741.22] ¶¶ +[1741.22 --> 1745.22] ¶¶ +[1745.22 --> 1750.22] ¶¶ +[1750.22 --> 1755.22] ¶¶ +[1755.22 --> 1757.22] ¶¶ +[1757.22 --> 1758.22] ¶¶ +[1758.22 --> 1762.22] ¶¶ +[1762.22 --> 1764.22] ¶¶ +[1764.22 --> 1767.22] ¶¶ +[1767.22 --> 1777.22] ¶¶ +[1777.22 --> 1779.22] ¶¶ +[1779.22 --> 1780.22] ¶¶ +[1780.22 --> 1784.22] ¶¶ +[1784.22 --> 1794.22] ¶¶ +[1794.22 --> 1796.22] ¶¶ +[1796.22 --> 1797.22] ¶¶ +[1797.22 --> 1798.22] ¶¶ +[1798.22 --> 1801.22] ¶¶ +[1801.22 --> 1802.22] ¶¶ +[1802.22 --> 1811.22] ¶¶ +[1811.22 --> 1813.22] ¶¶ +[1813.22 --> 1814.22] ¶¶ +[1814.22 --> 1815.22] ¶¶ +[1815.22 --> 1818.22] ¶¶ +[1818.22 --> 1831.22] ¶¶ +[1831.22 --> 1833.22] ¶¶ +[1833.22 --> 1842.86] Radiant beams from thy holy face +[1842.86 --> 1851.18] With the God-dealing grace +[1851.18 --> 1858.14] Jesus, Lord, at thy birth +[1858.14 --> 1865.14] Jesus, Lord, at thy birth +[1865.14 --> 1876.14] Silent dawn, holy night +[1876.14 --> 1884.14] Heartless dawn, let my love +[1884.14 --> 1891.14] Holy, holy, holy, holy +[1891.14 --> 1901.14] Hallelujah, holy, holy +[1901.14 --> 1911.14] Hallelujah, Lord, at thy birth +[1911.14 --> 1916.14] Silent dawn, holy, holy +[1941.14 --> 1950.14] Amen +[1950.14 --> 1952.14] Amen +[1952.14 --> 1954.14] Amen +[1954.14 --> 1958.14] Amen +[1958.14 --> 1975.42] Our child is there to wait, to rest on every time is sleeping. +[1975.42 --> 1987.84] Who angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch our feeding. +[1989.34 --> 2001.20] This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing. +[2001.20 --> 2013.12] Haste, haste to bring him blood, the babe, the son of Mary. +[2014.72 --> 2026.24] What lies he in such cleanest faith, where ox and bass are feeding? +[2026.24 --> 2039.28] The Christian fear for sinners fear, the silent word is pleading. +[2040.02 --> 2051.06] Hail, spirit shall pierce him through, the cross be born for me and you. +[2051.06 --> 2062.68] Hail, hail, for word they pledge, the baked son of Mary. +[2064.50 --> 2076.20] So bring him incense, gold and fir, come peasant king to own him. +[2076.20 --> 2088.26] The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone him. +[2089.02 --> 2099.20] Praise, praise the Son on high, the Virgin sings her valvary. +[2099.20 --> 2111.88] Joy, joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary. +[2111.88 --> 2113.88] Amen. +[2131.14 --> 2134.40] And folding at last. +[2134.88 --> 2139.30] After countless years of waiting, God's promised savior was ready to be born. +[2139.30 --> 2147.36] So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to Bethlehem, the town of David, +[2147.58 --> 2152.66] because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, +[2152.80 --> 2157.38] who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, +[2157.38 --> 2163.32] the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped +[2163.32 --> 2167.76] him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. +[2169.30 --> 2175.08] And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. +[2175.54 --> 2180.84] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. +[2181.72 --> 2187.20] But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for +[2187.20 --> 2193.26] all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, +[2193.26 --> 2199.14] the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. +[2199.30 --> 2207.28] Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, +[2207.90 --> 2213.08] Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. +[2213.66 --> 2217.92] When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, +[2218.28 --> 2222.82] Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. +[2222.82 --> 2229.10] So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. +[2229.60 --> 2234.50] When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child. +[2234.90 --> 2239.00] And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds had said to them. +[2239.30 --> 2242.64] But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. +[2242.64 --> 2248.16] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, +[2248.16 --> 2250.42] which were just as they had been told. +[2250.42 --> 2279.82] The shepherdsNS +[2279.82 --> 2305.38] Star of East, star in the night, climbing high, burning bright, +[2305.38 --> 2315.10] leading all the mountains, the mistletoe, wise men worships, the King of kings. +[2317.90 --> 2327.24] Shepherds keeping, watch by night, angel appearing, glorious and bright, +[2327.24 --> 2337.02] be not afraid that news I bring of Christ the Savior, the King of kings. +[2340.64 --> 2349.24] Hail, King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the truth and the story of my holy king. +[2349.24 --> 2356.46] Hail, King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the King of kings. +[2356.46 --> 2366.96] Hail, King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the King of kings. +[2366.96 --> 2384.68] Who gave the glory, sing praise to the name, the true Christmas story, +[2384.68 --> 2389.18] the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2389.18 --> 2398.40] Who gave the glory, sing praise to the name, the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2398.40 --> 2407.62] The King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2407.62 --> 2416.84] Spirit of wisdom, the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2416.84 --> 2420.84] Fear in the Lord is his delight. +[2420.84 --> 2429.84] Almighty God and Prince of peace, his glorious will never be. +[2429.84 --> 2459.82] Hail, King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2459.84 --> 2473.34] The King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the true Christmas story of my holy king. +[2473.34 --> 2477.24] My throne is his holy king. +[2477.24 --> 2480.94] He said to each other, he had to say, Eugene, serve to the name, and the true promise of my holy king. +[2480.94 --> 2485.28] What marijuana do not back up to his Holly'清楚 will never be. +[2485.28 --> 2488.30] Paul, King of kings, glory, sing praise to the name, the case of my holy king. +[2488.30 --> 2494.48] Marvelous Night. +[2518.30 --> 2548.28] Marvelous Night. +[2548.30 --> 2578.28] Marvelous Night. +[2578.30 --> 2600.30] Marvelous Night. +[2600.30 --> 2611.06] "'Hon,igon, загu major, +[2611.06 --> 2618.30] "'The King Drink, bowl Holy King. +[2618.30 --> 2621.90] "'Inwill mills shall carryاد of God.'" +[2621.90 --> 2639.74] Visit le +[2639.76 --> 2644.90] ru +[2644.90 --> 2674.88] Thank you. +[2674.90 --> 2704.88] Thank you. +[2704.90 --> 2734.88] Thank you. +[2734.90 --> 2736.90] Thank you. +[2737.80 --> 2746.14] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, +[2746.70 --> 2752.34] Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. +[2752.34 --> 2768.12] They were told to go and search carefully for the child. And so they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. +[2768.12 --> 2770.96] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. +[2770.96 --> 2772.96] Thank you. +[2772.96 --> 2802.96] +[2802.96 --> 2804.96] Thank you. +[2804.96 --> 2806.96] Thank you. +[2806.96 --> 2808.96] Thank you. +[2808.96 --> 2809.96] Thank you. +[2809.96 --> 2811.96] Thank you. +[2811.96 --> 2813.96] Thank you. +[2813.96 --> 2814.96] Thank you. +[2814.96 --> 2816.96] Thank you. +[2816.96 --> 2817.96] Thank you. +[2817.96 --> 2818.96] Thank you. +[2818.96 --> 2820.96] Thank you. +[2820.96 --> 2821.96] Thank you. +[2821.96 --> 2822.96] Thank you. +[2822.96 --> 2824.96] Thank you. +[2824.96 --> 2825.96] Thank you. +[2825.96 --> 2826.96] Thank you. +[2826.96 --> 2827.96] Thank you. +[2827.96 --> 2837.96] Thank you. +[2837.96 --> 2867.94] Thank you. +[2867.96 --> 2897.94] Thank you. +[2897.96 --> 2927.94] Thank you. +[2927.96 --> 2957.94] Thank you. +[2957.96 --> 2959.96] Thank you. +[2959.96 --> 2961.96] Thank you. +[2961.96 --> 2963.96] Thank you. +[2963.96 --> 2965.96] Thank you. +[2965.96 --> 2967.96] Thank you. +[2995.96 --> 2997.96] Thank you. +[3025.96 --> 3027.96] Thank you. +[3055.96 --> 3057.96] Thank you. +[3085.96 --> 3087.96] Thank you. +[3087.96 --> 3089.96] Thank you. +[3089.96 --> 3119.94] Thank you. +[3119.96 --> 3124.96] Kyrie bees senken deurik +[3124.96 --> 3127.90] merch tulip +[3127.90 --> 3135.42] vrp +[3135.42 --> 3135.80] ek +[3135.80 --> 3137.54] ne +[3137.54 --> 3137.88] et +[3137.88 --> 3138.76] k +[3138.76 --> 3140.10] m +[3140.10 --> 3141.08] ú +[3141.08 --> 3141.66] ah +[3141.66 --> 3142.20] Strong +[3142.20 --> 3143.56] as +[3143.56 --> 3145.68] an +[3147.24 --> 3147.74] a +[3147.74 --> 3177.72] Oh, my God. +[3177.74 --> 3207.72] Oh, my God. +[3207.74 --> 3237.72] Oh, my God. +[3237.74 --> 3267.72] Oh, my God. +[3267.72 --> 3269.72] Oh, my God. +[3269.72 --> 3273.04] And so, like the Magi, we wait. +[3273.70 --> 3275.02] The signs are clear. +[3275.28 --> 3278.66] The star shines in the sky, and the birth of our Savior is come. +[3278.94 --> 3280.74] And yet, we still wait. +[3280.74 --> 3290.06] Even though we know that Christ has been born, and that his work is complete, and that his sacrifice is for sure, we still wait to celebrate his second coming. +[3290.60 --> 3293.46] Today, we look back to fuel our hope for the future. +[3293.46 --> 3296.34] We wait because, as Revelation tells us, +[3296.34 --> 3300.34] Behold, I am coming soon. +[3300.60 --> 3304.98] My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. +[3304.98 --> 3311.86] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. +[3311.86 --> 3312.86] Amen. +[3312.86 --> 3313.86] Amen. +[3313.86 --> 3315.86] Amen. +[3315.86 --> 3317.86] Amen. +[3317.86 --> 3318.86] Amen. +[3318.86 --> 3319.86] Amen. +[3348.86 --> 3350.86] Amen. +[3378.86 --> 3380.86] Amen. +[3408.86 --> 3410.86] Amen. +[3438.86 --> 3440.86] Amen. +[3468.86 --> 3470.86] Amen. +[3498.86 --> 3500.86] Amen. +[3500.86 --> 3502.86] Amen. +[3502.86 --> 3504.86] Amen. +[3506.86 --> 3508.86] Amen. +[3522.86 --> 3526.86] Why don't you have a seat now? +[3528.86 --> 3532.98] For those of you who are guests here tonight, my name is Chris. +[3533.22 --> 3536.30] I'm one of the other pastors here at Langley Emanuel. +[3537.30 --> 3543.18] And before we close, I just want to recognize something about tonight, +[3543.44 --> 3548.02] about nights like tonight, and seasons like the one we find ourselves in. +[3550.62 --> 3556.00] It's dark out there, both literally and figuratively. +[3556.00 --> 3563.00] At the time of year where the darkness is the longest and the heaviest that it may feel, +[3563.90 --> 3570.26] and yet here we sing that the light of the world has come into his creation. +[3570.80 --> 3577.86] That God himself, the one who spoke, let there be light, has come into this world. +[3578.84 --> 3581.46] Light has pierced the darkness. +[3581.46 --> 3589.58] And so we have these little lights among us, and you were given a little light on your way in. +[3589.78 --> 3592.94] In just a moment, we are going to sing our closing song. +[3593.92 --> 3600.76] And before we sing, we're going to have a few elders come up to the front, elders from our church. +[3600.76 --> 3608.12] And then Pastor Kevin and I will each light our candles, and then we will pass that light to the elders. +[3608.12 --> 3611.64] And then the elders will go out and pass that light to you. +[3612.04 --> 3614.28] And then you pass it down the row. +[3614.48 --> 3618.82] And in that way, in this moment, the light gets a little bit brighter. +[3619.50 --> 3623.22] And then as we go, we carry that light with you. +[3623.22 --> 3630.16] Now, this is also just a symbol, and so when you get to the doors, please blow your candle out and give it to the person who is there. +[3631.64 --> 3634.82] We don't need flames running around in the foyer afterwards. +[3636.16 --> 3637.98] But here's what else we know. +[3637.98 --> 3645.76] Even as we bring light into the darkness, we do so in a particular way and for particular purposes. +[3645.76 --> 3657.04] I was reflecting with someone this week about a story from the Old Testament, a story of David, before he fights Goliath. +[3658.70 --> 3666.12] In 1 Samuel 16, he is in the court of Saul, who's being oppressed by an evil spirit. +[3666.72 --> 3672.44] There's a darkness on him, and David sings, and the spirit flees. +[3672.44 --> 3681.02] There's something about the church gathering to sing the praises of God that causes the darkness to flee. +[3682.20 --> 3691.52] There's something about the church that gathers to sing the praises of Jesus who enters the world in this time that causes the devil to tremble. +[3693.20 --> 3695.64] And that's why we sing in the darkness. +[3696.92 --> 3699.70] That's why we gather on nights like tonight. +[3699.70 --> 3707.28] And so, even as you go, go singing the praises of our good God. +[3707.58 --> 3711.06] Go also with an invitation to continue singing. +[3711.44 --> 3716.12] Now, if you're a member at another church, we want to encourage you to connect with your churches +[3716.12 --> 3720.16] and for whatever they're doing over the Christmas season, whether it's Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, +[3720.72 --> 3724.42] plug in and sing loudly at those gatherings together. +[3724.42 --> 3732.70] If you're looking for a place to gather on Christmas Day, we will be here at 10 a.m. to sing the glories of our good God. +[3732.84 --> 3734.48] And we invite you to join us for that. +[3735.44 --> 3739.24] But before we go, we're going to receive God's blessing. +[3739.96 --> 3741.44] And so I'm going to invite you to stand. +[3741.44 --> 3749.94] As you stand, I invite you to take a posture of receipt, knowing that it is God himself who meets us here in this place. +[3750.30 --> 3753.68] And that as we sing his praises, he fills us with his spirit. +[3753.92 --> 3761.56] As we stand on his word, he gives us a foundation in and from which to step into whatever comes next. +[3761.56 --> 3764.16] And he goes with us. +[3764.58 --> 3767.16] And so receive the blessing of our God. +[3767.24 --> 3772.48] After the blessing, I'm going to have Pastor Kevin come up and the elders who I spoke to beforehand to come up. +[3772.66 --> 3776.28] And then once we get the first candles lit, you guys may start us in singing. +[3777.34 --> 3778.40] The blessing of God. +[3780.68 --> 3783.24] God go before you to lead you. +[3784.38 --> 3786.84] God go behind you to protect you. +[3788.00 --> 3790.14] God go beneath you to support you. +[3790.14 --> 3793.58] God go beside you to befriend you. +[3794.32 --> 3796.36] Do not be afraid. +[3797.02 --> 3799.02] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[3799.14 --> 3800.60] Do not be afraid. +[3801.04 --> 3805.60] But go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[3806.18 --> 3808.38] All God's people said, amen. +[3820.40 --> 3823.30] God, let the blessing of the Lord. +[3823.38 --> 3826.14] Amen. +[3827.14 --> 3828.36] Amen. +[3828.60 --> 3829.14] Amen. +[3829.14 --> 3859.12] Thank you. +[3859.14 --> 3889.12] Thank you. +[3889.14 --> 3919.12] Thank you. +[3919.14 --> 3949.12] Thank you. +[3949.14 --> 3979.12] Thank you. +[3979.14 --> 4009.12] Thank you. +[4009.14 --> 4039.12] Thank you. +[4039.14 --> 4069.12] Thank you. diff --git a/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_summary.txt b/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..adbaccda7422763362648c91dfb1f4e8c33d3fd9 --- /dev/null +++ b/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,98 @@ +• A song about redemption and resurrection +• Test audio equipment for broadcast or live streaming +• Introduction to worship service on Resurrection Sunday +• Announcements: + • Pastor's class in May for those interested in making a public profession of faith + • Gems Sunday next week to celebrate the ministry + • Treat Tag month in April +• Dropping worship materials on people's porches or sneaking them to them +• Continuing activities through the end of the month as able +• Passing the peace in worship +• Celebrating Resurrection Sunday and Easter morning +• Reading from Luke 24, specifically Jesus' resurrection +• Thanking God for the gift of salvation and eternal life +• Singing hymns, including Christ the Lord is Risen Today +• Jesus Christ is alive and offers hope through faith in Him. +• The Apostles' Creed is recited as a statement of Christian belief. +• The story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is referenced. +• The speaker reflects on the significance of the cross, calling it "my salvation" where God's love was poured out. +• Various phrases are repeated, including "Alleluia", "Praise and honor unto thee", and other expressions of worship. +• Hosanna chants and expressions of praise to God +• Worship service continues with offerings for the church budget and Life Water Canada +• Story about Life Water Canada, a organization founded by two men from Thunder Bay, Ontario to dig wells in villages contaminated by war +• Scripture reading about Jesus' statement "I was thirsty and you gave me to drink" +• Personal testimony of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ +• Discussion of Easter and Jesus' resurrection in children's worship time +• Prayer requests for various church members, including health issues and the nomination process for pastoral elders and deacons +• Reading from Luke 24:1-12, the story of the resurrection in the Gospel of Luke +• Election discussion (not fully transcribed) +• The speaker discusses the Canadian national debt and how it is a nonsensical number that they cannot wrap their head around. +• The speaker compares the feeling of being overwhelmed by large numbers to the disciples' experience of the resurrection, which seemed like nonsense to them. +• The speaker warns against reading the Bible with a "prideful privileging of the contemporary perspective", assuming that people in the past were less intelligent or knew less about the world. +• The speaker emphasizes that the resurrection did not make sense to the disciples and should not be dismissed as nonsensical, but rather understood within its own context. +• Hippocrates' school collected medical documents and writings on health and well-being +• The word "leros" was used to describe irrational speech and hallucinations associated with illness or high fevers +• The disciples would be more likely to believe the women were delirious rather than Jesus being raised from the dead +• Resurrection doesn't make sense in the existing framework of perception, expectation, and meaning +• Sense-making refers to comprehension, emotional aspects, and making sense of reality +• Nonsense is a lack of meaning or coherence with reality +• People today struggle to make sense of the world due to shifting perspectives and increasing complexity +• The terms "sense-making" and "meaning-making" have skyrocketed in usage due to internet trends and SEO key terms +• The limits of reason and observation in understanding reality +• The Enlightenment project's focus on demystifying the world and its limitations +• The rise of postmodernism and its deconstruction of objective truth +• Post-postmodernism and the emergence of metamodernism as a new cultural movement +• Metamodernism's oscillation between modern and postmodern perspectives +• The tension between modern and postmodern perspectives +• The coexistence of hope and melancholy, naivete and knowingness +• The struggle with ambiguity and the need for sense-making in a post-secular age +• The interplay between doubt and faith, as well as wonder and certainty +• The longing for transcendence and spirituality in a world where they are denied +• The resurrection of Jesus does not fit into a modern world view +• It's a new way of seeing and understanding the world +• Resurrection faith is supra-rational, remaking imagination +• Faith involves commitment to a particular way of understanding the world +• The resurrection provides a necessary framework for making sense of the world +• Without the resurrection, the world lacks coherence +• The need for a unifying narrative or meaning in life +• The significance of the resurrection as the one true story that reorders all other stories and gives life meaning +• The cross and resurrection of Jesus being pivotal events that transform shame into glory, foolishness into wisdom, and humiliation into exaltation +• The power of the resurrection to redeem even the most traumatic experiences in life +• The concept of death and its significance in relation to the resurrection: without it, death has the last word; with it, death is defeated and redefined. +• Jesus' resurrection is seen as a living experience in the present, not just a future event +• Practicing resurrection involves intentional decision-making and participation in life out of death +• Resurrection life means faith, hope, and love in a world focused on death and nonsense +• Introducing people to Christianity through imagination can be more effective than intellectual arguments +• The role of art and aesthetics in engaging with apologetics +• A poem by Malcolm Guite is read to illustrate resurrection faith and doubt in an age of nonsense +• Imagery of an empty tomb on Easter day and a sense of liberation +• Reflection on the resurrection's impact on one's life and faith +• Prayers for a deeper understanding and connection with God, particularly in everyday experiences +• Invitation to participate in an Easter liturgy and feast of victory +• Discussion of Christ's example and mandate to remember Him through bread and cup +• Call to come to the table regardless of faith or doubt +• Introduction to communion service +• Instructions for participating in communion: coming up to the table in groups, passing bread and juice, and saying specific phrases +• Accommodations for those with gluten-free dietary needs +• Instructions for serving communion to those who are unable to come to the front +• Introduction of worship leaders and elders to lead singing and prayer +• Invitation to meet someone for prayer in the foyer +• Communion service begins +• Worship song "Amazing Grace" is sung at the end +• References to Christian hymns and scripture, specifically "Amazing Grace" and Bible verses about Jesus being the bread of life +• Discussion of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ +• Expressions of gratitude for the cross and God's love +• Themes of eternal life, resurrection, and raising up on the last day +• Reflections on human weakness and dependence on God's power +• Jesus paid it all and we owe Him everything +• Sin has left a crimson stain, but He washed it white as snow +• Story about Peter running to the tomb after Jesus' resurrection +• Invocation for God's blessing and protection in one's life +• Sermon referencing Calvary and Jesus' crucifixion +• Praise to God +• Jesus' return in robes of white +• The sun shining brightly at night +• Rising among the saints and seeing Jesus' face +• Repeating prayers and hymns +• A future "glorious unfolding" of God's story and plan +• Trusting in God's promises and love \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_transcript.txt b/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..c85858f0bcb6de0c3fe45d779f00bc9cfcfb490d --- /dev/null +++ b/Easter Sunday, April 20 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1629 @@ +[0.00 --> 13.64] Out of the shadows, found for the gallows, a dead man walking, till love came calling. +[14.72 --> 19.40] Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up. +[19.52 --> 27.90] Six feet under, I thought it was over, and answered a prayer, the voice of a savior. +[27.90 --> 34.00] Rise up, rise up, rise up, rise up. +[34.48 --> 49.90] Fall in once, I came alive, this beating on, these open eyes, the ground let go, the darkness should have known. +[49.90 --> 58.90] Oh, you're still rolling, you're still rolling, you're still rolling, you're still rolling, you're still rolling, you're still rolling. +[62.90 --> 69.12] Now that you saved me, I think cause you gave me a song of revival. +[69.12 --> 71.64] I put it on vinyl +[71.64 --> 73.98] Rise up +[73.98 --> 76.38] Rise up +[76.38 --> 77.50] Rise up +[77.50 --> 79.50] I once was blinded +[79.50 --> 81.90] But now I see it +[81.90 --> 83.80] I heard about the power +[83.80 --> 86.88] And now I believe it +[86.88 --> 88.52] Rise up +[88.52 --> 89.64] Rise up +[89.64 --> 92.14] Rise up +[92.14 --> 94.48] All at once +[94.48 --> 96.82] I came alive +[96.82 --> 99.34] This bitter night +[99.34 --> 101.72] These open eyes +[101.72 --> 104.08] They're gonna go +[104.08 --> 109.86] The darkness should have known +[109.86 --> 112.88] You're still rolling stones +[112.88 --> 117.80] You're still rolling stones +[117.80 --> 125.48] I thought that I was too far gone +[125.48 --> 130.84] For everything I've done wrong +[130.84 --> 135.48] Yeah, I'm the one who dug this grave +[135.48 --> 138.70] But you called my name +[138.70 --> 141.60] You called my name +[141.60 --> 145.54] I thought that I was too far gone +[145.54 --> 150.88] For everything I've done wrong +[150.88 --> 155.68] Yeah, I'm the one who dug this grave +[155.68 --> 158.72] But you called my name +[158.72 --> 162.76] You called my name +[162.76 --> 166.22] All at once +[166.22 --> 167.76] I came alive +[167.76 --> 170.98] This bitter night +[170.98 --> 172.76] These open eyes +[172.76 --> 175.80] They're gonna go +[175.80 --> 180.76] The darkness should have known +[180.76 --> 183.76] You're still rolling stone +[183.76 --> 185.54] He's still rolling +[185.54 --> 201.08] Oh, you're still rolling +[201.08 --> 206.02] Rolling +[206.02 --> 206.80] Rolling +[206.80 --> 207.74] You're still rolling +[207.74 --> 208.32] Strong +[208.32 --> 238.30] Satsang with Mooji +[238.32 --> 263.56] Test one, two, test, check, test, test, test, hello, everybody. +[263.56 --> 269.24] Test one, two, testing, testing, are we live, are we live? +[269.46 --> 270.96] Seems to be bouncing up there, so. +[293.56 --> 300.32] The angels went, the Father looked away. +[303.20 --> 309.92] The final breath, He bowed His hand. +[310.56 --> 313.56] The Lamb of God was slain. +[313.56 --> 319.68] By His wounds I am set free +[319.68 --> 326.56] By His blood I've been redeemed +[326.56 --> 332.56] The great divide He crossed for me +[332.56 --> 338.88] Oh, praise the God of Calvary +[338.88 --> 355.20] On the hill of Calvary +[355.20 --> 359.30] Into the Father's hands +[359.30 --> 363.66] A holy surrender +[363.66 --> 368.26] A borrowed tomb +[368.26 --> 371.56] His mother wept +[371.56 --> 374.98] And there His body lay +[374.98 --> 381.20] But the stone was moved +[381.20 --> 384.54] He conquered death +[384.54 --> 386.12] And rose +[398.26 --> 413.56] Christ is risen +[413.56 --> 425.50] Christ is risen +[425.50 --> 428.90] Christ is risen +[428.90 --> 433.86] Christ is risen +[433.86 --> 438.94] Amen and amen +[438.94 --> 442.74] Welcome to worship on this Resurrection Sunday +[442.74 --> 445.70] A special welcome if you are a guest among us +[445.70 --> 448.28] My name is Chris, I'm one of the pastors here +[448.28 --> 454.62] And it's our privilege to gather together and to worship our risen Savior today +[454.62 --> 460.78] Before we begin in earnest we have a couple announcements to remind you of and throw it in front of you +[460.78 --> 467.58] First of all, in May, beginning in May, we will be running a pastor's class +[467.58 --> 476.56] And so that's a class for people, primarily young people, often who have found their way through our youth program +[476.56 --> 479.24] And who are interested in doing profession of faith +[479.24 --> 483.02] Interested in standing up and saying, yes, this I believe +[483.02 --> 486.20] And I want to share that with this family of God +[486.20 --> 489.94] And so if you are interested in making a public profession of faith +[489.94 --> 492.56] Talk to me or to Pastor Kevin +[492.56 --> 494.46] After our worship together +[494.46 --> 497.28] And we'll explain to you what pastor's class looks like +[497.28 --> 499.94] And when that will get started in earnest +[499.94 --> 507.48] Secondly, we want to remind you or inform you that next Sunday here at Emmanuel is Gems Sunday +[507.48 --> 510.68] And so we're going to be celebrating and lifting up the Gems ministry +[510.68 --> 514.52] It's a young girls ministry that happens here every other week +[514.52 --> 520.32] We'll hear stories from them, see what God has been up to in the midst of that work together +[520.32 --> 526.76] And then lastly, April is the month where we also celebrate and practice treat tag +[526.76 --> 535.52] I'll give you another chance at the end of the announcement, be ready +[535.52 --> 540.22] And so if you don't know, treat tag +[540.22 --> 541.56] Treat tag +[541.56 --> 545.36] Is one of the things we do around here where we just bless one another +[545.36 --> 548.94] By sharing a small treat, a goodie of some sort +[548.94 --> 553.00] Either here at church on our Sunday worship +[553.00 --> 555.60] Or throughout the week dropping it on people's porches +[555.60 --> 558.28] Or sneaking it to them in some way +[558.28 --> 560.52] I encourage you to continue that +[560.52 --> 563.16] And keep that going through the end of the month +[563.16 --> 566.14] As we have the opportunity to do so +[566.14 --> 567.08] Treat tag +[567.08 --> 571.44] We're losing vigor +[571.44 --> 577.84] As we come together, we do so in the presence of our good God +[577.84 --> 580.48] And so I'm going to invite you as you're able to stand together +[580.48 --> 584.74] God will welcome us in his presence with his greeting +[584.74 --> 589.20] Following the greeting of God, I invite you to turn to those around you +[589.20 --> 591.72] And welcome them in worship together +[591.72 --> 595.28] Welcome them by passing the peace, saying the peace of Christ be with you +[595.28 --> 596.66] Or the Lord be with you +[596.66 --> 601.42] Welcome them into our worship this amazing Resurrection Sunday +[601.42 --> 603.86] Receive the blessing of our God +[603.86 --> 608.22] Grace, mercy, and peace to you +[608.22 --> 609.38] From God our Father +[609.38 --> 612.42] From the risen Jesus Christ, his Son and our Savior +[612.42 --> 615.26] Through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit +[615.26 --> 616.50] Amen +[616.50 --> 616.58] Amen +[616.58 --> 618.58] Amen +[618.58 --> 620.58] Amen +[620.58 --> 622.58] Amen +[622.58 --> 624.58] Amen +[624.58 --> 626.58] Amen +[626.58 --> 628.58] Amen +[628.58 --> 630.58] Amen +[630.58 --> 630.64] Amen +[633.86 --> 654.58] Amen +[654.58 --> 656.24] Luke 24 +[656.24 --> 660.20] They found the stone rolled away from the tomb +[660.20 --> 663.84] But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord +[663.84 --> 664.42] Jesus +[664.42 --> 670.68] While they were wondering about this, suddenly men in clothes that gleamed like lightning +[670.68 --> 672.32] stood beside them +[672.32 --> 677.48] In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground +[677.48 --> 682.16] But the men said to them, why do you look for the living among the dead? +[682.64 --> 688.54] He is not here. He has risen. Remember how he told you +[688.54 --> 690.60] While he was still in Galilee +[690.60 --> 695.40] That the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men +[695.40 --> 696.82] And be crucified +[696.82 --> 699.48] And on the third day, rise +[699.48 --> 704.14] Let's open our Easter morning worship together +[704.14 --> 705.38] In a word of prayer +[705.38 --> 712.88] Almighty God, on this Easter Sunday, we celebrate with joy and thankfulness +[712.88 --> 715.60] For the sacrificial love of Jesus +[715.60 --> 719.36] And the redemption that we have in his death and resurrection +[719.36 --> 722.84] Thank you for the gift of salvation +[722.84 --> 726.08] And the promise of eternal life with you +[726.08 --> 729.74] As we enter into this time of worship +[729.74 --> 733.98] May our hearts overflow with gratitude and praise +[733.98 --> 735.12] Amen +[735.12 --> 739.06] Some of you brought flowers this morning +[739.06 --> 742.64] And some of you got a few flowers on your way in +[742.64 --> 746.88] So we encourage you in these first two songs of worship this morning +[746.88 --> 749.12] To come and pick a vase and put them in there +[749.12 --> 770.44] Christ the Lord is risen today +[770.44 --> 773.10] Hallelujah +[773.10 --> 774.10] Hallelujah +[774.10 --> 778.76] Sons of men and angels say +[778.76 --> 780.96] Hallelujah +[780.96 --> 786.18] Raise your choice and try us high +[786.18 --> 788.72] Hallelujah +[788.72 --> 793.54] Sing he has and earth reply +[793.54 --> 796.44] Hallelujah +[796.44 --> 797.44] Hallelujah +[797.44 --> 798.44] Hallelujah +[798.44 --> 808.44] Lived again our glorious King +[808.44 --> 810.44] Hallelujah +[810.44 --> 816.16] Where oh death is now thy sting +[816.16 --> 818.44] Hallelujah +[818.44 --> 823.56] Dying once he all comes to +[823.56 --> 825.44] Hallelujah +[825.44 --> 826.44] Hallelujah +[826.44 --> 830.44] Where's thy victory, oh great +[830.44 --> 831.44] Hallelujah +[831.44 --> 838.44] He is not dead +[838.44 --> 841.44] He is alive +[841.44 --> 846.44] He has this hope +[846.44 --> 850.44] In Jesus Christ +[850.44 --> 864.44] God's redeeming work is done +[864.44 --> 865.44] Hallelujah +[865.44 --> 871.44] God the fight, the battle won +[871.44 --> 872.44] Hallelujah +[872.44 --> 875.44] Death and pain forbear to Christ +[875.44 --> 876.44] Hallelujah +[876.44 --> 879.44] Death and pain forbear to Christ +[879.44 --> 880.44] Hallelujah +[880.44 --> 881.44] Hallelujah +[881.44 --> 885.44] Christ has opened paradise +[885.44 --> 886.44] Hallelujah +[886.44 --> 887.44] He is not dead +[887.44 --> 888.44] He is alive +[888.44 --> 890.44] He is alive +[890.44 --> 892.44] He has this hope +[892.44 --> 894.44] He is not dead +[894.44 --> 895.44] He is alive +[895.44 --> 896.44] He is alive +[896.44 --> 897.44] He is alive +[897.44 --> 899.44] He is alive +[899.44 --> 901.44] He has this hope +[901.44 --> 903.44] He has this hope +[903.44 --> 905.44] In Jesus Christ +[905.44 --> 919.44] us +[924.56 --> 931.44] soar we now where christ has led +[935.44 --> 941.68] am +[944.64 --> 949.68] oh +[950.32 --> 953.68] the +[953.68 --> 971.90] Hallelujah. He is not dead. He is alive. We have His hope in Jesus Christ. +[971.90 --> 987.82] He is not dead. He is alive. We have His hope in Jesus Christ. +[1001.90 --> 1003.90] Amen. +[1031.90 --> 1033.90] Amen. +[1061.90 --> 1063.90] Amen. +[1091.90 --> 1093.90] Amen. +[1121.90 --> 1123.90] Amen. +[1151.90 --> 1153.90] Amen. +[1181.90 --> 1183.90] Amen. +[1211.90 --> 1219.94] Let's join together with our hearts and our voices in confessing what we believe through +[1219.94 --> 1221.16] the Apostles' Creed. +[1223.24 --> 1232.00] I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and Jesus Christ, His +[1232.00 --> 1240.56] only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, suffered +[1240.56 --> 1247.74] under Pontius Pilate, who was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into heaven. +[1248.26 --> 1255.08] The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and stood at the right +[1255.08 --> 1261.78] hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. +[1262.60 --> 1270.30] I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness +[1270.30 --> 1276.64] of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. +[1276.64 --> 1276.72] Amen. +[1276.72 --> 1277.66] Amen. +[1284.22 --> 1284.58] Amen. +[1284.58 --> 1284.92] Amen. +[1284.92 --> 1285.74] Amen. +[1286.14 --> 1286.42] Amen. +[1286.42 --> 1286.98] Amen. +[1286.98 --> 1287.50] Amen. +[1287.50 --> 1287.68] Amen. +[1287.76 --> 1288.50] Amen. +[1288.50 --> 1289.02] Amen. +[1289.02 --> 1293.08] Amen. +[1293.22 --> 1293.26] Amen. +[1293.66 --> 1294.90] Amen. +[1294.90 --> 1295.60] Amen. +[1295.60 --> 1297.20] Amen. +[1297.20 --> 1297.22] Amen. +[1297.22 --> 1297.86] Amen. +[1297.86 --> 1298.58] Amen. +[1298.58 --> 1298.70] Amen. +[1298.70 --> 1301.18] Amen. +[1301.18 --> 1302.44] Amen. +[1302.66 --> 1303.66] Amen. +[1304.66 --> 1305.20] Amen. +[1305.58 --> 1306.26] Yes. +[1306.40 --> 1306.62] Amen. +[1306.62 --> 1308.62] Amen. +[1336.62 --> 1352.18] Silent as he stood accused, beaten, marked, and scored, +[1352.18 --> 1364.42] bowing to the Father's will, he took the crown of thorns. +[1364.42 --> 1377.36] O that broken cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me, +[1377.36 --> 1389.98] now my soul cries out, Alleluia, praise and honor unto thee. +[1394.42 --> 1404.82] Sent of heaven, God's own Son, to purchase and redeem, +[1404.82 --> 1417.64] and reconcile the very ones who nailed it to that tree. +[1417.64 --> 1431.64] O that broken cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me, +[1431.64 --> 1443.64] now my soul cries out, Alleluia, praise and honor unto thee. +[1443.64 --> 1460.64] Now my debt is paid, it is paid in full, By the precious blood that my Jesus spilled, +[1460.64 --> 1490.64] Now the curse of sin has no hold on me, +[1490.64 --> 1497.64] whom the Son sets free, O is free in thee. +[1497.64 --> 1509.64] O that broken cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me, +[1509.64 --> 1522.64] Now my soul cries out, Alleluia, praise and honor unto thee. +[1522.64 --> 1538.64] See the stone is rolled away, Behold the empty tomb. +[1538.64 --> 1539.64] Alleluia, praise and honor unto thee. +[1539.64 --> 1540.64] The stone is filled, by the precious blood that my God poured out over me, +[1540.64 --> 1541.64] Alleluia, praise and honor unto thee. +[1541.64 --> 1551.60] Alleluia, God give praise, He's risen from the grave. +[1551.60 --> 1563.96] Oh, and look across my salvation, Great love poured out over Thee. +[1563.96 --> 1576.28] Now my soul cries out, Alleluia, Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1576.28 --> 1583.28] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1593.96 --> 1600.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1600.96 --> 1608.96] Now my soul cries out, Alleluia, Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1608.96 --> 1612.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1612.96 --> 1616.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1616.96 --> 1620.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1620.96 --> 1625.96] Praise and honor to Thee. +[1625.96 --> 1627.96] milkychil. +[1627.96 --> 1629.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1629.96 --> 1630.96] Praise and honor unto Thee. +[1630.96 --> 1631.96] Praise and honor to Thee. +[1631.96 --> 1632.96] Praise and honor to Thee. +[1632.96 --> 1633.96] Praise and honor to Thee. +[1633.96 --> 1634.96] Praise and honor to Thee. +[1634.96 --> 1635.96] piil. +[1635.96 --> 1639.96] Praise and honor and thee. +[1639.96 --> 1640.96] Theruah. +[1640.96 --> 1641.96] Faith and honor. +[1641.96 --> 1642.96] э generation. +[1642.96 --> 1643.96] Commander, Jesus, our thank you. +[1643.96 --> 1644.96] Praise and honor. +[1644.96 --> 1645.96] Thank you. +[1645.96 --> 1647.96] But within the the need for Alleluia, +[1647.96 --> 1649.96] our servant and the propher famy is. +[1649.96 --> 1656.04] When we see you, we find strength to face the day. +[1657.72 --> 1663.44] In your presence, all our fears are washed away. +[1663.82 --> 1665.58] Washed away. +[1669.54 --> 1673.58] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1675.02 --> 1678.48] You are the God who saves us. +[1678.48 --> 1681.78] Worthy of all our praises. +[1684.32 --> 1689.18] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1690.12 --> 1693.42] Come have your way among us. +[1693.80 --> 1696.72] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. +[1696.72 --> 1708.72] Hear the sound of hearts returning to you. +[1708.72 --> 1712.26] We turn to you. +[1712.26 --> 1723.48] In your kingdom, broken lies are in you. +[1723.48 --> 1726.78] You make us new. +[1726.78 --> 1727.28] You make us new. +[1728.28 --> 1734.94] Because when we see you, we find strength to face the day. +[1735.94 --> 1742.08] In your presence, all our fears are washed away. +[1742.08 --> 1744.08] Washed away. +[1746.38 --> 1752.58] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1753.42 --> 1756.88] You are the God who saves us. +[1757.38 --> 1760.08] Worthy of all our praises. +[1761.38 --> 1767.42] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1767.42 --> 1770.42] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1770.42 --> 1774.86] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus. +[1776.12 --> 1782.18] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1782.18 --> 1786.48] You are the God who saves us. +[1787.02 --> 1789.70] Worthy of all our praises. +[1789.70 --> 1794.82] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1794.82 --> 1796.84] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1798.10 --> 1801.26] Come have your way among us. +[1801.26 --> 1804.60] You welcome you here, Lord Jesus. +[1819.70 --> 1829.24] Good morning. Blessed Easter to all of you. +[1830.74 --> 1837.44] We continue worship by giving our offerings, a thank offering for what God has done for us. +[1838.18 --> 1842.56] Today's offering is for the budget, which is the ministries of this church. +[1842.56 --> 1846.68] If you wish to give to that, then kindly designate it as such. +[1846.68 --> 1850.66] You can use the envelopes that are in the pockets of the chairs in front of you. +[1851.54 --> 1857.70] And our other offering in the undesignated monies then will be today for Life Water Canada. +[1858.68 --> 1866.80] Life Water Canada was an organization that was dear to our former pastor, Pastor Bill Verstegue. +[1866.80 --> 1875.56] And some of you might recall that he actually invented a gizmo using old telephone receivers to detect money. +[1875.56 --> 1876.68] Sorry, money. +[1877.06 --> 1881.56] To detect water in wells. +[1882.46 --> 1889.18] Life Water Canada was founded in 1987 by two men from Thunder Bay, Ontario. +[1889.80 --> 1894.50] One was a hydrologist and he was actually challenged to work out his faith. +[1894.50 --> 1896.12] And so what does he know best? +[1896.12 --> 1897.12] He knows water best. +[1897.12 --> 1908.36] So he headed off to Liberia where many wells were contaminated because of civil war and started digging wells there and founded Life Water Canada with another fellow from Thunder Bay. +[1908.36 --> 1916.36] And now the projects have extended into Libya, into Kenya, and also into Haiti. +[1916.36 --> 1923.86] And when wells are dug in those villages in those countries, it's life-changing for those villages. +[1923.86 --> 1927.24] The infant mortality rate goes down. +[1927.60 --> 1929.50] Kids aren't walking around with tummy aches anymore. +[1930.00 --> 1933.16] And the girls' time now is freed up so that they can go to school. +[1934.22 --> 1936.06] So each well costs about $5,000. +[1937.22 --> 1939.30] And so, yeah. +[1940.52 --> 1944.26] Scripture, we hear that when Jesus was on earth, he said, +[1944.68 --> 1946.82] I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. +[1946.82 --> 1950.98] So today, let's be the hands and feet of Jesus and give generously. +[1950.98 --> 1974.44] I know he rescued my soul. +[1974.44 --> 1978.84] His blood has covered my sin, I believe. +[1978.84 --> 1981.84] I believe. +[1981.84 --> 1982.40] I believe. +[1985.40 --> 1988.44] My shame is taken away. +[1989.44 --> 1992.08] My pain is healing his name. +[1992.16 --> 1993.28] I believe. +[1995.56 --> 1996.84] I believe. +[2000.10 --> 2002.36] I'll raise a banner. +[2004.08 --> 2006.86] My Lord has come to the grave. +[2006.86 --> 2008.48] My Redeemer. +[2008.84 --> 2009.94] My Redeemer is. +[2009.94 --> 2010.96] My Redeemer is. +[2010.96 --> 2013.90] My Redeemer is. +[2013.90 --> 2016.90] My Redeemer is. +[2016.90 --> 2017.24] My Redeemer is. +[2017.24 --> 2022.28] My Redeemer is. +[2023.60 --> 2029.06] I know he rescued my soul. +[2029.62 --> 2032.92] His blood has covered my sin, I believe. +[2032.92 --> 2034.30] I know he dong a Ramadan. +[2034.30 --> 2034.86] My fatigue is, I believe. +[2034.86 --> 2036.30] My государ is. +[2036.30 --> 2037.26] I understand is that! +[2037.26 --> 2037.54] My name is not her name. +[2037.54 --> 2039.20] My sin is this day, this day—R968. +[2039.26 --> 2039.84] I know he protected my sin. +[2040.88 --> 2041.06] I know he brings us. +[2041.06 --> 2041.18] My Breemer would tails kiş, O society of co-лушerry. +[2041.18 --> 2049.16] This is all you want tonight +[2049.16 --> 2051.16] I believe +[2051.16 --> 2056.84] I'll raise a banner +[2056.84 --> 2061.34] My Lord has conquered the grave +[2061.34 --> 2064.58] My Redeemer is +[2064.58 --> 2068.24] My Redeemer is +[2068.24 --> 2071.84] My Redeemer is +[2071.84 --> 2076.16] My Redeemer is +[2076.16 --> 2080.90] You lift my burdens +[2080.90 --> 2084.30] I'll rise in You +[2084.30 --> 2088.62] I'm dancing on this fountain top +[2088.62 --> 2092.26] To see Your kingdom come +[2092.26 --> 2097.28] My Redeemer is +[2097.28 --> 2100.80] My Redeemer is +[2100.80 --> 2104.38] My Redeemer is +[2104.38 --> 2111.32] My Redeemer is +[2111.32 --> 2114.70] My Redeemer is +[2114.70 --> 2118.60] My Redeemer is +[2118.60 --> 2123.78] My Redeemer is +[2123.78 --> 2144.54] Good morning, everybody. +[2144.54 --> 2150.18] Can I have the kids from preschool all the way up to grade four? +[2153.78 --> 2162.78] Can anybody tell me what special day it is? +[2162.78 --> 2165.78] Sunday, but what else? +[2165.78 --> 2166.78] Easter. +[2166.78 --> 2170.78] How do you guys celebrate Easter in your families? +[2170.78 --> 2172.78] Easter eggs. +[2172.78 --> 2174.78] How else do you celebrate? +[2174.78 --> 2181.78] Yep, we celebrate Jesus raising from the dead. +[2181.78 --> 2182.78] Yep. +[2182.78 --> 2184.78] Sometimes Easter bunny comes. +[2184.78 --> 2185.78] Sometimes Easter bunny comes, yep. +[2185.78 --> 2191.78] But today we are talking about Jesus raising from the dead and taking all our sins away +[2191.78 --> 2195.78] and how excited we are to share it with other people. +[2195.78 --> 2200.78] So today in Childers Worship Time, we're going to go back and we're going to do some activities +[2200.78 --> 2209.78] that we are going to learn a fun way to share Jesus' story and his hope that he gives us to others. +[2209.78 --> 2213.78] Can everybody stand up? +[2213.78 --> 2216.78] Yeah, I'll get your question and then, okay? +[2216.78 --> 2220.78] And today is Easter Sunday. +[2220.78 --> 2222.78] Yeah, it's Easter Sunday. +[2222.78 --> 2225.78] Okay, everybody look at the congregation. +[2225.78 --> 2226.78] One, two, three. +[2226.78 --> 2227.78] The Lord. +[2227.78 --> 2228.78] Be with you. +[2228.78 --> 2230.78] And also with you. +[2231.78 --> 2232.78] Steлатers W spreadsheet habr heaven switch over, +[2232.78 --> 2242.74] don't связь with you is to get the anchor +[2242.78 --> 2246.78] of his, tourer his, to terms of earth richacks. +[2246.78 --> 2264.00] Good morning, I'm Eric here, an elder at Emmanuel. +[2264.52 --> 2268.98] Today I just wanted to bring one prayer note before we come and join each other in our family prayer. +[2269.96 --> 2274.02] Tuesday is the last day of our nomination for pastoral elders and deacons in the office. +[2274.02 --> 2277.22] There are forms in the e-bulletins by the church office. +[2277.74 --> 2284.64] Please prayerfully consider who God has in mind for calling to serve our church family in this way. +[2287.34 --> 2288.96] I want a word of prayer this morning. +[2290.64 --> 2292.94] This is the day in which the Lord has made. +[2293.22 --> 2295.46] We will rejoice and be glad in it. +[2295.74 --> 2303.74] May the glory of Jesus' resurrection remind us that with you nothing is impossible or without hope. +[2304.78 --> 2307.50] At this time of year, so many of us struggle in silence. +[2308.24 --> 2312.80] We struggle with all sorts of health issues, whether physical or mental illness. +[2313.38 --> 2318.68] We pray that you, God, will surround us with your peace, comfort, and healing. +[2318.68 --> 2326.88] This morning we want to pray for Mina Veni, mother to Joanne Miles, great-grandmother to Megan. +[2327.76 --> 2333.58] She finds herself struggling with health issues and that she wants to go to eternal home. +[2334.16 --> 2339.36] We pray that she may have a peaceful passing into glory soon. +[2339.36 --> 2347.02] Today, we praise you for successful surgery on Matt Schaap as he had knee constructive surgery. +[2347.34 --> 2351.32] Comfort him in his healing process that everything will go back to normal soon. +[2351.32 --> 2360.00] We also want to think of Emily Klingelting as she as well went through knee surgery and that the healing process is working there as well, Lord. +[2360.78 --> 2366.60] Lord, we want to pray this morning for the students as many of them are in their home stretch, +[2366.72 --> 2371.76] in particular the university and college students as they write their final exams and finish their final projects. +[2372.14 --> 2376.56] Comfort, calm their nerves and protect them in their travels. +[2376.56 --> 2380.82] Today, we pray for council nomination process. +[2381.22 --> 2384.74] We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and inspire those being nominated, +[2385.20 --> 2390.14] lead them to step into the roles in their hearts and serve and love. +[2390.84 --> 2395.98] Lord, today we celebrate with the Klingeltings as Austin Nichols Sills, +[2396.40 --> 2401.82] number 13th grandchild, was given this week to Liz and Gary. +[2403.08 --> 2405.80] Lord, we thank you for so many different blessings in this church. +[2406.56 --> 2410.78] Lord, we give thanks to you for he is good, his love endures forever. +[2411.40 --> 2411.68] Amen. +[2411.68 --> 2411.80] Amen. +[2411.80 --> 2439.52] We're going to spend some time together in God's word, looking at the story of the resurrection as it's told to us in the Gospel of Luke. +[2439.52 --> 2446.44] So we're going to read from Luke 24, the first 12 verses of that chapter. +[2447.06 --> 2451.16] I invite you to open that up in a Bible, in your hands or on your devices. +[2451.36 --> 2454.32] There's a couple at the back if you'd like to grab one to read along there. +[2456.10 --> 2459.52] The first time we go through it will be on the screen behind me. +[2459.52 --> 2466.06] From Luke 24. +[2466.06 --> 2474.90] On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. +[2475.72 --> 2482.10] They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. +[2482.10 --> 2490.46] While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. +[2491.26 --> 2495.46] In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground. +[2495.80 --> 2497.06] But the men said to them, +[2497.06 --> 2517.68] Then they remembered his words. +[2517.68 --> 2544.42] Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. +[2544.42 --> 2554.88] This is the word of the Lord. +[2560.42 --> 2566.20] Now, I'll start with a trigger warning for some of you. +[2566.20 --> 2568.82] I'm going to talk about the election. +[2571.60 --> 2573.96] I don't know if you know, but we're in an election season. +[2575.50 --> 2582.22] Part of what that means is that you have the different political parties talking about their platforms +[2582.22 --> 2585.38] and what they think will be good for our country going forward. +[2585.46 --> 2588.62] Now, I am not going to weigh in one way or the other on that. +[2589.26 --> 2591.58] If you want my personal opinion, we can talk after church. +[2591.58 --> 2599.60] But this week, parties have released or are about to release their costed platforms. +[2600.64 --> 2604.58] Part of that discussion includes looking at our national debt. +[2605.92 --> 2608.42] I don't know if any of you have ever thought about our national debt, +[2608.90 --> 2612.66] but currently Canada sits in debt at about $3 trillion. +[2615.30 --> 2616.68] Now, why do I bring this up? +[2616.68 --> 2620.10] Because honestly, that number means nothing to me. +[2621.04 --> 2622.90] Like, that's a nonsense number. +[2623.72 --> 2627.96] I cannot begin to wrap my head around the quantity, the amount. +[2628.34 --> 2630.72] It's functionally meaningless. +[2632.12 --> 2635.10] And so when everyone talks about how important it is, candidly, +[2635.64 --> 2637.34] like, I just don't get it. +[2637.42 --> 2640.98] Because that number doesn't make sense to me. +[2640.98 --> 2646.82] Now, the reason I bring this up, because I think it's a modern analog +[2646.82 --> 2654.40] to how the disciples and the people around him felt and first experienced the resurrection. +[2655.32 --> 2656.90] It doesn't make sense. +[2657.36 --> 2659.20] It's a nonsense reality. +[2661.50 --> 2663.24] And that's what I want us to look at this morning. +[2664.22 --> 2669.16] My theme for today comes from verse 11 of the text we read, +[2669.16 --> 2670.46] where we read, +[2670.62 --> 2676.38] they did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense. +[2679.46 --> 2687.88] What does it mean to have resurrection faith in an age of nonsense? +[2689.36 --> 2693.92] Or to have faith in nonsense when nonsense seems to be the norm? +[2693.92 --> 2699.76] Now, here's the thing before we start. +[2700.74 --> 2703.72] We say this, or a version of this, all the time. +[2704.22 --> 2706.88] If you listen to the Narthex podcast, +[2707.04 --> 2710.14] Josh has made this refrain famous. +[2710.66 --> 2713.96] The truth is, the Bible was not written to you. +[2714.12 --> 2715.86] It was written for you. +[2717.16 --> 2720.52] And part of what that means is that the world and the culture of the Bible +[2720.52 --> 2724.94] are different than our own, and that is important to recognize +[2724.94 --> 2727.28] if you're going to read the Bible correctly. +[2728.90 --> 2729.12] Right? +[2730.08 --> 2733.90] There's a wrong way to read the Bible. +[2733.90 --> 2744.38] And sometimes we come at stories like this from the perspective of, +[2744.86 --> 2747.70] well, you know, now we know better. +[2748.64 --> 2751.24] Now we understand the world better. +[2752.24 --> 2752.46] Right? +[2752.50 --> 2757.36] Now we've understood that how things like this happen naturally. +[2757.36 --> 2764.92] There's a sort of, like, prideful privileging of the contemporary perspective +[2764.92 --> 2769.14] that kind of assumes that people were, back then, +[2769.34 --> 2774.48] perhaps not less intelligent, but they knew less about the world. +[2775.56 --> 2778.68] And therefore, because they knew less, there was more gaps, +[2778.86 --> 2780.36] and they had to believe more. +[2781.22 --> 2784.74] They made sense of the world through myths and gods +[2784.74 --> 2786.30] and things like the spiritual. +[2786.92 --> 2790.78] And while those things still sort of exist in some way, +[2791.10 --> 2794.52] what we know is that we make better sense of the world now. +[2795.62 --> 2796.12] Right? +[2796.16 --> 2799.10] We have better means or other means. +[2799.96 --> 2804.06] Now, I don't have time to parse all of that out this morning, +[2804.46 --> 2807.60] but I do want us to notice something about the resurrection. +[2808.04 --> 2808.18] Okay? +[2809.24 --> 2813.00] The resurrection didn't make sense to the disciples. +[2813.00 --> 2813.40] Right? +[2814.66 --> 2818.24] Their words seemed to them like nonsense. +[2819.50 --> 2822.28] And so even though sometimes we look at the Bible and we think, +[2822.36 --> 2824.92] oh, we know better today and we think differently now, +[2825.06 --> 2826.86] I don't want you to come at this story, +[2826.94 --> 2829.82] the story of the resurrection, from that place. +[2829.84 --> 2833.38] Because resurrection doesn't make sense in the ancient world either. +[2835.06 --> 2835.54] Right? +[2835.56 --> 2839.34] It doesn't make any more sense then as it does now. +[2840.22 --> 2840.70] Right? +[2840.70 --> 2844.72] Resurrection was just as nonsense sounding then as it was today. +[2845.84 --> 2846.76] And here's the point. +[2847.46 --> 2848.70] An interesting point in this. +[2849.04 --> 2852.68] The word that Luke uses that means nonsense, +[2852.90 --> 2854.46] it's the Greek word leros, +[2854.90 --> 2857.44] it's only used here in the Bible. +[2858.58 --> 2861.00] But it's actually an old Greek word, +[2861.14 --> 2862.16] an Attic Greek word, +[2862.26 --> 2864.70] so predating the Greek that was used during this time. +[2864.70 --> 2870.22] And it's a word that shows up in what's called the Hippocratic Corpus. +[2870.76 --> 2875.00] Now, the Hippocratic Corpus is like the WebMD of the ancient world. +[2876.28 --> 2876.90] Right? +[2876.94 --> 2881.48] It's a collection of medical writings from the school of Hippocrates. +[2882.16 --> 2884.96] Maybe you've heard of the phrase the Hippocratic Oath. +[2885.34 --> 2885.52] Right? +[2885.62 --> 2886.34] Do no harm. +[2886.34 --> 2891.88] So Hippocrates was a 4th century BC physician and philosopher. +[2892.24 --> 2896.76] And his school around him collected all of these medical documents +[2896.76 --> 2899.96] and writings about health and well-being. +[2900.74 --> 2905.24] And in the collection of writings associated with Hippocrates, +[2905.24 --> 2910.16] the word leros is used to describe irrational speech, +[2910.66 --> 2912.74] hallucinations, and delirium +[2912.74 --> 2916.50] that's associated with illness or really high fevers. +[2917.52 --> 2919.20] You ever seen someone with a really high fever +[2919.20 --> 2920.68] and they start to say nonsense? +[2920.98 --> 2922.42] That's how this word is used. +[2923.84 --> 2927.58] Point is, the disciples are more likely to believe +[2927.58 --> 2930.54] the women are delirious, are hallucinating, +[2931.04 --> 2932.54] than that Jesus was raised. +[2932.54 --> 2937.86] That's not really that different from today. +[2939.56 --> 2941.64] So to be clear and sure, right, +[2941.72 --> 2944.36] that the resurrection doesn't make sense. +[2944.80 --> 2947.26] Not because it's irrational, +[2947.86 --> 2951.60] but because it doesn't fit into the existing framework +[2951.60 --> 2954.78] of perception and expectation and meaning. +[2957.82 --> 2962.34] That is the world and work of sense-making. +[2963.16 --> 2965.64] Perception, expectation, and meaning +[2965.64 --> 2969.04] is the area of focus and thought +[2969.04 --> 2971.98] where we make sense of the world. +[2972.78 --> 2974.74] I want to play with that word a little bit this morning. +[2975.82 --> 2981.10] The word sense has kind of two meanings with us, right? +[2981.10 --> 2986.00] We use the word sense in reference to our physical perception. +[2986.00 --> 2991.32] What do we call sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing? +[2991.50 --> 2994.46] Our five senses, exactly. +[2995.72 --> 3000.74] But sense also has always included comprehension +[3000.74 --> 3003.34] or even emotional aspects. +[3004.42 --> 3008.78] Think about when a math problem clicks for the very first time. +[3009.72 --> 3010.72] You go, that makes sense. +[3010.72 --> 3011.36] Right? +[3012.30 --> 3012.92] It adds up. +[3013.28 --> 3014.10] It lines up. +[3014.26 --> 3018.70] Or think about when you empathize with someone after a loss, right? +[3018.72 --> 3020.40] And they're explaining their hurt, and you say, +[3020.74 --> 3022.34] yeah, that makes sense. +[3023.94 --> 3024.42] Right? +[3024.44 --> 3027.10] It's not that you can touch, taste, see, or smell +[3027.10 --> 3028.82] what it is that they're feeling, +[3029.38 --> 3030.14] but it fits. +[3030.56 --> 3033.36] It accords with what we know to be true. +[3033.36 --> 3040.00] And so nonsense, right, is the thing or the lack of a thing +[3040.00 --> 3042.82] with a lack of meaning or a lack of coherence +[3042.82 --> 3046.90] or a lack of a correspondence to reality as we understand it. +[3047.68 --> 3049.58] And again, in the world of the disciples +[3049.58 --> 3051.10] and in the world of today, +[3051.36 --> 3054.86] we can see how the resurrection doesn't make sense +[3054.86 --> 3056.58] because it doesn't cohere, +[3056.84 --> 3061.50] it doesn't line up with what we ordinarily experience as reality. +[3061.50 --> 3063.42] We can't make sense of it. +[3065.06 --> 3066.38] But here's the thing. +[3069.82 --> 3072.06] As we talk about sense-making, +[3073.58 --> 3078.66] people in our day and age +[3078.66 --> 3085.28] have lost the sense to make sense of the world. +[3086.44 --> 3087.40] Now, here's what I mean, right? +[3087.40 --> 3089.94] And you can experience this all over social media, +[3090.16 --> 3091.84] in Discord servers, on YouTube, +[3092.34 --> 3094.58] in your coffee shops, and around. +[3094.72 --> 3097.90] People are trying to make sense of the world. +[3098.88 --> 3098.96] Right? +[3099.10 --> 3102.18] Sense-making and sense and meaning-making +[3102.18 --> 3103.30] are two terms, +[3103.70 --> 3106.52] for those of you who are interested in this sort of thing, +[3106.84 --> 3109.40] two terms that have skyrocketed +[3109.94 --> 3112.58] in their use in SEO key terms. +[3112.90 --> 3115.60] For those of you who know internet sleuthing, +[3115.60 --> 3119.36] SEO key terms are things that you put sort of behind the main page. +[3119.44 --> 3122.02] You write it into the code of your website +[3122.02 --> 3123.80] so that when people are searching terms, +[3123.94 --> 3125.10] yours comes up on top. +[3125.66 --> 3127.38] Sense-making and meaning-making are terms +[3127.38 --> 3130.42] that have been coded into SEO algorithms +[3130.42 --> 3133.12] in order to drive traffic to these conversations +[3133.12 --> 3134.98] because this is what people are talking about. +[3136.56 --> 3138.54] Now, this idea of sense-making, +[3139.02 --> 3141.18] I've been doing a bit of a deep dive into this, +[3141.18 --> 3146.04] originally comes in the 60s in organizational psychology, +[3146.04 --> 3150.44] and it's come to mean something of the development +[3150.44 --> 3154.30] of plausible images and structures and stories +[3154.30 --> 3157.06] to explain, to make sense of, +[3157.56 --> 3161.76] what people do and how we exist in the world. +[3161.76 --> 3167.30] Now, I trust that many of you have experienced +[3167.30 --> 3172.42] that over the last 50, 30, and 10 years, +[3172.82 --> 3177.14] we've seen a shift in how people make sense of the world. +[3178.48 --> 3179.60] In the past, +[3179.78 --> 3182.08] and some of us still see the world this way, +[3182.94 --> 3184.18] but in the past, +[3184.30 --> 3186.76] making sense of the world required measurements, +[3187.60 --> 3189.82] it required reason and observation, +[3189.82 --> 3191.20] and nothing else. +[3191.88 --> 3195.08] What is real is what can be sensed +[3195.08 --> 3196.32] through our five senses, +[3196.48 --> 3198.14] through the material sense. +[3198.46 --> 3199.32] I have to touch it, +[3199.36 --> 3200.04] I have to taste it, +[3200.06 --> 3200.66] I have to see it, +[3200.68 --> 3201.34] I have to smell it, +[3201.48 --> 3202.46] I have to hear it. +[3203.70 --> 3206.52] And that ended up creating this gap, +[3206.68 --> 3208.68] this missing room. +[3208.82 --> 3211.44] There was no room left for transcendence +[3211.44 --> 3213.92] or for mystery or for enchantment. +[3215.06 --> 3216.30] In that frame, +[3216.30 --> 3219.28] religion became the nonsense +[3219.28 --> 3221.82] of secular rationalism. +[3222.46 --> 3225.42] And the goal of this sort of secular frame +[3225.42 --> 3227.78] was to disenchant the world. +[3228.74 --> 3230.74] The Enlightenment project aimed +[3230.74 --> 3232.00] to make sense of the world +[3232.00 --> 3233.48] by demystifying it. +[3234.34 --> 3235.44] And in so doing, +[3235.56 --> 3238.96] it made certain kinds of sense-making impossible. +[3240.34 --> 3240.98] Now again, +[3241.04 --> 3242.24] we've seen shifts, right? +[3242.24 --> 3242.98] In large part, +[3242.98 --> 3245.40] in reaction to the extremes of that. +[3245.80 --> 3246.54] In large part, +[3246.64 --> 3248.86] recognition of the anemic void +[3248.86 --> 3250.06] that that left behind +[3250.06 --> 3251.90] when half of what it means to be human, +[3252.00 --> 3252.90] because as humans, +[3253.04 --> 3254.88] we are both body and soul, +[3255.08 --> 3257.74] we are material and spiritual, +[3258.14 --> 3259.78] and when half of that is cut off +[3259.78 --> 3260.84] from being real, +[3261.18 --> 3261.98] there's a reaction. +[3262.42 --> 3263.90] And so postmodernism +[3263.90 --> 3266.12] sort of deconstructs the notion +[3266.12 --> 3268.76] of a unified and objective sense +[3268.76 --> 3270.36] of the world. +[3271.16 --> 3272.30] And in that move, +[3272.74 --> 3272.90] right, +[3273.00 --> 3274.68] grand narratives collapse +[3274.68 --> 3278.16] and now exists multiple truths, +[3278.40 --> 3280.00] each a sort of sense +[3280.00 --> 3281.82] from within a community +[3281.82 --> 3283.18] or within a story. +[3284.32 --> 3285.56] But this too +[3285.56 --> 3287.82] has kind of led to an exhaustion. +[3289.52 --> 3289.70] Right? +[3289.80 --> 3291.86] If everything is interpretation, +[3292.36 --> 3293.46] which is what the French +[3293.46 --> 3294.74] postmodern philosopher +[3294.74 --> 3296.00] Jacques Derrida said, +[3296.00 --> 3297.88] if everything is interpretation, +[3298.32 --> 3299.40] can anything be true? +[3301.60 --> 3302.80] Turns out, +[3303.12 --> 3304.86] postmodernism didn't kill truth. +[3305.32 --> 3306.54] It just revealed to us +[3306.54 --> 3307.44] how much we need it. +[3308.72 --> 3309.88] But now, +[3310.06 --> 3311.24] we're living in this +[3311.24 --> 3312.48] new, +[3312.68 --> 3314.10] yet third +[3314.10 --> 3315.84] sort of way. +[3316.02 --> 3318.02] And people are calling this time +[3318.02 --> 3319.64] various different names. +[3320.06 --> 3321.00] Post-postmodernism, +[3321.82 --> 3323.06] post-secularism +[3323.06 --> 3323.80] is one. +[3323.80 --> 3324.70] A new one +[3324.70 --> 3325.72] that I recently learned +[3325.72 --> 3327.30] is metamodernity. +[3329.56 --> 3330.08] Metamodern +[3330.08 --> 3330.68] is a term +[3330.68 --> 3331.62] that I just learned +[3331.62 --> 3332.18] at a lecture +[3332.18 --> 3333.78] at TWU. +[3334.34 --> 3335.06] It was the inaugural +[3335.06 --> 3336.72] lecture for the chair +[3336.72 --> 3337.88] of New Testament Studies, +[3338.04 --> 3338.94] Dr. Kent Clark. +[3340.24 --> 3340.98] And since then, +[3341.02 --> 3341.62] I've been doing +[3341.62 --> 3342.32] a deep dive +[3342.32 --> 3343.86] into this sort of thing. +[3343.96 --> 3344.18] And so, +[3344.26 --> 3345.04] bear with me +[3345.04 --> 3345.74] for a moment +[3345.74 --> 3347.66] because I'm in a nerd out +[3347.66 --> 3348.72] and I hope you can come along +[3348.72 --> 3349.26] for the journey. +[3349.58 --> 3350.34] But I think the payoff +[3350.34 --> 3350.84] is great. +[3350.84 --> 3352.92] And so, +[3353.02 --> 3353.58] there are two +[3353.58 --> 3354.34] contemporary +[3354.34 --> 3356.30] cultural theorists +[3356.30 --> 3358.16] by the name of +[3358.16 --> 3359.08] Vermillion and +[3359.08 --> 3359.70] Vandenacker +[3359.70 --> 3361.84] who define +[3361.84 --> 3363.30] metamodernism for us. +[3363.34 --> 3363.84] And I'm going to share +[3363.84 --> 3364.46] this with you. +[3366.46 --> 3367.10] Metamodernism +[3367.10 --> 3368.16] oscillates +[3368.16 --> 3369.30] between the modern +[3369.30 --> 3370.50] and the postmodern. +[3370.96 --> 3371.90] It oscillates +[3371.90 --> 3372.78] between a modern +[3372.78 --> 3373.54] enthusiasm +[3373.54 --> 3374.86] and a postmodern +[3374.86 --> 3375.46] irony, +[3375.88 --> 3376.78] between hope +[3376.78 --> 3378.70] and melancholy, +[3378.70 --> 3379.84] between naivete +[3379.84 --> 3381.16] and knowingness, +[3381.56 --> 3381.92] empathy +[3381.92 --> 3382.94] and apathy, +[3383.20 --> 3383.48] unity +[3383.48 --> 3384.54] and plurality, +[3384.70 --> 3385.24] totality +[3385.24 --> 3386.24] and fragmentation, +[3386.68 --> 3386.98] purity +[3386.98 --> 3388.02] and ambiguity. +[3391.72 --> 3392.88] I don't know +[3392.88 --> 3394.86] how you +[3394.86 --> 3395.42] have been +[3395.42 --> 3395.94] experiencing +[3395.94 --> 3396.94] life lately, +[3397.66 --> 3398.72] but for the people +[3398.72 --> 3399.60] that I talk to +[3399.60 --> 3400.10] and honestly, +[3400.22 --> 3400.86] especially those +[3400.86 --> 3401.52] under 35, +[3402.00 --> 3402.82] this is it. +[3404.76 --> 3405.94] Vermillion goes on +[3405.94 --> 3406.40] and he says, +[3406.40 --> 3407.58] grand narratives +[3407.58 --> 3409.10] are as necessary +[3409.10 --> 3410.26] as they are problematic. +[3411.42 --> 3412.60] Hope is not simply +[3412.60 --> 3413.90] something to distrust. +[3414.36 --> 3415.62] Love is not necessarily +[3415.62 --> 3417.08] something to be ridiculed. +[3418.74 --> 3419.38] And all of this +[3419.38 --> 3420.12] kind of echoes +[3420.12 --> 3421.38] what Charles Taylor +[3421.38 --> 3423.02] describes, +[3423.44 --> 3423.70] I think, +[3423.80 --> 3424.34] perfectly +[3424.34 --> 3425.68] the way of +[3425.68 --> 3426.60] sense-making +[3426.60 --> 3427.64] for people today. +[3428.14 --> 3428.46] And again, +[3428.52 --> 3428.88] like I said, +[3428.94 --> 3429.68] especially for those +[3429.68 --> 3430.70] who are younger than I am. +[3431.16 --> 3432.02] We live in this +[3432.02 --> 3433.34] post-secular age +[3433.34 --> 3434.40] not because +[3434.40 --> 3435.76] everyone believes, +[3435.76 --> 3436.74] but because +[3436.74 --> 3437.94] everyone is feeling +[3437.94 --> 3439.24] the pull of belief +[3439.24 --> 3440.00] in some way. +[3441.22 --> 3441.74] One writer +[3441.74 --> 3442.36] described it +[3442.36 --> 3442.66] and said, +[3442.98 --> 3443.96] as much as it +[3443.96 --> 3444.88] seemed real, +[3445.64 --> 3446.46] it also appeared +[3446.46 --> 3446.94] foolish. +[3447.88 --> 3448.88] As much as he +[3448.88 --> 3449.62] believed it, +[3450.14 --> 3450.90] he doubted it. +[3452.72 --> 3453.30] Our +[3453.30 --> 3453.94] meta-modern +[3453.94 --> 3454.44] world, +[3454.64 --> 3455.28] the context +[3455.28 --> 3455.94] where we now +[3455.94 --> 3456.58] believe, +[3456.90 --> 3458.38] is cut through +[3458.38 --> 3460.08] with the cross-pressures +[3460.08 --> 3461.12] of secular life +[3461.12 --> 3462.60] denying transcendence +[3462.60 --> 3463.32] and the spiritual +[3463.32 --> 3464.94] and that is also +[3464.94 --> 3466.34] permeated with the +[3466.34 --> 3467.26] constant haunting +[3467.26 --> 3468.16] of our souls +[3468.16 --> 3469.34] longing for there +[3469.34 --> 3470.10] to be more than +[3470.10 --> 3471.36] what my eyes can see, +[3471.78 --> 3472.52] longing for the +[3472.52 --> 3473.48] transcendent and the +[3473.48 --> 3475.06] spiritual to return +[3475.06 --> 3476.56] knowing that it is +[3476.56 --> 3476.84] real. +[3478.58 --> 3479.74] The only thing +[3479.74 --> 3480.72] that makes sense +[3480.72 --> 3482.02] in the world today +[3482.02 --> 3482.86] is that certain +[3482.86 --> 3483.74] things won't make +[3483.74 --> 3485.42] sense and I +[3485.42 --> 3486.28] still believe them. +[3488.28 --> 3489.52] Doubt and faith +[3489.52 --> 3490.60] come as one +[3490.60 --> 3491.60] in the world +[3491.60 --> 3491.92] today. +[3493.56 --> 3494.40] And as much +[3494.40 --> 3495.12] as we believe +[3495.12 --> 3496.30] and are convinced, +[3497.04 --> 3497.64] doubt makes us +[3497.64 --> 3497.96] wonder. +[3498.88 --> 3499.62] And as much +[3499.62 --> 3500.26] as we wonder +[3500.26 --> 3500.94] and doubt, +[3501.20 --> 3502.08] we also know +[3502.08 --> 3502.80] with a personal +[3502.80 --> 3504.12] certainty that +[3504.12 --> 3505.06] this is the only +[3505.06 --> 3505.68] thing that makes +[3505.68 --> 3506.04] sense. +[3507.20 --> 3508.36] At exactly the +[3508.36 --> 3508.90] same time, +[3508.96 --> 3509.68] I know this +[3509.68 --> 3510.36] to be true +[3510.36 --> 3511.24] and I +[3511.24 --> 3512.58] can't imagine +[3512.58 --> 3513.92] how this works. +[3515.78 --> 3516.70] And I think +[3516.70 --> 3518.52] that what God +[3518.52 --> 3519.14] is drawing +[3519.14 --> 3520.34] out for us +[3520.34 --> 3521.18] to see this +[3521.18 --> 3522.34] Resurrection Sunday +[3522.34 --> 3523.60] 2,000 years +[3523.60 --> 3524.62] later in a +[3524.62 --> 3525.46] now meta-modern +[3525.46 --> 3526.28] world as we're +[3526.28 --> 3526.90] trying to make +[3526.90 --> 3527.62] sense of this +[3527.62 --> 3528.94] story is that +[3528.94 --> 3529.92] yes, the +[3529.92 --> 3531.00] resurrection does +[3531.00 --> 3532.40] not fit their +[3532.40 --> 3532.96] world. +[3533.80 --> 3534.52] That's why the +[3534.52 --> 3535.32] women's message +[3535.32 --> 3536.10] seemed like +[3536.10 --> 3536.68] nonsense. +[3537.88 --> 3538.74] But the reality +[3538.74 --> 3539.38] for us, the +[3539.38 --> 3540.28] greater reality, +[3540.60 --> 3541.14] the truer +[3541.14 --> 3542.90] reality is that +[3542.90 --> 3544.82] Jesus and his +[3544.82 --> 3545.64] resurrection +[3545.64 --> 3547.38] isn't +[3547.38 --> 3548.38] nonsense, +[3549.14 --> 3550.14] it's the +[3550.14 --> 3551.28] start of a +[3551.28 --> 3552.16] new sense, +[3552.80 --> 3554.00] a new sense +[3554.00 --> 3554.96] of seeing the +[3554.96 --> 3555.88] world, a new +[3555.88 --> 3556.50] sense of +[3556.50 --> 3557.30] understanding the +[3557.30 --> 3557.90] world, a new +[3557.90 --> 3559.10] creation, a new +[3559.10 --> 3559.60] cosmos. +[3560.18 --> 3560.60] Resurrection +[3560.60 --> 3561.60] faith is not +[3561.60 --> 3563.18] irrational, it's +[3563.18 --> 3564.50] supra-rational, +[3564.76 --> 3565.96] it remakes the +[3565.96 --> 3566.62] imagination. +[3567.44 --> 3568.06] The resurrection +[3568.06 --> 3569.94] redefines what is +[3569.94 --> 3571.10] possible and so +[3571.10 --> 3571.72] the resurrection +[3571.72 --> 3573.26] offers for us a +[3573.26 --> 3574.48] new sense of +[3574.48 --> 3575.52] what makes sense. +[3577.16 --> 3577.86] And here's the +[3577.86 --> 3578.24] thing. +[3579.94 --> 3581.60] Faith, faith +[3581.60 --> 3582.96] involves a +[3582.96 --> 3583.98] commitment to a +[3583.98 --> 3585.32] particular way of +[3585.32 --> 3586.84] understanding the +[3586.84 --> 3589.06] world, which +[3589.06 --> 3590.80] itself becomes a +[3590.80 --> 3592.24] lens through which +[3592.24 --> 3593.74] evidence is +[3593.74 --> 3594.32] interpreted. +[3595.66 --> 3596.66] And so faith is +[3596.66 --> 3598.16] not belief in spite +[3598.16 --> 3600.22] of evidence, faith +[3600.22 --> 3601.76] is belief in a new +[3601.76 --> 3602.90] kind of evidence. +[3603.72 --> 3604.48] That's what the +[3604.48 --> 3605.38] resurrection does. +[3605.38 --> 3606.94] And in fact, I +[3606.94 --> 3607.78] think as Christians, +[3608.02 --> 3608.94] we want to go even +[3608.94 --> 3609.40] further. +[3610.80 --> 3611.46] The resurrection +[3611.46 --> 3612.72] provides not just a +[3612.72 --> 3614.30] new, but the +[3614.30 --> 3615.92] necessary framework +[3615.92 --> 3617.52] for making sense of +[3617.52 --> 3617.94] the world. +[3618.66 --> 3619.48] And without the +[3619.48 --> 3620.94] resurrection, actually, +[3621.26 --> 3622.30] the world lacks +[3622.30 --> 3623.08] coherence. +[3624.62 --> 3625.86] It's without the +[3625.86 --> 3626.80] resurrection that the +[3626.80 --> 3627.52] world doesn't make +[3627.52 --> 3627.90] sense. +[3628.38 --> 3629.42] It turns out that the +[3629.42 --> 3630.96] resurrection is not +[3630.96 --> 3631.60] nonsense. +[3632.06 --> 3633.18] The world without the +[3633.18 --> 3634.40] resurrection is +[3634.40 --> 3635.02] nonsense. +[3637.82 --> 3638.84] Make no mistake +[3638.84 --> 3639.38] about it. +[3640.20 --> 3641.82] The sense-making +[3641.82 --> 3643.24] crisis that's +[3643.24 --> 3643.92] happening in the +[3643.92 --> 3644.46] world today, this +[3644.46 --> 3645.28] meaning-making +[3645.28 --> 3646.38] crisis that we find +[3646.38 --> 3647.50] ourselves living in +[3647.50 --> 3648.88] the midst of, is a +[3648.88 --> 3649.96] spiritual crisis. +[3650.20 --> 3651.06] It's perhaps the +[3651.06 --> 3652.78] spiritual crisis of +[3652.78 --> 3653.36] our age. +[3653.36 --> 3655.64] And in an age of +[3655.64 --> 3657.34] information overload and +[3657.34 --> 3659.20] meaning fragmentation, we +[3659.20 --> 3660.18] don't lack data. +[3660.96 --> 3662.20] We lack sense. +[3663.06 --> 3664.16] We lack the thing that +[3664.16 --> 3664.96] holds it together. +[3665.08 --> 3666.12] We lack something that +[3666.12 --> 3667.40] pulls it all together to +[3667.40 --> 3668.42] give it meaning and +[3668.42 --> 3670.00] purpose and truth and +[3670.00 --> 3670.70] reality. +[3671.60 --> 3673.88] The resurrection speaks +[3673.88 --> 3675.36] into that crisis. +[3675.90 --> 3677.64] Not as one more +[3677.64 --> 3679.20] competing narrative in a +[3679.20 --> 3679.82] list of other +[3679.82 --> 3680.74] narratives, but the +[3680.74 --> 3681.94] resurrection is actually +[3681.94 --> 3683.68] the one true story that +[3683.68 --> 3684.80] reorders all other +[3684.80 --> 3685.42] stories. +[3686.52 --> 3687.86] Turns out the cross and +[3687.86 --> 3688.68] the resurrection of +[3688.68 --> 3689.96] Jesus are not just +[3689.96 --> 3691.18] events within the +[3691.18 --> 3691.52] world. +[3691.80 --> 3692.58] The cross and the +[3692.58 --> 3693.48] resurrection of Jesus +[3693.48 --> 3695.30] are events upon which +[3695.30 --> 3697.74] the world hinges, on +[3697.74 --> 3698.76] which the world turns. +[3699.28 --> 3701.06] Everything changes with +[3701.06 --> 3701.86] the resurrection of +[3701.86 --> 3702.28] Jesus. +[3704.00 --> 3704.64] Because of the +[3704.64 --> 3705.76] resurrection, Jeremy +[3705.76 --> 3707.80] Treat says, because of +[3707.80 --> 3709.04] the resurrection, the +[3709.04 --> 3710.80] cross becomes not only the +[3710.80 --> 3711.86] center of redemptive +[3711.86 --> 3713.36] history, but also the +[3713.36 --> 3714.46] fulcrum upon which the +[3714.46 --> 3715.76] logic of the world is +[3715.76 --> 3716.98] turned upside down. +[3717.84 --> 3719.16] Shame is transformed into +[3719.16 --> 3720.86] glory, foolishness into +[3720.86 --> 3722.80] wisdom, humiliation into +[3722.80 --> 3723.70] exaltation. +[3725.06 --> 3727.38] In fact, it's only by the +[3727.38 --> 3728.54] resurrection and the +[3728.54 --> 3729.80] power of the resurrection +[3729.80 --> 3731.36] can some of the most +[3731.36 --> 3733.56] awful things begin to make +[3733.56 --> 3734.00] sense. +[3734.74 --> 3737.12] Now carefully, don't hear +[3737.12 --> 3737.84] what I'm not saying. +[3737.84 --> 3740.28] Okay, I'm not trying to +[3740.28 --> 3741.48] pretend that your trauma +[3741.48 --> 3742.70] is reasonable. +[3744.28 --> 3744.74] Right? +[3744.76 --> 3745.66] I'm not trying to say that +[3745.66 --> 3746.70] the death of your child +[3746.70 --> 3747.98] adds up to something +[3747.98 --> 3748.42] greater. +[3749.72 --> 3750.22] Right? +[3750.28 --> 3750.98] Don't hear that. +[3751.84 --> 3753.82] What I'm saying is that +[3753.82 --> 3755.62] only if the resurrection +[3755.62 --> 3757.52] is real can the most +[3757.52 --> 3759.16] awful parts of your life +[3759.16 --> 3760.12] be redeemed. +[3761.24 --> 3761.74] Right? +[3761.78 --> 3762.98] If the resurrection isn't +[3762.98 --> 3764.20] real, we are most of all +[3764.20 --> 3765.64] to be pitied because we are +[3765.64 --> 3766.82] stuck in this pointless +[3766.82 --> 3767.34] trauma. +[3767.54 --> 3768.96] We are stuck in pointless +[3768.96 --> 3770.12] trauma after pointless +[3770.12 --> 3770.54] trauma. +[3770.84 --> 3772.32] And that, that's what +[3772.32 --> 3773.22] doesn't make sense. +[3774.74 --> 3776.50] The resurrection is not +[3776.50 --> 3777.26] nonsense. +[3777.52 --> 3778.84] The resurrection is a new +[3778.84 --> 3779.54] sense. +[3779.66 --> 3781.74] It is a call to reorient our +[3781.74 --> 3783.38] entire interpretive framework +[3783.38 --> 3784.86] towards resurrection. +[3786.26 --> 3786.38] Right? +[3786.46 --> 3788.76] Life only makes sense in +[3788.76 --> 3789.96] light of the resurrection. +[3790.46 --> 3791.90] Without the resurrection, +[3792.28 --> 3793.90] death has the last word. +[3794.30 --> 3796.06] Death is the only thing in the +[3796.06 --> 3797.30] end that makes sense if the +[3797.30 --> 3798.44] resurrection is not real. +[3800.58 --> 3802.02] And can I be candid with you? +[3802.86 --> 3804.38] Because even if you're not +[3804.38 --> 3806.54] yet a Christian, notice my +[3806.54 --> 3807.04] language there. +[3807.80 --> 3809.12] Even if you're not yet a +[3809.12 --> 3811.20] Christian, you intuit this. +[3811.20 --> 3811.76] You know this. +[3812.44 --> 3814.54] You know this in your soul, +[3814.70 --> 3816.48] even if you can't make sense of +[3816.48 --> 3817.18] it in your brain. +[3817.98 --> 3818.14] Right? +[3818.24 --> 3819.48] Death isn't the end. +[3820.02 --> 3820.82] Death is defeated. +[3821.70 --> 3823.30] Resurrection redefines your +[3823.30 --> 3825.20] experience of death, and it +[3825.20 --> 3827.12] redefines your experience of life +[3827.12 --> 3827.88] now. +[3829.02 --> 3830.96] Jesus' resurrection means that by +[3830.96 --> 3833.64] his power, we too are raised to +[3833.64 --> 3835.04] a new life. +[3835.94 --> 3837.56] Jesus' resurrection means that in +[3837.56 --> 3840.40] this life, right now, we live +[3840.40 --> 3841.22] resurrection. +[3841.62 --> 3843.52] We practice resurrection. +[3843.78 --> 3845.82] We live resurrection now. +[3846.64 --> 3848.74] To believe in the resurrection is to +[3848.74 --> 3851.30] believe that God has interrupted the +[3851.30 --> 3853.42] nonsense of death with a deeper +[3853.42 --> 3854.50] logic of love. +[3857.00 --> 3860.18] Eugene Peterson, talking about the +[3860.18 --> 3862.92] practice of resurrection, says the +[3862.92 --> 3863.22] following. +[3863.34 --> 3863.68] He says, +[3863.68 --> 3865.70] The practice of resurrection is an +[3865.70 --> 3868.40] intentional, deliberate decision to +[3868.40 --> 3870.04] believe and participate in +[3870.04 --> 3871.10] resurrection life. +[3871.38 --> 3872.50] Life out of death. +[3872.70 --> 3874.20] Life that trumps death. +[3874.36 --> 3875.72] Life that is the last word. +[3875.90 --> 3877.02] Jesus' life. +[3877.88 --> 3879.76] This practice is not a vague wish +[3879.76 --> 3882.00] upwards, but comprises a number of +[3882.00 --> 3884.38] discreet and interlocking acts that +[3884.38 --> 3886.94] maintain a credible and faithful way of +[3886.94 --> 3887.34] life. +[3887.74 --> 3890.90] Real life in a world preoccupied with +[3890.90 --> 3892.56] death and the devil. +[3893.68 --> 3897.48] Resurrection life means faith in an +[3897.48 --> 3898.52] age of nonsense. +[3899.00 --> 3901.12] It means hope in a hopeless world. +[3901.94 --> 3904.04] It means deep feeling when everyone +[3904.04 --> 3905.08] else is apathetic. +[3905.74 --> 3907.96] It means fighting for justice when the +[3907.96 --> 3908.92] battle seems lost. +[3909.52 --> 3912.14] It means loving those who persecute +[3912.14 --> 3912.32] you. +[3912.54 --> 3914.10] It means praying for your enemies. +[3914.26 --> 3916.20] It means feeding the hungry, healing +[3916.20 --> 3916.66] the sick. +[3916.74 --> 3918.84] It means remembering the forgotten. +[3918.84 --> 3923.02] Listen, in an age of nonsense, people +[3923.02 --> 3926.00] will see what you are doing as you +[3926.00 --> 3928.60] practice resurrection and Lord willing, +[3928.80 --> 3930.52] it will finally click for them. +[3931.74 --> 3933.50] That makes sense. +[3934.44 --> 3935.16] They will see. +[3937.30 --> 3940.12] Justin Brierley in his book, The +[3940.12 --> 3942.70] Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God. +[3942.70 --> 3944.74] And this is the subtitle of the book. +[3944.82 --> 3946.58] This is why I picked it up in the first +[3946.58 --> 3946.84] place. +[3946.90 --> 3950.72] The subtitle, why new atheism grew old and +[3950.72 --> 3952.24] secular thinkers are considering +[3952.24 --> 3953.24] Christianity again. +[3954.36 --> 3957.70] In that book, he concludes saying, the +[3957.70 --> 3960.42] most fruitful way we can introduce people +[3960.42 --> 3962.96] to the Christian story is through the realm +[3962.96 --> 3965.26] of the imagination rather than the +[3965.26 --> 3965.78] intellect. +[3965.78 --> 3968.34] And we do that, and here's what I want +[3968.34 --> 3970.36] us to hear, we do that by making people +[3970.36 --> 3973.20] want Christianity to be true in the +[3973.20 --> 3976.36] first place, by showing what it means in +[3976.36 --> 3978.72] our deepest instincts about what matters +[3978.72 --> 3979.28] most. +[3980.34 --> 3984.40] Only then can apologetics work, the work of +[3984.40 --> 3987.24] showing them why it's true, be of any +[3987.24 --> 3987.56] use. +[3990.80 --> 3993.06] We do that by making people want +[3993.06 --> 3995.24] Christianity to be true in the first +[3995.24 --> 3998.06] place, by showing how it meets our deepest +[3998.06 --> 4000.58] instincts about what matters most. +[4001.20 --> 4002.82] This is what the resurrection does. +[4004.62 --> 4005.76] And this is something that I have been +[4005.76 --> 4007.98] thinking about actively for about 10 +[4007.98 --> 4008.72] years, right? +[4009.70 --> 4011.40] Imagination as engagement. +[4012.38 --> 4014.32] Aesthetics as apologetics. +[4014.38 --> 4016.12] And that's one of the reasons why I love +[4016.12 --> 4017.60] art, to the chagrin of my wife. +[4017.64 --> 4019.18] When we go on a trip and we go to an art +[4019.18 --> 4021.78] museum, she sits somewhere by herself and I +[4021.78 --> 4022.98] spend hours looking around. +[4022.98 --> 4024.92] That's one of the reasons why I love +[4024.92 --> 4025.42] poetry. +[4027.10 --> 4031.84] And to that end, as we come to the table, I +[4031.84 --> 4035.62] want to end with a poem from Malcolm +[4035.62 --> 4035.98] Geit. +[4037.08 --> 4040.94] We began Easter Friday, or Good Friday, with +[4040.94 --> 4043.14] a poem from Melting Geit. +[4043.14 --> 4045.20] And I'd like to end, to transition to the +[4045.20 --> 4047.84] table, with another poem from Geit. +[4048.00 --> 4051.64] A poem that exemplifies resurrection faith and +[4051.64 --> 4054.00] doubt in an age of nonsense. +[4055.24 --> 4056.78] So this will not be on the screen. +[4057.34 --> 4059.32] This poetry needs to be heard. +[4059.32 --> 4069.74] As though some heavy stone were rolled away, you find an open door where all was closed, +[4069.98 --> 4072.60] wide as an empty tomb on Easter day. +[4074.48 --> 4080.28] Lost in your own dark wood, alone astray, you pause. +[4080.68 --> 4085.22] As though some secret were disclosed, as though some heavy stone were rolled away. +[4085.22 --> 4093.74] You glimpse the sky above you, wane and gray, wide as though those shadowed branches interposed, +[4093.88 --> 4097.04] wide as an empty tomb on Easter day. +[4097.94 --> 4101.56] Perhaps there's light enough to find your way. +[4101.70 --> 4106.98] For now the tangled wood feels less enclosed, as though some heavy stone were rolled away. +[4106.98 --> 4116.84] You lift your feet out of the miry clay and seek the light in which you once reposed wide as an empty tomb on Easter day. +[4117.36 --> 4120.44] And then love calls your name. +[4121.18 --> 4128.46] You hear him say, the way is open, death has been deposed, as though some heavy stone were rolled away. +[4128.64 --> 4134.02] And you are free at last on Easter day. +[4135.06 --> 4135.62] Amen. +[4135.62 --> 4135.82] Amen. +[4136.72 --> 4137.66] Let's pray together. +[4145.10 --> 4151.24] Father God, speak to our hearts now. +[4151.36 --> 4154.04] Speak to our imaginations now. +[4154.40 --> 4159.98] Help us to make a new sense of the world by the truth of your resurrection. +[4159.98 --> 4175.38] Father God, for so many of us this morning, the certainty of this truth and the impossibility of it live side by side in our everyday ordinary experiences. +[4175.38 --> 4182.18] And so we pray that you would bring about a new creation. +[4182.18 --> 4186.74] Allow us to see the world in this new sense. +[4186.74 --> 4197.94] May this resurrection go from a story that someone tells me at church to the story that makes sense of the whole world as I go from this place. +[4197.94 --> 4203.68] Transform us, Lord Jesus, by your word and by the work of your spirit. +[4203.68 --> 4206.74] Transform us now as we come to your table. +[4206.74 --> 4210.94] Father, that what we have heard, that what we have heard we might take in. +[4211.70 --> 4219.54] And that as bread and juice nourish the body, that we might be nourished by your presence among us. +[4219.54 --> 4228.08] Father, it is only because the resurrection is real that we meet you here at this table. +[4228.90 --> 4235.54] And so make that truth even more real to us today, we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. +[4236.20 --> 4238.42] All God's people said, Amen. +[4238.42 --> 4251.68] As we come to the table, of course, there's an Easter liturgy that will shape our encounter here. +[4252.34 --> 4256.24] And so I'm going to invite you, as you see the words appear on the screen behind me, +[4256.28 --> 4263.46] to speak those that are marked for you as we gather in the presence of our King together. +[4264.20 --> 4266.94] I invite you to join in the following prayer. +[4268.42 --> 4272.90] This is the feast of victory for our God. +[4273.50 --> 4276.80] Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. +[4277.64 --> 4280.74] Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain. +[4281.46 --> 4289.06] Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. +[4290.28 --> 4293.62] This is the victory, victory for our God. +[4294.30 --> 4296.90] Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. +[4296.90 --> 4300.76] Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain. +[4300.76 --> 4307.22] Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, and blessing, and glory are His. +[4308.56 --> 4311.82] This is the feast of victory for our God. +[4312.56 --> 4315.22] Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. +[4316.18 --> 4319.06] Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain. +[4320.18 --> 4325.04] Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation. +[4325.04 --> 4328.04] This is the feast of victory for our God. +[4328.34 --> 4330.54] Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. +[4332.10 --> 4335.24] Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain. +[4336.10 --> 4342.18] Blessing, honor, and glory, and might be to God and to the Lamb forever. +[4342.84 --> 4343.20] Amen. +[4343.20 --> 4343.32] Amen. +[4344.54 --> 4350.78] We celebrate this feast in obedience to Christ's example and mandate. +[4351.82 --> 4356.36] The Lord Jesus, on the night that He was betrayed, took bread. +[4357.16 --> 4360.08] And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, +[4360.44 --> 4362.82] This is my body, which is for you. +[4363.46 --> 4365.90] Do this in remembrance of me. +[4365.90 --> 4371.40] And in the same way, He took the cup after supper, saying, +[4372.22 --> 4375.18] This cup is the new covenant in my blood. +[4375.80 --> 4380.78] Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. +[4381.28 --> 4383.72] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, +[4383.84 --> 4388.04] you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. +[4389.38 --> 4392.32] Come then, for all is ready. +[4393.08 --> 4395.00] Christ was raised to life. +[4395.00 --> 4396.60] Death is swallowed up. +[4396.70 --> 4397.80] Victory is won. +[4398.14 --> 4398.58] Hallelujah. +[4399.14 --> 4401.82] Therefore, let us keep the feast. +[4402.44 --> 4402.84] Hallelujah. +[4404.54 --> 4406.00] Come to this table. +[4406.72 --> 4411.02] If you're filled with faith, and if your faith is mixed with doubt, +[4411.80 --> 4416.18] if you haven't come and been a regular to this feast, +[4416.60 --> 4420.34] you are invited to come and taste faith. +[4420.88 --> 4424.06] If you have tried to follow Jesus, and if you have failed, +[4424.06 --> 4425.84] come to this table, come to this table, +[4425.84 --> 4429.64] because Jesus Christ is raised. +[4430.32 --> 4434.94] Come, because it is Christ Jesus who welcomes you here. +[4436.48 --> 4439.44] The gifts of God for the people of God. +[4440.04 --> 4444.06] The feast of God for the people of God. +[4444.82 --> 4445.14] Amen. +[4445.14 --> 4451.28] As we come to this table together, we're going to do so in groups. +[4451.28 --> 4455.16] We'll come up in our rows, and we'll form a circle here around the table. +[4455.68 --> 4459.52] You will be given the tray of bread, and as it's passed to you, +[4459.64 --> 4460.82] the person will say, +[4460.82 --> 4463.78] the body of Christ given for you, and then as you pass it, +[4463.84 --> 4465.22] you are invited to say the same. +[4465.68 --> 4468.64] Likewise, with the juice that comes around, as it's passed to you, +[4468.82 --> 4471.12] you will hear the blood of Christ shed for you, +[4471.16 --> 4473.22] and you're invited to say the same. +[4473.92 --> 4478.96] In the middle of each of the trays of bread is a little cup with gluten-free bread +[4478.96 --> 4481.42] that you can take if you are required for that, too. +[4482.18 --> 4485.72] We will have ushers who will indicate when it's your time to come up to the front. +[4486.34 --> 4488.24] If you are unable to come up to the front, +[4488.32 --> 4490.74] but would still like to receive the elements, +[4490.90 --> 4492.44] please indicate that to the ushers, +[4492.56 --> 4494.18] and they will meet you where you are at, +[4494.24 --> 4496.96] and they will serve you in your seat in the same way. +[4497.84 --> 4501.26] To begin, I'd like to invite the serving elders and the worship leaders +[4501.26 --> 4504.98] to come up to the front, that they can have the first table, +[4504.98 --> 4508.74] and then they'll lead us in singing and song as the rest of us go through. +[4509.46 --> 4513.14] Likewise, as you are waiting to come or in lieu of coming, +[4513.22 --> 4514.84] if you'd like to meet someone for prayer, +[4514.84 --> 4517.20] there will be people in the foyer at the back +[4517.20 --> 4519.40] who would love to meet you and pray with you. +[4519.68 --> 4522.50] I invite the worship leaders and elders +[4522.50 --> 4524.30] and those helping us serve to the front. +[4524.46 --> 4525.46] Thank you. +[4525.46 --> 4526.46] Thank you. +[4545.30 --> 4546.54] thickvoltp Concretica +[4546.54 --> 4549.16] A body of Christ to give it for you. +[4553.16 --> 4553.52] Body of Christ to give it for you. +[4554.44 --> 4567.50] Body of Christ to give it for you. +[4567.50 --> 4568.66] Good engine. +[4568.66 --> 4569.12] Good engine. +[4569.12 --> 4571.16] In the wind and RA весˈkun expense page +[4571.16 --> 4573.64] the broken heart and the stress valve +[4573.64 --> 4582.46] Thank you, +[4582.46 --> 4598.72] eat and remember, +[4598.72 --> 4609.14] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4611.56 --> 4612.94] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4619.50 --> 4620.86] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4621.96 --> 4622.34] Amen. +[4622.80 --> 4624.06] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4624.06 --> 4624.12] Amen. +[4628.72 --> 4641.80] Thank you. +[4641.80 --> 4641.84] Thank you. +[4649.78 --> 4650.66] Thank you. +[4650.66 --> 4659.36] Drink and believe. +[4663.36 --> 4666.48] Amen. +[4680.66 --> 4682.66] Amen. +[4710.66 --> 4712.66] Amen. +[4740.66 --> 4742.44] Amen. +[4751.10 --> 4752.28] Amen. +[4752.28 --> 4776.24] Just as I am with love on me, but that thy heart was shed for me, +[4776.24 --> 4796.24] and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. +[4796.24 --> 4814.08] Just as I am and waiting not to rid my soul of what I've got, +[4814.08 --> 4834.08] to thee whose blood can cleanse each thought, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. +[4834.08 --> 4852.08] Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt wilt apart, done cleanse, relieve, +[4852.08 --> 4871.08] because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. +[4871.08 --> 4898.32] I come to the cross seeking mercy and praise. +[4898.32 --> 4907.10] I come to the cross where you die in my place. +[4907.62 --> 4915.32] Out of my weakness and into your strength, +[4916.08 --> 4921.28] calmly I come to the cross. +[4921.28 --> 4931.76] Your arms are open, you call me by name. +[4931.76 --> 4939.28] You welcomed this child and was lost. +[4939.28 --> 4948.20] You paid the price for my guilt and my shame. +[4948.20 --> 4951.76] Jesus, I come. +[4951.76 --> 4955.76] Jesus, I come. +[4955.76 --> 4962.06] Jesus, I come to the cross. +[4962.06 --> 4964.06] Jesus, I come to the cross. +[4964.06 --> 4972.48] I come to the cross seeking mercy and praise. +[4972.48 --> 4980.98] I come to the cross where you died in my place. +[4980.98 --> 4989.06] Out of my weakness and into your strength, +[4989.06 --> 4996.06] Humbly I come to the cross. +[4996.06 --> 5005.28] Your arms are open, you call me by name. +[5005.28 --> 5012.06] You were the homeless child that was lost. +[5012.06 --> 5019.06] You paid the price for my guilt and my shame. +[5019.06 --> 5021.06] You paid the price for my guilt and my shame. +[5021.06 --> 5025.06] Jesus, I come. +[5025.06 --> 5027.06] Jesus, I come. +[5027.06 --> 5029.06] Jesus, I come. +[5029.06 --> 5035.06] Jesus, I come to the cross. +[5035.06 --> 5060.06] Jesus, I come to the cross. +[5060.06 --> 5067.06] Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. +[5067.06 --> 5077.06] That saved a wretch, I pay me dear. +[5077.06 --> 5085.02] I once was lost, but now am found. +[5085.02 --> 5091.94] Was blind but now I see +[5091.94 --> 5102.02] T'was grace that taught my heart to fear +[5102.64 --> 5110.02] Embrace my fears relieved +[5110.02 --> 5119.02] How precious did that praise appear +[5119.54 --> 5126.20] The hour I first believed +[5126.20 --> 5136.02] Through many dangers, toils, and snares +[5136.02 --> 5145.02] I have already come +[5145.66 --> 5154.24] T'was grace that fraught me save thus far +[5154.24 --> 5163.24] Embrace will lead me home +[5163.24 --> 5172.24] When we lived there ten thousand years +[5172.24 --> 5180.24] Bright shining as the sun +[5180.24 --> 5189.24] We've no last days to sing God's praise +[5189.24 --> 5195.24] Than when we first begun +[5195.24 --> 5205.24] We've no last days to sing God's praise +[5205.24 --> 5212.24] Than when we first begun +[5212.24 --> 5235.24] You did not wait for me +[5235.24 --> 5239.24] To draw near to you +[5239.24 --> 5244.24] But you clothed yourself with frail humanity +[5244.24 --> 5250.24] You did not wait for me +[5250.24 --> 5253.24] To cry out to you +[5253.24 --> 5260.24] But you let me hear your voice calling me +[5260.24 --> 5266.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5266.24 --> 5272.24] I'm forever grateful for the cross +[5272.24 --> 5281.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5281.24 --> 5287.24] That you came to seek and save the lost +[5287.24 --> 5298.24] You did not wait for me +[5298.24 --> 5300.24] You did not wait for me +[5300.24 --> 5302.24] To draw near to you +[5302.24 --> 5306.24] But you clothed yourself with frail humanity +[5306.24 --> 5307.24] You did not wait for me +[5307.24 --> 5311.24] You did not wait for me +[5311.24 --> 5317.24] To cry out to you +[5317.24 --> 5321.24] But you let me hear your voice calling +[5321.24 --> 5326.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5326.24 --> 5337.24] I'm forever grateful for the cross +[5337.24 --> 5343.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5343.24 --> 5353.24] That you came to seek and save the lost +[5353.24 --> 5356.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5356.24 --> 5360.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5360.24 --> 5366.24] I'm forever grateful for the cross +[5366.24 --> 5372.24] I'm forever grateful to you +[5372.24 --> 5386.24] To you that you came to seek and save the lost +[5402.24 --> 5419.24] I am the bread of life +[5419.24 --> 5426.24] They who come to me shall not hunger +[5426.24 --> 5433.24] They who believe in me shall not thirst +[5433.24 --> 5439.24] No one can come to me +[5439.24 --> 5445.24] Unless the Father draws them +[5445.24 --> 5451.24] And I will raise them all +[5451.24 --> 5458.24] And I will raise them all +[5458.24 --> 5464.24] And I will raise them all +[5464.24 --> 5471.24] On the last day +[5471.24 --> 5481.24] The bread that I give is my flesh +[5481.24 --> 5487.24] For the life of the world +[5487.24 --> 5494.24] And they who eat of this bread +[5494.24 --> 5495.24] for the hunt +[5495.24 --> 5496.24] They who stand +[5496.24 --> 5497.24] They who live for the cross +[5497.24 --> 5501.24] They shall not live for ever +[5501.24 --> 5505.24] They shall not live for forever +[5505.24 --> 5506.24] They shall not live for the cross +[5506.24 --> 5507.24] They shall not live for ever +[5507.24 --> 5509.24] And I will not give a loss +[5509.24 --> 5511.24] And vidéos à People +[5511.24 --> 5512.24] who live for the peace of God +[5512.24 --> 5513.24] They true come to you +[5513.24 --> 5514.24] And I will not give a loss +[5514.24 --> 5519.46] I will raise them up +[5519.46 --> 5525.54] And I will raise them up +[5525.54 --> 5532.32] On the last day +[5532.32 --> 5541.08] I am the resurrection +[5541.08 --> 5548.44] I am the light +[5548.44 --> 5555.58] They who believe in me +[5555.58 --> 5562.08] Even if they die +[5562.08 --> 5566.94] They shall live forever +[5566.94 --> 5574.30] And I will raise them up +[5574.30 --> 5580.72] And I will raise them up +[5580.72 --> 5586.72] And I will raise them up +[5586.72 --> 5593.44] On the last day +[5593.44 --> 5599.86] And I will raise them up +[5599.86 --> 5606.38] And I will raise them up +[5606.38 --> 5612.48] And I will raise them up +[5612.48 --> 5620.90] On the last day +[5620.90 --> 5627.90] And I will raise them up +[5627.90 --> 5632.32] And I will raise them up +[5632.32 --> 5636.90] And I will raise them up +[5636.90 --> 5648.90] And I will prayer +[5656.86 --> 5660.26] And I hear the Savior say +[5660.26 --> 5664.70] Thy strength indeed is small +[5664.70 --> 5669.78] Child of weakness, watch and pray +[5669.78 --> 5675.58] Find in me thine all in all +[5675.58 --> 5680.84] Jesus paid it all +[5680.84 --> 5684.86] All to him I owe +[5684.86 --> 5689.78] Sin has left a crimson stain +[5689.78 --> 5694.18] He washed it white as snow +[5694.18 --> 5706.78] Lord, now indeed I find +[5706.78 --> 5711.58] Thy power and thine alone +[5711.58 --> 5716.62] Can change the leper's cause +[5716.62 --> 5721.02] And melt the heart of stone +[5721.02 --> 5727.02] Jesus paid it all +[5727.02 --> 5731.62] All to him I owe +[5731.62 --> 5736.02] Sin has left a crimson stain +[5736.02 --> 5741.02] He washed it white as snow +[5741.02 --> 5748.42] And when before the throne +[5748.42 --> 5752.42] I stand in complete +[5752.42 --> 5758.42] Jesus died my soul to save +[5758.42 --> 5763.42] My lips shall still repeat +[5763.42 --> 5767.82] Jesus paid it all +[5767.82 --> 5772.82] All to him I owe +[5772.82 --> 5777.82] Sin has left a crimson stain +[5777.82 --> 5781.82] He washed it white as snow +[5781.82 --> 5786.22] Sin had left a crimson stain +[5786.22 --> 5789.22] He washed it white as snow +[5789.22 --> 5793.22] He washed it white as snow +[5793.22 --> 5800.22] He washed it white as snow +[5800.22 --> 5804.22] He washed it white as snow +[5804.22 --> 5808.62] He washed it white as snow +[5808.62 --> 5809.62] He washed it white as snow +[5809.62 --> 5814.62] Oh, praise the one who paid my debt +[5814.62 --> 5818.62] And raised this life up from the dead +[5818.62 --> 5823.02] Oh, praise the one who paid my debt +[5823.02 --> 5827.02] And raised this life up from the dead +[5827.02 --> 5829.02] Oh, praise the one who paid my debt +[5829.02 --> 5833.02] And raised this life up from the dead +[5833.02 --> 5840.42] Oh, praise the one who paid my debt +[5840.42 --> 5843.42] Oh, praise the one who paid my debt +[5843.42 --> 5847.42] And raised this life up from the dead +[5847.42 --> 5854.42] Jesus paid it all +[5854.42 --> 5858.42] All to him I owe +[5858.42 --> 5863.82] Sin had left a crimson stain +[5863.82 --> 5869.82] He washed it white as snow +[5869.82 --> 5875.82] Jesus paid it all +[5875.82 --> 5879.82] All to him I owe +[5879.82 --> 5884.82] Sin had left a crimson stain +[5884.82 --> 5890.22] He washed it white as snow +[5890.22 --> 5895.78] He washed it white as snow +[5895.78 --> 5896.22] trained on requiem +[5896.22 --> 5900.82] jeux +[5900.82 --> 5904.22] Sin had left a crimson junction +[5904.22 --> 5906.22] He washed it white as snow +[5906.22 --> 5912.80] Silent +[5914.22 --> 5916.62] Sin had left a crimson stain +[5916.62 --> 5917.62] Amen. +[5946.62 --> 5947.62] Amen. +[5976.62 --> 5977.62] Amen. +[6006.62 --> 6007.62] Amen. +[6007.62 --> 6032.88] SDM +[6032.88 --> 6037.32] At the end of our story from this morning, +[6038.40 --> 6039.26] we read, +[6039.26 --> 6041.60] Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bending over. +[6041.76 --> 6044.22] He saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, +[6044.46 --> 6048.68] and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. +[6050.56 --> 6053.04] That's my prayer for you this morning, +[6053.70 --> 6057.40] that you go away wondering what had happened. +[6058.44 --> 6060.86] Whether you go away in the full conviction +[6060.86 --> 6063.48] of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, +[6063.54 --> 6066.86] or you go away full of wondering and doubt, +[6067.42 --> 6070.74] know that it is God who goes with you, +[6071.10 --> 6072.62] that you do not go alone. +[6072.72 --> 6074.76] So I'm going to invite you, as you're able to stand, +[6075.42 --> 6079.66] we'll receive the blessing of God this resurrection Sunday, +[6080.02 --> 6083.34] and then we will conclude by singing together with one voice, +[6083.96 --> 6084.80] My Redeemer Lives. +[6085.76 --> 6088.72] Receive the blessing of our God. +[6090.86 --> 6094.32] God, go before you to lead you. +[6095.02 --> 6097.36] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6098.26 --> 6100.78] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6101.14 --> 6103.76] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6104.26 --> 6106.34] Do not be afraid. +[6107.30 --> 6110.32] The tomb is empty, and so you have no reason to fear. +[6110.64 --> 6112.50] Do not be afraid. +[6112.50 --> 6116.66] But go to practice resurrection. +[6116.98 --> 6117.96] In Jesus' name. +[6118.60 --> 6118.92] Amen. +[6118.92 --> 6119.06] Amen. +[6119.06 --> 6119.10] Amen. +[6119.10 --> 6119.14] Amen. +[6119.14 --> 6119.64] Amen. +[6142.10 --> 6143.74] Amen. +[6143.82 --> 6144.66] Amen. +[6144.66 --> 6167.96] I cast my mind to Calvary +[6167.96 --> 6176.46] Where Jesus bled and died for me +[6176.46 --> 6183.46] I see His wounds, His hands, His feet +[6183.46 --> 6190.84] My Savior on that cursed tree +[6190.84 --> 6202.94] His body bound and drenched in tears +[6202.94 --> 6209.84] They laid Him down in Joseph's tomb +[6209.84 --> 6217.84] The entrance sealed by heavy storm +[6217.84 --> 6224.84] Messiah still and all alone +[6224.84 --> 6237.14] Oh, praise the name of the Lord our God +[6237.14 --> 6243.84] Oh, praise His name forevermore +[6243.84 --> 6250.84] For endless days we will sing Your praise +[6250.84 --> 6257.84] Oh, Lord, O Lord our God +[6257.84 --> 6267.84] And on the third at break of dawn +[6267.84 --> 6274.84] The Son of Heaven rose again +[6274.84 --> 6278.84] Oh, trampled death +[6278.84 --> 6281.84] Where is Your sting? +[6281.84 --> 6289.84] The angels roar for Christ the King +[6289.84 --> 6299.84] Oh, praise the name of the Lord our God +[6299.84 --> 6306.84] Oh, praise His name forevermore +[6306.84 --> 6313.84] For endless days we will sing Your praise +[6313.84 --> 6320.84] Oh, Lord, O Lord our God +[6320.84 --> 6331.84] He shall return in robes of white +[6331.84 --> 6338.84] The blazing sun shall pierce the night +[6338.84 --> 6345.84] And I will rise among the saints +[6345.84 --> 6352.84] My gaze transmits on Jesus' face +[6352.84 --> 6355.84] The name of the Lord our God +[6355.84 --> 6359.84] Oh, praise His name forevermore +[6359.84 --> 6360.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6360.84 --> 6361.84] Oh, praise His name forevermore +[6361.84 --> 6362.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6362.84 --> 6364.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6364.84 --> 6365.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6365.84 --> 6369.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6369.84 --> 6372.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6372.84 --> 6384.84] O praise His name forevermore +[6384.84 --> 6386.84] O praise His name +[6386.84 --> 6393.08] Praise the name of the Lord our God. +[6393.08 --> 6399.92] Oh, praise His name forevermore. +[6400.12 --> 6406.08] For endless days we will sing Your praise. +[6407.06 --> 6412.08] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[6412.08 --> 6420.34] Oh, praise the name of the Lord our God. +[6420.34 --> 6427.22] Oh, praise His name forevermore. +[6427.52 --> 6433.84] For endless days we will sing Your praise. +[6434.26 --> 6439.28] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[6439.28 --> 6445.60] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[6447.68 --> 6453.44] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[6453.44 --> 6483.42] Oh, Lord our God. +[6483.44 --> 6513.42] Oh, Lord our God. +[6513.44 --> 6543.42] Oh, Lord our God. +[6543.44 --> 6545.44] Oh, Lord our God. +[6545.44 --> 6545.94] Oh, Lord our God. +[6545.94 --> 6547.68] Oh, Lord our God. +[6547.68 --> 6549.44] Oh, Lord our God. +[6562.10 --> 6565.18] Oh, Lord our God. +[6565.18 --> 6567.18] Tower +[6595.18 --> 6597.18] Yeah +[6625.18 --> 6627.18] Thank you +[6655.18 --> 6685.16] Thank you +[6685.18 --> 6715.16] Thank you +[6715.18 --> 6721.06] There's so much of the story that's still yet to unfold +[6721.06 --> 6728.06] And this is going to be a glorious unfolding +[6728.06 --> 6737.28] Just you wait and see and you will be amazed +[6737.28 --> 6740.94] You've just got to believe +[6740.94 --> 6745.16] The story is so far from over +[6745.16 --> 6749.54] So hold on to every promise +[6749.54 --> 6752.58] God has made to us +[6752.58 --> 6757.24] And what's this glorious unfolding +[6757.24 --> 6768.02] God's plan from the start for this world and your heart +[6768.02 --> 6771.40] Has been to show His glory and His grace +[6771.40 --> 6779.78] Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of His unfailing love +[6779.78 --> 6783.58] And the story has only begun +[6783.58 --> 6790.66] And this is going to be a glorious unfolding +[6790.66 --> 6800.04] Just you wait and see and you will be amazed +[6800.04 --> 6801.88] We just +[6801.88 --> 6801.92] We just +[6801.92 --> 6801.94] We just diff --git a/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_summary.txt b/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fc5ad670aa5856c3fd1654a72d496f61b086bbf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ +• Repetition of "thank you" +• Repetition of phrases like "take you", "save me", and "I'm waiting for you" +• References to God and Christ +• Invocation of a song or verse (verse 3) +• Mention of spending time with someone or something +• Statement about being with someone in the future +• The cross represents both forgiveness for sin and healing from it +• Salvation involves being made whole, not just forgiven +• Confession is a critical part of Christianity and healing from sin +• Repentance involves acknowledging one's sickness (sin) and seeking the doctor (Jesus) +• Healing from sin begins with confession and is followed by God's healing +• The cross makes salvation and healing possible through confession and submission to God's truth +• The cross is a change of status for those who recognize Jesus' innocence and sinlessness +• At the cross, the guilty are forgiven and become citizens of God's kingdom +• The death of Jesus on the cross means new life and salvation from sin +• The cross is necessary for forgiveness, healing, and a change of status in relationship to God +• There is a temptation to rush past the cross and focus on Easter Sunday instead of dwelling on its significance +• The power of the cross should not be rushed over, but rather stood at and reflected upon. +• Discussion of Christ's sacrifice on the cross +• Description of the natural phenomena that occurred during this time (darkness, earthquake) +• Jesus' final words and death on the cross +• Reaction of the centurion and the people who witnessed the crucifixion +• A hymn or song about being present at the crucifixion ("Were you there when they crucified my Lord?") +• References to a worship service and its conclusion +• Calibration +• Measurement instruments +• Accuracy and precision +• Uncertainty analysis +• Metrology standards \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_transcript.txt b/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..46e07056582e97508b2e5ac8818c6222cb3b8df6 --- /dev/null +++ b/Good Friday, April 18, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,368 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.96] Thank you. +[659.98 --> 689.94] Thank you. +[689.94 --> 719.94] Thank you. +[719.94 --> 749.94] +[749.94 --> 779.92] Thank you. +[779.92 --> 809.90] Thank you. +[809.92 --> 839.90] Thank you. +[839.92 --> 869.90] I cast you. +[869.90 --> 899.88] Oh, praise you. +[899.88 --> 929.86] Thank you. +[929.88 --> 959.86] Oh, praise you. +[959.86 --> 989.84] Oh, praise you. +[989.86 --> 1019.84] Thank you. +[1019.86 --> 1049.84] Thank you. +[1049.84 --> 1079.82] Thank you. +[1079.84 --> 1109.82] Thank you. +[1109.82 --> 1139.80] Thank you. +[1139.82 --> 1169.80] Thank you. +[1169.80 --> 1199.78] Thank you. +[1199.78 --> 1229.76] Thank you. +[1229.78 --> 1259.76] Thank you. +[1259.78 --> 1289.76] Thank you. +[1289.78 --> 1319.76] Thank you. +[1319.78 --> 1349.76] In verse 3. +[1349.76 --> 1379.74] Take you. +[1379.76 --> 1409.74] Thank you. +[1409.74 --> 1439.72] I invite you. +[1439.72 --> 1469.72] Thank you. +[1469.72 --> 1499.70] Thank you. +[1499.70 --> 1529.68] This next song. +[1529.68 --> 1559.66] Thank you. +[1559.66 --> 1589.64] Thank you. +[1589.64 --> 1619.62] Thank you. +[1619.62 --> 1649.60] Save me. +[1649.60 --> 1679.58] God, you. +[1679.58 --> 1709.56] Christ. +[1709.56 --> 1739.54] God, here, I'm waiting for you. +[1739.54 --> 1769.52] Thank you. +[1769.54 --> 1799.52] Thank you. +[1799.54 --> 1829.52] Thank you. +[1829.52 --> 1859.50] Thank you. +[1859.52 --> 1889.50] Thank you. +[1889.52 --> 1919.50] Thank you. +[1919.52 --> 1949.50] Thank you. +[1949.52 --> 1979.50] Thank you. +[1979.52 --> 2009.50] Thank you. +[2009.50 --> 2039.48] Thank you. +[2039.50 --> 2069.48] Thank you. +[2069.50 --> 2099.48] Thank you. +[2099.50 --> 2129.48] Thank you. +[2129.48 --> 2159.46] Thank you. +[2159.48 --> 2189.46] Thank you. +[2189.46 --> 2219.44] Thank you. +[2219.44 --> 2249.42] Thank you. +[2249.42 --> 2279.42] Thank you. +[2279.42 --> 2309.40] Thank you. +[2309.40 --> 2339.38] Thank you. +[2339.40 --> 2369.38] We're going to spend you. +[2369.38 --> 2399.36] Thank you. +[2399.36 --> 2429.34] Thank you. +[2429.34 --> 2459.32] And may this. +[2459.32 --> 2489.30] Thank you. +[2489.30 --> 2519.30] Thank you. +[2519.30 --> 2549.28] And they said, +[2549.28 --> 2579.26] And you're going to say, +[2579.26 --> 2609.24] you will be with me. +[2609.24 --> 2639.22] And you're going to say, +[2639.22 --> 2669.20] I want to say, +[2669.20 --> 2699.18] He's been, you're going to say, +[2699.18 --> 2729.16] and you're going to say, +[2729.18 --> 2759.16] or who have, you're going to say, +[2759.18 --> 2789.16] and you're going to say, +[2789.16 --> 2819.16] here. +[2819.16 --> 2849.14] And you're going to say, +[2849.14 --> 2879.12] among the trans, you're going to say, +[2879.12 --> 2909.10] they came to the, you're going to say, +[2909.10 --> 2939.10] there, and you're going to say, +[2939.10 --> 2969.10] and you're going to say, +[2969.10 --> 2999.10] and you're going to say, +[2999.10 --> 3029.08] on the, you're going to say, +[3029.10 --> 3059.10] and you're going to say, +[3059.10 --> 3089.08] and you're going to say, +[3089.10 --> 3119.10] that we want to say, +[3119.10 --> 3149.08] we know we're going to say, +[3149.10 --> 3179.10] and you're going to say, +[3179.10 --> 3181.10] and you're going to say, +[3181.10 --> 3209.08] and you're going to say, +[3209.10 --> 3239.08] and I'm going to say, +[3239.10 --> 3241.10] and you're going to say, +[3241.10 --> 3243.10] and you're going to say, +[3243.10 --> 3245.10] and you're going to say, +[3245.10 --> 3247.10] and you're going to say, +[3247.10 --> 3249.10] and you're going to say, +[3249.10 --> 3253.10] and you're going to say, and you're going to say, +[3253.10 --> 3255.10] and you're going to say, +[3255.10 --> 3257.10] and you're going to say, +[3257.10 --> 3259.10] and you're going to say, +[3259.10 --> 3261.10] and you're going to say, +[3261.10 --> 3263.10] and you're going to say, +[3263.10 --> 3265.10] and you're going to say, +[3265.10 --> 3267.10] save yourselves, and you're going to say, +[3267.10 --> 3275.94] said, aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us. Notice in those instances, right, all the +[3275.94 --> 3281.80] different titles of Jesus that are being thrown about. The Christ of God. Christ is the Greek +[3281.80 --> 3288.72] word for Messiah, right? The chosen one, the king of the Jews. Now, all of these ideas and titles, +[3288.72 --> 3297.56] Christ, Messiah, chosen one, king, all of them in this moment are tied to salvation. But in the end, +[3297.64 --> 3309.36] not necessarily to save himself, but to save those whom he forgives. Now, quickly, of the 18 times that +[3309.36 --> 3317.00] Luke uses the word save, four of them are in this text, and five of them are understood not as +[3317.00 --> 3325.20] salvation as we know it, but as healed, as made well, as being made whole. The same rough breakdown +[3325.20 --> 3331.06] happens in Matthew. He uses the word 15 times. Three times it means healed and made well. Mark uses the +[3331.06 --> 3337.06] word 14 times, and five times it means healed and made well. And I belabor this because there's +[3337.06 --> 3344.46] something about salvation that includes being made well. And so what are we seeing here? The cross +[3344.46 --> 3354.60] isn't just forgiveness for sin, right? The cross is also healing, being made well from sin. At the cross +[3354.60 --> 3364.22] of Jesus is healing from sin. Jesus said in Luke 5, it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. +[3364.72 --> 3372.48] I've not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And in some ways, sin is like a sickness +[3372.48 --> 3379.12] that we need to be healed from. And Jesus is the doctor. Repentance involves bringing your sickness +[3379.12 --> 3384.94] to the doctor, opening up your wounding to the healer, carrying your trauma to the cross. +[3386.30 --> 3394.14] Salvation and the salvation of the cross is a kind of healing. The same sin that keeps us separated from +[3394.14 --> 3403.34] a relationship with God can only be healed by God. And the beginning of healing from sin that comes from the cross +[3403.34 --> 3412.70] of Jesus is confession. And again, we've mentioned this word already, but sometimes people hear the word +[3412.70 --> 3420.06] confession, and they've got all sorts of ideas and baggage that comes with it. But confession is critical to +[3420.06 --> 3427.50] right Christianity, and it is core to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, right? Confessing isn't +[3427.50 --> 3433.28] about beating yourself up in public or hating yourself in private, although maybe too many of us practice +[3433.28 --> 3442.04] confession that way. I love the way that John Mark Comer describes it. He says that confession is about +[3442.04 --> 3448.90] courageously naming your woundedness and wickedness in the presence of a loving community as you journey +[3448.90 --> 3461.46] together towards wholeness. And in confession, it isn't only about your sin. It's also a confession about +[3461.46 --> 3472.10] what is true, about who you are in all of its darkness and brokenness, but also who Jesus is, and into that +[3472.10 --> 3479.70] moment, right? Who you are in Jesus. It's about taking all of those hidden things and exposing them to Jesus +[3479.70 --> 3489.24] and to trusted others. And then in that moment, still experiencing love and acceptance. It's about crawling +[3489.24 --> 3498.28] out of the pit of shame and basking in the light of the gospel. Confession is your part in dealing with sin, +[3498.28 --> 3507.84] and God's part is the healing that follows. The cross makes that possible. We confess our secrets. +[3508.28 --> 3517.88] He heals us from sin. The cross and our confession, the cross and our healing invite us to set all of who +[3517.88 --> 3525.84] we are before all of who God is. And just like when you go to the doctor, you can expect healing for +[3525.84 --> 3533.64] abdominal pain only if you tell her, I've got a sore tummy. Right? We need to confess to God in order to +[3533.64 --> 3542.52] receive healing. The more we hide, the less we heal. So as you sit here tonight, are you looking for +[3542.52 --> 3547.46] salvation? Are you looking for healing? Are you looking for something more than this brokenness, right? +[3547.52 --> 3552.72] And brokenness more in both in your heart and in your mind, brokenness in the world around you? +[3552.72 --> 3560.58] If you're looking, try confession. On the promise of God's word, try confession. James 5 verse 16 says, +[3560.98 --> 3566.24] therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. +[3566.96 --> 3573.14] Notice those words together again. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. +[3574.30 --> 3581.16] And Psalm 32 is so beautiful here. Psalm 32, the psalmist says, +[3581.16 --> 3588.12] when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand +[3588.12 --> 3596.32] was heavy on me. My strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then, then I acknowledged my sin to +[3596.32 --> 3602.54] you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and you +[3602.54 --> 3615.80] forgave the guilt of my sin. Confession is putting to death sin in your life by exposing it to the light +[3615.80 --> 3626.10] of the gospel. At the cross of Jesus, healing from sin is made possible by your confession and because of +[3626.10 --> 3638.32] his love. And then lastly, look at verse 40. In verse 40, the criminal rebuked the other and said, +[3638.44 --> 3645.94] do you fear or don't you fear God since we are under the same sentence? We are punished justly for we +[3645.94 --> 3654.04] are getting what our deeds deserve, but this man has done nothing wrong. Right? This man recognizes that +[3654.04 --> 3662.82] justice for him requires his death. Right? And fear of God in this moment is submission to the truth. +[3663.54 --> 3669.94] The truth of who he is. Right? Don't you fear God isn't him saying you should be scared of what comes +[3669.94 --> 3678.74] next. It's him saying, I accept what comes next because I submit myself to God. This man is recognizing +[3678.74 --> 3686.32] I did evil in the sight of God and my death is just. This is what we deserve. And at the same time, +[3686.42 --> 3692.86] he is recognizing that Jesus is innocent of any wrongdoing, innocent of any crime, innocent of any +[3692.86 --> 3700.00] sin. And so we're beginning to see that at the cross of Jesus, in the third point to answer our question, +[3700.12 --> 3704.74] at the cross of Jesus is a change of status because of sin. +[3704.74 --> 3712.16] To the guilty man who hangs beside him but has recognized Jesus for who he really is. To the man +[3712.16 --> 3719.24] who cries out in his own dying, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. To that man, +[3719.60 --> 3730.00] Jesus says, truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. In one moment, at a word from his +[3730.00 --> 3737.78] savior, he goes from a rebel and a murderer to a brother. From an insurrectionist against Rome to a +[3737.78 --> 3745.96] citizen of God's paradise, a citizen of God's kingdom. I love the way we read it in Galatians. +[3746.68 --> 3753.50] In Galatians, the apostle Paul, reflecting on a truth like this, says, I have been crucified with Christ +[3753.50 --> 3761.80] and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live, I live in the body. I live by faith +[3761.80 --> 3769.88] in the son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. Or in Romans, and way back at the beginning +[3769.88 --> 3776.10] of this Lenten season, at our Ash Wednesday service, we read this text. And so the journey has now come +[3776.10 --> 3783.04] full circle. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin +[3783.04 --> 3790.42] might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has +[3790.42 --> 3799.26] been set free from sin. Why is the cross necessary for salvation? Because the death of Jesus means your +[3799.26 --> 3806.10] new life. This is the core of the gospel, right? That Jesus lived the life I should have lived. +[3806.44 --> 3812.22] That Jesus died the death that I deserved. And that because of his death on the cross, I am changed +[3812.22 --> 3822.06] forever. My status because of sin is undone and I am made something new. My healing, my salvation from sin +[3822.06 --> 3831.30] is accomplished and I live wholly now, purposefully in shalom with God my Father. And my forgiveness for +[3831.30 --> 3840.74] sin is real because my confession is real. A genuine conversion because of an authentic confession. +[3840.74 --> 3852.50] And there is a temptation. There is a temptation that is in front of us all in this moment right now. +[3853.62 --> 3863.66] A temptation to rush past the cross of Good Friday through quickly the confusion of Holy Saturday +[3863.66 --> 3867.86] in order to get to the joy of Resurrection Sunday. +[3870.86 --> 3874.98] And let me be really clear. Sunday is coming. +[3876.42 --> 3885.90] Sunday is coming. Nothing you can do or don't do will stop Sunday from coming. But precisely because +[3885.90 --> 3892.70] Sunday is coming, slow down now. Stop. +[3896.06 --> 3905.50] Stand at the foot of the cross and marvel that the cross is necessary for your forgiveness. +[3906.30 --> 3914.38] The cross is necessary for your healing. And the cross is necessary for your change of status, +[3914.38 --> 3924.62] your very identity in relationship to God, your Father. This is the power of the cross. And so don't rush past it. +[3926.62 --> 3927.26] Instead, +[3928.94 --> 3929.50] together, +[3930.30 --> 3932.62] let's cling to it. Amen? +[3933.74 --> 3934.42] Let's pray. +[3934.42 --> 3934.48] Amen. +[3934.48 --> 3934.54] Amen. +[3934.54 --> 3934.60] Amen. +[3934.60 --> 3934.74] Amen. +[3934.74 --> 3936.60] Amen. +[3936.60 --> 3938.60] Amen. +[3938.60 --> 3938.68] Amen. +[3938.68 --> 3940.60] Amen. +[3940.60 --> 3940.68] Amen. +[3940.68 --> 3942.68] Amen. +[3942.68 --> 3942.74] Amen. +[3942.74 --> 3943.74] Amen. +[3943.74 --> 3944.36] Amen. +[3944.38 --> 3946.10] God, our Heavenly Father, +[3946.10 --> 3949.34] by your gift of grace, +[3950.60 --> 3952.04] by your working faith, +[3952.16 --> 3954.16] we cling to the cross. +[3957.74 --> 3960.48] This is the power of the cross. +[3963.88 --> 3965.30] In this moment, +[3965.30 --> 3968.26] may we not rush past the truth. +[3970.30 --> 3971.64] In this moment, +[3971.78 --> 3974.36] may we not +[3974.36 --> 3978.14] push back the confusion, +[3978.14 --> 3986.70] but may we stand and reflect on the truth of the cross, +[3986.70 --> 3989.04] the truth of the gospel. +[3989.04 --> 3991.48] May we not be ashamed of the gospel, +[3991.48 --> 3994.58] for it is the power of God unto salvation. +[3994.58 --> 3996.08] God, our Lord, +[3996.08 --> 3998.76] we cling to the cross. +[3998.76 --> 3999.46] Lord, to your cross, +[4000.26 --> 4000.78] we cling. +[4001.84 --> 4003.44] In Jesus' name we pray. +[4004.34 --> 4004.74] Amen. +[4004.74 --> 4004.82] Amen. +[4004.82 --> 4015.38] We pray to rise and sing with us. +[4015.38 --> 4044.08] Christ on the road to Calvary +[4045.38 --> 4049.78] Tried by sinful men +[4049.78 --> 4054.08] Torn and beaten men +[4054.08 --> 4061.24] Billed to a cross of wood +[4061.24 --> 4070.10] This the power of the cross +[4070.10 --> 4074.10] Christ became +[4074.10 --> 4078.02] Sin for us +[4078.02 --> 4082.00] Took the blame +[4082.00 --> 4084.42] Bore the wrath +[4084.42 --> 4087.06] We stand forgiven +[4087.06 --> 4091.10] At the cross +[4091.10 --> 4103.00] Oh to see the name +[4103.00 --> 4107.20] Written on your face +[4107.20 --> 4115.10] Bearing the awesome weight of sin +[4115.10 --> 4119.18] Every bitter thought +[4119.18 --> 4123.20] Every evil deed +[4123.20 --> 4128.86] Crowning your bloodstained ground +[4128.86 --> 4136.86] This the power of the cross +[4136.86 --> 4140.18] Christ became +[4140.18 --> 4144.86] Sin for us +[4144.86 --> 4148.78] Took the blame +[4148.78 --> 4151.70] For the wrath +[4151.70 --> 4153.62] Quased and forgiven +[4153.62 --> 4157.62] At the cross +[4157.62 --> 4169.90] Now the daylight flees +[4169.90 --> 4173.54] Now the ground beneath +[4173.54 --> 4178.00] Quakes as its maker +[4178.00 --> 4182.00] Bows its head +[4182.00 --> 4186.00] Curtain torn in two +[4186.00 --> 4191.40] Dead are raised to life +[4191.40 --> 4196.00] Finish the victory cry +[4196.00 --> 4206.00] Christ is the power of the cross +[4206.00 --> 4207.92] Christ became +[4207.92 --> 4211.92] Sin for us +[4211.92 --> 4215.84] Took the blame +[4215.84 --> 4219.18] For the wrath +[4219.18 --> 4221.66] Is yet forgiven +[4221.66 --> 4224.24] At the cross +[4224.24 --> 4244.12] Following this next reading +[4244.12 --> 4245.32] We will sing +[4245.32 --> 4246.28] We will sing one more song +[4246.28 --> 4247.08] And at the conclusion +[4247.08 --> 4247.82] Of that song +[4247.82 --> 4249.00] I invite you to +[4249.00 --> 4250.96] Leave in reflection +[4250.96 --> 4252.14] Together +[4252.14 --> 4253.98] So leave together +[4253.98 --> 4255.14] In silence +[4255.14 --> 4256.16] And if you want to connect +[4256.16 --> 4256.68] And talk +[4256.68 --> 4257.74] It's beautiful outside +[4257.74 --> 4259.10] We encourage you to do that +[4259.10 --> 4260.18] But perhaps +[4260.18 --> 4261.68] Maybe you want to sit +[4261.68 --> 4262.86] And reflect +[4262.86 --> 4264.10] For a moment longer +[4264.10 --> 4265.16] And so this space +[4265.16 --> 4266.22] Will be available +[4266.22 --> 4266.94] For a little while +[4266.94 --> 4267.84] For you to do that +[4267.84 --> 4269.14] Following our worship +[4269.14 --> 4269.80] Together +[4269.80 --> 4276.52] It was now +[4276.52 --> 4277.30] About noon +[4277.30 --> 4279.18] And darkness +[4279.18 --> 4280.70] Came over the whole land +[4280.70 --> 4282.38] Until three in the afternoon +[4282.38 --> 4283.52] For the sun +[4283.52 --> 4284.54] Had stopped shining +[4284.54 --> 4286.14] And the curtain +[4286.14 --> 4286.76] Of the temple +[4286.76 --> 4287.80] Was torn in two +[4287.80 --> 4289.36] And Jesus called out +[4289.36 --> 4290.38] With a loud voice +[4290.38 --> 4291.08] Father +[4291.08 --> 4292.52] Into your hands +[4292.52 --> 4293.76] I commit my spirit +[4293.76 --> 4296.80] And when he had said this +[4296.80 --> 4299.26] He breathed his last +[4299.26 --> 4305.22] And the centurion +[4305.22 --> 4308.32] Seeing what had happened +[4308.32 --> 4310.14] Praised God +[4310.14 --> 4311.36] And said +[4311.36 --> 4312.42] Surely this +[4312.42 --> 4314.20] Was a righteous man +[4314.20 --> 4315.86] And when all the people +[4315.86 --> 4316.42] Who had gathered +[4316.42 --> 4317.52] To witness this sight +[4317.52 --> 4318.66] Saw what took place +[4318.66 --> 4320.04] They beat their breasts +[4320.04 --> 4320.86] And went away +[4320.86 --> 4323.56] But all those who knew him +[4323.56 --> 4325.72] Including the women +[4325.72 --> 4326.64] Who had followed him +[4326.64 --> 4327.34] From Galilee +[4327.34 --> 4329.38] Stood at a distance +[4329.38 --> 4330.72] Watching +[4330.72 --> 4332.06] These things +[4332.06 --> 4332.56] Like this +[4332.56 --> 4342.72] So +[4342.72 --> 4344.94] Where the whoever +[4344.94 --> 4345.78] Was a Christian +[4345.78 --> 4345.96] Who had recognized +[4345.96 --> 4346.46] I be +[4346.46 --> 4348.00] I eat +[4348.00 --> 4350.00] And菜 +[4350.00 --> 4350.68] Would +[4350.68 --> 4353.00] Who had +[4353.00 --> 4353.84] Is +[4353.84 --> 4356.84] On a +[4357.04 --> 4357.08] To +[4357.08 --> 4359.08] Amen. +[4387.08 --> 4404.08] When they crucified my Lord, were you there when they crucified my Lord? +[4404.08 --> 4422.08] Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. +[4422.08 --> 4433.08] Were you there when they crucified my Lord? +[4433.08 --> 4442.08] Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? +[4442.08 --> 4454.08] Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? +[4454.08 --> 4472.08] Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. +[4472.08 --> 4481.08] Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree? +[4481.08 --> 4496.08] Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? +[4496.08 --> 4507.08] Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? +[4507.08 --> 4526.08] Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. +[4526.08 --> 4541.08] Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? +[4556.08 --> 4557.08] Okay. +[4557.08 --> 4563.08] Is that how you wear his train or your which is zweite, the ink When the tree rub reads? +[4563.08 --> 4565.08] Ah! +[4565.08 --> 4571.08] I had a string of interfaces then myself in indoctrometers. diff --git a/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_summary.txt b/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..88bf9ea0c405f67e77bfcf7f6b23274fbfcb0268 --- /dev/null +++ b/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,101 @@ +• Troubled sea and lighthouse as a metaphor for hope and guidance +• Trusting in God's promise to carry you safe to shore +• Overcoming fears, pain, and shame with God's love +• Eternity and heaven as a place of eternal peace and joy +• Worship and adoration of God in heaven +• Ordination of Kevin Lobert as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church +• Welcome and introduction to guests visiting for the ordination ceremony +• Invitation to participate in the ordination ceremony and installation of Kevin Lobert +• Explanation of the significance of the ordination and installation +• Reception of God's greeting through prayer and worship +• Welcoming and acknowledging the presence of guests +• Psalm 145 discussed in relation to praising God +• Importance of worship and devotion to God +• Ministry and pastoral care, including preaching, teaching, and administering sacraments +• Responsibilities of a pastor, including caring for congregation members and their needs +• Role of a minister in serving the Church of Christ +• The role of a minister as a servant of Christ and their responsibilities in evangelism and promoting the work of the Church +• The importance of prayer and devotion to ministry, including proclamation, explanation, and application of Holy Scripture +• A personal testimony about singing "hallelujah" and praising God with one's entire being +• Introduction of Kevin, a pastor, and his ordination vows, as well as his 17 years in youth ministry +• Discussion on the significance of vows in ministry, particularly for office bearers in churches +• Ordination ceremony for Kevin Loebert +• Review of church doctrinal standards and promises made by the ordinand +• Invocation of prayer and blessing from church members +• Ordaining pastor's prayers for Kevin's ministry and service to the church +• Blessing and commissioning of Kevin for his new role +• Introduction and welcome of Kevin by Pastor Jenna Fabiano +• Invitation to congregation to stand and make a vow to Kevin +• Vow to welcome Kevin as minister and pastor, pray for him, share in his work, encourage him, and respond to his work with obedience and love +• Commissioning and congratulations to Kevin on his ordination to the ministry of the word +• Encouragement to congregation to keep their vows, receive Kevin as a gift from God, listen to him with respect, and pray for him daily +• Final prayers and worship +• Invitation for Jesus to come +• Worship songs and prayers +• Introduction of guests and dignitaries +• Congratulatory speech by Eric Woodward, Mayor of Langley +• Welcome message by Joe Ladum on behalf of MLA Harmon Mungu +• Message from MP Teiko Venpapta's office, delivered by Reverend Wout Brower +• Personal congratulations from Reverend Stephen Birkenpass +• The speaker welcomes Reverend Gord Schultz, representing Langley Ministerial. +• The speaker praises the new pastor's faith and potential impact on the community. +• Reverend Schultz encourages the new pastor to step into his role with conviction and boldness in proclaiming biblical truth. +• He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to ordain another pastor, citing a growing shortage of pastors in Canada. +• A hymn is sung, "Ancient of Days", expressing trust and confidence in God's power and presence. +• Kevin's first visit to the church 17 years ago +• Pastor's initial warning to Kevin about the typical lifespan of youth pastors (3 years) +• The pastor's positive assessment of Kevin's 17-year tenure and his support system +• The laying on of hands ceremony and the passing of God's authority through Jesus Christ +• A reading from 1 Kings 22 about a prophet and a king, emphasizing the grounding in God's Word +• The king of Israel is planning to go to war against Ramoth-Gilead and seeks the counsel of prophets. +• Micaiah, a prophet who always speaks bad about the king, is summoned and says he can only speak what the Lord tells him. +• The other prophets are predicting success for the king, but Micaiah prophesies that the king will be wounded in battle. +• A commentary on how people prefer pleasant words over true ones, and how flattery is a threat to the church. +• The importance of speaking God's truth, even if it's difficult or uncomfortable. +• Jehoshaphat's request for a prophet is honored with 400 prophets who tell Ahab what he wants to hear +• Ahab knows his prophets are not inquiring of the Lord, but instead of the king +• Micaiah is introduced as the only one who prophesies truthfully, despite being disliked by Ahab +• The 400 prophets use the right words (Yahweh or Adonai) to maintain influence and power over Ahab +• They give false messages using cultural shibboleths and a dog whistle effect +• The temptation to predict success or say good things for popularity +• The risk of becoming a puppet when telling a prophet what to predict +• The external temptation to say what people want to hear, a common issue in all cultures and churches throughout history +• The current ease of finding messages that confirm one's existing beliefs due to social media and algorithms +• The danger of curating information and creating echo chambers that shape one's experience of reality and reinforce their own perspectives +• The temptation in the heart of preachers to say what people want to hear for personal gain +• The speaker's goal is to exceed expectations and achieve success in their work +• The importance of being authentic and not editing God's word to make it more palatable +• Contrasting "itching ears" with sound doctrine, which is healthy teaching that nourishes the soul and strengthens the church +• The dangers of presenting a watered-down version of Christianity, such as trading the language of sin and grace for self-help principles +• The need for faithful preachers to stick to God's word, even if it's not easy or pleasant +• The importance of sound doctrine in contrast to new things +• The dangers of softening Christian doctrine for the sake of new ideas and people's happiness +• The distinction between dogma and living truth about a living God +• The role of the preacher in proclaiming the Lord's words and not relying on opinions or entertainment +• The need for sound doctrine to lead to lived discipleship and a relationship with Jesus Christ +• Jesus turns to his disciples and asks if they will run away too after others have fled. +• Peter responds by saying that they should go where Jesus is because he has the words of eternal life. +• The preacher's task is not to soften or make truth easier, but to proclaim Christ until hearts burn with understanding. +• A true prophet says what they show, and a preacher must make God's word and its transformation visible in their own life. +• A pastor's life should be vocal, and sermons should be practiced as well as preached. +• Congregations shape their own prophets through teachers and preaching. +• The health of a church's pulpit corresponds to the hunger for truth among its members. +• Worship is not just about feeling good, but also about meeting the living Jesus and being transformed by his word. +• Pastors should have courage to speak the Lord's words without fear, and congregations should hold them accountable to God's word. +• Encourage faithfulness, depth, and obedience in pastors over eloquence or entertainment. +• Life and death, transformation of hearts and lives +• The voice of the Lord, Jesus as the word of eternal life +• Prayer for God's word to transform lives, spark imagination, and speak truth +• Restoration of relationships, reconciliation, and salvation +• Worshiping God alone for glory and name +• Filling vision with beauty, ears and minds with word, and hearts with love +• Jesus prayer +• Reading of "Be Thou My Vision" +• Personal gratitude for family, staff, colleagues, and church members +• Acknowledgment of education process and support from others +• Thanks to specific individuals, including former staff and friends +• The speaker expresses gratitude to God for speaking through the audience and encouraging them. +• They thank the church community at Emmanuel for their love, support, and care. +• The speaker leads a prayer of blessing from God, quoting scripture. +• A hymn or song is sung, with repeated phrases "I am not my own" and "but belong body and soul". +• The speaker reiterates their commitment to belonging to God in life and death. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_transcript.txt b/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..72c46f8af0d44d60fafbcd8516c09e7d6346fc8c --- /dev/null +++ b/Ordination of Pastor Kevin, October 29, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1857 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 62.00] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 92.00] Thank you. +[92.00 --> 94.00] Thank you. +[94.00 --> 96.00] Thank you. +[96.00 --> 98.00] Thank you. +[98.00 --> 100.00] Thank you. +[100.00 --> 102.00] Thank you. +[102.00 --> 104.00] Thank you. +[104.00 --> 108.00] Thank you. +[108.00 --> 113.12] You are the peace in my troubled sea +[113.12 --> 119.84] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[119.84 --> 124.22] Shining in the darkness, I will follow you +[124.22 --> 128.58] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[128.58 --> 134.22] I will trust the promise, you will carry me safe to shore +[134.22 --> 138.62] Safe to shore +[138.62 --> 142.98] Safe to shore +[142.98 --> 147.36] Safe to shore +[147.36 --> 155.20] I won't feel what tomorrow brings +[155.20 --> 159.28] With each morning I'll rise and sing +[159.28 --> 163.52] My God's love will lead me through +[163.52 --> 167.90] You are the peace in my troubled sea +[167.90 --> 173.08] You are the peace in my troubled sea +[173.08 --> 175.68] You are my light +[175.68 --> 179.90] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[179.90 --> 184.20] Shining in the darkness, I will follow you +[184.20 --> 188.62] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[188.62 --> 193.00] I will trust the promise, you will carry me +[193.00 --> 194.18] Safe to shore +[194.18 --> 198.68] Safe to shore +[198.68 --> 203.02] Safe to shore +[203.02 --> 207.00] Safe to shore +[207.00 --> 211.38] Fire before us +[211.38 --> 213.18] Fire before us +[213.18 --> 214.56] You're the brightest +[214.56 --> 219.56] You will lead us through the storms +[219.56 --> 221.92] Fire before us +[221.92 --> 223.38] You're the brightest +[223.38 --> 228.16] You will lead us through the storms +[228.16 --> 237.72] Fire before us +[237.72 --> 238.72] Fire before us +[238.72 --> 239.72] You're the brightest +[239.72 --> 245.54] You will lead us through the storms +[245.54 --> 249.92] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[249.92 --> 250.50] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[250.50 --> 254.10] Shining in the darkness, I will follow you +[254.10 --> 258.14] My lighthouse, my lighthouse +[258.14 --> 262.80] I will trust the promise, you will carry me +[262.80 --> 264.10] Safe to shore +[264.10 --> 268.48] Safe to shore +[268.48 --> 275.24] Safe to shore +[275.24 --> 277.22] Safe to shore +[277.22 --> 287.24] Safe to shore +[287.24 --> 289.18] Safe to shore +[289.18 --> 295.72] Safe to shore +[295.72 --> 316.70] I will be yours, you will be mine +[316.70 --> 321.70] Together in eternity +[321.70 --> 328.70] Our hearts of love will be entwined +[329.34 --> 333.70] Together in eternity +[334.28 --> 340.70] Forever in eternity +[340.70 --> 360.34] I will be yours, you will be mine +[360.34 --> 365.34] Together in eternity +[365.34 --> 372.34] Our hearts of love will be entwined +[372.34 --> 377.34] Together in eternity +[377.34 --> 383.34] Forever in eternity +[383.34 --> 399.34] No more tears of pain in our eyes +[399.34 --> 411.34] No more fear or shame +[411.34 --> 416.34] For we will be with you +[416.34 --> 424.34] Yes, we will be with you +[424.34 --> 440.34] We will be with you +[440.34 --> 446.84] We will see your face +[446.84 --> 449.84] And together +[449.84 --> 454.34] We will worship +[454.34 --> 459.34] We will worship you +[459.34 --> 464.34] Forever +[464.34 --> 467.34] We will worship +[467.34 --> 471.34] We will worship you +[471.34 --> 477.34] Forever +[477.34 --> 479.34] We will personally worship you +[479.34 --> 480.34] We will worship you +[480.34 --> 482.34] We will toujours worship you +[482.34 --> 484.34] Our hearts so much +[484.34 --> 486.34] You may my traversade +[486.34 --> 489.34] We will worship you +[489.34 --> 490.34] Because we are all set +[490.34 --> 503.34] �낮 +[507.34 --> 514.78] This world is not what it was meant to be +[514.78 --> 519.76] All this pain, all this suffering +[519.76 --> 527.46] There's a better place waiting for me in heaven +[532.46 --> 537.22] Every tear will be wiped away +[537.22 --> 543.18] Every sorrow and sin erased +[543.18 --> 548.64] We'll dance on seas of amazing grace +[548.64 --> 552.82] In heaven, in heaven +[552.82 --> 557.62] I'm going home where the streets are golden +[557.62 --> 560.48] Every chain is broken +[560.48 --> 563.22] Oh, I want to go +[563.22 --> 566.98] Oh, I want to go home +[566.98 --> 569.18] Every fear is calm +[569.18 --> 572.26] I'm in your open arms +[572.26 --> 575.14] Where I belong +[575.14 --> 579.10] Home +[579.10 --> 580.10] Home +[580.10 --> 590.86] Lay down my burdens +[590.86 --> 593.90] I lay down my past +[593.90 --> 596.60] I run to Jesus +[596.60 --> 600.36] No turning back +[600.36 --> 602.56] Thank God Almighty +[602.56 --> 603.44] I'll be free +[603.44 --> 605.24] I'll be free at last +[605.24 --> 606.52] In heaven +[606.52 --> 608.52] In heaven +[608.52 --> 611.52] I'm going home +[611.52 --> 614.08] Where the streets are golden +[614.08 --> 616.96] Every chain is broken +[616.96 --> 619.80] Oh, I want to go +[619.80 --> 623.44] Oh, I want to go home +[623.44 --> 625.40] Every fear is gone +[625.40 --> 625.68] Every fear is gone +[625.68 --> 628.76] I'm in your open arms +[628.76 --> 631.40] Where I belong +[631.40 --> 635.36] Blonde in heaven +[635.36 --> 635.58] Blonde in heaven +[635.58 --> 636.36] Blonde in heaven +[636.36 --> 638.36] We'll finally see +[638.36 --> 641.36] The dead will rise +[641.36 --> 644.36] On the shores of eternity +[644.36 --> 646.32] The drum will sound +[646.32 --> 647.32] The drum will sound +[647.32 --> 649.32] The angels will sing +[649.32 --> 650.32] Hallelujah +[650.32 --> 651.32] Hallelujah +[651.32 --> 652.32] Hallelujah +[652.32 --> 656.32] I am going home +[656.32 --> 659.32] Where the streets are golden +[659.32 --> 662.12] Every chain is broken +[662.12 --> 664.92] Oh, I want to go +[664.92 --> 668.32] Oh, I want to go home +[668.32 --> 670.72] Every fear is gone +[670.72 --> 673.88] I'm in your open arms +[673.88 --> 676.76] Where I belong +[676.76 --> 682.68] Where I belong +[682.68 --> 689.80] I'm going home +[689.80 --> 695.12] I'm going home +[695.12 --> 701.16] I'm on my way home +[701.16 --> 706.36] I'm going home +[706.36 --> 707.16] I'm going home +[707.16 --> 711.16] I'm on my way home +[711.16 --> 720.16] I'm going home +[720.16 --> 744.12] I'm going home +[744.12 --> 748.28] I've seen the king of glory +[748.28 --> 752.46] Coming on the clouds +[752.46 --> 754.02] With fire +[754.02 --> 757.10] The whole earth shakes +[757.10 --> 760.78] The whole earth shakes +[760.78 --> 765.82] I see his love and mercy +[765.82 --> 771.64] Washing over all our sin +[771.64 --> 774.68] The people sing +[774.68 --> 778.52] The people sing +[778.52 --> 780.94] Hosanna +[780.94 --> 783.88] Hosanna +[783.88 --> 788.38] Hosanna in the highest +[788.38 --> 792.64] Hosanna +[792.64 --> 794.24] Hosanna +[794.24 --> 795.50] Hosanna +[796.64 --> 797.96] Good evening +[797.96 --> 799.14] Everyone +[799.14 --> 799.94] And +[799.94 --> 801.12] Thank you +[801.12 --> 802.30] For joining us +[802.30 --> 803.04] Here at +[803.04 --> 803.94] Langley +[803.94 --> 804.46] Emanuel +[804.46 --> 805.84] A special welcome +[805.84 --> 807.14] If you are +[807.14 --> 808.14] A guest here +[808.14 --> 810.08] If you are +[810.08 --> 810.66] Visiting +[810.66 --> 811.66] And representing +[811.66 --> 812.62] Someone +[812.62 --> 813.48] Or a group +[813.48 --> 814.76] We are really excited +[814.76 --> 815.44] That you are here +[815.44 --> 816.82] To participate +[816.82 --> 817.66] In this +[817.66 --> 818.60] The ordination +[818.60 --> 819.54] Of +[819.54 --> 820.30] Kevin Lobert +[820.30 --> 821.70] As a minister of the word +[821.70 --> 823.04] In the Christian reformed church +[823.62 --> 828.82] Later on in our service together, we'll have an opportunity to hear from special guests +[828.82 --> 830.66] and dignitaries on behalf of Kevin. +[830.94 --> 833.32] They will be introduced at that point. +[833.98 --> 840.92] I want to begin with a further invitation, and that's an invitation for after our service +[840.92 --> 845.74] this evening to hang out in fellowship in the back, and in here there'll be a bit of +[845.74 --> 850.08] a standing reception where you can all maul Kevin and encourage him with your love and +[850.08 --> 856.42] support and bless him as he continues to bless us here at Emmanuel. +[857.08 --> 869.52] We gather tonight for a significant and important purpose in the work of God in the world. +[870.20 --> 878.04] Today we rejoice in Christ's special care and love for his church since we together have +[878.04 --> 885.18] the privilege of ordaining Kevin to the ministry of the word in this church and in our denomination. +[885.98 --> 892.32] Because he has accepted the call of this church, we will now proceed with his ordination and +[892.32 --> 898.14] installation, and this act tonight is both worshipful and prayerful. +[898.14 --> 905.22] It is an act of joy, and it is a recognition of God's solemn purposes for the leadership of his church. +[905.64 --> 913.00] And for that, we give thanks to God, and in that, we know that God is here among us in the power of his spirit. +[913.80 --> 917.22] We mark that, of course, by receiving God's greeting. +[917.66 --> 923.18] And so as you're able, I'm going to invite you to stand, and maybe if it's in you to do so, +[923.18 --> 928.86] to take a posture of receipt, just open your hands, open your hearts, and receive God's welcome +[928.86 --> 931.68] into this evening and this worship together. +[933.38 --> 942.18] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son, and our Savior, +[942.84 --> 945.44] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[946.74 --> 947.04] Amen. +[947.04 --> 953.42] It's normal in our church, after the greeting is given, to turn and welcome those who are here this evening, +[953.50 --> 958.58] and so I'm going to invite you to do that as if it were Sunday, because we are in the presence of God and his people. +[958.58 --> 958.78] Amen. +[958.78 --> 959.22] Amen. +[959.22 --> 959.78] Amen. +[959.78 --> 960.22] Amen. +[960.22 --> 960.32] Amen. +[960.32 --> 960.72] Amen. +[960.72 --> 961.22] Amen. +[961.22 --> 961.86] Amen. +[961.86 --> 961.94] Amen. +[961.94 --> 962.00] Amen. +[962.00 --> 962.50] Amen. +[962.50 --> 963.00] Amen. +[963.00 --> 964.00] Amen. +[964.00 --> 964.08] Amen. +[964.08 --> 965.00] Amen. +[965.00 --> 965.08] Amen. +[965.08 --> 965.14] Amen. +[965.14 --> 965.18] Amen. +[965.18 --> 965.24] Amen. +[977.04 --> 995.18] Amen. +[995.18 --> 1005.32] In Psalm 145, the Lord invites us to see, great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. +[1005.32 --> 1008.20] His greatness no one can fathom. +[1009.20 --> 1014.92] And he invites us to hear, one generation commends your work to another. +[1015.66 --> 1018.08] They tell of your mighty acts. +[1018.90 --> 1024.54] And he invites us to sing, my mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. +[1025.22 --> 1029.16] Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever. +[1029.16 --> 1029.22] Amen. +[1035.32 --> 1057.24] I will worship, I will worship, I will worship, with all of my heart, with all of my heart. +[1057.24 --> 1065.16] I will praise you, I will praise you, with all of my strength. +[1065.16 --> 1067.08] All of my strength. +[1067.08 --> 1075.04] I will seek you, I will seek you, all of my name. +[1075.04 --> 1077.38] All of my name. +[1077.48 --> 1084.24] I will follow, I will follow, all of your way. +[1084.24 --> 1087.66] All of your praise. +[1087.66 --> 1091.88] I will give you all my worship. +[1092.96 --> 1097.72] I will give you all my praise. +[1097.72 --> 1101.96] You alone, I long to worship. +[1103.08 --> 1107.44] You alone are worthy of my name. +[1107.44 --> 1109.94] I will bow down. +[1109.94 --> 1109.96] I will bow down. +[1109.96 --> 1112.02] I will bow down. +[1112.02 --> 1114.54] And hail you as king. +[1114.54 --> 1116.74] And hail you as king. +[1116.74 --> 1119.70] I will serve you. +[1119.70 --> 1121.56] I will serve you. +[1121.56 --> 1123.58] Give you everything. +[1124.58 --> 1126.88] Give you everything. +[1127.12 --> 1129.62] I will lift up. +[1129.62 --> 1131.78] I will lift up. +[1131.78 --> 1134.20] My eyes to your throne. +[1134.20 --> 1136.36] My eyes to your throne. +[1136.36 --> 1139.46] I will trust you. +[1139.46 --> 1141.62] I will trust you. +[1141.62 --> 1143.46] I will trust you alone. +[1144.26 --> 1147.20] Trust in you alone. +[1147.46 --> 1151.42] I will give you all my worship. +[1152.50 --> 1157.04] I will give you all my praise. +[1157.04 --> 1161.26] You alone, I long to worship. +[1161.26 --> 1166.72] You alone are worthy of mine. +[1166.72 --> 1171.10] I will give you all my worship. +[1172.10 --> 1176.56] I will give you all my praise. +[1176.56 --> 1180.88] You alone, I long to worship. +[1181.96 --> 1186.64] You alone are worthy of mine. +[1187.04 --> 1191.42] You alone, I long to worship. +[1192.72 --> 1196.58] You alone are worthy of His name. +[1197.26 --> 1200.50] Now of course there be enough guy. +[1200.50 --> 1201.56] The beauty of His kind umam. +[1201.56 --> 1205.20] Most of you and his life dev also of Him is all yours. +[1205.20 --> 1210.58] Stakes of your church doing great. +[1212.58 --> 1213.64] Your gift. +[1213.64 --> 1243.62] Thank you. +[1243.64 --> 1273.62] Thank you. +[1273.64 --> 1287.82] Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, is what it says in Matthew 28. +[1287.82 --> 1317.82] +[1317.82 --> 1347.82] +[1347.82 --> 1349.28] He is a steward in the household of God. +[1349.62 --> 1352.28] He is a teacher to explain the mystery of the gospel. +[1352.84 --> 1354.86] He is a shepherd who cares for the flock. +[1355.32 --> 1360.54] He is an ambassador and a herald to his king, proclaiming the message of reconciliation. +[1361.56 --> 1364.22] The preaching of the word is one of the ministers' chief tasks. +[1364.82 --> 1372.14] Such proclamation must faithfully reflect the word of God and relate its needs of the listeners. +[1372.92 --> 1382.24] Paul stresses the demands when he wrote in 2 Timothy 4 to preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke, and encourage. +[1382.24 --> 1392.86] And because the sacraments are closely related to the preaching of the word, the minister has the privilege of administering holy baptism in the Lord's Supper. +[1393.34 --> 1399.02] Since the minister has the responsibility to preach the word and to administer the sacraments in public worship, +[1399.02 --> 1406.02] it is his task to conduct the worship service in such a manner that God receives glory in the congregations edified. +[1408.90 --> 1415.04] When Jesus said to Peter, feed my lambs, he entrusted the office bearers with special care for the young. +[1415.54 --> 1420.96] The minister must instruct the baptized members of the congregation in the way of salvation, +[1420.96 --> 1425.60] and he must also encourage and assist those who teach with him. +[1425.60 --> 1433.08] Kevin, as a pastor, the minister visits the members of the congregation. +[1433.78 --> 1435.42] He calls on the sick and suffering. +[1435.80 --> 1437.40] He comforts those who mourn. +[1437.88 --> 1440.08] He admonishes those who stray. +[1440.60 --> 1442.94] He counsels those in need of guidance. +[1443.54 --> 1448.26] He holds in trust those matters confided to him in counsel or confession. +[1448.92 --> 1451.00] And he encourages the weak. +[1451.00 --> 1456.00] He rejoices with those who rejoice and weeps with those who weep. +[1459.00 --> 1464.12] Yet the minister is called not only to serve those who already are members of the Church of Christ, +[1464.28 --> 1468.02] but also to engage in and to promote the work of evangelism. +[1468.44 --> 1472.70] As a true disciple of his master, he should show that the Church exists also for the world +[1472.70 --> 1477.14] and that the missionary task of the Church forms an essential part of its calling. +[1480.68 --> 1486.32] As a servant of Christ, the minister must help and encourage the people of God +[1486.32 --> 1494.64] as they care for the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, the naked, the sick, and those in prison. +[1494.64 --> 1504.68] In all his work, the minister proclaims, explains, and applies Holy Scripture +[1504.68 --> 1510.48] in order to gather in and build up the members of the Church of Jesus Christ. +[1511.34 --> 1515.92] For this work, the minister devotes himself to the ministry of prayer, +[1516.70 --> 1523.02] joining all Christians in confession, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. +[1524.64 --> 1554.62] For this work, the minister will be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ. +[1554.64 --> 1584.62] I am a part of the Church of Jesus Christ. +[1584.62 --> 1591.40] The wisdom will stand and you'll never do. +[1593.16 --> 1599.98] So I throw up my hands, praise you again and again. +[1599.98 --> 1610.98] Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1610.98 --> 1618.02] I know it's not much, but nothing else did for me. +[1618.02 --> 1630.44] Except for our singing hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1630.44 --> 1636.44] I've got one response. +[1638.48 --> 1641.44] I've got just one move. +[1641.44 --> 1650.44] When my arms stretch wide, I will worship you. +[1651.58 --> 1657.44] So I throw up my hands, praise you again and again. +[1657.44 --> 1669.44] Cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1669.44 --> 1676.28] I know it's not much, but nothing else did for me. +[1676.84 --> 1686.44] Except for our singing hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1686.44 --> 1699.20] Come on, my soul. +[1699.48 --> 1703.82] Oh, don't you get shy on me, live another song. +[1703.82 --> 1708.52] Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs. +[1709.02 --> 1712.42] Get up and praise the Lord. +[1712.42 --> 1717.46] Come on, my soul. +[1717.46 --> 1721.96] Oh, don't you get shy on me, live another song. +[1721.96 --> 1726.68] Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs. +[1726.68 --> 1730.24] Get up and praise the Lord. +[1733.24 --> 1735.40] Come on, my soul. +[1735.76 --> 1739.96] Oh, don't you get shy on me, live another song. +[1739.96 --> 1744.58] Cause you've got a lion inside of those lungs. +[1744.58 --> 1748.34] Get up and praise the Lord. +[1748.34 --> 1750.60] Come on, Road찜, dost you, Jesus. +[1750.60 --> 1752.70] Yeah. +[1752.70 --> 1755.28] Come on, el de verse, we first came on message, +[1755.28 --> 1755.96] we recib a psst. +[1755.96 --> 1757.78] We facing terapevally, live another song. +[1757.78 --> 1759.06] Everyone was inspired by surrender of your life. +[1759.60 --> 1760.58] You've got a look, Lord, wife and Taxi, +[1760.58 --> 1761.40] the Lord. +[1761.40 --> 1773.28] Oh, don't you. +[1773.28 --> 1783.70] So I throw my hands, praise you again and again. +[1784.26 --> 1794.70] All that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1796.22 --> 1801.66] And I know it's not much, but nothing else did for a king. +[1803.28 --> 1814.00] Except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah. +[1814.00 --> 1816.00] Hallelujah. +[1816.00 --> 1816.64] Hallelujah. +[1816.64 --> 1817.20] Hallelujah. +[1817.20 --> 1817.76] Hallelujah. +[1817.76 --> 1818.40] Hallelujah. +[1830.58 --> 1834.20] My name is Dave Gruen and I serve as a pastor at Hope Community Church. +[1834.20 --> 1837.86] And I've known Kevin for a long time. +[1838.80 --> 1841.18] Almost, I don't know, 25 years now. +[1841.52 --> 1843.20] We studied at Redeemer with Chris. +[1843.54 --> 1846.08] All the good pastors moved from the east to the west, by the way. +[1846.94 --> 1849.72] And then we served in eight years in youth ministry. +[1849.80 --> 1851.30] And I thought I served for a long time. +[1851.38 --> 1855.20] And then Kevin just showed me up big time by serving for 17 years in youth ministry. +[1855.20 --> 1862.52] And it is a real privilege, Kev, to be part of your ordination and for me to have you share your ordination vows. +[1862.62 --> 1864.18] So at this time, I want to invite you up on the stage. +[1868.12 --> 1871.48] And I think all of us should be stunned at how well Kevin is dressed. +[1872.28 --> 1873.66] Am I allowed to name that? +[1875.42 --> 1876.00] It's true. +[1876.00 --> 1879.54] I figured I wasn't the only one who thought it. +[1881.48 --> 1884.38] One of the things that we learn in ministry is the importance of vows. +[1884.84 --> 1886.90] It's actually a very rare thing to witness them. +[1887.52 --> 1890.54] You will only really see them at weddings between husbands and wives. +[1890.74 --> 1894.00] And the other situation you'll see them is in churches with office bearers. +[1894.00 --> 1902.38] And today, we witness the significance of a vow that Kev is making to serving the Church of Jesus Christ faithfully with the gifts that God has given you. +[1902.38 --> 1909.00] And I've heard from pastors who've served for many years, one of whom is almost at 50 years in ministry, Martin Cantant, this month, +[1909.12 --> 1912.22] who have said that there's many seasons where you return to the vow. +[1913.18 --> 1915.00] Seasons where it's no longer easy to pastor. +[1915.80 --> 1920.64] And I hope that this vow holds weight to you and to your church in years ahead. +[1921.06 --> 1922.52] So Kev, I'm going to ask you four questions. +[1923.08 --> 1926.20] And after those four questions, I'm going to ask you to respond appropriately. +[1927.22 --> 1929.66] Yes, hopefully that answer is, I do, God helping me. +[1929.66 --> 1940.46] So first and foremost, Kev, do you believe that this call of a manual Christian reformed church is actually a call from God himself into the ministry in this congregation? +[1941.78 --> 1944.82] Secondly, do you believe that the Old and New Testament are the word of God? +[1945.60 --> 1949.30] They are the only infallible rule of faith and of life. +[1950.36 --> 1957.04] Third, do you ascribe to the doctrinal standards of this church, rejecting all the teaching which contradicts them? +[1957.04 --> 1964.48] And fourth, do you promise to be a faithful minister, to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of your calling, +[1964.84 --> 1968.86] and to submit to the government and the discipline of the church? +[1969.84 --> 1971.26] Kevin Loebert, what is your answer? +[1972.06 --> 1973.10] I do, with God's help. +[1973.90 --> 1974.16] Amen. +[1975.38 --> 1979.60] At this time, I think I'm going to invite the officiating pastor to lead us in a time of prayer. +[1979.66 --> 1980.40] Do you want me to do that? +[1980.98 --> 1982.00] You want me to do that? +[1983.54 --> 1984.46] That's perfect. +[1984.46 --> 1991.86] At this time, I'm going to invite the elders and the deacons, as well as pastors who are locally here to pray for Kev. +[1991.90 --> 1992.30] Come on up. +[1992.32 --> 1993.20] We're going to lay hands on him. +[1993.56 --> 1994.42] I'm going to pray for him. +[1998.82 --> 1999.26] Absolutely. +[1999.82 --> 2001.18] Family is more than welcome. +[2001.18 --> 2015.86] I'm going to allow people to pray, and I'm going to call on... +[2015.86 --> 2018.38] I'm looking for Justin Roekema to lead this prayer. +[2018.44 --> 2021.50] You can just pass the mic around, and Justin, you're going to start this prayer. +[2022.62 --> 2024.36] You want me to start and then others... +[2024.36 --> 2026.12] Pass it around and I'll close the prayer. +[2026.12 --> 2027.16] Okay. +[2027.34 --> 2027.98] Thanks, Dave. +[2031.70 --> 2032.42] Let's pray. +[2035.02 --> 2037.64] Almighty God, we're so thankful to you for Kevin. +[2037.82 --> 2039.86] We're so thankful for the gifts that you've given him. +[2040.62 --> 2043.26] For all the ways that you've blessed him through years of ministry. +[2043.62 --> 2049.34] For the blessing that he's been on this church, but also fellow pastors. +[2049.52 --> 2051.28] The gift he's been to fellow pastors as well. +[2051.28 --> 2061.16] We're thankful for this day to think about the way in which you've poured your spirit out on him. +[2061.54 --> 2065.62] And we're thankful for that gift in Kevin's life and ministry. +[2065.72 --> 2068.56] And we pray that you continue to bless him in that way. +[2072.06 --> 2076.00] Living God, we thank you for the gift that Kevin has been to so many who are in this space. +[2076.28 --> 2077.36] And so many who aren't here. +[2077.74 --> 2079.86] Lord, the impact that you have had through him. +[2079.86 --> 2085.16] And we pray, Lord, now that as he enters into a new chapter of ministry, +[2085.66 --> 2092.00] walking in step with you and seeking to walk on his knees, to walk in prayer with you, +[2092.56 --> 2097.54] to step forward into what your will is for him in this role here at Emmanuel. +[2098.02 --> 2101.58] Lord, we ask that your spirit would go with him in powerful and in mighty ways, +[2101.72 --> 2105.92] that he may know that your spirit is his constant companion +[2105.92 --> 2109.80] and that you have led him here for such a time as this. +[2122.80 --> 2129.32] Heavenly Father, even as our hands settle on Kevin's shoulders, +[2129.32 --> 2135.76] may the mantle of service to your church settle there on him as well. +[2137.12 --> 2146.26] May the authority that comes with this ordination be one that he wears well and with integrity, +[2146.62 --> 2149.10] with purpose and devotion. +[2149.10 --> 2160.02] And Jesus, just as you have invited us all to take your yoke upon our shoulders, +[2160.68 --> 2163.68] may Kevin take this responsibility on his, +[2164.12 --> 2168.04] knowing that he is taking on your calling and your equipping. +[2168.04 --> 2173.26] clothe him so completely with yourself, Lord Christ, +[2173.34 --> 2178.56] that whenever anyone sees him or hears him, they see and hear you. +[2178.56 --> 2189.76] God, right now, I want to bring Nikki to you as well. +[2190.16 --> 2194.70] God, I thank you for her and I thank you for the support that she has been to Kev through his entire ministry. +[2195.36 --> 2201.32] I pray that you give her what she stands in need of as they enter this new role together as a couple and as a family. +[2201.32 --> 2201.44] Amen. +[2208.56 --> 2212.96] Father, we praise you that before Kevin was even born, your hand was on his life. +[2214.14 --> 2218.38] You knew every day that he would walk and you knew, Lord, that he would serve in this role. +[2218.46 --> 2221.64] And we praise you that you will equip him to be faithful in this role. +[2222.46 --> 2229.20] We thank you for the gifts he has, for his humility, his shepherd's heart, his love for your church, +[2229.60 --> 2231.98] his laughter, his joy in ministry. +[2232.76 --> 2234.14] Lord, would you protect these gifts? +[2234.88 --> 2236.18] Would you use these gifts? +[2236.18 --> 2240.00] Would you give him spiritual authority to lead as a servant of Jesus? +[2240.44 --> 2244.48] And we do pray that the season ahead in this church, in this congregation, +[2244.48 --> 2248.06] would be filled with kingdom fruit, would be filled with joy, +[2248.50 --> 2250.62] where Kevin would see you leading him. +[2251.20 --> 2255.28] And I pray that you give him the confidence to know that there is no place he walks in ministry. +[2255.88 --> 2261.14] There is no situation he enters into where you do not walk with him as the Lord of the church. +[2261.40 --> 2262.84] And it is your name we pray. +[2263.22 --> 2263.50] Amen. +[2263.50 --> 2263.60] Amen. +[2265.00 --> 2265.44] Amen. +[2266.18 --> 2268.18] Amen. +[2284.38 --> 2286.12] Chris, who's leading the vows of the congregation? +[2287.70 --> 2288.02] What? +[2288.74 --> 2291.28] When it says officiating minister, that's you. +[2291.28 --> 2291.38] Amen. +[2291.38 --> 2296.84] Yeah, come on up. +[2296.92 --> 2297.48] Come on up, Kev. +[2299.32 --> 2300.02] Hi, everyone. +[2300.10 --> 2301.14] My name is Jenna Fabiano. +[2301.68 --> 2303.28] I'm a pastor over at Willoughby Church. +[2303.72 --> 2307.44] And I've had the joy of knowing Kevin for the last seven years, I think. +[2307.78 --> 2312.64] Ever since a mutual friend of ours gathered a few of us pastors to regularly have lunch together, +[2313.14 --> 2319.14] it's been a joy to get to know Kevin, to learn from you and your many, many, many years of ministry. +[2319.14 --> 2327.90] But more importantly, to see how the spirit of Jesus Christ is so clearly at work in you. +[2328.10 --> 2329.30] So it's a real privilege to be here. +[2329.58 --> 2329.96] Thank you. +[2331.24 --> 2334.60] Members of the congregation, I'm going to invite you to stand right now. +[2335.06 --> 2337.22] You are going to make a vow to Kevin. +[2337.22 --> 2343.64] And I will invite you to respond at the end with what we do with God's help. +[2343.64 --> 2353.12] Church family of Langley Emmanuel, do you, in the name of the Lord, welcome Kevin as your minister and pastor? +[2354.00 --> 2358.18] Do you promise to take to heart the word of God as he proclaims it? +[2358.84 --> 2363.26] Do you promise to pray for him, to share with him in the work of his ministry, +[2363.78 --> 2366.40] to encourage him in the exercise of his tasks, +[2366.40 --> 2371.58] and to respond to his work with obedience, love, and respect? +[2372.26 --> 2373.76] Church family, what is your answer? +[2374.46 --> 2377.66] Thank goodness. +[2378.02 --> 2379.50] All right, you can have a seat. +[2380.72 --> 2381.58] No, no. +[2381.58 --> 2389.86] I now have the wonderful privilege of being able to offer a commission and a congratulations to both you and to your church family. +[2389.86 --> 2394.62] Kevin, dear brother and fellow servant of Christ, +[2395.30 --> 2399.50] we rejoice with you on this day that after years of preparation, +[2400.20 --> 2403.10] you have been ordained to the ministry of the word. +[2404.22 --> 2407.86] May you experience much joy in fulfilling your calling. +[2408.86 --> 2412.12] As you exercise the authority of the office entrusted to you, +[2412.46 --> 2414.64] may you always remain a humble servant. +[2414.64 --> 2418.28] Look faithfully after the whole flock, +[2418.84 --> 2420.26] the old and the young, +[2420.88 --> 2423.00] the faithful and the unfaithful, +[2423.48 --> 2424.84] the healthy and the sick, +[2425.42 --> 2426.64] the strong and the weak. +[2427.88 --> 2429.36] Rejoice with those who rejoice, +[2429.66 --> 2431.02] and suffer with those who suffer. +[2432.32 --> 2435.58] Use all your talents to the utmost of your ability, +[2435.96 --> 2438.64] and do not neglect any of your gifts. +[2439.64 --> 2443.06] And one day, our chief shepherd will give you the crown of glory, +[2443.06 --> 2445.54] saying, well done, good and faithful servant. +[2446.86 --> 2448.96] And to you, dear fellow Christians, +[2449.30 --> 2450.58] congratulations also. +[2451.34 --> 2453.56] This is truly the day which the Lord has made. +[2454.04 --> 2455.72] Let us rejoice and be glad in it. +[2457.20 --> 2459.64] Congregation, keep your vows. +[2460.90 --> 2463.44] Receive your minister as a gift of God. +[2464.64 --> 2467.34] Listen to him with all the respect due his office. +[2468.30 --> 2469.96] Encourage him when he needs strength, +[2469.96 --> 2472.18] and pray for him daily. +[2473.50 --> 2476.04] Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet +[2476.04 --> 2477.80] will receive a prophet's reward. +[2478.98 --> 2481.90] May you, as pastor and congregation, +[2482.74 --> 2486.00] live as the bride longing for the coming of our heavenly bridegroom, +[2486.54 --> 2488.92] praying, come, Lord Jesus, come. +[2490.06 --> 2490.38] Amen. +[2491.54 --> 2492.72] Let's continue in worship. +[2492.72 --> 2492.90] Amen. +[2492.90 --> 2492.92] Let's continue in worship. +[2492.92 --> 2492.96] Amen. +[2499.96 --> 2509.12] Amen. +[2523.50 --> 2524.06] Amen. +[2524.06 --> 2524.48] Amen. +[2524.48 --> 2524.80] Amen. +[2524.82 --> 2524.98] Amen. +[2524.98 --> 2527.98] Amen. +[2541.42 --> 2546.10] All of the creation, all of the earth, +[2546.10 --> 2550.64] Make straight highway, path for the Lord. +[2550.64 --> 2556.98] Jesus is coming soon. +[2558.54 --> 2563.36] All that sinner, wake up the saint, +[2563.82 --> 2567.86] Then every nation shall help the faith. +[2568.94 --> 2573.36] Jesus is coming soon. +[2573.36 --> 2581.74] Like a ride waiting for her room, +[2582.04 --> 2587.20] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[2587.62 --> 2592.64] Longing for our King, we sing. +[2592.64 --> 2599.32] Even so, run for Jesus, come. +[2600.82 --> 2607.98] Even so, run for Jesus, come. +[2610.36 --> 2615.02] There will be justice, all will be you. +[2615.02 --> 2619.58] Your name forever, faithful and true. +[2620.90 --> 2625.44] Jesus is coming soon. +[2628.24 --> 2633.84] Like a ride waiting for her room, +[2634.24 --> 2639.30] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[2639.30 --> 2644.80] Longing for our King, we sing. +[2645.18 --> 2647.48] Even so, come. +[2647.98 --> 2651.72] For Jesus, come. +[2653.56 --> 2656.04] Even so, come. +[2656.56 --> 2660.26] For Jesus, come. +[2660.26 --> 2685.86] So we wait, we wait for you. +[2685.86 --> 2691.26] God, we wait for you. +[2691.26 --> 2693.42] God, we wait for you. +[2693.42 --> 2695.54] You're coming soon. +[2695.54 --> 2704.42] So we wait, we wait for you. +[2704.42 --> 2709.42] God, we wait for you. +[2709.42 --> 2713.42] You're coming soon. +[2713.42 --> 2743.40] So we wait, we wait for you. +[2743.40 --> 2750.40] You're coming soon. +[2750.40 --> 2755.82] Like a ride waiting for her room, +[2755.82 --> 2761.18] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[2761.18 --> 2766.48] Longing for our King, we sing. +[2767.68 --> 2772.66] Like a ride waiting for her room, +[2772.66 --> 2774.66] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[2774.66 --> 2777.66] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[2777.66 --> 2782.66] Longing for our King, we sing. +[2782.66 --> 2784.66] Even so, come. +[2784.66 --> 2788.44] Even so, come. +[2788.44 --> 2790.62] Even so, come. +[2790.66 --> 2794.14] For Jesus, come. +[2794.14 --> 2795.50] Even so, come. +[2795.50 --> 2799.54] Lord Jesus, come. +[2801.68 --> 2804.34] Be this hope, come. +[2804.34 --> 2808.94] Lord Jesus, come. +[2825.50 --> 2830.84] Good evening. +[2830.84 --> 2833.40] Congratulations, Kevin. +[2833.40 --> 2841.54] As clerk of council, it's my pleasure to introduce our guests for, +[2841.54 --> 2845.86] they're going to be saying a few words this evening. +[2845.86 --> 2849.66] But first, I do also have a letter from Eric Woodward, +[2849.66 --> 2851.26] the mayor of the township of Langley. +[2851.26 --> 2853.40] I'll just read that out loud here for everyone. +[2853.40 --> 2857.50] Dear members of Langley Christian Reformed Church, +[2857.50 --> 2861.54] on behalf of township council and the residents of Langley, +[2861.54 --> 2865.94] it's my honor to extend heartfelt congratulations on the ordination of Mr. +[2865.94 --> 2869.04] Kevin Lobert to the office of Minister of the Word +[2869.04 --> 2871.88] in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. +[2872.56 --> 2877.06] The township of Langley deeply values the presence and contributions +[2877.06 --> 2881.12] of faith communities such as Langley Emanuel Christian Reformed Church, +[2881.12 --> 2884.76] your ongoing commitments to spiritual guidance, social support, +[2884.76 --> 2888.16] and community well-being enriches the lives of many across our community, +[2888.16 --> 2889.26] our municipality. +[2889.26 --> 2893.66] Please accept our sincere congratulations and best wishes +[2893.66 --> 2896.06] as you celebrate this joyful occasion. +[2896.06 --> 2897.98] Sincerely, Eric Woodward. +[2897.98 --> 2908.02] Our first guest here is Joe Ladum, consistency, +[2908.02 --> 2914.22] my words are not coming out right here, assistant for MLA, Harmon Mungu. +[2914.22 --> 2922.76] Good evening, everyone. +[2922.76 --> 2927.86] Good evening, everybody. +[2927.86 --> 2931.68] My name is Joe Ladum, and I'm MLA Harmon Mungu's constituency assistant. +[2931.68 --> 2934.14] Unfortunately, MLA Mungu is in Victoria, +[2934.14 --> 2936.38] but he asked me to say a few words on his behalf. +[2936.38 --> 2939.34] Today we gather to celebrate a truly special moment, +[2939.34 --> 2940.88] the ordination of Kevin Lobert. +[2940.88 --> 2943.52] Kevin, this is not just a milestone in your life, +[2943.52 --> 2946.32] but a powerful testimony of your faith, your calling, +[2946.32 --> 2948.12] and your dedication to serving others. +[2948.12 --> 2951.32] Throughout your journey, you've shown humility, compassion, +[2951.32 --> 2953.52] and a steadfast commitment to God's word. +[2953.52 --> 2956.32] You've inspired those around you with your integrity, +[2956.32 --> 2958.84] your kindness, and your willingness to lead by example. +[2958.84 --> 2961.44] As you step into this new chapter of ministry, +[2961.44 --> 2964.60] may you continue to be a vessel of grace, a voice of hope, +[2964.60 --> 2966.40] and a shepherd to all who seek guidance. +[2966.40 --> 2970.04] Through your leadership, many lives will be touched and hearts renewed. +[2970.04 --> 2970.88] Congratulations. +[2970.88 --> 2971.88] Thank you. +[2971.88 --> 2972.88] Thank you. +[2972.88 --> 2985.52] Next, I'll call for Reverend Wout Brower on behalf of MP Teiko Venpapta. +[2985.52 --> 2996.88] Kevin, it's my honour to be here tonight on behalf of our member of parliament, Teiko Venpapta. +[2996.88 --> 3003.88] Parliament is in session, so he's in Ottawa, and he asked me to be here representing him. +[3003.88 --> 3011.52] And so on behalf of Mr. Venpapta and the government of Canada, I want to wish you congratulations +[3011.52 --> 3015.16] and thank you for your support and God's rich blessings on your ministry. +[3015.16 --> 3019.52] I have a memento here for you to mark the occasion. +[3019.52 --> 3020.52] And I want you to stay there. +[3020.52 --> 3026.16] I would like to congratulate you. +[3026.16 --> 3032.16] But also, as a fellow minister of the word, I want to pass on my personal congratulations, +[3032.16 --> 3040.80] and I pray that in the words of Jesus, you might bear much fruit with great joy as you serve Christ in his church and his kingdom, +[3040.80 --> 3045.80] and that God's richest blessing would rest upon not only you but your family. +[3045.80 --> 3047.80] Congratulations. +[3047.80 --> 3048.80] Thank you. +[3048.80 --> 3049.80] Thank you. +[3049.80 --> 3054.80] Thank you. +[3054.80 --> 3064.80] Next up, we have a Reverend Stephen Birkenpass of Living Hope CRC on behalf of classes BC Southeast. +[3064.80 --> 3065.80] All right. +[3065.80 --> 3083.80] Well, my name is Stephen Birkenpass, as he mentioned, and for those of you at Emanuel, I'm the youngest of Pete and Doreen. +[3083.80 --> 3091.80] And this means they've been here a long time, and I've grown up here just looking at these fans. +[3091.80 --> 3097.80] I have lots of memories staring at those fans as the pastors talked about stuff. +[3097.80 --> 3110.80] But this also is a place where I got to learn about who God is and how God calls us into ministry where my imagination got to grow. +[3110.80 --> 3114.80] And a big part of that was through the ministers that served here. +[3114.80 --> 3124.80] And as they depended on Christ to guide, now there's this new opportunity for you to step into that in a new way. +[3124.80 --> 3140.80] So on behalf of BC Southeast and classes, I just want to give a note of our excitement to see how you are going to kind of step into that same legacy of pastors that have gone before you. +[3140.80 --> 3148.80] And showing Christ that people can grow in who they are, that they can see God working in their lives in new ways. +[3148.80 --> 3161.80] And also that as you step into this, that you're going to have new ways in which you can lean into your faith and where Christ can sustain you and where you can see Christ going ahead of you. +[3161.80 --> 3162.80] So blessings. +[3162.80 --> 3163.80] Thank you. +[3163.80 --> 3165.80] Thank you. +[3165.80 --> 3176.80] And our last guest here is Reverend Gord Schultz, Mountain View Alliance on behalf of Langley Aerial Ministerial. +[3176.80 --> 3177.80] Thank you. +[3177.80 --> 3178.80] Thank you. +[3178.80 --> 3179.80] Thank you. +[3179.80 --> 3180.80] Thank you. +[3180.80 --> 3181.80] Thank you. +[3181.80 --> 3187.80] Such a joy to be here with you whenever the guy, the pastor comes up with a folder and paper. +[3187.80 --> 3189.80] It's never a good sign, but don't worry. +[3189.80 --> 3190.80] It's one page. +[3190.80 --> 3191.80] It's not even a full page. +[3191.80 --> 3200.80] I have known Kevin now for about 30 minutes actually. +[3200.80 --> 3203.80] So this is, it's been a pleasure. +[3203.80 --> 3210.80] I actually did, I think we did meet at TWU so we have a similar heart of love for the students. +[3210.80 --> 3217.92] I'm Pastor Gord and I am from Mountain View and I am representing the Langley Ministerial +[3217.92 --> 3225.18] and this is a group that meets once a month and we we just gather in prayer we pray for one another +[3225.18 --> 3232.32] and we pray for our city and I just want to offer an encouragement to you Kevin twofold +[3232.32 --> 3239.86] as I've thought about this moment I'm thrilled simply that there is another pastor being ordained +[3239.86 --> 3248.64] because we need more pastors in Canada as many of you probably know there is a growing shortage +[3248.64 --> 3256.90] actually of pastors right now they say statistically Canada will need 325 new pastors for every year +[3256.90 --> 3264.28] for the next 12 years just to replace those who are retiring right now so I just want to personally +[3264.28 --> 3268.72] and on behalf of the ministerial bless you in this step of faith and following God's calling in your +[3268.72 --> 3277.42] life but then the other second encouragement is that you Kevin are stepping into this precious +[3277.42 --> 3282.92] and glorious role of being a minister of God's Word and though I'm from a different denomination +[3282.92 --> 3290.38] I as we began the service my heart was already just linked to everyone here because I could sense your +[3290.38 --> 3297.20] passion for the Word your love of worship and the joy of the ministry of the Holy Spirit that's just +[3297.20 --> 3304.76] common spiritual DNA that we share it's a it's a gift friends in a day of ideological confusion +[3304.76 --> 3311.50] progressivism and relativism we need now more than ever men who are proclaim biblical truth with +[3311.50 --> 3318.44] conviction and boldness flowing out of a heart of love for Christ as 2nd Timothy 4 1 and 2 says in the +[3318.44 --> 3324.86] presence of God and of Christ Jesus I give you this charge preach the word be prepared in season +[3324.86 --> 3331.44] and out of season correct encourage rebuke with great patience and careful instructions be encouraged +[3331.44 --> 3334.06] and be blessed today as you enter into ordination +[3334.06 --> 3338.14] thank you +[3338.14 --> 3358.52] please join us as we sing the song ancient of days +[3358.52 --> 3367.64] yeah +[3367.64 --> 3377.42] yeah +[3377.42 --> 3379.86] yeah +[3379.86 --> 3381.84] yeah +[3381.84 --> 3397.02] He builds rise and fall. There is still one King reigning over all. +[3397.02 --> 3414.02] So I will not fear, for this truth remains, that my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3414.02 --> 3432.02] None above Him, none before Him, all the time in His hands, for His throne it shall remain and ever stand. +[3432.02 --> 3450.02] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name, for my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3450.02 --> 3472.02] O the dread of night overwhelms my soul. He is here with me, I am not alone. +[3472.02 --> 3490.02] O His love is sure, and He knows my name, for my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3490.02 --> 3507.02] None above Him, none before Him, all the time in His hands, for His throne it shall remain and ever stand. +[3507.02 --> 3524.02] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name, for my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3524.02 --> 3541.02] All the glory, all the glory, I will trust in His name, for my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3541.02 --> 3549.02] Noah燈 +[3549.02 --> 3550.02] ji +[3550.02 --> 3552.02] O hoes +[3552.02 --> 3561.70] You may not see What the future brings +[3562.02 --> 3566.00] I will watch and wait, +[3566.00 --> 3574.04] For the Savior King, and my joy come free, +[3574.04 --> 3586.72] standing face to face in the presence of the Ancient of Kings. +[3587.34 --> 3595.04] None above Him, none before Him, all of time in His hands. +[3596.00 --> 3603.40] For His rodents shall remain and ever stand. +[3604.12 --> 3612.90] All the power, all the glory, I will trust in His name. +[3613.46 --> 3619.44] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3619.44 --> 3628.84] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3628.84 --> 3635.84] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3635.84 --> 3643.24] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3643.24 --> 3645.24] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3645.24 --> 3649.24] For my God is the Ancient of Days. +[3649.24 --> 3653.64] Good evening. +[3653.64 --> 3654.64] I'm Peter Van Heusen. +[3654.64 --> 3656.64] I'm a member of this church. +[3656.64 --> 3659.64] I've been here since 1995. +[3659.64 --> 3665.04] And I remember 17 years ago, Kevin showed up here. +[3665.04 --> 3670.04] He was just out of Redeemer, fresh out. +[3670.04 --> 3674.04] And I remember looking him in the eye and I'm saying, +[3674.04 --> 3676.04] you know what the stats are on people like you? +[3676.04 --> 3679.04] They last... +[3679.04 --> 3686.04] In our denomination, there was an article that wrote about how long youth pastors generally +[3686.04 --> 3687.44] survived in a church. +[3687.44 --> 3688.44] And it was three years. +[3688.44 --> 3693.44] And I said, Kevin, you need to know that the stats are three years. +[3693.44 --> 3697.44] And you said, you had this innocent look about you. +[3697.44 --> 3701.64] And you said, yeah, I'll take it on even if it's three years. +[3701.64 --> 3703.64] I think something to that effect. +[3703.64 --> 3707.64] But look at here, 17 years later, and look what's happened. +[3707.64 --> 3711.64] And Nikki, you know, you've been a big support to Kevin. +[3711.64 --> 3713.44] And I know that in... +[3713.44 --> 3714.44] When... +[3714.44 --> 3718.84] For pastors, Jackie's dad was a pastor. +[3718.84 --> 3722.74] So I know a little bit about what happens to pastor's families. +[3722.74 --> 3728.34] And it can be an awesome job, but they're also difficult times. +[3728.34 --> 3735.64] And I know it's very important that you have the support of Nikki and your three girls. +[3735.64 --> 3739.54] I notice already at Sunday school, they're already active. +[3739.54 --> 3740.84] It's awesome. +[3740.84 --> 3743.04] But we give God the praise for you, Kevin. +[3743.04 --> 3745.44] You know you're loved in this congregation. +[3745.44 --> 3748.64] And yeah, we entrust you to God's care. +[3748.64 --> 3752.64] And I'm going to leave the congregation in prayer. +[3752.64 --> 3757.24] Thank you, Lord, on this day for your many blessings. +[3757.24 --> 3759.54] Thank you for your church. +[3759.54 --> 3765.54] Elect from every nation, yet one or all the earth. +[3765.54 --> 3772.14] Thank you for giving your church the task of calling others to your saving grace in Jesus Christ. +[3772.14 --> 3775.74] And to the fellowship of the covenant community. +[3775.74 --> 3782.64] Today, we thank you in particular for giving the church the special office of the minister of the word. +[3782.64 --> 3788.64] We rejoice that we as a congregation have received this new pastor to work among us. +[3788.64 --> 3794.54] We pray that you will bless him as a servant of Christ and the church. +[3794.54 --> 3799.54] Help him to be an inspired ambassador for his king. +[3799.54 --> 3804.54] Bringing the message of salvation and reconciliation to us all. +[3804.54 --> 3814.44] Bless him as a pastor and a counselor. +[3814.44 --> 3819.44] May he prove himself a faithful steward in the household of God. +[3819.44 --> 3826.44] Enable us as a congregation to listen gladly and attentively to him. +[3826.44 --> 3831.34] Recognizing in his words the voice of the good shepherd. +[3831.34 --> 3840.84] Strengthen us all in the work of the ministry so that we may be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. +[3840.84 --> 3849.44] Help us, congregation and pastor, to endure the heat of the day and the darkness of the night. +[3849.44 --> 3853.34] Sustain by your healing and guiding presence. +[3853.34 --> 3857.84] As we come again to your word, open our ears to hear you. +[3857.84 --> 3860.14] Open our minds to understand you. +[3860.14 --> 3864.14] And open our lives to live for the glory of your name. +[3864.14 --> 3868.14] All this we ask with thankful hearts. +[3868.14 --> 3872.14] In the name of your dear son, our Lord and Savior. +[3872.14 --> 3873.14] Amen. +[3879.44 --> 3902.94] Sometimes, in moments like these, it's important to pause and reflect and remember. +[3902.94 --> 3911.14] Because what we have just participated in together, and especially in the laying on of hands, +[3911.14 --> 3919.46] the Church of Jesus Christ has done for 2,000 years to men and women called to serve in Jesus' name. +[3919.46 --> 3930.28] The authority of God himself, of the calling and equipping of Jesus Christ, is passed in the laying on of hands. +[3930.28 --> 3938.48] The authority of Jesus Christ is acknowledged in the elders of the Church surrounding the one who is called and placing their hands. +[3938.48 --> 3953.48] Kevin, tonight, the calling of God in you has been confirmed and the work of God through you has been passed. +[3953.48 --> 3964.08] In a long line of church history, from the apostles to the first generation of leaders and the second and the third, +[3964.08 --> 3967.18] and however many it's been since then, you do the math. +[3968.48 --> 3969.92] But God is still working. +[3970.98 --> 3972.02] God is still active. +[3972.02 --> 3973.76] God is still faithful to his church. +[3973.76 --> 3977.26] And this is a mark of God's faithfulness. +[3978.76 --> 3981.50] I remember my ordination. +[3981.50 --> 3983.96] I remember that moment. +[3983.96 --> 3986.30] I remember the sermon that was preached. +[3986.30 --> 3991.06] I recall it almost weekly as I do this work. +[3992.84 --> 3997.98] And so, much of what I say, Kevin, is going to be just for you. +[3998.76 --> 4004.38] The other ministers of the Word here will resonate with a bunch of it, I am sure. +[4005.16 --> 4007.88] The rest of you, I guess, like Steve said, can watch the fans. +[4007.88 --> 4012.34] No, I'll turn to you as well. +[4016.34 --> 4028.46] But we know that the authority of Jesus comes to those he calls first and foremost in the working of the Spirit and the application of the Word. +[4029.54 --> 4033.88] And so we ground ourselves in God's Word tonight and in this moment. +[4033.88 --> 4042.60] And to do that, I want to read with you a story from 1 Kings 22. +[4043.90 --> 4047.50] A story about a prophet and a king. +[4047.94 --> 4051.40] And so if you have a Bible, I encourage you, you can open it up, you can read along. +[4051.68 --> 4055.74] It will be on the screen the first time through, but you may want to keep it in front of you. +[4056.46 --> 4058.80] But here, for us, the Word of the Lord. +[4058.80 --> 4065.64] For three years, there was no war between Aram and Israel. +[4066.66 --> 4075.50] But in the third year of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went down to see the king of Israel. +[4076.40 --> 4078.62] The king of Israel had said to his officials, +[4079.48 --> 4087.22] Don't you know that Ramoth-Gilead belongs to us, and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram? +[4087.22 --> 4090.58] So he asked Jehoshaphat, +[4091.18 --> 4094.54] Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-Gilead? +[4096.16 --> 4098.58] Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, +[4099.14 --> 4104.24] I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses. +[4105.32 --> 4107.44] But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, +[4107.86 --> 4111.06] First, seek the counsel of the Lord. +[4111.06 --> 4118.44] So the king of Israel brought together the prophets, about 400 men. +[4119.56 --> 4120.32] And he asked them, +[4120.66 --> 4124.72] Shall I go to war against Ramoth-Gilead, or shall I refrain? +[4125.78 --> 4130.56] Go, they answered, for the Lord will give it into the king's hands. +[4132.20 --> 4133.48] But Jehoshaphat asked, +[4134.06 --> 4138.66] Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of? +[4138.66 --> 4142.42] The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, +[4142.94 --> 4148.30] There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, +[4148.74 --> 4153.76] but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good about me, and always bad. +[4156.12 --> 4158.64] He is Micaiah, son of Imlah. +[4160.34 --> 4163.44] Well, the king should not say such a thing, Jehoshaphat replied. +[4163.44 --> 4169.08] So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, +[4169.46 --> 4171.56] Bring Micaiah, son of Imlah, at once. +[4173.74 --> 4175.88] Dressed in their royal robes, +[4176.40 --> 4179.12] the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, +[4179.46 --> 4182.00] were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor +[4182.00 --> 4184.26] by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, +[4184.74 --> 4187.52] with all the prophets prophesying before them. +[4187.52 --> 4192.78] Now Zedekiah, son of Canaanite, had made iron horns, +[4192.94 --> 4194.00] and he declared, +[4194.40 --> 4195.90] This is what the Lord says, +[4196.02 --> 4200.82] With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed. +[4201.70 --> 4204.88] All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. +[4205.20 --> 4208.42] Attack Ramoth-Gilead and be victorious, they said, +[4208.56 --> 4211.14] for the Lord will give it into the king's hand. +[4211.14 --> 4216.36] The messenger, who had gone to summon Micaiah, said to him, +[4216.98 --> 4219.98] Look, the other prophets, without exception, +[4220.22 --> 4221.98] are predicting success for the king. +[4222.76 --> 4226.54] Let your word agree with theirs and speak favorably. +[4228.42 --> 4229.92] But Micaiah said, +[4230.92 --> 4233.02] As surely as the Lord lives, +[4234.18 --> 4239.58] I can tell him only what the Lord tells me. +[4241.14 --> 4242.10] This is the word of the Lord. +[4246.44 --> 4253.02] Now we live in an age of endless words. +[4254.56 --> 4256.90] And if you are a regular worshiper here, +[4257.04 --> 4258.22] you know that that's true. +[4260.16 --> 4262.98] Everyone is saying something. +[4264.72 --> 4268.54] Scroll long enough and you'll find a sermon for every desire. +[4268.74 --> 4270.62] You'll find a gospel for every appetite. +[4271.14 --> 4275.46] Some promise meaning through achievement, +[4275.76 --> 4278.22] others through self-discovery or belonging. +[4278.64 --> 4281.08] And in the midst of all of that noise, +[4281.62 --> 4285.04] it becomes really hard to tell the difference +[4285.04 --> 4287.58] between the truth and opinion. +[4288.44 --> 4290.04] Between the word of God +[4290.04 --> 4293.52] and the cacophony of this present moment. +[4293.52 --> 4296.44] Now to be sure, +[4297.46 --> 4300.34] the danger is not that God has stopped speaking, +[4301.04 --> 4305.16] but that we have stopped wanting to hear him. +[4306.94 --> 4308.12] Now this isn't new. +[4308.26 --> 4309.28] In every generation, +[4309.64 --> 4311.58] the people of God face the same temptation +[4311.58 --> 4315.14] to prefer pleasant words over true ones, +[4315.30 --> 4318.34] to gather prophets who say what we already believe. +[4318.34 --> 4321.86] A great threat to the church has never been silence, +[4322.50 --> 4323.48] but flattery. +[4324.80 --> 4328.64] When prophets learn to say what the king wants to hear, +[4329.00 --> 4332.78] when preachers learn to soothe rather than to speak, +[4333.16 --> 4335.98] when congregations learn to crave comfort +[4335.98 --> 4337.98] instead of craving the truth. +[4337.98 --> 4342.12] But the word of God still lives. +[4343.00 --> 4344.82] And the word of God, active as it is, +[4345.06 --> 4350.02] still calls his servants to say only what he says +[4350.02 --> 4353.00] and his people to love nothing less +[4353.00 --> 4355.48] than the truth that God gives. +[4356.78 --> 4358.88] That's what I hope that we can see tonight. +[4359.72 --> 4361.02] First, Kevin, for you, +[4361.02 --> 4366.32] God calls his ministers to speak only his word. +[4367.66 --> 4369.74] And then second, for all of us, church, +[4370.10 --> 4373.08] that God calls his people to want nothing less +[4373.08 --> 4375.36] than that from their ministers +[4375.36 --> 4377.42] and in your lives of faith. +[4379.40 --> 4381.54] As we read the story, +[4381.74 --> 4383.92] part of what we read is Jehoshaphat +[4383.92 --> 4385.98] telling the king of Israel +[4385.98 --> 4388.66] to seek the counsel of the Lord. +[4388.66 --> 4390.46] And if you read it in your Bibles, +[4390.88 --> 4393.28] if you read it in a similar translation to mine, +[4393.44 --> 4395.74] you might have noticed that the word, +[4395.90 --> 4397.10] that time it appears, +[4397.24 --> 4398.62] is in small caps. +[4399.52 --> 4401.76] That means it's the Hebrew word Yahweh. +[4403.02 --> 4403.86] And then so Ahab, +[4404.12 --> 4406.68] hearing the request of Jehoshaphat +[4406.68 --> 4408.02] to seek the counsel of the Lord, +[4408.16 --> 4410.30] Ahab, who's the king in Israel, +[4410.50 --> 4411.72] grabs the prophets, +[4412.00 --> 4413.46] about 400 of them, +[4413.70 --> 4415.16] and they say, +[4415.66 --> 4417.16] go for the Lord, +[4417.16 --> 4418.60] and the Hebrew word there +[4418.60 --> 4420.66] is in regular font. +[4421.56 --> 4422.34] It's Adonai. +[4423.50 --> 4425.50] Go for the Lord will give it to the king. +[4426.58 --> 4428.26] I want to suggest this is already +[4428.26 --> 4430.30] a textual hint +[4430.30 --> 4432.28] to see what's going on +[4432.28 --> 4434.88] and what's going to happen in this story. +[4436.28 --> 4439.16] Now, I for one find it really interesting +[4439.16 --> 4446.38] that when Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet, +[4446.60 --> 4446.98] he says, +[4447.10 --> 4448.60] is there not one of whom +[4448.60 --> 4450.88] we can inquire of the Lord, +[4451.04 --> 4451.82] of Yahweh? +[4452.18 --> 4454.18] And Ahab, the king of Israel, +[4454.34 --> 4454.80] responds, +[4454.96 --> 4455.26] he says, +[4455.32 --> 4456.68] well, there is one +[4456.68 --> 4459.90] of whom we can inquire of the Lord. +[4460.36 --> 4461.32] And I make this point +[4461.32 --> 4462.84] because I think it's interesting +[4462.84 --> 4464.34] that he knows +[4464.34 --> 4466.04] his prophets +[4466.04 --> 4467.40] are not +[4467.40 --> 4469.34] inquiring of the Lord. +[4470.44 --> 4472.60] He knows there is one who is, +[4473.08 --> 4474.14] but the ones he likes +[4474.14 --> 4474.96] are not. +[4476.96 --> 4478.50] But if not of the Lord, +[4479.28 --> 4480.24] then what? +[4481.24 --> 4481.96] Or then who? +[4481.96 --> 4485.56] Now, he also admits +[4485.56 --> 4487.72] that he doesn't like Micaiah +[4487.72 --> 4490.04] because Micaiah never says +[4490.04 --> 4491.80] good things about the king. +[4491.92 --> 4493.64] He never prophesies blessing +[4493.64 --> 4495.82] or success or prosperity. +[4496.18 --> 4498.76] And so, Ahab has surrounded himself +[4498.76 --> 4500.02] with 400 prophets +[4500.02 --> 4502.24] who tell him what he wants to hear +[4502.24 --> 4503.82] and he's pushed away +[4503.82 --> 4505.56] the one who tells him +[4505.56 --> 4506.54] what the Lord says. +[4509.26 --> 4510.76] But in comes Micaiah +[4510.76 --> 4512.16] to this scene +[4512.16 --> 4513.06] of great pomp +[4513.06 --> 4514.10] and circumstance, +[4514.68 --> 4515.64] the two kings +[4515.64 --> 4517.56] are dressed in their royal robes. +[4517.68 --> 4519.00] They're sitting on their thrones +[4519.00 --> 4520.52] in front of the assembly +[4520.52 --> 4521.32] of prophets +[4521.32 --> 4522.14] who have gathered. +[4522.56 --> 4523.46] One of the prophets +[4523.46 --> 4524.46] even has props +[4524.46 --> 4525.76] to make his point. +[4526.18 --> 4526.34] Right? +[4526.40 --> 4527.54] They're all saying things. +[4527.70 --> 4528.16] Do it! +[4528.36 --> 4529.76] The Lord has given it to you. +[4529.78 --> 4530.06] And again, +[4530.12 --> 4531.22] if you're looking in your Bibles, +[4532.30 --> 4533.08] that word Lord +[4533.08 --> 4535.60] is now in small caps. +[4538.50 --> 4539.44] They've returned +[4539.44 --> 4541.66] to using the word Lord +[4541.66 --> 4542.66] or Yahweh +[4542.66 --> 4543.86] in these messages. +[4544.00 --> 4544.30] Now, +[4544.40 --> 4546.14] they're using the right words +[4546.14 --> 4548.56] even if they're giving +[4548.56 --> 4550.18] a false message. +[4551.24 --> 4552.36] They're using +[4552.36 --> 4552.84] the shibboleths +[4552.84 --> 4554.80] of a cultural moment, +[4555.14 --> 4556.12] a dog whistle +[4556.12 --> 4556.78] to maintain +[4556.78 --> 4557.90] their influence +[4557.90 --> 4559.22] and their power +[4559.22 --> 4560.36] in front of the king. +[4560.36 --> 4564.14] The servant, +[4564.56 --> 4565.24] hearing all of this, +[4565.32 --> 4565.88] seeing all this, +[4565.98 --> 4566.90] turns to Micaiah +[4566.90 --> 4568.24] whom he's ushered in +[4568.24 --> 4569.16] and he says to them, +[4569.48 --> 4570.54] say what they're saying. +[4571.30 --> 4572.48] Speak favorably. +[4573.44 --> 4574.08] In Hebrew, +[4574.24 --> 4574.40] again, +[4574.46 --> 4575.08] the word there +[4575.08 --> 4575.96] is repeated. +[4576.50 --> 4576.82] It says, +[4577.22 --> 4579.10] they are predicting success. +[4579.22 --> 4579.44] Literally, +[4579.60 --> 4579.82] it says, +[4579.92 --> 4581.26] they are saying good words. +[4581.64 --> 4582.84] Your words should agree. +[4583.24 --> 4584.58] Also predict success. +[4584.58 --> 4585.70] Say good words. +[4585.70 --> 4590.70] Can we just recognize +[4590.70 --> 4592.72] that when you tell a prophet +[4592.72 --> 4593.70] what to predict, +[4594.86 --> 4596.12] they're no longer a prophet +[4596.12 --> 4598.02] but a puppet. +[4600.10 --> 4601.54] And this is the first point +[4601.54 --> 4602.94] for tonight. +[4604.80 --> 4606.78] There will always be +[4606.78 --> 4609.32] an external temptation +[4609.32 --> 4612.04] to say the kinds of things +[4612.04 --> 4613.72] that people want to hear. +[4613.72 --> 4616.84] This isn't unique to Israel. +[4618.14 --> 4619.68] Paul says the same thing +[4619.68 --> 4620.22] to Timothy +[4620.22 --> 4622.24] in the early church. +[4622.32 --> 4623.34] In his final charge, +[4623.40 --> 4623.96] we've already read +[4623.96 --> 4624.82] part of it tonight, +[4625.34 --> 4626.58] Paul says to Timothy, +[4626.78 --> 4627.50] preach the word, +[4627.66 --> 4628.26] be prepared, +[4628.42 --> 4629.84] in season and out of season, +[4630.00 --> 4630.40] correct, +[4630.80 --> 4631.16] rebuke, +[4631.28 --> 4631.74] and encourage +[4631.74 --> 4633.02] with great patience +[4633.02 --> 4634.48] and careful instruction. +[4634.60 --> 4635.42] But then he continues, +[4636.80 --> 4638.64] for a time will come +[4638.64 --> 4641.02] when people will not put up +[4641.02 --> 4642.16] with sound doctrine, +[4642.16 --> 4644.14] instead to suit +[4644.14 --> 4645.18] their own desires, +[4645.54 --> 4646.76] they will gather around them +[4646.76 --> 4648.00] a great number of teachers +[4648.00 --> 4650.20] to say what their itching ears +[4650.20 --> 4651.34] want to hear. +[4653.84 --> 4655.14] I believe now, +[4655.72 --> 4656.80] more than ever, +[4657.46 --> 4659.02] is that time. +[4660.70 --> 4661.58] With social media, +[4662.00 --> 4662.68] with YouTube, +[4663.04 --> 4663.94] with Reddit forums +[4663.94 --> 4665.10] and Discord groups, +[4665.10 --> 4666.84] it is so easy +[4666.84 --> 4668.88] to get our ears scratched. +[4670.26 --> 4671.62] It is so easy +[4671.62 --> 4672.66] to find messages +[4672.66 --> 4673.40] that confirm +[4673.40 --> 4674.72] what we already believe, +[4675.72 --> 4677.54] to only be challenged +[4677.54 --> 4680.34] to go into greater extremes +[4680.34 --> 4682.38] of our particular perspectives, +[4682.94 --> 4685.22] to only be challenged +[4685.22 --> 4686.94] to affirm +[4686.94 --> 4689.22] what we've already said. +[4689.22 --> 4690.62] socially, +[4691.20 --> 4692.68] like gathers unto like, +[4693.00 --> 4694.16] and technologically, +[4694.72 --> 4695.66] as algorithms +[4695.66 --> 4697.42] remove contrasting choices +[4697.42 --> 4698.14] and replace it +[4698.14 --> 4698.98] with echo chambers, +[4699.30 --> 4700.32] sometimes without even +[4700.32 --> 4701.34] our knowing it's happening, +[4701.62 --> 4703.10] we curate the messages +[4703.10 --> 4704.04] we receive, +[4704.44 --> 4706.10] and curating all of that, +[4706.18 --> 4706.96] either on our own +[4706.96 --> 4708.34] or on our behalf, +[4708.68 --> 4709.70] ends up shaping +[4709.70 --> 4711.60] our experience of reality, +[4711.86 --> 4713.04] such that we don't see +[4713.04 --> 4714.42] the same world anymore +[4714.42 --> 4715.42] if we have different +[4715.42 --> 4716.36] political opinions. +[4716.36 --> 4719.78] which just drives us +[4719.78 --> 4720.42] further down +[4720.42 --> 4721.26] the rabbit hole +[4721.26 --> 4722.26] of the wonderland +[4722.26 --> 4723.46] of our own making +[4723.46 --> 4724.64] and our prophets, +[4724.76 --> 4725.74] our Cheshire cats +[4725.74 --> 4727.16] created in our own image, +[4728.22 --> 4729.40] caroling the same tune, +[4730.16 --> 4731.04] always familiar, +[4731.88 --> 4732.60] already queen +[4732.60 --> 4733.24] in our hearts. +[4739.16 --> 4740.06] But perhaps +[4740.06 --> 4741.16] the greater temptation +[4741.16 --> 4746.50] is the one +[4746.50 --> 4746.84] in the heart +[4746.84 --> 4747.36] of the preacher. +[4754.04 --> 4755.00] I can tell them +[4755.00 --> 4755.98] what they want to hear +[4755.98 --> 4758.10] and they will like me. +[4760.70 --> 4761.80] I know exactly +[4761.80 --> 4762.98] what I have to do +[4762.98 --> 4764.44] to exceed +[4764.44 --> 4765.44] their expectations +[4765.44 --> 4766.76] and to hit +[4766.76 --> 4767.62] all the measures +[4767.62 --> 4768.56] of success +[4768.56 --> 4769.54] in the work +[4769.54 --> 4770.36] that they've given me. +[4771.16 --> 4772.06] and they will +[4772.06 --> 4772.98] pay me for it. +[4778.60 --> 4779.74] I have a penchant +[4779.74 --> 4780.44] for the dramatic. +[4781.90 --> 4783.38] I can make them cry, +[4784.42 --> 4785.82] I can make them laugh, +[4786.40 --> 4788.28] and I can make them feel +[4788.28 --> 4789.40] like the Holy Spirit +[4789.40 --> 4790.34] is in the room +[4790.34 --> 4792.70] and they will love me +[4792.70 --> 4793.48] for it. +[4793.48 --> 4799.04] A careful person +[4799.04 --> 4800.00] can stand here, +[4800.84 --> 4801.32] week in +[4801.32 --> 4802.30] and week out, +[4802.70 --> 4803.90] and itch your ears. +[4805.90 --> 4807.14] And you will thank God +[4807.14 --> 4807.50] for them. +[4811.08 --> 4811.52] Look, +[4812.30 --> 4813.22] the other prophets +[4813.22 --> 4814.08] without exception +[4814.08 --> 4815.32] are predicting success. +[4816.76 --> 4818.10] They make me feel good. +[4818.70 --> 4819.58] He makes me laugh. +[4819.64 --> 4820.58] He keeps my attention. +[4820.58 --> 4822.16] The fans are doing alright. +[4823.98 --> 4824.82] Let your word +[4824.82 --> 4826.24] agree with theirs. +[4827.12 --> 4828.46] Predict my success. +[4829.08 --> 4830.22] Scratch my ears. +[4834.12 --> 4835.28] And so what are we to do? +[4838.28 --> 4839.32] Verse 14, +[4839.32 --> 4842.74] but Micaiah said, +[4844.22 --> 4844.82] as surely +[4844.82 --> 4846.54] as the Lord +[4846.54 --> 4847.98] lives, +[4848.76 --> 4850.20] I can tell him +[4850.20 --> 4850.78] only +[4850.78 --> 4851.84] what the Lord +[4851.84 --> 4853.78] tells me. +[4855.92 --> 4857.32] Preach the word. +[4858.32 --> 4858.96] Correct. +[4859.64 --> 4860.24] Rebuke. +[4860.76 --> 4861.36] Encourage. +[4861.36 --> 4863.88] It's interesting to me +[4863.88 --> 4864.48] that Paul +[4864.48 --> 4865.46] in that text +[4865.46 --> 4866.20] to Timothy +[4866.20 --> 4867.58] contrasts +[4867.58 --> 4868.52] things that +[4868.52 --> 4869.78] itch people's ears +[4869.78 --> 4871.44] with sound doctrine. +[4872.58 --> 4873.90] Paul contradicts +[4873.90 --> 4874.62] itching ears +[4874.62 --> 4875.88] with sound doctrine +[4875.88 --> 4876.82] and the phrase there, +[4876.96 --> 4877.64] sound doctrine, +[4877.88 --> 4878.70] literally means +[4878.70 --> 4879.90] healthy teaching. +[4880.90 --> 4882.46] It's the kind of truth +[4882.46 --> 4883.84] that nourishes the soul, +[4884.42 --> 4886.10] that strengthens the church, +[4886.36 --> 4887.62] and that keeps faith alive. +[4887.62 --> 4890.28] But just like medicine, +[4891.08 --> 4891.84] healthy teaching +[4891.84 --> 4893.04] isn't always pleasant. +[4894.04 --> 4894.96] It doesn't always +[4894.96 --> 4896.42] go down easy. +[4897.84 --> 4898.58] But that's why +[4898.58 --> 4899.34] Micaiah's words +[4899.34 --> 4900.38] matter so much. +[4901.18 --> 4901.78] As surely +[4901.78 --> 4902.82] as the Lord lives, +[4902.88 --> 4903.84] I can only tell him +[4903.84 --> 4904.32] what the Lord +[4904.32 --> 4904.92] tells me. +[4905.20 --> 4906.52] To be a faithful preacher +[4906.52 --> 4907.28] means +[4907.28 --> 4908.62] you do not +[4908.62 --> 4909.54] edit God. +[4911.56 --> 4912.52] You do not +[4912.52 --> 4913.02] sand down +[4913.02 --> 4913.74] the rough edges +[4913.74 --> 4914.70] of his word +[4914.70 --> 4916.20] to make it fit +[4916.20 --> 4917.42] our modern sensibilities. +[4918.24 --> 4919.18] You do not trade +[4919.18 --> 4919.74] the language +[4919.74 --> 4920.96] of sin and grace +[4920.96 --> 4922.16] for the softer tones +[4922.16 --> 4923.56] of self-help. +[4923.82 --> 4924.92] You do not hide +[4924.92 --> 4925.58] the scandal +[4925.58 --> 4926.28] of the cross +[4926.28 --> 4927.86] behind the polish +[4927.86 --> 4928.70] of relevance. +[4931.40 --> 4932.40] One of the +[4932.40 --> 4933.34] Bible translations +[4933.34 --> 4935.02] that I like +[4935.02 --> 4935.56] translates +[4935.56 --> 4936.94] that Greek idiom +[4936.94 --> 4937.88] itching ears +[4937.88 --> 4939.00] as +[4939.00 --> 4939.86] they have +[4939.86 --> 4940.92] an insatiable +[4940.92 --> 4941.72] curiosity +[4941.72 --> 4942.52] to hear +[4942.52 --> 4943.52] new things. +[4945.24 --> 4946.06] So the contrast +[4946.06 --> 4946.96] is between +[4946.96 --> 4948.32] new things +[4948.32 --> 4949.42] and sound +[4949.42 --> 4950.20] doctrine. +[4951.74 --> 4952.72] The moment +[4952.72 --> 4953.44] we soften +[4953.44 --> 4954.06] the doctrines +[4954.06 --> 4954.82] of our faith +[4954.82 --> 4956.12] for new things, +[4956.48 --> 4956.62] right, +[4956.68 --> 4957.88] when the holiness +[4957.88 --> 4958.52] of God +[4958.52 --> 4959.12] is replaced +[4959.12 --> 4959.84] with the happiness +[4959.84 --> 4960.54] of people, +[4960.74 --> 4961.60] when the sinfulness +[4961.60 --> 4962.36] of humanity +[4962.36 --> 4963.08] is replaced +[4963.08 --> 4964.08] with the self-esteem +[4964.08 --> 4964.90] of the individual, +[4965.30 --> 4966.38] when the exclusivity +[4966.38 --> 4966.96] of Christ +[4966.96 --> 4967.52] is replaced +[4967.52 --> 4968.18] with the value +[4968.18 --> 4968.76] of tolerance, +[4969.12 --> 4969.82] when the necessity +[4969.82 --> 4970.52] of redemption +[4970.52 --> 4971.32] is replaced +[4971.32 --> 4972.18] with the celebration +[4972.18 --> 4973.04] of vice, +[4973.04 --> 4974.40] when the authority +[4974.40 --> 4975.12] of Scripture +[4975.12 --> 4975.84] is replaced +[4975.84 --> 4976.64] with the autonomy +[4976.64 --> 4977.40] of self, +[4977.60 --> 4978.50] we have ceased +[4978.50 --> 4980.08] to speak from God +[4980.08 --> 4981.36] and we have begun +[4981.36 --> 4982.58] speaking in place +[4982.58 --> 4983.22] of God. +[4985.88 --> 4987.36] Sound doctrine +[4987.36 --> 4989.28] is not +[4989.28 --> 4990.82] called dogma. +[4991.98 --> 4992.70] Sound doctrine +[4992.70 --> 4994.18] is the living truth +[4994.18 --> 4995.66] about a living God, +[4995.86 --> 4997.00] a truth that heals +[4997.00 --> 4998.10] and restores +[4998.10 --> 4999.16] and corrects +[4999.16 --> 5000.72] and brings to life +[5000.72 --> 5002.22] the people of God. +[5004.44 --> 5005.16] That's why +[5005.16 --> 5005.78] the preacher +[5005.78 --> 5007.24] must say +[5007.24 --> 5008.24] what the Lord +[5008.24 --> 5009.18] says. +[5011.82 --> 5013.12] Because God's people +[5013.12 --> 5015.74] cannot live +[5015.74 --> 5017.20] on opinions. +[5018.68 --> 5019.20] God's people +[5019.20 --> 5020.04] cannot survive +[5020.04 --> 5021.02] on entertainment +[5021.02 --> 5022.84] or on positive thinking. +[5023.32 --> 5024.12] We live +[5024.12 --> 5025.36] on every word +[5025.36 --> 5025.96] that comes +[5025.96 --> 5026.64] from the mouth +[5026.64 --> 5027.64] of the Lord. +[5030.72 --> 5031.88] But again, +[5032.96 --> 5033.80] sound doctrine +[5033.80 --> 5035.08] is never +[5035.08 --> 5036.10] just a set +[5036.10 --> 5037.32] of right ideas. +[5037.56 --> 5038.32] It's not merely +[5038.32 --> 5039.58] believing the correct +[5039.58 --> 5040.66] things about God. +[5040.80 --> 5041.96] It is belonging +[5041.96 --> 5043.02] to the living God +[5043.02 --> 5043.50] himself. +[5045.52 --> 5046.48] True doctrine +[5046.48 --> 5048.28] always leads +[5048.28 --> 5049.94] to lived +[5049.94 --> 5050.94] discipleship. +[5053.00 --> 5054.42] Because at the +[5054.42 --> 5055.22] center of +[5055.22 --> 5056.44] our doctrine +[5056.44 --> 5058.32] is not a system +[5058.32 --> 5060.00] but a savior. +[5060.72 --> 5062.70] the word +[5062.70 --> 5063.48] we preach +[5063.48 --> 5064.56] is not abstract. +[5065.62 --> 5066.58] It is incarnate. +[5067.78 --> 5068.18] Truth +[5068.18 --> 5069.10] has a name +[5069.10 --> 5070.02] and a face +[5070.02 --> 5071.04] and we call him +[5071.04 --> 5071.96] Jesus Christ. +[5072.20 --> 5072.80] The word +[5072.80 --> 5073.88] made flesh. +[5075.26 --> 5076.06] There's an +[5076.06 --> 5077.10] incredible story +[5077.10 --> 5077.66] of Jesus +[5077.66 --> 5079.72] who had just +[5079.72 --> 5081.10] spent some time +[5081.10 --> 5082.50] teaching his followers +[5082.50 --> 5084.14] a really hard truth. +[5084.26 --> 5084.88] He told them +[5084.88 --> 5085.90] unless you eat +[5085.90 --> 5086.66] my flesh +[5086.66 --> 5087.58] and drink my blood +[5087.58 --> 5088.30] you cannot enter +[5088.30 --> 5088.70] the kingdom +[5088.70 --> 5089.54] of heaven +[5089.54 --> 5090.16] and they're like +[5090.16 --> 5091.34] whoa this is weird. +[5092.14 --> 5092.94] I'm out. +[5093.62 --> 5094.46] And they left. +[5094.90 --> 5095.62] They ran away +[5095.62 --> 5096.46] and Jesus turns +[5096.46 --> 5097.24] to his disciples +[5097.24 --> 5098.04] and he says +[5098.04 --> 5099.42] will you +[5099.42 --> 5100.82] run away too? +[5101.96 --> 5102.90] Do you also +[5102.90 --> 5103.60] want to leave? +[5104.60 --> 5105.28] And Peter says +[5105.28 --> 5105.64] to him +[5105.64 --> 5106.72] Lord +[5106.72 --> 5108.10] to whom +[5108.10 --> 5108.92] shall we go? +[5109.60 --> 5110.24] For you +[5110.24 --> 5111.48] have the words +[5111.48 --> 5112.38] of eternal +[5112.38 --> 5113.46] life. +[5114.66 --> 5115.58] To whom +[5115.58 --> 5116.46] shall we go? +[5116.46 --> 5118.00] for you +[5118.00 --> 5118.80] have the words +[5118.80 --> 5119.96] of eternal life. +[5120.04 --> 5120.86] Peter understood +[5120.86 --> 5121.98] that truth +[5121.98 --> 5122.98] isn't just about +[5122.98 --> 5124.18] what Jesus says +[5124.18 --> 5124.94] it's about +[5124.94 --> 5125.70] who Jesus +[5125.70 --> 5126.28] is +[5126.28 --> 5128.26] and his words +[5128.26 --> 5128.94] give life +[5128.94 --> 5129.76] because he +[5129.76 --> 5131.00] is life. +[5132.64 --> 5133.14] And to cling +[5133.14 --> 5134.10] to sound doctrine +[5134.10 --> 5134.98] then is to cling +[5134.98 --> 5135.70] to Christ +[5135.70 --> 5137.56] and none other. +[5138.42 --> 5139.16] To preach +[5139.16 --> 5139.84] sound doctrine +[5139.84 --> 5140.76] is to call people +[5140.76 --> 5141.64] into relationship +[5141.64 --> 5142.64] with the living +[5142.64 --> 5143.34] word +[5143.34 --> 5144.98] whose words +[5144.98 --> 5145.96] both wound +[5145.96 --> 5146.98] and heal +[5146.98 --> 5148.42] convict +[5148.42 --> 5149.68] and comfort +[5149.68 --> 5151.04] both slay +[5151.04 --> 5152.44] and make alive. +[5154.04 --> 5154.82] That's why +[5154.82 --> 5155.34] we dare not +[5155.34 --> 5156.48] soften what he says. +[5156.84 --> 5157.78] His hard words +[5157.78 --> 5159.08] are merciful words +[5159.08 --> 5160.26] because they lead +[5160.26 --> 5161.22] to eternal life. +[5162.58 --> 5163.44] The preacher's task +[5163.44 --> 5164.44] is not to make +[5164.44 --> 5165.32] that truth +[5165.32 --> 5166.10] easier +[5166.10 --> 5166.94] but to make it +[5166.94 --> 5167.48] heard. +[5168.52 --> 5169.12] To proclaim +[5169.12 --> 5169.64] Christ +[5169.64 --> 5170.34] until hearts +[5170.34 --> 5170.76] burn +[5170.76 --> 5171.92] and the disciples +[5171.92 --> 5173.06] say again +[5173.06 --> 5173.42] Lord +[5173.42 --> 5173.96] to whom +[5173.96 --> 5174.80] shall we go? +[5177.14 --> 5178.24] Or as you have +[5178.24 --> 5179.86] said and heard +[5179.86 --> 5180.70] from people +[5180.70 --> 5181.42] wiser than me +[5181.42 --> 5182.54] preach grace +[5182.54 --> 5183.34] until they get it. +[5185.82 --> 5186.90] The true prophet +[5186.90 --> 5187.92] not only says +[5187.92 --> 5189.68] but shows. +[5191.18 --> 5192.18] The preacher's task +[5192.18 --> 5192.56] then +[5192.56 --> 5193.28] is to make +[5193.28 --> 5193.78] the truth +[5193.78 --> 5194.70] of God's word +[5194.70 --> 5195.86] and the transformation +[5195.86 --> 5197.08] that comes from it +[5197.08 --> 5198.00] visible. +[5200.74 --> 5201.58] John Owen +[5201.58 --> 5202.62] is a +[5202.62 --> 5204.82] 17th century +[5204.82 --> 5205.72] pastor +[5205.72 --> 5207.70] and he says +[5207.70 --> 5208.98] that the pastor's +[5208.98 --> 5209.46] life +[5209.46 --> 5210.38] should be +[5210.38 --> 5210.98] vocal. +[5212.16 --> 5212.58] Sermons +[5212.58 --> 5213.30] must be +[5213.30 --> 5214.02] practiced +[5214.02 --> 5215.24] as well as +[5215.24 --> 5215.60] preached. +[5219.04 --> 5220.16] Now lastly +[5220.16 --> 5222.34] and I'll bring us +[5222.34 --> 5222.92] to a close +[5222.92 --> 5223.40] with this. +[5224.48 --> 5225.14] What about us? +[5226.14 --> 5226.94] What about you? +[5227.62 --> 5228.26] The people +[5228.26 --> 5228.94] who listen +[5228.94 --> 5229.62] week in +[5229.62 --> 5230.10] and week out +[5230.10 --> 5230.64] who gather +[5230.64 --> 5231.92] under the word. +[5233.30 --> 5234.58] If Micaiah's +[5234.58 --> 5235.24] courage +[5235.24 --> 5236.10] speaks to the +[5236.10 --> 5236.48] preacher +[5236.48 --> 5238.10] it also +[5238.10 --> 5238.74] speaks to the +[5238.74 --> 5239.12] people. +[5240.86 --> 5242.08] Every church +[5242.08 --> 5243.58] shapes its own +[5243.58 --> 5244.40] prophets. +[5245.68 --> 5246.50] Congregations +[5246.50 --> 5247.06] gather +[5247.06 --> 5247.96] teachers +[5247.96 --> 5249.22] to scratch +[5249.22 --> 5250.22] their ears +[5250.22 --> 5251.42] or +[5251.42 --> 5253.52] in hunger +[5253.52 --> 5255.04] for the truth +[5255.04 --> 5255.84] of God +[5255.84 --> 5257.06] however hard +[5257.06 --> 5258.12] it may be. +[5260.62 --> 5261.02] And the +[5261.02 --> 5261.48] health +[5261.48 --> 5262.34] of the +[5262.34 --> 5262.84] pulpit +[5262.84 --> 5263.72] directly +[5263.72 --> 5264.50] corresponds +[5264.50 --> 5265.58] to the +[5265.58 --> 5266.00] hunger +[5266.00 --> 5266.96] in the +[5266.96 --> 5267.22] pew. +[5268.58 --> 5269.52] So let me +[5269.52 --> 5269.88] ask +[5269.88 --> 5272.20] only if it +[5272.20 --> 5273.02] makes us +[5273.02 --> 5273.94] feel good +[5273.94 --> 5274.68] or +[5274.68 --> 5275.60] do we +[5275.60 --> 5275.98] come to +[5275.98 --> 5276.32] worship +[5276.32 --> 5277.20] expecting +[5277.20 --> 5277.96] a good +[5277.96 --> 5278.60] and service +[5278.60 --> 5279.42] to consume +[5279.42 --> 5280.36] or +[5280.36 --> 5280.84] do we +[5280.84 --> 5281.20] come +[5281.20 --> 5281.86] expecting +[5281.86 --> 5282.86] that here +[5282.86 --> 5283.28] in this +[5283.28 --> 5283.60] moment +[5283.60 --> 5283.98] and in +[5283.98 --> 5284.50] these words +[5284.50 --> 5285.16] we will +[5285.16 --> 5285.86] meet the +[5285.86 --> 5286.20] living +[5286.20 --> 5286.66] Jesus +[5286.66 --> 5288.42] and that +[5288.42 --> 5289.04] his word +[5289.04 --> 5289.80] will speak +[5289.80 --> 5290.66] directly to +[5290.66 --> 5291.26] our hearts +[5291.26 --> 5292.90] and transform +[5292.90 --> 5293.58] our lives. +[5295.82 --> 5296.66] And so for +[5296.66 --> 5296.96] all of you +[5296.96 --> 5297.80] pray for us +[5297.80 --> 5298.72] pray for your +[5298.72 --> 5299.12] pastors +[5299.12 --> 5300.10] pray for the +[5300.10 --> 5300.54] people who +[5300.54 --> 5301.38] stand up +[5301.38 --> 5301.66] here +[5301.66 --> 5302.54] that we +[5302.54 --> 5302.90] would have +[5302.90 --> 5303.44] the courage +[5303.44 --> 5304.54] to speak +[5304.54 --> 5305.00] what the +[5305.00 --> 5305.70] Lord says +[5305.70 --> 5306.34] no matter +[5306.34 --> 5306.74] what +[5306.74 --> 5308.64] and to +[5308.64 --> 5310.34] study the +[5310.34 --> 5310.66] word +[5310.66 --> 5311.36] yourselves +[5311.36 --> 5312.56] so that +[5312.56 --> 5313.28] you can +[5313.28 --> 5313.72] test +[5313.72 --> 5314.40] everything +[5314.40 --> 5314.88] that is +[5314.88 --> 5315.10] said +[5315.10 --> 5315.78] from up +[5315.78 --> 5315.96] here +[5315.96 --> 5316.32] so that +[5316.32 --> 5316.84] you can +[5316.84 --> 5317.36] hold us +[5317.36 --> 5317.92] accountable +[5317.92 --> 5318.68] to the +[5318.68 --> 5319.00] word +[5319.00 --> 5319.72] of God. +[5321.06 --> 5321.86] Encourage +[5321.86 --> 5323.18] faithfulness +[5323.18 --> 5323.92] in your +[5323.92 --> 5324.44] pastors +[5324.44 --> 5325.58] more than +[5325.58 --> 5326.56] eloquence. +[5326.72 --> 5327.10] Encourage +[5327.10 --> 5327.60] depth +[5327.60 --> 5328.44] more than +[5328.44 --> 5329.12] novelty +[5329.12 --> 5330.00] obedience +[5330.00 --> 5331.34] more than +[5331.34 --> 5332.46] entertainment. +[5332.46 --> 5335.56] And when +[5335.56 --> 5335.94] the word +[5335.94 --> 5336.38] of God +[5336.38 --> 5337.32] cuts you +[5337.32 --> 5338.06] to the +[5338.06 --> 5338.36] quick +[5338.36 --> 5340.52] don't run +[5340.52 --> 5341.04] from it +[5341.04 --> 5342.56] but let +[5342.56 --> 5343.00] it heal +[5343.00 --> 5343.36] you +[5343.36 --> 5344.76] let it +[5344.76 --> 5345.28] restore +[5345.28 --> 5345.68] you +[5345.68 --> 5346.76] let it +[5346.76 --> 5347.54] fill your +[5347.54 --> 5347.96] heart +[5347.96 --> 5348.64] and your +[5348.64 --> 5349.10] life +[5349.10 --> 5350.78] because those +[5350.78 --> 5351.54] who hunger +[5351.54 --> 5352.30] for the +[5352.30 --> 5352.86] truth +[5352.86 --> 5353.50] will be +[5353.50 --> 5354.00] filled +[5354.00 --> 5354.84] with +[5354.84 --> 5355.74] life. +[5357.00 --> 5357.22] And a +[5357.22 --> 5357.68] church +[5357.68 --> 5359.48] that wants +[5359.48 --> 5360.00] the word +[5360.00 --> 5360.58] of God +[5360.58 --> 5361.42] will hear +[5361.42 --> 5362.10] the voice +[5362.10 --> 5362.88] of the +[5362.88 --> 5363.18] Lord. +[5363.82 --> 5364.16] Jesus +[5364.16 --> 5365.40] has the +[5365.40 --> 5365.82] words +[5365.82 --> 5366.48] and is +[5366.48 --> 5367.12] the word +[5367.12 --> 5367.72] of +[5367.72 --> 5368.34] eternal +[5368.34 --> 5369.56] life. +[5371.56 --> 5372.34] And in +[5372.34 --> 5372.88] his name +[5372.88 --> 5374.08] all God's +[5374.08 --> 5374.60] people said +[5374.60 --> 5375.72] amen. +[5376.72 --> 5377.36] Pray with +[5377.36 --> 5377.54] me. +[5384.98 --> 5385.58] Holy +[5385.58 --> 5386.82] God +[5386.82 --> 5391.18] take +[5391.18 --> 5391.82] your word +[5391.82 --> 5394.00] that it +[5394.00 --> 5394.18] might +[5394.18 --> 5394.78] transform +[5394.78 --> 5395.12] our +[5395.12 --> 5395.52] hearts +[5395.52 --> 5395.96] and +[5395.96 --> 5396.28] lives. +[5396.40 --> 5396.56] Take +[5396.56 --> 5396.72] your +[5396.72 --> 5397.04] word +[5397.04 --> 5397.38] that it +[5397.38 --> 5397.60] might +[5397.60 --> 5398.48] spur +[5398.48 --> 5399.00] Holy +[5399.00 --> 5399.52] Spirit +[5399.52 --> 5400.14] imagination +[5400.14 --> 5400.92] in us +[5400.92 --> 5401.34] for what +[5401.34 --> 5401.70] is +[5401.70 --> 5402.56] possible. +[5402.98 --> 5403.20] Take +[5403.20 --> 5403.40] your +[5403.40 --> 5403.82] word +[5403.82 --> 5404.54] and speak +[5404.54 --> 5404.80] your +[5404.80 --> 5405.28] truth +[5405.28 --> 5405.56] that +[5405.56 --> 5406.66] lives +[5406.66 --> 5407.18] may be +[5407.18 --> 5407.78] changed +[5407.78 --> 5408.08] that +[5408.08 --> 5408.66] marriages +[5408.66 --> 5409.32] may be +[5409.32 --> 5409.72] saved +[5409.72 --> 5409.98] that +[5409.98 --> 5410.46] friends +[5410.46 --> 5411.00] may be +[5411.00 --> 5411.86] reconciled +[5411.86 --> 5412.06] that +[5412.06 --> 5412.62] parents +[5412.62 --> 5413.20] may be +[5413.20 --> 5413.72] restored +[5413.72 --> 5413.96] in +[5413.96 --> 5414.50] relationship +[5414.50 --> 5414.96] to their +[5414.96 --> 5415.32] children +[5415.32 --> 5415.98] and that +[5415.98 --> 5416.58] all the +[5416.58 --> 5416.92] world +[5416.92 --> 5417.64] may know +[5417.64 --> 5417.96] that +[5417.96 --> 5418.50] you +[5418.50 --> 5419.42] alone +[5419.42 --> 5420.00] are +[5420.00 --> 5420.74] God +[5420.74 --> 5424.14] to the +[5424.14 --> 5424.62] glory +[5424.62 --> 5425.46] of your +[5425.46 --> 5426.22] great +[5426.22 --> 5427.08] name. +[5428.80 --> 5429.24] So +[5429.24 --> 5429.98] fill +[5429.98 --> 5430.62] our +[5430.62 --> 5431.52] vision +[5431.52 --> 5432.22] with your +[5432.22 --> 5432.66] beauty. +[5433.60 --> 5434.30] So fill +[5434.30 --> 5435.20] our ears +[5435.20 --> 5435.78] and our +[5435.78 --> 5436.30] minds +[5436.30 --> 5437.28] with your +[5437.28 --> 5437.74] word +[5437.74 --> 5438.68] and so +[5438.68 --> 5439.54] fill our +[5439.54 --> 5440.04] hearts +[5440.04 --> 5440.74] with your +[5440.74 --> 5441.18] love +[5441.18 --> 5442.48] that we +[5442.48 --> 5442.94] can't +[5442.94 --> 5443.26] but +[5443.26 --> 5444.04] overflow +[5444.04 --> 5445.34] in all +[5445.34 --> 5445.76] areas +[5445.76 --> 5446.30] in all +[5446.30 --> 5446.62] ways +[5446.62 --> 5447.10] in all +[5447.10 --> 5447.54] words +[5447.54 --> 5449.84] with you +[5449.84 --> 5451.06] and you +[5451.06 --> 5451.38] alone. +[5453.54 --> 5454.60] May our +[5454.60 --> 5455.90] lives +[5455.90 --> 5456.72] together +[5456.72 --> 5457.38] be +[5457.38 --> 5458.54] sermons +[5458.54 --> 5459.50] lived +[5459.50 --> 5460.64] even as +[5460.64 --> 5460.94] we are +[5460.94 --> 5461.62] nourished +[5461.62 --> 5462.74] by sermons +[5462.74 --> 5463.54] preached. +[5464.92 --> 5465.30] In Christ +[5465.30 --> 5465.84] Jesus we +[5465.84 --> 5466.10] pray. +[5466.94 --> 5467.28] Amen. +[5474.04 --> 5476.68] God +[5476.68 --> 5480.02] God +[5481.02 --> 5481.62] He +[5481.62 --> 5482.52] He +[5482.52 --> 5483.28] He +[5483.28 --> 5484.22] God +[5484.46 --> 5485.94] he +[5485.94 --> 5486.00] has +[5486.00 --> 5486.10] Come +[5486.10 --> 5486.72] . +[5486.76 --> 5487.08] church +[5487.14 --> 5487.42] wide +[5487.42 --> 5513.36] Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. +[5513.36 --> 5521.50] Not be all else to be saved that thou art. +[5522.10 --> 5529.74] Thou my best God, my day or my night. +[5530.14 --> 5537.04] Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. +[5543.36 --> 5551.12] Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word. +[5551.66 --> 5558.80] I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord. +[5559.36 --> 5566.36] Thou my great Father, I thy true Son. +[5566.36 --> 5574.32] Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one. +[5580.72 --> 5588.26] Riches I lean on, your man's empty grace. +[5588.26 --> 5596.02] Thou my inheritance, now and always. +[5596.66 --> 5604.12] Thou and thou only, first in my heart. +[5604.52 --> 5611.82] High King of heaven, my treasure thou art. +[5611.82 --> 5626.14] High King of heaven, my victory won. +[5626.14 --> 5634.04] May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun. +[5634.04 --> 5641.80] Heart of my own heart, whatever be wrong. +[5641.80 --> 5650.04] Still be my vision, O ruler of all. +[5650.04 --> 5671.72] What a night. +[5671.72 --> 5675.86] Thank you all for being here tonight. +[5676.24 --> 5677.00] This is on, right? +[5677.14 --> 5677.60] Did I turn it on? +[5677.74 --> 5678.52] No, did I turn it on? +[5678.66 --> 5679.54] Did I turn it on now? +[5679.66 --> 5680.28] There it is. +[5681.24 --> 5682.66] Thank you all for being here tonight. +[5682.94 --> 5687.14] What an honor it is to be able to be in this moment right now, +[5687.18 --> 5688.50] and to be amongst all of you all. +[5688.50 --> 5689.90] I am so, so grateful. +[5690.46 --> 5694.56] I was told this is the right time for me to give a bunch of thank yous, +[5694.66 --> 5696.32] so just bear with me for a minute. +[5697.26 --> 5700.46] I want to thank my family for, I want to thank Nikki and my girls. +[5700.46 --> 5702.90] They have been very patient with me, +[5703.16 --> 5706.70] especially for the last seven years as I've gone through this education process +[5706.70 --> 5709.96] and haven't always been the pinnacle of patience myself, +[5710.22 --> 5712.86] and so I'm so grateful for them, for their love, for their support, +[5712.98 --> 5715.12] and for them being with me through this. +[5715.16 --> 5716.50] And thank you for my family as well. +[5716.60 --> 5718.40] They came all the way from Edmonton to be here tonight. +[5718.78 --> 5722.24] They have also been a huge encouragement to me as well. +[5722.84 --> 5728.10] I want to thank the staff here for Chris and for Josh for always being present +[5728.10 --> 5732.48] and be able to wrestle through what it means to be a minister, +[5732.68 --> 5737.74] to be a pastor, to be someone who works in this church +[5737.74 --> 5740.14] and does this calling of God in this way. +[5740.22 --> 5743.94] So thank you to you both and to Maria and Marilyn and Basma as well +[5743.94 --> 5749.48] for the whole staff who is there have supported me this whole process too. +[5749.96 --> 5751.08] As well as former staff. +[5751.30 --> 5752.28] I see Elsa in the back. +[5752.56 --> 5754.32] Elsa was one of the first people to tell me, +[5754.32 --> 5756.52] you should really go to get your MDiv. +[5756.60 --> 5758.68] She told me that very, very, very early on, +[5758.70 --> 5760.12] and I said, no. +[5761.02 --> 5761.94] And here we are. +[5762.14 --> 5764.96] So I've worked with many pastors over the years +[5764.96 --> 5766.98] and many staff as well, and I'm grateful for all of you. +[5767.68 --> 5768.28] Friends too. +[5768.36 --> 5769.46] I see friends have come out here. +[5769.52 --> 5771.72] They've always been encouraging and supporting me in this too, +[5772.10 --> 5773.22] and I know I can go to them. +[5773.62 --> 5774.80] So many pastors are here. +[5774.96 --> 5776.70] Colleagues of mine, you saw lots of them. +[5776.74 --> 5777.52] They prayed too. +[5777.92 --> 5778.86] They're sitting amongst. +[5780.50 --> 5781.92] We have a really good classes. +[5781.92 --> 5784.96] We have a lot of good pastors here in BC Southeast, +[5785.76 --> 5790.30] and it is a joy to have served with them for so long as well. +[5791.36 --> 5792.46] And so I thank you for that. +[5792.56 --> 5795.36] I thank you for your love and your support and for your camaraderie +[5795.36 --> 5798.12] and to be able to laugh and cry and pray together. +[5798.42 --> 5799.42] It's a blessing too. +[5800.18 --> 5802.54] And finally, I want to thank the church. +[5803.62 --> 5806.12] Elsa said it years and years ago, 16 years ago, +[5806.42 --> 5809.92] I wouldn't be here today if a good handful of you +[5809.92 --> 5812.24] didn't come up and tap me on the shoulder and say, +[5812.36 --> 5814.18] Kevin, go and do this. +[5814.68 --> 5816.66] I ignored a lot of you for a long time, +[5816.70 --> 5819.78] and then finally I started listening to God speak through you +[5819.78 --> 5821.30] and encouraged me to do this. +[5821.44 --> 5824.22] And so the body of Christ here at Emmanuel +[5824.22 --> 5828.22] is a huge reason why we have a day and a service +[5828.22 --> 5829.30] and this moment like this. +[5829.38 --> 5831.74] And so thank you for, again, your love, your encouragement, +[5831.92 --> 5832.42] your support. +[5832.52 --> 5834.72] This church has taken care of me for a long time, +[5834.72 --> 5836.82] and I hope it continues to do so +[5836.82 --> 5840.44] as I do my best to love and care for you as well. +[5842.04 --> 5845.60] Now, it is my privilege to lead you +[5845.60 --> 5847.92] in God's blessing here tonight. +[5848.00 --> 5850.82] So please open your arms and receive this blessing. +[5851.58 --> 5854.18] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[5854.68 --> 5856.86] The Lord make his face shine upon you +[5856.86 --> 5858.08] and be gracious to you. +[5858.66 --> 5860.56] The Lord turn his face toward you +[5860.56 --> 5862.04] and give you his peace. +[5862.04 --> 5864.06] And all of God's people said, +[5864.74 --> 5865.00] Amen. +[5865.00 --> 5865.16] Amen. +[5892.12 --> 5893.20] Amen. +[5893.26 --> 5905.06] Amen. +[5907.72 --> 5908.58] Amen. +[5908.58 --> 5912.16] With your precious blood and strength free. +[5914.50 --> 5925.30] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[5925.30 --> 5938.30] In my life and in death, to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[5938.58 --> 5945.42] You preserve my life in such a way that will not fail. +[5946.42 --> 5952.00] Not an air can fall from me unless you live in two. +[5952.84 --> 5957.90] Even when I'm lost in desperation. +[5959.28 --> 5964.36] All things work together for my salvation. +[5964.36 --> 5976.36] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[5977.40 --> 5990.36] In my life and in death, to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[5990.36 --> 6017.36] And my life and in death, to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[6017.36 --> 6023.58] Always by your Holy Spirit you assure me +[6023.58 --> 6029.72] Love eternal life and make me willing and ready +[6029.72 --> 6035.14] Even when I can't see my way through +[6035.14 --> 6041.64] From now on to always be for you +[6041.64 --> 6049.92] I am not my own +[6049.92 --> 6056.66] But belong body and soul +[6056.66 --> 6062.98] In my life and in heaven +[6062.98 --> 6071.10] To you Lord, Christ my Lord +[6071.10 --> 6076.10] I am not my own +[6076.10 --> 6082.76] But belong body and soul +[6082.76 --> 6089.30] In my life and in heaven +[6089.30 --> 6096.10] To you Lord, Christ my Lord +[6096.10 --> 6101.10] I am not my own +[6101.10 --> 6103.10] I am not my own +[6103.10 --> 6107.76] But belong body and soul +[6107.76 --> 6114.10] In my life and in heaven +[6114.10 --> 6121.76] To you Lord, Christ my Lord +[6121.76 --> 6127.24] kle 우와 +[6127.30 --> 6133.40] and forth +[6133.40 --> 6145.36] JP Teoh +[6163.40 --> 6165.40] Amen. +[6193.40 --> 6195.40] Amen. +[6223.40 --> 6225.40] Amen. +[6253.40 --> 6255.40] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..1119b073507e2c5e0614ba30a97c727663dfca22 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,106 @@ +• Praise and worship of God +• Confession of Jesus' name as mighty and supreme +• Acknowledgment of God's forgiveness and redemption +• Singing a song of praise to the land +• Declaration of God's holiness and majesty +• Discussion of Hebrews 13:16 and its meaning +• Reflection on how to make doing good and sharing with others a lifestyle +• Prayer for renewal and trust in God +• Song about building life upon God's love and not being shaken +• Worship music with lyrics about God's greatness and wonder +• Worship service led by Pearl from Langley Emanuel +• Offering taken for the church budget and ministries +• Description of the CRC BC Refugee Chaplain Ministry and its mission to support immigrants and visitors in Canada +• Verse "Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" +• Musical worship and singing +• Testimony about the gift of grace through Jesus Christ +• Lyrics referencing faith, hope, and redemption through Jesus +• Mention of a Christian song or hymn +• Invitation for children to join in the blessing +• Conversation with children about summer activities +• Prayer for the church family and attendees +• Reference to the e-bulletin and instructions on how to receive it +• Reading from Psalm 86 during the prayer +• Praise and thanksgiving to God +• Celebrations of weddings and thanking God for new marriages +• Praying for blessings on newlyweds and their future together +• Expressing gratitude for celebrations and time with loved ones +• Offering prayers in times of distress, grief, and hardship +• Asking God to save and help those struggling with difficult circumstances +• Seeking comfort and guidance for those mourning the loss of a loved one +• Praying for healing, hope, and strength for individuals facing challenges, including cancer and illness. +• Prayers for new babies and parents +• Prayers for pregnant women and those struggling to become pregnant +• Prayers for unique family situations +• Story about two elementary school students arguing over Pokémon cards, highlighting the theme of confidence vs. faith +• Request to God to descend on Kevin and give him spirit power to bring a message +• Request to God to help and comfort through His word +• Discussion of a personal anecdote about humility and forgiveness +• Reading and explanation of Matthew chapter 18, verses 1-5 +• Discussion of the importance of becoming like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven +• Reading and explanation of Matthew chapter 18, verse 21 (the parable of forgiving 77 times) +• Explanation of a parable about a king settling accounts with his servants, illustrating forgiveness. +• The parable of the servant who is forgiven but refuses to forgive others +• The contrast between humility and pride in the kingdom of God +• Jesus' teaching on forgiveness as a key aspect of life in the kingdom +• A story about the disciples arguing over status in the kingdom +• Jesus' use of a child to illustrate the humility required for greatness in the kingdom +• The concept of being childlike vs childish +• Dependence on God or others as a starting point for greatness +• Jesus' call to humility and trust in dependence, not self-sufficiency +• The difference between being childlike and naive +• The importance of acknowledging one's limitations and trusting God's care +• The contrast between humility and the world's message of self-reliance and self-congratulation +• The importance of humility and dependence on God +• Definition of true greatness according to Jesus (starts with surrender, not self-elevation) +• C.S. Lewis' quote on humility (thinking of oneself less, not thinking less of oneself) +• Connection between humility and forgiveness in the kingdom of God +• Forgiveness is not about keeping score or a specific number, but living out grace +• Parable of the servant who owes 10,000 talents to a king, illustrating Jesus' teaching on unfettered forgiveness +• The parable of the unforgiving servant is discussed, where a servant who owes an immeasurable debt to his king is forgiven and released from debt. +• The servant then refuses to forgive another who owes him a small amount, leading to severe consequences for himself. +• This story is used as an analogy for humanity's relationship with God, where our debt of sin is so great that it cannot be repaid. +• However, just like the king in the parable, Jesus took on this debt and paid it in full through his life, death, and resurrection. +• This message emphasizes the importance of showing mercy and forgiveness to others, as we have been shown by God. +• The speaker reflects on not forgiving others, and how it relates to being forgiven by God +• The importance of forgiveness in Christian life, and its connection to sin and guilt +• The consequences of holding onto bitterness and grudges, and how they can control our lives +• Forgiveness is hard and takes effort, but is necessary for living out the forgiveness we've received from God +• The tendency to confuse justice with revenge and why this posture leads away from grace +• The pain and frustration caused by holding back forgiveness +• The importance of forgiveness as a response to God's immeasurable grace +• The example of Jesus' sacrifice in forgiving others +• The role of humility and sacrifice in true forgiveness +• The connection between forgiveness and the gospel life lived +• The consequences of unforgiveness and independence on one's relationship with God +• Characteristics of forgiveness and its sacrificial nature +• Story of Cory Ten Boom's encounter with an SS guard she forgave +• Definition of forgiveness as an act of the will, not an emotion +• Importance of depending on God for everything, including forgiveness +• Connection between humility and forgiveness, and extending grace to others +• Prayer and confession of sins +• Discussion on forgiveness and humility +• Invitation to receive the bread and juice as a symbol of God's grace +• Liturgy and prayer during the communion service +• Invitation to come forward to the table, regardless of faith or experience with the sacrament +• Instructions for passing the bread and juice around the table +• Instructions for communion service +• Serving the worship leaders, back of house staff, and elders in the first table +• Invitation to sing together +• Communion ritual with repetition of phrase "Body of Christ given for you" +• Instructions for those who cannot come forward +• Offer of prayer or meeting for prayer in lieu of communion +• Interactions between individuals and prayer in the foyer +• Praise and worship songs +• References to Jesus Christ as the King of kings and living hope +• Discussion of salvation through Jesus' name +• Alleluias and hallelujahs used repeatedly throughout the transcript +• Themes of redemption, resurrection, and victory over death +• Praise for God's glory, majesty, and power +• Reference to the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Spirit) +• Lyrics from a worship song, praising God's love, goodness, and kindness +• The speaker is reflecting on their mortality and expressing a desire to continue praising God with their last breath. +• A worship song is sung, emphasizing the majesty and holiness of God. +• A blessing is given to the congregation, asking God to go before them, behind them, beneath them, and beside them. +• A prayer is offered for the congregation to receive God's blessing and protection as they journey through life. +• The speaker invokes the image of Jesus Christ as the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain, emphasizing his power and reign over all nations. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..29cc2a5c47bff82298ba54de2672a5db3c54a937 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 10, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1815 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. +[690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. +[720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. +[750.00 --> 779.98] Thank you. +[780.00 --> 809.98] Thank you. +[810.00 --> 839.98] Thank you. +[840.00 --> 869.98] Thank you. +[870.00 --> 899.98] Thank you. +[900.00 --> 929.98] Thank you. +[930.00 --> 959.98] Thank you. +[960.00 --> 990.00] Good. +[990.00 --> 1019.98] Hey, someone. +[1019.98 --> 1049.96] Thank you. +[1049.98 --> 1079.98] Thank you. +[1079.98 --> 1109.98] Thank you. +[1109.98 --> 1139.98] Thank you. +[1139.98 --> 1169.96] Thank you. +[1169.98 --> 1171.38] the firstborn of the dead, +[1171.74 --> 1174.24] and the ruler of the kings of the earth. +[1174.46 --> 1177.02] And all of God's people said, Amen. +[1177.24 --> 1178.48] As God has greeted us this morning, +[1178.58 --> 1180.92] please take a moment to greet those around you. +[1199.98 --> 1229.96] Amen. +[1230.88 --> 1232.96] Through Jesus, therefore, +[1233.30 --> 1237.08] let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, +[1237.80 --> 1241.58] the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. +[1242.50 --> 1246.82] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, +[1247.12 --> 1250.36] for with such sacrifices God is pleased. +[1251.60 --> 1254.64] Let's together openly confess the mighty name of Jesus, +[1255.10 --> 1256.44] the Lamb upon the throne. +[1257.14 --> 1258.88] Like the generations before us, +[1258.88 --> 1262.72] let us offer up a sacrifice of praise as we lift up his name. +[1262.72 --> 1267.72] ¶. +[1267.72 --> 1269.72] Amen. +[1297.72 --> 1299.72] Amen. +[1327.72 --> 1329.72] Amen. +[1357.72 --> 1359.72] Amen. +[1387.72 --> 1389.72] Amen. +[1417.72 --> 1419.72] Amen. +[1447.72 --> 1461.16] Your name is the highest, your name is the greatest, your name stands above it all. +[1461.16 --> 1472.16] All thrones and dominions, all powers and positions, your name stands above it all. +[1472.94 --> 1475.16] And the angels cry. +[1475.16 --> 1481.16] Holy, all the nations cry. +[1481.16 --> 1487.16] Holy, you are lifted high. +[1487.16 --> 1495.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1495.16 --> 1509.16] And if you've been forgiven, and if you've been redeemed, sing a song forever to the land. +[1509.16 --> 1521.16] And if you walk in freedom, and if you've been redeemed, sing a song forever to the land. +[1521.16 --> 1527.16] You sing a song forever to the land. +[1527.16 --> 1529.16] Holy, holy, holy. +[1529.16 --> 1539.16] And if you've been forgiven, and if you've been redeemed, sing a song forever to the land. +[1539.16 --> 1541.16] Holy, holy, holy. +[1541.16 --> 1543.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1543.16 --> 1545.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1545.16 --> 1547.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1547.16 --> 1551.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1551.16 --> 1553.16] Holy, holy, holy forever. +[1553.16 --> 1557.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1557.16 --> 1565.16] Holy, holy, holy forever. +[1565.16 --> 1568.16] Holy, holy, holy forever. +[1568.16 --> 1578.16] Holy, holy forever. +[1578.16 --> 1580.16] it's your name +[1580.16 --> 1582.16] it's the greatest +[1582.16 --> 1584.16] your name +[1584.16 --> 1586.16] stands above +[1586.16 --> 1588.16] them all +[1588.16 --> 1590.16] all thrones +[1590.16 --> 1592.16] and dominions +[1592.16 --> 1594.16] all power +[1594.16 --> 1596.16] that divisions +[1596.16 --> 1598.16] your name +[1598.16 --> 1600.16] stands above +[1600.16 --> 1602.16] them all +[1602.16 --> 1604.16] and the angels +[1604.16 --> 1606.16] cry +[1606.16 --> 1608.16] holy +[1608.16 --> 1610.16] you are lifted +[1610.16 --> 1612.16] high +[1612.16 --> 1614.16] holy +[1614.16 --> 1616.16] holy +[1616.16 --> 1618.16] forever +[1618.16 --> 1620.16] we +[1620.16 --> 1622.16] hear people sing +[1622.16 --> 1624.16] holy +[1624.16 --> 1626.16] to the +[1626.16 --> 1628.16] key of +[1628.16 --> 1630.16] me +[1630.16 --> 1632.16] holy +[1632.16 --> 1634.16] you will always be +[1634.16 --> 1636.16] holy +[1636.16 --> 1638.16] holy +[1638.16 --> 1640.16] holy +[1640.16 --> 1642.16] forever +[1642.16 --> 1644.16] you will always be +[1644.16 --> 1646.16] holy +[1646.16 --> 1648.16] holy +[1648.16 --> 1650.16] forever +[1650.16 --> 1652.16] forever +[1656.16 --> 1658.16] i invite you to be seated +[1658.16 --> 1660.16] we +[1660.16 --> 1662.16] we +[1662.16 --> 1664.16] started off this +[1664.16 --> 1666.16] morning in the end of the call to worship +[1666.16 --> 1668.16] reading +[1668.16 --> 1670.16] Hebrews 13 verse 16 and it says +[1670.16 --> 1674.16] do not forget to do good and to share with others +[1674.16 --> 1678.16] for with such sacrifices God is pleased +[1678.16 --> 1680.16] i think +[1680.16 --> 1682.16] i think for me anyway i can get pretty focused on my own life +[1682.16 --> 1684.16] my own needs +[1684.16 --> 1688.16] and i forget sometimes the things that please God like he's +[1688.16 --> 1692.16] saying here that those kind of sacrifices please him +[1692.16 --> 1694.16] and +[1694.16 --> 1698.16] and to do good and to share with others it just sounds so simple but +[1698.16 --> 1716.16] it can be hard to make that a lifestyle i can do it for a season but to make that a lifestyle is something that only i think the spirit of God living in your heart and renewing you daily helps you kind of keep that in your mind and in your heart and so i just want to offer a prayer this with power heads +[1716.16 --> 1728.16] father +[1728.16 --> 1734.16] will you continue to renew our hearts +[1734.16 --> 1738.16] and teach us to trust you +[1738.16 --> 1744.16] will you place your love in our hearts and help us to build our lives on your love +[1744.16 --> 1746.16] forgive us +[1746.16 --> 1748.16] forgive us when we miss your promptings +[1748.16 --> 1752.16] when we choose our comforts over helping others +[1752.16 --> 1756.16] and lord may you jesus +[1756.16 --> 1758.16] be the center of our hearts and in our lives +[1758.16 --> 1760.16] and we ask this in your name +[1760.16 --> 1762.16] amen +[1764.16 --> 1766.16] rise and join us again +[1766.16 --> 1768.16] in +[1768.16 --> 1778.16] we +[1778.16 --> 1780.16] we +[1780.16 --> 1782.16] we +[1782.16 --> 1784.16] we +[1784.16 --> 1786.16] we +[1786.16 --> 1788.16] we +[1788.16 --> 1790.16] we +[1790.16 --> 1792.16] we +[1792.16 --> 1794.16] we +[1794.16 --> 1796.16] we +[1796.16 --> 1808.16] we +[1808.16 --> 1810.16] we +[1810.16 --> 1812.16] we +[1812.16 --> 1814.16] we +[1814.16 --> 1816.16] we +[1816.16 --> 1818.16] we +[1818.16 --> 1820.16] we +[1820.16 --> 1822.16] we +[1822.16 --> 1842.16] we +[1842.16 --> 1846.16] we +[1846.16 --> 1848.16] we +[1848.16 --> 1850.16] we +[1850.16 --> 1852.98] around me. +[1866.54 --> 1870.80] Jesus, the name above every other name. +[1872.78 --> 1877.40] Jesus, the only one who could ever sing. +[1877.40 --> 1883.50] We will heal every breath, we could ever breathe. +[1883.62 --> 1885.32] We live for you. +[1886.50 --> 1888.44] We live for you. +[1890.70 --> 1895.12] Holy, there is no one like you. +[1895.32 --> 1898.26] There is none beside you. +[1898.66 --> 1902.54] Open up my eyes in wonder. +[1902.54 --> 1909.02] Show me who you are and fill me with your heart. +[1909.26 --> 1915.36] And lead me in love to those around me. +[1915.36 --> 1922.36] I will build my life upon your love. +[1922.36 --> 1929.36] I will build my life upon your love. +[1929.36 --> 1945.58] I will build my life upon your love. +[1945.58 --> 1950.44] It is a firm foundation. +[1950.44 --> 1957.48] I will build my life upon your love. +[1957.48 --> 1962.30] And I will not be shaken. +[1962.30 --> 1969.28] And I will build my life upon your love. +[1969.28 --> 1974.16] It is a firm foundation. +[1974.82 --> 1981.28] I will build my life upon your love. +[1981.28 --> 1986.18] And I will not be shaken. +[1986.18 --> 1991.26] Holy, there is no one like you. +[1991.26 --> 1994.52] There is none beside you. +[1995.00 --> 1998.80] Open up my eyes in wonder. +[1999.18 --> 2005.16] And show me who you are and fill me with your heart. +[2005.16 --> 2008.10] And leave me with your heart. +[2008.36 --> 2009.22] If you know who you are, +[2009.22 --> 2011.46] around me. +[2025.92 --> 2027.94] Amen. +[2027.94 --> 2057.92] piano plays softly +[2057.92 --> 2087.90] piano plays softly +[2087.92 --> 2117.90] piano plays softly +[2117.90 --> 2119.90] piano plays softly +[2119.90 --> 2122.94] With all creation I sing +[2122.94 --> 2125.90] Praise to you, King of kings +[2125.90 --> 2127.90] You are my everything +[2128.46 --> 2131.90] And I will adore you +[2131.90 --> 2149.90] Clothed in rainbows of living color +[2149.90 --> 2153.90] Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder +[2153.90 --> 2159.90] Blessing and honor, strength and glory +[2159.90 --> 2167.90] Empower me to you, the only wise king +[2167.90 --> 2171.90] Holy, holy, holy +[2171.90 --> 2173.90] Is the Lord God Almighty +[2173.90 --> 2177.90] Who was and is and is to come +[2177.90 --> 2183.90] With all creation I sing +[2183.90 --> 2185.90] Praise to the King of peace +[2185.90 --> 2188.90] You are my everything +[2188.90 --> 2193.90] And I will adore you +[2193.90 --> 2206.90] Filled with wonder +[2206.90 --> 2210.90] Awestruck wonder +[2210.90 --> 2216.90] At the mention of your name +[2216.90 --> 2219.90] Filled with wonder +[2219.90 --> 2222.90] Awestruck wonder +[2222.90 --> 2228.90] At the mention of your name +[2228.90 --> 2232.90] Jesus, your name is power +[2232.90 --> 2234.90] Breath of the Lord +[2234.90 --> 2236.90] Breath of the Lord +[2236.90 --> 2238.90] Such a marvelous mystery +[2238.90 --> 2244.90] Holy, holy, holy +[2244.90 --> 2246.90] Holy, holy +[2246.90 --> 2248.90] Is the Lord God Almighty +[2248.90 --> 2252.90] Who was and is and is to come +[2252.90 --> 2254.90] With all creation I sing +[2254.90 --> 2256.90] With all creation I sing +[2256.90 --> 2258.90] Praise to the King of kings +[2258.90 --> 2260.90] You are my everything +[2260.90 --> 2264.90] And I will adore you +[2264.90 --> 2266.90] Holy, holy, holy +[2266.90 --> 2270.90] Is the Lord God Almighty +[2270.90 --> 2274.90] Who was and is and is to come +[2274.90 --> 2280.90] With all creation I sing +[2280.90 --> 2282.90] Praise to the King of kings +[2282.90 --> 2284.90] You are my everything +[2284.90 --> 2288.90] And I will adore you +[2288.90 --> 2306.90] May we see you +[2306.90 --> 2322.90] Good morning my name is Pearl +[2322.90 --> 2324.90] I'm one of the deacons here +[2324.90 --> 2326.90] At Langley Emanuel and we continue worship +[2326.90 --> 2328.90] By having an offering and our offering +[2328.90 --> 2330.90] Today is for the budget +[2330.90 --> 2332.90] Which is for the ministries of this church +[2332.90 --> 2334.90] And if you wish to give to that then please +[2334.90 --> 2336.90] Mark it as such you can use the envelopes +[2336.90 --> 2338.90] That are in the chairs in front of you +[2338.90 --> 2340.90] And then any other offerings +[2340.90 --> 2342.90] That are not marked are going to be going +[2342.90 --> 2348.90] To the CRC BC Refugee Chaplain Ministry +[2348.90 --> 2354.90] And this ministry is currently run by Dina Nikolai +[2354.90 --> 2358.90] And she works out of the Welcome Centre in Vancouver +[2358.90 --> 2362.90] And her mission is to provide a welcoming face +[2362.90 --> 2366.90] To all immigrants and visitors that are +[2366.90 --> 2370.90] Come to Canada that are seeking a place to live here +[2370.90 --> 2374.90] And so she provides support in the way of pointing them +[2374.90 --> 2376.90] Into housing, pointing them to +[2376.90 --> 2378.90] Pointing them to English language +[2378.90 --> 2382.90] What all these things that refugees need +[2382.90 --> 2384.90] So it's a very important ministry that's happening +[2384.90 --> 2386.90] In downtown Vancouver +[2386.90 --> 2388.90] Very interesting +[2388.90 --> 2390.90] The verse that I picked +[2390.90 --> 2392.90] To kind of sort of wrap this up +[2392.90 --> 2394.90] Is the same verse +[2394.90 --> 2396.90] Do not forget to do good +[2396.90 --> 2398.90] And share with others +[2398.90 --> 2400.90] For with such sacrifices God is pleased +[2400.90 --> 2402.90] So now you've heard it three times +[2402.90 --> 2404.90] Thank you +[2432.90 --> 2438.90] For the gift of grace is my Redeemer +[2438.90 --> 2444.90] There is no more for heaven now to give +[2444.90 --> 2450.90] He is my joy, my righteousness and freedom +[2450.90 --> 2456.90] My steadfast love, my deep and balanced peace +[2456.90 --> 2458.90] To this I hold +[2458.90 --> 2462.90] My hope is only Jesus +[2462.90 --> 2468.90] For my life is holy and who is +[2468.90 --> 2472.90] Oh how strange and divine +[2472.90 --> 2475.90] I can see all is mine +[2475.90 --> 2480.90] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[2480.90 --> 2486.90] The night is dark +[2486.90 --> 2490.90] But I am not forsaken +[2490.90 --> 2492.90] For by my side +[2492.90 --> 2496.90] My Saviour he will stay +[2496.90 --> 2498.90] I labor on +[2498.90 --> 2502.90] In weakness and rejoicing +[2502.90 --> 2504.90] For in my need +[2504.90 --> 2508.90] His power is displayed +[2508.90 --> 2510.90] His power is filled +[2510.90 --> 2512.90] My shepherd will defend me +[2512.90 --> 2516.90] Through the deepest valleys +[2516.90 --> 2518.90] He will lead +[2518.90 --> 2522.90] Oh the night has been won +[2522.90 --> 2524.90] And I shall overcome +[2524.90 --> 2528.90] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[2528.90 --> 2540.90] Christ in me +[2540.90 --> 2542.90] No fate I dread +[2542.90 --> 2546.90] I know I am forgiven +[2546.90 --> 2548.90] The future sure +[2548.90 --> 2552.90] The price it has been paid +[2552.90 --> 2554.90] For Jesus bled +[2554.90 --> 2556.90] And suffered for my pardon +[2556.90 --> 2560.90] And He was raised +[2560.90 --> 2562.90] To overflow the grave +[2562.90 --> 2566.90] To this I hold +[2566.90 --> 2568.90] My sin has been defeated +[2568.90 --> 2572.90] Jesus now and ever is my King +[2572.90 --> 2574.90] Now and ever is my King +[2574.90 --> 2576.90] Now and ever is my King +[2576.90 --> 2578.90] Hold a chain down in least +[2578.90 --> 2580.90] I can sing +[2580.90 --> 2582.90] I am free +[2582.90 --> 2586.90] And not I, but through Christ in me +[2586.90 --> 2598.90] With every breath +[2598.90 --> 2600.90] I long to follow Jesus +[2600.90 --> 2604.90] For He has said +[2604.90 --> 2608.90] That He will bring me home +[2608.90 --> 2610.90] And day by day +[2610.90 --> 2614.90] I know He will renew me +[2614.90 --> 2616.90] Until I stand +[2616.90 --> 2620.90] With joy before the door +[2620.90 --> 2622.90] To this I hold +[2622.90 --> 2626.90] My hope is only Jesus +[2626.90 --> 2632.90] All but glory evermore to Him +[2632.90 --> 2634.90] When the race is complete +[2634.90 --> 2638.90] Still my lips shall repeat +[2638.90 --> 2644.90] And not I, but through Christ in me +[2644.90 --> 2646.90] To this I hold +[2646.90 --> 2650.90] My hope is only Jesus +[2650.90 --> 2656.90] All but glory evermore to Him +[2656.90 --> 2658.90] When the race is complete +[2658.90 --> 2662.90] Still my lips shall repeat +[2662.90 --> 2668.90] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[2668.90 --> 2672.90] When the race is complete +[2672.90 --> 2674.90] Still my lips shall repeat +[2674.90 --> 2680.90] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[2680.90 --> 2686.90] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[2700.90 --> 2704.90] I would love to invite any kids age 3 +[2704.90 --> 2706.90] to kindergarten or older if you want +[2706.90 --> 2708.90] You can come up here +[2708.90 --> 2712.90] And join me for the children's blessing +[2715.90 --> 2718.90] Alright, here comes some +[2718.90 --> 2720.90] Look at us today +[2723.90 --> 2724.90] Good morning everyone +[2727.90 --> 2729.90] Good morning everyone +[2729.90 --> 2730.90] Good morning +[2730.90 --> 2731.90] Good morning +[2731.90 --> 2732.90] How's your summer been? +[2732.90 --> 2734.90] Are you playing outside a lot? +[2734.90 --> 2735.90] Yeah +[2735.90 --> 2737.90] I was playing inside +[2737.90 --> 2738.90] Not very much +[2738.90 --> 2739.90] No, not very much +[2739.90 --> 2740.90] Yeah, inside not very much +[2740.90 --> 2741.90] Outside a lot? +[2742.90 --> 2743.90] No? +[2744.90 --> 2745.90] Well +[2745.90 --> 2748.90] Good, lots of running is good +[2748.90 --> 2750.90] We're gonna go to children's worship time +[2750.90 --> 2752.90] But before we go, can I pray? +[2752.90 --> 2753.90] And then we're gonna do the children's blessing +[2754.90 --> 2756.90] But we're gonna have to be extra loud today I think +[2756.90 --> 2757.90] Are we ready for that? +[2757.90 --> 2758.90] Let's pray first, okay? +[2758.90 --> 2759.90] Alright, let's pray +[2759.90 --> 2761.90] Dear God, thank you so much for this day +[2761.90 --> 2763.90] Thank you that we could come to church this morning +[2763.90 --> 2765.90] That we could learn more about you +[2765.90 --> 2767.90] Be with us as we go to children's worship time +[2767.90 --> 2769.90] And the grown-ups as we stay back here +[2769.90 --> 2772.90] And as we all learn what it means to follow you in this world +[2772.90 --> 2774.90] We pray this in your name +[2774.90 --> 2775.90] Amen +[2775.90 --> 2776.90] Amen +[2776.90 --> 2777.90] Okay, let's stand up +[2777.90 --> 2778.90] Everybody else is gonna stand up too? +[2778.90 --> 2780.90] There's only four of you +[2780.90 --> 2781.90] Five of you +[2781.90 --> 2782.90] So we're gonna have to say +[2782.90 --> 2784.90] The Lord be with you +[2784.90 --> 2786.90] Really loudly, okay? +[2786.90 --> 2787.90] Can we do that really loud? +[2787.90 --> 2788.90] On the count of three +[2788.90 --> 2789.90] On the count of three +[2789.90 --> 2790.90] Are you ready? +[2790.90 --> 2791.90] One +[2791.90 --> 2792.90] Two +[2792.90 --> 2793.90] Three +[2793.90 --> 2795.90] The Lord be with you +[2795.90 --> 2797.90] And also with you +[2797.90 --> 2798.90] Good job +[2798.90 --> 2800.90] Have fun in children's worship time +[2818.90 --> 2839.90] How about now? +[2839.90 --> 2840.90] There you go +[2840.90 --> 2843.90] Some of my favorite sounds in church +[2843.90 --> 2845.90] Are the noises of children +[2845.90 --> 2847.90] Not Kevin +[2852.90 --> 2856.90] It's my privilege to lead in our church family prayer this morning +[2856.90 --> 2860.90] I'm gonna do that shaped by the words of Psalm 86 +[2860.90 --> 2864.90] And so you'll hear some of those throughout our prayer +[2864.90 --> 2869.90] And then some of what I pray is also made note of in the e-bulletin +[2869.90 --> 2872.90] That many of you have received already +[2873.90 --> 2876.90] And if you have not received the e-bulletin +[2876.90 --> 2878.90] Or don't receive that every week and would like to +[2878.90 --> 2880.90] Please just send a note to the church office +[2880.90 --> 2882.90] You can talk to me after on how to do that +[2882.90 --> 2884.90] And I'd love to get you set up in that way +[2885.90 --> 2887.90] Let's come to God in prayer together +[2887.90 --> 2894.90] Hear me, Lord, and answer me +[2894.90 --> 2899.90] For I am poor and needy +[2900.90 --> 2904.90] Hear my prayer, Lord, and listen to my cry for mercy +[2904.90 --> 2908.90] When I am in distress, I call out to you +[2908.90 --> 2915.90] Hear the prayers, God, of your saints who gather in this place +[2915.90 --> 2922.90] Some of us are here this morning out of habit and ritual +[2922.90 --> 2924.90] And that's great +[2925.90 --> 2929.90] Some of us are here this morning because we have reason to celebrate +[2929.90 --> 2930.90] And joy to give +[2930.90 --> 2934.90] And we want to lay that at the throne of your majesty and power +[2934.90 --> 2936.90] And that is great +[2937.90 --> 2942.90] And some of us are here this morning because we are crying out for help +[2942.90 --> 2949.90] In our life and circumstances, it seems as if we have nowhere else to go +[2950.90 --> 2953.90] For some of us, this is the last resort +[2956.90 --> 2958.90] And that's great that we're here +[2959.90 --> 2962.90] Hear our cry for mercy +[2963.90 --> 2965.90] And Lord, listen to our plea +[2965.90 --> 2966.90] For you are great +[2966.90 --> 2968.90] And do marvelous deeds +[2968.90 --> 2971.90] For you alone are God +[2972.90 --> 2976.90] Because of who you are, Lord, we join our voice with the psalmist who says +[2976.90 --> 2980.90] I will praise you, Lord, my God, with all my heart +[2980.90 --> 2984.90] I will glorify your name forever +[2984.90 --> 2987.90] I will glorify your name forever +[2989.90 --> 2994.90] We have so many reasons to give thanks and praise to who you are +[2994.90 --> 2996.90] And for what you have done +[2997.90 --> 2999.90] We marvel at the majesty of your name +[2999.90 --> 3002.90] We marvel at the truth of your being +[3003.90 --> 3004.90] And we are amazed +[3005.90 --> 3010.90] Even as our eyes catch only a small glimpse of your power +[3010.90 --> 3014.90] But when we see that, Lord God +[3015.90 --> 3017.90] May our hearts be stilled +[3018.90 --> 3021.90] May our lips be full of praise +[3022.90 --> 3025.90] And may we present ourselves to you +[3026.90 --> 3028.90] Holy and pleasing sacrifice +[3029.90 --> 3034.90] God, this week we give you thanks for celebrations +[3034.90 --> 3037.90] For celebrations, for particularly wedding celebrations +[3038.90 --> 3041.90] We celebrate with Ava and Jared +[3042.90 --> 3043.90] Their marriage on Friday +[3044.90 --> 3045.90] And with Kaylee and Willem +[3046.90 --> 3047.90] Their marriage on Saturday +[3048.90 --> 3050.90] What a beautiful testimony of your faithfulness +[3051.90 --> 3052.90] And a beautiful testament +[3053.90 --> 3057.90] Of you raising up a new generation of believers +[3058.90 --> 3061.90] A young generation of people committed to you +[3061.90 --> 3064.90] To walk in life and faith together +[3065.90 --> 3067.90] We thank you for that incredible celebration +[3068.90 --> 3071.90] And that time to be present with them +[3072.90 --> 3073.90] In the midst of their joy +[3074.90 --> 3077.90] We pray that you would bless their marriage +[3078.90 --> 3083.90] That you would cause them to find in that +[3084.90 --> 3086.90] The foundation of Christ alone +[3086.90 --> 3089.90] And that they might build their life together +[3090.90 --> 3092.90] In faithful obedience to your word +[3093.90 --> 3096.90] As they discern where it is that you are calling them to go +[3097.90 --> 3100.90] And how it is that you are calling them to get there +[3101.90 --> 3104.90] Father God, we praise your name +[3104.90 --> 3105.90] Amen +[3111.90 --> 3113.90] But even as we praise +[3114.90 --> 3116.90] We offer you our distress +[3117.90 --> 3125.90] Even as we sing songs of hope and joy +[3126.90 --> 3132.90] We know that life often feels as though arrogant foes are attacking us, O God +[3132.90 --> 3139.90] That ruthless people, circumstances, powers, and principalities are trying to kill us +[3140.90 --> 3141.90] And they have no regard for you +[3142.90 --> 3146.90] Save us in the midst of this +[3147.90 --> 3151.90] Help us in our grieving +[3152.90 --> 3156.90] As we have joined with the Tessa Maker and Hogawoning families +[3156.90 --> 3159.90] In their grief, the passing of Tanya +[3159.90 --> 3163.90] As we have celebrated her life together this past week as well +[3164.90 --> 3167.90] We pray for your hand of blessing on them +[3168.90 --> 3171.90] Going forward into the next days and weeks and months +[3172.90 --> 3175.90] That they might draw hope and courage from you +[3176.90 --> 3179.90] But also that they might lay their hearts bare before you +[3180.90 --> 3182.90] In the hurt and in the pain +[3182.90 --> 3186.90] Father God, we join also with Gary this morning +[3187.90 --> 3190.90] As he is mourning the sudden and unexpected loss of a friend +[3191.90 --> 3192.90] Be near to him +[3193.90 --> 3194.90] In this time +[3195.90 --> 3197.90] As he searches for answers +[3198.90 --> 3202.90] And for ways to walk through this valley of the shadow of death +[3203.90 --> 3204.90] We pray that you would draw near to him +[3205.90 --> 3207.90] And that you would help him +[3207.90 --> 3208.90] Father God, we pray that +[3208.90 --> 3210.90] Father God, we pray that +[3210.90 --> 3212.90] Father God, we pray that +[3213.90 --> 3215.90] In this time you would +[3216.90 --> 3218.90] Teach me your way, O Lord +[3219.90 --> 3220.90] That I may rely on your faithfulness +[3221.90 --> 3222.90] Give me an undivided heart +[3223.90 --> 3225.90] That I may fear your name +[3226.90 --> 3228.90] So we pray, God, that you would +[3229.90 --> 3233.90] Draw those who are walking hard roads to you +[3233.90 --> 3238.90] Help us on this hard journey to focus on you +[3239.90 --> 3242.90] We continue to pray for Doug +[3243.90 --> 3244.90] Asking that you would be near to him +[3245.90 --> 3246.90] As he struggles with cancer +[3247.90 --> 3249.90] We continue to pray, God, for our brothers and sisters +[3250.90 --> 3253.90] Our family and friends who are walking a not dissimilar journey +[3253.90 --> 3257.90] We thank you for news like that of Clary's sister +[3258.90 --> 3260.90] Who has journeyed this road +[3261.90 --> 3263.90] And at this point seems to be responding well +[3264.90 --> 3267.90] And we pray that you would stir hope in those +[3268.90 --> 3270.90] For whom that news has not yet come +[3271.90 --> 3274.90] In this time, O God +[3275.90 --> 3279.90] May we confess that you are my God +[3279.90 --> 3281.90] We cry out to you saying +[3282.90 --> 3283.90] Have mercy on me, O Lord +[3284.90 --> 3287.90] And in that crying, may we hear the psalmist say +[3288.90 --> 3291.90] But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God +[3292.90 --> 3295.90] Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness +[3296.90 --> 3297.90] Turn to me +[3298.90 --> 3299.90] Have mercy on me +[3300.90 --> 3302.90] Show your strength in behalf of your servant +[3303.90 --> 3307.90] And so strengthen our lives of faith, we pray +[3307.90 --> 3308.90] We pray +[3309.90 --> 3312.90] We give you thanks, God, for new babies +[3313.90 --> 3316.90] And pray that you would grow them strong and healthy +[3317.90 --> 3319.90] We give you thanks for new parents +[3320.90 --> 3322.90] Whether it's the first-time new parents +[3323.90 --> 3324.90] Or the third-time parent +[3325.90 --> 3328.90] We pray for strength for them as well +[3329.90 --> 3331.90] God, in these summer months we pray as well +[3332.90 --> 3333.90] For pregnant women +[3333.90 --> 3338.90] Who are feeling in extra measure the heat and the warmth +[3339.90 --> 3342.90] And who are anticipating the birth of their child +[3343.90 --> 3346.90] Father God, we pray as well +[3347.90 --> 3349.90] For those who are struggling to become pregnant +[3350.90 --> 3353.90] We pray for those who long to be parents +[3354.90 --> 3355.90] And yet, for one reason or another +[3356.90 --> 3358.90] Have not yet had that longing satisfied +[3358.90 --> 3362.90] And so be near to them as well +[3363.90 --> 3367.90] And God, we pray for the unique family situations +[3368.90 --> 3370.90] That we know about and have in our midst +[3371.90 --> 3374.90] We pray for those who are transitioning into new care +[3375.90 --> 3376.90] And those who are looking for care +[3376.90 --> 3378.90] God, you are good +[3379.90 --> 3382.90] And we trust in your goodness to us +[3383.90 --> 3385.90] Draw us to yourself +[3386.90 --> 3390.90] God, as we come now to your word +[3391.90 --> 3393.90] We pray that you would, in spirit power +[3394.90 --> 3395.90] Descend on Kevin +[3396.90 --> 3397.90] That he might bring it to us boldly +[3398.90 --> 3400.90] And so we pray with the psalmist +[3401.90 --> 3402.90] In this time, through your word +[3402.90 --> 3404.90] Give me a sign of your goodness +[3405.90 --> 3406.90] That my enemies may see it +[3407.90 --> 3408.90] And be put to shame +[3409.90 --> 3410.90] For you, Lord, have helped me +[3411.90 --> 3412.90] And comforted me +[3413.90 --> 3414.90] God, by your word today +[3415.90 --> 3416.90] Help us +[3417.90 --> 3418.90] And comfort us +[3419.90 --> 3420.90] By your word today +[3421.90 --> 3422.90] Discomfort our apathy +[3423.90 --> 3425.90] And sustain our faith +[3426.90 --> 3429.90] We pray this, Jesus, in your most holy name +[3429.90 --> 3430.90] Amen +[3446.90 --> 3447.90] I turned mine on, Dave +[3448.90 --> 3449.90] So, we're good +[3453.90 --> 3454.90] Good morning, everyone +[3455.90 --> 3456.90] Kids +[3457.90 --> 3458.90] If you're still in here +[3458.90 --> 3459.90] I know there's some of you in here +[3459.90 --> 3460.90] I've got a story that I want to tell +[3460.90 --> 3462.90] Which I hope gives a little bit of an example +[3463.90 --> 3464.90] Of what we're going to talk about today +[3465.90 --> 3466.90] It's a true story +[3466.90 --> 3467.90] I've changed the names +[3468.90 --> 3469.90] There was once this elementary student +[3470.90 --> 3471.90] Elementary school student +[3471.90 --> 3472.90] Let's call him Ethan +[3473.90 --> 3474.90] Ethan had a little bit of a reputation +[3475.90 --> 3476.90] He was a sharp kid +[3477.90 --> 3478.90] He always had the right answer +[3478.90 --> 3479.90] He knew how to win an argument +[3480.90 --> 3481.90] He was confident in that +[3481.90 --> 3483.90] Like I always read the instruction manuals kind of way +[3484.90 --> 3486.90] Anyways, one day during recess +[3486.90 --> 3487.90] Or free time +[3487.90 --> 3488.90] Or something like that +[3488.90 --> 3490.90] Ethan got into a bit of a heated discussion +[3491.90 --> 3492.90] With a friend of his +[3492.90 --> 3493.90] Let's call him Tommy +[3494.90 --> 3496.90] This discussion was about Pokemon cards +[3497.90 --> 3498.90] Who here knows about Pokemon cards? +[3499.90 --> 3500.90] Yeah? Kids? +[3500.90 --> 3501.90] Hands up? Adults? +[3502.90 --> 3503.90] Any of you too? +[3504.90 --> 3505.90] Yeah? Oh, a lot of hands went up +[3505.90 --> 3507.90] I don't know much, so forgive me if this story doesn't make sense +[3507.90 --> 3509.90] I'm remembering it as best as I could +[3509.90 --> 3511.90] I know they're about these like monsters +[3511.90 --> 3513.90] And some of them are like fire breathing +[3513.90 --> 3514.90] And some live in trees +[3514.90 --> 3516.90] And some of them are like psychic turtles +[3516.90 --> 3517.90] And I don't know +[3517.90 --> 3518.90] But anyways, these two kids +[3518.90 --> 3519.90] Ethan and Tommy +[3519.90 --> 3520.90] They were fighting over them +[3521.90 --> 3524.90] Ethan was saying that Charizard V-Max +[3525.90 --> 3528.90] Which I gather is a big orange fire breathing lizard of sorts +[3529.90 --> 3530.90] He is unbeatable +[3531.90 --> 3533.90] Tommy, however, pointed out that +[3533.90 --> 3536.90] That no, actually Kyogre X could wipe it out +[3536.90 --> 3538.90] He's some sort of fish, I think +[3539.90 --> 3541.90] Anyways, I don't recall what was going on +[3542.90 --> 3545.90] I just remember there was dragons and winged fish being talked about +[3545.90 --> 3547.90] And both boys were not backing down +[3548.90 --> 3549.90] Alright? Not only that actually +[3549.90 --> 3551.90] As the conversation got more and more heated +[3552.90 --> 3553.90] Tommy actually started to make +[3554.90 --> 3555.90] Or sorry, Ethan started to make fun of Tommy +[3556.90 --> 3558.90] He started to mock him pretty good actually +[3558.90 --> 3559.90] It wasn't very cool +[3560.90 --> 3561.90] Now here's the twist +[3561.90 --> 3562.90] Later that day +[3563.90 --> 3565.90] Ethan realized that Tommy was actually right +[3566.90 --> 3569.90] Based on like type advantages or retreat costs +[3570.90 --> 3571.90] Again, no idea what that means +[3571.90 --> 3573.90] But it turned out that Ethan was wrong +[3574.90 --> 3575.90] Tommy was right +[3575.90 --> 3576.90] The giant winged orca thing +[3576.90 --> 3578.90] Could beat the orange fire breathing lizard thing +[3581.90 --> 3582.90] Ethan was embarrassed +[3582.90 --> 3583.90] Like really embarrassed +[3583.90 --> 3585.90] But instead of pretending like it didn't just happen +[3586.90 --> 3588.90] Ethan did something actually pretty cool +[3588.90 --> 3590.90] After lunch, before the teacher started up class again +[3591.90 --> 3592.90] Ethan actually stood up on his chair +[3593.90 --> 3594.90] And announced to the class +[3595.90 --> 3596.90] He said, I thought I was right +[3597.90 --> 3598.90] But I was wrong +[3598.90 --> 3599.90] Tommy was +[3600.90 --> 3601.90] I'm sorry for being rude, Tommy +[3602.90 --> 3603.90] Tommy just kind of nodded +[3604.90 --> 3605.90] Nobody really made a big deal +[3606.90 --> 3607.90] And the class moved on +[3608.90 --> 3609.90] Now I don't know what a Mewtwo is +[3610.90 --> 3611.90] Or what Snorlax does +[3611.90 --> 3613.90] But I do know that what Ethan did there +[3613.90 --> 3615.90] Showed a lot of strength that day +[3615.90 --> 3617.90] Because humility can be hard +[3618.90 --> 3619.90] Right? +[3619.90 --> 3620.90] Now that's a simple story +[3621.90 --> 3622.90] That happened +[3622.90 --> 3623.90] But the truths of that story +[3623.90 --> 3624.90] The truths of humbling ourselves +[3625.90 --> 3626.90] The truths of forgiveness +[3626.90 --> 3627.90] They're going to be highlighted today +[3627.90 --> 3628.90] In our text +[3629.90 --> 3630.90] Humility and forgiveness +[3630.90 --> 3632.90] They're both so important in God's kingdom +[3633.90 --> 3635.90] So we're going to look at Matthew chapter 18 today +[3635.90 --> 3636.90] And we're going to do something +[3637.90 --> 3638.90] We're going to split it up a little bit +[3638.90 --> 3640.90] We're going to read the first five verses +[3640.90 --> 3641.90] Of Matthew 18 +[3641.90 --> 3642.90] And then skip a little bit +[3642.90 --> 3643.90] And read a parable found +[3644.90 --> 3645.90] At verse 21 +[3645.90 --> 3646.90] So we're going to read +[3646.90 --> 3647.90] 1 to 5 +[3647.90 --> 3648.90] And then 21 to 35 together +[3649.90 --> 3650.90] Alright? +[3650.90 --> 3651.90] As always I encourage you +[3651.90 --> 3652.90] Please have your Bibles open +[3652.90 --> 3653.90] You can use your apps as well +[3654.90 --> 3655.90] Follow along +[3655.90 --> 3656.90] Have those at the ready +[3656.90 --> 3657.90] So we can reference them as we go +[3658.90 --> 3660.90] Matthew 18, 1 to 5 +[3660.90 --> 3661.90] And then 21 to 35 +[3661.90 --> 3662.90] Say this +[3663.90 --> 3664.90] At that time +[3664.90 --> 3665.90] The disciples came to Jesus +[3665.90 --> 3666.90] And asked +[3666.90 --> 3667.90] Who then is the greatest +[3667.90 --> 3669.90] In the kingdom of heaven +[3670.90 --> 3671.90] He, Jesus +[3671.90 --> 3672.90] Called a little child to him +[3672.90 --> 3673.90] And placed the child among them +[3673.90 --> 3674.90] And he said +[3674.90 --> 3675.90] Truly I tell you +[3676.90 --> 3677.90] Unless you change +[3677.90 --> 3678.90] And become like little children +[3679.90 --> 3680.90] You will never enter +[3681.90 --> 3682.90] The kingdom of heaven +[3682.90 --> 3683.90] Therefore, oh +[3683.90 --> 3684.90] Whoever takes +[3684.90 --> 3685.90] The lowly position of this child +[3686.90 --> 3687.90] Is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven +[3688.90 --> 3689.90] And whoever welcomes +[3690.90 --> 3691.90] One such child in my name +[3692.90 --> 3693.90] Welcomes me +[3694.90 --> 3696.90] I'll skip ahead to verse 21 now +[3696.90 --> 3698.90] Then Peter came up to Jesus +[3698.90 --> 3699.90] And asked +[3699.90 --> 3700.90] Lord, how many times +[3700.90 --> 3701.90] Shall I forgive my brother +[3701.90 --> 3702.90] Or sister +[3702.90 --> 3703.90] Who sins against me? +[3703.90 --> 3705.90] Up to seven times? +[3706.90 --> 3707.90] Jesus answered +[3707.90 --> 3708.90] I tell you +[3708.90 --> 3709.90] Not seven times +[3709.90 --> 3710.90] But seventy-seven times +[3710.90 --> 3711.90] Therefore the kingdom of heaven +[3711.90 --> 3712.90] Is like a king +[3713.90 --> 3714.90] Who wanted to settle +[3714.90 --> 3715.90] Accounts with his servants +[3716.90 --> 3717.90] He began the settlement +[3718.90 --> 3719.90] A man who owed him +[3719.90 --> 3720.90] Ten thousand bags of gold +[3720.90 --> 3721.90] Or talents +[3721.90 --> 3722.90] As some translations say +[3722.90 --> 3723.90] Was brought to him +[3723.90 --> 3725.90] Since he was not able to pay +[3725.90 --> 3726.90] The master ordered +[3726.90 --> 3727.90] That he and his wife +[3727.90 --> 3728.90] And his children +[3728.90 --> 3729.90] And all that he had +[3729.90 --> 3730.90] Be sold +[3730.90 --> 3731.90] To repay the debt +[3732.90 --> 3733.90] Let this +[3733.90 --> 3734.90] The servant fell on his knees +[3734.90 --> 3735.90] Before him +[3735.90 --> 3736.90] Be patient with me +[3736.90 --> 3737.90] He begged +[3737.90 --> 3738.90] And I will pay back everything +[3739.90 --> 3740.90] The servant's master +[3740.90 --> 3741.90] Took pity on him +[3741.90 --> 3742.90] Canceled the debt +[3742.90 --> 3743.90] And let him go +[3744.90 --> 3745.90] But when that servant went out +[3745.90 --> 3747.90] He found one of his fellow servants +[3747.90 --> 3749.90] Who owed him a hundred silver coins +[3749.90 --> 3750.90] He grabbed him +[3750.90 --> 3751.90] And began to choke him +[3751.90 --> 3752.90] Pay back what you owe me +[3752.90 --> 3753.90] He demanded +[3753.90 --> 3754.90] His fellow servant +[3754.90 --> 3755.90] Fell to his knees +[3755.90 --> 3756.90] And begged him +[3756.90 --> 3757.90] Be patient with me +[3757.90 --> 3759.90] And I will pay it back +[3760.90 --> 3761.90] But he refused +[3762.90 --> 3763.90] Instead he went off +[3763.90 --> 3764.90] And had the man +[3764.90 --> 3765.90] Thrown into prison +[3765.90 --> 3766.90] Until he could pay the debt +[3767.90 --> 3768.90] When the other servants +[3768.90 --> 3769.90] Saw what had happened +[3769.90 --> 3770.90] They were outraged +[3770.90 --> 3771.90] And went and told their master +[3771.90 --> 3772.90] Everything that had happened +[3772.90 --> 3774.90] The master called the servant in +[3774.90 --> 3776.90] You wicked servant +[3776.90 --> 3777.90] He said +[3777.90 --> 3779.90] I cancelled all that debt of yours +[3779.90 --> 3780.90] Because you begged me +[3780.90 --> 3781.90] Shouldn't you +[3781.90 --> 3782.90] Have had mercy +[3782.90 --> 3783.90] On your fellow servant +[3783.90 --> 3785.90] Just as I had on you +[3785.90 --> 3786.90] In anger +[3786.90 --> 3787.90] His master +[3787.90 --> 3788.90] Handed him over to the jailers +[3788.90 --> 3789.90] To be tortured +[3789.90 --> 3790.90] Until he should pay back +[3790.90 --> 3791.90] All he owed +[3791.90 --> 3793.90] This is how my heavenly father +[3793.90 --> 3794.90] Will treat each of you +[3794.90 --> 3796.90] Unless you forgive your brother +[3796.90 --> 3797.90] Or sister +[3797.90 --> 3798.90] From your heart +[3799.90 --> 3800.90] The word of the Lord +[3802.90 --> 3803.90] One chapter +[3803.90 --> 3804.90] Two sections +[3804.90 --> 3805.90] Two questions +[3805.90 --> 3806.90] Two answers +[3806.90 --> 3808.90] That's our text today +[3808.90 --> 3809.90] And in these two stories +[3809.90 --> 3811.90] In these two answers +[3811.90 --> 3812.90] We are given a picture +[3812.90 --> 3814.90] Of what life is like +[3814.90 --> 3816.90] In the kingdom of God +[3817.90 --> 3819.90] Jesus gives us that picture +[3819.90 --> 3821.90] We behold our king +[3821.90 --> 3823.90] Who describes the kingdom +[3823.90 --> 3825.90] His kingdom +[3826.90 --> 3828.90] And so the big idea today +[3828.90 --> 3831.90] Is the answers that Jesus gave his disciples +[3831.90 --> 3833.90] Life in Jesus' kingdom +[3833.90 --> 3834.90] The kingdom +[3834.90 --> 3835.90] Is marked with humility +[3835.90 --> 3836.90] And forgiveness +[3836.90 --> 3838.90] That's it +[3838.90 --> 3839.90] Life in Jesus' kingdom +[3839.90 --> 3841.90] Is marked with humility +[3841.90 --> 3843.90] And forgiveness +[3844.90 --> 3846.90] So in the beginning of Matthew 18 +[3846.90 --> 3848.90] The disciples are arguing about status +[3848.90 --> 3849.90] In the kingdom +[3849.90 --> 3850.90] Who will be the greatest? +[3850.90 --> 3851.90] They ask +[3851.90 --> 3852.90] Now on the surface +[3852.90 --> 3853.90] Maybe we read that +[3853.90 --> 3854.90] And we think +[3854.90 --> 3855.90] Well that's a silly question +[3856.90 --> 3858.90] But it makes a little bit more sense +[3858.90 --> 3859.90] In that culture +[3859.90 --> 3861.90] Hierarchy in the ancient Near East mattered +[3861.90 --> 3863.90] And the disciples were trying to just figure out +[3863.90 --> 3866.90] Some sense of where they would fit +[3866.90 --> 3867.90] Into that hierarchy +[3867.90 --> 3868.90] If the kingdom of heaven +[3868.90 --> 3871.90] Resembled the world that they knew +[3871.90 --> 3873.90] There would be some sort of hierarchy +[3873.90 --> 3875.90] There would be some who were greater in status +[3875.90 --> 3876.90] Than others +[3876.90 --> 3878.90] And the disciples were just trying to put their finger +[3878.90 --> 3879.90] On that new reality +[3880.90 --> 3882.90] Jesus though brings in a child +[3882.90 --> 3883.90] Into the circle +[3883.90 --> 3884.90] And he basically says +[3884.90 --> 3885.90] This kid will be +[3885.90 --> 3886.90] I mean not really +[3886.90 --> 3887.90] It was a little bit more nuanced than that +[3887.90 --> 3888.90] But he says +[3888.90 --> 3890.90] To be the greatest in the kingdom +[3890.90 --> 3892.90] You must be like this child +[3894.90 --> 3895.90] Now children back then +[3895.90 --> 3896.90] Had no status +[3896.90 --> 3897.90] And no rights +[3897.90 --> 3900.90] They were the bottom of the totem pole +[3900.90 --> 3901.90] Sorry kids +[3902.90 --> 3903.90] More than that +[3903.90 --> 3904.90] Children were +[3904.90 --> 3905.90] And still are +[3906.90 --> 3907.90] Completely dependent +[3907.90 --> 3908.90] On their parents +[3908.90 --> 3910.90] And the communities in which they live +[3910.90 --> 3911.90] To sustain them +[3912.90 --> 3913.90] For Jesus +[3913.90 --> 3914.90] To become childlike +[3914.90 --> 3917.90] Was to become completely dependent +[3917.90 --> 3919.90] That was the posture Jesus lifts up +[3920.90 --> 3921.90] As the starting point for greatness +[3922.90 --> 3923.90] In God's kingdom +[3923.90 --> 3924.90] Not self-sufficiency +[3925.90 --> 3927.90] But trust and dependence +[3928.90 --> 3930.90] Now it's important to note real quick +[3930.90 --> 3932.90] That Jesus is not calling us to be childish +[3933.90 --> 3935.90] Childishness is marked by immaturity +[3935.90 --> 3936.90] Or a lack of wisdom +[3936.90 --> 3938.90] Or a perspective that still needs to grow +[3939.90 --> 3940.90] Paul actually talks about this +[3940.90 --> 3942.90] In 1 Corinthians 3 verse 2 +[3942.90 --> 3943.90] When he says +[3943.90 --> 3944.90] He gave the early Christians +[3945.90 --> 3946.90] Spiritual milk +[3946.90 --> 3947.90] Because they weren't ready +[3948.90 --> 3949.90] For solid food yet +[3949.90 --> 3951.90] People who were young Christians +[3951.90 --> 3952.90] Still needed to grow +[3952.90 --> 3953.90] They needed to mature +[3953.90 --> 3956.90] We aren't to remain childish in our faith +[3957.90 --> 3959.90] We're called to grow in knowledge and maturity +[3960.90 --> 3963.90] But being childlike is different +[3964.90 --> 3966.90] To be childlike is to acknowledge +[3966.90 --> 3967.90] That we are not in control +[3967.90 --> 3970.90] It's to live with unabashed trust +[3970.90 --> 3971.90] In our Father +[3972.90 --> 3973.90] Not because we're naive +[3974.90 --> 3975.90] But because we've come to know +[3976.90 --> 3978.90] That his care is better +[3979.90 --> 3980.90] Than our independence +[3981.90 --> 3983.90] This is a call to humility +[3985.90 --> 3986.90] But this call to humility +[3987.90 --> 3989.90] Runs counter to what the world teaches us +[3990.90 --> 3991.90] We're taught to look within ourselves +[3992.90 --> 3993.90] To believe in ourselves +[3993.90 --> 3995.90] To take control of our own destiny +[3995.90 --> 3997.90] To rise up in greatness +[3998.90 --> 3999.90] There's a perfect example of this +[4000.90 --> 4002.90] It comes from our celebrity world +[4003.90 --> 4004.90] There is an actor +[4005.90 --> 4006.90] Nisi Nash Betts +[4007.90 --> 4008.90] For example +[4008.90 --> 4009.90] She won an Emmy recently +[4010.90 --> 4011.90] For her role in the Netflix documentary +[4012.90 --> 4013.90] Or crime drama Dahmer +[4014.90 --> 4015.90] When she won the award +[4016.90 --> 4017.90] She got up on stage like they do +[4018.90 --> 4021.90] And in a classic award acceptance speech dribble +[4021.90 --> 4023.90] She first gave thanks to the Most High +[4024.90 --> 4025.90] For this divine moment +[4026.90 --> 4027.90] Which calling an award ceremony +[4027.90 --> 4029.90] A divine moment is a little cringeworthy enough +[4030.90 --> 4031.90] And then after a few very quick thank yous +[4032.90 --> 4033.90] To three people she knew +[4034.90 --> 4035.90] She paused +[4035.90 --> 4036.90] And she slowed down +[4037.90 --> 4038.90] She centered herself on stage +[4039.90 --> 4040.90] And she enunciated +[4041.90 --> 4042.90] And she said this +[4043.90 --> 4044.90] And you know who I want to thank? +[4045.90 --> 4046.90] I want to thank me +[4047.90 --> 4048.90] For believing in me +[4049.90 --> 4050.90] And doing what they said I could not do +[4051.90 --> 4052.90] And I want to say to myself +[4053.90 --> 4054.90] In front of all of you people +[4054.90 --> 4055.90] Go on girl +[4055.90 --> 4056.90] You did that +[4057.90 --> 4058.90] After the ceremony she was interviewed again +[4059.90 --> 4060.90] Where she continued this +[4061.90 --> 4063.90] She said I'm the only one who knows what it cost me +[4064.90 --> 4066.90] How many nights I cried because I couldn't be seen +[4067.90 --> 4069.90] I'm proud that I did something people said I could not do +[4070.90 --> 4072.90] Because I believed in me +[4072.90 --> 4076.90] I hope that this serves as a delicious invitation +[4077.90 --> 4078.90] For people to do just that +[4079.90 --> 4080.90] Believe in yourself +[4081.90 --> 4082.90] And congratulate yourself +[4083.90 --> 4085.90] You hear that? +[4086.90 --> 4087.90] That's the message +[4088.90 --> 4089.90] That speech is a microcosm of the message +[4090.90 --> 4091.90] That our world is pumping out to us all the time +[4092.90 --> 4093.90] Congratulate yourself +[4094.90 --> 4095.90] Treat yourself +[4095.90 --> 4096.90] Elevate yourself +[4096.90 --> 4097.90] You're worth it +[4097.90 --> 4098.90] Believe in you +[4098.90 --> 4099.90] And when you do that +[4099.90 --> 4101.90] Greatness is around the corner +[4104.90 --> 4105.90] That's not what Jesus is saying +[4106.90 --> 4108.90] Jesus is saying true greatness +[4109.90 --> 4111.90] Doesn't start with congratulations and control +[4112.90 --> 4113.90] It starts with surrender +[4114.90 --> 4115.90] It doesn't start with you +[4116.90 --> 4117.90] It starts with him +[4118.90 --> 4119.90] It doesn't start with self-elevation +[4120.90 --> 4121.90] But with humility and dependence +[4122.90 --> 4123.90] We need to humble ourselves +[4124.90 --> 4125.90] And realize that we need God +[4126.90 --> 4127.90] Not I need me +[4127.90 --> 4132.90] Instead of trying to congratulate yourself +[4133.90 --> 4134.90] Or elevate yourself +[4134.90 --> 4136.90] Or believe in the power of you +[4137.90 --> 4139.90] Jesus calls us to humility +[4140.90 --> 4141.90] To dependence +[4142.90 --> 4144.90] And to believe in the power of him +[4146.90 --> 4147.90] But what is humility then? +[4148.90 --> 4149.90] C.S. Lewis has a great quote +[4150.90 --> 4151.90] He always seems to +[4151.90 --> 4152.90] He says this +[4152.90 --> 4154.90] Humility isn't thinking less of yourself +[4155.90 --> 4157.90] But thinking of yourself less +[4158.90 --> 4159.90] See that's important +[4160.90 --> 4161.90] This is not self-depreciating +[4162.90 --> 4164.90] It's self-evaluating +[4165.90 --> 4167.90] And recognizing we need more than ourselves +[4168.90 --> 4169.90] We need Jesus +[4170.90 --> 4171.90] We need to think of ourselves less +[4171.90 --> 4172.90] And understand we need Jesus completely +[4173.90 --> 4174.90] We depend on him +[4175.90 --> 4176.90] We humbly acknowledge +[4176.90 --> 4177.90] Yet not I but Christ through me +[4177.90 --> 4178.90] We just sang that +[4178.90 --> 4179.90] Humility matters +[4180.90 --> 4181.90] And it's tied completely +[4182.90 --> 4183.90] With the second part of our text today +[4184.90 --> 4185.90] Forgiveness +[4186.90 --> 4188.90] Because we cannot truly forgive +[4189.90 --> 4191.90] Until we fully realize +[4192.90 --> 4194.90] How utterly dependent on God we are +[4195.90 --> 4196.90] Forgiveness cannot happen +[4197.90 --> 4198.90] Until we get ourselves out of the way +[4199.90 --> 4200.90] Forgiveness only happens +[4201.90 --> 4202.90] When we humble ourselves +[4203.90 --> 4205.90] When we think of ourselves less +[4205.90 --> 4206.90] But we are jumping ahead +[4206.90 --> 4207.90] Just a touch +[4208.90 --> 4209.90] In the second part of our text today +[4209.90 --> 4210.90] Peter asks a question +[4211.90 --> 4212.90] Peter asks +[4213.90 --> 4214.90] What is the right number of times +[4215.90 --> 4216.90] We should forgive someone? +[4217.90 --> 4218.90] And then answering his own question +[4218.90 --> 4219.90] He says seven times? +[4220.90 --> 4222.90] Now it was a common rabbinic teaching +[4223.90 --> 4224.90] Back then to forgive someone +[4225.90 --> 4226.90] Up to three times +[4227.90 --> 4228.90] After that you could stop +[4229.90 --> 4230.90] So here Peter is actually trying +[4231.90 --> 4232.90] To be super generous +[4232.90 --> 4233.90] He says seven times +[4233.90 --> 4235.90] Four more than the most righteous rabbi +[4236.90 --> 4237.90] But Jesus replies +[4238.90 --> 4239.90] He says no Peter +[4240.90 --> 4241.90] Not seven times +[4242.90 --> 4243.90] Seventy-seven times +[4244.90 --> 4245.90] Or as some translations say +[4246.90 --> 4247.90] Seventy times seven +[4247.90 --> 4248.90] It doesn't matter what the translations say +[4249.90 --> 4250.90] Either way +[4250.90 --> 4251.90] Jesus is saying +[4252.90 --> 4253.90] Forgiveness is not a number +[4254.90 --> 4255.90] Forgiveness in his kingdom +[4255.90 --> 4256.90] Is not about keeping score +[4257.90 --> 4258.90] It's about living out grace +[4258.90 --> 4260.90] Jesus tells Peter +[4261.90 --> 4262.90] There's no number +[4262.90 --> 4263.90] Just forgive +[4263.90 --> 4264.90] Be gracious +[4264.90 --> 4265.90] Humble yourself +[4265.90 --> 4266.90] And forgive others +[4267.90 --> 4268.90] He then tells +[4268.90 --> 4269.90] What I think is possibly +[4269.90 --> 4270.90] The most extreme +[4270.90 --> 4272.90] And the most dramatic parable +[4273.90 --> 4274.90] That he tells +[4274.90 --> 4275.90] So there's a servant +[4275.90 --> 4276.90] Who owes +[4277.90 --> 4278.90] Ten thousand talents +[4279.90 --> 4280.90] To a king +[4281.90 --> 4282.90] Now the talent +[4282.90 --> 4284.90] Was the largest sum of money +[4284.90 --> 4286.90] Or the largest form of currency around +[4286.90 --> 4287.90] And ten thousand +[4287.90 --> 4288.90] And ten thousand +[4288.90 --> 4289.90] Was the largest number +[4289.90 --> 4290.90] The Greek language +[4290.90 --> 4291.90] Could communicate +[4291.90 --> 4292.90] Back then +[4292.90 --> 4293.90] So he owed literally +[4293.90 --> 4294.90] As much money +[4294.90 --> 4296.90] As Jesus could articulate +[4297.90 --> 4298.90] To the man +[4298.90 --> 4299.90] To the disciples +[4300.90 --> 4301.90] He owed literally +[4301.90 --> 4302.90] As much as Jesus +[4302.90 --> 4303.90] Could fathomably communicate +[4304.90 --> 4305.90] A modern day equivalent +[4305.90 --> 4306.90] Of ten thousand talents +[4306.90 --> 4307.90] Is somewhere in the +[4307.90 --> 4308.90] One hundred millions +[4308.90 --> 4309.90] To billions +[4310.90 --> 4311.90] Alright +[4311.90 --> 4312.90] There is no way +[4312.90 --> 4313.90] That this servant +[4313.90 --> 4314.90] Could repay the king +[4314.90 --> 4315.90] The only way +[4315.90 --> 4316.90] He could give a fraction +[4316.90 --> 4317.90] Of it back +[4317.90 --> 4318.90] Was to give the king +[4318.90 --> 4319.90] Every asset he had +[4319.90 --> 4320.90] And for himself +[4320.90 --> 4321.90] His wife and his children +[4321.90 --> 4322.90] To be sold to him +[4322.90 --> 4323.90] As slaves +[4326.90 --> 4327.90] Now this +[4328.90 --> 4329.90] Debt +[4330.90 --> 4331.90] Represents our debt +[4331.90 --> 4332.90] Of sin +[4332.90 --> 4333.90] Before a holy God +[4334.90 --> 4335.90] The debt of sin +[4336.90 --> 4337.90] That we accumulate +[4338.90 --> 4340.90] Is so comically high +[4341.90 --> 4342.90] Compared to the holiness +[4342.90 --> 4343.90] Of the holiness +[4343.90 --> 4344.90] Of our God +[4344.90 --> 4345.90] That there is no real way +[4345.90 --> 4347.90] To actually articulate +[4347.90 --> 4348.90] Or communicate it +[4349.90 --> 4350.90] It is incomprehensible +[4351.90 --> 4352.90] It is innumerable +[4352.90 --> 4353.90] And the weight +[4353.90 --> 4354.90] Of the debt +[4354.90 --> 4355.90] Of our sin +[4355.90 --> 4356.90] Is immeasurable +[4358.90 --> 4359.90] But in the parable +[4360.90 --> 4361.90] The king takes pity +[4361.90 --> 4362.90] On the servant +[4362.90 --> 4363.90] And forgives the debt +[4363.90 --> 4364.90] Wipes it away +[4364.90 --> 4365.90] It doesn't exist +[4365.90 --> 4366.90] The word here used +[4366.90 --> 4367.90] Is actually +[4367.90 --> 4368.90] He took pity +[4368.90 --> 4369.90] And it's the same word +[4369.90 --> 4370.90] In the Greek +[4370.90 --> 4372.90] That is used to describe +[4372.90 --> 4373.90] Jesus' compassion +[4373.90 --> 4374.90] Or his mercy +[4375.90 --> 4376.90] The king showed mercy +[4376.90 --> 4377.90] Showed compassion +[4377.90 --> 4378.90] He forgave the debt +[4379.90 --> 4380.90] He took it actually +[4380.90 --> 4381.90] Upon himself +[4383.90 --> 4384.90] Just like Jesus +[4384.90 --> 4385.90] Shows mercy +[4386.90 --> 4387.90] And again +[4387.90 --> 4388.90] The debt of sin +[4388.90 --> 4389.90] That we have been forgiven +[4389.90 --> 4390.90] Is the same +[4390.90 --> 4391.90] It's gone +[4391.90 --> 4392.90] It's been wiped away +[4392.90 --> 4393.90] It's been abolished +[4393.90 --> 4395.90] Jesus took that on himself +[4395.90 --> 4397.90] With his life, death, and resurrection +[4397.90 --> 4399.90] Our debt has been paid +[4399.90 --> 4400.90] We have been shown mercy +[4400.90 --> 4402.90] We have been shown compassion +[4402.90 --> 4403.90] Brothers and sisters +[4403.90 --> 4404.90] At Emmanuel +[4404.90 --> 4406.90] We are this servant +[4407.90 --> 4409.90] We have to see that +[4410.90 --> 4411.90] Our debt +[4412.90 --> 4413.90] Which is far too great +[4413.90 --> 4414.90] To measure +[4414.90 --> 4415.90] Was utterly +[4415.90 --> 4416.90] And completely forgiven +[4416.90 --> 4417.90] By Jesus +[4417.90 --> 4418.90] At the foot of the cross +[4418.90 --> 4419.90] And at the empty tomb +[4419.90 --> 4421.90] We are forgiven +[4422.90 --> 4423.90] Our debt is paid +[4423.90 --> 4426.90] We are coming back to this +[4426.90 --> 4428.90] But the story continues +[4428.90 --> 4430.90] That same servant +[4430.90 --> 4432.90] The one who had a debt +[4432.90 --> 4433.90] That he could never repay +[4433.90 --> 4436.90] He refuses to show +[4436.90 --> 4437.90] That same forgiveness +[4437.90 --> 4438.90] To another +[4438.90 --> 4439.90] Who owed him +[4439.90 --> 4440.90] Only 100 silver coins +[4440.90 --> 4441.90] Which is about +[4441.90 --> 4442.90] A thousand bucks +[4442.90 --> 4443.90] Alright? +[4443.90 --> 4444.90] Now a thousand dollars +[4444.90 --> 4445.90] Is not insignificant +[4445.90 --> 4447.90] But in relation +[4447.90 --> 4449.90] To what he was just forgiven +[4449.90 --> 4451.90] It is a minuscule amount +[4452.90 --> 4453.90] Not only does he refuse +[4455.90 --> 4456.90] To forgive +[4456.90 --> 4458.90] He shows no mercy +[4458.90 --> 4459.90] He chokes the man +[4459.90 --> 4461.90] And he throws him in jail +[4462.90 --> 4463.90] Well the king finds out +[4463.90 --> 4464.90] And the unforgiving +[4464.90 --> 4465.90] Servant's future +[4465.90 --> 4467.90] Is as bleak as it gets +[4467.90 --> 4468.90] He's thrown in jail +[4468.90 --> 4469.90] And tortured +[4469.90 --> 4471.90] Until the debt can be paid +[4471.90 --> 4472.90] Which we know +[4472.90 --> 4473.90] Will be never +[4473.90 --> 4480.90] Are we still that servant? +[4480.90 --> 4484.90] What thousand dollar grudge +[4484.90 --> 4486.90] Are we refusing to forgive? +[4486.90 --> 4487.90] What bitterness +[4487.90 --> 4489.90] Are we holding on to right now? +[4489.90 --> 4491.90] Maybe it's not small +[4492.90 --> 4493.90] This grudge +[4493.90 --> 4494.90] This wrongdoing +[4494.90 --> 4496.90] Maybe it's not insignificant +[4496.90 --> 4498.90] Maybe it's not even undeserved +[4500.90 --> 4502.90] But in light of the weight of sin +[4502.90 --> 4503.90] That we've been forgiven +[4503.90 --> 4504.90] That grudge +[4504.90 --> 4505.90] That bitterness +[4505.90 --> 4506.90] Is minimal +[4506.90 --> 4507.90] Beyond comparison +[4507.90 --> 4509.90] So what bitterness +[4509.90 --> 4510.90] Are we clinging to? +[4510.90 --> 4512.90] What are we elevating +[4512.90 --> 4513.90] More than it needs to? +[4513.90 --> 4514.90] What bitterness +[4514.90 --> 4516.90] Are we letting take control +[4517.90 --> 4518.90] Of who we are? +[4519.90 --> 4520.90] What grudge is grown +[4520.90 --> 4521.90] In our hearts so large +[4521.90 --> 4522.90] That we are unwilling +[4522.90 --> 4523.90] To let it go? +[4524.90 --> 4526.90] We know that we are +[4526.90 --> 4527.90] That servant +[4527.90 --> 4528.90] Who has been forgiven +[4528.90 --> 4529.90] And praise God for that +[4529.90 --> 4530.90] Amen? +[4530.90 --> 4533.90] But are we the same servant +[4533.90 --> 4535.90] Who refuses to forgive? +[4535.90 --> 4539.90] See this parable +[4539.90 --> 4540.90] Which is both +[4540.90 --> 4541.90] Very extreme +[4542.90 --> 4543.90] Yet also parallels +[4544.90 --> 4546.90] Our lives so closely +[4547.90 --> 4548.90] It highlights something +[4549.90 --> 4550.90] Very heavy +[4550.90 --> 4552.90] And it needs to sit on us +[4552.90 --> 4553.90] With that same kind of weight +[4553.90 --> 4555.90] If we are unwilling +[4555.90 --> 4556.90] To forgive others +[4556.90 --> 4558.90] If we are unwilling +[4558.90 --> 4559.90] To forgive +[4559.90 --> 4561.90] Those who have wronged us +[4562.90 --> 4564.90] We are not actually living out +[4565.90 --> 4567.90] The forgiveness that God has granted us +[4567.90 --> 4569.90] If we are so stubborn +[4569.90 --> 4570.90] That we cannot forgive others +[4570.90 --> 4571.90] We are that servant +[4572.90 --> 4574.90] Shaking someone over a thousand dollars +[4574.90 --> 4576.90] Even though we have been forgiven a billion +[4576.90 --> 4577.90] Even though we have been forgiven a billion +[4579.90 --> 4580.90] We are forgiven +[4581.90 --> 4583.90] Forgiven people must extend forgiveness +[4584.90 --> 4585.90] Even if it is hard +[4587.90 --> 4589.90] Because that is the truth too, right? +[4590.90 --> 4591.90] Like forgiveness is hard +[4592.90 --> 4593.90] We can't just blow past that +[4594.90 --> 4596.90] It wouldn't be responsible or right of me +[4597.90 --> 4600.90] To minimize how difficult forgiveness can be +[4600.90 --> 4602.90] How hurt we can become +[4603.90 --> 4604.90] People have hurt us +[4605.90 --> 4606.90] We have been harmed +[4607.90 --> 4609.90] Some of us are hurting immensely +[4610.90 --> 4612.90] Forgiveness isn't easy +[4613.90 --> 4615.90] It is extremely difficult +[4616.90 --> 4618.90] Sometimes it doesn't even seem natural +[4619.90 --> 4621.90] And again, I think that is because it isn't +[4622.90 --> 4623.90] We want justice +[4624.90 --> 4626.90] We want for things to be equal +[4627.90 --> 4629.90] The thing is sometimes +[4629.90 --> 4631.90] Sometimes we often think we are after justice +[4632.90 --> 4634.90] But in reality it is really more like revenge +[4635.90 --> 4636.90] We want the scales to be balanced +[4637.90 --> 4638.90] We want people to get what they deserve +[4639.90 --> 4641.90] That is sort of the default in our fallibility +[4642.90 --> 4643.90] But that posture +[4644.90 --> 4645.90] This always keeping score +[4646.90 --> 4647.90] Always needing payback +[4648.90 --> 4649.90] It leads us away from grace +[4650.90 --> 4651.90] Not towards it +[4652.90 --> 4653.90] We want to see what was wrong brought right +[4654.90 --> 4655.90] We want the hurt to be felt +[4656.90 --> 4658.90] We want equilibrium in the world around us +[4658.90 --> 4659.90] We want +[4660.90 --> 4661.90] We want +[4662.90 --> 4663.90] We want +[4664.90 --> 4666.90] That is not humility, is it? +[4667.90 --> 4669.90] That is not thinking of ourselves less +[4670.90 --> 4675.90] I have had the opportunity to take a bunch of counseling courses in my school +[4676.90 --> 4677.90] And I know others have as well +[4677.90 --> 4678.90] So this +[4678.90 --> 4680.90] Possibly you can affirm this with me afterwards +[4680.90 --> 4683.90] One thing that came to light quite regularly in this class is this +[4683.90 --> 4692.90] Is that counselors often find that unforgiveness lies at the heart of many deep personal struggles +[4692.90 --> 4696.90] It's unforgiveness that's at the root of a lot of people's hardships +[4697.90 --> 4699.90] It causes pain and frustration +[4700.90 --> 4704.90] And more than that, we start to lose sight of what God says we should be focusing on +[4705.90 --> 4708.90] See, when we hold back forgiveness from those who have hurt us +[4708.90 --> 4714.90] We often lose sight of just how much we have actually been forgiven by our God +[4715.90 --> 4719.90] See, the grace God has poured out is immeasurable +[4720.90 --> 4723.90] Because of that, forgiveness must be our response +[4724.90 --> 4729.90] An intentional, a willful choice to live out that grace in real and sometimes very difficult ways +[4729.90 --> 4732.90] Grace begets grace which begets grace +[4732.90 --> 4737.90] This doesn't mean forgetting the pain or pretending it doesn't matter +[4738.90 --> 4741.90] But it does mean recognizing that our own debt was far greater +[4742.90 --> 4745.90] And yet it was wiped away by our merciful King +[4746.90 --> 4752.90] Now fortunately for us, Jesus not only just tells us that we need to forgive +[4753.90 --> 4755.90] He has shown us how to forgive +[4755.90 --> 4761.90] See, one of the reasons forgiveness is so hard is that it requires sacrifice and humility +[4762.90 --> 4764.90] That's the gospel, sacrifice and humility +[4765.90 --> 4768.90] Jesus humbled himself and he made himself of no reputation +[4769.90 --> 4772.90] He came down into this broken world as God incarnate +[4773.90 --> 4778.90] And then he lived a perfect life that you and I, that we all fail to live each and every day +[4779.90 --> 4782.90] Dying an unbelievably gruesome death on the cross +[4782.90 --> 4786.90] Bearing the burden of the weight of the sin of all of humanity on his shoulders +[4787.90 --> 4789.90] As our sacrifice +[4790.90 --> 4793.90] So that we may be spared judgment and have our sins forgiven +[4794.90 --> 4795.90] But death couldn't hold him +[4796.90 --> 4799.90] And so three days later he rose from the dead, defeating sin and death +[4800.90 --> 4803.90] Forgiving all who call upon his name as Savior +[4803.90 --> 4805.90] For us to be forgiven +[4806.90 --> 4807.90] Our God had to stoop +[4808.90 --> 4809.90] So low +[4810.90 --> 4811.90] So low +[4812.90 --> 4813.90] So low that he became one of us +[4814.90 --> 4815.90] He humbled himself +[4816.90 --> 4817.90] He brought himself into our broken world +[4818.90 --> 4819.90] Not as a king in power +[4820.90 --> 4821.90] But as a servant in pain +[4822.90 --> 4824.90] And he bore the hurt +[4824.90 --> 4825.90] The rejection +[4825.90 --> 4826.90] The mockery +[4826.90 --> 4827.90] The beatings +[4827.90 --> 4828.90] The betrayal +[4828.90 --> 4829.90] He bore all of it +[4829.90 --> 4830.90] And he did so in silence +[4831.90 --> 4835.90] Even though just the faintest whisper from his lips +[4836.90 --> 4837.90] Could have summoned heaven's armies +[4838.90 --> 4839.90] In revenge +[4840.90 --> 4841.90] But to forgive us +[4842.90 --> 4843.90] Jesus just didn't give up his pride +[4844.90 --> 4845.90] He didn't just swallow his righteous anger +[4846.90 --> 4847.90] He gave up everything +[4848.90 --> 4849.90] He gave up his life +[4849.90 --> 4850.90] He held nothing back +[4851.90 --> 4854.90] Because that's what forgiveness required +[4855.90 --> 4857.90] And he did it for you +[4858.90 --> 4859.90] And he did it for me +[4860.90 --> 4862.90] Jesus sacrificed himself +[4863.90 --> 4864.90] He sacrificed his whole self +[4865.90 --> 4866.90] To forgive us +[4867.90 --> 4869.90] So yes, forgiveness requires sacrifice +[4870.90 --> 4871.90] Forgiveness +[4872.90 --> 4873.90] To forgive someone is to lay something down +[4874.90 --> 4875.90] Our pride, our stubborn will +[4876.90 --> 4877.90] Our right to be angry +[4877.90 --> 4880.90] Our grip on whatever it is we think they owe us +[4881.90 --> 4882.90] Sometimes it means +[4883.90 --> 4884.90] Releasing the ache that feels justified +[4885.90 --> 4887.90] Or the fear that seems reasonable +[4888.90 --> 4890.90] Or the wound that is still so raw +[4891.90 --> 4893.90] But grace should never cling +[4894.90 --> 4895.90] It's given +[4896.90 --> 4897.90] It's laid down for someone to receive +[4898.90 --> 4899.90] Just as Christ laid down his life for us +[4900.90 --> 4904.90] See, Jesus showed us in his life, death and resurrection +[4904.90 --> 4906.90] That true forgiveness comes from humbling ourselves +[4907.90 --> 4908.90] From depending on God +[4909.90 --> 4910.90] And ultimately from sacrificing ourselves +[4911.90 --> 4915.90] A true disciple of Christ will show forgiveness to others +[4916.90 --> 4919.90] As an example of fruit from receiving the gospel +[4920.90 --> 4922.90] No hidden agendas, no selfish motivation +[4923.90 --> 4927.90] Just forgiveness born out of sacrifice and gospel truth +[4927.90 --> 4933.90] Forgiveness is the fruit of a gospel life lived +[4934.90 --> 4936.90] Right? You know the carrot and the stick? +[4937.90 --> 4938.90] That's the carrot +[4939.90 --> 4940.90] If you're a carrot person, if you need positive motivation +[4941.90 --> 4942.90] That's that, please hear that +[4943.90 --> 4945.90] Forgiveness is the fruit of a gospel life lived +[4946.90 --> 4947.90] If you're more of a stick person +[4947.90 --> 4949.90] If you need a little harsher motivation, then hear this +[4950.90 --> 4953.90] This passage teaches us that independence and unforgiveness +[4953.90 --> 4954.90] Cannot be part of God's kingdom +[4955.90 --> 4956.90] Independence and unforgiveness +[4957.90 --> 4960.90] Go so completely against the character and nature of our king +[4961.90 --> 4962.90] That it can't be there +[4963.90 --> 4964.90] If we're to behold our king +[4965.90 --> 4966.90] Those characteristics cannot happen +[4967.90 --> 4968.90] They cannot be present +[4970.90 --> 4971.90] So yeah, forgiveness is hard +[4972.90 --> 4974.90] It is sacrificial +[4974.90 --> 4977.90] And it's a daily act of will +[4978.90 --> 4980.90] And all of that reflects Jesus Christ in this world +[4981.90 --> 4983.90] To forgive someone is to humble oneself +[4984.90 --> 4987.90] To forgive someone is to reflect Jesus to that person +[4988.90 --> 4992.90] Some of you have heard of the person +[4993.90 --> 4994.90] Cary Ten Boom +[4995.90 --> 4996.90] Sorry, Cory, Cory Ten Boom +[4997.90 --> 4998.90] Cary, got it wrong +[4999.90 --> 5000.90] Cory Ten Boom +[5001.90 --> 5002.90] Cory was a Christian in Holland +[5002.90 --> 5004.90] That helped hide Jews during World War II +[5005.90 --> 5006.90] Sadly, Cory was eventually captured +[5007.90 --> 5009.90] And imprisoned in a concentration camp +[5010.90 --> 5011.90] She survived though +[5012.90 --> 5013.90] And years later after the war +[5014.90 --> 5015.90] She was speaking about forgiveness in a church in Germany +[5016.90 --> 5017.90] Believe it or not +[5018.90 --> 5020.90] When a former SS guard approached her +[5021.90 --> 5023.90] Someone who helped run concentration camps under Hitler +[5024.90 --> 5026.90] This guard approached her and didn't recognize her +[5027.90 --> 5028.90] Or who she was +[5028.90 --> 5030.90] But she recognized him +[5031.90 --> 5032.90] As one who had imprisoned her +[5033.90 --> 5035.90] This guard approached Cory +[5036.90 --> 5037.90] Extended his hand +[5038.90 --> 5039.90] And he earnestly asked her +[5040.90 --> 5041.90] Will you forgive me? +[5042.90 --> 5045.90] Now Cory writes that she couldn't in her heart +[5046.90 --> 5048.90] But in that moment she prayed silently +[5049.90 --> 5050.90] And asked God for the strength +[5051.90 --> 5052.90] She said she chose to raise her hand +[5053.90 --> 5055.90] And when she did she felt God's love and forgiveness +[5055.90 --> 5056.90] And she did love and forgiveness flow through her +[5056.90 --> 5058.90] And she forgave this man +[5058.90 --> 5061.90] She's quoted as saying this profound line +[5062.90 --> 5064.90] Forgiveness is not an emotion +[5065.90 --> 5068.90] Forgiveness is an act of the will +[5069.90 --> 5070.90] And the will can function +[5071.90 --> 5073.90] Regardless of the temperature of the heart +[5074.90 --> 5078.90] Forgiveness is an act of will +[5079.90 --> 5083.90] Which functions regardless of the temperature of the heart +[5083.90 --> 5085.90] It must be +[5086.90 --> 5087.90] Because forgiveness requires sacrifice +[5088.90 --> 5092.90] And at its core it is done when we completely depend on God +[5093.90 --> 5097.90] Do we truly know what God has done for us? +[5098.90 --> 5102.90] Do we understand the debt, the weight of the debt of sin +[5103.90 --> 5105.90] That we have been forgiven? +[5105.90 --> 5106.90] That we have been forgiven +[5108.90 --> 5110.90] Because if we do our response can only be one thing +[5111.90 --> 5115.90] Let us be a community that is marked by radical +[5116.90 --> 5119.90] Undeserved, kingdom-shaped forgiveness +[5120.90 --> 5123.90] And as we come to the table here today in just a moment +[5124.90 --> 5126.90] When we enter into the presence of God +[5127.90 --> 5128.90] And remember what he has done for us +[5129.90 --> 5130.90] Let us also remember these two things +[5131.90 --> 5133.90] That humility means fully depending on God +[5133.90 --> 5135.90] For everything +[5136.90 --> 5142.90] And that forgiveness means freely extending grace to others +[5143.90 --> 5146.90] The same grace that we have received from Jesus Christ +[5147.90 --> 5148.90] Amen? +[5149.90 --> 5151.90] I'm going to pray and then Pastor Chris is going to lead us in communion today +[5152.90 --> 5153.90] Bow your heads with me +[5153.90 --> 5154.90] Father God +[5154.90 --> 5161.90] The call to humility is easy to hear but hard to execute +[5162.90 --> 5164.90] Lord, around us over and over again we are taught +[5165.90 --> 5166.90] To look within ourselves +[5167.90 --> 5168.90] To rely on ourselves +[5168.90 --> 5169.90] That we are important +[5170.90 --> 5172.90] And so pushing away that noise can be difficult +[5173.90 --> 5175.90] But Lord, we pray that you will stir in our hearts +[5176.90 --> 5180.90] And give us the humility that we need to depend on you for all things +[5180.90 --> 5183.90] And as we take that posture, Lord +[5184.90 --> 5186.90] May we be able to forgive +[5187.90 --> 5189.90] Lord, so many of us have been hurt by people +[5190.90 --> 5192.90] Lord, this fallen world +[5193.90 --> 5194.90] Sin runs rampant still +[5195.90 --> 5196.90] And people hurt us +[5197.90 --> 5198.90] And they harm us +[5199.90 --> 5201.90] And sometimes it can be so hard to humble ourselves and forgive +[5202.90 --> 5204.90] And Lord, I don't want to sugar coat this +[5204.90 --> 5206.90] Or make this sound so easy +[5207.90 --> 5208.90] But God, will you give us the courage, the strength +[5209.90 --> 5211.90] May we depend on you for whatever we need +[5212.90 --> 5215.90] To be able to extend the grace that you have extended to us +[5216.90 --> 5220.90] Lord, may we be sacrificial as we forgive +[5221.90 --> 5223.90] May we show radical forgiveness for those who have hurt us +[5224.90 --> 5228.90] Lord, and may we trust in you for all we need to do that well +[5228.90 --> 5233.90] Lord, you are our God +[5234.90 --> 5235.90] You love us more than we will ever know +[5236.90 --> 5237.90] And we love you +[5238.90 --> 5241.90] We lay this all down at your feet +[5242.90 --> 5243.90] And pray this in your name +[5244.90 --> 5245.90] Amen +[5245.90 --> 5252.90] As Kevin said, forgiveness is hard +[5253.90 --> 5256.90] And in today's world, especially perhaps +[5257.90 --> 5259.90] Humility is counterintuitive +[5260.90 --> 5263.90] But Jesus promises to strengthen us +[5264.90 --> 5265.90] For that journey of life and faith +[5266.90 --> 5267.90] At this table +[5268.90 --> 5271.90] Kevin said, grace begets grace begets grace +[5271.90 --> 5275.90] The grace of the word begets the grace of the table +[5276.90 --> 5281.90] Which begets grace in your life lived in response to the gospel +[5282.90 --> 5284.90] So as we come to the table today +[5285.90 --> 5289.90] May all of that be true in your hearts and in your imagination +[5290.90 --> 5294.90] As you come and receive the bread and the juice +[5294.90 --> 5302.90] May your imaginations be stirred for what is possible in the power of God +[5303.90 --> 5305.90] As he meets you here +[5306.90 --> 5307.90] God meets us at this table +[5308.90 --> 5310.90] We mark that with liturgy and prayer +[5311.90 --> 5315.90] And so I invite you to speak the words that are for you on the screen behind me +[5316.90 --> 5319.90] We come because Christ welcomes us here +[5320.90 --> 5321.90] And so lift up your hearts +[5321.90 --> 5326.90] Let us give thanks to the Lord our God +[5327.90 --> 5330.90] Let's pray together +[5331.90 --> 5336.90] With joy we praise you, gracious God +[5337.90 --> 5339.90] For you have created heaven and earth +[5340.90 --> 5342.90] You have made us in your image and kept covenant with us +[5343.90 --> 5344.90] Even when we fell into sin +[5345.90 --> 5348.90] We give you thanks for Jesus Christ +[5348.90 --> 5350.90] Who by his life, death and resurrection +[5351.90 --> 5354.90] Opened to us the way of everlasting life +[5355.90 --> 5356.90] Amen +[5360.90 --> 5363.90] Our Lord Jesus, before he suffered +[5364.90 --> 5368.90] Gave us this memorial of his sacrifice until he comes again +[5369.90 --> 5372.90] And the Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed +[5373.90 --> 5374.90] Took bread +[5374.90 --> 5375.90] And when he had given thanks +[5375.90 --> 5377.90] He broke it and said +[5377.90 --> 5379.90] This is my body +[5380.90 --> 5381.90] Which is for you +[5382.90 --> 5385.90] Do this in remembrance of me +[5386.90 --> 5388.90] And in the same way +[5389.90 --> 5391.90] He took the cup after supper +[5392.90 --> 5395.90] Saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood +[5395.90 --> 5396.90] Do this whenever you drink it +[5396.90 --> 5398.90] Do this whenever you drink it +[5399.90 --> 5400.90] In remembrance of me +[5401.90 --> 5405.90] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup +[5406.90 --> 5410.90] You proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again +[5411.90 --> 5415.90] This is the mystery of our faith +[5415.90 --> 5418.90] Your death, O Christ +[5418.90 --> 5419.90] Your death, O Christ, we proclaim +[5420.90 --> 5422.90] Your resurrection we affirm with joy +[5423.90 --> 5425.90] Your coming we await with hope +[5426.90 --> 5428.90] Glory be to you, Lord Jesus +[5429.90 --> 5430.90] Church family +[5431.90 --> 5434.90] The Lord has prepared his table for all who love him +[5435.90 --> 5437.90] For all who trust in him alone for their salvation +[5437.90 --> 5439.90] And so come to this table +[5440.90 --> 5442.90] You who have much faith +[5443.90 --> 5445.90] And you who would like to have more +[5446.90 --> 5447.90] Come to this table +[5448.90 --> 5449.90] You who have been to the sacrament often +[5450.90 --> 5452.90] And you who have not been for a long time +[5453.90 --> 5454.90] Come to this table +[5455.90 --> 5456.90] You who have tried to follow Jesus +[5457.90 --> 5460.90] And come you who have failed +[5461.90 --> 5462.90] Come to this table +[5462.90 --> 5463.90] Come to this table +[5464.90 --> 5466.90] Because Jesus Christ is raised +[5467.90 --> 5469.90] Because Jesus Christ is king +[5470.90 --> 5472.90] This is his banquet feast +[5473.90 --> 5475.90] For you and for me +[5476.90 --> 5477.90] Come, if you are here +[5478.90 --> 5479.90] Or if you are joining us online +[5480.90 --> 5482.90] Come, because it is Christ +[5483.90 --> 5484.90] Who meets us here +[5485.90 --> 5486.90] These are the gifts of God +[5487.90 --> 5488.90] For the people of God +[5489.90 --> 5492.90] As we come forward to the table +[5493.90 --> 5495.90] We will do so in groups +[5496.90 --> 5497.90] And the +[5498.90 --> 5499.90] We have a couple elders +[5500.90 --> 5501.90] Who will indicate when it is time for you to come up to the front +[5502.90 --> 5503.90] As you come up +[5503.90 --> 5505.90] We will gather in a circle together around the table +[5506.90 --> 5507.90] And then we will pass each other +[5508.90 --> 5509.90] We will serve each other +[5510.90 --> 5511.90] The bread and the juice +[5512.90 --> 5513.90] As you pass the bread to the person +[5514.90 --> 5515.90] To your left or right +[5515.90 --> 5516.90] Please do so by saying +[5516.90 --> 5517.90] The body of Christ +[5518.90 --> 5519.90] Given for you +[5519.90 --> 5520.90] And then as you pass the juice +[5521.90 --> 5522.90] Please do so by saying +[5522.90 --> 5523.90] The blood of Christ +[5524.90 --> 5525.90] Shed for you +[5526.90 --> 5528.90] If you are unable to come up to the front +[5529.90 --> 5531.90] Please indicate that to the serving elder +[5532.90 --> 5533.90] Or the ushers +[5534.90 --> 5535.90] They will serve you in your tables +[5536.90 --> 5537.90] By saying the same words +[5537.90 --> 5538.90] And speaking that over you +[5539.90 --> 5540.90] And if you require gluten free +[5541.90 --> 5542.90] There is that available in the trays +[5543.90 --> 5544.90] As they go around in those little center cups +[5546.90 --> 5548.90] At this point I would like to invite the worship leaders +[5549.90 --> 5550.90] And the back of house people +[5551.90 --> 5552.90] The elders who are helping us serve to come forward +[5553.90 --> 5554.90] That we might serve them in the first table +[5555.90 --> 5556.90] And then they will facilitate our singing +[5557.90 --> 5559.90] As we go through this time together +[5559.90 --> 5562.90] Let's close the circle +[5563.90 --> 5564.90] Yeah +[5565.90 --> 5566.90] John come on over +[5567.90 --> 5569.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5569.90 --> 5570.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5570.90 --> 5572.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5573.90 --> 5574.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5574.90 --> 5575.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5575.90 --> 5577.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5578.90 --> 5579.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5579.90 --> 5586.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5586.90 --> 5590.90] Body of Christ given for you +[5590.90 --> 5591.90] Thank you +[5591.90 --> 5592.90] Thank you +[5620.90 --> 5621.90] Eat +[5621.90 --> 5622.90] Eat +[5622.90 --> 5623.90] And remember +[5623.90 --> 5624.90] And remember +[5624.90 --> 5625.90] dying +[5625.90 --> 5627.16] Happy +[5627.90 --> 5629.96] Never +[5634.96 --> 5635.22] Board of Christ +[5635.22 --> 5635.90] God +[5635.90 --> 5644.48] Blood of Christ shed for you +[5644.48 --> 5646.14] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[5674.48 --> 5682.68] It's also for you. +[5688.68 --> 5691.28] Drink and believe. +[5697.28 --> 5698.16] Amen. +[5698.16 --> 5698.30] Amen. +[5698.30 --> 5708.94] As people are making their way back from this first group, I forgot to mention, but if +[5708.94 --> 5713.82] you would like to pray with someone or meet someone for prayer in lieu of coming to the +[5713.82 --> 5719.20] table or before coming to the table or after coming to the table, there are people in the +[5719.20 --> 5721.82] foyer there with yellow name tags on that would meet you for that. +[5728.30 --> 5730.30] Hey. +[5730.30 --> 5732.30] Good morning. +[5732.30 --> 5734.30] Hey, brother. +[5734.30 --> 5736.30] How we doing? +[5736.30 --> 5738.30] Where's your sister? +[5738.30 --> 5739.30] Good morning, buddy. +[5739.30 --> 5740.30] My son is kinda amazing. +[5740.30 --> 5742.30] Thank you so much for watching. +[5742.30 --> 5743.30] My goodness. +[5743.30 --> 5745.30] He has a Beethoven cell hands. +[5745.30 --> 5747.30] a phoenix. +[5747.30 --> 5748.94] 6 us or a gegeben number 2. +[5748.94 --> 5751.94] And then if your friend's fit, we swipe to the table. +[5751.94 --> 5752.94] That's right. +[5752.94 --> 5755.82] 100%, what's the same name? +[5755.82 --> 5756.72] That's right. +[5756.72 --> 5758.26] We're looking in here. +[5758.26 --> 5764.54] And then there are people +[5764.56 --> 5766.24] in front of the table. +[5766.24 --> 5776.08] Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. +[5777.12 --> 5782.76] Thou art the potter, I am the clay. +[5783.42 --> 5790.52] Hold me and make me after thy will. +[5790.52 --> 5797.08] While I am waiting, yielded and still. +[5799.46 --> 5805.00] Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. +[5806.32 --> 5812.08] Search me and try me, Master, today. +[5813.42 --> 5819.46] Wonder than snow, Lord, wash me just now. +[5819.46 --> 5826.02] As in thy presence, humbly I bow. +[5828.20 --> 5834.02] Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. +[5835.48 --> 5840.70] Wounded and weary, help me, I pray. +[5840.70 --> 5848.52] Power, oh power, surely is thine. +[5849.12 --> 5854.70] Touch me and heal me, Savior divine. +[5857.06 --> 5863.26] Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. +[5863.26 --> 5869.88] Hold o'er my being, absolute sway. +[5871.24 --> 5877.82] Filled with thy Spirit, till all shall see. +[5878.82 --> 5884.88] Christ only, always living in me. +[5884.88 --> 5914.86] How great the chasm that lay between us. +[5914.86 --> 5921.52] How high the mountain, I could not climb. +[5921.52 --> 5927.48] In desperation, I turned to heaven. +[5927.48 --> 5934.20] And spoke your name into the night. +[5934.20 --> 5940.20] Then through the darkness, your loving kindness. +[5940.20 --> 5946.20] Torn through the shadows of my soul. +[5946.20 --> 5950.26] The work is finished. +[5950.26 --> 5952.80] The end is written. +[5952.80 --> 5959.20] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[5959.20 --> 5968.58] Who could imagine so great a mercy? +[5968.58 --> 5975.08] What heart could fathom such boundless grace? +[5975.08 --> 5981.08] The God of ages stepped down from glory +[5981.08 --> 5987.08] To wear my sin and bear my shame. +[5987.08 --> 5990.08] The cross has spoken. +[5990.08 --> 5993.16] I am forgiven. +[5993.16 --> 5999.08] The King of kings calls me his own. +[5999.08 --> 6006.08] Beautiful Savior, I'm yours forever. +[6006.08 --> 6012.08] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[6012.08 --> 6013.08] Alleluia. +[6013.08 --> 6015.08] Alleluia. +[6015.08 --> 6018.08] Praise the one who set me free. +[6018.08 --> 6019.08] Alleluia. +[6019.08 --> 6020.08] Alleluia. +[6020.08 --> 6021.08] Alleluia. +[6021.08 --> 6022.08] Alleluia. +[6022.08 --> 6023.08] Alleluia. +[6023.08 --> 6024.08] Alleluia. +[6024.08 --> 6025.08] Alleluia. +[6025.08 --> 6028.08] As you have broken every chain. +[6028.08 --> 6030.16] There's salvation in your name. +[6030.16 --> 6031.16] Alleluia. +[6031.16 --> 6038.90] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[6038.90 --> 6043.40] And came the mourning that sealed the promise. +[6043.40 --> 6051.20] Your buried body began to breathe out of the silence. +[6051.20 --> 6056.26] Out of the silence, the roaring lion +[6056.26 --> 6062.48] declared the grave has no claim on me. +[6062.48 --> 6068.86] Then came the morning that sealed the promise. +[6069.26 --> 6074.00] Your buried body began to breathe. +[6074.00 --> 6080.26] Out of the silence, the roaring lion +[6080.26 --> 6086.46] declared the grave has no claim on me. +[6087.04 --> 6091.26] Jesus, yours is the victory. +[6095.78 --> 6101.64] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free. +[6101.64 --> 6107.40] Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me. +[6107.40 --> 6113.06] You have broken every chain, his salvation in your name. +[6113.36 --> 6118.44] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[6120.62 --> 6124.36] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free. +[6126.36 --> 6129.96] Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me. +[6129.96 --> 6135.72] You have broken every chain, his salvation in your name. +[6135.72 --> 6140.46] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[6141.20 --> 6145.72] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[6146.76 --> 6151.72] Oh God, you are my living hope. +[6151.72 --> 6165.52] And I love you. +[6165.52 --> 6184.20] In the darkness we were waiting, without hope, without light, +[6184.20 --> 6190.72] till from heaven you came running, there was mercy in your eyes. +[6190.72 --> 6196.90] We held the law and prophets to a virgin king the world, +[6197.16 --> 6203.44] from a throne of endless glory to a cradle in the dirt. +[6208.40 --> 6220.16] Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in one. +[6220.16 --> 6232.28] God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King of kings. +[6232.28 --> 6242.68] To reveal the kingdom coming, and to reconcile the lost, +[6242.68 --> 6248.88] to redeem the whole creation, you did not despise the cross. +[6249.36 --> 6254.90] For even in your suffering, you sought to the other side, +[6254.90 --> 6261.24] knowing this was your salvation, Jesus, for our sake, you died. +[6261.24 --> 6277.24] Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in one. +[6277.24 --> 6290.24] God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King of kings. +[6290.24 --> 6300.08] And the morning that you rose, all of heaven held its breath, +[6300.08 --> 6306.66] till that stone was moved for good, for the Lamb had conquered death. +[6307.10 --> 6312.90] And the dead rose from the tombs, and the angels stood in awe, +[6312.90 --> 6319.04] for the souls of all who come, to the Father are your soul. +[6319.04 --> 6325.02] And the church of Christ was born, then the Spirit lit the flame. +[6325.30 --> 6330.96] Now this gospel truth of all shall not heal, shall not faint. +[6331.32 --> 6336.66] By his blood and in his name, in his freedom I am free. +[6336.66 --> 6342.80] For the love of Jesus Christ, who has resurrected you. +[6347.80 --> 6359.30] Praise the Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit, three in one. +[6359.30 --> 6382.94] God of glory, majesty, praise the Spirit, three in one. +[6382.94 --> 6394.98] God of glory, majesty, praise forever to the King of kings. +[6394.98 --> 6402.30] Praise forever to the King of kings. +[6412.94 --> 6426.92] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord. +[6431.40 --> 6432.00] Amen. +[6432.00 --> 6451.06] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, +[6451.06 --> 6455.62] Worship His holy name. +[6455.62 --> 6462.50] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6462.92 --> 6467.56] I'll worship Your holy name. +[6470.36 --> 6477.48] The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, +[6477.48 --> 6482.66] It's time to sing Your song again. +[6482.66 --> 6489.54] Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, +[6490.90 --> 6496.70] Let me be singing when the evening comes. +[6499.10 --> 6505.92] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, +[6505.92 --> 6510.16] Worship His holy name. +[6511.16 --> 6517.24] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6517.24 --> 6521.48] I'll worship His holy name. +[6521.48 --> 6531.72] You're rich in love and you're slow to anger. +[6531.72 --> 6536.96] Your name is great and your heart is kind. +[6537.62 --> 6543.14] For all your goodness I will keep on singing. +[6543.14 --> 6551.38] Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. +[6551.38 --> 6559.46] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, +[6559.46 --> 6563.46] Worship His holy name. +[6563.46 --> 6570.64] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6570.64 --> 6574.78] I'll worship Your holy name. +[6574.78 --> 6583.92] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6583.92 --> 6603.54] And on that day when my strength is failing, +[6603.54 --> 6608.92] The end draws near and my time has come. +[6608.92 --> 6614.98] Still my soul will sing Your praise unending. +[6614.98 --> 6623.86] Ten thousand years and then forevermore. +[6623.86 --> 6630.86] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, +[6630.86 --> 6635.30] Worship His holy name. +[6635.30 --> 6640.24] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6640.24 --> 6645.30] Worship His holy name. +[6645.30 --> 6651.24] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, +[6651.24 --> 6655.86] Worship His holy name. +[6655.86 --> 6659.36] Sing like never before, +[6659.36 --> 6662.74] O my soul, O my soul, +[6662.74 --> 6665.74] Worship His holy name. +[6665.74 --> 6671.74] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6671.74 --> 6676.74] Worship His holy name. +[6676.74 --> 6681.74] Sing like never before, O my soul, +[6681.74 --> 6687.12] I'll worship His holy name. +[6687.12 --> 6691.12] I'll worship His holy name. +[6691.12 --> 6696.12] Worship your holy name. +[6696.12 --> 6701.12] I'll worship your holy name. +[6701.12 --> 6731.12] +[6731.12 --> 6736.68] time together. I'm going to invite you to stand that we might receive God's blessing for the +[6736.68 --> 6744.92] journey of life and faith ahead, a journey that the Spirit moves in us to walk humbly +[6744.92 --> 6753.70] and full of forgiveness. But God goes with us to enable us to do so, and so I invite you to +[6753.70 --> 6761.00] open your heart, maybe even your hands, and receive the blessing of our God. +[6761.12 --> 6771.34] God, go before you to lead you. God, go behind you to protect you. God, go beneath you to support you. +[6771.72 --> 6778.64] God, go beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6778.64 --> 6787.06] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen. +[6791.12 --> 6793.12] You're the Lion of Judah, the Lamb who was slain. You descended to heaven and evermore will reign. At the end of the age when the earth you reclaim, you will gather the nations before you. +[6793.12 --> 6795.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6795.12 --> 6797.12] And the eyes of all men nearly fixed. +[6797.12 --> 6798.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6798.12 --> 6801.12] And the eyes of all men nearly fixed. +[6801.12 --> 6802.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6802.12 --> 6803.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6803.12 --> 6804.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6804.12 --> 6809.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6809.12 --> 6812.12] And the Lamb who was crucified. +[6812.12 --> 6816.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6816.12 --> 6821.12] You will gather the nations before you. +[6821.12 --> 6826.12] And the eyes of all men nearly fixed on the Lamb who was crucified. +[6826.12 --> 6837.88] who was crucified with wisdom and mercy and justice you'll reign at your father's side +[6837.88 --> 6842.92] and the angels will cry hail the lamb +[6845.64 --> 6847.56] who was slain for the world +[6847.56 --> 6858.20] rule in power and the earth will reply you shall reign +[6860.92 --> 6864.92] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[6872.44 --> 6876.20] there's a shield in our hand and a sword at our side +[6876.20 --> 6880.20] there's a fire in our spirits that cannot be denied +[6880.20 --> 6886.92] as the father has told us for these you have died for the nations that gathered before you +[6887.88 --> 6895.56] and the years of all men need to hear of the lamb who was crucified +[6895.56 --> 6902.20] who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign and his father's son +[6902.20 --> 6912.20] who was slain for the world +[6912.20 --> 6914.20] who was slain for the world +[6914.20 --> 6916.20] rule in power +[6916.20 --> 6920.20] and the earth will reply +[6920.20 --> 6924.20] you shall reign +[6924.20 --> 6930.20] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[6930.20 --> 6932.20] and the angels will cry +[6932.20 --> 6934.20] hail the lamb +[6934.20 --> 6938.20] who was slain for the world +[6938.20 --> 6940.20] rule in power +[6940.20 --> 6942.20] rule in power +[6942.20 --> 6944.20] and the earth will reply +[6944.20 --> 6946.20] and the earth will reply +[6946.20 --> 6948.20] you shall reign +[6948.20 --> 6950.20] you shall reign +[6950.20 --> 6954.20] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[6954.20 --> 6958.20] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[6958.20 --> 6974.20] who was slain for the world +[6974.20 --> 6978.20] as the king of all kings and the bold world +[6978.20 --> 6980.20] where the land of all nations +[6980.20 --> 6984.20] out there was even the quelque part +[6984.20 --> 6986.20] of Israel diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..670fd849e37e96992a7dcd884d2d9186be3d45d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,114 @@ +• The Lion of Judah's power and authority +• Jesus as the Lamb that was slain for sinners +• God's blood breaking chains of bondage +• Every knee will bow before Him +• Worship and praise to Jesus +• Announcements about upcoming events, including a book table in the foyer +• Cleaning out a room with books available for free +• Backpack drive for Gateway of Hope, aiming to raise $5,000 +• Reactivate youth conference in September +• Mexico trip announcement: dates (March 14-24), cost increase ($1,300) +• Plea for more adult volunteers for the Mexico trip +• Abilino's goal for this year is to have over 300 people reactivate, which requires more adult leaders. +• The first meeting will be in late October and meetings will occur every 2-3 weeks until the trip. +• Adults are needed to help lead the reactivate weekend as youth participants. +• A GoFundMe has been set up for Abilino's surgery after a table saw accident, and donations and prayers are appreciated. +• Worship and praise of Jesus as King +• References to Jesus' death, resurrection, and glorification +• Description of a near revival, with people on their knees praying and singing +• Confession of failure to bow before God and open hearts to Him +• Prayer of confession, asking for forgiveness and humility to recognize God's sovereignty +• Prayer and worship +• Offerings for LACRC and Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries +• Introduction to Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries and their resources +• Invitation to give offerings and support mental health initiatives +• Worship song "Open the Eyes of My Heart" with repetition and harmonies +• Invitation to children to come up front +• Introduction and welcoming children to the front of the room +• Small talk about rain, lost teeth, and the number of holes in mouths +• Discussion of a "lesson" related to losing teeth +• Announcement that today's lesson will focus on following God +• Congregational prayer led by Clary Closteroff +• Announcement about a special general meeting to call Pastor Kevin Lobert as a minister of the word +• Beginning a day of rest with corporate gathering, singing praises, and reflection +• Requesting peace in the war in Ukraine and thanking God for potential talks between Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump +• Praying for healing and continued use of Pastor Abelino's gifts despite hand injury and upcoming surgery +• Asking for recovery from cancer treatment for Doug Kendon and thankfulness for John Kuypers' safety after medication issues +• Seeking continued safety and blessing for fire and rescue services in Langley, BC +• Giving thanks for summer changes and opportunities to spend time with family and friends +• Reflecting on material blessings and asking to remember the value of generosity and not coasting when life is easy +• Celebrating Steve and Linda's 35th anniversary +• Gratitude for God's steadfastness in their story +• Acknowledging unspoken griefs within the congregation +• Requesting God's spirit to minister to individual and collective private griefs +• Importance of understanding Jesus' identity as a whole (king, prophet, priest) and how it reveals our own identity +• Reading Matthew 21:1-17 in the series "Behold Our King" +• Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted with shouts of Hosanna and Jesus' actions in the temple courts. +• The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem +• The children's shouts of "Hosanna" in the temple courts +• Jesus' response to criticism, referencing Psalm 8:2 +• The significance of Matthew's account of the temple cleansing +• Comparing Matthew and John's accounts of the event +• Understanding Jesus as a king and more than just a human leader +• Jesus' unique character and roles, blending elements of various biblical figures (David, Moses, Aaron) +• Introduction to the concept of Jesus as king and prophet +• The triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-11 +• Fulfillment of prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 +• Comparison with Roman conquering emperors and generals +• Description of Jesus' humble and gentle entrance on a donkey +• Contrast with previous desecration of the temple by conquerors +• Worship of money and legalism in the merchant system +• Contrast between obeying God's way vs. obeying the law +• Christ as King, Son of David, and future descendant of David +• Covenant between God and David (2 Samuel 7) +• Jesus' role as sinless yet punished for humanity's sins +• The crowd sees Jesus as a king who brings salvation, righteousness, and peace +• Jesus is described as a true and better king than those in Israel's past +• Jesus' prophetic nature is highlighted through his actions and teachings +• The crowd witnesses Jesus perform signs and wonders like Moses, Elijah, and Elisha +• Jesus is presented as both a prophet and a king, causing confusion among the people +• The destruction and rebuilding of the temple in three days as a sign offered by Jesus, fulfilled when he dies on the cross and resurrects. +• Jesus is the true and better prophet. +• Jesus' role as priest, including: + + Teaching the law + + Leading the community in praise to God + + Functioning as a judicial system for rituals and purity issues + + Assessing ritual purity + + Offering sacrifices on behalf of the people + + Performing purity rituals and cleansing practices +• Jesus' actions demonstrate his priestly role, including: + + Cleansing the temple + + Teaching the law (e.g. in the Sermon on the Mount) + + Healing the blind and lame + + Functioning as a judicial role when questioned by religious leaders + + Offering the ultimate sacrifice of atonement on the cross. +• Jesus' multiple roles as king, prophet, priest, servant, sacrifice, and word of God +• The nature of identity in the modern world, specifically self-made image and appearance +• Searching for hope in leaders, revolutions, and change +• Rebellion against authority and seeking control over one's life +• Overwhelm of modern life and the need for guidance +• Critique of societal leaders as "kings" who are not truly in charge +• Comparison to Christ, who is more than a king or leader +• Discussion of being united with Christ through faith and gaining His righteousness +• Exhortation to share in Christ's kingship with humility and gentleness +• You are a chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, and God's special possession +• As priests, you share in Christ's work, but your sacrifice is to teach others and make sure His temple (yourself) is holy +• Peter says repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit +• The same Holy Spirit that empowered Old Testament prophets now resides within Christians +• As sons of God, nation of priests, and prophets, you must also be servants, sacrifices, and fulfill past prophecies +• The importance of confessing Jesus' name in daily life +• Living as priests, presenting oneself as a living sacrifice to God +• Being co-heirs with Christ, leading others into faithfulness and away from sin +• Fulfilling tasks as kings and stewards of creation for God's glory +• The distinction between being disciples and co-heirs with Christ +• The speaker's personal experience of feeling overwhelmed by information and seeking guidance from God +• A guru is selling a green paste online and the speaker is amazed at his wisdom +• The importance of humility and recognizing one's place in relation to God, who made humans in His image +• The unity with Christ through which He died for us and made us more than we can imagine +• The need to stop crafting oneself into false idols and remember our unity with Christ +• A prayer is offered to open minds and show the speaker more of God's Word +• A song is sung about Jesus as the only King forever, with lyrics about His power and victory +• Worship and praise to God, declaring Him as the only King forever +• Expressions of gratitude and blessing, citing Psalm 121:3-6 +• Intercessory prayers for blessings on homes, streams, and nature +• Praises to God's glory and light in darkness, referencing a cross and the earth \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a3a4676535f2f4b04149bc15c87d7ceeb868c9cd --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 17, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1968 @@ +[0.00 --> 3.14] ...and I learned the same with people, really, but I'm eating it. +[3.40 --> 8.16] I'm thinking, well, in I don't know if you can have been a little other for people to do that, but Jesus. +[8.58 --> 9.26] That's right. +[9.52 --> 9.70] Yeah. +[10.52 --> 11.86] It's like three to three. +[11.86 --> 12.18] ... +[12.18 --> 12.86] ... +[12.86 --> 13.86] ... +[13.86 --> 16.86] ... +[16.86 --> 17.86] ... +[17.86 --> 19.86] ... +[19.86 --> 20.86] ... +[20.86 --> 21.86] ... +[21.86 --> 22.86] ... +[22.86 --> 23.86] ... +[23.86 --> 24.86] ... +[24.86 --> 25.86] ... +[25.86 --> 27.86] ... +[27.86 --> 29.86] ... +[29.86 --> 46.36] ... +[54.06 --> 57.94] ... +[57.94 --> 59.66] ... +[59.66 --> 65.14] The Lion of Judah is roaring with power +[65.14 --> 67.98] And fighting our battles +[67.98 --> 72.94] And every knee will bow before Him +[72.94 --> 76.02] Our God in the Lamb +[76.02 --> 78.86] The Lamb that was slain +[78.86 --> 81.50] And the sinner of the world +[81.50 --> 84.26] His blood breaks the chains +[84.26 --> 89.66] And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb +[89.66 --> 95.62] Oh, every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb +[95.62 --> 97.70] Oh, Jesus, oh +[97.70 --> 99.82] Oh, Jesus, oh +[99.82 --> 101.26] Oh, Jesus, oh +[101.26 --> 103.26] Oh, Jesus, oh +[103.26 --> 105.26] Oh, Jesus, oh +[105.26 --> 107.54] So open up the gates +[107.54 --> 112.36] Make way before the King of Kings +[112.36 --> 118.46] Our God who calls the slave +[118.46 --> 122.52] Is here to set the captives free +[122.52 --> 126.66] But who can stop the Lord Almighty +[126.66 --> 130.52] Our God is the Lion +[130.52 --> 133.20] The Lion of Judah +[133.20 --> 136.02] He's roaring with power +[136.02 --> 138.84] And fighting our battles +[138.84 --> 143.94] And every knee will bow before Him +[143.94 --> 146.94] Our God is the Lamb +[146.94 --> 149.78] The Lamb that was slain +[149.78 --> 152.38] For the sin of the world +[152.38 --> 155.18] His blood breaks the chains +[155.18 --> 160.58] And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb +[160.58 --> 166.84] Oh, every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb +[166.84 --> 180.84] Who can stop the Lord Almighty +[180.84 --> 184.66] Who can stop the Lord Almighty +[184.66 --> 212.36] I've got a canh +[212.36 --> 218.36] Almighty, who can stop the love? +[221.06 --> 226.02] Our God is the lion, the lion of Judah. +[226.02 --> 231.72] He's roaring with power and fighting the battles. +[232.32 --> 236.40] Every knee will bow before Him. +[236.40 --> 242.46] Our God is the lamb, the lamb that was slain. +[242.90 --> 247.92] For the sin of the world, His blood breaks the chains. +[247.92 --> 253.30] And every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[253.78 --> 260.42] Every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[260.42 --> 270.42] Oh, and every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[271.42 --> 281.42] Oh, and every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[281.42 --> 298.42] Oh, and every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[298.42 --> 302.42] Oh, and every knee will bow before the lion is the lamb. +[302.42 --> 303.42] That sounds good. +[332.42 --> 333.42] That sounds good. +[362.42 --> 392.40] That sounds good. +[392.42 --> 422.40] That sounds good. +[422.42 --> 427.42] That sounds good. +[427.42 --> 432.42] That sounds good. +[432.42 --> 437.42] That sounds good. +[437.42 --> 442.42] That sounds good. +[442.42 --> 446.42] That sounds good. +[446.42 --> 451.42] That sounds good. +[451.42 --> 456.42] That sounds good. +[456.42 --> 461.42] That sounds good. +[461.42 --> 466.42] That sounds good. +[466.42 --> 470.42] That sounds good. +[470.42 --> 471.42] That sounds good. +[471.42 --> 472.42] That sounds good. +[472.42 --> 474.42] That sounds good. +[474.42 --> 475.42] That sounds good. +[475.42 --> 477.58] port.tip to a festival. +[481.70 --> 483.50] Do we want meet or analyses? +[488.38 --> 490.78] Married aettahh support family. +[505.42 --> 525.60] Oh, you make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the world. +[527.08 --> 534.90] Oh, you make beautiful things, you make beautiful things. +[535.42 --> 544.90] Good morning, everyone. +[548.08 --> 548.96] It's good, it's good. +[549.02 --> 549.56] It's good enough. +[549.64 --> 550.08] Good enough. +[550.56 --> 551.16] Rough start. +[551.28 --> 551.84] It's fine. +[551.94 --> 552.40] It's raining. +[552.56 --> 553.02] It's August. +[553.02 --> 559.08] It's still so good to be joining here together on this Sunday morning as God's people. +[559.18 --> 560.70] I've got a few announcements this morning. +[560.88 --> 562.10] My name is Kevin Lobert. +[562.16 --> 563.32] I'm the youth pastor here. +[563.32 --> 567.40] And I want to make mention of just a few things before we kind of start in earnest. +[568.08 --> 572.42] The first thing is after the service, there's going to be a table out in the foyer. +[572.66 --> 575.28] And on that table are going to be a whole bunch of books. +[576.00 --> 581.86] We have a few people, Warren and Janet, are going through our library and are zhuzhing +[581.86 --> 582.48] it up a bit. +[582.54 --> 583.38] They're cleaning it out. +[583.98 --> 586.58] They are making it a little bit more accessible for everyone. +[586.58 --> 591.02] And by doing that, we're emptying it out a little bit. +[591.12 --> 592.76] And so there's going to be a lot of books on the table. +[592.88 --> 594.02] Those are free for the taking. +[594.56 --> 598.46] So I was told to make mention that those are there for you to take home and to have. +[598.92 --> 600.64] And hopefully people take lots. +[601.08 --> 601.90] That's what I was told. +[601.90 --> 604.38] So please do check that out after the service. +[604.92 --> 607.82] You'll also notice in the foyer we have backpacks on a table. +[607.94 --> 610.24] We are doing a backpack drive for Gateway of Hope. +[610.78 --> 616.10] Gateway of Hope supplies about 700 to 900 backpacks for low-income families all through +[616.10 --> 617.10] the Langley area. +[617.58 --> 621.92] And they are looking to raise about $5,000 to purchase those backpacks. +[622.00 --> 622.84] They have a supplier. +[623.08 --> 625.16] So they don't want backpacks donated. +[625.60 --> 627.80] They're just looking for money so that they can purchase those. +[627.80 --> 631.36] So we are looking to raise $5,000 before Labor Day. +[631.82 --> 636.44] If you are willing to donate to that, you can do so through the church by e-transferring +[636.44 --> 638.74] admin at licrc.ca. +[639.24 --> 646.10] Or you can put checks or money that is specially labeled into the offering bags as they come +[646.10 --> 646.42] around. +[646.82 --> 649.48] So please do consider if that's a way that you can give as well. +[649.88 --> 651.54] Finally, a big thank you again. +[652.02 --> 653.20] Reactivate is coming up. +[653.28 --> 657.00] That's a big youth conference happening first weekend, full weekend in September. +[657.00 --> 658.84] September 5, 6, and 7. +[659.22 --> 661.90] The volunteer list is filling out, and we're grateful for that. +[661.98 --> 663.22] There are still some spots available. +[663.38 --> 666.70] So please do think about helping out in that way. +[667.14 --> 671.54] We look forward to that weekend very much as that comes soon. +[671.76 --> 673.40] I'm going to invite Brandon up to the front. +[673.50 --> 675.56] He's got an announcement about Mexico. +[676.42 --> 679.16] And then I will have one more as well after he is done. +[679.16 --> 680.16] Yeah. +[680.16 --> 687.50] So it's pretty obvious when I'm up here what time of the year it is in the season. +[688.16 --> 689.50] It is Mexico sign-up. +[690.14 --> 693.86] We started earlier again, just like last year, just because everything books up so fast. +[693.86 --> 698.50] So this will be kind of the longer announcement where we have a bit of the details. +[698.64 --> 700.42] And after that, you guys don't have to listen to me talk as much. +[700.48 --> 701.62] We'll just make a little bit of the announcements. +[702.70 --> 706.16] So the dates for the trip this year are March 14 to 24. +[706.58 --> 710.00] Always that last day is a little bit fickle depending on what the flights actually are. +[710.16 --> 713.00] But that's what it will be, just be over spring break like normal. +[713.80 --> 717.08] Vernon and Emmanuel will be doing it together again, which is awesome to see. +[717.80 --> 721.62] Vernon even thought it was so important that they sent a representative today. +[721.62 --> 723.38] So Shane Vanderhoek is actually here. +[724.00 --> 727.62] If you have any questions about what Vernon feels like with that, just find the guy that +[727.62 --> 728.34] looks like a Vanderhoek. +[728.42 --> 729.08] They all look the same. +[729.26 --> 730.52] So real easy. +[732.26 --> 735.06] The trip this year, unfortunately, is going up in cost. +[735.30 --> 737.28] It is going to $1,300 this year. +[737.50 --> 741.80] We try to keep it at $1,150 for, I think, ever since I was a youth. +[741.90 --> 743.08] So like a lot of years ago. +[744.30 --> 747.44] But it's just the dollar and cost, everything's going up. +[747.48 --> 748.96] So we are raising the price of the trip. +[748.96 --> 752.50] And hopefully we can kind of offset that with fundraisers. +[752.64 --> 754.04] But it will be $1,300 a person. +[755.06 --> 755.68] And then the last thing. +[755.84 --> 759.42] So again, this trip is youth leaders, everybody. +[759.58 --> 760.78] But adults are also welcome. +[761.12 --> 763.88] We're also kind of doing a special plea for more adults this year. +[764.58 --> 768.12] The reason being is we do, like Kevin was saying, we do reactivate down here. +[768.18 --> 769.36] We also do it in Mexico. +[770.18 --> 772.38] In Mexico, it's a little bit different. +[772.44 --> 773.92] We did it for the first time last year. +[773.92 --> 780.22] And I guess you could put it in Langley kind of, I don't know how to say this without being mean to us. +[780.30 --> 780.98] But it's fine. +[782.42 --> 786.24] In Mexico, they really follow, like they dream big. +[786.86 --> 788.88] And they kind of go to God with that. +[788.94 --> 789.92] And we do as well here. +[789.96 --> 794.42] But I find often we kind of, we put God into like a realistic box. +[794.42 --> 795.86] And say, you know, God can do whatever. +[796.04 --> 796.84] And he can do everything. +[797.22 --> 799.92] But, you know, realistically, there's only going to be 50 people that come to us or whatever. +[800.00 --> 802.00] And that's what we thought with reactivate in Mexico too. +[802.68 --> 804.28] But Abilino's like, nah, nah, nah, nah. +[804.34 --> 805.04] You got to dream big. +[805.10 --> 806.40] There's going to be over 100 people coming. +[806.56 --> 811.42] So our first year, we had 150 people come to reactivate in Mexico, which was crazy. +[811.66 --> 814.10] And God really did show up for us. +[815.12 --> 819.20] But that being said, Abilino's dream for this year is over 300 people. +[820.08 --> 822.18] And, you know, that's a lot of people. +[822.18 --> 827.42] And we kind of come to trust that Abilino's wild dreams and wild ideas do come true. +[828.20 --> 832.60] In that case, we need a lot more adults to help lead the reactivate weekend. +[832.88 --> 835.50] As we do for our youth are not leaders for that. +[835.58 --> 839.12] We let them go as kind of participants in the trip. +[839.18 --> 840.22] So it's all done by leaders. +[840.50 --> 841.68] It's all done by adults. +[842.16 --> 843.86] The organization that set up the prep. +[844.10 --> 847.02] And then the actual facilitating of the reactivate. +[847.22 --> 850.16] So we would prefer to have a little bit more people there. +[850.24 --> 852.80] And I think that's Vernon's focus too is to get a little bit more adults as well. +[852.80 --> 855.92] But I know every year adults talk about coming and they never do. +[856.06 --> 857.12] This is the year to come. +[857.40 --> 859.14] So we'll call you out on that. +[859.22 --> 861.72] And we'll call out all the people that always say they want to come. +[862.42 --> 863.92] But beyond that, that's kind of everything. +[864.16 --> 866.50] We will start meeting in kind of like last year. +[866.56 --> 868.58] The end of October will be our first meeting or so. +[869.12 --> 871.66] And we meet every kind of two to three weeks after that. +[872.02 --> 873.92] Of course, holidays we don't and stuff like that. +[874.64 --> 877.90] But we will meet from then until the trip to do prepping, planning. +[877.90 --> 882.02] And just prepping you guys for the culture and all that fun stuff. +[882.18 --> 883.40] So that's about it. +[883.92 --> 884.88] That's the long one. +[885.04 --> 886.60] After that, it'll just be a reminder to sign up. +[886.70 --> 888.80] The sign up will be online only this year. +[889.20 --> 893.16] And it'll go out in the bulletin and the midweek memo. +[893.50 --> 895.16] Starting on Wednesday, I believe that is, right? +[895.32 --> 896.42] Yeah, Wednesday is the midweek memo. +[896.50 --> 897.62] So it'll be in there. +[897.70 --> 898.24] There'll be a link. +[898.40 --> 899.98] You sign up, fill out all your info real quick. +[900.44 --> 903.54] Then it gets sent off to the leaders of the trip to review. +[903.86 --> 905.20] So yeah, thank you. +[905.20 --> 910.58] And then finally, one more piggybacking that announcement. +[910.74 --> 914.80] Some of you may have read in the bulletin that Abilino, the pastor down there that we work so close with, +[915.04 --> 919.54] that's planning on 300 kids coming to his conference there in September. +[919.54 --> 921.24] He had a bad accident this week. +[921.96 --> 924.04] His hand met a table saw. +[925.24 --> 929.86] And down there, just the health plan and the way things work are a little bit dicey. +[929.86 --> 935.90] He needs to have surgery, and he needs to have surgery soon to get full mobility back in his hand. +[936.44 --> 938.06] But surgery costs money. +[938.56 --> 941.88] And they down in Mexico don't do surgery unless you pay up the money. +[941.98 --> 943.84] And so there is a GoFundMe available. +[944.04 --> 948.58] If Abilino is someone that's close to your heart, please do check out those links in the bulletin. +[948.96 --> 951.50] You can donate to that cause through there. +[951.88 --> 953.58] And he's hoping to have surgery soon. +[953.58 --> 956.36] So if that's something that's on your heart, you can do that. +[956.62 --> 963.76] Beyond the money, though, of course, we do ask for prayers more than anything as he sort of battles that accident +[963.76 --> 966.48] and sees how that can affect his ministry down there. +[967.44 --> 967.94] All right. +[968.58 --> 969.60] Those are all the announcements. +[969.92 --> 970.92] We're only seven minutes in. +[970.96 --> 971.86] That was pretty good today. +[971.96 --> 975.88] Let's all stand right now and receive God's greeting this morning. +[975.88 --> 997.46] God's greeting comes to us today from Revelation chapter 1, where God greets us with these words, +[997.46 --> 1003.02] grace and peace to you from him who is and who was and who is to come, +[1003.30 --> 1006.00] and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, +[1006.20 --> 1009.32] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, +[1009.78 --> 1013.82] the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, +[1013.82 --> 1015.34] and all of God's people said. +[1016.38 --> 1018.34] Please take a moment now to greet one another. +[1027.46 --> 1053.50] Our call to worship this morning is Psalm 93. +[1053.50 --> 1059.02] The Lord reigns. +[1059.02 --> 1060.26] Should I start again? +[1060.50 --> 1060.60] Yeah. +[1061.66 --> 1062.88] The Lord reigns. +[1063.36 --> 1064.58] He is robed in majesty. +[1065.10 --> 1068.78] The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. +[1069.78 --> 1073.02] Indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. +[1073.76 --> 1075.66] Your throne was established long ago. +[1076.28 --> 1078.12] You are from all eternity. +[1079.18 --> 1081.30] Your statutes, Lord, stand firm. +[1081.30 --> 1085.10] Holiness adorns your house for endless days. +[1085.76 --> 1086.30] Let's worship. +[1086.30 --> 1086.38] Let's worship. +[1086.38 --> 1086.46] Let's worship. +[1086.46 --> 1090.52] Let's worship. +[1090.52 --> 1106.46] Let's worship. +[1106.46 --> 1111.52] be M Analytic. +[1113.14 --> 1119.78] Mloop for Pearl +[1119.78 --> 1121.10] in majesty. +[1124.52 --> 1126.08] Mloop for RUSSIA +[1127.46 --> 1132.42] In the Lord at thee. +[1132.42 --> 1146.02] is +[1151.86 --> 1156.18] foreign +[1160.42 --> 1161.30] 달 +[1162.42 --> 1166.72] Worship His majesty +[1166.72 --> 1170.98] Jesus who died +[1170.98 --> 1173.06] Now glorified +[1173.06 --> 1176.42] King of all kings +[1176.42 --> 1180.60] Worship His majesty +[1180.60 --> 1185.46] Worship His majesty +[1185.46 --> 1189.72] Unto Jesus +[1189.72 --> 1196.16] Heal glory, honor, and praise +[1196.16 --> 1198.98] Majesty +[1198.98 --> 1203.82] King of all kings +[1203.82 --> 1207.64] Above His throne +[1207.64 --> 1209.96] Unto His own +[1209.96 --> 1212.82] Is at the grave +[1212.82 --> 1216.82] So exalted +[1216.82 --> 1218.92] Lift up on fire +[1218.92 --> 1222.08] The name of Jesus +[1222.08 --> 1226.08] Make Him find +[1226.08 --> 1231.26] Glorify Christ Jesus the King +[1231.26 --> 1235.26] Majesty +[1235.26 --> 1240.08] Worship His majesty +[1240.08 --> 1244.46] Jesus who died +[1244.46 --> 1246.62] Now glorified +[1246.62 --> 1249.34] King of all kings +[1249.34 --> 1252.52] Jesus who died +[1252.52 --> 1258.52] Now glorified +[1258.52 --> 1267.78] I see the King of glory +[1267.78 --> 1280.78] I see the King of glory +[1280.78 --> 1284.94] Coming on a fountain +[1284.94 --> 1289.04] The polar chains +[1289.04 --> 1293.04] The polar chains +[1293.04 --> 1299.04] The seas on earth's sea +[1299.04 --> 1303.04] Launching over all our sin +[1303.04 --> 1306.58] The people sing +[1306.58 --> 1309.30] The people sing +[1309.30 --> 1312.30] Hosanna +[1312.30 --> 1314.30] Hosanna +[1314.30 --> 1315.30] Hosanna +[1315.30 --> 1317.30] Hosanna +[1317.30 --> 1319.30] In the highest +[1319.30 --> 1321.30] Hosanna +[1321.30 --> 1324.30] Hosanna +[1324.30 --> 1325.30] Hosanna +[1325.30 --> 1327.30] Hosanna +[1328.02 --> 1329.24] Hosanna +[1329.24 --> 1330.06] Hosanna +[1330.32 --> 1330.34] Hosanna +[1330.34 --> 1332.12] In the highest +[1332.12 --> 1332.34] Hosanna +[1332.34 --> 1333.12] Hosanna +[1333.30 --> 1333.98] Hosanna +[1333.98 --> 1336.38] Hosanna +[1336.38 --> 1337.52] Hosanna +[1338.62 --> 1339.56] Hosanna +[1339.56 --> 1341.80] Hosanna +[1341.80 --> 1342.56] Hosanna +[1342.56 --> 1343.78] Hosanna +[1343.78 --> 1344.52] Hosanna +[1344.52 --> 1345.50] Hosanna +[1345.54 --> 1345.90] fodара +[1345.90 --> 1346.52] In the highest +[1346.52 --> 1348.08] Hosanna +[1348.08 --> 1348.50] Hosanna +[1348.50 --> 1349.24] Hosanna +[1349.24 --> 1349.68] Hosanna +[1349.68 --> 1349.72] Hosanna +[1349.72 --> 1350.14] Hosanna +[1350.14 --> 1355.14] this selfless day +[1355.14 --> 1359.58] I see a near revival +[1359.58 --> 1365.50] staring as we pray and sing +[1365.50 --> 1368.62] we're on our knees +[1368.62 --> 1372.50] we're on our knees +[1372.50 --> 1377.78] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1377.78 --> 1382.26] Hosanna in the highest +[1382.26 --> 1389.66] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1389.66 --> 1394.46] Hosanna in the highest +[1394.46 --> 1410.34] Fill my heart and make it clear +[1410.34 --> 1416.72] Open up my eyes to the things I see +[1416.72 --> 1421.20] Show me how to love like you +[1421.20 --> 1425.32] And love me +[1425.32 --> 1434.46] Break my heart for our grace yours +[1434.46 --> 1438.78] Everything I am for your kingdom +[1438.78 --> 1446.94] As I walk the earth into eternity +[1446.94 --> 1457.34] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1457.34 --> 1466.82] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1466.82 --> 1469.22] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1469.22 --> 1473.82] Hosanna in the highest +[1473.82 --> 1480.22] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1480.22 --> 1496.10] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1496.10 --> 1498.70] Hosanna in the highest +[1498.70 --> 1502.70] Hosanna in the highest +[1502.70 --> 1504.70] Hosanna in the highest +[1504.70 --> 1509.24] Hosanna in the highest +[1509.24 --> 1510.84] I invite you to be seated +[1510.84 --> 1515.08] And pray with me +[1515.08 --> 1518.74] Sovereign God +[1518.74 --> 1523.30] We confess that although we willingly say +[1523.30 --> 1524.84] Jesus is King +[1524.84 --> 1527.32] Singing His praises +[1527.32 --> 1530.98] We often fail to bow our knees before Him +[1530.98 --> 1533.30] And open our hearts to Him +[1533.30 --> 1538.14] Instead we grant our allegiances to the relationships +[1538.14 --> 1540.52] And material goods of this world +[1540.52 --> 1542.82] In your mercy +[1542.82 --> 1545.26] Hear our prayer of confession +[1545.26 --> 1566.04] Lord +[1566.04 --> 1568.66] Forgive us for the gods we have created +[1568.66 --> 1571.92] Grant us the humility to bow before You +[1571.92 --> 1573.68] The ruler of all the nations +[1573.68 --> 1576.28] So that we may be your loyal servants +[1576.28 --> 1577.28] In your kingdom +[1577.28 --> 1579.66] Remind us of your grace +[1579.66 --> 1580.96] Through your Son +[1580.96 --> 1582.26] The King of Kings +[1582.26 --> 1583.46] And the Lord of Lords +[1583.46 --> 1584.50] Amen +[1584.50 --> 1588.28] Let's pray for the Lord of Us +[1588.28 --> 1589.28] Amen. +[1618.28 --> 1641.28] Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand, not by our human endeavor, but by the blood of the Lamb. +[1641.28 --> 1663.94] Into your presence you call us, you call us to come, into your presence you draw us, and now by your grace we come. +[1663.94 --> 1670.94] Now by your grace we come. +[1670.94 --> 1682.94] Lord, if you mark our transgressions, who was dead? +[1682.94 --> 1694.94] Thanks to your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. +[1694.94 --> 1706.94] Lord, if you mark our transgressions, who was dead? +[1706.94 --> 1719.94] Thanks to your grace we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. +[1719.94 --> 1746.94] Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand, not by our human endeavor, but by the blood of the Lamb. +[1746.94 --> 1757.94] Into your presence you call us, you call us to come. +[1758.94 --> 1768.94] Into your presence you draw us, and now by your grace we come. +[1768.94 --> 1775.94] Now by your grace we come. +[1775.94 --> 1778.94] You call us, and now by your grace we come. +[1778.94 --> 1780.94] And now by your grace we come. +[1780.94 --> 1781.44] Thank you. +[1781.44 --> 1789.94] . +[1789.94 --> 1817.94] We praise thee, O God, for the Son of our love. +[1817.94 --> 1825.20] For Jesus who died and is now God of earth. +[1825.62 --> 1828.50] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1828.88 --> 1831.24] Hallelujah, amen. +[1832.16 --> 1835.18] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1835.58 --> 1838.38] Revive us again. +[1840.46 --> 1846.42] Praise thee, O God, for the Spirit of life. +[1846.42 --> 1852.92] Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our eyes. +[1853.44 --> 1856.18] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1856.68 --> 1858.98] Hallelujah, amen. +[1859.86 --> 1862.70] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1863.24 --> 1865.42] Revive us again. +[1865.42 --> 1865.84] Amen. +[1867.84 --> 1874.06] Oh, glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain. +[1874.42 --> 1880.24] Who has borne all our sins and has spent every stain. +[1880.70 --> 1883.52] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1883.94 --> 1886.18] Hallelujah, amen. +[1886.18 --> 1890.00] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1890.36 --> 1892.68] Revive us again. +[1895.18 --> 1897.94] Revive us again. +[1897.94 --> 1901.28] Fill this heart with my love. +[1901.68 --> 1907.68] Each soul be repindled with fire from the earth. +[1907.68 --> 1910.40] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1910.40 --> 1913.62] Hallelujah, amen. +[1914.38 --> 1917.40] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1918.06 --> 1920.12] Revive us again. +[1921.12 --> 1923.82] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1924.28 --> 1926.56] Hallelujah, amen. +[1927.42 --> 1930.42] Hallelujah, find the glory. +[1930.42 --> 1934.70] Revive us again +[1960.42 --> 1973.06] Hello, my name is Allison and I am one of the deacons here at Langley Emanuel. +[1973.78 --> 1985.98] This morning, the offerings, the first one, as normal, is for the LACRC, our own church ministry and missions budget. +[1985.98 --> 1993.32] The second one, the special offering today, is for Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. +[1993.82 --> 1995.78] And let me just read what they say. +[1996.44 --> 2002.14] Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries equips the church to support mental health and well-being. +[2003.12 --> 2008.76] They provide resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. +[2008.76 --> 2020.10] Our content is developed in collaboration with theologians, mental health professionals, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. +[2020.78 --> 2033.18] These resources prepare communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental well-being. +[2033.18 --> 2038.74] So these two things are very important in our community. +[2039.32 --> 2054.64] So please give as the Lord has prospered you, either online or through the offerings in the envelopes in the chairs in front of you, or by check. +[2055.10 --> 2056.40] Thank you very much. +[2056.40 --> 2086.38] Thank you. +[2086.40 --> 2116.38] Thank you. +[2116.38 --> 2118.38] Thank you. +[2118.38 --> 2122.38] Thank you. +[2122.48 --> 2124.38] Thank you. +[2124.38 --> 2128.38] Thank you. +[2128.38 --> 2135.78] Open the eyes of my heart, Lord +[2135.78 --> 2139.28] Open the eyes of my heart +[2139.28 --> 2142.62] I want to see you +[2142.62 --> 2147.38] I want to see you +[2147.38 --> 2153.88] Open the eyes of my heart, Lord +[2153.88 --> 2157.28] Open the eyes of my heart +[2157.28 --> 2161.28] I want to see you +[2161.28 --> 2166.28] I want to see you +[2166.28 --> 2171.28] See you high and lifted up +[2171.28 --> 2176.28] Shining in the light of your glory +[2176.28 --> 2179.28] Pour out your power and love +[2179.28 --> 2184.28] As we sing holy, holy, holy +[2184.28 --> 2188.28] Holy, holy, holy +[2188.28 --> 2193.28] Holy, holy, holy +[2193.28 --> 2197.28] Holy, holy, holy +[2197.28 --> 2202.28] Holy, holy, holy +[2202.28 --> 2209.36] Holy, holy, holy +[2209.36 --> 2213.94] Holy, holy, holy +[2213.94 --> 2218.42] Holy, holy, holy +[2218.42 --> 2221.94] I want to see you +[2223.66 --> 2227.58] Holy, holy, holy +[2227.58 --> 2232.18] Holy, holy, holy +[2232.18 --> 2236.78] Holy, holy, holy +[2236.78 --> 2240.48] I want to see you +[2251.82 --> 2255.26] I would love to invite all of the kids to come up front right now. +[2255.26 --> 2265.14] If you are three years old or up to kindergarten or maybe a little bit older than that or maybe a lot older than that and you want to come up front, you are welcome to do so right now. +[2272.66 --> 2274.38] Good morning, everyone. +[2274.86 --> 2275.68] Do you want to come sit? +[2276.08 --> 2277.02] Do you want to come sit right here? +[2277.62 --> 2278.80] How are you all doing? +[2279.92 --> 2281.78] Did you get outside in the rain this weekend? +[2283.00 --> 2284.20] You lost a tooth. +[2285.26 --> 2286.80] You lost a tooth too? +[2287.02 --> 2288.12] Well, where did you lose it? +[2288.24 --> 2289.20] In the New York. +[2289.68 --> 2291.46] Oh, look at that. +[2291.52 --> 2292.84] There's so many holes in your mouths. +[2295.68 --> 2296.12] Yeah? +[2297.76 --> 2298.72] Oh, you did too? +[2298.90 --> 2299.06] Yeah? +[2299.06 --> 2300.42] I don't know. +[2304.02 --> 2306.88] Oh, yeah? +[2306.88 --> 2311.62] This will just take a second. +[2314.54 --> 2315.42] Very cool. +[2316.58 --> 2316.94] Yeah? +[2317.22 --> 2319.72] Well, let's talk more about this in the back room. +[2319.76 --> 2320.28] What do you think? +[2320.54 --> 2323.86] I'm sure today's lesson has all to do with losing teeth. +[2325.86 --> 2326.26] No? +[2326.26 --> 2328.40] I'm wondering what to do. +[2328.40 --> 2328.44] I'm wondering what to do. +[2328.44 --> 2328.52] I'm wondering what to do. +[2328.52 --> 2329.30] I'm wondering what to do. +[2329.30 --> 2330.82] What we're going to do. +[2331.16 --> 2332.60] Okay, one more comment. +[2332.78 --> 2332.92] Yep? +[2333.68 --> 2335.98] It's my baby's birthday today. +[2335.98 --> 2337.30] It's your baby's birthday today. +[2337.80 --> 2339.44] It's me 22. +[2340.02 --> 2341.56] She's two years old. +[2342.02 --> 2343.76] Wow, that is so exciting. +[2344.68 --> 2346.20] We should celebrate. +[2346.60 --> 2347.02] We should celebrate. +[2347.80 --> 2348.10] Yeah? +[2348.30 --> 2349.08] That's great. +[2349.58 --> 2354.18] What we're going to do now is we'll celebrate a children's worship time and we'll pray before +[2354.18 --> 2355.46] we go and then we'll do the blessing. +[2355.56 --> 2356.20] Does that sound good? +[2356.64 --> 2356.86] Yeah? +[2357.20 --> 2357.46] All right. +[2357.50 --> 2359.76] Let's pray and then we'll do the blessing together. +[2359.84 --> 2360.02] Deal? +[2360.74 --> 2360.96] All right. +[2360.98 --> 2362.28] Let's fold our hands, close our eyes, and we're going to pray. +[2362.34 --> 2362.64] We're going to pray. +[2362.70 --> 2363.08] We're going to pray. +[2363.18 --> 2363.56] We're going to pray. +[2363.90 --> 2365.42] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. +[2365.74 --> 2368.76] Thank you that we could come to church today, that we could go to children's worship time, +[2368.82 --> 2369.98] that we could learn more about you. +[2370.38 --> 2374.50] Be with us now as we go to children's worship time, as the adults stay here and open up +[2374.50 --> 2374.94] the Bible. +[2375.38 --> 2377.10] Help us learn what it means to follow you. +[2377.14 --> 2377.50] In your name. +[2377.80 --> 2378.00] Amen. +[2378.44 --> 2379.98] Okay, before we go, let's stand up. +[2380.02 --> 2380.98] No, come back, come back, come back. +[2380.98 --> 2385.64] We're going to all stand up and we're going to say really loudly, the Lord be with you. +[2385.70 --> 2385.98] Okay? +[2386.08 --> 2386.76] On the count of three. +[2386.84 --> 2387.60] Are you ready, kids? +[2387.84 --> 2389.34] One, two, three. +[2389.52 --> 2391.92] The Lord be with you. +[2392.22 --> 2394.04] And also with you. +[2410.98 --> 2439.40] Good morning. +[2439.40 --> 2441.70] My name is Clary Closteroff. +[2441.84 --> 2445.04] I am an elder here at Emmanuel. +[2445.70 --> 2451.18] And I'm going to lead us or walk us through our congregational prayer. +[2452.06 --> 2455.40] But before I do that, I have another announcement. +[2455.40 --> 2465.52] On Tuesday, September the 16th, we are going to be having a special general meeting on calling +[2465.52 --> 2468.86] Pastor Kevin Lobert as a minister of the word. +[2470.06 --> 2479.40] This Thursday, members over the age of 18 are going to receive a copy of the agenda for +[2479.40 --> 2481.04] that evening. +[2481.04 --> 2490.96] The copy that you receive is going to have the motion and the proposed job description. +[2491.96 --> 2501.20] We encourage everyone to prayerfully prepare and reflect on our past discussions, town halls, +[2501.48 --> 2503.10] and information packages. +[2503.10 --> 2512.20] If you have any questions, please talk with any members of admin council or an elder. +[2512.98 --> 2524.82] Keep your eyes on your inbox for the email this coming Thursday, August 21, around 4 p.m. +[2524.82 --> 2533.78] And of course, if you would like to have a paper copy, you're more than welcome to. +[2534.26 --> 2541.18] Just call the office or come and ask the office for a copy and they'll happily provide one for you. +[2541.18 --> 2553.68] So, now let's kind of switch gears and come before our maker in prayer. +[2553.68 --> 2568.56] Our most merciful and gracious Father in heaven, we want to say thank you to you for another day. +[2568.56 --> 2578.90] And we especially want to thank you, Lord, that we begin our work week by putting away our work, +[2579.64 --> 2586.16] putting away our calendars and schedules and resting. +[2586.16 --> 2594.74] And we begin this day of rest with the opportunity to corporately gather together, +[2595.24 --> 2604.34] sing praises to you, reflect on the week, seek pardon and confession, +[2604.34 --> 2608.08] and be fed from your word. +[2608.94 --> 2611.90] Thank you for all of this. +[2612.44 --> 2614.20] Thank you that it's so easy. +[2614.96 --> 2619.02] We do not have to face a particular direction. +[2619.02 --> 2629.58] We do not have to go through mandated and ordered phrases. +[2630.38 --> 2636.20] But we come to you with our hearts, which is what you most want from us. +[2636.84 --> 2640.08] And we can worship you. +[2641.00 --> 2641.90] Thank you for this. +[2641.90 --> 2648.68] And forgive us, Lord, when I think even for some of us olders in the room, +[2648.90 --> 2651.04] this can become quite a mechanical practice. +[2651.54 --> 2656.04] And we might even not engage with it. +[2656.76 --> 2659.84] Help us to have hearts that are soft and pliable +[2659.84 --> 2668.16] and wanting your spirit and your word to be at work in us. +[2669.44 --> 2672.14] This morning, Lord, for our church family prayer, +[2672.80 --> 2677.80] I think one of the bigger things for the planet that we want to remember +[2677.80 --> 2680.52] is the war in Ukraine. +[2682.76 --> 2688.78] Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump met, I think, on Friday. +[2688.78 --> 2691.12] It's the first time since this war began +[2691.12 --> 2694.96] where it looks like serious people are talking about peace. +[2695.10 --> 2697.16] We ask that this may actually be the case +[2697.16 --> 2702.36] and that you can bring peace to the devastation +[2702.36 --> 2710.26] that has been unleashed with all of our engineering imagination +[2710.26 --> 2711.88] and capacity and capability. +[2714.76 --> 2717.00] Of course, this is not the only place in the world +[2717.00 --> 2718.12] where there is violence, Lord, +[2718.12 --> 2721.44] but we ask that peace may come. +[2723.00 --> 2725.20] Now, looking more locally, +[2725.92 --> 2729.38] Father, we want to ask that you continue to bring healing +[2729.38 --> 2732.80] to Pastor Abelino +[2732.80 --> 2735.60] as his hand heals +[2735.60 --> 2738.48] and time is of the essence for surgery. +[2738.48 --> 2741.78] We ask that he may be healed +[2741.78 --> 2751.94] and that he may continue to use his gifts and talents +[2751.94 --> 2754.18] to further your kingdom in his community. +[2754.18 --> 2760.52] We want to lift up Doug Kendon, the father of Elise Wagener, +[2760.86 --> 2763.64] as he continues dealing with cancer. +[2765.78 --> 2771.26] And we ask or we want to give thanks that John Kuypers is okay. +[2771.50 --> 2779.00] He was in some distress recently because of some of his medications reacting poorly with each other, +[2779.00 --> 2780.54] but now he's on the mend. +[2780.54 --> 2787.02] Thank you for so many skilled people who are able to focus their attention on him. +[2788.32 --> 2795.10] Father, we ask for continued safety for fire and rescue services right here in Langley +[2795.10 --> 2801.30] as they are, I think, finishing off putting out a fire in a new construction building. +[2801.30 --> 2805.52] Thank you that so far there have been no reported injuries, +[2805.68 --> 2807.68] but we ask for that continued blessing. +[2810.02 --> 2811.36] We give you thanks, Lord, too, +[2811.52 --> 2815.94] that we are in the middle or in the back end of the middle of summer +[2815.94 --> 2821.90] and many of us have a chance for a change of pace +[2821.90 --> 2825.80] and for getting together with friends and family. +[2827.48 --> 2828.98] We thank you for all of this, Lord, +[2828.98 --> 2835.30] and we are reminded that we live in a very, very wealthy part of the world. +[2836.18 --> 2841.10] We ask that all of the additional traveling and vacationing that we can do, +[2841.78 --> 2845.24] that in these things we can remember materially +[2845.24 --> 2849.58] the gifts that we have that enable this +[2849.58 --> 2852.84] and help us, too, to remember +[2852.84 --> 2855.92] that with material blessings, +[2855.92 --> 2862.36] there are greater expectations that you have of us for our own generosity. +[2863.04 --> 2864.34] And we ask, too, +[2865.62 --> 2866.82] that we can remember +[2866.82 --> 2869.72] not to coast. +[2870.98 --> 2872.20] As we look through Scripture, +[2872.38 --> 2874.78] we see one of the big risks +[2874.78 --> 2876.74] for people who love you +[2876.74 --> 2878.62] is that when life becomes easy, +[2879.32 --> 2880.50] we tend to think +[2880.50 --> 2883.16] it's the work of our own hands. +[2883.16 --> 2885.38] So help us to be mindful of that +[2885.38 --> 2889.00] and to stay focused on you. +[2894.52 --> 2895.28] Thank you, Lord, +[2895.64 --> 2896.92] that here in our congregation +[2896.92 --> 2899.70] we've had a number of weddings lately. +[2900.14 --> 2902.22] We think of Jared Alkema, +[2902.92 --> 2903.70] Ava Griffune, +[2904.48 --> 2905.74] and Willem Casey, +[2906.06 --> 2906.84] and Kaylee Spohr, +[2906.92 --> 2909.18] who have been married in the last couple weeks. +[2909.18 --> 2911.48] And we want to give you +[2911.48 --> 2914.72] maybe a special offering of gratitude +[2914.72 --> 2919.56] for the family of Steve and Linda Rook +[2919.56 --> 2922.76] as they've had quite a month. +[2923.32 --> 2924.62] Their daughter, Emily Rook, +[2924.66 --> 2927.52] was married to Matt Siebert in July. +[2928.22 --> 2929.38] Just a couple days ago, +[2929.48 --> 2931.96] Matthew Rook and Bethany Hitchman +[2931.96 --> 2933.40] were married. +[2933.40 --> 2935.24] And Nicole and Matt Woods +[2935.24 --> 2939.06] are now legal guardians for Liam. +[2939.70 --> 2944.76] And this is all tremendous good news. +[2945.30 --> 2946.92] And this past Monday, +[2947.02 --> 2947.98] Steve and Linda celebrated +[2947.98 --> 2949.76] their 35th anniversary. +[2950.02 --> 2951.82] So we thank you, Father, +[2952.00 --> 2957.10] for your steadfastness in their story. +[2957.10 --> 2964.42] And Lord, we know too that here, +[2965.14 --> 2966.52] outside of the things +[2966.52 --> 2968.10] that I just mentioned briefly, +[2968.66 --> 2970.12] we know that in our congregation +[2970.12 --> 2972.96] we have so many other things +[2972.96 --> 2974.72] for which people are very, very grateful. +[2975.34 --> 2977.24] But we also are mindful +[2977.24 --> 2981.72] that there are a lot of unspoken griefs. +[2981.94 --> 2983.68] And we ask that your spirit, +[2984.06 --> 2986.86] especially in our private griefs, +[2986.86 --> 2990.76] that your spirit may continue ministering to us, +[2990.86 --> 2993.48] but that we as a body of believers +[2993.48 --> 2996.86] may seek to be a hand and foot +[2996.86 --> 2999.16] in holding each other up +[2999.16 --> 3002.14] with deeds and with prayers and words. +[3003.82 --> 3004.34] Amen. +[3016.86 --> 3025.62] Good morning, everyone. +[3026.96 --> 3031.80] It is awesome to see some new faces this Sunday. +[3032.80 --> 3034.92] I'm glad you can join us for worship. +[3036.86 --> 3038.76] We're going to be looking at Matthew 21, +[3038.90 --> 3041.10] verses 1 to 17 today in our series, +[3041.20 --> 3041.90] Behold Our King. +[3042.68 --> 3043.76] So I ask you, +[3043.80 --> 3045.40] get out your Bibles or your devices. +[3046.10 --> 3047.84] Get ready as we read out the passage. +[3048.48 --> 3050.62] But as we read out the passage, +[3051.10 --> 3053.22] notice how much of this passage +[3053.22 --> 3055.28] is about Jesus' identity. +[3056.28 --> 3058.04] And I don't mean what his name is. +[3058.86 --> 3060.46] I mean who he is as a whole. +[3061.28 --> 3061.98] Is he a king? +[3062.06 --> 3062.72] Is he a prophet? +[3062.88 --> 3063.56] Is he a priest? +[3063.90 --> 3064.62] Is he more? +[3064.62 --> 3067.40] Pay attention. +[3067.62 --> 3069.22] Because when we see who Jesus is, +[3069.48 --> 3071.46] we get a glimpse at who we are. +[3071.92 --> 3073.58] And so understanding who he is is key. +[3077.48 --> 3078.26] Let us read. +[3078.26 --> 3082.38] As they approached Jerusalem +[3082.38 --> 3084.56] and came to Bethpage, +[3084.88 --> 3085.86] on the Mount of Olives, +[3086.04 --> 3087.78] Jesus sent two disciples, +[3088.54 --> 3089.16] saying to them, +[3089.32 --> 3090.92] Go to the village ahead of you. +[3091.82 --> 3093.92] And at once you will find a donkey tied there +[3093.92 --> 3094.98] with her colt by her. +[3095.68 --> 3097.18] Untie them and bring them to me. +[3097.74 --> 3099.46] If anyone says anything to you, +[3099.60 --> 3101.18] say that the Lord needs them, +[3101.64 --> 3103.30] and he will send them right away. +[3104.36 --> 3105.98] This took place to fulfill +[3105.98 --> 3107.48] what was spoken through the prophet. +[3108.62 --> 3109.84] Say to daughter Zion, +[3110.14 --> 3111.86] See, your king comes to you. +[3112.94 --> 3114.78] Gentle and riding on a donkey, +[3115.04 --> 3117.08] and on a colt the foal of a donkey. +[3117.96 --> 3120.08] The disciple went and did +[3120.08 --> 3121.52] as Jesus had instructed them. +[3121.82 --> 3123.26] They brought the donkey and the colt +[3123.26 --> 3124.66] and placed their cloaks on them +[3124.66 --> 3126.12] for Jesus to sit on. +[3126.94 --> 3128.74] A very large crowd +[3128.74 --> 3130.86] spread their cloaks on the road, +[3131.14 --> 3133.00] while others cut branches from trees +[3133.00 --> 3134.06] and spread them on the road. +[3136.14 --> 3137.78] The crowds that went ahead of him +[3137.78 --> 3139.56] and those that followed shouted, +[3139.68 --> 3141.22] Hosanna to the son of David! +[3141.86 --> 3144.38] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! +[3145.10 --> 3146.82] Hosanna in the highest heavens! +[3148.76 --> 3150.46] When Jesus entered Jerusalem, +[3150.66 --> 3152.58] the whole city was stirred and asked, +[3152.96 --> 3153.78] Who is this? +[3153.78 --> 3156.32] The crowd answered, +[3156.72 --> 3157.42] This is Jesus, +[3157.60 --> 3158.96] the prophet from Nazareth +[3158.96 --> 3160.24] in Galilee. +[3162.44 --> 3164.12] Jesus entered the temple courts +[3164.12 --> 3165.92] and drove out all who were buying +[3165.92 --> 3167.08] and selling there. +[3167.30 --> 3168.30] He overturned the tables +[3168.30 --> 3169.10] of the money changers +[3169.10 --> 3169.72] and the benches +[3169.72 --> 3170.94] of those selling doves. +[3171.66 --> 3172.36] It is written, +[3172.48 --> 3173.74] he said to them, +[3174.10 --> 3174.98] My house will be called +[3174.98 --> 3175.68] a house of prayer, +[3175.80 --> 3176.70] but you are making it +[3176.70 --> 3177.82] a den of robbers. +[3177.82 --> 3180.50] The blind and the lame +[3180.50 --> 3181.60] came to him at the temple +[3181.60 --> 3182.44] and he healed them. +[3183.14 --> 3184.16] But when the chief priests +[3184.16 --> 3185.14] and the teachers of the law +[3185.14 --> 3186.54] saw the wonderful things he did +[3186.54 --> 3187.44] and the children shouting +[3187.44 --> 3188.36] in the temple courts, +[3188.76 --> 3190.10] Hosanna to the son of David! +[3190.60 --> 3191.60] They were indignant. +[3191.60 --> 3194.68] Do you hear what these children +[3194.68 --> 3195.70] are saying? +[3195.84 --> 3196.72] They asked him. +[3198.02 --> 3199.36] Yes, Jesus replied. +[3199.84 --> 3200.72] Have you never read? +[3201.56 --> 3202.72] From the lips of the children +[3202.72 --> 3204.08] and infants, +[3204.42 --> 3204.96] you, Lord, +[3204.96 --> 3206.48] have called forth your praise. +[3207.34 --> 3208.38] And he left them +[3208.38 --> 3209.70] and went out of the city +[3209.70 --> 3210.32] to Bethany +[3210.32 --> 3211.82] where he spent the night. +[3212.94 --> 3213.82] The word of the Lord. +[3219.82 --> 3220.26] Normally, +[3220.86 --> 3223.62] we keep this passage to Easter. +[3224.70 --> 3225.56] But sometimes, +[3225.68 --> 3226.70] it's good to look at passages +[3226.70 --> 3228.48] without the obvious message +[3228.48 --> 3229.92] that gets associated with them. +[3230.88 --> 3231.36] Sometimes, +[3231.50 --> 3232.56] when we read certain passages +[3232.56 --> 3233.52] with the same light +[3233.52 --> 3234.50] and the same focus, +[3234.96 --> 3236.24] it can cloud our minds +[3236.24 --> 3238.24] to the rest of what's in the passage. +[3239.86 --> 3241.40] Following the triumphal entry, +[3242.08 --> 3243.60] we read Matthew's account +[3243.60 --> 3244.48] of the temple cleansing +[3244.48 --> 3245.64] by Jesus. +[3246.54 --> 3246.82] Now, +[3247.02 --> 3248.44] when I think of the temple cleansing, +[3248.96 --> 3251.00] I think normally of John's account, +[3251.32 --> 3253.00] which is where Jesus fashions a whip +[3253.00 --> 3254.52] and he pushes the animals +[3254.52 --> 3255.02] and the merchants +[3255.02 --> 3256.88] to leave in a more violent fashion +[3256.88 --> 3258.06] than Matthew records. +[3259.44 --> 3259.84] However, +[3260.36 --> 3261.20] Matthew's account +[3261.20 --> 3263.40] highlights some key themes +[3263.40 --> 3264.60] that John's doesn't. +[3265.26 --> 3265.76] And together, +[3265.96 --> 3266.96] the triumphal entry, +[3267.52 --> 3268.76] followed by the temple cleansing, +[3269.28 --> 3271.68] tell us something about our king. +[3271.78 --> 3272.74] It gives us clarity +[3272.74 --> 3274.38] about who he is. +[3275.34 --> 3277.12] But it will also help us see +[3277.12 --> 3280.32] that Jesus is not merely a king. +[3280.98 --> 3282.88] We must behold Jesus +[3282.88 --> 3283.90] as our king, +[3283.90 --> 3285.80] but we cannot behold him +[3285.80 --> 3287.32] as merely a king. +[3288.68 --> 3289.12] Jesus, +[3289.36 --> 3290.58] in this passage we are reading, +[3291.24 --> 3292.34] is not just a man, +[3292.98 --> 3294.66] nor is he just a king. +[3295.30 --> 3295.98] And we get to see +[3295.98 --> 3297.54] how Matthew is showing us +[3297.54 --> 3299.50] that Jesus is so much more +[3299.50 --> 3300.70] than we can imagine. +[3301.18 --> 3303.32] And the fact that he is so much more +[3303.32 --> 3303.98] than we can imagine +[3303.98 --> 3304.84] is part of the reason +[3304.84 --> 3306.20] it's sometimes hard +[3306.20 --> 3307.36] to grasp him at all. +[3307.36 --> 3310.26] He's not like everyone else +[3310.26 --> 3310.74] in the Bible +[3310.74 --> 3312.00] that plays a role, +[3312.90 --> 3314.26] like David the king, +[3314.80 --> 3315.88] Moses the prophet, +[3316.40 --> 3317.42] Aaron the priest. +[3318.22 --> 3320.32] These men played their parts well. +[3321.34 --> 3322.94] They played their characters well. +[3323.64 --> 3325.48] But Jesus does not look like David, +[3326.08 --> 3327.30] though, as we will read, +[3327.40 --> 3328.66] he is called the son of David +[3328.66 --> 3330.12] and is prophesied +[3330.12 --> 3331.96] to be the son of David +[3331.96 --> 3333.58] who would reign forever +[3333.58 --> 3334.16] on the throne. +[3334.16 --> 3335.82] But when we see him +[3335.82 --> 3336.74] perform miracles +[3336.74 --> 3338.16] and preach God +[3338.16 --> 3339.04] to God's people +[3339.04 --> 3340.66] and deal with their stubbornness +[3340.66 --> 3341.52] when they go, +[3341.70 --> 3342.80] and when he goes away +[3342.80 --> 3343.78] for periods of time +[3343.78 --> 3344.80] to talk with his father, +[3345.56 --> 3347.12] and even in his transfiguration, +[3347.82 --> 3348.70] we see glimpses +[3348.70 --> 3349.70] of Moses the prophet. +[3351.06 --> 3351.94] And we even see +[3351.94 --> 3353.38] a little bit of Aaron the priest +[3353.38 --> 3354.54] when Jesus cleanses +[3354.54 --> 3355.42] the temple of sin +[3355.42 --> 3356.48] and impurity +[3356.48 --> 3357.94] on the part of the merchants +[3357.94 --> 3358.60] and the market. +[3360.94 --> 3362.36] The duty of the priest +[3362.36 --> 3363.30] is to consecrate +[3363.30 --> 3364.48] and cleanse the temple +[3364.48 --> 3365.42] and its implements +[3365.42 --> 3367.56] and to keep them holy. +[3368.82 --> 3370.42] But even knowing this, +[3370.60 --> 3371.52] when we look at Jesus, +[3371.70 --> 3373.50] we are still filled with wonder +[3373.50 --> 3375.18] and we can do nothing +[3375.18 --> 3376.10] but behold him. +[3377.52 --> 3378.50] So we need to see +[3378.50 --> 3379.92] what Matthew is pointing out to us. +[3380.54 --> 3381.30] And so we're going to trace +[3381.30 --> 3381.94] through the passages +[3381.94 --> 3383.10] and a few others +[3383.10 --> 3385.74] to see what Christ being king, +[3386.26 --> 3387.14] prophet, and priest +[3387.14 --> 3388.04] means to us. +[3388.04 --> 3392.88] So as I mentioned, +[3392.96 --> 3393.48] we're going to go through +[3393.48 --> 3394.12] those passages. +[3394.48 --> 3395.36] And we're going to start +[3395.36 --> 3397.12] with him being king. +[3398.32 --> 3399.80] We see Jesus as king +[3399.80 --> 3400.92] in the triumphal entry +[3400.92 --> 3401.94] as we cover +[3401.94 --> 3403.06] every Easter service +[3403.06 --> 3404.18] in verses 1 to 11. +[3405.06 --> 3406.38] These passages start out +[3406.38 --> 3407.26] with Jesus commanding +[3407.26 --> 3408.10] two of his disciples +[3408.10 --> 3409.54] to go to a specific house +[3409.54 --> 3410.44] and grab a donkey +[3410.44 --> 3411.22] and it's full +[3411.22 --> 3412.62] because the Lord +[3412.62 --> 3413.50] has need of it. +[3414.16 --> 3415.08] And when he arrives +[3415.08 --> 3416.46] to ride in Jerusalem, +[3416.46 --> 3417.50] there is a crowd +[3417.50 --> 3418.24] that is formed +[3418.24 --> 3419.64] and people are laying down +[3419.64 --> 3420.94] their cloaks and branches +[3420.94 --> 3422.62] for him to ride on. +[3423.36 --> 3424.50] As Matthew shows, +[3424.64 --> 3426.58] this fulfills the prophecy +[3426.58 --> 3427.48] in chapter 9 +[3427.48 --> 3428.86] and verse 9 of Zechariah. +[3429.66 --> 3430.64] The same prophecy +[3430.64 --> 3431.84] that states this king +[3431.84 --> 3433.00] would rule to the ends +[3433.00 --> 3433.52] of the earth +[3433.52 --> 3434.74] and bring peace +[3434.74 --> 3435.42] to the nations +[3435.42 --> 3436.36] and salvation +[3436.36 --> 3437.20] and righteousness. +[3438.42 --> 3440.80] The way Jesus enters Jerusalem +[3440.80 --> 3442.14] is very similar +[3442.14 --> 3444.28] to the way conquering emperors +[3444.28 --> 3445.26] would arrive in a city +[3445.26 --> 3445.96] when they won. +[3446.46 --> 3447.94] When they entered, +[3448.10 --> 3448.74] they would immediately +[3448.74 --> 3449.54] go to the temple +[3449.54 --> 3450.24] as stated +[3450.24 --> 3451.90] because their God +[3451.90 --> 3452.62] was the reason +[3452.62 --> 3453.68] that they were successful +[3453.68 --> 3455.02] and they would desecrate +[3455.02 --> 3455.94] the sanctuaries +[3455.94 --> 3456.72] of the God +[3456.72 --> 3457.50] that the people +[3457.50 --> 3458.18] that they conquered. +[3459.64 --> 3460.74] Israel had seen +[3460.74 --> 3461.82] this happen a lot +[3461.82 --> 3462.68] in its history. +[3463.54 --> 3464.84] In 167 BC, +[3465.02 --> 3466.30] Antiochus Epiphanes +[3466.30 --> 3467.68] conquered Jerusalem +[3467.68 --> 3469.04] and sacrificed a pig +[3469.04 --> 3469.66] on the altar +[3469.66 --> 3470.80] and raised a banner +[3470.80 --> 3471.42] to Zeus +[3471.42 --> 3472.60] in that very temple. +[3472.60 --> 3474.72] in 63 BC, +[3475.08 --> 3476.60] General Pompey of Rome +[3476.60 --> 3477.52] conquered Jerusalem +[3477.52 --> 3478.52] and entered +[3478.52 --> 3480.02] the Holy of Holies +[3480.02 --> 3481.40] where no man +[3481.40 --> 3482.38] should enter and live +[3482.38 --> 3483.74] and yet he lived +[3483.74 --> 3484.58] to tell the tale. +[3486.04 --> 3487.14] And in 70 AD, +[3487.70 --> 3488.94] General Titus of Rome +[3488.94 --> 3490.16] sieged Jerusalem +[3490.16 --> 3491.40] and destroyed the temple +[3491.40 --> 3492.98] until this current day. +[3492.98 --> 3495.52] But those emperors +[3495.52 --> 3496.10] and generals +[3496.10 --> 3497.34] would enter +[3497.34 --> 3498.14] on white horses +[3498.14 --> 3499.04] with pride +[3499.04 --> 3499.78] and power +[3499.78 --> 3501.00] and grandeur. +[3501.90 --> 3502.90] And Jesus is stated +[3502.90 --> 3503.94] to enter on a donkey +[3503.94 --> 3505.12] and is described +[3505.12 --> 3505.70] as gentle +[3505.70 --> 3506.38] and humble. +[3507.86 --> 3508.88] And Jesus doesn't enter +[3508.88 --> 3509.74] to desecrate +[3509.74 --> 3510.32] the temple +[3510.32 --> 3512.04] of his father. +[3512.60 --> 3512.90] Rather, +[3512.98 --> 3513.82] he cleanses it. +[3514.46 --> 3515.70] Or in another way +[3515.70 --> 3516.50] we can look at it, +[3516.64 --> 3516.96] the temple +[3516.96 --> 3518.40] is already desecrated +[3518.40 --> 3518.80] because, +[3519.06 --> 3519.72] as we will read, +[3519.72 --> 3520.54] they're worshipping +[3520.54 --> 3521.32] something else +[3521.32 --> 3522.26] in his temple. +[3523.84 --> 3524.70] They're worshipping +[3524.70 --> 3526.06] money and legalism +[3526.06 --> 3527.92] in their merchant system +[3527.92 --> 3529.18] to supply sacrifices +[3529.18 --> 3529.64] to people +[3529.64 --> 3530.88] to satisfy God +[3530.88 --> 3531.96] by legally obeying +[3531.96 --> 3532.40] the law +[3532.40 --> 3535.28] instead of obeying God +[3535.28 --> 3536.36] in the way he desired +[3536.36 --> 3537.36] in Micah 6.8. +[3538.06 --> 3538.88] Seek justice, +[3539.10 --> 3539.62] love mercy, +[3539.82 --> 3540.50] and walk humbly +[3540.50 --> 3541.10] with your God. +[3542.20 --> 3543.26] We also see him +[3543.26 --> 3543.84] as king +[3543.84 --> 3544.82] when he's riding in +[3544.82 --> 3545.40] and the crowds +[3545.40 --> 3546.78] are shouting +[3546.78 --> 3547.40] Hosanna +[3547.40 --> 3548.44] to the Son of David. +[3548.96 --> 3549.42] And again, +[3549.48 --> 3549.94] he's called +[3549.94 --> 3550.98] Son of David +[3550.98 --> 3551.70] by the children +[3551.70 --> 3552.64] quoting the prophetic +[3552.64 --> 3553.24] Psalms +[3553.24 --> 3554.56] when he's in the temple +[3554.56 --> 3555.34] in verse 15. +[3556.30 --> 3557.16] The Son of David +[3557.16 --> 3558.46] throughout the Old Testament +[3558.46 --> 3559.54] in the Psalms +[3559.54 --> 3560.48] and the prophets +[3560.48 --> 3561.76] was the son +[3561.76 --> 3562.66] who would succeed +[3562.66 --> 3563.82] David as king +[3563.82 --> 3564.82] and who would have +[3564.82 --> 3565.28] the kingdom +[3565.28 --> 3566.36] that would never end. +[3567.36 --> 3568.30] We see this idea +[3568.30 --> 3569.96] start by God +[3569.96 --> 3570.64] in God's covenant +[3570.64 --> 3571.46] with David +[3571.46 --> 3574.42] in 2 Samuel 7, +[3574.54 --> 3575.72] 12-16. +[3576.86 --> 3577.98] The Lord declares +[3577.98 --> 3578.46] to you +[3578.46 --> 3579.44] that the Lord himself +[3579.44 --> 3580.06] will establish +[3580.06 --> 3580.84] a house for you. +[3581.32 --> 3581.98] When your days +[3581.98 --> 3582.36] are over +[3582.36 --> 3582.94] and you rest +[3582.94 --> 3583.78] with your ancestors, +[3584.28 --> 3585.06] I will raise up +[3585.06 --> 3585.56] your offspring +[3585.56 --> 3586.54] to succeed you, +[3587.16 --> 3588.28] your own flesh and blood +[3588.28 --> 3589.08] and I will establish +[3589.08 --> 3589.58] his kingdom. +[3590.48 --> 3591.36] He is the one +[3591.36 --> 3591.82] who will build +[3591.82 --> 3592.90] a house for my name +[3592.90 --> 3594.12] and I will establish +[3594.12 --> 3594.64] the throne +[3594.64 --> 3595.58] of his kingdom forever. +[3596.16 --> 3597.32] I will be his father +[3597.32 --> 3598.60] and he will be my son. +[3599.38 --> 3600.34] When he does wrong, +[3600.42 --> 3601.06] I will punish him +[3601.06 --> 3601.62] with the rod +[3601.62 --> 3602.54] wielded by men +[3602.54 --> 3603.56] and with floggings +[3603.56 --> 3604.86] afflicted by human hands. +[3604.86 --> 3606.56] But my love +[3606.56 --> 3607.38] will never be taken +[3607.38 --> 3608.02] away from him +[3608.02 --> 3609.42] as I took it away +[3609.42 --> 3609.90] from Saul. +[3610.98 --> 3611.66] When I removed +[3611.66 --> 3612.42] from before you, +[3612.50 --> 3613.38] your house and your kingdom +[3613.38 --> 3614.16] will endure forever +[3614.16 --> 3614.70] before me +[3614.70 --> 3615.66] and your throne +[3615.66 --> 3616.42] will be established +[3616.42 --> 3616.94] forever. +[3619.02 --> 3619.84] God stated +[3619.84 --> 3620.56] that the future +[3620.56 --> 3621.46] descendants of David +[3621.46 --> 3622.38] would be king forever +[3622.38 --> 3623.30] and that he would have +[3623.30 --> 3624.66] a father-son relationship +[3624.66 --> 3626.32] with God himself +[3626.32 --> 3628.40] and that he would be +[3628.40 --> 3629.50] inflicted by human +[3629.50 --> 3630.16] punishments +[3630.16 --> 3631.54] for his sins. +[3632.16 --> 3632.52] Now, +[3633.04 --> 3633.30] Jesus +[3633.30 --> 3634.44] doesn't sin, +[3635.08 --> 3636.46] but he does +[3636.46 --> 3637.62] take our sins +[3637.62 --> 3638.38] and is punished +[3638.38 --> 3640.48] as if he did. +[3641.98 --> 3643.58] He took those punishments +[3643.58 --> 3644.66] from men +[3644.66 --> 3646.38] and despite that punishment, +[3646.56 --> 3647.12] God's love +[3647.12 --> 3648.36] never departed +[3648.36 --> 3648.84] from him. +[3650.02 --> 3650.62] This king +[3650.62 --> 3651.52] is the one +[3651.52 --> 3652.98] they see in Jesus, +[3653.60 --> 3654.60] the one that would +[3654.60 --> 3655.50] end Israel's +[3655.50 --> 3656.62] constant cycle +[3656.62 --> 3657.48] of defeats +[3657.48 --> 3659.70] and bring with him +[3659.70 --> 3660.26] salvation +[3660.26 --> 3661.06] and righteousness +[3661.06 --> 3661.88] and peace. +[3663.30 --> 3664.42] Jesus is the true +[3664.42 --> 3665.30] and better king. +[3666.78 --> 3667.22] Now, +[3667.26 --> 3667.60] let's look at +[3667.60 --> 3668.52] Jesus' prophet. +[3669.72 --> 3670.58] At the beginning, +[3670.94 --> 3671.62] we see Jesus +[3671.62 --> 3672.66] in verse 1 to 3 +[3672.66 --> 3673.40] where Jesus tells +[3673.40 --> 3674.34] the disciples again +[3674.34 --> 3675.76] to grab the donkey +[3675.76 --> 3676.66] and the foal +[3676.66 --> 3677.16] from a man. +[3677.90 --> 3678.78] He also tells them +[3678.78 --> 3679.64] that when they say +[3679.64 --> 3680.54] the Lord needs it, +[3680.86 --> 3681.58] the owner will give it +[3681.58 --> 3681.84] to them. +[3683.00 --> 3683.66] Jesus is able +[3683.66 --> 3684.14] to tell them +[3684.14 --> 3684.76] this will occur +[3684.76 --> 3686.40] because of divine knowledge, +[3687.08 --> 3689.16] because he is a prophet +[3689.16 --> 3690.26] and he knows +[3690.26 --> 3690.76] God's will +[3690.76 --> 3691.32] for the moment +[3691.32 --> 3692.58] and that it will happen +[3692.58 --> 3693.86] according to the prophecy +[3693.86 --> 3695.06] and God's will. +[3696.00 --> 3696.46] Again, +[3696.68 --> 3698.04] like the son of David +[3698.04 --> 3698.46] comment, +[3698.92 --> 3699.48] the crowds +[3699.48 --> 3700.00] at the end +[3700.00 --> 3701.04] of the triumphal entry +[3701.04 --> 3704.44] see him +[3704.44 --> 3705.28] and stir +[3705.28 --> 3705.70] and ask, +[3705.84 --> 3706.62] who is this? +[3707.72 --> 3708.96] And the others answer, +[3709.32 --> 3710.14] this is Jesus, +[3710.62 --> 3711.26] the prophet +[3711.26 --> 3712.32] from Nazareth +[3712.32 --> 3713.08] in Galilee. +[3714.12 --> 3714.96] These people +[3714.96 --> 3716.68] see what he is. +[3716.68 --> 3718.00] They see him +[3718.00 --> 3718.76] teach from the law +[3718.76 --> 3719.46] with authority +[3719.46 --> 3720.62] the ways +[3720.62 --> 3722.66] people are befuddled by. +[3723.26 --> 3723.94] They see him +[3723.94 --> 3724.72] perform signs +[3724.72 --> 3725.38] and wonders +[3725.38 --> 3726.32] just like Moses, +[3726.54 --> 3727.00] Elijah, +[3727.20 --> 3727.70] Elisha, +[3728.08 --> 3729.24] even healing the sick, +[3729.36 --> 3729.70] the mute, +[3729.80 --> 3730.26] the blind, +[3730.34 --> 3731.00] and the crippled. +[3731.64 --> 3732.52] They see him +[3732.52 --> 3733.22] as prophet +[3733.22 --> 3734.40] and know +[3734.40 --> 3735.24] they are confronted +[3735.24 --> 3735.70] with him +[3735.70 --> 3736.48] and now they are +[3736.48 --> 3737.24] confronted with him +[3737.24 --> 3737.92] as a king +[3737.92 --> 3739.66] and they're confused. +[3741.22 --> 3741.96] Why are they +[3741.96 --> 3742.76] confused though? +[3743.96 --> 3744.94] They're confused +[3744.94 --> 3745.62] because they have +[3745.62 --> 3746.62] simply never +[3746.62 --> 3747.42] seen this. +[3748.34 --> 3749.16] In Israel's past +[3749.16 --> 3749.66] there have been +[3749.66 --> 3750.60] prophets who lead +[3750.60 --> 3752.14] and kings who prophesy +[3752.14 --> 3753.00] and even prophets +[3753.00 --> 3753.86] who do priestly work +[3753.86 --> 3755.18] and priests who prophesy +[3755.18 --> 3756.98] but there has never +[3756.98 --> 3757.84] been a king +[3757.84 --> 3758.82] who was also +[3758.82 --> 3759.46] a prophet. +[3761.36 --> 3761.62] Jesus +[3761.62 --> 3762.78] is undeniably +[3762.78 --> 3763.28] presented +[3763.28 --> 3764.36] and witnessed +[3764.36 --> 3765.48] as both +[3765.48 --> 3766.50] in this passage +[3766.50 --> 3768.40] and in John's +[3768.40 --> 3768.90] account of the +[3768.90 --> 3769.48] temple cleansing +[3769.48 --> 3770.60] in chapter 2 +[3770.60 --> 3771.56] 13 to 17 +[3771.56 --> 3772.58] Jesus shows +[3772.58 --> 3773.94] his prophetic work +[3773.94 --> 3775.10] when he's challenged +[3775.10 --> 3775.64] by the Jews +[3775.64 --> 3776.58] to perform a sign +[3776.58 --> 3777.86] something which +[3777.86 --> 3778.64] would be required +[3778.64 --> 3779.36] of an Old Testament +[3779.36 --> 3779.80] prophet. +[3781.16 --> 3782.34] The sign that Jesus +[3782.34 --> 3783.12] offers is the +[3783.12 --> 3784.06] destruction and the +[3784.06 --> 3784.78] rebuilding of the +[3784.78 --> 3785.78] temple in three days. +[3786.58 --> 3787.28] He means his +[3787.28 --> 3788.06] actual body +[3788.06 --> 3789.90] and Jesus +[3789.90 --> 3791.18] accurately performs +[3791.18 --> 3792.60] this sign +[3792.60 --> 3794.28] when he dies +[3794.28 --> 3794.92] on the cross +[3794.92 --> 3796.16] and resurrects. +[3797.06 --> 3797.84] Jesus is the +[3797.84 --> 3798.68] true and better +[3798.68 --> 3799.10] prophet. +[3800.46 --> 3800.90] And finally +[3800.90 --> 3801.46] let us look +[3801.46 --> 3801.92] how Jesus +[3801.92 --> 3803.04] is priest. +[3804.18 --> 3804.78] The priest +[3804.78 --> 3805.44] had a very +[3805.44 --> 3807.20] specific +[3807.20 --> 3808.42] set of jobs +[3808.42 --> 3810.28] and we see +[3810.28 --> 3811.20] Jesus do those +[3811.20 --> 3811.68] throughout his +[3811.68 --> 3812.08] ministry. +[3813.64 --> 3814.16] Priests would be +[3814.16 --> 3815.10] required to teach +[3815.10 --> 3815.70] the law to the +[3815.70 --> 3816.52] people and lead +[3816.52 --> 3816.98] the community +[3816.98 --> 3817.68] in praise to +[3817.68 --> 3817.90] God. +[3818.54 --> 3818.82] They would +[3818.82 --> 3819.48] function as a +[3819.48 --> 3820.18] judicial system +[3820.18 --> 3820.66] for issues +[3820.66 --> 3821.18] related to +[3821.18 --> 3821.88] rituals and +[3821.88 --> 3822.24] purity. +[3822.72 --> 3823.02] They would +[3823.02 --> 3823.60] assess the +[3823.60 --> 3824.12] sick when it +[3824.12 --> 3824.70] relates to +[3824.70 --> 3825.38] ritual purity. +[3825.94 --> 3826.30] They would +[3826.30 --> 3827.18] offer sacrifices +[3827.18 --> 3827.76] on behalf of +[3827.76 --> 3828.46] the people as +[3828.46 --> 3828.84] well as the +[3828.84 --> 3829.66] major sacrifices +[3829.66 --> 3830.20] for the whole +[3830.20 --> 3831.40] community and +[3831.40 --> 3831.58] they would +[3831.58 --> 3832.26] perform purity +[3832.26 --> 3835.02] rituals and +[3835.02 --> 3835.76] cleansing practices +[3835.76 --> 3836.68] for the temple +[3836.68 --> 3837.42] and the people. +[3838.64 --> 3839.12] And Jesus does +[3839.12 --> 3839.70] all of these. +[3840.46 --> 3841.24] Not necessarily +[3841.24 --> 3841.94] in the temple +[3841.94 --> 3843.54] but as we +[3843.54 --> 3844.34] established earlier +[3844.34 --> 3845.64] he is the +[3845.64 --> 3845.90] temple. +[3846.80 --> 3847.64] We see Jesus +[3847.64 --> 3848.92] in this story +[3848.92 --> 3849.60] throw out the +[3849.60 --> 3850.20] money changers +[3850.20 --> 3850.74] and the merchants +[3850.74 --> 3851.54] to cleanse the +[3851.54 --> 3851.78] temple. +[3852.36 --> 3853.00] We see him +[3853.00 --> 3853.80] teach the law +[3853.80 --> 3854.68] most famously +[3854.68 --> 3855.52] in his sermon +[3855.52 --> 3856.02] on the mount +[3856.02 --> 3856.98] earlier in Matthew. +[3857.56 --> 3858.30] We see him +[3858.30 --> 3859.16] healing the blind +[3859.16 --> 3859.76] and the lame +[3859.76 --> 3860.90] in verse 14 +[3860.90 --> 3861.82] and we see +[3861.82 --> 3862.62] children with +[3862.62 --> 3863.54] him praise God +[3863.54 --> 3864.24] in the temple. +[3865.04 --> 3865.66] We see him +[3865.66 --> 3866.40] also function +[3866.40 --> 3867.16] as a judicial +[3867.16 --> 3868.18] role when the +[3868.18 --> 3868.82] religious leaders +[3868.82 --> 3870.10] constantly question +[3870.10 --> 3871.06] him about the +[3871.06 --> 3872.00] temple, civil +[3872.00 --> 3873.14] taxes, Sabbath +[3873.14 --> 3873.88] laws, and +[3873.88 --> 3874.42] healings. +[3875.20 --> 3875.92] And lastly we +[3875.92 --> 3876.42] see Jesus +[3876.42 --> 3877.02] offer the +[3877.02 --> 3878.04] ultimate sacrifice +[3878.04 --> 3878.62] of atonement +[3878.62 --> 3879.52] on the cross. +[3880.78 --> 3881.52] Jesus is the +[3881.52 --> 3882.44] true and better +[3882.44 --> 3883.06] priest. +[3884.76 --> 3885.56] Now this is +[3885.56 --> 3885.90] where we go +[3885.90 --> 3886.24] deeper. +[3889.16 --> 3889.80] And we see +[3889.80 --> 3890.16] that Jesus +[3890.16 --> 3890.82] is more +[3890.82 --> 3891.72] than just +[3891.72 --> 3892.76] merely a +[3892.76 --> 3892.98] king. +[3893.70 --> 3894.28] He's not +[3894.28 --> 3894.96] even merely +[3894.96 --> 3895.68] a combination +[3895.68 --> 3896.52] of these +[3896.52 --> 3897.30] three offices. +[3898.24 --> 3898.94] He's not +[3898.94 --> 3899.80] just a king +[3899.80 --> 3900.56] and a prophet +[3900.56 --> 3901.38] and a priest. +[3902.40 --> 3903.32] Jesus is also +[3903.32 --> 3904.14] a servant, +[3904.70 --> 3905.28] the prophecy, +[3905.64 --> 3905.92] and the +[3905.92 --> 3906.50] sacrifice. +[3908.02 --> 3908.62] Jesus is the +[3908.62 --> 3909.28] sacrifice that +[3909.28 --> 3909.80] he brings +[3909.80 --> 3910.64] as priest +[3910.64 --> 3912.78] to atone +[3912.78 --> 3913.20] for his +[3913.20 --> 3913.54] people. +[3914.20 --> 3914.84] His righteousness +[3914.84 --> 3915.64] is what saves +[3915.64 --> 3915.84] us. +[3915.96 --> 3916.54] He is the +[3916.54 --> 3917.08] pure and +[3917.08 --> 3917.58] spotless +[3917.58 --> 3917.92] lamb. +[3917.92 --> 3919.54] Jesus is +[3919.54 --> 3920.16] the prophecy. +[3920.68 --> 3921.26] He is the +[3921.26 --> 3921.80] word of God +[3921.80 --> 3922.72] sent to teach, +[3923.04 --> 3923.40] warn, and +[3923.40 --> 3924.06] provide for +[3924.06 --> 3924.56] his people. +[3925.58 --> 3926.26] Jesus is +[3926.26 --> 3926.84] the servant. +[3927.20 --> 3927.72] He's humble +[3927.72 --> 3928.36] and gentle, +[3928.84 --> 3929.38] a carpenter +[3929.38 --> 3929.88] building a +[3929.88 --> 3930.38] house for +[3930.38 --> 3931.12] everyone else, +[3931.66 --> 3932.30] washing feet +[3932.30 --> 3932.80] and providing +[3932.80 --> 3933.46] food for +[3933.46 --> 3933.88] thousands. +[3935.32 --> 3935.90] Jesus is not +[3935.90 --> 3936.64] merely a king. +[3937.38 --> 3938.38] He's so much +[3938.38 --> 3939.46] more than we +[3939.46 --> 3940.00] can imagine. +[3940.00 --> 3943.74] in our +[3943.74 --> 3944.52] modern world, +[3944.72 --> 3945.78] we are filling +[3945.78 --> 3946.58] a void that +[3946.58 --> 3947.14] is infinite +[3947.14 --> 3947.90] with finite +[3947.90 --> 3948.50] things. +[3949.30 --> 3949.96] In this +[3949.96 --> 3950.76] modern world, +[3950.88 --> 3951.98] identity is a +[3951.98 --> 3952.50] wild, +[3953.30 --> 3953.68] panicked +[3953.68 --> 3954.48] frenzy of +[3954.48 --> 3955.06] self-made +[3955.06 --> 3955.78] image and +[3955.78 --> 3956.26] appearance +[3956.26 --> 3956.82] crafting, +[3957.30 --> 3957.80] both in the +[3957.80 --> 3958.50] material world +[3958.50 --> 3958.90] and on the +[3958.90 --> 3959.20] internet. +[3959.96 --> 3960.84] We shape +[3960.84 --> 3961.38] and design +[3961.38 --> 3962.36] every aspect +[3962.36 --> 3963.04] of who we +[3963.04 --> 3963.32] are. +[3964.08 --> 3964.52] And I'm not +[3964.52 --> 3965.28] just speaking +[3965.28 --> 3965.98] about appearances, +[3966.42 --> 3967.04] but how we +[3967.04 --> 3967.78] talk and are +[3967.78 --> 3968.54] perceived by +[3968.54 --> 3968.98] those around +[3968.98 --> 3969.32] us. +[3969.88 --> 3970.62] We want +[3970.62 --> 3971.28] them to see +[3971.28 --> 3971.74] that we are +[3971.74 --> 3972.42] a specific +[3972.42 --> 3973.38] kind of +[3973.38 --> 3973.78] person. +[3974.60 --> 3975.32] We're trying +[3975.32 --> 3976.24] to find hope +[3976.24 --> 3976.96] in presidents +[3976.96 --> 3977.60] and prime +[3977.60 --> 3977.96] ministers, +[3978.50 --> 3979.22] new leaders +[3979.22 --> 3980.70] and revolutions +[3980.70 --> 3981.28] that will +[3981.28 --> 3981.90] this time, +[3982.40 --> 3983.04] maybe this +[3983.04 --> 3983.38] time, +[3983.70 --> 3984.64] work and +[3984.64 --> 3985.34] set everything +[3985.34 --> 3985.76] right, +[3986.54 --> 3987.32] the way it +[3987.32 --> 3987.90] should be. +[3989.08 --> 3990.18] Or we +[3990.18 --> 3991.42] find no good +[3991.42 --> 3992.18] in any leader +[3992.18 --> 3992.74] and find +[3992.74 --> 3993.74] ourselves opposing +[3993.74 --> 3994.58] all authority +[3994.58 --> 3995.40] in our lives, +[3995.94 --> 3996.50] demanding we +[3996.50 --> 3997.10] have the final +[3997.10 --> 3997.68] say over +[3997.68 --> 3998.26] everything +[3998.26 --> 3998.98] that happens. +[4000.34 --> 4001.22] We align +[4001.22 --> 4001.90] ourselves with +[4001.90 --> 4002.22] those who +[4002.22 --> 4002.62] claim to +[4002.62 --> 4003.14] have secret +[4003.14 --> 4003.90] knowledge or +[4003.90 --> 4004.70] hidden paths, +[4005.58 --> 4006.24] the one who +[4006.24 --> 4007.04] knows how it +[4007.04 --> 4007.40] works. +[4008.38 --> 4009.40] We need the +[4009.40 --> 4010.18] guidance because +[4010.18 --> 4010.90] we are so +[4010.90 --> 4012.28] overwhelmed by +[4012.28 --> 4012.88] this world +[4012.88 --> 4013.90] that we live +[4013.90 --> 4014.14] in. +[4015.08 --> 4016.14] Or we don't +[4016.14 --> 4016.52] want to be +[4016.52 --> 4017.14] left out of +[4017.14 --> 4017.52] the group +[4017.52 --> 4018.10] that was +[4018.10 --> 4018.46] right. +[4019.68 --> 4020.64] We regiment +[4020.64 --> 4021.46] every minute +[4021.46 --> 4022.20] of our lives +[4022.20 --> 4022.90] with routines, +[4023.20 --> 4023.62] protocols, +[4023.88 --> 4024.92] and systems. +[4024.92 --> 4027.12] But these +[4027.12 --> 4027.66] leaders are +[4027.66 --> 4028.66] just kings. +[4029.66 --> 4030.48] Those people +[4030.48 --> 4031.22] are just +[4031.22 --> 4032.06] false prophets. +[4032.72 --> 4033.20] And those +[4033.20 --> 4034.06] routines are +[4034.06 --> 4034.78] just rituals +[4034.78 --> 4035.58] and sacrifices +[4035.58 --> 4036.12] that don't +[4036.12 --> 4036.50] atone. +[4037.56 --> 4038.12] And in our +[4038.12 --> 4039.02] sin, we are +[4039.02 --> 4040.06] supplementing kings +[4040.06 --> 4040.68] for lesser +[4040.68 --> 4041.10] princes, +[4041.80 --> 4042.56] our prophets +[4042.56 --> 4043.62] for soothsayers, +[4043.88 --> 4044.80] and our priests +[4044.80 --> 4045.64] for pagans. +[4046.38 --> 4047.48] They are simply +[4047.48 --> 4048.40] those things. +[4049.06 --> 4050.04] But Christ +[4050.04 --> 4051.20] is so much +[4051.20 --> 4051.64] more. +[4051.64 --> 4053.32] because He +[4053.32 --> 4054.52] is so much +[4054.52 --> 4055.42] more, we need +[4055.42 --> 4056.06] to see what +[4056.06 --> 4056.64] that means for +[4056.64 --> 4056.98] us. +[4058.04 --> 4058.66] Like I said, +[4058.86 --> 4059.54] all this stuff +[4059.54 --> 4060.08] about Jesus, +[4060.90 --> 4061.62] His identity +[4061.62 --> 4062.62] comes back to +[4062.62 --> 4063.02] us. +[4064.20 --> 4064.84] Jesus being +[4064.84 --> 4065.44] not just +[4065.44 --> 4066.30] merely a king, +[4066.96 --> 4067.88] but so much +[4067.88 --> 4070.02] more means +[4070.02 --> 4070.82] that we who +[4070.82 --> 4071.76] are His body +[4071.76 --> 4073.02] are so much +[4073.02 --> 4073.70] more than we +[4073.70 --> 4074.28] can imagine. +[4075.44 --> 4076.30] As people +[4076.30 --> 4077.08] who are united +[4077.08 --> 4077.80] to Christ +[4077.80 --> 4078.74] by grace +[4078.74 --> 4079.66] through faith, +[4079.96 --> 4080.98] we die with +[4080.98 --> 4081.58] our Christ, +[4081.64 --> 4082.22] and will be +[4082.22 --> 4082.80] raised with +[4082.80 --> 4083.92] Christ. +[4084.22 --> 4084.86] We are united +[4084.86 --> 4085.44] to Him and +[4085.44 --> 4086.00] gain the +[4086.00 --> 4086.38] righteousness +[4086.38 --> 4087.20] that is His. +[4088.38 --> 4089.00] Paul says +[4089.00 --> 4089.70] in Romans 8, +[4089.76 --> 4090.26] 17, +[4090.84 --> 4091.34] Now if we +[4091.34 --> 4091.88] are children, +[4092.20 --> 4092.56] then we are +[4092.56 --> 4092.96] heirs, +[4093.22 --> 4094.04] heirs of God, +[4094.42 --> 4095.08] and co-heirs +[4095.08 --> 4095.70] with Christ. +[4096.40 --> 4096.96] Indeed, we +[4096.96 --> 4097.48] share in His +[4097.48 --> 4098.20] sufferings in +[4098.20 --> 4098.62] order that we +[4098.62 --> 4099.34] may also share +[4099.34 --> 4100.02] in His glory. +[4100.74 --> 4101.76] We share in +[4101.76 --> 4102.42] the kingship +[4102.42 --> 4103.06] of Christ, +[4103.48 --> 4103.92] which means +[4103.92 --> 4104.32] that we, +[4104.50 --> 4104.78] like Him, +[4104.90 --> 4105.60] cannot be like +[4105.60 --> 4106.10] the kings +[4106.10 --> 4106.90] of this world +[4106.90 --> 4108.78] who rule +[4108.78 --> 4109.56] with grandeur +[4109.56 --> 4110.16] and pomp +[4110.16 --> 4110.84] and arrogance. +[4110.84 --> 4112.32] and pride, +[4113.00 --> 4113.84] but rather +[4113.84 --> 4114.46] with humility +[4114.46 --> 4115.50] and gentleness, +[4116.18 --> 4116.94] serving others +[4116.94 --> 4117.62] so that they +[4117.62 --> 4118.20] may receive +[4118.20 --> 4118.48] honor. +[4120.16 --> 4121.14] In 1 Peter 2, +[4121.20 --> 4121.50] 9, +[4121.92 --> 4122.62] we read, +[4122.62 --> 4123.22] but you are +[4123.22 --> 4124.02] a chosen people, +[4124.22 --> 4125.44] a royal priesthood, +[4125.72 --> 4126.58] a holy nation, +[4126.74 --> 4127.62] God's special +[4127.62 --> 4128.10] possession, +[4128.40 --> 4128.98] that you may +[4128.98 --> 4129.58] declare the +[4129.58 --> 4130.32] praises of Him +[4130.32 --> 4130.92] who called you +[4130.92 --> 4131.42] out of darkness +[4131.42 --> 4132.22] into His wonderful +[4132.22 --> 4132.56] light. +[4133.78 --> 4134.84] We are also +[4134.84 --> 4136.10] priests sharing +[4136.10 --> 4136.80] in the work +[4136.80 --> 4137.28] of Christ, +[4137.62 --> 4138.66] not in the one +[4138.66 --> 4139.66] perfect sacrifice. +[4140.08 --> 4140.60] He's completed +[4140.60 --> 4140.96] that. +[4141.96 --> 4142.68] But like Him, +[4142.76 --> 4143.50] we can sacrifice +[4143.50 --> 4144.56] our very lives +[4144.56 --> 4146.06] to teach others +[4146.06 --> 4146.72] the Word of God +[4146.72 --> 4147.38] and to make sure +[4147.38 --> 4147.98] His temple, +[4148.46 --> 4148.92] ourselves, +[4148.92 --> 4150.86] is holy +[4150.86 --> 4152.52] and that His +[4152.52 --> 4152.94] people +[4152.94 --> 4154.28] and the rest +[4154.28 --> 4154.80] of the world +[4154.80 --> 4155.48] can know +[4155.48 --> 4156.10] how to worship +[4156.10 --> 4156.98] God properly +[4156.98 --> 4158.48] and not +[4158.48 --> 4159.26] with legalism. +[4160.48 --> 4161.22] And in Acts 2, +[4161.30 --> 4161.76] 38, +[4161.88 --> 4162.34] Peter says, +[4162.46 --> 4163.46] repent and be baptized, +[4163.68 --> 4164.30] every one of you, +[4164.58 --> 4165.74] in the name of Jesus Christ +[4165.74 --> 4166.32] for the forgiveness +[4166.32 --> 4167.30] of your sins +[4167.30 --> 4169.10] and you will receive +[4169.10 --> 4169.60] the gift +[4169.60 --> 4170.48] of the Holy Spirit. +[4171.44 --> 4172.48] Peter here is preaching +[4172.48 --> 4173.26] to the crowds +[4173.26 --> 4174.48] gathered at Pentecost, +[4174.88 --> 4176.04] watching as the disciples +[4176.04 --> 4177.28] have the Holy Spirit +[4177.28 --> 4178.10] fall upon them. +[4179.18 --> 4179.86] He tells them +[4179.86 --> 4180.54] that with belief +[4180.54 --> 4181.52] in Christ, +[4181.74 --> 4182.42] the Holy Spirit +[4182.42 --> 4183.20] is received. +[4183.88 --> 4184.88] The same Spirit +[4184.88 --> 4186.08] that brought the Word +[4186.08 --> 4186.86] through Joseph +[4186.86 --> 4187.60] and Moses +[4187.60 --> 4188.72] and the minor prophets +[4188.72 --> 4190.24] and performed signs +[4190.24 --> 4190.88] and wonders +[4190.88 --> 4191.64] through Samson, +[4191.86 --> 4192.18] Elijah, +[4192.38 --> 4193.00] and Elisha. +[4193.46 --> 4194.84] That same Spirit +[4194.84 --> 4196.90] that made those prophets +[4196.90 --> 4197.78] is in us. +[4199.26 --> 4199.66] Yes, +[4199.86 --> 4200.98] we are sons of God +[4200.98 --> 4201.90] and a nation +[4201.90 --> 4202.44] of priests +[4202.44 --> 4203.28] and prophets, +[4203.88 --> 4205.42] but just like our King, +[4205.42 --> 4206.86] prophet and priest, +[4207.22 --> 4208.24] we must also +[4208.24 --> 4209.38] be servants, +[4209.90 --> 4210.56] sacrifices, +[4211.64 --> 4212.82] and in doing so, +[4213.10 --> 4213.88] we, like Jesus, +[4214.00 --> 4214.78] will be the fulfillment +[4214.78 --> 4215.98] of a past prophecy +[4215.98 --> 4217.12] rising with Him +[4217.12 --> 4218.06] on the last day. +[4221.26 --> 4222.34] Our catechism, +[4222.42 --> 4223.20] the Heidelberg Catechism, +[4223.36 --> 4225.00] summarizes this neatly as well. +[4225.90 --> 4226.86] In question and answer, +[4227.22 --> 4227.72] 32, +[4228.62 --> 4229.62] why are you called +[4229.62 --> 4230.26] a Christian? +[4230.94 --> 4231.74] The answer is, +[4231.82 --> 4232.72] because I am a member +[4232.72 --> 4233.90] of Christ by faith +[4233.90 --> 4235.38] and thus share +[4235.38 --> 4236.22] in His anointing +[4236.22 --> 4237.54] so that I may, +[4237.76 --> 4238.44] as prophet, +[4238.82 --> 4239.72] confess His name, +[4240.48 --> 4241.08] so that I, +[4241.22 --> 4242.50] as priest, +[4242.94 --> 4243.86] present myself, +[4244.28 --> 4245.24] a living sacrifice +[4245.24 --> 4245.96] of thanksgiving, +[4246.52 --> 4247.76] thankfulness to Him, +[4248.18 --> 4248.94] and as king, +[4249.46 --> 4250.28] fight with a free +[4250.28 --> 4251.06] and good conscience +[4251.06 --> 4252.00] against sin +[4252.00 --> 4252.90] and the devil +[4252.90 --> 4253.64] in this life +[4253.64 --> 4254.78] and the hereafter +[4254.78 --> 4255.40] reign with Him +[4255.40 --> 4256.86] eternally over all creatures. +[4256.86 --> 4259.42] We, as prophets, +[4260.08 --> 4261.04] confess His name +[4261.04 --> 4262.40] every time we talk +[4262.40 --> 4262.96] about Jesus +[4262.96 --> 4264.78] to those who are not believers. +[4265.62 --> 4267.08] We confess His name +[4267.08 --> 4268.34] every time we obey +[4268.34 --> 4269.48] rather than sin. +[4269.90 --> 4271.02] We confess His name +[4271.02 --> 4271.76] to our friends +[4271.76 --> 4272.54] and families +[4272.54 --> 4273.44] when we hold +[4273.44 --> 4274.36] each other accountable. +[4275.16 --> 4276.14] We confess His name +[4276.14 --> 4277.22] every time we repent +[4277.22 --> 4278.60] and with a full heart +[4278.60 --> 4279.32] for God +[4279.32 --> 4280.86] and desire to turn to Him. +[4281.54 --> 4282.90] We, as priests, +[4283.30 --> 4283.96] present ourselves +[4283.96 --> 4285.22] as living sacrifices +[4285.22 --> 4286.26] of thanksgiving to Him +[4286.26 --> 4287.92] every time we worship Him +[4287.92 --> 4288.76] and serve each other. +[4289.94 --> 4291.48] Every act of hospitality, +[4291.76 --> 4293.18] every prayer for others, +[4293.64 --> 4294.26] every moment +[4294.26 --> 4295.06] where we choose +[4295.06 --> 4295.82] to obey God +[4295.82 --> 4296.70] rather than sin, +[4297.06 --> 4297.84] or every time +[4297.84 --> 4298.72] we read our Bibles +[4298.72 --> 4300.04] and grow in our understanding +[4300.04 --> 4300.58] of the Lord, +[4301.86 --> 4303.00] listening to what He +[4303.00 --> 4304.00] is teaching to us. +[4304.60 --> 4305.90] Every time we dedicate +[4305.90 --> 4306.94] ourselves to live +[4306.94 --> 4308.44] wholly for Him +[4308.44 --> 4310.16] and listen to the word preached, +[4310.36 --> 4311.66] we live as priests. +[4313.38 --> 4314.70] And we live as kings +[4314.70 --> 4316.30] who are co-heirs with Christ +[4316.30 --> 4317.56] when we lead others +[4317.56 --> 4318.58] into faithfulness +[4318.58 --> 4319.90] and away from sin. +[4320.30 --> 4321.96] Every time we defend the weak +[4321.96 --> 4323.14] and do whatever we do +[4323.14 --> 4324.28] in our work +[4324.28 --> 4325.32] for the glory of God, +[4326.16 --> 4327.30] every act of service +[4327.30 --> 4328.12] to God's body +[4328.12 --> 4328.84] and to the world +[4328.84 --> 4330.06] in which He died for, +[4331.50 --> 4332.80] we fulfill our tasks +[4332.80 --> 4334.20] as kings and stewards +[4334.20 --> 4334.96] of creation +[4334.96 --> 4336.24] into God's glory. +[4337.30 --> 4338.60] So do these things. +[4339.28 --> 4340.68] This is why we are here. +[4341.24 --> 4342.32] These are His commands. +[4342.32 --> 4345.14] We are not merely disciples. +[4346.12 --> 4347.02] We are co-heirs +[4347.02 --> 4348.08] to Christ's throne, +[4348.60 --> 4349.36] fellow priests +[4349.36 --> 4350.58] and minor prophets. +[4351.40 --> 4352.00] Follow Him +[4352.00 --> 4353.24] and do His work. +[4357.36 --> 4358.52] When I was watching +[4358.52 --> 4359.50] the recent elections +[4359.50 --> 4361.32] a few couple months ago, +[4362.08 --> 4362.90] I was disappointed +[4362.90 --> 4364.24] for a myriad of reasons. +[4364.86 --> 4365.96] I put my hope +[4365.96 --> 4366.90] in someone else. +[4367.56 --> 4368.80] I wanted to determine +[4368.80 --> 4369.32] the outcome +[4369.32 --> 4370.22] rather than God. +[4370.22 --> 4371.56] I got lost +[4371.56 --> 4372.78] in listening to podcasts. +[4373.18 --> 4374.60] I spent so much time +[4374.60 --> 4375.42] letting the voices +[4375.42 --> 4376.00] on the internet +[4376.00 --> 4376.86] guide my life +[4376.86 --> 4378.20] that it gets in the way +[4378.20 --> 4379.70] of how much I let +[4379.70 --> 4380.78] and listen to God. +[4381.82 --> 4383.02] And I'm constantly +[4383.02 --> 4384.04] trying to fill my head +[4384.04 --> 4384.72] with information +[4384.72 --> 4386.08] so that I can live up +[4386.08 --> 4386.54] to the image +[4386.54 --> 4387.42] of the smart person +[4387.42 --> 4388.52] people say I am. +[4390.50 --> 4391.46] But these things +[4391.46 --> 4392.44] weigh me down. +[4393.44 --> 4394.36] And this burden, +[4394.84 --> 4395.42] His burden, +[4395.96 --> 4397.16] is so much lighter. +[4397.16 --> 4399.00] And I've seen +[4399.00 --> 4399.78] the weight lift +[4399.78 --> 4400.52] off my shoulders +[4400.52 --> 4401.42] when I go to Him. +[4401.90 --> 4403.10] When I trust Him +[4403.10 --> 4404.64] rather than presidents +[4404.64 --> 4405.78] and follow Him +[4405.78 --> 4406.62] rather than some +[4406.62 --> 4407.84] 40-year-old guru +[4407.84 --> 4408.98] who is selling +[4408.98 --> 4409.86] some green paste +[4409.86 --> 4410.38] on the internet. +[4411.56 --> 4413.00] And when I read His word, +[4413.12 --> 4414.26] I am amazed +[4414.26 --> 4415.16] at His wisdom. +[4416.04 --> 4416.82] How could I, +[4417.28 --> 4418.30] how could we +[4418.30 --> 4420.66] ever think +[4420.66 --> 4421.60] that we could craft +[4421.60 --> 4422.82] a better image +[4422.82 --> 4423.16] for ourselves +[4423.68 --> 4425.48] than He who has said +[4425.48 --> 4426.52] we're made in His? +[4427.16 --> 4430.48] But you hear that? +[4431.26 --> 4432.16] It's Him +[4432.16 --> 4433.14] who made us +[4433.14 --> 4433.86] in His image. +[4434.82 --> 4435.72] We need to stop +[4435.72 --> 4436.58] crafting ourselves +[4436.58 --> 4437.56] into false idols +[4437.56 --> 4438.98] and must remember +[4438.98 --> 4439.68] that it is because +[4439.68 --> 4440.46] of our unity +[4440.46 --> 4441.44] with Christ +[4441.44 --> 4443.04] which He died for. +[4444.40 --> 4445.36] Through that unity +[4445.36 --> 4446.50] He has made us +[4446.50 --> 4447.20] so much more +[4447.20 --> 4448.34] than we can imagine. +[4449.56 --> 4450.82] And with our unity +[4450.82 --> 4451.96] must come humility +[4451.96 --> 4453.26] and gentleness +[4453.26 --> 4454.16] that is found +[4454.16 --> 4454.90] in our Creator. +[4454.90 --> 4458.68] Jesus is so much more +[4458.68 --> 4459.62] than we can imagine. +[4460.66 --> 4461.84] He is God after all. +[4462.68 --> 4463.46] And because of that +[4463.46 --> 4464.46] we can do nothing +[4464.46 --> 4465.86] but behold our King. +[4466.48 --> 4467.68] He's so much more. +[4468.84 --> 4469.48] Let's pray. +[4472.90 --> 4473.68] Dear Lord, +[4474.10 --> 4475.76] thank You for who You are. +[4476.70 --> 4477.92] Open our minds. +[4478.98 --> 4480.44] Continue to show us +[4480.44 --> 4481.70] who You are, +[4481.82 --> 4482.36] what You do. +[4483.30 --> 4484.44] Help us read Your Word +[4484.44 --> 4485.54] day and nights, Lord, +[4485.68 --> 4486.78] so that we can see +[4486.78 --> 4487.54] Your face. +[4488.82 --> 4489.36] Pray, Lord, +[4490.04 --> 4490.94] give us +[4490.94 --> 4492.30] more and more, +[4492.84 --> 4494.04] more than we can ask +[4494.04 --> 4495.06] of who You are +[4495.06 --> 4496.64] so that we can see +[4496.64 --> 4497.24] who we are +[4497.24 --> 4498.06] and worship You +[4498.06 --> 4498.82] and obey You +[4498.82 --> 4499.42] as we should. +[4500.26 --> 4501.22] In Jesus' name I pray. +[4501.48 --> 4501.70] Amen. +[4501.70 --> 4501.80] Amen. +[4531.70 --> 4542.64] Our firm foundation, our rock, the only solid ground, nations rise and fall. +[4545.98 --> 4556.18] Kingdoms are strong now shaken, we trust forever in your name, the name of Jesus. +[4556.18 --> 4564.02] Oh, we trust in the name of Jesus. +[4567.62 --> 4574.38] You are the only King forever, almighty God who lift you higher. +[4575.00 --> 4580.36] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4580.36 --> 4585.18] You are victorious, you are the only King forever. +[4586.18 --> 4588.94] Almighty God who lift you higher. +[4589.60 --> 4594.96] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4595.38 --> 4596.82] You are victorious. +[4596.82 --> 4606.02] You are the only King forever, forever. +[4606.02 --> 4611.22] You are the only King forever, forever. +[4611.22 --> 4641.22] +[4641.22 --> 4642.22] Almighty God who lift you higher. +[4642.22 --> 4646.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4646.22 --> 4648.22] You are the only King forever, almighty God who lift you higher. +[4648.22 --> 4649.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4649.22 --> 4650.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4650.22 --> 4655.22] You are the only King forever, almighty God who lift you higher. +[4655.22 --> 4656.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4656.22 --> 4657.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4657.22 --> 4662.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4662.22 --> 4663.22] You are victorious. +[4663.22 --> 4666.22] You are the only King forever, almighty God who lift you higher. +[4666.22 --> 4667.02] God who lift you higher. +[4667.02 --> 4667.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4667.22 --> 4668.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4668.22 --> 4669.22] gentlemen. +[4669.22 --> 4673.22] You are the only King forever, forevermore. +[4673.22 --> 4677.56] Forevermore you are victorious +[4691.56 --> 4695.76] We lift our banner high +[4695.76 --> 4699.38] We lift the name of Jesus +[4699.38 --> 4702.88] From age to age to age +[4702.88 --> 4706.48] Your kingdom has no end +[4706.48 --> 4710.08] We lift our banner high +[4710.08 --> 4713.76] We lift the name of Jesus +[4713.76 --> 4717.22] From age to age to age +[4717.22 --> 4720.78] Your kingdom has no end +[4720.78 --> 4723.82] You are the only King forever +[4723.82 --> 4727.68] Almighty God we lift you higher +[4727.68 --> 4731.22] You are the only King forever +[4731.22 --> 4734.82] Forevermore you are victorious +[4734.82 --> 4738.32] You are the only King forever +[4738.32 --> 4742.10] Almighty God we lift you higher +[4742.10 --> 4745.54] You are the only King forever +[4745.54 --> 4749.76] Forevermore you are victorious +[4749.76 --> 4760.96] The Lord's blessing +[4760.96 --> 4765.20] The Lord bless you and keep you +[4765.20 --> 4774.26] The Lord's blessing +[4774.26 --> 4777.18] The Lord bless you and keep you +[4777.18 --> 4779.98] The Lord make his face shine on you +[4779.98 --> 4781.20] And be gracious to you +[4781.20 --> 4783.32] The Lord turn his face towards you +[4783.32 --> 4784.60] And give you peace +[4784.60 --> 4785.68] Amen +[4785.68 --> 4792.88] So +[4792.88 --> 4793.36] God bless you and Jesus +[4793.36 --> 4794.76] Amen +[4794.76 --> 4820.76] May our homes be built with dancing +[4824.76 --> 4832.76] May our streams be filled with joy +[4832.76 --> 4840.76] May it just as loud to Jesus +[4840.76 --> 4846.76] As the leaves will turn and rain +[4846.76 --> 4854.76] From the mountains to the valleys +[4854.76 --> 4862.76] Hear our praises, rise to you +[4862.76 --> 4870.76] From the heavens to the nations +[4870.76 --> 4878.76] Hear our singing, fill the air +[4878.76 --> 4892.76] May your light shine in the darkness +[4892.76 --> 4900.76] As we walk before the cross +[4900.76 --> 4908.76] May your glory hail the cold earth +[4908.76 --> 4916.76] As the water on the sea +[4916.76 --> 4922.76] From the mountains to the valley +[4922.76 --> 4932.76] Hear our praises, rise to you +[4932.76 --> 4940.76] From the heavens to the nations +[4940.76 --> 4948.76] Hear our singing, fill the air +[4948.76 --> 4956.76] From the mountains to the valleys +[4956.76 --> 4964.76] Hear our praises, rise to you +[4964.76 --> 4972.76] From the heavens to the nations +[4972.76 --> 4982.76] Hear our singing, fill the air +[4982.76 --> 4998.76] From and the RUSH +[4998.76 --> 5002.76] All outppings may the air +[5002.76 --> 5032.74] Thank you. +[5032.76 --> 5062.74] Thank you. +[5062.76 --> 5092.74] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..bc3e670b88b300e42599370a5af27c720ca82c7b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,63 @@ +• Repetition of the word "thank you" for an extended period, approximately 20 minutes +• Sudden deviation from repetition with a statement "He is my light" +• Continued repetition of "thank you" until the end of the transcript +• Final segment without repetition: "Yeah, that's right" +• Prayer for forgiveness and humility +• Gratitude for blessings in the congregation +• Requests for God's guidance and protection for various individuals and ministries +• Thankfulness for the church's activities and outreach efforts +• Appreciation for the preachers and their challenging messages +• Introduction to the sermon, focusing on Matthew 26 and the Lord's Supper +• The speaker discusses Jesus' last supper and its significance +• Temporary things that try to fill our lives leave us empty +• The hunger we feel may be pointing us to something greater than what the world offers +• Jesus' actions at the last supper offer a true and better feast for satisfying human hunger +• The "blood of the covenant" language in Jesus' words echoes Moses' covenant meal in Exodus 24, but also signifies a new era of continuity and discontinuity with the old covenant. +• The Lord's Supper is a true and better meal than the old covenant meal +• The blood that ratifies this covenant is the blood of Jesus +• The covenant established by Jesus is unbreakable and written on the hearts of those who hear it +• This meal is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31, promising a new covenant +• The Lord's Supper has been observed by the church for 2,000 years in various forms (Eucharist, Lord's Supper, Table, Communion) +• Jesus gives his body and blood to us in this meal in a real but not carnal way +• The Bible insists that the Lord's Supper is more than just a memorial, with real-life consequences for those who participate without discerning the body +• Jesus' words about eating His flesh and drinking His blood are scandalous to the crowd +• Peter stays with Jesus after others leave, acknowledging that He has the words of eternal life +• The Bible makes a connection between Jesus' words and the Eucharist (eating and drinking His flesh and blood) +• At the Eucharist, Christ meets us in covenant fellowship through the corporeal signs of bread and wine +• Early Christians were persecuted for being accused of cannibalism due to their understanding of the Eucharist as a real participation with Jesus' life. +• The early church understood the Eucharist as a holy mystery +• Church fathers such as Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus described it as Jesus Christ being made flesh +• John Calvin viewed the supper as too lofty for human understanding, instead emphasizing experiencing it over comprehension +• The presence of God in the Eucharist is seen as covenant fellowship with Christ, meeting deep human longings +• The Eucharist is described as a feast prepared by Christ himself, using his own body and blood as tokens of his love and acceptance +• Matthew's use of Exodus 24 to highlight Jesus as the true and better Moses +• The blood of sacrifice in the covenant between God and his people +• The Lord's Supper as a symbol of covenant life with the king himself +• Presence, relationship, and invitation into God's kingdom +• The doctrine of transubstantiation and its development in medieval Christianity +• Excommunication in Roman Catholic doctrine +• Transubstantiation as a philosophical explanation of the Eucharist +• The Council of Trent's elevation of transubstantiation to necessary dogma +• The Reformation's reclaiming of a more biblical understanding of the Eucharist +• The supper as a covenant meal where Christ offers himself to his people +• Jesus closes a meal with a promise to not drink again until the day he drinks with God in his Father's kingdom. +• The covenant meal points forward to a final banquet and wedding feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19. +• What began at Sinai is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, drawing us to covenant fellowship and foreshadowing eternal joy. +• Every celebration of this meal invites us to taste and see the king's presence and reminds us that our hunger is not meaningless but points to a future feast. +• Our lives are full of snacks that never truly feed us, but Jesus meets us with a feast unlike anything the world can offer. +• He offers his very self, bread and wine made covenant blood that secures unbreakable fellowship with God. +• Emptiness and longing in life are not mistakes or weaknesses, but a call to Jesus +• The true food that satisfies our hunger is Jesus Christ himself +• God points to himself through our desires and longings +• The king's table (Jesus) is ready and the feast is for everyone +• Our deepest longings find their answer at the king's table in Jesus' presence +• The king has set his table and in his presence every longing finds its feast, every ache its answer, and every heart its home +• Worship and marveling at the mystery of faith +• Request for empowerment by the Holy Spirit to carry out God's will +• Reflection on Jesus' sacrifice and the weight of sin on His shoulders +• Offering one's heart completely to God and surrendering all +• Commissioned to minister the presence of Jesus to the world +• Blessings from God, including protection, support, and friendship +• The song "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" is sung, with repeated phrases emphasizing its central message +• No other salvation or cleansing can be found except through the blood of Jesus +• Faith in Christ's atonement for sin is emphasized as the sole source of righteousness and purity \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a2f5d804b9fa856c9064a495bc11bb99946d702b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1206 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[629.98 --> 659.96] Thank you. +[659.98 --> 689.96] Thank you. +[689.98 --> 719.96] Thank you. +[719.98 --> 720.00] Thank you. +[749.98 --> 779.98] Thank you. +[779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. +[809.98 --> 839.96] Thank you. +[839.96 --> 869.94] Thank you. +[869.96 --> 899.94] Thank you. +[899.94 --> 929.92] Thank you. +[929.94 --> 959.92] Thank you. +[959.94 --> 989.92] Thank you. +[989.94 --> 1019.92] Thank you. +[1019.94 --> 1049.92] Thank you. +[1049.92 --> 1079.90] above all else. +[1079.90 --> 1109.88] Thank you. +[1109.90 --> 1139.88] Thank you. +[1139.90 --> 1169.88] Thank you. +[1169.88 --> 1199.86] Thank you. +[1199.88 --> 1229.86] Thank you. +[1229.88 --> 1259.86] Thank you. +[1259.88 --> 1289.86] Oh God. +[1289.86 --> 1319.84] Thank you. +[1319.86 --> 1349.84] Thank you. +[1349.86 --> 1379.86] Thank you. +[1379.86 --> 1409.84] Thank you. +[1409.84 --> 1439.82] Thank you. +[1439.82 --> 1469.80] Thank you. +[1469.82 --> 1499.80] Thank you. +[1499.80 --> 1529.80] Thank you. +[1529.80 --> 1559.78] Thank you. +[1559.78 --> 1589.76] Thank you. +[1589.78 --> 1619.76] Thank you. +[1619.78 --> 1649.78] Thank you. +[1649.78 --> 1679.78] +[1679.78 --> 1709.78] +[1709.78 --> 1739.78] +[1739.78 --> 1769.78] Thank you. +[1769.78 --> 1799.76] Thank you. +[1799.78 --> 1829.76] Thank you. +[1829.78 --> 1859.76] Thank you. +[1859.78 --> 1889.76] Thank you. +[1889.78 --> 1919.76] Thank you. +[1919.78 --> 1949.76] Thank you. +[1949.78 --> 1979.76] Thank you. +[1979.78 --> 2009.76] Thank you. +[2009.78 --> 2039.78] Thank you. +[2039.78 --> 2069.78] Thank you. +[2069.78 --> 2099.76] Thank you. +[2099.78 --> 2129.76] See the day. +[2129.78 --> 2159.76] Thank you. +[2159.78 --> 2189.76] Thank you. +[2189.78 --> 2219.76] Thank you. +[2219.78 --> 2249.78] Thank you. +[2249.78 --> 2279.76] Thank you. +[2279.78 --> 2309.76] Thank you. +[2309.78 --> 2339.78] Thank you. +[2339.78 --> 2369.78] Thank you. +[2369.78 --> 2399.78] Thank you. +[2399.78 --> 2429.76] Thank you. +[2429.76 --> 2459.76] Thank you. +[2459.76 --> 2489.76] Thank you. +[2489.76 --> 2519.74] Thank you. +[2519.76 --> 2549.76] Thank you. +[2549.76 --> 2579.74] Thank you. +[2579.74 --> 2609.72] Thank you. +[2609.74 --> 2639.74] Thank you. +[2639.74 --> 2669.74] Thank you. +[2669.74 --> 2699.72] Thank you. +[2699.74 --> 2729.74] Thank you. +[2729.74 --> 2759.74] Thank you. +[2759.74 --> 2789.74] Thank you. +[2789.74 --> 2819.72] Thank you. +[2819.74 --> 2849.72] Thank you. +[2849.74 --> 2879.72] He is my light. +[2879.74 --> 2909.74] Thank you. +[2909.74 --> 2939.72] Thank you. +[2939.74 --> 2941.74] Thank you. +[2969.74 --> 2971.74] Thank you. +[2999.74 --> 3001.74] Thank you. +[3029.74 --> 3031.74] Thank you. +[3059.74 --> 3061.74] Thank you. +[3089.74 --> 3091.74] Thank you. +[3119.74 --> 3149.72] Yeah, that's right. +[3149.74 --> 3179.74] Thank you. +[3179.74 --> 3180.74] Thank you. +[3180.74 --> 3181.74] Thank you. +[3181.74 --> 3182.74] Thank you. +[3182.74 --> 3185.74] Thank you. +[3185.74 --> 3186.74] Thank you. +[3186.74 --> 3187.74] Thank you. +[3187.74 --> 3188.74] Thank you. +[3217.74 --> 3247.74] Thank you. +[3247.74 --> 3249.74] Thank you. +[3277.74 --> 3279.74] Thank you. +[3307.74 --> 3309.74] Thank you. +[3337.74 --> 3338.74] Thank you. +[3338.74 --> 3339.74] Thank you. +[3367.74 --> 3368.74] Thank you. +[3368.74 --> 3369.74] Thank you. +[3369.74 --> 3370.74] Thank you. +[3370.74 --> 3371.74] Thank you. +[3399.74 --> 3401.74] Thank you. +[3401.74 --> 3402.74] Thank you. +[3402.74 --> 3403.74] Thank you. +[3403.74 --> 3405.74] Thank you. +[3405.74 --> 3406.74] Thank you. +[3406.74 --> 3407.74] Thank you. +[3435.74 --> 3437.74] Thank you. +[3437.74 --> 3438.74] Thank you. +[3438.74 --> 3440.74] Thank you. +[3440.74 --> 3444.64] We, on the other hand, are so limited in those attributes. +[3445.22 --> 3448.46] We think we know everything and completely miss our own ignorance. +[3449.20 --> 3453.68] We think we control everything, but our plans are just so easily blown off course. +[3454.70 --> 3457.84] We think we can do all things, but we neglect your ways. +[3459.50 --> 3463.20] We ask for your forgiveness for these wrongs. +[3464.10 --> 3469.00] We pray that you reveal our shortcomings to us so that we may be cleansed from our wrongs. +[3469.00 --> 3474.12] Reveal our wayward ways so we can follow yours with the Spirit's guidance. +[3475.52 --> 3480.14] We regret the time that your name is tarnished as a result of our actions. +[3480.74 --> 3485.22] Rather, we pray, God, that instead of people being turned off by Christians, +[3485.36 --> 3487.58] that they may be attracted to you through us. +[3488.82 --> 3493.74] Father, we pray for the many needs and things going on in our congregation. +[3493.74 --> 3499.52] Father, we pray for John as he continues to navigate his health. +[3499.88 --> 3503.46] We pray for Pastor Abolino anticipating the surgery. +[3503.68 --> 3507.74] We pray that that blood sugar will get under control. +[3508.84 --> 3514.10] Father, we pray, too, for Doug and his continuing battle with cancer. +[3515.08 --> 3517.42] And we thank you for Ava and Lisa. +[3517.42 --> 3523.54] We pray that you bless them, and we thank you for the blessing that they have already been to our congregation. +[3524.88 --> 3529.34] And we think of those who are beginning a new phase in their life. +[3530.96 --> 3540.48] We pray for Imani and Zania and Nathan and Allie McKinley, Marika, Joey, and Matthias. +[3540.48 --> 3545.02] We pray that you bless them as they navigate a new season of life. +[3548.82 --> 3552.98] Father, we thank you for the many blessings in our congregation. +[3553.56 --> 3560.50] Thank you for the people who make up our church, your body, for the things that they do and the faith that they exemplify. +[3561.00 --> 3565.36] Father, we thank you for the seniors, whether they are new to worshiping with us +[3565.36 --> 3569.16] or perhaps even founding members of this congregation so many years ago. +[3569.16 --> 3575.14] We cherish their presence, and we pray that they may continually remind us of your faithfulness. +[3576.28 --> 3582.38] Thank you for those babies and toddlers bringing absolute delight, noise, and promise to us. +[3582.52 --> 3585.48] Thank you for the blessings that they bring. +[3586.56 --> 3590.80] Father, we thank you for the many ministries in our midst that support all the functions of our church. +[3591.46 --> 3597.94] We think of those who are taking care of the reconstruction, and we pray that that will go well. +[3597.94 --> 3605.10] And we thank you that things can extend beyond the walls of this congregation. +[3605.86 --> 3611.82] We think of Tim and Charity Johnson and the work that they do, for Jody and Uriel and the work that they do. +[3612.48 --> 3616.30] We pray, too, for the Reactivate conference that we're able to host. +[3616.30 --> 3624.68] Lord, we pray that those plans and preparations will come together, and we pray for those leading it, +[3624.74 --> 3629.00] that you will give them wisdom and eyes to see what you would have them do. +[3630.06 --> 3635.76] We thank you for the work of the deacons as they reach out to people in the community, people in our congregation, +[3636.42 --> 3638.14] things that we're not even aware of. +[3638.14 --> 3647.14] Thank you for those who walk alongside someone who's in need, for those who do things like giving others a ride, +[3647.38 --> 3654.02] for those who share a timely word of encouragement, and we have no idea how meaningful those words can be. +[3654.54 --> 3659.62] We pray that you give us eyes to see those that we can support and the courage to speak. +[3659.62 --> 3668.38] Thank you for your word that is faithfully preached, for the blessing of the preachers that we have here that challenge us with your word. +[3668.98 --> 3672.16] Thank you for a big idea each and every Sunday. +[3673.50 --> 3678.60] And thank you that we can take the time to pour over Matthew and for the passage today. +[3680.18 --> 3687.84] We pray that through our worship today that we may sense that you are all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere. +[3687.84 --> 3693.84] Give us an eternal perspective and a hope that rests in you. +[3695.10 --> 3699.16] O the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God, +[3699.66 --> 3704.04] for from him and through him and for him are all things. +[3704.84 --> 3707.28] To him be the glory forever and ever. +[3707.82 --> 3708.12] Amen. +[3708.12 --> 3708.24] Amen. +[3717.84 --> 3733.68] Rob just prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for preachers who challenge us. +[3734.54 --> 3738.80] And so I'm grateful for that prayer, because today's text might be a challenge +[3738.80 --> 3743.88] as we wrestle with what is happening in the Lord's Supper. +[3743.88 --> 3753.54] If you're a guest with us, we have been this summer looking at Jesus as shown to us, revealed to us in the Gospel of Matthew. +[3754.12 --> 3757.10] Our series has been titled, Behold Your King. +[3757.18 --> 3765.14] And we've made our way taking snapshots that we might fix our eyes on the majesty of Jesus. +[3765.14 --> 3770.20] We continue that series this morning in Matthew 26. +[3770.60 --> 3776.42] And we're going to read verses 26 through 30 to the end there. +[3776.80 --> 3779.38] The first time through, it will be on the screen behind me. +[3779.76 --> 3782.90] But of course, I encourage you, if you have a Bible with you, open that up. +[3783.14 --> 3784.06] Follow along there. +[3784.48 --> 3786.90] Or turn on your Bible app. +[3787.02 --> 3787.60] Open that up. +[3787.70 --> 3788.46] Follow along there. +[3788.56 --> 3791.58] Keep that in front of you as we go through this together. +[3791.58 --> 3799.30] Let's read through Matthew 26, starting at verse 26. +[3801.94 --> 3805.36] While they were eating, Jesus took bread. +[3805.78 --> 3810.60] And when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, +[3811.24 --> 3812.66] Take and eat. +[3813.14 --> 3814.86] This is my body. +[3814.86 --> 3817.68] And then he took a cup. +[3817.98 --> 3820.68] And when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, +[3821.20 --> 3822.90] Drink from it, all of you. +[3823.26 --> 3829.94] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. +[3830.82 --> 3841.50] I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. +[3841.50 --> 3846.98] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. +[3847.62 --> 3848.98] This is the word of the Lord. +[3854.40 --> 3865.68] Have you ever had that feeling or that experience where you have sat down for an excellent meal, eaten and eaten and eaten, +[3865.68 --> 3876.94] and then like 10 minutes later, you're starving again? +[3876.94 --> 3887.26] My son, who never stops moving, has this every single night. +[3888.10 --> 3893.54] He will eat his fill at a dinner, and then within half an hour, he's starving. +[3894.30 --> 3895.76] And then we have to feed him again. +[3896.10 --> 3899.84] And then five minutes before bed, he's starving one more time. +[3900.18 --> 3901.00] We have to feed him again. +[3901.00 --> 3907.22] But it's also not just in literal food, right? +[3907.36 --> 3918.34] But metaphorically, maybe you are a parent who works late every night, every night, every night, +[3918.34 --> 3922.22] only to find out that you're missing time with your kids. +[3922.22 --> 3927.20] Or maybe you're endlessly scrolling social media. +[3928.38 --> 3936.12] Someone will like back what you have liked or will leave a comment for you so that you finally feel seen. +[3936.42 --> 3941.46] No matter how long, how many times you try, you just get missed. +[3942.14 --> 3945.12] Or it feels like you are being missed. +[3945.12 --> 3955.10] Perhaps it's in celebrating a big promotion to realize that this new thing doesn't fill that ache inside of you. +[3955.82 --> 3965.50] We all know this kind of hunger, and we try to satiate snacks and with small victories that in the end never truly satisfied. +[3967.58 --> 3973.48] When my kids were young, one of their favorite books was actually The Very Hungry Caterpillar. +[3973.56 --> 3974.66] How many people know this book? +[3975.12 --> 3976.40] All right. +[3977.18 --> 3988.82] In the book, Caterpillar eats and eats and eats, and he eats fruit and chocolate cake and candies, and then eventually leaves, +[3988.90 --> 3992.12] and he just keeps eating and eating and eating, and he isn't full. +[3992.46 --> 4000.58] It's only at the end, when he gets the right food, at the right time, does he finally grow and transform. +[4000.58 --> 4006.96] Now, the story is really simple, but it's an excellent mirror for us in our lives. +[4007.48 --> 4012.52] All the temporary things that we try to feed on, all the junk food that we go after, +[4012.86 --> 4018.92] leaves us empty until, at the right moment, true food is offered. +[4018.92 --> 4023.18] This is the question for us this morning. +[4024.98 --> 4032.88] How are we chasing things that we thought would satisfy, only to realize they're leaving us empty? +[4032.88 --> 4039.28] Or what are the things that we try to fill our lives with that never truly satisfy? +[4039.28 --> 4047.50] It could be that the hunger you feel is pointing you to something greater than what the world has to offer. +[4047.50 --> 4055.62] My contention this morning is that when Jesus takes the bread and the bread at the last supper, +[4055.90 --> 4063.50] he is offering something extraordinary, something we cannot manufacture on our own, +[4064.34 --> 4071.86] but something that our bodies, our very souls, in fact, long for. +[4071.86 --> 4083.32] The big idea this morning is that the hunger in every human heart can only be satisfied at the king's table, +[4083.92 --> 4091.22] where Jesus offers himself in covenant fellowship as the true and better feast. +[4093.00 --> 4099.40] The only way to satisfy that hunger is to come to Jesus. +[4101.86 --> 4109.88] We read that Jesus, at this supper, takes bread, he blesses it, he breaks it, +[4109.94 --> 4112.72] and he gives it to his disciples, saying, +[4112.92 --> 4116.76] Take, eat, this is my body. +[4117.32 --> 4118.88] And then he takes the cup and he says, +[4119.26 --> 4125.60] This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. +[4125.60 --> 4133.22] Now, the Jewish men who make up Jesus' disciples reclining around this table, +[4133.78 --> 4138.64] and many of the first audience of Matthew's telling this story, +[4139.02 --> 4143.58] would hear in those words a very particular echo. +[4145.46 --> 4153.16] These words call back to Moses' words in the covenant meal that takes place in Exodus 24. +[4153.16 --> 4158.22] In Exodus 24, Moses sprinkled blood on the people, +[4158.42 --> 4160.92] and then he says to them, in verse 8, +[4161.26 --> 4165.34] This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you. +[4165.62 --> 4167.50] And then, we read later on, +[4167.56 --> 4170.84] that he ate and drank with the elders in God's presence. +[4172.38 --> 4176.64] Now, in Exodus, this covenant meal takes place in the context +[4176.64 --> 4180.66] of Moses explaining fellowship offerings. +[4180.90 --> 4182.66] These are sometimes called peace offerings, +[4183.14 --> 4187.52] which were meant to consecrate a meal before God +[4187.52 --> 4193.12] and to share fellowship with him and a brother or sister in the community. +[4194.00 --> 4197.00] Fellowship offerings have been called by others, +[4197.34 --> 4199.08] sharing a meal with God. +[4199.08 --> 4203.46] And by using these words, blood of the covenant, +[4203.98 --> 4209.08] Jesus is showing us both the continuity from the old +[4209.08 --> 4213.54] and the discontinuity in his doing a new thing, right? +[4213.60 --> 4216.10] In fulfilling the first covenant era +[4216.10 --> 4220.90] and in filling the new covenant era with new meaning, +[4221.68 --> 4224.56] a new meaning that flows from the old. +[4224.56 --> 4231.20] Jesus, in short, is the true and better Moses. +[4232.20 --> 4235.94] This meal is the true and better meal. +[4236.96 --> 4239.46] The blood that ratifies this covenant +[4239.46 --> 4243.10] is not the blood of animals, but the blood of Jesus. +[4243.94 --> 4248.30] And the covenant that he establishes in this moment is unbreakable, +[4248.48 --> 4250.68] and there's something different about it +[4250.68 --> 4252.42] in that, as we read elsewhere, +[4252.42 --> 4257.08] it's written on the hearts of those who hear it +[4257.08 --> 4259.00] and who receive it. +[4259.80 --> 4264.50] And those hearts are transformed from stone into flesh. +[4265.42 --> 4268.44] This is a fulfilling of what Jeremiah promises, +[4269.04 --> 4271.00] or what God promises through Jeremiah +[4271.00 --> 4274.26] in the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31. +[4275.02 --> 4278.10] This meal is the meal of the new covenant. +[4278.10 --> 4282.62] That's what Jesus is instituting here in this moment. +[4283.40 --> 4285.98] And for 2,000 years since then, +[4286.40 --> 4290.74] the church has been hosting and having this meal together. +[4291.74 --> 4294.98] Now, sometimes we call it the Eucharist, +[4295.32 --> 4298.00] which comes from the Greek word eucharisto, +[4298.22 --> 4299.40] which means to give thanks, +[4300.22 --> 4302.96] because it's the Thanksgiving feast of the church. +[4302.96 --> 4305.18] Sometimes it's called the Lord's Supper, +[4305.94 --> 4307.52] because Jesus is the host. +[4307.90 --> 4309.22] The Lord is the host, +[4309.32 --> 4311.24] and he invites us to join his table. +[4311.92 --> 4314.52] Sometimes it's referred to as the table. +[4315.32 --> 4316.88] Sometimes it's called communion, +[4317.12 --> 4319.00] again, because in this meal, +[4319.18 --> 4321.08] we fellowship with God. +[4321.22 --> 4323.78] We share a meal with him and with each other. +[4323.90 --> 4325.70] We commune together. +[4325.70 --> 4330.62] And Jesus gives us this meal, +[4330.84 --> 4332.60] and in giving it to us, +[4332.62 --> 4337.34] it's important to see that the direction is downward. +[4337.66 --> 4339.98] It's from him to us. +[4340.12 --> 4341.82] It's outward, as it were. +[4343.00 --> 4345.52] It's a meal he gives to us. +[4346.24 --> 4350.24] Even as the word of Jesus is outward, +[4350.70 --> 4351.78] it's for us, +[4351.78 --> 4356.38] this meal is from him to us. +[4356.46 --> 4358.88] One scholar, Dale Bruner, +[4359.40 --> 4360.72] he puts it this way. +[4361.46 --> 4361.86] He says, +[4362.32 --> 4363.24] in his word, +[4363.70 --> 4365.62] Jesus talks to us spiritually. +[4366.38 --> 4367.46] In his supper, +[4368.06 --> 4369.94] Jesus touches us physically. +[4370.72 --> 4371.38] And he goes on, +[4371.84 --> 4373.76] Jesus gives his body to us +[4373.76 --> 4375.54] in the bread and wine +[4375.54 --> 4376.44] in a real, +[4376.88 --> 4379.86] but not a carnal way. +[4381.78 --> 4383.08] I want to acknowledge, +[4383.54 --> 4384.14] it's right here, +[4385.08 --> 4387.76] that I'm going to probably generate questions. +[4388.50 --> 4390.16] And I'm happy to field your questions, +[4390.30 --> 4392.26] but please know that I'm going away for three days. +[4392.84 --> 4393.98] So if you send me an email, +[4394.24 --> 4395.62] I'll get to it at the end of the week. +[4398.18 --> 4400.24] The Bible itself, though, +[4401.08 --> 4404.06] insists that the Lord's Supper +[4404.06 --> 4406.44] is more than a memorial. +[4406.44 --> 4411.42] Paul writes to the Corinthians, +[4412.12 --> 4412.84] and he says, +[4413.20 --> 4414.80] anyone who eats and drinks, +[4414.94 --> 4416.42] that participates in this supper, +[4416.76 --> 4418.22] without discerning the body, +[4418.40 --> 4420.60] eats and drinks judgment on himself. +[4421.14 --> 4421.78] He goes on, +[4421.86 --> 4424.76] that is why many among you are weak and sick, +[4425.14 --> 4427.40] and a number of you have fallen asleep. +[4427.40 --> 4433.26] If the supper were only a reminder, +[4434.82 --> 4437.12] how could there be real-life consequences, +[4437.80 --> 4440.38] like sickness and death? +[4441.80 --> 4443.94] Most people I have ever met +[4443.94 --> 4446.34] don't get sick from misremembering. +[4447.62 --> 4448.16] Right? +[4448.18 --> 4449.52] You don't fall under judgment +[4449.52 --> 4451.22] because of a faulty metaphor. +[4452.96 --> 4455.16] Something more is happening here. +[4455.16 --> 4457.22] Right? +[4457.26 --> 4458.46] It's my contention +[4458.46 --> 4460.08] that the living Christ +[4460.08 --> 4462.84] is really present among His people +[4462.84 --> 4464.42] when we come to the table. +[4465.62 --> 4469.24] Present to bless those who receive in faith +[4469.24 --> 4470.96] and who are present, +[4471.28 --> 4473.58] and He is present then to judge +[4473.58 --> 4477.62] those who mock and despise His gift. +[4478.90 --> 4480.46] And I suggest to you, again, +[4480.58 --> 4482.30] that this is the only way +[4482.30 --> 4484.70] to make sense of Jesus' own words +[4484.70 --> 4485.94] in John 6, +[4486.72 --> 4487.68] where He says, +[4488.00 --> 4489.42] unless you eat the flesh +[4489.42 --> 4490.42] of the Son of Man +[4490.42 --> 4491.48] and drink His blood, +[4491.60 --> 4493.40] you have no life in you. +[4493.94 --> 4494.98] And when He says that, +[4495.06 --> 4497.32] the crowd are scandalized. +[4498.50 --> 4498.80] Right? +[4498.84 --> 4500.54] They understood that Jesus +[4500.54 --> 4502.38] is going beyond metaphor, +[4503.06 --> 4506.24] that He's pressing into something essential, +[4506.62 --> 4507.94] even existential. +[4507.94 --> 4509.60] right? +[4509.60 --> 4512.36] He's speaking of a participation +[4512.36 --> 4515.04] in His very life, +[4515.14 --> 4516.80] a communion with Him +[4516.80 --> 4519.22] that goes deeper than words alone, +[4519.34 --> 4521.58] deeper than memory alone. +[4522.24 --> 4524.02] And many people turn back from Him +[4524.02 --> 4524.72] at this point +[4524.72 --> 4526.04] because they couldn't handle it, +[4526.10 --> 4528.02] they couldn't wrap their minds around it. +[4529.00 --> 4530.20] But Peter stays. +[4531.32 --> 4531.74] Right? +[4531.84 --> 4532.44] Peter stays, +[4532.54 --> 4532.98] and he says, +[4532.98 --> 4533.54] Lord, +[4533.54 --> 4533.56] Lord, +[4534.00 --> 4535.48] to whom shall we go? +[4536.02 --> 4538.28] You have the words of eternal life. +[4539.82 --> 4540.44] And in there, +[4540.88 --> 4542.28] we won't spend too much time on it, +[4542.32 --> 4543.64] but note, +[4543.96 --> 4546.48] the Bible makes a straight line connection +[4546.48 --> 4548.54] between the words of eternal life +[4548.54 --> 4550.70] and eating and drinking +[4550.70 --> 4553.56] the flesh and blood of Jesus. +[4553.56 --> 4556.20] So, +[4556.48 --> 4557.94] when we come to the table, +[4558.78 --> 4560.48] we aren't just recalling +[4560.48 --> 4562.50] what Jesus did long ago. +[4563.20 --> 4564.28] Memory matters, +[4564.42 --> 4564.94] absolutely, +[4565.76 --> 4567.64] but more is going on. +[4568.98 --> 4569.56] Here, +[4569.80 --> 4571.78] Christ Himself meets us +[4571.78 --> 4573.00] in covenant fellowship. +[4573.98 --> 4574.44] Here, +[4574.72 --> 4576.68] as John Calvin said +[4576.68 --> 4578.16] years ago, +[4578.36 --> 4580.38] the sacred mystery of the supper +[4580.38 --> 4582.20] consists in two things, +[4582.20 --> 4583.94] the corporeal signs, +[4584.06 --> 4585.54] which are set before our eyes, +[4585.68 --> 4587.40] and the spiritual truth, +[4587.76 --> 4589.34] which is at the same time +[4589.34 --> 4591.40] represented and exhibited +[4591.40 --> 4592.90] through them, +[4593.52 --> 4595.00] through the corporeal signs. +[4595.78 --> 4596.64] In other words, +[4596.90 --> 4598.94] it's a real participation, +[4599.38 --> 4600.60] a true encounter, +[4600.98 --> 4601.84] a covenant meal +[4601.84 --> 4603.70] where the king feeds his people +[4603.70 --> 4605.18] with his own life. +[4606.42 --> 4607.14] And again, +[4607.24 --> 4608.38] as we draw this out +[4608.38 --> 4610.80] and we go back in church history, +[4610.80 --> 4612.46] the church of the second +[4612.46 --> 4613.86] and third centuries +[4613.86 --> 4615.56] understood this. +[4616.54 --> 4618.06] The challenge of this +[4618.06 --> 4619.12] actually worked out +[4619.12 --> 4620.24] in their persecution. +[4622.52 --> 4623.38] Early Christians +[4623.38 --> 4625.00] were charged, +[4625.48 --> 4627.00] among other things, +[4627.06 --> 4628.28] with cannibalism +[4628.28 --> 4629.82] and some other +[4629.82 --> 4631.54] really abhorrent ideas. +[4631.68 --> 4632.12] For example, +[4632.26 --> 4633.54] one of the charges +[4633.54 --> 4634.68] that was leveled +[4634.68 --> 4635.64] against early Christians +[4635.64 --> 4637.04] was that they would +[4637.04 --> 4638.84] eat infants +[4638.84 --> 4640.60] that were baked in dough +[4640.60 --> 4643.08] and that they would drink, +[4643.30 --> 4643.56] quote, +[4643.68 --> 4645.42] loaves steeped in blood. +[4647.00 --> 4647.68] Now, +[4647.84 --> 4648.62] it's clear +[4648.62 --> 4649.94] that these charges +[4649.94 --> 4651.42] come from a misunderstanding +[4651.42 --> 4653.10] of the Eucharist +[4653.10 --> 4654.70] because the church +[4654.70 --> 4655.84] has always used +[4655.84 --> 4657.46] such realistic language +[4657.46 --> 4658.60] to describe +[4658.60 --> 4659.44] what's going on here. +[4660.58 --> 4661.32] And likewise, +[4661.50 --> 4662.88] the earliest church +[4662.88 --> 4664.04] after the apostles +[4664.04 --> 4665.28] understood +[4665.28 --> 4666.42] that Jesus +[4666.42 --> 4667.40] is present +[4667.40 --> 4668.10] in the bread +[4668.10 --> 4668.92] and in the wine +[4668.92 --> 4669.98] in more than +[4669.98 --> 4671.24] a symbolic way. +[4672.50 --> 4674.04] But what they didn't do, +[4674.34 --> 4675.28] and here it is important +[4675.28 --> 4676.16] to continue with me, +[4676.24 --> 4677.18] what they didn't do +[4677.18 --> 4678.04] is attempt +[4678.04 --> 4678.84] to describe +[4678.84 --> 4679.84] the process +[4679.84 --> 4681.34] or the change +[4681.34 --> 4682.14] by which +[4682.14 --> 4683.26] he is present. +[4685.02 --> 4686.12] At the early church, +[4686.84 --> 4687.60] in line with +[4687.60 --> 4688.62] how the Bible itself +[4688.62 --> 4689.52] talks about +[4689.52 --> 4690.94] this holy meal, +[4691.40 --> 4692.30] understood it +[4692.30 --> 4693.92] as a holy mystery. +[4693.92 --> 4697.18] Ignatius of Antioch +[4697.18 --> 4697.68] called it +[4697.68 --> 4698.36] the medicine +[4698.36 --> 4699.92] of immortality. +[4701.10 --> 4701.86] Justin Martyr +[4701.86 --> 4702.92] said that +[4702.92 --> 4703.92] we do not receive +[4703.92 --> 4704.86] these as common +[4704.86 --> 4705.74] bread and drink +[4705.74 --> 4706.96] but as Jesus Christ, +[4707.06 --> 4707.52] our Savior, +[4707.72 --> 4709.10] being made flesh. +[4709.78 --> 4710.40] Irenaeus +[4710.40 --> 4712.50] said the bread, +[4712.76 --> 4713.54] receiving the word +[4713.54 --> 4714.04] of God, +[4714.18 --> 4715.60] becomes the Eucharist, +[4715.74 --> 4716.70] the body of Christ. +[4717.30 --> 4717.80] These are all +[4717.80 --> 4718.72] second century +[4718.72 --> 4719.80] church fathers. +[4720.60 --> 4721.40] Years later, +[4721.58 --> 4722.24] John Calvin, +[4722.70 --> 4723.44] who's one of +[4723.44 --> 4725.24] the magisterial reformers, +[4725.78 --> 4726.98] John Calvin said +[4726.98 --> 4727.98] of the supper, +[4728.42 --> 4729.28] it's a mystery +[4729.28 --> 4730.28] too lofty +[4730.28 --> 4731.42] for either my mind +[4731.42 --> 4732.06] to comprehend +[4732.06 --> 4732.96] or my words +[4732.96 --> 4733.54] to declare. +[4733.82 --> 4735.40] I rather experience +[4735.40 --> 4737.22] than understand it. +[4738.58 --> 4739.18] Point is, +[4739.54 --> 4740.78] the presence of God +[4740.78 --> 4741.82] in the supper +[4741.82 --> 4743.02] is not a puzzle +[4743.02 --> 4743.96] to solve. +[4744.30 --> 4745.90] It's the king's feast +[4745.90 --> 4747.42] where covenant fellowship +[4747.42 --> 4748.46] meets the deepest +[4748.46 --> 4749.80] longings of the human heart. +[4749.80 --> 4752.08] And so, +[4752.22 --> 4753.54] we see the story +[4753.54 --> 4754.68] of the king +[4754.68 --> 4756.16] filling out +[4756.16 --> 4756.86] or as it were, +[4756.96 --> 4758.08] fleshing out +[4758.08 --> 4759.54] a feast prepared +[4759.54 --> 4760.84] not with tokens +[4760.84 --> 4761.78] or symbols +[4761.78 --> 4764.52] but with his very self. +[4765.86 --> 4765.96] Right? +[4766.02 --> 4766.46] That the heart +[4766.46 --> 4767.28] of the heart +[4767.28 --> 4767.78] of the heart +[4767.78 --> 4768.44] the ache +[4768.44 --> 4769.08] for love +[4769.08 --> 4769.92] and for acceptance +[4769.92 --> 4770.78] and for meaning +[4770.78 --> 4771.74] is not met +[4771.74 --> 4772.42] with snacks +[4772.42 --> 4773.72] or temporary fixes +[4773.72 --> 4775.18] but with covenant fellowship +[4775.18 --> 4776.56] with Christ himself. +[4777.22 --> 4778.98] The king sets his table +[4778.98 --> 4780.28] in the bread +[4780.28 --> 4781.12] and in the cup +[4781.12 --> 4781.78] in the blood +[4781.78 --> 4782.38] of the covenant. +[4782.52 --> 4783.90] He offers something greater +[4783.90 --> 4785.58] than we could ever imagine. +[4786.74 --> 4787.60] His presence, +[4788.18 --> 4788.96] his life, +[4789.24 --> 4789.88] a promise +[4789.88 --> 4790.72] that satisfies +[4790.72 --> 4792.12] the deepest longings +[4792.12 --> 4792.98] of our hearts. +[4792.98 --> 4794.60] this is the feast +[4794.60 --> 4796.40] we were made for. +[4796.90 --> 4798.86] The true banquet of God +[4798.86 --> 4801.14] and every taste of it +[4801.14 --> 4803.52] points to the eternal joy +[4803.52 --> 4804.54] that will one day +[4804.54 --> 4806.16] be fully revealed. +[4807.96 --> 4809.14] Now, after Jesus +[4809.14 --> 4809.92] takes the bread +[4809.92 --> 4810.54] and the cup, +[4810.62 --> 4811.26] he declares, +[4811.74 --> 4812.92] this is my body +[4812.92 --> 4814.42] and this is my blood +[4814.42 --> 4815.60] of the covenant. +[4817.00 --> 4817.38] And again, +[4817.46 --> 4818.30] in doing this, +[4818.36 --> 4819.46] he's not setting +[4819.46 --> 4820.06] the table +[4820.06 --> 4821.16] of mere bread +[4821.16 --> 4822.46] and mere wine +[4822.46 --> 4824.40] but of himself. +[4825.72 --> 4826.16] Now, Matthew +[4826.16 --> 4827.12] is intentionally +[4827.12 --> 4829.18] echoing Exodus 24 +[4829.18 --> 4830.72] where we already saw +[4830.72 --> 4831.98] Moses ratified +[4831.98 --> 4832.84] the covenant +[4832.84 --> 4833.40] with the blood +[4833.40 --> 4834.08] of sacrifice +[4834.08 --> 4834.98] and ate with elders +[4834.98 --> 4836.40] and we're here seeing, +[4836.56 --> 4836.80] again, +[4836.96 --> 4838.00] Matthew underscoring +[4838.00 --> 4839.10] a point he has made +[4839.10 --> 4840.02] for us over +[4840.02 --> 4841.12] and over and over +[4841.12 --> 4842.66] that Jesus +[4842.66 --> 4843.38] is the true +[4843.38 --> 4844.68] and better Moses +[4844.68 --> 4845.82] and that the blood +[4845.82 --> 4847.18] that seals his covenant +[4847.18 --> 4848.02] is his own +[4848.02 --> 4848.90] and that the fellowship +[4848.90 --> 4849.76] that he offers +[4849.76 --> 4851.26] is unbreakable. +[4852.38 --> 4853.60] Every bite of bread, +[4853.70 --> 4854.86] every sip of wine +[4854.86 --> 4856.74] points to covenant life +[4856.74 --> 4858.14] with the king himself, +[4858.30 --> 4859.36] life that satisfies +[4859.36 --> 4861.22] what nothing else can do. +[4862.08 --> 4862.36] And again, +[4862.42 --> 4863.44] this isn't about rituals +[4863.44 --> 4864.28] or tokens, +[4864.28 --> 4865.66] it's about presence +[4865.66 --> 4866.28] and relationship +[4866.84 --> 4867.92] and invitation +[4867.92 --> 4869.44] into the reality +[4869.44 --> 4870.68] of God's kingdom, +[4871.44 --> 4872.10] a reality +[4872.10 --> 4873.42] that he is inviting you +[4873.42 --> 4875.12] to take into yourself. +[4875.12 --> 4879.98] And again, +[4880.28 --> 4881.64] for centuries, +[4882.70 --> 4883.72] Christians have wrestled +[4883.72 --> 4885.08] with how to explain +[4885.08 --> 4886.32] Christ's presence +[4886.32 --> 4887.10] in the supper. +[4889.40 --> 4890.98] And as I dig in here +[4890.98 --> 4891.70] a little more, +[4892.52 --> 4893.60] I want to be really careful +[4893.60 --> 4894.84] with my language +[4894.84 --> 4897.14] because I don't ordinarily +[4897.14 --> 4898.00] like to stand +[4898.00 --> 4898.62] in the pulpit +[4898.62 --> 4900.58] and call out divisions +[4900.58 --> 4902.20] in the church +[4902.20 --> 4904.02] because I really do believe +[4904.02 --> 4904.88] that we are living +[4904.88 --> 4905.52] in a time +[4905.52 --> 4906.14] and a place +[4906.14 --> 4907.26] where the church +[4907.26 --> 4908.40] is set in opposition +[4908.40 --> 4909.08] to culture +[4909.08 --> 4910.30] and the best response +[4910.30 --> 4911.04] that we can give +[4911.04 --> 4911.48] in that +[4911.48 --> 4913.08] is a united church. +[4914.50 --> 4915.64] But I do have to address +[4915.64 --> 4916.34] part of that +[4916.34 --> 4917.16] in our conversation +[4917.16 --> 4917.68] this morning +[4917.68 --> 4920.66] because as the church +[4920.66 --> 4921.76] continued to wrestle +[4921.76 --> 4922.78] with this idea, +[4923.72 --> 4924.44] theologians +[4924.44 --> 4925.40] in the Middle Ages +[4925.40 --> 4926.40] in the sort of +[4926.40 --> 4928.44] 10th to 13th century, +[4928.98 --> 4930.58] drawing on +[4930.58 --> 4931.92] a rediscovery +[4931.92 --> 4932.92] of the philosophy +[4932.92 --> 4933.92] of Aristotle, +[4934.72 --> 4935.66] developed what has +[4935.66 --> 4936.56] become known +[4936.56 --> 4937.38] in the Roman +[4937.38 --> 4937.96] Christian +[4937.96 --> 4939.70] as the doctrine +[4939.70 --> 4941.22] of transubstantiation. +[4942.62 --> 4943.80] Now, really quickly, +[4944.64 --> 4945.32] the doctrine +[4945.32 --> 4946.52] of transubstantiation +[4946.52 --> 4949.00] was codified, +[4949.12 --> 4949.94] was affirmed +[4949.94 --> 4952.36] in 1215 +[4952.36 --> 4954.24] at the Fourth Lateran Council. +[4954.60 --> 4955.04] But here, +[4955.18 --> 4956.86] that's 12 centuries +[4956.86 --> 4960.18] after the text +[4960.18 --> 4960.72] of Scripture +[4960.72 --> 4961.72] was written. +[4962.26 --> 4962.70] Later, +[4963.24 --> 4964.20] the Council of Trent, +[4964.30 --> 4964.76] which happened +[4964.76 --> 4965.78] after the Reformation +[4965.78 --> 4966.44] in response +[4966.44 --> 4967.26] to the Reformation, +[4967.78 --> 4968.76] took it even further +[4968.76 --> 4970.20] and elevated +[4970.20 --> 4971.14] the doctrine +[4971.14 --> 4972.56] of transubstantiation +[4972.56 --> 4973.88] and pronounced +[4973.88 --> 4974.98] an anathema +[4974.98 --> 4976.06] on anyone +[4976.06 --> 4976.88] who denied it. +[4977.52 --> 4978.34] Now, an anathema +[4978.34 --> 4980.24] in Roman Catholic doctrine +[4980.24 --> 4981.60] is a formal +[4981.60 --> 4982.82] excommunication. +[4983.82 --> 4984.78] What that means +[4984.78 --> 4985.16] is people +[4985.16 --> 4986.20] who don't believe it +[4986.20 --> 4987.22] are declared +[4987.22 --> 4988.68] to be not Christian. +[4991.36 --> 4992.78] Now, as we dig in, +[4993.12 --> 4993.68] it's important +[4993.68 --> 4994.44] for me to say +[4994.44 --> 4996.38] that this doctrine +[4996.38 --> 4997.72] of transubstantiation +[4997.72 --> 4999.00] is not invented +[4999.00 --> 4999.84] from nothing. +[5000.74 --> 5001.12] That is, +[5001.18 --> 5002.20] it's an explanation +[5002.20 --> 5003.44] of a faith +[5003.44 --> 5004.56] that was already held, +[5004.94 --> 5006.86] but it did represent +[5006.86 --> 5007.64] a shift. +[5009.26 --> 5009.58] Right? +[5009.64 --> 5010.34] What had once +[5010.34 --> 5011.56] been a mystery +[5011.56 --> 5013.22] embraced in worship +[5013.22 --> 5015.22] became a mechanism +[5015.22 --> 5017.76] explained in philosophy. +[5019.30 --> 5020.08] Now, again, +[5020.50 --> 5021.36] let me be really clear. +[5021.46 --> 5022.22] There's nothing wrong +[5022.22 --> 5023.80] with faith-seeking +[5023.80 --> 5024.52] understanding. +[5024.90 --> 5025.56] There's nothing wrong +[5025.56 --> 5026.44] with philosophy. +[5026.84 --> 5028.02] My undergraduate degree +[5028.02 --> 5029.38] is a minor in philosophy. +[5029.96 --> 5031.22] But what happened here +[5031.22 --> 5031.86] and what I think +[5031.86 --> 5032.92] the problem here +[5032.92 --> 5034.18] is the church +[5034.18 --> 5036.10] made this particular +[5036.10 --> 5038.20] philosophical explanation +[5038.20 --> 5039.52] binding +[5039.52 --> 5041.54] on all consciences. +[5041.54 --> 5042.98] Right? +[5043.02 --> 5043.96] The Council of Trent +[5043.96 --> 5045.46] elevated a human +[5045.46 --> 5046.28] explanation +[5046.28 --> 5047.98] of the difference +[5047.98 --> 5048.78] between substance +[5048.78 --> 5049.78] and accidents, +[5049.88 --> 5051.02] which gets into Aristotle. +[5051.28 --> 5052.28] They elevated that +[5052.28 --> 5053.00] to the level +[5053.00 --> 5054.50] of necessary dogma. +[5055.60 --> 5056.16] What had been +[5056.16 --> 5057.76] a mystery of faith +[5057.76 --> 5058.24] became, +[5058.68 --> 5059.04] for them, +[5059.12 --> 5060.50] a test of orthodoxy. +[5061.70 --> 5062.48] And instead of +[5062.48 --> 5063.42] uniting the church +[5063.42 --> 5064.56] in a biblical confession +[5064.56 --> 5065.54] and doxology, +[5065.98 --> 5067.48] it narrowed the church +[5067.48 --> 5069.32] around Aristotelian +[5069.32 --> 5069.96] categories. +[5069.96 --> 5073.60] And I hope you're seeing +[5073.60 --> 5074.86] that at the heart +[5074.86 --> 5076.38] of the problem here +[5076.38 --> 5077.88] is that the supper +[5077.88 --> 5080.12] is not first about mechanics +[5080.12 --> 5081.48] or about philosophy. +[5082.04 --> 5083.54] It's about the king +[5083.54 --> 5084.58] offering himself +[5084.58 --> 5085.38] to his people. +[5086.64 --> 5088.06] And when the explanation +[5088.06 --> 5089.56] of how that happened +[5089.56 --> 5090.98] becomes the measure +[5090.98 --> 5092.30] of faith, +[5092.66 --> 5094.66] it risks eclipsing +[5094.66 --> 5096.14] the very Christ +[5096.14 --> 5098.90] intended to be seen. +[5098.90 --> 5100.28] the very gift +[5100.28 --> 5101.30] intended to be given, +[5101.40 --> 5102.46] that of covenant life, +[5102.60 --> 5103.50] of satisfaction +[5103.50 --> 5104.70] for the soul +[5104.70 --> 5105.42] and of fellowship +[5105.42 --> 5106.40] with God. +[5107.48 --> 5107.86] And again, +[5107.92 --> 5109.06] the earliest church +[5109.06 --> 5110.02] understood this. +[5110.48 --> 5111.60] And it's my contention +[5111.60 --> 5112.62] that the Reformation +[5112.62 --> 5113.98] reclaimed this. +[5114.90 --> 5115.10] Right? +[5115.12 --> 5115.78] That the Reformed +[5115.78 --> 5116.44] understanding +[5116.44 --> 5118.10] is actually more in line +[5118.10 --> 5119.04] with the church fathers +[5119.04 --> 5120.90] and also more in line +[5120.90 --> 5121.72] with the mystery +[5121.72 --> 5122.80] of the Bible +[5122.80 --> 5124.12] as it talks about +[5124.12 --> 5125.22] the supper for us. +[5126.32 --> 5126.52] Right? +[5126.52 --> 5128.90] The supper is the king's feast, +[5129.00 --> 5129.84] a covenant meal +[5129.84 --> 5131.48] where the deepest longings +[5131.48 --> 5132.18] of our heart +[5132.18 --> 5134.06] are met by Christ's presence +[5134.06 --> 5136.30] in real, relational, +[5136.66 --> 5138.46] and transformative ways. +[5139.34 --> 5140.06] But how? +[5141.18 --> 5143.04] I dare not speak that mystery. +[5146.04 --> 5147.72] Now, Jesus closes this meal +[5147.72 --> 5149.44] with a promise. +[5149.44 --> 5151.52] He says, +[5151.66 --> 5152.88] I will not drink again +[5152.88 --> 5154.28] of this fruit of the vine +[5154.28 --> 5155.20] until that day +[5155.20 --> 5156.14] when I drink it new +[5156.14 --> 5157.00] with you +[5157.00 --> 5158.18] in my Father's kingdom. +[5159.30 --> 5160.54] The covenant meal +[5160.54 --> 5162.06] points forward +[5162.06 --> 5164.24] to that final banquet, +[5164.40 --> 5165.98] to that wedding feast +[5165.98 --> 5166.56] of the Lamb +[5166.56 --> 5167.26] that we read about +[5167.26 --> 5168.46] in Revelation 19. +[5169.04 --> 5170.94] What began at Sinai, +[5171.12 --> 5172.00] anticipated through +[5172.00 --> 5173.24] the blood of sacrifice, +[5173.58 --> 5174.48] what is fulfilled +[5174.48 --> 5175.70] in Christ Jesus, +[5175.88 --> 5177.26] now draws us +[5177.26 --> 5178.96] to covenant fellowship +[5178.96 --> 5180.58] and foreshadowing +[5180.58 --> 5182.18] that eternal joy +[5182.18 --> 5184.30] of that fully realized +[5184.30 --> 5186.44] final kingdom of God +[5186.44 --> 5187.14] in the restoration +[5187.14 --> 5188.54] of all things. +[5189.26 --> 5190.40] Every celebration +[5190.40 --> 5192.10] of this meal +[5192.10 --> 5193.68] invites us +[5193.68 --> 5195.52] to taste and see +[5195.52 --> 5197.16] the king's presence +[5197.16 --> 5198.70] and reminds us +[5198.70 --> 5199.38] that the hunger +[5199.38 --> 5200.26] of the meal +[5200.26 --> 5201.44] in this life +[5201.44 --> 5202.64] is not meaningless, +[5203.06 --> 5203.88] but rather it is +[5203.88 --> 5204.50] a pointer +[5204.50 --> 5205.64] to the feast +[5205.64 --> 5206.86] that God has prepared, +[5207.40 --> 5208.24] a promise +[5208.24 --> 5209.46] that one day +[5209.46 --> 5211.46] will be fully realized. +[5213.54 --> 5214.78] So here we are +[5214.78 --> 5217.00] in the story +[5217.00 --> 5220.26] striving to behold +[5220.26 --> 5221.66] our king. +[5223.24 --> 5225.00] We all carry a hunger. +[5226.18 --> 5227.66] We all chase comfort +[5227.66 --> 5228.70] and approval. +[5229.12 --> 5229.84] We all long +[5229.84 --> 5230.58] for success +[5230.58 --> 5231.50] or connection, +[5231.98 --> 5233.22] hoping that one bite +[5233.22 --> 5234.34] or one achievement +[5234.34 --> 5235.88] will finally satisfy. +[5237.08 --> 5237.92] And like the parent +[5237.92 --> 5239.12] who works long hours +[5239.12 --> 5241.00] yet still feels lonely, +[5241.14 --> 5241.92] like the young adult +[5241.92 --> 5242.90] who's scrolling +[5242.90 --> 5243.92] for validation, +[5244.42 --> 5246.02] like even the caterpillar +[5246.02 --> 5246.94] who's moving +[5246.94 --> 5247.72] from one thing +[5247.72 --> 5248.32] to the next, +[5248.66 --> 5249.32] eating more +[5249.32 --> 5250.10] and eating more +[5250.10 --> 5251.68] and still feeling empty, +[5251.82 --> 5252.76] our lives +[5252.76 --> 5254.16] are full of snacks +[5254.16 --> 5256.54] that never truly feed us. +[5257.80 --> 5258.70] But Jesus, +[5259.36 --> 5259.84] Jesus, +[5260.48 --> 5261.50] in his word +[5261.50 --> 5263.22] and at his table, +[5263.22 --> 5264.52] meets us +[5264.52 --> 5265.50] with a feast +[5265.50 --> 5267.06] unlike anything +[5267.06 --> 5268.56] the world can offer. +[5270.34 --> 5272.24] And at that last supper, +[5272.54 --> 5273.64] he offers us +[5273.64 --> 5275.20] his very self, +[5275.34 --> 5276.34] bread and wine +[5276.34 --> 5278.36] made covenant blood +[5278.36 --> 5279.32] that secures +[5279.32 --> 5280.84] unbreakable fellowship +[5280.84 --> 5281.92] with God, +[5282.56 --> 5283.38] a presence +[5283.38 --> 5284.58] that satisfies +[5284.58 --> 5286.20] the deepest longings +[5286.20 --> 5287.24] of our heart. +[5287.24 --> 5288.24] God, +[5288.24 --> 5293.62] the king has set +[5293.62 --> 5294.28] his table +[5294.28 --> 5296.30] not just for a moment +[5296.30 --> 5298.26] but for eternity. +[5299.64 --> 5300.60] The church +[5300.60 --> 5301.42] has called it +[5301.42 --> 5303.22] a holy mystery. +[5304.02 --> 5304.86] Calvin called it +[5304.86 --> 5306.00] something to be +[5306.00 --> 5307.06] received +[5307.06 --> 5308.46] rather than solved. +[5309.06 --> 5309.70] And the scriptures +[5309.70 --> 5310.38] show us +[5310.38 --> 5311.84] that this covenant meal +[5311.84 --> 5313.20] points us towards +[5313.20 --> 5314.66] the eternal banquet +[5314.66 --> 5315.68] of the Lamb. +[5315.68 --> 5318.06] all of our longing, +[5318.66 --> 5320.24] all of our unquenched hunger, +[5320.42 --> 5321.94] all of the empty feasts +[5321.94 --> 5322.88] that we have tried +[5322.88 --> 5324.52] to fill ourselves with, +[5324.60 --> 5325.84] all of those things +[5325.84 --> 5327.58] find their answer +[5327.58 --> 5329.56] in Christ alone. +[5331.14 --> 5332.64] Like that little caterpillar, +[5332.80 --> 5334.22] our endless snacking +[5334.22 --> 5335.80] never transforms us. +[5336.02 --> 5337.12] Only when we come +[5337.12 --> 5338.00] to the right food +[5338.00 --> 5338.78] at the right time, +[5338.84 --> 5339.84] to the true food, +[5340.14 --> 5341.64] to Jesus Christ himself, +[5341.78 --> 5343.02] are we changed +[5343.02 --> 5344.70] into what we are meant +[5344.70 --> 5345.58] to be. +[5346.30 --> 5347.66] The ache in our hearts, +[5348.44 --> 5349.20] the yearning +[5349.20 --> 5349.88] that we have felt +[5349.88 --> 5350.76] our whole lives +[5350.76 --> 5351.96] is not a mistake +[5351.96 --> 5353.18] nor is it a weakness. +[5353.48 --> 5354.12] It is God +[5354.12 --> 5355.84] pointing to himself +[5355.84 --> 5357.58] in us. +[5358.66 --> 5359.60] The king has set +[5359.60 --> 5360.28] his table +[5360.28 --> 5361.74] and in his presence +[5361.74 --> 5362.86] the hunger is met, +[5363.32 --> 5364.70] the longing is answered, +[5364.96 --> 5366.08] and the promise +[5366.08 --> 5366.76] of life +[5366.76 --> 5368.18] is made real. +[5368.18 --> 5371.90] And so we leave +[5371.90 --> 5372.68] this story +[5372.68 --> 5374.92] not really with a question +[5374.92 --> 5376.88] about what we still lack, +[5377.88 --> 5380.04] but I pray in an awe +[5380.04 --> 5381.98] and with a sense +[5381.98 --> 5383.12] of mystery +[5383.12 --> 5384.68] about what we have +[5384.68 --> 5385.24] been given. +[5386.72 --> 5387.96] The hunger in your heart +[5387.96 --> 5388.66] is not a call +[5388.66 --> 5389.28] to desperation, +[5389.28 --> 5390.54] it is an invitation +[5390.54 --> 5391.68] to your king. +[5392.38 --> 5393.18] Every ache +[5393.18 --> 5394.00] and every longing, +[5394.18 --> 5395.34] every unfulfilled desire +[5395.34 --> 5396.84] points to the feast +[5396.84 --> 5398.16] that he prepares for you. +[5399.26 --> 5400.26] The king's table +[5400.26 --> 5400.76] is ready. +[5401.84 --> 5402.40] The feast +[5402.40 --> 5403.16] is for you. +[5403.52 --> 5403.98] The hunger +[5403.98 --> 5404.68] in your heart, +[5404.76 --> 5405.72] the one that no promotion +[5405.72 --> 5406.44] or relationship +[5406.44 --> 5407.12] or scrolling +[5407.12 --> 5407.82] can ever fill, +[5408.16 --> 5409.82] finds its feast +[5409.82 --> 5411.30] at the king's table +[5411.30 --> 5413.24] where Jesus himself +[5413.24 --> 5413.96] is the bread +[5413.96 --> 5414.74] that satisfies +[5414.74 --> 5416.14] and the presence +[5416.14 --> 5417.10] that transforms. +[5418.26 --> 5418.84] The king +[5418.84 --> 5420.20] has set his table +[5420.20 --> 5422.02] and in his presence +[5422.02 --> 5423.12] every longing +[5423.12 --> 5424.78] finds its feast, +[5425.00 --> 5425.66] every ache, +[5425.66 --> 5426.72] its answer +[5426.72 --> 5428.04] and every heart +[5428.04 --> 5429.90] its home. +[5430.92 --> 5431.22] Amen. +[5432.12 --> 5433.20] Let's pray together. +[5440.08 --> 5441.48] Lord Jesus, +[5442.14 --> 5444.00] by your Holy Spirit +[5444.00 --> 5445.00] and the power +[5445.00 --> 5445.72] of your word, +[5446.24 --> 5447.68] both captivate +[5447.68 --> 5448.74] and transform +[5448.74 --> 5450.44] our imaginations +[5450.44 --> 5451.50] today. +[5451.50 --> 5455.56] help us to +[5455.56 --> 5457.20] get a little bit +[5457.20 --> 5457.88] of a glimpse +[5457.88 --> 5459.08] into the mystery +[5459.08 --> 5460.60] of the supper, +[5461.18 --> 5462.20] into the mystery +[5462.20 --> 5463.48] of your word, +[5463.66 --> 5464.54] into the mystery +[5464.54 --> 5465.66] of how you make +[5465.66 --> 5466.58] yourself known +[5466.58 --> 5467.60] to us. +[5469.28 --> 5470.42] And as we go +[5470.42 --> 5471.40] from this place, +[5472.08 --> 5473.08] may our longing +[5473.08 --> 5474.12] for that great +[5474.12 --> 5475.78] and final feast +[5475.78 --> 5476.50] be grown. +[5476.50 --> 5477.62] grown. +[5478.82 --> 5479.72] May our longing +[5479.72 --> 5480.58] for that great +[5480.58 --> 5482.12] day of the Lord, +[5482.22 --> 5482.70] that day +[5482.70 --> 5483.88] of your return +[5483.88 --> 5485.40] be drawn +[5485.40 --> 5486.14] forward +[5486.14 --> 5488.90] and draw out +[5488.90 --> 5489.50] of us +[5489.50 --> 5490.46] in this moment +[5490.46 --> 5491.26] and in the days +[5491.26 --> 5491.70] and weeks +[5491.70 --> 5492.28] and moments +[5492.28 --> 5492.90] to come +[5492.90 --> 5494.12] a heart +[5494.12 --> 5495.56] that worships +[5495.56 --> 5496.76] and marvels +[5496.76 --> 5497.64] at the mystery +[5497.64 --> 5499.12] of our faith. +[5499.12 --> 5502.62] Lord Jesus, +[5503.12 --> 5504.48] as we have +[5504.48 --> 5505.22] heard you, +[5506.18 --> 5506.96] as we have +[5506.96 --> 5507.68] seen you, +[5508.36 --> 5509.22] and as we long +[5509.22 --> 5510.00] to see more +[5510.00 --> 5510.44] of you, +[5511.36 --> 5512.20] send us out +[5512.20 --> 5513.00] in the power +[5513.00 --> 5514.20] of your Holy Spirit +[5514.20 --> 5514.72] now. +[5515.22 --> 5516.40] In Jesus' name, +[5517.40 --> 5517.74] Amen. +[5517.74 --> 5517.84] Amen. +[5529.12 --> 5529.66] Amen. +[5535.84 --> 5536.26] Amen. +[5541.76 --> 5541.92] Amen. +[5546.28 --> 5548.16] Amen. +[5549.46 --> 5549.78] You stood +[5549.78 --> 5552.82] before creation +[5552.82 --> 5556.14] eternity +[5556.14 --> 5558.36] in your hand +[5559.12 --> 5565.30] You spoke the earth into motion +[5565.30 --> 5570.16] My soul now to stand +[5570.16 --> 5578.10] You stood before my failure +[5578.10 --> 5585.14] And carried the cross for my shame +[5585.14 --> 5591.02] My sin weighed upon your shoulders +[5591.02 --> 5594.60] My soul now to stand +[5594.60 --> 5600.84] So what can I say? +[5602.98 --> 5607.26] What can I do? +[5607.26 --> 5615.72] I offer this heart, O God +[5615.72 --> 5621.72] Completely to you +[5621.72 --> 5628.76] Walk upon salvation +[5628.76 --> 5635.54] Your spirit alive in me +[5635.54 --> 5641.36] My life to declare your promise +[5641.36 --> 5644.94] My soul now to stand +[5644.94 --> 5650.96] So what can I say? +[5650.96 --> 5656.84] What can I do? +[5659.42 --> 5664.42] But offer this heart, O God +[5664.42 --> 5670.42] Completely to you +[5670.42 --> 5675.88] So what can I say? +[5675.88 --> 5681.88] What can I do? +[5681.88 --> 5689.88] But offer this heart, O God +[5689.88 --> 5694.88] Completely to you +[5694.88 --> 5707.34] So I'll stand +[5707.34 --> 5711.42] With arms high and heart abandoned +[5711.42 --> 5718.34] In awe of the one who gave it all +[5718.34 --> 5719.80] I'll stand +[5719.80 --> 5720.30] I'll stand +[5720.30 --> 5722.36] My soul, Lord +[5722.36 --> 5722.90] To you +[5722.90 --> 5723.80] Surrender +[5723.80 --> 5728.26] All I am is yours +[5728.26 --> 5732.26] I'll stand +[5732.26 --> 5736.26] With arms high and heart abandoned +[5736.26 --> 5742.86] In awe of the one who gave it all +[5742.86 --> 5744.26] I'll stand +[5744.26 --> 5746.26] My soul, Lord +[5746.26 --> 5747.26] To you +[5747.26 --> 5748.34] Surrender +[5748.34 --> 5752.80] All I am is yours +[5752.80 --> 5756.80] I'll stand +[5756.80 --> 5760.80] With arms high and heart abandoned +[5760.80 --> 5766.80] In awe of the one who gave it all +[5766.80 --> 5768.80] I'll stand +[5768.80 --> 5770.80] My soul, Lord +[5770.80 --> 5772.30] To you +[5772.30 --> 5772.80] Surrender +[5772.80 --> 5776.80] All I am is yours +[5776.80 --> 5797.34] Together we stand +[5797.34 --> 5799.64] And together we are sent +[5799.64 --> 5806.12] Commissioned to minister the presence of Jesus to the world +[5806.12 --> 5808.92] And so God himself goes with us +[5808.92 --> 5811.54] Receive the blessing of our God +[5811.54 --> 5812.70] As we go +[5812.70 --> 5815.74] God go before you +[5815.74 --> 5816.84] To lead you +[5816.84 --> 5818.82] God go behind you +[5818.82 --> 5819.96] To protect you +[5819.96 --> 5821.76] God go beneath you +[5821.76 --> 5822.76] To support you +[5822.76 --> 5824.52] And God go beside you +[5824.52 --> 5825.66] To befriend you +[5825.66 --> 5828.34] Do not be afraid +[5828.34 --> 5831.10] Let the blessing of God come upon you today +[5831.10 --> 5832.76] Do not be afraid +[5832.76 --> 5833.98] But go +[5833.98 --> 5835.28] In peace +[5835.28 --> 5836.12] To love +[5836.12 --> 5837.06] And serve +[5837.06 --> 5837.84] The Lord +[5837.84 --> 5839.38] Amen +[5839.38 --> 5862.80] What can wash away my sin? +[5862.80 --> 5866.80] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5866.80 --> 5871.26] What can make me whole again? +[5871.26 --> 5874.76] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5874.76 --> 5879.10] Oh, precious is the flow +[5879.10 --> 5883.04] That makes me white as snow +[5883.04 --> 5884.34] All you +[5884.34 --> 5887.04] No longer felt I know +[5887.04 --> 5890.58] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5890.58 --> 5897.92] For my pardon this I see +[5897.92 --> 5901.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5901.54 --> 5905.84] For my cleansing this I flee +[5905.84 --> 5909.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5909.54 --> 5913.86] Oh, precious is the flow +[5913.86 --> 5917.78] That makes me white as snow +[5917.78 --> 5921.74] No other belt I know +[5921.74 --> 5925.44] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5925.44 --> 5932.98] Nothing can for sin atone +[5932.98 --> 5936.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5936.54 --> 5940.54] Not of good that I have done +[5940.54 --> 5944.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5944.54 --> 5946.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5946.54 --> 5948.54] Oh, precious is the flow +[5948.54 --> 5952.54] That makes me white as snow +[5952.54 --> 5956.54] No other belt I know +[5956.54 --> 5958.54] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5958.54 --> 5972.64] Nothing but the blood of Jesus +[5972.64 --> 5980.06] This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus. +[5980.06 --> 5988.50] Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white and blue. +[5989.04 --> 5996.10] Oh, no other count I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. +[5996.10 --> 6004.82] Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. +[6004.82 --> 6014.32] Oh, no other count I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. +[6026.10 --> 6041.10] Oh, no other count I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. +[6041.10 --> 6049.10] Oh, no other count I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. +[6049.10 --> 6072.38] Colossus game I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus +[6072.38 --> 6102.36] Thank you. +[6102.38 --> 6132.36] Thank you. +[6132.38 --> 6162.36] Thank you. +[6162.38 --> 6192.36] Thank you. +[6192.38 --> 6222.36] Thank you. +[6222.38 --> 6252.36] Thank you. +[6252.38 --> 6282.36] Thank you. +[6282.38 --> 6312.36] Thank you. +[6312.38 --> 6342.36] Thank you. +[6342.38 --> 6372.36] Thank you. +[6372.38 --> 6402.36] Thank you. +[6402.38 --> 6432.36] Thank you. +[6432.38 --> 6462.36] Thank you. +[6462.38 --> 6492.36] Thank you. +[6492.38 --> 6522.36] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a5479881937f3bf89645c12738dc67da6610866f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,106 @@ +• Discussion of creation and the power of God +• Questions about understanding the nature of God and one's relationship with Him +• Reflection on faith, hope, and trust in Jesus as redeemer and Savior +• Expression of gratitude for salvation and spiritual freedom +• Affirmation of dependence on Christ and recognition that true strength comes from Him +• Instructions on accessing worship lyrics +• Upcoming events: + • Worship at Topham Park (potluck picnic) + • Reactivate event (youth and leaders from B.C.) + • Worship at Sunridge Gardens (seniors living facility) + • Worship conference in October +• Volunteering for upcoming events +• Children's worship time starting up in a couple weeks +• Backpack campaign still ongoing to help pay for delivered backpacks +• Worship and emotions +• Bringing all aspects of life into God's presence +• Passing the peace of Christ +• Call to worship from Psalm 9 +• Singing about God's love and goodness +• Song lyrics about experiencing God's goodness throughout life +• Themes of faithfulness, goodness, and surrender +• The name of Jesus is beautiful and powerful +• Jesus brought heaven down to earth through his love and sacrifice +• Death could not hold Jesus, and he rose to life again +• Jesus has no rival or equal, and reigns forever as God +• The name of Jesus brings forgiveness, mercy, and abundant life +• Prayer and confession are encouraged, trusting in God's grace and love +• Song or hymn about redemption and God's love +• Story about a ministry (Life Water Canada) providing support to people in need around the world +• Discussion of inequality in access to basic necessities like healthcare and hygiene +• Introduction of Linda from Life Water Canada, who shares stories from her travels +• A volunteer shares a story about Elizabeth, an older woman in Liberia who was weeping during a workshop because she had learned that giving her baby contaminated water led to its death. +• The volunteer explains that this experience had a lasting impact on Elizabeth, as she later used the knowledge gained from the workshop to help another infant recover from illness. +• The importance of education and knowledge in preventing waterborne illnesses is highlighted, and statistics about the global water crisis are shared (2 billion people lack safe drinking water, 3 billion lack safe sanitation). +• The organization has made significant progress in providing safe water, sanitation, and education, with over 9.5 million people impacted. +• A new initiative addressing period poverty among girls is also discussed, including a microenterprise started to provide sanitary pads and reduce unplanned pregnancies. +• The organization is working in four nations: Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Haiti +• All four countries are very poor and lack government support for basic necessities like water and sanitation +• The organization has been working in these countries for 30 years, with multiple teams in each location +• They have incorporated new technologies and innovations to reach remote areas +• A new, maneuverable rig is being tested that can drill wells in hard-to-reach places +• A three-wheeled motorcycle rig is also being used to drill wells on the sea and in difficult terrain +• The organization's work has made a significant impact, with many people having access to clean water for the first time +• The local teams are trained and equipped to facilitate ownership and community involvement in the projects +• Sponsorships and facilitation from organizations like the church have enabled the continuation of the work. +• Discussion of an upcoming event in Abuja and Lagos +• Invitation for attendees to sign up or ask questions at the back +• Announcement of a financial gift to Cascade Christian Counseling +• Explanation of how Cascade Christian Counseling provides affordable mental health services +• Appreciation for donations to support those who cannot afford counseling +• Children's worship time announcement +• Prayer before children's worship time +• Children's blessing ceremony +• Personal prayer and announcements, including condolences for a passing family member and mentions of people dealing with illnesses or missing loved ones +• Discussion about Kevin Lobert's humility as a pastor +• Upcoming meeting to discuss whether Kevin should stay or not +• Prayer for various groups and individuals, including shut-ins, those dealing with loss, kids, teachers, and school system workers +• Announcement of the conclusion of the summer series "Behold Your King" from Matthew 28 +• Reading from Matthew 28:1-10 +• Common themes in storytelling include death and the struggle against it +• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows explores this theme with Voldemort's attempt to avoid death and Harry's willingness to face it +• The story touches on a deeper human longing for a victory over death, rather than just delaying or distracting from it +• This longing is universal and ancient, as seen in J.R.R. Tolkien's concept of the eucatastrophe (the happy ending that breaks into tragedy) +• The Gospel of Jesus addresses this longing by proclaiming that death has been swallowed up in victory through Jesus' resurrection +• The death and resurrection of Jesus secure our salvation +• The cross may appear to be a failure, but it's actually the path to victory +• Sin is not something that can be waved away, it requires a substitute who is fully human and fully divine +• Jesus chose the will of his Father and willingly accepted the cross as a necessary act to fulfill God's justice and keep His promise +• The eternal plan of God was carried out in time and space through the cross and resurrection. +• Jesus' death on the cross was not an accident, but a fulfillment of the promise of Psalm 22. +• Salvation doesn't rest on chance or human strength, but on what Jesus said must happen and his choice to walk the road to the cross. +• The cross is both necessary for justice and chosen in love by God. +• The resurrection is indispensable because it reveals the cross as a victory and not a failure. +• Death's power was broken through Jesus' resurrection. +• The story of the resurrection cannot be silenced due to three reasons (not specified in the list, but mentioned in the transcript). +• Women were the first eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection in Matthew 28. +• In ancient culture, women's testimony was not admissible in court, making it unlikely to fabricate a story with them as the primary witnesses. +• The disciples' transformation from frightened deserters to bold witnesses willing to die for their faith supports the truth of the resurrection. +• Early Christianity gained persecution rather than influence by proclaiming Jesus' resurrection. +• The story would be counterproductive if fabricated to secure power or status, making it credible that it is true. +• Believing in the resurrection is not just reasonable but existentially satisfying as it fulfills humanity's deepest longings for meaning and justice. +• Salvation comes through the combination of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. +• Death's power is defeated by Jesus' holiness +• The resurrection transforms everything, including death +• The deepest human longing for victory over death is satisfied through Jesus +• The resurrection is not just an event, but a reality that we share in +• The Gospel message is not just about individual salvation, but about the remaking of the entire cosmos +• The resurrection requires public witness and proclamation to all nations +• The substitutionary death of Jesus secures cosmic renewal and his resurrection is creation's hope for restoration. +• The resurrection is not just personal salvation but also the liberation of all creation from decay. +• Jesus' mission to restore creation is now continued by believers, who participate in the cosmic renewal by living as those who belong to a world of new creation. +• The cross is necessary for victory over death and sin, and the resurrection proves that life is secure. +• Believers are sent on mission to proclaim the gospel and live as witnesses to Jesus Christ. +• The mission is an invitation rather than a burden, and believers are sent with the authority and presence of Jesus. +• Worshiping Jesus as Savior, Lord, and King +• Praise for the crown of gold on Jesus' hand +• Thanksgiving for the sacrifice on Calvary's end +• Redemption through Jesus' story written on His hands +• Reign of Jesus forevermore and victory over death +• Offering up sacrifice for every sin +• Resurrection of God from the grave +• Sending out with power of God, Holy Spirit, and resurrection +• Blessing and protection on journey ahead +• Praise to God's glory, honor, and power +• Prolonged repetition of the word "Alleluia" +• Prolonged repetition of the phrase "Thank you" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..cf4febab3bfe53875b7c4a88c9e85dc22e35e948 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, August 31, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1357 @@ +[0.00 --> 5.10] Where were you the day that I measured? +[6.02 --> 10.16] Sung the bass and stretched the line over +[10.16 --> 15.88] All the earth and carved out its cornerstone +[15.88 --> 25.60] Where were you the day that I spoke and +[25.60 --> 30.26] Told the sun to split the night open +[30.26 --> 35.92] Called the morning dawn with its light to shore +[35.92 --> 45.70] Who shot empty ocean with stone doors +[45.70 --> 50.70] Marked the reach of tides on those new shores +[50.70 --> 55.86] On the day the waves rose and first broke forth +[55.86 --> 64.94] Have you seen the springs of that gray sea? +[65.42 --> 69.50] Walked the caverns carved in the black sea +[69.50 --> 74.58] Through the gates of darkness there on its floor +[74.58 --> 83.44] Have you seen the armory I hold? +[83.74 --> 87.62] Snow and hail are stacked up in silos +[87.62 --> 92.86] For the times of trouble and war and strife +[92.86 --> 101.32] Can you raise your voice to the storm cloud? +[101.32 --> 105.48] Would the thunder answer and ring out? +[106.00 --> 110.48] Does the lightning ask you where it should strike? +[114.48 --> 118.32] Who has cleft a channel for torrents? +[119.04 --> 122.32] Rain to sprout the desert with forest +[122.88 --> 127.76] In the wilderness that my hand has filled +[127.76 --> 135.64] Can you hunt the prey for young lions? +[135.64 --> 139.42] Can you lose the cords of all riders? +[140.28 --> 142.92] Is this whole world bending me? +[143.16 --> 144.60] Need your will? +[147.10 --> 152.70] I spoke of things I did not understand +[152.70 --> 158.14] Things too wonderful for me +[158.14 --> 162.58] Although I have no right to act +[162.58 --> 167.52] My God knelt and answered me +[167.52 --> 167.86] Amen +[167.86 --> 171.12] What gift of grace should be +[171.34 --> 171.96] God. +[173.80 --> 174.40] Gracious go benefit. +[178.62 --> 180.74] Thank you so much! +[180.90 --> 184.80] Thank you so much for watching +[187.04 --> 188.24] We're gonna ride and share a little heart +[188.24 --> 192.34] Can you feel that I've seen on this Lös ineff wasn't +[192.54 --> 193.18] Thy leg a newange +[193.18 --> 193.80] I listen kiss +[193.80 --> 195.70] husband I think what else do I want +[195.70 --> 198.70] He is Jesus, my redeemer. +[199.62 --> 205.14] There is no more for heaven now to give. +[206.32 --> 211.80] He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom. +[213.22 --> 218.54] My steadfast love, my deep and balanced peace. +[219.40 --> 225.42] To this I go, my hope is only Jesus. +[225.70 --> 231.52] Oh, my love is holy down to me. +[231.52 --> 238.52] Oh, how strange and divine I can see. +[238.52 --> 241.60] All is one yet another. +[242.10 --> 244.74] There's no Christ in me. +[255.70 --> 262.10] The night is up, but I am not forsaken. +[262.10 --> 268.46] For by my side, the Savior, He will save. +[269.42 --> 275.10] I labor on in weakness and rejoicing. +[276.40 --> 281.54] For in my need, His power is displayed. +[281.54 --> 289.26] To this I hold, my shepherd will defend me. +[289.62 --> 295.16] Through the deepest valley, He will lead. +[296.94 --> 303.48] Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome. +[303.66 --> 308.30] Yet not I, earth who crossed in me. +[311.54 --> 319.36] I wish I could do Jesus. +[319.36 --> 320.96] You know, faith is fine. +[320.96 --> 325.12] I know I am ? +[325.12 --> 331.78] The future's sure, the price has been paid. +[331.78 --> 338.80] For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon +[338.80 --> 345.34] And he was raised to all his foes of grace +[345.34 --> 352.08] To this I hold my sin has been defeated +[352.08 --> 358.46] Jesus now and ever is my plea +[358.46 --> 363.28] Oh, the chains are released +[363.28 --> 366.76] I can sing I am free +[366.76 --> 372.00] And not I, but through Christ in me +[372.00 --> 388.44] With every breath I long to follow Jesus +[388.46 --> 395.06] For he has said that he will wait me home +[395.06 --> 402.76] And day by day I know he will renew me +[402.76 --> 408.62] Until I stand with joy before the Lord +[408.62 --> 416.16] To this I hold my hope is only Jesus +[416.16 --> 421.78] Oh, the glory evermore to me +[421.78 --> 426.60] When the race is complete +[426.60 --> 430.18] To my lips shall be defeated +[430.18 --> 435.00] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[435.00 --> 439.82] When the race is complete +[439.82 --> 440.82] To my lips shall be defeated +[440.82 --> 446.42] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[446.42 --> 453.02] When the race is complete +[453.02 --> 457.56] To my lips shall be defeated +[457.56 --> 461.62] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[461.62 --> 466.02] When the race is complete +[466.02 --> 470.02] To my lips shall be defeated +[470.02 --> 474.62] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[474.62 --> 480.22] You've Got to do Christ in me +[480.22 --> 480.70] hopes for unto the Lord +[480.70 --> 483.22] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[483.22 --> 484.34] And I, but through Christ in me +[484.34 --> 484.62] When the race is complete +[484.62 --> 485.32] I believe we're defeated +[485.32 --> 485.88] I believe we're defeated +[485.88 --> 487.98] I believe we're defeated +[487.98 --> 488.92] I believe we're defeated +[488.92 --> 489.52] I believe we're defeated +[489.52 --> 489.62] I believe we're defeated +[489.62 --> 490.22] I believe we're defeated +[490.22 --> 490.64] How about you? +[490.64 --> 491.16] How about you? +[491.16 --> 492.36] I believe I believe I believe +[492.36 --> 493.16] How about you? +[493.16 --> 493.76] How about you? +[493.76 --> 494.68] Can that hit +[494.68 --> 495.22] How about you? +[495.22 --> 495.50] How about you? +[495.50 --> 496.24] Now come here +[496.24 --> 497.08] All along +[497.08 --> 498.10] I believe in a lie +[498.10 --> 499.42] His love +[499.42 --> 500.58] It's a conseteenth +[500.58 --> 501.80] A gim-ira +[501.80 --> 502.06] raft-course not a +[502.06 --> 514.74] Good morning, everyone. +[516.10 --> 521.20] Welcome once again to our particular experience of chaos in worship. +[521.20 --> 533.06] I trust on the way in, you were given the clear instructions on how you're going to get your lyrics for your singing this morning. +[533.40 --> 539.98] If you weren't, there's QR codes available at the back and on the back of the worship folder that got handed out. +[540.36 --> 543.42] If you scan that with your phone, that'll take you to a page with the lyrics. +[544.04 --> 547.80] If you don't have a phone or are unable to use your phone for whatever reason, +[547.80 --> 553.46] there are a couple sheets available that we've printed that out on, so make sure you grab one of those +[553.46 --> 559.12] as we persevere through our construction projects together around here. +[559.46 --> 564.64] Before we begin, we have a couple announcements to make, and so I'm just going to run through those. +[565.56 --> 573.18] First, today after our worship, we are going to shift the fun over to Topham Park. +[573.38 --> 575.42] We're going to have a potluck picnic. +[575.42 --> 580.90] I was instructed to remind you that it's a potluck picnic. +[581.76 --> 590.16] So bring your own food and bring your own cutlery and whatever you would bring on a picnic to sit on or whatever the case may be. +[590.62 --> 594.64] We are providing two shade tents and the opportunity. +[595.60 --> 596.78] You are providing the rest. +[597.76 --> 599.88] So that's going to happen at Topham Park. +[600.30 --> 602.84] The information on how to get there is in the e-bulletin. +[602.84 --> 608.48] If you don't have that but would like to come, you can grab myself or Pastor Kevin after worship, +[608.48 --> 610.90] and we'll let you know where it is and how to get there. +[612.94 --> 616.00] Next Sunday is Reactivate. +[616.64 --> 622.14] So we've got a bunch of youth and leaders from all over B.C. coming here for the weekend. +[622.14 --> 626.50] And so for our worship next Sunday, we're doing that all together. +[627.06 --> 630.76] And so it's going to be nice and close quarters together. +[630.98 --> 636.04] And we want to encourage you as regular worshipers here at Emanuel, +[636.24 --> 638.90] and especially those of you who are able-bodied, +[639.36 --> 643.32] to consider parking at the school next door or on the street somewhere +[643.32 --> 647.28] so that we can allow those who need to park closer to do so, +[647.28 --> 651.46] and for the fact that our parking lot is going to be full of other people's vehicles and the like. +[651.60 --> 652.98] So be mindful of that. +[654.24 --> 657.44] Connected to Reactivate also, just a really big thank you to you +[657.44 --> 659.26] who have signed up for volunteering. +[659.86 --> 662.74] A couple weeks ago, there was lots of empty spaces, +[662.74 --> 666.26] and now there's only two or three volunteer spaces. +[666.38 --> 667.38] So thank you for that. +[667.48 --> 668.96] Thank you for stepping up. +[669.04 --> 671.52] We know that it happens every year, and it's a beautiful testimony. +[671.52 --> 676.04] If you're still looking for a place to plug in, there are two or three spots available, +[676.28 --> 677.32] so check that out online. +[680.12 --> 687.08] Also, we are beginning to ramp up and make plans +[687.08 --> 691.76] for our regularly scheduled worship and programs here at Emanuel. +[691.98 --> 696.20] And so over the next couple weeks, there's going to be lots of sign-up sheets +[696.20 --> 698.70] and volunteer opportunity lists that are going out, +[698.76 --> 700.18] so keep your eye open for that. +[700.18 --> 703.98] This morning, I'm going to particularly highlight children's worship time, +[704.32 --> 706.44] which is going to be starting up in a couple weeks. +[706.96 --> 708.60] And so if you're able to sign up for that, +[708.66 --> 713.34] again, you can talk to Pastor Kevin or Rachel Maloaney if she's around somewhere. +[713.68 --> 715.16] Get plugged in in that regard. +[716.90 --> 723.62] Next Saturday is also going to have worship at Sunridge Gardens. +[724.00 --> 726.74] So there's a seniors living facility up the hill +[726.74 --> 730.22] that we once a month go and lead in worship with them. +[730.88 --> 733.10] That's beginning again because it's September, +[733.30 --> 735.88] and so we're going to do that 2 o'clock next Saturday. +[736.08 --> 738.22] If you're interested in joining, you may go there. +[739.58 --> 741.32] And two more. +[741.88 --> 742.72] Yes, two more. +[742.72 --> 746.94] The backpack campaign is still going on, +[747.26 --> 750.52] and some people are like, they delivered those backpacks this week. +[750.68 --> 751.74] Why are we still giving? +[752.18 --> 753.86] It's because they still have to pay for them. +[754.52 --> 757.06] And so we've agreed to help them and partner with them +[757.06 --> 761.26] in supplying the funds for those backpacks that have, yes, been delivered +[761.26 --> 762.96] because school starts on Tuesday. +[763.60 --> 765.34] But so that campaign is still happening, +[765.44 --> 768.46] and so please consider how you might support that and give in that. +[768.46 --> 774.10] And then lastly, draw your attention to, in October on the 4th, +[774.16 --> 776.96] we are hosting a worship conference here. +[777.08 --> 778.60] Information has gone out for that. +[778.94 --> 782.12] We really want to encourage you to spread that invite around, +[782.56 --> 785.84] people who you know might be interested in participating +[785.84 --> 788.06] and coming together to think about +[788.06 --> 790.90] and to worship through all of our emotions +[790.90 --> 794.80] and inmost beings and struggles and hardships and joys and celebrations, +[795.02 --> 797.84] how we might bring that all into the presence of God. +[797.84 --> 800.78] There's more information for that in the e-bulletins +[800.78 --> 802.24] and on our church website as well. +[803.04 --> 804.16] I think that's it. +[804.78 --> 807.16] If I've missed something, my apologies. +[807.84 --> 809.00] Let's stand together, +[809.28 --> 812.64] and we can be ushered into God's presence as we worship Him. +[813.22 --> 816.34] I'm going to extend to you God's greeting, +[816.60 --> 819.32] and then I invite you to spread that around, +[819.42 --> 821.62] to share that around to the people around you +[821.62 --> 823.14] by passing the peace of Christ +[823.14 --> 824.76] or by saying the Lord be with you. +[824.76 --> 828.02] Receive the greeting of our good God this morning. +[829.28 --> 832.72] Grace, mercy, and peace to you +[832.72 --> 834.02] from God our Father, +[834.14 --> 836.86] from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son, and our Savior, +[837.36 --> 840.02] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[840.02 --> 841.42] Amen. +[841.42 --> 841.48] Amen. +[841.48 --> 841.52] Amen. +[870.02 --> 885.56] Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 9, verses 1 and 2. +[885.56 --> 905.98] Let's sing together of God's love and goodness to us. +[905.98 --> 907.04] Amen. +[907.04 --> 907.46] Amen. +[907.46 --> 912.28] Amen. +[912.32 --> 920.22] Amen. +[920.28 --> 920.88] Amen. +[920.96 --> 921.16] Amen. +[921.46 --> 922.46] Amen. +[922.46 --> 922.58] Amen. +[922.58 --> 923.46] Amen. +[924.02 --> 924.04] Amen. +[924.08 --> 924.42] Amen. +[924.42 --> 924.98] Amen. +[925.12 --> 925.32] Amen. +[925.32 --> 925.92] Amen. +[926.00 --> 926.10] Amen. +[926.10 --> 926.40] Amen. +[926.40 --> 926.56] Amen. +[926.56 --> 927.96] Amen. +[930.14 --> 930.58] Amen. +[932.38 --> 932.44] Amen. +[932.44 --> 932.74] Amen. +[932.86 --> 933.24] Amen. +[933.32 --> 933.62] Amen. +[933.62 --> 933.68] Amen. +[933.70 --> 933.74] Amen. +[933.84 --> 933.98] Amen. +[933.98 --> 934.50] Amen. +[934.50 --> 935.52] Amen. +[935.52 --> 935.96] Amen. +[935.96 --> 947.24] I love you, Lord +[947.24 --> 953.46] Oh, your mercy never fails me +[953.46 --> 961.72] All my days I've been held in your hands +[961.72 --> 965.54] From the moment that I wake up +[965.54 --> 969.64] Until I lay my head +[969.64 --> 976.98] I will sing of the goodness of God +[976.98 --> 984.10] All my life you have been faithful +[984.10 --> 993.92] All my life you have been so, so good +[993.92 --> 999.24] The very breath that I am healed +[999.24 --> 1006.66] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1006.66 --> 1011.36] I love your voice +[1011.36 --> 1015.98] You have led me through the fire +[1015.98 --> 1019.58] In darkest night +[1019.58 --> 1023.48] You are closer no other +[1023.48 --> 1027.32] I've known you as a father +[1027.32 --> 1031.92] I've known you as a friend +[1031.92 --> 1038.74] I have lived in the goodness of God +[1038.74 --> 1045.92] All my life you have been faithful +[1045.92 --> 1054.92] All my life you have been so, so good +[1054.92 --> 1067.74] I have lived in the goodness of God +[1067.74 --> 1073.74] Your goodness is running after me +[1073.74 --> 1080.74] It's running after me +[1080.74 --> 1084.74] Your goodness is running after me +[1084.74 --> 1086.90] With my life laid down +[1086.90 --> 1088.84] Surrender now +[1088.84 --> 1091.56] I give you everything +[1091.56 --> 1096.56] Your goodness is running after me +[1096.56 --> 1099.56] It's running after me +[1099.56 --> 1103.56] Your goodness is running after me +[1103.56 --> 1107.56] It's running after me +[1107.56 --> 1111.56] Your goodness is running after me +[1111.56 --> 1113.56] It's running after me +[1113.56 --> 1116.50] With my life laid down +[1116.50 --> 1117.56] Surrender now +[1117.56 --> 1120.56] I give you everything +[1120.56 --> 1125.56] Your goodness is running after me +[1125.56 --> 1126.56] You're turning after me +[1126.56 --> 1132.56] You're turning after me +[1132.56 --> 1139.56] All my life you have been faithful +[1139.56 --> 1149.56] All my life you have been so, so good +[1149.56 --> 1155.56] With every breath that I am faithful +[1155.56 --> 1156.56] I will sing +[1156.56 --> 1158.56] I will sing +[1158.56 --> 1162.56] Of the goodness of God +[1162.56 --> 1166.56] I will sing +[1166.56 --> 1170.56] Of the goodness of God +[1170.56 --> 1189.56] You were the word at the beginning +[1189.56 --> 1197.56] One with God, the Lord all time +[1197.56 --> 1204.56] Your hidden glory in creation +[1204.56 --> 1210.56] Now revealed in you are Christ +[1210.56 --> 1214.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1214.56 --> 1218.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1218.56 --> 1233.56] Nothing compares to this +[1233.56 --> 1236.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1236.56 --> 1237.56] The name of Jesus +[1237.56 --> 1239.56] The name of Jesus +[1239.56 --> 1243.56] The name of Jesus +[1243.56 --> 1251.56] You didn't want heaven without us +[1251.56 --> 1252.56] So Jesus +[1252.56 --> 1254.56] You brought heaven down +[1254.56 --> 1261.56] You brought heaven down +[1261.56 --> 1264.56] The sin was great, your love was greater +[1264.56 --> 1265.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1265.56 --> 1266.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1266.56 --> 1267.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1267.56 --> 1279.56] What a beautiful name it is +[1279.56 --> 1286.56] The name of Jesus Christ I be +[1286.56 --> 1294.82] What a wonderful name it is, that it comes to this. +[1294.82 --> 1301.66] What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus. +[1302.26 --> 1308.92] What a wonderful name it is, the name of Jesus. +[1316.56 --> 1344.84] Death could not hold you, the veil tore before you. +[1344.84 --> 1351.56] Silence the bones of sin and grave. +[1352.28 --> 1358.36] The heavens are roaring, the praise of your glory. +[1359.20 --> 1364.60] For you are raised to life again. +[1366.18 --> 1372.30] You have no rival, you have no equal. +[1372.30 --> 1379.24] Now and forever, God, you reign. +[1380.10 --> 1382.52] Yours is the kingdom. +[1383.58 --> 1386.06] Yours is the glory. +[1387.16 --> 1393.26] Yours is the name above all things. +[1393.26 --> 1396.84] What a powerful name it is. +[1396.84 --> 1400.34] What a powerful name it is. +[1400.34 --> 1406.60] The name of Jesus Christ, my King. +[1407.48 --> 1411.02] What a powerful name it is. +[1411.70 --> 1414.50] Nothing can stand the best. +[1414.50 --> 1417.82] What a powerful name it is. +[1417.82 --> 1421.40] The name of Jesus. +[1422.30 --> 1424.94] You have no rival. +[1425.78 --> 1428.52] You have no evil. +[1428.52 --> 1435.46] Now and forever, God, you reign. +[1435.46 --> 1438.80] Yours is the kingdom. +[1439.80 --> 1442.32] Yours is the glory. +[1443.32 --> 1449.58] Yours is the name above all things. +[1449.58 --> 1450.58] What a powerful name it is. +[1450.58 --> 1453.06] What a powerful name it is. +[1453.06 --> 1456.54] What a powerful name it is. +[1456.54 --> 1462.80] The name of Jesus Christ, my King. +[1463.80 --> 1467.40] What a powerful name it is. +[1467.40 --> 1470.44] Nothing can stand against. +[1470.44 --> 1473.74] What a powerful name it is. +[1473.74 --> 1475.74] The name of Jesus Christ, my King. +[1475.74 --> 1476.74] What a wonderful name it is. +[1476.74 --> 1480.74] What a wonderful name it is. +[1480.74 --> 1484.74] The name of Jesus Christ, my King. +[1484.74 --> 1487.88] What a beautiful name it is. +[1487.88 --> 1493.74] The name of Jesus Christ, my King. +[1497.74 --> 1500.98] In our time of confession and assurance this morning, +[1501.12 --> 1503.42] we draw on the mystery of our faith. +[1503.74 --> 1507.96] And a grace and love that cannot be undone by our sin. +[1508.68 --> 1514.26] We trust in God's mercy and grace alone as we come to him in prayer. +[1514.76 --> 1516.32] Please join me in prayer. +[1518.24 --> 1522.18] Holy God, Lord of life, hear our prayer. +[1523.60 --> 1528.54] Forgive us when we follow our own paths that lead us astray and away from you. +[1529.64 --> 1532.84] Forgive us when we forget that you offer us life. +[1532.84 --> 1535.68] Life that is abundant and eternal. +[1535.68 --> 1539.36] Life that began at the creation of all things. +[1540.42 --> 1543.18] Forgive us and turn our hearts to you. +[1544.06 --> 1548.92] May your love and grace flow over us and in this world we live in. +[1549.86 --> 1554.32] We pray this in the name of Jesus and for his sake alone. +[1554.32 --> 1555.48] Amen. +[1555.48 --> 1555.52] Amen. +[1558.90 --> 1559.56] Amen. +[1559.56 --> 1560.76] Amen. +[1560.76 --> 1561.10] Amen. +[1561.26 --> 1561.66] Amen. +[1563.66 --> 1565.56] Amen. +[1567.76 --> 1568.88] Amen. +[1568.88 --> 1568.92] Amen. +[1568.92 --> 1569.32] Amen. +[1569.38 --> 1571.28] Amen. +[1571.28 --> 1571.88] Amen. +[1571.88 --> 1573.38] Amen. +[1573.38 --> 1573.60] Amen. +[1573.60 --> 1575.44] Amen. +[1577.68 --> 1578.42] Amen. +[1578.42 --> 1578.58] Amen. +[1578.58 --> 1579.12] Amen. +[1579.12 --> 1579.44] Amen. +[1579.48 --> 1579.94] Amen. +[1579.94 --> 1580.28] Amen. +[1580.28 --> 1580.48] Amen. +[1580.48 --> 1581.16] Amen. +[1581.16 --> 1581.18] Amen. +[1581.18 --> 1581.40] Amen. +[1581.40 --> 1581.42] Amen. +[1581.42 --> 1581.56] Amen. +[1581.74 --> 1582.20] Amen. +[1582.20 --> 1584.04] Amen. +[1584.04 --> 1606.00] Amazing grace +[1606.00 --> 1610.84] How sweet the sound +[1610.84 --> 1620.22] That saved a wretch like me +[1620.22 --> 1625.72] I once was lost +[1625.72 --> 1630.28] But now am found +[1630.28 --> 1637.84] Was blind but now I see +[1637.84 --> 1649.84] T'was grace that taught my heart to fear +[1650.40 --> 1656.84] And grace my fears relieved +[1656.84 --> 1668.84] How precious did that grace appear +[1668.84 --> 1675.84] The hour I first believed +[1675.84 --> 1681.84] My dreams are gone +[1682.36 --> 1684.84] I've been set free +[1684.84 --> 1687.84] My God, my Savior +[1688.40 --> 1691.84] Has ransomed me +[1691.84 --> 1694.84] And like a flood +[1694.84 --> 1699.84] His mercy reigns +[1699.84 --> 1702.84] Unending love +[1702.84 --> 1706.84] Amazing grace +[1706.84 --> 1723.84] The Lord has promised good to me +[1723.84 --> 1729.84] My spirit, my hope secures +[1729.84 --> 1737.84] He will my shield and portion be +[1737.84 --> 1743.84] As long as life can do +[1743.84 --> 1748.84] Through many dangers +[1748.84 --> 1751.84] Stores and snares +[1751.84 --> 1757.84] I have already come +[1757.84 --> 1759.84] His grace +[1759.84 --> 1760.84] His grace +[1760.84 --> 1761.84] His grace +[1761.84 --> 1764.84] Has brought me safe thus far +[1764.84 --> 1766.84] And grace +[1766.84 --> 1770.84] Will lead me home +[1770.84 --> 1772.84] My chains are gone +[1772.84 --> 1774.84] My chains are gone +[1774.84 --> 1777.84] I've been set free +[1777.84 --> 1780.84] My God, my Savior +[1780.84 --> 1782.84] Has ransomed me +[1782.84 --> 1784.84] And like a flood +[1784.84 --> 1785.84] His mercy reigns +[1785.84 --> 1786.84] And like a flood +[1786.84 --> 1787.84] His mercy reigns +[1787.84 --> 1791.84] Unending love +[1791.84 --> 1797.84] Amazing grace +[1797.84 --> 1814.84] When we've been there +[1814.84 --> 1818.84] Ten thousand years +[1818.84 --> 1824.84] Bright shining as the sun +[1824.84 --> 1827.74] We've been there +[1827.74 --> 1830.84] We've known +[1830.84 --> 1833.84] We've known +[1833.84 --> 1835.84] We died +[1835.84 --> 1837.84] We've known +[1837.84 --> 1838.84] They've known +[1838.84 --> 1839.84] We've known +[1839.84 --> 1840.84] The Bridge +[1840.84 --> 1842.84] Has nor +[1842.84 --> 1843.86] avoir +[1843.86 --> 1845.84] Has respite +[1845.84 --> 1848.84] I've been set free +[1848.84 --> 1850.84] My God, my Savior +[1850.84 --> 1853.84] Has ransomed me +[1853.84 --> 1860.16] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[1860.60 --> 1867.08] Unending love, amazing grace. +[1867.08 --> 1873.50] My chains are gone, I've been set free. +[1874.60 --> 1881.32] My God, my Savior, has resumed me. +[1881.32 --> 1888.70] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[1889.16 --> 1896.54] Unending love, amazing grace. +[1911.32 --> 1936.48] Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run. +[1936.48 --> 1942.92] The fountain I drink from, oh, He is my song. +[1943.74 --> 1950.32] Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide. +[1950.74 --> 1956.74] The ransom for my life, oh, He is my song. +[1956.74 --> 1962.74] You are good, good, oh. +[1964.00 --> 1968.74] You are good, good, oh. +[1968.74 --> 1975.46] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[1976.00 --> 1982.12] You are good, good, oh. +[1982.12 --> 1994.02] Let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails. +[1994.38 --> 2000.12] The anchor in my waves, oh, He is my song. +[2000.12 --> 2007.38] Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my days. +[2007.38 --> 2013.38] The echo of my days, oh, He is my song. +[2013.76 --> 2019.38] You are good, good, oh. +[2019.38 --> 2025.38] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[2026.64 --> 2032.48] You are good, good, oh. +[2032.48 --> 2039.48] You are good, good, oh. +[2039.48 --> 2069.46] You are good, oh, He is my song. +[2069.46 --> 2075.26] God is holding on to me. +[2076.06 --> 2081.34] God is holding on. +[2083.84 --> 2085.20] Let me have a seat. +[2095.70 --> 2096.68] Good morning. +[2096.68 --> 2103.18] So a couple of months back in April, we took an offering, as we often do, for Life Water Canada. +[2103.76 --> 2109.50] And Life Water Canada is a ministry that was introduced to our church by Pastor Bill Verstegg many years ago. +[2109.58 --> 2112.96] He was involved with them, and so we've been supporting them ever since. +[2113.16 --> 2115.92] So we have Linda here as a special guest. +[2116.14 --> 2121.10] She's been traveling across the country in her vehicle and with her kitty, she told me. +[2121.10 --> 2128.30] She's from Thunder Bay, and she's doing a big tour, just updating churches, sharing stories, and thanking for the support. +[2128.70 --> 2132.68] So I'm going to ask Linda to join us and share a bit from Life Water Canada. +[2132.68 --> 2143.70] Well, good morning. +[2143.70 --> 2148.80] I just wanted to thank you so much for being able to come and share. +[2148.80 --> 2153.20] I had lots of pictures. +[2153.20 --> 2164.02] You can see some of them in the banners in the back, and feel free to take a newsletter there that has some more details about what it is that we do. +[2164.02 --> 2182.66] You know, the bottom line of what motivates us, the passion that we, you know, really stir into a raging flame, is that it is not right that where you're born should determine whether you live or whether you die. +[2183.44 --> 2187.02] A child here in our nation has a very good chance of survival. +[2187.52 --> 2190.52] A child overseas, it's not the same story. +[2190.52 --> 2197.40] Since we don't have pictures, I'm just going to kind of flip into a few stories, which is probably a good thing anyway. +[2198.90 --> 2202.20] I was in Liberia, West Africa. +[2202.76 --> 2206.08] You know, that's, you know, if you see Africa there, it's right there on the equator. +[2206.82 --> 2208.66] I was teaching a health and hygiene workshop. +[2208.78 --> 2216.32] I had about 20 men and women there, and it was a three-day workshop trying to impart just a little bit of basic knowledge. +[2216.32 --> 2230.76] Washing hands, how disease was transmitted, how you could stop that transmission of disease that causes diarrhea, which is really the killer of infants, and just diminishes the potential that people can meet because they're chronically ill. +[2231.48 --> 2236.92] On the third day, I looked at the back row, and there was a lady, an older lady, and she was quietly weeping. +[2236.92 --> 2238.88] And this is my first trip in Liberia. +[2239.00 --> 2244.36] I thought, oh, dear, I've stepped on some, you know, kind of tribal toes, and I did say something wrong. +[2244.58 --> 2253.20] And anyway, I just carried on quietly, and I went home with her daughter, Fatou, and I said, Fatou, like, how come Elizabeth was crying in the workshop? +[2253.20 --> 2263.18] And she explained to me that in her tribe, the baby was not even given a name until it got to be a month old. +[2263.36 --> 2268.46] And at that point, they figured it had a good chance of survival, and so they would have a ceremony. +[2268.72 --> 2276.68] They would name the child, and the grandma or grandpa would come and give them the first drink of water because water is life. +[2276.68 --> 2279.98] Unfortunately, the water was not life-giving. +[2280.18 --> 2282.12] It was a teaspoon of death. +[2282.74 --> 2294.98] And Elizabeth at that point had learned that she had been instrumental in the demise of three of her grandchildren because shortly after that child had given the water, they had perished. +[2296.54 --> 2298.00] I mean, horrific, right? +[2298.22 --> 2301.94] I was, I mean, I can't imagine the pain she was feeling. +[2301.94 --> 2311.80] I went back the next year, and I looked her up and see how she was doing, and she was bubbling over with joy, which was, like, good. +[2312.42 --> 2315.54] And I said, like, you know, how are you feeling? +[2315.74 --> 2327.12] And she said, my aunt, or no, my niece, way up country in Lofa, called her and said, my baby, an infant, was very ill, and she didn't know what to do. +[2327.12 --> 2332.68] But Elizabeth, with those little seeds of knowledge, was able to say, make sure you keep the baby on the breast. +[2332.80 --> 2334.72] Make sure you give her sterile water. +[2335.02 --> 2344.26] So boil it for five minutes, and make sure you put a little salt and a little bit of banana or something in it, and that every time that baby had a diarrhea, then give her that. +[2344.62 --> 2346.04] And that infant lived. +[2346.04 --> 2358.36] So I was very grateful, you know, that there was fruit, good fruit from the workshop, but ongoing redemptive impact from that little tiny seed of knowledge. +[2359.32 --> 2363.28] You know, the word says, my people die, perish for lack of knowledge. +[2363.92 --> 2366.86] And it doesn't have to be, you know, a university degree. +[2367.02 --> 2369.10] Sometimes it just needs to be a little seed. +[2369.10 --> 2374.98] Because when kids are sick from contaminated water, they don't get to go to school. +[2375.32 --> 2376.06] Adults are sick. +[2376.38 --> 2378.48] They can't earn a living to provide for their families. +[2379.02 --> 2384.72] You know, unsafe water prevents families, communities, entire regions from really reaching their potential. +[2385.00 --> 2386.78] Because water is life. +[2387.68 --> 2388.90] I mean, just take a minute and think. +[2388.98 --> 2390.48] Where did you use water this morning? +[2391.20 --> 2392.08] Had a cup of coffee? +[2392.28 --> 2393.00] Brushed your teeth? +[2393.24 --> 2393.94] Flushed your toilet? +[2394.94 --> 2396.06] You know, had a shower? +[2396.06 --> 2398.38] Like, we use it all the time. +[2398.92 --> 2399.92] Without thought. +[2400.84 --> 2404.12] But it is a privilege that we have in this nation. +[2404.32 --> 2405.76] It is not the same overseas. +[2407.02 --> 2413.20] The WHO stats, the World Health Organization, they say, you know, over 2 billion people don't have safe water to drink. +[2413.80 --> 2417.48] And over 3 billion don't have safe sanitation. +[2418.74 --> 2421.16] You know, the women carry the burden of water. +[2421.68 --> 2425.44] They're the ones, the children, the women, they'll be walking long distances, +[2425.44 --> 2430.12] often with a toddler on their back, a toddler on their side, in the dark, +[2430.30 --> 2433.02] so that they can get to the water before the animals muddy it. +[2433.98 --> 2438.80] It's exposing them to snakes, dangers, human danger. +[2439.76 --> 2442.90] And for water, that's bad for them. +[2442.90 --> 2446.54] And we are doing something impactful. +[2446.76 --> 2452.22] To this point, we've given over 9.5 million people safe water and sanitation and education. +[2453.28 --> 2460.64] We have drilled over 3,000 wells, repaired over 17,000 pumps. +[2460.64 --> 2464.64] We repair everybody's pumps, not just what we put in. +[2464.96 --> 2471.82] And we will continue to do so and continue to drill to try and keep the number of people on a pump low, +[2472.00 --> 2473.72] so that that pump will last longer. +[2475.10 --> 2480.60] We've also initiated a new component to the work that we do, +[2480.60 --> 2483.10] and that's addressing period poverty. +[2484.24 --> 2488.40] Girls miss a week of every month from school +[2488.40 --> 2491.40] because they don't have something simple as sanitary pads. +[2492.02 --> 2495.46] So a couple of years ago, it came to our attention that this was a factor. +[2495.80 --> 2500.02] We started a small microenterprise in Kenya, had a bunch of single moms, +[2500.40 --> 2505.32] because unfortunately, one of the ways that the Kenya women were dealing with this problem +[2505.32 --> 2509.26] was they were exchanging sex for pads. +[2509.62 --> 2513.16] And then, of course, you had unplanned pregnancies and infections, etc. +[2513.82 --> 2520.32] So we've started this program, and we've done some studies since that time. +[2520.40 --> 2521.44] It's been almost three years. +[2522.34 --> 2525.98] And on-line pregnancies are none, right? +[2526.08 --> 2527.84] That's dropped right off the radar. +[2528.48 --> 2531.38] And Kenya keeps pretty good scores of educational components, +[2531.38 --> 2536.28] and the girls' scores rose significantly because they were able to attend school +[2536.28 --> 2540.36] four weeks out of every month, which for them was a privilege. +[2541.00 --> 2542.94] How many kids are going back to school next week? +[2544.52 --> 2546.34] Is it a privilege to go to school? +[2547.78 --> 2549.34] Well, yes and no, right? +[2551.42 --> 2553.20] But for them, it really is. +[2553.60 --> 2555.60] We are still working in four nations, +[2556.60 --> 2560.52] Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and in Haiti. +[2560.52 --> 2563.36] All of these nations are very poor. +[2563.80 --> 2565.42] They don't really have government support +[2565.42 --> 2570.64] to be able to provide the water and sanitation on their own. +[2570.86 --> 2574.32] So we are there to be able to stand alongside and help. +[2576.08 --> 2578.88] We have multiple teams in each of those nations. +[2581.38 --> 2583.10] We've been working now 30 years. +[2583.66 --> 2586.44] And as Mike mentioned, I'm on a journey. +[2586.84 --> 2588.50] It's called the Journey to 30. +[2588.50 --> 2591.46] First well was drilled in March of 1995, +[2591.78 --> 2595.88] and we were incorporated in 1997. +[2596.70 --> 2600.36] And so I'll be traveling across Canada for the next couple of years just sharing. +[2600.86 --> 2603.88] It's been just such a delight, at least to me. +[2604.02 --> 2605.10] I'm not sure about my kitty. +[2605.78 --> 2609.94] He's presently hiding behind the bed or under the covers. +[2609.94 --> 2621.38] These 30 years has been, you know, solidly growing. +[2622.66 --> 2624.90] The nonprofit has been solidly growing. +[2625.10 --> 2628.80] We're about four times as big as we were in 2020. +[2628.80 --> 2634.18] And part of that is because of members like yourselves. +[2634.90 --> 2643.28] You know, I don't know if you realize that this church has provided over $72,000 of support. +[2643.28 --> 2650.98] You've helped with 30 projects, including the two wells in Kenya that you just sponsored a few months ago. +[2651.78 --> 2654.08] It is incredibly impactful. +[2654.52 --> 2656.72] It's making life-changing differences. +[2656.72 --> 2664.50] And, you know, our teams, they are positioned well to be able to, they're trained, they're equipped, +[2664.74 --> 2671.34] they go into the local communities, they facilitate ownership and community involvement, +[2672.00 --> 2673.84] but they can't do it on their own. +[2674.38 --> 2677.98] You know, if they don't work for the day, their families don't eat. +[2678.48 --> 2682.38] You know, to be a volunteer is something we're privileged with, +[2682.38 --> 2686.36] but it's not something that somebody who earns a dollar a day can afford. +[2687.10 --> 2692.62] And so your sponsorships and your facilitation has really enabled the continuation +[2692.62 --> 2696.86] and the completeness of the circle to keep that water flowing to those that are in need. +[2700.70 --> 2704.04] You know, in the early days, it was wartime in Liberia, +[2704.26 --> 2707.00] and we came back from that trip thinking, you know, +[2707.02 --> 2709.46] we need to do the easy ones first to reach the most people. +[2709.46 --> 2714.52] So 30 years later, we're still doing that, but we've progressed a little bit further. +[2714.66 --> 2716.92] We're trying to make the hard ones easy. +[2717.38 --> 2722.36] And that means that we are working hard on new technologies and innovations +[2722.36 --> 2725.26] so that we can get into the hinterlands, into the forgotten places. +[2725.62 --> 2727.30] A rig requires a good road, +[2727.40 --> 2730.82] and a lot of the places where the people are living don't have that. +[2731.24 --> 2737.68] And so we've made an off-roading, kind of very maneuverable, narrow wheelbase truck-mounted rig +[2737.68 --> 2741.50] that's now in all of our Africa communities. +[2742.14 --> 2747.10] And on the sea sailing right now is a new adventure. +[2747.36 --> 2749.42] It's actually a rig on a motorcycle. +[2750.26 --> 2756.76] Three-wheeled motorcycle, big tires, and the mast folds over the driver. +[2756.76 --> 2761.70] And it can still drill and rock about 300 feet, which is the max a pump can handle anyway. +[2762.34 --> 2763.52] We're going to check it out. +[2763.66 --> 2767.50] It's sailing here to Vancouver and then being shipped by rail to Lethbridge, +[2767.58 --> 2768.44] where we can test it. +[2768.52 --> 2769.36] It's made in China. +[2770.12 --> 2771.50] So we'll see how it is. +[2771.64 --> 2775.40] But the idea and the innovation is, like, so streamlined +[2775.40 --> 2778.04] and so in keeping with making the hard ones easy. +[2778.04 --> 2782.24] And this one will be shipped to Haiti. +[2783.14 --> 2787.24] And they will start a brand-new drilling team because Haiti right now, +[2787.56 --> 2790.00] as you may know, is in terrible turmoil. +[2790.16 --> 2791.08] There is no government. +[2791.84 --> 2795.84] Our team, because they are all local, are successfully drilling. +[2796.38 --> 2802.28] I just got 89 repairs and six hand pumps, new wells drilled this month. +[2802.28 --> 2806.96] So they are quietly under the radar going into where the need is. +[2807.50 --> 2810.30] This rig will make it very helpful for them. +[2813.14 --> 2817.08] Again, I wanted to just spend this time just to say thank you. +[2817.76 --> 2819.68] We're really grateful for your support. +[2820.10 --> 2821.62] We're really grateful for your prayers. +[2822.26 --> 2825.82] If you would like, I do a monthly prayer update. +[2825.96 --> 2828.38] There's a sign-up sheet at the back beside the posters. +[2828.64 --> 2831.86] We are also hosting what we're calling a town hall. +[2832.28 --> 2834.22] And so if you want to hear a little bit more, right, +[2834.30 --> 2838.22] directly from our Nigeria program coordinator, +[2838.36 --> 2841.68] who happens to be the dean of education and psychology +[2841.68 --> 2843.98] in the Abuja University and our lead driller. +[2844.40 --> 2845.56] He is very well-spoken. +[2845.84 --> 2848.44] He has incredible stories to share of the impact +[2848.44 --> 2850.42] that his team's been making in Nigeria +[2850.42 --> 2853.40] and the expansion that he's anticipating to do +[2853.40 --> 2857.40] to reach not only an Abuja area but down close to Lagos, +[2857.72 --> 2859.88] very populated areas with nothing. +[2859.88 --> 2863.76] So please feel free to sign up in the back +[2863.76 --> 2866.64] and I'll be around there too if you wanted to talk +[2866.64 --> 2867.52] or ask more questions. +[2867.96 --> 2868.92] Thank you very much. +[2874.92 --> 2876.24] Thank you very much, Linda. +[2876.70 --> 2877.96] Yeah, she'll be at the back +[2877.96 --> 2879.72] and you can always ask questions or sign up +[2879.72 --> 2880.68] or hear more from her +[2880.68 --> 2883.00] and the wonderful work Life Water's been doing. +[2883.54 --> 2884.64] We're also going to take a moment now +[2884.64 --> 2888.16] to give our own financial gifts in our offering. +[2888.68 --> 2891.60] And today's offering is for Cascade Christian Counseling. +[2891.96 --> 2894.40] So they have offices in Surrey and in Abbotsford, +[2894.90 --> 2896.66] another ministry we've been supporting for many years. +[2896.82 --> 2898.82] And what I love about them, +[2898.96 --> 2901.54] especially in helping people in our own church, +[2901.62 --> 2902.98] our own community with their mental health, +[2903.06 --> 2906.98] is they have kind of a stepped way of paying for it. +[2906.98 --> 2909.12] so they don't turn a lot of people away. +[2909.52 --> 2910.96] And the donations we give today +[2910.96 --> 2912.06] helps to support people +[2912.06 --> 2914.40] who maybe can't afford counseling but could use it. +[2914.52 --> 2917.10] So thank you so much for giving today. +[2917.10 --> 2917.18] Thank you. +[2917.18 --> 2917.22] Thank you. +[2917.22 --> 2918.04] Thank you. +[2918.04 --> 2918.44] Thank you. +[2918.44 --> 2919.14] Thank you. +[2919.14 --> 2919.32] Thank you. +[2919.32 --> 2919.88] Thank you. +[2919.88 --> 2920.28] Thank you. +[2920.28 --> 2928.52] Thank you. +[2928.52 --> 2958.50] Thank you. +[2958.52 --> 2988.50] Thank you. +[2988.52 --> 3018.50] Thank you. +[3018.52 --> 3019.52] Thank you. +[3019.52 --> 3020.52] Thank you. +[3020.52 --> 3048.50] Thank you. +[3048.52 --> 3050.52] Thank you. +[3050.52 --> 3051.52] Thank you. +[3051.52 --> 3053.52] Thank you. +[3053.52 --> 3064.40] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your song. +[3064.40 --> 3075.90] And leaving your spirit till the work on earth is now. +[3075.90 --> 3088.64] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your song. +[3088.64 --> 3100.96] And leaving your spirit till the work on earth is now. +[3105.90 --> 3110.90] I would love to invite all of the kids to come forward. +[3110.90 --> 3118.90] If you are three years old, going into kindergarten, maybe you're a little bit older and you want to come up, we're going to sit by this candle, I guess. +[3118.90 --> 3122.90] Nice. We'll come sit over here, maybe. How about right over here? Is that a better spot? +[3122.90 --> 3126.90] Yeah? Yeah, come on up. Come on up. +[3126.90 --> 3130.90] Feel free. Oh, there's only a few of us today. +[3130.90 --> 3136.90] How are we doing? We're good. Are we ready for children's worship time? +[3136.90 --> 3142.90] I know. That's exciting. We're going to pray and then we're going to go children's worship time. Is that a good idea? +[3142.90 --> 3149.90] Yeah? Well, let's pray, okay? Let's fold our hands and close our eyes and then we'll head on off. +[3149.90 --> 3153.90] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. Thank you that we could be here in church today. +[3153.90 --> 3157.90] We could sing worship songs to you and open up the Bible and learn more about you as well. +[3157.90 --> 3161.90] Be with these kids as they go to children's worship time and us as well as we stay back here. +[3161.90 --> 3165.90] Help us learn what it means to follow you in your name. Amen. +[3165.90 --> 3168.90] Now, before we go, though, we have to do the children's blessing, right? +[3168.90 --> 3173.90] So can we stand up? There's only four of us, so we're going to have to be a little bit loud again. +[3173.90 --> 3176.90] But we're going to say the Lord be with you to everyone, okay? +[3176.90 --> 3181.90] So can we do that with our hands? Are we ready? The Lord be with you on three. Ready? +[3181.90 --> 3183.90] Nice and loud. One, two, three. +[3183.90 --> 3186.90] Be with you. +[3186.90 --> 3188.90] And also with you. +[3206.90 --> 3229.90] Morning. My name is Dick. I am a member here. And it's time to come to our God in prayer. Just a couple of notes. +[3229.90 --> 3237.90] Marguerite Cool's mother passed away on Friday. That is Rachel Malawani's grandmother. +[3237.90 --> 3246.90] Her health was declining for quite some time. And she did pass away more quickly than what the family expected. +[3246.90 --> 3258.90] And we also want to think about people missing loved ones. Most of us, if not all of us, at some time in the last short while, long while, whatever, +[3258.90 --> 3265.90] have always had to say goodbye to somebody. Sometime it's expected. Lots of times it's not. +[3265.90 --> 3274.90] I want to think about people dealing with illnesses, pain, shut-ins, etc. And then, of course, you've got school. +[3274.90 --> 3284.90] I'm sure you're probably sick of hearing that already. I did a little question and answer session with some of my grandkids +[3284.90 --> 3290.90] and I wanted to know if they were excited to go to school. Well, you can almost guess what the majority said. +[3290.90 --> 3303.90] But there was some that were very excited. I said, you know, you got to see your friends, learn, because you won't believe this until you're way out of it. +[3303.90 --> 3310.90] But school was actually pretty neat. I mean, a lot of people didn't work very hard, but they sure had to after school. +[3310.90 --> 3317.90] So you got real work coming, folks. So enjoy it. +[3317.90 --> 3327.90] I do want to mention that Kevin Lobert and Nikki have been with us for 16, 17 years, Kevin. +[3327.90 --> 3335.90] And I have been there the whole time. And some of us have been here since actually this church started. +[3335.90 --> 3345.90] And of all the pastors and associate pastors, Kevin is among the most humblest. +[3345.90 --> 3350.90] That's my experience. Maybe he hides it well. I don't know. But that's been my experience. +[3350.90 --> 3363.90] I've talked to Kevin many times for various number of reasons. And it's always been a very it's been a blessing. +[3363.90 --> 3372.90] So, Kevin, I want you to know that we have a big deal coming up, a meeting talking about whether we want Kevin to stay or not. +[3372.90 --> 3380.90] And obviously we want what God wants. And so let's come to God in prayer. +[3380.90 --> 3388.90] Father, we're in heaven. Lord, thank you. Thank you that we can come here Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. +[3388.90 --> 3395.90] Lord, most of us, Lord, we pray for the shut-ins right now that can't always join us. +[3395.90 --> 3403.90] Lord, we pray for people we've had to say or that are dealing with saying goodbye to others. +[3403.90 --> 3412.90] Lord, and especially those people who, if they miss a spouse, that they now are most of the time alone. +[3412.90 --> 3415.90] They're not alone because you're there. That's obvious, Lord. +[3415.90 --> 3422.90] But they've always had somebody side by side, maybe for five, ten, fifty, fifty years sometimes. +[3422.90 --> 3426.90] Just, Lord, will you touch every single person? +[3426.90 --> 3436.90] We help the rest of us to reach out because, Lord, we can always think of somebody who's had to deal with the loss of a loved one. +[3436.90 --> 3441.90] Lord, we pray for kids. Thank you for kids. Thank you for grandkids. +[3441.90 --> 3445.90] Lord, this coming week is a big week. We pray for teachers. +[3445.90 --> 3448.90] We pray for anybody who works in the school system, Lord. +[3448.90 --> 3451.90] We pray for a blessing on each one. +[3451.90 --> 3458.90] We help the leaders to reach out to each other, to the kids. +[3458.90 --> 3461.90] Then we pray, Lord, will you be with all those kids? +[3461.90 --> 3466.90] We pray for transportation. We pray for the busyness of it all, Lord. +[3466.90 --> 3474.90] But also the blessings. We pray, will you, if we go there, even as a student, Lord, that we reach out to the friends we know +[3474.90 --> 3490.90] and the friends we want to know and also the lonely ones, Lord, who sometimes are missed in the sidelines or not given proper affection or care. +[3490.90 --> 3495.90] And we pray, will you help us to reach out as you call us to do? +[3495.90 --> 3502.90] Lord, we pray for Pastor Chris this morning, Lord, as he brings your word. +[3502.90 --> 3508.90] Lord, as he shares with us what God has told him to share. +[3508.90 --> 3510.90] Lord, we pray, will you bless each one of us? +[3510.90 --> 3514.90] Will you help us also this week as we leave from here? +[3514.90 --> 3522.90] We pray, will you be with us as we hear about other parts of the world, Lord, and sometimes it's just chaos. +[3522.90 --> 3528.90] Lord, we help us to be a witness to whoever and wherever we can. +[3528.90 --> 3532.90] Thank you, Lord, this morning that we heard about some parts of Africa. +[3532.90 --> 3539.90] And there's so many more Christians, Lord, that we don't know about or we just hear about. +[3539.90 --> 3542.90] And they don't have it near as good as what we do, Lord. +[3542.90 --> 3545.90] Thank you for the blessings we do live with. +[3545.90 --> 3548.90] Help us to share. Help us to be aware of that. +[3548.90 --> 3552.90] Lord, we pray, will you bless us through your word this morning? +[3552.90 --> 3555.90] Thank you in Jesus name. Amen. +[3555.90 --> 3581.90] We are going to end our summer this weekend with the conclusion wrapping up our summer series, +[3581.90 --> 3589.90] looking at Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, a series that we've entitled Behold Your King. +[3589.90 --> 3596.90] Today we're going to finish that looking at the death and resurrection of Jesus. +[3596.90 --> 3604.90] So I'm going to read from Matthew 28, the first 10 verses, but we are going to kind of refer to that bigger section, +[3604.90 --> 3608.90] starting in chapter 27 through to the end. +[3608.90 --> 3615.90] And so as always, encourage you really to have a Bible in front of you, open that up or turn it on if it's a phone that you use for that. +[3615.90 --> 3619.90] And keep that there so we can refer back throughout. +[3619.90 --> 3624.90] Let's start by reading the first 10 verses of chapter 28 together. +[3624.90 --> 3636.90] After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. +[3636.90 --> 3646.90] And there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. +[3646.90 --> 3657.90] His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow, and the guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. +[3657.90 --> 3666.90] The angel said to the women, do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. +[3666.90 --> 3671.90] He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. +[3671.90 --> 3679.90] Come, see the place where he lay, and then go quickly and tell his disciples, +[3679.90 --> 3683.90] he has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. +[3683.90 --> 3687.90] There you will see him. Now I have told you. +[3687.90 --> 3696.90] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. +[3696.90 --> 3700.90] And suddenly Jesus met them. +[3700.90 --> 3702.90] Greetings, he said. +[3702.90 --> 3707.90] They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. +[3707.90 --> 3711.90] And then Jesus said, do not be afraid. +[3711.90 --> 3718.90] Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. +[3718.90 --> 3720.90] This is the word of the Lord. +[3720.90 --> 3722.90] Amen. +[3726.90 --> 3730.90] Think about the stories that we tell. +[3730.90 --> 3737.90] Some of the most popular stories throughout the history of civilization, in fact, +[3737.90 --> 3742.90] have circled around the same kinds of themes. +[3742.90 --> 3751.90] One common theme in the history of storytelling is death and ideas how to defeat it. +[3752.90 --> 3759.90] Draw your attention, if you would, to that great literary classic, Harry Potter. +[3760.90 --> 3763.90] Specifically, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. +[3763.90 --> 3771.90] Now at its heart, the Harry Potter story is not just about wands or spells or castles and magic. +[3771.90 --> 3775.90] It's about the deepest human fear. +[3775.90 --> 3777.90] Death itself. +[3778.90 --> 3782.90] About loneliness in the face of it, or as a result of it. +[3783.90 --> 3788.90] If you're familiar with that story, and I know some of you are, and some of you are just opposed, Kevin. +[3788.90 --> 3798.90] But in that story, the Dark Lord Voldemort, I said his name, spends the whole story running from death. +[3798.90 --> 3799.90] Right? +[3799.90 --> 3803.90] He grasps after every dark power in order to avoid it. +[3803.90 --> 3811.90] He splits his soul into horcruxes in an attempt to stave off the inevitability of it. +[3811.90 --> 3818.90] He's obsessed with defeating death, and his obsession turns him into something less than human. +[3818.90 --> 3822.90] And it becomes, in the end, a shell of a man. +[3823.90 --> 3828.90] Powerful, sure, but enslaved by his fear of it. +[3829.90 --> 3838.90] Now Harry, the protagonist, by contrast, triumphs in this story not by avoiding death, but actually by willingly going to face it. +[3838.90 --> 3846.90] At the climax of the story, he walks into the forest, unarmed, and he offers himself for his friends. +[3847.90 --> 3854.90] And in a twist that, if anyone has read the Bible before reading Harry Potter, they knew was coming, +[3854.90 --> 3863.90] a twist that represents something much deeper than fantasy, he wins not by running from death, but by passing through it. +[3863.90 --> 3870.90] In fact, his passing through death happens at the King's Cross, even, in the story. +[3870.90 --> 3879.90] And what makes the story ring true for so many millions of us who have read it is not its clever plot, +[3879.90 --> 3890.90] but that it touches on something that we all know and long for deep down, that somehow death does not have the last word. +[3890.90 --> 3896.90] Now, of course, the author, J.K. Rowling, didn't invent this theme. +[3896.90 --> 3901.90] Like we said, this has been storytelling forever, right? +[3901.90 --> 3907.90] And it taps into something older and deeper, a truth embedded in every human heart. +[3907.90 --> 3914.90] J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote Lord of the Rings and who was inspirational to Rowling, +[3914.90 --> 3922.90] Tolkien once wrote that the story of Jesus' resurrection is the eucatastrophe of the story of mankind, +[3922.90 --> 3926.90] the happy ending that breaks into the tragedy. +[3926.90 --> 3933.90] Tolkien loved to say, actually, that in Christ's resurrection, and C.S. Lewis echoes this too, +[3933.90 --> 3938.90] everything sad is going to come untrue. +[3938.90 --> 3941.90] And that's what we long for, right? +[3941.90 --> 3948.90] Not just to delay death with medicine or technology or strange ideas of transhumanism, +[3948.90 --> 3955.90] not just to distract ourselves from the shadow of mortality with busyness or with entertainment. +[3955.90 --> 3959.90] We long for a victory over death itself. +[3959.90 --> 3964.90] We long for the day when sadness will come undone. +[3964.90 --> 3968.90] And here's the thing, right? +[3968.90 --> 3972.90] This longing is not just in them out there. +[3972.90 --> 3977.90] It's not just in fantasy novels or in philosophers debating the meaning of life. +[3977.90 --> 3980.90] This longing is in us. +[3980.90 --> 3986.90] It's in the way we avoid talking about death in polite conversation. +[3986.90 --> 3994.90] It's in the way we throw everything of ourselves into diets or fitness routines or health trends +[3994.90 --> 4000.90] just to stave off that feeling of inevitability. +[4000.90 --> 4004.90] It's in the tears we shed at funerals. +[4004.90 --> 4007.90] Even when the person lived a long life and a full life, right? +[4007.90 --> 4009.90] Death feels wrong. +[4009.90 --> 4011.90] It feels like an intruder. +[4011.90 --> 4014.90] It feels like something that shouldn't be there. +[4014.90 --> 4019.90] And again, contemporary philosophers and medical professionals can tell us it's natural. +[4019.90 --> 4024.90] Biologists can remind us that it's just part of the circle of life. +[4024.90 --> 4027.90] But our hearts know better in that moment, right? +[4027.90 --> 4030.90] We don't just want a circle that goes round and round and round. +[4030.90 --> 4032.90] We want a victory. +[4032.90 --> 4036.90] We want an end to the pain and to the struggle and the hardship. +[4036.90 --> 4039.90] We don't want a story that ends in darkness. +[4039.90 --> 4042.90] We want a story that ends in light. +[4042.90 --> 4045.90] This longing is universal. +[4045.90 --> 4047.90] This longing is ancient. +[4047.90 --> 4050.90] This longing is human. +[4050.90 --> 4057.90] And that's exactly what the Gospel of Jesus addresses. +[4057.90 --> 4063.90] The Bible never asks us to pretend that death is fine or that it's merely a natural step. +[4063.90 --> 4067.90] The Bible refers to death as the last enemy. +[4067.90 --> 4078.90] And yet, the Bible proclaims that in the death and resurrection of Jesus, death itself has been swallowed up in victory. +[4078.90 --> 4081.90] That's what Matthew 28 is all about. +[4081.90 --> 4082.90] Right? +[4082.90 --> 4087.90] The women come to the tomb expecting death to have the last word. +[4087.90 --> 4090.90] And instead, they meet a risen Christ. +[4090.90 --> 4095.90] And in that moment, God stands there boldly before them and declares to the world, +[4095.90 --> 4098.90] The ache is answered. +[4098.90 --> 4101.90] The longing is fulfilled. +[4101.90 --> 4107.90] Victory comes to you through the cross of Jesus. +[4107.90 --> 4122.90] Our big idea this morning is just that, that the death and the resurrection of Jesus secure our salvation and then together send us out on mission. +[4122.90 --> 4126.90] The death and resurrection of Jesus secure our salvation and send us out on mission. +[4126.90 --> 4128.90] Now, I get it. +[4128.90 --> 4132.90] From the outside, the crucifixion of Jesus looks like a failure. +[4132.90 --> 4133.90] Right? +[4133.90 --> 4142.90] A man who healed the sick, who calmed storms, who even raised the dead, is now powerless and mocked and dying on a Roman cross. +[4142.90 --> 4149.90] There's a sign that hangs above his head that says, this is Jesus, the King of the Jews, and it's meant to ridicule him. +[4149.90 --> 4154.90] The soldiers, scoffing, divide his clothes. +[4154.90 --> 4158.90] The leaders sneer at him and his disciples scatter. +[4158.90 --> 4165.90] To all appearances, in that moment, the cross is defeat. +[4165.90 --> 4168.90] Death wins. +[4168.90 --> 4173.90] But Matthew's gospel insists otherwise. +[4173.90 --> 4179.90] The cross, it turns out, isn't defeat, but it's the very path to victory. +[4179.90 --> 4183.90] And already in Matthew, we've seen this. +[4183.90 --> 4193.90] Back in Matthew 16, verse 21, right after Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, this is what Matthew records. +[4193.90 --> 4194.90] He says, +[4194.90 --> 4213.90] Notice the word there, right? +[4213.90 --> 4215.90] It says, must. +[4215.90 --> 4220.90] Jesus didn't say this might happen or that it was one possibility among others. +[4220.90 --> 4223.90] He said it must happen. +[4223.90 --> 4227.90] Again, in Matthew 20, verse 28, we read, Jesus declaring, +[4227.90 --> 4235.90] The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. +[4235.90 --> 4238.90] Again, this was his mission, right? +[4238.90 --> 4242.90] His death is not accidental, but intentional. +[4242.90 --> 4246.90] It's not incidental, but essential. +[4246.90 --> 4248.90] Why? +[4248.90 --> 4251.90] Why is the cross necessary? +[4251.90 --> 4253.90] That's the question at the heart of this, right? +[4253.90 --> 4258.90] Couldn't God have just saved some other way? +[4258.90 --> 4267.90] Interestingly, this is exactly the question that Anselm of Canterbury wrestled with almost a thousand years ago in his great work, +[4267.90 --> 4272.90] Cordaeus Homo, why God became man. +[4272.90 --> 4277.90] If you've been listening to our podcast this summer, you've heard of this individual. +[4277.90 --> 4279.90] And he asked, +[4279.90 --> 4289.90] If God is almighty, why could he not simply forgive by his word, without the humiliation of the incarnation or without the agony of the cross? +[4289.90 --> 4296.90] And his answer is profound and continues to be profound for us today. +[4296.90 --> 4303.90] The truth is, sin is not something that can simply be waved away. +[4303.90 --> 4309.90] Sin is a debt of honor owed to God. +[4309.90 --> 4313.90] An offense against his infinite majesty. +[4313.90 --> 4324.90] And an offense against an infinite majesty cannot be paid by a finite human, a finite reality. +[4324.90 --> 4327.90] A substitute is necessary. +[4327.90 --> 4344.90] One who is truly human, that is one who ought to pay the penalty to stand in our place, but also one who is truly divine, who is fully God, so that he is himself of infinite worth to fill up that glory gap that we have taken. +[4344.90 --> 4352.90] In other words, only Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, could make this satisfaction for us. +[4352.90 --> 4364.90] And so, Anselm concludes that the incarnation and the cross are not an arbitrary thing, but the only fitting way to make salvation. +[4364.90 --> 4371.90] They are, given who God is and who we are, the only way salvation could be secured. +[4371.90 --> 4376.90] And again, hear this, right? +[4376.90 --> 4379.90] This isn't just theology on a page. +[4379.90 --> 4384.90] Matthew shows us this same truth in the garden of Gethsemane. +[4384.90 --> 4390.90] When Peter reaches for his sword in Gethsemane, Jesus stops him and he says, +[4390.90 --> 4401.90] Do you think I cannot call on my Father and that at once he will put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? +[4401.90 --> 4402.90] And then he says, +[4402.90 --> 4411.90] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way? +[4411.90 --> 4415.90] It's Matthew 26, starting at verse 53. +[4415.90 --> 4416.90] Right? +[4416.90 --> 4418.90] Jesus could have avoided the cross. +[4418.90 --> 4428.90] He could have summoned angel armies, but then God's justice would be unsatisfied. +[4428.90 --> 4431.90] And God's word would be unfulfilled. +[4431.90 --> 4435.90] And God's covenant would be unkept. +[4435.90 --> 4437.90] His promise would be broken. +[4437.90 --> 4445.90] And at the same time, right, we read that the cross was not only necessary, but that it's also chosen. +[4445.90 --> 4446.90] Right? +[4446.90 --> 4449.90] In that same garden in Gethsemane, Jesus prays, +[4449.90 --> 4457.90] My Father, if it's possible, take this cup from me, yet not as I will, but as you will. +[4457.90 --> 4458.90] Right? +[4458.90 --> 4460.90] Jesus chooses the will of his Father. +[4460.90 --> 4464.90] He willingly chooses the cross. +[4464.90 --> 4465.90] Right? +[4465.90 --> 4466.90] Right? +[4466.90 --> 4467.90] Here's the mystery of what's going on here. +[4467.90 --> 4474.90] That necessity and choice are perfectly bound together in the person of Jesus. +[4474.90 --> 4480.90] It had to be this way, and Jesus willingly walked this way. +[4480.90 --> 4485.90] Out of a love for his Father and for us. +[4485.90 --> 4489.90] This is why the covenant of redemption matters. +[4489.90 --> 4490.90] Right? +[4490.90 --> 4495.90] From before the foundation of the world, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit covenanted together. +[4495.90 --> 4500.90] They made a promise together to save the people that they would create. +[4500.90 --> 4503.90] And the Father sends, and the Son obeys, and the Spirit applies. +[4503.90 --> 4504.90] Right? +[4504.90 --> 4506.90] The cross is not an accident of history. +[4506.90 --> 4515.90] It's the eternal plan of God, carried out in time and space for you and for me to his glory. +[4515.90 --> 4518.90] And so when Jesus, on that cross, cries out, +[4518.90 --> 4521.90] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? +[4521.90 --> 4534.90] He's not lost in despair so much as he is fulfilling the promise of Psalm 22, identifying himself with the righteous sufferer whose vindication is certain. +[4534.90 --> 4545.90] When he breathes his last in Matthew 27, 50, he does so not in defeat, but in triumph, completing the mission that the Father has given him. +[4545.90 --> 4551.90] And so again, here in this, right, not just theology, but a real pastoral comfort. +[4551.90 --> 4552.90] Right? +[4552.90 --> 4556.90] Your salvation doesn't rest on chance. +[4556.90 --> 4559.90] It doesn't rest on your strength. +[4559.90 --> 4562.90] It doesn't even rest on your faith being strong enough. +[4562.90 --> 4571.90] It rests on what Jesus said must happen, and it rests on his choice to walk that road to the cross. +[4571.90 --> 4577.90] The cross was necessary, but it was also freely embraced by Jesus. +[4577.90 --> 4584.90] And that means your salvation is both secure and personal. +[4584.90 --> 4585.90] Right? +[4585.90 --> 4592.90] It's necessary so it cannot fail, and it's chosen so it's done in love. +[4592.90 --> 4599.90] The justice of God demands it, and the love of Christ supplies it. +[4599.90 --> 4600.90] Right? +[4600.90 --> 4608.90] Which means that the cross, right, is not defeat, but actually the cross is the deepest victory of God. +[4608.90 --> 4615.90] God's justice is satisfied, His mercy is poured out, and His people are saved. +[4615.90 --> 4624.90] If the cross then was necessary, the resurrection is indispensable. +[4624.90 --> 4625.90] Right? +[4625.90 --> 4629.90] Without the resurrection, the cross would remain a tragedy. +[4629.90 --> 4633.90] It would be noble, but ultimately a failure. +[4633.90 --> 4640.90] But with the resurrection, with the resurrection, right, the cross is revealed as God's victory. +[4640.90 --> 4644.90] As Paul puts it in Romans 4, he says, +[4644.90 --> 4651.90] Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. +[4651.90 --> 4654.90] The two must go together. +[4654.90 --> 4658.90] And Matthew's Gospel has made this plain over and over again. +[4658.90 --> 4675.90] And here too, at the end of chapter 27, Pilate grants the request of the chief priests and the Pharisees to secure the tomb, to seal the stone, and to set a guard in front of it. +[4675.90 --> 4679.90] Now this detail isn't incidental. +[4679.90 --> 4680.90] Right? +[4680.90 --> 4685.90] It underscores just how final death was supposed to be. +[4685.90 --> 4686.90] Right? +[4686.90 --> 4692.90] Human power and authority did everything to make sure that Jesus stayed in that grave. +[4692.90 --> 4700.90] The stone, the seal, the soldiers, they're symbols in this story of death's dominion, of death's reign. +[4700.90 --> 4704.90] And then, and then chapter 28 happens. +[4704.90 --> 4705.90] Right? +[4705.90 --> 4709.90] Chapter 28 breaks in with a holy disruption. +[4709.90 --> 4716.90] We read that after the Sabbath at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look for the tomb. +[4716.90 --> 4725.90] There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, going to the tomb, rolled back, sat on the stone. +[4725.90 --> 4726.90] Right? +[4726.90 --> 4733.90] That angel sitting casually on the stone is almost there mocking death's supposed strength. +[4733.90 --> 4734.90] Right? +[4734.90 --> 4738.90] What the Romans have sealed, heaven has unsealed. +[4738.90 --> 4744.90] What the guards have tried to enforce, God overthrows. +[4744.90 --> 4751.90] Now, I get it that this sounds like fantasy to some of us. +[4751.90 --> 4754.90] Just like Harry Potter, maybe. +[4754.90 --> 4757.90] Maybe some of you are thinking, you know, that's beautiful. +[4757.90 --> 4758.90] That sounds good. +[4758.90 --> 4759.90] But is it true? +[4759.90 --> 4761.90] Is this real? +[4761.90 --> 4762.90] Right? +[4762.90 --> 4770.90] After all, saying that death has been defeated is the most audacious claim that Christians make. +[4770.90 --> 4771.90] Right? +[4771.90 --> 4774.90] How can we know that this really happened? +[4774.90 --> 4776.90] How can we know that this is real? +[4776.90 --> 4783.90] Because every single one of us here has experienced death. +[4783.90 --> 4789.90] But I don't know if any of us have experienced resurrection after death. +[4789.90 --> 4793.90] Now, Matthew anticipates this question. +[4793.90 --> 4794.90] Right? +[4794.90 --> 4797.90] Notice in verse 11 through 15 of chapter 28. +[4797.90 --> 4798.90] We didn't read it, but it's there. +[4798.90 --> 4800.90] The very next verse is after our text. +[4800.90 --> 4807.90] The guards are bribed in order to spread the story that the disciples stole the body. +[4807.90 --> 4808.90] Right? +[4808.90 --> 4815.90] In other words, Matthew is acknowledging that from the very beginning, people tried to explain away the resurrection story. +[4815.90 --> 4820.90] And yet, the story of Jesus' resurrection cannot be silenced. +[4820.90 --> 4823.90] And there's at least three reasons why. +[4823.90 --> 4826.90] And we could go into more and we could go into deeper, but I will hit these quickly. +[4826.90 --> 4828.90] We could talk more after. +[4828.90 --> 4835.90] First of all, one of the ways we know this story to be true is because the witnesses were unlikely. +[4835.90 --> 4837.90] The witnesses were unlikely. +[4837.90 --> 4842.90] So, Matthew 28 says that the first eyewitnesses were women. +[4842.90 --> 4847.90] Now, in that culture, their testimony was not even admissible in court. +[4847.90 --> 4848.90] Right? +[4848.90 --> 4859.90] In that culture, if you were inventing a story, you wouldn't make women the first eyewitnesses to that story. +[4859.90 --> 4861.90] Because nobody would believe it. +[4861.90 --> 4870.90] And so, the only reason to tell the story this way and to include these women as the first eyewitnesses is that that's actually what happened. +[4870.90 --> 4874.90] And they're refusing to lie about it in order to strengthen the integrity of the claim. +[4874.90 --> 4876.90] It's like, no, this is real. +[4876.90 --> 4878.90] This happened this way. +[4878.90 --> 4887.90] Another reason why we can know this to be true is we can look at how the disciples themselves and their lives are transformed. +[4887.90 --> 4888.90] Right? +[4888.90 --> 4901.90] These men went from frightened deserters in Matthew 26 to bold witnesses for Christ who, each one of them, were willing to die for their testimony. +[4901.90 --> 4909.90] Now, people will die for lies that they believe to be true. +[4909.90 --> 4916.90] But no one will die for a lie that they know to be a lie. +[4916.90 --> 4917.90] Right? +[4917.90 --> 4921.90] Their courage of the disciples to face death in the manner that many of them do. +[4921.90 --> 4924.90] Peter himself, also crucified, but upside down. +[4924.90 --> 4925.90] Right? +[4925.90 --> 4934.90] The only way that that begins to make sense, the only way that we can understand their courage, is if they really saw a risen Jesus. +[4934.90 --> 4937.90] And that changed everything for them. +[4937.90 --> 4948.90] And then the third reason why, the movement of early Christianity gained nothing by telling this story. +[4948.90 --> 4951.90] In fact, they only gained persecution. +[4951.90 --> 4952.90] Right? +[4952.90 --> 4959.90] In an ancient world like this one, Christians had no cultural power to protect. +[4959.90 --> 4962.90] They had no status to lay hold of. +[4962.90 --> 4968.90] And claiming that a crucified Jew had risen from the dead didn't earn them any influence. +[4968.90 --> 4970.90] Didn't earn them any status. +[4970.90 --> 4974.90] The only thing it earned them, like we said, was hostility. +[4974.90 --> 4984.90] And if they were going to fabricate a story in order to secure their position of influence in society, this story would be the worst one to do. +[4984.90 --> 4986.90] Doesn't make sense. +[4986.90 --> 4990.90] And so, is it credible to believe in the resurrection? +[4990.90 --> 4991.90] Yes! +[4991.90 --> 4993.90] Absolutely it is! +[4993.90 --> 4995.90] But more than credible, right? +[4995.90 --> 4997.90] It's satisfying. +[4997.90 --> 5000.90] It's existentially satisfying. +[5000.90 --> 5005.90] Look, it's not just that Christianity and that the resurrection is true. +[5005.90 --> 5006.90] Right? +[5006.90 --> 5011.90] It's that Christianity is true, good, and beautiful. +[5011.90 --> 5012.90] Right? +[5012.90 --> 5019.90] If Jesus rose, then the deepest longings of the human heart, the longings for meaning and for justice, +[5019.90 --> 5026.90] the longings for a love that is stronger than death, if Jesus rose, these things aren't illusions, they're fulfilled. +[5026.90 --> 5034.90] Which means, then, that believing in the resurrection is not just wishful thinking. +[5034.90 --> 5043.90] It's actually the most reasonable, most hopeful conclusion to the evidence that we see and to the ache that we feel. +[5043.90 --> 5050.90] But again, Matthew is not just writing a defense here. +[5050.90 --> 5056.90] He's not just putting a brief together in order to stand in the courtroom of your judgment about this matter. +[5056.90 --> 5059.90] He is proclaiming good news. +[5059.90 --> 5063.90] And the angel's words that we read are at the heart of it. +[5063.90 --> 5064.90] Right? +[5064.90 --> 5073.90] The angel announces to them, do not be afraid, he says, for I know that you are looking for Jesus. +[5073.90 --> 5075.90] Jesus who was crucified. +[5075.90 --> 5076.90] He is not here. +[5076.90 --> 5079.90] He has risen just as he said. +[5079.90 --> 5082.90] Come and see the place where he lay. +[5082.90 --> 5084.90] Now, notice, again, the order. +[5084.90 --> 5088.90] Jesus who was crucified, he has risen. +[5088.90 --> 5089.90] Right? +[5089.90 --> 5094.90] Matthew is binding the cross and resurrection together. +[5094.90 --> 5098.90] Salvation doesn't come through one without the other. +[5098.90 --> 5103.90] Jesus crucified without resurrection would mean payment without vindication. +[5103.90 --> 5109.90] Jesus resurrected without crucifixion would mean triumph without atonement. +[5109.90 --> 5118.90] But the two together, death and resurrection, mean that sin has been paid for and death itself has been defeated. +[5118.90 --> 5123.90] And this is where, and these words are beautiful and true. +[5123.90 --> 5130.90] They're from Peter Chrysologos, who's a fifth century church father, pastor. +[5130.90 --> 5133.90] He was known for his eloquence in preaching. +[5133.90 --> 5138.90] And he says, the order of things has changed. +[5138.90 --> 5142.90] The tomb devours death and not the dead. +[5142.90 --> 5147.90] The house of death becomes the mansion of life. +[5147.90 --> 5152.90] The resurrection is the great reversal. +[5152.90 --> 5156.90] The place of death has become the place of life. +[5156.90 --> 5165.90] The very thing that swallowed up humanity from Adam onward is itself swallowed up by Christ. +[5165.90 --> 5166.90] Okay. +[5168.90 --> 5169.90] See it this way. +[5169.90 --> 5179.90] In the Old Testament, and when you read the Old Testament, for a Jewish person to touch a corpse made you unclean. +[5179.90 --> 5180.90] Right? +[5180.90 --> 5184.90] Death contaminated everything it touched. +[5184.90 --> 5195.90] But Jesus, Jesus is so holy, so full of divine life, that when he touches death, it's death itself that becomes cleansed. +[5195.90 --> 5196.90] Right? +[5196.90 --> 5199.90] The uncleanness of death doesn't reach into him and touch him. +[5199.90 --> 5203.90] His perfect cleanliness reaches out and swallows up death. +[5203.90 --> 5204.90] Death doesn't stain him. +[5204.90 --> 5206.90] He sanctifies death. +[5206.90 --> 5211.90] Death is swallowed up, not by its own power, but by his holiness. +[5211.90 --> 5212.90] Right? +[5212.90 --> 5221.90] That's why the Apostle Paul can exclaim in 1 Corinthians 15, these beautiful words where he shouts, death has been swallowed up in victory. +[5222.90 --> 5223.90] Where, O death, is your victory? +[5223.90 --> 5225.90] Where, O death, is your sting? +[5226.90 --> 5227.90] Right? +[5227.90 --> 5233.90] Matthew wants us to see that the resurrection transforms everything, even death. +[5233.90 --> 5234.90] Right? +[5234.90 --> 5235.90] Right? +[5235.90 --> 5237.90] That's why he repeats that phrase, do not be afraid. +[5237.90 --> 5238.90] Right? +[5238.90 --> 5247.90] The resurrection means that the deepest human longing, the deepest human fear, death itself, no longer has that last word. +[5247.90 --> 5248.90] Right? +[5248.90 --> 5250.90] That final enemy is defeated. +[5250.90 --> 5254.90] The worst thing that could ever happen has already happened in Christ. +[5254.90 --> 5255.90] We died with him. +[5255.90 --> 5260.90] And the best thing that could ever happen and will ever happen has already begun. +[5260.90 --> 5262.90] We are raised with him. +[5263.90 --> 5267.90] And think then how this answers our deepest ache. +[5267.90 --> 5268.90] Right? +[5268.90 --> 5271.90] This longing for victory over death. +[5271.90 --> 5272.90] Right? +[5272.90 --> 5277.90] The very thing that we try to distract ourselves from, to delay and to redefine. +[5277.90 --> 5279.90] But only Jesus defeats it. +[5280.90 --> 5283.90] Only Jesus steps into it and emerges victorious. +[5283.90 --> 5288.90] Only Jesus transformed the tomb into the doorway of life. +[5289.90 --> 5293.90] And again, this isn't abstract. +[5294.90 --> 5296.90] This is deeply personal. +[5296.90 --> 5301.90] The resurrection isn't just an event to admire. +[5301.90 --> 5304.90] It's a reality that we share in. +[5304.90 --> 5307.90] The Apostle Paul, again, in Colossians 3, says, +[5307.90 --> 5311.90] Since then you have been raised with Christ. +[5311.90 --> 5316.90] Set your hearts on things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. +[5317.90 --> 5318.90] Right? +[5318.90 --> 5323.90] Already now, in union with him, you are raised. +[5323.90 --> 5326.90] Already, his life is yours. +[5326.90 --> 5333.90] And that means, when you stand at the grave of someone you love. +[5333.90 --> 5338.90] When you feel the decline of your own body. +[5338.90 --> 5344.90] When you live in a moment of pain to pain to pain. +[5344.90 --> 5349.90] When you are haunted by the shadow of mortality. +[5349.90 --> 5352.90] You don't stand there alone. +[5352.90 --> 5355.90] Jesus has gone before you. +[5355.90 --> 5359.90] And he has turned the house of death into the mansion of life. +[5359.90 --> 5360.90] Right? +[5360.90 --> 5363.90] And the angel's command is still God's word to you. +[5363.90 --> 5365.90] Do not be afraid. +[5365.90 --> 5366.90] Right? +[5366.90 --> 5368.90] Because Christ has risen. +[5368.90 --> 5370.90] The last enemy is defeated. +[5370.90 --> 5375.90] And the greatest hope that you could ever know and long for is secure in him. +[5375.90 --> 5380.90] And if the resurrection is true, and boy, do I believe it is. +[5380.90 --> 5383.90] If the resurrection is true, then what's next? +[5385.90 --> 5388.90] If the resurrection is true, that can't remain a private thing. +[5388.90 --> 5395.90] You can't just sit there like you are right now, honestly, passively, receiving this news going, hmm, yeah, okay. +[5395.90 --> 5397.90] That's what he says every week. +[5397.90 --> 5399.90] This has to be a public message. +[5399.90 --> 5400.90] Right? +[5400.90 --> 5401.90] Notice the angel's message. +[5401.90 --> 5404.90] He says, go quickly and tell the disciples. +[5404.90 --> 5407.90] Again, when Jesus meets them, he says, do not be afraid. +[5407.90 --> 5411.90] Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee where they will see me. +[5411.90 --> 5419.90] From the very first moment on that very first resurrection Sunday, resurrection faith has to become resurrection witness. +[5419.90 --> 5422.90] And this message doesn't stop with the disciples. +[5422.90 --> 5433.90] Right at the end of Matthew's Gospel, these last few words, Jesus now speaks the Great Commission, not only to them, but through them to each of us. +[5433.90 --> 5443.90] All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations. +[5443.90 --> 5444.90] Right? +[5444.90 --> 5446.90] There is a clear logic here. +[5446.90 --> 5456.90] Because Jesus is risen, because death and sin are conquered, because he reigns with all authority, therefore go. +[5456.90 --> 5457.90] Right? +[5457.90 --> 5460.90] The Gospel is not only the good news that your sins are forgiven. +[5460.90 --> 5465.90] It's the good news that the entire cosmos is being remade. +[5465.90 --> 5466.90] Right? +[5466.90 --> 5481.90] Again, Paul in Colossians says that through Christ's blood shed on the cross, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood. +[5481.90 --> 5482.90] Right? +[5482.90 --> 5486.90] The victory of God in Christ doesn't just stop with your heart. +[5486.90 --> 5489.90] It stretches to the whole of creation. +[5489.90 --> 5490.90] Right? +[5490.90 --> 5494.90] The substitutionary death of Jesus secures cosmic renewal. +[5494.90 --> 5499.90] And his resurrection is not just your hope for life after death. +[5499.90 --> 5502.90] It's creation's hope for restoration. +[5502.90 --> 5509.90] As Paul says in Romans 8, the whole creation is groaning, waiting for its liberation from decay. +[5509.90 --> 5516.90] Resurrection Sunday is the dawn of that liberation. +[5516.90 --> 5519.90] This is the moment we live in now. +[5519.90 --> 5521.90] And that's huge. +[5521.90 --> 5522.90] That's cosmic. +[5522.90 --> 5524.90] That's eternal. +[5524.90 --> 5525.90] That's world shaking. +[5525.90 --> 5530.90] But it also comes close. +[5530.90 --> 5535.90] Down to earth in the ordinary details of our lives together. +[5535.90 --> 5538.90] Picture this. +[5538.90 --> 5541.90] Imagine you are planting a garden. +[5541.90 --> 5542.90] You're kneeling in the dirt. +[5542.90 --> 5545.90] You're pressing seeds into the soil. +[5545.90 --> 5548.90] And for a while, it looks like nothing. +[5548.90 --> 5552.90] And for a while longer, it looks like nothing. +[5552.90 --> 5557.90] And for a little while longer yet, it looks like nothing, especially if I'm gardening. +[5557.90 --> 5564.90] But then, one day, in spite of myself and all my lack of effort, something breaks through. +[5564.90 --> 5565.90] Right? +[5565.90 --> 5570.90] That small green shoot that pops through is proof that winter is not forever. +[5570.90 --> 5571.90] Right? +[5571.90 --> 5572.90] That's what the resurrection is. +[5572.90 --> 5573.90] Right? +[5573.90 --> 5578.90] The first green shoot of new creation breaking through into the soil of a dying world. +[5578.90 --> 5584.90] And whether you water the plants or whether you care for creation or whether you reconcile +[5584.90 --> 5589.90] with a friend or restore a relationship to your parents, whether you share the gospel +[5589.90 --> 5594.90] with your neighbor, whenever you do these things, you are participating in the cosmic renewal +[5594.90 --> 5597.90] that began at the empty tomb. +[5597.90 --> 5601.90] Because Jesus is risen, you must go and tell. +[5601.90 --> 5608.90] Because Jesus is risen, you must live and love as those who belong to this world of new creation. +[5608.90 --> 5613.90] And this, then, is how it's all fitting together. +[5613.90 --> 5614.90] Right? +[5614.90 --> 5619.90] Our deepest longing is victory over death. +[5619.90 --> 5623.90] And what we begin to see is the cross is necessary for that. +[5623.90 --> 5629.90] Not an accident, but the only way that God's justice and mercy could meet. +[5629.90 --> 5634.90] And the resurrection is proof of this, that death is undone, that sin is defeated, and that +[5634.90 --> 5636.90] life is secure. +[5636.90 --> 5646.90] And because this is true, you are sent to proclaim it, to live as a witness to Jesus Christ, to +[5646.90 --> 5650.90] live as a witness to this empty tomb. +[5650.90 --> 5653.90] That's the logic of the gospel. +[5653.90 --> 5654.90] Right? +[5654.90 --> 5661.90] That the cross and the resurrection secure salvation and therefore send us out on mission. +[5661.90 --> 5664.90] But here's my last word. +[5664.90 --> 5666.90] This mission is not a burden. +[5666.90 --> 5668.90] It's an invitation. +[5668.90 --> 5669.90] Right? +[5669.90 --> 5674.90] You are sent from this place with the words, +[5674.90 --> 5679.90] Do not be afraid, not to earn anything, but to announce everything. +[5679.90 --> 5680.90] Right? +[5680.90 --> 5685.90] You are not sent on your own strength, but you are sent in His authority. +[5685.90 --> 5693.90] And Jesus says, surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. +[5693.90 --> 5694.90] This is the invitation. +[5694.90 --> 5695.90] This is the invitation. +[5695.90 --> 5696.90] Behold your King. +[5696.90 --> 5704.90] See in Him and in His cross love and mercy meeting. +[5704.90 --> 5709.90] See Him in His resurrection where death itself is swallowed up. +[5709.90 --> 5713.90] See Him in His commission in sending us out to the nations. +[5713.90 --> 5720.90] And as you behold your King, let your heart rise to worship. +[5720.90 --> 5728.90] I want to invite the worship team to come up as we finish this time together. +[5728.90 --> 5735.90] Because in the end, the resurrection is not only something to be explained, it's something +[5735.90 --> 5736.90] to be adored. +[5736.90 --> 5739.90] It's not just a truth to defend. +[5739.90 --> 5741.90] It's a person to worship. +[5741.90 --> 5742.90] Right? +[5742.90 --> 5747.90] The one who was crucified is risen and now says to you, do not be afraid. +[5747.90 --> 5755.90] I'm going to ask all of you, if you can, stand up. +[5755.90 --> 5762.90] So come, weary heart, behold your King. +[5762.90 --> 5766.90] Come, broken sinner, behold your King. +[5766.90 --> 5770.90] Come, doubting disciple, fearful of death. +[5770.90 --> 5772.90] Behold your King in this moment. +[5772.90 --> 5775.90] The cross is not defeat. +[5775.90 --> 5776.90] It is victory. +[5776.90 --> 5777.90] The tomb is not the end. +[5777.90 --> 5778.90] It is the beginning. +[5778.90 --> 5780.90] Death is not the master. +[5780.90 --> 5781.90] Christ is. +[5781.90 --> 5786.90] And because He lives, you too will live. +[5786.90 --> 5788.90] And so, lift up your eyes. +[5788.90 --> 5789.90] Lift up your voice. +[5789.90 --> 5791.90] Lift up your heart. +[5791.90 --> 5798.90] Behold the crucified and risen Jesus, your Savior, your Lord, your King. +[5798.90 --> 5801.90] Worship Him. +[5801.90 --> 5805.90] Let's worship Him in song right now. +[5805.90 --> 5830.90] Let's worship Him in song right now. +[5830.90 --> 5837.90] See Him there, the great I am. +[5837.90 --> 5844.90] The crown of gold upon His hand. +[5844.90 --> 5851.90] The Father's heart displayed for us. +[5851.90 --> 5862.90] Oh God, we thank you for the crown. +[5862.90 --> 5868.90] Lifted up on Calvary's end. +[5868.90 --> 5872.90] We curse your name. +[5872.90 --> 5878.90] And we unstill you for our shame. +[5878.90 --> 5882.90] And take the cross. +[5882.90 --> 5889.90] Oh God, we thank you for the crown. +[5893.90 --> 5897.90] Behold the Lamb. +[5897.90 --> 5903.90] The story of redemption written on His hands. +[5903.90 --> 5907.90] Jesus, you will reign forevermore. +[5908.90 --> 5912.90] The victory is yours. +[5913.90 --> 5916.90] We sing your praise. +[5917.90 --> 5922.90] Endless hallelujahs to your holy name. +[5922.90 --> 5927.90] Jesus, you will reign forevermore. +[5927.90 --> 5932.90] The victory is yours. +[5932.90 --> 5941.90] Offer up His sacrifice. +[5941.90 --> 5947.90] For every sin our Savior done. +[5947.90 --> 5948.90] The Lord of mine. +[5948.90 --> 5949.90] The Lord of mine. +[5949.90 --> 5950.90] The Lord of mine. +[5950.90 --> 5954.90] His peace contains. +[5954.90 --> 5962.90] Our God has risen from the grave. +[5962.90 --> 5968.90] Oh, our God has risen from the grave. +[5968.90 --> 5971.90] Oh, our God has risen from their feet. +[5971.90 --> 5985.90] The Saviorunda does not. +[5985.90 --> 5989.90] The glory of His grace. +[5989.90 --> 5999.58] We sing your praise, endless hallelujahs to your holy name. +[5999.58 --> 6009.24] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. +[6009.24 --> 6025.54] When the age of death is done, we'll see your face bright as the sun. +[6025.54 --> 6039.22] We'll bow before the King of kings, O God, forever we will sing. +[6039.24 --> 6054.32] We bow before the Lamb, the story of redemption is on its hands. +[6054.32 --> 6063.32] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. +[6063.32 --> 6073.60] We sing your praise, endless hallelujahs to your holy name. +[6074.28 --> 6081.32] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. +[6081.32 --> 6087.52] You will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. +[6087.52 --> 6094.32] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. +[6094.32 --> 6116.22] You are sent in the power of God who has defeated death. +[6116.22 --> 6120.38] You are sent in the power of resurrection. +[6121.50 --> 6127.08] You are sent in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. +[6128.04 --> 6132.50] And so go and live this message. +[6133.08 --> 6137.62] Go and proclaim this truth and go with God. +[6138.16 --> 6140.94] So receive his blessing for the journey ahead. +[6140.94 --> 6144.58] God, go before you to lead you. +[6145.26 --> 6147.34] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6148.02 --> 6150.10] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6150.44 --> 6153.24] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6154.04 --> 6156.12] Do not be afraid. +[6156.90 --> 6158.90] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6159.06 --> 6166.44] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[6166.44 --> 6167.88] Amen. +[6171.44 --> 6181.06] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6181.30 --> 6183.84] He is wonderful. +[6185.44 --> 6194.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6194.62 --> 6197.62] He is wonderful. +[6197.62 --> 6198.62] He is wonderful. +[6198.62 --> 6208.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6208.62 --> 6210.62] He is wonderful. +[6210.62 --> 6221.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6221.62 --> 6224.62] He is wonderful. +[6224.62 --> 6225.62] He is wonderful. +[6225.62 --> 6226.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6226.62 --> 6227.62] He is wonderful. +[6227.62 --> 6228.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6228.62 --> 6232.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6232.62 --> 6233.62] He is wonderful. +[6233.62 --> 6234.62] Great is he who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[6234.62 --> 6235.62] He is wonderful. +[6235.62 --> 6238.32] He is wonderful. +[6241.10 --> 6242.54] Alleluia. +[6243.04 --> 6245.74] Salvation and glory. +[6246.10 --> 6248.82] Honor and power. +[6249.42 --> 6251.86] He is wonderful. +[6254.92 --> 6256.20] Alleluia. +[6256.20 --> 6259.42] Salvation and glory. +[6259.72 --> 6262.48] Honor and power. +[6262.48 --> 6265.78] He is wonderful. +[6267.34 --> 6269.48] Alleluia. +[6270.48 --> 6273.24] Salvation and glory. +[6273.58 --> 6276.14] Honor and power. +[6276.94 --> 6280.02] You are wonderful. +[6292.48 --> 6294.48] Alleluia. +[6294.48 --> 6295.48] Alleluia. +[6295.48 --> 6297.48] Alleluia. +[6297.48 --> 6299.48] Alleluia. +[6299.48 --> 6301.48] Alleluia. +[6302.26 --> 6303.48] Alleluia. +[6305.96 --> 6306.98] Lord, +[6307.40 --> 6308.48] Alleluia. +[6308.48 --> 6310.48] Alleluia. +[6310.48 --> 6312.48] Alleluia. +[6312.48 --> 6313.36] Alleluia. +[6313.36 --> 6343.34] Thank you. +[6343.36 --> 6373.34] Thank you. +[6373.36 --> 6375.36] Thank you. +[6403.36 --> 6405.36] Thank you. +[6433.36 --> 6435.36] Thank you. +[6463.36 --> 6465.36] Thank you. +[6493.36 --> 6495.36] Thank you. +[6523.36 --> 6525.36] Thank you. +[6553.36 --> 6555.36] Thank you. +[6583.36 --> 6585.36] Thank you. +[6613.36 --> 6615.36] Thank you. +[6643.36 --> 6645.36] Thank you. +[6673.36 --> 6675.36] Thank you. +[6703.36 --> 6705.36] Thank you. +[6733.36 --> 6735.36] Thank you. +[6763.36 --> 6765.36] Thank you. +[6765.36 --> 6767.36] Thank you. +[6767.36 --> 6769.36] Thank you. +[6769.36 --> 6799.34] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..158d8cdf2ed35ea329d03bb7840f1ff3c6673274 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,76 @@ +• Introductory phrases +• Thank you repeated multiple times +• Prayer or devotional content mentioning: + • Joyful blessings + • Prayer requests for various groups (poor, marginalized, etc.) + • Asking for help to be just and compassionate leaders + • Forgiveness for sins and personal shortcomings + • Requests for help with self-control and kindness during the Advent season +• Prayers for specific individuals (Elaine Benny, Lina Cepkema, John Kuypers) and families (Bolt, Muller) +• Thanksgivings for birth announcements (Hazel Josephine Welfing) +• Reading from the Bible: Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 +• Reflection on the Advent season and waiting for the promised King +• The shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying God after visiting Jesus +• Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking about the newborn King of the Jews, and were sent to Bethlehem by King Herod +• The Magi found Jesus with his mother, worshipped him, and gave gifts +• Discussion on why Christmas can be a time of both joy and loneliness for some people +• Reflection on how Christmas decorations, music, and festivities are temporary and cannot provide lasting happiness +• Importance of recognizing Jesus as the true source of joy and worship during Advent +• Christ must be the source of our joy for Christmas to have true meaning +• The shepherds' visitation by angels shows that even humble people can experience profound joy in Christ +• Shepherds were often looked down upon by Israelites due to their occupation, but God chose them to receive the announcement of Jesus' birth +• Joy broke into the lives of the shepherds when they saw Jesus for who he is and worshiped him +• The Magi's visitation shows that people from different backgrounds and cultures can come together in joy at Christ's birth +• In the Old Testament, God strictly outlaws seeking power or blessings from anything other than Himself, including divination, sorcery, and astrology. +• Divination is seeking knowledge of the future through various methods including dreams, stars, and natural omens +• God's people in the Bible are warned against using such practices against His will +• Isaiah 2-6 and 47 condemn divination and magic, stating that it has no power over God +• The Israelites are trying to find meaning and joy through astrology and divination, rather than devoting themselves to God +• Balaam, a pagan prophet for hire, is confronted by God in Numbers 20-25 +• Daniel, a young boy taken by the Babylonians, becomes a trained prophet of God who uses his knowledge of the pagan arts for God's purposes +• Magicians and enchanters played a significant role in King Darius' kingdom, but Daniel's faith remained unwavering +• Magi (magicians) were used to understand dreams and celestial signs for kings in Babylonian culture +• Daniel was called upon by God to interpret these same types of dreams and visions +• The Magi who visited Jesus were skilled astronomers from the East, including areas like Babylon and Persia +• They were likely following astrological signs, similar to modern horoscope readers +• These Magi were part of a tradition that involved seeking knowledge and power through other means than God +• A prophecy in Numbers 24 suggests a star would rise out of Jacob, indicating Jesus' birth was foretold by pagan prophets +• Israelites do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah +• Gentile pagans see Jesus as the Messiah +• Herod is threatened by Jesus' birth and seeks to kill all children under 2 years old in Bethlehem +• Herod's reaction is fear, anger, and a desire to maintain his power +• The Magi and shepherds recognize Jesus as the true king of Israel and worship him +• Herod sees Jesus as a threat to his self-made kingdom and vision for his life +• The true joy of Advent is not found in material possessions or cultural traditions +• Jesus' birth is the reason for the season, and He should be the center of our celebration +• We must let Christ shape our vision of joy and worship Him with our lives +• Three ways to let Christ shape our Christmas: + • Tell others about the joy we have in Jesus + • Worship the Lord and give ourselves fully to Him like the Magi + • Submit all visions and dreams to Christ and His vision for our lives +• Invitation to partake in the Lord's Supper +• Instructions for receiving the elements (bread and juice) +• Explanation of gluten-free options available +• Invitation to meet with the worship team or elders for prayer +• Introduction of the back-up team who will facilitate the service +• Repeated expressions of gratitude and praise to God +• Beliefs and affirmations +• The power of Jesus Christ +• Resurrection and eternal life +• Holy Spirit and God's presence +• Faith and trust in Jesus +• Music and singing as a form of praise and worship +• Testimony and personal testimony of faith +• Themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption +• Father's land and the presence of God +• Filling with power, mercy, and righteousness +• Jesus walking in our shoes and feeling our faith +• Joy and sorrow, but hope through His righteousness +• Following Emmanuel through trials and suffering +• Death defeated by Emmanuel +• Interceding for loved ones and awaiting Father's call +• Pride and fear of hell vs. hope of heaven +• Giving glory to Emmanuel +• The Lord's blessings and peace +• Repeated expression of "Amen" +• Expression of gratitude with repeated "Thank you"s \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..4dcf51b4249cf40bad56bcf4935bbb3d73583155 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 14, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,883 @@ +[0.00 --> 2.00] Woah! +[6.12 --> 8.44] Oh, thank you so much. +[8.54 --> 11.54] I'd like to see you in the next video. +[11.66 --> 15.50] Simon Prince, Wow! +[17.46 --> 20.00] Massage! +[20.00 --> 22.46] Yeah! +[22.46 --> 24.92] That was done! +[24.92 --> 54.90] Thank you. +[54.92 --> 84.90] Thank you. +[84.92 --> 114.90] Thank you. +[114.92 --> 144.90] Thank you. +[144.92 --> 174.90] Thank you. +[174.92 --> 204.90] Thank you. +[204.92 --> 234.90] Thank you. +[234.92 --> 264.90] Thank you. +[264.92 --> 294.90] Thank you. +[294.92 --> 324.90] Thank you. +[324.92 --> 354.90] Thank you. +[354.92 --> 384.90] Thank you. +[384.90 --> 414.88] Thank you. +[414.90 --> 444.88] Thank you. +[444.88 --> 474.86] Thank you. +[474.88 --> 504.86] Thank you. +[504.88 --> 534.86] Thank you. +[534.86 --> 564.84] Thank you. +[564.88 --> 594.84] Thank you. +[594.84 --> 624.82] Thank you. +[624.84 --> 654.82] Thank you. +[654.84 --> 656.84] Thank you. +[684.84 --> 714.82] Thank you. +[714.82 --> 744.80] Thank you. +[744.80 --> 774.78] Thank you. +[774.78 --> 804.76] Thank you. +[804.78 --> 834.76] Thank you. +[834.78 --> 864.76] Thank you. +[864.78 --> 894.76] Thank you. +[894.78 --> 924.76] Thank you. +[924.78 --> 954.76] Thank you. +[954.78 --> 984.76] Thank you. +[984.78 --> 1014.76] Thank you. +[1014.78 --> 1044.76] Thank you. +[1044.76 --> 1044.78] Thank you. +[1074.76 --> 1104.74] Thank you. +[1104.76 --> 1134.74] Thank you. +[1134.76 --> 1164.74] Thank you. +[1164.76 --> 1194.74] Thank you. +[1194.76 --> 1224.74] Thank you. +[1224.76 --> 1254.74] Thank you. +[1254.74 --> 1284.72] Thank you. +[1284.74 --> 1314.72] Thank you. +[1314.74 --> 1344.72] Thank you. +[1344.74 --> 1374.72] Thank you. +[1374.74 --> 1404.72] Thank you. +[1404.74 --> 1434.72] Thank you. +[1434.74 --> 1464.72] Thank you. +[1464.74 --> 1494.72] Thank you. +[1494.74 --> 1524.74] Thank you. +[1524.74 --> 1554.72] Thank you. +[1554.74 --> 1584.72] Thank you. +[1584.74 --> 1614.72] Thank you. +[1614.74 --> 1644.72] Thank you. +[1644.72 --> 1674.72] Thank you. +[1674.72 --> 1704.70] Thank you. +[1704.72 --> 1734.70] Thank you. +[1734.70 --> 1764.70] Thank you. +[1764.70 --> 1794.68] Thank you. +[1794.68 --> 1824.66] Thank you. +[1824.68 --> 1854.66] Thank you. +[1854.66 --> 1884.66] Thank you. +[1884.66 --> 1914.66] Thank you. +[1914.66 --> 1944.64] Thank you. +[1944.64 --> 1974.64] Thank you. +[1974.64 --> 2004.64] Thank you. +[2004.64 --> 2034.62] Thank you. +[2034.64 --> 2064.62] Thank you. +[2064.64 --> 2094.62] Thank you. +[2094.64 --> 2124.62] Thank you. +[2124.64 --> 2154.62] Thank you. +[2154.64 --> 2184.62] Thank you. +[2184.64 --> 2214.62] Thank you. +[2214.62 --> 2244.60] Good morning. +[2244.60 --> 2274.60] Thank you. +[2274.60 --> 2304.58] We're in the +[2304.58 --> 2334.58] joyful. +[2334.60 --> 2364.56] And we're going to do +[2364.56 --> 2394.54] and you're going to say, +[2394.56 --> 2424.54] be with you. +[2424.56 --> 2454.54] Good morning. +[2454.54 --> 2484.52] Heavenly Father, +[2484.52 --> 2514.52] and we're going to do, +[2514.52 --> 2544.50] we're filled with you. +[2544.50 --> 2574.48] and we're going to do, +[2574.48 --> 2604.48] and we're with you, we're going to do, +[2604.48 --> 2634.48] we're going to do, +[2634.48 --> 2664.46] we're going to do, we're going to need you, and we're going to do, and we're going to do, +[2664.46 --> 2673.46] the poor, the marginalized, the divorced, the elderly, the unborn, the sick, the lonely, +[2673.46 --> 2682.46] the unemployed, the addicts, the enslaved, those grieving. +[2682.46 --> 2687.46] Father, help us to be just to all your image bearers, wherever they are, +[2687.46 --> 2691.46] and whatever situation they are in. +[2691.46 --> 2698.46] Equip our leaders to be caring people that declare our world belongs to you. +[2698.46 --> 2704.46] Forgive us our sins as we also forgive those who have sinned against us. +[2704.46 --> 2714.46] Keep us from greed, overconsumption, pride, envy, anger, lust, and laziness. +[2714.46 --> 2729.46] It's easy to overeat or drink, to ignore the needs of others, to compare gifts, to be in conflict with family. +[2729.46 --> 2732.46] Lord, forgive us. +[2732.46 --> 2740.46] Help us to share what we have to help each other and be gentle and kind with everyone we meet this Advent season, +[2740.46 --> 2744.46] reflecting your love to the world. +[2744.46 --> 2751.46] Lord, let us be quick to enter into the pain of those around us and see life from their perspective, +[2751.46 --> 2754.46] to imagine their pain is ours. +[2754.46 --> 2763.46] Lord, we thank you, Father, that Jesus knows our pain, that he lived, suffered, and died for each one of us, +[2763.46 --> 2771.46] so that we never have to be alone, and that he felt our temptations, pains, sadness, and afflictions. +[2771.46 --> 2778.46] He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. +[2778.46 --> 2784.46] Let the Savior's majesty give us the confidence to boldly approach your throne of grace, +[2784.46 --> 2790.46] as we offer comfort and seek it ourselves. +[2790.46 --> 2796.46] We pray at this time for Elaine Benny, who is battling stomach cancer. +[2796.46 --> 2802.46] Grant him strength, Lord, and healing during this time of trial. +[2802.46 --> 2808.46] Also support his parents by giving them peace and courage. +[2808.46 --> 2814.46] We pray for Lina Cepkema and her husband Wes. +[2814.46 --> 2820.46] As Lina had a fall and ended up in hospital for a number of days, +[2820.46 --> 2826.46] we pray that you will provide and grant her full healing. +[2826.46 --> 2829.46] And she's at home now. +[2829.46 --> 2836.46] We pray for John Kuypers, who also needs the blessing of patience in his trying time, +[2836.46 --> 2839.46] of very demanding health concerns. +[2839.46 --> 2845.46] Give that the surgeon has clear plans for tackling his concerns, +[2845.46 --> 2850.46] and that he can follow a path that will lead to healing and restoration. +[2850.46 --> 2854.46] Bless John with peace in a time of anxiety. +[2854.46 --> 2862.46] Bless the Muller and Bolt families, as they grieve the loss of Corr Bolt, +[2862.46 --> 2868.46] father to Corinne Muller and grandfather to Brianne, Matthew, and Anthony. +[2868.46 --> 2874.46] We also thank you, Father, with Frank and Sylvia Welfing, +[2874.46 --> 2878.46] for the birth of their granddaughter, Hazel Josephine. +[2878.46 --> 2883.46] Thank you that all is well with mother and child. +[2887.46 --> 2892.46] And so, Lord, in this Advent season, as we see brokenness and despair, +[2892.46 --> 2895.46] we wait for the promised King. +[2895.46 --> 2898.46] Help us to hold on to hope and joy, +[2898.46 --> 2904.46] knowing that Christ's rule has begun and his spirit is renewing creation. +[2904.46 --> 2907.46] Come, Lord Jesus, come. +[2907.46 --> 2912.46] Fully establish and restore this kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. +[2912.46 --> 2915.46] Bring justice where there is oppression, +[2915.46 --> 2917.46] peace where there is conflict, +[2917.46 --> 2920.46] and healing where there is suffering. +[2920.46 --> 2923.46] May your glory dwell in our land, +[2923.46 --> 2927.46] and your light shine in the darkness. +[2927.46 --> 2933.46] Make our joy complete in anticipation of Christ's full return and rule. +[2935.46 --> 2937.46] You keep covenant forever, O God. +[2937.46 --> 2941.46] You come to us now in your people and your spirit, +[2941.46 --> 2943.46] and you will come again in glory. +[2943.46 --> 2949.46] We await you, the God who comes with expectant hearts. +[2949.46 --> 2953.46] In Jesus' name, Amen. +[2953.46 --> 2955.46] Amen. +[2968.46 --> 2969.46] Okay. +[2970.46 --> 2972.46] Thank you, Pim, for praying. +[2973.46 --> 2974.46] Good morning, everybody. +[2974.46 --> 2978.46] We are reading from two passages today, as we've been doing in Advent. +[2978.46 --> 2983.46] We are reading from Luke 2, verses 8 to 20, +[2983.46 --> 2986.46] and Matthew 2, verses 1 to 12. +[2986.46 --> 2989.46] I encourage you to go get a Bible or open up your phones. +[2990.46 --> 2992.46] While you're doing that, +[2992.46 --> 2997.46] on Wednesdays and Thursdays, I've been working at Gateway Christian Reformed Church +[2997.46 --> 3001.46] just for the interim while they can find a youth pastor for a permanent position. +[3001.46 --> 3007.46] While I'm there, I have to give a short message in front of about a hundred youth both nights. +[3008.46 --> 3009.46] Gateway's too big of a church. +[3010.46 --> 3015.46] And that has really made this way less nerve-wracking. +[3018.46 --> 3020.46] They're a much harder crowd. +[3021.46 --> 3025.46] That being said, I'm going to quickly pray, and then we're going to read the Bible today. +[3025.46 --> 3026.46] Dear Lord, thank you for this day. +[3026.46 --> 3030.46] Thank you for a chance to preach, and thank you for a chance to hear your word. +[3030.46 --> 3033.46] I pray, Lord, that the words that come out of my mouth are not my own, but yours. +[3034.46 --> 3039.46] And I pray, Lord, that we would be blessed by these stories about the shepherds and the Magi, +[3040.46 --> 3041.46] and most importantly, Christ. +[3042.46 --> 3044.46] In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. +[3045.46 --> 3046.46] Okay. +[3047.46 --> 3049.46] Luke 2, verse 8. +[3049.46 --> 3056.46] And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. +[3056.46 --> 3061.46] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. +[3062.46 --> 3064.46] But the angel said to them, +[3064.46 --> 3065.46] Do not be afraid. +[3068.46 --> 3072.46] I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. +[3072.46 --> 3077.46] Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. +[3077.46 --> 3080.46] He is the Messiah, the Lord. +[3081.46 --> 3082.46] This will be a sign to you. +[3082.46 --> 3086.46] You will find a baby, wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. +[3087.46 --> 3091.46] And suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, +[3092.46 --> 3093.46] praising God and saying, +[3093.46 --> 3097.46] Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. +[3097.46 --> 3103.46] When the angels left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, +[3104.46 --> 3108.46] Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. +[3109.46 --> 3113.46] So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger. +[3114.46 --> 3118.46] When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told of them about this child. +[3119.46 --> 3123.46] And all who heard of it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. +[3123.46 --> 3127.46] But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. +[3128.46 --> 3132.46] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, +[3133.46 --> 3135.46] which were just as they had been told. +[3137.46 --> 3139.46] And now Matthew 2, verses 1-12. +[3139.46 --> 3145.46] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the time of King Herod, +[3146.46 --> 3149.46] Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, +[3150.46 --> 3152.46] Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? +[3153.46 --> 3156.46] We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. +[3158.46 --> 3162.46] When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all of Jerusalem with him. +[3162.46 --> 3167.46] When he had called together all the people's chief priests and the teachers of the law, +[3167.46 --> 3169.46] he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. +[3170.46 --> 3173.46] In Bethlehem, in Judea, they replied. +[3174.46 --> 3175.46] For this is what the prophet has written. +[3176.46 --> 3184.46] For you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. +[3184.46 --> 3190.46] For out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. +[3191.46 --> 3197.46] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. +[3198.46 --> 3200.46] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, +[3201.46 --> 3202.46] Go and search carefully for the child. +[3203.46 --> 3207.46] As soon as you find him, report to me so that I too may go and worship him. +[3208.46 --> 3211.46] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, +[3211.46 --> 3214.46] and the star that they had seen when it arose went ahead of them +[3214.46 --> 3216.46] until it stopped over the place where the child was. +[3217.46 --> 3220.46] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. +[3221.46 --> 3225.46] On coming to the house, they saw that the child was with his mother, +[3225.46 --> 3227.46] and they bowed down and worshipped him. +[3228.46 --> 3234.46] Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. +[3234.46 --> 3237.46] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to here, +[3237.46 --> 3240.46] they returned to their country by another route. +[3241.46 --> 3242.46] The word of the Lord. +[3246.46 --> 3253.46] The Christmas season is often a time where people can be either more frustrated and crazed and angry than usual +[3254.46 --> 3257.46] because of shopping or expectations or road conditions. +[3258.46 --> 3263.46] Or for others, it can be a place where people are more lonely due to the focus on family and community. +[3263.46 --> 3268.46] And there could be a real, very real pain there. +[3268.46 --> 3278.46] It can also be a time where people are happier due to the lights and the music that exude a sense of comfort and warmth amidst the dreary winter weather. +[3278.46 --> 3282.46] Christmas is my favorite holiday. +[3282.46 --> 3289.46] The candles we fill our churches and homes with and lights that line the streets and the stores at night. +[3289.46 --> 3293.46] Their warm light gives off a general sense of comfort that is beautiful. +[3293.46 --> 3300.46] The stores and malls are decorated in colors and trees that fill us with nostalgia of our favorite Christmas movies and memories. +[3300.46 --> 3306.46] I love family gatherings, work parties, and gift exchanges. +[3306.46 --> 3308.46] I love how it makes me feel. +[3308.46 --> 3319.46] I like walking at night and seeing that glow in the sky when the lights are reflecting off the clouds from the city. +[3319.46 --> 3322.46] It's a beautiful, wonderful time of year. +[3322.46 --> 3327.46] I wish our cities and our neighborhoods can be like this the rest of the time. +[3327.46 --> 3336.46] Why can't we be living this happiness, this general sense of kindness for more than just a month at a time? +[3336.46 --> 3343.46] But when writing this, I noticed not once did I mention Jesus when I described why I like Christmas. +[3343.46 --> 3350.46] But I guess that answers my question on why we can't keep this Christmas happiness all year round. +[3350.46 --> 3359.46] We can't because the happiness I described, though good and pleasant, is not rooted in the one who can give us a joy that never ends. +[3359.46 --> 3367.46] This general sense of happiness is rooted in things like lights and songs and commercials and movies and stores. +[3367.46 --> 3369.46] These things fade. +[3369.46 --> 3373.46] And we even sense that with every passing Christmas. +[3373.46 --> 3376.46] The store's decorations become less elaborate. +[3376.46 --> 3380.46] New, good, Christmas music is harder to find. +[3380.46 --> 3384.46] And everything is becoming more and more corporate and manufactured. +[3384.46 --> 3389.46] These things are temporal and they constantly shift and change. +[3389.46 --> 3393.46] They are not fit to be the root of our joy. +[3393.46 --> 3402.46] I devote myself to that vision of a nostalgic dream that I deem to be real Christmas. +[3402.46 --> 3408.46] A dream that when those lights and decorations and songs arrive, it means Christmas is finally here. +[3408.46 --> 3410.46] But that's not true. +[3410.46 --> 3415.46] I'm always left a little wanting when lights and decorations leave. +[3415.46 --> 3419.46] I always want more when Boxing Day comes around. +[3419.46 --> 3426.46] They can't satisfy me because they are fleeting. +[3426.46 --> 3428.46] They're impermanent. +[3428.46 --> 3431.46] And I need to be reminded of this every single year. +[3431.46 --> 3436.46] And this sermon has been one of the best reminders for me of this. +[3436.46 --> 3444.46] Jesus is the only source that is unshaking and unlimited, no matter the time or circumstance. +[3444.46 --> 3448.46] But that joy requires us to see who he is. +[3448.46 --> 3453.46] If we let our vision of Christmas be determined by ourselves or corporate interest in commercials, +[3453.46 --> 3459.46] then we won't be able to see this season of Advent and the awaiting of Christ properly. +[3459.46 --> 3465.46] We won't be able to see him for who he is, and we won't be able to worship him as we ought to. +[3465.46 --> 3469.46] And that's our big idea today in this third week of Advent. +[3469.46 --> 3475.46] Joy breaks in when we see Christ for who he is and give him our worship. +[3475.46 --> 3484.46] Only when we see Christ for who he is and worship him can we have a proper sense of Christmas joy. +[3484.46 --> 3490.46] And responding in worship which is the only natural outflow of a proper joy found in Christ. +[3490.46 --> 3496.46] The proper joy doesn't stop from finding these decorations and songs and lights beautiful and pleasing. +[3496.46 --> 3499.46] Joy isn't a limited source. +[3499.46 --> 3505.46] But if we desire them over him, then we will never find him joyful. +[3505.46 --> 3513.46] We will only see him as a distraction and a threat to our vision of Christmas and life. +[3513.46 --> 3520.46] Jesus wants to invade every aspect of our life and transform it. +[3520.46 --> 3522.46] He wants to shape our visions of joy. +[3522.46 --> 3528.46] He wants to reorient our source of joy to himself where it ought to be. +[3528.46 --> 3535.46] And if we hold these things above him, as I often do, then we will not have room for him. +[3535.46 --> 3539.46] But with him at the top, we can always regard these things with joy. +[3539.46 --> 3544.46] We need to make sure that Christ is our source of joy and our greatest joy. +[3544.46 --> 3548.46] And we are going to see how that is possible in the lives of the shepherds and the magi. +[3548.46 --> 3553.46] And lastly, we will see how it is not true in the case of Herod the Great. +[3553.46 --> 3555.46] First, let's talk about the shepherds. +[3555.46 --> 3562.46] The shepherds that the angels come to are tending their flocks at night and keeping thieves and wolves away. +[3562.46 --> 3565.46] These men are dirty, humble, lowly. +[3565.46 --> 3568.46] In history, these are forgettable people. +[3568.46 --> 3575.46] Their job was necessary for Israel's survival, both physical and spiritual, for both food and sacrifice. +[3575.46 --> 3581.46] And even notable characters in the Bible, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, were all shepherds. +[3581.46 --> 3585.46] Jesus himself calls himself the great shepherd. +[3585.46 --> 3590.46] The prophecy in Matthew that we read called him a shepherd. +[3590.46 --> 3594.46] And later in the New Testament, the church's leaders would be called shepherds. +[3594.46 --> 3598.46] The word pastor in Greek is the word poimen, which means shepherd. +[3598.46 --> 3601.46] And yet many Israelites looked down on shepherds. +[3601.46 --> 3608.46] Religious elite looked down on them because they were ritually unclean and would not partake in many of the religious activities. +[3608.46 --> 3614.46] Pastor Chris mentioned in previous years at Advent that shepherds' witness in court was not counted. +[3614.46 --> 3621.46] A Jewish midrash, a type of rabbinic literature, that also has this to say about shepherds. +[3621.46 --> 3627.46] In the whole world, you will find no occupation more despised than that of the shepherd. +[3627.46 --> 3629.46] That was what they thought. +[3629.46 --> 3635.46] But God chose shepherds to be the ones who got a visit from the choir of heaven. +[3635.46 --> 3642.46] These shepherds, despite their humble status, poor, and maybe even lonely lives, +[3642.46 --> 3648.46] they were overjoyed because they, the thing that they had been waiting for, +[3648.46 --> 3651.46] the person they had been waiting for, had finally arrived. +[3651.46 --> 3657.46] And as the angel said, the Messiah has been born to them. +[3657.46 --> 3660.46] They saw Jesus for who he was. +[3660.46 --> 3664.46] And when they did, joy broke into their hearts and lives. +[3664.46 --> 3670.46] They got to see the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord, born into the world. +[3670.46 --> 3675.46] The promises and prophecies of the Lord had come true. +[3675.46 --> 3681.46] The God who promised freedom and redemption from every power and evil had arrived. +[3681.46 --> 3685.46] And when they saw him, they were filled with joy. +[3685.46 --> 3688.46] They hurried off and spread the news of what they had seen. +[3688.46 --> 3692.46] They needed to tell people, it says. +[3692.46 --> 3698.46] The joy of seeing Christ led them to worship him and to speak about him and to praise him. +[3698.46 --> 3702.46] Remember this, they needed to tell people about him. +[3703.46 --> 3705.46] Let's jump to the Magi. +[3705.46 --> 3710.46] The Magi that came to Jesus' birth are a very mysterious group of characters. +[3710.46 --> 3715.46] We talk so much about their gifts, about how many there were that visited Jesus. +[3715.46 --> 3720.46] We sometimes call them wise men or kings, depending on the song or Bible translation. +[3720.46 --> 3725.46] And we constantly discuss when they gave their gifts to Mary or where they came from. +[3725.46 --> 3730.46] Much of this mystery is due to Magi being from a completely different context +[3730.46 --> 3733.46] than to the one we grew up here in Canada. +[3733.46 --> 3740.46] To see who these mysterious fears are, I want to guide us through some areas of the Bible that will be key to seeing that. +[3740.46 --> 3746.46] And why it is so amazing that such people like the Magi came to Jesus' birth at all. +[3746.46 --> 3750.46] And why such men would be overjoyed at the birth of the Messiah. +[3750.46 --> 3755.46] I promise you that as we go through these passages, they will tie in to the theme of Advent. +[3755.46 --> 3758.46] I'm just going to nerd out for a bit and you're all going to join me. +[3758.46 --> 3762.46] I might hold you hostage for a few minutes, but that's okay. +[3762.46 --> 3772.46] In the Old Testament, there are many places where magic and sorcery, divination, astrology, necromancy, and the like are outlawed by God. +[3772.46 --> 3774.46] Punishable by death. +[3774.46 --> 3782.46] God strictly outlaws the seeking out of power, abilities, and blessings from anything or anyone other than Him. +[3782.46 --> 3785.46] Deuteronomy 18, 10-11 says, +[3785.46 --> 3789.46] Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, +[3789.46 --> 3795.46] who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, +[3795.46 --> 3799.46] or who is a medium, a spiritist, or who consults the dead. +[3799.46 --> 3806.46] All of these practices are seeking something God gives, but through other avenues. +[3806.46 --> 3811.46] Like Adam and Eve who sought God's power by becoming like Him rather than seeking Him. +[3811.46 --> 3815.46] But the one specifically that we will focus on today is divination. +[3815.46 --> 3826.46] Divination seeks the knowledge of the future through many methods including dreams, stars, natural omens like eclipses, planetary movements, +[3826.46 --> 3830.46] hoping to understand the will of the gods who control fate and time. +[3830.46 --> 3833.46] To help people make decisions. +[3833.46 --> 3835.46] To help people navigate the future. +[3835.46 --> 3837.46] To help people get what they want. +[3837.46 --> 3845.46] You don't have to read very far in the Bible to find places where God's people use such practices against His will. +[3845.46 --> 3852.46] And God responds as He promised He would if His people failed to destroy such people and practices amongst them. +[3852.46 --> 3854.46] He would do it Himself. +[3854.46 --> 3855.46] In Isaiah 2-6, +[3855.46 --> 3859.46] You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. +[3859.46 --> 3862.46] They are full of superstitions from the East. +[3862.46 --> 3866.46] They practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. +[3866.46 --> 3869.46] And in Isaiah 47, 12-15, +[3869.46 --> 3875.46] Keep on then with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. +[3875.46 --> 3878.46] Perhaps you will succeed or perhaps you will cause terror. +[3878.46 --> 3883.46] All the counsel you have received has only worn you out. +[3883.46 --> 3888.46] Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month. +[3888.46 --> 3890.46] Let them save you from what is coming upon you. +[3890.46 --> 3894.46] Surely they are like stubble. The fire will burn them up. +[3894.46 --> 3900.46] Surely they cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. +[3900.46 --> 3903.46] These are not coals for warmth. +[3903.46 --> 3906.46] This is not a fire to sit by. +[3906.46 --> 3908.46] This is all they are to you. +[3908.46 --> 3912.46] These you have dealt with and labored with since childhood. +[3912.46 --> 3914.46] All of them go on in their error. +[3914.46 --> 3917.46] There is not one that can save you. +[3917.46 --> 3921.46] God is not just outlying it because he doesn't think it is beneficial. +[3921.46 --> 3931.46] He disdains the practice because it promises that it can be a source of meaning and an answer and a giver of joy without God. +[3931.46 --> 3936.46] And the Israelites are going to do things that God already promised them. +[3936.46 --> 3939.46] They are trying to get things that God already promised them. +[3939.46 --> 3946.46] But now they are caught in their sin and they are crying out to astrology and divination to escape the judgment of God. +[3946.46 --> 3948.46] Something that could never do that in the first place. +[3948.46 --> 3954.46] God is reminding them that things like astrology and divination and magic have no power over him. +[3954.46 --> 3957.46] It has power over nothing. +[3957.46 --> 3959.46] He is the Lord. +[3959.46 --> 3961.46] He will decide the future. +[3961.46 --> 3964.46] They want their dream of the world to come true. +[3964.46 --> 3966.46] They don't want his dream to come true. +[3966.46 --> 3969.46] They want to find joy in a world that they can shape. +[3969.46 --> 3971.46] That they can master. +[3971.46 --> 3973.46] That they can control. +[3973.46 --> 3980.46] They are devoting their whole being to finding joy in their dreams rather than devoting themselves to God. +[3980.46 --> 3987.46] And yet God also chose such people to show that he is Lord over those practices. +[3987.46 --> 3992.46] In the story of Balaam and his talking donkey found in Numbers 20-25, +[3992.46 --> 3997.46] Balaam is a seer or a pagan prophet for hire. +[3997.46 --> 4003.46] He is hired by the king of Moab named Balak to curse Israel with prophetic power. +[4003.46 --> 4012.46] He wants to cast omens, use witchcraft, sorcery, power to prevent Israel from walking over them as they make their way to the promised land. +[4012.46 --> 4017.46] But in the story, Balaam is confronted by God before he gets to Moab. +[4017.46 --> 4021.46] And God tells him to only prophesy what he tells him to. +[4021.46 --> 4022.46] Remember this. +[4022.46 --> 4025.46] We are going to come back to those prophecies. +[4025.46 --> 4032.46] We are now going to jump a thousand years from the story of Balaam to the story of the Exodus. +[4032.46 --> 4033.46] From... +[4033.46 --> 4035.46] I am starting over. +[4035.46 --> 4036.46] I am starting over. +[4036.46 --> 4046.46] We are now going to jump a thousand years from the story of Balaam and the Exodus in 1500 BC to the story of Daniel in 562 BC. +[4046.46 --> 4047.46] Okay. +[4047.46 --> 4049.46] I said it right that time. +[4049.46 --> 4055.46] Daniel the prophet, as a young boy, is taken by the army of Nebuchadnezzar. +[4055.46 --> 4059.46] When Babylon takes over the kingdom of Judah, they slaughter most of the people. +[4059.46 --> 4070.46] But it was also common for them to take slaves as well to take young, fit, intelligent, trainable men who could then become members of their court. +[4070.46 --> 4073.46] Daniel and his three friends are such people who are taken. +[4073.46 --> 4083.46] And it's Daniel who becomes a prophet of God who is trained in the pagan arts in Nebuchadnezzar's court by his magi and sorcerers. +[4083.46 --> 4086.46] And we read this in Daniel 1, 17-20. +[4086.46 --> 4092.46] To these four young men, God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. +[4092.46 --> 4096.46] And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. +[4096.46 --> 4104.46] At the end of the time, set by the king to bring him into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. +[4104.46 --> 4111.46] The king talked with them and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, or Azariah. +[4111.46 --> 4114.46] So they entered the king's service. +[4114.46 --> 4118.46] In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, +[4118.46 --> 4123.46] he found them ten times better than all of the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. +[4123.46 --> 4129.46] You probably know Hananiah and Mishael and Azariah as Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego. +[4129.46 --> 4132.46] That is their Babylonian names when they're taken over. +[4132.46 --> 4138.46] When we read the whole book of Daniel, we find he is constantly confronting these magicians and enchanters. +[4138.46 --> 4140.46] He is thrown into a pit of lions by them. +[4140.46 --> 4143.46] He even rules over them later. +[4143.46 --> 4147.46] But the point remains is that Daniel lives amongst these magi. +[4147.46 --> 4148.46] They are his people. +[4148.46 --> 4149.46] He knows their arts. +[4149.46 --> 4152.46] He may have even practiced them. +[4152.46 --> 4156.46] But like Balaam did so under God's command. +[4156.46 --> 4164.46] Magi in Babylon were used to understand dreams and celestial star signs to see if kings would die or be born. +[4164.46 --> 4167.46] And Daniel did this many times. +[4167.46 --> 4170.46] He was called to see the writing on the wall more than once. +[4170.46 --> 4174.46] Daniel was a Magi. +[4174.46 --> 4176.46] Except he wasn't pagan. +[4176.46 --> 4178.46] His guide was the Lord. +[4178.46 --> 4183.46] And he sought answers from none other than him. +[4183.46 --> 4187.46] Nothing else was his source of visions and dreams. +[4187.46 --> 4191.46] The spirit was why he could interpret those dreams. +[4191.46 --> 4195.46] And angels were the ones who would give him his visions. +[4195.46 --> 4198.46] Believe it or not, this is where we get back to Jesus. +[4198.46 --> 4203.46] The Magi that visit Jesus, like I mentioned, are a mysterious group. +[4203.46 --> 4208.46] And reading this story, it looks like they come out of nowhere. +[4208.46 --> 4210.46] Why are the Magi here? +[4210.46 --> 4215.46] Well, Magi at the time were very common across the Middle East and the Roman Empire. +[4215.46 --> 4222.46] The Magi of Jesus' time were astrologers who would mark astrological signs in the sky like shooting stars. +[4222.46 --> 4226.46] And they would track the movements of planets to determine future events. +[4226.46 --> 4231.46] If you're thinking right now this sounds like horoscope readers in the Coffee News or on TikTok, +[4231.46 --> 4233.46] that's exactly the same thing. +[4233.46 --> 4239.46] That practice that we have today in Coffee News comes from these guys. +[4239.46 --> 4242.46] This is the original. +[4242.46 --> 4246.46] Kings would have them in their courts. +[4246.46 --> 4251.46] They would hire them to see if new kings would be born or if current kings would die. +[4251.46 --> 4252.46] Some examples. +[4252.46 --> 4261.46] Nero, the dreaded Roman Emperor, during his reign heard that a star sign was seen and that a ruler would die. +[4261.46 --> 4266.46] And so to make sure that it wasn't him, he killed a bunch of nobles hoping that that would satisfy the sign. +[4266.46 --> 4278.46] Or, when other kings were born or chosen, the astrologers would try and find star signs that matched their birth to legitimize their ascendancy to the throne. +[4278.46 --> 4281.46] And the best Magi always came from the East. +[4281.46 --> 4283.46] Everyone at that time knew it. +[4283.46 --> 4285.46] Everyone wanted astronomers from the East in their courts. +[4285.46 --> 4289.46] And by the East at that time, that means the areas of Babylon and Persia. +[4289.46 --> 4298.46] That all being said, these guys are just the latest version of those same pagan diviners and magicians that God outlawed in Deuteronomy. +[4298.46 --> 4300.46] These men are like Balaam. +[4300.46 --> 4305.46] They could be hired out by kings and these Magi are stated to have come from the East, +[4305.46 --> 4310.46] meaning that these are the premium Magi that everyone knows and wants. +[4310.46 --> 4322.46] The Magi that came to Jesus' worship, that came to Jesus to worship him, are the same Magi that God outlawed punishable by death. +[4322.46 --> 4331.46] The same Magi that Daniel served with and over and probably even from the very same court and school. +[4331.46 --> 4337.46] In fact, that's probably how they came to know about Jesus' prophecies at all. +[4337.46 --> 4341.46] That's probably how they came to know that that star was about Jesus. +[4341.46 --> 4350.46] These Magi probably have in their libraries copy of scripture left by Daniel and all the prophecies of the coming Messiah that were left at the exile. +[4350.46 --> 4356.46] But what prophecy would these astrologers be following that involves stars about the Messiah? +[4356.46 --> 4363.46] Now I can't be certain, but there are many hints and clues that lead me to think that if those prophecies about Balaam, +[4363.46 --> 4369.46] written all the way back before Israel was even a kingdom in Israel, had led them to Jesus, written by Balaam. +[4369.46 --> 4377.46] Balaam, a fellow pagan diviner like them, commanded by God, prophesied this in Numbers 24, 17-19. +[4377.46 --> 4389.46] I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel. +[4389.46 --> 4393.46] He will crush the foreheads of Moab and the skulls of all the people of Shef. +[4393.46 --> 4396.46] Edom will be conquered. Remember that line. +[4396.46 --> 4404.46] Seir, his enemy, will be conquered. But Israel will grow strong. A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city. +[4404.46 --> 4413.46] In this one prophecy from God, spoken by a pagan prophet for hire, we find a prophecy of a future ruler of Israel, +[4413.46 --> 4418.46] who will conquer the kingdom of Edom, and it mentions that a star will rise out of Jacob. +[4418.46 --> 4424.46] This prophecy is exactly the sort of thing that these magi would be looking for. +[4424.46 --> 4430.46] And along with all the other prophecies of Isaiah and Daniel about a coming Messiah to be born in Bethlehem, +[4430.46 --> 4434.46] these magi have everything they need to find Jesus. +[4434.46 --> 4444.46] The magi that come to Jesus, pagan astrologers, the very people God outlawed for seeking knowledge and power and control in any other path than God, +[4444.46 --> 4451.46] these magi are the magicians that got Daniel thrown into the lion's den that served him when he was in Babylon. +[4451.46 --> 4454.46] These magi are not God's people. +[4454.46 --> 4456.46] They are not Jewish. +[4456.46 --> 4459.46] They are the best of the best pagan sinners. +[4459.46 --> 4465.46] And yet it's those Gentile pagans who when they see the star rise out of Israel, +[4465.46 --> 4468.46] they see what Israel and their king don't. +[4468.46 --> 4472.46] They see that the Messiah has been born in Bethlehem. +[4472.46 --> 4474.46] The king is not Herod. +[4474.46 --> 4476.46] The king is not a Roman emperor. +[4476.46 --> 4479.46] The king is a baby born in Bethlehem. +[4479.46 --> 4488.46] And these pagans, these outlawed criminal pagans, want to worship the God that disdains their practices. +[4488.46 --> 4492.46] They are overjoyed when they see him. +[4492.46 --> 4495.46] The stars literally aligned. +[4495.46 --> 4499.46] God guided them across deserts. +[4499.46 --> 4504.46] Their pagan astrology matched up with biblical prophecy. +[4504.46 --> 4513.46] And again, not a single priest, not a single scribe, not a Pharisee, not a Sadducee or rabbi to be seen. +[4513.46 --> 4518.46] None of the people who had the books, the scriptures or the words handed down from God. +[4518.46 --> 4523.46] None of them saw Jesus for who he was and came to worship him. +[4523.46 --> 4529.46] Just some dispossessed shepherds who needed to tell people about what they saw. +[4529.46 --> 4534.46] And the pagan magi from another empire needed to give him gifts and worship him. +[4534.46 --> 4537.46] But none of the people that should have been there. +[4537.46 --> 4539.46] None of the priests. +[4539.46 --> 4541.46] None of the people. +[4541.46 --> 4548.46] Instead, the people at the hearing of the Messiah has been born are disturbed. +[4548.46 --> 4550.46] They are shocked. +[4550.46 --> 4553.46] They don't immediately rush to find the Messiah that they've been waiting for. +[4553.46 --> 4554.46] No. +[4554.46 --> 4558.46] All of Jerusalem is disturbed with its king. +[4558.46 --> 4561.46] And that king is our next character, Herod. +[4561.46 --> 4564.46] All of Jerusalem doesn't rush to find the promised king. +[4564.46 --> 4571.46] They sit in their disturbance and they go to Herod, the puppet king, placed by the Roman conquerors. +[4571.46 --> 4577.46] And as a result of this disturbing news, the king, Herod, seeks out the magi to speak to them secretly. +[4577.46 --> 4584.46] He seeks them and asks them to find the child and report to him so that he may worship them too. +[4584.46 --> 4590.46] But when they find Jesus, they receive a dream that warns them not to tell Herod, so they go home another route. +[4590.46 --> 4603.46] Initially, they may have believed Herod, but after that dream they received, they knew that this Herod was seeking their expertise as magi for the same paranoid and tyrannical reason that Nero had his nobles murdered. +[4603.46 --> 4606.46] Herod had no intention of worshiping this child. +[4606.46 --> 4615.46] And as we learn by reading the story, Herod sends men to the city and kills every child under the age of two to stop this Messiah from becoming king. +[4615.46 --> 4621.46] Herod was not overjoyed at the birth of Jesus, the way the shepherd or the magi were. +[4621.46 --> 4622.46] No. +[4622.46 --> 4626.46] Herod's power was going to suddenly come to an end. +[4626.46 --> 4628.46] The real king had arrived. +[4628.46 --> 4632.46] Herod knew he was a puppet, placed by the Roman government. +[4632.46 --> 4640.46] He knew his power relied on brutalistic murder of relatives and playing political games to get religious elite in his pocket. +[4640.46 --> 4645.46] Never mind the fact that he wasn't even an Israelite. +[4645.46 --> 4647.46] No, Herod was an Edomite. +[4647.46 --> 4649.46] He's from Edom. +[4649.46 --> 4653.46] Herod was a descendant of Esau, not Jacob. +[4653.46 --> 4662.46] And as we read in Numbers 24, when that star rises out of Israel, the king would conquer Edom. +[4662.46 --> 4665.46] Herod knows the story of Esau and Jacob. +[4665.46 --> 4669.46] And Jacob's trick to take the blessing from Esau's grasp. +[4669.46 --> 4674.46] This new king would not take his kingdom from his grasp. +[4674.46 --> 4675.46] No. +[4675.46 --> 4679.46] Finally, Herod, Esau's descendant, was king. +[4679.46 --> 4685.46] He was king of God's people, God's land, and God's promise that was his, not Jacob's. +[4685.46 --> 4690.46] No one, no Israelite was going to take that power that was rightfully his. +[4690.46 --> 4694.46] No one would take that from him, especially if that promised king was dead. +[4694.46 --> 4700.46] Joy is not the word I would use to describe Herod's reaction at the news of the birth of Jesus. +[4700.46 --> 4701.46] No. +[4701.46 --> 4707.46] Herod was afraid, angry, anything but joyful. +[4707.46 --> 4711.46] Something had interrupted his finely crafted world. +[4711.46 --> 4716.46] Something was interrupting and threatening his vision of his life. +[4716.46 --> 4718.46] Jesus entered into Herod's life. +[4718.46 --> 4721.46] Jesus was interrupting Herod's self-made kingdom. +[4721.46 --> 4725.46] Herod sought joy in power and making himself king. +[4725.46 --> 4728.46] He couldn't let Jesus be king. +[4728.46 --> 4730.46] And this is the difference. +[4730.46 --> 4735.46] Where the Magi and the shepherds see that the king of Israel was a baby born in Bethlehem, +[4735.46 --> 4737.46] Herod only sees a threat. +[4737.46 --> 4739.46] Another problem he needs to solve. +[4739.46 --> 4743.46] A hurdle preventing his vision of a perfect life coming true. +[4744.46 --> 4746.46] They see him for who he is. +[4746.46 --> 4752.46] And they are overjoyed at the prospect and rushed to travel long distances to find him and worship him. +[4752.46 --> 4758.46] The shepherds left their sheep and traveled in the night to find Jesus at the witness of the choir of heaven. +[4758.46 --> 4769.46] The Magi left their homes and traveled far distances, probably taking weeks if not months to bring wealth and gifts to a baby and worship him. +[4769.46 --> 4779.46] Herod sent an army to slaughter, not just the boy, but every boy in the town to keep what he had. +[4779.46 --> 4792.46] The joy of Advent is not found in our perfect snowy Christmas morning with Christmas trees and presents and family dinners, though that is beautiful, and good, and should be enjoyed. +[4792.46 --> 4799.84] dream. The joy of Advent is not found in our perfect snowy Christmas morning with Christmas +[4799.84 --> 4805.88] trees and presents and family dinners, though that is beautiful and good and should be enjoyed. +[4806.42 --> 4813.10] The joy of Advent is seeing that our Savior, our Messiah, the Lord, was born in Bethlehem, +[4813.66 --> 4820.38] worshipped by the humble and lowly shepherds and the pagan and mysterious magi. He grew up, +[4820.38 --> 4824.86] he lived the perfect life that we should have lived, died the death we should have died. He +[4824.86 --> 4830.24] rose on the third day. He ascended with the promise of his return that we faithfully await. +[4831.12 --> 4838.94] Our joy of Advent is knowing that our faithful Savior, our Messiah, our Lord, lived and died for +[4838.94 --> 4850.04] us so that we can live with him. Joy breaks in when we see Christ for who he is and give him our worship. +[4851.38 --> 4857.22] We can't let the voices of culture and advertisement be the last word on what Christmas ought to be like. +[4857.72 --> 4864.00] We also can't let our dreams and visions of the future shape what Christmas ought to be like. +[4864.38 --> 4871.76] We need to let Christ be the one that shapes this Advent. We need to let Christ be the one +[4871.76 --> 4878.08] that shapes our vision of joy. And here's some ways we can do that. There's three ways. One, +[4878.08 --> 4884.40] we need to tell the world about the joy we have in Jesus. Because of the joy the shepherds received +[4884.40 --> 4891.72] from seeing Christ, they needed to tell people. Let's let the joy of this Christmas cause us to need +[4891.72 --> 4900.66] to tell people about Jesus. We all know those people who we want to share Christ to. We just might feel +[4900.66 --> 4906.00] uncomfortable in doing it or we're worried about how that relationship will be affected by that +[4906.00 --> 4916.64] conversation. We need to let the joy of Christmas help us fuel that desire to tell them. Second, we need to +[4916.64 --> 4922.42] worship the Lord and give everything like the Magi. Like the Magi who were overjoyed at seeing Christ +[4922.42 --> 4928.28] and were compelled to worship Jesus and bring gifts. The joy of Advent needs to be our source +[4928.28 --> 4934.12] of worship to him. The joy of Advent needs to be the source of worship to Christ. +[4934.12 --> 4942.48] Let that joy that only comes from Christ push us to more. To forgive that person who hurt us. Make +[4942.48 --> 4947.66] meals for those in need. Spending time with those who find themselves lonely this season. Inviting them +[4947.66 --> 4956.06] to dinner and maybe even Christmas morning. Showing love to an enemy. Lastly, let's give our visions +[4956.06 --> 4963.96] and dreams of what Christmas ought to be to Christ. Unlike Herod, who held close to his vision of what +[4963.96 --> 4969.14] his life and joy needed to be, we need to give all our assumptions and sources of joy this season to +[4969.14 --> 4975.44] him and place them under Jesus. We need to submit everything under him. I need to submit my material +[4975.44 --> 4982.92] vision of joy that I got from corporate Christmas under Christ. If there are songs or food or traditions +[4982.92 --> 4988.84] that are your image of what Christmas is or my image of what Christmas is, they need to be placed under +[4988.84 --> 4995.64] Christ and his vision. If there are things we do at Christmas that get in our way or if there's people +[4995.64 --> 5004.48] that their presence ruins our sense of Christmas, we need to let Christ's presence change that. We need +[5004.48 --> 5009.74] to let Christ's presence fill us with joy so that we can love them and be around them the same way he was +[5009.74 --> 5019.40] around us. Let's see Jesus for who he is and worship him and have that joy this Christmas. Let's pray. +[5021.32 --> 5027.72] Dear Lord, thank you for this wonderful day. All the rain and all the weather. Thank you for this time +[5027.72 --> 5033.30] of year where we get to reflect on the waiting of your coming again. I pray, Lord, that as we +[5033.30 --> 5039.52] as we go from this place, Lord, we would be fueled by the joy of you breaking into our lives, +[5040.34 --> 5045.82] that we would have feel the need to tell people about you, that we would feel the need to worship +[5045.82 --> 5051.32] you wherever we are with everything we are, and that we would submit every vision and dream of what +[5051.32 --> 5056.50] Christmas or life ought to be like under your vision. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. +[5063.30 --> 5071.46] The joy of meeting Christ in worship, the joy of being met by Christ in the word, +[5071.80 --> 5078.98] is the joy that we now continue to encounter here at the table. As we come to the table of our Lord, +[5079.04 --> 5084.40] we're going to move through some liturgy together. You'll see on the screen behind me places for you to +[5084.40 --> 5091.94] speak and participate. As we come to this moment together, let's come to God in prayer. +[5093.30 --> 5104.52] You, God, are holy. You are a God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. +[5105.12 --> 5111.24] You sent him into this world to satisfy the longings of your people for a Savior, +[5111.46 --> 5117.54] to bring freedom to the captives of sin, and to establish justice for the oppressed. +[5117.54 --> 5127.16] He came among us as one of us, taking the lot of the poor and sharing in human suffering. +[5128.52 --> 5137.16] We rejoice that in your death, Lord Jesus, and in your rising again, you set before us the sure promise +[5137.16 --> 5145.00] of new life, the certain hope of a heavenly home where we will sit at table with Christ, +[5145.00 --> 5150.86] our host, our host forever. In his name we pray. Amen. +[5154.26 --> 5159.92] As the word became flesh, born of a woman on that night long ago, +[5160.36 --> 5166.56] so on the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread. +[5166.56 --> 5173.88] He gave thanks to God, he broke the bread, and he gave it to his disciples, and he said, +[5174.12 --> 5182.86] take, eat, this is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. +[5184.24 --> 5191.44] And when the supper was over, he took the cup, and he gave thanks to God, he gave it to his disciples, +[5191.44 --> 5200.40] and again, he said, drink from this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant poured out +[5200.40 --> 5208.38] for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. +[5208.38 --> 5219.52] And so, in living remembrance of Jesus, in living remembrance of these mighty acts of Jesus, +[5219.84 --> 5228.02] we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice. In union with Christ's +[5228.02 --> 5237.68] offering for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith. Your death, O Christ, we proclaim. +[5237.68 --> 5247.10] Your resurrection, we affirm with joy. Your coming, we await with hope. Glory be to you, Lord Jesus. +[5248.64 --> 5256.12] Church family, in this Advent season, we come to the Lord's table, prepared for all who love him and +[5256.12 --> 5265.30] trust in him alone for salvation. And so come to this table, you who wait in hope and you who long for +[5265.30 --> 5272.76] more. Come to this table, you who have been here often and you who have been away. You who follow +[5272.76 --> 5283.96] faithfully and those of us who stumble and fall. Come, for Christ has come and Christ will come again. +[5284.62 --> 5292.08] Whether you are here in person or joining us from home, come. It is Christ himself who invites us to +[5292.08 --> 5298.94] meet him at this table. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. +[5299.94 --> 5305.46] As we come forward to this table, we will do so in groups. We will have some ushers indicating +[5305.46 --> 5312.26] how you or when you may come forward. We will gather in a circle around this table and we will pass +[5312.26 --> 5317.02] the elements to our left or to our right. As you pass the bread, we invite you to say, +[5317.02 --> 5323.52] the body of Christ given for you. As you pass the juice, we invite you to say, the blood of Christ +[5323.52 --> 5330.32] shed for you. And then we will receive that. We will all eat together in our groups here and then +[5330.32 --> 5338.20] the next group will come forward. On each tray of bread are some gluten-free bread pieces. Please +[5338.20 --> 5343.88] take that if you need. And if you are unable to come to the front, please indicate that to the +[5343.88 --> 5351.02] usher elder and they will meet you at your seat and serve you there with individual service as well. +[5351.66 --> 5356.66] Throughout our coming to the table, we will have the worship team up front. They'll lead us in singing +[5356.66 --> 5361.56] and there will be some people in the foyer if you would like to meet them for prayer. They'd love to +[5361.56 --> 5367.58] meet you and pray with you during that time. I want to invite the worship team up and the back of +[5367.58 --> 5373.52] house and the elders who will serve to the first table and that way they can help us and +[5373.52 --> 5376.16] facilitate our service for the remaining tables. +[5403.52 --> 5404.52] Thank you. +[5404.52 --> 5405.52] Thank you. +[5433.52 --> 5434.02] Thank you. +[5434.18 --> 5434.52] Thank you. +[5434.52 --> 5434.76] Thank you. +[5463.52 --> 5493.50] Thank you. +[5493.52 --> 5523.50] Thank you. +[5523.52 --> 5553.50] Thank you. +[5553.52 --> 5583.50] Thank you. +[5583.52 --> 5585.52] Thank you. +[5613.52 --> 5615.52] Thank you. +[5643.52 --> 5645.52] Thank you. +[5673.52 --> 5675.52] Thank you. +[5675.52 --> 5677.52] Thank you. +[5677.52 --> 5679.52] Thank you. +[5679.52 --> 5683.52] Alleluia. +[5683.52 --> 5689.70] All I have is Christ. +[5690.52 --> 5693.52] Alleluia. +[5693.52 --> 5700.52] Jesus is my life. +[5700.52 --> 5724.52] Now, Lord, I would be yours alone and live so all might see. The strength to follow your commands could never come from me. +[5724.52 --> 5734.52] Oh, Father, use my ransom life in any way you choose. +[5734.52 --> 5746.52] And let my song forever be my only boast in truth. +[5746.52 --> 5748.52] Alleluia. +[5748.52 --> 5750.52] Alleluia. +[5750.52 --> 5756.52] All I have is Christ. +[5756.52 --> 5758.52] All I have is Christ. +[5758.52 --> 5760.52] Alleluia. +[5760.52 --> 5762.52] All I have is Christ. +[5762.52 --> 5764.52] Alleluia. +[5764.52 --> 5766.52] Alleluia. +[5766.52 --> 5768.52] Alleluia. +[5768.52 --> 5773.52] Alleluia. +[5773.52 --> 5775.52] Alleluia. +[5775.52 --> 5782.00] All I have is Christ +[5782.00 --> 5787.68] Alleluia +[5787.68 --> 5794.08] Jesus is my life +[5805.52 --> 5814.80] Father everlasting +[5814.80 --> 5819.76] The Uncreating One +[5819.76 --> 5823.22] God Almighty +[5823.22 --> 5829.78] Through your Holy Spirit +[5829.78 --> 5834.64] Conceiving Christ our Son +[5834.64 --> 5837.86] Jesus our Savior +[5837.86 --> 5844.14] I believe in God our Father +[5844.14 --> 5847.94] I believe in Christ the Son +[5847.94 --> 5851.48] I believe in the Holy Spirit +[5851.48 --> 5855.34] Our God is three in one +[5855.34 --> 5858.46] I believe in the resurrection +[5858.46 --> 5862.40] That we will rise again +[5862.40 --> 5869.62] For I believe in the name of Jesus +[5869.62 --> 5887.06] Our judge and our defender +[5887.06 --> 5890.68] Suffered and crucified +[5890.68 --> 5895.90] For forgiveness is in you +[5895.90 --> 5901.94] Descended into darkness +[5901.94 --> 5905.90] You rose in glorious light +[5905.90 --> 5909.90] Forever seeing I +[5909.90 --> 5915.12] I believe in God our Father +[5915.12 --> 5919.12] I believe in Christ the Son +[5919.12 --> 5923.00] I believe in the Holy Spirit +[5923.00 --> 5926.62] Our God is three in one +[5926.62 --> 5929.12] I believe in the resurrection +[5929.12 --> 5932.34] That we will rise again +[5932.34 --> 5940.12] For I believe in the name of Jesus +[5940.12 --> 5945.38] I believe in the Holy Spirit +[5945.38 --> 5949.02] I believe in the Holy Spirit +[5949.02 --> 5950.02] You rise in woman +[5950.02 --> 5953.38] I believe in the 태 Marvel +[5953.38 --> 5957.46] I believe in the Lord +[5957.46 --> 5966.18] I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. +[5969.18 --> 5976.14] I believe in you. +[5977.76 --> 5982.88] I believe you whole again. +[5982.88 --> 5994.18] I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. +[5999.06 --> 6003.56] I believe in life eternal. +[6004.38 --> 6006.88] I believe in the virgin birth. +[6006.88 --> 6014.86] I believe in the saints communion and in your holy church. +[6015.00 --> 6021.64] I believe in the resurrection when Jesus comes again. +[6022.12 --> 6027.92] For I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6027.92 --> 6031.96] I believe in God our Father. +[6032.58 --> 6034.92] I believe in Christ the Son. +[6036.12 --> 6038.98] I believe in the Holy Spirit. +[6039.68 --> 6042.68] Our God is three in one. +[6043.08 --> 6045.74] I believe in the resurrection. +[6046.56 --> 6048.92] That we will rise again. +[6048.92 --> 6055.82] For I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6056.66 --> 6063.56] For I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6063.56 --> 6093.54] For I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6093.54 --> 6123.52] I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6123.52 --> 6125.52] I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6125.52 --> 6127.60] I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6127.60 --> 6129.64] I believe in the name of Jesus. +[6129.64 --> 6135.44] I believe in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. +[6135.44 --> 6142.44] And wonder how we could call thee. +[6142.44 --> 6147.44] A circled and unclean. +[6147.44 --> 6149.82] We're singing. +[6149.82 --> 6152.74] How marvelous. +[6153.68 --> 6155.44] How wonderful. +[6157.44 --> 6162.44] And my song shall ever be. +[6162.44 --> 6164.44] How marvelous. +[6164.44 --> 6165.44] How marvelous. +[6165.44 --> 6169.44] How wonderful. +[6169.44 --> 6176.44] Is my Savior's love for me. +[6176.44 --> 6176.88] He took my sins and my sorrow. +[6176.88 --> 6193.44] He made them his very own. +[6193.44 --> 6207.56] And He bore the blood into Calvary, and suffered and died no more. +[6207.56 --> 6221.74] We're singing, how marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[6221.74 --> 6235.74] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my Savior's home for me. +[6235.74 --> 6257.74] And with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see. +[6257.74 --> 6271.74] It will be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me. +[6271.74 --> 6285.74] We're singing, how marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[6285.74 --> 6299.74] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my Savior's home for me. +[6299.74 --> 6314.74] We're singing, how marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[6314.74 --> 6329.74] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my Savior's love for me. +[6329.74 --> 6344.74] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6344.74 --> 6360.74] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6360.74 --> 6364.74] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6364.74 --> 6366.74] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6366.74 --> 6396.72] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6396.74 --> 6403.94] How marvelous, how marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6403.94 --> 6406.90] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6406.90 --> 6408.02] And my Savior's home for me. +[6408.80 --> 6412.96] How marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6413.68 --> 6426.12] How marvelous, how marvelous, how marvelous, and my Savior's home for me. +[6426.12 --> 6453.08] And so they washed and died, despised, rejected, but all the money shed, no glory. +[6453.08 --> 6468.08] A praise to God, O unsanified, the Son of God, here for me. +[6468.08 --> 6481.08] My daddy raised and my daddy dies, that I, I live. +[6481.08 --> 6488.08] That I, I live. +[6488.08 --> 6489.08] Amen. +[6489.08 --> 6507.08] And now this love of Christ shall flow like rivers. +[6507.08 --> 6520.08] Come wash your guilt away, live again. +[6520.08 --> 6533.08] A praise to God, O unsanified, the Son of God, here for me. +[6533.08 --> 6548.08] My daddy raised and my daddy dies, that I, I live. +[6548.08 --> 6554.08] That I, I live. +[6554.08 --> 6569.08] Amen. +[6569.08 --> 6570.08] Amen. +[6570.08 --> 6571.08] Amen. +[6571.08 --> 6572.08] Amen. +[6572.08 --> 6573.08] Amen. +[6573.08 --> 6574.08] Amen. +[6574.08 --> 6575.08] Amen. +[6575.08 --> 6593.82] From the scholar of a borrowed stable +[6593.82 --> 6600.34] By the spirit and a virgin's faith +[6600.34 --> 6605.78] To the anguish and the shade of scandal +[6605.78 --> 6612.16] Came the Savior of the human race +[6612.16 --> 6618.98] But the skies were filled with the praise of Lamb +[6618.98 --> 6624.10] Shepherds listened as the angels tell +[6624.10 --> 6630.10] Of the gift of God come down to man +[6630.64 --> 6635.58] At the dawning of Emmanuel +[6635.58 --> 6647.54] King of heaven, now the friend of sinners +[6647.54 --> 6653.36] Humble servant in the Father's land +[6653.36 --> 6659.48] Filled with power and the Holy Spirit +[6659.48 --> 6665.54] Filled with mercy for the broken man +[6666.08 --> 6672.54] Yes, He walked my road and He felt my faith +[6672.54 --> 6678.76] Joys and sorrows that I know so +[6678.76 --> 6685.94] Yet His righteousness give me hope again +[6685.94 --> 6691.20] I will follow my Emmanuel +[6691.20 --> 6702.94] Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal +[6702.94 --> 6709.84] He was lifted on a cruel cross +[6709.84 --> 6716.26] He was punished for a world's transgressions +[6716.26 --> 6722.54] He was suffering to save the lost +[6722.54 --> 6726.20] He fights for breath +[6726.20 --> 6730.06] He fights for me +[6730.06 --> 6735.70] Losing sinners from the claims of God +[6735.70 --> 6742.08] And with a shout our souls are free +[6742.08 --> 6747.62] Death defeated by Emmanuel +[6747.62 --> 6759.82] Now be standing in the face of honor +[6759.82 --> 6765.94] Ground with glory on the highest throne +[6765.94 --> 6766.94] In the face of God +[6766.94 --> 6767.94] In the face of God +[6767.94 --> 6771.68] Interceding for His own beloved +[6771.68 --> 6777.94] Till His Father calls to bring Him over +[6777.94 --> 6782.14] Then the skies will part +[6782.14 --> 6785.84] As the trumpet sounds +[6785.84 --> 6791.22] Hope of heaven or the fear of hell +[6791.22 --> 6794.22] But the pride will run +[6794.22 --> 6798.22] To the Lord's heart +[6798.22 --> 6799.22] But the pride will run +[6799.22 --> 6802.22] But the pride will run +[6802.22 --> 6803.22] To the Father's heart +[6803.22 --> 6804.22] But the pride will run +[6804.22 --> 6805.22] To the Father's heart +[6805.22 --> 6807.22] And the skies will run +[6807.22 --> 6808.22] And the skies will run +[6808.22 --> 6811.22] As the trumpet sounds +[6811.22 --> 6816.22] Hope of heaven or the fear of hell +[6816.22 --> 6817.22] But the pride will run +[6817.22 --> 6820.22] But the pride will run +[6820.22 --> 6821.22] To the Lord's heart +[6821.22 --> 6822.22] But the pride will run +[6822.22 --> 6823.22] To the Lord's heart +[6823.22 --> 6829.22] Giving glory to Emmanuel +[6829.22 --> 6844.22] As we go out in the joy of Christ +[6844.22 --> 6846.22] Go with this blessing +[6846.22 --> 6850.22] The Lord bless you and keep you +[6850.22 --> 6852.22] The Lord make His face shine on you +[6852.22 --> 6854.22] And be gracious to you +[6854.22 --> 6856.22] The Lord turn His face towards you +[6856.22 --> 6857.22] And give you peace +[6857.22 --> 6858.22] Amen +[6874.22 --> 6876.22] Come all you weary +[6876.22 --> 6878.22] Come all you thirsty +[6878.22 --> 6880.22] Come all you thirsty +[6880.22 --> 6882.22] Come all you thirsty +[6882.22 --> 6884.22] Come to the well +[6884.22 --> 6886.22] That never has drowned +[6886.22 --> 6889.22] Drink of the water +[6889.22 --> 6891.22] Come and thirst no more +[6891.22 --> 6894.22] Come all you sinners +[6894.22 --> 6896.22] Come all you sinners +[6896.22 --> 6897.22] Come find His mercy +[6897.22 --> 6899.22] Come to the table +[6899.22 --> 6901.22] He will satisfy +[6901.22 --> 6902.22] Taste of His goodness +[6902.22 --> 6907.22] Find what you're looking for +[6907.22 --> 6921.22] is +[6921.22 --> 6935.22] is +[6943.70 --> 6949.22] jesus is +[6951.22 --> 6959.22] oh +[6959.22 --> 6963.22] is +[6969.22 --> 6979.22] is +[6981.22 --> 6986.72] God so loved, God so loved the world. +[6989.30 --> 6997.62] Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[6998.28 --> 7007.62] Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[7007.62 --> 7017.88] Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[7019.08 --> 7028.12] Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[7028.12 --> 7036.18] Praise God, praise Him, for God so loved the world that He gave us. +[7036.18 --> 7040.84] His one and only Son to save us. +[7040.84 --> 7045.84] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[7045.84 --> 7050.58] His one and only Son to save us. +[7050.58 --> 7056.12] Whoever may be, will live forever. +[7059.80 --> 7064.52] The power of God, forever defeated. +[7064.52 --> 7069.48] Now in His realm, I'm walking in freedom. +[7069.70 --> 7075.58] For God so loved, God so loved the world. +[7075.58 --> 7083.68] Bring all your failures, bring your addictions. +[7084.22 --> 7088.56] Come lay them down at the foot of the cross. +[7088.56 --> 7096.02] Jesus is waiting, God so loved the world. +[7096.02 --> 7101.20] Maybe God mounts me, by the Lord. +[7101.20 --> 7102.84] Jesus is waiting. +[7102.84 --> 7103.40] Let us pray. +[7103.40 --> 7104.66] Give me the Word to the Lord. +[7104.66 --> 7106.88] We achieve 21 and be strong. +[7106.88 --> 7107.26] Amen. +[7107.46 --> 7107.58] Amen. +[7107.58 --> 7108.82] Amen. +[7108.82 --> 7108.96] Amen. +[7108.96 --> 7109.20] Amen. +[7109.20 --> 7109.64] Amen. +[7109.64 --> 7109.80] Amen. +[7109.80 --> 7110.02] Amen. +[7110.02 --> 7111.80] Amen. +[7111.80 --> 7112.60] Amen. +[7112.60 --> 7113.52] Amen. +[7113.52 --> 7114.20] Amen. +[7114.20 --> 7115.86] Amen. +[7115.86 --> 7118.00] Amen. +[7118.00 --> 7119.24] Amen. +[7119.24 --> 7119.76] Amen. +[7121.62 --> 7121.80] Amen. +[7121.80 --> 7122.30] Amen. +[7122.70 --> 7123.28] Amen. +[7123.28 --> 7125.54] Amen. +[7125.54 --> 7155.52] Thank you. +[7155.54 --> 7185.52] Thank you. +[7185.54 --> 7215.52] Thank you. +[7215.54 --> 7245.52] Thank you. +[7245.54 --> 7247.54] Thank you. +[7275.54 --> 7305.52] Thank you. +[7305.54 --> 7307.54] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ef1c742eb5bffd181d7f8fc2e192bb322ad8f2c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +• Light of the candle of love +• Christ's birth and significance +• Worship hymns and musical segments (e.g. "As God Has Greeted Us This Morning", "Evermore") +• Christmas carols ("O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall Come To Thee") +• Prayer of confession led by the speaker +• Prayers and petitions for comfort, peace, and salvation +• A reading or recitation of a passage about God's love and faithfulness +• Introductions and thanks to the congregation and donors +• A financial update on the church budget and appeal for support +• Scripture reading from 2 Corinthians chapter 8 +• A musical performance with lyrics about the depth of God's love +• Reflections and testaments to the power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice +• Invitation for kids to join the host up front +• Scenario where a teacher tells students they don't have to do work and get candy instead +• Discussion of good news and messengers from God (angels) +• Proclamation and celebrating with joyful noise +• Demonstration of proclaiming good news with music and movement +• Blessing and activity following the blessing +• The speaker thanks God for various things, including the gift of Jesus Christ, salvation, church, word, spirit, hope, peace, joy, and love. +• A woman named Linda is prayed for after being diagnosed with bone cancer, along with her husband Neil. +• Lane Benny, who is battling cancer, is also prayed for and asked to be surrounded with strength, comfort, and healing. +• John Kuypers is prayed for as he faces health challenges and awaits a surgery date. +• Pastor Kevin is thanked for his willingness to share his gifts and talents, and he is asked for God's blessing on him and his message. +• The speaker discusses the concept of "cutesy Christmas" and how it provides brief moments of comfort and relief from real-life problems. +• Biblical Christmas is presented as a contrast to cutesy Christmas, being disruptive, dangerous, cosmic, and offering love and peace that lasts beyond the holiday season. +• The focus for the morning's message will be on the characters of Christmas, specifically angels. +• The speaker argues that Christmas is not just a sentimental or cutesy holiday, but rather a cosmic invasion of heaven into earth. +• The passage from Revelation 12 is used to illustrate the true nature of Christmas, which involves warfare and the reclaiming of lost territory by God. +• The angels in the Christmas story are seen as evidence of this bigger story, and their presence announces a colossal event where heaven and earth are at stake. +• Gabriel's declaration to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 is also used to show that God is already actively moving and working to establish His kingdom on earth. +• The speaker notes that many people tend to tame Christmas into something comfortable and cutesy, but the true story of Christmas is much more complex and profound. +• The blindness to God's plan in moments of difficulty, as seen in Mary's story +• The shepherds' encounter with angels and the declaration of Jesus' birth +• Revelation 12: a vision of God's redemption plan, showing Satan's defeat by Jesus' victory +• Christmas as a moment when heaven declares the outcome of salvation, not just a beginning of a battle +• The danger but ultimately doomed position of the devil (Satan) in this story +• A narrow view of love and the transactional nature of relationships, leading to disappointment when expectations are not met +• The speaker discusses the difference between "narrow love" and "biblical love", with the former being selfish and focused on personal feelings, while the latter is expansive, selfless, and sacrificial. +• Christmas is seen as a time to celebrate God's decisive victory over sin and death, rather than just a sentimental or cutesy holiday. +• The speaker talks about how God's love conquers all, including struggles with mental health, and that Jesus' love for us never wanes even when we feel like He is not present. +• The importance of remembering that Jesus has experienced struggle and temptation himself, and that He understands our pain and suffering. +• Paul's description in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 of the seasons of struggle we face as Christians. +• The Bible teaches that God's love conquers troubles and hardship +• Christmas is a celebration of this cosmic, eternal, and forever love +• Jesus' arrival as a baby is a declaration of victory over sin and death +• Christians are called to live out selfless love for others and enter the battle against evil with courage shaped by love and humility +• God's victory is achieved through self-giving, sacrificial love, not power or force +• The tools used by the world (e.g. polarization, division) do not bring lasting peace +• Christians must fight with a different mindset, using truth spoken in gentleness and love willing to suffer for others +• A hymn to the deep love of Jesus is sung +• Invitation to stay for refreshments and prayer after service +• Final week before Christmas, receiving God's parting blessing +• Scripture reading from Ecclesiastes 2:19-22 (about the fleeting nature of life) +• Praise and worship songs to Christ as King +• Repeated expressions of praise to Christ \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2caeea2d1654cb0685d1f88ce145a04d034d798b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 21, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,726 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 182.00] Thank you. +[182.00 --> 186.00] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 212.00] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 242.00] Thank you. +[242.00 --> 244.00] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 272.00] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 302.00] Thank you. +[302.00 --> 304.00] Thank you. +[304.00 --> 306.00] Thank you. +[306.00 --> 308.00] Thank you. +[308.00 --> 310.00] Thank you. +[310.00 --> 312.00] Thank you. +[312.00 --> 314.00] Thank you. +[314.00 --> 316.00] Thank you. +[316.00 --> 318.00] Thank you. +[318.00 --> 320.00] Thank you. +[320.00 --> 322.00] Thank you. +[322.00 --> 324.00] Thank you. +[324.00 --> 326.00] Thank you. +[326.00 --> 328.00] Thank you. +[328.00 --> 330.00] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 332.00] Thank you. +[332.00 --> 334.00] Thank you. +[334.00 --> 336.00] Thank you. +[336.00 --> 338.00] Thank you. +[338.00 --> 340.00] Thank you. +[340.00 --> 342.00] Thank you. +[342.00 --> 344.00] Thank you. +[344.00 --> 346.00] As God has +[346.00 --> 348.00] As God has greeted us this morning. +[348.00 --> 349.00] As God has greeted us this morning, please take a moment to greet those around you as well. +[349.00 --> 351.00] Thank you. +[379.00 --> 381.00] Thank you. +[381.00 --> 383.00] Thank you. +[383.00 --> 385.00] Thank you. +[385.00 --> 387.00] Thank you. +[387.00 --> 415.92] Today we light the candle of love +[415.92 --> 420.92] Like the angels we see God's love revealed in the coming of Christ +[420.92 --> 433.26] As this candle burns we remember +[433.26 --> 435.30] Christ is love made visible +[445.92 --> 459.92] Of the Father's love begotten +[459.92 --> 464.84] Where the worlds began to be +[464.84 --> 468.80] He is the found Omega +[468.80 --> 473.80] He the source the ending he +[473.80 --> 480.80] Of the things that are that have been +[480.80 --> 484.80] And that future years shall see +[484.80 --> 490.80] Evermore and evermore +[490.80 --> 496.18] Oh that birth forever blessed +[496.18 --> 502.22] When a virgin blessed with grace +[502.22 --> 506.58] By the Holy Ghost conceiving +[506.58 --> 511.80] Bore the Savior of the race +[511.80 --> 517.80] And obeyed the world's Redeemer +[517.80 --> 523.26] First revealed his sacred face +[523.26 --> 528.80] Evermore and evermore +[528.80 --> 537.92] This is he whom sees in old times +[537.92 --> 542.74] Chanted of with one accord +[542.74 --> 547.04] Whom the voices of the prophets +[547.04 --> 552.90] Promised in their faithful word +[552.90 --> 558.40] Now he shines the long expected +[558.40 --> 563.76] Let creation praise its Lord +[563.76 --> 568.90] Evermore and evermore +[568.90 --> 575.78] Let the heights of heaven adore him +[575.78 --> 580.78] Angel hosts his praises sing +[580.78 --> 586.02] Thou will minions bow before him +[586.02 --> 590.98] And extol our God and King +[590.98 --> 596.46] Let no tongue on earth be silent +[596.46 --> 601.50] Every voice in concert ring +[601.50 --> 606.50] Evermore and evermore +[606.50 --> 612.70] Christ to you with God the Father +[612.70 --> 618.40] And the Spirit there shall be +[618.40 --> 622.50] Him enchanted high thanksgiving +[622.50 --> 627.50] And the shout of jubilee +[627.50 --> 633.50] Honor, glory, and dominion +[633.50 --> 637.50] And eternal victory +[637.50 --> 642.50] Evermore and evermore +[642.50 --> 657.50] O come, O come, O come, Emmanuel +[657.50 --> 678.02] O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. +[678.02 --> 693.02] That mourns in lowly exile near, until the Son of God appear. +[695.02 --> 705.30] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee. +[705.30 --> 726.30] O Israel, O come, thou branch of Jesse's dead, unto thine all, and rescue them. +[726.30 --> 740.30] From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. +[740.30 --> 756.24] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. +[756.24 --> 773.24] O come, O bright and morning star, and bring us comfort from afar. +[773.24 --> 788.24] Dispel the shadows of the night, and turn our darkness into light. +[788.24 --> 803.64] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. +[803.64 --> 821.02] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. +[825.02 --> 827.70] Join me in a prayer of confession. +[827.70 --> 839.28] Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we are willing to be loved, yet slow to love and return. +[840.04 --> 845.32] We gladly receive your forgiveness, yet we struggle to forgive others. +[846.74 --> 849.64] We reach out for your redeeming love. +[850.52 --> 854.08] You hesitate, yet hesitate to follow you fully. +[854.08 --> 861.64] In this season of Advent, forgive us for the ways we fail to respond to your grace. +[862.50 --> 867.32] Come to us again, and by your mercy, teach us to receive you. +[868.04 --> 870.88] With joy, like the shepherds and magi. +[871.56 --> 873.86] In peace, like Mary and Joseph. +[874.90 --> 878.08] Full of hope, like Elizabeth and Zachariah. +[878.36 --> 882.06] And with love, as you have first loved us. +[882.06 --> 885.50] Even so, come, Lord Jesus. +[886.18 --> 886.50] Amen. +[886.50 --> 886.62] Amen. +[886.62 --> 892.44] Come, Lord Jesus. +[892.44 --> 904.58] Come and comfort now my people +[904.58 --> 909.96] Speak of peace, all says our God +[909.96 --> 914.80] Comfort those who sit in darkness +[914.80 --> 919.90] Throaring under sorrows, Lord +[919.90 --> 923.68] Cry out to Jerusalem +[923.68 --> 929.04] Of the peace that waits for them +[929.04 --> 933.52] Tell her that her sins I cover +[933.52 --> 938.20] And her warfare now is over +[938.20 --> 944.64] For the herald's voice is crying +[944.64 --> 949.76] In the desert far and near +[949.76 --> 953.54] Calling all to true repentance +[953.54 --> 959.22] Since the kingdom now is here +[959.22 --> 963.54] Hold that warning cry, obey +[963.54 --> 967.54] Now prepare for God away +[967.54 --> 972.48] Let the valleys rise to meet Him +[972.48 --> 977.62] And the hills bow down to greet Him +[977.62 --> 983.40] Then make straight what long was crooked +[983.40 --> 988.24] Make the rougher places plain +[988.24 --> 992.62] Let your hearts be true and humble +[992.62 --> 997.50] As befits His holy name +[997.50 --> 1001.08] For the glory of the Lord +[1001.08 --> 1005.54] Now on earth is shed abroad +[1005.54 --> 1010.30] And all flesh shall see the token +[1010.30 --> 1014.60] That God's word is never broken +[1014.60 --> 1035.58] Good morning everyone +[1035.58 --> 1039.36] My name is Allison and I'm one of the deacons +[1039.36 --> 1040.72] Here at the church +[1040.72 --> 1045.04] We are really grateful for the incredible support +[1045.04 --> 1048.76] From all of you for the ministry and mission +[1048.76 --> 1050.18] Of Langley Emmanuel +[1050.18 --> 1053.40] Your faithful giving throughout the year +[1053.40 --> 1055.56] Has supported ongoing ministries +[1055.56 --> 1059.56] New initiatives, missions and outreach +[1059.56 --> 1061.08] And faith formation +[1061.08 --> 1064.26] For everyone from newborns to seniors +[1064.26 --> 1065.80] In our church community +[1065.80 --> 1069.94] We are currently 12% behind our budget +[1069.94 --> 1070.94] For 2025 +[1070.94 --> 1074.68] That's roughly $75,000 +[1074.68 --> 1077.08] Needed by the end of the year +[1077.08 --> 1078.36] To meet our goals +[1078.36 --> 1080.50] What you give today +[1080.50 --> 1082.68] And over the next week and a half +[1082.68 --> 1085.24] Will help us finish the year well +[1085.24 --> 1088.58] We see God's faithfulness +[1088.58 --> 1090.40] Expressed through you all +[1090.40 --> 1092.56] Thank you in advance +[1092.56 --> 1093.86] For your generosity +[1093.86 --> 1096.60] And for supporting the ongoing ministry +[1096.60 --> 1099.02] And mission of our church family +[1099.02 --> 1101.30] As always +[1101.30 --> 1103.60] You can give the envelopes +[1103.60 --> 1106.04] You can give through the envelopes +[1106.04 --> 1106.74] In the seats +[1106.74 --> 1108.74] By e-transfer +[1108.74 --> 1110.04] Or online +[1110.04 --> 1111.24] Today +[1111.24 --> 1114.82] Any undesignated giving +[1114.82 --> 1116.42] Will also go to the budget +[1116.42 --> 1119.94] May what the Apostle Paul +[1119.94 --> 1121.60] Says of the Corinthian church +[1121.60 --> 1123.52] Be true of us here in our church +[1123.52 --> 1127.02] Since you excel in everything +[1127.02 --> 1128.24] In faith +[1128.24 --> 1129.46] In speech +[1129.46 --> 1130.70] In knowledge +[1130.70 --> 1133.58] In complete earnestness +[1133.58 --> 1136.42] And in the love we have kindled in you +[1136.42 --> 1138.82] See that you also excel +[1138.82 --> 1140.98] In this grace of giving +[1140.98 --> 1144.08] From 2 Corinthians chapter 8 +[1144.08 --> 1170.76] How deep the Father's love for us +[1170.76 --> 1175.72] How vast beyond all measure +[1175.72 --> 1181.76] That he should give his only Son +[1181.76 --> 1187.64] To make a wretch his treasure +[1187.64 --> 1194.52] How great the pain of searing loss +[1194.52 --> 1200.52] The Father turns his face away +[1200.52 --> 1205.52] As wounds which bar the Chosen One +[1205.52 --> 1211.40] Bring many sons to glory +[1211.40 --> 1227.48] Behold the man upon a cross +[1227.48 --> 1232.36] My sin upon his shoulders +[1232.36 --> 1238.40] Ashamed I hear my walking voice +[1238.40 --> 1244.40] Call out among the scoffers +[1244.40 --> 1250.66] It was my sin that held him there +[1250.66 --> 1255.72] Until it was accomplished +[1255.72 --> 1262.56] His dying breath has brought me life +[1262.56 --> 1267.56] I know that it is finished +[1267.56 --> 1283.56] I will not boast in anything +[1283.56 --> 1285.56] No gifts +[1285.56 --> 1286.24] No gifts +[1286.24 --> 1286.56] No power +[1286.56 --> 1288.56] No wisdom +[1288.56 --> 1289.56] No gifts +[1289.56 --> 1290.56] No power +[1290.56 --> 1291.56] No wisdom +[1291.56 --> 1295.56] But I will boast in Jesus Christ +[1295.56 --> 1300.56] His death and resurrection +[1300.56 --> 1307.56] Why should I gain from his reward +[1307.56 --> 1312.56] I cannot give an answer +[1312.56 --> 1319.56] But this I know with all my heart +[1319.56 --> 1324.56] His wounds have paid my ransom +[1324.56 --> 1325.56] No wisdom +[1325.56 --> 1326.56] No wisdom +[1326.56 --> 1331.56] Why should I gain from his reward +[1331.56 --> 1332.56] No wisdom +[1332.56 --> 1334.56] Why should I gain from his reward +[1334.56 --> 1335.56] I cannot give an answer +[1335.56 --> 1336.56] Why should I gain from his reward +[1336.56 --> 1337.56] I cannot give an answer +[1337.56 --> 1342.56] But this I know with all my heart +[1342.56 --> 1354.56] His wounds have paid my ransom +[1354.56 --> 1362.56] Good morning +[1362.56 --> 1365.56] I'd like to invite all the kids to come forward for Kids Corner +[1365.56 --> 1368.56] If you are age 3 all the way up to grade 4 +[1368.56 --> 1371.56] You are invited to join us up here +[1371.56 --> 1373.56] And then out in our classrooms +[1373.56 --> 1377.56] As we learn more about the story of Christmas together +[1377.56 --> 1379.56] Alright +[1387.56 --> 1391.56] Okay to start I want you guys to imagine something for me +[1391.56 --> 1394.56] This will be a little bit easier if you are someone who goes to school +[1394.56 --> 1397.56] Like if you are in kindergarten or up +[1397.56 --> 1400.56] So I want you to imagine that you hear the bell ring +[1400.56 --> 1402.56] And so you run in from outside +[1402.56 --> 1403.56] You are playing at recess +[1403.56 --> 1405.56] And you run back to the door where you have to line up +[1405.56 --> 1407.56] Your first one there +[1407.56 --> 1409.56] And your teacher opens the door and says +[1409.56 --> 1410.56] Guess what? +[1410.56 --> 1413.56] We are not going to do any work this afternoon +[1413.56 --> 1415.56] We are going to eat candy +[1415.56 --> 1416.56] And we are going to play games +[1416.56 --> 1419.56] And we are not going to do our spelling test or our math +[1419.56 --> 1420.56] What would you do? +[1420.56 --> 1422.56] You got a few choices +[1422.56 --> 1424.56] Choice A +[1424.56 --> 1425.56] Would you cry? +[1425.56 --> 1427.56] Choice B +[1427.56 --> 1430.56] Would you just line up like normal? +[1430.56 --> 1431.56] Or +[1431.56 --> 1432.56] Choice C +[1432.56 --> 1435.56] Would you go run back to the playground +[1435.56 --> 1436.56] And tell the rest of your class +[1436.56 --> 1439.56] That you don't have to do any work that afternoon? +[1439.56 --> 1440.56] What would you do? +[1440.56 --> 1441.56] Who would do A? +[1441.56 --> 1442.56] Who would cry? +[1442.56 --> 1443.56] They are so sad +[1443.56 --> 1444.56] Candy +[1444.56 --> 1447.56] What about choice B? +[1447.56 --> 1448.56] Would you just line up? +[1448.56 --> 1449.56] How about choice C? +[1449.56 --> 1451.56] Who would go and run and tell everybody else? +[1451.56 --> 1457.56] I think that most of you would go run and tell everybody +[1457.56 --> 1459.56] Hey guess what? +[1459.56 --> 1461.56] We don't have to do any work today +[1461.56 --> 1462.56] We are going to get candy +[1462.56 --> 1463.56] We are going to play games +[1463.56 --> 1465.56] Because it is good news +[1465.56 --> 1466.56] Right? +[1466.56 --> 1468.56] So today we are going to learn about +[1468.56 --> 1469.56] Some messengers of God +[1469.56 --> 1472.56] The angels who came and got to tell the shepherds +[1472.56 --> 1475.56] The good news that baby Jesus was born +[1475.56 --> 1477.56] And they didn't do it quietly +[1477.56 --> 1478.56] They did it loudly +[1478.56 --> 1480.56] They sang and they proclaimed +[1480.56 --> 1484.56] The good news that heaven had come down to earth +[1484.56 --> 1486.56] Now when I think about when we proclaim +[1486.56 --> 1488.56] Or we are excited to share something +[1488.56 --> 1489.56] Especially when we are kids +[1489.56 --> 1490.56] I think it is kind of loud +[1490.56 --> 1491.56] Right? +[1491.56 --> 1493.56] If you are excited to share something +[1493.56 --> 1496.56] You might be clapping or cheering or shouting +[1496.56 --> 1499.56] So today we are going to do a little +[1499.56 --> 1500.56] Something a little differently +[1500.56 --> 1502.56] We are going to start with the blessing +[1502.56 --> 1506.56] And then before you sprint off +[1506.56 --> 1508.56] Don't do that +[1508.56 --> 1509.56] Come and see me first +[1509.56 --> 1512.56] Because today we are going to leave +[1512.56 --> 1515.56] Giving a demonstration of proclaiming +[1515.56 --> 1517.56] And celebrating with a joyful noise +[1519.56 --> 1522.56] What the good news of God is +[1522.56 --> 1524.56] So we are going to stand up and do the blessing +[1524.56 --> 1526.56] After the blessing don't run away +[1526.56 --> 1528.56] Come up and see either me or Isla +[1528.56 --> 1529.56] She is going to come up +[1529.56 --> 1530.56] And I think you will know what to do +[1530.56 --> 1531.56] With what we are going to give you +[1531.56 --> 1534.56] But if you don't just try and make noise with it +[1534.56 --> 1535.56] And that will work +[1555.56 --> 1556.56] 轉 and love +[1556.56 --> 1557.88] To thecam Titan +[1565.56 --> 1569.16] One is a massive +[1570.56 --> 1572.56] That's good +[1576.56 --> 1578.12] One is a huge +[1578.12 --> 1578.56] That we understand +[1578.56 --> 1582.68] It's our biggest +[1582.68 --> 1612.66] Thank you. +[1612.68 --> 1642.66] Thank you. +[1642.68 --> 1644.68] Thank you. +[1644.68 --> 1646.68] Thank you. +[1646.68 --> 1648.68] Thank you. +[1648.68 --> 1652.82] We'll be undergoing further testing in the weeks ahead and we'll be praying for Linda +[1652.82 --> 1654.78] and Neil who are dealing with this difficult news. +[1655.30 --> 1657.38] So let's bow our heads. +[1657.38 --> 1659.38] Thank you. +[1659.38 --> 1661.38] Thank you. +[1661.38 --> 1663.38] Thank you. +[1663.38 --> 1665.38] Thank you. +[1665.38 --> 1667.38] Thank you. +[1667.38 --> 1669.38] Thank you. +[1669.38 --> 1671.38] Thank you. +[1671.38 --> 1673.38] Thank you. +[1673.38 --> 1675.38] Thank you. +[1675.38 --> 1677.38] Thank you. +[1677.38 --> 1679.38] Thank you. +[1679.38 --> 1681.38] Thank you. +[1681.38 --> 1683.38] Thank you. +[1683.38 --> 1685.38] Thank you. +[1685.38 --> 1687.38] Thank you. +[1687.38 --> 1689.38] Thank you. +[1689.38 --> 1691.38] Thank you. +[1691.38 --> 1693.38] Thank you. +[1693.38 --> 1695.38] Thank you. +[1695.38 --> 1697.38] Thank you. +[1697.38 --> 1699.38] Thank you. +[1699.38 --> 1701.38] Thank you. +[1701.38 --> 1703.38] Thank you. +[1703.38 --> 1705.38] Thank you. +[1705.38 --> 1707.38] Thank you. +[1707.38 --> 1708.38] Thank you. +[1708.38 --> 1710.38] And we are a life to see you just five years through our Lord. +[1710.38 --> 1712.56] We thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ. +[1712.56 --> 1718.80] for your promise fulfilled and the salvation you bring to our world we thank you for your church +[1718.80 --> 1725.68] for your word and for the work of your spirit among us thank you for hope peace joy and love +[1725.68 --> 1734.88] as we celebrate this event season loving father prepare our hearts to receive christ again help us +[1734.88 --> 1742.24] to live lives shaped by your love to be near to those who are hurting lonely or afraid give strength +[1742.24 --> 1748.16] to those who are sick and comfort for all who grieve make us a people who reflect your love to +[1748.16 --> 1754.16] our neighbors and our world as we await with hope for the coming of our savior jesus christ +[1755.84 --> 1762.72] we continue to bring our specific concerns and joy before you we thank you for the gift of new life +[1762.72 --> 1767.52] and rejoice with frank and sylvia welfing on the birth of their granddaughter hazel josephine +[1767.52 --> 1778.24] we lift up linda rook after recently being diagnosed with bone cancer surround her and her husband neil +[1778.24 --> 1785.44] with peace strength and comfort guide the doctors and nurses that care for her and grant her healing +[1786.32 --> 1792.48] be close to neil and linda and neil and family through this time and remind them that they are never +[1792.48 --> 1802.00] alone we pray for lane benny as he also battles cancer surround him with strength comfort and healing +[1802.72 --> 1808.88] be near to his parents leo and debbie giving them peace and courage as they support their son +[1810.08 --> 1816.48] and we lift up john kuypers as he continues to faith face health challenges and waits a surgery date +[1816.48 --> 1825.36] grant him peace and patience patience and healing be with pastor kevin as he leads us this morning we +[1825.36 --> 1830.88] thank you for kevin and his willingness to share his gifts and talents with us here at emmanuel and we ask +[1830.88 --> 1841.44] you bless him and his message this morning we pray this all in the name of jesus christ your son our lord and savior amen +[1846.48 --> 1868.96] good morning everyone when you think of the christmas season or when you think of what most people think +[1868.96 --> 1876.96] of in the christmas season what comes to mind i think for many of us it's what i'm going to call +[1877.76 --> 1885.36] cutesy christmas we think of hallmark movies about a small town girl returning home and running into a +[1886.00 --> 1893.36] former high school acquaintance where time has been very kind to his face and his biceps we think about +[1893.36 --> 1901.36] angel christmas tree toppers with perfect curly locks and fluffy white wings we think of of twinkling +[1901.36 --> 1907.84] lights on a house that dance to the music of carol of the bells for some reason we think of garland and +[1907.84 --> 1914.24] wreaths and color coordinated christmas trees that are set up to to shift the mood in our house +[1914.24 --> 1924.32] from regular chaotic to just like comfortable cozy we think of warm sweaters that are often hideous +[1924.32 --> 1930.00] unless you've got one like mine which is beautiful and you snuggle into them because they also provide +[1930.00 --> 1936.16] a coziness as you sit on your couch when it's raining outside you think of piping hot chocolate and soft +[1936.16 --> 1941.68] sugar cookies which are totally fine to consume in large quantities during this season because +[1941.68 --> 1946.16] an old woman in a grinch sweater once told me that the calories don't count right now because it's +[1946.16 --> 1953.84] dark outside and new year's is still two years away or two weeks away and honestly i think for most of us +[1954.88 --> 1962.24] we love that and it's okay to love that because these little moments found in christmas this cutesy +[1962.24 --> 1969.36] christmas brings little moments of relief little flashes of comfort +[1969.36 --> 1977.52] we love stories where people are kind and problems are solvable and and happiness is guaranteed after +[1977.52 --> 1984.32] 90 minutes right before the final scene in the credits roll and it's okay to find comfort and rest +[1984.32 --> 1991.76] in this rainy season in a warm beverage and and and a comfortable sweater and re-watching die hard or or +[1991.76 --> 1998.00] we met in december for the 19th time which we met in december is one of the 24 new hallmark movies that +[1998.00 --> 2005.68] came out this year which raises the total to over 400 hallmark christmas movies +[2007.12 --> 2008.08] that's not a joke +[2010.16 --> 2014.08] that's crazy but it speaks to something doesn't it +[2016.16 --> 2018.88] it speaks to cozy cutesy christmas +[2018.88 --> 2029.04] and it's okay to like cutesy christmas but let's be very honest cutesy christmas +[2029.76 --> 2038.24] only lets us escape for a moment because in real life most of our problems don't get resolved in an +[2038.24 --> 2045.04] hour and a half or certainly with just a cup of hot chocolate or lounging around in our edmonton oilers +[2045.04 --> 2048.08] christmas sweaters christmas sweaters +[2048.08 --> 2054.16] we live in a very polarized world full of suffering full of uncertainty full of exhaustion +[2056.08 --> 2063.12] our hearts are restless and and cutesy christmas gives us a brief place to rest and to breathe but it's brief +[2064.32 --> 2065.76] because january lurks +[2065.76 --> 2071.68] the thing is biblical christmas is the opposite of cutesy +[2072.88 --> 2075.12] biblical christmas is disruptive +[2076.16 --> 2077.20] it's dangerous +[2078.00 --> 2079.12] it's cosmic +[2080.40 --> 2086.96] and the love and the peace that biblical christmas christmas offers is not momentary it doesn't disappear +[2086.96 --> 2088.32] when the decorations come down +[2089.28 --> 2090.88] so today we're going to look +[2090.88 --> 2096.24] uh we're going to continue sorry looking at the characters of christmas we're going to focus on the angels +[2096.24 --> 2102.40] this morning and we're going to specifically look at a passage that portrays christmas as anything but cutesy +[2103.28 --> 2109.12] because the love of god isn't small it isn't sentimental it isn't temporary +[2109.12 --> 2116.40] it's a love that breaks into the world at christmas and changes everything and so if you've got your bibles with +[2116.40 --> 2122.16] you please open it up right to the end we're going to skip all the way ahead to revelation 12 +[2122.72 --> 2128.40] and we're going to read revelation 12 verses 1 to 12. all right if you've got your bibles with you or your +[2128.40 --> 2132.56] bible apps i encourage you keep those open because we are going to be jumping around from revelation +[2132.56 --> 2135.36] to luke's christmas story and elsewhere as well +[2136.24 --> 2137.76] but for now revelation 12 +[2138.48 --> 2140.56] verses 1 to 12 there we read this +[2140.56 --> 2149.52] a great sign appeared in heaven a woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet and a crown +[2149.52 --> 2155.60] of 12 stars on her head she was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth +[2156.80 --> 2164.08] then another sign appeared in heaven an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven +[2164.08 --> 2170.48] crowns on its head its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to earth +[2172.08 --> 2177.92] the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that it might devour the child +[2177.92 --> 2185.76] the moment he was born she gave birth to a son a male child who will rule all the nations with an iron +[2185.76 --> 2192.32] scepter and her child was snatched up to god and to his throne the woman fled into the wilderness to a +[2192.32 --> 2198.80] place prepared for her by god where she might be taken to taken care of for 1260 days +[2200.24 --> 2207.28] then war broke out in heaven michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon and his +[2207.28 --> 2213.44] angels fought back but he was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven the great dragon was +[2213.44 --> 2221.92] hurled down that ancient serpent called the devil or satan who leads the whole world astray he was +[2221.92 --> 2230.64] hurled to the earth and his angels with him then i heard a loud voice in heaven say now have come the +[2230.64 --> 2236.72] salvation and the power and the kingdom of our god and the authority of his messiah for the accuser of +[2236.72 --> 2245.04] our brothers and sisters who accuses them before our god day and night has been hurled down they triumphed +[2245.04 --> 2250.96] over him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony they did not love their lives so +[2250.96 --> 2258.80] much as to shrink from death therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them but woe to the earth +[2258.80 --> 2266.08] and the sea because the devil has gone down to you he is filled with fury because he knows that his time is +[2266.08 --> 2269.20] is short the word of the lord +[2272.32 --> 2280.48] now i know that that's a weird christmas passage but that is the picture of what christmas is about +[2282.16 --> 2288.32] what we just read does not necessarily reflect one moment in time mind you it's not simply the christmas +[2288.32 --> 2296.96] story but it's a snapshot of god's entire redemption plan all of human history portrayed here in +[2297.60 --> 2304.08] apocalyptic literature now they say a picture is worth a thousand words which makes me think then that +[2304.08 --> 2309.20] the gift that you send your friends is worth like a million words because it's moving but that means +[2309.20 --> 2315.20] that this passage here in revelation has got to be worth a billion and we don't have time for all of +[2315.20 --> 2322.00] those words today but we are going to break this text down in a little bit however i can say with +[2322.00 --> 2329.92] certainty that i have yet to see a hallmark christmas movie about a dragon fighting angels in the stars +[2329.92 --> 2342.40] whilst trying to consume a baby this passage is anything but cutesy but christmas isn't cutesy christmas is a +[2342.40 --> 2350.64] cosmic invasion see christmas isn't just sentimental joy to the world silent night peace on earth that's +[2350.64 --> 2357.76] for sure part of it but we cannot limit what happened on christmas to simply the gentle and lowly +[2359.20 --> 2368.48] our text shows us that christmas is about wartime love about heaven coming down to earth to reclaim what was +[2368.48 --> 2376.56] lost and we know that christmas is not god entering a peaceful world we know in our heart of hearts this is +[2376.56 --> 2386.08] true because the world we live in is not peaceful no christmas is about god invading enemy territory +[2387.28 --> 2396.08] and the angels in the christmas story are a picture of that they remind us of that the angels are evidence of +[2396.08 --> 2406.08] this bigger story which we so often fail to see when we tame christmas into something cutesy the angels +[2406.08 --> 2414.32] break into this story to show us how cosmic it truly is the angels refuse to let christmas stay comfortable +[2414.32 --> 2420.80] because whenever they appear they announce a colossal story where heaven and earth are at stake +[2420.80 --> 2430.96] if you've got your bibles flip with me to luke 1 26 to 38 in this story we've got gabriel an angel of god +[2430.96 --> 2438.64] who appears to mary all right and gabriel says to mary this he says greetings you who are highly favored +[2438.64 --> 2445.84] the lord is with you do not be afraid mary you have found favor with god you will conceive and give birth +[2445.84 --> 2454.56] to a son and you are to call him jesus now hear this he will be great and will be called the son of the +[2454.56 --> 2461.92] most high the lord god will give him the throne of his father david and he will reign over jacob's +[2461.92 --> 2470.80] descendants forever his kingdom will never end he will be son of the most high he will get the throne of +[2470.80 --> 2482.64] david he will reign forever his kingdom will never end cosmic christmas this is a kingdom altering +[2482.64 --> 2491.68] declaration see gabriel's presence here in the story reminds us that god is already active here even +[2491.68 --> 2500.00] before mary says yes gabriel's not asking permission no he is telling mary what's going to happen +[2501.36 --> 2503.20] god is already active and moving +[2505.36 --> 2508.16] but do we remember mary's response her initial response +[2509.68 --> 2516.32] she says how will this be because i am a virgin now in fairness that is a fair question to ask +[2516.32 --> 2521.52] and i don't want to ridicule mary here she's speaking to gabriel this magnificent angel who's +[2521.52 --> 2527.76] just popped into her house who's telling her a whole bunch of wild stuff many of us would have responded +[2527.76 --> 2532.40] similarly and i think i'm being very charitable here because i suspect there would be a lot more +[2532.40 --> 2540.16] screaming and a lot more cowering in this room but it's worth noticing that mary's confusion here +[2540.88 --> 2548.80] mirrors our own blindness that we often have to god's big story in that moment +[2548.80 --> 2556.40] mary sees inconvenience she sees risk and confusion and no logical way forward +[2556.40 --> 2563.36] heaven though through gabriel is proclaiming that the redemption plan +[2563.36 --> 2570.00] is unfolding gabriel already knows what earth has yet to understand +[2571.60 --> 2576.72] all right another example comes a chapter later luke 2 18 to 14 there shepherds are in the field they're +[2576.72 --> 2582.48] watching their sheep and an angel appears and says this do not be afraid i bring you good news that will +[2582.48 --> 2590.56] cause great joy for all the people today the town of david a savior has been born to you he is the messiah +[2590.56 --> 2597.68] of the lord this will be assigned to you you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger +[2597.68 --> 2606.00] suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appear with the angel praising god and saying glory to god in +[2606.00 --> 2610.40] the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests +[2613.36 --> 2620.96] now as josh reminded us josh reminded us of last week the shepherds are an unseen outcast people +[2622.08 --> 2629.20] and yet they're the ones who are standing out in the field when heaven itself erupts open into song +[2630.88 --> 2634.88] notice what's happening here don't soften this the angels aren't bringing peace +[2636.00 --> 2643.84] they're bringing brightness and loudness and noise and worship just like the kids leaving this room +[2643.84 --> 2644.16] today +[2646.96 --> 2649.84] the shepherds were terrified +[2652.72 --> 2658.08] the angels are announcing the peace they're not bringing the peace but they're announcing the peace +[2658.08 --> 2665.28] that god has already brought into the world by sending his son here heaven once again comes down to +[2665.28 --> 2671.52] earth an earth that sees darkness and fear and silence because they've been waiting for this +[2671.52 --> 2678.40] messiah for a long time but these angels they see the big picture they see victory in the form of this +[2678.40 --> 2681.36] baby and they can't help but sing +[2683.84 --> 2689.68] and then our text today revelation 12 it completely pulls back the curtain and shows us what's really +[2689.68 --> 2694.80] happening behind the christmas story see a lot of revelation is a vision that john sees and here +[2694.80 --> 2700.64] john sees a woman a child and a dragon and it's not a puzzle that he has to solve but it's a picture +[2700.64 --> 2706.64] that he must understand the woman and again we're going to hum through this a little bit we could have a +[2706.64 --> 2713.60] series on this 12 these 12 verses but the woman here represents god's people through whom the messiah +[2713.60 --> 2721.52] and the child is jesus the promised king who is born he's threatened that he's ultimately exalted +[2721.52 --> 2726.88] onto god's throne and the dragon is satan doing everything he can to stop god's work +[2728.40 --> 2729.44] what's amazing +[2730.96 --> 2737.68] is that the dragon fails the child isn't defeated which we know we know this story he's victorious +[2737.68 --> 2755.28] that's why a war breaks out satan is cast down not because he's weak but because christ wins +[2756.16 --> 2760.40] and while this picture and revelation of god's redemption plan throughout all of time +[2761.84 --> 2766.00] that's what this picture is god's redemption plan throughout all of time +[2766.00 --> 2773.76] the birth of this baby both in revelation and in the gospels is the turning point of this plan +[2776.00 --> 2785.04] verse 10 of our text announces it clearly it says now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our god +[2788.80 --> 2792.88] christmas is not the beginning of the battle +[2792.88 --> 2802.64] christmas is the moment that heaven declares the outcome that's why the angels have to sing +[2805.36 --> 2813.20] now the dragon is still threatening but he's defeated he still rages but his time is short +[2813.20 --> 2819.12] c.s lewis says uh that the the devil the the dragon in this text is dangerous but doomed +[2819.12 --> 2825.20] but that's why life can still feel hard even after christ has come +[2827.20 --> 2831.68] revelation 12 reminds us of this when we look at christmas we may only see a baby +[2832.40 --> 2840.80] but heaven sees a victory and even when we can't see it all of heaven is fighting to secure us in the love of god +[2840.80 --> 2844.88] the love of god +[2847.52 --> 2854.56] while sometimes we're guilty of seeing christmas as mostly cutesy i think we're also guilty of +[2855.44 --> 2863.36] often having a narrow view of love rather than the expansive view of love like a passage of like revelation 12 portrays +[2863.36 --> 2868.80] i think now cultural love ends up playing out pretty shallow +[2869.44 --> 2876.32] love in our world is is often measured it's often calculated it's exchanged between people +[2876.32 --> 2881.92] and i'm not just talking about romantic love like a marriage or dating relationships it fits here for sure +[2882.48 --> 2885.92] but all relationships friendships siblings relationships with parents even +[2885.92 --> 2887.84] to be honest +[2889.84 --> 2895.60] and an underlying principle of narrow cultural love is transactional in nature and i know that that sounds +[2895.60 --> 2899.92] crass but i do think we've all seen love play out that way before +[2901.20 --> 2902.08] if you think about it +[2903.76 --> 2910.56] even when done for others sake for example love is often subconsciously undergirded with a transactional +[2910.56 --> 2917.28] aspect i love so i give whether that's time or energy or gifts or words or whatever +[2918.00 --> 2921.92] they feel something from that which makes me feel good +[2923.20 --> 2927.12] i give you feel i feel good we're happy +[2928.80 --> 2931.52] and i want to be careful because in some ways this is just +[2931.52 --> 2937.44] natural loving someone does require to give of ourselves and in many ways and then in often times when +[2937.44 --> 2943.60] love is received by someone well it does feel good it makes us happy but what happens when those +[2943.60 --> 2949.76] transactions start to fail what happens when that transactional love +[2951.12 --> 2958.00] stops feeling good what happens when life gets hard and the giving slows down or the returns aren't +[2958.00 --> 2964.64] received as well as they once were what happens when we realize that what we've invested in +[2964.64 --> 2972.32] the relationship that we've invested in no longer seems to be paying the same dividends that it once +[2972.32 --> 2972.56] did +[2972.56 --> 2980.16] and i'm sure we can all think of families or friendships or even marriages that have fallen apart +[2980.16 --> 2983.28] because of the line well i just don't love them anymore +[2985.92 --> 2990.80] so often the thing that supports that line the thing that that is the underlying truth +[2990.80 --> 2998.32] of the i don't love them anymore is this is i wasn't getting anything from them anymore +[2999.92 --> 3005.84] i wasn't being treated the same way i wasn't feeling the same way i once did because the returns weren't +[3005.84 --> 3015.44] coming see when love is safe when love is happy and it's based mainly on our feelings narrow love +[3015.44 --> 3023.68] love can end relationships can fall apart love becomes narrow when it's only cutesy +[3024.80 --> 3030.40] it becomes about our own feelings and what we get and what we receive +[3032.40 --> 3036.56] narrow cultural love at the root of it is selfish +[3036.56 --> 3046.00] but biblical love is different biblical love is expansive biblical love is selfless +[3046.80 --> 3052.64] biblical love pushes back against this narrow view of love by showing us something far bigger than +[3052.64 --> 3059.28] sentiment or momentary happiness it's a love that suffers it's a love that risks it's a love that +[3059.28 --> 3064.96] sacrifice is a love that doesn't always feel good but remains faithful +[3067.12 --> 3071.76] greater love gives everything for one another first john or sorry not first john regular john +[3071.76 --> 3080.24] the gospel of john 15 13 says this greater love has no one than this to lay down one's life for one's friends +[3080.24 --> 3092.32] when we look at christmas from only the earth's perspective we see a little baby in a manger +[3093.36 --> 3099.28] surrounded by cattle and sheep on a clear winter's night which was so sweet we see this picture +[3101.04 --> 3109.92] right we see this picture with sheep bowing down and haloed parents we see angels bringing doves and that +[3109.92 --> 3112.00] olive branch from noah's ark for some reason +[3115.52 --> 3119.76] we see camels and donkeys and cows that are for sure going to break into song at any moment +[3123.76 --> 3124.72] but if we stay here +[3128.40 --> 3130.32] we miss the depth of what god is doing +[3132.64 --> 3139.76] when we hear what the angels are really announcing christmas stops being small and cutesy +[3139.92 --> 3149.76] and becomes what it truly is god's decisive victory over sin and death that's why apocalyptic +[3149.76 --> 3156.16] scripture is here for us to pull back that curtain and to articulate this big picture of god's redemption +[3156.16 --> 3162.24] plan that needed christ's birth to take place the turning point of the story christmas love is not +[3162.24 --> 3169.20] sentimental it's incarnational it's not cutesy it's cosmic it's not selfish it's sacrificial +[3169.20 --> 3181.52] it is this expansive love of god that finally calms our restless hearts offering not just brief relief +[3182.32 --> 3192.24] but eternal hope in jesus our restless hearts that crave the calm are calmed only in the eternal love +[3192.24 --> 3200.08] and hope of jesus christ that's the message that's the angels bring to us on christmas that's the big idea +[3200.08 --> 3209.84] when our hearts are restless when we need relief when all we see is struggle the angels remind us that god's love +[3209.84 --> 3211.04] love wins +[3215.12 --> 3220.96] because we can trust that god's love ultimately wins over everything that makes our hearts restless +[3223.04 --> 3227.68] we can also trust that his love meets us right in the middle of our struggles +[3229.12 --> 3234.96] i know there's been times in my life where god has felt far away i remember a season of my life actually where +[3234.96 --> 3241.92] everything on the surface was going really well but i was not we had just had our second daughter we +[3241.92 --> 3246.08] were going to be moving into a new house that we had just bought in langley the one we currently live +[3246.08 --> 3251.28] in actually we were no longer vacant here at church so that season had ended and we're coming out of that i was +[3251.28 --> 3256.24] working decently well with our new pastor and i wasn't even in school yet so that stress wasn't even on +[3256.24 --> 3265.36] the horizon and yet i was having a hard time getting up in the morning see life was tiring and through +[3265.36 --> 3271.84] some lies that the devil was whispering in my ear i was feeling very ill-equipped and unprepared and +[3271.84 --> 3279.76] often useless and worst of all god seemed real far away from me like he wasn't there at all and as a +[3279.76 --> 3284.00] youth pastor i was making it inappropriately personal +[3286.48 --> 3290.96] later i learned that i was dealing actually with paternal postpartum depression but i also learned +[3290.96 --> 3297.60] that even though i felt like god wasn't part of my struggles his love for me never waned +[3298.56 --> 3304.80] eventually i remembered that his love conquers all and and he was with me all along and yeah i've had +[3304.80 --> 3309.28] other seasons since then where my mental health has dipped but again through the love of community +[3309.28 --> 3313.68] through the love of family through the love of friends and counselors and most importantly the +[3313.68 --> 3321.76] eternal love of our savior jesus christ i am more aware that his love for me his love for you +[3322.56 --> 3332.72] his love for the entire cosmos has never failed because jesus love is one even when our lives feel broken +[3332.72 --> 3342.24] he is with us in our struggles he's aware of what we're going through because he created us and he knows +[3342.24 --> 3343.76] us better than we even will +[3346.00 --> 3353.68] and he knows what it means to struggle because he came down from his throne and he took on flesh +[3355.20 --> 3361.68] he was tempted and he mourned and he grieved and he was tormented and tortured and he felt what it was +[3361.68 --> 3368.88] like to be alone and abandoned and depressed and hurting and our savior jesus christ came down from +[3368.88 --> 3374.32] his throne in heaven and became a baby for us all he lived the life that we fail to live each and every +[3374.32 --> 3381.36] day and he died a death that we deserve because we're the ones who's living the lives of sin not him +[3382.40 --> 3387.92] but he took on the weight of sin and brokenness on his shoulders with him on the cross and he bore our +[3387.92 --> 3394.00] suffering and shame and though it seemed like the dragon consumed him three days later he rose again +[3394.00 --> 3400.48] from the grave and he defeated that dragon once and for all and now he is exalted in the heavens where +[3400.48 --> 3408.00] he will one day come again to usher in his kingdom god's love wins +[3408.00 --> 3417.92] the battles we face are but moments in the light of the eternal glory we find in jesus now i don't +[3417.92 --> 3425.28] want to minimize what we go through because i know that life kicks us pretty hard but hear how paul describes +[3425.28 --> 3432.56] the seasons of struggle we face he says this in second corinthians 4 16 to 17 he says therefore we do not +[3432.56 --> 3440.64] lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day for our +[3440.64 --> 3449.04] light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all +[3451.60 --> 3458.80] paul can call our struggles light and momentary because god's love has conquered them all +[3458.80 --> 3468.32] and we will receive an eternal glory that far outweighs anything we will experience here on earth +[3470.24 --> 3478.72] the angels sing of that glory that overcomes our hardest hardships that's the victorious love of +[3478.72 --> 3484.40] christ that's why christmas is more than just cutesy it's cosmic and that's why the angels are not simply +[3484.40 --> 3490.96] asking mary and the shepherds to think about helping out they are declaring victory over sin and death +[3490.96 --> 3497.04] forever and erupting into song because all is well +[3500.24 --> 3508.88] revelation 12 paints that picture of victory but our battles do still continue the angels break into song +[3508.88 --> 3515.52] because they know how the story ends but we can find rest for our restless hearts because we know the +[3515.52 --> 3522.96] end of the story too in a few days we celebrate christmas this turning point of god's redemption plan +[3522.96 --> 3531.84] christmas day and as we celebrate we're called to march ahead living out this selfless love for others +[3532.80 --> 3537.84] when we see the bigger story when we grasp the ending love becomes not something that's passive or +[3537.84 --> 3547.28] transactional but it moves us to stand and to act and to endure in this battle that is already guaranteed +[3548.16 --> 3554.88] it's already won we are called to be courageous in love as we enter into the battle for people's hearts +[3556.56 --> 3562.40] but we enter that battle with a different mindset than most see the scriptures are clear god doesn't +[3562.40 --> 3569.52] fight with the enemy's weapons satan's not defeated by power or force or fear and the kingdom of god is +[3569.52 --> 3576.48] not advanced by domination or intimidation paul reminds us of this too that the weapons that we fight are +[3576.48 --> 3582.64] not the weapons of the world second corinthians 10 3 to 4 says for though we live in the world we do not wage +[3582.64 --> 3589.92] war as the world does the weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world evil is overcome +[3589.92 --> 3599.76] in a far more surprising way through self-giving sacrificial love that's the kind of love that we're +[3599.76 --> 3605.12] talking about here at christmas where god doesn't arrive with an army but he arrives as a baby +[3607.76 --> 3612.96] this matters deeply in a world marked by polarization and division +[3612.96 --> 3621.28] when when tensions rise it is tempting even for us as christians to reach for those same tools that +[3621.28 --> 3631.52] the world uses to secure supposed peace we like to draw sharper lines to dig our heels in but to cast +[3631.52 --> 3639.60] ourselves as victims or try to to dress up worldly power as something holy we do this in the conversations +[3639.60 --> 3645.12] we have and the petitions we sign and the chat rooms we're a part of and the social media posts we make +[3646.16 --> 3649.44] but those tools have never brought lasting peace +[3651.20 --> 3655.36] at best they manage conflict at worst they deepen it +[3657.52 --> 3664.56] putting christian war paint on for an issue doesn't make it a holy war it just makes the conflict loud +[3664.56 --> 3675.52] our battles must look different because jesus won the war differently we're called to fight but not +[3675.52 --> 3683.20] with fists clenched in anger or voices raised in fear we fight with courage shaped by love and humility +[3683.76 --> 3689.52] with truth spoken in gentleness and with love willing to suffer for the sake of others +[3689.52 --> 3697.92] like the child in the manger god loves god's love sorry enters the world quietly vulnerably and +[3697.92 --> 3706.56] persistently and that is still the way his victory is made visible today so we can enter the battle without +[3706.56 --> 3714.32] fear and we can enter the battle with calm hearts and courageous confidence that the word of god will speak +[3714.32 --> 3722.16] because christ's love for us and what he accomplished we are invited into that battle but not as heroes or saviors +[3722.16 --> 3723.20] we have one already +[3725.68 --> 3734.00] but we're brought into battle as witnesses of our loving savior so we can go declare jesus as the brighter +[3734.00 --> 3742.24] and bringer of love and the savior of the world we can move forward after this christmas after the trees are down +[3742.24 --> 3749.52] and the hallmark movies switch from christmas to valentine's day we can enter into the january months +[3750.08 --> 3756.72] confident that our restless hearts can be calmed because god's love has won +[3758.72 --> 3765.68] so again go ahead enjoy your hot chocolate enjoy your christmas decorations enjoy that classic hallmark hit +[3765.68 --> 3772.88] christmas under wraps spelled with a w isn't that cute hallmark hallmark always knocks it out of the park +[3775.52 --> 3785.28] but let's please remember that it is only in the love of jesus that our restless hearts find true +[3785.84 --> 3793.44] eternal relief this cosmic eternal forever love that has won the victory +[3793.44 --> 3800.64] and in our world that is full of anxiety and polarity and chaos let's be agents of love +[3801.76 --> 3806.64] and join christ in that battle for his kingdom amen let's pray +[3812.56 --> 3813.28] god in heaven +[3815.36 --> 3819.04] we are days away from celebrating the birth of your son jesus christ +[3819.04 --> 3826.64] and lord we so often take this season as a time of reflection and a time of rest and lord those +[3826.64 --> 3836.16] those are good things but god please press upon our hearts the magnitude of what christmas actually is +[3837.28 --> 3842.00] god we pray that we are all to see the truth that we don't need to escape the world +[3842.00 --> 3848.96] into a cutesy christmas to find relief that we don't find relief from escaping our world at all but we +[3848.96 --> 3851.12] find relief because you entered our world +[3853.44 --> 3857.92] we thank you for christmas we thank you for humbling yourself +[3860.56 --> 3861.84] and entering this place +[3864.40 --> 3865.84] and god most of all we thank you +[3865.84 --> 3872.64] for your life death resurrection and ascension that we know the victory has been won may we be +[3872.64 --> 3877.84] agents of that love in this world that you have placed us in we pray this in your son's precious and +[3877.84 --> 3879.84] holy name amen +[3895.84 --> 3906.64] Witch 19 +[3906.64 --> 3908.00] cancer +[3908.00 --> 3918.24] holy +[3918.24 --> 3924.00] is +[3924.00 --> 3937.40] Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love. +[3937.40 --> 3950.40] Leading onward, leading onward, to thy glorious rest above. +[3950.40 --> 3966.40] O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore. +[3966.40 --> 3980.78] How He loves us, ever loves us, changes never, nevermore. +[3980.78 --> 3994.78] How He watches for His loved ones, died to call Him on His own. +[3995.42 --> 4008.38] How for them He's interceding, watches o'er them from the throne. +[4008.38 --> 4024.38] O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love of best. +[4024.38 --> 4031.38] Tis an ocean, that's the blessing. +[4032.62 --> 4038.38] Tis a haven, sweet of rest. +[4039.58 --> 4052.38] O the deep, deep love of Jesus, tis a heaven of man to me. +[4052.38 --> 4059.88] And it lifts me up to glory. +[4060.48 --> 4067.38] For it lifts me up to Thee. +[4067.38 --> 4078.82] As we go from this place, I want to invite you all to stick around afterwards. +[4078.96 --> 4082.02] We'll have some refreshments out there in the foyer and the sanctuary as well. +[4082.24 --> 4087.48] And if you need prayer today, there are going to be prayer people available here at the front and elsewhere. +[4087.48 --> 4089.18] Well, they'll have yellow tags on. +[4089.28 --> 4093.14] Please do go to them for prayer or turn to your neighbor and ask them to pray for you. +[4093.18 --> 4094.68] I'm sure they would be happy to do so. +[4095.32 --> 4099.76] But as we go from this place into this final week before Christmas, +[4099.76 --> 4103.12] I invite you to all receive God's parting blessing. +[4104.32 --> 4106.72] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[4107.40 --> 4110.54] The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. +[4110.96 --> 4115.10] The Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace. +[4115.52 --> 4117.64] And all of God's people said, Amen. +[4117.64 --> 4117.78] Amen. +[4117.78 --> 4144.98] Should nothing of our efforts +[4144.98 --> 4149.88] and no legacy survive +[4149.88 --> 4155.04] unless the Lord does raise the house +[4155.04 --> 4159.38] in vain its builders strive +[4159.38 --> 4164.54] to you who boast tomorrow's gain +[4164.54 --> 4168.90] tell me what is your life +[4168.90 --> 4172.54] a mist that vanishes +[4172.54 --> 4178.38] at dawn all glory be to Christ +[4178.38 --> 4183.30] all glory be to Christ our King +[4183.30 --> 4187.82] all glory be to Christ +[4187.82 --> 4192.86] His rule and reign will ever sing +[4192.86 --> 4197.84] all glory be to Christ +[4197.84 --> 4202.56] His will be done +[4202.56 --> 4208.60] His kingdom come on earth as is above +[4208.60 --> 4214.38] who is Himself our daily bread +[4214.38 --> 4218.84] praise Him the Lord of love +[4218.84 --> 4223.80] let living water satisfy +[4223.80 --> 4228.38] the thirsty without price +[4228.38 --> 4233.46] we'll take a cup of kindness yet +[4233.46 --> 4237.88] all glory be to Christ +[4237.88 --> 4242.88] all glory be to Christ our King +[4242.88 --> 4247.60] all glory be to Christ +[4247.60 --> 4252.44] His rule and reign will ever sing +[4252.44 --> 4257.64] all glory be to Christ +[4257.64 --> 4262.92] when on the day the great +[4262.92 --> 4268.40] I am the faithful and the true +[4268.40 --> 4272.86] the Lamb who was for sinners +[4272.86 --> 4277.48] slain is making all things new +[4277.48 --> 4282.44] behold our God shall live with us +[4282.44 --> 4287.04] and be our steadfast light +[4287.04 --> 4292.00] and we shall bear His people be +[4292.00 --> 4296.40] all glory be to Christ +[4296.40 --> 4301.44] all glory be to Christ our King +[4301.44 --> 4306.44] all glory be to Christ +[4306.44 --> 4310.44] His rule and reign will ever sing +[4310.44 --> 4314.44] all glory be to Christ +[4314.44 --> 4319.44] all glory be to Christ our King +[4319.44 --> 4320.44] all glory be to Christ +[4320.44 --> 4322.44] all glory be to Christ +[4322.44 --> 4329.44] His rule and reign will ever sing +[4329.44 --> 4333.44] all glory be to Christ +[4333.44 --> 4337.44] all glory be to Christ +[4337.44 --> 4341.44] all glory be to Christ +[4341.44 --> 4347.44] all glory be to Christ +[4347.44 --> 4349.44] all glory be to Christ +[4349.44 --> 4379.42] all glory be to Christ +[4379.44 --> 4409.42] Thank you. +[4409.44 --> 4439.42] Thank you. +[4439.44 --> 4469.42] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3a0ff2f9049ba7298f86e86e3c97f36d94a0b738 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,115 @@ +• Upcoming church events: New Year's Day skating and gathering, January 1st +• Invitation to provide shuttle service from Trinity Western University to the church +• Announcements for Sunridge Gardens worship leading event on the first Saturday of the month +• Pastor Chris welcomes guests and shares announcements before the service +• Inviting congregation to join a group and pass the peace of Christ +• Reading from Isaiah 63:7-9 about God's kindness and redemption of Israel +• Singing hymns and worship songs, including "Come and Worship" and "Alpha and Omega" +• Praising God for His glory, worthiness, and salvation through Jesus Christ +• Silent prayer of gratitude and praise to the Lord +• Repetition of "Amen" and "Hallelujah" +• Declaration that God is holy +• Invitation to shout and scream from the mountains that God is God +• Description of Christ as the thief of heaven's praises, robed in frail humanity +• Discussion of Christ's role as savior and redeemer, coming to ransom sinners +• Mention of Christ being the perfect Son of man, with no stain of sin +• Explanation of Christ fulfilling the law and bringing glory to God +• The speaker references a Christian hymn, "Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery" +• Discussion of Christ's resurrection and its significance for believers +• Explanation of offerings being taken for the church budget +• Introduction to North American Indigenous Ministries (NAME) and their work with First Nations people +• Blessing of an offering to support NAME's ministry in the Shushwap community +• Prayer and praise to God, expressing gratitude for life, abilities, and opportunities to serve Him +• Discussion of Christmas and family gatherings +• Questions about spending time with cousins, grandparents, and experiencing snow during the holidays +• Transition back to regular life after Christmas break +• Upcoming discussion in children's worship time about Jesus' birth and life after birth +• Blessing and prayer by church leaders +• Announcements: + • Note of gratitude from council for congregation's support + • Update on Linda Rook's bone cancer treatment and request for prayers +• Congregational prayer led by Clary, including thanksgiving and praise for God's love and gift of Jesus Christ +• Request for focus on one's own community and family +• Prayer for Wes and Lena Chepkema as they adjust to a new reality +• Prayer for Neil and Linda Rook regarding Linda's bone cancer diagnosis +• Prayer for John and Greta Kuypers awaiting surgery for John +• Prayer for Lane Benny who has stomach cancer +• Support for Leo and Debbie in supporting Lane through his treatments +• Reflection on the challenges of the Christmas season for some families +• Prayer for healing of relationships and conversations in difficult families +• General prayer for unspoken needs and concerns +• Invitation to turn to Luke 2:1 +• The speaker reflects on Christmas as a time of sadness and reminder of loss for some people. +• The speaker addresses the "now what" question after the holiday season, asking if anything has really changed. +• A biblical passage from Luke 2:20 is referenced as an answer to this question. +• The passage shows that after experiencing God's presence, the shepherds returned to their ordinary lives, but with a deeper appreciation and sense of purpose. +• The speaker suggests that the true significance of Christmas lies not in grand gestures or spectacular events, but in returning to our everyday lives with a renewed sense of purpose. +• The speaker wants to explore the phrase "the shepherds returned" in relation to faith, worship, and ordinary life after God's presence. +• Christmas doesn't end with everything being stable; instead, it means going back to ordinary lives. +• Luke tells us that the shepherds went back to their regular work and responsibilities without any change in circumstances. +• This suggests that Christmas doesn't provide a permanent spiritual high or relief from hardship, but rather reinterprets reality. +• The speaker argues that this is not a failure of the story, but rather its point: that the gospel works in everyday life, not just in moments of wonder and holiness. +• The truth of Christmas doesn't depend on external factors, such as music or feelings, but rather on the presence of God. +• Christmas is not a pause from reality, but rather God breaking into the world and transforming one's reality. +• The gospel promises God's presence in the midst of ordinary life, not escape from it. +• Christmas can feel like an interruption that must be left behind, but in reality, it marks a deeper work and a new perspective on life. +• Praise and glorification are not about external circumstances improving +• The shepherds' praise is because they've met their Messiah and Savior, not because their lives have gotten easier +• Christmas praise is distinct from mere optimism, which depends on circumstances changing +• Praise rests on God revealing himself to be trustworthy +• Worship isn't disconnected from reality, but settles into it and carries hardships and emotions +• In all life situations, including grief, wonder, questioning, and work, worship should be a constant response. +• The connection between worship and ordinary life +• Worship being based on the reliability of God, rather than novelty or emotion +• The immutability and faithfulness of God as a foundation for worship +• The shepherds' praise and worship being grounded in their experience of God's faithfulness and promises +• The concept of a created order and the child present within it +• Praise can follow individuals back to the fields if they remain faithful +• God's faithfulness is the defining reality that shapes our understanding +• Christmas is a divine act that confirms a permanent truth about the world +• God keeps his word, enters history, saves his people, and redefines everything else in relation to this truth +• The world remains unchanged, but God's character and faithfulness are now known. +• Worship isn't fragile because it's grounded in who God is and what He has done. +• Praise moves us from needing a right mood to having the right metaphysics or understanding of reality. +• Ordinary life remains with hope, as seen in the example of the shepherds after encountering their Messiah. +• The transformed perspective on ordinary life is now anchored in God's character and faithfulness. +• The speaker discusses how what may seem ordinary and stable can suddenly become extraordinary. +• A morning routine is used as an example of how something familiar can take on new meaning and purpose due to unexpected events or news. +• Examples include receiving a clean test result, having a grandchild come home for Christmas, or wanting to talk about their newfound faith in Jesus. +• The speaker suggests that even everyday activities like drinking coffee or reading scripture can become imbued with a sense of awe and gratitude. +• The presence of God in Christ has redefined their experience of the ordinary. +• Ordinary things are now seen through the lens of God's faithfulness and transformed in significance. +• God comes near to us because we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father full of grace and truth. +• God meets the ordinary and sanctifies it by his presence. +• Jesus doesn't merely share our life but takes our place, dying the death that we deserved. +• Our ordinary is turned extraordinary because of what God has done. +• The idea that God's presence can be found in the ordinary things of life, not just in special occasions like Christmas. +• The importance of worshiping God through the finished work of Christ, rather than sentimental feelings or nostalgia. +• Reflecting on how returning to daily life after a holiday can be a time for spiritual growth and renewal. +• Identifying areas where one may feel weary or resistant, but also recognizing any persistent hope. +• Being mindful that only Christ can bring true fulfillment and faithfulness in life. +• The speaker emphasizes that God is inviting people to a new attentiveness rather than adding new burdens. +• Four ways to return oneself to God are discussed: prayerfully, attentively, in community, and with a renewed purpose. +• Returning prayerfully involves praying through work, routines, and responsibilities, as well as naming fears and hopes. +• Returning attentively involves noticing God's presence in daily life and how this reshapes one's approach. +• Returning in community means connecting with others in the body of Christ, even if energy is low or enthusiasm is fleeting. +• Returning with a renewed purpose involves remembering that God has kept his promises in Christ and how this changes one's approach to tasks and relationships. +• The speaker discusses carrying a renewed perspective into daily life after Christmas +• Trusting that Jesus' incarnation has changed everything, including routines and ordinary spaces +• God's presence has imbued new meaning in all areas of life +• Returning to the ordinary but doing so with an extraordinary understanding of God's reality and promise +• Praying for transformation of imagination and perspective on the world +• Expressions of gratitude and appreciation +• Seeking strength, light, and truth in difficult times +• Prayer for reliance on God's presence and guidance +• Surrendering life, will, and heart to God's control +• Invitation to connect with others for prayer and support +• Reminders of God's blessings and protection +• Prayers for God's rule and reign in hearts, hope, and power +• Laying down lives for heaven's souls +• Being the church and kingdom of God on earth +• Praying for revival and spiritual awakening +• Overcoming darkness with God's power +• Building God's kingdom on earth, in streets and lands +• Sending out a call to action to "build your kingdom" and "send your church on fire" +• Recognizing God's plan and purpose for humanity \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..dd9fba0d7621116c208fb23fcde85dc57a97602f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 28, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2238 @@ +[0.00 --> 19.10] How great the chasm that lay between us +[19.10 --> 24.94] How high the mountain I could not climb +[24.94 --> 31.96] In desperation I turned to heaven +[31.96 --> 38.22] And spoke your name into the night +[38.22 --> 45.58] Then through the darkness your loving kindness +[45.58 --> 51.36] Tore through the shadows of my soul +[51.36 --> 58.48] The work is finished The end is written +[58.48 --> 64.92] Jesus Christ my living hope +[64.92 --> 75.18] Who could imagine So great a mercy +[75.18 --> 82.30] What heart could fathom Such boundless grace +[82.30 --> 88.30] The God of ages Stepped down from glory +[88.30 --> 95.42] To wear my sin And bear my shame +[95.42 --> 102.54] The cross has spoken I am forgiven +[102.54 --> 109.66] The King of kings Called me his own +[109.66 --> 116.78] Beautiful Savior I'm yours forever +[116.78 --> 122.78] Jesus Christ my living hope +[122.78 --> 125.90] Hallelujah +[125.90 --> 129.90] Praise the one who set me free +[129.90 --> 133.02] Hallelujah +[133.02 --> 136.34] Death has lost its grip on me +[136.34 --> 139.74] You have broken every chain +[139.74 --> 143.02] This self is shed in your name +[143.02 --> 150.14] Jesus Christ my living hope +[150.14 --> 152.14] Jesus Christ my living hope +[152.14 --> 154.14] Hallelujah +[154.14 --> 161.26] Then came the morning That sealed the price +[161.26 --> 163.26] And the Lord of kings +[163.26 --> 164.18] And the Lord of kings +[164.18 --> 165.26] I am the one who set me free +[165.26 --> 166.26] Hallelujah +[166.26 --> 169.26] Death has lost its grip on me +[169.26 --> 171.26] You have broken every chain +[171.26 --> 173.26] This self is shed in your name +[173.26 --> 177.26] Jesus Christ my living hope +[177.26 --> 178.38] Jesus Christ my living hope +[178.38 --> 184.38] Then came the morning That sealed the promise +[184.38 --> 190.38] Your buried body Began to breathe +[190.38 --> 196.38] Out of the silence The roaring lion +[196.38 --> 202.38] Declared the grave Has no claim on me +[202.38 --> 203.50] Has no claim on me +[203.50 --> 205.50] Has no claim on me +[205.50 --> 209.50] Then came the morning That sealed the promise +[209.50 --> 211.50] Your buried body Began to breathe +[211.50 --> 215.50] Out of the silence The roaring lion +[215.50 --> 219.50] Declared the grave Has no claim on me +[219.50 --> 221.50] Out of the silence The roaring lion +[221.50 --> 225.50] Declared the grave Has no claim on me +[225.50 --> 227.50] Has no claim on me +[227.50 --> 229.50] Has no claim on me +[229.50 --> 232.62] Jesus yours is the victory +[232.62 --> 236.62] Jesus yours is the victory +[236.62 --> 242.62] Oh, hallelujah +[242.62 --> 244.62] Hallelujah +[244.62 --> 248.62] Praise the one who set me free +[248.62 --> 250.62] Hallelujah +[250.62 --> 254.62] Death has lost its grip on me +[254.62 --> 258.62] You have broken every chain +[258.62 --> 262.86] This now we say in your name +[262.86 --> 267.74] Jesus Christ my living hope +[267.74 --> 271.74] Hallelujah +[278.70 --> 279.42] Good morning +[281.18 --> 282.86] Welcome to church +[282.86 --> 286.30] A special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning +[286.30 --> 293.82] My name is Chris one of the pastors here and it's my privilege to lead us in our shared worship together this morning +[294.14 --> 298.46] Before we begin I just have a few announcements two of them actually +[299.58 --> 303.42] First on January 1st New Year's Day +[304.06 --> 310.22] We have the opportunity to gather as a church family and do some skating together +[310.22 --> 315.42] And so January 1st at 1230 at Canland Arena +[316.06 --> 320.38] Sometimes called Twin Rinks Arena just a little ways over there +[321.10 --> 323.10] We have the ice sheet for an hour +[323.74 --> 329.74] We can skate following that we've got the upstairs room where there'll be some hot chocolates and refreshments and the like +[329.74 --> 338.30] I was talking earlier with someone and I said I was going to encourage people to bring any leftover baking that you might have +[338.94 --> 340.94] And then someone looked at me and said leftover +[342.30 --> 343.90] So if you have any extra baking +[344.62 --> 348.14] Please go ahead and bring that with you on January 1st +[348.14 --> 350.14] As we gather for skating +[350.86 --> 353.50] The second announcement is more of +[354.62 --> 357.18] An invitation to consider +[358.54 --> 364.54] This past week the president of the Trinity Western University Student Association +[365.10 --> 368.14] emailed me and said we want to +[368.78 --> 370.78] Start running a shuttle from +[371.42 --> 372.86] Trinity to your church +[373.58 --> 375.26] every week +[375.26 --> 380.38] But you need to provide the shuttle and you need to staff it and you need to schedule it +[383.50 --> 387.34] To which I said that sounds like a great problem for you guys +[388.22 --> 393.82] To figure out how to solve and so he has invited us to consider this opportunity +[394.46 --> 398.62] We're going to try to run it for an as an experiment for a month or so +[399.26 --> 401.98] Lord willing beginning on January 25 +[401.98 --> 407.10] And so the end of january we would love to see this and so i'm putting this to you +[407.98 --> 409.02] wondering +[409.02 --> 414.94] How might the lord move us to solve this problem or to meet this request and so +[415.50 --> 416.70] If you have some ideas +[417.90 --> 421.66] We would probably need to start with at least a 15 person vehicle +[424.06 --> 427.82] And so if you have some ideas on how to solve that or address that please talk to me +[427.82 --> 433.02] Uh, either today or any time in the next week or so we'd love to get that moving +[434.54 --> 435.82] That's all I have for announcements +[437.82 --> 439.26] Sunridge gardens +[439.26 --> 440.94] Thanks ken it's good thing you're here +[441.42 --> 443.42] It's good thing you got your reminder on your phone +[443.90 --> 448.62] sunridge gardens next saturday because it's the first saturday of the month +[448.62 --> 454.38] Uh at 2 p.m. We have a group that leads worship at sunridge seniors living facility up the hill +[455.10 --> 457.50] You're invited to join that group as well +[458.38 --> 460.38] Anything else? +[461.74 --> 466.30] Perfect let's stand together we can be welcomed by god in his presence +[466.30 --> 475.50] After I speak god's greeting to us this morning +[475.50 --> 479.34] I invite you to turn to those around you and to extend that greeting +[480.06 --> 481.50] By welcoming those +[481.50 --> 487.90] Beside you and behind you in front of you in worship by passing the peace of christ or by saying the lord be with you +[488.46 --> 492.14] Welcoming them together receive the greeting of our good god +[492.14 --> 494.14] grace +[495.34 --> 504.30] Mercy and peace to you from god our father from the lord jesus christ son and our savior through the presence and power of the holy spirit +[505.18 --> 507.18] amen +[522.14 --> 542.62] Good morning church and welcome to worship +[543.42 --> 547.66] Our call to worship today is from isaiah 63 verses 7 to 9 +[547.66 --> 555.10] I will tell of the kindness of the lord the deeds for which he is to be praised according to all the lord has done for us +[555.74 --> 561.34] Yes, many good things he has done for israel according to his compassion and many kindnesses +[562.06 --> 567.98] He said surely they are my people children who will be true to me and so he became their savior +[568.62 --> 573.66] In all their distress. He too was distressed and the angel of his presence saved them +[574.30 --> 580.46] In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old +[580.46 --> 582.78] and led them all the days of the lord +[583.66 --> 584.94] courteous +[585.66 --> 586.86] so +[588.22 --> 589.02] and +[589.02 --> 591.02] Amen. +[619.02 --> 621.02] Amen. +[649.02 --> 660.02] God with us is now residing, yon earth shines the infant light. +[661.28 --> 672.02] Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. +[672.02 --> 684.02] Sages, leave your contemplation, by their vision's beam afar. +[684.02 --> 695.02] Seek the great desire of nations, we have seen His natal star. +[695.02 --> 707.02] Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. +[707.96 --> 718.30] Seekers run with low repentance, doomed for guilt to endless pains. +[718.30 --> 729.16] Justice now revokes the sentence, mercy calls you, break your chains. +[729.64 --> 740.30] Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. +[740.30 --> 742.30] Seek the great desire of nations. +[742.30 --> 743.30] Seek the great desire of nations. +[743.30 --> 754.68] The way infant, now we view Him, He shall fill His Father's throne. +[754.68 --> 764.68] Gather all the nations to Him, every meal shrub and bow down. +[764.68 --> 776.68] Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. +[776.68 --> 788.68] O creation, join in praising, God the Father, Spirit, Son. +[788.68 --> 799.68] Evermore your voices raising, to the eternal free in one. +[799.68 --> 811.68] Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. +[811.74 --> 812.68] Rean Good day, brother. +[813.06 --> 813.68] Chapel, hope with stone. +[814.12 --> 814.68] As a justice-century season. +[814.68 --> 815.70] Hosts in this beautiful night. +[815.70 --> 816.68] Go and worship, I will sing. +[816.68 --> 817.72] 4,100,1,4,5. +[817.72 --> 818.44] But Jesus has more, he will sing. +[818.44 --> 822.54] Martha, fellowship is present. +[822.54 --> 832.00] eta, fellowship will heal before we become younger. +[832.00 --> 833.84] Christ tek jurisdiction. +[833.84 --> 836.46] Repet care to nanaka. +[836.78 --> 838.62] ummer. +[838.76 --> 840.04] The range of Mont Gemini +[840.04 --> 853.16] You are Alpha and Omega. +[853.16 --> 860.66] We worship you, our Lord. +[861.04 --> 867.50] You are worthy to be praised. +[870.04 --> 878.70] You are Alpha and Omega. +[878.70 --> 885.70] We worship you, our Lord. +[886.62 --> 893.08] You are worthy to be praised. +[893.08 --> 903.74] We give you all the glory. +[903.74 --> 910.40] We worship you, our Lord. +[910.40 --> 916.40] You are worthy to be praised. +[916.40 --> 928.06] We give you all the glory. +[928.06 --> 934.72] We worship you, our Lord. +[934.72 --> 942.72] You are worthy to be praised. +[942.72 --> 952.38] You are Alpha and Omega. +[952.38 --> 959.04] We worship you, our Lord. +[959.04 --> 967.04] You are worthy to be praised. +[967.04 --> 976.70] You are Alpha and Omega. +[976.70 --> 983.36] We worship you, our Lord. +[983.36 --> 988.36] You are worthy to be praised. +[988.36 --> 997.02] We worship you, our Lord. +[997.02 --> 1003.02] You are worthy to be praised. +[1003.02 --> 1007.02] We worship you, our Lord. +[1007.02 --> 1015.68] You are worthy to be praised. +[1015.68 --> 1026.34] We give you all the glory. +[1026.34 --> 1031.00] We worship you, our Lord. +[1031.00 --> 1035.00] You are worthy to be praised. +[1035.00 --> 1039.66] We worship you, our Lord. +[1039.66 --> 1043.66] We worship you, our Lord. +[1043.66 --> 1049.66] You are worthy to be praised. +[1049.66 --> 1055.66] We worship you, our Lord. +[1055.66 --> 1064.32] You are worthy to be praised. +[1064.32 --> 1074.32] You are Alpha and Omega. +[1074.32 --> 1080.32] We worship you, our Lord. +[1080.32 --> 1093.32] You are worthy to be praised. +[1093.32 --> 1095.72] Please join us in a silent prayer of gratitude and praise. +[1110.32 --> 1140.30] We worship you, our Lord. +[1140.30 --> 1142.30] Lord, thank you for who you are. +[1142.30 --> 1144.30] Please hear our prayers, our confession. +[1144.30 --> 1145.30] Amen. +[1145.30 --> 1147.30] Amen. +[1147.30 --> 1149.30] Amen. +[1149.30 --> 1150.30] Amen. +[1150.30 --> 1151.30] Amen. +[1151.30 --> 1153.30] Amen. +[1153.30 --> 1155.30] Amen. +[1155.30 --> 1157.30] Amen. +[1157.30 --> 1159.30] Amen. +[1159.30 --> 1160.30] Amen. +[1160.30 --> 1161.30] Amen. +[1161.30 --> 1162.30] Amen. +[1162.30 --> 1163.30] Amen. +[1163.30 --> 1165.30] Amen. +[1165.30 --> 1166.30] Amen. +[1166.30 --> 1167.30] Amen. +[1167.30 --> 1168.30] Amen. +[1168.30 --> 1169.30] Amen. +[1169.30 --> 1170.30] Amen. +[1170.30 --> 1172.30] Amen. +[1172.30 --> 1175.30] Amen. +[1175.30 --> 1176.30] Amen. +[1176.30 --> 1177.30] Amen. +[1177.30 --> 1178.30] Amen. +[1179.30 --> 1180.30] Amen. +[1180.30 --> 1181.30] Amen. +[1181.30 --> 1182.30] Amen. +[1182.30 --> 1183.30] Amen. +[1183.30 --> 1184.30] Amen. +[1184.30 --> 1185.30] Amen. +[1185.30 --> 1189.30] Amen. +[1189.30 --> 1195.30] Amen. +[1195.30 --> 1197.30] Amen. +[1197.30 --> 1198.30] Amen. +[1198.30 --> 1199.30] Amen. +[1199.30 --> 1200.28] Amen. +[1200.28 --> 1203.84] And know that you are holy. +[1206.24 --> 1209.96] And know that you are holy. +[1212.86 --> 1218.52] And oh, we'll sing out hallelujah. +[1218.52 --> 1226.24] And we will cry out hallelujah. +[1230.28 --> 1242.92] All the hearts who are content. +[1244.92 --> 1248.84] And all who feel unworthy. +[1250.98 --> 1255.84] And all who work with nothing will end. +[1255.84 --> 1260.84] And know that you are holy. +[1263.08 --> 1268.84] And oh, we'll sing out hallelujah. +[1268.84 --> 1275.84] And we will cry out hallelujah. +[1275.84 --> 1280.84] And we will sing out hallelujah. +[1282.84 --> 1288.84] And we will cry out hallelujah. +[1288.84 --> 1289.84] Hallelujah. +[1289.84 --> 1305.84] Shout it. +[1305.84 --> 1311.84] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1311.84 --> 1317.84] Go on and tell it to the masses. +[1318.84 --> 1324.84] That he is God. +[1324.84 --> 1325.84] That he is God. +[1325.84 --> 1326.84] That he is God. +[1326.84 --> 1327.84] That he is God. +[1327.84 --> 1329.84] That he is God. +[1329.84 --> 1331.84] Shout it. +[1331.84 --> 1333.84] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1333.84 --> 1335.84] Go on and tell it to the masses. +[1335.84 --> 1337.84] That he is God. +[1337.84 --> 1339.84] Go on and tell it to the masses. +[1339.84 --> 1341.84] That he is God. +[1341.84 --> 1342.84] To the masses. +[1342.84 --> 1343.84] That he is God. +[1343.84 --> 1344.84] That he is God. +[1344.84 --> 1348.84] That he is God. +[1348.84 --> 1353.84] Shout it. +[1353.84 --> 1354.84] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1354.84 --> 1356.84] Go on and tell it to the masses. +[1356.84 --> 1357.84] That he is God. +[1357.84 --> 1359.84] That he is God. +[1359.84 --> 1361.84] Shout it. +[1361.84 --> 1363.84] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1363.84 --> 1368.84] Go on and tell it to the masses. +[1368.84 --> 1370.84] That he is God. +[1371.84 --> 1376.84] That he is God. +[1376.84 --> 1381.84] Shout it. +[1381.84 --> 1386.84] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1386.84 --> 1401.84] Go on and tell it to the master that he is God. +[1401.84 --> 1431.82] We will sing a hallelujah, we will cry a hallelujah. +[1431.82 --> 1438.16] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1439.42 --> 1451.04] Go on and tell it to the master that he is God. +[1451.04 --> 1458.18] Shout it. +[1458.64 --> 1463.38] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1463.38 --> 1476.38] Go on and tell it to the master that he is God. +[1476.38 --> 1483.98] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1483.98 --> 1491.58] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1491.58 --> 1499.18] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1499.18 --> 1518.72] Go on and scream it from the mountains. +[1518.72 --> 1536.72] Let me hold our one-to-sister in the heavenly heavenly. +[1536.72 --> 1546.72] He the thief of heaven's praises, robed in frail humanity. +[1546.72 --> 1556.72] In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come. +[1556.72 --> 1566.72] Up to Christ, to come to Savior, to confess to ransom us. +[1566.72 --> 1584.72] Come behold the wondrous mystery, He the perfect Son of man. +[1584.72 --> 1594.72] In His living, in His suffering, never trace nor stain of sin. +[1594.72 --> 1604.72] See the true and better Adam, come to save the hell-bound man. +[1604.72 --> 1614.72] In Christ, the great and sure fulfillment of the law in Him we stand. +[1614.72 --> 1630.72] Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree. +[1630.72 --> 1640.72] In the stead of ruined sinners, hangs a lamb in victory. +[1640.72 --> 1650.72] See the price of our redemption, see the Father's plan unfold. +[1650.72 --> 1660.72] Bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasures, love untold. +[1660.72 --> 1676.72] Come behold the wondrous mystery, Slave by death, the God of life. +[1676.72 --> 1678.72] Christ the Lord upon the tree. +[1678.72 --> 1681.72] But no grave could e'er restrain Him. +[1681.72 --> 1686.72] Praise the Lord, He is alive. +[1686.72 --> 1691.72] What a foretaste of deliverance. +[1691.72 --> 1696.72] How unwavering our hope. +[1696.72 --> 1700.72] Christ in power resurrected. +[1700.72 --> 1702.72] As we will be when He comes. +[1702.72 --> 1704.72] As we will be when He comes. +[1704.72 --> 1707.72] What a foretaste of deliverance. +[1707.72 --> 1709.72] How unwavering our hope. +[1709.72 --> 1710.72] Christ in power resurrected. +[1710.72 --> 1715.72] As we will be when He comes. +[1715.72 --> 1720.72] Christ in power resurrected. +[1720.72 --> 1725.72] As we will be when He comes. +[1725.72 --> 1726.72] Christ in power resurrected. +[1726.72 --> 1727.72] We will be when He comes. +[1727.72 --> 1728.72] Christ in power resurrected. +[1728.72 --> 1729.72] We will be when He comes. +[1729.72 --> 1730.72] We will be when He comes. +[1730.72 --> 1731.72] You know how unwavering our hopegeldium +[1731.72 --> 1732.72] whose testament to us. +[1732.72 --> 1733.72] As we will be when He up and our life Countries. +[1733.72 --> 1736.72] YourDidius here is a miraclesabe kind. +[1736.72 --> 1739.72] The biblical chaos and destiny are built. +[1739.72 --> 1756.80] Good morning. +[1756.80 --> 1760.78] My name is Brenda and I'm one of the deacons here at Emanuel. +[1760.78 --> 1764.96] This is the last Sunday of 2025. +[1764.96 --> 1768.50] How did we get here? +[1768.50 --> 1775.18] Our offerings this morning are for the budget. +[1775.18 --> 1781.82] This is the last opportunity, or up until the 31st, I guess, to give to the budget of our +[1781.82 --> 1783.94] church here. +[1783.94 --> 1786.70] And there's various ways that you can give as well. +[1786.70 --> 1791.70] Please make sure that anything that goes into the bags today is designated. +[1791.70 --> 1795.98] If you want it to go for budget, you label it as such. +[1795.98 --> 1798.94] And I know it says Benevolence up there. +[1798.94 --> 1800.66] Our special offering today is not for Benevolence. +[1800.66 --> 1806.72] It actually is for NAME, North American Indigenous Ministries. +[1806.72 --> 1812.58] NAME is committed to the growth and maturity of the First Nations Church, resulting in vibrant +[1812.58 --> 1815.54] ministry to its community and beyond. +[1815.54 --> 1821.72] A desire to see strong, healthy First Nations Native American believers connected to strong, +[1821.72 --> 1824.22] healthy local churches. +[1824.22 --> 1828.22] In some areas, the local church will have a distinct First Nations identity. +[1828.22 --> 1832.22] In other locations, the identity may be more multicultural. +[1832.22 --> 1837.22] Equipping and supporting First Nations people to engage in ministry near and far is very important +[1837.22 --> 1839.40] to NAME. +[1839.40 --> 1847.30] Through NAME, Tim and Charity Johnson and their family, Katie, Jessie, Mayan, Bo, work with the +[1847.30 --> 1852.66] Shushwap First Nations to develop relationships with youth and young families there. +[1852.66 --> 1856.22] Our church has supported them for many years. +[1856.22 --> 1861.70] And they are working towards a grounded and strong identity and understanding of who the creator +[1861.70 --> 1865.62] is and the love that he has for all people. +[1865.62 --> 1871.02] And we would like to bless them with an offering today as well to help them in the ministry that +[1871.02 --> 1873.16] they do in the Shushwap. +[1873.16 --> 1875.16] Let's give as God has given to us. +[1891.70 --> 1906.02] For this is the day you've given your servant. +[1906.02 --> 1918.02] I will rejoice and be glad for the strength I have to live and breathe. +[1918.02 --> 1923.34] For each skill your grace has given me. +[1923.34 --> 1934.34] For the needs and opportunities that will glorify your great name. +[1934.34 --> 1944.66] For each skill your grace has given me. +[1944.66 --> 1955.66] Before you I kneel and ask for your goodness To cover the work of my hands +[1955.66 --> 1964.32] For patience and peace to shape all my labor Your grace for me +[1964.32 --> 1972.64] For your thoughts and my path Flow with me like a living stream +[1972.64 --> 1983.64] Wear away the stones of pride and green Till your dweys are dwelling deep in me +[1983.64 --> 1988.64] And a harvest of life is grown +[1988.64 --> 2013.62] Before you we kneel our Master and Maker Establish the work of our hands And order our steps to be +[2013.62 --> 2020.62] To seek first your kingdom In every small and great task May we live the gospel of your grace Serve your purpose in our fleeting days Then our lives will bring eternal praise And glory to your great name +[2020.62 --> 2039.54] Have Your great name And all glory to your great name +[2039.54 --> 2044.36] And all glory to your great name. +[2045.14 --> 2050.66] And all glory to your great name. +[2050.66 --> 2080.64] And all glory to your great name. +[2081.40 --> 2083.36] I haven't seen you guys in a while. +[2083.48 --> 2085.80] So can I still say Merry Christmas to you guys? +[2085.84 --> 2086.70] Is that still possible? +[2087.20 --> 2088.76] Even though it's a couple days late? +[2089.54 --> 2091.74] Can you guys say it back to me and everybody else here? +[2091.80 --> 2092.44] Nice and loud? +[2094.94 --> 2095.46] Right on. +[2095.52 --> 2097.92] Well today I wore my special sweater for you guys. +[2098.00 --> 2098.40] You see this? +[2098.44 --> 2099.72] I wear it every Christmas. +[2100.00 --> 2100.66] Is it kind of cool? +[2102.64 --> 2103.92] You not sure it's a nice sweater? +[2105.66 --> 2107.60] Well your dad says I don't have a nice sweater. +[2107.68 --> 2109.38] Well I'm going to have to talk to your dad after this. +[2109.38 --> 2111.44] The one thing about this sweater though. +[2111.50 --> 2112.76] Every year I put it on. +[2113.02 --> 2114.42] It gets tighter and tighter. +[2114.54 --> 2117.18] It's probably getting shrinking in the wash right? +[2117.32 --> 2118.30] Is that probably what's happening? +[2118.82 --> 2119.12] Okay. +[2119.12 --> 2121.26] I'm getting bigger. +[2121.38 --> 2121.82] Thanks buddy. +[2123.60 --> 2126.78] I got a couple questions about Christmas I'd like to ask you guys though. +[2127.32 --> 2129.28] We're going to talk a lot more in the back about it. +[2129.32 --> 2130.30] But I got some questions. +[2130.40 --> 2134.72] How many of you guys got to spend some time over Christmas with some cousins you haven't +[2134.72 --> 2135.52] seen in a while? +[2135.52 --> 2136.70] Oh right on. +[2136.88 --> 2137.14] Good. +[2137.74 --> 2139.22] How about grandparents? +[2139.52 --> 2141.08] Did everybody get to see some grandparents? +[2142.02 --> 2142.42] Yeah? +[2143.00 --> 2143.62] That's good. +[2144.30 --> 2147.62] How about did anybody do anything fun and exciting? +[2147.78 --> 2150.02] Like did anybody go up to where there's like snow? +[2150.16 --> 2152.28] Did anybody get a chance to go anywhere near snow? +[2153.08 --> 2153.82] A little bit. +[2154.64 --> 2155.18] Right on. +[2155.36 --> 2159.06] How about is everybody happy about not being in school right now? +[2159.46 --> 2159.76] Yeah. +[2160.50 --> 2162.10] Is that one of the best parts about it? +[2162.10 --> 2168.10] Well now that Christmas is over we got to kind of get back to the regular life. +[2168.38 --> 2170.46] Parents maybe are going back to work tomorrow maybe. +[2171.66 --> 2174.32] And we got to maybe we're going to start thinking we'll get back to school. +[2174.44 --> 2177.86] So that's what we're going to talk about in children's worship time is the time after +[2177.86 --> 2179.54] the shepherds saw baby Jesus. +[2179.66 --> 2183.94] We're going to talk a bit about that and what we do after Jesus is born. +[2184.38 --> 2184.90] Sound good? +[2185.82 --> 2188.34] Let's get everybody to stand up and we're going to do the blessing. +[2192.10 --> 2195.00] Let the Lord be with you. +[2195.18 --> 2196.80] And also with you. +[2222.10 --> 2223.80] Let the Lord be with you. +[2223.80 --> 2224.10] Let the Lord be with you. +[2224.10 --> 2225.10] Let the Lord be with you. +[2225.10 --> 2226.10] Let the Lord be with you. +[2226.10 --> 2228.02] My name is Clary. +[2228.22 --> 2237.04] I'm an elder here and it is my privilege to lead us in our family congregational prayer +[2237.04 --> 2237.54] this morning. +[2238.38 --> 2245.16] Before doing that just two announcements from council. +[2245.16 --> 2256.68] Just a note of gratitude to the congregation for all the support prayer and finances for +[2256.68 --> 2259.72] the work and the ministry of this church over the last year. +[2259.72 --> 2276.92] As of this week we're around 7% behind in our budget and we ask you prayerfully consider that +[2276.92 --> 2277.18] number. +[2278.24 --> 2281.70] And also Linda Rook with her husband Neil. +[2282.00 --> 2284.56] Want to thank everyone for your prayers and support. +[2284.56 --> 2293.84] Linda has a CT scan this morning to find out the scope of her bone cancer and we pray obviously +[2293.84 --> 2298.86] for good results and for a good plan going forward. +[2299.86 --> 2305.36] And we will pray that the Lord bring healing, strength and patience. +[2308.02 --> 2310.50] So please join me as we pray. +[2310.50 --> 2310.56] Amen. +[2314.56 --> 2325.50] Our gracious Father in heaven and here among us we want to say thank you to you for this +[2325.50 --> 2326.26] new day. +[2326.58 --> 2336.56] This first day of the week where yet again as you yourself have done and continue to do +[2336.56 --> 2349.34] we are able to rest and put away our concerns and our work and begin a new week stepping out +[2349.34 --> 2356.44] in faith and not scurrying and hurrying and stockpiling for the future. +[2356.44 --> 2357.44] And we are going to pray with you for this world. +[2357.44 --> 2357.74] And we are going to show you for this moment. +[2357.74 --> 2358.44] We are going to ask you for this moment. +[2358.44 --> 2359.44] Thank you. +[2359.44 --> 2360.44] I want to ask you for this moment. +[2360.44 --> 2361.44] And I'm to ask you for this moment. +[2361.44 --> 2370.24] You invite us to gather together to praise you and cast aside the urgency and often legitimate +[2370.24 --> 2373.06] urgency of the demands of life. +[2374.00 --> 2384.26] And in a sense we can reset our compass, reset our hearts and be reminded of your lavish love +[2384.26 --> 2386.62] and your great gift of yourself. +[2387.16 --> 2393.08] And particularly in this season of remembering your incarnation, +[2393.94 --> 2400.94] Father, we want to say thank you to you for living among us +[2400.94 --> 2413.98] and for becoming a visible friend and companion and savior +[2413.98 --> 2420.38] not an abstraction but real, flesh and blood. +[2421.54 --> 2426.98] This is a gift beyond our wildest dreams +[2426.98 --> 2433.76] and even for those of us who have loved you as long as we have memory, +[2434.36 --> 2435.82] this is a great mystery. +[2437.20 --> 2441.26] But just because we don't understand it doesn't mean it's any less important. +[2441.26 --> 2445.78] So thank you, Father, for making your dwelling among us. +[2446.58 --> 2456.64] And we ask that today and through this week we may have glimpses of just how amazing this is +[2456.64 --> 2464.44] and that our hearts may rejoice at your friendship and your love. +[2464.44 --> 2473.74] This morning, Lord, we have a number of praises and petitions and concerns +[2473.74 --> 2476.24] that we want to lift up to you. +[2476.64 --> 2481.88] Again, not because we're worried you forgot that is not the case +[2481.88 --> 2490.72] but so that we may collectively remember and beseech you and praise you +[2490.72 --> 2495.00] for we are creatures who so quickly forget. +[2495.96 --> 2502.70] So, Father, we ask that starting this morning already +[2502.70 --> 2506.38] that you can use this church family that you have knit together +[2506.38 --> 2510.98] to reflect your grace here in our communities. +[2512.40 --> 2517.50] In the advent of cell phones +[2517.50 --> 2521.66] and the planet being stitched together and connected, +[2522.38 --> 2529.34] it's easy to have a focus that is everywhere else +[2529.34 --> 2532.38] but at our own dinner tables and in our own communities. +[2532.38 --> 2537.82] So, help us remember, Lord, that you have placed us in this time +[2537.82 --> 2543.96] and in this place to be an agent of your grace and reconciliation +[2543.96 --> 2548.44] here among us and where we live. +[2550.38 --> 2555.50] We lift up the praises of Wes and Lena Chepkema +[2555.50 --> 2560.54] as they adjust to their new reality for the food, for the cards, +[2561.18 --> 2564.52] for the visits, and for the prayers they have received. +[2565.14 --> 2565.80] Thank you, Lord. +[2566.98 --> 2568.96] Continue to bless them. +[2571.88 --> 2575.08] We also ask, Lord, that you continue to fortify +[2575.08 --> 2577.02] Neil and Linda Rook +[2577.02 --> 2580.62] in the light of her recent diagnosis of bone cancer +[2580.62 --> 2583.94] and we give you praise that this morning +[2583.94 --> 2588.02] they are finding more answers. +[2589.22 --> 2592.18] Strengthen and encourage them +[2592.18 --> 2594.96] and may your grace abound. +[2596.56 --> 2598.02] In the same light, Lord, +[2598.22 --> 2602.36] we grant peace, patience, and perseverance +[2602.36 --> 2604.86] to John and Greta Kuypers +[2604.86 --> 2607.16] as they await surgery for John. +[2607.16 --> 2611.42] Please, Lord, enable John to begin healing +[2611.42 --> 2615.36] and to begin a journey of restoration. +[2617.12 --> 2619.16] We want to remember, Lord, too, +[2619.26 --> 2621.80] that Lane Benny has stomach cancer. +[2622.22 --> 2624.82] Please surround him with strength, +[2625.20 --> 2627.96] with comfort, and with healing. +[2628.82 --> 2630.88] And Father, to Leo and Debbie, +[2631.20 --> 2634.96] please provide a great grace of peace, +[2634.96 --> 2637.50] guidance, and courage +[2637.50 --> 2639.18] as they support Lane +[2639.18 --> 2640.52] through his treatments. +[2642.58 --> 2643.66] And finally, Lord, +[2643.82 --> 2648.06] we know that this Christmas season, +[2648.86 --> 2652.12] while it is a delight and a joy +[2652.12 --> 2653.66] and we behold you in wonder, +[2654.30 --> 2656.22] we also know that in a lot of families +[2656.22 --> 2658.68] it brings up, +[2659.84 --> 2661.20] it can be a hard season. +[2661.20 --> 2664.62] So, on the one hand, +[2664.74 --> 2668.60] thank you that we can celebrate this season +[2668.60 --> 2672.82] and for those families that have difficulty, +[2673.28 --> 2675.64] thank you for your grace +[2675.64 --> 2678.66] that has carried them through this year. +[2679.04 --> 2681.94] And we ask that where there are broken relationships, +[2682.52 --> 2685.20] that there may be seeds of healing +[2685.20 --> 2691.78] and conversations and words of love. +[2693.62 --> 2694.06] Finally, +[2695.06 --> 2697.72] we know that gathered here among us, +[2698.42 --> 2700.96] there are a lot of unspoken needs and concerns, +[2701.74 --> 2704.18] and we want to lift those up to you, Lord. +[2704.74 --> 2706.76] And particularly for those of us +[2706.76 --> 2709.00] who would be struggling with sin, +[2709.00 --> 2713.06] where we have a hard time turning to you +[2713.06 --> 2714.40] because we're scared +[2714.40 --> 2719.42] or downcast and discouraged, +[2720.28 --> 2722.74] do not let our hearts grow cold. +[2723.48 --> 2726.38] Continue to work in us +[2726.38 --> 2729.78] and enable us to have the confidence +[2729.78 --> 2732.10] in your promises +[2732.10 --> 2733.84] and in your forgiveness. +[2735.36 --> 2735.68] Amen. +[2739.00 --> 2768.16] If you have a Bible +[2768.16 --> 2769.58] or a device, +[2769.68 --> 2770.88] I want to invite you to turn +[2770.88 --> 2772.86] to Luke 2. +[2775.24 --> 2777.54] Our text this morning is just one verse, +[2777.70 --> 2779.64] but we'll get to that in a second. +[2782.00 --> 2783.20] This Sunday, +[2783.62 --> 2785.96] the Sunday after Christmas, +[2786.96 --> 2788.20] kind of finds us +[2788.20 --> 2791.20] in this in-between place. +[2792.12 --> 2794.62] This sort of moment in the middle, right? +[2795.12 --> 2797.38] Christmas isn't yet finished, +[2797.38 --> 2801.22] and I know some of you still have family plans +[2801.22 --> 2803.00] and things going on even today, +[2803.20 --> 2805.86] but the high point has passed. +[2806.90 --> 2808.48] The lights are still glowing, +[2808.80 --> 2810.78] maybe your decorations are still up, +[2810.86 --> 2811.90] but you've started thinking, +[2812.06 --> 2813.86] when is it time to take them down? +[2816.84 --> 2817.76] And yet, +[2818.34 --> 2821.74] I know that there are some of us as well +[2821.74 --> 2823.68] for whom right now, +[2823.68 --> 2827.16] the quiet feels heavier. +[2828.52 --> 2830.80] Some of us come after Christmas +[2830.80 --> 2832.90] feeling full and grateful, +[2833.52 --> 2835.66] and others come feeling tired +[2835.66 --> 2837.08] and overwhelmed, +[2838.08 --> 2840.78] maybe even a little disappointed +[2840.78 --> 2842.64] and let down. +[2843.10 --> 2845.56] Things didn't go the way we wanted them to. +[2845.56 --> 2848.20] And if that's you, +[2848.78 --> 2850.94] or if you have a sense +[2850.94 --> 2852.66] that that might become you, +[2853.10 --> 2856.42] I want to speak gently to you this morning. +[2857.52 --> 2858.00] Right? +[2858.10 --> 2859.78] For some of us in this moment, +[2859.96 --> 2862.76] Christmas is a reminder of sadness. +[2863.60 --> 2865.40] It's a reminder of who's missing. +[2866.38 --> 2869.22] And it's a feeling that really doesn't fade +[2869.22 --> 2871.10] just because people have started +[2871.10 --> 2872.50] making New Year's Eve plans, +[2872.50 --> 2874.22] and they're moving to the next party, +[2874.46 --> 2875.32] and there you are. +[2877.60 --> 2879.54] Christmas can stir up grief +[2879.54 --> 2880.64] and absence +[2880.64 --> 2882.96] and this deep sense of loneliness. +[2884.82 --> 2886.20] And beneath it all +[2886.20 --> 2887.40] is a question +[2887.40 --> 2889.66] that every one of us +[2889.66 --> 2891.88] kind of has to answer, +[2892.08 --> 2894.04] but rarely asks out loud. +[2894.30 --> 2896.36] We all kind of feel it in this moment. +[2897.32 --> 2898.00] Now what? +[2899.86 --> 2902.36] What has Christmas actually changed? +[2903.48 --> 2905.66] Is anything really different now? +[2907.14 --> 2907.36] Right? +[2907.40 --> 2909.38] Everyone's going back to the same routines, +[2909.60 --> 2910.62] the same responsibilities, +[2910.92 --> 2911.76] the same pressures. +[2912.28 --> 2915.12] Is that really all that happens after Christmas? +[2916.88 --> 2919.56] Or has something deeper +[2919.56 --> 2921.32] actually taken place? +[2922.16 --> 2923.82] Something that doesn't disappear +[2923.82 --> 2924.94] when the music fades +[2924.94 --> 2927.32] or when the decorations go down? +[2927.32 --> 2929.38] This morning, +[2929.68 --> 2931.56] I want to look for us +[2931.56 --> 2932.66] and with us +[2932.66 --> 2934.32] at a short verse, +[2934.42 --> 2935.54] actually a phrase +[2935.54 --> 2937.92] within that short verse. +[2939.14 --> 2939.98] Luke 2, +[2940.36 --> 2941.68] as many of you +[2941.68 --> 2942.76] no doubt are aware, +[2942.90 --> 2943.78] is the story +[2943.78 --> 2945.58] of the birth of Jesus. +[2945.58 --> 2948.26] Because of the census, +[2948.68 --> 2949.88] Joseph took his family +[2949.88 --> 2950.82] to Bethlehem. +[2951.24 --> 2951.86] While there, +[2952.06 --> 2953.16] the baby is born +[2953.16 --> 2954.52] and there are shepherds +[2954.52 --> 2956.00] out in a field nearby +[2956.00 --> 2957.56] and a host of angels +[2957.56 --> 2958.60] appear to them, +[2958.98 --> 2960.04] tell them about the birth +[2960.04 --> 2960.64] of the Savior, +[2960.84 --> 2961.64] about the Messiah. +[2961.96 --> 2962.82] They rush off +[2962.82 --> 2963.66] to find him +[2963.66 --> 2964.42] and his parents +[2964.42 --> 2965.62] just as they were told +[2965.62 --> 2967.20] laying in a manger. +[2967.44 --> 2968.44] And then they left +[2968.44 --> 2969.54] telling everyone +[2969.54 --> 2970.66] what they had heard +[2970.66 --> 2971.28] and seen. +[2971.28 --> 2971.96] And we read +[2971.96 --> 2973.04] that Mary treasured +[2973.04 --> 2973.96] up all these things +[2973.96 --> 2974.60] in her heart. +[2974.74 --> 2975.24] And then, +[2975.72 --> 2976.40] verse 20, +[2977.76 --> 2979.18] the shepherds returned, +[2980.32 --> 2982.10] glorifying and praising God +[2982.10 --> 2983.22] for all the things +[2983.22 --> 2984.48] that they had heard +[2984.48 --> 2985.38] and seen, +[2985.76 --> 2986.70] which was just +[2986.70 --> 2988.52] as they had been told. +[2989.96 --> 2990.62] This is the word +[2990.62 --> 2991.04] of the Lord. +[2993.64 --> 2994.62] Luke 2, +[2994.84 --> 2995.48] 20, +[2996.06 --> 2996.70] answers +[2996.70 --> 2998.08] the now what +[2998.08 --> 2998.80] question, +[2999.38 --> 3000.44] the after Christmas +[3000.44 --> 3001.30] question, +[3001.54 --> 3002.60] with a single +[3002.60 --> 3004.84] unassuming word. +[3006.06 --> 3007.00] The shepherds +[3007.00 --> 3008.66] returned. +[3010.56 --> 3011.56] They returned. +[3012.94 --> 3013.96] Now, Luke doesn't tell us +[3013.96 --> 3014.60] how they felt. +[3015.76 --> 3016.56] He doesn't tell us +[3016.56 --> 3017.88] how long the wonder +[3017.88 --> 3018.68] lasted +[3018.68 --> 3020.52] or whether the whole night +[3020.52 --> 3021.82] stayed magical. +[3022.20 --> 3023.10] All he tells us +[3023.10 --> 3024.12] is that they returned. +[3025.48 --> 3026.90] And in that small +[3026.90 --> 3028.54] unassuming word, +[3028.84 --> 3029.94] Luke shows us, +[3029.94 --> 3030.64] I think, +[3030.72 --> 3031.78] what comes next +[3031.78 --> 3033.26] after God shows up. +[3034.46 --> 3035.88] That single word, +[3036.16 --> 3036.54] returned, +[3036.86 --> 3038.46] carries an incredible +[3038.46 --> 3039.56] amount of weight. +[3040.60 --> 3041.78] And it teaches us +[3041.78 --> 3042.62] that the good news +[3042.62 --> 3043.18] of Christmas +[3043.18 --> 3044.08] does not end +[3044.08 --> 3045.72] with everything stable, +[3046.10 --> 3047.60] but in returning +[3047.60 --> 3048.42] to the ordinary. +[3050.00 --> 3050.92] What I would like +[3050.92 --> 3052.00] to do with you +[3052.00 --> 3052.60] this Sunday +[3052.60 --> 3053.52] after Christmas +[3053.52 --> 3055.12] is to plumb +[3055.12 --> 3055.88] the depths +[3055.88 --> 3057.50] of that little phrase, +[3057.50 --> 3058.74] the shepherds +[3058.74 --> 3059.26] returned, +[3060.06 --> 3061.24] and to see +[3061.24 --> 3062.42] how it reshapes +[3062.42 --> 3063.18] our understanding +[3063.18 --> 3063.72] of faith +[3063.72 --> 3064.74] and worship +[3064.74 --> 3066.32] and even ordinary life +[3066.32 --> 3067.60] after God +[3067.60 --> 3068.36] has come near. +[3069.70 --> 3070.62] Let's start +[3070.62 --> 3071.72] with our first +[3071.72 --> 3072.78] idea. +[3073.34 --> 3073.92] The first idea +[3073.92 --> 3074.62] is that Christmas +[3074.62 --> 3076.06] doesn't end +[3076.06 --> 3077.16] with everything +[3077.16 --> 3078.28] stable. +[3079.64 --> 3081.10] Christmas doesn't end +[3081.10 --> 3081.82] with everything +[3081.82 --> 3082.36] stable, +[3082.48 --> 3083.54] and this is +[3083.54 --> 3084.22] good news. +[3084.22 --> 3086.58] Luke tells us +[3086.58 --> 3087.28] that the shepherds +[3087.28 --> 3087.72] returned, +[3088.38 --> 3089.64] and honestly, +[3090.00 --> 3091.22] maybe that's +[3091.22 --> 3091.96] a little disappointing +[3091.96 --> 3092.60] to you. +[3093.78 --> 3094.88] After the angels, +[3095.04 --> 3095.76] after the glory, +[3095.90 --> 3096.72] after the good news +[3096.72 --> 3097.40] of great joy, +[3097.54 --> 3098.20] after standing +[3098.20 --> 3099.56] before the Christ child, +[3100.62 --> 3101.36] maybe we want +[3101.36 --> 3102.08] a little bit more. +[3103.56 --> 3104.12] But Luke doesn't +[3104.12 --> 3104.70] give us that. +[3105.38 --> 3106.16] He doesn't tell us +[3106.16 --> 3106.92] that the shepherds +[3106.92 --> 3107.94] escaped their +[3107.94 --> 3109.00] ordinary lives, +[3109.14 --> 3110.00] that they went on +[3110.00 --> 3110.98] to do great things +[3110.98 --> 3112.06] and become great people. +[3112.30 --> 3113.04] He tells us +[3113.04 --> 3114.00] that they went back +[3114.00 --> 3115.28] to their ordinary +[3115.28 --> 3115.76] lives. +[3116.72 --> 3117.52] They return +[3117.52 --> 3118.42] to the same fields, +[3118.60 --> 3119.64] to the same night air, +[3119.74 --> 3120.52] to the same work, +[3120.68 --> 3122.28] to the same responsibilities. +[3122.44 --> 3123.46] There's no indication +[3123.46 --> 3125.30] that their circumstances +[3125.30 --> 3126.10] changed. +[3127.54 --> 3128.44] There's no promotion. +[3129.06 --> 3130.06] There's no relief +[3130.06 --> 3130.88] from the hardship +[3130.88 --> 3131.66] of their life. +[3131.86 --> 3132.80] There's no permanent +[3132.80 --> 3133.80] spiritual high +[3133.80 --> 3134.48] that lifts them +[3134.48 --> 3135.48] above the realities +[3135.48 --> 3136.76] of life beyond +[3136.76 --> 3137.28] the moment +[3137.28 --> 3137.74] that they have +[3137.74 --> 3138.40] just witnessed. +[3138.80 --> 3140.10] Christmas doesn't +[3140.10 --> 3141.06] rescue them +[3141.06 --> 3142.38] from ordinary +[3142.38 --> 3143.48] existence. +[3144.00 --> 3147.30] And that, +[3147.72 --> 3148.72] Luke suggests, +[3149.54 --> 3151.06] is not the failure +[3151.06 --> 3152.30] of the story. +[3153.20 --> 3154.24] It's the point +[3154.24 --> 3154.84] of the story. +[3156.48 --> 3157.68] Because if Christmas +[3157.68 --> 3158.80] only mattered +[3158.80 --> 3160.02] in the stable, +[3160.42 --> 3161.64] if it only worked +[3161.64 --> 3162.88] in moments of wonder +[3162.88 --> 3163.98] and of holiness, +[3164.26 --> 3165.62] then it would collapse +[3165.62 --> 3166.86] the moment we step +[3166.86 --> 3167.90] back into real life. +[3167.90 --> 3169.82] If the gospel +[3169.82 --> 3171.38] required sustained +[3171.38 --> 3172.68] emotional intensity +[3172.68 --> 3174.70] and uninterrupted peace +[3174.70 --> 3175.62] and dramatically +[3175.62 --> 3177.02] changed circumstances, +[3177.02 --> 3178.72] it would be unbearable +[3178.72 --> 3179.88] for most of us. +[3180.72 --> 3181.88] But especially +[3181.88 --> 3182.58] for those of us +[3182.58 --> 3183.52] who are carrying grief, +[3184.66 --> 3185.68] especially for those +[3185.68 --> 3186.36] of us who are living +[3186.36 --> 3187.04] in disappointment +[3187.04 --> 3188.48] and exhaustion, +[3189.60 --> 3190.56] Luke instead +[3190.56 --> 3191.62] shows us +[3191.62 --> 3192.66] something stronger, +[3193.42 --> 3194.54] something sturdier. +[3194.54 --> 3196.04] Christmas doesn't +[3196.04 --> 3197.60] remove the shepherds +[3197.60 --> 3198.60] from reality. +[3198.92 --> 3199.36] Christmas +[3199.36 --> 3200.72] reinterprets +[3200.72 --> 3201.44] reality. +[3202.40 --> 3202.94] The fields +[3202.94 --> 3203.72] don't disappear, +[3204.22 --> 3205.34] they are returned +[3205.34 --> 3205.70] to, +[3205.80 --> 3206.68] and they are returned +[3206.68 --> 3208.30] to with a new +[3208.30 --> 3209.04] orientation, +[3209.26 --> 3210.34] a new perspective, +[3210.48 --> 3211.22] a new weight +[3211.22 --> 3212.02] of meaning +[3212.02 --> 3213.52] because God +[3213.52 --> 3214.58] has come near. +[3214.58 --> 3217.22] This is good news +[3217.22 --> 3217.72] for us. +[3217.84 --> 3218.54] It means that +[3218.54 --> 3219.96] the truth of Christmas +[3219.96 --> 3220.90] doesn't depend +[3220.90 --> 3221.88] on how long +[3221.88 --> 3223.12] the music lasts +[3223.12 --> 3224.50] or how strong +[3224.50 --> 3225.28] your feelings +[3225.28 --> 3226.56] about it might be, +[3226.86 --> 3227.04] right, +[3227.06 --> 3227.72] or how quickly +[3227.72 --> 3228.94] your life improves. +[3229.94 --> 3230.78] It means that +[3230.78 --> 3231.26] when the lights +[3231.26 --> 3231.88] come down +[3231.88 --> 3232.64] and the routines +[3232.64 --> 3233.52] return, +[3233.82 --> 3234.44] that Christmas +[3234.44 --> 3235.44] hasn't failed +[3235.44 --> 3236.84] but has begun +[3236.84 --> 3238.50] a deeper work. +[3239.72 --> 3240.46] The gospel +[3240.46 --> 3241.20] doesn't promise +[3241.20 --> 3242.18] escape from +[3242.18 --> 3243.28] ordinary life, +[3243.30 --> 3243.96] it promises +[3243.96 --> 3245.12] God's presence +[3245.12 --> 3246.10] in the midst +[3246.10 --> 3247.22] of ordinary life. +[3250.46 --> 3251.52] Most of us +[3251.52 --> 3252.30] might know +[3252.30 --> 3252.80] the feeling +[3252.80 --> 3253.72] of coming home +[3253.72 --> 3255.84] after a good trip, +[3256.10 --> 3257.44] an excellent vacation. +[3258.10 --> 3258.72] The bags +[3258.72 --> 3259.26] are still +[3259.26 --> 3260.00] by the door, +[3260.18 --> 3260.66] the pictures +[3260.66 --> 3261.26] are still +[3261.26 --> 3261.98] on our phones, +[3262.08 --> 3262.56] we haven't even +[3262.56 --> 3263.04] had a chance +[3263.04 --> 3263.98] to upload them +[3263.98 --> 3265.34] to Instagram yet, +[3265.50 --> 3267.42] but the alarm +[3267.42 --> 3267.98] is set +[3267.98 --> 3269.38] for tomorrow morning +[3269.38 --> 3271.12] and you've already +[3271.12 --> 3271.86] glimpsed at your +[3271.86 --> 3273.00] work emails +[3273.00 --> 3273.56] and you know +[3273.56 --> 3274.18] that your inbox +[3274.18 --> 3274.64] is full. +[3276.18 --> 3277.10] A good vacation +[3277.10 --> 3278.22] can refresh you +[3278.22 --> 3279.34] but it can't +[3279.34 --> 3280.40] replace your life. +[3282.14 --> 3282.58] Christmas, +[3282.86 --> 3283.66] if we misunderstand +[3283.66 --> 3284.32] it, +[3284.36 --> 3285.28] can feel like that. +[3285.32 --> 3286.42] A beautiful interruption +[3286.42 --> 3287.36] that we enjoy +[3287.36 --> 3288.48] and then we have +[3288.48 --> 3289.16] to leave behind. +[3291.34 --> 3292.20] But Christmas, +[3292.52 --> 3293.06] the way Luke +[3293.06 --> 3294.00] is describing it here, +[3294.20 --> 3295.32] isn't a getaway. +[3295.58 --> 3296.24] The shepherds +[3296.24 --> 3297.26] do not return +[3297.26 --> 3298.24] because the magic +[3298.24 --> 3299.04] wore off, +[3299.20 --> 3299.90] the shepherds +[3299.90 --> 3300.64] return because +[3300.64 --> 3301.94] God has met them +[3301.94 --> 3302.76] in a way +[3302.76 --> 3303.72] that they now +[3303.72 --> 3305.04] carry with them. +[3306.24 --> 3306.88] Christmas isn't +[3306.88 --> 3307.40] this break +[3307.40 --> 3308.32] from reality. +[3308.90 --> 3309.48] God breaking +[3309.48 --> 3310.50] into the world +[3310.50 --> 3311.52] isn't a pause +[3311.52 --> 3312.32] on what's happening +[3312.32 --> 3313.14] but it is +[3313.14 --> 3314.06] what's happening. +[3314.16 --> 3314.74] It's the moment +[3314.74 --> 3315.50] that reality +[3315.50 --> 3316.80] begins to be told +[3316.80 --> 3318.30] with a new truth. +[3319.20 --> 3319.60] Christmas +[3319.60 --> 3320.62] transforms +[3320.62 --> 3322.46] your reality. +[3324.52 --> 3325.40] Which then +[3325.40 --> 3326.06] takes us +[3326.06 --> 3327.80] to the second point, +[3327.88 --> 3328.02] right? +[3328.02 --> 3328.62] The shepherds +[3328.62 --> 3329.88] returned to their fields, +[3329.98 --> 3331.22] to their ordinary life +[3331.22 --> 3332.78] with a new song +[3332.78 --> 3333.60] on their hearts. +[3334.26 --> 3335.40] They returned +[3335.40 --> 3336.50] glorifying +[3336.50 --> 3337.76] and praising +[3337.76 --> 3338.78] God. +[3339.84 --> 3340.76] Now that matters +[3340.76 --> 3342.80] because praise +[3342.80 --> 3344.42] in this moment +[3344.42 --> 3345.76] is not denial +[3345.76 --> 3347.32] and it's not +[3347.32 --> 3347.96] distraction, +[3348.32 --> 3349.34] right? +[3349.38 --> 3349.94] The shepherds +[3349.94 --> 3351.14] aren't praising God +[3351.14 --> 3352.54] because their fields +[3352.54 --> 3353.80] have become easier, +[3354.18 --> 3354.90] the sheep +[3354.90 --> 3355.94] are getting lost +[3355.94 --> 3356.94] less often, +[3356.94 --> 3357.70] the work +[3357.70 --> 3358.76] has not disappeared. +[3359.22 --> 3359.58] They're not +[3359.58 --> 3360.44] praising God +[3360.44 --> 3361.28] because the world +[3361.28 --> 3362.28] suddenly feels +[3362.28 --> 3363.86] safe and predictable, +[3364.26 --> 3365.16] they're praising +[3365.16 --> 3366.34] God +[3366.34 --> 3367.26] because they have +[3367.26 --> 3368.78] seen their God, +[3368.88 --> 3369.52] they have met +[3369.52 --> 3370.56] their Messiah +[3370.56 --> 3371.64] and their Savior. +[3372.12 --> 3373.36] Praising and glorifying +[3373.36 --> 3374.48] is a new way +[3374.48 --> 3375.28] of inhabiting +[3375.28 --> 3376.06] the same +[3376.06 --> 3377.52] ordinary life. +[3378.58 --> 3379.22] The fields +[3379.22 --> 3379.96] are still dark, +[3380.06 --> 3380.42] the work +[3380.42 --> 3381.22] is still hard, +[3381.50 --> 3382.12] the world +[3382.12 --> 3382.90] in this moment +[3382.90 --> 3383.72] is still ruled +[3383.72 --> 3384.40] by Rome, +[3384.58 --> 3385.52] Herod is still +[3385.52 --> 3386.90] raging on his +[3386.90 --> 3388.52] throne in Judea, +[3388.72 --> 3389.58] nothing about +[3389.58 --> 3390.26] the external +[3390.26 --> 3391.72] situation has changed +[3391.72 --> 3392.44] and yet +[3392.44 --> 3393.24] everything +[3393.24 --> 3394.64] has changed +[3394.64 --> 3396.46] because God +[3396.46 --> 3397.04] has shown up, +[3397.76 --> 3398.48] God has shown +[3398.48 --> 3399.08] himself to be +[3399.08 --> 3399.44] faithful, +[3400.20 --> 3401.26] God has proved +[3401.26 --> 3402.14] his promises +[3402.14 --> 3403.08] true, +[3403.22 --> 3403.96] he has kept +[3403.96 --> 3404.62] his word, +[3404.72 --> 3405.36] he's promised +[3405.36 --> 3406.72] and he has done +[3406.72 --> 3408.04] exactly what +[3408.04 --> 3409.06] he promised. +[3410.48 --> 3411.48] This is the +[3411.48 --> 3412.40] difference between +[3412.40 --> 3413.50] what we can call +[3413.50 --> 3414.60] Christmas praise +[3414.60 --> 3416.24] and mere +[3416.24 --> 3416.92] optimism. +[3418.28 --> 3418.38] Right, +[3418.50 --> 3419.64] optimism depends +[3419.64 --> 3420.40] on your +[3420.40 --> 3421.18] circumstances +[3421.18 --> 3421.94] improving. +[3423.54 --> 3424.68] Praise rests +[3424.68 --> 3425.56] on God +[3425.56 --> 3426.36] revealing himself +[3426.36 --> 3427.06] to be trustworthy +[3427.06 --> 3429.68] and the shepherds +[3429.68 --> 3431.02] praise and glorify +[3431.02 --> 3432.08] not because their +[3432.08 --> 3432.98] lives are easier +[3432.98 --> 3433.78] but because their +[3433.78 --> 3434.78] lives now make +[3434.78 --> 3436.20] a new sense +[3436.20 --> 3438.36] in light of +[3438.36 --> 3438.82] what God +[3438.82 --> 3439.46] has done +[3439.46 --> 3440.90] in this moment +[3440.90 --> 3442.02] and this praise +[3442.02 --> 3443.10] doesn't float +[3443.10 --> 3444.62] above reality +[3444.62 --> 3445.96] disconnected to it, +[3446.00 --> 3447.10] it settles into it. +[3447.52 --> 3447.84] Right, +[3447.88 --> 3448.78] it doesn't erase +[3448.78 --> 3450.44] sorrow or fatigue +[3450.44 --> 3451.34] or fear, +[3451.54 --> 3452.78] it doesn't take away +[3452.78 --> 3453.78] grief but rather +[3453.78 --> 3454.72] it carries +[3454.72 --> 3455.46] them. +[3456.38 --> 3457.26] It gives weight +[3457.26 --> 3458.32] and meaning +[3458.32 --> 3459.64] in the presence +[3459.64 --> 3460.34] of a faithful +[3460.34 --> 3460.78] God. +[3461.98 --> 3462.88] In your grief, +[3463.28 --> 3464.00] praise. +[3465.00 --> 3466.36] In your wonder, +[3466.92 --> 3467.40] glorify. +[3467.62 --> 3468.46] In your questioning, +[3469.04 --> 3469.32] worship. +[3469.32 --> 3470.76] In your deconstruction, +[3471.16 --> 3471.42] pray. +[3471.62 --> 3472.44] In your work +[3472.44 --> 3473.76] and in your worry, +[3473.96 --> 3474.68] sing praises +[3474.68 --> 3475.46] to God. +[3475.60 --> 3476.42] Worship is not +[3476.42 --> 3477.04] what happens +[3477.04 --> 3477.92] only in that +[3477.92 --> 3479.00] moment of +[3479.00 --> 3479.60] revelation +[3479.60 --> 3481.22] or only here +[3481.22 --> 3482.04] on Sundays. +[3482.54 --> 3483.42] Worship follows +[3483.42 --> 3484.02] us back +[3484.02 --> 3484.94] into ordinary +[3484.94 --> 3485.72] life +[3485.72 --> 3487.14] once God +[3487.14 --> 3487.72] has made +[3487.72 --> 3488.48] himself known. +[3489.30 --> 3490.46] All of life +[3490.46 --> 3491.86] becomes worship +[3491.86 --> 3493.18] because God +[3493.18 --> 3493.84] has entered +[3493.84 --> 3494.80] into all +[3494.80 --> 3495.40] of life. +[3497.70 --> 3498.66] Which then is +[3498.66 --> 3499.84] the third step +[3499.84 --> 3500.32] of this +[3500.32 --> 3501.32] argument +[3501.32 --> 3501.84] that I'm +[3501.84 --> 3502.80] building for you. +[3502.88 --> 3503.38] The shepherds +[3503.38 --> 3504.54] returned glorifying +[3504.54 --> 3505.02] and praising +[3505.02 --> 3505.46] God +[3505.46 --> 3506.28] for all +[3506.28 --> 3506.62] that they +[3506.62 --> 3507.18] had seen +[3507.18 --> 3508.12] just as +[3508.12 --> 3508.74] they had +[3508.74 --> 3509.58] been told. +[3510.80 --> 3511.30] Returning +[3511.30 --> 3512.42] to the +[3512.42 --> 3513.02] ordinary +[3513.02 --> 3513.90] rests +[3513.90 --> 3514.94] on the +[3514.94 --> 3515.46] reliability +[3515.46 --> 3517.18] of God. +[3519.58 --> 3520.90] That phrase +[3520.90 --> 3522.26] just as +[3522.26 --> 3522.62] they had +[3522.62 --> 3523.36] been told +[3523.36 --> 3524.38] tells us +[3524.38 --> 3524.94] where the +[3524.94 --> 3525.80] weight +[3525.80 --> 3526.62] of their +[3526.62 --> 3527.52] praise +[3527.52 --> 3528.32] actually +[3528.32 --> 3529.62] rests. +[3531.50 --> 3531.74] Their +[3531.74 --> 3532.12] worship +[3532.12 --> 3532.60] isn't +[3532.60 --> 3532.94] grounded +[3532.94 --> 3533.78] in novelty. +[3535.02 --> 3535.26] Their +[3535.26 --> 3535.60] worship +[3535.60 --> 3536.00] isn't +[3536.00 --> 3536.64] sustained +[3536.64 --> 3537.12] by +[3537.12 --> 3537.66] a +[3537.66 --> 3537.98] peaked +[3537.98 --> 3538.62] emotion. +[3539.74 --> 3539.88] Their +[3539.88 --> 3540.24] worship +[3540.24 --> 3540.72] isn't +[3540.72 --> 3541.24] dependent +[3541.24 --> 3541.90] upon +[3541.90 --> 3542.36] a +[3542.36 --> 3542.84] particular +[3542.84 --> 3543.56] atmosphere. +[3544.26 --> 3544.40] Their +[3544.40 --> 3544.82] worship +[3544.82 --> 3546.64] is +[3546.64 --> 3547.50] built +[3547.50 --> 3548.14] on +[3548.14 --> 3548.60] and +[3548.60 --> 3549.06] comes +[3549.06 --> 3549.48] out +[3549.48 --> 3550.08] of +[3550.08 --> 3550.66] the +[3550.66 --> 3551.38] reliability +[3551.38 --> 3552.66] of +[3552.66 --> 3553.36] God. +[3554.12 --> 3554.48] The +[3554.48 --> 3555.44] immutability +[3555.44 --> 3556.16] of God. +[3556.26 --> 3556.40] The +[3556.40 --> 3557.32] unchanging +[3557.32 --> 3558.84] faithfulness +[3558.84 --> 3559.24] of +[3559.24 --> 3559.94] God. +[3560.04 --> 3560.36] His +[3560.36 --> 3560.90] covenant +[3560.90 --> 3561.60] loyalty +[3561.60 --> 3562.16] to +[3562.16 --> 3562.74] his +[3562.74 --> 3563.20] people +[3563.20 --> 3563.56] and +[3563.56 --> 3563.90] his +[3563.90 --> 3564.48] promises +[3564.48 --> 3565.30] as an +[3565.30 --> 3565.68] expression +[3565.68 --> 3566.42] of his +[3566.42 --> 3567.12] faithfulness +[3567.12 --> 3567.52] to his +[3567.52 --> 3567.90] own +[3567.90 --> 3568.74] identity +[3568.74 --> 3569.40] and +[3569.40 --> 3569.76] being. +[3570.60 --> 3570.88] The +[3570.88 --> 3571.32] shepherds +[3571.32 --> 3571.70] praised +[3571.70 --> 3572.14] God +[3572.14 --> 3572.46] because +[3572.46 --> 3573.14] what they +[3573.14 --> 3573.34] were +[3573.34 --> 3573.86] promised +[3573.86 --> 3574.34] turns +[3574.34 --> 3574.58] out +[3574.58 --> 3574.88] to be +[3574.88 --> 3575.18] true. +[3576.14 --> 3576.36] God +[3576.36 --> 3576.94] spoke +[3576.94 --> 3577.28] and +[3577.28 --> 3577.54] God +[3577.54 --> 3578.04] acted. +[3578.40 --> 3578.50] What +[3578.50 --> 3578.68] the +[3578.68 --> 3579.22] angels +[3579.22 --> 3579.78] announced +[3579.78 --> 3580.24] was not +[3580.24 --> 3580.52] just +[3580.52 --> 3580.88] some +[3580.88 --> 3581.50] symbolic +[3581.50 --> 3582.22] reality +[3582.22 --> 3582.64] or +[3582.64 --> 3582.88] some +[3582.88 --> 3583.82] aspirational +[3583.82 --> 3584.56] goal. +[3584.78 --> 3585.02] It +[3585.02 --> 3585.98] corresponded +[3585.98 --> 3586.30] to +[3586.30 --> 3586.86] the +[3586.86 --> 3587.50] created +[3587.50 --> 3588.06] order. +[3588.60 --> 3588.76] The +[3588.76 --> 3589.12] child +[3589.12 --> 3589.52] was +[3589.52 --> 3589.86] there. +[3589.98 --> 3590.08] The +[3590.08 --> 3590.48] promise +[3590.48 --> 3591.08] was +[3591.08 --> 3591.44] kept. +[3591.56 --> 3591.78] This +[3591.78 --> 3592.10] is +[3592.10 --> 3592.88] real +[3592.88 --> 3593.34] and +[3593.34 --> 3593.84] that's +[3593.84 --> 3594.12] why +[3594.12 --> 3594.40] their +[3594.40 --> 3595.04] praise +[3595.04 --> 3595.30] can +[3595.30 --> 3595.68] follow +[3595.68 --> 3595.92] them +[3595.92 --> 3596.18] back +[3596.18 --> 3596.38] to +[3596.38 --> 3596.56] the +[3596.56 --> 3597.02] fields. +[3598.74 --> 3599.40] It +[3599.40 --> 3599.68] doesn't +[3599.68 --> 3600.18] require +[3600.18 --> 3600.94] angels +[3600.94 --> 3601.58] to +[3601.58 --> 3601.98] remain. +[3602.44 --> 3602.78] It +[3602.78 --> 3603.00] doesn't +[3603.00 --> 3603.40] require +[3603.40 --> 3603.64] the +[3603.64 --> 3603.88] night +[3603.88 --> 3604.10] to +[3604.10 --> 3604.34] stay +[3604.34 --> 3604.62] lit +[3604.62 --> 3604.88] up +[3604.88 --> 3605.44] with +[3605.44 --> 3605.68] the +[3605.68 --> 3606.08] stars. +[3606.30 --> 3606.38] It +[3606.38 --> 3606.66] doesn't +[3606.66 --> 3606.84] even +[3606.84 --> 3607.38] require +[3607.38 --> 3607.72] your +[3607.72 --> 3608.20] feelings +[3608.20 --> 3608.42] to +[3608.42 --> 3608.68] stay +[3608.68 --> 3609.54] elevated. +[3609.54 --> 3610.18] Praise +[3610.18 --> 3610.94] endures +[3610.94 --> 3611.26] because +[3611.26 --> 3611.70] God +[3611.70 --> 3612.40] himself +[3612.40 --> 3613.72] is +[3613.72 --> 3614.14] faithful. +[3615.48 --> 3616.14] This +[3616.14 --> 3616.44] is the +[3616.44 --> 3617.14] reality +[3617.14 --> 3617.82] defining +[3617.82 --> 3618.48] grace +[3618.48 --> 3619.20] that we +[3619.20 --> 3619.76] are in +[3619.76 --> 3619.92] the +[3619.92 --> 3620.14] midst +[3620.14 --> 3620.44] of. +[3620.54 --> 3620.82] Christmas +[3620.82 --> 3621.30] isn't +[3621.30 --> 3621.68] simply +[3621.68 --> 3621.96] a +[3621.96 --> 3622.42] story +[3622.42 --> 3622.72] that +[3622.72 --> 3623.12] moves +[3623.12 --> 3623.44] our +[3623.44 --> 3623.90] hearts. +[3624.24 --> 3624.52] It's +[3624.52 --> 3624.66] a +[3624.66 --> 3625.10] divine +[3625.10 --> 3625.56] act +[3625.56 --> 3625.82] of +[3625.82 --> 3626.22] God +[3626.22 --> 3626.64] that +[3626.64 --> 3627.12] confirms +[3627.12 --> 3627.36] a +[3627.36 --> 3627.72] permanent +[3627.72 --> 3628.18] truth +[3628.18 --> 3628.76] about +[3628.76 --> 3628.94] the +[3628.94 --> 3629.16] world. +[3629.26 --> 3629.38] That +[3629.38 --> 3629.76] God +[3629.76 --> 3630.20] keeps +[3630.20 --> 3630.56] his +[3630.56 --> 3631.00] word. +[3631.36 --> 3631.44] That +[3631.44 --> 3631.78] God +[3631.78 --> 3632.14] enters +[3632.14 --> 3632.64] history. +[3632.82 --> 3632.90] That +[3632.90 --> 3633.20] God +[3633.20 --> 3633.66] saves +[3633.66 --> 3633.96] his +[3633.96 --> 3634.70] people. +[3634.90 --> 3635.00] And +[3635.00 --> 3635.34] since +[3635.34 --> 3635.70] that +[3635.70 --> 3635.92] is +[3635.92 --> 3636.36] true, +[3636.36 --> 3637.46] everything +[3637.46 --> 3638.00] else, +[3638.26 --> 3638.96] everything +[3638.96 --> 3639.80] else must +[3639.80 --> 3640.50] be interpreted +[3640.50 --> 3641.54] by that +[3641.54 --> 3642.24] truth. +[3643.20 --> 3643.38] The +[3643.38 --> 3643.82] shepherds' +[3643.90 --> 3644.28] lives are +[3644.28 --> 3644.86] not suddenly +[3644.86 --> 3645.54] easier, +[3645.76 --> 3646.44] but their +[3646.44 --> 3646.98] lives are +[3646.98 --> 3647.42] newly +[3647.42 --> 3648.06] anchored. +[3649.12 --> 3649.48] The +[3649.48 --> 3649.80] world +[3649.80 --> 3650.28] remains +[3650.28 --> 3650.66] as it +[3650.66 --> 3651.02] was, +[3651.14 --> 3651.66] but God +[3651.66 --> 3652.10] is now +[3652.10 --> 3653.16] known as +[3653.16 --> 3653.74] faithful +[3653.74 --> 3654.18] within +[3654.18 --> 3654.44] it. +[3655.90 --> 3656.50] That's +[3656.50 --> 3657.06] why our +[3657.06 --> 3657.48] worship +[3657.48 --> 3657.90] isn't +[3657.90 --> 3658.34] fragile. +[3659.30 --> 3659.70] It +[3659.70 --> 3659.98] doesn't +[3659.98 --> 3660.52] collapse +[3660.52 --> 3660.98] when the +[3660.98 --> 3661.28] feelings +[3661.28 --> 3661.84] fade or +[3661.84 --> 3662.34] when the +[3662.34 --> 3662.92] circumstances +[3662.92 --> 3663.90] disappointment +[3663.90 --> 3664.50] because it's +[3664.50 --> 3665.18] grounded in +[3665.18 --> 3665.74] who God +[3665.74 --> 3666.72] is and +[3666.72 --> 3667.08] what God +[3667.08 --> 3667.52] has done. +[3668.54 --> 3669.02] Our +[3669.02 --> 3669.42] praise +[3669.42 --> 3670.58] moves us +[3670.58 --> 3670.88] from +[3670.88 --> 3671.60] needing +[3671.60 --> 3672.26] the right +[3672.26 --> 3672.80] mood +[3672.80 --> 3673.96] to having +[3673.96 --> 3674.44] the right +[3674.44 --> 3675.16] metaphysics. +[3675.76 --> 3676.44] Or to put it +[3676.44 --> 3676.86] another way, +[3676.98 --> 3678.42] from feeling +[3678.42 --> 3680.00] to reality +[3680.00 --> 3680.90] itself +[3680.90 --> 3681.54] being +[3681.54 --> 3682.48] redefined +[3682.48 --> 3683.08] by God's +[3683.08 --> 3683.48] actions. +[3686.62 --> 3686.96] So, +[3687.66 --> 3690.40] as we +[3690.40 --> 3690.80] dig into +[3690.80 --> 3691.46] this word +[3691.46 --> 3692.26] returned, +[3692.90 --> 3693.44] we've been +[3693.44 --> 3694.14] forming a +[3694.14 --> 3694.66] sort of +[3694.66 --> 3695.84] three-step +[3695.84 --> 3696.66] argument, +[3696.86 --> 3697.00] right? +[3697.12 --> 3697.46] God's +[3697.46 --> 3698.00] coming +[3698.00 --> 3698.42] doesn't +[3698.42 --> 3699.04] necessarily +[3699.04 --> 3699.74] mean our +[3699.74 --> 3700.42] circumstances +[3700.42 --> 3700.96] change. +[3701.38 --> 3701.86] Ordinary +[3701.86 --> 3702.44] life +[3702.44 --> 3703.36] remains, +[3703.54 --> 3703.92] but it +[3703.92 --> 3704.30] remains +[3704.30 --> 3704.86] with hope. +[3705.96 --> 3706.18] The +[3706.18 --> 3706.52] shepherds +[3706.52 --> 3707.00] went back +[3707.00 --> 3707.36] to +[3707.36 --> 3708.20] routine, +[3708.44 --> 3708.66] yet, +[3708.80 --> 3708.90] in +[3708.90 --> 3709.52] encountering +[3709.52 --> 3709.68] their +[3709.68 --> 3710.10] Messiah +[3710.10 --> 3710.36] and +[3710.36 --> 3710.66] Savior, +[3710.80 --> 3710.92] in +[3710.92 --> 3711.28] seeing +[3711.28 --> 3711.76] God's +[3711.76 --> 3712.24] nearness, +[3712.84 --> 3713.36] that +[3713.36 --> 3714.24] transformed +[3714.24 --> 3715.20] how they +[3715.20 --> 3715.96] see the +[3715.96 --> 3716.60] ordinary. +[3716.84 --> 3716.92] They +[3716.92 --> 3717.78] glorified +[3717.78 --> 3718.56] and praised, +[3718.94 --> 3719.28] and that +[3719.28 --> 3720.18] this praise +[3720.18 --> 3721.08] now is +[3721.08 --> 3721.84] anchored +[3721.84 --> 3722.34] in +[3722.34 --> 3723.00] God's +[3723.00 --> 3723.72] character +[3723.72 --> 3724.64] and his +[3724.64 --> 3725.28] faithfulness, +[3725.36 --> 3725.72] just as +[3725.72 --> 3725.84] they +[3725.84 --> 3726.22] have been +[3726.22 --> 3726.52] told, +[3726.66 --> 3727.06] not in +[3727.06 --> 3727.38] fleeting +[3727.38 --> 3727.90] feelings +[3727.90 --> 3728.30] or in +[3728.30 --> 3728.64] changed +[3728.64 --> 3729.32] circumstances. +[3729.88 --> 3730.06] Now, +[3730.08 --> 3730.26] if we +[3730.26 --> 3730.72] take all +[3730.72 --> 3731.10] of those +[3731.10 --> 3731.44] things +[3731.44 --> 3732.00] together, +[3732.80 --> 3733.98] that means +[3733.98 --> 3734.38] that the +[3734.38 --> 3735.04] good news +[3735.04 --> 3735.66] of Christmas +[3735.66 --> 3736.46] doesn't end +[3736.46 --> 3737.04] with everything +[3737.04 --> 3737.66] stable, +[3737.96 --> 3738.48] but in +[3738.48 --> 3738.92] returning +[3738.92 --> 3739.40] to the +[3739.40 --> 3739.94] ordinary, +[3740.62 --> 3741.28] now +[3741.28 --> 3742.08] turned +[3742.08 --> 3742.96] extraordinary. +[3744.46 --> 3744.76] That's +[3744.76 --> 3745.14] the point +[3745.14 --> 3745.62] of this. +[3746.22 --> 3746.56] The +[3746.56 --> 3746.98] good news +[3746.98 --> 3747.50] of Christmas +[3747.50 --> 3748.14] does not +[3748.14 --> 3748.60] end with +[3748.60 --> 3748.98] everything +[3748.98 --> 3749.58] stable, +[3749.90 --> 3750.40] but in +[3750.40 --> 3750.88] returning +[3750.88 --> 3751.50] to the +[3751.50 --> 3752.04] ordinary, +[3752.04 --> 3752.96] now +[3752.96 --> 3753.54] turned +[3753.54 --> 3754.50] extraordinary. +[3756.90 --> 3757.48] Let me +[3757.48 --> 3757.72] see if I +[3757.72 --> 3758.10] can illustrate +[3758.10 --> 3758.50] this. +[3761.00 --> 3761.56] Consider, +[3762.26 --> 3762.70] if you +[3762.70 --> 3763.04] would, +[3763.32 --> 3764.10] a simple +[3764.10 --> 3764.54] morning +[3764.54 --> 3765.06] routine. +[3765.22 --> 3765.60] Maybe this +[3765.60 --> 3766.10] is familiar +[3766.10 --> 3766.60] to you. +[3767.30 --> 3767.88] A cup +[3767.88 --> 3768.46] of coffee +[3768.46 --> 3770.04] and a few +[3770.04 --> 3770.98] quiet moments +[3770.98 --> 3771.68] with your +[3771.68 --> 3772.48] Bible before +[3772.48 --> 3772.96] the rest +[3772.96 --> 3773.18] of the +[3773.18 --> 3773.78] house wakes +[3773.78 --> 3774.04] up. +[3775.44 --> 3775.92] Now, +[3776.00 --> 3776.22] on the +[3776.22 --> 3776.66] surface, +[3776.82 --> 3777.02] nothing +[3777.02 --> 3777.64] has changed. +[3778.36 --> 3778.78] Right? +[3778.78 --> 3779.12] It's the +[3779.12 --> 3779.34] same +[3779.34 --> 3779.72] chair, +[3779.86 --> 3780.14] it's the +[3780.14 --> 3780.32] same +[3780.32 --> 3780.78] spot +[3780.78 --> 3781.40] at the +[3781.40 --> 3781.64] kitchen +[3781.64 --> 3782.06] table, +[3782.18 --> 3782.54] it's the +[3782.54 --> 3782.82] same +[3782.82 --> 3783.60] well-loved +[3783.60 --> 3784.66] Bible for +[3784.66 --> 3785.10] the last +[3785.10 --> 3785.78] five years +[3785.78 --> 3786.14] of your +[3786.14 --> 3786.52] life. +[3788.06 --> 3788.98] But last +[3788.98 --> 3789.34] night, +[3789.90 --> 3791.62] your doctor +[3791.62 --> 3793.40] called and +[3793.40 --> 3793.74] said the +[3793.74 --> 3794.46] test came +[3794.46 --> 3794.98] back all +[3794.98 --> 3795.28] clear. +[3797.04 --> 3797.84] Or yesterday, +[3798.32 --> 3799.04] your daughter +[3799.04 --> 3799.82] called and +[3799.82 --> 3800.32] said your +[3800.32 --> 3801.10] grandson is +[3801.10 --> 3801.88] coming home +[3801.88 --> 3802.70] for Christmas +[3802.70 --> 3803.32] and wants to +[3803.32 --> 3803.78] talk to you +[3803.78 --> 3804.12] about his +[3804.12 --> 3804.50] newfound +[3804.50 --> 3804.92] faith in +[3804.92 --> 3805.22] Jesus. +[3805.22 --> 3805.36] Jesus, +[3806.08 --> 3807.72] suddenly that +[3807.72 --> 3808.62] ordinary +[3808.62 --> 3809.50] everyday +[3809.50 --> 3811.14] routine feels +[3811.14 --> 3812.02] charged with +[3812.02 --> 3812.74] new meaning +[3812.74 --> 3813.44] and new +[3813.44 --> 3813.92] purpose. +[3815.32 --> 3815.64] Suddenly, +[3815.86 --> 3816.46] every sip +[3816.46 --> 3817.18] of coffee, +[3817.32 --> 3817.86] every line +[3817.86 --> 3818.26] of scripture +[3818.26 --> 3818.92] you read +[3818.92 --> 3819.96] is imbued +[3819.96 --> 3820.72] with awe +[3820.72 --> 3821.48] and gratitude, +[3821.68 --> 3822.12] is imbued +[3822.12 --> 3822.44] with this +[3822.44 --> 3823.62] longing to +[3823.62 --> 3824.08] worship. +[3825.04 --> 3825.80] The same +[3825.80 --> 3826.26] sort of +[3826.26 --> 3827.02] dynamic is +[3827.02 --> 3827.44] at work +[3827.44 --> 3828.34] this morning. +[3829.18 --> 3829.30] Right? +[3829.34 --> 3829.92] The shepherds +[3829.92 --> 3830.82] return to +[3830.82 --> 3831.38] the fields +[3831.38 --> 3832.30] that haven't +[3832.30 --> 3832.86] changed, +[3832.86 --> 3835.90] but in +[3835.90 --> 3836.54] the presence +[3836.54 --> 3837.10] of God +[3837.10 --> 3837.80] in Christ +[3837.80 --> 3838.36] which has +[3838.36 --> 3839.48] redefined +[3839.48 --> 3840.68] their experience +[3840.68 --> 3840.98] of the +[3840.98 --> 3841.36] ordinary. +[3842.32 --> 3843.12] Their work, +[3843.30 --> 3843.80] their night +[3843.80 --> 3844.14] watch, +[3844.24 --> 3844.96] their surroundings +[3844.96 --> 3845.98] are now seen +[3845.98 --> 3846.50] through the +[3846.50 --> 3847.16] lens of +[3847.16 --> 3847.62] God's +[3847.62 --> 3848.36] faithfulness. +[3849.24 --> 3849.86] Life +[3849.86 --> 3850.84] itself isn't +[3850.84 --> 3851.30] magically +[3851.30 --> 3852.06] easier, +[3852.90 --> 3853.52] but it's +[3853.52 --> 3854.24] transformed +[3854.24 --> 3855.14] in +[3855.14 --> 3855.90] significance. +[3856.94 --> 3857.40] Ordinary +[3857.40 --> 3858.12] things are +[3858.12 --> 3859.16] now seen +[3859.16 --> 3860.16] through +[3860.16 --> 3860.96] extraordinary +[3860.96 --> 3862.36] ways because +[3862.36 --> 3863.60] God has +[3863.60 --> 3864.68] come near +[3864.68 --> 3867.16] because we +[3867.16 --> 3867.56] have seen +[3867.56 --> 3868.24] his glory, +[3868.74 --> 3869.52] the glory +[3869.52 --> 3869.78] of the +[3869.78 --> 3870.04] one and +[3870.04 --> 3870.50] only Son +[3870.50 --> 3871.00] come from +[3871.00 --> 3871.42] the Father +[3871.42 --> 3872.38] full of +[3872.38 --> 3873.22] grace and +[3873.22 --> 3873.58] truth. +[3875.86 --> 3876.12] Now, +[3876.44 --> 3878.36] what does +[3878.36 --> 3878.64] this mean +[3878.64 --> 3878.94] for who +[3878.94 --> 3879.54] God is +[3879.54 --> 3879.98] and what +[3879.98 --> 3880.44] God has +[3880.44 --> 3880.76] done? +[3882.50 --> 3882.88] It means +[3882.88 --> 3883.26] that God +[3883.26 --> 3884.04] doesn't merely +[3884.04 --> 3884.90] visit the +[3884.90 --> 3885.60] extraordinary, +[3886.18 --> 3886.70] he meets +[3886.70 --> 3887.48] the ordinary +[3887.48 --> 3889.06] and in +[3889.06 --> 3889.50] meeting the +[3889.50 --> 3889.84] ordinary, +[3890.18 --> 3891.38] he sanctifies +[3891.38 --> 3892.12] it by +[3892.12 --> 3892.82] his presence. +[3893.76 --> 3894.58] The shepherds +[3894.58 --> 3895.76] returned changed +[3895.76 --> 3896.32] because the +[3896.32 --> 3897.02] child they +[3897.02 --> 3897.74] saw would +[3897.74 --> 3898.68] one day +[3898.68 --> 3899.36] walk those +[3899.36 --> 3900.18] same ordinary +[3900.18 --> 3900.86] roads that +[3900.86 --> 3901.30] they walked. +[3901.36 --> 3901.60] He would +[3901.60 --> 3902.08] one day +[3902.08 --> 3903.20] return again +[3903.20 --> 3903.66] and again +[3903.66 --> 3904.04] to these +[3904.04 --> 3904.96] same ordinary +[3904.96 --> 3905.74] places and +[3905.74 --> 3906.94] finally he +[3906.94 --> 3907.54] would end +[3907.54 --> 3908.32] his life +[3908.32 --> 3909.14] on a cross. +[3910.64 --> 3911.46] Jesus doesn't +[3911.46 --> 3912.36] simply share +[3912.36 --> 3913.06] our life, +[3913.16 --> 3913.72] he takes +[3913.72 --> 3914.64] our place. +[3915.90 --> 3916.26] The same +[3916.26 --> 3917.00] Christ who +[3917.00 --> 3918.20] lies in a +[3918.20 --> 3918.78] manger would +[3918.78 --> 3919.22] one day +[3919.22 --> 3919.94] return to +[3919.94 --> 3920.72] Jerusalem not +[3920.72 --> 3921.58] to be praised +[3921.58 --> 3922.28] but to be +[3922.28 --> 3923.22] rejected so +[3923.22 --> 3923.78] that ordinary +[3923.78 --> 3924.46] sinners like +[3924.46 --> 3925.08] you and me +[3925.08 --> 3925.46] could be +[3925.46 --> 3926.70] justified by +[3926.70 --> 3927.42] God's grace. +[3928.06 --> 3928.82] God enters +[3928.82 --> 3929.40] the world +[3929.40 --> 3930.12] at Christmas +[3930.12 --> 3931.42] so that he +[3931.42 --> 3932.04] could do +[3932.04 --> 3932.66] what we +[3932.66 --> 3933.12] can't. +[3934.06 --> 3934.90] Jesus lives +[3934.90 --> 3935.62] the life I +[3935.62 --> 3935.94] should have +[3935.94 --> 3936.48] lived and he +[3936.48 --> 3937.04] dies the +[3937.04 --> 3937.74] death that +[3937.74 --> 3938.28] I deserved. +[3938.42 --> 3939.08] Our ordinary +[3939.08 --> 3939.84] is turned +[3939.84 --> 3940.44] extraordinary +[3940.44 --> 3941.74] because of +[3941.74 --> 3942.68] the extraordinary +[3942.68 --> 3943.96] grace of +[3943.96 --> 3944.30] God. +[3945.40 --> 3946.02] The good +[3946.02 --> 3946.96] news of +[3946.96 --> 3948.40] after Christmas +[3948.40 --> 3950.14] meets us +[3950.14 --> 3951.06] in the +[3951.06 --> 3952.00] ordinary +[3952.00 --> 3953.90] things and +[3953.90 --> 3954.68] ways of +[3954.68 --> 3955.48] life and +[3955.48 --> 3957.12] secures our +[3957.12 --> 3958.10] worship in +[3958.10 --> 3958.84] those moments +[3958.84 --> 3959.84] not in +[3959.84 --> 3961.04] sentiment or +[3961.04 --> 3961.82] in nostalgia +[3961.82 --> 3963.70] but in the +[3963.70 --> 3964.70] finished and +[3964.70 --> 3965.92] completed work +[3965.92 --> 3966.68] of Christ. +[3967.94 --> 3968.52] Worship +[3968.52 --> 3969.38] becomes the +[3969.38 --> 3970.34] natural response +[3970.34 --> 3970.94] of hearts +[3970.94 --> 3972.30] anchored in +[3972.30 --> 3972.68] God's +[3972.68 --> 3973.46] faithfulness +[3973.46 --> 3974.38] moving from +[3974.38 --> 3975.10] these fleeting +[3975.10 --> 3976.04] feelings to a +[3976.04 --> 3977.20] reality of +[3977.20 --> 3977.62] what God +[3977.62 --> 3978.28] has accomplished +[3978.28 --> 3979.70] for us in +[3979.70 --> 3980.82] Jesus Christ. +[3982.66 --> 3983.48] So as we +[3983.48 --> 3983.80] think about +[3983.80 --> 3984.16] what comes +[3984.16 --> 3985.14] next I +[3985.14 --> 3985.44] want to +[3985.44 --> 3986.18] invite you +[3986.18 --> 3986.84] for a +[3986.84 --> 3987.32] moment to +[3987.32 --> 3988.42] reflect quietly +[3988.42 --> 3988.90] in your own +[3988.90 --> 3989.24] heart. +[3991.14 --> 3991.74] What does +[3991.74 --> 3993.08] returning look +[3993.08 --> 3994.20] like in +[3994.20 --> 3994.80] your life +[3994.80 --> 3995.34] this next +[3995.34 --> 3995.62] week? +[3997.32 --> 3998.14] Where are +[3998.14 --> 3998.72] you being +[3998.72 --> 3999.44] sent to +[3999.44 --> 4000.44] the ordinary +[4000.44 --> 4001.26] and how +[4001.26 --> 4001.80] might God +[4001.80 --> 4002.38] be present +[4002.38 --> 4002.68] there? +[4004.18 --> 4005.14] Or to put +[4005.14 --> 4005.44] a different +[4005.44 --> 4006.02] spin on it +[4006.02 --> 4006.78] what have +[4006.78 --> 4007.12] you been +[4007.12 --> 4007.58] hoping +[4007.58 --> 4008.06] Christmas +[4008.06 --> 4008.96] would fix +[4008.96 --> 4010.34] that it +[4010.34 --> 4010.74] turns out +[4010.74 --> 4011.34] only Christ +[4011.34 --> 4011.98] can carry? +[4014.12 --> 4014.48] Or where +[4014.48 --> 4014.72] are you +[4014.72 --> 4015.28] tempted to +[4015.28 --> 4016.10] measure God's +[4016.10 --> 4016.74] faithfulness +[4016.74 --> 4017.28] by how you +[4017.28 --> 4018.44] feel rather +[4018.44 --> 4019.08] than by what +[4019.08 --> 4019.72] he has done? +[4021.16 --> 4021.90] Take these +[4021.90 --> 4022.66] questions and +[4022.66 --> 4023.62] prayerfully +[4023.62 --> 4025.42] bring them +[4025.42 --> 4026.86] before the +[4026.86 --> 4027.08] Lord. +[4028.36 --> 4029.10] Notice where +[4029.10 --> 4029.82] you are weary, +[4030.98 --> 4031.66] notice where you +[4031.66 --> 4032.36] are resistant, +[4033.14 --> 4033.60] where you are +[4033.60 --> 4034.48] hesitant to +[4034.48 --> 4035.40] press in, +[4035.68 --> 4036.44] and then take +[4036.44 --> 4037.12] note of where +[4037.12 --> 4037.92] there is a +[4037.92 --> 4038.96] persistent hope +[4038.96 --> 4040.06] in you. +[4041.66 --> 4042.32] I'm not going +[4042.32 --> 4042.82] to give you +[4042.82 --> 4043.92] answers here, +[4044.24 --> 4044.96] I simply want +[4044.96 --> 4045.46] to show you +[4045.46 --> 4045.92] this door. +[4047.02 --> 4047.70] How you choose +[4047.70 --> 4048.32] to walk through +[4048.32 --> 4049.06] it this next +[4049.06 --> 4050.02] week is up +[4050.02 --> 4050.34] to you and +[4050.34 --> 4050.60] God. +[4051.64 --> 4052.52] But if you +[4052.52 --> 4053.00] choose to +[4053.00 --> 4053.46] walk through +[4053.46 --> 4054.72] it, I want +[4054.72 --> 4055.00] to give you +[4055.00 --> 4055.60] some tools +[4055.60 --> 4056.24] for how to +[4056.24 --> 4056.78] sustain it. +[4057.64 --> 4058.42] The shepherds +[4058.42 --> 4059.10] return to their +[4059.10 --> 4060.08] fields and you +[4060.08 --> 4060.68] too are being +[4060.68 --> 4061.38] sent back to +[4061.38 --> 4061.84] your ordinary +[4061.84 --> 4062.86] life, God +[4062.86 --> 4063.58] is not asking +[4063.58 --> 4064.20] you to take +[4064.20 --> 4064.66] on new +[4064.66 --> 4065.88] burdens, he's +[4065.88 --> 4066.88] inviting you to +[4066.88 --> 4067.22] a new +[4067.22 --> 4068.06] attentiveness. +[4069.82 --> 4071.56] So, I'm +[4071.56 --> 4071.84] going to give +[4071.84 --> 4072.88] you four +[4072.88 --> 4074.52] quick ways +[4074.52 --> 4075.18] you can +[4075.18 --> 4076.02] return +[4076.02 --> 4076.92] yourself. +[4078.28 --> 4078.88] First, +[4079.10 --> 4079.66] return +[4079.66 --> 4080.94] prayerfully. +[4082.62 --> 4083.10] What would +[4083.10 --> 4083.80] it look like +[4083.80 --> 4084.60] to pray +[4084.60 --> 4085.24] through your +[4085.24 --> 4086.24] work, through +[4086.24 --> 4087.00] your routines, +[4087.26 --> 4087.62] through your +[4087.62 --> 4088.74] responsibilities each +[4088.74 --> 4088.98] day? +[4090.04 --> 4090.64] Take a +[4090.64 --> 4091.34] moment to +[4091.34 --> 4091.90] name not +[4091.90 --> 4092.56] only what is +[4092.56 --> 4093.60] happening but +[4093.60 --> 4094.96] also what you +[4094.96 --> 4095.88] are afraid of. +[4096.64 --> 4097.04] Take a +[4097.04 --> 4097.54] moment to +[4097.54 --> 4098.14] pray through +[4098.14 --> 4098.52] what you +[4098.52 --> 4099.22] hope for. +[4100.86 --> 4101.42] Return +[4101.42 --> 4102.48] attentively. +[4103.88 --> 4104.50] Ask yourself +[4104.50 --> 4105.00] in prayer, +[4105.18 --> 4105.66] where might +[4105.66 --> 4106.16] God be +[4106.16 --> 4106.78] present in +[4106.78 --> 4107.24] the ordinary +[4107.24 --> 4107.88] moments of +[4107.88 --> 4108.26] your day? +[4108.94 --> 4109.50] In your +[4109.50 --> 4110.12] meals, in +[4110.12 --> 4110.26] your +[4110.26 --> 4110.82] conversations, +[4111.10 --> 4111.40] in your +[4111.40 --> 4112.08] commutes, in +[4112.08 --> 4112.58] your quiet +[4112.58 --> 4113.50] corners of +[4113.50 --> 4114.04] your home, +[4114.32 --> 4114.86] and how +[4114.86 --> 4115.86] could noticing +[4115.86 --> 4117.00] his presence +[4117.00 --> 4118.58] reshape the +[4118.58 --> 4119.52] way you move +[4119.52 --> 4120.08] through these +[4120.08 --> 4120.50] routines? +[4121.34 --> 4124.88] return in +[4124.88 --> 4125.66] community. +[4126.94 --> 4127.20] And so +[4127.20 --> 4128.18] who in +[4128.18 --> 4128.62] the body +[4128.62 --> 4129.22] of Christ, +[4129.28 --> 4129.84] whether this +[4129.84 --> 4130.64] one here or +[4130.64 --> 4131.26] one that you +[4131.26 --> 4131.76] are connected +[4131.76 --> 4132.38] to outside +[4132.38 --> 4133.10] of here, +[4133.46 --> 4133.88] who in +[4133.88 --> 4134.20] the body +[4134.20 --> 4134.62] of Christ +[4134.62 --> 4135.48] might God +[4135.48 --> 4136.04] be asking +[4136.04 --> 4136.44] you to +[4136.44 --> 4137.24] connect with +[4137.24 --> 4137.96] this week, +[4138.38 --> 4139.58] even if +[4139.58 --> 4140.06] your energy +[4140.06 --> 4140.62] is low, +[4141.82 --> 4142.38] even if +[4142.38 --> 4143.02] your enthusiasm +[4143.02 --> 4143.80] is fleeting? +[4144.64 --> 4145.28] How can +[4145.28 --> 4145.84] you share +[4145.84 --> 4146.82] ordinary life +[4146.82 --> 4147.48] together so +[4147.48 --> 4147.94] that faith +[4147.94 --> 4148.68] and encouragement +[4148.68 --> 4149.96] are mutual? +[4151.90 --> 4152.30] Would you +[4152.30 --> 4152.70] take the +[4152.70 --> 4154.34] risk of +[4154.34 --> 4154.90] vulnerability +[4154.90 --> 4156.38] in this +[4156.38 --> 4157.82] moment because +[4157.82 --> 4158.14] of the +[4158.14 --> 4159.90] security of +[4159.90 --> 4160.24] who God +[4160.24 --> 4160.50] is? +[4161.80 --> 4162.38] And then +[4162.38 --> 4162.78] lastly, +[4163.02 --> 4164.12] return with +[4164.12 --> 4165.06] a new or +[4165.06 --> 4165.72] renewed +[4165.72 --> 4166.66] purpose. +[4167.96 --> 4168.26] And how +[4168.26 --> 4169.00] does remembering +[4169.00 --> 4169.94] that God has +[4169.94 --> 4170.36] kept his +[4170.36 --> 4170.96] promises in +[4170.96 --> 4171.76] Christ change +[4171.76 --> 4172.66] the way you +[4172.66 --> 4173.24] approach your +[4173.24 --> 4174.26] ordinary tasks, +[4174.66 --> 4175.46] your relationships, +[4175.80 --> 4176.50] or your week +[4176.50 --> 4176.76] ahead? +[4176.76 --> 4177.58] And what +[4177.58 --> 4178.44] is one way +[4178.44 --> 4178.88] that you +[4178.88 --> 4179.44] can carry +[4179.44 --> 4180.18] this renewed +[4180.18 --> 4180.76] perspective +[4180.76 --> 4181.80] into your +[4181.80 --> 4182.44] daily life? +[4185.74 --> 4186.80] This is not +[4186.80 --> 4187.56] about keeping +[4187.56 --> 4188.54] the Christmas +[4188.54 --> 4189.60] glow alive, +[4190.00 --> 4190.38] all right? +[4191.76 --> 4192.82] This is about +[4192.82 --> 4193.84] trusting that +[4193.84 --> 4194.42] the incarnation +[4194.42 --> 4195.18] of Jesus +[4195.18 --> 4196.42] has already +[4196.42 --> 4197.74] changed everything. +[4198.88 --> 4200.04] Your routines, +[4200.78 --> 4201.54] your ordinary +[4201.54 --> 4202.14] spaces, +[4202.66 --> 4203.38] your work, +[4204.00 --> 4204.74] your relationships, +[4204.74 --> 4204.86] relationships, +[4205.24 --> 4206.34] they are now +[4206.34 --> 4207.78] all imbued +[4207.78 --> 4208.64] with this +[4208.64 --> 4209.70] new meaning +[4209.70 --> 4210.70] because God +[4210.70 --> 4211.34] has come +[4211.34 --> 4212.48] near to +[4212.48 --> 4212.78] you. +[4214.22 --> 4214.72] And so, +[4214.78 --> 4215.00] yes, +[4215.06 --> 4215.66] it's after +[4215.66 --> 4216.12] Christmas, +[4216.12 --> 4217.28] it's time +[4217.28 --> 4217.90] to return +[4217.90 --> 4218.32] to the +[4218.32 --> 4218.82] ordinary, +[4219.38 --> 4220.42] but now +[4220.42 --> 4221.14] we do +[4221.14 --> 4222.28] so in +[4222.28 --> 4222.56] the +[4222.56 --> 4223.36] extraordinary +[4223.36 --> 4224.70] reality +[4224.70 --> 4225.54] defining +[4225.54 --> 4226.90] truth of +[4226.90 --> 4227.26] God's +[4227.26 --> 4227.74] presence +[4227.74 --> 4229.38] and his +[4229.38 --> 4229.88] promise. +[4229.88 --> 4232.64] and that +[4232.64 --> 4233.04] will change +[4233.04 --> 4233.32] what your +[4233.32 --> 4233.78] week looks +[4233.78 --> 4234.08] like. +[4235.24 --> 4235.96] Let's pray +[4235.96 --> 4236.32] together. +[4245.20 --> 4246.00] Lord Jesus, +[4246.14 --> 4246.62] we know +[4246.62 --> 4247.10] that you +[4247.10 --> 4247.72] are here. +[4250.80 --> 4251.70] We know +[4251.70 --> 4252.24] that you +[4252.24 --> 4253.42] have come +[4253.42 --> 4254.06] into this +[4254.06 --> 4254.46] world, +[4255.12 --> 4255.58] that you +[4255.58 --> 4256.02] have taken +[4256.02 --> 4256.78] on flesh, +[4256.78 --> 4258.02] and we +[4258.02 --> 4258.34] know +[4258.34 --> 4259.74] that even +[4259.74 --> 4260.28] though you +[4260.28 --> 4261.30] have lived +[4261.30 --> 4262.08] and died +[4262.08 --> 4262.52] in our +[4262.52 --> 4262.92] place, +[4263.02 --> 4263.60] that even +[4263.60 --> 4264.00] though you +[4264.00 --> 4264.68] have ascended +[4264.68 --> 4265.48] now to the +[4265.48 --> 4266.04] right hand +[4266.04 --> 4266.36] of the +[4266.36 --> 4266.64] Father, +[4266.78 --> 4267.08] that you +[4267.08 --> 4267.52] have sent +[4267.52 --> 4268.24] your Spirit +[4268.24 --> 4269.54] to be with +[4269.54 --> 4270.16] us and +[4270.16 --> 4270.62] to draw +[4270.62 --> 4271.16] us near +[4271.16 --> 4271.62] to you. +[4272.60 --> 4272.96] And we +[4272.96 --> 4273.56] know that +[4273.56 --> 4274.66] in worship +[4274.66 --> 4275.58] our hearts +[4275.58 --> 4276.80] and imaginations +[4276.80 --> 4278.18] ascend into +[4278.18 --> 4278.78] the highest +[4278.78 --> 4279.78] heavens that +[4279.78 --> 4280.32] we might be +[4280.32 --> 4280.88] once again +[4280.88 --> 4281.32] in your +[4281.32 --> 4282.00] presence by +[4282.00 --> 4282.50] the same +[4282.50 --> 4283.12] work of +[4283.12 --> 4283.74] that Spirit. +[4285.18 --> 4285.74] And so +[4285.74 --> 4286.60] transform +[4286.60 --> 4287.16] our +[4287.16 --> 4288.96] imaginations, +[4289.18 --> 4289.58] transform +[4289.58 --> 4290.36] the way +[4290.36 --> 4291.30] we see +[4291.30 --> 4291.94] the world +[4291.94 --> 4293.02] right now. +[4297.60 --> 4298.48] Help us +[4298.48 --> 4298.98] to know, +[4299.24 --> 4299.64] Lord God, +[4300.20 --> 4300.74] that in the +[4300.74 --> 4301.28] ordinary +[4301.28 --> 4302.54] movements +[4302.54 --> 4303.52] of our +[4303.52 --> 4304.12] lives, +[4304.26 --> 4305.60] you are +[4305.60 --> 4305.92] doing +[4305.92 --> 4306.78] extraordinary +[4306.78 --> 4307.56] things, +[4308.56 --> 4309.60] and that +[4309.60 --> 4310.36] your presence +[4310.36 --> 4311.82] is with +[4311.82 --> 4312.26] us. +[4314.70 --> 4315.50] No matter +[4315.50 --> 4316.18] how heavy +[4316.18 --> 4317.08] life may +[4317.08 --> 4317.50] feel, +[4318.70 --> 4319.64] may we +[4319.64 --> 4320.10] rely on +[4320.10 --> 4320.68] your strength. +[4322.08 --> 4322.76] No matter +[4322.76 --> 4323.46] how dark +[4323.46 --> 4324.32] the moments +[4324.32 --> 4325.16] may seem, +[4326.38 --> 4326.96] may we +[4326.96 --> 4327.68] look to +[4327.68 --> 4328.44] you for +[4328.44 --> 4328.86] light. +[4330.54 --> 4331.20] And no matter +[4331.20 --> 4332.66] how confused +[4332.66 --> 4333.40] the world +[4333.40 --> 4334.08] may seem, +[4335.14 --> 4335.88] may we +[4335.88 --> 4336.30] turn to +[4336.30 --> 4337.32] you for +[4337.32 --> 4337.74] truth. +[4339.14 --> 4339.82] Jesus, +[4339.96 --> 4340.56] we pray this +[4340.64 --> 4341.04] in your +[4341.04 --> 4341.60] holy +[4341.60 --> 4342.14] name. +[4343.28 --> 4343.70] Amen. +[4345.22 --> 4345.74] Amen. +[4359.82 --> 4360.68] Amen. +[4360.68 --> 4372.16] Take my life and let it be +[4372.16 --> 4378.58] Consecrated, Lord, to Thee +[4378.58 --> 4385.12] Take my hand and let them rule +[4385.12 --> 4391.58] Have the impulse of Thy love +[4391.58 --> 4398.30] Have the impulse of Thy love +[4398.30 --> 4408.32] Take my feet and let them be +[4408.32 --> 4414.12] Swift and beautiful for Thee +[4415.12 --> 4421.58] Take my voice and let me sing +[4421.58 --> 4428.12] Always, only for my King +[4428.12 --> 4435.58] Always, only for my King +[4435.58 --> 4446.04] Take my silver and my gold +[4446.04 --> 4452.04] Not of my blood I withhold +[4452.04 --> 4458.50] Take my moments and my days +[4458.50 --> 4464.50] Let them flow in ceaseless praise +[4464.50 --> 4470.96] Let them flow in ceaseless praise +[4470.96 --> 4481.42] Take my will and make it Thine +[4481.42 --> 4491.88] Take my will and make it Thine +[4491.88 --> 4502.34] It shall be no longer mine +[4502.34 --> 4504.34] Take my heart, it is Thine +[4504.34 --> 4514.80] It shall be Thy royal throne +[4514.80 --> 4520.80] It shall be Thy royal throne +[4520.80 --> 4527.26] It shall be Thy royal throne +[4527.26 --> 4537.72] Take my will and make it Thine +[4537.72 --> 4550.18] Take my will and make it Thine +[4550.18 --> 4553.18] Take my will and make it Thine +[4553.18 --> 4560.18] It shall be no longer mine +[4560.18 --> 4566.64] Take my heart, it is Thine +[4566.64 --> 4577.10] It shall be Thy royal throne +[4577.10 --> 4581.10] It shall be Thy royal throne +[4581.10 --> 4594.56] Before you go this week +[4594.56 --> 4596.72] If you would like to meet someone for prayer +[4596.72 --> 4599.14] There will be someone up here after the service +[4599.14 --> 4600.66] who would love to connect with you +[4600.66 --> 4602.06] and to pray with you +[4602.06 --> 4605.24] I am also very mindful of the fact +[4605.24 --> 4606.96] that there are a number of people out there +[4606.96 --> 4608.28] in your rows beside you +[4608.28 --> 4609.40] who would also do the same +[4609.40 --> 4612.34] and so turn to those around you +[4612.34 --> 4614.82] and see how you might pray for them +[4614.82 --> 4616.74] as well as we go into this week +[4616.74 --> 4619.38] Lastly, just a quick reminder +[4619.38 --> 4622.34] hope to see many of you on New Year's Day +[4622.34 --> 4625.96] at 12.30 for our skating together +[4625.96 --> 4631.00] Go then with the blessing of our God +[4631.00 --> 4635.48] God, go before you to lead you +[4635.48 --> 4638.22] God, go behind you to protect you +[4638.22 --> 4640.68] God, go beneath you to support you +[4640.68 --> 4643.56] and God, go beside you to befriend you +[4643.56 --> 4646.18] Do not be afraid +[4646.18 --> 4648.74] Let the blessing of God come upon you today +[4648.74 --> 4650.44] Do not be afraid +[4650.44 --> 4655.30] but go in peace to love and serve the Lord +[4655.30 --> 4656.74] Amen +[4661.00 --> 4668.76] Set your rule and reign in our hearts again +[4668.76 --> 4672.88] In peace in us we pray +[4672.88 --> 4676.96] Avail why we're made +[4676.96 --> 4681.42] Come set our hearts ablaze with hope +[4681.42 --> 4685.52] Like a cloud file in our very souls +[4685.52 --> 4692.00] Holy Spirit come invade us now +[4692.00 --> 4697.10] We are your church +[4697.10 --> 4703.90] We need your power in us +[4703.90 --> 4712.72] We need your kingdom first +[4712.72 --> 4716.68] We hunger and we thirst +[4716.68 --> 4720.72] Refuse to waste our lives +[4720.72 --> 4724.66] For you're our joy and prize +[4724.66 --> 4728.86] To see the captive hearts released +[4728.86 --> 4732.84] The hurt, the sick, the poor and meek +[4732.84 --> 4739.34] We lay down our lives for heaven's souls +[4739.34 --> 4744.38] We are your church +[4744.38 --> 4750.86] We pray revive this earth +[4750.86 --> 4756.80] We are your kingdom first +[4756.80 --> 4758.68] We are your kingdom first +[4758.68 --> 4759.26] We are your kingdom first +[4759.26 --> 4763.12] Let the darkness fear +[4763.12 --> 4767.06] Show your mighty hand +[4767.06 --> 4770.96] Fill our streets at last +[4770.96 --> 4774.70] Set your church on fire +[4774.70 --> 4778.44] With the station back +[4778.44 --> 4780.44] Change the atmosphere +[4780.44 --> 4781.44] Change the atmosphere +[4781.44 --> 4782.44] Change the atmosphere +[4782.44 --> 4784.44] Build your kingdom +[4784.44 --> 4785.44] We are we pray +[4785.44 --> 4786.44] Build your kingdom +[4786.44 --> 4788.44] We are we pray +[4788.44 --> 4798.44] Unleash your kingdom's power +[4798.44 --> 4801.44] Reach in the near and far +[4801.44 --> 4805.44] No more smell can song +[4805.44 --> 4809.44] Your beauty changing heart +[4809.44 --> 4814.44] You've made us for much more than this +[4814.44 --> 4817.44] Awake the kingdom seed in us +[4817.44 --> 4820.44] Fill with earth the strength +[4820.44 --> 4824.44] And love of Christ +[4824.44 --> 4828.44] We are your church +[4828.44 --> 4835.44] We are the home on earth +[4835.44 --> 4837.44] We are the home on earth +[4837.44 --> 4843.44] Build your kingdom here +[4843.44 --> 4847.44] Let the darkness fear +[4847.44 --> 4849.44] Show your mighty hand +[4849.44 --> 4851.44] Fill our streets and lands +[4851.44 --> 4852.44] Send your church on fire +[4852.44 --> 4853.44] Fill our streets and lands +[4853.44 --> 4855.44] Fill our streets and lands +[4855.44 --> 4856.44] Fill our streets and lands +[4856.44 --> 4858.44] Send your church on fire +[4858.44 --> 4859.44] Send your church on fire +[4859.44 --> 4860.44] With the station back +[4860.44 --> 4862.44] With the station back +[4862.44 --> 4864.44] Change the atmosphere +[4864.44 --> 4866.44] Fill your kingdom +[4866.44 --> 4868.44] Build your kingdom +[4868.44 --> 4870.44] Fill your kingdom +[4870.44 --> 4875.44] We are we pray +[4875.44 --> 4905.42] Thank you. +[4905.44 --> 4935.42] Thank you. +[4935.44 --> 4965.42] Thank you. +[4965.44 --> 4995.42] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..049c76d03a266cba17126f2d8aebeb63e3c33a33 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,148 @@ +• Introduction of Jesus as an elder in the church +• Announcement of a gift to be given to Jesus +• Invitation for Jesus to come forward and receive the gift +• Singing of a worship song together +• Celebration of the occasion with music and praise +• Worship and prayer +• Church offering and charity +• Wagner Hills ministry and addiction support +• Giving options for church budget and technology +• Scripture readings and music +• Congregational announcements and gathering +• Discussion of last week's topics, specifically Elizabeth and Zachariah +• Introduction to new topic: Mary and Joseph receiving unexpected news from a messenger +• Reading and prayer devotional on trusting God in uncertain times +• Update on church activities and announcements: + + Craft fair and bake sale success + + End-of-year budget needs + + Lord's Supper next Sunday + + Update on Lane Benny's health and Cor Bolt's passing +• Prayer for the congregation, including specific petitions for families grieving a loss +• Thanking God for safe delivery of baby John Peter +• Praying for health and strength for Josh, Rachel, and the baby +• Praying for Lane Benny's healing from illness +• Lifting up those who are homebound during winter season +• Praying for comfort and companionship for the isolated +• Asking for peace and light for those struggling with mental health +• Praying for the persecuted church worldwide +• Seeking strength and guidance for the local church community +• Reflecting on Advent and Christmas themes through "The Cast of Christmas" preaching series +• Exploring Mary's story in Luke 1, verses 26-38 +• The birth of Jesus as described in Matthew's gospel account +• Joseph's decision to divorce Mary quietly due to her pregnancy, and the angelic visitation that changed his mind +• Advertising techniques used by companies to sell products through storytelling and symbolism +• How car marketing uses a "story" rather than listing features or benefits +• The idea of peace is often sold as a product that can be achieved by escaping or avoiding life's challenges +• This escape mentality promotes the idea that peace is something to be found "out there" rather than within oneself +• The culture encourages people to find their true selves and express themselves authentically, but this can lead to self-centeredness and distraction from external responsibilities +• The script for finding peace often involves removing oneself from the world's noise and demands, rather than engaging with them and finding a sense of purpose and meaning +• The nature of peace as fragile and always moving +• The importance of maintaining a sense of self that is constantly changing +• The need for affirmation from others to survive despite claiming independence +• Critique of the idea that peace will come when life slows down or external circumstances are improved +• Discussion of how this approach leads to peace deferred +• Exploration of what it means to have peace that isn't dependent on feelings, moods, or external validation +• Peace that requires life to cooperate is not a true peace +• True peace comes when we yield ourselves to God's will, even if it disrupts our plans +• Mary and Joseph's story illustrates this concept of yielding to God's will +• Their lives looked very different from ours due to cultural and societal differences +• A betrothal in their day was a formal arrangement between two families that was considered binding, with the only ways to break it being death or divorce +• Bride price paid by groom's family +• Betrothal period before marriage consummation +• Mary's situation as a young woman in a legally binding but not yet consummated marriage +• Expectations for herself and her family regarding the future of the marriage +• The angel's announcement that will change Mary's life and future plans +• Mary's willingness to serve God and surrender her plans +• The source of Mary's peace in being surrendered to God's word +• Mary's surrender as an example of the shape of advent peace +• The difference between a quiet life and a deep, steadfast life surrendered to God +• Joseph's perspective on surrender from within disruption +• Matthew's account of Joseph's side of the story with restraint +• A wedding ceremony is planned for Joseph and Mary +• Joseph prepares to build a life with Mary, but discovers she is pregnant +• He realizes he's not the father and must decide what to do +• Joseph considers public accusation or legal consequences against Mary +• Instead, he decides to quietly dissolve their betrothal and divorce her to protect her from shame +• God interrupts his decision through an angel in a dream, revealing that the child is of the Holy Spirit and Joseph's role is part of a larger story. +• The significance of a call to reshape one's life, as experienced by Mary and potentially others +• Taking Mary as wife and embracing the child she carries (Jesus) +• Joseph publicly accepting shame and its implications +• Lifetime of social judgment and questioning for Joseph +• Connection between Joseph's situation and Jesus' adulthood +• Joseph's anxiety and obedience in a moment where he is commanded to raise Jesus as his own +• The social cost and shame that Joseph absorbs, not just for himself but also on Mary and Jesus +• Matthew's account of Joseph's dream and his immediate response to the angel's command +• The concept of "peace" being discussed, specifically not the peace of understanding or having all questions answered, but rather a different kind of peace +• The peace of trust comes from entrusting one's life to God, whose wisdom exceeds human understanding. +• Mary and Joseph are examples of people who have reordered their lives according to God's will. +• It is tempting to admire them from a distance as unusually brave, faithful, and prepared for their moment. +• However, the question remains whether they merited God's favor or simply received it due to circumstances. +• The nature of God +• Ordinary human people, Mary and Joseph +• Their experiences with God's call +• Trust and surrender to God's will +• Obedience as a response to God's peace +• Knowing and understanding God +• God's love and care for humans +• Love that doesn't depend on human strength or understanding +• Encouragement not to be afraid, but trust in God +• The story of Jesus and Mary is meant to draw hearts towards the center of the gospel. +• Mary and Jesus' actions disrupt their family's carefully laid plans. +• Jesus embodies obedience by yielding to God's will. +• Trust, control, and surrender are themes in Jesus' path. +• Mary's surrender begins the story, while Jesus' surrender brings it to its climax. +• Joseph bears shame for protecting Mary, while Jesus bears shame and sin to redeem us. +• Trust in God +• Jesus steps into darkness and bears the cross +• Substitutionary life of Jesus +• Obedience and yielding to God's will +• Exchange of peace for unrest, righteousness for rebellion, holiness for fractured selves +• Love that anchors our peace through Christ's sacrifice +• Surrendering to God's plan and surrendering oneself for others +• Christ's love and resurrection +• The Holy Spirit pouring love into hearts and lives +• God's love for Mary in Nazareth +• Joseph's confusion and steadying influence +• Jesus' crucifixion and the same love moving towards others +• Love that moves through life's struggles and plans falling apart +• Being held, forgiven, and having true peace when surrendering to God +• The past and recent experiences of a speaker at a prayer gathering +• Experience of heightened busyness and chaos +• Long-term rest is not possible, only temporary calm +• Feeling tired and overwhelmed by calendar of events +• Mention of specific date (November 12) as a turning point +• Realization that the Holy Spirit convicted speaker to change +• Wife's repeated message to listen to the Spirit +• Cost of busyness and its effects on family members +• Feeling guilty for burdening others with stress and anxiety +• Recognizing that restless striving is not the answer to peace +• Surrendering to Jesus and His obedience as a source of true peace +• Understanding that manufactured peace through control and schedules is not authentic +• Embracing the gospel's message and reliance on God's provision +• The speaker discusses a doctrine that preaches a reality where one can rest in Jesus. +• Jesus didn't come to stop the speaker's striving, but to replace it with surrender. +• The speaker compares their own striving and grasping to Jesus' obedience and trust in God. +• Mary and Joseph are mentioned as examples of surrender to God's will. +• Jesus is seen as a gift that brings peace and belonging to the speaker. +• The speaker is unable to manufacture peace +• The other person delights in giving peace and does not wait for the speaker to calm down or slow down +• The other person meets the speaker in the chaos they have created and gives them themselves, offering a sense of trust and surrender +• Discussion of true peace and its relationship to God's will +• Generosity and surrender as sources of peace +• The importance of union with Christ in finding peace +• Contrasting controlling circumstances with trusting in God's plan +• Three ways to experience peace through Christ's willing surrender +• The speaker discusses the challenges of managing time and commitments during the holiday season +• The importance of surrendering one's schedule to God and praying about it +• The need to rest in word and prayer, including reading Scripture and changing the approach to prayer from asking for relief to receiving Christ's presence +• The concept of yielding to God, which can involve small acts of trust and obedience, such as responding patiently to a family member or giving difficult tasks to God instead of trying to control them +• The invitation of Advent to live like Mary and Joseph, obeying and trusting in Jesus even when the future is uncertain +• The speaker's prayer for peace to be with those listening, citing Christ's promise to bring peace and overcome the world +• Discussion of peace and the presence of God +• References to worship, prayer, and adoration of Jesus Christ +• Bible verses and scriptural allusions +• Prayers for guidance, protection, and healing +• Conversations with the Holy Spirit and seeking spiritual renewal +• Reflections on mortality and the afterlife +• Repeated expression of gratitude, with no specific topic or subject discussed. +• Transcript appears to be a recording of an automated system or timer, counting down in seconds. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3f45cf24da98bbfebe15aa37c32e5c75ec0db679 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, December 7, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3005 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[359.98 --> 389.96] Thank you. +[389.98 --> 419.96] Thank you. +[419.98 --> 449.96] Thank you. +[449.96 --> 479.94] Thank you. +[479.96 --> 509.94] Thank you. +[509.94 --> 539.92] Thank you. +[539.94 --> 569.92] Thank you. +[569.92 --> 599.90] Thank you. +[599.92 --> 629.90] Thank you. +[629.94 --> 659.90] Thank you. +[659.90 --> 689.88] Thank you. +[689.88 --> 719.86] Thank you. +[719.86 --> 749.84] Thank you. +[749.84 --> 779.82] Thank you. +[779.84 --> 809.82] Thank you. +[809.82 --> 839.80] Thank you. +[839.80 --> 869.78] Thank you. +[869.78 --> 899.76] Thank you. +[899.78 --> 929.76] Thank you. +[929.78 --> 959.76] Thank you. +[959.78 --> 989.76] Thank you. +[989.76 --> 1019.74] Thank you. +[1019.76 --> 1049.74] Thank you. +[1049.76 --> 1079.74] Thank you. +[1079.74 --> 1109.72] Thank you. +[1109.74 --> 1139.72] Thank you. +[1139.72 --> 1169.70] Thank you. +[1169.70 --> 1199.68] Thank you. +[1199.70 --> 1229.68] Thank you. +[1229.70 --> 1259.68] Thank you. +[1259.70 --> 1289.68] Thank you. +[1289.70 --> 1319.68] Thank you. +[1319.70 --> 1349.70] Thank you. +[1349.70 --> 1379.68] Thank you. +[1379.68 --> 1409.66] Thank you. +[1409.66 --> 1439.64] Thank you. +[1439.66 --> 1469.64] Thank you. +[1469.66 --> 1499.64] Thank you. +[1499.64 --> 1529.62] with me. +[1529.62 --> 1559.60] Thank you. +[1559.60 --> 1589.58] Thank you. +[1589.58 --> 1619.58] Thank you. +[1619.58 --> 1649.56] Thank you. +[1649.56 --> 1679.54] Thank you. +[1679.54 --> 1709.52] Thank you. +[1709.54 --> 1739.52] Thank you. +[1739.52 --> 1769.50] Thank you. +[1769.52 --> 1799.50] Thank you. +[1799.52 --> 1829.50] Thank you. +[1829.52 --> 1859.50] Thank you. +[1859.52 --> 1889.50] Thank you. +[1889.52 --> 1919.50] Thank you. +[1919.52 --> 1949.50] Thank you. +[1949.52 --> 1979.50] Thank you. +[1979.50 --> 2009.48] Thank you. +[2009.50 --> 2039.48] Thank you. +[2039.50 --> 2069.48] Thank you. +[2069.48 --> 2099.46] Thank you. +[2099.48 --> 2129.46] Thank you. +[2129.46 --> 2159.44] Good morning to you. +[2159.46 --> 2189.46] Thank you. +[2189.46 --> 2219.46] Thank you. +[2219.46 --> 2249.46] Thank you. +[2249.46 --> 2279.46] Thank you. +[2279.46 --> 2309.46] Thank you. +[2309.46 --> 2339.46] Thank you. +[2339.46 --> 2369.46] Thank you. +[2369.46 --> 2399.46] Thank you. +[2399.46 --> 2429.46] Thank you. +[2429.46 --> 2459.44] Thank you. +[2459.46 --> 2466.46] Thank you. +[2466.46 --> 2496.44] Thank you. +[2496.44 --> 2526.44] Thank you. +[2526.44 --> 2556.42] I will ask you. +[2556.44 --> 2558.44] Amen. +[2558.44 --> 2559.44] Amen. +[2559.44 --> 2586.42] Amen. +[2586.42 --> 2616.42] Thank you. +[2616.42 --> 2646.40] Thank you. +[2647.26 --> 2647.66] Amen. +[2654.04 --> 2656.80] At this point, we have a gift we would like to give you. +[2657.78 --> 2659.58] And then we'll give you the gift of music. +[2660.80 --> 2662.68] I'm going to invite Jesus to come forward. +[2662.80 --> 2666.84] He's an elder in our church, and there's a gift here to mark this occasion +[2666.84 --> 2668.78] and to celebrate this day. +[2672.30 --> 2673.18] Lord bless you. +[2673.18 --> 2675.36] Let's stand and sing together. +[2676.42 --> 2706.40] Let's stand and sing together. +[2706.40 --> 2714.40] Oh my soul, worship His holy name. +[2715.40 --> 2718.40] Sing like never before. +[2719.92 --> 2726.40] Oh my soul, I worship Your holy name. +[2726.40 --> 2734.40] The sun comes up. +[2734.40 --> 2738.40] It's a new day dawning. +[2738.40 --> 2744.40] It's time to sing Your song again. +[2744.40 --> 2752.40] Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me. +[2752.40 --> 2758.40] Let me be singing when the evening comes. +[2758.40 --> 2759.40] Let's stand and sing together. +[2759.40 --> 2760.40] Let's stand and sing together. +[2760.40 --> 2764.40] Let's stand and sing together. +[2764.40 --> 2768.40] Lord, oh my soul, oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2768.40 --> 2773.40] Oh my soul, worship His holy name. +[2773.40 --> 2774.40] Sing like never before. +[2774.40 --> 2775.40] Oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2775.40 --> 2777.40] Oh my soul, I worship Your holy name. +[2777.40 --> 2778.40] Oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2778.40 --> 2779.40] Oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2779.40 --> 2780.40] Oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2780.40 --> 2784.40] Oh my soul, I worship Your holy name. +[2784.40 --> 2790.40] Oh my soul, oh my soul, oh my soul. +[2790.40 --> 2796.40] Your rich in love and Your soul to anger. +[2796.40 --> 2802.40] Your need is great and your heart is bright +[2803.40 --> 2809.40] For all your goodness I will keep on singing +[2810.40 --> 2817.40] Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find +[2817.40 --> 2827.40] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul +[2828.40 --> 2832.40] Worship His holy name +[2833.40 --> 2839.40] Sing like ever before, O my soul +[2840.40 --> 2845.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2847.40 --> 2855.40] And on that day when my strength is failing +[2856.40 --> 2861.40] The end draws near and my time has come +[2862.40 --> 2868.40] Still my soul will sing Your praise unending +[2868.40 --> 2877.40] Ten thousand years and then forevermore +[2878.40 --> 2885.40] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul +[2885.40 --> 2890.40] Worship His holy name +[2891.40 --> 2897.40] Sing like ever before, O my soul +[2897.40 --> 2900.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2900.40 --> 2907.40] Sing like ever before, O my soul +[2907.40 --> 2910.40] Sing like ever before, O my soul +[2910.40 --> 2916.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2916.40 --> 2922.40] Sing like ever before, O my soul +[2922.40 --> 2925.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2925.40 --> 2928.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2928.40 --> 2933.40] I'll worship Your holy name +[2933.40 --> 2942.40] Lord, I'll worship Your holy name +[2942.40 --> 2943.40] I'll worship your holy name +[2944.40 --> 2945.40] My name is Pete and I'm a deacon here at Emmanuel +[2945.40 --> 2954.40] and first I'd like to +[2954.40 --> 2966.00] I was afraid I'd have to try turn this thing on, but thanks. +[2966.72 --> 2967.54] My name is Pete. +[2967.66 --> 2968.94] I'm a deacon here at Emanuel. +[2969.62 --> 2977.14] And first, I'd like to let you know that next week's offering is going to be a reverse offering. +[2977.14 --> 2982.86] So that will be, there'll be gift certificates in the bags or in the, I don't know if it's +[2982.86 --> 2985.80] going to be a bag or a basket, but you'll see gift certificates. +[2986.68 --> 2996.66] So as the Lord puts people on your hearts this week that may need some help, we just have +[2996.66 --> 3001.30] them in mind as the baskets go by and take out the ones that you would like to give. +[3001.30 --> 3006.86] So this week's offering is for Wagner Hills. +[3006.86 --> 3013.78] And they're a ministry based in Langley itself. +[3013.78 --> 3023.02] They minister to men and women that have problems with addictions and they offer classes. +[3023.02 --> 3025.10] They offer counseling. +[3025.68 --> 3027.26] It's a year-long program. +[3027.26 --> 3035.62] They also have groups that go out and work in the community and just so that they can +[3035.62 --> 3037.42] get back into regular life. +[3037.42 --> 3041.04] I think it's a real worthwhile cause to support. +[3041.22 --> 3044.80] It's a Christian-based service with them. +[3045.36 --> 3051.42] Also, if you're interested in giving to the budget of the church, it'd be best to ear tag +[3051.42 --> 3055.30] it or to use the envelopes in the rows. +[3056.06 --> 3059.36] Or you can do it by, there's three different ways there. +[3059.56 --> 3064.30] You can do it on email or one of those kind of things. +[3064.42 --> 3065.84] I'm really bad at technology. +[3066.04 --> 3068.68] So it's like, I'm sure you can read those ones. +[3069.46 --> 3069.74] All right. +[3069.90 --> 3073.12] So just give as the Lord has blessed. +[3073.50 --> 3073.88] Thanks. +[3073.88 --> 3092.74] All right. +[3092.74 --> 3096.66] Bethlehem appeared to start +[3096.66 --> 3102.34] All angels sang to lowly shepherds +[3102.34 --> 3107.04] Three wise men seeking truth +[3107.04 --> 3110.18] Traveled from above +[3110.18 --> 3115.30] Hoping to find a child from heaven +[3115.30 --> 3119.20] Falling away +[3119.20 --> 3126.88] Thou before the humble Prince of Kings +[3126.88 --> 3133.58] We bring an offering of worship to our King +[3133.58 --> 3140.06] No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing +[3140.06 --> 3146.54] Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due +[3146.54 --> 3153.22] Oh Lord, we bring an offering to you +[3153.22 --> 3160.22] We bring an offering to you +[3160.22 --> 3172.10] The Son cannot prepare to the glory of your love +[3172.10 --> 3177.90] There is no shadow in your presence +[3177.90 --> 3185.58] No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne +[3185.58 --> 3190.58] Before the Holy One of Heaven +[3190.58 --> 3195.58] It's only by your love +[3195.58 --> 3198.58] It's only through your mercy +[3198.58 --> 3207.26] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3207.26 --> 3215.94] I bring an offering to you +[3215.94 --> 3221.62] Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due +[3221.62 --> 3228.30] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3228.30 --> 3232.30] I bring an offering to you +[3232.30 --> 3234.30] I bring an offering to you +[3234.30 --> 3246.98] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3246.98 --> 3259.66] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3259.66 --> 3263.66] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3263.66 --> 3281.34] O Lord, I encourage you +[3281.34 --> 3286.34] O Lord, I bring an offering to you +[3286.34 --> 3295.82] Good morning, everybody. Can I have the preschool all the way up to grade four come on up to +[3295.82 --> 3312.46] the front today? Can anybody in this group, some of you are new, so you might not have +[3312.46 --> 3317.12] been here last week. Can anybody in this group remember two main characters that we +[3317.12 --> 3329.18] talked about last week? No? Yeah? Yeah, we talked about Elizabeth and Zachariah and +[3329.18 --> 3335.06] they heard some news. Yeah? And this week, you're right, Mateo, this week we're going +[3335.06 --> 3340.30] to talk about Mary and Joseph and how they got some unexpected news from a +[3340.30 --> 3345.96] messenger and how they had to change their plans and how they felt about it. +[3345.96 --> 3356.40] So I have, I've been going over a new devotional in, at home, and it goes through +[3356.40 --> 3360.88] songs. So we're going to say, we're going to do a little prayer. So can everybody close +[3360.88 --> 3367.82] their eyes, fold their hands? God of order, in all my disorder, in the middle of my +[3367.82 --> 3374.90] uncertainty, you are certain. You are sure, you are faithful, you are good. Even as Mary +[3374.90 --> 3380.26] and Joseph were experiencing moments both holy and traumatic, not too far away were +[3380.26 --> 3384.82] shepherds tending their flocks. Shepherds whom you would lead to come see the newborn +[3384.82 --> 3389.98] Savior. You're already working in the midst of this couple's upheaval, moving in their +[3389.98 --> 3396.28] mayhem, tender in their turmoil, divine in their disorder. You are the God of great and +[3396.28 --> 3401.58] perfect plans. Even in the messiness of life this season, you might well be leading me +[3401.58 --> 3407.38] to be to the miraculous, and I will trust you. Amen. +[3408.44 --> 3412.58] So in church's worship time, we're going to learn a little bit more on how we can trust +[3412.58 --> 3419.36] in God when our plans are not the way that we think they should be. So let's everybody +[3419.36 --> 3429.36] stand up. Let's look at the congregation. And we're going to go one, two, three. The Lord +[3429.36 --> 3432.14] is in the womb and also with you. +[3449.36 --> 3466.58] Hi, my name is Paul and I'm an elder here at this church. Before we go to prayer, it's +[3466.58 --> 3473.36] my privilege to lead us in prayer this morning. We have a couple of updates and council announcements. +[3473.36 --> 3482.36] And we want to thank everybody who made the craft fair and bake sale yesterday a huge success. +[3482.36 --> 3488.60] Thanks for all that came out and those that participated. A special thank you to the leaders +[3488.60 --> 3496.36] and those who helped and set up and clean up. And it was great to have that happen here yesterday. +[3496.36 --> 3506.36] As the end of the year approaches, we'd like to thank everybody for your faithful support +[3506.36 --> 3513.36] and giving throughout the year. At the end of November, we find ourselves only 11% behind. +[3513.36 --> 3520.36] So we're, praise God for that. By the end of the year, we're required to make our budget. +[3520.36 --> 3531.36] So we ask that you will consider helping us finish strong. I want to also remind you that next Sunday +[3531.36 --> 3540.36] is Lord's Supper. We encourage you to spend this week preparing your hearts and to be met by Christ +[3540.36 --> 3553.36] at the table next week. If you have kids, we encourage that you will talk to them about what this means as we gather. +[3553.36 --> 3560.36] And one thing that hasn't been in the bulletin that I want to bring before you is, as many of you may know, +[3560.36 --> 3570.36] Leo and Debbie Benny, their son, Lane, the youngest, is very sick. He has stomach cancer. +[3570.36 --> 3582.36] And we want to bring him before the Lord. As well, we want to, what has been in the bulletin is the passing away +[3582.36 --> 3593.36] of Corrine Muller's father, Cor Bolt. We want you to know that this funeral will be held next week, or this week, +[3593.36 --> 3606.36] sorry, Friday, at Maple Ridge Christian Forum Church. The time will be probably in the midweek bulletin. +[3606.36 --> 3619.36] Let's go to our God in prayer. +[3619.36 --> 3627.36] Father in heaven, once again we come before you with a sense of awe. +[3627.36 --> 3634.36] Especially in this season of Advent, we can only start to grasp how great you are. +[3636.36 --> 3643.36] From the tiniest neuron to the vastness of space, you created it all. +[3643.36 --> 3650.36] All you had to do was to speak it, and it was there. And still, you chose to make us part of it all, +[3650.36 --> 3654.36] and call us your children. +[3654.36 --> 3661.36] In this season, we remember and celebrate how you came to be with us. +[3661.36 --> 3669.36] And we sing, you stepped down from heaven, humbly you came, God of all creation, here with us, +[3669.36 --> 3676.36] in a starlit manger, Emmanuel, God with us. +[3676.36 --> 3679.36] How unexpected. +[3679.36 --> 3681.36] Then and now. +[3681.36 --> 3684.36] Help us to see you for who you are. +[3684.36 --> 3691.36] Help us to be part of your plan as a church community, as well as each one of us, personally. +[3691.36 --> 3697.36] Thank you, Father, for all you do for us here as a church community. +[3697.36 --> 3701.36] Thank you for all the ministries that do your work here. +[3701.36 --> 3706.36] Thank you for bringing us all here together again this morning. +[3706.36 --> 3712.36] We pray you will accept our worship here and in our daily lives. +[3712.36 --> 3713.36] We pray for you, God. +[3713.36 --> 3714.36] We pray for you, God. +[3714.36 --> 3719.36] Because we know who you are, we can also come to you with our petitions. +[3719.36 --> 3726.36] We pray for the Muller and Bolt families as they grieve the loss of Cor Bolt, +[3726.36 --> 3732.36] Father to Corrine and Grandfather to Brianna, Matthew and Anthony, +[3732.36 --> 3736.36] who passed away this past Wednesday morning. +[3736.36 --> 3743.36] May God grant them peace, comfort and strength as they walk through this time. +[3743.36 --> 3747.36] We thank you for the gift of baptism of Ruth. +[3747.36 --> 3755.36] We ask for your blessing over her life, that she may grow in faith and joy and wisdom. +[3755.36 --> 3762.36] We pray for Haley and Nate as they guide and nurture her in God's love. +[3762.36 --> 3768.36] May this special day mark the beginning of a lifetime walking with you. +[3768.36 --> 3775.36] We give thanks to God and celebrate the arrival of the baby boy, John Peter, +[3775.36 --> 3780.36] born to Josh and Rachel and the big sister, Elizabeth. +[3780.36 --> 3787.36] We pray God will give them a... +[3787.36 --> 3796.36] We thank you for safe delivery and we pray that you will continue to give health and strength from mom and baby. +[3796.36 --> 3799.36] We pray that you will continue to bless them. +[3799.36 --> 3806.36] Lord, we pray for Lane Benny. +[3806.36 --> 3808.36] Lord, we ask for healing. +[3808.36 --> 3815.36] We ask that you will give strength and peace as he deals with this illness. +[3815.36 --> 3829.36] As we enter this winter season, we lift up all who are homebound and unable to get out. +[3829.36 --> 3835.36] We pray for comfort and companionship and strength for all who are at home. +[3835.36 --> 3840.36] Lord, we pray that you will hold them close. +[3840.36 --> 3844.36] We pray for those who struggle with mental health at this time of the year. +[3844.36 --> 3847.36] We ask that you will give them your peace and light. +[3847.36 --> 3854.36] Lord, we pray for the persecuted church all around the world. +[3854.36 --> 3859.36] Those who stand and praise your name, Lord. +[3859.36 --> 3865.36] Lord, we ask that you will give them the strength that they need. +[3865.36 --> 3870.36] Lord, we ask that you will continue to help this church to gather in your name, +[3870.36 --> 3875.36] to grow in the knowledge that you are with us and saved us from our sins. +[3875.36 --> 3881.36] Help us to go out into the community around us and be a light. +[3881.36 --> 3884.36] Father, we pray here us. +[3884.36 --> 3890.36] Look at the list of our concerns. +[3890.36 --> 3894.36] We know that you knew it before we wrote it down. +[3895.16 --> 3897.16] We know that you know better than us +[3897.16 --> 3899.70] what must be prayed in each of these circumstances. +[3900.68 --> 3903.74] We ask that your Holy Spirit completes it. +[3906.12 --> 3908.34] As we hear your word for us this morning, +[3908.48 --> 3909.64] preached by Pastor Chris, +[3909.64 --> 3914.30] fill us with your will and purpose. +[3916.76 --> 3918.54] Guide us by your Holy Spirit +[3918.54 --> 3921.24] so that your kingdom will advance through us +[3921.24 --> 3923.50] and your holy name is glorified +[3923.50 --> 3926.76] the story of amazing love, +[3927.88 --> 3929.96] the light of the world given for us. +[3931.08 --> 3934.50] We pray that our eyes will be fixed on Jesus. +[3935.22 --> 3936.72] We pray that by your Spirit, +[3936.72 --> 3939.04] you will bring it in our hearts to believe +[3939.04 --> 3940.26] and to trust in you. +[3941.18 --> 3944.56] We ask all these things because of your holy name. +[3945.38 --> 3945.66] Amen. +[3953.50 --> 3966.60] This Advent and Christmas, +[3966.60 --> 3973.70] we are here at Emanuel going through a preaching series +[3973.70 --> 3976.22] and we've called The Cast of Christmas, +[3976.22 --> 3979.64] looking at different characters in this story. +[3979.64 --> 3983.32] And today, we're going to be looking more closely +[3983.32 --> 3987.40] at Mary and Joseph and who they are +[3987.40 --> 3989.50] and their story for us. +[3989.58 --> 3992.16] And so we're going to do that by reading from two places. +[3992.16 --> 3996.46] We're going to read from Luke 1, verse 26 to 38. +[3996.70 --> 4001.18] And then we will read from Matthew 1, 18 to 25. +[4001.68 --> 4005.68] We'll start with Luke 1, 26 to 38. +[4006.02 --> 4006.36] Luke 1, 26 to 38. +[4006.36 --> 4009.62] Luke 1, 26 to 38. +[4009.64 --> 4014.76] In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, +[4015.34 --> 4018.06] God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, +[4018.20 --> 4019.30] a town in Galilee, +[4019.84 --> 4023.24] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, +[4023.50 --> 4024.62] a descendant of David. +[4025.34 --> 4027.48] The virgin's name was Mary. +[4028.16 --> 4029.96] The angel went to her and said, +[4030.30 --> 4032.94] greetings, you who are highly favored. +[4033.36 --> 4034.64] The Lord is with you. +[4035.94 --> 4038.18] Mary was greatly troubled at his words +[4038.18 --> 4041.26] and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. +[4042.10 --> 4043.72] But the angel said to her, +[4043.72 --> 4045.56] do not be afraid, Mary. +[4046.14 --> 4047.86] You have found favor with God. +[4048.52 --> 4050.98] You will conceive and give birth to a son +[4050.98 --> 4053.26] and you are to call him Jesus. +[4054.20 --> 4057.56] He will be great and will be called the son of the most high. +[4058.04 --> 4061.12] The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, +[4061.12 --> 4064.52] and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever. +[4065.00 --> 4066.92] His kingdom will never end. +[4066.92 --> 4069.46] How can this be? +[4069.46 --> 4072.64] Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin. +[4073.80 --> 4075.22] The angel answered, +[4076.26 --> 4078.30] the Holy Spirit will come on you +[4078.30 --> 4081.36] and the power of the most high will overshadow you. +[4081.76 --> 4085.76] So the holy one to be born will be called the son of God. +[4086.54 --> 4088.30] Even Elizabeth, your relative, +[4088.30 --> 4090.62] is going to have a child in her old age +[4090.62 --> 4093.48] and she who was said to be unable to conceive +[4093.48 --> 4095.14] is in her sixth month. +[4095.14 --> 4099.76] For no word from God will ever fail. +[4101.24 --> 4103.78] I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. +[4104.44 --> 4106.56] May your word to me be fulfilled. +[4107.40 --> 4108.66] Then the angel left her. +[4111.12 --> 4116.44] Now we will read from the beginning of Matthew's gospel account, +[4116.60 --> 4119.52] Matthew chapter 1, starting at verse 18. +[4125.14 --> 4129.56] This is how the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, came about. +[4130.04 --> 4133.90] His mother, Mary, was pledged to be married to Joseph, +[4134.40 --> 4136.30] but before they came together, +[4136.54 --> 4139.04] she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. +[4139.92 --> 4143.06] Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law +[4143.06 --> 4146.82] and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, +[4146.82 --> 4150.00] he had in mind to divorce her quietly. +[4151.84 --> 4153.82] But after he had considered this, +[4153.88 --> 4156.18] an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream +[4156.18 --> 4156.66] and said, +[4156.82 --> 4158.44] Joseph, son of David, +[4159.00 --> 4162.48] do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife +[4162.48 --> 4166.40] because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. +[4167.28 --> 4168.96] She will give birth to a son +[4168.96 --> 4171.22] and you are to give him the name Jesus +[4171.22 --> 4174.62] because he will save his people from their sins. +[4176.32 --> 4178.32] All this took place to fulfill +[4178.32 --> 4180.20] what the Lord had said through the prophet. +[4180.94 --> 4183.62] The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son +[4183.62 --> 4185.34] and they will call him Emmanuel, +[4185.86 --> 4187.34] which means God with us. +[4189.30 --> 4191.04] When Joseph woke up, +[4191.14 --> 4193.76] he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him +[4193.76 --> 4195.62] and took Mary home as his wife. +[4196.48 --> 4198.38] But he did not consummate their marriage +[4198.38 --> 4200.18] until she gave birth to a son +[4200.18 --> 4203.30] and he gave him the name Jesus. +[4203.98 --> 4205.18] This is the word of the Lord. +[4211.90 --> 4214.80] When I was a kid at Christmas time +[4214.80 --> 4216.84] and actually probably in October, +[4217.50 --> 4220.88] the Toys R Us catalog would come out. +[4222.00 --> 4223.64] If you're older than I am, +[4223.74 --> 4226.38] maybe it's the Sears catalog that you remember. +[4226.38 --> 4230.88] And my brothers and I would get this Toys R Us catalog +[4230.88 --> 4232.04] and we would sit there +[4232.04 --> 4233.86] and we would just flip through it +[4233.86 --> 4235.48] with a pen or a pencil +[4235.48 --> 4238.24] and then just circle everything that we wanted. +[4238.46 --> 4239.64] I want this circle. +[4239.78 --> 4240.82] I want that circle. +[4241.14 --> 4242.66] Oh, I better get this. +[4242.76 --> 4243.60] Three circles. +[4244.90 --> 4247.44] And then as we were doing that +[4247.44 --> 4249.18] and the TV would be on, +[4249.30 --> 4251.88] we would also hear a commercial on TV +[4251.88 --> 4252.50] and we'd go, +[4252.58 --> 4253.94] Mom, buy me that for Christmas. +[4255.76 --> 4256.14] Right? +[4256.26 --> 4260.26] And with this TV commercial +[4260.26 --> 4263.58] would come the news +[4263.58 --> 4267.80] that this is the best Nerf gun ever made. +[4267.94 --> 4270.96] Shoot farther than you've ever been able to shoot before. +[4271.18 --> 4271.94] And I would say, +[4272.02 --> 4272.76] I want that +[4272.76 --> 4275.08] because I want to shoot you from across the street. +[4275.08 --> 4282.78] Now, we see this perhaps most particularly at Christmas, +[4282.88 --> 4284.20] but this is true year round, right? +[4284.46 --> 4287.58] Here is how advertising works. +[4289.16 --> 4290.40] Because these companies, +[4290.84 --> 4291.82] in those commercials +[4291.82 --> 4293.46] and in those magazines, +[4293.58 --> 4295.78] aren't really selling you a product. +[4296.04 --> 4296.76] Now, to be clear, +[4297.14 --> 4299.16] they want you to buy their product, +[4299.16 --> 4301.70] but they do it by selling you a story. +[4303.34 --> 4303.74] Right? +[4303.80 --> 4305.16] The product is a symbol. +[4305.98 --> 4308.48] It's a foil for a way of life, +[4308.98 --> 4310.74] for an experience of joy +[4310.74 --> 4312.20] that would be unmatched +[4312.20 --> 4313.42] and unparalleled +[4313.42 --> 4314.98] but for this thing. +[4316.28 --> 4318.22] It's never said outright, +[4319.00 --> 4322.28] but car marketing is never really about the car, +[4322.44 --> 4324.28] even when they list all the features +[4324.28 --> 4325.98] and the fuel mileage that you can get. +[4326.16 --> 4328.16] The real pitch is the story. +[4328.16 --> 4330.56] The real pitch is the open road. +[4331.50 --> 4332.02] Right? +[4332.10 --> 4334.38] The beautiful driving up to Whistler +[4334.38 --> 4336.38] with no other cars on the streets. +[4336.52 --> 4337.22] Have you ever seen that? +[4338.28 --> 4339.42] But there it is. +[4339.54 --> 4340.68] That's what they're selling you. +[4341.48 --> 4341.74] Right? +[4341.84 --> 4345.18] The pitch is the beautiful night sky +[4345.18 --> 4347.54] with stars that you can't normally see, +[4347.64 --> 4349.22] but somehow you can see them +[4349.22 --> 4351.70] through the moonroof of this car +[4351.70 --> 4353.10] and the partner beside you +[4353.10 --> 4354.74] is much more beautiful than you deserve. +[4355.66 --> 4356.08] Right? +[4356.12 --> 4357.38] They're selling you a story. +[4358.16 --> 4359.84] Not just a vehicle. +[4360.28 --> 4362.00] They're selling you a vision for life. +[4362.42 --> 4363.50] The car or the thing +[4363.50 --> 4364.92] just becomes a symbol for that. +[4366.78 --> 4368.02] And here's the thing. +[4369.58 --> 4372.00] Because the same has become true +[4372.00 --> 4373.04] at Christmas. +[4374.94 --> 4375.42] Right? +[4375.54 --> 4376.72] Each week at Christmas +[4376.72 --> 4377.86] in the season of Advent, +[4378.10 --> 4380.78] we move through hope, joy, love, +[4380.78 --> 4382.58] and today, peace. +[4383.16 --> 4386.42] And we're being sold an idea +[4386.42 --> 4389.90] of what peace is by the world. +[4390.64 --> 4390.74] Right? +[4390.74 --> 4393.64] The world around us wants to sell peace, +[4393.64 --> 4399.28] but only if you buy a certain way of life with it. +[4400.28 --> 4400.70] Right? +[4400.74 --> 4402.26] The world around us whispers +[4402.26 --> 4404.38] and maybe shouts sometimes, +[4404.38 --> 4407.90] you can have peace if you just change this. +[4409.04 --> 4411.46] If you just chase the right thing. +[4411.54 --> 4414.76] And so we end up chasing these ethereal ideas +[4414.76 --> 4416.76] that end in a story, +[4416.90 --> 4418.96] in a picture of the good life. +[4419.34 --> 4420.44] To put it another way, +[4421.16 --> 4425.24] our culture has packaged peace as a product +[4425.24 --> 4428.50] and put it in a catalog that we can choose from +[4428.50 --> 4430.90] as we circle our particular ideas of it. +[4430.90 --> 4432.72] So for example, +[4432.80 --> 4433.68] let me illustrate this. +[4434.02 --> 4435.08] Maybe you've heard this, +[4435.16 --> 4435.98] maybe you've believed it, +[4436.04 --> 4437.04] maybe you are sitting here +[4437.04 --> 4438.52] hoping that it's true. +[4440.44 --> 4442.00] But peace will come +[4442.00 --> 4444.62] when you just get a little bit of an escape. +[4445.94 --> 4446.34] Right? +[4446.40 --> 4447.98] This is the idea of peace that comes +[4447.98 --> 4449.64] as we get away from it all. +[4450.30 --> 4450.58] Right? +[4450.62 --> 4451.66] The promise goes like this. +[4451.78 --> 4453.60] If we can just step away +[4453.60 --> 4455.82] from the chaos of life long enough, +[4456.34 --> 4457.90] I'll come back renewed. +[4459.54 --> 4459.94] Right? +[4459.94 --> 4461.24] Seven days in Mexico, +[4461.44 --> 4462.58] not quite going to do it. +[4462.78 --> 4463.18] Nine, +[4463.36 --> 4464.30] that's my target. +[4465.56 --> 4465.90] Right? +[4465.96 --> 4466.80] And in that picture, +[4466.96 --> 4468.78] peace is somewhere out there. +[4468.90 --> 4470.64] It's on the other side of a plane ticket, +[4470.92 --> 4471.74] a weekend alone. +[4471.92 --> 4473.80] It's on the other side of a strategic +[4473.80 --> 4475.22] shutting out other people +[4475.22 --> 4476.34] and the demands of life. +[4476.54 --> 4478.08] The sales pitch that we're hearing +[4478.08 --> 4478.96] goes like this. +[4479.04 --> 4480.30] Get far away enough +[4480.30 --> 4481.94] from your ordinary responsibilities +[4481.94 --> 4483.50] and peace will catch up to you. +[4484.72 --> 4485.74] Peace will come +[4485.74 --> 4487.14] when you silence the noise +[4487.14 --> 4488.98] by removing yourself from it. +[4488.98 --> 4490.24] Treat yourself +[4490.24 --> 4492.28] is the modern liturgy +[4492.28 --> 4493.50] of self-salvation, +[4494.42 --> 4495.56] of finding your own peace. +[4496.24 --> 4497.46] Or another way that peace +[4497.46 --> 4499.14] is marketed to us +[4499.14 --> 4500.94] is we hear things like, +[4501.28 --> 4502.32] what I really need to do +[4502.32 --> 4504.24] is just find myself +[4504.24 --> 4505.42] within myself. +[4506.16 --> 4507.34] This is the peace +[4507.34 --> 4509.86] of becoming fully yourself. +[4510.28 --> 4511.88] And please, +[4511.96 --> 4512.70] I want to be really clear. +[4512.90 --> 4513.02] Right? +[4513.08 --> 4514.94] Don't hear what I'm not saying. +[4514.94 --> 4515.94] I do, like, +[4516.20 --> 4517.40] we want everyone +[4517.40 --> 4519.38] to genuinely feel like +[4519.38 --> 4520.88] they don't need to put on a mask, +[4520.92 --> 4522.08] like you don't need to pretend +[4522.08 --> 4523.78] to be who you are, +[4523.86 --> 4525.70] to conform to certain standards +[4525.70 --> 4526.86] or social conventions. +[4528.30 --> 4529.98] But we also want to be wise. +[4530.94 --> 4531.16] Right? +[4531.20 --> 4531.96] Because the promise here +[4531.96 --> 4532.68] goes like this. +[4533.24 --> 4535.64] If you can just discover yourself, +[4535.90 --> 4536.92] express yourself, +[4537.06 --> 4538.20] be your true self, +[4538.36 --> 4540.04] then you will finally +[4540.04 --> 4541.68] be settled within. +[4543.68 --> 4545.88] The cultural script says, +[4546.16 --> 4546.68] look inward, +[4546.92 --> 4548.70] identify your truest you, +[4549.06 --> 4550.80] throw off external expectations +[4550.80 --> 4551.72] and constraint +[4551.72 --> 4552.98] that are constraining +[4552.98 --> 4554.34] your authentic expression. +[4554.74 --> 4556.16] Live out your inner truth +[4556.16 --> 4557.02] without apology +[4557.02 --> 4558.58] and then peace will bloom. +[4560.06 --> 4560.48] But again, +[4560.54 --> 4561.64] here's where we have to be wise. +[4561.92 --> 4562.10] Right? +[4562.18 --> 4564.06] Because a peace like that +[4564.06 --> 4564.98] is fragile. +[4565.98 --> 4567.40] And it's always moving +[4567.40 --> 4568.18] and shifting. +[4568.18 --> 4570.30] And it depends entirely +[4570.30 --> 4572.04] on maintaining a sense of self +[4572.04 --> 4573.64] that is constantly changing. +[4574.36 --> 4575.68] It requires affirmation +[4575.68 --> 4576.16] from others +[4576.16 --> 4577.08] in order to survive +[4577.08 --> 4578.50] even as it claims +[4578.50 --> 4580.04] to be independent of others. +[4582.12 --> 4583.20] And lastly, +[4583.44 --> 4584.70] and one of the other, +[4584.98 --> 4586.54] perhaps most common ways +[4586.54 --> 4589.38] that we are sold ideas of peace +[4589.38 --> 4593.02] is we say things like, +[4593.64 --> 4595.90] I just need to slow down. +[4595.90 --> 4598.62] This is the promise +[4598.62 --> 4600.48] that peace will come +[4600.48 --> 4604.06] when life finally slows down. +[4604.14 --> 4604.88] The promise here +[4604.88 --> 4605.52] is the idea +[4605.52 --> 4608.10] that if life would become easier, +[4608.66 --> 4610.58] then I'll be able to breathe. +[4611.74 --> 4613.70] And so peace becomes imagined +[4613.70 --> 4615.08] as the reward +[4615.08 --> 4619.06] for a perfectly organized calendar, +[4619.86 --> 4622.08] a beautifully balanced workload +[4622.08 --> 4623.60] and good health +[4623.60 --> 4625.16] and proper gym schedules, +[4625.56 --> 4627.04] cooperative children, +[4628.00 --> 4629.16] stable finances, +[4630.30 --> 4630.84] retirement. +[4632.48 --> 4632.68] Right? +[4632.70 --> 4633.60] The vision offered +[4633.60 --> 4634.00] is that +[4634.00 --> 4636.46] when things finally calm down, +[4636.58 --> 4638.18] then I will have peace. +[4638.68 --> 4640.46] When the chaos finally lifts, +[4640.74 --> 4642.28] then your soul can rest. +[4642.36 --> 4643.54] When your schedule slows +[4643.54 --> 4644.92] or the seasons change, +[4645.04 --> 4646.66] then you can finally feel +[4646.66 --> 4647.92] like yourself again. +[4647.92 --> 4650.32] But this kind of peace +[4650.32 --> 4652.12] is always peace deferred. +[4652.94 --> 4653.40] Right? +[4653.46 --> 4654.28] Because even when +[4654.28 --> 4655.10] the current thing +[4655.10 --> 4655.88] that is upsetting +[4655.88 --> 4657.54] your peace concludes, +[4657.64 --> 4658.26] something else +[4658.26 --> 4659.04] is going to come along. +[4660.14 --> 4660.32] Right? +[4660.78 --> 4661.88] Here's an illustration +[4661.88 --> 4662.64] that's apropos +[4662.64 --> 4663.24] for this moment. +[4663.60 --> 4664.58] If you believe +[4664.58 --> 4665.52] that peace will come +[4665.52 --> 4666.24] when you finally +[4666.24 --> 4667.60] are able to buy a house, +[4668.38 --> 4669.02] within a year +[4669.02 --> 4669.82] of buying a house, +[4669.88 --> 4671.02] your furnace is going to break +[4671.02 --> 4671.58] and you're going to need +[4671.58 --> 4672.10] a new roof. +[4672.54 --> 4673.44] Ask me how I know. +[4673.44 --> 4677.68] So here's the question +[4677.68 --> 4678.52] for us this Advent. +[4680.12 --> 4681.46] What does it look like +[4681.46 --> 4683.26] to have peace +[4683.26 --> 4685.88] when the furnace breaks? +[4686.76 --> 4687.92] Not after it's fixed. +[4689.62 --> 4690.58] What does it look like +[4690.58 --> 4691.42] to have peace +[4691.42 --> 4692.62] that isn't dependent +[4692.62 --> 4694.14] upon my feelings +[4694.14 --> 4695.06] about myself +[4695.06 --> 4695.96] or a peace +[4695.96 --> 4696.82] that doesn't change +[4696.82 --> 4697.66] with my moods +[4697.66 --> 4698.82] or with the affirmation +[4698.82 --> 4699.32] of others? +[4699.74 --> 4700.68] What does it look like +[4700.68 --> 4701.50] to have a peace +[4701.50 --> 4702.90] that we can have +[4702.90 --> 4703.94] and live in the midst +[4703.94 --> 4705.10] of right now? +[4705.22 --> 4705.88] In the midst +[4705.88 --> 4707.08] of all the responsibilities +[4707.08 --> 4707.82] of life? +[4707.88 --> 4708.26] In the midst +[4708.26 --> 4709.24] of all the noise +[4709.24 --> 4710.58] that's going on around us? +[4710.62 --> 4711.04] In the midst +[4711.04 --> 4711.72] of the chaos +[4711.72 --> 4712.90] that's even bouncing +[4712.90 --> 4714.06] in my own brain? +[4714.58 --> 4715.72] Is there a peace +[4715.72 --> 4718.56] that can be present there? +[4721.38 --> 4722.36] If the peace +[4722.36 --> 4723.56] we long for +[4723.56 --> 4725.44] keeps falling apart +[4725.44 --> 4726.38] the moment +[4726.38 --> 4728.10] our plans fall apart, +[4728.26 --> 4729.60] then something is wrong +[4729.60 --> 4730.72] with the kind of peace +[4730.72 --> 4731.58] we are chasing. +[4732.90 --> 4734.22] We don't need a peace +[4734.22 --> 4734.92] that only works +[4734.92 --> 4736.32] when life cooperates. +[4736.54 --> 4737.46] We need a peace +[4737.46 --> 4738.30] strong enough +[4738.30 --> 4739.40] to hold +[4739.40 --> 4741.14] when life doesn't cooperate. +[4741.78 --> 4742.62] If peace +[4742.62 --> 4743.58] can only exist +[4743.58 --> 4744.82] when life slows down +[4744.82 --> 4746.16] or after we find ourselves +[4746.16 --> 4747.04] or after we escape +[4747.04 --> 4747.54] the pressure, +[4747.74 --> 4748.40] then peace +[4748.40 --> 4749.90] is always out of reach. +[4751.04 --> 4752.08] But scripture +[4752.08 --> 4753.50] keeps pointing us +[4753.50 --> 4755.68] to a different reality. +[4756.88 --> 4756.96] Right? +[4757.04 --> 4757.66] God keeps +[4757.66 --> 4759.32] bringing peace +[4759.32 --> 4759.90] to people +[4759.90 --> 4761.06] not by protecting +[4761.06 --> 4762.24] our plans +[4762.24 --> 4763.56] but by interrupting +[4763.56 --> 4763.98] them, +[4764.20 --> 4765.40] by redirecting +[4765.40 --> 4765.62] them, +[4765.64 --> 4766.66] and by reshaping +[4766.66 --> 4766.98] them. +[4768.50 --> 4769.12] The theme +[4769.12 --> 4769.74] that I want us +[4769.74 --> 4770.54] to see this morning +[4770.54 --> 4771.38] in the stories +[4771.38 --> 4772.34] of Joseph and Mary +[4772.34 --> 4773.44] as examples +[4773.44 --> 4773.92] of this +[4773.92 --> 4775.04] is that true +[4775.04 --> 4776.06] peace comes +[4776.06 --> 4777.54] when we yield +[4777.54 --> 4778.18] ourselves +[4778.18 --> 4779.34] to God's will, +[4780.04 --> 4780.78] even +[4780.78 --> 4782.26] when it disrupts +[4782.26 --> 4782.78] our plans. +[4784.12 --> 4784.74] True peace +[4784.74 --> 4785.50] comes when we +[4785.50 --> 4786.44] yield ourselves +[4786.44 --> 4787.82] to God's will. +[4787.82 --> 4789.34] This is the story +[4789.34 --> 4789.88] of Mary +[4789.88 --> 4790.98] and Joseph. +[4791.94 --> 4792.68] Nothing really +[4792.68 --> 4793.38] goes according +[4793.38 --> 4794.20] to their plans +[4794.20 --> 4796.10] yet everything +[4796.10 --> 4797.24] unfolds +[4797.24 --> 4797.78] according to +[4797.78 --> 4798.62] God's will. +[4799.98 --> 4800.72] Their peace +[4800.72 --> 4801.56] is not +[4801.56 --> 4802.12] the peace +[4802.12 --> 4802.96] of control, +[4803.32 --> 4804.28] it is the peace +[4804.28 --> 4805.18] of trust. +[4806.14 --> 4807.16] Of trust +[4807.16 --> 4807.76] when there is +[4807.76 --> 4808.70] no control. +[4809.64 --> 4810.24] When we step +[4810.24 --> 4811.00] into the world +[4811.00 --> 4811.58] of Mary +[4811.58 --> 4812.72] and Joseph +[4812.72 --> 4813.52] we have to +[4813.52 --> 4814.22] remember +[4814.22 --> 4815.32] that their lives +[4815.32 --> 4815.86] and their world +[4815.86 --> 4816.56] look very different +[4816.56 --> 4817.00] than ours. +[4817.00 --> 4819.38] a betrothal +[4819.38 --> 4820.20] in their day, +[4820.30 --> 4821.04] a wedding engagement +[4821.04 --> 4821.72] in their day +[4821.72 --> 4822.58] does not look +[4822.58 --> 4823.72] like a modern day +[4823.72 --> 4824.34] engagement. +[4825.96 --> 4827.08] The practice +[4827.08 --> 4827.88] in their day +[4827.88 --> 4828.44] begins +[4828.44 --> 4829.72] with a formal +[4829.72 --> 4830.32] arrangement +[4830.32 --> 4831.28] between two +[4831.28 --> 4831.96] families. +[4832.76 --> 4833.82] One promising +[4833.82 --> 4834.78] their son +[4834.78 --> 4835.86] and the other +[4835.86 --> 4836.72] their daughter +[4836.72 --> 4837.54] in marriage. +[4838.88 --> 4839.46] And once +[4839.46 --> 4840.30] this agreement +[4840.30 --> 4841.74] is made +[4841.74 --> 4842.54] and sealed +[4842.54 --> 4843.70] with a bride +[4843.70 --> 4844.28] price +[4844.28 --> 4845.90] it was considered +[4845.90 --> 4846.46] binding. +[4847.00 --> 4848.58] so binding +[4848.58 --> 4849.34] actually +[4849.34 --> 4850.10] that the only +[4850.10 --> 4851.24] way to break +[4851.24 --> 4852.18] the betrothal +[4852.18 --> 4853.02] was through +[4853.02 --> 4853.48] death +[4853.48 --> 4854.94] or divorce. +[4856.26 --> 4856.74] Right? +[4856.80 --> 4857.52] The bride price +[4857.52 --> 4858.12] would be paid +[4858.12 --> 4858.84] by the groom's +[4858.84 --> 4859.18] family +[4859.18 --> 4860.00] and from that +[4860.00 --> 4860.80] moment on +[4860.80 --> 4861.84] the young woman +[4861.84 --> 4862.64] is legally +[4862.64 --> 4863.36] regarded +[4863.36 --> 4865.00] as his wife +[4865.00 --> 4865.80] even if they +[4865.80 --> 4866.32] haven't yet +[4866.32 --> 4867.14] consummated +[4867.14 --> 4868.00] the marriage +[4868.00 --> 4868.84] even actually +[4868.84 --> 4869.46] if they haven't +[4869.46 --> 4870.30] yet started +[4870.30 --> 4871.18] living together. +[4871.18 --> 4871.26] together. +[4872.26 --> 4873.02] So the betrothal +[4873.02 --> 4873.54] would happen +[4873.54 --> 4874.44] and the couple +[4874.44 --> 4875.34] would live apart +[4875.34 --> 4876.84] for about a year +[4876.84 --> 4878.60] before they would +[4878.60 --> 4879.44] come together. +[4881.60 --> 4882.44] They would live +[4882.44 --> 4883.16] for about a year +[4883.16 --> 4884.00] in their parents' +[4884.50 --> 4884.76] houses +[4884.76 --> 4885.54] and then they +[4885.54 --> 4885.94] wouldn't +[4885.94 --> 4886.92] consummate the +[4886.92 --> 4887.16] marriage +[4887.16 --> 4887.86] until after +[4887.86 --> 4888.96] the ceremony. +[4889.08 --> 4889.40] Now Luke +[4889.40 --> 4890.22] doesn't tell us +[4890.22 --> 4890.62] this +[4890.62 --> 4892.34] doesn't tell us +[4892.34 --> 4893.26] Mary's age +[4893.26 --> 4894.68] but it wasn't +[4894.68 --> 4895.14] uncommon +[4895.14 --> 4895.90] for girls +[4895.90 --> 4897.36] at that time +[4897.36 --> 4898.32] to enter +[4898.32 --> 4899.74] the betrothal +[4899.74 --> 4900.18] period +[4900.18 --> 4901.18] as young +[4901.18 --> 4901.92] as 12 +[4901.92 --> 4902.60] or 13. +[4904.90 --> 4905.36] Now this +[4905.36 --> 4907.16] is the world +[4907.16 --> 4907.86] that Mary +[4907.86 --> 4909.14] is living in +[4909.14 --> 4910.58] betrothed +[4910.58 --> 4911.24] but not yet +[4911.24 --> 4911.66] moved out +[4911.66 --> 4912.22] of her parents' +[4912.36 --> 4912.64] house +[4912.64 --> 4913.80] when the angel +[4913.80 --> 4914.68] appears to her. +[4915.50 --> 4916.36] A young woman +[4916.36 --> 4917.60] still in her parents' +[4918.08 --> 4918.70] house +[4918.70 --> 4919.78] still under their +[4919.78 --> 4920.06] roof +[4920.06 --> 4921.24] but in a legally +[4921.24 --> 4922.38] binding marriage +[4922.38 --> 4922.88] agreement +[4922.88 --> 4924.04] with a ceremony +[4924.04 --> 4924.72] yet to come. +[4925.50 --> 4926.36] She has a path +[4926.36 --> 4927.08] before her +[4927.08 --> 4928.18] she has a plan +[4928.18 --> 4928.92] and a timeline +[4928.92 --> 4929.48] and there are +[4929.48 --> 4930.10] expectations +[4930.10 --> 4931.34] for herself +[4931.34 --> 4931.92] and from her +[4931.92 --> 4932.30] family +[4932.30 --> 4933.30] from Joseph's +[4933.30 --> 4933.62] family +[4933.62 --> 4934.24] about how +[4934.24 --> 4934.72] everything +[4934.72 --> 4935.88] would unfold +[4935.88 --> 4936.52] and then +[4936.52 --> 4938.26] God interrupts. +[4940.16 --> 4940.90] The angel +[4940.90 --> 4941.60] comes and +[4941.60 --> 4942.22] announces +[4942.22 --> 4943.34] a calling +[4943.34 --> 4943.90] that will +[4943.90 --> 4944.48] turn her +[4944.48 --> 4945.26] world upside +[4945.26 --> 4945.70] down. +[4946.54 --> 4947.30] Her reputation +[4947.30 --> 4947.84] will be +[4947.84 --> 4948.28] questioned +[4948.28 --> 4949.08] Joseph +[4949.08 --> 4949.66] will be +[4949.66 --> 4950.24] confused +[4950.24 --> 4951.06] her future +[4951.06 --> 4951.66] will not +[4951.66 --> 4952.24] unfold +[4952.24 --> 4953.74] in any way +[4953.74 --> 4954.22] near +[4954.22 --> 4954.90] what the +[4954.90 --> 4955.82] first century +[4955.82 --> 4956.20] Jewish +[4956.20 --> 4956.76] family +[4956.76 --> 4957.20] would have +[4957.20 --> 4957.80] mapped out +[4957.80 --> 4958.26] for her +[4958.26 --> 4958.88] in that +[4958.88 --> 4959.22] time. +[4960.52 --> 4961.20] And how +[4961.20 --> 4961.56] does Mary +[4961.56 --> 4962.14] respond? +[4964.40 --> 4965.06] Luke tells +[4965.06 --> 4965.44] us +[4965.44 --> 4966.50] that she +[4966.50 --> 4967.10] receives +[4967.10 --> 4968.30] the angel's +[4968.30 --> 4968.68] word +[4968.68 --> 4969.68] with a +[4969.68 --> 4970.34] wholehearted +[4970.34 --> 4970.92] willingness +[4970.92 --> 4971.76] to serve +[4971.76 --> 4972.72] God. +[4973.72 --> 4974.30] Right? +[4974.40 --> 4975.26] She steps +[4975.26 --> 4976.16] into God's +[4976.16 --> 4976.60] plan +[4976.60 --> 4977.58] without hesitation. +[4977.82 --> 4978.60] She asks +[4978.60 --> 4979.22] a question +[4979.22 --> 4980.02] of clarification +[4980.02 --> 4981.00] and then she +[4981.00 --> 4981.60] doesn't bargain +[4981.60 --> 4982.40] or stall +[4982.40 --> 4983.04] or ask for +[4983.04 --> 4983.50] more time +[4983.50 --> 4983.94] to think +[4983.94 --> 4983.96] to think. +[4983.96 --> 4984.44] She +[4984.44 --> 4985.06] yields +[4985.06 --> 4987.24] and in +[4987.24 --> 4987.90] so doing +[4987.90 --> 4988.98] she embodies +[4988.98 --> 4989.86] the posture +[4989.86 --> 4990.76] of a true +[4990.76 --> 4991.32] disciple. +[4992.22 --> 4992.32] Right? +[4992.38 --> 4993.48] An unreserved +[4993.48 --> 4994.18] willingness +[4994.18 --> 4995.16] to be +[4995.16 --> 4996.20] the Lord's +[4996.20 --> 4996.90] servant. +[4998.26 --> 4998.92] Her peace +[4998.92 --> 4999.62] doesn't come +[4999.62 --> 5000.02] from +[5000.02 --> 5001.20] predictability +[5001.20 --> 5002.16] or from +[5002.16 --> 5002.94] staying in +[5002.94 --> 5003.70] control of +[5003.70 --> 5004.12] how her +[5004.12 --> 5005.26] life unfolds +[5005.26 --> 5006.12] or from +[5006.12 --> 5007.12] her circumstances +[5007.12 --> 5007.72] aligning +[5007.72 --> 5008.24] with her +[5008.24 --> 5008.90] expectations. +[5009.36 --> 5009.94] Her peace +[5009.94 --> 5010.92] comes from +[5010.92 --> 5011.90] her saying +[5011.90 --> 5013.04] let it be +[5013.04 --> 5013.68] to me +[5013.68 --> 5014.26] according +[5014.26 --> 5015.18] to your +[5015.18 --> 5015.86] word. +[5017.46 --> 5018.76] Her plans +[5018.76 --> 5019.36] change +[5019.36 --> 5020.88] but she +[5020.88 --> 5021.54] remains +[5021.54 --> 5022.40] held. +[5023.70 --> 5024.70] Her ideas +[5024.70 --> 5025.98] are transformed +[5025.98 --> 5027.48] but God's +[5027.48 --> 5027.92] word +[5027.92 --> 5028.80] is sure. +[5030.66 --> 5031.38] Mary shows +[5031.38 --> 5031.94] us the +[5031.94 --> 5032.58] shape of +[5032.58 --> 5033.08] advent +[5033.08 --> 5033.74] peace. +[5034.12 --> 5034.22] Right? +[5034.28 --> 5034.64] Not the +[5034.64 --> 5035.64] quiet life +[5035.64 --> 5037.22] the quiet +[5037.22 --> 5037.80] of a life +[5037.80 --> 5038.50] untroubled +[5038.50 --> 5039.34] but the +[5039.34 --> 5039.74] deep +[5039.74 --> 5040.90] steadfast +[5040.90 --> 5042.08] of a +[5042.08 --> 5042.46] life +[5042.46 --> 5043.22] surrendered. +[5045.92 --> 5046.80] Now if +[5046.80 --> 5047.40] Mary shows +[5047.40 --> 5048.02] us what +[5048.02 --> 5048.48] surrender +[5048.48 --> 5049.20] looks like +[5049.20 --> 5050.02] from within +[5050.02 --> 5050.70] the disruption +[5050.70 --> 5052.02] Joseph +[5052.02 --> 5054.08] shows us +[5054.08 --> 5054.54] what +[5054.54 --> 5055.06] surrender +[5055.06 --> 5055.98] looks like +[5055.98 --> 5056.94] from outside +[5056.94 --> 5057.42] of it +[5057.42 --> 5058.28] from the +[5058.28 --> 5058.96] place of +[5058.96 --> 5059.46] confusion +[5059.46 --> 5060.32] and hurt +[5060.32 --> 5061.26] and uncertainty. +[5062.36 --> 5063.06] Matthew +[5063.06 --> 5064.06] now he's +[5064.06 --> 5064.38] telling +[5064.38 --> 5065.26] Joseph's +[5065.26 --> 5065.76] side of +[5065.76 --> 5066.24] the story +[5066.24 --> 5066.54] and he +[5066.54 --> 5066.88] does so +[5066.88 --> 5067.28] with a +[5067.28 --> 5067.76] remarkable +[5067.76 --> 5068.54] restraint. +[5069.66 --> 5070.02] Joseph +[5070.02 --> 5070.52] and Mary +[5070.52 --> 5071.36] again are +[5071.36 --> 5071.96] already +[5071.96 --> 5072.56] legally +[5072.56 --> 5073.10] bound +[5073.10 --> 5073.60] in +[5073.60 --> 5074.44] betrothal +[5074.44 --> 5075.36] and from +[5075.36 --> 5075.78] his +[5075.78 --> 5076.48] perspective +[5076.48 --> 5076.82] from +[5076.82 --> 5077.34] Joseph's +[5077.34 --> 5077.74] perspective +[5077.74 --> 5078.28] the path +[5078.28 --> 5078.76] is clear. +[5079.28 --> 5079.72] There's a +[5079.72 --> 5080.46] wedding ceremony +[5080.46 --> 5080.92] ahead. +[5081.26 --> 5081.58] There is a +[5081.58 --> 5082.04] home to +[5082.04 --> 5082.42] prepare +[5082.42 --> 5083.28] a future +[5083.28 --> 5083.90] to build. +[5084.04 --> 5084.30] Joseph +[5084.30 --> 5084.82] at this +[5084.82 --> 5085.32] time is +[5085.32 --> 5085.82] probably +[5085.82 --> 5086.92] building out +[5086.92 --> 5087.38] the furniture +[5087.38 --> 5087.84] he needs +[5087.84 --> 5088.16] for his +[5088.16 --> 5088.46] own +[5088.46 --> 5089.36] family +[5089.36 --> 5090.14] and life +[5090.14 --> 5091.40] and then +[5091.40 --> 5092.48] he learns +[5092.48 --> 5093.20] that Mary +[5093.20 --> 5094.00] is pregnant +[5094.00 --> 5096.08] and he +[5096.08 --> 5096.50] knows that +[5096.50 --> 5096.80] he's not +[5096.80 --> 5097.24] the father. +[5098.90 --> 5099.38] Everything +[5099.38 --> 5099.98] he thought +[5099.98 --> 5100.72] he understood +[5100.72 --> 5101.64] about life +[5101.64 --> 5102.32] in that +[5102.32 --> 5102.74] moment +[5102.74 --> 5103.52] collapses. +[5105.66 --> 5106.14] Now again +[5106.14 --> 5106.78] under the +[5106.78 --> 5107.16] law +[5107.16 --> 5107.64] Joseph +[5107.64 --> 5108.12] has +[5108.12 --> 5109.24] options +[5109.24 --> 5109.78] and these +[5109.78 --> 5110.14] options +[5110.14 --> 5110.60] include +[5110.60 --> 5111.00] public +[5111.00 --> 5111.82] accusation +[5111.82 --> 5112.36] they include +[5112.36 --> 5112.72] legal +[5112.72 --> 5113.42] consequences +[5113.42 --> 5114.44] they include +[5114.44 --> 5114.98] the full +[5114.98 --> 5115.58] weight of +[5115.58 --> 5116.22] the community +[5116.22 --> 5116.68] brought +[5116.68 --> 5117.18] against +[5117.18 --> 5117.88] Mary +[5117.88 --> 5119.68] but Matthew +[5119.68 --> 5120.20] describes +[5120.20 --> 5120.60] Joseph +[5120.60 --> 5121.58] as a +[5121.58 --> 5121.94] righteous +[5121.94 --> 5122.74] man +[5122.74 --> 5123.00] whose +[5123.00 --> 5123.54] instinct +[5123.54 --> 5123.90] isn't +[5123.90 --> 5124.64] to shame +[5124.64 --> 5125.30] but to +[5125.30 --> 5125.84] protect +[5125.84 --> 5127.34] and he +[5127.34 --> 5128.20] resolves +[5128.20 --> 5128.60] to then +[5128.60 --> 5129.48] dissolve +[5129.48 --> 5130.60] the betrothal +[5130.60 --> 5131.22] quietly +[5131.22 --> 5131.88] to divorce +[5131.88 --> 5132.56] her quietly +[5132.56 --> 5133.50] to shoulder +[5133.50 --> 5134.32] the confusion +[5134.32 --> 5134.94] himself +[5134.94 --> 5135.78] and to +[5135.78 --> 5137.90] spare her +[5137.90 --> 5138.48] as much +[5138.48 --> 5138.78] of the +[5138.78 --> 5139.30] disgrace +[5139.30 --> 5139.78] as he +[5139.78 --> 5140.00] can +[5140.00 --> 5141.62] but then +[5141.62 --> 5142.28] God +[5142.28 --> 5143.08] interrupts +[5143.08 --> 5143.48] him +[5143.48 --> 5144.12] too +[5144.12 --> 5145.98] an angel +[5145.98 --> 5146.46] appears to +[5146.46 --> 5147.08] him in a +[5147.08 --> 5147.46] dream +[5147.46 --> 5148.26] and tells +[5148.26 --> 5148.50] him +[5148.50 --> 5148.90] what he +[5148.90 --> 5149.34] cannot +[5149.34 --> 5149.98] possibly +[5149.98 --> 5150.28] have +[5150.28 --> 5150.60] guessed +[5150.60 --> 5150.80] that +[5150.80 --> 5151.22] this +[5151.22 --> 5151.66] child +[5151.66 --> 5151.90] is +[5151.90 --> 5152.04] from +[5152.04 --> 5152.18] the +[5152.18 --> 5152.38] Holy +[5152.38 --> 5152.88] Spirit +[5152.88 --> 5153.52] that +[5153.52 --> 5153.80] Mary +[5153.80 --> 5154.20] has +[5154.20 --> 5154.44] been +[5154.44 --> 5154.94] faithful +[5154.94 --> 5155.36] and +[5155.36 --> 5155.54] that +[5155.54 --> 5155.86] Joseph +[5155.86 --> 5156.14] is +[5156.14 --> 5156.40] being +[5156.40 --> 5156.74] called +[5156.74 --> 5157.02] into +[5157.02 --> 5157.28] a +[5157.28 --> 5157.60] story +[5157.60 --> 5158.36] far +[5158.36 --> 5158.94] greater +[5158.94 --> 5159.28] and +[5159.28 --> 5159.72] larger +[5159.72 --> 5160.22] than +[5160.22 --> 5160.34] he +[5160.34 --> 5160.50] could +[5160.50 --> 5160.88] imagine +[5160.88 --> 5162.16] and it's +[5162.16 --> 5162.66] a call +[5162.66 --> 5163.76] that will +[5163.76 --> 5164.24] reshape +[5164.24 --> 5165.06] his life +[5165.06 --> 5166.42] even as +[5166.42 --> 5167.20] it reshapes +[5167.20 --> 5167.90] Mary's +[5167.90 --> 5168.56] a call +[5168.56 --> 5169.86] to take +[5169.86 --> 5170.28] Mary +[5170.28 --> 5170.74] as his +[5170.74 --> 5171.06] wife +[5171.06 --> 5171.42] and to +[5171.42 --> 5171.84] embrace +[5171.84 --> 5172.44] the child +[5172.44 --> 5172.78] that she +[5172.78 --> 5173.18] carries +[5173.18 --> 5173.82] to name +[5173.82 --> 5174.08] him +[5174.08 --> 5174.60] Jesus +[5174.60 --> 5175.82] the one +[5175.82 --> 5176.26] who will +[5176.26 --> 5176.58] save +[5176.58 --> 5177.26] his people +[5177.26 --> 5177.78] from +[5177.78 --> 5178.00] their +[5178.00 --> 5178.36] sins +[5178.36 --> 5180.40] now +[5180.40 --> 5180.76] again +[5180.76 --> 5181.12] I think +[5181.12 --> 5181.28] it's +[5181.28 --> 5181.50] really +[5181.50 --> 5182.00] important +[5182.00 --> 5182.44] for us +[5182.44 --> 5182.68] to +[5182.68 --> 5183.32] to +[5183.32 --> 5183.66] wrestle +[5183.66 --> 5184.22] with +[5184.22 --> 5184.66] how +[5184.66 --> 5185.44] costly +[5185.44 --> 5186.22] this +[5186.22 --> 5186.76] obedience +[5186.76 --> 5187.50] is +[5187.50 --> 5189.76] by taking +[5189.76 --> 5190.22] Mary +[5190.22 --> 5190.72] as his +[5190.72 --> 5191.16] wife +[5191.16 --> 5191.58] Joseph +[5191.58 --> 5191.98] is +[5191.98 --> 5192.70] publicly +[5192.70 --> 5193.36] accepting +[5193.36 --> 5194.28] the shame +[5194.28 --> 5195.16] that others +[5195.16 --> 5195.92] will assume +[5195.92 --> 5196.38] belongs +[5196.38 --> 5196.80] to him +[5196.80 --> 5198.60] he's +[5198.60 --> 5198.86] stepping +[5198.86 --> 5199.40] into a +[5199.40 --> 5199.78] lifetime +[5199.78 --> 5200.88] of sideways +[5200.88 --> 5201.90] glances +[5201.90 --> 5203.14] of whispered +[5203.14 --> 5203.68] judgments +[5203.68 --> 5204.48] and questions +[5204.48 --> 5205.24] that he +[5205.24 --> 5205.54] cannot +[5205.54 --> 5205.94] answer +[5205.94 --> 5208.26] and we +[5208.26 --> 5208.80] know that +[5208.80 --> 5209.34] this shame +[5209.34 --> 5210.20] didn't simply +[5210.20 --> 5211.06] hover over +[5211.06 --> 5211.50] Joseph +[5211.50 --> 5212.12] it also +[5212.12 --> 5212.46] hovered +[5212.46 --> 5212.70] over +[5212.70 --> 5213.14] Mary +[5213.14 --> 5214.06] and +[5214.06 --> 5214.88] in fact +[5214.88 --> 5215.60] it follows +[5215.60 --> 5216.06] Jesus +[5216.06 --> 5216.64] into +[5216.64 --> 5217.30] adulthood +[5217.30 --> 5219.18] the gospel +[5219.18 --> 5219.78] of John +[5219.78 --> 5220.42] records a +[5220.42 --> 5220.76] story +[5220.76 --> 5221.96] and in +[5221.96 --> 5222.62] that moment +[5222.62 --> 5223.26] Jesus +[5223.26 --> 5224.16] is confronted +[5224.16 --> 5224.70] by a +[5224.70 --> 5225.08] hostile +[5225.08 --> 5225.74] crowd +[5225.74 --> 5226.92] and they +[5226.92 --> 5227.54] say to +[5227.54 --> 5227.92] Jesus +[5227.92 --> 5228.64] as part +[5228.64 --> 5228.90] of their +[5228.90 --> 5229.40] exchange +[5229.40 --> 5230.20] we are +[5230.20 --> 5230.52] not +[5230.52 --> 5231.26] illegitimate +[5231.26 --> 5231.72] children +[5231.72 --> 5233.72] this is +[5233.72 --> 5233.96] John +[5233.96 --> 5234.28] 8 +[5234.28 --> 5234.74] 41 +[5234.74 --> 5236.00] and so +[5236.00 --> 5236.36] this is +[5236.36 --> 5237.00] more than +[5237.00 --> 5238.16] a theological +[5238.16 --> 5239.00] posturing +[5239.00 --> 5239.98] it is a +[5239.98 --> 5240.34] pointed +[5240.34 --> 5240.94] reminder +[5240.94 --> 5241.70] to Jesus +[5241.70 --> 5242.70] about the +[5242.70 --> 5243.04] rumors +[5243.04 --> 5244.02] that have +[5244.02 --> 5244.74] gone around +[5244.74 --> 5245.42] surrounding +[5245.42 --> 5246.02] his birth +[5246.02 --> 5247.18] right +[5247.18 --> 5247.88] the suspicion +[5247.88 --> 5248.58] that Joseph +[5248.58 --> 5249.14] feared +[5249.14 --> 5249.72] the whispers +[5249.72 --> 5250.08] that he +[5250.08 --> 5250.52] absorbed +[5250.52 --> 5251.14] into himself +[5251.14 --> 5251.72] so that +[5251.72 --> 5252.20] Mary would +[5252.20 --> 5252.54] not bear +[5252.54 --> 5253.04] them alone +[5253.04 --> 5253.68] the shadows +[5253.68 --> 5254.60] cast over +[5254.60 --> 5255.12] his family +[5255.12 --> 5255.98] all of it +[5255.98 --> 5256.64] resurfaces +[5256.64 --> 5256.98] here +[5256.98 --> 5257.70] decades +[5257.70 --> 5258.10] later +[5258.10 --> 5258.60] and an +[5258.60 --> 5259.08] insult +[5259.08 --> 5259.62] aimed at +[5259.62 --> 5260.02] Jesus +[5260.02 --> 5262.04] Joseph's +[5262.04 --> 5262.46] anxiety +[5262.46 --> 5262.82] in this +[5262.82 --> 5263.12] moment +[5263.12 --> 5263.66] is not +[5263.66 --> 5264.26] imaginary +[5264.26 --> 5265.30] the social +[5265.30 --> 5265.86] cost +[5265.86 --> 5266.60] is real +[5266.60 --> 5267.14] and it +[5267.14 --> 5267.72] lands not +[5267.72 --> 5268.28] only on +[5268.28 --> 5268.62] him +[5268.62 --> 5269.16] but also +[5269.16 --> 5269.50] on the +[5269.50 --> 5269.96] child +[5269.96 --> 5270.50] that he +[5270.50 --> 5270.66] is +[5270.66 --> 5270.98] commanded +[5270.98 --> 5271.48] to raise +[5271.48 --> 5273.62] Joseph's +[5273.62 --> 5274.14] obedience +[5274.14 --> 5275.18] just like +[5275.18 --> 5275.74] Mary's +[5275.74 --> 5275.98] means +[5275.98 --> 5276.50] willingly +[5276.50 --> 5277.04] stepping +[5277.04 --> 5277.38] into +[5277.38 --> 5278.18] a story +[5278.18 --> 5279.12] that others +[5279.12 --> 5279.40] would +[5279.40 --> 5280.48] weaponize +[5280.48 --> 5280.86] against +[5280.86 --> 5281.52] his family +[5281.52 --> 5282.46] for years +[5282.46 --> 5284.46] and Jesus +[5284.46 --> 5284.98] himself +[5284.98 --> 5285.80] as an +[5285.80 --> 5286.24] adult +[5286.24 --> 5287.32] bore +[5287.32 --> 5288.20] the echo +[5288.20 --> 5288.86] of the +[5288.86 --> 5289.40] shame +[5289.40 --> 5289.86] Joseph +[5289.86 --> 5290.20] had +[5290.20 --> 5290.72] absorbed +[5290.72 --> 5291.08] and +[5291.08 --> 5291.64] protected +[5291.64 --> 5292.64] Mary +[5292.64 --> 5293.00] from +[5293.00 --> 5294.50] and yet +[5294.50 --> 5295.00] Joseph +[5295.00 --> 5296.24] obeys +[5296.24 --> 5297.24] anyway +[5297.24 --> 5300.28] Matthew +[5300.28 --> 5300.62] writes +[5300.62 --> 5300.96] that when +[5300.96 --> 5301.42] Joseph +[5301.42 --> 5301.78] wakes +[5301.78 --> 5301.98] from +[5301.98 --> 5302.14] the +[5302.14 --> 5302.44] dream +[5302.44 --> 5302.74] he +[5302.74 --> 5302.92] does +[5302.92 --> 5303.36] exactly +[5303.36 --> 5303.64] as +[5303.64 --> 5303.80] the +[5303.80 --> 5304.08] angel +[5304.08 --> 5304.62] commands +[5304.62 --> 5305.16] no +[5305.16 --> 5305.64] delays +[5305.64 --> 5305.98] no +[5305.98 --> 5306.44] hedging +[5306.44 --> 5306.92] no +[5306.92 --> 5307.28] attempt +[5307.28 --> 5307.52] to +[5307.52 --> 5307.88] preserve +[5307.88 --> 5308.12] his +[5308.12 --> 5308.44] image +[5308.44 --> 5308.82] he +[5308.82 --> 5309.34] receives +[5309.34 --> 5309.80] God's +[5309.80 --> 5310.08] will +[5310.08 --> 5310.36] as +[5310.36 --> 5310.52] the +[5310.52 --> 5310.74] new +[5310.74 --> 5311.10] shape +[5311.10 --> 5311.34] of +[5311.34 --> 5311.58] his +[5311.58 --> 5312.00] life +[5312.00 --> 5313.52] Joseph +[5313.52 --> 5313.76] is +[5313.76 --> 5313.98] showing +[5313.98 --> 5314.18] us +[5314.18 --> 5314.42] another +[5314.42 --> 5314.94] face +[5314.94 --> 5315.30] of +[5315.30 --> 5315.78] advent +[5315.78 --> 5316.40] peace +[5316.40 --> 5316.92] right +[5316.92 --> 5317.20] it's +[5317.20 --> 5317.36] not +[5317.36 --> 5317.80] the peace +[5317.80 --> 5317.94] of +[5317.94 --> 5318.58] understanding +[5318.58 --> 5319.20] everything +[5319.20 --> 5319.82] that God +[5319.82 --> 5320.56] is doing +[5320.56 --> 5320.78] it's +[5320.78 --> 5320.92] not +[5320.92 --> 5321.32] the peace +[5321.32 --> 5321.72] of having +[5321.72 --> 5322.14] all your +[5322.14 --> 5322.54] questions +[5322.54 --> 5322.96] resolved +[5322.96 --> 5323.50] it's +[5323.50 --> 5323.94] the peace +[5323.94 --> 5324.70] of trust +[5324.70 --> 5325.46] entrusting +[5325.46 --> 5326.12] your name +[5326.12 --> 5326.50] and your +[5326.50 --> 5326.90] future +[5326.90 --> 5327.30] and your +[5327.30 --> 5327.64] place +[5327.64 --> 5328.02] in the +[5328.02 --> 5328.32] world +[5328.32 --> 5329.12] to the +[5329.12 --> 5329.50] God +[5329.50 --> 5329.80] whose +[5329.80 --> 5330.36] wisdom +[5330.36 --> 5331.14] exceeds +[5331.14 --> 5331.60] our +[5331.60 --> 5332.44] understanding +[5332.44 --> 5334.38] Mary +[5334.38 --> 5334.96] yields +[5334.96 --> 5335.24] with +[5335.24 --> 5335.58] open +[5335.58 --> 5336.00] hands +[5336.00 --> 5336.56] and +[5336.56 --> 5337.06] Joseph +[5337.06 --> 5338.08] yields +[5338.08 --> 5338.38] with +[5338.38 --> 5338.78] wounded +[5338.78 --> 5339.16] but +[5339.16 --> 5339.64] obedient +[5339.64 --> 5340.46] trust +[5340.46 --> 5340.72] and +[5340.72 --> 5341.14] together +[5341.14 --> 5341.90] they +[5341.90 --> 5342.20] show +[5342.20 --> 5342.62] us +[5342.62 --> 5343.84] that +[5343.84 --> 5344.12] true +[5344.12 --> 5344.58] peace +[5344.58 --> 5344.98] comes +[5344.98 --> 5345.22] not +[5345.22 --> 5345.40] from +[5345.40 --> 5345.64] having +[5345.64 --> 5345.84] our +[5345.84 --> 5346.16] plans +[5346.16 --> 5346.64] confirmed +[5346.64 --> 5347.48] but +[5347.48 --> 5347.76] from +[5347.76 --> 5348.10] having +[5348.10 --> 5348.38] our +[5348.38 --> 5348.76] lives +[5348.76 --> 5349.62] reordered +[5349.62 --> 5349.92] by +[5349.92 --> 5350.14] the +[5350.14 --> 5350.44] will +[5350.44 --> 5351.18] of +[5351.18 --> 5351.52] God +[5351.52 --> 5353.94] now +[5353.94 --> 5355.76] when +[5355.76 --> 5356.06] we look +[5356.06 --> 5356.16] at +[5356.16 --> 5356.36] Mary +[5356.36 --> 5356.54] and +[5356.54 --> 5356.88] Joseph +[5356.88 --> 5358.00] it's +[5358.00 --> 5358.76] tempting +[5358.76 --> 5359.16] to +[5359.16 --> 5359.56] admire +[5359.56 --> 5360.00] them +[5360.00 --> 5360.68] from +[5360.68 --> 5360.86] a +[5360.86 --> 5361.28] distance +[5361.28 --> 5361.52] to +[5361.52 --> 5361.80] see +[5361.80 --> 5362.14] them +[5362.14 --> 5362.36] as +[5362.36 --> 5363.12] unusually +[5363.12 --> 5363.68] brave +[5363.68 --> 5364.36] unusually +[5364.36 --> 5364.92] faithful +[5364.92 --> 5365.58] and +[5365.58 --> 5366.04] uniquely +[5366.04 --> 5366.72] prepared +[5366.72 --> 5367.20] for +[5367.20 --> 5367.42] this +[5367.42 --> 5367.84] moment +[5367.84 --> 5368.80] and +[5368.80 --> 5368.96] to +[5368.96 --> 5369.16] be +[5369.16 --> 5369.58] clear +[5369.58 --> 5370.12] Mary +[5370.12 --> 5370.32] is +[5370.32 --> 5370.72] introduced +[5370.72 --> 5371.02] to +[5371.02 --> 5371.18] us +[5371.18 --> 5371.32] as +[5371.32 --> 5371.52] one +[5371.52 --> 5371.72] who +[5371.72 --> 5371.94] is +[5371.94 --> 5372.56] highly +[5372.56 --> 5373.48] favored +[5373.48 --> 5374.52] by +[5374.52 --> 5374.92] God +[5374.92 --> 5377.98] but +[5377.98 --> 5379.20] the +[5379.20 --> 5379.54] question +[5379.54 --> 5380.10] becomes +[5380.10 --> 5380.36] did +[5380.36 --> 5380.54] she +[5380.54 --> 5380.96] merit +[5380.96 --> 5381.28] that +[5381.28 --> 5381.64] favor +[5381.64 --> 5381.90] or +[5381.90 --> 5382.06] did +[5382.06 --> 5382.18] she +[5382.18 --> 5382.44] just +[5382.44 --> 5382.90] receive +[5382.90 --> 5383.20] it +[5383.20 --> 5385.04] right +[5385.04 --> 5385.32] because +[5385.32 --> 5385.56] to +[5385.56 --> 5386.04] think +[5386.04 --> 5386.30] that +[5386.30 --> 5386.64] they +[5386.64 --> 5387.38] are +[5387.38 --> 5387.92] anything +[5387.92 --> 5388.42] other +[5388.42 --> 5388.70] than +[5388.70 --> 5389.26] ordinary +[5389.26 --> 5389.78] people +[5389.78 --> 5390.30] who +[5390.30 --> 5390.50] are +[5390.50 --> 5390.94] yielding +[5390.94 --> 5391.30] themselves +[5391.30 --> 5391.48] to +[5391.48 --> 5391.62] an +[5391.62 --> 5392.04] extraordinary +[5392.04 --> 5392.54] God +[5392.54 --> 5393.16] is +[5393.16 --> 5393.42] to +[5393.42 --> 5393.96] mistake +[5393.96 --> 5394.16] the +[5394.16 --> 5394.38] point +[5394.38 --> 5394.48] of +[5394.48 --> 5394.60] the +[5394.60 --> 5395.00] story +[5395.00 --> 5396.04] right +[5396.04 --> 5396.24] Mary +[5396.24 --> 5396.42] and +[5396.42 --> 5396.64] Joseph +[5396.64 --> 5396.90] are +[5396.90 --> 5397.10] not +[5397.10 --> 5397.46] super +[5397.46 --> 5397.78] human +[5397.78 --> 5398.10] Mary +[5398.10 --> 5398.58] is +[5398.58 --> 5398.78] an +[5398.78 --> 5399.22] ordinary +[5399.22 --> 5399.62] woman +[5399.62 --> 5399.84] who +[5399.84 --> 5400.00] is +[5400.00 --> 5400.68] extraordinarily +[5400.68 --> 5401.44] blessed +[5401.44 --> 5401.90] to +[5401.90 --> 5402.24] become +[5402.24 --> 5402.48] the +[5402.48 --> 5402.70] mother +[5402.70 --> 5402.96] of +[5402.96 --> 5403.32] God +[5403.32 --> 5404.14] and +[5404.14 --> 5404.42] Mary +[5404.42 --> 5404.60] and +[5404.60 --> 5404.88] Joseph +[5404.88 --> 5405.10] are +[5405.10 --> 5405.44] ordinary +[5405.44 --> 5405.90] people +[5405.90 --> 5406.14] whose +[5406.14 --> 5406.54] lives +[5406.54 --> 5406.72] are +[5406.72 --> 5407.20] upended +[5407.20 --> 5407.48] by +[5407.48 --> 5407.84] God's +[5407.84 --> 5408.16] call +[5408.16 --> 5408.40] and +[5408.40 --> 5408.60] who +[5408.60 --> 5408.96] yet +[5408.96 --> 5409.74] trust +[5409.74 --> 5410.16] him +[5410.16 --> 5410.76] enough +[5410.76 --> 5411.04] to +[5411.04 --> 5411.42] yield +[5411.42 --> 5411.96] themselves +[5411.96 --> 5412.54] to +[5412.54 --> 5412.76] his +[5412.76 --> 5413.02] will +[5413.02 --> 5413.84] right +[5413.84 --> 5414.08] their +[5414.08 --> 5414.50] obedience +[5414.50 --> 5414.86] is +[5414.86 --> 5415.06] not +[5415.06 --> 5415.26] the +[5415.26 --> 5415.72] cause +[5415.72 --> 5416.02] of +[5416.02 --> 5416.40] God's +[5416.40 --> 5416.66] peace +[5416.66 --> 5416.86] in +[5416.86 --> 5416.98] their +[5416.98 --> 5417.22] lives +[5417.22 --> 5417.36] it +[5417.36 --> 5417.48] is +[5417.48 --> 5417.68] the +[5417.68 --> 5418.08] fruit +[5418.08 --> 5418.52] of +[5418.52 --> 5418.88] knowing +[5418.88 --> 5419.44] God +[5419.44 --> 5419.88] and +[5419.88 --> 5420.16] knowing +[5420.16 --> 5420.38] the +[5420.38 --> 5420.72] God +[5420.72 --> 5420.90] who +[5420.90 --> 5421.50] holds +[5421.50 --> 5421.88] them +[5421.88 --> 5422.20] in +[5422.20 --> 5422.60] his +[5422.60 --> 5423.18] hands +[5423.18 --> 5424.50] right +[5424.50 --> 5424.84] underneath +[5424.84 --> 5425.26] their +[5425.26 --> 5425.80] surrender +[5425.80 --> 5426.16] is +[5426.16 --> 5426.54] something +[5426.54 --> 5427.74] deeper +[5427.74 --> 5428.88] underneath +[5428.88 --> 5429.18] their +[5429.18 --> 5429.64] surrender +[5429.64 --> 5429.92] is +[5429.92 --> 5430.14] the +[5430.14 --> 5430.46] love +[5430.46 --> 5430.70] of +[5430.70 --> 5431.14] God +[5431.14 --> 5431.36] that +[5431.36 --> 5431.50] is +[5431.50 --> 5431.84] moving +[5431.84 --> 5432.46] towards +[5434.42 --> 5434.90] their +[5434.90 --> 5435.64] understanding +[5435.64 --> 5436.46] a love +[5436.46 --> 5436.58] that +[5436.58 --> 5436.84] doesn't +[5436.84 --> 5437.20] depend +[5437.20 --> 5437.44] on +[5437.44 --> 5437.60] their +[5437.60 --> 5438.00] strength +[5438.00 --> 5438.20] it's +[5438.20 --> 5438.56] a love +[5438.56 --> 5438.76] that +[5438.76 --> 5439.20] steps +[5439.20 --> 5439.62] into +[5439.62 --> 5439.88] their +[5439.88 --> 5440.50] confusion +[5440.50 --> 5441.12] and +[5441.12 --> 5441.38] says +[5441.38 --> 5441.72] do +[5441.72 --> 5442.16] not +[5442.16 --> 5442.52] be +[5442.52 --> 5443.08] afraid +[5443.08 --> 5444.10] for +[5444.10 --> 5444.32] the +[5444.32 --> 5444.72] Lord +[5444.72 --> 5445.38] is +[5445.38 --> 5445.64] with +[5445.64 --> 5445.90] you +[5445.90 --> 5447.44] and +[5447.44 --> 5447.68] that's +[5447.68 --> 5447.82] where +[5447.82 --> 5448.06] their +[5448.06 --> 5448.60] story +[5448.60 --> 5449.62] is +[5449.62 --> 5449.82] meant +[5449.82 --> 5450.02] to +[5450.02 --> 5450.32] draw +[5450.32 --> 5450.70] our +[5450.70 --> 5451.34] hearts +[5451.34 --> 5452.10] towards +[5452.10 --> 5452.72] the +[5452.72 --> 5453.10] center +[5453.10 --> 5453.42] of +[5453.42 --> 5453.60] the +[5453.60 --> 5454.00] gospel +[5454.00 --> 5455.78] right +[5455.78 --> 5456.04] because +[5456.04 --> 5456.56] Mary +[5456.56 --> 5457.46] and +[5457.46 --> 5457.78] the +[5457.78 --> 5458.18] child +[5458.18 --> 5458.42] that +[5458.42 --> 5458.62] she +[5458.62 --> 5459.04] carries +[5459.04 --> 5459.32] the +[5459.32 --> 5459.64] child +[5459.64 --> 5459.80] that +[5459.80 --> 5460.00] Mary +[5460.00 --> 5460.46] carries +[5460.46 --> 5460.64] the +[5460.64 --> 5460.86] very +[5460.86 --> 5461.46] child +[5461.46 --> 5461.72] who +[5461.72 --> 5462.46] is +[5462.46 --> 5463.26] disrupting +[5463.26 --> 5463.46] their +[5463.46 --> 5463.90] carefully +[5463.90 --> 5464.20] laid +[5464.20 --> 5464.68] plans +[5464.68 --> 5465.78] is +[5465.78 --> 5466.06] the +[5466.06 --> 5466.50] one +[5466.50 --> 5467.14] whose +[5467.14 --> 5467.80] entire +[5467.80 --> 5468.58] life +[5468.58 --> 5468.92] will +[5468.92 --> 5469.24] be +[5469.24 --> 5469.82] surrendered +[5469.82 --> 5470.82] for +[5470.82 --> 5471.26] us +[5471.26 --> 5473.14] Jesus +[5473.14 --> 5473.52] doesn't +[5473.52 --> 5473.84] simply +[5473.84 --> 5474.20] call +[5474.20 --> 5474.48] us +[5474.48 --> 5474.76] to +[5474.76 --> 5475.36] obedience +[5475.36 --> 5476.28] Jesus +[5476.28 --> 5477.06] embodies +[5477.06 --> 5477.94] obedience +[5477.94 --> 5479.36] he +[5479.36 --> 5479.78] yields +[5479.78 --> 5480.12] to the +[5480.12 --> 5480.42] father +[5480.42 --> 5480.68] in +[5480.68 --> 5481.12] every +[5481.12 --> 5481.52] place +[5481.52 --> 5481.70] that +[5481.70 --> 5481.86] we +[5481.86 --> 5482.32] resist +[5482.32 --> 5483.38] he +[5483.38 --> 5483.68] walks +[5483.68 --> 5483.88] the +[5483.88 --> 5484.16] path +[5484.16 --> 5484.30] of +[5484.30 --> 5484.64] trust +[5484.64 --> 5485.10] in +[5485.10 --> 5485.50] every +[5485.50 --> 5485.86] place +[5485.86 --> 5486.06] that +[5486.06 --> 5486.32] we +[5486.32 --> 5486.74] cling +[5486.74 --> 5486.96] to +[5486.96 --> 5487.40] control +[5487.40 --> 5488.66] he +[5488.66 --> 5489.18] embraces +[5489.18 --> 5489.42] the +[5489.42 --> 5489.64] will +[5489.64 --> 5489.82] of +[5489.82 --> 5490.10] God +[5490.10 --> 5490.70] even +[5490.70 --> 5490.96] when +[5490.96 --> 5491.14] it +[5491.14 --> 5491.66] costs +[5491.66 --> 5492.06] him +[5492.06 --> 5493.02] everything +[5493.02 --> 5494.98] where +[5494.98 --> 5495.58] Mary's +[5495.58 --> 5496.10] surrender +[5496.10 --> 5496.66] begins +[5496.66 --> 5496.96] the +[5496.96 --> 5497.38] story +[5497.38 --> 5497.84] Jesus +[5497.84 --> 5498.62] surrender +[5498.62 --> 5499.08] brings +[5499.08 --> 5499.30] it +[5499.30 --> 5499.62] to +[5499.62 --> 5500.24] its +[5500.24 --> 5500.82] climax +[5500.82 --> 5502.18] where +[5502.18 --> 5502.56] Joseph +[5502.56 --> 5503.06] bears +[5503.06 --> 5503.30] the +[5503.30 --> 5503.58] weight +[5503.58 --> 5503.86] of +[5503.86 --> 5504.22] shame +[5504.22 --> 5504.42] to +[5504.42 --> 5504.82] protect +[5504.82 --> 5505.18] Mary +[5505.18 --> 5505.88] Jesus +[5505.88 --> 5506.36] bears +[5506.36 --> 5506.64] the +[5506.64 --> 5506.92] weight +[5506.92 --> 5507.14] of +[5507.14 --> 5507.58] shame +[5507.58 --> 5507.98] and +[5507.98 --> 5508.46] sin +[5508.46 --> 5508.82] to +[5508.82 --> 5509.32] redeem +[5509.32 --> 5510.08] us +[5510.08 --> 5511.56] where +[5511.56 --> 5511.80] Mary +[5511.80 --> 5511.96] and +[5511.96 --> 5512.22] Joseph +[5512.22 --> 5512.62] trust +[5512.62 --> 5512.96] God +[5512.96 --> 5513.12] in +[5513.12 --> 5513.24] the +[5513.24 --> 5513.52] dark +[5513.52 --> 5513.98] Jesus +[5513.98 --> 5514.50] steps +[5514.50 --> 5514.84] into +[5514.84 --> 5515.10] the +[5515.10 --> 5515.52] deepest +[5515.52 --> 5516.28] darkness +[5516.28 --> 5516.64] he +[5516.64 --> 5517.02] bears +[5517.02 --> 5517.46] the +[5517.46 --> 5518.02] cross +[5518.02 --> 5518.64] and +[5518.64 --> 5519.40] entrusts +[5519.40 --> 5519.88] himself +[5519.88 --> 5520.46] fully +[5520.46 --> 5521.06] to +[5521.06 --> 5521.22] the +[5521.22 --> 5521.58] father +[5521.58 --> 5523.68] Jesus +[5523.68 --> 5524.20] entire +[5524.20 --> 5524.84] life +[5524.84 --> 5525.30] is +[5525.30 --> 5526.70] substitutionary +[5526.70 --> 5526.90] it's +[5526.90 --> 5527.10] for +[5527.10 --> 5527.50] you +[5527.50 --> 5527.66] and +[5527.66 --> 5527.84] me +[5527.84 --> 5528.04] he +[5528.04 --> 5528.84] lives +[5528.84 --> 5529.58] perfectly +[5529.58 --> 5530.28] obedient +[5530.28 --> 5530.78] fully +[5530.78 --> 5531.60] yielding +[5531.60 --> 5532.02] in +[5532.02 --> 5532.44] life +[5532.44 --> 5532.76] that +[5532.76 --> 5533.58] none +[5533.58 --> 5533.78] of +[5533.78 --> 5534.14] us +[5534.14 --> 5534.64] can +[5534.64 --> 5534.88] do +[5534.88 --> 5535.90] and +[5535.90 --> 5536.02] on +[5536.02 --> 5536.16] the +[5536.16 --> 5536.50] cross +[5536.50 --> 5536.72] he +[5536.72 --> 5537.18] offers +[5537.18 --> 5537.92] his +[5537.92 --> 5538.34] peace +[5538.34 --> 5538.58] in +[5538.58 --> 5539.18] exchange +[5539.18 --> 5539.64] for +[5539.64 --> 5539.96] our +[5539.96 --> 5540.64] unrest +[5540.64 --> 5541.28] his +[5541.28 --> 5541.78] righteousness +[5541.78 --> 5542.16] for +[5542.16 --> 5542.42] our +[5542.42 --> 5542.86] rebellion +[5542.86 --> 5543.16] his +[5543.16 --> 5543.56] holiness +[5543.56 --> 5543.92] for +[5543.92 --> 5544.14] our +[5544.14 --> 5544.80] fractured +[5544.80 --> 5545.12] selves +[5545.12 --> 5545.60] this +[5545.60 --> 5545.96] then +[5545.96 --> 5546.26] is +[5546.26 --> 5546.52] the +[5546.52 --> 5547.02] love +[5547.02 --> 5547.46] that +[5547.46 --> 5548.04] anchors +[5548.04 --> 5548.48] our +[5548.48 --> 5549.18] peace +[5549.18 --> 5549.42] that +[5549.42 --> 5549.58] the +[5549.58 --> 5549.80] son +[5549.80 --> 5549.96] of +[5549.96 --> 5550.22] God +[5550.22 --> 5550.38] did +[5550.38 --> 5550.54] not +[5550.54 --> 5550.86] simply +[5550.86 --> 5551.08] come +[5551.08 --> 5551.24] to +[5551.24 --> 5551.60] show +[5551.60 --> 5551.96] us +[5551.96 --> 5552.22] how +[5552.22 --> 5552.58] to +[5552.58 --> 5553.24] surrender +[5553.24 --> 5553.54] he +[5553.54 --> 5553.98] came +[5553.98 --> 5554.20] to +[5554.20 --> 5554.74] surrender +[5554.74 --> 5555.34] himself +[5555.34 --> 5556.06] for +[5556.06 --> 5556.54] us +[5556.54 --> 5556.80] he +[5556.80 --> 5557.10] came +[5557.10 --> 5557.30] to +[5557.30 --> 5557.58] live +[5557.58 --> 5557.76] the +[5557.76 --> 5558.04] life +[5558.04 --> 5558.20] I +[5558.20 --> 5558.38] should +[5558.38 --> 5558.50] have +[5558.50 --> 5558.74] lived +[5558.74 --> 5559.14] and +[5559.14 --> 5559.48] died +[5559.48 --> 5559.68] the +[5559.68 --> 5559.98] death +[5559.98 --> 5560.40] that +[5560.40 --> 5560.54] I +[5560.54 --> 5560.90] deserved +[5560.90 --> 5561.16] and +[5561.16 --> 5561.64] because +[5561.64 --> 5561.92] he +[5561.92 --> 5562.36] did +[5562.36 --> 5564.50] peace +[5564.50 --> 5564.94] is no +[5564.94 --> 5565.22] longer +[5565.22 --> 5565.56] something +[5565.56 --> 5565.80] we +[5565.80 --> 5566.32] achieve +[5566.32 --> 5566.62] by +[5566.62 --> 5567.38] managing +[5567.38 --> 5567.80] our +[5567.80 --> 5568.52] circumstances +[5568.52 --> 5568.88] or +[5568.88 --> 5569.38] mastering +[5569.38 --> 5569.86] our +[5569.86 --> 5570.38] inner +[5570.38 --> 5570.78] world +[5570.78 --> 5571.18] peace +[5571.18 --> 5571.42] is +[5571.42 --> 5571.76] something +[5571.76 --> 5572.54] given +[5572.54 --> 5572.96] something +[5572.96 --> 5573.76] purchased +[5573.76 --> 5574.14] by +[5574.14 --> 5574.76] Christ +[5574.76 --> 5575.42] and +[5575.42 --> 5575.94] secured +[5575.94 --> 5576.32] by +[5576.32 --> 5576.60] his +[5576.60 --> 5577.20] resurrection +[5577.20 --> 5577.88] and +[5577.88 --> 5578.34] poured +[5578.34 --> 5578.86] into +[5578.86 --> 5579.32] our +[5579.32 --> 5579.68] hearts +[5579.68 --> 5579.98] and +[5579.98 --> 5580.40] lives +[5580.40 --> 5580.96] by +[5580.96 --> 5581.12] the +[5581.12 --> 5581.32] Holy +[5581.32 --> 5581.72] Spirit +[5581.72 --> 5584.32] the +[5584.32 --> 5584.66] love +[5584.66 --> 5584.88] that +[5584.88 --> 5585.20] moved +[5585.20 --> 5585.58] God +[5585.58 --> 5585.94] toward +[5585.94 --> 5586.64] Mary +[5586.64 --> 5586.98] in +[5586.98 --> 5587.62] Nazareth +[5587.62 --> 5587.88] that +[5587.88 --> 5588.26] that +[5588.26 --> 5588.72] steadied +[5588.72 --> 5589.06] Joseph +[5589.06 --> 5589.32] in +[5589.32 --> 5589.48] his +[5589.48 --> 5589.98] confusion +[5589.98 --> 5590.22] that +[5590.22 --> 5590.62] carried +[5590.62 --> 5590.96] Jesus +[5590.96 --> 5591.18] to +[5591.18 --> 5591.32] the +[5591.32 --> 5591.68] cross +[5591.68 --> 5592.18] is +[5592.18 --> 5592.40] the +[5592.40 --> 5592.82] same +[5592.82 --> 5593.56] love +[5593.56 --> 5594.60] that +[5594.60 --> 5594.88] moves +[5594.88 --> 5595.30] towards +[5595.30 --> 5595.62] you +[5595.62 --> 5599.46] love +[5599.46 --> 5599.66] that +[5599.66 --> 5600.10] says +[5600.10 --> 5600.72] even +[5600.72 --> 5600.94] in +[5600.94 --> 5601.06] the +[5601.06 --> 5601.36] places +[5601.36 --> 5601.72] your +[5601.72 --> 5602.32] plans +[5602.32 --> 5602.62] have +[5602.62 --> 5602.82] fallen +[5602.82 --> 5603.28] apart +[5603.28 --> 5604.54] you +[5604.54 --> 5604.72] are +[5604.72 --> 5605.16] held +[5605.16 --> 5606.86] you +[5606.86 --> 5607.02] are +[5607.02 --> 5607.50] mine +[5607.50 --> 5608.68] and +[5608.68 --> 5608.78] you +[5608.78 --> 5608.94] are +[5608.94 --> 5609.28] forgiven +[5609.28 --> 5611.50] true +[5611.50 --> 5612.00] peace +[5612.00 --> 5612.62] comes +[5612.62 --> 5612.96] when +[5612.96 --> 5613.12] we +[5613.12 --> 5613.54] finally +[5613.54 --> 5614.04] fall +[5614.04 --> 5614.32] into +[5614.32 --> 5614.52] the +[5614.52 --> 5614.90] arms +[5614.90 --> 5615.40] of +[5615.40 --> 5615.52] the +[5615.52 --> 5615.78] one +[5615.78 --> 5616.04] who +[5616.04 --> 5616.38] gave +[5616.38 --> 5616.66] up +[5616.66 --> 5617.36] everything +[5617.36 --> 5618.38] to +[5618.38 --> 5618.70] make +[5618.70 --> 5619.22] us +[5619.22 --> 5620.14] his +[5620.14 --> 5626.78] about +[5626.78 --> 5626.88] a +[5626.88 --> 5627.06] month +[5627.06 --> 5627.36] ago +[5627.36 --> 5628.86] I +[5628.86 --> 5629.26] was +[5629.26 --> 5629.56] at +[5629.56 --> 5629.98] a +[5629.98 --> 5630.28] prayer +[5630.28 --> 5630.86] gathering +[5630.86 --> 5632.04] for +[5632.04 --> 5632.46] Langley +[5632.46 --> 5632.84] area +[5632.84 --> 5633.30] pastors +[5633.30 --> 5636.34] I +[5636.34 --> 5636.48] had +[5636.48 --> 5636.66] just +[5636.66 --> 5636.90] come +[5636.90 --> 5637.32] through +[5637.32 --> 5637.92] a +[5637.92 --> 5638.22] really +[5638.22 --> 5638.70] hectic +[5638.70 --> 5639.36] three +[5639.36 --> 5639.74] months +[5639.74 --> 5640.06] of +[5640.06 --> 5640.46] life +[5640.46 --> 5641.26] which +[5641.26 --> 5641.70] followed +[5641.70 --> 5642.06] on the +[5642.06 --> 5642.40] heels +[5642.40 --> 5642.70] of +[5642.70 --> 5642.88] a +[5642.88 --> 5643.22] summer +[5643.22 --> 5643.80] of +[5643.80 --> 5644.22] lots +[5644.22 --> 5644.48] and +[5644.48 --> 5644.82] lots +[5644.82 --> 5645.06] and +[5645.06 --> 5645.42] lots +[5645.42 --> 5645.66] of +[5645.66 --> 5646.08] things +[5646.08 --> 5646.76] and +[5646.76 --> 5646.90] a +[5646.90 --> 5647.48] busyness +[5647.48 --> 5649.26] that +[5649.26 --> 5649.58] in +[5649.58 --> 5649.88] my +[5649.88 --> 5650.54] experience +[5650.54 --> 5650.92] was +[5650.92 --> 5652.04] very +[5652.04 --> 5652.40] heightened +[5652.40 --> 5652.74] was +[5652.74 --> 5653.04] perhaps +[5653.04 --> 5653.74] incomparable +[5653.74 --> 5655.48] that +[5655.48 --> 5655.78] was +[5655.78 --> 5655.92] a +[5655.92 --> 5656.16] summer +[5656.16 --> 5656.46] of +[5656.46 --> 5656.76] no +[5656.76 --> 5657.42] real +[5657.42 --> 5658.06] long +[5658.06 --> 5658.44] term +[5658.44 --> 5659.14] rest +[5659.14 --> 5660.70] I +[5660.70 --> 5660.84] was +[5660.84 --> 5661.14] tired +[5661.14 --> 5663.48] and +[5663.48 --> 5663.74] now +[5663.74 --> 5663.98] it +[5663.98 --> 5664.14] was +[5664.14 --> 5664.54] November +[5664.54 --> 5666.22] I +[5666.22 --> 5666.34] had +[5666.34 --> 5666.54] made +[5666.54 --> 5666.68] it +[5666.68 --> 5666.90] through +[5666.90 --> 5667.10] the +[5667.10 --> 5667.42] calendar +[5667.42 --> 5667.64] of +[5667.64 --> 5668.20] chaos +[5668.20 --> 5669.32] and +[5669.32 --> 5669.42] I +[5669.42 --> 5669.56] had +[5669.56 --> 5669.74] just +[5669.74 --> 5669.94] been +[5669.94 --> 5670.22] telling +[5670.22 --> 5670.74] myself +[5670.74 --> 5671.14] for +[5671.14 --> 5671.48] six +[5671.48 --> 5671.84] months +[5671.84 --> 5672.38] if +[5672.38 --> 5672.54] I +[5672.54 --> 5672.70] can +[5672.70 --> 5672.92] just +[5672.92 --> 5673.16] make +[5673.16 --> 5673.28] it +[5673.28 --> 5673.44] to +[5673.44 --> 5673.78] November +[5673.78 --> 5674.22] 12 +[5674.22 --> 5675.30] things +[5675.30 --> 5675.48] will +[5675.48 --> 5675.70] settle +[5675.70 --> 5675.98] down +[5675.98 --> 5676.24] after +[5676.24 --> 5676.56] that +[5676.56 --> 5678.50] maybe +[5678.50 --> 5678.82] then +[5678.82 --> 5679.00] I'll +[5679.00 --> 5679.16] have +[5679.16 --> 5679.38] some +[5679.38 --> 5679.74] peace +[5679.74 --> 5682.44] but +[5682.44 --> 5682.62] that +[5682.62 --> 5683.08] Wednesday +[5683.08 --> 5684.54] at +[5684.54 --> 5684.74] that +[5684.74 --> 5685.22] pastor's +[5685.22 --> 5685.44] prayer +[5685.44 --> 5685.86] meeting +[5685.86 --> 5689.08] I +[5689.08 --> 5689.28] felt +[5689.28 --> 5689.44] the +[5689.44 --> 5689.60] Holy +[5689.60 --> 5689.96] Spirit +[5689.96 --> 5690.42] convict +[5690.42 --> 5690.58] me +[5690.58 --> 5690.74] of +[5690.74 --> 5691.06] something +[5691.06 --> 5691.94] that +[5691.94 --> 5692.80] my +[5692.80 --> 5693.18] wife +[5693.18 --> 5693.64] had +[5693.64 --> 5694.06] already +[5694.06 --> 5694.26] been +[5694.26 --> 5694.54] saying +[5694.54 --> 5694.72] for +[5694.72 --> 5694.84] a +[5694.84 --> 5695.04] while +[5695.04 --> 5696.90] and +[5696.90 --> 5697.12] for +[5697.12 --> 5697.28] you +[5697.28 --> 5697.58] husbands +[5697.58 --> 5697.84] out +[5697.84 --> 5698.06] there +[5698.06 --> 5698.54] this +[5698.54 --> 5698.68] is +[5698.68 --> 5698.82] the +[5698.82 --> 5699.02] normal +[5699.02 --> 5699.34] pattern +[5699.34 --> 5699.52] of +[5699.52 --> 5699.80] things +[5699.80 --> 5701.50] your +[5701.50 --> 5701.70] wife +[5701.70 --> 5701.84] has +[5701.84 --> 5701.94] been +[5701.94 --> 5702.20] telling +[5702.20 --> 5702.52] you +[5702.52 --> 5703.28] and +[5703.28 --> 5703.40] you +[5703.40 --> 5703.56] only +[5703.56 --> 5703.80] listen +[5703.80 --> 5703.94] when +[5703.94 --> 5704.04] the +[5704.04 --> 5704.16] Holy +[5704.16 --> 5704.40] Spirit +[5704.40 --> 5704.66] does +[5704.66 --> 5707.24] I +[5707.24 --> 5707.42] felt +[5707.42 --> 5707.56] the +[5707.56 --> 5707.74] Spirit +[5707.74 --> 5708.16] convict +[5708.16 --> 5708.42] me +[5708.42 --> 5708.64] that +[5708.64 --> 5708.82] the +[5708.82 --> 5709.26] cost +[5709.26 --> 5709.50] of +[5709.50 --> 5709.74] my +[5709.74 --> 5710.52] busyness +[5710.52 --> 5712.02] was +[5712.02 --> 5712.30] not +[5712.30 --> 5712.70] born +[5712.70 --> 5713.00] by +[5713.00 --> 5713.36] me +[5713.36 --> 5715.10] or +[5715.10 --> 5715.22] at +[5715.22 --> 5715.32] least +[5715.32 --> 5715.52] not +[5715.52 --> 5715.72] born +[5715.72 --> 5715.90] by +[5715.90 --> 5716.08] me +[5716.08 --> 5716.44] alone +[5716.44 --> 5718.84] my +[5718.84 --> 5719.06] whole +[5719.06 --> 5719.54] family +[5719.54 --> 5721.18] especially +[5721.18 --> 5721.80] Rachel +[5721.80 --> 5722.36] my +[5722.36 --> 5722.62] wife +[5722.62 --> 5725.22] they +[5725.22 --> 5725.52] feel +[5725.52 --> 5725.68] the +[5725.68 --> 5725.86] weight +[5725.86 --> 5726.00] of +[5726.00 --> 5726.26] that +[5726.26 --> 5728.46] they +[5728.46 --> 5728.68] bear +[5728.68 --> 5728.86] the +[5728.86 --> 5729.28] cost +[5729.28 --> 5729.66] of +[5729.66 --> 5729.94] my +[5729.94 --> 5730.68] busyness +[5730.68 --> 5732.06] my +[5732.06 --> 5732.82] unpeace +[5732.82 --> 5733.24] fullness +[5733.24 --> 5733.74] and +[5733.74 --> 5734.00] my +[5734.00 --> 5734.44] inability +[5734.44 --> 5734.78] to +[5734.78 --> 5735.10] rest +[5735.10 --> 5735.70] trickles +[5735.70 --> 5736.10] out +[5736.10 --> 5737.04] to +[5737.04 --> 5737.34] them +[5737.34 --> 5739.30] and +[5739.30 --> 5739.60] everybody +[5739.60 --> 5740.02] feels +[5740.02 --> 5740.90] it +[5740.90 --> 5745.76] convicted +[5745.76 --> 5746.66] in +[5746.66 --> 5746.84] that +[5746.84 --> 5747.30] moment +[5747.30 --> 5748.44] and +[5748.44 --> 5749.16] confessing +[5749.16 --> 5750.14] in +[5750.14 --> 5750.32] that +[5750.32 --> 5750.60] moment +[5750.60 --> 5752.72] I +[5752.72 --> 5752.90] am +[5752.90 --> 5753.46] now +[5753.46 --> 5754.32] trying +[5754.32 --> 5754.64] to +[5754.64 --> 5754.98] live +[5754.98 --> 5755.42] this +[5755.42 --> 5756.04] truth +[5756.04 --> 5758.34] the +[5758.34 --> 5758.80] truth +[5758.80 --> 5759.76] that +[5759.76 --> 5760.22] my +[5760.22 --> 5760.88] restless +[5760.88 --> 5761.86] striving +[5761.86 --> 5762.80] is +[5762.80 --> 5763.44] answered +[5763.44 --> 5764.30] only +[5764.30 --> 5765.02] by +[5765.02 --> 5765.52] Jesus +[5765.52 --> 5766.38] willing +[5766.38 --> 5767.30] surrender +[5767.30 --> 5769.48] that +[5769.48 --> 5769.96] his +[5769.96 --> 5770.60] obedience +[5770.60 --> 5771.52] is +[5771.52 --> 5771.76] the +[5771.76 --> 5772.24] peace +[5772.24 --> 5772.78] that +[5772.78 --> 5773.10] I +[5773.10 --> 5773.40] keep +[5773.40 --> 5773.76] trying +[5773.76 --> 5773.98] to +[5773.98 --> 5774.56] manufacture +[5774.56 --> 5778.92] when +[5778.92 --> 5779.10] I +[5779.10 --> 5779.30] keep +[5779.30 --> 5779.68] trying +[5779.68 --> 5779.92] to +[5779.92 --> 5780.22] push +[5780.22 --> 5780.48] for +[5780.48 --> 5780.82] peace +[5780.82 --> 5781.06] by +[5781.06 --> 5781.50] controlling +[5781.50 --> 5781.80] my +[5781.80 --> 5782.26] time +[5782.26 --> 5782.66] my +[5782.66 --> 5783.00] energy +[5783.00 --> 5783.24] my +[5783.24 --> 5783.66] schedule +[5783.66 --> 5783.92] my +[5783.92 --> 5784.42] outcomes +[5784.42 --> 5784.88] what +[5784.88 --> 5785.02] I'm +[5785.02 --> 5785.38] really +[5785.38 --> 5785.68] trying +[5785.68 --> 5785.84] to +[5785.84 --> 5786.06] do +[5786.06 --> 5786.32] is +[5786.32 --> 5786.78] manufacture +[5786.78 --> 5787.44] something +[5787.44 --> 5787.98] that +[5787.98 --> 5788.32] only +[5788.32 --> 5788.66] Jesus +[5788.66 --> 5788.90] can +[5788.90 --> 5789.20] give +[5789.20 --> 5791.70] and +[5791.70 --> 5791.86] this +[5791.86 --> 5791.98] is +[5791.98 --> 5792.12] where +[5792.12 --> 5792.26] the +[5792.26 --> 5792.68] gospel +[5792.68 --> 5793.34] moves +[5793.34 --> 5793.78] for +[5793.78 --> 5794.16] me +[5794.16 --> 5794.64] from +[5794.64 --> 5794.82] a +[5794.82 --> 5795.22] doctrine +[5795.22 --> 5795.52] that +[5795.52 --> 5795.68] I +[5795.68 --> 5796.14] preach +[5796.14 --> 5796.64] to +[5796.64 --> 5796.82] a +[5796.82 --> 5797.44] reality +[5797.44 --> 5797.80] that +[5797.80 --> 5797.92] I +[5797.92 --> 5798.08] can +[5798.08 --> 5798.48] rest +[5798.48 --> 5798.86] in +[5798.86 --> 5800.54] right +[5800.54 --> 5800.82] Jesus +[5800.82 --> 5801.18] didn't +[5801.18 --> 5801.46] come +[5801.46 --> 5801.98] simply +[5801.98 --> 5802.30] to +[5802.30 --> 5802.88] stop +[5802.88 --> 5803.20] me +[5803.20 --> 5803.62] from +[5803.62 --> 5804.16] striving +[5804.16 --> 5804.52] he +[5804.52 --> 5804.82] came +[5804.82 --> 5805.04] to +[5805.04 --> 5805.60] replace +[5805.60 --> 5806.00] my +[5806.00 --> 5806.50] striving +[5806.50 --> 5807.32] with +[5807.32 --> 5807.82] his +[5807.82 --> 5808.46] surrender +[5808.46 --> 5810.74] right +[5810.74 --> 5811.00] he +[5811.00 --> 5811.64] obeyed +[5811.64 --> 5811.84] where +[5811.84 --> 5812.16] I +[5812.16 --> 5812.66] grasp +[5812.66 --> 5813.14] he +[5813.14 --> 5813.78] yielded +[5813.78 --> 5813.94] where +[5813.94 --> 5814.16] I +[5814.16 --> 5814.50] tighten +[5814.50 --> 5814.76] my +[5814.76 --> 5815.18] fists +[5815.18 --> 5815.60] he +[5815.60 --> 5816.00] trusted +[5816.00 --> 5816.22] the +[5816.22 --> 5816.50] father +[5816.50 --> 5816.78] where +[5816.78 --> 5816.96] I +[5816.96 --> 5817.24] tried +[5817.24 --> 5817.42] to +[5817.42 --> 5817.72] hold +[5817.72 --> 5818.32] everything +[5818.32 --> 5818.76] together +[5818.76 --> 5819.22] on +[5819.22 --> 5819.40] my +[5819.40 --> 5819.64] own +[5819.64 --> 5820.08] strength +[5820.08 --> 5820.56] and +[5820.56 --> 5820.90] because +[5820.90 --> 5821.64] I +[5821.64 --> 5821.90] am +[5821.90 --> 5822.36] united +[5822.36 --> 5822.92] to +[5822.92 --> 5823.30] him +[5823.30 --> 5823.96] his +[5823.96 --> 5824.54] obedience +[5824.54 --> 5824.92] is +[5824.92 --> 5825.12] not +[5825.12 --> 5825.36] just +[5825.36 --> 5825.52] an +[5825.52 --> 5826.10] example +[5826.10 --> 5826.50] set +[5826.50 --> 5826.94] before +[5826.94 --> 5827.24] me +[5827.24 --> 5828.48] that's +[5828.48 --> 5828.62] the +[5828.62 --> 5829.02] difference +[5829.02 --> 5829.34] between +[5829.34 --> 5829.76] Jesus +[5829.76 --> 5830.52] and +[5830.52 --> 5830.78] Mary +[5830.78 --> 5830.98] and +[5830.98 --> 5831.28] Joseph +[5831.28 --> 5832.64] Mary +[5832.64 --> 5832.82] and +[5832.82 --> 5833.02] Joseph +[5833.02 --> 5833.24] are +[5833.24 --> 5833.38] an +[5833.38 --> 5833.76] example +[5833.76 --> 5834.00] to +[5834.00 --> 5834.28] me +[5834.28 --> 5835.00] Jesus +[5835.00 --> 5836.02] is +[5836.02 --> 5837.00] to +[5837.00 --> 5837.30] me +[5837.30 --> 5838.94] it +[5838.94 --> 5839.08] is +[5839.08 --> 5839.30] a +[5839.30 --> 5839.58] gift +[5839.58 --> 5839.94] given +[5839.94 --> 5840.18] to +[5840.18 --> 5840.40] me +[5840.40 --> 5840.58] and +[5840.58 --> 5840.74] a +[5840.74 --> 5841.04] peace +[5841.04 --> 5841.26] that +[5841.26 --> 5841.68] flows +[5841.68 --> 5842.38] into +[5842.38 --> 5842.72] me +[5842.72 --> 5843.16] I +[5843.16 --> 5843.38] don't +[5843.38 --> 5843.70] gain +[5843.70 --> 5844.10] peace +[5844.10 --> 5844.32] by +[5844.32 --> 5844.72] managing +[5844.72 --> 5845.00] my +[5845.00 --> 5845.40] world +[5845.40 --> 5845.60] but +[5845.60 --> 5845.80] by +[5845.80 --> 5846.16] belonging +[5846.16 --> 5846.38] to +[5846.38 --> 5846.54] the +[5846.54 --> 5846.76] one +[5846.76 --> 5847.02] who's +[5847.02 --> 5847.40] already +[5848.32 --> 5848.44] through +[5848.44 --> 5848.62] his +[5848.62 --> 5848.88] life +[5848.88 --> 5849.16] death +[5849.16 --> 5849.66] resurrection +[5849.66 --> 5850.14] and +[5850.14 --> 5850.30] through +[5850.30 --> 5850.46] his +[5850.46 --> 5850.76] rising +[5850.76 --> 5851.08] again +[5851.08 --> 5851.44] the +[5851.44 --> 5851.78] rest +[5851.78 --> 5852.00] that +[5852.00 --> 5852.20] I +[5852.20 --> 5852.54] cannot +[5852.54 --> 5853.18] manufacture +[5853.18 --> 5853.82] he +[5853.82 --> 5854.54] delights +[5854.54 --> 5855.06] to +[5855.06 --> 5855.30] give +[5855.30 --> 5855.62] me +[5855.62 --> 5857.74] and +[5857.74 --> 5857.94] look +[5857.94 --> 5858.78] I'll +[5858.78 --> 5859.02] be the +[5859.02 --> 5859.24] first +[5859.24 --> 5859.40] to +[5859.40 --> 5859.60] tell +[5859.60 --> 5859.74] you +[5859.74 --> 5859.98] this +[5859.98 --> 5860.58] I'm +[5860.58 --> 5860.94] still +[5860.94 --> 5861.38] learning +[5861.38 --> 5863.24] I +[5863.24 --> 5863.36] don't +[5863.36 --> 5863.52] have +[5863.52 --> 5863.60] it +[5863.60 --> 5863.76] all +[5863.76 --> 5864.00] figured +[5864.00 --> 5864.28] out +[5864.28 --> 5864.56] far +[5864.56 --> 5864.88] from +[5864.88 --> 5865.12] it +[5865.12 --> 5867.42] but +[5867.42 --> 5867.52] I'm +[5867.52 --> 5867.84] trying +[5867.84 --> 5869.84] I'm +[5869.84 --> 5870.00] talking +[5870.00 --> 5870.18] to my +[5870.18 --> 5870.42] wife +[5870.42 --> 5870.66] about +[5870.66 --> 5870.86] what +[5870.86 --> 5871.12] trying +[5871.12 --> 5871.38] looks +[5871.38 --> 5871.68] like +[5871.68 --> 5872.70] I'm +[5872.70 --> 5872.88] talking +[5872.88 --> 5873.02] to +[5873.02 --> 5873.32] others +[5873.32 --> 5873.92] about +[5873.92 --> 5874.14] what +[5874.14 --> 5874.52] trying +[5874.52 --> 5875.48] looks +[5875.48 --> 5875.82] like +[5875.82 --> 5879.32] but +[5879.32 --> 5879.50] here's +[5879.50 --> 5879.60] what +[5879.60 --> 5879.70] I +[5879.70 --> 5880.00] believe +[5880.00 --> 5881.46] here's +[5881.46 --> 5881.54] what +[5881.54 --> 5881.64] I +[5881.64 --> 5881.82] know +[5881.82 --> 5881.98] to +[5881.98 --> 5882.10] be +[5882.10 --> 5882.34] true +[5882.34 --> 5884.92] he +[5884.92 --> 5885.52] delights +[5885.52 --> 5887.30] he +[5887.30 --> 5887.94] delights +[5887.94 --> 5888.56] to +[5888.56 --> 5888.96] give +[5888.96 --> 5890.00] peace +[5890.00 --> 5890.80] that +[5890.80 --> 5891.18] I +[5891.18 --> 5891.42] am +[5891.42 --> 5891.82] trying +[5891.82 --> 5892.14] to +[5892.14 --> 5892.42] earn +[5892.42 --> 5894.98] he +[5894.98 --> 5895.24] doesn't +[5895.24 --> 5895.48] wait +[5895.48 --> 5895.84] for me +[5895.84 --> 5896.00] to +[5896.00 --> 5896.20] calm +[5896.20 --> 5896.62] down +[5896.62 --> 5896.92] or +[5896.92 --> 5897.10] to +[5897.10 --> 5897.40] slow +[5897.40 --> 5897.78] down +[5897.78 --> 5898.70] he +[5898.70 --> 5898.86] doesn't +[5898.86 --> 5899.04] wait +[5899.04 --> 5899.30] for me +[5899.30 --> 5899.42] to +[5899.42 --> 5899.54] get +[5899.54 --> 5899.66] it +[5899.66 --> 5900.00] together +[5900.00 --> 5901.20] he +[5901.20 --> 5901.56] meets +[5901.56 --> 5901.78] me +[5901.78 --> 5902.10] right +[5902.10 --> 5902.26] in +[5902.26 --> 5902.42] the +[5902.42 --> 5902.90] chaos +[5902.90 --> 5903.10] that +[5903.10 --> 5903.30] I +[5903.30 --> 5903.46] have +[5903.46 --> 5903.92] created +[5903.92 --> 5904.36] and +[5904.36 --> 5904.50] he +[5904.50 --> 5904.82] gives +[5904.82 --> 5905.02] me +[5905.02 --> 5905.54] himself +[5905.54 --> 5908.26] and +[5908.26 --> 5908.42] where +[5908.42 --> 5908.60] I +[5908.60 --> 5909.02] cling +[5909.02 --> 5909.68] and +[5909.68 --> 5910.14] grasp +[5910.14 --> 5910.74] and +[5910.74 --> 5911.26] strain +[5911.26 --> 5912.06] he +[5912.06 --> 5912.84] obeyed +[5912.84 --> 5913.74] he +[5913.74 --> 5914.30] surrendered +[5914.30 --> 5915.12] and +[5915.12 --> 5915.24] he +[5915.24 --> 5915.66] trusted +[5915.66 --> 5917.24] the +[5917.24 --> 5917.56] peace +[5917.56 --> 5917.76] that +[5917.76 --> 5917.94] I +[5917.94 --> 5918.20] cannot +[5918.20 --> 5918.78] generate +[5918.78 --> 5919.06] is +[5919.06 --> 5919.40] available +[5919.40 --> 5919.82] because +[5919.82 --> 5920.40] I +[5920.40 --> 5920.88] belong +[5920.88 --> 5921.10] to +[5921.10 --> 5921.24] the +[5921.24 --> 5921.54] one +[5921.54 --> 5922.08] who +[5922.08 --> 5922.72] faithfully +[5922.72 --> 5922.98] and +[5922.98 --> 5923.10] in +[5923.10 --> 5923.30] all +[5923.30 --> 5923.44] the +[5923.44 --> 5923.74] places +[5923.74 --> 5923.96] where +[5923.96 --> 5924.14] I +[5924.14 --> 5924.38] live +[5924.38 --> 5925.12] frantically +[5925.12 --> 5925.98] he +[5925.98 --> 5926.96] lived +[5926.96 --> 5928.34] surrendered +[5928.34 --> 5931.56] the +[5931.56 --> 5931.86] story +[5931.86 --> 5932.02] of +[5932.02 --> 5932.20] Mary +[5932.20 --> 5932.38] and +[5932.38 --> 5932.80] Joseph +[5932.80 --> 5933.62] the +[5933.62 --> 5933.96] gospel +[5933.96 --> 5934.22] of +[5934.22 --> 5934.54] Jesus +[5934.54 --> 5935.52] is +[5935.52 --> 5935.74] an +[5935.74 --> 5936.58] invitation +[5936.58 --> 5937.48] for +[5937.48 --> 5937.84] you +[5937.84 --> 5938.38] into +[5938.38 --> 5938.86] this +[5938.86 --> 5939.34] truth +[5939.34 --> 5940.28] that +[5940.28 --> 5940.62] true +[5940.62 --> 5941.06] peace +[5941.06 --> 5941.56] comes +[5941.56 --> 5941.80] when +[5941.80 --> 5942.00] we +[5942.00 --> 5942.46] yield +[5942.46 --> 5943.40] ourselves +[5943.40 --> 5943.74] to +[5943.74 --> 5944.22] God's +[5944.22 --> 5944.64] will +[5944.64 --> 5945.14] even +[5945.14 --> 5945.58] when +[5945.58 --> 5946.16] especially +[5946.16 --> 5946.86] when +[5946.86 --> 5947.10] it +[5947.10 --> 5947.58] disrupts +[5947.58 --> 5947.76] our +[5947.76 --> 5948.10] plans +[5948.10 --> 5948.40] because +[5948.40 --> 5948.64] the +[5948.64 --> 5949.32] disruption +[5949.32 --> 5950.20] may +[5950.20 --> 5950.54] in +[5950.54 --> 5950.82] fact +[5950.82 --> 5951.04] be +[5951.04 --> 5951.26] the +[5951.26 --> 5951.54] source +[5951.54 --> 5951.84] of +[5951.84 --> 5952.26] peace +[5952.26 --> 5953.50] peace +[5953.50 --> 5953.66] is +[5953.66 --> 5953.82] not +[5953.82 --> 5954.16] found +[5954.16 --> 5954.34] in +[5954.34 --> 5954.80] controlling +[5954.80 --> 5955.08] our +[5955.08 --> 5955.72] circumstances +[5955.72 --> 5956.30] or escaping +[5956.30 --> 5956.98] responsibilities +[5956.98 --> 5957.92] or endlessly +[5957.92 --> 5958.52] trying to +[5958.52 --> 5958.86] become +[5958.86 --> 5959.36] the right +[5959.36 --> 5959.78] version +[5959.78 --> 5960.08] of +[5960.08 --> 5960.58] ourselves +[5960.58 --> 5961.32] peace +[5961.32 --> 5961.66] is +[5961.66 --> 5962.12] found +[5962.12 --> 5962.60] in +[5962.60 --> 5963.08] union +[5963.08 --> 5963.70] with +[5963.70 --> 5964.48] Christ +[5964.48 --> 5964.72] in +[5964.72 --> 5964.90] letting +[5964.90 --> 5965.24] his +[5965.24 --> 5965.78] obedience +[5965.78 --> 5966.08] his +[5966.08 --> 5966.46] trust +[5966.46 --> 5966.58] and +[5966.58 --> 5966.80] his +[5966.80 --> 5967.12] willing +[5967.12 --> 5967.70] surrender +[5967.70 --> 5969.48] become +[5969.48 --> 5971.18] the rhythm +[5971.18 --> 5972.30] of our +[5972.30 --> 5973.04] lives +[5973.04 --> 5975.02] this +[5975.02 --> 5975.56] advent +[5975.56 --> 5976.82] because our +[5976.82 --> 5977.22] union +[5977.22 --> 5977.58] with +[5977.58 --> 5978.04] Christ +[5978.04 --> 5978.66] we can +[5978.66 --> 5979.60] choose +[5979.60 --> 5980.24] to let +[5980.24 --> 5980.88] Christ's +[5980.88 --> 5981.12] willing +[5981.12 --> 5981.70] surrender +[5981.70 --> 5982.26] become +[5982.26 --> 5982.68] our +[5982.68 --> 5983.52] rest +[5983.52 --> 5983.60] God +[5983.60 --> 5985.70] I want +[5985.70 --> 5985.80] to +[5985.80 --> 5986.06] end +[5986.06 --> 5987.40] with +[5987.40 --> 5987.66] three +[5987.66 --> 5988.06] ways +[5988.06 --> 5988.74] that +[5988.74 --> 5988.86] you +[5988.86 --> 5989.10] can +[5989.10 --> 5990.00] make +[5990.00 --> 5990.34] your +[5990.34 --> 5990.74] advent +[5990.74 --> 5991.04] and +[5991.04 --> 5991.44] Christmas +[5991.44 --> 5991.86] look +[5991.86 --> 5992.48] different +[5992.48 --> 5993.18] based +[5993.18 --> 5993.36] on +[5993.36 --> 5993.58] this +[5993.58 --> 5993.86] call +[5993.86 --> 5995.60] first +[5995.60 --> 5996.16] one +[5996.16 --> 5997.56] yield +[5997.56 --> 5997.88] your +[5997.88 --> 5998.32] calendar +[5998.32 --> 6000.56] take +[6000.56 --> 6001.00] a moment +[6001.00 --> 6001.42] to +[6001.42 --> 6001.88] pause +[6001.88 --> 6002.24] and to +[6002.24 --> 6002.54] ask +[6002.54 --> 6003.04] what +[6003.04 --> 6003.20] am +[6003.20 --> 6003.52] I +[6003.52 --> 6004.42] holding +[6004.42 --> 6004.88] on +[6004.88 --> 6005.12] to +[6005.12 --> 6005.44] that +[6005.44 --> 6005.58] I +[6005.58 --> 6005.74] need +[6005.74 --> 6005.94] to +[6005.94 --> 6006.12] lay +[6006.12 --> 6006.44] before +[6006.44 --> 6006.88] Christ +[6006.88 --> 6008.68] it +[6008.68 --> 6008.80] might +[6008.80 --> 6008.92] be +[6008.92 --> 6009.20] work +[6009.20 --> 6009.42] it +[6009.42 --> 6009.54] might +[6009.54 --> 6009.66] be +[6009.66 --> 6010.00] school +[6010.00 --> 6010.14] it +[6010.14 --> 6010.26] might +[6010.26 --> 6010.40] be +[6010.40 --> 6016.40] commitments that keep you restless. Write them down and pray over them as an act of surrender, +[6016.88 --> 6023.90] saying, Jesus, you are Lord of this schedule, not me. Now hear very clearly what I said there, right? +[6024.60 --> 6030.90] I said write them down, not necessarily lay them down, because there are things you have to do. +[6031.74 --> 6036.48] There are things that need to get done, but how you do them and the heart you take into them +[6036.48 --> 6043.62] is what we're after here. And so pray them to God. And maybe God will answer your praying by saying, +[6044.18 --> 6048.54] not this, not that. Maybe there is something you need to lay down, +[6049.46 --> 6057.16] but pray it to God. Give him your calendar. Two, rest in word and in prayer. And here, +[6057.16 --> 6063.28] spend intentional time in the word, not to fix your peace, but to receive it. +[6063.28 --> 6071.00] Right? Maybe commit this season to a slow reading of the Gospel of Luke, +[6072.00 --> 6078.82] right? Time it out so that you finish it over your Christmas break. And then with that, +[6079.04 --> 6083.96] change your approach to prayer, right? Prayer is not just asking for relief, +[6083.96 --> 6091.92] right? What happens if we change our prayer from, God, remove this from me, to an in prayer, +[6091.92 --> 6102.66] receiving Christ's presence where our striving cannot reach. And then lastly, give God your every day. +[6103.94 --> 6109.86] Right? Yielding doesn't always mean dramatic changes. It can look like responding patiently +[6109.86 --> 6114.42] to a family member. Some of us will be tested in that over the next few weeks. +[6114.42 --> 6120.22] It can look like giving a difficult task to God instead of trying to control it yourself. +[6121.22 --> 6130.24] It can look like speaking grace when frustration rises. Right? These acts of trust can cultivate peace +[6130.24 --> 6141.12] in real time. Advent invites us to live like Mary and Joseph because Jesus has lived for us. +[6141.12 --> 6148.42] To say, let it be to me according to your word. To obey and trust even when the future is uncertain. +[6149.26 --> 6154.96] And because Jesus has already walked perfectly in our shoes, obeying and surrendering where we fail, +[6155.04 --> 6163.52] his peace, right, is not distant or theoretical. It is here. It is now. It is every day. It is in the ordinary. +[6163.52 --> 6174.32] And so this is my prayer for you. May the peace of Christ be with you all. In the name of the Father, +[6174.88 --> 6180.72] and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let's pray together. +[6180.72 --> 6194.88] Holy God. May we today, a little more deeply, a little more comprehensively, +[6195.50 --> 6204.98] grasp this reality of peace. May we today see Jesus just a little bit more clearly +[6204.98 --> 6211.52] in why he has come and in what his coming to us brings. +[6216.96 --> 6222.28] Lord Jesus, you have promised us that in this world we would have trouble. +[6223.62 --> 6230.38] But you have also shown us that you have overcome the world. That you have come into this world to +[6230.38 --> 6235.82] bring peace and to give us peace. And so, Lord God, +[6237.58 --> 6239.90] convicted, may we confess. +[6241.24 --> 6244.78] And confessing, may we receive assurance +[6244.78 --> 6248.90] that you are a God who forgives. +[6249.18 --> 6252.38] That you are a God who has granted us peace. +[6253.24 --> 6255.80] And so may we taste that today. +[6255.80 --> 6262.22] And may we go forward living in the peace that only Christ provides. +[6262.92 --> 6265.22] In your name we pray. Amen. +[6266.14 --> 6266.56] Amen. +[6285.80 --> 6291.42] Behold the star, and lift the head. +[6291.42 --> 6298.38] The word of God has become flesh. +[6298.38 --> 6311.88] Unto us a child is born, the Savior of this broken world. +[6311.88 --> 6318.70] O hear the angel voices. +[6318.70 --> 6325.94] Sing, come, let us adore him. +[6325.94 --> 6335.80] Peace has come, for our King is with us. +[6335.80 --> 6337.80] Peace has come, for our King is with us. +[6337.80 --> 6338.80] Peace has come, for our King is with us. +[6338.80 --> 6344.80] Holy God, holy man, holy man, +[6344.80 --> 6351.24] He comes for all with open hands. +[6351.24 --> 6357.86] He rules with love on David's throne. +[6357.86 --> 6363.98] The grace he longs to Christ alone. +[6363.98 --> 6370.98] O hear the angel voices. +[6370.98 --> 6377.98] Say, come, let us adore him. +[6377.98 --> 6387.98] Peace has come, for our King is with us. +[6387.98 --> 6389.98] Amen. +[6389.98 --> 6419.96] Peace has come, for our King is with us. +[6419.96 --> 6426.96] Oh, come, let us adore him. +[6426.96 --> 6428.96] A, come, let us adore him. +[6428.96 --> 6439.96] A, come, let us adore him. +[6439.96 --> 6441.96] Oh +[6469.96 --> 6471.96] Oh +[6499.96 --> 6501.96] Oh +[6501.96 --> 6503.96] Oh +[6503.96 --> 6505.96] Oh +[6505.96 --> 6507.96] Oh +[6507.96 --> 6509.96] Oh +[6515.96 --> 6521.96] As we go into this week, we go as those with whom our good God goes. +[6521.96 --> 6529.96] He goes with us. He goes before us and so receive his blessing for the journey of life and faith ahead. +[6531.96 --> 6533.96] God go before you to lead you. +[6533.96 --> 6536.96] God go behind you to protect you. +[6537.96 --> 6542.96] God go beneath you to support you and God go beside you to befriend you. +[6542.96 --> 6544.96] Do not be afraid. +[6545.96 --> 6547.96] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6547.96 --> 6554.96] Do not be afraid but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[6555.96 --> 6556.96] Amen. +[6577.96 --> 6587.96] Father of life, draw me closer. +[6587.96 --> 6593.96] Lord, my heart is still on you. +[6593.96 --> 6597.96] Let me run the race of time. +[6597.96 --> 6601.96] Let your heart hold in mind. +[6601.96 --> 6607.96] And let the tears of God let it rain. +[6607.96 --> 6609.96] Oh +[6609.96 --> 6613.96] Oh +[6613.96 --> 6619.96] Strengthen me, hold my head up high. +[6619.96 --> 6623.96] And I'll stand upon your truth. +[6623.96 --> 6625.96] Bringing glory unto you. +[6625.96 --> 6631.96] And let me feel so glad that it rain. +[6631.96 --> 6633.96] Oh +[6633.96 --> 6634.96] Oh +[6634.96 --> 6638.96] Lord, I hunger for more of you. +[6638.96 --> 6641.96] Rise up within me. +[6641.96 --> 6644.96] Let me know your truth. +[6644.96 --> 6646.96] Oh +[6646.96 --> 6650.96] Holy Spirit, saturate my soul. +[6650.96 --> 6657.96] And let the life of God fill me now. +[6657.96 --> 6663.96] Let your healing power bring life and make me whole. +[6663.96 --> 6669.96] And let the peace of God let it rain. +[6669.96 --> 6671.96] Father of life, draw me closer. +[6671.96 --> 6673.96] Father of life, draw me closer. +[6673.96 --> 6676.96] Father of life, draw me closer. +[6676.96 --> 6682.96] Lord, my heart is still on you. +[6682.96 --> 6685.96] Let me run the race of time. +[6685.96 --> 6688.96] With your life bold in mind. +[6688.96 --> 6694.96] And let the peace of God let it rain. +[6694.96 --> 6696.96] Oh +[6696.96 --> 6698.96] Holy Spirit, +[6698.96 --> 6700.96] Your comfort. +[6700.96 --> 6702.96] Say +[6702.96 --> 6707.96] Let me hold my head up high. +[6707.96 --> 6710.96] And I'll stand upon your truth. +[6710.96 --> 6713.96] Bringing glory unto you. +[6713.96 --> 6719.96] And let the peace of God let it rain. +[6719.96 --> 6721.96] Oh +[6721.96 --> 6723.96] Lord, I hunger for more of you. +[6723.96 --> 6728.96] Rise up within me. +[6728.96 --> 6730.96] Let me know your truth. +[6730.96 --> 6733.96] Oh +[6733.96 --> 6737.96] Holy Spirit, saturate my soul. +[6737.96 --> 6743.96] And let the life of God fill me now. +[6743.96 --> 6748.96] Let your healing power bring life and make me whole. +[6748.96 --> 6750.96] Great life and make me whole. +[6750.96 --> 6758.96] And let the peace of God let it rain. +[6758.96 --> 6763.70] God Oooh +[6765.96 --> 6768.96] When you die, love you. +[6768.96 --> 6770.96] Can you imagine this for maybe some days? +[6770.96 --> 6774.96] No one to do, not no one to let my soul leave. +[6774.96 --> 6775.96] The peace of God. +[6775.96 --> 6776.96] For you however there is, you want to your fulfillment to it or unless you. +[6776.96 --> 6777.96] The peace to your soul. +[6777.96 --> 6778.96] Your thought is now. +[6778.96 --> 6779.96] The peace to your soul. +[6779.96 --> 6781.96] Send a love together with you, not to shake it. +[6781.96 --> 6783.96] The peace to youra face. +[6783.96 --> 6789.70] take a look at the flip dial +[6789.96 --> 6794.82] there's a nice punch +[6795.10 --> 6798.10] add sips +[6799.30 --> 6803.72] I'm sitting pимиus +[6803.72 --> 6827.54] Thank you. +[6833.72 --> 6863.70] Thank you. +[6863.72 --> 6893.70] Thank you. +[6893.72 --> 6923.70] Thank you. +[6923.72 --> 6953.70] Thank you. +[6953.72 --> 6983.70] Thank you. +[6983.72 --> 7013.70] Thank you. +[7013.72 --> 7043.70] Thank you. +[7043.72 --> 7073.70] Thank you. +[7073.72 --> 7103.70] Thank you. +[7103.72 --> 7133.70] Thank you. +[7133.72 --> 7163.70] Thank you. +[7163.72 --> 7193.70] Thank you. +[7193.72 --> 7223.70] Thank you. +[7223.72 --> 7253.70] Thank you. +[7253.72 --> 7283.70] Thank you. +[7283.72 --> 7313.70] Thank you. +[7313.72 --> 7343.70] Thank you. +[7343.72 --> 7373.70] Thank you. +[7373.72 --> 7403.70] Thank you. +[7403.72 --> 7433.70] Thank you. +[7433.72 --> 7463.70] Thank you. +[7463.72 --> 7493.70] Thank you. +[7493.72 --> 7523.70] Thank you. +[7523.72 --> 7553.70] Thank you. +[7553.72 --> 7583.70] Thank you. +[7583.72 --> 7613.70] Thank you. +[7613.72 --> 7643.70] Thank you. +[7643.72 --> 7673.70] Thank you. +[7673.72 --> 7703.70] Thank you. +[7703.72 --> 7733.70] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0ecd85b92074a462322391e4b0f41e2a1121a270 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,121 @@ +• A person's stream-of-consciousness monologue is recorded, with them mentioning various unrelated thoughts and phrases. +• The recording transitions to a church worship service, led by Pastor Chris of Emanuel Church. +• Pastor Chris welcomes attendees and announces an opportunity for volunteers to lead the children's worship time during summer months. +• He invites the congregation to stand together in God's presence and offers a greeting from their God, citing scripture and invoking the Holy Spirit. +• The recording appears to capture some interactions between churchgoers as they greet one another. +• Praise and worship to God +• God's attributes: mighty, worthy, holy, powerful +• God as King and Prince of Peace +• Creation's response to God's greatness +• Questions about God's power and knowledge +• Jesus as Savior and Lord +• Reflection on Calvary and Christ's sacrifice +• Praise to God and Jesus +• Confession of sin +• Salvation and redemption through Jesus +• Baptism and profession of faith +• Authority and commission given to Jesus' followers +• Holy Scripture readings from Romans and other sources +• New life in Christ through baptism and death of old self +• Baptism as a sign and seal of God's promises +• Dave shares his personal testimony of struggling with faith, loss, and finding new life in Christianity through the church community +• A woman from the church approached him after a service and prayed for him, leading to an emotional breakthrough +• Dave experiences a series of "coincidences" that ultimately lead him to conclude God is trying to bring him back to faith. +• Baptisms celebrated +• Scripture references: Psalm 119, Philippians 4.13 +• Encouragement to continue reading Bible and searching for answers in scripture +• Support from community and family +• God's presence with them every step of the way +• Celebration of new life and relationship with Jesus Christ +• Introduction to questioning Dave +• Invitation for Dave to respond to questions +• Baptismal vows and renunciation of sin and evil +• Profession of faith in Jesus Christ +• Promise to accept spiritual guidance and seek unity, purity, and peace +• Reading from the Apostles' Creed +• Confirmation of belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit +• Baptism of Emma Bell +• Questions for Dave regarding faith in God and responsibility towards his child's spiritual development +• Welcome and affirmation by Mackenzie of the Christian faith and commitment to serving with the church community +• Baptism of Ava +• Baptism and welcome of new church members, Dave and Mackenzie +• Invitation to church family to support the new members through love, encouragement, and teaching the gospel +• Gift-giving ceremony with elders presenting a gift and memento to the new members +• Laying hands on prayer for spiritual guidance and empowerment +• Worship service with singing of the song "Gratitude" and prayers of thanksgiving +• Offering collection for church budget and Open Doors Canada +• The Open Doors Canada ministry was mentioned, founded by Brother Andrew in 1955, which supports persecuted churches worldwide. +• Specific countries experiencing persecution were listed (North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar). +• Open Doors provides Bibles, resources, leader training, aid to victims of persecution, and a prayer watch. +• A specific prayer request was mentioned for a church in Middle Asia that had been kidnapped by militia and needed strength and courage to continue meeting. +• The congregation was encouraged to visit the Open Doors website to pray for persecuted churches daily. +• A passage of worship song lyrics was sung, expressing gratitude and surrender to God. +• The children's blessing took place, where kids came up front to receive a blessing from the church leaders. +• Praise and worship +• Intercessory prayer for individuals (Dave, Annabelle, Mackenzie, Ava, Pete and Doreen, Clem and Linda, Adrian and Sarah) +• Prayer for healing and strength (Doug's cancer, Tanya in hospice care) +• Prayer for marriages and relationships struggling +• Thanksgiving for new beginnings, anniversaries, rest and adventure during summer +• Prayer for safe travels and refreshing holidays +• Blessing and support of church ministries and leaders +• Praise and thanksgiving for Christ's church worldwide and persecuted believers +• Introduction to the summer series "Behold Your King" +• Importance of encountering Jesus, not just learning about him +• Discussion of the Holy Spirit's role in transforming lives through God's word +• Matthew 9 passage on Jesus' ministry and authority +• Critique of modern culture's emphasis on personal preference and individual autonomy +• Analysis of Charles Taylor's concept of "the age of authenticity" and its implications for authority and faith +• Discussion of the consequences of rejecting traditional authority, including increased anxiety and loneliness +• The human desire for a strong, compassionate leader who can calm anxiety and pain +• The kind of king that Jesus is, as described in Matthew's gospel +• Jesus' authority over disease, demons, death, and the kingdom of heaven breaking in through his actions +• Examples from Matthew 8 and chapter 9 of Jesus demonstrating his authority over illness and healing +• Jesus has authority over disease +• Jesus has authority over demons +• Jesus has authority over the natural world +• Jesus has authority to forgive sins +• Jesus has authority over death +• Jesus shares his authority with his disciples +• The kingdom of God is near and can be seen through Jesus' actions +• Authority of Jesus and how it relates to life's struggles +• Tension between believing in Jesus' authority and experiencing pain/brokenness +• Questions of faith and trust when prayers go unanswered +• Worship and acceptance, even when not understanding +• Duality of wanting a powerful God who can control all aspects of life vs. accepting reasons for hard things in life +• Quotes from Tim Keller on the need to accept a powerful God who may allow suffering +• Authority of Jesus Christ +• Tension between human expectations and God's actions +• Analogy in describing God +• Limitations of human language to describe God +• God as creator and beyond human understanding +• The reality that our life with God may not always make sense or be straightforward +• God's sovereignty and lack of obligation to explain himself +• Jesus as a better explanation than any other answer from God +• Jesus' sacrifice and authority to heal, protect, and raise the dead +• Understanding God's character changes one's relationship with him +• Prayer for perseverance, strength, and trust in God during trials and times of uncertainty +• The speaker reflects on a personal experience of beholding Jesus as king and being cleansed by him. +• The speaker asks the audience if they can behold Jesus as their king, encouraging them to seek a relationship with God. +• The importance of reading the Bible, listening to others who follow Jesus, and asking questions is emphasized. +• The speaker acknowledges that not everyone may be at the same level of understanding or faith and invites those who are struggling to talk to someone about it. +• Jesus' authority over various aspects of life is highlighted. +• Worshiping God with awe and praise +• Singing songs of worship in everyday life +• Praying for God's mission in the neighborhood and world +• Encouraging others to share their faith and be missionaries +• Recognizing that being a Christian means being sent to share Christ's anointing +• Inviting people to receive Jesus +• The devil hates moments of worship and prayer +• The mission of the church is to see Jesus worshiped, prayed to, and followed +• Prayer for God's presence and power in a specific moment +• A call to make the sanctuary space a sacred space where the kingdom of heaven breaks through +• Encouragement to proclaim and testify about Jesus' love and victory +• Praise and worship of Jesus Christ +• God's goodness, presence, and protection +• Legacy and purpose in life +• The importance of God's kingdom and reign +• Faith and trust in God +• God's love and provision (daily bread) +• Living water and satisfaction +• God's glory and praise +• Acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..8f1649bb9510be45a5a13dfe0e1c49bbc117a83e --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 20, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1998 @@ +[0.00 --> 14.00] I appreciate hearing what people are saying. +[14.00 --> 39.00] See those guys down by shoаются and непω he Tik glasi. +[39.00 --> 46.00] I've got every city, yes he did, so yes he can. +[46.00 --> 50.00] Oh, did he have deep to the neck? +[50.00 --> 52.00] Did he do it for me? +[52.00 --> 57.00] Yes he did, so yes he can. +[57.00 --> 63.00] Oh, yes he did, so yes he can. +[63.00 --> 68.00] Sometimes his voice is trying to tell me. +[68.00 --> 71.00] I'm going to eat sardines. +[98.00 --> 101.00] Did he do it for the neck? +[101.00 --> 103.00] Did he deliver me? +[103.00 --> 108.00] Yes he did, so yes he can. +[108.00 --> 114.00] Oh, yes he did, so yes he can. +[114.00 --> 120.00] I was out so many words, now I can't deny. +[120.00 --> 126.00] He's come through every single time. +[126.00 --> 131.00] From the beginning until the end. +[131.00 --> 136.00] He did, he will, he can. +[136.00 --> 141.00] Now I'm going to be so good. +[141.00 --> 144.00] Did he move every mountain? +[144.00 --> 146.00] Did he part every sea? +[146.00 --> 151.00] Yes he did, so yes he can. +[151.00 --> 155.00] Oh, did he do, did he do darkness? +[155.00 --> 158.00] Did he feel it for me? +[158.00 --> 161.00] Oh, God, I'm so sorry to love you. +[161.00 --> 164.00] Good morning. +[166.00 --> 168.00] Welcome to church. +[168.00 --> 172.00] A special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning. +[172.00 --> 178.00] My name is Chris and I have the distinct pleasure of being one of the pastors here at Emanuel Church. +[178.00 --> 182.00] We're really excited for today's worship service. +[182.00 --> 187.00] Part of our service today, we're going to have some baptism and new member welcome, +[187.00 --> 189.00] and so we are grateful to God for that. +[189.00 --> 195.00] If you are a guest here to celebrate with us in that, we're really excited that you are here as well. +[195.00 --> 202.00] Before we begin in earnest, and as we've got people filing in yet, just one announcement to make. +[202.00 --> 211.00] We are still looking for a couple volunteers to lead our children's worship time during the summer months. +[211.00 --> 217.00] And so during the summer months, preschool to kindergarten kids at some point in our worship head out, +[217.00 --> 219.00] and they have their own time together. +[219.00 --> 225.00] And we need three Sundays in August filled for teachers. +[225.00 --> 231.00] We do have a couple younger volunteers for those ones, but we could use a few more there as well. +[231.00 --> 236.00] So if you're interested in that, the sign-up sheet is going to be at the Connect booth following our service. +[236.00 --> 239.00] It's also in the e-bulletin if you get that. +[239.00 --> 242.00] You can click through the link there and sign up. +[242.00 --> 245.00] And so that's three Sundays in August. +[245.00 --> 247.00] I would really love to fill that out. +[247.00 --> 250.00] Hopefully even by the end of today. +[250.00 --> 251.00] As far as announcements go, that's it. +[251.00 --> 252.00] It's summertime. +[252.00 --> 255.00] So there's not a whole lot of others happening here. +[255.00 --> 262.00] So I'm going to invite you as you're able to stand that we can be ushered into God's presence together. +[262.00 --> 268.00] When we gather for worship, we know that God is among us because Jesus promised that his spirit would be here. +[268.00 --> 270.00] And we mark that presence. +[270.00 --> 275.00] We invite that presence by receiving the greeting of our God. +[275.00 --> 279.00] And so receive God's greeting as we gather in worship this morning. +[279.00 --> 287.00] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son, and our Savior, +[287.00 --> 290.00] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[290.00 --> 291.00] Amen. +[291.00 --> 296.00] As God has welcomed us, I invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them in worship as well. +[296.00 --> 297.00] Yes. +[297.00 --> 298.00] Ma'am. +[298.00 --> 299.00] No. +[299.00 --> 300.00] Nice to meet you. +[300.00 --> 301.00] Nice to meet you. +[301.00 --> 302.00] How are you? +[302.00 --> 303.00] First you? +[303.00 --> 304.00] Good afternoon. +[304.00 --> 305.00] Yes. +[305.00 --> 306.00] Yes. +[306.00 --> 308.00] Hi, verycis. +[308.00 --> 309.00] Nice to meet you. +[309.00 --> 311.00] We'd like to see you. +[311.00 --> 312.00] Hi. +[312.00 --> 313.00] Nice to meet you. +[315.00 --> 316.00] Sorry, man. +[316.00 --> 317.00] Soon, I'm going to call in Adam. +[317.00 --> 319.00] You don't, thanks for having me Mom. +[320.00 --> 321.00] Piper. +[321.00 --> 322.00] Hi. +[323.00 --> 324.00] Hi, man. +[324.00 --> 326.00] Good morning. +[326.00 --> 328.00] Good morning. +[328.00 --> 330.00] Good morning. +[334.00 --> 336.00] People of God, +[336.00 --> 338.00] disciples of Christ, +[338.00 --> 340.00] we gather this morning to honor our King, +[340.00 --> 342.00] who walked on this earth as a man, +[342.00 --> 344.00] yet created the very ground his feet touched, +[344.00 --> 346.00] who is tempted by every sin, +[346.00 --> 348.00] yet remained sinless, who is tried +[348.00 --> 350.00] by the law, yet fulfilled it, +[350.00 --> 352.00] who died on the cross, yet called people +[352.00 --> 354.00] of graves and conquered death itself. +[354.00 --> 356.00] Lift up your praise to him. +[382.00 --> 392.00] You are holy, +[392.00 --> 394.00] you are holy, +[394.00 --> 396.00] you are mighty, +[396.00 --> 398.00] you are mighty, +[398.00 --> 400.00] you are worthy, +[400.00 --> 402.00] you are worthy, +[402.00 --> 404.00] worthy of grace, +[404.00 --> 406.00] worthy of grace, +[406.00 --> 408.00] I will follow, +[408.00 --> 410.00] I will follow, +[410.00 --> 412.00] I will listen, +[412.00 --> 414.00] I will listen, +[414.00 --> 416.00] I will love you, +[416.00 --> 418.00] I will love you, +[418.00 --> 420.00] all of my days, +[420.00 --> 422.00] all of my days, +[422.00 --> 426.00] I will sing to and worship the King, +[426.00 --> 428.00] you are mighty, +[428.00 --> 430.00] you are mighty God, +[430.00 --> 432.00] Lord of everything, +[432.00 --> 434.00] you are Emmanuel, +[434.00 --> 436.00] you are the great I Am, +[436.00 --> 438.00] you are the Prince of Peace, +[438.00 --> 440.00] who is the Lamb, +[440.00 --> 442.00] you are the living Lord, +[442.00 --> 444.00] you are my singing praise, +[444.00 --> 446.00] you will reign forever, +[446.00 --> 448.00] you are Ancient of Deans, +[448.00 --> 450.00] and all of my days, +[450.00 --> 452.00] I will sing the Lord, +[452.00 --> 454.00] you are the glory, +[454.00 --> 456.00] you are the Prince of Peace, +[456.00 --> 458.00] and I will live my life for you. +[458.00 --> 460.00] You are holy, +[460.00 --> 462.00] you are mighty, +[462.00 --> 466.00] you are worthy, +[466.00 --> 494.00] You are mighty. You are worthy. You are worthy. Worthy of praise. I will follow. I will listen. I will love you. I will love you. All of my days. +[494.00 --> 511.00] I will sing to you and worship the King who is worthy. I will love you. You are the glory. You are the power of God. You are the power of God. You are the power of God. +[511.00 --> 528.72] I will sing to you and worship the King who is worthy. I will love you. I will adore you. I will sing to you and worship the King who is worthy. You are my Prince of Peace. +[528.72 --> 540.72] And I will live my life for you. You are my Prince of Peace. And I will live my life for you. +[540.72 --> 551.14] I will come to you and worship the King who is worthy. I will sing to you and worship the King who is worthy. I will sing to you and worship the King who is worthy. You are the compt vere. I will sing to you and sing to you. You areatorio. You are the Lord. I will love you. You are holy. You are히 the Lord. I will sing to you and lift your +[551.14 --> 558.38] Po cose rende +[560.38 --> 563.72] Principle one +[565.12 --> 569.60] 兩週後 +[569.60 --> 577.70] Who has held the oceans in His hands? +[577.70 --> 582.92] Who has numbered every grain of sand? +[583.48 --> 588.20] Kings and nations tremble at His voice. +[588.62 --> 593.06] All creation rises to rejoice. +[593.06 --> 601.06] Behold our God, seated on His throne. +[601.06 --> 604.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[604.06 --> 611.06] Behold our King, nothing can compare. +[611.06 --> 617.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[623.06 --> 630.06] Who has given a castle to the Lord? +[630.06 --> 635.06] Who can question any of His words? +[635.06 --> 640.06] Who can teach the one who knows all things? +[640.06 --> 646.06] Who can gather all His wondrous deeds? +[646.06 --> 653.06] Behold our God, seated on His throne. +[653.06 --> 656.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[656.06 --> 663.06] Behold our King, nothing can compare. +[663.06 --> 669.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[669.06 --> 682.06] Who has held the gifts upon His hands? +[682.06 --> 687.06] Fearing all the guilt of sinful man. +[687.06 --> 692.06] God eternal, humble to the grave. +[692.06 --> 699.06] Jesus, Savior, written now to reign. +[699.06 --> 706.06] Behold our God, seated on His throne. +[706.06 --> 709.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[709.06 --> 716.06] Behold our King, nothing can compare. +[716.06 --> 718.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[718.06 --> 730.06] Come, let us adore Him. +[730.06 --> 760.04] Let your glory fill the earth +[760.06 --> 761.80] on your throne +[761.80 --> 765.40] Come let us adore him +[765.40 --> 769.52] Behold our King +[769.52 --> 772.06] Now he may compare +[772.06 --> 777.76] Come let us adore him +[777.76 --> 784.08] O praise the name +[784.08 --> 787.30] of the Lord our God +[787.30 --> 790.46] O praise his name +[790.46 --> 793.64] forevermore +[793.64 --> 796.60] For endless days +[796.60 --> 799.30] we will sing your praise +[799.82 --> 805.30] O Lord, O Lord our God +[805.30 --> 813.60] I cast my mind to Calvary +[813.60 --> 820.46] Where Jesus led and died for me +[820.46 --> 826.78] I see his wounds, his hands, his feet +[826.78 --> 833.08] My Savior on that cursed tree +[833.08 --> 841.90] His body bound and drenched in tears +[841.90 --> 847.78] They laid him down in juice as dew +[847.78 --> 853.78] The entrance sealed by heavy snow +[853.78 --> 859.78] Messiah still and all alone +[859.78 --> 866.86] O praise the name +[866.86 --> 869.94] of the Lord our God +[869.94 --> 873.00] O praise his name +[873.00 --> 876.08] forevermore +[876.08 --> 879.10] For endless days +[879.10 --> 882.22] we will sing your praise +[882.22 --> 888.22] O Lord, O Lord our God +[888.22 --> 890.22] O Lord our God +[890.22 --> 896.52] On the flame and rain of dawn +[896.52 --> 899.22] The sun of heaven +[899.22 --> 902.22] He rose again +[902.22 --> 905.22] O temple dead +[905.22 --> 908.22] Where is your seed +[908.22 --> 908.38] Where is your seed +[908.38 --> 911.22] The angels' throne +[911.22 --> 914.22] O Lord, O Lord our God +[914.22 --> 916.22] For Christ the name +[916.22 --> 918.22] O praise the name +[918.22 --> 920.22] O praise the name +[920.22 --> 921.22] O praise the name +[921.22 --> 922.22] Of the Lord our God +[922.22 --> 924.22] O praise his name +[924.22 --> 926.22] O praise his name +[926.22 --> 928.22] O hope O praise the name +[928.22 --> 930.22] For evermore +[930.22 --> 932.22] For endless days +[932.22 --> 937.22] We will sing your praise +[937.22 --> 939.22] O praise the name +[939.22 --> 941.22] Forevermore +[941.22 --> 943.22] For endless days +[943.22 --> 944.22] We will sing your praise +[944.22 --> 945.22] O praise the Lord +[945.22 --> 947.22] O praise the name +[947.22 --> 948.94] O praise the name +[948.94 --> 950.22] O praise our God +[950.22 --> 954.68] O praise our God +[954.68 --> 968.68] is +[984.68 --> 998.68] is +[1014.68 --> 1028.68] is +[1040.76 --> 1042.68] a +[1044.68 --> 1051.68] O Lord, O Lord our God. +[1051.68 --> 1059.52] As we enter into this time of confession, you may be seated. +[1073.90 --> 1077.02] The psalmist wrote in Psalm 92, +[1077.02 --> 1081.68] It is good to praise the Lord. +[1083.18 --> 1087.30] We sang of the one who has numbered every grain of sand, +[1088.06 --> 1091.46] the one who is holy and mighty and worthy of praise, +[1092.82 --> 1096.92] the one who conquered death and calls you to new life. +[1098.38 --> 1100.68] What's holding you back from following him? +[1101.52 --> 1105.50] Do you believe he is your Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and friend? +[1105.50 --> 1110.08] Do you desire to follow, to listen and love him all your days? +[1112.26 --> 1116.64] That thing that's coming up in your mind right now, name it. +[1117.28 --> 1124.34] That sin, that excuse, that regret, that anger, name it. +[1125.00 --> 1127.26] He's calling you to confess it. +[1127.26 --> 1134.20] Whether it's the first time or the hundredth time or what feels like the thousandth time, +[1134.86 --> 1136.68] lay yourself bare before the Lord. +[1137.62 --> 1142.74] He wants you to return because he loves you and has something better for you. +[1143.50 --> 1146.32] And he wants you to share that with the world. +[1146.32 --> 1151.60] If you don't know what to say to God, you can simply say, +[1152.42 --> 1153.02] I'm sorry. +[1153.54 --> 1155.62] I'm sorry for this thing I have done. +[1156.88 --> 1159.90] Confess it today, right now. +[1159.90 --> 1174.68] And then confess it tomorrow and the next day and every day. +[1174.68 --> 1180.84] May your heart grow with the thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Christ, +[1181.42 --> 1185.62] that your confession becomes a joy to bring to the Lord +[1185.62 --> 1191.38] because of the reminder of what he has done and find new life in him. +[1191.38 --> 1196.68] You are worthy to rend happening when you are saved. +[1196.98 --> 1198.94] Humphreys == +[1198.94 --> 1211.82] 的 knot +[1211.82 --> 1230.06] The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend, the enemies of Calvary. +[1230.06 --> 1244.06] You're the perfect, all I want, Christ your Son, who drank the bitter cup reserved for me. +[1244.06 --> 1254.06] Your blood has washed away my sin, the kingdoms thank you, the Father's wrath completely satisfied. +[1254.06 --> 1261.06] Jesus, thank you, once your enemy, now see the battle table. +[1261.06 --> 1267.06] Jesus, thank you. +[1267.06 --> 1269.06] Amen. +[1269.06 --> 1271.06] Amen. +[1299.06 --> 1305.72] Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank you. +[1305.96 --> 1311.42] The fall is wrapped, completely satisfied, Jesus, thank you. +[1311.42 --> 1320.98] Once you're empty, now see that you're table, Jesus, thank you. +[1329.06 --> 1340.58] Love her of my soul, I want to live for you. +[1341.58 --> 1352.14] Love her of my soul, I want to live for you. +[1352.14 --> 1363.34] Love her of my soul, I want to live for you. +[1364.40 --> 1374.14] Love her of my soul, I want to live for you. +[1374.14 --> 1381.08] Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank you. +[1381.28 --> 1386.70] The fall is wrapped, completely satisfied, Jesus, thank you. +[1386.90 --> 1392.26] Your blood has washed away my sin, Jesus, thank you. +[1392.50 --> 1397.88] The fall is wrapped, completely satisfied, Jesus, thank you. +[1397.88 --> 1407.88] Once your enemy, now see that you're table, Jesus, thank you. +[1407.88 --> 1430.34] As we have opportunity this morning to come to baptism and profession of faith, +[1431.06 --> 1436.16] I'd love for you to hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, +[1436.16 --> 1441.34] who said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. +[1442.24 --> 1445.02] Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, +[1445.22 --> 1449.36] baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, +[1449.76 --> 1453.62] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. +[1454.78 --> 1459.28] And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age. +[1460.32 --> 1462.72] Hear also these words from Holy Scripture. +[1462.72 --> 1464.68] In the book of Romans, we read, +[1465.04 --> 1469.38] all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. +[1470.06 --> 1474.12] We, therefore, are buried with him through baptism into death, +[1474.16 --> 1479.88] in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, +[1480.08 --> 1482.92] we, too, may live a new life. +[1484.30 --> 1490.00] Baptism is the sign and seal of God's promises to his covenant people. +[1490.00 --> 1494.18] In baptism, God promises that by grace alone, +[1494.60 --> 1495.74] your sins are forgiven, +[1496.36 --> 1499.26] you are adopted into the body of Christ, the church, +[1499.74 --> 1502.90] and that you are sent to the Holy Spirit daily +[1502.90 --> 1505.66] to renew and to cleanse you, +[1506.16 --> 1510.64] and that you are resurrected to eternal life. +[1510.64 --> 1516.12] This promise is made visible for us in the waters of baptism. +[1517.02 --> 1521.38] At this point, I'm going to invite Dave to come up to the front with Alvin as well. +[1521.46 --> 1525.68] We're going to hear a little testimony from Dave and a word of encouragement from Alvin, +[1526.18 --> 1527.78] and then we will proceed together. +[1527.78 --> 1532.60] Dave and a word of encouragement from Alvin. +[1537.10 --> 1537.50] Hello. +[1539.16 --> 1542.52] Sorry, it's been a while since I've spoken in front of this many people, +[1542.68 --> 1544.12] so bear with me. +[1545.90 --> 1548.86] So, for those of you who do know me, +[1549.00 --> 1549.84] I'm David Moore. +[1549.84 --> 1553.32] I was born into a Christian family, +[1554.12 --> 1556.28] was raised as a Christian, +[1556.42 --> 1559.34] but I kind of fell away from my faith +[1559.34 --> 1562.34] in my teen years. +[1562.72 --> 1565.96] But I tried to come back and forth into it, +[1566.20 --> 1568.40] just trying to find myself and find some answers +[1568.40 --> 1570.34] for questions that I had throughout my life. +[1572.98 --> 1575.04] But I never found those answers. +[1575.04 --> 1579.18] As some of you may know, +[1579.28 --> 1583.08] I lost my spouse to cancer two years ago, +[1583.52 --> 1584.96] and during that time, +[1585.56 --> 1589.42] my mom came and helped look after her, +[1589.60 --> 1590.42] looked after my daughter, +[1590.96 --> 1594.60] and I could hear them talking about God and Jesus +[1594.60 --> 1596.04] and praying together. +[1597.42 --> 1602.72] After that, I started working on building a village for my daughter +[1602.72 --> 1604.74] because I knew she needed to be surrounded by great people. +[1605.04 --> 1608.10] And some of those people were her friend, Ava, +[1608.38 --> 1609.68] and her mom, Mackenzie, +[1609.86 --> 1613.44] who spoke to her about God and Jesus. +[1614.16 --> 1615.90] And so Emma all started asking me questions +[1615.90 --> 1618.84] that I didn't have answers for, +[1618.98 --> 1620.74] so I started speaking to people around me. +[1621.48 --> 1626.80] And I didn't know where to go, +[1627.08 --> 1629.56] but I was told that there was this great church +[1629.56 --> 1630.42] that I should try out, +[1630.64 --> 1631.68] so I came here. +[1631.68 --> 1635.20] The first day I came here, +[1635.26 --> 1636.64] I was just an observer. +[1636.86 --> 1639.46] I just wanted to be here to support my daughter. +[1640.24 --> 1641.66] And at the end of the service, +[1641.78 --> 1644.54] when we were standing around having coffee, +[1644.94 --> 1646.74] a woman approached me. +[1647.14 --> 1650.46] And out of everyone in the church, +[1650.72 --> 1652.14] she came up to me, +[1652.20 --> 1653.06] and she's just like, +[1653.06 --> 1654.56] hi, you're new here. +[1654.66 --> 1655.48] I don't know you. +[1655.92 --> 1657.04] And so we started chatting, +[1657.56 --> 1661.80] and we got to knowing each other +[1661.80 --> 1663.78] about our loss in our lives +[1663.78 --> 1665.50] and got emotional. +[1665.72 --> 1667.72] And so I stepped outside to try and collect myself, +[1667.88 --> 1668.50] and she came up, +[1668.56 --> 1668.98] and she's like, +[1669.22 --> 1670.16] can I pray for you? +[1670.76 --> 1671.38] And I'm just like, +[1671.50 --> 1672.22] I'd love that. +[1672.58 --> 1673.94] So she's like, +[1673.98 --> 1674.68] can I ask your name? +[1674.74 --> 1675.08] I'm like, +[1675.56 --> 1676.16] I reached out my hand, +[1676.18 --> 1676.40] I'm like, +[1676.44 --> 1677.08] hi, I'm Dave. +[1677.84 --> 1679.56] And to which she started crying, +[1679.76 --> 1681.16] which immediately made me cry. +[1681.98 --> 1682.76] And like, +[1682.92 --> 1683.16] from, +[1684.36 --> 1684.66] like, +[1685.24 --> 1685.80] sorry. +[1689.80 --> 1690.20] Like, +[1690.36 --> 1692.20] what I can only describe as being overcome +[1692.20 --> 1693.34] by the Holy Spirit, +[1694.00 --> 1696.28] I cried for hours. +[1696.54 --> 1697.32] I went home, +[1697.42 --> 1698.10] and I didn't know what to do, +[1698.18 --> 1699.08] and so the first thing I did +[1699.08 --> 1701.28] was I pulled out my little pocket Bible +[1701.28 --> 1701.82] that I had, +[1702.26 --> 1703.12] and I just started reading. +[1704.42 --> 1706.54] And so I started to think of this +[1706.54 --> 1707.32] more wholeheartedly. +[1707.50 --> 1708.84] I started talking to people in my life, +[1708.92 --> 1709.62] trying to, like, +[1709.88 --> 1710.46] get answers, +[1710.60 --> 1712.56] and there's just too many things +[1712.56 --> 1713.76] that I can, +[1714.88 --> 1716.28] that I can't call coincidences. +[1716.56 --> 1716.74] Like, +[1717.06 --> 1718.72] to have a coincidence after coincidence +[1718.72 --> 1719.36] after coincidence +[1719.36 --> 1721.38] just keep on piling up. +[1721.78 --> 1722.94] There's only one answer +[1722.94 --> 1723.64] that I could come to. +[1724.64 --> 1726.40] God was trying to grab me. +[1726.46 --> 1727.76] He was trying to bring me +[1727.76 --> 1729.06] into His embrace +[1729.06 --> 1730.22] so that I could be +[1730.22 --> 1731.90] with Him again. +[1733.14 --> 1733.52] And so, +[1733.72 --> 1734.40] I'm here today +[1734.40 --> 1736.52] to tell you +[1736.52 --> 1738.34] basically the start of my story +[1738.34 --> 1739.76] and to walk with you +[1739.76 --> 1740.44] for the rest of mine. +[1741.98 --> 1742.50] Thank you. +[1742.50 --> 1742.64] Amen. +[1743.48 --> 1743.96] Applause +[1743.96 --> 1757.94] Well, what an amazing day. +[1759.22 --> 1760.32] This is the beginning, +[1760.84 --> 1761.54] a new beginning +[1761.54 --> 1763.36] of a lifelong journey in faith. +[1763.96 --> 1764.44] Today, +[1764.60 --> 1765.32] as you, Dave, +[1765.40 --> 1766.16] and you, Amabel, +[1766.44 --> 1767.30] are baptized, +[1767.86 --> 1769.10] you're declaring your desire +[1769.10 --> 1770.86] to embrace this new life, +[1771.02 --> 1772.14] trusting wholeheartedly +[1772.14 --> 1772.92] in Jesus Christ +[1772.92 --> 1774.04] as your Lord and Savior. +[1775.32 --> 1775.80] Dave, +[1775.90 --> 1776.98] I pray that you continue +[1776.98 --> 1777.74] to read your Bible, +[1778.42 --> 1779.40] ask more questions, +[1779.82 --> 1780.92] challenge those around you +[1780.92 --> 1781.58] to do the same, +[1782.04 --> 1783.36] then search for those answers +[1783.36 --> 1783.90] in Scripture. +[1784.70 --> 1785.68] Lean into His Word, +[1785.82 --> 1786.58] for it will guide you +[1786.58 --> 1787.54] through every challenge, +[1787.92 --> 1789.12] and show you the path. +[1789.86 --> 1791.16] Your search for understanding +[1791.16 --> 1792.70] will lead you closer to God, +[1793.18 --> 1794.18] and through your faith, +[1794.34 --> 1795.26] you will find the answers +[1795.26 --> 1795.88] that you seek. +[1798.38 --> 1798.78] Amabel, +[1799.64 --> 1800.08] today, +[1800.26 --> 1801.00] you're stepping +[1801.00 --> 1801.94] into a new chapter +[1801.94 --> 1802.62] of your life, +[1803.12 --> 1804.32] one filled with the love +[1804.32 --> 1805.22] and grace of God. +[1805.78 --> 1806.48] As you grow, +[1806.76 --> 1807.54] I encourage you +[1807.54 --> 1808.50] to embrace the words +[1808.50 --> 1809.52] of Psalm 119, +[1809.94 --> 1810.86] where it says, +[1810.98 --> 1811.58] Your Word, +[1811.74 --> 1812.24] the Bible, +[1812.50 --> 1813.82] is a lamp for my feet, +[1814.04 --> 1815.40] a light unto my path. +[1816.10 --> 1816.96] Allow God's Word +[1816.96 --> 1817.76] to light your way, +[1818.10 --> 1819.32] and you will find strength +[1819.32 --> 1819.98] and guidance +[1819.98 --> 1821.24] in every step that you take. +[1823.78 --> 1824.22] Together, +[1824.42 --> 1825.54] both of you in Christ, +[1825.80 --> 1827.12] you have the support +[1827.12 --> 1827.80] of your family +[1827.80 --> 1828.50] and your friends. +[1828.94 --> 1829.66] We are all here +[1829.66 --> 1830.70] to walk alongside you, +[1831.16 --> 1832.18] to encourage you, +[1832.24 --> 1832.98] and to help you grow +[1832.98 --> 1833.58] in your faith. +[1834.74 --> 1836.06] Philippians 4.13 says, +[1836.18 --> 1837.18] I can do all things +[1837.18 --> 1837.62] through Him +[1837.62 --> 1838.64] who gives me strength. +[1839.00 --> 1839.72] Lean on Him +[1839.72 --> 1840.98] in times of uncertainty, +[1841.36 --> 1842.38] and He will provide you +[1842.38 --> 1843.08] with the strength +[1843.08 --> 1844.34] needed to navigate +[1844.34 --> 1845.18] life's challenges. +[1845.18 --> 1848.16] As you guys +[1848.16 --> 1849.12] take this step today, +[1849.38 --> 1850.52] know that you are not alone. +[1851.72 --> 1852.64] God is with you +[1852.64 --> 1853.56] every step of the way, +[1853.78 --> 1854.26] and we, +[1854.46 --> 1855.32] your community here, +[1855.38 --> 1856.26] are here to support you. +[1856.64 --> 1857.72] Embrace the new life +[1857.72 --> 1858.26] you were beginning, +[1859.02 --> 1859.68] filled with love, +[1859.82 --> 1860.02] hope, +[1860.08 --> 1861.10] and an amazing relationship +[1861.10 --> 1861.94] with Jesus Christ. +[1862.70 --> 1864.08] May God bless both of you +[1864.08 --> 1864.62] abundantly +[1864.62 --> 1865.96] as you grow in your faith +[1865.96 --> 1867.36] and continue to ask +[1867.36 --> 1868.16] those deep questions +[1868.16 --> 1868.84] that will lead you +[1868.84 --> 1869.56] closer to Him. +[1870.14 --> 1870.54] Congratulations, +[1871.00 --> 1871.84] and happy birthday. +[1871.84 --> 1872.66] Thank you. +[1872.66 --> 1875.32] It is His birthday today. +[1886.32 --> 1887.46] Why don't you take a seat? +[1887.60 --> 1887.88] Amabel, +[1888.02 --> 1889.04] why don't you come up here? +[1890.84 --> 1891.28] Dave, +[1891.34 --> 1892.56] why don't you move over here? +[1894.22 --> 1894.90] This way. +[1894.90 --> 1897.90] So, +[1898.00 --> 1900.44] as Alvin indicated, +[1901.44 --> 1902.76] for the last year, +[1903.30 --> 1905.76] Dave has been part of +[1905.76 --> 1908.08] the Christianity Explored class +[1908.08 --> 1908.82] that we run. +[1909.50 --> 1911.18] He was part of our +[1911.18 --> 1912.22] Heidelberg Catechism +[1912.22 --> 1913.04] reading group, +[1913.58 --> 1914.96] and part of many +[1914.96 --> 1916.82] conversations and lunches, +[1916.92 --> 1918.40] and introduced me to the best +[1918.40 --> 1919.68] ramen place in town. +[1919.68 --> 1923.38] But Dave asks questions. +[1924.24 --> 1925.26] Lots of questions. +[1925.42 --> 1927.00] Really good questions, +[1927.36 --> 1928.82] and I love that about you. +[1930.04 --> 1930.98] But now it's my turn +[1930.98 --> 1931.98] to ask you some questions. +[1933.56 --> 1934.84] The questions I asked, Dave, +[1934.86 --> 1935.20] they're going to be +[1935.20 --> 1936.10] on the screen back there. +[1936.24 --> 1937.12] They're also right here +[1937.12 --> 1938.12] if you want to see them. +[1938.46 --> 1939.90] You'll be invited to respond +[1939.90 --> 1941.18] as we go through. +[1941.52 --> 1941.80] All right? +[1941.80 --> 1941.86] All right? +[1941.86 --> 1948.16] Beloved of God, +[1948.80 --> 1950.64] I ask you before God +[1950.64 --> 1952.02] and Christ's church +[1952.02 --> 1953.42] to reject evil, +[1953.78 --> 1954.92] to profess your faith +[1954.92 --> 1955.96] in Christ Jesus, +[1956.16 --> 1957.52] and to confess the faith +[1957.52 --> 1958.36] of this church +[1958.36 --> 1959.10] through the ages. +[1959.76 --> 1961.08] Do you renounce sin +[1961.08 --> 1962.06] and the power of evil +[1962.06 --> 1962.78] in your life +[1962.78 --> 1963.40] and in the world? +[1964.30 --> 1964.64] I do. +[1966.88 --> 1969.06] Who is your Lord and Savior? +[1971.00 --> 1971.78] Jesus Christ. +[1971.86 --> 1972.44] My Lord and Savior. +[1973.02 --> 1973.32] Amen. +[1974.28 --> 1974.98] And will you be +[1974.98 --> 1975.88] a faithful member +[1975.88 --> 1976.88] of this congregation +[1976.88 --> 1977.78] and through worship +[1977.78 --> 1978.72] and service seek +[1978.72 --> 1980.44] to advance God's kingdom +[1980.44 --> 1981.64] here and throughout +[1981.64 --> 1982.16] the world? +[1982.70 --> 1983.68] I will with God's help. +[1984.50 --> 1985.70] And do you promise +[1985.70 --> 1986.98] to accept the spiritual +[1986.98 --> 1988.36] guidance of this church, +[1988.60 --> 1990.62] to walk in the spirit +[1990.62 --> 1991.54] of Christian love +[1991.54 --> 1992.36] with this congregation, +[1992.36 --> 1994.26] and to seek those things +[1994.26 --> 1995.32] that make for unity, +[1995.70 --> 1996.96] purity, and peace? +[1997.44 --> 1998.58] I do with God's help. +[1999.10 --> 1999.40] Amen. +[1999.40 --> 1999.50] Amen. +[2000.96 --> 2001.82] Since baptism +[2001.82 --> 2003.48] is the gift of God +[2003.48 --> 2005.02] for the church of God, +[2005.28 --> 2006.72] we are never alone +[2006.72 --> 2008.42] in professing our faith. +[2008.94 --> 2010.22] So I'm going to ask everyone +[2010.22 --> 2012.00] if you would stand together +[2012.00 --> 2015.18] and answer the following questions +[2015.18 --> 2016.00] with Dave, +[2016.48 --> 2017.42] which will be, +[2017.68 --> 2019.30] the responses will be words +[2019.30 --> 2020.60] from the Apostles' Creed, +[2021.08 --> 2022.62] a confession of the Christian church +[2022.62 --> 2024.04] for almost 2,000 years. +[2024.04 --> 2026.46] And so altogether, +[2026.68 --> 2028.20] do you believe in God the Father? +[2029.12 --> 2031.10] I believe in God the Father, +[2031.22 --> 2031.68] Almighty, +[2032.22 --> 2033.96] creator of heaven and earth. +[2034.54 --> 2036.60] Do you believe in Jesus Christ? +[2037.38 --> 2039.46] I believe in Jesus Christ, +[2039.72 --> 2041.50] his only Son, our Lord, +[2041.98 --> 2042.94] who was conceived +[2042.94 --> 2044.20] by the Holy Spirit +[2044.20 --> 2046.28] and born of the Virgin Mary. +[2046.90 --> 2048.96] He suffered under Pontius Pilate, +[2049.28 --> 2050.14] was crucified, +[2050.58 --> 2050.96] died, +[2051.06 --> 2051.84] and was buried. +[2051.84 --> 2053.60] He descended to hell. +[2054.38 --> 2055.26] The third day, +[2055.40 --> 2057.12] he rose again from the dead. +[2057.78 --> 2058.94] He ascended to heaven +[2058.94 --> 2060.12] and is seated +[2060.12 --> 2061.76] at the right hand of God, +[2061.84 --> 2062.90] the Father Almighty. +[2063.60 --> 2064.20] From there, +[2064.30 --> 2065.56] he will come to judge +[2065.56 --> 2066.88] the living and the dead. +[2067.98 --> 2069.64] And do you believe in God, +[2069.72 --> 2070.52] the Holy Spirit? +[2071.40 --> 2073.48] I believe in the Holy Spirit, +[2074.02 --> 2075.62] the Holy Catholic Church, +[2075.62 --> 2077.56] the communion of saints, +[2078.10 --> 2079.56] the forgiveness of sins, +[2080.14 --> 2081.74] the resurrection of the body, +[2082.24 --> 2083.66] and the life everlasting. +[2084.46 --> 2084.84] Amen. +[2085.84 --> 2086.12] Amen. +[2087.12 --> 2087.60] Dave, +[2087.84 --> 2088.82] I'm going to invite you +[2088.82 --> 2090.08] to squeeze yourself +[2090.08 --> 2091.82] into this pool here. +[2092.60 --> 2092.92] Emma Bell, +[2092.98 --> 2093.72] why don't you come stand +[2093.72 --> 2094.44] on this side? +[2097.44 --> 2098.86] Thank you for holding it up. +[2101.74 --> 2102.88] Go ahead and have a seat. +[2102.88 --> 2102.94] Thank you. +[2105.62 --> 2108.50] I think you need more water. +[2108.80 --> 2109.92] No, sit up, sit up. +[2113.96 --> 2116.56] David John Moore, +[2117.12 --> 2118.12] I baptize you +[2118.12 --> 2119.02] in the name of the Father +[2119.02 --> 2120.24] and of the Son +[2120.24 --> 2121.80] and of the Holy Spirit. +[2122.20 --> 2122.44] Amen. +[2122.44 --> 2122.62] Amen. +[2128.62 --> 2129.54] Amen. +[2130.16 --> 2131.32] Amen. +[2131.32 --> 2131.40] Amen. +[2131.40 --> 2131.44] Amen. +[2131.44 --> 2131.52] Amen. +[2135.62 --> 2136.02] Amen. +[2152.02 --> 2153.90] We were ready. +[2156.64 --> 2157.04] Yep. +[2158.06 --> 2158.96] Thanks, my wife, +[2159.00 --> 2159.46] for bringing them. +[2159.52 --> 2160.26] I forgot them at home. +[2160.26 --> 2160.32] Amen. +[2160.32 --> 2160.38] Amen. +[2160.38 --> 2160.44] Amen. +[2160.44 --> 2160.72] Amen. +[2160.72 --> 2161.24] Amen. +[2161.24 --> 2161.34] Amen. +[2161.34 --> 2161.36] Amen. +[2161.36 --> 2161.44] Amen. +[2161.44 --> 2161.48] Amen. +[2161.48 --> 2161.88] Amen. +[2161.88 --> 2161.96] Amen. +[2161.96 --> 2162.64] Amen. +[2162.64 --> 2163.96] Amen. +[2163.96 --> 2164.48] Amen. +[2164.48 --> 2165.54] Amen. +[2165.54 --> 2166.34] Amen. +[2166.34 --> 2171.34] In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, +[2171.52 --> 2173.68] the only king and head of the church, +[2174.18 --> 2177.54] Dave is now received into the membership +[2177.54 --> 2179.66] of the Holy Catholic Church, +[2179.80 --> 2181.96] engaged to confess Christ +[2181.96 --> 2183.62] and to be God's faithful servant +[2183.62 --> 2185.38] until life's end. +[2185.68 --> 2185.90] Amen? +[2186.36 --> 2186.92] Amen. +[2187.28 --> 2187.54] Amen. +[2188.76 --> 2189.44] Emma Bell, +[2189.50 --> 2190.88] why don't you stand over here +[2190.88 --> 2191.90] beside Dad for a moment? +[2191.90 --> 2191.96] Amen. +[2191.96 --> 2199.94] In Acts 2, in the founding of the Christian church at Pentecost, Peter says that the promise of +[2199.94 --> 2206.70] forgiveness and the Holy Spirit is for you and for your children, for all who are far off, +[2206.74 --> 2212.52] for all whom the Lord our God will call. And in 1 Corinthians 7, the apostle writes that the +[2212.52 --> 2217.56] children of believing parents are holy, that is, they are set apart for God's covenant. +[2217.56 --> 2224.84] Because we believe that God's covenant grace extends from parent to child, we are also baptizing +[2224.84 --> 2230.32] Emma Bell this morning. And for that, Dave, I have two more questions for you. I invite you to respond +[2230.32 --> 2236.14] at the end of my reading both questions, which I do with God's help. Dave, do you believe that your +[2236.14 --> 2241.98] child, though sinful by nature, is received by God in Christ as a member of his covenant and therefore +[2241.98 --> 2247.18] ought to be baptized? And do you promise in reliance on the Holy Spirit and with the help of the +[2247.18 --> 2252.52] Christian community to do all in your power to instruct her in the Christian faith, to lead +[2252.52 --> 2259.18] her by your example into Christian discipleship? Dave, what is your answer? Amen. Emma Bell, +[2259.28 --> 2267.84] can you step forward just a little bit for me? Thank you. Emma Bell Isla Eaton Moore, +[2267.84 --> 2278.28] amen. Amen. Amen. +[2278.28 --> 2278.40] Amen. +[2284.98 --> 2288.90] You guys want to just go take a seat there for a second? I'll invite you back up. +[2288.90 --> 2312.12] Take your spot here. +[2312.12 --> 2328.14] Mackenzie, this first part is for you. It's our hope and prayer that here your faith in God will +[2328.14 --> 2334.46] be strengthened, that your love for Jesus will be grown, and that you will find opportunity to serve +[2334.46 --> 2341.98] in the Spirit as you join us on mission with God to the community. As we welcome you into this +[2341.98 --> 2347.46] church family, we ask that you affirm the faith that you have professed and been baptized into, +[2347.60 --> 2352.82] and your commitment to God's mission in and through Langley-Emmanuel, to the city, to the region, +[2352.82 --> 2357.92] and through us all to the world. To do so, I'm going to ask you three questions. I'll invite you to +[2357.92 --> 2364.76] respond at the end of all three questions. Mackenzie, do you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, +[2365.12 --> 2371.38] and that in him only is hope and freedom from sin found? Do you believe that the Bible is the word of God +[2371.38 --> 2376.68] revealing his plan for redemption in Christ Jesus, and that the preaching and teaching of this church +[2376.68 --> 2382.24] reflect this truth? And do you promise, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to do all you can to +[2382.24 --> 2388.32] strengthen your relationship to Jesus by being part of the life of this church, recognizing its oversight +[2388.32 --> 2394.88] and authority, and joining with us on mission for Jesus in this community, in this city, and the world? +[2395.42 --> 2396.84] Mackenzie, what is your answer? +[2396.84 --> 2398.06] Thank you. That's God's help. +[2398.34 --> 2404.66] Amen. And again, we believe that God's covenant grace extends from parent to child, and so this +[2404.66 --> 2409.88] morning, we're also going to baptize Ava, and for that, Mackenzie, I ask two more questions. +[2410.70 --> 2416.06] Do you believe that your child, though sinful by nature, is received by God in Christ as a member +[2416.06 --> 2422.08] of his covenant, and therefore ought to be baptized? And do you promise in reliance on the Holy Spirit, +[2422.08 --> 2426.96] and with the help of the Christian community, to do all in your power, to instruct her in the Christian +[2426.96 --> 2432.66] faith, and to lead her, by your example, into Christian discipleship? Mackenzie, what is your answer? +[2433.80 --> 2437.84] Amen. Ava, I'm going to invite you to get into the pool. +[2437.84 --> 2451.84] I don't think you'll displace as much water as Dave did. Mackenzie, why don't you come to the +[2451.84 --> 2458.22] back here, and you can take her shoulders as she goes back. No, I said to the back. +[2458.22 --> 2469.88] Okay. All right, you're going to plug your nose? All right. Ava, Christina, Meluena, Halam, +[2470.34 --> 2474.92] I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +[2479.92 --> 2486.28] Amen. Amen. Good job, sweetheart. Can you pass me the towel down? +[2486.28 --> 2502.32] Amen. Nothing quite like a cold plunge to wake you up in the morning, right? And almost falling +[2502.32 --> 2508.46] up. Why don't you guys stay up here? Ava, stay up here. Dave and Amabel, why don't you +[2508.46 --> 2524.34] guys come back up here as well? Church family, now it is your turn. I invite you to stand as you are +[2524.34 --> 2536.56] able. Do you, family of God gathered here, promise to love, encourage, and support Dave and Amabel +[2536.56 --> 2543.72] and Mackenzie and Ava by welcoming them into our church family, by teaching the gospel of God's love, +[2543.86 --> 2550.28] by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God's family in +[2550.28 --> 2558.76] fellowship, in prayer, and in service? What is your answer? We do, for God's help. Amen. You may be seated. +[2561.66 --> 2565.90] I'm going to invite you guys to come over here to the front, down below. +[2565.90 --> 2578.68] At this point, I'd like to invite some elders to come forward. They're going to give you a gift and a +[2578.68 --> 2585.96] little memento of this occasion and welcome you. Following that, we're going to offer a prayer and +[2585.96 --> 2589.34] laying hands on of you as well. +[2607.98 --> 2613.40] Standing together as representatives of the family of Christ and as members of this church, +[2613.40 --> 2620.20] the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The +[2620.20 --> 2628.44] Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace. In this way, the Lord has put his name on you +[2628.44 --> 2636.72] and marked you as his own. I want to invite all of those who know Dave and Mackenzie, who want to +[2636.72 --> 2641.16] encourage them in this moment of life and faith to come forward. We're going to lay hands on them. +[2641.16 --> 2647.76] Officers, service members, elders, deacons in this church, if you've walked in any way with these +[2647.76 --> 2652.08] folks, we invite you to come up to the front. We might lay hands on together. Dave and Mackenzie, +[2652.16 --> 2654.34] I encourage you just to step forward so we can surround you. +[2668.68 --> 2669.56] Let's pray together. +[2669.56 --> 2669.58] Let's pray together. +[2671.16 --> 2680.10] Father in heaven, for Jesus' sake and for your glory, we pray, stir up in Dave and +[2680.10 --> 2688.14] Amabel and in Mackenzie and Ava the gift of your Holy Spirit. Confirm their faith, guide their life, +[2688.56 --> 2695.40] empower their serving, give them patience in suffering, and bring them to everlasting life +[2695.40 --> 2703.34] through Jesus Christ our Lord. Together with them, we all walk in faith in Jesus' precious name. +[2703.34 --> 2707.72] All God's people said, Amen. Amen. +[2707.72 --> 2718.48] We're going to stand and sing together in gratitude to God, the song, Gratitude. +[2718.48 --> 2718.92] Amen. +[2748.48 --> 2762.16] Oh, my words fall short, I've got nothing new +[2762.16 --> 2769.10] Look at how I express all my gratitude +[2769.10 --> 2779.10] She makes songs, as I often do +[2779.10 --> 2787.10] But it's not my standard, and you never do +[2787.10 --> 2795.10] So I draw up my hands, pray to you again and again +[2795.10 --> 2805.10] All that I have is now, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2805.10 --> 2813.10] I know it's not much, I know nothing else in for a king +[2813.10 --> 2825.10] Step for a heart singing, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2825.10 --> 2835.10] I've got one response, I've got just one move +[2835.10 --> 2844.10] With my arms stretched wide, I will worship you +[2844.10 --> 2852.10] So I draw up my hands, pray to you again and again +[2852.10 --> 2862.10] Because all that I have is now, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2862.10 --> 2870.10] And I know it's not much, but nobody else in for a king +[2870.10 --> 2884.10] Step for a heart singing, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2884.10 --> 2890.10] Come on, my soul, don't you dare shy on me +[2890.10 --> 2892.10] Let up your song +[2892.10 --> 2896.10] Cause you've got a lion inside those lungs +[2896.10 --> 2902.10] Get up and praise the Lord +[2902.10 --> 2907.10] Come on, my soul, don't you dare shy on me +[2907.10 --> 2909.10] Let up your song +[2909.10 --> 2913.10] Cause you've got a lion inside those lungs +[2913.10 --> 2919.10] Get up and praise the Lord +[2919.10 --> 2924.10] Come on, my soul, don't you dare shy on me +[2924.10 --> 2926.10] Let up your song +[2926.10 --> 2930.10] Cause you've got a lion inside those lungs +[2930.10 --> 2936.10] Get up and praise the Lord +[2936.10 --> 2938.10] Lord, I'm going to throw up my hands +[2938.10 --> 2942.10] Praise you again and again +[2942.10 --> 2952.10] Cause all that I have is now, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2952.10 --> 2958.10] And I know it's not much, but nothing else in for a king +[2958.10 --> 2974.10] Set for our singing, hallelujah, hallelujah +[2974.10 --> 2976.10] Amen +[2976.10 --> 2978.10] Amen +[2978.10 --> 2979.10] Amen +[2979.10 --> 2981.10] Amen +[2981.10 --> 2983.10] Amen +[2983.10 --> 2985.10] Amen +[2985.10 --> 2987.10] Amen +[2987.10 --> 2990.10] Amen +[2994.10 --> 2997.10] So, good morning +[2997.10 --> 3000.10] We continue our worship by having an offering +[3000.10 --> 3003.10] So our offering today is for the budget +[3003.10 --> 3006.10] As well as for Open Doors Canada +[3006.10 --> 3009.10] And they're both offerings are collected in the same bag +[3009.10 --> 3013.10] So if you wish to give to the budget then please mark it as such +[3013.10 --> 3018.34] and you can use the envelopes that are in front of you, in the chairs in front of you. +[3019.34 --> 3027.20] So Open Doors Canada is a ministry that works with the persecuted church around the world, +[3027.60 --> 3034.06] and it was founded in 1955 by Brother Andrew, who famously wrote that book, God's Smuggler, +[3034.06 --> 3044.86] and since that founding of that organization is now an organization that's gone through about 70 different countries in the world, +[3045.46 --> 3052.86] and some of the persecuted countries are in North Korea, in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Myanmar. +[3053.20 --> 3059.86] Myanmar is now, again, on the list since there is a coup that's going on there, and there's a great persecution going on in Myanmar. +[3059.86 --> 3068.86] What Open Doors does for support is they supply Bibles and other resources, as well as they train leaders, +[3069.56 --> 3071.72] they strengthen the leaders of these persecuted churches. +[3072.42 --> 3080.20] They also supply aid for anybody who's been a victim of persecution, and then they also have a prayer watch. +[3080.64 --> 3085.54] So if you go to their website, you will find that every day there is a new prayer request. +[3085.54 --> 3094.74] And so, like, for today, the prayer request is for a country in Middle Asia where the church, when they were meeting, +[3094.88 --> 3103.48] they were surrounded by the militia and were kidnapped for two days and went without food or water for two solid days. +[3103.62 --> 3109.54] They've been since released, but you can imagine the trauma that that has ensued. +[3110.44 --> 3114.04] That church now would be afraid to meet, they'd be afraid that it would happen again. +[3114.04 --> 3116.50] And so the whole church is just persecuted. +[3117.14 --> 3121.08] So today's prayer request, then, is to actually pray for strength for that church, +[3121.44 --> 3128.54] that they can be surrounded by the power of the Spirit and to continue to meet. +[3129.26 --> 3137.80] So maybe this week would be a nice challenge for us to go to that website and at least once pray the prayer request that's there. +[3137.80 --> 3145.06] Brother Andrew has famously said that prayer is not the preparation for battle, prayer is the battle. +[3145.66 --> 3148.34] So please give generously and thank you. +[3148.34 --> 3153.86] Thank you. +[3153.86 --> 3157.18] Do you like to leave the sermon. +[3157.18 --> 3163.60] Hope Hal and ona猜 +[3164.48 --> 3165.98] Not everyone alone on the Internet. +[3165.98 --> 3168.28] drownin Anchor +[3168.28 --> 3190.50] I will offer up my life in spirit and truth, pouring out the oil of love as my worship to Him. +[3190.50 --> 3202.54] In surrender I must live, I have required, Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart. +[3202.54 --> 3214.08] Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring to so faithful of wrath, to so loving and pain? +[3214.08 --> 3225.66] Savior, what can be said, what can be sung as a praise of Your name for the things You have done? +[3225.66 --> 3241.66] Oh, my words, there's no doubt, not even in part of the dead of love that is owed by this thankful heart. +[3244.08 --> 3257.48] You deserve my every path, for You paid the great cost, giving up Your life to death, even death on a cross. +[3257.48 --> 3268.90] You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin, open up the gates of hell and let beckon me in. +[3268.90 --> 3280.32] Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring to so faithful of wrath, to so loving and pain? +[3280.72 --> 3291.46] Savior, what can be said, what can be sung as a praise of Your name for the things You have done? +[3291.46 --> 3303.46] Oh, my words, there's no doubt, not even in part of the dead of love that is owed. +[3303.46 --> 3312.46] Of the dead of love that is owed by this thankful heart. +[3312.46 --> 3331.14] I would love any kids in preschool through kindergarten or thereabouts. +[3331.36 --> 3332.54] I'll let your parents decide. +[3332.54 --> 3333.82] Come on up to the front. +[3334.36 --> 3336.64] We're going to do the children's blessing here. +[3337.94 --> 3338.70] Right up. +[3338.80 --> 3339.30] Beautiful. +[3340.78 --> 3341.72] Excellent job. +[3342.46 --> 3343.88] Oh, some more. +[3344.08 --> 3344.62] Love it. +[3345.40 --> 3346.38] Ava, perfect. +[3348.80 --> 3349.52] All right. +[3350.26 --> 3351.26] Here we go. +[3352.48 --> 3353.30] Well, excellent. +[3353.40 --> 3353.72] Any more? +[3353.80 --> 3354.24] Anyone else? +[3355.00 --> 3355.60] Last chance? +[3356.18 --> 3356.82] Going once? +[3357.38 --> 3357.62] No? +[3357.74 --> 3358.00] All right. +[3358.42 --> 3359.26] All right, guys. +[3359.26 --> 3362.32] You guys are going to head off to children's worship time together. +[3363.00 --> 3369.32] And if you don't go back there with the leaders, I encourage you to go back to your seats and hang out with us for the next little bit. +[3369.32 --> 3371.74] But before that, we're going to bless the congregation. +[3371.74 --> 3373.36] And they're going to bless us. +[3373.36 --> 3373.80] Right? +[3373.80 --> 3376.22] So if you know how that works, why don't you lead the way? +[3376.38 --> 3377.74] Stand up together. +[3378.64 --> 3380.32] Everybody can stand up together. +[3380.32 --> 3383.20] And then we're going to say, the Lord be with you. +[3383.20 --> 3385.70] And the church will respond by saying, and... +[3385.70 --> 3391.70] My name is... +[3391.70 --> 3392.62] Whoa. +[3392.92 --> 3393.40] That's loud. +[3394.40 --> 3396.92] My name is Paul, and I'm an elder here. +[3397.16 --> 3401.30] And it's my privilege to pray with you. +[3404.30 --> 3405.66] Our church family prayer. +[3406.04 --> 3406.58] Let's pray. +[3406.58 --> 3417.92] Father in heaven, you are holy. +[3418.92 --> 3419.86] You are mighty. +[3421.44 --> 3424.88] You are worthy and worthy of praise. +[3424.88 --> 3434.18] You are the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, who is the Lamb of God. +[3434.84 --> 3437.00] You are the living God. +[3438.40 --> 3440.22] You will reign forever. +[3441.46 --> 3446.20] You're the Ancient of Days, the Alpha, the Omega, the Beginning, and the End. +[3446.72 --> 3448.50] Our Savior, Redeemer. +[3448.50 --> 3453.12] And yet, you are our friend. +[3454.62 --> 3456.96] It seems so implausible. +[3458.58 --> 3459.44] Thank you. +[3460.66 --> 3464.68] Thank you for being with us, walking beside us through life. +[3466.30 --> 3471.04] You take all of us, everything that we are, and make us whole. +[3473.36 --> 3476.78] Lord, we're incapable of changing ourselves. +[3476.78 --> 3487.44] But by your Spirit, work in us to make us like your Son, as hard and as painful as that might be sometimes. +[3488.76 --> 3495.94] And give us joy in it, for we know that true joy comes only from you. +[3498.64 --> 3501.94] We've all come with individual and personal needs. +[3503.04 --> 3505.80] Needs that we may not have shared with anyone else. +[3506.78 --> 3510.42] But you know us, and the struggles and the burdens we're facing. +[3512.80 --> 3515.76] We thank you for the blessing of new beginnings. +[3517.54 --> 3524.76] Today we lift up Dave, Annabelle, Mackenzie, and Ava as they step forward in faith. +[3524.76 --> 3539.54] May your Spirit fill their hearts and peace and strength with strength and purpose. +[3541.00 --> 3545.26] Guide them as they all grow in faith along with us, +[3545.40 --> 3549.44] and help us to support them with love, grace, and fellowship. +[3549.44 --> 3555.20] We praise you, God, for the blessings of anniversaries. +[3556.02 --> 3562.20] And we thank you, along with Pete and Doreen, that you have blessed them for 45 years together. +[3563.44 --> 3566.30] We ask that you will continue to bless and keep them. +[3566.30 --> 3572.38] We also pray for those marriages and relationships that struggle. +[3574.16 --> 3578.68] We pray for peace and grace in those relationships. +[3578.68 --> 3587.22] We also pray for Clem and Linda and Adrian and Sarah as they grieve the loss of Clem's mom, Annie. +[3589.42 --> 3595.92] Annie suffered for many years, and there is relief for Annie, but the whole family misses her greatly. +[3595.92 --> 3607.28] We continue to pray for peace and comfort for Tanya, Amanda's sister and Klaas' daughter, as she is now in hospice care. +[3608.98 --> 3611.22] Lord, we pray for peace and strength for her. +[3611.40 --> 3617.46] We also pray that Tanya can continue to trust in God's perfect plan and rest in his love. +[3617.46 --> 3623.76] We also pray for Doug, Alisa's dad, as he continues to battle cancer. +[3626.34 --> 3632.40] During this summertime, we thank God for the gift of rest and adventure and time with family. +[3633.04 --> 3636.66] We pray for safe travels and refreshing holidays. +[3639.84 --> 3644.72] We pray you will bless the ongoing ministries here in this church, Langley, Emmanuel. +[3644.72 --> 3656.16] We thank you for the gift of his family, of this family, and we ask that you will help us continue to grow in the love that only comes from you. +[3656.92 --> 3660.24] We pray that you will continue to walk beside our pastors. +[3661.50 --> 3664.42] Give them the wisdom and the spirit to lead us. +[3666.98 --> 3673.30] We thank you together with Pastor Kevin that you have led him to this point in his life of becoming fully ordained. +[3674.72 --> 3682.02] Father, we give you thanks for bringing us together as this community we call Emmanuel, God with us. +[3682.58 --> 3685.66] We pray that you will bless us in our worship and bless our fellowship. +[3687.84 --> 3690.06] We give you thanks for this place to meet. +[3690.66 --> 3698.20] We thank you, O God, for Christ's church as we know it and see it around the world and pray for your blessings on it. +[3698.20 --> 3702.28] We pray for those who are persecuted for your name. +[3703.80 --> 3708.84] And we ask that you will be with Chris as he leads us in your word this morning. +[3709.48 --> 3711.26] Pray that it will fill our hearts. +[3713.22 --> 3718.86] And we pray that you will pour out your spirit on him as he preaches that word here today. +[3718.86 --> 3725.82] Lord Almighty, the Lord Almighty is with us. +[3726.72 --> 3728.98] The God of Jacob is our fortress. +[3730.02 --> 3732.76] Come and see what the Lord has done. +[3734.00 --> 3736.22] The desolations he has brought on the earth. +[3736.90 --> 3739.84] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. +[3740.74 --> 3744.08] He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. +[3744.08 --> 3747.24] He burns the shields with fire. +[3748.44 --> 3752.22] He says, be still and know that I am God. +[3753.36 --> 3755.72] I will be exalted among the nations. +[3756.10 --> 3758.32] I will be exalted in the earth. +[3759.54 --> 3761.94] The Lord Almighty is with us. +[3762.18 --> 3765.06] The God of Jacob is our fortress. +[3766.34 --> 3769.36] All glory be to Christ our King. +[3770.36 --> 3772.98] All glory be to Christ. +[3774.08 --> 3776.78] In his name alone we pray. +[3777.38 --> 3777.72] Amen. +[3777.72 --> 3777.84] Amen. +[3793.04 --> 3798.80] We're going to spend a little time together looking at the Gospel of Matthew this summer. +[3799.04 --> 3802.48] We are in a series here going through the Gospel of Matthew. +[3802.48 --> 3805.48] So I'm going to invite you, if you have a Bible, to open it up. +[3805.56 --> 3809.32] We're going to read from Matthew 9, verse 35 to 38. +[3809.38 --> 3814.66] But we're really kind of reflecting on Matthew 8 through the end of Matthew 10. +[3815.02 --> 3819.50] And so it will be really helpful if you have a Bible in front of you and open, whether it's +[3819.50 --> 3822.98] on a device or if you'd like to grab one from the back, you can do that. +[3823.00 --> 3824.44] Or if you brought your own, excellent. +[3825.68 --> 3828.38] But we're going to spend our time there. +[3828.38 --> 3835.22] If you are a guest with us this morning, our summer series has been Behold Your King. +[3835.92 --> 3840.84] And we've called it that because we don't just want to learn about Jesus. +[3841.38 --> 3842.70] We want to see him. +[3843.62 --> 3844.88] To encounter him. +[3845.60 --> 3853.20] To see the Holy Spirit take the word from our minds to our hearts and then outlived by our hands. +[3853.20 --> 3858.14] To not just be informed, but transformed is one of the ways we've put it. +[3859.10 --> 3868.86] To behold and to worship, to set your heart's affections on Jesus so that you live with him and for him every day. +[3869.92 --> 3878.94] It's our conviction here that God's word is more than a story about the past, but actually through it, this is Jesus stepping into your present. +[3878.94 --> 3886.36] This is God entering into your imagination, shaping how you see the world. +[3887.64 --> 3898.54] This is the Holy Spirit inviting you this morning to let go of your little kingdom and to receive joy and security and freedom in Jesus' kingdom. +[3898.54 --> 3909.88] In the preaching of God's word, we believe that God himself draws near through his voice and that it's made effective by the Holy Spirit in your hearts. +[3910.30 --> 3917.14] So I invite you to pray that this morning as we begin and as we read from Matthew 9 together. +[3918.48 --> 3921.68] Matthew 9, starting at verse 35. +[3921.68 --> 3935.60] Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. +[3936.56 --> 3945.42] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. +[3945.42 --> 3953.56] And then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. +[3954.62 --> 3960.96] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. +[3961.62 --> 3962.84] This is the word of the Lord. +[3962.84 --> 3977.26] I don't know if you've noticed this, but we live in a world that is deeply suspicious of authority. +[3979.00 --> 3984.08] Some of us feel like we've inherited a culture of suspicion. +[3985.82 --> 3990.56] And, if we're honest, some of us have contributed to it. +[3992.84 --> 4003.38] Because we don't trust an authority out there, the highest good in our world today is to be true to yourself in here. +[4004.56 --> 4007.66] And to live from the inside out. +[4008.88 --> 4015.26] Knowingly or not, we have internalized the slogans of the French Revolution that say, +[4015.38 --> 4016.58] No gods and no masters. +[4016.58 --> 4022.16] We've made a modern gospel of self-actualization. +[4022.64 --> 4023.90] Things like, you do you. +[4024.44 --> 4025.30] Live your truth. +[4025.44 --> 4028.54] Don't let anyone tell you who to be or how to be. +[4028.70 --> 4032.80] And we breathe in this message and messaging every day. +[4032.80 --> 4041.58] And the result is that the only real authority left is personal preference. +[4043.90 --> 4050.82] The only real authority left is the idea that if it feels good, it's valid. +[4052.18 --> 4055.66] And that if it offends me, it must be oppressive. +[4055.66 --> 4062.04] Now, Charles Taylor is a social psychologist, social philosopher. +[4062.64 --> 4065.54] He calls this the age of authenticity. +[4066.58 --> 4071.52] A time when authority is no longer something outside of us to obey, +[4071.92 --> 4074.56] but something inside of us to express. +[4075.94 --> 4079.52] And in that world, the idea of behold your king, +[4079.52 --> 4084.88] the idea of Jesus as king, doesn't feel like good news to many people. +[4084.88 --> 4086.42] It feels like a threat. +[4088.22 --> 4090.68] The modern self doesn't want a king. +[4090.94 --> 4092.40] The modern self wants a mirror. +[4093.64 --> 4095.34] The modern self wants a platform. +[4098.02 --> 4101.56] And yet, I know I felt it. +[4103.14 --> 4109.18] And if we're honest, this self-made freedom hasn't delivered what it promised. +[4109.18 --> 4110.08] Right? +[4110.08 --> 4114.08] We are more expressive than ever before, +[4114.28 --> 4117.74] but also more anxious and more isolated and more exhausted. +[4118.82 --> 4119.36] Right? +[4119.40 --> 4121.90] We're told to cast off all these old masters, +[4122.18 --> 4123.76] but we still don't feel free. +[4124.86 --> 4125.40] Right? +[4125.46 --> 4130.64] Our age has rejected God in favor of so-called personal health +[4130.64 --> 4132.24] and individual autonomy. +[4132.24 --> 4136.48] And not only have we lost God and never found personal health, +[4136.66 --> 4140.12] this individual autonomy that we've been looking for has only led to loneliness. +[4142.76 --> 4145.64] To paraphrase something I read earlier, +[4146.14 --> 4147.38] you've heard the phrase, +[4147.58 --> 4149.40] don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. +[4150.28 --> 4151.88] In this cultural moment, +[4151.88 --> 4156.22] it sort of seems like we've thrown out the baby in order to drink the bathwater. +[4156.22 --> 4162.30] One writer says that our standard of living has risen, +[4163.06 --> 4164.56] but so have our suicide rates. +[4165.74 --> 4168.02] We are smarter, but more uncertain than ever. +[4168.64 --> 4170.86] We are surrounded by pleasure, but less fulfilled. +[4171.54 --> 4173.54] Able to do almost anything, +[4173.68 --> 4177.14] but uncertain whether to do anything at all. +[4178.86 --> 4182.32] Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist, +[4182.32 --> 4186.66] and coincidentally also not a Christian, +[4187.18 --> 4188.14] but in his book, +[4188.26 --> 4189.42] The Anxious Generation, +[4190.06 --> 4190.96] puts it this way. +[4191.04 --> 4191.50] He says, +[4192.44 --> 4195.24] the great irony of things like social media +[4195.24 --> 4198.18] is that the more you immerse yourself in it, +[4198.64 --> 4200.88] the more lonely and depressed you become. +[4203.36 --> 4203.56] Right? +[4203.60 --> 4204.76] Without ever knowing it, +[4205.26 --> 4206.92] we ache for something. +[4207.64 --> 4209.30] We ache for someone, +[4209.60 --> 4211.40] for something greater than ourselves. +[4211.40 --> 4213.44] Something strong enough, +[4213.52 --> 4214.98] or someone strong enough, +[4215.08 --> 4217.38] to calm the storms of our anxiety. +[4218.00 --> 4221.40] Compassionate enough to move towards us in our pain. +[4222.18 --> 4224.00] Wise enough to lead us. +[4224.32 --> 4226.98] We ache for a king who doesn't crush us, +[4227.06 --> 4228.62] but instead carries us. +[4229.18 --> 4231.68] Who doesn't collapse our perception of reality +[4231.68 --> 4233.76] into a sort of flat equality, +[4234.10 --> 4235.70] but actually deepens it, +[4235.82 --> 4238.80] and commissions us to go out into it, +[4238.88 --> 4240.36] with him and for him, +[4240.36 --> 4242.66] exploring the mystery of life, +[4243.02 --> 4243.50] and faith, +[4243.82 --> 4244.36] and God. +[4245.50 --> 4248.14] And that's exactly the kind of king +[4248.14 --> 4251.12] that Matthew wants us to see +[4251.12 --> 4252.30] in his gospel. +[4252.40 --> 4254.88] The kind of king that Jesus is. +[4256.16 --> 4256.62] Right? +[4256.70 --> 4258.14] The big idea here this morning +[4258.14 --> 4261.10] is that Jesus' authority over disease, +[4261.36 --> 4262.14] and demons, +[4262.38 --> 4263.02] and death, +[4263.02 --> 4264.72] confirms his mission, +[4264.88 --> 4266.70] confirms who he is, +[4266.90 --> 4268.14] and in doing so, +[4268.24 --> 4270.42] calls us to follow him. +[4272.44 --> 4273.74] If you want to know +[4273.74 --> 4276.06] what kind of king Jesus is, +[4276.48 --> 4277.94] Matthew shows us. +[4278.80 --> 4280.76] Not by telling you his ideas, +[4281.16 --> 4283.44] but by putting his power on full display. +[4284.70 --> 4284.84] Right? +[4284.84 --> 4286.96] This is not a king who rules from a distance. +[4287.08 --> 4288.36] He walks among his people. +[4288.36 --> 4290.02] He touches the sick. +[4290.16 --> 4291.38] He speaks to storms. +[4291.52 --> 4292.98] He rebukes demons, +[4293.18 --> 4294.02] forgives sins, +[4294.16 --> 4295.12] and raises the dead. +[4295.46 --> 4296.86] Everywhere he goes, +[4297.22 --> 4299.16] the kingdom of heaven breaks in. +[4300.28 --> 4302.08] Darkness is pushed back, +[4302.70 --> 4305.02] and creation itself starts to heal. +[4306.12 --> 4308.02] Jesus isn't just announcing a kingdom. +[4308.24 --> 4309.48] He's enacting one. +[4310.92 --> 4311.66] And so this morning, +[4312.30 --> 4313.20] behold your king. +[4313.20 --> 4315.80] What I would like us to do, +[4315.98 --> 4316.94] this is why I encourage you +[4316.94 --> 4317.86] to have a Bible open, +[4318.50 --> 4319.52] is to quickly, +[4319.70 --> 4321.22] we're going to scan through +[4321.22 --> 4322.88] these few chapters of Matthew +[4322.88 --> 4326.28] and trace the line of Jesus' authority +[4326.28 --> 4328.26] and see it for ourselves. +[4329.36 --> 4330.34] So Bible's open. +[4331.06 --> 4332.36] Start in chapter 8, +[4333.22 --> 4334.94] where we see and read +[4334.94 --> 4335.84] in this first place +[4335.84 --> 4337.80] that Jesus has authority +[4337.80 --> 4339.92] over disease, +[4340.36 --> 4341.62] over illnesses. +[4341.62 --> 4343.38] So chapter 8, +[4343.46 --> 4344.04] verse 3, +[4344.42 --> 4346.20] immediately he was cleansed +[4346.20 --> 4346.98] of leprosy. +[4347.66 --> 4348.58] Verse 13, +[4348.70 --> 4349.94] his servant was healed +[4349.94 --> 4350.80] at that moment. +[4351.74 --> 4352.42] Verse 15, +[4352.52 --> 4353.68] he touched her hand +[4353.68 --> 4355.46] and the fever left her. +[4356.38 --> 4357.90] He said to the paralyzed man, +[4358.00 --> 4358.36] get up, +[4358.48 --> 4359.02] take your mat, +[4359.10 --> 4359.64] and go home. +[4359.66 --> 4360.48] And the man got up +[4360.48 --> 4361.12] and went home. +[4361.34 --> 4362.72] And when the crowd saw this, +[4362.78 --> 4363.86] they were filled with awe +[4363.86 --> 4365.26] and they praised God. +[4365.26 --> 4367.22] Who had given such authority +[4367.22 --> 4367.84] to man? +[4368.92 --> 4369.96] Right in chapter 9, +[4369.96 --> 4371.42] to the woman who had +[4371.42 --> 4372.36] the blood disorder, +[4373.14 --> 4373.76] Jesus said, +[4374.08 --> 4375.14] take heart, daughter. +[4375.50 --> 4377.40] Your faith has healed you. +[4377.64 --> 4379.06] And the woman was healed +[4379.06 --> 4380.32] at that moment, +[4380.64 --> 4381.10] we read. +[4382.46 --> 4384.08] And in chapter 9, +[4384.14 --> 4384.66] verse 30, +[4385.00 --> 4386.24] he touched the eyes +[4386.24 --> 4387.34] of the blind man +[4387.34 --> 4388.62] and their sight +[4388.62 --> 4390.26] was restored. +[4390.90 --> 4392.00] Jesus has authority +[4392.00 --> 4393.40] over disease. +[4394.04 --> 4395.54] Jesus also has authority +[4395.54 --> 4396.98] over demons. +[4396.98 --> 4398.80] in chapter 8 again, +[4398.88 --> 4399.56] verse 17, +[4400.00 --> 4401.56] many who were demon-possessed +[4401.56 --> 4402.48] were brought to him +[4402.48 --> 4403.48] and he drove out +[4403.48 --> 4404.66] the spirits with a word. +[4405.62 --> 4406.62] We read the story +[4406.62 --> 4408.66] of him casting out demons +[4408.66 --> 4409.52] from two men +[4409.52 --> 4410.90] and the demons beg him +[4410.90 --> 4411.82] to send them +[4411.82 --> 4412.56] into the pigs. +[4413.12 --> 4413.70] And then the pigs +[4413.70 --> 4415.06] went into the whole herd +[4415.06 --> 4416.28] and that rushed down the hill +[4416.28 --> 4417.22] into the water +[4417.22 --> 4417.76] and drowned. +[4418.90 --> 4419.98] Jesus has authority +[4419.98 --> 4420.64] over disease +[4420.64 --> 4421.68] and over demons. +[4422.48 --> 4423.58] And we read +[4423.58 --> 4424.78] that Jesus has authority +[4424.78 --> 4426.10] over the natural world. +[4426.10 --> 4427.06] Again, +[4427.14 --> 4427.78] in chapter 8, +[4427.86 --> 4428.46] he got up, +[4428.64 --> 4429.48] rebuked the wind +[4429.48 --> 4430.14] and the waves +[4430.14 --> 4432.38] and it was completely calm. +[4433.70 --> 4434.56] Jesus has authority +[4434.56 --> 4435.18] over disease, +[4435.48 --> 4436.02] over demons, +[4436.18 --> 4437.28] over the natural world +[4437.28 --> 4439.28] and Jesus has the authority +[4439.28 --> 4441.20] to forgive sins. +[4442.30 --> 4442.94] We read, +[4443.52 --> 4444.94] when he saw their faith, +[4445.06 --> 4446.08] he said to the man, +[4446.52 --> 4447.78] take heart, son. +[4448.50 --> 4451.30] Your sins are forgiven. +[4451.30 --> 4454.46] And Jesus has authority +[4454.46 --> 4455.16] over death. +[4455.80 --> 4456.46] In chapter 9, +[4456.74 --> 4457.18] we read that +[4457.18 --> 4457.74] when the daughter +[4457.74 --> 4459.30] of the synagogue ruler died, +[4459.62 --> 4460.42] after the crowd +[4460.42 --> 4461.42] had been put outside, +[4461.56 --> 4462.22] he went in, +[4462.48 --> 4463.64] he took her by the hand +[4463.64 --> 4464.96] and she got up. +[4466.86 --> 4467.08] Right? +[4467.12 --> 4468.12] He has authority +[4468.12 --> 4469.10] over disease, +[4469.60 --> 4470.66] he has authority +[4470.66 --> 4471.52] over demons, +[4472.00 --> 4473.28] over the natural world, +[4473.40 --> 4474.32] he has the authority +[4474.32 --> 4475.34] to forgive sins +[4475.34 --> 4476.36] and he has authority +[4476.36 --> 4477.30] over death. +[4477.30 --> 4479.28] And because he has +[4479.28 --> 4480.62] all of that authority, +[4481.16 --> 4482.66] Jesus uses that authority +[4482.66 --> 4484.82] to send out his disciples. +[4485.08 --> 4485.60] And he says, +[4485.68 --> 4486.22] as we read, +[4486.54 --> 4487.96] the harvest is plentiful, +[4488.40 --> 4489.42] but the workers are few. +[4490.42 --> 4491.66] Ask the Lord of the harvest, +[4491.82 --> 4492.10] therefore, +[4492.20 --> 4493.06] to send workers +[4493.06 --> 4494.48] out into his field. +[4494.74 --> 4495.82] And then he shares +[4495.82 --> 4496.80] that authority +[4496.80 --> 4498.42] with his disciples. +[4499.10 --> 4500.26] Chapter 10, verse 1, +[4500.68 --> 4501.22] says that +[4501.22 --> 4502.92] he called his 12 disciples +[4502.92 --> 4503.50] to him +[4503.50 --> 4504.94] and gave them authority +[4504.94 --> 4506.92] to drive out impure spirits +[4506.92 --> 4508.72] to heal every disease +[4508.72 --> 4509.66] and sickness. +[4511.88 --> 4512.08] Right? +[4512.10 --> 4513.34] We're beginning to behold. +[4514.62 --> 4514.84] Right? +[4514.88 --> 4516.60] This is no ordinary teacher. +[4517.54 --> 4519.74] This is no mere miracle worker. +[4520.10 --> 4521.22] This is the king +[4521.22 --> 4522.96] walking among us, +[4523.70 --> 4524.74] wielding authority +[4524.74 --> 4526.76] that belongs to God alone. +[4527.66 --> 4527.86] Right? +[4527.92 --> 4528.68] Every healing, +[4528.88 --> 4529.70] every command, +[4529.88 --> 4531.24] every act of compassion +[4531.24 --> 4532.82] is a royal decree +[4532.82 --> 4535.06] that the kingdom of God +[4535.06 --> 4536.40] has come near. +[4536.92 --> 4538.10] The kingdom of God +[4538.10 --> 4538.64] has come near +[4538.64 --> 4539.80] and we begin now +[4539.80 --> 4541.26] to see it clearly. +[4542.42 --> 4542.54] Right? +[4542.62 --> 4544.36] Jesus has unmatched +[4544.36 --> 4547.06] real divine authority +[4547.06 --> 4548.34] over disease +[4548.34 --> 4549.02] and demons +[4549.02 --> 4549.64] and death +[4549.64 --> 4550.30] and nature, +[4550.62 --> 4551.32] over sin. +[4551.60 --> 4552.36] And his words +[4552.36 --> 4553.34] don't just teach, +[4553.50 --> 4554.12] they command, +[4554.50 --> 4555.66] they don't just explain, +[4555.82 --> 4557.74] they define reality. +[4558.48 --> 4559.18] His touch +[4559.18 --> 4560.30] doesn't just comfort, +[4560.62 --> 4561.50] it restores. +[4562.46 --> 4563.14] His presence +[4563.14 --> 4564.38] doesn't just inspire, +[4564.38 --> 4565.72] it transforms. +[4568.22 --> 4569.16] And yet, +[4570.16 --> 4572.36] there's a bit of a tension here. +[4572.84 --> 4573.08] Right? +[4575.14 --> 4576.78] Because we believe all that +[4576.78 --> 4579.44] and still, +[4580.06 --> 4581.66] life doesn't always +[4581.66 --> 4584.10] reflect that authority +[4584.10 --> 4585.98] in the ways that we expect. +[4587.26 --> 4587.76] Right? +[4587.88 --> 4589.08] Illness lingers. +[4589.08 --> 4591.96] storms rage, +[4592.46 --> 4594.20] loved ones die, +[4595.54 --> 4597.60] prayers go unanswered. +[4598.52 --> 4599.50] Deep down, +[4599.94 --> 4600.62] we ask, +[4601.26 --> 4602.54] if Jesus really has +[4602.54 --> 4603.42] all that authority, +[4603.60 --> 4603.90] pastor, +[4604.64 --> 4605.92] why is my life +[4605.92 --> 4607.14] still so full of pain? +[4609.04 --> 4610.44] Why is everything around me +[4610.44 --> 4611.10] still so broken? +[4611.10 --> 4613.70] And that's where +[4613.70 --> 4614.30] the heart begins +[4614.30 --> 4614.80] to wrestle. +[4616.60 --> 4617.98] And I suggest to you, +[4619.10 --> 4620.34] that is where +[4620.34 --> 4621.54] real discipleship +[4621.54 --> 4622.42] begins. +[4624.92 --> 4625.94] Because if Jesus +[4625.94 --> 4626.70] is king, +[4627.36 --> 4627.94] and I believe +[4627.94 --> 4628.54] with all my heart +[4628.54 --> 4629.02] that he is, +[4629.54 --> 4630.88] if he truly has +[4630.88 --> 4631.84] that kind of authority, +[4631.92 --> 4632.40] and I believe +[4632.40 --> 4633.52] that he really does, +[4633.94 --> 4635.26] then we also have to face +[4635.26 --> 4636.32] the deeper question, +[4637.44 --> 4637.60] right? +[4637.74 --> 4638.14] Not, +[4638.40 --> 4639.48] can he act? +[4639.48 --> 4639.84] But, +[4640.32 --> 4643.80] why doesn't he act +[4643.80 --> 4645.28] the way I want him to? +[4647.52 --> 4648.26] And it's not just +[4648.26 --> 4649.00] a question of faith, +[4649.06 --> 4650.06] it's a question of trust. +[4650.76 --> 4650.88] Right? +[4650.90 --> 4651.62] And in that moment, +[4651.72 --> 4652.94] it's a call to worship +[4652.94 --> 4654.90] even when we don't understand. +[4656.76 --> 4657.82] Jesus presents us +[4657.82 --> 4658.58] with a straightforward +[4658.58 --> 4660.56] truth in this moment. +[4661.42 --> 4661.70] Right? +[4662.46 --> 4662.90] Saying, +[4663.10 --> 4664.12] if you want a God +[4664.12 --> 4665.36] who is powerful enough +[4665.36 --> 4666.48] to heal your diseases +[4666.48 --> 4667.76] and to cast out demons, +[4667.76 --> 4669.16] a God who is powerful +[4669.16 --> 4670.20] enough to control +[4670.20 --> 4670.88] the seas +[4670.88 --> 4672.04] and all the chaoses +[4672.04 --> 4672.78] of your life, +[4672.90 --> 4674.18] if you want a Jesus +[4674.18 --> 4675.30] who can legitimately +[4675.30 --> 4676.58] forgive your sins, +[4676.86 --> 4678.26] who can raise the dead, +[4678.36 --> 4679.20] who can command +[4679.20 --> 4680.34] angel armies, +[4680.54 --> 4681.66] who can send out +[4681.66 --> 4682.90] waves of disciples, +[4684.78 --> 4685.24] in short, +[4685.32 --> 4686.22] if you want a Jesus +[4686.22 --> 4687.92] with that kind of authority +[4687.92 --> 4689.78] in and over the world, +[4690.78 --> 4693.00] you must also accept +[4693.00 --> 4694.48] a Jesus, +[4695.06 --> 4696.98] a God revealed in Jesus, +[4696.98 --> 4698.80] who is powerful enough, +[4699.44 --> 4700.30] infinite enough, +[4700.86 --> 4701.64] wise enough, +[4701.64 --> 4703.18] to have reasons +[4703.18 --> 4705.32] to let you endure +[4705.32 --> 4708.32] such hard things. +[4710.12 --> 4711.86] You can't have it both ways. +[4713.76 --> 4714.54] Tim Keller, +[4715.22 --> 4716.00] author and preacher +[4716.00 --> 4717.58] that I have a lot of respect for, +[4717.68 --> 4718.38] puts it this way. +[4718.46 --> 4718.80] He says, +[4718.80 --> 4720.88] if you have a God +[4720.88 --> 4721.60] great enough +[4721.60 --> 4722.68] and powerful enough +[4722.68 --> 4723.74] to be mad at +[4723.74 --> 4724.60] because he doesn't +[4724.60 --> 4725.60] stop your suffering, +[4726.36 --> 4727.74] you also have a God +[4727.74 --> 4728.48] who's great enough +[4728.48 --> 4729.38] and powerful enough +[4729.38 --> 4730.14] to have reasons +[4730.14 --> 4731.40] that you can't understand. +[4734.30 --> 4735.24] Here's the thing. +[4736.74 --> 4738.12] If you really believe +[4738.12 --> 4739.10] that Jesus has +[4739.10 --> 4740.38] this kind of authority +[4740.38 --> 4741.14] over sickness +[4741.14 --> 4741.74] and storms +[4741.74 --> 4742.24] and demons +[4742.24 --> 4742.68] and death, +[4742.88 --> 4743.86] over every sin, +[4744.70 --> 4746.08] then you have to +[4746.08 --> 4747.22] deal with the +[4747.22 --> 4748.70] possibly uncomfortable +[4748.70 --> 4750.04] truth that he doesn't +[4750.04 --> 4751.68] always use that authority +[4751.68 --> 4752.94] in the way we think +[4752.94 --> 4753.40] he should, +[4754.40 --> 4754.92] in the way that +[4754.92 --> 4755.86] we expect him to. +[4756.46 --> 4756.98] And that's where +[4756.98 --> 4758.36] this tension creeps in +[4758.36 --> 4759.56] because we want a king +[4759.56 --> 4761.34] who calms our storms, +[4761.50 --> 4763.06] who heals our pain, +[4763.14 --> 4764.50] who answers our prayers +[4764.50 --> 4765.90] in the way that we want +[4765.90 --> 4767.10] and when we want. +[4768.12 --> 4769.42] This has been a conversation +[4769.42 --> 4770.36] throughout the history +[4770.36 --> 4771.34] of the church. +[4772.52 --> 4773.36] The Christians +[4773.36 --> 4774.72] of the earliest church +[4774.72 --> 4776.78] understood this +[4776.78 --> 4779.28] experienced tension +[4779.28 --> 4781.10] and they insisted +[4781.10 --> 4782.42] over and over again +[4782.42 --> 4783.00] that God +[4783.00 --> 4784.34] is not just +[4784.34 --> 4785.62] bigger than us, +[4787.06 --> 4787.34] right? +[4787.44 --> 4787.64] Like, +[4788.36 --> 4789.10] but actually +[4789.10 --> 4789.78] that God is +[4789.78 --> 4791.08] beyond us +[4791.08 --> 4793.48] and that because of that +[4793.48 --> 4794.32] all of our language +[4794.32 --> 4794.80] for God, +[4794.90 --> 4795.90] the way we talk about God, +[4795.98 --> 4797.12] the way we experience God +[4797.12 --> 4798.30] has to be +[4798.30 --> 4798.96] what's called +[4798.96 --> 4799.88] analogical, +[4800.00 --> 4800.74] that is by way +[4800.74 --> 4801.50] of analogy, +[4802.58 --> 4802.82] right? +[4802.92 --> 4803.76] And so we learn +[4803.76 --> 4804.76] that we can describe +[4804.76 --> 4805.50] him truly +[4805.50 --> 4807.32] but we can never +[4807.32 --> 4808.40] describe him fully. +[4809.68 --> 4810.44] That's what we mean +[4810.44 --> 4810.88] when we say +[4810.88 --> 4812.40] our language is by analogy. +[4812.76 --> 4813.90] We can describe him truly +[4813.90 --> 4815.36] but never fully, +[4816.48 --> 4816.62] right? +[4816.66 --> 4817.22] And in that, +[4817.34 --> 4818.70] God is not just +[4818.70 --> 4819.32] the biggest +[4819.32 --> 4820.68] and best version +[4820.68 --> 4821.54] of us, +[4822.32 --> 4823.36] right? +[4823.40 --> 4823.78] Instead, +[4824.06 --> 4825.18] God is the creator. +[4825.86 --> 4827.00] God is the only +[4827.00 --> 4828.40] uncreated one, +[4828.60 --> 4830.78] the only infinite one. +[4830.78 --> 4832.56] One of my favorite +[4832.56 --> 4833.74] authors right now, +[4833.80 --> 4834.50] he put it this way, +[4834.56 --> 4834.84] he said, +[4835.18 --> 4836.18] it would be strange +[4836.18 --> 4837.40] indeed if God +[4837.40 --> 4838.26] were not strange. +[4840.46 --> 4841.08] That's why +[4841.08 --> 4842.04] Saint Augustine, +[4842.34 --> 4843.22] a fourth century +[4843.22 --> 4843.96] church father, +[4844.34 --> 4845.18] said it this way, +[4845.42 --> 4845.68] he said, +[4845.78 --> 4846.96] if you understand it, +[4847.42 --> 4848.44] it is not God. +[4850.52 --> 4851.46] In other words, +[4852.12 --> 4853.38] if every part of your life +[4853.38 --> 4853.96] with God +[4853.96 --> 4854.70] makes sense, +[4855.16 --> 4856.24] if your theology +[4856.24 --> 4857.60] never surprises you, +[4857.60 --> 4858.66] if God never +[4858.66 --> 4859.68] unsettles you, +[4860.16 --> 4861.08] if your prayers +[4861.08 --> 4862.02] always get answered +[4862.02 --> 4862.94] in ways that feel +[4862.94 --> 4863.68] good to you, +[4864.48 --> 4865.50] you might not be +[4865.50 --> 4866.86] dealing with +[4866.86 --> 4867.52] the real God. +[4869.90 --> 4872.06] Behold your king. +[4873.00 --> 4874.30] He is powerful enough +[4874.30 --> 4875.40] to calm the storm +[4875.40 --> 4876.96] and wise enough +[4876.96 --> 4878.26] to let you go through it. +[4879.74 --> 4881.60] And because he is God, +[4881.68 --> 4882.70] not one of us, +[4882.96 --> 4884.08] he doesn't owe us +[4884.08 --> 4884.90] an explanation +[4884.90 --> 4885.78] beyond, +[4886.04 --> 4887.04] I am God, +[4887.04 --> 4888.04] there is no one +[4888.04 --> 4888.62] like me, +[4888.90 --> 4889.68] I am good. +[4891.18 --> 4892.12] And yet, +[4892.62 --> 4894.26] he doesn't give us +[4894.26 --> 4894.88] an explanation, +[4895.20 --> 4895.62] he gives us +[4895.62 --> 4896.20] something better, +[4896.56 --> 4896.72] right? +[4896.76 --> 4897.62] He gives us Jesus. +[4900.18 --> 4900.62] Jesus, +[4900.78 --> 4901.36] God himself +[4901.36 --> 4902.06] who came down +[4902.06 --> 4902.80] into this world, +[4902.90 --> 4903.66] who lived the life +[4903.66 --> 4904.30] I should have lived, +[4904.52 --> 4905.42] who died the death +[4905.42 --> 4905.92] that I deserve, +[4906.14 --> 4907.56] who stood in my place +[4907.56 --> 4907.98] and said, +[4908.30 --> 4909.66] you belong to me, +[4910.30 --> 4911.08] come what may, +[4911.76 --> 4912.68] no matter what storm +[4912.68 --> 4913.16] you face, +[4913.20 --> 4914.78] I will never let you go. +[4914.86 --> 4915.40] No matter who +[4915.40 --> 4916.36] in your life dies +[4916.36 --> 4918.02] and wrecks your circumstance, +[4918.18 --> 4920.04] I will never let you go. +[4920.20 --> 4921.16] No matter what valley +[4921.16 --> 4922.18] of the shadow of death +[4922.18 --> 4922.76] you walk through +[4922.76 --> 4923.92] or dark night of the soul, +[4924.28 --> 4925.06] Jesus says, +[4925.28 --> 4927.56] I will never let you go. +[4929.82 --> 4930.94] Behold your king. +[4931.90 --> 4932.92] He is God. +[4933.36 --> 4934.42] He has authority +[4934.42 --> 4935.36] to heal disease, +[4935.50 --> 4936.16] to send demons +[4936.16 --> 4936.82] back to hell, +[4936.94 --> 4937.66] to bring order +[4937.66 --> 4938.34] out of chaos +[4938.34 --> 4939.40] and to raise the dead, +[4939.40 --> 4941.78] and he is God enough +[4941.78 --> 4943.72] to let you endure +[4943.72 --> 4944.52] the storm. +[4945.84 --> 4946.72] He is God +[4946.72 --> 4948.48] and you are not. +[4949.02 --> 4950.16] If everything God did +[4950.16 --> 4951.14] or didn't do +[4951.14 --> 4952.28] made sense to us, +[4952.42 --> 4953.12] he would cease +[4953.12 --> 4953.74] to be God. +[4956.28 --> 4957.18] Now this way +[4957.18 --> 4958.88] of relating to God, +[4958.96 --> 4959.86] of understanding +[4959.86 --> 4960.94] however feebly +[4960.94 --> 4961.98] it may be +[4961.98 --> 4963.26] who God is, +[4963.66 --> 4965.66] this way of seeing God +[4965.66 --> 4967.08] has changed the way +[4967.08 --> 4968.48] that I relate to him. +[4970.26 --> 4970.94] And so yeah, +[4971.02 --> 4971.74] I will pray +[4971.74 --> 4972.26] for God +[4972.26 --> 4973.34] to end my trial, +[4974.06 --> 4975.76] but then I will also pray +[4975.76 --> 4976.46] that he causes me +[4976.46 --> 4977.04] to persevere. +[4978.56 --> 4979.54] I have learned +[4979.54 --> 4980.14] to pray +[4980.14 --> 4980.86] for healing +[4980.86 --> 4981.92] in my life +[4981.92 --> 4982.48] or in the life +[4982.48 --> 4982.84] of people +[4982.84 --> 4983.44] that I love, +[4984.28 --> 4985.96] but I am also +[4985.96 --> 4986.68] learning to pray +[4986.68 --> 4987.50] for strength +[4987.50 --> 4988.46] to wait +[4988.46 --> 4989.54] in God's wisdom. +[4991.18 --> 4991.62] Right? +[4991.64 --> 4992.84] When God feels hidden, +[4993.16 --> 4994.36] I pray for eyes +[4994.36 --> 4995.28] to see God +[4995.28 --> 4995.76] at work, +[4995.90 --> 4996.88] but I also pray +[4996.88 --> 4997.44] for a heart +[4997.44 --> 4998.20] that trusts +[4998.20 --> 4999.34] when I can't see him. +[5000.90 --> 5002.12] And when I find myself +[5002.12 --> 5002.98] falling prey +[5002.98 --> 5003.86] to the gospel +[5003.86 --> 5004.56] of self, +[5005.42 --> 5006.42] I invite God +[5006.42 --> 5007.12] to break me, +[5007.66 --> 5008.80] to humble me. +[5009.54 --> 5010.80] When I make confession +[5010.80 --> 5012.20] that I have placed myself +[5012.20 --> 5013.42] back on the throne +[5013.42 --> 5014.36] of my life, +[5014.50 --> 5015.38] I will literally +[5015.38 --> 5016.86] in my Holy Spirit +[5016.86 --> 5017.58] imagination +[5017.58 --> 5018.84] envision Christ +[5018.84 --> 5019.68] walking up +[5019.68 --> 5020.32] to the throne +[5020.32 --> 5021.14] which looks remarkably +[5021.14 --> 5021.90] like my heart +[5021.90 --> 5023.36] and cleaning it off, +[5023.58 --> 5024.54] cleansing it anew, +[5024.86 --> 5025.32] and then have, +[5025.56 --> 5026.54] I envision Christ +[5026.54 --> 5028.04] sitting down there +[5028.04 --> 5029.26] on that rightful place +[5029.26 --> 5029.88] again, +[5030.06 --> 5030.86] and I bow +[5030.86 --> 5032.36] before him. +[5037.58 --> 5038.72] All of this +[5038.72 --> 5040.62] puts us +[5040.62 --> 5041.78] in one of two places +[5041.78 --> 5042.92] this morning. +[5044.18 --> 5045.44] Can you behold +[5045.44 --> 5046.02] your king? +[5047.54 --> 5048.78] Or do you not yet +[5048.78 --> 5049.22] see him? +[5049.22 --> 5052.50] And if you do not +[5052.50 --> 5053.24] yet see him, +[5055.02 --> 5056.06] if you haven't yet +[5056.06 --> 5057.38] known him, +[5058.34 --> 5059.76] ask him this morning +[5059.76 --> 5060.68] to show himself +[5060.68 --> 5061.74] to you. +[5062.72 --> 5063.76] Put your whole heart +[5063.76 --> 5064.46] and mind +[5064.46 --> 5065.50] into finding him, +[5065.76 --> 5067.04] into hearing his voice. +[5068.50 --> 5070.12] Hang out with church people +[5070.12 --> 5070.74] for a year +[5070.74 --> 5071.86] and go to whatever class +[5071.86 --> 5072.62] they put on +[5072.62 --> 5074.06] and be there +[5074.06 --> 5075.14] asking good questions +[5075.14 --> 5077.94] and see what God can do. +[5077.94 --> 5081.34] read his word. +[5082.18 --> 5083.26] Listen to his people. +[5084.40 --> 5085.24] And if you're stuck +[5085.24 --> 5086.32] in a stubborn heart +[5086.32 --> 5087.54] that is still confessing +[5087.54 --> 5088.08] no gods, +[5088.16 --> 5088.68] no masters, +[5088.94 --> 5090.12] if maybe the gospel +[5090.12 --> 5090.48] of, +[5090.76 --> 5091.70] the modern gospel +[5091.70 --> 5092.94] of self-actualization +[5092.94 --> 5094.28] hasn't failed you yet +[5094.28 --> 5095.62] and it will fail you, +[5096.32 --> 5097.18] but maybe you're not +[5097.18 --> 5097.66] there yet, +[5098.40 --> 5100.94] if you're not here yet +[5100.94 --> 5102.16] to see and hear +[5102.16 --> 5103.96] Jesus as your king, +[5103.96 --> 5106.36] can I just say +[5106.36 --> 5107.74] I'm so glad +[5107.74 --> 5108.52] that you are here. +[5110.12 --> 5111.44] I'm so excited +[5111.44 --> 5112.40] that you have +[5112.40 --> 5113.54] taken the risk +[5113.54 --> 5114.74] to be with us +[5114.74 --> 5115.78] this morning. +[5117.00 --> 5118.06] And if that's you, +[5118.30 --> 5119.26] I want to talk to you. +[5120.34 --> 5120.70] Honestly, +[5120.80 --> 5121.88] Dave wants to talk to you. +[5123.16 --> 5123.94] Any of us +[5123.94 --> 5124.98] who call this church home +[5124.98 --> 5126.24] want to talk to you +[5126.24 --> 5127.44] and walk with you +[5127.44 --> 5128.90] and answer your questions. +[5129.02 --> 5129.82] We are a place +[5129.82 --> 5130.62] where you can ask +[5130.62 --> 5131.30] your questions. +[5132.42 --> 5132.92] Our questions +[5132.92 --> 5133.76] will never run out +[5133.76 --> 5135.40] and so neither will +[5135.40 --> 5136.20] our time for them. +[5138.68 --> 5139.60] But this, +[5140.36 --> 5142.46] this Jesus +[5142.46 --> 5143.96] has authority +[5143.96 --> 5145.08] over disease +[5145.08 --> 5146.10] and demons +[5146.10 --> 5147.24] and the natural world. +[5147.98 --> 5149.58] This is Jesus +[5149.58 --> 5150.82] and he has authority +[5150.82 --> 5151.92] to forgive sins +[5151.92 --> 5153.22] and to raise the dead. +[5153.90 --> 5154.88] This is Jesus +[5154.88 --> 5156.12] and he has the wisdom +[5156.12 --> 5157.68] to let you endure +[5157.68 --> 5158.88] and the grace +[5158.88 --> 5160.48] to persevere you, +[5160.58 --> 5162.02] to preserve you +[5162.02 --> 5163.78] in that trial. +[5165.64 --> 5166.38] And if you're +[5166.38 --> 5167.30] in that other place, +[5168.08 --> 5168.22] right, +[5168.24 --> 5169.28] if you can make +[5169.28 --> 5170.02] that profession, +[5170.16 --> 5172.08] if that is what you believe, +[5172.18 --> 5173.44] if you do behold +[5173.44 --> 5174.46] your king today, +[5174.62 --> 5175.80] there are two things +[5175.80 --> 5177.04] for you to do. +[5178.50 --> 5179.02] First, +[5180.02 --> 5180.80] chapter 9, +[5180.94 --> 5181.48] verse 8. +[5182.16 --> 5183.20] We read this already. +[5183.20 --> 5184.66] When the crowds +[5184.66 --> 5185.62] saw this, +[5185.98 --> 5186.68] they were filled +[5186.68 --> 5187.38] with awe +[5187.38 --> 5188.60] and they praised +[5188.60 --> 5189.80] God who had given +[5189.80 --> 5190.90] such authority +[5190.90 --> 5192.04] to man. +[5194.18 --> 5194.38] Right, +[5194.42 --> 5195.42] the first response +[5195.42 --> 5196.06] that you have +[5196.06 --> 5197.02] in seeing Jesus +[5197.02 --> 5197.48] this way +[5197.48 --> 5198.12] is to worship. +[5199.16 --> 5200.32] To worship him +[5200.32 --> 5200.96] with awe +[5200.96 --> 5202.34] and to praise his name. +[5203.22 --> 5204.00] And so just a moment +[5204.00 --> 5204.74] when we sing +[5204.74 --> 5206.60] our song of response, +[5206.76 --> 5207.64] sing a little louder, +[5207.84 --> 5208.26] would you? +[5209.48 --> 5209.94] Right, +[5209.94 --> 5210.52] and then carry +[5210.52 --> 5211.18] that worship +[5211.18 --> 5212.14] into tomorrow. +[5213.40 --> 5214.18] May your work, +[5214.52 --> 5215.16] your parenting, +[5215.48 --> 5216.18] your playing, +[5216.54 --> 5217.62] your camping, +[5217.82 --> 5218.84] and your kayaking, +[5219.12 --> 5219.76] whatever it is +[5219.76 --> 5220.34] that you do, +[5220.54 --> 5221.38] may it be filled +[5221.38 --> 5222.10] with worship. +[5223.36 --> 5224.24] Sing songs +[5224.24 --> 5225.76] with all of your life +[5225.76 --> 5227.02] and may your life +[5227.02 --> 5228.10] sing songs. +[5230.80 --> 5231.66] And second, +[5232.18 --> 5233.80] as we read, +[5234.52 --> 5235.34] ask the Lord +[5235.34 --> 5235.92] of the harvest +[5235.92 --> 5236.86] to send workers +[5236.86 --> 5238.12] out into the harvest +[5238.12 --> 5238.86] field. +[5241.86 --> 5242.46] Pray +[5242.46 --> 5244.22] for God's mission +[5244.22 --> 5245.36] to the neighborhood +[5245.36 --> 5246.66] and to the world. +[5247.46 --> 5249.00] Pray that in our midst +[5249.00 --> 5249.68] today, +[5250.02 --> 5251.22] maybe even right now, +[5251.44 --> 5252.50] God would raise up +[5252.50 --> 5253.26] missionaries +[5253.26 --> 5254.16] and pastors +[5254.16 --> 5255.50] and evangelists +[5255.50 --> 5256.44] and preachers +[5256.44 --> 5257.76] to go into the world +[5257.76 --> 5258.44] and to declare +[5258.44 --> 5259.40] the praises of him +[5259.40 --> 5260.32] who brought you +[5260.32 --> 5260.80] and me +[5260.80 --> 5261.62] out of darkness +[5261.62 --> 5262.56] and into his +[5262.56 --> 5263.24] wonderful light. +[5263.24 --> 5265.18] And when you see +[5265.18 --> 5265.84] that gift +[5265.84 --> 5267.32] in a young man +[5267.32 --> 5267.92] or woman, +[5268.08 --> 5269.10] would you encourage them? +[5271.46 --> 5272.00] Then, +[5272.72 --> 5274.80] be the answer +[5274.80 --> 5275.54] to your prayer. +[5277.16 --> 5277.38] Right? +[5277.46 --> 5278.38] You yourself +[5278.38 --> 5279.68] be a worker +[5279.68 --> 5280.70] who understands +[5280.70 --> 5281.30] that the harvest +[5281.30 --> 5282.10] is plentiful. +[5283.28 --> 5283.42] Right? +[5283.48 --> 5286.08] In your own ways, +[5286.58 --> 5287.92] God is commissioning +[5287.92 --> 5289.18] each one of you +[5289.18 --> 5290.42] to be a worker +[5290.42 --> 5291.38] in the harvest. +[5292.46 --> 5293.42] To be a Christian, +[5293.64 --> 5293.84] right, +[5293.88 --> 5294.58] is to share +[5294.58 --> 5295.42] in the anointing +[5295.42 --> 5295.96] of Christ +[5295.96 --> 5297.14] and to be sent +[5297.14 --> 5298.42] as he was sent. +[5299.70 --> 5300.68] And as we heard +[5300.68 --> 5301.30] this morning, +[5302.66 --> 5304.60] even the littlest +[5304.60 --> 5305.86] among us +[5305.86 --> 5307.16] are called +[5307.16 --> 5307.96] with that mission. +[5309.60 --> 5310.52] Dave said +[5310.52 --> 5311.24] he's here +[5311.24 --> 5312.40] because his daughter +[5312.40 --> 5312.88] was having +[5312.88 --> 5313.54] a conversation +[5313.54 --> 5314.50] with their friends +[5314.50 --> 5315.52] about Jesus. +[5317.42 --> 5317.94] Guys, +[5318.52 --> 5319.74] why are some of us +[5319.74 --> 5320.34] scared to have +[5320.34 --> 5320.84] conversations +[5320.84 --> 5321.44] with our friends +[5321.44 --> 5322.04] about Jesus? +[5322.84 --> 5323.60] Out of the mouths +[5323.60 --> 5324.10] of children +[5324.10 --> 5325.10] and infants, +[5325.22 --> 5326.42] you have ordained praise. +[5327.78 --> 5328.66] Maybe some of us +[5328.66 --> 5329.22] need to be more +[5329.22 --> 5329.72] like children +[5329.72 --> 5330.78] in our faith again. +[5332.36 --> 5333.72] Sharing this testimony. +[5334.52 --> 5335.38] Inviting people +[5335.38 --> 5336.84] to see Jesus. +[5337.08 --> 5337.78] Inviting people +[5337.78 --> 5339.66] to receive Jesus. +[5342.54 --> 5343.28] I'm going to be +[5343.28 --> 5343.94] candid with you. +[5345.20 --> 5346.10] The devil hates +[5346.10 --> 5346.84] days like today. +[5346.84 --> 5349.48] He hates moments +[5349.48 --> 5350.10] like this. +[5351.64 --> 5353.64] This is the mission +[5353.64 --> 5354.82] of the church. +[5355.68 --> 5356.76] This is what happens +[5356.76 --> 5357.64] when we see +[5357.64 --> 5358.56] Jesus +[5358.56 --> 5359.28] worship, +[5359.88 --> 5360.28] pray, +[5360.48 --> 5361.28] and go. +[5362.28 --> 5363.46] This is +[5363.46 --> 5364.32] Jesus. +[5364.94 --> 5365.56] Behold +[5365.56 --> 5366.44] your +[5366.44 --> 5367.52] king. +[5368.38 --> 5368.70] Amen. +[5369.54 --> 5370.70] Let's pray together. +[5370.70 --> 5370.76] Amen. +[5370.76 --> 5370.82] Amen. +[5370.82 --> 5371.26] Amen. +[5371.26 --> 5371.32] Amen. +[5371.32 --> 5371.76] Amen. +[5371.76 --> 5371.82] Amen. +[5371.82 --> 5372.76] Amen. +[5372.76 --> 5372.82] Amen. +[5372.82 --> 5372.86] Amen. +[5372.86 --> 5376.82] Amen. +[5376.82 --> 5378.66] Jesus, +[5379.46 --> 5382.28] move in power +[5382.28 --> 5383.10] among us +[5383.10 --> 5383.58] that we might +[5383.58 --> 5384.46] behold you +[5384.46 --> 5385.44] right now. +[5386.42 --> 5387.42] Open the eyes +[5387.42 --> 5387.98] of our heart +[5387.98 --> 5388.48] that we might +[5388.48 --> 5389.20] see you. +[5389.84 --> 5390.60] Give us eyes +[5390.60 --> 5391.14] of faith +[5391.14 --> 5391.64] and hearts +[5391.64 --> 5392.26] that trust +[5392.26 --> 5392.98] that we might +[5392.98 --> 5393.88] know your +[5393.88 --> 5394.98] nearness here +[5394.98 --> 5396.12] in this moment. +[5397.34 --> 5397.86] May this +[5397.86 --> 5399.06] sanctuary space +[5399.06 --> 5400.20] be a sacred space +[5400.20 --> 5400.78] where the kingdom +[5400.78 --> 5401.58] of heaven breaks +[5401.58 --> 5402.66] through just a little +[5402.66 --> 5403.60] bit more right now. +[5403.60 --> 5403.70] man. +[5406.14 --> 5406.96] And as we +[5406.96 --> 5407.78] stand together, +[5408.44 --> 5409.50] as we sing +[5409.50 --> 5409.96] together, +[5410.32 --> 5410.98] may our song +[5410.98 --> 5411.68] be just a little +[5411.68 --> 5412.14] bit louder. +[5412.82 --> 5413.92] As we proclaim +[5413.92 --> 5414.50] together, +[5414.80 --> 5415.56] may our testimony +[5415.56 --> 5416.50] be just a little +[5416.50 --> 5417.14] bit bolder. +[5419.24 --> 5420.14] And as we +[5420.14 --> 5420.52] come, +[5421.56 --> 5422.46] may we see +[5422.46 --> 5423.14] you. +[5424.46 --> 5425.34] And as we +[5425.34 --> 5425.70] go, +[5426.14 --> 5426.82] may we go +[5426.82 --> 5428.08] with you. +[5428.08 --> 5429.08] You +[5429.08 --> 5430.08] are +[5430.92 --> 5431.90] the king. +[5431.90 --> 5434.50] you +[5434.50 --> 5435.50] I +[5435.50 --> 5436.16] will +[5436.16 --> 5436.62] follow. +[5437.12 --> 5437.80] In Jesus' +[5437.98 --> 5438.20] name, +[5438.96 --> 5439.30] amen. +[5440.46 --> 5441.00] Amen. +[5441.00 --> 5443.00] Amen. +[5471.00 --> 5473.00] Amen. +[5501.00 --> 5506.48] I repented of my sin, Christ won the victory. +[5509.34 --> 5515.82] Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. +[5516.64 --> 5523.50] He sought me and brought me with His redeeming blood. +[5523.50 --> 5530.74] He loved me, I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. +[5531.00 --> 5537.78] He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. +[5540.04 --> 5546.48] I heard about His healing, all His miracles revealing. +[5546.48 --> 5553.48] That He alone can save a soul and set the captive free. +[5553.48 --> 5561.38] I am happy in His promise, how soon He's coming for us. +[5561.72 --> 5567.66] And home with Him I'll seek again, Christ won the victory. +[5567.66 --> 5576.66] Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. +[5576.66 --> 5584.88] He sought me and brought me with His redeeming blood. +[5584.88 --> 5592.02] He loved me, I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. +[5592.02 --> 5599.66] He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. +[5599.66 --> 5604.44] I'll tell the old, old story. +[5604.44 --> 5608.00] Tonight, Savior's counting glory. +[5608.00 --> 5615.10] I'll tell all the glory has done to set this sinner free. +[5615.10 --> 5622.64] That all will be leading, by faith, will receive Him. +[5622.64 --> 5628.94] And share in our redemption, Son, Christ won the victory. +[5628.94 --> 5638.38] Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. +[5638.38 --> 5645.98] He sought me and brought me with His redeeming blood. +[5645.98 --> 5653.02] He loved me, I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. +[5653.02 --> 5661.34] He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood. +[5661.34 --> 5676.42] God is God, God is good, and He goes with us. +[5676.82 --> 5679.10] Receive the blessing of our good God. +[5679.90 --> 5682.40] God, go before you to lead you. +[5682.86 --> 5685.08] God, go behind you to protect you. +[5685.38 --> 5687.42] God, go beneath you to support you. +[5687.74 --> 5690.46] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[5690.46 --> 5693.24] Do not be afraid. +[5693.74 --> 5695.80] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5695.94 --> 5702.46] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5703.26 --> 5703.60] Amen. +[5703.60 --> 5703.78] Amen. +[5707.78 --> 5713.92] Should nothing of our efforts stand, +[5714.26 --> 5717.98] No legacy survive, +[5717.98 --> 5725.18] Unless the Lord does raise the house, +[5725.18 --> 5730.40] In vain His builders strive. +[5730.40 --> 5736.48] To you who close tomorrow's day, +[5736.82 --> 5741.72] Tell me, what is your life? +[5741.72 --> 5754.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5754.92 --> 5757.76] All glory be to Christ, +[5758.00 --> 5763.62] All glory be to Christ. +[5763.62 --> 5768.82] His rule and reign will ever sing, +[5768.82 --> 5774.60] All glory be to Christ. +[5776.82 --> 5781.92] His will be on His kingdom come, +[5782.10 --> 5785.32] On earth as His above. +[5785.32 --> 5786.52] Who is His love, +[5786.52 --> 5788.52] Who is His love, +[5788.52 --> 5789.02] Who is His love, +[5789.02 --> 5791.04] Our daily bread, +[5791.28 --> 5792.66] Praise Him, +[5792.66 --> 5794.52] The Lord above. +[5794.52 --> 5799.72] Let living water satisfy, +[5799.72 --> 5803.72] The thirsty with our prize. +[5803.72 --> 5807.72] We'll take a cup of kindness, +[5807.72 --> 5808.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5808.92 --> 5812.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5812.92 --> 5816.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5816.92 --> 5820.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5820.92 --> 5825.92] His rule and reign will ever sing, +[5825.92 --> 5830.92] All glory be to Christ. +[5830.92 --> 5835.12] In all the day, +[5835.12 --> 5838.92] The great and the faithful, +[5838.92 --> 5841.32] And the truth, +[5841.32 --> 5845.12] The Lamb who was for sinners, +[5845.12 --> 5846.00] Sink, +[5846.12 --> 5849.12] Is making all things live. +[5850.12 --> 5851.12] Behold, +[5851.12 --> 5854.12] Our God shall live with us, +[5854.12 --> 5858.12] And be our strength of sight. +[5858.12 --> 5863.12] And we shall let His people be, +[5863.12 --> 5867.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5867.12 --> 5871.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5871.12 --> 5871.72] For Him, +[5871.72 --> 5875.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5875.12 --> 5880.12] His rule and reign will ever sing, +[5880.12 --> 5885.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5885.12 --> 5889.12] All glory be to Christ our King. +[5889.12 --> 5894.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5894.12 --> 5899.12] His rule and reign will ever sing, +[5899.12 --> 5906.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5910.12 --> 5912.12] Often day live, +[5912.12 --> 5915.12] Any of your fears and john słungs are country to fall. +[5915.12 --> 5917.12] 7 sets of men will ever sing, +[5917.12 --> 5920.12] All glory be to Christ. +[5920.12 --> 5923.12] Theodore Myers at the first time is the need. +[5923.12 --> 5926.12] No perception is considered a contributor. +[5926.12 --> 5956.10] Thank you. +[5956.12 --> 5984.16] Thank you, Megan. +[5986.12 --> 6016.10] Thank you. +[6016.12 --> 6046.10] Thank you. +[6046.12 --> 6076.10] Thank you. +[6076.12 --> 6106.10] Thank you. +[6106.12 --> 6136.10] Thank you. +[6136.12 --> 6166.10] Thank you. +[6166.12 --> 6196.10] Thank you. +[6196.12 --> 6226.10] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..6e6ce67dfdeb0089f9014aead9f3151e912d0d66 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,147 @@ +• Introductory prayers and thanksgiving +• Communion invocation for the congregation's spiritual protection and guidance +• Worship song about the majesty of God, including lyrics praising His holiness and power +• Invitation to worship and sing praises to God +• Offerings collection for church ministries and Seeds of Hope Ministry +• Discussion about a song or prayer with repeated phrases "Jesus have it all" +• Introduction by Ken, an elder at Emanuel Church +• Announcements: + • Next week's service will include communion + • Alvin and Lisa's wedding is this Friday +• Discussion about classes on the Heidelberg Catechism, specifically focusing on the Lord's Prayer +• Invitation to children to participate in a blessing before going to children's worship time +• Praying for spiritual growth and submission to God's will +• Requesting healing and preservation of Emmanuel Church +• Asking for guidance and wisdom for church leaders and members +• Praying for physical health, including Tanya, Doug, and others with illnesses or injuries +• Seeking help for mental health struggles, such as grief, depression, and addiction +• Praying for employment and financial stability +• Supporting individuals on vacation or attending a Bible camp +• Asking God to strengthen marriages and bless newlyweds +• Expressing gratitude and asking forgiveness for sins and wrongdoings +• The speaker reflects on a prayer led by Ken, noting its timeless and living nature. +• The importance of recognizing God's authority and listening to His voice is emphasized. +• The speaker introduces the gospel according to Matthew, which will be explored further in the sermon. +• The passage reads from Matthew 3:13-4:11, describing Jesus' baptism and testing in the wilderness. +• The opening of heaven and the descent of the Spirit of God on Jesus +• Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days, with three specific temptations: turning stones to bread, throwing himself down from a high place, and worshiping Satan in exchange for power +• Jesus resists each temptation with quotes from scripture, saying not to test God and to worship only the Lord their God +• The devil leaves Jesus and angels attend him +• Discussion about identity and self-definition, with people searching for answers to "who am I" and feeling pressure to define themselves through relationships, performances, and self-expression +• The voice of self-doubt and inadequacy is loud in many people's heads +• This voice can be confirmed by others, making it even louder +• People long to hear words of affirmation and approval from parents, teachers, or coaches +• When these words are absent, people try to fill the void through performance, numbing themselves, or seeking validation online +• Despite these efforts, there is a deep-down ache for genuine acceptance and connection with others +• The fear of never being good enough or worthy of love drives people's actions and decisions +• Identity crisis and self-identity +• Need for direction on being oneself +• Paradox of pride and despair in identity search +• Longing for a love that cannot be lost +• Question of what it means to be a child of God +• Waiting to hear God's voice and find identity +• Jesus' message to step forward and stand where sinners stand +• Baptism as a profession of faith and acknowledgment of belonging to God +• John's question to Jesus about baptism by water for repentance +• John the Baptist's doubts and concerns about being worthy of baptism +• The importance of genuine repentance as a change in thinking, feeling, and doing right +• Jesus' response to John's doubts, stating it is proper for him to fulfill all righteousness through baptism +• The contrast between those who produce fruit in keeping with repentance and those who are chaff, destined for judgment +• The connection between repentance, righteousness, and baptism +• The difference between John's and Jesus' baptisms +• John's role as a minister of an outward sign vs. Christ's spiritual act +• The reality that Christ brings through the Spirit +• The concept that believers are baptized into Christ's body +• Discussion of Romans 6:4 and its relation to baptism +• Quoting from Calvin on Christ's reasons for receiving baptism +• Explanation of the significance of Jesus' baptism, including the Holy Spirit descending and the Father speaking from heaven +• Clarifying the nature of Christ and the Trinity +• Baptism as a means of becoming sons/daughters of God +• Repentance, faith, and union with Jesus as ways to be considered God's children +• The relationship between God's voice and identification of one as His child +• The King speaks to the listener +• After baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness +• He was not led for comfort or celebration, but for testing +• Jesus was tempted by the Devil, but he was ready and walked the path of the True Son, unlike Adam and Israel who failed to walk their respective paths +• Jesus faces temptations related to his identity and obedience +• Satan challenges Jesus' trust in God's word +• Jesus is tempted to turn stones into bread to meet human needs +• Jesus is tempted to worship Satan instead of God +• Jesus is offered the kingdom without the cross, but rejects it +• The concept of temptation and faithfulness +• Being tempted vs being one who cannot fail +• Deception by the devil in various forms (e.g. "If you are God's daughter, do this" or "Put it to the test") +• Jesus' nature and actions as a test for believers +• Trusting in God even when difficult situations arise +• Jesus gives thanks where Adam reached out for what was forbidden +• Jesus refuses what is offered and stands firm against temptation +• The main idea is to stand in obedience, righteousness, and faithfulness like Jesus did +• Jesus' stance is contrasted with Israel's grumbling and refusal to listen +• The point of the teaching is not just about doing right, but about being sons/daughters of God who are loved by Him +• Jesus resists temptation in the wilderness +• He stands as a representative, empowered by God's word +• His obedience fulfills all righteousness and secures our salvation +• Righteousness is not just about avoiding sin but actively securing salvation through obedience +• Jesus' obedience to God's will is shown in both his life and death +• The gospel is made real for us today +• We are not defined by our sin or temptations +• We have a Savior who has fulfilled all righteousness and gives it freely to those who trust in Him alone +• Our performance and actions do not determine our standing with God, but His obedience and sacrifice do +• Jesus' statement to the Father about being pleased with Jesus +• The role of baptism in providing righteousness +• Alyssa's profession and its connection to the Gospel +• John Chrysostom, a fourth-century church father +• The question posed by John Chrysostom regarding heavenly reward +• The importance of not running to the serpent (worldly desires) after receiving spiritual guidance +• The call for total life change and surrender to God's spirit +• Embracing the spirit of God versus being consumed by worldly desires +• Comparing a relationship with God to a hobby, implying it is not something optional or added on +• Critique of how many people approach their relationship with God like a hobby +• Becoming a YouTube streamer for a career +• Earning one's father's approval +• Adding Jesus to the top of lists (e.g. things you can't add) +• Modern people's approach to Jesus and discipleship +• Why simply adding Jesus is not enough +• The importance of genuine, consistent commitment to following Jesus +• Jesus' message and its relation to producing fruit +• The importance of repentance in line with God's plan +• The difference between modern cultural values and biblical teachings on authority +• Historical context of Christianity's rise from minority to approved religion under the Christian Empire +• Challenges faced by early Christians in maintaining distinct identities under persecution +• Desert Fathers +• Intentional removal from culture and society +• Solitude in the desert as a spiritual practice +• Influence of cultural surroundings on spirituality +• The concept of a "monkish impulse" +• Examples of modern-day individuals embracing monasticism or solitude for spiritual purposes +• The speaker mentions the Benedictine Rule as an ancient book that guides monasteries and monks on how to live their daily lives. +• The speaker suggests adopting a monastic rule of life to learn what it means to live in harmony with God's will. +• The speaker believes that living a disciplined, austere life can be deeply restful and just like growing fruit on a tree. +• The speaker uses the image of a monastery to illustrate how one's entire life can become an act of prayer. +• Following Jesus is not convenient or quick, but takes time and effort. +• Being a disciple of Jesus requires listening to God even when it's hard. +• Sacrificial living and generosity are essential in following Jesus. +• In today's culture that idolizes busyness, choosing rest can be seen as interference. +• True spirituality involves vulnerability and confession. +• The importance of repentance in producing spiritual fruit +• The need to die to self and follow Jesus +• Taking up the cross and following after Him +• Remembering that Jesus endured testing and succeeded where we fail +• Understanding God's authority and inheritance in heaven and on earth +• The promise of being monkish in a messy world, and not hustling for identity or idols +• Jesus is more than a hobby, make Him your master +• The voice of God says "You are my son" and "You are my daughter" +• Let's go today and live as sons and daughters of the King +• Pray to God to revive our hearts, minds, and imaginations +• Open our eyes to see Jesus, so we might behold Him in His glory +• Worship and praise to God +• Request for revival and cleansing from sin +• Expression of love and fire from above +• Commission to proclaim Jesus' kingdom +• Assurance of God's presence and protection on a journey +• Encouragement not to be afraid but to go in peace and serve the Lord +• Repeated chanting of "My Redeemer Lives" +• References to spiritual growth and transformation +• Mention of a mountain top and kingdom coming +• Personal pronouns used ("my", "you") in context of faith or relationship with God/Higher Power +• Miscellaneous phrases and sounds that appear to be nonsensical or unrelated \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..996f10b90bd57fc739762664237a4f8661ebea9c --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 6, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3452 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[479.98 --> 509.96] Thank you. +[509.96 --> 539.94] Thank you. +[539.96 --> 569.94] Thank you. +[569.96 --> 599.92] Thank you. +[599.92 --> 599.94] +[629.92 --> 659.90] Thank you. +[659.90 --> 689.88] Thank you. +[689.88 --> 719.86] Thank you. +[719.88 --> 749.86] Thank you. +[749.86 --> 779.84] Thank you. +[779.84 --> 809.82] Thank you. +[809.82 --> 839.80] Thank you. +[839.80 --> 869.78] Thank you. +[869.80 --> 899.78] Thank you. +[899.78 --> 929.76] Thank you. +[929.76 --> 959.74] Thank you. +[959.74 --> 989.72] Thank you. +[989.72 --> 1019.70] Thank you. +[1019.70 --> 1049.68] Thank you. +[1049.68 --> 1079.66] Thank you. +[1079.68 --> 1109.66] Thank you. +[1109.68 --> 1139.66] Thank you. +[1139.68 --> 1169.66] Thank you. +[1169.68 --> 1199.66] Thank you. +[1199.68 --> 1229.66] Thank you. +[1229.68 --> 1259.66] Thank you. +[1259.68 --> 1289.66] Thank you. +[1289.66 --> 1319.64] Thank you. +[1319.64 --> 1349.62] Thank you. +[1349.64 --> 1379.62] Thank you. +[1379.62 --> 1409.60] Thank you. +[1409.60 --> 1439.58] Thank you. +[1439.60 --> 1469.58] Thank you. +[1469.60 --> 1499.58] Thank you. +[1499.58 --> 1529.56] Thank you. +[1529.56 --> 1559.54] Thank you. +[1559.54 --> 1589.52] Thank you. +[1589.52 --> 1619.50] Thank you. +[1619.50 --> 1649.50] Thank you. +[1649.50 --> 1679.50] Thank you. +[1679.50 --> 1709.50] Thank you. +[1709.50 --> 1739.48] Thank you. +[1739.48 --> 1769.46] Thank you. +[1769.48 --> 1799.48] +[1799.48 --> 1829.46] Thank you. +[1829.48 --> 1859.48] Thank you. +[1859.48 --> 1889.48] And do you. +[1889.48 --> 1919.48] Thank you. +[1919.48 --> 1949.48] Thank you. +[1949.48 --> 1979.48] Amen. +[1979.48 --> 2009.48] +[2009.48 --> 2039.48] Thank you. +[2039.48 --> 2069.46] Thank you. +[2069.58 --> 2099.46] Thank you. +[2099.46 --> 2105.04] her good shepherd into your care, that she may loyally endure opposition in serving you, +[2106.44 --> 2113.02] and that she may stand firm in the faith that she has professed this morning. And may we, +[2113.02 --> 2120.50] with all your children, live together in the joy and power of your Holy Spirit. We ask this, +[2120.70 --> 2126.66] Lord Jesus, in the hope of your coming again and in the power of your great name, and all God's +[2126.66 --> 2136.52] people said, amen, amen. Alyssa, thank you for this. God bless, and welcome to the Church's Fellowship. +[2156.66 --> 2163.18] Please rise and sing with us. +[2163.18 --> 2193.16] Who else commands all the hosts of heaven? Who else could make every king back? +[2193.16 --> 2203.88] Who else can whisper and darkness trembles? Only a holy God. +[2205.96 --> 2216.12] What other beauty demands such praises? What other splendor outshines the sun? +[2216.12 --> 2226.12] What other majesty rules with justice? Only a holy God. +[2226.12 --> 2244.94] Come and behold him, the one and the only. Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[2244.94 --> 2248.92] Come and worship the holy God. +[2248.92 --> 2278.90] Come and worship the holy God. +[2278.90 --> 2308.88] Come and behold him, the one and the only. +[2308.88 --> 2315.88] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[2315.88 --> 2319.88] Come and worship the holy God. +[2319.88 --> 2321.88] Who else could rescue me from my failing? +[2321.88 --> 2326.88] Who else could rescue me from my failing? +[2326.88 --> 2328.88] Who else could offer his only Son? +[2328.88 --> 2330.88] Who else could rescue me from my failing? +[2330.88 --> 2337.88] Who else would offer his only Son? +[2337.88 --> 2349.88] who else could rescue me from my failing who else would offer his only son +[2349.88 --> 2364.12] who else invites me to call him father only a holy God only my holy God +[2364.12 --> 2380.36] come and behold him the one and the only cry out sing holy forever a holy God +[2380.36 --> 2393.88] come and worship the holy God come and behold him the one and the only +[2394.12 --> 2406.12] cry out sing holy forever a holy God come and worship the holy God +[2406.12 --> 2434.12] so we're going to take some time now to give back because the Lord has blessed us so freely so this morning we have two offerings of course the first is to the ministries of this church +[2434.12 --> 2456.12] so if you want to give to the budget or those ministries you will want to designate that either in your e-transfer or in the slips that you can find in your seats and the special offering today is for seeds of hope ministry which they have an office out in Chilliwack but their ministry started in Southeast Asia and they work primarily with children who have been affected by HIV AIDS so it started working with orphaned children and street children who were infected and then they work with the +[2456.12 --> 2468.12] children who have since grown their ministry into Africa and other family ministry so thank you for giving generously to their work +[2468.12 --> 2496.12] Jesus have my heart my will +[2496.12 --> 2498.12] my soul +[2498.12 --> 2499.12] my soul +[2499.12 --> 2500.12] my soul +[2500.12 --> 2504.12] Jesus have my hopes my dreams my world +[2504.12 --> 2506.12] the joy I lay it down +[2506.12 --> 2508.12] the joy I cast my crown +[2508.12 --> 2512.12] Jesus have it all +[2512.12 --> 2518.12] and it all +[2518.12 --> 2522.12] I lay it down +[2522.12 --> 2524.12] Jesus have it down +[2524.12 --> 2526.12] Jesus have it all +[2526.12 --> 2528.12] Jesus have it all +[2528.12 --> 2532.12] Jesus have it all +[2532.12 --> 2535.08] have it all +[2536.68 --> 2546.76] jesus have it all jesus have it all to you belong the glory the praise of all the world +[2547.40 --> 2559.88] jesus have it all jesus have it all a blessing and honor majesty and all jesus have it all +[2562.12 --> 2573.56] jesus have your church your love your bride the joy for which we freely gave your life +[2573.56 --> 2581.00] radiant in white washed and purified jesus have it all +[2581.00 --> 2594.52] jesus have your worth your due your sum the praise of every nation tribe and tongue +[2594.52 --> 2602.44] let all that has been made glorify your name jesus have it all +[2602.44 --> 2613.00] all jesus have it all jesus have it all jesus have it all +[2613.00 --> 2617.82] the praise of all the world Jesus +[2617.82 --> 2622.02] have it all Jesus have it all +[2622.02 --> 2625.02] blessing +[2625.02 --> 2628.02] majesty +[2628.02 --> 2631.02] Jesus +[2631.02 --> 2633.00] have it all +[2633.00 --> 2636.00] you belong the glory +[2636.00 --> 2638.00] praise of all the world +[2638.00 --> 2641.00] Jesus have it all +[2641.00 --> 2643.00] Jesus have it all +[2643.62 --> 2646.00] blessing and honor +[2646.00 --> 2649.06] majesty and all +[2649.06 --> 2653.00] Jesus have it all +[2653.00 --> 2659.00] Jesus have it all +[2659.00 --> 2662.00] all my days +[2662.00 --> 2665.00] all my life +[2665.00 --> 2669.00] have it all +[2669.00 --> 2673.00] all my days +[2673.00 --> 2675.00] all my life +[2675.00 --> 2679.00] have it all +[2679.00 --> 2683.00] all my days +[2683.00 --> 2685.00] all my life +[2685.00 --> 2689.00] have it all +[2689.00 --> 2700.40] All my days, all my life, have it all +[2719.00 --> 2725.10] Excellent. Let's everyone follow Dawson's example +[2725.10 --> 2731.58] We're looking for kids preschool to kind of kindergarten aged +[2731.58 --> 2733.96] And really anyone else who wants to come up +[2733.96 --> 2740.64] We're going to do a blessing as those youngest among us head out to children's worship time +[2740.64 --> 2743.52] And we're going to do that blessing together +[2743.52 --> 2746.34] So I'm going to get you guys, Andy, do it, stay up here +[2746.34 --> 2750.62] I'm going to get you guys right away, let's stand up together +[2750.62 --> 2754.82] Come on up to the front, come this way and then everyone can see us +[2754.82 --> 2759.64] Okay, we're going to stand, you guys may also stand as well +[2759.64 --> 2763.40] We're going to together say the Lord be with you +[2763.40 --> 2767.06] And then we'll invite you to respond by saying and also with you +[2767.06 --> 2774.42] After we give the blessing, you guys can calmly and collectively walk down the aisle together to the back +[2774.42 --> 2777.44] Ready? Together? +[2778.10 --> 2780.32] The Lord be with you +[2780.32 --> 2782.18] And also with you +[2782.18 --> 2782.54] Amen +[2782.54 --> 2789.78] That was +[2789.78 --> 2803.72] Good morning +[2803.72 --> 2805.66] My name is Ken +[2805.66 --> 2810.00] I'm an elder at the end of my term here at Emanuel Church +[2810.00 --> 2815.00] But I'll be doing the church family prayer and leading us in prayer this morning +[2815.00 --> 2818.60] I just want to make a quick announcement for next week +[2818.60 --> 2821.38] Our service next week will include communion +[2821.38 --> 2823.06] We'll be gathering around the table together +[2823.06 --> 2829.40] And I just encourage everyone to take a little time this week to think about and prepare your hearts for that +[2829.40 --> 2832.98] Also, an announcement, it wasn't in the bulletin +[2832.98 --> 2838.16] But we're excitedly anticipating with Alvin and Lisa their wedding this Friday +[2838.16 --> 2841.26] They will be getting married this Friday in a private ceremony +[2841.26 --> 2848.14] And we just pray for them and encourage them as they prepare for this and head into their marriage +[2848.14 --> 2849.32] And we pray for that as well +[2849.32 --> 2852.70] And yeah, before we go into our prayer +[2852.70 --> 2858.66] I just want to draw a note to some of the content in this prayer +[2858.66 --> 2863.20] We have the classes that we've been doing on the Heidelberg Catechism +[2863.20 --> 2866.54] Kind of a reading discussion group while the youth were doing HCBC +[2866.54 --> 2872.24] And it was a really good time of getting together and kind of pouring over and looking at the detail of some of the Heidelberg Catechism +[2872.24 --> 2877.14] And the last 10 or so Lord's Days focus in on the Lord's Prayer +[2877.14 --> 2881.66] And I found it really neat to kind of open up the hood and look inside the Lord's Prayer +[2881.66 --> 2885.18] A little more slowly than we tend to as we roll through it +[2885.18 --> 2889.30] And kind of study some of the detail of what's meant by the words of the Lord's Prayer +[2889.30 --> 2893.82] So you'll hear that wrapped into and rolled into our prayer as we pray this morning +[2893.82 --> 2895.00] Let us pray +[2895.00 --> 2900.20] Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name +[2900.20 --> 2904.84] You alone are worthy of all honor, glory, and praise +[2904.84 --> 2908.18] We come to you this morning as your children +[2908.18 --> 2912.98] Knowing, Father, that just as our parents do not refuse us the things of this life +[2912.98 --> 2917.62] You most certainly will not refuse to give us what we ask for in true faith +[2917.62 --> 2921.04] Help us to know you deeply, Lord +[2921.04 --> 2926.80] And to see your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth +[2926.80 --> 2929.02] Which shine through all your works +[2929.02 --> 2933.08] Help us live lives that never blaspheme your name +[2933.08 --> 2937.00] But may your name be honored and praised throughout our lives +[2937.00 --> 2939.60] Lord, let your kingdom come +[2939.60 --> 2945.58] Rule us by your word and spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you +[2945.58 --> 2950.04] We ask that you preserve your church and make it grow +[2950.04 --> 2952.18] Destroy the devil's work +[2952.18 --> 2955.28] Everything that does not follow you and your word +[2955.28 --> 2959.44] Until your kingdom comes fully and you are all in all +[2959.44 --> 2963.64] May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven +[2963.64 --> 2968.60] Help us reject our own wills and obey your good will alone +[2968.60 --> 2973.84] Help us willingly and faithfully carry out the work we are called to do +[2973.84 --> 2976.28] We pray for Emmanuel Church +[2976.28 --> 2978.60] That you would guide the ministries of this church +[2978.60 --> 2982.10] And put your will for this church deeply rooted in our hearts +[2982.10 --> 2984.72] We pray for the leaders of our church +[2984.72 --> 2987.86] The pastors, ministry leaders, elders, and deacons +[2987.86 --> 2991.94] That you would mold us like jars of clay to carry out your will +[2991.94 --> 2997.58] We boldly pray that our mission to spread the gospel would extend beyond this church +[2997.58 --> 3000.68] And that each of us here would faithfully answer the call +[3000.68 --> 3006.02] To share the love of Christ with our neighbors, co-workers, and all who you put in our path +[3006.02 --> 3011.26] Help us boldly profess our salvation in Christ alone +[3011.26 --> 3015.72] We praise you, Lord, for the profession of faith of Alyssa this morning +[3015.72 --> 3018.68] And the faith that you have given her as her savior +[3018.68 --> 3020.98] Guide her with your truth +[3020.98 --> 3025.34] And surround her with a community that encourages and supports her faith journey +[3025.34 --> 3028.82] Give us this day, Lord, our daily bread +[3028.82 --> 3033.54] Help us know that you are the only source of everything good +[3033.54 --> 3039.68] And that neither our work and worry, nor your gifts, can do us any good without your blessing +[3039.68 --> 3042.92] Help us trust in you alone, Lord +[3042.92 --> 3045.26] We pray for our physical health +[3045.26 --> 3047.92] Heal us from diseases in our bodies +[3047.92 --> 3050.80] We lift up Tanya, who is in hospice +[3050.80 --> 3053.66] Please continue to give her peace and strength +[3053.66 --> 3055.88] And times of joy with loved ones +[3055.88 --> 3059.16] Help her feel your nearness throughout this journey +[3059.16 --> 3062.58] We pray for Doug, who continues to battle cancer +[3062.58 --> 3066.84] Give him the strength to press on and all he stands in need of +[3066.84 --> 3070.02] We pray for Tessa and rejoice with her +[3070.02 --> 3072.80] As her chemo is complete and she is feeling better +[3072.80 --> 3077.56] We pray that you give her patience as she waits for future scan results +[3077.56 --> 3081.90] We are also grateful that Clary's sister Joan is feeling well +[3081.90 --> 3085.92] And we pray for your healing hand on her throughout her cancer journey +[3085.92 --> 3089.90] Lord, we also pray for your healing mercies +[3089.90 --> 3092.62] As many of us deal with various mental health struggles +[3092.62 --> 3098.50] Lord, carry us and our burdens of grief, depression, sadness, and addiction +[3098.50 --> 3101.66] As we walk through the darkest valleys +[3101.66 --> 3107.70] Replace our fear with the comfort that you are our good shepherd who never leaves us +[3107.70 --> 3110.52] We pray for those who are underemployed +[3110.52 --> 3114.70] That we would find opportunities to use the gifts you have given us +[3114.70 --> 3118.98] We also lift up those who are taking vacations from their work this summer +[3118.98 --> 3122.36] That you would give us safety, if it may be, with travel +[3122.36 --> 3126.28] And rest from the routines of the regular rhythms of our work +[3126.28 --> 3131.08] We pray for all who are attending Warm Beach Bible Camp this weekend +[3131.08 --> 3133.92] May it be a time of deep spiritual growth +[3133.92 --> 3139.08] With renewing hearts, building friendships, and drawing everyone closer to you, Lord +[3139.08 --> 3142.56] Bless the leaders with wisdom and energy +[3142.56 --> 3146.56] And the youth with open hearts to receive all you have for them +[3146.56 --> 3148.98] Lord, we pray for our marriages +[3148.98 --> 3150.74] That you would strengthen them +[3150.74 --> 3154.32] And help us to model the love of Christ for the church +[3154.32 --> 3156.78] And the love of the church for Christ +[3156.78 --> 3158.60] With each other in our marriages +[3158.60 --> 3161.54] Lord, we pray for Alvin and Lisa +[3161.54 --> 3163.40] As they will be married this Friday +[3163.40 --> 3165.90] And as they enter into their life of marriage +[3165.90 --> 3167.54] Lord, would you bless them +[3167.54 --> 3168.66] And be near to them +[3168.66 --> 3170.82] And may their marriage be centered on you alone +[3170.82 --> 3173.56] Lord, forgive us our debts +[3173.56 --> 3176.28] As we also have forgiven our debtors +[3176.28 --> 3178.70] Because of Christ's blood +[3178.70 --> 3180.52] Do not hold against us +[3180.52 --> 3181.98] Poor sinners that we are +[3181.98 --> 3184.06] Any of the sins we do +[3184.06 --> 3187.08] Or the evil that constantly clings to us +[3187.08 --> 3190.34] Forgive us just as we are fully determined +[3190.34 --> 3191.68] To forgive our neighbors +[3191.68 --> 3195.24] Let the forgiveness we extend to our neighbors +[3195.24 --> 3197.88] Be evidence of your grace in us +[3197.88 --> 3200.82] And Lord, lead us not into temptation +[3200.82 --> 3203.04] But deliver us from the evil one +[3203.04 --> 3206.60] By ourselves, we are too weak to hold on our own +[3206.60 --> 3207.82] Even for a moment +[3207.82 --> 3209.90] And our sworn enemies +[3209.90 --> 3213.02] Namely the devil, the world, and our own flesh +[3213.02 --> 3214.78] Never stop attacking us +[3214.78 --> 3217.06] And so, Lord, uphold us +[3217.06 --> 3218.20] And make us strong +[3218.20 --> 3220.04] With the strength of your Holy Spirit +[3220.04 --> 3222.66] So that we may not go down to defeat +[3222.66 --> 3223.94] In this spiritual struggle +[3223.94 --> 3226.32] But we may firmly resist our enemies +[3226.32 --> 3229.02] Until we finally win the complete victory +[3229.02 --> 3231.94] Lord, we lift up your world +[3231.94 --> 3233.80] As it groans with wars +[3233.80 --> 3235.96] Famine, wildfire, floods +[3235.96 --> 3237.96] Father, we acknowledge +[3237.96 --> 3239.78] That all authority is yours +[3239.78 --> 3240.96] And comes from you alone +[3240.96 --> 3242.84] We pray for world leaders +[3242.84 --> 3244.82] That when tensions rise +[3244.82 --> 3246.24] Your truth withdraw them +[3246.24 --> 3247.38] Toward your kingdom +[3247.38 --> 3250.24] For the kingdom and the power +[3250.24 --> 3251.84] And the glory are yours forever +[3251.84 --> 3254.86] We have made all these petitions of you +[3254.86 --> 3257.78] Because as our all-powerful king +[3257.78 --> 3259.80] You are both willing and able +[3259.80 --> 3261.28] To give us all that is good +[3261.28 --> 3263.80] We do not deserve any recognition +[3263.80 --> 3265.12] On our own merit, Lord +[3265.12 --> 3267.10] But by your holy name +[3267.10 --> 3269.46] You should receive all the praise forever +[3269.46 --> 3272.66] As Pastor Chris brings us your message this morning +[3272.66 --> 3274.44] Help us to hear your voice +[3274.44 --> 3275.34] Your word +[3275.34 --> 3276.32] And your truth +[3276.32 --> 3278.68] Lord, truly and surely +[3278.68 --> 3280.08] You listen to our prayers +[3280.08 --> 3282.74] We recognize that it is even more sure +[3282.74 --> 3284.24] That you listen to our prayers +[3284.24 --> 3286.38] Than it is that we really desire +[3286.38 --> 3287.30] What we pray for +[3287.30 --> 3290.42] And so, in the name of Jesus Christ alone +[3290.42 --> 3291.74] We pray all this +[3291.74 --> 3292.34] Amen +[3292.34 --> 3315.84] I know Ken said it before he started praying +[3315.84 --> 3316.26] But +[3316.26 --> 3324.62] What Ken just did in that prayer +[3324.62 --> 3326.62] I want to note as we come to the word +[3326.62 --> 3331.82] Ken took an almost 500-year-old expression +[3331.82 --> 3335.76] Of an almost 2,000-year-old prayer +[3335.76 --> 3338.94] And made it imminently present +[3338.94 --> 3343.14] That's the church, friends +[3343.14 --> 3345.66] That's the body of believers +[3345.66 --> 3348.68] That's the living tradition +[3348.68 --> 3350.68] Of a faith alive +[3350.68 --> 3353.62] That's what we stand in +[3353.62 --> 3354.64] When we gather for worship +[3354.64 --> 3358.10] A deeply rooted +[3358.10 --> 3361.36] And historical activity +[3361.36 --> 3363.34] Of a living God +[3363.34 --> 3364.76] Who draws us to himself +[3364.76 --> 3367.16] And that living God +[3367.16 --> 3368.58] Is still speaking to us +[3368.58 --> 3369.94] And he does so through his word +[3369.94 --> 3373.66] This morning, we're going to continue +[3373.66 --> 3376.72] In our look at the gospel +[3376.72 --> 3377.86] According to Matthew +[3377.86 --> 3380.26] And we're doing this this summer +[3380.26 --> 3382.22] Under a particular banner +[3382.22 --> 3384.00] Of behold your king +[3384.00 --> 3386.98] Because this is less about +[3386.98 --> 3388.80] Learning something new +[3388.80 --> 3391.78] And more about seeing Jesus +[3391.78 --> 3395.20] I mean, I hope you learn something +[3395.20 --> 3398.12] But I hope more than that +[3398.12 --> 3399.70] That learning draws you +[3399.70 --> 3402.06] Into the presence of our Savior +[3402.06 --> 3404.64] And that by these words +[3404.64 --> 3406.12] You might hear God's word +[3406.12 --> 3407.68] And that in hearing God's word +[3407.68 --> 3409.88] You might see his son +[3409.88 --> 3412.18] Our Savior and king +[3412.18 --> 3414.80] And so let's read this morning +[3414.80 --> 3416.40] That Jesus might be revealed +[3416.40 --> 3417.32] To our hearts +[3417.32 --> 3420.26] As we look at the stories +[3420.26 --> 3421.40] Of Jesus' baptism +[3421.40 --> 3423.70] And his testing in the wilderness +[3423.70 --> 3425.60] I'm going to read +[3425.60 --> 3426.82] From chapter 3 +[3426.82 --> 3428.14] Starting at verse 13 +[3428.14 --> 3429.70] And we'll read through +[3429.70 --> 3431.68] Chapter 4, verse 11 +[3431.68 --> 3433.60] Let's read together +[3433.60 --> 3437.86] Then Jesus came from Galilee +[3437.86 --> 3438.70] To the Jordan +[3438.70 --> 3440.20] To be baptized by John +[3440.20 --> 3443.18] But John tried to deter him +[3443.18 --> 3446.72] Saying, I need to be baptized +[3446.72 --> 3447.70] By you +[3447.70 --> 3449.82] And do you come to me? +[3450.86 --> 3451.96] And Jesus replied +[3451.96 --> 3453.66] Let it be so now +[3453.66 --> 3456.02] It is proper for us to do this +[3456.02 --> 3457.88] To fulfill all righteousness +[3457.88 --> 3460.16] Then John consented +[3460.16 --> 3463.62] As soon as Jesus was baptized +[3463.62 --> 3465.52] He went up out of the water +[3465.52 --> 3466.86] And at that moment +[3466.86 --> 3468.12] Heaven was opened +[3468.12 --> 3470.18] And he saw the Spirit of God +[3470.18 --> 3471.92] Descending like a dove +[3471.92 --> 3473.28] And alighting on him +[3473.28 --> 3475.42] And a voice from heaven said +[3475.42 --> 3477.50] This is my Son +[3477.50 --> 3479.58] Whom I love +[3479.58 --> 3481.30] With him +[3481.30 --> 3483.58] I am well pleased +[3483.58 --> 3487.40] Then Jesus was led +[3487.40 --> 3488.12] By the Spirit +[3488.12 --> 3489.14] Into the wilderness +[3489.14 --> 3490.24] To be tempted +[3490.24 --> 3492.80] Tempted +[3492.80 --> 3493.76] By the devil +[3493.76 --> 3496.92] After fasting 40 days +[3496.92 --> 3498.02] And 40 nights +[3498.02 --> 3498.92] He was hungry +[3498.92 --> 3501.50] The tempter came to him +[3501.50 --> 3502.10] And said +[3502.10 --> 3504.68] If you are the Son of God +[3504.68 --> 3506.08] Tell these stones +[3506.08 --> 3507.00] To become bread +[3507.00 --> 3509.62] Jesus answered +[3509.62 --> 3511.00] It is written +[3511.00 --> 3512.42] Man shall not live +[3512.42 --> 3513.34] On bread alone +[3513.34 --> 3514.74] But on every word +[3514.74 --> 3515.66] That comes +[3515.66 --> 3516.86] From the mouth of God +[3516.86 --> 3519.60] Then the devil +[3519.60 --> 3520.24] Took him +[3520.24 --> 3521.84] To the holy city +[3521.84 --> 3522.84] And had him stand +[3522.84 --> 3523.88] On the highest point +[3523.88 --> 3524.52] Of the temple +[3524.52 --> 3526.70] If you are the Son of God +[3526.70 --> 3527.16] He said +[3527.16 --> 3528.56] Throw yourself down +[3528.56 --> 3529.72] For it is written +[3529.72 --> 3531.56] But he will command +[3531.56 --> 3532.24] His angels +[3532.24 --> 3533.22] Concerning you +[3533.22 --> 3534.96] And they will lift you up +[3534.96 --> 3535.72] In their hands +[3535.72 --> 3537.44] So that you will not +[3537.44 --> 3538.46] Strike your foot +[3538.46 --> 3539.34] Against a stone +[3539.34 --> 3541.88] Jesus answered him +[3541.88 --> 3543.84] It is also written +[3543.84 --> 3545.60] Do not put the Lord +[3545.60 --> 3546.34] Your God +[3546.34 --> 3547.22] To the test +[3547.22 --> 3549.68] Again +[3549.68 --> 3551.50] The devil took him +[3551.50 --> 3552.58] To a very high mountain +[3552.58 --> 3553.28] And showed him +[3553.28 --> 3554.14] All the kingdoms +[3554.14 --> 3555.32] Of the world +[3555.32 --> 3556.54] And their splendor +[3556.54 --> 3558.36] All this +[3558.36 --> 3559.70] I will give you +[3559.70 --> 3560.22] He said +[3560.22 --> 3562.22] If you bow down +[3562.22 --> 3563.92] And worship me +[3563.92 --> 3567.20] Jesus said to him +[3567.20 --> 3568.74] Away from me +[3568.74 --> 3569.14] Satan +[3569.14 --> 3570.52] For it is written +[3570.52 --> 3571.58] Worship the Lord +[3571.58 --> 3572.22] Your God +[3572.22 --> 3573.46] And serve him +[3573.46 --> 3574.48] Only +[3574.48 --> 3576.50] Then the devil +[3576.50 --> 3577.14] Left him +[3577.14 --> 3578.64] And angels came +[3578.64 --> 3580.10] And attended him +[3580.10 --> 3581.60] This is the word +[3581.60 --> 3582.06] Of the Lord +[3582.06 --> 3590.82] We are a people +[3590.82 --> 3592.94] In search +[3592.94 --> 3595.46] Of identity +[3595.46 --> 3597.82] From the time +[3597.82 --> 3598.74] We're young +[3598.74 --> 3599.48] The littlest +[3599.48 --> 3600.28] Among us +[3600.28 --> 3601.40] Ask questions +[3601.40 --> 3602.28] About ourselves +[3602.28 --> 3603.32] Who am I +[3603.32 --> 3604.94] But by the time +[3604.94 --> 3605.58] We're older +[3605.58 --> 3606.80] That question +[3606.80 --> 3607.86] Often shifts +[3607.86 --> 3608.34] To +[3608.34 --> 3609.48] Am I enough +[3609.48 --> 3612.58] We try to find +[3612.58 --> 3613.98] A name +[3613.98 --> 3615.08] Ourselves +[3615.08 --> 3616.62] Through the things +[3616.62 --> 3617.28] We do +[3617.28 --> 3618.50] Through relationships +[3618.50 --> 3620.24] Through performances +[3620.24 --> 3622.62] We live in a world +[3622.62 --> 3623.40] That promises +[3623.40 --> 3624.10] Freedom +[3624.10 --> 3626.18] Through self-expression +[3626.18 --> 3626.68] But then +[3626.68 --> 3628.10] Burdens us +[3628.10 --> 3629.14] With the pressure +[3629.14 --> 3630.30] Of self-definition +[3630.30 --> 3632.98] And when you +[3632.98 --> 3633.76] Are the only one +[3633.76 --> 3634.46] Responsible +[3634.46 --> 3635.66] For defining yourself +[3635.66 --> 3636.78] It's only a matter +[3636.78 --> 3637.40] Of time +[3637.40 --> 3638.42] Before you feel +[3638.42 --> 3639.78] Like you're failing +[3639.78 --> 3640.92] At being you +[3640.92 --> 3644.04] We long +[3644.04 --> 3644.64] To hear +[3644.64 --> 3645.70] Someone say +[3645.70 --> 3647.12] I see you +[3647.12 --> 3648.92] I know you +[3648.92 --> 3651.32] I love you +[3651.32 --> 3653.26] You belong +[3653.26 --> 3656.42] But most of us +[3656.42 --> 3657.46] In our ordinary lives +[3657.46 --> 3658.92] Hear the opposite +[3658.92 --> 3659.80] We hear voices +[3659.80 --> 3660.64] That say +[3660.64 --> 3661.90] We're not enough +[3661.90 --> 3662.42] That we're not +[3662.42 --> 3663.42] Successful enough +[3663.42 --> 3663.88] That we're not +[3663.88 --> 3664.80] Spiritual enough +[3664.80 --> 3665.22] That we're not +[3665.22 --> 3665.84] Good enough +[3665.84 --> 3666.30] That we're not +[3666.30 --> 3667.50] Worthy of love +[3667.50 --> 3669.02] And for most of us +[3669.02 --> 3669.90] That voice +[3669.90 --> 3670.98] Is the loudest +[3670.98 --> 3671.94] In our own heads +[3671.94 --> 3674.58] But for some of us +[3674.58 --> 3675.82] That voice +[3675.82 --> 3676.42] Is confirmed +[3676.42 --> 3677.20] By the people +[3677.20 --> 3678.70] And the circumstances +[3678.70 --> 3679.52] Around us +[3679.52 --> 3682.16] And again +[3682.16 --> 3683.22] Even kids +[3683.22 --> 3684.56] Long for this +[3684.56 --> 3685.32] Right +[3685.32 --> 3685.96] Every kid +[3685.96 --> 3686.68] Wants to hear +[3686.68 --> 3687.40] Their parents +[3687.40 --> 3688.28] Or a teacher +[3688.28 --> 3689.16] Or a coach +[3689.16 --> 3689.62] Say +[3689.62 --> 3690.80] I'm proud of you +[3690.80 --> 3692.14] I'm glad +[3692.14 --> 3692.90] You're here +[3692.90 --> 3694.50] Right +[3694.50 --> 3694.96] That's not just +[3694.96 --> 3695.72] A kid thing +[3695.72 --> 3696.52] That's a people +[3696.52 --> 3696.92] Thing +[3696.92 --> 3697.90] That's a human +[3697.90 --> 3698.38] Thing +[3698.38 --> 3699.14] And that never +[3699.14 --> 3700.10] Really goes away +[3700.10 --> 3703.10] But when we +[3703.10 --> 3704.00] Don't hear it +[3704.00 --> 3705.78] We hide +[3705.78 --> 3708.44] When we don't +[3708.44 --> 3708.78] Hear it +[3708.78 --> 3709.70] We perform +[3709.70 --> 3711.62] And then +[3711.62 --> 3712.34] We numb +[3712.34 --> 3713.14] Ourselves +[3713.14 --> 3714.08] Through various +[3714.08 --> 3715.04] Means +[3715.04 --> 3717.24] We scroll +[3717.24 --> 3718.50] Ad nauseum +[3718.50 --> 3720.08] We edit +[3720.08 --> 3720.68] Our image +[3720.68 --> 3721.44] Before we post +[3721.44 --> 3722.14] It online +[3722.14 --> 3723.78] We tell stories +[3723.78 --> 3724.62] About ourselves +[3724.62 --> 3725.54] That we hope +[3725.54 --> 3726.42] Are true +[3726.42 --> 3727.30] Or at least +[3727.30 --> 3727.76] That we hope +[3727.76 --> 3728.22] Other people +[3728.22 --> 3728.74] Will believe +[3728.74 --> 3731.56] And all the while +[3731.56 --> 3733.02] There's this +[3733.02 --> 3733.94] Ache +[3733.94 --> 3734.78] In us +[3734.78 --> 3735.78] This deep down +[3735.78 --> 3736.64] Longing +[3736.64 --> 3737.52] To be known +[3737.52 --> 3738.70] And not rejected +[3738.70 --> 3739.98] To be seen +[3739.98 --> 3741.20] And not shamed +[3741.20 --> 3742.86] To be claimed +[3742.86 --> 3743.86] Without having +[3743.86 --> 3745.02] To prove anything +[3745.02 --> 3746.48] Right +[3746.48 --> 3747.08] We ache +[3747.08 --> 3748.28] For this +[3748.28 --> 3749.68] Being named +[3749.68 --> 3750.66] By someone +[3750.66 --> 3751.80] Greater than us +[3751.80 --> 3752.80] We ache +[3752.80 --> 3753.88] For a voice +[3753.88 --> 3754.70] That can say +[3754.70 --> 3755.60] With authority +[3755.60 --> 3757.50] You are mine +[3757.50 --> 3758.72] I delight +[3758.72 --> 3759.72] In you +[3759.72 --> 3762.38] But in a world +[3762.38 --> 3763.36] Where approval +[3763.36 --> 3764.26] Is conditional +[3764.26 --> 3765.28] And identity +[3765.28 --> 3766.22] Is constantly +[3766.22 --> 3767.64] Up for negotiation +[3767.64 --> 3769.10] That kind of voice +[3769.10 --> 3770.12] Just feels impossible +[3770.12 --> 3770.82] To hear +[3770.82 --> 3772.56] Right +[3772.56 --> 3773.48] All we really know +[3773.48 --> 3774.20] Is the hustle +[3774.20 --> 3775.22] To earn it +[3775.22 --> 3777.38] And the haunting +[3777.38 --> 3777.94] Fear +[3777.94 --> 3779.04] That will never +[3779.04 --> 3780.00] Actually measure up +[3780.00 --> 3782.90] We are a generation +[3782.90 --> 3783.90] In the midst +[3783.90 --> 3785.20] Of an identity crisis +[3785.20 --> 3786.64] We're told +[3786.64 --> 3787.66] To be yourself +[3787.66 --> 3788.44] But we're given +[3788.44 --> 3788.96] No direction +[3788.96 --> 3789.74] For what that self +[3789.74 --> 3790.24] Should be +[3790.24 --> 3791.86] And we swing +[3791.86 --> 3792.76] Between pride +[3792.76 --> 3793.90] And despair +[3793.90 --> 3795.10] Never quite certain +[3795.10 --> 3795.80] Of who we are +[3795.80 --> 3797.18] One day +[3797.18 --> 3798.30] We feel okay +[3798.30 --> 3798.88] Maybe +[3798.88 --> 3799.78] The next +[3799.78 --> 3800.52] We're not sure +[3800.52 --> 3801.18] If anyone +[3801.18 --> 3802.50] Will ever love us +[3802.50 --> 3803.90] Right +[3803.90 --> 3804.34] We long +[3804.34 --> 3805.14] For a love +[3805.14 --> 3806.78] That cannot be lost +[3806.78 --> 3807.40] We long +[3807.40 --> 3808.84] And wonder +[3808.84 --> 3809.68] What it means +[3809.68 --> 3811.02] To be a child +[3811.02 --> 3811.64] Of God +[3811.64 --> 3813.50] And all the while +[3813.50 --> 3814.72] We're waiting +[3814.72 --> 3815.66] Just waiting +[3815.66 --> 3817.02] To hear that voice +[3817.02 --> 3819.88] And then +[3819.88 --> 3822.48] As we read +[3822.48 --> 3823.10] This morning +[3823.10 --> 3825.18] Jesus shows up +[3825.18 --> 3826.26] Right +[3826.26 --> 3827.10] And into all +[3827.10 --> 3828.26] Our identity questions +[3828.26 --> 3829.50] Into all our striving +[3829.50 --> 3830.72] And all our shame +[3830.72 --> 3832.08] He steps forward +[3832.08 --> 3833.04] To stand +[3833.04 --> 3834.30] Where I stand +[3834.30 --> 3835.08] He steps forward +[3835.08 --> 3835.80] To stand +[3835.80 --> 3836.96] Where you stand +[3836.96 --> 3837.80] He steps forward +[3837.80 --> 3838.70] To stand +[3838.70 --> 3839.74] Where sinners +[3839.74 --> 3840.60] Stand +[3840.60 --> 3842.26] That's what John saw +[3842.26 --> 3842.94] When Jesus +[3842.94 --> 3843.54] Stepped forward +[3843.54 --> 3844.08] And that's why +[3844.08 --> 3845.02] He was confused +[3845.02 --> 3845.82] And he said +[3845.82 --> 3847.40] I need to be baptized +[3847.40 --> 3848.04] By you +[3848.04 --> 3848.92] Why do you +[3848.92 --> 3849.58] Come to me +[3849.58 --> 3851.92] If you've ever +[3851.92 --> 3853.30] Seen a baptism here +[3853.30 --> 3854.76] Maybe you remember +[3854.76 --> 3855.46] Your own +[3855.46 --> 3856.34] Right +[3856.34 --> 3857.70] It's not just +[3857.70 --> 3858.56] About getting wet +[3858.56 --> 3860.90] It's about God +[3860.90 --> 3861.80] Saying to you +[3861.80 --> 3863.34] You are mine +[3863.34 --> 3865.50] And a profession +[3865.50 --> 3865.90] Of faith +[3865.90 --> 3866.94] Like we witnessed +[3866.94 --> 3867.60] And participated +[3867.60 --> 3868.26] This morning +[3868.26 --> 3869.42] Whether it's a profession +[3869.42 --> 3869.82] Of faith +[3869.82 --> 3870.82] Tied to baptism +[3870.82 --> 3872.14] Or it's 20 years later +[3872.14 --> 3873.46] Is us saying +[3873.46 --> 3874.22] Yeah +[3874.22 --> 3875.66] I am yours +[3875.66 --> 3878.60] And so why does +[3878.60 --> 3879.58] John ask Jesus +[3879.58 --> 3880.72] This question +[3880.72 --> 3881.60] Why does John say +[3881.60 --> 3882.60] I need to be baptized +[3882.60 --> 3883.32] By you +[3883.32 --> 3884.64] And you come to me +[3884.64 --> 3887.62] If you have your +[3887.62 --> 3888.26] Bibles open +[3888.26 --> 3888.82] And of course +[3888.82 --> 3889.68] Always encourage you +[3889.68 --> 3890.22] To do that +[3890.22 --> 3891.50] In the section +[3891.50 --> 3893.30] Immediately before ours +[3893.30 --> 3893.78] The beginning +[3893.78 --> 3894.82] Of chapter 3 +[3894.82 --> 3898.38] John explains +[3898.38 --> 3899.10] He says +[3899.10 --> 3901.84] I baptize with water +[3901.84 --> 3902.72] For repentance +[3902.72 --> 3905.22] Now that word repentance +[3905.22 --> 3906.30] Is a noun +[3906.30 --> 3906.76] Meaning +[3906.76 --> 3908.70] A comprehensive change +[3908.70 --> 3909.94] Or the change +[3909.94 --> 3911.00] Of state +[3911.00 --> 3911.68] In any +[3911.68 --> 3912.52] Or all +[3912.52 --> 3913.30] Of the elements +[3913.30 --> 3914.02] Of your life +[3914.02 --> 3914.80] Your attitude +[3914.80 --> 3915.54] Your thoughts +[3915.54 --> 3916.38] Your actions +[3916.38 --> 3917.34] You're turning +[3917.34 --> 3918.86] Towards God's design +[3918.86 --> 3919.98] For how you live +[3919.98 --> 3920.48] Your life +[3920.48 --> 3921.90] Genuine repentance +[3921.90 --> 3923.18] Means more +[3923.18 --> 3924.06] Than just saying +[3924.06 --> 3924.88] I'm sorry +[3924.88 --> 3926.66] It is a change +[3926.66 --> 3927.36] Of being +[3927.36 --> 3928.20] And a change +[3928.20 --> 3928.94] Of doing +[3928.94 --> 3929.52] Right +[3929.52 --> 3930.34] Genuine repentance +[3930.34 --> 3931.04] Is a change +[3931.04 --> 3931.70] In your thinking +[3931.70 --> 3932.82] And your feeling +[3932.82 --> 3935.06] John says +[3935.06 --> 3936.26] Earlier in that section +[3936.26 --> 3937.80] Produce fruit +[3937.80 --> 3938.48] In keeping +[3938.48 --> 3939.60] With your repentance +[3939.60 --> 3942.86] We read +[3942.86 --> 3943.22] Actually +[3943.22 --> 3944.46] In one of the +[3944.46 --> 3945.30] Other gospels +[3945.30 --> 3946.00] That when John +[3946.00 --> 3946.84] Sees Jesus +[3946.84 --> 3947.82] He says +[3947.82 --> 3948.72] Look +[3948.72 --> 3950.04] The Lamb of God +[3950.04 --> 3950.92] Who takes away +[3950.92 --> 3951.90] The sin of the world +[3951.90 --> 3953.48] Right +[3953.48 --> 3954.30] John knows +[3954.30 --> 3955.02] That he +[3955.02 --> 3956.38] Needs repentance +[3956.38 --> 3957.32] He needs +[3957.32 --> 3958.10] A whole life +[3958.10 --> 3958.94] Transformation +[3958.94 --> 3959.72] Not Jesus +[3959.72 --> 3961.44] He knows +[3961.44 --> 3961.88] That he +[3961.88 --> 3962.58] Should be the one +[3962.58 --> 3963.74] Receiving baptism +[3963.74 --> 3965.14] From Jesus +[3965.14 --> 3967.62] John also says +[3967.62 --> 3968.62] In that same section +[3968.62 --> 3970.44] Before our text +[3970.44 --> 3972.90] Explaining to the Pharisees +[3972.90 --> 3973.32] And the people +[3973.32 --> 3974.26] Who come out to him +[3974.26 --> 3975.06] He says +[3975.06 --> 3976.02] After me +[3976.02 --> 3977.06] Comes one +[3977.06 --> 3978.14] Who is more powerful +[3978.14 --> 3978.78] Than I +[3978.78 --> 3980.66] He will baptize you +[3980.66 --> 3981.58] With the Holy Spirit +[3981.58 --> 3982.72] And fire +[3982.72 --> 3984.54] John knows +[3984.54 --> 3985.18] That he needs +[3985.18 --> 3985.74] The baptism +[3985.74 --> 3986.58] Of the Holy Spirit +[3986.58 --> 3987.84] In order to escape +[3987.84 --> 3989.30] The baptism by fire +[3989.30 --> 3990.30] Right +[3990.30 --> 3991.16] Which the next verse +[3991.16 --> 3991.94] Tells us +[3991.94 --> 3992.98] Is the judgment +[3992.98 --> 3993.50] That comes +[3993.50 --> 3994.56] From rejecting Jesus +[3994.56 --> 3995.44] In verse 12 +[3995.44 --> 3997.06] He will clear +[3997.06 --> 3998.12] His threshing floor +[3998.12 --> 3999.08] Gathering his wheat +[3999.08 --> 3999.78] Into the barn +[3999.78 --> 4000.76] And burning up +[4000.76 --> 4001.48] The chaff +[4001.48 --> 4002.62] With unquenchable +[4002.62 --> 4003.44] Fire +[4003.44 --> 4005.24] Right +[4005.24 --> 4006.00] Jesus comes +[4006.00 --> 4006.84] To baptize +[4006.84 --> 4007.74] With the Holy Spirit +[4007.74 --> 4008.82] And bring salvation +[4008.82 --> 4009.96] And he comes +[4009.96 --> 4010.90] To bring judgment +[4010.90 --> 4012.30] On those who reject him +[4012.30 --> 4012.96] And on those +[4012.96 --> 4013.90] Who've rejected God +[4013.90 --> 4015.28] Those who haven't +[4015.28 --> 4016.10] Produced fruit +[4016.10 --> 4017.32] In keeping with repentance +[4017.32 --> 4017.96] Because +[4017.96 --> 4019.14] They're chaff +[4019.14 --> 4019.98] It turns out +[4019.98 --> 4022.18] Now hearing +[4022.18 --> 4022.90] John's doubts +[4022.90 --> 4024.04] And concerns +[4024.04 --> 4025.78] Jesus says +[4025.78 --> 4027.76] Let it be so now +[4027.76 --> 4029.64] It's proper for us +[4029.64 --> 4030.26] To do this +[4030.26 --> 4031.26] To fulfill +[4031.26 --> 4032.48] All righteousness +[4032.48 --> 4034.60] Because +[4034.60 --> 4035.58] John is right +[4035.58 --> 4036.90] Jesus doesn't need +[4036.90 --> 4037.62] To repent +[4037.62 --> 4038.60] He doesn't need +[4038.60 --> 4039.42] To confess +[4039.42 --> 4040.38] Any way +[4040.38 --> 4041.22] That his life +[4041.22 --> 4042.22] Isn't perfectly +[4042.22 --> 4042.86] In line +[4042.86 --> 4043.82] With God's will +[4043.82 --> 4044.90] Jesus' life +[4044.90 --> 4045.74] Is perfectly +[4045.74 --> 4046.32] Aligned +[4046.32 --> 4047.36] With God's will +[4047.36 --> 4048.56] He is already +[4048.56 --> 4049.30] Perfectly +[4049.30 --> 4050.26] Righteous +[4050.26 --> 4051.28] And yet +[4051.28 --> 4052.20] To use John's +[4052.20 --> 4053.32] Own language +[4053.32 --> 4054.30] That means +[4054.30 --> 4055.56] He is producing +[4055.56 --> 4056.42] The fruit +[4056.42 --> 4057.20] In keeping +[4057.20 --> 4058.60] With repentance +[4058.60 --> 4059.78] He's living +[4059.78 --> 4060.68] The fruit +[4060.68 --> 4061.96] Of righteousness +[4061.96 --> 4062.96] Right +[4062.96 --> 4063.42] The fruit +[4063.42 --> 4064.22] Of repentance +[4064.22 --> 4065.76] Is righteousness +[4065.76 --> 4066.96] Living obedient +[4066.96 --> 4067.84] To God's will +[4067.84 --> 4069.62] And to fulfill +[4069.62 --> 4070.66] All righteousness +[4070.66 --> 4071.18] Then +[4071.18 --> 4072.90] Jesus demonstrates +[4072.90 --> 4073.98] The connection +[4073.98 --> 4075.20] Between baptism +[4075.20 --> 4076.66] And obedience +[4076.66 --> 4078.28] And then he invites +[4078.28 --> 4079.00] Us all +[4079.00 --> 4080.34] Into that same +[4080.34 --> 4082.14] Baptismal obedience +[4082.14 --> 4083.82] The contrast +[4083.82 --> 4084.80] In this text +[4084.80 --> 4086.08] Here isn't +[4086.08 --> 4087.02] Between John's +[4087.02 --> 4087.60] Baptism +[4087.60 --> 4088.48] And Jesus' +[4088.66 --> 4089.18] Baptism +[4089.18 --> 4089.92] That's what +[4089.92 --> 4090.86] Sometimes people +[4090.86 --> 4091.28] Think +[4091.28 --> 4092.20] The contrast +[4092.20 --> 4092.84] Actually is +[4092.84 --> 4093.78] Between John +[4093.78 --> 4094.64] And Jesus +[4094.64 --> 4096.58] Between servant +[4096.58 --> 4097.58] And master +[4097.58 --> 4099.04] Right +[4099.04 --> 4099.52] Elsewhere +[4099.52 --> 4100.22] John says +[4100.22 --> 4101.24] He must become +[4101.24 --> 4101.66] Greater +[4101.66 --> 4102.66] I must become +[4102.66 --> 4103.06] Less +[4103.06 --> 4104.32] And this is +[4104.32 --> 4105.04] The same idea +[4105.04 --> 4106.98] The form of +[4106.98 --> 4108.50] Baptism is the same +[4108.50 --> 4109.52] Right +[4109.52 --> 4110.32] John's baptism +[4110.32 --> 4111.16] Was no dead +[4111.16 --> 4111.72] Sign +[4111.72 --> 4113.78] His was the role +[4113.78 --> 4114.78] Of a minister +[4114.78 --> 4115.80] Of an outward +[4115.80 --> 4116.36] Sign +[4116.36 --> 4117.48] Where Christ +[4117.48 --> 4118.66] Is the author +[4118.66 --> 4120.42] Of a spiritual +[4120.42 --> 4121.54] Sign +[4121.54 --> 4122.74] A spiritual act +[4122.74 --> 4123.34] A spiritual +[4123.34 --> 4124.36] Baptism +[4124.36 --> 4125.16] Spiritual meaning +[4125.16 --> 4126.18] Spirit filled +[4126.18 --> 4127.06] And fueled +[4127.06 --> 4128.54] Right +[4128.54 --> 4129.34] It's the sign +[4129.34 --> 4130.22] And the thing +[4130.22 --> 4131.38] Signified +[4131.38 --> 4132.66] Ministers +[4132.66 --> 4133.44] Like John +[4133.44 --> 4134.28] And like me +[4134.28 --> 4134.96] For that matter +[4134.96 --> 4136.12] Do the sign +[4136.12 --> 4137.80] It is Christ +[4137.80 --> 4138.54] Who brings +[4138.54 --> 4139.30] The reality +[4139.30 --> 4140.74] It is Christ +[4140.74 --> 4141.36] Who brings +[4141.36 --> 4142.28] The real +[4142.28 --> 4143.24] By the spirit +[4143.24 --> 4145.56] And in the same +[4145.56 --> 4145.98] Way +[4145.98 --> 4146.94] Christ was +[4146.94 --> 4147.74] Baptized +[4147.74 --> 4148.94] We are +[4148.94 --> 4149.94] Baptized +[4149.94 --> 4151.10] When enjoined +[4151.10 --> 4151.78] To him +[4151.78 --> 4152.70] By the spirit +[4152.70 --> 4155.12] John Calvin +[4155.12 --> 4156.88] Who's a +[4156.88 --> 4158.78] 16th century +[4158.78 --> 4159.98] French pastor +[4159.98 --> 4160.72] Who lived +[4160.72 --> 4161.16] And worked +[4161.16 --> 4161.86] Mostly in +[4161.86 --> 4162.52] Geneva +[4162.52 --> 4163.16] Switzerland +[4163.16 --> 4163.88] He's really +[4163.88 --> 4164.38] Beautiful +[4164.38 --> 4165.58] In his +[4165.58 --> 4166.10] Commentary +[4166.10 --> 4166.52] On this +[4166.52 --> 4166.82] Point +[4166.82 --> 4168.26] He says +[4168.26 --> 4169.52] He +[4169.52 --> 4170.38] That is Christ +[4170.38 --> 4171.08] Received +[4171.08 --> 4171.82] The same +[4171.82 --> 4172.38] Baptism +[4172.38 --> 4172.94] With us +[4172.94 --> 4173.46] In order +[4173.46 --> 4174.22] To assure +[4174.22 --> 4174.94] Believers +[4174.94 --> 4175.58] That they +[4175.58 --> 4176.46] Are grafted +[4176.46 --> 4177.08] Into his +[4177.08 --> 4177.48] Body +[4177.48 --> 4178.28] And that +[4178.28 --> 4178.88] They are +[4178.88 --> 4179.32] And he's +[4179.32 --> 4179.84] Quoting from +[4179.84 --> 4180.76] Romans 6 +[4180.76 --> 4181.30] Verse 4 +[4181.30 --> 4181.56] Now +[4181.56 --> 4182.26] They are +[4182.26 --> 4182.76] Buried +[4182.76 --> 4183.16] With him +[4183.16 --> 4183.76] In baptism +[4183.76 --> 4184.54] That they +[4184.54 --> 4185.20] May rise +[4185.20 --> 4186.04] To newness +[4186.04 --> 4187.10] Of life +[4187.10 --> 4188.92] Right +[4188.92 --> 4189.40] Christ's +[4189.40 --> 4190.00] Baptism +[4190.00 --> 4191.24] To fulfill +[4191.24 --> 4192.10] All righteousness +[4192.10 --> 4193.32] Is to assure +[4193.32 --> 4193.78] You +[4193.78 --> 4194.64] In your +[4194.64 --> 4195.44] Baptism +[4195.44 --> 4196.26] In the +[4196.26 --> 4196.94] Holy Spirit +[4196.94 --> 4197.88] As a +[4197.88 --> 4198.26] Fruit +[4198.26 --> 4199.02] In keeping +[4199.02 --> 4199.86] With repentance +[4199.86 --> 4201.62] Again +[4201.62 --> 4202.38] Calvin says +[4202.38 --> 4203.00] It beautifully +[4203.00 --> 4203.48] He says +[4203.48 --> 4204.50] That the +[4204.50 --> 4205.50] General reason +[4205.50 --> 4206.52] Christ received +[4206.52 --> 4207.10] Baptism +[4207.10 --> 4207.60] Was that he +[4207.60 --> 4208.20] Might render +[4208.20 --> 4209.12] Full obedience +[4209.12 --> 4209.50] To the +[4209.50 --> 4209.82] Father +[4209.82 --> 4211.00] And the +[4211.00 --> 4211.56] Special +[4211.56 --> 4212.16] Reason +[4212.16 --> 4213.08] Was that he +[4213.08 --> 4214.14] Might consecrate +[4214.14 --> 4215.14] Baptism in his +[4215.14 --> 4215.84] Own body +[4215.84 --> 4216.88] That we might +[4216.88 --> 4217.54] Have it in +[4217.54 --> 4218.24] Common with +[4218.24 --> 4218.48] Him +[4218.48 --> 4222.42] And so +[4222.42 --> 4222.82] Let's take +[4222.82 --> 4223.44] This idea +[4223.44 --> 4225.44] And tie it +[4225.44 --> 4225.78] To what +[4225.78 --> 4226.92] Actually happens +[4226.92 --> 4228.06] When Jesus +[4228.06 --> 4228.86] Is baptized +[4228.86 --> 4230.88] Because when +[4230.88 --> 4231.48] Jesus is +[4231.48 --> 4232.12] Baptized +[4232.12 --> 4232.86] Heaven opens +[4232.86 --> 4233.24] Up +[4233.24 --> 4233.84] And the +[4233.84 --> 4234.22] Spirit +[4234.22 --> 4234.92] Descends +[4234.92 --> 4235.44] Like a +[4235.44 --> 4235.94] Dove +[4235.94 --> 4236.52] A +[4236.52 --> 4237.04] Lighting +[4237.04 --> 4237.54] On him +[4237.54 --> 4238.00] We read +[4238.00 --> 4238.54] And the +[4238.54 --> 4239.02] Voice +[4239.02 --> 4239.84] From the +[4239.84 --> 4240.28] Father +[4240.28 --> 4241.00] Speaks +[4241.00 --> 4241.60] This +[4241.60 --> 4242.48] Is my +[4242.48 --> 4243.14] Son +[4243.14 --> 4243.80] Whom +[4243.80 --> 4244.04] I +[4244.04 --> 4244.48] Love +[4244.48 --> 4244.92] With +[4244.92 --> 4245.34] Him +[4245.34 --> 4245.70] I +[4245.70 --> 4246.00] Am +[4246.00 --> 4246.30] Well +[4246.30 --> 4246.84] Pleased +[4246.84 --> 4248.76] In a +[4248.76 --> 4249.24] Special +[4249.24 --> 4249.64] Way +[4249.64 --> 4249.96] That +[4249.96 --> 4250.42] Truth +[4250.42 --> 4250.96] Belongs +[4250.96 --> 4251.22] To +[4251.22 --> 4251.64] Jesus +[4251.64 --> 4252.32] He +[4252.32 --> 4252.96] Is the +[4252.96 --> 4253.32] Only +[4253.32 --> 4253.96] Begotten +[4253.96 --> 4254.32] Of the +[4254.32 --> 4254.62] Father +[4254.62 --> 4255.18] He +[4255.18 --> 4255.80] Is the +[4255.80 --> 4256.08] Son +[4256.08 --> 4256.56] Of God +[4256.56 --> 4256.76] Who +[4256.76 --> 4256.98] Took +[4256.98 --> 4257.52] On flesh +[4257.52 --> 4257.90] And made +[4257.90 --> 4258.06] His +[4258.06 --> 4258.38] Dwelling +[4258.38 --> 4259.18] Among us +[4259.18 --> 4259.72] In him +[4259.72 --> 4260.26] Alone +[4260.26 --> 4260.70] Does the +[4260.70 --> 4261.12] Fullness +[4261.12 --> 4261.82] Of the +[4261.82 --> 4262.30] Deity +[4262.30 --> 4262.76] Dwell +[4262.76 --> 4263.38] In a +[4263.38 --> 4263.72] Special +[4263.72 --> 4264.08] Way +[4264.08 --> 4264.54] Jesus +[4264.54 --> 4265.32] Is the +[4265.32 --> 4265.70] Son +[4265.70 --> 4266.34] Of +[4266.34 --> 4266.96] God +[4266.96 --> 4267.12] And +[4267.12 --> 4267.46] Actually +[4267.46 --> 4267.84] This +[4267.84 --> 4268.48] Verse +[4268.48 --> 4269.16] Is +[4269.16 --> 4269.78] Essential +[4269.78 --> 4270.38] In the +[4270.38 --> 4270.76] History +[4270.76 --> 4271.16] Of the +[4271.16 --> 4271.48] Christian +[4271.48 --> 4271.88] Church +[4271.88 --> 4272.36] To +[4272.36 --> 4273.00] Clarifying +[4273.00 --> 4273.48] All sorts +[4273.48 --> 4273.62] Of +[4273.62 --> 4274.26] Disagreements +[4274.26 --> 4274.50] And +[4274.50 --> 4275.08] Heresies +[4275.08 --> 4275.48] About the +[4275.48 --> 4275.64] Two +[4275.64 --> 4275.94] Natures +[4275.94 --> 4276.10] Of +[4276.10 --> 4276.40] Christ +[4276.40 --> 4276.86] And +[4276.86 --> 4277.04] About +[4277.04 --> 4277.20] The +[4277.20 --> 4277.44] Trinity +[4277.44 --> 4277.88] But +[4277.88 --> 4278.06] We +[4278.06 --> 4278.20] Don't +[4278.20 --> 4278.30] Have +[4278.30 --> 4278.50] Time +[4278.50 --> 4278.60] To +[4278.60 --> 4278.72] Get +[4278.72 --> 4278.88] Into +[4278.88 --> 4279.06] That +[4279.06 --> 4279.22] This +[4279.22 --> 4279.48] Morning +[4279.48 --> 4279.90] Just +[4279.90 --> 4280.08] Know +[4280.08 --> 4280.24] That +[4280.24 --> 4280.40] It's +[4280.40 --> 4280.88] Profound +[4280.88 --> 4282.54] In a +[4282.54 --> 4282.84] Special +[4282.84 --> 4283.16] Way +[4283.16 --> 4283.62] Jesus +[4283.62 --> 4284.14] Is +[4284.14 --> 4284.34] The +[4284.34 --> 4284.54] Son +[4284.54 --> 4284.70] Of +[4284.70 --> 4284.96] God +[4284.96 --> 4285.68] But +[4285.68 --> 4286.32] By +[4286.32 --> 4287.20] Baptism +[4287.20 --> 4288.64] In +[4288.64 --> 4288.82] A +[4288.82 --> 4289.22] General +[4289.22 --> 4289.66] Way +[4289.66 --> 4290.20] We +[4290.20 --> 4290.78] All +[4290.78 --> 4291.42] Become +[4291.42 --> 4291.84] Sons +[4291.84 --> 4292.02] Of +[4292.02 --> 4292.38] God +[4292.38 --> 4293.66] Right +[4293.66 --> 4293.86] At +[4293.86 --> 4294.04] Our +[4294.04 --> 4294.78] Baptism +[4294.78 --> 4295.18] God +[4295.18 --> 4295.54] Says +[4295.54 --> 4296.06] This +[4296.06 --> 4296.34] Is +[4296.34 --> 4296.54] My +[4296.54 --> 4297.06] Son +[4297.06 --> 4297.62] This +[4297.62 --> 4297.92] Is +[4297.92 --> 4298.14] My +[4298.14 --> 4298.60] Daughter +[4298.60 --> 4299.84] Right +[4299.84 --> 4300.14] You +[4300.14 --> 4300.46] Are +[4300.46 --> 4300.96] God's +[4300.96 --> 4301.28] Son +[4301.28 --> 4301.62] By +[4301.62 --> 4302.50] Repentance +[4302.50 --> 4303.16] And +[4303.16 --> 4303.48] Its +[4303.48 --> 4303.98] Fruit +[4303.98 --> 4304.54] You +[4304.54 --> 4304.82] Are +[4304.82 --> 4305.22] God's +[4305.22 --> 4305.60] Daughter +[4305.60 --> 4305.88] By +[4305.88 --> 4306.42] Faith +[4306.42 --> 4306.82] And +[4306.82 --> 4307.00] By +[4307.00 --> 4307.22] Your +[4307.22 --> 4307.66] Union +[4307.66 --> 4307.90] With +[4307.90 --> 4308.16] Jesus +[4308.16 --> 4308.72] Christ +[4308.72 --> 4309.90] And +[4309.90 --> 4310.08] So +[4310.08 --> 4310.48] Hear +[4310.48 --> 4310.72] The +[4310.72 --> 4311.08] Voice +[4311.08 --> 4311.28] Of +[4311.28 --> 4311.42] The +[4311.42 --> 4311.80] Father +[4311.80 --> 4312.58] Say +[4312.58 --> 4313.16] This +[4313.16 --> 4313.52] Is +[4313.52 --> 4313.76] My +[4313.76 --> 4314.24] Son +[4314.24 --> 4314.84] Whom +[4314.84 --> 4315.10] I +[4315.10 --> 4315.58] Love +[4315.58 --> 4316.12] Hear +[4316.12 --> 4316.36] The +[4316.36 --> 4316.70] Voice +[4316.70 --> 4316.90] Of +[4316.90 --> 4317.04] Your +[4317.04 --> 4317.42] Father +[4317.42 --> 4317.84] Say +[4317.84 --> 4318.44] You +[4318.44 --> 4318.86] Are +[4318.86 --> 4319.18] My +[4319.18 --> 4319.72] Daughter +[4319.72 --> 4320.28] With +[4320.28 --> 4320.64] You +[4320.64 --> 4321.00] I +[4321.00 --> 4321.04] I +[4321.04 --> 4321.06] I +[4321.06 --> 4321.36] Am +[4321.36 --> 4321.78] Well +[4321.78 --> 4322.60] Pleased +[4322.60 --> 4327.46] Behold +[4327.46 --> 4327.64] Your +[4327.64 --> 4327.98] King +[4327.98 --> 4330.90] Who +[4330.90 --> 4331.50] Speaks +[4331.50 --> 4331.76] Your +[4331.76 --> 4332.24] Name +[4332.24 --> 4333.22] To +[4333.22 --> 4333.56] You +[4333.56 --> 4340.62] Immediately +[4340.62 --> 4341.08] After +[4341.08 --> 4341.30] His +[4341.30 --> 4341.90] Baptism +[4341.90 --> 4343.26] After +[4343.26 --> 4343.42] The +[4343.42 --> 4343.90] Heavens +[4343.90 --> 4344.22] Were +[4344.22 --> 4345.14] Opened +[4345.14 --> 4345.30] And +[4345.30 --> 4345.46] The +[4345.46 --> 4345.78] Spirit +[4345.78 --> 4346.30] Descended +[4346.30 --> 4346.52] And +[4346.52 --> 4346.66] The +[4346.66 --> 4346.96] Voice +[4346.96 --> 4347.12] Of +[4347.12 --> 4347.26] The +[4347.26 --> 4347.52] Father +[4347.52 --> 4347.90] Came +[4347.90 --> 4348.38] Speaking +[4348.38 --> 4348.88] Love +[4348.88 --> 4349.30] Over +[4349.30 --> 4349.64] Him +[4349.64 --> 4350.56] Jesus +[4350.56 --> 4351.12] Is +[4351.12 --> 4351.70] Led +[4351.70 --> 4352.18] By +[4352.18 --> 4352.44] The +[4352.44 --> 4352.90] Same +[4352.90 --> 4353.50] Spirit +[4353.50 --> 4354.54] Into +[4354.54 --> 4354.84] The +[4354.84 --> 4355.44] Wilderness +[4355.44 --> 4357.84] Not +[4357.84 --> 4358.04] Into +[4358.04 --> 4358.56] Comfort +[4358.56 --> 4360.28] Not +[4360.28 --> 4360.48] Into +[4360.48 --> 4361.24] Celebration +[4361.24 --> 4362.42] Not +[4362.42 --> 4362.66] Into +[4362.66 --> 4363.00] Cake +[4363.00 --> 4363.18] Or +[4363.18 --> 4363.50] Coffee +[4363.50 --> 4363.82] After +[4363.82 --> 4364.26] Church +[4364.26 --> 4365.60] But +[4365.60 --> 4365.84] Into +[4365.84 --> 4366.30] Testing +[4366.30 --> 4368.80] He +[4368.80 --> 4369.02] Was +[4369.02 --> 4369.38] Led +[4369.38 --> 4369.80] Into +[4369.80 --> 4370.06] The +[4370.06 --> 4370.58] Wilderness +[4370.58 --> 4370.82] To +[4370.82 --> 4371.00] Be +[4371.00 --> 4371.64] Tempted +[4371.64 --> 4372.14] By +[4372.14 --> 4372.32] The +[4372.32 --> 4372.64] Devil +[4372.64 --> 4373.12] Not +[4373.12 --> 4373.42] Because +[4373.42 --> 4373.58] He +[4373.58 --> 4373.80] Was +[4373.80 --> 4374.20] Weak +[4374.20 --> 4375.36] But +[4375.36 --> 4375.60] Because +[4375.60 --> 4375.74] He +[4375.74 --> 4375.90] Was +[4375.90 --> 4376.22] Ready +[4376.22 --> 4377.84] Not +[4377.84 --> 4378.10] Because +[4378.10 --> 4378.22] He +[4378.22 --> 4378.44] Needed +[4378.44 --> 4378.58] To +[4378.58 --> 4378.88] Prove +[4378.88 --> 4379.18] Anything +[4379.18 --> 4379.40] To +[4379.40 --> 4379.56] The +[4379.56 --> 4379.94] Father +[4379.94 --> 4380.42] But +[4380.42 --> 4380.64] Because +[4380.64 --> 4380.78] He +[4380.78 --> 4380.90] Had +[4380.90 --> 4381.04] To +[4381.04 --> 4381.38] Walk +[4381.38 --> 4381.60] The +[4381.60 --> 4382.12] Path +[4382.12 --> 4382.54] Of +[4382.54 --> 4382.68] The +[4382.68 --> 4382.90] True +[4382.90 --> 4383.26] Son +[4383.26 --> 4384.42] The +[4384.42 --> 4384.80] Path +[4384.80 --> 4385.00] That +[4385.00 --> 4385.42] Adam +[4385.42 --> 4385.92] Failed +[4385.92 --> 4386.20] To +[4386.20 --> 4386.48] Walk +[4386.48 --> 4386.66] In +[4386.66 --> 4386.76] The +[4386.76 --> 4387.00] Garden +[4387.00 --> 4387.18] Of +[4387.18 --> 4387.38] Eden +[4387.38 --> 4387.76] The +[4387.76 --> 4388.04] Path +[4388.04 --> 4388.22] That +[4388.22 --> 4388.72] Israel +[4388.72 --> 4389.14] Failed +[4389.14 --> 4389.36] To +[4389.36 --> 4389.70] Walk +[4389.70 --> 4390.14] In +[4390.14 --> 4390.28] The +[4390.28 --> 4390.64] Desert +[4390.64 --> 4392.38] Right +[4392.38 --> 4392.70] Each +[4392.70 --> 4392.94] Of +[4392.94 --> 4393.28] Jesus +[4393.28 --> 4394.36] Temptations +[4394.36 --> 4395.66] And +[4395.66 --> 4396.00] Each +[4396.00 --> 4396.84] Temptation +[4396.84 --> 4397.06] That +[4397.06 --> 4397.34] Jesus +[4397.34 --> 4398.14] Faces +[4398.14 --> 4399.22] Touches +[4399.22 --> 4399.58] On +[4399.58 --> 4399.80] The +[4399.80 --> 4400.32] Core +[4400.32 --> 4401.08] Question +[4401.08 --> 4401.32] That +[4401.32 --> 4401.48] Was +[4401.48 --> 4401.78] Just +[4401.78 --> 4402.28] Answered +[4402.28 --> 4402.42] For +[4402.42 --> 4402.62] Him +[4402.62 --> 4402.74] In +[4402.74 --> 4402.84] The +[4402.84 --> 4403.06] Jordan +[4403.06 --> 4403.36] River +[4403.36 --> 4404.74] Right +[4404.74 --> 4405.38] If +[4405.38 --> 4405.62] You +[4405.62 --> 4405.90] Are +[4405.90 --> 4406.12] The +[4406.12 --> 4406.30] Son +[4406.30 --> 4406.46] Of +[4406.46 --> 4406.78] God +[4406.78 --> 4409.86] This +[4409.86 --> 4410.08] Is +[4410.08 --> 4410.28] My +[4410.28 --> 4410.74] Son +[4410.74 --> 4411.82] Whom +[4411.82 --> 4411.98] I +[4411.98 --> 4412.38] Love +[4412.38 --> 4413.40] Is +[4413.40 --> 4414.04] Twisted +[4414.04 --> 4414.82] By +[4414.82 --> 4415.02] The +[4415.02 --> 4415.60] Deceiver +[4415.60 --> 4416.80] If +[4416.80 --> 4417.52] You +[4417.52 --> 4417.94] Are +[4417.94 --> 4418.58] The +[4418.58 --> 4418.88] Son +[4418.88 --> 4419.48] Of +[4419.48 --> 4419.68] God +[4419.68 --> 4419.90] The +[4419.90 --> 4420.74] Devil +[4420.74 --> 4421.64] Challenges +[4421.64 --> 4422.52] His +[4422.52 --> 4423.50] Identity +[4423.50 --> 4424.06] His +[4424.06 --> 4424.94] Obedience +[4424.94 --> 4425.36] And +[4425.36 --> 4425.60] His +[4425.60 --> 4426.22] Trust +[4426.22 --> 4426.70] In +[4426.70 --> 4426.88] The +[4426.88 --> 4427.30] Father's +[4427.30 --> 4427.56] Word +[4427.56 --> 4428.68] Right +[4428.68 --> 4428.92] Turn +[4428.92 --> 4429.36] Stones +[4429.36 --> 4429.58] To +[4429.58 --> 4429.88] Bread +[4429.88 --> 4430.68] In +[4430.68 --> 4430.86] Other +[4430.86 --> 4431.12] Words +[4431.12 --> 4431.62] Meet +[4431.62 --> 4431.80] Your +[4431.80 --> 4432.04] Own +[4432.04 --> 4432.44] Needs +[4432.44 --> 4434.64] Not +[4434.64 --> 4434.90] Give +[4434.90 --> 4435.08] Us +[4435.38 --> 4435.74] Our +[4435.74 --> 4436.04] Daily +[4436.04 --> 4436.46] Bread +[4436.46 --> 4437.90] But +[4437.90 --> 4438.04] Go +[4438.04 --> 4438.30] Make +[4438.30 --> 4438.48] Your +[4438.48 --> 4438.78] Bread +[4438.78 --> 4441.44] Throw +[4441.44 --> 4442.00] Yourselves +[4442.00 --> 4442.38] Down +[4442.38 --> 4444.12] Right +[4444.12 --> 4444.40] In +[4444.40 --> 4444.62] Other +[4444.62 --> 4445.02] Words +[4445.02 --> 4445.70] Force +[4445.70 --> 4446.34] God +[4446.34 --> 4446.76] To +[4446.76 --> 4447.62] Prove +[4447.62 --> 4448.16] His +[4448.16 --> 4448.84] Love +[4448.84 --> 4451.36] Bow +[4451.36 --> 4451.80] Down +[4451.80 --> 4452.10] And +[4452.10 --> 4452.50] Worship +[4452.50 --> 4452.92] Me +[4452.92 --> 4454.76] In +[4454.76 --> 4454.94] Other +[4454.94 --> 4455.28] Words +[4455.28 --> 4456.18] Take +[4456.18 --> 4456.38] The +[4456.38 --> 4456.74] Kingdom +[4456.74 --> 4457.70] Without +[4457.70 --> 4457.92] The +[4457.92 --> 4458.36] Cross +[4458.36 --> 4461.06] Now +[4461.06 --> 4461.30] Make +[4461.30 --> 4461.46] No +[4461.46 --> 4461.78] Mistake +[4461.78 --> 4462.06] About +[4462.06 --> 4462.42] This +[4462.42 --> 4462.92] This +[4462.92 --> 4463.32] Test +[4463.32 --> 4463.62] Was +[4463.62 --> 4464.14] Real +[4464.14 --> 4464.92] Right +[4464.92 --> 4465.22] As +[4465.22 --> 4465.58] True +[4465.58 --> 4466.00] Man +[4466.00 --> 4466.36] Jesus +[4466.36 --> 4467.20] Experienced +[4467.20 --> 4467.72] The +[4467.72 --> 4468.06] Weight +[4468.06 --> 4468.56] And +[4468.56 --> 4468.88] The +[4468.88 --> 4469.44] Weakness +[4469.44 --> 4469.68] And +[4469.68 --> 4469.82] The +[4469.82 --> 4470.48] Temptation +[4470.48 --> 4470.84] Of +[4470.84 --> 4471.28] The +[4471.28 --> 4471.62] Moment +[4471.62 --> 4471.92] And +[4471.92 --> 4472.18] Yet +[4472.18 --> 4472.54] As +[4472.54 --> 4472.76] The +[4472.76 --> 4473.22] Divine +[4473.22 --> 4473.84] Son +[4473.84 --> 4474.30] He +[4474.30 --> 4474.84] Remained +[4474.84 --> 4475.74] Perfectly +[4475.74 --> 4476.62] Faithful +[4476.62 --> 4477.00] The +[4477.00 --> 4477.26] One +[4477.26 --> 4477.46] Who +[4477.46 --> 4477.76] Was +[4477.76 --> 4478.24] Tempted +[4478.24 --> 4478.62] Is +[4478.62 --> 4478.84] The +[4478.84 --> 4479.08] One +[4479.08 --> 4479.30] Who +[4479.30 --> 4479.82] Cannot +[4479.82 --> 4480.22] Fail +[4480.22 --> 4482.94] And +[4482.94 --> 4483.06] So +[4483.06 --> 4483.22] When +[4483.22 --> 4483.32] The +[4483.32 --> 4484.04] Deceiver +[4484.04 --> 4484.88] Says +[4484.88 --> 4485.06] To +[4485.06 --> 4485.40] You +[4485.40 --> 4486.50] If +[4486.50 --> 4486.74] You +[4486.74 --> 4487.04] Are +[4487.04 --> 4487.54] God's +[4487.54 --> 4488.10] Daughter +[4488.10 --> 4489.24] Do +[4489.24 --> 4489.66] This +[4489.66 --> 4489.90] When +[4489.90 --> 4490.06] The +[4490.06 --> 4490.60] Deceiver +[4490.60 --> 4491.20] Comes +[4491.20 --> 4491.56] Along +[4491.56 --> 4491.78] In +[4491.78 --> 4491.98] Your +[4491.98 --> 4492.30] Life +[4492.30 --> 4492.44] And +[4492.44 --> 4492.62] Says +[4492.62 --> 4493.26] If +[4493.26 --> 4493.48] You +[4493.48 --> 4493.70] Are +[4493.70 --> 4494.18] God's +[4494.18 --> 4494.54] Son +[4494.54 --> 4495.62] Put +[4495.62 --> 4495.72] It +[4495.72 --> 4495.82] To +[4495.82 --> 4495.96] The +[4495.96 --> 4496.40] Test +[4496.40 --> 4499.36] Remember +[4499.36 --> 4500.20] And +[4500.20 --> 4500.76] See +[4500.76 --> 4502.14] Who +[4502.14 --> 4503.18] Jesus +[4503.18 --> 4504.42] Is +[4504.42 --> 4505.42] And +[4505.42 --> 4505.68] What +[4505.68 --> 4505.86] He +[4505.86 --> 4506.16] Did +[4506.16 --> 4507.72] And +[4507.72 --> 4507.78] It +[4507.78 --> 4508.00] Doesn't +[4508.00 --> 4508.28] Matter +[4508.28 --> 4508.54] How +[4508.54 --> 4508.84] Old +[4508.84 --> 4509.00] You +[4509.00 --> 4509.32] Are +[4509.32 --> 4510.58] And +[4510.58 --> 4511.02] If +[4511.02 --> 4511.14] You +[4511.14 --> 4511.36] Have +[4511.36 --> 4511.64] Had +[4511.64 --> 4511.78] A +[4511.78 --> 4512.06] Hard +[4512.06 --> 4512.60] Time +[4512.60 --> 4513.32] Saying +[4513.32 --> 4513.80] No +[4513.80 --> 4514.08] To +[4514.08 --> 4514.40] Doing +[4514.40 --> 4514.82] Something +[4514.82 --> 4515.24] Wrong +[4515.24 --> 4515.46] Or +[4515.46 --> 4515.56] If +[4515.56 --> 4515.62] You +[4515.62 --> 4515.82] Have +[4515.82 --> 4515.96] Had +[4515.96 --> 4516.08] A +[4516.08 --> 4516.28] Hard +[4516.28 --> 4516.58] Time +[4516.58 --> 4516.84] Just +[4516.84 --> 4517.22] Waiting +[4517.22 --> 4517.48] For +[4517.48 --> 4517.80] Something +[4517.80 --> 4518.26] Good +[4518.26 --> 4519.16] Jesus +[4519.16 --> 4519.66] Knows +[4519.66 --> 4519.88] What +[4519.88 --> 4520.04] That +[4520.04 --> 4520.42] Feels +[4520.42 --> 4520.88] Like +[4520.88 --> 4522.32] He +[4522.32 --> 4522.58] Had +[4522.58 --> 4522.74] To +[4522.74 --> 4523.00] Wait +[4523.00 --> 4523.22] He +[4523.22 --> 4523.46] Had +[4523.46 --> 4523.60] To +[4523.60 --> 4523.78] Go +[4523.78 --> 4524.08] Without +[4524.08 --> 4524.58] He +[4524.58 --> 4524.84] Had +[4524.84 --> 4524.98] To +[4524.98 --> 4525.30] Trust +[4525.30 --> 4525.74] God +[4525.74 --> 4527.08] And +[4527.08 --> 4527.42] Each +[4527.42 --> 4527.92] Time +[4527.92 --> 4528.16] In +[4528.16 --> 4528.36] That +[4528.36 --> 4528.72] Moment +[4528.72 --> 4529.26] Jesus +[4529.26 --> 4529.98] Responds +[4529.98 --> 4530.56] Not +[4530.56 --> 4530.88] With +[4530.88 --> 4531.70] Cleverness +[4531.70 --> 4531.92] Or +[4531.92 --> 4532.42] Power +[4532.42 --> 4532.94] But +[4532.94 --> 4533.24] With +[4533.24 --> 4533.48] The +[4533.48 --> 4533.80] Word +[4533.80 --> 4534.04] Of +[4534.04 --> 4534.42] God +[4534.42 --> 4535.32] Spoken +[4535.32 --> 4536.18] Trusted +[4536.18 --> 4537.82] Obeyed +[4537.82 --> 4538.30] Right +[4538.30 --> 4538.54] Where +[4538.54 --> 4539.16] Israel +[4539.16 --> 4539.82] Grumbled +[4539.82 --> 4540.68] Jesus +[4540.68 --> 4541.26] Gives +[4541.26 --> 4541.92] Thanks +[4541.92 --> 4542.34] Where +[4542.34 --> 4542.72] Adam +[4542.72 --> 4543.14] Reached +[4543.14 --> 4543.36] Out +[4543.36 --> 4543.54] For +[4543.54 --> 4543.72] What +[4543.72 --> 4543.90] Was +[4543.90 --> 4544.38] Forbidden +[4544.38 --> 4545.00] Jesus +[4545.00 --> 4545.74] Refuses +[4545.74 --> 4546.30] What +[4546.30 --> 4546.46] Is +[4546.46 --> 4546.88] Offered +[4546.88 --> 4548.44] Where +[4548.44 --> 4548.76] We +[4548.76 --> 4549.16] So +[4549.16 --> 4549.68] Often +[4549.68 --> 4550.76] Negotiate +[4550.76 --> 4550.96] With +[4550.96 --> 4551.10] Our +[4551.10 --> 4551.76] Temptation +[4551.76 --> 4553.00] Jesus +[4553.00 --> 4553.60] Stands +[4553.60 --> 4554.12] Firm +[4554.12 --> 4556.42] This +[4556.42 --> 4556.50] Is +[4556.50 --> 4556.62] The +[4556.62 --> 4556.78] Main +[4556.78 --> 4557.04] Idea +[4557.04 --> 4557.26] This +[4557.26 --> 4557.36] Is +[4557.36 --> 4557.50] The +[4557.50 --> 4557.70] Big +[4557.70 --> 4558.00] Point +[4558.00 --> 4558.20] For +[4558.20 --> 4558.38] Us +[4558.38 --> 4558.54] This +[4558.54 --> 4558.74] Morning +[4558.74 --> 4558.94] If +[4558.94 --> 4559.06] You +[4559.06 --> 4559.30] Hear +[4559.30 --> 4559.58] One +[4559.58 --> 4559.90] Line +[4559.90 --> 4560.16] From +[4560.16 --> 4560.38] Me +[4560.38 --> 4560.82] Today +[4560.82 --> 4561.12] And +[4561.12 --> 4561.24] You +[4561.24 --> 4561.46] Take +[4561.46 --> 4561.62] That +[4561.62 --> 4561.78] With +[4561.78 --> 4561.90] You +[4561.90 --> 4562.10] Into +[4562.10 --> 4562.30] This +[4562.30 --> 4562.48] Week +[4562.48 --> 4562.88] May +[4562.88 --> 4563.02] It +[4563.02 --> 4563.14] Be +[4563.14 --> 4563.46] This +[4563.46 --> 4564.48] Right +[4564.48 --> 4564.94] Jesus +[4564.94 --> 4565.68] Stands +[4565.68 --> 4565.96] Where +[4565.96 --> 4566.20] We +[4566.20 --> 4566.48] Should +[4566.48 --> 4566.60] Have +[4566.60 --> 4566.96] Stood +[4566.96 --> 4567.98] In +[4567.98 --> 4568.62] Obedience +[4568.62 --> 4569.04] In +[4569.04 --> 4569.68] Temptation +[4569.68 --> 4570.12] In +[4570.12 --> 4570.82] Righteousness +[4570.82 --> 4571.40] So +[4571.40 --> 4571.70] That +[4571.70 --> 4572.62] Clothed +[4572.62 --> 4572.86] With +[4572.86 --> 4573.36] Him +[4573.36 --> 4573.90] We +[4573.90 --> 4574.26] Might +[4574.26 --> 4574.70] Hear +[4574.70 --> 4575.10] God +[4575.10 --> 4575.62] Say +[4575.62 --> 4576.24] You +[4576.24 --> 4576.62] Are +[4576.62 --> 4576.88] My +[4576.88 --> 4577.52] Sons +[4577.52 --> 4578.06] And +[4578.06 --> 4578.56] Daughters +[4578.56 --> 4579.32] I +[4579.32 --> 4580.06] Love +[4580.06 --> 4580.82] You +[4580.82 --> 4582.88] And +[4582.88 --> 4583.16] The +[4583.16 --> 4583.42] Point +[4583.42 --> 4583.66] Here +[4583.66 --> 4583.84] Is +[4583.84 --> 4584.16] Is +[4584.16 --> 4584.42] Not +[4584.42 --> 4584.90] Just +[4584.90 --> 4585.16] That +[4585.16 --> 4585.54] Jesus +[4585.54 --> 4586.32] Jesus +[4586.32 --> 4586.80] Gives +[4586.80 --> 4587.06] Us +[4587.06 --> 4587.26] A +[4587.26 --> 4587.48] Better +[4587.48 --> 4588.08] Exam +[4588.08 --> 4588.94] Though +[4588.94 --> 4589.06] He +[4589.06 --> 4589.46] Does +[4589.46 --> 4590.30] Right +[4590.30 --> 4590.48] The +[4590.48 --> 4590.88] Point +[4590.88 --> 4591.26] Is +[4591.26 --> 4591.44] That +[4591.44 --> 4591.68] He +[4591.68 --> 4592.14] Goes +[4592.14 --> 4592.42] In +[4592.42 --> 4592.74] Our +[4592.74 --> 4593.34] Place +[4593.34 --> 4594.68] Right +[4594.68 --> 4594.86] He +[4594.86 --> 4595.72] Resists +[4595.72 --> 4596.32] This +[4596.32 --> 4597.04] Temptation +[4597.04 --> 4597.64] As +[4597.64 --> 4598.04] Our +[4598.04 --> 4599.02] Representative +[4599.02 --> 4599.58] He +[4599.58 --> 4600.38] Stands +[4600.38 --> 4601.02] As +[4601.02 --> 4601.34] Your +[4601.34 --> 4602.22] Substitute +[4602.22 --> 4603.84] And +[4603.84 --> 4604.00] The +[4604.00 --> 4604.30] Same +[4604.30 --> 4604.78] Spirit +[4604.78 --> 4605.12] Then +[4605.12 --> 4605.32] Who +[4605.32 --> 4605.82] Descended +[4605.82 --> 4606.14] On +[4606.14 --> 4606.46] Him +[4606.46 --> 4606.72] At +[4606.72 --> 4606.90] The +[4606.90 --> 4607.26] Jordan +[4607.26 --> 4608.04] Empowers +[4608.04 --> 4608.40] Him +[4608.40 --> 4608.90] In +[4608.90 --> 4609.06] The +[4609.06 --> 4609.46] Wilderness +[4609.46 --> 4609.72] The +[4609.72 --> 4610.06] Same +[4610.06 --> 4610.46] Word +[4610.46 --> 4610.66] That +[4610.66 --> 4611.12] Declared +[4611.12 --> 4611.48] Him +[4611.48 --> 4612.00] The +[4612.00 --> 4612.38] Loved +[4612.38 --> 4612.84] Son +[4612.84 --> 4613.06] Of +[4613.06 --> 4613.36] God +[4613.36 --> 4613.84] Becomes +[4613.84 --> 4614.10] The +[4614.10 --> 4614.34] Word +[4614.34 --> 4614.52] That +[4614.52 --> 4614.68] He +[4614.68 --> 4615.28] Stands +[4615.28 --> 4615.62] On +[4615.62 --> 4616.00] Against +[4616.00 --> 4616.24] The +[4616.24 --> 4616.62] Lies +[4616.62 --> 4617.08] Of +[4617.08 --> 4617.22] The +[4617.22 --> 4617.50] Enemy +[4617.50 --> 4619.48] Deliver +[4619.48 --> 4619.86] Us +[4622.74 --> 4622.84] Is +[4622.84 --> 4623.04] The +[4623.04 --> 4623.76] Obedience +[4623.76 --> 4624.00] That +[4624.00 --> 4624.48] Fulfills +[4624.48 --> 4624.78] All +[4624.78 --> 4625.82] Righteousness +[4625.82 --> 4628.32] Jesus +[4628.32 --> 4628.64] Is +[4628.64 --> 4628.86] Not +[4628.86 --> 4629.58] Simply +[4629.58 --> 4630.94] Avoiding +[4630.94 --> 4631.72] Sin +[4631.72 --> 4632.76] He +[4632.76 --> 4632.94] Is +[4632.94 --> 4633.52] Actively +[4633.52 --> 4634.36] Securing +[4634.36 --> 4635.10] Our +[4635.10 --> 4635.86] Salvation +[4635.86 --> 4637.92] Right +[4637.92 --> 4638.14] By +[4638.14 --> 4638.46] His +[4638.46 --> 4639.10] Obedience +[4639.10 --> 4639.36] Not +[4639.36 --> 4639.66] Just +[4639.66 --> 4639.90] In +[4639.90 --> 4640.16] Death +[4640.16 --> 4640.32] But +[4640.32 --> 4640.54] Also +[4640.54 --> 4640.70] In +[4640.70 --> 4640.86] His +[4640.86 --> 4641.36] Life +[4641.36 --> 4641.86] Right +[4641.86 --> 4642.02] The +[4642.02 --> 4643.02] Righteousness +[4643.02 --> 4643.28] Of +[4643.28 --> 4643.72] God +[4643.72 --> 4644.06] Is +[4644.06 --> 4644.88] Fulfilled +[4644.88 --> 4645.26] He +[4645.26 --> 4645.70] Lived +[4645.70 --> 4645.88] The +[4645.88 --> 4646.12] Life +[4646.12 --> 4646.32] I +[4646.32 --> 4646.50] Should +[4646.50 --> 4646.64] Have +[4646.64 --> 4646.84] Lived +[4646.84 --> 4647.40] And +[4647.40 --> 4648.20] He +[4648.20 --> 4648.34] Is +[4648.34 --> 4648.70] Doing +[4648.70 --> 4649.12] That +[4649.12 --> 4649.50] Right +[4649.50 --> 4649.96] There +[4649.96 --> 4650.38] In +[4650.38 --> 4650.70] This +[4650.70 --> 4651.28] Story +[4651.28 --> 4652.44] Perfectly +[4652.44 --> 4653.48] Obedient +[4653.48 --> 4656.88] Jesus +[4656.88 --> 4657.38] Did +[4657.38 --> 4657.70] Not +[4657.70 --> 4658.86] Overcome +[4658.86 --> 4659.84] Temptation +[4659.84 --> 4660.44] So +[4660.44 --> 4660.58] That +[4660.58 --> 4660.74] He +[4660.74 --> 4660.94] Could +[4660.94 --> 4661.14] Look +[4661.14 --> 4661.44] Down +[4661.44 --> 4661.70] On +[4661.70 --> 4661.90] You +[4661.90 --> 4662.16] When +[4662.16 --> 4662.34] You +[4662.34 --> 4662.72] Fail +[4662.72 --> 4664.12] He +[4664.12 --> 4664.72] Overcame +[4664.72 --> 4665.48] Temptation +[4665.48 --> 4665.78] So +[4665.78 --> 4666.02] That +[4666.02 --> 4666.28] When +[4666.28 --> 4666.50] You +[4666.50 --> 4666.90] Fail +[4666.90 --> 4667.32] He +[4667.32 --> 4667.46] Could +[4667.46 --> 4667.58] Be +[4667.58 --> 4667.78] Your +[4667.78 --> 4668.12] Savior +[4668.12 --> 4669.28] So +[4669.28 --> 4669.44] That +[4669.44 --> 4669.64] When +[4669.64 --> 4669.84] You +[4669.84 --> 4670.28] Fall +[4670.28 --> 4670.50] You +[4670.50 --> 4670.66] Would +[4670.66 --> 4671.02] Fall +[4671.02 --> 4671.26] Into +[4671.26 --> 4671.48] His +[4671.48 --> 4671.92] Mercy +[4671.92 --> 4672.80] And +[4672.80 --> 4672.96] Not +[4672.96 --> 4673.42] Judgment +[4673.42 --> 4674.42] So +[4674.42 --> 4674.54] That +[4674.54 --> 4674.68] When +[4674.68 --> 4674.88] You +[4674.88 --> 4675.56] Identify +[4675.56 --> 4675.78] As +[4675.78 --> 4675.90] A +[4675.90 --> 4676.26] Child +[4676.26 --> 4676.48] Of +[4676.48 --> 4676.96] God +[4676.96 --> 4677.46] You +[4677.46 --> 4677.60] Would +[4677.60 --> 4678.14] Rest +[4678.14 --> 4678.52] Not +[4678.52 --> 4678.78] On +[4678.78 --> 4679.06] Your +[4679.06 --> 4679.70] Performance +[4679.70 --> 4680.14] But +[4680.14 --> 4680.38] On +[4680.38 --> 4680.84] His +[4680.84 --> 4682.04] Obedience +[4682.04 --> 4684.06] This +[4684.06 --> 4684.16] Is +[4684.16 --> 4684.28] The +[4684.28 --> 4684.74] Gospel +[4684.74 --> 4685.26] Made +[4685.26 --> 4685.66] Real +[4685.66 --> 4685.88] For +[4685.88 --> 4686.08] Us +[4686.08 --> 4686.36] Today +[4686.36 --> 4686.78] You +[4686.78 --> 4686.96] Are +[4686.96 --> 4687.20] Not +[4687.20 --> 4687.68] Named +[4687.68 --> 4687.96] By +[4687.96 --> 4688.20] Your +[4688.20 --> 4688.58] Sin +[4688.58 --> 4688.78] You +[4688.78 --> 4688.90] Are +[4688.90 --> 4689.04] Not +[4689.04 --> 4689.60] Defined +[4689.60 --> 4689.80] By +[4689.80 --> 4689.98] Your +[4689.98 --> 4690.66] Temptations +[4690.66 --> 4691.12] You +[4691.12 --> 4691.26] Are +[4691.26 --> 4691.42] Not +[4691.42 --> 4691.78] Left +[4691.78 --> 4692.06] To +[4692.06 --> 4692.38] Face +[4692.38 --> 4692.62] Them +[4692.62 --> 4693.14] Alone +[4693.14 --> 4693.76] You +[4693.76 --> 4694.00] Have +[4694.00 --> 4694.16] A +[4694.16 --> 4694.56] King +[4694.56 --> 4694.94] Who +[4694.94 --> 4695.10] Has +[4695.10 --> 4695.38] Gone +[4695.38 --> 4695.72] Before +[4695.72 --> 4696.04] You +[4696.04 --> 4696.42] You +[4696.42 --> 4696.60] Have +[4696.60 --> 4696.72] A +[4696.72 --> 4697.00] High +[4697.00 --> 4697.34] Priest +[4697.34 --> 4697.50] Who +[4697.50 --> 4697.68] Is +[4697.68 --> 4698.18] Tempted +[4698.18 --> 4698.56] In +[4698.56 --> 4699.04] Every +[4699.04 --> 4699.52] Way +[4699.52 --> 4700.14] Just +[4700.14 --> 4700.38] As +[4700.38 --> 4700.56] You +[4700.56 --> 4700.76] Are +[4700.76 --> 4701.02] Yet +[4701.02 --> 4701.30] Is +[4701.30 --> 4701.70] Without +[4701.70 --> 4702.34] Sin +[4702.34 --> 4702.56] You +[4702.56 --> 4702.76] Have +[4702.76 --> 4702.98] A +[4702.98 --> 4703.32] Savior +[4703.32 --> 4703.62] Who +[4703.62 --> 4703.88] Has +[4703.88 --> 4704.58] Fulfilled +[4704.58 --> 4705.20] All +[4705.20 --> 4706.16] Righteousness +[4706.16 --> 4706.34] And +[4706.34 --> 4706.50] Who +[4706.50 --> 4707.08] Freely +[4707.08 --> 4707.50] Now +[4707.50 --> 4708.18] Gives +[4708.18 --> 4708.38] It +[4708.38 --> 4708.60] To +[4708.60 --> 4709.06] You +[4709.06 --> 4709.68] Who +[4709.68 --> 4710.10] Trust +[4710.10 --> 4710.34] In +[4710.34 --> 4710.60] Him +[4710.60 --> 4711.04] Alone +[4711.04 --> 4712.90] And +[4712.90 --> 4713.02] When +[4713.02 --> 4713.24] You +[4713.24 --> 4713.40] Are +[4713.40 --> 4713.86] United +[4713.86 --> 4714.08] To +[4714.08 --> 4714.38] Him +[4714.38 --> 4714.58] By +[4714.58 --> 4715.08] Faith +[4715.08 --> 4715.62] What +[4715.62 --> 4715.80] The +[4715.80 --> 4716.18] Father +[4716.18 --> 4716.66] Said +[4716.66 --> 4716.90] To +[4716.90 --> 4717.42] Jesus +[4717.42 --> 4718.18] He +[4718.18 --> 4718.48] Now +[4718.48 --> 4718.86] Says +[4718.86 --> 4719.10] To +[4719.10 --> 4719.42] You +[4719.42 --> 4720.18] This +[4720.18 --> 4720.60] Is +[4720.60 --> 4720.88] My +[4720.88 --> 4721.48] Child +[4721.48 --> 4722.34] Whom +[4722.34 --> 4722.56] I +[4722.56 --> 4722.94] Love +[4722.94 --> 4723.94] With +[4723.94 --> 4724.26] You +[4724.26 --> 4724.68] I +[4724.68 --> 4724.94] Am +[4724.94 --> 4725.30] Well +[4725.30 --> 4726.30] Pleased +[4726.30 --> 4728.08] Not +[4728.08 --> 4728.32] Because +[4728.32 --> 4728.50] You're +[4728.50 --> 4728.80] Righteous +[4728.80 --> 4728.98] In +[4728.98 --> 4729.54] Yourself +[4729.54 --> 4731.56] But +[4731.56 --> 4732.04] Because +[4732.04 --> 4732.34] In +[4732.34 --> 4732.56] Your +[4732.56 --> 4733.38] Baptism +[4733.38 --> 4734.14] Into +[4734.14 --> 4734.78] Christ +[4734.78 --> 4735.20] You +[4735.20 --> 4735.52] Are +[4735.52 --> 4736.46] Clothed +[4736.46 --> 4736.84] With +[4736.84 --> 4737.02] A +[4737.02 --> 4737.66] Righteousness +[4737.66 --> 4737.92] That +[4737.92 --> 4738.48] Cannot +[4738.48 --> 4738.76] Be +[4738.76 --> 4739.48] Shaken +[4739.48 --> 4741.82] That's +[4741.82 --> 4741.96] What +[4741.96 --> 4742.24] Alyssa +[4742.24 --> 4742.86] Professed +[4742.86 --> 4743.52] This +[4743.52 --> 4743.80] Morning +[4743.80 --> 4745.88] This +[4745.88 --> 4745.98] Is +[4745.98 --> 4746.10] The +[4746.10 --> 4746.54] Gospel +[4746.54 --> 4747.68] Right +[4747.68 --> 4747.82] This +[4747.82 --> 4747.92] Is +[4747.92 --> 4748.10] The +[4748.10 --> 4748.52] Son +[4748.52 --> 4749.14] In +[4749.14 --> 4749.38] Whom +[4749.38 --> 4749.56] The +[4749.56 --> 4750.00] Father +[4750.00 --> 4750.40] Is +[4750.40 --> 4750.74] Well +[4750.74 --> 4751.50] Pleased +[4751.50 --> 4752.20] Behold +[4752.20 --> 4752.52] Your +[4752.52 --> 4753.02] King +[4753.02 --> 4753.50] And +[4753.50 --> 4753.66] In +[4753.66 --> 4753.98] Him +[4753.98 --> 4754.74] Behold +[4754.74 --> 4755.26] Who +[4755.26 --> 4755.50] You +[4755.50 --> 4756.02] Truly +[4756.02 --> 4756.86] Are +[4756.86 --> 4761.68] John +[4761.68 --> 4762.64] Chrysostom +[4762.64 --> 4763.72] Is +[4763.72 --> 4764.22] A +[4764.22 --> 4764.64] Fourth +[4764.64 --> 4765.32] Century +[4765.32 --> 4766.08] Church +[4766.08 --> 4766.46] Father +[4766.46 --> 4768.02] Who +[4768.02 --> 4768.20] Was +[4768.20 --> 4768.62] Famous +[4768.62 --> 4768.78] For +[4768.78 --> 4768.96] His +[4768.96 --> 4769.34] Preaching +[4769.34 --> 4769.62] His +[4769.62 --> 4770.06] Last +[4770.06 --> 4770.34] Name +[4770.34 --> 4770.60] There +[4770.60 --> 4770.90] Means +[4770.90 --> 4771.26] Golden +[4771.26 --> 4771.68] Mouth +[4771.68 --> 4773.64] He +[4773.64 --> 4774.10] Asks +[4774.10 --> 4774.30] A +[4774.30 --> 4774.74] Question +[4774.74 --> 4775.42] That +[4775.42 --> 4775.54] Is +[4775.54 --> 4775.94] Important +[4775.94 --> 4776.28] I +[4776.28 --> 4776.48] Think +[4776.48 --> 4776.66] For +[4776.66 --> 4776.86] Us +[4776.86 --> 4777.16] Making +[4777.16 --> 4777.42] This +[4777.42 --> 4777.70] Real +[4777.70 --> 4779.76] He +[4779.76 --> 4780.16] Says +[4780.16 --> 4781.24] Jesus +[4781.24 --> 4782.46] Who +[4782.46 --> 4782.72] Had +[4782.72 --> 4783.10] Heaven +[4783.10 --> 4783.40] For +[4783.40 --> 4783.64] His +[4783.64 --> 4784.24] Portion +[4784.24 --> 4784.88] Gave +[4784.88 --> 4785.04] It +[4785.04 --> 4785.24] Up +[4785.24 --> 4785.46] So +[4785.46 --> 4785.60] That +[4785.60 --> 4785.76] We +[4785.76 --> 4786.02] Might +[4786.02 --> 4786.30] Gain +[4786.30 --> 4786.52] It +[4786.52 --> 4787.84] What +[4787.84 --> 4788.34] Excuse +[4788.34 --> 4788.60] Do +[4788.60 --> 4788.84] You +[4788.84 --> 4789.26] Have +[4789.26 --> 4789.50] For +[4789.50 --> 4789.76] Running +[4789.76 --> 4789.98] To +[4789.98 --> 4790.18] The +[4790.18 --> 4790.64] Serpent +[4790.64 --> 4791.64] After +[4791.64 --> 4792.16] Receiving +[4792.16 --> 4792.36] The +[4792.36 --> 4792.74] Dove +[4792.74 --> 4795.72] I +[4795.72 --> 4795.90] Read +[4795.90 --> 4796.08] That +[4796.08 --> 4796.30] This +[4796.30 --> 4796.58] Week +[4796.58 --> 4797.36] And +[4797.36 --> 4797.48] It +[4797.48 --> 4797.74] Hurt +[4797.74 --> 4799.82] Cut +[4799.82 --> 4800.04] Me +[4800.04 --> 4800.82] To +[4800.82 --> 4800.96] The +[4800.96 --> 4801.20] Core +[4801.20 --> 4804.92] Repentance +[4804.92 --> 4805.46] Calls +[4805.46 --> 4805.64] For +[4805.64 --> 4806.16] Total +[4806.16 --> 4806.84] Life +[4806.84 --> 4807.80] Change +[4807.80 --> 4809.60] And yet +[4809.60 --> 4809.74] There's +[4809.74 --> 4809.86] So +[4809.86 --> 4809.98] Many +[4809.98 --> 4810.30] Places +[4810.30 --> 4810.46] That +[4810.46 --> 4810.56] I +[4810.56 --> 4810.70] See +[4810.70 --> 4811.08] Myself +[4811.08 --> 4811.50] Running +[4811.50 --> 4812.28] To +[4812.28 --> 4812.46] The +[4812.46 --> 4812.92] Serpent +[4812.92 --> 4814.32] After +[4814.32 --> 4814.72] Receiving +[4814.72 --> 4814.88] The +[4814.88 --> 4815.16] Dove +[4815.16 --> 4820.12] How +[4820.12 --> 4820.24] Do +[4820.24 --> 4820.36] We +[4820.36 --> 4822.76] How +[4822.76 --> 4822.84] Do +[4822.84 --> 4822.96] We +[4822.96 --> 4823.36] Live +[4823.36 --> 4823.60] As +[4823.60 --> 4823.98] Those +[4823.98 --> 4824.82] Who +[4824.82 --> 4824.92] Have +[4824.92 --> 4825.04] Been +[4825.04 --> 4825.64] Embraced +[4825.64 --> 4826.16] By +[4826.16 --> 4826.30] The +[4826.30 --> 4826.50] Spirit +[4826.50 --> 4826.66] Of +[4826.66 --> 4826.92] God +[4826.92 --> 4828.56] Instead +[4828.56 --> 4828.76] Of +[4828.76 --> 4829.04] Running +[4829.04 --> 4829.72] To +[4829.72 --> 4830.20] The +[4830.20 --> 4830.60] Serpent +[4830.60 --> 4831.00] Run +[4831.00 --> 4831.30] Away +[4831.30 --> 4832.04] From +[4832.04 --> 4832.86] The +[4832.86 --> 4833.20] Serpent +[4833.20 --> 4835.66] John +[4835.66 --> 4835.92] Mark +[4835.92 --> 4836.22] Homer +[4836.22 --> 4837.36] In +[4837.36 --> 4837.56] His +[4837.56 --> 4837.90] Book +[4837.90 --> 4838.86] Practicing +[4838.86 --> 4839.06] The +[4839.06 --> 4839.38] Way +[4839.38 --> 4840.84] Says +[4840.84 --> 4841.32] That +[4841.32 --> 4842.80] Following +[4842.80 --> 4843.36] Jesus +[4843.36 --> 4843.80] Doesn't +[4843.80 --> 4844.02] Work +[4844.02 --> 4844.14] As +[4844.14 --> 4844.26] A +[4844.26 --> 4844.56] Hobby +[4844.56 --> 4847.12] What +[4847.12 --> 4847.22] He +[4847.22 --> 4847.42] Means +[4847.42 --> 4847.62] By +[4847.62 --> 4847.98] That +[4847.98 --> 4848.94] Is +[4848.94 --> 4849.26] That +[4849.26 --> 4849.70] It's +[4849.70 --> 4849.96] Not +[4849.96 --> 4850.50] Something +[4850.50 --> 4851.40] Optional +[4851.40 --> 4851.62] That +[4851.62 --> 4851.80] You +[4851.80 --> 4851.96] Can +[4851.96 --> 4852.58] Add +[4852.58 --> 4852.90] To +[4852.90 --> 4853.08] The +[4853.08 --> 4853.34] Main +[4853.34 --> 4853.66] Point +[4853.66 --> 4853.84] Of +[4853.84 --> 4854.00] Your +[4854.00 --> 4854.36] Life +[4854.36 --> 4856.46] So +[4856.46 --> 4856.62] Many +[4856.62 --> 4856.74] Of +[4856.74 --> 4856.86] Us +[4856.86 --> 4857.20] Approach +[4857.20 --> 4857.38] Our +[4857.38 --> 4857.92] Relationship +[4857.92 --> 4858.04] To +[4858.04 --> 4858.30] God +[4858.30 --> 4858.46] And +[4858.46 --> 4858.56] To +[4858.56 --> 4858.86] Jesus +[4858.86 --> 4859.36] Like +[4859.36 --> 4859.48] A +[4859.48 --> 4859.74] Hobby +[4859.74 --> 4860.72] Maybe +[4860.72 --> 4860.92] You +[4860.92 --> 4861.22] Live +[4861.22 --> 4861.44] For +[4861.44 --> 4862.00] Fame +[4862.00 --> 4862.40] Maybe +[4862.40 --> 4862.52] You +[4862.52 --> 4862.70] Want +[4862.70 --> 4862.78] To +[4862.78 --> 4862.90] Be +[4862.90 --> 4863.04] A +[4863.04 --> 4863.30] YouTube +[4863.30 --> 4863.98] Streamer +[4863.98 --> 4865.38] Maybe +[4865.38 --> 4865.56] You +[4865.56 --> 4865.76] Live +[4865.76 --> 4865.96] For +[4865.96 --> 4866.14] Your +[4866.14 --> 4866.68] Career +[4866.68 --> 4867.16] Or +[4867.16 --> 4867.32] For +[4867.32 --> 4867.86] Sports +[4867.86 --> 4868.10] Or +[4868.10 --> 4868.30] For +[4868.30 --> 4868.78] Fitness +[4868.78 --> 4869.40] Maybe +[4869.40 --> 4870.10] Everything +[4870.10 --> 4870.40] You +[4870.40 --> 4870.60] Do +[4870.60 --> 4870.76] In +[4870.76 --> 4870.94] This +[4870.94 --> 4871.24] Life +[4871.24 --> 4871.46] Is +[4871.46 --> 4871.62] For +[4871.62 --> 4871.78] The +[4871.78 --> 4872.24] Purpose +[4872.24 --> 4872.62] Of +[4872.62 --> 4873.16] Earning +[4873.16 --> 4873.42] Your +[4873.42 --> 4873.90] Father's +[4873.90 --> 4874.46] Approval +[4874.46 --> 4876.38] And +[4876.38 --> 4876.50] The +[4876.50 --> 4876.76] Truth +[4876.76 --> 4877.10] Is +[4877.10 --> 4877.48] You +[4877.48 --> 4877.86] Simply +[4877.86 --> 4878.38] Can't +[4878.38 --> 4878.90] Add +[4878.90 --> 4879.32] Jesus +[4879.32 --> 4879.60] To +[4879.60 --> 4879.76] The +[4879.76 --> 4880.06] Top +[4880.06 --> 4880.24] Of +[4880.24 --> 4880.46] That +[4880.46 --> 4880.96] List +[4880.96 --> 4881.12] Of +[4881.12 --> 4881.44] Things +[4881.44 --> 4883.14] You +[4883.14 --> 4883.42] Can't +[4883.42 --> 4883.66] Add +[4883.66 --> 4884.06] Jesus +[4884.06 --> 4885.04] To +[4885.04 --> 4885.24] A +[4885.24 --> 4885.54] List +[4885.54 --> 4886.18] When +[4886.18 --> 4886.36] We +[4886.36 --> 4886.54] Are +[4886.54 --> 4887.02] Already +[4887.02 --> 4887.38] An +[4887.38 --> 4887.98] Over +[4887.98 --> 4888.46] Busy +[4888.46 --> 4889.50] Consumeristic +[4889.50 --> 4890.34] Emotionally +[4890.34 --> 4890.96] Unhealthy +[4890.96 --> 4891.38] Hyper +[4891.38 --> 4892.32] Individualistic +[4892.32 --> 4892.80] Digitally +[4892.80 --> 4893.54] Distracted +[4893.54 --> 4894.06] Media +[4894.06 --> 4894.86] Saturated +[4894.86 --> 4896.08] Undisciplined +[4896.08 --> 4896.60] Modern +[4896.60 --> 4897.04] People +[4897.04 --> 4898.82] But +[4898.82 --> 4899.00] That's +[4899.00 --> 4899.32] Exactly +[4899.32 --> 4899.50] How +[4899.50 --> 4899.78] Most +[4899.78 --> 4899.92] Of +[4899.92 --> 4900.06] Us +[4900.06 --> 4900.52] Approach +[4900.52 --> 4901.26] Jesus +[4901.26 --> 4903.06] So +[4903.06 --> 4903.28] Most +[4903.28 --> 4903.38] Of +[4903.38 --> 4903.48] Us +[4903.48 --> 4903.76] Approach +[4903.76 --> 4903.88] Our +[4903.88 --> 4904.58] Discipleship +[4904.58 --> 4905.86] And +[4905.86 --> 4905.94] To +[4905.94 --> 4906.08] Be +[4906.08 --> 4906.54] Honest +[4906.54 --> 4906.84] It +[4906.84 --> 4907.20] Just +[4907.20 --> 4908.14] Doesn't +[4908.14 --> 4908.92] Work +[4908.92 --> 4910.90] It's +[4910.90 --> 4911.08] Not +[4911.08 --> 4911.34] Enough +[4911.34 --> 4911.56] To +[4911.56 --> 4911.98] Dash +[4911.98 --> 4912.16] A +[4912.16 --> 4912.32] Little +[4912.32 --> 4912.52] Bit +[4912.52 --> 4912.66] Of +[4912.66 --> 4913.00] Jesus +[4913.00 --> 4913.40] In +[4913.40 --> 4913.72] Every +[4913.72 --> 4914.00] Now +[4914.00 --> 4914.14] And +[4914.14 --> 4914.46] Again +[4914.46 --> 4914.94] The +[4914.94 --> 4915.24] Whole +[4915.24 --> 4915.72] Point +[4915.72 --> 4915.90] Of +[4915.90 --> 4916.12] This +[4916.12 --> 4916.64] Text +[4916.64 --> 4917.12] That +[4917.12 --> 4917.36] We +[4917.36 --> 4917.48] Have +[4917.48 --> 4917.58] Been +[4917.58 --> 4917.88] Trying +[4917.88 --> 4918.10] To +[4918.10 --> 4918.40] See +[4918.40 --> 4918.64] And +[4918.64 --> 4918.94] Hear +[4918.94 --> 4919.20] In +[4919.20 --> 4919.44] That +[4919.44 --> 4919.88] The +[4919.88 --> 4920.04] Whole +[4920.04 --> 4920.34] Point +[4920.34 --> 4920.54] Of +[4920.54 --> 4921.00] Following +[4921.00 --> 4921.74] Jesus +[4921.74 --> 4922.10] Is +[4922.10 --> 4922.26] That +[4922.26 --> 4922.58] He +[4922.58 --> 4922.94] Must +[4922.94 --> 4923.40] Become +[4923.40 --> 4923.64] The +[4923.64 --> 4924.10] Main +[4924.10 --> 4924.50] Thing +[4924.50 --> 4924.76] Of +[4927.04 --> 4927.30] Producing +[4927.30 --> 4927.68] Fruit +[4927.68 --> 4927.94] In +[4927.94 --> 4928.24] Keeping +[4928.24 --> 4928.50] With +[4928.50 --> 4928.66] Our +[4928.66 --> 4929.40] Repentance +[4929.40 --> 4929.94] In +[4929.94 --> 4930.30] Line +[4930.30 --> 4930.56] With +[4930.56 --> 4930.94] God's +[4930.94 --> 4931.28] Plan +[4931.28 --> 4931.50] And +[4931.50 --> 4931.96] Design +[4931.96 --> 4932.92] Is +[4932.92 --> 4933.64] Life +[4933.64 --> 4936.92] And +[4936.92 --> 4937.02] In +[4937.02 --> 4937.16] Our +[4937.16 --> 4937.48] Cultural +[4937.48 --> 4938.00] Moment +[4938.00 --> 4938.80] Where +[4938.80 --> 4938.96] We're +[4938.96 --> 4939.20] Told +[4939.20 --> 4939.38] That +[4939.38 --> 4939.50] There +[4939.50 --> 4939.64] Are +[4939.64 --> 4939.78] No +[4939.78 --> 4940.16] Rules +[4940.16 --> 4940.36] And +[4940.36 --> 4940.48] There +[4940.48 --> 4940.64] Are +[4940.64 --> 4940.80] No +[4940.80 --> 4941.40] Masters +[4941.40 --> 4942.38] Following +[4942.38 --> 4942.94] Jesus +[4942.94 --> 4943.52] Says +[4943.52 --> 4943.74] That +[4943.74 --> 4943.90] We +[4943.90 --> 4944.22] Must +[4944.22 --> 4944.50] Live +[4944.50 --> 4944.86] Our +[4944.86 --> 4945.18] Life +[4945.18 --> 4945.40] By +[4945.40 --> 4945.66] His +[4945.66 --> 4946.08] Rule +[4946.08 --> 4947.66] With +[4947.66 --> 4947.86] Him +[4947.86 --> 4948.02] As +[4948.02 --> 4948.16] Our +[4948.16 --> 4948.58] Master +[4948.58 --> 4951.42] It's +[4951.42 --> 4951.72] Interesting +[4951.72 --> 4952.20] To +[4952.20 --> 4952.40] Me +[4952.40 --> 4952.58] As +[4952.58 --> 4952.86] A +[4952.86 --> 4953.16] Student +[4953.16 --> 4953.34] Of +[4953.34 --> 4953.74] History +[4953.74 --> 4954.00] That +[4954.00 --> 4955.54] Around +[4955.54 --> 4955.84] The +[4955.84 --> 4956.14] Same +[4956.14 --> 4956.70] Time +[4956.70 --> 4957.46] That +[4957.46 --> 4958.00] Christianity +[4958.00 --> 4959.40] Moved +[4959.40 --> 4959.84] From +[4959.84 --> 4960.66] A +[4960.66 --> 4961.48] Minority +[4961.48 --> 4962.66] Religion +[4962.66 --> 4963.08] Under +[4963.08 --> 4963.84] Persecution +[4963.84 --> 4964.70] To +[4964.70 --> 4965.36] The +[4965.36 --> 4966.12] Approved +[4966.12 --> 4966.56] Religion +[4966.56 --> 4966.76] Of +[4966.76 --> 4966.88] The +[4966.88 --> 4967.20] Christian +[4967.20 --> 4967.72] Empire +[4967.72 --> 4968.72] In +[4968.72 --> 4968.84] The +[4968.84 --> 4969.10] Early +[4969.10 --> 4969.48] Fourth +[4969.48 --> 4969.94] Century +[4969.94 --> 4970.24] And +[4970.24 --> 4970.48] Kind +[4970.48 --> 4970.58] Of +[4970.58 --> 4970.96] Throughout +[4970.96 --> 4972.04] Around +[4972.04 --> 4972.30] The +[4972.30 --> 4972.52] Same +[4972.52 --> 4972.98] Time +[4972.98 --> 4973.24] When +[4973.24 --> 4973.98] Emperor +[4973.98 --> 4974.80] Constantine +[4974.80 --> 4975.24] Makes +[4975.24 --> 4975.78] Christianity +[4975.78 --> 4976.10] The +[4976.10 --> 4976.48] Official +[4976.48 --> 4977.02] Religion +[4977.02 --> 4978.14] A +[4978.14 --> 4978.48] Number +[4978.48 --> 4978.78] Of +[4978.78 --> 4979.28] Christians +[4979.28 --> 4979.94] At +[4979.94 --> 4980.10] This +[4980.10 --> 4980.38] Time +[4980.38 --> 4980.84] Started +[4980.84 --> 4981.58] Realizing +[4981.58 --> 4981.92] Just +[4981.92 --> 4982.16] How +[4982.16 --> 4982.60] Hard +[4982.60 --> 4982.80] It +[4982.80 --> 4983.24] Was +[4983.24 --> 4983.78] To +[4983.78 --> 4984.18] Be +[4984.18 --> 4985.10] Distinctly +[4985.10 --> 4985.72] Christian +[4985.72 --> 4986.38] When +[4986.38 --> 4986.70] Everyone +[4986.70 --> 4987.12] Else +[4987.12 --> 4987.48] Is +[4987.48 --> 4987.90] Becoming +[4987.90 --> 4988.70] Nominally +[4988.70 --> 4989.04] Or +[4989.04 --> 4989.68] Culturally +[4989.68 --> 4990.40] Christian +[4990.40 --> 4992.02] And +[4992.02 --> 4992.16] It's +[4992.16 --> 4992.36] About +[4992.36 --> 4992.58] This +[4992.58 --> 4992.82] Same +[4992.82 --> 4993.28] Time +[4993.28 --> 4993.52] That +[4993.52 --> 4994.42] Monasteries +[4994.42 --> 4995.00] Start +[4995.00 --> 4995.14] To +[4995.14 --> 4995.32] Come +[4995.32 --> 4995.54] Onto +[4995.54 --> 4995.70] The +[4995.70 --> 4995.98] Scene +[4995.98 --> 4996.74] It's +[4996.74 --> 4996.94] About +[4996.94 --> 4997.18] This +[4997.18 --> 4997.38] Same +[4997.38 --> 4997.84] Time +[4997.84 --> 4998.30] That +[4998.30 --> 4998.46] The +[4998.46 --> 4998.80] Desert +[4998.80 --> 4999.40] Fathers +[4999.40 --> 5000.00] Emerge +[5000.00 --> 5000.18] These +[5000.18 --> 5000.32] Are +[5000.32 --> 5000.86] People +[5000.86 --> 5002.84] Men +[5002.84 --> 5003.10] And +[5003.10 --> 5003.44] Women +[5003.44 --> 5003.94] Who +[5003.94 --> 5004.88] Intentionally +[5004.88 --> 5005.54] Remove +[5005.54 --> 5006.30] Themselves +[5006.30 --> 5006.72] From +[5006.72 --> 5007.00] The +[5007.00 --> 5007.54] Everyday +[5007.54 --> 5008.12] Cultural +[5008.12 --> 5008.50] Life +[5008.50 --> 5008.70] And +[5008.70 --> 5008.84] They +[5008.84 --> 5009.04] Go +[5009.04 --> 5009.50] Live +[5009.50 --> 5010.04] In +[5010.04 --> 5010.60] Solitude +[5010.60 --> 5010.86] In +[5010.86 --> 5011.04] The +[5011.04 --> 5011.70] Harshness +[5011.70 --> 5012.26] Of +[5012.26 --> 5012.42] The +[5012.42 --> 5012.72] Desert +[5012.72 --> 5013.02] Not +[5013.02 --> 5013.46] Unlike +[5013.46 --> 5013.70] John +[5013.70 --> 5013.82] The +[5013.82 --> 5014.26] Baptist +[5014.26 --> 5018.00] When +[5018.00 --> 5018.16] The +[5018.16 --> 5018.56] Voice +[5018.56 --> 5018.90] And +[5018.90 --> 5019.54] Influence +[5019.54 --> 5019.76] Of +[5019.76 --> 5020.18] Culture +[5020.18 --> 5020.74] Around +[5020.74 --> 5021.02] Us +[5021.02 --> 5021.26] Is +[5021.26 --> 5021.52] So +[5021.52 --> 5022.28] Strong +[5022.28 --> 5024.24] Maybe +[5024.24 --> 5024.48] What +[5024.48 --> 5024.62] We +[5024.62 --> 5024.82] All +[5024.82 --> 5025.20] Need +[5025.20 --> 5026.50] Is +[5026.50 --> 5026.72] What +[5026.72 --> 5026.94] John +[5026.94 --> 5027.14] Mark +[5027.14 --> 5027.48] Colmert +[5027.48 --> 5028.00] Calls +[5028.00 --> 5028.20] A +[5028.20 --> 5028.34] Little +[5028.34 --> 5028.52] Bit +[5028.52 --> 5028.62] Of +[5028.62 --> 5028.78] A +[5028.78 --> 5029.34] Monkish +[5029.34 --> 5030.08] Impulse +[5030.08 --> 5032.46] Making +[5032.46 --> 5032.48] Making +[5032.48 --> 5032.68] This +[5032.68 --> 5032.86] Same +[5032.86 --> 5033.14] Point +[5033.14 --> 5033.30] There +[5033.30 --> 5033.38] Is +[5033.38 --> 5033.56] A +[5033.56 --> 5034.30] Japanese +[5034.30 --> 5034.88] Canadian +[5034.88 --> 5035.38] Pastor +[5035.38 --> 5036.06] Whose +[5036.06 --> 5036.30] Name +[5036.30 --> 5036.48] Is +[5036.48 --> 5036.82] Ken +[5036.82 --> 5037.72] Shigematsu +[5037.72 --> 5038.80] And +[5038.80 --> 5038.92] He +[5038.92 --> 5039.18] Writes +[5039.18 --> 5039.32] A +[5039.32 --> 5039.62] Book +[5039.62 --> 5040.14] With +[5040.14 --> 5040.26] A +[5040.26 --> 5040.70] Subtitle +[5040.70 --> 5040.98] Called +[5040.98 --> 5041.24] How +[5041.24 --> 5041.44] An +[5041.44 --> 5041.82] Ancient +[5041.82 --> 5042.16] Rhythm +[5042.16 --> 5042.52] Helps +[5042.52 --> 5042.92] Busy +[5042.92 --> 5043.30] People +[5043.30 --> 5043.78] Enjoy +[5043.78 --> 5044.26] God +[5044.26 --> 5045.20] This +[5045.20 --> 5045.38] Book +[5045.38 --> 5045.52] Is +[5045.52 --> 5045.72] Kind +[5045.72 --> 5045.84] Of +[5045.84 --> 5045.96] A +[5045.96 --> 5046.50] Sustained +[5046.50 --> 5047.18] Reflection +[5047.18 --> 5048.06] On +[5048.06 --> 5048.50] Something +[5048.50 --> 5048.80] Or +[5048.80 --> 5048.96] How +[5048.96 --> 5049.32] Something +[5049.32 --> 5049.78] Like +[5049.78 --> 5050.00] The +[5050.00 --> 5050.34] Benedict +[5050.34 --> 5050.80] Rule +[5050.80 --> 5051.16] Which +[5051.16 --> 5051.30] Is +[5051.30 --> 5051.68] Itself +[5051.68 --> 5051.92] An +[5051.92 --> 5052.42] Ancient +[5052.42 --> 5053.10] Book +[5053.10 --> 5053.30] For +[5053.30 --> 5053.48] How +[5053.48 --> 5054.10] Monasteries +[5054.10 --> 5054.28] Should +[5054.28 --> 5054.58] Run +[5054.58 --> 5054.70] And +[5054.70 --> 5054.86] How +[5054.86 --> 5055.20] Monks +[5055.20 --> 5055.46] Should +[5055.46 --> 5055.78] Order +[5055.78 --> 5056.08] Their +[5056.08 --> 5056.46] Daily +[5056.46 --> 5056.98] Lives +[5056.98 --> 5057.78] He +[5057.78 --> 5058.22] Offers +[5058.22 --> 5058.48] That +[5058.48 --> 5058.70] As +[5058.70 --> 5059.00] Something +[5059.00 --> 5059.28] That +[5059.28 --> 5059.52] We +[5059.52 --> 5059.88] Should +[5059.88 --> 5060.38] Adopt +[5060.38 --> 5060.86] Again +[5060.86 --> 5061.28] In +[5061.28 --> 5061.54] This +[5061.54 --> 5062.08] Particular +[5062.08 --> 5062.52] Cultural +[5062.52 --> 5062.98] Moment +[5062.98 --> 5064.44] Now +[5064.44 --> 5064.58] He's +[5064.58 --> 5064.80] Not +[5064.80 --> 5065.12] Saying +[5065.12 --> 5065.34] That +[5065.34 --> 5065.62] Every +[5065.62 --> 5065.96] Christian +[5065.96 --> 5066.22] Should +[5066.22 --> 5066.50] Become +[5066.50 --> 5066.66] A +[5066.66 --> 5066.92] Monk +[5066.92 --> 5068.06] Okay +[5068.06 --> 5069.92] But +[5069.92 --> 5070.08] He +[5070.08 --> 5070.42] Does +[5070.42 --> 5071.06] Suggest +[5071.06 --> 5071.44] That +[5071.44 --> 5072.04] A +[5072.04 --> 5072.96] Monastic +[5072.96 --> 5074.26] Rule +[5074.26 --> 5074.44] Of +[5074.44 --> 5074.82] Life +[5074.82 --> 5075.16] Can +[5075.16 --> 5075.34] Help +[5075.34 --> 5075.52] Us +[5075.52 --> 5075.84] Learn +[5075.84 --> 5076.06] What +[5076.06 --> 5076.18] It +[5076.18 --> 5076.44] Means +[5076.44 --> 5076.68] To +[5076.68 --> 5077.04] Live +[5077.04 --> 5077.26] So +[5077.26 --> 5077.38] That +[5077.38 --> 5077.48] We +[5077.48 --> 5077.64] Are +[5077.64 --> 5078.04] Attuned +[5078.04 --> 5078.30] To +[5078.30 --> 5078.68] God +[5078.68 --> 5078.94] In +[5078.94 --> 5079.20] Our +[5079.20 --> 5079.72] Everything +[5079.72 --> 5080.84] A +[5080.84 --> 5081.10] Life +[5081.10 --> 5081.26] That +[5081.26 --> 5081.46] Does +[5081.46 --> 5081.74] More +[5081.74 --> 5081.92] Than +[5081.92 --> 5082.22] Pray +[5082.22 --> 5082.96] Sporadically +[5082.96 --> 5083.48] But +[5083.48 --> 5083.62] Is +[5083.62 --> 5084.04] Itself +[5084.04 --> 5084.28] A +[5086.08 --> 5086.28] Waken +[5086.28 --> 5086.50] To +[5086.50 --> 5086.78] God +[5086.78 --> 5086.98] So +[5086.98 --> 5087.12] That +[5087.12 --> 5087.28] The +[5087.28 --> 5087.70] World +[5087.70 --> 5088.24] Becomes +[5088.24 --> 5088.70] Our +[5088.70 --> 5089.82] Monastery +[5089.82 --> 5092.06] Here's +[5092.06 --> 5092.30] Why I +[5092.30 --> 5092.46] Like +[5092.46 --> 5092.66] This +[5092.66 --> 5092.98] Image +[5092.98 --> 5094.18] That +[5094.18 --> 5094.28] The +[5094.28 --> 5094.52] Life +[5094.52 --> 5094.64] Of +[5094.64 --> 5094.80] A +[5094.80 --> 5095.04] Monk +[5095.04 --> 5095.26] Is +[5095.26 --> 5096.04] Disciplined +[5096.04 --> 5096.74] And +[5096.74 --> 5097.14] Hard +[5097.14 --> 5099.24] It +[5099.24 --> 5099.40] Is +[5099.40 --> 5100.22] Austere +[5100.22 --> 5100.92] Yet +[5100.92 --> 5102.04] Deeply +[5102.04 --> 5103.00] Restful +[5103.00 --> 5105.56] Right +[5105.56 --> 5105.72] And +[5105.72 --> 5105.98] Just +[5105.98 --> 5106.30] Like +[5106.30 --> 5106.58] Growing +[5106.58 --> 5106.98] Fruit +[5106.98 --> 5107.16] On +[5107.16 --> 5107.30] A +[5107.30 --> 5107.62] Tree +[5107.62 --> 5108.24] Takes +[5108.24 --> 5108.72] Time +[5108.72 --> 5109.42] Producing +[5109.42 --> 5109.64] The +[5109.64 --> 5109.90] Fruit +[5109.90 --> 5110.16] Of +[5110.16 --> 5110.90] Repentance +[5110.90 --> 5111.60] Takes +[5111.60 --> 5112.34] Time +[5112.34 --> 5113.78] Right +[5113.78 --> 5114.00] This +[5114.00 --> 5114.38] Work +[5114.38 --> 5114.82] Takes +[5114.82 --> 5115.10] A +[5115.10 --> 5115.32] Lot +[5115.32 --> 5115.46] Of +[5115.46 --> 5115.80] Time +[5115.80 --> 5116.56] Following +[5116.56 --> 5117.10] Jesus +[5117.10 --> 5117.56] Is +[5117.56 --> 5117.82] Not +[5117.82 --> 5118.68] Convenient +[5118.68 --> 5119.10] Or +[5119.10 --> 5119.48] Quick +[5119.48 --> 5120.00] Or +[5120.00 --> 5120.42] Easy +[5120.42 --> 5122.46] There's +[5122.46 --> 5122.84] No +[5122.84 --> 5123.18] Way +[5123.18 --> 5123.40] To +[5123.40 --> 5123.56] Be +[5123.56 --> 5123.72] A +[5123.72 --> 5124.26] Disciple +[5124.26 --> 5124.46] Of +[5124.46 --> 5124.82] Jesus +[5124.82 --> 5125.52] Without +[5125.52 --> 5126.12] Him +[5126.12 --> 5127.06] Interfering +[5127.06 --> 5127.28] In +[5127.28 --> 5127.42] Your +[5127.42 --> 5127.78] Life +[5127.78 --> 5130.66] Right +[5130.66 --> 5131.14] Following +[5131.14 --> 5131.62] Jesus +[5131.62 --> 5132.24] Changes +[5132.24 --> 5132.82] How +[5132.82 --> 5132.98] You +[5132.98 --> 5133.26] Treat +[5133.26 --> 5133.42] Your +[5133.42 --> 5133.76] Brother +[5133.76 --> 5134.50] Or +[5134.50 --> 5134.66] Your +[5134.66 --> 5135.06] Sister +[5135.06 --> 5137.20] Following +[5137.20 --> 5137.58] Jesus +[5137.58 --> 5137.90] Means +[5137.90 --> 5138.44] Listening +[5138.44 --> 5138.76] To +[5138.76 --> 5139.18] God +[5139.18 --> 5140.20] Even +[5140.20 --> 5140.40] When +[5140.40 --> 5140.56] It's +[5140.56 --> 5140.86] Hard +[5140.86 --> 5141.80] It +[5141.80 --> 5141.96] Means +[5141.96 --> 5142.28] Listening +[5142.28 --> 5142.50] To +[5142.50 --> 5142.66] Mom +[5142.66 --> 5142.80] And +[5142.80 --> 5143.12] Dad +[5143.12 --> 5143.92] Even +[5143.92 --> 5144.46] When +[5144.46 --> 5145.46] They +[5145.46 --> 5145.72] Don't +[5145.72 --> 5146.04] Speak +[5146.04 --> 5146.36] Very +[5146.36 --> 5146.72] Well +[5146.72 --> 5147.20] To +[5147.20 --> 5147.42] You +[5147.42 --> 5149.26] In +[5149.26 --> 5149.40] A +[5149.40 --> 5149.78] Culture +[5149.78 --> 5150.08] That +[5150.08 --> 5150.84] Idolizes +[5150.84 --> 5151.74] Busyness +[5151.74 --> 5152.70] Choosing +[5152.70 --> 5153.24] Rest +[5153.24 --> 5153.94] Appears +[5153.94 --> 5154.20] As +[5154.20 --> 5155.12] Interference +[5155.12 --> 5155.64] For +[5155.64 --> 5155.86] What +[5155.86 --> 5156.28] Really +[5156.28 --> 5156.96] Matters +[5156.96 --> 5158.60] In +[5158.60 --> 5158.62] In +[5158.62 --> 5158.78] In +[5158.78 --> 5158.88] A +[5158.88 --> 5159.18] Time +[5159.18 --> 5159.36] And +[5159.36 --> 5159.64] Place +[5159.64 --> 5159.86] That +[5159.86 --> 5160.20] Tells +[5160.20 --> 5160.38] Us +[5160.38 --> 5160.58] To +[5160.58 --> 5161.32] Hoard +[5161.32 --> 5161.72] More +[5161.72 --> 5161.98] And +[5161.98 --> 5162.20] More +[5162.20 --> 5162.92] Things +[5162.92 --> 5163.76] Choosing +[5163.76 --> 5164.46] Sacrificial +[5164.46 --> 5164.94] Living +[5164.94 --> 5165.26] And +[5165.26 --> 5166.08] Generosity +[5166.08 --> 5167.26] Appears +[5167.26 --> 5168.50] Counterproductive +[5168.50 --> 5170.28] Right +[5170.28 --> 5170.46] When +[5170.46 --> 5171.04] Instagram +[5171.04 --> 5171.40] And +[5171.40 --> 5171.72] TikTok +[5171.72 --> 5172.20] Tell +[5172.20 --> 5172.38] You +[5172.38 --> 5172.58] To +[5172.58 --> 5173.02] Post +[5173.02 --> 5173.46] Only +[5173.46 --> 5173.76] Your +[5173.76 --> 5174.14] Best +[5174.14 --> 5174.66] Self +[5174.66 --> 5175.46] Choosing +[5175.46 --> 5176.28] Vulnerability +[5176.28 --> 5176.70] And +[5176.70 --> 5177.52] Confession +[5177.52 --> 5178.32] Might +[5178.32 --> 5178.68] Hurt +[5178.68 --> 5178.90] Your +[5178.90 --> 5179.32] Social +[5179.32 --> 5179.88] Standing +[5179.88 --> 5183.00] Producing +[5183.00 --> 5183.56] Fruits +[5183.56 --> 5184.72] In +[5184.72 --> 5185.12] Keeping +[5185.12 --> 5185.58] With +[5185.58 --> 5186.38] Repentance +[5186.38 --> 5187.22] Requires +[5187.22 --> 5187.48] A +[5187.48 --> 5187.96] Dying +[5187.96 --> 5188.66] To +[5188.66 --> 5189.16] Self +[5189.16 --> 5191.14] That +[5191.14 --> 5191.24] Is +[5191.24 --> 5191.68] Exactly +[5191.68 --> 5191.94] What +[5191.94 --> 5192.20] Jesus +[5192.20 --> 5192.54] Said +[5192.54 --> 5192.70] Would +[5192.70 --> 5192.84] Be +[5192.84 --> 5193.62] Necessary +[5193.62 --> 5194.06] And +[5194.06 --> 5194.22] Would +[5194.22 --> 5194.64] Happen +[5194.64 --> 5194.88] If +[5194.88 --> 5195.04] We +[5195.04 --> 5195.38] Chose +[5195.38 --> 5195.58] To +[5195.58 --> 5195.84] Take +[5195.84 --> 5196.02] Up +[5196.02 --> 5196.28] Our +[5196.28 --> 5196.78] Cross +[5196.78 --> 5197.20] And +[5197.20 --> 5197.54] Follow +[5197.54 --> 5197.90] After +[5197.90 --> 5198.16] Him +[5198.16 --> 5200.52] But +[5200.52 --> 5200.96] Remember +[5200.96 --> 5202.82] Behold +[5202.82 --> 5203.54] Your +[5203.54 --> 5203.90] King +[5203.90 --> 5205.50] Right +[5205.50 --> 5205.86] Remember +[5205.86 --> 5206.12] That +[5206.12 --> 5206.52] Jesus +[5206.52 --> 5207.38] Endured +[5207.38 --> 5207.86] His +[5207.86 --> 5208.84] Testing +[5208.84 --> 5209.92] He +[5209.92 --> 5210.90] Succeeded +[5210.90 --> 5211.14] Where +[5211.14 --> 5211.52] We +[5211.52 --> 5212.26] Fail +[5212.26 --> 5213.42] And +[5213.42 --> 5213.64] He +[5213.64 --> 5214.08] Has +[5214.08 --> 5214.50] In +[5214.50 --> 5214.82] Fact +[5214.82 --> 5215.38] Been +[5215.38 --> 5215.66] Given +[5215.66 --> 5215.96] All +[5215.96 --> 5216.48] Authority +[5216.48 --> 5216.84] In +[5216.84 --> 5217.12] Heaven +[5217.12 --> 5217.60] And +[5217.60 --> 5217.80] On +[5217.80 --> 5217.98] Earth +[5217.98 --> 5218.20] He +[5218.20 --> 5218.66] Has +[5218.66 --> 5218.96] In +[5218.96 --> 5219.24] Fact +[5219.24 --> 5220.30] Inherited +[5220.30 --> 5220.76] The +[5220.76 --> 5221.22] Nations +[5221.22 --> 5222.30] And +[5222.30 --> 5222.46] So +[5222.46 --> 5222.80] Even +[5222.80 --> 5223.10] Though +[5223.10 --> 5223.38] It's +[5223.38 --> 5223.98] Hard +[5223.98 --> 5224.68] What +[5224.68 --> 5225.18] Jesus +[5225.18 --> 5225.60] Can +[5225.60 --> 5225.98] Give +[5225.98 --> 5226.24] You +[5226.24 --> 5226.60] Is +[5226.60 --> 5226.98] Worth +[5226.98 --> 5227.44] Far +[5227.44 --> 5228.00] More +[5228.00 --> 5228.52] Than +[5228.52 --> 5229.14] Anything +[5229.14 --> 5229.54] You +[5229.54 --> 5229.72] Are +[5229.72 --> 5229.94] Called +[5229.94 --> 5230.10] To +[5230.10 --> 5230.28] Give +[5230.28 --> 5230.54] Up +[5230.54 --> 5232.68] God +[5232.68 --> 5233.02] That's +[5233.02 --> 5233.04] That's +[5233.04 --> 5233.06] That's +[5233.06 --> 5234.12] That's +[5234.12 --> 5235.70] The promise +[5235.70 --> 5236.96] Of +[5236.96 --> 5237.24] Being +[5237.24 --> 5237.94] Monkish +[5237.94 --> 5238.48] In +[5238.48 --> 5238.60] A +[5238.60 --> 5238.90] Messy +[5238.90 --> 5239.18] World +[5239.18 --> 5241.62] You +[5241.62 --> 5241.78] Were +[5241.78 --> 5242.02] Not +[5242.02 --> 5242.38] Made +[5242.38 --> 5242.76] To +[5242.76 --> 5243.46] Hustle +[5243.46 --> 5243.78] For +[5243.78 --> 5243.98] Your +[5243.98 --> 5244.74] Identity +[5244.74 --> 5247.10] Idols +[5247.10 --> 5247.94] Make +[5247.94 --> 5248.10] You +[5248.10 --> 5248.40] Hustle +[5248.40 --> 5248.60] For +[5248.60 --> 5248.76] A +[5248.76 --> 5248.98] Name +[5248.98 --> 5250.84] In +[5250.84 --> 5251.52] Baptism +[5251.52 --> 5252.52] God +[5252.52 --> 5252.84] Gives +[5252.84 --> 5253.04] You +[5253.04 --> 5253.36] One +[5253.36 --> 5255.38] Behold +[5255.38 --> 5255.66] Your +[5255.66 --> 5256.08] King +[5256.08 --> 5257.36] Follow +[5257.36 --> 5257.76] Him +[5257.76 --> 5258.40] Trust +[5258.40 --> 5258.62] In +[5258.62 --> 5258.94] Him +[5258.94 --> 5260.34] Profess +[5260.34 --> 5261.44] Him +[5261.44 --> 5263.64] Make +[5263.64 --> 5264.00] Jesus +[5264.00 --> 5264.28] More +[5264.28 --> 5264.42] Than +[5264.42 --> 5264.56] A +[5264.56 --> 5264.88] Hobby +[5264.88 --> 5265.90] Make +[5265.90 --> 5266.02] Him +[5266.02 --> 5266.14] Your +[5266.14 --> 5266.54] Master +[5266.54 --> 5267.76] Because +[5267.76 --> 5267.96] Of +[5267.96 --> 5268.38] Him +[5268.38 --> 5269.48] Clothed +[5269.48 --> 5269.74] In +[5269.74 --> 5270.30] Him +[5270.30 --> 5271.10] Hear +[5271.10 --> 5271.78] The Father +[5271.78 --> 5272.38] Say +[5272.38 --> 5273.02] You +[5273.02 --> 5273.30] Are +[5273.30 --> 5273.54] My +[5273.54 --> 5274.06] Son +[5274.06 --> 5274.80] You +[5274.80 --> 5275.24] Are +[5275.24 --> 5275.64] My +[5275.64 --> 5276.26] Daughter +[5276.26 --> 5278.70] And +[5278.70 --> 5278.92] Then +[5278.92 --> 5280.18] Let's +[5280.18 --> 5280.50] Go +[5280.50 --> 5281.64] Today +[5281.64 --> 5282.48] And +[5282.48 --> 5282.98] Live +[5282.98 --> 5283.78] As +[5283.78 --> 5284.26] Sons +[5284.26 --> 5284.92] And +[5284.92 --> 5285.44] Daughters +[5285.44 --> 5286.28] Of +[5286.28 --> 5286.40] The +[5286.40 --> 5286.66] King +[5286.66 --> 5287.78] Amen +[5287.78 --> 5289.12] Amen +[5289.12 --> 5290.28] Let's +[5290.28 --> 5290.48] Pray +[5290.48 --> 5299.46] Lord +[5299.46 --> 5299.80] God +[5299.80 --> 5302.34] Revive +[5302.34 --> 5302.82] Our +[5302.82 --> 5303.52] Hearts +[5303.52 --> 5304.48] And +[5304.48 --> 5305.20] Minds +[5305.20 --> 5307.46] Revive +[5307.46 --> 5307.76] Our +[5307.76 --> 5308.78] Imaginations +[5308.78 --> 5309.90] Unstop +[5309.90 --> 5310.34] Our +[5310.34 --> 5310.94] Ears +[5310.94 --> 5311.42] So +[5311.42 --> 5311.54] That +[5311.54 --> 5311.68] We +[5311.68 --> 5311.94] Might +[5311.94 --> 5312.26] Hear +[5312.26 --> 5312.58] You +[5312.58 --> 5313.10] Say +[5313.10 --> 5313.72] You +[5313.72 --> 5313.98] Are +[5313.98 --> 5314.20] My +[5314.20 --> 5314.70] Son +[5314.70 --> 5315.24] You +[5315.24 --> 5315.60] Are +[5315.60 --> 5315.92] My +[5315.92 --> 5316.48] Daughter +[5316.48 --> 5317.18] Whom +[5317.18 --> 5317.58] I +[5317.58 --> 5318.12] Love +[5318.12 --> 5321.02] Open +[5321.02 --> 5321.40] The +[5321.40 --> 5321.80] Eyes +[5321.80 --> 5321.96] Of +[5321.96 --> 5322.14] Our +[5322.14 --> 5322.56] Heart +[5322.56 --> 5324.16] So +[5324.16 --> 5324.34] That +[5324.34 --> 5324.64] We +[5324.64 --> 5325.04] Might +[5325.04 --> 5325.56] See +[5325.56 --> 5326.16] You +[5326.16 --> 5326.88] Jesus +[5326.88 --> 5327.78] So +[5327.78 --> 5327.94] That +[5327.94 --> 5328.24] We +[5328.24 --> 5328.86] Might +[5328.86 --> 5329.54] Behold +[5329.54 --> 5330.44] Our +[5330.44 --> 5331.30] King +[5331.30 --> 5332.98] In +[5332.98 --> 5333.22] Your +[5333.22 --> 5333.46] Name +[5333.46 --> 5333.64] We +[5333.64 --> 5333.94] Pray +[5333.94 --> 5335.04] Amen +[5335.04 --> 5354.26] Hallelujah +[5356.42 --> 5356.76] Hallelujah +[5356.76 --> 5358.70] Thind the glory +[5358.70 --> 5359.56] Hallelujah +[5359.56 --> 5361.48] Amen +[5362.10 --> 5362.62] Hallelujah +[5362.62 --> 5364.58] Thind the glory +[5364.58 --> 5367.58] revive us again +[5367.58 --> 5370.70] we praise thee +[5370.70 --> 5372.56] O God for the +[5372.56 --> 5374.52] Son of thy love +[5374.52 --> 5376.58] for Jesus who +[5376.58 --> 5378.56] died and has now +[5378.56 --> 5380.02] gone above +[5380.02 --> 5383.04] hallelujah thine the glory +[5383.04 --> 5384.34] hallelujah +[5384.34 --> 5385.62] amen +[5385.62 --> 5388.68] hallelujah thine the glory +[5388.68 --> 5390.42] revive us +[5390.42 --> 5391.90] again +[5391.90 --> 5394.62] we praise thee +[5394.62 --> 5396.48] O God for the +[5396.48 --> 5398.42] spirit of light +[5398.42 --> 5400.26] who has shown us +[5400.26 --> 5402.86] our Savior and scattered +[5402.86 --> 5404.04] our night +[5404.04 --> 5406.98] hallelujah thine the glory +[5406.98 --> 5408.38] hallelujah +[5408.38 --> 5409.66] amen +[5409.66 --> 5412.72] hallelujah thine the glory +[5412.72 --> 5414.50] revive us +[5414.50 --> 5416.02] again +[5416.02 --> 5418.50] all glory +[5418.50 --> 5420.70] and praise to the +[5420.70 --> 5422.62] Lamb that was slain +[5422.62 --> 5423.98] who was born +[5423.98 --> 5425.42] all our sins +[5425.42 --> 5426.82] and does cleanse +[5426.82 --> 5428.22] every stain +[5428.22 --> 5429.74] hallelujah +[5429.74 --> 5431.22] thine the glory +[5431.22 --> 5432.58] hallelujah +[5432.58 --> 5433.88] amen +[5433.88 --> 5435.46] hallelujah +[5435.46 --> 5436.92] thine the glory +[5436.92 --> 5438.74] revive us +[5438.74 --> 5440.28] again +[5440.28 --> 5443.06] revive us +[5443.06 --> 5444.10] again +[5444.10 --> 5445.42] fill each heart +[5445.42 --> 5446.92] with thy love +[5446.92 --> 5448.24] may soul +[5448.24 --> 5448.26] may soul +[5448.26 --> 5450.04] be rekindled +[5450.04 --> 5450.94] with fire +[5450.94 --> 5452.40] from above +[5452.40 --> 5454.00] hallelujah +[5454.00 --> 5455.40] thine the glory +[5455.40 --> 5456.80] hallelujah +[5456.80 --> 5458.10] amen +[5458.10 --> 5459.66] hallelujah +[5459.66 --> 5461.10] thine the glory +[5461.10 --> 5462.90] revive us +[5462.90 --> 5463.84] again +[5463.84 --> 5465.46] hallelujah +[5465.46 --> 5466.98] thine the glory +[5466.98 --> 5468.38] hallelujah +[5468.38 --> 5469.74] amen +[5469.74 --> 5471.24] hallelujah +[5471.24 --> 5472.76] thine the glory +[5472.76 --> 5474.64] revive us +[5474.64 --> 5475.40] again +[5475.40 --> 5476.72] amen +[5476.72 --> 5488.98] sent out in the power +[5488.98 --> 5490.58] of jesus name +[5490.58 --> 5491.68] sent out renewed +[5491.68 --> 5492.96] by the spirit +[5492.96 --> 5494.28] sent out commission +[5494.28 --> 5495.64] to proclaim his kingdom +[5495.64 --> 5496.06] come +[5496.06 --> 5497.34] and his kingdom coming +[5497.34 --> 5498.94] know that god himself +[5498.94 --> 5499.86] goes +[5499.86 --> 5500.68] with you +[5500.68 --> 5502.60] and so receive his blessing +[5502.60 --> 5503.76] for the days +[5503.76 --> 5504.50] week +[5504.50 --> 5505.28] and journey +[5505.28 --> 5505.80] ahead +[5505.80 --> 5509.56] god go before you +[5509.56 --> 5510.42] to lead you +[5510.42 --> 5512.24] god go behind you +[5512.24 --> 5513.16] to protect you +[5513.16 --> 5514.94] god go beneath you +[5514.94 --> 5515.96] to support you +[5515.96 --> 5517.70] and god go beside you +[5517.70 --> 5518.78] to befriend you +[5518.78 --> 5519.94] do not +[5519.94 --> 5521.36] be afraid +[5521.36 --> 5523.22] let the blessing of god +[5523.22 --> 5524.18] come upon you today +[5524.18 --> 5525.82] do not be afraid +[5525.82 --> 5526.68] but go +[5526.68 --> 5528.18] in peace +[5528.18 --> 5529.18] to love +[5529.18 --> 5530.24] and serve +[5530.24 --> 5531.14] the lord +[5531.14 --> 5532.60] amen +[5532.60 --> 5550.48] i know +[5550.48 --> 5552.74] he rescued my soul +[5552.74 --> 5555.92] his blood has covered my sin +[5555.92 --> 5556.92] i believe +[5556.92 --> 5559.88] i believe +[5559.88 --> 5560.88] i believe +[5560.88 --> 5565.46] my shame +[5565.46 --> 5567.00] is taken away +[5567.00 --> 5569.08] my pain +[5569.08 --> 5569.58] is healed +[5569.58 --> 5570.40] in his name +[5570.40 --> 5571.48] i believe +[5571.48 --> 5574.80] i believe +[5574.80 --> 5580.62] i'll raise the banner +[5580.62 --> 5585.18] my lord has conquered the grave +[5585.18 --> 5588.38] my redeemer lives +[5588.38 --> 5592.14] my redeemer lives +[5592.14 --> 5595.66] my redeemer lives +[5595.66 --> 5600.20] my redeemer lives +[5600.20 --> 5603.30] i know +[5603.30 --> 5605.62] he rescued my soul +[5605.62 --> 5608.66] my blood has covered my sin +[5608.66 --> 5609.74] i believe +[5609.74 --> 5613.04] i believe +[5613.04 --> 5617.00] my shame +[5617.00 --> 5618.12] my shame +[5618.12 --> 5619.70] is taken away +[5619.70 --> 5621.78] my pain +[5621.78 --> 5622.24] is healed +[5622.24 --> 5623.14] in his name +[5623.14 --> 5624.04] i believe +[5624.04 --> 5626.04] i believe +[5626.04 --> 5628.04] i believe +[5628.04 --> 5633.36] i'll raise the banner +[5633.36 --> 5637.90] my lord has conquered the grave +[5637.90 --> 5641.12] my redeemer lives +[5641.12 --> 5644.90] my redeemer lives +[5644.90 --> 5648.28] my redeemer lives +[5648.28 --> 5652.58] my redeemer lives +[5652.58 --> 5653.90] you +[5653.90 --> 5669.96] lift my burdens +[5669.96 --> 5674.12] i'll rise with you +[5674.12 --> 5677.88] i'm dancing on this mountain top +[5677.88 --> 5680.96] to see your kingdom come +[5680.96 --> 5686.62] my redeemer lives +[5686.62 --> 5687.64] my redeemer lives +[5690.92 --> 5692.98] my redeemer lives +[5692.98 --> 5696.70] my redeemer lives +[5696.70 --> 5698.82] my redeemer lives +[5698.82 --> 5701.00] my redeemer lives +[5701.00 --> 5706.68] my redeemer lives +[5706.68 --> 5708.92] my +[5736.68 --> 5738.68] my +[5766.68 --> 5767.60] my +[5767.60 --> 5768.80] transform +[5768.80 --> 5770.80] in +[5770.80 --> 5771.26] rored +[5771.26 --> 5774.94] con +[5774.94 --> 5780.76] mand +[5780.82 --> 5782.92] tim +[5782.92 --> 5785.64] be +[5785.64 --> 5787.64] mulher +[5787.64 --> 5790.30] 1 +[5790.30 --> 5794.74] cope +[5794.74 --> 5824.72] Thank you. +[5824.74 --> 5854.72] Thank you. +[5854.74 --> 5884.72] Thank you. +[5884.74 --> 5914.72] Thank you. +[5914.74 --> 5944.72] Thank you. +[5944.74 --> 5974.72] Thank you. +[5974.74 --> 6004.72] Thank you. +[6004.74 --> 6034.72] Thank you. +[6034.74 --> 6064.72] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..25997e537e8e2a8162662068f20c7352917c6313 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +• Welcome to church by Pastor Chris +• Announcements for the day, including Ascension Day service, pastor's class, youth coffee, and Heidelberg Catechism Adult Education Reading Group +• Monthly worship service at Sunridge Gardens on Saturday +• Invitation to receive God's greeting and welcome others into worship +• Worship songs about God's greatness +• Praise for Jesus as the only one who can sing and be worthy of all praise +• Lyrics emphasizing God's uniqueness, love, and protection +• Prayer of encouragement and gratitude for being a child of God +• Reflection on God's lavish love and rescue +• Brokenness and healing through Jesus +• Worshiping God with songs of heaven +• Church revival and restoration +• Offering and donations for the church and local organizations (baby bottle ministry and Safe Church) +• Introduction to Allison, a deacon at Langley Emanuel church +• Introduction to an organization at the speaker's church +• Prayer for Jesus to be the center and source of life +• Discussion of the importance of coaches or mentors in people's lives +• Mock swimming lesson where the speaker asks for tips on becoming a good swimmer +• Explanation that Children's Worship Time will discuss the theme of coaches and mentors in the lives of followers +• Discussion of Children's Worship Time and the upcoming leadership selection process +• Drawing lots for deacon positions, with Warren Verhoof and Pete Birkenpass selected +• Drawing lots for Elder position, with Jesus Hernandez, Pim Schoen, and Frank Welfing selected +• Prayers of thanksgiving and discernment for the newly selected leaders +• Announcements of upcoming events, including a short-term mission trip to the Philippines and a wedding celebration +• Prayer for several individuals in need, including those on the mission trip and one who has completed cancer treatment +• Worship and prayer for forgiveness +• Prayer for healing and strength in a broken world +• Specific prayers for individuals with health issues (Tessa, Doug, Tanya, Joan) +• Prayers for a short-term mission trip to the Philippines +• Blessing on a newlywed couple (Ethan and Anna) +• Prayers for the church and its ministries +• Prayers for government leaders and guidance +• Prayer for a pastor's sermon to be effective and move hearts +• Story of an elderly woman remembering her piano skills after being reminded by her granddaughter +• Reminder to the Thessalonian church about their identity and God's sure calling +• Importance of remembering one's God-given identity in standing firm and living boldly +• Confusion and uncertainty experienced by the Thessalonian church regarding Jesus' second coming +• Paul's reminder that the apocalypse or Christ's revelation would not come quietly, and certain things need to happen before Christ's return +• The significance of knowing one's true identity as a Christian in times of confusion and uncertainty +• The speaker recounts a personal experience of being late to an exam and getting to retake it after explaining their mistake to the education committee +• Confusion can happen in various aspects of life, including understanding one's spiritual identity as a Christian +• Long-time Christians may become apathetic and forget about Christ's significance in their lives +• The speaker warns against seeking certainty and truth in wrong places, such as social media or worldly expectations +• People often believe lies that are disguised as virtues, leading to confusion and deception +• The speaker discusses how people seek certainties in life but are often led to lies and further confusion. +• Education, relationships, identity, comfort, and other factors are not guarantees of certainty. +• Paul's teachings in the Thessalonian church emphasize clarity over certainty. +• Clarity is achieved through encouragement and gratitude for God's work, rather than human achievements. +• The speaker contrasts Paul's approach with the church's desire for specific details about Christ's return. +• The transforming work of Christ is seen as essential to understanding one's identity and combating confusion. +• The Antichrist and Satan cannot combat the truth of Jesus +• Salvation is not a subjective experience but an objective position given by God as a gift +• Our positional standing before God has been clearly decided by Jesus Christ +• Clarity and assurance come from knowing our identities are rooted in Christ +• We belong to Him and He chose us +• Salvation comes through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth +• Sin no longer rules our lives, and we are bound to Christ instead +• Definition and explanation of definitive sanctification +• Comparison with progressive sanctification +• Analogy of being freed from prison to demonstrate positional change through Christ +• Discussion of freedom from sin and death +• Explanation that this freedom is due to what Jesus has done, including living a perfect life, dying for our sins, and rising again +• Emphasis on liberation and release from captivity, with reference to belonging to Jesus Christ +• The importance of clarity in faith and life +• Knowing the eternal life and salvation through Christ +• Suffering and grief with hope for healing or being with Christ +• Clarifying one's understanding when praying for others who don't know God +• Rejoicing in victories and boasting in the Lord's work +• Mourning and grieving, but doing so with clarity and knowing God has them +• The limitations of human knowledge about God's plans and timing +• Paul's emphasis on what truly matters: belonging to God and standing secure in Christ. +• Reminders of God's love and promises are necessary for believers +• Life can fog up the clarity of one's faith, leading to confusion and doubt +• The gospel needs to be held up in hearts and questioned regularly +• Clarity of heart is crucial for seeing Jesus more clearly +• Living a life that reflects the truth of God's love requires boldness, kindness, and courage +• True security and freedom come from understanding one's identity in Christ +• Growing in faith and going out with purpose +• Knowing one's identity and belonging to God +• Finding clarity and peace in uncertainty and chaos +• Recognizing the need for control and answers, but trusting in God's plan +• Being set free to stand firm and live boldly +• Receiving encouragement and hope from God +• Praying for clarity, conviction, and a deeper understanding of God's love and grace +• Prayer and devotion to God +• Sense of belonging to God and being free from sin +• Trust in God's preservation and care +• Confidence in eternal life through Christ +• Assurance of guidance through the Holy Spirit +• Invitation for prayer and worship +• Priestly blessing and praise to God +• Christian hymn or song lyrics +• Theme of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ +• Praise and worship to God, with emphasis on the glory and greatness of His works +• Call to come to the Father through Jesus the Son +• Expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His promises and blessings \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..9c85af0699c4473785a41691bf0dbbf6cbfe1687 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 1, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1517 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 92.00] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 122.00] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 152.00] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 182.00] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 220.00] Thank you. +[220.00 --> 222.00] Thank you. +[222.00 --> 222.70] Good morning. +[223.30 --> 224.54] That was my fault, Nico. +[224.80 --> 225.84] I didn't turn it on. +[227.42 --> 230.78] Good morning, and welcome to church. +[230.88 --> 234.00] Special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning. +[234.00 --> 235.18] My name is Chris. +[235.38 --> 241.24] I'm one of the pastors here, and it's my privilege to kick off our worship together. +[241.92 --> 244.70] Before we begin, we've got a couple announcements to make. +[245.52 --> 252.10] And so first, I just want to thank those people who came out on Thursday night to our Ascension Day service. +[252.10 --> 262.34] We had a special service here on Thursday, and it was a wonderful time and a beautiful time together in our worship as we entered into the presence of Christ our King. +[262.34 --> 268.48] Also, for announcements, I'm going to rattle off a couple things that are happening today. +[268.48 --> 281.70] And so immediately or shortly after our worship this morning, pastor's class is going to happen with me, and that's for people who are interested in doing profession of faith. +[281.70 --> 297.28] Generally, this is kind of the targeted audience here is the people who have made it through our youth program in the last little while, young adults as well, who want to do profession of faith to stand up and say, +[297.40 --> 302.26] yes, this I believe, and I want to believe it in your presence together. +[303.28 --> 304.68] And so we have a class for that. +[304.74 --> 308.92] That's after service today, about 15, 20 minutes by the time we finish. +[308.92 --> 312.58] So grab a coffee, hang out with some people, and then we'll meet in the multi-purpose room. +[313.52 --> 314.62] And we'll meet for about an hour. +[315.28 --> 320.84] Also after service today is youth coffee for the youth program, and that's happening at the Verhoofs house. +[321.04 --> 321.92] And so Verhoofs, wave. +[322.66 --> 323.18] There you go. +[323.28 --> 326.52] If you need to know how to get to their house, you can talk to them or Pastor Kevin. +[326.66 --> 328.38] He'll gladly give you that information. +[329.76 --> 337.06] And then tonight at 7 p.m., we have the Heidelberg Catechism Adult Education Reading Group. +[337.06 --> 338.94] And so you've been participating in that. +[339.00 --> 344.76] If you've been participating in that, we have our final reading group tonight at 7 p.m., +[344.76 --> 349.74] where we'll finish the catechism together and get through in our conversations. +[350.58 --> 356.58] And then lastly, next week Saturday, or next weekend, rather, on Saturday, +[357.44 --> 362.38] we will be having our monthly worship service at Sunridge Gardens. +[362.38 --> 365.86] And so that begins at 2 p.m. at Sunridge Gardens. +[366.28 --> 372.62] Some residents who are members here join us, but then a number of others who live up at Sunridge Gardens +[372.62 --> 377.00] come down and worship with us for about an hour or so, and then we hang out together after that. +[377.04 --> 380.24] And so you're invited to join and participate in that with us. +[381.32 --> 383.18] That's it for my announcements. +[384.00 --> 385.96] I'm going to invite you, as you're able to stand, +[386.40 --> 389.08] that we might be welcomed in the presence of God. +[389.08 --> 391.70] We mark that by receiving his greeting. +[392.60 --> 395.50] And then after receiving the greeting of God, +[395.58 --> 400.22] I invite you to turn to those around you and to welcome them into worship as well. +[400.32 --> 401.62] You can do that by saying, +[401.72 --> 403.84] The Lord be with you, or the peace of Christ be with you, +[404.16 --> 407.46] shaking a hand, nodding a head, however you are moved. +[407.66 --> 412.98] Let's receive the greeting of God and be welcomed into this time of worship together. +[412.98 --> 419.52] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, +[419.80 --> 422.66] from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son, and our Savior, +[423.20 --> 425.68] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[426.48 --> 426.76] Amen. +[442.98 --> 472.96] Let the words of Ruth, +[472.96 --> 476.88] Revelation, help us to focus our hearts and minds +[476.88 --> 482.50] on the one who sits on the throne and the Lamb who was slain. +[484.68 --> 487.08] Revelation 5, verse 11 to 13. +[487.32 --> 490.78] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels +[490.78 --> 496.62] numbering thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand. +[496.62 --> 502.16] They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. +[502.58 --> 504.82] In a loud voice they were saying, +[505.46 --> 508.58] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, +[508.96 --> 513.26] to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength +[513.26 --> 516.28] and honor and glory and praise. +[517.12 --> 520.26] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth +[520.26 --> 522.74] and under the earth and on the sea +[522.74 --> 524.96] and all that is in them saying, +[525.96 --> 527.84] To him who sits on the throne +[527.84 --> 530.66] and to the Lamb be praise +[530.66 --> 533.42] and honor and glory and power +[533.42 --> 535.38] forever and ever. +[535.38 --> 551.12] We stand and lift up our hands +[551.12 --> 555.60] for the joy of the Lord is our strength. +[557.60 --> 561.66] We bow down and worship him now. +[562.04 --> 565.50] How great, how awesome is he. +[566.04 --> 568.58] And together we sing. +[571.58 --> 574.12] Everyone sing. +[574.12 --> 580.56] Holy is the Lord God Almighty +[580.56 --> 585.60] The earth is filled with his glory +[585.60 --> 590.48] Holy is the Lord God Almighty +[590.48 --> 595.50] The earth is filled with his glory +[595.50 --> 600.38] The earth is filled with his glory +[600.38 --> 605.92] We stand and lift up our hands +[605.92 --> 610.70] For the joy of the Lord is our strength +[610.70 --> 616.28] We bow down and worship him now +[616.28 --> 620.00] How great, how awesome is he. +[620.00 --> 623.16] And together we sing. +[625.72 --> 628.20] Everyone sing. +[630.38 --> 634.76] Holy is the Lord God Almighty +[634.76 --> 639.76] The earth is filled with his glory +[639.76 --> 644.70] Holy is the Lord God Almighty +[644.70 --> 649.70] The earth is filled with his glory +[649.70 --> 654.48] The earth is filled with his glory +[654.48 --> 657.86] It's rising up +[657.86 --> 658.86] It's rising up +[658.86 --> 659.86] All around +[659.86 --> 664.86] It's the apple of the Lord's renown +[664.86 --> 666.86] It's rising up +[666.86 --> 667.86] It's rising up +[667.86 --> 668.86] All around +[668.86 --> 674.86] It's the apple of the Lord's renown +[674.86 --> 678.86] Together we sing +[678.86 --> 697.24] Everyone sing +[697.24 --> 704.14] The earth is filled with His glory. +[704.14 --> 711.68] The earth is filled with His glory. +[727.24 --> 746.44] Worthy of every song we could ever sing +[746.44 --> 753.06] Worthy of all the praise you could ever give +[753.06 --> 759.18] Worthy of every breath we could ever give +[759.18 --> 761.76] We live for you +[761.76 --> 772.66] Jesus, the name above every other name +[772.66 --> 779.18] Jesus, the only one who could ever sing +[779.18 --> 785.30] Worthy of every breath we could ever give +[785.30 --> 787.30] We live for you +[787.30 --> 791.18] We live for you +[791.18 --> 797.30] Holy, there is no one like you +[797.30 --> 800.56] There is none beside you +[800.56 --> 804.94] Open up my eyes in wonder +[804.94 --> 809.88] Show me who you are and fill me +[809.88 --> 812.56] With your heart and lead me +[813.12 --> 818.12] In your love to those around me +[818.12 --> 836.24] Jesus, the name above every other name +[836.24 --> 842.44] Jesus, the only one who could ever sing +[842.44 --> 848.56] Worthy of every breath we could ever give +[848.56 --> 850.56] We live for you +[850.56 --> 854.56] We live for you +[854.56 --> 860.56] Holy, there is no one like you +[860.56 --> 863.68] There is none beside you +[863.68 --> 868.06] Open up my eyes in wonder +[868.06 --> 872.80] Show me who you are and fill me +[872.80 --> 875.90] With your heart and lead me +[875.90 --> 880.68] In your love to those around me +[880.68 --> 908.36] I will build my life +[908.36 --> 911.48] Upon your love +[911.48 --> 916.36] It is a firm foundation +[916.36 --> 920.48] I will put my trust +[920.48 --> 923.48] In you alone +[923.48 --> 928.48] And I will not be shaken +[928.48 --> 932.52] I will build my life +[932.52 --> 935.56] Upon your love +[935.56 --> 936.56] In your love +[936.56 --> 937.56] In your love +[937.56 --> 938.56] In your love +[938.56 --> 939.56] In your love +[939.56 --> 940.56] In your love +[940.56 --> 942.56] I will put my trust +[942.56 --> 944.56] In your love +[944.56 --> 945.56] In your love +[945.56 --> 946.56] In your love +[946.56 --> 949.56] And I will not be shaken +[949.56 --> 954.56] Holy, there is no one like you +[954.56 --> 955.56] There is none beside you +[955.56 --> 957.56] There is none beside you +[957.56 --> 959.56] Open up my eyes in wonder +[959.56 --> 963.56] Open up my eyes in wonder +[963.56 --> 965.56] Show me who you are +[965.56 --> 966.56] And fill me with your heart +[966.56 --> 967.56] And lead me in your love +[967.56 --> 968.56] In your love +[968.56 --> 969.56] In your love +[969.56 --> 970.56] In your love +[970.56 --> 972.56] In your love +[972.56 --> 973.56] In your love +[973.56 --> 974.56] In your love +[974.56 --> 975.56] In your love +[975.56 --> 976.56] In your love +[976.56 --> 986.56] Please join me in our prayer of encouragement +[986.56 --> 991.56] Father +[991.56 --> 992.56] Father +[992.56 --> 994.56] It is a wonder +[994.56 --> 995.56] What you have made +[995.56 --> 996.56] Of me +[996.56 --> 997.56] In Jesus +[997.56 --> 999.56] It is the hope +[999.56 --> 1000.56] I cling to today +[1000.56 --> 1002.56] The comfort +[1002.56 --> 1004.56] That satisfies my heart +[1004.56 --> 1007.56] I am a dearly loved +[1007.56 --> 1008.56] Child of God +[1008.56 --> 1011.56] I am not my own +[1011.56 --> 1012.56] But belong to Jesus Christ +[1012.56 --> 1014.56] Body and soul +[1014.56 --> 1016.56] In life and in death +[1016.56 --> 1017.56] I am rescued +[1017.56 --> 1018.56] At great cost +[1018.56 --> 1019.56] I am rescued +[1019.56 --> 1020.56] At great cost +[1020.56 --> 1022.56] Protected and provided for +[1022.56 --> 1024.56] Guarded and guided +[1024.56 --> 1025.56] How great +[1025.56 --> 1027.56] Is your lavish love +[1027.56 --> 1028.56] Amen +[1046.56 --> 1050.56] Men of faith +[1050.56 --> 1052.56] Rise up and sing +[1052.56 --> 1056.56] Of the great and glorious King +[1056.56 --> 1060.56] You are strong and you feel weak +[1060.56 --> 1066.56] In your brokenness complete +[1066.56 --> 1070.56] Shout to the north and the south +[1070.56 --> 1074.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1074.56 --> 1076.56] Jesus +[1076.56 --> 1078.56] The Savior to all +[1078.56 --> 1082.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1082.56 --> 1087.56] Rise up women of the truth +[1087.56 --> 1091.56] Stand and sing to broken hearts +[1091.56 --> 1095.56] Who can know the healing power +[1095.56 --> 1101.56] Of our awesome King of love +[1101.56 --> 1104.56] Shout to the north and the south +[1104.56 --> 1108.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1108.56 --> 1112.56] Jesus is Savior to all +[1112.56 --> 1116.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1118.56 --> 1120.56] We've been through fire +[1120.56 --> 1122.56] We've been through rain +[1122.56 --> 1123.56] We've been through fire +[1123.56 --> 1125.56] By the power of His name +[1125.56 --> 1127.56] We've fallen deeper +[1127.56 --> 1129.56] In love with you +[1129.56 --> 1131.56] You'll burn the truth +[1131.56 --> 1132.56] On our lips +[1132.56 --> 1138.56] Shout to the north and the south +[1138.56 --> 1142.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1142.56 --> 1146.56] Jesus is Savior to all +[1146.56 --> 1150.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1150.56 --> 1154.56] Rise up church with broken wings +[1154.56 --> 1156.56] Fill this place with songs of heaven +[1156.56 --> 1157.56] Fill this place with songs of heaven +[1157.56 --> 1159.56] Fill this place with songs of heaven +[1159.56 --> 1161.56] Of our God who reigns on high +[1161.56 --> 1165.56] By His grace again we'll fly +[1165.56 --> 1172.56] Shout to the north and the south +[1172.56 --> 1174.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1174.56 --> 1176.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1176.56 --> 1180.56] Jesus is Savior to all +[1180.56 --> 1182.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1182.56 --> 1184.56] Shout to the north and the south +[1184.56 --> 1186.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1186.56 --> 1189.56] Sing to the north and the south +[1189.56 --> 1191.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1191.56 --> 1194.56] Sing to the east and the west +[1194.56 --> 1197.56] Jesus is Savior to all +[1197.56 --> 1201.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1201.56 --> 1205.56] Lord of heaven and earth +[1205.56 --> 1230.24] We are a moment, you are forever +[1230.24 --> 1237.68] Lord of the ages, God before time +[1237.68 --> 1244.16] We are a vapor, you are eternal +[1244.16 --> 1252.24] Love everlasting, reigning on high +[1252.90 --> 1259.12] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1259.12 --> 1266.30] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1266.30 --> 1272.62] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1272.62 --> 1278.12] Be unto your name +[1278.12 --> 1285.12] Be unto your name +[1285.12 --> 1292.30] We are the broken, you are the healer +[1292.30 --> 1298.62] Jesus, Redeemer, mighty to save +[1298.62 --> 1304.30] You are the love song, we'll sing forever +[1304.30 --> 1311.48] Vowing before you, blessing your name +[1311.48 --> 1319.30] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1319.30 --> 1325.48] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1325.48 --> 1332.66] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1332.66 --> 1338.66] Be unto your name +[1338.66 --> 1345.84] Be unto your name +[1345.84 --> 1351.02] Holy, holy Lord God almighty +[1351.02 --> 1356.84] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1356.84 --> 1364.02] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1364.02 --> 1370.02] Be unto your name +[1370.02 --> 1377.20] Be unto your name +[1377.20 --> 1383.20] Be unto your name +[1383.20 --> 1386.38] I invite you to see it +[1386.38 --> 1388.38] I invite you to see it +[1388.38 --> 1402.02] Good morning +[1402.02 --> 1404.82] My name is Allison +[1404.82 --> 1406.52] Allison and I am one of the deacons +[1406.52 --> 1408.78] Here at Langley Emanuel +[1408.78 --> 1411.22] This morning I want to highlight +[1411.22 --> 1415.64] Three different things for the offering +[1415.64 --> 1417.96] One is just the normal running of the church +[1417.96 --> 1420.28] The programs and things we have going on here +[1420.28 --> 1421.82] At the church +[1421.82 --> 1427.82] The other thing is the baby bottle thing +[1427.82 --> 1432.78] This is an amazing organization +[1432.78 --> 1437.24] That helps women who need help +[1437.24 --> 1439.96] With pregnancy and after care +[1439.96 --> 1440.96] After abortion +[1440.96 --> 1442.16] They do amazing work +[1442.16 --> 1443.32] So the baby bottles +[1443.32 --> 1444.36] They're out there +[1444.36 --> 1447.04] It's not too late to pick one up +[1447.04 --> 1449.18] Traditionally we bring them back +[1449.18 --> 1452.64] To the church on Father's Day +[1452.64 --> 1455.56] So I'll be out there at the back +[1455.56 --> 1456.26] After the service +[1456.26 --> 1458.32] If you need any questions +[1458.32 --> 1460.02] If you have any questions about that +[1460.02 --> 1463.08] The third thing is that we want to highlight today +[1463.08 --> 1464.46] Is Safe Church +[1464.46 --> 1466.20] And that's an organization +[1466.20 --> 1467.96] That helps churches +[1467.96 --> 1470.14] In all kinds of denominations +[1470.14 --> 1472.18] Ours included +[1472.18 --> 1476.86] Create and develop a safe place +[1476.86 --> 1479.44] For families, for children +[1479.44 --> 1484.58] For anyone who is in an abusive situation +[1484.58 --> 1485.96] And just need some help +[1485.96 --> 1486.88] And some safety +[1486.88 --> 1488.58] Some safe place to go +[1488.58 --> 1491.30] Again an amazing organization +[1491.30 --> 1493.52] Sadly needed in our culture +[1493.52 --> 1495.76] But they are here +[1495.76 --> 1497.72] They're at our church as well +[1497.72 --> 1504.50] So that's the three things this morning +[1504.50 --> 1505.64] So thank you +[1505.64 --> 1517.26] Let's pray that please +[1517.26 --> 1520.74] ... +[1520.74 --> 1539.70] Jesus, be the center +[1539.70 --> 1546.24] Be my source, be my life +[1546.24 --> 1547.84] Jesus +[1547.84 --> 1559.02] Jesus, be the center +[1559.02 --> 1565.50] Be my hope, be my song +[1565.50 --> 1567.04] Jesus +[1567.04 --> 1574.96] Be the fire in my heart +[1574.96 --> 1579.70] Be the wind in these sails +[1579.70 --> 1584.38] Be the reason that I live +[1584.38 --> 1585.96] Jesus +[1585.96 --> 1588.40] Jesus +[1588.40 --> 1594.40] Jesus +[1594.40 --> 1599.14] Be my vision +[1599.14 --> 1605.58] Be my path, be my guide +[1605.58 --> 1607.14] Jesus +[1607.14 --> 1614.82] Be the fire in my heart +[1614.82 --> 1619.56] Be the wind in these sails +[1619.56 --> 1624.10] Be the reason that I live +[1624.10 --> 1625.82] Jesus +[1625.82 --> 1628.06] Jesus +[1628.06 --> 1633.56] Jesus +[1633.56 --> 1638.30] Be the center +[1638.30 --> 1642.98] Be my source +[1642.98 --> 1644.56] Be my light +[1644.56 --> 1646.56] Jesus +[1646.56 --> 1648.56] Jesus +[1648.56 --> 1661.72] Amen +[1663.96 --> 1665.36] Jesus +[1665.36 --> 1667.42] Jesus +[1667.42 --> 1674.24] time, but we'll share a little bit about our theme a minute here. Oh boy, out of breath even. +[1675.92 --> 1682.10] Nice to see you guys. Come on up. Anybody else? It's welcome. I know I have a special bag here, +[1682.14 --> 1690.62] as usual, a few props. I have a bit of a confession though. I am not a super good swimmer. +[1691.62 --> 1697.12] Who here is a good swimmer? Who's in swimming lessons this summer? Yeah, a few of you guys are +[1697.12 --> 1703.52] in swimming lessons. I'm not a super good swimmer and I feel like I might need a little bit of help +[1703.52 --> 1710.82] with that. So I'm just kind of wondering if I could have two volunteers that could be my coach for a +[1710.82 --> 1716.62] minute. Yeah, Carys, you want to come on up? Did you want to come up and help too? No? We need another +[1716.62 --> 1720.42] coach. How about you two ladies as well? You're so enthusiastic. You can help too. Why don't you come +[1720.42 --> 1726.32] help too? Yeah, okay. We can't all wear... Okay, we've got a coach's hat for you. We got to play the part +[1726.32 --> 1734.48] here a little bit, or else I won't believe you. And a wee whistle. Oh boy. Okay. Yep. And we're +[1734.48 --> 1742.16] gonna need this. We're gonna need this lifeguarding shirt, lest something go wrong here up front. +[1742.16 --> 1749.12] And I suppose I should play the part too, eh? So before we get into the training session that I'm +[1749.12 --> 1753.28] sure you ladies have prepared. I've got, oh, I've got this. +[1753.28 --> 1757.28] It's not gonna work. +[1757.28 --> 1765.28] Okay. Okay, I'm part there and... What's that? +[1765.28 --> 1769.28] Did you bring a water pool or something? +[1769.28 --> 1775.44] Oh, I did bring a towel and my swim shorts, but maybe we'll spare everybody that. +[1775.44 --> 1779.44] Here, someone can hold... Yeah, you just hold my towel there. Thank you. And don't +[1779.44 --> 1785.44] forget, I have a lot of hair. So... I don't want any drag in the water. +[1785.44 --> 1792.32] That was a balloon. A balloon? There. It's like a glove. +[1792.32 --> 1797.68] Yeah, okay. Okay, okay, okay. Now we're all ready. We're playing the part. We've got my whole team +[1797.68 --> 1805.20] of coaches here. When it comes to swimming, you got some tips for me? You do? What's my first tip, +[1805.20 --> 1807.44] if I want to be a good swimmer? Kick. +[1807.44 --> 1813.04] Kick. Kick. All right, we've got a kick. Kick. There's kicking involved in swimming. Anything +[1813.04 --> 1821.04] else you want to share? What's another tip? Hold my breath. Good idea. That's a smoking good idea. +[1821.04 --> 1827.04] I didn't think about that one. What, anything I should do like every day to be really good at swimming? +[1827.92 --> 1837.04] Any ideas? Practice. Practice? What the? Like every day. You want me to kick and hold my breath? +[1837.04 --> 1844.96] Every day. In a pool? In a pool? Yeah. If you have a pool. If I have a pool. +[1844.96 --> 1849.04] Or just go to the public pool. Okay, or I can go to a public pool. Okay, that's a good idea. Okay, +[1849.04 --> 1857.60] anything else I should do every day? Exercise. Oh, what kind of exercises? Any ideas? Do you have any +[1857.60 --> 1864.48] good ideas for exercises? No. Push-ups? Oh boy. Oh boy, this sounds like a lot of work. I don't know if... +[1864.48 --> 1873.28] Oh, what's... More tips? Pardon me? Arm circles. Arm circles. Can you show me? Oh, okay. Show me. Oh yeah, +[1873.28 --> 1879.36] that's okay. Good arm. And what about holding my breath? How do I hold my breath? Oh, okay. Oh, we got extra. +[1879.36 --> 1888.80] And what about kicking? Like, like one kick or like double? Okay. All right. Yes. Oh, okay. I'm feeling +[1888.80 --> 1893.20] really good about this. So I feel like you guys have more tips. And I think there's some more tips from you +[1893.20 --> 1900.32] guys. And I really love that I have this whole team of coaches helping me out. So in Children's Worship +[1900.32 --> 1906.88] Time, we're going to talk a little bit more about coaches and the people in our lives, the mentors in +[1906.88 --> 1912.64] our lives that have helped us be better people, right? Because this month we're talking all about +[1912.64 --> 1921.68] the book of Hebrew, right? And training that comes with being really great followers of Jesus. Yeah? +[1921.68 --> 1925.76] So let's go to Children's Worship Time. We can talk more about that. You guys can keep that stuff on, +[1925.76 --> 1930.96] because I need to get some more tips from you. We're going to keep the conversation going in +[1930.96 --> 1936.72] Children's Worship Time. But before we go, shall we stand together? And we will bless the congregation +[1936.72 --> 1942.24] as they stay to hear a message. And they will bless us in return as we go to learn more about the book +[1942.24 --> 1951.20] of Hebrews. All right, arms up. The Lord be with you. And also with you. +[1955.76 --> 1970.40] Whenever the Children's Worship Time people come up here, you just never know what you're going to get. +[1972.40 --> 1979.52] At this time in our worship together, we're going to spend a moment trusting in God's provision for +[1979.52 --> 1985.28] the leadership of this church. And so we're going to draw lots from the office bearers who have, +[1985.28 --> 1989.92] or the potential office bearers who have been nominated and affirmed in our process over the last +[1990.64 --> 1996.24] number of weeks and months. So I'm going to invite the outgoing office bearers who are here +[1996.24 --> 2000.88] to come up to the front as part of this process. +[2000.88 --> 2014.96] And for you, first we want to say thank you for your willingness to serve and for the +[2016.32 --> 2022.72] three years and plus that you have given us in this work. We are really grateful for the way that God has +[2022.72 --> 2029.60] used you and provided for this church through your service to Christ in our midst. And so thank you for +[2029.60 --> 2035.36] that. Before we draw lots, we're going to pray together. And I have asked Seth to take care of that. +[2035.36 --> 2043.84] Please join me in prayer. Father in heaven, we thank you for this day. And we thank you for more evidence of +[2043.84 --> 2048.64] your faithful providence for this church. Thank you for the way that you have blessed us with people who +[2048.64 --> 2053.04] have willing hearts, who are willing to follow your call to allow their names to stand for this nomination. +[2053.84 --> 2059.04] We pray to you that you will guide this next step as we draw lots. You know the people that you have +[2059.04 --> 2064.80] chosen already. And we thank you that we get to have that revealed to us today. And we can put our trust +[2064.80 --> 2069.04] in you because you are a loving God always and forever. Amen. +[2069.04 --> 2072.88] Thank you. +[2072.88 --> 2079.84] And so the way this process ordinarily works, the outgoing office bearer will draw the lot for the +[2079.84 --> 2086.24] new office bearer to replace them. Because we only have one deacon and we're looking for two positions, +[2086.24 --> 2100.88] Yap is going to draw two names out of the bag labeled deacon there. +[2100.88 --> 2104.96] Can you read them? Yes, I can. +[2104.96 --> 2107.60] Uh, Warren Verhoof. +[2110.96 --> 2112.56] And uh, Pete Birkenpass. +[2114.72 --> 2118.80] Excellent. Warren Verhoof and Pete Birkenpass. +[2119.68 --> 2126.40] And then now we're going to draw for Elder. And so John, if you would have Seth draw one. +[2126.40 --> 2131.36] And then Ken, you can draw one. And John, you draw one. +[2131.36 --> 2133.44] And then Ken, you can draw one. +[2141.44 --> 2142.16] Pim Schoen. +[2142.16 --> 2145.68] Jesus Hernandez. +[2145.68 --> 2148.16] Frank Welfing. +[2148.16 --> 2150.08] Amen. +[2150.08 --> 2157.12] To all those whose names have been drawn, thank you for your willingness to serve. +[2157.44 --> 2162.64] And to those whose names haven't been drawn, we trust and pray that God will use you in our midst +[2162.64 --> 2168.08] in a different way. And to that effect, we would like to also pray together. And so I'm going to +[2168.08 --> 2173.52] conclude this process with a prayer of thanksgiving and discernment together. Let's pray. +[2176.32 --> 2180.80] Heavenly Father, we thank you for again providing leaders for your church. +[2181.76 --> 2187.04] We thank you for moving in all these people to accept the nomination. And we pray that in this +[2187.04 --> 2194.24] selection, those chosen would hear your call. And so equip them for the work of service you call them +[2194.24 --> 2202.16] to. A special prayer of thanksgiving for those not chosen this morning. May they hear your call in +[2202.16 --> 2210.64] another way and find opportunity to serve your church. We trust and commit to trusting the process +[2210.64 --> 2219.44] and guiding of the Holy Spirit. May we all, together as one, serve you faithfully, sacrificially, +[2219.44 --> 2227.76] and with humility. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, gentlemen. You may go back to your seats. +[2227.76 --> 2236.08] Amen. The Lord willing, next week we will have the installation for these office bearers in our +[2236.08 --> 2239.28] midst and as part of our worship together. Thank you. +[2250.48 --> 2257.52] Before I lead you in our congregational prayer, I just had a note this morning of a group of young +[2257.52 --> 2262.24] people from our church that are going on a mission trip to the Philippines, a short-term mission of +[2262.24 --> 2270.72] two weeks. I would like to pray for Jared Alcoma, Josh Chamberlain, Mikkelte Grimm, and Sarah Molenkamp. +[2271.36 --> 2277.68] They have joined with a group from Gateway Community Church in Abbotsford. And they're reaching out to +[2277.68 --> 2290.96] a group of people in the Philippines who have not been, they're kind of in a group that is not part of the regular +[2293.44 --> 2299.36] people in, they're an outreach group that is in kind of in the jungles their way out. So it'll be a +[2299.36 --> 2303.20] bit of a trek for them to get there and we pray a blessing on their trip, on their time there. +[2303.20 --> 2313.92] Also, mention of Ethan Fisher who was married on May 27th to Anna. We pray a blessing on their +[2314.48 --> 2321.52] their wedding and the marriage that they have just started that may be a blessing for both of them as +[2321.52 --> 2333.04] they take on this life together. Also a note of my sister to Jo to Clary Klosterhoff, Joan has +[2333.68 --> 2340.16] finished her cancer treatment and we're praying for a good result from that. Lord, we +[2342.32 --> 2347.04] bring these people before you in our prayer and others that are in our congregation that need your +[2347.04 --> 2358.40] prayer as well. Let's pray. Oh Lord God, we come before you this morning. Lord, to you only can we +[2358.40 --> 2364.16] give praise and honour and glory. You are the only one that we can give that to. We cannot give it to +[2364.16 --> 2370.08] any other. Lord, you are the creator of this world. You have brought it into being. You've brought us into +[2370.08 --> 2376.96] being as people to give you the honour and glory that is due your name. Lord, we do that now this +[2376.96 --> 2382.24] morning as we worship together. We're thankful for the opportunity and the freedom we have to do this. +[2383.68 --> 2393.04] Lord, we come as sinful people, broken hearted. Lord, not always giving our due to you. Lord, we pray for +[2393.04 --> 2404.64] forgiveness that is needed as people who are broken and sinful. Lord, we live in a broken world and we see +[2404.64 --> 2412.88] many challenges in our community. Lord, sometimes it's health, physical, mental, broken relationships. +[2412.88 --> 2420.80] Lord, we bring these relationships before you for healing, for strength, recovery. Lord, especially those +[2420.80 --> 2425.92] who are battling with cancer, Lord, and that seems to be a difficult thing to deal with, sometimes with +[2425.92 --> 2433.92] good results, sometimes not. Lord, we pray for Tessa and Doug who are doing treatment still. We pray for +[2433.92 --> 2441.52] Tanya who is living with hospice care, Lord. We pray a blessing for her and her challenges with the lung +[2441.52 --> 2447.20] cancer she's dealing with. We pray for your mercy in her life, for healing, for strength, for peace. +[2447.20 --> 2454.88] We pray for Joan too, who has undergone treatment and looking forward to a good result. We pray for a +[2454.88 --> 2456.56] blessing in that situation as well. +[2460.96 --> 2465.60] Lord, we pray for these young people that we mentioned earlier that are going to +[2466.72 --> 2473.04] the Philippines on a short-term mission trip. Lord, as they give the lives for this two-week period to +[2473.04 --> 2479.52] reach out to untouched peoples. We pray a blessing on their trip, that your spirit may hover over them +[2479.52 --> 2486.24] as they go. Lord, each one needs your presence as they spend this time doing your work. +[2489.04 --> 2494.96] Lord, I pray a blessing for Ethan and Anna too, as they have joined in marriage. We pray a blessing on +[2494.96 --> 2501.12] that family as they've started their lives together, that they may serve you in whatever capacity you have +[2501.12 --> 2510.88] blessed them with. Lord, we pray once again for this church and the ministries that it has, the work +[2510.88 --> 2517.44] that is being done here. We're thankful for the pastors that we have, for office bearers who are willing to +[2517.44 --> 2524.48] serve, for those who have served and will be serving. Lord, we pray for the ministry leaders as they're +[2525.12 --> 2529.04] coming to the end of a season and looking forward to a new season to come in the fall. +[2529.04 --> 2536.64] We pray a blessing on the time that summertime can give rest and relief, but also renewing of energy +[2536.64 --> 2543.76] for the work that needs to be done. Lord, I pray for our governments, Lord, as we +[2546.24 --> 2551.76] know that they need your presence, your guiding and leading for them to govern honestly and truthfully. +[2551.76 --> 2558.48] We pray a blessing, Lord, on Kevin as he will preaching your word this morning. +[2559.52 --> 2565.68] Work in his heart to say the words that you want him to say to us that your spirit may move in our lives. +[2565.68 --> 2580.16] Lord, as the psalm five says, let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing joyful praises forever. +[2580.88 --> 2585.92] Spread your protection over them that all who love your name may be filled with joy. +[2585.92 --> 2592.24] Lord, we pray for you bless the godly, O Lord. You surround them with your shield of love. +[2595.12 --> 2602.96] To you, O Lord, do we pray through the power of the cross for Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. +[2604.00 --> 2615.68] We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ in his name alone and your name alone. Amen. +[2615.92 --> 2617.92] Amen. +[2631.84 --> 2641.68] I actually don't remember where I heard this story from or even who I heard this story about or who it is about. +[2641.68 --> 2648.80] It might have been a friend of a friend or a great aunt, I'm not sure. It's also possible that one of you told me this story. +[2649.44 --> 2653.52] And if it was you, you could come up to me afterwards and say it was me and I apologize if I forgot. +[2653.68 --> 2657.30] But this story did leave a place in my brain and it came to my mind this week. +[2657.52 --> 2662.94] There was this elderly woman someone in my life knew who had played the piano her entire life. +[2662.94 --> 2670.48] She'd grown up playing it, spent years playing the piano in front of church, helping with choirs. +[2670.58 --> 2673.04] I think she even taught the piano to some students. +[2673.90 --> 2678.94] But father time kind of kept on churning and eventually health problems and some family transitions +[2679.46 --> 2683.60] and probably a bunch of other things caused her to slowly stop playing. +[2683.60 --> 2690.04] Eventually it had been well over a decade since she had last tickled the ivories, as the kids say. +[2691.12 --> 2697.12] One day, though, her young granddaughter was sitting in her house with her and she noticed this piano in the corner of the room. +[2698.08 --> 2700.54] She asked her grandma, Grandma, did you play that? +[2700.90 --> 2701.78] And grandma said, yes. +[2701.98 --> 2704.40] And the granddaughter said, well, could you play something for me? +[2704.82 --> 2707.74] And the grandmother looked at her granddaughter and said, I don't remember. +[2707.74 --> 2709.72] I don't think I've played in 10 years. +[2709.82 --> 2710.68] I don't think I can play. +[2711.36 --> 2713.98] And the granddaughter looked at her and said, well, come on, grandma, just try. +[2714.38 --> 2715.08] You used to. +[2716.04 --> 2722.04] And so she got up and she sat down at the piano and she sat down and just started to play. +[2722.56 --> 2728.38] And within a minute or two, the songs came back and the music started flowing out of her fingers again. +[2729.34 --> 2730.46] And she smiled. +[2731.54 --> 2737.32] She just needed her granddaughter to remind her of what she had forgotten. +[2738.60 --> 2741.54] The story is a bit of a picture of what we're going to look at today. +[2741.74 --> 2743.62] I think sometimes we feel a little bit lost. +[2743.72 --> 2748.96] We feel like we've forgotten who we are, how to live, perhaps even what to believe. +[2749.92 --> 2752.92] Sometimes we may get confused by the world around us. +[2753.40 --> 2758.08] That's one of the things that happened to this church in Thessalonica that we've been looking at recently. +[2758.30 --> 2761.84] But our text today, God calls us to remember. +[2762.86 --> 2766.68] He's reminding those who believe of what they already know. +[2766.68 --> 2770.80] And so we're going to look at that text now, which is part of our sermon series. +[2770.92 --> 2775.62] We've been going through these two letters to the church of the Thessalonican church. +[2776.10 --> 2778.12] And so we are on 2 Thessalonians now. +[2778.28 --> 2781.84] We're going to look at chapter 2 and we're going to read verses 13 to 17. +[2781.96 --> 2785.00] As always, I encourage you, pull out those Bibles you brought with us. +[2785.10 --> 2786.46] Grab one from the back if you need. +[2786.52 --> 2791.22] You can even turn your phones on and check out the Bible apps with you this morning. +[2791.22 --> 2793.52] But please do follow along. +[2794.44 --> 2798.82] So in Thessalonians 2, verses 13 to 17, we read this. +[2800.34 --> 2805.36] But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, loved by the Lord, +[2805.64 --> 2812.22] because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit +[2812.22 --> 2813.96] and through belief in the truth. +[2813.96 --> 2820.84] He called you to this through our gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. +[2821.48 --> 2826.46] So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, +[2826.74 --> 2828.60] whether by word of mouth or by letter. +[2829.32 --> 2835.12] May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us +[2835.12 --> 2842.42] eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. +[2842.42 --> 2844.12] The word of the Lord. +[2846.04 --> 2849.40] It's like we mentioned, the last couple weeks, Pastor Chris and Josh, +[2849.54 --> 2856.52] they've led us through a couple of sermons on one of the struggles that this church in Thessalonica was going through. +[2857.20 --> 2859.90] This church was concerned and they were confused. +[2860.26 --> 2863.40] They were worried that Jesus had already come back. +[2864.20 --> 2866.40] And they were uncertain of where that left them. +[2867.44 --> 2869.88] Paul then told them how this just simply is not true. +[2869.88 --> 2874.04] He mentioned a bit about the apocalypse or Christ's revelation, +[2874.38 --> 2876.34] that it would not come quietly, +[2877.46 --> 2880.82] and how certain things needed to happen before Christ's second coming. +[2881.02 --> 2882.40] Those things needed to take place. +[2882.78 --> 2887.64] In today's text, Paul, in some ways, he kind of puts a little bow on this conversation +[2887.64 --> 2891.04] by reminding this church of some very important things, +[2891.80 --> 2893.76] mainly their identity. +[2893.76 --> 2898.32] The reminder is our big idea from this text today. +[2898.32 --> 2903.78] By remembering our God-given identity and God's sure calling, +[2904.38 --> 2908.60] we are set free to stand firm and live boldly. +[2909.66 --> 2914.32] The Thessalonian church was confused and they were looking for some certainty. +[2915.80 --> 2919.66] Now, confusion and certainty, they are at opposite ends, aren't they? +[2919.66 --> 2923.78] This is something that Christians have wrestled with forever, I think. +[2923.82 --> 2924.90] Not just Christians, actually. +[2925.06 --> 2928.52] This is something that humanity wrestles with, isn't it? +[2928.76 --> 2929.44] I mean, look at me. +[2929.48 --> 2930.68] I'm confused all the time. +[2931.38 --> 2932.94] Confusion is just part of the package. +[2933.24 --> 2934.12] It's just part of life. +[2934.36 --> 2935.62] When I was at Redeemer, actually, +[2935.92 --> 2940.34] I once had two exams on one day at the end of my semester. +[2941.22 --> 2943.06] I had two exams on one day. +[2943.06 --> 2946.64] An afternoon exam and an evening exam. +[2947.04 --> 2947.86] And I thought to myself, +[2948.02 --> 2949.86] well, the day before those two exams, +[2950.06 --> 2952.52] I'll just hang out in my room and cram all day, +[2952.84 --> 2954.82] you know, studying like you're studying should be done. +[2956.86 --> 2959.34] But then my roommate that morning, 8 a.m., +[2959.34 --> 2961.04] popped his head into my room, Randall, +[2961.68 --> 2962.32] and he says, +[2962.40 --> 2964.86] Kevin, I'm going to watch all three extended versions +[2964.86 --> 2966.42] of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. +[2966.60 --> 2967.94] Do you want to watch those with me? +[2968.56 --> 2970.30] And obviously I said yes. +[2970.82 --> 2972.66] I just figured Tolkien was a smart dude. +[2972.66 --> 2974.38] I'd probably learn through osmosis somehow +[2974.38 --> 2976.62] by what he was putting on the screen. +[2976.80 --> 2977.82] Speaking of the Lord of the Rings, +[2977.90 --> 2978.86] just a little bit of a side, +[2978.92 --> 2979.82] and speaking of confusion, +[2980.30 --> 2982.46] I know I was confused the first and last time +[2982.46 --> 2984.12] I tried to make my way through those books. +[2984.40 --> 2985.16] I don't know if you were. +[2985.52 --> 2988.02] Between the Boromirs and Foromirs +[2988.02 --> 2990.18] and Saramons and Sorons, +[2990.24 --> 2990.86] I couldn't hack it. +[2991.36 --> 2992.52] Anyways, the movies were good. +[2992.98 --> 2994.20] And so I sat down with Randall +[2994.20 --> 2995.80] and we hammered through all three movies +[2995.80 --> 2997.06] 14 hours that day, +[2997.08 --> 2997.68] and I went to bed. +[2998.60 --> 2999.96] I woke up the next day. +[2999.96 --> 3002.06] I showed up for my 2 p.m. exam. +[3002.66 --> 3004.06] I was instantly confused. +[3004.98 --> 3006.16] I was instantly confused +[3006.16 --> 3007.06] because I looked around +[3007.06 --> 3008.92] and there was not a person from my class there. +[3009.94 --> 3011.38] After I sniffed around a bit, +[3011.72 --> 3013.56] I realized that my 2 p.m. exam +[3013.56 --> 3015.90] was actually a 9 a.m. exam, +[3016.12 --> 3019.10] and I was five hours late and missed it. +[3019.82 --> 3019.98] Yeah. +[3021.30 --> 3022.36] Long story short, +[3022.78 --> 3025.58] I got to meet with the education committee right away. +[3025.94 --> 3027.70] I was completely honest with them. +[3027.70 --> 3028.98] I told them the whole story +[3028.98 --> 3030.86] right down to the Gandalfs and the Dumbledores +[3030.86 --> 3033.64] and how it was an honest-to-goodness mistake, +[3033.86 --> 3035.10] and for some reason, +[3035.60 --> 3036.60] they took pity on me, +[3036.76 --> 3039.20] and they let me take that exam +[3039.20 --> 3040.04] right then and there +[3040.04 --> 3041.12] with just some minor penalties. +[3041.56 --> 3044.26] They were gracious amidst my confusion. +[3045.38 --> 3046.42] I finished that exam up +[3046.42 --> 3047.58] just in time to take the second one. +[3047.64 --> 3049.52] I have no idea how well I did on either of them, +[3049.56 --> 3050.24] but here I am now, +[3050.32 --> 3051.34] so it couldn't have been that bad. +[3051.34 --> 3054.74] But confusion happens, right? +[3055.20 --> 3056.40] We all get confused, +[3056.60 --> 3058.18] sometimes by our own doing, +[3058.54 --> 3060.68] sometimes by the influence of others, +[3060.68 --> 3061.48] like Randall. +[3062.28 --> 3065.60] We have moments of confusion +[3065.60 --> 3067.66] in our Christian lives too, +[3068.50 --> 3069.32] moments of doubt. +[3069.92 --> 3072.96] We try to wrap our heads around God, +[3073.06 --> 3074.12] around His world, +[3074.58 --> 3075.58] around His Word, +[3075.98 --> 3077.58] around our rules within it, +[3078.16 --> 3080.56] and we all naturally actually think of God, +[3080.56 --> 3083.04] and we limit Him to our own stories +[3083.04 --> 3084.20] and our own contexts. +[3084.52 --> 3086.38] And sometimes this brings confusion +[3086.38 --> 3087.48] in our walks with God. +[3087.70 --> 3089.66] There can be confusion about God's will +[3089.66 --> 3090.90] for our lives, for example, +[3090.98 --> 3094.44] or confusion about how suffering happens +[3094.44 --> 3096.56] and why it's a part of our life. +[3096.66 --> 3098.68] Confusion about church and community +[3098.68 --> 3099.92] and why that's important. +[3100.58 --> 3102.12] Confusion about our identity +[3102.12 --> 3104.14] and who we are. +[3105.14 --> 3106.52] Confusion strikes all of us. +[3107.92 --> 3109.64] A lot of the Thessalonians' confusion, +[3109.64 --> 3113.22] though, stemmed from their lack of understanding +[3113.22 --> 3115.38] of their own spiritual identity. +[3116.66 --> 3118.24] Like I said, this can happen to us too, +[3118.50 --> 3120.00] perhaps even especially +[3120.00 --> 3122.12] to long-time Christians. +[3122.70 --> 3124.62] People who have given their lives to Christ +[3124.62 --> 3126.00] so long ago +[3126.00 --> 3127.86] that the truth of the gospel +[3127.86 --> 3128.86] has actually started +[3128.86 --> 3130.44] to feel a little bit bland, +[3131.06 --> 3132.22] a little bit mundane, +[3132.84 --> 3134.76] and it starts to fall on numb ears. +[3134.76 --> 3138.00] We forget about Christ's life, +[3138.32 --> 3139.26] death, and resurrection, +[3139.54 --> 3141.04] and what it means for us. +[3141.56 --> 3142.72] We become apathetic +[3142.72 --> 3144.30] and we forget the power +[3144.30 --> 3145.22] that we live with, +[3145.58 --> 3147.08] the victory that's been won, +[3147.22 --> 3148.92] or the purpose with which we live. +[3150.56 --> 3151.84] And then we end up listening +[3151.84 --> 3153.44] to some preacher someone recommended, +[3153.86 --> 3155.28] or you hear something on the news, +[3155.38 --> 3156.48] or we get caught up +[3156.48 --> 3158.08] on some online forum, +[3158.08 --> 3159.58] and we engage it +[3159.58 --> 3161.34] with just a little bit too much chutzpah, +[3161.54 --> 3163.54] and then confusion starts to set in. +[3165.46 --> 3166.60] And we get confused +[3166.60 --> 3167.82] by the world around us, +[3167.92 --> 3169.08] confused by politics +[3169.64 --> 3171.08] and popular opinions +[3171.08 --> 3172.46] and posts online. +[3172.66 --> 3174.24] We start looking for certainty +[3174.24 --> 3175.88] in the wrong places. +[3176.66 --> 3178.42] And we start believing in lies +[3178.42 --> 3180.58] which are dressed up as virtues. +[3180.58 --> 3184.56] We're promised all sorts +[3184.56 --> 3185.74] of certainties in this world, +[3186.54 --> 3188.30] certainties that sound really good +[3188.30 --> 3188.94] on the surface, +[3189.54 --> 3192.12] but they can be deceptive at their core, +[3192.60 --> 3193.78] even really good things. +[3195.20 --> 3196.72] An education ensures +[3196.72 --> 3198.74] that you will have a secure job +[3198.74 --> 3199.42] with high earnings. +[3200.58 --> 3201.58] Your marriage guarantees +[3202.34 --> 3203.40] a life of happiness. +[3204.68 --> 3206.62] If you just alter one thing +[3206.62 --> 3207.42] about yourself, +[3207.86 --> 3209.86] people will certainly accept you. +[3211.58 --> 3213.28] Comfort is surely found +[3213.28 --> 3214.86] in one more hour of gaming, +[3215.20 --> 3217.02] one more pull of that slot machine, +[3217.34 --> 3219.16] one more trip to that plastic surgeon, +[3219.48 --> 3220.48] one more investment +[3220.48 --> 3221.52] in the right portfolio. +[3223.26 --> 3224.36] And the truth is, +[3224.44 --> 3225.32] none of that is certain. +[3226.86 --> 3228.16] Education is important, +[3228.86 --> 3229.38] absolutely, +[3229.84 --> 3231.40] but it doesn't guarantee you anything. +[3232.90 --> 3234.26] Relationships are vital, +[3235.20 --> 3236.92] but they're often the source +[3236.92 --> 3237.56] of our suffering. +[3238.30 --> 3239.28] Don't always come with happiness. +[3240.58 --> 3242.26] Changing your identity +[3242.26 --> 3244.12] or values to be accepted by others +[3244.12 --> 3246.20] cheapens who you've been created to be +[3246.20 --> 3248.46] and often creates more confusion +[3248.46 --> 3249.66] than what you find yourself in. +[3251.08 --> 3252.88] And comfort, in my opinion, +[3253.10 --> 3254.72] is the greatest idol +[3254.72 --> 3256.04] that our world seeks. +[3257.66 --> 3258.66] They're all lies, +[3258.86 --> 3260.02] and they're all masquerading +[3260.02 --> 3261.68] as certainties in our world. +[3261.68 --> 3264.22] And all of those supposed certainties +[3264.22 --> 3265.08] and all of those supposed certainties +[3265.08 --> 3268.18] end up bringing just more confusion. +[3270.66 --> 3271.78] In our confusion, +[3271.94 --> 3273.30] we seek those certainties, +[3273.78 --> 3275.86] but those certainties are often lies +[3275.86 --> 3277.66] or they're just too far away +[3277.66 --> 3278.48] for us to grasp. +[3278.48 --> 3282.10] But maybe, +[3282.40 --> 3284.02] in our confusion, +[3285.02 --> 3288.14] instead of seeking certainties, +[3288.64 --> 3290.82] we need to seek what Paul is offering +[3290.82 --> 3292.78] the Thessalonian church in our text today. +[3294.04 --> 3296.26] See, Paul didn't give them certainties. +[3297.58 --> 3299.16] He gives them clarity. +[3299.16 --> 3302.96] So maybe instead for us, +[3303.64 --> 3305.58] instead of striving for certainties, +[3306.16 --> 3309.72] we also need just a little bit of clarity. +[3311.70 --> 3313.80] See, Paul provides this church with clarity +[3313.80 --> 3315.26] in the midst of their confusion. +[3315.58 --> 3317.02] When certainty wasn't cutting it, +[3317.20 --> 3319.12] when the church was looking for certainty +[3319.12 --> 3320.76] on specific details +[3320.76 --> 3324.10] as to the who's and the how's and the when's. +[3324.16 --> 3325.28] For example, if you remember, +[3325.56 --> 3327.14] who is this man of lawlessness? +[3327.14 --> 3327.76] They wanted to know, +[3327.90 --> 3330.42] how will we know we didn't miss Christ's return? +[3330.72 --> 3332.56] When is all of this going to happen? +[3332.94 --> 3334.38] Paul doesn't give them certainties. +[3335.46 --> 3338.02] He doesn't answer those questions with certainties. +[3338.90 --> 3340.62] But he does provide clarity. +[3342.24 --> 3343.78] Clarity was going to stabilize them. +[3343.92 --> 3345.80] Clarity over certainty. +[3346.64 --> 3348.94] And he provides this clarity +[3348.94 --> 3351.10] in the form of encouragement. +[3351.60 --> 3353.18] He encourages this church. +[3353.50 --> 3354.94] Verse 13 of our text, +[3355.00 --> 3355.46] it says this, +[3355.46 --> 3358.54] We ought always to thank God for you, +[3358.68 --> 3359.36] brothers and sisters, +[3359.78 --> 3360.62] loved by the Lord +[3360.62 --> 3363.20] because God chose you as firstfruits +[3363.20 --> 3366.90] to be saved through the sanctifying work +[3366.90 --> 3367.76] of the Spirit +[3367.76 --> 3369.48] and through belief in the truth. +[3370.26 --> 3370.96] Notice, though, +[3370.98 --> 3372.58] what Paul is gracious for here. +[3374.14 --> 3375.86] He is thankful for these people, +[3375.94 --> 3377.06] but he's not thankful +[3377.06 --> 3379.44] for what they have done. +[3380.42 --> 3382.72] He's not grateful because of their work, +[3382.72 --> 3385.44] but because of God's work, +[3385.64 --> 3387.46] because God chose them to be saved. +[3387.66 --> 3389.38] He chose them to be sanctified. +[3389.72 --> 3391.36] Paul's gratitude from this church, +[3391.58 --> 3392.82] from 2 Thessalonians, +[3393.00 --> 3394.68] actually mirrors the gratitude +[3394.68 --> 3396.22] he gives at the beginning +[3396.22 --> 3397.94] of 1 Thessalonians, +[3398.00 --> 3400.16] way back into our first sermon +[3400.16 --> 3401.42] in this sermon series, +[3401.62 --> 3403.42] in 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 3. +[3403.86 --> 3404.88] There, Paul mentions +[3404.88 --> 3406.42] how grateful he is for this church. +[3406.42 --> 3407.42] But again, +[3407.42 --> 3410.18] his gratitude is not based +[3410.18 --> 3411.46] on what they are doing, +[3412.46 --> 3415.02] but on what Jesus had already done. +[3415.58 --> 3417.44] He is grateful for this church +[3417.44 --> 3418.68] because of the work of Christ. +[3419.44 --> 3421.48] The church can only know +[3421.48 --> 3422.26] who we really are +[3422.26 --> 3424.38] when we remember who Christ is. +[3424.64 --> 3426.66] Only the transforming work of Christ, +[3426.76 --> 3429.04] the work that he has already done, +[3430.12 --> 3431.54] can combat this confusion, +[3431.68 --> 3433.56] can combat the deceptive work +[3433.56 --> 3434.50] of the Antichrist +[3434.50 --> 3435.60] or the man of lawlessness +[3435.60 --> 3437.12] or Satan and his minions. +[3437.50 --> 3439.22] Only the truth of Jesus +[3439.22 --> 3441.92] can combat an apathetic faith. +[3442.72 --> 3443.92] We need reminding +[3443.92 --> 3445.26] of this transformation. +[3445.54 --> 3446.42] We need to remember +[3446.42 --> 3449.02] who Christ claims us to be. +[3451.38 --> 3452.90] See, the clarity this provides +[3452.90 --> 3453.46] is crucial. +[3453.64 --> 3454.72] It grounds us. +[3455.08 --> 3457.00] It quiets the storms. +[3457.44 --> 3459.26] And it dissipates the confusion. +[3461.26 --> 3462.72] Paul reminds us +[3462.72 --> 3463.66] that for believers, +[3463.66 --> 3466.42] salvation is not +[3466.42 --> 3468.36] a subjective experience. +[3470.48 --> 3471.74] Salvation is not something +[3471.74 --> 3473.86] the church has to train for +[3473.86 --> 3474.66] in order to experience. +[3474.84 --> 3475.36] It's not something +[3475.36 --> 3476.72] that believers can miss +[3476.72 --> 3478.06] if we aren't paying attention. +[3478.24 --> 3479.56] Salvation is not something +[3479.56 --> 3481.28] anyone has to work for +[3481.28 --> 3482.28] and earn. +[3482.44 --> 3483.92] No, salvation is not +[3483.92 --> 3485.62] a subjective experience. +[3487.16 --> 3489.94] Salvation is an objective position. +[3489.94 --> 3493.26] salvation is given to us. +[3494.22 --> 3495.80] It's a gift given to us +[3495.80 --> 3496.34] by our God +[3496.34 --> 3498.86] which changes our position +[3498.86 --> 3499.94] in the kingdom. +[3500.46 --> 3502.20] Our positional standing +[3502.20 --> 3503.30] before the judge, +[3503.40 --> 3504.88] our very identities, +[3505.08 --> 3505.92] the most eternal +[3505.92 --> 3507.22] and important part +[3507.22 --> 3508.24] of who we are +[3508.24 --> 3510.72] has been clearly decided +[3510.72 --> 3511.72] already +[3511.72 --> 3515.92] by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. +[3515.92 --> 3518.14] We have been given +[3518.14 --> 3520.30] clarity and assurance +[3520.30 --> 3521.52] for our present +[3521.52 --> 3523.14] and eternal selves +[3523.14 --> 3523.94] that our identities +[3523.94 --> 3525.06] are rooted in Christ +[3525.06 --> 3526.52] and we belong to Him. +[3526.62 --> 3527.52] He chose us. +[3527.62 --> 3528.46] We are His. +[3531.46 --> 3532.66] Paul, in a different letter +[3532.66 --> 3533.50] to a different church, +[3533.68 --> 3535.14] in Ephesians 2, +[3535.22 --> 3536.18] verses 4 and 5, +[3536.24 --> 3536.86] he says this. +[3537.90 --> 3538.32] He says, +[3538.32 --> 3540.14] but because of His +[3540.14 --> 3541.78] great love for us, +[3542.24 --> 3543.60] God who is rich in mercy +[3543.60 --> 3545.40] made us alive with Christ +[3545.40 --> 3546.80] even when we were dead +[3546.80 --> 3547.66] in transgression. +[3547.92 --> 3548.88] It is by grace +[3548.88 --> 3549.84] that you have been saved. +[3550.14 --> 3551.36] Not by our love +[3551.36 --> 3553.12] or our deeds +[3553.12 --> 3554.18] or our response +[3554.18 --> 3555.10] or our doing, +[3556.00 --> 3557.40] but because of His +[3557.40 --> 3559.88] great love for us, +[3560.14 --> 3561.74] God made us alive +[3561.74 --> 3562.66] in Christ +[3562.66 --> 3564.00] even when we were dead +[3564.00 --> 3564.54] in sins. +[3565.24 --> 3566.26] It is by grace +[3566.26 --> 3567.22] that you have been saved. +[3568.86 --> 3570.70] This is our clarity. +[3571.78 --> 3573.82] As soon as God chose you, +[3573.98 --> 3575.44] your objective position +[3575.44 --> 3576.72] in the kingdom changed. +[3577.26 --> 3578.88] That is the sanctifying work +[3578.88 --> 3579.44] of the Spirit +[3579.44 --> 3580.44] Paul is talking about +[3580.44 --> 3581.04] in this text. +[3581.28 --> 3582.18] Again, verse 13, +[3582.48 --> 3583.16] God chose you +[3583.16 --> 3583.82] as firstfruits +[3583.82 --> 3584.40] to be saved +[3584.40 --> 3586.48] through the sanctifying work +[3586.48 --> 3587.78] of the Spirit +[3587.78 --> 3588.40] and through belief +[3588.40 --> 3588.82] in the truth. +[3589.12 --> 3590.48] You are declared as gods. +[3591.16 --> 3592.00] Sin no longer +[3592.00 --> 3592.88] rules your life. +[3593.62 --> 3594.62] We are no longer +[3594.62 --> 3595.84] bound to sin, +[3595.90 --> 3596.52] but we are bound +[3596.52 --> 3597.10] to Christ. +[3597.10 --> 3598.10] Our position +[3598.10 --> 3599.54] has changed forever. +[3600.34 --> 3601.20] That's the clarity +[3601.20 --> 3601.84] Paul is bringing +[3601.84 --> 3602.80] to light to this church. +[3604.54 --> 3605.86] Now, this sanctification +[3605.86 --> 3607.10] is called +[3607.10 --> 3608.74] a definitive sanctification. +[3608.94 --> 3609.60] It's different than +[3609.60 --> 3611.16] progressive sanctification, +[3611.32 --> 3611.82] which is also +[3611.82 --> 3612.64] a very good thing, +[3612.76 --> 3613.56] but not the good thing +[3613.56 --> 3614.24] that Paul is talking +[3614.24 --> 3614.72] about here. +[3615.16 --> 3615.66] Picture this. +[3615.84 --> 3616.44] Stay with me here. +[3616.50 --> 3616.94] Picture this. +[3617.40 --> 3618.20] Pretend with me +[3618.20 --> 3618.80] for a second. +[3620.00 --> 3621.12] Pretend you're in prison. +[3621.12 --> 3623.74] You are bound +[3623.74 --> 3625.26] to the prison warden +[3625.26 --> 3626.20] because of the crime +[3626.20 --> 3626.94] that you have committed. +[3628.00 --> 3628.86] The prison +[3628.86 --> 3630.68] and the prison warden +[3630.68 --> 3632.26] controls and oversees +[3632.26 --> 3633.10] everything you do. +[3633.18 --> 3634.38] You are bound to him. +[3635.76 --> 3636.70] But then one day +[3636.70 --> 3637.14] you're freed. +[3638.30 --> 3639.36] The gates open +[3639.36 --> 3640.02] and you're released. +[3641.48 --> 3643.08] Your position changes. +[3644.36 --> 3645.20] You are free. +[3645.38 --> 3646.22] You're no longer +[3646.22 --> 3647.76] under the warden's control. +[3647.76 --> 3649.96] That's definitive +[3649.96 --> 3651.14] sanctification. +[3651.36 --> 3652.08] That's what Paul +[3652.08 --> 3653.10] is trying to make clear. +[3653.44 --> 3654.24] Your position +[3654.24 --> 3655.48] has changed forever. +[3656.68 --> 3657.64] Yes, you're free +[3657.64 --> 3658.48] from prison now +[3658.48 --> 3659.40] and now you must learn +[3659.40 --> 3659.90] how to live +[3659.90 --> 3660.82] as a free person +[3660.82 --> 3661.62] in society. +[3661.98 --> 3662.76] That process +[3662.76 --> 3663.74] is also happening +[3663.74 --> 3664.82] and that process +[3664.82 --> 3665.20] is called +[3665.20 --> 3666.42] progressive sanctification +[3666.42 --> 3667.14] where the Spirit +[3667.14 --> 3668.22] takes over +[3668.22 --> 3669.48] and makes us +[3669.48 --> 3670.26] more and more +[3670.26 --> 3670.98] Christ-like. +[3671.06 --> 3671.92] But you are free. +[3672.76 --> 3673.56] That is true. +[3673.70 --> 3674.74] Your positional standing +[3674.74 --> 3675.30] is clear. +[3675.70 --> 3676.46] You're out of prison. +[3676.56 --> 3677.32] There's no doubt +[3677.32 --> 3679.20] you are free. +[3680.60 --> 3681.96] Because of Christ +[3681.96 --> 3683.90] you are free. +[3684.92 --> 3686.00] You're no longer +[3686.00 --> 3686.72] bound to sin. +[3686.92 --> 3688.20] No longer bound to death. +[3688.36 --> 3689.68] Paul assures us +[3689.68 --> 3690.68] that we are sanctified +[3690.68 --> 3691.80] because of Christ. +[3692.96 --> 3693.98] And Paul gives +[3693.98 --> 3694.88] thanks for that. +[3694.98 --> 3695.76] For us too. +[3696.34 --> 3697.30] Just like we can +[3697.30 --> 3697.74] give thanks +[3697.74 --> 3698.46] for one another. +[3698.78 --> 3699.60] Because of what +[3699.60 --> 3700.48] Christ has done. +[3701.52 --> 3702.32] Because Jesus +[3702.32 --> 3704.16] lived a perfect life +[3704.16 --> 3704.90] that we failed +[3704.90 --> 3705.44] to live +[3705.44 --> 3706.14] and then he died +[3706.14 --> 3706.50] to death +[3706.50 --> 3707.72] that we all deserve. +[3708.66 --> 3709.76] But then three days later +[3709.76 --> 3710.76] Jesus rose again +[3710.76 --> 3711.30] from the dead +[3711.30 --> 3712.20] defeating sin +[3712.20 --> 3713.10] and death. +[3716.30 --> 3717.64] He's chosen you. +[3718.94 --> 3719.94] Because of all +[3719.94 --> 3720.72] that Jesus did +[3720.72 --> 3721.56] he chose you. +[3721.96 --> 3722.62] You are free. +[3723.04 --> 3724.26] This releases us +[3724.26 --> 3725.90] from the distraction +[3725.90 --> 3727.34] of our uncertain futures. +[3728.18 --> 3729.68] This clarifies +[3729.68 --> 3730.72] our standing +[3730.72 --> 3731.58] in God's eyes. +[3731.90 --> 3732.76] We are liberated. +[3732.76 --> 3734.26] We have been released +[3734.26 --> 3735.02] from captivity. +[3735.54 --> 3736.82] We are not our own +[3736.82 --> 3737.76] but we belong +[3737.76 --> 3738.86] body and soul +[3738.86 --> 3740.26] in life and in death +[3740.26 --> 3741.38] to our faithful Savior +[3741.38 --> 3742.24] Jesus Christ. +[3742.44 --> 3743.46] He has fully paid +[3743.46 --> 3744.64] for all of our sins +[3744.64 --> 3746.22] with his precious blood +[3746.22 --> 3748.10] and he has set us free +[3748.10 --> 3748.84] from the power +[3748.84 --> 3749.36] of the devil +[3749.36 --> 3750.74] by his Holy Spirit. +[3751.28 --> 3752.84] We are assured. +[3754.16 --> 3755.62] He makes clear to us +[3755.62 --> 3756.82] our eternal life +[3756.82 --> 3758.88] and makes us heartily willing +[3758.88 --> 3760.44] and ready from now on +[3760.44 --> 3761.08] to live for him. +[3762.46 --> 3764.56] And that clarity +[3764.56 --> 3766.42] cuts through the confusion. +[3769.68 --> 3772.08] Now when we suffer +[3772.08 --> 3774.52] we know we will be healed +[3774.52 --> 3775.46] one day +[3775.46 --> 3777.08] either here and now +[3777.08 --> 3778.18] in this broken world +[3778.18 --> 3779.64] or later with Christ +[3779.64 --> 3780.66] on the new earth. +[3781.96 --> 3783.34] Now when we grieve +[3783.34 --> 3784.34] the loss of those +[3784.34 --> 3785.30] who loved the Lord +[3785.30 --> 3786.58] we can look forward +[3786.58 --> 3787.68] with clarity +[3787.68 --> 3789.36] that they too +[3789.36 --> 3790.50] belong to Jesus +[3790.50 --> 3791.62] in this life +[3791.62 --> 3792.16] and the next. +[3793.40 --> 3794.50] When we pray +[3794.50 --> 3795.76] for those who do not +[3795.76 --> 3796.30] know the Lord +[3796.30 --> 3797.14] we can pray +[3797.14 --> 3798.12] clearly +[3798.12 --> 3799.60] and boldly +[3799.60 --> 3800.92] and preach the gospel +[3800.92 --> 3801.54] to them +[3801.54 --> 3802.40] with conviction +[3802.40 --> 3803.46] because we know +[3803.46 --> 3804.84] that it's the Holy Spirit +[3804.84 --> 3806.20] that softens hearts. +[3807.64 --> 3809.12] And we can rejoice +[3809.12 --> 3809.72] in victories. +[3809.86 --> 3810.48] We can boast +[3810.48 --> 3811.28] in the Lord +[3811.28 --> 3812.76] for all he has done. +[3812.76 --> 3816.48] whenever life's challenges +[3816.48 --> 3817.44] get thrown our way +[3817.44 --> 3818.30] we can mourn +[3818.30 --> 3819.32] and we can grieve +[3819.32 --> 3820.16] and we can lament +[3820.16 --> 3821.70] and we can even be angry. +[3822.88 --> 3824.16] But we can do so +[3824.16 --> 3825.00] with clarity +[3825.00 --> 3826.40] because God +[3826.40 --> 3827.62] has us. +[3829.12 --> 3830.02] We are +[3830.02 --> 3830.66] his +[3830.66 --> 3831.98] clearly. +[3834.90 --> 3836.14] The Thessalonian church +[3836.14 --> 3837.08] didn't need certainty +[3837.08 --> 3838.02] they needed clarity. +[3838.42 --> 3839.24] They were concerned +[3839.24 --> 3840.44] about the when +[3840.44 --> 3841.72] of Christ's return. +[3841.72 --> 3842.98] what exactly +[3842.98 --> 3843.78] the Antichrist +[3843.78 --> 3844.26] would look like +[3844.26 --> 3846.16] and how the great rebellion +[3846.16 --> 3846.94] would unfold +[3846.94 --> 3848.00] to the world around them. +[3848.04 --> 3848.54] They were hoping +[3848.54 --> 3849.40] for a road map. +[3850.52 --> 3851.04] But Paul doesn't +[3851.04 --> 3851.56] give them that. +[3852.28 --> 3853.60] He doesn't unravel +[3853.60 --> 3855.08] the mysteries of God. +[3855.26 --> 3855.72] How could he? +[3855.78 --> 3857.18] God is far too big +[3857.18 --> 3857.78] to be condensed +[3857.78 --> 3858.70] onto a road map. +[3859.94 --> 3860.68] We don't know +[3860.68 --> 3861.24] all the details. +[3861.66 --> 3862.12] We don't know +[3862.12 --> 3863.08] about when Christ will come. +[3863.18 --> 3863.96] Matthew 24 +[3863.96 --> 3865.48] But concerning that day +[3865.48 --> 3865.94] and hour +[3865.94 --> 3866.60] no one knows +[3866.60 --> 3867.88] not even the angels +[3867.88 --> 3868.36] of heaven +[3868.36 --> 3869.32] nor the Son +[3869.32 --> 3870.94] but the Father only. +[3871.72 --> 3873.36] Instead +[3873.36 --> 3874.28] Paul points +[3874.28 --> 3874.88] this church +[3874.88 --> 3875.44] back to what +[3875.44 --> 3876.58] they already knew +[3876.58 --> 3879.30] and what really matters +[3879.30 --> 3880.88] that they belong +[3880.88 --> 3881.72] to God. +[3882.26 --> 3882.90] Their standing +[3882.90 --> 3883.52] in Christ +[3883.52 --> 3884.80] is secure. +[3886.46 --> 3887.44] And sometimes +[3887.44 --> 3888.72] the most pastoral thing +[3888.72 --> 3889.58] we can all do +[3889.58 --> 3890.32] for one another +[3890.32 --> 3891.20] is not +[3891.20 --> 3892.76] hand out road maps +[3892.76 --> 3894.06] or try to figure out +[3894.06 --> 3895.02] the certainties +[3895.02 --> 3897.24] but remind +[3897.24 --> 3898.24] one another +[3898.24 --> 3900.78] of the unshakable truth +[3900.78 --> 3902.98] that we are His. +[3904.32 --> 3905.36] Provide clarity. +[3907.66 --> 3908.36] You'll notice +[3908.36 --> 3908.94] Paul's actually +[3908.94 --> 3909.60] really brief +[3909.60 --> 3910.32] in this passage +[3910.32 --> 3911.84] and that's intentional. +[3912.12 --> 3912.52] He had already +[3912.52 --> 3913.42] taught them these things. +[3914.18 --> 3915.00] He had written +[3915.00 --> 3915.56] to them before. +[3915.66 --> 3916.26] He had instructed +[3916.26 --> 3916.92] them in person. +[3917.26 --> 3917.90] They weren't hearing +[3917.90 --> 3918.90] this for the first time. +[3919.02 --> 3919.50] They just needed +[3919.50 --> 3920.16] to hear it again. +[3921.46 --> 3922.22] And honestly +[3922.22 --> 3923.20] isn't that true for us? +[3923.20 --> 3924.20] How many of us +[3924.20 --> 3925.18] need to be reminded +[3925.18 --> 3926.52] instead of re-taught? +[3926.88 --> 3927.80] I know a lot of us +[3927.80 --> 3928.64] have grown up here +[3928.64 --> 3930.10] hearing about God's love, +[3930.52 --> 3931.58] hearing about His promises, +[3931.74 --> 3932.66] our identity in Christ, +[3932.72 --> 3934.28] but life fogs it up. +[3935.30 --> 3936.52] Confusion can creep in. +[3937.30 --> 3938.24] The noise of the world +[3938.24 --> 3938.78] turns up +[3938.78 --> 3939.32] and so God +[3939.32 --> 3939.94] in His kindness +[3939.94 --> 3941.18] often sends someone +[3941.18 --> 3941.84] like Paul +[3941.84 --> 3942.86] to pull us aside +[3942.86 --> 3943.08] and say, +[3943.16 --> 3944.06] you know this. +[3945.06 --> 3946.24] Now remember it. +[3947.52 --> 3948.24] Live it. +[3951.60 --> 3952.76] And there's also +[3952.76 --> 3954.12] some of us +[3954.12 --> 3954.64] who don't know +[3954.64 --> 3955.42] this truth yet. +[3956.26 --> 3957.32] Some of us here today +[3957.32 --> 3958.50] are wondering +[3958.50 --> 3960.20] or you're curious. +[3960.68 --> 3961.34] You're looking +[3961.34 --> 3962.48] for certainties. +[3963.92 --> 3964.96] And if that's you, +[3965.04 --> 3965.72] I invite you +[3965.72 --> 3966.54] keep wondering. +[3967.10 --> 3968.74] Keep continuing +[3968.74 --> 3969.86] in your curiosity. +[3970.82 --> 3971.70] But don't look +[3971.70 --> 3972.44] for certainties +[3972.44 --> 3973.02] where mysteries +[3973.02 --> 3973.58] are concerned. +[3973.70 --> 3973.96] Instead, +[3974.36 --> 3975.58] hold up the gospel +[3975.58 --> 3977.08] in your hearts. +[3977.78 --> 3978.40] Ask yourself, +[3978.68 --> 3979.44] is Jesus +[3979.44 --> 3981.52] who He says He is? +[3981.52 --> 3983.18] Did He really do +[3983.18 --> 3984.04] what He said He did? +[3984.88 --> 3985.88] Are these people +[3985.88 --> 3986.76] here in this room +[3986.76 --> 3987.16] right now +[3987.16 --> 3988.18] really saved +[3988.18 --> 3989.10] because of the work +[3989.10 --> 3989.90] of Jesus only? +[3993.04 --> 3994.46] Are they really free? +[3995.64 --> 3996.78] Are they really released +[3996.78 --> 3997.44] from captivity? +[3997.98 --> 3998.70] Is it that simple? +[4000.18 --> 4000.90] I pray +[4000.90 --> 4001.90] that if that is you, +[4001.94 --> 4002.78] you find clarity +[4002.78 --> 4003.30] of heart +[4003.30 --> 4004.14] to see Jesus +[4004.14 --> 4005.10] more clearly today. +[4006.14 --> 4007.10] Because once +[4007.10 --> 4008.88] that revelatory truth +[4008.88 --> 4009.82] creeps into your heart, +[4009.82 --> 4010.80] it changes everything. +[4013.52 --> 4014.60] So there's the clarity +[4014.60 --> 4015.66] for our minds today. +[4015.76 --> 4016.34] There's the clarity +[4016.34 --> 4017.44] for our hearts today. +[4017.50 --> 4018.22] But what does that mean +[4018.22 --> 4018.86] for our hands? +[4018.92 --> 4019.92] Where do we go +[4019.92 --> 4021.22] with this newfound +[4021.22 --> 4022.82] or perhaps more appropriately, +[4023.34 --> 4025.38] this newly reminded clarity? +[4026.18 --> 4027.58] If we are truly secure, +[4027.94 --> 4029.02] if we are truly loved +[4029.02 --> 4029.86] and chosen and called, +[4029.92 --> 4031.26] if our standing before God +[4031.26 --> 4032.28] is not in doubt, +[4033.08 --> 4033.94] then what do we do? +[4035.72 --> 4038.00] Paul does tell us that +[4038.00 --> 4039.64] in verse 15 of our text. +[4040.62 --> 4042.18] We go in boldness. +[4042.98 --> 4044.12] We stand firm. +[4044.20 --> 4045.70] We hold to the teachings +[4045.70 --> 4046.66] we've received. +[4046.84 --> 4047.74] We live lives +[4047.74 --> 4049.28] that reflect the truth +[4049.28 --> 4050.12] that we've been given. +[4050.58 --> 4052.16] That means showing up in love, +[4052.82 --> 4054.02] holding fast to grace, +[4054.34 --> 4055.20] speaking the truth +[4055.20 --> 4056.44] in both boldness +[4056.44 --> 4057.70] and in kindness +[4057.70 --> 4058.98] with courage. +[4059.66 --> 4061.42] That means we gather together. +[4061.56 --> 4062.92] We grow in faith +[4062.92 --> 4064.42] and we go out with purpose. +[4064.42 --> 4066.92] We don't do that +[4066.92 --> 4067.50] because we're trying +[4067.50 --> 4068.52] to prove anything +[4068.52 --> 4069.84] or earn something, +[4070.02 --> 4071.28] but because we already +[4071.28 --> 4073.02] know who we are. +[4073.38 --> 4074.50] That much is clear. +[4076.44 --> 4077.78] And here's the last +[4077.78 --> 4078.56] beautiful thing. +[4079.68 --> 4080.84] When we rest +[4080.84 --> 4081.54] in that clarity, +[4082.24 --> 4083.92] when we anchor ourselves +[4083.92 --> 4085.92] in the who +[4085.92 --> 4087.04] that is true +[4087.04 --> 4087.74] and unchanging, +[4088.74 --> 4090.04] the panic +[4090.04 --> 4091.28] we start to feel +[4091.28 --> 4092.70] about life's uncertainties +[4092.70 --> 4094.80] begins to just quiet a little. +[4096.14 --> 4097.74] The need for control, +[4098.24 --> 4099.76] the thirst for answers, +[4099.92 --> 4100.50] the stress +[4100.50 --> 4101.94] over every what if, +[4102.66 --> 4104.00] all of that just starts +[4104.00 --> 4105.10] to loosen its grip. +[4106.56 --> 4107.92] Because we know +[4107.92 --> 4109.02] the one +[4109.02 --> 4110.50] who holds our future. +[4111.78 --> 4113.00] We're clear +[4113.00 --> 4114.14] on where we stand. +[4115.12 --> 4115.94] We're clear +[4115.94 --> 4117.18] on who we belong to +[4117.18 --> 4118.94] and what's awaiting for us. +[4118.94 --> 4121.84] So whether we're laughing +[4121.84 --> 4122.72] or we're grieving, +[4123.32 --> 4124.22] whether we're healthy +[4124.22 --> 4125.02] or we're hurting, +[4125.72 --> 4126.62] whether we're certainly +[4126.62 --> 4128.50] confused or confusingly certain, +[4129.48 --> 4131.32] we can walk forward +[4131.32 --> 4132.28] without fear. +[4132.54 --> 4133.22] Not because +[4133.22 --> 4134.18] all the details +[4134.18 --> 4134.72] are certain, +[4136.00 --> 4136.58] but because of +[4136.58 --> 4137.82] the most important thing. +[4138.32 --> 4140.24] We are God's. +[4140.98 --> 4142.16] By remembering +[4142.16 --> 4143.70] that God-given identity +[4143.70 --> 4145.50] and God's sure calling +[4145.50 --> 4146.20] on our lives, +[4146.20 --> 4147.66] we are set free +[4147.66 --> 4149.28] to stand firm +[4149.28 --> 4150.50] and live boldly. +[4150.60 --> 4151.22] So Emmanuel, +[4151.94 --> 4153.60] may our Lord Jesus Christ +[4153.60 --> 4154.18] himself +[4154.18 --> 4156.46] and God our Father +[4156.46 --> 4157.98] who loved us +[4157.98 --> 4159.10] and by his grace +[4159.10 --> 4159.84] gave us +[4159.84 --> 4160.96] eternal encouragement +[4160.96 --> 4161.66] and good hope +[4161.66 --> 4164.68] encourage your hearts +[4164.68 --> 4166.26] and strengthen you +[4166.26 --> 4168.94] in every good deed +[4168.94 --> 4169.90] and word. +[4170.62 --> 4170.88] Amen. +[4171.66 --> 4172.60] Please pray with me. +[4172.60 --> 4172.66] Amen. +[4172.66 --> 4176.78] Father God, +[4177.56 --> 4180.82] in many areas of life +[4180.82 --> 4183.64] we need you to encourage us. +[4184.02 --> 4185.40] In other areas of life +[4185.40 --> 4186.62] we need conviction. +[4186.86 --> 4187.48] Sometimes we need +[4187.48 --> 4188.54] a good kick in the pants. +[4190.00 --> 4190.62] But God, +[4190.86 --> 4192.68] what we all certainly need +[4192.68 --> 4194.92] is just a little bit of clarity. +[4194.92 --> 4198.20] may you +[4198.20 --> 4200.52] and your truth +[4200.52 --> 4203.24] permeate our hearts. +[4204.14 --> 4205.20] May we know +[4205.20 --> 4206.34] to our core +[4206.34 --> 4207.52] that we are saved. +[4208.92 --> 4210.08] That you have +[4210.08 --> 4211.06] claimed us +[4211.06 --> 4211.90] as your own +[4211.90 --> 4215.96] and that we belong to you +[4215.96 --> 4217.94] in life and in death +[4217.94 --> 4219.68] with purpose +[4219.68 --> 4220.42] and value. +[4221.52 --> 4222.06] God, +[4222.12 --> 4222.82] if this is a message +[4222.82 --> 4224.20] we've heard a thousand times, +[4224.20 --> 4225.72] may it sink +[4225.72 --> 4226.64] a little deeper today. +[4227.68 --> 4228.70] If this is a message +[4228.70 --> 4229.06] we've heard +[4229.06 --> 4230.02] for the first time, +[4231.08 --> 4232.08] may we investigate +[4232.08 --> 4232.98] a little bit further. +[4234.38 --> 4234.72] And God, +[4234.78 --> 4235.40] may we all +[4235.40 --> 4236.04] in this room +[4236.04 --> 4236.62] and beyond +[4236.62 --> 4237.94] know your love, +[4238.38 --> 4239.16] know your grace +[4239.16 --> 4240.38] and live that out +[4240.38 --> 4241.44] in the world around us. +[4241.88 --> 4242.58] We pray this +[4242.58 --> 4243.20] in your son's +[4243.20 --> 4244.42] precious and holy name. +[4244.90 --> 4245.10] Amen. +[4245.10 --> 4245.20] Amen. +[4254.20 --> 4278.58] This my only comfort +[4278.58 --> 4279.58] is a blessing. +[4279.58 --> 4280.40] I am not my own, +[4280.40 --> 4282.06] but belong. +[4282.06 --> 4284.78] You have fully paid +[4284.78 --> 4286.40] for all my sins +[4286.40 --> 4288.26] and all my death. +[4288.80 --> 4291.24] Even when I struggle +[4291.24 --> 4293.06] to believe, +[4295.06 --> 4297.32] with your precious blood +[4297.32 --> 4299.10] you set me free. +[4299.10 --> 4305.42] I am not my own, +[4305.42 --> 4307.88] but belong, +[4309.30 --> 4311.42] body and soul, +[4312.42 --> 4315.06] in my life +[4315.06 --> 4317.42] and in death. +[4317.42 --> 4320.04] to you, +[4320.04 --> 4321.24] Lord, +[4321.68 --> 4325.52] Christ my Lord. +[4325.98 --> 4328.26] You preserve my life +[4328.26 --> 4329.60] in such a way +[4329.60 --> 4331.38] that without you, +[4332.10 --> 4334.00] not a hair can fall +[4334.00 --> 4334.86] from me +[4334.86 --> 4337.26] unless you will it too. +[4338.06 --> 4340.18] Even when I'm lost +[4340.18 --> 4342.70] in desperation, +[4342.70 --> 4346.26] all things work together +[4346.26 --> 4348.78] for my salvation. +[4349.98 --> 4354.16] I am not my own, +[4354.54 --> 4356.40] but belong, +[4357.84 --> 4360.40] body and soul, +[4360.80 --> 4363.40] in my life +[4363.40 --> 4366.40] and in death. +[4366.40 --> 4368.26] To you, +[4368.46 --> 4369.46] Lord, +[4369.86 --> 4372.40] Christ my Lord. +[4372.70 --> 4399.56] always by your Holy Spirit +[4399.56 --> 4401.26] you assure me +[4401.26 --> 4404.60] of eternal life +[4404.60 --> 4405.52] and make me +[4405.52 --> 4407.32] willing and ready +[4407.32 --> 4410.44] even when I can't +[4410.44 --> 4412.10] see my way through. +[4413.94 --> 4415.46] From now on +[4415.46 --> 4417.88] to always live for you. +[4421.42 --> 4425.36] I am not my own, +[4425.36 --> 4427.64] but belong, +[4427.64 --> 4431.98] body and soul, +[4431.98 --> 4432.98] in my life +[4432.98 --> 4436.98] and in death. +[4436.98 --> 4437.98] To you, +[4437.98 --> 4439.92] Lord, +[4440.32 --> 4443.74] Christ my Lord. +[4443.98 --> 4448.24] I am not my own, +[4448.70 --> 4450.40] but belong, +[4450.40 --> 4451.74] body and soul, +[4451.74 --> 4453.74] body and soul, +[4453.74 --> 4455.74] in my life +[4455.74 --> 4456.74] and in death. +[4456.74 --> 4457.74] In my life +[4457.74 --> 4458.74] and in death. +[4458.74 --> 4459.74] In my life, +[4459.74 --> 4460.74] and in death, +[4460.74 --> 4461.74] to you, +[4461.74 --> 4462.74] Lord, +[4462.74 --> 4466.74] Christ my Lord. +[4466.74 --> 4468.08] Lord, +[4468.08 --> 4471.08] I am not my own, +[4471.08 --> 4472.08] I am not my own, +[4472.08 --> 4474.08] but belong, +[4474.08 --> 4477.08] body and soul, +[4477.08 --> 4480.08] in my life, +[4480.08 --> 4483.08] and in death. +[4483.08 --> 4485.08] To you, +[4485.08 --> 4486.08] Lord, +[4486.08 --> 4490.08] Christ my Lord. +[4490.08 --> 4505.30] Amen. +[4507.42 --> 4509.00] If you are looking for prayer this morning, +[4509.08 --> 4510.96] there will be prayer people available here at the front, +[4511.02 --> 4512.02] I think in the back as well, +[4512.08 --> 4513.02] with a yellow name tag. +[4513.10 --> 4515.80] Feel free to approach any of them for prayer today, +[4515.92 --> 4518.10] or anybody else in this church as well. +[4518.10 --> 4520.08] And as we go from this place, +[4520.14 --> 4521.26] we go out with a purpose. +[4521.40 --> 4522.68] We go out with clarity. +[4522.90 --> 4524.72] We know who we belong to. +[4525.36 --> 4527.98] So may we go out with this priestly blessing. +[4528.82 --> 4531.70] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[4532.18 --> 4534.70] The Lord make his face shine upon you +[4534.70 --> 4536.12] and be gracious to you. +[4536.50 --> 4538.92] The Lord turn his face toward you +[4538.92 --> 4541.54] and give you his peace. +[4541.92 --> 4544.12] And all of God's people said, +[4544.80 --> 4545.08] Amen. +[4548.10 --> 4561.44] God be the glory, +[4561.90 --> 4564.98] great things he has done. +[4564.98 --> 4567.98] So loved he the world, +[4568.76 --> 4571.98] God he gave us his son. +[4571.98 --> 4579.52] He healed in his life an atonement for sin, +[4579.52 --> 4586.74] and opened the life gate that all may go in. +[4586.74 --> 4590.42] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4590.42 --> 4593.96] let the earth hear his voice. +[4593.96 --> 4597.42] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4597.78 --> 4601.02] let the people rejoice. +[4601.02 --> 4604.50] O come to the Father, +[4604.50 --> 4607.82] through Jesus the Son, +[4607.82 --> 4611.50] and give him the glory, +[4611.94 --> 4615.56] great things he has done. +[4616.02 --> 4620.16] O perfect redemption, +[4620.74 --> 4623.58] the purchase of God, +[4623.78 --> 4626.96] to every believer, +[4626.96 --> 4630.44] the promise of God. +[4630.44 --> 4633.88] The vilest offender, +[4633.88 --> 4637.22] who truly believes, +[4637.22 --> 4640.60] that moment from Jesus, +[4640.60 --> 4643.44] the pardon receives. +[4643.44 --> 4647.44] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4647.44 --> 4650.78] let the earth hear his voice. +[4650.88 --> 4654.16] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4654.16 --> 4657.64] let the people rejoice. +[4657.64 --> 4660.90] O come to the Father, +[4660.90 --> 4664.08] through Jesus the Son, +[4664.08 --> 4667.64] and give him the glory, +[4667.64 --> 4671.34] great things he has done. +[4672.64 --> 4676.38] Great things he has taught us, +[4676.46 --> 4679.24] great things he has done, +[4679.24 --> 4682.72] and great our rejoicing, +[4682.72 --> 4685.78] through Jesus the Son. +[4685.78 --> 4689.16] The pure and higher, +[4689.16 --> 4692.38] and greater will be, +[4692.72 --> 4695.78] our wonder, our transport, +[4696.02 --> 4698.78] when Jesus we see. +[4699.04 --> 4702.10] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4702.10 --> 4705.36] let the earth hear his voice. +[4705.72 --> 4708.54] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, +[4708.54 --> 4711.74] let the people rejoice. +[4711.74 --> 4715.02] O come to the Father, +[4715.02 --> 4718.02] through Jesus the Son, +[4718.24 --> 4721.68] and give him the glory, +[4722.02 --> 4726.36] great things he has done. +[4726.36 --> 4730.88] Father, +[4730.88 --> 4733.14] for wrestling. +[4733.16 --> 4734.58] Our praise the Lord, +[4734.58 --> 4735.70] and Yoganda areiti約. +[4736.24 --> 4740.12] May our faith and glory stay with him. +[4740.14 --> 4742.78] Lord, bless why Área has feasibility +[4742.78 --> 4747.06] With all of us dwell together. +[4747.06 --> 4749.08] Bei our faith and love, +[4749.08 --> 4751.42] pentru cu toit Mucha Resує, +[4751.42 --> 4781.40] Thank you. +[4781.42 --> 4811.40] Thank you. +[4811.42 --> 4812.04] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..f7406fa23de69a88d386a8014ba6eeb8fa5a92a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +• Belonging to God, body and soul +• Singing a loud hallelujah in the midst of storm and unbelief +• Hope arising from darkness and doubt, with death defeated and the King alive +• Coming to find mercy and satisfaction at the table of Jesus' goodness +• Bringing failures and addictions to lay them down at the cross +• God's love and sacrifice for humanity through His one and only Son +• Recitation of John 3:16 +• Welcome and greetings to attendees on Father's Day +• Mission trip update from Philippines (returnees) +• Announcement of pancake breakfast fundraiser for Mexico mission trip +• Upcoming events: + + Council meeting on Tuesday + + Reactivate sign-up + + Potential new churches participating in Reactivate event + + Food drive and community day on July 12th +• Inviting the congregation to worship and welcome each other +• Reciting a prayer or song of praise (Great is Thy Faithfulness) +• Expressing gratitude for God's presence, peace, and guidance +• Asking forgiveness for unfaithfulness and requesting help in bringing it before God +• Seeking to open hearts to God and cry out for help in times of despair and darkness +• Praying for healing and opening hearts to God +• Singing scripture from Psalm 130, focusing on forgiveness and hope in God's word +• Recognizing God's faithfulness and unfailing love +• Praising God as the same today as He was in the past +• Collecting a special offering for the church's outreach arm, Resonate, specifically to purchase a new land cruiser for the CRC church in Sierra Leone +• Sharing about Reverend Moses from Sierra Leone and the need for a new vehicle to reach remote areas +• CRC in Sierra Leone funding +• Upcoming graduation ceremony +• Travel or presence at an event or location +• Speaking at a gathering or meeting \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a2a4dee5bf210b311289c74f4b64fc38cb1d8783 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 16, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,383 @@ +[0.00 --> 5.58] From now on to always live for you, oh. +[9.42 --> 21.20] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[21.20 --> 37.20] In my life and in death to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[37.20 --> 50.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[50.08 --> 66.08] In my life and in death to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[66.08 --> 78.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[78.08 --> 94.08] In my life and in death to you, Lord, Christ my Lord. +[94.08 --> 96.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[96.08 --> 100.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[100.08 --> 106.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[106.08 --> 110.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[110.08 --> 120.08] I am not my own, but belong, body and soul. +[120.08 --> 122.08] It's quiet and is sobbing lên this night. +[122.08 --> 124.08] I'm not my own, but belong. +[124.08 --> 133.20] I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief. +[135.20 --> 144.20] I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. +[144.20 --> 156.88] I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me. +[159.02 --> 167.40] I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm, louder and louder. +[167.40 --> 173.46] You're gonna hear my praises roar, up from the ashes. +[174.20 --> 181.88] Hope will arise, doubt is defeated, the King is alive. +[190.84 --> 200.16] I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me. +[200.16 --> 211.84] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness bleed. +[211.84 --> 223.36] I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery. +[223.36 --> 235.04] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[235.04 --> 237.04] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[237.04 --> 248.72] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[248.72 --> 258.40] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[258.40 --> 264.08] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[264.08 --> 270.08] I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the hallelujah. +[270.08 --> 272.44] Sing a little louder +[272.44 --> 276.44] Louder than the unbelief +[276.44 --> 278.30] Sing a little louder +[278.30 --> 281.94] My weapon is a melody +[281.94 --> 284.08] Sing a little louder +[284.08 --> 288.12] Heaven comes to fight for me +[288.12 --> 290.08] Sing a little louder +[290.08 --> 294.08] In the presence of my enemies +[294.08 --> 296.08] Sing a little louder +[296.08 --> 299.08] Louder than the unbelief +[299.08 --> 301.08] Sing a little louder +[301.08 --> 305.08] My weapon is a melody +[305.08 --> 307.08] Sing a little louder +[307.08 --> 311.08] Heaven comes to fight for me +[311.08 --> 313.08] Sing a little louder +[313.08 --> 317.08] I'm gonna sing +[317.08 --> 319.08] In the middle of the storm +[319.08 --> 321.08] Louder and louder +[321.08 --> 325.08] You gotta hear my praises roar +[325.08 --> 327.08] Up from the ashes +[327.08 --> 329.08] Hope will arise +[329.08 --> 331.08] Hope will arise +[331.08 --> 333.08] Death is defeated +[333.08 --> 337.08] The King is alive +[337.08 --> 339.08] I'm gonna sing +[339.08 --> 341.08] I'm gonna sing +[341.08 --> 343.08] I'm gonna sing +[343.08 --> 345.08] I'm gonna sing +[345.08 --> 347.08] I'm gonna sing +[347.08 --> 351.08] I'm gonna sing +[351.08 --> 353.08] I'm gonna sing +[353.08 --> 357.08] I'm gonna sing +[357.08 --> 359.08] I'm gonna sing +[359.08 --> 361.08] I'm gonna sing +[361.08 --> 363.08] I'm gonna sing +[363.08 --> 367.08] I'm gonna sing +[367.08 --> 369.08] I'm gonna sing +[369.08 --> 371.08] I'm gonna sing +[371.08 --> 373.08] I'm gonna sing +[373.08 --> 375.08] I'm gonna sing +[375.08 --> 377.08] I'm gonna sing +[377.08 --> 381.08] I'm gonna sing +[381.08 --> 383.08] and thirst no more +[387.64 --> 399.64] come all you sinners come find his mercy come to the table he will satisfy taste of his goodness +[399.64 --> 401.96] find what you're looking for +[401.96 --> 409.96] oh +[409.96 --> 411.96] he gave us +[411.96 --> 415.96] his one and only son to save us +[415.96 --> 419.96] whoever believes in him +[419.96 --> 429.96] will live forever +[431.96 --> 433.96] oh +[445.96 --> 449.96] bring all your failures bring your addictions +[449.96 --> 453.96] come lay them down at the foot of the cross +[453.96 --> 460.96] Jesus is waiting there with open arms. +[460.96 --> 463.96] His open arms. +[463.96 --> 468.96] For God so loved the world that he gave us. +[468.96 --> 473.96] His one and only Son to save us. +[473.96 --> 480.96] Whoever believes in him will live forever. +[480.96 --> 486.96] The power of hell forever defeated. +[486.96 --> 489.96] Now it is wealth. +[489.96 --> 491.96] I'm walking in freedom. +[491.96 --> 494.96] For God so loved. +[494.96 --> 498.96] God so loved the world. +[498.96 --> 505.96] Praise God. Praise God. +[505.96 --> 520.96] Praise Him. Praise Him. +[520.96 --> 526.96] Praise God. Praise God. +[526.96 --> 529.62] whom all blessings flow. +[531.00 --> 532.30] Praise Him. +[533.30 --> 534.70] Praise Him. +[535.80 --> 539.70] For the wonders of His world. +[540.64 --> 542.84] His amazing love. +[543.44 --> 548.04] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[548.04 --> 552.56] His one and only son to say. +[553.02 --> 556.92] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[556.96 --> 562.20] His one and only son to say. +[562.20 --> 565.70] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[565.70 --> 568.70] He will live forever. +[568.70 --> 571.70] Give it all for you to be. +[571.70 --> 576.62] The power of hell forever to be. +[576.62 --> 579.02] Now it is well. +[579.02 --> 583.86] I walk in freedom for God so loved. +[583.86 --> 587.60] God so loved the world. +[587.60 --> 590.60] God so loved the world. +[590.60 --> 592.60] God so loved the world. +[592.60 --> 594.34] He will give you. +[594.34 --> 595.40] Bring all your failures. +[595.40 --> 596.34] Bring your addictions. +[596.34 --> 601.18] Come lay them down at the foot of the cross. +[601.18 --> 603.64] Jesus is waiting. +[603.64 --> 606.04] God so loved the world. +[606.04 --> 610.94] God so loved the world. +[610.94 --> 640.38] Good morning, everyone. +[640.94 --> 644.92] Good morning, everyone. +[647.02 --> 649.72] Happy Father's Day to everyone here today. +[649.84 --> 653.00] If you are celebrating Father's Day, this is a celebratory day. +[653.36 --> 654.64] We rejoice with you. +[654.96 --> 657.14] A special welcome to all the dads here as well. +[657.38 --> 660.10] If you're grieving on Father's Day, we also grieve with you. +[660.14 --> 662.60] We know that this day can be very hard for many people as well. +[663.22 --> 667.06] And so this community is here praying and grieving alongside of you too. +[667.06 --> 673.38] And of course, today is the day that we want to really remember God's good love, our Holy Father's love for us. +[673.42 --> 676.48] So may that be something that we remember and cherish this day as well. +[676.86 --> 677.96] My name is Kevin Lobert. +[678.00 --> 680.40] I'm the youth pastor here at Langley Emanuel CRC. +[680.74 --> 682.14] It's good to see you all here today. +[682.38 --> 684.36] Just a couple of announcements before we begin. +[684.36 --> 689.24] I'm actually going to invite right now, Josh Chamberlain's going to make his way forward. +[689.30 --> 690.82] But I'm also going to invite Jared Okima. +[691.44 --> 693.10] And Sarah's on the piano. +[693.16 --> 693.94] You're going to stand up, Sarah. +[694.02 --> 695.26] And I'm not sure if McKelty made it in. +[695.26 --> 696.08] I know she had a cold. +[696.82 --> 697.58] Did she make it back? +[697.64 --> 697.78] No. +[697.86 --> 698.64] She's homesick. +[698.64 --> 705.76] But these three just landed back in the country last night from the Philippines. +[705.98 --> 706.90] They were there for two weeks. +[707.48 --> 708.76] And so we welcome them back. +[709.34 --> 711.36] We welcome McKelty back too. +[712.34 --> 714.58] And then they've got an announcement for us as well. +[715.38 --> 715.98] Hello. +[716.34 --> 719.66] So normally we only do missions trips to Mexico. +[719.90 --> 723.42] And after that we have a little luncheon. +[723.42 --> 727.96] And then everybody gets to hear all the great stories from the youth that went to Mexico. +[728.64 --> 730.78] Well, there's no youth and there's no Mexico. +[730.78 --> 736.86] But you can still come hear our stories at a pancake breakfast on the 29th of June. +[737.28 --> 739.94] At about 7.30 the doors will be open. +[740.18 --> 741.18] We'll have pancakes ready. +[741.66 --> 745.62] And then we'll, after everybody's eaten, we'll share the stories before church. +[746.36 --> 747.88] So please come join us. +[748.06 --> 750.64] Also it's a fundraiser because we had to do our fundraising after the fact. +[752.42 --> 754.08] Because Mexico takes precedent. +[754.54 --> 757.48] So bring your toonies. +[758.64 --> 759.76] All right. +[760.02 --> 760.66] Thank you, Mexico. +[760.76 --> 761.74] Another round of applause for them. +[761.80 --> 763.54] We'll get to hear about their trip soon. +[765.52 --> 767.28] Just a few more announcements right now. +[767.36 --> 768.80] On Tuesday we've got a council meeting. +[768.90 --> 773.36] So if you're a council member, Elder Deacon, please come on out to that Tuesday night. +[773.78 --> 775.30] We will look forward to seeing you there. +[776.20 --> 776.94] Reactivate sign up. +[776.94 --> 782.38] We are hosting Reactivate once again, technically the second weekend in September. +[782.50 --> 783.94] September 5, 6, and 7. +[784.48 --> 786.68] The volunteer sign up has come out. +[786.94 --> 788.86] And it has already started filling out, which is lovely. +[788.96 --> 792.22] But there are lots of places that are looking for some volunteers. +[792.44 --> 797.10] So if that's something that you're interested in, we need a lot of people to come make that weekend possible. +[797.10 --> 801.06] We are hearing of at least two new churches coming. +[801.20 --> 806.36] So that will bring the total up to over a dozen churches from BC coming this way with their youth. +[806.44 --> 807.24] So that's really exciting. +[807.34 --> 809.98] So please consider volunteering for that weekend as well. +[809.98 --> 821.24] And then finally, a save the date on Saturday, July 12th, we will be doing a food drive and community sort of fun day here at the church. +[821.24 --> 825.72] So that's Saturday, July 12th, in the morning, I believe. +[825.86 --> 829.52] So keep your eyes on the bulletin for more details to come about that. +[829.86 --> 835.52] And we look forward to that weekend as well where we invite the whole neighborhood here to bring in food for the food bank. +[836.00 --> 837.90] That's all of the announcements this morning. +[837.90 --> 842.30] I'm going to invite Pastor Chris forward, and he's going to do God's greeting for us today. +[847.06 --> 847.92] Thanks, Kevin. +[848.58 --> 854.10] Why don't we stand together as we usher into the presence of God today? +[856.46 --> 861.40] We gather in his presence, and we mark that presence by receiving his greeting. +[861.40 --> 869.96] So I invite you to open your heart, take a posture of receipt, and allow God's Spirit to wash over us in worship together. +[871.32 --> 874.60] Grace, mercy, and peace to you. +[875.08 --> 881.46] From God, our Father, from Jesus Christ, his Son, and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[882.32 --> 882.62] Amen. +[882.62 --> 887.50] As God has welcomed us, I invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them in our worship this morning. +[887.50 --> 887.56] Amen. +[887.56 --> 887.80] Amen. +[887.80 --> 887.86] Amen. +[887.86 --> 887.90] Amen. +[887.90 --> 888.02] Amen. +[888.02 --> 888.10] Amen. +[888.10 --> 888.46] Amen. +[888.46 --> 888.66] Amen. +[888.66 --> 888.72] Amen. +[912.62 --> 918.98] Amen. +[919.00 --> 920.40] Amen. +[920.40 --> 921.20] Amen. +[921.26 --> 922.18] Enjoy. +[923.18 --> 923.92] Amen. +[924.00 --> 926.10] Amen. +[928.66 --> 929.08] Amen. +[929.08 --> 930.78] Amen. +[930.78 --> 933.04] Amen. +[933.56 --> 934.16] Amen. +[934.36 --> 935.76] Amen. +[935.76 --> 939.22] Amen. +[939.22 --> 940.02] Amen. +[940.02 --> 940.44] Amen. +[940.44 --> 941.42] Amen. +[941.42 --> 941.64] Amen. +[941.64 --> 942.40] Amen. +[942.40 --> 942.44] Amen. +[942.44 --> 942.50] Amen. +[942.50 --> 942.58] Amen. +[942.58 --> 942.60] Amen. +[942.60 --> 943.60] Amen. +[972.60 --> 973.60] Amen. +[1002.60 --> 1010.34] Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. +[1010.34 --> 1018.10] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[1018.76 --> 1025.54] All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided. +[1025.54 --> 1034.10] Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[1036.68 --> 1044.16] Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. +[1044.86 --> 1051.80] Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above. +[1051.80 --> 1060.12] Joined with all nature in manifold witness. +[1060.56 --> 1068.16] To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and light. +[1068.80 --> 1076.12] Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. +[1076.12 --> 1083.12] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[1084.44 --> 1091.12] All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided. +[1092.30 --> 1098.80] Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[1098.80 --> 1108.80] God, Lord, for the peace that endured. +[1108.80 --> 1117.80] My own dear presence to cheer and to guide. +[1117.80 --> 1124.80] A strength, water, day, and my hope for tomorrow. +[1124.80 --> 1125.62] A strength, water, day, and my hope for tomorrow. +[1125.62 --> 1125.66] A strength, water, day, and my hope for tomorrow. +[1125.66 --> 1133.80] Blessings of my good and proud and proud and desire. +[1133.80 --> 1142.06] Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. +[1142.06 --> 1167.06] Lord, unto me. +[1167.78 --> 1169.06] The Son of His Basin, good and thấy, +[1169.06 --> 1170.90] Father's Podcast. +[1171.02 --> 1177.96] God's Word, Lord, unto me. +[1180.24 --> 1182.72] God is soit for God. +[1182.72 --> 1186.98] God isretρό, day, and My God is grateful. +[1187.74 --> 1189.90] God is step in theiri. +[1189.90 --> 1191.02] God is of sin. +[1191.02 --> 1192.96] God is suited for жизни,よろ quick is a storm quepleоном by 하면서 Serm arsenal, +[1193.06 --> 1194.06] which means that obedience to Charlotte. +[1194.06 --> 1196.06] Oh +[1224.06 --> 1226.06] Oh +[1254.06 --> 1256.06] Oh +[1284.06 --> 1286.06] Oh +[1314.06 --> 1316.06] Oh +[1344.06 --> 1346.06] Oh +[1374.06 --> 1376.06] Oh +[1376.74 --> 1378.74] Oh +[1394.58 --> 1396.58] Oh +[1401.46 --> 1403.46] I Grac A +[1404.06 --> 1420.10] Please join me in prayer. +[1427.10 --> 1428.02] Heavenly Father, +[1428.66 --> 1433.58] we come before you to praise your great name, +[1433.58 --> 1435.50] great is thy faithfulness. +[1435.92 --> 1438.64] There is no shadow of turning with thee. +[1438.78 --> 1439.92] Thou changest not. +[1440.32 --> 1442.14] Thy compassions, they fail not. +[1443.32 --> 1444.46] You never fail. +[1445.16 --> 1447.22] You are faithful to us, Lord. +[1449.98 --> 1452.38] Lord, forgive us when we are not faithful. +[1456.82 --> 1458.38] You see our hearts. +[1460.54 --> 1463.00] You know what we are not faithful with. +[1463.58 --> 1468.40] Lord, help us to bring this before you. +[1470.44 --> 1473.26] Help us to open our hearts to you, Lord. +[1474.80 --> 1478.50] Help us to cry to you out of the depths of our despair, +[1479.20 --> 1480.44] our darkest places. +[1480.44 --> 1486.78] You know our sinful ways. +[1487.32 --> 1489.60] How could we ever come before you, Lord? +[1492.24 --> 1493.72] But you are faithful. +[1494.70 --> 1496.34] You have made a way. +[1499.26 --> 1501.82] Help us to find healing in your sacrifice. +[1501.82 --> 1511.02] Lord, may we open our hearts to you +[1511.02 --> 1516.22] and bring our darkest, deepest moments into the light. +[1516.22 --> 1522.66] Lord, may we pray all these things in your holy name. +[1522.66 --> 1522.74] Amen. +[1522.74 --> 1525.76] Thank you. +[1526.10 --> 1528.18] Thank you. +[1530.48 --> 1532.02] I have now. +[1532.96 --> 1535.94] Thank you. +[1535.94 --> 1537.94] Amen. +[1565.94 --> 1567.94] Amen. +[1595.94 --> 1597.94] Amen. +[1625.94 --> 1627.94] Amen. +[1655.94 --> 1657.94] Amen. +[1685.94 --> 1687.94] Amen. +[1715.94 --> 1717.94] Amen. +[1745.94 --> 1747.94] Amen. +[1775.94 --> 1787.44] How good it is to sing scripture. +[1787.44 --> 1794.98] I will wait for you is a sung prayer planting the very word of God in our hearts. +[1794.98 --> 1796.44] Psalm 130 reads, +[1796.44 --> 1800.20] Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord. +[1801.14 --> 1802.96] Lord, hear my voice. +[1802.96 --> 1809.60] Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. +[1809.60 --> 1817.38] If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? +[1817.38 --> 1824.90] But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. +[1824.90 --> 1826.76] I wait for the Lord. +[1826.76 --> 1831.64] My whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. +[1831.64 --> 1834.98] I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. +[1835.98 --> 1838.18] More than watchmen wait for the morning. +[1839.28 --> 1842.04] Israel, put your hope in the Lord. +[1843.24 --> 1848.86] For with the Lord is unfailing love, and with him is full redemption. +[1848.86 --> 1858.50] He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. +[1858.50 --> 1865.26] Our faithful Father, eternal God, was the same to the psalmist as he is to us today. +[1865.26 --> 1872.66] Know that you are not alone, no matter your situation, your pain, your sin. +[1872.66 --> 1877.96] He walks with you and beacons you to call on him. +[1877.96 --> 1879.78] Let's sing. +[1879.78 --> 1880.68] Bye. +[1880.84 --> 1883.20] Bye. +[1901.16 --> 1902.00] Oh +[1902.00 --> 1911.20] I'm calling on the God of Jacob +[1911.20 --> 1917.32] His love endures to generations +[1917.32 --> 1924.36] I know that He will keep your covenant +[1924.36 --> 1930.00] I'm calling on the God of Moses +[1930.00 --> 1936.56] The one who opened up the ocean +[1936.56 --> 1945.00] I need you now to do the same thing for me +[1945.00 --> 1954.44] Oh God, my God, I need you +[1954.44 --> 1958.00] Oh God, my God, I need you now +[1958.00 --> 1962.00] How I need you now +[1962.00 --> 1966.56] Oh rock, oh rock of ages +[1966.56 --> 1972.56] I'm standing on your faithfulness +[1972.56 --> 1981.12] I'm calling on the God of Mary +[1981.12 --> 1987.68] Whose favor rests upon the lowly +[1987.68 --> 1994.16] I know with you all things are possible +[1994.16 --> 2000.72] I'm calling on the God of David +[2000.72 --> 2005.84] Who made a shepherd, what courageous +[2005.84 --> 2011.04] I may not miss the lion +[2011.04 --> 2013.72] But I got my own giant +[2013.72 --> 2017.72] Oh God, my God, I need you +[2017.72 --> 2020.28] Oh God, my God, I need you +[2020.28 --> 2023.72] Now, now I need you +[2023.72 --> 2026.28] Now, now I need you +[2026.28 --> 2029.72] Oh rock, oh rock of ages +[2029.72 --> 2034.28] I'm standing on your faithfulness +[2034.28 --> 2040.28] You hurt your children then +[2040.28 --> 2044.28] You hear your children now +[2044.28 --> 2058.84] You are the same God +[2058.84 --> 2062.28] You are the same God +[2062.28 --> 2064.84] You answered your prayers back then +[2064.84 --> 2066.84] And you will answer now +[2066.84 --> 2068.84] And you will answer now +[2068.84 --> 2070.84] You are the same God +[2070.84 --> 2072.84] You are the same God +[2072.84 --> 2074.84] You were the same God +[2074.84 --> 2076.84] You were providing then +[2076.84 --> 2078.84] You are providing now +[2078.84 --> 2080.84] You are the same God +[2080.84 --> 2092.84] You are the same God +[2092.84 --> 2094.84] You are the same God +[2094.84 --> 2098.84] You were a healer then +[2098.84 --> 2102.84] You are a healer now +[2102.84 --> 2106.84] You are a healer now +[2106.84 --> 2108.84] Oh +[2136.84 --> 2138.84] Oh +[2166.84 --> 2168.84] Oh +[2196.84 --> 2198.84] Oh +[2226.84 --> 2228.84] Oh +[2228.84 --> 2256.82] Good morning my name is Mike and I serve as a deacon here at the church and we are going to take some time now to also worship through our giving and we'll hand around some bags and such through the aisles or through the rows and if anything is undesignated in the in the bag that goes to the ministries of this church but our special offering today is for resonate and that is the outreach arm of the CRS +[2256.82 --> 2286.80] church but we're actually going to do a special need that resonate has expressed we're going to give towards that today so a couple weeks ago pastor Chris shared about meeting Reverend Moses from the CRC Sierra Leone which is in West Africa and he was here visiting a few of the pastors and I think we might have a few photos that Linda could put up of them meeting some of the pastors here in BC meeting Reverend Moses and he expressed a need that the church there is experiencing so apparently the CRC church +[2286.80 --> 2316.78] in Sierra Leone is one of the fastest growing churches in their country and CRC Sierra Leone spends a lot of time going out to some of the more remote committees schools churches that are growing in that area so they have a special need for a new land cruiser something that's four before they can get out to these spots and I guess some of their vehicles are a little worse for wear so someone here in the lower mainland committed I believe someone from out here committed to a $40,000 grant to help +[2316.78 --> 2329.78] get them towards their $80,000 goal so today's offering is going to go towards that need towards a new vehicle for the CRC in Sierra Leone so thank you for giving to that need this morning +[2329.78 --> 2332.20] we go to today's graduation +[2348.64 --> 2352.94] we'll +[2354.28 --> 2354.78] we +[2354.78 --> 2356.78] in +[2356.78 --> 2369.02] Here I am +[2369.02 --> 2374.72] From the ends of the earth +[2374.72 --> 2376.62] I'll be diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0289d6efc8bbc59d2d1006bcdb76ad9e4f36b90e --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,106 @@ +• Discussion about the ownership of something +• Reflection on being under pressure and finding treasures in adversity +• Analogy of making diamonds out of dust and being revived by love +• Joy and strength found in the Lord during difficult times +• Message of unconditional love and acceptance from God +• Invitation to lay down guard and come to God with open heart +• Congratulations to Lisa and the Saints on winning the Langley Slow Pitch B Division +• Appreciation for team supporters who came out to cheer them on +• Recap of the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church meeting at Redeemer University in Hamilton +• Upcoming food drive and pancake breakfast on July 12th, benefiting the Langley Food Bank +• Invitation to worship together as a family of God +• Reciting Psalm 142 as a prayer of confession +• Expressing devotion to God through worship and praise +• Crying out for mercy and rescue from troubles and snares +• Recognizing Jesus as the Redeemer, Savior, and source of hope and peace +• Acknowledging that one's strength and security come from Christ alone +• Salvation through Christ's blood and spirit +• Purpose of good works: to express gratitude to God +• Faith and its benefits (freedom, body) +• Worshiping Jesus in amazement and love +• Acknowledging Children's Worship Time students' contributions +• Recognizing long-term commitment from Children's Worship Time teachers +• Congratulating students on their participation in children's worship time +• Introducing six grade four students who are graduating from the program +• Praying over the students and seeking God's guidance for them +• Taking offerings +• Guest speaker from Advocate, discussing their baby bottle campaign and thanking the congregation for their support +• A young woman comes into a center for a pregnancy test, which leads to an ultrasound that shows the baby's movement +• The woman's boyfriend witnesses the ultrasound and initially appears emotionally turned off but eventually becomes engaged and accepts responsibility for the child +• He says "hold it" when asked if he knows what is happening inside his girlfriend, indicating a moment of realization +• The couple decides to keep the baby after a dramatic change in attitude, with tears and smiles from both parties +• Ministry opportunities and community outreach +• Annual youth justice initiative and Deacon scholarships +• Donations to general budget or other ministries +• Children's worship time and memory verse introduction +• Leadership and setting an example, illustrated by the game "Simon Says" +• Discussion of Simon Says as an example of leadership +• Bible verse discussion, possibly related to Philippians or Thessalonians +• Update on the church's Elders Council meeting +• Call for Kevin Lobert and potential vote by congregation +• Blessings and prayers for various members and students +• Discussion of 2 Thessalonians 3, specifically verses 6-18 +• The importance of being a good example and not being idle or disruptive in the community +• A culture that values productivity and rest, but often struggles to find balance between the two +• The tension between generosity and fear of being taken advantage of +• Drawing lines between those who are worthy of help and those who are not +• Disillusionment with conventional approaches to work and generosity +• Critique of hustle and cynicism as ineffective and isolating +• Need for a balanced approach that values work, generosity, and accountability +• Paul's letter in 2 Thessalonians 3 addresses both overproductivity and idleness +• Warning against the dangers of idleness and its potential connection to false expectations about Jesus' return +• Importance of maintaining a community shaped by grace that balances work, generosity, and accountability +• The early church shared possessions in common and cared for one another. +• The risk of being taken advantage of is inherent when being generous to others. +• Lucian's story about Peregrinus, a man who faked conversion to Christianity for influence, illustrates the potential for exploitation. +• The early Christian community was often naive and trusting, which made them vulnerable to being taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives. +• Christians who share their resources are vulnerable to exploitation +• Paul advises his followers not to be naive, but rather wise and shrewd in handling their generosity +• The idea is similar to Jesus' advice to be like sheep among wolves, yet shrewd as snakes +• Paul warns the Thessalonians about idle believers who contribute nothing and are "busy bodies" +• He urges them to settle down, earn their food, and live a quiet life +• The Bible teaches a contrast between diligence and laziness, with hard work considered wisdom and idleness as folly +• This principle is rooted in the Old Testament book of Proverbs +• Paul's teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and Timothy emphasize the importance of living quiet lives, not being dependent on others, and devoting oneself to good works +• Tradition refers to lived teaching or the practice of faith, not just words or commands +• Faith comes from hearing the gospel and believing it +• Jesus Christ's life and death serve as an example of faith +• Believing in one's faith changes everything they do +• The Bible teaches that work is good and should be done with all one's heart +• Christian bosses should be generous and encouraging to their employees +• Christian employees should strive to be among the most hardworking and diligent +• The importance of doing work for God's glory +• Distinguishing between hard work and idolatry of busyness +• Finding balance in work and not making more of it than needed +• The danger of idleness and becoming apathetic +• Embracing a theology of work that glorifies God +• Giving up everything for others' ease +• Frustration with those who don't use aid effectively +• The pain of being dependent on charity +• Wearying of doing good when it seems no one else is +• The danger of cynicism, bitterness, and pride that can result from these feelings +• Don't be distracted by others' wrongdoings, focus on your pursuit of holiness +• Your responsibility is to be gracious and generous, not to control how others use aid +• Need for help, encouragement, and mutual accountability +• Importance of noticing and addressing disobedience in others +• Role of the church in helping individuals see truth and repent +• Paul's pastoral approach despite firmness and frustration +• Desire for restoration and faithfulness +• Seeing work as a gift from God, not a burden +• The importance of giving freely and sacrificially, even when not easy or convenient +• Accountability in faithfulness is an act of love that helps us stay faithful and grow together +• Living out this truth by working diligently, giving generously, and holding each other accountable to standards of faithfulness +• Contributing to the health of the community and being willing to step up in work, generosity, and loving accountability +• Practicing a gospel-saturated life together that is known for hard work, prodigious and unyielding generosity, and loving accountability +• Prayer for mercy and grace +• Praise and worship of God +• Request for strength, patience, and peace +• Acknowledgment of God's goodness and presence +• Invitation to fellowship and prayer after service +• Blessing from Paul (2 Thessalonians) +• Prayer for peace and the Lord's presence +• Enduring presence of a son through the Holy Spirit +• Victory and life through gratitude +• Concept of "Maeveha" or self-awareness +• Coming together with something or someone (ep) +• Repeated expression of thanks \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..40eaeef95bcc28cc8f4f9eef8cb633df70aedfeb --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 22, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1987 @@ +[0.00 --> 3.92] What are you doing? Where are you going? +[5.66 --> 7.88] This is who? +[8.88 --> 9.68] This is Mark's. +[9.68 --> 11.50] Why do you find this is Mark's? +[11.50 --> 13.90] Okay, that's good. +[13.90 --> 15.84] Thank you. +[19.80 --> 28.00] Here and now I'm in the fire and above my head. +[30.00 --> 37.20] Being held under the pressure, don't know what'll be left. +[40.16 --> 48.92] But it's here in the ashes, I'm finding treasures. +[50.44 --> 54.54] He's making diamonds, diamonds. +[55.18 --> 58.92] Making diamonds out of dust. +[58.92 --> 61.40] He is reviving. +[61.98 --> 68.12] And in his timing, he's making diamonds out of us. +[68.12 --> 73.32] I'll surrender to the power of being crushed by love. +[77.32 --> 82.86] Till the beauty that was hidden isn't covered up. +[82.86 --> 90.06] Oh, it's not what I hoped for. +[90.06 --> 94.06] It's something much better. +[94.06 --> 95.26] He's making diamonds. +[95.26 --> 97.26] He's making diamonds. +[97.26 --> 103.26] He's making diamonds out of dust. +[103.26 --> 105.26] He is reviving. +[105.26 --> 107.26] And in his timing, he's making diamonds out of us. +[107.26 --> 114.46] And in his timing, he's making diamonds out of us. +[114.46 --> 115.66] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[115.66 --> 119.04] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[119.04 --> 120.86] It will be my strength. +[120.86 --> 122.06] When the pressure is on. +[122.06 --> 123.06] When the pressure is on. +[123.06 --> 124.06] He's making diamonds. +[124.06 --> 126.06] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[126.06 --> 128.06] It will be my strength. +[128.06 --> 129.26] When the pressure is on. +[129.26 --> 130.26] He's making diamonds. +[130.26 --> 131.26] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[131.26 --> 132.26] It will be my strength. +[132.26 --> 133.26] When the pressure is on. +[133.26 --> 134.26] He's making diamonds. +[134.26 --> 137.26] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[137.26 --> 138.26] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[138.26 --> 139.46] It will be my strength. +[139.46 --> 140.46] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[140.46 --> 141.46] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[141.46 --> 148.46] And in his timing, he's making diamonds out of dust. +[148.46 --> 154.46] Making diamonds out of dust. +[154.46 --> 164.46] Oh, the joy of the Lord. +[164.46 --> 176.66] Thank you. +[176.66 --> 181.66] Thank you. +[181.66 --> 183.66] Thank you. +[183.66 --> 195.66] Thank you. +[195.66 --> 204.86] I want you as you are, not as you ought to be. +[204.86 --> 218.06] Won't you lay down your guard and come to me? +[218.06 --> 224.06] The shame that grips you now is crippling. +[224.06 --> 229.06] It breaks my heart to see your suffering. +[229.06 --> 232.26] Cause I am for you. +[232.26 --> 236.26] I'm not against you. +[236.26 --> 240.26] If you want to know how far my love can go. +[240.26 --> 244.26] Just how deep, just how wide. +[244.26 --> 247.86] If you want to see how much you mean to me. +[247.86 --> 251.26] Look at my hands, look at my side. +[251.26 --> 256.46] Cause you can count the times that say you are forgiven. +[256.46 --> 260.46] It's more than the drops in the ocean. +[260.46 --> 272.46] Don't think you need to settle for a substitute. +[272.46 --> 277.66] When I'm the only love that changes you. +[277.66 --> 281.66] And I am for you. +[281.66 --> 285.66] I'm not against you. +[285.66 --> 289.66] I am for you. +[289.66 --> 293.66] I'm not against you. +[293.66 --> 296.86] If you want to know how far my love can go. +[296.86 --> 300.86] Just how deep, just how wide. +[300.86 --> 304.46] If you want to see how much you mean to me. +[304.46 --> 308.26] Look at my hands, look at my side. +[308.26 --> 313.86] If you can count the times that say you are forgiven. +[313.86 --> 324.06] It's more than the drops in the ocean. +[324.06 --> 325.86] Open your heart. +[325.86 --> 329.06] It's time that we start again. +[329.06 --> 333.06] Open your heart. +[333.06 --> 336.06] It's time that we start again. +[336.06 --> 342.06] If you want to know how far my love can go. +[342.06 --> 346.06] Just how deep, just how wide. +[346.06 --> 349.26] If you want to see how much you mean to me. +[349.26 --> 352.26] Look at my hands, look at my side. +[352.26 --> 358.26] So you can count the times that say you are forgiven. +[358.26 --> 363.26] It's more than the drops in the ocean. +[363.26 --> 369.26] The drops in the ocean. +[369.26 --> 373.46] The drops in the ocean. +[373.46 --> 376.46] The drops in the ocean. +[376.46 --> 379.46] I am for you. +[379.46 --> 383.46] I'm not against you. +[383.46 --> 387.46] I am for you. +[387.46 --> 391.46] I'm not against you. +[391.46 --> 401.06] I am I +[401.06 --> 404.86] This is clean for you. +[404.86 --> 434.06] Good morning, everyone. +[434.86 --> 438.74] Welcome to church this morning. +[438.74 --> 440.56] An extra special welcome. +[440.56 --> 444.84] If you are a guest with us this morning, we are grateful that you are here. +[445.16 --> 445.82] My name is Chris. +[446.02 --> 451.20] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel, and it's my privilege, along with these others, +[451.30 --> 453.22] to lead in our worship this morning. +[453.30 --> 457.28] Before we begin, in earnest, we have a couple announcements that we would like to make and +[457.28 --> 458.56] just throw out to you. +[458.56 --> 459.56] Thank you. +[459.56 --> 466.40] First of all, as she's walking in, we want to congratulate Lisa and the Saints on winning +[466.40 --> 470.56] the Langley Slow Pitch B Division. +[470.56 --> 476.98] They defeated us, the Isotopes, yesterday in the tournament, and then went on to win. +[476.98 --> 479.56] So congratulations, Lisa. +[479.56 --> 490.02] But in all seriousness, on behalf of the Isotope team, thank you to all of you who came out +[490.02 --> 491.54] and cheered us on. +[492.14 --> 496.76] We have a reputation in this league as the best supported team. +[497.62 --> 499.16] And so that's our fans who come out. +[499.24 --> 504.04] So thank you to family and friends and people who'd use this as an opportunity for community. +[504.04 --> 505.86] It's a real blessing for all of us. +[506.30 --> 508.08] And we have a lot of fun while doing it as well. +[509.18 --> 511.04] Also wanted to draw your attention. +[511.50 --> 515.30] Maybe you saw it in the pre-service slideshow or in the e-bulletin that went out. +[515.44 --> 520.76] But this past week, the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church was meeting. +[520.98 --> 528.64] And so that's when elders, deacons, and pastors from all the different area churches come together +[528.64 --> 532.54] for an annual meeting to discuss theology and the life of the church. +[532.54 --> 535.72] That happened at Redeemer University in Hamilton. +[536.50 --> 541.50] And I'm going to just walk through a quick recap of the decisions and the things that +[541.50 --> 542.94] came out of that meeting. +[543.26 --> 546.48] I was not there, but I did follow along and participate. +[546.78 --> 548.22] And I spoke to some people who were. +[548.90 --> 552.76] And so every year we do this in the multi-purpose room, following worship. +[553.46 --> 556.86] Grab your coffee, hang out with your friends, fellowship for a little while, and eventually +[556.86 --> 560.70] we'll move in there and I'll just kind of walk you through what took place. +[560.70 --> 568.12] And then also on behalf of the deacons, just a reminder and encouragement that on July 12, +[568.36 --> 573.66] we're having a food drive and pancake breakfast here where we invite the community and the +[573.66 --> 579.36] neighborhood to come and bring bags full of food that we will then donate to the Langley +[579.36 --> 579.90] Food Bank. +[580.04 --> 584.82] And so please, there's a sign-up sheet for that, both in the preparing and distributing +[584.82 --> 589.00] of bags as well as participating on that Saturday in different ways. +[589.06 --> 590.64] So find that in the e-bulletin. +[590.84 --> 596.22] If you have any questions, you can talk to any of myself or Pastor Kevin or any of the +[596.22 --> 598.90] deacons and they would love to help get that together. +[599.68 --> 601.56] I think that's it as far as announcements go. +[601.78 --> 603.80] And so I'm going to invite you as you're able to stand. +[605.10 --> 609.58] We together as a family of God can be welcomed into his presence. +[609.58 --> 614.32] Following the receiving of God's greeting, I'm going to invite you to turn to those around +[614.32 --> 617.56] you and then welcome them into our shared worship this morning. +[617.96 --> 619.38] Receive the greeting of our God. +[620.80 --> 628.06] Grace, mercy, peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son and our Savior, +[628.52 --> 630.76] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[631.58 --> 631.92] Amen. +[639.58 --> 641.06] Thank you. +[641.12 --> 641.32] Amen. +[667.62 --> 668.02] Thank you. +[668.02 --> 668.44] Amen. +[668.44 --> 669.52] Amen. +[669.58 --> 672.36] Psalm 150 says, +[699.58 --> 705.20] Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. +[706.02 --> 706.92] Praise the Lord. +[729.58 --> 737.58] To follow you today, I choose. +[739.26 --> 746.02] To hear my yes to you today, I choose. +[747.64 --> 754.34] To hear your voice today, I choose. +[754.34 --> 759.52] To follow you. +[761.08 --> 768.34] As for me and my house, we will serve you. +[769.18 --> 777.50] As for me and my house, we will stand our eyes on you. +[784.34 --> 798.18] Today I choose. +[800.18 --> 806.08] To follow you today, I choose. +[806.08 --> 814.82] To hear my yes to you today, I choose. +[816.82 --> 822.64] To hear your voice today, I choose. +[822.64 --> 827.64] To follow you. +[829.38 --> 837.06] As for me and my house, we will serve you. +[837.88 --> 846.16] As for me and my house, we will stand the light on you. +[846.16 --> 864.90] As for me and my house, we will stand our eyes on you. +[864.90 --> 866.90] To follow you today. +[870.64 --> 877.52] Wonderful Counselor, everlasting Father. +[878.82 --> 885.60] Eternal King, Lord of Hosts, willingly we follow. +[885.60 --> 915.58] Today I choose. +[915.60 --> 916.60] Today I choose. +[916.60 --> 917.60] Today I choose. +[917.60 --> 922.60] To give my yes to you today, I choose. +[922.60 --> 924.60] Today I choose. +[924.60 --> 926.60] Today I choose. +[926.60 --> 930.60] To hear your voice today, I live today. +[930.60 --> 932.60] Today I choose. +[932.60 --> 936.60] To follow you. +[936.60 --> 937.60] free. +[937.60 --> 939.60] Today I choose. +[939.60 --> 948.88] Today I choose. +[948.88 --> 953.60] Adding a mystery. +[953.60 --> 956.60] To mermaid. +[956.60 --> 986.58] Thank you. +[986.60 --> 997.78] I will worship with all of my heart. +[997.78 --> 1008.32] I will praise you with all of my strength. +[1008.32 --> 1017.50] I will seek you all of my name. +[1017.50 --> 1028.50] I will follow all of your ways. +[1028.50 --> 1036.68] I will give you all my worship. +[1037.68 --> 1042.50] I will give you all my praise. +[1043.78 --> 1048.22] You, Lord, I love to worship. +[1048.22 --> 1054.50] You, Lord, I'm not worthy of my name. +[1054.50 --> 1057.40] I will bow down. +[1057.40 --> 1059.82] I will bow down. +[1059.82 --> 1062.22] And hail you as King. +[1063.00 --> 1065.42] Hail you as King. +[1065.42 --> 1068.60] I will serve you. +[1068.60 --> 1071.00] I will serve you. +[1071.00 --> 1073.14] Give you everything. +[1074.06 --> 1076.60] Give you everything. +[1076.88 --> 1079.60] I will lift up. +[1079.66 --> 1081.42] I will lift up. +[1082.10 --> 1084.42] My eyes to your throne. +[1084.42 --> 1087.42] My eyes to your throne. +[1087.42 --> 1090.42] I will trust you. +[1090.42 --> 1092.42] I will trust you. +[1092.42 --> 1095.42] I will trust you, Lord. +[1095.42 --> 1098.42] Trust in you, Lord. +[1098.42 --> 1104.42] I will give you all my worship. +[1104.42 --> 1110.60] I will give you all my praise. +[1110.60 --> 1115.60] You, Lord, I love to worship. +[1115.60 --> 1121.80] You, Lord, I'm worthy of my praise. +[1121.80 --> 1126.60] I will give you all my worship. +[1126.60 --> 1132.70] I will give you all my praise. +[1132.70 --> 1137.60] You, Lord, I love to worship. +[1137.60 --> 1144.78] You, Lord, I'm worthy of my praise. +[1150.96 --> 1156.08] The words of Psalm 142 are our prayer of confession this morning. +[1156.42 --> 1157.62] Join me in prayer. +[1160.18 --> 1162.06] I cry aloud to the Lord. +[1162.40 --> 1165.14] I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. +[1165.14 --> 1168.14] I pour out before him my complaint. +[1168.14 --> 1171.14] Before him I tell my trouble. +[1171.14 --> 1174.14] When my spirit grows faint within me, +[1174.14 --> 1177.14] it is you who watch over my way. +[1177.14 --> 1181.14] In the path where I walk, people have hidden a snare for me. +[1181.14 --> 1182.14] Look and see. +[1182.14 --> 1185.14] There is no one at my right hand. +[1185.14 --> 1187.14] No one is concerned for me. +[1187.14 --> 1189.14] I have no refuge. +[1189.14 --> 1191.14] No one cares for my life. +[1191.14 --> 1194.14] No one cares for my life. +[1194.14 --> 1196.14] I cry to the Lord. +[1196.14 --> 1202.14] I say, you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. +[1202.14 --> 1206.14] Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need. +[1206.14 --> 1212.14] Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. +[1212.14 --> 1218.14] Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. +[1218.14 --> 1223.14] Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. +[1223.14 --> 1241.14] What gift of grace is Jesus my Redeemer? +[1241.14 --> 1249.14] There is no more for heaven now to Him. +[1249.14 --> 1256.14] He is my joy, my righteousness and freedom. +[1256.14 --> 1264.14] My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace. +[1264.14 --> 1272.14] Through this I hold, my hope is only Jesus. +[1272.14 --> 1279.14] For my life is wholly bound to His. +[1279.14 --> 1285.14] Oh, how strange and divine I can see. +[1285.14 --> 1292.14] All is mine, yet not I, but through Christ's name. +[1292.14 --> 1311.14] The night is dark, but I am not forsaken. +[1311.14 --> 1319.14] For by my side, the Savior He will stay. +[1319.14 --> 1326.14] I later on, in weakness and rejoicing. +[1326.14 --> 1333.14] For in my need, His power is misplaced. +[1333.14 --> 1341.14] To this I hold, my shepherd will defend He. +[1341.14 --> 1348.14] Through the deepest valley He will lead. +[1348.14 --> 1349.14] Through the deepest valley of faith in me. +[1349.14 --> 1355.14] All the light has been won, and I shall overcome. +[1355.14 --> 1363.14] Yet not I, but through Christ's name. +[1363.14 --> 1379.52] No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven +[1379.52 --> 1387.52] The future's sure, the price it has been paid +[1387.52 --> 1393.92] For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon +[1393.92 --> 1401.64] And He was raised to overthrow the grave +[1401.64 --> 1408.02] To this I hold, my sin has been defeated +[1408.02 --> 1415.52] Jesus now and ever is my sin +[1415.52 --> 1419.72] For the chains are released +[1419.72 --> 1423.42] I can see I am free +[1423.42 --> 1428.22] And God I, but through Christ is free +[1428.22 --> 1447.20] With every breath I long to follow Jesus +[1447.20 --> 1454.52] For He has said that He will bring me home +[1454.52 --> 1462.42] And day by day I know He will renew me +[1462.42 --> 1468.72] Until I stand with joy before the throne +[1468.72 --> 1476.62] To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus +[1476.62 --> 1483.72] All the glory evermore to live +[1483.72 --> 1490.62] When the race is foundly, still my lips shall repeat +[1490.62 --> 1498.52] Yet not I, but through Christ is free +[1498.52 --> 1504.52] To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus +[1504.52 --> 1512.42] All the glory evermore to Him +[1512.42 --> 1520.22] When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat +[1520.22 --> 1526.42] Yet not I, but through Christ will be +[1526.42 --> 1534.32] Yet not I, but through Christ will be +[1534.32 --> 1556.12] Lord's Day 32, question and answer 86 +[1556.12 --> 1559.00] Are the words that remind us of our assurance +[1559.00 --> 1561.30] And our response to it +[1561.30 --> 1564.06] Please read the answer with me +[1564.06 --> 1565.26] The question +[1565.26 --> 1569.38] Since we have been delivered by our misery by grace +[1569.38 --> 1572.30] Through Christ without any merit of our own +[1572.30 --> 1575.10] Why then should we do good works? +[1575.10 --> 1577.10] Because Christ +[1577.10 --> 1577.60] Because Christ +[1577.60 --> 1580.38] Having redeemed us by His blood +[1580.38 --> 1583.78] Is also restoring us by His spirit +[1583.78 --> 1585.40] And He's in His image +[1585.40 --> 1587.98] God has our whole lives +[1587.98 --> 1591.24] He may show that we are thankful to God +[1591.24 --> 1596.08] So that He may be raised for us +[1596.08 --> 1599.32] So that we may be sure that our faith +[1599.32 --> 1600.32] I am free +[1600.32 --> 1602.88] And so that I have a body +[1602.88 --> 1620.26] I stand amazed in the presence +[1620.26 --> 1626.26] Of Jesus the Nazarene +[1626.26 --> 1635.26] And wonder how He could love me +[1635.26 --> 1641.26] Of sin and condemned and we +[1641.26 --> 1646.26] We're singing +[1646.26 --> 1649.26] How marvelous +[1649.26 --> 1653.26] How marvelous +[1653.26 --> 1656.26] And my song +[1656.26 --> 1660.26] Shall ever be +[1660.26 --> 1663.26] How marvelous +[1663.26 --> 1664.26] How marvelous +[1664.26 --> 1665.26] How marvelous +[1665.26 --> 1666.26] How marvelous +[1666.26 --> 1667.26] How marvelous +[1667.26 --> 1668.26] How marvelous +[1668.26 --> 1671.26] Is my Savior +[1671.26 --> 1672.26] Is my Savior +[1672.26 --> 1673.26] For glory +[1673.26 --> 1683.26] He took my sins +[1683.26 --> 1684.26] And my soul +[1684.26 --> 1692.50] So old, he made them his very own. +[1692.50 --> 1707.22] And he owed a burden to Calvary, and suffered and died of old. +[1707.22 --> 1721.22] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[1721.22 --> 1735.38] How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for all of you. +[1737.22 --> 1753.22] With the ransomed in glory, His face I am blessed as He. +[1753.22 --> 1767.22] It will be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me. +[1767.22 --> 1784.22] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[1784.22 --> 1798.22] How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for all of you. +[1798.22 --> 1800.22] We're singing. +[1800.22 --> 1813.22] How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be. +[1813.22 --> 1828.22] How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for all of you. +[1828.22 --> 1844.22] How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for all of you. +[1844.22 --> 1847.22] I'm going to bring up a few people to the front. +[1847.22 --> 1850.22] I'm going to list them off, and I'm hoping you can just come up and join me here. +[1850.22 --> 1853.22] First of all, I'd love for Rachel Malawaney. +[1853.22 --> 1854.22] She's going to come for it. +[1854.22 --> 1855.22] Malawaney, Malawani. +[1855.22 --> 1858.22] I always say it wrong first, and then I get it right the second time. +[1858.22 --> 1859.22] Malawani. +[1859.22 --> 1861.22] Rachel has been our Children's Worship Time Coordinator this year, +[1861.22 --> 1864.22] and so she stepped into the role in September, has done an excellent job. +[1864.22 --> 1869.22] And she's here to help me introduce a few of our Grade 4 students. +[1869.22 --> 1879.22] So I would like to invite up Alia Verkaik, Karis Nordum, Tyus Wind, Joel Klein-Geltink, Malachi De Winter, and Luca Vartstra. +[1879.22 --> 1881.22] If you can come up to the front. +[1881.22 --> 1883.22] Here they all come. +[1883.22 --> 1885.22] They're all from the same side of the church. +[1885.22 --> 1886.22] That's it. Here, come on this side of me. +[1886.22 --> 1887.22] Let's go right here. +[1887.22 --> 1889.22] You can stand right in front. +[1889.22 --> 1892.22] There, we'll wait for everybody to come forward. +[1892.22 --> 1893.22] There we go. +[1893.22 --> 1903.22] Now these fine young folks here are about to go to their last Children's Worship Time ever as students. +[1903.22 --> 1904.22] Hopefully they come back as leaders. +[1904.22 --> 1906.22] But this is their last one. +[1906.22 --> 1908.22] And so we wanted to acknowledge that. +[1908.22 --> 1910.22] We're going to pray for them in a second. +[1910.22 --> 1913.22] And we wanted to actually just give them a round of applause. +[1913.22 --> 1914.22] So let's just give them... +[1914.22 --> 1922.22] I'd also like to highlight, if I can, they've been in Children's Worship Time since they were in preschool, +[1922.22 --> 1925.22] and I didn't do the math, but I think that's about seven-ish years. +[1925.22 --> 1929.22] If you've been a Children's Worship Time teacher in the last seven years... +[1929.22 --> 1930.22] So just think about it. +[1930.22 --> 1932.22] Sit with that for a second. +[1932.22 --> 1936.22] If you've been a Children's Worship Time teacher at all in the last seven years, can you stand up for a moment? +[1936.22 --> 1938.22] Right now. Here we go. +[1938.22 --> 1939.22] Whoop! +[1939.22 --> 1940.22] I think there's more. +[1940.22 --> 1941.22] I think there's more. +[1941.22 --> 1946.22] But these are all people that have been in their lives over the last seven years as well. +[1946.22 --> 1950.22] And so I think it's a really good, beautiful picture of the church at work. +[1950.22 --> 1954.22] As we've had baptism stuff, we always promise to encourage and teach. +[1954.22 --> 1957.22] And so we thank you all for being a part of their lives as well. +[1957.22 --> 1959.22] We give them a round of applause too. +[1959.22 --> 1960.22] Now... +[1963.22 --> 1967.22] We have some Bibles. Rachel's going to help pass them out. +[1967.22 --> 1970.22] Who do we have first here? +[1970.22 --> 1973.22] This will take just but a minute. +[1973.22 --> 1976.22] Alright, Luca. This is for you, my man. +[1976.22 --> 1978.22] There you go. Congratulations to you. +[1978.22 --> 1982.22] This Bible is for you to take to church as you listen to Pastor Chris preach. +[1982.22 --> 1984.22] So as he's preaching, you can read your Bibles. +[1984.22 --> 1987.22] We have Aaliyah. Aaliyah. Congratulations. +[1987.22 --> 1988.22] This is for you. +[1988.22 --> 1990.22] And then we've got... +[1992.22 --> 1994.22] Tyus. Where's Tyus? There he is. +[1994.22 --> 1996.22] Tyus. Congratulations, buddy. +[1996.22 --> 1998.22] There we go. +[1998.22 --> 2000.22] Next up. +[2000.22 --> 2002.22] Joel. Where's Joel? +[2002.22 --> 2003.22] Here he is. +[2003.22 --> 2005.22] Joel. Congratulations. +[2005.22 --> 2006.22] For you. +[2006.22 --> 2008.22] And two left. +[2008.22 --> 2011.22] This is in no particular order, everybody. +[2011.22 --> 2012.22] No particular order. +[2012.22 --> 2013.22] They just ended up in the bag. +[2013.22 --> 2015.22] Malachi, you're next. +[2015.22 --> 2018.22] Which of course leaves Charis. +[2018.22 --> 2019.22] Congratulations for you too. +[2019.22 --> 2021.22] Now what I'd love for you to do... +[2021.22 --> 2023.22] Can you guys stand like right here in a row? +[2023.22 --> 2028.22] And I'm going to invite up any family, any children's worship time teachers, +[2028.22 --> 2030.22] or anybody at all who wants to come and lay... +[2030.22 --> 2031.22] Any kids who want to do this? +[2031.22 --> 2032.22] You can come up here. +[2032.22 --> 2035.22] We're going to lay hands on these six young folks. +[2035.22 --> 2037.22] We're just going to pray over them right now. +[2037.22 --> 2040.22] So please make your way to the front and we'll do that right now. +[2040.22 --> 2041.22] All right. +[2041.22 --> 2042.22] All right. +[2042.22 --> 2043.22] All right. +[2043.22 --> 2044.22] All right. +[2044.22 --> 2046.22] Church, let's bow our heads in prayer. +[2046.22 --> 2059.22] Father God, we are so grateful that we have the opportunity to have children's worship time in this church. +[2059.22 --> 2060.22] For all of the kids in this congregation, Lord. +[2060.22 --> 2061.22] We thank you for them. +[2061.22 --> 2065.22] We thank you for the life and the energy that they bring and for their desire to know you better, Lord. +[2065.22 --> 2071.22] And we think especially of these six grade four students who have been a part of children's worship time for a long time. +[2071.22 --> 2072.22] We're going to pray for them. +[2072.22 --> 2073.22] We're going to pray for them. +[2073.22 --> 2078.22] We thank you for the life and the energy that they bring and for their desire to know you better, Lord. +[2078.22 --> 2087.22] And we think especially of these six grade four students who have been a part of children's worship time for a long time, who are going to their last children's worship time today. +[2087.22 --> 2100.22] And God, as they conclude this part of their church life and as they join the rest of us in the greater body of Christ here on a Sunday mornings, God, we just pray that you continue to work in their hearts. +[2100.22 --> 2107.22] May they continue to seek you and may the word of God that they are holding today, may that become ever more true to them as well. +[2107.22 --> 2109.22] And so we thank you so much for them, Lord. +[2109.22 --> 2117.22] May they be encouraged today and may you continue to put people in their lives to mentor them and shape them and may they seek you first in all things. +[2117.22 --> 2121.22] And so God, we lift up these six to you in your name. +[2121.22 --> 2122.22] Amen. +[2122.22 --> 2123.22] All right. +[2123.22 --> 2124.22] Thank you, everyone. +[2124.22 --> 2126.22] You can make your way back to your seats. +[2126.22 --> 2136.22] We're now going to have time for our offering. +[2136.22 --> 2139.22] So I'm going to invite up whoever's coming forward to share that. +[2139.22 --> 2140.22] Here. +[2148.22 --> 2149.22] Good morning. +[2149.22 --> 2150.22] My name is Yap. +[2150.22 --> 2152.22] I'm a deacon here at Langley Emanuel. +[2152.22 --> 2156.22] Before we do the offering here, I'd like to just introduce Phil from Advocate. +[2156.22 --> 2163.22] He's going to come up and say a few words. +[2163.22 --> 2169.22] Thank you. +[2169.22 --> 2172.22] Good morning, Emanuel. +[2172.22 --> 2174.22] Good to see you. +[2174.22 --> 2179.22] This is, I must say, coming in here today. +[2179.22 --> 2184.22] I feel like I'm being taken to my deep past. +[2184.22 --> 2193.22] More than 1998, my wife and I moved to Langley and we were moved on to 205 A Street. +[2193.22 --> 2200.48] Street and I was out in the yard cleaning up and moving our possessions +[2200.48 --> 2207.50] into our home and this fellow came along who was a neighbor not too far away and +[2207.50 --> 2213.32] he said he questioned me as to who I was and what I was doing and what my +[2213.32 --> 2222.78] business was there and eventually the conversation turned to theology and he +[2222.78 --> 2234.36] said oh by the way my name is Bert and and I'm so glad to see him here almost 30 +[2234.36 --> 2242.64] years ago today I work for advocate and I'm here for the purpose today to simply +[2242.64 --> 2249.78] say thank you God bless you for being involved in our baby bottle campaign I +[2249.78 --> 2256.44] have the privilege of connecting with churches on behalf of advocate and have +[2256.44 --> 2264.96] the unbounded pleasure of coming and being with you and saying thank you for +[2264.96 --> 2272.36] the difference you make many of you have probably taken a bottle home and filled +[2272.36 --> 2279.42] filled it up with coins or paper as you have seen fit and you might be asking +[2279.42 --> 2290.64] what difference does this really make is this just simply a symbol of support I +[2290.64 --> 2297.26] thought of how I might explain that to you how I might define it for you today and I +[2297.26 --> 2302.38] thought of statistics I thought of telling you about all the things we do as an +[2302.38 --> 2313.22] organization but I thought perhaps a story might be best and I'll make it quick in +[2313.22 --> 2320.54] February a young woman came into one of our centers as you know we have centers in +[2320.54 --> 2329.66] Langley and Abbotsford and Prince George and she came in and met with one of our staff and said could +[2329.66 --> 2341.20] you give me a pregnancy test and they said yes of course so after some conversation a pregnancy test +[2341.20 --> 2352.20] occurred and then she was asked would you like to have an ultrasound and the young woman said yes I'd like +[2352.20 --> 2363.20] that very much so our staff met with her and they gave her an ultrasound and it turned out that she was very +[2363.20 --> 2378.20] very far along in pregnancy as the probe went over her abdomen and they looked they could see the outline of a child in utero +[2378.20 --> 2393.18] this kid put on a show arms legs he might have even sort of been waving to say hello +[2393.18 --> 2403.34] it was that good the show was outstanding and the woman looked at the screen and tears welled up in her eyes and she said +[2403.34 --> 2408.94] how do I get rid of it +[2408.94 --> 2418.98] and so she said please direct me to the nearest facility where this can happen +[2418.98 --> 2422.46] our staff talked with her +[2422.46 --> 2426.26] and eventually she went on her way +[2426.26 --> 2429.04] two days later +[2429.04 --> 2432.14] a text comes in +[2432.14 --> 2434.30] and it's her +[2434.30 --> 2436.76] and she says +[2436.76 --> 2440.56] could I come back for another ultrasound +[2440.56 --> 2442.58] could I come back +[2442.58 --> 2443.82] with my boyfriend +[2443.82 --> 2447.58] they came into the center +[2447.58 --> 2452.12] they had the ultrasound +[2452.12 --> 2456.44] the young man sat in his chair watching the ultrasound +[2456.44 --> 2458.22] and he +[2458.22 --> 2461.12] saw everything that was occurring +[2461.12 --> 2462.92] but he was quite +[2462.92 --> 2464.86] emotionally turned off +[2464.86 --> 2467.06] until +[2467.06 --> 2468.88] that child +[2468.88 --> 2472.96] then put on an even better display +[2472.96 --> 2475.76] than a couple of days before +[2475.76 --> 2479.30] and all of the sudden +[2479.30 --> 2482.30] this young man +[2482.30 --> 2484.40] rises from his chair +[2484.40 --> 2485.58] and says +[2485.58 --> 2487.32] hold it +[2487.32 --> 2489.62] is that happening +[2489.62 --> 2490.88] right now +[2490.88 --> 2492.00] inside of her +[2492.00 --> 2496.54] and our staff members said +[2496.54 --> 2496.98] yes +[2496.98 --> 2498.56] indeed +[2498.56 --> 2501.62] quite a show +[2501.62 --> 2502.16] isn't it +[2502.16 --> 2505.76] the young man stopped +[2505.76 --> 2506.32] and said +[2506.32 --> 2509.14] I'm not religious +[2509.14 --> 2511.90] but I know +[2511.90 --> 2513.38] that God +[2513.38 --> 2514.12] did +[2514.12 --> 2515.10] that +[2515.10 --> 2520.60] the young woman +[2520.60 --> 2521.50] turned her head +[2521.50 --> 2522.36] from the wall +[2522.36 --> 2523.66] toward +[2523.66 --> 2525.74] her boyfriend +[2525.74 --> 2528.76] tears by this point +[2528.76 --> 2529.68] streaming down +[2529.68 --> 2530.34] her cheeks +[2530.34 --> 2530.64] smiling +[2530.64 --> 2534.88] and he says +[2534.88 --> 2539.54] this is our child +[2539.54 --> 2541.30] we are keeping +[2541.30 --> 2542.58] this +[2542.58 --> 2543.70] baby +[2543.70 --> 2548.16] the cost +[2548.16 --> 2549.72] of an ultrasound +[2549.72 --> 2552.68] is found +[2552.68 --> 2554.66] in one of those bottles +[2554.66 --> 2557.24] so +[2557.24 --> 2558.86] if you're tempted to think +[2558.86 --> 2559.68] if this bottle +[2559.68 --> 2561.08] is just a +[2561.08 --> 2561.68] symbol +[2561.68 --> 2564.18] it's much more than that +[2564.18 --> 2566.12] it is life +[2566.12 --> 2568.00] the Bible +[2568.00 --> 2568.76] tells us +[2568.76 --> 2570.50] in the words of Jesus +[2570.50 --> 2572.70] the evil one +[2572.70 --> 2573.52] comes to +[2573.52 --> 2574.42] seek +[2574.42 --> 2575.34] to +[2575.34 --> 2576.98] excuse me +[2576.98 --> 2578.38] to destroy +[2578.38 --> 2579.56] and lie +[2579.56 --> 2582.10] I have come +[2582.10 --> 2583.94] that they might have life +[2583.94 --> 2585.16] and have it +[2585.16 --> 2587.36] abundant +[2587.36 --> 2589.14] God bless you +[2589.14 --> 2590.66] thank you so much +[2590.66 --> 2591.86] for the chance +[2591.86 --> 2592.72] to be with you +[2592.72 --> 2593.72] here today +[2593.72 --> 2603.00] thank you +[2603.00 --> 2603.22] Phil +[2603.22 --> 2604.00] for that +[2604.00 --> 2607.32] our offering +[2607.32 --> 2607.82] this morning +[2607.82 --> 2608.54] will be for +[2608.54 --> 2609.62] New Ground +[2609.62 --> 2610.14] which was +[2610.14 --> 2610.58] formerly +[2610.58 --> 2611.82] Operation Manna +[2611.82 --> 2612.94] New Ground +[2612.94 --> 2613.60] is a program +[2613.60 --> 2614.04] that is +[2614.04 --> 2615.22] run by +[2615.22 --> 2616.22] the Diaconal +[2616.22 --> 2617.30] Ministries of Canada +[2617.30 --> 2618.92] their goal +[2618.92 --> 2619.44] and purpose +[2619.44 --> 2620.04] is +[2620.04 --> 2621.24] to connect +[2621.24 --> 2621.64] the gifts +[2621.64 --> 2622.30] of their churches +[2622.30 --> 2622.76] and leaders +[2622.76 --> 2623.46] to the ministry +[2623.46 --> 2624.04] opportunities +[2624.04 --> 2624.94] in their cities +[2624.94 --> 2625.76] and local neighborhoods +[2625.76 --> 2627.48] they do this +[2627.48 --> 2628.64] through community +[2628.64 --> 2629.88] opportunity scans +[2629.88 --> 2634.90] they provide +[2634.90 --> 2635.88] community +[2635.88 --> 2637.12] ministry support +[2637.12 --> 2638.70] an annual +[2638.70 --> 2639.56] youth justice +[2639.56 --> 2640.24] initiative +[2640.24 --> 2641.36] and +[2641.36 --> 2642.26] Deacon scholarships +[2642.26 --> 2643.36] among other things +[2643.36 --> 2645.64] so please give +[2645.64 --> 2646.70] as you're able to +[2646.70 --> 2647.36] if you want to give +[2647.36 --> 2648.26] to the general budget +[2648.26 --> 2649.16] or any other ministry +[2649.16 --> 2649.82] you can use +[2649.82 --> 2651.02] the envelopes +[2651.02 --> 2651.84] and the seats +[2651.84 --> 2652.78] in front of you +[2652.78 --> 2653.50] thank you +[2653.50 --> 2653.52] thank you +[2653.52 --> 2654.32] please +[2654.32 --> 2655.78] expand this +[2655.78 --> 2657.24] next time +[2657.24 --> 2665.52] to the +[2665.52 --> 2666.14] gathering +[2666.14 --> 2667.02] about us +[2667.02 --> 2668.86] we have to +[2669.10 --> 2671.64] to put +[2671.64 --> 2672.30] our +[2672.30 --> 2674.56] narcissistic +[2674.56 --> 2689.44] This is my desire to honor you +[2689.44 --> 2698.26] Night without my heart I worship you +[2698.26 --> 2714.50] All I have within me I give you praise +[2714.50 --> 2722.76] All that I adore is in you +[2728.26 --> 2737.26] Lord, I give you my heart I give you my soul +[2737.26 --> 2745.26] I live for you alone Every breath that I take +[2745.26 --> 2756.26] And love it my way I have your way in me +[2756.26 --> 2771.26] This is my desire to honor you +[2771.26 --> 2781.26] Night without my heart I worship you +[2781.26 --> 2798.26] All I have within me I give you praise +[2798.26 --> 2805.26] All that I adore is in you +[2805.26 --> 2820.26] Lord, I give you my heart I give you my soul +[2820.26 --> 2828.26] I live for you alone Every breath that I take +[2828.26 --> 2837.26] And love it my way I have your way in me +[2837.26 --> 2846.26] Lord, I give you my heart I give you my soul +[2846.26 --> 2854.26] I live for you alone Every breath that I take +[2854.26 --> 2864.26] And love it my way I have your way in me +[2864.26 --> 2879.26] I give you my heart I give you my heart I give you my heart +[2879.26 --> 2884.26] Good morning, I want to invite all the kids up to the front +[2884.26 --> 2891.26] Preschool to grade four We'll have a quick chat and then we'll head off to children's worship time +[2891.26 --> 2899.26] Come on up Last week Miss Amy introduced +[2899.26 --> 2903.26] Miss Amy introduced a new verse that we're focused on for a couple of Sundays +[2903.26 --> 2909.26] You guys remember what verse that is We only just started working on the memory verse +[2909.26 --> 2910.26] Shall I read it again? +[2910.26 --> 2913.26] It's from 1 Timothy +[2913.26 --> 2916.26] We're learning about Timothy and it's 1 Timothy 4 +[2916.26 --> 2919.26] It's one that probably a lot of us in the room know +[2919.26 --> 2921.26] Oh boy +[2921.26 --> 2925.26] Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young +[2925.26 --> 2931.26] But set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity +[2931.26 --> 2934.26] So last week you guys remember what it was that we learned about? +[2934.26 --> 2937.26] What's a good way to set an example even though we're really young? +[2937.26 --> 2939.26] It was? +[2939.26 --> 2942.26] Yeah, we can pray for anyone +[2942.26 --> 2944.26] Even though we're young we can pray for anyone, right? +[2944.26 --> 2946.26] That was last week's lesson +[2946.26 --> 2951.26] So this week we're gonna switch a little bit over to a different topic +[2951.26 --> 2954.26] And that is being leaders +[2954.26 --> 2957.26] Oh boy, that sounds like a big topic +[2957.26 --> 2958.26] So let me ask you something +[2958.26 --> 2959.26] Is there... +[2959.26 --> 2962.26] I can think of a game that's sort of like being a leader +[2962.26 --> 2965.26] It's called Simon Says +[2965.26 --> 2967.26] Do you guys know how that game works? +[2967.26 --> 2969.26] Yeah? How does it work? +[2969.26 --> 2971.26] What is Simon Says? +[2971.26 --> 2973.26] I can't do a lot of things +[2973.26 --> 2974.26] I can't do a lot of things +[2974.26 --> 2976.26] Oh, yeah, so there's all these rules +[2976.26 --> 2977.26] If Simon Says you do it +[2977.26 --> 2978.26] And if he doesn't +[2978.26 --> 2980.26] If you don't say Simon Says +[2980.26 --> 2981.26] And then you're out +[2981.26 --> 2982.26] Yikes +[2982.26 --> 2984.26] Well guess what I was thinking about this +[2984.26 --> 2985.26] As an example +[2985.26 --> 2987.26] Like oh maybe we should play this game +[2987.26 --> 2989.26] Maybe we should play it up in front of the church +[2989.26 --> 2993.26] Maybe we should make the whole congregation play Simon Says with us +[2993.26 --> 2994.26] No +[2994.26 --> 2996.26] But then I thought actually +[2996.26 --> 3000.26] Simon Says isn't really on point with what we're talking about +[3000.26 --> 3002.26] As being examples of being leaders +[3002.26 --> 3004.26] Because Simon Says it's a fun game +[3004.26 --> 3007.26] But it's maybe a little bit bossy +[3007.26 --> 3008.26] Right? +[3008.26 --> 3011.26] Like as a leader you just tell everybody what to do +[3011.26 --> 3013.26] And then if they don't do it right +[3013.26 --> 3014.26] Or you don't do it right +[3014.26 --> 3015.26] You're out +[3015.26 --> 3016.26] I don't know +[3016.26 --> 3018.26] I don't think that's quite what we're focused on +[3018.26 --> 3020.26] With this Bible verse +[3020.26 --> 3021.26] Right? +[3021.26 --> 3022.26] We can still play that game +[3022.26 --> 3025.26] But that's not quite the example we're gonna talk about today +[3025.26 --> 3026.26] In children's worship time +[3026.26 --> 3028.26] We do have another game though +[3028.26 --> 3030.26] That we're gonna play in children's worship time +[3030.26 --> 3032.26] To try and kind of learn the lesson a little bit more +[3032.26 --> 3035.26] But how about we bless the congregation +[3035.26 --> 3037.26] Before we head out +[3037.26 --> 3039.26] And they I think will probably bless us in return +[3039.26 --> 3040.26] So let's stand together +[3043.26 --> 3044.26] Alright +[3044.26 --> 3045.26] With our arms up +[3045.26 --> 3048.26] The Lord be with you +[3048.26 --> 3050.26] And also with you +[3050.26 --> 3051.26] Good morning my name is Clary +[3051.26 --> 3052.26] I'm an elder here at Emmanuel +[3052.26 --> 3053.26] We had a +[3053.26 --> 3054.26] Elder's council meeting this week +[3054.26 --> 3055.26] And I just wanted to talk about this +[3055.26 --> 3056.26] And I just wanted to show you +[3056.26 --> 3057.76] I'd like to ask you +[3057.76 --> 3060.26] good morning my name is Clary +[3060.26 --> 3063.26] I'm an elder here at Emmanuel +[3063.26 --> 3082.26] Good morning, my name is Clary. I'm an elder here at Emanuel. We had an elders council +[3082.26 --> 3087.82] meeting this week and I just want to give you just an update of what we talked about. +[3087.82 --> 3095.70] We reviewed the minutes of the spring AGM. We reviewed and accepted the retirement notice +[3095.70 --> 3104.44] from our church custodian of Grace VanderDean effective August 29, 2025. We discussed the +[3104.44 --> 3111.88] process of calling Kevin Lobert and we discussed if another town hall should be held. Council +[3111.88 --> 3119.60] agreed that another town hall meeting to discuss Kevin's calling would not be scheduled. Council +[3119.60 --> 3126.48] strongly encourages members to contact their elder if they wish to provide further feedback +[3126.48 --> 3134.62] or have questions. Council is hoping to schedule a meeting in mid-September to formally put forward +[3134.62 --> 3141.92] to the congregation a vote to call Kevin. And finally, we received an update from Pastor +[3141.92 --> 3153.62] Chris and Pastor Kevin. It was noted that Pastor Kevin is now eligible for call in the CRC. +[3153.62 --> 3174.50] Council is now eligible for call in the CRC. I'm Eric, an elder here at Emanuel, and I'll +[3174.50 --> 3183.60] lead you in our church family prayer. Lord Jesus, we come in our family church prayer. +[3183.60 --> 3190.78] to praise you. Clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to the Lord with cries of joy. For the Lord +[3190.78 --> 3196.84] most high is awesome and the great over all the earth. May God be gracious to us and bless us. +[3197.06 --> 3202.90] Make us face shine upon us so that your ways be known on earth, your salvation among the nations. +[3204.04 --> 3209.96] May the people praise you, God. May all the people praise you. This week, we praise you for the +[3209.96 --> 3217.18] marriage of Jenna Spoor and Lake Borasset. This past Friday, they were blessed in their marriage. +[3217.42 --> 3222.38] May you bless them with love and grace. May they both be deepened in their faith with you +[3222.38 --> 3225.38] as they begin their next chapter of life as a married couple. +[3225.38 --> 3232.64] May the people bless you. This is the time of year where most of our students, whether completing +[3232.64 --> 3239.52] their studies now or next week, some of us is graduation, whether from elementary, grade four, +[3240.02 --> 3246.38] high school, or even college and university. These are new stages and can be sometimes overwhelming. +[3246.56 --> 3251.84] Bless all the students in this summer in all their work, their holidays, and their life planning. +[3252.60 --> 3256.06] Show them that your way, Lord, teach them your path. +[3257.28 --> 3260.76] Synod affirmed the ministry for Kevin, for the ministry of the word, +[3260.76 --> 3266.56] and we thank you and praise you for that opportunity for Kevin to preach and worship amongst us. +[3267.24 --> 3271.62] We also think of Tanya Tessemaker as she continues to deal with her cancer in hospice. +[3271.76 --> 3276.14] We pray for peace and strength for her and her whole family during this difficult time. +[3276.96 --> 3281.04] We also think of Doug and Tessa as they also continue to deal with fighting of cancer. +[3281.04 --> 3287.38] May you comfort everyone on their journey and pray for healing and comfort, Lord. +[3288.76 --> 3292.26] Lord, at this time we also think of the changes the church has gone through +[3292.26 --> 3297.98] with Grace having served here for many years here, Lord, in her retirement, +[3298.16 --> 3302.66] and we think of also the elders and deacons that have changed over in the last month. +[3302.78 --> 3307.66] May you bless the newcomers and the outgoing people, Lord, and bless them in their journey. +[3307.66 --> 3315.54] Lord, we bless you as we go through our week and keep us grounded and rooted in your word. +[3315.94 --> 3317.86] In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. +[3317.86 --> 3317.98] Amen. +[3317.98 --> 3339.18] I want to encourage you to grab a Bible or open up the Bible that you have with you. +[3339.18 --> 3346.56] And we're going to finish the second letter to the Thessalonians today +[3346.56 --> 3354.28] and then finish our series looking at these two letters together. +[3354.44 --> 3359.56] And so we're going to read from 2 Thessalonians 3 starting at verse 6 +[3359.56 --> 3362.46] and we'll read through to the end. +[3362.46 --> 3367.46] If you would like a Bible, you can grab some from the back if you don't have one with you +[3367.46 --> 3369.38] or on a device for you there. +[3371.50 --> 3373.14] Let's read this together. +[3375.66 --> 3380.50] In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, +[3380.50 --> 3385.60] to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive +[3385.60 --> 3389.54] and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. +[3389.54 --> 3395.38] For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. +[3396.68 --> 3399.26] We were not idle when we were with you, +[3399.64 --> 3402.56] nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. +[3402.96 --> 3406.40] On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling, +[3406.58 --> 3408.84] so that we would not be a burden to any of you. +[3409.86 --> 3414.28] We did this not because we do not have the right to such help, +[3414.32 --> 3417.80] but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. +[3417.80 --> 3422.18] For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule, +[3422.72 --> 3425.62] the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. +[3426.92 --> 3430.48] We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. +[3431.24 --> 3433.76] They are not busy, they are busy bodies. +[3435.12 --> 3438.20] Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ +[3438.20 --> 3440.78] to settle down and earn the food they eat. +[3440.78 --> 3445.84] And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. +[3447.38 --> 3452.22] Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. +[3453.50 --> 3456.88] Do not associate with them in order that they may feel ashamed. +[3457.72 --> 3462.60] Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. +[3462.60 --> 3471.20] And now, may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. +[3471.92 --> 3474.00] The Lord be with all of you. +[3475.14 --> 3477.80] I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, +[3478.08 --> 3480.52] which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. +[3480.70 --> 3481.90] This is how I write. +[3482.50 --> 3486.04] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. +[3486.72 --> 3487.82] This is the word of the Lord. +[3487.82 --> 3501.56] It seems to me that we live in a culture that is kind of caught between two poles. +[3502.42 --> 3506.38] On the one hand is the pull of productivity, +[3507.12 --> 3511.20] and on the other is the value of rest and healthy boundaries. +[3512.66 --> 3515.62] On the one hand, we want to be generous, +[3515.62 --> 3518.66] but we also fear being played. +[3520.44 --> 3522.20] Right, on one side, we're told to hustle, +[3522.58 --> 3525.50] to grind, to build, to perform, to produce, +[3526.04 --> 3530.78] and to make something of ourselves. +[3531.56 --> 3533.76] Productivity becomes not just a virtue, +[3534.18 --> 3535.50] but a source of identity. +[3536.38 --> 3537.94] You are what you accomplish. +[3538.90 --> 3540.88] Rest is something you earn, +[3540.88 --> 3543.24] but only after you've proven your worth. +[3543.24 --> 3546.48] And the result for many of us +[3546.48 --> 3548.30] is that we are exhausted +[3548.30 --> 3552.56] physically, emotionally, and spiritually. +[3554.40 --> 3555.74] And on the other side, +[3555.98 --> 3558.80] there's a deep and growing cynicism +[3558.80 --> 3563.14] that permeates towards need and those in need. +[3563.70 --> 3565.28] Right, we've seen too many headlines +[3565.28 --> 3567.42] about people gaming the system, +[3567.72 --> 3568.88] too many stories, +[3568.98 --> 3569.80] some of them true, +[3569.90 --> 3571.16] but honestly, most of them not, +[3571.16 --> 3574.42] about fraud or laziness or entitlement. +[3575.68 --> 3577.28] And so, what happens, right, +[3577.32 --> 3578.80] is we tighten our fists, +[3579.08 --> 3579.98] we get suspicious, +[3580.46 --> 3581.58] and we start asking, +[3581.82 --> 3583.20] are they really even trying? +[3584.32 --> 3585.58] The implication being, +[3585.94 --> 3587.02] do they deserve my help? +[3588.16 --> 3590.94] And we put up these emotional and relational walls +[3590.94 --> 3592.62] to protect ourselves +[3592.62 --> 3595.10] from being taken advantage of, +[3595.12 --> 3596.24] or at least feeling like +[3596.24 --> 3597.64] we're being taken advantage of. +[3597.64 --> 3600.46] And in the middle of all of this, +[3600.80 --> 3602.12] we try to, +[3602.22 --> 3603.80] or at least we say we want to, +[3603.96 --> 3605.00] live generously, +[3606.10 --> 3607.76] but we keep the receipts. +[3609.34 --> 3613.28] We track whether people are doing their part, +[3614.14 --> 3615.76] or are they doing the right thing +[3615.76 --> 3618.16] with the generosity that I have given them. +[3619.32 --> 3620.88] We start drawing lines, +[3621.02 --> 3622.52] consciously or unconsciously, +[3622.74 --> 3625.52] between the worthy and the unworthy. +[3625.52 --> 3627.84] And then again, +[3627.96 --> 3628.30] eventually, +[3628.50 --> 3629.96] we start to feel the weight +[3629.96 --> 3630.94] of our own effort, +[3631.90 --> 3634.00] of getting tired, +[3634.40 --> 3636.98] and we get tired +[3636.98 --> 3638.50] of doing good +[3638.50 --> 3640.00] when it feels like +[3640.00 --> 3641.54] no one else is trying to do the same. +[3643.28 --> 3644.52] And so we pull back. +[3646.22 --> 3647.48] Not because we're selfish, +[3648.32 --> 3650.26] but because we're disillusioned. +[3650.26 --> 3653.00] And the problem, +[3653.14 --> 3653.46] of course, +[3653.56 --> 3653.70] right, +[3653.72 --> 3656.16] is that neither one of these approaches works. +[3656.68 --> 3658.78] Hustle can't satisfy the soul, +[3658.94 --> 3660.04] it only burns you out. +[3661.16 --> 3663.30] And cynicism doesn't protect you, +[3663.38 --> 3664.98] it just isolates you +[3664.98 --> 3666.02] and makes you cold. +[3667.70 --> 3671.62] We try to manage the risks of generosity, +[3671.96 --> 3672.96] but in doing so, +[3673.06 --> 3674.60] we lose the joy of grace. +[3674.60 --> 3677.56] We try to create fairness, +[3677.88 --> 3679.04] but what ends up happening +[3679.04 --> 3680.40] is we forfeit mercy. +[3682.64 --> 3683.94] We need a better way. +[3684.90 --> 3687.06] A way that takes work +[3687.06 --> 3689.06] and working seriously +[3689.06 --> 3690.82] without turning it into an idol. +[3691.98 --> 3694.18] And a way that embraces generosity +[3694.18 --> 3695.36] without being naive. +[3696.04 --> 3698.12] And a way that holds people accountable +[3698.12 --> 3699.92] without giving up on them. +[3699.92 --> 3705.24] In a community shaped by grace, +[3705.92 --> 3707.34] what we will see here +[3707.34 --> 3709.50] in this last chapter +[3709.50 --> 3711.76] is that work is a gift, +[3712.64 --> 3714.68] that generosity is a calling, +[3715.06 --> 3715.90] and that accountability +[3715.90 --> 3717.76] is an act of love. +[3719.04 --> 3720.58] That's our big idea this morning, +[3720.66 --> 3722.50] that in a community shaped by grace, +[3722.72 --> 3723.70] work is a gift, +[3724.14 --> 3725.54] generosity is a calling, +[3725.92 --> 3728.26] and accountability is an act of love. +[3728.26 --> 3731.04] That is exactly what Paul is offering here +[3731.04 --> 3733.42] in 2 Thessalonians 3. +[3734.90 --> 3736.54] This chapter confronts +[3736.54 --> 3738.50] both of these ditches. +[3738.72 --> 3739.50] On the one hand, +[3739.58 --> 3740.62] the pull of productivity, +[3740.92 --> 3741.36] and on the other, +[3741.44 --> 3743.26] the fear of being played. +[3743.38 --> 3746.26] This chapter doesn't glorify busyness +[3746.26 --> 3748.36] like our culture tends to do, +[3748.64 --> 3752.30] but it calls us to a quiet faithfulness. +[3753.48 --> 3755.44] It doesn't excuse idleness, +[3755.44 --> 3756.86] but it roots discipline +[3756.86 --> 3759.48] in a community of mutual love. +[3760.34 --> 3762.22] And it doesn't shame generosity, +[3762.70 --> 3764.08] it calls for wisdom +[3764.08 --> 3765.98] without cynicism. +[3767.64 --> 3769.18] Now at the off here, +[3769.28 --> 3770.70] it's worth noting +[3770.70 --> 3772.54] that Paul, +[3773.28 --> 3775.40] in this second letter especially, +[3775.90 --> 3777.78] spends just as much time +[3777.78 --> 3778.96] warning Christians +[3778.96 --> 3780.36] who are idle +[3780.36 --> 3781.58] as he does +[3781.58 --> 3783.80] talking about the second coming of Jesus. +[3783.80 --> 3786.80] I want you to note that. +[3787.78 --> 3788.00] Right? +[3788.04 --> 3789.58] This is no small matter +[3789.58 --> 3790.54] to be dismissed. +[3792.82 --> 3794.38] And you probably heard it +[3794.38 --> 3795.70] when we read through it, +[3795.80 --> 3798.18] he uses pretty strong language here. +[3799.18 --> 3799.66] Right? +[3799.68 --> 3800.72] He's not just warning +[3800.72 --> 3801.80] those who are idle +[3801.80 --> 3802.50] and disruptive +[3802.50 --> 3804.16] to stop being idle, +[3804.44 --> 3806.28] he's telling other Christians +[3806.28 --> 3808.00] to keep away from them. +[3808.00 --> 3812.06] Now, +[3812.84 --> 3815.20] part of the response +[3815.20 --> 3817.92] that Paul is seeming to address here +[3817.92 --> 3819.20] is that there are people +[3819.20 --> 3820.12] in the community +[3820.12 --> 3821.56] who are being idle +[3821.56 --> 3823.54] and they connect that +[3823.54 --> 3824.52] to the idea +[3824.52 --> 3826.12] that they were apparently +[3826.12 --> 3829.76] anticipating Jesus' return +[3829.76 --> 3830.78] imminently, +[3831.06 --> 3832.54] like that he would come quickly. +[3832.92 --> 3834.10] And so because he would +[3834.10 --> 3835.48] come back quickly, +[3835.48 --> 3837.30] maybe they quit their jobs +[3837.30 --> 3838.28] or something like that +[3838.28 --> 3839.64] or they just stopped providing +[3839.64 --> 3840.88] for themselves +[3840.88 --> 3843.22] when they could have continued +[3843.22 --> 3844.06] because they thought, +[3844.18 --> 3844.90] well, it's all going to end +[3844.90 --> 3846.50] in a moment's notice anyway. +[3848.20 --> 3848.72] Now, +[3849.48 --> 3850.84] if you've been around +[3850.84 --> 3852.06] a church +[3852.06 --> 3853.30] for a period of time +[3853.30 --> 3854.34] or you've looked into +[3854.34 --> 3855.66] the early church +[3855.66 --> 3856.16] and the makeup +[3856.16 --> 3857.20] of the early church, +[3857.80 --> 3858.56] we know +[3858.56 --> 3859.88] that the early church +[3859.88 --> 3861.34] shared their possessions +[3861.34 --> 3861.96] in common. +[3862.56 --> 3863.14] We know +[3863.14 --> 3864.38] that they would sell things +[3864.38 --> 3865.38] in order to provide +[3865.38 --> 3866.36] for the needs of others. +[3866.66 --> 3867.20] We know +[3867.20 --> 3868.88] that the early leadership +[3868.88 --> 3869.72] of the church +[3869.72 --> 3871.24] established elders +[3871.24 --> 3872.44] and deacons +[3872.44 --> 3873.56] in order that +[3873.56 --> 3874.82] the ministry of the word +[3874.82 --> 3875.98] might not be neglected +[3875.98 --> 3877.30] and to ensure +[3877.30 --> 3878.80] that those on the margins +[3878.80 --> 3879.80] would be cared for. +[3880.88 --> 3881.70] The church +[3881.70 --> 3882.84] was a community +[3882.84 --> 3884.74] and is a community +[3884.74 --> 3886.44] that cares for one another. +[3888.68 --> 3891.12] And whenever you are willing +[3891.12 --> 3892.88] to care for one another, +[3892.88 --> 3894.72] whenever you are willing +[3894.72 --> 3895.66] to sacrifice +[3895.66 --> 3897.32] your own well-being +[3897.32 --> 3898.16] for the well-being +[3898.16 --> 3899.28] of those around you, +[3899.64 --> 3901.14] you run the risk +[3901.14 --> 3903.00] of being taken advantage of. +[3905.34 --> 3906.62] And in a community +[3906.62 --> 3907.70] where grace abounds, +[3907.90 --> 3909.44] I think that's a risk +[3909.44 --> 3910.24] that we must +[3910.24 --> 3911.44] willingly take. +[3912.58 --> 3912.98] Right? +[3913.04 --> 3914.44] The church's generosity, +[3915.00 --> 3916.22] the diaconal ministry +[3916.22 --> 3917.02] of the church, +[3917.02 --> 3919.82] the church's benevolence +[3919.82 --> 3921.06] must be +[3921.06 --> 3922.86] incredible to behold. +[3923.00 --> 3924.16] It must be prodigious +[3924.16 --> 3925.16] and liberal +[3925.16 --> 3926.18] and amazing +[3926.18 --> 3927.04] for all to see. +[3928.00 --> 3929.38] And when that happens, +[3930.34 --> 3931.88] you might get suckered. +[3934.00 --> 3935.40] There's actually a story +[3935.40 --> 3936.50] from the early church. +[3937.38 --> 3938.44] I've shared this +[3938.44 --> 3939.70] in other contexts before +[3939.70 --> 3941.96] that brings this tension +[3941.96 --> 3942.58] to life. +[3942.58 --> 3945.70] Lucian of Samosata, +[3946.08 --> 3947.78] who's a Greek satirist +[3947.78 --> 3948.56] and he's writing +[3948.56 --> 3949.54] nearing the end +[3949.54 --> 3950.70] of the second century, +[3951.44 --> 3952.58] he tells the story +[3952.58 --> 3954.46] of a man named +[3954.46 --> 3955.78] Peregrinus. +[3956.70 --> 3957.56] And now this story, +[3957.70 --> 3958.16] it's debated +[3958.16 --> 3959.24] if this is +[3959.24 --> 3960.56] a historical account +[3960.56 --> 3962.60] or it's a satirical account, +[3963.08 --> 3964.24] but it's offered +[3964.24 --> 3965.82] to make this compelling point. +[3967.52 --> 3968.16] Peregrinus, +[3968.38 --> 3969.58] Lucian says, +[3969.92 --> 3971.34] faked a conversion +[3971.34 --> 3972.32] to Christianity +[3972.32 --> 3974.02] in order to gain +[3974.02 --> 3975.16] influence +[3975.16 --> 3976.24] in certain +[3976.24 --> 3977.44] Christian circles. +[3978.48 --> 3979.62] And at one point, +[3979.96 --> 3981.66] Peregrinus is arrested +[3981.66 --> 3983.32] and the local Christians, +[3983.64 --> 3984.56] thinking that he might +[3984.56 --> 3985.30] be martyred, +[3985.68 --> 3986.78] start to bring him food. +[3987.50 --> 3988.44] They start to bring him money. +[3988.80 --> 3990.68] They even try to bribe +[3990.68 --> 3991.38] the guards +[3991.38 --> 3992.06] in order to make +[3992.06 --> 3993.72] his prison stay easier. +[3994.78 --> 3995.58] But eventually, +[3995.72 --> 3996.86] the governor of the region +[3996.86 --> 3997.80] releases him +[3997.80 --> 3998.64] because he doesn't want +[3998.64 --> 3999.50] to make him a martyr +[3999.50 --> 4001.18] and Peregrinus +[4001.18 --> 4002.60] goes to travel +[4002.60 --> 4003.46] the empire, +[4004.02 --> 4004.68] living off +[4004.68 --> 4005.86] Christian hospitality, +[4006.54 --> 4007.78] telling this story. +[4009.60 --> 4011.12] The way that Lucian +[4011.12 --> 4011.90] writes it, +[4011.98 --> 4012.82] he sneers +[4012.82 --> 4014.12] at the church's compassion. +[4014.66 --> 4015.30] He says, +[4015.34 --> 4016.24] and I'm going to quote here, +[4016.78 --> 4017.38] he says, +[4017.48 --> 4017.94] essentially, +[4018.32 --> 4019.32] these people +[4019.32 --> 4021.06] believe they're all brothers, +[4021.64 --> 4022.40] so that's Christians, +[4023.48 --> 4024.30] and that all things +[4024.30 --> 4025.22] are held in common, +[4025.22 --> 4027.38] so if a clever trickster +[4027.38 --> 4028.24] comes along, +[4028.38 --> 4029.38] he can get rich +[4029.38 --> 4030.74] off of their simplicity. +[4032.48 --> 4033.04] In short, +[4033.70 --> 4034.54] these are a gullible +[4034.54 --> 4035.30] bunch of people, +[4035.62 --> 4036.72] take advantage of them, +[4036.78 --> 4037.72] and get all their money. +[4039.34 --> 4039.90] And whether or not +[4039.90 --> 4040.56] it's true, +[4041.32 --> 4043.10] Lucian is recounting +[4043.10 --> 4045.04] a story of what Paul saw, +[4045.20 --> 4045.38] right? +[4045.48 --> 4047.20] Where grace flows +[4047.20 --> 4048.62] freely and readily, +[4049.18 --> 4050.14] someone will try +[4050.14 --> 4050.98] to exploit it. +[4050.98 --> 4053.04] And yet, +[4053.46 --> 4054.92] Paul doesn't shut down +[4054.92 --> 4056.12] that flowing of grace. +[4056.44 --> 4057.10] He doesn't say, +[4057.50 --> 4058.26] stop being generous. +[4058.76 --> 4059.08] Instead, +[4059.24 --> 4059.60] effectively, +[4059.76 --> 4060.08] he says, +[4060.42 --> 4061.08] be wise. +[4063.00 --> 4064.36] I think the point here +[4064.36 --> 4064.76] is that, +[4064.80 --> 4064.90] yeah, +[4065.02 --> 4066.16] you might get suckered, +[4066.78 --> 4067.94] but don't be a sucker. +[4068.94 --> 4069.82] Do you notice the difference? +[4070.84 --> 4072.04] Jesus will say +[4072.04 --> 4072.80] in Matthew 10, +[4073.44 --> 4073.70] he says, +[4073.82 --> 4075.00] I am sending you out +[4075.00 --> 4076.82] like sheep among wolves. +[4077.40 --> 4077.74] Therefore, +[4078.14 --> 4079.10] be as shrewd +[4079.10 --> 4079.82] as snakes +[4079.82 --> 4081.34] and as innocent +[4081.34 --> 4082.16] as doves. +[4083.48 --> 4084.42] I think this is +[4084.42 --> 4085.50] the same kind of idea. +[4086.46 --> 4086.64] Yeah, +[4086.72 --> 4087.68] you might get taken +[4087.68 --> 4088.54] advantage of. +[4088.72 --> 4089.64] That comes with +[4089.64 --> 4090.48] the territory, +[4091.06 --> 4092.34] but notice, +[4093.10 --> 4093.40] right, +[4093.44 --> 4094.28] there's an important thing +[4094.28 --> 4095.08] that's going on +[4095.08 --> 4097.00] in this text. +[4098.78 --> 4100.34] Paul says here +[4100.34 --> 4101.66] to keep away +[4101.66 --> 4103.64] from every believer +[4103.64 --> 4104.88] who is idle. +[4105.58 --> 4106.32] He says, +[4106.42 --> 4107.72] we hear that some of you, +[4108.26 --> 4109.04] and he's writing +[4109.04 --> 4109.72] to the church, +[4109.82 --> 4110.68] our idol. +[4111.44 --> 4112.72] He has this memorable line +[4112.72 --> 4113.04] that says, +[4113.16 --> 4114.08] they're not busy, +[4114.22 --> 4115.20] they're busy bodies, +[4115.54 --> 4116.78] and then in verse 15, +[4116.88 --> 4117.20] he says, +[4117.42 --> 4118.06] don't regard them +[4118.06 --> 4118.80] as an enemy, +[4119.06 --> 4119.88] but warn them +[4119.88 --> 4120.68] as you would +[4120.68 --> 4122.22] a fellow believer. +[4123.56 --> 4124.36] The point is, +[4124.46 --> 4125.28] Paul is talking +[4125.28 --> 4125.96] to people +[4125.96 --> 4126.58] who identify +[4126.58 --> 4127.56] as Christian, +[4127.66 --> 4128.54] who are part +[4128.54 --> 4129.38] of the system +[4129.38 --> 4130.80] of the emerging church +[4130.80 --> 4132.36] of the Thessalonians. +[4133.74 --> 4135.30] His hard word here +[4135.30 --> 4136.40] is for brothers +[4136.40 --> 4137.06] and sisters. +[4137.96 --> 4138.54] He's talking +[4138.54 --> 4139.50] about insiders, +[4139.60 --> 4140.04] he's talking +[4140.04 --> 4141.06] to insiders +[4141.06 --> 4142.32] about insiders. +[4143.46 --> 4144.66] He says in verse 10, +[4145.80 --> 4146.82] they have this rule +[4146.82 --> 4147.36] that if you're not +[4147.36 --> 4148.10] willing to work, +[4148.18 --> 4148.96] you shall not eat. +[4149.80 --> 4150.68] And he urges them +[4150.68 --> 4151.74] to settle down +[4151.74 --> 4153.12] and earn the food +[4153.12 --> 4153.74] that they eat. +[4154.42 --> 4155.02] Now, it's interesting +[4155.02 --> 4156.44] that, at least to me, +[4156.54 --> 4157.16] someone who enjoys +[4157.16 --> 4157.68] these things, +[4158.04 --> 4159.40] that word pair +[4159.40 --> 4160.52] that's translated +[4160.52 --> 4161.50] settle down +[4161.50 --> 4163.42] means work +[4163.42 --> 4164.32] a quiet life. +[4165.56 --> 4166.58] It's an echo +[4166.58 --> 4167.86] of an earlier call +[4167.86 --> 4168.88] that we saw +[4168.88 --> 4170.18] back in the first letter. +[4170.60 --> 4172.00] In 1 Thessalonians 4, +[4172.64 --> 4173.68] Paul writes, +[4173.80 --> 4174.78] make it your ambition +[4174.78 --> 4176.48] to lead a quiet life. +[4176.88 --> 4177.42] You should mind +[4177.42 --> 4178.04] your own business +[4178.04 --> 4179.02] and work with your hands +[4179.02 --> 4179.94] so that you will not +[4179.94 --> 4181.16] be dependent on anybody. +[4182.26 --> 4183.38] In another place, +[4183.48 --> 4183.96] in Timothy, +[4184.24 --> 4185.92] Paul reminds Timothy +[4185.92 --> 4192.78] to pray for those +[4192.78 --> 4193.40] in authority +[4193.40 --> 4194.74] that Christians +[4194.74 --> 4195.42] might be able +[4195.42 --> 4196.84] to live peaceful +[4196.84 --> 4198.36] and quiet lives +[4198.36 --> 4199.80] in godliness +[4199.80 --> 4200.76] and holiness. +[4201.84 --> 4202.48] Similarly, +[4202.64 --> 4203.52] he urges Titus +[4203.52 --> 4204.52] that our people +[4204.52 --> 4205.12] must learn +[4205.12 --> 4206.10] to devote themselves +[4206.10 --> 4207.36] to doing what is good +[4207.36 --> 4208.42] and not live +[4208.42 --> 4210.02] unproductive lives. +[4210.92 --> 4211.84] And it seems +[4211.84 --> 4212.74] pretty clear +[4212.74 --> 4213.32] that behind +[4213.32 --> 4214.68] all of this idea +[4214.68 --> 4216.84] is a contrast +[4216.84 --> 4218.54] that runs out +[4218.54 --> 4220.04] of the wisdom literature +[4220.04 --> 4221.46] of the Old Testament. +[4221.62 --> 4223.42] That deep in the wisdom +[4223.42 --> 4224.90] of the book of Proverbs, +[4225.10 --> 4226.78] there's a clear contrast +[4226.78 --> 4228.82] between being diligent +[4228.82 --> 4230.72] and being lazy. +[4230.94 --> 4231.36] And the one +[4231.36 --> 4232.78] who works steadily +[4232.78 --> 4234.10] and plans ahead +[4234.10 --> 4235.30] is considered wise, +[4235.64 --> 4236.16] while the one +[4236.16 --> 4237.32] who refuses to work +[4237.32 --> 4238.48] and who delays action +[4238.48 --> 4239.10] is portrayed +[4239.10 --> 4240.00] as the fool. +[4241.48 --> 4242.16] In short, +[4242.50 --> 4243.20] the biblical principle +[4243.20 --> 4244.16] is that hard work +[4244.16 --> 4245.02] is wisdom +[4245.02 --> 4246.28] and idleness +[4246.28 --> 4247.56] is folly. +[4249.26 --> 4250.08] And so for our time +[4250.08 --> 4250.72] that remains, +[4251.46 --> 4252.38] I want to spend +[4252.38 --> 4253.80] just a few minutes +[4253.80 --> 4255.36] pulling out +[4255.36 --> 4256.34] a few principles +[4256.34 --> 4257.80] for application +[4257.80 --> 4259.72] as a sort of beginning +[4259.72 --> 4261.02] of a theology +[4261.02 --> 4261.70] of work +[4261.70 --> 4262.90] for us. +[4265.70 --> 4266.82] Now it's interesting +[4266.82 --> 4267.38] to me +[4267.38 --> 4269.14] that in verse 6, +[4269.86 --> 4271.14] Paul says +[4271.14 --> 4271.64] that we need +[4271.64 --> 4272.22] to warn +[4272.22 --> 4273.38] every believer +[4273.38 --> 4274.20] who is idle +[4274.20 --> 4275.02] and disruptive, +[4275.56 --> 4276.22] who does not live +[4276.22 --> 4277.76] according to the teaching +[4277.76 --> 4278.92] that you have received +[4278.92 --> 4279.58] from us. +[4280.44 --> 4281.48] Maybe the Bible +[4281.48 --> 4282.00] you're reading +[4282.00 --> 4283.40] has a footnote there +[4283.40 --> 4284.86] and if you go down +[4284.86 --> 4285.92] it says traditions +[4285.92 --> 4287.08] or tradition +[4287.08 --> 4288.22] in the place +[4288.22 --> 4289.44] of the word teaching. +[4290.12 --> 4291.14] I would suggest +[4291.14 --> 4291.86] that a more accurate +[4291.86 --> 4293.10] translation of that word +[4293.10 --> 4294.90] is actually tradition. +[4294.90 --> 4295.36] tradition +[4295.36 --> 4299.02] is the lived +[4299.02 --> 4299.82] teaching. +[4301.16 --> 4301.72] Tradition +[4301.72 --> 4302.60] is teaching +[4302.60 --> 4303.94] put into practice. +[4305.08 --> 4305.66] And I think +[4305.66 --> 4306.66] the point here +[4306.66 --> 4307.78] is that it's not +[4307.78 --> 4308.62] just words +[4308.62 --> 4309.18] that have been +[4309.18 --> 4309.92] handed down, +[4310.04 --> 4311.04] not just commands, +[4311.36 --> 4312.36] but it's the lived +[4312.36 --> 4313.48] expression of that. +[4315.08 --> 4316.34] And so we know +[4316.34 --> 4316.94] that faith +[4316.94 --> 4317.84] comes from hearing +[4317.84 --> 4318.46] the gospel. +[4318.92 --> 4319.68] Faith comes from +[4319.68 --> 4321.04] believing that Jesus Christ +[4321.04 --> 4321.72] lived the life +[4321.72 --> 4322.44] I should have lived +[4322.44 --> 4323.50] and died the death +[4323.50 --> 4324.18] that I deserved. +[4324.36 --> 4325.18] We know that that +[4325.18 --> 4326.28] is the kind of faith +[4326.28 --> 4327.52] that saves +[4327.52 --> 4328.42] and that believing +[4328.42 --> 4329.36] that is all +[4329.36 --> 4330.42] we have to do. +[4332.28 --> 4333.98] But the point here +[4333.98 --> 4335.68] is believing that +[4335.68 --> 4337.06] changes everything +[4337.06 --> 4337.92] you do. +[4339.70 --> 4340.28] And so yes, +[4340.38 --> 4341.84] by grace through faith +[4341.84 --> 4342.80] we are saved +[4342.80 --> 4343.80] and that's all +[4343.80 --> 4345.36] we have to do +[4345.36 --> 4346.38] but coming out +[4346.38 --> 4347.80] of this new reality +[4347.80 --> 4348.44] for us +[4348.44 --> 4349.92] everything we do +[4349.92 --> 4351.10] is transformed. +[4351.10 --> 4353.02] saying yes +[4353.02 --> 4353.84] I believe +[4353.84 --> 4354.94] in the teaching +[4354.94 --> 4356.54] means accepting +[4356.54 --> 4357.36] and living +[4357.36 --> 4358.14] the tradition. +[4359.52 --> 4360.52] It's the modeled +[4360.52 --> 4361.90] example of Paul +[4361.90 --> 4362.72] and of the other +[4362.72 --> 4363.26] disciples. +[4363.76 --> 4364.76] It's the lived +[4364.76 --> 4365.44] expression +[4365.44 --> 4366.98] of Christians +[4366.98 --> 4368.70] that as the Bible +[4368.70 --> 4369.46] affirms +[4369.46 --> 4370.02] work +[4370.02 --> 4370.98] is +[4370.98 --> 4371.84] good. +[4373.28 --> 4374.26] And as we're +[4374.26 --> 4375.32] developing a theology +[4375.32 --> 4376.34] of work +[4376.34 --> 4377.16] that's the first +[4377.16 --> 4378.02] principle. +[4378.96 --> 4380.18] Work is good +[4380.18 --> 4381.28] and so +[4381.28 --> 4382.30] work hard. +[4384.06 --> 4385.02] As Christians +[4385.02 --> 4385.96] we know that +[4385.96 --> 4387.10] humanity +[4387.10 --> 4388.12] fulfills +[4388.12 --> 4389.02] the creation +[4389.02 --> 4389.84] mandate +[4389.84 --> 4391.76] through working +[4391.76 --> 4393.02] and keeping +[4393.02 --> 4393.96] what God +[4393.96 --> 4394.76] has given us. +[4395.64 --> 4396.78] This is Genesis 1 +[4396.78 --> 4397.74] and Genesis 2 +[4397.74 --> 4398.52] stuff. +[4398.68 --> 4399.80] And even in this +[4399.80 --> 4400.70] fallen world +[4400.70 --> 4401.54] where work +[4401.54 --> 4402.66] becomes toilsome +[4402.66 --> 4404.18] it still retains +[4404.82 --> 4405.68] part of its +[4405.68 --> 4406.00] goodness. +[4406.00 --> 4406.20] righteousness. +[4407.20 --> 4408.54] It is biblical +[4408.54 --> 4409.66] to work +[4409.66 --> 4410.42] hard. +[4411.36 --> 4412.66] In Colossians 3 +[4412.66 --> 4413.16] 23 +[4413.16 --> 4413.94] Paul says +[4413.94 --> 4415.58] whatever you do +[4415.58 --> 4416.60] work at it +[4416.60 --> 4417.14] with all your +[4417.14 --> 4417.60] heart +[4417.60 --> 4418.36] as working +[4418.36 --> 4419.34] for the +[4419.34 --> 4419.62] Lord. +[4421.70 --> 4422.70] Now practically +[4422.70 --> 4424.02] I've often +[4424.02 --> 4424.42] said +[4424.42 --> 4425.60] that Christian +[4425.60 --> 4426.14] bosses +[4426.14 --> 4427.00] should be +[4427.00 --> 4427.46] the best +[4427.46 --> 4427.86] bosses +[4427.86 --> 4428.40] that people +[4428.40 --> 4429.02] ever have. +[4430.50 --> 4430.72] Right? +[4430.84 --> 4431.26] Bosses who +[4431.26 --> 4431.64] are full +[4431.64 --> 4432.18] of grace +[4432.18 --> 4433.26] and encouragement +[4433.26 --> 4434.12] generous +[4434.12 --> 4434.76] in your +[4434.76 --> 4435.48] compensation +[4435.48 --> 4436.34] of your +[4436.34 --> 4436.92] employees +[4436.92 --> 4437.34] generous +[4437.34 --> 4438.20] with your +[4438.20 --> 4438.64] time +[4438.64 --> 4439.28] and availability +[4439.28 --> 4440.12] for them +[4440.12 --> 4441.76] but it's +[4441.76 --> 4442.60] also true +[4442.60 --> 4444.32] that Christian +[4444.32 --> 4445.18] employees +[4445.18 --> 4446.84] should be +[4446.84 --> 4447.48] among the +[4447.48 --> 4448.00] most hard +[4448.00 --> 4448.34] working +[4448.34 --> 4449.10] and diligent +[4449.10 --> 4450.06] employees +[4450.06 --> 4451.08] anyone has +[4451.08 --> 4451.54] ever had +[4451.54 --> 4453.08] because we +[4453.08 --> 4453.48] work for +[4453.48 --> 4453.90] the Lord. +[4454.62 --> 4455.02] We work +[4455.02 --> 4455.28] for the +[4455.28 --> 4456.04] glory of +[4456.04 --> 4456.36] God +[4456.36 --> 4456.68] and for +[4456.68 --> 4456.90] his +[4456.90 --> 4457.38] purposes. +[4458.30 --> 4458.74] Everything +[4458.74 --> 4459.52] we do +[4459.52 --> 4460.14] we do +[4460.14 --> 4461.34] in front +[4461.34 --> 4461.90] of his +[4461.90 --> 4462.62] face +[4462.62 --> 4463.10] as an +[4463.10 --> 4463.68] act of +[4463.68 --> 4464.34] worship +[4464.34 --> 4464.86] for what +[4464.86 --> 4465.50] he is +[4465.50 --> 4465.76] doing +[4465.76 --> 4466.10] in our +[4466.10 --> 4466.38] midst. +[4467.08 --> 4467.22] Now +[4467.22 --> 4469.84] don't hear +[4469.84 --> 4470.14] what I'm +[4470.14 --> 4470.66] not saying +[4470.66 --> 4472.48] because there's +[4472.48 --> 4472.80] a whole +[4472.80 --> 4473.32] generation +[4473.32 --> 4474.06] of people +[4474.06 --> 4475.26] who have +[4475.26 --> 4475.84] taken that +[4475.84 --> 4476.34] idea +[4476.34 --> 4478.08] and turned +[4478.08 --> 4480.08] the call +[4480.08 --> 4480.68] to work +[4480.68 --> 4481.24] hard +[4481.24 --> 4482.04] into the +[4482.04 --> 4482.74] idolatry +[4482.74 --> 4483.54] of busyness. +[4484.18 --> 4484.76] Right? +[4484.78 --> 4485.24] We have to +[4485.24 --> 4485.80] have the +[4485.80 --> 4486.90] right attitude +[4486.90 --> 4489.02] and we +[4489.02 --> 4489.54] shouldn't +[4489.54 --> 4490.16] make more +[4490.16 --> 4490.82] of work +[4490.82 --> 4491.40] than we +[4491.40 --> 4491.86] ought to +[4491.86 --> 4492.26] because that +[4492.26 --> 4492.92] turns work +[4492.92 --> 4493.74] into an +[4493.74 --> 4494.02] idol. +[4494.22 --> 4494.56] You shouldn't +[4494.56 --> 4495.06] make more +[4495.06 --> 4495.62] of work +[4495.62 --> 4496.10] than you +[4496.10 --> 4496.48] ought to +[4496.48 --> 4497.00] because then +[4497.00 --> 4497.50] that's all +[4497.50 --> 4497.86] you are +[4497.86 --> 4498.70] ever known +[4498.70 --> 4499.24] by or +[4499.24 --> 4499.86] know yourself +[4499.86 --> 4500.26] by. +[4501.70 --> 4502.52] But neither +[4502.52 --> 4502.94] should we +[4502.94 --> 4503.48] slide into +[4503.48 --> 4503.90] idleness. +[4506.06 --> 4506.78] Work hard +[4506.78 --> 4507.48] to glorify +[4507.48 --> 4508.50] God and +[4508.50 --> 4509.20] ensure that +[4509.20 --> 4509.78] we don't +[4509.78 --> 4510.98] unnecessarily +[4510.98 --> 4511.48] burden +[4511.48 --> 4512.40] others. +[4513.88 --> 4514.64] Work is +[4514.64 --> 4516.22] good and +[4516.22 --> 4516.64] so work +[4516.64 --> 4517.02] hard. +[4517.02 --> 4517.06] God. +[4518.66 --> 4519.24] The second +[4519.24 --> 4519.74] principle +[4519.74 --> 4520.94] in our +[4520.94 --> 4521.40] theology +[4521.40 --> 4521.94] of work +[4521.94 --> 4522.68] comes from +[4522.68 --> 4524.14] verse 13 +[4524.14 --> 4526.64] where Paul +[4526.64 --> 4527.06] says, +[4527.34 --> 4527.82] As for you, +[4527.92 --> 4528.40] brothers and +[4528.40 --> 4528.76] sisters, +[4528.96 --> 4529.92] never tire +[4529.92 --> 4531.60] of doing +[4531.60 --> 4532.60] what is +[4532.60 --> 4533.28] good. +[4535.16 --> 4536.02] I've already +[4536.02 --> 4536.86] indicated this, +[4536.96 --> 4537.66] but it can be +[4537.66 --> 4539.08] really easy, +[4539.62 --> 4541.38] especially if +[4541.38 --> 4541.80] you've been +[4541.80 --> 4542.52] taken advantage +[4542.52 --> 4544.00] of, but it +[4544.00 --> 4544.54] can be really +[4544.54 --> 4545.60] easy to become +[4545.60 --> 4547.48] apathetic and +[4547.48 --> 4548.42] to stop being +[4548.42 --> 4549.02] generous. +[4550.72 --> 4551.76] I can imagine +[4551.76 --> 4552.40] that for the +[4552.40 --> 4552.92] church of +[4552.92 --> 4553.58] Thessalonica, +[4553.84 --> 4554.58] it was really +[4554.58 --> 4555.30] easy for them +[4555.30 --> 4555.82] to look at +[4555.82 --> 4556.28] these brothers +[4556.28 --> 4556.98] and sisters +[4556.98 --> 4558.04] who were just +[4558.04 --> 4558.82] lazing around +[4558.82 --> 4559.48] and not doing +[4559.48 --> 4560.34] anything and +[4560.34 --> 4560.50] say, +[4560.56 --> 4560.94] What's the +[4560.94 --> 4561.26] point? +[4562.52 --> 4563.50] Why should I +[4563.50 --> 4563.92] give up +[4563.92 --> 4565.10] everything just +[4565.10 --> 4565.66] so they can +[4565.66 --> 4566.36] have it easy? +[4567.78 --> 4568.64] Or to put a +[4568.64 --> 4569.50] finer point on +[4569.50 --> 4571.80] it, why +[4571.80 --> 4572.46] should I keep +[4572.46 --> 4573.02] giving to the +[4573.02 --> 4573.98] benevolence fund +[4573.98 --> 4575.48] if those people +[4575.48 --> 4576.02] can't figure +[4576.02 --> 4576.48] their stuff +[4576.48 --> 4576.76] out? +[4579.40 --> 4579.98] Or why +[4579.98 --> 4580.48] should I keep +[4580.48 --> 4581.00] giving to the +[4581.00 --> 4582.06] food bank if +[4582.06 --> 4582.56] those people +[4582.56 --> 4583.34] aren't just +[4583.34 --> 4583.66] going to go +[4583.66 --> 4584.18] get a job? +[4586.12 --> 4586.82] Now, to be +[4586.82 --> 4588.90] clear, this +[4588.90 --> 4589.48] time hear what +[4589.48 --> 4589.92] I'm saying, +[4590.58 --> 4591.44] that is an +[4591.44 --> 4593.32] unjust, unfair, +[4593.50 --> 4594.22] and definitely +[4594.22 --> 4595.16] ungracious +[4595.16 --> 4596.34] assumption to +[4596.34 --> 4596.84] make and to +[4596.84 --> 4597.28] paint with such +[4597.28 --> 4597.90] a broad stroke. +[4599.84 --> 4600.44] But I know +[4600.44 --> 4600.86] you've thought +[4600.86 --> 4602.58] it, or let me +[4602.58 --> 4603.22] be more candid, +[4603.62 --> 4604.30] I know I've +[4604.30 --> 4604.66] thought it. +[4605.48 --> 4607.64] And you +[4607.64 --> 4607.94] know what's +[4607.94 --> 4608.72] really heartbreaking +[4608.72 --> 4609.52] to me about +[4609.52 --> 4609.80] this? +[4610.08 --> 4610.72] I've thought +[4610.72 --> 4611.48] that even +[4611.48 --> 4612.06] though there +[4612.06 --> 4612.62] was a time +[4612.62 --> 4613.34] in my life +[4613.34 --> 4614.04] where I +[4614.04 --> 4614.64] used a food +[4614.64 --> 4616.32] bank, where +[4616.32 --> 4617.06] I was dependent +[4617.06 --> 4618.10] upon a clothing +[4618.10 --> 4619.24] exchange so +[4619.24 --> 4619.62] that I could +[4619.62 --> 4620.66] have a tie to +[4620.66 --> 4621.06] the first +[4621.06 --> 4621.92] interview I +[4621.92 --> 4622.16] had. +[4623.28 --> 4623.94] I should +[4623.94 --> 4624.46] know better. +[4626.34 --> 4627.12] But we can +[4627.12 --> 4628.00] grow weary +[4628.00 --> 4628.94] of doing good +[4628.94 --> 4629.54] when it feels +[4629.54 --> 4629.98] like we're the +[4629.98 --> 4630.64] only ones doing +[4630.64 --> 4631.88] it, or when +[4631.88 --> 4632.32] it feels like +[4632.32 --> 4632.94] no one else is +[4632.94 --> 4634.10] willing to work +[4634.10 --> 4635.22] at it, and +[4635.22 --> 4635.70] when you look +[4635.70 --> 4636.36] around and +[4636.36 --> 4637.04] that's all you +[4637.04 --> 4638.88] see, it makes +[4638.88 --> 4639.58] you cynical, +[4640.66 --> 4642.94] bitter, or +[4642.94 --> 4643.80] even perhaps +[4643.80 --> 4644.68] worse, it makes +[4644.68 --> 4645.14] you proud. +[4646.72 --> 4647.74] And when those +[4647.74 --> 4648.68] kinds of thoughts +[4648.68 --> 4650.42] creep in, the +[4650.42 --> 4651.24] question of why +[4651.24 --> 4652.98] bother quickly +[4652.98 --> 4653.78] follows on its +[4653.78 --> 4654.02] heels. +[4655.72 --> 4656.50] And what Paul is +[4656.50 --> 4657.28] saying here is +[4657.28 --> 4658.54] don't listen to +[4658.54 --> 4659.28] that voice. +[4660.40 --> 4661.02] Don't be +[4661.02 --> 4661.80] distracted by +[4661.80 --> 4662.70] other people's +[4662.70 --> 4663.52] wrongdoings. +[4663.62 --> 4664.54] Instead, focus +[4664.54 --> 4665.14] on your +[4665.14 --> 4666.12] pursuit of +[4666.12 --> 4666.52] holiness. +[4667.70 --> 4668.24] What someone +[4668.24 --> 4669.02] else does with +[4669.02 --> 4670.14] your grace, with +[4670.14 --> 4670.96] your generosity, +[4671.14 --> 4671.72] isn't your +[4671.72 --> 4672.46] responsibility. +[4672.90 --> 4673.60] Your responsibility +[4673.60 --> 4674.72] is to simply be +[4674.72 --> 4675.80] gracious and be +[4675.80 --> 4676.28] generous. +[4677.20 --> 4678.16] Do not weary +[4678.16 --> 4679.90] in doing good. +[4683.16 --> 4684.00] Lastly, the +[4684.00 --> 4685.08] third principle +[4685.08 --> 4688.80] here recognizes +[4688.80 --> 4689.94] that we need +[4689.94 --> 4691.62] help, and we +[4691.62 --> 4691.94] need to be +[4691.94 --> 4693.14] reminded, and +[4693.14 --> 4693.52] we need to be +[4693.52 --> 4694.04] encouraged. +[4694.30 --> 4694.62] The third +[4694.62 --> 4695.54] principle here is +[4695.54 --> 4697.50] a willingness to +[4697.50 --> 4698.64] offer and +[4698.64 --> 4700.06] receive mutual +[4700.06 --> 4700.64] accountability. +[4702.34 --> 4703.12] Now, this is a +[4703.12 --> 4704.92] hard one, and +[4704.92 --> 4705.68] understandably, it's +[4705.68 --> 4706.20] not a popular +[4706.20 --> 4707.10] one, perhaps +[4707.10 --> 4707.98] especially in +[4707.98 --> 4708.62] today's culture. +[4710.08 --> 4710.90] But he's saying +[4710.90 --> 4712.06] that as part of +[4712.06 --> 4712.92] your obedience, +[4713.62 --> 4714.56] take note of the +[4714.56 --> 4715.38] people who aren't +[4715.38 --> 4715.90] obeying. +[4718.02 --> 4718.14] Right? +[4718.14 --> 4719.28] Silence in +[4719.28 --> 4720.80] disobedience is a +[4720.80 --> 4722.04] passive condoning or +[4722.04 --> 4723.22] approval of that +[4723.22 --> 4723.56] action. +[4725.06 --> 4725.48] And Paul says, +[4725.62 --> 4726.32] don't associate with +[4726.32 --> 4727.54] them, that they +[4727.54 --> 4728.42] might feel ashamed, +[4728.54 --> 4729.08] that they might be +[4729.08 --> 4730.30] made aware of what's +[4730.30 --> 4730.54] going on. +[4730.58 --> 4731.72] He wants them to +[4731.72 --> 4733.38] see their disobeying +[4733.38 --> 4734.26] and to repent. +[4735.54 --> 4736.36] And the whole +[4736.36 --> 4738.34] church has a part +[4738.34 --> 4739.60] to play in helping +[4739.60 --> 4740.52] one another see +[4740.52 --> 4741.22] this truth. +[4744.32 --> 4745.38] I'll never forget +[4745.38 --> 4746.90] when I had a group +[4746.90 --> 4748.98] of friends who +[4748.98 --> 4749.82] came out to +[4749.82 --> 4751.22] visit me in +[4751.22 --> 4751.98] order to sit me +[4751.98 --> 4752.92] down and have +[4752.92 --> 4753.64] what we in our +[4753.64 --> 4754.64] family call a +[4754.64 --> 4755.14] come-to-Jesus +[4755.14 --> 4755.78] conversation. +[4757.58 --> 4758.64] They came out to +[4758.64 --> 4759.30] hold me accountable. +[4760.58 --> 4761.48] And through their +[4761.48 --> 4762.64] concerns and through +[4762.64 --> 4764.10] their tears and out +[4764.10 --> 4764.74] of their mutual +[4764.74 --> 4765.70] love for me, they +[4765.70 --> 4766.32] had some hard +[4766.32 --> 4767.08] things to say. +[4768.36 --> 4769.06] And then God +[4769.06 --> 4770.20] used that to +[4770.20 --> 4771.74] help me hear and +[4771.74 --> 4772.66] see what had been +[4772.66 --> 4774.64] a blind spot and +[4774.64 --> 4775.02] to make some +[4775.02 --> 4775.36] changes. +[4775.36 --> 4777.22] that's what this +[4777.22 --> 4777.70] is about. +[4779.84 --> 4781.14] And despite Paul's +[4781.14 --> 4782.26] firmness and his +[4782.26 --> 4783.38] frustration, or +[4783.38 --> 4784.64] perhaps exactly in +[4784.64 --> 4785.48] it and because of +[4785.48 --> 4786.88] it, he's being +[4786.88 --> 4787.76] pastoral. +[4788.78 --> 4790.30] He longs for these +[4790.30 --> 4791.44] brothers and sisters +[4791.44 --> 4793.62] as just that, as +[4793.62 --> 4794.66] family members in +[4794.66 --> 4795.04] the Lord. +[4795.52 --> 4796.44] He desires +[4796.44 --> 4797.88] restoration and +[4797.88 --> 4798.60] faithfulness. +[4798.72 --> 4799.60] He desires their +[4799.60 --> 4801.16] obedience as the +[4801.16 --> 4802.32] only right way to +[4802.32 --> 4803.12] respond to the +[4803.12 --> 4804.00] grace of God given +[4804.00 --> 4804.94] to us in the +[4804.94 --> 4805.30] gospel. +[4806.62 --> 4807.40] And as a +[4807.40 --> 4808.96] community shaped by +[4808.96 --> 4810.40] grace, we need to +[4810.40 --> 4811.94] see work not as a +[4811.94 --> 4813.16] burden, but as a +[4813.16 --> 4813.52] gift. +[4814.82 --> 4815.96] As something we do +[4815.96 --> 4817.34] to honor God and to +[4817.34 --> 4818.16] care for those +[4818.16 --> 4818.98] around us. +[4818.98 --> 4819.66] As something that +[4819.66 --> 4821.58] God uses in his +[4821.58 --> 4823.06] providential rule of +[4823.06 --> 4824.56] the world to care for +[4824.56 --> 4825.64] his people and to +[4825.64 --> 4826.54] provide for them. +[4827.56 --> 4827.68] Right? +[4827.74 --> 4828.88] Generosity isn't just a +[4828.88 --> 4829.70] nice idea. +[4830.12 --> 4831.48] It's a calling to give +[4831.48 --> 4833.44] freely and sacrificially, +[4833.98 --> 4835.94] especially when it's +[4835.94 --> 4837.16] not easy or +[4837.16 --> 4837.66] convenient. +[4839.74 --> 4840.72] And accountability in +[4840.72 --> 4841.74] these moments isn't +[4841.74 --> 4843.42] just about judging or +[4843.42 --> 4844.56] shaming each other. +[4845.38 --> 4846.92] It's an act of love +[4846.92 --> 4848.84] that helps us stay +[4848.84 --> 4851.10] faithful and grow +[4851.10 --> 4852.20] together. +[4852.20 --> 4852.26] together. +[4855.26 --> 4858.50] And so this morning, as +[4858.50 --> 4861.78] we go from here, whether +[4861.78 --> 4862.94] it's into the ordinary +[4862.94 --> 4864.72] kinds of work that you +[4864.72 --> 4865.76] have to do or the +[4865.76 --> 4866.98] extraordinary kinds of +[4866.98 --> 4868.34] work that the Lord calls +[4868.34 --> 4869.38] you to, it's in the +[4869.38 --> 4871.64] everyday rhythms and +[4871.64 --> 4873.66] movements of your life. +[4873.68 --> 4875.38] As we go from here, it +[4875.38 --> 4877.76] is my prayer that we +[4877.76 --> 4880.08] might commit to living +[4880.08 --> 4882.14] out this truth +[4882.14 --> 4882.92] better. +[4883.42 --> 4884.48] That we might work +[4884.48 --> 4886.28] diligently and give +[4886.28 --> 4887.78] generously and that we +[4887.78 --> 4889.00] might hold one another +[4889.00 --> 4891.38] gently but firmly to the +[4891.38 --> 4892.42] standards of +[4892.42 --> 4893.32] faithfulness. +[4894.94 --> 4896.50] And so that might mean +[4896.50 --> 4898.22] asking yourself today, +[4898.92 --> 4902.06] how am I contributing to +[4902.06 --> 4903.78] the health of our +[4903.78 --> 4904.58] community? +[4906.26 --> 4907.68] It might mean asking +[4907.68 --> 4908.76] yourself today, if you +[4908.76 --> 4911.38] are willing, how am I +[4911.38 --> 4913.74] obstructing the health +[4913.74 --> 4915.10] of our community? +[4917.58 --> 4919.00] But for sure it means +[4919.00 --> 4921.10] asking yourself, where +[4921.10 --> 4921.92] can I step up? +[4922.40 --> 4923.40] Where can I step up in +[4923.40 --> 4923.74] work? +[4924.04 --> 4925.04] Where can I step up in +[4925.04 --> 4925.52] generosity? +[4925.92 --> 4927.02] And where can I step up +[4927.02 --> 4928.52] in loving accountability? +[4929.84 --> 4930.94] It's my prayer that +[4930.94 --> 4932.66] together we would be a +[4932.66 --> 4933.76] church that is known for +[4933.76 --> 4935.06] all three of these. +[4936.36 --> 4938.16] Not one to the exclusion of +[4938.16 --> 4939.84] the other or two to the +[4939.84 --> 4941.56] exclusion of a third, but +[4941.56 --> 4943.72] that in all three ways we +[4943.72 --> 4945.76] might genuinely believe that +[4945.76 --> 4948.00] work is good and work hard. +[4948.10 --> 4950.04] We might genuinely practice a +[4950.04 --> 4951.54] generosity that is +[4951.54 --> 4953.62] prodigious and unyielding in +[4953.62 --> 4955.44] the face of bitterness and +[4955.44 --> 4955.96] criticism. +[4957.14 --> 4960.44] And that we might lovingly hold +[4960.44 --> 4962.22] one another accountable to +[4962.22 --> 4964.22] this kind of gospel-saturated +[4965.06 --> 4966.56] life together. +[4967.36 --> 4969.04] That, I think, is a +[4969.04 --> 4971.54] beautiful story worth telling. +[4972.26 --> 4972.52] Amen? +[4973.32 --> 4974.34] Let's pray together. +[4979.62 --> 4982.70] Holy God, as we come before +[4982.70 --> 4990.04] you, we confess that idleness, +[4992.20 --> 4995.80] laziness, sloth are easy +[4995.80 --> 4997.90] realities at certain times. +[4998.98 --> 5003.68] We confess that cynicism, +[5004.86 --> 5009.02] bitterness, and apathy creep in +[5009.02 --> 5010.22] at times. +[5012.04 --> 5013.68] And we confess that we, +[5015.84 --> 5017.86] in fear of how others might +[5017.86 --> 5022.74] respond, don't always lay the +[5022.74 --> 5024.48] burdens that you, the Holy +[5024.48 --> 5025.88] Spirit, put on our hearts for +[5025.88 --> 5026.20] them. +[5026.82 --> 5027.98] We don't always express them. +[5029.66 --> 5031.32] And we confess that we don't +[5031.32 --> 5034.16] always receive accountability as +[5034.16 --> 5036.26] your means of grace to us. +[5036.26 --> 5039.68] And so in this confession, Lord +[5039.68 --> 5041.26] Jesus, hear our prayer and +[5042.00 --> 5043.52] remind us again of the gospel +[5043.52 --> 5046.26] truth that you love us and +[5046.96 --> 5048.76] that out of that deep love for +[5048.76 --> 5050.56] us, you came into the world in +[5050.56 --> 5052.60] Christ Jesus and you demonstrated +[5052.60 --> 5054.56] that love in perfectly keeping +[5054.56 --> 5056.58] all the commands of the law and +[5056.58 --> 5058.64] in perfectly expressing what it +[5058.64 --> 5061.24] means to be a lavishly loved +[5061.24 --> 5062.46] child of the Father. +[5062.46 --> 5067.12] and that though innocent, you +[5067.12 --> 5069.78] died for us, sinners. +[5073.98 --> 5077.42] May we see that cross of mercy +[5077.42 --> 5078.14] and grace. +[5079.30 --> 5081.30] May we see the truth of the +[5081.30 --> 5083.76] empty tomb and may we be raised in +[5083.76 --> 5085.76] newness of life by the power of your +[5085.76 --> 5088.60] Spirit to live compelling lives where +[5088.60 --> 5092.94] work is good, where generosity is +[5092.94 --> 5096.04] abundant, and where we walk +[5096.04 --> 5098.24] together being transformed into +[5098.24 --> 5099.96] the image of your Son, Jesus +[5099.96 --> 5102.46] Christ, our Savior, in whose name +[5102.46 --> 5103.04] we pray. +[5103.96 --> 5104.36] Amen. +[5104.36 --> 5104.42] Amen. +[5105.42 --> 5105.90] Amen. +[5118.60 --> 5124.56] For you I hail my master and maker +[5124.56 --> 5129.46] To honor the work of my hands +[5129.46 --> 5133.64] For this is the day you've given your +[5133.64 --> 5134.24] soul +[5134.24 --> 5139.44] I will rejoice and be glad +[5139.44 --> 5143.62] For all the strength I have to live and +[5143.62 --> 5144.48] bring +[5144.48 --> 5149.40] For each day your grace has given me +[5149.40 --> 5153.84] For the needs and opportunities +[5153.84 --> 5157.70] That will glorify your grace +[5157.70 --> 5172.72] Before you I kneel and ask for your goodness +[5172.72 --> 5177.54] To cover the work of my hands +[5177.54 --> 5179.94] For patience and peace +[5179.94 --> 5182.68] To shame all my labor +[5182.68 --> 5187.72] Your grace for the words in my hand +[5187.72 --> 5192.70] For all will give me like a living stream +[5192.70 --> 5197.58] Wear away the soul to thine and be +[5197.58 --> 5202.46] Till your ways are dwelling deep in me +[5202.46 --> 5207.28] And a harvest of life is grown +[5207.28 --> 5207.98] Woman heaven in me +[5207.98 --> 5208.90] with the burden on the shining +[5208.90 --> 5211.04] Thin fellow +[5211.04 --> 5212.42] God +[5212.42 --> 5213.58] солн��ral +[5213.58 --> 5214.14] God +[5214.14 --> 5215.64] May +[5215.64 --> 5216.30] Spirit +[5216.30 --> 5216.66] Song +[5216.66 --> 5216.78] God +[5216.90 --> 5217.18] eg +[5217.18 --> 5247.16] Thank you. +[5247.18 --> 5277.16] Thank you. +[5277.18 --> 5286.78] In every small and great task, may we lift the gospel of your grace. +[5287.28 --> 5291.64] Serve your purpose as our fleeting days. +[5292.30 --> 5296.56] Then our lives will bring eternal grace. +[5296.56 --> 5300.42] And our glory to your release. +[5301.52 --> 5305.56] And our glory to your release. +[5305.56 --> 5334.30] As we end today and go into this week, I'm going to pronounce over us again the blessing from Paul at the end of 2 Thessalonians. +[5334.30 --> 5340.08] Thessalonians. Before we go, just an encouragement, stick around after our service for some fellowship +[5340.08 --> 5344.74] and some gathering time together as well. If you're looking to pray with someone or to meet +[5344.74 --> 5348.76] with someone, there will be someone up here with a yellow name tag on who would love to meet you +[5348.76 --> 5355.12] and pray with you. You can also find one of the elders in our church. Many of them should be +[5355.12 --> 5361.36] wearing name tags as well, or you can grab me in the foyer afterwards as well. Receive the blessing +[5361.36 --> 5364.72] of God for the week ahead. +[5367.64 --> 5377.46] Now, may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all +[5377.46 --> 5383.54] of you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. +[5391.36 --> 5421.34] There is a Redeemer, Jesus God and Son. Precious and Son of God. +[5421.34 --> 5422.34] Amen. +[5422.34 --> 5423.34] Amen. +[5423.34 --> 5424.34] Amen. +[5424.34 --> 5451.32] Thank you all my Father for giving us your Son and leaving your Spirit till the world on earth is done. +[5451.32 --> 5457.98] Jesus, my Redeemer, +[5457.98 --> 5463.98] Name above all names, +[5464.44 --> 5468.98] Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, +[5469.84 --> 5473.98] O for sinners slain. +[5475.18 --> 5479.98] Thank you, my Father, +[5479.98 --> 5485.88] For giving us your Son, +[5486.24 --> 5490.26] And leading your Spirit +[5490.26 --> 5496.46] Till the world on earth is done. +[5498.00 --> 5502.86] When I stand in glory, +[5503.60 --> 5509.04] I will see His face, +[5509.04 --> 5513.94] May I serve my King forever, +[5514.94 --> 5519.04] In that holy name. +[5520.76 --> 5525.62] Thank you, my Father, +[5525.62 --> 5531.52] For giving us your Son, +[5531.52 --> 5535.90] And leading your Spirit +[5535.90 --> 5542.52] Till the world on earth is done. +[5542.52 --> 5548.42] Thank you, my Father, +[5548.42 --> 5549.42] Thank you, my Father, +[5549.42 --> 5555.42] For giving us your Son, +[5555.42 --> 5560.42] And leaving your Spirit +[5560.42 --> 5568.24] Till the work on earth is done. +[5568.24 --> 5571.14] Felassen you, ten guest of the Lord, +[5571.14 --> 5575.60] Let us come through the fullness of life, +[5575.90 --> 5577.80] And in our hearts, +[5577.80 --> 5580.08] Until the wrath. +[5580.08 --> 5581.12] And with the Lord吸 in God, +[5581.12 --> 5585.02] In our hearts you will enduring your Son, +[5585.22 --> 5586.00] And in the Holy Spirit, +[5586.00 --> 5587.98] through the感謝 of life, +[5588.06 --> 5590.02] victory by life, +[5590.16 --> 5590.42] or Maeveha, +[5590.42 --> 5590.84] Selbst wenn I shall be known Come into ép +[5590.84 --> 5591.40] Then with you, +[5591.52 --> 5592.50] And with you, +[5592.50 --> 5622.48] Thank you. +[5622.50 --> 5652.48] Thank you. +[5652.50 --> 5682.48] Thank you. +[5682.50 --> 5712.48] Thank you. +[5712.50 --> 5742.48] Thank you. +[5742.50 --> 5772.48] Thank you. +[5772.50 --> 5802.48] Thank you. +[5802.50 --> 5832.48] Thank you. +[5832.50 --> 5862.48] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..6be71958679fe10fdec3c4993c21a58b2ff54731 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +• Repetition of "Thank you" +• A person praying, possibly in a group setting +• References to Jesus Christ, God, and the Lord +• Quotations from scripture or prayer, including Ezekiel 37:4 ("Can these bones live") +• Invitations for participation or questions +• Requests for healing and assistance +• Updates on Enika's sister Tessa and Clary's sister Joan regarding their cancer treatments +• Prayer requests for continued healing and recovery +• Church members' gratitude for answered prayers +• Graduation celebrations for high school students in the congregation and Langley Christian School +• Blessings for the church leadership, ministries, and graduates entering new chapters of life +• Thanksgivings for the church family, summer activities, and missionary team returning from the Philippines +• Prayers for peace in various global conflicts +• Prayers for congregation members dealing with cancer, including Tanya Tester, Doug Kendon, and Clary's sister Joan +• Starting a summer series through the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the birth of Jesus +• Reading Matthew 1:18-23 as the starting point for the series +• Using the story of Jesus' birth to illustrate the theme of a good king or leader who brings hope and justice in a world filled with corruption and power struggles. +• The feeling of being overwhelmed by scandals and compromises in public figures +• The struggle for control and self-image, even in our personal lives +• The illusion of being in control and the anxiety that comes with it +• Longing for a true leader or king who can save us +• Introduction to a summer series called "Behold Your King" focused on Jesus as the living king +• Explanation of how Jesus is the true promised king, goal of God's covenant story, hope of the world, and lord who calls us to belong to him +• Discussion of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17, highlighting its connection to the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1:1 +• Discussion of King Ahaz and Manasseh's sacrifices and genealogy in relation to the story of Jesus +• Exploration of how one's past or family background does not exclude them from God's kingdom +• Analysis of the Gospel of Matthew's emphasis on Jesus' royal lineage and connection to the line of David +• Explanation of Jesus as the long-expected king, fulfilling God's promises and prophecies +• Discussion of Abraham as a key figure in the story, and how Jesus is the seed of Abraham +• Examination of Jesus' mission and commission to spread his teachings globally +• The nature of Jesus as a loving and righteous king who saves by substitution, not domination +• The importance of seeing God's activity in one's life and asking others about their experiences with God +• The significance of prayerfully seeking God's presence and action in one's life +• The truth that Jesus is God and the only way to be made right with Him +• The call to trust, worship, and follow Jesus as King and Lord +• Praying to focus on God and be transformed by His renewing power +• Reading and reflecting on scripture about faith, vision, and obedience +• Commissioning believers to go out and proclaim Jesus to the world +• Announcing a food drive and inviting volunteers to sign up +• Encouraging prayer and connection with others for spiritual support +• The speaker quotes a passage about Jesus reigning as the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords +• Angels cry out in praise, calling Him the Lamb who was slain for the world +• The phrase "rule in mind" is mentioned +• The passage is repeated multiple times with slight variations in wording \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fb584fda4fa2a9658476ef7043ddfb6704ec2a16 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 29, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,540 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. +[690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. +[720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. +[749.98 --> 779.96] Good morning. +[779.96 --> 809.94] Thank you. +[809.94 --> 839.92] Thank you. +[839.94 --> 869.92] Thank you. +[869.94 --> 899.92] Thank you. +[899.94 --> 929.92] Thank you. +[929.92 --> 959.90] Thank you. +[959.92 --> 989.90] Thank you. +[989.90 --> 1019.88] Thank you. +[1019.88 --> 1049.88] Thank you. +[1049.88 --> 1079.86] Thank you. +[1079.88 --> 1109.86] Thank you. +[1109.86 --> 1139.84] Thank you. +[1139.86 --> 1169.84] Thank you. +[1169.86 --> 1199.84] Thank you. +[1199.84 --> 1229.82] Thank you. +[1229.82 --> 1259.80] Thank you. +[1259.80 --> 1289.78] You will have you. +[1289.78 --> 1319.76] Thank you. +[1319.78 --> 1349.76] Why should I lose you. +[1349.76 --> 1379.74] Thank you. +[1379.76 --> 1409.74] Thank you. +[1409.76 --> 1439.74] Thank you. +[1439.74 --> 1469.72] Thank you. +[1469.74 --> 1499.72] Thank you. +[1499.74 --> 1529.72] Thank you. +[1529.74 --> 1559.72] You are the source. +[1559.74 --> 1589.72] You are the hope. +[1589.72 --> 1619.70] Thank you. +[1619.70 --> 1649.68] Thank you. +[1649.70 --> 1679.68] Thank you. +[1679.70 --> 1709.68] This prayer. +[1709.68 --> 1739.66] Thank you. +[1739.68 --> 1769.66] Thank you. +[1769.68 --> 1799.66] I believe in Jesus. +[1799.68 --> 1829.66] And I believe in you. +[1829.66 --> 1859.64] I believe you are the Lord. +[1859.64 --> 1889.62] I believe in you. +[1889.62 --> 1919.60] You died and rose. +[1919.60 --> 1949.58] And the grace to heal. +[1949.58 --> 1979.56] You are the Lord. +[1979.56 --> 2009.54] Lamb who was the Lord. +[2009.54 --> 2039.52] And the Lord. +[2039.52 --> 2069.50] You are the Lord. +[2069.50 --> 2099.48] And the Lord. +[2099.48 --> 2129.46] You are the Lord. +[2129.46 --> 2159.44] And the Lord. +[2159.46 --> 2189.44] And the Lord. +[2189.44 --> 2219.42] who is the Lord. +[2219.42 --> 2249.40] And the Lord. +[2249.40 --> 2279.38] And the Lord. +[2279.38 --> 2309.36] Can these bones live. +[2309.36 --> 2339.34] I'm going to invite. +[2339.34 --> 2369.32] And the Lord. +[2369.32 --> 2399.30] These four questions. +[2399.30 --> 2429.28] And the Lord. +[2429.28 --> 2459.26] And the Lord. +[2459.26 --> 2489.24] And the Lord. +[2489.24 --> 2519.22] And the Lord. +[2519.22 --> 2549.20] God, God. +[2549.20 --> 2579.18] Help us now. +[2579.18 --> 2609.16] We also. +[2609.16 --> 2639.14] as the Lord. +[2639.14 --> 2669.14] +[2669.14 --> 2699.14] +[2699.14 --> 2729.12] and the Lord. +[2729.12 --> 2759.10] in His wonderful face. +[2759.10 --> 2761.10] and the Lord. +[2789.10 --> 2791.10] and the Lord. +[2791.10 --> 2793.10] and the Lord. +[2793.10 --> 2794.10] O Jesus. +[2794.10 --> 2796.10] and the Lord. +[2796.10 --> 2798.10] and the Lord. +[2798.10 --> 2800.10] and the Lord. +[2800.10 --> 2802.10] and the Lord. +[2802.10 --> 2804.10] and the Lord. +[2804.10 --> 2806.10] and the Lord. +[2806.10 --> 2808.10] and the Lord. +[2808.10 --> 2810.10] and the Lord. +[2810.10 --> 2812.10] and the Lord. +[2812.10 --> 2813.10] and the Lord. +[2813.10 --> 2814.10] and the Lord. +[2814.10 --> 2815.10] and the Lord. +[2815.10 --> 2817.10] Christ, the Lord. +[2817.10 --> 2818.10] and the Lord. +[2818.10 --> 2820.10] and the Lord. +[2820.10 --> 2822.10] and the Lord. +[2822.10 --> 2823.10] and the Lord. +[2823.10 --> 2826.10] and the Lord. +[2826.10 --> 2829.10] and the Lord. +[2829.10 --> 2831.10] and the Lord. +[2831.10 --> 2833.10] we Pu'en through the Lord. +[2833.10 --> 2834.10] and the Lord. +[2834.10 --> 2836.10] and the Lord. +[2836.10 --> 2837.10] and the Lord. +[2837.10 --> 2838.10] and the Lord His name is这样 of us, +[2838.10 --> 2839.10] 神 human IDs. +[2839.10 --> 2840.10] and the Lord. +[2840.10 --> 2841.10] and all years +[2841.10 --> 2843.10] and O emotions will death. +[2843.10 --> 2844.06] and the Lord. +[2844.06 --> 2844.10] in love. +[2844.10 --> 2846.10] center of the Lord. +[2846.10 --> 2854.90] we'll behold you our savior ever true oh jesus we turn our eyes to +[2861.14 --> 2871.30] turn your eyes to the heavens our king will return for his own +[2871.30 --> 2884.02] every knee will bow every tongue will shout all glory to jesus alone +[2886.74 --> 2896.34] jesus to you we lift our eyes jesus our glory and our prize +[2896.34 --> 2908.58] we adore you behold you our savior ever true oh jesus we turn our eyes to you +[2911.38 --> 2920.34] jesus to you we lift our eyes jesus our glory and our prize +[2920.34 --> 2933.38] jesus we turn our eyes to you +[2933.38 --> 2947.38] jesus we turn our eyes to you +[2947.38 --> 2966.90] all right it is now the summer time and so i'm going to invite up really any kid who wants to +[2966.90 --> 2973.14] come up but especially everybody who's three to kindergarten aged you can come forward now maybe +[2973.14 --> 2979.38] this you guys are so fast look at that i did come to your house that's true +[2981.38 --> 2985.54] all right we're going to go off to children's worship time and have some fun with our teachers +[2985.54 --> 2989.94] back there but before we go can i pray with you yeah and then we'll do the blessing we'll see if +[2989.94 --> 2994.26] we can do the blessing so loud even though there's only a few of us up here do you think we can do that +[2994.90 --> 2999.62] yeah all right let's pray okay first dear god we thank you so much that we are able to come to church +[2999.62 --> 3003.94] today and we pray that you'll be with us kids as we go to children's worship time and with the +[3003.94 --> 3009.54] grown-ups as we stay back here too and maybe all learn more about jesus today we pray this in your name +[3010.10 --> 3015.06] amen okay we're going to stand up okay can we stand up and the church is going to two and then +[3015.70 --> 3019.62] i'm going to count down from three and then we're going to say the lord be with you together okay and +[3019.62 --> 3033.62] we're going to do that nice and loud are you ready one two three +[3033.62 --> 3050.98] good morning my name is dave i'm one of the elders for this congregation before i begin my +[3050.98 --> 3057.38] prayer i do have two updates and two prayer requests um enika tells me we've been praying for +[3057.38 --> 3060.98] her sister tessa for quite a long time with her her deal with cancer +[3061.70 --> 3068.74] we have the update that her chemotherapy is done there will be more scans and tests to come +[3068.74 --> 3074.66] but she is feeling much better so this is all good and clary has told us about his sister joan +[3075.46 --> 3081.46] she also has cancer she has finished radiation treatment she is in good spirits and waiting for +[3081.46 --> 3087.70] an update so answers to prayer will you join me in our church family prayer +[3090.98 --> 3097.94] oh father we echo the words of the psalmist come let us sing for joy to the lord let us shout aloud to +[3097.94 --> 3103.78] the rock of our salvation let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song +[3103.78 --> 3110.02] for the lord is the great god the great king above all gods come let us bow down and worship let us kneel +[3110.02 --> 3116.02] before their lord our maker for he is our god and we are the people of his pasture the flock under his care +[3116.98 --> 3122.50] father it is our joy to be here every sunday as members of the christian community and members of +[3122.50 --> 3128.02] christ's body we gather to celebrate the love that you show your people and we sing praises to your name +[3128.02 --> 3134.26] father it is very important that we remember to confess our many sins before you in the words of +[3134.26 --> 3140.50] king david for day and night your hand was heavy on me my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer +[3141.06 --> 3147.30] then i acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity i said i will confess my transgressions +[3147.30 --> 3153.78] to the lord and you forgave the guilt of my sin father we know that we need to confess that we are sinful +[3153.78 --> 3160.82] people it is because of human sin and human rebellion that we need to be reconciled to you and that jesus needed to come down +[3161.38 --> 3162.98] thank you for that gift of love +[3164.42 --> 3167.38] father we come to you because we have many reasons to be thankful +[3167.94 --> 3174.98] we thank you for all the students who graduated from high school this past week including members of this congregation and students from langley christian school +[3175.70 --> 3179.22] graduation is a milestone life event that is worthy of celebrating +[3179.22 --> 3188.66] we pray for all of them as they enter the next chapter of their lives whether it is work or more schooling we pray that all of them will be assured that they face the future with you +[3189.86 --> 3192.74] we thank you for the changing seasons in the beginning of summer +[3193.06 --> 3198.02] it is an opportunity for all of us to spend some time outdoors and to experience the beauty of your creation +[3198.66 --> 3204.02] some of us will work some of us will travel and all of us will use the opportunity to be with friends and family +[3204.02 --> 3210.74] be with all of us this summer time we thank you for this church family and everyone who has gathered here +[3210.74 --> 3217.22] we thank you for the leadership of this church for pastor chris pastor kevin josh and members of the council +[3217.78 --> 3224.26] we thank you for the many ministries of this church many of which will be on summer hiatus we ask that you +[3224.26 --> 3230.10] bless these ministries and the work that they do may they meet the spiritual and physical needs that we see around us +[3230.10 --> 3235.86] in particular we thank you for another group of graduates the grade fours who just finished children's +[3235.86 --> 3242.66] worship time as they grow they'll be part of other ministries gems cadets youth young adults and then +[3242.66 --> 3249.30] their own positions of service and ministry in this church bless them on this journey father we thank you +[3249.30 --> 3255.14] for the team that just returned from the philippines and shared their stories with us we thank you that they +[3255.14 --> 3261.54] had a meaningful visit and we pray that this visit like this will have a great impact on on them and +[3261.54 --> 3268.42] those they were interacting with father we think of the joys and the needs that we have as a christian +[3268.42 --> 3275.14] community we think about the needs of the world we pray again for conflicts in ukraine and russia +[3275.14 --> 3281.30] in israel and gaza and now the tense situation we have in iran but those are just the conflicts that we see +[3281.30 --> 3288.18] so often in the news it is easy not to notice conflicts in sudan myanmar somalia yemen and other +[3288.18 --> 3294.90] places we pray for all leaders on both sides of every conflict that they may see the value of living +[3294.90 --> 3300.98] next to each other as neighbors and use that as a basis for achieving a meaningful and lasting peace +[3302.10 --> 3308.58] we also think about the needs of this congregation we pray again for peace and comfort for tanya test +[3308.58 --> 3315.38] maker as she continues hospice care as part of her deal with cancer we pray that she and the whole +[3315.38 --> 3322.58] family will experience your peace we continue to pray for doug kendon as he is being treated for cancer +[3322.58 --> 3328.58] we ask that he may feel your love and encouragement we thank you that tessa's had a chance to finish her +[3328.58 --> 3334.90] chemotherapy and is feeling much better we think about clary's sister joan as well who has finished +[3334.90 --> 3339.86] radiation treatment for cancer we thank you that both of them seem to be in good health for now we +[3339.86 --> 3347.30] pray that you continue to be with them as uh as they consider their their treatment we pray for pastor +[3347.30 --> 3352.50] chris as he begins a study of your word as revealed in the gospel according to matthew even though it is +[3352.50 --> 3359.14] not advent or christmas time we always celebrate the coming of emmanuel god with us we pray that the +[3359.14 --> 3365.62] message of jesus the fulfillment of promise is one that will reach each of us oh come let us sing unto +[3365.62 --> 3380.58] the lord let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation amen +[3380.58 --> 3397.46] as dave beautifully prayed we are indeed going to start a summer series through the gospel according +[3397.46 --> 3404.98] to matthew each week we will read a particular text from the gospel of matthew but we'll sort of +[3404.98 --> 3413.14] live in the story of a chapter or two surrounding that text and so it will be very important if you're +[3413.14 --> 3420.18] not an ordinary uh bible reader as we come to this time that you maybe bring your bible from home +[3421.30 --> 3427.30] or have it on your device open it up because we'll read a section one time through but then we'll look at +[3427.30 --> 3434.10] other parts around there if you are looking for bibles there's some at the back we're also mindful that +[3434.10 --> 3440.90] during the summer the youngest kids among us join us for worship and so we want to include you in our +[3440.90 --> 3447.70] conversation and in our time together there are some coloring clipboards and the like that are +[3447.70 --> 3451.94] available although it seems from my vantage point now that they've already all been dispersed and +[3451.94 --> 3458.82] collected and so excellent job there whoever mans that booth or takes care of that booth in the morning +[3458.82 --> 3463.94] if you find that there aren't enough please let myself or maria know and we'll make sure there's more +[3464.10 --> 3473.14] for the following week we're going to begin this morning by reading in some sense what we normally read +[3473.14 --> 3479.78] around christmas starting at the beginning of the gospel of matthew and so with the parts of the story of +[3479.78 --> 3491.70] the birth of jesus and particularly the announcement to joseph of jesus impending birth so i'm going to begin in +[3491.70 --> 3500.02] chapter 1 starting at verse 18 and i'll read through the end of verse 23 in this first time through together +[3502.42 --> 3511.14] this is how the birth of jesus the messiah came about his mother mary was pledged to be married to joseph +[3511.78 --> 3516.58] but before they came together she was found to be pregnant through the holy spirit +[3516.58 --> 3524.74] because joseph her husband was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace +[3524.74 --> 3526.82] he had in mind to divorce her quietly +[3526.82 --> 3535.62] but after he had considered this an angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and said joseph son of +[3535.62 --> 3543.22] david do not be afraid to take mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the holy +[3543.22 --> 3551.94] spirit she will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name jesus because he will save his people +[3551.94 --> 3561.14] from their sins all this took place to fulfill what the lord had said through the prophet the virgin +[3561.14 --> 3569.70] will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him emmanuel which means god with us this is the +[3569.70 --> 3581.62] word of the lord i want to begin by telling you a story that you probably already know even if you've +[3581.62 --> 3587.62] only heard it in cartoons or read about it in books i bet you know this kind of story +[3589.70 --> 3597.38] kids have you ever read a story where the bad guy is on the throne but the good king is somewhere out +[3597.38 --> 3604.98] there and we're all waiting for him to come back this is that kind of story once upon a time in a +[3604.98 --> 3613.22] distant kingdom the true king was gone and in absence of the true king the people lived in fear +[3614.42 --> 3623.70] an imposter sat on the throne cruel and power hungry and constantly paranoid under his rule the land felt +[3623.70 --> 3634.74] like it was under a dark cloud but rumors began to spread the rightful king was still alive and one day +[3634.74 --> 3644.42] this king would return and he would come quietly humbly but when he did come everything would change +[3645.22 --> 3652.26] right the darkness would lift justice would roll like a river and the kingdom would rejoice +[3653.94 --> 3660.42] now the story or a version of it sounds like the lion king or robin hood or king arthur or maybe the +[3660.42 --> 3667.78] lion the witch in the wardrobe if you have the eyes to see it but this story is is deeper than a fairy tale +[3669.46 --> 3679.30] these stories move us because they echo something true in us and we long for a good story we long for a +[3679.30 --> 3686.82] good leader for a good king one who doesn't lie or manipulate one who doesn't use his people but lays down his +[3686.82 --> 3693.86] life for them one who doesn't disappoint who doesn't grow corrupt who doesn't abandon us in our time of +[3693.86 --> 3703.06] need to overlay the story of jesus we live in a world full of herods right leaders who cling to power with +[3703.06 --> 3712.26] cleansed fits to who build their empires on fear and on blood and in a world like that you and i are left +[3712.26 --> 3722.34] wondering is anyone really in charge here can anyone really be trusted in this moment will justice ever be +[3722.34 --> 3729.86] done we live in a world and in a time and a place that feels increasingly out of control +[3732.10 --> 3740.34] and maybe you felt that right the noise and the spin and the constant stream of bad news one moment +[3740.34 --> 3748.90] it's wildfires and the next it's wars political leaders fail and fall short celebrities disappoint time +[3748.90 --> 3755.54] and time again institutions that we once trusted collapse under the weight of scandal or compromise +[3757.06 --> 3765.22] and we scroll we sigh we shake our heads because it all feels like too much +[3765.22 --> 3774.90] and we wonder is anyone actually in control is anyone actually worthy of our celebration +[3776.42 --> 3782.42] but also it's not just out there right it's really easy to assume that it's out there but it's in here +[3782.42 --> 3791.22] too isn't it most of us if we're honest spend our lives trying to rule our own little kingdoms at the +[3791.22 --> 3797.86] kingdom of career the kingdom of school or soccer the kingdom of family the the kingdom of comfort or +[3797.86 --> 3806.58] control we carefully curate our lives how we present ourselves online how we decorate our homes how we +[3806.58 --> 3813.78] schedule our days just to keep the illusion going that we are in control we protect our reputations +[3813.78 --> 3821.94] we plan our futures we trace we chase dreams that we are told will fill us full but it's exhausting +[3824.74 --> 3829.62] what we see over and over again or at least what i see in this right is that the more we try to hold +[3829.62 --> 3837.78] it all together the more we feel it unravel around us anxiety creeps in disappointment lingers and what we +[3837.78 --> 3845.62] thought was a modicum of control slips through our fingers like a vapor the world doesn't bend to our +[3845.62 --> 3856.02] will and it turns out neither does our own heart deep down in those quiet moments of disappointment +[3857.14 --> 3859.70] our hearts whisper a longing +[3859.70 --> 3872.74] if only there was a good king if only there was a true king one who sees me who saves me one who reigns +[3872.74 --> 3875.30] not for power but in love +[3878.26 --> 3884.34] even the littlest among us this morning have this prayer right have you ever wish that someone could just +[3884.34 --> 3894.02] fix everything take all the wrong stuff away help you feel safe and seen help you feel loved that's +[3894.02 --> 3904.42] what our hearts are longing for and that's exactly what the gospel of matthew declares for us we are +[3904.42 --> 3913.54] calling this summer series behold your king because we don't just want to learn about jesus we want you to +[3913.54 --> 3922.26] see him we want you to encounter the living jesus in these moments together to let the holy spirit open +[3922.26 --> 3929.22] our eyes and soften our hearts so that through the word we're not just informed but we are being transformed +[3930.82 --> 3939.62] right this is more than a story about the past we want to see jesus stepping into your present right now +[3939.62 --> 3947.14] right here god entering your imagination the spirit inviting you to let go of your little kingdom +[3947.14 --> 3954.98] and receive the joy and security and freedom of jesus kingdom and so in these moments together +[3955.78 --> 3963.78] it is my prayer that that we might carve out a sacred space and that this would actually be +[3963.78 --> 3971.62] a sort of liminal moment where heaven touches your heart and the king draws you near +[3974.18 --> 3986.42] this morning we will see this through the first couple two chapters of matthew where we see that jesus is the +[3986.42 --> 3995.94] true promised king the goal of god's covenant story the hope of the world and the lord who calls you to +[3995.94 --> 4003.38] belong to him that's our big idea this morning that jesus is the true promised king the goal of god's +[4003.38 --> 4011.94] covenant story the hope of the world and the lord who calls you to belong to him and like i said we read +[4011.94 --> 4017.62] specific verses but we're going to look at the whole couple chapters and so it will be great if you have a +[4017.62 --> 4027.06] bible in front of you to do that with if you do you will see that the first line of the gospel of matthew +[4027.06 --> 4036.98] in chapter 1 verse 1 says this is the genealogy of jesus the messiah the son of david the son of abraham +[4036.98 --> 4048.02] now in some ways this line is an echo of the first line of the bible right all the way back in genesis +[4048.02 --> 4058.34] the first book of the bible the very first words of genesis 1 say in the beginning god created the +[4058.34 --> 4071.38] the heavens and the earth in matthew the word that's translated genealogy is the greek word genesis +[4072.98 --> 4084.10] which means origin or beginning the arrival of jesus the messiah marks a new beginning for humanity +[4084.10 --> 4091.38] right this is the continuation of the story that started all the way back in the garden that moved +[4091.38 --> 4098.34] through abraham and david and exile and silence and and this is where it's all been headed +[4099.94 --> 4105.46] even in the moments of god's hiddenness this has been moving through history +[4105.46 --> 4114.42] and jesus doesn't arrive on the scene out of nowhere as we read this we're building an anticipation he is +[4114.42 --> 4120.18] the long expected one but even more than that what we begin to see is that he's the point of it all +[4120.74 --> 4128.02] right every promise every covenant every longing every deliverance every prophet's cry throughout history +[4128.02 --> 4138.02] all flows towards him and from the moment humanity fell in our relationship to god god has been moving +[4138.02 --> 4146.26] history towards healing towards reconciliation with him from the moment death entered the world god has +[4146.26 --> 4154.10] been working resurrection into the plan and when jesus comes onto the scene we don't just get a new chapter +[4154.10 --> 4159.78] we get the central character we get the climax of it all the one who fulfills it the one who literally +[4159.78 --> 4166.66] embodies it incarnates it in our midst the one who completes it and he's not just another person in the +[4166.66 --> 4175.06] story he is the goal of the story jesus is what god has been doing from the beginning and so when we read +[4175.06 --> 4183.38] the genealogy right we're not just reading a family tree we are witnessing the faithfulness of god across +[4183.38 --> 4191.78] generations of god weaving a plan of grace through broken people and battered hopes until the day +[4191.78 --> 4197.38] that heaven finally breaks open and the king is born and the angels sing +[4201.46 --> 4209.30] now there's another thing to see in this genealogy we don't have time to get into all the particulars but +[4209.30 --> 4220.42] we're going to read it quickly jesus comes for all people and this is already conveyed in the genealogy jew +[4220.42 --> 4227.62] gentile moral immoral significant insignificant people of influence and people on the margins in fact +[4227.62 --> 4232.34] especially for people who are insignificant by society's standards and on the margins +[4232.34 --> 4241.14] as you read through this story you might see there that the story of judah and tamar for instance is +[4241.14 --> 4252.58] incredibly salacious and like 14a maybe 18 plus right even by today's standards +[4254.42 --> 4257.78] before coming to know the lord rahab was a prostitute +[4257.78 --> 4266.34] many of the kings on this list in the genealogy did incredibly awful things ahaz sacrificed his son +[4267.14 --> 4274.82] manasseh sacrificed his son but also practiced sorcery and we read in second kings 21 filled jerusalem +[4274.82 --> 4275.94] with the blood of innocence +[4275.94 --> 4280.74] this family tree +[4281.62 --> 4282.74] is pretty ugly +[4285.22 --> 4293.46] now you may think then as you sit here this morning that your past excludes you from the kingdom +[4294.50 --> 4299.38] maybe you think that your family background rules you out maybe you think you're just not good enough +[4299.38 --> 4308.82] or smart enough or well enough the kingdom of jesus though will encompass many more people than you can +[4308.82 --> 4314.58] imagine in fact someone once said and i tried to figure out this week but it turns out it's one of +[4314.58 --> 4318.82] those quotes that just live in the ether and so we can't attribute it to any one person anymore +[4319.62 --> 4325.14] but someone said that when you get to heaven you'll be surprised who you don't see there who you thought +[4325.14 --> 4331.38] you probably would and you'll be even more surprised by who you do see there who you thought you never +[4331.38 --> 4341.46] should that's what's going on in this story right the the beginning of the gospel of matthew is is showing +[4341.46 --> 4352.18] us just how broad and wide and deep is the love of god made available in christ jesus big enough for you +[4352.18 --> 4361.62] even you no matter your past or your history at the beginning of matthew is also at pains to show us +[4361.62 --> 4369.22] something about jesus and how the messiah is connected to the line of david right and the point here +[4369.94 --> 4379.06] i believe is to underscore the royal lineage of jesus that he is the true king that jesus is the son +[4379.06 --> 4389.14] of david matthew uses the title son of david nine times for jesus god promised david that one of his +[4389.14 --> 4397.70] descendants would be established on a throne forever you can read that in second samuel 7 and this promise +[4397.70 --> 4406.02] shapes the longings of israel for generations and generations both through and after the exile +[4406.02 --> 4412.90] and the genealogy together with the story of the visit from the magi which comes after what we read +[4413.94 --> 4420.26] who were searching for the king of the jews tying that to palm sunday narrative where people shout +[4420.26 --> 4428.18] hosanna to the son of david all of these point to the fact that jesus is the true and better king he's the +[4428.18 --> 4437.22] long-expected king and this is a major theme for matthew in this story all of israel's longings all of the +[4437.22 --> 4445.54] anticipations of god's people for a messiah king a new anointed ruler are fulfilled in jesus +[4447.06 --> 4455.94] and the rest of the gospel story shows us just what kind of king he will be and what it means to live in his kingdom +[4458.18 --> 4466.10] this shows us early what kind of king jesus is right not one who seizes power but one who descends in +[4466.10 --> 4478.98] humility and when herod hears from the magi of this child king he responds with violence and fear +[4478.98 --> 4490.82] but jesus comes not with swords but for suffering right and from from that cradle in the manger to the +[4490.82 --> 4500.18] cross the kingship of jesus confounds expectations right he doesn't rule from a throne but joins his +[4500.18 --> 4510.26] people in a manger and and later demonstrates his rule from a tree this is the king who conquers by being +[4510.26 --> 4522.90] conquered right whose crown is not made of gold but of thorns and from the beginning we can see that god is +[4522.90 --> 4533.06] faithful to his faithful to his promises that god can be trusted to keep his promises right in the genealogy +[4533.06 --> 4542.10] in the story to the angel to joseph and in the visit of the magi we see right beginning with god's promise +[4542.10 --> 4548.42] to abraham abraham is a a huge figure in the old testament he's the first of the three great patriarchs +[4548.42 --> 4558.58] abraham isaac and jacob and god promised abram in genesis 12 both a land and a seed and god promised +[4558.58 --> 4566.18] that through his descendants he would be a blessing to the nations and in the genealogy of jesus we see +[4566.18 --> 4573.78] that he is the seed of abraham and being united to christ by believing in him that's what makes us now heirs +[4573.78 --> 4581.54] of abraham and that's why the bible calls abraham the father of all who believe in romans 4 11. +[4583.06 --> 4589.14] see the story of abraham and there the story of jesus through him is not just about one family in +[4589.14 --> 4596.50] one land it's about blessing all nations that's why jesus will end the gospel of matthew with a global +[4596.50 --> 4605.22] commission right to go into all nations and make disciples the promise of abraham and the mission +[4605.22 --> 4612.74] of the church are two sides of the same coin jesus is not only the fulfillment of the promise he is the +[4612.74 --> 4615.78] expansion of the promise to the ends of the earth +[4615.78 --> 4618.50] the promise of the ancient city of abraham and in the first place in the first place in the first place +[4618.50 --> 4629.14] and i think this last idea here is connected to the idea that we get in jesus name jesus means +[4629.14 --> 4639.22] he will save his people from their sins the hebrew name there is yeshua modern day is joshua the greek +[4639.22 --> 4649.14] version is Jesus, from which we get Jesus. Yeshua means Yahweh saves. And we're also told that in +[4649.14 --> 4653.96] this part of the story, he will also be called Emmanuel, which is another Hebrew word meaning +[4653.96 --> 4660.10] God with us. That's why this church is named Emmanuel, because God is with us here and now. +[4661.76 --> 4668.24] And introducing this name, especially this last one, is a refrain that will be repeated +[4668.24 --> 4676.50] throughout this opening section of Matthew. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said +[4676.50 --> 4682.48] through the prophet. Now, a version of this shows up four more times in this section. +[4683.12 --> 4689.52] Once about where he would be born in Bethlehem, once about his fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod, +[4689.76 --> 4695.36] another time about all the weeping in the land after Herod killed the baby boys two years old and +[4695.36 --> 4702.14] younger. And then lastly, in his move to Nazareth, fulfilling what the prophets would say about him +[4702.14 --> 4712.90] being a Nazarene. That's in chapter 2, verse 23. The point of all of this, that Jesus is the long-expected +[4712.90 --> 4723.60] Messiah King. He is the promised fulfillment of God's work in the world. And he fulfills God's +[4723.60 --> 4732.94] promises not only by arriving, but by laying down his life. This is the gospel at the heart of Jesus' +[4732.94 --> 4740.00] story. And I pray that it turns out to be the answer to the ache in our own story. +[4741.16 --> 4747.96] Even though we are more sinful than we could ever dare admit or acknowledge, we are more loved by God +[4747.96 --> 4756.06] than we could ever imagine possible. And out of that love, Jesus came into the world and lived the +[4756.06 --> 4761.46] life that we should have lived, fulfilling the demands of God's law with perfect righteousness. +[4762.18 --> 4769.08] And he died the death that we deserve, taking the punishment for our sin upon his shoulders on the +[4769.08 --> 4778.08] cross. This is the kind of king that Jesus is. Not just righteous for his own sake, but righteous for +[4778.08 --> 4786.86] ours. Not just bearing a crown of glory, but wearing a crown of thorns. Jesus is the king who trades places +[4786.86 --> 4794.62] with his people. He saves not by domination, but by substitution. He reigns not by taking life, but by giving +[4794.62 --> 4804.80] his own. And that's why he's the answer to our deepest longings for forgiveness, for justice, for peace, +[4804.80 --> 4814.16] for a love that will never end, a love that will never let us go. Each fulfillment of these opening +[4814.16 --> 4823.80] chapters is more than a prediction. It's a declaration. A declaration that says God is still speaking. +[4823.80 --> 4832.40] God is still acting. God is still with us. The scriptures are not just an ancient record. They are the +[4832.40 --> 4839.86] living voice of God, tracing the providence of God through history and teaching his people his voice to +[4839.86 --> 4847.82] know him more. Matthew doesn't just want us to see what God did. He wants us to see and hear, to know, and to +[4847.82 --> 4857.12] believe, to believe, to witness, and to be a part of what God is doing in Jesus even now, today, in this place. +[4861.88 --> 4863.86] Now, the way I do this in my own life +[4863.86 --> 4871.82] is to constantly, prayerfully, be on the lookout for God's activity around me, +[4871.82 --> 4880.10] God's activity in me and through me. One of my favorite questions to ask people is, is how have you +[4880.10 --> 4888.42] seen God show up lately? Right? I think we need to get better at seeing God at work. And one of the ways +[4888.42 --> 4895.70] that we do that is by asking others how they see God at work. How have you seen God at work in your life? +[4895.70 --> 4903.98] Equally as important, where do you need to see Jesus at work in your life right now? +[4906.40 --> 4911.96] Next, I want to do something a little bit out of the ordinary, but I want to just take a moment, +[4913.14 --> 4919.48] and I want you to do that. Just reflect in your heart, in your imagination right now, +[4919.48 --> 4926.70] on how you've seen God at work. And then maybe, if you're willing, pray a prayer that says, +[4926.82 --> 4932.96] Jesus, I need you to show up here. And so reflect in your heart, how have you seen God at work? +[4933.66 --> 4935.52] Where do you need him to show? Do that right now. +[4935.52 --> 4935.56] Do that right now. +[4949.48 --> 4972.58] Hold that question. +[4975.16 --> 4976.26] Hold that prayer. +[4976.26 --> 5006.24] Hold that prayer. +[5006.26 --> 5007.90] End quote. +[5009.66 --> 5016.74] The moment that you say Jesus is God, you are saying that what the Bible says is true. +[5018.20 --> 5022.64] You are saying that what Jesus says about himself is true. +[5023.86 --> 5030.66] And if what Jesus has said about himself is true, then it is also true that there is no other person +[5030.66 --> 5034.86] by whom we can be made right with God except Jesus. +[5034.86 --> 5043.46] And so asking the question, who is Jesus, actually, for us this morning, turns into a pleading. +[5044.14 --> 5048.18] A pleading. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. +[5048.68 --> 5052.86] Love him as your brother and serve him as your Messiah King. +[5052.86 --> 5059.18] You see, if Jesus is God, then by his word you were created. +[5060.32 --> 5069.32] If Jesus is God, because of him, everything that he has done in this world makes him alone worthy of our love +[5069.32 --> 5071.46] and our devotion and our worship. +[5071.46 --> 5076.22] He alone is worthy of our faithful obedience. +[5076.22 --> 5090.50] And so with eyes of faith, behold your King. +[5090.50 --> 5093.20] Look to him. +[5094.40 --> 5098.02] In fact, right now, again, look in your own heart. +[5098.42 --> 5099.96] Think in your own imaginations. +[5100.34 --> 5102.28] Is Jesus your King? +[5103.18 --> 5108.46] And hear him say this morning, you are mine. +[5108.46 --> 5112.40] You are mine. +[5112.40 --> 5117.06] You belong to me, body and soul, in life and in death. +[5118.52 --> 5120.70] This is who Jesus is. +[5121.64 --> 5124.56] He is the true and promised King. +[5124.70 --> 5126.76] The goal of God's covenant story. +[5126.86 --> 5127.96] The hope of the world. +[5128.34 --> 5131.46] And the Lord who calls you to belong to him. +[5132.98 --> 5134.60] Let me be abundantly clear. +[5134.96 --> 5137.14] Jesus isn't just the King of the grown-ups. +[5138.46 --> 5139.88] Kids, he's your King. +[5140.20 --> 5141.18] He sees you. +[5141.64 --> 5142.64] He knows your name. +[5142.76 --> 5144.66] He loves it when you talk to him. +[5144.76 --> 5148.32] And he loves you more than you could ever imagine possible. +[5149.86 --> 5153.10] Jesus doesn't come to seize power but to give life. +[5153.10 --> 5156.86] He doesn't come to reign from a palace but from a manger and a cross. +[5157.32 --> 5159.14] Jesus doesn't just want your attention. +[5159.38 --> 5160.42] He wants your heart. +[5161.98 --> 5162.92] So trust him. +[5164.56 --> 5165.86] Worship him. +[5167.00 --> 5168.30] Follow him. +[5168.46 --> 5170.80] Emmanuel. +[5170.80 --> 5170.88] Emmanuel. +[5171.58 --> 5173.52] God with us. +[5174.34 --> 5177.04] Behold your King. +[5178.32 --> 5178.92] Amen. +[5179.60 --> 5180.74] Let's pray together. +[5180.74 --> 5194.12] Lord Jesus, help us today in this moment to fix our eyes on you. +[5197.80 --> 5204.26] Help us to no longer conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. +[5204.26 --> 5204.36] Help us. +[5208.04 --> 5213.40] Help us to come to you because you have the words of eternal life. +[5217.72 --> 5221.48] Help us to see you today. +[5221.48 --> 5227.22] In Jesus' name we pray. +[5227.22 --> 5227.28] Amen. +[5228.62 --> 5228.98] Amen. +[5228.98 --> 5244.02] Why don't we all rise and offer these words together? +[5258.98 --> 5273.98] By faith we see the hand of God in the light of creation's grand design, +[5273.98 --> 5283.44] in the lives of those who prove His faithfulness, +[5283.44 --> 5288.76] who walk by faith and not by sight. +[5290.48 --> 5295.54] By faith our fathers roam the earth, +[5295.54 --> 5303.22] with the power of His promise in their hearts. +[5303.98 --> 5311.02] Of a holy city built by God's own heaven, +[5311.02 --> 5316.30] a place where peace and justice reign. +[5317.22 --> 5322.70] We will stand as children of the promise, +[5324.06 --> 5330.66] we will fix our eyes on Him, our souls reward, +[5330.66 --> 5337.70] till the race is finished and the work is done. +[5337.70 --> 5343.54] He'll walk by faith and not by sight. +[5343.54 --> 5354.58] By faith the prophets saw a day, +[5354.58 --> 5360.58] when the longed for Messiah would appear, +[5360.58 --> 5369.30] with the power to break the chains of sin and death, +[5369.30 --> 5374.74] and rise triumphant from the grave. +[5374.74 --> 5380.90] By faith the church was called to go, +[5380.90 --> 5388.90] in the power of the Spirit to the lost, +[5388.90 --> 5396.50] to deliver captives and to preach good news, +[5396.50 --> 5401.72] in every corner of the earth. +[5401.72 --> 5408.76] We will stand as children of the promise, +[5408.76 --> 5415.70] we will fix our eyes on Him, our souls reward, +[5415.70 --> 5422.76] till the race is finished and the work is done. +[5422.76 --> 5429.80] We will walk by faith and not by sight. +[5429.80 --> 5439.80] By faith the mountain shall be moved, +[5439.80 --> 5446.84] and the power of the gospel shall prevail. +[5446.84 --> 5452.84] For we know in Christ all things are possible, +[5452.84 --> 5458.84] for all who call upon His name. +[5458.84 --> 5465.88] We will stand as children of the promise, +[5465.88 --> 5472.88] we will fix our eyes on Him, our souls reward, +[5472.88 --> 5480.88] till the race is finished and the work is done. +[5480.88 --> 5485.88] We will walk by faith and not by sight. +[5485.88 --> 5505.32] In just a moment, you are sent out, commissioned by God, +[5505.32 --> 5508.12] to proclaim Jesus to the world, +[5508.12 --> 5510.84] and God goes with us in His blessing. +[5510.84 --> 5515.12] I invite you to connect with a couple of the deacons +[5515.12 --> 5517.12] who will be at the Connect booth afterwards +[5517.12 --> 5522.16] to sign up for a volunteer slot for the July 12 food drive. +[5522.16 --> 5525.92] Additionally, invite you to connect with someone up here at the front. +[5525.92 --> 5528.64] We'll meet you with a name tag, a yellow name tag on. +[5528.64 --> 5532.16] They'd love to meet and pray with you as you have need. +[5532.16 --> 5536.56] Receive the blessing of our God. +[5536.56 --> 5539.36] God go before you to lead you. +[5539.36 --> 5541.60] God go behind you to protect you. +[5541.60 --> 5543.60] God go beneath you to support you. +[5543.60 --> 5546.64] God go beside you to befriend you. +[5546.64 --> 5548.64] Do not be afraid. +[5548.64 --> 5552.16] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5552.16 --> 5560.64] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve your Messiah King. +[5560.64 --> 5562.64] Amen. +[5562.64 --> 5565.68] I love you to make your Messiah King. +[5565.68 --> 5567.68] Amen. +[5567.68 --> 5571.68] I love you to befriend you, I love you. +[5571.68 --> 5574.40] I love you to befriend you, I love you, I love you. +[5574.40 --> 5579.44] I love you to befriend you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. +[5579.44 --> 5583.68] You're the Lion of Judah, the Lamb who was slain. +[5583.68 --> 5591.44] ascended to heaven and evermore will reign at the end of the age when the earth you reclaim +[5591.44 --> 5600.48] you will gather the nations before you and the eyes of all men will be fixed on the lamb who was +[5600.48 --> 5611.20] crucified with wisdom and mercy and justice you'll reign at your father's side +[5611.20 --> 5614.56] and the angels will cry +[5614.56 --> 5618.24] hail the lamb +[5618.24 --> 5621.60] who was slain for the world +[5621.60 --> 5630.96] and the earth will be alive +[5630.96 --> 5634.96] you shall reign +[5634.96 --> 5646.32] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5646.32 --> 5657.68] there's a shield in our hand and a sword at our side there's a fire in our spirits that cannot be denied +[5657.68 --> 5667.04] as the father has told us for these you have died for the nations who gather before you +[5667.04 --> 5675.04] and the ears of all men need to hear of the lamb who was crucified +[5675.04 --> 5682.40] who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign at his father's side +[5682.40 --> 5685.76] and the angels will cry +[5685.76 --> 5691.12] hail the lamb +[5691.12 --> 5693.12] who was slain for the world +[5693.12 --> 5699.12] who will be found +[5699.12 --> 5701.12] and the earth will reply +[5701.12 --> 5705.12] you shall reign +[5705.12 --> 5708.48] reign +[5708.48 --> 5712.48] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5712.48 --> 5714.48] and the angels will cry +[5714.48 --> 5718.48] hail the lamb +[5718.48 --> 5722.48] who was slain for the world +[5722.48 --> 5726.48] rule in mind +[5726.48 --> 5730.48] and the earth will reply +[5730.48 --> 5735.84] you shall reign +[5735.84 --> 5741.84] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5741.84 --> 5747.84] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5747.84 --> 5757.28] will +[5757.28 --> 5763.60] who is +[5764.08 --> 5766.08] who +[5766.24 --> 5768.24] who +[5768.24 --> 5769.20] thou +[5769.20 --> 5771.20] who +[5771.76 --> 5772.32] who +[5772.32 --> 5802.30] Thank you. +[5802.32 --> 5832.30] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0306c50e47254ae1b0a64453f77477a5a33c2f28 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,154 @@ +• Introduction to worship with celebration of Lord's Supper, ordination/installation of new office bearers +• Special welcome for visitors and acknowledgement of upcoming events (50-year anniversary celebration, cake) +• Announcements: Reactivate youth conference volunteer opportunities, October 4th worship conference with Brian Dirksen and Joshua Leventhal +• Call to stand and be ushered into God's presence together +• Invocation prayer from Acts 2, introducing the biblical account of Pentecost +• Filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues +• Prayer requests: rain down, touch again, come and change lives +• Invocations: let your power fall, let your voice be heard +• Worship of God as holy, majestic, just +• Praises to God's glory, consuming fire, power, and grace +• Acknowledgment of God's unique attributes and actions +• Confession of sin and acknowledgment of God's mercy and forgiveness +• Ordination and installation of new pastoral elders and deacons +• Affirmation of their calling to office and subscription to church doctrine +• Laying on of hands for ordination and prayer for guidance and blessing in ministry +• Reminders for office bearers to follow God's standard +• Encouragement for pastoral elders to hold firmly to trustworthy message +• Instructions for deacons to serve with the spirit and in wisdom +• Pledge from congregation to receive new office bearers as Christ's gift +• Introduction of Advocate Life and Education Services and Baby Bottle Campaign +• Announcement of offering for ministry and mission, including supporting Pastor Jen during transition time +• Thank yous to various individuals +• Invitation for kids up through grade four to come forward +• Introduction of visitors and congregation +• Pentecost celebration and the transmission of God's message +• Communion, appointment of elders, and the global spread of Christianity +• Mission work in Mexico and Africa +• Baptisms and marriages celebrated within the church community +• Graduations from Langley Christian School +• Prayers for those dealing with loss, including cancer and hospice care +• Recognition of family struggles and unbelief within the congregation +• Mention of Ukraine and Russia +• Lack of leadership in Ukraine/Russia +• Reference to Lord's coming and trust in his promises +• Reflection on Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's role +• Reading from Luke 1 and Acts 2, specifically verses 16-21 +• Importance of being present and attentive during the service +• The prophet Joel's quote about the last days, where God will pour out his spirit on all people +• Modern society's craving for certainty and its apparent allergy to it +• Overabundance of information and conflicting opinions in daily life +• Difficulty trusting institutions, leaders, and people due to past disappointments and hurt +• Frustration with promises not being fulfilled and the need to keep guard up +• Ache for certainty in an age of information overload +• Spiritual paralysis and feeling stuck +• Questioning the truth and uncertainty +• Importance of building a life on solid foundations +• Luke's writing as an orderly account for certainty +• Investigating and researching to draw accurate conclusions +• Familiarity with scholarly work and academic discussion +• Showing expertise in a particular field +• The speaker is adding to a field with their work +• Luke is demonstrating his worth as a source and author +• The speaker has investigated the topic thoroughly, including literature review and detective process +• Luke likely met Peter and had access to James and other early church leaders in Jerusalem +• The speaker emphasizes that Luke's account is based on eyewitnesses and servants of the word +• Luke's gospel is based on firsthand sources and grounded in careful investigation. +• The author aims to establish the certainty of the events described. +• The question arises of how one can be certain that the account is not biased or invented. +• The general problem of knowing historical truth is raised, especially outside of personal experience. +• Skepticism and asking hard questions are essential for being a good historian. +• The reliability of ancient history and the importance of evaluating sources, consistency, and credibility +• Comparison of gospel accounts to other historical records in terms of accuracy and verification +• Eyewitness testimony as a key factor in the validity of Luke's account and the possibility of misremembering or exaggerating events +• Questioning how we can trust eyewitnesses and the potential for them to fabricate information +• The reliability of sources in historical research, particularly eyewitness testimony +• The difference between creative misremembering and factual recounting +• The potential for emotional influence or manipulation on witnesses' accounts +• The significance of stakes and consequences for witnesses who report their experiences +• The importance of critical evaluation when considering the credibility of evidence +• The apostles are not gaining power or comfort by spreading their message +• They are being arrested, tortured, and exiled for it +• If the message was false, someone would have cracked under torture +• Multiple sources (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter) confirm the same thing +• The accounts show internal consistency and connection to real people, places, and events +• The speaker is becoming a cynic due to the uncertainty of ancient history. +• They suggest that rather than dismissing what we know, we should be confident in our translations and interpretations. +• The word "certainty" is discussed, and its meaning in ancient Greek is explained as "safety" or "security". +• Examples from Acts 5 and 1 Thessalonians 5 are given to illustrate the use of this word. +• Security +• Certainty +• Truth +• Reality +• Importance of the story being told +• Firmness and stability of truth +• Comparison to a mountain, not just a cloud +• God's activity, presence, and saturation in every aspect of life +• Discussion of Luke's writing and its focus on the word of God +• Importance of Jesus in Luke's writing and his relationship with Theophilus and the reader +• Concept of truth revealed through the gospel, specifically regarding sin and salvation +• Comparison between the life Jesus lived and the death he suffered for humanity +• Significance of Jesus' resurrection as a victory over sin and death +• Implications of this truth on the believer's understanding and living of their faith +• The speaker discusses the reason behind accepting the historical account of Jesus' life and death, and how it requires trust in its accuracy. +• If the story is true, everything should change, and one must listen to Jesus and follow his words. +• The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting Jesus if he truly has the words of eternal life. +• They mention that faith can be found even in skeptical and secular scholars who agree on the reliability of the gospels. +• To build a life based on this history, one must also believe in its trustworthiness and not just rely on external validation. +• The speaker concludes by saying that a shift from intellectual understanding to personal conviction is needed. +• Reading and discussing the catechism in adult classes +• Question and answer 21 from the Heidelberg Catechism on true faith +• Definition of true faith as knowledge and trust +• Characteristics of true faith: sure knowledge, whole-hearted trust, reliable, deep-rooted assurance +• Importance of commitment in times of uncertainty and risk +• The idea of Pentecost and the purpose of the gospel +• The difference between knowing something is true and truly trusting it +• An analogy of standing on a bridge that spans a canyon, highlighting the need to trust in the gospel's power rather than just knowing it is secure. +• The speaker discusses an experience where children were hesitant to cross a bridge, even after seeing adults walk across it safely. +• Faith is described as not just knowing something is true, but trusting in it and acting on that trust. +• True faith involves a wholehearted trust created by the Holy Spirit through the gospel. +• Reliability and certainty are contrasted with trustworthy and security. +• God's promise to pour out the Holy Spirit in the last days +• Wonders and signs in heaven and on earth +• Salvation for those who call on the Lord's name +• The importance of trusting and leaning into the unknown +• Praying for guidance and help to trust and walk with others +• Sharing the gospel of Jesus and its relevance to everyday life +• Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, not something to be achieved through human effort +• The Spirit awakens us to faith and transforms us through it +• To receive this gift of faith, we must ask for it, seek it, and welcome the Spirit's work in our lives +• This involves placing ourselves where the Spirit loves to work, such as in Scripture, prayer, worship, and community with other Christians +• The Spirit uses ordinary means to do extraordinary things, carrying us when we can't walk on our own and helping us grow in wholehearted trust in Jesus. +• Seeking truth and clarity +• Putting one's whole self into prayer and seeking answers +• Trusting in the Lord and His spirit to guide and strengthen +• Overcoming obstacles and uncertainties +• Holding onto faith and trusting in God's presence +• Prayer and supplication for oneself and others +• The role of the spirit in carrying individuals and generations +• Discussion of spiritual truths and what is known to be true +• Transition from relying on others to being trustworthy in one's own faith +• Hearing and knowing the voice of Jesus +• Prayer for presence and transformation at the table +• Liturgical practices during a church service +• Encouragement to speak up in designated roles within the church +• Creation and God's image +• Covenant with humanity despite sin +• Jesus Christ as savior and redeemer +• Holy Spirit unifying believers +• Lord's Supper or Eucharist as remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice +• Invitation to come to the table regardless of faith level or past failures +• Instructions for passing bread and juice during communion +• Accommodations for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease +• Introduction of worship volunteers, prayer volunteers, and elders who will serve +• Invitation to come forward for Communion +• Repeated phrases during Communion: "Body of Christ given for you", "Drink and believe" +• Prayer-like phrases expressing themes of mercy, grace, and surrender +• Invocation and blessings +• Ordination/installation of individuals +• Blessing of God for the journey ahead +• Invitation to stay after the service +• Encouragement to congratulate ordained individuals +• Prayer for protection, support, and friendship with God +• Assurance of God's presence and guidance +• Reference to a song or poem about love and redemption \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..f8257929143e92ddbab3fac34518678ee72d2971 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, June 8, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3250 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 152.00] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 182.00] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 212.00] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 242.00] Thank you. +[242.00 --> 244.00] Thank you. +[244.00 --> 246.00] Thank you. +[246.00 --> 248.00] Thank you. +[248.00 --> 252.00] Thank you. +[252.00 --> 261.14] I see a generation standing on the truth +[261.14 --> 268.68] In each and every nation, God is on the moon +[268.68 --> 273.08] Anytime the gospel stirs a searching soul +[273.08 --> 277.50] And someone says, send me, here I go +[277.50 --> 286.90] God is on the moon, on the moon, hallelujah +[286.90 --> 291.48] God is on the moon in many, many ways +[291.48 --> 295.86] God is on the moon, on the moon, hallelujah +[295.88 --> 299.76] God is on the moon, on the moon today +[299.76 --> 305.14] God is on the moon, on the moon, hallelujah +[305.14 --> 309.46] God is on the move in many mighty ways. +[309.80 --> 311.14] God is on the move. +[311.14 --> 335.58] God is on the move. +[335.58 --> 338.50] On the move today. +[341.14 --> 355.72] God is on the move. +[371.14 --> 373.16] Good morning. +[374.76 --> 376.30] I love the excitement. +[376.50 --> 378.12] I love the buzz in the room. +[378.30 --> 380.66] Welcome to worship this morning. +[380.78 --> 384.86] A special welcome if you are a visitor here with us. +[385.24 --> 389.10] Today there's lots of celebration in our worship together. +[389.84 --> 395.78] Not only are we celebrating Lord's Supper as we come to the table to receive from Jesus, +[395.78 --> 401.98] his very presence in our lives, but also we are ordaining and installing new office bearers. +[402.12 --> 406.62] And so if you're here as part of that celebration, thank you for joining with us. +[407.16 --> 412.92] And then following our worship this morning, you might have seen on your way in some tables set up. +[412.92 --> 419.62] We are celebrating with Andy and Rika Emmons 50 years of marriage together. +[420.14 --> 421.02] Amazing. +[424.30 --> 431.16] And they have been so gracious with their family to provide cake and share in that celebration. +[431.16 --> 435.58] And so if you weren't planning on sticking around following our worship this morning, +[435.66 --> 439.02] maybe do for about five or ten minutes to make sure that you get a piece of cake, +[439.54 --> 442.28] in part because they don't want to take all the leftovers home, +[442.46 --> 444.58] because then Andy has to eat them all week long. +[444.64 --> 446.32] And I'm not sure that's what he wants to do either. +[446.32 --> 451.24] As we worship together, as we do life together, +[451.24 --> 454.42] there are a couple other announcements that we want to make this morning. +[455.24 --> 461.40] And so first of all, I want to encourage you to keep your eye out in the midweek memo +[461.40 --> 464.80] coming up for a couple things that we're looking at. +[464.92 --> 470.48] And so first, Reactivate, which is a youth conference that we host here in September, +[471.04 --> 474.06] needs hundreds of volunteers to make it happen. +[474.06 --> 477.48] And the sign-up sheet for that is going out this week. +[478.12 --> 482.30] And so you'll be able to sign up for a couple places to serve +[482.30 --> 489.10] and be with the youth that come from all over BC to be part of a conference here. +[489.92 --> 495.10] As well, in this next week, you will see a save-the-date information card +[495.10 --> 499.96] for an October 4th worship conference that we're going to be hosting here +[499.96 --> 503.02] with Brian Dirksen and Joshua Leventhal. +[503.02 --> 511.34] And so they're going to be coming and having talks and worshiping with us in that time together. +[511.48 --> 515.30] And so keep your eyes and ears open for more information on that. +[516.02 --> 518.02] That's it for our announcements this morning. +[518.42 --> 522.40] And so as you are making your way in or as you are seated there, +[522.44 --> 524.56] I'm going to invite you to stand if you're able. +[524.56 --> 529.08] And we can be called and ushered into God's presence together. +[530.02 --> 534.14] I'm going to speak God's greeting over us as we gather in our worship. +[534.28 --> 538.44] And I invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them in worship as well +[538.44 --> 542.52] by passing the peace of Christ, saying the peace of Christ be with you or the Lord be with you, +[542.96 --> 546.48] shaking their hands, nodding your heads, however it is you like to greet each other. +[546.74 --> 547.56] Do that in this time. +[547.56 --> 550.40] Receive the greeting of our good God. +[551.74 --> 556.14] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, +[556.36 --> 559.08] from the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, and our Savior, +[559.54 --> 561.84] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[562.64 --> 562.92] Amen. +[562.92 --> 563.06] Amen. +[563.06 --> 563.10] Amen. +[563.10 --> 563.12] Amen. +[577.56 --> 601.10] Good morning. +[601.10 --> 609.90] The biblical account of Pentecost is primarily found in the book of Acts, chapter 2. +[610.62 --> 614.86] Key verses in Acts describe the event as a time of divine power +[614.86 --> 617.54] and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, +[617.80 --> 622.30] empowering believers to speak in other languages and proclaim the gospel. +[623.18 --> 626.76] Our call to worship this morning comes from Acts 2, verses 1 to 4. +[626.76 --> 631.36] When the day of Pentecost came, they were together in one place. +[632.18 --> 636.28] Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven +[636.28 --> 639.46] and filled the whole house where they were sitting. +[640.08 --> 646.06] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. +[646.90 --> 649.20] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit +[649.20 --> 655.60] and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. +[656.76 --> 658.66] Please join us in worship this morning. +[658.66 --> 658.74] Amen. +[686.76 --> 690.72] Rain down. +[690.72 --> 695.24] Oh, a cloud for terror and threat. +[696.10 --> 700.20] Now we need your touch again. +[700.76 --> 705.76] Oh, we'll see the rain down. +[706.76 --> 710.60] Rain down. +[710.60 --> 712.60] Rain down. +[712.60 --> 713.60] Rain down. +[713.60 --> 714.60] Rain down. +[714.60 --> 715.60] Rain down. +[715.60 --> 716.60] Let your power fall. +[716.60 --> 717.60] Let your voice be heard. +[717.60 --> 721.60] Come and change our lives as we stand on your word. +[721.60 --> 729.60] Holy Spirit, rain down. +[729.60 --> 730.60] Rain down. +[730.60 --> 731.60] Rain down. +[731.60 --> 732.60] Rain down. +[732.60 --> 733.60] Rain down. +[733.60 --> 734.60] Oh, come for terror and threat. +[734.60 --> 738.60] Now we need your touch again. +[738.60 --> 739.60] Holy Spirit, rain down. +[739.60 --> 740.60] Rain down. +[740.60 --> 741.60] Rain down. +[741.60 --> 744.60] Oh, come for terror and threat. +[744.60 --> 745.60] Now we need your touch again. +[745.60 --> 746.60] Now we need your touch again. +[746.60 --> 752.60] Now we need your touch again. +[752.60 --> 753.60] Rain down. +[753.60 --> 755.60] Rain down. +[755.60 --> 756.60] Rain down. +[756.60 --> 757.60] Rain down. +[757.60 --> 758.60] Rain down. +[758.60 --> 759.60] Rain down. +[759.60 --> 760.60] Rain down. +[760.60 --> 761.60] Now we need your touch again. +[761.60 --> 762.60] Rain down. +[762.60 --> 764.60] Let your power fall. +[764.98 --> 766.60] Let your voice be heard. +[766.60 --> 768.60] Now we need your touch again. +[768.60 --> 771.60] To change our lives as we stand on your way. +[771.60 --> 773.60] Holy Spirit, rain down. +[773.60 --> 780.60] Here and now +[780.60 --> 787.88] No eye has seen, no ear has heard +[787.88 --> 792.74] No one can know what God has shown +[792.74 --> 797.88] So open up heaven, open up man +[797.88 --> 804.20] Over your church and over our hearts +[804.20 --> 808.76] Holy Spirit, amen +[808.76 --> 813.76] Amen +[813.76 --> 818.12] Oh, hope and turn +[818.12 --> 824.26] Now we need to touch again +[824.26 --> 829.58] Holy Spirit, rain down +[829.58 --> 834.26] Rain down +[834.26 --> 837.26] Let your power fall +[837.26 --> 840.38] Let your voice be heard +[840.38 --> 842.26] Only change our hearts +[843.04 --> 845.44] As we stand on your word +[845.44 --> 852.26] Holy Spirit, rain down +[852.26 --> 854.26] Tonight +[859.26 --> 873.50] Of Ochoa +[873.50 --> 893.14] Who else demands all the roast of heaven? +[894.08 --> 899.14] Who else in a heavenly count out? +[899.14 --> 905.90] Who else in a whisper and darkness trembles? +[906.34 --> 910.62] Only a holy God. +[912.10 --> 917.26] What other beauty demands such praises? +[918.74 --> 922.74] What other splendor of child and son? +[923.36 --> 928.74] What other majesty rules with justice? +[929.84 --> 934.14] Only a holy God. +[936.34 --> 940.62] Amen be holy. +[941.18 --> 945.14] The one and the only. +[946.14 --> 949.14] Cry now sing holy. +[949.14 --> 954.02] Forever the holy God. +[954.42 --> 958.60] Come and worship the holy God. +[962.90 --> 967.14] What other glory consumes thy fire? +[967.64 --> 973.14] What other power and grace let air. +[973.84 --> 978.74] What other faith reach as a minister? +[978.74 --> 983.74] We are holy, God. +[985.74 --> 993.74] Amen, behold, the one and the other. +[994.74 --> 1002.74] I am sing holy, forever the holy heart. +[1002.74 --> 1007.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1008.74 --> 1016.74] Amen, behold, the one and the other. +[1017.74 --> 1024.74] I am sing holy, forever the holy heart. +[1025.74 --> 1030.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1032.74 --> 1038.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1039.74 --> 1042.74] Amen, behold, the one and the other. +[1042.74 --> 1045.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1046.74 --> 1050.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1051.74 --> 1055.74] Who else could rescue me from my sins? +[1056.74 --> 1061.74] Who else could offer their only son? +[1061.74 --> 1066.74] Who else would like to call him Father? +[1067.74 --> 1071.74] Only a holy God. +[1072.74 --> 1077.74] Only my holy God. +[1077.74 --> 1083.74] Come and behold, the one and the other. +[1083.74 --> 1087.74] Come and worship the holy heart. +[1088.74 --> 1092.74] Come and behold, the one and the other. +[1092.74 --> 1094.74] Oh +[1122.74 --> 1128.26] Let's join together in a time of prayer. +[1131.72 --> 1133.80] Our God and Heavenly Father, +[1134.58 --> 1137.00] we come to you on this Pentecost Sunday +[1137.00 --> 1138.82] with thankfulness to you +[1138.82 --> 1140.90] for sending your Holy Spirit +[1140.90 --> 1143.18] to live in each of our hearts +[1143.18 --> 1146.98] and for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. +[1148.26 --> 1151.98] Dear God, we confess that each of us are sinners. +[1152.74 --> 1155.24] Each of us has fallen short +[1155.24 --> 1157.76] and strayed from your path for us. +[1159.10 --> 1161.00] We confess our pride, +[1162.44 --> 1164.66] our selfishness, +[1165.42 --> 1167.26] our anger, +[1167.86 --> 1172.14] and our failure to love as you have loved us. +[1173.62 --> 1175.98] We humbly confess our weaknesses +[1175.98 --> 1179.04] and inability to live up to your standards. +[1179.04 --> 1183.18] Thank you, God, for your infinite mercy +[1183.18 --> 1186.10] and your gift to us of forgiveness. +[1187.96 --> 1190.90] We trust in the atoning sacrifice for us +[1190.90 --> 1192.96] by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. +[1194.90 --> 1196.72] Your grace and forgiveness +[1196.72 --> 1199.72] and the assurance that our sins are washed away, +[1199.82 --> 1201.98] we receive with grateful hearts. +[1201.98 --> 1204.04] we thank you +[1204.04 --> 1206.92] and pray that your Holy Spirit +[1206.92 --> 1209.22] would be alive in each of us, +[1209.90 --> 1212.78] forever prompting us to live lives faithful to you, +[1214.12 --> 1216.12] reflecting your love and truth. +[1217.06 --> 1219.42] In Jesus' precious name we pray. +[1219.98 --> 1220.30] Amen. +[1220.30 --> 1222.24] Amen. +[1228.74 --> 1235.36] Amen. +[1235.36 --> 1237.20] Amen. +[1237.68 --> 1238.40] Amen. +[1238.90 --> 1239.18] oftentimes +[1239.18 --> 1269.16] Thank you. +[1269.18 --> 1299.16] Thank you. +[1299.18 --> 1329.16] Thank you. +[1329.18 --> 1359.16] Thank you. +[1359.18 --> 1361.18] Thank you. +[1389.18 --> 1391.18] Thank you. +[1419.18 --> 1421.18] Thank you. +[1449.18 --> 1451.18] Thank you. +[1479.18 --> 1481.18] Thank you. +[1481.18 --> 1486.80] To wash David's eyes +[1486.80 --> 1490.28] Or do the Stephen +[1491.28 --> 1495.96] To wash David's eyes +[1495.96 --> 1503.24] Anybody asking the Fu? +[1503.24 --> 1517.56] This morning, we have opportunity to continue in our gratitude to God for his gift of faithful +[1517.56 --> 1523.84] leadership to his church. This morning, we want to honor and recognize Seth Baker, Ken +[1523.84 --> 1530.98] Hogue-Wonning, and John Skipper, who have finished their term as pastoral elders, and Yap Wohlschlager, +[1530.98 --> 1539.56] who has finished his term as deacon. In our office bearers, we see Christ's love for the church. +[1540.42 --> 1547.10] He appoints leaders to build up the people and to promote the church's health. Pastoral elders offer +[1547.10 --> 1556.20] spiritual and theological care, and deacons lead in mercy and justice. Office bearers must be +[1556.20 --> 1562.72] Christ-like. They must be mature in faith, prayerful, patient, and humble in the Lord. +[1564.00 --> 1572.54] Today, by the Spirit's power on Pentecost, we ordain and install Pim Schoen as a pastoral elder. +[1573.42 --> 1579.32] Jesus Hernandez and Frank Welfing will be ordained and installed as pastoral elders at a future date. +[1579.32 --> 1585.78] And today, we also ordain and install Pete Birkenpass and Warren Verhoof as deacons. +[1586.64 --> 1592.80] To affirm your calling to this office, I'm going to invite you to come to the front at this point. +[1593.86 --> 1601.80] And so, Pim and Pete and Warren, come on up to the front. Center stage, gentlemen. +[1601.80 --> 1617.96] I'm going to ask you four questions. I'll read all four questions, and then I'll go through, +[1618.38 --> 1624.52] ask you by name what your response is. I invite you to respond by saying, I do, with God's help. +[1624.52 --> 1634.18] And so, do you believe that in the call of this congregation, God himself is calling you to these +[1634.18 --> 1641.22] holy offices? Do you believe that the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, the only infallible +[1641.22 --> 1647.60] rule for life and faith? Do you subscribe to the doctrinal standards of this church, rejecting all +[1647.60 --> 1653.40] teaching which contradicts them? And do you promise to do the work of your offices faithfully in a way +[1653.40 --> 1658.32] worthy of your calling and in submission to the governance and discipline of the church? +[1659.14 --> 1666.14] Pete, what is your answer? I do, with God's help. Amen. Warren, what is your answer? I do, with God's help. Amen. +[1666.48 --> 1673.56] Pim, what is your answer? I do, with God's help. Amen. I'm going to invite you guys to come down to the front here. +[1673.96 --> 1680.80] We're going to take a moment. It is biblical practice in the ordination and installation of leaders in the church +[1680.80 --> 1687.92] to mark the moving of the Spirit in the laying on of hands. And so, if you are a council member or a family member +[1687.92 --> 1695.76] or someone, we invite you also to the front now as we lay hands on these men as they begin their terms of service +[1695.76 --> 1705.10] among us here. Additionally, if you would like, you may hold your hand out as a sign that we, together as the church, +[1705.10 --> 1710.88] through whom the Spirit works, call these ones to service. +[1722.22 --> 1723.44] Together, then, we pray. +[1725.94 --> 1732.04] God, our Father, who has called you to these sacred offices, guide you by his word. +[1732.04 --> 1737.70] May he equip you with his Spirit and bless your ministry among us. +[1738.74 --> 1745.52] May he make you faithful workers in his vineyard, and may his church grow in grace and faith and service +[1745.52 --> 1754.66] under your care. And may you serve with joy and humility, rooted in the daily awe of our good God. +[1754.66 --> 1760.18] God, help us, Lord, as your church, to gladly accept their leadership, +[1760.76 --> 1765.86] to remember them and encourage them, and to honor them for the sake of Christ, +[1766.34 --> 1769.18] and to pray for them in the work that you have called them to do. +[1769.94 --> 1773.38] It's in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. +[1774.34 --> 1774.70] Amen. +[1774.70 --> 1774.82] Amen. +[1784.66 --> 1792.20] I want to take a moment and remind us all of the charge to these individuals. +[1792.40 --> 1798.20] And so this isn't just for the new office bearers, but it's a reminder for the continuing office bearers, +[1798.28 --> 1804.82] and for us all, to know what it is that we call them to, and the standard that God has laid out for them. +[1804.82 --> 1815.30] And so Pym and the rest of the pastoral elders, encourage by sound doctrine and hold firmly to the trustworthy message. +[1816.38 --> 1817.56] Pray continually. +[1818.70 --> 1820.72] Welcome children as you would welcome Christ. +[1821.46 --> 1822.86] Guide the young with joy. +[1823.44 --> 1827.20] Know the scriptures and be mastered by your Lord. +[1828.46 --> 1834.52] And to Pete and Warren and to all the deacons, hold firmly to the trustworthy message. +[1835.70 --> 1838.18] Be worthy of respect and sincere. +[1839.34 --> 1841.88] Serve with the spirit and in wisdom. +[1842.80 --> 1849.72] Model justice, mercy, and humility as you teach us to walk humbly with our God. +[1851.72 --> 1858.18] People of God, receive these office bearers as Christ's gift to the church. +[1858.94 --> 1861.18] Honor them and take their counsel seriously. +[1861.70 --> 1863.82] Obey and support them and pray for them. +[1864.60 --> 1867.00] Stand with them in their service. +[1867.56 --> 1870.30] To that end, I'm going to invite you as you are able to stand, +[1870.80 --> 1873.24] and I will ask you all a question as well, +[1873.24 --> 1875.62] and invite you to respond as you see behind me. +[1875.76 --> 1877.30] We do with God's help. +[1879.80 --> 1883.56] And so do you, Congregation of God, Church Family of Langley, Emmanuel, +[1884.12 --> 1888.48] pledge to receive these office bearers as they have been charged? +[1888.48 --> 1891.44] We do with God's help. +[1892.16 --> 1892.64] Amen. +[1893.06 --> 1893.68] Have a seat. +[1893.86 --> 1895.54] I'm going to invite the deacons forward at this time. +[1896.06 --> 1897.70] We continue our worship in offering. +[1897.70 --> 1910.48] Good morning. +[1910.48 --> 1910.54] Good morning. +[1911.08 --> 1911.92] My name is Brenda. +[1912.12 --> 1913.16] I'm one of the deacons here. +[1913.88 --> 1916.42] We continue the giving of our gifts. +[1916.92 --> 1920.08] We continue our worship with the giving of our gifts this morning. +[1920.08 --> 1923.82] Before that, I just want to highlight again, +[1924.00 --> 1925.62] as we have heard these last few weeks, +[1925.76 --> 1928.04] that Advocate Life and Education Services +[1928.04 --> 1930.84] and the Baby Bottle Campaign. +[1932.30 --> 1936.14] Advocate Life and Education Services brings hope in action +[1936.14 --> 1939.48] to women and families through pregnancy counselling and resources, +[1939.76 --> 1943.48] baby supplies, postpartum support, post-abortion care, +[1944.00 --> 1946.26] community education, and so much more. +[1946.76 --> 1949.96] Thank you to everyone who has already picked up a bottle +[1949.96 --> 1951.20] for the Baby Bottle Campaign. +[1951.48 --> 1953.58] If you haven't yet, it's not too late. +[1953.82 --> 1956.36] They are in the back on the... +[1956.36 --> 1957.70] I think they're back there. +[1957.90 --> 1960.46] They will be back there on the back counter. +[1961.32 --> 1965.38] And next Sunday is the final week for this campaign, +[1965.38 --> 1967.22] so you can pick up your baby bottle today +[1967.22 --> 1969.96] or go online to babybottles.ca. +[1970.74 --> 1976.12] Our offerings for today is for the ministry and mission of our church. +[1976.74 --> 1980.86] And the second one is for the well. +[1981.72 --> 1986.30] The well is a church plant that was originally established in Kelowna, B.C., +[1986.30 --> 1988.52] and it has recently closed its doors. +[1989.34 --> 1994.06] As a result, Classis has contacted us as churches +[1994.06 --> 1998.52] and has requested that congregations consider taking up a special offering +[1998.52 --> 2001.94] to support Pastor Jen during this transition time. +[2002.44 --> 2006.04] This offering will go toward providing her with a severance package, +[2006.52 --> 2008.66] recognizing her dedication, leadership, +[2008.86 --> 2011.88] and the many ways that she has poured into the life of the church +[2011.88 --> 2013.32] and the broader community. +[2014.10 --> 2016.30] Please give as God has blessed. +[2016.30 --> 2046.28] Thank you. +[2046.30 --> 2047.62] Thank you. +[2047.68 --> 2048.14] Thank you. +[2048.14 --> 2049.14] Hi, Axel. +[2049.14 --> 2049.70] Thank you. +[2049.78 --> 2049.84] Thank you. +[2049.96 --> 2050.74] Thank you. +[2050.82 --> 2051.20] Thank you. +[2051.74 --> 2052.00] Thank you. +[2052.82 --> 2061.04] Thank you. +[2065.22 --> 2067.40] Thank you. +[2067.94 --> 2068.48] Thank you. +[2068.48 --> 2098.46] Thank you. +[2098.48 --> 2128.46] Thank you. +[2128.48 --> 2158.46] Thank you. +[2158.48 --> 2188.46] Thank you. +[2188.48 --> 2218.46] Thank you. +[2218.48 --> 2248.46] Thank you. +[2248.48 --> 2250.48] Thank you. +[2252.32 --> 2258.80] I want to invite all the kids at preschool up through grade four to come on up to the front. +[2258.80 --> 2263.54] I love how eager you are, Haley, every week. +[2263.54 --> 2265.54] Come on up to the front. +[2265.54 --> 2266.60] Come on up to the front. +[2266.60 --> 2272.86] If you're a visitor with us, also, please don't hesitate to send your kids or come on up with your kids as well. +[2272.86 --> 2274.86] Just a moment. +[2274.86 --> 2276.86] You guys are going to go to the front. +[2276.86 --> 2278.86] We're going to go to the front. +[2278.86 --> 2282.86] We'll go to the front. +[2282.86 --> 2287.40] We're going to go to the front of the front of the front of the front of the other side. +[2287.40 --> 2291.26] And so why don't we fold our hands and we'll pray together and then you can head out. +[2291.26 --> 2299.28] Lord Jesus I pray for each one of these kids and for their teachers may they all together +[2299.28 --> 2307.50] see Jesus in their worship may they hear from you and may we sing your praise in Jesus name +[2307.50 --> 2313.78] amen amen all right let's stand up together and so if you're a visitor with us this morning +[2313.78 --> 2318.76] as the kids go out we stand and face the congregation we hold our hands up +[2318.76 --> 2324.06] like so and then we're going to say the Lord be with you and then they're going to respond by +[2324.06 --> 2331.34] saying and also with you and so hands up together we say the Lord be with you amen +[2348.76 --> 2353.44] good morning +[2353.44 --> 2364.70] it's a beautiful morning yeah it's wonderful I'm just standing all these kids just leaving +[2364.70 --> 2371.58] the sanctuary right now how blessed we are to have them let's turn to our I'm Peter and I'm +[2371.58 --> 2378.94] giving the congregational prayer this morning shall we pray father God we thank you for this day +[2378.94 --> 2387.50] we're reminded that today we in the liturgical calendar of the Christian church we we celebrate +[2387.50 --> 2395.30] Pentecost Lord we think of how important that has been for the transmission of your message +[2395.30 --> 2406.62] we think of when Jesus said goodbye to his disciples on ascension day when he was lifted up and he promised +[2406.62 --> 2412.56] them and as Luke records Jesus said you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you +[2412.56 --> 2420.30] and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem Judea Samaria and to the ends of the earth +[2420.30 --> 2430.18] Lord this is amazing 2,000 years later we can honestly say that your spirit has been alive through the story +[2430.18 --> 2437.54] that's gone on for 2,000 years we see it here this morning we see the communion table +[2437.54 --> 2445.14] Lord we see the appointment of elders and we know that all around the world your church is there +[2445.14 --> 2454.62] and we are amazed we think of the four young adults among us from our church Josh Jared +[2454.62 --> 2462.58] McElty and Sarah who are in the Philippines at the moment the Philippines Jerusalem to Samaria +[2462.58 --> 2473.28] to the Philippines every part of the world Aidan doing Bible translation that's in currently in Africa +[2473.28 --> 2482.44] how amazing is that the whole that the Bible has been translated in thou over a thousand different languages +[2482.44 --> 2489.52] people called to do that who feel through the Holy Spirit that's gonna be their witness +[2489.52 --> 2495.34] we think Lord of our Mexico missions we've had 30 years of it in this church +[2495.34 --> 2500.36] we think of Jody and her husband Earl and their work committed to missions +[2500.36 --> 2513.52] we thank you for them we think of Joanne Miles her mom passed away this week the Vennie family has been an incredible example even in denominational work +[2513.52 --> 2528.52] but she proclaimed her name to the end we thank you for her life we think Lord of just the baptisms that we've had in our church just a few weeks ago the Klingelting family marked D and their children +[2528.52 --> 2531.36] and look at here this morning +[2531.36 --> 2535.80] and look at here this morning Andy and Enrica Emmons 50 years married +[2535.80 --> 2540.36] the children beside the grandchildren 50 years +[2540.36 --> 2544.82] 25 years marriage one of their children +[2544.82 --> 2547.54] and a new new wedding +[2547.54 --> 2551.82] Lord your Holy Spirit shows up in our marriages +[2551.82 --> 2554.42] shows up in so many different places +[2554.42 --> 2557.26] we thank you Lord for this example +[2557.26 --> 2563.58] thank you also Lord that many of our students are graduating from Langley Christian School +[2563.58 --> 2566.26] and we thank you for Langley Christian's testimony +[2566.26 --> 2571.12] your Holy Spirit too has nurtured that for over 70 years this year +[2571.12 --> 2573.12] who would have known +[2573.12 --> 2575.12] but +[2575.12 --> 2578.12] so much yet to pray for +[2578.12 --> 2581.26] as sin and the deceiver plays its role +[2581.26 --> 2584.10] the effect of cancer +[2584.10 --> 2587.42] Doug and Tessa and Tanya and hospice +[2587.42 --> 2588.88] Lord +[2588.88 --> 2592.84] we just ask you to be there for Tanya +[2592.84 --> 2596.84] may she has confidence in your goodness +[2596.84 --> 2599.78] we thank you for her +[2599.78 --> 2602.68] and her family that stands by her side +[2602.68 --> 2605.46] reveal to her the promise +[2605.46 --> 2607.44] Lord we +[2607.44 --> 2610.96] thank also of those who are here this morning with a loss +[2610.96 --> 2612.88] we think of the Skipper family again +[2612.88 --> 2616.34] we think of their son Matt and grandchildren +[2616.34 --> 2619.36] who are struggling with the loss of Rachel +[2619.36 --> 2622.96] Rachel who played a big role in our church in the early years here +[2622.96 --> 2624.92] too young to die +[2624.92 --> 2625.72] we would say +[2625.72 --> 2626.22] Lord +[2626.22 --> 2628.20] we don't understand +[2628.20 --> 2630.20] but we give her over to you +[2630.20 --> 2632.70] we also +[2632.70 --> 2635.34] as we stand here and we reflect +[2635.34 --> 2638.16] like with Andy and Enrica as well +[2638.16 --> 2639.82] all of us have families +[2639.82 --> 2641.20] extended families +[2641.20 --> 2644.72] and we also recognize there's unbelief there +[2644.72 --> 2645.80] or +[2645.80 --> 2648.40] they're on the margins +[2648.40 --> 2650.36] trying to figure out +[2650.36 --> 2651.38] do I go to church +[2651.38 --> 2652.16] do I not +[2652.16 --> 2653.54] do I believe +[2653.54 --> 2655.32] what's in it for me +[2655.32 --> 2657.26] or what's not in it for me +[2657.26 --> 2659.54] Lord we lean into +[2659.54 --> 2660.92] your promises +[2660.92 --> 2662.42] also baptism +[2662.42 --> 2664.54] and yet +[2664.54 --> 2665.28] Lord +[2665.28 --> 2667.94] in spite of the outpouring of your Holy Spirit +[2667.94 --> 2669.10] the world is still +[2669.10 --> 2670.58] in disarray +[2670.58 --> 2673.42] there's that Gaza-Israeli war +[2673.42 --> 2674.92] your message +[2674.92 --> 2676.00] you said right there +[2676.00 --> 2678.16] the message will go to Jerusalem +[2678.16 --> 2681.14] and look at the fighting that continues there +[2681.14 --> 2682.48] look in Ukraine and Russia +[2682.48 --> 2684.42] what's going on +[2684.42 --> 2686.14] there's lack of leadership +[2686.14 --> 2687.92] so we know Lord +[2687.92 --> 2688.76] that your coming +[2688.76 --> 2689.70] is imminent +[2689.70 --> 2691.62] and we trust in that +[2691.62 --> 2692.56] and hope in that +[2692.56 --> 2694.54] but things could be so not +[2694.54 --> 2695.36] so different +[2695.36 --> 2697.70] we're not dismayed +[2697.70 --> 2699.82] we lean into your promises +[2699.82 --> 2701.76] you are sovereign +[2701.76 --> 2703.92] Jesus is Lord and King +[2703.92 --> 2705.50] over all +[2705.50 --> 2707.70] may his name be praised +[2707.70 --> 2708.22] Amen +[2708.22 --> 2732.82] sometimes when I'm up here +[2732.82 --> 2733.46] preaching +[2733.46 --> 2735.68] I get to a particular point +[2735.68 --> 2737.00] and I take my glasses off +[2737.00 --> 2737.60] and I hold them +[2737.60 --> 2738.74] and that's how you know +[2738.74 --> 2739.42] that it matters +[2739.42 --> 2741.78] I'm taking my glasses off now +[2741.78 --> 2742.84] because it's too hot +[2742.84 --> 2743.76] and my face is sweaty +[2743.76 --> 2744.70] and they're falling off +[2744.70 --> 2746.80] but this whole thing matters +[2746.80 --> 2748.50] so don't miss the cue +[2748.50 --> 2750.94] this morning +[2750.94 --> 2753.82] we're going to reflect on Pentecost +[2753.82 --> 2755.86] and the way the Spirit +[2755.86 --> 2757.96] provides us assurance +[2757.96 --> 2759.40] in our faith +[2759.40 --> 2760.58] and we're going to do that +[2760.58 --> 2762.78] as we have in this season +[2762.78 --> 2765.62] through the Gospel according to Luke +[2765.62 --> 2768.28] and a bit of Luke's second book +[2768.28 --> 2769.22] the book of Acts +[2769.22 --> 2770.66] so I'm going to read +[2770.66 --> 2771.98] from Luke 1 +[2771.98 --> 2773.66] we'll read the first four verses +[2773.66 --> 2775.00] and then I'm going to read +[2775.00 --> 2776.82] a few verses from Luke 2 +[2776.82 --> 2779.44] beginning at verse 16 there +[2779.44 --> 2780.84] and so I encourage you +[2780.84 --> 2781.98] if you have a Bible with you +[2781.98 --> 2782.74] open it up +[2782.74 --> 2784.16] follow along +[2784.16 --> 2784.86] read along +[2784.86 --> 2785.92] and then keep it open +[2785.92 --> 2786.54] in front of you +[2786.54 --> 2787.68] if you need a Bible +[2787.68 --> 2788.82] there's some at the back +[2788.82 --> 2790.96] you are welcome to grab +[2790.96 --> 2791.56] some of those +[2791.56 --> 2792.58] from the back +[2792.58 --> 2794.92] and if you +[2794.92 --> 2795.92] have a device +[2795.92 --> 2796.62] and you want to read +[2796.62 --> 2797.12] your Bible there +[2797.12 --> 2798.20] I encourage you to do that +[2798.20 --> 2798.62] as well +[2798.62 --> 2799.54] but always +[2799.54 --> 2800.42] just to keep it open +[2800.42 --> 2801.62] as we go through +[2801.62 --> 2802.54] our text this morning +[2802.54 --> 2804.34] let's start +[2804.34 --> 2806.24] in Luke 1 +[2806.24 --> 2810.38] many have taken +[2810.38 --> 2811.24] to draw up +[2811.24 --> 2811.80] an account +[2811.80 --> 2812.68] of the things +[2812.68 --> 2813.76] that have been fulfilled +[2813.76 --> 2814.50] among us +[2814.50 --> 2816.84] just as they were handed down +[2816.84 --> 2817.52] to us +[2817.52 --> 2818.24] by those +[2818.24 --> 2818.72] from +[2818.72 --> 2819.36] who +[2819.36 --> 2820.34] from the first +[2820.34 --> 2821.54] were eyewitnesses +[2821.54 --> 2822.18] and servants +[2822.18 --> 2823.06] of the word +[2823.06 --> 2825.20] with this in mind +[2825.20 --> 2826.80] since I myself +[2826.80 --> 2828.28] have carefully investigated +[2828.28 --> 2829.76] everything from the beginning +[2829.76 --> 2830.94] I too +[2830.94 --> 2832.18] decided to write +[2832.18 --> 2833.34] an orderly account +[2833.34 --> 2833.96] for you +[2833.96 --> 2835.26] most excellent +[2835.26 --> 2836.12] Theophilus +[2836.12 --> 2837.88] so that you may know +[2837.88 --> 2838.70] the certainty +[2838.70 --> 2839.80] of the things +[2839.80 --> 2841.50] you have been taught +[2841.50 --> 2843.46] and then let's +[2843.46 --> 2845.26] flip over to +[2845.26 --> 2847.30] Acts 2 +[2847.30 --> 2848.62] beginning at +[2848.62 --> 2850.30] verse 16 +[2850.30 --> 2852.60] I think on the screen +[2852.60 --> 2853.16] behind me +[2853.16 --> 2853.84] will be through +[2853.84 --> 2854.62] verse 18 +[2854.62 --> 2855.18] but I'm actually +[2855.18 --> 2855.88] going to read through +[2855.88 --> 2856.72] verse 21 +[2856.72 --> 2860.16] so this is Peter +[2860.16 --> 2861.26] addressing the crowd +[2861.26 --> 2861.80] his +[2861.80 --> 2863.90] post-Holy Spirit +[2863.90 --> 2865.02] descending on them +[2865.02 --> 2866.32] in tongues of fire +[2866.32 --> 2867.16] sermon +[2867.16 --> 2868.16] to those gathered +[2868.16 --> 2868.78] in Jerusalem +[2868.78 --> 2870.08] he says +[2870.08 --> 2871.72] this is what was spoken +[2871.72 --> 2873.02] by the prophet Joel +[2873.02 --> 2875.10] in the last days +[2875.10 --> 2875.96] God says +[2875.96 --> 2877.10] I will pour out +[2877.10 --> 2877.84] my spirit +[2877.84 --> 2878.78] on all people +[2878.78 --> 2880.56] your sons and daughters +[2880.56 --> 2881.36] will prophesy +[2881.36 --> 2882.28] your young men +[2882.28 --> 2883.12] will see visions +[2883.12 --> 2884.16] your old men +[2884.16 --> 2885.14] will dream dreams +[2885.14 --> 2886.96] even on my servants +[2886.96 --> 2887.94] both men and women +[2887.94 --> 2889.02] I will pour out +[2889.02 --> 2889.70] my spirit +[2889.70 --> 2890.60] in those days +[2890.60 --> 2891.90] and they will prophesy +[2891.90 --> 2893.90] I will show wonders +[2893.90 --> 2894.96] in the heavens above +[2894.96 --> 2896.12] and signs on the earth +[2896.12 --> 2896.56] below +[2896.56 --> 2897.80] blood and fire +[2897.80 --> 2899.02] and billows of smoke +[2899.02 --> 2900.74] the sun will be turned +[2900.74 --> 2901.32] to darkness +[2901.32 --> 2902.38] and the moon to blood +[2902.38 --> 2903.44] before the coming +[2903.44 --> 2904.68] of the great and glorious +[2904.68 --> 2906.08] day of the Lord +[2906.08 --> 2907.28] and everyone +[2907.28 --> 2909.04] who calls on the name +[2909.04 --> 2909.80] of the Lord +[2909.80 --> 2911.16] will be saved +[2911.16 --> 2913.12] this is the word +[2913.12 --> 2913.58] of the Lord +[2913.58 --> 2922.12] we live in an age +[2922.12 --> 2924.06] at a particular time +[2924.06 --> 2926.22] that craves certainty +[2926.22 --> 2927.98] and yet +[2927.98 --> 2928.68] somehow +[2928.68 --> 2929.76] seems allergic +[2929.76 --> 2930.94] to the idea +[2930.94 --> 2931.60] of certainty +[2931.60 --> 2934.60] every day +[2934.60 --> 2936.00] we are flooded +[2936.00 --> 2937.12] with information +[2937.12 --> 2938.12] headlines +[2938.12 --> 2939.08] and opinions +[2939.08 --> 2940.06] and arguments +[2940.06 --> 2941.28] new studies +[2941.28 --> 2941.92] coming out +[2941.92 --> 2942.66] new posts +[2942.66 --> 2943.98] and then the counter posts +[2943.98 --> 2945.36] that contradict them +[2945.36 --> 2946.10] and yet +[2946.10 --> 2947.74] the more we know +[2947.74 --> 2949.56] the less sure +[2949.56 --> 2950.22] we feel +[2950.22 --> 2952.46] the voices +[2952.46 --> 2953.18] are loud +[2953.18 --> 2954.40] the facts +[2954.40 --> 2955.52] are contested +[2955.52 --> 2956.50] and the truth +[2956.50 --> 2958.24] feels slippery +[2958.24 --> 2961.12] and so +[2961.12 --> 2963.04] we hesitate +[2963.04 --> 2965.96] we overthink +[2965.96 --> 2968.10] we analyze +[2968.10 --> 2969.38] and second guess +[2969.38 --> 2970.88] we want to believe +[2970.88 --> 2971.66] in something +[2971.66 --> 2972.70] but we also +[2972.70 --> 2973.06] don't want +[2973.06 --> 2973.62] to be fooled +[2973.62 --> 2975.22] we want +[2975.22 --> 2975.68] to commit +[2975.68 --> 2977.20] but we're afraid +[2977.20 --> 2978.32] what it might cost us +[2978.32 --> 2981.16] now add to that +[2981.16 --> 2982.50] a particular +[2982.50 --> 2983.58] cultural climate +[2983.58 --> 2984.00] where +[2984.00 --> 2985.14] where cynicism +[2985.14 --> 2986.04] gets clicks +[2986.04 --> 2987.90] truth +[2987.90 --> 2988.64] is rare +[2988.64 --> 2990.40] and sincerity +[2990.40 --> 2992.12] can feel +[2992.12 --> 2992.70] naive +[2992.70 --> 2995.82] and add to that +[2995.82 --> 2998.20] we've been +[2998.20 --> 2998.74] disappointed +[2998.74 --> 3000.58] by our institutions +[3000.58 --> 3002.54] we've been +[3002.54 --> 3003.08] misled +[3003.08 --> 3004.34] by leaders +[3004.34 --> 3005.80] we've been +[3005.80 --> 3006.20] hurt +[3006.20 --> 3007.14] by people +[3007.14 --> 3007.66] we trusted +[3007.66 --> 3008.74] we've been +[3008.74 --> 3009.22] burned +[3009.22 --> 3010.10] by promises +[3010.10 --> 3011.68] and so +[3011.68 --> 3012.12] we keep +[3012.12 --> 3012.78] our guard up +[3012.78 --> 3014.20] we keep +[3014.20 --> 3014.74] our faith +[3014.74 --> 3015.72] tentative +[3015.72 --> 3016.86] and our +[3016.86 --> 3017.22] commitment +[3017.22 --> 3017.72] small +[3017.72 --> 3019.90] we have this +[3019.90 --> 3020.30] ache +[3020.30 --> 3021.66] for certainty +[3021.66 --> 3023.06] in an age +[3023.06 --> 3023.96] of information +[3023.96 --> 3024.58] overload +[3024.58 --> 3026.28] and some +[3026.28 --> 3026.82] of us +[3026.82 --> 3027.82] without meaning +[3027.82 --> 3028.26] to +[3028.26 --> 3028.94] perhaps +[3028.94 --> 3030.04] have ended +[3030.04 --> 3031.02] up in a kind +[3031.02 --> 3031.74] of spiritual +[3031.74 --> 3032.50] paralysis +[3032.50 --> 3034.48] stuck in our +[3034.48 --> 3034.86] heads +[3034.86 --> 3036.62] and unable +[3036.62 --> 3037.46] to step out +[3037.46 --> 3039.62] we want +[3039.62 --> 3040.50] something solid +[3040.50 --> 3041.76] something real +[3041.76 --> 3042.30] something that we +[3042.30 --> 3042.90] can build our +[3042.90 --> 3043.56] lives on +[3043.56 --> 3044.46] but the question +[3044.46 --> 3045.22] keeps coming back +[3045.22 --> 3046.28] how do I know +[3046.28 --> 3046.96] this is true +[3046.96 --> 3049.08] and if it is +[3049.08 --> 3050.70] can I trust it +[3050.70 --> 3053.50] how can I trust +[3053.50 --> 3054.52] anything +[3054.52 --> 3055.72] enough to build +[3055.72 --> 3056.74] my life on it +[3056.74 --> 3058.30] especially when +[3058.30 --> 3059.42] everything feels +[3059.42 --> 3060.00] uncertain +[3060.00 --> 3061.10] and unstable +[3061.10 --> 3062.18] and up for debate +[3062.18 --> 3065.14] that's exactly +[3065.14 --> 3065.88] the question +[3065.88 --> 3066.96] that Luke +[3066.96 --> 3068.28] wants to answer +[3068.28 --> 3070.18] and then +[3070.18 --> 3071.14] that's exactly +[3071.14 --> 3072.26] the kind +[3072.26 --> 3073.34] of transformation +[3073.34 --> 3075.02] that Pentecost +[3075.02 --> 3076.60] makes possible +[3076.60 --> 3078.96] let's dig in +[3078.96 --> 3080.60] in verse 3 +[3080.60 --> 3081.64] from Luke 1 +[3081.64 --> 3082.70] we read +[3082.70 --> 3083.92] that +[3083.92 --> 3085.18] I too +[3085.18 --> 3085.86] Luke +[3085.86 --> 3086.54] decided +[3086.54 --> 3087.34] to write +[3087.34 --> 3088.16] an orderly +[3088.16 --> 3088.66] account +[3088.66 --> 3089.42] for you +[3089.42 --> 3090.88] so that +[3090.88 --> 3091.42] you may +[3091.42 --> 3091.94] know +[3091.94 --> 3092.96] the certainty +[3092.96 --> 3094.16] of the things +[3094.16 --> 3094.88] you have +[3094.88 --> 3095.86] been taught +[3095.86 --> 3097.72] Luke says +[3097.72 --> 3098.22] right at the +[3098.22 --> 3098.54] beginning +[3098.54 --> 3099.40] of his record +[3099.40 --> 3100.16] that he's +[3100.16 --> 3100.92] writing this +[3100.92 --> 3101.38] story +[3101.38 --> 3102.42] for a specific +[3102.42 --> 3103.28] purpose +[3103.28 --> 3104.22] of passing +[3104.22 --> 3105.24] on the truth +[3105.24 --> 3106.32] of the things +[3106.32 --> 3107.30] that Theopolis +[3107.30 --> 3108.20] has been +[3108.20 --> 3108.62] taught +[3108.62 --> 3109.66] he tells us +[3109.66 --> 3110.22] right from the +[3110.22 --> 3110.52] off +[3110.52 --> 3110.94] that he's +[3110.94 --> 3111.58] writing as +[3111.58 --> 3112.32] an investigator +[3112.32 --> 3113.34] he writes +[3113.34 --> 3114.58] as a scholar +[3114.58 --> 3115.64] he's doing +[3115.64 --> 3116.30] research +[3116.30 --> 3117.30] and he says +[3117.30 --> 3118.08] many have +[3118.08 --> 3118.60] undertaken +[3118.60 --> 3119.34] to draw up +[3119.34 --> 3119.84] an account +[3119.84 --> 3121.66] lots of people +[3121.66 --> 3122.36] have done this +[3122.36 --> 3122.80] he says +[3122.80 --> 3123.38] and I've +[3123.38 --> 3123.62] checked +[3123.62 --> 3124.96] I've read +[3124.96 --> 3125.28] them +[3125.28 --> 3126.34] I've done +[3126.34 --> 3127.36] the literature +[3127.36 --> 3127.92] review +[3127.92 --> 3130.24] as part of +[3130.24 --> 3131.34] my doctoral +[3131.34 --> 3131.94] studies +[3131.94 --> 3132.92] right now +[3132.92 --> 3133.68] and for my +[3133.68 --> 3134.10] dissertation +[3134.10 --> 3135.86] I have had +[3135.86 --> 3136.70] to submit +[3136.70 --> 3137.48] what's called +[3137.48 --> 3138.06] a literature +[3138.06 --> 3138.76] review +[3138.76 --> 3139.90] and the point +[3139.90 --> 3141.26] is to show +[3141.26 --> 3142.06] that I am +[3142.06 --> 3142.92] familiar with +[3142.92 --> 3143.50] the scholarly +[3143.50 --> 3144.26] work and the +[3144.26 --> 3145.22] academic discussion +[3145.22 --> 3146.04] on the particular +[3146.04 --> 3147.04] field that I'm +[3147.04 --> 3148.12] focusing in on +[3148.12 --> 3148.76] it's to show +[3148.76 --> 3149.68] that I am +[3149.68 --> 3150.32] an informed +[3150.32 --> 3151.60] voice on the +[3151.60 --> 3151.96] subject +[3151.96 --> 3152.58] that I have +[3152.58 --> 3153.54] read the +[3153.54 --> 3154.30] vast amount +[3154.30 --> 3154.72] of literature +[3154.72 --> 3155.40] on this +[3155.40 --> 3156.22] particular +[3156.22 --> 3157.00] topic +[3157.00 --> 3157.70] and that I +[3157.70 --> 3158.48] hope to add +[3158.48 --> 3159.36] to this field +[3159.36 --> 3159.98] with my +[3159.98 --> 3160.62] work +[3160.62 --> 3162.24] that's exactly +[3162.24 --> 3162.82] what Luke is +[3162.82 --> 3163.40] doing here +[3163.40 --> 3164.72] right he is +[3164.72 --> 3165.40] demonstrating +[3165.40 --> 3166.12] that he is +[3166.12 --> 3166.70] a worthwhile +[3166.70 --> 3167.34] source +[3167.34 --> 3167.92] and that his +[3167.92 --> 3168.78] voice is +[3168.78 --> 3169.64] worthy to be +[3169.64 --> 3170.82] added to the +[3170.82 --> 3172.28] collection of +[3172.28 --> 3173.50] voices being +[3173.50 --> 3173.94] spoken +[3173.94 --> 3175.24] and so he +[3175.24 --> 3175.98] says with +[3175.98 --> 3177.06] this in mind +[3177.06 --> 3177.50] I have +[3177.50 --> 3178.00] carefully +[3178.00 --> 3178.86] investigated +[3178.86 --> 3179.56] everything +[3179.56 --> 3180.50] from the +[3180.50 --> 3180.80] beginning +[3180.80 --> 3181.72] right again +[3181.72 --> 3182.62] he's underscoring +[3182.62 --> 3183.12] this fact +[3183.12 --> 3183.98] I have done +[3183.98 --> 3184.44] the work +[3184.44 --> 3185.46] I have listened +[3185.46 --> 3186.26] to the sources +[3186.26 --> 3187.24] I've done the +[3187.24 --> 3187.92] literature review +[3187.92 --> 3188.98] I have investigated +[3188.98 --> 3189.86] and I have done +[3189.86 --> 3190.56] the detective +[3190.56 --> 3192.26] process here +[3192.26 --> 3193.72] and then he +[3193.72 --> 3194.50] also tells us +[3194.50 --> 3194.98] that he's done +[3194.98 --> 3196.58] original research +[3196.58 --> 3197.40] right listen +[3197.40 --> 3197.94] to what he +[3197.94 --> 3198.30] says he +[3198.30 --> 3198.54] says +[3198.54 --> 3202.12] I have read +[3202.12 --> 3202.48] and listened +[3202.48 --> 3203.60] to the things +[3203.60 --> 3204.28] that were fulfilled +[3204.28 --> 3204.74] among us +[3204.74 --> 3205.50] and spoken to us +[3205.50 --> 3206.42] from those +[3206.42 --> 3207.82] who were first +[3207.82 --> 3209.00] eyewitnesses +[3209.00 --> 3209.82] and servants +[3209.82 --> 3211.12] of the word +[3211.12 --> 3212.68] no +[3212.68 --> 3214.74] we know +[3214.74 --> 3215.72] that Luke +[3215.72 --> 3216.54] traveled +[3216.54 --> 3217.82] with the +[3217.82 --> 3218.58] apostle Paul +[3218.58 --> 3219.80] we know +[3219.80 --> 3221.46] that Mark +[3221.46 --> 3222.68] also traveled +[3222.68 --> 3224.12] with the +[3224.12 --> 3224.88] apostle Paul +[3224.88 --> 3225.52] we know +[3225.52 --> 3226.04] that Luke +[3226.04 --> 3226.78] and Mark +[3226.78 --> 3227.24] traveled +[3227.24 --> 3227.70] together +[3227.70 --> 3228.52] with Paul +[3228.52 --> 3230.54] at least +[3230.54 --> 3230.98] on two +[3230.98 --> 3231.42] occasions +[3231.42 --> 3232.18] we can read +[3232.18 --> 3232.60] about that +[3232.60 --> 3232.80] in the +[3232.80 --> 3233.24] New Testament +[3233.24 --> 3235.30] and it's +[3235.30 --> 3236.02] also very +[3236.02 --> 3236.40] likely +[3236.40 --> 3237.46] that Luke +[3237.46 --> 3238.58] met Peter +[3238.58 --> 3240.00] at the very +[3240.00 --> 3240.68] least he +[3240.68 --> 3241.28] met Peter +[3241.28 --> 3242.20] when Paul +[3242.20 --> 3242.80] and Peter +[3242.80 --> 3243.34] were both +[3243.34 --> 3243.90] in Rome +[3243.90 --> 3244.46] and we know +[3244.46 --> 3244.86] that Luke +[3244.86 --> 3245.40] was there +[3245.40 --> 3246.32] with Paul +[3246.32 --> 3247.90] for the +[3247.90 --> 3248.56] martyrdom +[3248.56 --> 3249.42] and imprisonment +[3249.42 --> 3249.92] of both +[3249.92 --> 3251.50] it's likely +[3251.50 --> 3252.20] that because +[3252.20 --> 3253.12] of Paul +[3253.12 --> 3253.56] Luke +[3253.56 --> 3254.22] had access +[3254.22 --> 3255.18] to James +[3255.18 --> 3255.82] and to the +[3255.82 --> 3256.56] other leaders +[3256.56 --> 3257.14] of the early +[3257.14 --> 3258.16] church in Jerusalem +[3258.16 --> 3260.44] and many scholars +[3260.44 --> 3261.68] actually suppose +[3261.68 --> 3262.36] that Luke +[3262.36 --> 3263.04] had access +[3263.04 --> 3263.94] to the family +[3263.94 --> 3264.50] of Jesus +[3264.50 --> 3265.16] or at the very +[3265.16 --> 3266.06] least to Mary +[3266.06 --> 3267.24] because of all +[3267.24 --> 3268.32] the details +[3268.32 --> 3269.50] that he includes +[3269.50 --> 3270.44] from Mary's +[3270.44 --> 3270.94] perspective +[3270.94 --> 3272.06] in his gospel +[3272.06 --> 3274.16] point is +[3274.16 --> 3274.58] again +[3274.58 --> 3275.40] Luke has +[3275.40 --> 3275.94] connected +[3275.94 --> 3276.76] with the people +[3276.76 --> 3277.44] who saw it +[3277.44 --> 3278.04] first hand +[3278.04 --> 3279.74] he's drawn +[3279.74 --> 3280.42] in all +[3280.42 --> 3280.86] of these +[3280.86 --> 3281.68] sources +[3281.68 --> 3282.64] point is +[3282.64 --> 3283.28] the gospel +[3283.28 --> 3283.68] that he's +[3283.68 --> 3284.00] writing +[3284.00 --> 3285.08] isn't guesswork +[3285.08 --> 3285.96] it's grounded +[3285.96 --> 3287.22] right +[3287.22 --> 3287.82] it's not a +[3287.82 --> 3288.66] made up story +[3288.66 --> 3289.12] it's a +[3289.12 --> 3289.86] magisterial +[3289.86 --> 3290.36] history +[3290.36 --> 3292.12] and because +[3292.12 --> 3292.76] Luke has +[3292.76 --> 3293.44] investigated +[3293.44 --> 3294.08] carefully +[3294.08 --> 3294.98] he's saying +[3294.98 --> 3295.86] to Theophilus +[3295.86 --> 3296.62] you can +[3296.62 --> 3297.20] believe +[3297.20 --> 3298.16] confidently +[3298.16 --> 3300.10] and that's +[3300.10 --> 3300.66] his point +[3300.66 --> 3301.78] so that you +[3301.78 --> 3302.28] may know +[3302.28 --> 3303.12] the certainty +[3303.12 --> 3304.14] of the things +[3304.14 --> 3304.56] you have +[3304.56 --> 3305.18] been taught +[3305.18 --> 3307.52] now +[3307.52 --> 3309.82] I want to +[3309.82 --> 3310.34] take a moment +[3310.34 --> 3311.78] and stop +[3311.78 --> 3312.34] here +[3312.34 --> 3314.36] because it's +[3314.36 --> 3315.20] plausible +[3315.20 --> 3316.34] likely even +[3316.34 --> 3317.52] that you hear +[3317.52 --> 3318.44] me say that +[3318.44 --> 3319.00] and you go +[3319.00 --> 3320.06] okay sure +[3320.06 --> 3320.96] that's what Luke +[3320.96 --> 3321.68] did but how +[3321.68 --> 3322.72] do I know +[3322.72 --> 3324.94] how do I know +[3324.94 --> 3326.16] that this isn't +[3326.16 --> 3326.96] just Luke's +[3326.96 --> 3328.04] version of events +[3328.04 --> 3328.70] or this isn't +[3328.70 --> 3329.30] just wishful +[3329.30 --> 3330.02] thinking dressed +[3330.02 --> 3331.02] up as history +[3331.02 --> 3331.98] how do I know +[3331.98 --> 3332.76] that Luke +[3332.76 --> 3333.50] even with good +[3333.50 --> 3333.96] intentions +[3333.96 --> 3334.66] didn't just +[3334.66 --> 3335.50] skew things +[3335.50 --> 3336.22] away from the +[3336.22 --> 3336.88] actual truth +[3336.88 --> 3337.34] in order to +[3337.34 --> 3337.60] make his +[3337.60 --> 3337.90] point +[3337.90 --> 3339.80] and that's +[3339.80 --> 3340.04] a fair +[3340.04 --> 3340.52] question +[3340.52 --> 3341.62] it's actually +[3341.62 --> 3342.08] a really good +[3342.08 --> 3342.62] question +[3342.62 --> 3344.68] and it's +[3344.68 --> 3345.04] actually +[3345.04 --> 3345.82] indicative +[3345.82 --> 3346.42] of an even +[3346.42 --> 3347.34] bigger question +[3347.34 --> 3348.60] right +[3348.60 --> 3349.44] how do we +[3349.44 --> 3350.16] know anything +[3350.16 --> 3352.26] but especially +[3352.26 --> 3353.36] history +[3353.36 --> 3354.58] right +[3354.58 --> 3355.16] how can we +[3355.16 --> 3355.78] ascertain +[3355.78 --> 3356.32] the truth +[3356.32 --> 3357.06] of anything +[3357.06 --> 3358.02] outside of +[3358.02 --> 3358.34] our own +[3358.34 --> 3359.04] experience +[3359.04 --> 3360.00] and memory +[3360.00 --> 3362.16] look +[3362.16 --> 3363.52] if you +[3363.52 --> 3364.38] know me +[3364.38 --> 3364.74] at all +[3364.74 --> 3365.16] you know +[3365.16 --> 3365.44] that I +[3365.44 --> 3366.10] believe this +[3366.10 --> 3366.62] in the +[3366.62 --> 3366.82] depths +[3366.82 --> 3367.12] of my +[3367.12 --> 3367.36] being +[3367.36 --> 3367.82] it is +[3367.82 --> 3368.32] good +[3368.32 --> 3368.94] to be +[3368.94 --> 3369.44] skeptical +[3369.44 --> 3370.50] it is +[3370.50 --> 3370.88] good +[3370.88 --> 3371.48] to ask +[3371.48 --> 3371.74] hard +[3371.74 --> 3372.36] questions +[3372.36 --> 3373.26] actually +[3373.26 --> 3373.86] part of +[3373.86 --> 3374.12] what it +[3374.12 --> 3374.56] takes to +[3374.56 --> 3375.04] be a good +[3375.04 --> 3375.56] historian +[3375.56 --> 3376.60] is to +[3376.60 --> 3377.10] ask hard +[3377.10 --> 3377.64] questions +[3377.64 --> 3378.90] is to be +[3378.90 --> 3379.26] skeptical +[3379.26 --> 3380.06] about your +[3380.06 --> 3380.76] first pass +[3380.76 --> 3382.84] but the truth +[3382.84 --> 3383.66] here is +[3383.66 --> 3384.46] that we judge +[3384.46 --> 3385.32] any history +[3385.32 --> 3386.00] but especially +[3386.00 --> 3387.32] ancient history +[3387.32 --> 3388.50] based on +[3388.50 --> 3389.14] sources +[3389.14 --> 3390.12] consistency +[3390.12 --> 3390.96] and credibility +[3390.96 --> 3392.68] and the +[3392.68 --> 3393.42] very same +[3393.42 --> 3394.10] standards +[3394.10 --> 3394.76] historians +[3394.76 --> 3395.42] use for +[3395.42 --> 3396.24] any event +[3396.24 --> 3397.02] in the +[3397.02 --> 3397.76] ancient world +[3397.76 --> 3398.70] the gospel +[3398.70 --> 3399.12] accounts +[3399.12 --> 3399.68] don't just +[3399.68 --> 3400.18] hold up +[3400.18 --> 3400.36] to +[3400.36 --> 3400.82] don't just +[3400.82 --> 3401.34] meet them +[3401.34 --> 3401.62] but they +[3401.62 --> 3402.38] rise above +[3402.38 --> 3404.02] right +[3404.02 --> 3404.34] Luke's +[3404.34 --> 3404.66] account +[3404.66 --> 3405.24] is based +[3405.24 --> 3406.58] on eyewitnesses +[3406.58 --> 3407.28] on early +[3407.28 --> 3407.88] testimony +[3407.88 --> 3408.30] and on +[3408.30 --> 3408.66] careful +[3408.66 --> 3409.38] investigation +[3409.38 --> 3410.42] he names +[3410.42 --> 3410.90] names +[3410.90 --> 3411.82] documents +[3411.82 --> 3412.42] places +[3412.42 --> 3413.10] records +[3413.10 --> 3413.56] events +[3413.56 --> 3414.24] all of +[3414.24 --> 3414.70] which can +[3414.70 --> 3415.58] be corroborated +[3415.58 --> 3416.18] by extra +[3416.18 --> 3416.48] biblical +[3416.48 --> 3417.10] sources +[3417.10 --> 3417.88] right +[3417.88 --> 3418.12] he's +[3418.12 --> 3418.38] writing +[3418.38 --> 3420.70] not from +[3420.70 --> 3421.10] myth +[3421.10 --> 3421.72] but from +[3421.72 --> 3422.16] memory +[3422.16 --> 3423.40] right +[3423.40 --> 3423.86] the memory +[3423.86 --> 3424.30] of those +[3424.30 --> 3424.50] who were +[3424.50 --> 3424.80] there +[3424.80 --> 3426.08] and if +[3426.08 --> 3426.34] you can +[3426.34 --> 3426.66] trust +[3426.66 --> 3427.50] any history +[3427.50 --> 3428.02] at all +[3428.02 --> 3428.98] you can +[3428.98 --> 3429.22] trust +[3429.22 --> 3429.66] this one +[3429.66 --> 3432.28] you can +[3432.28 --> 3432.64] be a +[3432.64 --> 3433.16] skeptic +[3433.16 --> 3434.38] but use +[3434.38 --> 3434.76] the same +[3434.76 --> 3435.22] standard +[3435.22 --> 3437.24] that's +[3437.24 --> 3437.74] only fair +[3437.74 --> 3439.54] and by +[3439.54 --> 3440.04] the same +[3440.04 --> 3440.64] standard +[3440.64 --> 3441.66] the gospel +[3441.66 --> 3442.14] accounts +[3442.14 --> 3442.56] come out +[3442.56 --> 3442.86] ahead +[3442.86 --> 3445.26] now +[3445.26 --> 3446.60] again +[3446.60 --> 3448.10] I want +[3448.10 --> 3448.28] to be +[3448.28 --> 3448.66] fair +[3448.66 --> 3449.60] and I +[3449.60 --> 3449.70] want +[3449.70 --> 3449.78] to +[3449.78 --> 3450.26] anticipate +[3450.26 --> 3450.60] really +[3450.60 --> 3450.80] good +[3450.80 --> 3451.34] questions +[3451.34 --> 3452.02] here +[3452.02 --> 3452.78] and so +[3452.78 --> 3453.10] you might +[3453.10 --> 3453.46] hear my +[3453.46 --> 3453.86] response +[3453.86 --> 3454.20] to that +[3454.20 --> 3454.44] and you +[3454.44 --> 3454.62] might +[3454.62 --> 3454.92] next +[3454.92 --> 3455.40] ask +[3455.40 --> 3456.54] but how +[3456.54 --> 3456.82] do we +[3456.82 --> 3457.04] know +[3457.04 --> 3457.26] the +[3457.26 --> 3458.14] eyewitnesses +[3458.14 --> 3458.56] were telling +[3458.56 --> 3459.08] the truth +[3459.08 --> 3460.46] couldn't +[3460.46 --> 3460.80] they have +[3460.80 --> 3461.52] misremembered +[3461.52 --> 3461.72] couldn't +[3461.72 --> 3462.04] they have +[3462.04 --> 3462.56] exaggerated +[3462.56 --> 3462.88] couldn't +[3462.88 --> 3463.22] they have +[3463.22 --> 3463.42] made +[3463.42 --> 3463.74] it up +[3463.74 --> 3465.20] and again +[3465.20 --> 3465.78] this digs +[3465.78 --> 3466.06] deeper +[3466.06 --> 3466.36] this is +[3466.36 --> 3466.76] really good +[3466.76 --> 3467.10] work +[3467.10 --> 3467.46] right +[3467.46 --> 3467.78] this is +[3467.78 --> 3468.16] not just +[3468.16 --> 3468.40] about +[3468.40 --> 3468.64] whether +[3468.64 --> 3468.98] Luke +[3468.98 --> 3469.48] says +[3469.48 --> 3470.00] he did +[3470.00 --> 3470.18] the +[3470.18 --> 3470.62] research +[3470.62 --> 3470.92] it's +[3470.92 --> 3471.12] about +[3471.12 --> 3471.40] whether +[3471.40 --> 3471.86] or not +[3471.86 --> 3472.08] his +[3472.08 --> 3472.56] sources +[3472.56 --> 3473.20] are +[3473.20 --> 3473.76] reliable +[3473.76 --> 3475.16] right +[3475.16 --> 3475.44] in other +[3475.44 --> 3475.76] words +[3475.76 --> 3476.30] even +[3476.30 --> 3476.52] if +[3476.52 --> 3476.74] Luke +[3476.74 --> 3476.92] is +[3476.92 --> 3477.42] careful +[3477.42 --> 3477.76] how +[3477.76 --> 3478.00] do I +[3478.00 --> 3478.16] know +[3478.16 --> 3478.36] his +[3478.36 --> 3478.76] sources +[3478.76 --> 3479.02] are +[3479.02 --> 3479.32] credible +[3479.32 --> 3480.48] and they're +[3480.48 --> 3481.00] not just +[3481.00 --> 3481.72] creatively +[3481.72 --> 3482.36] mistaken +[3482.36 --> 3483.76] or creatively +[3483.76 --> 3484.88] mythologizing +[3484.88 --> 3486.30] and again +[3486.30 --> 3486.98] this is such +[3486.98 --> 3487.22] a good +[3487.22 --> 3487.68] question +[3487.68 --> 3488.28] and I +[3488.28 --> 3488.52] love +[3488.52 --> 3488.98] this +[3488.98 --> 3490.48] right +[3490.48 --> 3491.40] to be +[3491.40 --> 3491.78] honest +[3491.78 --> 3492.28] it's +[3492.28 --> 3492.46] also +[3492.46 --> 3492.74] a very +[3492.74 --> 3493.10] fair +[3493.10 --> 3493.62] question +[3493.62 --> 3494.96] because +[3494.96 --> 3495.46] yeah +[3495.46 --> 3496.30] you are +[3496.30 --> 3496.62] right +[3496.62 --> 3497.20] to say +[3497.20 --> 3497.74] that if +[3497.74 --> 3498.10] I'm up +[3498.10 --> 3498.24] here +[3498.24 --> 3498.60] saying +[3498.60 --> 3499.26] it's +[3499.26 --> 3499.80] eyewitness +[3499.80 --> 3500.32] testimony +[3500.32 --> 3501.10] that doesn't +[3501.10 --> 3501.80] automatically +[3501.80 --> 3502.30] make it +[3502.30 --> 3502.62] true +[3502.62 --> 3503.96] right +[3503.96 --> 3504.26] people +[3504.26 --> 3505.04] misremember +[3505.04 --> 3505.80] people +[3505.80 --> 3506.28] lie +[3506.28 --> 3507.00] people +[3507.00 --> 3507.46] get caught +[3507.46 --> 3507.74] up in +[3507.74 --> 3508.22] emotion +[3508.22 --> 3508.86] right +[3508.86 --> 3509.30] how +[3509.30 --> 3509.86] how +[3509.86 --> 3510.22] can we +[3510.22 --> 3510.64] know +[3510.64 --> 3511.70] from the +[3511.70 --> 3512.06] earliest +[3512.06 --> 3512.54] witnesses +[3512.54 --> 3513.44] to Jesus +[3513.44 --> 3513.96] that they +[3513.96 --> 3514.20] weren't +[3514.20 --> 3514.44] doing +[3514.44 --> 3514.82] that +[3514.82 --> 3515.98] how can +[3515.98 --> 3516.08] we +[3516.08 --> 3516.28] trust +[3516.28 --> 3516.60] them +[3516.60 --> 3519.62] here's +[3519.62 --> 3520.12] my first +[3520.12 --> 3521.22] step +[3521.22 --> 3521.46] in an +[3521.46 --> 3521.74] answer +[3521.74 --> 3525.42] because +[3525.42 --> 3526.50] these +[3526.50 --> 3527.06] weren't +[3527.06 --> 3527.50] just +[3527.50 --> 3528.34] casual +[3528.34 --> 3529.84] recollections +[3529.84 --> 3531.56] these +[3531.56 --> 3532.66] eyewitnesses +[3532.66 --> 3533.42] staked +[3533.42 --> 3533.76] their +[3533.76 --> 3534.42] lives +[3534.42 --> 3534.90] on +[3534.90 --> 3535.06] what +[3535.06 --> 3535.24] they +[3535.24 --> 3535.56] saw +[3535.56 --> 3537.02] right +[3537.02 --> 3537.16] they +[3537.16 --> 3537.30] didn't +[3537.30 --> 3537.48] just +[3537.48 --> 3537.98] remember +[3537.98 --> 3538.26] they +[3538.26 --> 3538.72] proclaimed +[3538.72 --> 3539.78] and +[3539.78 --> 3539.88] they +[3539.88 --> 3540.02] didn't +[3540.02 --> 3540.22] just +[3540.22 --> 3540.62] proclaim +[3540.62 --> 3540.94] they +[3540.94 --> 3541.48] suffered +[3541.48 --> 3542.18] persecution +[3542.18 --> 3543.92] right +[3543.92 --> 3544.22] people +[3544.22 --> 3544.68] will die +[3544.68 --> 3545.06] for a +[3545.06 --> 3545.22] lot +[3545.22 --> 3545.34] of +[3545.34 --> 3545.68] things +[3545.68 --> 3546.76] people +[3546.76 --> 3546.94] will +[3546.94 --> 3547.16] even +[3547.16 --> 3547.42] die +[3547.42 --> 3547.60] for +[3547.60 --> 3548.06] things +[3548.06 --> 3548.56] that +[3548.56 --> 3548.86] aren't +[3548.86 --> 3549.22] true +[3549.22 --> 3550.00] but +[3550.00 --> 3550.60] people +[3550.60 --> 3551.10] don't +[3551.10 --> 3551.48] die +[3551.48 --> 3551.82] for +[3551.82 --> 3552.16] things +[3552.16 --> 3552.40] they +[3552.40 --> 3552.76] know +[3552.76 --> 3552.96] to +[3552.96 --> 3553.10] be +[3553.10 --> 3553.26] a +[3553.26 --> 3553.54] lie +[3553.54 --> 3555.96] right +[3555.96 --> 3556.14] the +[3556.14 --> 3556.60] apostles +[3556.60 --> 3557.26] aren't +[3557.26 --> 3557.60] gaining +[3557.60 --> 3558.16] power +[3558.16 --> 3558.64] or +[3558.64 --> 3559.16] comfort +[3559.16 --> 3559.72] by +[3559.72 --> 3560.08] spreading +[3560.08 --> 3560.38] this +[3560.38 --> 3560.86] message +[3560.86 --> 3561.24] the +[3561.24 --> 3561.64] apostles +[3561.64 --> 3562.10] are +[3562.10 --> 3562.32] being +[3562.32 --> 3562.76] arrested +[3562.76 --> 3563.30] and +[3563.30 --> 3563.74] tortured +[3563.74 --> 3564.24] and +[3564.24 --> 3564.92] exiled +[3564.92 --> 3565.30] they're +[3565.30 --> 3565.50] being +[3565.50 --> 3565.98] killed +[3565.98 --> 3567.34] and +[3567.34 --> 3567.48] if +[3567.48 --> 3567.68] this +[3567.68 --> 3567.84] was +[3567.84 --> 3568.04] a +[3568.04 --> 3568.32] myth +[3568.32 --> 3568.80] or +[3568.80 --> 3569.00] a +[3569.00 --> 3569.24] made +[3569.24 --> 3569.44] up +[3569.44 --> 3569.92] memory +[3569.92 --> 3570.68] someone +[3570.68 --> 3571.06] would +[3571.06 --> 3571.26] have +[3571.26 --> 3571.76] cracked +[3571.76 --> 3573.10] but +[3573.10 --> 3573.36] no one +[3573.36 --> 3573.58] did +[3573.58 --> 3574.90] not +[3574.90 --> 3575.18] one +[3575.18 --> 3577.18] plus +[3577.18 --> 3578.08] we're +[3578.08 --> 3578.22] not +[3578.22 --> 3578.52] talking +[3578.52 --> 3578.72] about +[3578.72 --> 3578.86] an +[3578.86 --> 3579.34] isolated +[3579.34 --> 3579.80] account +[3579.80 --> 3580.86] right +[3580.86 --> 3581.24] we have +[3581.24 --> 3581.70] multiple +[3581.70 --> 3582.28] sources +[3582.28 --> 3582.66] Matthew +[3582.66 --> 3583.06] Mark +[3583.06 --> 3583.36] Luke +[3583.36 --> 3583.78] John +[3583.78 --> 3584.20] Paul +[3584.20 --> 3584.66] right +[3584.66 --> 3585.00] Peter +[3585.00 --> 3585.44] all +[3585.44 --> 3585.66] of +[3585.66 --> 3585.96] these +[3585.96 --> 3586.78] confirming +[3586.78 --> 3587.00] the +[3587.00 --> 3587.18] same +[3587.18 --> 3587.46] thing +[3587.46 --> 3587.86] all +[3587.86 --> 3588.38] written +[3588.38 --> 3588.82] within +[3588.82 --> 3589.08] a +[3589.08 --> 3589.58] generation +[3589.58 --> 3589.94] of +[3589.94 --> 3590.10] the +[3590.10 --> 3590.50] events +[3590.50 --> 3590.80] upon +[3590.80 --> 3591.06] which +[3591.06 --> 3591.48] they're +[3591.48 --> 3591.94] reflecting +[3591.94 --> 3592.36] all +[3592.36 --> 3592.60] with +[3592.60 --> 3592.78] this +[3592.78 --> 3593.40] incredible +[3593.40 --> 3594.02] internal +[3594.02 --> 3594.84] consistency +[3594.84 --> 3595.44] and +[3595.44 --> 3595.92] connection +[3595.92 --> 3596.28] to +[3596.28 --> 3596.58] real +[3596.58 --> 3596.96] people +[3596.96 --> 3597.56] real +[3597.56 --> 3598.00] places +[3598.00 --> 3598.46] and +[3598.46 --> 3598.74] real +[3598.74 --> 3599.12] events +[3599.12 --> 3600.32] and +[3600.32 --> 3600.44] if +[3600.44 --> 3600.56] you +[3600.56 --> 3600.96] dismiss +[3600.96 --> 3601.32] all +[3601.32 --> 3601.46] of +[3601.46 --> 3601.80] that +[3601.80 --> 3602.10] as +[3602.10 --> 3602.28] a +[3602.28 --> 3602.82] skeptic +[3602.82 --> 3603.26] you're +[3603.26 --> 3603.54] starting +[3603.54 --> 3603.74] to +[3603.74 --> 3604.02] become +[3604.02 --> 3604.26] a +[3604.26 --> 3604.70] cynic +[3604.70 --> 3606.48] because +[3606.48 --> 3606.62] if +[3606.62 --> 3606.72] you +[3606.72 --> 3607.14] dismiss +[3607.14 --> 3607.50] that +[3607.50 --> 3607.70] you +[3607.70 --> 3607.90] have +[3607.90 --> 3608.02] to +[3608.02 --> 3608.34] dismiss +[3608.34 --> 3608.72] most +[3608.72 --> 3608.88] of +[3608.88 --> 3609.00] what +[3609.00 --> 3609.14] we +[3609.14 --> 3609.30] know +[3609.30 --> 3609.48] about +[3609.48 --> 3609.62] the +[3609.62 --> 3609.86] ancient +[3609.86 --> 3610.16] world +[3610.16 --> 3611.66] you +[3611.66 --> 3611.96] can't +[3611.96 --> 3612.38] confidently +[3612.38 --> 3612.68] say +[3612.68 --> 3612.82] we +[3612.82 --> 3612.98] have +[3612.98 --> 3613.18] any +[3613.18 --> 3613.68] history +[3613.68 --> 3615.46] but +[3615.46 --> 3615.70] instead +[3615.70 --> 3615.88] of +[3615.88 --> 3616.74] dismissing +[3616.74 --> 3617.46] right +[3617.46 --> 3617.72] instead +[3617.72 --> 3617.86] of +[3617.86 --> 3618.46] dismissing +[3618.46 --> 3618.66] we +[3618.66 --> 3618.82] can +[3618.82 --> 3619.08] be +[3619.08 --> 3620.12] confident +[3620.12 --> 3621.72] our +[3621.72 --> 3622.32] translations +[3622.32 --> 3622.88] here +[3622.88 --> 3623.94] say +[3623.94 --> 3624.88] that +[3624.88 --> 3625.28] Luke +[3625.28 --> 3625.90] writes +[3625.90 --> 3626.28] so +[3626.28 --> 3626.52] that +[3626.52 --> 3626.70] you +[3626.70 --> 3626.94] can +[3626.94 --> 3627.24] know +[3627.24 --> 3627.52] the +[3627.52 --> 3628.22] certainty +[3628.22 --> 3629.62] but +[3629.62 --> 3629.80] that +[3629.80 --> 3630.02] word +[3630.02 --> 3630.70] certainty +[3630.70 --> 3632.10] doesn't +[3632.10 --> 3632.46] mean +[3632.46 --> 3633.42] certainty +[3633.42 --> 3634.08] in the +[3634.08 --> 3634.36] same +[3634.36 --> 3634.66] way +[3634.66 --> 3634.92] that +[3634.92 --> 3635.12] our +[3635.12 --> 3635.88] modern +[3635.88 --> 3636.46] language +[3636.46 --> 3636.64] or +[3636.64 --> 3636.90] modern +[3636.90 --> 3637.52] scientists +[3637.52 --> 3637.88] would +[3637.88 --> 3638.10] like +[3638.10 --> 3638.26] to +[3638.26 --> 3638.48] use +[3638.48 --> 3638.68] that +[3638.68 --> 3638.92] word +[3638.92 --> 3639.66] in +[3639.66 --> 3640.06] Greek +[3640.06 --> 3640.60] the +[3640.60 --> 3640.96] word +[3640.96 --> 3641.34] is +[3641.34 --> 3642.78] and +[3642.78 --> 3642.98] it +[3642.98 --> 3643.60] means +[3643.60 --> 3644.46] safety +[3644.46 --> 3644.96] or +[3644.96 --> 3645.72] security +[3645.72 --> 3648.14] safety +[3648.14 --> 3648.48] or +[3648.48 --> 3648.94] security +[3648.94 --> 3649.12] in +[3649.12 --> 3649.34] Acts +[3649.34 --> 3649.82] 5 +[3649.82 --> 3650.46] it's +[3650.46 --> 3650.70] the +[3650.70 --> 3650.90] same +[3650.90 --> 3651.08] word +[3651.08 --> 3651.24] is +[3651.24 --> 3651.68] used +[3651.68 --> 3652.20] to +[3652.20 --> 3652.76] describe +[3652.76 --> 3653.26] locked +[3653.26 --> 3653.84] doors +[3653.84 --> 3655.16] right +[3655.16 --> 3655.62] in +[3655.62 --> 3655.84] Acts +[3655.84 --> 3656.08] 5 +[3656.08 --> 3656.26] we +[3656.26 --> 3656.56] read +[3656.56 --> 3656.94] we +[3656.94 --> 3657.34] found +[3657.34 --> 3657.58] the +[3657.58 --> 3658.00] prison +[3658.00 --> 3658.80] securely +[3658.80 --> 3659.86] locked +[3659.86 --> 3660.48] and +[3660.48 --> 3660.64] the +[3660.64 --> 3661.00] guards +[3661.00 --> 3661.58] standing +[3661.58 --> 3661.84] at +[3661.84 --> 3661.96] the +[3661.96 --> 3662.30] doors +[3662.30 --> 3663.30] in +[3663.30 --> 3663.56] 1 +[3663.56 --> 3664.30] Thessalonians +[3664.30 --> 3664.68] 5 +[3664.68 --> 3664.98] it's +[3664.98 --> 3665.22] used +[3665.22 --> 3665.40] to +[3665.40 --> 3665.86] describe +[3665.86 --> 3666.08] a +[3666.08 --> 3666.38] feeling +[3666.38 --> 3666.74] of +[3666.74 --> 3667.30] peace +[3667.30 --> 3667.94] and +[3667.94 --> 3668.62] security +[3668.62 --> 3670.58] and +[3670.58 --> 3670.74] so +[3670.74 --> 3670.98] for +[3670.98 --> 3671.46] Luke +[3671.46 --> 3671.74] what +[3671.74 --> 3671.90] he +[3671.90 --> 3672.30] wants +[3672.30 --> 3672.64] for +[3672.64 --> 3672.98] us +[3672.98 --> 3673.20] is +[3673.20 --> 3673.46] so +[3673.46 --> 3673.76] much +[3673.76 --> 3674.28] more +[3674.28 --> 3674.80] than +[3674.80 --> 3675.04] a +[3675.04 --> 3675.62] cognitive +[3675.62 --> 3677.08] certainty +[3677.08 --> 3677.86] he +[3677.86 --> 3678.16] wants +[3678.16 --> 3678.30] you +[3678.30 --> 3678.44] to +[3678.44 --> 3678.62] have +[3678.62 --> 3678.86] a +[3678.86 --> 3679.60] security +[3679.60 --> 3680.38] a +[3680.38 --> 3680.68] kind +[3680.68 --> 3680.86] of +[3680.86 --> 3681.38] locked +[3681.38 --> 3681.92] down +[3681.92 --> 3682.50] truth +[3682.50 --> 3682.74] an +[3682.74 --> 3684.08] unshakable +[3684.08 --> 3685.00] reality +[3685.00 --> 3686.48] right +[3686.48 --> 3686.62] the +[3686.62 --> 3687.00] story +[3687.00 --> 3687.18] that +[3687.18 --> 3687.38] he's +[3687.38 --> 3687.70] telling +[3687.70 --> 3688.14] isn't +[3688.14 --> 3688.38] just +[3688.38 --> 3688.58] the +[3688.58 --> 3688.80] most +[3688.80 --> 3689.16] important +[3689.16 --> 3689.54] story +[3689.54 --> 3689.68] in +[3689.68 --> 3689.78] the +[3689.78 --> 3690.02] history +[3690.02 --> 3690.14] of +[3690.14 --> 3690.26] the +[3690.26 --> 3690.58] world +[3690.58 --> 3691.40] it's +[3691.40 --> 3691.82] also +[3691.82 --> 3692.38] true +[3692.38 --> 3694.46] and +[3694.46 --> 3694.70] Luke +[3694.70 --> 3695.06] wants +[3695.06 --> 3695.30] us +[3695.30 --> 3695.52] to +[3695.52 --> 3696.00] know +[3696.00 --> 3696.86] the +[3696.86 --> 3697.78] firmness +[3697.78 --> 3698.16] of +[3698.16 --> 3698.36] what +[3698.36 --> 3698.70] can +[3698.70 --> 3698.90] be +[3698.90 --> 3699.30] known +[3699.30 --> 3700.26] right +[3700.26 --> 3700.36] he +[3700.36 --> 3700.60] wants +[3700.60 --> 3700.76] us +[3700.76 --> 3700.90] to +[3700.90 --> 3701.12] know +[3701.12 --> 3701.40] this +[3701.40 --> 3701.82] truth +[3701.82 --> 3702.48] as a +[3702.48 --> 3702.86] mountain +[3702.86 --> 3703.50] not +[3703.50 --> 3703.80] as a +[3703.80 --> 3704.20] cloud +[3704.20 --> 3705.70] right +[3705.70 --> 3706.34] safety +[3706.34 --> 3707.24] security +[3707.24 --> 3708.30] unshakable +[3708.30 --> 3708.88] locked +[3708.88 --> 3709.28] down +[3709.28 --> 3710.42] unalterable +[3710.42 --> 3711.66] when you +[3711.66 --> 3712.12] are driving +[3712.12 --> 3712.56] home from +[3712.56 --> 3712.92] church +[3712.92 --> 3713.50] today +[3713.50 --> 3714.14] look at +[3714.14 --> 3714.54] the golden +[3714.54 --> 3714.82] years +[3714.82 --> 3715.30] mountains +[3715.30 --> 3716.00] to the +[3716.00 --> 3716.32] north +[3716.32 --> 3717.90] as firm +[3717.90 --> 3718.50] as they +[3718.50 --> 3718.88] are +[3718.88 --> 3719.96] that's +[3719.96 --> 3720.16] this +[3720.16 --> 3720.54] truth +[3720.54 --> 3725.12] Jesus +[3725.12 --> 3725.48] God +[3725.48 --> 3726.48] God +[3726.48 --> 3727.72] salvation +[3727.72 --> 3728.96] faith +[3728.96 --> 3730.08] as firm +[3730.08 --> 3730.74] as those +[3730.74 --> 3731.26] mountains +[3731.26 --> 3731.74] are +[3731.74 --> 3732.26] that +[3732.26 --> 3732.80] is +[3732.80 --> 3733.28] the +[3733.28 --> 3733.70] truth +[3733.70 --> 3734.22] about +[3734.22 --> 3735.04] him +[3735.04 --> 3735.90] God +[3735.90 --> 3736.10] is +[3736.10 --> 3736.64] active +[3736.64 --> 3736.98] God +[3736.98 --> 3737.26] is +[3737.26 --> 3737.76] present +[3737.76 --> 3738.42] God +[3738.42 --> 3738.72] is +[3738.72 --> 3739.42] saturated +[3739.42 --> 3740.28] in +[3740.28 --> 3740.48] and +[3740.48 --> 3740.74] through +[3740.74 --> 3741.16] these +[3741.16 --> 3741.64] chapters +[3741.64 --> 3741.98] of +[3741.98 --> 3742.44] history +[3742.44 --> 3743.14] Luke +[3743.14 --> 3743.42] in +[3743.42 --> 3743.58] his +[3743.58 --> 3743.92] writing +[3743.92 --> 3744.14] is +[3744.14 --> 3744.62] full +[3744.62 --> 3744.84] of +[3744.84 --> 3745.00] the +[3745.00 --> 3745.26] word +[3745.26 --> 3745.46] of +[3745.46 --> 3745.72] God +[3745.72 --> 3745.84] and +[3745.84 --> 3745.96] he +[3745.96 --> 3746.14] is +[3746.14 --> 3746.72] fixed +[3746.72 --> 3747.36] on +[3747.36 --> 3747.88] Jesus +[3747.88 --> 3748.22] and +[3748.22 --> 3748.70] Luke +[3748.70 --> 3749.04] wants +[3749.04 --> 3749.92] Theophilus +[3749.92 --> 3750.56] and +[3750.56 --> 3751.00] all +[3751.00 --> 3751.22] of +[3751.22 --> 3751.60] us +[3751.60 --> 3752.00] as +[3752.00 --> 3752.54] future +[3752.54 --> 3753.38] Theophiluses +[3753.38 --> 3754.16] to +[3754.16 --> 3754.90] know +[3754.90 --> 3755.50] this +[3755.50 --> 3756.24] truth +[3756.24 --> 3756.58] in +[3756.58 --> 3756.96] this +[3756.96 --> 3757.60] way +[3757.60 --> 3761.08] and +[3761.08 --> 3761.58] this +[3761.58 --> 3764.32] this +[3764.32 --> 3765.00] truth +[3765.00 --> 3767.36] revealed +[3767.36 --> 3767.64] in the +[3767.64 --> 3768.08] gospel +[3768.08 --> 3770.30] that I +[3770.30 --> 3770.70] am more +[3770.70 --> 3771.24] sinful +[3771.24 --> 3773.08] than I +[3773.08 --> 3773.64] could ever +[3773.64 --> 3774.44] admit +[3774.44 --> 3776.58] and +[3776.58 --> 3776.72] yet +[3776.72 --> 3776.88] I +[3776.88 --> 3777.14] am more +[3777.14 --> 3777.74] loved +[3777.74 --> 3778.06] than I +[3778.06 --> 3778.18] could +[3778.18 --> 3778.44] ever +[3778.44 --> 3778.82] imagine +[3778.82 --> 3779.40] possible +[3779.40 --> 3780.98] this +[3780.98 --> 3781.68] truth +[3781.68 --> 3782.18] that +[3782.18 --> 3782.60] Jesus +[3782.60 --> 3783.58] came +[3783.58 --> 3784.00] into +[3784.00 --> 3784.34] this +[3784.34 --> 3784.90] world +[3784.90 --> 3785.50] the +[3785.50 --> 3785.84] second +[3785.84 --> 3786.30] person +[3786.30 --> 3786.68] of +[3786.68 --> 3786.88] the +[3786.88 --> 3787.20] trinity +[3787.20 --> 3787.56] and +[3787.56 --> 3787.82] took +[3787.82 --> 3788.08] on +[3788.08 --> 3788.58] flesh +[3788.58 --> 3789.02] and +[3789.02 --> 3789.36] lived +[3789.36 --> 3789.52] the +[3789.52 --> 3789.78] life +[3789.78 --> 3789.96] I +[3789.96 --> 3790.16] should +[3790.16 --> 3790.30] have +[3790.30 --> 3790.62] lived +[3790.62 --> 3790.82] and +[3790.82 --> 3791.18] died +[3791.18 --> 3791.38] the +[3791.38 --> 3791.66] death +[3791.66 --> 3792.02] that +[3792.02 --> 3792.16] I +[3792.16 --> 3792.60] deserved +[3792.60 --> 3792.96] that +[3792.96 --> 3793.20] this +[3793.20 --> 3793.60] Jesus +[3793.60 --> 3793.98] three +[3793.98 --> 3794.32] days +[3794.32 --> 3794.66] later +[3794.66 --> 3794.90] was +[3794.90 --> 3795.38] raised +[3795.38 --> 3795.68] from +[3795.68 --> 3795.88] the +[3795.88 --> 3796.08] dead +[3796.08 --> 3796.90] victorious +[3796.90 --> 3797.44] over +[3797.44 --> 3797.82] sin +[3797.82 --> 3798.08] and +[3798.08 --> 3798.30] death +[3798.30 --> 3799.02] this +[3799.02 --> 3799.96] truth +[3799.96 --> 3802.46] changes +[3802.46 --> 3804.18] everything +[3804.18 --> 3806.10] so +[3806.10 --> 3806.58] humbly +[3806.58 --> 3807.72] and +[3807.72 --> 3808.42] pastorally +[3808.42 --> 3810.18] may I +[3810.18 --> 3810.62] suggest +[3810.62 --> 3811.16] to you +[3811.16 --> 3812.46] that the +[3812.46 --> 3813.06] reason +[3813.06 --> 3814.08] behind +[3814.08 --> 3814.54] the +[3814.54 --> 3815.02] reason +[3815.02 --> 3815.68] of +[3815.68 --> 3816.58] skeptic +[3816.58 --> 3817.14] challenges +[3817.14 --> 3817.80] to the +[3817.80 --> 3818.12] truth +[3818.12 --> 3818.48] of the +[3818.48 --> 3818.84] gospel +[3818.84 --> 3819.28] account +[3819.28 --> 3819.70] the +[3819.70 --> 3820.10] reason +[3820.10 --> 3820.68] behind +[3820.68 --> 3821.00] the +[3821.00 --> 3821.44] reason +[3821.44 --> 3822.22] isn't +[3822.22 --> 3822.74] because +[3822.74 --> 3823.02] it's +[3823.02 --> 3823.20] an +[3823.20 --> 3823.72] unlikely +[3823.72 --> 3824.60] history +[3824.60 --> 3826.66] instead +[3826.66 --> 3828.42] it's +[3828.42 --> 3828.64] because +[3828.64 --> 3829.08] if this +[3829.08 --> 3829.72] is true +[3829.72 --> 3830.54] really +[3830.54 --> 3831.04] true +[3831.04 --> 3832.12] then +[3832.12 --> 3833.02] everything +[3833.02 --> 3833.92] must +[3833.92 --> 3834.56] change +[3834.56 --> 3836.50] if +[3836.50 --> 3836.88] Jesus +[3836.88 --> 3837.20] is +[3837.20 --> 3837.50] really +[3837.50 --> 3837.88] raised +[3837.88 --> 3838.12] from +[3838.12 --> 3838.28] the +[3838.28 --> 3838.54] dead +[3838.54 --> 3838.92] then +[3838.92 --> 3839.06] I +[3839.06 --> 3839.24] should +[3839.24 --> 3839.56] listen +[3839.56 --> 3839.70] to +[3839.70 --> 3839.92] him +[3839.92 --> 3840.74] and +[3840.74 --> 3840.86] if +[3840.86 --> 3841.00] I +[3841.00 --> 3841.20] should +[3841.20 --> 3841.54] listen +[3841.54 --> 3841.72] to +[3841.72 --> 3842.02] him +[3842.02 --> 3842.42] if +[3842.42 --> 3842.56] he +[3842.56 --> 3842.86] really +[3842.86 --> 3843.20] does +[3843.20 --> 3843.38] have +[3843.38 --> 3843.52] the +[3843.52 --> 3843.84] words +[3843.84 --> 3843.98] of +[3843.98 --> 3844.30] eternal +[3844.30 --> 3844.62] life +[3844.62 --> 3844.94] then +[3844.94 --> 3845.04] I +[3845.04 --> 3845.18] must +[3845.18 --> 3845.56] trust +[3845.56 --> 3845.88] him +[3845.88 --> 3847.58] and +[3847.58 --> 3847.76] it's +[3847.76 --> 3848.08] this +[3848.08 --> 3848.60] move +[3848.60 --> 3849.02] right +[3849.02 --> 3849.30] this +[3849.30 --> 3849.62] move +[3849.62 --> 3849.90] from +[3849.90 --> 3850.86] reliability +[3850.86 --> 3851.90] to +[3851.90 --> 3852.64] trustworthy +[3852.64 --> 3853.70] that +[3853.70 --> 3854.36] faith +[3854.36 --> 3854.86] is +[3854.86 --> 3855.16] found +[3855.16 --> 3855.46] in +[3855.46 --> 3857.80] right +[3857.80 --> 3858.22] even +[3858.22 --> 3858.96] skeptical +[3858.96 --> 3859.46] and +[3859.46 --> 3859.88] secular +[3859.88 --> 3860.54] scholars +[3860.54 --> 3860.94] agree +[3860.94 --> 3861.18] that +[3861.18 --> 3861.48] most +[3861.48 --> 3861.80] of what +[3861.80 --> 3861.92] is +[3861.92 --> 3862.10] said +[3862.10 --> 3862.34] about +[3862.34 --> 3862.66] Jesus +[3862.66 --> 3862.84] and +[3862.84 --> 3862.98] the +[3862.98 --> 3863.38] gospels +[3863.38 --> 3863.84] is +[3863.84 --> 3864.20] true +[3864.20 --> 3864.72] it's +[3864.72 --> 3865.22] reliable +[3865.22 --> 3865.82] history +[3865.82 --> 3866.36] but +[3866.36 --> 3866.54] for +[3866.54 --> 3866.80] you +[3866.80 --> 3867.04] to +[3867.04 --> 3867.32] build +[3867.32 --> 3867.52] your +[3867.52 --> 3867.98] life +[3867.98 --> 3868.30] on +[3868.30 --> 3868.48] it +[3868.48 --> 3868.86] you +[3868.86 --> 3869.08] must +[3869.08 --> 3869.52] also +[3869.52 --> 3869.96] believe +[3869.96 --> 3870.28] it's +[3870.28 --> 3870.90] trustworthy +[3870.90 --> 3873.24] reliability +[3873.24 --> 3874.08] exists +[3874.08 --> 3874.48] in your +[3874.48 --> 3874.88] head +[3874.88 --> 3876.26] trustworthy +[3876.26 --> 3877.04] lives +[3877.04 --> 3877.30] in your +[3877.30 --> 3877.64] heart +[3877.64 --> 3880.88] that's +[3880.88 --> 3881.08] the +[3881.08 --> 3881.42] shift +[3881.42 --> 3882.48] we +[3882.48 --> 3882.70] need +[3882.70 --> 3883.14] next +[3883.14 --> 3886.30] here +[3886.30 --> 3886.70] at +[3886.70 --> 3887.46] Langley +[3887.46 --> 3887.76] Emanuel +[3887.76 --> 3888.12] we've +[3888.12 --> 3888.30] just +[3888.30 --> 3888.72] finished +[3888.72 --> 3889.34] a year +[3889.34 --> 3889.68] of +[3889.68 --> 3890.48] reading +[3890.48 --> 3891.52] catechism +[3891.52 --> 3891.88] together +[3891.88 --> 3892.18] and +[3892.18 --> 3892.66] discussing +[3892.66 --> 3892.92] it +[3892.92 --> 3893.08] in +[3893.08 --> 3893.28] one +[3893.28 --> 3893.42] of +[3893.42 --> 3893.66] our +[3893.66 --> 3894.28] adult +[3894.28 --> 3894.54] ed +[3894.54 --> 3895.06] classes +[3895.06 --> 3896.60] I +[3896.60 --> 3896.86] can't +[3896.86 --> 3897.04] say +[3897.04 --> 3897.18] it +[3897.18 --> 3897.36] better +[3897.36 --> 3897.54] than +[3897.54 --> 3897.68] the +[3897.68 --> 3898.12] catechism +[3898.12 --> 3898.38] does +[3898.38 --> 3898.50] and +[3898.50 --> 3898.58] so +[3898.58 --> 3898.68] I'm +[3898.68 --> 3898.78] just +[3898.78 --> 3898.92] going +[3898.92 --> 3899.00] to +[3899.00 --> 3899.24] read +[3899.24 --> 3899.36] it +[3899.36 --> 3899.48] this +[3899.48 --> 3899.60] is +[3899.60 --> 3899.92] question +[3899.92 --> 3900.08] and +[3900.08 --> 3900.30] answer +[3900.30 --> 3900.88] 21 +[3900.88 --> 3901.60] from +[3901.60 --> 3901.70] the +[3901.70 --> 3902.02] Heidelberg +[3902.02 --> 3902.50] Catechism +[3902.50 --> 3903.00] it +[3903.00 --> 3903.30] asks +[3903.30 --> 3903.66] what +[3903.66 --> 3904.12] is +[3904.12 --> 3904.52] true +[3904.52 --> 3905.18] faith +[3905.18 --> 3906.40] and +[3906.40 --> 3906.52] the +[3906.52 --> 3906.76] answer +[3906.76 --> 3907.06] is +[3907.06 --> 3907.32] true +[3907.32 --> 3907.72] faith +[3907.72 --> 3907.96] is +[3907.96 --> 3908.26] not +[3908.26 --> 3908.76] only +[3908.76 --> 3909.12] a +[3909.12 --> 3909.38] sure +[3909.38 --> 3910.08] knowledge +[3910.08 --> 3910.96] by +[3910.96 --> 3911.20] which +[3911.20 --> 3911.46] I +[3911.46 --> 3911.80] hold +[3911.80 --> 3912.10] as +[3912.10 --> 3912.44] true +[3912.44 --> 3912.86] all +[3912.86 --> 3913.06] that +[3913.06 --> 3913.30] God +[3913.30 --> 3913.50] has +[3913.50 --> 3913.82] revealed +[3913.82 --> 3914.02] to +[3914.02 --> 3914.22] us +[3914.22 --> 3914.38] in +[3914.38 --> 3914.68] scripture +[3914.68 --> 3915.40] it +[3915.40 --> 3915.60] is +[3915.60 --> 3916.06] also +[3916.06 --> 3916.44] a +[3916.44 --> 3916.80] whole +[3916.80 --> 3917.36] hearted +[3917.36 --> 3917.88] trust +[3917.88 --> 3918.92] which +[3918.92 --> 3919.10] the +[3919.10 --> 3919.32] Holy +[3919.32 --> 3919.68] Spirit +[3919.68 --> 3920.26] creates +[3920.26 --> 3920.46] in +[3920.46 --> 3920.78] me +[3920.78 --> 3921.28] by +[3921.28 --> 3921.44] the +[3921.44 --> 3921.82] gospel +[3921.82 --> 3923.20] true +[3923.20 --> 3923.54] faith +[3923.54 --> 3923.72] is +[3923.72 --> 3923.94] both +[3923.94 --> 3924.08] a +[3924.08 --> 3924.60] reliable +[3924.60 --> 3925.26] knowledge +[3925.26 --> 3926.06] and +[3926.06 --> 3926.24] a +[3926.24 --> 3926.50] whole +[3926.50 --> 3926.96] hearted +[3926.96 --> 3927.60] trust +[3927.60 --> 3928.16] a +[3928.16 --> 3928.56] deep +[3928.56 --> 3928.90] rooted +[3928.90 --> 3929.38] assurance +[3929.38 --> 3929.74] and +[3929.74 --> 3929.94] we +[3929.94 --> 3930.24] need +[3930.24 --> 3930.68] both +[3930.68 --> 3932.90] and +[3932.90 --> 3933.04] so +[3933.04 --> 3933.20] let +[3933.20 --> 3933.28] me +[3933.28 --> 3933.52] ask +[3933.52 --> 3933.64] you +[3933.64 --> 3933.94] again +[3933.94 --> 3935.86] in +[3935.86 --> 3936.00] a +[3936.00 --> 3936.38] world +[3936.38 --> 3936.68] that +[3936.68 --> 3937.20] feels +[3937.20 --> 3937.90] slippery +[3937.90 --> 3938.56] and +[3938.56 --> 3938.70] where +[3938.70 --> 3939.12] trust +[3939.12 --> 3939.40] is +[3939.40 --> 3939.82] rare +[3939.82 --> 3940.22] and +[3940.22 --> 3940.38] where +[3940.38 --> 3940.88] commitment +[3940.88 --> 3941.38] feels +[3941.38 --> 3941.92] risky +[3941.92 --> 3942.48] is +[3942.48 --> 3942.70] there +[3942.70 --> 3943.26] anything +[3943.26 --> 3943.76] you can +[3943.76 --> 3943.96] build +[3943.96 --> 3944.12] your +[3944.12 --> 3944.36] life +[3944.36 --> 3944.64] on +[3944.64 --> 3947.48] there +[3947.48 --> 3947.84] is +[3947.84 --> 3949.22] there +[3949.22 --> 3949.68] is +[3949.68 --> 3950.30] right +[3950.30 --> 3950.68] the +[3950.68 --> 3951.04] the +[3951.04 --> 3952.32] beautiful +[3952.32 --> 3952.92] big +[3952.92 --> 3953.50] idea +[3953.50 --> 3953.98] of +[3953.98 --> 3955.04] Pentecost +[3955.04 --> 3955.40] and +[3955.40 --> 3955.78] of +[3955.78 --> 3956.24] the +[3956.24 --> 3956.70] purpose +[3956.70 --> 3957.00] of +[3957.00 --> 3957.22] the +[3957.22 --> 3957.62] gospel +[3957.62 --> 3958.10] is +[3958.10 --> 3958.26] that +[3958.26 --> 3958.60] it +[3958.60 --> 3958.98] isn't +[3958.98 --> 3959.24] just +[3959.24 --> 3959.72] true +[3959.72 --> 3960.68] it's +[3960.68 --> 3961.10] secure +[3961.10 --> 3962.62] and +[3962.62 --> 3962.76] the +[3962.76 --> 3962.98] Holy +[3962.98 --> 3963.42] Spirit +[3963.42 --> 3963.78] makes +[3963.78 --> 3963.96] it +[3963.96 --> 3964.38] real +[3964.38 --> 3964.78] and +[3964.78 --> 3965.26] firm +[3965.26 --> 3965.58] and +[3965.58 --> 3966.08] trustworthy +[3966.08 --> 3966.90] in +[3966.90 --> 3967.08] your +[3967.08 --> 3967.40] heart +[3967.40 --> 3968.84] the +[3968.84 --> 3969.22] gospel +[3969.22 --> 3969.62] isn't +[3969.62 --> 3969.86] just +[3969.86 --> 3970.26] true +[3970.26 --> 3970.64] it's +[3970.64 --> 3971.06] secure +[3971.06 --> 3971.56] and +[3971.56 --> 3971.70] the +[3971.70 --> 3971.90] Holy +[3971.90 --> 3972.24] Spirit +[3972.24 --> 3972.50] makes +[3972.50 --> 3972.66] it +[3972.66 --> 3973.20] real +[3973.20 --> 3973.44] and +[3973.44 --> 3973.84] firm +[3973.84 --> 3974.08] and +[3974.08 --> 3974.58] trustworthy +[3974.58 --> 3975.36] in +[3975.36 --> 3975.54] your +[3975.54 --> 3975.86] heart +[3975.86 --> 3979.02] imagine +[3979.02 --> 3980.42] that you're +[3980.42 --> 3981.04] standing on +[3981.04 --> 3981.34] the edge +[3981.34 --> 3981.58] of a +[3981.58 --> 3981.96] canyon +[3981.96 --> 3982.90] and there's +[3982.90 --> 3983.40] a bridge +[3983.40 --> 3984.10] that spans +[3984.10 --> 3984.70] the gap +[3984.70 --> 3986.14] and you've +[3986.14 --> 3986.68] studied this +[3986.68 --> 3987.06] bridge +[3987.06 --> 3988.76] the engineering +[3988.76 --> 3989.48] checks out +[3989.48 --> 3990.76] the steel +[3990.76 --> 3991.70] cables look +[3991.70 --> 3992.44] strong enough +[3992.44 --> 3993.26] the bolts +[3993.26 --> 3993.88] holding it +[3993.88 --> 3994.72] to the bedrock +[3994.72 --> 3995.52] look sound +[3995.52 --> 3995.84] enough +[3995.84 --> 3996.60] you've even +[3996.60 --> 3997.26] watched other +[3997.26 --> 3998.04] people cross +[3998.04 --> 3999.24] you know +[3999.24 --> 4000.10] in your +[4000.10 --> 4000.60] head +[4000.60 --> 4001.40] that you can +[4001.40 --> 4002.20] take a step +[4002.20 --> 4002.98] out onto +[4002.98 --> 4003.56] the bridge +[4003.56 --> 4004.40] but until +[4004.40 --> 4005.02] your weight +[4005.02 --> 4005.50] is on +[4005.50 --> 4006.06] that bridge +[4006.06 --> 4006.70] you haven't +[4006.70 --> 4007.10] actually +[4007.10 --> 4007.90] trusted it +[4007.90 --> 4008.34] yet +[4008.34 --> 4013.10] it's not +[4013.10 --> 4013.46] enough just +[4013.46 --> 4013.90] to know +[4013.90 --> 4014.26] that it +[4014.26 --> 4014.74] holds +[4014.74 --> 4016.38] but if we +[4016.38 --> 4017.18] step out +[4017.18 --> 4018.40] because we +[4018.40 --> 4018.98] believe +[4018.98 --> 4019.70] we trust +[4019.70 --> 4020.40] that it +[4020.40 --> 4020.72] will hold +[4020.72 --> 4021.04] us +[4021.04 --> 4023.34] a little +[4023.34 --> 4023.86] while ago +[4023.86 --> 4025.40] my family +[4025.40 --> 4026.24] and some +[4026.24 --> 4026.66] friends +[4026.66 --> 4027.08] we went +[4027.08 --> 4027.38] to +[4027.38 --> 4028.16] Cascade +[4028.16 --> 4028.60] Falls +[4028.60 --> 4029.30] suspension +[4029.30 --> 4029.72] bridge +[4029.72 --> 4030.88] just north +[4030.88 --> 4031.04] of +[4031.04 --> 4031.32] Mission +[4031.32 --> 4032.02] maybe +[4032.02 --> 4032.30] you're +[4032.30 --> 4032.74] familiar +[4032.74 --> 4033.06] with it +[4033.06 --> 4033.28] I think +[4033.28 --> 4033.46] we have +[4033.46 --> 4033.86] a picture +[4033.86 --> 4034.94] that we +[4034.94 --> 4035.28] can throw +[4035.28 --> 4035.48] up +[4035.48 --> 4036.22] and it +[4036.22 --> 4036.82] was really +[4036.82 --> 4037.52] fascinating +[4037.52 --> 4038.64] to watch +[4038.64 --> 4039.30] the younger +[4039.30 --> 4039.86] kids +[4039.86 --> 4040.56] figure out +[4040.56 --> 4041.16] this bridge +[4041.16 --> 4042.94] right +[4042.94 --> 4043.26] they could +[4043.26 --> 4043.80] see that +[4043.80 --> 4044.08] it was +[4044.08 --> 4044.52] safe +[4044.52 --> 4045.26] because +[4045.26 --> 4045.64] you know +[4045.64 --> 4045.96] we all +[4045.96 --> 4046.20] walked +[4046.20 --> 4046.56] across +[4046.56 --> 4046.80] it +[4046.80 --> 4047.98] their brains +[4047.98 --> 4048.42] knew it +[4048.42 --> 4048.94] was safe +[4048.94 --> 4050.44] but their +[4050.44 --> 4050.82] legs +[4050.82 --> 4051.36] as they +[4051.36 --> 4051.90] tried to +[4051.90 --> 4052.20] go +[4052.20 --> 4053.58] wouldn't +[4053.58 --> 4054.16] believe +[4054.16 --> 4054.64] that it +[4054.64 --> 4055.16] was safe +[4055.16 --> 4056.66] wouldn't +[4056.66 --> 4057.08] trust +[4057.08 --> 4057.76] that it +[4057.76 --> 4058.22] was safe +[4058.22 --> 4058.76] and their +[4058.76 --> 4059.04] legs +[4059.04 --> 4059.32] didn't +[4059.32 --> 4059.72] get that +[4059.72 --> 4060.06] message +[4060.06 --> 4060.40] until +[4060.40 --> 4060.56] they +[4060.56 --> 4060.70] were +[4060.70 --> 4061.04] halfway +[4061.04 --> 4061.62] across +[4061.62 --> 4062.76] and could +[4062.76 --> 4063.12] stand +[4063.12 --> 4063.44] there +[4063.44 --> 4064.24] and test +[4064.24 --> 4064.40] it +[4064.40 --> 4064.58] and be +[4064.58 --> 4064.74] like +[4064.74 --> 4064.96] hey +[4064.96 --> 4065.58] this +[4065.58 --> 4065.90] actually +[4065.90 --> 4066.32] works +[4066.32 --> 4068.94] that's +[4068.94 --> 4069.10] what +[4069.10 --> 4069.46] faith +[4069.46 --> 4069.86] feels +[4069.86 --> 4070.16] like +[4070.16 --> 4070.78] sometimes +[4070.78 --> 4072.74] right +[4072.74 --> 4072.92] true +[4072.92 --> 4073.18] faith +[4073.18 --> 4073.48] isn't +[4073.48 --> 4073.66] just +[4073.66 --> 4074.08] knowing +[4074.08 --> 4074.44] that +[4074.44 --> 4074.60] the +[4074.60 --> 4074.86] bridge +[4074.86 --> 4075.12] is +[4075.12 --> 4075.50] sound +[4075.50 --> 4075.80] it's +[4075.80 --> 4076.12] walking +[4076.12 --> 4076.64] across +[4076.64 --> 4078.30] and at +[4078.30 --> 4078.62] the risk +[4078.62 --> 4079.10] of stretching +[4079.10 --> 4079.72] this analogy +[4079.72 --> 4080.40] too far +[4080.40 --> 4081.66] the littlest +[4081.66 --> 4082.22] among us +[4082.22 --> 4082.86] just couldn't +[4082.86 --> 4083.24] do it +[4083.24 --> 4084.78] they needed +[4084.78 --> 4085.28] to be picked +[4085.28 --> 4085.66] up and +[4085.66 --> 4086.00] carried +[4086.00 --> 4089.42] but that's +[4089.42 --> 4089.66] the other +[4089.66 --> 4090.50] beautiful reality +[4090.50 --> 4091.42] that's going +[4091.42 --> 4091.88] on here +[4091.88 --> 4093.42] right +[4093.42 --> 4093.98] true faith +[4093.98 --> 4094.26] is a +[4094.26 --> 4094.70] wholehearted +[4094.70 --> 4095.26] trust +[4095.26 --> 4095.70] which the +[4095.70 --> 4096.40] holy spirit +[4096.40 --> 4097.16] creates in +[4097.16 --> 4097.46] me +[4097.46 --> 4098.22] by the +[4098.22 --> 4098.62] gospel +[4098.62 --> 4099.32] that's +[4099.32 --> 4099.78] why we +[4099.78 --> 4100.22] read +[4100.22 --> 4100.58] acts +[4100.58 --> 4100.96] two +[4100.96 --> 4102.66] right +[4102.66 --> 4103.18] the move +[4103.18 --> 4103.46] from +[4103.46 --> 4104.04] reliability +[4104.04 --> 4104.88] to +[4104.88 --> 4105.48] trustworthy +[4105.48 --> 4106.04] from +[4106.04 --> 4106.62] certainty +[4106.62 --> 4106.94] to +[4106.94 --> 4107.54] security +[4107.54 --> 4108.16] from +[4108.16 --> 4108.54] head +[4108.54 --> 4108.88] to +[4108.88 --> 4109.30] heart +[4109.30 --> 4110.10] requires +[4110.10 --> 4110.86] in us +[4110.86 --> 4111.26] the work +[4111.26 --> 4111.48] of the +[4111.48 --> 4111.68] holy +[4111.68 --> 4112.10] spirit +[4112.10 --> 4113.76] in the +[4113.76 --> 4114.42] last days +[4114.42 --> 4114.74] God +[4114.74 --> 4115.06] says +[4115.06 --> 4115.42] I will +[4115.42 --> 4115.76] pour +[4115.76 --> 4116.00] out +[4116.00 --> 4116.26] my +[4116.26 --> 4116.70] spirit +[4116.70 --> 4116.96] on +[4116.96 --> 4117.36] all +[4117.36 --> 4118.12] people +[4118.12 --> 4119.28] I will +[4119.28 --> 4119.50] show +[4119.50 --> 4120.10] wonders +[4120.10 --> 4120.78] in the +[4120.78 --> 4121.00] heavens +[4121.00 --> 4121.36] above +[4121.36 --> 4121.94] and signs +[4121.94 --> 4122.24] on the +[4122.24 --> 4122.44] earth +[4122.44 --> 4122.76] below +[4122.76 --> 4123.42] and everyone +[4123.42 --> 4124.10] who calls +[4124.10 --> 4124.36] on the +[4124.36 --> 4124.64] name +[4124.64 --> 4124.90] of the +[4124.90 --> 4125.22] Lord +[4125.22 --> 4126.14] will be +[4126.14 --> 4126.86] saved +[4126.86 --> 4131.86] look +[4131.86 --> 4134.40] this is +[4134.40 --> 4135.02] where I'm +[4135.02 --> 4135.36] in my +[4135.36 --> 4135.94] own life +[4135.94 --> 4137.48] really +[4137.48 --> 4138.06] trying to +[4138.06 --> 4138.56] lean in +[4138.56 --> 4140.72] lately +[4140.72 --> 4141.68] I have +[4141.68 --> 4141.88] been +[4141.88 --> 4142.34] praying +[4142.34 --> 4144.40] Holy +[4144.40 --> 4144.92] Spirit +[4144.92 --> 4145.92] help me +[4145.92 --> 4146.42] take +[4146.42 --> 4147.02] the +[4147.02 --> 4147.64] unknown +[4147.64 --> 4148.22] step +[4148.22 --> 4150.22] help me +[4150.22 --> 4150.72] to really +[4150.72 --> 4151.28] trust +[4151.28 --> 4152.58] so that I +[4152.58 --> 4153.24] go places +[4153.24 --> 4153.66] I'm not +[4153.66 --> 4154.04] prepared +[4154.04 --> 4154.40] for +[4154.40 --> 4155.64] help me +[4155.64 --> 4155.98] to ask +[4155.98 --> 4156.44] questions +[4156.44 --> 4156.86] I don't +[4156.86 --> 4157.16] know the +[4157.16 --> 4157.48] answers +[4157.48 --> 4157.74] to +[4157.74 --> 4158.98] help me +[4158.98 --> 4159.54] to walk +[4159.54 --> 4160.14] with people +[4160.14 --> 4160.76] I don't +[4160.76 --> 4161.18] already +[4161.18 --> 4161.70] know +[4161.70 --> 4162.28] and to +[4162.28 --> 4162.80] tell them +[4162.80 --> 4163.04] about +[4163.04 --> 4163.46] Jesus +[4163.46 --> 4164.26] and the +[4164.26 --> 4164.64] gospel +[4164.64 --> 4169.44] this week +[4169.44 --> 4170.24] a man +[4170.24 --> 4170.56] that I +[4170.56 --> 4170.96] consider +[4170.96 --> 4171.50] a mentor +[4171.50 --> 4172.50] and a +[4172.50 --> 4172.84] teacher +[4172.84 --> 4174.38] he asked +[4174.38 --> 4174.72] a group +[4174.72 --> 4175.06] of us +[4175.06 --> 4175.44] pastors +[4175.44 --> 4176.20] who had +[4176.20 --> 4176.50] gathered +[4176.50 --> 4176.94] together +[4176.94 --> 4177.88] he asked +[4177.88 --> 4179.74] do we +[4179.74 --> 4180.20] really +[4180.20 --> 4180.70] believe +[4180.70 --> 4181.62] that Jesus +[4181.62 --> 4182.54] invitation +[4182.54 --> 4183.60] to come +[4183.60 --> 4184.24] and follow +[4184.24 --> 4184.56] him +[4184.56 --> 4185.78] is the +[4185.78 --> 4186.14] best +[4186.14 --> 4186.66] news +[4186.66 --> 4187.12] ever +[4187.12 --> 4190.34] do I +[4190.34 --> 4190.68] really +[4190.68 --> 4191.08] believe +[4191.08 --> 4191.92] that following +[4191.92 --> 4192.34] Jesus +[4192.34 --> 4192.80] is the +[4192.80 --> 4193.34] best thing +[4193.34 --> 4193.86] for me +[4193.86 --> 4194.54] and for +[4194.54 --> 4194.92] everyone +[4194.92 --> 4195.24] in the +[4195.24 --> 4195.50] world +[4195.50 --> 4196.62] and if +[4196.62 --> 4197.24] I really +[4197.24 --> 4197.74] believed +[4197.74 --> 4198.12] that +[4198.12 --> 4199.76] would +[4199.76 --> 4199.94] my +[4199.94 --> 4200.26] life +[4200.26 --> 4200.48] look +[4200.48 --> 4200.68] the +[4200.68 --> 4201.00] same +[4201.00 --> 4201.18] as +[4201.18 --> 4201.32] it +[4201.32 --> 4201.60] currently +[4201.60 --> 4201.96] does +[4201.96 --> 4205.62] I +[4205.62 --> 4206.16] believe +[4206.16 --> 4207.74] I +[4207.74 --> 4207.92] want +[4207.92 --> 4208.10] more +[4208.10 --> 4208.64] trust +[4208.64 --> 4214.44] and here's +[4214.44 --> 4215.00] the hope +[4215.00 --> 4215.68] that we +[4215.68 --> 4216.16] cling to +[4216.16 --> 4216.88] okay +[4216.88 --> 4219.76] because even +[4219.76 --> 4220.44] as we pray +[4220.44 --> 4221.10] I believe +[4221.10 --> 4221.50] help my +[4221.50 --> 4222.02] unbelief +[4222.02 --> 4222.84] even as +[4222.84 --> 4223.38] we pray +[4223.38 --> 4224.16] I know +[4224.16 --> 4224.80] help me +[4224.80 --> 4225.42] to trust +[4225.42 --> 4226.32] even as +[4226.32 --> 4227.20] we dive +[4227.20 --> 4228.24] into this +[4228.24 --> 4229.28] truth and +[4229.28 --> 4230.26] reality of +[4230.26 --> 4230.98] true faith +[4230.98 --> 4232.06] let's also +[4232.06 --> 4233.08] realize and +[4233.08 --> 4233.74] see that +[4233.74 --> 4234.48] faith +[4234.48 --> 4235.62] isn't our +[4235.62 --> 4236.02] own +[4236.02 --> 4236.62] achievement +[4236.62 --> 4237.48] faith +[4237.48 --> 4238.64] is a +[4238.64 --> 4239.16] gift +[4239.16 --> 4240.70] right the +[4240.70 --> 4241.54] Holy Spirit +[4241.54 --> 4242.16] doesn't just +[4242.16 --> 4243.00] explain the +[4243.00 --> 4243.60] gospel to +[4243.60 --> 4244.26] us he +[4244.26 --> 4245.10] awakens us +[4245.10 --> 4245.56] to it +[4245.56 --> 4247.12] the Holy Spirit +[4247.12 --> 4247.64] doesn't just +[4247.64 --> 4248.52] inform us +[4248.52 --> 4249.24] he transforms +[4249.24 --> 4249.88] us +[4249.88 --> 4251.16] and it's the +[4251.16 --> 4251.92] Spirit who +[4251.92 --> 4252.56] opens your +[4252.56 --> 4253.34] eyes who +[4253.34 --> 4254.28] softens our +[4254.28 --> 4254.80] hearts and +[4254.80 --> 4255.22] who gives +[4255.22 --> 4255.64] us the +[4255.64 --> 4256.34] strength to +[4256.34 --> 4256.90] step out +[4256.90 --> 4257.44] onto that +[4257.44 --> 4258.52] bridge even +[4258.52 --> 4259.04] when our +[4259.04 --> 4260.14] knees shake +[4260.14 --> 4261.06] the Spirit +[4261.06 --> 4262.52] steadies us +[4262.52 --> 4264.96] and so +[4264.96 --> 4265.66] how do we +[4265.66 --> 4266.16] respond +[4266.16 --> 4268.22] how do we +[4268.22 --> 4268.94] respond today +[4268.94 --> 4271.96] if it's the +[4271.96 --> 4272.92] Spirit who +[4272.92 --> 4273.62] gives faith +[4273.62 --> 4274.08] then we +[4274.08 --> 4274.86] must ask +[4274.86 --> 4276.38] we must +[4276.38 --> 4276.86] seek +[4276.86 --> 4277.80] we must +[4277.80 --> 4278.48] welcome +[4278.48 --> 4279.18] him +[4279.18 --> 4280.02] and that +[4280.02 --> 4280.48] doesn't mean +[4280.48 --> 4281.10] trying to +[4281.10 --> 4282.02] manufacture an +[4282.02 --> 4282.46] emotional +[4282.46 --> 4283.18] moment +[4283.18 --> 4283.92] it means +[4283.92 --> 4284.40] placing +[4284.40 --> 4284.94] yourself +[4284.94 --> 4285.96] again and +[4285.96 --> 4286.54] again and +[4286.54 --> 4287.34] again where +[4287.34 --> 4287.88] the Spirit +[4287.88 --> 4288.68] loves to +[4288.68 --> 4289.14] work and +[4289.14 --> 4289.82] promises to +[4289.82 --> 4290.08] be +[4290.08 --> 4291.58] in the +[4291.58 --> 4291.92] Word +[4291.92 --> 4293.34] in prayer +[4293.34 --> 4294.38] in worship +[4294.38 --> 4295.16] in the +[4295.16 --> 4295.48] Christian +[4295.48 --> 4296.02] community +[4296.02 --> 4296.84] together +[4296.84 --> 4297.68] the Spirit +[4297.68 --> 4298.44] uses these +[4298.44 --> 4299.44] ordinary means +[4299.44 --> 4299.84] to do +[4299.84 --> 4300.38] extraordinary +[4300.38 --> 4301.04] things +[4301.04 --> 4301.90] to carry +[4301.90 --> 4302.40] us when +[4302.40 --> 4303.18] we can't +[4303.18 --> 4303.56] walk +[4303.56 --> 4304.02] to keep +[4304.02 --> 4304.62] us growing +[4304.62 --> 4305.66] in wholehearted +[4305.66 --> 4306.70] trust in +[4306.70 --> 4307.06] Jesus +[4307.06 --> 4309.42] if you +[4309.42 --> 4310.00] are wondering +[4310.00 --> 4313.60] if you +[4313.60 --> 4313.98] are trying +[4313.98 --> 4314.42] to grab +[4314.42 --> 4314.84] hold of +[4314.84 --> 4315.18] a truth +[4315.18 --> 4315.62] that feels +[4315.62 --> 4316.14] slippery +[4316.14 --> 4318.18] if you +[4318.18 --> 4318.76] are aching +[4318.76 --> 4319.46] for something +[4319.46 --> 4320.00] firm +[4320.00 --> 4321.64] I just want +[4321.64 --> 4322.54] to plead +[4322.54 --> 4323.06] with you +[4323.06 --> 4323.96] this morning +[4323.96 --> 4326.14] give your +[4326.14 --> 4327.02] whole self +[4327.02 --> 4327.74] to the +[4327.74 --> 4328.20] question +[4328.20 --> 4330.52] put your +[4330.52 --> 4331.34] entire being +[4331.34 --> 4331.96] into it +[4331.96 --> 4333.14] if you +[4333.14 --> 4333.32] have +[4333.32 --> 4333.88] questions +[4333.88 --> 4334.58] prayerfully +[4334.58 --> 4335.18] ask the +[4335.18 --> 4335.50] Lord +[4335.50 --> 4336.04] and then +[4336.04 --> 4337.14] indefatigably +[4337.14 --> 4338.06] search the +[4338.06 --> 4338.42] scriptures +[4338.42 --> 4340.56] don't settle +[4340.56 --> 4341.30] for easy +[4341.30 --> 4342.52] put your +[4342.52 --> 4343.08] whole self +[4343.08 --> 4343.66] into it +[4343.66 --> 4345.44] and if you +[4345.44 --> 4345.72] do +[4345.72 --> 4347.24] I am +[4347.24 --> 4347.82] confident +[4347.82 --> 4348.60] that the +[4348.60 --> 4348.98] Lord will +[4348.98 --> 4349.46] meet you +[4349.46 --> 4351.14] put your +[4351.14 --> 4351.76] whole self +[4351.76 --> 4352.40] into it +[4352.40 --> 4353.40] and see +[4353.40 --> 4354.18] what the +[4354.18 --> 4354.54] fullness +[4354.54 --> 4355.48] of God +[4355.48 --> 4356.24] will meet +[4356.24 --> 4356.72] you with +[4356.72 --> 4359.18] some of us +[4359.18 --> 4359.58] this morning +[4359.58 --> 4360.14] are standing +[4360.14 --> 4361.06] right on the +[4361.06 --> 4361.36] edge +[4361.36 --> 4361.96] of the +[4361.96 --> 4362.30] canyon +[4362.30 --> 4363.70] you know +[4363.70 --> 4364.34] the facts +[4364.34 --> 4365.18] you see +[4365.18 --> 4365.78] the bridge +[4365.78 --> 4366.38] and you're +[4366.38 --> 4366.70] trying to +[4366.70 --> 4366.94] get your +[4366.94 --> 4367.38] legs to +[4367.38 --> 4367.68] move +[4367.68 --> 4368.98] ask the +[4368.98 --> 4369.32] spirit +[4369.32 --> 4369.76] to help +[4369.76 --> 4370.48] you trust +[4370.48 --> 4372.54] some of us +[4372.54 --> 4373.36] are halfway +[4373.36 --> 4374.04] across +[4374.04 --> 4374.38] and our +[4374.38 --> 4374.70] knees +[4374.70 --> 4375.32] are shaking +[4375.32 --> 4376.08] ask the +[4376.08 --> 4376.36] spirit +[4376.36 --> 4377.02] to strengthen +[4377.02 --> 4377.38] you +[4377.38 --> 4380.30] some of us +[4380.30 --> 4380.64] are holding +[4380.64 --> 4381.18] a child +[4381.18 --> 4382.96] either physically +[4382.96 --> 4383.86] or spiritually +[4383.86 --> 4385.70] holding someone +[4385.70 --> 4386.16] who needs +[4386.16 --> 4386.52] to be +[4386.52 --> 4386.94] carried +[4386.94 --> 4388.58] we're +[4388.58 --> 4388.94] praying +[4388.94 --> 4389.48] for them +[4389.48 --> 4389.86] we're +[4389.86 --> 4390.36] pleading +[4390.36 --> 4390.72] with the +[4390.72 --> 4391.04] Lord +[4391.04 --> 4391.88] for them +[4391.88 --> 4393.40] know this +[4393.40 --> 4394.28] the spirit +[4394.28 --> 4394.74] carries +[4394.74 --> 4395.38] not just +[4395.38 --> 4396.00] individuals +[4396.00 --> 4397.32] but generations +[4397.32 --> 4399.40] so trust +[4399.40 --> 4399.70] him +[4399.70 --> 4401.12] trust +[4401.12 --> 4401.42] him +[4401.42 --> 4403.50] the gospel +[4403.50 --> 4404.06] is more +[4404.06 --> 4404.76] than true +[4404.76 --> 4406.00] it's solid +[4406.00 --> 4407.44] and the +[4407.44 --> 4408.08] spirit +[4408.08 --> 4409.06] makes it +[4409.06 --> 4409.42] sure +[4409.42 --> 4410.44] amen +[4410.44 --> 4412.08] let's pray +[4412.08 --> 4412.48] together +[4412.48 --> 4418.82] holy +[4418.82 --> 4418.84] holy +[4418.84 --> 4418.86] holy +[4418.86 --> 4418.88] holy +[4418.88 --> 4419.34] spirit +[4419.34 --> 4421.08] rain +[4421.08 --> 4421.80] down +[4421.80 --> 4424.30] holy +[4424.30 --> 4424.56] spirit +[4424.56 --> 4425.06] take what +[4425.06 --> 4425.30] we +[4425.30 --> 4426.04] know +[4426.04 --> 4426.38] to be +[4426.38 --> 4426.60] true +[4426.60 --> 4426.90] what we +[4426.90 --> 4427.40] long +[4427.40 --> 4427.94] to know +[4427.94 --> 4428.28] to be +[4428.28 --> 4428.60] true +[4428.60 --> 4429.16] take +[4429.16 --> 4429.48] what we +[4429.48 --> 4429.80] are +[4429.80 --> 4430.24] crying +[4430.24 --> 4430.54] out +[4430.54 --> 4430.86] for +[4430.86 --> 4431.24] to be +[4431.24 --> 4431.56] true +[4431.56 --> 4432.16] and real +[4432.16 --> 4432.46] in our +[4432.46 --> 4432.80] hearts +[4432.80 --> 4434.10] and make +[4434.10 --> 4434.50] it +[4434.50 --> 4435.18] sure +[4435.18 --> 4441.18] may we +[4441.18 --> 4441.62] step +[4441.62 --> 4442.80] from +[4442.80 --> 4443.38] reliability +[4443.38 --> 4444.76] to +[4444.76 --> 4445.36] trustworthy +[4445.36 --> 4448.32] from +[4448.32 --> 4448.88] certain +[4448.88 --> 4450.36] to secure +[4450.36 --> 4453.86] in this +[4453.86 --> 4454.36] moment +[4454.36 --> 4455.98] may we +[4455.98 --> 4456.44] hear your +[4456.44 --> 4456.94] voice +[4456.94 --> 4459.30] may we +[4459.30 --> 4459.86] know that +[4459.86 --> 4460.68] you are +[4460.68 --> 4461.70] speaking to +[4461.70 --> 4462.12] us +[4462.12 --> 4462.80] Lord +[4462.80 --> 4463.58] Jesus +[4463.58 --> 4465.46] and as we +[4465.46 --> 4465.96] come to +[4465.96 --> 4466.56] your table +[4466.56 --> 4468.40] I pray +[4468.40 --> 4468.64] that you +[4468.64 --> 4469.08] would take +[4469.08 --> 4469.70] the voice +[4469.70 --> 4470.74] spoken here +[4470.74 --> 4472.10] and transform +[4472.10 --> 4473.56] this grace +[4473.56 --> 4474.90] into the +[4474.90 --> 4475.58] grace that we +[4475.58 --> 4476.00] taste +[4476.00 --> 4476.84] and see +[4476.84 --> 4477.18] that we +[4477.18 --> 4477.88] receive in +[4477.88 --> 4478.32] the bread +[4478.32 --> 4478.90] and the +[4478.90 --> 4479.20] wine +[4479.20 --> 4482.24] that here +[4482.24 --> 4483.24] we might +[4483.24 --> 4484.48] receive in +[4484.48 --> 4484.88] the body +[4484.88 --> 4485.34] and blood +[4485.34 --> 4485.64] of our +[4485.64 --> 4486.10] Lord Jesus +[4486.10 --> 4486.88] your very +[4486.88 --> 4487.84] presence +[4487.84 --> 4489.10] among us +[4489.10 --> 4491.56] we pray +[4491.56 --> 4492.12] this Jesus +[4492.12 --> 4492.48] in your +[4492.48 --> 4493.36] most holy +[4493.36 --> 4493.92] name +[4493.92 --> 4495.18] amen +[4495.18 --> 4496.78] amen +[4496.78 --> 4502.74] as we +[4502.74 --> 4502.96] prayed +[4502.96 --> 4503.16] we're +[4503.16 --> 4503.44] going to +[4503.44 --> 4504.14] come to +[4504.14 --> 4504.56] the table +[4504.56 --> 4504.80] of the +[4504.80 --> 4505.02] Lord +[4505.02 --> 4505.32] now +[4505.32 --> 4505.58] and as +[4505.58 --> 4505.84] we do +[4505.84 --> 4506.10] there's +[4506.10 --> 4506.28] some +[4506.28 --> 4506.62] liturgy +[4506.62 --> 4506.88] that will +[4506.88 --> 4507.18] be on +[4507.18 --> 4507.56] screen +[4507.56 --> 4507.88] behind +[4507.88 --> 4508.12] us +[4508.12 --> 4508.24] I +[4508.24 --> 4508.54] encourage +[4508.54 --> 4508.70] you +[4508.70 --> 4508.90] to +[4508.90 --> 4509.66] speak +[4509.66 --> 4509.86] the +[4509.86 --> 4510.22] portions +[4510.22 --> 4510.52] that are +[4510.52 --> 4510.94] assigned +[4510.94 --> 4511.88] for you +[4511.88 --> 4512.06] and +[4512.06 --> 4512.50] indicated +[4512.50 --> 4512.82] there +[4512.82 --> 4514.36] church +[4514.36 --> 4514.66] family +[4514.66 --> 4515.06] lift +[4515.06 --> 4515.36] up +[4515.36 --> 4515.60] your +[4515.60 --> 4516.04] hearts +[4516.04 --> 4519.68] let us +[4519.68 --> 4520.22] give thanks +[4520.22 --> 4520.54] to the +[4520.54 --> 4520.98] Lord our +[4520.98 --> 4521.38] God +[4521.38 --> 4525.02] let's pray +[4525.02 --> 4525.40] together +[4525.40 --> 4527.66] with joy +[4527.66 --> 4528.60] we praise +[4528.60 --> 4528.96] you +[4528.96 --> 4529.48] gracious +[4529.48 --> 4530.04] God +[4530.04 --> 4530.94] for you +[4530.94 --> 4531.12] have +[4531.12 --> 4531.56] created +[4531.56 --> 4531.86] heaven +[4531.86 --> 4532.26] and earth +[4532.26 --> 4532.54] you have +[4532.54 --> 4533.04] made us +[4533.04 --> 4533.58] in your +[4533.58 --> 4533.86] image +[4533.86 --> 4534.14] you have +[4534.14 --> 4534.38] kept +[4534.38 --> 4534.78] covenant +[4534.78 --> 4535.32] with us +[4535.32 --> 4535.70] even +[4535.70 --> 4536.44] when we +[4536.44 --> 4536.72] fell +[4536.72 --> 4536.96] into +[4536.96 --> 4537.32] sin +[4537.32 --> 4538.66] we give +[4538.66 --> 4538.84] you +[4538.84 --> 4539.24] thanks +[4539.24 --> 4539.48] for +[4539.48 --> 4539.84] Jesus +[4539.84 --> 4540.36] Christ +[4540.36 --> 4540.98] who +[4540.98 --> 4541.62] by his +[4541.62 --> 4541.98] life +[4541.98 --> 4542.34] death +[4542.34 --> 4542.58] and +[4542.58 --> 4543.06] resurrection +[4543.06 --> 4543.70] opened +[4543.70 --> 4544.32] to us +[4544.32 --> 4545.20] the way +[4545.20 --> 4545.84] of life +[4545.84 --> 4546.52] everlasting +[4546.52 --> 4547.54] and we +[4547.54 --> 4547.84] give you +[4547.84 --> 4548.24] thanks +[4548.24 --> 4548.58] for your +[4548.58 --> 4548.84] Holy +[4548.84 --> 4549.20] Spirit +[4549.20 --> 4549.70] which now +[4549.70 --> 4550.38] unites +[4550.38 --> 4550.80] us +[4550.80 --> 4551.62] to him +[4551.62 --> 4553.18] in +[4553.18 --> 4553.54] Jesus +[4553.54 --> 4553.92] name +[4553.92 --> 4554.12] we +[4554.12 --> 4554.40] pray +[4554.40 --> 4555.54] amen +[4555.54 --> 4558.20] we +[4558.20 --> 4558.58] amen +[4558.58 --> 4559.44] our +[4559.44 --> 4559.58] Lord +[4559.58 --> 4559.98] Jesus +[4559.98 --> 4561.08] before +[4561.08 --> 4561.60] he +[4561.60 --> 4562.22] suffered +[4562.22 --> 4562.64] gave +[4562.64 --> 4563.00] us +[4563.00 --> 4563.30] this +[4563.30 --> 4563.92] memorial +[4563.92 --> 4564.68] of his +[4564.68 --> 4565.64] sacrifice +[4565.64 --> 4566.24] until +[4566.24 --> 4566.46] he +[4566.46 --> 4566.78] comes +[4566.78 --> 4567.18] again +[4567.18 --> 4568.50] the +[4568.50 --> 4568.72] Lord +[4568.72 --> 4569.10] Jesus +[4569.10 --> 4569.66] on the +[4569.66 --> 4569.88] night +[4569.88 --> 4570.04] that +[4570.04 --> 4570.14] he +[4570.14 --> 4570.34] was +[4570.34 --> 4570.82] betrayed +[4570.82 --> 4571.44] took +[4571.44 --> 4571.82] bread +[4571.82 --> 4576.14] and +[4576.14 --> 4576.26] when +[4576.26 --> 4576.34] he +[4576.34 --> 4576.68] broke +[4576.68 --> 4577.00] it +[4577.00 --> 4578.20] and +[4578.20 --> 4578.38] given +[4578.38 --> 4578.96] thanks +[4578.96 --> 4579.28] he +[4579.28 --> 4579.68] said +[4579.68 --> 4580.26] this +[4580.26 --> 4580.60] is +[4580.60 --> 4580.84] my +[4580.84 --> 4581.28] body +[4581.28 --> 4582.00] which +[4582.00 --> 4582.18] is +[4582.18 --> 4582.36] for +[4582.36 --> 4582.60] you +[4582.60 --> 4591.80] do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, he took the cup after supper saying, +[4592.28 --> 4595.30] this cup is the new covenant in my blood. +[4598.46 --> 4606.14] Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink +[4606.14 --> 4615.38] this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. This then is the mystery of our faith. +[4616.38 --> 4625.36] Your death, O Christ, we proclaim. Your resurrection we affirm with joy. Your coming we await with hope. +[4626.18 --> 4635.84] Glory be to you, Lord Jesus. Church family, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love him +[4635.84 --> 4642.98] and for all who trust in him alone for their salvation. And so come to this table, you who +[4642.98 --> 4649.40] have much faith and you who would like to have more. Come to this table, you who have been to this +[4649.40 --> 4655.16] sacrament often and you who have not been for a long time. Come to this table, you who have tried +[4655.16 --> 4664.22] to follow Jesus and who have failed. Come to this table because Jesus Christ is raised and the spirit +[4664.22 --> 4671.98] has come. Come to this table, whether you are here with us in person or joining us online, because it is +[4671.98 --> 4683.46] Christ who invites us to meet him here. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Amen. +[4683.46 --> 4693.32] As we come to the table, this morning we are going to do that, gathering in groups, in a circle, joined +[4693.32 --> 4701.40] together around the table. And so we will have elders who will work as ushers, indicating when it's +[4701.40 --> 4707.64] time for your row to come up to the front. We encourage you to come up to the front and gather in a circle +[4707.64 --> 4713.66] together. And then we will pass the bread to our left or to our right. And as you pass the bread, +[4713.76 --> 4719.78] I invite you to say, the body of Christ given for you. And then we will pass the juice to our left or +[4719.78 --> 4725.24] to our right. And as you pass the juice, I will invite you to say, the blood of Christ shed for you. +[4726.04 --> 4730.44] If you are unable to come up to the front for whatever reason, please just indicate that to the +[4730.44 --> 4736.48] elder and they will serve you in your seat where you are. If you are coming up and you would like to +[4736.48 --> 4742.76] have gluten-free bread, please know that in the center of each tray is a cup of gluten-free bread. +[4743.20 --> 4747.96] And if you are celiac and don't want the risk of cross-contamination, we have a totally separate +[4747.96 --> 4754.78] container of bread up here for you as well. For our first table, I want to invite the +[4754.78 --> 4760.16] worship volunteers who will help us and sing with us, the prayer volunteers who will be available +[4760.16 --> 4764.94] while we are doing the supper. If you want to be prayed with or over celebration and lament, +[4764.94 --> 4770.72] there's people available for that. They'll be in the foyer and the elders as well who are going to +[4770.72 --> 4775.24] help us serve. Come to the front. They will serve our first table and then we will continue through. +[4794.94 --> 4797.76] Come right in, Megan. Close the circle. +[4803.52 --> 4809.22] Body of Christ given for you. Amen. Body of Christ given for you. +[4809.22 --> 4810.22] Amen. +[4810.22 --> 4811.22] Amen. +[4811.22 --> 4813.22] Amen. +[4813.22 --> 4814.22] Amen. +[4814.22 --> 4815.22] Amen. +[4815.22 --> 4817.22] Amen. +[4817.22 --> 4819.22] Amen. +[4819.22 --> 4821.22] Amen. +[4821.22 --> 4822.22] Amen. +[4822.22 --> 4823.22] Amen. +[4823.22 --> 4824.22] Amen. +[4824.22 --> 4824.28] Amen. +[4824.28 --> 4824.92] Amen. +[4824.94 --> 4854.92] Amen. +[4854.92 --> 4861.32] , enjoy it. +[4861.32 --> 4861.62] Damn. +[4861.62 --> 4861.92] Amen. +[4861.92 --> 4862.92] Amen. +[4862.92 --> 4863.74] Amen. +[4863.74 --> 4864.92] Amen. +[4864.92 --> 4866.32] Amen. +[4866.32 --> 4868.70] Amen. +[4868.70 --> 4869.80] Amen. +[4869.80 --> 4870.94] Amen. +[4870.94 --> 4872.24] Amen. +[4872.24 --> 4872.80] Amen. +[4872.80 --> 4874.96] Amen. +[4875.16 --> 4875.68] Amen. +[4875.68 --> 4876.20] Amen. +[4876.20 --> 4878.06] Amen. +[4878.06 --> 4879.08] Amen. +[4879.08 --> 4880.28] Amen. +[4880.34 --> 4880.52] Amen. +[4880.52 --> 4880.98] Amen. +[4881.16 --> 4882.08] Amen. +[4882.08 --> 4882.36] Just +[4882.36 --> 4883.98] Amen. +[4883.98 --> 4905.98] Drink and believe. +[4913.98 --> 4943.96] Drink and believe. +[4943.98 --> 4973.96] Drink and believe. +[4973.98 --> 5003.96] Drink and believe. +[5003.96 --> 5005.96] Drink and believe. +[5005.96 --> 5007.96] Drink and believe. +[5007.96 --> 5009.96] Drink and believe. +[5009.96 --> 5015.96] Drink and believe. +[5015.96 --> 5021.96] Drink and believe. +[5021.96 --> 5027.96] Drink and believe. +[5027.96 --> 5033.96] Drink and believe. +[5033.96 --> 5037.96] Drink and believe. +[5037.96 --> 5039.96] Drink and believe. +[5039.96 --> 5043.48] Come to the fountain +[5043.48 --> 5047.68] The heart of the freedom +[5047.68 --> 5051.58] And the pain of the sorrow +[5051.58 --> 5057.42] We watch our love +[5057.42 --> 5060.18] And the waves of His mercy +[5060.18 --> 5066.14] Nothing has happened to you +[5066.14 --> 5074.06] Praise the Holy Spirit, God +[5074.06 --> 5082.14] Holy Spirit, God +[5082.14 --> 5089.34] Come, Lord Jesus, come +[5089.34 --> 5096.12] Come, Lord Jesus, come +[5096.14 --> 5126.12] Come, Lord Jesus, come +[5126.12 --> 5142.46] Come to the cross +[5142.46 --> 5146.10] Mercy and grace +[5146.10 --> 5149.72] Come to the cross +[5149.72 --> 5154.04] Where you died in my place +[5154.04 --> 5157.64] God of my revenge +[5157.64 --> 5161.42] And into your strength +[5161.42 --> 5167.72] How we have come to the cross +[5167.72 --> 5171.72] Your arms are open +[5171.72 --> 5179.64] You follow me by the cross +[5179.64 --> 5187.56] You may not rise +[5187.56 --> 5189.56] You may not rise +[5189.56 --> 5199.48] Jesus, I come to the cross +[5199.48 --> 5201.48] Jesus, I come to the cross +[5201.48 --> 5207.48] Jesus, I come to the cross +[5207.48 --> 5209.48] Come to the cross +[5209.48 --> 5211.40] Come to the cross +[5211.40 --> 5213.40] Give me mercy and grace +[5213.40 --> 5217.40] I come to the cross +[5217.40 --> 5221.40] Where you died in my place +[5221.40 --> 5223.32] You may not rise in my place +[5223.32 --> 5227.32] You may not rise in my place +[5227.32 --> 5229.24] You may not rise in my place +[5229.24 --> 5233.24] You may not rise in my place +[5233.24 --> 5263.22] Jesus, I come to the cross +[5263.22 --> 5274.22] Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come to the throne. +[5293.22 --> 5295.22] Amen. +[5323.22 --> 5325.22] Amen. +[5353.22 --> 5355.22] Amen. +[5383.22 --> 5385.22] Amen. +[5413.22 --> 5415.22] Amen. +[5443.22 --> 5445.22] Amen. +[5473.22 --> 5475.22] Amen. +[5503.22 --> 5505.22] Amen. +[5533.22 --> 5535.22] Amen. +[5563.22 --> 5565.22] Amen. +[5593.22 --> 5595.22] Amen. +[5623.22 --> 5625.22] Amen. +[5653.22 --> 5655.22] Amen. +[5683.22 --> 5687.22] Amen. +[5713.22 --> 5714.22] Amen. +[5743.22 --> 5745.22] Amen. +[5773.22 --> 5775.22] Amen. +[5803.22 --> 5805.22] Amen. +[5833.22 --> 5834.22] Amen. +[5863.22 --> 5865.22] Amen. +[5893.22 --> 5895.22] Amen. +[5923.22 --> 5925.22] Amen. +[5953.22 --> 5955.22] Amen. +[5983.22 --> 5985.22] Amen. +[6013.22 --> 6015.22] Amen. +[6043.22 --> 6045.22] Amen. +[6073.22 --> 6075.22] Amen. +[6103.22 --> 6105.22] Amen. +[6133.22 --> 6135.22] Amen. +[6163.22 --> 6165.22] Amen. +[6165.22 --> 6166.22] Amen. +[6166.22 --> 6167.22] Amen. +[6167.22 --> 6169.22] Amen. +[6171.22 --> 6172.22] Amen. +[6172.22 --> 6196.90] As we go, know that we go with God, that he goes with us. +[6196.90 --> 6202.92] And so receive the blessing of God for the days and weeks, for the journey of life and faith ahead. +[6203.04 --> 6208.64] And go also with an invitation to stick around afterwards to celebrate with Andy and Rika. +[6209.10 --> 6216.66] I encourage you also to encourage and congratulate those who were ordained and installed in our service today. +[6216.94 --> 6218.80] Receive the blessing of God. +[6220.64 --> 6223.26] God, go before you to lead you. +[6223.62 --> 6225.84] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6225.84 --> 6228.42] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6228.72 --> 6231.60] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6232.24 --> 6234.26] Do not be afraid. +[6234.96 --> 6237.02] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6237.16 --> 6243.72] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[6244.62 --> 6245.14] Amen. +[6255.84 --> 6269.52] There is also a few hours. +[6270.18 --> 6271.80] I walk to our back. +[6271.80 --> 6279.80] There's a place that will be shot +[6279.80 --> 6283.80] There's a glory of the night +[6283.80 --> 6289.80] There's a way that even though there is never +[6289.80 --> 6299.80] Touch of you, I love you +[6299.80 --> 6303.80] Because of your love +[6303.80 --> 6307.80] I love your love +[6307.80 --> 6309.80] No one is +[6309.80 --> 6311.80] No one's happiness +[6311.80 --> 6313.80] No one's suffering +[6313.80 --> 6317.80] No one's sin +[6317.80 --> 6319.80] No one's sin +[6319.80 --> 6321.80] No one's justice +[6321.80 --> 6323.80] No one's death +[6323.80 --> 6325.80] I love you +[6325.80 --> 6331.80] Because of you +[6331.80 --> 6335.80] Because of your love +[6335.80 --> 6339.80] Love your love +[6339.80 --> 6345.80] No one's sin +[6345.80 --> 6349.80] We will live forever +[6349.80 --> 6352.80] Now we have this hope +[6352.80 --> 6355.80] Because of you +[6355.80 --> 6371.80] Oh, I see you dance in vain. We will dance together in the city of my home because of you. +[6371.80 --> 6387.80] There is joy, there is a blessing, there is happiness, there is wine, there is joy, there is a blessing. +[6387.80 --> 6404.80] Because of you, because of you, because of your love, because of your love. +[6404.80 --> 6420.80] Oh, all of our sins are washed away. We've been there forever. Now we have His hope because of you. +[6420.80 --> 6436.80] Oh, I see you dance in vain. We will dance together in the city of my home because of you. +[6436.80 --> 6453.80] All our sins are washed away. We've been there forever. Now we have His hope because of you. +[6453.80 --> 6469.80] Oh, we'll see you face to face. We will dance together in the city of my home because of you. +[6469.80 --> 6471.80] Thank you. +[6472.80 --> 6482.80] Thank you. +[6484.30 --> 6486.80] lichkeit +[6486.80 --> 6488.80] You +[6488.80 --> 6518.78] Let's get started. +[6518.80 --> 6548.78] Let's get started. +[6548.80 --> 6550.80] Let's get started. +[6578.80 --> 6608.78] Let's get started. +[6608.80 --> 6638.78] Let's get started. +[6638.80 --> 6668.78] Let's get started. +[6668.80 --> 6698.78] Let's get started. +[6698.80 --> 6728.78] Let's get started. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0cac66bcde27bdd874ce657dc16a4b59f0b7fb3e --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,80 @@ +• Praise and worship songs +• Jesus' worthiness and beauty +• Redemption and forgiveness +• God's refining process to make diamonds out of dust +• Joy in the Lord as strength during pressure and challenges +• Love that carries through difficulties and lifts others up +• Hallelujah repeated multiple times +• Music of praise and worship +• The love and peace of God in times of trouble +• A message of trust and following God's promise +• Church announcements, including events and a Christmas hamper campaign +• Upcoming sign-ups for volunteer opportunities +• Through the Bible group meeting on Wednesday to discuss Leviticus +• Sign-up for women's Christmas event in foyer +• Worship service announcements and invocation +• Prayer of confession, prayer for freedom from past mistakes, and request for revival and cleansing +• Request for spiritual revival and restoration +• Scripture references (John 3:16) +• Praise and worship songs and prayers +• Reflection on God's love and sacrifice +• Sermon or discussion about Bible verses +• Introducing a church offering for World Renew and refugee sponsorship +• Explanation of various ways to give donations, including online methods +• Discussion of refugees and World Renew's refugee sponsorship and resettlement program +• Bible reading and singing about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ +• Humorous Q&A session between a speaker and children, discussing confusing everyday problems such as lost keys, stuck zippers, and missing socks in laundry. +• Discussion about a question from children's worship time +• Explanation that life can be confusing and uncertain +• Reference to the book of Ecclesiastes and future discussion in children's worship +• Invitation to stand with the congregation for a blessing +• Church announcements, including AGM and budget giving concerns +• Church family prayer led by Dave +• Various church ministries (nursery, children's worship time, etc.) are mentioned and prayed for +• Global conflicts (Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar) are prayed for, with a focus on peace and an end to violence +• A specific memorial service is prayed for, as well as Pastor Chris leading a study of Ecclesiastes +• The congregation prays for their own community's needs +• A passage from Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 is read and discussed +• The fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death are acknowledged +• The text also mentions how people live with anxiety about potential bad news and try to maintain control over their lives +• The speaker reflects on how people often expect life to reward their responsible behavior with a predictable and manageable outcome. +• The teacher in Ecclesiastes acknowledges that life is unpredictable and death comes to all, but suggests that admitting this truth is the only way to truly live. +• People often construct worldviews and ways of being that shield them from the uncertainty of life, such as through secular modernity, therapeutic culture, or moralism. +• These shields are eventually broken when tragedy strikes, revealing the fragility of human attempts to control and manage life. +• The book of Ecclesiastes is highlighted for its honesty in naming the ache that people try to ignore: the reality that they are not in control. +• The author praises the book for its brutal honesty and its exploration of Ecclesiastes 9 +• The text in Ecclesiastes 9 is divided into three sections, with the middle section being the main point +• The teacher begins by affirming God's sovereignty over all creation +• Death is a universal and inevitable reality that exposes what people worship in life +• The teacher dismantles human attempts to secure life apart from God by pointing out that everything else is uncertain +• Time and chance happen to everyone, but this is not randomness, rather it is God's providence from the underside +• Human perspective on life cannot predict or guarantee outcomes, leading to two possible interpretations: no meaning or punishment from God +• The futility of trying to control life and the inevitability of death +• The idolatry of trying to be like God through mastery and self-reliance +• The need for creaturely humility and trust in God's sovereignty +• The danger of making good things into ultimate things, such as sex, family, or career +• The path to freedom from these idolatries by receiving life as a gift from God +• Uncertainty and death as a part of life +• Jesus' obedience and sacrifice in the face of uncertainty +• The gospel as the solution to the fear of death and need for control +• Living under God's sovereignty and receiving life as a gift, not a guarantee +• Faithfulness in small things as key to Christian living +• Not needing God to be okay +• Slowing down and resting in God's goodness +• Practicing contentment by refusing to worship God's gifts as ultimates +• Doing all work with all might to honor the one who holds it +• Living life before the face of God, making work a form of worship +• Letting the certainty of Christ's resurrection free you from the fear of death +• The nature of death and the unknown +• Trusting in God's plan and sovereignty +• Overcoming fear and living with faith +• Embracing life as a gift from God +• Praising God for His presence and promises +• Expressions of gratitude and trust in difficult times +• Repeating phrases and declarations of faith +• The speaker repeats the phrase "It is well with my soul" multiple times +• The song "Through it all" is sung, including the lyrics "My eyes are on you" +• An invitation to meet someone for prayer and reflection is given +• A promise of God's presence is shared, including the idea that God goes before, behind, beneath, and beside us +• A blessing from God is requested for a journey of life and faith +• The speaker thanks multiple times at the end \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..6c71c0b6126f1927459f39c6ab5cc260fedb8fda --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 16, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1170 @@ +[0.00 --> 9.66] Son of God, strength be uncompare +[9.66 --> 16.00] You alone, the darkness cannot bear +[16.00 --> 23.44] Lord of love, your kindness draws me near +[23.44 --> 27.00] It draws me near +[27.00 --> 36.22] Son of God, prophecy of all you know +[36.22 --> 40.44] Redeemer of my soul +[40.44 --> 47.16] Come again and lead your people home +[47.16 --> 53.32] Come lead us home, Jesus +[53.32 --> 57.88] Oh Holy One +[57.88 --> 60.86] I say to you +[60.86 --> 62.82] Forgiven +[62.82 --> 65.54] Savior +[65.54 --> 68.70] I'm overcome +[68.70 --> 74.54] With your great love for me +[74.54 --> 78.08] You are worthy +[78.08 --> 81.22] You are worthy +[81.22 --> 87.98] You are worthy of all my praise +[87.98 --> 90.38] You are beautiful +[90.38 --> 93.42] You are beautiful +[93.42 --> 99.12] So I lift up my hands and say +[99.12 --> 104.60] Jesus, oh Lord +[104.60 --> 106.66] You are worthy +[106.66 --> 111.34] You are worthy of all my praise +[111.34 --> 115.00] You are beautiful +[115.00 --> 118.06] So beautiful +[118.06 --> 123.54] I will lift up my hands and say +[123.54 --> 131.44] Jesus, oh Holy One +[131.44 --> 134.50] I sing to you +[134.50 --> 136.66] Forgiven +[136.66 --> 139.42] Savior +[139.42 --> 142.20] I'm overcome +[142.20 --> 143.20] I'm overcome +[143.20 --> 148.20] With your great love for me +[148.20 --> 155.20] With your great love +[155.20 --> 159.08] With your great love +[159.08 --> 161.42] With your great love +[161.42 --> 163.94] Forgiven +[163.94 --> 167.56] With your great love +[167.56 --> 197.54] With your great love +[197.56 --> 204.30] But it's here in the ashes +[204.30 --> 209.04] I'm finding treasures +[209.04 --> 212.62] He's making diamonds +[212.62 --> 215.30] Diamonds +[215.30 --> 219.28] Making diamonds out of dust +[219.28 --> 221.70] He is refining +[221.70 --> 223.92] And in his time +[223.92 --> 225.44] He's making diamonds +[225.44 --> 228.60] Out of us +[228.60 --> 234.14] I'll surrender to the power of being crushed by love +[234.14 --> 242.70] Till the beauty that was hidden isn't covered up +[242.70 --> 250.44] Oh it's not what I hope for +[250.44 --> 254.18] It's something much better +[254.18 --> 258.24] He's making diamonds +[258.24 --> 261.02] Diamonds +[261.02 --> 264.98] Making diamonds out of dust +[264.98 --> 267.36] He is refining +[267.36 --> 267.42] He is refining +[267.42 --> 269.66] And in his timing +[269.66 --> 271.72] He's making diamonds +[271.72 --> 273.46] Out of us +[273.46 --> 276.46] Out of us +[276.46 --> 279.32] Oh the joy of the Lord +[279.32 --> 281.54] It will be my strength +[281.54 --> 283.92] When the pressure is on +[283.92 --> 285.68] He's making diamonds +[285.68 --> 288.48] Oh the joy of the Lord +[288.48 --> 290.70] It will be my strength +[290.70 --> 293.06] When the pressure is on +[293.06 --> 294.82] He's making diamonds +[294.82 --> 297.64] Oh the joy of the Lord +[297.64 --> 299.82] It will be my strength +[299.82 --> 302.20] When the pressure is on +[302.20 --> 302.56] He's making +[302.56 --> 303.56] He's making +[303.56 --> 305.56] He's making diamonds +[305.56 --> 307.56] Diamonds +[307.56 --> 308.90] Diamonds +[308.90 --> 310.72] Making us rise up +[310.72 --> 312.90] From the dust +[312.90 --> 315.40] He is refining +[315.40 --> 317.66] And in his timing +[317.66 --> 319.80] He's making diamonds +[319.80 --> 322.10] Out of dust +[322.10 --> 324.40] Making diamonds +[324.40 --> 326.54] Out of dust +[326.54 --> 328.38] I won't be afraid +[328.38 --> 329.30] To shine +[329.30 --> 332.88] I won't be afraid +[332.88 --> 334.30] To shine +[334.30 --> 337.54] I won't be afraid +[337.54 --> 339.38] Cause he's making diamonds +[339.38 --> 339.90] Cause he's making diamonds +[339.90 --> 342.80] Out of dust +[342.80 --> 343.88] Making diamonds +[343.88 --> 344.88] Out of dust +[344.88 --> 345.02] Making diamonds +[345.02 --> 347.98] Out of us +[367.54 --> 369.54] Hallelujah. +[373.54 --> 377.54] Hallelujah. +[381.54 --> 383.54] Hallelujah. +[387.54 --> 389.54] Hallelujah. +[389.54 --> 391.54] Hallelujah. +[395.54 --> 401.54] Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging. +[401.54 --> 408.54] Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet. +[408.54 --> 415.54] Your love is a mystery, how you gently lift me. +[415.54 --> 423.54] When I am surrounded, your love carries me. +[423.54 --> 425.54] Hallelujah. +[425.54 --> 427.54] Hallelujah. +[427.54 --> 429.54] Hallelujah. +[429.54 --> 431.54] Hallelujah. +[431.54 --> 437.54] Your love makes me sing. +[437.54 --> 439.54] Hallelujah. +[439.54 --> 441.54] Hallelujah. +[441.54 --> 443.54] Hallelujah. +[444.74 --> 445.54] Hallelujah. +[449.54 --> 451.54] Your love makes me sing. +[459.54 --> 461.54] Hallelujah. +[461.54 --> 463.54] Hallelujah. +[463.54 --> 467.54] Hallelujah. +[493.54 --> 495.54] Hallelujah. +[495.54 --> 497.54] Hallelujah. +[497.54 --> 500.54] Hallelujah. +[500.54 --> 502.54] Your love makes me sing. +[502.54 --> 503.54] Hallelujah. +[503.54 --> 506.54] Hallelujah. +[506.54 --> 509.54] Hallelujah. +[509.54 --> 512.54] Your love makes me sing. +[512.54 --> 514.54] Hallelujah. +[514.54 --> 519.54] Hallelujah. +[519.54 --> 523.26] Your love makes me sing +[523.26 --> 524.32] Hallelujah +[524.32 --> 526.80] Hallelujah +[526.80 --> 528.40] Hallelujah +[528.40 --> 530.08] Hallelujah +[530.08 --> 534.04] Your love makes me sing +[534.04 --> 544.12] Love, love, love, love +[549.54 --> 554.74] Little, little, little, little, love +[554.74 --> 559.54] Oh yes, love +[559.54 --> 562.12] Love, love, love +[562.12 --> 575.80] Your love is amazing +[575.80 --> 578.16] Steady and unchanging +[578.16 --> 580.64] Your love is a mountain +[580.64 --> 583.12] From beneath my feet +[583.12 --> 585.78] Your love is a mystery +[585.78 --> 588.54] How you gently lift me +[588.54 --> 590.82] When I am surrounded +[590.82 --> 593.54] Your love carries me +[593.54 --> 595.26] Hallelujah +[595.26 --> 597.82] Hallelujah +[597.82 --> 600.30] Hallelujah +[600.30 --> 600.66] Hallelujah +[600.66 --> 604.32] Your love makes me sing +[604.32 --> 605.46] Hallelujah +[605.46 --> 606.42] Hallelujah +[606.42 --> 609.02] Hallelujah +[609.02 --> 611.00] Hallelujah +[612.42 --> 615.06] Hallelujah +[615.06 --> 615.92] Hallelujah +[615.92 --> 616.94] Hallelujah +[617.36 --> 617.92] Hallelujah +[617.92 --> 619.28] Hallelujah +[619.28 --> 623.16] Hallelujah +[623.54 --> 624.06] Hallelujah +[624.06 --> 624.28] Hallelujah +[624.28 --> 625.26] Hallelujah +[625.84 --> 625.96] Hallelujah +[625.96 --> 628.70] Hallelujah +[628.84 --> 628.90] Hallelujah +[628.90 --> 630.84] Hallelujah +[630.84 --> 631.22] Hallelujah +[631.22 --> 631.50] Hallelujah +[631.50 --> 632.60] Hallelujah +[632.60 --> 632.84] Hallelujah +[632.84 --> 633.10] Hallelujah +[633.10 --> 633.66] Hallelujah +[633.74 --> 634.04] Hallelujah +[634.04 --> 634.30] Hallelujah +[634.30 --> 664.28] Thank you. +[664.30 --> 668.28] You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[671.58 --> 676.02] In the silence you won't let go. +[676.62 --> 680.46] In the questions your truth will hold. +[680.96 --> 684.62] Your great love will lead me through. +[685.46 --> 689.10] You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[689.10 --> 694.20] You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[694.30 --> 700.98] My lighthouse, my lighthouse. +[701.50 --> 705.40] Shining in the darkness, I will follow you. +[705.94 --> 709.42] My lighthouse, my lighthouse. +[710.20 --> 712.04] I will trust the promise. +[712.70 --> 715.38] You will carry me safe to shore. +[715.38 --> 719.82] Safe to shore. +[722.06 --> 724.14] Safe to shore. +[726.62 --> 728.52] Safe to shore. +[728.52 --> 735.52] I won't feel what tomorrow brings. +[735.52 --> 740.44] With each morning I'll rise and sing. +[741.12 --> 744.62] My God's love will lead me through. +[745.52 --> 749.08] You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[749.08 --> 753.64] You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[754.38 --> 756.80] You are my light. +[757.36 --> 760.92] My lighthouse, my lighthouse. +[761.60 --> 765.34] Shining in the darkness, I will follow you. +[765.90 --> 769.44] My lighthouse, my lighthouse. +[769.44 --> 772.04] I will trust the promise. +[772.54 --> 775.30] You will carry me safe to shore. +[778.30 --> 779.60] Good morning. +[780.94 --> 783.00] Welcome to church. +[783.54 --> 788.10] A special welcome if you are a guest here or if you are joining us online. +[788.64 --> 791.68] We appreciate you gathering with us for worship. +[791.82 --> 792.54] My name is Chris. +[792.54 --> 795.00] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel. +[795.32 --> 801.52] And it's my privilege to lead in our worship this morning with a few others here as well. +[802.68 --> 806.36] As we gather for worship in community, we've got a couple announcements. +[806.64 --> 812.26] And so I'm going to have Mike make his way to the front as he has an announcement from the deacons. +[813.00 --> 818.54] And then I also just want to remind you or inform you that tonight at 7 p.m., +[818.54 --> 824.86] HCBC and the Canons of Dort reading group are happening here. +[825.32 --> 829.62] So we meet for the Canons of Dort in the multipurpose room, HCBC. +[829.86 --> 831.94] That's from grades 9 through 12. +[832.12 --> 834.96] You'll meet with your leaders in different rooms as well. +[835.08 --> 838.54] And so we'd love to see you out for that evening tonight. +[839.20 --> 842.72] It's the second gathering this year for those different groups. +[843.18 --> 843.34] Mike? +[843.34 --> 849.00] Yeah, and again, we're running a bit of a Christmas hamper campaign like we have in many years past. +[849.16 --> 853.28] And we're partnering with H.D. Stafford Middle School and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley. +[853.40 --> 857.94] So we still need quite a few people to sign up and to be part of that. +[858.00 --> 862.38] So you would help provide a hamper for a family in need in Langley. +[862.88 --> 867.68] And they usually, the organization usually gives us a wish list and more details to follow. +[867.68 --> 871.26] But we just need some people to sign up to help provide that in December. +[871.62 --> 875.98] So there's a sign up at the information booth or you can talk to myself or Pearl Denhawn. +[876.40 --> 882.02] And we're still looking for about 10 more people to sign up, which would be really great to help out those organizations. +[882.28 --> 884.14] So talk with us after the service. +[886.08 --> 886.82] Thanks, Mike. +[886.82 --> 898.16] As well, just a note on Wednesday of this week at 7 p.m., the Through the Bible group is gathering again. +[898.44 --> 905.84] And this Wednesday at 7, we'll be discussing the riveting book of the Bible known as Leviticus. +[906.82 --> 911.92] And so if you're looking for a time to jump into the reading program, this is a good one. +[912.24 --> 916.06] It will be a fun discussion, I am sure, on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. +[916.06 --> 919.22] And then lastly, you may have seen it out in the foyer. +[919.92 --> 923.32] The sign up for the women's Christmas event is there. +[923.64 --> 929.56] And you can sign up to decorate a table or to help clean up and to participate in that. +[929.92 --> 932.92] I trust that there will be someone from the women's fellowship group. +[933.02 --> 937.98] They'll gather at the back there and answer any questions you have following our service together. +[938.76 --> 940.24] I think that's it for announcements. +[940.84 --> 943.98] So I'm going to invite you, as you're able and where you are, to stand. +[943.98 --> 946.98] That we can be welcomed into God's presence together. +[950.92 --> 958.22] Worship starts with God proclaiming his presence, his nearness, his greeting over us. +[958.34 --> 965.04] And then we respond to that by extending it to those around us as God ushers us into worship. +[965.24 --> 970.62] And so after I give you God's greeting, I invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them in worship this morning. +[970.76 --> 972.60] Receive the greeting of our good God. +[972.60 --> 981.88] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son and our Savior, +[982.56 --> 984.74] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[985.74 --> 985.98] Amen. +[1002.60 --> 1029.14] Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. +[1029.14 --> 1032.34] Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. +[1032.94 --> 1035.98] Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? +[1036.42 --> 1037.78] For you alone are holy. +[1038.14 --> 1040.96] All nations will come and worship you, the living God. +[1040.96 --> 1066.42] Come, people of the risen King, who delight to bring in praise. +[1066.42 --> 1074.82] Come, all in tune your hearts to sing through the morning star of grace. +[1075.32 --> 1083.30] From the shifting shadows of the earth, we will lift our eyes to him. +[1083.30 --> 1090.38] Where steady arms of mercy reach to gather children. +[1090.38 --> 1099.38] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1099.38 --> 1104.98] Rejoice, one heart, one voice. +[1104.98 --> 1111.98] O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1111.98 --> 1123.74] Come those whose joy is morning sun, and those weeping through the night. +[1123.74 --> 1132.08] Come those who tell of battle's won, and those struggling in the night. +[1132.08 --> 1140.46] For his perfect love will never change, and his mercies never cease. +[1140.46 --> 1148.80] But follow us through all our days with a certain hope of peace. +[1148.80 --> 1157.26] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1157.26 --> 1161.46] One heart, one voice. +[1161.46 --> 1164.80] O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1164.80 --> 1194.78] O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1194.80 --> 1196.80] Rejoice, rejoice. +[1196.80 --> 1197.80] Rejoice, rejoice. +[1197.80 --> 1201.80] Come those who tell of the Lord, and those who tell of the Lord. +[1201.80 --> 1203.80] The truth that Christ through every age our God is all in all. +[1203.80 --> 1206.80] Rejoice, rejoice. +[1206.80 --> 1213.80] Rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1213.80 --> 1216.86] One heart, one voice. +[1216.86 --> 1219.30] O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1219.30 --> 1235.70] rejoice rejoice rejoice let every talk rejoice one heart one voice home church of christ +[1235.70 --> 1249.94] please join me in our prayer of confession this morning +[1252.18 --> 1261.70] gracious god our sins are too heavy to carry too real to hide and too deep to undo forgive what +[1261.70 --> 1269.38] our lips tremble to name what our hearts can no longer bear and what has become for us a consuming fire +[1270.02 --> 1279.86] of judgment +[1282.02 --> 1287.22] living god set us free from a past that we cannot change +[1287.22 --> 1295.86] open to us a future in which we can be changed and grant us grace to grow more and more in your +[1295.86 --> 1302.10] likeness and image through jesus christ the light of the world amen +[1302.10 --> 1314.10] oh lord +[1314.10 --> 1327.14] oh lord forgive us we have lost the awe of you +[1327.14 --> 1337.14] oh +[1337.14 --> 1348.18] O Lord, cleanse our hearts which are divided. +[1348.18 --> 1356.18] Stir the faith that we once knew. +[1356.18 --> 1363.86] We're thirsty, we're thirsty. +[1363.86 --> 1377.26] O Lord, restore the church that bears your name. +[1377.26 --> 1390.46] O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. +[1390.46 --> 1394.86] Breathe on us again. +[1394.86 --> 1401.86] Breathe on us again. +[1405.86 --> 1411.86] O Lord, hear. +[1411.86 --> 1418.86] O Lord, forgive us. +[1418.86 --> 1425.26] We have lost the of you. +[1425.26 --> 1432.26] Have mercy, have mercy. +[1432.26 --> 1444.26] O Lord, cleanse our hearts which are divided. +[1444.26 --> 1451.26] Stir the faith that we once knew. +[1451.26 --> 1457.66] We're thirsty, we're thirsty. +[1457.66 --> 1472.66] O Lord, restore the church that bears your name. +[1472.66 --> 1484.66] O Spirit, send a revival to this nation. +[1484.66 --> 1491.06] Breathe on us again. +[1491.06 --> 1496.66] Breathe on us again. +[1496.66 --> 1497.66] Breathe on us again. +[1497.66 --> 1511.66] Oh Lord, restore the church that bears your name. +[1511.66 --> 1524.66] Oh Spirit, send a revival to this nation. +[1524.66 --> 1530.66] Breathe on us again. +[1530.66 --> 1536.66] Breathe on us again. +[1536.66 --> 1538.66] inside a spiritual jae 하루. +[1538.66 --> 1541.56] utilizan the flag of Christ e' zal 100 +[1541.56 --> 1542.22] Jungle dear, +[1542.22 --> 1544.26] 書1 map Michael 930 +[1544.26 --> 1548.52] Queen ś +[1548.52 --> 1549.02] G 않을 제 viernes +[1549.02 --> 1549.54] Access Artor과를 +[1549.54 --> 1553.48] 願하는 +[1553.66 --> 1556.52] God to love the world, +[1556.52 --> 1558.06] that He gave His one and only Son, +[1558.06 --> 1560.02] so that everyone who believes in Him +[1560.02 --> 1561.50] may not perish, but have eternal life. +[1561.56 --> 1562.06] Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world +[1562.06 --> 1562.92] to condemn the world, +[1562.92 --> 1563.96] but in order that the world might be saved through Him. +[1563.96 --> 1565.96] Amen. +[1593.96 --> 1602.54] And yet for me, your love is still the same. +[1604.50 --> 1613.96] Lord, I bend my knee, it is awe and fear of me. +[1613.96 --> 1623.34] My head bowed down in reverence to your name. +[1623.96 --> 1634.26] I lift your name, your holy name. +[1634.70 --> 1642.96] The home of God, and all here. +[1642.96 --> 1652.96] The great I am, there is a land. +[1653.96 --> 1662.26] I comfort her and heal. +[1662.26 --> 1672.26] Lord, my heart's desire is to be filled with spirit fire. +[1672.26 --> 1680.56] My purpose is to worship you alone. +[1680.56 --> 1691.56] Open up my soul to worship and adore. +[1691.56 --> 1700.56] To be a fragrance proper to your throne. +[1700.56 --> 1710.56] I lift your name, your holy name. +[1710.56 --> 1716.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1716.56 --> 1718.56] And all here. +[1718.56 --> 1726.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1726.56 --> 1736.56] The risen Lamb, my comfort and king. +[1736.56 --> 1738.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1738.56 --> 1740.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1740.56 --> 1742.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1742.56 --> 1743.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1743.56 --> 1744.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1744.56 --> 1748.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1748.56 --> 1749.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1749.56 --> 1754.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1754.56 --> 1758.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1758.56 --> 1780.56] The great I am, the risen Lamb. +[1780.56 --> 1781.56] Amen. +[1810.56 --> 1811.56] Amen. +[1840.56 --> 1860.56] If you stood before my failure and carried the cross for my shame, my sin weighed upon your shoulder, my soul now to stand. +[1860.56 --> 1872.56] So what can I say and what can I do? +[1872.56 --> 1883.56] For all through this heart, O God, completely is true. +[1883.56 --> 1895.56] So I'll walk upon salvation, your spirit alive in me. +[1895.56 --> 1904.56] My life to declare your promise, my soul now to stand. +[1904.56 --> 1915.56] So what can I say and what can I do? +[1915.56 --> 1927.56] For all through this heart, O God, completely to you? +[1927.56 --> 1938.56] So what can I say and what can I do? +[1938.56 --> 1949.56] For all through this heart, O God, completely to you? +[1949.56 --> 1969.56] So I'll stand with arms high and heart of ending in awe of the one who gave it all. +[1969.56 --> 1991.56] So I'll stand with arms high and heart of ending in awe of the one who gave it all. +[1991.56 --> 2014.56] I'll stand with arms high and heart of ending in awe of the one who gave it all. +[2014.56 --> 2023.56] So I'll stand with arms high and heart of ending in awe of the one who gave it all. +[2023.56 --> 2024.56] I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to you. Surrender it all. +[2024.56 --> 2025.56] I am is yours. +[2025.56 --> 2030.56] I am is yours. +[2030.56 --> 2032.56] Amen. +[2032.56 --> 2033.56] Amen. +[2033.56 --> 2049.56] Good morning. +[2049.56 --> 2050.56] Good morning. +[2050.56 --> 2054.56] My name is Brenda and I'm one of the deacons here at Emmanuel. +[2054.56 --> 2058.56] First off, just, I guess you could call it a little bit of housekeeping. +[2058.56 --> 2063.56] There are multiple ways to give as we give as we continue our worship. +[2063.56 --> 2066.56] And they're up on the screen here. +[2066.56 --> 2072.56] And our first, our offering is for the budget as well as for World Renew. +[2072.56 --> 2083.56] If you are looking to donate, whether it's through e-transfer, whether it's online, whether it's with the envelopes that should be in the seats, +[2083.56 --> 2089.56] please label it, if it's budget, if it's for a special offering. +[2089.56 --> 2094.56] We have the ongoing need for Jodi and Ariel in Mexico. +[2094.56 --> 2099.56] If you could label that for C10, that would be great. +[2099.56 --> 2105.56] Our offering this morning is for World Renew, the refugee sponsorship and resettlement. +[2105.56 --> 2114.56] Again, just to clarify, here at Emmanuel, we also have a refugee sponsorship and resettlement. +[2114.56 --> 2117.56] That is not what today's offering is for. +[2117.56 --> 2120.56] Today it is specifically for World Renew. +[2120.56 --> 2122.56] Just to make that clear. +[2122.56 --> 2127.56] If you have any questions about any of these things, please contact one of the deacons. +[2127.56 --> 2129.56] Anyways, World Renew. +[2129.56 --> 2136.56] Each year, millions of people around the world are forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, and human rights violations. +[2136.56 --> 2140.56] There are more than 30 million refugees in the world today. +[2140.56 --> 2152.56] Since 1979, World Renew, with churches and other sponsoring agencies, has responded to the needs of refugees around the world and has helped to settle thousands in Canada as well. +[2152.56 --> 2162.56] Your donation helps to fund World Renew's refugee sponsorship and resettlement program, which includes guiding and supporting churches through the sponsorship process. +[2162.56 --> 2166.56] And that is a process that we as a church has also been involved in. +[2166.56 --> 2169.56] Please give as the Lord has blessed you. +[2169.56 --> 2173.56] One month for a strong project, which is freaking out of عed Ōsosaurus Loki towards Jesús, who is still this year? +[2173.56 --> 2174.56] By objection to 34. +[2174.56 --> 2175.56] LPLJ-40 검찰art & Rosetti,acer, Lenin Loganle, has contracted Meer, High School of color, dancer, and swearing in Alaska Commander, +[2175.56 --> 2180.42] Let the way our student friends go through and will fall together and遭返 many people around the world, +[2180.42 --> 2194.54] also welcome to friends with the, to bever +[2194.56 --> 2196.56] shall be appropriate for the環境 coming. +[2196.56 --> 2207.38] Man of sorrow, Lamb of God, by his own betray. +[2208.28 --> 2220.38] The sin of man and wrath of God has been on Jesus' name. +[2220.38 --> 2234.38] Silent as he stood accused, beaten, mocked, and scorned. +[2235.28 --> 2244.38] Bowing to the Father's veil, he took a crown of thorns. +[2244.38 --> 2256.38] Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me. +[2257.52 --> 2268.64] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2268.64 --> 2282.48] Send to heaven God's own Son to purchase and redeem. +[2282.48 --> 2294.48] And reconcile the very ones who nailed him to that tree. +[2294.48 --> 2306.82] Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation, where your love poured out over me. +[2307.06 --> 2318.24] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2318.24 --> 2333.66] Now my debt is paid, it is paid in full, By the precious blood that my Jesus spilled. +[2333.98 --> 2345.24] Now the curse of sin has no hold on me, Whom the Son sets free, oh, it's free indeed. +[2345.24 --> 2375.22] Now that rugged cross, my salvation, Where your love poured out over me. +[2375.22 --> 2391.22] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2391.22 --> 2405.22] See the stone is rolled away, Behold the empty tomb. +[2405.22 --> 2417.22] Hallelujah, God be praised, He's risen from the grave. +[2417.22 --> 2428.22] Oh, that rugged cross, my salvation, Where your love poured out over me. +[2428.22 --> 2439.22] Now my soul cries out, Hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2439.22 --> 2447.22] Praise and honor unto thee. +[2447.22 --> 2449.86] You may have a seat. +[2469.22 --> 2477.22] Good, because I have a little list here. +[2477.22 --> 2480.22] Questions, things in life I just cannot figure out. +[2480.22 --> 2485.22] But I think you guys probably have some answers for me, right? +[2485.22 --> 2486.22] You guys are pretty smart. +[2486.22 --> 2489.22] Every week we see you in Children's Rocher Time, you guys are pretty smart. +[2489.22 --> 2495.22] So I'm going to need some volunteers who might want to answer a few of my conundrums and questions in life. +[2495.22 --> 2497.22] Who wants to be the brave souls? +[2497.22 --> 2499.22] Come on up, Haley, come on up. +[2499.22 --> 2500.22] Want to help me out? +[2500.22 --> 2502.22] Come on up, come on up. +[2502.22 --> 2503.22] Okay, alright. +[2503.22 --> 2505.22] We're going to ask a few questions. +[2505.22 --> 2509.22] Life can be super confusing and I never know what's going to happen next day to next. +[2509.22 --> 2510.22] So I have a few questions. +[2510.22 --> 2511.22] Okay. +[2511.22 --> 2512.22] You want to go first? +[2512.22 --> 2513.22] Okay. +[2513.22 --> 2514.22] My first question, no? +[2514.22 --> 2515.22] Okay. +[2515.22 --> 2517.22] Well, that was my first question. +[2517.22 --> 2518.22] Okay. +[2518.22 --> 2519.22] We're going to start with you, Isla. +[2519.22 --> 2524.22] My first question is, why can't I ever find my keys? +[2524.22 --> 2529.22] Do you know? +[2529.22 --> 2530.22] No? +[2530.22 --> 2531.22] Okay. +[2531.22 --> 2532.22] That's okay. +[2532.22 --> 2533.22] You think about it. +[2533.22 --> 2536.22] Okay, Haley, this one's for you. +[2536.22 --> 2541.22] When you're in a big hurry, why is it that your zipper always gets stuck? +[2541.22 --> 2542.22] No, no. +[2542.22 --> 2543.22] Not sure? +[2543.22 --> 2544.22] I know. +[2544.22 --> 2545.22] Life is a little confusing sometimes. +[2545.22 --> 2546.22] Okay. +[2546.22 --> 2549.22] We're going to go over here. +[2549.22 --> 2555.22] My friend, why does it always rain after I've washed my car? +[2555.22 --> 2558.22] I don't know. +[2558.22 --> 2560.22] Oh, yeah, me neither. +[2560.22 --> 2562.22] Oh, these are tricky questions. +[2562.22 --> 2564.22] So I have quite a few here. +[2564.22 --> 2567.22] We won't do all of them. +[2567.22 --> 2568.22] Hmm. +[2568.22 --> 2569.22] Okay. +[2569.22 --> 2571.22] Here's a tricky one. +[2571.22 --> 2573.22] You think some of these are jokes? +[2573.22 --> 2576.22] I've been worrying about this stuff all week. +[2576.22 --> 2585.22] Why is it when I put two socks, two socks in the laundry and only one comes out? +[2585.22 --> 2586.22] You don't know. +[2586.22 --> 2587.22] Me neither. +[2587.22 --> 2588.22] These are hard. +[2588.22 --> 2589.22] I have one. +[2589.22 --> 2590.22] Okay. +[2590.22 --> 2591.22] Who wants the next one? +[2591.22 --> 2594.22] We can ask a few more in children's worship. +[2594.22 --> 2595.22] You want the next one? +[2595.22 --> 2596.22] Okay. +[2596.22 --> 2602.22] When a goldfish sneezes, do bubbles blow out of its mouth? +[2602.22 --> 2603.22] Yes. +[2603.22 --> 2604.22] Yes. +[2604.22 --> 2605.22] Okay. +[2605.22 --> 2606.22] Phew. +[2606.22 --> 2607.22] Finally an answer. +[2607.22 --> 2608.22] I've been worried about this all week. +[2608.22 --> 2609.22] Oh, my goodness. +[2609.22 --> 2610.22] I know. +[2610.22 --> 2611.22] Okay. +[2611.22 --> 2613.22] We'll save some of these for the large group. +[2613.22 --> 2616.22] But life is confusing sometimes, right? +[2616.22 --> 2617.22] Wait a second. +[2617.22 --> 2618.22] Oh. +[2618.22 --> 2620.22] You want to ask me in children's worship time? +[2620.22 --> 2621.22] Okay. +[2621.22 --> 2622.22] That's a good idea. +[2622.22 --> 2623.22] Oh, boy. +[2623.22 --> 2624.22] I know. +[2624.22 --> 2626.22] So sometimes life is so confusing and we don't know what's going to happen one day to the next +[2626.22 --> 2628.22] or why certain things happen. +[2628.22 --> 2633.22] There is a great lesson in the book of Ecclesiastes about this and we're going to talk more about +[2633.22 --> 2637.22] that in children's worship time and I think Pastor Chris is also going to preach about +[2637.22 --> 2638.22] that today too. +[2638.22 --> 2639.22] All right. +[2639.22 --> 2643.22] So why don't we stand together with the congregation and we'll bless them as they learn about Ecclesiastes +[2643.22 --> 2647.22] and I think they'll bless us in return as we learn a little bit more too. +[2647.22 --> 2648.22] All right. +[2648.22 --> 2649.22] Together, let's go. +[2649.22 --> 2651.22] The Lord be with you. +[2651.22 --> 2653.22] And also with you. +[2677.22 --> 2678.22] Good morning. +[2678.22 --> 2679.22] My name is Dave. +[2679.22 --> 2682.22] I'm one of the elders for this part of God's church. +[2682.22 --> 2687.22] A couple of announcements from Council before I begin in our church family prayer. +[2687.22 --> 2690.22] On November the 24th is our fall AGM. +[2690.22 --> 2699.22] We are going to discuss and approve the approved proposed budget for 2026. +[2699.22 --> 2702.22] We'll start at 6 p.m. with our tri soup tournament. +[2702.22 --> 2707.22] You are encouraged to bring your favorite or your best soup to share and whoever wins +[2707.22 --> 2708.22] will be the champion of the world. +[2708.22 --> 2712.22] The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. +[2712.22 --> 2715.22] The agenda and the meeting package has already gone out previously. +[2715.22 --> 2719.22] If you need a printed copy, please contact the church office. +[2719.22 --> 2725.22] And at the end of October we're at 13% behind on our budget giving. +[2725.22 --> 2733.22] This is something we talk about every year and it seems like every year we seem to just meet that need. +[2733.22 --> 2742.22] Please consider the budget and the ministry, all the work that our church does as we consider their end of year giving. +[2742.22 --> 2751.22] Will you please join me in our church family prayer? +[2751.22 --> 2755.22] Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. +[2755.22 --> 2757.22] You have set your glory in the heavens. +[2757.22 --> 2764.22] Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. +[2764.22 --> 2770.22] When we consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, +[2770.22 --> 2775.22] what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them. +[2775.22 --> 2778.22] Father, it is our joy to be here every Sunday. +[2778.22 --> 2781.22] As members of the Christian community and members of Christ's body, +[2781.22 --> 2787.22] we gather to celebrate the love that you show your people and to sing praises to your name. +[2787.22 --> 2792.22] Father, it is very important that we remember to confess our sins before you. +[2792.22 --> 2794.22] In the words of King David, +[2794.22 --> 2801.22] Have mercy on us, O God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion, blot out our transgressions. +[2801.22 --> 2805.22] Wash away all our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. +[2805.22 --> 2809.22] For we know our transgressions and our sin are always before us. +[2809.22 --> 2814.22] Against you, you only, have we sinned and done what is evil in your sight. +[2814.22 --> 2818.22] So you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. +[2818.22 --> 2825.22] Father, because our sins are so great, we take great joy in the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. +[2825.22 --> 2830.22] He has willingly taken our sins upon himself and borne the punishment that we deserve. +[2830.22 --> 2833.22] Hallelujah. What a Savior. +[2833.22 --> 2837.22] Father, we come to you because we have many reasons to be thankful. +[2837.22 --> 2841.22] We thank you for the changing seasons and the fall weather and the beginning of winter. +[2841.22 --> 2847.22] It is an opportunity for all of us to spend time outdoors and to experience the beauty of your creation. +[2847.22 --> 2854.22] Father, we look around us and we see decorations and advertising already dedicated to the commercialization of Christmas. +[2854.22 --> 2864.22] As the season of Advent approaches, help us not to be distracted by that competing message and to instead celebrate the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. +[2864.22 --> 2868.22] Thank you for that indescribable gift of love. +[2868.22 --> 2872.22] We thank you for this congregation and the believers who meet here. +[2872.22 --> 2874.22] We thank you for the leadership of this church. +[2874.22 --> 2877.22] Pastor Chris, Pastor Kevin, Josh and members of council. +[2877.22 --> 2881.22] We thank you for the many ministries of this church. +[2881.22 --> 2891.22] Nursery, Children's Worship Time, Gems, Cadets, Youth, Young Adults, Coffee Break, Care Groups, Seniors and other ministries. +[2891.22 --> 2894.22] We ask that you bless these ministries and the work that they do. +[2894.22 --> 2898.22] May they meet the spiritual and physical needs that we see around us. +[2898.22 --> 2904.22] Father, we think of the needs that we have as a Christian community and as citizens of the world. +[2904.22 --> 2907.22] We pray again for the conflicts around the world. +[2907.22 --> 2913.22] We pray that the shaky ceasefire in Gaza will hold and the two sides will have sufficient reason to stop this conflict. +[2913.22 --> 2920.22] We pray for those suffering from the violence that is continuing in Ukraine and Russia and showing no sign of ending soon. +[2920.22 --> 2927.22] We pray for the conflicts that we don't think about as often in Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen and other places. +[2927.22 --> 2934.22] Grant all leaders on all sides of all conflicts the wisdom, the humility and the courage to pursue peace. +[2934.22 --> 2938.22] Father, we think about the needs of this congregation. +[2938.22 --> 2944.22] We pray for the family and the extended family of Maryland's Uncle Walter who passed away last week. +[2944.22 --> 2953.22] We pray that the memorial service will be a time for the family not just to mourn but to receive your comfort and to celebrate the love of family and the life he lived. +[2953.22 --> 2961.22] And Father, we pray for Pastor Chris as he leads us a study of your word as revealed to the teacher in Ecclesiastes. +[2961.22 --> 2965.22] We pray that each of us may find meaning in an age of meaninglessness. +[2965.22 --> 2972.22] Father, we pray all these things for Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. +[2972.22 --> 2973.22] Amen. +[2973.22 --> 2994.22] I want to invite you to grab a Bible, open up a Bible. +[2994.22 --> 2999.22] We're going to read Ecclesiastes 9, verse 1 through 12. +[2999.22 --> 3001.22] If you're looking for a Bible to use, there are some at the back. +[3001.22 --> 3004.22] You can grab that the first time through. +[3004.22 --> 3006.22] It will be on the screen behind me. +[3006.22 --> 3012.22] But I encourage you as always to have it open in front of you that we refer back to it regularly throughout. +[3012.22 --> 3018.22] Let's read together from Ecclesiastes 9, starting at verse 1. +[3018.22 --> 3035.22] So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands. +[3035.22 --> 3039.22] But no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. +[3039.22 --> 3042.22] All share a common destiny. +[3042.22 --> 3049.22] The righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, +[3049.22 --> 3052.22] those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. +[3052.22 --> 3059.22] As it is with the good, so with the sinful. +[3059.22 --> 3065.22] As it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. +[3065.22 --> 3072.22] This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun. +[3072.22 --> 3075.22] The same destiny overtakes them all. +[3075.22 --> 3081.22] The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live. +[3081.22 --> 3084.22] And afterward, they join the dead. +[3084.22 --> 3088.22] Anyone who is among the living has hope. +[3088.22 --> 3092.22] Even a live dog is better off than a dead lion. +[3092.22 --> 3098.22] For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. +[3098.22 --> 3102.22] They have no further reward and even their name is forgotten. +[3102.22 --> 3108.22] Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished. +[3108.22 --> 3113.22] Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. +[3113.22 --> 3115.22] Go. +[3115.22 --> 3121.22] Eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart, +[3121.22 --> 3125.22] for God has already approved what you do. +[3125.22 --> 3130.22] Always be clothed in white and always anoint your head with oil. +[3130.22 --> 3133.22] Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, +[3133.22 --> 3137.22] all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun, +[3137.22 --> 3145.22] all your meaningless days, for this is your lot in life and your toilsome labor under the sun. +[3145.22 --> 3149.22] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. +[3149.22 --> 3152.22] For in the realm of the dead, where you are going, +[3152.22 --> 3158.22] there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. +[3158.22 --> 3163.22] I have seen something else under the sun. +[3163.22 --> 3167.22] The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, +[3167.22 --> 3172.22] nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned, +[3172.22 --> 3177.22] but time and chance happen to them all. +[3177.22 --> 3182.22] Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come. +[3182.22 --> 3186.22] As fish are caught in a cruel net or birds are taken in a snare, +[3186.22 --> 3193.22] so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly on them. +[3193.22 --> 3195.22] This is the word of the Lord. +[3195.22 --> 3214.22] Whenever my phone rings, which I confess is not often because people don't really call anymore, +[3214.22 --> 3221.22] but whenever my phone rings after 8pm, my heart skips a beat. +[3221.22 --> 3227.22] The bottom sort of drops into my stomach, and I wonder, what happened? +[3227.22 --> 3229.22] Who died? +[3229.22 --> 3231.22] What's gone wrong? +[3231.22 --> 3234.22] Now maybe that's in part because I'm a pastor, +[3234.22 --> 3240.22] and those late night calls often mean that something has happened, +[3240.22 --> 3246.22] but I'm willing to bet that many of you feel the same way +[3246.22 --> 3254.22] when you get that late night call or a text that comes in after 10 o'clock, for example. +[3254.22 --> 3255.22] Right? +[3255.22 --> 3265.22] We live with the low hum of dread that the next notification, the next message, the next headline +[3265.22 --> 3271.22] might just unravel that little bit of stability that we have curated. +[3271.22 --> 3279.22] And we work so hard to keep life predictable and manageable and under control. +[3279.22 --> 3284.22] And we think, if we are just responsible and careful and prayerful, +[3284.22 --> 3288.22] shouldn't life reward that? +[3288.22 --> 3292.22] Shouldn't things make a little bit of sense? +[3292.22 --> 3296.22] Now, let me be really careful. Don't hear what I'm not saying, please. +[3296.22 --> 3298.22] Myself, and I speak for Pastor Kevin as well, +[3298.22 --> 3301.22] like call after 8 o'clock if you need something. +[3301.22 --> 3304.22] Right? Text after 10 if you need to connect. +[3304.22 --> 3306.22] We want that connection. +[3308.22 --> 3312.22] But there's something in all of us, right, +[3312.22 --> 3319.22] that desperately wants life to run on a predictable timetable. +[3319.22 --> 3325.22] And so we think that if we are responsible, life should reward us. +[3325.22 --> 3329.22] That if we do good, good should return to us. +[3329.22 --> 3334.22] That if we love the Lord, then life should at least be manageable. +[3336.22 --> 3338.22] But then something happens. +[3339.22 --> 3344.22] Life interrupts, sometimes violently, sometimes tragically. +[3344.22 --> 3350.22] And when it does, there's a tiny bit of panic in our hearts that sort of, +[3350.22 --> 3353.22] maybe this is only in me, but kind of like whisper shouts. +[3353.22 --> 3355.22] You know what a whisper shout is? +[3355.22 --> 3357.22] Right? That doesn't want to say it, but it's so true. +[3357.22 --> 3359.22] It has to break through the noise. +[3359.22 --> 3360.22] Right? Wait a minute! +[3360.22 --> 3362.22] This isn't supposed to happen! +[3362.22 --> 3364.22] I did everything right! +[3367.22 --> 3372.22] The teacher in Ecclesiastes leans in at precisely this point. +[3372.22 --> 3379.22] And he doesn't offer us a way to control life or even to explain life. +[3379.22 --> 3384.22] Instead, the teacher wants to disrupt our regular rhythms +[3384.22 --> 3388.22] with a truth that we tend to avoid at all costs. +[3388.22 --> 3391.22] That life is unpredictable. +[3393.22 --> 3396.22] And death comes to us all. +[3396.22 --> 3403.22] And strangely, shockingly perhaps, right, he says that admitting this truth +[3403.22 --> 3407.22] is actually the only way to really live. +[3407.22 --> 3414.22] Now, if you'll allow me to offer my perspective and analyze for a moment. +[3414.22 --> 3415.22] Right? +[3415.22 --> 3419.22] If we peel back those late night anxieties, +[3419.22 --> 3424.22] what we really long for, I think, is a world that makes sense. +[3424.22 --> 3425.22] Right? +[3425.22 --> 3428.22] A world where the lines are straight, +[3428.22 --> 3430.22] where the outcomes are predictable, +[3430.22 --> 3434.22] and where the future is at least somewhat guaranteed. +[3435.22 --> 3440.22] And at least available in some way that we can anticipate. +[3441.22 --> 3444.22] Right? We long for stability and for control. +[3444.22 --> 3449.22] We want to believe that if we live wisely, if we work hard, if we love well, +[3449.22 --> 3451.22] if we walk faithfully with God, +[3451.22 --> 3457.22] then our life should unfold in an ordinary and orderly way. +[3459.22 --> 3465.22] But the teacher, again, is saying something here that we already know in our bones. +[3465.22 --> 3468.22] It just doesn't work that way. +[3468.22 --> 3472.22] Life isn't like that. +[3474.22 --> 3479.22] And what happens to so many of us, and often subconsciously, +[3479.22 --> 3483.22] is that because we cannot bear the thought of it, +[3483.22 --> 3487.22] we construct entire worldviews and ways of being in the world +[3487.22 --> 3493.22] that shield ourselves from this truth and the ache that it creates in us. +[3493.22 --> 3500.22] And so, for example, what is regularly referred to as secular modernity, +[3500.22 --> 3504.22] secular modernity says that if we gather enough data, +[3504.22 --> 3508.22] use the right technology, if we master enough systems, +[3508.22 --> 3511.22] we can eliminate unpredictability. +[3511.22 --> 3516.22] Right? Safety and medicine and wealth, wealth management, +[3516.22 --> 3522.22] these are all good gifts, but we often turn them into talismans +[3522.22 --> 3525.22] that we use to ward off uncertainty. +[3527.22 --> 3532.22] Likewise, a therapeutic culture tells us that if we manage our emotions, +[3532.22 --> 3538.22] if we visualize our successes, set boundaries and curate our habits carefully, +[3538.22 --> 3545.22] if we manifest hard enough, we can carve out a life immune to disruption. +[3545.22 --> 3549.22] And then similarly, moralism. +[3549.22 --> 3552.22] Moralism promises that if we're simply good enough, +[3553.22 --> 3557.22] and if we're good parents, if we're good citizens, if we're good Christians, +[3557.22 --> 3561.22] God will protect us from the worst of these things. +[3561.22 --> 3568.22] And like I said quietly, right, often without saying it out loud, +[3568.22 --> 3577.22] we too easily assume the luxury that tragedy belongs to someone else's story. +[3578.22 --> 3584.22] That early death or sudden loss or devastating disappointment will not interrupt ours. +[3584.22 --> 3587.22] But then it does. +[3588.22 --> 3591.22] Some of you know this intimately, personally. +[3592.22 --> 3594.22] It always eventually does. +[3595.22 --> 3599.22] And when it does, right, the ache breaks through. +[3599.22 --> 3606.22] And when it does, the fragile idols that we have hoped would keep us safe crumble. +[3609.22 --> 3611.22] That's what the teacher wants to expose this morning. +[3611.22 --> 3613.22] The teacher's not being cruel, he's being honest. +[3614.22 --> 3618.22] One of the reasons why I love the book of Ecclesiastes, +[3618.22 --> 3622.22] and why it's so good in a time and moment like this one, +[3622.22 --> 3626.22] is that it names the ache that we spend our lives trying to ignore. +[3628.22 --> 3630.22] Right? We are not in control. +[3630.22 --> 3632.22] This life will not bow to us. +[3632.22 --> 3638.22] And I really think that there is something compelling about the brutal honesty of this book. +[3638.22 --> 3648.22] And this ache that we feel in those moments, right, is a doorway to the text of Ecclesiastes 9, +[3648.22 --> 3651.22] and I think to the wisdom that God wants us to give. +[3652.22 --> 3655.22] Now this text, maybe you noticed it as we read it, +[3655.22 --> 3658.22] it's kind of broken down into three sections. +[3658.22 --> 3666.22] I'm going to follow that breakdown, but I'm going to put the first section and the third section +[3666.22 --> 3670.22] before the middle section, which I think is the main point of the teacher. +[3670.22 --> 3673.22] So we will build to the middle section, which is the main point. +[3673.22 --> 3682.22] So the teacher begins, we can look at verse one, with a profoundly true and reality-defining sentence. +[3682.22 --> 3683.22] He says, +[3683.22 --> 3694.22] Now let's be clear, that's sovereignty language, right? +[3694.22 --> 3699.22] That is the rule and reign of God over all creation language. +[3699.22 --> 3705.22] That's not fate, that's not randomness, that's not detached providence even. +[3705.22 --> 3710.22] This is the personal, covenantal hand of God. +[3710.22 --> 3715.22] And the teacher here is affirming what all of Scripture teaches. +[3715.22 --> 3722.22] That our lives unfold not in chaos, but under the comprehensive rule of our Creator. +[3722.22 --> 3729.22] But he pairs that, right, he pairs that with a jarring truth. +[3729.22 --> 3735.22] No one knows whether love or hate awaits them. +[3735.22 --> 3740.22] All share a common destiny, the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, +[3740.22 --> 3744.22] those who offer sacrifices and those who don't. +[3744.22 --> 3752.22] In other words, right, the outward shape of your days, the outward shape of your lives, +[3752.22 --> 3756.22] whether it's love or hate, prosperity or adversity, pleasure or pain, +[3756.22 --> 3763.22] cannot be used as a barometer of God's attitude towards you. +[3763.22 --> 3772.22] Right, this is a direct challenge to the simple moralistic theology and mechanistic idea of providence. +[3772.22 --> 3779.22] Right, that kind of idea of God's work in the world is actually more similar to the fates of Greek mythology. +[3779.22 --> 3788.22] Right, or more in line with the sort of manifesting that exists in contemporary culture. +[3788.22 --> 3792.22] The teacher comes with a hammer blow to all of that. +[3792.22 --> 3795.22] Right, all share a common destiny. +[3795.22 --> 3797.22] Verse 2 and in verse 5. +[3797.22 --> 3806.22] The living know that they will die. +[3806.22 --> 3814.22] Death is the one fixed point in the human story. +[3814.22 --> 3824.22] And the teacher is forcing us to sit with that reality because death exposes what we worship in life. +[3825.22 --> 3827.22] Follow me with that. +[3827.22 --> 3833.22] Right, we tend to live as if the one thing that is certain will never come, death, +[3833.22 --> 3839.22] and that the many things that are uncertain, health, wealth, stability, success, +[3839.22 --> 3844.22] we treat as though they are guaranteed. +[3844.22 --> 3848.22] The teacher is refusing to let us do that. +[3848.22 --> 3854.22] Right, he dismantles every human attempt to secure life apart from God. +[3854.22 --> 3861.22] Right, death is the teacher's megaphone reminding us that we are creatures and not God. +[3861.22 --> 3866.22] And this for us is grace. +[3866.22 --> 3872.22] Because when our illusions collapse, so do our idolatries. +[3872.22 --> 3877.22] Right, verse 1 to 6 show us that death is certain. +[3877.22 --> 3884.22] Verse 11 and 12 show us that everything else is uncertain. +[3884.22 --> 3889.22] The teacher lists here things that we assume are reliable. +[3889.22 --> 3891.22] That the fastest runner will win the race. +[3891.22 --> 3893.22] That the strongest soldier will triumph. +[3893.22 --> 3895.22] That the wise will excel. +[3895.22 --> 3897.22] The skilled will succeed. +[3897.22 --> 3900.22] And the knowledgeable will rise to the top. +[3900.22 --> 3903.22] But then he says at the end of verse 11, +[3903.22 --> 3906.22] Time and chance happen to them all. +[3906.22 --> 3910.22] And again, this is not randomness. +[3910.22 --> 3917.22] This is what we might call the doctrine of providence, but from the underside. +[3917.22 --> 3920.22] Right, the Heidelberg Catechism, +[3920.22 --> 3923.22] Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches from the 16th century. +[3923.22 --> 3930.22] The Heidelberg Catechism defines and calls providence both God's almighty and ever-present power +[3930.22 --> 3938.22] and also the truth that all things come to us not by chance but by his fatherly hand. +[3938.22 --> 3946.22] Right, the teacher's point is not that life is chaotic, but it rather is about perspective on life. +[3946.22 --> 3950.22] Right, and his point here is that from the human vantage point, +[3950.22 --> 3956.22] outcomes cannot be predicted or guaranteed or controlled. +[3956.22 --> 3960.22] From our perspective, limited and short-sighted as it is, +[3960.22 --> 3964.22] we cannot see the big picture or make the meaning. +[3964.22 --> 3972.22] And so, we think, either there is no meaning and it's all chance, +[3972.22 --> 3978.22] or we think, I must have done something wrong and I deserve this punishment from God. +[3978.22 --> 3981.22] Now hear this. +[3981.22 --> 3991.22] In an attempt, pious though it may be, in an attempt to save God from randomness, +[3991.22 --> 3995.22] what we end up doing is forcing Him into our view of the world. +[3997.22 --> 4002.22] Right, in an attempt to save God from a seeming lack of control, +[4002.22 --> 4005.22] we end up making Him vindictive. +[4005.22 --> 4008.22] But the teacher's clear, right? +[4008.22 --> 4010.22] It's neither of these things. +[4010.22 --> 4012.22] Because, like the teacher is saying, +[4012.22 --> 4015.22] no amount of wisdom, strength, planning, or virtue can guarantee success. +[4015.22 --> 4020.22] Right, disaster, in verse 12, falls unexpectedly upon them. +[4020.22 --> 4025.22] Again, this is another blow to the modern idol of mastery. +[4025.22 --> 4029.22] Right, we think that if we refine our habits and read the right books, +[4029.22 --> 4033.22] if we optimize our schedules, if we secure the right insurances, +[4033.22 --> 4037.22] if we obey the right spiritual principles, we can build a predictable life. +[4037.22 --> 4041.22] But Ecclesiastes is simply saying, you can't. +[4041.22 --> 4048.22] And that reality forces a confrontation. +[4048.22 --> 4054.22] That reality forces a confrontation about where you place your hope. +[4054.22 --> 4060.22] A biblical anthropology, a biblical way of understanding what it means to be human, +[4060.22 --> 4065.22] insists that human beings, even as redeemed creatures though we may be, +[4065.22 --> 4070.22] human beings remain finite, remain dependent, remain limited. +[4070.22 --> 4073.22] And Ecclesiastes wants to make this abundantly clear. +[4073.22 --> 4075.22] We do not rule the world. +[4075.22 --> 4078.22] Only God does. +[4078.22 --> 4083.22] And so between these two hammer blows, +[4083.22 --> 4088.22] the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, +[4088.22 --> 4093.22] stands the surprising center, culmination of this passage. +[4093.22 --> 4096.22] Verse 7, right? +[4096.22 --> 4100.22] Go, eat your food with gladness, drink your wine with a joyful heart, +[4100.22 --> 4102.22] enjoy life with your wife whom you love. +[4102.22 --> 4106.22] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. +[4106.22 --> 4109.22] Now again, to be clear, this isn't escapism, this isn't hedonism, +[4109.22 --> 4113.22] this isn't the same as eat and drink for tomorrow we die. +[4113.22 --> 4116.22] What this is, is creaturely humility. +[4116.22 --> 4117.22] Right? +[4117.22 --> 4121.22] To receive life not as something to control, +[4121.22 --> 4125.22] but something to enjoy under the hand of God. +[4125.22 --> 4127.22] That's the second part of verse 7, right? +[4127.22 --> 4131.22] Go, eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart, +[4131.22 --> 4135.22] for God has already approved what you do. +[4136.22 --> 4140.22] One of the authors that I've been reading in this series, David Gibson, +[4140.22 --> 4147.22] says that verse 7 of chapter 9 is Ecclesiastes in a nutshell. +[4147.22 --> 4152.22] Because this verse smashes our desire to be God. +[4152.22 --> 4156.22] Right? We want omniscience and omnipotence and omnipresence. +[4156.22 --> 4161.22] We want to know it all and to control it all and to secure it all and to understand it all. +[4161.22 --> 4163.22] But God says, you are not me. +[4164.22 --> 4166.22] And that is good news for you. +[4167.22 --> 4169.22] Your life is a gift. +[4169.22 --> 4171.22] It's not a project. +[4172.22 --> 4177.22] The teacher is naming these particular idolatries that we are tempted to worship. +[4177.22 --> 4182.22] And when we worship God's gifts, they no longer remain gifts. +[4182.22 --> 4185.22] Right? They start demanding what they cannot give. +[4185.22 --> 4192.22] When we make God's good gifts into ultimate things, they twist on us. +[4192.22 --> 4202.22] And so the man who makes sex his God finds that normal pleasures stop satisfying +[4202.22 --> 4207.22] and he ends up chained to the darker distortions of that that offer no joy. +[4208.22 --> 4212.22] To the woman who makes her family her God, +[4212.22 --> 4216.22] she discovers that she cannot live up to her own expectations. +[4216.22 --> 4221.22] And when your children falter and fail, you're left hollow and disappointed. +[4222.22 --> 4228.22] Right? Every gift when worshiped betrays you. +[4229.22 --> 4233.22] They promise joy and they deliver emptiness. +[4233.22 --> 4241.22] C.S. Lewis put this profoundly and sharply in a way that really only he can. +[4241.22 --> 4242.22] He says, +[4242.22 --> 4249.22] Natural loves that are allowed to become gods do not remain loves. +[4249.22 --> 4255.22] They're still called so, but can in fact become complicated forms of hatred. +[4255.22 --> 4265.22] Make marriage your God and you will hate your spouse. +[4265.22 --> 4268.22] Make career your God and you will hate work. +[4268.22 --> 4271.22] And Ecclesiastes says, +[4271.22 --> 4275.22] Receive these gifts of food and drink and marriage and work, +[4275.22 --> 4280.22] not as gods, not as guarantees, not as sources of identity, +[4280.22 --> 4285.22] but as daily graces from God who is sovereign and wise and good. +[4285.22 --> 4288.22] And let's be really clear, this isn't a downgrade. +[4288.22 --> 4293.22] Right? This is the path to freedom. +[4293.22 --> 4297.22] Look, this is what we have been seeing. +[4297.22 --> 4302.22] Right? Death is certain and everything else is uncertain. +[4302.22 --> 4309.22] Our idolatries cannot protect us and our attempts at mastery crumble beneath the weight of reality. +[4309.22 --> 4314.22] And when we admit this, we are left with needing to find a better way to live. +[4314.22 --> 4321.22] And the teacher is directing us away from control and towards trust, +[4321.22 --> 4324.22] away from illusion and towards humility, +[4324.22 --> 4332.22] away from self-made security and towards the God who holds all our days in his hand. +[4333.22 --> 4335.22] Right? This is the teacher's point. +[4335.22 --> 4336.22] This is what we're looking at. +[4336.22 --> 4342.22] This is the big idea that life is unpredictable and death comes to us all. +[4342.22 --> 4349.22] The wise response then is to receive every moment as a gift from God. +[4349.22 --> 4354.22] Receive every moment as a gift from God. +[4354.22 --> 4357.22] And that changes every moment. +[4360.22 --> 4361.22] Here's the good news. +[4361.22 --> 4371.22] Ecclesiastes is not the last word that God speaks into the world of unpredictability and death. +[4371.22 --> 4375.22] Do you notice that when I finished reading the text and we said, +[4375.22 --> 4378.22] this is the word of the Lord and you're supposed to say, thanks be to God. +[4378.22 --> 4379.22] It was very half-hearted. +[4379.22 --> 4380.22] Thanks be to God. +[4381.22 --> 4384.22] Like, is this really what we want to give God thanks for? +[4385.22 --> 4386.22] Right? +[4386.22 --> 4387.22] But this isn't the last word. +[4388.22 --> 4390.22] Ecclesiastes is an honest word. +[4391.22 --> 4395.22] And so, thanks be to God for the honesty of God's word that exposes the idols of our heart. +[4395.22 --> 4396.22] Yes, it is an honest word. +[4396.22 --> 4400.22] But it's an honest word that prepares us for the living word. +[4401.22 --> 4403.22] Who steps into the world with us. +[4404.22 --> 4405.22] Right? +[4405.22 --> 4413.22] Jesus Christ entered life, a life that was marked by the very same uncertainties that Ecclesiastes names +[4413.22 --> 4416.22] and that you and I stand in the midst of. +[4416.22 --> 4419.22] And Jesus lived with no earthly guarantees. +[4420.22 --> 4421.22] That is, he had no wealth. +[4421.22 --> 4422.22] He had no status. +[4422.22 --> 4424.22] He had no worldly power. +[4424.22 --> 4425.22] Right? +[4425.22 --> 4426.22] He knew hunger. +[4426.22 --> 4427.22] He knew fatigue. +[4427.22 --> 4428.22] He knew danger. +[4428.22 --> 4429.22] He knew betrayal. +[4429.22 --> 4430.22] He knew being misunderstood. +[4431.22 --> 4436.22] And in all of that, in all of that, he lived the life I should have lived. +[4436.22 --> 4438.22] He did so perfectly. +[4438.22 --> 4441.22] And by his grace, he did so for me. +[4441.22 --> 4443.22] And he did so for you. +[4444.22 --> 4451.22] And yet, even though he was perfectly obedient, even though he was innocent and spotless, +[4451.22 --> 4456.22] he walked straight into the reality of that same destiny which overtakes us all. +[4457.22 --> 4458.22] Right? +[4458.22 --> 4460.22] He entered death itself. +[4460.22 --> 4464.22] And not because it overtook him, but because he willingly took it on. +[4464.22 --> 4467.22] He died the death that I deserve. +[4467.22 --> 4470.22] Now, why would he do all that? +[4470.22 --> 4479.22] Well, first, right, and foremost, to break the power of the one certainty that terrifies +[4479.22 --> 4487.22] us most, and then to redeem the world of the unpredictability that we live in. +[4487.22 --> 4496.22] The book of Hebrews says that Jesus shared in our humanity so that by his death, he might +[4496.22 --> 4500.22] break the power of him who holds the power of death. +[4500.22 --> 4501.22] Right? +[4501.22 --> 4506.22] Because Jesus died and rose, death is no longer a wall that we run into. +[4506.22 --> 4510.22] Death is actually the way through to joining him. +[4510.22 --> 4514.22] Joining Jesus in his death is actually life. +[4514.22 --> 4520.22] And because he lives, you can be sure that every seemingly random and unpredictable moment +[4520.22 --> 4523.22] is actually held in his hand. +[4523.22 --> 4532.22] If even death has to succumb to his victory, surely to all the troubles, trials, and tribulations of your life. +[4532.22 --> 4539.22] And this is the transformation that Ecclesiastes anticipates, but cannot itself produce. +[4539.22 --> 4540.22] Right? +[4540.22 --> 4546.22] Because ultimately, it's only the gospel, it's only Jesus that can free us from the need to control our own lives. +[4546.22 --> 4553.22] And only the Spirit then can loosen our grip on the idols that we think will save us. +[4553.22 --> 4557.22] Only union with Christ can make us creaturely again. +[4557.22 --> 4561.22] Content in our dependence. +[4561.22 --> 4570.22] Joyful to receive and humble enough to enjoy what God gives without demanding more. +[4570.22 --> 4579.22] In Jesus, the fear of death is replaced by hope. +[4579.22 --> 4584.22] The ache for certainty is replaced with trust. +[4584.22 --> 4585.22] Right? +[4585.22 --> 4591.22] The frenetic drive to secure our own future is replaced by a confidence that, as we read in Colossians 3, +[4591.22 --> 4596.22] your life is now hidden with Christ in God. +[4596.22 --> 4597.22] Right? +[4597.22 --> 4599.22] This is how grace heals us. +[4599.22 --> 4606.22] Christ takes the one certainty we dread and turns it into our deepest security. +[4606.22 --> 4610.22] So that we can finally live the way that Ecclesiastes is inviting us to live. +[4610.22 --> 4616.22] As a people who receive life rather than try to grasp it from different places. +[4616.22 --> 4619.22] Trying to steal a moment here and there. +[4622.22 --> 4624.22] And so how do we live this way? +[4624.22 --> 4625.22] Right? +[4625.22 --> 4629.22] Receiving life rather than trying to control it. +[4629.22 --> 4636.22] Ecclesiastes gives us a surprisingly ordinary answer. +[4636.22 --> 4647.22] The Christian life, lived under the sovereignty of God and in the grace of Christ, looks like faithfulness in the small things. +[4647.22 --> 4656.22] I'm going to end our time this morning with four ways that this passage shapes our daily obedience. +[4656.22 --> 4659.22] Four ways this passage shapes faithfulness in the small things. +[4659.22 --> 4668.22] And so first, receive today as a gift, not as a guarantee. +[4668.22 --> 4670.22] Receive today as a gift, not as a guarantee. +[4670.22 --> 4672.22] The teacher says in verse 7, +[4672.22 --> 4676.22] Go, eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart. +[4676.22 --> 4677.22] Right? +[4677.22 --> 4678.22] That's not indulgence. +[4678.22 --> 4679.22] That's worship. +[4680.22 --> 4688.22] Every meal, every breath, every mundane joy is a reminder that you are not God and you do not need to be. +[4688.22 --> 4691.22] And so slow down. +[4691.22 --> 4693.22] Give thanks. +[4693.22 --> 4698.22] Name the grace that's in front of you. +[4698.22 --> 4705.22] I was talking with a friend this week and she's not Christian. +[4705.22 --> 4715.22] She mentioned that she felt like she was crashing after the super chaotic season of life that she's been in the last number of months. +[4715.22 --> 4720.22] And that in that crash, she's really been struggling to find motivation again. +[4720.22 --> 4727.22] And in our conversation, I reminded her, you know, it's okay to rest. +[4727.22 --> 4730.22] It's okay to slow down. +[4730.22 --> 4731.22] Right? +[4731.22 --> 4738.22] When we define ourselves by our busyness and we try to keep up that busyness so that we don't lose ourselves, +[4738.22 --> 4745.22] we often miss resting in God's goodness. +[4745.22 --> 4750.22] When today is received as a gift, we remember to rest. +[4750.22 --> 4759.22] Number two, practice contentment by refusing to worship God's gifts. +[4759.22 --> 4762.22] Enjoy your spouse. +[4762.22 --> 4763.22] Enjoy your work. +[4763.22 --> 4764.22] Enjoy your children. +[4764.22 --> 4765.22] Enjoy your community. +[4765.22 --> 4769.22] Enjoy your sports and your hobbies and your recreations. +[4769.22 --> 4772.22] But do not ask them to save you. +[4772.22 --> 4773.22] Right? +[4773.22 --> 4779.22] As Lewis warned, natural loves that are allowed to become gods become forms of hatred. +[4779.22 --> 4790.22] The Spirit is forming us into a people who enjoy deeply because we no longer demand ultimacy from anything but Christ. +[4790.22 --> 4797.22] And we stop, when we stop looking to these lesser glories, glories though they are, +[4797.22 --> 4804.22] when we stop looking to these lesser glories for meaning or value and start rightly glorifying God, +[4804.22 --> 4811.22] the weight of glory that belongs to Him no longer crushes these other things and people around us. +[4811.22 --> 4821.22] But in fact, instead, in this beautiful inversion gives us a firm foundation on which and in which we can face all the struggles of life. +[4821.22 --> 4822.22] Right? +[4822.22 --> 4834.22] Contentment with God's gifts enables community in God's gifts and perhaps even enables community as God's gift. +[4834.22 --> 4837.22] 3. +[4837.22 --> 4841.22] Do all your work with all your might. +[4841.22 --> 4846.22] Not to secure your future, but to honor the one who holds it. +[4846.22 --> 4847.22] Right? +[4847.22 --> 4848.22] We read in verse 10, +[4848.22 --> 4851.22] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. +[4851.22 --> 4857.22] You cannot control the outcomes, but you can be faithful in the moment. +[4857.22 --> 4863.22] You cannot govern providence, but you can live your life as a vocation to God. +[4863.22 --> 4866.22] You can live your life before the face of God. +[4866.22 --> 4870.22] The theological way of saying that in Latin is corum Deo. +[4870.22 --> 4871.22] Right? +[4871.22 --> 4872.22] Before the face of God. +[4872.22 --> 4878.22] In the Bible, one of the words for worship is also the word for work. +[4878.22 --> 4885.22] So in Genesis, when you read, God has given them to work and to take care of the garden. +[4885.22 --> 4891.22] And then later on in Exodus, when you read Moses and God talking and God says, +[4891.22 --> 4896.22] When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. +[4896.22 --> 4898.22] Work and worship. +[4898.22 --> 4900.22] Same Hebrew word. +[4900.22 --> 4907.22] Work becomes worship when the results belong to God. +[4907.22 --> 4908.22] God. +[4908.22 --> 4918.22] I want you to listen carefully to this, what I think is a beautiful saying from John Calvin. +[4918.22 --> 4922.22] It was written in the 16th century. +[4922.22 --> 4924.22] You'll see part of it on the screen. +[4924.22 --> 4927.22] There's a little bit of an introduction. +[4927.22 --> 4936.22] Since we are consecrated and dedicated to God, we should no longer think, speak, plan, or act without aiming at His glory. +[4936.22 --> 4943.22] What He has made holy cannot be turned to common use without deeply offending Him. +[4943.22 --> 4953.22] And if we are not our own, but belong to the Lord, then it is plain both what we must avoid and toward what end our whole life must be directed. +[4953.22 --> 4959.22] We are not our own, therefore our own reason or will must not rule our decisions. +[4959.22 --> 4965.22] We are not our own, therefore let us not make it our aim to pursue what pleases our sinful nature. +[4965.22 --> 4972.22] We are not our own, therefore as far as is possible, let us forget ourselves and everything that is ours. +[4972.22 --> 4977.22] On the other hand, we are God's, therefore let us live and die for Him. +[4977.22 --> 4981.22] We are God's, therefore let His wisdom and His will govern all our actions. +[4981.22 --> 4990.22] We are God's, therefore to Him as our only true end, let every part of our life be directed. +[4990.22 --> 4995.22] We are God's, therefore, we are God's, therefore, we are God's. +[4995.22 --> 5002.22] So our work is our worship and our worship is what we were made to do. +[5002.22 --> 5013.22] And then lastly, four, let the certainty of Christ's resurrection free you from the fear of death. +[5013.22 --> 5019.22] Yes, this is a practical way and truth coming out of this text. +[5019.22 --> 5029.22] Because Jesus has gone ahead of you into the grave and has come out the other side, you no longer have to cling anxiously to life. +[5029.22 --> 5034.22] You can step into each day with courage and humility and joy. +[5034.22 --> 5040.22] When death is no longer the great threat, life becomes the great gift. +[5040.22 --> 5047.22] And as Christians, we don't have to fear death. +[5047.22 --> 5055.22] But nor do we have to rush towards it or accelerate its coming to us. +[5055.22 --> 5067.22] In a strange and maybe paradoxical way, people who are choosing death early do so because they are afraid of how death may come later. +[5067.22 --> 5071.22] But we don't have to be afraid. +[5071.22 --> 5076.22] Right now or then, we don't have to make decisions based on fear. +[5076.22 --> 5078.22] Especially fear of the unknown. +[5078.22 --> 5084.22] Because to God, right, to God everything is known. +[5084.22 --> 5087.22] And He knows your everything. +[5087.22 --> 5091.22] And He is with you in everything. +[5091.22 --> 5107.22] In a world where people chase control and end up crushed by our own expectations, Ecclesiastes is offering a better way. +[5107.22 --> 5115.22] The grounded, joyful, humble life of a creature who trusts your Creator. +[5116.22 --> 5120.22] Yes, life is unpredictable and death comes to us all. +[5120.22 --> 5129.22] But because God is faithful and because Jesus has conquered death, we can receive every moment as a gift from God. +[5129.22 --> 5136.22] And so, we live, we worship, and we go with Him. +[5136.22 --> 5137.22] Amen? +[5137.22 --> 5138.22] Let's pray together. +[5138.22 --> 5146.22] Let's pray together. +[5146.22 --> 5159.22] Lord God, may we see this life as your gift to us. +[5159.22 --> 5169.22] Lord Jesus, may we see new life as your gift of grace to us who believe. +[5169.22 --> 5178.22] And so, in this life and with this new life, may we go forward from this place not afraid. +[5178.22 --> 5185.22] May we go forward from this place knowing that you go with us. +[5185.22 --> 5188.22] That you have prepared a way for us. +[5188.22 --> 5197.22] May we go forward knowing that every moment of every day is held in your hands. +[5197.22 --> 5207.22] And so, may we go forward with the sure conviction of your promise and your presence. +[5207.22 --> 5212.22] Strengthen our hearts of faith, we pray. +[5212.22 --> 5213.22] Our hearts of faith is truly important and gracious. +[5213.22 --> 5215.22] worry发展示 his water and heavenly quiets our thoughts on our throne. +[5215.22 --> 5216.22] Great confession오�ly. +[5216.22 --> 5217.22] Amen. +[5217.22 --> 5226.22] And that in those moments where we cannot see, that we might believe and know, and we might trust that you are with us. +[5226.22 --> 5230.80] and lastly, in those moments where even that is hard, +[5231.88 --> 5235.04] we give you thanks for these men and women, +[5235.18 --> 5236.32] these brothers and sisters, +[5236.78 --> 5240.16] these fellow family members of God +[5240.16 --> 5242.78] who journey life with us, +[5243.24 --> 5245.44] to uphold us and support us, +[5245.56 --> 5248.68] and to speak a word of hope and encouragement +[5248.68 --> 5250.00] when we hear nothing. +[5251.68 --> 5254.30] For all these gifts, we give you thanks, Jesus. +[5254.30 --> 5256.50] It's in your name that we pray. +[5257.44 --> 5257.84] Amen. +[5258.66 --> 5259.24] Amen. +[5284.30 --> 5314.30] +[5314.30 --> 5316.30] Amen. +[5316.30 --> 5319.30] Through it all, through it all, +[5320.24 --> 5322.30] my eyes are on you, +[5323.26 --> 5328.30] and it is well with me. +[5328.30 --> 5344.66] Far be it from me to not be free, +[5344.66 --> 5351.06] even when my eyes can't see, +[5351.06 --> 5357.44] and this mountain that's in front of me +[5357.44 --> 5363.80] will be thrown into the midst of the sea. +[5363.80 --> 5368.80] Through it all, through it all, +[5368.80 --> 5369.74] through it all, +[5369.74 --> 5372.44] my eyes are on you, +[5372.44 --> 5375.12] through it all, +[5375.26 --> 5376.26] through it all, +[5376.32 --> 5378.36] it is well. +[5379.94 --> 5382.24] Through it all, +[5382.40 --> 5383.68] through it all, +[5383.68 --> 5386.56] my eyes are on you, +[5386.56 --> 5389.26] and it is well, +[5389.26 --> 5393.68] it is well. +[5393.68 --> 5395.68] So let go, +[5396.78 --> 5397.68] my soul, +[5398.54 --> 5401.60] and trust in Him, +[5401.82 --> 5403.66] the ways that wind +[5403.66 --> 5407.68] still knows His name. +[5407.68 --> 5409.82] So let go, +[5409.82 --> 5411.82] my soul, +[5412.82 --> 5415.72] and trust in Him, +[5415.72 --> 5417.80] the ways that wind +[5417.80 --> 5421.82] still knows His name. +[5422.82 --> 5423.82] So let go, +[5423.82 --> 5425.82] my soul, +[5426.82 --> 5429.82] and trust in Him, +[5430.14 --> 5431.88] the ways that wind +[5431.88 --> 5435.82] still knows His name. +[5435.82 --> 5438.76] The ways that wind +[5438.76 --> 5442.82] still knows His name. +[5442.82 --> 5449.82] It is well +[5449.82 --> 5457.82] with my soul. +[5457.82 --> 5464.82] It is well +[5464.82 --> 5471.82] with my soul. +[5473.82 --> 5478.82] It is well +[5478.82 --> 5485.82] with my soul. +[5485.82 --> 5492.82] It is well +[5492.82 --> 5499.82] with my soul. +[5499.82 --> 5506.82] It is well +[5506.82 --> 5512.82] with my soul. +[5512.82 --> 5518.82] It is well +[5518.82 --> 5520.82] with my soul. +[5520.82 --> 5533.82] It is well +[5533.82 --> 5539.82] with my soul. +[5539.82 --> 5546.82] It is well +[5546.82 --> 5548.82] It is well +[5548.82 --> 5552.82] with my soul. +[5552.82 --> 5554.82] It is well +[5554.82 --> 5558.82] It is well +[5558.82 --> 5559.82] with my soul. +[5559.82 --> 5571.82] It is well +[5571.82 --> 5572.82] with my soul. +[5572.82 --> 5573.82] It is well +[5573.82 --> 5580.82] It is well with my soul +[5580.82 --> 5593.82] Through it all, through it all +[5593.82 --> 5596.82] My eyes are on you +[5596.82 --> 5600.82] Through it all, through it all +[5600.82 --> 5605.82] Through it all, through it all +[5605.82 --> 5609.82] Through it all, through it all +[5609.82 --> 5612.82] My eyes are on you +[5612.82 --> 5619.82] And it is well with me +[5630.82 --> 5638.82] Before you go, go with this invitation +[5639.82 --> 5641.82] And with this promise +[5641.82 --> 5642.82] First the invitation +[5642.82 --> 5645.82] If you would like to meet someone for prayer +[5645.82 --> 5648.82] Reflecting on where you need God to show up in your life +[5648.82 --> 5650.82] Or celebrating where God has shown up in your life +[5650.82 --> 5652.82] There will be someone here at the front +[5652.82 --> 5655.82] Who would love to meet with you and connect with you in prayer +[5655.82 --> 5658.82] Second, go with the promise of God +[5658.82 --> 5661.82] The promise that God himself goes with you +[5661.82 --> 5664.82] Into the valley of the shadow of death +[5664.82 --> 5666.82] Into the dark night of the soul +[5666.82 --> 5669.82] Into whatever moment or days you are leaving here +[5669.82 --> 5673.82] And walking towards God is with you +[5673.82 --> 5677.82] Receive his blessing for that journey of life and faith +[5678.82 --> 5681.82] God go before you to lead you +[5681.82 --> 5683.82] God go behind you to protect you +[5683.82 --> 5685.82] God go beneath you to support you +[5685.82 --> 5688.82] And God go beside you to befriend you +[5689.82 --> 5692.82] Do not be afraid +[5693.82 --> 5695.82] Let the blessing of God come upon you today +[5695.82 --> 5696.82] Do not be afraid +[5696.82 --> 5701.82] But go in peace to love and serve the Lord +[5702.82 --> 5703.82] Amen +[5711.82 --> 5712.82] God go beside you +[5712.82 --> 5716.82] Amen +[5716.82 --> 5721.82] This is my DVD +[5721.82 --> 5722.82] per 2 +[5722.82 --> 5737.88] yrb +[5737.88 --> 5753.74] I am weak, but you are mighty. Hold me with your powerful hand. +[5753.74 --> 5771.74] Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore. +[5771.74 --> 5784.74] Oh, and now the crystal fountain where the healing waters flow. +[5784.74 --> 5795.74] Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me on my journey through. +[5795.74 --> 5805.70] Strong deliver, strong deliver, ever be my strength and shield. +[5807.28 --> 5812.66] Ever be my strength and shield. +[5812.66 --> 5827.66] When I tread the verge of Jordan, in my anxiousness of sight. +[5827.66 --> 5838.66] Death of death and hell's destruction, let me stay on Gain and Stine. +[5838.66 --> 5849.66] Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever sing to you. +[5849.66 --> 5855.66] I will ever sing to you. +[5855.66 --> 5866.66] Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever sing to you. +[5866.66 --> 5874.66] I will ever sing to you. +[5874.66 --> 5894.66] I will ever sing to you. +[5894.66 --> 5924.64] Thank you. +[5924.66 --> 5937.22] Thank you. +[5954.66 --> 5984.64] Thank you. +[5984.66 --> 6014.64] Thank you. +[6014.66 --> 6044.64] Thank you. +[6044.66 --> 6074.64] Thank you. +[6074.66 --> 6104.64] Thank you. +[6104.66 --> 6134.64] Thank you. +[6134.66 --> 6164.64] Thank you. +[6164.66 --> 6194.64] Thank you. +[6194.66 --> 6224.64] Thank you. +[6224.66 --> 6254.64] Thank you. +[6254.66 --> 6284.64] Thank you. +[6284.66 --> 6314.64] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3bb507537370b916108c5638ba8a9cb0cd391350 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +• Greeting to the audience +• Reading from Romans 11:33-36 +• Singing hymns and worship songs +• Invocation and praise to God +• Reflection on the silence of nature and the world's inability to thank God +• Praise to God's almighty power and holiness +• Confession of sin and seeking forgiveness +• Expression of dependence on God for guidance and righteousness +• Declaration of Christ as a source of holiness and freedom from sin +• Acknowledgement of ongoing need for God's presence and help in times of temptation. +• The speaker quotes 1 John 1:8-9, discussing forgiveness and confession +• Jody and Ariel Gonzales' situation in Mexico is mentioned, including a severe rain storm that damaged their property +• A fundraising effort is launched to help the Gonzales family with costs associated with repairing their property +• Donations for Jody and Ariel can be sent via e-transfer, check, or cash +• Designated offerings are also collected for the church budget and Gateway of Hope community center +• The speaker thanks the congregation for their generosity +• The concept of Jesus Christ as a savior and living hope +• Overcoming death and sin through faith in Jesus +• Praise and worship, including repetition of phrases such as "hallelujah" and "my living hope" +• A sermon or discussion about salvation and its significance +• A question-and-answer session with children, focusing on the idea of a "treasure chest" of things that bring joy and happiness +• Possessions and material things are not necessary for happiness +• True happiness comes from having Jesus in one's heart +• The congregation is encouraged to stand up and pray together +• Prayers are offered for various individuals and groups, including the elderly, those with health concerns, new mothers, and persecuted Christians +• The ordination of Pastor Kevin is celebrated and he is asked to bring God's word to the congregation. +• The pursuit of money as a false gospel +• The idea that just a little more money will bring security, happiness, and satisfaction +• The constant hustle for financial gain and the pressure to define success by total income rather than character +• The speaker's personal struggle with desiring "just a little bit more" financially +• The speaker discusses how the pursuit of money and material possessions does not satisfy human needs. +• Citing Ecclesiastes 5:10, they argue that loving money leads to a never-ending cycle of greed and want. +• Studies show that once basic needs are met, added income does not increase happiness but rather desire for more. +• The love of money is identified as the root of all kinds of evil in 1 Timothy 6:10. +• A second false gospel is also discussed, which is the accumulation of things bringing joy and comfort. +• This false gospel is perpetuated through constant upgrades and watching others accumulate possessions online. +• Accumulation of material possessions for joy and contentment +• The story of the free market economy as a dominant narrative in modern society +• The influence of consumerism on individual values and behavior +• The danger of confusing gratitude with greed +• The fleeting nature of material wealth and its inability to bring lasting happiness +• The pressure and stress that come from accumulating and maintaining possessions +• The cycle of consumption, anxiety, and desire for more +• The idea that one's legacy is tied to what they leave behind +• The danger of defining oneself by external markers of success and possessions +• Building legacies through wealth and possessions is a common pursuit +• Many try to cheat death or delay aging through technology and self-care +• The passage from Ecclesiastes argues that these pursuits are ultimately meaningless and lead to emptiness +• The accumulation of wealth and possessions can actually bind individuals and enslave them to their efforts +• Ultimately, everyone comes into the world naked and departs the same way +• The gift of joy comes from God, not wealth or possessions +• Joy can be found in any situation, regardless of wealth or circumstances +• True joy is rooted in gratitude to Jesus and trust in his gospel +• Contentment and strength come from God, as demonstrated by Paul's testimony in Philippians 4:11-13 +• The focus should not be on the gifts we have, but on God who gives us those gifts +• Pursuing wealth and material possessions can enslave us +• Resting in God's care allows us to enjoy what we have without being enslaved +• The pursuit of Christ, not wealth, meets our eternal needs +• Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection defeated sin and provides salvation +• True joy is found in knowing we belong to him and having hope in Jesus +• Chasing material goods can only lead to temporary emptiness, while true joy is found eternally in the kingdom of God. +• Legacy and faith in God as secured through Jesus Christ +• Joy found in trusting God, not what is gained +• Living out faith legacy in a culture with false gospels +• Developing rhythms of resistance to combat empty promises +• Spiritual disciplines such as fasting and silence as acts of resistance +• Redirecting focus to joy found in Jesus +• The act of lament in a polarized culture is an act of resistance. +• Self-love and community are acts of resistance in an individualistic culture. +• Worship is an act of resistance in a nationalistic culture over country. +• Confession is an act of resistance in a success-oriented appearance-driven culture. +• Prayer is an act of resistance in a rationalistic data-driven calculated culture. +• Sabbath is an act of resistance in a 24-7 restless work-addicted anxious presence culture. +• Practicing acts of resistance helps to cut through false gospels and point to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. +• Joy comes from trusting God, not from what we gain or possess. +• resisting false gospels +• discipleship and pointing others to Christ +• contrast between life apart from God and with him +• influence of worldly pursuits on individuals +• prayer for release from worldly distractions and focus on God's joy +• eternal salvation and reign in the new earth +• practicing rhythms of resistance to worldly gospels +• Worship and praise of God +• Joy and strength from the Lord +• Protection and guidance from the Lord +• Dependence on the Lord's mercy and grace +• Trust in the Lord through all circumstances +• Avoiding waver or fear +• The joy of the Lord is strength +• Praying for strength and joy in Jesus Christ +• Distinguishing between false gospels and God's love and hope +• Seeking prayer partners and fellowship +• Receiving God's blessing +• Expressing gratitude to God for creation, love, and guidance +• Praise and gratitude expressed towards an unknown entity or person. +• Repeated thank you statements with no discernible topic or context change. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..6b2b160e8abd6b16aec579cffc591650fae90535 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 2, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1698 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 392.00] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 422.00] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 452.00] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 482.00] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 512.00] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 542.00] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 572.00] Thank you. +[572.00 --> 574.00] Thank you. +[574.00 --> 576.00] Thank you. +[576.00 --> 578.00] Thank you. +[578.00 --> 580.00] Thank you. +[580.00 --> 582.00] Thank you. +[582.00 --> 584.00] Thank you. +[584.00 --> 586.00] Thank you. +[586.00 --> 588.00] Thank you. +[588.00 --> 590.00] Thank you. +[590.00 --> 592.00] Thank you. +[592.00 --> 594.00] Thank you. +[594.00 --> 596.00] Thank you. +[596.00 --> 598.00] Thank you. +[598.00 --> 600.00] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 602.00] Thank you. +[626.00 --> 628.00] Good good. +[628.00 --> 630.00] Good good. +[630.00 --> 632.00] Good. +[632.00 --> 634.00] Good. +[634.00 --> 636.00] Good. +[636.00 --> 638.00] Good. +[638.00 --> 642.00] Good. +[642.00 --> 644.00] Good. +[672.00 --> 674.00] Thank you. +[702.00 --> 704.00] Good. +[732.00 --> 734.00] Thank you. +[762.00 --> 764.00] Good. +[764.00 --> 766.00] Good. +[766.00 --> 768.00] Good. +[768.00 --> 770.00] Good. +[770.00 --> 772.00] Good. +[792.00 --> 793.00] Good. +[793.00 --> 794.00] Good. +[794.00 --> 796.00] Good. +[796.00 --> 798.00] Good. +[798.00 --> 800.00] Good. +[800.00 --> 802.00] Good. +[822.00 --> 823.00] Good night. +[823.00 --> 824.00] And then finally. +[824.00 --> 826.00] Good. +[826.00 --> 828.00] Good night. +[828.00 --> 829.00] Good good night. +[829.00 --> 830.00] Good. +[830.00 --> 831.00] Good night. +[831.00 --> 833.50] Good night. +[833.50 --> 834.00] And then finally. +[834.00 --> 842.00] That way, +[842.00 --> 851.96] this morning. God greets us with these words, grace and peace to you from him who is and who +[851.96 --> 858.08] was and who is to come and from the seven spirits that are before his throne and from Jesus Christ +[858.08 --> 863.58] who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. +[864.34 --> 868.26] Amen. As God has greeted us this morning, please take a moment to greet those around you. +[872.00 --> 874.00] Amen. +[902.00 --> 912.74] Good morning. +[914.00 --> 921.44] Our call to worship this morning comes from Romans 11 verses 33 to 36. +[921.44 --> 929.68] Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgments +[929.68 --> 938.50] and his paths beyond tracing out. Who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counsel? +[939.26 --> 947.52] Who has ever given to God that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him +[947.52 --> 952.20] are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. +[952.20 --> 982.18] Let us sing and honor, glory and power, be unto the ancient of days. +[982.18 --> 991.18] From every nation, all of creation, bowed for the ancient of days. +[991.18 --> 1000.18] Every time in heaven and earth shall bear your glory, every each of our children grow. +[1000.18 --> 1001.18] In worship you will be the kingdom of the ancient of days. +[1001.18 --> 1005.18] In worship you will be the ancient of days. +[1005.18 --> 1013.18] And your kingdom shall not pass away, O ancient of days. +[1013.18 --> 1020.18] Let us sing and honor, glory and power, be unto the ancient of days. +[1020.18 --> 1027.18] From every nation, all of creation, bowed for the ancient of days. +[1027.18 --> 1033.18] From every nation, all of creation, bowed for the ancient of days. +[1033.18 --> 1040.18] Every time in heaven and earth shall declare your glory, every each of our children grow. +[1040.18 --> 1042.18] Every nation, all of creation, bowed for the ancient of days. +[1042.18 --> 1043.18] All of creation, bowed for the ancient of days. +[1043.18 --> 1044.18] In worship you will be the ancient of days. +[1044.18 --> 1049.18] In worship you will be the exalted, O God. +[1049.18 --> 1055.18] And your kingdom shall not pass away, O ancient of days. +[1055.18 --> 1059.18] Sing and honor, glory and power, be unto the ancient of days. +[1059.18 --> 1062.18] In worship you will be the same, all of creation. +[1062.18 --> 1064.18] Your kingdom shall bring over all the earth. +[1064.18 --> 1069.18] Sing to the ancient of days. +[1069.18 --> 1074.18] For none then compare to your ratchless blood. +[1074.18 --> 1079.18] Sing unto the ancient of days. +[1079.18 --> 1083.18] Every time in heaven and earth shall declare your glory, +[1083.18 --> 1086.56] For the enemy shall bow at your throne. +[1086.94 --> 1091.52] In worship you will be exalted, O God. +[1092.04 --> 1098.56] And your kingdom shall now pass away, O ancient of days. +[1106.56 --> 1107.82] Come on, come on. +[1108.24 --> 1108.70] Yay! +[1113.18 --> 1141.70] All my dear, O soul be God. +[1141.70 --> 1152.64] Faithful through the ages, almighty, most holy Lord. +[1152.94 --> 1156.58] Glorious, almighty God. +[1156.58 --> 1169.20] The peace of the field, the birds of the air, are silent to call out your name. +[1169.20 --> 1174.48] The air has no voice, and I have no choice. +[1174.74 --> 1179.00] To thank Him, find God unashamed. +[1179.54 --> 1184.12] Let the rocks be silent for one more day. +[1184.48 --> 1189.26] Let the whole world sing out when the people sing. +[1189.26 --> 1196.26] Almighty, most holy God. +[1196.26 --> 1207.26] Faithful through the ages, almighty, most holy Lord. +[1207.26 --> 1212.26] Glory is, almighty God. +[1212.26 --> 1213.26] Lord, who is my god. +[1213.26 --> 1214.26] Amen. +[1214.26 --> 1215.26] Amen. +[1215.26 --> 1216.26] Amen. +[1216.26 --> 1217.26] Amen. +[1217.26 --> 1218.26] Amen. +[1218.26 --> 1219.26] Amen. +[1219.26 --> 1220.26] Amen. +[1220.26 --> 1221.26] Amen. +[1221.26 --> 1223.66] The Lord will cover the earth. +[1224.18 --> 1228.82] When His Spirit dwells, He's pleased in His wealth, +[1229.12 --> 1231.92] and the hopeless and longer builder. +[1233.60 --> 1238.26] He will break the leash of death, it will have no sin. +[1238.66 --> 1243.36] The prisoners of free join the tents and sing. +[1245.74 --> 1250.92] Almighty, most holy God, +[1251.26 --> 1256.50] faithful to the angels, almighty, +[1257.36 --> 1261.26] most holy Lord, +[1261.70 --> 1266.40] glorious, almighty God. +[1268.50 --> 1273.68] Please be seated as we come to a time of confession. +[1273.96 --> 1275.20] And pray with me, please. +[1281.26 --> 1284.14] Holy God, You see into our hearts. +[1285.14 --> 1286.12] You see our sins. +[1287.12 --> 1288.72] You see our true selves, +[1289.56 --> 1291.26] our true thoughts and deeds, +[1291.38 --> 1292.98] which we try to hide from others. +[1293.76 --> 1295.86] Sins we might even think we can hide from You. +[1297.20 --> 1299.56] There are sins we commit daily without even thinking, +[1299.76 --> 1302.78] and are so ingrained in us that we can hardly name them. +[1303.62 --> 1304.46] Lord, we need You. +[1305.12 --> 1306.22] We need Your forgiveness, +[1306.62 --> 1309.40] so we come to You now in a time of quiet, +[1309.56 --> 1311.06] personal confession of our sins. +[1311.06 --> 1312.50] Amen. +[1312.50 --> 1313.80] Amen. +[1313.86 --> 1315.76] aster. +[1315.76 --> 1316.58] Amen. +[1319.08 --> 1319.86] Amen. +[1320.30 --> 1320.62] Amen. +[1320.62 --> 1322.62] Amen. +[1350.62 --> 1352.62] Amen. +[1380.62 --> 1385.44] Without you, I'm all alone. +[1387.20 --> 1393.44] You're the one that guides my heart. +[1397.06 --> 1399.52] Lord, I need you. +[1399.68 --> 1403.74] Oh, I need you. +[1403.74 --> 1410.24] Every hour I need you. +[1410.62 --> 1416.54] My one defense, my righteousness. +[1417.54 --> 1422.00] Oh, God, now I need you. +[1426.26 --> 1432.92] When sin runs deep, your grace is full. +[1432.92 --> 1436.12] Your grace is found. +[1436.62 --> 1439.64] It's where you are. +[1439.64 --> 1441.64] Where you are. +[1442.94 --> 1445.56] Lord, I am free. +[1446.56 --> 1453.02] Holiness is Christ in me. +[1453.02 --> 1454.56] May God. +[1456.02 --> 1458.56] Lord, I am free. +[1458.56 --> 1464.48] Holiness is Christ in me. +[1464.48 --> 1470.40] Lord, I need you. +[1470.40 --> 1471.40] Lord, I need you. +[1471.40 --> 1475.40] Oh, I need you. +[1475.40 --> 1481.40] Every hour I need you. +[1481.40 --> 1485.32] My one defense. +[1485.32 --> 1487.32] My righteousness. +[1487.32 --> 1493.32] Oh, God, now I need you. +[1493.32 --> 1502.24] Teach my song to rise to you. +[1502.24 --> 1508.24] When temptation comes my way. +[1508.24 --> 1510.16] When I cannot stand. +[1510.16 --> 1511.16] When I cannot stand. +[1511.16 --> 1513.16] I'll fall on you. +[1513.16 --> 1519.16] Jesus, you're my hope and stay. +[1519.16 --> 1522.42] When I cannot stand. +[1522.42 --> 1524.16] I'll fall on you. +[1524.16 --> 1530.16] Jesus, you're my hope and stay. +[1530.16 --> 1533.08] Lord, I need you. +[1533.08 --> 1535.08] Oh, I need you. +[1535.08 --> 1537.08] Oh, I need you. +[1537.08 --> 1541.08] Oh, I need you. +[1541.08 --> 1547.08] Every hour I need you. +[1547.08 --> 1550.28] My one defense. +[1550.28 --> 1550.32] My one defense. +[1550.32 --> 1553.20] My righteousness. +[1553.20 --> 1558.28] Oh, God, now I need you. +[1558.28 --> 1562.06] Oh, I need you. +[1562.06 --> 1566.20] Oh, I need you. +[1566.20 --> 1572.32] Every hour I need you. +[1572.32 --> 1575.52] My one defense. +[1575.52 --> 1578.52] My righteousness. +[1578.52 --> 1584.52] Oh, God, now I need you. +[1584.52 --> 1588.24] You're my one defense. +[1588.24 --> 1591.32] My righteousness. +[1591.32 --> 1596.56] Oh, God, now I need you. +[1596.56 --> 1602.30] You're my one defense. +[1602.32 --> 1605.52] You're my one defense. +[1605.52 --> 1607.40] These are your words of assurance. +[1608.12 --> 1614.94] People of God, we find hope and assurance of the forgiveness of our sins in 1 John 1, +[1615.34 --> 1616.20] where we read, +[1616.94 --> 1621.96] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. +[1622.44 --> 1631.48] But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. +[1631.48 --> 1632.48] Please stand. +[1632.48 --> 1633.48] Please stand. +[1633.48 --> 1634.48] Please stand. +[1635.48 --> 1636.48] Please stand. +[1636.48 --> 1637.48] Please stand. +[1637.48 --> 1638.48] Please stand. +[1638.48 --> 1639.48] Please stand. +[1639.48 --> 1640.48] Please stand. +[1640.48 --> 1641.48] Thank you. +[1641.48 --> 1643.48] Amen. +[1671.48 --> 1683.58] Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washing His blood. +[1683.58 --> 1695.36] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1695.36 --> 1707.42] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1710.42 --> 1722.00] Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture and albers of my sight. +[1722.00 --> 1733.92] Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love. +[1734.40 --> 1745.50] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1745.50 --> 1757.42] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1757.42 --> 1766.34] Perfect submission, always at rest. +[1766.88 --> 1772.24] High in my Savior, I'm happy and blessed. +[1772.78 --> 1777.42] Watching and waiting, looking above. +[1777.42 --> 1783.42] Filled with His goodness, lost in His blood. +[1784.62 --> 1795.42] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1795.42 --> 1819.20] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1819.20 --> 1831.20] This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1831.20 --> 1861.18] This is my song, praising my Savior all that they long. +[1861.18 --> 1863.68] During those designated offerings, I would like to point out to you +[1863.68 --> 1865.60] the email that was sent around this week, +[1866.22 --> 1869.64] concerning what's befallen Jody and Ariel Gonzales, +[1869.64 --> 1871.58] our missionary village family in Mexico. +[1871.62 --> 1873.36] As you've probably read, +[1873.36 --> 1876.96] they had bought a property that they were going to move their home on to. +[1877.14 --> 1881.28] Before they could move, a severe rain storm brought down +[1881.28 --> 1885.42] a retaining wall and filled their property with debris. +[1885.42 --> 1891.12] debris. So Jody and Ariel are very thankful that they had not yet moved to that property +[1891.12 --> 1896.88] and they're also thankful that the landlord that they have is currently willing to have +[1896.88 --> 1901.70] them stay where they are. But of course this brings huge costs to Jody and Ariel. First +[1901.70 --> 1906.60] of all now they have to pay two rents so to speak. One for their current property that +[1906.60 --> 1911.04] they're still on and also then payments for the property that they bought. And then of +[1911.04 --> 1916.98] course there's excavating fees, there's labor costs, there's building costs. So they +[1916.98 --> 1921.12] figure that all of that to remediate everything and resettle is going to cost +[1921.12 --> 1927.12] them about $30,000. And of course that's quite a bit of money for them. So if you +[1927.12 --> 1931.86] could help out in any way that'd be great. The email that we sent to the +[1931.86 --> 1937.38] membership has a way of sending via e-transfer. Make sure that when you send +[1937.38 --> 1940.92] e-transfer that you actually send the money to the church and then on the +[1940.92 --> 1946.80] memo put C10. C10 is the giving agency for Jody and Ariel. You can also put money +[1946.80 --> 1952.08] in the offering bag. You can write a check and then make that check out to +[1952.08 --> 1957.58] the church and then the memo line write down for C10. And of course there's +[1957.58 --> 1961.74] always cash that you can give. Put that in an envelope. There's envelopes in the +[1961.74 --> 1967.14] chairs in front of you and mark that C10 for Jody and Ariel. Our designated +[1967.14 --> 1972.02] offerings today are for the budget and then also our special offering is for +[1972.02 --> 1977.04] Gateway of Hope. So for the budget if you wish to give to that do the same thing as +[1977.04 --> 1982.56] for Jody and Ariel. Write a check. Make sure it's written to Langley Emanuel and then +[1982.56 --> 1987.42] mark it budget. Or if you use cash and then use the envelope setter and the chairs +[1987.42 --> 1993.80] in front of you and mark it for the budget. Gateway of Hope is a community +[1993.80 --> 2000.56] center run by the Salvation of Army here in Langley off the bypass and it is a +[2000.56 --> 2005.54] community center for the vulnerable sector of our population here in Langley. +[2005.54 --> 2012.42] Gateway of Hope provides shelter, food, counseling and most of all they provide hope. +[2012.42 --> 2018.72] Okay and they do this all in the name of Jesus. So do give generously today even as +[2018.72 --> 2024.20] we have all been generously blessed this past week. Thank you. +[2042.42 --> 2043.66] Easter Влад if watching! +[2043.66 --> 2047.72] Tour de Stratote +[2047.72 --> 2052.30] If 고�ρ +[2052.30 --> 2057.30] Should +[2057.30 --> 2060.58] gonna +[2060.58 --> 2064.30] ka +[2064.30 --> 2070.30] through the darkness +[2070.30 --> 2073.72] of loving kindness +[2073.72 --> 2076.38] Lord, through the shadows +[2076.38 --> 2079.30] of my soul +[2079.30 --> 2082.30] Lord, it's written +[2082.30 --> 2085.30] the end is written +[2085.30 --> 2088.18] Jesus Christ +[2088.18 --> 2091.18] my living hope +[2094.30 --> 2097.24] who could imagine +[2097.24 --> 2100.36] so great a mercy +[2100.36 --> 2103.36] a heart with problems +[2103.36 --> 2106.68] such thunders raise +[2106.68 --> 2109.66] the God of angels +[2109.66 --> 2112.38] sent out from glory +[2112.38 --> 2114.98] to bear my sin +[2114.98 --> 2118.18] and bear my shame +[2118.18 --> 2121.10] the cross has folded +[2121.10 --> 2124.10] I am forgiven +[2124.10 --> 2126.98] the King of kings +[2126.98 --> 2130.32] calls me his home +[2130.32 --> 2133.16] beautiful Savior +[2133.16 --> 2136.16] I'm yours forever +[2136.16 --> 2139.04] Jesus Christ +[2139.04 --> 2142.04] my living hope +[2142.04 --> 2144.92] hallelujah +[2144.92 --> 2145.92] hallelujah +[2145.92 --> 2149.18] praise the one who set me free +[2149.18 --> 2151.10] hallelujah +[2151.10 --> 2155.10] death has lost its grip on me +[2155.10 --> 2158.18] you have broken every chain +[2158.18 --> 2161.12] and salvation is not made +[2161.12 --> 2162.00] Jesus Christ +[2162.00 --> 2166.00] my living hope +[2166.00 --> 2168.00] hallelujah +[2168.00 --> 2172.92] praise the one who set me free +[2172.92 --> 2174.00] hallelujah +[2174.00 --> 2178.80] death has lost its grip on me +[2178.80 --> 2181.76] you have broken every chain +[2181.76 --> 2184.68] and salvation in your name +[2184.68 --> 2186.56] Jesus Christ +[2186.56 --> 2189.56] my living hope +[2189.56 --> 2190.56] Jesus Christ +[2190.56 --> 2191.56] my living hope +[2191.56 --> 2195.56] then hear the morning +[2195.56 --> 2198.56] that sealed the promise +[2198.56 --> 2201.56] your very body +[2201.56 --> 2204.90] began to breathe +[2204.90 --> 2207.78] out of the silence +[2207.78 --> 2209.78] the roaring lion +[2209.78 --> 2213.16] declare the grave +[2213.16 --> 2216.78] has no blame on me +[2216.78 --> 2219.78] and with the morning +[2219.78 --> 2222.88] that sealed the promise +[2222.88 --> 2225.54] your very body +[2225.54 --> 2227.96] began to breathe +[2227.96 --> 2229.84] hallelujah +[2229.84 --> 2231.84] death has lost its grip on me +[2231.84 --> 2232.84] the Lord +[2232.84 --> 2233.84] the roaring lion +[2233.84 --> 2236.92] declare the grave +[2236.92 --> 2239.84] has no blame on me +[2239.84 --> 2241.84] Jesus +[2241.84 --> 2242.84] yours +[2242.84 --> 2244.84] is the victory +[2244.84 --> 2247.84] hallelujah +[2247.84 --> 2249.84] hallelujah +[2249.84 --> 2255.56] praise the one who set me free +[2255.82 --> 2256.30] hallelujah +[2256.30 --> 2257.68] hallelujah +[2257.68 --> 2259.04] death +[2259.04 --> 2261.34] has lost its grip on me +[2261.34 --> 2264.30] you have broken every chain +[2264.30 --> 2267.24] and salvation in your name +[2267.24 --> 2267.76] Jesus Christ +[2270.36 --> 2272.52] my living hope +[2272.52 --> 2273.44] hallelujah +[2273.44 --> 2278.72] praise the one who set me free +[2278.72 --> 2280.48] hallelujah +[2280.48 --> 2284.58] death has lost its grip on me +[2284.58 --> 2287.46] You have broken every chain +[2287.46 --> 2290.34] There's salvation in your name +[2290.34 --> 2295.80] Jesus Christ, my living hope +[2295.80 --> 2301.68] Jesus Christ, my living hope +[2301.68 --> 2307.54] Oh God, you are my living hope +[2314.58 --> 2320.74] Good morning, everybody. +[2320.74 --> 2323.84] Can I have the kids all the way from preschool +[2323.84 --> 2326.82] all the way up to grade four come up to the front this morning? +[2334.50 --> 2335.60] Just have a seat. +[2335.60 --> 2344.56] Good morning. +[2345.12 --> 2348.40] I would like you guys to put your thinking caps on this morning +[2348.40 --> 2352.00] and think, if I gave you a big box +[2352.00 --> 2353.90] that looked like a treasure chest +[2353.90 --> 2357.92] what kind of things would you put inside of it? +[2359.80 --> 2361.22] What kind of things? +[2361.58 --> 2364.22] Just shout out some ideas, one at a time. +[2364.22 --> 2365.62] Pardon me? +[2366.62 --> 2367.26] Jewelry? +[2367.62 --> 2368.68] Maybe a frog. +[2369.34 --> 2369.86] Maybe. +[2369.96 --> 2370.98] A frog, maybe. +[2372.10 --> 2373.16] An orange? +[2374.08 --> 2374.62] A tablet. +[2375.00 --> 2376.08] Maybe a tablet? +[2379.14 --> 2380.18] A TV. +[2380.46 --> 2381.20] A TV? +[2382.48 --> 2386.12] All these things that we're putting in this treasure chest +[2386.12 --> 2386.90] Yes, Elizabeth. +[2388.08 --> 2388.64] Gems. +[2388.88 --> 2391.58] Yeah, all these things that we're putting in this treasure chest +[2391.58 --> 2394.22] Do we absolutely need it? +[2395.50 --> 2395.90] No? +[2396.10 --> 2397.26] Does it make us happy? +[2398.82 --> 2399.76] It can't? +[2399.84 --> 2400.08] What? +[2401.74 --> 2402.14] Yeah. +[2402.58 --> 2402.74] Yeah. +[2405.12 --> 2405.98] Could we... +[2405.98 --> 2406.80] Pardon me? +[2407.54 --> 2408.72] Yeah, you can put money in there. +[2408.78 --> 2408.92] Okay. +[2409.54 --> 2411.28] Could we live without it? +[2412.68 --> 2414.32] All the things that we're putting in? +[2414.32 --> 2416.62] Some of the stuff we can live without +[2416.62 --> 2420.86] Some we can't, depending if we put our Bible in there +[2420.86 --> 2424.94] If we put other things in there +[2424.94 --> 2426.32] Maybe food +[2426.32 --> 2428.12] Some things we can't live without +[2428.12 --> 2429.66] But what we're going to learn today +[2429.66 --> 2431.60] And I'm sure in congregation today +[2431.60 --> 2432.34] We're going to learn +[2432.34 --> 2434.52] That possessions +[2434.52 --> 2437.06] Or items like a TV +[2437.06 --> 2438.42] Chocolate +[2438.42 --> 2439.86] Jewelry +[2439.86 --> 2441.60] That we can live without +[2441.60 --> 2443.24] But to make us happy +[2443.24 --> 2446.32] Is we need to have Jesus in our hearts +[2446.32 --> 2447.44] Right? +[2447.92 --> 2448.40] Okay. +[2448.52 --> 2449.78] Everybody stand up +[2449.78 --> 2453.62] And we're going to face the congregation +[2453.62 --> 2456.20] And ready? +[2456.52 --> 2457.30] One, two, three +[2457.30 --> 2458.04] The Lord +[2458.04 --> 2459.20] We'll be with you +[2459.20 --> 2461.12] We'll be with you +[2461.12 --> 2461.30] We'll be with you +[2461.30 --> 2462.76] We'll be with you +[2462.76 --> 2463.26] Hi Mama +[2463.26 --> 2493.24] Thank you. +[2493.26 --> 2523.24] Thank you. +[2523.26 --> 2525.26] Thank you. +[2553.26 --> 2555.26] Thank you. +[2555.26 --> 2562.42] We have allowed the world to affect our lives by its concerns, its fears, and its falsehood. +[2563.18 --> 2565.76] Even our own hearts deceive us. +[2566.92 --> 2567.78] Forgive us, Lord. +[2568.70 --> 2572.20] Create in us clean hearts and a steadfast spirit. +[2573.54 --> 2578.36] Renew our minds so that we can be effective ambassadors for Jesus Christ. +[2578.36 --> 2585.12] Lord, we lift up to you members of our church family who are living with difficulties. +[2586.16 --> 2590.60] We pray for the elderly and those with health and mobility concerns. +[2591.60 --> 2595.20] Be with Clary's sister as she heals from a recent accident. +[2595.20 --> 2603.56] Give her patience and hope and enable her to experience your hand at work in this situation. +[2603.56 --> 2612.28] We pray for all the soon-to-be and all the new moms in our midst. +[2613.08 --> 2617.76] We pray for good health and rest as they care for these little ones. +[2617.76 --> 2624.34] Thank you, Lord, for families who are providing your love to those children that need love and support. +[2624.34 --> 2626.34] We pray for them. +[2626.34 --> 2633.30] We pray for Millie, infant daughter of James and Shana, as she undergoes surgery by your will this week. +[2634.26 --> 2640.20] Calm their hearts and bless the good work of the doctors and nurses at Children's Hospital. +[2640.20 --> 2643.64] We pray for those who are living with children and children, as she has been healing for their children. +[2643.64 --> 2647.42] We pray for those persecuted for your name. +[2648.16 --> 2651.18] We think of those in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. +[2652.20 --> 2654.96] Help them not to lose hope, but stand firm. +[2655.84 --> 2658.82] Give them courage and zeal to stand up for your name. +[2660.36 --> 2664.26] We give thanks for the ordination of Pastor Kevin this past week. +[2665.34 --> 2669.82] Bless Pastor Kevin, Nikki, and their girls as they minister among us. +[2671.06 --> 2676.00] And now, as Kevin brings your word to us, may we receive it in our hearts and our minds. +[2676.76 --> 2680.98] And by your Spirit, live it out in our lives and by our actions. +[2681.98 --> 2683.16] May your name be praised. +[2683.72 --> 2685.24] We ask this in Jesus' name. +[2685.84 --> 2686.12] Amen. +[2700.20 --> 2701.20] Amen. +[2701.20 --> 2702.20] Amen. +[2706.84 --> 2707.20] Amen. +[2707.20 --> 2707.66] Amen. +[2707.66 --> 2707.86] Amen. +[2707.86 --> 2708.30] Amen. +[2708.30 --> 2716.60] I'm sure many of you have experienced the joy of playing Monopoly with family and friends, right? +[2717.58 --> 2721.20] It always, the giggles in the room, you already know where we're going with this, +[2721.24 --> 2723.26] because it always starts out innocent enough. +[2723.26 --> 2725.50] We all agree we're going to have fun. +[2725.72 --> 2729.94] We're going to count our pastel-colored money, and we're going to pretend that everyone's +[2729.94 --> 2730.94] going to play fair. +[2731.42 --> 2737.56] But give it 20 minutes, and suddenly Uncle Tim has three hotels locked up on boardwalk. +[2738.00 --> 2741.82] Your sister, who barely knows the rules, owns all of the railroads. +[2742.24 --> 2747.82] And you're stuck mortgaging Baltic Avenue just to survive another turn. +[2747.82 --> 2754.00] And then the moment comes when someone realizes there's no catching up. +[2755.06 --> 2756.94] You feel the injustice in the air. +[2757.10 --> 2761.34] Someone's thimble isn't going to make it around the board, pass, go one more time. +[2761.46 --> 2764.24] And they're just bitterly counting the pennies. +[2764.30 --> 2765.54] And sure enough, it happens. +[2766.60 --> 2768.40] A hand slams down on the board. +[2768.78 --> 2771.38] The little greenhouses go flying everywhere. +[2772.22 --> 2775.68] And the room, or the game story, doesn't end because someone won. +[2775.68 --> 2778.06] It ends because someone snapped. +[2779.64 --> 2786.18] In a game where the pursuit of wealth is the goal, I've heard many a Monopoly story ending +[2786.18 --> 2792.16] with a board on the ground and a bunch of losers just sitting around a peace-filled room, +[2792.66 --> 2794.30] wasting three hours of their life. +[2795.64 --> 2798.74] Well, the pursuit of wealth today is the focus of the teachers. +[2798.90 --> 2801.72] We continue our sermon series through Ecclesiastes. +[2801.72 --> 2806.76] I'm going to invite you all to open up your Bibles, or if you've got a Bible app on your phone, +[2807.76 --> 2809.00] feel free to open that as well. +[2809.30 --> 2813.90] And keep that text open today as we kind of reference it throughout this message. +[2814.30 --> 2819.52] We're going to look at Ecclesiastes 5, verses 10 to 20. +[2819.60 --> 2821.82] So Ecclesiastes 5, verses 10 to 20. +[2822.46 --> 2823.52] It says this. +[2823.52 --> 2827.80] Whoever loves money never has enough. +[2828.76 --> 2832.40] Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. +[2833.32 --> 2835.44] This, too, is meaningless. +[2836.46 --> 2839.60] As goods increase, so do those who consume them. +[2839.74 --> 2844.40] And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? +[2844.96 --> 2848.50] The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much. +[2848.50 --> 2852.56] But as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. +[2853.52 --> 2858.50] I have seen grievous evil under the sun, wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, +[2858.62 --> 2861.08] or wealth lost through some misfortune, +[2861.64 --> 2864.72] so that when they have children, there is nothing left for them to inherit. +[2865.66 --> 2867.96] Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, +[2868.04 --> 2871.22] and everyone comes, as everyone comes, so they depart. +[2872.08 --> 2877.80] They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. +[2878.16 --> 2880.02] This, too, is a grievous evil. +[2880.14 --> 2882.00] As everyone comes, so they depart. +[2882.00 --> 2884.72] And what do they gain since they toil for the wind? +[2885.68 --> 2891.46] All their days they eat in darkness with great frustration, affliction, and anger. +[2892.82 --> 2895.06] This is what I have observed to be good. +[2895.96 --> 2899.66] That it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink, and to find satisfaction +[2899.66 --> 2906.06] in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them. +[2906.52 --> 2907.62] For this is their lot. +[2907.62 --> 2913.34] Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them, +[2913.58 --> 2917.96] to accept their lot and be happy in their toil, this is a gift of God. +[2918.96 --> 2925.58] They seldom reflect on the days of their life because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. +[2926.14 --> 2927.38] This is the word of the Lord. +[2927.38 --> 2932.06] The pursuit of money. +[2932.06 --> 2932.10] The pursuit of money. +[2933.10 --> 2936.00] The accumulation of things. +[2936.84 --> 2938.74] And the desire for legacy. +[2938.74 --> 2946.58] We're going to look at three false gospels that the teacher highlights in this passage. +[2946.58 --> 2951.46] Three false gospels that our current world still pushes today. +[2952.20 --> 2959.88] And we're going to look at how these three false gospels actually hold us back from experiencing true joy. +[2959.88 --> 2963.46] And so without further ado, false gospel number one. +[2963.86 --> 2965.50] The pursuit of money. +[2966.24 --> 2970.04] The pursuit of money will meet your needs. +[2971.40 --> 2978.08] See, the pursuit of money is a false gospel because it's this ever-present whisper in your ear +[2978.08 --> 2985.98] that just a little bit more will finally bring the security or the happiness or the comfort or the peace +[2985.98 --> 2988.86] or the satisfaction that we're all craving. +[2988.86 --> 2995.68] Just a little bit more money and I can finally afford to buy a more reliable car +[2995.68 --> 2997.86] and then I don't have to deal with that rusty muffler anymore. +[2998.24 --> 3003.78] Just a little bit more and I can afford to go on a vacation where I can finally relax. +[3004.44 --> 3009.68] Just a little bit more money and I can pay off that student loan and then I can live a little easier. +[3010.46 --> 3015.84] Just a little bit more money and I can finally convince the bank to give me enough money for a mortgage +[3015.84 --> 3018.50] so I can enter into this crazy house market. +[3018.86 --> 3025.16] Just a little bit more money and I can finally pay off that mortgage and finally live a little more freely. +[3026.40 --> 3031.62] Just a little bit more money and I'll finally be confident enough in my retirement savings +[3031.62 --> 3034.86] so that I can live out the rest of my days and maybe help out my kids. +[3034.86 --> 3035.86] Just a little bit more. +[3035.86 --> 3038.02] Just a little bit more. +[3038.02 --> 3040.08] Just a little bit more. +[3040.08 --> 3048.90] The idea that just a little bit more money would help still permeates all of our lives I think. +[3049.64 --> 3051.28] We hear it from advertisement. +[3051.52 --> 3054.52] Just make a little bit more money and you'll be a little bit more secure. +[3054.82 --> 3055.96] We see it in our systems. +[3056.36 --> 3058.62] It shows up in the long hours of our work weeks. +[3058.70 --> 3060.06] The overtime that we work. +[3060.54 --> 3062.92] The constant hustle to get things done. +[3062.92 --> 3069.88] And we see it even how we define our success by our total incomes instead of our characters. +[3071.68 --> 3073.94] And I know for me personally we feel it too. +[3074.04 --> 3075.50] I feel it in my heart. +[3076.60 --> 3077.72] I've said this before. +[3077.82 --> 3079.06] Maybe I've said this to some of you. +[3079.34 --> 3081.88] I don't actually desire to be filthy rich. +[3082.22 --> 3085.08] Being filthy rich doesn't sound that appealing to me. +[3085.16 --> 3086.16] It sounds like too much pressure. +[3086.16 --> 3090.30] But I have said just a little bit more an awful lot in my life. +[3090.94 --> 3096.42] If I had just a little bit more I could pay off my mortgage and that would be very handy. +[3096.52 --> 3098.44] Then I could live out the rest of my days secure. +[3101.18 --> 3103.42] That's crossed my mind more than I'd like to admit. +[3105.10 --> 3110.44] Actually when I was going through this ordination process the first question the CRC candidacy committee +[3110.44 --> 3112.46] asked me in my interview for the denomination. +[3112.80 --> 3114.60] The first question they asked me was this. +[3114.60 --> 3118.26] They said are you doing this for the pay raise and the pension? +[3120.16 --> 3122.50] And at first that actually unsettled me a little bit. +[3122.92 --> 3125.62] I felt like they didn't have the right to answer. +[3125.70 --> 3126.30] Like who were they? +[3126.36 --> 3127.28] They didn't know who I was. +[3127.34 --> 3128.68] I didn't know who this person was. +[3129.86 --> 3132.02] If it were true I would have gone this route a lot earlier. +[3132.16 --> 3132.88] I'll tell you that. +[3135.64 --> 3137.94] And yet everyone wants just a little bit more. +[3138.02 --> 3141.48] And for me I actually needed to be asked and answer that question. +[3142.94 --> 3144.56] Am I pursuing this? +[3144.60 --> 3146.40] Am I pursuing the pay raise? +[3146.64 --> 3148.82] Am I pursuing just a little bit more? +[3149.46 --> 3150.84] Am I pursuing wealth? +[3153.32 --> 3154.98] Ecclesiastes 5.10 says, +[3155.98 --> 3158.94] Whoever loves money never has enough. +[3160.70 --> 3164.74] See the teacher points out that the pursuit of money it never satisfies. +[3165.06 --> 3168.62] The love of money leads to only more hunger for it. +[3168.62 --> 3172.82] That's why the richest people in our world, they still push for more. +[3173.20 --> 3174.46] They still want to make more. +[3174.52 --> 3177.66] They still want to have more because you can always have a little bit more. +[3177.66 --> 3183.96] And when people believe that the pursuit of money is going to meet all of their needs, +[3184.04 --> 3188.16] they're chaining themselves to the idea that money actually solves the problems. +[3188.16 --> 3194.22] But all it actually leads to is this endless cycle of greed and want. +[3194.22 --> 3201.60] Studies have actually shown this, that after one reaches a certain income level, your happiness plateaus. +[3201.92 --> 3206.10] Now there's a little bit of nuance to these studies and at the risk of oversimplifying it to make a point. +[3206.10 --> 3212.42] Once you make enough money to eat food every day, to meet your basic needs, and to sleep without fear at night, +[3213.38 --> 3216.28] added income actually doesn't increase your happiness anymore. +[3217.00 --> 3220.38] It doesn't increase your joy, just your desire for more money. +[3221.38 --> 3224.28] Again, just a little bit more, just a little bit more. +[3225.20 --> 3226.56] And Paul warns us of this too. +[3226.78 --> 3228.68] In 1 Timothy 6.10 it says this, +[3228.68 --> 3232.48] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. +[3232.48 --> 3238.48] Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. +[3240.68 --> 3244.84] Notice it's not money itself that's evil, it's the love of money. +[3245.92 --> 3249.56] The constant pursuit of just a little bit more. +[3250.62 --> 3251.98] As if that will fix our problems. +[3252.46 --> 3254.72] That's the false gospel that grips us. +[3255.02 --> 3257.74] That binds us up instead of freeing us to truly live. +[3259.70 --> 3262.46] The second false gospel that our text highlights is this, +[3262.48 --> 3265.62] The accumulation of things will bring you joy. +[3266.90 --> 3271.60] The accumulation of things promises comfort and control. +[3272.46 --> 3276.58] Now this false gospel tells us that owning more will make life easier or happier. +[3277.62 --> 3281.38] In Western culture this shows up in constant upgrades, I think. +[3282.56 --> 3283.48] In constant upgrades. +[3283.56 --> 3287.44] We have newer phones, bigger houses, better cars, fuller closets. +[3287.44 --> 3292.42] But every purchase simply feeds the hunger for the next one. +[3292.80 --> 3294.40] We desire stuff, more stuff. +[3294.84 --> 3299.20] And look, I know this is a message we've probably heard over and over again. +[3299.34 --> 3302.22] But it bears repeating because this isn't changing. +[3303.42 --> 3309.24] It's so prevalent in our world that now we don't just want more stuff ourselves. +[3309.24 --> 3317.06] Our entertainment has even turned into watching people accumulate stuff. +[3317.06 --> 3325.30] There are TikTokers out there making boatloads of money simply unboxing content. +[3326.26 --> 3330.62] Literally opening boxes and being watched. +[3331.02 --> 3335.60] There's YouTubers making a living by showing all the stuff they bought. +[3335.60 --> 3345.42] There are hundreds of thousands of hours, maybe millions of hours, online of people videoing themselves opening boxes, +[3345.90 --> 3350.86] revealing the world of the new toys, the new gifts, the new gadgets, the new products that they've watched. +[3351.12 --> 3353.16] And people simply watch them accumulate. +[3354.16 --> 3358.56] So people can live vicariously through the experience of obtaining more product. +[3358.56 --> 3364.56] I found several videos online this week of people opening entire Amazon flats of spa products. +[3365.70 --> 3370.88] I found a two-hour video of someone opening up thousands of unopened Squishmallows. +[3371.18 --> 3373.38] And if you don't know what Squishmallows are, that's fine. +[3373.64 --> 3374.52] You don't need to know. +[3374.74 --> 3375.82] They're basically stuffies. +[3376.34 --> 3382.46] There is a YouTube channel out there that's dedicated to opening boxes of the newest tech. +[3382.52 --> 3386.98] And this channel has released, on its own, 2,400 videos. +[3386.98 --> 3390.56] And that's just the stuff I found in 90 seconds. +[3391.18 --> 3392.40] I've ruined my algorithm. +[3394.64 --> 3399.20] And if you're wondering who's watching this, so many people. +[3401.16 --> 3407.44] Unbox Therapy, that's the YouTube channel I just mentioned, it has over 24.8 million subscribers. +[3409.20 --> 3414.46] iJustine, who opens up boxes of lifestyle gadgets and more, she has over 7 million followers on her own. +[3414.46 --> 3417.12] And Ryan's World, which is actually stars a kid. +[3417.64 --> 3419.68] Now, it does some other things on this channel as well. +[3419.90 --> 3423.20] But he opens up a lot of toys and materials. +[3423.90 --> 3426.52] He has over 35 million followers. +[3428.10 --> 3430.82] And that's just three of thousands. +[3432.36 --> 3433.70] We want things. +[3435.76 --> 3436.94] We want things. +[3437.30 --> 3439.92] If we can't get them, we want to see them. +[3440.04 --> 3442.58] And we want to dream about what it would be like having them. +[3442.58 --> 3447.94] This accumulation of things is thought to bring us joy. +[3448.34 --> 3452.52] And maybe you're sitting here and you're hearing all of that and you're like, wow, that is bonkers. +[3453.36 --> 3455.44] Who's wasting their time watching videos like this? +[3455.48 --> 3456.52] This doesn't apply to me. +[3458.52 --> 3461.36] But how many of you are happy with your current iPhone right now? +[3464.04 --> 3466.04] Or the clothes that you wear every day? +[3466.04 --> 3469.70] Or the vehicle that you drive? +[3470.70 --> 3473.08] Or the camping trailer you've had for years? +[3474.46 --> 3477.04] Or the kitchen that you have with the old-timey cabinets? +[3479.30 --> 3483.02] How many of you saw a vacation that a friend went on and thought, ah, I could use that? +[3483.58 --> 3488.50] Or saw a picture of a friend in their backyard saying, ah, I wish my yard looked like that? +[3488.50 --> 3492.14] This mindset is widespread. +[3494.86 --> 3497.10] In one of her books, Susan White says this. +[3497.16 --> 3498.58] I've paraphrased it a little bit for length. +[3498.64 --> 3499.36] But she says this. +[3499.70 --> 3504.04] If there's an overarching story that explains reality in the late 20th century, +[3504.82 --> 3507.36] it is surely the story of the free market economy. +[3507.92 --> 3512.48] In the beginning of the story is the self-made, self-sufficient human being. +[3512.86 --> 3516.64] And at the end of the story is the big house, the big car, and the expensive clothes. +[3516.64 --> 3524.56] However, in the middle is the struggle for success, the greed, the getting and spending in a world +[3524.56 --> 3526.56] where there is no such thing as a free lunch. +[3527.96 --> 3535.86] Most of us have made this so thoroughly our story that we are hardly aware of its influence. +[3537.88 --> 3541.32] This is only more true in the 21st century as well. +[3541.32 --> 3549.12] This false gospel of accumulating more for our own good is embedded in the fabric of the world that we live in. +[3549.32 --> 3553.46] And we wrap ourselves in it every day and maybe don't even realize it. +[3555.06 --> 3558.88] But when we depend on the accumulation of things for our joy, +[3558.96 --> 3564.78] this false gospel takes root in our hearts and starts confusing gratitude with greed. +[3564.78 --> 3570.58] Our contentment then becomes dependent on the next Amazon box that ends up on our front porch. +[3572.50 --> 3575.34] But Proverbs 23, 4 to 5 tell us a different truth. +[3575.44 --> 3576.36] It warns us by saying, +[3576.74 --> 3578.76] Do not wear yourself out to get rich. +[3579.12 --> 3581.54] Riches sprout wings and fly off. +[3581.84 --> 3585.62] Do not seek the material because the material is fleeting. +[3585.62 --> 3589.70] The teacher knew this thousands of years ago, +[3590.00 --> 3595.94] even before the idea of online shopping, instant purchasing, and Jeff Bezos even existed. +[3597.02 --> 3599.38] In verses 11 and 12 of our text, he says this, +[3599.38 --> 3602.48] As goods increase, so do those who consume them. +[3602.74 --> 3607.32] And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? +[3608.94 --> 3611.78] The sleep of a laborer is sweet whether they eat little or much, +[3611.86 --> 3615.34] but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. +[3616.62 --> 3618.64] For those who keep accumulating, +[3619.06 --> 3622.30] their only joy they have that the possessions brings them +[3622.30 --> 3625.62] is the fleeting pleasure of looking at them. +[3626.82 --> 3627.88] What a waste. +[3631.10 --> 3635.66] The desire for more things actually increases our pressures and our stresses too. +[3635.74 --> 3638.16] The teacher says with more wealth, with more possessions, +[3638.44 --> 3640.62] comes more stress and less sleep. +[3640.88 --> 3642.04] There's more bills to pay. +[3642.26 --> 3643.52] There's more things to care for. +[3643.62 --> 3645.00] There's more eyes on you. +[3645.00 --> 3646.72] Looking at you with what you've got. +[3646.88 --> 3649.72] There's more worry about losing what you have. +[3650.24 --> 3651.32] We accomplish things. +[3651.42 --> 3652.48] We accumulate stuff. +[3652.68 --> 3654.52] And once we have what we thought we wanted, +[3654.68 --> 3657.72] we need to work at keeping it and maintaining it, +[3657.72 --> 3659.08] and then not losing it, +[3659.24 --> 3660.34] and then updating it, +[3660.42 --> 3662.16] and then eventually upgrading it. +[3662.16 --> 3664.08] And the cycle keeps going. +[3666.08 --> 3670.28] The comfort our stuff brings usually just leads us to more anxiety +[3670.28 --> 3672.50] and an even greater desire for more, +[3672.88 --> 3675.54] which does not sound like a promise of joy, +[3675.72 --> 3678.14] but actually sounds like a promise that binds us. +[3678.14 --> 3685.52] The third false gospel that the teacher brings to our attention is this. +[3685.86 --> 3689.38] Your legacy is tied to what you leave behind. +[3689.38 --> 3694.26] The desire for our own legacy is real. +[3694.60 --> 3698.74] The desire promises us that we can outlive our own mortality +[3698.74 --> 3700.78] by curating a bunch of stuff, +[3700.98 --> 3705.00] be that possessions or successes or businesses or estates, +[3705.10 --> 3708.72] that they will exist and point to us after we die. +[3708.72 --> 3711.48] And our culture preaches the idea +[3711.48 --> 3713.54] that we are called to leave a mark in this world. +[3713.88 --> 3714.44] Leave a mark! +[3715.28 --> 3717.10] And that the legacy we leave behind +[3717.10 --> 3720.58] can be a permanent fixture in our little sphere of influence. +[3721.58 --> 3722.78] Your legacy matters, +[3722.98 --> 3724.72] so let's spend our time ensuring +[3725.30 --> 3728.92] that what we leave behind will enshrine us forever. +[3730.54 --> 3733.12] And this false gospel takes root in our hearts, +[3733.18 --> 3736.06] and we start believing that our value is dependent +[3736.06 --> 3737.68] on what we leave behind. +[3737.68 --> 3739.36] And so we build up businesses +[3739.36 --> 3741.38] that we hope will last the tail of time, +[3741.58 --> 3744.30] only to have them sold off or bought out +[3744.30 --> 3745.86] or absorbed by another company +[3745.86 --> 3747.26] as soon as we relinquish control. +[3747.88 --> 3750.94] We buy property in the hopes that generations of our family +[3750.94 --> 3753.90] will live on this for generations to come, +[3753.98 --> 3757.20] only to have housing markets and family dynamics +[3757.20 --> 3760.06] shift in ways that makes handing those off impossible. +[3760.86 --> 3763.06] We build up storehouses of goods, +[3763.50 --> 3765.90] hoping to pass off our things to future generations, +[3765.90 --> 3769.16] only to have those things get sorted through a thrift store +[3769.16 --> 3770.72] and donated to Goodwill +[3770.72 --> 3773.44] as they are replaced by the better and the newer. +[3776.32 --> 3778.04] Some, though, try to buck this trend. +[3778.12 --> 3780.84] Instead of passing off their legacies to other people, +[3780.92 --> 3782.42] they realize maybe that won't work, +[3782.98 --> 3784.62] so they try to cheat death themselves. +[3785.58 --> 3787.72] There's a good example of this happening right now +[3787.72 --> 3788.70] in Southern California, +[3788.70 --> 3790.32] a man named Brian Johnson. +[3790.32 --> 3791.50] He's a tech entrepreneur. +[3791.96 --> 3794.00] He's made hundreds of millions of dollars +[3794.00 --> 3794.84] with his tech company, +[3795.02 --> 3796.10] and with his wealth, +[3796.30 --> 3798.10] he has dedicated his life +[3798.10 --> 3800.86] and poured millions and millions of dollars +[3800.86 --> 3803.00] into a personal project called Blueprint, +[3803.42 --> 3805.12] where he hopes to be the first person +[3805.12 --> 3806.50] to live well beyond the age of 200. +[3807.52 --> 3809.40] The guy takes over 100 pills a day. +[3810.38 --> 3812.80] He follows a rigid diet and sleep routine. +[3812.80 --> 3816.04] He undergoes a range of experimental treatments, +[3816.24 --> 3818.64] all in an effort to extend his life +[3818.64 --> 3819.74] a little bit longer. +[3821.84 --> 3822.46] And this highlight, +[3823.24 --> 3824.38] or this example, sorry, +[3824.48 --> 3826.38] highlights a modern obsession +[3826.38 --> 3828.94] that we have with control and immortality, +[3829.02 --> 3830.72] the belief that with enough money +[3830.72 --> 3832.12] and enough technology, +[3832.32 --> 3834.68] we can outsmart even our own mortality, +[3835.24 --> 3837.80] and we can actually be our own legacies. +[3837.80 --> 3841.22] Now, obviously, I'm not saying +[3841.22 --> 3842.34] we're all Brian Johnsons, +[3843.12 --> 3844.20] but let's be honest. +[3844.76 --> 3846.60] How many of us live for these legacies? +[3847.66 --> 3849.80] How many of us hope that our businesses +[3849.80 --> 3851.62] or our properties or our possessions +[3851.62 --> 3854.06] will leave a mark in this world? +[3854.20 --> 3856.20] Or maybe we fear aging so much +[3856.20 --> 3858.48] that we pour a small fortune +[3858.48 --> 3860.00] into what we call self-care, +[3860.84 --> 3863.50] trying to hang on to some imagined state +[3863.50 --> 3865.18] of physical prowess +[3865.18 --> 3866.62] for just a little bit longer. +[3866.62 --> 3870.72] But death and aging, +[3870.84 --> 3871.86] they come for all of us, +[3871.90 --> 3873.26] no matter how many pills we take, +[3873.46 --> 3875.14] how many experiments we run, +[3875.34 --> 3876.72] how many surgeries we seek, +[3876.94 --> 3878.46] how much Botox we inject, +[3878.68 --> 3879.92] how much money we spend. +[3882.60 --> 3886.10] The marks that we try to leave on this world +[3886.10 --> 3887.40] often fade away. +[3888.30 --> 3891.66] And the marks we try to fade away on ourselves +[3891.66 --> 3892.96] always come back. +[3894.14 --> 3895.98] Because as the teacher says, +[3896.62 --> 3899.28] everything is meaningless under the sun. +[3900.58 --> 3903.02] Verse 14 and 15 of our passage tells us this. +[3903.40 --> 3903.52] It says, +[3903.52 --> 3905.56] I have seen grievous evil under the sun, +[3905.68 --> 3907.92] wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, +[3907.92 --> 3910.14] or wealth lost through some misfortune, +[3910.50 --> 3911.74] so that when they have children, +[3911.86 --> 3913.24] there is nothing left for them to inherit. +[3913.84 --> 3915.84] Everyone comes naked from their mother's wounds, +[3916.10 --> 3917.26] and as everyone comes, +[3917.32 --> 3917.88] so they depart. +[3918.16 --> 3919.64] They take nothing from their toil +[3919.64 --> 3921.10] that they can carry in their hands. +[3922.54 --> 3923.90] The teacher is telling us +[3923.90 --> 3925.94] that if we are spending too much of our time +[3925.94 --> 3928.00] hoping that our wealth or our possessions +[3928.00 --> 3929.74] or our efforts will leave behind +[3929.74 --> 3930.76] some sort of legacy, +[3930.76 --> 3932.26] we're actually mistaken. +[3933.20 --> 3935.26] Because that pursuit ends in emptiness. +[3936.22 --> 3938.80] The pursuit of money captures our will. +[3939.76 --> 3943.48] Possession that we hoard just binds us +[3943.48 --> 3945.06] and our hands. +[3946.42 --> 3949.20] Legacy of materials chains us to toil. +[3949.20 --> 3953.20] And yes, this has been a depressing sermon so far, +[3953.26 --> 3954.08] but here's the shift. +[3955.44 --> 3957.20] Because the teacher points us +[3957.20 --> 3959.14] to where we can find our freedom. +[3961.22 --> 3963.90] In the gift of joy +[3963.90 --> 3966.54] that comes from our God. +[3968.26 --> 3969.86] Verses 18 to 20 +[3969.86 --> 3971.84] point us to the gift of joy +[3971.84 --> 3972.98] that can be found +[3972.98 --> 3974.04] not in wealth, +[3974.58 --> 3975.56] not in possessions, +[3975.92 --> 3977.24] not in a future legacy, +[3977.24 --> 3979.32] but in God himself. +[3980.52 --> 3981.22] The teacher says, +[3981.72 --> 3982.90] this is what I have observed +[3982.90 --> 3983.84] to be good. +[3984.88 --> 3985.80] That it is appropriate +[3985.80 --> 3987.12] for a person to eat +[3987.12 --> 3987.98] and drink +[3987.98 --> 3989.48] and to find satisfaction +[3989.48 --> 3990.64] in their toilsome labor +[3990.64 --> 3991.28] under the sun +[3991.28 --> 3993.64] during the few days of life +[3993.64 --> 3995.40] God has given them. +[3996.38 --> 3997.36] For this is their lot. +[3998.48 --> 3998.92] Moreover, +[3999.52 --> 4000.82] when God gives someone +[4000.82 --> 4001.74] wealth and possessions, +[4002.32 --> 4002.86] notice that, +[4003.06 --> 4004.18] when God gives someone +[4004.18 --> 4004.98] wealth and possessions +[4004.98 --> 4006.82] and the ability to enjoy them, +[4007.04 --> 4007.94] to accept their lot +[4007.94 --> 4008.96] and be happy in their toil, +[4009.32 --> 4011.18] this is a gift of God. +[4012.18 --> 4013.20] They seldom reflect +[4013.20 --> 4014.22] on the days of their life +[4014.22 --> 4016.06] because God keeps them +[4016.06 --> 4017.66] occupied with gladness +[4017.66 --> 4018.40] of their hearts. +[4020.32 --> 4021.98] Focus here is not on the fact +[4021.98 --> 4022.84] that joy comes from +[4022.84 --> 4023.76] the gifts we have, +[4023.84 --> 4025.08] but that joy comes from +[4025.08 --> 4026.16] God himself +[4026.16 --> 4027.08] who gives gifts. +[4028.06 --> 4029.14] We can find joy +[4029.14 --> 4030.14] in any situation, +[4030.42 --> 4031.34] whether we are rich +[4031.34 --> 4032.00] or poor, +[4032.00 --> 4032.88] whether we have little +[4032.88 --> 4033.68] or lots, +[4033.74 --> 4035.58] because joy is found +[4035.58 --> 4036.36] in Christ. +[4037.34 --> 4038.44] Not in what we have, +[4038.54 --> 4039.30] not in what we possess, +[4039.72 --> 4040.38] not in what we try +[4040.38 --> 4041.76] to accumulate or earn, +[4041.96 --> 4042.86] not in the legacy +[4042.86 --> 4043.96] we're trying to leave behind. +[4046.12 --> 4046.90] Paul, in his letter +[4046.90 --> 4047.60] to the Philippians, +[4047.98 --> 4049.44] just demonstrates this +[4049.44 --> 4050.76] beautifully in his testimony. +[4051.26 --> 4052.20] He says to the believers +[4052.20 --> 4053.20] in Philippians there, +[4053.50 --> 4054.30] in Philippians 4, +[4054.34 --> 4054.96] 11 to 13, +[4055.04 --> 4055.56] he says this, +[4056.24 --> 4056.64] Paul says, +[4056.74 --> 4057.88] I am not saying this, +[4058.00 --> 4058.70] and what he's not saying +[4058.70 --> 4059.54] was what he had just written, +[4059.54 --> 4060.84] I am not saying this +[4060.84 --> 4061.90] because I am in need, +[4062.68 --> 4063.60] for I have learned +[4063.60 --> 4064.72] to be content +[4064.72 --> 4066.12] wherever the circumstance. +[4067.10 --> 4068.42] I know what it is like +[4068.42 --> 4069.00] to be in need, +[4069.06 --> 4069.96] and I know what it is like +[4069.96 --> 4070.86] to have plenty. +[4071.16 --> 4072.28] I have learned the secret +[4072.28 --> 4073.50] of being content +[4073.50 --> 4075.96] in every situation, +[4076.28 --> 4077.30] whether well-fed +[4077.30 --> 4078.20] or hungry, +[4078.50 --> 4079.56] whether living in plenty +[4079.56 --> 4080.72] or in want. +[4080.92 --> 4082.82] I can do all this +[4082.82 --> 4083.86] through him +[4083.86 --> 4085.20] who gives me strength. +[4086.52 --> 4087.64] And that's referencing +[4087.64 --> 4088.36] Nehemiah +[4088.36 --> 4089.58] in the Old Testament +[4089.58 --> 4090.54] who was reminding +[4090.54 --> 4091.58] God's people +[4091.58 --> 4092.52] after exile +[4092.52 --> 4093.72] that the joy +[4093.72 --> 4094.80] of the Lord +[4094.80 --> 4096.12] is their strength. +[4097.34 --> 4098.30] The joy +[4098.30 --> 4099.20] of the Lord +[4099.20 --> 4100.22] is your strength. +[4102.86 --> 4103.62] See, true joy +[4103.62 --> 4104.74] is rooted in gratitude +[4104.74 --> 4105.36] to Jesus +[4105.36 --> 4106.50] and trust +[4106.50 --> 4107.38] in his gospel. +[4108.40 --> 4109.28] This should change +[4109.28 --> 4110.22] how we view our money +[4110.22 --> 4111.22] and our stuff +[4111.22 --> 4112.18] and our legacies +[4112.18 --> 4113.66] because when we release +[4113.66 --> 4114.90] our grasp, +[4115.00 --> 4115.18] sorry, +[4115.28 --> 4116.00] when we release +[4116.00 --> 4116.92] our grasp +[4116.92 --> 4117.88] on our wealth, +[4118.36 --> 4119.28] and we rest +[4119.28 --> 4120.20] in God's care, +[4120.88 --> 4121.72] we can enjoy +[4121.72 --> 4122.80] what he gives us +[4122.80 --> 4124.26] without being +[4124.26 --> 4125.82] enslaved to it. +[4127.74 --> 4128.92] If the pursuit +[4128.92 --> 4129.46] of wealth +[4129.46 --> 4130.24] binds us +[4130.24 --> 4131.00] and possessions +[4131.00 --> 4131.98] handcuff us +[4131.98 --> 4132.76] and the pursuit +[4132.76 --> 4133.70] of immortality +[4133.70 --> 4134.58] chains us +[4134.58 --> 4135.08] to a ball +[4135.08 --> 4136.18] that cannot move, +[4137.84 --> 4138.20] resting +[4138.20 --> 4140.08] in God's care +[4140.08 --> 4141.16] allows us +[4141.16 --> 4141.98] to find joy +[4141.98 --> 4142.82] in this world +[4142.82 --> 4143.72] that does not +[4143.72 --> 4144.46] enslave us +[4144.46 --> 4146.72] because it's not +[4146.72 --> 4147.20] the pursuit +[4147.20 --> 4147.64] of wealth +[4147.64 --> 4148.18] that will meet +[4148.18 --> 4148.66] our needs. +[4148.74 --> 4149.30] It's the pursuit +[4149.30 --> 4149.84] of Christ. +[4150.86 --> 4151.66] It is Jesus +[4151.66 --> 4152.86] who came down +[4152.86 --> 4153.58] into this earth +[4153.58 --> 4154.74] as God incarnate +[4154.74 --> 4156.10] and he made himself +[4156.10 --> 4156.58] nothing, +[4156.94 --> 4158.14] taking on human flesh. +[4158.38 --> 4159.74] He lived the perfect life +[4159.74 --> 4160.38] that you and I +[4160.38 --> 4161.04] fail to live +[4161.04 --> 4162.18] each and every day +[4162.18 --> 4163.16] and then he died +[4163.16 --> 4163.54] to death +[4163.54 --> 4164.56] taking on the weight +[4164.56 --> 4165.22] of sin +[4165.22 --> 4166.30] on his shoulders. +[4166.30 --> 4169.46] He died +[4169.46 --> 4171.22] but death +[4171.22 --> 4172.10] couldn't defeat him +[4172.10 --> 4173.42] and three days later +[4173.42 --> 4174.22] he rose again +[4174.22 --> 4174.86] from the tomb +[4174.86 --> 4175.94] defeating sin +[4175.94 --> 4177.16] once and for all +[4177.16 --> 4178.00] and salvation +[4178.00 --> 4178.98] is found for you +[4178.98 --> 4179.98] and for me +[4179.98 --> 4180.74] because of what +[4180.74 --> 4181.66] he did. +[4182.80 --> 4184.10] Not by any amount +[4184.10 --> 4184.72] you make +[4184.72 --> 4186.52] or I make +[4186.52 --> 4188.32] your eternal +[4188.32 --> 4189.28] needs +[4189.28 --> 4190.44] are found in him +[4190.44 --> 4192.82] in the truth +[4192.82 --> 4193.64] of Jesus Christ +[4193.64 --> 4195.38] and it's not +[4195.38 --> 4196.04] the accumulation +[4196.04 --> 4196.78] of things +[4196.78 --> 4197.68] that will bring us joy +[4197.68 --> 4198.42] but the hope +[4198.42 --> 4199.26] we have in Jesus +[4199.26 --> 4200.18] that brings us joy. +[4200.48 --> 4201.30] See true joy +[4201.30 --> 4201.68] is knowing +[4201.68 --> 4202.28] that we belong +[4202.28 --> 4202.74] to him. +[4203.96 --> 4204.68] He has paved +[4204.68 --> 4205.26] a way forward +[4205.26 --> 4206.06] that no amount +[4206.06 --> 4206.72] of things +[4206.72 --> 4207.20] could ever. +[4208.28 --> 4209.36] The joy we chase +[4209.36 --> 4210.30] in the emptiness +[4210.30 --> 4211.90] of material goods +[4211.90 --> 4213.08] can only be found +[4213.08 --> 4213.78] eternally +[4213.78 --> 4215.06] in the kingdom come +[4215.06 --> 4215.98] and the kingdom coming +[4215.98 --> 4219.06] of our Lord Jesus Christ. +[4220.96 --> 4221.92] When we can see +[4221.92 --> 4222.66] this clearly +[4222.66 --> 4224.72] we'll stop clinging +[4224.72 --> 4225.40] so tightly +[4225.40 --> 4226.44] to our little toys +[4226.44 --> 4227.56] and we'll remember +[4227.56 --> 4229.16] the king of the cosmos +[4229.16 --> 4230.26] is coming +[4230.26 --> 4232.00] and we will reign +[4232.00 --> 4232.64] with him +[4232.64 --> 4233.82] for all eternity. +[4234.60 --> 4235.82] That is joy. +[4237.42 --> 4238.72] And knowing that +[4238.72 --> 4240.42] it's not what we leave +[4240.42 --> 4240.94] behind +[4240.94 --> 4241.78] that's our legacy +[4241.78 --> 4243.72] but our faith +[4243.72 --> 4244.60] in Jesus +[4244.60 --> 4245.74] allows us +[4245.74 --> 4247.16] that legacy +[4247.16 --> 4247.88] to live forever. +[4248.52 --> 4249.26] We do not need +[4249.26 --> 4249.94] to worry about +[4249.94 --> 4250.44] our legacy +[4250.44 --> 4251.06] here on earth +[4251.06 --> 4252.04] if we live out +[4252.04 --> 4252.76] the faith +[4252.76 --> 4253.54] that God +[4253.54 --> 4254.28] has secured +[4254.28 --> 4255.14] for us in Jesus. +[4255.50 --> 4256.20] The inheritance +[4256.20 --> 4256.98] of the kingdom +[4256.98 --> 4257.68] of God +[4257.68 --> 4258.28] is given +[4258.28 --> 4259.24] to all who believe. +[4260.20 --> 4260.82] And when we live +[4260.82 --> 4261.60] out that faith +[4261.60 --> 4262.62] our legacy +[4262.62 --> 4263.34] becomes part +[4263.34 --> 4264.00] of the story +[4264.00 --> 4264.40] that God +[4264.40 --> 4265.18] has already written +[4265.18 --> 4266.74] alongside the heroes +[4266.74 --> 4267.20] of faith +[4267.20 --> 4268.06] that we read about +[4268.06 --> 4269.14] in Hebrews 11 +[4269.14 --> 4270.06] of Enoch +[4270.06 --> 4270.60] and Noah +[4270.60 --> 4271.32] and Abraham +[4271.32 --> 4272.04] and Isaac +[4272.04 --> 4272.60] Jacob +[4272.60 --> 4273.26] Joseph +[4273.26 --> 4273.86] Moses +[4273.86 --> 4274.56] Rahab +[4274.56 --> 4275.20] Gideon +[4275.20 --> 4275.80] Samuel +[4275.80 --> 4276.34] David +[4276.34 --> 4277.62] the prophets +[4277.62 --> 4278.98] they've all +[4278.98 --> 4279.86] left this legacy +[4279.86 --> 4280.46] of faith +[4280.46 --> 4282.00] for believers +[4282.00 --> 4282.68] throughout time +[4282.68 --> 4283.66] and that's a legacy +[4283.66 --> 4285.18] worth being a part of. +[4286.90 --> 4288.20] And so our big idea +[4288.20 --> 4289.08] today is this +[4289.08 --> 4291.60] joy isn't found +[4291.60 --> 4292.68] in what we gain +[4292.68 --> 4294.68] but in the God +[4294.68 --> 4295.38] we trust. +[4297.14 --> 4298.72] Joy isn't found +[4298.72 --> 4299.74] in what we gain +[4299.74 --> 4300.90] but in the God +[4300.90 --> 4301.50] we trust. +[4303.00 --> 4304.24] So how do we live +[4304.24 --> 4306.60] out this faith legacy +[4306.60 --> 4307.84] in a culture +[4307.84 --> 4308.86] that preaches +[4308.86 --> 4310.20] these false gospels? +[4312.06 --> 4313.54] When we trust God +[4313.54 --> 4314.70] and we place our hope +[4314.70 --> 4316.24] in the gospel truth +[4316.24 --> 4316.74] of Jesus +[4316.74 --> 4318.58] we stop chasing wealth +[4318.58 --> 4320.16] we stop chasing possessions +[4320.16 --> 4321.38] we stop chasing +[4321.38 --> 4322.06] the legacies +[4322.06 --> 4323.20] that can bog us down +[4323.20 --> 4323.96] and instead +[4323.96 --> 4325.50] we begin to live +[4325.50 --> 4326.34] in ways +[4326.34 --> 4327.50] that resist +[4327.50 --> 4328.36] the gospels +[4328.36 --> 4329.00] of our world. +[4330.54 --> 4331.56] So we are called +[4331.56 --> 4332.10] to develop +[4332.10 --> 4332.94] these rhythms +[4332.94 --> 4333.82] of resistance +[4333.82 --> 4335.80] which help us +[4335.80 --> 4336.58] counter the world's +[4336.58 --> 4337.30] empty promises +[4337.30 --> 4338.20] with a faithful +[4338.20 --> 4339.42] and practical +[4339.42 --> 4340.50] responses +[4340.50 --> 4341.58] in our daily lives. +[4342.18 --> 4342.78] Now these rhythms +[4342.78 --> 4343.48] of resistance +[4343.48 --> 4344.84] a term which was coined +[4344.84 --> 4345.32] by a ministry +[4345.32 --> 4346.02] called surge +[4346.02 --> 4347.16] they're spiritual gifts +[4347.16 --> 4348.20] sorry +[4348.20 --> 4349.20] they're spiritual disciplines +[4349.20 --> 4351.04] and these spiritual disciplines +[4351.04 --> 4352.10] they combat +[4352.10 --> 4353.86] these false gospels +[4353.86 --> 4355.24] and redirect us +[4355.24 --> 4355.88] to that joy +[4355.88 --> 4356.58] that we find +[4356.58 --> 4357.34] in Jesus. +[4358.24 --> 4359.04] In a world +[4359.04 --> 4359.92] as broken as ours +[4359.92 --> 4360.76] these rhythms help. +[4362.22 --> 4363.28] So for example +[4363.28 --> 4364.72] in a consumeristic +[4364.72 --> 4366.08] overfed +[4366.08 --> 4367.56] never enough +[4367.56 --> 4368.80] Amazon culture +[4368.80 --> 4370.00] fasting +[4370.00 --> 4371.34] is an act +[4371.34 --> 4371.86] of resistance. +[4372.80 --> 4374.04] In a loud +[4374.04 --> 4374.90] noisy +[4374.90 --> 4376.00] distracting +[4376.00 --> 4378.40] economy culture +[4378.40 --> 4380.04] silence +[4380.04 --> 4381.16] and solitude +[4381.16 --> 4382.28] is an act +[4382.28 --> 4382.80] of resistance. +[4383.88 --> 4385.16] In a quick +[4385.16 --> 4385.50] fixed +[4385.50 --> 4385.98] personal +[4385.98 --> 4386.54] and polarized +[4386.54 --> 4387.18] culture +[4387.18 --> 4387.88] lament +[4387.88 --> 4388.84] is an act +[4388.84 --> 4389.40] of resistance. +[4389.56 --> 4390.92] In a hyper +[4390.92 --> 4392.20] individualistic +[4392.20 --> 4393.34] self-love +[4393.34 --> 4394.24] autonomous +[4394.24 --> 4394.86] culture +[4394.86 --> 4395.74] community +[4395.74 --> 4396.92] is an act +[4396.92 --> 4397.78] of resistance. +[4398.56 --> 4400.46] In a nationalistic +[4400.46 --> 4401.64] party over country +[4401.64 --> 4402.92] politically +[4402.92 --> 4403.70] aggressive +[4403.70 --> 4404.38] culture +[4404.38 --> 4405.84] worship +[4405.84 --> 4407.08] is an act +[4407.08 --> 4407.78] of resistance. +[4408.56 --> 4409.68] In a power +[4409.68 --> 4410.10] hungry +[4410.10 --> 4410.98] success +[4410.98 --> 4411.64] oriented +[4411.64 --> 4412.52] appearance +[4412.52 --> 4412.84] driven +[4412.84 --> 4413.44] culture +[4413.44 --> 4414.56] confession +[4414.56 --> 4415.74] is an act +[4415.74 --> 4416.56] of resistance. +[4417.56 --> 4419.12] In a rationalistic +[4419.12 --> 4420.04] data driven +[4420.04 --> 4420.90] calculated +[4420.90 --> 4421.70] culture +[4421.70 --> 4423.04] prayer +[4423.04 --> 4424.44] is an act +[4424.44 --> 4425.58] of resistance. +[4426.88 --> 4428.18] In a 24-7 +[4428.18 --> 4428.82] restless +[4428.82 --> 4429.66] work addicted +[4429.66 --> 4430.60] anxious +[4430.60 --> 4431.40] presence +[4431.40 --> 4432.24] culture +[4432.24 --> 4433.80] Sabbath +[4433.80 --> 4435.80] is an act +[4435.80 --> 4437.06] of resistance. +[4438.70 --> 4439.94] See in a culture +[4439.94 --> 4440.44] that preaches +[4440.44 --> 4441.52] so many false +[4441.52 --> 4441.98] gospels +[4441.98 --> 4442.68] we must +[4442.68 --> 4443.38] practice +[4443.38 --> 4444.08] these acts +[4444.08 --> 4445.10] of resistance +[4445.10 --> 4445.64] not because +[4445.64 --> 4445.94] they will +[4445.94 --> 4446.48] save us +[4446.48 --> 4447.34] Jesus did +[4447.34 --> 4447.94] that already +[4447.94 --> 4449.98] but because +[4449.98 --> 4450.24] they will +[4450.24 --> 4450.78] help us +[4450.78 --> 4451.32] cut through +[4451.32 --> 4452.06] the noise +[4452.06 --> 4453.22] they'll +[4453.22 --> 4454.04] cut through +[4454.04 --> 4454.58] the false +[4454.58 --> 4455.20] gospels +[4455.20 --> 4456.06] and point +[4456.06 --> 4456.36] us to +[4456.36 --> 4456.82] the only +[4456.82 --> 4457.10] true +[4457.10 --> 4457.42] gospel +[4457.42 --> 4458.12] that exists +[4458.12 --> 4459.06] Jesus +[4459.06 --> 4459.50] Christ +[4459.50 --> 4460.28] wealth +[4460.28 --> 4461.10] status +[4461.10 --> 4461.74] possessions +[4461.74 --> 4462.30] legacies +[4462.30 --> 4463.30] even life +[4463.30 --> 4463.78] itself +[4463.78 --> 4465.14] it all +[4465.14 --> 4465.54] fades +[4465.54 --> 4467.34] but the +[4467.34 --> 4467.80] joy +[4467.80 --> 4468.52] of the +[4468.52 --> 4468.94] Lord +[4468.94 --> 4469.58] is our +[4469.58 --> 4470.14] strength +[4470.14 --> 4471.38] and as +[4471.38 --> 4471.72] we become +[4471.72 --> 4472.54] more aware +[4472.54 --> 4473.00] of these +[4473.00 --> 4473.30] false +[4473.30 --> 4473.86] gospels +[4473.86 --> 4474.14] in our +[4474.14 --> 4474.44] world +[4474.44 --> 4475.30] may we +[4475.30 --> 4475.70] truly +[4475.70 --> 4476.22] come to +[4476.22 --> 4476.88] understand +[4476.88 --> 4477.44] more and +[4477.44 --> 4477.84] more that +[4477.84 --> 4478.78] joy is +[4478.78 --> 4479.48] not found +[4479.48 --> 4479.78] in what +[4479.78 --> 4480.42] we gain +[4480.42 --> 4481.38] but in +[4481.38 --> 4481.76] the God +[4481.76 --> 4482.36] we trust +[4482.36 --> 4484.12] so may we +[4484.12 --> 4484.52] think on +[4484.52 --> 4485.08] those spiritual +[4485.08 --> 4485.50] disciplines +[4485.50 --> 4487.50] those acts +[4487.50 --> 4488.48] and rhythms +[4488.48 --> 4489.12] of resistance +[4489.12 --> 4489.88] and ponder +[4489.88 --> 4490.60] how we +[4490.60 --> 4491.98] can continue +[4491.98 --> 4492.80] to incorporate +[4492.80 --> 4493.52] them into +[4493.52 --> 4494.18] our daily +[4494.18 --> 4495.08] lives +[4495.08 --> 4495.78] using them +[4495.78 --> 4496.42] both to +[4496.42 --> 4496.96] resist the +[4496.96 --> 4497.24] false +[4497.24 --> 4497.78] gospels +[4497.78 --> 4498.22] that are +[4498.22 --> 4498.64] out there +[4498.64 --> 4499.36] but also +[4499.36 --> 4500.00] to disciple +[4500.00 --> 4500.62] one another +[4500.62 --> 4502.04] and point +[4502.04 --> 4503.04] our world +[4503.04 --> 4504.38] to what +[4504.38 --> 4504.78] it means +[4504.78 --> 4505.22] to be a +[4505.22 --> 4505.50] follower +[4505.50 --> 4506.06] of Christ +[4506.06 --> 4508.08] life apart +[4508.08 --> 4508.50] from God +[4508.50 --> 4508.98] is meaningless +[4508.98 --> 4509.58] but with +[4509.58 --> 4509.92] him +[4509.92 --> 4510.66] even in +[4510.66 --> 4511.00] little +[4511.00 --> 4513.26] life is +[4513.26 --> 4513.56] full of +[4513.56 --> 4513.84] joy +[4513.84 --> 4514.90] amen +[4514.90 --> 4516.24] let's +[4516.24 --> 4516.46] pray +[4516.46 --> 4520.64] our God +[4520.64 --> 4521.04] in heaven +[4521.04 --> 4522.54] Lord we +[4522.54 --> 4523.02] live in a +[4523.02 --> 4523.38] world +[4523.38 --> 4524.80] that pushes +[4524.80 --> 4525.26] so many +[4525.26 --> 4525.80] things on +[4525.80 --> 4526.08] us +[4526.08 --> 4527.32] and God +[4527.32 --> 4527.74] this is not +[4527.74 --> 4528.04] a new +[4528.04 --> 4528.28] thing +[4528.28 --> 4528.64] even the +[4528.64 --> 4529.12] teacher here +[4529.12 --> 4529.84] in Ecclesiastes +[4529.84 --> 4530.50] saw this +[4530.50 --> 4531.82] the pursuit +[4531.82 --> 4532.38] of wealth +[4532.38 --> 4533.52] the desire +[4533.52 --> 4534.42] to accumulate +[4534.42 --> 4535.16] goods +[4535.16 --> 4538.08] the hope +[4538.08 --> 4538.56] to leave +[4538.56 --> 4539.28] behind a +[4539.28 --> 4539.92] legacy that +[4539.92 --> 4540.46] will enshrine +[4540.46 --> 4540.96] us forever +[4540.96 --> 4541.54] are all +[4541.54 --> 4541.94] things +[4541.94 --> 4544.08] that still +[4544.08 --> 4545.12] bind us +[4545.12 --> 4545.80] here in +[4545.80 --> 4546.30] this world +[4546.30 --> 4548.52] but God +[4548.52 --> 4549.20] we pray +[4549.20 --> 4551.06] that we +[4551.06 --> 4551.28] will be +[4551.28 --> 4551.76] able to +[4551.76 --> 4553.76] release +[4553.76 --> 4555.16] ourselves +[4555.16 --> 4555.94] from those +[4555.94 --> 4556.46] gospels +[4556.46 --> 4556.74] Lord +[4556.74 --> 4557.06] that we +[4557.06 --> 4557.44] will be +[4557.44 --> 4557.90] able to +[4557.90 --> 4558.86] find the +[4558.86 --> 4559.70] joy in +[4559.70 --> 4559.98] you +[4559.98 --> 4560.58] in your +[4560.58 --> 4560.88] life +[4560.88 --> 4561.12] death +[4561.12 --> 4561.28] and +[4561.28 --> 4561.72] resurrection +[4561.72 --> 4562.30] in the +[4562.30 --> 4562.76] understanding +[4562.76 --> 4563.10] that you +[4563.10 --> 4563.54] will come +[4563.54 --> 4563.84] again +[4563.84 --> 4564.44] and that we +[4564.44 --> 4565.12] are eternally +[4565.12 --> 4565.76] saved and +[4565.76 --> 4566.22] will reign +[4566.22 --> 4566.72] with you +[4566.72 --> 4567.68] over the +[4567.68 --> 4568.20] new earth +[4568.20 --> 4568.62] when you +[4568.62 --> 4569.18] come again +[4569.18 --> 4571.00] God +[4571.00 --> 4571.56] may that +[4571.56 --> 4571.96] be our +[4571.96 --> 4572.30] focus +[4572.30 --> 4572.84] may we +[4572.84 --> 4574.06] practice +[4574.06 --> 4574.84] rhythms of +[4574.84 --> 4575.30] resistance +[4575.30 --> 4575.84] to these +[4575.84 --> 4576.44] gospels +[4576.44 --> 4577.78] and regularly +[4577.78 --> 4578.66] point and +[4578.66 --> 4579.18] reorient +[4579.18 --> 4579.84] ourselves back +[4579.84 --> 4580.24] to you +[4580.24 --> 4581.98] and God +[4581.98 --> 4582.38] we pray +[4582.38 --> 4582.88] that others +[4582.88 --> 4583.56] will notice +[4583.56 --> 4585.06] and come +[4585.06 --> 4585.36] to you +[4585.36 --> 4585.78] as well +[4585.78 --> 4587.70] so God +[4587.70 --> 4588.26] as we +[4588.26 --> 4589.90] continue +[4589.90 --> 4590.48] in worship +[4590.48 --> 4590.82] today +[4590.82 --> 4591.28] may that +[4591.28 --> 4591.80] be another +[4591.80 --> 4592.36] rhythm +[4592.36 --> 4593.02] of resistance +[4593.02 --> 4593.58] to the +[4593.58 --> 4593.96] gospels +[4593.96 --> 4594.26] of this +[4594.26 --> 4594.60] world +[4594.60 --> 4595.48] and may +[4595.48 --> 4595.86] we worship +[4595.86 --> 4596.12] you +[4596.12 --> 4596.80] the only +[4596.80 --> 4597.64] being +[4597.64 --> 4598.64] worth +[4598.64 --> 4599.20] worshiping +[4599.20 --> 4600.08] we pray +[4600.08 --> 4600.34] this in +[4600.34 --> 4600.70] your name +[4600.70 --> 4601.36] amen +[4601.36 --> 4613.06] the joy +[4613.06 --> 4627.82] of the +[4627.82 --> 4629.82] the +[4629.82 --> 4630.58] Lord +[4630.58 --> 4632.82] will be +[4632.82 --> 4633.24] my +[4633.24 --> 4634.40] will +[4634.40 --> 4635.32] not +[4635.32 --> 4636.06] be +[4636.06 --> 4636.94] he +[4636.94 --> 4637.50] is +[4637.50 --> 4637.84] my +[4637.84 --> 4638.48] shepherd +[4638.48 --> 4639.14] I +[4639.14 --> 4639.62] am +[4639.62 --> 4640.14] not +[4640.14 --> 4641.04] afraid +[4641.04 --> 4641.62] the +[4641.62 --> 4642.18] joy +[4642.18 --> 4642.92] of the +[4642.92 --> 4643.44] Lord +[4643.44 --> 4643.88] is +[4643.88 --> 4644.38] my +[4644.38 --> 4645.94] strength +[4645.94 --> 4646.74] the +[4646.74 --> 4647.30] joy +[4647.30 --> 4647.94] of the +[4647.94 --> 4648.74] Lord +[4648.74 --> 4649.20] the +[4649.20 --> 4649.74] joy +[4649.74 --> 4650.20] of +[4650.20 --> 4650.50] the +[4650.50 --> 4651.20] Lord +[4651.20 --> 4651.72] the +[4651.72 --> 4652.26] joy +[4652.26 --> 4652.72] of +[4652.72 --> 4653.00] the +[4653.00 --> 4653.50] Lord +[4653.50 --> 4653.96] is +[4653.96 --> 4654.44] my +[4654.44 --> 4655.32] strength +[4655.32 --> 4659.12] the +[4659.12 --> 4659.70] joy +[4659.70 --> 4660.16] of +[4660.16 --> 4660.48] the +[4660.48 --> 4661.28] Lord +[4661.28 --> 4662.12] will +[4662.12 --> 4662.54] be +[4662.54 --> 4662.94] my +[4662.94 --> 4663.66] strength +[4663.66 --> 4664.54] he +[4664.54 --> 4665.14] will +[4665.14 --> 4666.06] uphold +[4666.06 --> 4666.72] me +[4666.72 --> 4667.28] all +[4667.28 --> 4667.66] of +[4667.66 --> 4667.98] my +[4667.98 --> 4668.88] days +[4668.88 --> 4669.74] I +[4669.74 --> 4670.18] am +[4670.18 --> 4671.04] surrounded +[4671.04 --> 4671.72] by +[4671.72 --> 4672.40] mercy +[4672.40 --> 4673.02] and +[4673.02 --> 4673.70] grace +[4673.70 --> 4674.28] the +[4674.28 --> 4674.76] joy +[4674.76 --> 4675.20] of +[4675.20 --> 4675.50] the +[4675.50 --> 4676.00] Lord +[4676.00 --> 4676.44] is +[4676.44 --> 4676.96] my +[4676.96 --> 4678.48] strength +[4678.48 --> 4679.22] the +[4679.22 --> 4679.76] joy +[4679.76 --> 4680.20] of +[4680.20 --> 4681.50] the +[4681.50 --> 4682.20] joy +[4682.20 --> 4682.70] of +[4682.70 --> 4682.94] the +[4682.94 --> 4683.54] joy +[4683.54 --> 4684.12] of +[4684.12 --> 4684.20] the +[4684.20 --> 4684.70] joy +[4684.70 --> 4685.18] of +[4685.18 --> 4685.44] the +[4685.44 --> 4685.92] joy +[4685.92 --> 4686.32] of +[4686.32 --> 4687.44] the +[4687.44 --> 4688.64] joy +[4688.64 --> 4691.36] of +[4691.36 --> 4691.60] the +[4691.60 --> 4692.64] joy +[4692.64 --> 4694.14] of +[4694.14 --> 4695.14] the +[4695.14 --> 4695.64] joy +[4695.64 --> 4696.24] of +[4696.24 --> 4696.64] the +[4696.64 --> 4697.64] joy +[4697.64 --> 4698.14] of +[4698.14 --> 4701.44] the +[4701.44 --> 4702.02] joy +[4702.02 --> 4702.52] of +[4702.52 --> 4702.82] the +[4702.82 --> 4703.68] Lord +[4703.68 --> 4704.48] will +[4704.48 --> 4704.88] be +[4704.88 --> 4705.30] my +[4705.30 --> 4706.08] strength +[4706.08 --> 4707.00] I +[4707.00 --> 4707.44] will +[4707.44 --> 4707.84] not +[4707.84 --> 4708.84] waver +[4708.84 --> 4709.80] walking +[4709.80 --> 4710.26] by +[4710.26 --> 4711.02] pain +[4711.02 --> 4711.82] he +[4711.82 --> 4712.32] will +[4712.32 --> 4712.64] be +[4712.64 --> 4713.16] strong +[4713.16 --> 4713.66] to +[4713.66 --> 4714.58] deliver +[4714.58 --> 4715.24] me +[4715.24 --> 4715.82] same +[4715.82 --> 4716.40] the +[4716.40 --> 4716.96] joy +[4716.96 --> 4717.42] of +[4717.42 --> 4717.64] the +[4717.64 --> 4718.14] Lord +[4718.14 --> 4718.58] is +[4718.58 --> 4719.14] my +[4719.14 --> 4720.56] strength +[4720.56 --> 4721.36] the +[4721.36 --> 4721.96] joy +[4721.96 --> 4722.32] of +[4722.32 --> 4722.58] the +[4722.58 --> 4723.02] joy +[4723.02 --> 4725.16] of +[4725.16 --> 4726.00] the +[4726.00 --> 4727.38] Lord +[4728.02 --> 4729.42] is +[4729.42 --> 4730.24] my +[4730.24 --> 4730.36] strength +[4730.36 --> 4731.20] the +[4731.20 --> 4731.78] joy +[4731.78 --> 4732.24] of +[4732.24 --> 4732.40] the +[4732.40 --> 4733.42] joy +[4733.42 --> 4734.06] of +[4734.06 --> 4735.60] the +[4735.60 --> 4735.64] joy +[4735.64 --> 4737.20] of +[4737.20 --> 4737.38] the +[4737.38 --> 4737.84] Lord +[4737.84 --> 4738.48] is +[4738.48 --> 4739.10] my +[4739.10 --> 4739.60] strength +[4739.60 --> 4748.84] And so I pray as we leave here today +[4748.84 --> 4750.14] and go out into our weeks +[4750.14 --> 4753.56] that we will remember who our strength is found +[4753.56 --> 4755.62] and the joy of the Lord is our strength, +[4755.72 --> 4757.50] not the false gospels of this world, +[4757.60 --> 4759.88] not in the accumulation of wealth or of things, +[4760.26 --> 4763.56] but in the love and hope we find in Jesus Christ. +[4764.66 --> 4766.46] Please do stick around after this service +[4766.46 --> 4767.22] for some fellowship. +[4767.40 --> 4768.00] If you need prayer, +[4768.10 --> 4769.50] there will be prayer partners available. +[4769.60 --> 4773.14] But now I invite you to receive God's blessing. +[4774.24 --> 4776.58] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[4777.16 --> 4779.40] The Lord make his face shine upon you +[4779.40 --> 4780.58] and be gracious to you. +[4781.00 --> 4783.30] The Lord turn his face toward you +[4783.30 --> 4784.88] and give you his peace. +[4785.32 --> 4786.88] And all of God's people said, +[4787.62 --> 4787.86] Amen. +[4799.60 --> 4809.06] The Lord bless you and keep you +[4809.06 --> 4812.78] and keep you glad you're you. +[4812.82 --> 4813.42] Mm. +[4813.42 --> 4813.44] Mm. +[4813.44 --> 4827.62] Why should I be mad when you made the heavens? +[4828.62 --> 4836.68] Why should I be afraid when you put the stars in place? +[4836.68 --> 4844.14] Why should I lose heart when I know how great you are? +[4844.70 --> 4852.16] Why should I give up when your plans are full of love? +[4853.38 --> 4864.62] In this world we have trouble to have overcome the world. +[4866.68 --> 4875.46] You shine brighter than the brightest star. +[4875.90 --> 4883.18] Pure love, purer than the purest heart. +[4883.18 --> 4895.18] You shine, filling us with courage and strength to follow you. +[4895.18 --> 4908.96] Why should I be mad when you made the heavens? +[4910.30 --> 4916.96] Why should I be afraid when you put the stars in place? +[4916.96 --> 4925.12] Why should I lose heart when I know how great you are? +[4925.80 --> 4933.20] Why should I give up when your plans are full of love? +[4933.20 --> 4939.60] In this world we have trouble. +[4941.90 --> 4946.48] But you have overcome the world. +[4948.48 --> 4953.98] But you have overcome the world. +[4953.98 --> 4964.16] You shine brighter than the brightest star. +[4964.60 --> 4971.84] Pure love, purer than the purest heart. +[4971.84 --> 4973.84] You shine. +[4973.84 --> 4974.84] You shine. +[4974.84 --> 4975.66] You shine. +[4975.66 --> 4983.84] Filling us with courage and strength to follow you. +[4983.84 --> 4985.84] You shine. +[4985.84 --> 4986.84] You shine. +[4986.84 --> 4987.84] Brighter than the brightest star. +[4987.84 --> 4990.84] Brighter than the brightest star. +[4990.84 --> 4992.84] Pure love, purer than the purest heart. +[4992.84 --> 4993.84] You shine. +[4993.84 --> 4994.84] You shine. +[4994.84 --> 4998.84] Pure love, purer than the purest heart. +[4998.84 --> 5001.84] You shine. +[5001.84 --> 5002.84] You shine. +[5002.84 --> 5011.84] Filling us with courage and strength to follow you. +[5011.84 --> 5012.84] Father, You shine. +[5012.84 --> 5014.84] llama on earth Dad. +[5014.84 --> 5015.84] Rain you team. +[5015.84 --> 5016.64] Don't礼 you car. +[5016.64 --> 5016.84] You shine. +[5016.84 --> 5017.14] ึbeava. +[5017.14 --> 5017.84] Nobody. +[5017.84 --> 5018.34] Don't礼 you. +[5018.34 --> 5018.84] Then severelyully. +[5018.94 --> 5019.84] Don't礼 you. +[5020.24 --> 5020.84] Thanks. +[5020.84 --> 5021.04] Hey. +[5021.04 --> 5024.84] Thanks a lot for your people. +[5024.84 --> 5025.74] Love you. +[5025.84 --> 5026.18] Hey. +[5026.18 --> 5028.18] Good job. +[5028.18 --> 5030.20] Praise God. +[5030.20 --> 5034.82] Thank you. +[5034.82 --> 5039.66] To your andнако would've been 타'd. +[5039.84 --> 5041.34] Let me list you. +[5041.34 --> 5071.32] Thank you. +[5071.34 --> 5101.32] Thank you. +[5101.34 --> 5131.32] Thank you. +[5131.34 --> 5161.32] Thank you. +[5161.34 --> 5191.32] Thank you. +[5191.34 --> 5193.34] Thank you. +[5221.34 --> 5223.34] Thank you. +[5251.34 --> 5253.34] Thank you. +[5281.34 --> 5283.34] Thank you. +[5311.34 --> 5313.34] Thank you. +[5341.34 --> 5343.34] Thank you. +[5371.34 --> 5373.34] Thank you. +[5401.34 --> 5403.34] Thank you. +[5431.34 --> 5433.34] Thank you. +[5461.34 --> 5463.34] Thank you. +[5463.34 --> 5465.34] Thank you. +[5465.34 --> 5467.34] Thank you. +[5467.34 --> 5469.34] Thank you. +[5469.34 --> 5471.34] Thank you. +[5471.34 --> 5473.34] Thank you. +[5473.34 --> 5475.34] Thank you. +[5475.34 --> 5477.34] Thank you. +[5477.34 --> 5479.34] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..7ea484ef5dda66ada379727f059e16f9d6019ee8 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,131 @@ +• Youth meeting and event reminders +• Langley churches' youth worship night +• Women's Christmas event sign-ups and volunteering opportunities +• Midweek worship night announcement +• Children's worship time seeking volunteer helper +• Worship service focusing on the holiness of God +• Praise to God for His breath in our lungs +• Confession of sin and seeking forgiveness +• Requesting strength and guidance from God +• Invocation to rise and sing a song +• Singing "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" hymn +• Reflection on God's forgiving nature +• Update on missionaries Jody and Uriel Gonzalez in Mexico +• The church expresses gratitude for donations +• Seafarers Ministry and its importance is discussed +• Donations made during the service will go towards the Seafarers Ministry unless specifically designated otherwise +• Pastor Chris continues with a sermon from Ecclesiastes +• Children's worship time begins, discussing how sometimes things that seem exciting at first lose their importance after a while +• Introducing a bubble activity +• Celebrating Pastor Chris and Rachel's five-year anniversary at Emmanuel CRC +• Expressing gratitude for their service and ministry +• Reading Romans 10:14-17 about evangelism and spreading good news +• Praying for Pastor Chris, Rachel, and their family +• Announcing upcoming events: fall budget meeting and Tri Soup Tournament +• Leading a congregational prayer to thank God and bring concerns and blessings before Him +• Blessing of pregnancies and families +• Healing and peace for those with struggles or broken relationships +• Support for individuals suffering from seasonal depression or spiritual struggles +• Blessing for John Kuypers in his waiting period +• Blessings for aging membership, including physical support +• Request for a good congregational meeting tomorrow night +• Blessings for the seafarers' ministry and its workers +• Blessing of Pastor Chris's message this morning +• Prayer for the congregation and staff +• The speaker describes how children are often initially delighted with gifts but then quickly lose interest and focus on the box +• Adults retain this behavior, substituting more sophisticated pursuits for true joy +• Life's fragility is highlighted by moments that shake people awake to its impermanence +• Ecclesiastes 12 contrasts youth and delight with life's fading light and fleeting nature of rejoicing +• The speaker suggests that humans long for things they cannot hold onto, including youth and beauty +• Anti-aging efforts and a culture of distraction are presented as attempts to deny or outrun the passage of time and its accompanying sadness +• Ecclesiastes is said to tell the truth about joy being something we can't achieve by manipulating circumstances +• The fleeting nature of happiness and security in life +• The inevitability of fragility and loss despite planning and preparation +• The "invulnerability impulse" in young people, assuming they will not experience bad things +• The temporary nature of solutions and fulfillment offered by the world +• The danger of God becoming optional when control and security are assumed to be certain +• The danger of forgetting God and the importance of remembering Him +• The tendency to put off spiritual matters until later in life +• The definition of "later" as the most spiritually dangerous word +• The ease with which habits of remembering God can wither away +• The importance of making time for faith and spirituality, especially in youth +• The act of remembering in the Bible is not just a mental recall, but a covenantal relationship and worship-filled movement of the heart towards God. +• To remember in the biblical sense means to live daily with God at the center, rather than at the margins, and to have faith in action for the future because of the past. +• The importance of remembering is emphasized by the teacher, especially for the young, to live life now while still strong and capable. +• The book of Ecclesiastes is not meant to depress or make one feel hopeless, but to wake one up to reality that youth, joy, and security are temporary gifts. +• Treating temporary things as ultimate will eventually let one down, and the biblical contrast highlights this between living with God at the center versus putting weight on temporary things. +• The world's advice to build a life that keeps hard things away and secure one's life through effort +• The teacher's advice to look upward, find the creator who made you and sustains you, and entrust your life to them +• The importance of remembering one's creator in all aspects of life, including joy and facing limits +• A personal experience of a major change in life on June 28, 2007, that led to a deeper understanding of this principle +• A friend of the speaker was killed in a car crash at age 22 +• The speaker and others flew to Manitoba for the funeral +• A pastor preached a sermon based on the words "remember your creator in the days of your youth" +• The speaker reflects on the fragility of life and the importance of appreciating time +• Longing for lasting delight and satisfaction that cannot be found through worldly means +• The importance of Jesus in restoring our heart to rejoice rightly in our creator +• Confrontation with the hard truth that every human being is at their core a rejoicer and worshiper made by God +• The rebellion against God in the garden and its effects on how we live out our lives today +• A broken rejoicer is not a heart that can't feel joy +• A broken rejoicer worships the wrong things and feels joy in something other than its intended purpose +• The heart was created for God, but has been misaimed +• As a result, it cannot find rest +• Jesus comes to correct this issue +• The concept of a "rejoicer" that was lost and can be restored through faith in God. +• The idea that humans were created for a life of perfect trust and glory, but fell short due to sin and death. +• The resurrection of Jesus Christ as the means by which people can have their lives transformed and renewed. +• The gift of new heart and willpower given by God's Holy Spirit, allowing people to remember and rejoice in God properly. +• The recognition that true strength and security come from God, not human efforts or fleeting things. +• The importance of worship and remembering one's creator +• The gospel as a promise to remember one's creator +• The healing and restoration that comes from remembering God in Christ +• The joy and purpose that comes from living a life in reverence to one's creator +• The impermanence of worldly things and the importance of focusing on relationships with God +• Meaning and purpose in life +• Redemption through Christ +• The difference between gifts and the giver +• Remembering God in daily life +• Practical application of wisdom from Ecclesiastes +• Abstract vs practical wisdom +• Living out faith in everyday life +• Developing habits and practices that shape our hearts +• Three ways to live as restored rejoicers: deepening remembering, gratitude, and worship +• Memory shapes the heart and recalling God's gifts is essential to cultivating gratitude +• Reflecting on scripture and pausing to pray can help foster a sense of gratitude +• Gratitude is the natural response of a rejoicer who has been re-aimed towards God +• The importance of incorporating spirituality into daily life +• Practicing remembrance and devotion to God through rhythms such as prayer, singing, and sacraments +• Making remembering easier by joining a community or group that supports faith +• Strengthening personal remembering in everyday choices and actions +• Actualizing remembrance in real-life decisions +• Reflecting on one's life and relationships as a form of worship +• Practicing generosity, patience, and gratitude +• Shifting from self-protection to living with God at the center +• Transforming ordinary actions into acts of worship +• Returning joys and blessings to their giver +• The heart's rejoicer organ and its restoration to proper aim +• The relationship between remembering and rejoicing +• The distinction between misdirected joy and genuine connection with God +• The difference between external pursuits and internal satisfaction +• The importance of recognizing the giver, rather than material possessions or accomplishments +• The one who restores joy and gives true happiness +• Remembering the creator and rejoicing in him +• Not letting false joys replace the creator +• Being anchored in Christ even when life feels fragile and fleeting +• Remembering the creator in one's youth +• The importance of remembering and living with joy +• The enduring nature of meaning when all else is meaningless +• Seeking guidance from God through prayer +• Recognizing God as a source of love, power, and spirit +• Asking for restoration and guidance for those who are young or struggling +• Remembering and living out faith +• Worship and praise of Jesus as above every other name +• Foundation of life built on God's love and trust +• Encouragement for those seeking connection with the church or membership +• Blessings and protection from God before, behind, beneath, and beside +• Worship and praise to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit +• The kingdom of God and its coming +• Redemption of creation through Jesus' death and resurrection +• Salvation and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross +• The power and love of God over death and sin +• The birth of the Church of Christ and the restoration of souls to the Father \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..00bf410888cfd36eaf981e286e95ee655ac3f868 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 23, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2750 @@ +[0.00 --> 6.72] Announcement for Pastor Kevin, just about youth. Youth is meeting tonight for 2020. That's here. +[6.82 --> 11.46] If you have any questions, you can talk to Kevin or your leaders. And then also on Tuesday, +[12.54 --> 18.14] the Langley churches, a number of churches from the Langley area are gathering their youth groups +[18.14 --> 23.66] together for a special worship night that's being hosted at Living Waters. If you are part of the +[23.66 --> 28.10] youth program, you or your parents or guardians have gotten an email about that. But anyways, +[28.10 --> 34.68] you can check with Kevin again if you've got questions there as well. Leanne, why don't you go? +[35.08 --> 40.76] Perfect. Thank you. This is on behalf of the Women's Committee. Today is the last day to sign up for our +[40.76 --> 45.28] Friday Women's Christmas event. We have a lot of attendees who are coming from outside of our +[45.28 --> 49.06] church, which is amazing. So we do ask the congregants who are coming from our church, +[49.14 --> 54.02] so please bear that in mind when you're planning what appy, dessert or both that you want to bring. +[54.02 --> 58.70] Today we are also looking for a couple more decorators. So if you feel inclined to decorate +[58.70 --> 63.14] a table, just come let us know at the back of the church that that interests you, or you can still +[63.14 --> 69.02] sign up online today. Men, we have no cutoff date for you though. We will always take you to come help +[69.02 --> 73.98] with the clean up. So please come and join us if you would like to help move some tables. Thanks. +[79.74 --> 88.70] Two more quick announcements. This coming Wednesday is the midweek worship night. We invite you to come +[88.70 --> 96.42] out for that. This was our second gathering. We gather at 6 30 for a time of social and fellowship +[96.42 --> 102.94] beforehand, and then at 7 worship begins in earnest. And so I encourage you to come out on Wednesday +[102.94 --> 110.04] night for midweek worship. And then lastly, children's worship time is looking for one more helper. +[110.94 --> 116.16] And so that helper can be anyone in grade six or older. Children's worship time is looking for one +[116.16 --> 122.14] more helper. So you can get either Rachel or myself or Pastor Kevin for that. We'd love to help you, +[122.26 --> 128.08] plug you in with that. That's it for announcements. So I'm going to ask if you're able, if you might stand +[128.08 --> 136.96] up together, and we can come into the presence of our God. Following the greeting of God, I invite you +[136.96 --> 141.86] to turn to those around you and welcome them into our worship together. Receive God's greeting. +[141.86 --> 150.08] grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son, +[150.42 --> 155.38] and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +[171.86 --> 185.06] Baptist Joachim Masional Church +[185.06 --> 206.58] This morning, we are invited into worship with the words of the psalmist, who said, +[206.58 --> 216.22] I will remember the deeds of the Lord. Even as we gather to remember, we know the Lord remembers his covenant forever. +[217.02 --> 226.88] And the Lord remembers us and will bless us. Together, let us exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool. He is holy. +[236.58 --> 237.58] Amen. +[266.58 --> 268.58] Holy God. +[270.14 --> 290.58] What other beauty demands such praises? What other splendor outshines the sun? What other majesty rules with justice? Only a holy God. +[290.58 --> 312.12] Come and behold him, the one and the only. Cry out, sing holy. Forever a holy God. Come and worship the holy God. +[320.58 --> 340.58] What other glory consumes like fire? What other power can raise the dead? What other name remains undefeated? Only a holy God. +[340.58 --> 361.56] Come and behold him, the one and the only. Cry out, sing holy. Forever a holy God. Come and worship the holy God. +[361.56 --> 391.54] Come and worship the holy God. +[391.56 --> 393.56] Come and worship the holy God. +[393.56 --> 398.56] Come and worship the holy God. Come and worship the holy God. +[398.56 --> 403.56] Come and worship the holy God. Come and worship the holy God. +[403.56 --> 413.56] Who else can rescue me from my failings? Who else could offer his only Son? +[413.56 --> 422.56] Who else can worship the holy God? Who else invite me to call him Father? Only a holy God. +[422.56 --> 427.56] Only a holy God. Only my holy God. Come and behold him, the one and the only. Cry out, sing holy. Forever a holy God. +[427.56 --> 436.10] Come and behold Him, the one and the only. +[436.72 --> 443.58] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[443.58 --> 447.68] Come and worship the holy God. +[447.86 --> 451.80] Come and worship the holy God. +[457.56 --> 476.72] Come and behold Him, the one and the only. +[476.72 --> 484.86] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[484.86 --> 489.86] Come and worship the holy God. +[489.86 --> 496.86] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[496.86 --> 503.86] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[503.86 --> 511.86] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[511.86 --> 517.08] You give life, you are love. +[517.28 --> 521.32] You bring light to the darkness. +[521.70 --> 529.72] You give hope, you restore every heart that is broken. +[529.72 --> 536.72] And great are you, Lord. +[536.72 --> 542.04] It's your breath in our mouths. +[542.04 --> 544.76] So we pour out our praise. +[545.04 --> 546.58] Pour out our praise. +[546.66 --> 550.14] It's your breath in our mouths. +[550.46 --> 554.42] So we pour out our praise to you only. +[554.42 --> 566.26] You give life, you are love. +[566.26 --> 570.44] You bring light to the darkness. +[570.44 --> 578.56] You give hope, you restore every heart that is broken. +[578.56 --> 580.56] You give life, you are love. +[580.56 --> 581.56] You give faith, you are love. +[581.56 --> 585.54] And great are you, Lord. +[585.54 --> 590.56] It's your breath in our mouths. +[590.56 --> 593.00] So we pour out our praise. +[593.00 --> 594.72] Pour out our praise. +[594.72 --> 597.56] It's your breath in our mouths. +[597.56 --> 601.56] So we pour out our praise to you only. +[601.56 --> 618.56] It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, pour out our praise. It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to you only. +[631.56 --> 649.56] And all the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, great are you Lord. +[649.56 --> 664.56] And all the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, great are you Lord. +[664.56 --> 678.56] And all the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing, great are you Lord. +[678.56 --> 687.56] It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, pour out our praise. +[687.56 --> 694.56] It's your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to you only. +[694.56 --> 699.56] You may be seated. +[699.56 --> 723.56] You may be seated. +[723.56 --> 738.56] Our confession this morning is based on an Augustine confession from the 14th century. +[738.56 --> 741.56] Please pray with me. +[741.56 --> 743.56] Lord hear my prayer. +[743.56 --> 748.56] Do not let my soul grow weary under your loving discipline. +[748.56 --> 753.56] And do not let me lose heart as I confess your mercies. +[753.56 --> 759.56] You have drawn me out of destructive paths and turned my heart toward you, +[759.56 --> 766.56] so that you have become my delight above every lesser thing I once chased. +[766.56 --> 773.56] Help me to love you with my whole heart, and to cling to you with all my affection. +[773.56 --> 780.56] Rescue me from every temptation, and keep me in your care to the very end. +[780.56 --> 790.56] O Lord, my King and my God, take whatever gifts I learned in my youth, and use them in your service. +[790.56 --> 796.56] My speaking, my reading, my writing, my learning. +[796.56 --> 801.56] You trained me even when I was pursuing what was empty. +[801.56 --> 805.56] And you have forgiven me for taking pleasure in what was vain. +[805.56 --> 813.56] You taught me many useful things, yet there is a better and safer path for our steps, +[813.56 --> 817.56] to learn all things in the light of your truth. +[817.56 --> 824.56] Lord have mercy on us. Amen. +[824.56 --> 826.56] I invite you to rise while we sing this song. +[826.56 --> 847.56] When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. +[847.56 --> 855.56] When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. +[855.56 --> 863.56] I could never keep my hold through life's faithful love. +[863.56 --> 872.56] For my love is often cold, He will hold me fast. +[872.56 --> 873.56] He will hold me fast. +[873.56 --> 876.56] He will hold me fast. +[876.56 --> 880.56] He will hold me fast. +[880.56 --> 884.56] For my Savior loves me so. +[884.56 --> 889.56] He will hold me fast. +[889.56 --> 897.56] He will hold me fast. +[897.56 --> 901.56] Those He saves are His delight. +[901.56 --> 904.56] Christ will hold me fast. +[904.56 --> 912.56] Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast. +[912.56 --> 916.56] He'll not let my soul be lost. +[916.56 --> 920.56] His promises shall last. +[920.56 --> 929.56] But by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast. +[929.56 --> 936.56] One of the most beautiful descriptions of God, repeated in the Bible, is, +[936.56 --> 940.56] you are a forgiving God. +[940.56 --> 945.56] You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. +[945.56 --> 948.56] He holds us fast because He forgives us. +[948.56 --> 953.56] He forgives us because He is gracious and compassionate. +[953.56 --> 960.56] God is gracious and compassionate because He is abounding in love. +[960.56 --> 965.56] He will hold me fast. +[965.56 --> 968.56] He will hold me fast. +[968.56 --> 972.56] For my Savior loves me so. +[972.56 --> 985.56] He will hold me fast. +[985.56 --> 989.56] For my life He bled and died. +[989.56 --> 992.56] Christ will hold me fast. +[992.56 --> 997.56] Justice has been satisfied. +[997.56 --> 999.56] He will hold me fast. +[999.56 --> 1000.56] He will hold me fast. +[1000.56 --> 1004.56] Raised with Him to endless life. +[1004.56 --> 1008.56] He will hold me fast. +[1008.56 --> 1013.56] Till our faith is turned to sight. +[1013.56 --> 1018.56] When He comes at last. +[1018.56 --> 1021.56] He will hold me fast. +[1021.56 --> 1024.56] He will hold me fast. +[1024.56 --> 1028.56] For my Savior loves me so. +[1028.56 --> 1029.56] He will hold me fast. +[1029.56 --> 1030.56] He will hold me fast. +[1030.56 --> 1035.56] He will hold me fast. +[1035.56 --> 1041.56] He will hold me fast. +[1041.56 --> 1045.56] For my Savior loves me so. +[1045.56 --> 1050.56] He will hold me fast. +[1058.56 --> 1059.56] Good morning. +[1059.56 --> 1066.56] My name is Mike and I serve on the Deacon team here for Langley Emanuel. +[1066.56 --> 1072.56] And before we highlight the offering this morning, I just want to give an update on behalf of Jody and Uriel Gonzalez. +[1072.56 --> 1076.56] They are our missionaries in the Tijuana area of Mexico. +[1076.56 --> 1082.56] And they serve with some ladies ministries and with a rehab center for men. +[1082.56 --> 1086.56] Anyway, as many of you know, they had a bit of a washout of their property. +[1086.56 --> 1090.56] So our church has been helping them with some of the finances to restore that. +[1090.56 --> 1092.56] So things are on their way. +[1092.56 --> 1094.56] And they recently had a lot of rain again. +[1094.56 --> 1095.56] And the property has held up. +[1095.56 --> 1096.56] So that's great. +[1096.56 --> 1098.56] And the excavation has been done. +[1098.56 --> 1105.56] And they've been able to buy some rebar and other supplies to get going on this pretty big wall that will help maintain the property. +[1105.56 --> 1109.56] So just a huge thank you on behalf of the deacons for the generosity of this church. +[1109.56 --> 1115.56] And we'll try to get some photos and maybe a little update from Jody and Uriel themselves. +[1115.56 --> 1117.56] In an upcoming email. +[1117.56 --> 1119.56] So stay tuned for that. +[1119.56 --> 1124.56] So this morning we're going to take a moment to give of the gifts that God has given us financially. +[1124.56 --> 1128.56] And of course you can always give to the budget of the church and its ministries. +[1128.56 --> 1131.56] And if you want to do that this morning, just make sure you designate it as such. +[1131.56 --> 1136.56] Either with the little envelopes or mark it as such when you send an e-transfer or whatever. +[1136.56 --> 1141.56] Otherwise, all other donations this morning will go towards the Seafarers Ministry. +[1141.56 --> 1149.56] And the Seafarers Ministry is a quiet but powerful little ministry that operates out of the two ports here in Vancouver. +[1149.56 --> 1155.56] It was started in 1970 by the CRC church and there's a strong partnership with the Anglican church now. +[1155.56 --> 1167.56] But what happens is there's some chaplains and pastors who are employed by the ministry and they visit the hundreds of seafaring people that work on a lot of the ships that come in and out of the ports. +[1167.56 --> 1170.56] And they actually spend a lot of their time going on to the boats. +[1170.56 --> 1173.56] They'll go up to the, I think their website was saying up to about 40 a month. +[1173.56 --> 1179.56] They'll visit to have services, counselling, give an encouraging word. +[1179.56 --> 1189.56] They also operate a couple of centres where some of these seas faring folk can come out and take a break and have some wifi and connect with people and have coffee and whatever. +[1189.56 --> 1195.56] So it's a strong ministry and there's a great need there for some of these people that live on these boats months on end. +[1195.56 --> 1199.56] So thank you for giving of your gifts towards that ministry this morning. +[1225.56 --> 1227.56] Thank you for opening your wish. +[1227.56 --> 1229.56] All to Jesus the sermonispuffs. +[1229.56 --> 1236.56] All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give. +[1236.56 --> 1247.06] I will never love and trust Him in His presence daily live. +[1247.06 --> 1267.22] I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all. +[1267.22 --> 1288.12] All to Jesus I surrender, only at his feet I bow, worldly pleasures all forsaken, take me Jesus, take me now. +[1288.12 --> 1307.12] I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all. +[1307.12 --> 1329.18] All to Jesus I surrender, make me Savior, holy thine, let me feel thy Holy Spirit, truly know that thou art mine. +[1329.18 --> 1338.18] I surrender all, I surrender all. +[1339.18 --> 1348.18] All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all. +[1348.18 --> 1358.18] I surrender all, I surrender all. +[1358.18 --> 1368.18] All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all. +[1378.18 --> 1384.04] Okay, can we have all the kids up here for children's worship or kids' corner? +[1384.34 --> 1385.04] Come on up. +[1400.18 --> 1403.06] You think I can get a loud good morning out of you guys? +[1403.20 --> 1403.62] How about it? +[1403.78 --> 1404.32] Good morning. +[1404.64 --> 1406.18] Good morning. +[1406.18 --> 1406.54] Good morning. +[1406.66 --> 1407.32] That's pretty good. +[1407.36 --> 1408.04] How's things going? +[1408.10 --> 1409.66] How's life going for you guys? +[1409.78 --> 1410.08] Good? +[1411.46 --> 1413.88] Is life pretty tough being a kid or not? +[1414.88 --> 1415.34] Sometimes? +[1415.34 --> 1415.54] Sometimes? +[1415.94 --> 1423.02] Do you think that if you just listen to your parents, obey your parents and follow the rules, +[1423.12 --> 1425.64] everything goes pretty slick, pretty good at home? +[1426.96 --> 1427.34] Yeah? +[1427.56 --> 1433.24] Some head nods, some aren't very sure, some don't really follow those expectations maybe. +[1433.24 --> 1439.24] Today, is it Pastor Chris or Kevin this morning? +[1439.56 --> 1444.42] Pastor Chris is going to continue, I think it's the last passage of Ecclesiastes. +[1444.62 --> 1446.86] Now, I was going to do this with you guys last time. +[1447.52 --> 1450.70] This is like one of the most difficult books in the Bible to say the word. +[1450.76 --> 1453.04] Can everybody in this group here say Ecclesiastes? +[1455.38 --> 1458.60] Wow, the education system is doing real good here in BC. +[1458.60 --> 1459.52] That's great. +[1461.54 --> 1465.82] What we're going to talk about today, has anything ever happened in your life that you thought, +[1465.90 --> 1469.64] oh, I was super excited about, but afterwards it wasn't really that big of a deal? +[1470.22 --> 1471.30] Can you think of anything? +[1472.10 --> 1472.56] Maybe? +[1473.50 --> 1478.74] How about like you're really, really excited about the Canucks to win, but then the next +[1478.74 --> 1480.44] day it was no big deal? +[1481.50 --> 1481.82] Yeah? +[1482.16 --> 1482.42] Yeah. +[1482.42 --> 1485.22] How about when the Blue Jays were playing? +[1485.32 --> 1487.50] Did anybody, didn't you guys watch the Blue Jays, the baseball? +[1487.68 --> 1488.64] Yeah, was that pretty cool? +[1488.74 --> 1492.86] We were super excited about wanting them to win, but then the next day was it, it was okay, +[1492.94 --> 1493.92] we kind of got over it. +[1494.04 --> 1494.60] Was that good? +[1494.64 --> 1496.48] Or some people not over it yet. +[1497.50 --> 1497.86] Chris? +[1499.58 --> 1500.40] Still hurts. +[1500.40 --> 1505.90] So basically what we're going to talk about today in children's worship time, there's +[1505.90 --> 1509.98] a lot of things that happen in life, but most, everything is pretty much not that important +[1509.98 --> 1511.86] as long as we trust and obey God. +[1512.40 --> 1515.60] And what we're going to do in children's worship time is we're going to use a little bit of +[1515.60 --> 1517.92] analogy, we're going to have some fun with bubbles back there. +[1518.00 --> 1519.06] Do you guys know what bubbles are? +[1519.16 --> 1520.42] You know, little bubbles? +[1520.48 --> 1521.02] I'm sure you do. +[1522.02 --> 1522.36] Okay. +[1524.60 --> 1526.04] Let's stand up and do the blessing. +[1526.04 --> 1526.72] Shall we do that? +[1530.40 --> 1531.20] This way. +[1531.80 --> 1532.26] You guys ready? +[1532.94 --> 1533.30] Love. +[1533.76 --> 1534.94] All in the world. +[1535.32 --> 1536.10] All in the world. +[1536.18 --> 1537.52] And also with you. +[1537.52 --> 1566.38] So today, I think, or around this time, marks five years that Pastor Chris and Rachel and +[1566.38 --> 1568.28] family have been with us. +[1569.32 --> 1571.44] So I'd like to ask them to come up. +[1577.00 --> 1578.12] Kids are coming up too. +[1578.24 --> 1578.40] Good. +[1586.82 --> 1592.82] So I'm going to do this off the cuff, which is dangerous, because that's why I always write +[1592.82 --> 1595.90] out all my prayers, because I'm not very good at that. +[1596.04 --> 1600.10] But we want to thank you for being here. +[1602.10 --> 1607.68] It's evident, I think, that God has put you here. +[1607.68 --> 1616.12] Times like this, I guess it's tempting to praise the pastor. +[1617.50 --> 1625.46] But we know that the Spirit is with you, and your leading here is much appreciated. +[1628.90 --> 1630.06] That's a little token. +[1630.06 --> 1643.24] Romans 10 says, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. +[1645.08 --> 1650.00] Now then, can they call on the one that they have not believed in? +[1650.00 --> 1656.28] And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? +[1657.76 --> 1661.14] And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? +[1662.58 --> 1666.04] And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? +[1667.32 --> 1671.46] As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. +[1671.46 --> 1672.46] Amen. +[1674.66 --> 1675.44] All right. +[1676.98 --> 1677.60] Thank you. +[1678.68 --> 1679.98] I always knew I had beautiful feet. +[1683.68 --> 1689.12] I'd like the council to come up and surround them as we pray. +[1701.46 --> 1715.32] Heavenly Father, we praise your name, and we humbly stand here before you +[1715.32 --> 1724.02] to thank you for our pastor, knowing that you walk beside him day by day. +[1724.24 --> 1728.40] Lord, we ask that you continue to strengthen him, Rachel, and his family. +[1728.40 --> 1737.16] Lord, we ask that you bless them in their work so that we, together, as a family, as Emmanuel CRC, +[1737.36 --> 1741.96] can stand as a light to this world around us. +[1742.94 --> 1745.32] We pray these things in your heavenly name. +[1745.66 --> 1745.92] Amen. +[1745.92 --> 1746.04] Amen. +[1752.10 --> 1756.24] Afterwards, after church, will be cake. +[1756.24 --> 1760.26] So please join us in the celebration. +[1767.26 --> 1769.86] Good morning. +[1770.34 --> 1772.80] I'm Frank, one of the pastoral elders here. +[1773.30 --> 1776.86] This morning, I have the privilege to lead us in a congregational prayer. +[1777.52 --> 1782.94] Of course, all of us have heard that we have our annual fall budget meeting tomorrow evening. +[1782.94 --> 1786.92] And also, there is the Tri Soup Tournament. +[1787.92 --> 1791.28] This is a potluck soup dinner, which you are all welcome to attend. +[1792.02 --> 1796.24] I know there are a few competitors that are very much vying to win this, +[1796.32 --> 1798.18] and there's great competition between them. +[1798.68 --> 1802.44] That starts at 6 o'clock, and the meeting starts at 7. +[1802.44 --> 1806.38] Let us go before God in prayer. +[1808.90 --> 1816.96] Heavenly Father, our Creator, Jesus, our Redeemer, Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, +[1817.46 --> 1822.06] we come before you this day to thank you and praise you, +[1822.06 --> 1831.36] also to bring our thanks and concerns, troubles and sorrows that are here in our community and abroad. +[1832.28 --> 1838.04] As we are entering this winter season of celebration of Christmas, +[1839.08 --> 1844.68] we ask that we keep it in the perspective of what it is and what it's all about, +[1844.68 --> 1849.84] and not all about commercialism that a lot of the world makes of it. +[1851.26 --> 1854.48] Let us rejoice in the coming of Jesus to this world +[1854.48 --> 1859.80] to sacrifice himself so the relationship that mankind destroyed +[1859.80 --> 1862.58] is able to be restored. +[1864.42 --> 1869.20] Father, as we hear the world news of wars, conflicts, +[1869.68 --> 1872.58] and the greed for control and power, +[1872.58 --> 1875.52] as it seems to be getting worse every day. +[1876.76 --> 1879.82] Father, change the hearts and minds of the world leaders +[1879.82 --> 1884.18] to realize where their power and strength comes from. +[1885.64 --> 1888.54] Lord, also be with all the victims of these conflicts +[1888.54 --> 1891.70] and grant them healing and peace. +[1892.42 --> 1893.72] Lord, hear our prayer. +[1895.46 --> 1898.54] Lord, in this community of Emmanuel there are many blessings. +[1898.54 --> 1902.70] We thank you for being with Pastor Chris, Rachel, Nora, and Malachi +[1902.70 --> 1906.00] for the five years they have already served here. +[1907.08 --> 1911.12] Continue to bless them as family and also in Chris's ministry. +[1912.36 --> 1916.44] Father, we are thankful for the gifts of servant leadership here at Emmanuel. +[1917.58 --> 1920.12] Bless these efforts of everyone involved. +[1921.12 --> 1923.66] Be with those that are still looking for their place here +[1923.66 --> 1928.28] of where they can be helping hands with the gifts you have given them. +[1929.30 --> 1930.96] Nourish them with your spirit. +[1932.66 --> 1936.44] Lord, we bring before you Andy Emmons, who had eye surgery this past week. +[1937.32 --> 1940.90] We pray for a complete healing of his eye, which may take a bit of time. +[1941.48 --> 1942.90] Grant patience and peace. +[1942.90 --> 1948.46] Be with Joanne Miles, who will have thyroid surgery tomorrow morning. +[1949.34 --> 1952.44] Bless these skills of the surgeon and grant a successful surgery +[1952.44 --> 1953.72] and a time of recovery. +[1955.16 --> 1957.74] Father, be with the families that are expecting children +[1957.74 --> 1959.62] in the next number of months. +[1960.72 --> 1962.64] Bless these pregnancies with healthy children. +[1964.30 --> 1968.06] Lord, nourish all the families with your spirit that we have. +[1968.68 --> 1970.28] May they live in harmony with you. +[1970.28 --> 1975.42] Where there are struggles or broken relationships, +[1975.84 --> 1978.24] please, Father, grant healing and peace. +[1979.50 --> 1982.14] Be with everyone who suffers from seasonal depression +[1982.14 --> 1983.62] or spiritual struggles. +[1984.92 --> 1987.28] Grant a good measure of your spirit in their lives +[1987.28 --> 1989.34] so that they are able to have peace again. +[1991.10 --> 1994.98] Father, be with John Kuypers as he is still waiting for answers for his condition. +[1995.84 --> 1997.60] Bless John with patience and peace, +[1997.70 --> 1999.50] knowing everything is in God's timing. +[2000.28 --> 2003.54] Father, we ask for a blessing for our aging membership. +[2004.44 --> 2006.08] Bless them in this time of their life. +[2007.30 --> 2009.96] Help them with the physical or other struggles that can appear. +[2010.54 --> 2013.60] As they age, bless them and also be with their caregivers. +[2014.56 --> 2016.86] Grant them all with what they are in need of. +[2018.02 --> 2019.66] Lord, as we look around us, +[2019.72 --> 2021.74] we are witnessing a lot more homelessness. +[2021.74 --> 2028.10] And those in need stir in us the desire to be the helping hands that these children of yours need. +[2029.60 --> 2032.82] We ask, Father, for a good congregational meeting tomorrow night. +[2033.54 --> 2035.84] Let every member be able to attend this meeting +[2035.84 --> 2038.82] and see they're responsible for these matters of this church. +[2038.82 --> 2043.18] Father, we ask for a blessing for the seafarers' ministry. +[2043.18 --> 2049.06] Let this be a helping hand in all the lives of those that work on these ships that travel the world. +[2049.92 --> 2052.40] Help all these workers stay close to you +[2052.40 --> 2057.42] and true to their families when they are separated from loved ones for extended periods of time. +[2058.62 --> 2061.10] Lord, bless the message of Pastor Chris this morning. +[2061.34 --> 2064.32] Open our hearts and minds to the understanding of your words, +[2064.62 --> 2065.48] which we will hear. +[2065.48 --> 2069.04] Father, we ask you to hear our prayer. +[2069.28 --> 2070.48] In Jesus' name, amen. +[2090.48 --> 2094.14] Before I open the word for us, +[2094.14 --> 2097.88] let me just say thank you for that, Paul, +[2098.02 --> 2102.24] and council and members for those words of encouragement. +[2102.88 --> 2104.76] As I reflect back on five years here, +[2104.86 --> 2107.86] sometimes I think about those COVID years and I go, +[2108.00 --> 2110.88] man, that felt like five years in itself. +[2111.72 --> 2114.62] And then I think now it's been five years and it feels like yesterday. +[2115.30 --> 2121.20] And I want to thank you for your constant support and encouragement and prayers. +[2121.74 --> 2123.58] And I know this is true not just for myself, +[2123.58 --> 2126.40] but for the other staff, for Josh and for Kevin. +[2126.92 --> 2129.88] We feel very encouraged in the work that we get to do. +[2129.96 --> 2132.78] And it is a distinct privilege to serve you. +[2132.92 --> 2134.88] And so thank you for allowing us that privilege +[2134.88 --> 2136.80] and supporting us with your prayers. +[2138.40 --> 2141.62] Here's to five and many more years, the Lord willing. +[2141.62 --> 2148.48] We're going to read this morning from Ecclesiastes 12. +[2148.96 --> 2155.28] This is the last message in our series through the book of Ecclesiastes. +[2155.46 --> 2157.60] I'm going to read the first eight verses. +[2158.38 --> 2160.68] I encourage you to have that open in front of you +[2160.68 --> 2164.68] and then to keep it open as we will refer back later. +[2164.68 --> 2167.48] From Ecclesiastes 12. +[2170.02 --> 2173.58] Remember your creator in the days of your youth. +[2174.60 --> 2178.16] Before the days of trouble come and the years approach +[2178.16 --> 2180.92] when you will say, I find no pleasure in them. +[2182.20 --> 2185.84] Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark +[2185.84 --> 2188.52] and the clouds return after the rain. +[2188.52 --> 2193.32] When the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop. +[2194.44 --> 2196.98] When the grinders cease because they are few +[2196.98 --> 2200.40] and those looking through the windows grow dim. +[2201.18 --> 2205.04] When the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades. +[2205.30 --> 2208.14] When the people rise up at the sound of the birds, +[2208.42 --> 2210.16] but all their songs grow faint. +[2210.96 --> 2214.14] When people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets. +[2214.14 --> 2218.34] When the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along. +[2218.52 --> 2220.94] And desire no longer is stirred. +[2221.44 --> 2225.86] Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets. +[2227.18 --> 2232.38] Remember him before the silver cord is severed and the golden bowl is broken. +[2232.68 --> 2237.80] Before the pitcher is shattered at the spring and the wheel broken at the well. +[2238.22 --> 2241.62] And the dust returns to the ground it came from. +[2241.62 --> 2245.20] And the spirit returns to God who gave it. +[2245.20 --> 2246.20] Meaningless. +[2246.20 --> 2246.88] Meaningless. +[2246.88 --> 2247.20] Meaningless. +[2247.20 --> 2248.20] Meaningless. +[2248.20 --> 2249.20] Meaningless. +[2249.20 --> 2249.96] Says the teacher. +[2249.96 --> 2253.76] Everything is meaningless. +[2253.76 --> 2256.30] This is the word of the Lord. +[2256.30 --> 2266.18] I know that this has happened in my house and in my family. +[2266.18 --> 2269.06] I know it happened when I was a kid as well. +[2269.06 --> 2275.92] But have you ever watched a child open a present on their birthday or at Christmas? +[2276.56 --> 2278.16] They tear off the paper. +[2278.72 --> 2280.82] They lift the lid of the box. +[2281.64 --> 2284.50] And then they dump it out and spend the next 20 minutes playing with the box. +[2286.36 --> 2286.74] Right? +[2286.80 --> 2290.22] There's this shiny new toy that you have searched for. +[2290.80 --> 2291.96] That you have saved. +[2292.06 --> 2294.60] That you have wrapped with care and love. +[2294.60 --> 2299.26] And then they toss it to the side because the box is going to make a better target for your bow and arrow. +[2300.78 --> 2301.86] That one's personal. +[2305.12 --> 2305.54] Right? +[2305.60 --> 2306.34] It's funny. +[2306.50 --> 2307.20] It's innocent. +[2307.54 --> 2308.86] But it's also familiar. +[2310.50 --> 2318.44] I want to suggest to you that as adults, we just get better at making the box look more sophisticated. +[2318.44 --> 2320.66] But we do the same thing. +[2321.82 --> 2322.26] Right? +[2322.30 --> 2327.86] We take the gifts of youth, whether it's energy or opportunity or beauty, strength or freedom, +[2327.86 --> 2331.12] and we fix our hearts on the box. +[2331.28 --> 2332.58] We chase the wrapping. +[2333.08 --> 2337.62] We cling to the stuff that was never meant to hold the weight of our joy. +[2339.44 --> 2345.54] But then, every now and again, something happens that shakes us awake. +[2345.54 --> 2354.32] A moment when the light in the room shifts and we see for just a second how fragile everything is. +[2354.74 --> 2359.46] How tentatively held together the careful life that we have crafted. +[2359.76 --> 2360.74] That can be a diagnosis. +[2361.28 --> 2363.66] It can be a sudden change in someone you love. +[2363.76 --> 2369.38] It can be a conversation that you've had that reminds you that time is slipping away faster than you thought. +[2369.46 --> 2372.08] It can be an anniversary celebration when you look back and go, +[2372.18 --> 2372.44] Really? +[2372.92 --> 2373.60] Five years? +[2373.60 --> 2373.68] Five years? +[2374.20 --> 2379.76] It's a moment that you wish you could freeze because you know that you won't get it back. +[2381.18 --> 2387.34] And it's exactly this collision, the innocence of the cardboard box joy, +[2387.56 --> 2396.32] and the ache of life's fading light that Ecclesiastes 12 is setting before us this morning. +[2396.32 --> 2403.08] Youth and delight on one side and shadows lengthening at the other. +[2403.78 --> 2408.92] A picture of the world where rejoicing is real but temporary. +[2408.92 --> 2413.84] Where life is beautiful but breakable. +[2415.38 --> 2418.56] And into that tension, the teacher says, +[2419.36 --> 2424.10] Before the box falls apart, before the house crumbles, before the doors swing shut, +[2424.46 --> 2429.82] the sound of life grows faint, remember your creator. +[2429.82 --> 2436.48] When we move past the cardboard box simplicity of childhood, +[2436.48 --> 2441.26] or when we look at the ways that we get really good at dressing up the box, +[2442.08 --> 2443.96] pretending it's something else, +[2444.32 --> 2447.82] we discover, I pray, beneath that and in that, +[2447.90 --> 2453.88] a deep ache that is humming under the surface of our lives. +[2453.88 --> 2456.70] Ecclesiastes names it for us, +[2456.80 --> 2462.26] that we are creatures who long for what we cannot hold. +[2463.78 --> 2466.98] And so we long to stay young, right? +[2467.00 --> 2469.46] Even if we don't say it out loud, we feel it. +[2470.16 --> 2473.54] We feel it when we see an old photo and we whisper, +[2474.00 --> 2475.30] What happened to my hairline? +[2476.70 --> 2478.60] We see it when we look in the mirror, +[2478.60 --> 2483.94] or when someone we love suddenly looks older than when we remember. +[2485.30 --> 2488.96] Something inside of us pushes back and says, +[2489.06 --> 2490.30] I'm not ready for this yet. +[2491.46 --> 2494.88] And our world wants to rush into that ache, +[2495.14 --> 2498.62] into that realization to soothe it and to calm it. +[2498.84 --> 2500.94] And so we have anti-aging everything. +[2501.68 --> 2503.82] I turned 40 two years ago. +[2503.96 --> 2506.68] My Instagram feed shifted immediately. +[2506.68 --> 2510.40] So you're a man over 40 who wants to lose 30 pounds. +[2511.06 --> 2511.30] What? +[2511.82 --> 2512.76] How did you know that? +[2513.88 --> 2515.80] So your hairline has been receding. +[2516.12 --> 2516.62] Come on! +[2517.90 --> 2518.12] Right? +[2518.34 --> 2521.44] Everything shifted to push back against this. +[2521.56 --> 2523.32] Wellness rituals, fitness apps, +[2523.66 --> 2526.76] procedures and products to deny the passage of time. +[2527.00 --> 2529.70] And beneath it all is this quiet fear. +[2530.64 --> 2532.64] What if I can't hang on to what I had? +[2532.64 --> 2536.70] At the same time, +[2536.78 --> 2540.78] we long for a joy that doesn't collapse under the weight of reality. +[2541.76 --> 2541.86] Right? +[2541.90 --> 2542.98] We chase moments, +[2543.18 --> 2545.12] entertainment and pleasure and vacations, +[2545.32 --> 2546.46] and the next distraction, +[2546.76 --> 2550.28] just hoping to stay ahead of the sadness or to outrun the anxiety. +[2551.64 --> 2553.74] Our culture tells us, of course, +[2553.86 --> 2557.40] that joy is something that we can achieve +[2557.40 --> 2560.50] by carefully arranging our circumstances. +[2561.50 --> 2561.64] Right? +[2561.74 --> 2562.90] Keep the mood light. +[2563.32 --> 2564.62] Keep the news off. +[2565.18 --> 2566.74] Keep the schedule full. +[2567.16 --> 2568.68] Keep the relationships shallow, +[2568.68 --> 2570.02] because then you won't get hurt. +[2571.22 --> 2573.34] But Ecclesiastes doesn't let us pretend. +[2574.78 --> 2574.94] Right? +[2574.96 --> 2575.64] It tells the truth. +[2575.72 --> 2576.54] It says explicitly, +[2576.54 --> 2578.90] there will be days without pleasure. +[2579.62 --> 2581.56] Days when distraction fails, +[2581.70 --> 2582.92] when joy feels thin, +[2583.12 --> 2588.40] when we realize just how much our happiness is built on things that we cannot control. +[2589.04 --> 2592.50] Things that can be taken away without any warning. +[2593.72 --> 2598.54] And we live and long for security in a world that we cannot control. +[2598.54 --> 2603.84] So we plan, we save, we insure, and we build, +[2604.02 --> 2609.46] and we do everything we can to construct lives that are safe and predictable. +[2611.30 --> 2613.06] But then something happens. +[2614.28 --> 2616.96] Anything, actually, really happens. +[2617.14 --> 2618.28] The house shakes. +[2618.42 --> 2621.46] The things that we thought were solid begin to rock. +[2621.66 --> 2625.48] And suddenly, the limits of our control are exposed. +[2625.48 --> 2628.62] And our carefully curated construction +[2628.62 --> 2632.30] that simply doesn't feel secure anymore. +[2633.02 --> 2634.06] And let me be really clear, right? +[2634.08 --> 2636.32] Because it's not that planning is wrong. +[2638.22 --> 2640.04] It just can't protect us +[2640.04 --> 2644.46] from the fragility that Ecclesiastes is describing. +[2648.28 --> 2652.30] And here's what I know +[2652.30 --> 2655.34] and what I think the teacher wants us to see this morning in particular. +[2655.48 --> 2661.92] That these longings find a particular and a poignant expression +[2661.92 --> 2663.46] when you are young. +[2664.64 --> 2668.18] And so here I'm thinking of teenagers and early 20-somethings. +[2668.78 --> 2669.22] Right? +[2669.30 --> 2673.76] This poignancy comes precisely because when you're young, +[2673.90 --> 2678.48] we don't even realize we're operating out of these ideas and assumptions. +[2678.48 --> 2683.80] A young person doesn't so much long to stay young +[2683.80 --> 2685.54] as much as they assume they will. +[2687.54 --> 2688.14] Right? +[2688.26 --> 2690.04] Psychologists have a word for this. +[2690.16 --> 2692.82] It's called the invulnerability impulse. +[2693.42 --> 2695.94] Sometimes it's referred to as the invulnerability complex. +[2695.94 --> 2700.54] But it's the quiet belief that when you're young, +[2700.80 --> 2702.94] these bad things happen to other people. +[2703.46 --> 2706.52] Sickness, loss, limits, even death won't happen to me. +[2707.02 --> 2707.10] Right? +[2707.38 --> 2709.56] Youth doesn't imagine fragility. +[2710.10 --> 2712.42] Youth assumes permanence. +[2712.42 --> 2718.14] And with that, there's this kind of built-in optimism. +[2719.22 --> 2723.50] And it's not that young hearts long for a joy that reality can't crush. +[2723.92 --> 2726.84] For many, reality hasn't crushed that joy. +[2728.30 --> 2731.80] Life still feels open and full and expandable. +[2732.16 --> 2734.50] Joy seems natural and not threatened. +[2734.50 --> 2738.58] The future looks like something that you can seize and shape. +[2740.00 --> 2745.00] And the same is true when you're in this time of life with security. +[2745.38 --> 2745.50] Right? +[2745.54 --> 2748.36] When you're young, you don't lie awake at night +[2748.36 --> 2750.70] longing for something to protect you from the world. +[2750.92 --> 2755.36] You assume that you can go out and secure it and shape it and build it. +[2755.98 --> 2758.54] And if something goes wrong, well, we'll fix it. +[2759.30 --> 2761.58] If something breaks, we'll rebuild it. +[2761.86 --> 2763.36] Or maybe we'll replace it. +[2764.50 --> 2767.10] If a door closes when you're 15, +[2767.46 --> 2769.46] you'll just find another one to kick open. +[2770.24 --> 2771.26] That's the way it works. +[2773.16 --> 2774.64] Now, let me be really clear. +[2775.86 --> 2780.00] These longings are not themselves foolish. +[2781.48 --> 2781.98] Right? +[2782.06 --> 2783.98] They're deeply human. +[2785.10 --> 2787.82] And when you're young, when you're in this age, +[2788.40 --> 2792.44] it's developmentally appropriate and necessary. +[2792.44 --> 2793.08] Right? +[2793.40 --> 2795.48] We want youth to last. +[2795.58 --> 2796.82] We want joy to endure. +[2797.26 --> 2799.96] We want security that doesn't evaporate overnight. +[2801.76 --> 2804.18] But here's the truth of Ecclesiastes for us. +[2805.18 --> 2806.60] And every solution, +[2807.40 --> 2808.98] every fulfillment, +[2809.54 --> 2812.06] every idea that the world hands us +[2812.06 --> 2814.36] to solve this, fill this, +[2814.46 --> 2815.96] to provide meaning, +[2815.96 --> 2817.38] proves temporary +[2817.38 --> 2819.60] and thin +[2819.60 --> 2822.14] and ultimately powerless +[2822.14 --> 2825.00] to stop the troubles of life from coming. +[2826.32 --> 2828.34] And there's a particular danger here, +[2828.42 --> 2830.12] especially when you're young, +[2830.20 --> 2833.96] when very few bad things have actually happened to you, +[2834.02 --> 2835.80] when your youth feels endless, +[2836.02 --> 2837.54] when your joy feels automatic, +[2837.70 --> 2839.92] when control feels certain, +[2839.92 --> 2842.30] when you think and feel that way, +[2842.78 --> 2845.46] God becomes optional. +[2847.00 --> 2848.46] Not so much rejected, +[2849.36 --> 2850.64] it's just kind of postponed. +[2852.62 --> 2852.78] Right? +[2852.90 --> 2855.04] Faith quietly gets pushed to the edges +[2855.04 --> 2856.72] of our experience. +[2856.90 --> 2858.30] Not because we hate God, +[2858.38 --> 2860.28] not even because we disagree with him, +[2860.38 --> 2863.02] but because we can't actually imagine needing him. +[2864.38 --> 2864.74] Right? +[2864.74 --> 2866.28] When your life feels manageable, +[2867.22 --> 2869.18] why seek wisdom? +[2870.30 --> 2874.48] When everything seems to be working +[2874.48 --> 2876.38] because of your instinct, +[2877.22 --> 2878.42] why ask for advice? +[2881.34 --> 2883.32] Why remember your creator +[2883.32 --> 2886.88] when it feels like you're creating your own life just fine? +[2889.10 --> 2889.30] Right? +[2889.38 --> 2890.30] Forgetting God, +[2890.64 --> 2892.30] especially in our youth, +[2892.42 --> 2894.20] doesn't always look like rebellion. +[2894.74 --> 2897.24] It usually looks like distraction. +[2898.90 --> 2899.38] Right? +[2899.42 --> 2901.66] It looks like a heart that assumes +[2901.66 --> 2903.42] there will be time for this later. +[2904.20 --> 2904.64] Right? +[2904.66 --> 2906.44] A time to be serious later. +[2906.56 --> 2908.28] A time to be faithful later. +[2908.40 --> 2911.36] A time to deal with the big questions of life later. +[2911.46 --> 2913.50] A time to return to church later. +[2913.62 --> 2916.12] A time to straighten things out later. +[2917.34 --> 2918.80] It sounds like, +[2919.32 --> 2920.88] I'll think about God when I'm older. +[2920.88 --> 2923.50] Or I'll come back to that +[2923.50 --> 2924.86] when my life settles down. +[2925.92 --> 2926.78] And someday, +[2927.06 --> 2928.46] I'll get serious about faith. +[2931.34 --> 2932.76] But later +[2932.76 --> 2937.70] is the most spiritually dangerous word +[2937.70 --> 2940.14] in your walk with God. +[2940.14 --> 2944.48] The teacher knows how quickly +[2944.48 --> 2946.28] habits of remembering +[2946.28 --> 2947.28] can wither +[2947.28 --> 2948.88] and dry out. +[2949.60 --> 2951.14] How easily joy +[2951.14 --> 2952.30] can latch on +[2952.30 --> 2953.28] to the gifts +[2953.28 --> 2954.48] instead of the giver +[2954.48 --> 2955.42] or to the box +[2955.42 --> 2956.10] that they come in. +[2956.60 --> 2957.46] How quietly +[2957.46 --> 2958.78] pride can take root +[2958.78 --> 2960.52] when life seems to be working out. +[2960.52 --> 2962.04] And how the slow drift +[2962.04 --> 2962.96] of forgetting God +[2962.96 --> 2964.36] doesn't feel like a crisis, +[2964.72 --> 2966.34] just feels like normal life. +[2966.34 --> 2968.70] which is why +[2968.70 --> 2969.92] precisely +[2969.92 --> 2970.94] Ecclesiastes +[2970.94 --> 2971.98] and the teacher here +[2971.98 --> 2974.36] interrupts this moment +[2974.36 --> 2975.86] with urgency. +[2976.76 --> 2977.96] Not with fear, +[2978.44 --> 2979.50] but with urgency. +[2980.32 --> 2981.66] A sense of right now. +[2982.44 --> 2984.14] Remember your creator +[2984.14 --> 2985.18] before. +[2985.84 --> 2987.44] Before the illusions fade. +[2987.58 --> 2988.60] Before the days change. +[2988.72 --> 2989.80] Before life grows harder +[2989.80 --> 2990.58] than you expect. +[2990.92 --> 2992.00] Before the moment passes +[2992.00 --> 2993.32] and doesn't come back again. +[2993.32 --> 2996.80] Because forgetting God +[2996.80 --> 2997.68] is easy, +[2998.56 --> 2999.66] remembering him +[2999.66 --> 3000.84] must be learned. +[3002.54 --> 3003.24] And that's exactly +[3003.24 --> 3003.98] where the teacher +[3003.98 --> 3005.36] turns our attention. +[3006.78 --> 3008.24] He doesn't shame youth. +[3008.86 --> 3009.62] He doesn't scold +[3009.62 --> 3010.46] our longings +[3010.46 --> 3011.32] for joy +[3011.32 --> 3012.12] or for security. +[3012.48 --> 3013.24] He simply +[3013.24 --> 3014.50] tells us the truth +[3014.50 --> 3015.52] about life +[3015.52 --> 3016.40] under the sun. +[3017.34 --> 3018.36] And then he gives +[3018.36 --> 3019.44] the only response +[3019.44 --> 3020.10] that can actually +[3020.10 --> 3021.00] bear the weight +[3021.00 --> 3022.32] of our longings. +[3023.32 --> 3024.58] If forgetting God +[3024.58 --> 3025.34] is easy, +[3025.76 --> 3027.22] then remembering him +[3027.22 --> 3029.06] must become intentional. +[3029.74 --> 3030.82] It must become +[3030.82 --> 3031.78] the very shape +[3031.78 --> 3033.30] of our lives. +[3034.72 --> 3035.94] And so the teacher +[3035.94 --> 3037.48] draws a line +[3037.48 --> 3038.08] in the sand +[3038.08 --> 3039.34] and he says, +[3039.58 --> 3040.58] let me show you +[3040.58 --> 3041.74] what remembering +[3041.74 --> 3042.60] your creator +[3042.60 --> 3043.80] really means. +[3044.48 --> 3045.04] And why it's +[3045.04 --> 3045.92] the only way +[3045.92 --> 3047.08] to live wisely +[3047.08 --> 3049.06] before life fades. +[3049.92 --> 3050.96] And the command +[3050.96 --> 3051.52] is simple, +[3051.68 --> 3052.16] but the weight +[3052.16 --> 3052.84] behind it +[3052.84 --> 3053.72] is enormous. +[3054.46 --> 3054.58] Right? +[3054.66 --> 3056.06] Remember your creator +[3056.06 --> 3057.18] in the days +[3057.18 --> 3058.26] of your youth. +[3058.74 --> 3059.22] And like we said, +[3059.28 --> 3059.92] he repeats it +[3059.92 --> 3060.62] with urgency. +[3061.10 --> 3061.78] Remember him +[3061.78 --> 3063.08] when and when +[3063.08 --> 3063.66] and when. +[3063.82 --> 3064.58] Remember him +[3064.58 --> 3066.10] before and before +[3066.10 --> 3067.04] and before. +[3068.64 --> 3070.32] And let me be +[3070.32 --> 3071.36] really clear with you. +[3072.08 --> 3073.06] To remember +[3073.06 --> 3074.58] in the Bible +[3074.58 --> 3076.24] is more than +[3076.24 --> 3077.42] just a call +[3077.42 --> 3078.12] to mind. +[3078.74 --> 3079.82] It's more than +[3079.82 --> 3081.16] just a looking back. +[3081.16 --> 3082.12] In the Bible +[3082.12 --> 3082.94] to remember +[3082.94 --> 3084.50] is covenantal. +[3084.76 --> 3085.24] And what that means +[3085.24 --> 3086.64] is it's relationship +[3086.64 --> 3088.84] and worship filled. +[3089.72 --> 3090.28] To remember +[3090.28 --> 3091.32] is the movement +[3091.32 --> 3092.02] of heart +[3092.02 --> 3092.88] of your heart +[3092.88 --> 3094.16] towards God +[3094.16 --> 3094.94] in trust +[3094.94 --> 3096.02] and faith. +[3096.46 --> 3097.06] To remember +[3097.06 --> 3098.94] is living daily +[3098.94 --> 3100.00] with God +[3100.00 --> 3100.86] at the center +[3100.86 --> 3101.92] rather than +[3101.92 --> 3102.60] at the margins. +[3103.26 --> 3104.10] To remember +[3104.10 --> 3106.10] is not looking +[3106.10 --> 3107.14] to the past +[3107.14 --> 3107.74] so much +[3107.74 --> 3108.36] as it is +[3108.36 --> 3109.60] faith in action +[3109.60 --> 3110.52] now +[3110.52 --> 3112.00] for the future +[3112.00 --> 3112.82] because +[3112.82 --> 3114.76] of the past. +[3115.84 --> 3116.90] The teacher +[3116.90 --> 3117.90] is saying to you +[3117.90 --> 3119.20] and especially +[3119.20 --> 3120.26] if you are young +[3120.26 --> 3122.16] live your life +[3122.16 --> 3122.86] now +[3122.86 --> 3124.36] while you're still +[3124.36 --> 3124.98] strong +[3124.98 --> 3125.72] and full +[3125.72 --> 3126.56] and capable +[3126.56 --> 3127.58] and there's so much +[3127.58 --> 3128.06] promise. +[3128.44 --> 3129.18] Live your life +[3129.18 --> 3129.72] now +[3129.72 --> 3131.10] in the reality +[3131.10 --> 3131.94] that you +[3131.94 --> 3133.46] are created +[3133.46 --> 3134.70] and you +[3134.70 --> 3136.10] are living +[3136.10 --> 3137.04] before +[3137.04 --> 3138.30] a good +[3138.30 --> 3139.64] and sovereign +[3139.64 --> 3140.64] creator. +[3143.42 --> 3144.12] Now why? +[3144.42 --> 3145.34] Why does this +[3145.34 --> 3146.62] matter? +[3146.62 --> 3155.34] Everything else +[3155.34 --> 3156.94] in this chapter +[3156.94 --> 3159.86] is a slow +[3159.86 --> 3161.38] and poetic +[3161.38 --> 3163.20] unraveling +[3163.20 --> 3164.72] of the illusion +[3164.72 --> 3165.98] that we can +[3165.98 --> 3167.04] hold on to life +[3167.04 --> 3167.96] on our own terms. +[3169.04 --> 3170.08] The house trembles +[3170.08 --> 3171.16] the keepers shake +[3171.16 --> 3172.22] the grinders stop +[3172.22 --> 3173.22] the windows darken +[3173.22 --> 3174.02] the doors close +[3174.02 --> 3174.98] the light fades +[3174.98 --> 3176.24] the body bends +[3176.24 --> 3176.92] and the breath +[3176.92 --> 3178.02] returns to the God +[3178.02 --> 3179.20] who gave it. +[3179.96 --> 3180.56] Ecclesiastes +[3180.56 --> 3181.70] throughout this whole book +[3181.70 --> 3182.70] hasn't been +[3182.70 --> 3184.22] painting this picture +[3184.22 --> 3185.40] hasn't been opening +[3185.40 --> 3186.84] our eyes to this reality +[3186.84 --> 3188.62] to depress us +[3188.62 --> 3189.78] but instead +[3189.78 --> 3191.50] to wake us up. +[3192.96 --> 3193.88] The teacher +[3193.88 --> 3195.00] wants us to see +[3195.00 --> 3195.70] that youth +[3195.70 --> 3196.38] and joy +[3196.38 --> 3197.14] and security +[3197.14 --> 3198.46] cannot bear +[3198.46 --> 3199.16] the weight +[3199.16 --> 3200.48] that we put on them +[3200.48 --> 3202.08] and not because +[3202.08 --> 3203.06] they're bad gifts +[3203.06 --> 3205.08] but because +[3205.08 --> 3205.86] they're temporary. +[3206.24 --> 3208.12] And anything +[3208.12 --> 3208.74] temporary +[3208.74 --> 3209.90] will eventually +[3209.90 --> 3210.88] let you down +[3210.88 --> 3211.92] if you treat it +[3211.92 --> 3212.40] as ultimate. +[3214.26 --> 3214.64] And so +[3214.64 --> 3215.12] really +[3215.12 --> 3215.72] the biblical +[3215.72 --> 3216.38] contrast +[3216.38 --> 3217.50] looks like +[3217.50 --> 3218.24] this. +[3219.06 --> 3220.16] On the one hand +[3220.16 --> 3221.20] the world says +[3221.20 --> 3222.56] build a life +[3222.56 --> 3223.08] that keeps +[3223.08 --> 3223.86] the hard things +[3223.86 --> 3224.30] away. +[3225.26 --> 3226.04] The teacher +[3226.04 --> 3226.56] says +[3226.56 --> 3227.98] remember +[3227.98 --> 3228.82] the God +[3228.82 --> 3229.30] who will be +[3229.30 --> 3229.82] with you +[3229.82 --> 3230.58] when they come. +[3230.58 --> 3232.66] the world +[3232.66 --> 3233.14] says +[3233.14 --> 3234.26] look inward +[3234.26 --> 3235.64] find your truth +[3235.64 --> 3236.42] your strength +[3236.42 --> 3237.22] and your meaning +[3237.22 --> 3238.20] the teacher +[3238.20 --> 3238.66] says +[3238.66 --> 3239.36] look upward +[3239.36 --> 3241.34] find the one +[3241.34 --> 3242.32] who made you +[3242.32 --> 3243.84] and sustains you +[3243.84 --> 3245.80] the world +[3245.80 --> 3246.18] says +[3246.18 --> 3247.46] secure your life +[3247.46 --> 3248.50] through effort +[3248.50 --> 3249.44] find meaning +[3249.44 --> 3250.42] in what you do +[3250.42 --> 3250.96] the teacher +[3250.96 --> 3251.48] says +[3251.48 --> 3252.68] secure your life +[3252.68 --> 3253.70] by entrusting it +[3253.70 --> 3254.68] to your creator +[3254.68 --> 3256.94] the world +[3256.94 --> 3257.32] says +[3257.32 --> 3258.22] especially if you +[3258.22 --> 3258.66] are young +[3258.66 --> 3260.08] you have +[3260.08 --> 3260.66] time +[3260.66 --> 3262.70] and the teacher +[3262.70 --> 3263.10] says +[3263.10 --> 3264.76] you don't know +[3264.76 --> 3265.22] how much time +[3265.22 --> 3265.64] you have +[3265.64 --> 3267.12] remember +[3267.12 --> 3267.88] him +[3267.88 --> 3268.74] now +[3268.74 --> 3270.80] and this is +[3270.80 --> 3271.18] the heart +[3271.18 --> 3271.72] of wisdom +[3271.72 --> 3273.06] in ecclesiastes +[3273.06 --> 3273.92] that you +[3273.92 --> 3274.92] cannot live +[3274.92 --> 3275.50] well +[3275.50 --> 3276.66] if you forget +[3276.66 --> 3277.30] the one +[3277.30 --> 3278.14] who gave you +[3278.14 --> 3278.58] life +[3278.58 --> 3279.42] you cannot +[3279.42 --> 3280.00] rejoice +[3280.00 --> 3280.68] rightly +[3280.68 --> 3281.98] if you detach +[3281.98 --> 3282.72] the gift +[3282.72 --> 3283.84] from the giver +[3283.84 --> 3284.60] you cannot +[3284.60 --> 3285.76] face the limits +[3285.76 --> 3286.52] of life +[3286.52 --> 3287.20] if you try +[3287.20 --> 3287.78] to build +[3287.78 --> 3288.30] a life +[3288.30 --> 3288.66] without +[3288.66 --> 3289.44] the God +[3289.44 --> 3290.18] who stands +[3290.18 --> 3290.88] outside of +[3290.88 --> 3291.48] those limits +[3291.48 --> 3293.06] and again +[3293.06 --> 3293.46] the teacher +[3293.46 --> 3293.92] isn't trying +[3293.92 --> 3294.44] to crush +[3294.44 --> 3295.50] our joy +[3295.50 --> 3296.10] he's trying +[3296.10 --> 3296.74] rather to +[3296.74 --> 3297.54] anchor it +[3297.54 --> 3299.16] and the only +[3299.16 --> 3300.06] anchor deep +[3300.06 --> 3300.54] enough +[3300.54 --> 3301.94] to secure +[3301.94 --> 3302.46] this +[3302.46 --> 3303.36] is our +[3303.36 --> 3303.82] creator +[3303.82 --> 3304.40] himself +[3304.40 --> 3311.90] all of +[3311.90 --> 3312.26] this +[3312.26 --> 3315.08] became +[3315.08 --> 3316.28] abundantly +[3316.28 --> 3316.88] real for +[3316.88 --> 3317.18] me +[3317.18 --> 3318.90] on June +[3318.90 --> 3319.54] 28 +[3319.54 --> 3321.04] 2007 +[3321.04 --> 3323.40] two months +[3323.40 --> 3323.78] before +[3323.78 --> 3324.54] June 28 +[3324.54 --> 3326.06] Rachel and +[3326.06 --> 3326.44] I had just +[3326.44 --> 3326.94] gotten married +[3326.94 --> 3329.94] a month +[3329.94 --> 3330.42] after we got +[3330.42 --> 3330.72] married +[3330.72 --> 3332.18] we graduated +[3332.18 --> 3332.82] university +[3332.82 --> 3334.32] Rachel with +[3334.32 --> 3334.94] distinction and +[3334.94 --> 3335.22] honors +[3335.22 --> 3335.96] I was just +[3335.96 --> 3336.18] there +[3336.18 --> 3339.98] I was 24 +[3339.98 --> 3341.78] and I was +[3341.78 --> 3342.76] firmly living +[3342.76 --> 3343.42] out of the +[3343.42 --> 3344.54] invulnerability +[3344.54 --> 3345.22] impulse +[3345.22 --> 3346.94] the world +[3346.94 --> 3347.78] was mine +[3347.78 --> 3348.10] for the +[3348.10 --> 3348.46] taking +[3348.46 --> 3350.64] but on +[3350.64 --> 3351.28] June 28 +[3351.28 --> 3353.14] that changed +[3353.14 --> 3355.80] June 28 +[3355.80 --> 3356.20] we got a +[3356.20 --> 3356.72] phone call +[3356.72 --> 3358.08] that a +[3358.08 --> 3358.46] friend of +[3358.46 --> 3358.80] mine +[3358.80 --> 3359.40] and actually +[3359.40 --> 3359.76] there's a +[3359.76 --> 3360.30] few of us +[3360.30 --> 3360.96] here who +[3360.96 --> 3361.64] knew him +[3361.64 --> 3362.00] that a +[3362.00 --> 3362.28] friend of +[3362.28 --> 3362.46] mine +[3362.46 --> 3362.86] Craig +[3362.86 --> 3363.96] only 22 +[3363.96 --> 3364.58] years old +[3364.58 --> 3365.82] was killed +[3365.82 --> 3366.50] in a car +[3366.50 --> 3366.86] crash +[3366.86 --> 3369.82] I'd lived +[3369.82 --> 3370.24] with him for +[3370.24 --> 3370.82] two years +[3370.82 --> 3372.28] he was a +[3372.28 --> 3372.80] great friend +[3372.80 --> 3378.06] and on +[3378.06 --> 3378.56] that day +[3378.56 --> 3381.08] car crossed +[3381.08 --> 3381.48] the center +[3381.48 --> 3381.82] line +[3381.82 --> 3382.38] while he +[3382.38 --> 3382.86] was driving +[3382.86 --> 3384.10] killed him +[3384.10 --> 3384.42] and his +[3384.42 --> 3384.74] cousin +[3384.74 --> 3385.92] instantly +[3385.92 --> 3390.72] you don't +[3390.72 --> 3391.08] know how +[3391.08 --> 3391.58] much time +[3391.58 --> 3392.06] you have +[3392.06 --> 3394.68] don't +[3394.68 --> 3394.96] wait +[3394.96 --> 3398.22] a week +[3398.22 --> 3398.58] later +[3398.58 --> 3399.48] on July +[3399.48 --> 3400.38] 4th +[3400.38 --> 3401.10] some +[3401.10 --> 3401.68] 20 +[3401.68 --> 3401.92] to +[3401.92 --> 3402.20] 30 +[3402.20 --> 3402.44] of +[3402.44 --> 3402.82] us +[3402.82 --> 3403.54] friends +[3403.54 --> 3404.40] flew +[3404.40 --> 3404.72] to +[3404.72 --> 3405.34] Manitoba +[3405.34 --> 3405.88] for the +[3405.88 --> 3406.28] funeral +[3406.28 --> 3406.62] in +[3406.62 --> 3406.94] Carmen +[3406.94 --> 3408.86] and the +[3408.86 --> 3409.34] pastor +[3409.34 --> 3410.24] at +[3410.24 --> 3410.60] Craig's +[3410.60 --> 3411.02] funeral +[3411.02 --> 3412.04] preached +[3412.04 --> 3412.54] a sermon +[3412.54 --> 3413.86] on these +[3413.86 --> 3414.24] words +[3414.24 --> 3417.24] remember +[3417.24 --> 3417.68] your +[3417.68 --> 3418.12] creator +[3418.12 --> 3419.62] in the +[3419.62 --> 3420.00] days +[3420.00 --> 3420.86] of your +[3420.86 --> 3421.22] youth +[3421.22 --> 3422.82] before +[3422.82 --> 3423.08] the +[3423.08 --> 3423.40] days +[3423.40 --> 3423.54] of +[3423.54 --> 3423.86] trouble +[3423.86 --> 3424.86] come +[3424.86 --> 3427.60] remember +[3427.60 --> 3428.44] your +[3428.44 --> 3428.88] creator +[3428.88 --> 3430.02] in the +[3430.02 --> 3430.40] days +[3430.40 --> 3431.36] of +[3431.36 --> 3431.52] your +[3431.52 --> 3431.88] youth +[3431.88 --> 3435.74] we +[3435.74 --> 3436.02] find +[3436.02 --> 3436.42] ourselves +[3436.42 --> 3436.92] in this +[3436.92 --> 3437.48] tension +[3437.48 --> 3438.48] right +[3438.48 --> 3440.24] on the +[3440.24 --> 3440.40] one +[3440.40 --> 3440.76] hand +[3440.76 --> 3441.78] the +[3441.78 --> 3442.04] teacher +[3442.04 --> 3442.48] shows +[3442.48 --> 3442.84] us +[3442.84 --> 3443.10] the +[3443.10 --> 3443.58] joy +[3443.58 --> 3443.78] that +[3443.78 --> 3443.90] we +[3443.90 --> 3444.08] were +[3444.08 --> 3444.36] made +[3444.36 --> 3444.72] for +[3444.72 --> 3447.54] and +[3447.54 --> 3447.66] on +[3447.66 --> 3447.78] the +[3447.78 --> 3448.02] other +[3448.02 --> 3449.48] we +[3449.48 --> 3450.08] experience +[3450.08 --> 3450.34] the +[3450.34 --> 3450.94] fragility +[3450.94 --> 3451.70] of +[3451.70 --> 3452.10] life +[3452.10 --> 3453.04] under +[3453.04 --> 3453.26] the +[3453.26 --> 3453.52] sun +[3453.52 --> 3456.90] teacher +[3456.90 --> 3457.26] also +[3457.26 --> 3457.80] knows +[3457.80 --> 3458.80] that +[3458.80 --> 3458.94] he +[3458.94 --> 3459.34] cannot +[3459.34 --> 3460.02] restore +[3460.02 --> 3460.38] his +[3460.38 --> 3460.90] heart +[3460.90 --> 3462.00] on +[3462.00 --> 3462.16] his +[3462.16 --> 3462.50] own +[3462.50 --> 3464.12] right +[3464.12 --> 3464.22] that +[3464.22 --> 3464.42] the +[3464.42 --> 3464.86] heart +[3464.86 --> 3465.68] aches +[3465.68 --> 3466.20] for +[3466.20 --> 3466.82] lasting +[3466.82 --> 3467.48] delight +[3467.48 --> 3468.24] and +[3468.24 --> 3468.44] yet +[3468.44 --> 3468.90] keeps +[3468.90 --> 3469.64] grasping +[3469.64 --> 3469.86] for +[3469.86 --> 3470.02] what +[3470.02 --> 3470.16] it +[3470.16 --> 3470.56] cannot +[3470.56 --> 3471.44] for +[3471.44 --> 3471.72] what +[3471.72 --> 3472.04] cannot +[3472.04 --> 3472.72] satisfy +[3472.72 --> 3475.10] that +[3475.10 --> 3475.74] restoration +[3475.74 --> 3476.48] that +[3476.48 --> 3477.00] fulfillment +[3477.00 --> 3477.32] that +[3477.32 --> 3477.66] meaning +[3477.66 --> 3477.90] that +[3477.90 --> 3478.14] we +[3478.14 --> 3478.56] are +[3478.56 --> 3478.94] longing +[3478.94 --> 3479.38] for +[3479.38 --> 3480.08] only +[3480.08 --> 3480.74] comes +[3480.74 --> 3481.70] through +[3481.70 --> 3482.72] Jesus +[3482.72 --> 3484.64] through +[3484.64 --> 3485.02] Jesus +[3485.02 --> 3485.32] who +[3485.32 --> 3486.10] remembers +[3486.10 --> 3486.84] us +[3486.84 --> 3487.72] when +[3487.72 --> 3488.12] we +[3488.12 --> 3489.36] forget +[3489.36 --> 3491.06] through +[3491.06 --> 3491.50] Jesus +[3491.50 --> 3491.80] who +[3491.80 --> 3492.60] heals +[3492.60 --> 3493.22] our +[3493.22 --> 3494.02] heart +[3494.02 --> 3494.52] so it +[3494.52 --> 3494.70] can +[3494.70 --> 3495.38] rejoice +[3495.38 --> 3496.42] rightly +[3496.42 --> 3497.10] in +[3497.10 --> 3497.28] its +[3497.28 --> 3497.80] creator +[3497.80 --> 3499.88] Ecclesiastes +[3499.88 --> 3500.50] is +[3500.50 --> 3501.54] confronting +[3501.54 --> 3502.02] us +[3502.02 --> 3502.36] with +[3502.36 --> 3502.72] this +[3502.72 --> 3503.36] hard +[3503.36 --> 3504.08] truth +[3504.08 --> 3506.40] every +[3506.40 --> 3507.00] human +[3507.00 --> 3507.60] being +[3507.60 --> 3509.34] is +[3509.34 --> 3510.26] at +[3510.26 --> 3510.50] your +[3510.50 --> 3510.96] core +[3510.96 --> 3511.86] a +[3511.86 --> 3512.60] rejoicer +[3512.60 --> 3513.72] a +[3513.72 --> 3514.34] worshiper +[3514.34 --> 3515.42] and +[3515.42 --> 3515.74] God +[3515.74 --> 3515.96] has +[3515.96 --> 3516.32] made +[3516.32 --> 3516.60] us +[3516.60 --> 3516.78] to +[3516.78 --> 3517.32] delight +[3517.32 --> 3517.94] in +[3517.94 --> 3518.28] him +[3518.28 --> 3518.48] to +[3518.48 --> 3518.80] find +[3518.80 --> 3519.34] joy +[3519.34 --> 3519.80] in +[3519.80 --> 3520.02] him +[3520.02 --> 3520.20] to +[3520.20 --> 3520.46] lift +[3520.46 --> 3520.66] our +[3520.66 --> 3521.06] hearts +[3521.06 --> 3521.50] towards +[3521.50 --> 3521.94] him +[3521.94 --> 3522.52] in +[3522.52 --> 3523.08] worship +[3523.08 --> 3525.00] but +[3525.00 --> 3525.26] because +[3525.26 --> 3525.44] of +[3525.44 --> 3525.76] sin +[3525.76 --> 3526.36] because +[3526.36 --> 3526.66] of +[3526.66 --> 3527.22] the +[3527.22 --> 3527.68] rebellion +[3527.68 --> 3528.04] of +[3528.04 --> 3528.34] Adam +[3528.34 --> 3528.48] and +[3528.48 --> 3528.70] Eve +[3528.70 --> 3528.86] in +[3528.86 --> 3528.98] the +[3528.98 --> 3529.26] garden +[3529.26 --> 3529.46] and +[3529.46 --> 3529.82] because +[3529.82 --> 3530.28] of +[3530.28 --> 3530.48] how +[3530.48 --> 3530.70] we +[3530.70 --> 3531.08] live +[3531.08 --> 3531.40] out +[3531.40 --> 3531.70] that +[3531.70 --> 3532.18] rebellion +[3532.18 --> 3532.48] in +[3532.48 --> 3532.62] our +[3532.62 --> 3532.84] own +[3532.84 --> 3533.16] lives +[3533.16 --> 3533.44] day +[3533.44 --> 3533.72] in +[3533.72 --> 3534.10] and +[3534.10 --> 3534.32] day +[3534.32 --> 3534.56] out +[3534.56 --> 3534.94] the +[3534.94 --> 3535.84] rejoicer +[3535.84 --> 3536.60] right +[3536.60 --> 3536.76] the +[3536.76 --> 3537.38] heart +[3537.38 --> 3537.86] as +[3537.86 --> 3538.62] worshiper +[3538.62 --> 3539.78] as +[3539.78 --> 3540.30] worshipping +[3540.30 --> 3540.82] organ +[3540.82 --> 3541.60] your +[3541.60 --> 3542.34] rejoicer +[3542.34 --> 3542.88] now +[3542.88 --> 3543.16] is +[3543.16 --> 3543.68] broken +[3543.68 --> 3546.12] let me +[3546.12 --> 3546.42] be really +[3546.42 --> 3546.62] clear +[3546.62 --> 3546.88] because +[3546.88 --> 3547.12] a +[3547.12 --> 3547.44] broken +[3547.44 --> 3548.12] rejoicer +[3548.12 --> 3548.42] is +[3548.42 --> 3548.90] not +[3548.90 --> 3549.14] a +[3549.14 --> 3549.36] heart +[3549.36 --> 3549.60] that +[3549.60 --> 3549.98] can't +[3549.98 --> 3550.26] feel +[3550.26 --> 3550.70] joy +[3550.70 --> 3552.66] it's +[3552.66 --> 3552.80] a +[3552.80 --> 3553.18] heart +[3553.18 --> 3553.52] that +[3553.52 --> 3554.14] worships +[3554.14 --> 3554.28] the +[3554.28 --> 3554.50] wrong +[3554.50 --> 3555.04] things +[3555.04 --> 3556.12] that +[3556.12 --> 3556.56] feels +[3556.56 --> 3557.18] joy +[3557.18 --> 3558.14] in +[3558.14 --> 3558.56] something +[3558.56 --> 3559.24] other +[3559.24 --> 3559.64] than +[3559.64 --> 3559.78] the +[3559.78 --> 3559.94] one +[3559.94 --> 3560.12] for +[3560.12 --> 3560.32] whom +[3560.32 --> 3560.46] you +[3560.46 --> 3560.60] were +[3560.60 --> 3561.02] created +[3561.02 --> 3561.54] the +[3561.54 --> 3562.02] heart +[3562.02 --> 3562.32] a +[3562.32 --> 3562.62] broken +[3562.62 --> 3563.26] rejoicer +[3563.26 --> 3563.50] is +[3563.50 --> 3564.30] bent +[3564.30 --> 3564.66] in +[3564.66 --> 3564.80] the +[3564.80 --> 3565.04] wrong +[3565.04 --> 3565.58] direction +[3565.58 --> 3566.64] and +[3566.64 --> 3566.74] so +[3566.74 --> 3566.90] it +[3566.90 --> 3567.16] reaches +[3567.16 --> 3567.44] for +[3567.44 --> 3567.80] youth +[3567.80 --> 3568.16] or +[3568.16 --> 3568.34] for +[3568.34 --> 3568.66] beauty +[3568.66 --> 3569.04] or +[3569.04 --> 3569.70] achievement +[3569.70 --> 3570.14] or +[3570.14 --> 3570.74] control +[3570.74 --> 3571.78] it +[3571.78 --> 3572.16] reaches +[3572.16 --> 3572.40] for +[3572.40 --> 3572.58] the +[3572.58 --> 3573.08] box +[3573.08 --> 3574.58] and +[3574.58 --> 3575.34] demands +[3575.34 --> 3575.74] of +[3575.74 --> 3576.00] it +[3576.00 --> 3577.12] things +[3577.12 --> 3577.56] that +[3577.56 --> 3579.62] only +[3579.62 --> 3580.58] God +[3580.58 --> 3581.20] can +[3581.20 --> 3581.86] satisfy +[3581.86 --> 3583.50] it +[3583.50 --> 3583.86] clings +[3583.86 --> 3584.18] to what +[3584.18 --> 3584.32] is +[3584.32 --> 3584.80] fleeting +[3584.80 --> 3585.06] and +[3585.06 --> 3585.54] expects +[3585.54 --> 3585.78] it +[3585.78 --> 3586.00] to +[3586.00 --> 3586.44] last +[3586.44 --> 3587.20] forever +[3587.20 --> 3587.92] the +[3587.92 --> 3588.60] rejoicer +[3588.60 --> 3589.00] organ +[3589.00 --> 3589.32] in +[3589.32 --> 3589.58] your +[3589.58 --> 3590.54] heart +[3590.54 --> 3590.92] as +[3590.92 --> 3591.12] your +[3591.12 --> 3591.50] heart +[3591.50 --> 3591.74] was +[3591.74 --> 3592.10] made +[3592.10 --> 3592.44] for +[3592.44 --> 3592.92] God +[3592.92 --> 3593.38] but +[3593.38 --> 3593.50] it +[3593.50 --> 3593.68] has +[3593.68 --> 3593.94] been +[3593.94 --> 3595.18] mis-aimed +[3595.18 --> 3595.38] and +[3595.38 --> 3595.66] as +[3595.66 --> 3595.80] a +[3595.80 --> 3596.18] result +[3596.18 --> 3596.46] it +[3596.46 --> 3596.78] cannot +[3596.78 --> 3597.36] find +[3597.36 --> 3598.32] rest +[3598.32 --> 3600.12] but +[3600.12 --> 3600.30] that's +[3600.30 --> 3600.42] the +[3600.42 --> 3600.58] good +[3600.58 --> 3601.02] news +[3601.02 --> 3602.48] right +[3602.48 --> 3602.64] the +[3602.64 --> 3602.84] good +[3602.84 --> 3603.10] news +[3603.10 --> 3603.20] of +[3603.20 --> 3603.32] the +[3603.32 --> 3603.66] gospel +[3603.66 --> 3603.90] is +[3603.90 --> 3604.06] that +[3604.06 --> 3604.64] Jesus +[3604.64 --> 3605.08] comes +[3605.08 --> 3605.32] to +[3605.32 --> 3605.96] restore +[3605.96 --> 3606.24] the +[3606.24 --> 3606.62] broken +[3606.62 --> 3607.46] rejoicer +[3607.46 --> 3607.82] that +[3607.82 --> 3607.96] he +[3607.96 --> 3608.36] lived +[3608.36 --> 3608.56] the +[3608.56 --> 3608.82] life +[3608.82 --> 3608.98] that +[3608.98 --> 3609.12] we +[3609.12 --> 3609.32] were +[3609.32 --> 3609.78] made +[3609.78 --> 3610.04] for +[3610.04 --> 3610.28] in +[3610.28 --> 3610.62] perfect +[3610.62 --> 3611.06] trust +[3611.06 --> 3611.26] and +[3611.26 --> 3611.68] glory +[3611.68 --> 3612.18] to +[3612.18 --> 3612.32] the +[3612.32 --> 3612.58] father +[3612.58 --> 3612.78] he +[3612.78 --> 3613.16] died +[3613.16 --> 3613.34] the +[3613.34 --> 3613.58] death +[3613.58 --> 3613.94] that +[3613.94 --> 3614.12] we +[3614.12 --> 3614.56] deserve +[3614.56 --> 3614.80] for +[3614.80 --> 3615.10] all +[3615.10 --> 3615.26] the +[3615.26 --> 3615.58] ways +[3615.58 --> 3615.96] that +[3615.96 --> 3616.10] we +[3616.10 --> 3616.50] forget +[3616.50 --> 3616.80] and +[3616.80 --> 3617.28] misplace +[3617.28 --> 3617.54] and +[3617.54 --> 3618.04] misdirect +[3618.04 --> 3618.52] our +[3618.52 --> 3618.86] delight +[3618.86 --> 3619.10] and +[3619.10 --> 3619.40] in +[3619.40 --> 3619.82] his +[3619.82 --> 3620.70] resurrection +[3620.70 --> 3621.54] by +[3621.54 --> 3622.00] his +[3622.00 --> 3622.42] holy +[3622.42 --> 3623.06] spirit +[3623.06 --> 3623.28] he +[3623.28 --> 3623.62] gives +[3623.62 --> 3623.88] us +[3623.88 --> 3624.10] a +[3624.10 --> 3624.40] new +[3624.40 --> 3625.02] heart +[3625.02 --> 3625.22] a +[3625.22 --> 3625.50] heart +[3625.50 --> 3625.70] that +[3625.70 --> 3625.88] can +[3625.88 --> 3626.46] actually +[3626.46 --> 3627.50] willfully +[3627.50 --> 3628.58] desirously +[3628.58 --> 3629.54] remember +[3629.54 --> 3630.42] God +[3630.42 --> 3630.76] that +[3630.76 --> 3630.92] can +[3630.92 --> 3631.52] rejoice +[3631.52 --> 3632.32] rightly +[3632.32 --> 3632.84] and +[3632.84 --> 3633.16] live +[3633.16 --> 3633.72] fully +[3633.72 --> 3633.98] in +[3633.98 --> 3634.14] the +[3634.14 --> 3634.46] life +[3634.46 --> 3634.68] that +[3634.68 --> 3634.92] you +[3634.92 --> 3635.16] were +[3635.16 --> 3635.66] created +[3635.66 --> 3636.02] to +[3636.02 --> 3636.46] enjoy +[3636.46 --> 3638.10] and +[3638.10 --> 3638.36] through +[3638.36 --> 3638.88] Jesus +[3638.88 --> 3639.50] the +[3639.50 --> 3639.92] joys +[3639.92 --> 3640.10] of +[3640.10 --> 3640.36] life +[3640.36 --> 3640.56] are +[3640.56 --> 3640.76] no +[3640.76 --> 3641.12] longer +[3641.12 --> 3641.68] fragile +[3641.68 --> 3642.32] illusions +[3642.32 --> 3642.68] but +[3642.68 --> 3643.18] gifts +[3643.18 --> 3643.84] from +[3643.84 --> 3644.20] your +[3644.20 --> 3644.68] creator +[3644.68 --> 3645.34] God +[3645.34 --> 3645.56] the +[3645.56 --> 3645.86] giver +[3645.86 --> 3646.12] of +[3646.12 --> 3646.70] life +[3646.70 --> 3646.90] the +[3646.90 --> 3647.30] strength +[3647.30 --> 3647.48] that +[3647.48 --> 3647.60] we +[3647.60 --> 3647.98] rely +[3647.98 --> 3648.24] on +[3648.24 --> 3648.38] is +[3648.38 --> 3648.56] no +[3648.56 --> 3648.86] longer +[3648.86 --> 3649.12] our +[3649.12 --> 3649.52] own +[3649.52 --> 3649.72] but +[3649.72 --> 3649.92] is +[3649.92 --> 3650.44] his +[3650.44 --> 3651.02] in +[3651.02 --> 3651.28] fact +[3651.28 --> 3651.46] the +[3651.46 --> 3651.88] security +[3651.88 --> 3652.12] that +[3652.12 --> 3652.26] we +[3652.26 --> 3652.58] crave +[3652.58 --> 3652.76] is +[3652.76 --> 3652.94] no +[3652.94 --> 3653.22] longer +[3653.22 --> 3653.54] built +[3653.54 --> 3653.78] on +[3653.78 --> 3654.42] fleeting +[3654.42 --> 3654.94] things +[3654.94 --> 3655.12] but +[3655.12 --> 3655.40] rather +[3655.40 --> 3655.96] built +[3655.96 --> 3656.28] on +[3656.28 --> 3656.50] the +[3656.50 --> 3657.04] sovereign +[3657.04 --> 3657.66] will +[3657.66 --> 3657.96] of +[3657.96 --> 3658.26] our +[3658.26 --> 3658.62] God +[3658.62 --> 3658.88] our +[3658.88 --> 3659.38] hearts +[3659.38 --> 3661.78] are +[3661.78 --> 3662.34] restored +[3662.34 --> 3662.94] to +[3662.94 --> 3663.52] worship +[3663.52 --> 3665.94] and +[3665.94 --> 3666.34] worship +[3666.34 --> 3667.56] becomes +[3667.56 --> 3667.82] the +[3667.82 --> 3668.18] rhythm +[3668.18 --> 3669.02] of +[3669.02 --> 3669.18] our +[3669.18 --> 3669.68] lives +[3669.68 --> 3670.44] even +[3670.44 --> 3670.78] as our +[3670.78 --> 3671.16] bodies +[3671.16 --> 3672.14] age +[3672.14 --> 3672.40] even +[3672.40 --> 3672.58] as +[3672.58 --> 3672.76] our +[3672.76 --> 3673.22] plans +[3673.22 --> 3673.86] falter +[3673.86 --> 3674.50] even +[3674.50 --> 3674.82] as +[3674.82 --> 3675.02] the +[3675.02 --> 3675.38] world +[3675.38 --> 3676.28] changes +[3676.28 --> 3677.06] around +[3677.06 --> 3677.50] us +[3677.50 --> 3678.48] the +[3678.48 --> 3678.94] gospel +[3678.94 --> 3679.64] is +[3679.64 --> 3679.78] a +[3679.78 --> 3680.30] promise +[3680.30 --> 3681.62] you +[3681.62 --> 3682.10] can +[3682.10 --> 3682.78] remember +[3682.78 --> 3683.44] your +[3683.44 --> 3684.02] creator +[3684.02 --> 3684.52] because +[3684.52 --> 3684.92] your +[3684.92 --> 3685.54] creator +[3685.54 --> 3686.22] has +[3686.22 --> 3686.92] remembered +[3686.92 --> 3687.70] you +[3687.70 --> 3689.66] in +[3689.66 --> 3690.20] Christ +[3690.20 --> 3690.56] the +[3690.56 --> 3691.36] rejoicer +[3691.36 --> 3691.98] is +[3691.98 --> 3692.40] healed +[3692.40 --> 3693.28] and +[3693.28 --> 3693.42] the +[3693.42 --> 3693.70] joy +[3693.70 --> 3693.88] that +[3693.88 --> 3694.00] you +[3694.00 --> 3694.14] were +[3694.14 --> 3694.42] made +[3694.42 --> 3694.68] for +[3694.68 --> 3695.26] finally +[3695.26 --> 3695.80] flows +[3695.80 --> 3695.98] to +[3695.98 --> 3696.14] its +[3696.14 --> 3696.46] proper +[3696.46 --> 3696.78] end +[3696.78 --> 3697.22] towards +[3697.22 --> 3697.46] the +[3697.46 --> 3697.70] one +[3697.70 --> 3698.16] who +[3698.16 --> 3698.48] made +[3698.48 --> 3698.98] us +[3698.98 --> 3700.22] and +[3700.22 --> 3700.40] that +[3700.40 --> 3700.90] means +[3700.90 --> 3701.18] we +[3701.18 --> 3701.40] can +[3701.40 --> 3701.90] now +[3701.90 --> 3702.64] obey +[3702.64 --> 3702.86] the +[3702.86 --> 3703.32] teacher's +[3703.32 --> 3703.72] command +[3703.72 --> 3704.00] with +[3704.00 --> 3704.12] a +[3704.12 --> 3704.28] measure +[3704.28 --> 3704.42] of +[3704.42 --> 3705.02] confidence +[3705.02 --> 3705.62] to +[3705.62 --> 3706.20] remember +[3706.20 --> 3706.52] your +[3706.52 --> 3706.96] creator +[3706.96 --> 3707.18] in +[3707.18 --> 3707.30] the +[3707.30 --> 3707.60] days +[3707.60 --> 3707.78] of 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3722.76] lived +[3722.76 --> 3722.98] in +[3722.98 --> 3723.42] reverent +[3723.42 --> 3724.06] relationship +[3724.06 --> 3724.30] to +[3724.30 --> 3724.70] him +[3724.70 --> 3725.84] endures +[3725.84 --> 3726.14] when +[3726.14 --> 3726.54] all +[3726.54 --> 3727.00] else +[3727.00 --> 3727.58] is +[3727.58 --> 3728.74] havel +[3728.74 --> 3729.52] when +[3729.52 --> 3729.74] all +[3729.74 --> 3730.04] else +[3730.04 --> 3730.38] is +[3730.38 --> 3731.00] meaningless +[3731.00 --> 3732.32] meaningless +[3732.32 --> 3734.02] enigmas +[3734.02 --> 3734.76] of +[3734.76 --> 3735.28] enigmas +[3735.28 --> 3735.48] when +[3735.48 --> 3735.68] all +[3735.68 --> 3736.02] else +[3736.02 --> 3736.40] is +[3736.40 --> 3737.32] vanity +[3737.32 --> 3738.50] in +[3738.50 --> 3739.04] Christ +[3739.04 --> 3740.22] what +[3740.22 --> 3740.68] once +[3740.68 --> 3741.28] felt +[3741.28 --> 3742.06] empty +[3742.06 --> 3743.10] now +[3743.10 --> 3743.80] has +[3743.80 --> 3744.58] meaning +[3744.58 --> 3746.40] in +[3746.40 --> 3746.90] Christ +[3746.90 --> 3747.14] what +[3747.14 --> 3747.52] once +[3747.52 --> 3748.18] passed +[3748.18 --> 3748.66] away +[3748.66 --> 3749.24] now +[3749.24 --> 3749.74] points +[3749.74 --> 3749.98] to +[3749.98 --> 3750.20] what +[3750.20 --> 3750.84] lasts +[3750.84 --> 3751.48] and +[3751.48 --> 3751.66] our +[3751.66 --> 3752.06] hearts +[3752.06 --> 3752.30] can +[3752.30 --> 3753.04] finally +[3753.04 --> 3754.12] rejoice +[3754.12 --> 3755.06] in +[3755.06 --> 3755.76] the +[3755.76 --> 3756.16] giver +[3756.16 --> 3756.98] rather +[3756.98 --> 3757.38] than +[3757.38 --> 3758.08] in +[3758.08 --> 3758.20] the +[3758.20 --> 3758.48] gifts +[3758.48 --> 3760.00] or +[3760.00 --> 3760.54] rather +[3760.54 --> 3760.86] than +[3760.86 --> 3761.08] in +[3761.08 --> 3761.20] the +[3761.20 --> 3761.62] box +[3761.62 --> 3762.10] the +[3762.10 --> 3762.42] gifts +[3762.42 --> 3763.16] come +[3763.16 --> 3763.34] in +[3763.34 --> 3765.92] and 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3785.92] lives +[3785.92 --> 3786.30] that +[3786.30 --> 3786.40] we +[3786.40 --> 3786.70] live +[3786.70 --> 3789.34] ecclesiastes +[3789.34 --> 3790.00] doesn't +[3790.00 --> 3790.68] leave us +[3790.68 --> 3790.92] with +[3790.92 --> 3791.64] abstract +[3791.64 --> 3792.36] wisdom +[3792.36 --> 3792.62] in +[3792.62 --> 3792.80] fact +[3792.80 --> 3793.20] in +[3793.20 --> 3793.30] a +[3793.30 --> 3793.54] biblical +[3793.54 --> 3794.00] sense +[3794.00 --> 3794.90] abstract +[3794.90 --> 3795.44] wisdom +[3795.44 --> 3796.22] is an +[3796.22 --> 3796.98] oxymoron +[3796.98 --> 3797.88] wisdom +[3797.88 --> 3798.68] is always +[3798.68 --> 3799.26] lived and +[3799.26 --> 3799.72] practical +[3799.72 --> 3800.50] there's +[3800.50 --> 3800.78] nothing +[3800.78 --> 3801.18] abstract +[3801.18 --> 3801.52] about +[3801.52 --> 3802.20] it +[3802.20 --> 3803.58] in +[3803.58 --> 3804.22] ecclesiastes +[3804.22 --> 3804.66] we are +[3804.66 --> 3805.02] pointed +[3805.02 --> 3805.42] towards +[3805.42 --> 3805.88] habits +[3805.88 --> 3806.16] and +[3806.16 --> 3806.60] practices +[3806.60 --> 3806.92] and +[3806.92 --> 3807.36] rhythms +[3807.36 --> 3807.68] that +[3807.68 --> 3808.06] shape +[3808.06 --> 3808.56] our +[3808.56 --> 3809.34] hearts +[3809.34 --> 3810.16] and +[3810.16 --> 3810.30] so +[3810.30 --> 3810.52] here +[3810.52 --> 3810.64] are +[3810.64 --> 3810.86] three +[3810.86 --> 3811.30] ways +[3811.30 --> 3811.48] that +[3811.48 --> 3811.58] we +[3811.58 --> 3811.74] can +[3811.74 --> 3812.14] live +[3812.14 --> 3813.04] as +[3813.04 --> 3813.78] restored +[3813.78 --> 3814.80] rejoicers +[3814.80 --> 3815.96] one +[3815.96 --> 3817.78] deepen +[3817.78 --> 3818.42] your +[3818.42 --> 3819.14] remembering +[3819.14 --> 3820.06] through +[3820.06 --> 3820.78] reflection +[3820.78 --> 3821.60] and +[3821.60 --> 3822.10] gratitude +[3822.10 --> 3824.46] memory +[3824.46 --> 3825.20] shapes +[3825.20 --> 3825.44] your +[3825.44 --> 3825.74] heart 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--> 3842.36] pray +[3842.36 --> 3842.80] each +[3842.80 --> 3843.26] day +[3843.26 --> 3844.24] in +[3844.24 --> 3844.38] a +[3844.38 --> 3844.64] way +[3844.64 --> 3844.92] that +[3844.92 --> 3845.54] says +[3845.54 --> 3846.64] God +[3846.64 --> 3847.22] you +[3847.22 --> 3847.62] are +[3847.62 --> 3848.32] good +[3848.32 --> 3849.02] in +[3849.02 --> 3849.20] a way +[3849.20 --> 3849.38] that +[3849.38 --> 3849.84] notices +[3849.84 --> 3850.24] his +[3850.24 --> 3850.70] gifts +[3850.70 --> 3851.22] and +[3851.22 --> 3851.42] his +[3851.42 --> 3852.04] faithfulness +[3852.04 --> 3852.20] to +[3852.20 --> 3852.38] you +[3852.38 --> 3853.04] gratitude +[3853.04 --> 3853.58] is +[3853.58 --> 3853.80] the +[3853.80 --> 3854.30] natural +[3854.30 --> 3855.34] response +[3855.34 --> 3856.20] of a +[3856.20 --> 3856.86] rejoicer +[3856.86 --> 3857.34] that +[3857.34 --> 3857.54] has +[3857.54 --> 3857.72] been +[3857.72 --> 3858.58] re-aimed +[3858.58 --> 3859.14] towards +[3859.14 --> 3859.68] God +[3859.68 --> 3860.42] and +[3860.42 --> 3860.56] so +[3860.56 --> 3860.88] ask +[3860.88 --> 3861.36] yourself +[3861.36 --> 3862.40] what +[3862.40 --> 3862.52] has +[3862.52 --> 3862.70] God +[3862.70 --> 3862.94] given +[3862.94 --> 3863.08] me +[3863.08 --> 3863.40] today +[3863.40 --> 3864.68] how +[3864.68 --> 3864.88] has +[3864.88 --> 3864.98] he +[3864.98 --> 3865.14] been +[3865.14 --> 3865.56] faithful +[3865.56 --> 3866.08] this +[3866.08 --> 3866.38] week +[3866.38 --> 3868.50] second +[3868.50 --> 3869.26] strengthen +[3869.26 --> 3869.82] your +[3869.82 --> 3870.42] remembering +[3870.42 --> 3870.92] through +[3870.92 --> 3871.40] worship +[3871.40 --> 3872.24] and +[3872.24 --> 3872.58] rhythm +[3872.58 --> 3874.02] remembering +[3874.02 --> 3874.38] is +[3874.38 --> 3875.32] strengthened +[3875.32 --> 3876.08] when it +[3876.08 --> 3876.44] becomes +[3876.44 --> 3877.02] a regular +[3877.02 --> 3877.54] part +[3877.54 --> 3878.16] of life +[3878.16 --> 3878.50] not +[3878.50 --> 3878.84] just +[3878.84 --> 3879.04] a +[3879.04 --> 3879.34] fleeting +[3879.34 --> 3879.80] thought +[3879.80 --> 3881.98] so +[3881.98 --> 3882.44] corporate +[3882.44 --> 3882.88] worship +[3882.88 --> 3883.42] personal +[3883.42 --> 3883.88] devotion +[3883.88 --> 3884.30] family +[3884.30 --> 3884.72] devotion +[3884.72 --> 3885.18] singing +[3885.18 --> 3885.46] and +[3885.46 --> 3885.84] prayer +[3885.84 --> 3886.66] participation +[3886.66 --> 3887.56] in the +[3887.56 --> 3888.10] sacraments +[3888.10 --> 3888.26] are +[3888.26 --> 3888.66] all +[3888.66 --> 3889.08] ways +[3889.08 --> 3889.30] that +[3889.30 --> 3889.46] we +[3889.46 --> 3890.22] practice +[3890.22 --> 3891.04] remembering +[3891.04 --> 3893.22] and +[3893.22 --> 3893.44] these +[3893.44 --> 3893.90] rhythms +[3893.90 --> 3894.52] train +[3894.52 --> 3894.82] the +[3894.82 --> 3895.24] heart +[3895.24 --> 3895.72] to +[3895.72 --> 3896.08] return +[3896.08 --> 3896.30] to +[3896.30 --> 3896.68] God +[3896.68 --> 3897.52] even +[3897.52 --> 3898.24] or +[3898.24 --> 3898.90] especially +[3898.90 --> 3899.40] when +[3899.40 --> 3899.70] life +[3899.70 --> 3900.08] feels +[3900.08 --> 3900.80] ordinary +[3900.80 --> 3901.72] or +[3901.72 --> 3902.18] chaotic +[3902.18 --> 3903.36] and +[3903.36 --> 3903.48] the +[3903.48 --> 3903.68] more +[3903.68 --> 3903.94] often +[3903.94 --> 3904.14] we +[3904.14 --> 3904.56] practice +[3904.56 --> 3904.98] the +[3904.98 --> 3905.28] more +[3905.28 --> 3906.34] automatic +[3906.34 --> 3907.02] our +[3907.02 --> 3907.74] remembering +[3907.74 --> 3908.62] becomes +[3908.62 --> 3910.00] and +[3910.00 --> 3910.10] when +[3910.10 --> 3910.38] these +[3910.38 --> 3911.36] practices +[3911.36 --> 3911.96] become +[3911.96 --> 3912.52] automatic +[3912.52 --> 3913.24] whether +[3913.24 --> 3913.52] the +[3913.52 --> 3913.94] storm +[3913.94 --> 3914.50] comes +[3914.50 --> 3914.80] or +[3914.80 --> 3915.00] the +[3915.00 --> 3915.36] ordinary +[3915.36 --> 3916.08] comes +[3916.08 --> 3916.80] turning +[3916.80 --> 3917.08] to +[3917.08 --> 3917.46] God +[3917.46 --> 3917.66] in +[3917.66 --> 3917.86] those +[3917.86 --> 3918.26] moments +[3918.26 --> 3918.58] is +[3918.58 --> 3918.80] our +[3918.80 --> 3919.20] first +[3919.20 --> 3919.76] instinct +[3919.76 --> 3920.66] instead +[3920.66 --> 3920.80] of +[3920.80 --> 3920.92] our +[3920.92 --> 3921.20] last +[3921.20 --> 3921.54] resort +[3921.54 --> 3923.08] and +[3923.08 --> 3923.20] so +[3923.20 --> 3923.48] ask +[3923.48 --> 3923.82] yourself +[3923.82 --> 3924.98] how do +[3924.98 --> 3925.28] I put +[3925.28 --> 3925.62] myself +[3925.62 --> 3925.82] in +[3925.82 --> 3926.14] places +[3926.14 --> 3926.42] to +[3926.42 --> 3926.64] make +[3926.64 --> 3927.24] remembering +[3927.24 --> 3928.44] easier +[3928.44 --> 3930.82] and +[3930.82 --> 3931.02] maybe +[3931.02 --> 3931.42] reflect +[3931.42 --> 3931.72] do I +[3931.72 --> 3931.86] need +[3931.86 --> 3932.00] to +[3932.00 --> 3932.36] join +[3932.36 --> 3933.32] a +[3933.32 --> 3933.60] worship +[3933.60 --> 3933.98] night +[3933.98 --> 3934.84] a +[3934.84 --> 3935.10] small +[3935.10 --> 3935.46] group +[3935.46 --> 3935.96] a +[3935.96 --> 3936.22] Bible +[3936.22 --> 3936.62] study +[3936.62 --> 3937.86] community +[3937.86 --> 3938.20] of +[3938.20 --> 3938.52] faith +[3938.52 --> 3939.34] that +[3939.34 --> 3939.50] will +[3939.50 --> 3939.90] help +[3939.90 --> 3940.50] me +[3940.50 --> 3941.64] strengthen +[3941.64 --> 3942.58] my +[3942.58 --> 3943.06] remembering +[3943.06 --> 3944.48] and +[3944.48 --> 3944.64] then +[3944.64 --> 3944.92] third +[3944.92 --> 3946.92] actualize +[3946.92 --> 3947.20] make +[3947.20 --> 3947.76] real +[3947.76 --> 3948.38] your +[3948.38 --> 3949.10] remembering +[3949.10 --> 3949.56] in +[3949.56 --> 3950.14] everyday +[3950.14 --> 3951.30] choices +[3951.30 --> 3952.26] right +[3952.26 --> 3952.56] we said +[3952.56 --> 3952.72] this +[3952.72 --> 3953.14] remembering +[3953.14 --> 3953.76] is not +[3953.76 --> 3954.08] just +[3954.08 --> 3954.90] reflective +[3954.90 --> 3955.84] it +[3955.84 --> 3956.22] shapes +[3956.22 --> 3956.46] how +[3956.46 --> 3956.68] we +[3956.68 --> 3956.98] live +[3956.98 --> 3958.44] and +[3958.44 --> 3958.56] so +[3958.56 --> 3958.86] ask +[3958.86 --> 3959.12] how +[3959.12 --> 3959.28] do +[3959.28 --> 3959.54] my +[3959.54 --> 3960.32] words +[3960.32 --> 3960.72] my +[3960.72 --> 3961.18] work +[3961.18 --> 3961.50] and +[3961.50 --> 3961.72] my +[3961.72 --> 3962.36] relationships +[3962.36 --> 3963.16] reflect +[3963.16 --> 3963.40] the +[3963.40 --> 3963.84] God +[3963.84 --> 3964.30] I +[3964.30 --> 3964.66] remember +[3964.66 --> 3964.88] and +[3964.88 --> 3965.18] here's +[3965.18 --> 3965.28] what +[3965.28 --> 3965.36] I +[3965.36 --> 3965.46] mean +[3965.46 --> 3965.60] with +[3965.60 --> 3965.78] that +[3965.78 --> 3967.02] maybe +[3967.02 --> 3968.06] instead +[3968.06 --> 3968.44] of +[3968.44 --> 3969.06] looking +[3969.06 --> 3969.52] to +[3969.52 --> 3970.26] self +[3970.26 --> 3971.06] protection +[3971.06 --> 3971.60] or +[3971.60 --> 3972.06] to +[3972.06 --> 3972.48] growing +[3972.48 --> 3972.80] your +[3972.80 --> 3973.30] brand +[3973.30 --> 3973.52] or +[3973.52 --> 3973.88] whatever +[3973.88 --> 3974.42] language +[3974.42 --> 3974.64] you +[3974.64 --> 3974.82] want +[3974.82 --> 3974.92] to +[3974.92 --> 3975.30] use +[3975.30 --> 3976.02] maybe +[3976.02 --> 3977.12] adopt +[3977.12 --> 3978.16] generosity +[3978.16 --> 3981.36] what +[3981.36 --> 3981.46] does +[3981.46 --> 3981.56] it +[3981.56 --> 3981.72] look +[3981.72 --> 3981.98] like +[3981.98 --> 3982.28] to +[3982.28 --> 3983.08] practice +[3983.08 --> 3983.92] patience +[3983.92 --> 3985.28] in the +[3985.28 --> 3985.50] place +[3985.50 --> 3985.62] of +[3985.62 --> 3986.12] anxiety +[3986.12 --> 3987.82] what +[3987.82 --> 3987.94] does +[3987.94 --> 3988.04] it 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4003.88] and +[4003.88 --> 4004.06] we +[4004.06 --> 4004.30] give +[4004.30 --> 4004.48] them +[4004.48 --> 4004.84] back +[4004.84 --> 4005.32] to +[4005.32 --> 4005.48] the +[4005.48 --> 4005.70] giver +[4005.70 --> 4005.88] we +[4005.88 --> 4006.20] point +[4006.20 --> 4006.36] them +[4006.36 --> 4006.68] back +[4006.68 --> 4007.10] to +[4007.10 --> 4007.22] the +[4007.22 --> 4007.44] giver +[4007.44 --> 4007.66] in +[4007.66 --> 4007.92] both +[4007.92 --> 4008.14] the +[4008.14 --> 4009.24] crazy +[4009.24 --> 4009.92] big +[4009.92 --> 4010.48] life +[4010.48 --> 4011.04] altering +[4011.04 --> 4011.48] things +[4011.48 --> 4012.18] but +[4012.18 --> 4012.54] also +[4012.54 --> 4012.92] in +[4012.92 --> 4013.10] the +[4013.10 --> 4013.54] small +[4013.54 --> 4014.44] everyday +[4014.44 --> 4015.66] ordinary +[4015.66 --> 4016.26] things +[4016.26 --> 4017.96] and +[4017.96 --> 4018.16] these +[4018.16 --> 4018.88] practices +[4018.88 --> 4020.04] taken +[4020.04 --> 4020.48] together +[4020.48 --> 4020.72] and +[4020.72 --> 4021.02] added +[4021.02 --> 4021.54] upon +[4021.54 --> 4022.26] will +[4022.26 --> 4022.94] train +[4022.94 --> 4024.28] the +[4024.28 --> 4025.10] rejoicer +[4025.10 --> 4025.50] organ +[4025.50 --> 4025.90] of +[4025.90 --> 4026.26] your +[4026.26 --> 4026.82] heart +[4026.82 --> 4027.90] restoring +[4027.90 --> 4028.20] it +[4028.20 --> 4028.38] to +[4028.38 --> 4028.54] its +[4028.54 --> 4028.92] proper +[4028.92 --> 4029.24] aim +[4029.24 --> 4030.78] here's +[4030.78 --> 4031.00] the +[4031.00 --> 4031.32] beautiful +[4031.32 --> 4032.32] truth +[4032.32 --> 4032.94] right +[4032.94 --> 4034.36] the +[4034.36 --> 4034.56] more +[4034.56 --> 4034.72] you +[4034.72 --> 4035.14] remember +[4035.14 --> 4035.78] the +[4035.78 --> 4035.94] more +[4035.94 --> 4036.08] you +[4036.08 --> 4036.58] rejoice +[4036.58 --> 4037.82] the +[4037.82 --> 4037.98] more +[4037.98 --> 4038.12] your +[4038.12 --> 4038.34] heart +[4038.34 --> 4038.78] turns +[4038.78 --> 4039.00] to +[4039.00 --> 4039.40] God +[4039.40 --> 4039.76] the +[4039.76 --> 4039.96] more +[4039.96 --> 4040.42] joy +[4040.42 --> 4041.02] flows +[4041.02 --> 4041.38] to +[4041.38 --> 4041.54] its +[4041.54 --> 4041.86] proper +[4041.86 --> 4042.34] place +[4042.34 --> 4042.74] no +[4042.74 --> 4042.90] matter +[4042.90 --> 4043.26] what +[4043.26 --> 4043.66] fades +[4043.66 --> 4044.00] around +[4044.00 --> 4044.24] you +[4044.24 --> 4045.58] the +[4045.58 --> 4045.96] giver +[4045.96 --> 4046.68] endures +[4046.68 --> 4048.14] and +[4048.14 --> 4048.26] so +[4048.26 --> 4048.40] the +[4048.40 --> 4049.06] rejoicer +[4049.06 --> 4050.18] rejoices +[4050.18 --> 4054.64] so +[4054.64 --> 4054.74] you +[4054.74 --> 4055.00] remember +[4055.00 --> 4056.16] the +[4056.16 --> 4056.44] child +[4056.44 --> 4056.60] in +[4056.60 --> 4056.72] the +[4056.72 --> 4057.02] cardboard +[4057.02 --> 4057.48] box +[4057.48 --> 4058.72] the +[4058.72 --> 4059.06] innocent 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4076.28] it +[4076.28 --> 4076.54] up +[4076.54 --> 4077.68] and +[4077.68 --> 4078.98] what's +[4078.98 --> 4079.30] in +[4079.30 --> 4079.52] the +[4079.52 --> 4079.98] box +[4079.98 --> 4081.06] is +[4081.06 --> 4081.28] not +[4081.28 --> 4081.46] the +[4081.46 --> 4081.82] point +[4081.82 --> 4082.80] no +[4082.80 --> 4082.86] matter +[4082.86 --> 4083.06] how +[4083.06 --> 4083.38] amazing +[4083.38 --> 4083.58] it +[4083.58 --> 4083.84] is +[4083.84 --> 4085.02] the +[4085.02 --> 4085.38] point +[4085.38 --> 4086.36] is +[4086.36 --> 4086.52] the +[4086.52 --> 4086.82] giver +[4086.82 --> 4088.64] the +[4088.64 --> 4089.02] one +[4089.02 --> 4089.38] who +[4089.38 --> 4089.96] made +[4089.96 --> 4090.72] you +[4090.72 --> 4091.86] the +[4091.86 --> 4092.12] one +[4092.12 --> 4092.40] who +[4092.40 --> 4093.08] remembered +[4093.08 --> 4093.90] you +[4093.90 --> 4094.22] when +[4094.22 --> 4094.38] you +[4094.38 --> 4094.86] forgot +[4094.86 --> 4095.42] the +[4095.42 --> 4095.64] one +[4095.64 --> 4095.84] who +[4095.84 --> 4096.56] restores +[4096.56 --> 4096.92] your +[4096.92 --> 4097.46] broken +[4097.46 --> 4098.30] rejoicer +[4098.30 --> 4098.46] the +[4098.46 --> 4098.72] one +[4098.72 --> 4098.92] who +[4098.92 --> 4099.24] gives +[4099.24 --> 4099.58] you +[4099.58 --> 4099.84] a +[4099.84 --> 4100.18] new +[4100.18 --> 4101.14] heart +[4101.14 --> 4102.82] because +[4102.82 --> 4103.22] you +[4103.22 --> 4103.76] remember +[4103.76 --> 4104.66] him +[4104.66 --> 4104.96] because +[4104.96 --> 4105.36] you +[4105.36 --> 4105.74] are +[4105.74 --> 4106.46] remembered +[4106.46 --> 4108.24] remember +[4108.24 --> 4109.10] your +[4109.10 --> 4109.68] creator +[4109.68 --> 4111.24] rejoice +[4111.24 --> 4111.46] in +[4111.46 --> 4111.70] him +[4111.70 --> 4112.82] let +[4112.82 --> 4112.96] your +[4112.96 --> 4113.40] gratitude +[4113.40 --> 4113.90] and +[4113.90 --> 4114.06] your +[4114.06 --> 4114.52] worship +[4114.52 --> 4114.86] your +[4114.86 --> 4115.28] choices +[4115.28 --> 4115.62] and +[4115.62 --> 4115.82] your +[4115.82 --> 4116.18] rhythms +[4116.18 --> 4116.88] turn +[4116.88 --> 4117.12] your +[4117.12 --> 4117.54] heart +[4117.54 --> 4118.18] back +[4118.18 --> 4118.56] toward +[4118.56 --> 4118.98] the +[4118.98 --> 4119.28] one +[4119.28 --> 4119.50] who +[4119.50 --> 4119.80] gives +[4119.80 --> 4120.20] true +[4120.20 --> 4120.90] joy +[4120.90 --> 4121.10] the +[4121.10 --> 4121.40] gifts +[4121.40 --> 4121.66] of +[4121.66 --> 4121.98] life +[4121.98 --> 4122.20] whether +[4122.20 --> 4122.42] it's +[4122.42 --> 4122.66] youth +[4122.66 --> 4122.82] or +[4122.82 --> 4123.16] strength +[4123.16 --> 4123.34] or +[4123.34 --> 4123.62] love +[4123.62 --> 4123.78] or +[4123.78 --> 4124.06] beauty +[4124.06 --> 4124.50] are +[4124.50 --> 4124.88] real +[4124.88 --> 4125.22] and +[4125.22 --> 4125.44] they +[4125.44 --> 4125.68] are +[4125.68 --> 4126.10] good +[4126.10 --> 4126.58] but +[4126.58 --> 4126.74] they 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+[4144.00 --> 4144.56] fragile +[4144.56 --> 4145.04] and +[4145.04 --> 4145.66] fleeting +[4145.66 --> 4147.56] your +[4147.56 --> 4148.02] heart +[4148.02 --> 4149.02] will +[4149.02 --> 4149.62] already +[4149.62 --> 4150.26] be +[4150.26 --> 4150.74] anchored +[4150.74 --> 4152.54] because +[4152.54 --> 4153.00] you have +[4153.00 --> 4153.68] rejoiced +[4153.68 --> 4154.18] rightly +[4154.18 --> 4154.94] because +[4154.94 --> 4155.32] you have +[4155.32 --> 4155.48] been +[4155.48 --> 4155.92] restored +[4155.92 --> 4156.34] by +[4156.34 --> 4157.14] Christ +[4157.14 --> 4157.74] before +[4157.74 --> 4158.54] life +[4158.54 --> 4159.56] fades +[4159.56 --> 4160.26] remember +[4160.26 --> 4161.22] your +[4161.22 --> 4162.04] creator +[4162.04 --> 4163.40] in +[4163.40 --> 4163.60] your +[4163.60 --> 4164.00] youth +[4164.00 --> 4164.84] remember +[4164.84 --> 4165.62] your +[4165.62 --> 4166.30] creator +[4166.30 --> 4167.20] and +[4167.20 --> 4167.72] live +[4167.72 --> 4167.98] in +[4167.98 --> 4168.20] the +[4168.20 --> 4168.70] joy +[4168.70 --> 4170.12] that +[4170.12 --> 4170.86] endures +[4170.86 --> 4171.50] when +[4171.50 --> 4171.84] all +[4171.84 --> 4172.20] else +[4172.20 --> 4172.50] is +[4172.50 --> 4172.86] meaningless +[4172.86 --> 4174.66] and +[4174.66 --> 4174.82] you +[4174.82 --> 4175.00] will +[4175.00 --> 4175.38] find +[4175.38 --> 4176.78] that +[4176.78 --> 4177.22] that +[4177.22 --> 4178.02] is +[4178.02 --> 4178.22] the +[4178.22 --> 4178.54] only +[4178.54 --> 4179.08] meaning +[4179.08 --> 4180.00] that +[4180.00 --> 4180.44] matters +[4180.44 --> 4181.78] amen +[4181.78 --> 4183.04] let's +[4183.04 --> 4183.22] pray +[4183.22 --> 4183.60] together +[4183.60 --> 4195.42] holy +[4195.42 --> 4196.64] god +[4196.64 --> 4198.70] what a +[4198.70 --> 4199.14] beautiful +[4199.14 --> 4200.28] truth +[4200.28 --> 4201.20] that you +[4201.20 --> 4202.02] remember +[4202.02 --> 4202.72] your +[4202.72 --> 4203.30] people +[4203.30 --> 4205.84] what a +[4205.84 --> 4206.24] beautiful +[4206.24 --> 4207.04] truth +[4207.04 --> 4208.12] that you +[4208.12 --> 4209.00] hear the +[4209.00 --> 4210.14] cries of +[4210.14 --> 4210.42] your +[4210.42 --> 4210.86] people +[4210.86 --> 4214.10] because +[4214.10 --> 4214.44] of +[4214.44 --> 4214.62] who +[4214.62 --> 4214.88] you +[4214.88 --> 4215.36] are +[4215.36 --> 4216.50] because +[4216.50 --> 4217.18] of +[4217.18 --> 4217.94] your +[4217.94 --> 4218.62] grace +[4218.62 --> 4221.50] move +[4221.50 --> 4221.90] us +[4221.90 --> 4222.24] by the +[4222.24 --> 4222.54] power +[4222.54 --> 4222.78] of +[4222.78 --> 4222.94] your +[4222.94 --> 4223.36] spirit +[4223.36 --> 4223.74] then +[4223.74 --> 4223.96] to +[4223.96 --> 4224.10] be +[4224.10 --> 4224.26] a +[4224.26 --> 4224.56] people +[4224.56 --> 4224.86] who +[4224.86 --> 4225.42] also +[4225.42 --> 4226.42] remember +[4226.42 --> 4230.18] and +[4230.18 --> 4230.34] god +[4230.34 --> 4230.98] especially +[4230.98 --> 4232.06] especially +[4232.06 --> 4232.72] for those +[4232.72 --> 4233.06] of us +[4233.06 --> 4233.30] who are +[4233.30 --> 4233.58] young +[4233.58 --> 4234.82] especially +[4234.82 --> 4235.44] for those +[4235.44 --> 4235.80] of us +[4235.80 --> 4235.96] who +[4235.96 --> 4236.70] have +[4236.70 --> 4238.02] seemingly +[4238.02 --> 4238.90] all of +[4238.90 --> 4239.30] life +[4239.30 --> 4239.80] ahead of +[4239.80 --> 4240.16] us +[4240.16 --> 4241.94] may +[4241.94 --> 4242.26] we +[4242.26 --> 4243.00] remember +[4243.00 --> 4244.18] you +[4244.18 --> 4247.60] may +[4247.60 --> 4247.72] we +[4247.72 --> 4247.86] look +[4247.86 --> 4248.04] to +[4248.04 --> 4248.32] you +[4248.32 --> 4250.36] and +[4250.36 --> 4250.56] so +[4250.56 --> 4250.98] fill +[4250.98 --> 4251.38] us +[4251.38 --> 4251.66] to +[4251.66 --> 4252.46] overflowing +[4252.46 --> 4252.96] with +[4252.96 --> 4253.30] your +[4253.30 --> 4254.00] love +[4254.00 --> 4255.74] restore +[4255.74 --> 4256.38] us +[4256.38 --> 4256.74] by +[4256.74 --> 4256.98] your +[4256.98 --> 4257.40] grace +[4257.40 --> 4258.82] and +[4258.82 --> 4259.16] send +[4259.16 --> 4259.38] us +[4259.38 --> 4259.64] out +[4259.64 --> 4260.08] now +[4260.08 --> 4261.62] send +[4261.62 --> 4261.86] us +[4261.86 --> 4262.22] out +[4262.22 --> 4262.66] now +[4262.66 --> 4262.90] that +[4262.90 --> 4263.14] we +[4263.14 --> 4263.60] might +[4263.60 --> 4264.72] deepen +[4264.72 --> 4265.54] our +[4265.54 --> 4266.22] remembering +[4266.22 --> 4266.98] that +[4266.98 --> 4267.12] we +[4267.12 --> 4267.36] might +[4267.36 --> 4267.94] strengthen +[4267.94 --> 4268.80] our +[4268.80 --> 4269.42] remembering +[4269.42 --> 4270.34] and that +[4270.34 --> 4270.48] we +[4270.48 --> 4270.76] might +[4270.76 --> 4271.30] live +[4271.30 --> 4272.42] our +[4272.42 --> 4273.14] remembering +[4273.14 --> 4273.96] each +[4273.96 --> 4274.78] and every +[4274.78 --> 4275.06] day +[4275.06 --> 4276.08] in +[4276.08 --> 4276.38] Jesus +[4276.38 --> 4276.80] name +[4276.80 --> 4277.24] we +[4277.24 --> 4277.56] pray +[4277.56 --> 4278.88] amen +[4278.88 --> 4288.02] ace +[4288.02 --> 4288.94] and +[4288.94 --> 4292.02] to +[4292.02 --> 4300.38] want +[4302.66 --> 4305.02] to +[4305.02 --> 4326.58] Worthy of every song we could ever sing. Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe. We live for you. +[4326.58 --> 4345.74] Jesus the name above every other name. Jesus the only one who could ever sing. +[4345.74 --> 4357.74] Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe. We live for you. We live for you. +[4357.74 --> 4376.70] Holy, there is no one like you. There is none beside you. Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who you are. +[4376.70 --> 4388.70] And fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to us. I will be here. +[4388.70 --> 4412.70] Jesus the name above every other name. Jesus the only one who could ever sing. +[4412.70 --> 4442.68] Jesus the name above every song we could ever sing. +[4442.68 --> 4444.68] Amen. +[4444.68 --> 4445.68] Amen. +[4445.68 --> 4454.68] pick your heart and lead me in your love to those around me. +[4454.68 --> 4457.68] Amen. +[4457.68 --> 4461.68] If you're here, follow me in your love to those around me. +[4461.68 --> 4462.68] Amen. +[4462.68 --> 4485.48] And I will build my life upon your love +[4485.48 --> 4489.84] It is a foundation +[4489.84 --> 4497.88] I will put my trust in you alone +[4497.88 --> 4502.86] And I will not be shaken +[4502.86 --> 4510.10] I will build my life upon your love +[4510.10 --> 4514.34] It is a foundation +[4514.34 --> 4522.38] And I will put my trust in you alone +[4522.38 --> 4526.86] And I will not be shaken +[4526.86 --> 4531.96] And holy, there is no one like you +[4531.96 --> 4534.90] There is none beside you +[4535.38 --> 4539.74] Open up my eyes in wonder +[4539.74 --> 4543.16] And show me who you are +[4543.16 --> 4546.30] And fill me with your heart +[4546.30 --> 4549.28] And lead me in your love +[4549.28 --> 4553.06] To those around me +[4553.06 --> 4566.24] Amen +[4566.24 --> 4571.24] Before we go, just a reminder +[4571.24 --> 4572.76] Maybe a word of encouragement +[4572.76 --> 4574.82] If you are looking to pray with someone +[4574.82 --> 4575.96] There will be someone up here +[4575.96 --> 4577.36] With a yellow name tag on +[4577.36 --> 4578.30] They would love to meet you +[4578.30 --> 4580.98] And pray with you as well +[4580.98 --> 4583.70] If you have been worshipping with us +[4583.70 --> 4585.50] For some time as a guest +[4585.50 --> 4586.52] And are wondering about +[4586.52 --> 4587.78] What it looks like to connect +[4587.78 --> 4589.22] More intentionally +[4589.22 --> 4591.28] And to wonder about membership +[4591.28 --> 4594.18] I am going to be at the connect booth there +[4594.18 --> 4595.76] You can come talk to me +[4595.76 --> 4596.92] Following the service +[4596.92 --> 4599.34] And we can talk about +[4599.34 --> 4601.30] What that might look like for you +[4601.30 --> 4603.14] As you go, receive the blessing +[4603.14 --> 4604.42] Of our good God +[4604.42 --> 4610.02] God, go before you +[4610.02 --> 4611.10] To lead you +[4611.10 --> 4612.94] God, go behind you +[4612.94 --> 4614.06] To protect you +[4614.06 --> 4616.62] God, go beneath you +[4616.62 --> 4617.64] To support you +[4617.64 --> 4619.42] God, go beside you +[4619.42 --> 4620.56] To befriend you +[4620.56 --> 4622.60] Do not be afraid +[4622.60 --> 4624.16] Let the blessing of God +[4624.16 --> 4625.08] Come upon you today +[4625.08 --> 4626.84] Do not be afraid +[4626.84 --> 4629.38] But go in peace +[4629.38 --> 4631.46] To remember your creator +[4631.46 --> 4633.52] In the days of your youth +[4633.52 --> 4634.76] Amen +[4634.76 --> 4654.08] In the darkness we were waiting +[4654.08 --> 4657.40] Without hope and without light +[4657.40 --> 4660.62] Till from heaven you came running +[4660.62 --> 4664.40] There was mercy in your eyes +[4664.40 --> 4667.30] To fulfill the law and prophets +[4667.30 --> 4669.14] To affirm to me +[4669.14 --> 4670.14] The Lord +[4670.14 --> 4673.96] The throne of endless glory +[4673.96 --> 4677.82] To a cradle in the dirt +[4677.82 --> 4678.82] Praise the Lord +[4678.82 --> 4684.50] Praise the Father +[4684.50 --> 4686.50] Praise the Son +[4686.50 --> 4687.50] Praise the Spirit +[4687.50 --> 4691.50] Praise the Spirit +[4691.50 --> 4694.50] Three in one +[4694.50 --> 4697.34] God of glory +[4697.34 --> 4699.34] Glory of majesty +[4699.34 --> 4700.02] Praise the Lord +[4700.02 --> 4705.02] Praise the Lord +[4705.02 --> 4714.94] To reveal the kingdom coming +[4714.94 --> 4718.32] And to recognize the lost +[4718.32 --> 4721.40] To redeem the whole creation +[4721.40 --> 4724.90] You did not despise the cross +[4724.90 --> 4727.86] For even in your suffering +[4727.86 --> 4731.08] You saw to the other side +[4731.08 --> 4734.10] Knowing this was our salvation +[4734.10 --> 4737.92] Jesus, for our sake you died +[4737.92 --> 4748.36] Praise the Father, praise the Son +[4748.36 --> 4754.64] Praise the Spirit, free in love +[4754.64 --> 4760.68] God of glory, mountain sea +[4760.68 --> 4767.58] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4767.58 --> 4773.88] In the morning that you rose +[4773.88 --> 4777.00] All of heaven held its breath +[4777.00 --> 4780.18] Till a stone was moved for good +[4780.18 --> 4783.36] For the Lamb had conquered death +[4783.36 --> 4786.62] And the dead rose from their tombs +[4786.62 --> 4789.68] And the angels stood in awe +[4789.68 --> 4792.76] For the souls of all who come +[4792.76 --> 4795.60] To the Father are restored +[4795.60 --> 4799.14] And the Church of Christ was born +[4799.14 --> 4802.10] Then the Spirit lived on faith +[4802.10 --> 4805.12] Now this gospel through the whole +[4805.12 --> 4808.32] Shall I kneel, shall I faint +[4808.32 --> 4811.22] By His blood, by His name +[4811.22 --> 4814.20] In His freedom I am free +[4814.20 --> 4817.38] For the love of Jesus Christ +[4817.38 --> 4820.56] Who has resurrected me +[4820.56 --> 4830.18] Praise the Father, praise the Son +[4830.18 --> 4836.74] Praise the Spirit, free in one +[4836.74 --> 4841.92] God of glory, majesty +[4841.92 --> 4844.24] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4844.24 --> 4849.24] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4849.24 --> 4853.86] Praise the Father, praise the Son +[4853.86 --> 4859.24] Praise the Spirit, three in one +[4859.24 --> 4860.54] God of glory, majesty +[4860.54 --> 4868.72] Praise the Father, praise the Son +[4868.72 --> 4872.92] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4872.92 --> 4875.86] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4875.86 --> 4879.92] Praise forever to the King of kings +[4879.92 --> 4880.92] Amen. +[4909.92 --> 4910.92] Amen. +[4939.92 --> 4940.92] Amen. +[4969.92 --> 4970.92] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d7a5f82fa54ef3689a822e369a1eeccd349d3e53 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,115 @@ +• HCBC and Canons of Dort classes meet at 7 p.m. +• Photo directory preparation nearing completion +• Members to verify information in photo directory +• Through the Bible group meets on Wednesdays to discuss Romans +• Support needed for missionary families in Mexico, including construction work +• Opportunity for a small team to visit Mexico with Brandon +• Sign-up sheet for free lunch with seniors on December 17 +• Clean-up needed after craft fair and bake sale on December 6th +• Seeking volunteers to help with chairs on December 6th evening +• Seeking concert band/brass/woodwind instrument ensemble for Christmas Day service +• The psalmist's cry to God from the depths of despair +• Emmanuel and Jesus coming soon, a savior for Israel and the world +• Rejoicing at the coming of Christ, preparing a pathway for Him +• A call to all nations to shout His name and prepare for His return +• Longing for King Jesus, waiting for Him with hearts ready to sing +• Hope in God's unfailing love and redemption from sin +• Calling on God to hear prayers, forgive sins, and redeem from the depths of hell +• Waiting for Christ +• Trust in God's power and sacrifice +• Mission of spreading the gospel through Resonate +• Giving offerings and budget support to Langley Emanuel church +• Invitations to come to the altar for forgiveness and spiritual renewal +• Worship music with lyrics about forgiveness and the precious blood of Jesus Christ +• Invitation to children (ages 3-4) to come to the front for a kids' corner +• Story about waiting, featuring two couples who waited patiently for Jesus to come +• Introduction of a friend, Hank, who is good at waiting +• Interaction with Hank, discussing his ability to wait and eventually getting a treat after 47 minutes (or 47 years in dog years) +• Playful dialogue between the speaker and Hank, including Hank's attempts to speak and the speaker's efforts to get him to wait longer +• A treat is given to a child named Hank, but he must wait to get it +• The waiting theme is compared to biblical stories of people waiting for Jesus +• The group moves on to children's worship time and prays together +• Parents are informed that their children will return from the worship service soon +• Upcoming church events and activities are mentioned: + • Wednesday night services + • The budget for 2026 was approved + • Apologies are made for missing someone who needed a ride +• A prayer is said, asking for guidance and compliance with God's will +• The speaker thanks God for worshiping together on a beautiful morning and asks for His presence in their lives. +• The speaker reflects on the history of God's actions, including the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing that God has not changed. +• The speaker prays to be reminded of God's control over all things and to help them spend time listening to God's word. +• The Advent and Christmas season is introduced as a focus on "the cast of Christmas," with four people from the gospel of Luke being highlighted. +• The first person, Zechariah, is introduced in Luke 1, who is told by an angel that he will have a son named John, who will be great in the sight of God and bring many back to God's fold. +• The second person, Simeon, is introduced in Luke 2, who praises God when holding Jesus and acknowledges His role as salvation for all nations. +• The speaker discusses the themes of hope, waiting, and expectation during the Advent season +• They reference the story of Anna, a prophet who spent her life in worship and prayer at the temple +• The speaker notes that God often starts with the overlooked and forgotten people in his stories +• Four quiet lives are highlighted: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna, who embody different shades of longing and waiting for God's presence +• Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as part of the Levitical class, descendants of Aaron, and serving in the temple as priests +• Discussion of Zechariah and Elizabeth's childlessness as a result of their advanced age, not a punishment for sin +• Social stigma associated with infertility in biblical times +• Comparison to other biblical stories of infertility, such as Hannah and Elkna +• Gabriel's response to Zechariah's doubt, emphasizing God's power and ability to overcome human limitations +• The faithfulness and commitment of Zechariah and Elizabeth despite their doubts and unfulfilled desires +• Introduction to Simeon, an elderly righteous man who appears briefly in the story, waiting for the consolation of Israel (the start of the age of the Messiah) +• Zechariah and Elizabeth were elderly when they received the promise of Jesus' birth +• They waited patiently, even though it was delayed, and remained faithful in their ordinary lives +• Simeon and Anna, both prophets, also waited with expectation for the Messiah's arrival +• Anna's backstory shows her dedication to worship and prayer despite being a widow for 84 years (or possibly until age 105) +• The four stories demonstrate that waiting on God's promise is not wasted time and can lead to deeper faith and trust in His timing +• Zechariah and Elizabeth model consistency between their profession of faith and daily lives, showing how to live for and serve the Lord even in disappointment. +• Study on young adults leaving church in Canada +• Disconnect between professed belief and lived experience of faith +• Young adults seeking authenticity and rigor in their faith +• Importance of taking ownership of one's faith +• Net growth in Christian churches due to 20-somethings who value a transformed life +• The importance of tuning one's heart to God's Word +• Recognizing the timbre and vocal structure of God's voice +• Hearing God's revelation in a world filled with distractions +• Analogous example of being able to hear a child's voice amidst noise +• Comparing this ability to being able to pick out God's voice among competing voices +• Jesus' role as the good shepherd in John 10 +• Hearing God's voice and recognizing it as distinct from a stranger's +• The importance of familiarity with God's word in hearing His voice +• Relationship with God requires effort, investment, and spiritual discipline +• Bible reading is necessary to understand and hear God's voice +• Expecting emotional responses or feelings in church attendance +• The speaker's life is perfectly designed to get the results they're currently getting. +• To achieve different results, one must do things differently and make deep change. +• Shallow changes are not enough; they require going deeper with God and drawing closer to Him. +• The Holy Spirit needs to be filled in order for prayer and scripture to flow out of us. +• The voice of Jesus is often a paraphrased version of scripture quotes +• Familiarity with God's word can cause prayer to be spoken in the voice of scripture +• To encounter God, one should not move away from promised ways of being present, such as through sacraments and church community +• Jesus speaks when we engage with Him in His places of speaking (e.g. worship, life together) +• Age is no barrier to serving or contributing to God's purposes; examples are given through Anna's story +• The importance of perseverance in serving the Lord, even into old age +• Waiting on God and not being discouraged by sorrow or hardship +• How waiting can be a means of recognizing Jesus when he appears +• The role of faithfulness in times of darkness as a preparation for seeing God's promises fulfilled +• The value of worshiping God even in grief and tragedy +• The expectation of God's presence among his people +• Simeon, Anna, Elizabeth, and Zechariah's waiting for God to take on flesh and dwell among them +• The miracle of God's timing in sending Jesus into the world +• Every ache, prayer, and yearning leading to this moment of hope and good news +• The birth of Jesus Christ as savior in Bethlehem +• Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us +• Advent season is a time of hope and waiting for God's presence +• We are not alone in our waiting; we wait with the church and saints in Christ +• God has already come and will come again; may we offer our waiting to Him +• Certainty that Christ has not forgotten or abandoned the speaker +• The importance of faith and hope in anticipating Christ's second coming +• A desire to hear God's voice and know Him more deeply +• The need for believers to take ownership of their faith and responsibility as followers of Christ +• A prayer for the Holy Spirit to move in believers, drawing them closer to God +• Prayers and affirmations of faith +• Trust in God amidst uncertainty and change +• Encouragement to share one's story and testimony +• Announcement of a worship service at Sunridge Gardens +• Blessing of God for protection, support, and guidance +• Call to serve the Lord with love and peace +• The song repeats with lyrics about God's promise of peace and glory +• The lyrics mention Christ as the Lord of heaven and earth +• The song includes repeated phrases such as "Glory to God in the highest" and "Peace to men on earth" +• The song is accompanied by repetition of phrases like "Come and adore Him with wonder" +• The song ends with a repetitive sequence of thank yous \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..5cde41f20707f47e9e89d85e622fec025430f2f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 30, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2069 @@ +[0.00 --> 2.20] D +[3.62 --> 5.00] forening +[5.00 --> 34.98] Thank you. +[35.00 --> 64.98] Thank you. +[65.00 --> 94.98] Thank you. +[95.00 --> 124.98] Thank you. +[125.00 --> 154.98] Thank you. +[155.00 --> 184.98] Thank you. +[185.00 --> 187.00] Thank you. +[215.00 --> 217.00] Thank you. +[245.00 --> 247.00] Thank you. +[275.00 --> 277.00] Thank you. +[305.00 --> 307.00] Thank you. +[307.00 --> 309.00] Thank you. +[309.00 --> 311.00] Thank you. +[311.00 --> 313.00] Thank you. +[313.00 --> 315.00] Thank you. +[343.00 --> 345.00] Thank you. +[373.00 --> 375.00] Thank you. +[375.00 --> 377.00] Thank you. +[377.00 --> 379.00] Thank you. +[379.00 --> 381.00] Thank you. +[381.00 --> 383.00] Thank you. +[383.00 --> 385.00] Thank you. +[385.00 --> 387.00] Thank you. +[387.00 --> 416.98] Thank you. +[417.00 --> 446.98] Thank you. +[447.00 --> 476.98] Thank you. +[477.00 --> 506.98] Thank you. +[507.00 --> 509.00] Thank you. +[509.00 --> 515.00] Thank you. +[515.00 --> 529.00] Good morning. +[529.00 --> 535.00] Good morning. +[535.00 --> 535.48] Good morning. +[536.20 --> 537.30] Are we out there? +[537.38 --> 538.08] There we go. +[538.18 --> 539.08] Good morning, everyone. +[539.34 --> 541.34] Welcome to church. +[541.56 --> 545.30] A special welcome if you are a guest here with us this morning. +[545.30 --> 546.30] My name is Chris. +[546.30 --> 554.62] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel and it's our privilege together to begin this Advent +[554.62 --> 562.46] season, this season of waiting and expectation of hope, anticipation for Christmas in worship +[562.46 --> 563.30] together. +[563.30 --> 569.14] Before we begin our worship, we've got a couple announcements to make, actually a long list +[569.14 --> 570.42] of announcements to make. +[570.92 --> 572.80] And so I'm going to work through that. +[573.48 --> 580.40] First of all, this evening is the HCBC and Canons of Dort classes. +[580.40 --> 583.42] They're meeting here at 7 p.m. +[583.42 --> 587.70] And so grades 9 through 12, you're here for HCBC. +[587.70 --> 592.46] And then anyone else, you're welcome to join my group for the Canons of Dort class. +[592.58 --> 594.60] We start at 7 o'clock together. +[594.60 --> 603.42] Also, you'll have probably seen on your way in, the next installment of the photo directory +[603.42 --> 606.50] is in its final stages of preparation. +[606.86 --> 613.02] And so if you are a member here, your information is likely in that photo directory. +[613.02 --> 619.40] We just want you to verify that it is correct, that the right phone numbers and email is there, +[619.40 --> 626.04] that there's a space in your postal code, for example, and that the picture that you +[626.04 --> 629.18] have submitted is still the picture you want there. +[629.28 --> 631.52] And we've got to follow that up really quickly. +[631.96 --> 637.36] So please, Maria will be out there after the service if you have any questions. +[637.50 --> 641.80] There's pens, and so just write down the correct information on that. +[642.86 --> 647.08] This Wednesday, the Through the Bible group is going to be meeting again. +[647.08 --> 651.18] We're working our way through the Bible in three years, and we're meeting on Wednesday +[651.18 --> 652.88] to discuss the Book of Romans. +[653.68 --> 660.26] So I encourage you to finish that up if you haven't yet, and then gather on Wednesday at 7 p.m. here. +[663.38 --> 671.88] We have been, in the past little while, talking about the needs that Jody and Uriel have in Mexico, +[672.24 --> 675.56] missionary families that we support there, one of our ministry partners, +[675.56 --> 679.18] that we've been connected with for many, many, many, many, many years. +[679.64 --> 683.98] They had a property emergency and are in need of some construction. +[684.44 --> 688.56] You guys have done an awesome job and raised an incredible amount of support. +[689.66 --> 696.02] And they have asked if Brandon might come down and connect with them in the process. +[696.02 --> 699.72] And so we would love to send a small team with Brandon. +[700.62 --> 707.20] And so if you are interested in seeing what we do in Mexico, it's not going to be a work trip +[707.20 --> 711.28] because of labor rules and things like that. +[711.84 --> 714.24] But you will connect with our ministry partners there. +[714.78 --> 717.28] We would love to send a group of three or four. +[717.28 --> 724.92] If you're interested in that, Brandon is going to be in the multi-purpose room following the service today +[724.92 --> 728.84] because we would like to do that when they're ready to do the work. +[729.36 --> 731.34] And so that could be in two weeks. +[731.76 --> 732.94] It could be in a month. +[733.52 --> 735.84] So if you've got some flexibility and some interest, +[736.00 --> 738.64] please connect with Brandon following worship. +[739.16 --> 740.02] Grab your coffees. +[740.12 --> 740.84] Make your connections. +[740.84 --> 743.64] But then a little while after that, in the multi-purpose room, +[743.72 --> 745.82] Brandon will be there to answer any questions. +[748.96 --> 749.48] Five. +[749.74 --> 750.18] Five. +[750.32 --> 753.38] We need a youth coffee host for next Sunday. +[754.04 --> 760.08] So Pastor Kevin is looking for someone to host the youth coffee after church on Sunday. +[760.52 --> 762.10] So Kevin, he's right there. +[762.20 --> 764.44] He would love to connect with you after our service. +[765.92 --> 767.94] Also, seniors lunch. +[767.94 --> 771.88] Every year, the deacons host a lunch for the seniors. +[772.24 --> 775.16] And I was told today, for people who want to hang out with the seniors. +[776.12 --> 778.46] So if you're just looking for a free lunch and have time, +[778.84 --> 781.96] on December, what did we say that was? +[782.76 --> 783.20] 17. +[783.52 --> 783.94] Thank you. +[784.42 --> 789.60] December 17, there's a sign-up sheet that will be at the Connect booth at the back. +[790.74 --> 793.42] Seniors and senior adjacent and friends. +[793.88 --> 794.62] You're all welcome. +[795.10 --> 796.44] Just sign up in advance. +[796.44 --> 805.94] And last, nope, second to last, we are looking for some more people to sign up for the clean-up +[805.94 --> 812.78] that's going to take place after the craft fair and bake sale on December 6th. +[812.78 --> 815.06] So that will be in here on Saturday. +[815.32 --> 817.70] All day long, different vendors and things like that. +[817.78 --> 819.68] Many of you have signed up to participate in that. +[819.68 --> 827.16] We need some people to clean up and reset the space so that we can worship well on Sunday. +[827.58 --> 832.08] And so if you're interested in helping for the clean-up, please talk to Miriam De Winter. +[832.42 --> 833.30] She's at the back. +[833.38 --> 834.28] She's going to wave her hand. +[834.90 --> 835.68] Miriam back there. +[836.02 --> 836.76] It's also my mother. +[837.20 --> 838.56] So make sure you talk to her well. +[839.42 --> 841.06] She's serving coffee after church. +[841.12 --> 842.82] So if you're looking for her, she'll be in the kitchen. +[842.82 --> 848.96] And if you're able to help with chairs on December 6th in the evening, resetting those, please talk to Rob. +[849.42 --> 850.98] He's around here somewhere too. +[852.24 --> 852.92] He's in the back. +[853.12 --> 854.12] Anyway, talk to Rob. +[854.20 --> 855.48] He'll get you with the chairs. +[855.48 --> 872.48] Lastly, we are hoping to have a bit of a concert band slash brass and woodwind instrument ensemble for Christmas Day. +[873.32 --> 878.68] And so if you play a brass instrument or a woodwind instrument or a traditional concert band instrument, +[879.14 --> 881.60] would you talk to Pastor Kevin after the service? +[881.60 --> 889.00] And we can get your information down and put you on the list and get that ready for Christmas Day. +[889.24 --> 891.76] We'd love to see that happening here as well. +[892.24 --> 893.18] I think that's it. +[893.26 --> 893.90] Kevin, am I right? +[894.66 --> 894.90] Yep. +[895.08 --> 895.36] All right. +[895.46 --> 896.10] Linda, are you here? +[896.14 --> 896.52] Am I right? +[897.40 --> 898.02] Linda's not here? +[898.10 --> 898.36] Perfect. +[898.54 --> 898.70] Okay. +[899.44 --> 905.32] Well then, let's stand and be ushered into God's presence together. +[905.32 --> 916.28] Following God's greeting, I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them in our worship. +[916.68 --> 922.20] And then we will have Bert and Weka come up and they'll lead us in the Advent candle lighting. +[922.64 --> 924.54] Receive the greeting of our God. +[924.54 --> 929.28] Grace, mercy, and peace to you. +[929.78 --> 936.38] From God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son, and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[937.30 --> 937.66] Amen. +[954.54 --> 961.54] Okay. +[961.54 --> 962.34] It's our big one. +[962.56 --> 963.68] There's a big one in the middle. +[964.12 --> 964.94] There's two in one in the middle. +[965.36 --> 966.52] It's not the purple one? +[966.60 --> 967.94] No, it's one of the purple ones. +[968.04 --> 968.66] That's what I thought. +[968.88 --> 969.02] Yeah. +[969.02 --> 969.08] Yeah. +[969.16 --> 969.90] The pink one. +[970.58 --> 972.18] Yes, this is the first one. +[973.38 --> 974.26] Where did you say that? +[974.66 --> 974.92] No. +[975.42 --> 975.60] No. +[976.92 --> 977.60] It's purple. +[978.92 --> 979.74] Yeah, we're purple. +[980.16 --> 980.84] Yes, I know. +[980.94 --> 981.24] And you. +[981.48 --> 981.96] Okay. +[981.96 --> 984.00] Okay. +[989.00 --> 989.98] When do we start? +[990.38 --> 990.74] Now. +[990.74 --> 992.86] Whenever you want to do it. +[992.86 --> 999.52] Today we light the candle of hope. +[1001.12 --> 1008.92] Like Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon, and Anna, we wait with patience for God to keep his promises. +[1008.92 --> 1014.46] We hope of the Lord, for his word is sure. +[1014.62 --> 1015.50] Yeah, yeah, it's in there. +[1015.68 --> 1016.26] Yeah, it's there. +[1019.14 --> 1023.74] As this candle burns, we remember, our waiting is not in vain. +[1024.52 --> 1025.50] Christ is our hope. +[1025.50 --> 1037.78] And we options'll make yes. +[1037.78 --> 1038.82] Phenomenical music蛋illy +[1038.82 --> 1040.00] Situation +[1040.14 --> 1040.84] Program +[1040.84 --> 1070.82] O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel. +[1070.84 --> 1086.48] And mourns in lonely exile, until the Son of God appear. +[1086.48 --> 1103.66] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1103.66 --> 1115.54] O come, O wisdom, come on earth. +[1115.54 --> 1122.88] O Lord, all things are all right to lead. +[1123.52 --> 1130.54] To us the path of knowledge show. +[1130.54 --> 1138.46] And it shall see its ways to go. +[1139.18 --> 1154.54] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1154.54 --> 1166.72] O come, thou branch of Jesse's stem. +[1166.72 --> 1173.72] Come to thine own and rescue them. +[1175.16 --> 1182.10] From depths of hell your people save. +[1182.10 --> 1190.24] And give them victory o'er the grave. +[1191.24 --> 1206.10] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1206.10 --> 1218.28] O come, O brightened morning star. +[1218.28 --> 1225.28] And bring us comfort, Father, above all. +[1225.28 --> 1233.28] Discount the shadows of the night. +[1233.28 --> 1241.28] And turn our darkness into light. +[1241.28 --> 1258.28] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1258.28 --> 1277.28] Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1277.28 --> 1307.26] Rejoice, Emmanuel, shall come to thee, O Israel. +[1307.26 --> 1314.26] All of the earth make straight a pathway path for the Lord. +[1314.26 --> 1320.26] Jesus is coming, Savior. +[1320.26 --> 1328.26] Call back the sinner, wake up the saint. +[1328.26 --> 1333.26] Let every nation shout at your fame. +[1333.26 --> 1335.26] Jesus is coming soon. +[1335.26 --> 1340.26] Jesus is coming soon. +[1340.26 --> 1347.26] Like a bride waiting forever. +[1347.26 --> 1348.26] Amen. +[1348.26 --> 1352.26] The Lord, we'll be a church ready for you. +[1352.26 --> 1353.26] Every heart longing for our King. +[1353.26 --> 1355.26] Peace sing. +[1355.26 --> 1368.26] Even so come, Lord Jesus come. +[1368.26 --> 1376.08] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1376.08 --> 1384.16] There will be justice, all will be new +[1384.16 --> 1388.68] Your name forever, faithful and true +[1388.68 --> 1394.62] Jesus is coming soon +[1398.26 --> 1403.18] Like a bride waiting for her +[1403.18 --> 1409.56] We'll be a church ready for you every night +[1409.56 --> 1415.06] Longing for our King, we sing +[1415.06 --> 1422.56] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1422.56 --> 1431.48] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1431.48 --> 1458.18] So we wait, we wait for you +[1458.18 --> 1467.02] But we wait, you're coming soon +[1467.02 --> 1475.68] So we wait, we wait for you +[1475.68 --> 1484.52] But we wait, you're coming soon +[1484.52 --> 1493.18] So we wait, we wait for you +[1493.18 --> 1502.02] But we wait, you're coming soon +[1502.02 --> 1510.18] So we wait, we wait for you +[1510.18 --> 1519.02] Don't we wait, we're coming soon +[1519.02 --> 1527.86] Like a bride waiting for our King, we sing +[1527.86 --> 1536.70] Like a bride waiting for our King, we sing +[1536.70 --> 1545.54] We'll be a church ready for our King, we sing +[1545.54 --> 1548.72] We'll be a church ready for you every night +[1548.72 --> 1553.54] Longing for our King, we sing +[1553.54 --> 1560.66] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1560.66 --> 1569.50] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1569.50 --> 1579.50] Even so come, Lord Jesus come +[1579.50 --> 1581.56] I invite you to be seated +[1581.56 --> 1590.84] In Psalm 130 we read +[1590.84 --> 1595.00] Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord +[1595.00 --> 1598.14] Lord, hear my voice +[1598.14 --> 1602.42] Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy +[1602.42 --> 1605.90] If you, Lord, kept a record of sins +[1605.90 --> 1608.10] Lord, who could stand +[1608.10 --> 1610.56] But with you there is forgiveness +[1610.56 --> 1614.94] So that we can, with reverence, serve you +[1614.94 --> 1633.76] Be still and know that I am God +[1633.76 --> 1642.54] Be still and know that I am God +[1642.54 --> 1651.28] Be still and know that I am God +[1651.28 --> 1661.86] In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust +[1661.86 --> 1670.36] In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust +[1670.36 --> 1679.26] In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust +[1679.26 --> 1689.10] Be still and know that I am God +[1689.10 --> 1697.68] Be still and know that I am God +[1697.68 --> 1706.42] Be still and know that I am God +[1706.42 --> 1712.86] Let's stand to hear words of assurance +[1712.86 --> 1715.46] As Psalm 130 continues +[1715.46 --> 1722.00] I wait for the Lord +[1722.00 --> 1724.20] My whole being waits +[1724.20 --> 1727.72] And in His word I put my hope +[1727.72 --> 1731.86] I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning +[1731.86 --> 1734.70] More than watchmen for the morning +[1734.70 --> 1739.12] Church of Jesus Christ, let's put our hope in the Lord +[1739.12 --> 1742.02] For with the Lord is unfailing love +[1742.02 --> 1744.46] And with Him is full redemption +[1744.46 --> 1748.76] He Himself has redeemed us from all our sins +[1748.76 --> 1762.00] Out of the depths I cry to you +[1762.00 --> 1776.14] Out of the depths I cry to you +[1776.14 --> 1781.38] In darkest places I will call +[1781.38 --> 1786.26] Incline your ear to me anew +[1786.26 --> 1791.56] And hear my cry for mercy, Lord +[1791.56 --> 1797.10] Were you to count my sinful ways +[1797.10 --> 1801.88] How could I come before your throne +[1801.88 --> 1807.42] Yet whole forgiveness meets my gaze +[1807.42 --> 1812.02] I stand redeemed by grace alone +[1812.02 --> 1815.16] I will wait for you +[1815.16 --> 1817.66] I will wait for you +[1817.66 --> 1819.74] On your word +[1819.74 --> 1822.40] I will be alive +[1822.40 --> 1825.38] I will wait for you +[1825.38 --> 1827.80] Surely wait for you +[1827.80 --> 1831.72] Till my soul is satisfied +[1831.72 --> 1843.96] So put your hope in God alone +[1843.96 --> 1849.20] Take courage in His power to save +[1849.20 --> 1854.02] Completely and forever won +[1854.02 --> 1859.18] By Christ emerging from the grave +[1859.18 --> 1860.18] I will wait for you +[1860.18 --> 1861.18] I will wait for you +[1861.18 --> 1862.18] I will wait for you +[1862.18 --> 1864.18] I will wait for you +[1864.18 --> 1866.18] On your word +[1866.18 --> 1869.18] I will be alive +[1869.18 --> 1871.18] I will wait for you +[1871.18 --> 1872.18] I will wait for you +[1872.18 --> 1874.18] Only wait for you +[1874.18 --> 1878.18] Till my soul is satisfied +[1878.18 --> 1889.18] His steadfast love has made a way +[1889.18 --> 1895.18] And God Himself has paid the price +[1895.18 --> 1899.18] Let all who trust in Him today +[1899.18 --> 1905.18] Find healing in His sacrifice +[1905.18 --> 1906.18] I will wait for you +[1906.18 --> 1908.18] I will wait for you +[1908.18 --> 1910.18] I will wait for you +[1910.18 --> 1912.18] Through the storm +[1912.18 --> 1915.18] And through the night +[1915.18 --> 1917.18] I will wait for you +[1917.18 --> 1920.18] Surely wait for you +[1920.18 --> 1924.18] For your love is my delight +[1924.18 --> 1927.18] I will wait for you +[1927.18 --> 1938.18] I will wait for you +[1938.18 --> 1940.18] I will wait for you +[1940.18 --> 1949.18] Heavens adore +[1949.18 --> 1950.18] You +[1950.18 --> 1960.76] Out of the depths I cry to you, in darkest places I will call. +[1961.52 --> 1971.76] Incline your ear to me anew, and hear my cry for mercy, Lord. +[1980.18 --> 1981.18] Amen. +[2010.18 --> 2012.18] Amen. +[2040.18 --> 2042.18] Amen. +[2070.18 --> 2072.18] Oh.. +[2083.26 --> 2085.26] Oh.. +[2085.26 --> 2090.00] How strong deliver +[2090.00 --> 2096.54] You are the everlasting God +[2096.54 --> 2100.62] The everlasting God +[2100.62 --> 2104.58] Do not need to walk +[2104.58 --> 2108.10] Only me +[2108.10 --> 2112.62] But I'll defend my own for me +[2112.62 --> 2116.66] You have the thousand weeks +[2116.66 --> 2120.62] You lift us up on weight +[2120.62 --> 2123.62] I feel lost +[2124.16 --> 2128.62] You are the everlasting God +[2128.62 --> 2132.62] The everlasting God +[2132.62 --> 2136.58] You do not make you want +[2136.58 --> 2139.62] Go with me +[2139.62 --> 2143.62] You are the everlasting God +[2143.62 --> 2145.62] You are the everlasting God +[2145.62 --> 2147.62] You are the everlasting God +[2147.62 --> 2149.62] You are the everlasting God +[2149.62 --> 2151.62] You lift us up on weight +[2151.62 --> 2155.62] I need God +[2155.62 --> 2157.62] You are our everlasting God +[2157.62 --> 2161.62] You are the everlasting God +[2161.62 --> 2163.62] You are the everlasting God +[2163.62 --> 2165.62] You are the everlasting God +[2165.62 --> 2167.62] You are the everlasting God +[2167.62 --> 2169.62] You are the everlasting God +[2169.62 --> 2171.62] You are the everlasting God +[2171.62 --> 2173.62] Good morning everyone. My name is Warren Verhoef +[2173.62 --> 2175.62] And I serve as a Deacon here at Langley Emanuel. +[2175.62 --> 2179.62] At this time, we'll worship God through our gifts and offerings. +[2179.62 --> 2186.72] And as we prepare to give, let's reflect on the text in the e-bulletin from Hebrews 13, verse 16, +[2187.48 --> 2188.10] which reads, +[2188.26 --> 2193.36] And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. +[2193.86 --> 2199.02] Our special offering for today is for Resonate, which is the official missions arm of the CRC. +[2199.84 --> 2205.22] Resonate seeks the advancement of God's mission of spreading the gospel through the entire world. +[2205.22 --> 2213.34] And it does so by church planting and missionary training and campus ministries and other leadership training. +[2213.76 --> 2218.68] And it does so in 40 plus countries around the world, as well as here in Canada and even locally here in BC. +[2219.46 --> 2224.42] You may also give to the general budget, which supports the various missions of this church. +[2225.16 --> 2233.20] Just please ensure that all gifts for the general budget are marked as such as all unmarked gifts will be assigned to the special offering. +[2233.20 --> 2235.82] Let's give as the Lord has blessed us. Thank you. +[2235.82 --> 2236.82] Thank you. +[2263.20 --> 2264.20] Thank you. +[2264.20 --> 2265.20] Thank you. +[2265.48 --> 2266.20] Thank you. +[2266.20 --> 2267.20] Thank you. +[2267.20 --> 2270.82] Are you hurting and broken within? +[2271.66 --> 2275.60] Overwhelmed by the wake of your sin? +[2276.18 --> 2278.24] Jesus is calling. +[2281.00 --> 2285.62] Have you come to the end of the sound? +[2286.48 --> 2290.22] Do you thirst for the drink from the breath? +[2290.22 --> 2291.22] Jesus is calling. +[2291.22 --> 2292.22] Jesus is calling. +[2292.22 --> 2293.22] Jesus is calling. +[2293.22 --> 2295.22] Oh, come to the altar. +[2295.22 --> 2299.22] Oh, come to the altar. +[2299.22 --> 2315.22] The Father's altar open while forgiveness was born with the precious one of Jesus Christ. +[2315.22 --> 2316.22] Jesus is calling. +[2316.22 --> 2320.22] Jesus is calling. +[2324.22 --> 2326.22] Jesus is calling. +[2326.22 --> 2329.58] Your regrets in the sightech +[2329.94 --> 2333.76] Come, today, this is reason to wait +[2334.20 --> 2337.96] Jesus is called to You +[2339.30 --> 2343.70] In the sorrows who enjoyment joy +[2344.04 --> 2348.18] Upon the ashes, youth among the war +[2348.52 --> 2351.82] Jesus is called to You +[2351.82 --> 2361.86] Come to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide +[2361.86 --> 2370.82] Forgiveness, the Lord with the precious blood of Jesus Christ +[2371.50 --> 2380.82] Come to the altar, the Father's arms are open wide +[2380.82 --> 2390.82] Forgiveness, the Lord with the precious blood of Jesus Christ +[2390.82 --> 2410.36] Oh, what a safe love, isn't He wonderful? +[2410.36 --> 2418.36] Sing, hallelujah, Christ is risen +[2418.36 --> 2428.36] God will be pardoned, glory and glory of God +[2428.36 --> 2434.36] Sing, hallelujah, Christ is risen +[2434.36 --> 2446.12] Oh, what a safe love, isn't He wonderful? +[2446.36 --> 2452.36] Sing, hallelujah, Christ is risen +[2452.36 --> 2462.36] Come on before Him, glory is God +[2462.36 --> 2470.36] Sing, hallelujah, Christ is risen +[2470.36 --> 2476.36] Come on before Him, glory is risen +[2476.36 --> 2484.36] Come to the altar, the Father's eyes are open wide +[2484.36 --> 2492.36] Forgiveness, the Lord with the precious blood of Jesus Christ +[2492.36 --> 2513.36] Oh, come to the altar. The Father's arms are all divine. Forgiveness is poured within the precious blood of Jesus Christ. +[2513.36 --> 2532.36] Hear your cross as you wait for the crown. Tell the world of the treasure you find. +[2543.36 --> 2556.78] We are ready already. I would love to invite all of the kids who are age 3 to grade 4 or anybody else to come up to the front right now. +[2556.78 --> 2560.64] We're going to do some kids' corner before we head to children's worship time. +[2571.42 --> 2572.68] Good morning, everybody. +[2573.80 --> 2578.04] How's everybody doing today? Good? Guess what we're going to talk about today? +[2578.12 --> 2587.20] We're going to talk about two different couples who had to wait for a long time for Jesus to come. +[2588.32 --> 2593.38] But the promise that they were given came true because they were so patient and waited. +[2593.82 --> 2598.08] And I have a friend who knows a little bit about waiting. Should we invite him out? +[2598.54 --> 2600.26] Let's invite him out. Say, come on out, Hank! +[2600.26 --> 2601.60] Come on, Hank! +[2602.64 --> 2603.68] Come on, Hank! +[2605.02 --> 2605.30] Oh! +[2606.86 --> 2607.14] What? +[2609.14 --> 2609.38] What? +[2609.94 --> 2611.20] Who is that? +[2613.58 --> 2614.62] I'm out of hands! +[2614.72 --> 2615.62] Who is that? +[2617.02 --> 2617.46] Hendrietta? +[2619.22 --> 2619.62] Hendrietta? +[2619.70 --> 2621.40] Hendrietta, it's so good to see you! +[2621.60 --> 2623.06] It's been a long time. +[2623.40 --> 2625.30] I hope that I can see you! +[2625.30 --> 2626.46] We'll have to go. +[2626.72 --> 2628.52] Everybody stand up and look at Henrietta. +[2631.42 --> 2634.06] Henrietta's my long-lost cousin, I think. +[2637.34 --> 2639.58] I've been waiting so long to see her. +[2639.66 --> 2641.24] It's so good to see you again. +[2643.26 --> 2645.48] We'll catch up after church, okay? +[2646.32 --> 2646.84] Okay. +[2647.20 --> 2648.48] Good to see you, Henrietta. +[2649.42 --> 2650.76] All right, sit down, sit down. +[2650.76 --> 2656.56] Well, Hank, that is something. +[2656.72 --> 2657.76] Henrietta, yeah! +[2658.10 --> 2660.04] I haven't seen her in years! +[2660.38 --> 2661.32] That's so exciting. +[2661.94 --> 2663.80] I've also been waiting for something else. +[2663.90 --> 2664.18] I know. +[2664.30 --> 2665.32] You know what I did with Hank? +[2665.58 --> 2667.54] He is an expert at waiting, +[2667.68 --> 2670.64] because I've been making him wait for a treat. +[2670.94 --> 2671.40] Yeah! +[2671.90 --> 2672.90] A long time. +[2673.00 --> 2674.48] Hank, how long have you been waiting for this treat? +[2675.50 --> 2676.76] 47 minutes! +[2678.28 --> 2678.76] 47 minutes! +[2678.76 --> 2679.34] 47 minutes! +[2679.62 --> 2682.32] Yeah, but that's like 47 in dog years! +[2682.92 --> 2684.16] 47 years! +[2684.66 --> 2685.38] I was like, well, maybe. +[2685.46 --> 2686.96] I don't know how the puppet dog years work, +[2687.10 --> 2688.24] but we can say, sure. +[2688.72 --> 2690.70] What have you been waiting for? +[2690.88 --> 2693.60] I was promised there would be a bone, +[2693.82 --> 2695.46] but I'm an excellent waiter, +[2696.00 --> 2697.90] not the kind of waiter who carries food. +[2697.96 --> 2699.26] I spill that all the time. +[2699.50 --> 2700.44] My hands don't work, +[2700.70 --> 2702.66] but I'm really good at waiting for things. +[2702.74 --> 2703.08] Watch! +[2703.28 --> 2704.26] All right, Hank, wait! +[2704.26 --> 2704.32] Wait! +[2704.32 --> 2704.36] Wait! +[2704.36 --> 2704.40] Wait! +[2704.40 --> 2704.42] Wait! +[2704.42 --> 2704.44] Wait! +[2704.44 --> 2704.48] Wait! +[2704.48 --> 2704.52] Wait! +[2704.52 --> 2706.40] Wait! +[2706.40 --> 2706.44] Wait! +[2706.44 --> 2708.74] Wait! +[2709.44 --> 2710.36] Pretty good, right? +[2710.36 --> 2711.76] Pretty good, isn't it? +[2711.88 --> 2712.56] Hank, sit! +[2713.96 --> 2715.66] Oh, that's good, too. +[2716.44 --> 2717.26] Hank, speak! +[2717.48 --> 2717.76] Okay! +[2718.22 --> 2719.38] I can talk for a while. +[2719.72 --> 2721.00] When I was little... +[2721.00 --> 2721.48] Hank, that's good. +[2722.80 --> 2725.56] I have a treat for you here on stage, +[2725.64 --> 2727.12] but you haven't been able to find it yet, +[2727.18 --> 2727.60] have you? +[2727.80 --> 2728.22] No! +[2728.68 --> 2729.66] Did you look really hard? +[2729.78 --> 2731.72] I looked so hard! +[2732.06 --> 2733.56] Should we walk to where the treat is, Hank? +[2733.68 --> 2734.36] Yes, please! +[2734.36 --> 2737.28] Now, Hank had to wait a long time for this treat, +[2737.60 --> 2740.50] just like the people in the Bible stories that we're going to look at. +[2741.04 --> 2745.28] Zachariah and Elizabeth and Anna and Simeon had to wait a long time for Jesus. +[2745.86 --> 2748.72] And so, Hank, your treat is all the way over here. +[2751.10 --> 2752.44] I think I found it! +[2752.74 --> 2753.78] It's in the bag! +[2755.78 --> 2756.96] Can you pull it out? +[2756.96 --> 2757.04] Oops! +[2759.96 --> 2760.20] Huh? +[2761.16 --> 2762.26] A bone! +[2766.34 --> 2767.08] Thank you! +[2768.38 --> 2769.44] That is so good! +[2769.54 --> 2770.20] So yummy! +[2770.60 --> 2774.22] All right, we're going to go talk a little bit more about what it means to wait +[2774.22 --> 2776.68] and have our promises answered by God. +[2777.48 --> 2779.80] And so, we're going to go to children's worship time to do that, okay? +[2780.64 --> 2781.70] All right, let's pray. +[2782.06 --> 2784.74] Before we stand up, let's pray, and then we'll do the Lord's blessing, okay? +[2785.34 --> 2785.84] Let's pray. +[2785.84 --> 2786.78] Bow our heads, close our eyes. +[2787.14 --> 2788.72] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. +[2788.82 --> 2789.90] Thank you that we could come to church, +[2790.36 --> 2792.50] and we could learn more about what it means to follow you. +[2792.84 --> 2796.08] We pray that you'll be with us now as we're in children's worship time +[2796.08 --> 2799.86] and be with the grown-ups as well as we learn about what it means to wait for you. +[2800.12 --> 2801.06] We pray this in your name. +[2801.66 --> 2802.02] Amen. +[2802.88 --> 2803.64] All right, stand up. +[2803.70 --> 2804.18] Don't run yet. +[2804.24 --> 2804.80] Don't run yet. +[2806.08 --> 2806.70] Stand up. +[2806.78 --> 2807.26] Stand up. +[2808.40 --> 2810.02] We're going to do the kids' blessings. +[2810.28 --> 2812.44] So, we're going to say, the Lord be with you, okay? +[2812.50 --> 2812.86] Are you ready? +[2813.46 --> 2814.16] And go. +[2814.16 --> 2816.46] The Lord be with you. +[2816.46 --> 2818.34] And also be with you. +[2820.22 --> 2821.56] I'll do my feet now. +[2827.56 --> 2832.30] Parents, just so you know, your kids will be joining you back in the service right after the sermon +[2832.30 --> 2833.72] or towards the end of the sermon. +[2833.86 --> 2838.12] So, I'm just letting you know they'll be joining you for the last two songs today as well. +[2838.20 --> 2841.00] So, that's anybody who's in grade one to four will be coming back to their seats. +[2841.00 --> 2862.02] I'm going to read a book today. +[2862.02 --> 2863.90] Is that okay? +[2863.90 --> 2863.96] Okay? +[2863.96 --> 2864.96] I'm joking. +[2864.96 --> 2866.96] I'm joking. +[2866.96 --> 2868.96] I'm joking. +[2868.96 --> 2870.96] I'm joking. +[2870.96 --> 2871.96] I'm joking. +[2871.96 --> 2872.96] I'm joking. +[2872.96 --> 2873.96] I'm joking. +[2873.96 --> 2874.96] I'm joking. +[2874.96 --> 2881.00] from Council. Thank you to everyone who came out Monday night to the fall general +[2881.00 --> 2886.14] meeting. We had a strong turnout and are grateful for the support for our church +[2886.14 --> 2891.80] family. We also had a lovely dinner together. I guess if you count soup as +[2891.80 --> 2897.90] dinner that's okay. Had a lovely dinner together and a budget for 2026 was +[2897.90 --> 2905.66] approved. I just want to make a comment about there's been two Wednesday night +[2905.66 --> 2909.30] services already. I went to the first one I couldn't make the second one. The third +[2909.30 --> 2913.96] one is on December the 10th. So the first time it was about 35 people, second time +[2913.96 --> 2922.50] about 22 and we'll see the third. I absolutely enjoyed that service. Very +[2922.50 --> 2928.80] informal, very participating with the speaker and whoever was praying or +[2928.80 --> 2935.16] singing or whatever. It was awesome. If you need a midweek pick me up, there's your +[2935.16 --> 2941.58] place. This morning it's my turn to pray. Actually it wasn't but somebody else +[2941.58 --> 2947.24] couldn't make it so here you got me. I want to pray for the people that had +[2947.24 --> 2952.32] surgeries and successful surgeries and that they get a further complete +[2952.32 --> 2960.78] recovery. Also want to pray especially for the shut-ins. We have a few and yeah +[2960.78 --> 2965.94] it's it's it's got to be hard. And then praying for deal people that are dealing +[2965.94 --> 2970.38] with other issues as well. And there's something else I got to do before I pray +[2970.38 --> 2977.80] and it's apologize. We have a friend that comes here from Guatemala and I made +[2977.80 --> 2981.60] some kind of an arrangement to pick him up and I thought because it was sunny today I +[2981.60 --> 2987.12] just drove right past and he's not here. So I apologize. I'll apologize to him when I +[2987.12 --> 2997.20] see him. Let's pray. Father in heaven Lord, your Lord we ask you for your for your +[2997.20 --> 3005.94] guidance. You give it and Lord do we do we comply? Do we, are ears open? Sometimes yes, +[3005.94 --> 3012.36] sometimes no. Lord we we thank you that we can worship you this beautiful sunny +[3012.36 --> 3019.20] morning. We pray will you be with each one of us Lord. We thank you for carrying us +[3019.20 --> 3025.40] through this past week and whatever we experienced Lord whether it was an +[3025.40 --> 3031.86] operation or a visit or whatever Lord. Lord you know us. You know each one of us +[3031.86 --> 3042.16] better than we know ourselves Lord. You know when we when we call out your name and you know when we +[3042.16 --> 3048.84] hide and we don't do that. Lord we thank you so much that we can celebrate Christmas again +[3048.84 --> 3058.64] every year Lord and then comes Easter. Lord we thank you for all you did. We think about the history, +[3058.64 --> 3065.36] your history, our history, our history. We think about your word Lord. We think about this world and the +[3065.36 --> 3071.02] the chaos that seems to be happening all around us but that hasn't changed a lot Lord. Because when you +[3071.02 --> 3077.42] brought the flood you saved just eight people and how many were not saved? Sodom and Gomorrah Lord you +[3077.42 --> 3084.60] you just wiped them out. You haven't changed. Lord we pray will you help us to wake up +[3084.60 --> 3091.72] to know that you are in total control even though things don't go the way we would like it. +[3092.60 --> 3100.26] Lord we pray will you help us this week maybe to spend some time talking with you Lord and listening +[3100.26 --> 3106.50] and again this morning Lord. Pray will you help us to listen. Please be with Chris Lord. Please be with +[3106.50 --> 3112.04] your word. Please help it to resonate with all of us. Thank you in Jesus name. Amen. +[3112.50 --> 3113.50] Amen. +[3113.50 --> 3143.26] This Advent and Christmas season we are going to be looking at what we're calling the +[3143.26 --> 3148.94] cast of Christmas. That is the different people who are involved in the different stories +[3148.94 --> 3157.28] around the first coming of our Lord Jesus. And so this morning we're going to focus on +[3157.28 --> 3165.68] four people that are introduced to us in the gospel of Luke. And so I'm going to invite you to turn +[3165.68 --> 3174.38] in your Bibles or on your devices to Luke 1 and we're going to read verse 5 through 25 and then we're +[3174.38 --> 3188.50] going to turn over to Luke 2 and read verses 25 to 38. Let's read Luke 1 starting at verse 5. +[3188.50 --> 3199.42] In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly +[3199.42 --> 3207.66] division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous +[3207.66 --> 3215.36] in the sight of God observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless +[3215.36 --> 3224.12] because Elizabeth was not able to conceive and they were both very old. Once when Zechariah's +[3224.12 --> 3231.02] division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God he was chosen by lot according to the +[3231.02 --> 3238.06] custom of the priesthood to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the +[3238.06 --> 3245.34] burning of incense came all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then the angel of the Lord +[3245.34 --> 3251.96] appeared to him standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him he was +[3251.96 --> 3259.38] startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him, do not be afraid Zechariah your prayer +[3259.38 --> 3266.54] has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to call him John. He will be a joy +[3266.54 --> 3272.36] and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth for he will be great in the sight of the +[3272.36 --> 3278.26] Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit +[3278.26 --> 3284.04] even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God +[3284.04 --> 3290.58] and he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the parents +[3290.58 --> 3296.80] to their children and the disobedience to the wisdom of the righteous to make ready a people prepared +[3296.80 --> 3305.40] for the Lord. Zechariah asked the angel, how can this, how can I be sure of this? I am an old man +[3305.40 --> 3313.36] and my wife is well along in years. The angel said to him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God +[3313.36 --> 3320.58] and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not +[3320.58 --> 3326.96] able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words which will come true +[3326.96 --> 3334.10] at their appointed time. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he had stayed +[3334.10 --> 3340.84] so long in the temple and when he came out he could not speak to them. They realized that he had seen a +[3340.84 --> 3348.36] vision in the temple for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of +[3348.36 --> 3356.08] service was completed he returned home and after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five +[3356.08 --> 3364.20] months remained in seclusion. The Lord has done this for me she said. In these days he has shown his favor +[3364.20 --> 3375.44] and taken away my disgrace among the people. And now we're going to turn to chapter 2 and starting at +[3375.44 --> 3380.26] verse 25. Read through to 38. +[3385.26 --> 3392.98] Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the +[3392.98 --> 3399.90] consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that +[3399.90 --> 3407.06] he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts. +[3407.94 --> 3414.54] When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was custom, what the custom of the law +[3414.54 --> 3422.16] required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying, Sovereign Lord as you have promised you may now +[3422.16 --> 3429.30] dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight +[3429.30 --> 3435.72] of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. +[3437.12 --> 3445.12] The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to +[3445.12 --> 3452.64] marry his mother, this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a +[3452.64 --> 3459.92] sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed and a sword will +[3459.92 --> 3469.30] pierce your own soul too. There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel of the tribe of Asher. +[3469.30 --> 3476.46] She was very old. She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow +[3476.46 --> 3483.66] until she was 84. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. +[3484.28 --> 3489.96] Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who +[3489.96 --> 3495.70] were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. This is the word of the Lord. +[3499.30 --> 3513.40] We often talk about Christmas as a season of hope and joy and excitement where we sing joy to the world +[3513.40 --> 3526.16] but Advent is a season of waiting, of expectation and I'm quite sure that in this season that some of us +[3526.16 --> 3535.38] are crying out, how amazing is life? And some of us are crying out, how long is this season of life +[3535.38 --> 3545.52] going to be? And maybe you're coming into this Advent season of waiting, carrying unanswered prayers. +[3546.30 --> 3554.76] Maybe you've got unresolved questions. Maybe there's this idea or this wondering that has just been +[3554.76 --> 3560.90] niggling in the back of your mind and you keep fighting to tamp it down but it's always there in the +[3560.90 --> 3571.14] recesses of your mental space. Where is God? Has God forgotten me? Has he passed me by? Have I missed him? +[3572.40 --> 3578.96] Now, of course, most of us here, especially if you're here regularly, like we know the right response in +[3578.96 --> 3584.50] that moment, we know the right answer, the right posture. We know that God is always faithful, that he +[3584.50 --> 3592.74] always keeps his promises but then the years go by and nothing seems to change. In our homes, in our +[3592.74 --> 3602.46] marriages, in our bodies, in our children, in our work, in our world. And in those moments, hope can start to feel +[3602.46 --> 3612.60] like something for other people. That they get to have it but I don't. That hope starts to feel like +[3612.60 --> 3618.48] it's something for the lucky ones, the ones who have it all together, the families who show up and +[3618.48 --> 3625.18] whose kids are perfectly dressed and have their ties nicely tightened around their neck. Not my family who +[3625.18 --> 3630.56] has kids crawling all over the floor and running around and not listening to me, let alone to the person +[3630.56 --> 3639.34] on stage. Hope is for them because they've got it all figured out. Right? Hope is for the ones that +[3639.34 --> 3647.08] God seems to bless more regularly than he does for me. And maybe if you carry that into this season, +[3647.24 --> 3654.08] you know the ache of feeling forgotten by God or feeling overlooked in his plan or like somehow you have +[3654.08 --> 3663.64] missed out on something. And for you, this story matters. Right? God didn't start the first Christmas +[3663.64 --> 3671.64] story with the impressive or influential people, with the loud and the powerful. He started with the +[3671.64 --> 3678.74] overlooked and the forgotten, with the outcasts and the ignored. He started with those who had waited +[3678.74 --> 3686.58] so long that they never expected for anything to happen. He started with people who carry this ache +[3686.58 --> 3695.32] that some of us know all too well. And this morning we're going to dive into four of those stories of +[3695.32 --> 3707.38] Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna. Four quiet lives. Four faithful but wounded hearts. Four people who lived +[3707.38 --> 3716.62] most of their story long before Jesus ever arrived on the scene. And each of these four embody a different +[3716.62 --> 3727.12] shade or aspect of this same longing, this ache of waiting, a feeling forgotten or overlooked in his plan, +[3727.54 --> 3735.76] just waiting a lifetime for something. Now these are not perfect people by any means, +[3735.76 --> 3744.78] but they are faithful people. They're honest people. In the end, they're hopeful people, but it's a hope +[3744.78 --> 3752.82] that is hard won in their lives. And in Advent, these are precisely the people that God lifts up for us +[3752.82 --> 3761.26] to see. Because their stories show us that waiting is not punishment, delay is not abandonment, and the years +[3761.26 --> 3767.22] that feel wasted are so often the years that God is quietly preparing. +[3768.76 --> 3771.00] And so let's start with Zechariah and Elizabeth. +[3772.06 --> 3778.92] We read early on there that Zechariah is a priest in the temple, and that both he and his wife Elizabeth +[3778.92 --> 3785.04] are descendants of Aaron, which means they're part of the Levitical class. +[3785.04 --> 3795.06] And specifically within that, Zechariah is part of the priests in the Levitical class. They're in the line of Abijah, +[3795.38 --> 3806.18] who we know was chosen by Lot from out of the Levites to serve with 24 other groups, clans of the +[3806.18 --> 3812.36] descendants of Levi and Aaron, to serve in the sanctuary and in the presence of God. +[3812.36 --> 3823.32] Now, by the time that Zechariah is serving, there are about 18,000 priests in this order of 24 clans. +[3824.22 --> 3832.04] And each priest would serve two one-week periods every year in the temple. +[3832.04 --> 3841.98] And then, if they had their lot drawn, they would only officiate the daily offering once in their life. +[3843.26 --> 3847.34] And so once their lot was drawn, it would be removed from selection. +[3847.34 --> 3858.86] That offering, that the perpetual offering, the incense offering, would be lit at nine in the morning and then at three in the afternoon. +[3859.60 --> 3862.30] And it would be an offering of prayer and incense. +[3862.78 --> 3871.30] If you have been part of our Through the Bible in a three years reading, you read about this in the book of Leviticus for our last gathering. +[3871.30 --> 3880.50] Now, I think the point in emphasizing Elizabeth and Aaron, or Zechariah, sorry, as both coming from the line of Aaron, +[3880.74 --> 3889.74] is to highlight, is to bring our attention to their set-apartness, their holiness unto the purposes of God. +[3890.06 --> 3894.26] And this is actually confirmed for us in the text that we read in the next line. +[3894.26 --> 3912.74] Now, let me be really clear, right, that this does not mean that they were perfect or that they were sinless. +[3913.46 --> 3918.70] It does mean that they really loved God and they tried to live in the ways that he calls him. +[3918.70 --> 3927.66] And they did all of the right works of atonement and forgiveness according to the law and to the rituals for purity that existed. +[3927.80 --> 3931.22] Again, if you read the book of Leviticus with us, you know what that looks like. +[3931.74 --> 3939.82] In short, though, it means that their lives matched their heart and their calling. +[3940.92 --> 3945.60] To put it another way, their public life matched their private life. +[3945.60 --> 3952.34] So not perfect, but living a loving devotion to God. +[3953.70 --> 3962.14] Second, because they're called blameless here, I think it's really important for us to see that their childlessness, +[3962.70 --> 3967.98] Elizabeth's inability to have a child, is not a punishment for their sin. +[3967.98 --> 3975.82] Right, they're old, they're without children, and faithful to God's calling on their life. +[3976.94 --> 3985.12] But still, of course, right, Elizabeth especially felt ashamed and heartache at her childlessness. +[3986.06 --> 3992.68] Notice in verse 25 of chapter 1, how she talks about her disgrace being taken away. +[3992.68 --> 3995.94] But there's a sense of disgrace that she carries. +[3996.06 --> 4002.54] Now, there's all sorts of stories throughout the Bible about husbands and wives being unable to have children. +[4003.24 --> 4007.38] Right, and the social disgrace that comes as a result of that. +[4007.46 --> 4010.84] Part of that comes, we know, from the blessing that children are. +[4010.94 --> 4013.80] You can read about that in Psalm 127, for example. +[4013.80 --> 4021.80] Part of that comes from the fact that being fruitful and multiplying is tied to what it means to be human and creative, +[4021.80 --> 4025.02] as God is a creator and we are made in his image. +[4025.10 --> 4026.58] It comes out of Genesis 1, 2. +[4027.88 --> 4034.38] And yet, we also see all of the patriarchs of the faith dealt with fertility issues. +[4035.42 --> 4041.22] Right, we also see the story of Hannah and Elkna as heartbreaking in this context. +[4041.22 --> 4049.32] And actually, that story of Hannah and Elkna in 1 Samuel seems to be behind the way Luke structures his telling of this story. +[4051.22 --> 4058.04] And, honestly, if you've ever struggled with fertility or with an unfulfilled desire for children, +[4058.48 --> 4061.84] you know the feeling that Elizabeth is holding in her heart. +[4061.84 --> 4071.50] Now, Zechariah 2, for all his blamelessness, of course, still has his own doubts. +[4072.10 --> 4074.68] Right, he asks when the angel appears to him, he says, +[4074.84 --> 4076.12] How can I be sure of this? +[4076.60 --> 4080.20] I'm an old man and my wife is well along in years. +[4080.66 --> 4085.10] Now, the text doesn't tell us the tone that he used, +[4085.10 --> 4089.58] but the way that Gabriel responds is telling. +[4090.74 --> 4092.06] Right, Gabriel says, effectively, +[4092.46 --> 4093.64] I am Gabriel. +[4094.06 --> 4096.04] I stand in the presence of God. +[4096.20 --> 4097.40] He sent me to you. +[4097.90 --> 4099.76] It's not just my words you aren't believing. +[4099.88 --> 4101.62] It's the ability of God you're doubting. +[4102.32 --> 4105.40] And since you don't believe what I said, +[4105.54 --> 4106.96] you won't be able to speak. +[4106.96 --> 4113.38] Now, that kind of reaction is appropriate when the dismissal, +[4114.04 --> 4118.56] when the doubt, when the disbelief from Zechariah is quick and haughty. +[4119.34 --> 4121.82] So, again, I think Luke is doing this intentionally. +[4122.80 --> 4125.92] It kind of reminds me of the story of Abraham and Sarah +[4125.92 --> 4130.16] when God tells them that Sarah will become pregnant in her old age +[4130.16 --> 4131.20] and Abraham, too. +[4131.26 --> 4132.96] He questions and Sarah laughs. +[4132.96 --> 4138.76] But still, even with all of that, +[4138.84 --> 4140.78] as far as the characters here go, +[4140.90 --> 4142.60] as far as Zechariah and Elizabeth go, +[4142.98 --> 4146.00] we have two people who aren't perfect, +[4146.38 --> 4148.22] but they are faithful. +[4149.10 --> 4151.22] And they're committed to serving God, +[4151.44 --> 4152.94] even when it's hard, +[4153.34 --> 4155.60] even when their prayers go unanswered. +[4157.14 --> 4159.54] Right, here are two people who don't have it all figured out. +[4159.54 --> 4162.48] Far from it, but they're trying. +[4162.96 --> 4163.70] And they're committed. +[4164.46 --> 4166.84] They're committed to the call of God on their life +[4166.84 --> 4170.20] and struggling to live it out faithfully. +[4173.48 --> 4176.66] Next, we saw Simeon. +[4177.16 --> 4181.12] Now, Simeon we know less about than we do Zechariah and Elizabeth. +[4181.72 --> 4185.22] Of Simeon, one of the people I read this week +[4185.22 --> 4188.52] describes him as an elderly man +[4188.52 --> 4191.92] who now steps out of the darkness of the storyline of Scripture +[4191.92 --> 4193.92] and onto the main stage. +[4194.82 --> 4195.64] And then I would add, +[4195.90 --> 4198.50] goes back into the darkness following this moment. +[4198.62 --> 4200.30] He has one brief appearance. +[4201.10 --> 4204.14] He has no station by which we come to know him. +[4204.22 --> 4208.06] He has no place in the social order by which we should know him. +[4208.06 --> 4212.94] And yet, we do know that he was righteous and devout. +[4213.06 --> 4215.26] We do know that the Holy Spirit was on him +[4215.26 --> 4217.74] and we know that he too was waiting. +[4218.48 --> 4221.94] Waiting, he says, for the consolation of Israel. +[4222.08 --> 4225.54] A phrase that we know means that he was waiting +[4225.54 --> 4228.14] for the start of the age of the Messiah, +[4228.58 --> 4229.88] the Lord's anointed, +[4230.32 --> 4232.10] the one who would save the people. +[4232.20 --> 4234.60] He was waiting for God to remember his people, +[4234.60 --> 4237.96] to speak again for the age of salvation to become. +[4238.06 --> 4242.04] And we read that he was told by the Holy Spirit +[4242.04 --> 4244.64] that he would not die until, +[4244.98 --> 4247.50] before seeing the Lord's Messiah. +[4248.08 --> 4252.08] A promise of God's word that he took to heart +[4252.08 --> 4255.44] and that then shaped how he waited. +[4257.42 --> 4259.70] And after Simeon, we meet Anna. +[4260.62 --> 4262.44] We know that she is a prophet. +[4262.44 --> 4264.88] She's probably called a prophet +[4264.88 --> 4267.60] because she's always in the temple +[4267.60 --> 4270.96] and there she is praying and worshiping and speaking +[4270.96 --> 4273.70] to those who we're looking forward to. +[4274.48 --> 4277.66] Luke writes it as the redemption of Israel. +[4278.50 --> 4282.12] And we're told that she too is very old. +[4282.60 --> 4284.46] And we get a little bit more of her backstory. +[4285.58 --> 4287.88] We're told that she was married for seven years +[4287.88 --> 4289.26] when her husband died. +[4289.26 --> 4292.96] And then in the Bible translation that we have, +[4293.04 --> 4296.68] it says that she was a widow until she was 84 years old. +[4297.80 --> 4300.34] In fact, though, the way that's written in Greek, +[4300.98 --> 4303.62] it probably means not that she was a widow +[4303.62 --> 4305.22] until she was 84 years old, +[4305.24 --> 4307.86] but that she was a widow for 84 years. +[4309.08 --> 4313.44] And so if like most women at that time in Judea, +[4313.44 --> 4316.36] she was married at the age of 13 or so, +[4316.72 --> 4320.30] her husband died sometime in her 21st year, +[4320.54 --> 4323.28] and then 84 years had since passed, +[4323.74 --> 4325.42] which means in all likelihood, +[4325.72 --> 4327.90] she's probably 105 years old. +[4329.36 --> 4332.90] Now, either way, whether it's 105 or 85 or 84, +[4333.46 --> 4335.24] she's old. +[4335.24 --> 4337.58] And in her old age, what does she do? +[4338.42 --> 4340.72] She worships day and night, +[4341.16 --> 4344.80] fasting and praying and speaking prophecy. +[4345.86 --> 4348.06] In response to her tragedy, +[4348.60 --> 4350.62] she focuses her life on God. +[4351.46 --> 4354.58] She turned her trauma into a season +[4354.58 --> 4356.58] and a lifetime of worship. +[4357.18 --> 4359.08] And hear me carefully when I say that, right? +[4359.10 --> 4361.26] Because sometimes when we hear the word worship, +[4361.40 --> 4363.42] we think only happy and clappy. +[4363.42 --> 4364.96] We think songs and dancing. +[4365.40 --> 4366.68] Worship includes lament. +[4367.72 --> 4369.36] Worship includes crying out. +[4369.80 --> 4372.36] Worship includes weeping before the Lord. +[4373.54 --> 4375.94] And so she carries her tragedy +[4375.94 --> 4378.10] into a life of worship. +[4378.30 --> 4381.02] Rather than tragedy pushing her away from God, +[4381.40 --> 4384.78] tragedy actually seems to have driven her closer to God. +[4386.06 --> 4387.22] And because of that, +[4387.34 --> 4391.20] when the great moment of redemption of Israel was upon them, +[4391.20 --> 4396.18] she had eyes to see what so many others around her missed. +[4398.72 --> 4402.10] And so let's pull these four stories together, right? +[4402.14 --> 4406.52] What do Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna show us +[4406.52 --> 4407.80] when we hold them together? +[4408.80 --> 4410.90] Their stories, taken as a whole, +[4411.58 --> 4414.56] lead us straight into the heart of Advent. +[4414.56 --> 4417.82] Their stories, taken as a whole, +[4418.18 --> 4421.98] lead us to the idea that God fulfills his promises +[4421.98 --> 4423.54] in his perfect time. +[4424.06 --> 4426.90] That our waiting is never wasted. +[4427.54 --> 4430.98] And so we can have patience in the promises of God. +[4431.76 --> 4435.02] That God fulfills his promises in his perfect time. +[4435.30 --> 4437.82] Our waiting is never wasted. +[4438.70 --> 4441.62] And so we can have patience in the promises of God. +[4441.62 --> 4446.70] Each one of these stories is a model for us in this +[4446.70 --> 4449.34] and in a distinct and beautiful way. +[4450.54 --> 4452.62] When we look at Zechariah and Elizabeth, +[4453.20 --> 4456.58] we see two people who are committed to the process, +[4456.94 --> 4458.76] who are faithful in the ordinary, +[4459.32 --> 4461.26] even as things don't go their way. +[4462.18 --> 4462.40] Right? +[4462.42 --> 4464.74] There's a consistency in their lives +[4464.74 --> 4467.04] because of their faith. +[4467.04 --> 4472.54] Archbishop William Temple, +[4473.44 --> 4475.32] who was the Archbishop of Canterbury +[4475.32 --> 4478.02] in the Church of England during World War II, +[4479.06 --> 4482.08] from 1942 to 1944, +[4482.86 --> 4484.22] he famously said, +[4484.38 --> 4487.38] religion is what you do with your solitude. +[4488.78 --> 4492.78] Tim Keller, a bit of a more contemporary preacher +[4492.78 --> 4493.96] back in 2021, +[4494.62 --> 4496.68] said a similar thing. +[4496.68 --> 4499.84] The things we dream about most readily and instinctively +[4499.84 --> 4501.86] when nothing else is occupying our thoughts +[4501.86 --> 4505.06] reveal what we live for and serve. +[4507.14 --> 4510.22] Zechariah and Elizabeth model for us +[4510.22 --> 4514.86] just what it means to live for and serve the Lord +[4514.86 --> 4518.56] even in the midst of our disappointments. +[4519.52 --> 4523.42] Their life together matched their life in the world. +[4523.42 --> 4527.76] There's a consistency between what they professed +[4527.76 --> 4531.46] and what they professed as their religious commitments +[4531.46 --> 4534.96] and the way that caused them to show up +[4534.96 --> 4536.90] in the ordinary parts of life +[4536.90 --> 4540.22] in the regular moments and years as they passed. +[4542.12 --> 4544.32] When I was in my 20s, +[4545.14 --> 4546.38] about 20 years ago, +[4546.76 --> 4549.72] now there was a big study done in Canada. +[4549.72 --> 4553.76] The results of that study were published +[4553.76 --> 4556.64] in a study called Hemorrhaging Faith. +[4556.98 --> 4558.38] It was published in 2011. +[4559.28 --> 4561.24] The big concern at the time +[4561.24 --> 4563.72] was about young adults leaving the church. +[4564.58 --> 4565.94] At the same time, +[4566.06 --> 4567.24] in tandem with this, +[4567.34 --> 4568.12] the CRC, +[4568.34 --> 4570.40] our denomination that we belong to, +[4570.74 --> 4572.46] published some information +[4572.46 --> 4575.30] that sort of verified that idea from within. +[4575.88 --> 4576.54] It talked about +[4576.54 --> 4579.84] that around 60% of people +[4579.84 --> 4581.98] who were baptized in the 80s, +[4582.06 --> 4583.38] which is when I was born, +[4583.72 --> 4586.14] went on to do profession of faith in their 20s. +[4587.82 --> 4589.02] Now one of the reasons +[4589.02 --> 4591.42] that that was noted in there +[4591.42 --> 4594.14] for that hemorrhaging of faith, +[4594.22 --> 4595.54] for young adults leaving the church, +[4595.64 --> 4596.58] for that disconnect +[4596.58 --> 4600.04] was the disconnect +[4600.04 --> 4601.82] between professed belief, +[4601.98 --> 4603.24] what we said we believed, +[4603.54 --> 4606.54] and the lived experience of faith. +[4608.12 --> 4609.96] People told us +[4609.96 --> 4611.34] when we were this age +[4611.34 --> 4612.90] that this mattered +[4612.90 --> 4614.76] and you had to believe these things. +[4615.54 --> 4617.08] But then as we looked around +[4617.08 --> 4618.24] at the lives of the people +[4618.24 --> 4619.54] in our churches, +[4620.06 --> 4621.94] there wasn't that much difference +[4621.94 --> 4623.10] between them +[4623.10 --> 4625.12] and the parents of the people +[4625.12 --> 4626.18] we played sports with. +[4627.36 --> 4629.40] There wasn't this significant impact +[4629.40 --> 4631.32] on their lives +[4631.32 --> 4632.00] of those people +[4632.00 --> 4632.48] who were saying +[4632.48 --> 4633.38] this really matters. +[4634.26 --> 4635.80] But my non-Christian friends, +[4636.16 --> 4636.72] their parents, +[4637.68 --> 4638.78] did the same things, +[4638.90 --> 4639.74] talked the same way, +[4639.86 --> 4640.84] shopped the same way. +[4641.08 --> 4642.34] The only difference was +[4642.34 --> 4643.56] that hour and 15 minutes +[4643.56 --> 4644.32] on Sunday morning +[4644.32 --> 4645.48] when we were in church. +[4648.18 --> 4650.60] Now, I love the fact that +[4650.60 --> 4652.32] fast forward to today, +[4653.46 --> 4653.62] right, +[4653.62 --> 4656.60] and there's new data +[4656.60 --> 4657.52] out there, +[4658.16 --> 4659.80] but young adults +[4659.80 --> 4661.62] still want the exact same thing. +[4662.90 --> 4664.14] The difference is, +[4664.20 --> 4664.98] it seems to me, +[4665.72 --> 4666.50] is that you guys +[4666.50 --> 4667.84] are taking ownership of it. +[4669.44 --> 4670.60] Right, you're not waiting +[4670.60 --> 4671.80] for someone to show you, +[4672.52 --> 4673.62] you're doing it. +[4674.20 --> 4675.24] Right, based on most +[4675.24 --> 4675.84] of the metrics +[4675.84 --> 4676.74] that we have today, +[4677.00 --> 4677.70] the fastest, +[4677.96 --> 4678.54] and candidly, +[4678.54 --> 4680.02] the only part +[4680.02 --> 4680.84] of the Christian church +[4680.84 --> 4681.34] in the West +[4681.34 --> 4682.26] that is experiencing +[4682.26 --> 4683.56] a net growth +[4683.56 --> 4685.82] are the 20-somethings +[4685.82 --> 4687.98] because they're taking +[4687.98 --> 4688.78] ownership of it. +[4689.74 --> 4690.66] And they want +[4690.66 --> 4691.86] a rigorous faith +[4691.86 --> 4694.00] with a rule of life. +[4694.82 --> 4696.86] They want transformed living, +[4697.14 --> 4698.74] something that might cost you, +[4699.54 --> 4701.24] but something that's worth +[4701.24 --> 4701.90] the cost. +[4701.90 --> 4704.96] And I think that's beautiful +[4704.96 --> 4706.18] and awesome. +[4707.88 --> 4709.16] Like Zechariah +[4709.16 --> 4709.82] and Elizabeth, +[4711.40 --> 4712.02] your waiting +[4712.02 --> 4713.68] is not wasted, +[4714.44 --> 4715.68] but it shapes +[4715.68 --> 4717.14] and is shaped +[4717.14 --> 4717.88] by the patience +[4717.88 --> 4719.66] that you have +[4719.66 --> 4720.50] in the promises +[4720.50 --> 4721.84] of God. +[4723.20 --> 4724.60] Now, the same is true +[4724.60 --> 4726.06] of Simeon. +[4726.32 --> 4728.26] Simeon, he waits patiently +[4728.26 --> 4729.78] for the Lord's promise. +[4729.78 --> 4730.98] He doesn't rush +[4730.98 --> 4731.88] in its place +[4731.88 --> 4732.84] he worships. +[4733.50 --> 4734.24] One person +[4734.24 --> 4735.44] that I read this week +[4735.44 --> 4736.18] says, +[4736.48 --> 4738.08] what captures your hearts +[4738.08 --> 4739.86] we see +[4739.86 --> 4741.00] with our eyes. +[4742.70 --> 4743.22] And so, yes, +[4743.40 --> 4744.74] Simeon received +[4744.74 --> 4746.12] divine revelation, +[4746.68 --> 4747.68] but his heart +[4747.68 --> 4748.60] is tuned +[4748.60 --> 4749.72] into Scripture. +[4749.90 --> 4750.34] His heart +[4750.34 --> 4751.20] is tuned +[4751.20 --> 4752.64] into God's Word +[4752.64 --> 4754.06] which prepares him +[4754.06 --> 4755.20] to hear +[4755.20 --> 4756.40] God's revelation. +[4756.82 --> 4757.54] He can hear +[4757.54 --> 4758.78] the voice of God +[4758.78 --> 4760.28] because he recognizes +[4760.28 --> 4761.24] its timbre +[4761.24 --> 4762.46] and its vocal structure. +[4762.70 --> 4763.58] It's familiar +[4763.58 --> 4764.70] to his heart +[4764.70 --> 4766.40] and so he can identify it. +[4768.84 --> 4769.64] I remember +[4769.64 --> 4770.90] when our kids +[4770.90 --> 4771.42] were young, +[4772.36 --> 4773.66] every summer +[4773.66 --> 4774.52] we would hang out +[4774.52 --> 4775.06] at the beach. +[4775.18 --> 4775.52] We lived +[4775.52 --> 4776.60] in a town +[4776.60 --> 4777.64] on Lake Ontario +[4777.64 --> 4778.44] where we had +[4778.44 --> 4779.46] this excellent beach +[4779.46 --> 4780.14] that we would go to. +[4780.26 --> 4780.70] It was four minutes +[4780.70 --> 4781.44] away from our house. +[4782.32 --> 4783.26] And every summer +[4783.26 --> 4784.02] in the evenings +[4784.02 --> 4784.90] or on Saturdays +[4784.90 --> 4785.48] and the afternoons +[4785.48 --> 4786.16] or after church +[4786.16 --> 4786.76] on Sunday, +[4786.76 --> 4788.00] four or five +[4788.00 --> 4788.72] other families +[4788.72 --> 4789.30] would join us +[4789.30 --> 4789.78] and we would go +[4789.78 --> 4790.30] to the beach. +[4790.98 --> 4791.88] And it would be loud. +[4792.14 --> 4792.70] There would be kids +[4792.70 --> 4794.06] playing all over the place. +[4794.46 --> 4795.16] There would be adults +[4795.16 --> 4796.10] talking over here. +[4796.22 --> 4797.30] There's six games +[4797.30 --> 4797.78] of volleyball +[4797.78 --> 4799.02] going on over there. +[4799.08 --> 4799.74] There's a radio +[4799.74 --> 4801.26] blasting over there. +[4801.34 --> 4801.88] There's waves +[4801.88 --> 4802.64] crashing in +[4802.64 --> 4803.22] on the shore. +[4803.64 --> 4804.08] Generally, +[4804.36 --> 4805.18] it was a cacophony +[4805.18 --> 4805.76] of noises +[4805.76 --> 4806.52] and voices. +[4807.24 --> 4807.82] But then, +[4808.02 --> 4808.82] one kid +[4808.82 --> 4810.40] from some 15 feet away +[4810.40 --> 4811.32] sitting in a circle +[4811.32 --> 4812.42] of other kids +[4812.42 --> 4812.90] would say, +[4813.02 --> 4813.28] Mom, +[4813.44 --> 4814.20] I need you. +[4814.20 --> 4816.46] And the right mom +[4816.46 --> 4817.48] who was sitting over here +[4817.48 --> 4818.40] talking with her friends +[4818.40 --> 4818.94] would stop, +[4819.50 --> 4820.20] would say, +[4820.24 --> 4820.78] I hear you, honey. +[4820.90 --> 4821.64] I'll be right there. +[4821.82 --> 4822.78] And she came over +[4822.78 --> 4824.82] and would deal +[4824.82 --> 4825.56] or address +[4825.56 --> 4826.86] whatever needed +[4826.86 --> 4827.72] to be addressed. +[4827.96 --> 4829.42] Through all of that noise +[4829.42 --> 4830.46] in the middle +[4830.46 --> 4831.78] of 80 other things +[4831.78 --> 4833.10] calling for our attention, +[4833.42 --> 4835.30] she heard her child's voice. +[4836.00 --> 4836.70] She was able +[4836.70 --> 4837.46] to pick it out +[4837.46 --> 4838.82] from all of the other +[4838.82 --> 4840.30] voices around her +[4840.30 --> 4841.72] competing with it. +[4841.72 --> 4844.42] The same is true +[4844.42 --> 4845.80] when you know +[4845.80 --> 4846.54] God's voice. +[4847.38 --> 4848.30] When you love +[4848.30 --> 4848.94] God's word, +[4849.68 --> 4850.76] you can pick out +[4850.76 --> 4851.56] what he is saying +[4851.56 --> 4851.98] to you +[4851.98 --> 4852.94] from among the many +[4852.94 --> 4853.80] competing voices +[4853.80 --> 4854.88] in your life. +[4856.24 --> 4857.22] Jesus makes +[4857.22 --> 4858.08] this same point +[4858.08 --> 4858.90] when he describes +[4858.90 --> 4860.26] himself as the good shepherd. +[4861.24 --> 4862.40] Jesus in John 10 +[4862.40 --> 4862.68] says, +[4862.84 --> 4864.04] I am the good shepherd. +[4864.66 --> 4865.20] Then he goes on +[4865.20 --> 4865.44] to say, +[4865.50 --> 4866.42] the sheep listen +[4866.42 --> 4867.98] to his voice. +[4868.18 --> 4869.54] He calls his own sheep +[4869.54 --> 4870.12] by name +[4870.12 --> 4871.14] and leads them out. +[4871.14 --> 4873.04] His sheep follow him +[4873.04 --> 4874.32] because they know +[4874.32 --> 4875.60] his voice. +[4876.92 --> 4877.44] They will never +[4877.44 --> 4878.30] follow a stranger. +[4879.02 --> 4879.44] In fact, +[4879.52 --> 4880.34] they will run away +[4880.34 --> 4880.88] from him +[4880.88 --> 4882.20] because they do not +[4882.20 --> 4882.92] recognize +[4882.92 --> 4884.78] a stranger's voice. +[4886.08 --> 4887.68] The more familiar +[4887.68 --> 4888.56] you are +[4888.56 --> 4889.82] with God's word, +[4889.96 --> 4891.62] the more you will hear +[4891.62 --> 4892.60] God's voice +[4892.60 --> 4893.48] in your heart. +[4894.48 --> 4895.76] And the more you love +[4895.76 --> 4896.32] God's, +[4896.68 --> 4898.04] the more you love God +[4898.04 --> 4899.14] with your whole heart, +[4899.14 --> 4900.64] the more you will hear +[4900.64 --> 4901.82] his word +[4901.82 --> 4903.44] when he speaks to you. +[4904.96 --> 4905.44] And look, +[4905.60 --> 4905.94] of course, +[4906.10 --> 4907.74] don't hear what I'm not saying. +[4908.14 --> 4908.30] Right? +[4908.32 --> 4909.60] I'm not trying to make this +[4909.60 --> 4910.90] formulaic. +[4910.98 --> 4912.06] I'm not trying to make this +[4912.06 --> 4913.22] like a magic bullet +[4913.22 --> 4914.44] or a magic spell +[4914.44 --> 4915.28] whereby somehow +[4915.28 --> 4916.64] if you do the right things, +[4916.92 --> 4917.62] God owes you +[4917.62 --> 4918.64] a speaking and a voice. +[4918.64 --> 4918.86] Right? +[4918.92 --> 4920.08] That kind of manipulation +[4920.08 --> 4921.48] is actually a pagan +[4921.48 --> 4922.90] approach to God. +[4922.90 --> 4924.92] But, +[4925.24 --> 4927.04] every relationship +[4927.04 --> 4928.84] requires work. +[4929.68 --> 4930.62] Every relationship +[4930.62 --> 4932.20] requires investment. +[4933.00 --> 4933.88] And your relationship +[4933.88 --> 4934.32] to God, +[4934.52 --> 4934.70] well, +[4934.76 --> 4936.04] it's not formulaic. +[4936.08 --> 4937.08] It does require +[4937.08 --> 4937.76] discipline. +[4938.78 --> 4938.92] Right? +[4939.04 --> 4940.78] Spiritual discipline. +[4942.16 --> 4942.46] Now, +[4942.52 --> 4943.10] I hear people +[4943.10 --> 4944.20] say this +[4944.20 --> 4944.90] all the time. +[4944.98 --> 4945.84] Something along +[4945.84 --> 4946.46] the lines of, +[4946.72 --> 4948.10] I don't read the Bible +[4948.10 --> 4949.36] because I just don't +[4949.36 --> 4950.32] get anything out of it. +[4950.32 --> 4951.32] But, +[4951.32 --> 4953.12] if that's true, +[4953.48 --> 4954.64] it's also true +[4954.64 --> 4955.84] that you don't +[4955.84 --> 4956.88] get anything out of it +[4956.88 --> 4957.78] because you don't +[4957.78 --> 4958.24] read the Bible. +[4959.40 --> 4959.70] Right? +[4959.72 --> 4960.44] How can you expect +[4960.44 --> 4961.36] to hear the voice +[4961.36 --> 4961.88] of Jesus +[4961.88 --> 4963.28] if you're not familiar +[4963.28 --> 4963.94] with the voice +[4963.94 --> 4964.42] of Jesus? +[4966.30 --> 4966.78] Right? +[4966.80 --> 4967.98] I also hear people +[4967.98 --> 4969.22] say something like, +[4969.36 --> 4970.24] I stopped going +[4970.24 --> 4970.72] to church +[4970.72 --> 4971.24] because I didn't +[4971.24 --> 4972.14] feel anything +[4972.14 --> 4973.18] when I was there. +[4974.20 --> 4974.60] And so, +[4974.70 --> 4975.38] I will ask them. +[4976.16 --> 4976.94] And I do it +[4976.94 --> 4978.06] more pastorally +[4978.06 --> 4978.88] and more sensitively +[4978.88 --> 4979.64] than I might right now. +[4979.72 --> 4979.82] But, +[4980.32 --> 4980.96] I will ask them, +[4981.02 --> 4981.64] did it work? +[4983.24 --> 4983.46] Right? +[4983.50 --> 4984.04] Do you feel +[4984.04 --> 4984.74] something now? +[4985.98 --> 4986.82] And the answer +[4986.82 --> 4987.34] generally +[4987.34 --> 4988.90] is the same. +[4989.76 --> 4989.98] Right? +[4990.02 --> 4990.64] The answer generally +[4990.64 --> 4990.98] is, well, +[4991.06 --> 4991.30] no, +[4991.44 --> 4992.00] not really. +[4992.52 --> 4993.42] I just stopped +[4993.42 --> 4993.88] trying. +[4995.00 --> 4995.24] Right? +[4995.38 --> 4996.16] If it's not going +[4996.16 --> 4996.94] to make a difference, +[4997.94 --> 4998.84] well, +[4998.84 --> 4999.52] I do it different. +[5001.60 --> 5002.76] Which sounds +[5002.76 --> 5003.32] like the same +[5003.32 --> 5003.98] old concern +[5003.98 --> 5005.68] again and again. +[5005.76 --> 5005.86] But, +[5006.32 --> 5007.92] here's an idea +[5007.92 --> 5009.68] that I think +[5009.68 --> 5010.48] is deeply biblical +[5010.48 --> 5010.94] but it's +[5010.94 --> 5011.94] particular construction. +[5011.94 --> 5012.74] I'm borrowing +[5012.74 --> 5014.38] from systems theory, +[5014.54 --> 5015.50] from change theory, +[5015.66 --> 5016.76] from people like +[5016.76 --> 5017.48] Brene Brown. +[5017.62 --> 5018.14] Some of you are +[5018.14 --> 5019.16] familiar with her work. +[5019.16 --> 5021.58] your life +[5021.58 --> 5023.70] is perfectly designed +[5023.70 --> 5024.86] to get you +[5024.86 --> 5025.54] the results +[5025.54 --> 5026.34] you're currently +[5026.34 --> 5026.68] getting. +[5027.62 --> 5028.72] Let me say that again. +[5029.26 --> 5030.04] Your life +[5030.04 --> 5030.74] is perfectly +[5030.74 --> 5031.34] designed +[5031.34 --> 5032.62] to get the results +[5032.62 --> 5033.54] that you are +[5033.54 --> 5034.34] currently getting. +[5034.54 --> 5035.38] If you want +[5035.38 --> 5036.36] different results, +[5037.36 --> 5038.34] you need to do +[5038.34 --> 5039.22] things differently. +[5039.22 --> 5041.88] And this calls +[5041.88 --> 5042.64] for deep +[5042.64 --> 5043.86] change. +[5044.66 --> 5045.98] For life-altering +[5045.98 --> 5046.88] change. +[5047.02 --> 5047.76] If you made +[5047.76 --> 5048.52] a change +[5048.52 --> 5049.62] but the results +[5049.62 --> 5050.18] are the same, +[5051.14 --> 5052.08] the change +[5052.08 --> 5052.72] wasn't deep +[5052.72 --> 5053.10] enough. +[5054.38 --> 5054.80] Right? +[5054.84 --> 5055.38] To the person +[5055.38 --> 5056.02] who stops +[5056.02 --> 5056.94] coming to church +[5056.94 --> 5057.76] because they don't +[5057.76 --> 5058.76] feel anything +[5058.76 --> 5059.92] but then discovers +[5059.92 --> 5060.66] that they still +[5060.66 --> 5061.84] don't feel anything +[5061.84 --> 5062.54] that they thought +[5062.54 --> 5063.16] they should, +[5063.66 --> 5064.36] the change +[5064.36 --> 5065.16] wasn't deep +[5065.16 --> 5065.58] enough. +[5066.74 --> 5067.20] Perhaps +[5067.20 --> 5068.04] it was actually +[5068.04 --> 5068.72] a change +[5068.72 --> 5069.12] in the wrong +[5069.12 --> 5069.64] direction. +[5070.54 --> 5070.98] Right? +[5071.02 --> 5071.48] To the person +[5071.48 --> 5071.94] who stopped +[5071.94 --> 5072.66] reading the Bible +[5072.66 --> 5073.30] because they don't +[5073.30 --> 5073.76] get anything +[5073.76 --> 5074.22] out of it, +[5074.78 --> 5075.68] you could say +[5075.68 --> 5076.16] that you've +[5076.16 --> 5077.14] made a change +[5077.14 --> 5078.04] but you still +[5078.04 --> 5078.60] aren't hearing +[5078.60 --> 5079.02] the voice +[5079.02 --> 5079.38] of the good +[5079.38 --> 5079.68] shepherd. +[5080.34 --> 5080.84] The change +[5080.84 --> 5081.44] wasn't deep +[5081.44 --> 5081.86] enough. +[5082.28 --> 5082.68] It wasn't +[5082.68 --> 5083.02] the right +[5083.02 --> 5083.54] change. +[5083.92 --> 5084.36] Instead, +[5085.06 --> 5085.28] right, +[5085.34 --> 5085.84] the change +[5085.84 --> 5086.54] that we need +[5086.54 --> 5087.02] is to go +[5087.02 --> 5087.94] deeper with +[5087.94 --> 5088.20] God, +[5088.26 --> 5089.10] to draw closer +[5089.10 --> 5090.06] to the shepherd. +[5090.30 --> 5091.18] Like Simeon, +[5091.30 --> 5091.80] to be filled +[5091.80 --> 5092.30] with the Holy +[5092.30 --> 5093.58] Spirit so that +[5093.58 --> 5094.44] when we pray +[5094.44 --> 5095.34] and praise, +[5095.74 --> 5096.20] scripture +[5096.20 --> 5097.24] comes out +[5097.24 --> 5097.68] of us. +[5098.04 --> 5099.06] If you had +[5099.06 --> 5099.76] eyes to +[5099.76 --> 5100.74] see it, +[5100.86 --> 5102.46] when Simeon +[5102.46 --> 5103.52] gives his +[5103.52 --> 5104.84] speech here, +[5105.28 --> 5106.06] when he +[5106.06 --> 5107.96] speaks over +[5107.96 --> 5109.36] the baby +[5109.36 --> 5110.04] Jesus, +[5111.22 --> 5112.26] the words +[5112.26 --> 5112.98] that he says +[5112.98 --> 5113.40] there +[5113.40 --> 5115.88] sound like +[5115.88 --> 5116.32] a scripture +[5116.32 --> 5116.90] quote but +[5116.90 --> 5117.42] they're not +[5117.42 --> 5117.98] a direct +[5117.98 --> 5118.52] quote. +[5118.96 --> 5119.42] It's a +[5119.42 --> 5120.02] paraphrasing +[5120.02 --> 5120.40] of about +[5120.40 --> 5121.32] three places +[5121.32 --> 5122.30] in Isaiah +[5122.30 --> 5122.94] that he pulls +[5122.94 --> 5123.36] together. +[5123.94 --> 5124.44] That's what +[5124.44 --> 5124.94] happens when +[5124.94 --> 5125.18] you know +[5125.18 --> 5125.62] the voice +[5125.62 --> 5126.40] of Jesus, +[5126.40 --> 5126.76] when you're +[5126.76 --> 5127.34] so familiar +[5127.34 --> 5127.82] with God's +[5127.82 --> 5127.98] word, +[5128.08 --> 5128.54] that when +[5128.54 --> 5129.26] you pray, +[5129.72 --> 5130.36] it comes +[5130.36 --> 5131.06] out in +[5131.06 --> 5131.38] the voice +[5131.38 --> 5131.82] of scripture, +[5131.98 --> 5132.54] comes out +[5132.54 --> 5132.82] in the +[5132.82 --> 5133.84] voice of +[5133.84 --> 5134.18] God. +[5135.76 --> 5136.52] If your +[5136.52 --> 5138.10] desire is +[5138.10 --> 5138.64] to really +[5138.64 --> 5139.12] encounter +[5139.12 --> 5139.64] God, +[5140.24 --> 5141.48] don't move +[5141.48 --> 5142.44] away from +[5142.44 --> 5143.46] the ways +[5143.46 --> 5143.76] that he +[5143.76 --> 5144.52] has promised +[5144.52 --> 5144.98] to be +[5144.98 --> 5145.50] present with +[5145.50 --> 5146.00] his people +[5146.00 --> 5147.48] by his +[5147.48 --> 5147.80] word, +[5148.12 --> 5148.72] in the +[5148.72 --> 5149.26] sacraments, +[5149.60 --> 5150.04] through the +[5150.04 --> 5151.06] church community +[5151.06 --> 5151.76] in worship +[5151.76 --> 5152.96] and in life +[5152.96 --> 5153.34] together. +[5153.34 --> 5154.66] God's +[5154.66 --> 5155.04] God's +[5155.04 --> 5155.34] love. +[5155.34 --> 5156.20] This is where +[5156.20 --> 5157.22] Jesus speaks. +[5157.22 --> 5157.38] If you're +[5157.38 --> 5158.06] longing to +[5158.06 --> 5159.08] hear Jesus +[5159.08 --> 5159.82] speak, +[5160.22 --> 5160.96] go to +[5160.96 --> 5161.64] the places +[5161.64 --> 5163.16] he speaks, +[5163.70 --> 5164.34] not away +[5164.34 --> 5164.76] from them. +[5166.24 --> 5166.74] In fact, +[5166.82 --> 5167.18] this is what +[5167.18 --> 5167.50] we see, +[5167.56 --> 5167.78] right, +[5167.90 --> 5168.42] with Anna. +[5169.98 --> 5170.36] Anna, +[5170.48 --> 5170.72] in her +[5170.72 --> 5171.16] tragedy, +[5171.54 --> 5171.96] she chose +[5171.96 --> 5172.28] to go +[5172.28 --> 5172.68] deeper +[5172.68 --> 5173.88] with God. +[5174.54 --> 5175.22] At 84 +[5175.22 --> 5175.84] years old +[5175.84 --> 5176.40] or 105 +[5176.40 --> 5177.50] years old, +[5177.78 --> 5178.42] she still +[5178.42 --> 5179.00] had something +[5179.00 --> 5179.78] to contribute +[5179.78 --> 5180.62] to the +[5180.62 --> 5181.02] purposes +[5181.02 --> 5182.10] of God. +[5183.24 --> 5183.52] And I +[5183.52 --> 5183.84] didn't want +[5183.84 --> 5184.56] to spend +[5184.56 --> 5184.94] too much +[5184.94 --> 5185.36] time here +[5185.36 --> 5185.80] this morning, +[5185.90 --> 5186.58] but she's +[5186.58 --> 5187.54] 105 years +[5187.54 --> 5187.82] old. +[5188.32 --> 5188.82] For those +[5188.82 --> 5189.04] of you +[5189.04 --> 5189.44] who think +[5189.44 --> 5189.82] that being +[5189.82 --> 5190.26] a senior +[5190.26 --> 5190.66] means you +[5190.66 --> 5190.96] don't have +[5190.96 --> 5191.32] to serve +[5191.32 --> 5191.54] in the +[5191.54 --> 5191.74] church +[5191.74 --> 5192.14] anymore, +[5193.10 --> 5193.50] look at +[5193.50 --> 5193.68] Anna. +[5194.80 --> 5195.38] If you +[5195.38 --> 5195.74] think there's +[5195.74 --> 5196.26] retirement +[5196.26 --> 5196.80] in the +[5196.80 --> 5197.08] Christian +[5197.08 --> 5197.54] faith, +[5198.18 --> 5198.48] look at +[5198.48 --> 5198.68] Anna. +[5200.66 --> 5200.90] Right? +[5200.98 --> 5201.78] We continue +[5201.78 --> 5202.66] to serve +[5202.66 --> 5203.42] our Lord +[5203.42 --> 5203.84] and to be +[5203.84 --> 5204.36] used by +[5204.36 --> 5204.82] him even +[5204.82 --> 5205.82] to 105 +[5205.82 --> 5207.42] years old. +[5207.64 --> 5208.04] Amazing. +[5208.92 --> 5209.36] But she +[5209.36 --> 5210.36] shows us +[5210.36 --> 5211.32] that waiting +[5211.32 --> 5212.16] is never +[5212.16 --> 5212.66] wasted +[5212.66 --> 5213.30] when it's +[5213.30 --> 5213.70] offered to +[5213.70 --> 5213.94] God. +[5214.84 --> 5215.44] She shows +[5215.44 --> 5215.78] us that +[5215.78 --> 5216.44] her decades +[5216.44 --> 5216.98] of sorrow +[5216.98 --> 5217.46] did not +[5217.46 --> 5218.54] disqualify her, +[5218.80 --> 5219.34] they shaped +[5219.34 --> 5219.64] her. +[5220.14 --> 5220.64] That her +[5220.64 --> 5221.22] persistent +[5221.22 --> 5222.30] presence in +[5222.30 --> 5222.80] the temple +[5222.80 --> 5223.38] day after +[5223.38 --> 5223.68] day, +[5223.80 --> 5224.60] prayer after +[5224.60 --> 5224.94] prayer, +[5225.22 --> 5225.84] became the +[5225.84 --> 5226.74] very means +[5226.74 --> 5227.26] by which +[5227.26 --> 5227.76] she was +[5227.76 --> 5228.40] able to +[5228.40 --> 5228.98] recognize +[5228.98 --> 5229.76] Jesus the +[5229.76 --> 5230.62] moment that +[5230.62 --> 5231.08] he appeared. +[5231.40 --> 5231.74] And when +[5231.74 --> 5232.30] she did, +[5232.40 --> 5232.94] all those +[5232.94 --> 5233.96] long years +[5233.96 --> 5234.62] of patient +[5234.62 --> 5235.56] faith turned +[5235.56 --> 5236.08] into a +[5236.08 --> 5237.10] testimony that +[5237.10 --> 5237.86] she used to +[5237.86 --> 5238.70] strengthen the +[5238.70 --> 5239.14] hope of +[5239.14 --> 5239.54] others, +[5239.98 --> 5240.74] to strengthen +[5240.74 --> 5241.28] the hope +[5241.28 --> 5241.80] of all +[5241.80 --> 5242.52] those who +[5242.52 --> 5243.06] were waiting +[5243.06 --> 5243.60] for the +[5243.60 --> 5244.48] redemption +[5244.48 --> 5245.82] of Jerusalem. +[5247.06 --> 5248.18] Anna reminds +[5248.18 --> 5249.16] us that +[5249.16 --> 5250.28] God fulfills +[5250.28 --> 5251.06] his promises +[5251.06 --> 5251.92] in his +[5251.92 --> 5253.20] perfect time +[5253.20 --> 5253.70] and that +[5253.70 --> 5254.26] the kind +[5254.26 --> 5255.30] of waiting +[5255.30 --> 5256.18] we give +[5256.18 --> 5257.26] him becomes +[5257.26 --> 5258.00] part of +[5258.00 --> 5258.54] the way +[5258.54 --> 5259.80] he fulfills +[5259.80 --> 5260.60] those promises +[5260.60 --> 5261.72] in us. +[5263.78 --> 5264.16] And so +[5264.16 --> 5264.66] specifically, +[5264.80 --> 5265.26] this is her +[5265.26 --> 5266.16] invitation to +[5266.16 --> 5266.38] us, +[5266.38 --> 5267.38] that even +[5267.38 --> 5268.32] in grief +[5268.32 --> 5269.86] we worship. +[5271.10 --> 5271.82] Even in +[5271.82 --> 5272.42] a lifetime +[5272.42 --> 5273.22] of tragedy +[5273.22 --> 5274.16] and hardship +[5274.16 --> 5275.76] we press +[5275.76 --> 5276.22] into who +[5276.22 --> 5276.74] God is +[5276.74 --> 5277.30] and what +[5277.30 --> 5277.64] God is +[5277.64 --> 5277.96] doing. +[5278.86 --> 5279.56] A life +[5279.56 --> 5279.98] turned +[5279.98 --> 5280.58] towards +[5280.58 --> 5281.00] God +[5281.00 --> 5281.24] through +[5281.24 --> 5281.70] sorrow +[5281.70 --> 5281.96] and +[5281.96 --> 5282.42] questions +[5282.42 --> 5282.68] and +[5282.68 --> 5283.08] loss +[5283.08 --> 5283.60] is +[5283.60 --> 5284.14] still +[5284.14 --> 5284.60] a +[5284.60 --> 5284.86] life +[5284.86 --> 5285.18] well +[5285.18 --> 5285.62] lived +[5285.62 --> 5286.06] because +[5286.06 --> 5286.60] God +[5286.60 --> 5287.34] is +[5287.34 --> 5288.10] good. +[5289.70 --> 5289.90] Anna +[5289.90 --> 5290.36] shows +[5290.36 --> 5290.66] us +[5290.66 --> 5290.90] that +[5290.90 --> 5291.62] faithfulness +[5291.62 --> 5292.00] in the +[5292.00 --> 5292.32] dark +[5292.32 --> 5293.08] is often +[5293.08 --> 5293.92] how God +[5293.92 --> 5294.80] prepares us +[5294.80 --> 5295.40] to see +[5295.40 --> 5296.24] the light. +[5298.16 --> 5298.94] And all +[5298.94 --> 5299.46] of this +[5299.46 --> 5300.70] brings us +[5300.70 --> 5300.96] to the +[5300.96 --> 5301.32] heart +[5301.32 --> 5302.08] then +[5302.08 --> 5302.44] of +[5302.44 --> 5303.14] Advent's +[5303.14 --> 5303.78] hope +[5303.78 --> 5304.96] because +[5304.96 --> 5305.50] ultimately +[5305.50 --> 5306.30] Zechariah +[5306.30 --> 5307.06] and Elizabeth +[5307.06 --> 5307.74] didn't just +[5307.74 --> 5308.52] wait for +[5308.52 --> 5309.38] their child. +[5310.04 --> 5310.32] Simeon +[5310.32 --> 5310.78] didn't just +[5310.78 --> 5311.28] wait for +[5311.28 --> 5311.92] his moment +[5311.92 --> 5312.28] in the +[5312.28 --> 5312.54] temple. +[5312.68 --> 5312.86] Anna +[5312.86 --> 5313.34] didn't just +[5313.34 --> 5313.74] wait for +[5313.74 --> 5314.20] a flicker +[5314.20 --> 5314.78] of comfort +[5314.78 --> 5315.40] in her +[5315.40 --> 5315.68] grief. +[5315.82 --> 5316.22] They were +[5316.22 --> 5316.90] all waiting +[5316.90 --> 5317.38] for a +[5317.38 --> 5317.86] person, +[5318.06 --> 5318.76] for God +[5318.76 --> 5319.28] to take +[5319.28 --> 5319.90] on flesh +[5319.90 --> 5320.44] and make +[5320.44 --> 5321.06] his dwelling +[5321.06 --> 5322.14] among us. +[5322.36 --> 5323.14] And that +[5323.14 --> 5323.62] is the +[5323.62 --> 5324.00] miracle +[5324.00 --> 5324.78] of this +[5324.78 --> 5325.52] season. +[5325.82 --> 5326.04] The +[5326.04 --> 5326.40] God +[5326.40 --> 5326.60] who +[5326.60 --> 5327.06] seemed +[5327.06 --> 5327.62] to be +[5327.62 --> 5328.20] silent +[5328.20 --> 5328.86] had not +[5328.86 --> 5329.38] forgotten +[5329.38 --> 5329.76] them, +[5330.36 --> 5330.88] but his +[5330.88 --> 5331.38] timing was +[5331.38 --> 5331.84] perfect. +[5332.18 --> 5332.30] The +[5332.30 --> 5332.60] God +[5332.60 --> 5332.84] who +[5332.84 --> 5333.56] seemed +[5333.56 --> 5334.12] slow +[5334.12 --> 5334.48] was +[5334.48 --> 5335.10] actually +[5335.10 --> 5335.58] right +[5335.58 --> 5336.10] on +[5336.10 --> 5336.74] time. +[5337.50 --> 5337.84] Every +[5337.84 --> 5338.20] ache, +[5338.34 --> 5338.62] every +[5338.62 --> 5339.04] prayer, +[5339.20 --> 5339.42] every +[5339.42 --> 5339.86] tear, +[5340.18 --> 5340.42] every +[5340.42 --> 5340.82] year +[5340.82 --> 5341.06] of +[5341.06 --> 5341.84] obscurity +[5341.84 --> 5342.40] was +[5342.40 --> 5342.84] leading +[5342.84 --> 5343.28] to +[5343.28 --> 5343.76] this +[5343.76 --> 5344.40] moment, +[5344.54 --> 5344.74] this +[5344.74 --> 5345.40] proclamation +[5345.40 --> 5346.02] of good +[5346.02 --> 5346.42] news, +[5346.52 --> 5346.98] of great +[5346.98 --> 5347.50] joy that +[5347.50 --> 5347.74] will be +[5347.74 --> 5348.22] for all +[5348.22 --> 5348.60] people. +[5348.96 --> 5349.34] Today +[5349.34 --> 5349.76] in the +[5349.76 --> 5350.04] town +[5350.04 --> 5351.12] of David +[5351.12 --> 5351.92] in Bethlehem +[5351.92 --> 5352.22] a +[5352.22 --> 5352.58] savior +[5352.58 --> 5353.64] has been +[5353.64 --> 5354.24] born. +[5354.46 --> 5354.84] This +[5354.84 --> 5355.46] is the +[5355.46 --> 5355.92] gospel, +[5356.24 --> 5356.46] this +[5356.46 --> 5356.82] is the +[5356.82 --> 5357.30] hope of +[5357.30 --> 5357.68] advent, +[5358.02 --> 5358.40] that we +[5358.40 --> 5358.80] will not +[5358.80 --> 5359.68] finally get +[5359.68 --> 5360.26] what we +[5360.26 --> 5360.78] are waiting +[5360.78 --> 5361.20] for, +[5361.30 --> 5361.66] but that +[5361.66 --> 5362.14] God +[5362.14 --> 5362.88] himself +[5362.88 --> 5364.38] has +[5364.38 --> 5364.70] finally +[5364.70 --> 5365.16] come +[5365.16 --> 5366.38] into the +[5366.38 --> 5366.68] world. +[5367.54 --> 5368.38] He is the +[5368.38 --> 5369.20] consolation +[5369.20 --> 5370.14] that Simeon +[5370.14 --> 5370.74] longed for, +[5370.84 --> 5371.42] the redemption +[5371.42 --> 5372.24] that Anna +[5372.24 --> 5372.70] proclaimed, +[5372.86 --> 5373.44] the mercy +[5373.44 --> 5374.32] that Elizabeth +[5374.32 --> 5375.10] rejoiced in, +[5375.16 --> 5375.82] the salvation +[5375.82 --> 5377.04] that Zechariah +[5377.04 --> 5377.76] sang over. +[5378.08 --> 5378.76] Everything +[5378.76 --> 5379.54] they waited +[5379.54 --> 5380.22] for is +[5380.22 --> 5380.60] found +[5380.60 --> 5381.18] in +[5381.18 --> 5381.90] him. +[5383.70 --> 5384.04] And this +[5384.04 --> 5384.22] is the +[5384.22 --> 5384.50] good news +[5384.50 --> 5385.00] for us +[5385.00 --> 5385.38] too. +[5386.22 --> 5386.44] Right? +[5386.50 --> 5387.04] Your life +[5387.04 --> 5387.58] is not +[5387.58 --> 5388.14] overlooked. +[5388.70 --> 5388.96] Your +[5388.96 --> 5389.36] waiting +[5389.36 --> 5389.98] is not +[5389.98 --> 5390.44] wasted. +[5390.86 --> 5390.98] Your +[5390.98 --> 5391.54] story +[5391.54 --> 5392.14] is held +[5392.14 --> 5392.50] in the +[5392.50 --> 5392.92] hands +[5392.92 --> 5393.52] of the +[5393.52 --> 5393.82] one +[5393.82 --> 5394.06] who +[5394.06 --> 5394.48] stepped +[5394.48 --> 5394.94] into +[5394.94 --> 5395.34] our +[5395.34 --> 5395.70] world +[5395.70 --> 5395.92] and +[5395.92 --> 5396.16] took +[5396.16 --> 5396.40] on +[5396.40 --> 5396.66] our +[5396.66 --> 5396.98] flesh, +[5397.36 --> 5397.64] bore +[5397.64 --> 5398.00] our +[5398.00 --> 5398.58] griefs, +[5398.58 --> 5399.38] and rose +[5399.38 --> 5399.98] to give +[5399.98 --> 5400.40] us +[5400.40 --> 5401.18] life. +[5401.78 --> 5402.18] He +[5402.18 --> 5402.64] is +[5402.64 --> 5403.28] Emmanuel, +[5403.84 --> 5404.16] God +[5404.16 --> 5404.52] with +[5404.52 --> 5405.02] us, +[5405.20 --> 5405.54] God +[5405.54 --> 5406.22] with +[5406.22 --> 5406.82] you. +[5406.82 --> 5408.98] So we +[5408.98 --> 5409.46] enter this +[5409.46 --> 5409.76] Advent +[5409.76 --> 5410.30] season, +[5411.14 --> 5413.96] we don't +[5413.96 --> 5414.30] enter it +[5414.30 --> 5414.60] alone. +[5415.74 --> 5416.38] You +[5416.38 --> 5416.86] don't +[5416.86 --> 5417.20] wait +[5417.20 --> 5418.22] alone. +[5419.02 --> 5419.56] You +[5419.56 --> 5419.72] wait +[5419.72 --> 5419.86] with +[5419.86 --> 5419.98] the +[5419.98 --> 5420.30] church, +[5420.78 --> 5420.98] you +[5420.98 --> 5421.16] wait +[5421.16 --> 5421.38] with +[5421.38 --> 5421.70] these +[5421.70 --> 5422.38] saints, +[5422.56 --> 5422.72] these +[5422.72 --> 5423.04] brothers +[5423.04 --> 5423.40] and +[5423.40 --> 5423.76] sisters +[5423.76 --> 5424.02] in +[5424.02 --> 5424.14] the +[5424.14 --> 5424.34] Lord, +[5424.42 --> 5424.54] and +[5424.54 --> 5424.84] most +[5424.84 --> 5425.02] of +[5425.02 --> 5425.20] all, +[5425.54 --> 5425.66] you +[5425.66 --> 5426.02] wait +[5426.02 --> 5426.32] with +[5426.32 --> 5426.62] the +[5426.62 --> 5426.92] Savior +[5426.92 --> 5427.22] who +[5427.22 --> 5427.38] has +[5427.38 --> 5427.88] already +[5427.88 --> 5428.40] come +[5428.40 --> 5428.92] and +[5428.92 --> 5429.12] who +[5429.12 --> 5429.44] will +[5429.44 --> 5429.80] come +[5429.80 --> 5430.22] again. +[5431.86 --> 5432.26] So may +[5432.26 --> 5432.66] you lift +[5432.66 --> 5433.20] your eyes +[5433.20 --> 5433.44] in +[5433.44 --> 5433.74] hope. +[5434.44 --> 5434.64] May +[5434.64 --> 5434.80] you +[5434.80 --> 5435.16] offer +[5435.16 --> 5435.44] your +[5435.44 --> 5435.82] waiting +[5435.82 --> 5436.26] to +[5436.26 --> 5436.64] God +[5436.64 --> 5437.10] may +[5437.10 --> 5437.30] you +[5437.30 --> 5437.70] listen +[5437.70 --> 5438.00] for +[5438.00 --> 5438.32] his +[5438.32 --> 5438.74] voice +[5438.74 --> 5438.98] in +[5438.98 --> 5439.14] the +[5439.14 --> 5439.54] noise +[5439.54 --> 5439.76] of +[5439.76 --> 5439.98] these +[5439.98 --> 5440.34] days. +[5441.14 --> 5441.52] And +[5441.52 --> 5441.64] may +[5441.64 --> 5441.80] the +[5441.80 --> 5442.14] God +[5442.14 --> 5442.34] who +[5442.34 --> 5442.74] fulfilled +[5442.74 --> 5443.22] every +[5443.22 --> 5443.72] promise +[5443.72 --> 5443.94] in +[5443.94 --> 5444.08] the +[5444.08 --> 5444.32] birth +[5444.32 --> 5444.50] of +[5444.50 --> 5444.70] his +[5444.70 --> 5444.98] son +[5444.98 --> 5445.68] fill +[5445.68 --> 5446.00] you +[5446.00 --> 5446.28] with +[5446.28 --> 5447.00] certainty +[5447.00 --> 5447.66] that +[5447.66 --> 5447.84] he +[5447.84 --> 5448.06] has +[5448.06 --> 5448.34] not +[5448.34 --> 5448.84] forgotten +[5448.84 --> 5449.18] you, +[5449.70 --> 5450.52] that +[5450.52 --> 5450.66] he +[5450.66 --> 5450.84] is +[5450.84 --> 5451.48] nearer +[5451.48 --> 5451.68] than +[5451.68 --> 5451.96] you +[5451.96 --> 5452.34] think, +[5452.42 --> 5452.54] that +[5452.54 --> 5452.84] he +[5452.84 --> 5453.20] is +[5453.20 --> 5453.48] not +[5453.48 --> 5453.84] done +[5453.84 --> 5454.22] with +[5454.22 --> 5454.74] your +[5454.74 --> 5455.52] story. +[5456.34 --> 5456.94] Because +[5456.94 --> 5457.34] Christ +[5457.34 --> 5457.62] has +[5457.62 --> 5458.08] come, +[5458.26 --> 5458.60] Christ +[5458.60 --> 5459.08] is +[5459.08 --> 5459.90] coming, +[5460.78 --> 5461.26] and +[5461.26 --> 5461.44] in +[5461.44 --> 5461.84] him +[5461.84 --> 5462.70] none, +[5463.30 --> 5463.90] none, +[5464.06 --> 5464.60] not one +[5464.60 --> 5465.64] moment of +[5465.64 --> 5465.84] your +[5465.84 --> 5466.26] waiting, +[5466.64 --> 5467.16] is +[5467.16 --> 5467.54] wasted. +[5468.38 --> 5468.68] Amen. +[5469.40 --> 5469.82] Let's pray +[5469.82 --> 5470.16] together. +[5476.72 --> 5477.64] Lord Jesus, +[5477.76 --> 5478.16] as we +[5478.16 --> 5479.62] look to +[5479.62 --> 5480.06] your +[5480.06 --> 5480.64] first +[5480.64 --> 5481.24] coming, +[5481.60 --> 5481.92] stir +[5481.92 --> 5482.96] in us +[5482.96 --> 5483.68] a hope +[5483.68 --> 5484.52] for your +[5484.52 --> 5484.98] second +[5484.98 --> 5485.66] coming. +[5485.66 --> 5488.16] as we +[5488.16 --> 5488.82] look to +[5488.82 --> 5489.60] your +[5489.60 --> 5490.60] faithfulness, +[5490.60 --> 5491.20] to your +[5491.20 --> 5491.70] promises, +[5492.52 --> 5493.40] fill us +[5493.40 --> 5493.88] with +[5493.88 --> 5494.70] an +[5494.70 --> 5496.28] unquenchable +[5496.28 --> 5496.84] hope. +[5498.40 --> 5498.70] Fill +[5498.70 --> 5499.12] us +[5499.12 --> 5499.52] with a +[5499.52 --> 5500.00] desire +[5500.00 --> 5500.34] to +[5500.34 --> 5501.24] hear +[5501.24 --> 5501.58] your +[5501.58 --> 5502.06] voice +[5502.06 --> 5502.54] and to +[5502.54 --> 5502.90] know +[5502.90 --> 5503.36] you +[5503.36 --> 5504.12] more. +[5506.02 --> 5506.64] Move +[5506.64 --> 5507.30] in us, +[5507.40 --> 5508.28] in all +[5508.28 --> 5508.70] of us +[5508.70 --> 5508.98] here +[5508.98 --> 5509.52] right now, +[5509.62 --> 5510.24] move in +[5510.24 --> 5511.08] Langley, +[5511.18 --> 5511.64] Emmanuel, +[5511.64 --> 5512.84] no matter +[5512.84 --> 5513.74] how old +[5513.74 --> 5514.22] we are, +[5514.30 --> 5514.68] whether we +[5514.68 --> 5515.10] are in +[5515.10 --> 5515.82] grade four +[5515.82 --> 5516.62] or 104, +[5517.34 --> 5518.24] move in +[5518.24 --> 5519.62] us that +[5519.62 --> 5520.10] we might +[5520.10 --> 5521.92] draw closer +[5521.92 --> 5522.88] to you. +[5524.46 --> 5525.20] Move in +[5525.20 --> 5525.64] us that +[5525.64 --> 5526.00] we might +[5526.00 --> 5526.28] take +[5526.28 --> 5527.10] seriously the +[5527.10 --> 5527.58] call and +[5527.58 --> 5528.22] the responsibility +[5528.22 --> 5529.20] of faith, +[5529.86 --> 5530.30] that we +[5530.30 --> 5530.70] might take +[5530.70 --> 5531.46] ownership for +[5531.46 --> 5532.00] the gift +[5532.00 --> 5532.74] that you +[5532.74 --> 5533.20] have given +[5533.20 --> 5533.68] us. +[5533.68 --> 5536.68] God, +[5536.76 --> 5536.98] as we +[5536.98 --> 5537.32] go out +[5537.32 --> 5537.76] into this +[5537.76 --> 5538.08] world, +[5538.68 --> 5539.04] may we +[5539.04 --> 5539.74] be a +[5539.74 --> 5540.52] people of +[5540.52 --> 5542.02] sure hope, +[5542.30 --> 5542.96] of deep +[5542.96 --> 5543.84] conviction, +[5545.12 --> 5547.38] and of +[5547.38 --> 5547.98] beautiful +[5547.98 --> 5549.08] love. +[5550.80 --> 5551.60] That through +[5551.60 --> 5552.16] our lives +[5552.16 --> 5552.62] and our +[5552.62 --> 5553.00] words, +[5553.46 --> 5553.86] others +[5553.86 --> 5554.58] might see +[5554.58 --> 5555.72] and know, +[5555.82 --> 5556.20] that others +[5556.20 --> 5557.28] may wonder, +[5557.72 --> 5558.34] what is +[5558.34 --> 5559.12] this hope +[5559.12 --> 5559.68] that you +[5559.68 --> 5560.04] have? +[5561.84 --> 5562.50] Give us +[5562.50 --> 5563.24] an opportunity +[5563.24 --> 5563.90] and give +[5563.90 --> 5564.24] us the +[5564.24 --> 5564.76] courage to +[5564.76 --> 5565.26] take the +[5565.26 --> 5565.78] opportunities +[5565.78 --> 5566.72] to then +[5566.72 --> 5568.00] tell your +[5568.00 --> 5568.80] story, +[5569.56 --> 5570.40] your story +[5570.40 --> 5570.94] of being at +[5570.94 --> 5571.42] work in the +[5571.42 --> 5571.68] world, +[5571.74 --> 5572.22] even now, +[5572.50 --> 5572.98] even today, +[5573.12 --> 5573.96] even in this +[5573.96 --> 5574.70] darkness. +[5575.00 --> 5575.38] May your +[5575.38 --> 5576.32] light shine +[5576.32 --> 5577.36] through us. +[5577.76 --> 5578.30] In Jesus +[5578.30 --> 5579.02] Christ we +[5579.02 --> 5579.30] pray. +[5579.92 --> 5580.28] Amen. +[5593.24 --> 5612.12] Still, my soul, be +[5612.12 --> 5614.50] still, and do not fear. +[5614.50 --> 5620.40] Do not fear, the winds of change may rise to me. +[5620.40 --> 5633.40] God, is that your Son no longer dread the fires of unexpected storm? +[5633.78 --> 5644.40] Love, love, love, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5644.50 --> 5658.20] And all of this will be a stopless man within me to rise in you. +[5658.20 --> 5668.20] Oh, still, my soul, be still. +[5668.20 --> 5675.20] Do not fear, do not fear, the winds of change may rise to me. +[5675.20 --> 5686.82] Oh, I will watch in his ways with shield of faith against sensations clean. +[5686.82 --> 5698.82] Oh, God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5698.82 --> 5700.82] Lord, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5700.82 --> 5704.82] Lord, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5704.82 --> 5712.82] The stuff that's here and within me to rise in you alone. +[5712.82 --> 5718.82] Oh, God, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5718.82 --> 5722.82] Help, my soul, be still. +[5722.82 --> 5729.82] Do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning. +[5729.82 --> 5737.82] Wake upon the Lord and hope will rise. +[5737.82 --> 5739.82] The stars appear when days are coming. +[5739.82 --> 5741.82] The stars appear when days are coming. +[5741.82 --> 5753.82] God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5753.82 --> 5760.82] Lord, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5760.82 --> 5774.82] Lord, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5774.82 --> 5777.82] Lord, I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[5777.82 --> 5781.82] Lord, I will peace renew. +[5781.82 --> 5792.82] The sun has worn within me to rest in you alone. +[5804.82 --> 5813.68] before we receive our sending blessing, just a quick encouragement. If you would like to meet +[5813.68 --> 5819.34] someone for prayer, there'll be someone up here who'd love to connect with you and pray with you. +[5820.18 --> 5825.14] And also, I was reminded of one announcement that I did forget at the beginning. That is, +[5825.14 --> 5831.66] next Saturday, we have a worship service at Sunridge Gardens at 2 p.m. And so, +[5831.66 --> 5835.72] even though there's an event happening here, there'll be another event happening +[5835.72 --> 5842.38] over at Sunridge. If you want to sing some Christmas carols and hymns, join us there, +[5843.24 --> 5847.72] 2 p.m. Sunridge, up the hill. You can connect with me if you have any questions about that. +[5848.40 --> 5857.56] Receive the blessing of our God. God go before you to lead you. God go behind you to protect you. +[5857.56 --> 5864.74] God go beneath you to support you. And God go beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. +[5865.26 --> 5873.16] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5873.16 --> 5874.58] Amen. +[5887.56 --> 5901.02] Let the blessing of God. +[5901.02 --> 5904.40] Lordhh. +[5904.40 --> 5914.68] Let the blessing of God call you just a reminder here serving God unto you today. +[5914.68 --> 5919.68] We hail the earth with hills of His word +[5919.68 --> 5924.68] Join the hill of the highest heaven +[5924.68 --> 5928.68] Long as the world falls to stone +[5928.68 --> 5934.68] From the angels' veil, the music is found +[5934.68 --> 5940.68] What a boring world, then hope brings our rise +[5940.68 --> 5948.68] The shadows tonight, turn your heart to the call of glory +[5948.68 --> 5954.68] Glory to God in the highest +[5954.68 --> 5960.68] Peace to men on earth +[5960.68 --> 5966.68] Come and adore Him with wonder +[5966.68 --> 5972.68] Christ, Lord, and heaven and earth +[5972.68 --> 5978.68] Here is the day all creation has longed for +[5978.68 --> 5982.68] When all the time has been spent +[5982.68 --> 5988.68] When the Lord returns, His song will repeat +[5988.68 --> 5994.68] As heaven completes, promised peace +[5994.68 --> 5996.68] That will fill the nations +[5996.68 --> 6002.68] Glory to God in the highest +[6002.68 --> 6008.68] Peace to men on earth +[6008.68 --> 6014.68] Come and adore Him with wonder +[6014.68 --> 6020.68] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth +[6020.68 --> 6026.68] Glory to God in the highest +[6026.68 --> 6032.68] Peace to men on earth +[6032.68 --> 6036.68] Come and adore Him with wonder +[6036.68 --> 6038.68] Come and adore Him with wonder +[6038.68 --> 6042.68] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth +[6042.68 --> 6044.68] Come and adore Him with wonder +[6044.68 --> 6046.68] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth +[6046.68 --> 6050.68] Glory to God in the highest +[6050.68 --> 6052.68] Peace to men on earth +[6052.68 --> 6072.68] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth +[6072.68 --> 6077.68] Christ, Lord of heaven and earth +[6077.68 --> 6107.66] Thank you. +[6107.68 --> 6137.66] Thank you. +[6137.68 --> 6167.66] Thank you. +[6167.68 --> 6168.68] Thank you. +[6197.68 --> 6198.68] Thank you. +[6227.68 --> 6228.68] Thank you. +[6257.68 --> 6258.68] Thank you. +[6258.68 --> 6259.68] Thank you. +[6287.68 --> 6288.68] Thank you. +[6288.68 --> 6289.68] Thank you. +[6317.68 --> 6318.68] Thank you. +[6318.68 --> 6319.68] Thank you. +[6347.68 --> 6349.68] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0e6833aebbcb127e24168779c9cbdcd8bb712760 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ +• Prayers for life, health, and new life +• Thanking God for blessings and well-being +• Forgiveness and seeking forgiveness from others +• Seeking guidance and wisdom in following God's word +• Asking God to lead, protect, and deliver from evil +• Requesting Pastor Chris's guidance in speaking God's words +• The speaker continues their study of the book of Ecclesiastes and reads chapters 7:1-25. +• The passage discusses various themes, including: + + The importance of wisdom and understanding + + The fleeting nature of life and possessions + + The dangers of excessive pride and anger + + The limitations of human knowledge and power + + The need to maintain a balance between being righteous and not overdoing it + + The reality that no one is completely righteous or sinless +• The speaker notes the strangeness of Ecclesiastes, especially in this chapter, and suggests that it may be why people have questioned its authorship. +• The speaker compares the Ecclesiastes text to the Book of Proverbs +• The speaker warns that time won't permit thorough reflection on each verse in Ecclesiastes +• The speaker introduces a song by Neil Young, "Don't Let It Bring You Down," as a reference point for understanding the message of Ecclesiastes +• The lyrics of the song capture the weary compassion of one who sees injustice and feels powerless to change it +• The song's chorus conveys a sense of resignation and faint hope +• The speaker argues that poets and songwriters often name the ache of a generation, capturing the ethos of a cultural moment +• The message of Ecclesiastes is conveyed in two parts: 1) we are not in control, and 2) we can't explain everything +• Injustice and oppression are pervasive in the world +• Many people live with a sense of darkness or hurt that won't go away +• Humans have an impulse to master life through reason, productivity, etc. +• Life often resists control and comprehension, leading to two options: escaping reality or living in accordance with wisdom +• Wisdom is not enough; it's better but not sufficient for happiness or fulfillment +• Living as creatures before a Creator leads to a different perspective on life and its meaning +• The concept of wisdom is not about being sentimental or self-assured, but rather sobered by death and chastened by suffering +• Death is the destiny of everyone, and living with the end in view changes how we see the present +• Wisdom begins with awareness of mortality, and the wise heart faces thoughts of death while the foolish heart avoids them +• The wise person measures life by its true scale and lives each day as a gift from God's hand +• Heeding the rebuke of a wise person is better than listening to the song of fools +• Faithful wounds are those that heal, such as the wounds inflicted by friends who correct us. +• Pain and suffering as instruments of God's love +• The concept of "severe mercy" (God using pain for good) +• C.S. Lewis' use of the phrase "severe mercy" +• John Calvin's idea of "fatherly chastisements" as evidence of God's love +• Recognizing kindness and mercy in times of tribulation +• Suffering as medicine, not punishment +• Wisdom accepts painful rebuke as divine friendship +• The fool resents correction, the wise receives it as grace +• Uncertainty and loss can lead to questioning God's love and discipline +• Tension between severe mercies and impossible reality with a purpose +• Absence can be refinement, rejection can be the hand of a faithful friend +• The concept of judgment and its role in drawing one closer to God +• The idea that part of wisdom is learning to pray for both relief from suffering and trust in God's plan +• Faith does not always mean understanding, but trusting that even wounds are held in love by God +• Acknowledging the difficulty of carrying past wounds and the importance of trust in God +• Recognizing that it would be harder without God's purpose or control in one's life +• Nostalgia as spiritual escapism +• Longing for a past that never really existed +• Nostalgia as veiled protest against God's providence in the present +• Danger of idealizing the past and accusing God of mishandling time +• Human temptation to believe in a golden age of simplicity, purity, and better times +• Nostalgia as new form of escapism from the present moment +• The speaker discusses the undertones of exclusion and a desire for how the world once was +• Nostalgia can be seen in political movements and cultural rhetoric that dresses up fear as a virtue +• This nostalgia is exposed as hidden forms of racism, sexism, xenophobia, and fear of the foreigner +• A theological critique of nostalgia reveals its flaws and shows that wisdom looks forward with humility, not backwards in fear +• God calls us to receive his presence in the present moment, rather than trying to recover a mythical past +• The speaker emphasizes the importance of contentment, meeting God here and now, and trusting in his faithfulness then, now, and in the future +• Considering both good and bad times as gifts from God +• Viewing life through the lens of God's providence +• Accepting both joy and sorrow as coming from the same hand of the sovereign Lord +• Trusting in God's sovereignty, especially in difficult times +• Embracing merciful realism or hopeful realism, seeing both darkness and good in the world +• Trusting in God's purposes and resting in his sovereign plan +• Paradox of wisdom: the more you understand life, the more mysterious it becomes +• The pursuit of wisdom exposes our limits rather than revealing our strength +• Even wisdom has its ceiling, but by faith and surrender to God, that ceiling can become a window +• True wisdom ends in surrender, not self-awareness or self-assurance +• Wisdom is about humility, not mastery +• The nature of wisdom and its limitations +• The relationship between God's sovereignty and human limitations +• The distinction between right-thinking and right-loving wisdom +• The role of faith in finding hope beyond human understanding +• The fullness of wisdom revealed through Jesus Christ, who lived perfectly obediently, trusting, loving, and died for humanity's folly and failure +• The expression of God's mercy and wisdom is found in Jesus Christ +• Where human understanding falls short, Jesus perfectly fulfills +• Seeing Jesus as a living, loving, redeeming God who meets us in brokenness and suffering +• Wisdom shapes both our hearts and minds +• Christian worship involves orienting one's heart to God in every moment +• Living out this wisdom requires a pattern of merciful realism and the power of the Holy Spirit +• Spiritual disciplines as rhythms of resistance +• Trust in God during suffering through prayers like "Lord, don't waste this pain" +• Reflection on life's finiteness and God's sovereignty through prayers like "God, graciously remind me that my life is finite, but you are sovereign" +• The importance of faithful correction and spiritual guidance in one's life +• Seeing mercies, wounds, and chastisements as coming from a loving God +• Jesus' ability to calm life's chaos and straighten crookedness +• Resting, loving, and walking faithfully with Jesus +• The power of prayer and seeking guidance from a holy God +• The Lord's Supper as a time to dine with Christ +• Gratitude and thanksgiving to God for creation, covenant, and salvation through Jesus Christ +• The institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus, including the bread and cup as symbols of his body and blood +• The significance of remembrance and proclamation of Christ's death and resurrection +• Invitation to all who love and trust in Jesus alone for their salvation to come to the table +• Invitation to the table of communion, regardless of past attendance or success in following Jesus +• Explanation of who is invited (those present and those at home online) +• Description of the gifts of God available for the people of God through this supper +• Instructions on how to partake in the supper, including: + • Gathering around the table row by row + • Serving elders will guide individuals forward or serve them in their seats if unable to come forward + • Special accommodations for gluten-free bread and juice + • Invitation for families with children to participate + • Procedure for communion, including blessing of bread and cup and saying "this is Christ's body/blood shed for you" +• Discussion of biblical concept of "Lamb of God" +• Reference to Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God +• Praise and worship of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God +• Quotes from the Bible about God's love, redemption, and salvation +• Personal testimony or prayer for redemption and forgiveness +• Praise and worship +• Hope in Christ +• Faith in God's goodness +• Redemption through Christ's blood +• Trust in Christ's love +• Eternal life with Christ +• Singing praise to God +• Confession of faith in Christ +• Gratitude for salvation +• Humility before God +• A parting blessing is given to the congregation +• The congregation is reminded of God's invitation to fellowship and declaration of his name +• The Lord's blessings and peace are declared over the congregation +• Praise and glory are declared to God +• The congregation repeats a prayer or hymn multiple times, ending with "Amen" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..aa1f91c54e63641e81e618f2401e2599bcc6ed8b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, November 9, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2391 @@ +[0.00 --> 1.26] Yet +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 152.00] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 182.00] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 212.00] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 242.00] Thank you. +[242.00 --> 244.00] Thank you. +[244.00 --> 250.00] Thank you. +[250.00 --> 279.98] Thank you. +[280.00 --> 309.98] Thank you. +[310.00 --> 339.98] Thank you. +[340.00 --> 369.98] Thank you. +[370.00 --> 399.98] Thank you. +[400.00 --> 429.98] Thank you. +[430.00 --> 459.98] Thank you. +[460.00 --> 489.98] Thank you. +[489.98 --> 519.96] Thank you. +[519.98 --> 549.96] Thank you. +[549.98 --> 579.96] Thank you. +[579.96 --> 609.94] Thank you. +[609.94 --> 639.92] Thank you. +[639.92 --> 669.90] Thank you. +[669.92 --> 699.88] Thank you. +[699.88 --> 729.86] Thank you. +[729.88 --> 759.86] Thank you. +[759.86 --> 789.84] Thank you. +[789.84 --> 819.82] Thank you. +[819.82 --> 849.80] Thank you. +[849.82 --> 879.80] Thank you. +[879.82 --> 909.80] Thank you. +[909.82 --> 939.80] Thank you. +[939.82 --> 969.80] Thank you. +[969.80 --> 999.78] Thank you. +[999.78 --> 1029.76] Thank you. +[1029.76 --> 1059.74] Thank you. +[1059.74 --> 1089.72] Thank you. +[1089.72 --> 1119.70] Thank you. +[1119.72 --> 1149.70] Thank you. +[1149.72 --> 1179.70] Thank you. +[1179.70 --> 1209.68] Thank you. +[1209.70 --> 1239.68] Thank you. +[1239.70 --> 1269.68] Thank you. +[1269.70 --> 1299.68] Thank you. +[1299.68 --> 1329.66] Thank you. +[1329.66 --> 1359.64] Thank you. +[1359.64 --> 1389.62] Thank you. +[1389.62 --> 1419.60] Thank you. +[1419.60 --> 1449.58] Thank you. +[1449.60 --> 1479.58] Thank you. +[1479.60 --> 1509.58] Thank you. +[1509.60 --> 1539.58] Thank you. +[1539.60 --> 1569.58] Thank you. +[1569.58 --> 1599.56] Thank you. +[1599.58 --> 1629.56] Thank you. +[1629.56 --> 1659.54] Thank you. +[1659.56 --> 1689.54] Thank you. +[1689.56 --> 1719.54] Thank you. +[1719.56 --> 1749.54] Thank you. +[1749.56 --> 1779.54] Thank you. +[1779.56 --> 1809.54] Thank you. +[1809.56 --> 1839.54] Thank you. +[1839.56 --> 1869.54] Thank you. +[1869.56 --> 1899.54] Thank you. +[1899.54 --> 1929.54] Thank you. +[1929.54 --> 1959.52] Thank you. +[1959.52 --> 1989.50] Thank you. +[1989.52 --> 2019.50] Thank you. +[2019.52 --> 2049.50] Thank you. +[2049.52 --> 2079.50] Thank you. +[2079.52 --> 2109.50] Thank you. +[2109.52 --> 2139.50] Thank you. +[2139.52 --> 2169.50] Thank you. +[2169.52 --> 2199.50] Good morning. +[2199.50 --> 2229.48] All right. +[2229.48 --> 2259.46] Thank you. +[2259.46 --> 2289.46] Thank you. +[2289.46 --> 2319.44] Thank you. +[2319.46 --> 2349.46] Good morning. +[2349.46 --> 2379.46] Thank you. +[2379.46 --> 2409.44] Thank you. +[2409.46 --> 2439.44] Thank you. +[2439.46 --> 2469.44] May we remember. +[2469.44 --> 2499.42] God, you're in the +[2499.42 --> 2529.40] and we're in the actions of the +[2529.42 --> 2559.40] and we pray. +[2559.42 --> 2589.40] God, may you, may you, may we're in the +[2589.40 --> 2619.40] and we pray, may we pray, may we pray, +[2619.40 --> 2649.40] yout, +[2649.40 --> 2650.92] Heal her, too. +[2652.38 --> 2654.28] Lord, we thank you for life and for new life. +[2654.36 --> 2658.40] We thank you for little baby Ruth of Haley and Nathan, Lord. +[2658.44 --> 2660.74] We thank you that all is well and that she is healthy. +[2660.80 --> 2663.00] And we thank you for all of those who are pregnant right now, too. +[2664.24 --> 2666.16] Lord, life is such a beautiful thing. +[2666.98 --> 2669.42] Will you continue to be with those moms, those families, +[2669.66 --> 2673.50] as you continue to grow new life here in this place? +[2673.50 --> 2679.44] Forgive us our sins, God, as we forgive those who sin against us. +[2680.52 --> 2682.54] Lord, may we truly forgive others. +[2683.66 --> 2686.58] Place on our hearts right now those that we need to forgive. +[2688.22 --> 2690.20] And God, may we seek forgiveness, too. +[2692.12 --> 2695.32] May you place it on our hearts who we need to seek forgiveness from. +[2697.90 --> 2701.16] Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. +[2701.16 --> 2704.88] Continue to have us seek you first in all things, Lord. +[2704.96 --> 2709.22] Draw us closer to you and keep us free from that which draws us elsewhere. +[2710.98 --> 2714.86] And, Lord, as we open up your word today and learn more about what it means +[2714.86 --> 2718.96] to follow you in this world where things seem so meaningless, +[2719.78 --> 2721.20] we pray that you be with Pastor Chris. +[2722.00 --> 2723.76] May he speak your words. +[2724.54 --> 2727.30] And may you open up our ears and our hearts and our minds +[2727.30 --> 2729.38] to what it is that you are teaching us today. +[2729.38 --> 2735.10] For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. +[2735.78 --> 2736.08] Amen. +[2736.08 --> 2736.18] Amen. +[2736.18 --> 2761.82] We have been working our way through the book of Ecclesiastes, +[2761.82 --> 2770.54] struggling through what the wisdom of the teacher might be for our lives of faith today. +[2771.22 --> 2774.64] This morning we're going to continue that with Ecclesiastes 7. +[2775.86 --> 2781.20] I'm, in fact, going to read the first 25 verses of chapter 7. +[2781.34 --> 2783.64] So, chapter 7, 1 through 25. +[2784.30 --> 2787.66] And then we'll spend some time reflecting on that together. +[2787.66 --> 2792.20] I encourage you, if you have a Bible either in your hands or on a device, +[2792.32 --> 2794.44] to go ahead, open that up, and then to keep that open, +[2794.54 --> 2796.50] because we'll make regular reference back. +[2796.68 --> 2799.56] If you would like to grab one, there's some Bibles at the back there +[2799.56 --> 2801.16] that you can use for this too. +[2802.68 --> 2804.86] The first time through, we'll see it on the screen. +[2805.02 --> 2805.78] Let's read together. +[2805.78 --> 2813.04] A good name is better than fine perfume, +[2814.04 --> 2818.02] and the day of death better than the day of birth. +[2819.14 --> 2823.90] It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, +[2824.02 --> 2826.80] for death is the destiny of everyone, +[2827.16 --> 2829.52] and the living should take this to heart. +[2829.52 --> 2833.78] Frustration is better than laughter, +[2833.78 --> 2836.42] because a sad face is good for the heart. +[2837.48 --> 2840.54] The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, +[2840.94 --> 2844.52] but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. +[2845.90 --> 2849.20] It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person +[2849.20 --> 2851.70] than to listen to the song of fools. +[2852.94 --> 2855.90] Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, +[2856.14 --> 2858.22] so is the laughter of fools. +[2858.22 --> 2861.62] This, too, is meaningless. +[2864.08 --> 2867.10] Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, +[2867.36 --> 2869.62] and a bribe corrupts the heart. +[2871.52 --> 2874.04] The end of the matter is better than its beginning, +[2874.34 --> 2876.14] and patience is better than pride. +[2876.56 --> 2879.06] Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, +[2879.22 --> 2882.06] for anger resides in the lap of fools. +[2883.76 --> 2885.06] Do not say, +[2885.06 --> 2888.78] Why were the old days better than these days? +[2889.46 --> 2892.16] For it is not wise to ask such questions. +[2894.34 --> 2897.38] Wisdom, like inheritance, is a good thing, +[2897.52 --> 2899.70] and benefits those who see the sun. +[2900.80 --> 2903.46] Wisdom is a shelter, as money is a shelter, +[2903.74 --> 2905.98] but the advantage of knowledge is this, +[2906.44 --> 2908.92] wisdom preserves those who have it. +[2908.92 --> 2911.90] Consider what God has done. +[2912.44 --> 2915.30] Who can straighten what he has made crooked? +[2916.24 --> 2918.48] When times are good, be happy, +[2918.92 --> 2921.88] but when times are bad, consider this. +[2923.24 --> 2926.98] God has made the one as well as the other. +[2926.98 --> 2931.76] Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. +[2933.30 --> 2935.76] In this meaningless life of mine, +[2935.84 --> 2937.70] I have seen both of these, +[2938.02 --> 2940.52] the righteous perishing in their righteousness, +[2940.76 --> 2943.16] and the wicked living long in their wickedness. +[2944.36 --> 2946.34] Do not be over-righteous, +[2946.46 --> 2948.16] neither be over-wise. +[2948.36 --> 2949.82] Why destroy yourself? +[2951.02 --> 2952.66] Do not be over-wicked, +[2952.88 --> 2954.12] and do not be a fool. +[2954.12 --> 2956.12] Why die before your time? +[2958.06 --> 2959.76] It is good to grasp the one, +[2959.96 --> 2961.58] and not let go of the other. +[2963.04 --> 2966.84] Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. +[2968.94 --> 2971.64] Wisdom makes one person more powerful +[2971.64 --> 2973.38] than ten rulers in a city. +[2974.60 --> 2977.16] Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, +[2977.40 --> 2978.78] no one who does what is right, +[2978.82 --> 2979.64] and never sins. +[2980.30 --> 2983.00] Do not pay attention to every word people say, +[2983.00 --> 2985.64] or you may hear your servant cursing you, +[2986.18 --> 2987.62] for you know in your heart +[2987.62 --> 2991.12] that many times you yourself have cursed others. +[2992.98 --> 2995.66] All this I tested by wisdom, +[2995.92 --> 2996.72] and I said, +[2997.56 --> 3000.18] I am determined to be wise, +[3000.94 --> 3003.42] but this was beyond me. +[3004.46 --> 3006.22] Whatever exists is far off, +[3006.28 --> 3007.38] and most profound, +[3007.48 --> 3008.54] who can discover it? +[3008.54 --> 3011.98] So I turned my mind to understand, +[3012.32 --> 3013.00] to investigate, +[3013.26 --> 3014.34] and to search out wisdom, +[3014.58 --> 3015.78] and the scheme of things, +[3016.04 --> 3019.06] and to understand the stupidity of wickedness, +[3019.18 --> 3021.56] and the madness of folly. +[3022.76 --> 3024.04] This is the word of the Lord. +[3024.04 --> 3033.84] Now, if Ecclesiastes has already been a strange book, +[3034.26 --> 3036.18] this gets a little bit more strange. +[3037.66 --> 3039.04] And in fact, it becomes, +[3039.44 --> 3040.96] this chapter especially, +[3042.22 --> 3045.58] you start to see why people have thought +[3045.58 --> 3047.76] that maybe it was written by Solomon, +[3047.96 --> 3051.28] because this reads much more like the book of Proverbs +[3051.28 --> 3053.52] than some of the other parts of Ecclesiastes +[3053.52 --> 3055.36] that we have read. +[3056.36 --> 3059.10] And so I just want to manage your expectations +[3059.10 --> 3059.96] at the outset. +[3060.70 --> 3062.22] Every verse we read in there, +[3062.30 --> 3064.88] I am not going to have time to reflect on. +[3065.40 --> 3067.68] And so I trust there are going to be follow-up questions +[3067.68 --> 3068.40] that you have, +[3068.42 --> 3068.72] or like, +[3068.88 --> 3069.70] what about this? +[3069.80 --> 3070.66] Or what about this? +[3070.92 --> 3073.36] I really encourage you to dig into those, +[3073.46 --> 3074.82] talk to your friends and families, +[3074.94 --> 3075.60] your care groups, +[3076.00 --> 3077.26] wrestle with those things. +[3077.26 --> 3081.36] But I have, I think, +[3081.46 --> 3084.12] discerned for us a through line. +[3084.98 --> 3086.06] To help get at that, +[3086.64 --> 3088.54] I want to draw your attention actually +[3088.54 --> 3091.06] to a song that I discovered, +[3091.72 --> 3093.16] and maybe rediscovered, +[3093.18 --> 3094.96] but it's a really, really old song. +[3095.44 --> 3096.72] So I don't know actually +[3096.72 --> 3098.34] if it was one that I knew beforehand, +[3098.86 --> 3102.82] because it comes long before the time that I was alive. +[3102.88 --> 3104.62] It's a song from the 1970s. +[3104.62 --> 3107.94] And that's really old for most of us. +[3109.84 --> 3111.42] It's a song by Neil Young. +[3112.84 --> 3114.22] And the song is called +[3114.22 --> 3115.60] Don't Let It Bring You Down. +[3117.22 --> 3119.86] And Neil Young opens that song +[3119.86 --> 3121.24] with the line, +[3121.90 --> 3124.36] old man lying by the side of the road +[3124.36 --> 3126.60] with the lorries rolling by. +[3127.84 --> 3129.24] And then he continues later in that verse, +[3129.42 --> 3131.92] dead man lying by the side of the road +[3131.92 --> 3134.74] with the daylight in his eyes. +[3136.14 --> 3138.10] And verse 2 goes on, +[3138.64 --> 3141.58] blind man running through the light of the night +[3141.58 --> 3143.96] with an answer in his hand, +[3145.36 --> 3148.48] white cane lying in the gutter in the lane, +[3149.14 --> 3151.44] if you're walking home alone. +[3153.22 --> 3154.96] Now, Neil Young's lyrics, +[3155.46 --> 3157.06] capture, I think, +[3157.06 --> 3160.94] in a way that only sort of protest music can. +[3160.94 --> 3165.02] The weary compassion of one +[3165.02 --> 3168.62] who sees the world's injustice and decay, +[3169.16 --> 3171.66] but feels powerless before it. +[3172.98 --> 3175.62] In fact, at a live show that he did +[3175.62 --> 3179.56] with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, +[3180.00 --> 3183.58] he introduced this song to the crowd by saying, +[3183.94 --> 3186.52] and now for something that will surely depress you. +[3187.06 --> 3188.88] And then they went into this song. +[3190.22 --> 3192.32] But beneath this song, +[3193.08 --> 3195.02] there's a sense, if you know it, +[3195.46 --> 3198.26] a sense of comfort +[3198.26 --> 3203.32] that comes by a shared experience of futility. +[3204.46 --> 3206.38] The idea there is that if we all feel it, +[3206.44 --> 3207.60] at least we're not alone. +[3207.80 --> 3210.50] And the chorus holds this resignation. +[3211.12 --> 3211.84] You see it there. +[3212.18 --> 3212.46] It says, +[3212.80 --> 3214.44] don't let it bring you down. +[3214.60 --> 3216.38] It's only castles burning. +[3216.38 --> 3218.08] And then there's this faint hope. +[3218.54 --> 3220.22] Find someone who's turning, +[3220.60 --> 3221.90] and you will come around. +[3223.60 --> 3224.90] Poets and songwriters, +[3225.06 --> 3226.30] like I've said before, +[3226.66 --> 3230.16] often name the ache of a generation. +[3230.98 --> 3232.06] Poets and songwriters +[3232.06 --> 3234.70] capture something of the ethos +[3234.70 --> 3237.22] of a cultural moment and a perspective. +[3237.22 --> 3242.10] And I think what Young is capturing for us here +[3242.10 --> 3245.24] is this hard message of life +[3245.24 --> 3248.04] that so many people in the world today +[3248.04 --> 3249.80] that feel and know, +[3250.02 --> 3253.78] but refuse to heed in the lived reality +[3253.78 --> 3255.24] of our everyday experience. +[3256.06 --> 3257.38] This is the same message +[3257.38 --> 3259.18] that the teacher in Ecclesiastes +[3259.18 --> 3262.68] is trying to convey over and over and over again. +[3263.36 --> 3264.32] It's one message, +[3264.44 --> 3266.54] but it's perhaps best conveyed in two parts. +[3266.64 --> 3267.78] And so I'll start with the two parts. +[3268.04 --> 3268.30] One, +[3268.92 --> 3270.48] we are not in control. +[3272.24 --> 3273.54] The second part to that is +[3273.54 --> 3275.64] we can't explain everything. +[3279.22 --> 3280.30] People you love +[3280.30 --> 3282.10] get sick and die. +[3283.26 --> 3284.22] We don't know why. +[3286.36 --> 3287.52] You might lose your job, +[3287.52 --> 3290.40] and you have no understanding +[3290.40 --> 3291.62] why that comes. +[3293.82 --> 3295.94] Your marriage might be falling apart, +[3296.80 --> 3298.38] and you cry out, +[3298.64 --> 3300.46] God, why would you let this happen to me? +[3302.48 --> 3304.40] Looking at our own lives, +[3304.50 --> 3305.62] at the stories we hear, +[3305.74 --> 3307.76] looking at the world around us +[3307.76 --> 3309.68] and stories from around the globe, +[3309.98 --> 3311.62] as well as from our own backyard, +[3312.02 --> 3313.60] injustice and oppression +[3313.60 --> 3314.68] are everywhere. +[3314.68 --> 3317.52] And for some of us, +[3317.76 --> 3319.60] we live in this perpetuity +[3319.60 --> 3321.30] of darkness in our minds +[3321.30 --> 3322.72] that becomes oppressive. +[3323.24 --> 3325.10] And for some more of us, +[3325.18 --> 3327.48] there's this longing in our hearts, +[3327.84 --> 3329.24] this hurt or ache +[3329.24 --> 3331.24] in the core of our souls +[3331.24 --> 3333.04] that just doesn't go away. +[3335.52 --> 3336.66] This is the blind man +[3336.66 --> 3338.70] with the answer in his hand, +[3338.96 --> 3341.18] only to find the sirens +[3341.18 --> 3342.86] and the white cane +[3342.86 --> 3344.70] lying in the gutter of the lane. +[3346.14 --> 3347.78] The answer that was clung to +[3347.78 --> 3350.04] is robbed by death +[3350.04 --> 3350.88] in an alley. +[3352.80 --> 3356.12] And this is what we are seeing, +[3356.26 --> 3356.46] right? +[3356.50 --> 3357.94] And in this life +[3357.94 --> 3359.42] where we're not in control +[3359.42 --> 3360.88] and we can't explain everything, +[3361.14 --> 3363.30] we still live with this impulse +[3363.30 --> 3365.38] to master life, +[3365.78 --> 3366.12] right? +[3366.16 --> 3367.60] Through reason or productivity +[3367.60 --> 3369.70] or therapy or technology, +[3369.70 --> 3370.80] and yet, +[3370.92 --> 3372.26] over and over and over again, +[3372.48 --> 3374.12] life resists our control +[3374.12 --> 3375.96] and it defies our comprehension. +[3377.80 --> 3380.56] And in the face of this reality, +[3381.22 --> 3383.96] there's really only two options for us. +[3385.24 --> 3387.88] We can run from the reality of it all. +[3388.00 --> 3389.36] We can numb the pain +[3389.36 --> 3390.64] through different ways. +[3390.74 --> 3392.14] We can ignore the problems. +[3392.50 --> 3393.12] We can party. +[3393.30 --> 3393.94] We can escape. +[3393.94 --> 3395.16] We can laugh as loud +[3395.16 --> 3395.84] and as often +[3395.84 --> 3398.58] as we can possibly figure out to do +[3398.58 --> 3399.64] in order to cover up +[3399.64 --> 3401.48] the silence of our emptiness. +[3402.56 --> 3404.32] We can live in the past +[3404.32 --> 3406.72] or we can live in our imaginations. +[3407.88 --> 3410.76] Sure, we can curate our own escape. +[3412.44 --> 3413.82] We can try to define +[3413.82 --> 3416.12] our own alternate reality. +[3417.20 --> 3418.90] Or, the second option, +[3419.46 --> 3421.10] and what Ecclesiastes 7, +[3421.10 --> 3422.30] I want to suggest, +[3422.60 --> 3423.94] puts on offer for us +[3423.94 --> 3425.04] as a better alternative +[3425.04 --> 3427.58] is the way of wisdom. +[3429.20 --> 3429.68] But, +[3430.16 --> 3432.22] even wisdom here +[3432.22 --> 3434.74] isn't exactly what you expect it to be. +[3436.20 --> 3436.56] Right? +[3436.60 --> 3438.04] The wisdom of the Bible, +[3438.18 --> 3439.38] the wisdom of the teacher +[3439.38 --> 3440.34] will tell you that +[3440.34 --> 3442.24] even being wise +[3442.24 --> 3443.82] won't give you everything. +[3445.40 --> 3445.92] Right? +[3446.00 --> 3447.54] Even wisdom isn't enough. +[3447.66 --> 3448.22] It's better, +[3448.66 --> 3448.96] yes, +[3449.08 --> 3449.44] and amen, +[3449.64 --> 3450.44] but it's not enough. +[3451.46 --> 3452.20] Wisdom, then, +[3452.32 --> 3455.10] begins when we accept that truth, +[3455.18 --> 3456.80] when we lay down the illusion +[3456.80 --> 3458.98] that life is a puzzle to be solved +[3458.98 --> 3460.32] or a system to be mastered, +[3460.52 --> 3461.20] and instead, +[3461.66 --> 3462.98] when we learn to live +[3462.98 --> 3463.84] as creatures +[3463.84 --> 3465.68] before our Creator. +[3468.18 --> 3470.42] Life resists our control +[3470.42 --> 3472.68] and defies our comprehension. +[3474.26 --> 3475.92] And once the illusions of mastery +[3475.92 --> 3476.68] fall away, +[3476.88 --> 3477.86] what's left? +[3478.70 --> 3480.26] What kind of life can you build +[3480.26 --> 3482.00] when you no longer believe +[3482.00 --> 3484.36] and realize that you're in charge? +[3485.96 --> 3487.66] That's where the teacher's taking us. +[3489.20 --> 3491.40] Ecclesiastes 7 opens with +[3491.40 --> 3493.06] the way of wisdom, +[3493.06 --> 3495.78] not as an escape from life's enigmas, +[3495.90 --> 3497.88] but as a way to walk through them. +[3498.88 --> 3500.06] And the teacher, then, +[3500.10 --> 3502.04] is beginning to retrain, +[3502.26 --> 3504.28] to re-educate our minds, +[3504.28 --> 3507.06] to train us how to think rightly +[3507.06 --> 3508.46] about what is real. +[3509.86 --> 3510.28] And again, +[3510.38 --> 3510.68] wisdom, +[3510.90 --> 3512.30] in this view here, +[3512.36 --> 3513.22] isn't sentimental +[3513.22 --> 3514.64] or self-assured. +[3515.14 --> 3517.54] It's actually sobered by death. +[3517.68 --> 3519.46] It's chastened by suffering, +[3519.46 --> 3521.08] and it's rooted in faith +[3521.08 --> 3522.42] that God's providence +[3522.42 --> 3523.80] rules over all things, +[3523.98 --> 3524.88] whether the straight +[3524.88 --> 3525.72] or the crooked. +[3527.02 --> 3528.18] And that's where we'll start. +[3528.18 --> 3528.80] In verse 2, +[3529.36 --> 3530.30] the teacher says +[3530.30 --> 3531.48] that death +[3531.48 --> 3532.98] is the destiny +[3532.98 --> 3534.58] of everyone. +[3535.56 --> 3536.08] The living +[3536.08 --> 3537.28] should take this +[3537.28 --> 3538.34] to heart. +[3539.60 --> 3540.00] Living +[3540.00 --> 3541.86] with the end in view +[3541.86 --> 3542.96] or with the reality +[3542.96 --> 3543.64] of death +[3543.64 --> 3544.58] on our minds +[3544.58 --> 3545.96] changes how we see +[3545.96 --> 3546.44] the present. +[3547.52 --> 3548.40] And from the very beginning +[3548.40 --> 3549.18] of this series, +[3549.18 --> 3550.54] we have been naming this. +[3550.62 --> 3551.58] We've heard the teacher +[3551.58 --> 3554.08] wrestle with life +[3554.08 --> 3555.10] under the sun, +[3555.48 --> 3555.88] asking, +[3556.08 --> 3556.86] what does it all matter? +[3556.86 --> 3557.92] Right? +[3557.94 --> 3558.60] We're all going to die. +[3559.98 --> 3560.88] That isn't cynicism +[3560.88 --> 3561.56] for the teacher. +[3562.12 --> 3562.82] That's clarity. +[3564.48 --> 3565.34] And death has a way +[3565.34 --> 3566.36] of stripping away +[3566.36 --> 3568.28] the illusions of life +[3568.28 --> 3569.26] and teaching us, +[3569.62 --> 3570.60] exposing for us +[3570.60 --> 3572.24] what really matters. +[3574.00 --> 3574.64] And wisdom +[3574.64 --> 3578.30] begins with that awareness. +[3580.18 --> 3581.20] The foolish heart +[3581.20 --> 3582.66] avoids thoughts of death. +[3582.78 --> 3583.72] The wise heart +[3583.72 --> 3584.62] faces them. +[3585.06 --> 3586.06] The wise person +[3586.06 --> 3586.96] goes to the house +[3586.96 --> 3587.72] of despair +[3587.72 --> 3589.26] and to the house +[3589.26 --> 3589.68] of mourning +[3589.68 --> 3590.66] not in despair +[3590.66 --> 3592.30] but to remember. +[3593.42 --> 3593.56] Right? +[3593.60 --> 3594.52] To measure life +[3594.52 --> 3595.86] by its true scale. +[3596.24 --> 3597.28] To live each day +[3597.28 --> 3598.08] as a gift +[3598.08 --> 3599.14] that comes to us +[3599.14 --> 3600.02] from the hand of God. +[3601.72 --> 3602.50] And the teacher +[3602.50 --> 3603.04] goes on +[3603.04 --> 3604.10] building this idea. +[3604.86 --> 3605.24] He says, +[3606.72 --> 3607.22] it is +[3607.22 --> 3608.54] better +[3608.54 --> 3609.68] in verse 5 +[3609.68 --> 3610.30] to heed +[3610.30 --> 3611.02] the rebuke +[3611.02 --> 3612.28] of a wise person +[3612.28 --> 3613.72] than to listen +[3613.72 --> 3614.68] to the song +[3614.68 --> 3615.48] of fools. +[3617.70 --> 3619.26] Proverbs 27 +[3619.26 --> 3620.18] verse 6 +[3620.18 --> 3620.92] says, +[3621.64 --> 3623.00] faithful are the wounds +[3623.00 --> 3624.28] of a friend. +[3626.60 --> 3627.60] Those are the kinds +[3627.60 --> 3628.24] of wounds +[3628.24 --> 3629.66] that heal. +[3631.56 --> 3632.90] A few years ago, +[3633.78 --> 3635.68] Corey Asbury +[3635.68 --> 3636.68] wrote a song +[3636.68 --> 3637.34] called +[3637.34 --> 3638.86] Faithful Wounds. +[3639.36 --> 3640.44] It's one of his +[3640.44 --> 3641.86] lesser known songs +[3641.86 --> 3642.62] and so I'm not surprised +[3642.62 --> 3643.70] if you haven't heard it. +[3644.28 --> 3645.36] But in this song +[3645.36 --> 3646.50] he says, +[3646.94 --> 3647.34] God, +[3647.44 --> 3648.26] I'm wrestling +[3648.26 --> 3649.76] with the wounds +[3649.76 --> 3650.28] again. +[3651.20 --> 3652.16] My impatience, +[3652.28 --> 3652.82] a disease +[3652.82 --> 3653.96] in this cage +[3653.96 --> 3655.02] of mice and men. +[3655.34 --> 3656.34] My head knows +[3656.34 --> 3657.32] to trust you +[3657.32 --> 3658.88] but the heart +[3658.88 --> 3659.38] of me +[3659.38 --> 3660.34] is slain. +[3661.76 --> 3662.52] And he asks, +[3662.62 --> 3662.78] God, +[3663.04 --> 3663.80] these questions +[3663.80 --> 3664.46] won't just, +[3664.94 --> 3665.98] these questions +[3665.98 --> 3666.94] that just won't +[3666.94 --> 3667.80] leave me alone. +[3668.26 --> 3669.10] Will this crushing +[3669.10 --> 3670.12] ever end +[3670.12 --> 3671.58] or is this ache +[3671.58 --> 3672.98] now my home? +[3674.48 --> 3675.72] And then in the chorus +[3675.72 --> 3677.62] he turns +[3677.62 --> 3678.82] to hope. +[3679.60 --> 3680.56] But a realistic +[3680.56 --> 3681.46] hope. +[3681.60 --> 3681.88] He says, +[3682.28 --> 3683.18] faithful are the wounds +[3683.18 --> 3683.86] of a friend. +[3684.46 --> 3685.78] Faithful are the dealings +[3685.78 --> 3686.80] of your hand. +[3687.20 --> 3687.76] The troubles +[3687.76 --> 3688.76] and the trials +[3688.76 --> 3689.88] like the gold +[3689.88 --> 3690.98] refining fire. +[3691.66 --> 3692.20] Faithful +[3692.20 --> 3693.40] are the wounds +[3693.40 --> 3694.66] of a friend. +[3696.78 --> 3698.06] That's the voice +[3698.06 --> 3699.58] of Ecclesiastes 7 +[3699.58 --> 3701.52] and Proverbs 27. +[3702.92 --> 3703.52] The teacher +[3703.52 --> 3704.58] knows that +[3704.58 --> 3705.40] the rebuke +[3705.40 --> 3706.38] of the wise +[3706.38 --> 3707.34] and the discipline +[3707.34 --> 3708.46] of God +[3708.46 --> 3709.42] are painful +[3709.42 --> 3711.10] but they are +[3711.10 --> 3712.26] purposeful. +[3714.00 --> 3715.12] And this may be +[3715.12 --> 3715.78] one of the hardest +[3715.78 --> 3716.96] lessons that the teacher +[3716.96 --> 3717.92] has for us +[3717.92 --> 3718.84] in the book +[3718.84 --> 3719.68] of Ecclesiastes. +[3720.50 --> 3721.44] This may be +[3721.44 --> 3722.00] one of the most +[3722.00 --> 3722.86] difficult truths +[3722.86 --> 3723.46] of God +[3723.46 --> 3724.70] to wrap our minds +[3724.70 --> 3725.16] around +[3725.16 --> 3726.50] because in the end +[3726.50 --> 3727.56] we actually can't. +[3727.72 --> 3728.24] Not fully. +[3730.52 --> 3731.08] C.S. Lewis +[3731.08 --> 3732.68] once called +[3732.68 --> 3733.86] this truth +[3733.86 --> 3735.82] a severe +[3735.82 --> 3736.70] mercy. +[3738.72 --> 3739.76] After the death +[3739.76 --> 3740.66] of his wife +[3740.66 --> 3742.40] C.S. Lewis +[3742.40 --> 3743.76] used that phrase +[3743.76 --> 3745.06] severe mercy +[3745.06 --> 3746.42] to describe +[3746.42 --> 3747.84] for a friend +[3747.84 --> 3748.86] in a letter +[3748.86 --> 3750.32] how God +[3750.32 --> 3750.96] can use +[3750.96 --> 3752.52] even the sharpest +[3752.52 --> 3753.06] pain +[3753.06 --> 3755.00] as an instrument +[3755.00 --> 3755.72] of grace. +[3756.50 --> 3758.06] A severe mercy +[3758.06 --> 3758.92] describes how +[3758.92 --> 3759.60] God's love +[3759.60 --> 3760.62] sometimes takes +[3760.62 --> 3761.52] the form +[3761.52 --> 3763.08] of painful providence +[3763.08 --> 3764.20] that nonetheless +[3764.20 --> 3765.60] leads to greater +[3765.60 --> 3766.84] good and deeper +[3766.84 --> 3767.66] faith. +[3769.28 --> 3770.26] The reformer +[3770.26 --> 3771.06] John Calvin +[3771.06 --> 3772.96] in the 16th century +[3772.96 --> 3774.06] called these +[3774.06 --> 3775.26] experiences +[3775.26 --> 3776.26] fatherly +[3776.26 --> 3777.18] chastisements. +[3778.18 --> 3778.74] He wrote +[3778.74 --> 3780.24] in his book +[3780.24 --> 3781.14] Institutes of the +[3781.14 --> 3781.72] Christian Religion +[3781.72 --> 3782.14] he said +[3782.14 --> 3783.08] the chastening +[3783.08 --> 3783.74] of God +[3783.74 --> 3784.34] carries +[3784.34 --> 3785.08] his blessing +[3785.08 --> 3785.74] with it +[3785.74 --> 3786.64] and is +[3786.64 --> 3787.56] an evidence +[3787.56 --> 3788.84] of love. +[3790.06 --> 3790.62] He goes on +[3790.62 --> 3790.88] he says +[3790.88 --> 3791.44] in the very +[3791.44 --> 3791.88] bitterness +[3791.88 --> 3792.94] of tribulation +[3792.94 --> 3793.64] we ought to +[3793.64 --> 3794.14] recognize +[3794.14 --> 3794.86] the kindness +[3794.86 --> 3796.00] and mercy +[3796.00 --> 3797.26] of our father +[3797.26 --> 3798.72] for he +[3798.72 --> 3799.82] afflicts +[3799.82 --> 3800.80] not that he +[3800.80 --> 3801.58] may destroy +[3801.58 --> 3803.52] but that he +[3803.52 --> 3804.12] may deliver +[3804.12 --> 3804.62] us. +[3807.50 --> 3808.00] And in fact +[3808.00 --> 3809.24] about a thousand +[3809.24 --> 3810.34] years before +[3810.34 --> 3811.08] Calvin said +[3811.08 --> 3811.40] that +[3811.40 --> 3812.40] St. Augustine +[3812.40 --> 3813.36] said something +[3813.36 --> 3814.04] very similar +[3814.04 --> 3815.58] he said +[3815.58 --> 3816.20] the suffering +[3816.20 --> 3817.08] at which you +[3817.08 --> 3817.80] cry is +[3817.80 --> 3818.40] medicine +[3818.40 --> 3819.72] not punishment +[3819.72 --> 3821.54] chastisement +[3821.54 --> 3823.30] not condemnation +[3823.30 --> 3824.98] do not +[3824.98 --> 3825.64] drive away +[3825.64 --> 3826.32] the rod +[3826.32 --> 3827.14] if you would +[3827.14 --> 3827.56] not be +[3827.56 --> 3829.38] driven away +[3829.38 --> 3830.24] from the +[3830.24 --> 3830.74] inheritance. +[3834.00 --> 3834.86] Wisdom +[3834.86 --> 3836.62] accepts +[3836.62 --> 3838.08] that even +[3838.08 --> 3838.86] painful +[3838.86 --> 3839.68] rebuke +[3839.68 --> 3840.78] is a form +[3840.78 --> 3841.64] of divine +[3841.64 --> 3842.78] friendship +[3842.78 --> 3844.48] divine love. +[3845.54 --> 3846.30] The fool +[3846.30 --> 3846.96] resents +[3846.96 --> 3847.64] correction +[3847.64 --> 3848.98] the wise +[3848.98 --> 3850.14] receives it +[3850.14 --> 3851.54] as grace. +[3859.22 --> 3860.12] You know +[3860.12 --> 3860.66] the moment +[3860.66 --> 3862.50] when the +[3862.50 --> 3862.76] bottom +[3862.76 --> 3863.32] falls out +[3863.32 --> 3863.76] of something +[3863.76 --> 3864.48] that you +[3864.48 --> 3864.96] thought was +[3864.96 --> 3865.36] secure +[3865.36 --> 3867.60] maybe you +[3867.60 --> 3867.80] get a +[3867.80 --> 3868.28] diagnosis +[3868.28 --> 3870.78] maybe you +[3870.78 --> 3871.86] lose +[3871.86 --> 3874.02] your tenure +[3874.02 --> 3874.58] track +[3874.58 --> 3875.32] position +[3875.32 --> 3876.40] maybe it's +[3876.40 --> 3876.96] a friendship +[3876.96 --> 3877.70] that suddenly +[3877.70 --> 3878.52] changes +[3878.52 --> 3879.06] or a +[3879.06 --> 3879.56] relationship +[3879.56 --> 3881.08] that ends +[3881.08 --> 3881.46] what you +[3881.46 --> 3882.12] thought was +[3882.12 --> 3882.58] sure +[3882.58 --> 3883.24] and +[3883.24 --> 3884.38] insured +[3884.38 --> 3884.94] suddenly +[3884.94 --> 3885.94] is gone +[3885.94 --> 3887.98] and so you +[3887.98 --> 3888.30] pray +[3888.30 --> 3889.02] because you're +[3889.02 --> 3889.22] a good +[3889.22 --> 3889.58] Christian +[3889.58 --> 3890.28] and you know +[3890.28 --> 3890.60] that that's +[3890.60 --> 3890.82] what you're +[3890.82 --> 3891.26] supposed to +[3891.26 --> 3891.46] do +[3891.46 --> 3891.98] and you +[3891.98 --> 3892.48] search for +[3892.48 --> 3892.82] answers +[3892.82 --> 3893.38] you search +[3893.38 --> 3893.96] the scriptures +[3893.96 --> 3894.86] day in +[3894.86 --> 3895.42] and day out +[3895.42 --> 3896.62] and all +[3896.62 --> 3897.40] you hear +[3897.40 --> 3898.80] is silence. +[3901.02 --> 3902.10] We start +[3902.10 --> 3902.64] to wonder +[3902.64 --> 3903.58] if God's +[3903.58 --> 3904.10] love +[3904.10 --> 3905.88] and God's +[3905.88 --> 3906.40] discipline +[3906.40 --> 3908.14] can really +[3908.14 --> 3908.86] occupy the +[3908.86 --> 3909.50] same space. +[3911.72 --> 3912.72] We start +[3912.72 --> 3913.08] to wonder +[3913.08 --> 3913.62] how can +[3913.62 --> 3914.06] this +[3914.06 --> 3914.86] impossible +[3914.86 --> 3916.18] reality +[3916.18 --> 3917.58] have a +[3917.58 --> 3918.06] purpose? +[3918.06 --> 3921.20] that's +[3921.20 --> 3921.36] the +[3921.36 --> 3921.78] tension +[3921.78 --> 3923.78] of God's +[3923.78 --> 3924.04] severe +[3924.04 --> 3924.58] mercies. +[3925.28 --> 3925.56] That's +[3925.56 --> 3926.02] the tension +[3926.02 --> 3926.38] that the +[3926.38 --> 3926.90] teacher is +[3926.90 --> 3927.46] inviting us +[3927.46 --> 3928.18] to live +[3928.18 --> 3928.36] in. +[3928.42 --> 3928.78] He says +[3928.78 --> 3929.66] that sometimes +[3929.66 --> 3930.78] what feels +[3930.78 --> 3931.72] like absence +[3931.72 --> 3933.00] is actually +[3933.00 --> 3933.92] refinement. +[3934.16 --> 3934.80] What feels +[3934.80 --> 3935.78] like rejection +[3935.78 --> 3937.08] is the hand +[3937.08 --> 3937.74] of a faithful +[3937.74 --> 3938.36] friend. +[3938.48 --> 3939.14] What feels +[3939.14 --> 3939.94] like judgment +[3939.94 --> 3941.10] is actually +[3941.10 --> 3941.86] drawing you +[3941.86 --> 3942.86] closer to +[3942.86 --> 3943.18] the heart +[3943.18 --> 3943.62] of God. +[3945.08 --> 3945.34] And so +[3945.34 --> 3946.08] maybe what +[3946.08 --> 3946.54] we're learning +[3946.54 --> 3947.46] here is that +[3947.46 --> 3947.94] part of +[3947.94 --> 3948.72] wisdom is +[3948.72 --> 3949.34] to pray +[3949.34 --> 3950.28] not only +[3950.28 --> 3951.26] Lord take +[3951.26 --> 3951.82] this away +[3951.82 --> 3952.40] from me +[3952.40 --> 3953.14] but also +[3953.14 --> 3953.74] learning how +[3953.74 --> 3954.16] to pray +[3954.16 --> 3955.62] Lord don't +[3955.62 --> 3956.36] waste this +[3956.36 --> 3956.84] pain. +[3958.66 --> 3959.72] Don't waste +[3959.72 --> 3960.74] this heartbreak. +[3961.42 --> 3962.14] Don't waste +[3962.14 --> 3963.58] this brokenness. +[3965.22 --> 3966.12] Faith doesn't +[3966.12 --> 3966.84] always mean +[3966.84 --> 3967.68] understanding +[3967.68 --> 3968.44] the wound +[3968.44 --> 3971.34] but it does +[3971.34 --> 3972.74] mean trusting +[3972.74 --> 3973.44] that even +[3973.44 --> 3974.24] this wound +[3974.24 --> 3976.06] is held +[3976.06 --> 3977.40] in love +[3977.40 --> 3979.00] from God. +[3981.56 --> 3982.26] I said +[3982.26 --> 3982.56] this was +[3982.56 --> 3982.82] hard. +[3987.54 --> 3988.12] And I +[3988.12 --> 3988.64] know the +[3988.64 --> 3989.06] wounds +[3989.06 --> 3990.34] and the +[3990.34 --> 3990.84] wounding +[3990.84 --> 3992.12] that some +[3992.12 --> 3992.34] of you +[3992.34 --> 3992.70] carry. +[3996.60 --> 3997.18] And I +[3997.18 --> 3997.62] know that I +[3997.62 --> 3998.08] don't know +[3998.08 --> 3998.60] the wounds +[3998.60 --> 3999.02] and the +[3999.02 --> 3999.52] woundings +[3999.52 --> 4000.84] that some +[4000.84 --> 4001.08] of you +[4001.08 --> 4001.42] have held +[4001.42 --> 4001.88] on to +[4001.88 --> 4003.02] quietly +[4003.02 --> 4003.52] and by +[4003.52 --> 4003.98] yourself. +[4003.98 --> 4004.04] love. +[4005.92 --> 4006.68] This is +[4006.68 --> 4007.04] hard. +[4009.72 --> 4010.46] But with +[4010.46 --> 4010.78] as much +[4010.78 --> 4011.58] love as I +[4011.58 --> 4012.10] can muster +[4012.10 --> 4012.70] from a +[4012.70 --> 4013.64] platform in +[4013.64 --> 4013.98] front of +[4013.98 --> 4014.20] you, +[4015.32 --> 4016.56] can I +[4016.56 --> 4018.42] say that +[4018.42 --> 4018.74] it would be +[4018.74 --> 4019.16] harder +[4019.16 --> 4020.58] without God? +[4021.92 --> 4022.86] It would be +[4022.86 --> 4024.00] harder without +[4024.00 --> 4025.00] this truth +[4025.00 --> 4025.88] and purpose. +[4026.64 --> 4026.86] Right? +[4026.86 --> 4027.16] it would be +[4027.16 --> 4027.94] harder if +[4027.94 --> 4029.04] God actually +[4029.04 --> 4029.86] had no +[4029.86 --> 4030.48] purpose or +[4030.48 --> 4031.12] no control +[4031.12 --> 4032.32] or that it +[4032.32 --> 4033.04] didn't make +[4033.04 --> 4033.64] sense in +[4033.64 --> 4034.24] his great +[4034.24 --> 4034.60] plan. +[4034.84 --> 4035.80] Like that's +[4035.80 --> 4036.74] truly +[4036.74 --> 4038.18] existentially +[4038.18 --> 4039.18] shattering. +[4039.18 --> 4039.30] suffering. +[4046.16 --> 4046.70] But in +[4046.70 --> 4047.38] this moment, +[4048.22 --> 4049.38] what is +[4049.38 --> 4049.80] God calling +[4049.80 --> 4050.04] you to +[4050.04 --> 4050.26] pray? +[4052.14 --> 4052.66] How is +[4052.66 --> 4053.02] God calling +[4053.02 --> 4053.26] you to +[4053.26 --> 4053.70] see him, +[4054.48 --> 4055.20] to trust +[4055.20 --> 4055.54] in him? +[4058.02 --> 4058.60] And there's +[4058.60 --> 4058.96] a temptation +[4058.96 --> 4059.56] here and the +[4059.56 --> 4060.16] teacher warns +[4060.16 --> 4060.42] us. +[4061.34 --> 4062.04] He says in +[4062.04 --> 4062.54] verse 10, +[4063.58 --> 4064.14] do not +[4064.14 --> 4064.54] say, +[4065.14 --> 4065.50] why were +[4065.50 --> 4065.96] the old +[4065.96 --> 4066.56] days better +[4066.56 --> 4067.06] than these? +[4067.84 --> 4068.14] For it's +[4068.14 --> 4068.82] not wise to +[4068.82 --> 4069.16] ask so +[4069.16 --> 4070.28] such questions. +[4071.14 --> 4071.34] Right? +[4071.38 --> 4072.00] In the depths +[4072.00 --> 4072.26] of our +[4072.26 --> 4072.88] brokenness and +[4072.88 --> 4073.24] pain, +[4073.42 --> 4073.92] it's really +[4073.92 --> 4074.38] easy to +[4074.38 --> 4074.84] look back +[4074.84 --> 4075.50] and remember +[4075.50 --> 4075.94] a time +[4075.94 --> 4076.74] before this. +[4077.52 --> 4077.68] Say, +[4077.76 --> 4077.88] oh, +[4077.92 --> 4078.26] if we could +[4078.26 --> 4078.54] just go +[4078.54 --> 4079.00] back there. +[4080.58 --> 4080.72] Right? +[4080.76 --> 4081.22] And here, +[4081.40 --> 4081.94] I think the +[4081.94 --> 4082.50] teacher is +[4082.50 --> 4083.30] warning us +[4083.30 --> 4083.92] against +[4083.92 --> 4085.38] nostalgia +[4085.38 --> 4086.98] as spiritual +[4086.98 --> 4087.82] escapism. +[4089.22 --> 4089.72] Right? +[4089.82 --> 4090.26] Because what +[4090.26 --> 4090.70] we're seeing +[4090.70 --> 4091.00] is that +[4091.00 --> 4092.32] nostalgia is +[4092.32 --> 4093.26] often a +[4093.26 --> 4094.20] longing for +[4094.20 --> 4094.92] a past +[4094.92 --> 4095.50] that never +[4095.50 --> 4096.44] really existed. +[4097.72 --> 4098.46] And in +[4098.46 --> 4098.80] longing for a +[4098.80 --> 4099.64] past that +[4099.64 --> 4100.14] never really +[4100.14 --> 4100.64] existed, +[4101.16 --> 4101.44] what is +[4101.44 --> 4101.96] actually, +[4102.22 --> 4102.78] and underneath +[4102.78 --> 4103.28] it all, +[4103.36 --> 4103.64] I want to +[4103.64 --> 4104.18] suggest to +[4104.18 --> 4104.44] you, +[4104.72 --> 4105.64] is a sort +[4105.64 --> 4106.90] of veiled +[4106.90 --> 4107.64] or hidden +[4107.64 --> 4109.34] protest against +[4109.34 --> 4110.32] God's providence +[4110.32 --> 4111.18] in the present +[4111.18 --> 4113.22] for right now. +[4114.22 --> 4114.38] Right? +[4114.40 --> 4114.70] Here's the +[4114.70 --> 4114.94] danger. +[4115.06 --> 4115.34] When we +[4115.34 --> 4116.24] idealize the +[4116.24 --> 4116.68] good old +[4116.68 --> 4117.10] days, +[4117.28 --> 4118.32] we are quietly +[4118.32 --> 4119.34] accusing God +[4119.34 --> 4120.22] of mishandling +[4120.22 --> 4120.92] time in the +[4120.92 --> 4121.32] present. +[4121.32 --> 4121.40] moment. +[4123.48 --> 4123.74] And the +[4123.74 --> 4124.60] teacher knows +[4124.60 --> 4125.06] the human +[4125.06 --> 4125.50] heart's +[4125.50 --> 4125.96] temptation +[4125.96 --> 4126.82] for nostalgia +[4126.82 --> 4127.86] to believe +[4127.86 --> 4128.18] that there +[4128.18 --> 4128.86] once was +[4128.86 --> 4129.38] a golden +[4129.38 --> 4129.96] age when +[4129.96 --> 4130.46] life was +[4130.46 --> 4131.34] simpler and +[4131.34 --> 4132.02] purer and +[4132.02 --> 4132.34] better, +[4132.58 --> 4133.32] and in this +[4133.32 --> 4133.92] nostalgia, +[4134.30 --> 4134.74] we can be +[4134.74 --> 4135.36] shaping a +[4135.36 --> 4135.98] new form of +[4135.98 --> 4136.66] escapism, +[4136.94 --> 4137.38] a way of +[4137.38 --> 4138.14] avoiding the +[4138.14 --> 4138.96] present moment +[4138.96 --> 4139.46] that God +[4139.46 --> 4139.98] has actually +[4139.98 --> 4140.66] put us in. +[4142.62 --> 4143.14] Wisdom, +[4143.42 --> 4143.76] then, +[4144.84 --> 4146.02] remembers that +[4146.02 --> 4146.82] the past +[4146.82 --> 4148.08] was not as +[4148.08 --> 4148.82] pure as +[4148.82 --> 4150.04] we imagine +[4150.04 --> 4150.88] it to have +[4150.88 --> 4151.10] been. +[4152.40 --> 4153.26] Every generation +[4153.26 --> 4154.82] has its share +[4154.82 --> 4155.96] of sin and +[4155.96 --> 4156.66] sorrow, but +[4156.66 --> 4158.78] nostalgia turns +[4158.78 --> 4160.28] selective memory +[4160.28 --> 4161.66] into an idol. +[4162.96 --> 4163.72] And it tells us +[4163.72 --> 4164.52] that what's broken +[4164.52 --> 4165.20] in the world +[4165.20 --> 4166.08] could be fixed +[4166.08 --> 4167.20] if we only +[4167.20 --> 4167.92] turned back +[4167.92 --> 4168.52] the clock. +[4170.14 --> 4171.38] And sometimes +[4171.38 --> 4172.76] that nostalgia +[4172.76 --> 4174.08] can become +[4174.08 --> 4174.76] dangerous. +[4176.32 --> 4177.22] When people +[4177.22 --> 4178.10] long to return +[4178.10 --> 4178.72] to a way +[4178.72 --> 4179.50] things used +[4179.50 --> 4180.06] to be, +[4180.42 --> 4181.16] it carries +[4181.16 --> 4181.84] with it +[4181.84 --> 4182.84] undertones +[4182.84 --> 4183.76] of exclusion, +[4184.82 --> 4185.60] a desire +[4185.60 --> 4186.86] for how +[4186.86 --> 4187.42] the world +[4187.42 --> 4188.48] once was +[4188.48 --> 4189.56] for me. +[4191.30 --> 4191.86] Everyone +[4191.86 --> 4192.26] else be +[4192.26 --> 4192.52] damned. +[4194.74 --> 4195.50] I'm saying +[4195.50 --> 4195.80] that as +[4195.80 --> 4196.70] bluntly as +[4196.70 --> 4197.12] I can. +[4198.14 --> 4198.64] We see +[4198.64 --> 4199.10] this in +[4199.10 --> 4199.84] political +[4199.84 --> 4200.48] movements +[4200.48 --> 4200.86] and in +[4200.86 --> 4201.26] cultural +[4201.26 --> 4201.80] rhetoric +[4201.80 --> 4202.88] that dresses +[4202.88 --> 4203.66] up fear +[4203.66 --> 4204.64] as a virtue +[4204.64 --> 4205.46] that talks +[4205.46 --> 4206.02] about making +[4206.02 --> 4206.90] things great +[4206.90 --> 4207.26] again, +[4207.26 --> 4207.86] but really +[4207.86 --> 4208.42] meaning +[4208.42 --> 4209.14] making them +[4209.14 --> 4209.70] mine +[4209.70 --> 4210.14] again. +[4211.34 --> 4212.18] That's not +[4212.18 --> 4212.56] wisdom. +[4213.08 --> 4213.42] That's +[4213.42 --> 4214.18] self-deception. +[4215.42 --> 4215.80] And a +[4215.80 --> 4216.32] theological +[4216.32 --> 4217.12] critique of +[4217.12 --> 4217.58] nostalgia, +[4217.74 --> 4218.04] which the +[4218.04 --> 4218.46] teacher is +[4218.46 --> 4218.96] inviting us +[4218.96 --> 4219.10] to, +[4219.24 --> 4220.26] can expose +[4220.26 --> 4221.56] nostalgia as +[4221.56 --> 4222.16] hidden forms +[4222.16 --> 4222.80] of racism, +[4223.80 --> 4224.60] as sexism, +[4225.38 --> 4226.10] as xenophobia, +[4227.04 --> 4227.70] as fear of the +[4227.70 --> 4228.06] foreigner, +[4228.40 --> 4229.66] inherent in +[4229.66 --> 4230.44] these longings +[4230.44 --> 4231.28] for the past +[4231.28 --> 4232.22] because I want +[4232.22 --> 4232.64] what was +[4232.64 --> 4233.16] good for +[4233.16 --> 4233.72] me. +[4235.76 --> 4236.80] The teacher +[4236.80 --> 4237.76] insists +[4237.76 --> 4239.48] that wisdom +[4239.48 --> 4241.56] looks forward +[4241.56 --> 4242.76] in humble +[4242.76 --> 4243.80] trust, +[4244.58 --> 4245.38] not backwards +[4245.38 --> 4245.90] in fear. +[4247.72 --> 4248.30] God is not +[4248.30 --> 4250.32] calling us +[4250.32 --> 4250.98] to recover +[4250.98 --> 4251.94] a mythical +[4251.94 --> 4252.72] past, +[4253.38 --> 4254.24] but to +[4254.24 --> 4255.14] receive +[4255.14 --> 4256.66] his presence +[4256.66 --> 4257.44] in the +[4257.44 --> 4257.82] present. +[4259.38 --> 4260.24] The wisdom +[4260.24 --> 4261.24] of contentment +[4261.24 --> 4262.02] is learning +[4262.02 --> 4262.52] to meet +[4262.52 --> 4263.38] God here +[4263.38 --> 4264.30] and now, +[4264.44 --> 4264.98] in this +[4264.98 --> 4265.28] moment, +[4265.40 --> 4265.78] in this +[4265.78 --> 4266.10] time, +[4266.28 --> 4266.74] in this +[4266.74 --> 4267.04] culture, +[4267.14 --> 4267.56] with all +[4267.56 --> 4267.82] of its +[4267.82 --> 4268.40] complexities +[4268.40 --> 4269.66] and nuances, +[4270.10 --> 4271.00] believing that +[4271.00 --> 4271.52] it was the +[4271.52 --> 4272.26] same God +[4272.26 --> 4272.66] who was +[4272.66 --> 4273.60] faithful then, +[4273.72 --> 4274.52] who will be +[4274.52 --> 4275.48] faithful now, +[4275.52 --> 4276.22] and who will +[4276.22 --> 4276.86] be faithful +[4276.86 --> 4278.02] in the future. +[4279.78 --> 4280.10] And so +[4280.10 --> 4280.42] really, +[4280.54 --> 4280.94] the teacher +[4280.94 --> 4281.52] is calling +[4281.52 --> 4282.14] us to a +[4282.14 --> 4283.04] different kind +[4283.04 --> 4284.12] of realism. +[4285.40 --> 4286.38] In verse 13 +[4286.38 --> 4287.34] and 14, +[4287.46 --> 4287.94] he says, +[4288.64 --> 4289.22] read with me, +[4289.28 --> 4289.90] consider what +[4289.90 --> 4290.66] God has done. +[4291.22 --> 4291.72] Who can +[4291.72 --> 4292.48] straighten what +[4292.48 --> 4293.06] he has made +[4293.06 --> 4293.40] crooked? +[4294.06 --> 4294.64] When times +[4294.64 --> 4294.98] are good, +[4295.06 --> 4295.44] be happy, +[4295.54 --> 4296.16] but when times +[4296.16 --> 4296.64] are bad, +[4296.76 --> 4297.44] consider this, +[4297.70 --> 4298.50] God has made +[4298.50 --> 4299.30] the one as +[4299.30 --> 4299.96] well as +[4299.96 --> 4300.78] the other. +[4302.36 --> 4302.56] And so +[4302.56 --> 4303.62] to consider +[4303.62 --> 4304.92] is to view +[4304.92 --> 4305.80] life through +[4305.80 --> 4306.44] the lens +[4306.44 --> 4307.06] of God's +[4307.06 --> 4307.76] providence, +[4307.92 --> 4308.82] that God +[4308.82 --> 4309.70] is still +[4309.70 --> 4310.56] yet active +[4310.56 --> 4311.52] in this +[4311.52 --> 4311.92] world. +[4311.92 --> 4312.60] wisdom +[4312.60 --> 4313.18] accepts +[4313.18 --> 4314.00] both past +[4314.00 --> 4314.72] and present, +[4314.86 --> 4315.44] both joy +[4315.44 --> 4316.10] and sorrow +[4316.10 --> 4316.92] as coming +[4316.92 --> 4317.48] from the +[4317.48 --> 4318.60] same hand +[4318.60 --> 4319.32] of the +[4319.32 --> 4319.64] sovereign +[4319.64 --> 4320.00] Lord. +[4321.04 --> 4322.14] The fool +[4322.14 --> 4323.02] looks back +[4323.02 --> 4323.98] and complains. +[4325.14 --> 4326.26] The wise +[4326.26 --> 4327.12] look up +[4327.12 --> 4328.44] and trust. +[4330.46 --> 4330.76] And so +[4330.76 --> 4331.20] in times +[4331.20 --> 4331.84] of joy, +[4332.14 --> 4332.56] rejoice. +[4333.84 --> 4334.64] And in times +[4334.64 --> 4335.22] of hardship, +[4335.84 --> 4336.24] reflect. +[4337.20 --> 4338.30] For both +[4338.30 --> 4339.38] are gifts +[4339.38 --> 4339.98] from the +[4339.98 --> 4341.10] same God. +[4341.92 --> 4343.00] the +[4343.00 --> 4343.46] nostalgic +[4343.46 --> 4344.06] heart +[4344.06 --> 4344.94] resists +[4344.94 --> 4345.70] that +[4345.70 --> 4346.66] truth. +[4347.74 --> 4348.78] The wise +[4348.78 --> 4349.20] heart +[4349.20 --> 4350.26] rests in +[4350.26 --> 4350.42] it. +[4352.36 --> 4353.14] Now this +[4353.14 --> 4353.52] present +[4353.52 --> 4354.00] moment +[4354.00 --> 4355.48] may be +[4355.48 --> 4356.46] a severe +[4356.46 --> 4357.66] mercy. +[4358.66 --> 4359.68] The kindness +[4359.68 --> 4360.18] of God +[4360.18 --> 4360.66] hidden in +[4360.66 --> 4360.98] the crooked +[4360.98 --> 4361.94] lines of +[4361.94 --> 4362.46] our lives, +[4362.90 --> 4364.32] but it is +[4364.32 --> 4364.90] a mercy +[4364.90 --> 4365.94] nonetheless. +[4365.94 --> 4366.94] God +[4366.94 --> 4367.94] bless. +[4367.94 --> 4368.16] And so +[4368.16 --> 4368.56] to that +[4368.56 --> 4368.86] end, +[4368.92 --> 4369.18] what I +[4369.18 --> 4369.60] suggest +[4369.60 --> 4370.06] to you +[4370.06 --> 4370.44] is that +[4370.44 --> 4370.66] as +[4370.66 --> 4371.20] Christians +[4371.20 --> 4372.10] in particular, +[4372.68 --> 4373.08] we are +[4373.08 --> 4374.12] called to +[4374.12 --> 4375.46] merciful +[4375.46 --> 4376.52] realism +[4376.52 --> 4377.16] or to +[4377.16 --> 4377.90] a hopeful +[4377.90 --> 4378.92] realism, +[4379.10 --> 4379.44] a view +[4379.44 --> 4379.84] of the +[4379.84 --> 4380.16] world +[4380.16 --> 4381.16] that sees +[4381.16 --> 4382.30] what is +[4382.30 --> 4382.96] in all +[4382.96 --> 4383.22] of its +[4383.22 --> 4383.56] darkness +[4383.56 --> 4384.26] and trouble +[4384.26 --> 4385.00] and justices +[4385.00 --> 4386.46] and brokenness +[4386.46 --> 4387.48] and all +[4387.48 --> 4387.76] of its +[4387.76 --> 4388.22] good +[4388.22 --> 4389.72] and celebrations +[4389.72 --> 4390.66] and reasons +[4390.66 --> 4391.40] to rejoice +[4391.40 --> 4392.24] and in +[4392.24 --> 4393.18] all of +[4393.18 --> 4393.42] it +[4393.42 --> 4394.08] trusts +[4394.08 --> 4394.68] in +[4394.68 --> 4395.30] God, +[4395.48 --> 4395.92] believes +[4395.92 --> 4396.26] in +[4396.26 --> 4396.66] his +[4396.66 --> 4397.40] purposes, +[4397.70 --> 4398.00] rests +[4398.00 --> 4398.76] in his +[4398.76 --> 4399.50] sovereign +[4399.50 --> 4400.04] plan +[4400.04 --> 4400.32] and +[4400.32 --> 4401.16] providential +[4401.16 --> 4401.94] action +[4401.94 --> 4402.86] in the +[4402.86 --> 4403.18] world. +[4404.64 --> 4405.42] This is +[4405.42 --> 4405.86] our call. +[4408.30 --> 4409.18] After all +[4409.18 --> 4409.54] of his +[4409.54 --> 4410.42] reflection, +[4411.94 --> 4412.36] the teacher +[4412.36 --> 4413.16] turns to his +[4413.16 --> 4414.18] own experience +[4414.18 --> 4414.80] then and he +[4414.80 --> 4415.58] confesses, +[4416.00 --> 4416.76] all this I +[4416.76 --> 4417.44] tested by +[4417.44 --> 4418.12] wisdom and +[4418.12 --> 4418.30] said, +[4418.44 --> 4418.80] I am +[4418.80 --> 4419.22] determined +[4419.22 --> 4419.60] to be +[4419.60 --> 4420.06] wise +[4420.06 --> 4422.14] but, +[4422.50 --> 4423.26] verse 23, +[4424.00 --> 4424.84] this was +[4424.84 --> 4426.06] beyond me. +[4428.64 --> 4429.32] So here's +[4429.32 --> 4429.70] the crux +[4429.70 --> 4429.94] of the +[4429.94 --> 4430.10] matter. +[4430.20 --> 4430.38] Here's +[4430.38 --> 4431.14] the paradox +[4431.14 --> 4432.52] of wisdom. +[4433.00 --> 4433.64] The closer +[4433.64 --> 4434.42] you come +[4434.42 --> 4435.32] to understanding +[4435.32 --> 4435.88] life, +[4435.94 --> 4436.26] the more +[4436.26 --> 4436.60] mysterious +[4436.60 --> 4437.18] it becomes. +[4438.44 --> 4438.92] The pursuit +[4438.92 --> 4439.44] of wisdom +[4439.44 --> 4440.46] doesn't expose +[4440.46 --> 4441.28] our own +[4441.28 --> 4442.12] strength, +[4442.30 --> 4442.68] but it +[4442.68 --> 4443.02] exposes +[4443.02 --> 4443.60] our limits. +[4445.24 --> 4445.94] Verse 24 +[4445.94 --> 4446.32] says, +[4446.66 --> 4447.44] whatever exists +[4447.44 --> 4448.18] is far off +[4448.18 --> 4448.64] and most +[4448.64 --> 4449.10] profound. +[4449.22 --> 4449.54] Who can +[4449.54 --> 4449.90] discover +[4449.90 --> 4450.14] it. +[4450.46 --> 4450.82] Even +[4450.82 --> 4451.38] wisdom +[4451.38 --> 4452.10] has its +[4452.10 --> 4452.68] ceiling +[4452.68 --> 4453.86] and yet, +[4454.72 --> 4455.54] by grace +[4455.54 --> 4456.30] through faith, +[4456.42 --> 4456.98] that ceiling +[4456.98 --> 4457.96] becomes a +[4457.96 --> 4458.34] window. +[4458.76 --> 4459.14] When we +[4459.14 --> 4459.60] reach the +[4459.60 --> 4460.04] end of +[4460.04 --> 4460.18] our +[4460.18 --> 4460.72] comprehension, +[4461.08 --> 4461.36] faith +[4461.36 --> 4462.04] truly +[4462.04 --> 4462.96] begins and +[4462.96 --> 4463.26] we can +[4463.26 --> 4463.88] start to +[4463.88 --> 4465.28] see God. +[4469.34 --> 4469.70] So, +[4470.00 --> 4471.30] at the +[4471.30 --> 4471.98] very end +[4471.98 --> 4473.26] of chapter +[4473.26 --> 4473.68] 7, +[4474.66 --> 4474.98] the teacher +[4474.98 --> 4475.34] says, +[4475.66 --> 4476.12] this only +[4476.12 --> 4477.34] have I +[4477.34 --> 4477.72] found. +[4477.72 --> 4478.52] verse 29, +[4478.68 --> 4478.94] God +[4478.94 --> 4479.46] created +[4479.46 --> 4480.04] mankind +[4480.04 --> 4480.62] upright, +[4481.26 --> 4481.56] but they +[4481.56 --> 4481.88] have gone +[4481.88 --> 4482.36] in search +[4482.36 --> 4482.84] of many +[4482.84 --> 4483.88] schemes. +[4485.08 --> 4486.10] The core +[4486.10 --> 4486.72] of biblical +[4486.72 --> 4487.72] wisdom +[4487.72 --> 4488.60] is that +[4488.60 --> 4489.64] true wisdom +[4489.64 --> 4490.60] ends not +[4490.60 --> 4491.88] in self-awareness +[4491.88 --> 4492.90] or self-assurance, +[4493.34 --> 4493.70] but in +[4493.70 --> 4494.38] surrender. +[4495.62 --> 4496.04] And in +[4496.04 --> 4496.76] surrendering +[4496.76 --> 4497.86] ourselves to +[4497.86 --> 4498.04] God, +[4498.10 --> 4498.78] in seeing +[4498.78 --> 4499.82] God more +[4499.82 --> 4500.16] clearly, +[4500.28 --> 4500.88] we actually +[4500.88 --> 4501.76] finally begin +[4501.76 --> 4502.28] to see +[4502.28 --> 4503.10] ourselves. +[4504.00 --> 4504.36] Wisdom +[4504.36 --> 4504.80] isn't about +[4504.80 --> 4505.36] mastery, +[4505.68 --> 4506.04] it's about +[4506.04 --> 4506.50] humility. +[4506.66 --> 4507.04] The wise +[4507.04 --> 4507.54] don't know +[4507.54 --> 4508.08] everything, +[4508.34 --> 4508.84] but they +[4508.84 --> 4509.44] know the +[4509.44 --> 4510.12] one who +[4510.12 --> 4510.86] does. +[4511.46 --> 4512.00] We live +[4512.00 --> 4512.84] as creatures +[4512.84 --> 4514.08] before the +[4514.08 --> 4514.60] creator, +[4514.88 --> 4515.56] resting in +[4515.56 --> 4516.42] his severe +[4516.42 --> 4517.64] mercies and +[4517.64 --> 4518.56] trusting in +[4518.56 --> 4519.52] his sovereign +[4519.52 --> 4520.36] hand. +[4522.70 --> 4523.54] And after +[4523.54 --> 4523.96] all his +[4523.96 --> 4524.34] searching, +[4525.52 --> 4525.96] the teacher +[4525.96 --> 4526.66] discovers what +[4526.66 --> 4527.00] we all +[4527.00 --> 4527.84] eventually do, +[4528.22 --> 4528.80] that wisdom +[4528.80 --> 4529.32] has his +[4529.32 --> 4529.66] limits, +[4530.46 --> 4531.38] but God +[4531.38 --> 4532.02] does not. +[4532.02 --> 4534.32] And in +[4534.32 --> 4534.48] that +[4534.48 --> 4534.98] realization, +[4535.60 --> 4536.00] we find +[4536.00 --> 4536.42] the heartbeat +[4536.42 --> 4536.98] of faith. +[4538.56 --> 4539.78] That wisdom +[4539.78 --> 4540.84] is better +[4540.84 --> 4542.42] than folly, +[4543.02 --> 4544.00] but it +[4544.00 --> 4544.68] cannot master +[4544.68 --> 4545.52] life's +[4545.52 --> 4546.16] crookedness. +[4546.84 --> 4547.06] And so +[4547.06 --> 4547.80] our hope +[4547.80 --> 4549.14] rests not +[4549.14 --> 4549.64] in being +[4549.64 --> 4550.28] wise, +[4550.54 --> 4551.26] but in +[4551.26 --> 4552.02] knowing +[4552.02 --> 4553.00] God. +[4554.04 --> 4554.72] This is +[4554.72 --> 4555.24] where the +[4555.24 --> 4556.30] renewing of +[4556.30 --> 4557.08] our minds +[4557.08 --> 4558.24] falls down +[4558.24 --> 4559.14] into the +[4559.14 --> 4560.38] affections of +[4560.38 --> 4561.58] our hearts, +[4561.62 --> 4561.92] because +[4561.92 --> 4562.78] wisdom is +[4562.78 --> 4563.30] not only +[4563.30 --> 4564.00] right-thinking, +[4564.24 --> 4564.50] it is +[4564.50 --> 4565.40] right-loving. +[4566.36 --> 4566.60] And to +[4566.60 --> 4567.22] see life +[4567.22 --> 4567.98] clearly is +[4567.98 --> 4568.52] to learn +[4568.52 --> 4569.28] to love +[4569.28 --> 4570.02] God +[4570.02 --> 4570.82] rightly, +[4570.96 --> 4571.50] to worship +[4571.50 --> 4572.12] him in +[4572.12 --> 4572.58] the crooked +[4572.58 --> 4573.52] and in +[4573.52 --> 4574.02] the straight, +[4574.12 --> 4574.42] in the +[4574.42 --> 4575.50] laughter and +[4575.50 --> 4575.82] in the +[4575.82 --> 4576.16] tears. +[4576.40 --> 4576.84] That's +[4576.84 --> 4577.14] where the +[4577.14 --> 4577.40] teacher +[4577.40 --> 4578.08] leads us. +[4578.64 --> 4578.88] From +[4578.88 --> 4579.32] wisdom +[4579.32 --> 4579.64] that +[4579.64 --> 4580.26] thinks +[4580.26 --> 4581.44] to a +[4581.44 --> 4581.82] wisdom +[4581.82 --> 4582.34] that +[4582.34 --> 4583.02] adores. +[4584.34 --> 4584.76] And the +[4584.76 --> 4585.26] fullness +[4585.26 --> 4586.20] of this +[4586.20 --> 4586.76] wisdom +[4586.76 --> 4588.32] is revealed +[4588.32 --> 4589.14] for us +[4589.14 --> 4589.84] in Jesus +[4589.84 --> 4590.38] Christ. +[4590.38 --> 4591.92] He lived +[4591.92 --> 4592.32] the life +[4592.32 --> 4592.68] I should +[4592.68 --> 4593.16] have lived +[4593.16 --> 4594.14] perfectly +[4594.14 --> 4595.12] obediently, +[4595.50 --> 4595.92] perfectly +[4595.92 --> 4596.54] trusting, +[4597.04 --> 4597.48] perfectly +[4597.48 --> 4598.18] loving, +[4598.66 --> 4598.98] and he +[4598.98 --> 4599.60] died the +[4599.60 --> 4600.10] death that +[4600.10 --> 4601.04] I deserve, +[4601.16 --> 4601.60] taking the +[4601.60 --> 4602.24] consequences +[4602.24 --> 4603.12] of my +[4603.12 --> 4604.04] folly and +[4604.04 --> 4604.72] my failure +[4604.72 --> 4605.54] upon himself. +[4606.02 --> 4606.32] And in +[4606.32 --> 4606.76] him, +[4607.12 --> 4608.02] the crookedness +[4608.02 --> 4608.58] of all +[4608.58 --> 4609.50] life finds +[4609.50 --> 4610.24] its answer. +[4610.58 --> 4611.12] In him, +[4611.26 --> 4611.96] the limits +[4611.96 --> 4612.76] of human +[4612.76 --> 4613.40] understanding +[4613.40 --> 4613.92] are met +[4613.92 --> 4614.72] with divine +[4614.72 --> 4615.72] understanding, +[4615.72 --> 4616.12] and the +[4616.12 --> 4617.20] severe mercies +[4617.20 --> 4617.72] of God +[4617.72 --> 4618.28] find their +[4618.28 --> 4618.86] ultimate +[4618.86 --> 4619.72] expression +[4619.72 --> 4620.44] in the +[4620.44 --> 4620.88] person +[4620.88 --> 4621.68] of Jesus +[4621.68 --> 4622.26] Christ. +[4622.56 --> 4622.80] Jesus +[4622.80 --> 4623.22] Christ, +[4623.30 --> 4623.66] who Paul +[4623.66 --> 4624.20] says in +[4624.20 --> 4624.78] 1 Corinthians +[4624.78 --> 4625.10] 1, +[4625.16 --> 4625.56] 24, +[4626.00 --> 4626.38] is the +[4626.38 --> 4626.82] wisdom +[4626.82 --> 4627.58] of God +[4627.58 --> 4628.42] and the +[4628.42 --> 4628.82] power +[4628.82 --> 4629.46] of God. +[4630.80 --> 4631.16] So where +[4631.16 --> 4631.98] my striving +[4631.98 --> 4632.84] falls short, +[4633.00 --> 4633.68] he perfectly +[4633.68 --> 4634.30] fulfills. +[4634.50 --> 4634.96] Where my +[4634.96 --> 4635.58] understanding +[4635.58 --> 4636.26] reaches his +[4636.26 --> 4636.60] ceiling, +[4636.86 --> 4637.54] he opens +[4637.54 --> 4637.90] up the +[4637.90 --> 4638.36] window of +[4638.36 --> 4638.56] faith. +[4638.66 --> 4639.08] Where my +[4639.08 --> 4639.34] hope +[4639.34 --> 4639.82] falters, +[4640.14 --> 4640.96] he secures +[4640.96 --> 4641.18] it. +[4641.46 --> 4642.00] To behold +[4642.00 --> 4642.80] him is to +[4642.80 --> 4643.62] see wisdom +[4643.62 --> 4644.30] not as an +[4644.30 --> 4644.66] abstract +[4644.66 --> 4645.38] principle, +[4645.38 --> 4646.44] but as a +[4646.44 --> 4646.82] living, +[4647.30 --> 4647.68] loving, +[4648.06 --> 4648.64] redeeming +[4648.64 --> 4649.60] God who +[4649.60 --> 4650.56] meets us +[4650.56 --> 4651.26] in the +[4651.26 --> 4652.24] brokenness +[4652.24 --> 4652.76] and the +[4652.76 --> 4653.30] crookedness, +[4653.40 --> 4653.72] in the +[4653.72 --> 4654.30] suffering, +[4654.76 --> 4655.36] and in the +[4655.36 --> 4656.46] mysteries of +[4656.46 --> 4656.86] life, +[4657.02 --> 4657.28] and who +[4657.28 --> 4658.54] draws our +[4658.54 --> 4659.96] hearts to +[4659.96 --> 4660.50] himself. +[4662.72 --> 4663.44] Wisdom +[4663.44 --> 4665.06] shapes our +[4665.06 --> 4666.66] hearts just +[4666.66 --> 4667.44] as much as +[4667.44 --> 4668.02] our minds. +[4669.24 --> 4669.72] And to see +[4669.72 --> 4670.68] life clearly +[4670.68 --> 4671.78] is to worship +[4671.78 --> 4672.72] rightly, +[4672.86 --> 4673.52] to learn the +[4673.52 --> 4674.18] posture of +[4674.18 --> 4675.28] adoration in +[4675.28 --> 4675.76] the midst +[4675.76 --> 4676.42] of the +[4676.42 --> 4676.96] straight or +[4676.96 --> 4677.26] crooked, +[4677.36 --> 4677.92] the joyful or +[4677.92 --> 4678.34] the painful. +[4678.74 --> 4679.64] Christian worship +[4679.64 --> 4680.86] isn't just +[4680.86 --> 4682.24] Sunday music +[4682.24 --> 4683.16] or Sunday +[4683.16 --> 4683.84] ritual, +[4684.10 --> 4684.52] it's the +[4684.52 --> 4685.80] orientation of +[4685.80 --> 4686.82] the heart to +[4686.82 --> 4687.52] God in +[4687.52 --> 4688.94] every moment. +[4689.84 --> 4690.36] It's the +[4690.36 --> 4691.02] love that +[4691.02 --> 4692.34] flows from +[4692.34 --> 4693.22] understanding +[4693.22 --> 4694.52] the Father's +[4694.52 --> 4696.10] hand holding +[4696.10 --> 4697.58] the world +[4697.58 --> 4698.96] and therefore +[4698.96 --> 4700.84] holding you. +[4700.84 --> 4702.84] God's +[4702.84 --> 4704.32] love that +[4704.32 --> 4705.28] will +[4705.28 --> 4705.92] be. +[4705.92 --> 4706.16] And as we +[4706.16 --> 4706.58] move from +[4706.58 --> 4707.58] head to +[4707.58 --> 4708.92] heart to +[4708.92 --> 4710.24] hands, we +[4710.24 --> 4711.00] ask, how do +[4711.00 --> 4711.84] we then live +[4711.84 --> 4712.60] this wisdom +[4712.60 --> 4713.56] out? +[4714.12 --> 4714.50] The teacher +[4714.50 --> 4715.54] points to a +[4715.54 --> 4716.20] pattern of +[4716.20 --> 4717.66] merciful realism +[4717.66 --> 4718.60] and the gospel +[4718.60 --> 4719.52] and the work of +[4719.52 --> 4720.22] the Holy Spirit +[4720.22 --> 4721.28] gives us power +[4721.28 --> 4722.62] to pursue it. +[4722.76 --> 4723.46] And so last +[4723.46 --> 4724.68] week, Kevin +[4724.68 --> 4725.76] talked about +[4725.76 --> 4727.06] spiritual disciplines +[4727.06 --> 4728.30] as rhythms +[4728.30 --> 4729.66] of resistance. +[4731.10 --> 4731.74] These spiritual +[4731.74 --> 4732.42] disciplines are +[4732.42 --> 4732.90] not about +[4732.90 --> 4734.00] achieving mastery +[4734.00 --> 4735.16] over life, +[4735.18 --> 4735.60] but about +[4735.60 --> 4736.82] forming a +[4736.82 --> 4737.68] heart that +[4737.68 --> 4738.54] rests in +[4738.54 --> 4739.40] God, that +[4739.40 --> 4740.38] loves rightly +[4740.38 --> 4741.28] and responds +[4741.28 --> 4742.30] in worship +[4742.30 --> 4742.92] no matter what +[4742.92 --> 4744.12] is happening. +[4744.48 --> 4745.20] If the head +[4745.20 --> 4745.92] trains our +[4745.92 --> 4746.78] minds and the +[4746.78 --> 4747.50] heart trains +[4747.50 --> 4748.46] our affections, +[4748.76 --> 4749.40] the hands +[4749.40 --> 4750.26] train our +[4750.26 --> 4751.12] daily lives. +[4752.70 --> 4753.56] So Ecclesiastes +[4753.56 --> 4754.46] 7 isn't going +[4754.46 --> 4755.26] to leave us +[4755.26 --> 4755.80] with these +[4755.80 --> 4757.18] abstract ideas, +[4757.32 --> 4757.96] but rather it's +[4757.96 --> 4758.72] going to call +[4758.72 --> 4759.32] us to +[4759.32 --> 4760.68] practical rhythms +[4760.68 --> 4761.76] that shape us +[4761.76 --> 4762.48] as disciples +[4762.48 --> 4763.60] of Jesus. +[4764.66 --> 4765.04] And so to +[4765.04 --> 4765.78] end our time +[4765.78 --> 4767.28] in the word +[4767.28 --> 4767.88] this morning, +[4768.10 --> 4769.28] I will name +[4769.28 --> 4770.40] just three. +[4772.16 --> 4772.70] We are +[4772.70 --> 4773.24] called +[4773.24 --> 4774.90] to prayers +[4774.90 --> 4775.68] of trust +[4775.68 --> 4776.94] in the midst +[4776.94 --> 4777.60] of suffering. +[4779.42 --> 4779.88] And so maybe +[4779.88 --> 4780.54] we pray, +[4780.70 --> 4781.54] Lord, don't +[4781.54 --> 4782.62] waste this pain, +[4783.16 --> 4783.74] teach me your +[4783.74 --> 4784.06] hand. +[4785.84 --> 4786.50] And this will +[4786.50 --> 4787.24] teach us +[4787.24 --> 4788.24] reliance on +[4788.24 --> 4789.12] God's provision, +[4789.72 --> 4790.42] not our +[4790.42 --> 4791.32] mastery or +[4791.32 --> 4792.22] our fawning +[4792.22 --> 4793.06] for control. +[4793.66 --> 4794.50] And this will +[4794.50 --> 4796.04] form in us +[4796.04 --> 4797.24] a resilient +[4797.24 --> 4798.44] hope. +[4799.90 --> 4800.32] And so we +[4800.32 --> 4800.54] pray, +[4800.70 --> 4801.40] Lord, don't +[4801.40 --> 4802.24] waste this +[4802.24 --> 4802.96] pain. +[4804.00 --> 4804.62] Teach me +[4804.62 --> 4805.34] to see your +[4805.34 --> 4805.64] hand. +[4806.66 --> 4807.48] Second, we are +[4807.48 --> 4808.02] called to +[4808.02 --> 4809.02] rhythms of +[4809.02 --> 4809.60] reflection. +[4809.86 --> 4810.56] And so maybe +[4810.56 --> 4811.38] on your heart +[4811.38 --> 4811.78] you pray, +[4811.86 --> 4812.78] God, graciously +[4812.78 --> 4813.96] remind me that +[4813.96 --> 4814.66] my life is +[4814.66 --> 4815.36] finite, but +[4815.36 --> 4815.90] you are +[4815.90 --> 4816.50] sovereign and +[4816.50 --> 4817.32] your providential +[4817.32 --> 4818.34] hand is over +[4818.34 --> 4818.86] all things. +[4819.24 --> 4820.38] And this will +[4820.38 --> 4822.02] work in you +[4822.02 --> 4822.84] to counter +[4822.84 --> 4823.94] the instinct +[4823.94 --> 4825.06] to escape +[4825.06 --> 4825.80] or to +[4825.80 --> 4826.86] numb or +[4826.86 --> 4828.14] to chase +[4828.14 --> 4828.98] constant +[4828.98 --> 4830.20] productivity or +[4830.20 --> 4831.12] whatever it +[4831.12 --> 4832.24] is and allow +[4832.24 --> 4833.24] us instead +[4833.24 --> 4834.26] in these +[4834.26 --> 4835.04] rhythms of +[4835.04 --> 4836.26] reflection to +[4836.26 --> 4838.28] rest in +[4838.28 --> 4839.80] God. +[4839.80 --> 4841.80] rest in +[4841.80 --> 4842.40] life. +[4842.40 --> 4842.46] And I +[4842.46 --> 4842.86] think most +[4842.86 --> 4843.44] of us +[4843.44 --> 4844.52] could use +[4844.52 --> 4844.88] some more +[4844.88 --> 4846.58] resting right +[4846.58 --> 4846.88] now. +[4848.46 --> 4849.08] And lastly, +[4849.24 --> 4849.74] we are called +[4849.74 --> 4850.40] to receive +[4850.40 --> 4850.96] faithful +[4850.96 --> 4851.58] correction. +[4852.92 --> 4853.28] And so we +[4853.28 --> 4853.86] pray, Jesus, +[4854.46 --> 4855.10] bring trusted +[4855.10 --> 4856.02] friends, bring +[4856.02 --> 4857.16] spiritual mentors, +[4857.60 --> 4858.60] bring discipling +[4858.60 --> 4859.64] voices into +[4859.64 --> 4861.00] my life that +[4861.00 --> 4861.92] you might +[4861.92 --> 4862.98] speak to my +[4862.98 --> 4863.80] heart through +[4863.80 --> 4864.48] them. +[4865.68 --> 4866.66] And this will +[4866.66 --> 4867.52] train our hearts +[4867.52 --> 4868.78] to see severe +[4868.78 --> 4869.90] mercies as +[4869.90 --> 4871.50] mercies, to +[4871.50 --> 4872.24] see faithful +[4872.24 --> 4873.10] wounds as +[4873.10 --> 4874.38] faithful and +[4874.38 --> 4875.88] friendly, and +[4875.88 --> 4876.76] to receive +[4876.76 --> 4877.58] fatherly +[4877.58 --> 4879.02] chastisements as +[4879.02 --> 4880.02] the actions of +[4880.02 --> 4881.42] a truly loving +[4881.42 --> 4882.28] God. +[4883.74 --> 4885.54] Wisdom cannot +[4885.54 --> 4887.06] straighten life's +[4887.06 --> 4888.50] crookedness or +[4888.50 --> 4889.84] calm your +[4889.84 --> 4891.38] life's chaos, +[4892.26 --> 4893.80] but Jesus +[4893.80 --> 4894.16] can. +[4896.16 --> 4897.40] Rest in +[4897.40 --> 4897.58] him. +[4898.78 --> 4899.66] Love +[4899.66 --> 4900.32] him. +[4901.24 --> 4901.72] Walk +[4901.72 --> 4902.40] faithfully +[4902.40 --> 4903.26] with him +[4903.26 --> 4903.92] and build +[4903.92 --> 4904.50] rhythms +[4904.50 --> 4906.30] with him. +[4907.50 --> 4908.60] The same +[4908.60 --> 4909.92] hand that +[4909.92 --> 4910.82] shapes the +[4910.82 --> 4911.16] crooked, +[4912.46 --> 4913.04] guides your +[4913.04 --> 4913.52] steps, +[4914.92 --> 4916.34] and guides +[4916.34 --> 4917.44] all of +[4917.44 --> 4917.92] history. +[4919.02 --> 4919.44] And in +[4919.44 --> 4921.02] him we +[4921.02 --> 4921.56] rest. +[4922.40 --> 4923.06] Let's pray +[4923.06 --> 4923.36] together. +[4923.36 --> 4923.46] Amen. +[4923.46 --> 4923.50] Amen. +[4923.50 --> 4923.54] Amen. +[4923.54 --> 4923.56] Amen. +[4923.56 --> 4923.60] Amen. +[4923.60 --> 4923.62] Amen. +[4928.78 --> 4929.82] Holy +[4929.82 --> 4930.32] Father, we +[4930.32 --> 4931.70] come to +[4931.70 --> 4932.30] your table. +[4933.64 --> 4934.34] Allow us +[4934.34 --> 4936.12] to rest in +[4936.12 --> 4937.96] you here. +[4939.96 --> 4941.38] Fill us to +[4941.38 --> 4942.48] overflowing with +[4942.48 --> 4943.24] your mercy and +[4943.24 --> 4944.40] love that it +[4944.40 --> 4945.06] might spill +[4945.06 --> 4946.64] forward from +[4946.64 --> 4947.04] us. +[4948.80 --> 4949.80] Meet us in +[4949.80 --> 4950.92] this moment with +[4950.92 --> 4952.30] hopeful +[4952.30 --> 4953.18] realism +[4953.18 --> 4955.24] wisdom, that +[4955.24 --> 4955.96] we might go +[4955.96 --> 4957.58] empowered and +[4957.58 --> 4958.56] sustained into +[4958.56 --> 4959.56] the days and +[4959.56 --> 4960.54] week ahead. +[4961.44 --> 4962.24] We pray this, +[4962.36 --> 4962.98] Jesus, in your +[4962.98 --> 4964.04] holy name. +[4965.04 --> 4965.36] Amen. +[4965.36 --> 4975.16] We are about +[4975.16 --> 4976.02] to come to +[4976.02 --> 4976.48] the table +[4976.48 --> 4978.04] together, not +[4978.04 --> 4978.82] because we are +[4978.82 --> 4980.22] wise, not +[4980.22 --> 4980.78] because we are +[4980.78 --> 4982.82] foolish, because +[4982.82 --> 4983.70] God calls us +[4983.70 --> 4984.68] to, because this +[4984.68 --> 4985.46] is the place where +[4985.46 --> 4987.60] we are invited to +[4987.60 --> 4988.20] commune with +[4988.20 --> 4988.46] Jesus. +[4989.62 --> 4990.32] And so we are +[4990.32 --> 4991.08] invited to come +[4991.08 --> 4991.74] whether we are +[4991.74 --> 4992.50] falling apart +[4992.50 --> 4993.08] right now, +[4993.82 --> 4994.68] whether we are +[4994.68 --> 4995.06] broken, +[4995.36 --> 4996.82] whether we are +[4996.82 --> 4997.76] being gently +[4997.76 --> 4998.72] put back together +[4998.72 --> 4999.50] or whether we +[4999.50 --> 4999.94] are feeling +[4999.94 --> 5000.50] whole. +[5000.76 --> 5001.74] We are called +[5001.74 --> 5003.02] to come and +[5003.02 --> 5003.80] dine together +[5003.80 --> 5004.84] with Christ who +[5004.84 --> 5006.36] joins us around +[5006.36 --> 5007.40] this table. +[5008.48 --> 5009.36] So, brothers and +[5009.36 --> 5009.78] sisters, that +[5009.78 --> 5011.20] Emmanuel lift up +[5011.20 --> 5012.14] your hearts. +[5013.12 --> 5016.72] It is, let us +[5016.72 --> 5017.62] give thanks to +[5017.62 --> 5018.58] the Lord our +[5018.58 --> 5019.20] God. +[5022.08 --> 5022.84] Let's pray. +[5022.84 --> 5025.46] with joy we +[5025.46 --> 5026.12] praise you, +[5026.28 --> 5027.02] gracious God, +[5027.66 --> 5028.18] for you have +[5028.18 --> 5029.04] created heaven +[5029.04 --> 5030.26] and earth, +[5030.38 --> 5031.28] made us in +[5031.28 --> 5031.94] your image, +[5032.08 --> 5032.56] and kept +[5032.56 --> 5033.86] covenant with +[5033.86 --> 5035.46] us, even +[5035.46 --> 5036.08] when we fell +[5036.08 --> 5036.60] into sin. +[5037.88 --> 5038.66] We give you +[5038.66 --> 5039.16] thanks for +[5039.16 --> 5039.92] Jesus Christ, +[5040.04 --> 5040.98] who by his +[5040.98 --> 5041.82] life, death, +[5042.16 --> 5042.88] and resurrection +[5042.88 --> 5044.34] opened to us +[5044.34 --> 5045.44] the way of +[5045.44 --> 5046.94] everlasting life. +[5047.74 --> 5048.04] Amen. +[5048.04 --> 5051.60] Jesus, before +[5051.60 --> 5052.26] he suffered, +[5052.40 --> 5053.20] gave us this +[5053.20 --> 5054.32] memorial of +[5054.32 --> 5055.38] this sacrifice +[5055.38 --> 5056.22] until he +[5056.22 --> 5056.82] comes again. +[5057.96 --> 5058.72] The Lord Jesus, +[5058.88 --> 5059.46] on the night he +[5059.46 --> 5060.18] was betrayed, +[5060.32 --> 5060.84] took bread, +[5061.50 --> 5062.22] and after he +[5062.22 --> 5062.54] had given +[5062.54 --> 5063.10] thanks, he +[5063.10 --> 5063.68] broke it +[5063.68 --> 5066.56] and said, +[5066.56 --> 5068.16] this is my +[5068.16 --> 5069.40] body, which +[5069.40 --> 5069.80] is given +[5069.80 --> 5070.34] for you. +[5070.98 --> 5071.48] Do this +[5071.48 --> 5072.14] in remembrance +[5072.14 --> 5072.76] of me. +[5074.28 --> 5075.20] In the same +[5075.20 --> 5075.98] way, after +[5075.98 --> 5077.68] supper, he +[5077.68 --> 5077.98] took the +[5077.98 --> 5078.78] cup, saying, +[5080.24 --> 5083.52] this cup +[5083.52 --> 5084.66] is the new +[5084.66 --> 5085.68] covenant in +[5085.68 --> 5086.24] my blood. +[5086.84 --> 5087.30] Do this +[5087.30 --> 5087.94] whenever you +[5087.94 --> 5088.50] drink it +[5088.50 --> 5089.36] in remembrance +[5089.36 --> 5090.00] of me. +[5090.72 --> 5091.20] For whenever +[5091.20 --> 5091.98] you eat this +[5091.98 --> 5092.58] bread and +[5092.58 --> 5093.28] drink this +[5093.28 --> 5094.82] cup, you +[5094.82 --> 5095.70] proclaim the +[5095.70 --> 5096.38] Lord's death +[5096.38 --> 5097.30] until he +[5097.30 --> 5098.12] comes again. +[5099.84 --> 5101.32] This is +[5101.32 --> 5101.84] the mystery +[5101.84 --> 5102.36] of our +[5102.36 --> 5102.66] faith. +[5104.06 --> 5104.62] For the death +[5104.62 --> 5105.40] of Christ +[5105.40 --> 5106.30] we proclaim, +[5107.00 --> 5107.24] for the +[5107.24 --> 5107.92] resurrection +[5107.92 --> 5108.78] we affirm +[5108.78 --> 5109.52] joy, +[5110.26 --> 5110.50] for the +[5110.50 --> 5110.90] coming +[5110.90 --> 5111.58] we give +[5111.58 --> 5112.24] you hope. +[5112.90 --> 5113.64] Glory be +[5113.64 --> 5114.14] to you, +[5114.26 --> 5114.92] Lord Jesus. +[5116.12 --> 5117.02] Church family, +[5117.10 --> 5117.58] the Lord has +[5117.58 --> 5118.30] prepared this +[5118.30 --> 5119.22] table for all +[5119.22 --> 5119.96] who love him +[5119.96 --> 5121.10] and trust in +[5121.10 --> 5121.82] him alone for +[5121.82 --> 5122.48] their salvation, +[5122.64 --> 5123.22] and so come. +[5123.76 --> 5124.24] Come, +[5124.24 --> 5125.38] those to +[5125.38 --> 5126.02] this table, +[5126.60 --> 5126.98] you who +[5126.98 --> 5127.50] have much +[5127.50 --> 5127.90] faith, +[5128.56 --> 5129.18] or you who +[5129.18 --> 5129.72] have little, +[5130.98 --> 5131.40] you who +[5131.40 --> 5131.86] would like to +[5131.86 --> 5132.46] have more. +[5133.66 --> 5134.66] Come to +[5134.66 --> 5135.46] this table, +[5136.46 --> 5137.62] you who +[5137.62 --> 5138.22] have been to +[5138.22 --> 5138.80] this sacrament +[5138.80 --> 5139.30] often, +[5140.30 --> 5141.88] and you who +[5141.88 --> 5142.46] have not been +[5142.46 --> 5143.00] for a long +[5143.00 --> 5143.36] time. +[5144.56 --> 5145.42] You who have +[5145.42 --> 5146.02] tried to +[5146.02 --> 5146.72] follow Jesus, +[5146.98 --> 5147.54] and you +[5147.54 --> 5149.32] who have +[5149.32 --> 5149.62] failed. +[5150.84 --> 5151.86] Come to +[5151.86 --> 5152.54] this table, +[5152.88 --> 5153.62] because Jesus +[5153.62 --> 5155.52] is raised. +[5156.78 --> 5157.52] Come if you +[5157.52 --> 5158.12] are here, +[5158.34 --> 5158.92] or if you +[5158.92 --> 5159.54] are at home +[5159.54 --> 5160.50] and online. +[5161.68 --> 5162.50] It is Christ +[5162.50 --> 5163.48] who invites us +[5163.48 --> 5164.24] to meet him +[5164.24 --> 5164.62] here. +[5166.50 --> 5167.26] These are the +[5167.26 --> 5168.06] gifts of God +[5168.06 --> 5169.02] for the people +[5169.02 --> 5169.58] of God. +[5172.38 --> 5173.34] As we partake +[5173.34 --> 5174.00] in this supper +[5174.00 --> 5174.60] together, +[5174.82 --> 5175.40] the elders +[5175.40 --> 5176.40] will be inviting +[5176.40 --> 5177.08] you together +[5177.08 --> 5178.10] row by row, +[5178.22 --> 5178.74] and so when it +[5178.74 --> 5179.30] is your turn, +[5179.36 --> 5179.76] we are going to +[5179.76 --> 5180.60] gather around +[5180.60 --> 5181.28] this table +[5181.28 --> 5182.32] together here +[5182.32 --> 5183.24] at the front. +[5183.34 --> 5183.72] Families, +[5183.98 --> 5184.58] we invite you +[5184.58 --> 5185.02] to come up +[5185.02 --> 5185.48] with your +[5185.48 --> 5186.30] children as well, +[5186.38 --> 5186.76] whether they +[5186.76 --> 5187.12] are going to +[5187.12 --> 5187.96] partake or not. +[5188.02 --> 5188.44] We would love +[5188.44 --> 5189.24] for them to +[5189.24 --> 5189.82] be up here +[5189.82 --> 5190.32] with us. +[5190.80 --> 5191.42] In the middle +[5191.42 --> 5192.22] of each tray +[5192.22 --> 5192.82] of bread, +[5192.90 --> 5193.52] there is also +[5193.52 --> 5194.68] a cup that +[5194.68 --> 5195.68] has gluten-free +[5195.68 --> 5196.28] bread, +[5196.36 --> 5196.80] so if that is +[5196.80 --> 5197.20] something that +[5197.20 --> 5197.48] you need, +[5197.54 --> 5198.08] we have that +[5198.08 --> 5198.84] available for +[5198.84 --> 5199.98] you as well. +[5200.66 --> 5201.34] If you are +[5201.34 --> 5202.06] unable to +[5202.06 --> 5202.58] come forward +[5202.58 --> 5203.34] for any reason +[5203.34 --> 5203.78] at all, +[5204.04 --> 5204.38] please do +[5204.38 --> 5205.30] indicate that +[5205.30 --> 5206.22] to the serving +[5206.22 --> 5206.82] elders who are +[5206.82 --> 5207.46] going to be +[5207.46 --> 5208.22] ushering you +[5208.22 --> 5208.68] in your rows, +[5208.76 --> 5209.06] and they will +[5209.06 --> 5209.62] come and serve +[5209.62 --> 5210.50] you in your +[5210.50 --> 5211.60] seats too. +[5211.94 --> 5212.38] We are going +[5212.38 --> 5213.36] to start with +[5213.36 --> 5213.90] the serving +[5213.90 --> 5214.82] elders and +[5214.82 --> 5215.38] the worship +[5215.38 --> 5216.38] team and +[5216.38 --> 5217.26] anybody involved +[5217.26 --> 5218.14] in helping us +[5218.14 --> 5218.50] through the +[5218.50 --> 5219.64] communion here +[5219.64 --> 5219.96] as well, +[5220.04 --> 5220.36] so I'm going +[5220.36 --> 5220.94] to invite them +[5220.94 --> 5221.64] to come forward +[5221.64 --> 5222.24] at this time. +[5223.28 --> 5223.84] When you are +[5223.84 --> 5224.46] given a piece +[5224.46 --> 5224.82] of bread, +[5224.90 --> 5225.40] we invite you +[5225.40 --> 5225.70] to say, +[5225.94 --> 5226.72] this is Christ's +[5226.72 --> 5227.42] body broken +[5227.42 --> 5227.94] for you, +[5228.42 --> 5228.80] and when you +[5228.80 --> 5229.20] are given +[5229.20 --> 5229.70] the juice +[5229.70 --> 5230.14] in the cup, +[5230.22 --> 5230.66] we invite you +[5230.66 --> 5231.00] to say, +[5231.34 --> 5232.36] this is Christ's +[5232.36 --> 5233.40] blood shed +[5233.40 --> 5234.16] for you. +[5239.62 --> 5251.16] And I'll +[5251.16 --> 5251.56] get you +[5251.56 --> 5252.16] to say, +[5252.16 --> 5253.08] it's +[5253.08 --> 5253.68] an +[5254.22 --> 5254.44] ệnx, +[5254.44 --> 5255.44] an +[5255.44 --> 5256.28] eve agua, +[5256.28 --> 5257.08] 這邊 +[5257.38 --> 5258.22] eject front, +[5258.22 --> 5259.84] email us +[5260.18 --> 5260.92] on the +[5260.92 --> 5262.22] ush favour +[5262.22 --> 5262.50] go, +[5262.58 --> 5263.96] on +[5263.96 --> 5264.78] him or +[5264.78 --> 5265.24] some +[5265.24 --> 5265.76] on +[5265.76 --> 5266.56] that +[5266.56 --> 5296.54] Thank you. +[5296.56 --> 5326.54] Thank you. +[5326.56 --> 5356.54] Thank you. +[5356.56 --> 5386.54] Thank you. +[5386.56 --> 5416.54] Thank you. +[5416.56 --> 5446.54] Thank you. +[5446.56 --> 5448.56] Thank you. +[5476.56 --> 5478.56] Thank you. +[5506.56 --> 5508.56] Thank you. +[5536.56 --> 5538.56] Thank you. +[5566.56 --> 5568.56] Thank you. +[5596.56 --> 5598.56] Thank you. +[5598.56 --> 5600.56] Thank you. +[5628.56 --> 5630.56] Thank you. +[5658.56 --> 5660.56] Thank you. +[5660.56 --> 5662.56] Thank you. +[5662.56 --> 5664.56] Thank you. +[5664.56 --> 5666.56] Thank you. +[5666.56 --> 5668.56] Thank you. +[5668.56 --> 5670.56] Thank you. +[5670.56 --> 5672.56] Thank you. +[5672.56 --> 5674.56] Thank you. +[5674.56 --> 5676.56] Thank you. +[5676.56 --> 5678.56] Thank you. +[5678.56 --> 5680.56] Thank you. +[5680.56 --> 5682.56] Thank you. +[5682.56 --> 5684.56] Thank you. +[5684.56 --> 5686.56] Thank you. +[5686.56 --> 5688.56] Thank you. +[5688.56 --> 5690.56] Thank you. +[5690.56 --> 5691.56] Thank you. +[5691.56 --> 5693.56] Thank you. +[5693.56 --> 5694.56] Thank you. +[5694.56 --> 5695.56] Thank you. +[5695.56 --> 5701.56] Thank you. +[5701.56 --> 5713.76] Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent Him from your side +[5713.76 --> 5725.14] to walk upon this guilty soft and to become the Lamb of God. +[5725.14 --> 5739.42] The gift of love they crucified, they laughed and scorned Him as He died. +[5739.42 --> 5750.86] The humble King they named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God. +[5750.86 --> 5762.00] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[5762.00 --> 5773.66] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[5773.66 --> 5786.80] I was so lost, I should have died, but you have brought me to your side +[5786.80 --> 5797.94] to be led by your staff and rod and to become the Lamb of God. +[5797.94 --> 5809.08] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[5809.08 --> 5820.22] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[5820.22 --> 5831.36] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[5831.36 --> 5843.36] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[5843.36 --> 5856.50] O Lord, sweet Lamb of God. +[5856.50 --> 5857.50] O Savior, sweet Lamb of God +[5857.50 --> 5857.74] O Gandalf of God +[5857.74 --> 5858.64] O Eun Him from Get Loose +[5858.64 --> 5859.64] Oida +[5859.64 --> 5862.46] Ong +[5862.46 --> 5864.60] Treating +[5864.60 --> 5864.72] What God +[5864.72 --> 5867.66] What? +[5871.64 --> 5873.96] Feed +[5873.96 --> 5877.10] O +[5877.10 --> 5878.14] a +[5878.14 --> 5879.68] O +[5879.68 --> 5880.36] O +[5880.36 --> 5880.74] o +[5880.74 --> 5882.54] o +[5882.54 --> 5883.60] o +[5883.60 --> 5884.56] o +[5884.56 --> 5893.22] Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer +[5893.22 --> 5900.66] Greatest treasure of my longing soul +[5900.66 --> 5908.28] My God, like you there is no other +[5908.28 --> 5915.34] True delight is found in you alone +[5915.34 --> 5923.62] Your grace, a world too deep to fathom +[5923.62 --> 5930.76] Your love exceeds the heavens' reach +[5930.76 --> 5937.76] Your truth, a fount of perfect wisdom +[5937.76 --> 5945.68] My highest good and my unending need +[5945.68 --> 5956.50] Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer +[5956.50 --> 5963.76] Strong defender of my weary heart +[5963.76 --> 5971.68] My sword to fight the cruel deceiver +[5971.68 --> 5979.68] And my shield against his faithful dark +[5979.68 --> 5987.60] Your song when enemies surround me +[5987.60 --> 5994.68] My hope when tides of sorrow rise +[5994.68 --> 6000.60] My joy when trials are abounding +[6000.60 --> 6008.60] Your faithfulness, my refuge in the night +[6008.60 --> 6018.52] Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer +[6018.52 --> 6026.44] Gracious Savior of my ruined life +[6026.44 --> 6033.72] My guilt and cross laid on your shoulders +[6033.72 --> 6040.44] In my place you suffered, bled and died +[6040.44 --> 6048.36] You rose, the grave and death are conquered +[6048.36 --> 6056.36] You broke my bonds of sin and shame +[6056.36 --> 6070.28] You broke my bonds of sin and shame +[6070.28 --> 6072.20] You broke my bonds of sin and shame +[6072.20 --> 6078.20] Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer +[6078.20 --> 6086.12] May all my days bring glory to your name +[6086.12 --> 6092.12] Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer +[6092.12 --> 6100.12] May all my days bring glory to your name +[6100.12 --> 6106.04] You broke my bonds around your� +[6106.04 --> 6117.96] frustrating +[6117.96 --> 6143.76] What is our hope in life and death? +[6143.76 --> 6153.54] Christ alone, Christ alone, what is our only confidence? +[6154.20 --> 6158.52] That our souls to Him belong. +[6159.00 --> 6163.60] Who holds our days within His hand? +[6163.98 --> 6168.12] What comes apart from His command? +[6168.12 --> 6173.76] And what will keep us to the end? +[6174.24 --> 6179.12] The love of Christ in which we stand. +[6182.24 --> 6186.50] Oh, sing hallelujah. +[6187.58 --> 6191.62] Our hope springs eternal. +[6191.62 --> 6196.72] Oh, sing hallelujah. +[6197.36 --> 6200.62] Now and ever we confess. +[6201.60 --> 6205.62] Christ our hope in life and death. +[6205.62 --> 6206.22] Amen. +[6212.76 --> 6217.70] What truth can calm the troubled soul? +[6218.34 --> 6220.22] God is good. +[6221.00 --> 6222.82] God is good. +[6223.24 --> 6227.82] And with His grace and goodness known. +[6227.82 --> 6232.88] In our great Redeemer's blood +[6232.88 --> 6237.94] Who holds our faith when fears arise +[6237.94 --> 6242.94] Who stands above the stormy trial +[6242.94 --> 6248.18] Who sends the waves that bring us night +[6248.18 --> 6253.88] Unto the shore of the rock of Christ +[6253.88 --> 6260.76] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6260.76 --> 6265.82] Our hope springs eternal +[6265.82 --> 6270.78] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6270.78 --> 6275.12] Now and ever we confess +[6275.12 --> 6279.90] Christ our hope in life and death +[6279.90 --> 6291.74] To the grave, what will we sing? +[6292.54 --> 6296.96] Christ he lives, Christ he lives +[6296.96 --> 6302.04] And what reward will heaven bring? +[6304.04 --> 6306.96] Everlasting life within +[6306.96 --> 6312.22] There we will rise to meet the Lord +[6312.22 --> 6317.10] When sin and death will be destroyed +[6317.10 --> 6322.32] And we will feast in endless joy +[6322.32 --> 6329.10] With Christ in God forevermore +[6329.10 --> 6334.10] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6334.10 --> 6339.78] Our hope springs eternal +[6339.78 --> 6344.10] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6344.10 --> 6349.06] Now and ever we confess +[6349.06 --> 6353.40] Christ our hope in life and death +[6353.40 --> 6358.40] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6358.40 --> 6363.02] Our hope springs eternal +[6363.02 --> 6367.40] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6367.40 --> 6369.40] Now and ever we confess +[6369.40 --> 6371.40] Now and ever we confess +[6371.40 --> 6376.40] Christ our hope in life and death +[6376.40 --> 6379.40] Now and ever we confess +[6379.40 --> 6385.40] Christ our hope in life and death +[6385.40 --> 6391.40] Let us wait +[6391.40 --> 6395.68] Oh, sing hallelujah +[6395.68 --> 6425.66] piano plays softly +[6425.68 --> 6428.36] beyond all measure +[6428.36 --> 6434.52] that he should give his only Son +[6434.52 --> 6439.54] and make a wretch his treasure. +[6440.76 --> 6445.80] How great the pain of searing loss +[6445.80 --> 6451.12] the Father turns his face away +[6451.12 --> 6456.12] as wounds which mar the chosen dawn +[6456.84 --> 6461.80] bring many sons to glory. +[6461.80 --> 6471.80] piano plays softly +[6471.80 --> 6477.14] Behold the man upon a cross +[6477.14 --> 6482.12] My sin upon his shoulders +[6482.12 --> 6488.24] Ashamed I hear my mocking voice +[6488.24 --> 6493.68] Call out among the softers +[6493.68 --> 6499.20] It was my sin that held him there +[6499.20 --> 6503.72] Until it was accomplished +[6503.72 --> 6509.62] His dying breath has brought me dry +[6509.62 --> 6515.34] I know that it is sinning +[6515.34 --> 6529.02] I will not boast in any name +[6529.02 --> 6533.58] No gifts, no power, no wisdom +[6533.58 --> 6539.90] But I will boast in Jesus Christ +[6539.90 --> 6544.10] His death and resurrection +[6544.10 --> 6549.38] Why should I gain from his reward? +[6549.38 --> 6554.58] I cannot give an answer +[6554.58 --> 6560.90] But this I know with all my heart +[6560.90 --> 6565.34] His wounds I paid my ransom +[6565.34 --> 6570.58] What should I gain from his reward? +[6570.58 --> 6576.58] I cannot give an answer +[6576.58 --> 6583.22] But this I know with all my heart +[6583.22 --> 6588.74] His wounds I paid my ransom +[6588.74 --> 6594.68] While you remain standing +[6594.68 --> 6596.06] I invite you just to pray with me +[6596.06 --> 6599.14] Oh amazing God +[6599.14 --> 6601.28] You come into our ordinary lives +[6601.28 --> 6603.68] And you have set this table among us +[6603.68 --> 6605.82] God you have filled our plates +[6605.82 --> 6606.86] With bread of life +[6606.86 --> 6608.08] And with cups of salvation +[6608.08 --> 6610.06] And now God as we are sent out +[6610.06 --> 6612.36] We pray that with tender heartedness +[6612.36 --> 6615.28] You will touch an ordinary everyday world +[6615.28 --> 6617.50] With the promise of your holiness +[6617.50 --> 6618.70] Amen +[6618.70 --> 6622.02] And so as we go out from this place +[6622.02 --> 6625.18] Let us remember who our God is +[6625.18 --> 6627.96] That he invites us into fellowship with him +[6627.96 --> 6631.84] And sends us out to declare his name +[6631.84 --> 6633.34] To the community around us +[6633.34 --> 6635.16] And as we go from this place +[6635.16 --> 6637.38] Please receive this parting blessing +[6637.38 --> 6641.22] The Lord bless you and keep you +[6641.22 --> 6644.18] The Lord make his face shine upon you +[6644.18 --> 6645.32] And be gracious to you +[6645.32 --> 6648.00] The Lord turn his face toward you +[6648.00 --> 6650.24] And give you his peace +[6650.24 --> 6652.18] And all of God's people said +[6652.18 --> 6653.40] Amen +[6653.40 --> 6655.38] piano plays softly +[6655.38 --> 6685.36] Thank you. +[6685.38 --> 6715.36] Thank you. +[6715.38 --> 6717.38] Thank you. +[6745.38 --> 6760.38] Declaring aloud, praise and glory, wisdom and faith, honor and power and strength. +[6760.38 --> 6766.38] Be to our God forever and ever. +[6766.38 --> 6771.38] Be to our God forever and ever. +[6771.38 --> 6776.38] Be to our God forever and ever. +[6776.38 --> 6778.38] Amen. +[6778.38 --> 6780.38] Amen. +[6780.38 --> 6810.38] +[6810.38 --> 6812.38] Amen. +[6812.38 --> 6814.38] Amen. +[6814.38 --> 6816.38] Amen. +[6816.38 --> 6818.38] Amen. +[6818.38 --> 6820.38] Amen. +[6820.38 --> 6822.38] Amen. +[6822.38 --> 6824.38] Amen. +[6824.38 --> 6826.38] Amen. +[6826.38 --> 6828.38] Amen. +[6828.38 --> 6830.38] Amen. +[6830.38 --> 6832.38] Amen. +[6832.38 --> 6834.38] Amen. +[6834.38 --> 6836.38] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..90876d8ee4171bce7dd3bcfa2a391603ef6d96ab --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ +• Introduction to the service and worship team +• Announcements: Ministry leaders meeting, Safe Church Training Day night +• Call to worship from Psalm 148 +• Reading of Revelation for God's greeting this morning +• Congregational responses (Amen) and song (Hallelujah) +• Continued congregational singing with repetition of "Holy is the Lamb" +• The speaker leads a group in worship, singing hymns and prayers +• They read the Heidelberg Catechism's Lord's Day 3 together +• A deacon, Mike, takes time for financial offering and explains how donations can be given to the church or Langley Food Bank +• Songs and music +• Ending of every song +• Praise to God +• Hallelujah +• Child and birth +• Nothing else before God +• Heart singing Alleluia +• Children's worship time +• Giving thanks to God +• Man called Jeremiah in the Bible +• Prayer led by elder Steve +• Gratitude and compassion +• Thanksgiving leading to generosity +• Salvation through Jesus Christ +• Prayers for individuals in need (Rick and Sam Walters, Clary Hosteroff's sister, John Kuypers, Tessa) +• Pastor Kevin's message +• Folk tale about a farmer and the meaning of good luck vs. bad luck in all circumstances +• Introduction to Jeremiah text on gratitude in all circumstances +• The speaker describes how humans often can't see the full picture of their circumstances as good or bad +• God sees the whole picture and ordains events in our lives +• Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon, written around 597 BC, contains instructions for them to settle down, plant gardens, marry, and increase in number +• The letter encourages the exiles to seek the peace and prosperity of their new city and pray for it because if it prospers, they will prosper as well +• God's people are strangers and foreigners in a foreign land, but God is with them and guides them through exile +• The concept of God's people being strangers and foreigners in a foreign land +• Jeremiah's letter as God's word to his people, emphasizing His presence with them despite their circumstances +• The idea that distance does not separate us from God, illustrated by the example of God's people in Babylon +• The relevance of the Bible to modern life, demonstrating how it speaks and is active in our lives today +• The metanarrative of God's redemption story as a foundation and authority for our lives +• God's authority and rule over his people includes exile +• God ordained the Israelites' 40-year wandering in Exodus +• God ordained Job's suffering as a test of faith +• God ordained the famine that drove Jacob to Egypt +• God worked through Joseph's suffering to save many lives +• God's sovereignty is revealed throughout scripture, pointing to his ruling over all things +• God's purposes are not simply bigger or more powerful than human circumstances, but rather the circumstances themselves serve a purpose +• Jeremiah's letter tells Israelites to settle in and make their new life in Babylon, despite initial instinct to resist and fight back +• The exile was not a mistake, but rather part of God's plan from the beginning +• Similarly, modern-day hardships and struggles can be seen as part of God's plan, even if they seem unjust or confusing +• Wanting to escape difficult circumstances +• Questioning if God could have prevented suffering +• Understanding the difference between "bigger God" and "big God" theology +• Recognizing that God ordains all circumstances for His glory +• Sharing personal experience of a school bus accident and its unexpected consequences +• Exploring trust in God amidst suffering +• God works for the good of those who love Him, even in trials and suffering. +• God uses all things, including hard times, to shape His people for His glory. +• Believers are called to trust and give thanks to a big God who loves them more than they can understand. +• God's people are to live fully, contributing to society, growing in number, and working for the good of creation. +• This is in line with God's original command in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over all living things. +• The creational mandate in Genesis is about creating, cultivating, and ruling over creation under God's authority. +• This pattern of responsibility continues through the Bible with Adam, Noah, and Abraham, who are called to create, preserve life, and be a blessing to others. +• Jeremiah reminds his people that this plan still applies even when they are in exile, and especially during difficult times. +• As followers of God today, we are also foreigners on earth and citizens of the kingdom of heaven, awaiting Jesus' return to transform our lives. +• Our responsibilities as believers include contributing to society, growing in number, and remembering who rules over us. +• Exiles and foreigners in a foreign land, living by faith +• The church is in exile, with citizens belonging to God's kingdom +• Christians should live fully present in their current location while knowing their true citizenship lies elsewhere +• The world can be seen as foreign or unrecognizable at times +• The real problem is not the culture itself, but making God small and forgetting His sovereignty over the world +• The importance of not making faith fit personal politics or preferences +• The kingdom of God is already political with its own king, way, and road map +• Trying to squeeze human ideologies into God's kingdom results in a small, malleable God +• God reigns over all things, including culture and worldviews +• Understanding God's sovereignty brings patience, thankfulness, and confidence in adversity +• God's presence and power over all things, including blessings and hardships +• Jeremiah's book and its message of hope for the people of Israel in exile +• The specific passage from Jeremiah 29.11 about God's plans for a prosperous future +• Misinterpretation of Jeremiah 29.11 as relating to personal goals or desires rather than the Jewish people's return from exile and the coming Messiah +• Historical context: Israel's exile, settlement in Babylon, and eventual return home with the rebuilding of the temple +• The fulfillment of God's plan for the Jewish people, including their future meeting with the Messiah +• The Messiah's birth and life +• Jesus' death and resurrection +• The role of the church in anticipation of Christ's return and kingdom +• Finding joy in suffering through union with Christ +• Thanking God for blessings, including those found in suffering +• Rejoicing always in all circumstances +• Praying without ceasing, in good and bad times +• Giving thanks in all circumstances, even in suffering and exile +• Living with purpose, contributing to culture and community, despite being in a foreign world +• Following God's will, remembering his magnitude and ruling over everything +• Thanking God for blessings, people, community, joys of living, and suffering +• Praising God's sovereignty over all things, drawing closer to him through times of joy and hardship. +• The secure and assured hope found only in Jesus Christ +• God's word is sure and true, revealing a true God +• Invitation to meet God at his table, where the grace offered in God's word is present +• The banquet as a reminder of ultimate victory and presence with us +• Coming to the feast table of the king as strangers and exiles to be nourished by his word and spirit +• Giving thanks to the Lord our God for creation, making us in his image, keeping covenant despite sin, and opening the way to everlasting life through Jesus Christ +• The Lord's death and resurrection +• Proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes again +• Faith, trust, and salvation through Christ alone +• Invitation to come to the table regardless of faith level or frequency of attendance +• Passing of elements (bread and juice) in small groups +• Inviting each other to say the body and blood of Christ given/shed for each person +• Pre-service preparations for elders to help with serving and ushering +• Availability of gluten-free bread in small cups at the center of the table +• Serving of food to certain tables, including worship leaders and elders +• Singing through the service and receiving supper +• Opportunity to meet someone for prayer during the service +• Invitation to meet and pray with the speaker +• Reference to the body of Christ given for them +• Discussion of dying to oneself +• Mention of the blood of Christ shed for them, repeated throughout the transcript +• Invitation to the table +• Mystery of the cross +• Acknowledgement of being seated at God's table as an enemy now redeemed +• Expressions of gratitude and praise to God +• Thanking God for giving us His Son and leading His Spirit on earth +• Praising God for saving and redeeming humanity from sin +• Acknowledging Jesus as the Savior of the world and our only hope +• Expressing gratitude for God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness +• Declaring God's greatness and power above all things +• Recognizing humanity's weakness and need for spiritual guidance +• Emphasizing the importance of giving thanks not just for blessings, but also for suffering +• The priestly blessing from Numbers 6 +• Recitation of the blessing: God's blessings and protection, His face shining upon and being gracious to the person, His peace given to them +• Repeated affirmation of "Amen" by the people \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fc242381c3c03859f83ba297b9e8d4f58a07c285 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 12, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2286 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] We'll be right back. +[30.00 --> 31.00] Amen. +[60.00 --> 61.00] Amen. +[90.00 --> 91.00] Amen. +[120.00 --> 121.00] Amen. +[150.00 --> 151.00] Amen. +[180.00 --> 181.00] Amen. +[210.00 --> 211.00] Amen. +[240.00 --> 241.00] Amen. +[270.00 --> 271.00] Amen. +[300.00 --> 301.00] Amen. +[330.00 --> 331.00] Amen. +[360.00 --> 361.00] Amen. +[390.00 --> 391.00] Amen. +[420.00 --> 421.00] Amen. +[450.00 --> 452.00] Amen. +[460.82 --> 462.78] Good morning, everyone. +[464.30 --> 466.88] Happy Thanksgiving to everyone today. +[467.60 --> 468.86] Oh, thank you. +[468.92 --> 469.78] That's so kind. +[470.48 --> 471.16] Thank you, Judy. +[471.80 --> 477.68] It is good to be together here in this place today to worship God, to give thanks to him +[477.68 --> 478.24] for all things. +[478.54 --> 479.68] My name is Kevin Lobert. +[479.68 --> 485.86] I'm the youth pastor here at Langley Emanuel CRC. It's my pleasure, along with this worship team +[485.86 --> 492.84] here behind me and others as well, to take part in this service as well. Before we get into the +[492.84 --> 497.48] service, just a couple of announcements. There's a couple of dates to circle in your heads or +[497.48 --> 504.26] your calendars. If you are a ministry leader or a leader of a care group, we are having a ministry +[504.26 --> 510.24] and missions table meeting this coming Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. So that information has come +[510.24 --> 514.88] out. You should have received emails about that. If you've got any questions about that night, you +[514.88 --> 520.20] can chat with Chris or myself. We can give you more, but we will be meeting here on Wednesday at 7 p.m. +[520.20 --> 527.00] for that. And then as well, not tomorrow, but the following Monday, October 20th, we'll be having our +[527.00 --> 532.00] second Safe Church Training Day night. It'll be at night, so it's not really a day. It's just a couple +[532.00 --> 537.68] hours, too, so I don't want to overhype this thing. But if you are in need of doing Safe Church +[537.68 --> 543.14] Training, that is happening on Monday, October 20th, again, starting at 7 p.m., so please do +[543.14 --> 547.74] come out for that. If you need more information, again, you can talk to either Chris or myself or +[547.74 --> 553.94] Rachel here in the front. She can give you some more information about that. I'm going to invite +[553.94 --> 563.44] you all to rise now and receive God's greeting this morning. God's greeting this morning comes +[563.44 --> 567.50] from Revelation, where he says this, +[568.08 --> 575.24] Grace and peace to you from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven +[575.24 --> 580.38] spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, +[580.38 --> 586.48] the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth, and all of God's people +[586.48 --> 591.08] said. As God has greeted us this morning, please take a moment to greet those around you. +[610.38 --> 637.20] Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 148. +[637.20 --> 646.48] Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise him in the heights above. Praise him, +[646.72 --> 654.20] all his angels. Praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, +[654.30 --> 662.00] all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them +[662.00 --> 668.06] praise the name of the Lord. For at his command they were created, and he established them forever +[668.06 --> 676.12] and ever. He issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea +[676.12 --> 683.34] creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding. +[683.34 --> 692.28] You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, +[693.04 --> 701.22] kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. +[702.34 --> 706.50] Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. +[706.50 --> 713.04] His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he raised up for his people a horn, +[713.68 --> 720.50] the praise of all his faithful servants of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord. +[720.50 --> 734.66] Wha +[734.66 --> 739.42] mu actually +[739.42 --> 740.42] Amen. +[769.42 --> 770.42] Amen. +[799.42 --> 800.42] Amen. +[829.42 --> 830.42] Amen. +[859.42 --> 860.42] Amen. +[889.42 --> 890.42] Amen. +[919.42 --> 920.42] Amen. +[949.42 --> 950.42] Amen. +[979.42 --> 980.42] Amen. +[1009.96 --> 1011.44] Amen. +[1017.96 --> 1018.44] Amen. +[1022.38 --> 1026.38] Amen. +[1026.38 --> 1029.98] For the Lord God of mighty praise +[1029.98 --> 1034.68] Hallelujah +[1034.68 --> 1040.02] Hallelujah +[1040.02 --> 1045.74] For the Lord God of mighty praise +[1045.74 --> 1049.88] Hallelujah +[1049.88 --> 1053.70] Holy +[1053.70 --> 1057.36] Holy +[1057.36 --> 1063.84] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1065.72 --> 1067.94] Holy is the Lamb +[1067.94 --> 1070.90] Holy is the Lamb +[1070.90 --> 1073.52] You are holy +[1073.52 --> 1076.74] Holy +[1076.74 --> 1083.16] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1083.70 --> 1084.70] Holy +[1084.70 --> 1089.68] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1089.68 --> 1090.70] Holy +[1090.70 --> 1102.68] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1102.68 --> 1103.74] Holy +[1103.74 --> 1105.88] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1105.88 --> 1106.78] Holy +[1106.78 --> 1109.76] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1109.76 --> 1111.78] Holy +[1111.78 --> 1114.78] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1114.78 --> 1115.78] Holy +[1115.78 --> 1119.78] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1119.78 --> 1120.78] Holy +[1120.78 --> 1123.78] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1123.78 --> 1124.78] Worthy is the Lamb +[1124.78 --> 1126.78] Worthy is the Lamb +[1126.78 --> 1127.78] Worthy is the Lamb +[1127.78 --> 1131.78] Are you Lord God of mighty? +[1131.78 --> 1132.78] Amen +[1132.78 --> 1150.42] Please read responsibly with me for our confession and assurance. +[1150.42 --> 1155.54] What is your only comfort in life and in death? +[1155.54 --> 1166.54] That I am not my home, but the Lamb of mighty and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. +[1166.54 --> 1171.54] What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort? +[1171.54 --> 1173.54] Three things. +[1173.54 --> 1177.54] First, how great my sin and misery are. +[1177.54 --> 1182.54] Second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery. +[1182.54 --> 1189.54] Third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance. +[1189.54 --> 1203.54] Faithful Lord, His mercy is more. +[1203.54 --> 1207.54] Stronger the darkness, new and more. +[1207.54 --> 1214.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1214.54 --> 1226.54] What love could remember no wrongs we have done. +[1226.54 --> 1231.54] All nations all knowing He has not their song. +[1231.54 --> 1236.54] Thrown into a sea with a bottom or shore. +[1236.54 --> 1238.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1238.54 --> 1243.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1243.54 --> 1255.54] What patience would wait as we constantly roam. +[1255.54 --> 1260.54] What promise no tender is calling us home. +[1260.54 --> 1261.54] He is the weak, His mercy is more. +[1261.54 --> 1262.54] He is the weak, His mercy is more. +[1262.54 --> 1267.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1267.54 --> 1272.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1272.54 --> 1274.54] Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. +[1274.54 --> 1279.54] Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. +[1279.54 --> 1284.54] Stronger the darkness, new and more. +[1284.54 --> 1285.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1285.54 --> 1291.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1291.54 --> 1292.54] For the riches of kindness He lavished on us. +[1292.54 --> 1298.54] His blood was the payment, His blood was the cost. +[1298.54 --> 1299.54] We stood in the debt we could never afford. +[1299.54 --> 1300.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1300.54 --> 1301.54] Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. +[1301.54 --> 1302.54] Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. +[1302.54 --> 1303.54] His mercy is more. +[1303.54 --> 1304.54] His mercy is more. +[1304.54 --> 1307.54] His mercy is more. +[1307.54 --> 1321.54] Our sins they are many, His mercy is more. +[1321.54 --> 1325.54] Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. +[1325.54 --> 1330.20] His mercy is more +[1330.20 --> 1335.50] Stronger the darkness +[1335.50 --> 1337.70] Through and before +[1337.70 --> 1340.36] Our sins and our baby +[1340.36 --> 1342.54] His mercy is more +[1342.54 --> 1345.88] Praise the Lord +[1345.88 --> 1349.62] His mercy is more +[1349.62 --> 1355.00] Stronger the darkness +[1355.00 --> 1357.36] New every morn +[1357.36 --> 1360.10] Our sins they are heavy +[1360.10 --> 1362.62] His mercy is more +[1362.62 --> 1365.42] Our sins they are many +[1365.42 --> 1369.22] His mercy is more +[1369.22 --> 1372.26] I'm glad you can be seated +[1385.00 --> 1394.34] Good morning my name is Mike and I'm a deacon here and we're gonna take some time now to give our +[1394.34 --> 1401.36] Thanks and give back in many of the ways God has given us so we'll take a moment to give of our financial offering right now and +[1401.36 --> 1412.20] Just one way is of course you can give to the ministries of this church and if you want to do so there is some envelopes in the seats in front of you or you can send an e-transfer and support the ministry there +[1412.20 --> 1418.72] Anything undesignated that you give in some baskets or little bags that will go around today go towards the Langley Food Bank +[1418.72 --> 1425.88] You can also give that way through e-transfer and other ways and designate it as such in like the notes or the memo +[1425.88 --> 1430.58] But the Langley Food Bank is something this church has passionately partnered with for many many years +[1430.72 --> 1434.72] There's quite a few members of this church who volunteer there as well as we host +[1435.42 --> 1440.22] We help host the annual Murrayville food bank in the summer and of course support it throughout the year +[1440.22 --> 1443.88] So thank you in advance for that. So if you had brought any groceries +[1443.88 --> 1450.84] It's been a bit of a tradition here on Thanksgiving weekend to bring those forward too and otherwise if you ever want to give to the food bank +[1450.84 --> 1455.88] We do keep a box in the foyer that you can put your non perishable donations in +[1456.28 --> 1458.82] So thank you so much for giving to the Langley Food Bank +[1458.82 --> 1464.70] They work very hard to try and supply any families or customers that come in with two days worth of groceries +[1464.70 --> 1469.74] And then they also try to build relationship and bridge people into relationship with local churches +[1469.74 --> 1474.32] So they are wonderful ministry just in downtown Langley. So thank you for giving as you are able +[1474.32 --> 1476.32] Oh +[1496.32 --> 1498.24] My words fall +[1498.24 --> 1499.24] I'm sure +[1499.24 --> 1503.24] I've got nothing new +[1503.24 --> 1508.24] How could I express +[1508.24 --> 1512.24] All my gratitude +[1512.24 --> 1516.24] I could sing these songs +[1516.24 --> 1518.24] As I often do +[1518.24 --> 1520.24] Every song must end +[1520.24 --> 1522.24] Every song must end +[1522.24 --> 1524.24] I could sing these songs +[1524.24 --> 1525.24] Every song must end +[1525.24 --> 1526.24] Every song must end +[1526.24 --> 1527.24] Every song must end +[1527.24 --> 1531.24] And you never do +[1531.24 --> 1536.24] So I throw up my hands +[1536.24 --> 1540.24] And praise you again and again +[1540.24 --> 1543.24] All that I have +[1543.24 --> 1544.24] All I have is +[1544.24 --> 1545.24] All that I have is +[1545.24 --> 1546.24] Hallelujah +[1547.24 --> 1548.24] Hallelujah +[1548.24 --> 1550.24] Hallelujah +[1550.24 --> 1553.24] Hallelujah +[1553.24 --> 1554.24] I know it's not much +[1554.24 --> 1568.24] is +[1568.24 --> 1582.24] is +[1586.00 --> 1588.24] with my arms +[1598.24 --> 1602.24] praising again and again +[1602.24 --> 1604.24] the child that I have +[1604.24 --> 1606.24] is a sign +[1606.24 --> 1608.24] in +[1608.24 --> 1610.24] you and I +[1610.24 --> 1612.24] hallelujah +[1612.24 --> 1614.24] hallelujah +[1614.24 --> 1616.24] my door is not much +[1616.24 --> 1618.24] but I'm nothing else +[1618.24 --> 1620.24] before a key +[1620.24 --> 1622.24] the second +[1622.24 --> 1624.24] Lord I see +[1624.24 --> 1626.24] he hallelujah +[1626.24 --> 1630.24] hallelujah +[1630.24 --> 1634.24] hallelujah +[1644.24 --> 1646.24] my soul +[1646.24 --> 1648.24] don't you get shone +[1648.24 --> 1650.24] or leave your heart +[1650.24 --> 1652.24] you brought a lot +[1652.24 --> 1654.24] inside of those lungs +[1654.24 --> 1664.14] Come on, my soul. +[1664.14 --> 1666.40] Come on, don't you get shy? +[1666.40 --> 1668.82] I'm hearing of your song. +[1669.36 --> 1673.64] Stay right by the inside of all is love. +[1674.12 --> 1677.18] Come on, praise the Lord. +[1680.74 --> 1682.86] Come on, my soul. +[1682.86 --> 1687.46] Come to get a shine on the image of your song +[1687.46 --> 1692.34] You've got a body inside of those clouds +[1692.34 --> 1697.54] And I pray and pray for those +[1697.54 --> 1705.60] I know how the peace of the time is for the end of the day +[1705.60 --> 1717.84] For the help is our Alleluia, Alleluia +[1717.84 --> 1724.30] And there's not much of nothing else before He +[1724.30 --> 1735.58] Except for a heart singing Alleluia, Alleluia +[1735.60 --> 1744.88] I'm glad you're listening +[1744.88 --> 1758.16] Good morning, everyone. If you are age three up to grade four, I'd like to invite you to come on up. +[1758.16 --> 1762.78] We are going to have a little chat up here and then we have children's worship time. +[1762.78 --> 1766.38] For those, if you're visiting, you're welcome to join us as well. +[1766.38 --> 1771.26] The grade one to grade fours will be coming back in time for Lord's Supper +[1771.26 --> 1774.46] And the preschool and kindergartens will stay in their class the whole time. +[1774.46 --> 1779.34] All right. I don't know where I'm going to sit here, I guess. +[1779.98 --> 1782.06] Okay. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. +[1782.46 --> 1786.80] We're going to just do a short kids' corner today because we kind of have a busy service +[1786.80 --> 1789.88] And we've got lots of stuff planned together out in children's worship time. +[1790.36 --> 1794.88] We're going to be talking about what it means to give thanks to God no matter where we are. +[1794.88 --> 1799.44] So, and I'm sure you can help me give some ideas of things you're thankful for. +[1799.68 --> 1802.94] And we're going to learn about a man called Jeremiah in the Bible. +[1803.68 --> 1806.04] So let's just stand up. We're going to get started right away. +[1806.36 --> 1809.06] And we'll do our blessing and put it in our hands. +[1809.06 --> 1812.88] And I'll invite the whole church to join us to give and receive a blessing as well. +[1812.88 --> 1842.86] Thank you. +[1842.88 --> 1851.42] Good morning, everyone. +[1852.52 --> 1854.02] I'm Steve. I'm an elder here. +[1854.14 --> 1857.08] And I have the honor of leading us in prayer this morning. +[1859.96 --> 1862.54] Faithful God, creator of heaven and earth, +[1863.18 --> 1866.26] you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. +[1866.82 --> 1871.68] Today, as we gather in gratitude, we lift our hearts to you in thanksgiving and praise. +[1871.68 --> 1875.44] Lord, we thank you for the abundance of your creation, +[1876.04 --> 1879.12] for the harvest gathered from the fields, +[1879.38 --> 1881.24] for the beauty of the changing seasons, +[1881.64 --> 1883.68] for the food that nourishes our bodies, +[1884.20 --> 1887.02] and for the fellowship that nourishes our soul. +[1888.16 --> 1891.44] You have been generous beyond measure, +[1891.70 --> 1894.84] and we acknowledge that all we have comes from you. +[1894.84 --> 1897.94] We thank you for the gift of community, +[1898.54 --> 1901.14] for family and friends, for neighbors and coworkers, +[1901.64 --> 1905.04] for this church family where we can worship, learn, and serve together. +[1905.04 --> 1908.70] Thank you for the joy of belonging to the body of Christ, +[1908.90 --> 1910.88] and for the love that binds us together. +[1912.30 --> 1915.38] Gracious Father, we also bring before you the needs of our world. +[1915.98 --> 1919.10] Where there is hunger, bring daily bread and lasting justice. +[1919.74 --> 1921.58] Where there is conflict, bring peace. +[1921.90 --> 1923.96] Where there is loneliness, bring comfort. +[1923.96 --> 1926.76] And where our hearts are heavy with grief or worry, +[1927.26 --> 1933.76] remind us of your promise that nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. +[1934.48 --> 1938.30] We remember today those who cannot join us +[1938.30 --> 1941.62] in celebrating those who are ill, those who mourn, +[1941.86 --> 1943.62] those who struggle to find work or shelter. +[1944.38 --> 1946.48] May our gratitude move us to compassion, +[1946.80 --> 1949.12] and our thanksgiving lead us to generosity, +[1949.12 --> 1952.28] so that others may see your goodness through us. +[1954.58 --> 1958.14] Lord Jesus, we thank you most of all for the gift of salvation, +[1958.54 --> 1959.80] for your death and resurrection, +[1960.36 --> 1962.48] that we all have given us a new life. +[1962.94 --> 1965.20] Thank you for the hope that endures beyond seasons, +[1965.40 --> 1968.10] and the joy of knowing that we belong, body and soul, +[1968.32 --> 1971.16] in life and death, to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. +[1973.34 --> 1976.98] At this time, we bring before you the requests of our local church family. +[1976.98 --> 1980.58] We lift up to you, Rick and Sam Walters, +[1980.72 --> 1983.20] and their family as they grieve the loss of Rick's niece, +[1983.34 --> 1984.94] Steph, who was killed in a car accident. +[1985.70 --> 1990.02] Comfort them, Lord, and especially be near Steph's five children. +[1991.14 --> 1994.94] May the peace of Christ be tangible for all those who mourn her loss. +[1996.26 --> 1999.16] We pray for Clary Hosteroff's sister, Carolyn, +[1999.24 --> 2002.04] who was in a serious collision several weeks ago in Florida. +[2003.18 --> 2005.54] Father, lay your healing hand upon her body +[2005.54 --> 2007.36] and bring her full recovery and restoration. +[2009.28 --> 2011.26] We continue to pray for John Kuypers. +[2011.68 --> 2013.40] Thank you for the care he has received, +[2013.66 --> 2015.48] and we ask for clarity for his doctors. +[2016.06 --> 2020.30] Grant John and Greta patients strength and hope as they await answers. +[2020.70 --> 2023.56] May the treatments bring full restoration of John's health. +[2024.44 --> 2025.80] And we bring before you Tessa, +[2026.04 --> 2028.56] Jerry Jansen's daughter and Eneka Law's sister, +[2028.68 --> 2030.74] who underwent surgery this past week +[2030.74 --> 2032.30] to remove cancer from her colon. +[2033.32 --> 2035.58] Lord, bless her with healing and renewed strength. +[2038.28 --> 2040.76] Be with Pastor Kevin as he leads us this morning, +[2040.86 --> 2042.92] and we ask you to bless him and his message. +[2044.12 --> 2046.78] God, accept our thanks, our praise, and our requests, +[2047.14 --> 2049.62] for you are good, and your love endures forever. +[2050.16 --> 2052.40] We pray this all in the name of Jesus Christ, +[2052.74 --> 2055.06] your Son, and our Lord and Savior. +[2055.52 --> 2055.78] Amen. +[2055.78 --> 2055.92] Amen. +[2078.92 --> 2080.94] Good morning once again, everyone. +[2081.84 --> 2084.10] Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here. +[2084.10 --> 2089.28] We are going to be looking at a little bit of a non-traditional wedding, +[2089.48 --> 2091.24] or wedding, Thanksgiving text. +[2091.50 --> 2094.26] It's actually a very non-traditional wedding text as well, +[2094.42 --> 2095.40] to be honest with you, +[2095.48 --> 2099.20] but also a non-traditional Thanksgiving text this morning. +[2099.46 --> 2102.86] And part of the reason for that is because during this sermon, +[2102.98 --> 2104.82] I'm actually being evaluated by classes. +[2105.24 --> 2107.84] So right now, there are three people, two people in the room, +[2107.90 --> 2111.34] evaluating me, making sure I am equipped to do this type of work. +[2111.34 --> 2114.20] And so classes has given me this passage to preach on, +[2114.32 --> 2117.00] not knowing that I was going to be preaching on Thanksgiving Sunday. +[2117.30 --> 2121.42] But God is good, because I truly, truly believe +[2121.42 --> 2126.92] that even though this isn't a traditional Thanksgiving Bible text, +[2127.10 --> 2129.86] it does point us, all of God's people, +[2130.36 --> 2134.24] to what it means to be grateful in all circumstances. +[2135.00 --> 2137.92] But before we get into this text that we're going to find in Jeremiah, +[2138.14 --> 2140.46] I've got a bit of a folk tale for you. +[2140.46 --> 2141.78] Now, it's not a Christian folk tale, +[2141.84 --> 2144.24] but it does kind of lay a little bit of the groundwork for this sermon. +[2144.42 --> 2145.86] So, some of you have heard it before. +[2146.00 --> 2148.18] It's not uncommon, but it goes like this. +[2149.00 --> 2152.12] There was once a farmer whose horse ran away. +[2153.14 --> 2155.06] And the neighbor saw that and came out and said, +[2155.16 --> 2156.98] Ah, what such bad luck. +[2157.64 --> 2159.34] And the farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, +[2160.04 --> 2160.34] Maybe. +[2161.42 --> 2163.16] Well, three days later, the horse returned, +[2163.46 --> 2166.24] and with it, he came with three wild horses as well. +[2166.24 --> 2167.92] And the neighbors came out and said, +[2168.04 --> 2169.64] Wow, that's amazing. +[2169.74 --> 2170.44] What good luck. +[2171.36 --> 2173.04] And the farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, +[2173.12 --> 2173.88] Well, maybe. +[2175.14 --> 2178.00] Well, then, the next day, the farmer's son was out +[2178.00 --> 2180.54] trying to tame one of the wild horses that had come, +[2180.86 --> 2182.76] and he fell off the horse and broke his leg. +[2183.52 --> 2185.28] So the neighbors came out and rushed out and said, +[2185.36 --> 2186.36] Wow, that's crazy. +[2186.46 --> 2187.46] That is so unfortunate. +[2187.58 --> 2188.34] What bad luck. +[2189.06 --> 2191.06] And the farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, +[2191.12 --> 2191.78] Well, maybe. +[2191.78 --> 2191.90] Maybe. +[2193.58 --> 2196.28] Later that week, soldiers came to the farm, +[2196.36 --> 2199.18] and they were enlisting all of the young, able-bodied men. +[2199.42 --> 2201.84] They were drafting all of the able-bodied young men +[2201.84 --> 2204.20] to take part in a war that was happening that moment. +[2204.68 --> 2208.40] And the farmer's son was disqualified because of his injury. +[2209.04 --> 2210.38] So the neighbors came out and said, +[2210.48 --> 2211.32] That's amazing. +[2211.46 --> 2212.44] What good luck. +[2213.32 --> 2214.98] And the farmer shrugged his shoulders and said, +[2215.18 --> 2215.72] Maybe. +[2216.82 --> 2217.72] You get the point. +[2219.24 --> 2220.68] We don't see the full picture. +[2220.68 --> 2226.74] We often cannot tell if our circumstances are good or bad. +[2226.86 --> 2229.84] We don't have the gift of retrospect in the moment +[2229.84 --> 2234.42] to see how events in our lives will actually shape our future. +[2235.76 --> 2236.88] But God does. +[2238.26 --> 2240.40] And today we're going to look at a text from Jeremiah +[2240.40 --> 2243.20] and learn that not only does God see the whole picture, +[2244.04 --> 2245.50] He ordains it. +[2246.26 --> 2248.40] He has ultimate authority over it, +[2248.40 --> 2252.08] and He rules over it because we believe in a big God. +[2252.70 --> 2256.14] A big God whose purposes never hinge +[2256.14 --> 2260.10] on luck or coincidence or a reaction. +[2261.12 --> 2264.64] That's the God Jeremiah is going to call us to remember today. +[2264.78 --> 2266.46] That we don't worship a bigger God +[2266.46 --> 2270.32] who tries to fix or work within the context that we find ourselves, +[2270.32 --> 2272.34] but we worship a big God +[2272.34 --> 2275.14] who ordains and rules over every moment, +[2275.78 --> 2277.76] who carries His people into exile, +[2278.06 --> 2280.14] through exile, and home again. +[2280.20 --> 2281.56] So let's read our passage this morning. +[2281.82 --> 2285.06] We're going to look at Jeremiah 29, verses 1 to 7. +[2285.50 --> 2287.14] I encourage you, as always, +[2287.20 --> 2288.60] if you have a Bible with you, +[2289.02 --> 2291.02] open it up and follow along. +[2291.10 --> 2291.84] I also encourage you, +[2291.88 --> 2292.90] if you've got a Bible app, +[2292.94 --> 2293.70] that works as well. +[2293.76 --> 2295.00] So just have those open with you +[2295.00 --> 2296.78] because we're going to be looking back at this text +[2296.78 --> 2298.92] and then elsewhere throughout this message. +[2299.82 --> 2303.28] So Jeremiah 29, verses 1 to 7 says this. +[2303.78 --> 2306.14] This is the text of the letter +[2306.14 --> 2308.56] that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem +[2308.56 --> 2311.48] to the surviving elders among the exiles +[2311.48 --> 2312.34] and to the priests, +[2312.84 --> 2313.38] the prophets, +[2313.82 --> 2315.70] and all the people Nebuchadnezzar +[2315.70 --> 2317.98] had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. +[2318.90 --> 2322.42] This was after King Joiachin and the Queen Mother, +[2322.60 --> 2323.28] the court officials, +[2323.48 --> 2325.06] and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, +[2325.06 --> 2327.12] the skilled workers and the artisans +[2327.12 --> 2328.80] had gone into exile from Jerusalem. +[2329.56 --> 2331.98] He entrusted the letter to Elisha, +[2332.18 --> 2333.04] son of Shaphan, +[2333.68 --> 2336.12] and to Jemira, son of Hilkiah, +[2336.32 --> 2337.68] whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, +[2337.82 --> 2339.92] sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. +[2340.84 --> 2341.40] And it said, +[2342.06 --> 2344.42] This is what the Lord Almighty, +[2344.58 --> 2345.46] the God of Israel, +[2345.58 --> 2347.72] says to all those I carried into exile +[2347.72 --> 2349.04] from Jerusalem to Babylon. +[2349.42 --> 2351.48] Build houses and settle down. +[2351.96 --> 2353.88] Plant gardens and eat what they produce. +[2353.88 --> 2355.78] Marry and have sons and daughters. +[2356.16 --> 2357.82] Find wives for your sons +[2357.82 --> 2359.62] and give your daughters in marriage +[2359.62 --> 2362.06] so they too may have sons and daughters. +[2362.74 --> 2363.94] Increase in number there. +[2364.50 --> 2365.54] Do not decrease. +[2366.42 --> 2369.06] Also seek the peace and prosperity of the city +[2369.06 --> 2371.32] to which I have carried you into exile. +[2371.92 --> 2373.20] Pray to the Lord for it +[2373.20 --> 2374.56] because if it prospers, +[2375.02 --> 2376.80] you too will prosper. +[2377.54 --> 2378.92] This is the word of the Lord. +[2378.92 --> 2383.24] So what's happening here? +[2384.24 --> 2386.04] Well, this letter that Jeremiah wrote +[2386.04 --> 2389.04] was likely written around 597 BC, +[2389.32 --> 2391.64] which was shortly after God's people, +[2391.90 --> 2393.62] the people living in the land of Judah, +[2394.14 --> 2396.60] were taken over by the nation of Babylon. +[2397.54 --> 2399.56] All right, this was after the first wave +[2399.56 --> 2402.74] of Jewish exiles from Judah to Babylon took place. +[2402.74 --> 2405.52] And so Jeremiah is writing this letter +[2405.52 --> 2408.36] to a people who are now living in a foreign land +[2408.36 --> 2411.34] under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. +[2411.58 --> 2412.96] They're far away from home. +[2413.70 --> 2415.16] They're living under foreign rule. +[2415.26 --> 2416.42] They're in a distant land +[2416.42 --> 2419.36] and God gets Jeremiah to reach out. +[2420.76 --> 2425.04] This letter was God's word to his people in exile. +[2425.04 --> 2427.80] And this Thanksgiving Sunday, +[2427.90 --> 2429.28] the big idea from this message, +[2429.38 --> 2431.76] the big idea comes straight out of this letter +[2431.76 --> 2432.92] that God spoke through Jeremiah. +[2433.08 --> 2434.20] And that big idea is this, +[2434.74 --> 2438.42] that God's people are strangers and foreigners +[2438.42 --> 2440.92] who are called to settle in +[2440.92 --> 2443.06] and be thankful where we are. +[2443.76 --> 2445.90] God's people are strangers and foreigners +[2445.90 --> 2447.62] who are called to settle in +[2447.62 --> 2450.32] and be thankful wherever we are. +[2452.08 --> 2453.92] God speaks this through this word. +[2453.92 --> 2454.82] Make no mistake, +[2455.12 --> 2456.78] this letter that Jeremiah writes, +[2456.84 --> 2459.06] this is God's word to his people. +[2459.46 --> 2461.74] Jeremiah makes that abundantly clear in verse four +[2461.74 --> 2462.30] where it says, +[2462.86 --> 2464.08] this is what the Lord Almighty, +[2464.20 --> 2465.30] the God of Israel says. +[2467.30 --> 2468.62] Now again, God's people were captured. +[2468.94 --> 2470.14] They were taken from their homes. +[2470.52 --> 2473.08] God's temple back in Jerusalem was destroyed. +[2473.48 --> 2475.00] They were in an unfamiliar land. +[2475.10 --> 2477.46] They were 800 miles away +[2477.46 --> 2479.48] with more questions about +[2479.48 --> 2480.94] what was going to be happening next. +[2482.08 --> 2483.56] Things were not looking good. +[2483.92 --> 2487.92] Some of them likely thought that God had abandoned them +[2487.92 --> 2489.92] or maybe had even died along with his temple. +[2491.82 --> 2494.20] But then God speaks to them through this letter. +[2495.60 --> 2496.68] God was not dead. +[2496.78 --> 2498.30] He was not distant or left behind. +[2498.42 --> 2499.78] God was not far away. +[2500.12 --> 2501.02] He was with them. +[2502.16 --> 2504.74] He was right there speaking to them. +[2504.80 --> 2505.38] He was present. +[2505.38 --> 2508.06] This letter from Jeremiah, +[2508.06 --> 2510.60] this word of God was huge for God's people +[2510.60 --> 2513.36] because even though they were in exile, +[2513.88 --> 2516.38] God was not some distant idea +[2516.38 --> 2520.02] off in Jerusalem waiting for them to return. +[2521.22 --> 2522.44] He was there. +[2522.68 --> 2523.58] He was with them, +[2523.90 --> 2524.64] speaking to them, +[2524.80 --> 2526.90] revealing himself to them. +[2526.90 --> 2530.76] And that same word of God +[2530.76 --> 2534.10] is the word that we have access to every day. +[2534.66 --> 2536.56] That same word that we open here +[2536.56 --> 2537.86] every Sunday in church. +[2538.18 --> 2540.36] That same word that Josh tells us to read +[2540.36 --> 2541.96] every week on the podcast. +[2542.48 --> 2544.86] That same word that a number of us +[2544.86 --> 2545.64] in this congregation +[2545.64 --> 2547.18] are reading through together +[2547.18 --> 2548.50] for the next three years. +[2548.50 --> 2552.74] God reveals himself in it. +[2553.40 --> 2554.74] He is active, not distant. +[2554.84 --> 2555.48] He is speaking. +[2555.62 --> 2556.46] He's not silent. +[2556.70 --> 2558.82] He is present no matter where we are. +[2561.80 --> 2562.92] Sometimes I hear people say, +[2562.96 --> 2564.44] and maybe you have heard this too, +[2564.74 --> 2566.94] that the Bible is not necessarily relevant +[2566.94 --> 2568.02] to us anymore, +[2568.16 --> 2570.12] at least not as relevant to us anymore +[2570.12 --> 2572.06] because it was written so long ago. +[2574.26 --> 2576.54] But just like God's people here in Jeremiah, +[2576.54 --> 2579.22] distance does not separate us from God. +[2579.58 --> 2580.44] God's people, yes, +[2580.52 --> 2582.56] they were 800 miles away from their home, +[2582.70 --> 2583.70] but God was with them. +[2583.96 --> 2586.06] Yes, we are 2,000 years away +[2586.06 --> 2588.24] from when Jesus walked and lived on this earth, +[2588.78 --> 2590.94] but he is still active and speaking +[2590.94 --> 2592.24] and present with us +[2592.24 --> 2594.50] because his word speaks. +[2594.84 --> 2596.06] God's word speaks. +[2596.40 --> 2597.50] He is right here. +[2598.72 --> 2600.04] He is right here. +[2601.16 --> 2602.52] This is the foundation +[2602.52 --> 2604.28] and the authority of our lives. +[2604.36 --> 2605.88] And when we dig into this book, +[2606.54 --> 2608.38] when we read its words, +[2609.18 --> 2611.68] we allow the metanarrative +[2611.68 --> 2613.10] of God's redemption story +[2613.10 --> 2614.42] to take root in our hearts +[2614.42 --> 2616.38] and then we start to realize +[2616.38 --> 2618.54] how much of God's story +[2618.54 --> 2620.98] continues on with us, +[2621.08 --> 2622.44] with me, with you. +[2623.54 --> 2624.94] It forms us. +[2625.02 --> 2626.00] It challenges us. +[2626.08 --> 2626.86] It shapes us. +[2627.02 --> 2628.52] And it points us right back to him. +[2628.52 --> 2632.52] That's what Jeremiah's letter was doing +[2632.52 --> 2634.56] for God's people in Babylon. +[2635.48 --> 2637.40] It was getting them to understand +[2637.40 --> 2638.90] that he was still with them +[2638.90 --> 2641.06] even in trying times. +[2643.50 --> 2645.52] But it was more than that, actually. +[2647.38 --> 2648.66] Take a close look here +[2648.66 --> 2649.86] at verse 4 with me again. +[2651.22 --> 2652.04] It says this, +[2652.04 --> 2653.48] this is what the Lord Almighty, +[2653.60 --> 2654.38] the God of Israel, +[2654.52 --> 2654.90] says, +[2655.62 --> 2657.44] to all those I carried +[2657.44 --> 2658.32] into exile +[2658.32 --> 2660.20] from Jerusalem to Babylon. +[2660.74 --> 2661.38] Did you catch that? +[2662.02 --> 2663.12] Look at verse 7 as well. +[2664.18 --> 2664.62] Also, +[2665.46 --> 2666.28] seek the peace +[2666.28 --> 2666.98] and prosperity +[2666.98 --> 2667.78] of the city. +[2667.96 --> 2668.90] I just moved. +[2669.38 --> 2670.58] Also, seek the peace +[2670.58 --> 2671.26] and prosperity +[2671.26 --> 2671.92] of the city +[2671.92 --> 2674.28] to which I have carried +[2674.28 --> 2675.62] you into exile. +[2675.62 --> 2679.24] All those I carried +[2679.24 --> 2679.98] to exile +[2679.98 --> 2682.86] to which I have carried +[2682.86 --> 2684.58] you to exile. +[2686.20 --> 2688.54] See, in God's redemption story, +[2688.90 --> 2689.96] the story that you and I +[2689.96 --> 2690.82] are a part of, +[2692.04 --> 2693.58] his plans often carry +[2693.58 --> 2694.72] times of turmoil. +[2696.38 --> 2696.84] But here, +[2696.98 --> 2697.80] God's authority +[2697.80 --> 2700.16] and rule over his people +[2700.16 --> 2702.40] included exile. +[2703.34 --> 2704.90] I carried you +[2704.90 --> 2706.24] into exile +[2706.24 --> 2707.90] is what it says. +[2709.14 --> 2709.90] God's sovereignty, +[2710.08 --> 2711.20] his absolute right +[2711.20 --> 2711.70] and power +[2711.70 --> 2713.10] to rule over the cosmos +[2713.10 --> 2715.08] ordained this exile +[2715.08 --> 2715.94] to happen. +[2716.12 --> 2716.98] Let that sink in +[2716.98 --> 2717.60] for a second. +[2720.38 --> 2720.86] I know it's not +[2720.86 --> 2721.76] our usual cozy +[2721.76 --> 2723.18] Thanksgiving sermon point here, +[2723.26 --> 2724.94] but God ordained +[2724.94 --> 2726.56] this trying time +[2726.56 --> 2727.64] for his people. +[2728.64 --> 2729.60] He ordained it. +[2729.66 --> 2730.44] He appointed it. +[2730.50 --> 2731.44] He arranged it +[2731.44 --> 2732.24] to happen. +[2733.44 --> 2734.02] And this is not +[2734.02 --> 2735.04] an isolated incident +[2735.04 --> 2735.60] in scripture. +[2735.74 --> 2736.68] Just like God +[2736.68 --> 2738.02] ordained the Israelites +[2738.02 --> 2739.04] to wander the desert +[2739.04 --> 2739.82] for 40 years +[2739.82 --> 2740.22] in Exodus. +[2740.60 --> 2741.56] Just like God +[2741.56 --> 2742.98] ordained the suffering +[2742.98 --> 2743.50] of Job +[2743.50 --> 2744.18] in the entirety +[2744.18 --> 2744.76] of his book. +[2745.02 --> 2746.14] Just like God +[2746.14 --> 2747.54] ordained the famine +[2747.54 --> 2748.86] that drove Jacob +[2748.86 --> 2749.52] and his family +[2749.52 --> 2750.22] to Egypt +[2750.22 --> 2751.12] to escape. +[2751.36 --> 2752.34] And just like God +[2752.34 --> 2753.98] ordained in that same story +[2753.98 --> 2755.24] all of the suffering +[2755.24 --> 2756.26] and turmoil +[2756.26 --> 2757.74] that Joseph went to +[2757.74 --> 2760.42] to get where he was at +[2760.42 --> 2762.08] as an outcast +[2762.08 --> 2762.82] and a slave +[2762.82 --> 2763.68] and a prisoner. +[2764.72 --> 2766.10] God ordained it all. +[2767.56 --> 2768.70] And so much more +[2768.70 --> 2769.20] in scripture. +[2769.96 --> 2770.66] And yet we can learn +[2770.66 --> 2771.28] from that story +[2771.28 --> 2773.10] in Genesis as well +[2773.10 --> 2773.80] about Joseph. +[2774.02 --> 2775.84] In Genesis 50 verse 20, +[2776.14 --> 2777.00] despite the suffering, +[2777.14 --> 2778.22] despite all of the turmoil +[2778.22 --> 2779.56] that Joseph went through, +[2780.88 --> 2781.86] he meets his brothers +[2781.86 --> 2783.30] who sold him into slavery +[2783.30 --> 2784.58] towards the end +[2784.58 --> 2784.92] of his life +[2784.92 --> 2785.64] and he says this, +[2785.64 --> 2786.74] what you intended +[2786.74 --> 2787.42] for evil, +[2788.42 --> 2790.00] God intended +[2790.00 --> 2790.64] for good +[2790.64 --> 2791.30] to accomplish +[2791.30 --> 2792.46] what is now being done, +[2792.76 --> 2793.24] the saving +[2793.24 --> 2794.08] of many lives. +[2796.74 --> 2797.86] God works +[2797.86 --> 2799.00] through everything +[2799.00 --> 2799.84] he ordains +[2799.84 --> 2801.58] and he ordains +[2801.58 --> 2802.16] everything. +[2805.04 --> 2806.42] His revelation +[2806.42 --> 2807.36] throughout scripture +[2807.36 --> 2808.18] points us +[2808.18 --> 2809.00] to this sovereignty, +[2809.22 --> 2810.16] his ruling +[2810.16 --> 2811.34] over all things. +[2811.66 --> 2812.46] This is big +[2812.46 --> 2813.94] God theology. +[2814.62 --> 2815.38] Like we talked about +[2815.38 --> 2815.94] in the opening. +[2816.96 --> 2818.08] God isn't just working +[2818.08 --> 2819.96] within the exile +[2819.96 --> 2821.86] or using the exile +[2821.86 --> 2823.42] that just so happened +[2823.42 --> 2824.94] to be thrust upon +[2824.94 --> 2825.62] his people +[2825.62 --> 2827.08] for his kingdom purposes. +[2827.46 --> 2828.60] God wasn't simply +[2828.60 --> 2829.70] just bigger +[2829.70 --> 2831.04] than the exile +[2831.04 --> 2833.36] or able to use +[2833.36 --> 2834.02] the exile +[2834.02 --> 2834.88] that so happened +[2834.88 --> 2836.34] for his kingdom purposes. +[2837.38 --> 2838.60] The exile +[2838.60 --> 2839.62] was his purpose. +[2840.08 --> 2841.26] The exile itself +[2841.26 --> 2842.40] was purposed by him. +[2842.48 --> 2843.28] He ordained it +[2843.28 --> 2844.56] and he utilized it +[2844.56 --> 2845.58] for his kingdom purposes. +[2847.32 --> 2848.30] That's the shift. +[2849.94 --> 2850.40] Now, +[2850.60 --> 2851.26] put yourself +[2851.26 --> 2852.32] in the shoes +[2852.32 --> 2852.98] of the Israelites +[2852.98 --> 2853.60] for just a minute. +[2853.82 --> 2854.66] You've just been taken +[2854.66 --> 2855.34] from your home. +[2855.64 --> 2856.36] You've just marched +[2856.36 --> 2857.74] miles away. +[2858.38 --> 2859.10] You've been dropped +[2859.10 --> 2859.88] in a foreign land. +[2859.98 --> 2860.82] You've been surrounded +[2860.82 --> 2861.92] by pagan idols +[2861.92 --> 2862.90] and strange customs. +[2863.46 --> 2864.46] Everything in you +[2864.46 --> 2865.42] would want to try +[2865.42 --> 2866.08] to fight back +[2866.08 --> 2866.74] against this. +[2868.30 --> 2869.18] To resist. +[2870.40 --> 2871.04] To say, +[2871.04 --> 2871.52] no way. +[2872.36 --> 2873.58] This can't be part +[2873.58 --> 2874.10] of the plan. +[2874.92 --> 2875.84] There is no way +[2875.84 --> 2877.14] God wants this for me. +[2879.88 --> 2880.52] And yet, +[2880.60 --> 2881.36] Jeremiah's letter +[2881.36 --> 2882.28] tells them otherwise. +[2884.20 --> 2885.16] Jeremiah tells them +[2885.16 --> 2886.20] something shocking, +[2886.34 --> 2886.62] actually. +[2886.68 --> 2887.28] He says this. +[2887.34 --> 2887.68] He says, +[2888.20 --> 2888.80] settle in. +[2889.94 --> 2890.78] Build houses. +[2891.52 --> 2892.24] Plant gardens. +[2892.42 --> 2893.20] Raise families. +[2893.66 --> 2894.84] Seek the peace +[2894.84 --> 2895.82] of the city. +[2895.82 --> 2898.06] Now, +[2898.10 --> 2898.54] that's likely +[2898.54 --> 2899.50] not what God's people +[2899.50 --> 2900.18] wanted to hear. +[2901.36 --> 2902.60] Their natural instinct +[2902.60 --> 2903.02] would have been +[2903.02 --> 2904.02] to start an uprising, +[2904.16 --> 2905.12] to try and escape. +[2905.20 --> 2905.80] And if you read +[2905.80 --> 2906.74] later on in the story, +[2907.00 --> 2907.74] you see that's actually +[2907.74 --> 2908.54] what ends up happening. +[2909.04 --> 2909.98] But Jeremiah says, +[2910.08 --> 2910.20] no. +[2910.84 --> 2911.78] Don't fight it. +[2913.26 --> 2913.94] God's the one +[2913.94 --> 2914.78] who carried you here. +[2914.86 --> 2915.86] This is his plan. +[2916.36 --> 2917.14] And you're going +[2917.14 --> 2918.02] to be here a while. +[2918.76 --> 2919.58] So settle in. +[2920.84 --> 2921.46] Settle in +[2921.46 --> 2922.00] where you are. +[2922.82 --> 2923.06] You see, +[2923.14 --> 2924.12] to resist Babylon +[2924.12 --> 2924.84] here was going +[2924.84 --> 2925.60] to be resisting +[2925.60 --> 2926.42] God. +[2927.76 --> 2928.74] Jeremiah 27, +[2928.88 --> 2929.66] Ezekiel 17, +[2929.78 --> 2930.44] elsewhere say +[2930.44 --> 2931.02] the same thing. +[2931.10 --> 2931.68] This exile +[2931.68 --> 2932.52] wasn't a mistake. +[2935.08 --> 2935.98] It was something, +[2936.80 --> 2937.04] sorry, +[2937.12 --> 2938.06] it wasn't something +[2938.06 --> 2938.74] unexpected +[2938.74 --> 2939.70] that God then +[2939.70 --> 2940.56] had to try to fix. +[2941.50 --> 2942.64] It was God's plan +[2942.64 --> 2943.26] the whole time. +[2945.52 --> 2946.00] Now, +[2946.00 --> 2946.80] we here +[2946.80 --> 2948.02] aren't in exile +[2948.02 --> 2949.80] like Israel was. +[2950.82 --> 2951.88] But we do +[2951.88 --> 2952.74] often +[2952.74 --> 2953.42] go through +[2953.42 --> 2953.84] hardship +[2953.84 --> 2954.58] and injustice +[2954.58 --> 2955.56] and confusion +[2955.56 --> 2956.42] and despair. +[2956.56 --> 2956.98] We hurt +[2956.98 --> 2958.00] and we mourn +[2958.00 --> 2958.82] and we grieve +[2958.82 --> 2959.30] and we just +[2959.30 --> 2960.08] prayed for a whole +[2960.08 --> 2961.00] handful of things +[2961.00 --> 2962.18] that we all struggle +[2962.18 --> 2963.08] with and there was +[2963.08 --> 2963.90] a whole lot of things +[2963.90 --> 2964.80] we couldn't pray for +[2964.80 --> 2965.70] because they're unknown +[2965.70 --> 2967.10] that we know we deal with. +[2969.54 --> 2970.68] We want to fix things. +[2970.76 --> 2971.40] We want to escape. +[2971.54 --> 2972.20] We want to rebel. +[2972.34 --> 2973.36] We want to take control. +[2973.56 --> 2974.26] We grieve +[2974.26 --> 2975.00] and we mourn +[2975.00 --> 2975.72] and there's times +[2975.72 --> 2976.56] that we assume +[2976.56 --> 2977.56] God couldn't have +[2977.56 --> 2978.64] purposely orchestrated. +[2979.16 --> 2980.04] Times that we might +[2980.04 --> 2980.76] assume +[2980.76 --> 2982.24] that surprised God +[2982.24 --> 2983.12] just as much +[2983.12 --> 2984.18] as they surprised us. +[2986.58 --> 2987.86] And that makes sense +[2987.86 --> 2990.56] because times are hard +[2990.56 --> 2992.14] and times hurt. +[2994.36 --> 2995.36] But also, +[2995.52 --> 2996.50] when we start +[2996.50 --> 2997.40] thinking that way, +[2998.42 --> 2999.78] that the hard times +[2999.78 --> 3000.96] that we are experiencing +[3000.96 --> 3002.64] are surprising God +[3002.64 --> 3003.48] as much as they're +[3003.48 --> 3004.48] surprising us, +[3005.16 --> 3007.84] even when we ask God +[3007.84 --> 3008.80] to get us out of them, +[3008.80 --> 3011.36] we are thinking of a God +[3011.36 --> 3012.20] that is merely bigger +[3012.20 --> 3013.22] than our circumstances, +[3014.06 --> 3015.68] not a big God +[3015.68 --> 3016.34] who is sovereign +[3016.34 --> 3017.48] and ruling over them all. +[3019.10 --> 3020.52] See, bigger God theology +[3020.52 --> 3021.36] means we think God +[3021.36 --> 3021.92] can overcome +[3021.92 --> 3023.28] the circumstances we're in, +[3023.42 --> 3024.06] but that's not +[3024.06 --> 3024.82] the God of Scripture. +[3025.22 --> 3025.96] The God of Scripture +[3025.96 --> 3027.04] is a big God +[3027.04 --> 3028.74] and big God theology +[3028.74 --> 3030.28] means we understand +[3030.28 --> 3031.74] that God ordains +[3031.74 --> 3033.12] all of our circumstances +[3033.12 --> 3034.44] and uses them +[3034.44 --> 3035.48] for His glory. +[3036.24 --> 3037.02] Do you see the difference? +[3038.80 --> 3041.00] Many of you have heard +[3041.00 --> 3041.88] this story before, +[3042.06 --> 3043.16] but when I was in grade 12, +[3043.28 --> 3044.66] I was in a school bus accident. +[3045.44 --> 3047.24] We were going down Highway 1 +[3047.24 --> 3048.40] and we rolled into the ditch +[3048.40 --> 3049.64] and spun around a little bit +[3049.64 --> 3051.12] and those buses +[3051.12 --> 3051.84] don't have seat bolts, +[3051.94 --> 3052.42] so it was quite +[3052.42 --> 3053.46] the tumbling situation. +[3054.10 --> 3055.44] I ended up with tissue damage +[3055.44 --> 3056.84] in my back and shoulders +[3056.84 --> 3057.88] and my soccer season +[3057.88 --> 3059.44] ended right then and there +[3059.44 --> 3060.96] and it halted any chance +[3060.96 --> 3061.44] that I had +[3061.44 --> 3062.26] at getting a scholarship +[3062.26 --> 3063.20] for any university +[3063.20 --> 3064.70] that was checking out +[3064.70 --> 3065.32] what I was doing. +[3065.74 --> 3066.48] At the time, +[3066.54 --> 3067.58] I was furious with God. +[3068.80 --> 3069.24] At the time, +[3069.28 --> 3069.56] I was like, +[3069.60 --> 3070.54] God, what are you doing here? +[3071.18 --> 3072.32] How could you let this happen? +[3072.44 --> 3073.06] How are you going to +[3073.06 --> 3073.90] get me through this? +[3076.04 --> 3076.70] But I didn't get +[3076.70 --> 3077.20] any scholarship, +[3077.44 --> 3078.08] so I didn't get to go +[3078.08 --> 3078.80] to a university +[3078.80 --> 3079.70] that was seeking me out. +[3079.90 --> 3080.96] I struggled in Edmonton +[3080.96 --> 3081.82] for a whole gap year +[3081.82 --> 3082.52] because of that +[3082.52 --> 3083.32] and then on a whim, +[3083.42 --> 3084.06] I went to Redeemer +[3084.06 --> 3085.86] where I met my wife, +[3086.50 --> 3087.08] where I got interested +[3087.08 --> 3087.64] in theology, +[3088.36 --> 3088.96] where God started +[3088.96 --> 3090.02] pulling me into youth ministry, +[3090.46 --> 3091.42] where now I have this job +[3091.42 --> 3092.40] and I'm standing before you. +[3092.82 --> 3093.60] That doesn't happen +[3093.60 --> 3094.56] without that bus crash. +[3094.56 --> 3097.72] We don't know +[3097.72 --> 3098.50] what God is doing. +[3102.68 --> 3103.62] Now, I have the gift +[3103.62 --> 3104.18] of retrospect +[3104.18 --> 3105.08] and God has blessed me +[3105.08 --> 3106.00] with that story to tell, +[3106.06 --> 3107.42] but not all of our suffering +[3107.42 --> 3108.84] gets those gifts +[3108.84 --> 3109.84] and I understand that. +[3110.50 --> 3112.82] But can we trust God +[3112.82 --> 3113.82] with what we are going +[3113.82 --> 3114.36] through anyways? +[3114.36 --> 3116.58] Do we have +[3116.58 --> 3118.56] big God theology +[3118.56 --> 3120.84] or just bigger +[3120.84 --> 3122.02] God theology? +[3123.86 --> 3125.00] Romans 8, 28 +[3125.00 --> 3125.58] reminds us, +[3125.66 --> 3126.26] in all things, +[3126.36 --> 3127.12] God works for the good +[3127.12 --> 3127.90] of those who love Him. +[3128.34 --> 3129.26] And James 1 says +[3129.26 --> 3131.44] to consider it pure joy +[3131.44 --> 3132.78] when you face trials +[3132.78 --> 3134.16] because those very trials +[3134.16 --> 3135.44] produce perseverance +[3135.44 --> 3137.58] and maturity in us. +[3137.62 --> 3138.08] In other words, +[3138.34 --> 3139.18] God doesn't just work +[3139.18 --> 3140.64] around the hard times. +[3141.48 --> 3142.70] He's working by +[3142.70 --> 3143.68] the hard times +[3143.68 --> 3144.84] because of them. +[3145.60 --> 3146.12] He's doing that +[3146.12 --> 3147.20] for us and for Him. +[3147.20 --> 3148.86] That's what it means +[3148.86 --> 3150.52] to believe in big God, +[3150.68 --> 3151.46] the kind of God +[3151.46 --> 3152.30] who reigns over +[3152.30 --> 3154.08] both blessings and exile, +[3154.42 --> 3156.08] both comfort and suffering. +[3156.28 --> 3156.88] He is using +[3156.88 --> 3158.80] every single bit of it +[3158.80 --> 3160.14] to shape His people +[3160.14 --> 3161.16] for His glory. +[3161.92 --> 3163.12] And we are to trust +[3163.12 --> 3164.76] and give thanks to Him +[3164.76 --> 3165.72] because we know +[3165.72 --> 3166.92] He loves us +[3166.92 --> 3168.08] more than we'll ever understand. +[3170.00 --> 3171.26] We can thank Him +[3171.26 --> 3172.22] for everything, +[3173.72 --> 3174.74] even the stuff +[3174.74 --> 3175.82] we can't really imagine. +[3177.20 --> 3178.12] like our suffering, +[3179.04 --> 3180.26] like our loneliness, +[3180.52 --> 3181.14] like our grief. +[3181.46 --> 3182.72] Can you believe +[3182.72 --> 3184.14] in a God that big? +[3185.56 --> 3186.94] Can you give thanks +[3186.94 --> 3189.02] to a God that big? +[3193.08 --> 3194.28] So what are we to do? +[3194.96 --> 3195.46] Well, once again, +[3195.52 --> 3198.60] look at verses 5, 6, and 7 +[3198.60 --> 3199.18] with me, +[3199.24 --> 3199.98] and everyone all at once. +[3200.04 --> 3200.78] 6, 7. +[3201.00 --> 3201.92] Ben, don't write that down +[3201.92 --> 3202.50] in your evaluation. +[3202.50 --> 3208.00] Let's look at verses 5 to 7 +[3208.00 --> 3209.20] with me here of our text. +[3210.76 --> 3213.44] Build houses and settle down. +[3214.58 --> 3215.50] Plant gardens +[3215.50 --> 3217.16] and eat what they produce. +[3218.28 --> 3220.50] Marry and have sons and daughters. +[3220.74 --> 3222.26] Find wives for your sons +[3222.26 --> 3223.20] and give your daughters +[3223.20 --> 3223.76] in marriage +[3223.76 --> 3224.92] so that they too +[3224.92 --> 3226.14] may have sons and daughters. +[3226.62 --> 3228.12] Increase in number there. +[3228.48 --> 3229.52] Do not decrease. +[3229.52 --> 3231.76] Also, seek the peace +[3231.76 --> 3233.26] and prosperity of the city +[3233.26 --> 3234.98] because if it prospers, +[3235.34 --> 3236.42] you too will prosper. +[3237.36 --> 3238.66] See, in our text today, +[3239.40 --> 3240.76] God's people were foreigners. +[3240.94 --> 3242.02] They're exiled in Babylon, +[3242.22 --> 3242.74] and yet, +[3243.18 --> 3244.12] they are called +[3244.12 --> 3245.44] to live fully. +[3246.92 --> 3248.36] They were to build houses +[3248.36 --> 3249.54] and plant gardens. +[3250.34 --> 3251.70] They were to marry each other +[3251.70 --> 3252.90] and raise up a family +[3252.90 --> 3253.64] and contribute +[3253.64 --> 3256.00] to the Babylonian society. +[3256.00 --> 3258.54] According to God, +[3258.60 --> 3259.80] they were going to be there a while, +[3260.00 --> 3261.26] and so while they were there, +[3261.34 --> 3262.74] they were to roll up their sleeves, +[3263.16 --> 3264.00] live their life, +[3264.66 --> 3265.42] fill the earth, +[3265.52 --> 3266.38] grow in number, +[3266.46 --> 3267.70] and work for the good of creation +[3267.70 --> 3268.30] and for Babylon. +[3268.58 --> 3269.64] And in many ways, +[3270.56 --> 3272.00] God is calling his people +[3272.00 --> 3272.52] right here +[3272.52 --> 3273.98] back to the very first command +[3273.98 --> 3274.44] and blessing +[3274.44 --> 3274.96] that he gave +[3274.96 --> 3275.80] way back in Genesis. +[3276.58 --> 3278.26] In Genesis 1, verse 28, +[3278.58 --> 3280.30] after he creates male and female +[3280.30 --> 3281.24] in his own image, +[3281.24 --> 3283.20] he says to Adam and Eve this. +[3283.34 --> 3283.56] He says, +[3283.80 --> 3284.84] Be fruitful and multiply +[3284.84 --> 3286.08] and fill the earth +[3286.08 --> 3286.68] and subdue it +[3286.68 --> 3287.64] and have dominion +[3287.64 --> 3288.70] over the fish of the sea +[3288.70 --> 3289.60] and over the birds +[3289.60 --> 3290.18] of the heavens +[3290.18 --> 3291.68] and over every living thing +[3291.68 --> 3292.52] that moves on earth. +[3293.76 --> 3295.64] See, right after creation, +[3295.76 --> 3296.96] God says to Adam and Eve, +[3297.36 --> 3298.40] Be fruitful and multiply. +[3299.80 --> 3300.32] Get married, +[3300.42 --> 3300.88] have kids, +[3301.00 --> 3301.70] plant gardens, +[3301.86 --> 3302.56] have dominion +[3302.56 --> 3303.30] over the earth. +[3304.36 --> 3304.84] Contribute. +[3306.62 --> 3308.28] And the core of this Genesis text +[3308.28 --> 3309.54] is what we Reformed folks +[3309.54 --> 3310.12] like to call +[3310.12 --> 3311.56] the creational mandate. +[3312.74 --> 3314.24] It's about creating +[3314.24 --> 3315.68] and cultivating +[3315.68 --> 3317.32] and ruling over creation +[3317.32 --> 3318.56] under God's authority. +[3318.80 --> 3319.90] Not to abuse it, +[3320.56 --> 3321.62] but to care for it +[3321.62 --> 3323.80] and to cultivate creation +[3323.80 --> 3325.00] and to participate +[3325.00 --> 3325.82] in the culture +[3325.82 --> 3326.80] that we are part of +[3326.80 --> 3327.48] and to reflect +[3327.48 --> 3328.90] God's reign +[3328.90 --> 3330.34] over all things +[3330.34 --> 3331.42] and lives +[3331.42 --> 3332.42] here on earth. +[3334.22 --> 3335.20] Now this pattern +[3335.20 --> 3335.92] actually continues +[3335.92 --> 3336.60] through Genesis. +[3336.80 --> 3337.50] God tells Noah +[3337.50 --> 3338.14] after the flood +[3338.14 --> 3339.54] in Genesis 9, 1 +[3339.54 --> 3340.10] to be fruitful +[3340.10 --> 3340.70] and multiply +[3340.70 --> 3341.94] and fill the earth, +[3341.94 --> 3342.48] calling him +[3342.48 --> 3344.28] to preserve life +[3344.28 --> 3344.90] in this world. +[3345.46 --> 3346.80] Later in Genesis 12 +[3346.80 --> 3347.58] with Abraham, +[3347.92 --> 3348.92] God promises Abraham +[3348.92 --> 3349.78] that his descendants +[3349.78 --> 3350.46] are going to grow +[3350.46 --> 3351.68] and they will be a blessing +[3351.68 --> 3352.86] to all nations. +[3353.24 --> 3353.88] So with Adam, +[3353.98 --> 3354.54] they're to create +[3354.54 --> 3355.34] and have dominion. +[3355.80 --> 3356.38] With Noah, +[3356.50 --> 3357.86] they're to preserve life +[3357.86 --> 3358.74] and enact justice. +[3359.00 --> 3359.88] And with Abraham, +[3360.66 --> 3361.46] they're to be a blessing +[3361.46 --> 3362.48] to all nations. +[3363.82 --> 3365.12] And here with Jeremiah, +[3365.28 --> 3366.16] God is reminding +[3366.16 --> 3367.16] his people +[3367.16 --> 3368.54] that that is still +[3368.54 --> 3369.00] the plan. +[3369.00 --> 3370.94] even with them +[3370.94 --> 3371.54] in exile. +[3372.62 --> 3373.20] And actually, +[3373.34 --> 3374.32] perhaps especially +[3374.32 --> 3375.36] when they're in exile. +[3376.70 --> 3378.20] Because they were displaced, +[3378.52 --> 3379.24] they were to remember +[3379.24 --> 3380.52] who rules over them +[3380.52 --> 3382.16] and what God +[3382.16 --> 3382.84] had called them +[3382.84 --> 3383.80] to do from the beginning, +[3384.60 --> 3386.20] which was settle in, +[3387.02 --> 3387.76] plant gardens, +[3388.22 --> 3389.50] contribute to society, +[3389.74 --> 3390.72] and grow in number. +[3393.70 --> 3395.14] Maybe you're sitting here today +[3395.14 --> 3397.04] and you're asking yourself, +[3397.14 --> 3397.60] okay, so what? +[3397.60 --> 3399.06] What does this have to do +[3399.06 --> 3400.80] with Langley Emanuel CRC +[3400.80 --> 3403.30] on Thanksgiving Sunday 2025? +[3405.70 --> 3406.46] Well, God's word +[3406.46 --> 3407.44] makes it very clear +[3407.44 --> 3409.32] that this has everything +[3409.32 --> 3410.36] to do with us. +[3411.34 --> 3412.66] Because we too, +[3412.96 --> 3414.38] everyone here in this room, +[3415.32 --> 3416.86] are foreigners on this earth. +[3418.58 --> 3419.90] So God's people, +[3420.10 --> 3421.16] right now the church, +[3422.00 --> 3422.40] us, +[3422.56 --> 3423.42] we are citizens +[3423.42 --> 3425.96] of the kingdom of heaven. +[3425.96 --> 3428.72] New Testament +[3428.72 --> 3429.80] gives us lots of examples. +[3429.96 --> 3430.76] Philippians 3, +[3430.90 --> 3432.22] 20 to 21 says, +[3432.22 --> 3433.56] but our citizenship +[3433.56 --> 3434.74] is in heaven +[3434.74 --> 3436.72] and we eagerly await +[3436.72 --> 3437.84] a savior from there, +[3438.08 --> 3438.80] the Lord Jesus, +[3438.98 --> 3439.64] who by the power +[3439.64 --> 3440.40] that enables him +[3440.40 --> 3441.36] to bring everything +[3441.36 --> 3442.24] under his control +[3442.24 --> 3443.36] will transform +[3443.36 --> 3444.28] our lowly bodies +[3444.28 --> 3445.54] so that they will be +[3445.54 --> 3446.90] like his glorious body. +[3447.70 --> 3448.88] As citizens in heaven, +[3449.00 --> 3449.88] we are foreigners here. +[3450.20 --> 3451.62] 1 Peter 2, 11 to 12 says, +[3451.62 --> 3452.22] Dear friends, +[3452.46 --> 3453.22] I urge you, +[3453.60 --> 3455.68] as foreigners and exiles, +[3456.44 --> 3457.98] to abstain from sinful desires +[3457.98 --> 3458.92] which wage war +[3458.92 --> 3459.86] against your soul. +[3460.22 --> 3461.54] Live such good lives +[3461.54 --> 3462.36] among the pagans +[3462.36 --> 3463.78] that they may see +[3463.78 --> 3464.68] your good deeds +[3464.68 --> 3466.46] and glorify God +[3466.46 --> 3468.00] on the day he visits. +[3468.30 --> 3469.26] And then Hebrews 11, +[3469.42 --> 3470.36] 13 to 16, +[3470.70 --> 3471.66] links people, +[3471.80 --> 3472.40] God's people, +[3472.46 --> 3473.68] across all of history +[3473.68 --> 3474.58] and it says, +[3474.86 --> 3475.92] All these people +[3475.92 --> 3477.26] were still living by faith +[3477.26 --> 3477.84] when they died. +[3478.12 --> 3479.10] They did not receive +[3479.10 --> 3480.12] the things they promised, +[3480.12 --> 3481.64] admitting that they were +[3481.64 --> 3483.48] foreigners and strangers +[3483.48 --> 3484.58] on earth. +[3484.98 --> 3485.76] They were longing +[3485.76 --> 3486.80] for a better country, +[3487.10 --> 3487.90] a heavenly one. +[3488.30 --> 3488.62] Therefore, +[3489.20 --> 3491.36] God is not ashamed +[3491.36 --> 3492.52] to be called their God +[3492.52 --> 3494.42] for he has prepared +[3494.42 --> 3495.60] a city for them. +[3497.72 --> 3500.04] Exile is the template +[3500.04 --> 3501.14] for the church. +[3502.50 --> 3504.10] That's our parallel here. +[3505.06 --> 3506.60] We are in exile. +[3506.80 --> 3508.80] We are ambassadors of Christ +[3508.80 --> 3510.92] as 2 Corinthians 5 says. +[3511.16 --> 3512.60] We are living here on earth +[3512.60 --> 3515.24] as citizens of a different kingdom. +[3515.76 --> 3516.66] God's kingdom. +[3517.94 --> 3519.62] So we live in exile, +[3520.52 --> 3522.28] fully present where we are, +[3523.32 --> 3524.96] yet always knowing +[3524.96 --> 3526.24] where our citizenship lies. +[3527.22 --> 3528.60] We're to plant gardens, +[3529.10 --> 3530.62] to fill the world, +[3530.72 --> 3531.36] to subdue it, +[3531.40 --> 3532.14] and to contribute +[3532.14 --> 3533.50] to this culture. +[3533.62 --> 3535.26] We're called to help shape +[3535.26 --> 3536.42] this world +[3536.42 --> 3538.24] that we are foreigners in, +[3538.78 --> 3540.16] to give thanks to God +[3540.16 --> 3541.92] wherever we are +[3541.92 --> 3544.98] as foreigners and exiles +[3544.98 --> 3546.92] in this city. +[3549.12 --> 3550.40] And that kind of tracks +[3550.40 --> 3551.12] a little bit, right? +[3552.06 --> 3552.96] Because our world +[3552.96 --> 3554.32] does kind of seem foreign +[3554.32 --> 3555.66] to us every once in a while, +[3555.74 --> 3556.22] doesn't it? +[3557.70 --> 3559.02] Because I think as Christians, +[3559.42 --> 3562.26] and you can call me on this later +[3562.26 --> 3563.28] if you think I'm wrong, +[3563.28 --> 3564.48] but I think as Christians, +[3564.60 --> 3565.36] we can look around +[3565.36 --> 3566.62] the world that we're in +[3566.62 --> 3567.72] and we can think things like this. +[3567.96 --> 3569.76] This world is far too left for me. +[3570.02 --> 3571.80] Or culture has gone far too right +[3571.80 --> 3572.46] in my opinion. +[3572.80 --> 3573.92] Or maybe we feel things +[3573.92 --> 3575.52] are too liberal nowadays +[3575.52 --> 3576.48] or too conservative +[3576.48 --> 3577.70] or too hostile +[3577.70 --> 3578.94] or maybe too docile. +[3579.56 --> 3580.54] Maybe too distant +[3580.54 --> 3581.30] or too busy +[3581.30 --> 3582.78] or too distracting +[3582.78 --> 3584.56] or maybe too lonely. +[3587.32 --> 3589.46] We can add a whole bunch of words +[3589.46 --> 3590.54] that we would describe +[3590.54 --> 3591.46] our culture with there. +[3593.28 --> 3594.30] Maybe some of that +[3594.30 --> 3595.12] or any of that +[3595.12 --> 3596.04] is true with you +[3596.04 --> 3596.64] where you sit. +[3596.70 --> 3597.62] But here's the thing. +[3598.46 --> 3599.30] Whatever culture +[3599.30 --> 3600.42] is too much of, +[3601.08 --> 3602.06] in your opinion, +[3602.86 --> 3604.38] it's actually not +[3604.38 --> 3605.24] the real problem. +[3607.04 --> 3607.74] See, the problem +[3607.74 --> 3608.82] isn't that our culture +[3608.82 --> 3610.42] fails to match +[3610.42 --> 3611.72] what Scripture describes. +[3613.00 --> 3615.38] It's that we make God small +[3615.38 --> 3617.28] and forget that He knew +[3617.28 --> 3618.86] exactly what our world +[3618.86 --> 3619.40] would become. +[3619.40 --> 3623.70] God is big, right? +[3624.76 --> 3625.60] He's not just bigger +[3625.60 --> 3628.18] than the political tensions +[3628.18 --> 3628.90] of this world +[3628.90 --> 3630.34] or the cultural chaos +[3630.34 --> 3631.46] that we find ourselves in +[3631.46 --> 3632.48] or the cracks +[3632.48 --> 3633.40] in the world systems +[3633.40 --> 3634.56] that we see. +[3637.56 --> 3638.54] He's reigning +[3638.54 --> 3639.28] and ruling +[3639.28 --> 3640.24] over all of it. +[3641.70 --> 3642.86] As foreigners here, +[3642.94 --> 3643.98] we're not here +[3643.98 --> 3645.24] to make our faith +[3645.24 --> 3646.74] fit our politics +[3646.74 --> 3647.88] or our preferences +[3647.88 --> 3649.32] or our echo chambers, +[3649.52 --> 3650.40] but we are here +[3650.40 --> 3651.20] to let Jesus +[3651.20 --> 3652.28] shape the way +[3652.28 --> 3653.08] that we live +[3653.08 --> 3654.18] in all of that. +[3654.70 --> 3656.04] Live within the world +[3656.04 --> 3658.10] for His kingdom purposes. +[3659.66 --> 3661.04] See, the kingdom of God, +[3661.30 --> 3661.96] even though it's not +[3661.96 --> 3662.90] fully here yet, +[3663.00 --> 3664.06] God is still to come. +[3664.68 --> 3666.14] Jesus is still to return again +[3666.14 --> 3666.96] at the end of time. +[3667.74 --> 3669.06] But the kingdom of God, +[3669.18 --> 3669.90] even though it's not +[3669.90 --> 3670.68] fully here yet, +[3670.72 --> 3671.76] is already political. +[3672.56 --> 3672.96] Meaning, +[3673.12 --> 3674.20] it already has a king. +[3675.08 --> 3676.36] It already has a way +[3676.36 --> 3678.68] and it already has a road map. +[3679.60 --> 3680.88] So if we start thinking +[3680.88 --> 3681.80] that the kingdom of God +[3681.80 --> 3682.64] is more liberal +[3682.64 --> 3683.84] or more conservative +[3683.84 --> 3685.36] or more right-leaning +[3685.36 --> 3686.26] or more left-leaning, +[3686.42 --> 3687.50] if we try to squeeze +[3687.50 --> 3688.68] our own personal +[3688.68 --> 3690.02] or national ideologies +[3690.02 --> 3691.00] into God's kingdom, +[3691.40 --> 3692.14] then we don't have +[3692.14 --> 3693.22] a big God anymore. +[3693.56 --> 3695.10] We have a very malleable one. +[3697.16 --> 3698.38] We have a God, +[3698.68 --> 3699.34] small g, +[3699.34 --> 3700.38] who bends +[3700.38 --> 3701.84] to fit our opinions +[3701.84 --> 3703.84] instead of a God +[3703.84 --> 3705.10] who reigns over all things. +[3706.02 --> 3707.98] Even the very culture +[3707.98 --> 3710.18] that we're in right now. +[3712.06 --> 3713.44] Because our God, +[3713.54 --> 3714.46] our big God, +[3714.56 --> 3716.26] reigns over everything. +[3717.18 --> 3718.14] Our politics, +[3718.52 --> 3719.66] our worldviews, +[3720.32 --> 3720.90] our culture. +[3721.48 --> 3722.80] He's not threatened by them. +[3723.62 --> 3725.24] He's not surprised by them. +[3725.92 --> 3727.24] And He's not working +[3727.24 --> 3728.36] despite of them. +[3729.06 --> 3731.42] He rules over them. +[3734.50 --> 3735.88] In the Heidelberg Catechism, +[3735.96 --> 3736.88] which is a confession +[3736.88 --> 3737.50] that this church +[3737.50 --> 3738.94] and Christian Reformed churches +[3738.94 --> 3740.30] confess are true, +[3740.56 --> 3741.68] it asks this question +[3741.68 --> 3742.56] in Lord's Day 10. +[3743.04 --> 3743.56] It asks, +[3743.98 --> 3744.76] why is it good +[3744.76 --> 3745.64] for us to know +[3745.64 --> 3746.46] that God has created +[3746.46 --> 3747.10] all things +[3747.10 --> 3748.42] and still upholds them +[3748.42 --> 3749.22] by His providence? +[3750.28 --> 3751.22] And the answer is beautiful. +[3752.02 --> 3752.88] The answer to question +[3752.88 --> 3754.78] in answer 28, +[3754.88 --> 3755.40] Lord's Day 10, +[3755.46 --> 3755.86] says this. +[3755.86 --> 3757.90] We can be patient +[3757.90 --> 3758.64] in adversity, +[3759.56 --> 3761.02] thankful in prosperity, +[3761.52 --> 3762.36] and with a view +[3762.36 --> 3763.02] to the future, +[3763.14 --> 3764.58] we can have a firm confidence +[3764.58 --> 3765.78] in our faithful God +[3765.78 --> 3766.26] and Father +[3766.26 --> 3767.48] that no creature +[3767.48 --> 3768.50] shall separate us +[3768.50 --> 3770.32] from His love. +[3771.32 --> 3772.30] For all creatures +[3772.30 --> 3773.78] are so completely +[3773.78 --> 3775.20] in His hand +[3775.20 --> 3776.82] that without His will, +[3777.26 --> 3777.80] they cannot +[3777.80 --> 3780.02] so much as move. +[3780.02 --> 3782.78] we can be patient +[3782.78 --> 3784.38] and confident +[3784.38 --> 3785.84] and thankful +[3785.84 --> 3787.28] wherever we are +[3787.28 --> 3788.74] because our God, +[3788.90 --> 3790.14] this big God, +[3790.20 --> 3791.26] is the one ordaining +[3791.26 --> 3792.04] both the good +[3792.04 --> 3793.18] and the bad, +[3793.28 --> 3794.36] the good things we enjoy +[3794.36 --> 3795.68] and the hardships we endure. +[3795.96 --> 3797.76] He is present in both. +[3797.98 --> 3799.56] He is more than present in both. +[3799.76 --> 3801.18] He is ruling over both. +[3801.18 --> 3802.94] He is Lord over both. +[3803.76 --> 3804.50] So again, +[3804.58 --> 3805.80] the question is asked, +[3805.90 --> 3806.72] do you believe +[3806.72 --> 3807.60] in a God +[3807.60 --> 3808.70] who is big enough +[3808.70 --> 3809.30] to do that? +[3810.70 --> 3811.80] A God who is big enough +[3811.80 --> 3812.74] to hold your blessings +[3812.74 --> 3813.46] and your burdens, +[3813.74 --> 3814.36] your comforts +[3814.36 --> 3815.16] and your chaos +[3815.16 --> 3816.28] and be in control +[3816.28 --> 3817.00] the whole time +[3817.00 --> 3818.36] because that's the God +[3818.36 --> 3819.24] that Jeremiah +[3819.24 --> 3820.78] is pointing his people to. +[3825.62 --> 3826.96] And so to help us +[3826.96 --> 3828.74] see the answer +[3828.74 --> 3830.00] as yes to that question, +[3830.40 --> 3831.42] we must look ahead. +[3831.52 --> 3832.10] That's what Jeremiah +[3832.10 --> 3833.14] does in his book too. +[3833.94 --> 3834.82] Our text today, +[3834.90 --> 3836.10] those seven verses we read, +[3836.22 --> 3837.50] is just a little sniff +[3837.50 --> 3839.56] of Jeremiah's overarching point. +[3840.06 --> 3841.38] Later in this letter actually, +[3841.44 --> 3842.90] we get one of the most popular +[3842.90 --> 3844.06] verses in all of Scripture, +[3844.48 --> 3845.34] not just this book, +[3845.54 --> 3847.08] where God says this to his people. +[3847.72 --> 3848.66] You guys can probably +[3848.66 --> 3849.50] recite it with me, +[3849.52 --> 3850.44] at least many of you could. +[3850.50 --> 3852.06] For I know the plans +[3852.06 --> 3852.82] I have for you, +[3852.92 --> 3853.68] declares the Lord. +[3854.02 --> 3855.32] Plans to prosper you +[3855.32 --> 3856.22] and not to harm you. +[3856.52 --> 3857.58] Plans to give you hope +[3857.58 --> 3858.50] and a future. +[3859.06 --> 3860.02] We love this verse +[3860.02 --> 3860.60] as Christians. +[3861.22 --> 3861.92] Jeremiah 29. +[3862.04 --> 3863.36] We love applying this verse +[3863.36 --> 3863.94] to our lives, +[3863.98 --> 3864.34] don't we? +[3864.34 --> 3865.78] We do. +[3865.86 --> 3866.52] We think it has to do +[3866.52 --> 3867.90] with our future job opportunities +[3867.90 --> 3869.02] or potential scholarships +[3869.02 --> 3869.72] we might get +[3869.72 --> 3871.68] or our future relationships maybe +[3871.68 --> 3873.18] or if we're lucky, +[3873.26 --> 3874.94] the next drink we're going to get +[3874.94 --> 3876.34] at the Starbucks down the road +[3876.34 --> 3877.82] because it's pumpkin spice season +[3877.82 --> 3878.38] and we're like, +[3878.44 --> 3879.38] oh, maybe that's in the works +[3879.38 --> 3879.96] for us today. +[3880.22 --> 3881.36] It's street culture time. +[3882.24 --> 3883.38] Those things taste like feet. +[3883.44 --> 3884.30] I think they're so gross. +[3886.44 --> 3887.56] But we do that, right? +[3887.70 --> 3888.34] We do that. +[3889.02 --> 3890.12] We apply this verse +[3890.12 --> 3891.02] to our future. +[3893.14 --> 3894.60] And while we're hearing today +[3894.60 --> 3895.06] that yes, +[3895.16 --> 3896.36] God reigns over everything, +[3897.84 --> 3898.92] this text, +[3900.00 --> 3901.14] Jeremiah 29.11, +[3902.10 --> 3903.30] is not about your job +[3903.30 --> 3904.66] or your scholarships +[3904.66 --> 3905.90] or your relationships +[3905.90 --> 3908.62] or your future cold brews. +[3909.12 --> 3910.02] It is about +[3910.02 --> 3912.12] this specific group +[3912.12 --> 3913.34] of people +[3913.34 --> 3915.22] returning home from exile +[3915.22 --> 3916.14] in Babylon +[3916.14 --> 3918.04] and awaiting the arrival +[3918.04 --> 3918.72] of a Messiah, +[3919.28 --> 3920.42] giving them hope +[3920.42 --> 3921.50] for their future, +[3921.72 --> 3922.50] looking ahead +[3922.50 --> 3925.08] down their story. +[3926.20 --> 3927.32] Israel was to recognize +[3927.32 --> 3928.46] that while they would be +[3928.46 --> 3929.80] in Babylon for a while, +[3930.06 --> 3931.34] while they were to settle in, +[3931.60 --> 3932.64] their future was secure. +[3934.00 --> 3935.54] They would one day return home. +[3935.66 --> 3936.28] They would one day +[3936.28 --> 3937.24] build that temple again +[3937.24 --> 3938.32] and they would one day +[3938.32 --> 3939.20] meet the Messiah. +[3941.24 --> 3942.62] And then that future happened. +[3943.72 --> 3944.48] We read in Ezra +[3944.48 --> 3945.48] that they did return home. +[3946.46 --> 3947.04] We read in Ezra +[3947.04 --> 3947.92] that they did rebuild. +[3948.04 --> 3948.40] The temple. +[3949.38 --> 3950.64] And then 400 years later, +[3950.72 --> 3951.80] their Messiah was born +[3951.80 --> 3953.50] in a manger in Bethlehem. +[3953.58 --> 3954.76] Our Messiah. +[3956.14 --> 3957.72] See, Jesus came down +[3957.72 --> 3958.68] from his throne in heaven. +[3958.80 --> 3960.00] He made himself nothing +[3960.00 --> 3961.76] and became man, +[3961.98 --> 3963.20] fully God and fully man, +[3963.28 --> 3963.94] born in a manger. +[3964.20 --> 3965.92] And he lived a perfect life +[3965.92 --> 3967.18] that you and I fail to live +[3967.18 --> 3968.40] each and every day. +[3970.46 --> 3971.54] And then he died +[3971.54 --> 3974.50] an excruciating death +[3974.50 --> 3976.48] that we all deserved. +[3977.92 --> 3979.70] Bearing the weight of human sin +[3979.70 --> 3980.64] throughout history +[3980.64 --> 3981.32] on his shoulders. +[3981.78 --> 3983.36] Suffering more than we will ever know. +[3985.36 --> 3988.06] Suffering more than we will ever know. +[3989.72 --> 3991.12] Hanging from a piece of wood. +[3994.12 --> 3994.92] He died. +[3994.92 --> 3998.06] And then three days later, +[3998.06 --> 3999.40] he rose again from the dead. +[4002.20 --> 4003.68] Jesus rose from the dead. +[4005.28 --> 4006.32] He ascended to heaven. +[4006.32 --> 4007.68] And now he rules +[4007.68 --> 4009.14] the right hand of God, +[4009.56 --> 4011.06] intermediating on our behalf +[4011.06 --> 4012.76] until he comes again +[4012.76 --> 4013.38] in the future +[4013.38 --> 4014.50] to usher in his kingdom, +[4014.62 --> 4015.50] the new heaven and the new earth +[4015.50 --> 4016.20] once and for all. +[4017.48 --> 4019.58] That will happen. +[4020.32 --> 4021.60] And we, the church, +[4021.72 --> 4023.18] can look ahead to that +[4023.18 --> 4025.72] knowing that our future +[4025.72 --> 4028.00] is secure in Jesus' hands. +[4028.98 --> 4030.22] We live on this side +[4030.22 --> 4030.74] of the cross, +[4030.84 --> 4032.14] on this side of the empty tomb, +[4032.34 --> 4033.62] on this side of the ascension. +[4033.92 --> 4035.00] Our hope is assured. +[4035.52 --> 4036.44] And because of that, +[4036.88 --> 4038.72] we can find joy +[4038.72 --> 4040.64] in our suffering. +[4041.40 --> 4042.66] Not because it's easy, +[4042.90 --> 4044.28] not because pain feels good, +[4044.42 --> 4046.02] but because the word of God, +[4046.02 --> 4048.64] the authority that our life sits on, +[4049.00 --> 4049.70] tells us so, +[4049.82 --> 4051.30] reveals that truth to us. +[4052.00 --> 4054.08] Jesus himself said in Matthew 5, +[4054.46 --> 4055.24] blessed are you +[4055.24 --> 4056.52] when others persecute you. +[4057.38 --> 4058.52] James reminds us +[4058.52 --> 4060.00] in James 1, 2-4 +[4060.00 --> 4061.66] to consider it pure joy +[4061.66 --> 4063.00] when we face trials. +[4064.12 --> 4064.80] Paul says that +[4064.80 --> 4066.22] when we suffer with Christ, +[4066.42 --> 4068.30] we'll also be glorified with him +[4068.30 --> 4068.98] in Romans 8. +[4069.30 --> 4070.20] And Peter tells us +[4070.20 --> 4071.42] not to be surprised +[4071.42 --> 4072.44] by the fiery trials +[4072.44 --> 4073.10] that come our way. +[4073.10 --> 4074.20] They're evidence +[4074.20 --> 4077.06] that we belong to Christ. +[4077.76 --> 4079.30] That we belong to him. +[4081.06 --> 4082.24] See, the joy of suffering +[4082.24 --> 4083.04] is not the pain +[4083.04 --> 4083.86] that we are going through. +[4083.94 --> 4085.14] It's in what it points to. +[4085.56 --> 4086.50] Suffering is a marker +[4086.50 --> 4089.68] of union with our Lord +[4089.68 --> 4090.96] and Savior Jesus Christ. +[4091.06 --> 4091.44] And church, +[4091.66 --> 4092.84] there is nothing better +[4092.84 --> 4093.54] in this world +[4093.54 --> 4096.08] than being united with Christ. +[4097.32 --> 4098.38] Even in hardship, +[4099.86 --> 4100.90] even when we suffer, +[4102.10 --> 4102.84] or we mourn, +[4102.88 --> 4103.52] or we struggle, +[4103.68 --> 4105.58] we are united with him, +[4105.92 --> 4107.80] our suffering Savior. +[4110.24 --> 4111.08] So yes, +[4111.74 --> 4113.40] on this Thanksgiving Sunday, +[4113.40 --> 4114.82] let's thank God. +[4114.82 --> 4116.34] Let's thank our big God. +[4116.68 --> 4117.60] Not just for the good +[4117.60 --> 4118.32] and lovely gifts, +[4118.40 --> 4119.32] though we can thank him +[4119.32 --> 4120.06] and should thank him +[4120.06 --> 4120.70] for those too, +[4122.26 --> 4123.20] but for the joys +[4123.20 --> 4124.24] that he brings us +[4124.24 --> 4125.38] even through the suffering +[4125.38 --> 4126.74] that he's ordained for us. +[4126.86 --> 4128.32] Because in that suffering, +[4128.64 --> 4130.82] we find his presence. +[4131.96 --> 4133.68] We find his power. +[4134.56 --> 4136.16] We find his promises. +[4137.68 --> 4138.24] Paul tells us +[4138.24 --> 4139.40] in 1 Thessalonians 5, +[4139.40 --> 4140.64] 16 to 18, +[4140.64 --> 4141.78] that we are to rejoice +[4141.78 --> 4142.92] always. +[4143.86 --> 4144.82] We're to pray +[4144.82 --> 4145.68] without ceasing. +[4146.62 --> 4148.14] And we are to give thanks +[4148.14 --> 4149.94] in all circumstances, +[4150.16 --> 4151.00] not just the good ones, +[4151.86 --> 4153.08] for this is God's will +[4153.08 --> 4155.02] for us in Christ Jesus. +[4155.28 --> 4156.10] So that's what we do. +[4156.78 --> 4158.34] We rejoice always, +[4158.46 --> 4159.56] no matter our situation. +[4160.08 --> 4161.52] We pray in the good +[4161.52 --> 4162.26] and the bad. +[4162.34 --> 4163.00] We give thanks +[4163.00 --> 4164.26] in all circumstances, +[4164.68 --> 4165.70] even in our exile, +[4166.02 --> 4166.90] even in our suffering. +[4166.90 --> 4169.82] And we settle in +[4169.82 --> 4170.84] to this world, +[4170.98 --> 4172.08] this foreign world +[4172.08 --> 4173.30] that we find ourselves in. +[4173.32 --> 4174.56] And we roll up our sleeves. +[4174.86 --> 4175.92] We get our hands dirty. +[4176.04 --> 4177.10] We plant gardens. +[4177.24 --> 4177.94] We raise families. +[4178.08 --> 4178.92] We bless our communities. +[4179.16 --> 4179.84] We contribute +[4179.84 --> 4180.90] to the culture +[4180.90 --> 4182.48] that we find ourselves in. +[4182.60 --> 4183.82] And we live with purpose +[4183.82 --> 4184.54] right here +[4184.54 --> 4186.30] where God has placed us. +[4186.44 --> 4187.38] And through it all, +[4188.14 --> 4189.52] we follow God +[4189.52 --> 4191.22] and remember who he is. +[4192.32 --> 4193.32] He's bigger than you +[4193.32 --> 4194.50] could ever imagine him to be. +[4194.50 --> 4197.34] And he's ruling over everything, +[4197.48 --> 4198.10] even the things +[4198.10 --> 4198.82] you don't understand. +[4200.20 --> 4201.06] And he's at work +[4201.06 --> 4202.46] in places you've never expected, +[4202.66 --> 4203.34] even here, +[4203.84 --> 4204.48] even now. +[4205.22 --> 4206.40] So let's give thanks to him +[4206.40 --> 4207.56] no matter where we are. +[4207.66 --> 4207.88] Amen? +[4208.84 --> 4209.78] Let's pray together. +[4209.88 --> 4210.60] In a moment, actually, +[4210.64 --> 4211.38] we're going to take part +[4211.38 --> 4212.78] in the Lord's Supper together, +[4212.88 --> 4213.74] which is a meal +[4213.74 --> 4215.50] that reminds us +[4215.50 --> 4216.26] of his magnitude +[4216.26 --> 4217.92] and his grace for us all. +[4217.94 --> 4219.60] A meal that he is present with +[4219.60 --> 4220.98] every time we take it. +[4221.46 --> 4222.26] Present with us +[4222.26 --> 4223.14] around this table. +[4223.14 --> 4224.34] Pastor Chris is going to +[4224.34 --> 4225.08] lead us through that. +[4225.34 --> 4226.12] But before we do that, +[4226.30 --> 4227.40] please bow your heads with me. +[4229.74 --> 4230.58] Father in heaven, +[4231.52 --> 4233.04] you are a big God. +[4233.28 --> 4234.22] Not merely bigger +[4234.22 --> 4234.94] than the situations +[4234.94 --> 4236.04] we find ourselves in, +[4236.10 --> 4237.04] but a big God +[4237.04 --> 4239.18] ruling over everything. +[4240.76 --> 4241.86] God, may you +[4241.86 --> 4244.10] somehow shape our minds +[4244.10 --> 4244.62] and our hearts +[4244.62 --> 4246.40] to understand your magnitude. +[4247.88 --> 4249.16] And in that, Lord, +[4249.64 --> 4250.90] on this Thanksgiving day, +[4250.90 --> 4251.70] God, we thank you +[4251.70 --> 4253.12] for everything you have given us. +[4253.72 --> 4255.50] We thank you for people, +[4255.64 --> 4256.26] for community, +[4256.52 --> 4258.98] for the joys of living +[4258.98 --> 4260.18] here in Canada, +[4260.72 --> 4262.40] for all the blessings +[4262.40 --> 4262.94] that we have +[4262.94 --> 4263.68] each and every day. +[4264.64 --> 4266.60] And we thank you +[4266.60 --> 4267.28] for our suffering. +[4268.54 --> 4269.42] And God, you rule +[4269.42 --> 4270.24] over all of that. +[4270.78 --> 4271.68] You know what everybody +[4271.68 --> 4272.38] is going through. +[4272.46 --> 4273.52] You know what is on our hearts. +[4273.98 --> 4275.40] May we be drawn closer to you +[4275.40 --> 4277.40] and be united to you +[4277.40 --> 4278.92] through those times as well. +[4279.88 --> 4281.10] And so this Thanksgiving Sunday, +[4281.22 --> 4281.88] may we be thankful +[4281.88 --> 4282.66] for all of it. +[4283.42 --> 4284.52] May we be thankful for you, +[4284.62 --> 4285.20] for your son, +[4285.30 --> 4286.06] for his life, death, +[4286.10 --> 4286.54] and resurrection, +[4286.84 --> 4287.68] for the grace and mercy +[4287.68 --> 4288.40] that are found +[4288.40 --> 4290.62] in the gospel truth of Jesus. +[4291.64 --> 4292.40] And we thank you +[4292.40 --> 4293.00] for this future +[4293.00 --> 4294.60] that is secure and assured, +[4295.64 --> 4296.62] the hope that we can +[4296.62 --> 4297.46] only find in him. +[4298.44 --> 4299.84] May all of that rest +[4299.84 --> 4300.86] in our hearts today. +[4301.58 --> 4302.50] Thank you, Lord Jesus. +[4302.72 --> 4303.70] We pray this in your name. +[4304.06 --> 4304.28] Amen. +[4304.28 --> 4304.38] Amen. +[4308.92 --> 4314.06] God's word is sure. +[4315.38 --> 4318.12] And the God his word reveals +[4318.12 --> 4319.70] is true. +[4321.88 --> 4324.48] And so even as we have met God +[4324.48 --> 4325.40] in his word, +[4326.14 --> 4327.30] he now invites us +[4327.30 --> 4329.32] to meet him at his table. +[4330.46 --> 4331.92] The grace that was offered +[4331.92 --> 4332.88] in God's word +[4332.88 --> 4334.46] is the grace that is present +[4334.46 --> 4335.94] in this table. +[4335.94 --> 4339.70] God knew that as foreigners +[4339.70 --> 4341.32] and exiles, +[4341.68 --> 4343.52] we would need something +[4343.52 --> 4345.00] to sustain us +[4345.00 --> 4346.18] in this journey of faith. +[4347.20 --> 4348.42] And so he gave us +[4348.42 --> 4349.70] this banquet, +[4350.26 --> 4352.14] not only as a reminder +[4352.14 --> 4353.72] of his ultimate victory, +[4354.08 --> 4356.44] but as a sure sign +[4356.44 --> 4358.46] of his presence with us. +[4359.40 --> 4361.78] This is the feast table +[4361.78 --> 4363.02] of the king. +[4363.02 --> 4365.42] And so we come to him +[4365.42 --> 4367.10] as his people, +[4367.30 --> 4368.24] as strangers +[4368.24 --> 4369.70] and exiles, +[4369.86 --> 4370.84] we come to him +[4370.84 --> 4372.20] to be nourished +[4372.20 --> 4373.42] by his word +[4373.42 --> 4374.78] and by his spirit +[4374.78 --> 4376.30] that together +[4376.30 --> 4377.16] we might taste +[4377.16 --> 4377.74] and see +[4377.74 --> 4378.92] that the Lord is good. +[4379.66 --> 4380.54] So I invite you +[4380.54 --> 4382.78] to come to the table +[4382.78 --> 4384.18] of our Lord +[4384.18 --> 4385.30] to speak the liturgy +[4385.30 --> 4386.54] that we walk through +[4386.54 --> 4387.16] and to, +[4387.58 --> 4388.50] in this moment, +[4388.92 --> 4390.94] meet your God. +[4390.94 --> 4392.72] congregation +[4392.72 --> 4394.28] of the Lord Jesus Christ, +[4394.78 --> 4397.04] lift up your hearts. +[4399.88 --> 4401.22] Let us give thanks +[4401.22 --> 4402.58] to the Lord our God. +[4403.26 --> 4404.64] It is time for us +[4404.64 --> 4405.54] to give thanks. +[4406.00 --> 4406.84] Let's pray together. +[4406.84 --> 4409.54] With joy, +[4409.78 --> 4411.12] we praise you, +[4411.48 --> 4412.58] gracious God. +[4413.52 --> 4414.58] For you have created +[4414.58 --> 4415.66] heaven and earth. +[4415.76 --> 4416.42] You have made us +[4416.42 --> 4417.06] in your image. +[4417.42 --> 4418.42] You have kept covenant +[4418.42 --> 4419.04] with us +[4419.04 --> 4420.44] even when we fell +[4420.44 --> 4421.04] into sin. +[4421.90 --> 4423.18] We give you thanks +[4423.18 --> 4424.26] for Jesus Christ +[4424.26 --> 4425.28] who by his life, +[4425.70 --> 4425.92] death, +[4426.10 --> 4426.72] and resurrection +[4426.72 --> 4428.14] opened to us +[4428.14 --> 4428.84] the way +[4428.84 --> 4431.32] of everlasting life. +[4432.46 --> 4433.78] Meet us here, +[4434.26 --> 4434.72] we pray, +[4434.72 --> 4435.82] in Jesus' name. +[4436.60 --> 4436.88] Amen. +[4440.70 --> 4441.92] Now our Lord Jesus, +[4442.30 --> 4443.76] before he suffered, +[4444.10 --> 4444.96] gave us +[4444.96 --> 4446.26] this memorial +[4446.26 --> 4447.68] of his sacrifice +[4447.68 --> 4449.12] until he comes again. +[4450.22 --> 4450.96] And the Lord Jesus, +[4451.22 --> 4451.82] on the night +[4451.82 --> 4453.54] that he was betrayed, +[4453.80 --> 4454.36] took bread. +[4454.70 --> 4455.98] And when he had given thanks, +[4456.16 --> 4457.22] he broke it +[4457.22 --> 4457.82] and said, +[4458.16 --> 4459.34] this is my body +[4459.34 --> 4460.42] which is for you. +[4461.02 --> 4461.78] Do this +[4461.78 --> 4462.62] in remembrance +[4462.62 --> 4463.46] of me. +[4464.72 --> 4465.86] And in the same way, +[4466.38 --> 4467.14] he took the cup +[4467.14 --> 4468.34] after supper, +[4468.78 --> 4469.04] saying, +[4469.16 --> 4469.78] this cup +[4469.78 --> 4471.06] is the new covenant +[4471.06 --> 4472.42] in my blood. +[4473.14 --> 4473.80] Do this +[4473.80 --> 4475.24] whenever you drink it +[4475.24 --> 4476.32] in remembrance +[4476.32 --> 4477.52] of me. +[4478.08 --> 4478.68] For whenever +[4478.68 --> 4479.90] you eat this bread +[4479.90 --> 4480.72] and drink +[4480.72 --> 4481.60] this cup, +[4481.80 --> 4482.70] you proclaim +[4482.70 --> 4483.78] the Lord's death +[4483.78 --> 4485.92] until he comes again. +[4486.70 --> 4488.68] This is the mystery +[4488.68 --> 4490.70] of our faith. +[4490.70 --> 4492.84] your death, +[4493.02 --> 4493.54] O Christ, +[4493.68 --> 4494.36] we proclaim. +[4494.90 --> 4496.10] Your resurrection +[4496.10 --> 4497.02] we affirm +[4497.02 --> 4497.74] with joy. +[4498.42 --> 4499.16] Your coming +[4499.16 --> 4499.92] we await +[4499.92 --> 4500.54] with hope. +[4501.38 --> 4502.70] Glory be to you, +[4502.86 --> 4503.46] Lord Jesus. +[4505.36 --> 4506.36] Church family, +[4506.76 --> 4508.22] the Lord has prepared +[4508.22 --> 4509.04] his table +[4509.04 --> 4509.76] for all +[4509.76 --> 4510.86] who love him +[4510.86 --> 4512.00] and who trust in him +[4512.00 --> 4512.56] alone +[4512.56 --> 4513.82] for their salvation. +[4513.82 --> 4515.80] And so, +[4516.04 --> 4517.64] come to this table, +[4518.08 --> 4519.00] you who have +[4519.00 --> 4519.88] much faith +[4519.88 --> 4521.14] and you +[4521.14 --> 4522.34] who would have +[4522.34 --> 4522.64] more. +[4524.28 --> 4525.08] Come to +[4525.08 --> 4526.70] this table, +[4527.02 --> 4527.60] you who have +[4527.60 --> 4528.32] been to this +[4528.32 --> 4529.32] sacrament often +[4529.32 --> 4530.36] and you who have +[4530.36 --> 4531.28] not been for +[4531.28 --> 4532.12] a long time. +[4533.02 --> 4534.08] Come to this table, +[4534.26 --> 4534.80] you who have +[4534.80 --> 4535.82] tried to follow +[4535.82 --> 4536.26] Jesus +[4536.26 --> 4537.48] and +[4537.48 --> 4539.52] we who have +[4539.52 --> 4539.88] failed. +[4539.88 --> 4542.58] come to this +[4542.58 --> 4543.00] table +[4543.00 --> 4544.70] because Jesus +[4544.70 --> 4545.36] Christ +[4545.36 --> 4546.48] is +[4546.48 --> 4547.52] raised +[4547.52 --> 4548.64] and he speaks +[4548.64 --> 4549.32] to your heart +[4549.32 --> 4550.40] now and says +[4550.40 --> 4551.32] come. +[4552.54 --> 4553.06] These are the +[4553.06 --> 4553.80] gifts of God +[4553.80 --> 4555.04] for the people +[4555.04 --> 4556.00] of God. +[4557.50 --> 4558.56] As we come +[4558.56 --> 4559.24] to this table +[4559.24 --> 4560.14] together, +[4560.58 --> 4561.14] it is our +[4561.14 --> 4561.96] practice here +[4561.96 --> 4563.32] to come forward +[4563.32 --> 4564.12] in groups +[4564.12 --> 4564.76] and we will +[4564.76 --> 4565.42] make a +[4565.42 --> 4566.62] small circle +[4566.62 --> 4567.58] around the +[4567.58 --> 4567.96] table +[4567.96 --> 4569.44] and we +[4569.44 --> 4569.68] will +[4569.68 --> 4570.58] pass the +[4570.58 --> 4571.12] elements +[4571.12 --> 4571.68] serving +[4571.68 --> 4572.38] each other. +[4572.98 --> 4573.24] And so, +[4573.34 --> 4573.68] when you +[4573.68 --> 4574.44] pass the +[4574.44 --> 4574.80] bread +[4574.80 --> 4575.22] to the +[4575.22 --> 4575.48] person +[4575.48 --> 4575.82] beside +[4575.82 --> 4576.16] you, +[4576.28 --> 4576.40] we +[4576.40 --> 4576.78] invite +[4576.78 --> 4576.94] you +[4576.94 --> 4577.14] to +[4577.14 --> 4577.46] say +[4577.46 --> 4577.94] the +[4577.94 --> 4578.24] body +[4578.24 --> 4578.44] of +[4578.44 --> 4578.78] Christ +[4578.78 --> 4579.10] given +[4579.10 --> 4579.32] for +[4579.32 --> 4579.50] you. +[4579.90 --> 4580.22] When you +[4580.22 --> 4580.70] pass the +[4580.70 --> 4581.02] juice +[4581.02 --> 4581.70] to the +[4581.70 --> 4581.98] person +[4581.98 --> 4582.42] beside +[4582.42 --> 4582.62] you, +[4582.72 --> 4582.82] we +[4582.82 --> 4583.10] invite +[4583.10 --> 4583.28] you +[4583.28 --> 4583.46] to +[4583.46 --> 4583.70] say +[4583.70 --> 4583.94] the +[4583.94 --> 4584.16] blood +[4584.16 --> 4584.34] of +[4584.34 --> 4584.72] Christ +[4584.72 --> 4585.20] shed +[4585.20 --> 4585.36] for +[4585.36 --> 4585.56] you. +[4586.28 --> 4586.46] We +[4586.46 --> 4586.68] have +[4586.68 --> 4587.16] elders +[4587.16 --> 4587.40] who +[4587.40 --> 4587.52] will +[4587.52 --> 4587.66] be +[4587.66 --> 4587.86] up +[4587.86 --> 4588.12] here +[4588.12 --> 4588.50] helping +[4588.50 --> 4588.76] us +[4588.76 --> 4589.02] serve +[4589.02 --> 4589.22] and +[4589.22 --> 4589.34] we +[4589.34 --> 4589.48] have +[4589.48 --> 4589.70] other +[4589.70 --> 4590.02] elders +[4590.02 --> 4590.26] who +[4590.26 --> 4590.46] will +[4590.46 --> 4590.84] usher +[4590.84 --> 4590.98] and +[4590.98 --> 4591.46] indicate +[4591.46 --> 4591.80] when +[4591.80 --> 4591.98] it's +[4597.96 --> 4598.68] in +[4598.68 --> 4598.88] your +[4598.88 --> 4599.12] row +[4599.12 --> 4599.34] there +[4599.34 --> 4599.68] know +[4599.68 --> 4599.94] and +[4599.94 --> 4600.08] they +[4600.08 --> 4600.24] will +[4600.24 --> 4600.56] serve +[4600.56 --> 4600.80] you +[4600.80 --> 4601.28] in +[4601.28 --> 4601.46] your +[4601.46 --> 4601.82] seat +[4601.82 --> 4602.06] where +[4602.06 --> 4602.24] you +[4602.24 --> 4602.40] are +[4602.40 --> 4602.60] at +[4602.60 --> 4602.86] using +[4602.86 --> 4603.10] the +[4603.10 --> 4603.30] same +[4603.30 --> 4603.66] words. +[4604.32 --> 4604.78] If +[4604.78 --> 4604.90] you +[4604.90 --> 4605.04] would +[4605.04 --> 4605.36] like +[4605.36 --> 4606.16] gluten +[4606.16 --> 4606.52] free +[4606.52 --> 4606.90] bread +[4606.90 --> 4607.32] that +[4607.32 --> 4607.48] is +[4607.48 --> 4607.64] in +[4607.64 --> 4607.84] the +[4607.84 --> 4608.14] little +[4608.14 --> 4608.50] cups +[4608.50 --> 4608.76] in +[4608.76 --> 4608.90] the +[4608.90 --> 4609.20] center +[4609.20 --> 4610.14] and +[4610.14 --> 4610.30] so +[4610.30 --> 4610.44] you +[4610.44 --> 4610.58] can +[4610.58 --> 4610.84] take +[4610.84 --> 4611.08] from +[4611.08 --> 4611.42] there +[4611.42 --> 4612.04] as +[4612.04 --> 4612.26] well. +[4612.82 --> 4613.32] We're +[4613.32 --> 4613.40] going +[4613.40 --> 4613.54] to +[4613.54 --> 4613.86] serve +[4613.86 --> 4614.08] the +[4614.08 --> 4614.40] first +[4614.40 --> 4614.78] table +[4614.78 --> 4615.06] to +[4615.06 --> 4615.26] our +[4615.26 --> 4615.60] worship +[4615.60 --> 4615.98] leaders +[4615.98 --> 4616.20] and +[4616.20 --> 4616.32] the +[4616.32 --> 4616.62] elders +[4616.62 --> 4616.84] who +[4616.84 --> 4616.98] are +[4616.98 --> 4617.14] going +[4617.14 --> 4617.28] to +[4617.28 --> 4617.54] serve +[4617.54 --> 4617.76] so +[4617.76 --> 4617.90] that +[4617.90 --> 4618.02] they +[4618.02 --> 4618.24] might +[4618.24 --> 4618.50] help +[4618.50 --> 4618.80] us +[4618.80 --> 4619.90] sing +[4619.90 --> 4620.46] through +[4627.96 --> 4628.14] up +[4628.14 --> 4628.30] to +[4628.30 --> 4628.44] the +[4628.44 --> 4628.68] front +[4628.68 --> 4629.56] that +[4629.56 --> 4629.70] they +[4629.70 --> 4629.94] might +[4629.94 --> 4630.30] stand +[4630.30 --> 4630.58] around +[4630.58 --> 4630.78] the +[4630.78 --> 4631.06] table +[4631.06 --> 4631.38] and +[4631.38 --> 4631.82] receive +[4631.82 --> 4632.18] the +[4632.18 --> 4632.44] supper. +[4633.40 --> 4633.88] If +[4633.88 --> 4634.34] as +[4634.34 --> 4634.54] we +[4634.54 --> 4634.68] are +[4634.68 --> 4634.94] going +[4634.94 --> 4635.28] through +[4635.28 --> 4635.64] this +[4635.64 --> 4636.04] service +[4636.04 --> 4636.46] together +[4636.46 --> 4636.74] you +[4636.74 --> 4636.88] would +[4636.88 --> 4637.08] like +[4637.08 --> 4637.26] to +[4637.26 --> 4637.46] meet +[4637.46 --> 4637.82] someone +[4637.82 --> 4638.08] for +[4638.08 --> 4638.46] prayer +[4638.46 --> 4638.96] there +[4638.96 --> 4639.14] will +[4639.14 --> 4639.34] be +[4639.34 --> 4639.72] others +[4639.72 --> 4639.96] in +[4639.96 --> 4640.06] the +[4640.06 --> 4640.36] back +[4640.36 --> 4640.60] in +[4640.60 --> 4640.74] the +[4640.74 --> 4641.08] foyer +[4641.08 --> 4641.58] with +[4641.58 --> 4642.08] yellow +[4642.08 --> 4642.38] name +[4642.38 --> 4642.70] tags +[4642.70 --> 4642.98] on +[4642.98 --> 4643.12] they +[4643.12 --> 4643.24] would +[4643.24 --> 4643.40] love +[4643.40 --> 4643.56] to +[4643.56 --> 4643.78] meet +[4643.78 --> 4644.02] you +[4644.02 --> 4644.60] and +[4644.60 --> 4644.84] pray +[4644.84 --> 4645.08] with +[4645.08 --> 4645.24] you +[4645.24 --> 4645.26] you +[4645.26 --> 4645.38] you +[4645.38 --> 4645.52] can +[4645.52 --> 4645.66] do +[4645.66 --> 4645.90] that +[4645.90 --> 4646.64] before +[4646.64 --> 4647.00] coming +[4647.00 --> 4647.18] to +[4647.18 --> 4647.32] the +[4647.32 --> 4647.60] table +[4647.60 --> 4647.98] after +[4647.98 --> 4648.28] coming +[4648.28 --> 4648.44] to +[4648.44 --> 4648.58] the +[4648.58 --> 4648.84] table +[4648.84 --> 4649.16] or +[4649.16 --> 4649.64] in +[4649.64 --> 4649.86] lieu +[4649.86 --> 4650.06] of +[4650.06 --> 4650.32] coming +[4650.32 --> 4650.52] to +[4650.52 --> 4650.66] the +[4650.66 --> 4650.98] table +[4650.98 --> 4657.76] close +[4657.76 --> 4657.94] the +[4657.94 --> 4658.16] gap +[4658.16 --> 4658.64] beautiful +[4658.64 --> 4663.82] body +[4663.82 --> 4663.98] of +[4663.98 --> 4664.22] Christ +[4664.22 --> 4664.46] given +[4664.46 --> 4664.66] for +[4664.66 --> 4664.86] you +[4664.86 --> 4668.50] body +[4668.50 --> 4668.66] of +[4668.66 --> 4668.90] Christ +[4668.90 --> 4669.14] given +[4669.14 --> 4669.36] for +[4669.36 --> 4669.52] you +[4679.16 --> 4680.44] h +[4680.44 --> 4680.58] to +[4680.58 --> 4681.18] die +[4681.18 --> 4711.16] Thank you. +[4711.18 --> 4712.28] And remember, +[4729.28 --> 4730.96] the blood of Christ shed for you. +[4737.44 --> 4738.94] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4741.18 --> 4771.16] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4771.18 --> 4773.18] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4783.18 --> 4785.92] Drink and believe. +[4785.92 --> 4787.92] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4815.92 --> 4817.92] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4821.92 --> 4823.12] Welcome to the table. +[4845.92 --> 4863.92] The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend. +[4863.92 --> 4868.92] The egg and ease of Calvary. +[4868.92 --> 4870.92] The blood of Christ shed for you. +[4870.92 --> 4874.92] You, the perfect holy one. +[4874.92 --> 4875.46] You, the perfect holy one. +[4875.92 --> 4878.30] Crush your son. +[4878.92 --> 4883.92] And drank a bitter cup reserved for me. +[4883.92 --> 4886.92] Your blood of Christ shed for you. +[4886.92 --> 4889.92] Your blood has washed away my sin. +[4889.92 --> 4892.92] Jesus, thank you. +[4892.92 --> 4896.92] Father's breath completely satisfied. +[4898.92 --> 4899.92] Jesus, thank you. +[4899.92 --> 4912.92] Once your enemy, now seated at your table, Jesus, thank you. +[4912.92 --> 4914.92] Amen. +[4942.92 --> 4944.92] Amen. +[4972.92 --> 4974.92] Amen. +[5002.92 --> 5004.92] Amen. +[5032.92 --> 5034.92] Amen. +[5062.92 --> 5064.92] Amen. +[5092.92 --> 5094.92] Amen. +[5122.92 --> 5124.92] Amen. +[5152.92 --> 5154.92] Amen. +[5182.92 --> 5184.92] Amen. +[5184.92 --> 5186.92] Amen. +[5212.92 --> 5214.92] Amen. +[5242.92 --> 5244.92] Amen. +[5272.92 --> 5274.92] Amen. +[5302.92 --> 5304.92] Amen. +[5332.92 --> 5335.92] Amen. +[5338.08 --> 5339.92] Amen. +[5344.96 --> 5346.54] Amen. +[5353.62 --> 5353.72] Amen. +[5361.02 --> 5362.12] Amen. +[5362.92 --> 5373.52] its +[5385.52 --> 5389.52] oh +[5392.92 --> 5404.92] All who gather near by grace the near and bless your name. +[5404.92 --> 5418.92] Will I survey the wondrous cross? +[5422.92 --> 5424.92] Amen. +[5452.92 --> 5462.92] The Redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son. +[5462.92 --> 5474.92] Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One. +[5474.92 --> 5486.92] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son. +[5486.92 --> 5499.92] And leading your Spirit to the work on earth is done. +[5499.92 --> 5515.92] Jesus, my Redeemer, Name above all names. +[5515.92 --> 5527.92] Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, All who sinners save. +[5527.92 --> 5539.92] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son. +[5539.92 --> 5551.92] And leading your Spirit to the work on earth is done. +[5551.92 --> 5564.92] When I stand in glory, I will see His face. +[5564.92 --> 5576.92] There I'll serve my King forever in that holy place. +[5576.92 --> 5588.92] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son. +[5588.92 --> 5600.92] And leading your Spirit to the work on earth is done. +[5600.92 --> 5612.92] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son. +[5612.92 --> 5626.92] And leading your Spirit till the work on earth is done. +[5626.92 --> 5642.92] Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son. +[5642.92 --> 5648.92] Thank you for saving me. +[5648.92 --> 5652.92] What can I say? +[5652.92 --> 5654.92] What can I say? +[5654.92 --> 5660.92] You are my everything. +[5660.92 --> 5666.92] I will save your praise. +[5666.92 --> 5672.92] You shed your blood for me. +[5672.92 --> 5674.92] What can I say? +[5674.92 --> 5676.92] What can I say? +[5676.92 --> 5682.92] You took my sin and shame. +[5682.92 --> 5688.92] A sinner called by name. +[5688.92 --> 5704.92] Praise is the Lord. +[5704.92 --> 5711.92] Praise is the Lord. +[5711.92 --> 5715.92] Praise is the Lord. +[5715.92 --> 5727.92] Father, for we know your truth has set us free. +[5727.92 --> 5732.92] For we know your truth has set us free. +[5732.92 --> 5737.92] For we know your truth has set us free. +[5737.92 --> 5739.92] me +[5739.92 --> 5749.74] mercy and grace +[5749.74 --> 5751.54] are mine +[5751.54 --> 5754.32] forgiven is +[5754.32 --> 5756.82] my sin +[5756.82 --> 5759.44] Jesus +[5759.44 --> 5762.22] my only +[5762.22 --> 5763.62] hope +[5763.62 --> 5766.68] the Savior of +[5766.68 --> 5769.18] the world +[5769.18 --> 5772.46] great is +[5772.46 --> 5774.40] the Lord +[5774.40 --> 5776.28] we cry +[5776.28 --> 5777.82] let your +[5777.82 --> 5779.12] kingdom +[5779.12 --> 5781.50] know +[5781.50 --> 5783.62] your +[5783.62 --> 5785.56] word has +[5785.56 --> 5787.46] set me +[5787.46 --> 5788.62] deep +[5788.62 --> 5790.12] and heal for +[5790.12 --> 5792.50] saving me +[5796.68 --> 5802.46] great is +[5802.46 --> 5806.46] the Lord +[5806.46 --> 5813.46] great is +[5813.46 --> 5817.46] the Lord +[5817.46 --> 5821.52] for we know +[5821.52 --> 5823.06] your truth +[5823.06 --> 5826.12] has set +[5826.12 --> 5829.18] us free +[5829.18 --> 5835.52] you've set +[5835.52 --> 5837.24] your hope +[5837.24 --> 5839.24] free +[5839.24 --> 5840.64] me +[5840.64 --> 5848.52] thank you +[5848.52 --> 5850.84] for saving +[5850.84 --> 5852.38] me +[5852.38 --> 5855.62] what can +[5855.62 --> 5857.56] I say +[5857.56 --> 5868.20] europé +[5868.20 --> 5869.80] you +[5869.80 --> 5872.02] you +[5872.02 --> 5875.90] you +[5875.90 --> 5878.16] you +[5878.16 --> 5880.16] you +[5880.16 --> 5909.16] Above all power, above all key, above all nature and all created things. +[5910.16 --> 5923.16] Above all wisdom and all the ways of men, you were here before the world began. +[5924.16 --> 5937.16] Above all kingdoms, above all the pros, above all wonders the world would never know. +[5937.16 --> 5951.16] Above all wisdom and the treasures of the earth, there's no place that you want your world. +[5951.16 --> 5967.16] You crucified, lay behind the stone, you lived to die, rejected and alone by the rose. +[5967.16 --> 5974.16] Trampled on the ground, it's worth the fall. +[5974.16 --> 5992.16] Above all wisdom and the world, above all wisdom and all created things. +[5992.16 --> 6001.16] Above all kings, above all nature and all created things. +[6001.16 --> 6014.16] Above all wisdom and all the ways of men, you were here before the world began. +[6014.16 --> 6028.16] Above all kingdoms, above all thrones, above all wonders the world was never known. +[6028.16 --> 6042.16] Above all worlds, above all worlds and treasures of the earth, there's no way to measure what you're worth. +[6042.16 --> 6044.16] Above all worlds, above all worlds, above all. +[6044.16 --> 6058.16] You crucified, lay behind the stone, you lived to die, rejected and alone by the rose. +[6058.16 --> 6060.16] You traveled on the ground, you took the fall. +[6060.16 --> 6065.16] You traveled on the ground, you took the fall. +[6065.16 --> 6066.16] You traveled on the ground, you took the fall. +[6066.16 --> 6073.16] You thought of me, you fell on the ground. +[6073.16 --> 6087.16] You crucified, lay behind the stone, you lived to die, rejected and alone by the rose. +[6087.16 --> 6089.16] Trampled on the ground, you took the fall. +[6089.16 --> 6094.16] You took the fall, you took the fall. +[6094.16 --> 6097.16] You took the fall, you took the fall. +[6097.16 --> 6106.16] I am weak, above all. +[6110.16 --> 6115.16] And so as we go from this place on this Thanksgiving Sunday, let's remember two things. +[6115.16 --> 6119.16] We are not going into a world where we are a part of the world. +[6119.16 --> 6120.16] We are foreigners in this world. +[6120.16 --> 6128.16] So let us dig in, settle in, roll up our sleeves and remember where we are citizens from. +[6128.16 --> 6137.16] And may we give thanks this Thanksgiving Day, not just for the blessings that we get, but if we can, vocalize the suffering that we're in. +[6137.16 --> 6144.16] In our hearts, let's surrender that to Jesus too, knowing that we are united with him in even the suffering that we experience today. +[6144.16 --> 6147.16] Please go from this place with this blessing. +[6147.16 --> 6150.16] From number six, the priestly blessing. +[6150.16 --> 6153.16] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[6153.16 --> 6157.16] The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. +[6157.16 --> 6163.16] The Lord turn his face toward you and give you his peace. +[6163.16 --> 6166.16] And all of God's people said, Amen. +[6166.16 --> 6167.16] Amen. +[6167.16 --> 6168.16] Amen. +[6168.16 --> 6169.16] Amen. +[6169.16 --> 6170.16] Amen. +[6170.16 --> 6171.16] Amen. +[6171.16 --> 6173.16] Amen. +[6201.16 --> 6203.16] Amen. +[6231.16 --> 6233.16] Amen. +[6261.16 --> 6263.16] Amen. +[6291.16 --> 6293.16] Amen. +[6321.16 --> 6323.16] Amen. +[6351.16 --> 6353.16] Amen. +[6381.16 --> 6383.16] Amen. +[6411.16 --> 6413.16] Amen. +[6441.16 --> 6443.16] Amen. +[6471.16 --> 6473.16] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..1975cc91bbe7daad453c156ae8371284772aa1c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +• Worship service +• Invitation to come out of the church +• Singing and praising God +• Recitation of "God is a little" repeated multiple times +• Repetition of the phrase "God is a little" +• No additional context or meaningful information provided beyond the repeated phrase +• The concept of God being likened to "a little" +• Repetition of the phrase "God is a little" at regular intervals \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..e42b4713ca3392de65f21e319b88eae9b114281b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 19, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,231 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[299.98 --> 329.96] Thank you. +[329.98 --> 359.96] Thank you. +[359.98 --> 389.96] Thank you. +[389.98 --> 419.96] Thank you. +[419.98 --> 449.96] Thank you. +[449.98 --> 479.96] Thank you. +[479.98 --> 509.96] Thank you. +[509.98 --> 539.96] Thank you. +[539.98 --> 569.96] Thank you. +[569.98 --> 599.96] Thank you. +[599.98 --> 629.96] Thank you. +[629.96 --> 659.94] Thank you. +[659.94 --> 689.92] Thank you. +[689.92 --> 719.90] Thank you. +[719.92 --> 749.90] Thank you. +[749.90 --> 779.88] Thank you. +[779.88 --> 809.86] Good morning. +[809.86 --> 839.84] Welcome to worship. +[839.84 --> 869.82] Thank you. +[869.84 --> 869.86] +[899.84 --> 929.82] Thank you. +[929.82 --> 959.80] If you're in the church +[959.80 --> 989.78] come on out, +[989.80 --> 1019.78] Thank you. +[1019.80 --> 1049.78] Thank you. +[1049.80 --> 1079.78] Amen. +[1079.78 --> 1109.76] Thank you. +[1109.78 --> 1139.76] Thank you. +[1139.76 --> 1169.74] Thank you. +[1169.74 --> 1199.72] All right. +[1199.74 --> 1229.72] Thank you. +[1229.74 --> 1259.72] Thank you. +[1259.74 --> 1289.72] Thank you. +[1289.72 --> 1319.70] Thank you. +[1319.72 --> 1349.70] Thank you. +[1349.72 --> 1379.70] Thank you. +[1379.72 --> 1409.70] I love you. +[1409.72 --> 1439.70] I will sing. +[1439.72 --> 1469.70] I will sing. +[1469.72 --> 1499.70] I will sing. +[1499.72 --> 1529.70] I have you. +[1529.70 --> 1559.68] I will sing. +[1559.68 --> 1589.66] Your goodness. +[1589.66 --> 1619.64] This is running after me. +[1619.64 --> 1649.62] I will sing. +[1649.62 --> 1679.60] I will sing. +[1679.60 --> 1709.58] We have sung. +[1709.58 --> 1739.56] How long. +[1739.56 --> 1769.54] Before the earth. +[1769.54 --> 1799.52] I will sing. +[1799.52 --> 1829.50] I will sing. +[1829.50 --> 1859.48] When the wind. +[1859.48 --> 1889.46] How long. +[1889.46 --> 1919.44] I will sing. +[1919.44 --> 1949.42] I will sing. +[1949.42 --> 1979.40] God is God. +[1979.40 --> 2009.38] He is. +[2009.38 --> 2039.36] God is able. +[2039.36 --> 2069.34] God is with us. +[2069.34 --> 2099.32] God is. +[2099.32 --> 2129.30] God is with us. +[2129.30 --> 2159.28] He's lifted up. +[2159.28 --> 2189.26] God is a praise. +[2189.26 --> 2219.24] God is able. +[2219.24 --> 2249.22] God is a little. +[2249.22 --> 2279.20] God is. +[2279.20 --> 2309.18] God is a promise. +[2309.18 --> 2339.16] God is a little. +[2339.16 --> 2369.14] God is a little. +[2369.14 --> 2399.12] God is a little. +[2399.12 --> 2429.10] God is a little. +[2429.10 --> 2459.08] God is a little. +[2459.08 --> 2489.06] God is a little. +[2489.06 --> 2519.04] God is a little. +[2519.04 --> 2549.02] God is a little. +[2549.02 --> 2579.00] God is a little. +[2579.00 --> 2608.98] God is a little. +[2608.98 --> 2638.96] God is a little. +[2638.96 --> 2668.94] God is a little. +[2668.94 --> 2698.92] God is a little. +[2698.94 --> 2728.92] God is a little. +[2728.92 --> 2758.90] God is a little. +[2758.90 --> 2788.88] God is a little. +[2788.88 --> 2818.86] God is a little. +[2818.86 --> 2848.84] God is a little. +[2848.86 --> 2878.84] God is a little. +[2878.86 --> 2908.84] God is a little. +[2908.86 --> 2938.84] God is a little. +[2938.84 --> 2968.82] God is a little. +[2968.82 --> 2998.80] God is a little. +[2998.80 --> 3028.78] God is a little. +[3028.78 --> 3058.76] God is a little. +[3058.76 --> 3088.74] God is a little. +[3088.74 --> 3118.72] God is a little. +[3118.74 --> 3148.72] God is a little. +[3148.72 --> 3178.70] God is a little. +[3178.72 --> 3208.68] God is a little. +[3208.68 --> 3238.66] God is a little. +[3238.66 --> 3268.64] God is a little. +[3268.64 --> 3298.62] God is a little. +[3298.62 --> 3328.60] God is a little. +[3328.60 --> 3358.58] God is a little. +[3358.58 --> 3388.56] God is a little. +[3388.56 --> 3418.54] God is a little. +[3418.54 --> 3448.52] God is a little. +[3448.52 --> 3478.50] God is a little. +[3478.50 --> 3508.48] God is a little. +[3508.48 --> 3538.46] God is a little. +[3538.46 --> 3568.44] God is a little. +[3568.44 --> 3598.42] God is a little. +[3598.42 --> 3628.40] God is a little. +[3628.40 --> 3658.38] God is a little. +[3658.38 --> 3688.36] God is a little. +[3688.36 --> 3718.34] God is a little. +[3718.34 --> 3748.32] God is a little. +[3748.32 --> 3778.30] God is a little. +[3778.30 --> 3808.28] God is a little. +[3808.28 --> 3838.26] God is a little. +[3838.26 --> 3868.24] God is a little. +[3868.24 --> 3898.22] God is a little. +[3898.22 --> 3928.20] God is a little. +[3928.20 --> 3958.18] God is a little. +[3958.18 --> 3988.16] God is a little. +[3988.16 --> 4018.14] God is a little. +[4018.14 --> 4048.12] God is a little. +[4048.12 --> 4078.10] God is a little. +[4078.12 --> 4108.10] God is a little. +[4108.10 --> 4138.08] God is a little. +[4138.08 --> 4168.06] God is a little. +[4168.06 --> 4198.04] God is a little. +[4198.04 --> 4228.02] God is a little. +[4228.02 --> 4258.00] God is a little. +[4258.00 --> 4287.98] God is a little. +[4287.98 --> 4317.96] God is a little. +[4317.96 --> 4347.94] God is a little. +[4347.96 --> 4377.92] God is a little. +[4377.92 --> 4407.90] God is a little. +[4407.90 --> 4437.88] God is a little. +[4437.90 --> 4467.86] God is a little. +[4467.86 --> 4497.84] God is a little. +[4497.84 --> 4527.82] God is a little. +[4527.82 --> 4557.80] God is a little. +[4557.80 --> 4587.78] God is a little. +[4587.78 --> 4617.76] God is a little. +[4617.78 --> 4647.76] God is a little. +[4647.76 --> 4677.74] God is a little. +[4677.74 --> 4707.72] God is a little. +[4707.72 --> 4737.70] God is a little. +[4737.70 --> 4767.68] God is a little. +[4767.70 --> 4797.66] God is a little. +[4797.66 --> 4827.64] God is a little. +[4827.64 --> 4857.62] God is a little. +[4857.62 --> 4887.60] God is a little. +[4887.60 --> 4917.58] God is a little. +[4917.58 --> 4947.56] God is a little. +[4947.56 --> 4977.54] God is a little. +[4977.54 --> 5007.52] God is a little. +[5007.52 --> 5037.50] God is a little. +[5037.50 --> 5067.48] God is a little. +[5067.48 --> 5097.46] God is a little. +[5097.46 --> 5127.44] God is a little. +[5127.64 --> 5157.42] God is a little. +[5157.42 --> 5187.40] God is a little. +[5187.44 --> 5217.40] God is a little. +[5217.40 --> 5247.38] God is a little. +[5247.38 --> 5277.36] God is a little. +[5277.36 --> 5307.34] God is a little. +[5307.34 --> 5337.32] God is a little. +[5337.32 --> 5367.30] God is a little. +[5367.30 --> 5397.28] God is a little. +[5397.28 --> 5427.26] God is a little. +[5427.26 --> 5457.24] God is a little. +[5457.24 --> 5487.22] God is a little. +[5487.22 --> 5517.20] God is a little. +[5517.22 --> 5547.18] God is a little. +[5547.20 --> 5577.16] God is a little. +[5577.16 --> 5607.14] God is a little. +[5607.14 --> 5637.12] God is a little. +[5637.12 --> 5667.10] God is a little. +[5667.10 --> 5697.08] God is a little. +[5697.08 --> 5727.06] God is a little. +[5727.06 --> 5757.04] God is a little. +[5757.04 --> 5787.02] God is a little. +[5787.02 --> 5817.00] God is a little. +[5817.00 --> 5846.98] God is a little. +[5846.98 --> 5876.96] God is a little. +[5876.96 --> 5906.94] God is a little. +[5906.94 --> 5936.92] God is a little. +[5936.92 --> 5966.90] God is a little. +[5966.90 --> 5996.88] God is a little. +[5996.88 --> 6026.86] God is a little. +[6026.86 --> 6056.84] God is a little. +[6056.84 --> 6086.82] God is a little. +[6086.82 --> 6116.80] God is a little. +[6116.80 --> 6146.78] God is a little. +[6146.78 --> 6176.76] God is a little. +[6176.76 --> 6206.74] God is a little. +[6206.74 --> 6236.72] God is a little. +[6236.72 --> 6266.70] God is a little. +[6266.70 --> 6296.68] God is a little. +[6296.68 --> 6326.66] God is a little. +[6326.66 --> 6356.64] God is a little. +[6356.64 --> 6386.62] God is a little. +[6386.64 --> 6416.62] God is a little. +[6416.62 --> 6446.60] God is a little. +[6446.60 --> 6476.58] God is a little. +[6476.58 --> 6506.56] God is a little. +[6506.56 --> 6536.54] God is a little. +[6536.56 --> 6566.54] God is a little. +[6566.54 --> 6596.52] God is a little. +[6596.54 --> 6626.52] God is a little. +[6626.52 --> 6656.50] God is a little. +[6656.52 --> 6686.50] God is a little. +[6686.52 --> 6716.50] God is a little. +[6716.52 --> 6746.50] God is a little. +[6746.50 --> 6776.48] God is a little. +[6776.48 --> 6806.46] God is a little. +[6806.46 --> 6836.44] God is a little. +[6836.44 --> 6866.42] God is a little. +[6866.42 --> 6896.40] God is a little. +[6896.40 --> 6926.38] God is a little. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..f5896a43c2db505e274d7880f1f9fd3493db12da --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,76 @@ +• Recitation of prayers and hymns +• Repetition of phrases such as "God, you're the name of God" and "Lord, have mercy" +• Reference to Jesus and Christ +• Mention of forgiveness and mercy +• Reading of a hymn: "In Christ Alone" +• Allison, a deacon from the church, updates about Jody and Uriel in Mexico who are experiencing difficulties with their property due to flooding. +• The church plans to help them through their organization C10 by providing financial assistance for equipment and rebuilding. +• Allison announces today's offering to support the church's benevolence fund, which assists members and community members in need. +• A discussion about the benefits of rest and sleep, referencing Ecclesiastes 3. +• A pop-up poll among children to determine their favorite season. +• The speaker asks congregation members to identify themselves as their favorite season: fall, winter, spring, or summer +• Congregation members are asked to stand up and raise their hand if they like a particular season +• The speaker becomes confused about who has been assigned to which season, particularly with regards to fall and summer +• An elder, Clary, takes over the service and leads in church family prayer +• Clary announces several items including an upcoming ordination service, budget planning season, and meetings of classes +• The nature of free will and responsibility in humans +• Gratitude for new life (Ruth, baby girl) +• Updates on health and well-being: + • Kevin's exam and ordination + • Carolyn's recovery from injuries + • Tessa's lung improvement +• Requests for continued healing and support +• Blessing and gratitude for foster families +• Addressing strained or broken relationships within families +• Asking for help in remembering that love can be hard work, time is precious, and we're not promised tomorrow +• Courage and reconciliation in difficult circumstances +• Peace in the world, specifically asking leaders of conflicts to seek real peace +• Restoration and justice through God's church +• Time management and productivity +• Obsession with tracking time and steps +• Futility of mastering time through planning or technology +• Longing for a timeless existence +• The concept of God's death and its implications on human destiny +• Meaninglessness in a world without God +• The nature of faith vs empirical observation +• The distinction between religious and scientific thought +• The concept of God in modern spiritualism vs the Bible +• Ecclesiastes 3 as an example of a methodological approach to understanding God's providence +• The idea that God's providence rules all time, rather than being determined by human control +• The futility of trying to master or change time and its events +• The cyclical nature of life and the balance between opposing forces +• The limits of human understanding and control +• The existence of beauty in the world, despite its incomprehensibility +• The distinction between comprehension and apprehension +• Faith as a necessary completion of knowledge +• The role of God's providence in giving meaning to time and life +• The tension between empirical knowledge and creedal affirmations +• Belief and faith open our eyes to see beyond what reason can comprehend +• Time is fleeting, but God holds it forever and makes everything beautiful in its time +• Human work is temporary, but God's work endures forever and provides meaning to all things +• The fear of the Lord is reverence, not terror, which leads to worship and rest in the limits of time +• Joy is a confession that God's providence is real even in transience and brokenness +• Freedom is found in receiving time, not mastering it, and joy is the fruit of surrender +• The gospel reveals the beauty of God fully in Jesus Christ, who lived with perfect trust in the Father's timing +• The cross is the ultimate answer to humanity's struggle with time and its meaning +• God works even when things seem impossible or senseless, and brings beauty out of chaos +• Jesus' resurrection confirms this truth and redeems all of human experience +• Time belongs to God, who has a good plan and timing that may not align with ours +• Living in the fear of the Lord means receiving each day as a gift and holding everything loosely +• The gospel changes our perspective on time and frees us from trying to control it +• Confessing that our time is God's time shapes every part of life, from planning to suffering to celebration +• Worship and prayer +• Praise of God's majesty, beauty, and power +• Reflection on time and eternity +• Testimony of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior +• Invitation to adore and worship God +• Blessing and protection from God for the journey of life and faith +• Encouragement to gather in fellowship and receive God's blessing +• Praise and worship music +• Lyrics mention salvation, glory, honor, and power +• Repetition of phrase "You are wonderful" +• Mention of Cinderella +• Unintelligible phrases in another language ("N pensa grande e tal plan") +• Interjections of joy and laughter ("ho ho ho") +• Reference to a person named Acosta +• Repeated expression of gratitude ("Thank you") \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..f1539c13ac63480781ca2b19de70ce73765ab427 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 26, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1081 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. +[690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. +[720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. +[750.00 --> 779.98] Thank you. +[780.00 --> 809.98] Good morning. +[809.98 --> 839.96] Good morning. +[839.96 --> 869.94] Thank you. +[869.96 --> 899.94] Thank you. +[899.96 --> 929.94] Thank you. +[929.96 --> 959.96] Thank you. +[959.96 --> 989.94] Thank you. +[989.94 --> 1019.92] Thank you. +[1019.94 --> 1049.92] Thank you. +[1049.94 --> 1079.92] Good morning. +[1079.92 --> 1109.90] We come to God. +[1109.90 --> 1139.88] Thank you. +[1139.88 --> 1169.86] Come. +[1169.88 --> 1199.86] Just as you are. +[1199.86 --> 1229.84] Now is the time to give you. +[1229.84 --> 1259.82] One day. +[1259.82 --> 1289.80] God, you're the time to give you. +[1289.80 --> 1319.78] Great is the name of God. +[1319.78 --> 1349.76] Thank you. +[1349.78 --> 1379.76] All I have to say, +[1379.76 --> 1409.74] God, you're the name of God. +[1409.76 --> 1439.74] God, you're the name of God. +[1439.74 --> 1469.72] God, you're the name of God. +[1469.72 --> 1499.70] God, you're the name of God. +[1499.70 --> 1529.68] God, you're the name of God. +[1529.68 --> 1559.66] forgive us, forgive us, you're the name of God. +[1559.66 --> 1589.64] Jesus, I've the name of God. +[1589.66 --> 1619.64] God, you're the name of God. +[1619.66 --> 1649.64] Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. +[1649.64 --> 1679.62] God, you're the name of God. +[1679.62 --> 1709.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1709.60 --> 1711.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1739.60 --> 1741.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1769.60 --> 1771.60] Lord, have mercy, you're the name of God, you're the name of God. +[1771.60 --> 1775.60] Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy on us. +[1775.60 --> 1786.60] Christ, have mercy on us. +[1786.60 --> 1788.60] hear this promise from you, God, you're the name of God. +[1816.60 --> 1818.60] God, you're the name of God, you're the name of God. +[1818.60 --> 1820.60] Thanks be to God. +[1820.60 --> 1821.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1821.60 --> 1822.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1822.60 --> 1824.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1824.60 --> 1828.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1828.60 --> 1830.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1830.60 --> 1832.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1832.60 --> 1834.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1834.60 --> 1836.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1836.60 --> 1838.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1838.60 --> 1840.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1840.60 --> 1842.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1842.86 --> 1843.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1843.60 --> 1845.60] By ق essa знает's moral, Yets are God, I'm somebody whoм. +[1845.60 --> 1846.60] God, you're the name of God. +[1846.60 --> 1847.60] God, we shine for the death of God. +[1847.60 --> 1849.60] Good give praise God, you're the name of God. +[1849.60 --> 1850.60] I know Amen. +[1850.60 --> 1855.60] Good STEVE LIGHT +[1855.60 --> 1860.60] Happy now加入 Now Skip +[1860.60 --> 1874.60] When striving seems my comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand. +[1874.60 --> 1892.60] In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless faith, +[1892.60 --> 1903.00] this gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save. +[1903.00 --> 1912.50] Till on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied. +[1912.50 --> 1923.76] For every sin on him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live. +[1933.00 --> 1942.50] There in the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. +[1942.50 --> 1952.50] Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again. +[1952.50 --> 1962.50] And as he stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me. +[1962.50 --> 1973.50] For I am his, and he is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ. +[1973.50 --> 1992.50] No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. +[1992.50 --> 2002.00] From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. +[2002.00 --> 2012.00] No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand. +[2012.00 --> 2022.00] Till he returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand. +[2022.00 --> 2033.38] No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand. +[2033.38 --> 2042.36] Till he returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand. +[2042.36 --> 2043.36] I'll stand. +[2071.14 --> 2072.24] Good morning. +[2072.24 --> 2078.16] My name is Allison and I am one of the deacons here at the church. +[2078.16 --> 2085.74] Before I get into the offerings for today, I just have a quick update about Jody and +[2085.74 --> 2089.28] Uriel in Mexico. +[2089.28 --> 2095.28] You heard last week about the situation with their property that they're moving to, the +[2095.28 --> 2098.96] flood that wiped out a retaining wall. +[2098.96 --> 2103.16] They need to rebuild that wall before they can move there. +[2103.16 --> 2109.00] So they are able to stay where they are for now. +[2109.00 --> 2115.96] There are plans for excavation and rebuilding and equipment. +[2115.96 --> 2121.78] Things are underway underway about bringing equipment. +[2121.78 --> 2126.32] And of course, the work and the equipment need finances. +[2126.32 --> 2134.72] So the church would love to help in some way to ease that burden for them through their organization, +[2134.72 --> 2136.88] C10. +[2136.88 --> 2144.20] So stay tuned for more information, which will be coming out hopefully this week in an email +[2144.20 --> 2148.38] with more details on how you can help. +[2148.38 --> 2154.10] So today's offering, as well as just the running of the church and all the bills that have to +[2154.10 --> 2165.98] be paid for that, we are, I'm speaking on behalf of our benevolence fund, which the deacons have +[2165.98 --> 2170.30] charge of, that's not quite the right term, but we manage that fund. +[2170.30 --> 2178.02] And we are able to assist people in our congregation and in the community who need some help at various +[2178.02 --> 2180.28] times of their lives. +[2180.28 --> 2185.10] We have some new needs that have come up lately. +[2185.10 --> 2189.42] So please give generously as the Lord has given to you. +[2189.42 --> 2190.46] Thank you very much. +[2208.02 --> 2238.00] Thank you very much. +[2238.02 --> 2268.00] Thank you very much. +[2268.02 --> 2298.00] Thank you very much. +[2298.02 --> 2299.02] Thank you. +[2299.02 --> 2300.02] Thank you very much. +[2300.02 --> 2305.02] Thank you. +[2305.02 --> 2309.02] Thank you. +[2309.02 --> 2314.02] Thank you. +[2314.02 --> 2316.02] Thank you. +[2316.02 --> 2326.02] Thank you. +[2326.02 --> 2328.02] Thank you. +[2328.02 --> 2330.02] Thank you. +[2330.02 --> 2335.66] And a light unto my path. +[2336.42 --> 2341.44] Thy word is a lamp unto my feet. +[2341.44 --> 2347.26] And a light unto my path. +[2347.58 --> 2353.40] You're the light unto my path. +[2360.02 --> 2371.14] Can I have all the Children's Worship Time kids up front, please? +[2384.18 --> 2385.40] Fine looking bunch. +[2385.48 --> 2385.98] Good morning. +[2385.98 --> 2386.04] Good morning. +[2388.88 --> 2392.36] I know I'm one of the older guys up here that does this, and my hearing's not so good. +[2392.40 --> 2394.46] Do you think you guys can say good morning a little louder for me? +[2394.52 --> 2394.96] Good morning. +[2395.36 --> 2396.26] Good morning. +[2396.92 --> 2398.02] Very, very good. +[2398.40 --> 2399.28] Wow, that's good. +[2399.34 --> 2399.88] That's great. +[2401.18 --> 2402.74] How are you guys all doing? +[2403.60 --> 2403.92] Good. +[2404.74 --> 2406.62] Well, I've been away from this for about a year. +[2406.68 --> 2410.98] I took a little bit of a break, so I'm back again, so I get to see you guys a bit more. +[2411.04 --> 2412.40] So that's going to be exciting for me. +[2412.40 --> 2417.76] Today, the big people in the church are going to be talking about in, Pastor Chris is going +[2417.76 --> 2422.24] to preach on Ecclesiastes 3, and it's talking about a time for everything. +[2424.88 --> 2426.38] And a time for other things. +[2426.52 --> 2427.96] So let me ask you a question. +[2428.06 --> 2430.14] Is it good that you guys sleep all the time? +[2431.26 --> 2434.56] So is it a good time to wake up and kind of go to school and do stuff? +[2434.60 --> 2435.74] You want to sleep all the time? +[2436.12 --> 2437.02] You like sleeping? +[2437.44 --> 2437.98] That's good. +[2437.98 --> 2440.66] I like sleeping too, but sometimes I get tired. +[2441.28 --> 2442.58] Sometimes you get tired of sleeping? +[2443.40 --> 2443.96] That's good. +[2444.64 --> 2445.36] Well, guess what? +[2445.42 --> 2447.10] Does anybody know what the seasons are? +[2447.28 --> 2449.08] Does anybody know anything about seasons? +[2449.30 --> 2450.60] What season are we in right now? +[2450.66 --> 2451.10] Does anybody know? +[2451.14 --> 2451.30] Yeah. +[2452.80 --> 2453.42] Not quite. +[2453.48 --> 2454.18] What season are we in? +[2454.66 --> 2454.98] Fall. +[2455.98 --> 2458.40] So this is a good example of there's a time for everything. +[2458.50 --> 2459.50] There's a time for fall. +[2459.62 --> 2460.56] There's a time for winter. +[2460.80 --> 2461.90] There's a time for spring. +[2462.04 --> 2464.70] And there's a time for summer. +[2465.20 --> 2468.00] I want to do a pop-up poll with the congregation here. +[2468.10 --> 2470.76] Who in this group right here amongst the kids likes winter? +[2471.14 --> 2471.78] I need a volunteer. +[2472.00 --> 2472.56] Who likes winter? +[2472.88 --> 2474.06] Can you come up front for me? +[2474.94 --> 2475.26] All right. +[2475.78 --> 2477.74] Can you stand up top there on the thing? +[2477.86 --> 2480.00] Who likes fall? +[2480.24 --> 2481.06] It's one of my favorite. +[2481.18 --> 2482.18] You want to be fall? +[2482.26 --> 2482.88] You can go up front. +[2484.76 --> 2486.20] I got a winter guy already. +[2486.30 --> 2487.24] Do you want? +[2487.24 --> 2488.62] I need a spring person. +[2489.04 --> 2489.84] Do you want to be spring? +[2489.84 --> 2492.46] And which one am I missing? +[2492.62 --> 2493.24] I got winter. +[2493.86 --> 2495.24] I need a summer person. +[2495.40 --> 2496.24] The kids got a love. +[2496.30 --> 2497.00] You want to be summer? +[2497.32 --> 2497.88] Go up front. +[2499.24 --> 2499.70] Okay. +[2499.74 --> 2501.92] We're going to test the congregation right now. +[2502.14 --> 2507.34] We're going to find out who in this congregation likes what season the best. +[2507.48 --> 2508.52] You're my what guy? +[2509.20 --> 2509.54] Winter. +[2509.78 --> 2511.02] Who here likes winter? +[2511.24 --> 2512.10] Put your hand up. +[2513.12 --> 2513.56] Oh. +[2514.84 --> 2518.24] A lot of the gray hairs, I think they escape winter, go down south. +[2518.24 --> 2521.54] What season were you? +[2521.78 --> 2523.34] I think it was spring. +[2523.82 --> 2524.30] Spring. +[2524.42 --> 2525.64] Who likes spring here? +[2526.18 --> 2527.28] Oh, more hands. +[2527.36 --> 2528.52] There's more spring likers. +[2529.64 --> 2532.90] What do you like? +[2534.52 --> 2535.00] Yeah. +[2540.28 --> 2541.20] You're going to be fall. +[2542.76 --> 2543.34] Here's fall. +[2543.40 --> 2543.96] Who likes fall? +[2544.08 --> 2544.34] Oh, no. +[2544.38 --> 2545.34] We just did fall, didn't we? +[2545.74 --> 2546.80] Or this one's fall. +[2547.04 --> 2547.32] Okay. +[2547.40 --> 2548.60] I'm getting all confused now. +[2548.64 --> 2549.86] You guys all messed me up. +[2550.02 --> 2551.96] You guys screen your fall. +[2552.02 --> 2552.70] We need a summer. +[2552.80 --> 2553.10] Who likes? +[2553.14 --> 2554.02] Who's my summer person? +[2554.10 --> 2554.56] You were summer. +[2554.64 --> 2555.68] Who likes summer here? +[2555.80 --> 2557.60] Oh, we got lots of summers. +[2558.32 --> 2560.66] And I think the last one is fall, right? +[2561.40 --> 2562.52] Who likes fall here? +[2563.30 --> 2563.84] All right. +[2563.96 --> 2564.72] Oh, fall's good. +[2565.20 --> 2565.52] Okay. +[2565.66 --> 2566.74] Can you guys come on down? +[2567.42 --> 2568.90] We're going to do the blessing now. +[2568.98 --> 2569.92] Can you guys stand up? +[2569.92 --> 2571.82] And we're going to do the blessing. +[2574.86 --> 2577.14] You guys don't know how to do this nice and loud for me. +[2577.88 --> 2578.24] Ready? +[2578.98 --> 2579.26] The. +[2579.62 --> 2581.96] The Lord be with you. +[2582.20 --> 2583.90] And also be with you. +[2599.92 --> 2609.72] Hi. +[2610.52 --> 2625.60] I'm an elder here at Emmanuel. +[2625.60 --> 2632.04] My name is Clary, and I'm going to lead us in our church family prayer. +[2633.10 --> 2637.92] There are a couple of announcements first that I want to share with you. +[2639.76 --> 2646.60] Second reminder to come and join us this Wednesday night, October the 29th, +[2647.52 --> 2651.56] during Game 5 of the World Series for Kevin's ordination service. +[2653.30 --> 2654.50] We'll see you here. +[2655.60 --> 2657.92] And we'll leave our phones out there. +[2659.30 --> 2663.68] It's also budget planning season for 2026. +[2664.08 --> 2667.20] We pray for the support of our ministry and missions, +[2667.42 --> 2675.40] as well as the spirits leading for what God will do among us and with us over the next year. +[2676.40 --> 2678.50] Remember Marilyn and the church office. +[2679.40 --> 2680.80] Remember the finance committee. +[2680.80 --> 2685.02] And remember council as we discern together. +[2685.02 --> 2691.88] And just an item for you to remember in your prayers going forward. +[2692.94 --> 2695.18] The meetings of classes were held last week. +[2695.82 --> 2703.00] And our request is that you would remember to pray that God would bless the work done +[2703.00 --> 2706.72] in all the different churches which are involved. +[2706.72 --> 2713.04] Let's come to our Father in prayer. +[2717.76 --> 2724.34] Our gracious Father in Heaven, we want to give thanks to you this morning that we can be here. +[2724.34 --> 2729.52] Thank you that we may begin our week not at work, +[2730.20 --> 2734.76] not racing to put food on the table, +[2734.84 --> 2741.80] but that we may express our faith in you by putting everything aside +[2741.80 --> 2744.88] and beginning the week resting. +[2744.88 --> 2747.30] Thank you for this gift. +[2747.30 --> 2757.14] And forgive us when we don't really pay attention to this rhythm and we take it for granted. +[2757.68 --> 2761.08] May we be always grateful for this. +[2761.08 --> 2764.00] We want to thank you too, Lord. +[2765.46 --> 2768.22] When we realize that in all the universe, +[2769.74 --> 2770.96] as far as we can tell, +[2771.18 --> 2773.16] every single thing out there, +[2773.52 --> 2775.00] living and inanimate, +[2775.80 --> 2776.32] follows +[2776.32 --> 2779.60] the rules that you have put in place. +[2780.62 --> 2782.42] Raindrops are a predictable size. +[2782.42 --> 2785.18] Fog is always the same. +[2785.74 --> 2786.14] Gravity, +[2786.64 --> 2787.46] as far as we can tell, +[2787.54 --> 2788.26] doesn't change. +[2788.74 --> 2790.30] Light waves do their job. +[2790.82 --> 2794.02] The leaves on the trees outside follow a pretty predictable pattern. +[2795.24 --> 2797.56] The animals follow their instincts. +[2799.58 --> 2800.88] And then there's us. +[2801.30 --> 2801.52] We +[2801.52 --> 2804.14] have free will. +[2805.70 --> 2806.86] And this is amazing. +[2809.08 --> 2810.02] So thank you +[2810.02 --> 2812.64] that in your wisdom +[2812.64 --> 2814.72] and in your desire to +[2814.72 --> 2816.18] love us +[2816.18 --> 2817.98] and be loved by us, +[2818.58 --> 2819.40] you have +[2819.40 --> 2821.80] placed an awful lot +[2821.80 --> 2823.08] of responsibility +[2823.08 --> 2825.64] into our hands. +[2826.76 --> 2827.24] And +[2827.24 --> 2830.22] we can choose +[2830.22 --> 2831.00] to be here. +[2831.12 --> 2831.64] We can choose +[2831.64 --> 2832.42] to not be here. +[2832.94 --> 2834.86] All of life is full of choices. +[2835.98 --> 2836.36] And +[2836.36 --> 2838.60] we thank you for this +[2838.60 --> 2839.48] and we ask +[2839.48 --> 2840.72] that we may +[2840.72 --> 2842.88] as we +[2842.88 --> 2844.12] are faced +[2844.12 --> 2844.82] every day +[2844.82 --> 2845.82] with decision making +[2845.82 --> 2847.34] that we may +[2847.34 --> 2848.26] humbly +[2848.26 --> 2850.74] offer our lives +[2850.74 --> 2851.40] up to you +[2851.40 --> 2853.88] and +[2853.88 --> 2854.72] allow you +[2854.72 --> 2855.80] and your spirit +[2855.80 --> 2856.30] to be +[2856.30 --> 2856.76] working +[2856.76 --> 2857.60] in us. +[2861.82 --> 2862.76] This week +[2862.76 --> 2864.10] there are +[2864.10 --> 2865.52] a handful of items +[2865.52 --> 2865.80] that +[2865.80 --> 2867.54] we would +[2867.54 --> 2868.08] like to +[2868.08 --> 2869.06] specifically +[2869.06 --> 2870.76] raise up +[2870.76 --> 2871.40] to you. +[2872.36 --> 2873.16] First of all, +[2873.92 --> 2874.70] we want to give you +[2874.70 --> 2875.80] thanks that +[2875.80 --> 2877.24] Nate and Haley Dickoff +[2877.24 --> 2879.12] had a baby girl. +[2879.54 --> 2880.42] Her name is Ruth +[2880.42 --> 2881.10] and +[2881.10 --> 2882.70] all is well. +[2884.58 --> 2884.98] And of course, +[2885.06 --> 2885.64] Stacy and I +[2885.64 --> 2886.56] and Nate's parents +[2886.56 --> 2887.22] are quite excited +[2887.22 --> 2888.18] because this is +[2888.18 --> 2889.34] a first grandbaby +[2889.34 --> 2890.32] for both families. +[2890.32 --> 2892.46] bless them +[2892.46 --> 2892.92] in this +[2892.92 --> 2894.58] couple weeks +[2894.58 --> 2895.32] of transition +[2895.32 --> 2896.50] and +[2896.50 --> 2898.04] continue to +[2898.04 --> 2898.74] give health. +[2899.76 --> 2900.50] We want to give you +[2900.50 --> 2900.92] thanks +[2900.92 --> 2901.92] that +[2901.92 --> 2904.50] Kevin's exam +[2904.50 --> 2905.18] at classes +[2905.18 --> 2906.40] went well +[2906.40 --> 2907.24] this past week +[2907.24 --> 2908.10] and that he can +[2908.10 --> 2909.06] now be ordained. +[2910.06 --> 2911.34] We want to +[2911.34 --> 2912.22] ask that you +[2912.22 --> 2913.18] please +[2913.18 --> 2913.96] continue to +[2913.96 --> 2914.88] provide healing +[2914.88 --> 2916.24] and patience +[2916.24 --> 2917.26] for my sister +[2917.26 --> 2917.88] Carolyn. +[2919.90 --> 2920.94] She has a long +[2920.94 --> 2921.92] road of recovery +[2921.92 --> 2923.44] but she is +[2923.44 --> 2923.98] recovering +[2923.98 --> 2925.28] but it's going +[2925.28 --> 2925.70] to be +[2925.70 --> 2926.78] probably +[2926.78 --> 2927.92] the new year +[2927.92 --> 2928.58] before she can +[2928.58 --> 2929.14] put weight +[2929.14 --> 2929.78] on her foot. +[2930.60 --> 2930.72] So +[2930.72 --> 2932.48] mend her +[2932.48 --> 2933.26] broken foot +[2933.26 --> 2933.98] mend her +[2933.98 --> 2935.48] broken back +[2935.48 --> 2936.26] and ribs +[2936.26 --> 2937.00] and +[2937.00 --> 2938.18] especially +[2938.18 --> 2940.98] give her +[2940.98 --> 2941.56] good cheer. +[2942.62 --> 2943.30] We also +[2943.30 --> 2943.66] want to say +[2943.66 --> 2944.08] thank you +[2944.08 --> 2945.02] that Tessa's +[2945.02 --> 2945.72] lungs +[2945.72 --> 2946.82] have improved +[2946.82 --> 2948.54] quite a bit +[2948.54 --> 2949.32] and that she is +[2949.32 --> 2949.68] doing +[2949.68 --> 2950.66] very well. +[2952.38 --> 2953.38] We want to +[2953.38 --> 2953.92] ask that you +[2953.92 --> 2954.66] continue to +[2954.66 --> 2955.06] strengthen +[2955.06 --> 2956.48] expecting mothers +[2956.48 --> 2958.16] and +[2958.16 --> 2959.30] for all of those +[2959.30 --> 2960.28] in our midst +[2960.28 --> 2960.74] who are +[2960.74 --> 2961.92] foster parents +[2961.92 --> 2963.14] please +[2963.14 --> 2963.86] bless their +[2963.86 --> 2964.36] families +[2964.36 --> 2966.08] and give them +[2966.08 --> 2967.78] a full measure +[2967.78 --> 2968.30] of grace +[2968.30 --> 2969.08] and joy +[2969.08 --> 2970.52] in the work +[2970.52 --> 2971.24] that they do +[2971.24 --> 2973.04] whether it is +[2973.04 --> 2973.90] for a short term +[2973.90 --> 2975.18] or long term. +[2978.46 --> 2979.26] We also +[2979.26 --> 2980.62] realize +[2980.62 --> 2981.78] that in many +[2981.78 --> 2982.50] of our families +[2982.50 --> 2982.86] there are +[2982.86 --> 2983.44] strained +[2983.44 --> 2983.80] and maybe +[2983.80 --> 2984.20] even +[2984.20 --> 2984.74] broken +[2984.74 --> 2985.84] relationships. +[2986.84 --> 2987.44] There's a lot +[2987.44 --> 2987.78] of blame +[2987.78 --> 2988.54] to go around +[2988.54 --> 2989.72] to be sure +[2989.72 --> 2991.86] but we ask +[2991.86 --> 2992.26] that you help +[2992.26 --> 2992.98] us to remember +[2992.98 --> 2994.02] that love +[2994.02 --> 2995.24] can be a lot +[2995.24 --> 2995.62] of work +[2995.62 --> 2997.18] and that time +[2997.18 --> 2997.68] is precious +[2997.68 --> 2998.60] and that we are +[2998.60 --> 2999.50] not promised +[2999.50 --> 3000.32] a tomorrow +[3000.32 --> 3001.80] and that maybe +[3001.80 --> 3002.24] it's time +[3002.24 --> 3002.70] to make that +[3002.70 --> 3003.52] awkward call +[3003.52 --> 3004.24] or have that +[3004.24 --> 3004.84] conversation +[3004.84 --> 3005.38] that we've +[3005.38 --> 3005.86] been avoiding. +[3006.86 --> 3007.98] In all cases +[3007.98 --> 3008.32] Lord, +[3008.58 --> 3009.36] grant courage +[3009.36 --> 3010.98] and grace +[3010.98 --> 3014.54] and in those +[3014.54 --> 3015.64] circumstances +[3015.64 --> 3016.44] will you bring +[3016.44 --> 3017.92] reconciliation? +[3017.92 --> 3020.74] and finally +[3020.74 --> 3022.16] and this is a big +[3022.16 --> 3022.58] ask +[3022.58 --> 3023.64] but we ask +[3023.64 --> 3025.02] for more +[3025.02 --> 3026.26] peace in the world. +[3028.20 --> 3029.26] I googled this +[3029.26 --> 3029.58] morning +[3029.58 --> 3030.56] and almost every +[3030.56 --> 3031.22] letter of the +[3031.22 --> 3031.56] alphabet +[3031.56 --> 3033.42] has a country +[3033.42 --> 3034.94] that has a war +[3034.94 --> 3035.52] going on +[3035.52 --> 3035.92] in it. +[3037.20 --> 3037.88] Israel, +[3038.24 --> 3038.62] Ukraine, +[3038.78 --> 3039.22] Afghanistan, +[3039.56 --> 3039.80] Haiti, +[3040.32 --> 3041.32] the list goes on +[3041.32 --> 3044.22] and Father +[3044.22 --> 3044.80] we ask +[3044.80 --> 3046.78] that leaders +[3046.78 --> 3047.68] in these +[3047.68 --> 3048.28] conflicts +[3048.28 --> 3051.28] may be +[3051.28 --> 3052.00] greatly moved +[3052.00 --> 3053.14] by your spirit +[3053.14 --> 3053.70] through their +[3053.70 --> 3054.22] advisors +[3054.22 --> 3054.92] or through +[3054.92 --> 3055.44] dreams +[3055.44 --> 3057.22] and that they +[3057.22 --> 3057.76] may seek +[3057.76 --> 3060.96] to make +[3060.96 --> 3061.96] real peace. +[3063.32 --> 3064.18] We know +[3064.18 --> 3064.98] this is possible. +[3065.82 --> 3066.28] Honestly, +[3066.62 --> 3067.46] I think a lot +[3067.46 --> 3068.30] of us wonder +[3068.30 --> 3070.82] if it's doable +[3070.82 --> 3072.80] so we ask +[3072.80 --> 3073.18] that you +[3073.18 --> 3074.04] and your Holy Spirit +[3074.04 --> 3074.64] may work +[3074.64 --> 3075.52] mightily +[3075.52 --> 3075.98] through your +[3075.98 --> 3076.40] church +[3076.40 --> 3079.32] to bring +[3079.32 --> 3079.84] restoration +[3079.84 --> 3080.54] and justice. +[3081.74 --> 3082.34] Amen. +[3100.82 --> 3112.14] Let me try +[3112.14 --> 3112.40] again. +[3112.54 --> 3112.88] Thank you +[3112.88 --> 3113.52] Opa Clary +[3113.52 --> 3114.02] for that +[3114.02 --> 3114.34] prayer. +[3116.42 --> 3117.24] We are +[3117.24 --> 3118.10] going to +[3118.10 --> 3119.26] at this time +[3119.26 --> 3120.34] open God's +[3120.34 --> 3120.96] word together +[3120.96 --> 3122.76] and spend +[3122.76 --> 3123.46] some time +[3123.46 --> 3124.10] reflecting +[3124.10 --> 3124.82] on +[3124.82 --> 3126.50] Ecclesiastes +[3126.50 --> 3127.10] 3. +[3128.14 --> 3128.60] I'm going to +[3128.60 --> 3129.12] read the +[3129.12 --> 3130.60] first 15 +[3130.60 --> 3131.06] verses +[3131.06 --> 3132.72] in our +[3132.72 --> 3133.20] time +[3133.20 --> 3134.28] together +[3134.28 --> 3134.60] at the +[3134.60 --> 3134.88] beginning. +[3135.68 --> 3136.24] I invite +[3136.24 --> 3136.74] you to +[3136.74 --> 3137.34] have that +[3137.34 --> 3137.98] open in +[3137.98 --> 3138.28] front of +[3138.28 --> 3138.60] you or +[3138.60 --> 3138.84] on a +[3138.84 --> 3139.24] device +[3139.24 --> 3140.28] with you +[3140.28 --> 3141.36] as we +[3141.36 --> 3142.30] read together +[3142.30 --> 3142.66] and then +[3142.66 --> 3142.98] to keep +[3142.98 --> 3143.44] that there +[3143.44 --> 3144.08] as we +[3144.08 --> 3144.46] reflect +[3144.46 --> 3144.86] back +[3144.86 --> 3145.72] throughout. +[3147.10 --> 3147.70] Let's +[3147.70 --> 3148.34] read from +[3148.34 --> 3149.12] Ecclesiastes +[3149.12 --> 3149.50] 3. +[3151.72 --> 3152.48] There is +[3152.48 --> 3153.06] a time +[3153.06 --> 3153.64] for +[3153.64 --> 3154.34] everything +[3154.34 --> 3155.42] and a +[3155.42 --> 3155.74] season +[3155.74 --> 3156.60] for every +[3156.60 --> 3157.16] activity +[3157.16 --> 3157.90] under +[3157.90 --> 3186.12] the +[3186.12 --> 3188.24] A time to search and a time to give up. +[3188.32 --> 3190.84] A time to keep and a time to throw away. +[3191.20 --> 3193.76] A time to tear and a time to mend. +[3194.40 --> 3197.46] A time to be silent and a time to speak. +[3198.16 --> 3201.54] A time to love and a time to hate. +[3202.14 --> 3205.24] A time for war and a time for peace. +[3206.54 --> 3210.14] What do workers gain from all their toil? +[3210.14 --> 3214.58] I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. +[3214.58 --> 3219.06] He has made everything beautiful in its time. +[3219.90 --> 3222.96] And he has also set eternity in the heart. +[3224.18 --> 3229.14] Yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. +[3230.56 --> 3237.20] I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. +[3237.80 --> 3243.14] That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil. +[3243.14 --> 3245.48] This is the gift of God. +[3246.68 --> 3249.84] I know that everything God does will endure forever. +[3250.88 --> 3254.18] Nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. +[3254.76 --> 3258.14] God does it so that people will fear him. +[3259.70 --> 3265.26] Whatever is has been already and whatever will be has been before. +[3265.90 --> 3269.32] And God will call the past to account. +[3269.32 --> 3271.72] This is the word of the Lord. +[3278.92 --> 3285.24] We live in an age that is obsessed with time. +[3285.24 --> 3290.26] We count our steps. +[3291.38 --> 3298.44] We strap little devices to our wrists in order to track just how many steps we've taken. +[3298.62 --> 3302.96] Making sure that we hit our 12,000 step goal every single day. +[3303.12 --> 3304.78] We track our sleep. +[3304.92 --> 3311.88] We put little rings on that send a report on our sleep to us every morning after we wake up. +[3311.88 --> 3314.44] So that we can see what we already know. +[3314.44 --> 3316.80] That I didn't get enough sleep and I'm still tired. +[3317.84 --> 3320.14] We schedule every hour. +[3320.38 --> 3322.44] We color code our calendars. +[3322.58 --> 3326.22] We fill every spare moment with noise. +[3327.22 --> 3331.66] In our culture today, productivity is the new piety. +[3331.66 --> 3338.08] The modern gospel promises salvation by optimization. +[3339.16 --> 3343.38] If you can manage your time well enough, you can master your life. +[3345.38 --> 3355.54] Beneath it all lies a truth, a longing, and honestly, a heartbreak. +[3355.54 --> 3365.04] That no matter how carefully we plan, time keeps slipping through our fingers. +[3366.30 --> 3367.70] The calendar fills. +[3368.00 --> 3368.94] The children grow. +[3369.54 --> 3370.90] The mirror changes. +[3371.52 --> 3372.62] And we feel it. +[3373.82 --> 3375.60] You are not in control. +[3377.80 --> 3379.42] And so the search continues. +[3379.42 --> 3385.82] If we can't master time through productivity, perhaps we can escape it through progress. +[3386.22 --> 3391.78] And so we look to science or technology, to human innovation, hoping that that will somehow +[3391.78 --> 3395.36] free us from the limits that bind us. +[3396.10 --> 3402.50] We long to be timeless, free from decay, free from aging, from the brevity that defines every +[3402.50 --> 3403.78] human moment. +[3403.78 --> 3413.96] And we do this at a point in time in history when the banner that Friedrich Nietzsche once +[3413.96 --> 3421.76] said, God is dead, is proclaimed not merely as a declaration of unbelief in the world, but +[3421.76 --> 3424.80] an attempt to break free from divine limits. +[3425.90 --> 3426.02] Right? +[3426.08 --> 3431.94] If God is dead, then the human spirit can finally be sovereign over its own destiny. +[3431.94 --> 3442.98] And yet, as the teacher in Ecclesiastes discovered long before Nietzsche, a world without God quickly +[3442.98 --> 3445.10] becomes a world without meaning. +[3446.90 --> 3454.72] Now down the line, from the philosophical work of the Enlightenment and thinkers like Immanuel Kant, +[3454.72 --> 3463.32] emerges this distinction in the world between belief on one hand and knowledge on the other. +[3464.48 --> 3466.96] Knowledge is empirical. +[3467.38 --> 3468.46] It is verifiable. +[3468.78 --> 3470.04] It is falsifiable. +[3470.62 --> 3472.80] And belief is faith. +[3473.72 --> 3474.58] It is assumption. +[3475.04 --> 3476.88] It's ultimately unprovable. +[3476.88 --> 3481.80] And therefore, they belong to different categories of thought. +[3482.76 --> 3485.10] And they're weighted differently. +[3485.34 --> 3493.66] And over time, this distinction has become a dichotomy that has hijacked religious language +[3493.66 --> 3497.52] and thought and ideas to a lesser category. +[3499.20 --> 3504.62] And sometimes even characterized as simple-minded or childish. +[3504.62 --> 3514.86] And over here, modern science and post-Christian thought has trained us to see the world as if +[3514.86 --> 3517.82] God were absent in it. +[3518.26 --> 3525.70] To observe and to measure and to analyze without reference or account for his hand at work. +[3526.38 --> 3531.22] And actually, even in the rise that we're seeing in the world today in a sort of contemporary +[3531.22 --> 3541.60] spiritualism, the idea of God that people are returning to is a God who is part of the frame. +[3542.10 --> 3545.14] A God who can be explained by those categories. +[3545.76 --> 3550.50] And who therefore can be manipulated and adjusted and directed. +[3551.64 --> 3554.24] But that's just not the God we see in the Bible. +[3554.24 --> 3564.18] And this contrast and this way of this lens of seeing the world actually isn't new. +[3565.72 --> 3572.96] In our text from Ecclesiastes 3 and in the whole of Ecclesiastes, this has been the method of the teacher. +[3573.14 --> 3576.04] This has been his experiment throughout. +[3576.04 --> 3585.38] He looks at the world under the sun, stripping away revelation to see what can be known by observation alone. +[3585.50 --> 3590.42] And he studies life through what we might call that empirical lens. +[3590.64 --> 3598.98] Measuring what he can see, testing what he can experience, and searching for meaning before his eyes or under the sun. +[3598.98 --> 3606.92] And what we are seeing over and over and over again, and what we need to see in this present moment, +[3607.32 --> 3612.60] is that God's providence rules all of time. +[3613.32 --> 3621.02] And so our task is not to master it, but to receive time with reverent joy. +[3621.10 --> 3626.74] That's the banner for us this morning, that God's providence rules all of time. +[3626.74 --> 3632.52] And our task then is not to master it, but to receive it with reverent joy. +[3634.18 --> 3643.86] So as the teacher surveys life under the sun, he discovers, really, what every age must discover. +[3645.08 --> 3652.16] That there is a time for everything, but the times themselves are not ours to command. +[3652.16 --> 3660.54] As the teacher surveys life under the sun, he sees that there is a time for everything and a season forever, +[3661.02 --> 3663.28] every activity under heaven. +[3663.40 --> 3668.36] And he observes life as it unfolds, birth and death, planting and uprooting, +[3668.58 --> 3670.76] weeping and laughter, mourning and dancing. +[3671.68 --> 3675.58] And everything seems to arrive on schedule. +[3675.58 --> 3681.18] And yet, it's no schedule that we control. +[3682.96 --> 3691.94] The lessons of human experience come and go, not by our willing, but by someone beyond us. +[3693.70 --> 3697.50] But notice how he frames it. +[3697.50 --> 3714.84] Do you see? +[3714.84 --> 3719.88] This is a zero-sum enterprise here. +[3719.88 --> 3724.96] If on the one there's a good thing, the next undoes it. +[3726.94 --> 3730.52] The teacher is not romantic about this. +[3730.66 --> 3732.02] This is the reality. +[3732.12 --> 3736.10] He doesn't say, isn't it wonderful that everything has its time? +[3736.22 --> 3740.76] He says, look, it happens, and I can't change it. +[3741.50 --> 3744.96] And in the end, what difference does it make? +[3744.96 --> 3750.22] Can a person alter the day that they were born or the hour that they die? +[3751.22 --> 3758.20] Can anyone force spring to come earlier or delay winter's rain and cold? +[3759.72 --> 3763.28] Try as we might, these times are set. +[3764.18 --> 3768.64] And we live in them, but we don't determine them. +[3768.64 --> 3773.08] And so, again, the teacher asks the question. +[3773.22 --> 3777.40] That has been a frame and a return and a reframe through the whole book. +[3777.84 --> 3781.08] What does the worker gain from his toil? +[3782.26 --> 3788.32] If life runs on a schedule that we don't write, what's the point of all our effort, all our striving, all our planning? +[3789.94 --> 3797.22] And he looks out, and again, he realizes that in every pair in the poem, that it cancels the next out. +[3797.22 --> 3800.20] For every action, there is its opposite. +[3800.44 --> 3802.34] For every gain, it is undone. +[3802.48 --> 3805.48] The ledger balances to nil. +[3806.68 --> 3809.12] And this is what he sees under the sun. +[3809.84 --> 3814.80] A world moving in circles, accomplishing nothing that lasts. +[3815.20 --> 3820.08] As he said earlier, and we looked at this, a generation goes and a generation comes. +[3820.56 --> 3822.46] The sun rises and the sun sets. +[3822.58 --> 3824.98] The wind blows to the south and then turns to the north. +[3825.10 --> 3826.74] Round and round it goes. +[3826.74 --> 3827.92] There is no gain. +[3828.06 --> 3829.42] There is no surplus. +[3829.74 --> 3834.26] Time marches on indifferent to our labors. +[3836.76 --> 3838.26] And I think we feel this. +[3840.26 --> 3844.52] We want to stand outside of time and to master it. +[3845.06 --> 3846.72] To make it serve our purposes. +[3846.72 --> 3856.06] On Friday, at 4.30, I was sitting in my study, and I said, I need eight more hours. +[3856.06 --> 3861.68] And I wanted to get home and watch the baseball game. +[3863.68 --> 3864.92] But I didn't have it. +[3864.92 --> 3865.92] We can't control it. +[3865.92 --> 3867.08] Right? +[3867.08 --> 3869.06] We can't control it. +[3869.86 --> 3872.00] The seasons will not obey us. +[3872.44 --> 3876.76] Our lives, for all of their activity, remain bounded to the same rhythm. +[3876.94 --> 3878.08] Beginnings and endings. +[3878.08 --> 3879.20] Joys and sorrows. +[3879.20 --> 3880.56] Gain and loss. +[3880.56 --> 3890.82] And when the teacher looks at the world through what can be known, through sight and through experience, through what can be measured, +[3890.82 --> 3896.14] he finds no meaning there. +[3896.14 --> 3903.08] And the more he looks, the more he observes, the more he discovers his own limits. +[3904.52 --> 3906.12] He cannot master time. +[3907.06 --> 3908.74] He can't even understand it. +[3908.74 --> 3914.06] And in the end, we simply cannot fathom. +[3915.02 --> 3916.42] We can't understand. +[3916.42 --> 3928.14] And when we look at the world based purely on what we are able to know in that sort of empirical, scientific frame, we still don't understand. +[3929.90 --> 3938.50] And yet, even in his unknowing, the teacher is not blind to beauty. +[3939.54 --> 3939.66] Right? +[3939.70 --> 3940.68] Did you catch that? +[3942.24 --> 3943.20] Verse 11. +[3943.20 --> 3948.68] He has made everything beautiful in its time. +[3950.32 --> 3954.58] And though he cannot trace the pattern, he can see it shimmer. +[3955.58 --> 3955.80] Right? +[3955.84 --> 3961.54] There's a kind of order and a fittingness that breaks through the fog of human limitation. +[3961.54 --> 3975.38] The seasons of joy and sorrow, birth and death, gain and loss, all have their place within a design that is too vast to comprehend, but too consistent to ignore. +[3975.38 --> 3983.52] And again, as we're looking at Ecclesiastes, this is precisely where we introduce nuance. +[3984.72 --> 3985.22] Right? +[3985.30 --> 3988.94] The teacher here doesn't deny that beauty can be seen. +[3988.94 --> 3993.12] He denies that the beauty can be explained. +[3994.12 --> 3994.68] Right? +[3994.72 --> 4000.82] The teacher cannot fathom the totality of God's work, and yet he perceives its beauty. +[4000.82 --> 4008.12] In theological terms, this is the difference between comprehension and apprehension. +[4009.04 --> 4009.18] Right? +[4009.22 --> 4013.24] We cannot grasp the mystery, but we can glimpse the goodness. +[4014.36 --> 4015.08] Right? +[4015.12 --> 4020.26] We can perceive the artistry of God's providence without being able to diagram it. +[4020.26 --> 4037.24] We can stand before time as we would a giant tapestry, catching only the underside of the threads, and yet, even from below, those glimpses of color and form and pattern move us to wonder. +[4038.24 --> 4043.66] To wonder, both in the sense of awe, but also in the sense of curiosity. +[4044.48 --> 4046.14] What is going on here? +[4046.14 --> 4052.88] And so already, right, within the futility, there is grace. +[4054.56 --> 4066.48] Even as we cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end, we sense that there is a purpose that makes life not meaningless, but mysteriously ordered. +[4067.86 --> 4075.98] We see enough to trust, though we see enough also to know that we are not in control. +[4076.14 --> 4083.18] And this distinction now, returning to that beginning one, of knowledge and belief isn't new. +[4083.60 --> 4089.78] Long before modern philosophy named it, the teacher of Ecclesiastes is wrestling with it. +[4089.82 --> 4096.48] And having looked at the world with his eyes alone, having found that knowledge by itself could not bear the weight of meaning, +[4096.48 --> 4105.08] the more he measured, the less he understood, and yet even amidst the mystery, he saw the beauty. +[4106.62 --> 4107.36] And so he turns. +[4108.64 --> 4115.16] The teacher moves from describing what he sees to confessing what he knows. +[4115.16 --> 4119.74] And the difference between the two is faith. +[4121.24 --> 4122.40] In verse 12, he says, +[4122.80 --> 4128.12] I know that there is nothing better than for people to be happy and to do good while they live. +[4128.68 --> 4129.84] In verse 14, he says, +[4130.14 --> 4133.68] I know that everything God does will endure forever. +[4135.38 --> 4137.02] He can't prove any of those claims. +[4137.96 --> 4140.12] They're not empirical conclusions. +[4140.12 --> 4144.10] They are what we will call creedal affirmations. +[4145.20 --> 4146.80] They're statements of belief. +[4147.62 --> 4148.42] I believe. +[4148.80 --> 4148.92] Right? +[4148.96 --> 4153.10] So I know that there's nothing better than for people to be happy and do good while they live. +[4153.32 --> 4153.68] Prove it. +[4154.96 --> 4157.84] I know that everything God does will endure forever. +[4158.20 --> 4158.60] Prove it. +[4159.72 --> 4160.68] He can't do it. +[4160.68 --> 4169.10] But he must believe them if life is going to have any coherence at all. +[4170.18 --> 4170.28] Right? +[4170.36 --> 4177.42] Without belief in God's enduring work, time collapses into endless cycles of gain and loss. +[4177.42 --> 4187.76] But with belief in God's enduring work, with a recognition of God's providential hand over all of creation, over all of time, +[4188.06 --> 4192.06] time itself becomes the theater of God's providence. +[4193.76 --> 4199.00] The teacher's confession anticipates our modern crisis. +[4200.30 --> 4200.40] Right? +[4200.44 --> 4205.30] We, too, live in an age and a time that prizes what can be measured and what can be verified. +[4205.30 --> 4209.26] And we are trained to trust only what can be demonstrated. +[4209.52 --> 4214.82] But meaning and goodness and beauty do not submit to laboratory instruments. +[4215.82 --> 4223.22] The joy that the teacher describes cannot be observed so much as it can be only received. +[4224.76 --> 4231.46] Faith, then, it turns out, doesn't replace knowledge, but rather completes it. +[4232.46 --> 4233.16] Right? +[4233.16 --> 4237.78] It allows what we see to become more than what we can explain. +[4238.80 --> 4243.10] Belief opens our eyes to what reason alone cannot hold. +[4243.90 --> 4250.72] And in the light of faith, that beauty glimpsed in time becomes a sign of the God who governs it. +[4250.72 --> 4259.58] And then the reason we can find satisfaction in our toil, in our work, in our relationships, in the ordinary rhythms of life, +[4259.62 --> 4266.32] is not because we have mastered time, but because we trust the one who holds time. +[4268.46 --> 4268.64] Right? +[4269.04 --> 4274.42] What we experience as fleeting, God holds forever. +[4274.42 --> 4274.50] Whatever. +[4275.38 --> 4284.64] What we feel as transient to us is purposeful to Him. +[4285.84 --> 4291.14] He has made everything beautiful in its time. +[4291.28 --> 4296.64] And He has made us to live in that beauty. +[4296.64 --> 4299.86] To live with that joy. +[4299.86 --> 4308.40] And the teacher's confession, as he builds, reaches the height of his argument in verse 14. +[4309.32 --> 4309.68] He says, +[4309.68 --> 4330.32] This is the turning point of our text, right? +[4330.32 --> 4332.00] Human work is fleeting. +[4332.24 --> 4334.10] God's work endures forever. +[4334.46 --> 4336.52] Human striving cannot secure meaning. +[4336.94 --> 4339.38] God's action provides meaning to all things. +[4339.68 --> 4343.22] And the fear that the teacher names here is not terror. +[4343.78 --> 4345.06] It is reverence. +[4345.64 --> 4354.38] It is the stillness that comes when one realizes that the world is held by hands far stronger and wiser than our own. +[4354.38 --> 4361.80] And so the proper posture in this recognition is not control, but worship. +[4363.08 --> 4370.04] To live wisely is to learn how to rest in the limits of time and to rejoice in what God has given. +[4370.96 --> 4377.04] There's nothing better, the teacher says, than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil. +[4377.54 --> 4379.86] This is the gift of God. +[4379.86 --> 4388.58] Joy in Ecclesiastes into the Christian is not a denial of reality. +[4388.76 --> 4392.84] Joy is not the shallow optimism that pretends that everything is fine. +[4393.28 --> 4399.86] Joy is a confession that even in our transience, God's providence is real. +[4400.70 --> 4404.92] Even in our brokenness, God's power is true. +[4404.92 --> 4412.08] Even in our incompleteness, God is whole and holy. +[4413.12 --> 4421.46] And to rejoice is to trust that the beauty that we glimpse in our days and moments is not accidental, but full of purpose. +[4421.84 --> 4429.96] And that behind the passing moments, there stands an eternal God who makes them beautiful in his time. +[4429.96 --> 4439.64] And this kind of joy is deeply countercultural in the world today. +[4440.44 --> 4447.22] We live in a world that is obsessed with control and optimization and with making the most of every moment. +[4447.42 --> 4450.80] But the teacher's wisdom cuts through all of that. +[4450.80 --> 4455.94] And he tells us that freedom is not found in mastering time, but in receiving it. +[4456.86 --> 4459.18] The joy is not a reward for efficiency. +[4459.68 --> 4462.66] It is the fruit of surrender. +[4464.02 --> 4469.26] When we believe that God and everything God does endures forever, +[4469.46 --> 4473.40] the pressure to secure our own permanence is released. +[4473.40 --> 4480.68] We can live joyfully, freely, we can do generously and rest peacefully, +[4480.68 --> 4486.12] because the end of all things does not depend on your work to secure it, +[4486.62 --> 4493.40] but the eternal God who holds it and who holds us in his care. +[4494.54 --> 4498.04] That is why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, +[4498.40 --> 4501.06] a refrain repeated throughout the book of Proverbs. +[4501.06 --> 4503.96] Reverence anchors joy. +[4505.48 --> 4510.98] Reverence anchors joy, and it keeps our gladness from becoming self-indulgence +[4510.98 --> 4513.04] and turns it instead to gratitude. +[4514.02 --> 4517.76] Every moment of joy then becomes a moment of worship. +[4518.82 --> 4523.08] A quiet amen to the God whose work endures forever, +[4523.26 --> 4528.08] whose timing is perfect, and whose beauty fills all things. +[4531.06 --> 4542.06] Now the teacher, right, the teacher could only see the beauty of God and of time and of his plan in part. +[4543.16 --> 4547.00] He knew that God makes all things beautiful in their time, +[4547.14 --> 4550.06] but he couldn't yet see how. +[4550.06 --> 4560.30] And it's ultimately the gospel that reveals the beauty of God fully in the person of Jesus Christ. +[4561.58 --> 4565.04] David once prayed in Psalm 31 15, +[4565.48 --> 4568.52] My times are in your hands. +[4570.00 --> 4573.78] And in Christ, that prayer becomes flesh. +[4573.78 --> 4577.78] Jesus entered time, entered our time, +[4577.78 --> 4580.52] with all of its futility and frustration. +[4580.70 --> 4582.68] And he lived the life that we should have lived. +[4583.32 --> 4583.54] Right? +[4583.58 --> 4586.56] One of perfect trust in the Father's timing. +[4588.24 --> 4590.90] He never hurried God's purposes, +[4591.28 --> 4595.38] never tried to seize control of what only the Father could give. +[4595.38 --> 4600.10] And he died the death that we deserve. +[4601.14 --> 4601.28] Right? +[4601.30 --> 4606.52] The ultimate consequence of our striving to be our own masters of time. +[4607.48 --> 4613.76] And at the cross, God's providence reaches its most paradoxical beauty. +[4614.44 --> 4614.56] Right? +[4614.60 --> 4620.80] What looked like the worst possible moment in time was, in fact, the best. +[4620.80 --> 4620.92] Christ. +[4621.82 --> 4624.16] As Paul writes in Romans 5, he says, +[4624.44 --> 4629.36] You see, at just the right time, while we were still powerless, +[4629.90 --> 4632.62] Christ died for the ungodly. +[4634.00 --> 4639.62] The eternal plan of God met human history in one decisive act of love. +[4639.70 --> 4642.16] And the one who holds all time in his hands +[4642.16 --> 4647.28] entered time in order to redeem it and to secure you. +[4647.28 --> 4653.46] The cross, then, is the ultimate answer to the teacher's struggle, +[4653.86 --> 4654.90] to our struggle. +[4655.32 --> 4660.52] Even when everything seems impossible, +[4660.78 --> 4667.32] even when we cannot begin to grasp the meaning of anything that's going on, +[4667.60 --> 4669.50] God is working. +[4670.44 --> 4672.94] Even when everything looks senseless, +[4673.38 --> 4675.28] God is weaving beauty. +[4675.28 --> 4679.00] And the resurrection, in fact, confirms it. +[4679.74 --> 4680.10] Right? +[4680.20 --> 4681.72] There is a time to die, +[4682.34 --> 4685.38] and there's a time to live again. +[4686.54 --> 4689.66] Because of Jesus, we can now say with confidence +[4689.66 --> 4691.32] what David only hoped. +[4691.74 --> 4693.40] My times are in your hands. +[4694.28 --> 4697.78] Every moment, every joy, every sorrow, every season +[4697.78 --> 4701.68] is gathered up into Christ's redemptive story, +[4701.68 --> 4704.72] and his timing is not always our timing, +[4704.94 --> 4707.58] but his timing is always good. +[4709.82 --> 4713.00] And when the gospel grips our hearts, +[4713.56 --> 4715.78] it changes how we see time. +[4716.52 --> 4719.86] We no longer live as though the weight of the world depends on us. +[4720.66 --> 4723.48] We confess that our time is God's time, +[4723.58 --> 4725.44] that our money is God's money, +[4725.54 --> 4727.32] that our church is his church, +[4727.32 --> 4730.30] that our story is his story. +[4731.20 --> 4735.08] To live in the fear of the Lord is to live with open hands, +[4735.38 --> 4738.12] to receive each day as a gift, +[4738.26 --> 4740.48] rather than grasping to control it. +[4741.12 --> 4743.68] And this frees us to work diligently, +[4743.98 --> 4746.18] to rest peacefully, +[4746.18 --> 4748.52] and to rejoice sincerely. +[4748.52 --> 4752.24] It teaches us to hold our achievements +[4752.24 --> 4755.20] and our anxieties loosely. +[4756.44 --> 4758.12] Because they belong to God, +[4758.82 --> 4761.08] whose work endures forever. +[4762.12 --> 4765.82] And this confession shapes every part of our life. +[4767.04 --> 4768.54] When we plan our days, +[4768.68 --> 4770.46] we do so humbly, saying, +[4770.84 --> 4772.24] if the Lord wills. +[4772.26 --> 4773.70] When we spend our time, +[4773.80 --> 4775.32] we do so gratefully, +[4775.48 --> 4777.80] knowing that every moment is borrowed grace. +[4777.80 --> 4778.86] When we suffer, +[4779.02 --> 4780.22] we do so hopefully, +[4780.44 --> 4781.80] trusting that every season, +[4782.62 --> 4784.32] even the hardest of seasons, +[4784.48 --> 4785.90] are not wasted. +[4786.90 --> 4788.02] And when we celebrate, +[4788.92 --> 4790.78] we do so joyfully, +[4791.42 --> 4794.06] knowing that every beautiful moment +[4794.06 --> 4795.88] is a glimpse of eternity +[4795.88 --> 4798.24] breaking through to your heart. +[4801.24 --> 4803.42] I'm going to end this morning +[4803.42 --> 4805.64] by asking you to stand. +[4805.64 --> 4808.36] In just a moment, +[4808.36 --> 4812.22] we are going to make a profession of faith together. +[4813.02 --> 4815.92] And I want you to speak the portion that is for you. +[4816.00 --> 4817.46] It will be on the screen indicated. +[4817.92 --> 4820.82] And it will be a repetition of the refrain, +[4821.16 --> 4823.98] our times are in his hands. +[4825.62 --> 4827.20] Because this is what we have seen. +[4827.20 --> 4830.70] God rules over time. +[4831.74 --> 4833.78] And our task is not to master it, +[4833.86 --> 4836.28] but to receive it with reverent joy. +[4837.78 --> 4838.48] And in the end, +[4838.62 --> 4842.06] Ecclesiastes brings this same confession +[4842.06 --> 4844.76] and brings us to this same confession +[4844.76 --> 4848.50] that faith alone in Christ makes possible. +[4848.50 --> 4850.46] And so together, +[4851.18 --> 4853.76] our times are in his hands. +[4854.42 --> 4856.00] There is no greater comfort +[4856.00 --> 4858.38] when everything seems out of control. +[4859.10 --> 4861.30] Our times are in his hands. +[4861.80 --> 4863.18] There is no greater refuge +[4863.18 --> 4865.68] when the world is falling down around us. +[4866.44 --> 4868.40] Our times are in his hands. +[4868.78 --> 4870.16] There is no greater strength +[4870.16 --> 4872.14] when all our strength has failed. +[4872.84 --> 4875.02] Our times are in his hands. +[4875.02 --> 4877.24] And there is no greater joy +[4877.24 --> 4879.48] when we contemplate eternity +[4879.48 --> 4881.38] set on our hearts. +[4882.14 --> 4884.20] Our times are in his hands. +[4885.38 --> 4887.12] And so, brothers and sisters, +[4887.38 --> 4888.52] we rest. +[4889.28 --> 4891.26] Not because we understand everything, +[4891.98 --> 4894.24] but because we are known by the one who does. +[4895.32 --> 4897.70] We rejoice not because life is easy, +[4898.18 --> 4900.66] but because Christ has made it beautiful +[4900.66 --> 4902.76] in his time. +[4903.36 --> 4904.46] And we trust. +[4905.02 --> 4907.68] Because the hands that hold our times +[4907.68 --> 4911.00] are the hands that were once pierced +[4911.00 --> 4913.48] for you and for me. +[4914.26 --> 4916.90] Our times are in his hands. +[4917.70 --> 4917.92] Amen. +[4918.68 --> 4919.70] Let's pray together. +[4923.08 --> 4926.02] God of all time. +[4926.72 --> 4928.34] God beyond time. +[4928.50 --> 4930.30] God before time. +[4930.30 --> 4931.30] God beyond time. +[4931.30 --> 4935.24] We behold you in this moment. +[4937.36 --> 4939.56] We glimpse your majesty. +[4940.30 --> 4942.32] We glimpse your beauty. +[4943.46 --> 4945.06] And with reverence, +[4945.28 --> 4947.76] may we respond with joy. +[4948.82 --> 4951.08] Hear the worship of our hearts now +[4951.08 --> 4953.34] that having seen your glory +[4953.34 --> 4955.56] just a little bit more clearly this morning, +[4955.56 --> 4958.92] our trust may be grown, +[4959.78 --> 4962.14] our faith may be solidified, +[4962.14 --> 4965.78] and our purpose going forward from this place +[4965.78 --> 4967.82] may be more clear. +[4968.66 --> 4971.42] We worship you, Lord Jesus. +[4972.22 --> 4974.36] In your great and holy name we pray. +[4975.08 --> 4975.48] Amen. +[4975.48 --> 4975.54] Amen. +[4976.22 --> 4976.78] Amen. +[4976.78 --> 4977.78] Now básch. +[4977.78 --> 4979.38] O time you bear in your 90s +[4979.44 --> 4981.00] will in your hopes, +[4981.00 --> 4982.10] yeaieren, +[4982.10 --> 4985.86] that you might not earn. +[4986.16 --> 4988.44] Here you may be 2012 chapter 19, +[4988.54 --> 4989.86] Now préspt inicial, +[4989.86 --> 4991.28] name the young man, +[4991.38 --> 4993.96] it's fifth, +[4993.96 --> 4996.66] and the young man, +[4996.66 --> 4997.60] and the young man, +[4997.60 --> 5000.22] who shall pass putting word now now, +[5000.84 --> 5001.90] by chance for you it. +[5001.90 --> 5002.38] John staff in the plainin' +[5002.38 --> 5002.86] and it's fourth, +[5002.86 --> 5003.10] So apa 꺼ng got it. +[5003.10 --> 5003.48] Amen. +[5003.48 --> 5015.48] Who has held the oceans in His hands? Who has numbered every grain of sand? +[5015.48 --> 5026.26] Kings and nations tremble at His voice. All creation rises to rejoice. +[5026.26 --> 5038.26] Behold our God seated on His throne. Come let us adore Him. +[5038.26 --> 5052.26] Behold our King nothing can compare. Come let us adore Him. +[5056.26 --> 5070.26] Who has given counsel to the Lord? Who can question any of His words? +[5070.26 --> 5081.26] Who can teach the one who knows all things? Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds? +[5081.26 --> 5091.26] Behold our God seated on His throne. Come let us adore Him. +[5091.26 --> 5105.26] Behold our King nothing can compare. Come let us adore Him. +[5105.26 --> 5123.26] Who has felt the nails upon His hands? Bearing all the kilt of sinful man. +[5123.26 --> 5134.26] God eternal humble to the grave. Jesus Savior risen now to reign. +[5134.26 --> 5136.26] God eternal to His Son. +[5136.26 --> 5138.26] God eternal to the Lord? Who can bless the Lord? Who has given counsel to the Lord? +[5138.26 --> 5141.26] Who has given counsel to the Lord? Who has given counsel to the Lord? +[5141.26 --> 5144.26] God eternal to the earth. Come let us adore Him. +[5144.26 --> 5157.26] Behold our King, nothing can compare, come let us adore Him. +[5157.26 --> 5179.26] You will reign for our Lord, let your glory fill the earth. +[5179.26 --> 5189.26] Behold our God, seated on His throne, come let us adore Him. +[5189.26 --> 5203.26] Behold our King, nothing can compare, come let us adore Him. +[5209.26 --> 5217.34] As you go, beholding God, know that you are held by Him. +[5217.86 --> 5223.74] And so go with His blessing for the journey of life and faith in these next days and weeks to come. +[5224.06 --> 5228.26] If you'd like to meet with someone for prayer, there will be someone up here after service. +[5228.34 --> 5229.96] They would love to meet you and pray with you. +[5229.96 --> 5236.26] Otherwise, I encourage everyone to gather for fellowship, for some refreshments in the foyer back there. +[5236.34 --> 5238.28] Receive the blessing of God. +[5239.26 --> 5243.40] God, go before you to lead you. +[5244.24 --> 5246.66] God, go behind you to protect you. +[5247.48 --> 5249.78] God, go beneath you to support you. +[5250.14 --> 5252.88] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[5253.34 --> 5255.18] Do not be afraid. +[5255.18 --> 5257.56] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5257.72 --> 5265.00] Do not be afraid, but go in His peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5265.96 --> 5266.44] Amen. +[5269.26 --> 5281.80] Great is He who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[5281.80 --> 5284.64] He is wonderful. +[5284.64 --> 5296.04] Great is He who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[5296.04 --> 5298.92] He is wonderful. +[5298.92 --> 5301.26] Great is He who's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. +[5301.26 --> 5302.38] Hallelujah. +[5302.38 --> 5303.14] He is wonderful. +[5303.14 --> 5303.90] Alleluia. +[5303.90 --> 5304.46] Hallelujah. +[5304.46 --> 5304.92] Hallelujah. +[5304.92 --> 5306.02] Alexander. +[5306.02 --> 5306.40] He is wonderful. +[5306.40 --> 5306.90] Hallelujah. +[5306.90 --> 5307.92] Hallelujah. +[5307.92 --> 5308.84] Hallelujah. +[5308.84 --> 5309.62] Hallelujah. +[5311.74 --> 5325.44] He is wonderful. +[5325.44 --> 5327.72] He is wonderful. +[5330.06 --> 5331.46] Hallelujah. +[5332.64 --> 5335.48] Salvation and glory. +[5336.20 --> 5338.70] Honor and power. +[5339.40 --> 5341.90] He is wonderful. +[5344.02 --> 5345.66] Hallelujah. +[5346.94 --> 5349.62] Salvation and glory. +[5350.42 --> 5352.72] Honor and power. +[5352.72 --> 5356.10] He is wonderful. +[5358.36 --> 5359.72] Hallelujah. +[5360.98 --> 5363.72] Salvation and glory. +[5364.52 --> 5366.84] Honor and power. +[5367.62 --> 5370.28] He is wonderful. +[5372.16 --> 5373.94] Hallelujah. +[5375.20 --> 5377.92] Salvation and glory. +[5378.76 --> 5381.06] Honor and power. +[5381.06 --> 5384.96] You are wonderful. +[5384.96 --> 5385.02] You are wonderful. +[5385.02 --> 5387.02] You are wonderful. +[5387.02 --> 5388.66] Cinderella. +[5388.66 --> 5392.82] N pensa grande e tal plan. +[5394.42 --> 5396.48] ho ho ho ho ho ho ho... +[5398.98 --> 5400.42] Acosta. +[5400.42 --> 5430.40] Thank you. +[5430.42 --> 5460.40] Thank you. +[5460.42 --> 5490.40] Thank you. +[5490.42 --> 5520.40] Thank you. +[5520.42 --> 5550.40] Thank you. +[5550.42 --> 5552.42] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ea5bb3bd342c86d3e210af3af88f55e689cc7efd --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,118 @@ +• Reiteration of confidence and faith in Jesus Christ +• Emphasis on building one's life on a strong foundation, specifically Christ +• References to scripture and creation +• Expression of surrender and devotion to God +• Repetition of standing firm and unwavering commitment to faith +• Declaration of trusting in Jesus through trials and challenges +• Kevin accepted a call to join the church +• Upcoming events: youth barbecue and Bible reading group meeting +• Last day to sign up for Mexico mission trip during spring break +• Announcement from Paul Kuhl about next steps for Kevin's examination on October 21st +• Worship service, including welcome and introduction to the presence of God +• Discussion of Christian hymns and worship songs +• Reading from Psalm 51 for confession and prayer +• Prayer for mercy, transformation, and restoration of joy in salvation +• Confessional prayers seeking forgiveness and a deeper relationship with God +• A speaker mentions the phrase "My life is about to do" multiple times +• Discussion of God's compassion and love, citing Psalm 103 +• References to grace and salvation through the blood of the Lamb +• A reading or singing of "Amazing Grace" +• Mention of being lost but now found, blind but now seeing, and chains being gone +• Offering for the church's ministries and C10 +• Overview of C10 as a missionary sending organization +• Uriel and Jody's work in Rosarito, Mexico at El Faro Men's Home and their ministry with bilingual sons Jonathan and Antonio +• Financial support from the congregation for the family's ministry and mission work +• Worship service with singing and prayer +• Discussion of children's worship time with the preschoolers +• Story about Solomon in Ecclesiastes and his request for wisdom +• Examples of things people wait for that don't live up to expectations +• Announcement from a pastoral elder about abuse prevention training +• Reading of the Nicene Creed +• Church family prayer led by the pastoral elder +• Prayers for those in need, including the homeless, addicted, orphans, widows, prisoners of war, oppressed, hungry, thirsty, mentally distressed, physically ailing, elderly, and unborn. +• Specific prayers for individuals: Tessa (colon cancer), Clary Klosterhoff's sister Carolyn (head-on collision recovery), John Kuypers (scope procedure diagnosis). +• Blessings and gratitude for the church's ministries and volunteers. +• Declaration of faith in one Lord, Jesus Christ, as God's begotten Son. +• Jesus Christ's return and judgment +• Incarnation and purpose of Jesus +• Forgiveness and path to eternal life through Jesus' sacrifice +• Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit +• Role of the Holy Spirit in giving life and conviction of sin +• Importance of faith and worship of the Trinity +• Belief in one holy, universal, and apostolic church +• Baptism and remission of sins +• Resurrection of the dead and eternal life to come +• Invitation to read Ecclesiastes 1 and explore the book +• The passage discusses the fleeting nature of human endeavors and the meaninglessness of life +• Generations come and go, but the earth remains forever, with the sun rising and setting in a cyclical pattern +• Everything is wearisome, and people's eyes are never satisfied with what they see or their ears with what they hear +• There is nothing new under the sun, and everything that has been done will be done again +• The search for meaning and purpose in life is discussed, particularly in a postmodern context where traditional values have faded away +• Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy of nihilism is mentioned as an influence on modern thought and culture +• The idea that people try to invent meanings or reject the concept of meaning altogether is explored +• Nietzsche's idea that the pathos of in vain is the nihilist's pathos +• Existence has no inherent meaning or purpose, and life is a result of fatality rather than design +• The concept of purpose is an invention and lacks reality +• Examples of similar ideas in modern media: Rick and Morty, True Detective, Ecclesiastes +• Meaninglessness of life +• Havel (a biblical phrase) +• Vapidity of existence +• Enigma/Elusiveness of truth +• Futility of human labor +• Reversal of generations in Hebrew phrasing +• Fleeting nature of human life +• Cycle of life without permanence or purpose +• Earth remains forever due to humanity's constant coming and going with no lasting impact +• Fatality of nature cannot be disentangled from fate of all things +• Sun rises and sets in a repetitive, exhausting cycle +• No advancement, profit, or true progress is achieved by the sun +• Wind blows in a circular motion, ever returning to its course despite appearing free and unpredictable +• The repetition of activity with no gain or fulfillment +• The natural world mirroring humanity's futility and restlessness +• The cycle of life being repetitive, with events recurring endlessly +• Humanity's endless seeking, consuming, and striving for experience and knowledge, but ultimately finding nothing new +• The concept that what has been will be again, with no progress or change +• The repetitive nature of human striving and pursuit of satisfaction +• The idea that meaning and purpose are often tied to external goals or achievements +• Critique of the notion that success or happiness can be found through material possessions or external validation +• The teacher's question about what is truly gained from all our striving and accomplishing +• A personal anecdote about reading a book in high school that questions the nature of human achievement. +• The protagonist, Duddy Kravitz, grows up in Montreal with a deep-seated desire to acquire land and own property. +• This obsession stems from the idea that owning land will give him identity, worth, and meaning. +• As Duddy's ambition grows, he begins to use people, take advantage of them, and deceive others to achieve his goal. +• He meets Yvette Durell, one of the few people in the story with whom he shares a genuine relationship, but ultimately loses her and alienates everyone else due to his pursuit of land ownership. +• In the end, Duddy achieves his goal of owning property, but at a terrible cost, including losing those who cared for him. +• The speaker describes a person's empty and alone existence despite striving for wealth and success. +• The phrase "under the sun" is discussed as a major qualifier used by the teacher in Ecclesiastes to describe human life without reference to God. +• The teacher's secular perspective views the world from a human experience standpoint, leading to the conclusion that life without God is meaningless. +• The book of Ecclesiastes is set in a cultural context where people thought it was written by Solomon. +• The book of Ecclesiastes is likely written sometime between the 3rd and 5th century BC. +• There are challenges to the dominant assumption that Solomon wrote the book, dating back to Martin Luther in the 16th century. +• Some scholars argue for a later authorship based on Hebrew structure comparisons with the Book of Ecclesiastes. +• The intent is to make the reader think of Solomon as a wise and wealthy teacher, not necessarily an actual historical figure. +• The book's content suggests a person of capability, status, and means who goes on an intellectual journey. +• The region around Israel is a cultural and geographical crossroads. +• Israel's shift from an agrarian society to a gateway between Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe creates opportunities for economic and cultural diversity. +• The book of Ecclesiastes presents choices and challenges in navigating competing visions for life, distractions, and conflicting ideas about what is good and evil. +• Life without God is fleeting, elusive, repetitive, and lacks meaning according to the book of Ecclesiastes. +• The teacher in the book pulls no punches in presenting this idea, which is supported by scripture. +• The speaker discusses the importance of meaning-making in human life and how people give significance to their experiences. +• They explore whether this meaning rises to a universal level or is specific to each individual. +• A chair is used as an example of something that transcends its particular instances, suggesting that there may be a shared understanding or concept beyond individual experiences. +• The speaker touches on the idea that true meaning and purpose can only be found by looking beyond oneself and acknowledging a higher power or creator. +• This perspective is echoed in Jesus' teachings in Matthew 16, which emphasizes the importance of seeking a relationship with God over worldly gain. +• The meaning and purpose of labor is found only through God in Christ +• Suffering has purpose because it is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory +• Jesus' life, death, and resurrection bring freedom and real life to believers +• Labor done in Him and for Him has eternal significance +• Apart from God, all labor and life is without meaning +• Through Jesus Christ, a new creation is made, bringing joy and purpose to believers +• Praying for a deeper understanding of God's purposes and living on Him as foundation +• Seeking new Holy Spirit imaginations to find meaning in life's drudgery and repetition +• Trusting in Jesus' blood and righteousness, not human efforts or emotions +• Recognizing Christ alone is the source of strength and salvation +• Embracing a life surrendered to God, knowing His presence and blessing accompany us +• Affirming God's sovereignty and security, even in uncertainty and struggle +• Expression of surrender and devotion to Lord Christ +• Reiteration of not belonging to oneself, but to God +• Gratitude and thanksgiving \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b47f98501ea73d2640df0468dc8d6ad8e682d254 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, October 5, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2233 @@ +[0.00 --> 7.92] Every season, so why would he fail now? +[8.64 --> 10.00] He won't. +[12.16 --> 14.00] He won't. +[17.00 --> 20.00] He won't fail. +[22.70 --> 25.00] He won't fail. +[25.00 --> 29.00] He won't. +[30.00 --> 32.00] No, no, no, no. +[32.00 --> 36.00] He won't. +[37.00 --> 42.00] He won't fail. +[42.00 --> 46.00] He won't fail. +[46.00 --> 51.00] Christ is my firm foundation. +[51.00 --> 56.00] The rock on which I stand. +[56.00 --> 60.00] When everything around me is shaking. +[62.00 --> 65.00] I've never been more glad. +[66.00 --> 70.00] I put my faith in Jesus. +[70.00 --> 74.00] He's never let me down. +[74.00 --> 78.00] He's faithful through generations. +[78.00 --> 84.00] So why would he fail now? +[84.00 --> 86.00] He won't. +[86.00 --> 90.00] He won't. +[90.00 --> 92.00] He won't. +[92.00 --> 94.00] He won't. +[94.00 --> 96.00] He won't fail. +[96.00 --> 98.00] He won't fail. +[98.00 --> 103.00] He won't fail. +[128.00 --> 137.00] Rain came and went blue, but my house was built on you. +[137.00 --> 146.00] I'm safe with you, I'm gonna make it through. +[146.00 --> 156.00] Rain came and went blue, but my house was built on you. +[156.00 --> 165.00] I'm safe with you, I'm gonna make it through. +[165.00 --> 175.00] Rain came and went blue, but my house was built on you. +[175.00 --> 184.00] I'm safe with you, I'm gonna make it through. +[184.00 --> 189.00] Yeah, I'm gonna make it through. +[189.00 --> 193.00] Cause I'm standing strong on you. +[193.00 --> 199.00] Yeah, I'm gonna make it through. +[199.00 --> 202.00] Cause my house is built on you. +[202.00 --> 208.00] Christ is my first foundation. +[208.00 --> 212.00] The rock on which I stand. +[212.00 --> 218.00] When everything around me is shaking. +[218.00 --> 221.00] I've never been more glad. +[221.00 --> 227.00] I put my faith in Jesus. +[227.00 --> 231.00] Cause He's never let me down. +[231.00 --> 237.00] His faith will build generations. +[237.00 --> 241.00] So why would He fail now? +[241.00 --> 242.00] He won't! +[242.00 --> 246.00] Hey! +[246.00 --> 247.00] He won't! +[247.00 --> 252.00] He won't fail. +[252.00 --> 265.00] He won't! +[265.00 --> 269.00] He won't! +[269.00 --> 270.00] He won't fail. +[270.00 --> 272.00] He won't fail. +[272.00 --> 274.00] He won't fail. +[274.00 --> 275.00] He won't fail. +[275.00 --> 276.00] No, He won't. +[276.00 --> 303.00] You, He won't fail. +[303.00 --> 312.88] You stood before creation +[312.88 --> 319.96] Eternity in your hand +[319.96 --> 327.14] You spoke the earth into motion +[327.14 --> 331.48] My soul had to stand +[331.48 --> 341.52] You stood before my failure +[341.52 --> 348.86] Carried the cross for my sin +[348.86 --> 356.16] My sin went upon your shoulders +[356.16 --> 360.04] My soul had to stand +[360.04 --> 366.78] What could I say +[366.78 --> 374.78] And what could I do +[374.78 --> 383.52] But offer this heart, oh God +[383.52 --> 389.52] Completely to you +[389.52 --> 399.82] So I walk upon salvation +[399.82 --> 407.26] Your spirit alive in me +[407.26 --> 412.00] This life to declare +[412.00 --> 415.00] Your promise +[415.00 --> 419.08] My soul now to stand +[419.08 --> 426.00] So what could I say +[426.00 --> 432.74] And what could I do +[432.74 --> 433.74] And what could I do +[433.74 --> 441.74] And offer this heart, oh God +[441.74 --> 449.48] Completely to you +[449.48 --> 458.22] Completely to you +[458.22 --> 466.96] Completely to you +[466.96 --> 471.70] But offer this heart, oh God +[471.70 --> 479.70] Completely to you +[479.70 --> 485.70] Completely to you +[485.70 --> 502.44] Completely to you +[502.44 --> 503.16] So here we are +[503.16 --> 505.44] Stand, stand, stand +[505.44 --> 508.18] And I'll stand +[508.18 --> 508.90] And I'll stand +[508.90 --> 513.18] With arms high and unabandoned +[513.18 --> 514.92] At all of the Lord +[514.92 --> 520.92] In all of the one who gave it all +[520.92 --> 522.66] I'll stand +[522.66 --> 523.66] I'll stand +[523.66 --> 524.66] I'll stand +[524.66 --> 525.66] My soul now to you +[525.66 --> 526.66] I'll stand +[526.66 --> 527.66] And I'll stand +[527.66 --> 528.66] And I'll stand +[528.66 --> 529.40] I'll stand +[529.40 --> 538.40] I'll stand +[538.40 --> 547.40] I'll stand +[547.40 --> 549.60] And I'll stand +[549.84 --> 552.40] I'll stand +[552.40 --> 554.68] I'll stand +[554.68 --> 558.40] I'll stand +[558.40 --> 562.48] Is your home. +[563.80 --> 567.12] I'll stay with us. +[567.12 --> 569.64] I am unabended. +[570.56 --> 577.10] In awe of the one who gave it all. +[577.72 --> 582.66] I'll send my soul to you. +[582.66 --> 586.34] Surrender all I am. +[586.34 --> 616.32] I'll send my soul to you. +[616.34 --> 619.04] I'm going to invite Paul Kuhl up to the front. +[619.18 --> 621.40] He's going to make an announcement from Council. +[627.44 --> 628.40] Good morning. +[630.12 --> 639.04] It is my pleasure to announce that we have a signed letter of acceptance of call from Kevin. +[639.04 --> 655.04] So the next steps will be at classes on Tuesday evening the 21st. +[655.04 --> 658.60] And I don't know exactly the time. +[658.60 --> 665.86] But in 7 o'clock, Kevin will be examined by classes. +[666.70 --> 671.08] So you're all invited to be there to heckle. +[671.18 --> 672.54] I mean support him. +[672.54 --> 677.56] Let's get everybody out. +[677.60 --> 679.76] As many people as we can. +[680.38 --> 683.42] For Tuesday evening at Fleetwood Church. +[683.76 --> 683.96] Sorry. +[685.56 --> 688.28] So Tuesday evening the 21st of October. +[688.84 --> 689.68] 7 p.m. +[689.68 --> 690.54] At Fleetwood. +[690.54 --> 692.72] Thank you. +[696.10 --> 696.94] Thanks, Paul. +[697.28 --> 698.06] And thanks, Kevin. +[699.00 --> 700.84] I was very anxious for at least three hours. +[700.84 --> 704.76] We have a couple more announcements to make. +[705.76 --> 711.26] First, after worship today, youth are gathering for a barbecue here. +[711.48 --> 718.02] And so after fellowship in that time, it eventually will transition and youth will be here for a barbecue. +[718.38 --> 720.74] If you have any questions about that, you can talk to Pastor Kevin. +[721.00 --> 721.86] He will address them. +[721.86 --> 732.70] As well, today, probably with a little bit of grace in there too, but is the last technical official day for the Mexico mission sign up. +[732.82 --> 741.78] And so if you're interested in going on that trip during the spring break to Mexico, please talk to Brandon Muller or Pastor Kevin. +[742.32 --> 743.92] You can get some more information there. +[743.92 --> 756.16] And then last announcement from me anyway is this Wednesday, through the Bible reading group, is meeting for our second meeting. +[756.88 --> 761.06] We were to have read or are still in the midst of reading the book of Matthew. +[761.24 --> 766.86] And then we'll come together on Wednesday from 7 to 8 to discuss that reading together. +[767.16 --> 770.56] If you didn't come to the first one, you are more than welcome to come to the second one. +[770.56 --> 774.50] Just read Matthew and then come on out and have a good conversation with us. +[775.58 --> 783.00] Let's stand together that we might be welcomed into worship by our good God and ushered into his presence. +[783.12 --> 791.18] We know God is among us because he promises that he gathers and when he draws his people that he is there in a special way. +[791.38 --> 793.80] And we mark that by receiving his greeting. +[794.18 --> 796.64] So I'm going to extend to you the greeting of God. +[796.64 --> 802.56] And then afterwards, I invite you to turn to those around you and to welcome them into worship in the name of our good God as well. +[802.96 --> 804.36] Receive the greeting of God. +[805.74 --> 806.16] Grace. +[807.46 --> 807.78] Mercy. +[808.56 --> 809.22] Peace to you. +[809.92 --> 810.72] From God our Father. +[810.84 --> 814.08] From the Lord Jesus Christ, Son and our Savior. +[814.62 --> 816.82] Through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[817.64 --> 817.94] Amen. +[821.24 --> 822.04] Peace of Christ. +[822.04 --> 822.10] Amen. +[826.64 --> 831.08] So great. +[831.08 --> 831.92] Thanks. +[831.98 --> 832.20] Friends. +[833.74 --> 835.48] 10 seoul. +[835.70 --> 835.80] Thank you. +[836.02 --> 836.20] Peace of Christ. +[836.72 --> 837.46] We'llかないで. +[837.54 --> 837.74] Thank you. +[837.92 --> 838.32] Peace of Christ. +[838.84 --> 839.10] Verse 10 seoul. +[839.46 --> 839.96] Peace. +[840.10 --> 840.38] Then we'll romney. +[841.02 --> 841.12] The Lord die dennisfil heめ98. +[841.30 --> 841.32] » +[844.08 --> 845.42] Neiau jettuma Emperor. +[845.70 --> 847.16] のめく fundamentの何が私の教イの交換を支ound into. +[847.44 --> 848.16] One。 +[848.24 --> 848.92] オルowmanは战進 fois祝いたら. +[849.06 --> 850.44] We'll its繁寺に行噒èneの陰 Hess billを表現するaho。 +[850.52 --> 852.06] Was it waveото提も宜帳? +[852.06 --> 853.18] The Lord's vedere材表現昼の説定について change. +[853.18 --> 853.70] Yes. +[853.84 --> 854.30] My God. +[854.30 --> 860.26] Oh my goodness. +[861.34 --> 861.72] Okay. +[862.50 --> 866.18] Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 100. +[867.22 --> 870.50] Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. +[871.40 --> 872.98] Serve the Lord with gladness. +[873.76 --> 875.52] Come into his presence with singing. +[876.36 --> 878.88] Know that the Lord, he is good. +[879.78 --> 882.60] It is he who made us, and we are his. +[882.60 --> 886.30] We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. +[887.34 --> 891.46] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. +[892.56 --> 893.68] Give thanks to him. +[894.26 --> 895.10] Bless his name. +[895.58 --> 897.20] For the Lord is good. +[897.60 --> 903.12] His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. +[912.60 --> 929.42] Come people of the risen few who divide to bring him praise. +[929.42 --> 934.12] Come all into your hearts to sing. +[934.12 --> 937.82] For the morning's heart of praise. +[938.28 --> 945.88] From the shifting shadows of the earth, to the dead, I still sing. +[945.88 --> 954.34] With steady arms of mercy, each true power to bring. +[955.74 --> 963.10] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[963.34 --> 967.28] One heart, one voice. +[967.28 --> 970.28] O church of Christ rejoice. +[970.28 --> 971.28] O church of Christ rejoice. +[971.28 --> 972.28] Come all into your love, just hold ye. +[972.28 --> 977.08] You who can open, "'T birro cabin' misусов. +[977.08 --> 977.28] Let us sing in half the times. +[977.96 --> 978.76] Come all to today. +[979.76 --> 981.84] Who cried, "' shifts to the court." +[981.84 --> 985.48] Let those of us rank us for six days. +[985.66 --> 986.86] Now come to see how this battle iswater. +[986.96 --> 992.42] Come all the night's fight, but how this battle is worthhing in our eyes. +[992.42 --> 1002.62] For His perfect love will never change, and His mercies never cease. +[1002.62 --> 1010.96] But follow us through all our days with the servant of the King. +[1012.18 --> 1019.46] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1019.46 --> 1026.86] One heart, one voice, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1033.66 --> 1042.34] Come young and old from every land and in women art of faith. +[1042.34 --> 1050.42] Come those whose full or empty hands, under the image of His grace. +[1051.10 --> 1058.34] Over all the world His people sing, but to show we live them all. +[1059.40 --> 1066.34] The truth that flies through every age, our God is all in all. +[1066.34 --> 1075.68] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1075.68 --> 1083.30] One heart, one voice, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1085.30 --> 1091.68] Rejoice, rejoice, let every tongue rejoice. +[1092.68 --> 1099.64] One heart, one voice, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1099.64 --> 1108.10] One heart, one voice, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1108.10 --> 1108.98] The truth of the Lord, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1108.98 --> 1111.58] The truth of the Lord, O Church of Christ, rejoice. +[1111.58 --> 1113.58] Amen. +[1141.58 --> 1143.58] Amen. +[1171.58 --> 1173.58] Amen. +[1201.58 --> 1203.58] Amen. +[1231.58 --> 1233.58] Amen. +[1261.58 --> 1263.58] Amen. +[1291.58 --> 1293.58] Amen. +[1321.58 --> 1323.58] Amen. +[1325.58 --> 1326.58] You may be seated. +[1338.58 --> 1344.58] In our time of confession, please join me in a prayer of Psalm 51, +[1344.58 --> 1350.58] where David cries out from the deepest part of his soul for mercy and transformation. +[1350.58 --> 1351.58] Let's pray. +[1352.58 --> 1357.58] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. +[1357.58 --> 1362.58] According to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. +[1362.58 --> 1368.58] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. +[1368.58 --> 1373.58] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. +[1373.58 --> 1376.58] Let me hear joy and gladness. +[1376.58 --> 1378.58] Let the bones that you have broken rejoice. +[1378.58 --> 1384.58] Restore to me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. +[1384.58 --> 1385.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1385.58 --> 1386.58] Take me back to where it all began. +[1386.58 --> 1387.58] Where all I ever wanted was your friend. +[1387.58 --> 1388.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1388.58 --> 1389.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1389.58 --> 1391.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1391.58 --> 1397.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1397.58 --> 1403.58] Restore in me the joy of my salvation. +[1403.58 --> 1417.58] Take me back to where it all began, where all I ever wanted was your presence. +[1420.14 --> 1426.58] How I longed to be there once again. +[1426.58 --> 1433.58] Light of fire, path the light and burn up and play. +[1433.58 --> 1437.58] Tell nothing between us we made. +[1437.58 --> 1443.58] My life is an altar to you. +[1443.58 --> 1450.58] Breathe again, haunt me, ever so good is my heart. +[1450.58 --> 1454.58] I'll take you back to the start. +[1454.58 --> 1459.58] My life is an altar to you. +[1459.58 --> 1469.58] Move me, a glory, a living spirit. +[1469.58 --> 1486.58] Take me back to where it all began, where all it all began, where all it all began so complicated. +[1486.58 --> 1493.58] How I longed to be there once again. +[1493.58 --> 1499.58] Light of fire, path the world can burn up and play. +[1499.58 --> 1503.58] Tell nothing between us we made. +[1503.58 --> 1509.58] My life is an altar to you. +[1509.58 --> 1516.58] Breathe again, haunt me, ever so good is my heart. +[1516.58 --> 1520.58] Love, love, take you back to the start. +[1520.58 --> 1524.58] My life is an altar to you. +[1524.58 --> 1526.58] Love, love, take you back to you. +[1526.58 --> 1527.58] Love, love, take you back to you. +[1527.58 --> 1529.58] Love, love, take you back to you. +[1529.58 --> 1530.58] God, I'm sorry. +[1530.58 --> 1534.58] Please forgive me. +[1534.58 --> 1539.58] For when I'm gone cold, +[1539.58 --> 1543.58] God, I need you. +[1543.58 --> 1546.58] Now I need you. +[1547.58 --> 1553.58] To awake my soul. +[1553.58 --> 1557.58] pour you. +[1557.58 --> 1558.58] Kill the мех. +[1558.58 --> 1560.58] of me, ever so good. +[1560.58 --> 1561.58] Fill the профilpper 사람들, +[1561.58 --> 1563.58] خ Gast God hole, +[1563.58 --> 1568.58] die, +[1568.58 --> 1575.58] whitelssinated angry ε該 +[1575.58 --> 1576.58] Biographer washing INFORMvik號 +[1576.58 --> 1578.58] Bayaudς +[1578.58 --> 1581.58] en summertime +[1581.58 --> 1583.90] My life is about to do. +[1611.58 --> 1641.56] My life is about to do. +[1641.58 --> 1644.64] My life is about to do. +[1645.16 --> 1650.12] Where are you, Lord? +[1652.12 --> 1666.32] Where are you, Lord? +[1666.32 --> 1668.38] Where are you, Lord? +[1668.38 --> 1672.34] It's your breath in our lungs. +[1672.76 --> 1676.90] We fill our place for all our places. +[1676.90 --> 1680.38] It's your breath in our lungs. +[1680.38 --> 1684.38] We fill our place for all our places. +[1684.38 --> 1688.40] It's your breath in our lungs. +[1688.90 --> 1692.38] We fill our place for all our places. +[1692.38 --> 1696.44] It's your breath in our lungs. +[1696.44 --> 1700.44] We fill our place for all our places. +[1700.44 --> 1708.96] We fill our place for all our places. +[1708.96 --> 1711.58] Dear God, I'm sorry. +[1711.58 --> 1717.58] Please forgive me. +[1717.58 --> 1721.58] Oh, when I can't go. +[1721.58 --> 1726.10] Lord, I need you. +[1726.10 --> 1730.10] How I need you. +[1730.10 --> 1736.10] To awake my soul. +[1736.10 --> 1756.62] Let's stand as we hear words of assurance from God this morning. +[1756.62 --> 1759.80] They come from Psalm 103. +[1759.80 --> 1761.80] Psalm 103. +[1761.80 --> 1765.80] The Lord is compassionate and gracious. +[1765.80 --> 1769.38] Slow to anger, abounding in love. +[1769.38 --> 1774.38] He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever. +[1774.38 --> 1780.38] He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. +[1780.38 --> 1787.76] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. +[1787.76 --> 1794.76] As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. +[1817.76 --> 1822.76] Only by grace can we enter. +[1822.76 --> 1827.76] Only by grace can we stand. +[1827.76 --> 1837.76] Not by our human endeavor, but by the blood of the Lamb. +[1837.76 --> 1846.76] Into your presence you call us, you call us to come. +[1846.76 --> 1851.76] Into your presence we draw. +[1851.76 --> 1856.76] Now by your grace we come. +[1856.76 --> 1861.76] Now by your grace we come. +[1861.76 --> 1873.76] Lord, if you mark our transgressions, who would stand? +[1873.76 --> 1880.76] f entre the hand, fenn. +[1880.76 --> 1884.76] May we pray to your grace in Him,EE office, but by the blood of the Lamb. +[1884.76 --> 1898.76] Now by grace God bless you, +[1898.76 --> 1901.58] the blood of the Lamb. +[1905.72 --> 1909.44] Only by grace can we enter. +[1910.80 --> 1914.00] Only by grace can we stand. +[1915.84 --> 1919.54] Not by our human endeavor, +[1919.54 --> 1925.38] but by the blood of the Lamb. +[1925.38 --> 1930.36] Into your presence you call us, +[1930.56 --> 1934.26] you call us to come. +[1935.84 --> 1940.62] Into your presence you draw us, +[1940.62 --> 1944.68] now by your grace we come. +[1946.06 --> 1950.10] Now by your grace we come. +[1955.38 --> 1963.38] How se +[1963.38 --> 1965.10] closed +[1965.10 --> 1967.68] in +[1967.68 --> 1996.38] Amazing grace, how sweet the sound +[1996.38 --> 2002.20] Has saved a wretch like me +[2002.20 --> 2008.14] I was once lost, but now I'm found +[2008.14 --> 2013.88] Was blind, but now I see +[2013.88 --> 2022.56] T'was grace that taught my heart to fear +[2022.56 --> 2027.56] And grace my fears relieved +[2027.56 --> 2034.02] From precious years and days of fear +[2034.02 --> 2037.56] And now I've heard me +[2037.56 --> 2044.70] My chains are gone, I feel set free +[2044.70 --> 2049.70] But now I see, Lord, I shall stop me +[2049.70 --> 2053.70] And now I've heard me +[2053.70 --> 2058.70] I've heard me, Lord, I'm found +[2058.70 --> 2061.70] Amazing grace +[2061.70 --> 2075.70] The Lord has promised good to me +[2075.70 --> 2080.70] His word my hopes and yours +[2080.70 --> 2085.70] He will my shield and fortune +[2085.70 --> 2091.70] As long as I endure +[2091.70 --> 2100.70] Through many dangers, toils and snails +[2100.70 --> 2105.70] I have a weapon, Lord +[2105.70 --> 2111.70] Till the waves of God be saved will start +[2111.70 --> 2116.70] And grace will lead me home +[2116.70 --> 2121.70] My chains are gone, I feel set free +[2121.70 --> 2128.70] My God, my Savior, my chains are gone, I feel free +[2128.70 --> 2133.70] And my God's love is most delayed +[2133.70 --> 2140.70] I am the love of amazing grace +[2140.70 --> 2154.70] And deep in there ten thousand years +[2154.70 --> 2159.70] They're shining as a star +[2159.70 --> 2165.70] We know the saints will see the praise +[2165.70 --> 2170.70] And when we hear the words begun +[2170.70 --> 2176.70] My chains are gone, I feel set free +[2176.70 --> 2181.70] My God, my Savior, my Savior, my Son free +[2181.70 --> 2187.70] And like a flood, there's mercy made +[2187.70 --> 2192.70] And an ending of amazing grace +[2192.70 --> 2201.70] The Lord has promised good to me +[2201.70 --> 2203.70] And if you are not the king +[2203.70 --> 2206.70] I am the love of amazing grace +[2206.70 --> 2209.70] And like a flood, there's mercy made +[2209.70 --> 2213.70] And an ending of amazing grace +[2213.70 --> 2216.70] This is my soul. +[2239.92 --> 2240.60] Good morning. +[2240.76 --> 2242.62] My name is Brenda, and I'm one of the deacons here. +[2242.62 --> 2246.48] It is time for our offering this morning. +[2247.16 --> 2251.58] Before that, I just want to actually give a plug for next week's offering. +[2252.04 --> 2256.08] Our offering next week for Thanksgiving Sunday is for the food bank, +[2256.56 --> 2263.16] and as this congregation has been an amazing support for our local Langley food bank, +[2263.68 --> 2266.82] and next week we have opportunity to give of our gifts +[2266.82 --> 2274.48] and also to bring non-perishable food items and such that you can bring up front next Sunday. +[2275.20 --> 2281.00] For today, our offerings are for our ministry, the ministries of this church, +[2281.24 --> 2284.76] and also for C10, which is commissioned to every nation. +[2284.76 --> 2290.68] And I have a message here for you from Jody and Uriel. +[2291.62 --> 2295.46] This morning the offering is for C10, Uriel and Jody Gonzalez. +[2296.16 --> 2301.70] C10 is a missionary sending organization which helps missionaries like Uriel and myself +[2301.70 --> 2304.84] fulfill the unique vision that God has given them. +[2305.44 --> 2308.16] Through administrative support, they provide accountability +[2308.16 --> 2311.44] and help the missionary actually get to the field. +[2312.08 --> 2315.44] Through pastoral care, they help us remain effective and healthy. +[2316.10 --> 2319.92] We are in contact with our pastoral care couple on a regular basis +[2319.92 --> 2323.70] as they pray for us and make sure that we have what we need +[2323.70 --> 2325.90] to do the ministry that we have been called to. +[2326.86 --> 2332.10] Uriel and I have been on the mission field here in Rosarito, Mexico, for 13 years. +[2332.46 --> 2333.38] It's a long time. +[2333.38 --> 2336.90] You might be wondering what we do all the way over here in Mexico. +[2338.04 --> 2341.78] Uriel runs a men's clean and sober living home called El Faro. +[2342.32 --> 2348.06] El Faro Men's Home continues to be a place where men struggling to get back into society +[2348.06 --> 2351.74] can come and receive the help and the discipline that they need. +[2352.42 --> 2359.88] We have men who work for a security company, as a call center agent, or as a mobile mechanic. +[2359.88 --> 2366.44] Without a home like El Faro, these men would not have an address to give their potential employer. +[2367.14 --> 2370.44] Without a physical address, you will not be hired here. +[2371.16 --> 2376.02] Life isn't always easy at El Faro, but in the end, we all realize that it is a blessing +[2376.02 --> 2378.76] to have the doors open and a bed available when needed. +[2379.70 --> 2381.70] Uriel also works as a security guard. +[2382.14 --> 2386.54] This is to show the men that it is important to work, to go to church, +[2386.62 --> 2388.22] and to be present with your family. +[2388.22 --> 2393.48] I, Jody, am the English Women's Ministry Leader at Calvary Chapel Rosarito. +[2393.96 --> 2395.74] I teach a Bible study on Friday mornings. +[2396.20 --> 2401.34] I am a Connections House breakfast cook and have started a crafting ministry called Interwoven. +[2401.84 --> 2405.50] We are also raising two young men, Jonathan and Antonio, +[2405.88 --> 2411.32] who are bilingual and are available to help when teams staying at Connections House need translators. +[2411.86 --> 2413.88] I've been told that they're a joy to be around. +[2413.88 --> 2420.02] Your financial support through the offering today is a huge blessing to our family. +[2420.76 --> 2425.28] It allows us to serve freely in the ministry areas that God has called us to be in. +[2425.58 --> 2426.04] Thank you. +[2426.50 --> 2429.52] We cherish your support through your prayers and your finances. +[2430.06 --> 2433.06] In Christ, Uriel, Jody, Jonathan and Antonio. +[2433.06 --> 2433.86] Just rise very well. +[2433.90 --> 2434.20] Thank you, sure, able. +[2439.40 --> 2441.26] We're still one of our small projects that we've done so much. +[2441.26 --> 2446.06] Thank you, everyone. +[2446.58 --> 2447.62] We're talking about some of our small projects that we've shown in many chapters. +[2447.62 --> 2449.94] We're listening. +[2450.10 --> 2451.38] jot the Kelly Consumer status ridden and justnels of the world to be around Ms. +[2453.52 --> 2454.44] Taylor's. +[2454.52 --> 2455.54] What about vacuuming and judologist? +[2455.64 --> 2456.46] Can you really ask me here? +[2456.58 --> 2457.46] Let's feel free to give hope +[2457.56 --> 2458.20] and have to hear CD out. +[2458.26 --> 2458.94] Every 날ship of you and our small Vou began круг. +[2459.02 --> 2460.10] And make a video available today and there is plupart bagers across. +[2460.10 --> 2461.02] And serving them. +[2461.12 --> 2462.04] There is a Organisation that they can help anything to be around. +[2462.04 --> 2475.70] Let the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2475.70 --> 2486.98] Sing my gala before, O my soul, I'll worship your holy name. +[2486.98 --> 2496.58] The sun comes up, it's a new day, darling. +[2496.58 --> 2501.88] It's time to sing your song again. +[2502.40 --> 2508.54] Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, +[2509.68 --> 2515.52] let me be singing where the evening comes. +[2515.52 --> 2528.32] Let the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2528.32 --> 2540.32] Sing my gala before, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2540.32 --> 2554.52] Your rich in love and your soul, O my soul, your name is great and your heart is mine. +[2554.52 --> 2560.26] For all your goodness, I will keep on singing. +[2560.26 --> 2567.26] Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find. +[2567.26 --> 2581.26] Let the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2581.26 --> 2591.26] Sing my gala before, O my soul, my worship His holy name. +[2591.26 --> 2601.26] And on that day when my strength is failing, +[2601.26 --> 2606.26] The end broke here and my time has gone. +[2606.26 --> 2620.26] Till my soul, O my soul, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2620.26 --> 2632.26] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2632.26 --> 2642.26] Sing my gala before, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2642.26 --> 2654.26] Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2654.26 --> 2665.26] Sing my gala before, O my soul, I'll worship His holy name. +[2665.26 --> 2690.26] Sing my gala before, O my soul, worship His holy name. +[2690.26 --> 2691.26] Good morning, everybody. +[2691.26 --> 2697.26] Can I have the preschoolers age three all the way up to grade four come up to the front today? +[2697.26 --> 2707.26] Good morning. +[2707.26 --> 2710.26] Oh, a few stragglers. +[2710.26 --> 2711.26] Perfect. +[2711.26 --> 2715.26] I have a question for you guys. +[2715.26 --> 2722.26] Can you give me an example of something that you waited for a long time for and you got it +[2722.26 --> 2727.26] and it wasn't as exciting as you thought it would be? +[2727.26 --> 2728.26] What do you think? +[2728.26 --> 2732.26] A certain kind of candy. +[2732.26 --> 2738.26] I know sometimes I have a candy and then the gum flavor doesn't last as long as you thought it would be. +[2738.26 --> 2741.26] No candy. +[2741.26 --> 2742.26] No candy. +[2742.26 --> 2743.26] No candy. +[2743.26 --> 2754.26] Or a certain kind of clothing that you, I know that sometimes you get clothing and then it shrinks in the laundry so you don't have to have it as long as you want it to be. +[2754.26 --> 2755.26] Right? +[2755.26 --> 2764.26] So today in children's worship time we're going to talk about Solomon in Ecclesiastes and how he asked for some wisdom. +[2764.26 --> 2770.26] And there's certain things he asked for that he thought would make him happy but it didn't. +[2770.26 --> 2775.26] So we're going to have a few things in children's worship time with bubbles and other things. +[2775.26 --> 2777.26] So you'll have to tell your parents about that later. +[2777.26 --> 2779.26] So can everybody stand up? +[2781.26 --> 2783.26] And look towards the congregation. +[2783.26 --> 2785.26] We're going to give the blessing. +[2785.26 --> 2787.26] On one, two, three. +[2787.26 --> 2788.26] The Lord. +[2788.26 --> 2790.26] The Lord is with you. +[2790.26 --> 2791.26] The Lord is with you. +[2800.26 --> 2825.26] And we're going to ik raised the Periodist of Nurse and Lesixxi remotely and we're going follow jornal. +[2825.26 --> 2826.26] Good morning. +[2826.26 --> 2830.34] My name is Pim. I'm a pastoral elder here at Langley Emanuel. +[2831.40 --> 2836.80] And as a liaison between council and the Safe Ministries team, +[2837.64 --> 2840.76] just before the prayer, I have a short announcement from them +[2840.76 --> 2845.04] about abuse prevention night with Kim Prince. +[2846.32 --> 2849.86] All volunteers who work with vulnerable members of our church family +[2849.86 --> 2852.78] are required to have this training every three years. +[2852.78 --> 2857.60] And training will be happening on the 7th and the 21st. +[2858.90 --> 2861.34] So please ensure that you are up to date, +[2861.52 --> 2865.42] or especially if you're a new volunteer in our church family, +[2865.74 --> 2868.76] be sure to attend on one of these days. +[2875.90 --> 2881.60] Since 2025 is the 1700th birth year +[2881.60 --> 2883.58] of one of our most important creeds, +[2883.88 --> 2887.84] that is the Nicene Creed from 325 AD, +[2888.84 --> 2893.66] I will structure our church family prayer for today after this creed. +[2895.86 --> 2897.80] Just for some brief background, +[2898.04 --> 2903.68] the creed matters because it solidifies our core beliefs in a Trinitarian God. +[2903.68 --> 2912.00] Christ is fully divine with the Father and a fully divine Holy Spirit. +[2913.36 --> 2919.16] So we don't sing hymns or pray to a creature named Jesus. +[2919.16 --> 2925.02] No, we confess that he is one with the Father, +[2925.76 --> 2928.16] God from God, light from light, +[2928.98 --> 2930.90] true God from true God, +[2931.82 --> 2933.78] begotten, not made. +[2935.44 --> 2938.40] The creed, then, is a spiritual anchor +[2938.40 --> 2943.16] for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants alike. +[2943.16 --> 2946.90] And it unites the church of all times and places +[2946.90 --> 2949.06] in the truth and foundational role +[2949.06 --> 2953.24] of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. +[2954.26 --> 2955.28] Let us pray. +[2958.44 --> 2959.72] Heavenly Father, +[2960.28 --> 2962.96] we are grateful that on this Sunday morning +[2962.96 --> 2965.46] we may come before you in our family prayer. +[2965.46 --> 2967.68] first of all, +[2968.46 --> 2970.88] to praise you as our Father Almighty, +[2972.04 --> 2973.34] maker of heaven and earth, +[2974.14 --> 2976.58] and of all things visible and invisible. +[2978.46 --> 2982.16] We thank you for your reign over all of existence, +[2983.14 --> 2986.70] both the material world and the spiritual realm, +[2987.40 --> 2992.88] with its unseen thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. +[2992.88 --> 2997.58] All is under your eternal care and providence, +[2997.92 --> 3001.16] and we rest secure in that assurance. +[3003.34 --> 3008.10] Thank you for everything you have graciously bestowed upon us this past week. +[3009.16 --> 3009.78] Food, +[3010.98 --> 3012.48] family and church community, +[3013.54 --> 3013.90] shelter, +[3014.90 --> 3015.52] work, +[3016.38 --> 3016.74] health, +[3017.74 --> 3018.32] peace, +[3019.60 --> 3020.02] order, +[3021.30 --> 3022.60] rain and sunshine, +[3022.88 --> 3024.34] forgiveness, +[3025.02 --> 3025.72] restoration, +[3027.02 --> 3029.10] freedom from fear and anxiety. +[3029.80 --> 3030.12] Indeed, +[3030.50 --> 3031.64] our very adoption +[3031.64 --> 3033.72] as your sons and daughters. +[3036.10 --> 3036.78] And yet, Lord, +[3036.88 --> 3038.78] as we thank you for all these blessings +[3038.78 --> 3040.36] and many more, +[3041.74 --> 3043.10] we also realize that +[3043.10 --> 3044.96] countless of our neighbors at home +[3044.96 --> 3045.80] and abroad +[3045.80 --> 3048.06] do not experience +[3048.06 --> 3049.66] such a full flourishing +[3049.66 --> 3050.62] of all your blessings. +[3050.62 --> 3054.58] and so we pray for the homeless, +[3055.08 --> 3056.30] the addicted, +[3057.14 --> 3059.10] the orphans and the widows, +[3059.76 --> 3061.64] the warmongers +[3061.64 --> 3064.44] and the prisoners of war, +[3065.08 --> 3067.14] the oppressors and the oppressed, +[3068.14 --> 3069.98] the hungry and the thirsty, +[3070.98 --> 3072.84] the mentally distressed +[3072.84 --> 3075.22] and the physically ailing, +[3075.22 --> 3078.70] the elderly and the unborn, +[3078.70 --> 3082.10] the weak and the strong. +[3082.10 --> 3085.46] Lord, +[3085.52 --> 3087.02] it doesn't take much to realize +[3087.02 --> 3088.48] we live in a broken world. +[3089.74 --> 3090.18] Continue, +[3090.58 --> 3091.10] we pray, +[3091.28 --> 3091.94] to heal +[3091.94 --> 3092.76] and restore +[3092.76 --> 3093.66] your creation. +[3095.94 --> 3097.44] We pray especially +[3097.44 --> 3098.40] for Tessa, +[3099.50 --> 3101.00] sister to Enica Last +[3101.00 --> 3102.90] and daughter to Jerry Jansen. +[3102.90 --> 3106.22] She will be operated on +[3106.22 --> 3107.28] for colon cancer +[3107.28 --> 3108.24] in about a week. +[3109.22 --> 3110.32] Bring her full healing, +[3110.62 --> 3110.82] Lord. +[3113.04 --> 3114.14] We pray for +[3114.14 --> 3115.26] Clary Klosterhoff's +[3115.26 --> 3115.94] younger sister, +[3116.12 --> 3116.44] Carolyn, +[3116.82 --> 3119.10] who was in a dramatic +[3119.10 --> 3120.22] head-on collision +[3120.22 --> 3121.96] and finds herself +[3121.96 --> 3123.04] on a long road +[3123.04 --> 3123.76] to recovery +[3123.76 --> 3126.02] from broken vertebrae +[3126.02 --> 3128.20] and a serious head injury. +[3129.70 --> 3130.94] We are grateful +[3130.94 --> 3132.68] that there is no paralysis. +[3135.24 --> 3137.30] Please restore her fully, Lord. +[3139.94 --> 3141.78] We pray for John Kuypers, +[3141.96 --> 3143.30] who underwent a successful +[3143.30 --> 3144.22] but painful +[3144.22 --> 3145.92] scope procedure. +[3147.30 --> 3148.52] Lord, bless him +[3148.52 --> 3150.54] with a favorable diagnosis +[3150.54 --> 3152.54] and much hope +[3152.54 --> 3153.24] and courage +[3153.24 --> 3154.28] in the days to come. +[3156.02 --> 3159.18] Bless the many ministries +[3159.18 --> 3159.82] at Emanuel +[3159.82 --> 3161.32] in the new ministry season. +[3162.38 --> 3163.70] We think especially +[3163.70 --> 3165.30] of the Safe Ministries team, +[3165.68 --> 3166.82] the ushers' ministry, +[3168.12 --> 3169.62] the Bible reading class, +[3170.20 --> 3170.62] cadets, +[3170.86 --> 3171.20] gems, +[3171.96 --> 3172.90] children's ministry, +[3173.14 --> 3173.88] coffee break, +[3174.40 --> 3175.34] the prayer hour, +[3176.20 --> 3177.02] youth coffee, +[3177.38 --> 3178.62] the nursery volunteers, +[3179.26 --> 3180.58] the men's Bible study +[3180.58 --> 3182.22] and our various +[3182.22 --> 3183.48] care groups. +[3186.02 --> 3190.48] Lord, you have blessed us richly +[3190.48 --> 3191.90] and you continue +[3191.90 --> 3193.18] to do so faithfully. +[3193.82 --> 3194.72] We bring you +[3194.72 --> 3196.34] our praise and gratitude. +[3199.18 --> 3200.80] Together with you, Father, +[3200.96 --> 3202.68] we also believe in one Lord, +[3202.96 --> 3203.74] Jesus Christ, +[3204.56 --> 3206.36] your only begotten Son, +[3207.94 --> 3209.02] begotten of you +[3209.02 --> 3211.22] before all worlds, +[3211.22 --> 3213.46] God of God, +[3213.66 --> 3214.56] light of light, +[3215.16 --> 3217.26] very God of very God, +[3218.30 --> 3219.74] begotten, not made, +[3220.08 --> 3221.32] being of one substance +[3221.32 --> 3222.84] with you, Father, +[3223.40 --> 3224.70] by whom all things +[3224.70 --> 3225.44] were made, +[3227.14 --> 3228.66] who, for us +[3228.66 --> 3230.00] and for our salvation, +[3230.24 --> 3231.30] came down from heaven +[3231.30 --> 3233.20] and was incarnate +[3233.20 --> 3234.46] by the Holy Spirit +[3234.46 --> 3236.94] of the Virgin Mary +[3236.94 --> 3239.62] and was made man +[3239.62 --> 3242.46] and was crucified +[3242.46 --> 3244.60] also for us +[3244.60 --> 3247.12] under Pontius Pilate. +[3249.12 --> 3250.08] He suffered +[3250.08 --> 3250.86] and was buried +[3250.86 --> 3251.78] and the third day +[3251.78 --> 3252.66] he rose again +[3252.66 --> 3253.82] according to the scriptures +[3253.82 --> 3256.00] and ascended into heaven +[3256.00 --> 3257.88] and sits on the right hand +[3257.88 --> 3258.54] of the Father +[3258.54 --> 3261.02] and he shall come again +[3261.02 --> 3262.34] with glory +[3262.34 --> 3263.42] to judge the living +[3263.42 --> 3264.02] and the dead +[3264.02 --> 3266.64] whose kingdom +[3266.64 --> 3267.84] shall have no end. +[3270.12 --> 3271.36] You, Lord Jesus, +[3271.50 --> 3272.48] became incarnate +[3272.48 --> 3273.38] and came to earth +[3273.38 --> 3274.30] to save us +[3274.30 --> 3275.16] from our sin +[3275.16 --> 3276.68] and its consequences. +[3277.56 --> 3278.94] We praise you +[3278.94 --> 3280.58] for providing the rescue +[3280.58 --> 3282.10] that we so clearly +[3282.10 --> 3283.02] are incapable +[3283.02 --> 3283.90] of achieving +[3283.90 --> 3284.86] on our own +[3284.86 --> 3286.96] and for offering +[3286.96 --> 3287.58] forgiveness +[3287.58 --> 3289.02] and the path +[3289.02 --> 3290.08] to eternal life. +[3291.40 --> 3293.16] Your double cure, +[3294.58 --> 3295.16] that is, +[3295.70 --> 3296.92] deliverance from sin +[3296.92 --> 3299.46] and the transformative power +[3299.46 --> 3300.34] to live a life +[3300.34 --> 3302.12] free from sin's influence, +[3303.12 --> 3304.90] makes us eternally grateful +[3304.90 --> 3305.48] and humble. +[3307.16 --> 3308.80] You came to seek +[3308.80 --> 3309.46] and save +[3309.46 --> 3310.80] that which was lost. +[3312.02 --> 3313.86] Praise be to your holy name. +[3313.86 --> 3317.88] Continue, we pray, +[3318.02 --> 3319.26] to shepherd your flock +[3319.26 --> 3320.18] with your strong +[3320.18 --> 3321.12] and perfect plea. +[3323.36 --> 3324.36] We praise you +[3324.36 --> 3325.48] for having our names +[3325.48 --> 3326.86] graven on your hands +[3326.86 --> 3328.54] and written on your heart. +[3329.74 --> 3331.00] Bless us with your work +[3331.00 --> 3332.86] as our great high priest +[3332.86 --> 3333.80] and advocate. +[3337.62 --> 3338.78] Together with the Father +[3338.78 --> 3339.38] and the Son, +[3339.48 --> 3340.62] we also believe in you, +[3340.74 --> 3341.50] Holy Spirit, +[3341.50 --> 3343.84] Lord and giver of life. +[3345.12 --> 3346.40] You proceed +[3346.40 --> 3347.30] from the Father +[3347.30 --> 3348.14] and the Son +[3348.14 --> 3350.20] and with the Father +[3350.20 --> 3351.18] and the Son together +[3351.18 --> 3352.56] you are worshipped +[3352.56 --> 3353.72] and glorified. +[3354.70 --> 3355.42] You spoke +[3355.42 --> 3356.26] by the prophets. +[3358.56 --> 3359.80] We thank you, +[3360.38 --> 3360.98] third person +[3360.98 --> 3361.62] of the Trinity, +[3361.96 --> 3362.84] for your spirit +[3362.84 --> 3364.08] as the giver of life, +[3364.50 --> 3366.12] for your active, +[3366.54 --> 3367.00] personal, +[3367.62 --> 3368.42] and fully +[3368.42 --> 3369.62] divine +[3369.62 --> 3370.72] presence. +[3371.50 --> 3372.86] enabling us +[3372.86 --> 3373.80] through conviction +[3373.80 --> 3374.76] of our sin, +[3375.72 --> 3376.24] renewal, +[3376.56 --> 3377.50] and purification +[3377.50 --> 3378.52] to live a life +[3378.52 --> 3379.94] glorifying the Father +[3379.94 --> 3381.06] and the Son. +[3383.92 --> 3385.20] We also believe +[3385.20 --> 3386.02] in one holy, +[3386.82 --> 3387.40] universal, +[3387.84 --> 3389.12] and apostolic church. +[3390.12 --> 3391.36] We acknowledge +[3391.36 --> 3392.48] one baptism +[3392.48 --> 3393.66] for the remission +[3393.66 --> 3394.34] of sins +[3394.34 --> 3396.26] and we look +[3396.26 --> 3396.98] for the resurrection +[3396.98 --> 3397.72] of the dead +[3397.72 --> 3399.06] and the life +[3399.06 --> 3399.74] of the world +[3399.74 --> 3400.48] to come. +[3400.92 --> 3401.76] Amen. +[3401.76 --> 3402.02] Amen. +[3402.02 --> 3428.96] I want to invite you, as you have the capacity, +[3428.96 --> 3432.06] to open your Bible, turn on your device. +[3432.34 --> 3435.42] If you would like a Bible in hand, there's a couple at the back. +[3435.52 --> 3437.46] I encourage you to grab one. +[3437.92 --> 3441.54] We're going to continue our look at the book of Ecclesiastes +[3441.54 --> 3445.62] by going now to the first chapter and the first verses. +[3446.34 --> 3451.00] Last week, we began this series by looking at the end +[3451.00 --> 3453.14] in order to understand where we were going. +[3453.28 --> 3455.36] Now we're coming back to the beginning. +[3456.34 --> 3459.72] If you missed last week and would like to recap it, +[3459.86 --> 3461.58] you can find it on the church website. +[3462.28 --> 3465.76] You can also every week listen to the podcast that we put out +[3465.76 --> 3469.62] as a way of digging deep into some of these things a little bit more. +[3470.42 --> 3473.18] I'm sure we will do the same again in the weeks to come. +[3474.66 --> 3478.96] With that in mind, let's read together Ecclesiastes 1, +[3478.96 --> 3481.32] the first 11 verses there. +[3481.32 --> 3489.94] The words of the teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. +[3491.48 --> 3494.66] Meaningless, meaningless, says the teacher. +[3495.70 --> 3497.58] Utterly meaningless. +[3498.52 --> 3501.20] Everything is meaningless. +[3501.20 --> 3508.32] What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? +[3509.70 --> 3512.78] Generations come and generations go, +[3513.18 --> 3516.02] but the earth remains forever. +[3517.24 --> 3519.82] The sun rises and the sun sets, +[3520.18 --> 3522.50] and it hurries back to where it rises. +[3523.50 --> 3526.58] The wind blows to the south and turns to the north. +[3526.58 --> 3528.74] Round and round it goes, +[3529.34 --> 3531.48] ever returning on its course. +[3533.26 --> 3535.64] All streams flow into the sea, +[3535.98 --> 3537.50] yet the sea is never full. +[3538.50 --> 3540.70] To the place the streams come from, +[3541.32 --> 3543.28] there they return again. +[3545.30 --> 3547.62] All things are wearisome, +[3547.70 --> 3549.30] more than one can say. +[3549.30 --> 3552.18] The eye never has enough of seeing, +[3552.38 --> 3554.96] or the ear its fill of hearing. +[3555.34 --> 3557.46] What has been will be again. +[3558.24 --> 3560.98] What has been done will be done again. +[3561.76 --> 3564.34] There is nothing new under the sun. +[3565.94 --> 3568.26] Is there anything of which one can say, +[3568.42 --> 3570.36] look, this is something new. +[3571.04 --> 3572.96] It was here already long ago. +[3572.96 --> 3575.38] It was here before our time. +[3576.66 --> 3579.30] No one remembers the former generations, +[3579.78 --> 3582.08] and even those yet to come +[3582.08 --> 3585.70] will not be remembered by those who follow them. +[3587.00 --> 3588.42] This is the word of the Lord. +[3590.44 --> 3593.28] I wondered if that would be a little bit quieter this morning. +[3597.34 --> 3600.14] Because it's hard to say thanks be to God after reading that. +[3600.14 --> 3602.52] And just a warning, +[3603.52 --> 3605.94] the first part of this message +[3605.94 --> 3607.66] is going to be depressing. +[3610.74 --> 3612.86] But stick with me, please, +[3612.92 --> 3613.82] to the second part. +[3616.06 --> 3619.40] The first part looks for meaning +[3619.40 --> 3622.32] in a meaningless world. +[3623.84 --> 3627.20] And I have to admit and share with you, +[3627.34 --> 3628.64] hopefully for commiseration, +[3628.64 --> 3631.76] in preparation for this message, +[3632.04 --> 3633.18] I spent some time +[3633.18 --> 3636.00] in the dark corners of Reddit +[3636.00 --> 3638.26] this past week, +[3639.66 --> 3642.00] looking for conversations on meaning +[3642.00 --> 3644.14] and how people find meaning +[3644.14 --> 3646.52] and the struggles that they have. +[3646.66 --> 3647.90] And may I just say +[3647.90 --> 3650.84] that the armchair philosophers of this age +[3650.84 --> 3652.36] make me cry. +[3652.36 --> 3657.62] Like we live in a particular cultural moment +[3657.62 --> 3661.62] where we know that the traditional sort of moorings +[3661.62 --> 3663.24] of meaning and purpose, +[3663.36 --> 3666.12] those things that we have once grounded ourselves in, +[3666.38 --> 3667.46] have kind of faded away, +[3667.62 --> 3668.70] or they've been rejected, +[3669.10 --> 3670.36] they've been cast off +[3670.36 --> 3672.34] in the hopes of something, +[3673.22 --> 3674.38] I don't even want to say better, +[3674.80 --> 3675.64] but really other. +[3675.64 --> 3679.42] in a sense, +[3679.98 --> 3683.04] the philosophical structures +[3683.04 --> 3687.24] of someone like Friedrich Nietzsche, +[3688.28 --> 3692.02] 19th century German philosopher, +[3692.26 --> 3693.92] father of nihilism, +[3694.28 --> 3696.68] that has finally trickled down +[3696.68 --> 3699.38] to become the dominant worldview +[3699.38 --> 3701.18] of so many people floundering +[3701.18 --> 3702.76] in today's society, +[3703.10 --> 3704.62] especially in places like Reddit. +[3704.62 --> 3708.76] When we don't inherit a meaning +[3708.76 --> 3710.46] or receive a meaning, +[3710.72 --> 3712.90] we try to invent meanings +[3712.90 --> 3714.96] or we try to say +[3714.96 --> 3717.54] that meanings are meaningless, +[3718.18 --> 3719.22] that they're unnecessary. +[3720.42 --> 3723.16] We try to cast off all purpose. +[3724.20 --> 3727.70] Now, I want to lay this foundation well, +[3727.86 --> 3732.00] and so I'm going to read to you +[3732.00 --> 3734.48] two quotes from Nietzsche, +[3734.62 --> 3737.52] and then I'll balance that out +[3737.52 --> 3739.02] with some more modern articulations, +[3739.10 --> 3739.30] okay? +[3739.46 --> 3741.14] But I think this is helpful for us +[3741.14 --> 3743.40] to get the sense of it. +[3744.82 --> 3745.22] And so, +[3745.58 --> 3746.14] Nietzsche, +[3746.42 --> 3748.74] in his famous writing, +[3748.88 --> 3749.90] The Will to Power, +[3750.76 --> 3751.36] says, +[3751.36 --> 3755.30] A nihilist is a man who judges +[3755.30 --> 3758.12] of the world as it is +[3758.12 --> 3759.86] that it ought not to be, +[3760.94 --> 3764.18] and of the world as it ought to be +[3764.18 --> 3766.06] that it does not exist. +[3767.96 --> 3769.36] According to this view, +[3769.52 --> 3770.14] he goes on, +[3770.20 --> 3771.14] our existence, +[3771.40 --> 3771.74] action, +[3771.90 --> 3772.26] suffering, +[3772.42 --> 3772.62] willing, +[3772.82 --> 3773.16] feeling, +[3773.36 --> 3774.66] has no meaning. +[3774.66 --> 3776.66] then he says, +[3777.06 --> 3778.88] the pathos of in vain +[3778.88 --> 3782.28] is the nihilist's pathos. +[3783.68 --> 3785.54] Now, he doubles down on this idea +[3785.54 --> 3787.48] in The Twilight of Idols, +[3787.68 --> 3788.86] which is also called +[3788.86 --> 3790.64] of the Antichrist, +[3790.88 --> 3792.00] so you can probably anticipate +[3792.00 --> 3792.70] where this is going. +[3793.14 --> 3793.92] He says, +[3793.92 --> 3796.52] No one is accountable +[3796.52 --> 3798.06] for existing at all, +[3798.96 --> 3800.38] or for being constituted +[3800.38 --> 3801.30] as he is, +[3801.48 --> 3802.48] or for living +[3802.48 --> 3803.50] in the circumstances +[3803.50 --> 3804.22] and surroundings +[3804.22 --> 3805.20] in which he lives. +[3805.56 --> 3807.58] The fatality of his nature +[3807.58 --> 3809.24] cannot be disentangled +[3809.24 --> 3810.56] from the fatality +[3810.56 --> 3812.54] of all that which has been +[3812.54 --> 3813.44] and will be. +[3814.66 --> 3816.24] He is not the result +[3816.24 --> 3817.30] of special design, +[3817.94 --> 3818.34] a will, +[3818.76 --> 3819.34] a purpose. +[3819.78 --> 3820.84] He is not the subject +[3820.84 --> 3821.60] of an attempt +[3821.60 --> 3823.42] to attain an ideal of man +[3823.42 --> 3824.64] or an ideal of happiness +[3824.64 --> 3826.40] or an ideal of mortality. +[3826.96 --> 3827.98] It is absurd +[3827.98 --> 3829.66] to want to hand over +[3829.66 --> 3830.22] his nature +[3830.22 --> 3831.54] to some purpose or other. +[3832.80 --> 3834.70] We invented the concept +[3834.70 --> 3835.48] purpose. +[3836.86 --> 3837.98] In reality, +[3838.72 --> 3839.72] purpose is lacking. +[3844.16 --> 3845.52] Now, that would be +[3845.52 --> 3849.20] laughable +[3849.20 --> 3851.96] were it not so heartbreaking. +[3853.42 --> 3855.88] And the reality +[3855.88 --> 3857.00] that people +[3857.00 --> 3858.36] see life +[3858.36 --> 3859.62] and live life +[3859.62 --> 3861.04] in this way +[3861.04 --> 3862.12] is +[3862.12 --> 3864.34] pervasive +[3864.34 --> 3868.26] and heartbreaking. +[3870.64 --> 3871.48] Now, I said there were +[3871.48 --> 3872.34] some modern expressions +[3872.34 --> 3872.78] of that. +[3874.54 --> 3875.56] In good conscience, +[3875.66 --> 3876.76] I cannot recommend +[3876.76 --> 3877.36] this show, +[3877.86 --> 3878.62] but how many of you +[3878.62 --> 3879.16] are familiar with +[3879.16 --> 3879.84] Rick and Morty? +[3879.84 --> 3881.84] Some of you +[3881.84 --> 3882.24] who laughed +[3882.24 --> 3882.54] are like, +[3882.60 --> 3883.02] yep, I know +[3883.02 --> 3883.56] why you can't +[3883.56 --> 3884.32] recommend that show. +[3885.22 --> 3886.28] Rick and Morty. +[3887.38 --> 3887.82] Morty, +[3888.30 --> 3889.16] at one point, +[3889.26 --> 3889.64] says, +[3890.06 --> 3891.02] nobody exists +[3891.02 --> 3891.82] on purpose. +[3892.76 --> 3893.66] Nobody belongs +[3893.66 --> 3894.14] anywhere. +[3895.14 --> 3895.58] Everybody's +[3895.58 --> 3896.22] going to die. +[3896.76 --> 3897.60] Come watch TV. +[3900.90 --> 3902.42] In the same way, +[3903.34 --> 3903.96] Rust +[3903.96 --> 3904.90] Cole, +[3905.50 --> 3906.42] who is +[3906.42 --> 3906.86] played, +[3906.86 --> 3907.48] is a character +[3907.48 --> 3908.08] played by +[3908.08 --> 3909.10] Matthew McConaughey +[3909.10 --> 3909.86] in what I think +[3909.86 --> 3910.56] might be his +[3910.56 --> 3911.50] best role ever +[3911.50 --> 3913.12] in season one +[3913.12 --> 3913.62] of a show +[3913.62 --> 3914.78] called The True Detective. +[3916.48 --> 3917.46] And he says, +[3918.44 --> 3919.38] I think human +[3919.38 --> 3920.02] consciousness +[3920.02 --> 3921.08] is a tragic +[3921.08 --> 3921.70] misstep +[3921.70 --> 3922.44] in evolution. +[3925.32 --> 3926.12] This is the way +[3926.12 --> 3926.50] people are +[3926.50 --> 3927.36] functioning and living +[3927.36 --> 3928.10] and walking +[3928.10 --> 3928.86] and being +[3928.86 --> 3930.00] in the world. +[3930.10 --> 3931.66] And it doesn't +[3931.66 --> 3932.40] actually sound +[3932.40 --> 3933.22] all that different +[3933.22 --> 3934.84] than the teacher +[3934.84 --> 3935.80] in Ecclesiastes. +[3935.80 --> 3937.58] Right? +[3937.70 --> 3938.30] Meaningless. +[3938.48 --> 3939.02] Meaningless. +[3939.14 --> 3940.24] Everything is +[3940.24 --> 3941.02] meaningless. +[3942.46 --> 3943.00] Havel. +[3943.14 --> 3943.66] Havel. +[3943.78 --> 3944.40] Havelim. +[3944.66 --> 3945.78] Hakol Havel. +[3946.62 --> 3947.20] Vapid. +[3947.76 --> 3948.38] Vapid. +[3948.84 --> 3949.40] Vapor. +[3949.86 --> 3950.54] Everything +[3950.54 --> 3951.54] is +[3951.54 --> 3952.70] vapidity. +[3954.58 --> 3955.08] Enigma. +[3956.02 --> 3956.60] Enigma. +[3957.08 --> 3957.18] Right? +[3957.24 --> 3957.82] Elusive. +[3958.58 --> 3959.08] We talked +[3959.08 --> 3959.68] last week +[3959.68 --> 3960.46] of one of the +[3960.46 --> 3961.20] ways of defining +[3961.20 --> 3961.70] that is +[3961.70 --> 3962.10] just a +[3962.10 --> 3964.92] trying to +[3964.92 --> 3965.76] grasp onto +[3965.76 --> 3966.48] something that +[3966.48 --> 3967.00] just blows +[3967.00 --> 3967.46] away. +[3968.40 --> 3968.84] And then, +[3969.40 --> 3970.00] right, +[3971.00 --> 3971.78] everything is +[3971.78 --> 3972.14] meaningless. +[3972.28 --> 3972.72] It's utterly +[3972.72 --> 3973.60] meaningless. +[3973.78 --> 3974.64] Hakol Havel. +[3975.30 --> 3975.88] What do +[3975.88 --> 3976.80] people gain +[3976.80 --> 3977.48] from all +[3977.48 --> 3978.26] their labors +[3978.26 --> 3978.88] at which +[3978.88 --> 3979.64] they toil +[3979.64 --> 3981.52] under the sun? +[3983.28 --> 3983.86] Now, +[3984.26 --> 3984.60] if you have +[3984.60 --> 3985.04] a Bible +[3985.04 --> 3986.28] and you're +[3986.28 --> 3987.12] a person +[3987.12 --> 3987.48] who writes +[3987.48 --> 3987.98] in your Bibles, +[3988.22 --> 3988.76] maybe like +[3988.76 --> 3989.52] underline +[3989.52 --> 3989.94] that little +[3989.94 --> 3990.40] phrase +[3990.40 --> 3991.34] under the sun. +[3992.34 --> 3992.46] Right? +[3992.52 --> 3993.08] Highlight that +[3993.08 --> 3993.78] little phrase. +[3994.28 --> 3994.92] I'm going to +[3994.92 --> 3995.80] return to that +[3995.80 --> 3996.20] because it's +[3996.20 --> 3996.90] a key concept +[3996.90 --> 3997.62] for understanding +[3997.62 --> 3998.16] the teacher's +[3998.16 --> 3998.82] exploration. +[4000.14 --> 4000.30] So, +[4000.40 --> 4000.94] park that. +[4001.24 --> 4001.70] Hold on to +[4001.70 --> 4002.24] that idea. +[4003.34 --> 4004.24] But here, +[4004.46 --> 4005.08] the teacher +[4005.08 --> 4005.82] begins +[4005.82 --> 4007.20] what will be +[4007.20 --> 4007.80] an argument +[4007.80 --> 4008.46] that is going +[4008.46 --> 4009.08] to unfold +[4009.08 --> 4009.88] over the next +[4009.88 --> 4010.44] few verses +[4010.44 --> 4011.02] and over the +[4011.02 --> 4011.40] next few +[4011.40 --> 4011.90] chapters +[4011.90 --> 4013.26] showing +[4013.26 --> 4014.46] here in +[4014.46 --> 4015.12] this text +[4015.12 --> 4016.20] how it is +[4016.20 --> 4016.72] that the +[4016.72 --> 4017.90] earth itself +[4017.90 --> 4018.88] remains +[4018.88 --> 4019.94] exactly the +[4019.94 --> 4020.36] same +[4020.36 --> 4021.02] throughout +[4021.02 --> 4021.40] all the +[4021.40 --> 4021.78] ages. +[4022.64 --> 4022.86] Right? +[4022.92 --> 4023.52] In verse 4, +[4023.98 --> 4024.30] we read +[4024.30 --> 4024.82] generations +[4024.82 --> 4025.38] come +[4025.38 --> 4026.28] and generations +[4026.28 --> 4026.82] go +[4026.82 --> 4027.52] but the +[4027.52 --> 4027.82] earth +[4027.82 --> 4028.46] remains +[4028.46 --> 4028.94] forever. +[4030.00 --> 4030.26] And in +[4030.26 --> 4030.64] Hebrew, +[4030.88 --> 4031.12] actually, +[4031.20 --> 4031.68] the phrasing +[4031.68 --> 4032.04] there is +[4032.04 --> 4032.54] reversed. +[4033.12 --> 4033.40] It says +[4033.40 --> 4034.18] goes a +[4034.18 --> 4034.70] generation +[4034.70 --> 4035.60] and comes +[4035.60 --> 4036.32] a generation. +[4037.52 --> 4038.60] As if to +[4038.60 --> 4039.12] emphasize +[4039.12 --> 4039.98] and underscore +[4039.98 --> 4041.46] the fleeting +[4041.46 --> 4042.80] and replaceable +[4042.80 --> 4043.28] rhythms +[4043.28 --> 4044.18] of human +[4044.18 --> 4044.56] life. +[4044.88 --> 4045.68] One generation +[4045.68 --> 4046.54] fades away, +[4046.68 --> 4047.26] another takes +[4047.26 --> 4047.78] its place, +[4047.78 --> 4048.06] and the +[4048.06 --> 4048.32] cycle +[4048.32 --> 4048.94] continues +[4048.94 --> 4049.74] on and +[4049.74 --> 4050.24] on it +[4050.24 --> 4050.58] goes +[4050.58 --> 4050.96] without +[4050.96 --> 4051.54] pause +[4051.54 --> 4052.22] or without +[4052.22 --> 4052.82] any real +[4052.82 --> 4053.28] semblance +[4053.28 --> 4054.14] of permanence +[4054.14 --> 4055.10] or purpose. +[4056.14 --> 4056.56] This, +[4056.78 --> 4057.14] the teacher +[4057.14 --> 4057.62] says, +[4057.84 --> 4058.46] is why +[4058.46 --> 4059.08] the earth +[4059.08 --> 4059.72] remains +[4059.72 --> 4060.18] forever. +[4061.64 --> 4062.42] Because humanity +[4062.42 --> 4063.12] comes and +[4063.12 --> 4063.66] goes or +[4063.66 --> 4064.26] goes and +[4064.26 --> 4064.94] comes and +[4064.94 --> 4065.28] nothing +[4065.28 --> 4066.92] is gained. +[4067.94 --> 4068.28] There's no +[4068.28 --> 4069.06] lasting mark. +[4069.74 --> 4070.16] The earth +[4070.16 --> 4070.98] endures, +[4071.40 --> 4072.48] unmoved by +[4072.48 --> 4073.78] our striving, +[4074.12 --> 4074.80] all our +[4074.80 --> 4075.58] labors, +[4076.20 --> 4076.60] or as +[4076.60 --> 4076.84] Nietzsche +[4076.84 --> 4077.20] said, +[4077.28 --> 4077.94] the fatality +[4077.94 --> 4078.60] of his +[4078.60 --> 4079.10] nature +[4079.10 --> 4079.70] cannot be +[4079.70 --> 4080.36] disentangled +[4080.36 --> 4080.82] from the +[4080.82 --> 4081.40] fatality +[4081.40 --> 4082.40] of all +[4082.40 --> 4083.26] that which +[4083.26 --> 4084.00] has been +[4084.00 --> 4084.72] and will +[4084.72 --> 4085.28] be. +[4087.10 --> 4087.90] And then +[4087.90 --> 4088.58] in verse 5, +[4088.66 --> 4088.92] the teacher +[4088.92 --> 4089.42] looks up. +[4090.70 --> 4091.14] The sun +[4091.14 --> 4091.94] rises and +[4091.94 --> 4092.34] the sun +[4092.34 --> 4092.82] sets, +[4093.18 --> 4093.38] and it +[4093.38 --> 4094.16] hurries back +[4094.16 --> 4094.74] to where +[4094.74 --> 4095.22] it rises. +[4096.52 --> 4096.78] Again, +[4096.92 --> 4097.54] the word +[4097.54 --> 4098.28] in Hebrew +[4098.28 --> 4098.74] there that +[4098.74 --> 4099.32] is translated +[4099.32 --> 4099.82] hurries +[4099.82 --> 4100.98] literally means +[4100.98 --> 4101.70] pants, +[4102.12 --> 4102.48] like an +[4102.48 --> 4103.00] exhausted +[4103.00 --> 4103.38] runner, +[4104.74 --> 4105.40] struggling +[4105.40 --> 4105.92] to keep +[4105.92 --> 4106.36] pace, +[4106.84 --> 4107.64] and it's +[4107.64 --> 4108.26] an image +[4108.26 --> 4108.82] of this +[4108.82 --> 4110.16] drudging +[4110.16 --> 4111.74] repetition. +[4112.86 --> 4113.42] The sun +[4113.42 --> 4114.36] strains to +[4114.36 --> 4115.06] complete its +[4115.06 --> 4115.42] circuit, +[4115.66 --> 4116.28] only to +[4116.28 --> 4117.12] strain again +[4117.12 --> 4117.86] doing it +[4117.86 --> 4118.28] all over. +[4118.90 --> 4119.36] There's no +[4119.36 --> 4119.84] advancement, +[4120.18 --> 4120.58] there's no +[4120.58 --> 4121.04] profit, +[4121.32 --> 4121.78] there's no +[4121.78 --> 4122.98] true progress. +[4123.10 --> 4123.56] The sun +[4123.56 --> 4124.52] gains nothing +[4124.52 --> 4125.28] from all +[4125.28 --> 4125.70] of its +[4125.70 --> 4126.56] labors. +[4127.76 --> 4127.96] And then +[4127.96 --> 4128.54] in verse 6, +[4128.66 --> 4128.98] we keep +[4128.98 --> 4130.12] digging deep +[4130.12 --> 4130.78] into this +[4130.78 --> 4131.12] pit. +[4131.28 --> 4131.60] The teacher +[4131.60 --> 4132.20] turns to +[4132.20 --> 4132.66] the wind. +[4132.66 --> 4133.76] The wind +[4133.76 --> 4134.34] blows to +[4134.34 --> 4134.84] the south, +[4134.96 --> 4135.40] it turns +[4135.40 --> 4136.06] to the north, +[4136.16 --> 4136.62] round and +[4136.62 --> 4137.04] round it +[4137.04 --> 4137.34] goes, +[4137.44 --> 4138.16] ever returning +[4138.16 --> 4139.06] on its +[4139.06 --> 4139.68] course. +[4141.00 --> 4141.52] To our +[4141.52 --> 4141.98] eyes, +[4142.78 --> 4143.44] the wind +[4143.44 --> 4144.70] seems free +[4144.70 --> 4145.86] and unpredictable, +[4146.42 --> 4147.32] blowing wherever +[4147.32 --> 4148.34] it pleases, +[4148.64 --> 4149.08] and yet, +[4149.20 --> 4149.68] what the teacher +[4149.68 --> 4150.22] is saying, +[4150.52 --> 4151.30] it too is +[4151.30 --> 4151.94] trapped in +[4151.94 --> 4152.66] this endless +[4152.66 --> 4153.58] repetition. +[4154.12 --> 4154.56] The wind +[4154.56 --> 4155.48] too gains +[4155.48 --> 4156.76] nothing from +[4156.76 --> 4157.34] all its +[4157.34 --> 4158.32] moving about. +[4158.32 --> 4160.94] and then +[4160.94 --> 4161.42] dig even +[4161.42 --> 4161.76] deeper. +[4161.92 --> 4162.40] Verse 7, +[4162.50 --> 4162.88] he points +[4162.88 --> 4163.20] to the +[4163.20 --> 4163.60] waters. +[4164.68 --> 4165.48] All streams +[4165.48 --> 4166.28] flow into +[4166.28 --> 4166.78] the sea, +[4166.92 --> 4167.26] yet the +[4167.26 --> 4167.98] sea is +[4167.98 --> 4168.66] never +[4168.66 --> 4169.52] full. +[4170.92 --> 4171.32] Despite +[4171.32 --> 4172.20] this constant +[4172.20 --> 4172.88] motion, +[4173.42 --> 4173.92] the rivers +[4173.92 --> 4174.92] never achieve +[4174.92 --> 4175.62] their purpose, +[4175.80 --> 4176.50] the sea is +[4176.50 --> 4177.74] never satisfied, +[4177.96 --> 4178.52] all of that +[4178.52 --> 4178.96] activity, +[4179.18 --> 4179.68] all of that +[4179.68 --> 4180.28] energy, +[4180.48 --> 4181.06] all of that +[4181.06 --> 4181.52] movement, +[4182.38 --> 4183.28] no result. +[4185.82 --> 4186.42] Sidney +[4186.42 --> 4187.54] Gradonis is +[4187.54 --> 4189.44] a now +[4189.44 --> 4190.12] retired +[4190.12 --> 4190.96] professor +[4190.96 --> 4191.96] from Calvin +[4191.96 --> 4192.50] Seminary, +[4193.40 --> 4194.16] and has +[4194.16 --> 4194.64] written +[4194.64 --> 4196.04] a beautiful +[4196.04 --> 4196.54] book on +[4196.54 --> 4196.86] preaching +[4196.86 --> 4197.46] Christ from +[4197.46 --> 4198.22] Ecclesiastes, +[4198.44 --> 4198.92] and in that +[4198.92 --> 4199.36] book he +[4199.36 --> 4200.18] says that +[4200.18 --> 4201.72] all this +[4201.72 --> 4202.36] activity +[4202.36 --> 4203.46] shows no +[4203.46 --> 4204.18] results. +[4205.02 --> 4205.34] There is +[4205.34 --> 4205.92] no gain. +[4207.28 --> 4207.78] The teacher +[4207.78 --> 4208.60] has surveyed +[4208.60 --> 4209.10] the natural +[4209.10 --> 4209.74] world and +[4209.74 --> 4210.38] he finds +[4210.38 --> 4211.02] in it a +[4211.02 --> 4211.62] picture of +[4211.62 --> 4212.40] futility, +[4213.62 --> 4214.16] creation +[4214.16 --> 4214.80] itself, +[4215.08 --> 4215.86] mirroring +[4215.86 --> 4216.98] humanity's +[4216.98 --> 4217.52] restless +[4217.52 --> 4218.52] striving, +[4219.22 --> 4219.98] unceasing, +[4220.82 --> 4221.46] exhausting, +[4222.52 --> 4223.16] fruitless. +[4225.34 --> 4226.08] And the +[4226.08 --> 4226.76] teacher then +[4226.76 --> 4228.30] turns his +[4228.30 --> 4229.50] gaze from +[4229.50 --> 4231.46] nature to +[4231.46 --> 4231.96] humanity, +[4232.48 --> 4233.10] and his +[4233.10 --> 4233.68] conclusion is +[4233.68 --> 4234.06] the same. +[4234.94 --> 4235.58] There is no +[4235.58 --> 4235.92] gain. +[4237.42 --> 4238.06] Verse 9, +[4238.16 --> 4238.60] what has +[4238.60 --> 4239.14] been will +[4239.14 --> 4239.72] be again, +[4239.86 --> 4240.12] what has +[4240.12 --> 4240.62] been done +[4240.62 --> 4240.92] will be +[4240.92 --> 4241.54] done again. +[4241.70 --> 4242.08] There is +[4242.08 --> 4243.28] nothing new +[4243.28 --> 4243.94] under the +[4243.94 --> 4244.20] sun. +[4244.30 --> 4244.70] The human +[4244.70 --> 4245.46] story is +[4245.46 --> 4245.98] caught in +[4245.98 --> 4246.56] the same +[4246.56 --> 4247.24] weary +[4247.24 --> 4247.92] repetition. +[4248.42 --> 4248.96] We talk +[4248.96 --> 4249.62] endlessly, +[4249.96 --> 4250.50] we seek +[4250.50 --> 4251.32] endlessly, +[4251.60 --> 4252.52] we consume +[4252.52 --> 4253.40] endlessly, +[4253.66 --> 4254.32] we're desperate +[4254.32 --> 4255.48] to see and +[4255.48 --> 4256.16] to hear and +[4256.16 --> 4256.74] to know, +[4256.92 --> 4257.76] to be seen +[4257.76 --> 4258.36] and to be +[4258.36 --> 4258.86] heard and +[4258.86 --> 4259.58] to be known, +[4259.68 --> 4260.70] to experience +[4260.70 --> 4261.42] it all. +[4261.76 --> 4262.24] We chase +[4262.24 --> 4263.66] after novelty +[4263.66 --> 4264.60] and we call it +[4264.60 --> 4265.26] progress, +[4265.50 --> 4266.40] but the teacher +[4266.40 --> 4267.40] says there's +[4267.40 --> 4268.16] nothing new +[4268.16 --> 4269.42] under the +[4269.42 --> 4269.64] sun. +[4270.28 --> 4270.90] All our +[4270.90 --> 4271.68] striving is +[4271.68 --> 4272.28] this same +[4272.28 --> 4273.46] old story. +[4275.18 --> 4276.44] We live +[4276.44 --> 4278.02] in this +[4278.02 --> 4278.64] sort of +[4278.64 --> 4279.86] experiential +[4279.86 --> 4280.92] cultural +[4280.92 --> 4281.86] moment +[4281.86 --> 4283.78] where we've +[4283.78 --> 4284.46] built an +[4284.46 --> 4285.34] entire way +[4285.34 --> 4285.98] of being +[4285.98 --> 4286.36] in the +[4286.36 --> 4286.82] world and +[4286.82 --> 4287.36] of seeing +[4287.36 --> 4288.04] the world +[4288.04 --> 4289.22] around the +[4289.22 --> 4289.88] idea of +[4289.88 --> 4290.34] gain, +[4290.88 --> 4291.38] around the +[4291.38 --> 4292.08] belief that +[4292.08 --> 4292.88] meaning and +[4292.88 --> 4293.56] satisfaction +[4293.56 --> 4294.40] can be +[4294.40 --> 4294.94] found if +[4294.94 --> 4295.32] we just +[4295.32 --> 4296.12] achieve the +[4296.12 --> 4296.66] right thing, +[4296.76 --> 4297.12] if we just +[4297.12 --> 4298.42] experience the +[4298.42 --> 4299.02] right thing, +[4299.10 --> 4299.50] if we just +[4299.50 --> 4300.42] go to the +[4300.42 --> 4301.16] right place +[4301.16 --> 4302.32] or see the +[4302.32 --> 4303.04] right people, +[4303.28 --> 4303.76] we think if +[4303.76 --> 4304.34] I could just +[4304.34 --> 4304.86] make this +[4304.86 --> 4305.90] team or if +[4305.90 --> 4306.32] I could just +[4306.32 --> 4306.80] get this +[4306.80 --> 4307.30] job, +[4307.60 --> 4307.90] if I could +[4307.90 --> 4308.38] just have +[4308.38 --> 4309.16] that house +[4309.16 --> 4309.88] or that +[4309.88 --> 4310.52] boat or +[4310.52 --> 4311.36] that vacation +[4311.36 --> 4312.02] or that +[4312.02 --> 4313.10] video game, +[4313.40 --> 4313.98] honestly it +[4313.98 --> 4314.56] doesn't matter, +[4314.66 --> 4315.12] it's always +[4315.12 --> 4316.14] just something. +[4317.48 --> 4317.92] Then, +[4318.38 --> 4320.28] then I +[4320.28 --> 4320.96] can rest. +[4321.60 --> 4322.22] Then I +[4322.22 --> 4322.60] can have +[4322.60 --> 4323.02] peace. +[4323.46 --> 4323.96] Then I +[4323.96 --> 4324.44] can feel +[4324.44 --> 4325.16] like I've +[4325.16 --> 4325.54] made it. +[4325.66 --> 4326.18] Then I +[4326.18 --> 4326.60] can have +[4326.60 --> 4327.36] purpose. +[4330.42 --> 4331.56] But the +[4331.56 --> 4332.14] teacher stands +[4332.14 --> 4332.38] in the +[4332.38 --> 4332.76] middle of +[4332.76 --> 4333.14] all that +[4333.14 --> 4336.44] striving and +[4336.44 --> 4336.92] he whispers +[4336.92 --> 4337.70] the question +[4337.70 --> 4339.26] that we +[4339.26 --> 4339.84] try not to +[4339.84 --> 4340.54] ask ourselves. +[4342.50 --> 4343.22] What have +[4343.22 --> 4343.56] we really +[4343.56 --> 4345.50] gained in +[4345.50 --> 4345.94] all of that +[4345.94 --> 4346.32] striving? +[4347.68 --> 4348.46] What have I +[4348.46 --> 4349.30] really accomplished +[4349.30 --> 4350.28] in all of +[4350.28 --> 4350.86] that purposing? +[4350.86 --> 4350.96] you? +[4354.00 --> 4354.58] When I +[4354.58 --> 4354.86] was a +[4354.86 --> 4355.74] kid, I +[4355.74 --> 4357.12] read a +[4357.12 --> 4358.12] book in +[4358.12 --> 4358.76] high school +[4358.76 --> 4360.70] by Mordecai +[4360.70 --> 4361.20] Richler, +[4361.34 --> 4361.76] Canadian +[4361.76 --> 4362.70] author. +[4363.06 --> 4363.36] The book +[4363.36 --> 4363.66] is called +[4363.66 --> 4364.58] The Apprenticeship +[4364.58 --> 4365.04] of Duddy +[4365.04 --> 4365.58] Kravitz. +[4366.38 --> 4366.84] If you're +[4366.84 --> 4367.40] my age, +[4367.48 --> 4367.84] you maybe +[4367.84 --> 4368.32] read it. +[4368.38 --> 4368.64] I don't +[4368.64 --> 4368.98] think they +[4368.98 --> 4369.36] read that +[4369.36 --> 4369.70] book in +[4369.70 --> 4370.34] schools anymore. +[4371.00 --> 4371.70] Not sure +[4371.70 --> 4372.18] why, but +[4372.18 --> 4373.34] this book +[4373.34 --> 4375.20] painted this +[4375.20 --> 4376.34] vivid picture +[4376.34 --> 4377.00] of the +[4377.00 --> 4377.86] futility of +[4377.86 --> 4378.66] this pursuit +[4378.66 --> 4379.20] for me +[4379.20 --> 4379.98] that has +[4379.98 --> 4380.42] been with +[4380.42 --> 4380.76] me ever +[4380.76 --> 4381.08] since. +[4382.02 --> 4382.64] The young +[4382.64 --> 4383.80] Duddy grows +[4383.80 --> 4384.38] up in +[4384.38 --> 4384.98] Montreal, +[4385.38 --> 4385.86] and early +[4385.86 --> 4386.22] in his +[4386.22 --> 4386.90] life, he's +[4386.90 --> 4388.82] told that +[4388.82 --> 4389.38] a man +[4389.38 --> 4390.36] without land +[4390.36 --> 4391.16] is no +[4391.16 --> 4391.52] one. +[4393.02 --> 4393.46] And those +[4393.46 --> 4394.38] words take +[4394.38 --> 4395.54] root in the +[4395.54 --> 4396.06] core of his +[4396.06 --> 4396.74] being, and +[4396.74 --> 4397.34] they drive +[4397.34 --> 4398.44] everything he +[4398.44 --> 4398.84] does. +[4399.46 --> 4399.78] And from +[4399.78 --> 4400.20] that moment +[4400.20 --> 4400.80] on, he +[4400.80 --> 4401.92] becomes obsessed +[4401.92 --> 4402.92] with acquiring +[4402.92 --> 4404.90] land, convinced +[4404.90 --> 4405.72] that owning +[4405.72 --> 4406.70] property will +[4406.70 --> 4407.30] give him +[4407.30 --> 4408.80] identity and +[4408.80 --> 4409.70] worth and +[4409.70 --> 4410.06] meaning. +[4410.42 --> 4411.64] along the +[4411.64 --> 4412.24] way, he +[4412.24 --> 4412.74] meets a +[4412.74 --> 4413.40] woman named +[4413.40 --> 4413.76] Yvette +[4413.76 --> 4415.42] Durell, one +[4415.42 --> 4415.94] of the few +[4415.94 --> 4416.54] people in +[4416.54 --> 4417.18] that story +[4417.18 --> 4417.60] that it +[4417.60 --> 4418.30] seems that +[4418.30 --> 4418.90] he shares +[4418.90 --> 4419.58] a genuine +[4419.58 --> 4420.18] relationship +[4420.18 --> 4420.56] with. +[4421.78 --> 4422.46] But as +[4422.46 --> 4423.10] his ambition +[4423.10 --> 4424.04] grows throughout +[4424.04 --> 4424.70] the story, +[4425.52 --> 4425.84] and Duddy +[4425.84 --> 4426.90] begins to +[4426.90 --> 4427.60] use people +[4427.60 --> 4427.88] and to +[4427.88 --> 4428.50] take advantage +[4428.50 --> 4428.88] of them +[4428.88 --> 4429.22] and to +[4429.22 --> 4429.98] deceive +[4429.98 --> 4430.58] them, and +[4430.58 --> 4431.62] even stealing +[4431.62 --> 4432.20] from his +[4432.20 --> 4432.86] uncle, who +[4432.86 --> 4433.76] is another +[4433.76 --> 4434.22] one of the +[4434.22 --> 4434.74] people who +[4434.74 --> 4435.70] have provided +[4435.70 --> 4436.26] for him and +[4436.26 --> 4436.70] been with +[4436.70 --> 4437.66] him, just +[4437.66 --> 4438.20] so he can +[4438.20 --> 4438.60] get this +[4438.60 --> 4438.98] goal. +[4440.60 --> 4440.96] And in +[4440.96 --> 4443.12] the end, the +[4443.12 --> 4444.26] last scenes of +[4444.26 --> 4445.26] the book, he +[4445.26 --> 4447.60] has his land, and +[4447.60 --> 4448.40] it's beautiful and +[4448.40 --> 4448.92] sprawling. +[4449.02 --> 4449.36] He gets +[4449.36 --> 4450.46] everything he +[4450.46 --> 4452.50] wanted, but at a +[4452.50 --> 4453.22] terrible cost. +[4454.20 --> 4455.92] He loses Yvette, +[4456.70 --> 4457.66] he alienates all +[4457.66 --> 4458.66] his friends and +[4458.66 --> 4459.84] his family, and +[4459.84 --> 4461.40] he stands alone +[4461.40 --> 4463.06] on the property +[4463.06 --> 4464.26] that was supposed +[4464.26 --> 4464.94] to make him +[4464.94 --> 4465.40] someone. +[4467.68 --> 4468.36] So the +[4468.36 --> 4469.88] question can +[4469.88 --> 4470.36] be asked, +[4470.52 --> 4470.66] right? +[4470.76 --> 4471.78] Duddy Kravitz +[4471.78 --> 4472.66] begs the same +[4472.66 --> 4473.14] question. +[4473.46 --> 4473.88] What does a +[4473.88 --> 4474.62] man gain from +[4474.62 --> 4475.40] all his labor +[4475.40 --> 4476.00] at which he +[4476.00 --> 4476.58] toils under +[4476.58 --> 4477.02] the sun? +[4477.98 --> 4478.24] And the +[4478.24 --> 4479.08] answer is that +[4479.08 --> 4479.70] he gains +[4479.70 --> 4480.04] nothing. +[4480.16 --> 4480.66] Duddy gained +[4480.66 --> 4481.28] nothing. +[4481.62 --> 4482.12] All of his +[4482.12 --> 4482.88] striving left +[4482.88 --> 4483.52] him empty +[4483.52 --> 4484.58] and alone. +[4484.70 --> 4485.10] All of his +[4485.10 --> 4485.80] work and his +[4485.80 --> 4486.44] ambition and +[4486.44 --> 4486.92] his endless +[4486.92 --> 4487.62] pursuit of +[4487.62 --> 4488.66] profit, all +[4488.66 --> 4489.20] of it was +[4489.20 --> 4489.70] vanity. +[4490.24 --> 4490.80] All of it +[4490.80 --> 4493.16] was because +[4493.16 --> 4493.80] it disappeared. +[4494.26 --> 4494.94] the moment +[4494.94 --> 4495.44] he had it. +[4498.70 --> 4499.34] Now let's +[4499.34 --> 4501.08] go back to +[4501.08 --> 4501.54] that first +[4501.54 --> 4502.10] question. +[4503.46 --> 4503.80] What do +[4503.80 --> 4504.52] people gain +[4504.52 --> 4505.54] from all of +[4505.54 --> 4506.66] their labor, +[4507.02 --> 4507.76] all of their +[4507.76 --> 4509.10] toil, at +[4509.10 --> 4509.68] which they +[4509.68 --> 4510.94] toil, under +[4510.94 --> 4512.34] the sun? +[4513.56 --> 4514.24] Now that +[4514.24 --> 4515.20] phrase, under +[4515.20 --> 4516.76] the sun, is +[4516.76 --> 4517.54] crucial. +[4517.80 --> 4518.28] It is a +[4518.28 --> 4519.84] major qualifier +[4519.84 --> 4521.00] for the +[4521.00 --> 4521.56] teacher in +[4521.56 --> 4521.98] the book of +[4521.98 --> 4522.68] Ecclesiastes. +[4523.04 --> 4523.76] The teacher +[4523.76 --> 4525.14] is deliberately +[4525.14 --> 4526.84] describing human +[4526.84 --> 4528.44] life viewed +[4528.44 --> 4530.12] apart from +[4530.12 --> 4530.88] God. +[4532.12 --> 4533.14] The teacher +[4533.14 --> 4534.00] is setting up +[4534.00 --> 4534.64] his argument +[4534.64 --> 4535.52] from what we +[4535.52 --> 4536.04] would today +[4536.04 --> 4536.98] call a secular +[4536.98 --> 4537.60] perspective. +[4538.40 --> 4539.42] He's looking at +[4539.42 --> 4540.18] the world from +[4540.18 --> 4541.32] the ground up, +[4541.32 --> 4542.24] from human +[4542.24 --> 4543.16] experience and +[4543.16 --> 4543.70] observation, +[4543.70 --> 4545.30] without the lens +[4545.30 --> 4546.12] of divine +[4546.12 --> 4546.78] revelation. +[4547.24 --> 4547.54] And his +[4547.54 --> 4548.84] conclusion in +[4548.84 --> 4549.96] that frame is +[4549.96 --> 4550.40] that it's all +[4550.40 --> 4550.72] meaningless. +[4551.92 --> 4552.74] And it +[4552.74 --> 4553.82] stands as a +[4553.82 --> 4554.54] warning for +[4554.54 --> 4555.86] Israel and +[4555.86 --> 4556.56] for us, +[4556.86 --> 4557.48] that apart +[4557.48 --> 4558.24] from God, +[4558.40 --> 4559.12] we will not +[4559.12 --> 4559.94] gain anything +[4559.94 --> 4560.88] from all of +[4560.88 --> 4561.36] our toil. +[4561.70 --> 4562.84] Life lived +[4562.84 --> 4563.68] under the +[4563.68 --> 4565.12] sun is a +[4565.12 --> 4566.34] life without +[4566.34 --> 4567.32] reference to +[4567.32 --> 4567.92] the creator. +[4568.34 --> 4568.82] And when you +[4568.82 --> 4569.86] leave God out +[4569.86 --> 4570.60] of the picture, +[4571.00 --> 4571.96] everything else +[4571.96 --> 4572.74] loses its +[4572.74 --> 4573.04] meaning. +[4573.04 --> 4578.42] Now, let's +[4578.42 --> 4578.94] dig into the +[4578.94 --> 4580.66] context and +[4580.66 --> 4581.14] set up the +[4581.14 --> 4581.70] kind of cultural +[4581.70 --> 4582.56] moment just so +[4582.56 --> 4583.62] we can see just +[4583.62 --> 4584.24] how profound +[4584.24 --> 4584.76] this is. +[4584.84 --> 4585.34] Verse 1 +[4585.34 --> 4586.60] started by +[4586.60 --> 4586.88] saying, +[4587.02 --> 4587.66] the words of +[4587.66 --> 4588.20] the teacher, +[4588.36 --> 4589.30] son of David, +[4589.52 --> 4590.62] king in +[4590.62 --> 4591.18] Jerusalem. +[4592.84 --> 4593.18] Now, what's +[4593.18 --> 4593.78] up with this? +[4595.48 --> 4596.38] For a long +[4596.38 --> 4597.38] time, and we +[4597.38 --> 4598.22] already heard it +[4598.22 --> 4599.32] here this +[4599.32 --> 4600.46] morning, people +[4600.46 --> 4601.36] thought that +[4601.36 --> 4602.12] Ecclesiastes +[4602.12 --> 4603.14] was written by +[4603.14 --> 4603.58] Solomon. +[4604.92 --> 4605.72] Because when we +[4605.72 --> 4606.94] think of wise +[4606.94 --> 4608.06] people in the +[4608.06 --> 4608.78] Bible, we think +[4608.78 --> 4609.28] of Solomon, +[4609.72 --> 4610.68] who asked God +[4610.68 --> 4611.40] for wisdom, who +[4611.40 --> 4611.88] wrote the book +[4611.88 --> 4612.96] of Proverbs, and +[4612.96 --> 4613.72] this seems to be +[4613.72 --> 4614.94] an extension of +[4614.94 --> 4615.74] that kind of +[4615.74 --> 4616.40] writing. +[4617.16 --> 4617.68] And for sure, +[4617.86 --> 4618.36] this opening +[4618.36 --> 4620.10] line, the son +[4620.10 --> 4621.02] of David, king +[4621.02 --> 4621.90] in Jerusalem, +[4622.48 --> 4623.62] lends itself +[4623.62 --> 4624.64] naturally to that +[4624.64 --> 4625.28] understanding. +[4627.18 --> 4628.04] And I think on +[4628.04 --> 4628.48] purpose. +[4629.64 --> 4630.06] And like I said, +[4630.10 --> 4631.06] for a long time, +[4631.20 --> 4631.68] this was the +[4631.68 --> 4632.46] dominant assumption +[4632.46 --> 4634.18] that Solomon was +[4634.18 --> 4635.10] writing this. +[4635.44 --> 4636.90] Although, already +[4636.90 --> 4637.78] in the time of +[4637.78 --> 4639.16] Martin Luther, in +[4639.16 --> 4640.08] the 16th century, +[4640.22 --> 4640.86] there began to be +[4640.86 --> 4642.02] challenges to this +[4642.02 --> 4642.46] assumption. +[4643.54 --> 4644.46] Luther argues that +[4644.46 --> 4645.30] it was composed by +[4645.30 --> 4646.24] Sirach around the +[4646.24 --> 4646.64] time of the +[4646.64 --> 4647.52] Maccabees, which is +[4647.52 --> 4648.68] like 180 BC. +[4650.06 --> 4651.66] In the 17th century, +[4651.80 --> 4652.78] there's a Dutch +[4652.78 --> 4653.70] scholar named +[4653.70 --> 4654.72] Hugo Grotius. +[4655.12 --> 4656.22] He's the first to +[4656.22 --> 4658.00] make a case for a +[4658.00 --> 4659.24] later authorship based +[4659.24 --> 4660.02] on the Hebrew +[4660.02 --> 4661.44] structure of the +[4661.44 --> 4662.36] book of Ecclesiastes. +[4662.80 --> 4663.72] We'll get into this +[4663.72 --> 4664.76] in the podcast, so +[4664.76 --> 4665.22] we don't have to +[4665.22 --> 4666.06] waste our time here +[4666.06 --> 4666.46] for that. +[4667.52 --> 4668.90] Point being, it +[4668.90 --> 4670.50] seems more likely +[4670.50 --> 4672.24] that Ecclesiastes is +[4672.24 --> 4673.84] written sometime in +[4673.84 --> 4675.22] the late 3rd century, +[4675.72 --> 4678.04] around 230 BC or so, +[4678.38 --> 4680.40] but certainly between +[4680.40 --> 4681.56] the 3rd and the 5th +[4681.56 --> 4682.02] century. +[4683.12 --> 4684.12] Now, clearly, the +[4684.12 --> 4685.90] intent is to make the +[4685.90 --> 4686.88] reader think of +[4686.88 --> 4688.76] Solomon, right, and +[4688.76 --> 4690.10] to identify the +[4690.10 --> 4691.32] teacher with that +[4691.32 --> 4692.40] kind of person, +[4692.70 --> 4693.48] someone who's known +[4693.48 --> 4694.82] for wisdom and for +[4694.82 --> 4695.26] wealth. +[4696.22 --> 4697.00] And chapter 12, +[4697.10 --> 4697.72] where we started +[4697.72 --> 4699.20] last time, right, +[4699.38 --> 4701.28] also reads in a way +[4701.28 --> 4703.26] that seems to make +[4703.26 --> 4704.20] the conclusion that +[4704.20 --> 4705.72] this person was a +[4705.72 --> 4707.20] historical person, +[4707.26 --> 4708.20] that he was a real +[4708.20 --> 4709.98] teacher and not a +[4709.98 --> 4711.10] literary construct, +[4711.22 --> 4712.28] not a plot device +[4712.28 --> 4712.96] used to make a +[4712.96 --> 4713.26] point. +[4713.26 --> 4714.60] And so I think, +[4715.38 --> 4716.70] with many others, +[4716.84 --> 4717.90] that the point is to +[4717.90 --> 4719.64] understand that the +[4719.64 --> 4722.02] teacher is a person +[4722.02 --> 4723.96] of capability and +[4723.96 --> 4725.86] status and means, +[4726.24 --> 4727.74] and one who goes on +[4727.74 --> 4729.04] an intellectual journey +[4729.04 --> 4730.52] of discovery and +[4730.52 --> 4732.28] investigation, and who +[4732.28 --> 4733.68] has the means to do +[4733.68 --> 4734.04] so. +[4735.82 --> 4737.92] In short, in an age of +[4737.92 --> 4739.54] competing voices and of +[4739.54 --> 4740.96] attention vacuums and +[4740.96 --> 4743.02] time sinks, here is a +[4743.02 --> 4743.94] teacher worth listening +[4743.94 --> 4744.22] to. +[4746.40 --> 4747.62] Now, at the same time +[4747.62 --> 4749.46] as this, the Greek +[4749.46 --> 4750.90] empire is expanding, +[4751.52 --> 4752.86] and it expands to +[4752.86 --> 4754.98] include the region of +[4754.98 --> 4756.52] Israel and Judea. +[4757.28 --> 4759.40] And with that comes now +[4759.40 --> 4761.56] global opportunities for +[4761.56 --> 4763.26] trade and commerce. +[4764.18 --> 4765.52] With that, right into +[4765.52 --> 4767.98] this region moves +[4767.98 --> 4769.94] cultures and customs +[4769.94 --> 4771.96] from across the world. +[4773.26 --> 4774.56] Israel is at a +[4774.56 --> 4777.20] crossroads, both in +[4777.20 --> 4779.28] geography and in its +[4779.28 --> 4780.60] intellectual history. +[4781.02 --> 4781.14] Right? +[4781.16 --> 4782.62] In geography and +[4782.62 --> 4783.74] history, they're no +[4783.74 --> 4785.14] longer an agrarian +[4785.14 --> 4786.76] society, but they are +[4786.76 --> 4788.00] the gateway between +[4788.00 --> 4789.70] Africa and Asia, +[4789.84 --> 4790.56] between the Middle +[4790.56 --> 4791.90] East and the Greek +[4791.90 --> 4792.38] empire. +[4793.38 --> 4795.44] And all of these ideas +[4795.44 --> 4796.86] and people are moving +[4796.86 --> 4798.82] through this time and +[4798.82 --> 4799.74] this place. +[4800.80 --> 4802.32] And this is a huge +[4802.32 --> 4804.18] opportunity for +[4804.18 --> 4805.84] economic and cultural +[4805.84 --> 4806.88] and religious +[4806.88 --> 4807.62] diversity. +[4809.02 --> 4810.56] And so the people +[4810.56 --> 4811.70] have a choice to +[4811.70 --> 4811.98] make. +[4813.90 --> 4815.98] And the teacher of +[4815.98 --> 4817.76] Ecclesiastes is +[4817.76 --> 4819.22] pointing out what that +[4819.22 --> 4821.08] choice might look like. +[4821.08 --> 4824.22] in an age of competing +[4824.22 --> 4826.82] visions for life, in an +[4826.82 --> 4827.52] age when there's all +[4827.52 --> 4829.38] sorts of distractions to +[4829.38 --> 4830.66] numb the meaninglessness +[4830.66 --> 4833.44] of it all, here, he +[4833.44 --> 4834.92] says, is a message worth +[4834.92 --> 4835.64] knowing. +[4836.60 --> 4837.56] The teacher is +[4837.56 --> 4838.76] intentionally setting up a +[4838.76 --> 4840.56] contrast and is asking, +[4840.90 --> 4841.80] what's more compelling? +[4841.80 --> 4846.02] And I hope you can see it, +[4847.26 --> 4849.42] but we live in a moment of +[4849.42 --> 4850.48] precisely the same +[4850.48 --> 4852.92] contrasts, precisely the +[4852.92 --> 4854.00] same questions. +[4854.40 --> 4856.28] There are more voices now +[4856.28 --> 4857.54] competing for our +[4857.54 --> 4859.00] attention than ever +[4859.00 --> 4859.42] before. +[4860.14 --> 4862.12] There are more ideas about +[4862.12 --> 4863.64] what is good and about what +[4863.64 --> 4865.10] is evil than there has +[4865.10 --> 4866.52] ever been, and they're +[4866.52 --> 4867.80] being sourced from all +[4867.80 --> 4868.50] over the world. +[4868.50 --> 4870.44] There are currently more +[4870.44 --> 4872.88] distractions to numb us +[4872.88 --> 4874.88] from the impact of what +[4874.88 --> 4876.38] we are now calling choice +[4876.38 --> 4877.84] fatigue and executive +[4877.84 --> 4878.38] dysfunction. +[4881.26 --> 4882.44] What will you choose? +[4884.36 --> 4885.48] Or maybe you'll choose not +[4885.48 --> 4885.90] to choose. +[4886.90 --> 4888.26] How will you see the world? +[4889.42 --> 4890.24] Or maybe you'll choose to +[4890.24 --> 4891.04] bury your head in the sand. +[4891.96 --> 4893.02] Who will you listen to? +[4893.68 --> 4894.52] Or maybe you'll listen to +[4894.52 --> 4895.40] everyone and not make a +[4895.40 --> 4896.14] decision for yourself. +[4896.14 --> 4900.16] The teacher in this book +[4900.16 --> 4901.68] pulls no punches. +[4902.10 --> 4903.92] The Word of God pulls no +[4903.92 --> 4904.58] punches. +[4905.10 --> 4905.54] It says, +[4906.08 --> 4907.32] Life under the sun is +[4907.32 --> 4909.08] fleeting and elusive and +[4909.08 --> 4910.48] repetitive like chasing +[4910.48 --> 4913.22] vapor if you try it without +[4913.22 --> 4913.66] God. +[4914.94 --> 4916.08] That's the big idea. +[4916.72 --> 4918.26] Life without God is +[4918.26 --> 4920.48] fleeting, elusive and +[4920.48 --> 4922.42] repetitive like chasing +[4922.42 --> 4923.62] after a vapor. +[4923.72 --> 4924.88] Like I said, there's no +[4924.88 --> 4925.62] punches pulled. +[4926.14 --> 4928.62] It is really only God who +[4928.62 --> 4930.12] makes meaning out of the +[4930.12 --> 4931.54] moments of our life because +[4931.54 --> 4932.76] God gives life. +[4933.98 --> 4936.10] And so, of course it is +[4936.10 --> 4937.74] that life without God is +[4937.74 --> 4939.10] ultimately a life without +[4939.10 --> 4939.60] meaning. +[4942.60 --> 4943.24] Now, +[4943.24 --> 4953.82] I know that someone will want to +[4953.82 --> 4954.78] challenge this idea. +[4956.92 --> 4958.00] And honestly, good. +[4958.72 --> 4959.38] You should. +[4960.52 --> 4962.28] You should challenge this idea. +[4963.88 --> 4966.28] Ecclesiastes is an exercise of +[4966.28 --> 4969.22] challenging ideas, of testing their +[4969.22 --> 4971.50] veracity, of seeing if it fits. +[4971.50 --> 4972.60] And we can continue that +[4972.60 --> 4972.98] practice. +[4973.10 --> 4974.54] And we can be a space and a +[4974.54 --> 4975.88] community where those kinds of +[4975.88 --> 4977.32] hard questions are welcomed. +[4978.86 --> 4981.32] And in truth, right, in reality, +[4981.88 --> 4985.28] few of us live like Morty said was +[4985.28 --> 4985.58] true. +[4986.86 --> 4987.06] Right? +[4987.12 --> 4989.90] Few of us live or love like +[4989.90 --> 4991.46] Nietzsche was right. +[4991.46 --> 4991.82] Right? +[4991.82 --> 4995.70] Most people go about life making +[4995.70 --> 4997.38] meaning of the things that we do +[4997.38 --> 4998.44] and the life that we live. +[4998.78 --> 5001.66] We are meaning-making beings. +[5002.14 --> 5003.46] And in our brains and in our +[5003.46 --> 5005.28] hearts, we make things have +[5005.28 --> 5007.16] meaning so that we can feel like +[5007.16 --> 5008.00] they're worth doing. +[5008.00 --> 5013.14] The question that remains is, do +[5013.14 --> 5016.32] those meanings rise to the level of +[5016.32 --> 5019.24] universal or, more categorically, does +[5019.24 --> 5023.34] any meaning rise to the level of being +[5023.34 --> 5024.84] common to all? +[5026.74 --> 5028.94] That's where we need to press. +[5031.16 --> 5032.44] Let me illustrate this. +[5032.44 --> 5035.08] Think about a chair. +[5035.50 --> 5035.64] Right? +[5035.68 --> 5036.64] A chair like this. +[5037.26 --> 5037.42] Right? +[5037.76 --> 5038.94] Here are chairs. +[5039.06 --> 5040.40] If you look in the foyer, there are +[5040.40 --> 5042.56] people sitting in other chairs out +[5042.56 --> 5042.90] there. +[5043.34 --> 5045.44] If you go into my study around the +[5045.44 --> 5047.54] corner, there's another chair over +[5047.54 --> 5047.94] there. +[5048.04 --> 5050.00] But we can look at all three of those +[5050.00 --> 5051.40] chairs, even though they're different +[5051.40 --> 5053.32] and unique and particular, and say +[5053.32 --> 5053.96] chair. +[5055.38 --> 5055.90] Right? +[5055.90 --> 5058.98] There's something of an idea of chair +[5058.98 --> 5061.34] that transcends the particular +[5061.34 --> 5063.96] instances of chair. +[5065.36 --> 5067.54] Now, I get that that part makes sense +[5067.54 --> 5070.06] because a chair is a concrete thing. +[5070.36 --> 5071.90] It's something that we sit on and we +[5071.90 --> 5072.56] can touch it. +[5072.86 --> 5074.12] But what about something a little bit +[5074.12 --> 5074.94] more enigmatic? +[5075.94 --> 5076.06] Right? +[5076.08 --> 5078.36] What about meaning in suffering? +[5079.72 --> 5081.94] What about purposes in pain? +[5083.28 --> 5085.40] What about the famous question, what is +[5085.40 --> 5086.30] the meaning of life? +[5087.68 --> 5088.82] And if you want a more compelling +[5088.82 --> 5092.20] answer than 42, you have to look for +[5092.20 --> 5094.02] something that transcends life. +[5094.90 --> 5096.56] Something that can tie it all together. +[5097.48 --> 5099.16] Something that is over and above the +[5099.16 --> 5101.90] particular instances of our days and +[5101.90 --> 5102.52] our moments. +[5103.30 --> 5105.20] To have a meaningful answer to the +[5105.20 --> 5107.38] question, why is there something +[5107.38 --> 5109.96] rather than nothing, there has to be +[5109.96 --> 5113.18] something or someone over all the +[5113.18 --> 5114.12] other somethings. +[5115.40 --> 5120.24] Turns out, this is the only way to make +[5120.24 --> 5124.78] meaningful sense of everything and +[5124.78 --> 5127.60] therefore meaningful sense of anything. +[5127.60 --> 5132.76] This is precisely what Jesus means in +[5132.76 --> 5135.10] Matthew 16 when he says, +[5136.26 --> 5138.94] For whoever wants to save his life will +[5138.94 --> 5142.06] lose it, but whoever loses his life for me +[5142.06 --> 5143.16] will find it. +[5143.60 --> 5146.40] What good will it be for a man if he gains +[5146.40 --> 5150.06] the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? +[5150.06 --> 5154.40] Jesus is echoing the teacher's question. +[5156.22 --> 5158.56] You can gain everything under the sun. +[5158.88 --> 5161.56] Wealth, pleasure, status, even the whole +[5161.56 --> 5161.96] world. +[5162.22 --> 5165.92] But if it's apart from God, there's no gain +[5165.92 --> 5166.22] at all. +[5167.30 --> 5169.30] There's no goodness in it. +[5169.66 --> 5173.08] Gaining good things, but being without God +[5173.08 --> 5174.62] isn't good at all. +[5174.72 --> 5175.68] It's meaningless. +[5175.68 --> 5177.20] It's enigmatic. +[5177.34 --> 5180.00] It's a vapor that vanishes as soon as you try to +[5180.00 --> 5181.18] lay hold of it. +[5182.32 --> 5187.12] Any gain apart from God is no gain at all. +[5188.40 --> 5191.34] And the teacher is pressing us to see that our +[5191.34 --> 5194.72] striving for profit, that our endless attempts at +[5194.72 --> 5199.06] self-made meaning all collapse when they're cut off +[5199.06 --> 5199.76] from our Creator. +[5201.28 --> 5204.20] But the good news is, the good news, the gospel +[5204.20 --> 5207.98] is that it is only in God through Christ that we +[5207.98 --> 5211.78] find meaning and that our labor gains not just a +[5211.78 --> 5218.42] momentary purpose, but an eternal weight and purpose. +[5219.24 --> 5224.02] I love this line from 2 Corinthians 4, verse 17. +[5224.02 --> 5225.12] It says, +[5225.66 --> 5230.00] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us +[5230.00 --> 5234.96] an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. +[5236.66 --> 5240.84] Suffering has purpose because God is God. +[5241.14 --> 5242.90] And without God, there's no purpose. +[5243.06 --> 5243.88] There's only guesswork. +[5245.26 --> 5247.18] And that's the thing. +[5248.32 --> 5251.88] Jesus, living the life I should have lived and dying the +[5251.88 --> 5255.04] death that I deserve is more than just an example for my +[5255.04 --> 5255.32] life. +[5255.56 --> 5256.82] It is my life. +[5257.94 --> 5260.54] Jesus dying means that you are free. +[5260.94 --> 5264.94] And Jesus' resurrection means that you are raised to life. +[5265.16 --> 5266.20] Real life. +[5266.86 --> 5268.50] Meaningful life. +[5270.58 --> 5275.54] The Belgic Confession, which is a statement of faith in the +[5275.54 --> 5278.02] Reformed tradition that comes from the 16th century, in +[5278.02 --> 5280.76] article 12, says this beautifully. +[5280.76 --> 5286.88] It says that God has given all creatures their being, form, and +[5286.88 --> 5291.16] appearance, and their various functions for serving their +[5291.16 --> 5291.84] creator. +[5293.36 --> 5296.92] That's the answer to one of the oldest and deepest questions. +[5297.44 --> 5298.26] Why am I here? +[5299.46 --> 5304.94] The confession answer is for serving our God and creator. +[5306.36 --> 5308.74] The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it the same way. +[5308.74 --> 5310.48] What is the chief end of man? +[5310.58 --> 5313.58] To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. +[5314.86 --> 5315.88] There it is. +[5316.98 --> 5322.20] The search for gain, for profit, for meaning ends here. +[5323.34 --> 5328.98] It lands here in worship and in serving God. +[5328.98 --> 5333.94] Under the sun, apart from God, all of our labor, all of our lives are +[5333.94 --> 5334.60] without meaning. +[5334.80 --> 5339.82] But, listen to how the Apostle Paul inverts this in 1 Corinthians 15. +[5339.98 --> 5340.22] He says, +[5340.64 --> 5345.52] Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in +[5345.52 --> 5350.06] the work in the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in +[5350.06 --> 5350.34] vain. +[5351.10 --> 5352.14] That's the contrast. +[5352.62 --> 5353.78] That's the difference, right? +[5353.78 --> 5356.02] Under the sun, all is vanity. +[5357.40 --> 5361.48] But in the Lord, your labor is not in vain. +[5362.32 --> 5364.30] That's the reversal of the gospel. +[5365.38 --> 5369.18] What Christ redeems, He gives back with purpose. +[5370.04 --> 5377.26] Your life, your work, your service, they matter eternally when they are done in Him and for +[5377.26 --> 5377.94] Him. +[5377.94 --> 5383.14] And so, if you're looking for meaning, if you're looking for purpose, if you're looking +[5383.14 --> 5387.22] for answers to the fundamental questions of life, look here. +[5388.04 --> 5389.34] Look to God's Word. +[5389.58 --> 5394.70] Look to the person of Jesus Christ in His life, in His death, and in His resurrection. +[5395.04 --> 5397.04] Look to the cross of God's grace. +[5398.08 --> 5401.92] The teacher said that apart from God, there is nothing new under the sun. +[5401.92 --> 5408.48] But God, through Jesus Christ, who lived and died for you, that says there is something +[5408.48 --> 5408.92] new. +[5409.84 --> 5409.96] Right? +[5410.04 --> 5411.96] Paul says this in 2 Corinthians again. +[5412.06 --> 5416.08] If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. +[5416.96 --> 5418.40] The old is passed away. +[5419.28 --> 5421.38] The new has come. +[5422.68 --> 5424.32] Under the sun, there's nothing new. +[5424.72 --> 5427.92] But in the sun, you are made new. +[5427.92 --> 5428.20] Right? +[5429.46 --> 5435.50] The futility of life lived under the sun is replaced by a joy of resurrection life in +[5435.50 --> 5436.04] the sun. +[5436.40 --> 5442.44] Our labors are not in vain because in Him, eternity breaks into our every day. +[5443.84 --> 5445.66] And that changes how we live. +[5445.78 --> 5447.02] It changes how we see. +[5447.48 --> 5450.88] And I pray, oh man, do I pray that this changes the corners of Reddit. +[5450.88 --> 5451.52] Right? +[5451.52 --> 5452.32] Right? +[5452.40 --> 5457.18] When days seem to drudge on, when one day bleeds into the next and everything feels like +[5457.18 --> 5464.74] endless repetition, remember Christ who gives purpose and joy even in the ordinary. +[5465.74 --> 5469.60] Who actually has promised to meet you in the ordinary. +[5469.60 --> 5478.14] And when the temptation rises in you to believe that you are in control, that gain and profit +[5478.14 --> 5485.22] and purpose depend on our effort, recall the teacher's words, apart from God, there is +[5485.22 --> 5486.92] no meaning or purpose. +[5487.08 --> 5492.36] But in Him, in Him, our joy is made complete. +[5492.36 --> 5498.92] And so may this truth settle deeply in us. +[5500.26 --> 5506.92] And under the sun, all is vanity, but in the sun, nothing is in vain. +[5507.58 --> 5513.02] Your life has meaning and purpose because of Jesus. +[5513.48 --> 5520.68] And so live your life for the purposes of Jesus. +[5521.50 --> 5521.76] Amen? +[5522.36 --> 5523.80] Let's pray together. +[5527.50 --> 5532.82] Lord Jesus, open our eyes to your purposes. +[5534.34 --> 5542.20] Move in us today that we might live our lives built on you and your word as the foundation. +[5543.42 --> 5548.10] May you, Lord Jesus, become for us the only cornerstone. +[5548.10 --> 5554.10] The firm foundation on which we can live and move. +[5554.24 --> 5557.02] In you, we have our being. +[5558.56 --> 5562.22] And so today, inspire our hearts. +[5562.22 --> 5572.46] Today, give us new Holy Spirit imaginations that we might see the very drudgeries of life, +[5572.56 --> 5580.68] the very repetitions of the ordinary, the very meaninglessness of these moments as actually, +[5581.68 --> 5583.82] only for you. +[5583.82 --> 5584.82] And in being for you. +[5584.82 --> 5587.00] And in being for you. +[5587.00 --> 5590.22] In living life before the face of God. +[5590.22 --> 5594.50] In living to worship and enjoy you. +[5594.50 --> 5598.30] In serving our God and creator. +[5598.30 --> 5606.72] May we know a purpose and a wholeness that transcends every moment. +[5606.72 --> 5610.34] that fills up every struggle. +[5611.66 --> 5617.26] And that encourages and holds every tear. +[5618.38 --> 5619.66] Every point of pain. +[5621.44 --> 5625.04] May we know that you are with us. +[5625.04 --> 5627.50] In Jesus' name we pray. +[5628.14 --> 5628.48] Amen. +[5628.48 --> 5628.58] Amen. +[5655.04 --> 5662.62] You're built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[5664.80 --> 5669.10] I dare not trust the sweetest grace, +[5670.62 --> 5675.46] but holy trust in Jesus' name. +[5675.46 --> 5689.02] I'm still on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[5691.02 --> 5701.86] I dare not trust the sweetest praise, but only trust in Jesus' name. +[5701.86 --> 5717.98] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong, Savior's love through the storm. +[5717.98 --> 5725.06] He is Lord, Lord of all. +[5725.06 --> 5740.06] When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. +[5740.06 --> 5752.06] In every high and stormy day, my anchor holds within the veil. +[5752.06 --> 5758.06] My anchor holds within the veil. +[5759.06 --> 5767.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5767.06 --> 5779.06] In Savior's love through the storm, He is born for a long. +[5779.06 --> 5788.06] He shall come with trumpet sound. +[5788.06 --> 5794.06] O may I then in Him be found. +[5794.06 --> 5800.06] Dressed in His righteousness alone. +[5800.06 --> 5807.06] Father, stand before the Lord. +[5807.06 --> 5828.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5828.06 --> 5835.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5835.06 --> 5843.06] He made strong, Savior's love through the storm. +[5843.06 --> 5850.06] He is Lord, Lord of all. +[5850.06 --> 5857.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5857.06 --> 5860.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5860.06 --> 5871.06] In Savior's love through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[5871.06 --> 5885.06] Christ alone, born as born, He made strong. +[5885.06 --> 5892.06] As you go into this week, go as those who know your labors in the Lord are not in vain, +[5892.06 --> 5896.06] and so go to labor for the Lord. +[5896.06 --> 5905.06] Go as those who know God goes with you, and so receive His blessing for the journey of faith ahead. +[5905.06 --> 5907.06] God, go before you to lead you. +[5907.06 --> 5910.06] God, go behind you to protect you. +[5910.06 --> 5913.06] God, go beneath you to support you. +[5913.06 --> 5916.06] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[5916.06 --> 5918.06] Do not be afraid. +[5918.06 --> 5920.06] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5920.06 --> 5927.06] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5927.06 --> 5928.06] Amen. +[5950.06 --> 5959.06] You are the only comfort in my life and in my death. +[5959.06 --> 5965.06] You have fully paid for all my sins and all my debt. +[5965.06 --> 5971.06] Even when I struggle to believe, +[5971.06 --> 5977.06] With compassion I do believe. +[5977.06 --> 6000.30] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6007.06 --> 6018.42] You've preserved my life in such a way that I love you, not a hair can pull from me unless you will with you. +[6018.42 --> 6029.26] Even when I'm lost in desperation, all things work together for my salvation. +[6029.26 --> 6053.04] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6059.26 --> 6089.24] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6089.24 --> 6099.24] Even when I can't see my way through, from now on to always with you. +[6099.24 --> 6123.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6123.48 --> 6146.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6146.48 --> 6169.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6176.48 --> 6178.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6178.48 --> 6182.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6182.48 --> 6188.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6188.48 --> 6192.48] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6192.48 --> 6222.46] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6222.46 --> 6252.44] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6252.46 --> 6257.46] I am not my own, I belong, but in soul, in my life and in prayer, to you, Lord Christ, my Lord. +[6282.46 --> 6284.46] Thank you. +[6312.46 --> 6342.44] Thank you. +[6342.46 --> 6372.44] Thank you. +[6372.46 --> 6402.44] Thank you. +[6402.46 --> 6432.44] Thank you. +[6432.46 --> 6462.44] Thank you. +[6462.46 --> 6492.44] Thank you. +[6492.46 --> 6522.44] Thank you. +[6522.46 --> 6552.44] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..41e22d1c501ae8564a1e1de8f9e7cfad4c485784 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,136 @@ +• A ministry fair is happening at the back of the room +• Pastor Chris invites a worship group to Sunridge Gardens next Saturday +• The following Saturday (Oct 4) will be a worship conference with Brian Dirksen, Joshua Leventhal, and Caitlin Rose Leventhal +• There's a three-year read through the Bible group starting this Wednesday night +• The Mexico mission trip sign-up sheet is now live for March 14-24 +• A prayer gathering is being held this Thursday night at 7 p.m. +• The purpose of the gathering is for anyone to come together and pray +• Psalm 24 is read, asking who can climb the mountain of the Lord and stand in His holy place +• Only those with pure hands and hearts are worthy to receive God's blessing and have a right relationship with Him +• A song is sung about the joy and praise in heaven, including singing at ancient gates and ceaseless melodies. +• Bethlehem +• Glory +• Jesus' worthiness +• Bringing songs and prayers +• The one who is to come +• Praise and worship +• Worthy of every song and breath +• Living for Jesus +• No one like God, holy and worthy of praise +• Trust in God alone +• Stillness and patience in times of turmoil +• Giving troubles to Jesus +• Reading of Ephesians chapter 6 +• Importance of spiritual armor and standing firm in faith +• Prayer for God's provision and strength during times of need and struggle +• Declaration of trust in God as victor and savior +• Worship song with lyrics about praise, rejoicing, and declaring God's victory +• Personal testimony of devotion to the Redeemer +• Offerings are being collected for North American Indigenous Ministries (NAME) and Tim and Charity Johnson's ministry in Kamloops. +• A video is being shown to thank the congregation for its generosity in giving beyond its pledge to ministry shares. +• Various updates from the CRC church, including Reframe media ministry, Thrive staff consultations, Calvin Seminary, Canadian-specific justice ministries, and other denominational offices' activities. +• Invitation to kids to join at the front for a Kids Corner message before children's worship time. +• Brief interruption and attempted delivery of a Bible verse from Philippians. +• Distractions in life can make it hard to focus on what God wants +• Pastor Kevin's surprise visit was a way to illustrate distractions +• Importance of focusing on God's will despite life's distractions +• Prayer for the congregation, including blessings and requests for guidance and strength +• Prayers for specific individuals with health issues or challenges +• Gratitude for answers to prayer, such as Tessa's lymphoma being in remission +• Prayers for the new season of ministry and church members +• Request for guidance and peace in a dark world +• Discussion of Philippians 1:27-30, focusing on standing firm in faith and not being frightened by opposition +• Reference to a social media trend of emphasizing finding one's purpose and meaning +• Mention of an article discussing how the search for purpose can cause anxiety due to its weight and ubiquity +• Purpose anxiety: a growing problem due to declining traditional sources of meaning and purpose +• Decline of traditional sources of meaning, such as religion and family +• Increased pressure on individuals to find their own meaning and purpose in life +• Impact of technology, social media, and spiritual warfare on mental health and sense of identity +• Misplaced focus on external markers of success (likes, status, money) instead of internal fulfillment and connection with something eternal +• Longing for a deeper, more meaningful existence that goes beyond fleeting pleasures and distractions +• The call to live a life worthy of Christ's name and find meaning in striving with Him +• Feeling pressure from competing voices promising meaning and comfort +• The Philippians church faced similar cultural pressures and expectations +• Roman culture offered its own version of the good life, but not everyone was entitled to it +• Paul writes to the Philippians while in a Roman prison, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith +• The importance of living a life worthy of the gospel +• Paul's use of citizenship as a metaphor in Philippians +• The distinction between Roman citizenship and citizenship in the kingdom of heaven +• Three marks of living a life worthy of the gospel: standing firm in the one spirit, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and contending for the same victory +• Gospel-shaped citizenship means unity, courage, and perseverance in the face of pressure +• The gospel is advanced by a united church standing together, striving, and suffering, not by isolated believers chasing after private spirituality +• Philippians 4 shows that even leaders can be divided over how to live a life worthy of the gospel and contend for it in their community +• The risk of distraction and disagreement hijacking the gospel work is a recurring problem in church communities +• The speaker asks if conversations about church order and procedure have become distractions from the central mission of the gospel. +• The importance of being dogmatically committed to the content of the gospel and also doggedly committed to its agenda. +• The need for churches to see lives and neighborhoods transformed by Christ, rather than settling for secondary issues. +• Historical examples from Paul, Irenaeus, and John Owen highlighting the importance of holiness over head knowledge in Christian leadership. +• The call for leaders to live a life worthy of their calling and contend for the gospel, warning against division, hypocrisy, and mission drift. +• Unity in the church is not optional but essential for witness and credibility. +• The oneness of believers in Christ is necessary for the world to believe. +• Courage is required to stand firm in unity, even in the face of opposition or suffering. +• Paul's call to unity in Philippians 1-2 is not just about being united but doing so with courage. +• The example of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 shows how they maintained joy and courage in prison, leading others to faith. +• Joy as a defiant response to anxiety +• Suffering as a privilege for belonging to Jesus +• The cross and resurrection belong together with faith and suffering +• Early Christians understood suffering as a means of advancing the gospel +• Comfort, safety, and peace of mind are idols in modern Western culture +• The gospel offers meaning and joy in surrendering control and risking comfort for Christ's sake +• Courage in the face of opposition +• Unity and courage are not ends in themselves, but means to a greater purpose: advancing the gospel +• Paul's mission-oriented focus throughout his letter to the Philippians +• The importance of partnership in global mission +• Calling young people (in high school, university, college, or gap year) to consider their role in global mission +• Calling to be a pastor or missionary +• Declaring God's goodness and sharing the gospel with others +• The importance of being sent out to spread the gospel, both locally and globally +• The unity and courage of the church fueling its mission +• Overcoming internal distractions and fear to prioritize spreading the gospel +• Examples of churches and Christians throughout history who have successfully spread the gospel despite challenges +• Abandoned children and outsiders in the Philippian church +• Christian generosity and courage in the face of pagan empires or emperors +• Living a gospel lifestyle built on unity, courage, and sacrificial generosity +• Spiritual warfare and the offensive nature of the gospel to Greeks and Jews +• The importance of living a life worthy of the gospel and not proving one's worth to God +• Living in harmony with the gospel +• The heart of Philippians is not just a set of commands, but a mindset +• A Christian's heart should match the heart of Christ +• Christ's nature and role as servant is an example to follow +• Relationships between people should reflect the same mindset as Christ +• The likeness and being found in human appearance is humbled and obedient to death, even on a cross +• God exalted this person to the highest place and gave them the name above every other name +• Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father +• This person is the center of everything and their unity with others comes from humility and making us their body +• Courage comes from triumphing over sin, death, and the grave +• Mission flows from being exalted to the highest place and being Lord over every nation and name +• Living in unity and striving together makes life a signpost of God's kingdom +• The kingdom of God is within us +• Holiness and the gospel shape our unity, courage, and mission +• The watching world should see a picture of the kingdom that cannot be ignored +• Focus on Christ and the gospel in all we do +• Stand firm in the one spirit, striving together for the faith of the gospel +• The speaker prays for a deeper understanding of Christ's presence in their lives +• They acknowledge that they are not worthy of praise, but Christ is present through them +• Jesus is described as the redeemer, joy, righteousness, freedom, and peace +• The speaker expresses hope and reliance on Christ for their life and well-being +• They express gratitude for God's power and presence in times of need +• Overcoming sin and healing through Christ +• No fate or dread, knowing forgiveness is sure +• The price of pardon has been paid by Jesus +• Defeat of sin through Jesus' sacrifice +• Freedom and release from chains +• Longing to follow Jesus and be renewed daily +• Hope in Jesus alone for glory and salvation +• God's presence and protection in every situation +• Overcoming fear and anxiety through faith and trust in God +• The availability of God's mercy, goodness, and love for all people +• Salvation through Jesus Christ and the opportunity to live forever with Him +• Redemption from addictions and failures through surrender at the foot of the cross +• The defeat of the power of hell and the restoration of freedom through faith in God +• The love of God for the world +• Giving his son to save us +• Believing in Jesus leads to eternal life +• Defeating the power of hell +• Walking in freedom through God's love +• Bringing failures and addictions to Jesus \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..bc5c6dcdc33fb6f985f3d34ae8ed014acb420ca9 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 21, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2630 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[569.98 --> 571.98] And here it goes. +[599.98 --> 629.96] Thank you. +[629.98 --> 659.96] Thank you. +[659.98 --> 689.96] Thank you. +[689.98 --> 719.96] Thank you. +[719.98 --> 749.96] Thank you. +[749.98 --> 779.96] Thank you. +[779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. +[809.96 --> 816.40] Thank you. +[839.96 --> 841.76] that ministry fair seems to be winding down. +[841.94 --> 843.94] So just poke your head in that room +[843.94 --> 845.40] every once in a while and we'll see when we get started. +[845.70 --> 847.50] I'm going to invite out Pastor Chris now +[847.50 --> 849.56] and he's got a few more announcements for us today. +[869.96 --> 875.60] How about now? Yeah? +[876.50 --> 877.74] There? Are we getting it? +[877.74 --> 879.32] Wrong mic. +[879.68 --> 881.56] Oh, Peyton. +[885.30 --> 887.40] Try to get someone new back there. +[890.46 --> 891.62] Welcome to church +[891.62 --> 894.52] where everybody makes mistakes +[894.52 --> 896.06] and we laugh at them. +[897.12 --> 898.24] My name is Chris. +[898.38 --> 899.54] I'm one of the pastors here +[899.54 --> 901.78] and it's my privilege to welcome you +[901.78 --> 903.28] to worship this morning +[903.28 --> 905.64] especially as we celebrate the beginning +[905.64 --> 909.54] of our 2025-2026 ministry year. +[910.08 --> 912.32] There's a ministry fair happening at the back +[912.32 --> 913.22] after service. +[913.34 --> 914.86] Really encourage you to check that out +[914.86 --> 916.92] to find a place to connect +[916.92 --> 920.32] to sign up for different classes +[920.32 --> 922.34] and opportunities to serve. +[922.70 --> 924.50] That's all at the back, all afterwards +[924.50 --> 925.76] and so please check that out. +[926.18 --> 927.20] Stick around and connect. +[927.76 --> 929.18] We have a couple more announcements. +[929.54 --> 931.74] Next Saturday, +[932.28 --> 935.32] we are sending a group of worship leaders +[935.32 --> 936.88] to Sunridge Gardens, +[937.08 --> 939.26] which is a retirement living facility up the hill. +[939.48 --> 942.42] That's one week earlier than we normally do +[942.42 --> 944.28] because on October 4, +[944.28 --> 946.12] we're hosting a worship conference +[946.12 --> 948.28] here at Emmanuel +[948.28 --> 951.44] with Brian Dirksen, Joshua Leventhal, +[951.44 --> 952.98] and Caitlin Rose Leventhal. +[954.06 --> 955.30] And so we wanted to make sure +[955.30 --> 957.56] that we could still serve the Sunridge community +[957.56 --> 958.70] in a particular way +[958.70 --> 960.98] and also this community in our worship conference. +[961.10 --> 963.02] And so next Saturday at Sunridge, +[963.16 --> 965.26] please, everyone's invited to join there. +[965.60 --> 967.94] And then the following Saturday on the 4th +[967.94 --> 969.30] for the worship conference, +[969.30 --> 970.74] all of the details for that +[970.74 --> 972.00] can be found in the e-bulletin. +[972.16 --> 973.26] You can talk to me afterwards. +[974.64 --> 976.04] As well, this week, +[976.10 --> 977.86] as part of our kickoff and launch, +[977.96 --> 980.72] we have a three-year +[980.72 --> 983.24] read through the Bible group +[983.24 --> 985.98] that's starting this coming Wednesday night. +[986.68 --> 988.08] And so this Wednesday night +[988.08 --> 989.58] is our first meeting +[989.58 --> 991.20] and we're going to gather together +[991.20 --> 993.32] having already read the book of Genesis +[993.32 --> 995.44] and then we're going to discuss Genesis +[995.44 --> 997.32] and then we'll keep rolling through. +[997.44 --> 998.68] If you have any questions about that +[998.68 --> 1000.76] or you would like to sign up for the information, +[1001.26 --> 1002.74] again, you can grab me at the back. +[1002.98 --> 1004.84] I'll give you that information there. +[1005.38 --> 1006.24] And then lastly, +[1006.66 --> 1008.64] many of you have probably already seen +[1008.64 --> 1010.60] that the Mexico mission trip +[1010.60 --> 1012.44] sign-up sheet has gone out. +[1012.92 --> 1015.68] This is a trip, grade 10s, +[1016.20 --> 1017.82] to however old you want +[1017.82 --> 1019.94] that happens during March break. +[1020.02 --> 1021.60] So March 14 to 24, +[1021.88 --> 1023.08] that sign-up is now live +[1023.08 --> 1024.42] and Brandon is here. +[1024.42 --> 1026.04] Brandon's going to put his hand up even higher. +[1026.46 --> 1027.06] There he is. +[1027.60 --> 1028.42] If you have any questions, +[1028.50 --> 1030.48] you can grab him after our service. +[1031.68 --> 1032.74] I think that's it. +[1033.44 --> 1033.60] Yeah? +[1034.72 --> 1036.66] Look to Kevin for all the information. +[1037.60 --> 1038.54] Let's stand together +[1038.54 --> 1041.32] that we might be welcomed by God. +[1044.20 --> 1045.26] Louise Condos. +[1046.44 --> 1047.42] Thank you, Louise. +[1048.08 --> 1049.12] Thursday night, see? +[1049.38 --> 1049.94] Look to Kevin +[1049.94 --> 1051.66] and he sees other people at the back. +[1052.12 --> 1053.46] Nikki, even better. +[1053.46 --> 1054.64] All right. +[1054.78 --> 1055.50] Thursday night. +[1055.58 --> 1056.76] This Thursday night, +[1056.92 --> 1060.08] we are hosting a prayer gathering. +[1060.82 --> 1062.44] And so that's just for anyone +[1062.44 --> 1064.22] who wants to come together and pray. +[1064.62 --> 1066.10] We know that there are so many things +[1066.10 --> 1067.46] happening in our world +[1067.46 --> 1068.48] and in our hearts. +[1068.96 --> 1070.56] And our first response +[1070.56 --> 1071.48] should be to pray +[1071.48 --> 1072.64] when that is true. +[1072.76 --> 1073.74] And so Thursday night +[1073.74 --> 1075.40] at 7 p.m., +[1075.40 --> 1076.84] we're going to gather here +[1076.84 --> 1077.68] somewhere +[1077.68 --> 1079.80] for a time of prayer. +[1079.92 --> 1081.24] And so mark that on your calendars. +[1081.24 --> 1082.46] Please make a point of coming +[1082.46 --> 1083.32] for that. +[1083.68 --> 1084.34] Thank you, Louise. +[1085.82 --> 1087.06] Now I think we're ready to go. +[1087.14 --> 1088.26] Let's receive God's blessing +[1088.26 --> 1089.76] as we come together +[1089.76 --> 1090.24] and worship. +[1092.60 --> 1093.00] Grace, +[1094.08 --> 1094.48] mercy, +[1095.10 --> 1095.96] and peace to you +[1095.96 --> 1097.14] from God our Father, +[1097.58 --> 1098.64] from the Lord Jesus Christ, +[1098.74 --> 1099.18] His Son, +[1099.64 --> 1100.28] and our Savior, +[1100.84 --> 1102.06] through the presence and power +[1102.06 --> 1103.38] of the Holy Spirit. +[1104.32 --> 1104.60] Amen. +[1104.60 --> 1106.36] I'm going to invite you +[1106.36 --> 1107.34] to welcome those around you +[1107.34 --> 1108.32] into our shared worship +[1108.32 --> 1108.74] this morning. +[1110.96 --> 1111.22] Yeah. +[1111.62 --> 1112.14] Peace to Christ. +[1134.60 --> 1143.66] Psalm 24. +[1144.66 --> 1146.30] Who may climb the mountain +[1146.30 --> 1147.18] of the Lord? +[1147.82 --> 1149.04] Who may stand +[1149.04 --> 1150.44] in His holy place? +[1151.24 --> 1152.10] Only those +[1152.10 --> 1153.50] whose hands and hearts +[1153.50 --> 1154.12] are pure, +[1154.56 --> 1156.10] who do not worship idols +[1156.10 --> 1157.62] and never tell lies. +[1158.24 --> 1159.26] They will receive +[1159.26 --> 1160.16] the Lord's blessing +[1160.16 --> 1161.74] and have a right relationship +[1161.74 --> 1163.08] with God their Savior. +[1163.08 --> 1165.40] such people may seek you +[1165.40 --> 1167.38] and worship in your presence, +[1168.00 --> 1168.98] O God of Jacob. +[1189.74 --> 1191.40] There is singing +[1191.40 --> 1192.98] at the ancient +[1192.98 --> 1193.98] gates. +[1193.98 --> 1195.98] There is a melody +[1196.56 --> 1199.12] of ceaseless praise. +[1199.54 --> 1201.32] Age to age, +[1201.42 --> 1202.28] the sound +[1202.28 --> 1206.14] is only growing stronger. +[1209.14 --> 1210.68] There is a throne +[1210.68 --> 1214.00] beneath the name of names. +[1214.52 --> 1215.58] There is seated +[1215.58 --> 1218.20] on it one who raises, +[1218.20 --> 1220.20] and His kingdom +[1220.20 --> 1220.58] and His kingdom +[1220.58 --> 1222.20] now is here +[1222.20 --> 1225.20] and getting closer. +[1228.70 --> 1230.18] Praise Him +[1230.18 --> 1233.38] like we're there in glory. +[1233.38 --> 1235.52] Here and now +[1235.52 --> 1238.06] He's just as holy. +[1238.56 --> 1239.26] Jesus, +[1239.76 --> 1241.68] He's so worthy +[1241.68 --> 1243.66] of it all. +[1243.66 --> 1250.66] He exists in everlasting light. +[1250.66 --> 1251.66] He exists in everlasting light. +[1251.66 --> 1253.90] So on heaven's streets +[1253.90 --> 1256.24] there is no night. +[1256.66 --> 1260.44] Every tear is wiped away. +[1260.98 --> 1263.06] We'll know no sorrow. +[1263.06 --> 1264.58] 龙 mira +[1264.58 --> 1265.18] in everlasting light. +[1266.06 --> 1267.04] Lord, +[1267.12 --> 1267.84] Lord, +[1267.84 --> 1268.36] Jesus, +[1268.36 --> 1268.98] Dios, +[1269.10 --> 1271.20] the end here was +[1271.20 --> 1272.76] as faithful and +[1272.76 --> 1273.56] of Jesus. +[1273.56 --> 1274.26] The grace of His love +[1274.26 --> 1274.82] is awesome. +[1275.06 --> 1275.64] Facebook Earth +[1275.64 --> 1276.52] that we've been +[1276.52 --> 1276.90] a day +[1276.90 --> 1277.22] widing light. +[1277.22 --> 1278.18] Sometimes we're looking +[1278.18 --> 1279.42] to Bethlehem alive. +[1279.42 --> 1280.18] So day +[1280.18 --> 1280.92] is time to be +[1280.92 --> 1282.36] placed in theій +[1282.36 --> 1282.98] otherant. +[1283.02 --> 1283.64] At M compliment, +[1283.64 --> 1284.72] you can take +[1284.72 --> 1285.50] the Manaan +[1285.50 --> 1286.18] policy. +[1286.18 --> 1299.46] him like we're there in glory here and now he's just as holy jesus he's so worthy of it all +[1304.50 --> 1313.14] bring your song he loves to hear it bring him every prayer so clear +[1313.14 --> 1318.26] jesus he's so worthy of it all +[1322.82 --> 1330.82] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1332.50 --> 1340.42] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1340.42 --> 1350.10] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1350.10 --> 1359.78] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1359.78 --> 1375.46] praise him like we're there in glory here and now he's just as holy jesus he's so worthy of it all +[1375.46 --> 1381.14] bring your song +[1381.14 --> 1387.14] he loves to hear it bring him every prayer so clear +[1387.14 --> 1392.82] jesus he's so worthy of it all +[1392.82 --> 1404.82] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1404.82 --> 1414.50] the one who is the one who is to come +[1414.50 --> 1422.50] the one who was the one who is the one who is to come +[1422.50 --> 1436.18] the one who is the one who is the one who is to come +[1436.18 --> 1451.54] the one who is the one who is to come +[1451.54 --> 1454.10] the one who is to come +[1454.10 --> 1468.10] worthy of every song we could ever see +[1471.78 --> 1476.10] worthy of all the praise we could ever bring +[1476.10 --> 1490.10] worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you +[1496.02 --> 1500.10] jesus the name above every other name +[1500.10 --> 1508.10] jesus the only one who could ever see +[1512.10 --> 1518.10] worthy of every breath we could ever breathe we live for you +[1520.98 --> 1522.10] we live for you +[1522.10 --> 1540.10] holy there is no one like you there is none beside you open up my eyes in wonder +[1540.10 --> 1566.10] and show me who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me +[1570.10 --> 1580.10] jesus the name above every other name +[1582.10 --> 1588.10] jesus the only one who could ever see +[1588.10 --> 1596.10] jesus the name above every breath we could ever breathe we live for you +[1596.10 --> 1598.10] we live for you +[1598.10 --> 1602.10] we live for you +[1602.10 --> 1606.10] holy there is no one like you there is none beside you open up my eyes in wonder +[1606.10 --> 1616.10] jesus the name above every breath we could ever see +[1616.10 --> 1634.10] and show me who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me +[1634.10 --> 1636.10] jesus the name above every breath we could ever see +[1636.10 --> 1638.10] amen +[1638.10 --> 1642.10] jesus the name above every breath we can ever see +[1642.10 --> 1648.10] and pray +[1648.10 --> 1650.10] amen +[1650.10 --> 1652.10] jesus the name above every breath is +[1652.10 --> 1673.54] I will build my life upon your love. It is a firm foundation. I will put my trust in you alone. +[1673.54 --> 1694.46] And I will not be shaken. I will build my life upon your love. It is a firm foundation. +[1694.46 --> 1709.36] I will put my trust in you alone. And I will not be shaken. +[1710.20 --> 1719.20] Holy, there is no one like you. There is none beside you. +[1719.20 --> 1732.34] Open up my eyes in wonder. Show me who you are and fill me with your heart. +[1732.68 --> 1740.10] And lead me in your love to those around me. +[1743.10 --> 1744.88] You may have a seat. +[1749.20 --> 1755.84] There are many examples in this world of life being uncertain. +[1756.84 --> 1762.62] Even again in these last few weeks, we have been reminded of how fleeting life is. +[1763.16 --> 1766.88] How there is trouble and hardship, war and violence. +[1767.40 --> 1770.78] And they continue to surround us and permeate our lives. +[1770.78 --> 1775.46] Exodus 14 verse 14 says, +[1776.34 --> 1780.72] The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still. +[1781.76 --> 1784.70] Psalm 37 verse 7 says, +[1785.50 --> 1790.00] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. +[1791.00 --> 1793.06] Mark 4 verse 39 says, +[1793.06 --> 1815.94] Let's take a moment now this morning to give our turmoil both in this world and in our personal lives to Jesus. +[1815.94 --> 1816.38] Matthew 24 says, +[1816.38 --> 1816.62] no care. +[1842.44 --> 1842.98] It's okay. +[1842.98 --> 1869.36] Still, my soul, be still, and do not fear. +[1869.36 --> 1880.36] Though winds of change may rage tomorrow, God is at your side. +[1881.50 --> 1889.54] No longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow. +[1889.54 --> 1903.04] God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[1903.04 --> 1920.04] Lord of peace, renew my steadfast spirit within me to rest in you alone. +[1920.04 --> 1943.28] Still, my soul, be still, and do not be moved by lesser lights and fleeting shadows. +[1943.28 --> 1957.48] Hold on to his ways with shield of faith against temptations, flaming arrows. +[1957.98 --> 1970.52] God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[1970.52 --> 1987.40] Lord of peace, renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in you alone. +[1987.40 --> 2009.40] Still, my soul, be still, do not forsake the truth you learned in the beginning. +[2009.40 --> 2023.40] Wait upon the Lord, and hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming. +[2024.40 --> 2037.06] God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[2037.06 --> 2051.96] Lord of peace, renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in you. +[2051.96 --> 2064.16] God, you are my God, and I will trust in you and not be shaken. +[2064.16 --> 2080.16] Lord of peace, renew a steadfast spirit within me to rest in you alone. +[2080.16 --> 2088.96] Please stand and hear these words of assurance this morning. +[2089.76 --> 2091.82] From Ephesians chapter 6. +[2091.82 --> 2096.28] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. +[2097.14 --> 2101.72] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. +[2102.30 --> 2108.74] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, +[2109.26 --> 2115.60] against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. +[2115.60 --> 2123.70] Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, +[2124.14 --> 2126.92] and after you have done everything, to stand. +[2127.92 --> 2131.80] Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, +[2132.20 --> 2139.62] with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. +[2139.62 --> 2148.78] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. +[2149.52 --> 2155.50] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. +[2155.50 --> 2180.22] This is my prayer in the desert, when all that's within me feels dry. +[2180.22 --> 2185.04] This is my prayer in my hunger and need. +[2185.30 --> 2188.04] My God is the God who provides. +[2189.66 --> 2192.40] This is my prayer in the fire. +[2193.62 --> 2196.78] In weakness or trial or pain. +[2198.06 --> 2201.80] There is a faith to the more worth than gold. +[2202.12 --> 2205.02] So refine me, Lord, through the pain. +[2205.50 --> 2207.50] I will bring praise. +[2207.64 --> 2209.46] I will bring praise. +[2209.46 --> 2213.02] No weapon form against me shall remain. +[2213.84 --> 2215.50] I will rejoice. +[2216.04 --> 2217.34] I will declare. +[2218.18 --> 2221.84] God is my victory and He is here. +[2229.10 --> 2232.42] This is my prayer in the battle. +[2233.42 --> 2236.60] When triumph is still on its way. +[2236.60 --> 2238.92] I am a conqueror. +[2238.92 --> 2241.50] I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ. +[2241.50 --> 2244.92] So fire on His promise I'll stand. +[2244.92 --> 2247.00] I will bring praise. +[2247.20 --> 2249.06] I will bring praise. +[2249.06 --> 2252.92] No weapon form against me shall remain. +[2252.98 --> 2255.12] I will rejoice. +[2255.12 --> 2256.92] I will declare. +[2256.92 --> 2261.30] God is my victory and He is here. +[2261.36 --> 2264.78] This is my prayer in the battle. +[2264.78 --> 2265.78] You will bring praise. +[2265.78 --> 2267.66] Lord, for thejoies will have been great. +[2268.62 --> 2269.58] Let'swan terms and heal. +[2270.30 --> 2271.68] Everything for mercy and He is here. +[2271.68 --> 2273.78] Very camp to endure. +[2273.78 --> 2284.20] All of my life in every season, +[2284.26 --> 2285.30] You are still God. +[2285.30 --> 2298.30] you are still God I have a reason to say I have a reason to worship +[2298.30 --> 2302.30] Oh +[2315.30 --> 2331.30] I have a reason to say I have a reason to worship +[2331.30 --> 2335.30] I will bring praise +[2335.30 --> 2340.30] I will +[2340.30 --> 2350.30] I will rejoice I will declare God is my victory and I will bring praise I will bring praise +[2350.30 --> 2354.30] no one who has been formed against me shall remain +[2354.30 --> 2363.30] I will rejoice I will declare God is my victory and He is here +[2370.30 --> 2387.30] this is my prayer in the harvest when favor and providence flow +[2387.30 --> 2399.30] I know I feel to be emptied again the seed I received I will sow +[2399.30 --> 2416.30] I will glory in my Redeemer who is proud of me +[2416.30 --> 2433.30] I will glory in my Redeemer whose priceless blood has ransomed me +[2433.30 --> 2443.30] mine was the seed that drove the bitter nail and hung him on that judgment tree +[2443.30 --> 2452.30] I will glory in my Redeemer who crushed the power of sin and death +[2452.30 --> 2459.30] my holy Savior before the holy John +[2459.30 --> 2463.30] the man who is my righteous man +[2463.30 --> 2467.30] the man who is my righteous man +[2467.30 --> 2477.30] I will glory in my Redeemer +[2477.30 --> 2480.30] I will glory in my Redeemer +[2480.30 --> 2485.30] my life be God my love be old +[2485.30 --> 2490.30] I have no longings for another +[2490.30 --> 2493.30] I am satisfied in Him alone +[2493.30 --> 2500.30] I will glory in my Redeemer +[2500.30 --> 2505.30] His faithfulness my standing place +[2505.30 --> 2511.30] Lord, falls on my knee and rush upon me +[2511.30 --> 2515.30] My feet are firm held by His grace +[2515.30 --> 2520.30] My feet are firm held by His grace +[2520.30 --> 2529.30] My feet are firm held by His grace +[2529.30 --> 2537.30] I will glory in my Redeemer who carries me on eagles' ways +[2537.30 --> 2542.30] He crowns my arm with love and high best +[2542.30 --> 2559.20] and +[2562.20 --> 2572.24] of +[2572.24 --> 2582.56] By the glory and my Redeemer, who waits for me at gates of gold. +[2582.56 --> 2588.56] And when He calls me, it will be paradise. +[2589.90 --> 2594.02] His face forever to behold. +[2595.10 --> 2599.34] His face forever to behold. +[2602.24 --> 2606.00] You may have a seat. +[2624.94 --> 2625.86] Good morning. +[2626.42 --> 2627.40] My name is Pearl. +[2627.56 --> 2629.40] I'm one of the deacons here at Langley Emanuel. +[2629.40 --> 2632.28] And we continue worship by having an offering. +[2633.14 --> 2635.18] Today's offerings are first for the budget. +[2635.80 --> 2638.58] And on the screen, you can see ways to give. +[2638.58 --> 2644.44] If you give via the bags that are passed around, then do mark your offering as such. +[2644.86 --> 2647.60] You can use the envelopes that are in the chairs in front of you. +[2648.50 --> 2654.68] And our other offering today is for NAME, which stands for North American Indigenous Ministries. +[2654.68 --> 2664.40] And our offerings specifically go to Tim and Charity Johnson, who serve in the Kamloops area with the Kamloops Indigenous bands. +[2665.34 --> 2668.56] NAME has other places where they work at. +[2668.56 --> 2678.18] They have places in Alberta, in Saskatchewan, and also in Washington State and Montana and in New Mexico. +[2679.24 --> 2695.38] And their mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus to Indigenous people through cultural activities and through one-to-one relationships and also through reconciliation. +[2695.38 --> 2701.28] So as the bags are being passed around today, we also have a special treat. +[2701.50 --> 2704.14] We have a thank you video that will be shown. +[2704.82 --> 2709.92] You might remember that this church, we had a surplus in our budget. +[2709.92 --> 2722.18] And we agreed as a congregation to give some of that surplus to ministry shares, which meant that we actually gave beyond our pledge to ministry shares. +[2722.62 --> 2733.50] And the head office in Burlington, the Canadian division of the CRC Church, was just so grateful, so thankful, so surprised that they have sent us this thank you video. +[2734.12 --> 2737.76] So do enjoy this video as the bags are being passed around. +[2737.76 --> 2738.92] And do give generously. +[2739.42 --> 2739.82] Thank you. +[2739.92 --> 2769.90] Thank you. +[2769.90 --> 2770.38] Thank you. +[2770.48 --> 2771.90] Thank you. +[2771.90 --> 2772.16] Thank you. +[2772.40 --> 2772.90] Thank you. +[2773.00 --> 2773.40] Thank you. +[2773.60 --> 2774.90] Thank you. +[2775.38 --> 2775.90] Thank you. +[2776.42 --> 2776.80] Thank you. +[2776.80 --> 2790.68] Thank you, everybody. +[2791.16 --> 2793.72] Thank you. +[2793.72 --> 2795.36] coming year. +[2795.36 --> 2801.28] Reframe is a media ministry of the CRC that is proclaiming the gospel, discipling believers, +[2801.28 --> 2805.72] and strengthening the church worldwide in 10 major languages. +[2805.72 --> 2810.32] One of those is in Burkina Faso, where the French language ministry is reaching new people +[2810.32 --> 2816.38] for Christ and the church is growing faster than the ministry can even seem to keep up. +[2816.38 --> 2821.78] Thrive is helping churches like yours with encouragement, connections, and tools. +[2821.78 --> 2827.74] This year Thrive staff have provided over 350 unique consultations to churches, helping +[2827.74 --> 2833.14] them to address needs and opportunities within their own local ministry contexts. +[2833.14 --> 2838.90] Calvin Seminary is offering some new creative approaches to raising up new leaders, including +[2838.90 --> 2844.42] Empower, a creative mentor-based method for obtaining a ministry degree happening right +[2844.42 --> 2846.24] here in Canada. +[2846.24 --> 2851.34] We also have Canadian-specific justice ministries, such as our Indigenous ministry which has +[2851.34 --> 2857.00] continued the journey toward reconciliation with over 500 people across Canada through +[2857.00 --> 2858.80] Hearts Exchanged. +[2858.80 --> 2864.06] Our intercultural ministry has walked alongside 13 churches last year as they seek to be healthy +[2864.06 --> 2867.18] multicultural expressions of the gospel. +[2867.18 --> 2872.42] The Center for Public Dialogue continues to equip churches to engage as faithful participants +[2872.42 --> 2874.82] in our national community. +[2874.82 --> 2880.08] And as always, the denominational offices are ready to answer your questions about church +[2880.08 --> 2884.38] benefit plans, pension funds, insurance, and plan giving. +[2884.38 --> 2886.66] All of those interesting things. +[2886.66 --> 2892.58] The One Click, One Call team answered over 12,900 of your phone calls this year. +[2892.58 --> 2898.06] Thank you for your financial support that helps your church be poised to share the gospel and +[2898.06 --> 2904.72] for the ways that we collaborate together for Kingdom Impact. +[2904.72 --> 2919.66] Wonderful update from the office in Burlington. +[2920.26 --> 2925.12] At this time, I'm going to invite the kids, I think anywhere from age three up to grade four, +[2925.12 --> 2927.90] but really kids of any age, you're welcome to join me at the front. +[2928.38 --> 2932.20] We have a little Kids Corner message before we go to children's worship time. +[2932.20 --> 2939.20] Come on up. +[2939.20 --> 2942.34] It's been a few weeks since I've had a chance to hang out with you guys. +[2942.34 --> 2944.34] How's everyone doing? +[2944.34 --> 2945.34] Good? +[2945.34 --> 2946.34] Good. +[2946.34 --> 2947.96] You seem a little distri... +[2947.96 --> 2948.96] Oh, hi, Kev. +[2948.96 --> 2949.46] Hi. +[2949.46 --> 2950.46] Oh, you're just checking something? +[2950.46 --> 2951.46] Yeah, just looking at... +[2951.46 --> 2952.46] Okay, yeah. +[2952.46 --> 2953.46] Oh, anyway, you guys... +[2953.46 --> 2954.46] Okay. +[2954.46 --> 2955.46] We'll just keep focusing here. +[2955.46 --> 2957.46] So, we have a tricky message to... +[2957.46 --> 2958.46] Oh, hey. +[2958.46 --> 2959.46] Sorry. +[2959.46 --> 2960.46] Sorry, you have a nice shirt. +[2960.46 --> 2961.46] Oh, thanks. +[2961.46 --> 2962.46] Sorry, you have a nice shirt. +[2962.46 --> 2963.46] Sorry, you have a nice shirt. +[2963.46 --> 2964.46] Oh, thanks. +[2964.46 --> 2965.46] Yeah? +[2965.46 --> 2966.46] Okay. +[2966.46 --> 2970.46] Anyway, we're going to talk about a special message today. +[2970.46 --> 2974.46] I feel like we're not focused here, guys. +[2974.46 --> 2976.46] Oh, okay. +[2976.46 --> 2977.46] Oof. +[2977.46 --> 2978.46] Okay. +[2978.46 --> 2987.90] Today, we're going to try and talk about a Bible verse from the book of Philippians. +[2987.90 --> 2989.66] What just happened there with Kev? +[2989.66 --> 2993.00] Were we paying attention with Pastor Kevin? +[2993.00 --> 2996.78] Is it hard sometimes to, like, really focus on stuff? +[2996.78 --> 3000.66] Sometimes there's so many distractions that pull us upside. +[3000.66 --> 3002.14] He was sneaking up on me. +[3002.14 --> 3003.14] What? +[3003.14 --> 3006.88] I think sometimes there's lots of things in our lives that sneak up on us when we're +[3006.88 --> 3009.00] supposed to be focusing on other things. +[3009.00 --> 3014.52] So we're going to talk about a verse in Philippians today on how to help us focus on +[3014.52 --> 3019.06] the things God wants us to focus on and try and try and not be so distracted and try to +[3019.06 --> 3021.86] help one another focus on those things. +[3021.86 --> 3023.52] So don't worry. +[3023.52 --> 3025.34] Pastor Kevin's really not that crazy. +[3025.34 --> 3027.40] He was just put up to it by me. +[3027.40 --> 3028.40] So, okay. +[3028.40 --> 3032.06] We're going to talk more about that and talk about ways to help live through some of those +[3032.06 --> 3033.46] distractions and support one another. +[3033.46 --> 3038.84] But before that, we're going to bless the congregation as they stay and also talk about +[3038.84 --> 3040.70] a verse in the book of Philippians. +[3040.70 --> 3042.92] And we will also do the same in children's worship time. +[3042.92 --> 3046.88] So let's stand together with the congregation and we'll bless them and I think they will +[3046.88 --> 3047.94] bless us in return. +[3047.94 --> 3048.94] Ready? +[3048.94 --> 3053.94] The Lord be with you. +[3053.94 --> 3055.74] And also with you. +[3070.70 --> 3082.94] Hi. +[3082.94 --> 3084.94] My name is Paul. +[3084.94 --> 3088.94] I'm privileged to be an elder here at this church. +[3088.94 --> 3098.64] And once I get everything set up here, it's my privilege to lead us in family prayer. +[3099.18 --> 3102.66] Before that, a couple of notes from council. +[3104.26 --> 3108.88] We're very grateful for all the people that came out this week to the special general meeting +[3108.88 --> 3117.42] and for the overwhelming positive response to the motion that was put forward to extend +[3117.42 --> 3125.88] the call to Kevin and move forward his process there to becoming a full ordained pastor in +[3125.88 --> 3126.52] the Word of God. +[3126.52 --> 3136.38] As well as yesterday, a number of us from council, both elders and deacons, were able to go to +[3136.38 --> 3144.28] a leadership conference in Abbotsford at New Life Church where we learned a lot of things +[3144.28 --> 3148.68] and were inspired for this new season coming forward. +[3151.46 --> 3153.12] Let's go to our Father in Heaven. +[3156.52 --> 3168.16] Father in Heaven, we come to you this morning here in this place as your people to seek you. +[3169.10 --> 3173.34] And because of your spirit that you sent down to be in us. +[3175.54 --> 3181.26] And because of that spirit, we see that you made the earth on which we stand. +[3181.26 --> 3187.26] You made the air which we breathe and the beauty in the sky we stand beneath. +[3187.90 --> 3191.52] And how awesome and vast your creation is. +[3192.96 --> 3198.60] How immeasurable is the delicate balance and the detail that we see. +[3198.60 --> 3205.98] And yet, you chase after us like a shepherd watches his sheep. +[3207.48 --> 3212.10] You know us by name and pour out grace through your redeeming love. +[3212.10 --> 3218.94] We sang this morning about your throne beneath the name of names. +[3219.72 --> 3220.98] That's where you're seated. +[3222.40 --> 3228.34] Your kingdom is here and the time is getting closer to when you will be revealed to all nations. +[3228.34 --> 3234.62] It's in that knowledge and it's in knowing you. +[3235.92 --> 3240.56] And knowing that you are in control of all things that we can have comfort. +[3242.32 --> 3243.20] Help us. +[3244.58 --> 3251.38] Help us to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes. +[3251.38 --> 3259.18] For our struggle isn't against the flesh and blood, but against rulers and against authorities, +[3259.40 --> 3266.08] against powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. +[3268.84 --> 3274.02] We can stand here in this place knowing that you are here with us. +[3274.02 --> 3284.32] Do a great work in each of us by your spirit to make us each day more and more like your son, Jesus Christ. +[3287.28 --> 3292.14] Thank you for your mercy and grace, for always being there when we need you. +[3293.90 --> 3297.18] We all come here with individual and personal needs. +[3298.12 --> 3301.10] Needs that we may not have shared with anyone else. +[3301.10 --> 3315.82] We thank you for your faithfulness and guidance during our special meeting this week, this past week. +[3316.04 --> 3325.64] And we thank you for leading our church family to approve the motion of calling Kevin as a pastor of the word. +[3325.64 --> 3333.52] Lord, we pray you will bless Kevin with wisdom and humility and strength as he moves forward. +[3336.58 --> 3339.94] We pray for John and the medical attention he's getting. +[3341.40 --> 3345.08] It can be a long process working to receive the right treatments. +[3345.86 --> 3348.70] And we pray for strength and patience for John and Greta. +[3349.64 --> 3352.28] And return to health for John. +[3352.28 --> 3358.94] We pray once again for Tessa, Jerry's daughter and Eneka's sister. +[3360.40 --> 3363.78] We thank you for the good news that her lymphoma is in remission. +[3364.84 --> 3369.04] But now she's found out she will have to go for surgery for a spot on her colon. +[3370.80 --> 3374.46] Please give Tessa and the family patience and peace during this time. +[3374.46 --> 3381.58] We also pray for Judy, who needs surgery to remove kidney stones. +[3381.74 --> 3385.64] We pray that that will go well and she will recover quickly. +[3388.30 --> 3392.48] We also pray for Ellen and the treatment that she receives for her knees. +[3393.44 --> 3395.44] We pray that it will be successful. +[3395.44 --> 3402.22] We thank you for the blessing of marriage. +[3403.16 --> 3406.60] For Michaela and Caden, the daughter of Harry and Robin. +[3407.02 --> 3410.50] Lord, we ask that you will bless them in their new life together. +[3414.68 --> 3417.18] Father, we also pray for this world. +[3417.18 --> 3447.16] We pray for peace. +[3447.18 --> 3450.78] Help us to see that you are in control. +[3451.40 --> 3457.18] And help us to be a light in this dark world so that your kingdom will come soon. +[3459.70 --> 3463.06] As we begin a new season of ministry at our church, +[3463.76 --> 3471.06] we ask for your prayers over every ministry, every volunteer and leader. +[3471.06 --> 3476.44] We pray that you would guide each step. +[3476.44 --> 3481.62] Strengthen those who serve and open hearts for those who will participate. +[3482.82 --> 3491.14] May all we do bring glory to your name and build up the body of Christ in love and unity. +[3491.14 --> 3501.80] We ask that you will now bless the word we are about to hear and pray that you will pour out your spirit on Pastor Chris as he preaches your word here today. +[3503.46 --> 3506.54] Father, we pray that our eyes would be fixed on Jesus. +[3506.54 --> 3513.02] We pray that by your spirit, you will bring it into our hearts to believe and to trust in you. +[3514.24 --> 3519.44] And for all these things, we pray not because we are worthy, but in Jesus' name alone. +[3520.20 --> 3520.54] Amen. +[3536.54 --> 3545.76] As we begin this ministry year and season together, +[3546.34 --> 3553.10] as we reflect really on all the things that God has done among us and is doing among us, +[3553.10 --> 3556.64] as we anticipate what God might do in our midst, +[3556.64 --> 3559.96] together and prayerfully, +[3560.32 --> 3568.04] we wondered about how it is that we might step with confidence and conviction into that future. +[3568.48 --> 3572.90] And to help us with that and to see that a little bit more clearly, +[3572.90 --> 3575.48] we're going to read from Philippians 1. +[3576.66 --> 3580.86] I'm going to read from 27 to 30, +[3581.06 --> 3585.20] although we'll focus on a couple of the verses in there in particular. +[3586.64 --> 3590.28] You may have also noted, as Mike was up here talking, +[3590.68 --> 3593.08] the Children's Worship Time kids are doing the same thing. +[3593.60 --> 3595.48] And so for this ministry season, +[3596.04 --> 3598.66] Children's Worship Time coordinators and teachers +[3598.66 --> 3604.32] are going to be matching in their class and in their work what we talk about here. +[3605.16 --> 3608.12] And so families, no matter how old you are, +[3608.20 --> 3610.90] you can take these conversations home with you +[3610.90 --> 3613.84] and over lunch or dinner or whatever throughout the week, +[3613.84 --> 3618.08] ask how it is that they were learning the same things that you are, +[3618.16 --> 3619.68] that we are when we stay here. +[3619.96 --> 3623.34] And so I really encourage that and thank you to the Children's Worship Time people +[3623.34 --> 3625.70] who have taken that on and made that a priority. +[3626.54 --> 3629.90] Let's read together from Philippians 1. +[3630.44 --> 3631.78] I'll start at verse 27. +[3631.78 --> 3640.00] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. +[3641.06 --> 3646.18] Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, +[3646.54 --> 3650.50] I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, +[3651.36 --> 3654.88] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel, +[3655.38 --> 3658.78] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. +[3658.78 --> 3664.18] This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, +[3664.66 --> 3668.52] but that you will be saved, and that by God. +[3669.46 --> 3673.54] For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, +[3673.64 --> 3678.76] not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. +[3679.90 --> 3683.16] Since you are going through the same struggles you saw I had, +[3683.42 --> 3686.66] and now hear that I still have. +[3686.66 --> 3688.74] This is the word of the Lord. +[3693.38 --> 3697.64] I don't know if this happens in your world as well, +[3697.74 --> 3704.00] but a few months ago, kind of in the end of July season of life, +[3704.34 --> 3705.90] on social media, +[3706.50 --> 3714.40] the same sort of messaging starts to circulate and come through everywhere. +[3714.40 --> 3718.28] And I remember, I don't know if it was on Instagram or YouTube or wherever it was, +[3718.36 --> 3719.72] but there was a clip, +[3720.28 --> 3726.56] or there was a video showing a bunch of clips of high school commencement addresses. +[3728.34 --> 3733.52] And every valedictorian or class historian or whomever, +[3733.96 --> 3736.80] just one after the other, it was clipped together +[3736.80 --> 3738.82] with words like, +[3739.02 --> 3740.06] do what you love. +[3741.02 --> 3742.48] Don't settle for the mediocre. +[3743.12 --> 3744.12] Make your own meaning. +[3744.62 --> 3745.84] Find your own way. +[3746.12 --> 3747.68] And then over and over and over again, +[3747.82 --> 3750.64] find your purpose. +[3752.16 --> 3753.70] Find your purpose. +[3753.70 --> 3759.78] As I was reflecting in preparation for this week, +[3760.68 --> 3765.64] I came across an article that was written in August this past year +[3765.64 --> 3767.48] by Alina Tuggan. +[3767.62 --> 3769.52] It was written for the Associated Press. +[3770.16 --> 3771.34] And the article was called, +[3771.84 --> 3776.56] Why the Search for Meaning Can Cause Purpose Anxiety. +[3776.56 --> 3783.16] In that article, she writes that the word purpose has become so weighty, +[3783.54 --> 3785.04] so ubiquitous, +[3785.24 --> 3789.22] from valedictorian addresses all the way through to our social media feeds, +[3789.52 --> 3794.70] that it's become so weighty that it can be actually a source of angst. +[3796.44 --> 3797.46] And in her article, +[3797.62 --> 3803.22] she went on to talk about how psychologists actually have developed a term for this angst. +[3803.68 --> 3805.66] It's called purpose anxiety. +[3807.52 --> 3810.10] Part of the problem that was noted in the article +[3810.10 --> 3815.88] is that a lot of the places that we have historically gone to find meaning +[3815.88 --> 3817.20] are falling away. +[3818.84 --> 3821.34] It used to be the case that for many people, +[3821.52 --> 3825.94] religion and religious connection was a source of meaning. +[3826.32 --> 3830.46] But in the Western world, anyway, those numbers are dropping. +[3831.76 --> 3836.04] It used to be the case that people would traditionally find meaning +[3836.04 --> 3841.94] or purpose in ensuring that their children had a better life than they did. +[3843.08 --> 3845.48] But two competing realities here. +[3845.58 --> 3848.66] One, people are having fewer and fewer children +[3848.66 --> 3850.68] or not having any children at all. +[3850.90 --> 3855.64] And those children, for the first time in like 200 years, +[3856.06 --> 3858.50] this generation that's coming up doesn't actually believe +[3858.50 --> 3861.44] that they will have a better life than their parents did. +[3862.04 --> 3865.28] That changes the dynamic. +[3865.28 --> 3867.32] Right? +[3867.36 --> 3871.80] And as these traditional sources of purpose and meaning wane, +[3872.20 --> 3876.54] anxiety rises among a population that's trying to figure it out. +[3877.98 --> 3881.30] One psychologist quoted in the article says, +[3881.30 --> 3885.96] Now we're stuck trying to do the harder thing, +[3886.34 --> 3888.18] which is one by one, +[3888.52 --> 3890.58] figure out everything in the universe +[3890.58 --> 3892.18] and how we fit in it. +[3893.78 --> 3894.32] Right? +[3894.36 --> 3896.90] That's the pressure people are living in. +[3897.48 --> 3898.72] We have to figure it out. +[3898.84 --> 3900.42] One by one by one, +[3900.42 --> 3903.56] every man, woman and other for themselves. +[3904.44 --> 3905.70] We have to figure out everything. +[3906.88 --> 3911.16] And we have to decide how it is that we uniquely fit in this place. +[3912.38 --> 3914.50] And really, I don't know if you feel it, +[3914.66 --> 3915.28] I feel it, +[3915.50 --> 3920.56] the deck is stacked against us. +[3921.20 --> 3923.68] Even language is stacked against us at this point. +[3924.78 --> 3926.28] And I'm sure you feel it. +[3926.66 --> 3926.80] Right? +[3926.86 --> 3929.32] Whether it's through social media algorithms +[3929.32 --> 3931.86] deepening the doom spiral scrolling. +[3931.86 --> 3933.68] Right? +[3933.72 --> 3935.80] Whether it's the powers and principalities +[3935.80 --> 3937.72] or the state of the world. +[3937.86 --> 3940.66] Whether it's the unseen spiritual warfare +[3940.66 --> 3942.46] that we are in the midst of. +[3942.54 --> 3944.28] And I'm going to be candid and bold with you. +[3944.50 --> 3946.52] It is actually all three of those things +[3946.52 --> 3947.74] happening at the same time. +[3949.08 --> 3949.52] Right? +[3949.60 --> 3952.26] There's algorithms that are dictating what you see. +[3952.78 --> 3954.38] There are powers and principalities +[3954.38 --> 3956.50] and states of the world that are against us. +[3956.58 --> 3958.42] And there is a spiritual war +[3958.42 --> 3959.72] that is going on for your hearts, +[3960.12 --> 3961.30] minds, and imaginations. +[3961.86 --> 3964.76] And in the midst of that, +[3964.86 --> 3966.62] we keep hearing the same message. +[3968.14 --> 3970.06] Find meaning in things. +[3970.50 --> 3972.36] Find purpose in titles. +[3972.84 --> 3976.02] Find it in likes and in clicks. +[3976.48 --> 3978.74] Find meaning in money or in toys +[3978.74 --> 3980.60] or in status or influence. +[3980.60 --> 3984.34] And if you can't find what you're looking for +[3984.34 --> 3985.64] in those things, +[3986.76 --> 3991.68] well, we are given a palpable distraction +[3991.68 --> 3993.82] to numb the anxiety, +[3994.08 --> 3995.48] to quiet the loss, +[3995.70 --> 3996.76] and to soften the hurt. +[3996.76 --> 4003.88] If the message isn't the rat race of go, do, do, do, +[4003.88 --> 4006.56] it's a distraction buffet +[4006.56 --> 4009.60] where we get to choose from a number +[4009.60 --> 4013.08] of platters of numbing agents +[4013.08 --> 4017.32] that the growing void in our hearts and minds +[4017.32 --> 4018.14] try to fill. +[4018.14 --> 4021.56] Or to put it another way, +[4021.56 --> 4026.00] comfort, autonomy, and peace of mind +[4026.00 --> 4028.34] are the gods of this age. +[4028.34 --> 4031.64] And they're calling for our attention. +[4031.64 --> 4035.74] But what if, +[4036.24 --> 4041.12] what if the longing that's underneath all of that, +[4042.00 --> 4044.74] right, the truth that purpose anxiety +[4044.74 --> 4046.06] actually exposes, +[4046.64 --> 4048.30] is the sense, +[4048.86 --> 4049.60] the reality, +[4049.60 --> 4052.04] that we were made for something more. +[4053.04 --> 4054.26] Something eternal. +[4054.26 --> 4055.52] Right? +[4055.62 --> 4057.68] That something beyond us +[4057.68 --> 4060.36] is necessary for the meaning +[4060.36 --> 4061.98] that comes out of us +[4061.98 --> 4064.24] and is found around us. +[4064.58 --> 4066.38] Something that will not disappoint. +[4066.72 --> 4069.60] Something that our souls are made to connect with. +[4070.00 --> 4073.96] What if the call to strive together +[4073.96 --> 4076.54] as one for the faith of the gospel, +[4077.20 --> 4079.82] what if the call to conduct ourselves +[4079.82 --> 4081.74] in a manner worthy of Christ's name, +[4081.98 --> 4083.62] even when it costs us, +[4083.62 --> 4085.84] is our purpose? +[4087.50 --> 4090.20] What if there is the meaning and purpose +[4090.20 --> 4093.38] that we find in striving and suffering +[4093.38 --> 4095.60] with Christ +[4095.60 --> 4099.48] is actually where you can find wholeness? +[4100.32 --> 4102.94] What if that's the point of all of this? +[4104.32 --> 4105.84] And if that's true, +[4108.42 --> 4111.94] what if we've settled for distractions +[4111.94 --> 4113.82] in place of it? +[4116.70 --> 4118.56] Today, as we kick off this +[4118.56 --> 4120.04] ministry and mission year, +[4120.20 --> 4121.48] I want us to look fresh +[4121.48 --> 4122.44] at what it means +[4122.44 --> 4125.70] to live a life worthy of the gospel, +[4125.94 --> 4127.42] to stand firm +[4127.42 --> 4130.06] and to be undetured by opposition, +[4130.32 --> 4133.22] to find meaning in Christ +[4133.22 --> 4134.94] and to find there the meaning +[4134.94 --> 4137.38] that our hearts long for. +[4137.38 --> 4141.80] Our big idea, as it were, this morning, +[4142.20 --> 4143.82] our theme, the banner under which +[4143.82 --> 4145.36] we're going to dig today +[4145.36 --> 4146.84] is that in Christ +[4146.84 --> 4149.66] is the meaning our hearts long for. +[4150.72 --> 4151.60] It's that simple. +[4152.02 --> 4153.30] In Christ is the meaning +[4153.30 --> 4154.64] that our hearts long for. +[4154.76 --> 4157.20] That's why and how we live a life +[4157.20 --> 4158.46] worthy of the gospel. +[4158.60 --> 4160.92] How and why we stand firm together +[4160.92 --> 4162.40] in the face of opposition +[4162.40 --> 4164.00] and challenge from the world +[4164.00 --> 4166.26] and, honestly, challenge from our own hearts. +[4166.26 --> 4172.28] Now, we're not the first people +[4172.28 --> 4173.82] to feel this kind of pressure, +[4173.96 --> 4175.26] although perhaps we feel it uniquely +[4175.26 --> 4177.08] in our world today, right? +[4177.12 --> 4178.26] To feel pulled by a hundred +[4178.26 --> 4179.04] different directions +[4179.04 --> 4180.16] of competing voices, +[4180.58 --> 4181.90] promising meaning and comfort +[4181.90 --> 4182.68] and identity. +[4183.20 --> 4185.40] The Philippians knew this as well. +[4186.88 --> 4187.90] The Philippian church +[4187.90 --> 4190.26] is a small-ish group of Christians +[4190.80 --> 4192.28] living in community +[4192.28 --> 4194.94] in the proud Roman colony +[4194.94 --> 4196.28] of Philippi. +[4197.76 --> 4198.58] Now, Philippi +[4198.58 --> 4200.24] is a city +[4200.24 --> 4202.02] established +[4202.02 --> 4204.04] and populated +[4204.04 --> 4206.46] by retired soldiers +[4206.46 --> 4208.28] and people +[4208.28 --> 4209.42] who have been granted +[4209.42 --> 4210.78] Roman citizenship +[4210.78 --> 4212.16] as a reward +[4212.16 --> 4214.12] for their loyalty to Caesar. +[4215.28 --> 4216.28] Roman culture +[4216.80 --> 4218.72] offers its own version +[4218.72 --> 4219.64] of the good life, +[4219.74 --> 4221.14] about what peace is, +[4221.14 --> 4222.92] of how to get prosperity +[4222.92 --> 4224.16] and security +[4224.16 --> 4226.16] under the lordship +[4226.16 --> 4227.26] of Caesar. +[4227.26 --> 4231.64] and those promises +[4231.64 --> 4232.88] and realities +[4232.88 --> 4234.02] weren't available +[4234.02 --> 4234.84] to everyone. +[4237.04 --> 4237.66] Right? +[4237.70 --> 4238.64] The Roman Empire, +[4239.12 --> 4241.22] by its grace, +[4241.50 --> 4242.58] dispensed that +[4242.58 --> 4243.68] to citizens +[4243.68 --> 4244.78] who had earned it +[4244.78 --> 4246.12] and Philippi +[4246.12 --> 4246.96] is a colony +[4246.96 --> 4248.40] made up of those. +[4248.82 --> 4249.18] And, +[4249.24 --> 4250.34] in the Roman Empire, +[4250.76 --> 4252.08] when you didn't quite +[4252.08 --> 4253.10] get that, +[4253.18 --> 4254.04] when you didn't have +[4254.04 --> 4254.78] that reward, +[4254.78 --> 4256.40] the Roman Empire +[4256.40 --> 4257.58] was expert +[4257.58 --> 4259.16] at distraction +[4259.16 --> 4260.74] and spectacle +[4260.74 --> 4262.00] to turn your eyes +[4262.00 --> 4262.62] away from it. +[4264.24 --> 4265.26] And it's into +[4265.26 --> 4266.26] that particular +[4266.26 --> 4268.74] cultural pressure cooker, +[4269.18 --> 4269.42] right, +[4269.46 --> 4270.44] with its conflicting +[4270.44 --> 4271.30] loyalties +[4271.30 --> 4272.70] and public opposition +[4272.70 --> 4273.88] that Paul +[4273.88 --> 4275.02] writes to the church. +[4276.32 --> 4277.46] And it's worth noting +[4277.46 --> 4278.08] that Paul +[4278.08 --> 4279.32] writes this letter +[4279.32 --> 4280.26] while he himself +[4280.26 --> 4281.78] is in a Roman prison. +[4281.78 --> 4284.60] And he says, +[4284.74 --> 4285.58] whatever happens, +[4285.80 --> 4286.66] conduct yourselves +[4286.66 --> 4287.28] in a manner +[4287.28 --> 4288.60] worthy of the gospel +[4288.60 --> 4289.20] of Christ. +[4289.74 --> 4289.96] Then, +[4290.06 --> 4290.80] whether I come +[4290.80 --> 4291.78] and see you +[4291.78 --> 4292.86] or only hear about you +[4292.86 --> 4293.46] in my absence, +[4293.62 --> 4294.60] I will know +[4294.60 --> 4295.58] that you stand +[4295.58 --> 4297.24] firm in the one spirit, +[4297.92 --> 4298.94] striving together, +[4299.44 --> 4301.86] striving together +[4301.86 --> 4302.40] as one +[4302.40 --> 4303.02] for the faith +[4303.02 --> 4303.72] of the gospel +[4303.72 --> 4305.16] without being frightened +[4305.16 --> 4306.30] in any way +[4306.30 --> 4307.96] by those who oppose you. +[4309.48 --> 4310.36] If you were to start +[4310.36 --> 4310.94] at the beginning +[4310.94 --> 4311.62] of Philippians +[4311.62 --> 4312.24] and read +[4312.24 --> 4314.26] into our text, +[4314.40 --> 4314.84] you would see +[4314.84 --> 4315.42] that this +[4315.42 --> 4317.56] is the first command +[4317.56 --> 4318.94] in the whole letter. +[4320.36 --> 4321.34] And the key phrase +[4321.34 --> 4322.08] in it is right +[4322.08 --> 4322.66] at the start. +[4323.50 --> 4324.70] Conduct yourselves. +[4326.30 --> 4326.50] Now, +[4326.54 --> 4326.96] in Greek, +[4327.08 --> 4327.86] the word that Paul +[4327.86 --> 4328.66] is using here +[4328.66 --> 4329.70] literally means +[4329.70 --> 4331.46] live as citizens. +[4333.18 --> 4333.48] Again, +[4333.88 --> 4334.04] right, +[4334.08 --> 4334.60] that word +[4334.60 --> 4335.36] would have landed +[4335.36 --> 4336.44] with a very particular +[4336.44 --> 4337.30] force +[4337.30 --> 4338.52] for people +[4338.52 --> 4339.28] in Philippi. +[4340.24 --> 4340.44] Right, +[4340.44 --> 4341.56] their whole identity +[4341.56 --> 4342.84] is bound up +[4342.84 --> 4343.60] with the privilege +[4343.60 --> 4344.64] of being +[4344.64 --> 4345.78] a Roman colony. +[4346.58 --> 4347.14] Bound up +[4347.14 --> 4348.18] with the privilege +[4348.18 --> 4349.80] of Roman citizenship +[4349.80 --> 4351.02] that means security +[4351.02 --> 4351.74] and status +[4351.74 --> 4352.30] and a sense +[4352.30 --> 4352.90] of belonging +[4352.90 --> 4353.60] into something +[4353.60 --> 4355.04] bigger than you are. +[4355.16 --> 4355.90] Paul turns that +[4355.90 --> 4356.38] on his head +[4356.38 --> 4357.52] in these first words. +[4359.26 --> 4359.74] Right, +[4359.78 --> 4360.12] he says, +[4360.24 --> 4360.60] in effect, +[4360.96 --> 4362.42] your truest citizenship +[4362.42 --> 4363.54] isn't Rome, +[4364.06 --> 4364.82] it's the kingdom +[4364.82 --> 4365.28] of heaven. +[4366.46 --> 4367.58] And so live like it. +[4367.58 --> 4369.96] Let your public life +[4369.96 --> 4370.88] as a community +[4370.88 --> 4372.50] reflect the gospel, +[4373.22 --> 4374.92] not the empire. +[4376.12 --> 4377.80] Later in this same letter, +[4377.92 --> 4378.56] in chapter 3, +[4378.60 --> 4379.04] verse 20, +[4379.26 --> 4380.26] he says it explicitly. +[4380.42 --> 4380.66] He says, +[4380.74 --> 4381.42] our citizenship +[4381.42 --> 4383.24] is in heaven. +[4384.64 --> 4385.84] So it begs the question +[4385.84 --> 4386.48] for us, right, +[4386.54 --> 4387.64] what does a life +[4387.64 --> 4389.24] worthy of the gospel, +[4389.44 --> 4390.74] what does it look like +[4390.74 --> 4392.64] to live as citizens +[4392.64 --> 4394.40] in the kingdom of heaven? +[4394.40 --> 4396.32] Paul gives us +[4396.32 --> 4397.58] three marks +[4397.58 --> 4398.42] right here +[4398.42 --> 4399.84] in these verses. +[4400.76 --> 4401.40] First, +[4402.24 --> 4403.40] it looks like +[4403.40 --> 4404.88] standing firm +[4404.88 --> 4406.42] in the one spirit. +[4407.84 --> 4409.32] Now that standing firm +[4409.32 --> 4411.80] is a military image +[4411.80 --> 4413.44] of soldiers +[4413.44 --> 4415.22] standing together +[4415.22 --> 4416.28] in one line, +[4416.84 --> 4417.94] of holding the line. +[4419.40 --> 4419.98] Right, +[4420.02 --> 4421.34] and then it also looks +[4421.34 --> 4423.04] like striving together +[4423.04 --> 4424.70] as one for the faith +[4424.70 --> 4425.32] of the gospel. +[4425.60 --> 4426.74] And that Greek word there +[4426.74 --> 4427.94] for striving together +[4427.94 --> 4429.50] is athletic language. +[4429.98 --> 4431.16] It's like teammates +[4431.16 --> 4431.98] contending +[4431.98 --> 4433.42] for the same victory, +[4433.54 --> 4434.54] for the same prize. +[4435.94 --> 4436.62] And then third, +[4437.04 --> 4438.14] it looks like living +[4438.14 --> 4439.58] without being frightened +[4439.58 --> 4440.66] in any way. +[4441.44 --> 4442.12] Now that word, +[4442.46 --> 4442.72] frightened, +[4443.08 --> 4443.90] is used +[4443.90 --> 4445.00] to refer to +[4445.00 --> 4445.76] a horse +[4445.76 --> 4446.70] that is startled +[4446.70 --> 4448.32] and bolts in fear. +[4449.32 --> 4449.42] Right, +[4449.44 --> 4450.80] and so gospel-shaped +[4450.80 --> 4451.66] citizenship +[4451.66 --> 4453.22] means unity, +[4454.22 --> 4454.70] courage, +[4455.14 --> 4456.04] and perseverance +[4456.04 --> 4457.74] in the face of pressure. +[4458.66 --> 4459.58] And like athletes +[4459.58 --> 4460.68] on the same team +[4460.68 --> 4461.36] or soldiers +[4461.36 --> 4463.00] who are locking shields, +[4463.36 --> 4464.26] this isn't about +[4464.26 --> 4465.60] individual heroics, +[4465.74 --> 4467.84] this is together language. +[4468.90 --> 4469.02] Right, +[4469.04 --> 4470.06] the gospel isn't +[4470.06 --> 4471.14] being advanced +[4471.14 --> 4472.50] by isolated believers +[4472.50 --> 4473.28] chasing after +[4473.28 --> 4474.20] a private spirituality, +[4474.58 --> 4475.70] but by a church +[4475.70 --> 4477.20] standing united, +[4477.76 --> 4478.22] striving, +[4478.22 --> 4479.62] and suffering +[4479.62 --> 4480.60] together. +[4483.68 --> 4484.68] You can probably +[4484.68 --> 4485.60] already sense this, +[4486.54 --> 4488.22] but that kind of unity, +[4488.82 --> 4489.92] that kind of togetherness +[4489.92 --> 4491.78] doesn't come naturally. +[4493.66 --> 4493.80] Right, +[4493.88 --> 4495.08] in Philippians 4, +[4495.16 --> 4495.98] at the end of the letter, +[4496.12 --> 4497.92] Paul actually calls out +[4497.92 --> 4498.66] two leaders +[4498.66 --> 4499.80] in the community, +[4500.24 --> 4501.70] Euodia and Synecdoche, +[4502.28 --> 4503.36] and these two women +[4503.36 --> 4504.08] were serving +[4504.08 --> 4504.58] as leaders +[4504.58 --> 4505.30] in the community, +[4505.30 --> 4506.80] and he pleads with them +[4506.80 --> 4508.86] to be of the same mind +[4508.86 --> 4509.84] as the Lord. +[4511.06 --> 4511.40] Again, +[4511.50 --> 4511.84] like I said, +[4511.88 --> 4513.52] these aren't fringe figures, +[4513.92 --> 4514.06] right, +[4514.16 --> 4515.40] Paul describes them +[4515.40 --> 4516.32] as contending +[4516.32 --> 4517.34] at his side +[4517.34 --> 4517.98] in the cause +[4517.98 --> 4518.56] of the gospel. +[4518.90 --> 4520.36] The issue that divides them +[4520.36 --> 4521.18] isn't trivial, +[4521.64 --> 4522.88] it's about how to +[4522.88 --> 4523.82] live a life +[4523.82 --> 4524.74] worthy of the gospel, +[4524.86 --> 4526.00] how to conduct yourselves +[4526.00 --> 4526.66] in a manner +[4526.66 --> 4527.58] worthy of Christ. +[4527.68 --> 4529.06] It's about how to contend +[4529.06 --> 4530.16] for the gospel +[4530.16 --> 4531.70] in a place like Philippi. +[4531.70 --> 4533.92] The gospel work +[4533.92 --> 4535.40] was being hijacked +[4535.40 --> 4536.32] by distraction +[4536.32 --> 4537.72] and disagreement. +[4547.56 --> 4548.30] I've been doing +[4548.30 --> 4549.04] a lot of reflecting +[4549.04 --> 4549.58] this summer +[4549.58 --> 4552.40] on what this means. +[4554.52 --> 4555.32] Because this sounds +[4555.32 --> 4556.12] familiar to me. +[4557.66 --> 4558.90] It can be so easy +[4558.90 --> 4559.52] for church, +[4560.16 --> 4561.12] for Christians, +[4561.12 --> 4562.34] for counsel, +[4562.64 --> 4563.98] or for denominational +[4563.98 --> 4564.84] conversations, +[4565.44 --> 4565.56] right, +[4565.56 --> 4566.66] it can be so easy +[4566.66 --> 4569.10] for our work together +[4569.10 --> 4570.98] to get sidetracked +[4570.98 --> 4572.48] by lesser agendas. +[4574.04 --> 4574.60] Right? +[4574.74 --> 4575.94] And maybe for a time +[4575.94 --> 4576.62] they're important +[4576.62 --> 4577.90] and necessary, +[4578.38 --> 4579.62] but in continuing +[4579.62 --> 4580.44] to come back +[4580.44 --> 4581.18] over and over +[4581.18 --> 4581.88] and over again +[4581.88 --> 4582.38] to these things, +[4582.54 --> 4583.18] we're no longer +[4583.18 --> 4584.24] serving to advance +[4584.24 --> 4584.86] the gospel, +[4585.20 --> 4586.12] but we're on our own +[4586.12 --> 4586.88] hobby horse, +[4587.12 --> 4587.82] pet project, +[4587.92 --> 4588.58] or soapbox. +[4588.58 --> 4591.00] This summer, +[4591.36 --> 4592.86] I had the chance +[4592.86 --> 4593.98] to preach +[4593.98 --> 4594.76] to a group +[4594.76 --> 4596.04] of CRC pastors +[4596.04 --> 4597.50] at a convention +[4597.50 --> 4598.56] that was held +[4598.56 --> 4599.18] in Ontario. +[4600.16 --> 4600.74] And to this group +[4600.74 --> 4601.74] of CRC pastors, +[4602.14 --> 4603.64] I asked this question. +[4605.52 --> 4606.22] I said, +[4606.32 --> 4607.44] what if conversations +[4607.44 --> 4608.74] about church order +[4608.74 --> 4609.74] or procedure +[4609.74 --> 4611.46] or national identity, +[4611.92 --> 4613.06] for all of their importance, +[4613.30 --> 4614.80] have become red herrings +[4614.80 --> 4615.70] pulling us away +[4615.70 --> 4616.68] from the central mission +[4616.68 --> 4617.22] of the gospel? +[4618.42 --> 4619.90] What might it look like +[4619.90 --> 4620.64] for our churches +[4620.64 --> 4622.12] to not only be +[4622.12 --> 4623.38] dogmatically committed +[4623.38 --> 4624.26] to the content +[4624.26 --> 4625.20] of the gospel, +[4625.56 --> 4627.72] but also doggedly committed +[4627.72 --> 4629.06] to the agenda +[4629.06 --> 4630.26] of the gospel, +[4630.40 --> 4631.32] to see lives +[4631.32 --> 4632.10] and neighborhoods +[4632.10 --> 4634.08] transformed by Christ? +[4635.52 --> 4636.92] And that same question +[4636.92 --> 4637.88] can be asked right here, +[4638.36 --> 4638.82] right now. +[4640.42 --> 4641.84] What if we are settling +[4641.84 --> 4643.02] for distractions +[4643.02 --> 4644.42] when we should be running +[4644.42 --> 4645.72] after what the Holy Spirit +[4645.72 --> 4646.20] is doing? +[4647.88 --> 4648.96] What if we are settling +[4648.96 --> 4650.76] for something secondary +[4650.76 --> 4652.22] when we should be living +[4652.22 --> 4653.18] a life worthy +[4653.18 --> 4654.34] of the gospel +[4654.34 --> 4656.64] as our very contending +[4656.64 --> 4658.22] for the gospel? +[4660.96 --> 4662.54] Now, this isn't a new problem. +[4663.32 --> 4664.18] Very clearly, +[4664.44 --> 4665.24] Paul's addressing it. +[4666.38 --> 4667.76] In the second century, +[4668.12 --> 4669.04] there's a church father. +[4669.18 --> 4670.28] His name is Irenaeus. +[4670.28 --> 4672.24] He would actually go on +[4672.24 --> 4673.16] to argue +[4673.16 --> 4674.58] that the moral +[4674.58 --> 4676.32] and spiritual character +[4676.32 --> 4678.24] of Christian leaders +[4678.24 --> 4680.66] become itself +[4680.66 --> 4681.70] unapologetic +[4681.70 --> 4682.60] for the truth +[4682.60 --> 4683.20] of the gospel. +[4684.06 --> 4685.46] He says that +[4685.46 --> 4686.24] ultimately, +[4686.52 --> 4687.84] it is holiness, +[4688.30 --> 4689.82] not head knowledge, +[4690.24 --> 4691.88] that is the truest test +[4691.88 --> 4692.70] of Christian belief. +[4692.70 --> 4697.72] That one cuts me +[4697.72 --> 4698.24] a little bit. +[4699.92 --> 4700.60] Holiness, +[4700.92 --> 4701.90] not head knowledge. +[4702.60 --> 4703.68] That's the truest test +[4703.68 --> 4704.50] of Christian belief. +[4707.54 --> 4708.52] John Owen, +[4708.86 --> 4711.40] he's a 17th century pastor. +[4712.08 --> 4713.44] He continues to speak +[4713.44 --> 4714.60] to pastors. +[4715.32 --> 4715.90] He says, +[4716.02 --> 4717.16] a pastor's life +[4717.16 --> 4718.16] should be vocal. +[4719.26 --> 4720.76] Sermons must be practiced +[4720.76 --> 4721.92] as well as preached. +[4722.70 --> 4725.22] So I share that with you +[4725.22 --> 4726.16] because I'm putting myself +[4726.16 --> 4726.84] on blast, +[4726.92 --> 4728.22] as they say here. +[4729.18 --> 4730.02] But also, +[4730.18 --> 4730.52] elders, +[4731.28 --> 4732.70] deacons in this church, +[4733.04 --> 4733.66] you are called +[4733.66 --> 4734.98] to be an example. +[4736.06 --> 4737.46] As the Apostle Paul says, +[4737.58 --> 4739.02] follow my example +[4739.02 --> 4739.78] as I follow +[4739.78 --> 4740.84] the example of Christ. +[4741.94 --> 4742.82] To be a leader +[4742.82 --> 4745.26] is to lead in +[4745.26 --> 4747.42] living a life +[4747.42 --> 4749.06] worthy of the calling. +[4749.22 --> 4750.34] To lead in +[4750.34 --> 4751.00] contending +[4751.00 --> 4752.34] for the gospel. +[4752.70 --> 4757.08] division +[4757.08 --> 4760.02] and hypocrisy +[4760.02 --> 4762.86] and mission drift +[4762.86 --> 4765.12] undermine +[4765.12 --> 4766.72] the witness +[4766.72 --> 4768.16] of the gospel +[4768.16 --> 4770.18] just as much +[4770.18 --> 4771.82] as false teaching does. +[4771.82 --> 4777.84] So Paul calls us back. +[4779.14 --> 4780.04] He calls us back +[4780.04 --> 4780.38] and he says, +[4780.80 --> 4781.30] stand firm, +[4781.98 --> 4782.94] strive together +[4782.94 --> 4784.02] side by side, +[4784.40 --> 4785.54] refuse to be +[4785.54 --> 4786.18] frightened +[4786.18 --> 4787.34] into silence +[4787.34 --> 4788.60] or splintered +[4788.60 --> 4789.46] into factions. +[4789.46 --> 4791.96] the church's unity +[4791.96 --> 4793.78] is not a sentimental +[4793.78 --> 4794.68] extra, +[4795.04 --> 4796.10] an add-on +[4796.10 --> 4796.78] that makes us +[4796.78 --> 4797.44] feel good. +[4797.54 --> 4798.84] It's part of the witness. +[4800.42 --> 4801.48] Jesus prayed this +[4801.48 --> 4802.40] in John 17. +[4802.58 --> 4802.98] He prayed +[4802.98 --> 4804.16] and said that +[4804.16 --> 4805.08] our oneness +[4805.08 --> 4805.74] in him +[4805.74 --> 4806.52] was given +[4806.52 --> 4808.12] so that the world +[4808.12 --> 4809.12] may believe. +[4809.12 --> 4812.28] when we contend +[4812.28 --> 4813.16] together +[4813.16 --> 4814.04] rather than +[4814.04 --> 4815.32] against each other +[4815.32 --> 4816.30] the gospel +[4816.30 --> 4817.22] shines with +[4817.22 --> 4817.74] credibility +[4817.74 --> 4819.04] and power. +[4821.28 --> 4822.08] Paul isn't just +[4822.08 --> 4823.60] calling the Philippians +[4823.60 --> 4824.28] to unity, +[4824.28 --> 4825.04] right? +[4825.08 --> 4825.80] He's calling them +[4825.80 --> 4826.62] to unity +[4826.62 --> 4829.00] with courage. +[4829.00 --> 4830.56] They are to +[4830.56 --> 4831.34] stand firm +[4831.34 --> 4832.34] in the one spirit +[4832.34 --> 4833.34] striving together +[4833.34 --> 4834.36] as one for the +[4834.36 --> 4835.06] faith of the gospel +[4835.06 --> 4836.18] without being frightened +[4836.18 --> 4837.58] in any way +[4837.58 --> 4838.56] by those who +[4838.56 --> 4839.18] oppose you. +[4840.54 --> 4841.04] That phrase, +[4841.12 --> 4841.52] like we said, +[4841.58 --> 4842.30] without being frightened +[4842.30 --> 4844.14] is vivid. +[4845.64 --> 4846.00] Paul says, +[4846.22 --> 4846.98] don't be like that. +[4847.18 --> 4848.12] Don't let opposition +[4848.12 --> 4849.26] or slander +[4849.26 --> 4850.26] or suffering +[4850.26 --> 4851.50] make you scatter, +[4851.82 --> 4852.48] make you bolt. +[4855.64 --> 4856.94] The Philippians knew +[4856.94 --> 4858.28] what this kind of courage +[4858.28 --> 4858.96] looked like. +[4859.88 --> 4861.50] Their very first glimpse +[4861.50 --> 4862.02] of it, +[4862.32 --> 4863.32] of the gospel +[4863.32 --> 4865.50] came when Paul +[4865.50 --> 4866.42] and Silas +[4866.42 --> 4867.06] were being, +[4868.24 --> 4869.40] they came as +[4869.40 --> 4870.30] missionaries there. +[4870.36 --> 4871.04] You can read about it +[4871.04 --> 4871.88] in Acts 16 +[4871.88 --> 4873.42] and by the work +[4873.42 --> 4874.24] that they were doing +[4874.24 --> 4875.20] they were beaten +[4875.20 --> 4876.46] and arrested +[4876.46 --> 4877.34] and thrown +[4877.34 --> 4878.52] into prison +[4878.52 --> 4879.40] in Philippi. +[4881.50 --> 4882.56] And as we read +[4882.56 --> 4883.32] that story, +[4884.68 --> 4885.66] Paul and Silas +[4885.66 --> 4886.40] in prison +[4886.40 --> 4887.96] at midnight +[4887.96 --> 4890.96] are singing songs. +[4891.98 --> 4893.52] They're singing hymns. +[4894.32 --> 4894.96] They're praying. +[4895.42 --> 4896.62] They're bearing witness +[4896.62 --> 4897.50] with joy +[4897.50 --> 4898.98] and in their doing that +[4898.98 --> 4900.32] an earthquake happens +[4900.32 --> 4901.68] and the doors +[4901.68 --> 4902.90] are thrown open +[4902.90 --> 4904.34] and the jailer +[4904.34 --> 4905.60] and his whole household +[4905.60 --> 4906.64] as a result of this +[4906.64 --> 4907.62] come to faith +[4907.62 --> 4909.34] because of the courage +[4909.34 --> 4910.40] and the joy +[4910.40 --> 4911.50] that he saw +[4911.50 --> 4912.96] in these two men +[4912.96 --> 4913.90] that the empire +[4913.90 --> 4915.28] just couldn't explain. +[4916.08 --> 4917.28] That didn't make sense +[4917.28 --> 4918.16] to his frame +[4918.16 --> 4919.04] of reference +[4919.04 --> 4919.90] and seeing the world. +[4920.54 --> 4921.38] And Paul is writing +[4921.38 --> 4922.16] out of the same +[4922.16 --> 4922.74] conviction +[4922.74 --> 4923.54] now. +[4924.96 --> 4925.26] That's why +[4925.26 --> 4926.00] Philippians +[4926.00 --> 4927.18] is often called +[4927.18 --> 4928.46] the joy letter +[4928.46 --> 4929.54] or the rejoicing +[4929.54 --> 4930.22] letter. +[4931.32 --> 4932.02] Carl Barth, +[4932.22 --> 4933.06] the theologian +[4933.06 --> 4934.34] from the 20th century, +[4934.34 --> 4935.00] he once said +[4935.00 --> 4936.18] that joy +[4936.18 --> 4937.40] in Philippians +[4937.40 --> 4939.06] is the defiant +[4939.06 --> 4939.82] nevertheless. +[4941.08 --> 4942.48] It's a full stop +[4942.48 --> 4943.80] against the Philippians +[4943.80 --> 4944.70] anxiety. +[4945.40 --> 4946.66] That's what we see +[4946.66 --> 4948.16] in Paul and Silas. +[4948.26 --> 4949.86] A defiant joy. +[4950.28 --> 4952.28] A nevertheless joy +[4952.28 --> 4953.32] even when they're +[4953.32 --> 4954.02] being bruised +[4954.02 --> 4954.82] and beaten +[4954.82 --> 4955.78] and bleeding. +[4956.76 --> 4957.46] And Paul tells +[4957.46 --> 4958.18] the Philippians +[4958.18 --> 4959.34] and he tells us +[4959.86 --> 4962.64] that this is +[4962.64 --> 4963.56] for you. +[4964.52 --> 4964.68] Well, +[4964.98 --> 4965.56] and then he adds +[4965.56 --> 4966.88] for it has been +[4966.88 --> 4968.00] granted to you +[4968.00 --> 4969.14] on behalf of Christ +[4969.14 --> 4970.30] not only to believe +[4970.30 --> 4971.06] in him +[4971.06 --> 4973.34] but also to suffer +[4973.34 --> 4974.70] for him. +[4976.16 --> 4976.50] Did you catch +[4976.50 --> 4977.14] the language there? +[4977.24 --> 4977.92] It's really strange. +[4979.04 --> 4980.20] Granted to you. +[4981.04 --> 4981.92] It has been granted +[4981.92 --> 4982.72] to you. +[4983.10 --> 4984.18] That's gifting +[4984.18 --> 4985.10] language. +[4986.56 --> 4986.66] Right? +[4986.72 --> 4987.36] Paul treats +[4987.36 --> 4988.58] suffering for Christ +[4988.58 --> 4989.50] not as a curse, +[4990.32 --> 4991.42] not as an interruption +[4991.42 --> 4992.46] to the Christian life, +[4992.64 --> 4994.04] but as part of the package +[4994.04 --> 4995.52] for belonging to Jesus. +[4996.36 --> 4997.24] As a privilege +[4997.24 --> 4999.06] for being seen +[4999.06 --> 4999.82] in fellowship +[4999.82 --> 5001.16] and with the same eyes +[5001.16 --> 5001.84] that he was seen. +[5002.58 --> 5003.64] Faith and suffering +[5003.64 --> 5004.76] come together +[5004.76 --> 5005.98] because the cross +[5005.98 --> 5007.00] and resurrection +[5007.00 --> 5008.28] belong together. +[5010.44 --> 5011.78] And this is the heartbeat +[5011.78 --> 5013.62] of the early church +[5013.62 --> 5014.32] and it's my prayer +[5014.32 --> 5014.80] that it might +[5014.80 --> 5015.50] once again +[5015.50 --> 5016.34] become the heartbeat +[5016.34 --> 5017.94] of the western church. +[5018.30 --> 5020.04] Of this church. +[5020.04 --> 5026.82] early Christians +[5026.82 --> 5028.52] didn't chase +[5028.52 --> 5029.64] after suffering +[5029.64 --> 5031.66] but it came +[5031.66 --> 5032.12] for them +[5032.12 --> 5033.56] and when it did +[5033.56 --> 5034.74] they understood +[5034.74 --> 5036.28] that this is how +[5036.28 --> 5037.54] the gospel advances. +[5038.02 --> 5038.56] This is how +[5038.56 --> 5039.48] Christ is made +[5039.48 --> 5040.24] visible +[5040.24 --> 5041.28] how our lives +[5041.28 --> 5042.24] are conformed +[5042.24 --> 5042.96] to his. +[5044.36 --> 5044.70] And again +[5044.70 --> 5045.86] if we're honest +[5045.86 --> 5046.36] right +[5046.36 --> 5046.82] and I hope +[5046.82 --> 5047.82] we have the eyes +[5047.82 --> 5048.32] to see it +[5048.32 --> 5049.20] this cuts +[5049.20 --> 5050.36] against the grain +[5050.36 --> 5051.38] of our culture. +[5053.20 --> 5053.42] Right? +[5053.46 --> 5053.84] What did we say +[5053.84 --> 5054.24] at the beginning? +[5054.70 --> 5054.82] Right? +[5054.88 --> 5055.60] That comfort +[5055.60 --> 5056.62] and safety +[5056.62 --> 5057.82] and peace of mind +[5057.82 --> 5058.50] are the idols +[5058.50 --> 5059.64] of our age. +[5060.22 --> 5060.34] Right? +[5060.34 --> 5060.90] That meaning +[5060.90 --> 5061.74] comes from +[5061.74 --> 5062.64] control +[5062.64 --> 5063.40] to ensure +[5063.40 --> 5063.82] that we +[5063.82 --> 5064.88] have peace +[5064.88 --> 5065.94] and security +[5065.94 --> 5067.22] and that everything +[5067.22 --> 5068.94] is good. +[5068.94 --> 5071.26] the gospel +[5071.26 --> 5072.26] says +[5072.26 --> 5072.84] there is +[5072.84 --> 5074.12] real meaning +[5074.12 --> 5075.52] there's real joy +[5075.52 --> 5077.16] in losing comfort +[5077.16 --> 5078.90] in risking safety +[5078.90 --> 5080.74] in surrendering control +[5080.74 --> 5081.96] for the sake of Christ +[5081.96 --> 5082.80] and for his kingdom. +[5083.80 --> 5083.88] Right? +[5083.90 --> 5084.62] That's why the apostle +[5084.62 --> 5085.70] Paul says +[5085.70 --> 5086.88] we need courage. +[5087.88 --> 5087.96] Right? +[5088.00 --> 5089.04] Not because the opposition +[5089.04 --> 5089.90] isn't real +[5089.90 --> 5091.04] but because Jesus +[5091.04 --> 5092.04] is risen +[5092.04 --> 5093.48] because the tomb +[5093.48 --> 5094.02] is empty +[5094.02 --> 5094.96] because his kingdom +[5094.96 --> 5096.12] is unshakable +[5096.12 --> 5097.54] and so you can go +[5097.54 --> 5098.68] with courage. +[5102.68 --> 5103.44] Now this +[5103.44 --> 5104.80] call to unity +[5104.80 --> 5106.54] and courage +[5106.54 --> 5108.22] they aren't ends +[5108.22 --> 5108.98] in themselves. +[5110.34 --> 5110.44] Right? +[5110.48 --> 5111.08] They exist +[5111.08 --> 5111.74] together +[5111.74 --> 5112.30] in the life +[5112.30 --> 5112.78] of the believer +[5112.78 --> 5113.64] for something bigger. +[5114.92 --> 5115.12] Right? +[5115.14 --> 5116.04] To advance +[5116.04 --> 5116.94] the gospel. +[5117.50 --> 5117.96] Paul says +[5117.96 --> 5118.96] that we are to strive +[5118.96 --> 5119.98] for the faith +[5119.98 --> 5121.20] of the gospel. +[5121.40 --> 5121.92] Everything +[5121.92 --> 5123.28] in this passage +[5123.28 --> 5124.76] points us +[5124.76 --> 5125.42] outward +[5125.42 --> 5126.92] to mission +[5126.92 --> 5128.24] to witness +[5128.24 --> 5129.30] to the world +[5129.30 --> 5130.80] that God so loves. +[5132.12 --> 5133.16] Paul models this +[5133.16 --> 5133.38] right? +[5133.46 --> 5134.64] Throughout the whole letter. +[5135.08 --> 5135.70] In chapter 1 +[5135.70 --> 5136.42] he describes +[5136.42 --> 5137.82] how his imprisonment +[5137.82 --> 5139.26] has actually served +[5139.26 --> 5140.46] to advance the gospel. +[5140.60 --> 5141.32] That's in verse 12. +[5141.78 --> 5142.70] He goes on to say +[5142.70 --> 5143.84] that some preach Christ +[5143.84 --> 5144.48] out of envy +[5144.48 --> 5145.64] others out of goodwill +[5145.64 --> 5146.58] but either way +[5146.58 --> 5147.58] Paul rejoices +[5147.58 --> 5148.34] because Christ +[5148.34 --> 5149.18] is being proclaimed. +[5150.18 --> 5150.34] Right? +[5150.38 --> 5150.94] He doesn't care +[5150.94 --> 5151.82] about reputation +[5151.82 --> 5153.12] he cares about +[5153.12 --> 5154.16] the gospel's reach. +[5154.16 --> 5156.66] And later +[5156.66 --> 5157.18] in the letter +[5157.18 --> 5158.60] he thanks +[5158.60 --> 5159.40] the Philippians +[5159.40 --> 5160.82] for their partnership +[5160.82 --> 5162.70] in this mission. +[5163.40 --> 5164.04] Chapter 4 +[5164.04 --> 5164.86] he says +[5164.86 --> 5166.48] they shared +[5166.48 --> 5167.06] with me +[5167.06 --> 5167.62] in the matter +[5167.62 --> 5168.08] of giving +[5168.08 --> 5168.84] and receiving +[5168.84 --> 5171.36] you sent me +[5171.36 --> 5171.78] aid +[5171.78 --> 5172.32] again +[5172.32 --> 5173.00] and again +[5173.00 --> 5173.76] when I was +[5173.76 --> 5174.12] in need. +[5174.96 --> 5176.22] This is remarkable. +[5177.00 --> 5177.90] A small +[5177.90 --> 5178.66] persecuted +[5178.66 --> 5179.24] church +[5179.24 --> 5180.26] in Philippi +[5180.26 --> 5180.92] becomes +[5180.92 --> 5181.80] a hub +[5181.80 --> 5183.12] of global mission +[5183.12 --> 5184.54] through its prayers +[5184.54 --> 5185.62] and generosity +[5185.62 --> 5186.66] and sending. +[5188.62 --> 5189.22] So in line +[5189.22 --> 5190.28] with this same thing +[5190.28 --> 5191.04] I have a really +[5191.04 --> 5192.38] important question +[5192.38 --> 5192.88] for you. +[5194.48 --> 5194.96] Especially +[5194.96 --> 5196.62] if you're a young person +[5196.62 --> 5197.70] here this morning. +[5198.74 --> 5199.36] Especially if you are +[5199.36 --> 5200.02] in high school +[5200.02 --> 5200.74] or if you're +[5200.74 --> 5201.34] in university +[5201.34 --> 5203.18] or if you're +[5203.18 --> 5203.84] in college +[5203.84 --> 5205.54] or if you're +[5205.54 --> 5206.26] in a gap year +[5206.26 --> 5207.72] I want to gather +[5207.72 --> 5208.42] all of you up +[5208.42 --> 5209.20] into this question. +[5209.56 --> 5211.16] Is God calling you +[5211.16 --> 5212.94] to global mission? +[5216.18 --> 5216.92] Is he putting +[5216.92 --> 5217.76] something on your heart +[5217.76 --> 5218.48] that says +[5218.48 --> 5219.68] you must go? +[5221.76 --> 5222.64] Or is God +[5222.64 --> 5223.42] calling you +[5223.42 --> 5224.86] to be a pastor? +[5228.62 --> 5229.48] Is he laying +[5229.48 --> 5230.22] on your heart +[5230.22 --> 5232.64] a desire +[5232.64 --> 5234.14] and a push +[5234.14 --> 5235.66] and an idea +[5235.66 --> 5236.30] that you just +[5236.30 --> 5237.16] can't shake? +[5237.16 --> 5240.14] you need +[5240.14 --> 5240.78] to declare +[5240.78 --> 5241.90] his goodness +[5241.90 --> 5242.98] to the world. +[5245.26 --> 5245.82] Now +[5245.82 --> 5247.76] for all of you +[5247.76 --> 5248.58] everyone +[5248.58 --> 5249.26] and I don't +[5249.26 --> 5250.08] this point +[5250.08 --> 5250.60] it doesn't matter +[5250.60 --> 5251.64] how old you are +[5251.64 --> 5252.86] it matters +[5252.86 --> 5253.74] that you're here +[5253.74 --> 5256.12] God +[5256.12 --> 5257.48] is calling you +[5257.48 --> 5258.66] to be +[5258.66 --> 5259.64] a missionary. +[5260.90 --> 5261.58] Maybe not +[5261.58 --> 5262.22] a global missionary +[5262.22 --> 5262.74] and maybe not +[5262.74 --> 5263.36] a vocational +[5263.36 --> 5264.10] pastor +[5264.10 --> 5265.04] but you +[5265.04 --> 5266.78] as a Christian +[5266.78 --> 5268.04] are being called +[5268.04 --> 5268.70] to be +[5268.70 --> 5269.48] a missionary +[5269.48 --> 5270.72] a missionary +[5270.72 --> 5271.70] to your family +[5271.70 --> 5273.00] if they don't believe +[5273.00 --> 5273.52] a missionary +[5273.52 --> 5274.42] to your neighbors +[5274.42 --> 5275.76] to your co-workers +[5275.76 --> 5277.02] to your teammates +[5277.02 --> 5278.54] every single one +[5278.54 --> 5279.14] of us +[5279.14 --> 5280.26] is called +[5280.26 --> 5281.40] to go +[5281.40 --> 5282.34] with the gospel. +[5282.34 --> 5284.70] That captures +[5284.70 --> 5285.68] Paul's heartbeat +[5285.68 --> 5286.88] in this +[5286.88 --> 5287.76] passage. +[5289.06 --> 5289.98] A gospel +[5289.98 --> 5291.16] first church +[5291.16 --> 5291.98] is always +[5291.98 --> 5293.38] looking outward +[5293.38 --> 5295.36] always discipling +[5295.36 --> 5296.46] new leaders +[5296.46 --> 5297.38] sending out +[5297.38 --> 5298.02] new workers +[5298.02 --> 5299.20] planting new churches +[5299.20 --> 5299.94] translating +[5299.94 --> 5300.66] scriptures +[5300.66 --> 5301.94] supporting missionaries +[5301.94 --> 5302.46] locally +[5302.46 --> 5303.36] globally +[5303.36 --> 5304.48] anywhere +[5304.48 --> 5306.72] notice then +[5306.72 --> 5307.40] the connection +[5307.40 --> 5308.76] the unity +[5308.76 --> 5309.52] of the church +[5309.52 --> 5310.18] and the courage +[5310.18 --> 5310.86] of the church +[5310.86 --> 5311.92] fuel +[5311.92 --> 5313.26] that mission +[5313.26 --> 5316.00] churches +[5316.00 --> 5316.64] that get +[5316.64 --> 5317.20] distracted +[5317.20 --> 5318.06] by internal +[5318.06 --> 5318.70] squabbles +[5318.70 --> 5319.34] lose sight +[5319.34 --> 5320.04] of the harvest +[5320.04 --> 5322.64] churches +[5322.64 --> 5324.02] gripped by fear +[5324.02 --> 5325.38] hide behind +[5325.38 --> 5326.14] their walls +[5326.14 --> 5328.74] churches +[5328.74 --> 5329.44] that strive +[5329.44 --> 5329.94] together +[5329.94 --> 5330.70] as one +[5330.70 --> 5331.56] unafraid +[5331.56 --> 5332.28] of opposition +[5332.28 --> 5333.02] churches +[5333.02 --> 5333.76] like this +[5333.76 --> 5335.02] become gospel +[5335.02 --> 5336.30] outposts +[5336.30 --> 5337.04] embassies +[5337.04 --> 5337.92] for the kingdom +[5337.92 --> 5338.64] of heaven +[5338.64 --> 5339.18] colonies +[5339.18 --> 5339.80] of heaven +[5339.80 --> 5340.48] in a world +[5340.48 --> 5341.18] longing +[5341.18 --> 5341.80] for hope +[5341.80 --> 5344.42] and again +[5344.42 --> 5346.06] we've seen +[5346.06 --> 5346.98] this in our +[5346.98 --> 5347.56] history +[5347.56 --> 5349.02] as Christians +[5349.02 --> 5350.14] right +[5350.14 --> 5351.18] despite persecution +[5351.18 --> 5352.02] and slander +[5352.02 --> 5353.08] despite poverty +[5353.08 --> 5354.42] early Christians +[5354.42 --> 5355.02] and Christians +[5355.02 --> 5355.76] around the world +[5355.76 --> 5356.44] today still +[5356.44 --> 5357.42] keep sending +[5357.42 --> 5358.12] missionaries +[5358.12 --> 5358.78] keep planting +[5358.78 --> 5359.22] churches +[5359.22 --> 5360.26] keep copying +[5360.26 --> 5360.82] scriptures +[5360.82 --> 5361.56] keep caring +[5361.56 --> 5362.20] for the sick +[5362.20 --> 5363.02] rescuing +[5363.02 --> 5363.56] abandoned +[5363.56 --> 5364.20] children +[5364.20 --> 5365.10] welcoming +[5365.10 --> 5366.06] outsiders +[5366.06 --> 5368.44] in the age +[5368.44 --> 5369.20] of the +[5369.20 --> 5369.98] Philippian +[5369.98 --> 5370.52] church +[5370.52 --> 5371.22] pagan +[5371.22 --> 5372.22] empires +[5372.22 --> 5373.14] or pagan +[5373.14 --> 5373.82] emperors +[5373.82 --> 5375.04] are baffled +[5375.04 --> 5376.12] by Christian +[5376.12 --> 5376.82] generosity +[5376.82 --> 5377.98] and Christian +[5377.98 --> 5378.56] courage +[5378.56 --> 5380.14] it doesn't +[5380.14 --> 5380.66] make sense +[5380.66 --> 5381.12] to them +[5381.12 --> 5382.56] but it's +[5382.56 --> 5382.82] there +[5382.82 --> 5385.86] and so +[5385.86 --> 5386.34] Paul is +[5386.34 --> 5386.82] calling +[5386.82 --> 5387.80] us +[5387.80 --> 5388.92] to a +[5388.92 --> 5389.48] gospel +[5389.48 --> 5390.26] first +[5390.26 --> 5391.04] life +[5391.04 --> 5391.68] together +[5391.68 --> 5394.12] built on +[5394.12 --> 5394.56] unity +[5394.56 --> 5395.20] that keeps +[5395.20 --> 5395.74] the main +[5395.74 --> 5396.10] thing +[5396.10 --> 5396.56] the main +[5396.56 --> 5397.00] thing +[5397.00 --> 5398.62] built on +[5398.62 --> 5399.18] courage +[5399.18 --> 5400.26] that defies +[5400.26 --> 5400.72] fear +[5400.72 --> 5401.46] and opposition +[5401.46 --> 5402.68] and mission +[5402.68 --> 5403.86] that turns +[5403.86 --> 5404.46] outward +[5404.46 --> 5405.86] with sacrificial +[5405.86 --> 5406.86] generosity +[5406.86 --> 5408.10] and witness +[5408.10 --> 5409.32] because the +[5409.32 --> 5410.10] gospel isn't +[5410.10 --> 5410.64] just something +[5410.64 --> 5411.52] we believe +[5411.52 --> 5412.44] in here +[5412.44 --> 5413.22] it's something +[5413.22 --> 5413.98] we live +[5413.98 --> 5414.70] and proclaim +[5414.70 --> 5415.48] together +[5415.48 --> 5416.56] until the +[5416.56 --> 5417.30] day of Christ's +[5417.30 --> 5417.64] return +[5417.64 --> 5421.32] and to be +[5421.32 --> 5421.74] sure +[5421.74 --> 5424.38] this is +[5424.38 --> 5424.96] spiritual +[5424.96 --> 5425.54] warfare +[5425.54 --> 5428.44] but our +[5428.44 --> 5428.98] weapons +[5428.98 --> 5430.18] aren't the +[5430.18 --> 5430.66] weapons of +[5430.66 --> 5431.08] the world +[5431.08 --> 5433.84] our truth +[5433.84 --> 5435.00] isn't +[5435.00 --> 5435.84] told +[5435.84 --> 5436.60] and proclaimed +[5436.60 --> 5437.30] in the same +[5437.30 --> 5438.02] way that the +[5438.02 --> 5438.84] world might +[5438.84 --> 5439.56] do it +[5439.56 --> 5442.18] the gospel +[5442.18 --> 5443.00] itself +[5443.00 --> 5444.30] is offensive +[5444.30 --> 5445.42] to Greeks +[5445.42 --> 5446.28] and a stumbling +[5446.28 --> 5446.68] block +[5446.68 --> 5447.50] to the Jews +[5447.50 --> 5448.00] we read +[5448.00 --> 5448.70] in Corinthians +[5448.70 --> 5449.42] the gospel +[5449.42 --> 5450.76] is already +[5450.76 --> 5451.34] offensive +[5451.34 --> 5452.10] and so +[5452.10 --> 5453.22] our lives +[5453.22 --> 5454.52] should be +[5454.52 --> 5455.12] sweetness +[5455.12 --> 5458.48] let the truth +[5458.48 --> 5459.24] of who Jesus +[5459.24 --> 5459.88] is and what +[5459.88 --> 5460.60] he has done +[5460.60 --> 5461.12] convict +[5461.12 --> 5461.74] hearts +[5461.74 --> 5462.22] and let +[5462.22 --> 5463.74] your life +[5463.74 --> 5465.58] be sweet +[5465.58 --> 5467.58] Paul has +[5467.58 --> 5468.10] called us +[5468.10 --> 5468.56] to live +[5468.56 --> 5469.08] a life +[5469.08 --> 5469.62] worthy +[5469.62 --> 5470.46] of the +[5470.46 --> 5470.86] gospel +[5470.86 --> 5471.12] but +[5471.12 --> 5472.66] lastly +[5472.66 --> 5473.78] let's be +[5473.78 --> 5474.10] clear +[5474.10 --> 5476.00] this +[5476.00 --> 5476.22] isn't +[5476.22 --> 5476.44] about +[5476.44 --> 5476.90] proving +[5476.90 --> 5477.32] our +[5477.32 --> 5477.72] worth +[5477.72 --> 5478.78] to God +[5478.78 --> 5480.18] this +[5480.18 --> 5480.40] isn't +[5480.40 --> 5480.68] about +[5480.68 --> 5481.78] this +[5481.78 --> 5482.12] is +[5482.12 --> 5482.52] about +[5482.52 --> 5483.00] living +[5483.00 --> 5483.70] in a +[5483.70 --> 5484.04] way +[5484.04 --> 5484.36] that +[5484.36 --> 5484.96] fits +[5484.96 --> 5485.86] in a +[5485.86 --> 5485.98] way +[5485.98 --> 5486.18] that +[5486.18 --> 5486.76] lines +[5486.76 --> 5487.16] up +[5487.16 --> 5487.48] in a +[5487.48 --> 5487.62] way +[5487.62 --> 5487.82] that +[5487.82 --> 5488.36] matches +[5488.36 --> 5489.02] the +[5489.02 --> 5489.38] gospel +[5489.38 --> 5489.76] we have +[5489.76 --> 5490.32] received +[5490.32 --> 5491.02] with the +[5491.02 --> 5491.46] Christ +[5491.46 --> 5492.00] who has +[5492.00 --> 5492.40] claimed +[5492.40 --> 5492.74] us +[5492.74 --> 5493.32] as his +[5493.32 --> 5493.72] own +[5493.72 --> 5494.88] right +[5494.88 --> 5495.28] because the +[5495.28 --> 5495.50] heart +[5495.50 --> 5495.66] of +[5495.66 --> 5496.18] Philippians +[5496.18 --> 5496.62] isn't +[5496.62 --> 5497.08] just a +[5497.08 --> 5497.26] set +[5497.26 --> 5497.50] of +[5497.50 --> 5498.08] commands +[5498.08 --> 5498.66] the +[5498.66 --> 5498.90] heart +[5498.90 --> 5499.02] of +[5499.02 --> 5499.10] the +[5499.10 --> 5499.26] book +[5499.26 --> 5499.42] of +[5499.42 --> 5499.90] Philippians +[5499.90 --> 5500.12] the +[5500.12 --> 5500.32] heart +[5500.32 --> 5500.48] of +[5500.48 --> 5500.82] all +[5500.82 --> 5501.00] of +[5501.00 --> 5501.28] scripture +[5501.28 --> 5501.50] the +[5501.50 --> 5501.76] heart +[5501.76 --> 5501.92] of +[5501.92 --> 5502.06] the +[5502.06 --> 5502.40] gospel +[5502.40 --> 5502.58] the +[5502.58 --> 5502.76] heart +[5502.76 --> 5502.86] of +[5502.86 --> 5502.98] a +[5502.98 --> 5503.28] Christian +[5503.28 --> 5504.08] is +[5504.08 --> 5504.62] a +[5504.62 --> 5505.30] person +[5505.30 --> 5507.12] is +[5507.12 --> 5507.52] Christ +[5507.52 --> 5508.12] himself +[5508.12 --> 5512.02] just one +[5512.02 --> 5512.38] chapter +[5512.38 --> 5513.70] later +[5513.70 --> 5515.00] in +[5515.00 --> 5515.50] Philippians +[5515.50 --> 5515.88] 2 +[5515.88 --> 5516.72] Paul +[5516.72 --> 5517.40] sings +[5517.40 --> 5517.98] what +[5517.98 --> 5518.20] many +[5518.20 --> 5518.42] have +[5518.42 --> 5518.78] called +[5518.78 --> 5519.02] the +[5519.02 --> 5519.34] great +[5519.34 --> 5519.68] hymn +[5519.68 --> 5519.92] of +[5519.92 --> 5520.36] Christ +[5520.36 --> 5521.44] and +[5521.44 --> 5521.76] these +[5521.76 --> 5522.12] are +[5522.12 --> 5522.74] perhaps +[5522.74 --> 5523.58] some +[5523.58 --> 5524.00] of my +[5524.00 --> 5524.44] favorite +[5524.44 --> 5524.88] words +[5524.88 --> 5525.46] in all +[5525.46 --> 5526.18] of +[5526.18 --> 5526.54] scripture +[5526.54 --> 5527.98] and so +[5527.98 --> 5528.22] here are +[5528.22 --> 5528.38] these +[5528.38 --> 5528.72] words +[5528.72 --> 5530.56] in your +[5530.56 --> 5531.14] relationships +[5531.14 --> 5531.74] with one +[5531.74 --> 5532.06] another +[5532.06 --> 5532.62] have the +[5532.62 --> 5533.02] same +[5533.02 --> 5533.60] mindset +[5533.60 --> 5533.98] as +[5533.98 --> 5534.38] Christ +[5534.38 --> 5534.86] Jesus +[5534.86 --> 5535.36] and here's +[5535.36 --> 5535.66] the hymn +[5535.66 --> 5536.46] who +[5536.46 --> 5537.86] being in +[5537.86 --> 5538.22] very +[5538.22 --> 5538.80] nature +[5538.80 --> 5539.72] God +[5539.72 --> 5540.20] did not +[5540.20 --> 5540.64] consider +[5540.64 --> 5541.20] equality +[5541.20 --> 5541.94] with God +[5541.94 --> 5542.36] something +[5542.36 --> 5543.04] to be +[5543.04 --> 5543.38] used +[5543.38 --> 5543.68] to his +[5543.68 --> 5544.00] own +[5544.00 --> 5544.52] advantage +[5544.52 --> 5545.16] rather +[5545.16 --> 5545.92] he made +[5545.92 --> 5546.44] himself +[5546.44 --> 5546.96] nothing +[5546.96 --> 5547.84] by taking +[5547.84 --> 5548.14] on the +[5548.14 --> 5548.32] very +[5548.32 --> 5548.80] nature +[5548.80 --> 5549.48] of a +[5549.48 --> 5549.76] servant +[5549.76 --> 5550.18] being +[5550.18 --> 5550.72] made +[5550.72 --> 5551.08] in +[5551.08 --> 5551.64] human +[5551.64 --> 5552.80] likeness +[5552.80 --> 5554.34] and being +[5554.34 --> 5554.74] found +[5554.74 --> 5555.26] in appearance +[5555.26 --> 5555.64] as a +[5555.64 --> 5555.90] man +[5555.90 --> 5556.70] he humbled +[5556.70 --> 5557.36] himself +[5557.36 --> 5558.34] and became +[5558.34 --> 5559.08] obedient +[5559.08 --> 5560.32] to death +[5560.32 --> 5561.04] even +[5561.04 --> 5561.84] death +[5561.84 --> 5562.48] on a +[5562.48 --> 5562.94] cross +[5562.94 --> 5565.48] therefore +[5565.48 --> 5567.90] therefore +[5567.90 --> 5568.56] God +[5568.56 --> 5569.16] exalted +[5569.16 --> 5569.66] him to +[5569.66 --> 5570.12] the highest +[5570.12 --> 5570.56] place +[5570.56 --> 5570.98] and gave +[5570.98 --> 5571.36] him the +[5571.36 --> 5571.62] name +[5571.62 --> 5571.94] that is +[5571.94 --> 5572.24] above +[5572.24 --> 5572.98] every +[5572.98 --> 5573.30] name +[5573.30 --> 5573.68] that at +[5573.68 --> 5573.82] the +[5573.82 --> 5574.08] name +[5574.08 --> 5574.28] of +[5574.28 --> 5574.60] Jesus +[5574.60 --> 5575.00] every +[5575.00 --> 5575.34] knee +[5575.34 --> 5575.74] should +[5575.74 --> 5576.18] bow +[5576.18 --> 5576.66] in +[5576.66 --> 5576.94] heaven +[5576.94 --> 5577.30] and on +[5577.30 --> 5577.54] earth +[5577.54 --> 5578.16] and under +[5578.16 --> 5578.60] the earth +[5578.60 --> 5579.26] and every +[5579.26 --> 5579.74] tongue +[5579.74 --> 5580.52] confess +[5580.52 --> 5581.10] that +[5581.10 --> 5581.60] Jesus +[5581.60 --> 5582.30] Christ +[5582.30 --> 5582.88] is +[5582.88 --> 5583.62] Lord +[5583.62 --> 5584.20] to the +[5584.20 --> 5584.76] glory +[5584.76 --> 5585.72] of God +[5585.72 --> 5586.20] the +[5586.20 --> 5586.64] father +[5586.64 --> 5588.22] amen +[5588.22 --> 5589.78] and amen +[5589.78 --> 5591.34] this +[5591.34 --> 5592.54] person +[5592.54 --> 5593.54] is the +[5593.54 --> 5593.96] center +[5593.96 --> 5594.28] of +[5594.28 --> 5595.12] everything +[5595.12 --> 5595.82] Paul +[5595.82 --> 5596.40] is calling +[5596.40 --> 5596.88] us to +[5596.88 --> 5597.18] be +[5597.18 --> 5597.88] right +[5597.88 --> 5598.24] our +[5598.24 --> 5598.84] unity +[5598.84 --> 5599.96] flows +[5599.96 --> 5600.84] from the +[5600.84 --> 5601.16] one +[5601.16 --> 5601.82] who humbled +[5601.82 --> 5602.34] himself +[5602.34 --> 5603.18] and makes +[5603.18 --> 5603.66] us his +[5603.66 --> 5604.06] body +[5604.06 --> 5605.12] our +[5605.12 --> 5605.90] courage +[5605.90 --> 5606.66] comes +[5606.66 --> 5607.22] from the +[5607.22 --> 5607.54] one +[5607.54 --> 5608.48] who triumphed +[5608.48 --> 5609.14] over sin +[5609.14 --> 5609.86] and death +[5609.86 --> 5610.22] and the +[5610.22 --> 5610.70] grave +[5610.70 --> 5611.26] and now +[5611.26 --> 5611.76] makes +[5611.76 --> 5612.90] and unites +[5612.90 --> 5613.26] us +[5613.26 --> 5613.44] to +[5613.44 --> 5613.88] himself +[5613.88 --> 5614.38] our +[5614.38 --> 5614.92] mission +[5614.92 --> 5615.50] flows +[5615.50 --> 5616.16] from the +[5616.16 --> 5616.54] one +[5616.54 --> 5617.14] who +[5617.14 --> 5617.74] is +[5617.74 --> 5618.24] exalted +[5618.24 --> 5618.68] to the +[5618.68 --> 5619.10] highest +[5619.10 --> 5619.70] place +[5619.70 --> 5620.72] who is +[5620.72 --> 5621.06] Lord +[5621.06 --> 5621.32] over +[5621.32 --> 5621.82] every +[5621.82 --> 5622.34] nation +[5622.34 --> 5623.28] and every +[5623.28 --> 5623.60] name +[5623.60 --> 5624.92] and when +[5624.92 --> 5625.36] we live +[5625.36 --> 5625.98] this way +[5625.98 --> 5626.46] standing +[5626.46 --> 5626.96] firm +[5626.96 --> 5627.62] striving +[5627.62 --> 5628.04] together +[5628.04 --> 5628.78] and unafraid +[5628.78 --> 5629.38] our +[5629.38 --> 5630.08] life +[5630.08 --> 5630.68] becomes +[5630.68 --> 5631.66] a signpost +[5631.66 --> 5632.34] of his +[5632.34 --> 5633.04] kingdom +[5633.04 --> 5633.84] right here +[5633.84 --> 5634.62] and right +[5634.62 --> 5634.96] now +[5634.96 --> 5637.26] again +[5637.26 --> 5637.90] John Owen +[5637.90 --> 5640.02] John Owen +[5640.02 --> 5640.38] wrote +[5640.38 --> 5642.12] 400 years +[5642.12 --> 5642.54] ago +[5642.54 --> 5644.02] holiness +[5644.02 --> 5645.32] is the +[5645.32 --> 5645.66] kingdom +[5645.66 --> 5646.28] of God +[5646.28 --> 5647.10] within us +[5647.10 --> 5648.20] by which +[5648.20 --> 5648.72] it appears +[5648.72 --> 5649.58] to all +[5649.58 --> 5650.14] that we +[5650.14 --> 5650.92] are the +[5650.92 --> 5651.28] children +[5651.28 --> 5652.10] of the +[5652.10 --> 5652.38] kingdom +[5652.38 --> 5654.52] when the +[5654.52 --> 5655.18] church lives +[5655.18 --> 5656.04] worthy of +[5656.04 --> 5656.60] the gospel +[5656.60 --> 5656.98] when our +[5656.98 --> 5657.42] unity +[5657.42 --> 5657.98] courage +[5657.98 --> 5658.50] and mission +[5658.50 --> 5659.24] are shaped +[5659.24 --> 5659.56] by the +[5659.56 --> 5659.92] cross +[5659.92 --> 5660.32] and by the +[5660.32 --> 5660.70] resurrection +[5660.70 --> 5661.22] of Jesus +[5661.22 --> 5662.30] the watching +[5662.30 --> 5662.84] world +[5662.84 --> 5663.68] sees a +[5663.68 --> 5664.06] picture +[5664.06 --> 5664.80] of the +[5664.80 --> 5665.10] kingdom +[5665.10 --> 5665.74] that cannot +[5665.74 --> 5666.48] be ignored +[5666.48 --> 5668.22] and so +[5668.22 --> 5668.72] this year +[5668.72 --> 5669.16] as we +[5669.16 --> 5669.90] launch +[5669.90 --> 5671.26] this year +[5671.26 --> 5671.76] as we +[5671.76 --> 5672.82] go into +[5672.82 --> 5673.50] whatever it +[5673.50 --> 5673.86] is that +[5673.86 --> 5674.28] God is +[5674.28 --> 5675.54] calling us +[5675.54 --> 5676.18] to +[5676.18 --> 5677.98] may your +[5677.98 --> 5678.74] eyes be +[5678.74 --> 5679.24] fixed +[5679.24 --> 5679.90] on +[5679.90 --> 5680.66] Christ +[5680.66 --> 5682.70] and not +[5682.70 --> 5682.82] the +[5682.82 --> 5683.30] distraction +[5683.30 --> 5685.38] may your +[5685.38 --> 5686.44] purpose be +[5686.44 --> 5687.80] filled with +[5687.80 --> 5688.66] declaring and +[5688.66 --> 5689.26] proclaiming the +[5689.26 --> 5689.82] gospel in +[5689.82 --> 5690.48] all that you +[5690.48 --> 5690.86] do +[5690.86 --> 5694.00] and not +[5694.00 --> 5694.40] with lesser +[5694.40 --> 5694.90] things +[5694.90 --> 5698.62] may you +[5698.62 --> 5700.38] whatever +[5700.38 --> 5701.06] happens +[5701.06 --> 5702.50] conduct +[5702.50 --> 5703.28] yourselves in +[5703.28 --> 5703.64] a manner +[5703.64 --> 5704.82] worthy of +[5704.82 --> 5705.40] the gospel +[5705.40 --> 5706.20] of Christ +[5706.20 --> 5708.50] stand firm +[5708.50 --> 5709.06] in the one +[5709.06 --> 5709.60] spirit +[5709.60 --> 5711.12] striving together +[5711.12 --> 5711.66] as one +[5711.66 --> 5712.86] for the faith +[5712.86 --> 5713.54] of the gospel +[5713.54 --> 5714.20] without being +[5714.20 --> 5714.80] frightened in +[5714.80 --> 5715.36] any way +[5715.36 --> 5716.30] by those who +[5716.30 --> 5716.88] oppose you +[5716.88 --> 5718.88] this is our +[5718.88 --> 5719.88] purpose +[5719.88 --> 5721.22] this is our +[5721.22 --> 5722.14] calling +[5722.14 --> 5724.20] this is the +[5724.20 --> 5725.56] life worthy +[5725.56 --> 5726.58] of Christ +[5726.58 --> 5727.36] the life +[5727.36 --> 5729.28] lived with +[5729.28 --> 5730.36] him +[5730.36 --> 5732.12] let's live +[5732.12 --> 5732.84] that life +[5732.84 --> 5734.00] this year +[5734.00 --> 5734.62] together +[5734.62 --> 5735.80] amen +[5735.80 --> 5737.30] let's pray +[5737.30 --> 5745.84] holy spirit +[5745.84 --> 5746.68] we pray +[5746.68 --> 5747.18] for +[5747.18 --> 5748.56] renewed +[5748.56 --> 5749.56] minds +[5749.56 --> 5751.62] transformed +[5751.62 --> 5752.64] imaginations +[5752.64 --> 5754.58] that this +[5754.58 --> 5755.32] morning we +[5755.32 --> 5756.14] might see +[5756.14 --> 5756.94] the ways +[5756.94 --> 5757.26] and the +[5757.26 --> 5757.96] places that +[5757.96 --> 5758.74] are distracting +[5758.74 --> 5759.78] us from +[5759.78 --> 5760.90] you and +[5760.90 --> 5761.46] from your +[5761.46 --> 5761.98] purposes +[5761.98 --> 5763.20] for us +[5763.20 --> 5764.28] that we +[5764.28 --> 5764.82] might see +[5764.82 --> 5765.46] the ways +[5765.46 --> 5766.04] and the places +[5766.04 --> 5766.40] that we +[5766.40 --> 5767.00] have settled +[5767.00 --> 5768.26] for lesser +[5768.26 --> 5769.18] truths +[5769.18 --> 5773.10] that we +[5773.10 --> 5774.02] might see +[5774.02 --> 5774.90] Christ +[5774.90 --> 5775.96] afresh +[5775.96 --> 5776.94] today +[5776.94 --> 5780.44] Lord Jesus +[5780.44 --> 5781.58] make much +[5781.58 --> 5782.46] of yourself +[5782.46 --> 5783.56] among us +[5783.56 --> 5784.64] in our +[5784.64 --> 5785.28] worship +[5785.28 --> 5786.86] in our +[5786.86 --> 5787.72] hearts +[5787.72 --> 5790.72] and as we +[5790.72 --> 5791.30] stand +[5791.30 --> 5792.00] as we +[5792.00 --> 5792.70] sing +[5792.70 --> 5793.92] yet not +[5793.92 --> 5794.36] I +[5794.36 --> 5795.24] but Christ +[5795.24 --> 5796.00] in me +[5796.00 --> 5797.38] may that +[5797.38 --> 5798.20] banner +[5798.20 --> 5799.64] go over +[5799.64 --> 5800.12] us +[5800.12 --> 5801.22] into this +[5801.22 --> 5802.26] next year +[5802.26 --> 5803.98] yet not +[5803.98 --> 5804.58] I but +[5804.58 --> 5805.10] Christ +[5805.10 --> 5805.84] in me +[5805.84 --> 5806.58] for you +[5806.58 --> 5807.82] are worthy +[5807.82 --> 5809.00] of our +[5809.00 --> 5809.96] praise +[5809.96 --> 5812.28] yet not +[5812.28 --> 5812.86] I but +[5812.86 --> 5813.40] Christ +[5813.40 --> 5814.52] in me +[5814.52 --> 5817.34] give us +[5817.34 --> 5817.74] meaning +[5817.74 --> 5818.98] give us +[5818.98 --> 5819.56] purpose +[5819.56 --> 5820.90] give us +[5820.90 --> 5821.46] hope +[5821.46 --> 5823.10] and give +[5823.10 --> 5823.24] us +[5823.24 --> 5823.82] power +[5823.82 --> 5824.78] in Jesus +[5824.78 --> 5825.36] name +[5825.36 --> 5825.96] we pray +[5825.96 --> 5827.30] amen +[5827.30 --> 5828.04] amen +[5828.04 --> 5828.94] amen +[5828.94 --> 5843.98] what gift +[5843.98 --> 5845.66] of grace +[5845.66 --> 5847.02] is Jesus +[5847.02 --> 5849.46] my redeemer +[5849.46 --> 5853.06] there is no more +[5853.06 --> 5854.52] for heaven +[5854.52 --> 5854.56] for heaven +[5854.56 --> 5856.46] now to give +[5856.46 --> 5860.44] he is my joy +[5860.44 --> 5862.22] my righteousness +[5862.22 --> 5864.16] and freedom +[5864.16 --> 5867.74] my steadfast love +[5867.74 --> 5869.70] my deep and +[5869.70 --> 5872.50] boundless peace +[5872.50 --> 5875.56] to this I hold +[5875.56 --> 5876.82] my hope +[5876.82 --> 5876.84] my hope +[5876.84 --> 5877.94] is only +[5877.94 --> 5879.24] Jesus +[5879.24 --> 5883.06] for my life +[5883.06 --> 5884.56] is wholly +[5884.56 --> 5885.68] bound to +[5885.68 --> 5887.70] him +[5887.70 --> 5890.46] oh how strange +[5890.46 --> 5891.56] and divine +[5891.56 --> 5894.06] I can sing +[5894.06 --> 5895.94] all is mine +[5895.94 --> 5897.60] yet not I +[5897.60 --> 5898.62] but through +[5898.62 --> 5899.80] Christ +[5899.80 --> 5901.32] in me +[5901.32 --> 5907.54] the night +[5907.54 --> 5909.28] is dark +[5909.28 --> 5910.74] but I am +[5910.74 --> 5912.80] not forsaken +[5912.80 --> 5915.40] for by my +[5915.40 --> 5916.52] side +[5916.52 --> 5917.84] the Savior +[5917.84 --> 5919.10] he will +[5919.10 --> 5920.12] stay +[5920.12 --> 5922.60] I labor +[5922.60 --> 5924.14] on +[5924.14 --> 5925.42] in weakness +[5925.42 --> 5927.96] and rejoicing +[5927.96 --> 5929.84] for in +[5929.84 --> 5931.40] my need +[5931.40 --> 5932.90] his power +[5932.90 --> 5933.74] is +[5933.74 --> 5934.90] his way +[5934.90 --> 5937.26] to this +[5937.26 --> 5938.82] I hold +[5938.82 --> 5940.20] my shepherd +[5940.20 --> 5941.96] will defend +[5941.96 --> 5943.74] me +[5943.74 --> 5945.20] through the +[5945.20 --> 5947.00] deepest +[5947.00 --> 5947.74] valley +[5947.74 --> 5948.90] he will +[5948.90 --> 5950.52] lead +[5950.52 --> 5952.56] for the +[5952.56 --> 5953.46] night +[5953.46 --> 5954.32] has been +[5954.32 --> 5954.90] won +[5954.90 --> 5956.20] and I +[5956.20 --> 5957.10] shall +[5957.10 --> 5958.16] overcome +[5958.16 --> 5959.98] yet not +[5959.98 --> 5960.56] on +[5960.56 --> 5961.62] but through +[5961.62 --> 5962.68] Christ +[5962.68 --> 5965.06] heal me +[5965.06 --> 5970.22] no fate +[5970.22 --> 5971.22] I dread +[5971.22 --> 5972.90] I know +[5972.90 --> 5973.80] I am +[5973.80 --> 5975.26] forgiven +[5975.26 --> 5977.60] the future +[5977.60 --> 5978.22] sure +[5978.22 --> 5980.14] the price +[5980.14 --> 5981.00] it has +[5981.00 --> 5983.22] been paid +[5983.22 --> 5984.72] for Jesus +[5984.72 --> 5986.10] bled +[5986.10 --> 5987.38] and suffered +[5987.38 --> 5988.60] for my +[5988.60 --> 5989.66] pardon +[5989.66 --> 5991.72] and he +[5991.72 --> 5993.26] was raised +[5993.26 --> 5995.00] to overthrow +[5995.00 --> 5997.10] the grave +[5997.10 --> 5998.86] to this +[5998.86 --> 6000.36] I hold +[6000.36 --> 6001.66] my sin +[6001.66 --> 6002.52] has been +[6002.52 --> 6004.00] defeated +[6004.00 --> 6006.24] Jesus +[6006.24 --> 6007.94] now +[6007.94 --> 6009.26] and ever +[6009.26 --> 6010.24] is my +[6010.24 --> 6011.10] dream +[6011.10 --> 6013.32] oh +[6013.32 --> 6014.62] the chains +[6014.62 --> 6016.04] are released +[6016.04 --> 6017.22] I can +[6017.22 --> 6017.92] sing +[6017.92 --> 6019.06] I am +[6019.06 --> 6019.72] free +[6019.72 --> 6021.00] yet not +[6021.00 --> 6021.56] I +[6021.56 --> 6022.52] but through +[6022.52 --> 6023.64] rise +[6023.64 --> 6026.10] in me +[6026.10 --> 6038.72] with every +[6038.72 --> 6039.98] breath +[6039.98 --> 6041.18] I long +[6041.18 --> 6042.42] to follow +[6042.42 --> 6043.68] Jesus +[6043.68 --> 6045.80] for he +[6045.80 --> 6047.32] has said +[6047.32 --> 6048.48] that he +[6048.48 --> 6049.50] will bring +[6049.50 --> 6050.72] me home +[6050.72 --> 6053.02] and day +[6053.02 --> 6054.42] by day +[6054.42 --> 6055.70] I know +[6055.70 --> 6056.62] he will +[6056.62 --> 6057.74] renew +[6057.74 --> 6058.90] me +[6058.90 --> 6059.90] until +[6059.90 --> 6061.70] I stand +[6061.70 --> 6062.88] with joy +[6062.88 --> 6063.82] before +[6063.82 --> 6065.42] the throne +[6065.42 --> 6067.38] to this +[6067.38 --> 6068.92] I hope +[6068.92 --> 6070.14] my hope +[6070.14 --> 6071.24] is only +[6071.24 --> 6072.52] Jesus +[6072.52 --> 6074.96] all the +[6074.96 --> 6076.42] glory +[6076.42 --> 6077.32] ever +[6077.32 --> 6077.96] born +[6077.96 --> 6079.42] to him +[6079.42 --> 6081.34] when +[6081.34 --> 6081.38] when +[6081.38 --> 6082.76] the race +[6082.76 --> 6084.12] is complete +[6084.12 --> 6084.88] still +[6084.88 --> 6086.02] my lips +[6086.02 --> 6086.78] shall +[6086.78 --> 6087.48] repeat +[6087.48 --> 6088.48] yet +[6088.48 --> 6089.04] not +[6089.04 --> 6089.60] I +[6089.60 --> 6090.26] but +[6090.26 --> 6090.74] through +[6090.74 --> 6091.82] Christ +[6091.82 --> 6094.32] in me +[6094.32 --> 6095.68] to this +[6095.68 --> 6097.20] I hold +[6097.20 --> 6098.50] my hope +[6098.50 --> 6099.64] is only +[6099.64 --> 6100.98] Jesus +[6100.98 --> 6103.58] all the +[6103.58 --> 6105.20] glory +[6105.20 --> 6106.30] ever +[6106.30 --> 6106.86] more +[6106.86 --> 6109.42] to him +[6109.42 --> 6110.60] when +[6110.60 --> 6112.12] the race +[6112.12 --> 6113.54] is complete +[6113.54 --> 6114.36] still +[6114.36 --> 6115.62] my lips +[6115.62 --> 6116.46] shall +[6116.46 --> 6117.36] repeat +[6117.36 --> 6118.32] yet +[6118.32 --> 6118.96] not +[6118.96 --> 6119.62] I +[6119.62 --> 6120.26] but +[6120.26 --> 6120.68] through +[6120.68 --> 6122.20] Christ +[6122.20 --> 6123.78] in me +[6123.78 --> 6126.06] yet +[6126.06 --> 6126.68] not +[6126.68 --> 6127.62] I +[6127.62 --> 6128.12] but +[6128.12 --> 6128.58] through +[6128.58 --> 6130.10] Christ +[6130.10 --> 6131.78] in me +[6131.78 --> 6148.64] together +[6148.64 --> 6149.18] receive +[6149.18 --> 6150.04] the blessing +[6150.04 --> 6150.82] of +[6150.82 --> 6151.50] our +[6151.50 --> 6152.32] God +[6152.32 --> 6154.32] God go +[6154.32 --> 6154.98] before you +[6154.98 --> 6155.88] to lead you +[6155.88 --> 6157.06] God go +[6157.06 --> 6157.78] behind you +[6157.78 --> 6158.66] to protect you +[6158.66 --> 6159.66] God go +[6159.66 --> 6160.28] beneath you +[6160.28 --> 6161.20] to support you +[6161.20 --> 6162.12] and God go +[6162.12 --> 6163.02] beside you +[6163.02 --> 6164.08] to befriend you +[6164.08 --> 6165.28] do not +[6165.28 --> 6166.76] be afraid +[6166.76 --> 6168.02] let the blessing +[6168.02 --> 6169.08] of God come upon you +[6169.08 --> 6169.94] today do not +[6169.94 --> 6170.98] be afraid +[6170.98 --> 6172.00] but go +[6172.00 --> 6173.42] in peace +[6173.42 --> 6174.42] to love +[6174.42 --> 6175.44] and serve +[6175.44 --> 6176.24] the Lord +[6176.24 --> 6177.58] Amen +[6191.20 --> 6202.94] come to the +[6202.94 --> 6204.02] drink of the water +[6204.02 --> 6205.82] come and thirst +[6205.82 --> 6207.08] no more +[6207.08 --> 6211.66] come all you +[6211.66 --> 6212.28] sinners +[6212.28 --> 6213.78] come find his +[6213.78 --> 6214.40] mercy +[6214.40 --> 6215.86] come to the +[6215.86 --> 6216.44] table +[6216.44 --> 6217.26] he will +[6217.26 --> 6218.12] satisfy +[6218.12 --> 6220.10] taste of his +[6220.10 --> 6220.74] goodness +[6220.74 --> 6221.88] find what +[6221.88 --> 6222.18] you're +[6222.18 --> 6224.28] looking for +[6224.28 --> 6227.78] for God +[6227.78 --> 6229.00] so loved +[6229.00 --> 6229.88] the world +[6229.88 --> 6231.00] that he gave +[6231.00 --> 6231.36] us +[6231.36 --> 6232.18] his one +[6232.18 --> 6233.40] and only +[6233.40 --> 6234.16] son +[6234.16 --> 6235.28] to save +[6235.28 --> 6235.60] us +[6235.60 --> 6236.32] whoever +[6236.32 --> 6237.36] believes +[6237.36 --> 6238.24] in him +[6238.24 --> 6239.58] will live +[6239.58 --> 6240.50] forever +[6240.50 --> 6243.38] bring +[6243.38 --> 6244.46] bring +[6244.46 --> 6245.20] all your +[6245.20 --> 6246.06] failures +[6246.06 --> 6246.64] bring +[6246.64 --> 6247.14] your +[6247.14 --> 6248.02] addictions +[6248.02 --> 6249.20] come lay +[6249.20 --> 6249.94] them down +[6249.94 --> 6251.06] at the foot +[6251.06 --> 6252.22] of the cross +[6252.22 --> 6253.16] Jesus +[6253.16 --> 6254.38] is waiting +[6254.38 --> 6255.32] there +[6255.32 --> 6256.76] with open +[6256.76 --> 6258.78] arms +[6258.78 --> 6261.54] for God +[6261.54 --> 6262.70] so loved +[6262.70 --> 6263.68] the world +[6263.68 --> 6264.80] that he gave +[6264.80 --> 6265.14] us +[6265.14 --> 6266.00] his one +[6266.00 --> 6267.14] and only +[6267.14 --> 6267.94] son +[6267.94 --> 6269.02] to save +[6269.02 --> 6269.34] us +[6269.34 --> 6270.08] whoever +[6270.08 --> 6271.16] believes +[6271.16 --> 6272.04] in him +[6272.04 --> 6273.26] will live +[6273.26 --> 6274.16] forever +[6274.16 --> 6276.16] the world +[6276.16 --> 6278.44] the power +[6278.44 --> 6279.42] of hell +[6279.42 --> 6280.48] forever +[6280.48 --> 6281.52] defeated +[6281.52 --> 6283.10] now it is +[6283.10 --> 6283.56] well +[6283.56 --> 6284.66] I'm walking +[6284.66 --> 6285.70] in freedom +[6285.70 --> 6286.62] for God +[6286.62 --> 6287.72] so loved +[6287.72 --> 6288.62] God +[6288.62 --> 6289.78] so loved +[6289.78 --> 6291.06] the world +[6291.06 --> 6294.32] praise +[6294.32 --> 6295.64] God +[6295.64 --> 6296.48] praise +[6296.48 --> 6297.82] God +[6297.82 --> 6299.18] from whom +[6299.18 --> 6300.44] all blessings +[6300.44 --> 6301.30] flow +[6301.30 --> 6302.78] praise +[6302.78 --> 6304.20] him +[6304.20 --> 6304.86] praise +[6304.86 --> 6306.00] him +[6306.00 --> 6306.92] for the +[6306.92 --> 6307.74] wonders +[6307.74 --> 6308.76] of his +[6308.76 --> 6310.02] love +[6310.02 --> 6310.98] praise +[6310.98 --> 6312.48] God +[6312.48 --> 6313.06] praise +[6313.06 --> 6314.34] God +[6314.34 --> 6315.74] from whom +[6315.74 --> 6316.68] all blessings +[6316.68 --> 6317.76] flow +[6317.76 --> 6319.34] praise +[6319.34 --> 6320.72] him +[6320.72 --> 6321.46] praise +[6321.46 --> 6322.70] him +[6322.70 --> 6323.56] for the +[6323.56 --> 6324.40] wonders +[6324.40 --> 6325.34] of his +[6325.34 --> 6327.34] love +[6327.34 --> 6330.08] for God +[6330.08 --> 6331.28] so loved +[6331.28 --> 6332.22] the world +[6332.22 --> 6333.40] that he gave +[6333.40 --> 6333.76] us +[6333.76 --> 6334.56] his one +[6334.56 --> 6335.66] and only +[6335.66 --> 6336.48] son +[6336.48 --> 6337.62] to save +[6337.62 --> 6337.84] us +[6337.84 --> 6338.58] for God +[6338.58 --> 6339.64] so loved +[6339.64 --> 6340.56] the world +[6340.56 --> 6341.66] that he gave +[6341.66 --> 6342.00] us +[6342.00 --> 6342.78] his one +[6342.78 --> 6343.92] and only +[6343.92 --> 6344.72] son +[6344.72 --> 6345.76] to save +[6345.76 --> 6346.06] us +[6346.06 --> 6346.78] whoever +[6346.78 --> 6347.86] believes +[6347.86 --> 6348.70] in him +[6348.70 --> 6349.98] will live +[6349.98 --> 6350.88] forever +[6350.88 --> 6355.18] the power +[6355.18 --> 6356.18] of hell +[6356.18 --> 6357.18] forever +[6357.18 --> 6358.28] defeated +[6358.28 --> 6359.86] now it is +[6359.86 --> 6360.30] well +[6360.30 --> 6361.42] I'm walking +[6361.42 --> 6362.50] in freedom +[6362.50 --> 6363.48] for God +[6363.48 --> 6364.58] so loved +[6364.58 --> 6365.54] God +[6365.54 --> 6366.70] so loved +[6366.70 --> 6368.06] the world +[6368.06 --> 6372.40] bring all +[6372.40 --> 6373.46] your failures +[6373.46 --> 6374.78] bring your +[6374.78 --> 6375.72] addictions +[6375.72 --> 6377.30] come lay them +[6377.30 --> 6378.48] down at the +[6378.48 --> 6379.60] foot of the +[6379.60 --> 6380.24] cross +[6380.24 --> 6381.98] Jesus is +[6381.98 --> 6382.84] waiting +[6382.84 --> 6383.68] God +[6383.68 --> 6385.24] so loved +[6385.24 --> 6397.78] the world +[6397.78 --> 6427.76] Thank you. +[6427.78 --> 6457.76] Thank you. +[6457.78 --> 6487.76] Thank you. +[6487.78 --> 6517.76] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d47b708f42a70a9c77de488c37fdd3f82d3b4842 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,115 @@ +• Repeating the phrase "Thank you" throughout the transcript, with occasional interruptions and variations in tone +• Recitation of a hymn or prayer-like text, emphasizing devotion to Jesus and surrendering one's life to Him +• Expressions of love and gratitude towards Jesus, including references to His sacrifice on Calvary's tree +• A song or poem is sung with repeated phrases "I'll ever adore thee" and "Amen" +• The King's University is mentioned, located in Edmonton, offering a Christian liberal arts education +• Various quotes from the air I breathe song by Hillsong United are sung +• A children's worship segment is announced for kids aged 3-4, called Kids Corner +• A question about having a "backwards day" where things are done in reverse order is asked and discussed +• The speaker discusses living backwards on Earth because knowing the end helps us live our lives differently. +• Moving to children's worship time to explain what "living backwards" means. +• Eric gives updates from council meetings: + + Letter of call to Pastor Kevin approved + + Delegates selected for classes at Fleetwood + + Update from Pastor Chris, Pastor Kevin, and Josh + + Board of Stewarts update on sanctuary improvements + + Request for volunteers to help with painting classrooms +• Dave leads church family prayer, thanking God for the church community and praying for various needs and concerns. +• Prayers for students and educators returning to school +• Updates on personal health issues (Rachel DeWinter, Heather Varsstra, John Kuypers, Tessa, Judy Dykstra, Ellen White) +• Pastor Chris leading a study of Ecclesiastes +• Reflections on the growing movement of Gen Z Christians in Canada +• Discussion of how to offer meaningful and purposeful spirituality in an age where meaning is "up for grabs" +• Introduction to a new series on the book of Ecclesiastes +• The wise words are like goads and collected sayings +• Warning against excessive reading and study +• The goal of life is to fear God and keep his commandments +• Deeds will be brought into judgment, including hidden things +• A critique of modern society's focus on individualism and self-discovery +• The emphasis on progress and technology as solutions to life's problems +• The pursuit of comfort and happiness as the primary goal of life +• The idea that God is optional in modern culture +• The speaker discusses how promises of control and meaning can fail in difficult times. +• The book of Ecclesiastes offers a message for people struggling to find meaning in life. +• The book encourages readers to pursue genuine wisdom by acknowledging God as creator. +• It teaches that the only way to live wisely is to consider one's mortality and the reality of judgment. +• The speaker suggests starting with the end of the book, which reflects on the futility of human pursuits and the importance of living in light of eternity. +• The title of the book is discussed, comparing Hebrew (Kohelet) to Greek (Ecclesiastes) +• Martin Luther's translation of Kohelet as "preacher" and other translations are mentioned +• The book Ecclesiastes is described as a teacher showing life when faced with reality honestly +• The author, Dave Gibson, mentions that Ecclesiastes helps us live in the real world and will take readers on a roller coaster ride through life's experiences +• The concept of "meaninglessness" in the book Ecclesiastes +• The tension between nihilism and a persistent belief in a good God and creation +• The struggle to find meaning when experience challenges one's beliefs about life +• The idea that even questioning the point of existence assumes there should be a point +• How the book Ecclesiastes addresses these themes in its message +• The book of Ecclesiastes is a project of de-centering, challenging assumptions about how the world works and what is true, good, and beautiful. +• Removing oneself from the center of one's own little worlds as arbiter of truth and re-centering God as the ultimate source of truth, goodness, and beauty. +• The book's main message is that the end goal of human existence is not progress or self-fulfillment but rather living in accordance with God's purpose. +• This perspective cuts through noise and distractions to reveal what truly makes sense of one's life journey. +• Life is an enigma and can be fragile, fleeting, and mysterious. +• God's word both delights and corrects us in life's journey. +• Our proper response to life is to fear God and keep His commands. +• The decisive reality that makes all of this urgent is the truth of death and judgment in the face of Christ's return. +• Discussion of Ecclesiastes as a book that explores the meaninglessness of life +• Analysis of the word "meaningless" in Ecclesiastes, with different translations and interpretations discussed +• Comparison to other biblical texts, such as Psalm 39 and Proverbs 31:30 +• Exploration of the theme of elusiveness and fleeting nature of life and meaning +• Difficulty in finding meaning and purpose in life +• Concept of vanity (Havel) and its relation to the human condition +• Connection between Ecclesiastes, the church, and Martin Luther's reforms +• The role of emotions, desires, and wayward appetites in creating meaninglessness +• Challenges in seeing the meaning of things due to constant change +• Fleeting nature of life and meaning +• Difficulty in grasping the meaning of life +• Contrast between God's unchanging nature and human hearts that chase after transitory things +• The enigmatic nature of life and its meaning +• Importance of God's word as beautiful and true +• The speaker reflects on the beauty and goodness of God's words +• A painful analogy is used to explain how God's words can be like goads, piercing and causing temporary pain to steer us back towards the right path +• This principle is applied to understand why the Bible can sometimes be difficult or hurtful to read +• The speaker acknowledges that even if the word of God cuts us, it is ultimately done for our protection +• The concept of "better are the wounds of a friend" from Proverbs is used to explain how God's words can be like a painful but necessary correction +• The temptation is to change the meaning of God's word to fit our own desires +• Instead, we should allow the Bible to change our understanding and interpretation +• We often try to domesticate or change the Bible to make it fit with our world view +• The teacher in Ecclesiastes warns against domesticating one's Bible and instead encourages living in God's world +• True beauty is found by moving towards the heart of God and living in his truth +• Verse 13 emphasizes the importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments as the duty of all mankind. +• The definition of being human +• The Westminster Catechism's summary of the chief end of man +• Glorifying God and enjoying him together as one's purpose in life +• Persisting in fear and obedience to God even when life appears meaningless or overwhelming +• The heart and imagination clinging to truth despite external denial +• The relationship between God and the individual is central to everything +• Fearing and obeying God should be the foundation of all actions and decisions +• Modern thinking often puts self at the center, rather than God +• De-centering oneself and making God the center leads to becoming one's true self +• Death and judgment are certain, so living with this understanding is crucial +• The speaker shares a recurring dream they have about being in a church service where they're supposed to lead, but are unprepared and anxious. +• The speaker suggests that many people in the world today are living in denial or avoidance of reality, ignoring the truth about death and judgment. +• The Bible is used as a reference, with quotes from Ecclesiastes highlighting the importance of being prepared for the most important event of life (death and judgment). +• The message emphasizes that there is no fear for Christians when facing this reality because of who Jesus is and what he has done. +• Ecclesiastes referenced +• Meaninglessness of life's toil +• Apostle Paul's teachings in Philippians 1:21 +• Laboring in the Lord for eternal reward +• Jesus' death and resurrection as redemption +• Hope in darkness through faith +• Overcoming despair with hope in God's sovereignty +• Living with purpose and receiving life as a gift +• Praying for guidance and redemption +• Acknowledging Jesus as the source of eternal life +• Inviting congregation to stand with them +• Singing hymns, including "Let Me Hide Myself in Thee" and "Rock of Ages" +• Discussing meaninglessness and vanities in everyday life +• Emphasizing God's presence and blessing in daily life +• Announcing upcoming fellowship and care groups +• Offering prayers for protection and guidance throughout the week +• Declaration of the king's reign over all kings and lords +• The earth responds with praise and worship +• The lamb is hailed as a ruler who was once a slave +• The king's power and authority are acknowledged +• References to Jesus Christ and drawing near +• Confession and drawing/going in relation to the king +• Multiple instances of "Amen" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..e2bbbbeeb46a7af50534b9abcae63811581eb4b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 28, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2322 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. +[690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. +[720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. +[749.98 --> 779.96] Thank you. +[779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. +[809.98 --> 839.96] Thank you. +[839.98 --> 869.98] Thank you. +[869.98 --> 899.96] Thank you. +[899.98 --> 929.96] Thank you. +[929.98 --> 930.00] +[959.98 --> 989.98] Thank you. +[989.98 --> 1019.98] Thank you. +[1019.98 --> 1049.96] Thank you. +[1049.98 --> 1050.98] Thank you. +[1079.98 --> 1109.96] Thank you. +[1109.96 --> 1139.94] Thank you. +[1139.94 --> 1169.92] Thank you. +[1169.92 --> 1199.90] Thank you. +[1199.92 --> 1229.90] Thank you. +[1229.92 --> 1259.92] Be to our God. +[1259.92 --> 1289.92] Thank you. +[1289.92 --> 1319.90] Thank you. +[1319.90 --> 1349.88] Thank you. +[1349.90 --> 1379.90] Jesus. +[1379.90 --> 1409.88] Thank you. +[1409.90 --> 1439.88] living in us. +[1439.88 --> 1469.86] Lord, we believe. +[1469.86 --> 1499.84] He's, you know, +[1499.86 --> 1529.84] if I look at you, +[1529.84 --> 1559.82] Father, +[1559.82 --> 1589.80] may you, you know, +[1589.80 --> 1619.78] Jesus, be the center, +[1619.78 --> 1649.76] Be my hope, be my hope. +[1649.76 --> 1652.24] Jesus +[1652.24 --> 1658.70] Jesus +[1658.70 --> 1660.58] Jesus +[1660.58 --> 1663.66] Be my vision +[1663.66 --> 1668.36] Be my path +[1668.36 --> 1670.40] Be my God +[1670.40 --> 1671.96] Jesus +[1671.96 --> 1677.76] Be the fire +[1677.76 --> 1679.76] In my heart +[1680.40 --> 1681.76] Be the wind +[1683.38 --> 1685.34] In these sails +[1685.34 --> 1687.50] Be the reason +[1687.50 --> 1690.18] That I live +[1690.18 --> 1691.76] Jesus +[1691.76 --> 1693.76] Jesus +[1693.76 --> 1695.76] Jesus +[1696.80 --> 1699.76] Jesus +[1700.84 --> 1703.76] Be the +[1703.76 --> 1705.76] Santa +[1705.76 --> 1709.76] Be my source +[1711.44 --> 1712.76] Be my life +[1713.88 --> 1715.76] Jesus +[1715.76 --> 1717.76] Jesus +[1717.76 --> 1727.76] My Jesus +[1727.76 --> 1729.76] I love thee +[1729.76 --> 1731.76] I know +[1731.76 --> 1733.76] Thou art my life +[1733.76 --> 1735.76] For thee +[1735.76 --> 1755.76] For thee all the fall is of sin +[1755.76 --> 1757.76] I resign +[1757.76 --> 1759.76] I resign +[1759.76 --> 1761.76] My gracious +[1761.76 --> 1763.76] Redeemer +[1763.76 --> 1765.76] My Savior +[1765.76 --> 1767.76] Savior +[1767.76 --> 1768.76] Art thou +[1768.76 --> 1771.76] If ever +[1771.76 --> 1773.76] I love thee +[1773.76 --> 1775.76] My Jesus +[1775.76 --> 1777.76] Tis now +[1777.76 --> 1779.76] I love thee +[1779.76 --> 1785.76] I love thee +[1785.76 --> 1787.76] Because +[1787.76 --> 1789.76] Thou hast first +[1789.76 --> 1791.76] Loved me +[1791.76 --> 1797.76] And purchased my pardon +[1797.76 --> 1801.76] On Calvary's tree +[1801.76 --> 1803.76] I love thee +[1803.76 --> 1805.76] I love thee +[1805.76 --> 1807.76] For wearing +[1807.76 --> 1809.76] The thorns +[1809.76 --> 1811.76] On thy brow +[1811.76 --> 1813.76] If ever +[1813.76 --> 1815.76] I love thee +[1815.76 --> 1817.76] I love thee +[1817.76 --> 1819.76] My Jesus +[1819.76 --> 1821.76] Tis +[1821.76 --> 1823.76] Now +[1823.76 --> 1825.76] I love thee +[1825.76 --> 1827.76] In life +[1827.76 --> 1829.76] I will love thee +[1829.76 --> 1831.76] In life +[1831.76 --> 1833.76] I will love thee +[1833.76 --> 1835.76] In death +[1835.76 --> 1839.76] And praise thee +[1839.76 --> 1845.76] As long as thou lendest me breath +[1845.76 --> 1847.76] And say +[1847.76 --> 1849.76] And say +[1849.76 --> 1851.76] When the death +[1851.76 --> 1853.76] Doe lies +[1853.76 --> 1854.76] Cold +[1854.76 --> 1855.76] On my brow +[1855.76 --> 1859.76] If ever +[1859.76 --> 1861.76] I love thee +[1861.76 --> 1863.76] My Jesus +[1863.76 --> 1865.76] Tis now +[1865.76 --> 1867.76] In +[1867.76 --> 1869.76] Mansions +[1869.76 --> 1871.76] of the +[1871.76 --> 1873.76] In +[1873.76 --> 1874.76] Mansions +[1874.76 --> 1875.76] Of +[1875.76 --> 1876.76] glory +[1876.76 --> 1877.76] And +[1877.76 --> 1879.76] Endless +[1879.76 --> 1881.76] Delight +[1881.76 --> 1883.76] I'll +[1883.76 --> 1884.76] Ever +[1884.76 --> 1885.76] Adore +[1885.76 --> 1886.76] Thee +[1886.76 --> 1888.76] In +[1888.76 --> 1889.76] Heaven +[1889.76 --> 1890.76] So +[1890.76 --> 1891.76] Bright +[1891.76 --> 1893.76] I'll +[1893.76 --> 1894.76] Sing +[1894.76 --> 1895.76] With +[1895.76 --> 1896.76] The +[1896.76 --> 1897.76] Glittering +[1897.76 --> 1898.76] Ground +[1898.76 --> 1900.76] On +[1900.76 --> 1901.76] My brow +[1901.76 --> 1903.76] If +[1903.76 --> 1904.76] Ever +[1904.76 --> 1905.76] I +[1905.76 --> 1906.76] Love thee +[1906.76 --> 1907.76] My +[1907.76 --> 1908.76] Jesus +[1908.76 --> 1910.76] Tis +[1910.76 --> 1911.76] Now +[1911.76 --> 1912.76] Amen +[1912.76 --> 1913.76] Amen +[1913.76 --> 1914.76] Amen +[1914.76 --> 1915.76] Amen +[1915.76 --> 1916.76] Amen +[1916.76 --> 1917.76] Amen +[1917.76 --> 1918.76] Amen +[1918.76 --> 1919.76] Amen +[1919.76 --> 1920.76] Amen +[1920.76 --> 1921.76] Amen +[1921.76 --> 1922.76] Amen +[1922.76 --> 1923.76] Amen +[1923.76 --> 1924.76] Amen +[1924.76 --> 1925.76] Amen +[1925.76 --> 1926.76] Amen +[1926.76 --> 1927.76] Amen +[1927.76 --> 1928.76] Amen +[1928.76 --> 1929.76] Amen +[1929.76 --> 1930.74] Amen +[1930.76 --> 1933.76] Millen +[1933.76 --> 1938.76] Amen +[1938.76 --> 1946.20] Thee +[1946.20 --> 1946.90] ッ +[1960.76 --> 1967.20] Located in Edmonton, the King's University offers exceptional liberal arts education +[1967.20 --> 1974.50] from a Christian perspective and serves students from across Canada and from around the world. +[1974.50 --> 1977.64] For more information, you can check out their website. +[1977.64 --> 1980.60] They're either on your computer or on your phone. +[1980.60 --> 1986.10] There is a link in our online bulletin this morning. +[1986.10 --> 1992.60] And please give as the Lord has blessed you for this Christian organization. +[1992.60 --> 1993.60] Thanks. +[2016.10 --> 2035.10] This is the air I breathe. +[2035.10 --> 2042.60] This is the air I breathe. +[2042.60 --> 2054.60] Your holy presence living in me. +[2054.60 --> 2062.10] This is my daily bread. +[2062.10 --> 2069.60] This is my daily bread. +[2069.60 --> 2081.60] Your very word spoken to me. +[2081.60 --> 2092.10] And I, I'm desperate for you. +[2092.10 --> 2106.10] And I, I'm lost without you. +[2106.10 --> 2125.60] This is the air I breathe. +[2125.60 --> 2133.10] This is the air I breathe. +[2133.10 --> 2144.10] Your holy presence living in me. +[2144.10 --> 2152.60] This is my daily bread. +[2152.60 --> 2158.60] This is my daily bread. +[2158.60 --> 2160.10] This is my daily bread. +[2160.10 --> 2161.10] This is my daily bread. +[2161.10 --> 2162.10] This is my daily bread. +[2162.10 --> 2165.10] I'm desperate for you. +[2165.10 --> 2169.60] You're very well spoken to me. +[2169.60 --> 2184.10] And I, I'm desperate for you. +[2184.10 --> 2191.10] I'm lost without you. +[2194.10 --> 2202.10] And I'm desperate for you. +[2202.10 --> 2214.10] And I'm lost without you. +[2214.10 --> 2227.10] And I'm lost without you. +[2227.10 --> 2233.10] You are the air I breathe. +[2233.10 --> 2239.10] You are the air. +[2248.10 --> 2249.10] Good morning, kids. +[2249.10 --> 2251.10] If you are age three up into grade four, +[2251.10 --> 2254.10] I'd like to invite you to come join me up at front here +[2254.10 --> 2256.10] for Kids Corner. +[2256.10 --> 2259.10] And then we'll continue learning more in children's worship time +[2259.10 --> 2260.10] when we're finished. +[2260.10 --> 2273.10] Okay, here's my question for you today. +[2273.10 --> 2277.10] I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a backwards day, +[2277.10 --> 2279.10] like at school or at home, +[2279.10 --> 2282.10] where you kind of did things in the opposite way of normal. +[2282.10 --> 2283.10] Have you ever done that? +[2283.10 --> 2286.10] No? Nobody's done that before? +[2286.10 --> 2287.10] Oh, Ruby's done it before. +[2287.10 --> 2289.10] I know that we've done that at our school. +[2289.10 --> 2291.10] Can you think with me, if we were having a backwards day, +[2291.10 --> 2293.10] what would we do first? +[2293.10 --> 2296.10] Like we would get up, we'd have to get up, I guess. +[2296.10 --> 2299.10] So we'd get up our bed and then maybe we'd have to do what? +[2299.10 --> 2303.10] Yeah, we'd have to maybe eat dinner or put our pajamas on. +[2303.10 --> 2305.10] And then we'd have to eat dinner. +[2305.10 --> 2307.10] And then what might we do after we eat dinner? +[2307.10 --> 2312.10] Yeah, we'd have to go back to sleep in the morning. +[2312.10 --> 2313.10] You're right. That would be the opposite. +[2313.10 --> 2318.10] Then we might have to go to our soccer or dance or gymnastics +[2318.10 --> 2319.10] or piano lesson. +[2319.10 --> 2324.10] And then we'd have to have some lunch and then go to school, I guess, +[2324.10 --> 2327.10] and then have breakfast and then go back to bed. +[2327.10 --> 2329.10] It would be kind of an interesting day, right? +[2329.10 --> 2331.10] If we lived our whole day backwards. +[2331.10 --> 2335.10] Some things in our life are pretty tricky if we try to do them backwards. +[2335.10 --> 2340.10] But today, what we're going to learn about is how we can live backwards here on Earth. +[2340.10 --> 2343.10] Because we know that God is going to come back, +[2343.10 --> 2346.10] that Jesus is coming back and that we get to live with him in heaven. +[2346.10 --> 2351.10] And when we already know the ending, that helps us to live backwards on Earth. +[2351.10 --> 2353.10] And if that sounds a little bit strange, that's okay. +[2353.10 --> 2356.10] Because that's why we're going to go to children's worship time +[2356.10 --> 2358.10] and figure out what I mean by that. +[2358.10 --> 2360.10] So you can stand up. +[2360.10 --> 2361.10] We'll do our blessing. +[2361.10 --> 2364.10] And then we'll head off to children's worship. +[2364.10 --> 2365.10] We'll head off to children's worship. +[2365.10 --> 2366.10] We'll head off to children's worship. +[2394.10 --> 2399.10] Hi, I'm Eric, an elder here at Emanuel. +[2399.10 --> 2404.10] I'm here to give our council updates and notes from this past week. +[2404.10 --> 2408.10] This week council approved the letter of call to Pastor Kevin. +[2408.10 --> 2415.10] We selected delegates to classes to be held on October 21st and 22nd at Fleetwood. +[2415.10 --> 2419.34] We received our update from Pastor Chris, Pastor Kevin and Josh. +[2419.98 --> 2426.66] We also had an update from us, from myself here at Board of Stewarts, just highlighting the sanctuary improvements. +[2426.80 --> 2427.78] They've nearly been completed. +[2427.88 --> 2433.76] A little bit of finishing touches to be done on the inside with all the mold and rot removed from both inside and outside. +[2437.08 --> 2442.10] In following down the road, we will be concentrating on finishing the patchwork outside, +[2442.10 --> 2447.44] but also potentially painting the outside of our sanctuary to get rid of the graffiti and update that as well. +[2447.54 --> 2454.76] But on that note, from a deacon, not deacon, but from a Board of Stewarts, we started to update some of the classrooms. +[2455.84 --> 2459.12] By that, I mean we've been doing some repair work and getting painting done. +[2459.56 --> 2461.58] I don't mind painting, but I don't love painting. +[2461.72 --> 2469.74] So I'm looking for anyone who's willing to help out in the evenings or on weekends just to start tackling a couple of the hallways and classrooms. +[2469.74 --> 2477.08] So if anyone wants to touch base with me and is willing to help out in doing some of the maintenance, helping with painting, that would be greatly appreciated. +[2477.94 --> 2486.12] Also, this time of year, the Church and Finance Committee, it's our budget presentation season again. +[2486.94 --> 2496.10] So in our e-bulletins, there's also copies in the office, but we would love to see some of those ministries next year's budgets to be filled out for October 10th. +[2496.10 --> 2499.76] And if there's any further questions, contact Marilyn in the office. +[2500.30 --> 2500.88] Thank you. +[2506.22 --> 2506.78] Thank you. +[2514.78 --> 2515.42] Good morning. +[2515.52 --> 2516.22] My name is Dave. +[2516.22 --> 2522.70] I am one of the elders that serves this church community, and it is my turn to lead in our church family prayer. +[2523.06 --> 2524.06] Will you pray with me? +[2526.10 --> 2529.98] Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. +[2530.18 --> 2531.64] Worship the Lord with gladness. +[2532.18 --> 2534.24] Come before him with joyful songs. +[2534.78 --> 2539.88] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, and give thanks to him and praise his name. +[2540.80 --> 2544.40] Father, once again, we celebrate this Sunday, this Lord's Day. +[2544.90 --> 2551.26] We are members of the church universal and this Christian community, so we gather to give thanks to you and praise your name. +[2551.26 --> 2559.80] Father, once again, we see the need to confess our sins to you, both in our personal lives and how we interact with others. +[2560.60 --> 2561.90] We are sinful people. +[2561.90 --> 2569.20] It is because of human sin and human rebellion that we need to be reconciled to you and that Jesus needed to come down. +[2569.20 --> 2580.04] In particular, as Canadians take part in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we see the great harm that was done in residential schools by our nation and various churches. +[2580.54 --> 2584.76] A policy that led to loss of heritage, loss of identity, and loss of life. +[2584.76 --> 2596.32] Because the injustice was carried out by elected governments from both parties, under 20 prime ministers, and in the name of all Canadians, then all Canadians need to be part of the solution. +[2597.04 --> 2600.56] Father, we look to the love and sacrifice of Jesus to guide us. +[2600.98 --> 2602.74] As Paul tells the church in Ephesus, +[2602.74 --> 2624.46] Father, once again, we come to you because we have many reasons to be thankful. +[2624.88 --> 2627.86] We thank you for the changing seasons and the beginning of fall. +[2627.86 --> 2633.34] It is an opportunity for all of us to spend some time outdoors and to experience the beauty of your creation. +[2634.42 --> 2637.74] We thank you for this church family and everyone who has gathered here. +[2638.06 --> 2640.16] We thank you for the leadership of this church. +[2640.88 --> 2644.06] Pastor Chris, Pastor Kevin, Josh, the members of the council. +[2644.54 --> 2648.92] We thank you for the many ministries of this church that have returned after a summer hiatus. +[2650.16 --> 2652.52] Bless these ministries and the work that they do. +[2652.96 --> 2656.24] May they meet the spiritual and physical needs that we see around us. +[2656.24 --> 2662.14] Father, once again, we think of the joys and needs that we have as a Christian community. +[2662.78 --> 2664.60] We think about the needs of the world. +[2665.12 --> 2669.24] We pray again for the conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, in Israel and Gaza, +[2669.50 --> 2672.48] and we fear the possibility that either one could escalate. +[2673.32 --> 2676.68] But those are just the conflicts that we see so often in the news. +[2676.68 --> 2682.48] It is easy not to notice conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, Yemen, and other places. +[2682.48 --> 2687.88] We pray for all leaders that they may see the value of living next to each other as neighbors +[2687.88 --> 2692.00] and use that as a basis for achieving a meaningful and lasting peace. +[2693.24 --> 2696.06] Father, once again, we think about the needs of this congregation. +[2696.90 --> 2700.94] We pray for all the students and educators who have returned to grade school and post-secondary. +[2700.94 --> 2706.06] We pray that after a positive start, they may have a great year of learning about themselves, +[2706.48 --> 2708.96] their place in the world, and their relationship with you. +[2709.84 --> 2713.24] We thank you that Rachel DeWinter's gallbladder surgery was successful. +[2713.86 --> 2716.52] We pray for a smooth and speedy recovery at home. +[2717.26 --> 2722.18] We pray for Heather Varsstra as she is recovering at home from an asthma flare-up. +[2722.52 --> 2725.48] We pray for patience and healing as she continues to rest, +[2725.66 --> 2727.90] and we trust in your continued care over her. +[2727.90 --> 2732.78] We pray again for John Kuypers, who is waiting for a biopsy to give him clarity +[2732.78 --> 2735.66] on what has been a long road to a proper diagnosis. +[2736.42 --> 2738.12] We pray for a speedy diagnosis. +[2738.72 --> 2741.34] We pray that you will ease any anxiety and uncertainty, +[2741.96 --> 2745.90] that you will bless the procedure, and that it will lead to a full restoration of his health. +[2746.88 --> 2751.44] We thank you that Tessa has learned that her lymphoma is still in remission. +[2751.94 --> 2753.80] We do pray for the spot on her colon, +[2753.80 --> 2756.46] and are grateful that this new cancer was caught early, +[2756.90 --> 2759.40] and appears to be operable with high hopes of success. +[2760.12 --> 2763.22] We pray that she will experience your peace as she waits for surgery. +[2764.48 --> 2768.12] We pray for Judy Dykstra, who had surgery to remove kidney stones, +[2768.56 --> 2769.74] and has returned home. +[2770.08 --> 2773.44] We pray for a quick recovery and a full restoration of her health. +[2773.44 --> 2777.66] We pray for Ellen White, who has received some cortisone shots in her knees, +[2778.10 --> 2781.38] and is anticipating another surgery on her hip in a couple of months. +[2781.88 --> 2786.62] We pray for a successful treatment, and that she can feel your peace in tangible ways. +[2787.48 --> 2792.28] And Father, once again, we pray for Pastor Chris as he leads a study of your word, +[2792.62 --> 2794.84] as revealed to the teacher in Ecclesiastes. +[2794.84 --> 2804.64] Father, we pray for the Lord is good, and his love endures forever. +[2805.08 --> 2807.52] His faithfulness continues through all generations. +[2808.68 --> 2809.00] Amen. +[2824.84 --> 2833.42] In addition to all the many things that are going on around here, +[2833.70 --> 2838.70] this past week, a small group of us gathered together on Thursday night for prayer. +[2839.96 --> 2843.24] And one of the things that we prayed for, +[2843.42 --> 2846.66] and circumstances, situations that we prayed over, +[2847.32 --> 2851.66] was for the life of this church, the ministry of this church, +[2851.66 --> 2854.66] and discipleship that has been happening here. +[2854.84 --> 2859.94] Especially, the prayer went among young people. +[2861.28 --> 2866.26] I don't know if you've seen it, but I have made mention of it previously as well. +[2866.76 --> 2874.16] Even one of the mainstream media channels, news stations, +[2875.10 --> 2876.78] that I sometimes listen to, +[2876.78 --> 2878.54] this past weekend, +[2878.54 --> 2886.48] had a report on the burgeoning movement of Gen Z Christians. +[2887.38 --> 2893.30] So the fastest growing religious demographic in Canada is Gen Z, +[2893.64 --> 2896.96] is the 20 to sort of 25 year olds right now. +[2896.96 --> 2900.32] And so we prayed into that, and we wondered, +[2900.44 --> 2903.54] what does that look like in an age such as ours, +[2903.74 --> 2907.02] an age where what meaning is, and how we find meaning, +[2907.10 --> 2908.06] and how we find purpose, +[2908.58 --> 2909.94] is up for grabs? +[2910.60 --> 2916.40] How can we offer something as a church that is firm and solid, +[2916.40 --> 2918.98] that is fixed in the truth, +[2918.98 --> 2927.98] but is shapeable, malleable enough to face whatever circumstance you might be standing in, +[2928.32 --> 2932.48] or walking in, or whatever hardship you might be sitting in the midst of? +[2932.48 --> 2939.48] Providentially, at the same time as we were praying that, +[2939.64 --> 2942.20] and as we were hearing these news reports, +[2942.64 --> 2947.30] we had planned to do a series in the book of Ecclesiastes. +[2948.44 --> 2952.38] Now, if you've been around the church for a while, for a lifetime, +[2953.06 --> 2956.14] Ecclesiastes is one of the most, +[2956.36 --> 2957.68] and I'm going to use this word intentionally, +[2958.22 --> 2961.08] enigmatic books in the Bible. +[2961.08 --> 2969.02] It's a wisdom literature book that sometimes is really strange and hard to read, +[2969.44 --> 2973.52] and it's our hope and my intent to help us see +[2973.52 --> 2978.92] how Ecclesiastes is exactly the word from God we need +[2978.92 --> 2982.48] in this particular cultural moment and circumstance. +[2984.00 --> 2988.00] To do that, we're going to start at the end. +[2988.00 --> 2992.22] Now, that will become clear as we go through as to why, +[2992.66 --> 2995.52] but I'm going to read from Ecclesiastes 12, +[2996.48 --> 2997.78] starting at verse 8, +[2998.10 --> 3001.36] through to the end of the book, which is verse 14, +[3002.48 --> 3006.54] and we'll dig in to that as we go, +[3006.68 --> 3009.38] and I hope it will become clear why we start at the end +[3009.38 --> 3012.64] in order to see how that impacts the beginning. +[3012.64 --> 3014.60] Let's read together. +[3017.00 --> 3020.44] Meaningless, meaningless, says the teacher. +[3021.34 --> 3023.74] Everything is meaningless. +[3026.74 --> 3029.26] Not only was the teacher wise, +[3029.78 --> 3032.26] but he also imparted knowledge to the people. +[3033.42 --> 3037.74] He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. +[3037.74 --> 3042.64] The teacher searched to find just the right words, +[3042.92 --> 3045.94] and what he wrote was upright and true. +[3047.02 --> 3049.74] The words of the wise are like goads. +[3050.68 --> 3054.16] They're collected sayings like firmly embedded nails +[3054.16 --> 3056.52] given by one shepherd. +[3057.48 --> 3061.20] Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. +[3061.20 --> 3065.02] Of making many books there is no end, +[3065.18 --> 3067.18] and much study wearies the body. +[3069.00 --> 3070.52] Now all has been heard. +[3071.24 --> 3073.78] Here is the conclusion of the matter. +[3075.24 --> 3077.20] Fear God and keep his commandments, +[3078.06 --> 3080.76] for this is the duty of all mankind. +[3081.82 --> 3084.88] For God will bring every deed into judgment, +[3085.48 --> 3087.58] including every hidden thing, +[3087.84 --> 3090.10] whether it is good or evil. +[3091.20 --> 3092.56] This is the word of the Lord. +[3097.06 --> 3099.44] When it went out in the e-bulletin +[3099.44 --> 3101.06] that this was the text +[3101.06 --> 3103.40] that we would be starting this series on, +[3104.08 --> 3106.70] my mother, bless her heart, +[3107.16 --> 3109.12] read the text and saw the line +[3109.12 --> 3110.48] of the making of many books, +[3110.58 --> 3111.32] there is no end, +[3111.44 --> 3113.38] and much study wearies the body. +[3113.90 --> 3115.46] And she reached out to me and she said, +[3115.48 --> 3116.36] is this a cry for help? +[3117.10 --> 3117.74] Are you tired? +[3117.74 --> 3118.40] Are you tired? +[3121.20 --> 3124.90] What I hope we might see +[3124.90 --> 3129.34] is how it is that the message of Ecclesiastes +[3129.34 --> 3133.46] speaks a word of truth +[3133.46 --> 3136.30] and meaning and purpose +[3136.30 --> 3140.20] in an age where truth, meaning, and purpose +[3140.20 --> 3141.62] are so hard to find. +[3141.62 --> 3147.68] I want to begin by naming a reality +[3147.68 --> 3149.12] that most of us, +[3149.22 --> 3150.88] whether we realize it or not, +[3151.56 --> 3155.32] are living in the midst of or out of. +[3157.56 --> 3158.86] In the world today, +[3158.98 --> 3162.34] we are told from incredibly various sources +[3162.34 --> 3165.76] and using incredibly varied language +[3165.76 --> 3167.12] and ways of saying it, +[3167.12 --> 3170.52] but we are told that the goal of life +[3170.52 --> 3173.22] is to be true to yourself, +[3173.62 --> 3176.20] to look inside, +[3176.42 --> 3179.26] to discover who you really are, +[3179.26 --> 3181.52] and then to live that idea +[3181.52 --> 3183.44] in that way without apology. +[3183.44 --> 3187.72] In fact, +[3188.08 --> 3191.80] we're told that if someone tries to tell you otherwise, +[3192.06 --> 3192.70] it's oppressive, +[3193.28 --> 3197.30] and that these kinds of words themselves are violent. +[3199.14 --> 3200.36] Now, let me be really clear, +[3200.44 --> 3201.72] because I think we can do a better job +[3201.72 --> 3203.86] of learning how to speak with gentleness and respect. +[3204.76 --> 3205.14] Okay? +[3205.18 --> 3206.18] I know that that is true, +[3207.14 --> 3208.28] but there's something here. +[3208.28 --> 3210.92] We live in a time, +[3211.00 --> 3211.44] in a moment, +[3211.56 --> 3212.36] in a culture +[3212.36 --> 3213.64] where we assume +[3213.64 --> 3214.96] or we're told +[3214.96 --> 3216.28] that progress +[3216.28 --> 3217.64] and technology +[3217.64 --> 3219.24] will save us. +[3220.42 --> 3222.30] That if we just keep advancing, +[3222.78 --> 3223.96] if we just keep learning, +[3224.20 --> 3225.56] if we just keep innovating, +[3226.00 --> 3227.68] life will finally work out +[3227.68 --> 3228.86] the way it's supposed to be. +[3233.42 --> 3235.28] We live in a time and a place +[3235.28 --> 3236.80] where comfort +[3236.80 --> 3238.16] and happiness +[3238.16 --> 3239.40] are the things +[3239.40 --> 3240.60] that we pursue +[3240.60 --> 3241.36] and chase +[3241.36 --> 3243.88] as the point of life +[3243.88 --> 3247.26] in order to feel good +[3247.26 --> 3248.92] and to avoid +[3248.92 --> 3250.62] the other limiting factors. +[3250.94 --> 3251.32] Comfort +[3251.32 --> 3252.12] and happiness +[3252.12 --> 3253.86] is the goal. +[3255.22 --> 3255.86] And, +[3255.98 --> 3256.74] we live in a time +[3256.74 --> 3257.54] and a place +[3257.54 --> 3259.14] where we're told +[3259.14 --> 3260.38] that God +[3260.38 --> 3261.14] is optional. +[3262.50 --> 3262.64] Right? +[3262.66 --> 3263.38] That if God +[3263.38 --> 3264.30] is good +[3264.30 --> 3265.04] for you +[3265.04 --> 3265.72] to achieve +[3265.72 --> 3266.46] that comfort, +[3266.80 --> 3267.88] and that happiness, +[3268.04 --> 3268.58] then great. +[3268.84 --> 3269.18] Go. +[3269.40 --> 3269.94] Do it. +[3270.94 --> 3272.30] But it is not true +[3272.30 --> 3273.00] for everyone. +[3274.56 --> 3274.68] Right? +[3274.70 --> 3276.22] It's a personal +[3276.22 --> 3277.50] and private +[3277.50 --> 3278.66] belief. +[3278.82 --> 3279.62] It is not +[3279.62 --> 3280.44] the center +[3280.44 --> 3282.06] of reality. +[3284.28 --> 3284.80] Now, +[3284.84 --> 3285.10] like we said, +[3285.18 --> 3286.06] these assumptions +[3286.06 --> 3287.68] promise meaning +[3287.68 --> 3288.60] and, +[3288.78 --> 3289.52] hear this very carefully, +[3289.78 --> 3291.02] they promise control. +[3291.02 --> 3291.08] people. +[3293.96 --> 3295.06] But when the bottom +[3295.06 --> 3295.92] falls out, +[3297.40 --> 3297.62] right, +[3297.66 --> 3298.62] when life gets hard, +[3299.52 --> 3300.22] when death +[3300.22 --> 3301.38] feels close, +[3302.38 --> 3303.62] when you wonder +[3303.62 --> 3305.08] what all the busyness +[3305.08 --> 3305.64] is for, +[3306.40 --> 3306.56] right, +[3306.56 --> 3307.24] when I move from +[3307.24 --> 3308.46] exhaustion to exhaustion +[3308.46 --> 3309.20] to exhaustion, +[3309.44 --> 3310.48] what's the purpose? +[3311.66 --> 3312.48] These things, +[3312.64 --> 3313.48] when they don't +[3313.48 --> 3314.26] hold up, +[3315.62 --> 3315.76] right, +[3315.76 --> 3316.74] what are you to do +[3316.74 --> 3317.60] when life +[3317.60 --> 3319.04] doesn't make sense +[3319.04 --> 3319.66] anymore? +[3320.52 --> 3321.80] When your search +[3321.80 --> 3322.52] for meaning +[3322.52 --> 3323.84] seems to slip +[3323.84 --> 3325.50] through your fingers +[3325.50 --> 3326.66] like smoke +[3326.66 --> 3327.80] from a candle? +[3329.88 --> 3330.58] That +[3330.58 --> 3332.38] is when the book +[3332.38 --> 3333.30] of Ecclesiastes +[3333.30 --> 3334.76] speaks +[3334.76 --> 3336.50] a more beautiful word. +[3336.50 --> 3338.96] That's why +[3338.96 --> 3339.26] the book +[3339.26 --> 3339.96] of Ecclesiastes +[3339.96 --> 3340.96] is for this +[3340.96 --> 3342.24] present moment. +[3342.38 --> 3343.14] One writer +[3343.14 --> 3343.80] has put it +[3343.80 --> 3344.20] this way, +[3344.28 --> 3344.60] they've said, +[3344.96 --> 3345.88] Ecclesiastes +[3345.88 --> 3347.04] calls those +[3347.04 --> 3347.64] struggling +[3347.64 --> 3348.62] with the nature +[3348.62 --> 3349.70] of life's meaning +[3349.70 --> 3350.80] and God's purposes +[3350.80 --> 3352.08] to pursue +[3352.08 --> 3353.58] genuine wisdom +[3353.58 --> 3355.36] by allowing +[3355.36 --> 3356.28] their thinking +[3356.28 --> 3357.20] to be shaped +[3357.20 --> 3358.24] integrally +[3358.24 --> 3359.62] by a recognition +[3359.62 --> 3360.28] of God +[3360.28 --> 3361.00] as creator +[3361.00 --> 3362.64] so that they +[3362.64 --> 3363.34] can enjoy +[3363.34 --> 3364.28] God's good gifts +[3364.28 --> 3365.08] and obey +[3365.08 --> 3365.82] his laws +[3365.82 --> 3366.78] amid the +[3366.78 --> 3367.68] enigmas +[3367.68 --> 3368.82] of his +[3368.82 --> 3369.76] purposes. +[3370.26 --> 3370.84] That was a lot, +[3370.92 --> 3371.70] let's dig into that. +[3372.98 --> 3373.42] In short, +[3373.72 --> 3374.22] the preacher +[3374.22 --> 3375.26] or the teacher +[3375.26 --> 3376.34] in Ecclesiastes +[3376.34 --> 3377.36] wants you +[3377.36 --> 3378.34] to wake up. +[3380.70 --> 3381.14] He's not going +[3381.14 --> 3381.54] to give us +[3381.54 --> 3382.34] simple answers +[3382.34 --> 3383.22] because we're not +[3383.22 --> 3384.38] asking simple questions. +[3386.90 --> 3388.06] The teacher +[3388.06 --> 3388.68] is going to +[3388.68 --> 3389.72] force us +[3389.72 --> 3390.86] to face +[3390.86 --> 3391.84] the limits +[3391.84 --> 3392.76] of life +[3392.76 --> 3393.82] honestly. +[3393.82 --> 3395.58] and he's +[3395.58 --> 3395.82] going to +[3395.82 --> 3396.50] teach us +[3396.50 --> 3396.82] that the +[3396.82 --> 3397.62] only way +[3397.62 --> 3398.22] to live +[3398.22 --> 3398.96] wisely +[3398.96 --> 3400.68] is to live, +[3400.78 --> 3401.16] as Nicky +[3401.16 --> 3401.64] has already +[3401.64 --> 3402.02] said, +[3402.42 --> 3402.76] backwards. +[3404.30 --> 3405.18] To keep +[3405.18 --> 3405.72] the end +[3405.72 --> 3406.42] in view, +[3407.00 --> 3407.86] to let +[3407.86 --> 3408.94] the certainty +[3408.94 --> 3409.86] of death, +[3410.50 --> 3411.24] the reality +[3411.24 --> 3412.18] of judgment, +[3412.34 --> 3413.14] and the return +[3413.14 --> 3413.98] of Christ +[3413.98 --> 3415.32] shape how +[3415.32 --> 3415.94] we live +[3415.94 --> 3416.50] now. +[3416.50 --> 3418.72] And that's +[3418.72 --> 3419.08] why we're +[3419.08 --> 3419.68] starting this +[3419.68 --> 3420.18] series at +[3420.18 --> 3420.54] the end +[3420.54 --> 3420.82] of the +[3420.82 --> 3421.10] book, +[3422.10 --> 3423.42] with Ecclesiastes +[3423.42 --> 3423.94] 12, +[3424.30 --> 3425.38] 18 to +[3425.38 --> 3426.26] 14. +[3427.10 --> 3427.62] Now, +[3427.70 --> 3428.28] the Hebrew +[3428.28 --> 3429.22] title of +[3429.22 --> 3429.78] this book +[3429.78 --> 3430.86] is Kohelet. +[3431.74 --> 3432.44] That's a +[3432.44 --> 3433.30] Hebrew word +[3433.30 --> 3434.62] for one +[3434.62 --> 3435.34] who gathers +[3435.34 --> 3435.94] the people +[3435.94 --> 3436.52] to teach +[3436.52 --> 3436.82] them. +[3438.58 --> 3439.76] The ancient +[3439.76 --> 3440.66] Greek translation +[3440.66 --> 3441.86] of that word +[3441.86 --> 3443.28] is Ecclesiastes, +[3443.28 --> 3444.68] which means +[3444.68 --> 3445.18] a citizen +[3445.18 --> 3445.82] of the +[3445.82 --> 3446.54] assembly. +[3446.70 --> 3447.02] That's where +[3447.02 --> 3447.84] our title +[3447.84 --> 3448.44] for this +[3448.44 --> 3449.08] book comes. +[3449.22 --> 3449.82] Ecclesiastes +[3449.82 --> 3450.24] is the +[3450.24 --> 3450.44] Greek +[3450.44 --> 3451.04] translation +[3451.04 --> 3452.28] of the +[3452.28 --> 3452.58] Hebrew +[3452.58 --> 3453.04] word +[3453.04 --> 3453.86] Kohelet. +[3454.26 --> 3454.72] Martin +[3454.72 --> 3455.18] Luther, +[3455.56 --> 3456.08] 16th +[3456.08 --> 3456.46] century +[3456.46 --> 3457.28] reformer, +[3457.46 --> 3458.10] translated +[3458.10 --> 3459.30] Kohelet +[3459.30 --> 3460.06] as the +[3460.06 --> 3460.48] preacher. +[3461.66 --> 3462.32] The NIV, +[3462.78 --> 3463.18] which we +[3463.18 --> 3463.48] read, +[3463.66 --> 3464.38] translates it +[3464.38 --> 3465.10] as the +[3465.10 --> 3465.54] teacher. +[3467.20 --> 3468.14] And that's +[3468.14 --> 3468.44] what's going +[3468.44 --> 3468.92] on in this +[3468.92 --> 3469.24] book. +[3470.10 --> 3470.72] It is a +[3470.72 --> 3471.10] teacher +[3471.10 --> 3472.32] showing us +[3472.32 --> 3473.02] what life +[3473.02 --> 3474.20] looks like +[3474.20 --> 3474.74] when you +[3474.74 --> 3475.32] face +[3475.32 --> 3476.62] reality +[3476.62 --> 3477.78] honestly. +[3480.38 --> 3480.98] Dave +[3480.98 --> 3481.50] Gibson, +[3481.78 --> 3482.70] whose book +[3482.70 --> 3483.16] has helped +[3483.16 --> 3483.70] shape this +[3483.70 --> 3484.30] whole series, +[3484.58 --> 3485.18] the book +[3485.18 --> 3485.52] is called +[3485.52 --> 3486.26] Live Life +[3486.26 --> 3486.84] Backwards, +[3487.28 --> 3488.08] he writes, +[3488.50 --> 3488.90] the book +[3488.90 --> 3489.84] of Ecclesiastes +[3489.84 --> 3490.60] is one of +[3490.60 --> 3491.26] God's gifts +[3491.26 --> 3492.00] to help us +[3492.00 --> 3492.72] live in +[3492.72 --> 3493.22] the real +[3493.22 --> 3493.62] world. +[3495.84 --> 3496.04] And so +[3496.04 --> 3496.60] Ecclesiastes +[3496.60 --> 3497.12] is going to +[3497.12 --> 3497.52] take us +[3497.52 --> 3497.80] on a +[3497.80 --> 3498.54] roller coaster. +[3499.46 --> 3499.82] It's going +[3499.82 --> 3500.16] to paint +[3500.16 --> 3500.62] for us +[3500.62 --> 3501.34] a picture +[3501.34 --> 3502.00] of life +[3502.00 --> 3502.42] in all +[3502.42 --> 3502.68] of its +[3502.68 --> 3503.10] beauty +[3503.10 --> 3504.30] and sorrow, +[3504.54 --> 3504.84] in all +[3504.84 --> 3505.12] of its +[3505.12 --> 3505.58] joy +[3505.58 --> 3506.66] and frustration, +[3507.04 --> 3507.36] in all +[3507.36 --> 3507.60] of its +[3507.60 --> 3508.28] questions +[3508.28 --> 3509.66] and enigmas. +[3511.58 --> 3512.14] The +[3512.14 --> 3512.50] teacher +[3512.50 --> 3513.40] looks at +[3513.40 --> 3513.94] life, +[3514.32 --> 3514.54] he looks +[3514.54 --> 3515.32] at experience, +[3515.52 --> 3515.74] he looks +[3515.74 --> 3516.34] at time, +[3516.44 --> 3516.70] he looks +[3516.70 --> 3517.20] at trouble, +[3517.50 --> 3517.86] the teacher +[3517.86 --> 3518.46] looks at +[3518.46 --> 3519.10] what seems +[3519.10 --> 3520.08] to him +[3520.08 --> 3520.62] to be +[3520.62 --> 3521.60] deterministic +[3521.60 --> 3522.14] forces +[3522.14 --> 3523.32] like fate +[3523.32 --> 3525.02] and can +[3525.02 --> 3525.76] only +[3525.76 --> 3526.52] conclude +[3526.52 --> 3527.90] that all +[3527.90 --> 3528.60] is +[3528.60 --> 3529.50] meaningless. +[3530.46 --> 3531.18] Meaningless, +[3531.46 --> 3532.12] says the +[3532.12 --> 3532.54] teacher. +[3533.00 --> 3533.52] Everything +[3533.52 --> 3534.56] is +[3534.56 --> 3535.48] meaningless. +[3537.48 --> 3538.40] Havel +[3538.40 --> 3539.52] in Hebrew. +[3540.78 --> 3541.24] An older +[3541.24 --> 3542.02] translation of +[3542.02 --> 3542.22] that, +[3542.70 --> 3543.12] vanity, +[3544.26 --> 3544.82] vanity +[3544.82 --> 3545.42] of +[3545.42 --> 3546.32] vanities, +[3547.78 --> 3548.26] enigma, +[3549.22 --> 3549.56] vapor. +[3549.56 --> 3549.68] power. +[3551.44 --> 3552.66] But all +[3552.66 --> 3553.70] of that +[3553.70 --> 3555.74] meaninglessness +[3555.74 --> 3557.26] in the book +[3557.26 --> 3558.30] of Ecclesiastes +[3558.30 --> 3559.98] is held +[3559.98 --> 3561.06] against and +[3561.06 --> 3562.32] alongside of +[3562.32 --> 3563.36] this sort +[3563.36 --> 3565.08] of carpe diem +[3565.08 --> 3566.42] belief in +[3566.42 --> 3567.42] the goodness +[3567.42 --> 3568.24] of creation +[3568.24 --> 3568.90] and the +[3568.90 --> 3569.40] goodness of +[3569.40 --> 3569.76] life. +[3570.64 --> 3570.98] Throughout, +[3571.14 --> 3571.32] you get +[3571.32 --> 3571.70] meaningless, +[3571.88 --> 3572.08] meaningless, +[3572.24 --> 3572.56] but then you +[3572.56 --> 3572.98] also get +[3572.98 --> 3573.46] eat, +[3573.64 --> 3573.88] drink, +[3573.98 --> 3574.18] and be +[3574.18 --> 3574.54] merry. +[3574.54 --> 3576.84] Right? +[3576.98 --> 3577.50] Vanity +[3577.50 --> 3577.80] of +[3577.80 --> 3578.32] vanities +[3578.32 --> 3579.22] and celebrate +[3579.22 --> 3580.50] life. +[3582.42 --> 3582.70] And so +[3582.70 --> 3583.14] there's this +[3583.14 --> 3584.16] meaninglessness +[3584.16 --> 3585.02] and this +[3585.02 --> 3586.14] nihilism +[3586.14 --> 3587.46] that's always +[3587.46 --> 3588.82] held against +[3588.82 --> 3590.20] this persistent +[3590.20 --> 3591.44] belief in a +[3591.44 --> 3592.12] good God +[3592.12 --> 3592.82] and a good +[3592.82 --> 3593.50] creation. +[3593.98 --> 3595.16] A persistent +[3595.16 --> 3596.20] idea that +[3596.20 --> 3597.02] there must be +[3597.02 --> 3597.96] more to life +[3597.96 --> 3598.42] than this +[3598.42 --> 3598.80] struggle. +[3602.58 --> 3603.52] What do you +[3603.52 --> 3603.96] do +[3603.96 --> 3606.22] when your +[3606.22 --> 3607.14] experience +[3607.14 --> 3608.06] challenges +[3608.06 --> 3609.82] the belief +[3609.82 --> 3610.26] in the +[3610.26 --> 3610.78] goodness of +[3610.78 --> 3611.14] life? +[3614.50 --> 3615.44] What do +[3615.44 --> 3615.84] you do +[3615.84 --> 3616.80] when your +[3616.80 --> 3617.54] experience +[3617.54 --> 3618.32] is full +[3618.32 --> 3619.54] of hardship +[3619.54 --> 3620.60] and pain +[3620.60 --> 3621.56] and hurt +[3621.56 --> 3623.24] but somehow, +[3623.82 --> 3624.50] some way, +[3624.80 --> 3625.44] in that +[3625.44 --> 3626.22] very same +[3626.22 --> 3626.80] heart, +[3627.18 --> 3627.92] is this +[3627.92 --> 3628.96] ongoing +[3628.96 --> 3630.10] persistence +[3630.10 --> 3631.62] and imagination? +[3633.26 --> 3633.36] Right? +[3633.36 --> 3634.18] Even asking +[3634.18 --> 3634.96] the question, +[3635.36 --> 3635.76] what is +[3635.76 --> 3636.32] the point? +[3637.48 --> 3637.66] Right? +[3637.66 --> 3638.06] Even that +[3638.06 --> 3639.20] question rests +[3639.20 --> 3639.78] on the +[3639.78 --> 3640.30] assumption +[3640.30 --> 3641.14] that there +[3641.14 --> 3642.02] should be +[3642.02 --> 3642.62] that there +[3642.62 --> 3643.36] is a +[3643.36 --> 3643.72] point +[3643.72 --> 3645.30] and that +[3645.30 --> 3645.76] the point +[3645.76 --> 3646.38] ought to be +[3646.38 --> 3646.72] good. +[3648.00 --> 3648.50] Right? +[3648.54 --> 3649.02] In this +[3649.02 --> 3649.50] way, +[3649.50 --> 3650.26] in exactly +[3650.26 --> 3650.78] this way, +[3650.94 --> 3651.74] Ecclesiastes +[3651.74 --> 3653.00] is the +[3653.00 --> 3653.58] book for +[3653.58 --> 3654.06] a time +[3654.06 --> 3654.70] such as +[3654.70 --> 3655.36] this. +[3657.84 --> 3658.64] And it +[3658.64 --> 3659.12] is +[3659.12 --> 3660.78] because it +[3660.78 --> 3661.76] drives us +[3661.76 --> 3662.60] back +[3662.60 --> 3663.88] to God. +[3665.48 --> 3666.44] To put it +[3666.44 --> 3666.94] in sort of +[3666.94 --> 3667.32] modern +[3667.32 --> 3667.94] language, +[3668.74 --> 3669.60] Ecclesiastes +[3669.60 --> 3670.06] will +[3670.06 --> 3670.92] de-center +[3670.92 --> 3671.60] you +[3671.60 --> 3673.20] and re-center +[3673.20 --> 3673.60] him. +[3675.26 --> 3675.96] Ecclesiastes +[3675.96 --> 3676.74] is a project +[3676.74 --> 3677.78] of de-centering, +[3678.42 --> 3679.42] of challenging +[3679.42 --> 3680.24] our assumptions +[3680.24 --> 3680.86] about how +[3680.86 --> 3681.38] the world +[3681.38 --> 3682.14] works and +[3682.14 --> 3682.58] about what +[3682.58 --> 3683.02] works in +[3683.02 --> 3683.44] the world. +[3684.38 --> 3684.92] Removing +[3684.92 --> 3685.52] ourselves +[3685.52 --> 3686.10] from the +[3686.10 --> 3686.42] center +[3686.42 --> 3687.34] of our +[3687.34 --> 3687.64] little +[3687.64 --> 3688.10] worlds +[3688.10 --> 3688.58] as the +[3688.58 --> 3689.14] arbiters +[3689.14 --> 3689.92] and discerners +[3689.92 --> 3690.22] of what +[3690.22 --> 3690.60] is true +[3690.60 --> 3691.22] and good +[3691.22 --> 3691.78] and beautiful +[3691.78 --> 3693.12] and re-centering +[3693.12 --> 3693.94] the creator, +[3694.36 --> 3695.10] God himself, +[3695.34 --> 3695.78] as the +[3695.78 --> 3696.32] ultimate, +[3696.52 --> 3697.46] capital T, +[3697.92 --> 3698.28] true, +[3698.70 --> 3699.18] good, +[3699.18 --> 3700.08] and beautiful. +[3701.46 --> 3702.22] And this +[3702.22 --> 3702.78] is important. +[3703.78 --> 3704.48] I love the +[3704.48 --> 3704.86] way that +[3704.86 --> 3705.58] John Welch +[3705.58 --> 3706.58] puts it. +[3707.00 --> 3707.44] He says, +[3708.42 --> 3708.90] centering +[3708.90 --> 3709.68] our life +[3709.68 --> 3710.54] on God +[3710.54 --> 3711.72] does not +[3711.72 --> 3712.50] rob us +[3712.50 --> 3713.06] of our +[3713.06 --> 3713.94] personality, +[3714.84 --> 3715.52] but it +[3715.52 --> 3715.94] guarantees +[3715.94 --> 3716.46] it. +[3718.72 --> 3719.40] Ecclesiastes +[3719.40 --> 3720.04] wants you +[3720.04 --> 3720.62] to see +[3720.62 --> 3721.52] that your +[3721.52 --> 3722.20] true +[3722.20 --> 3723.26] humanity, +[3723.76 --> 3724.22] who you +[3724.22 --> 3725.08] really are +[3725.08 --> 3725.94] supposed to +[3725.94 --> 3726.46] be, +[3727.20 --> 3728.42] by showing +[3728.42 --> 3729.04] you God. +[3729.18 --> 3731.02] by showing +[3731.02 --> 3731.40] you who +[3731.40 --> 3731.98] God is. +[3733.66 --> 3734.10] That's why +[3734.10 --> 3734.52] I believe +[3734.52 --> 3734.88] that this +[3734.88 --> 3735.30] book is +[3735.30 --> 3735.82] important for +[3735.82 --> 3736.34] this moment +[3736.34 --> 3737.18] right now. +[3737.30 --> 3737.80] It's because +[3737.80 --> 3738.24] of this +[3738.24 --> 3738.70] idea. +[3739.54 --> 3739.92] And I +[3739.92 --> 3740.38] believe it +[3740.38 --> 3740.90] is important +[3740.90 --> 3741.86] because it +[3741.86 --> 3743.16] goes straight +[3743.16 --> 3744.32] to what +[3744.32 --> 3745.02] most of +[3745.02 --> 3745.62] us in +[3745.62 --> 3746.50] our lives +[3746.50 --> 3747.30] avoid. +[3748.92 --> 3749.86] The ultimate +[3749.86 --> 3750.50] destination, +[3751.32 --> 3752.10] the ultimate +[3752.10 --> 3752.74] purpose, +[3753.98 --> 3754.20] the very +[3754.20 --> 3754.96] end for +[3754.96 --> 3756.02] which we +[3756.02 --> 3756.40] exist. +[3757.36 --> 3758.12] The teacher +[3758.12 --> 3758.98] cuts through +[3758.98 --> 3759.24] that +[3759.24 --> 3759.72] noise. +[3761.74 --> 3762.40] He insists +[3762.40 --> 3762.90] that the +[3762.90 --> 3764.14] end, and +[3764.14 --> 3764.86] not progress +[3764.86 --> 3765.30] or not +[3765.30 --> 3766.10] self-fulfillment, +[3766.32 --> 3767.08] not comfort, +[3767.34 --> 3767.92] not your +[3767.92 --> 3769.20] control, but +[3769.20 --> 3770.20] the end is +[3770.20 --> 3770.76] what makes +[3770.76 --> 3771.64] sense of the +[3771.64 --> 3772.38] journey along +[3772.38 --> 3772.72] the way. +[3773.90 --> 3774.54] And so, like +[3774.54 --> 3775.06] we said, we're +[3775.06 --> 3775.98] beginning at +[3775.98 --> 3776.42] the end. +[3776.86 --> 3777.56] And at the +[3777.56 --> 3778.98] end, Ecclesiastes +[3778.98 --> 3780.60] lays out for +[3780.60 --> 3781.72] us four +[3781.72 --> 3783.36] interlocking +[3783.36 --> 3784.44] realities. +[3784.44 --> 3784.74] keys. +[3785.90 --> 3786.60] The first +[3786.60 --> 3787.58] is to see +[3787.58 --> 3788.20] that life +[3788.20 --> 3789.56] is enigma, +[3790.56 --> 3791.24] it's fragile, +[3791.50 --> 3792.12] it's fleeting, +[3792.22 --> 3792.96] it's havel. +[3793.60 --> 3794.50] Second, to +[3794.50 --> 3795.44] see that God's +[3795.44 --> 3796.34] word both +[3796.34 --> 3797.38] delights and +[3797.38 --> 3798.44] corrects in the +[3798.44 --> 3798.98] midst of that. +[3799.04 --> 3800.02] It guides and +[3800.02 --> 3801.60] at times, to use +[3801.60 --> 3802.04] the language of +[3802.04 --> 3802.50] the text, it +[3802.50 --> 3803.92] painfully goads +[3803.92 --> 3805.36] back onto the +[3805.36 --> 3806.02] safe path. +[3806.58 --> 3807.52] Third, to see +[3807.52 --> 3808.24] that our proper +[3808.24 --> 3809.24] response is +[3809.24 --> 3810.48] summarized in the +[3810.48 --> 3811.86] teacher's call to +[3811.86 --> 3812.86] fear God and +[3812.86 --> 3813.34] keep his +[3813.34 --> 3813.76] commands. +[3814.14 --> 3814.38] And then +[3814.38 --> 3815.18] finally, last +[3815.18 --> 3816.08] we will end +[3816.08 --> 3817.74] this morning, is +[3817.74 --> 3819.40] to see that the +[3819.40 --> 3820.74] decisive reality +[3820.74 --> 3821.96] that makes all +[3821.96 --> 3823.06] of this urgent +[3823.06 --> 3825.40] is the truth of +[3825.40 --> 3827.12] death and +[3827.12 --> 3829.18] judgment in the +[3829.18 --> 3829.88] face of Christ's +[3829.88 --> 3830.14] return. +[3831.22 --> 3832.00] The book +[3832.00 --> 3833.02] closes, right, +[3833.08 --> 3833.34] with an +[3833.34 --> 3834.34] uncompromising +[3834.34 --> 3834.76] note. +[3835.40 --> 3836.02] Verse 14, +[3836.36 --> 3837.00] and God will +[3837.00 --> 3837.84] bring every +[3837.84 --> 3838.72] deed into +[3838.72 --> 3839.26] judgment, +[3839.48 --> 3840.52] including every +[3840.52 --> 3841.18] hidden thing, +[3841.18 --> 3841.94] whether it is +[3841.94 --> 3842.94] good or +[3842.94 --> 3843.30] evil. +[3846.74 --> 3847.56] If the +[3847.56 --> 3848.68] end is +[3848.68 --> 3849.20] judgment, +[3850.04 --> 3851.62] then our +[3851.62 --> 3852.90] present decisions, +[3853.58 --> 3854.22] our present +[3854.22 --> 3855.32] moment, is +[3855.32 --> 3855.92] not trivial. +[3856.92 --> 3858.04] It matters. +[3859.18 --> 3860.56] Living backwards +[3860.56 --> 3861.70] means letting +[3861.70 --> 3862.72] that final +[3862.72 --> 3863.56] courtroom of +[3863.56 --> 3864.62] God shape how +[3864.62 --> 3865.58] we work and +[3865.58 --> 3866.46] how we love and +[3866.46 --> 3867.84] how we speak and +[3867.84 --> 3868.74] how we suffer +[3868.74 --> 3869.44] today. +[3871.18 --> 3872.00] To live +[3872.00 --> 3873.42] wisely is to +[3873.42 --> 3873.92] let the +[3873.92 --> 3874.78] certainty of +[3874.78 --> 3875.34] death and +[3875.34 --> 3876.84] the reality of +[3876.84 --> 3877.70] final judgment +[3877.70 --> 3878.62] shape your +[3878.62 --> 3879.04] present. +[3880.26 --> 3881.08] Fear God, +[3881.22 --> 3881.80] obey His +[3881.80 --> 3882.16] commands, +[3882.54 --> 3883.50] live in light +[3883.50 --> 3884.56] of the end. +[3885.48 --> 3886.00] That's our big +[3886.00 --> 3887.32] idea for today +[3887.32 --> 3888.12] and it will be +[3888.12 --> 3888.96] seen throughout. +[3889.80 --> 3891.08] To live wisely, +[3891.28 --> 3891.98] we must live +[3891.98 --> 3892.74] backward. +[3893.68 --> 3894.20] Death and +[3894.20 --> 3894.82] judgment are +[3894.82 --> 3896.00] certain, so we +[3896.00 --> 3897.76] fear God and +[3897.76 --> 3898.16] keep His +[3898.16 --> 3898.54] commands. +[3898.54 --> 3901.30] to help us +[3901.30 --> 3901.84] keep this in +[3901.84 --> 3903.90] view, we're +[3903.90 --> 3904.60] starting this +[3904.60 --> 3906.50] series with +[3906.50 --> 3907.82] the end so +[3907.82 --> 3908.40] that we can +[3908.40 --> 3908.92] know the +[3908.92 --> 3909.88] conclusions at +[3909.88 --> 3911.16] the outset that +[3911.16 --> 3912.06] we might apply +[3912.06 --> 3913.18] them week in +[3913.18 --> 3914.74] and week out in +[3914.74 --> 3915.92] anticipation of +[3915.92 --> 3917.82] the struggles that +[3917.82 --> 3918.88] the teacher will +[3918.88 --> 3919.54] take us through. +[3922.28 --> 3923.24] Now, verse 8, +[3923.36 --> 3924.12] where we started, +[3924.24 --> 3925.06] of chapter 12, +[3925.06 --> 3927.66] then, is the +[3927.66 --> 3928.60] sort of banner +[3928.60 --> 3930.64] frame of the +[3930.64 --> 3930.92] book. +[3931.88 --> 3932.94] When you think, +[3933.10 --> 3933.64] what is +[3933.64 --> 3934.46] Ecclesiastes +[3934.46 --> 3935.00] about? +[3935.30 --> 3936.20] This line, +[3936.44 --> 3936.84] meaningless, +[3937.10 --> 3937.44] meaningless, +[3937.66 --> 3938.12] says the +[3938.12 --> 3938.44] teacher, +[3938.60 --> 3939.84] everything is +[3939.84 --> 3940.30] meaningless, +[3940.48 --> 3941.06] or vanity, +[3941.62 --> 3942.00] vanity, +[3942.32 --> 3943.26] everything is +[3943.26 --> 3943.86] vanity, +[3944.06 --> 3944.72] or all of +[3944.72 --> 3945.42] life is +[3945.42 --> 3946.18] vanity. +[3946.42 --> 3947.46] This refrain +[3947.46 --> 3949.38] persists. +[3949.38 --> 3951.52] Now, this +[3951.52 --> 3952.04] word, +[3952.38 --> 3952.80] meaningless, +[3953.46 --> 3954.22] people have +[3954.22 --> 3954.96] suggested many +[3954.96 --> 3955.54] different ways +[3955.54 --> 3956.32] to translate +[3956.32 --> 3957.00] that word. +[3957.88 --> 3958.32] Some people +[3958.32 --> 3958.74] have used +[3958.74 --> 3959.12] vanity, +[3959.46 --> 3959.88] some people +[3959.88 --> 3960.36] have used +[3960.36 --> 3961.32] vapor. +[3961.48 --> 3961.86] I had a +[3961.86 --> 3962.20] preaching +[3962.20 --> 3963.12] professor in +[3963.12 --> 3964.22] seminary who +[3964.22 --> 3965.06] said, you +[3965.06 --> 3965.98] can't translate +[3965.98 --> 3966.94] this word with +[3966.94 --> 3967.56] another word, +[3967.64 --> 3968.06] you need to +[3968.06 --> 3968.74] translate it with +[3968.74 --> 3969.36] a sound, +[3969.46 --> 3969.86] and he would +[3969.86 --> 3970.04] go, +[3970.04 --> 3973.58] because it +[3973.58 --> 3974.82] just disappears. +[3974.82 --> 3978.72] Psalm 39, +[3979.02 --> 3980.30] verse 5 and +[3980.30 --> 3980.74] 6, +[3981.62 --> 3982.36] says the +[3982.36 --> 3982.66] following, +[3983.66 --> 3984.94] the span of +[3984.94 --> 3986.02] my years is +[3986.02 --> 3986.64] as nothing +[3986.64 --> 3987.36] before you. +[3988.22 --> 3989.48] Everything is +[3989.48 --> 3990.02] but a +[3990.02 --> 3990.52] breath, +[3991.38 --> 3991.66] Havel. +[3993.08 --> 3993.60] Surely +[3993.60 --> 3994.66] everyone goes +[3994.66 --> 3995.44] about like a +[3995.44 --> 3996.36] mere phantom +[3996.36 --> 3997.58] in vain, +[3998.04 --> 3998.48] Havel, +[3998.84 --> 3999.56] they rush +[3999.56 --> 4000.02] about, +[4000.56 --> 4001.04] keeping up +[4001.04 --> 4001.40] wealth. +[4002.54 --> 4002.92] Proverbs +[4002.92 --> 4003.58] 31, +[4003.82 --> 4004.34] 30, +[4004.52 --> 4004.72] says, +[4004.82 --> 4005.64] charm is +[4005.64 --> 4006.64] deceptive +[4006.64 --> 4007.64] and beauty +[4007.64 --> 4009.14] is fleeting. +[4010.16 --> 4010.56] Havel. +[4012.10 --> 4012.66] There's +[4012.66 --> 4013.44] something in +[4013.44 --> 4014.34] this word, +[4014.72 --> 4015.24] there's +[4015.24 --> 4015.84] something of +[4015.84 --> 4016.68] a recognition +[4016.68 --> 4017.78] that life +[4017.78 --> 4019.20] and meaning +[4019.20 --> 4020.46] are elusive, +[4021.14 --> 4021.60] that they're +[4021.60 --> 4022.08] hard to +[4022.08 --> 4022.54] grasp, +[4023.06 --> 4023.38] they are +[4023.38 --> 4024.50] that wisp +[4024.50 --> 4025.42] of smoke +[4025.42 --> 4026.24] that you +[4026.24 --> 4026.64] try to +[4026.64 --> 4027.08] reach out +[4027.08 --> 4027.40] to it, +[4027.46 --> 4027.74] to lay +[4027.74 --> 4028.16] hold of +[4028.16 --> 4028.28] it, +[4028.34 --> 4028.74] to grab +[4028.74 --> 4028.90] it, +[4029.00 --> 4029.32] and then +[4029.32 --> 4029.66] you open +[4029.66 --> 4030.02] your hand +[4030.02 --> 4030.42] to look +[4030.42 --> 4030.72] at it, +[4030.76 --> 4031.02] and there's +[4031.02 --> 4031.26] nothing +[4031.26 --> 4031.54] there. +[4034.82 --> 4036.72] life can +[4036.72 --> 4037.34] feel that +[4037.34 --> 4037.60] way. +[4040.48 --> 4041.14] And it's +[4041.14 --> 4041.50] not that +[4041.50 --> 4042.24] life is +[4042.24 --> 4042.74] meaningless, +[4043.54 --> 4043.94] in the +[4043.94 --> 4045.02] literal sense, +[4045.08 --> 4045.46] it's that +[4045.46 --> 4046.36] the meaning +[4046.36 --> 4047.64] is hard to +[4047.64 --> 4048.22] grab hold +[4048.22 --> 4048.50] of, +[4048.72 --> 4049.48] it's hard to +[4049.48 --> 4050.06] figure out, +[4050.28 --> 4050.86] it's hard to +[4050.86 --> 4051.44] see how it +[4051.44 --> 4051.84] can apply +[4051.84 --> 4052.22] here, +[4052.36 --> 4052.92] and here, +[4053.10 --> 4053.66] and here, +[4053.78 --> 4054.36] and here. +[4054.36 --> 4056.60] somehow, +[4056.86 --> 4057.36] this meaning +[4057.36 --> 4057.72] that we +[4057.72 --> 4058.68] know exists +[4058.68 --> 4059.68] is beyond +[4059.68 --> 4060.78] our comprehension. +[4061.94 --> 4062.72] That's why I +[4062.72 --> 4063.42] like the word +[4063.42 --> 4063.80] in the +[4063.80 --> 4064.34] translation +[4064.34 --> 4065.24] enigma. +[4066.50 --> 4067.26] That's from +[4067.26 --> 4068.38] Craig Bartholomew, +[4068.46 --> 4068.76] whom I +[4068.76 --> 4069.18] studied +[4069.18 --> 4070.58] underneath +[4070.58 --> 4071.60] in university, +[4072.18 --> 4072.62] and who's +[4072.62 --> 4073.18] probably written +[4073.18 --> 4073.74] the definitive +[4073.74 --> 4074.46] commentary, +[4075.22 --> 4075.78] or contemporary +[4075.78 --> 4076.30] commentary, +[4076.48 --> 4076.68] anyway, +[4076.80 --> 4077.66] on Ecclesiastes. +[4079.44 --> 4080.04] But, +[4080.12 --> 4080.90] already back +[4080.90 --> 4081.34] in the +[4081.34 --> 4083.24] 15th and +[4083.24 --> 4083.84] 16th +[4083.84 --> 4084.40] centuries, +[4085.20 --> 4085.50] in the +[4085.50 --> 4085.90] history of +[4085.90 --> 4086.40] the church, +[4086.92 --> 4087.50] there was a +[4087.50 --> 4087.92] bit of a +[4087.92 --> 4089.34] resurgence in +[4089.34 --> 4090.16] the study of +[4090.16 --> 4091.40] Ecclesiastes for +[4091.40 --> 4091.86] the life of +[4091.86 --> 4092.32] the church. +[4093.32 --> 4093.66] And Martin +[4093.66 --> 4094.26] Luther and +[4094.26 --> 4094.58] the other +[4094.58 --> 4095.40] reformers +[4095.40 --> 4096.48] helped us +[4096.48 --> 4097.32] to see +[4097.32 --> 4098.34] that Havel +[4098.34 --> 4099.54] isn't +[4099.54 --> 4100.72] itself about +[4100.72 --> 4101.96] the created +[4101.96 --> 4102.86] order as +[4102.86 --> 4103.54] being meaningless, +[4103.80 --> 4104.42] or to +[4104.42 --> 4105.98] espouse a +[4105.98 --> 4106.26] sort of +[4106.26 --> 4107.24] contempt for +[4107.24 --> 4107.82] the world, +[4108.14 --> 4108.80] but to +[4108.80 --> 4109.54] see that +[4109.54 --> 4110.00] it's about +[4110.00 --> 4110.72] the heart, +[4111.28 --> 4112.02] the seat +[4112.02 --> 4112.96] of your +[4112.96 --> 4113.46] and my +[4113.46 --> 4114.30] emotions +[4114.30 --> 4115.76] and desires, +[4116.36 --> 4116.94] and our +[4116.94 --> 4117.64] wayward +[4117.64 --> 4118.68] appetites, +[4118.94 --> 4119.26] and then +[4119.26 --> 4120.48] the misuse +[4120.48 --> 4121.52] of creation +[4121.52 --> 4123.18] that results +[4123.18 --> 4124.28] in the +[4124.28 --> 4125.26] good creation +[4125.26 --> 4126.32] being subject +[4126.32 --> 4128.06] to this +[4128.06 --> 4129.42] Havel, +[4129.62 --> 4130.92] this vanity, +[4131.20 --> 4132.42] this enigma. +[4134.12 --> 4134.86] And it's in +[4134.86 --> 4136.42] and through +[4136.42 --> 4137.38] the desires +[4137.38 --> 4138.06] of my +[4138.06 --> 4139.08] wayward heart +[4139.08 --> 4139.80] that finding +[4139.80 --> 4141.12] meaning in +[4141.12 --> 4141.74] the things +[4141.74 --> 4142.22] of the +[4142.22 --> 4143.02] world is +[4143.02 --> 4143.56] hard, +[4143.66 --> 4143.84] albeit +[4143.84 --> 4144.84] impossible, +[4145.34 --> 4146.52] because the +[4146.52 --> 4147.00] things of +[4147.00 --> 4147.64] this world +[4147.64 --> 4149.16] are always +[4149.16 --> 4149.70] changing. +[4150.62 --> 4151.12] Right? +[4151.20 --> 4151.44] They're +[4151.44 --> 4151.88] fleeting, +[4152.34 --> 4152.98] they're +[4152.98 --> 4153.42] moving, +[4153.58 --> 4153.80] they're +[4153.80 --> 4154.70] transitory, +[4155.16 --> 4156.06] and purpose +[4156.06 --> 4156.70] and meaning +[4156.70 --> 4157.32] can't be +[4157.32 --> 4159.12] fixed if +[4159.12 --> 4159.94] the source +[4159.94 --> 4160.48] of purpose +[4160.48 --> 4160.94] and meaning +[4160.94 --> 4162.26] is itself +[4162.26 --> 4163.16] mutable, +[4163.26 --> 4163.66] if it's +[4163.66 --> 4164.34] changing. +[4165.72 --> 4166.68] Meaning and +[4166.68 --> 4167.34] purpose can +[4167.34 --> 4168.18] only be +[4168.18 --> 4169.38] fixed if +[4169.38 --> 4170.14] the source +[4170.14 --> 4170.66] of our +[4170.66 --> 4171.00] meaning, +[4171.14 --> 4171.62] the source +[4171.62 --> 4171.98] of our +[4171.98 --> 4172.54] purpose is +[4172.54 --> 4173.22] immutable, +[4173.48 --> 4174.74] is unchanging +[4174.74 --> 4176.32] like God +[4176.32 --> 4177.00] is. +[4179.82 --> 4180.56] But you +[4180.56 --> 4181.06] guys know, +[4182.34 --> 4182.80] right, our +[4182.80 --> 4183.98] hearts chase +[4183.98 --> 4184.54] after other +[4184.54 --> 4185.04] ideas, +[4186.10 --> 4186.76] other things, +[4187.38 --> 4188.08] and it's +[4188.08 --> 4188.44] because of +[4188.44 --> 4189.52] that that +[4189.52 --> 4190.58] these enigmas +[4190.58 --> 4191.56] of life +[4191.56 --> 4192.94] challenge us. +[4193.76 --> 4194.34] Again, it's +[4194.34 --> 4194.94] not that life +[4194.94 --> 4196.10] has no meaning, +[4196.28 --> 4196.74] it's that the +[4196.74 --> 4197.52] meaning is often +[4197.52 --> 4197.98] beyond our +[4197.98 --> 4198.40] grasp. +[4199.36 --> 4200.18] Life is a +[4200.18 --> 4201.78] gift, but +[4201.78 --> 4202.06] it is +[4202.06 --> 4203.36] fleeting, it +[4203.36 --> 4204.14] is mysterious, +[4204.64 --> 4205.42] and sometimes +[4205.42 --> 4206.96] it is painfully +[4206.96 --> 4208.14] elusive. +[4210.02 --> 4210.34] Jacques +[4210.34 --> 4211.82] Ellul, he +[4211.82 --> 4212.60] captures it +[4212.60 --> 4214.22] perfectly in +[4214.22 --> 4214.76] his comments +[4214.76 --> 4215.70] on Ecclesiastes, +[4215.94 --> 4216.54] he says, +[4216.90 --> 4217.80] in reality, +[4218.18 --> 4218.88] all is +[4218.88 --> 4219.40] vanity. +[4220.72 --> 4221.40] In truth, +[4221.94 --> 4223.18] everything is +[4223.18 --> 4223.62] a gift of +[4223.62 --> 4223.88] God. +[4225.36 --> 4226.06] That's the +[4226.06 --> 4226.36] struggle. +[4227.52 --> 4228.76] Life and +[4228.76 --> 4229.92] meaning is +[4229.92 --> 4230.58] enigmatic. +[4232.30 --> 4232.70] And so, +[4232.90 --> 4233.80] given that, +[4234.16 --> 4235.58] we need our +[4235.58 --> 4236.64] second point +[4236.64 --> 4237.10] today. +[4237.20 --> 4238.08] We need the +[4238.08 --> 4239.06] truth that God's +[4239.06 --> 4240.40] word is both +[4240.40 --> 4241.68] beautiful and +[4241.68 --> 4242.38] good. +[4243.46 --> 4243.98] That's why our +[4243.98 --> 4244.92] text goes on in +[4244.92 --> 4245.52] verse 10, +[4246.02 --> 4246.92] if your Bibles are +[4246.92 --> 4247.84] open, verse 10 +[4247.84 --> 4248.98] says, +[4249.14 --> 4249.56] the teacher +[4249.56 --> 4250.68] searched to find +[4250.68 --> 4251.62] just the right +[4251.62 --> 4253.08] words, and what +[4253.08 --> 4253.82] he wrote was +[4253.82 --> 4255.38] upright and +[4255.38 --> 4255.64] true. +[4255.64 --> 4256.48] Other translations +[4256.48 --> 4257.28] there say the +[4257.28 --> 4257.94] teacher searched +[4257.94 --> 4259.16] to find words +[4259.16 --> 4260.32] of delight. +[4261.78 --> 4262.40] There is a +[4262.40 --> 4263.08] sense of +[4263.08 --> 4264.48] beauty in +[4264.48 --> 4265.28] the words +[4265.28 --> 4266.46] and in the +[4266.46 --> 4267.20] word of +[4267.20 --> 4267.76] God. +[4268.96 --> 4270.10] The way the +[4270.10 --> 4271.12] Bible actually +[4271.12 --> 4272.18] works is by +[4272.18 --> 4273.28] being beautiful +[4273.28 --> 4274.12] because it is +[4274.12 --> 4275.32] true, and by +[4275.32 --> 4276.06] being true +[4276.06 --> 4276.80] because it is +[4276.80 --> 4277.30] beautiful. +[4277.30 --> 4277.38] beautiful. +[4279.22 --> 4279.68] The belief +[4279.68 --> 4280.34] that God is +[4280.34 --> 4281.18] good and his +[4281.18 --> 4282.02] purposes are +[4282.02 --> 4283.22] good for me +[4283.22 --> 4284.72] persists in +[4284.72 --> 4285.40] the face of +[4285.40 --> 4286.34] the enigmas of +[4286.34 --> 4287.68] life when I +[4287.68 --> 4288.78] recognize that +[4288.78 --> 4290.14] God's words are +[4290.14 --> 4291.26] true and +[4291.26 --> 4291.82] beautiful. +[4291.98 --> 4292.48] When God's +[4292.48 --> 4293.20] word becomes +[4293.20 --> 4294.80] beautiful to me, +[4295.10 --> 4296.28] the ugliness of +[4296.28 --> 4297.60] life finds a +[4297.60 --> 4297.92] balm. +[4300.76 --> 4301.82] But not only +[4301.82 --> 4302.46] are God's words +[4302.46 --> 4303.70] beautiful, +[4304.70 --> 4306.66] sometimes they are +[4306.66 --> 4307.00] hard. +[4308.58 --> 4309.06] Verse 11 +[4309.06 --> 4309.44] says, +[4310.44 --> 4311.16] the words of +[4311.16 --> 4312.12] the wise are +[4312.12 --> 4313.60] like goads. +[4315.10 --> 4315.94] Now, goads +[4315.94 --> 4317.04] were instruments +[4317.04 --> 4318.00] employed by +[4318.00 --> 4318.98] shepherds and +[4318.98 --> 4320.10] herders to keep +[4320.10 --> 4321.22] animals on a +[4321.22 --> 4321.62] path. +[4321.98 --> 4322.74] They were long +[4322.74 --> 4324.12] staffs, sticks, +[4324.32 --> 4325.70] with sharp nails +[4325.70 --> 4326.94] on the end that +[4326.94 --> 4327.80] was used to +[4327.80 --> 4328.68] poke the animal +[4328.68 --> 4329.66] on the left or +[4329.66 --> 4330.70] on the right in +[4330.70 --> 4331.52] order to steer it +[4331.52 --> 4332.90] back towards the +[4332.90 --> 4333.10] middle. +[4333.10 --> 4335.04] right? +[4335.12 --> 4335.76] And you're +[4335.76 --> 4336.26] walking on a +[4336.26 --> 4336.92] path with a +[4336.92 --> 4337.58] shepherd and to +[4337.58 --> 4338.62] the left might +[4338.62 --> 4340.66] be soft soil that +[4340.66 --> 4342.04] would give way +[4342.04 --> 4342.78] underneath the +[4342.78 --> 4343.32] weight of the +[4343.32 --> 4344.10] animal and then +[4344.10 --> 4344.72] the animal would +[4344.72 --> 4346.22] likely fall down +[4346.22 --> 4347.26] into the canyon +[4347.26 --> 4348.14] to its death. +[4348.96 --> 4349.38] And so the +[4349.38 --> 4349.98] shepherd would +[4349.98 --> 4351.60] poke it on the +[4351.60 --> 4352.60] left in order to +[4352.60 --> 4353.94] steer it back to +[4353.94 --> 4354.30] the middle. +[4355.60 --> 4357.02] A little pain in +[4357.02 --> 4358.86] the moment in +[4358.86 --> 4359.72] order to avoid +[4359.72 --> 4361.74] something worse if +[4361.74 --> 4362.68] left to its own +[4362.68 --> 4363.14] devices. +[4365.66 --> 4366.60] So too the +[4366.60 --> 4367.14] word of God. +[4368.82 --> 4369.76] Sometimes the +[4369.76 --> 4370.24] word of God +[4370.24 --> 4371.10] cuts us. +[4372.50 --> 4372.92] Sometimes the +[4372.92 --> 4373.26] word of God +[4373.26 --> 4374.22] exposes our +[4374.22 --> 4375.56] wayward hearts and +[4375.56 --> 4376.82] for a moment it +[4376.82 --> 4379.02] might hurt but +[4379.02 --> 4379.68] it's done to +[4379.68 --> 4381.50] protect us in +[4381.50 --> 4381.90] the end. +[4386.40 --> 4387.72] Proverbs says +[4387.72 --> 4389.72] that better are +[4389.72 --> 4391.36] the wounds of a +[4391.36 --> 4391.80] friend. +[4395.22 --> 4395.88] In order to +[4395.88 --> 4396.18] point out +[4396.18 --> 4396.62] something we +[4396.62 --> 4397.12] might be blind +[4397.12 --> 4401.26] to or miss or +[4401.26 --> 4403.38] refuse to see in +[4403.38 --> 4403.68] our own +[4403.68 --> 4404.28] stubbornness. +[4406.08 --> 4406.88] So too the +[4406.88 --> 4407.08] word. +[4408.78 --> 4409.12] And look, +[4409.76 --> 4410.38] sometimes, +[4410.70 --> 4412.06] sometimes the +[4412.06 --> 4413.16] Bible is +[4413.16 --> 4413.62] offensive. +[4415.50 --> 4416.96] Especially in a +[4416.96 --> 4417.74] time and a +[4417.74 --> 4419.14] culture like this +[4419.14 --> 4420.28] one that calls +[4420.28 --> 4421.38] good what the +[4421.38 --> 4421.96] Bible calls +[4421.96 --> 4422.84] evil and +[4422.84 --> 4423.70] calls evil +[4423.70 --> 4424.08] what the +[4424.08 --> 4424.54] Bible calls +[4424.54 --> 4424.80] good. +[4426.18 --> 4427.28] God's word +[4427.28 --> 4428.90] will cut up +[4428.90 --> 4429.90] our modern +[4429.90 --> 4430.64] ideology. +[4432.08 --> 4433.00] And when that +[4433.00 --> 4433.88] happens, the +[4433.88 --> 4434.56] real temptation +[4434.56 --> 4435.78] for all of us, +[4436.32 --> 4436.90] the real +[4436.90 --> 4437.94] temptation is to +[4437.94 --> 4438.70] make God's +[4438.70 --> 4439.46] word mean +[4439.46 --> 4440.48] something different +[4440.48 --> 4441.26] than what it +[4441.26 --> 4441.54] means. +[4443.28 --> 4444.50] When we don't +[4444.50 --> 4445.06] like what the +[4445.06 --> 4445.90] Bible says, +[4446.16 --> 4447.60] we find ways to +[4447.60 --> 4449.00] change its meaning +[4449.00 --> 4450.06] so it lines up +[4450.06 --> 4450.78] with the world +[4450.78 --> 4451.66] that we want +[4451.66 --> 4452.28] to live in. +[4454.46 --> 4455.16] But what if, +[4455.70 --> 4456.36] what if instead +[4456.36 --> 4457.20] of changing the +[4457.20 --> 4457.86] meaning of the +[4457.86 --> 4460.36] Bible, we +[4460.36 --> 4460.84] allowed the +[4460.84 --> 4461.92] Bible to +[4461.92 --> 4462.98] change the +[4462.98 --> 4463.46] meanings we +[4463.46 --> 4463.88] have made? +[4468.68 --> 4469.34] Instead of +[4469.34 --> 4469.74] finding the +[4469.74 --> 4470.48] Bible offensive, +[4471.48 --> 4472.52] what if we +[4472.52 --> 4472.98] obeyed it? +[4472.98 --> 4476.76] the teacher in +[4476.76 --> 4477.76] Ecclesiastes has +[4477.76 --> 4479.10] a hard word for +[4479.10 --> 4480.00] Christians today, +[4480.08 --> 4480.60] for people who +[4480.60 --> 4481.34] read the Bible. +[4481.74 --> 4483.06] Don't domesticate +[4483.06 --> 4483.60] your Bibles. +[4485.82 --> 4487.08] Live in God's +[4487.08 --> 4487.54] world. +[4488.82 --> 4489.32] And when the +[4489.32 --> 4490.40] Bible prods you, +[4490.62 --> 4491.40] when God's word +[4491.40 --> 4492.36] goads you, +[4493.24 --> 4494.32] try moving where +[4494.32 --> 4494.96] it is pointing. +[4497.00 --> 4498.48] That's where life +[4498.48 --> 4499.16] is found. +[4501.92 --> 4502.32] Instead, +[4502.72 --> 4503.26] though, we +[4503.26 --> 4504.32] try to goad +[4504.32 --> 4504.88] the word of +[4504.88 --> 4505.66] God to make +[4505.66 --> 4506.08] it mean what +[4506.08 --> 4506.58] we want it +[4506.58 --> 4506.78] to. +[4509.08 --> 4509.64] Instead of +[4509.64 --> 4510.08] that, let's +[4510.08 --> 4511.76] move with +[4511.76 --> 4513.10] him towards +[4513.10 --> 4513.76] the heart of +[4513.76 --> 4516.36] God and +[4516.36 --> 4517.54] see if that +[4517.54 --> 4518.66] is how we +[4518.66 --> 4519.30] find beauty +[4519.30 --> 4520.64] in the word, +[4521.34 --> 4522.10] how we find +[4522.10 --> 4522.98] beauty in this +[4522.98 --> 4523.42] life. +[4524.90 --> 4525.02] Right? +[4525.14 --> 4526.26] God always +[4526.26 --> 4527.74] goads towards +[4527.74 --> 4528.66] the beauty of +[4528.66 --> 4530.40] himself and +[4530.40 --> 4531.00] the beauty of +[4531.00 --> 4532.12] life lived in +[4532.12 --> 4532.84] his truth. +[4535.22 --> 4536.02] Which brings +[4536.02 --> 4537.36] us to +[4537.36 --> 4538.90] verse 13. +[4539.80 --> 4539.94] Right? +[4540.04 --> 4540.96] Here is the +[4540.96 --> 4541.28] truth. +[4541.44 --> 4542.38] Here is the +[4542.38 --> 4543.62] conclusion of +[4543.62 --> 4544.12] the matter. +[4544.44 --> 4544.98] Now all has +[4544.98 --> 4545.38] been heard. +[4545.50 --> 4546.10] Here is the +[4546.10 --> 4546.74] conclusion of +[4546.74 --> 4547.08] the matter. +[4547.26 --> 4548.20] Fear God and +[4548.20 --> 4549.18] keep his +[4549.18 --> 4549.78] commandments, +[4550.08 --> 4550.98] for this is +[4550.98 --> 4551.82] the duty of +[4551.82 --> 4552.50] all mankind. +[4554.32 --> 4555.36] Literally there +[4555.36 --> 4556.14] it says, +[4556.14 --> 4557.96] for this is +[4557.96 --> 4559.26] the whole of +[4559.26 --> 4559.70] man. +[4560.40 --> 4560.78] The word +[4560.78 --> 4561.44] duty is +[4561.44 --> 4562.14] supplied by +[4562.14 --> 4562.82] the translators +[4562.82 --> 4563.30] to make it +[4563.30 --> 4563.64] fit with +[4563.64 --> 4564.24] English grammar +[4564.24 --> 4565.34] rules, to +[4565.34 --> 4565.64] give it a +[4565.64 --> 4566.16] verb to +[4566.16 --> 4566.84] hang on to. +[4568.10 --> 4568.96] But I like +[4568.96 --> 4570.44] the idea that +[4570.44 --> 4571.44] the whole of +[4571.44 --> 4572.20] what it means +[4572.20 --> 4573.12] to be human +[4573.12 --> 4574.28] is to fear +[4574.28 --> 4574.82] God and to +[4574.82 --> 4575.14] keep his +[4575.14 --> 4575.50] commandments. +[4576.74 --> 4576.84] Right? +[4576.90 --> 4577.54] To be human +[4577.54 --> 4578.44] is to worship +[4578.44 --> 4579.42] God and +[4579.42 --> 4579.94] obey him. +[4581.10 --> 4582.02] The Westminster +[4582.02 --> 4583.32] Catechism summarizes +[4583.32 --> 4583.96] this point. +[4584.06 --> 4584.46] It asks, +[4584.82 --> 4585.28] what is the +[4585.28 --> 4586.02] chief end of +[4586.02 --> 4586.32] man? +[4586.36 --> 4586.82] And the answer +[4586.82 --> 4587.36] is simple. +[4587.68 --> 4588.90] To glorify God +[4588.90 --> 4589.92] and enjoy him +[4589.92 --> 4590.28] together. +[4591.40 --> 4592.18] What if that +[4592.18 --> 4592.60] was actually +[4592.60 --> 4592.92] true? +[4594.68 --> 4595.50] That your +[4595.50 --> 4597.58] purpose is to +[4597.58 --> 4598.52] glorify God +[4598.52 --> 4599.78] and enjoy him +[4599.78 --> 4600.14] forever. +[4600.92 --> 4602.20] To worship him +[4602.20 --> 4603.00] and to find +[4603.00 --> 4604.66] joy in him. +[4605.66 --> 4606.48] This is the +[4606.48 --> 4607.22] perspective that +[4607.22 --> 4608.12] Ecclesiastes is +[4608.12 --> 4608.84] calling us to +[4608.84 --> 4609.10] take. +[4609.58 --> 4610.14] Especially, +[4610.52 --> 4611.72] especially when +[4611.72 --> 4612.92] the enigmas of +[4612.92 --> 4614.50] life don't +[4614.50 --> 4616.12] match up. +[4618.74 --> 4619.52] Even when +[4619.52 --> 4620.92] everything seems +[4620.92 --> 4621.78] meaningless, +[4622.24 --> 4622.84] even when the +[4622.84 --> 4623.80] struggle or the +[4623.80 --> 4624.44] pain that you +[4624.44 --> 4625.04] live in is +[4625.04 --> 4625.94] all-consuming, +[4626.18 --> 4626.82] it is your +[4626.82 --> 4627.98] purpose to +[4627.98 --> 4629.28] fear God and +[4629.28 --> 4629.90] to keep his +[4629.90 --> 4630.36] commandments. +[4631.72 --> 4632.34] And in fact, +[4632.44 --> 4633.04] I would suggest +[4633.04 --> 4634.06] to you, it is +[4634.06 --> 4635.08] the persistence +[4635.08 --> 4636.48] of that belief +[4636.48 --> 4638.28] in you that +[4638.28 --> 4639.32] makes you persist +[4639.32 --> 4639.90] when you don't +[4639.90 --> 4640.36] believe it. +[4641.72 --> 4642.58] right? +[4642.64 --> 4643.00] It's that +[4643.00 --> 4645.10] your heart +[4645.10 --> 4645.62] and your +[4645.62 --> 4646.36] imagination +[4646.36 --> 4647.86] cling to the +[4647.86 --> 4648.84] truth of this +[4648.84 --> 4650.74] that when +[4650.74 --> 4652.06] even all of +[4652.06 --> 4652.88] life denies +[4652.88 --> 4654.92] it, you +[4654.92 --> 4655.36] hang on. +[4656.34 --> 4657.34] Because behind +[4657.34 --> 4658.00] that hanging +[4658.00 --> 4658.82] on, of course, +[4658.88 --> 4659.54] is a God +[4659.54 --> 4660.18] who's hanging +[4660.18 --> 4660.92] on to you. +[4661.92 --> 4662.90] A God who's +[4662.90 --> 4663.92] speaking and +[4663.92 --> 4665.40] holding you. +[4666.60 --> 4667.10] And this +[4667.10 --> 4668.36] rightly changes +[4668.36 --> 4669.52] our perspective +[4669.52 --> 4671.06] on everything. +[4671.76 --> 4672.30] And again, I +[4672.30 --> 4672.90] love the way +[4672.90 --> 4673.76] that Gibson +[4673.76 --> 4674.84] summarizes it. +[4675.42 --> 4675.70] And I'm +[4675.70 --> 4676.50] paraphrasing here. +[4676.62 --> 4676.82] He says, +[4677.20 --> 4678.06] why do you +[4678.06 --> 4678.70] need to be a +[4678.70 --> 4679.22] certain kind +[4679.22 --> 4679.78] of employee? +[4681.18 --> 4682.18] Because your +[4682.18 --> 4682.84] purpose is to +[4682.84 --> 4683.36] fear God and +[4683.36 --> 4683.72] keep his +[4683.72 --> 4684.02] commandments. +[4685.62 --> 4686.36] Why do you +[4686.36 --> 4686.90] need to be a +[4686.90 --> 4687.40] certain kind +[4687.40 --> 4687.94] of employer? +[4689.06 --> 4689.88] Because your +[4689.88 --> 4690.50] purpose is to +[4690.50 --> 4691.08] fear God and +[4691.08 --> 4691.52] to keep his +[4691.52 --> 4691.90] commandments. +[4692.80 --> 4693.52] Why do you +[4693.52 --> 4694.18] have to be a +[4694.18 --> 4694.70] certain kind +[4694.70 --> 4695.26] of child? +[4696.20 --> 4696.82] Because you +[4696.82 --> 4697.60] fear God and +[4697.60 --> 4698.14] you know that +[4698.14 --> 4698.68] he has called +[4698.68 --> 4699.70] you to honor +[4699.70 --> 4700.38] your parents. +[4702.42 --> 4702.88] Right? +[4702.94 --> 4703.80] Because everything +[4703.80 --> 4705.62] you do, you +[4705.62 --> 4706.66] do first and +[4706.66 --> 4707.66] foremost for God. +[4707.86 --> 4709.04] That's why you're +[4709.04 --> 4709.90] a particular kind +[4709.90 --> 4710.36] of husband. +[4713.70 --> 4714.66] The beginning +[4714.66 --> 4715.68] and the end of +[4715.68 --> 4717.16] everything you +[4717.16 --> 4717.86] do, of +[4717.86 --> 4719.04] everything you +[4719.04 --> 4720.22] are, is found +[4720.22 --> 4720.82] in your +[4720.82 --> 4722.42] relationship to +[4722.42 --> 4723.26] God. +[4723.26 --> 4727.68] in fearing +[4727.68 --> 4729.92] him and in +[4729.92 --> 4730.66] obeying him. +[4733.42 --> 4734.18] And if that +[4734.18 --> 4734.92] offends you, +[4735.48 --> 4737.48] or maybe it +[4737.48 --> 4737.98] doesn't offend +[4737.98 --> 4738.96] you, if you +[4738.96 --> 4739.52] sit here and +[4739.52 --> 4740.30] think, well that +[4740.30 --> 4740.94] doesn't take into +[4740.94 --> 4741.60] account this. +[4742.44 --> 4743.16] Or you don't +[4743.16 --> 4743.80] know my story, +[4743.94 --> 4744.38] pastor, that +[4744.38 --> 4745.06] doesn't take into +[4745.06 --> 4745.54] account what's +[4745.54 --> 4746.04] going on over +[4746.04 --> 4746.30] here. +[4747.08 --> 4747.90] Or you haven't +[4747.90 --> 4748.46] been through what +[4748.46 --> 4749.02] I've been through. +[4749.16 --> 4750.00] If any of those +[4750.00 --> 4750.76] kinds of responses +[4750.76 --> 4751.50] are welling up in +[4751.50 --> 4752.24] you, you are +[4752.24 --> 4752.94] thinking like a +[4752.94 --> 4753.82] modern contemporary, +[4754.44 --> 4755.70] not like the +[4755.70 --> 4756.52] book of Ecclesiastes +[4756.52 --> 4757.10] wants you to +[4757.10 --> 4758.20] teach and wants +[4758.20 --> 4758.70] you to think. +[4760.02 --> 4760.74] You are thinking +[4760.74 --> 4761.92] with you at the +[4761.92 --> 4763.06] center of your +[4763.06 --> 4763.52] life. +[4763.60 --> 4764.10] But remember, +[4764.26 --> 4765.38] Ecclesiastes is a +[4765.38 --> 4766.60] project of +[4766.60 --> 4767.94] de-centering and +[4767.94 --> 4769.28] re-centering, of +[4769.28 --> 4770.62] de-centering yourself +[4770.62 --> 4771.82] and making God +[4771.82 --> 4772.56] the center. +[4773.34 --> 4774.44] And in doing so, +[4774.56 --> 4775.52] you actually, +[4775.80 --> 4777.68] finally, become +[4777.68 --> 4779.26] the unique person +[4779.26 --> 4779.98] that you were +[4779.98 --> 4780.70] always meant to +[4780.70 --> 4781.00] be. +[4782.24 --> 4783.10] That's the +[4783.10 --> 4783.42] center. +[4784.54 --> 4786.02] He's the +[4786.02 --> 4786.36] center. +[4789.02 --> 4790.20] And then lastly, +[4790.44 --> 4791.14] verse 14. +[4792.58 --> 4793.10] For God will +[4793.10 --> 4794.02] bring every +[4794.02 --> 4795.08] deed into +[4795.08 --> 4795.66] judgment, +[4796.78 --> 4797.54] including every +[4797.54 --> 4798.16] hidden thing, +[4798.36 --> 4798.86] whether it is +[4798.86 --> 4800.32] good or +[4800.32 --> 4800.64] evil. +[4802.52 --> 4804.18] The final gift +[4804.18 --> 4805.38] of God's word +[4805.38 --> 4806.22] to us, the +[4806.22 --> 4807.48] final reflection +[4807.48 --> 4808.50] from the teacher +[4808.50 --> 4809.78] of Ecclesiastes, +[4809.78 --> 4810.00] Ecclesiastes, +[4810.20 --> 4811.18] takes us back +[4811.18 --> 4811.64] to the very +[4811.64 --> 4812.62] beginning of +[4812.62 --> 4813.86] this message. +[4814.38 --> 4815.52] Death and +[4815.52 --> 4816.86] judgment are +[4816.86 --> 4817.50] certain. +[4820.44 --> 4821.18] And so live +[4821.18 --> 4821.64] like it. +[4824.04 --> 4824.56] That's the +[4824.56 --> 4825.30] final preparation +[4825.30 --> 4825.94] that God's word +[4825.94 --> 4826.42] gives us. +[4826.76 --> 4827.44] And in making +[4827.44 --> 4828.08] this point, +[4828.46 --> 4829.30] Gibson tells this +[4829.30 --> 4830.00] story, and it's a +[4830.00 --> 4830.64] story that as I +[4830.64 --> 4831.22] read it the first +[4831.22 --> 4832.24] time, I can relate +[4832.24 --> 4832.98] to it because I +[4832.98 --> 4833.76] have had the same +[4833.76 --> 4834.10] dream. +[4834.20 --> 4834.72] And I suspect +[4834.72 --> 4835.58] maybe some of you +[4835.58 --> 4836.54] have had a version +[4836.54 --> 4837.24] of this dream +[4837.24 --> 4837.96] yourselves. +[4838.72 --> 4840.76] But I, I don't +[4840.76 --> 4841.42] want to say often +[4841.42 --> 4842.00] because that would +[4842.00 --> 4842.96] belie my anxiety, +[4843.14 --> 4844.96] but I regularly +[4844.96 --> 4846.72] have this dream +[4846.72 --> 4848.58] where I wake up +[4848.58 --> 4850.32] and it's a church, +[4850.36 --> 4851.04] and I'm in a church +[4851.04 --> 4852.56] service that I'm +[4852.56 --> 4853.38] supposed to lead. +[4855.04 --> 4856.52] And I have no clue +[4856.52 --> 4857.30] what's going on. +[4858.12 --> 4859.28] I have no idea +[4859.28 --> 4859.94] where I am. +[4860.34 --> 4861.34] I have no idea +[4861.34 --> 4861.92] what the sermon +[4861.92 --> 4863.26] text is, but someone +[4863.26 --> 4864.02] comes down to me +[4864.02 --> 4865.02] who I've never seen +[4865.02 --> 4865.90] before, and they're +[4865.90 --> 4866.60] like, okay, pastor, +[4866.70 --> 4867.38] go ahead and preach. +[4869.00 --> 4869.96] And I have to walk +[4869.96 --> 4871.06] onto the platform +[4871.06 --> 4871.96] and look out +[4871.96 --> 4872.56] these people that I +[4872.56 --> 4873.38] have no idea who +[4873.38 --> 4874.34] they are, but I can +[4874.34 --> 4875.52] feel the expectation +[4875.52 --> 4876.80] coming from them. +[4877.06 --> 4877.96] I don't even have a +[4877.96 --> 4879.56] Bible or an iPad or +[4879.56 --> 4880.68] a phone in front of +[4880.68 --> 4881.90] me to, what am I +[4881.90 --> 4882.16] to do? +[4882.30 --> 4883.28] And then, praise +[4883.28 --> 4884.22] Jesus, I wake up +[4884.22 --> 4884.92] and it's all a dream. +[4892.72 --> 4895.28] Now, when you wake +[4895.28 --> 4896.60] up, you realize, +[4897.68 --> 4899.16] I didn't miss the +[4899.16 --> 4899.50] deadline. +[4900.50 --> 4901.84] I didn't screw up +[4901.84 --> 4902.38] completely. +[4903.52 --> 4904.60] Things are still +[4904.60 --> 4906.18] okay. +[4906.36 --> 4907.98] There's time to get +[4907.98 --> 4908.64] ready. +[4910.82 --> 4911.60] Gibson says, +[4911.72 --> 4912.50] Ecclesiastes +[4912.50 --> 4915.44] tells us that a day +[4915.44 --> 4917.04] is coming when +[4917.04 --> 4918.20] people will discover +[4918.20 --> 4919.86] that they are not +[4919.86 --> 4920.88] ready for the most +[4920.88 --> 4922.26] important event of the +[4922.26 --> 4923.42] world, and this time +[4923.42 --> 4924.78] it won't be a dream. +[4926.78 --> 4927.96] You won't wake up +[4927.96 --> 4928.76] and find out there's +[4928.76 --> 4929.44] still more time. +[4931.18 --> 4932.50] For so many people +[4932.50 --> 4933.56] in the world today, +[4933.86 --> 4934.96] life has become one +[4934.96 --> 4936.48] long exercise of +[4936.48 --> 4937.98] avoiding reality and +[4937.98 --> 4938.94] ignoring the truth +[4938.94 --> 4940.10] that death and +[4940.10 --> 4941.44] judgment are coming. +[4942.52 --> 4943.50] And the words of the +[4943.50 --> 4944.46] teacher, the word of +[4944.46 --> 4945.84] God, is meant to be a +[4945.84 --> 4947.48] goad that shakes you +[4947.48 --> 4947.96] awake. +[4949.44 --> 4950.82] That shakes you from +[4950.82 --> 4952.66] your spiritual slumber +[4952.66 --> 4954.62] that ends the dream +[4954.62 --> 4955.24] that you have been +[4955.24 --> 4956.62] hiding in while there +[4956.62 --> 4957.48] is still time. +[4960.88 --> 4961.80] And if you're a +[4961.80 --> 4964.60] Christian today, make +[4964.60 --> 4965.82] sure you hear this. +[4967.46 --> 4969.04] Because for the +[4969.04 --> 4971.28] Christian, in this +[4971.28 --> 4972.54] moment, in this +[4972.54 --> 4973.80] reality of waking from +[4973.80 --> 4975.30] that slumber, there is +[4975.30 --> 4976.50] no fear. +[4976.50 --> 4976.58] fear. +[4978.64 --> 4980.52] There is no fear +[4980.52 --> 4982.08] because of who +[4982.08 --> 4983.54] Jesus is and what +[4983.54 --> 4984.88] Jesus has done. +[4985.22 --> 4986.36] The teacher says +[4986.36 --> 4988.10] throughout that there +[4988.10 --> 4989.96] is no gain for all +[4989.96 --> 4991.18] the toil to be had +[4991.18 --> 4991.88] under the sun. +[4992.60 --> 4993.20] This is a message +[4993.20 --> 4993.90] over and over and +[4993.90 --> 4994.48] over again through +[4994.48 --> 4995.04] Ecclesiastes. +[4995.18 --> 4996.52] There is no gain for +[4996.52 --> 4997.94] all the toil to be had +[4997.94 --> 4998.50] under the sun. +[4998.76 --> 4999.46] But the Apostle +[4999.46 --> 5001.24] Paul, the Apostle +[5001.24 --> 5002.12] Paul in Philippians +[5002.12 --> 5003.56] 1.21 says, +[5003.56 --> 5005.24] For me to live is +[5005.24 --> 5007.06] Christ and to die +[5007.06 --> 5009.28] is gain. +[5012.84 --> 5013.98] The Apostle Paul +[5013.98 --> 5015.08] says that we can +[5015.08 --> 5016.82] labor in the Lord +[5016.82 --> 5018.14] for in Him our +[5018.14 --> 5019.56] labors are not +[5019.56 --> 5022.10] in vain. +[5023.30 --> 5024.78] We can labor for +[5024.78 --> 5026.02] Christ while we +[5026.02 --> 5027.32] yet live and we +[5027.32 --> 5028.28] can live with +[5028.28 --> 5029.56] Christ even when +[5029.56 --> 5030.16] we die. +[5030.24 --> 5030.84] That's why there's +[5030.84 --> 5032.10] no fear here for +[5032.10 --> 5033.02] you and for me +[5033.02 --> 5033.72] who believe. +[5034.12 --> 5034.88] Because Jesus +[5034.88 --> 5035.76] lived the life I +[5035.76 --> 5036.32] should have lived. +[5036.52 --> 5037.54] Because Jesus died +[5037.54 --> 5038.44] the death that I +[5038.44 --> 5038.74] deserve. +[5038.84 --> 5040.04] Because Jesus took +[5040.04 --> 5041.88] my sin, took your +[5041.88 --> 5043.34] sin, and took your +[5043.34 --> 5045.38] shame, took my pain, +[5045.56 --> 5046.72] and gave me His +[5046.72 --> 5047.86] righteousness and +[5047.86 --> 5048.50] His glory. +[5048.80 --> 5050.12] Because He loved me +[5050.12 --> 5051.44] when I was His +[5051.44 --> 5052.14] enemy. +[5053.50 --> 5053.62] Right? +[5053.68 --> 5054.78] Not only do we not +[5054.78 --> 5055.80] have to fear death +[5055.80 --> 5056.90] and judgment because +[5056.90 --> 5058.10] He was judged in +[5058.10 --> 5059.12] your place and He +[5059.12 --> 5060.30] was found perfect. +[5060.58 --> 5061.68] He died in your +[5061.68 --> 5062.84] place and you have +[5062.84 --> 5063.58] been raised with +[5063.58 --> 5065.00] Him in newness of +[5065.00 --> 5066.16] life by grace +[5066.16 --> 5066.86] through faith. +[5067.36 --> 5068.98] But even, even +[5068.98 --> 5070.70] now in the enigmas +[5070.70 --> 5071.76] of life that +[5071.76 --> 5073.54] persist, right now, +[5073.86 --> 5075.96] today, you, you +[5075.96 --> 5077.86] have a God who is +[5077.86 --> 5079.62] with you and for +[5079.62 --> 5080.00] you. +[5081.38 --> 5082.94] Even in the darkest +[5082.94 --> 5084.72] night of your soul, +[5084.94 --> 5086.62] you have hope. +[5086.62 --> 5086.68] hope. +[5087.94 --> 5089.32] Because you have a God +[5089.32 --> 5091.14] who has overcome the +[5091.14 --> 5091.50] darkness. +[5091.70 --> 5091.90] Amen? +[5093.78 --> 5095.64] Even as you count all +[5095.64 --> 5097.36] the despairs of this +[5097.36 --> 5099.12] present moment, hope +[5099.12 --> 5101.00] is not lost. +[5103.30 --> 5106.00] I love the way that +[5106.00 --> 5107.70] Wendell Berry put it. +[5108.98 --> 5110.00] Wendell Berry says, +[5110.00 --> 5112.76] A person who marks +[5112.76 --> 5114.32] his trial into +[5114.32 --> 5116.12] despair remembers +[5116.12 --> 5120.20] hope and thus has +[5120.20 --> 5124.24] hope, even if only a +[5124.24 --> 5124.44] little. +[5126.74 --> 5128.84] To live backwards means +[5128.84 --> 5130.82] facing death and +[5130.82 --> 5132.12] judgment honestly. +[5133.12 --> 5135.04] It means fearing God +[5135.04 --> 5136.22] and obeying His +[5136.22 --> 5136.74] commands. +[5136.74 --> 5137.80] And it means +[5137.80 --> 5139.86] receiving life as +[5139.86 --> 5142.38] a gift, even when +[5142.38 --> 5143.78] it doesn't make +[5143.78 --> 5144.50] sense. +[5144.90 --> 5145.72] Because one day, +[5146.24 --> 5148.28] one day, it +[5148.28 --> 5148.52] will. +[5149.76 --> 5151.04] That's the hope of +[5151.04 --> 5152.56] the gospel for you. +[5153.60 --> 5155.90] And that, that is +[5155.90 --> 5157.10] the message that the +[5157.10 --> 5159.14] world needs to hear. +[5159.88 --> 5160.16] Amen? +[5161.00 --> 5162.04] Let's pray together. +[5166.74 --> 5174.74] God of this life, +[5175.96 --> 5177.34] God of this moment, +[5178.30 --> 5180.50] you are sovereign +[5180.50 --> 5183.48] over the enigmas of +[5183.48 --> 5184.62] this present darkness. +[5184.88 --> 5186.92] You are sovereign over +[5186.92 --> 5188.64] the experience of +[5188.64 --> 5190.32] meaninglessness in this +[5190.32 --> 5191.96] moment when we pursue +[5191.96 --> 5193.32] things other than you. +[5193.50 --> 5194.50] Lord God, open our +[5194.50 --> 5196.64] eyes, goad us back to +[5196.64 --> 5197.96] the path of life. +[5206.24 --> 5207.44] Where else shall we +[5207.44 --> 5208.12] go, Lord? +[5209.04 --> 5210.46] For you are the +[5210.46 --> 5211.76] words of eternal +[5211.76 --> 5212.78] life. +[5214.36 --> 5215.46] In Jesus' name we +[5215.46 --> 5215.72] pray. +[5216.78 --> 5217.16] Amen. +[5218.16 --> 5218.42] Amen. +[5226.64 --> 5230.30] I invite you to +[5230.30 --> 5231.24] stand with us. +[5231.24 --> 5231.62] Amen. +[5231.62 --> 5261.60] Thank you. +[5261.62 --> 5286.62] Let me hide my sound in thee. Let the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed be of sin the double cure. +[5286.62 --> 5292.62] Save from love and make me pure. +[5292.62 --> 5322.62] +[5322.62 --> 5334.62] All for sin could not atone. Thou must save and thou alone. +[5334.62 --> 5348.62] Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to the cross I cling. +[5348.62 --> 5360.62] Naked come to thee for dress. Helpless look to thee for grace. +[5360.62 --> 5372.62] Fall I to the fountain fly. Wash me, Savior, or I die. +[5372.62 --> 5390.08] Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5390.08 --> 5412.08] You are Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5412.08 --> 5421.08] While I draw this fleeting breath. +[5421.08 --> 5427.08] When my eyes still close in death. +[5427.08 --> 5433.08] When I soar to worlds unknown. +[5433.08 --> 5439.08] See thy love, thy judgment flow. +[5439.08 --> 5445.08] Rock of ages, cleft for me. +[5445.08 --> 5451.08] Let me hide myself in thee. +[5451.08 --> 5458.08] O Jesus holy, King of mercy. +[5458.08 --> 5468.08] O Jesus holy, King of mercy. +[5468.08 --> 5469.08] King of mercy. +[5469.08 --> 5470.08] You are Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5470.08 --> 5475.08] You are Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5475.08 --> 5476.08] Hope of mercy, hope of mercy. +[5476.08 --> 5480.08] Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5480.08 --> 5482.08] Hope of mercy, hope of glory. +[5482.08 --> 5485.08] Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5485.08 --> 5490.08] Jesus holy, pure and lovely, King of mercy. +[5490.08 --> 5495.08] Rock of ages, cleft for me. +[5495.08 --> 5504.08] Let me hide myself in thee. +[5504.08 --> 5517.08] Let me hide myself in thee. +[5517.08 --> 5530.08] As you go into this week full of enigmas, meaninglessness, and vanities, know that you go as those who are hid in Christ. +[5530.08 --> 5534.08] You go as those who are blessed by God. +[5534.08 --> 5543.08] So we receive his blessing in the promise of God's true and sure word to us. +[5543.08 --> 5546.08] Following our worship, there will be a time of fellowship. +[5546.08 --> 5547.08] Encourage you to stick around. +[5547.08 --> 5550.08] Have some good, meaningful conversation with people. +[5550.08 --> 5554.08] Ask someone how they have seen God at work in their life. +[5554.08 --> 5559.08] If you would like to meet someone for prayer, there will be people available who have yellow name tags on. +[5559.08 --> 5561.08] I think there will be someone up here. +[5561.08 --> 5563.08] They would love to meet you and pray with you. +[5563.08 --> 5569.08] And then again, if you would like to sign up for a care group, please meet me at the Connect booth in the back there. +[5569.08 --> 5572.08] Receive the blessing of God for this week. +[5572.08 --> 5578.08] God, go before you to lead you. +[5578.08 --> 5581.08] God, go behind you to protect you. +[5581.08 --> 5583.08] God, go beneath you to support you. +[5583.08 --> 5586.08] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[5586.08 --> 5589.08] Do not be afraid. +[5589.08 --> 5592.08] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5592.08 --> 5594.08] Do not be afraid. +[5594.08 --> 5600.08] But go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5600.08 --> 5601.08] Amen. +[5601.08 --> 5602.08] Amen. +[5602.08 --> 5612.08] You're the Lion of Judah, the Lamb who was slain. +[5612.08 --> 5628.08] You ascended to heaven and ever more will reign. +[5628.08 --> 5631.08] At the end of the age with the earth. +[5631.08 --> 5639.80] the earth you reclaim we will gather the nations before you and the eyes of all men will be fixed +[5639.80 --> 5652.68] on the lamb who was crucified with wisdom and mercy and justice you'll reign at your father's side +[5652.68 --> 5654.44] and the angels will cry +[5654.44 --> 5662.36] hail the lamb who was slain for the world +[5662.36 --> 5672.92] rule in power and the earth will reply you shall reign +[5675.32 --> 5680.92] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5684.44 --> 5693.80] there's a shield in our hand and a sword at our side there's a fire in our spirits that cannot be +[5693.80 --> 5701.40] denied as the father has told us for these you have died for the nations who gather before you +[5701.40 --> 5710.76] and the ears of all men need to hear of the lamb who was crucified +[5710.76 --> 5716.76] who descended to hell yet was raised up to reign at his father's side +[5716.76 --> 5722.12] and the angels will cry +[5722.12 --> 5726.12] hail the lamb +[5726.12 --> 5728.12] who was saved for the world +[5728.12 --> 5730.12] rule in power +[5730.12 --> 5734.12] and the earth will reply +[5734.12 --> 5738.12] you shall reign +[5738.12 --> 5751.48] reign +[5751.48 --> 5752.60] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5752.60 --> 5753.48] and the angels will cry +[5753.48 --> 5755.48] hail the lamb +[5755.48 --> 5757.48] who was slave for the world +[5757.48 --> 5759.48] rule in power +[5759.48 --> 5761.48] and the earth will reply +[5761.48 --> 5766.84] you shall reign +[5766.84 --> 5770.84] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5770.84 --> 5776.84] as the king of all kings and the lord of all lords +[5776.84 --> 5780.20] go shall the king of all kings and the lord of all kings and ham +[5780.20 --> 5782.80] who wasdrawing and christ +[5782.80 --> 5784.48] will march +[5784.48 --> 5788.02] with all kings and trick +[5788.16 --> 5792.20] will konstant to the king of all kings and the lord of all kings and lo유를 +[5792.20 --> 5793.40] who prose Dazu +[5793.40 --> 5797.00] will 불� a confess +[5797.56 --> 5800.08] will draw +[5800.08 --> 5802.36] will +[5802.36 --> 5804.56] will +[5804.56 --> 5806.56] Amen. +[5834.56 --> 5836.56] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d2e569a8b3c1a5fc120bf979f1cf3f950bee439c --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,115 @@ +• Introduction and participant welcome +• Game: "Greasiest, Grossest Hair" competition +• Happy birthday to Taylor Cheese +• Church service preparations (stretching, yawning with mouth closed) +• Passing of the king peppermint baton during service +• Passing of the peppermints during a church service +• Hans and Franz deep lunch exercise demonstration +• Concerns about Hans' health and age +• Discussion of Hans transitioning to senior citizen movement coaching at Elam Village +• Reaction from the audience and farewell to Hans after 10 years leading Reactivate +• Trinity Western University features personal mentors, world-renowned professors, hands-on learning, and elite internships +• Reactivate 2025 is a weekend event with volunteer efforts from approximately 80 people +• The event's success relies on various teams, including kitchen volunteers, AV crew, and planning team +• A church, Emanuel CRC, hosted the event for the third year in a row, providing space and hospitality +• Youth leaders and youth attendees were recognized and thanked for their contributions to the weekend +• Introductions and acknowledgments +• Announcement of the Mexico mission sign-up +• Invitation to stand together and pass the peace of Christ +• Call to worship with Psalm 34 +• Introduction of speakers Joshua and Jordan, leaders for the Reactivate weekend +• Singing a song based on the Lord's Prayer +• Prayers and hymns to God +• Reflection on God's kindness and grace +• Requests for forgiveness and healing +• Praise and worship of God's kingdom and glory +• Encouragement to lift one's voice in prayer and praise +• Reference to Jesus as a source of hope and salvation +• Praising God in all circumstances +• Confession and praise through Psalm 51 +• The importance of a broken spirit and contrite heart +• Seeking to please God, not just with sacrifice or offerings, but with a genuine heart +• Recognizing the tendency to wander away from God and seeking to be sealed for His purpose +• Asking God to be one's vision, best treasure, and everything else in life. +• Worship song "Be Thou my wisdom" +• Reflection on the power of the Spirit and conforming to God's likeness +• Gratitude for formation work done during the weekend retreat +• Prayer for continued spiritual growth and kingdom advancement +• Hosts' gratitude for partnering churches and special guests +• Invitation to share about World Renew, an international development arm of the CRC Church +• Acknowledgement of challenges in the charitable sector due to funding cuts +• Emphasis on investing in youth spirituality and leadership +• Funding cut for a joint program with a major player +• Impact on people's lives due to funding cuts and global economic turmoil +• Church support for World Renew ministry over the past 62 years +• Importance of investing in children through programs like World Renew +• Call for continued financial and prayerful support for the ministry +• Offering collection for World Renew and the church's own ministries +• A group is giving a prayer and thanking God for being present in their lives. +• The church's youth are participating in a conference and the speaker prays for them to be inspired by Jesus. +• An elder, Eric, leads the family prayer and mentions upcoming events, including a special general meeting on September 16th to consider a pastor call. +• The group also remembers Rachel Malawoni's grandmother who passed away and asks God to comfort her family. +• Pastor Dave talks about the importance of being like Jesus and invites the congregation to participate in a passage reading from Mark chapter 3. +• Discussion of the name "Boanerges" (sons of thunder) given to Zebedee and his brother John +• Mention of the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelet and its purpose as a reminder to ask what Jesus would do in a situation +• Dallas Willard's interpretation that the most important question is not what Jesus would do, but rather what kind of life Jesus would live if he lived my life +• The idea that discipleship is not just about becoming like Jesus, but also about doing the very things he did +• An illustration of apprenticeship in a trade school to demonstrate the goal of discipleship: to be able to do what one's teacher shows them to do +• Discussion of how often people see discipleship as only watching or observing Jesus' ministry, rather than actively participating +• The idea that Jesus invites us to participate in his kingdom ministry and play our part in it +• The diverse group of Jesus' first disciples, including a trader, zealot, fisherman, Roman collaborator, and James and John who were nicknamed "sons of thunder" +• Jesus gathering these 12 disciples as the new Israel to make known that He is the Savior of creation +• The significance of mountaintop events in Scripture, referencing God's call to Moses in Exodus +• Jesus inviting ordinary humans like the disciples into His plan, using them to make His name known despite their limitations and flaws +• Matthew's version of the calling of the first disciples, with Jesus instructing them to proclaim the message that the kingdom of heaven has come near and to heal, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons, and freely give as they have received. +• The learning process of the disciples was slow and steady as they observed Jesus' behavior and interactions +• Following Jesus can involve various activities, such as preaching, casting out demons, and serving others +• Being a disciple is not about doing specific tasks, but rather about following Jesus in one's daily life +• Jesus gives different gifts to different people for the sake of the kingdom +• The importance of using one's gifts and talents to serve others and glorify Jesus +• The call to make Jesus known through words and deeds, regardless of feeling equipped or not +• Inviting all people, regardless of age or abilities, to participate in serving Christ and making Him known +• The kingdom of God being present in the lives of those who follow Jesus, even in ordinary tasks and experiences +• The kingdom of God is established through Jesus' resurrection +• Christians have the authority and power to do God's work, despite feeling weak or inadequate +• The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in believers +• Stepping out in faith and sharing one's faith with others can be a source of satisfaction and transformation +• Discipling others, enabling them to see the goodness of Jesus, and helping co-workers find meaning beyond self-interest are examples of God's work through individuals. +• The importance of stepping into the ministry of Jesus and feeling a sense of calling +• Empowerment through God's authority and presence in weakness +• Invitation to fail forward and make mistakes, just like the disciples did with Jesus' guidance +• Importance of trusting in Jesus' strength and Spirit to do what He does +• Encouragement to take risks and try out gifts and talents given by others +• Safe places to fail and be loved in trying to serve Jesus with the gifts given +• Taking small steps towards serving others, such as praying or giving +• Failing forward and learning from mistakes +• A personal story of being prayed for during a time of feeling overwhelmed and empty +• Importance of seeking prayer and intercessory support +• The speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a young man who prayed for them and shared specific, unknown details about their life. +• The speaker was surprised by the accuracy of the young man's words and saw it as a manifestation of God's Spirit at work. +• The speaker reflects on how they wish they could have asked the young man how he developed his gift of intercessory prayer. +• The speaker speculates that the young man likely had early experiences with praying and receiving visions or voices, which he learned to navigate and eventually develop into a spiritual gift. +• The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking "baby steps" in faithfulness to discover God's power and authority at work in one's life. +• Invitation to follow Jesus +• Sufficient grace and authority from God through Jesus' death and resurrection +• Kingdom of God presence available to receive and share +• Prayer for boldness in taking baby steps to demonstrate power and love of Jesus +• Request to not steal God's glory but give all praise, honor, and worship to Jesus +• The speaker expresses their faith and forgiveness through Jesus +• The price of salvation was paid by Jesus, and He was raised to overthrow sin +• The speaker believes they are free from chains and have been redeemed through Christ +• Discussion of the Aaronic Blessing and receiving God's blessing +• Singing of hymns and creeds, including "I Believe in the Name of Jesus Christ" +• Praise and worship to God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit +• Expressions of gratitude and hope for heaven and the return of Jesus +• Reactivate 2025 event wrap-up +• Instructions for departing participants and leaders +• Emmanuel Youth host church responsibilities +• Planning for Reactivate 2026 in Salmon Arm, BC +• Final messages and thanks from the organizers +• Various unrelated comments and phrases in a foreign language +• Praise and worship of God, with phrases such as "Good God Almighty" repeated throughout +• Expression of gratitude for God's mercy and love +• Questioning whether God is good and affirming that He is +• Reiteration of praise and devotion to God at various times of day (morning, noontime, sundown) +• Repetition of the name "Jesus" in relation to these different times of day \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..dabbcc5e8c2e99f25801a8da21158f010c196958 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, September 7, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1934 @@ +[0.00 --> 6.74] Keep my eyes above the waves +[6.74 --> 14.04] My soul will first be your embrace +[14.04 --> 17.48] I am yours +[17.48 --> 22.24] And you are mine +[30.00 --> 59.60] Good morning reactivate +[59.60 --> 61.60] We are just about to get started +[61.60 --> 66.26] I would like to invite reactivate participants to sit nice and close to the front please +[66.26 --> 71.36] The first few rows in this section, this section, this section if you want to but you can't +[71.36 --> 79.16] see the screen as well over there so you might want to move over here just a little tip +[79.16 --> 84.40] Alright so if you're reactivate student and you're sitting near the back please move forward +[84.40 --> 91.40] The first five rows, you think we can fill the first five rows? +[91.40 --> 98.40] Sure you can squish +[98.40 --> 106.06] You don't have to let the chairs define how many people sit on them +[106.06 --> 113.06] Hey reactivate if you are out in the lobby we welcome you in we are about to get started +[113.06 --> 126.02] On a scale of one to ten with one being not tired at all and ten being the most tired you've +[126.02 --> 131.06] ever been in your life please tell me what number you are of how tired you are +[131.06 --> 145.06] Okay, so we got some variety here this is good this is good +[145.06 --> 149.06] Reactivate come on in we are sitting near the front if you are a part of reactivate +[149.06 --> 156.06] Come on in you don't want to miss this so now's the time we are starting +[156.06 --> 176.06] Welcome welcome thank you for joining us reactivate come on in and sit near the front please everyone else fill in behind us +[176.06 --> 183.06] We would love to get started so let's find our seats +[183.06 --> 201.06] Thank you so much there's a row second row here there's a few seats here +[201.06 --> 208.06] I don't know how this got there that's mine I can move it then you can sit there +[208.06 --> 216.06] Hey Kevin are our guests ready I don't know where they are yeah +[216.06 --> 223.06] I'm ready for them if they're ready for us +[223.06 --> 231.06] All right are we ready reactivate are we ready can we get started one more time I can't hear you are we ready all right +[231.06 --> 238.06] Let's welcome on the count of three count with me here three two one Hans and Spawns +[238.06 --> 245.06] My name is Hans and this is Spawns and we are here to pump you up +[245.06 --> 260.06] So I hope you all had a really great time at the Learn It events and the Live It events yesterday +[260.06 --> 267.06] So you have all been living together for three days and maybe some of you have really crazy hair right now +[267.06 --> 275.06] So your youth leaders choose one person from your church to come on up who has the greasiest grossest hair +[275.06 --> 291.06] The greasiest grossest hair in your group send them up we will judge them +[291.06 --> 295.06] We will judge them come on up we will judge who has the grossest hair +[295.06 --> 297.06] The leader decides +[297.06 --> 298.06] The leader decides +[298.06 --> 300.06] Yes that's some come right up here +[300.06 --> 302.06] Who has greasy gross hair right in the middle +[302.06 --> 316.06] All right so take one step forward +[316.06 --> 321.06] Okay with the screamo meter +[321.06 --> 326.06] Spawns is going to put his hand over the head +[326.06 --> 331.06] You tell us which one you think is the best bed head or maybe a reactivate head +[331.06 --> 336.06] And we will judge by your level of loudness okay so here we go +[336.06 --> 364.06] Okay so Spawns now is going to go very quickly over and we will say +[364.06 --> 369.38] to go very quickly over and we will see how the loudness switches. Okay, here we go. Yeah? +[372.12 --> 383.62] This way. Okay, so we have three prizes and I'm going to give you a prize and you a prize +[383.62 --> 390.78] and you a prize. So let's give it up for everyone here. Thank you so much. If the cooks are needing +[390.78 --> 396.02] more grease they can squeeze out your hair. Great job. Okay. We have a special shout out +[396.02 --> 402.16] to there's a lady here. Her name is Taylor Cheese and she had a birthday yesterday. So +[402.16 --> 411.02] we sing happy birthday one two three. Happy birthday to you. Stand up on your chair Taylor. +[411.02 --> 426.26] Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Taylor. Happy birthday to you. Yay! +[426.26 --> 434.26] Okay, so it's very important. Now we have church. We have church time. We have more birthdays. +[434.26 --> 445.84] Stand up. Today's your birthday? How old are you? She's a teenager! Yay! Is there another birthday? +[445.84 --> 452.62] What's your name? What's your last name? Are you Kevin's daughter? +[452.62 --> 464.08] That's awesome. Is she your oldest? You must be so proud. Are you crying right now? Yes. That's so +[464.08 --> 472.30] great. Happy birthday to you too. Okay, so right now we have to do some stretching before we get into +[472.30 --> 476.62] church because maybe some of you are a little bit tired from not sleeping so much. So there's a very +[476.62 --> 482.86] first one is when we can raising the hands in the singing then you can all we should all be standing +[482.86 --> 489.18] up for the stretching yeah so we can raising the hands for the for the singing and then we can put in a big +[489.18 --> 501.66] stretch yeah yeah so see praising the lord and the big stretch yeah it's so good yeah okay swans what's the next one? +[501.66 --> 507.50] Sometimes you're listening to the pastor and the pastor's been going on for 45 minutes and you think +[507.50 --> 513.18] it's time to wrap this up Dave and you might be feeling a little tired so you're going to yawn but +[513.18 --> 520.22] you don't want anybody to see you so you're gonna do a yawning with your mouth closed stretching the face +[520.22 --> 536.86] oh yeah yeah it's very good for stretching the face now we also have say uh passing of the baton +[536.86 --> 544.06] so we need you sitting down for this one okay and we will be asking for the help from over here and over +[544.06 --> 549.58] here and over here so what you are doing is you are taking the baton which is the king peppermint for the +[549.58 --> 557.02] service these can only be opened once uh pastor green comes up and starts to do his talking then +[557.02 --> 562.54] you will you will open this and pass a peppermint down the line but right now we are passing the +[562.54 --> 567.58] baton so can i sit where you are sitting this is how you pass a baton you get one and you go +[568.62 --> 573.98] behind you give it to the next one they pass it all the way down it's all every row has a roll of +[573.98 --> 582.94] peppermint so here we go we start with you the baton back back yeah great and back with your arm with +[582.94 --> 590.54] your arm back great all the way excellent you have two more passing of the baton +[593.10 --> 593.42] yeah +[593.42 --> 603.58] passing of the batons +[605.90 --> 606.14] yeah +[608.70 --> 617.98] okay we uh remember you are passing the peppermints along with you yeah okay so we have one last +[617.98 --> 623.18] stretch that you are doing and everyone needs to stand up for this one is that is of course the +[623.18 --> 628.86] classic hans and franz deep lunch yeah doing the deep lunch +[633.66 --> 638.38] maybe you are asking yourself why are we doing the deep lunches in church +[639.10 --> 644.62] because maybe there will be a time as the collection plate is being passed along +[644.62 --> 650.62] and somebody drops the collection plate then you can launch and catch it so that we don't lose the +[650.62 --> 657.26] money for the church because they are doing renovations and they may need it yeah so then of course the +[657.26 --> 667.34] advanced version of this the deep lunches you do this switching in one two three oh oh oh hans +[667.34 --> 675.82] oh hans are you all right oh this is not great for the youth to see no i think i pulled the hamstring +[678.62 --> 681.66] you can sit down for one minute while i catch my breath +[685.90 --> 686.46] i'm sorry +[689.50 --> 694.70] yeah the pastor of winter had said that maybe i shouldn't do the switch anymore because my +[694.70 --> 704.78] hamstring was getting tired hans uh swans i don't think so i can keep up with this youth anymore +[704.78 --> 712.70] i'm getting old hans you've been leading reactivate for 10 years now yes and now you are not as uh +[713.50 --> 723.10] young as you want no no you're not as spry as you want to work so maybe it is time in your old age yes +[723.10 --> 732.62] you're not as you want to move on to a new age demographic what are you saying well i hear that +[732.62 --> 740.54] they pay top dollar for movement instructors at retirement homes no no no yeah yeah i'm not so old +[740.54 --> 748.54] yet swans i said i need to go to the senior home i am hans from the hans and franco one time i was +[748.54 --> 756.46] leading 10 000 youth in a stadium and they were doing synchronized lunches it was a dream moment in +[756.46 --> 765.26] my life it was not 10 000 youth it was 200 and all of them were posting you on snapchat oh yes but i don't +[765.26 --> 771.90] think that working with senior citizens appeals to me i'm not that old it doesn't appeal to me yet well +[771.90 --> 781.42] then let me appeal to your wallet yes is that actually how much a movement coach makes yeah +[782.06 --> 790.30] and that is monthly too at elam at elam village kevin lobert has never paid me that kind of money +[790.30 --> 800.22] no 10 years of reactivate okay maybe maybe i can see it now yeah hans is putting a hansen france twist at +[800.22 --> 807.82] elam yeah in surrey and then the second campus in in chilevac yeah yeah and we do wheelchair zumba +[808.46 --> 816.62] with abba remixes yes this is a great idea yeah okay reactivate thank you so much for 10 amazing years +[816.62 --> 823.50] next year while you are react while you are reactivating i will be working at elam doing movement +[823.50 --> 831.10] coaching yes thank you so much reactivate for 10 awesome years one more time +[834.54 --> 834.94] thank you +[834.94 --> 848.62] this is the last time that we will be throwing candy at the kids heads +[848.62 --> 858.22] we love you reactivate remember to share with all of your friends +[865.18 --> 870.06] who wants a box bye reactivate goodbye +[873.10 --> 876.86] remember to share with all of your friends +[878.62 --> 882.62] keips +[891.98 --> 896.86] if we will give our money to see you +[896.86 --> 905.58] great +[905.58 --> 935.56] Thank you. +[935.58 --> 965.56] Thank you. +[965.58 --> 995.56] Thank you. +[995.58 --> 1025.56] Thank you. +[1025.58 --> 1055.56] Thank you. +[1055.58 --> 1085.56] Thank you. +[1085.58 --> 1115.56] Thank you. +[1115.58 --> 1145.56] Thank you. +[1145.58 --> 1175.56] Thank you. +[1175.56 --> 1205.54] Thank you. +[1205.54 --> 1206.54] Thank you. +[1206.54 --> 1207.54] Wonderful. +[1207.54 --> 1212.54] Let's do the drum roll. +[1212.54 --> 1213.54] Okay. +[1213.54 --> 1215.54] Tanner Brown. +[1215.54 --> 1216.66] Tanner, are you here? +[1216.76 --> 1217.42] There's Tanner. +[1218.22 --> 1218.72] Sweet. +[1218.72 --> 1220.10] Thank you. +[1220.10 --> 1221.72] Thank you. +[1221.74 --> 1222.48] There we go. +[1230.44 --> 1231.40] Thank you. +[1231.40 --> 1231.80] I'll pass the mic off to Diego. +[1231.80 --> 1231.88] That's a little bit of a semaine. +[1231.88 --> 1232.36] Thank you. +[1232.36 --> 1232.38] Thank you. +[1232.38 --> 1236.88] Thank you. +[1236.88 --> 1239.88] Yeah, alright, that's exciting, right? That's exciting, yeah. +[1239.88 --> 1244.28] Yeah, thank you for having me here. Seemed like a really fun weekend. +[1244.28 --> 1247.96] Last night was super fun. A lot of chocolate chip cookies, so that was awesome. +[1248.76 --> 1251.80] Sarah, if you want to come up and we'll do our giveaway. +[1252.70 --> 1254.30] We'll do another drum roll. +[1256.08 --> 1256.46] Yep. +[1259.34 --> 1260.96] Keep going, keep going. +[1262.76 --> 1265.14] And the winner is +[1265.14 --> 1268.56] Elliot Hogterp. +[1268.56 --> 1270.70] Hogterp. Hogterp. +[1270.70 --> 1272.30] Oh, congratulations, Elliot. +[1272.56 --> 1274.96] Alright, your swag bag is just right over there. +[1277.16 --> 1279.02] Yeah, and now there's going to be another +[1279.02 --> 1281.36] thing that's happening and we're done up here, so +[1281.36 --> 1282.72] thanks for having us. +[1283.62 --> 1283.78] Yeah. +[1285.96 --> 1287.32] Have a good rest of your day. +[1295.14 --> 1300.70] Imagine a university where you can pursue your passion with personal mentors and world-renowned professors who know your name. +[1300.70 --> 1302.12] With hands-on learning and elite internships that prepare you for your career. +[1302.12 --> 1303.12] And now, we're going to be able to pursue your career. +[1303.12 --> 1308.12] Imagine a university where you can pursue your passion with personal mentors and world-renowned professors who know your name. +[1308.12 --> 1313.54] With hands-on learning and elite internships that prepare you for your career. +[1313.54 --> 1315.54] Where you'll find your place and your people. +[1315.54 --> 1317.54] And now, we're going to be able to pursue your career. +[1317.54 --> 1324.54] Imagine a university where you can pursue your passion with personal mentors and world-renowned professors who know your name. +[1324.54 --> 1331.96] With hands-on learning and elite internships that prepare you for your career. +[1331.96 --> 1335.96] Where you'll find your place and your people. +[1335.96 --> 1342.96] Where your big dreams are possible and more achievable than you may think. +[1342.96 --> 1348.96] It's all here at Trinity Western University. +[1348.96 --> 1374.38] Experience a distinctly Christian university education. +[1374.38 --> 1376.38] Where you're equipped to be the light. +[1376.38 --> 1383.86] I'm going to make it brighter. +[1388.80 --> 1391.02] Thank you so much to our schools. +[1391.02 --> 1398.62] Not only for being here this weekend, our Christian universities, but for sponsoring Reactivate and making it possible for us to have this weekend together. +[1399.38 --> 1403.70] Welcome to our final general session of Reactivate 2025. +[1403.70 --> 1409.18] Welcome, especially if you are joining us here for the first time this weekend because you're part of Langley Emanuel CRC. +[1409.18 --> 1416.12] We are so glad that you are here and get to just have a little taste of what this amazing weekend has been like for our youth and youth leaders. +[1416.12 --> 1425.60] This weekend would not be possible with about 80 people who volunteer and give of their time to make it happen. +[1425.60 --> 1435.60] These approximately 80 people have done a number of different things leading up to the weekend and many of them have been here this weekend. +[1435.60 --> 1437.96] And you've seen them and you've interacted with them. +[1437.96 --> 1442.08] So we just want to take a moment to say some thank yous to some specific people. +[1442.08 --> 1446.08] One of the highlights of the weekend, of course, is the food that we eat. +[1446.08 --> 1449.56] We would not be able to enjoy this weekend without sustenance. +[1449.56 --> 1453.56] And so we are grateful to Faye and her amazing team of Kitchen volunteers. +[1453.56 --> 1454.56] So shout out to Faye. +[1454.56 --> 1467.56] And standing right beside her is Rachel, who has coordinated and organized all the other volunteers for the weekend. +[1467.56 --> 1471.16] People who clean and help and set up and take down. +[1471.16 --> 1473.40] So we are thankful for each and every one of you. +[1476.40 --> 1479.96] Matt and Linda and the AV crew at the back, we love you. +[1479.96 --> 1481.04] Thank you for being here. +[1485.32 --> 1491.00] We want to specifically say thank you to this church for hosting us for Reactivate for the last three years. +[1491.16 --> 1492.52] Emanuel, you are amazing. +[1492.78 --> 1493.42] We love you. +[1493.70 --> 1496.26] Thank you for letting us tear apart your building. +[1496.26 --> 1498.66] Well, okay, we didn't do all of this. +[1499.62 --> 1502.66] But, you know, we've probably left a few dents in the last few years. +[1502.66 --> 1509.02] And we are so grateful for your space and your hospitality to us for this weekend, the last three years. +[1509.02 --> 1509.58] Thank you. +[1514.44 --> 1519.56] Our worship leaders this year, Josh, Jordan, and Dave, thank you for being here and leading us in worship. +[1520.02 --> 1521.84] We're looking forward to one last time. +[1521.84 --> 1522.84] Thank you. +[1522.84 --> 1523.84] Thank you. +[1523.84 --> 1524.84] Thank you. +[1524.84 --> 1528.34] And, of course, Kunrad and Seth, we already gave you a shout-out, Kunrad. +[1528.34 --> 1529.24] We are going to miss you. +[1529.24 --> 1530.24] I don't know. +[1530.24 --> 1530.80] Are you here? +[1530.80 --> 1531.48] Kunrad? +[1531.48 --> 1531.92] Seth? +[1531.92 --> 1532.92] No? +[1532.92 --> 1533.92] Yep. +[1533.92 --> 1535.20] Thank you so much. +[1535.20 --> 1536.20] Thank you. +[1536.20 --> 1537.20] Thank you. +[1537.20 --> 1542.70] Youth leaders. +[1542.70 --> 1548.50] If you are here as a youth leader from a church, from this church or from another church, can you please stand up for a minute? +[1548.50 --> 1552.76] If you are a youth leader that has given up your time to be here this weekend. +[1553.90 --> 1555.30] Look at them all. +[1555.48 --> 1558.52] Look at these beautiful people who love you so much. +[1558.52 --> 1563.40] Some of them drove for several hours to be here. +[1563.96 --> 1564.56] Thank you. +[1564.64 --> 1564.98] Thank you. +[1565.04 --> 1565.68] You may be seated. +[1565.82 --> 1566.82] And, of course, youth. +[1567.50 --> 1569.10] We wouldn't be here if you weren't here. +[1569.20 --> 1577.94] And so we're grateful for you being here and being amazing people for us to spend the weekend with, for taking care of one another, for taking care of the space, +[1577.94 --> 1588.26] for being willing to step out in faith if this was a hard thing for you to do to be here this weekend, for being willing to be open to God's voice, to grow in your faith this weekend. +[1588.26 --> 1595.32] And we hope that this is just a reflection of what's going to happen in your life this year as you continue on. +[1596.00 --> 1600.38] The last two people that I'd like to introduce and thank are the Reactivate planning team. +[1600.84 --> 1601.88] So if you guys can come up. +[1603.00 --> 1605.28] Can you see them on camera if they just stand, like, right here? +[1605.36 --> 1606.72] Should they come right on stage with me? +[1606.72 --> 1607.98] Okay. +[1613.50 --> 1615.98] You guys, these are the people that make it happen. +[1615.98 --> 1619.40] Caitlin, Kevin, Ben, Curtis, and myself, Natasha. +[1620.04 --> 1620.78] We love it. +[1621.02 --> 1623.06] We spend all year getting ready for this weekend. +[1623.24 --> 1627.88] It is one of the highlights of our jobs as most of us are youth pastor type people. +[1628.08 --> 1629.04] And it's amazing. +[1629.44 --> 1632.28] And a round of applause for these people. +[1636.72 --> 1638.94] Thank you. +[1639.38 --> 1642.84] And with that, I'd like to hand it over to Pastor Chris from Langley Emanuel CRC. +[1642.90 --> 1645.74] And he's going to bring us into worship this morning. +[1645.98 --> 1646.98] Thank you. +[1646.98 --> 1650.48] Thank you, Natasha. +[1650.48 --> 1652.08] Let's hear it for Natasha as well. +[1652.16 --> 1652.56] Thank you. +[1652.56 --> 1668.64] I just want to take this time and thank you all on behalf of Langley Emanuel for being here and for the amazing stories we've already heard and the way that we have seen God at work. +[1668.64 --> 1677.16] It's our deep prayer that God will continue to work in you and shape you, continue to draw you to himself. +[1677.86 --> 1679.80] We're going to do that in our worship together. +[1679.80 --> 1684.34] And so before we begin our worship in earnest, I have one announcement for Langley Emanuel. +[1684.84 --> 1686.46] And so Langley Emanuel, this one's for you. +[1686.70 --> 1688.08] And maybe East Hill Vernon. +[1688.42 --> 1690.12] I'm not sure, but maybe East Hill Vernon. +[1690.94 --> 1695.16] The Mexico mission sign up is live now. +[1695.52 --> 1700.82] And so every year we send a team to Mexico March 14 to 24 this year. +[1700.90 --> 1705.38] If you are interested in going, please, the sign up is in the e-bulletin or Brandon. +[1705.60 --> 1706.66] Brandon, are you here somewhere? +[1706.86 --> 1707.60] Brandon over there. +[1707.64 --> 1708.38] You can talk to him. +[1708.38 --> 1709.72] He would love to make that happen. +[1710.40 --> 1712.20] That's all the announcements I'm going to make this morning. +[1712.38 --> 1715.98] So I'm going to invite you, as you're able, to stand together. +[1716.60 --> 1727.08] I'm going to usher us into worship with God's greeting because we know that God is in this place this morning as he has been all weekend long in your worship together. +[1727.54 --> 1734.62] Following God's greeting from me, I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you and extend that greeting to everyone here. +[1734.62 --> 1738.88] And so you can do that by passing the peace of Christ, by saying the peace of Christ be with you. +[1738.88 --> 1741.12] You can do that by saying the Lord be with you. +[1741.50 --> 1745.52] If you know the person beside you really well, you can give them a hug. +[1745.80 --> 1747.92] You can shake their hand or a fist bump. +[1748.12 --> 1752.22] If you get those weird eyes from the person beside you, just stay back and say the Lord be with you. +[1752.22 --> 1759.12] Receive the greeting of our good God this morning in our worship. +[1760.12 --> 1771.94] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son, and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[1771.94 --> 1774.38] All God's people said, Amen. +[1801.94 --> 1802.84] Please, shame. +[1802.94 --> 1804.94] Rogen IVs, yea? +[1804.94 --> 1805.92] Please, cleanse outside your ... +[1805.92 --> 1835.90] Thank you. +[1835.90 --> 1857.06] Good morning, everybody. Good morning, Reactivate. Good morning, Langley Emanuel. My name is Joshua, as they mentioned. This is Jordan. We've had the privilege of leading all weekends. We're going to start with our call to worship out of Psalm 34. It's going to be on the screen. If you want to read along, I invite you to speak these words out loud together. Starting in verse one. +[1857.06 --> 1867.70] I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes his boast in the Lord. Let the humble hear and be glad. +[1868.44 --> 1872.40] Oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together. +[1872.40 --> 1883.30] I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant and their faces shall never be ashamed. +[1884.10 --> 1894.82] This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. +[1894.82 --> 1901.52] Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. +[1902.04 --> 1906.68] Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints. For those who fear him have no lack. +[1907.32 --> 1913.40] The young lions suffer in wanton hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. +[1913.40 --> 1920.40] We're going to begin this morning singing a song we've sung this weekend based on the Lord's Prayer. +[1921.18 --> 1923.44] And so for those of you, this is going to be the first time hearing it. +[1923.44 --> 1926.42] I'm going to teach you the bridge first and then the chorus and we'll sing it together. +[1927.08 --> 1928.38] So the bridge goes like this. +[1928.38 --> 1934.62] The kingdom is already yours. +[1934.62 --> 1956.98] Here's the chorus. +[1956.98 --> 1986.96] I agree. +[1986.98 --> 2008.46] Good and gracious Father, only is it made. +[2008.46 --> 2015.08] My heart reflects your kindness and it's unhumidity made. +[2015.08 --> 2019.08] You've been given to me today. +[2019.08 --> 2023.08] The bridge you know I need. +[2023.08 --> 2026.08] The bridge for my transgressors. +[2026.08 --> 2030.08] You've forgiven me. +[2030.08 --> 2034.08] As in heaven so on earth. +[2034.08 --> 2038.08] May your kingdom reign in me. +[2038.08 --> 2042.08] As above so on earth. +[2042.08 --> 2044.08] As above so low. +[2044.08 --> 2046.08] As in heaven so near. +[2046.08 --> 2048.08] As in heaven so near. +[2048.08 --> 2050.08] As above so low. +[2050.08 --> 2052.08] As in heaven so near. +[2052.08 --> 2058.08] As above so near. +[2058.08 --> 2064.08] As above so near. +[2064.08 --> 2066.08] So near. +[2066.08 --> 2068.08] Yes. +[2068.08 --> 2070.08] As above so near. +[2070.08 --> 2071.08] God and gracious. +[2071.08 --> 2079.14] Good and gracious, Father, holy is your name. +[2079.14 --> 2085.70] My heart reflects your kindness, never taking it in vain. +[2087.22 --> 2093.34] You've unto me today, but you know I need it. +[2094.24 --> 2099.66] The grace for my transgressors is you forgiving me. +[2099.66 --> 2106.66] The grace for my transgressors is you forgiving me. +[2107.70 --> 2110.36] Is it heaven so unheard? +[2111.26 --> 2113.66] May your kingdom reign in me. +[2114.76 --> 2120.96] There's no love so low until the day your will's complete. +[2121.76 --> 2127.66] I keep praying the same prayer until I'm in and at your feet. +[2127.66 --> 2135.66] There's no love so low as in heaven so in me. +[2139.66 --> 2142.66] So in me. +[2144.66 --> 2146.16] Sing the kingdom. +[2146.16 --> 2148.16] Sing the kingdom. +[2148.16 --> 2149.16] Sing the kingdom. +[2149.16 --> 2150.16] Sing the kingdom. +[2150.16 --> 2153.16] Sing the kingdom is already yours. +[2153.16 --> 2161.46] Oh, power and oh, glory forever and amen. +[2162.46 --> 2167.34] The kingdom is already yours. +[2169.48 --> 2175.54] Oh, power and oh, glory forever and amen. +[2175.54 --> 2176.56] Lift your voice. +[2176.56 --> 2181.84] The kingdom is already yours. +[2183.16 --> 2189.62] Oh, power and oh, glory forever and amen. +[2190.62 --> 2195.40] The kingdom is already yours. +[2197.72 --> 2203.76] Oh, power and oh, glory forever and amen. +[2203.76 --> 2206.22] Sing the kingdom. +[2206.22 --> 2209.22] Sing the kingdom. +[2209.22 --> 2211.68] Sing the kingdom reign in me. +[2211.68 --> 2214.68] There's no birth so low. +[2214.68 --> 2218.14] Till the day your will's complete. +[2218.14 --> 2221.14] I keep praying the same prayer. +[2221.14 --> 2225.14] Till I'm kneeling at your feet. +[2225.14 --> 2228.14] As will it burst over low? +[2228.14 --> 2232.14] Sing the kingdom. +[2232.14 --> 2234.60] Sing the kingdom. +[2234.60 --> 2238.48] The kingdom is already yours. +[2238.48 --> 2243.48] No power and no glory +[2243.48 --> 2246.68] Whatever it may be +[2246.68 --> 2252.48] The kingdom is already yours +[2252.48 --> 2257.48] No power and no glory +[2257.48 --> 2263.48] Whatever it may be +[2263.48 --> 2268.48] Feel the pain +[2268.48 --> 2277.48] As in heaven's order +[2277.48 --> 2281.48] May a kingdom reign in me +[2281.48 --> 2284.48] As above so below +[2284.48 --> 2288.48] Till the day your will's complete +[2288.48 --> 2292.48] I'll keep praying the same prayer +[2292.48 --> 2296.48] Till I'm kneeling at your feet +[2296.48 --> 2299.48] As above so below +[2299.48 --> 2303.48] As in heaven's calling me +[2303.48 --> 2306.48] As above so below +[2306.48 --> 2311.48] As in heaven's calling me +[2311.48 --> 2314.48] As above so below +[2314.48 --> 2315.48] As above so below +[2315.48 --> 2317.48] As above so below +[2317.48 --> 2322.48] Bombs tend to cakes +[2322.48 --> 2338.36] That peace of hope +[2338.36 --> 2343.20] Place your hope and confidence in Jesus. +[2344.20 --> 2347.32] He won't forsake Him. +[2348.96 --> 2351.76] Lester those who seek His face. +[2352.26 --> 2356.50] Open the knee and fix the case on Jesus. +[2357.58 --> 2359.72] They won't be saved. +[2359.72 --> 2363.72] Come on and praise Him. +[2363.72 --> 2368.00] Alone with me. +[2368.64 --> 2372.58] Sing if you love His name. +[2374.60 --> 2380.44] Come on and lift your arms with me. +[2380.44 --> 2386.00] He's worthy of all I pray. +[2387.92 --> 2388.82] Sing the best. +[2388.82 --> 2390.82] Sing the best. +[2390.82 --> 2394.72] Lester those who walk with Him. +[2395.18 --> 2399.58] His hearts are set on pilgrimage with Jesus. +[2400.62 --> 2402.94] They'll see His glory. +[2405.10 --> 2408.10] Lester those who die and live. +[2408.10 --> 2412.76] His joy it is to give it all for Jesus. +[2412.76 --> 2415.76] And for Him only. +[2415.76 --> 2418.76] Oh Jesus. +[2420.62 --> 2422.96] Oh for your glory. +[2424.24 --> 2426.00] Come on and praise. +[2426.82 --> 2429.76] Alone with me. +[2430.76 --> 2435.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2435.76 --> 2436.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2436.76 --> 2442.76] Come on and lift your voice with me. +[2442.76 --> 2445.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2445.76 --> 2447.76] Come on and praise. +[2447.76 --> 2450.76] Come on and lift your voice with me. +[2450.76 --> 2452.76] Sees worthy of all I pray. +[2452.76 --> 2455.76] Come on and lift your voice with me. +[2455.76 --> 2456.76] Him. +[2456.76 --> 2457.76] Sing if you love Him. +[2457.76 --> 2458.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2458.76 --> 2459.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2459.76 --> 2460.76] Sing if you love His name. +[2460.76 --> 2463.76] Come on and lift up your own hands. +[2463.76 --> 2465.76] Come on and lift up your own hands. +[2465.76 --> 2469.76] Cause He's worthy of all I pray. +[2469.76 --> 2474.76] Cause He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2474.76 --> 2480.76] Bless God in the sanctuary +[2480.76 --> 2484.52] Bless God in the fields of plenty +[2484.52 --> 2487.54] Bless God in the darkest valley +[2487.54 --> 2491.44] Every chance I get, I bless your name +[2491.44 --> 2494.44] Bless God with my hands are empty +[2494.44 --> 2497.90] Bless God with the praise that caused me +[2497.90 --> 2500.84] Bless God when nobody's watching +[2500.84 --> 2504.74] Every chance I get, I bless your name +[2504.74 --> 2507.78] Bless God with the weapons for me +[2507.78 --> 2511.12] Bless God with the wounds of all me +[2511.12 --> 2514.22] Bless God cause He goes before me +[2514.22 --> 2517.98] Every chance I get, I bless your name +[2517.98 --> 2520.84] Bless God for me who's the victory +[2520.84 --> 2524.40] Bless God for He's always with me +[2524.40 --> 2527.22] Bless God for He's always worthy +[2527.22 --> 2532.06] Every chance I get, I bless your name +[2532.06 --> 2539.06] Every chance I get, I bless your name +[2539.06 --> 2550.06] Every chance I get, come and praise the Lord with me +[2550.06 --> 2554.90] Sing if you know His name +[2554.90 --> 2562.82] Come and lift your voice with me +[2562.82 --> 2566.90] Cause He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2566.90 --> 2571.74] Come and lift your voice with me +[2571.74 --> 2575.74] Come and lift your voice with me +[2575.74 --> 2581.46] Sing if you know His grace +[2581.46 --> 2585.74] Come and lift your voice with me +[2585.74 --> 2590.58] Lift up your voice with me +[2590.58 --> 2594.58] He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2594.58 --> 2596.58] Come and lift your voice with me +[2596.58 --> 2598.58] Come and lift your voice with me +[2598.58 --> 2600.58] Come and lift your voice with me +[2600.58 --> 2602.58] Come and lift your voice with me +[2602.58 --> 2604.58] Sing if you know His grace +[2604.58 --> 2609.42] If you know His grace +[2609.42 --> 2613.42] Come and lift your voice with me +[2613.42 --> 2618.26] He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2618.26 --> 2627.10] He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2627.10 --> 2631.76] He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2631.76 --> 2634.10] He's worthy of hope, I pray +[2634.10 --> 2640.66] The word for our confession +[2640.66 --> 2644.00] out of Psalm 51 +[2644.00 --> 2646.64] starting in verse 15 +[2646.64 --> 2647.92] I invite you to read with me +[2647.92 --> 2650.56] O Lord, open my lips +[2650.56 --> 2652.82] and my mouth will declare your praise +[2652.82 --> 2655.58] for you do not delight in sacrifice +[2655.58 --> 2656.56] or I would give it +[2656.56 --> 2659.22] you will not be pleased with a burnt offering +[2659.22 --> 2661.42] the sacrifices of God +[2661.42 --> 2662.76] are a broken spirit +[2662.76 --> 2665.44] a broken spirit and contrite heart +[2665.44 --> 2667.40] O God, you will not despise +[2667.40 --> 2680.08] So come now, Father +[2680.08 --> 2692.76] Come now, Father +[2692.76 --> 2696.76] Come now, Father +[2696.76 --> 2699.44] Praise the mountain +[2699.44 --> 2702.12] to my heart +[2702.12 --> 2704.80] to sing thy praise +[2704.80 --> 2707.48] Streams of mercy +[2707.48 --> 2710.16] never ceasing +[2710.16 --> 2712.84] go for songs of +[2712.84 --> 2726.52] GLOB +[2726.52 --> 2728.52] Fixed upon me +[2729.14 --> 2733.32] Mount of thy redeeming love +[2733.32 --> 2740.52] Here I raise my Ebenezer +[2741.04 --> 2745.10] Hither by thy help I know +[2745.10 --> 2750.32] And I hope I could pleasure +[2750.32 --> 2754.52] Safely to arrive at you +[2754.52 --> 2760.12] Jesus sought me when a stranger +[2760.12 --> 2764.68] Wandering from the fold of God +[2764.68 --> 2769.76] He to rescue me from danger +[2769.76 --> 2774.76] Interposed his precious mind +[2774.76 --> 2775.68] Oh +[2775.68 --> 2785.84] Lord to praise how great a debtor +[2786.72 --> 2790.76] Daily I'm constrained to be +[2790.76 --> 2796.22] Let thy goodness like a fetter +[2796.22 --> 2800.38] By my wandering heart to thee +[2800.38 --> 2805.88] He's prone to wander Lord I feel it +[2805.88 --> 2810.26] Prone to leave the God I love +[2810.26 --> 2813.10] Here's my heart Lord +[2813.10 --> 2815.46] Take and seal it +[2815.46 --> 2819.76] Seal it for thy cause I will +[2819.76 --> 2825.16] He's prone to wander Lord I feel it +[2825.16 --> 2829.42] Prone to leave the God I love +[2829.42 --> 2831.92] Here's my heart Lord +[2831.92 --> 2834.70] Take and seal it +[2834.70 --> 2838.92] Seal it for thy cause I will +[2838.92 --> 2853.58] Be thou my vision +[2853.58 --> 2856.52] O Lord of my heart +[2856.52 --> 2865.58] Be thou my vision +[2865.58 --> 2870.18] O Lord of my heart +[2870.18 --> 2876.18] Lord be all else to me +[2876.18 --> 2880.24] Save that thou art +[2880.24 --> 2883.90] Thou my best +[2883.90 --> 2884.56] O oh +[2884.56 --> 2886.42] By me +[2886.42 --> 2886.66] B зав匂 +[2886.66 --> 2887.50] O +[2887.50 --> 2887.56] I�� +[2887.56 --> 2887.78] O +[2887.78 --> 2887.80] O +[2887.80 --> 2888.78] By düşer +[2889.44 --> 2890.58] O +[2890.58 --> 2890.98] By +[2890.98 --> 2892.14] Quiddal +[2892.14 --> 2892.54] O +[2892.54 --> 2892.72] Bear +[2892.72 --> 2892.80] Or +[2892.92 --> 2893.76] O +[2893.88 --> 2894.24] Slipper +[2894.24 --> 2894.88] The +[2894.88 --> 2895.36] De +[2895.36 --> 2895.94] To +[2895.94 --> 2896.44] O +[2896.44 --> 2905.66] Be Thou my wisdom. +[2926.44 --> 2934.88] Thou my great Father and I love You so. +[2934.88 --> 2943.88] Thou beneath me dwelling and I will be. +[2947.48 --> 2948.70] Yes, we are. +[2951.70 --> 2954.04] Yes, we are. +[2956.44 --> 2959.98] Sing Riches I. +[2959.98 --> 2960.00] Sing Riches I. +[2962.00 --> 2971.90] Riches I hear no man's empty praise. +[2972.68 --> 2981.20] Thou mine inheritance now and always. +[2981.20 --> 2990.76] Thou and Thou only the first in my heart. +[2990.76 --> 3002.22] My King of heaven, my treasure, O God. +[3002.32 --> 3009.44] Be mine, everything be my delight. +[3009.44 --> 3018.00] Be Jesus my glory, my soul, satisfy. +[3019.00 --> 3028.00] O God be mine, everything be my delight. +[3028.00 --> 3037.56] Be Jesus my glory, my soul, satisfy. +[3037.56 --> 3050.12] I King of heaven, my victory won. +[3050.12 --> 3059.96] May I reach heaven's choice, O bright heaven's heart. +[3059.96 --> 3069.52] Lord of my heart, whatever before. +[3069.52 --> 3076.98] Still be my vision, O Lord. +[3076.98 --> 3078.98] O Lord. +[3078.98 --> 3086.08] Still be my vision, O Lord. +[3086.08 --> 3087.08] O Lord. +[3087.08 --> 3092.64] Lord of my heart. +[3092.64 --> 3093.04] O Lord. +[3093.04 --> 3099.34] Yes, we confess that for that to be true, we need the power of Your Spirit dwelling in our midst. +[3099.34 --> 3107.88] That we don't want to just reflect Your image in Word, but we want our lives and our deeds to reflect that as well. +[3109.14 --> 3116.66] And that by coming under Your Word, singing Your Word, praying together, we can greater conform into Your likeness. +[3116.66 --> 3125.38] And so I thank You for the formational work You have done this weekend in the lives across generations. +[3125.62 --> 3130.44] I pray that that would continue this morning, that it would carry far, far beyond this weekend. +[3131.40 --> 3139.88] That there would be tangible points of Your kingdom advancing that are pointed back to moments of surrender made here. +[3140.62 --> 3141.58] We love You. +[3141.70 --> 3142.52] We bless Your name. +[3142.58 --> 3143.80] We pray in Your name, Jesus. +[3144.80 --> 3145.24] Amen. +[3145.24 --> 3145.42] Amen. +[3146.02 --> 3146.34] Amen. +[3146.56 --> 3147.84] Church, you can have a seat. +[3162.08 --> 3162.92] Good morning. +[3163.60 --> 3164.04] Sorry. +[3165.96 --> 3170.32] We've been really blessed to have these guys lead us in worship, so it's been a wonderful weekend with them. +[3170.32 --> 3179.94] As well, on behalf of the Langley Emanuel Church family, we have been super blessed to host so many churches from around British Columbia for Reactivate. +[3180.42 --> 3187.86] And on top of that, we've had some special guests here from Trinity Western and from Redeemer, sharing and chatting and hanging out with our whole crew. +[3187.86 --> 3198.52] On top of that, we've had Chidi Ab to share a little bit more about what World Renew does on behalf of the CRC Church. +[3198.64 --> 3203.18] It is the arm, it's an international development arm of the Christian Reformed Church. +[3203.18 --> 3213.64] And we've had a great chance to get to know him, and he shared with us last night, and we'd like to share that a little bit with the rest of us, after which we will take an offering for World Renew, and I can explain more about that. +[3214.36 --> 3214.54] Thanks. +[3214.54 --> 3216.52] Good morning, my church. +[3217.62 --> 3218.44] How are you doing today? +[3220.60 --> 3223.58] I'm just overwhelmed with seeing a lot of young people around. +[3224.34 --> 3225.50] It's just amazing to see. +[3226.14 --> 3229.64] I've been to more than 50 CRC churches all across Canada. +[3230.28 --> 3233.96] Sometimes, some of the churches, the youngest person there is 65 years old. +[3233.96 --> 3236.74] I'm being real. +[3236.74 --> 3243.02] But to see young faces gives me the assurance that the church is here to stay when we are gone. +[3243.34 --> 3244.04] We're older folks. +[3244.80 --> 3251.34] So I want to commend our parents, the church community, to invest in the spirituality of the youth. +[3251.96 --> 3253.16] They are the leaders of tomorrow. +[3254.54 --> 3258.16] If they succeed, we have done our job well. +[3258.50 --> 3261.14] If they fail, believe in me, we failed. +[3261.14 --> 3269.64] So I commend the leadership of Reactive Act for consistently organizing this wonderful event for the past 10 years. +[3270.04 --> 3273.96] And for World Renew, we've been attending, I believe, for the past seven years all the time. +[3274.06 --> 3278.40] Sometimes, I email Natasha in February, when I was starting the planning. +[3278.74 --> 3279.66] She said, shit, it's February. +[3280.10 --> 3286.70] I said, I know, I'm looking forward for September for this Reactive Act because I know the importance of investing in our youth. +[3286.70 --> 3297.80] Again, I want to give a thanks to Lingley and Emmanuel Cielsi for your years of support to World Renews Global Ministry. +[3298.40 --> 3301.68] You've supported our refugee resettlement program. +[3302.16 --> 3305.88] You've supported our program fund and our international disaster response. +[3306.54 --> 3312.68] Your contribution has done a lot in improving the livelihood of a lot of folks in the global south. +[3312.68 --> 3319.98] And again, I have to tell you that we in the charitable sector are facing a lot of challenges. +[3320.52 --> 3325.36] As you know, most of the funding has been cut by some major players in the industry. +[3325.80 --> 3329.22] I was privileged to visit Kenya three months ago. +[3330.12 --> 3338.58] I was in a rural clinic, you know, attending to our, we have a program where we support pregnant women and nursing moms. +[3338.58 --> 3346.20] In that program, there are about 30 families and women singing for, receiving us to visit the clinic. +[3346.90 --> 3355.84] And it happens, we have a joint program with the major player of our funding in that area. +[3356.64 --> 3360.56] And that was when they announced the cutting of the funding. +[3360.56 --> 3367.66] As you know, we, when we have a joint partnership with the organization for funding. +[3368.44 --> 3374.58] When they pull out from the player, that means that program might be cut up or reduced. +[3375.06 --> 3384.90] So I was sitting in a corner just thinking about who is going to tell these folks that what they are here for might be cut up in the next couple of weeks. +[3384.90 --> 3387.36] Friends, friends, these are real. +[3388.44 --> 3398.74] People's lives are being affected by the cut of the funding, by the global economical turmoil, by the economical stability going on globally. +[3399.12 --> 3400.28] We are facing challenges. +[3401.18 --> 3408.42] Church, we hope that God has been sustaining this ministry for the past 62 years. +[3409.48 --> 3413.38] Churches like yours have been supporting World Renew for the past 62 years. +[3413.38 --> 3418.40] Churches, faithfully, helping and working alongside the global community. +[3419.04 --> 3425.72] Helping folks struggling with hunger, with poverty, with segregation, people that are displaced. +[3426.06 --> 3428.98] Churches have been faithfully supporting our ministry. +[3429.52 --> 3435.12] And we pray and we believe that God will keep on doing this good work that Churches have been supporting. +[3435.28 --> 3437.50] Again, I commend all the youths for coming. +[3438.24 --> 3442.56] When I was younger, my mom used to put me in all programs, almost every weekend. +[3442.56 --> 3444.88] I hated it so much. +[3445.40 --> 3446.58] But I have to thank my mom. +[3447.08 --> 3450.62] Because of that program that I attend to the churches, I've been alive today. +[3451.52 --> 3455.42] I've been out of trouble because of attending all these kind of programs. +[3455.80 --> 3457.88] So parents, please keep on sending your kids. +[3458.38 --> 3459.82] Next year, we're going to be here. +[3459.88 --> 3461.82] I want to see double this size. +[3461.82 --> 3468.54] Because investing in kids is the most important thing churches and parents should keep on doing. +[3468.98 --> 3472.82] Because if you don't invest in the kids, the society are going to take them from us. +[3473.28 --> 3477.50] God, please, I commend you to keep on supporting World Renew in our ministry. +[3478.28 --> 3481.06] By prayers, not just by financial support. +[3481.28 --> 3482.28] Prayers matters a lot. +[3482.28 --> 3484.60] And again, please pray for our leadership. +[3485.46 --> 3486.40] Pray for our partners. +[3486.82 --> 3489.02] And pray for our participants. +[3489.68 --> 3495.98] For God to continue supporting this wonderful ministry that your church has been supporting for years. +[3496.22 --> 3496.72] God bless you. +[3496.72 --> 3503.96] Thank you, Chitty. +[3504.40 --> 3509.62] So we're going to continue our worship by giving of our financial blessings that God has given to us. +[3509.70 --> 3514.56] So this morning it is for World Renew and the work that they do all over the world. +[3515.10 --> 3519.08] In addition, donations can be made to the ministry of this church. +[3519.08 --> 3523.04] So just to clarify, there's going to be some bags and baskets going around. +[3523.48 --> 3528.08] And any donations thrown in there that are undesignated will for sure go to World Renew. +[3528.16 --> 3531.40] Or you can jump onto the World Renew website and also donate to them directly. +[3531.96 --> 3538.32] And if you need to give directly to the budget or any other special ministry, make sure that is designated as such. +[3538.44 --> 3542.84] There should be little envelopes in the seats in front of you if you want to do it that way. +[3543.44 --> 3545.62] And thank you so much for giving this morning. +[3549.08 --> 3579.06] Thank you. +[3579.08 --> 3581.08] Thank you. +[3581.08 --> 3582.08] Thank you. +[3582.08 --> 3584.08] Thank you. +[3584.08 --> 3587.08] Thank you. +[3587.08 --> 3589.08] Thank you. +[3614.08 --> 3617.08] Thank you. +[3617.08 --> 3619.08] Thanks. +[3619.08 --> 3629.08] Thank you. +[3629.08 --> 3631.08] Thank you. +[3631.08 --> 3661.06] Thank you. +[3661.08 --> 3691.06] Thank you. +[3691.08 --> 3721.06] Thank you. +[3721.06 --> 3723.06] Thank you. +[3723.06 --> 3725.06] Thank you. +[3725.06 --> 3727.06] Thank you. +[3755.06 --> 3757.06] Thank you. +[3757.06 --> 3759.06] Hank the Hound. +[3759.06 --> 3761.06] Hank the Hound went in. +[3761.06 --> 3765.06] He thought he'd try what bears do and he hibernated for the winter for the summer months. +[3765.06 --> 3767.06] He got it a little bit backwards. +[3767.06 --> 3769.76] He's waking up this week and he's going to come out next week. +[3769.92 --> 3771.02] Does that sound like a good idea? +[3771.18 --> 3772.94] And he would love to see you all. +[3773.44 --> 3777.38] So he's going to come next week, but this week we're going to go and have children's +[3777.38 --> 3778.04] worship time in the back. +[3778.08 --> 3778.50] Is that good? +[3778.50 --> 3780.50] So I'm going to pray. +[3780.50 --> 3785.94] And then the seven of you are going to need to do the children's blessing together. +[3785.94 --> 3786.28] Okay. +[3786.28 --> 3787.18] With everybody here. +[3787.24 --> 3787.64] Can we do that? +[3787.68 --> 3788.68] We'll teach them how to do that. +[3788.68 --> 3790.58] I think all of the youths we can teach them. +[3790.62 --> 3791.18] Does that sound good? +[3791.84 --> 3792.32] All right. +[3792.32 --> 3792.80] Let's pray. +[3793.08 --> 3793.28] Okay. +[3793.28 --> 3794.02] Hold our hands. +[3794.10 --> 3794.60] Close our eyes. +[3794.68 --> 3795.08] Here we go. +[3795.40 --> 3797.10] Dear God, we thank you so much for this day. +[3797.40 --> 3801.36] Thank you so much that we could be here this weekend, that we could learn about you. +[3801.42 --> 3806.32] And we pray that as these kids go to children's worship time and as the youth and the grown +[3806.32 --> 3810.16] up stay back here and listen to Pastor Dave, that all of us, no matter what room we're +[3810.16 --> 3813.48] in, we'll learn more about what it means to follow you. +[3813.84 --> 3815.04] So we pray this in your name. +[3815.54 --> 3815.86] Amen. +[3816.76 --> 3820.06] All right, kids, we're going to stand up and we're going to face the congregation. +[3820.18 --> 3821.54] There's a lot of them and the lights are a little crazy. +[3821.54 --> 3824.98] And then the church is going to stand up, reactivate you too. +[3825.48 --> 3828.98] And the kids on the count of three, they're going to say, the Lord be with you. +[3829.20 --> 3831.54] And then you'll respond by saying, and also with you. +[3831.60 --> 3832.02] Are we ready? +[3832.38 --> 3833.68] Kids, we're going to have to be really loud. +[3833.76 --> 3834.70] Are we ready to be loud? +[3835.04 --> 3836.34] On the count of three, we're going to say it. +[3836.34 --> 3836.56] You ready? +[3836.72 --> 3838.14] One, two, three. +[3842.46 --> 3844.48] All right, you guys can go off to children's worship time. +[3845.02 --> 3847.92] And I'm going to invite up an elder from Langley Manual. +[3847.92 --> 3851.56] So Eric's going to come forward and lead us in our family prayer today. +[3851.56 --> 3855.46] Hi. +[3865.00 --> 3865.44] Hi. +[3865.52 --> 3868.84] As mentioned, I'm Eric here at Emanuel, elder here at Emanuel. +[3869.10 --> 3871.58] I will lead you in our church family prayer in a moment here. +[3871.58 --> 3880.40] Just one quick prayer note before, just a reminder to the congregation that September 16th, we have our, what are we calling it? +[3880.46 --> 3880.64] Sorry. +[3881.14 --> 3889.54] The special general meeting to consider the call of Kevin for a pastor here at Emanuel. +[3889.54 --> 3901.40] And we just wanted to bring it to your attention that, again, that is on the 16th, but that the council wanted to make it clear that if you're unable to attend, that email ballots will be accepted. +[3901.84 --> 3905.06] And just touch base with the office for more information on that. +[3905.96 --> 3907.58] But let's turn to our Lord in prayer. +[3907.58 --> 3918.74] Lord, you are our rock and our salvation, our fortress and our deliverer. +[3919.10 --> 3924.18] We thank you for being our stronghold and refuge. +[3925.16 --> 3930.18] We thank you as a church that we can freely come to you and worship and praise your name. +[3930.18 --> 3939.62] What an incredible opportunity it is for the youth here today, for gathering of the youth from around the province to be here today. +[3940.50 --> 3949.82] To reactivate the youth conference, we pray for the stirred hearts, renewed faith and ignited passions for Jesus in a fresh way. +[3950.98 --> 3954.96] We also pray for their traveling mercies as they do head home later today as well, Lord. +[3954.96 --> 3963.86] Lord, this week, Rachel Malawoni's grandmother, Margaret Southie, passed away this week. +[3964.82 --> 3968.92] We pray that you continue to be with the family as they grieve the loss of the loved one. +[3970.50 --> 3981.66] Lord, this is the time of year where elementary, middle and high school and even university students are now getting into the regular grind of being in school, Lord. +[3981.66 --> 3984.94] Be with those who are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by this, Lord. +[3985.02 --> 3990.76] We just ask that you be with the students and teachers and bless them in their journey here. +[3993.00 --> 3999.16] As mentioned earlier, Lord, we also have our special meeting coming up this September 3rd, 16th, sorry, for Kevin. +[3999.76 --> 4004.26] We pray that the congregation can come together and do your will, Lord. +[4004.26 --> 4007.40] Yes, Lord. +[4009.40 --> 4014.14] May we also bless you as you go through our week and be grounded and rooted in your word. +[4014.62 --> 4015.74] In Jesus' name we pray. +[4016.18 --> 4016.44] Amen. +[4016.44 --> 4035.84] I think that has to be the tallest elder I have ever met in any church. +[4035.92 --> 4036.70] Look at this stand. +[4038.66 --> 4040.12] Thank you for that prayer, Eric. +[4040.12 --> 4050.08] Well, we learned two things from Hans and Franz, Hans and Svans, and that is number one, you're supposed to eat your peppermints now, so you pass those around. +[4051.10 --> 4055.42] Secondly, I get 45 minutes, that's what they said, so buckle up. +[4056.70 --> 4064.54] Now, this weekend we've been opening up what it means to be formed in the way of Jesus and the way in which Christ seeks to make us like himself. +[4064.54 --> 4068.54] On Friday night, we opened up this invitation from Christ to be with him. +[4068.54 --> 4075.12] Yesterday night, we looked at the invitation to become like him, and today we're going to look at what it means to do the things that Jesus did. +[4075.94 --> 4079.08] And for that, we're going to read a passage in Mark chapter 3. +[4079.26 --> 4082.16] So if you can join me, if you've got your Bible, I think it'll also be on the screen. +[4083.96 --> 4085.26] And it feels very strange. +[4085.36 --> 4090.76] I see you out in the foyer looking over there at a screen, and we just want to say welcome to sitting in the foyer. +[4090.94 --> 4091.84] I see you over there. +[4093.56 --> 4097.16] This is God's word from Mark chapter 3 of Jesus appointing the 12. +[4098.54 --> 4103.60] Jesus went up on the mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. +[4104.34 --> 4111.48] He appointed 12 that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. +[4112.24 --> 4113.72] These are the 12 he appointed. +[4114.40 --> 4116.26] Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter. +[4117.04 --> 4119.20] James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. +[4119.56 --> 4122.66] To them he gave the names Boanerges, which means sons of thunder. +[4122.66 --> 4133.26] Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. +[4133.76 --> 4135.04] This is God's word. +[4135.04 --> 4147.78] Well, when I was a teenager in youth group, there was a very common bracelet that almost every Christian teen who went to any Christian conference got, +[4148.16 --> 4151.18] and you will probably recognize it if you are my millennial peer. +[4153.14 --> 4155.74] WWJD, and just yell out what that stands for if you know. +[4156.46 --> 4156.94] Yeah. +[4157.60 --> 4158.42] You know this. +[4158.44 --> 4159.82] It must not just be my generation. +[4159.82 --> 4165.14] I remember going to a conference, and I had one, and you're supposed to wear it, and the idea, and I like this idea, +[4165.24 --> 4169.74] is that through your ordinary life as you're doing your things, you sort of see your bracelet, +[4169.88 --> 4175.54] and you're reminded to ask the question, what would Jesus do in this circumstance, with this relationship, with these challenges? +[4175.70 --> 4176.40] Would he do that? +[4176.48 --> 4177.52] Would he be like this? +[4178.04 --> 4183.24] And the only time I really remember noticing it, if I'm honest, is when I was speeding on the highway, +[4183.50 --> 4188.42] and I'd have my hand on the steering wheel and be thinking, would Jesus drive this fast? +[4188.42 --> 4190.40] But it was effective. +[4191.86 --> 4196.10] A very well-known writer named Dallas Willard, he gives his own take on this. +[4196.16 --> 4205.02] He says, the most important question that Christians can ask is, what kind of life would Jesus live if Jesus lived my life? +[4205.44 --> 4210.24] Now, that doesn't fit on a bracelet as nicely, but it does open up the character formation and discipleship. +[4210.24 --> 4220.70] What I like about the WWJD bracelet is it's built on the assumption that it is, in fact, possible to do what Jesus does. +[4221.60 --> 4225.62] It is, in fact, possible for disciples like you and me, ordinary believers, +[4225.62 --> 4231.78] to follow the path that Jesus left for us in his own ministry on how we are to live. +[4233.54 --> 4239.54] When Jesus calls you and me by his grace, lovingly and graciously to follow him, +[4239.96 --> 4246.96] he invites us not just to be with him, not just to become like him, but to do the very things that he did. +[4246.96 --> 4251.64] I want to give an illustration that comes from apprenticeship. +[4252.24 --> 4254.12] And maybe some of you remember going to trade school. +[4254.82 --> 4257.88] And in my case, my dad was in the trades doing woodworking. +[4258.32 --> 4262.08] And anyone who learns woodworking, you'll have a shop teacher who shows you all the tools. +[4262.22 --> 4266.32] He shows you how you are to see this work and what a miter saw is. +[4266.38 --> 4267.96] He holds before you the piece of wood. +[4268.22 --> 4272.16] And the goal is always, in the end, that you take the two-by-four. +[4272.16 --> 4276.10] You learn how to cut that piece and you frame the house, right? +[4276.72 --> 4279.62] And I feel like that's a very apt illustration as I look at the plastic +[4279.62 --> 4282.02] and the renovation work that needs to be done in this building. +[4282.38 --> 4286.72] The goal is for you to be able to do what your teacher shows you to do. +[4288.14 --> 4289.96] Do you see discipleship this way? +[4291.22 --> 4293.76] I think, and maybe this checks out with you, maybe it doesn't, +[4293.86 --> 4298.58] that so often when we read the Gospels, we read the stories of Jesus' ministry, +[4298.92 --> 4300.88] his discipleship, the teaching that he does, +[4300.88 --> 4305.80] we often see it as only showing us how Jesus does things, +[4305.94 --> 4307.12] his ministry, his way. +[4307.18 --> 4309.08] And of course that's true, but we never started to see, +[4309.48 --> 4311.86] could it be that this is the way that I'm supposed to follow? +[4312.50 --> 4316.82] Is this the ministry that I'm supposed to participate in with my life here today? +[4319.72 --> 4323.66] The Jesus who lays down his life to defeat sin, death, and Satan +[4323.66 --> 4326.64] is the same Jesus who ascends to be with the Father +[4326.64 --> 4330.58] and then sends his Spirit so that you and I can, in our own ordinary ways, +[4330.88 --> 4333.70] do the things that Jesus did. +[4334.30 --> 4339.14] At the very outset of Mark's Gospel, already in Mark chapter 1, which we looked at last night, +[4339.92 --> 4340.98] Jesus says to his disciples, +[4341.14 --> 4346.06] I want you to follow me and I'm going to send you out to fish for people, +[4346.14 --> 4347.28] to be fishers of men. +[4347.84 --> 4352.32] And it's very evident that this thing of discipleship is not some passive watching of Jesus +[4352.32 --> 4356.44] where you sort of watch him do something or you watch just the way he's going to live. +[4356.44 --> 4361.54] You're invited to participate in the work that Jesus is beginning in his kingdom ministry +[4361.54 --> 4364.90] as he fills us with his strength and sends us out. +[4366.70 --> 4371.30] So often I think we fall prey to that trap, whether it's sort of in the way we think +[4371.30 --> 4374.66] or even just the way we act where we see discipleship as watching Jesus +[4374.66 --> 4378.70] or maybe even this, watching other people do the discipleship +[4378.70 --> 4381.58] and sort of stepping back and being an observer. +[4382.36 --> 4384.80] When it doesn't matter how old or young you are, +[4384.88 --> 4387.46] when Jesus says, follow me to each and every one of us, +[4387.92 --> 4393.52] he invites us to actively participate, to play our part in his kingdom ministry. +[4394.82 --> 4398.40] And now I want to reread our passage, at least the first part of it. +[4399.20 --> 4400.10] In Mark chapter 3, +[4400.10 --> 4417.98] And then we have this long list of names of the disciples who followed Jesus. +[4418.08 --> 4421.86] And I want you to know that this is a really mixed motley crew. +[4422.12 --> 4426.10] You have a trader, a fiery zealot, some fisherman, a Roman collaborator, +[4426.10 --> 4430.16] and James and John who get the most amazing nicknames in the Bible. +[4430.66 --> 4431.28] Look at that. +[4431.64 --> 4433.94] Boanerges, which means sons of thunder. +[4434.78 --> 4436.00] Is that not an amazing nickname? +[4436.06 --> 4439.28] For those who are expecting children, just to put that on the radar, +[4439.72 --> 4441.60] Boanerges is yours for the taking. +[4442.66 --> 4445.14] I think one of the first tasks is just getting along +[4445.14 --> 4447.34] because they are such a diverse motley crew +[4447.34 --> 4449.88] and they had to sort out how to be in community with one another +[4449.88 --> 4451.40] with such different backgrounds. +[4452.42 --> 4454.94] But what you need to know at the very outside of this passage +[4454.94 --> 4456.56] is it's on a mountainside. +[4457.30 --> 4459.68] And just a heads up, whenever Jesus heads on a mountain +[4459.68 --> 4461.86] and He meets with people on a mountain, +[4462.02 --> 4463.98] it's always a very important gathering. +[4464.08 --> 4465.48] It's always a very important event. +[4465.58 --> 4468.82] That's often calling back to Old Testament events. +[4468.90 --> 4472.22] And in this case, the Old Testament event that we're calling back to +[4472.22 --> 4475.18] is God calling Moses in the book of Exodus. +[4475.50 --> 4477.44] He brings Moses to a mountaintop +[4477.44 --> 4478.58] and He's going to say to Moses, +[4478.58 --> 4481.52] I'm pulling this people Israel into my mission +[4481.52 --> 4484.16] to let the nations know that I am the living God. +[4484.16 --> 4487.32] And in this case, we now have Jesus, the Son of the living God, +[4487.68 --> 4490.52] pulling in these 12 disciples, the new Israel, +[4490.72 --> 4492.82] and saying, I am now gathering you +[4492.82 --> 4494.56] and sending you out to the nations +[4494.56 --> 4498.32] to make known that I am the Savior of creation. +[4499.52 --> 4501.08] Mountaintop experience. +[4501.08 --> 4505.52] From the beginning to the end of Scripture, +[4506.54 --> 4509.88] God graciously, and I would say remarkably, +[4510.44 --> 4513.18] invites ordinary humans like these disciples, +[4513.46 --> 4515.02] like you and me, into His plan. +[4515.10 --> 4516.20] He doesn't have to do that. +[4516.86 --> 4519.66] God could, if He wanted, accomplish all that He wants +[4519.66 --> 4521.28] without any human involvement, +[4521.48 --> 4522.54] and yet He graciously says, +[4522.92 --> 4526.44] I want my people to be part of my plan. +[4526.44 --> 4528.96] I will remarkably work through, +[4529.20 --> 4532.52] in and through these ordinary, broken people +[4532.52 --> 4534.16] who don't think they have much to give +[4534.16 --> 4535.94] to make my name known. +[4536.60 --> 4540.28] He uses fishermen, tax collectors, +[4541.08 --> 4542.20] Roman collaborators. +[4542.82 --> 4548.34] He uses doctors, framers, parents, students, +[4548.56 --> 4550.76] children, accountants, farmers, teachers, +[4550.94 --> 4554.18] on and on we go to make Himself known. +[4554.18 --> 4557.46] I want to read Matthew's version +[4557.46 --> 4559.96] of this same account of the calling +[4559.96 --> 4561.12] of His first disciples. +[4561.36 --> 4563.28] And this comes from Matthew 10, verse 5, +[4563.36 --> 4565.28] and I'm intrigued by the different way +[4565.28 --> 4565.94] that He says it. +[4566.00 --> 4567.24] He says, as you go, +[4567.60 --> 4569.18] sort of implying the ordinary world +[4569.18 --> 4569.86] that you're going to live in, +[4569.92 --> 4570.94] proclaim this message. +[4571.30 --> 4573.04] The kingdom of heaven has come near, +[4573.78 --> 4576.52] so heal the sick, raise the dead, +[4577.14 --> 4578.52] cleanse those who have leprosy, +[4578.62 --> 4579.56] drive out demons, +[4580.00 --> 4581.74] freely you have received, +[4582.50 --> 4583.18] freely give. +[4584.18 --> 4586.90] And I can almost hear the disciples +[4586.90 --> 4587.78] saying to each other +[4587.78 --> 4589.04] after Jesus says these words, +[4589.20 --> 4590.00] like, us? +[4590.96 --> 4591.40] Us? +[4591.74 --> 4593.20] Heal the sick, raise the dead, +[4593.36 --> 4594.10] cleanse the lepers? +[4594.44 --> 4596.36] You're asking us to do these things? +[4596.92 --> 4598.62] I can imagine the nerves, +[4599.08 --> 4600.90] the wondering if they're in the right meeting +[4600.90 --> 4601.96] with the right person +[4601.96 --> 4603.14] to do the right things. +[4603.68 --> 4604.76] And yet Jesus says to them, +[4604.86 --> 4605.98] freely you have received. +[4607.00 --> 4608.84] You have been brought into the life +[4608.84 --> 4609.64] of the kingdom of God. +[4609.70 --> 4611.32] You have received the grace +[4611.32 --> 4612.44] that is going to change your life, +[4612.44 --> 4613.96] and now you get to freely give it. +[4614.28 --> 4615.32] You get to freely share +[4615.32 --> 4616.28] the grace of Jesus, +[4616.62 --> 4617.50] the power of Jesus, +[4617.60 --> 4618.52] and the life of Jesus +[4618.52 --> 4620.60] to everyone around you. +[4623.38 --> 4624.40] When I was reading about +[4624.40 --> 4625.56] this calling of the disciples, +[4626.38 --> 4627.78] a writer that I very much like +[4627.78 --> 4629.32] says that for all of them, +[4630.20 --> 4631.84] their learning process +[4631.84 --> 4633.78] of how to do what Jesus did +[4633.78 --> 4636.50] was slow and steady. +[4636.50 --> 4638.56] It started often with them +[4638.56 --> 4640.06] just holding a basket +[4640.06 --> 4642.12] while Jesus fed the 5,000. +[4642.20 --> 4643.72] Their job was just to hold this basket +[4643.72 --> 4644.60] and distribute it. +[4645.06 --> 4646.38] Then they go to meals with Jesus +[4646.38 --> 4647.60] and they see Him arguing +[4647.60 --> 4648.58] and dealing with people +[4648.58 --> 4649.76] who really don't like Him, +[4650.16 --> 4651.04] learning how to interact +[4651.04 --> 4651.92] with religious leaders +[4651.92 --> 4653.20] that are trying to trap Him. +[4653.74 --> 4655.96] They watch Jesus live with the poor +[4655.96 --> 4657.00] and show His affection +[4657.00 --> 4658.16] and care for the vulnerable. +[4658.64 --> 4660.24] They see Jesus do all these things +[4660.24 --> 4660.92] and slowly, +[4661.96 --> 4663.04] in the Gospels already, +[4663.20 --> 4664.96] and especially in the book of Acts +[4664.96 --> 4665.98] when they receive the Spirit, +[4666.84 --> 4668.84] they slowly learn how to do it too. +[4669.70 --> 4671.04] Open up their homes +[4671.04 --> 4672.68] and have meals with those +[4672.68 --> 4673.50] who disagree with them. +[4673.60 --> 4674.42] Learn how to reconcile +[4674.42 --> 4675.42] with their enemies. +[4675.80 --> 4676.82] Learn how to build community +[4676.82 --> 4678.20] between Jews and Gentiles +[4678.20 --> 4679.36] who do not like each other. +[4679.74 --> 4681.22] Learn how to love their neighbors. +[4682.22 --> 4683.58] Learn how to pray for the sick. +[4684.24 --> 4685.28] Learn how to give away +[4685.28 --> 4686.36] all that they've been given +[4686.36 --> 4687.42] for the sake of the kingdom. +[4688.30 --> 4690.26] Slowly but surely, +[4690.84 --> 4692.36] they stepped out +[4692.36 --> 4693.62] into the kingdom ministry +[4693.62 --> 4695.06] that Jesus sends them into. +[4696.06 --> 4696.86] And I'm going to come back +[4696.86 --> 4698.26] to that for us today too. +[4698.60 --> 4699.54] But let me just pause +[4699.54 --> 4700.16] and say this. +[4700.82 --> 4701.96] You probably have experienced +[4701.96 --> 4702.68] these moments +[4702.68 --> 4704.50] where you feel nervous, +[4704.92 --> 4706.22] you are not feeling equipped, +[4706.34 --> 4706.82] you don't feel like +[4706.82 --> 4707.50] you're the right person +[4707.50 --> 4708.02] for the job, +[4708.08 --> 4709.58] and you step out in faith +[4709.58 --> 4711.90] and you find that Jesus meets you +[4711.90 --> 4713.36] and He shows up +[4713.36 --> 4715.08] and He does His work through you. +[4717.20 --> 4718.38] I'm going to name a question +[4718.38 --> 4719.40] that's maybe percolating +[4719.40 --> 4719.94] in your mind +[4719.94 --> 4721.68] as you read Mark chapter 3. +[4721.68 --> 4722.48] And the question is, +[4723.22 --> 4724.40] you're saying to me +[4724.40 --> 4725.68] that following Jesus +[4725.68 --> 4726.62] in this passage +[4726.62 --> 4727.84] is preaching +[4727.84 --> 4729.78] and it's casting out demons. +[4730.66 --> 4731.40] I'm not doing +[4731.40 --> 4732.12] either of those things. +[4732.20 --> 4733.22] I'm not Pastor Chris +[4733.22 --> 4734.06] on Sunday morning +[4734.06 --> 4735.46] and I'm certainly not +[4735.46 --> 4736.18] casting out demons +[4736.18 --> 4737.06] right now in my life. +[4737.16 --> 4738.08] Am I a disciple? +[4738.84 --> 4739.62] Maybe you're not asking that, +[4739.66 --> 4739.94] maybe you are. +[4739.98 --> 4741.06] Let me just name for you +[4741.06 --> 4741.82] two things +[4741.82 --> 4742.56] that are helpful to hear. +[4742.66 --> 4743.14] Number one, +[4743.22 --> 4744.72] this is not an exhaustive list +[4744.72 --> 4745.32] of the calling +[4745.32 --> 4745.92] of the disciples. +[4746.42 --> 4747.50] This is one part +[4747.50 --> 4748.20] of their calling +[4748.20 --> 4749.44] as they follow Jesus. +[4749.44 --> 4750.78] Number two, +[4751.94 --> 4753.76] if I'm hearing the gifts +[4753.76 --> 4754.72] in the other parts +[4754.72 --> 4755.28] of the New Testament, +[4755.44 --> 4756.54] especially the gifts +[4756.54 --> 4757.02] of the body +[4757.02 --> 4758.06] in 1 Corinthians 12, +[4758.96 --> 4759.82] Jesus knows +[4759.82 --> 4760.82] that not all of us +[4760.82 --> 4761.18] are called +[4761.18 --> 4762.66] to the exact same things +[4762.66 --> 4763.62] in the church of Jesus. +[4764.16 --> 4765.24] And He generously gives +[4765.24 --> 4766.06] many different gifts +[4766.06 --> 4767.06] to many different people. +[4767.16 --> 4767.62] And by the way, +[4767.82 --> 4768.90] I saw those gifts +[4768.90 --> 4769.52] on display +[4769.52 --> 4770.62] throughout Reactivate +[4770.62 --> 4771.12] this weekend +[4771.12 --> 4772.60] with the serving of food, +[4772.70 --> 4773.68] the playing of music, +[4773.94 --> 4775.36] the leading of conversations, +[4775.58 --> 4776.50] going out in creation, +[4776.82 --> 4777.70] so many gifts +[4777.70 --> 4779.16] used in so many different ways. +[4779.44 --> 4780.68] But in all of them, +[4781.14 --> 4782.12] there is that calling +[4782.12 --> 4783.86] to use what you've been given, +[4784.50 --> 4786.16] to step out in faith +[4786.16 --> 4787.62] so that Jesus Christ +[4787.62 --> 4788.98] is glorified and honored. +[4789.66 --> 4791.10] And every one of us, +[4791.52 --> 4792.36] whether you feel equipped +[4792.36 --> 4793.92] to be an evangelist or not, +[4794.34 --> 4795.92] are called to make Jesus known +[4795.92 --> 4796.82] with your words +[4796.82 --> 4798.78] and your deeds, +[4799.46 --> 4800.22] to give a reason +[4800.22 --> 4801.30] for the hope that you have +[4801.30 --> 4802.04] with your coworkers +[4802.04 --> 4802.90] and classmates +[4802.90 --> 4804.02] so that Jesus +[4804.02 --> 4805.10] would be made known +[4805.10 --> 4806.20] through you. +[4806.20 --> 4811.38] I'm going to make +[4811.38 --> 4813.14] three concluding reflections today. +[4813.52 --> 4813.88] That's right, +[4813.92 --> 4815.20] I'm not going for 45 minutes, +[4815.62 --> 4816.54] but I'm not done yet. +[4817.54 --> 4818.64] The first one +[4818.64 --> 4820.28] is so essential +[4820.28 --> 4820.94] for us to hear +[4820.94 --> 4822.06] no matter what stage +[4822.06 --> 4822.60] we are at +[4822.60 --> 4823.46] in our discipleship +[4823.46 --> 4823.88] with Jesus, +[4824.54 --> 4825.98] that your invitation +[4825.98 --> 4826.56] from Jesus +[4826.56 --> 4827.60] is not passive, +[4828.40 --> 4829.46] that we are not called +[4829.46 --> 4830.12] to sort of sit +[4830.12 --> 4830.92] in the back seat +[4830.92 --> 4832.12] and watch other people +[4832.12 --> 4833.72] do the ministry of Christ +[4833.72 --> 4834.70] without you. +[4835.38 --> 4836.88] Every one of us, +[4837.08 --> 4837.74] from the oldest +[4837.74 --> 4838.42] to the youngest, +[4838.70 --> 4840.10] from the most competent feeling +[4840.10 --> 4841.00] to the weakest feeling, +[4841.20 --> 4842.24] is invited to serve +[4842.24 --> 4842.92] with everything +[4842.92 --> 4843.66] we've been given +[4843.66 --> 4845.40] to make Jesus known. +[4846.08 --> 4848.04] There is no far back seat +[4848.04 --> 4848.94] where you just passively +[4848.94 --> 4849.64] watch Jesus +[4849.64 --> 4851.22] or watch other Christians +[4851.22 --> 4852.46] do the work of ministry. +[4852.66 --> 4853.36] It's for each +[4853.36 --> 4854.06] and every one of you +[4854.06 --> 4856.64] exactly where you already live, +[4857.26 --> 4859.02] exactly where you already work, +[4859.18 --> 4860.86] exactly where you already worship. +[4861.28 --> 4862.34] This is the place +[4862.34 --> 4864.24] where Jesus sends you out. +[4867.66 --> 4868.80] One of the commentators +[4868.80 --> 4869.52] on this passage +[4869.52 --> 4870.00] noticed +[4870.00 --> 4871.98] that as these disciples +[4871.98 --> 4872.70] worked out +[4872.70 --> 4873.34] in their own lives +[4873.34 --> 4874.30] how to follow Jesus, +[4874.84 --> 4876.46] they regularly found out +[4876.46 --> 4878.10] that the kingdom of God +[4878.10 --> 4879.08] had come to stay. +[4879.94 --> 4880.96] I want you to imagine +[4880.96 --> 4881.92] the fears +[4881.92 --> 4882.68] they might have had +[4882.68 --> 4883.72] as ordinary fishermen +[4883.72 --> 4884.58] going to preach, +[4884.70 --> 4885.64] going to cast out demons, +[4885.80 --> 4886.34] going to heal, +[4886.46 --> 4887.62] going to do all the stuff +[4887.62 --> 4889.14] that Jesus invited them to do, +[4889.18 --> 4890.24] all the fears they had, +[4890.46 --> 4891.48] and they would have found out +[4891.48 --> 4893.94] over and over and over again +[4893.94 --> 4895.64] that the kingdom of God +[4895.64 --> 4896.58] that they witnessed +[4896.58 --> 4897.64] in the life of Jesus +[4897.64 --> 4899.14] was showing up +[4899.14 --> 4900.08] in their lives. +[4901.52 --> 4902.62] Sometimes we can read +[4902.62 --> 4903.52] the gospel accounts +[4903.52 --> 4903.86] and think, +[4904.00 --> 4905.32] wow, Jesus did this healing. +[4905.44 --> 4906.26] He calmed the storm. +[4906.36 --> 4907.06] He raised his girl +[4907.06 --> 4907.58] from the dead. +[4907.80 --> 4908.94] And then when Jesus dies +[4908.94 --> 4909.46] and rises, +[4909.62 --> 4910.36] well, that's kind of +[4910.36 --> 4910.96] the end of it. +[4911.52 --> 4912.80] That is the opposite +[4912.80 --> 4914.56] of why Jesus came. +[4915.02 --> 4915.66] In his death, +[4915.74 --> 4916.80] he deals with sin. +[4916.94 --> 4917.90] He deals with Satan. +[4918.02 --> 4919.38] He deals with death itself. +[4919.38 --> 4920.70] And in his resurrection, +[4920.86 --> 4921.18] he says, +[4921.46 --> 4923.52] this kingdom is here to stay. +[4924.10 --> 4924.92] And the book of Acts +[4924.92 --> 4926.10] is a story that says +[4926.10 --> 4927.78] the life that Jesus had +[4927.78 --> 4929.70] poured out on the church +[4929.70 --> 4930.70] so that the church +[4930.70 --> 4932.30] can continue to do +[4932.30 --> 4934.02] what Jesus did. +[4934.40 --> 4935.60] And that includes you +[4935.60 --> 4937.06] and me here this morning. +[4938.82 --> 4939.38] Secondly, +[4939.94 --> 4941.84] you and I have +[4941.84 --> 4942.62] the authority +[4942.62 --> 4943.58] and the power. +[4944.42 --> 4945.64] I don't think we talk +[4945.64 --> 4946.52] enough about this. +[4947.02 --> 4947.62] That yes, +[4947.62 --> 4948.56] yes, we are weak. +[4948.98 --> 4949.98] Yes, we have sin. +[4950.10 --> 4951.44] Yes, we feel ill-equipped. +[4951.70 --> 4953.02] But the power of Jesus +[4953.02 --> 4954.66] is sufficient for you. +[4955.78 --> 4956.90] It is sufficient +[4956.90 --> 4958.30] for you in your workplace. +[4958.80 --> 4959.70] It's sufficient for you +[4959.70 --> 4960.22] in your school. +[4960.50 --> 4961.60] It is sufficient for you +[4961.60 --> 4962.50] to do the work +[4962.50 --> 4964.56] that Jesus sends you to do. +[4965.60 --> 4966.96] We've all heard this passage +[4966.96 --> 4967.92] in the book of Ephesians, +[4968.02 --> 4968.60] but it says that +[4968.60 --> 4969.36] the same power +[4969.36 --> 4970.54] that rose Jesus Christ +[4970.54 --> 4971.02] from the dead +[4971.02 --> 4972.40] is alive in +[4972.40 --> 4974.10] us +[4974.10 --> 4975.08] also. +[4975.08 --> 4976.94] the same spirit +[4976.94 --> 4978.38] is alive in us +[4978.38 --> 4978.84] and that means +[4978.84 --> 4979.82] new things are possible. +[4980.54 --> 4981.22] New opportunities +[4981.22 --> 4981.98] are available. +[4982.14 --> 4982.88] New transformation +[4982.88 --> 4984.78] is on tap +[4984.78 --> 4985.72] for us to experience. +[4986.96 --> 4987.66] And I want you to know +[4987.66 --> 4988.58] that there are +[4988.58 --> 4989.14] a few things +[4989.14 --> 4990.10] more satisfying +[4990.10 --> 4991.88] than stepping out +[4991.88 --> 4992.24] in faith, +[4992.34 --> 4993.14] whatever that looks like, +[4993.22 --> 4993.86] sharing your faith +[4993.86 --> 4994.62] with a classmate, +[4995.06 --> 4995.84] encouraging someone, +[4995.98 --> 4996.62] praying for someone +[4996.62 --> 4997.06] who's sick, +[4997.16 --> 4998.58] and seeing Jesus +[4998.58 --> 4999.30] do His work +[4999.30 --> 4999.84] through you. +[5000.66 --> 5001.34] I can say that +[5001.34 --> 5002.20] when I was a youth pastor +[5002.20 --> 5003.52] and I will say +[5003.52 --> 5004.20] that in youth ministry +[5004.20 --> 5004.90] there's a lot of +[5004.90 --> 5005.84] exciting nights +[5005.84 --> 5006.34] and there's a lot +[5006.34 --> 5007.06] of quiet nights +[5007.06 --> 5007.74] where you just don't know +[5007.74 --> 5008.70] if anyone's listening, +[5008.88 --> 5009.64] if anyone cares, +[5010.02 --> 5010.98] if the grade 12 students +[5010.98 --> 5012.10] really want to follow Jesus, +[5012.48 --> 5013.32] and then you'll find out +[5013.32 --> 5014.60] five, ten years later +[5014.60 --> 5015.64] that that conversation +[5015.64 --> 5016.60] changed their life. +[5017.38 --> 5018.16] Conversation that you thought +[5018.16 --> 5019.20] was just so ordinary +[5019.20 --> 5020.26] where you shared +[5020.26 --> 5021.40] about your own vulnerabilities, +[5021.66 --> 5022.50] your own story, +[5022.70 --> 5024.32] and Jesus in His grace +[5024.32 --> 5025.10] and His power +[5025.10 --> 5026.02] and His authority +[5026.02 --> 5027.42] uses you +[5027.42 --> 5029.56] to disciple that person, +[5029.70 --> 5030.58] uses you +[5030.58 --> 5031.56] to enable them +[5031.56 --> 5032.16] to see the goodness +[5032.16 --> 5032.60] of Jesus, +[5032.76 --> 5033.56] uses you +[5033.56 --> 5034.58] to help your co-worker +[5034.58 --> 5035.40] see there's a different +[5035.40 --> 5036.38] reason to live +[5036.38 --> 5037.92] than for themselves. +[5038.84 --> 5040.20] Can you imagine that +[5040.20 --> 5041.68] for your life +[5041.68 --> 5043.36] at the stage you're in +[5043.36 --> 5044.24] right now? +[5047.54 --> 5048.84] And if you feel inadequate, +[5049.56 --> 5050.46] so do the disciples. +[5050.90 --> 5051.18] In fact, +[5051.22 --> 5052.04] if you feel weak +[5052.04 --> 5052.68] and powerless +[5052.68 --> 5053.42] and like you don't have +[5053.42 --> 5054.42] a lot to offer Jesus, +[5054.76 --> 5056.04] you join the whole host +[5056.04 --> 5056.84] of church history +[5056.84 --> 5058.42] right back to the ones +[5058.42 --> 5059.68] He called on the mountainside. +[5059.68 --> 5060.98] I don't think anyone +[5060.98 --> 5062.40] steps into the ministry +[5062.40 --> 5062.84] of Jesus +[5062.84 --> 5063.44] and feels like, +[5063.82 --> 5064.52] I got this. +[5064.92 --> 5066.14] Everyone steps into it +[5066.14 --> 5066.36] saying, +[5066.70 --> 5066.86] me? +[5067.56 --> 5068.08] Me too? +[5068.44 --> 5069.38] You're calling me +[5069.38 --> 5070.24] into this ministry +[5070.24 --> 5071.48] of making Jesus known +[5071.48 --> 5072.52] and showing His love +[5072.52 --> 5073.56] through all the ways I live? +[5073.90 --> 5074.52] Yes, you. +[5075.24 --> 5075.68] And yes, +[5075.72 --> 5076.14] He'll meet you +[5076.14 --> 5076.64] in your weakness. +[5077.98 --> 5078.92] You are empowered. +[5079.60 --> 5080.52] You have His authority +[5080.52 --> 5081.84] and you are sent. +[5083.30 --> 5084.12] And here's where +[5084.12 --> 5084.74] I want to finish. +[5084.92 --> 5085.70] Maybe this is a strange +[5085.70 --> 5086.26] place to finish, +[5086.40 --> 5087.64] but this is what I think +[5087.64 --> 5088.60] needed to be shared, +[5088.60 --> 5089.90] especially with the students +[5089.90 --> 5090.80] here at Reactivate. +[5092.30 --> 5093.44] We are invited +[5093.44 --> 5095.10] to fail forward, +[5095.96 --> 5097.28] to make mistakes. +[5098.08 --> 5099.36] Jesus did not expect +[5099.36 --> 5100.34] all the twelve +[5100.34 --> 5101.40] to get everything right +[5101.40 --> 5101.94] the first time. +[5102.02 --> 5102.30] In fact, +[5102.80 --> 5103.64] this is not recorded +[5103.64 --> 5104.22] in the Gospels, +[5104.34 --> 5105.34] but there's a few times +[5105.34 --> 5107.02] where I imagine Jesus +[5107.02 --> 5108.18] just doing a face palm +[5108.18 --> 5109.50] because they are just so far. +[5109.86 --> 5111.08] Like one of those situations +[5111.08 --> 5111.98] in the Gospel of Luke +[5111.98 --> 5112.84] where they're not welcome +[5112.84 --> 5113.50] in a city +[5113.50 --> 5115.10] and the people +[5115.10 --> 5116.12] in the Samarian village +[5116.12 --> 5117.30] did not want Jesus to come +[5117.30 --> 5118.84] and the disciples say to Jesus, +[5118.96 --> 5119.86] I just love this story. +[5119.94 --> 5120.14] They say, +[5120.22 --> 5121.24] would you like us to pray +[5121.24 --> 5122.46] and call down fire +[5122.46 --> 5123.48] to destroy the city? +[5124.06 --> 5124.46] And Jesus is like, +[5124.52 --> 5124.74] no, +[5125.26 --> 5126.54] that is not what I want you to do. +[5126.84 --> 5127.70] You're not there yet. +[5127.76 --> 5128.42] And the disciples +[5128.42 --> 5129.32] had this ability +[5129.32 --> 5130.12] to fail forward. +[5130.22 --> 5130.78] They just kept +[5130.78 --> 5131.72] trying to figure it out. +[5131.96 --> 5132.92] They kept making mistakes. +[5133.04 --> 5134.36] Jesus' grace met them +[5134.36 --> 5135.66] in all of their failures +[5135.66 --> 5137.02] and slowly but surely +[5137.02 --> 5137.52] they learned +[5137.52 --> 5138.32] how to do what He did. +[5138.56 --> 5139.84] Always by His strength, +[5140.42 --> 5141.52] always by the Spirit, +[5141.90 --> 5142.40] they learned +[5142.40 --> 5143.00] how to do +[5143.00 --> 5144.26] what Jesus did. +[5144.26 --> 5146.72] I happen to believe +[5146.72 --> 5147.96] that even in this building +[5147.96 --> 5148.56] right now, +[5149.08 --> 5150.22] there is an unbelievable +[5150.22 --> 5151.22] number of gifts, +[5151.94 --> 5153.34] many of which +[5153.34 --> 5154.62] have not yet been tested +[5154.62 --> 5155.20] and tried, +[5155.94 --> 5156.86] many of which people +[5156.86 --> 5157.68] have sort of denied +[5157.68 --> 5158.42] or suppressed +[5158.42 --> 5159.22] that that's the way +[5159.22 --> 5160.82] Jesus calls them to serve. +[5161.52 --> 5162.74] And I think the invitation +[5162.74 --> 5164.94] from this passage +[5164.94 --> 5166.80] is to be willing +[5166.80 --> 5167.80] to take the risks, +[5168.78 --> 5169.84] try out the gifts +[5169.84 --> 5171.00] that your youth pastor +[5171.00 --> 5172.16] or friend or co-worker +[5172.16 --> 5173.14] said that you have +[5173.14 --> 5173.84] in your life +[5173.84 --> 5174.94] and allow Jesus +[5174.94 --> 5175.96] to do His thing +[5175.96 --> 5176.88] through you. +[5177.40 --> 5178.14] Make mistakes. +[5178.36 --> 5179.16] I know this church +[5179.16 --> 5179.58] well enough +[5179.58 --> 5180.64] and I know so many churches +[5180.64 --> 5181.16] well enough to know +[5181.16 --> 5182.52] that they are safe places +[5182.52 --> 5183.16] to fail +[5183.16 --> 5184.22] and you will be loved +[5184.22 --> 5185.16] if you have been trying +[5185.16 --> 5185.92] to serve Jesus +[5185.92 --> 5186.70] with the gifts +[5186.70 --> 5187.84] you think He's been giving you. +[5189.10 --> 5189.94] When's the last time +[5189.94 --> 5190.48] you did that? +[5191.76 --> 5192.46] When's the last time +[5192.46 --> 5193.56] you took that small +[5193.56 --> 5194.92] baby step of saying, +[5195.10 --> 5195.84] I'm going to pray +[5195.84 --> 5196.60] for this person. +[5197.36 --> 5198.38] I'm going to give +[5198.38 --> 5199.20] where there is need. +[5199.32 --> 5200.30] I'm going to get involved +[5200.30 --> 5201.36] in this messy situation. +[5201.66 --> 5202.56] I'm going to show up +[5202.56 --> 5203.06] for the meeting +[5203.06 --> 5204.16] and reconcile with someone +[5204.16 --> 5205.52] so that Jesus can do +[5205.52 --> 5206.34] His work through me. +[5206.42 --> 5206.98] I'm going to take +[5206.98 --> 5208.20] that baby step forward +[5208.20 --> 5209.66] and see what happens +[5209.66 --> 5211.02] when the Spirit +[5211.02 --> 5211.74] of the living God +[5211.74 --> 5213.00] shows up with us. +[5213.72 --> 5214.30] Whether that be +[5214.30 --> 5216.88] befriending a disabled classmate, +[5217.52 --> 5218.18] getting involved +[5218.18 --> 5219.16] in refugee sponsorship +[5219.16 --> 5220.46] when it's no longer popular, +[5221.16 --> 5222.04] learning how to use +[5222.04 --> 5222.66] your resources +[5222.66 --> 5223.90] and give radically, +[5224.58 --> 5225.60] intercessory prayer +[5225.60 --> 5226.86] that feels so strange, +[5227.34 --> 5228.82] hospitality that feels difficult +[5228.82 --> 5229.62] when you're introverted, +[5229.84 --> 5232.70] and so many more things. +[5233.06 --> 5235.46] you are invited +[5235.46 --> 5236.32] to try, +[5236.62 --> 5238.02] to experiment, +[5238.58 --> 5239.66] and to fail forward. +[5239.80 --> 5240.72] Curtis used that language +[5240.72 --> 5241.60] wherever Curtis is. +[5241.86 --> 5242.64] Curtis Malif does it. +[5242.74 --> 5243.94] Talked with the leadership team +[5243.94 --> 5244.56] of Reactivate, +[5244.66 --> 5245.32] failing forward, +[5245.42 --> 5246.20] learning as they go, +[5246.24 --> 5247.22] and I like that language. +[5248.32 --> 5249.32] And I want to share with you +[5249.32 --> 5250.48] a very specific story +[5250.48 --> 5250.98] about this +[5250.98 --> 5251.98] that will be with me +[5251.98 --> 5252.70] for many years. +[5253.58 --> 5254.36] It's a story about someone +[5254.36 --> 5255.08] who prayed for me. +[5255.86 --> 5256.92] When I was at Regent, +[5257.28 --> 5259.04] three years in or so, +[5259.66 --> 5260.42] I was in a season +[5260.42 --> 5261.56] where I was feeling overwhelmed +[5261.56 --> 5263.28] by the work I was doing +[5263.28 --> 5263.98] as a youth pastor +[5263.98 --> 5264.94] as well as studying +[5264.94 --> 5265.62] as well as having +[5265.62 --> 5266.68] two very young kids +[5266.68 --> 5267.52] and sleeplessness. +[5267.96 --> 5268.66] And there's a season +[5268.66 --> 5269.26] where I felt like +[5269.26 --> 5269.98] I wasn't praying +[5269.98 --> 5270.58] and I was sort of +[5270.58 --> 5271.58] leading out of an emptiness. +[5272.20 --> 5273.20] And in that season, +[5273.20 --> 5274.50] there was a class at Regent +[5274.50 --> 5275.50] that required me +[5275.50 --> 5276.66] to go on a prayer retreat. +[5276.86 --> 5277.46] And I remember saying +[5277.46 --> 5277.90] to my wife, +[5278.02 --> 5278.98] I don't have time +[5278.98 --> 5280.52] to go on a prayer retreat. +[5280.62 --> 5280.94] And she's like, +[5280.98 --> 5281.50] that doesn't sound +[5281.50 --> 5282.40] like what pastors say. +[5283.22 --> 5284.14] So I go on this +[5284.14 --> 5285.18] mandatory prayer retreat +[5285.18 --> 5286.18] and I'm going on empty. +[5286.32 --> 5287.12] It's in Bellingham +[5287.12 --> 5287.94] and they start +[5287.94 --> 5288.66] on a Friday night. +[5288.74 --> 5289.80] There's a worship service. +[5290.34 --> 5291.06] Service finishes +[5291.06 --> 5291.80] and afterwards, +[5292.00 --> 5293.22] the leader of the conference says, +[5293.38 --> 5294.38] if anyone wants +[5294.38 --> 5295.30] to stick around later +[5295.30 --> 5296.16] and receive prayer, +[5296.40 --> 5297.00] there's a number +[5297.00 --> 5298.30] of intercessory prayers +[5298.30 --> 5298.98] who would love +[5298.98 --> 5299.68] to pray for you. +[5300.08 --> 5300.46] I'm like, +[5300.50 --> 5300.98] you know what? +[5301.46 --> 5302.26] I'll do that. +[5302.44 --> 5303.08] I need prayer. +[5303.24 --> 5304.24] I'm not in a good place. +[5304.64 --> 5305.48] So I stick around +[5305.48 --> 5306.48] and there's a young guy, +[5306.62 --> 5307.92] probably in his early 30s. +[5308.34 --> 5309.14] He comes over to me. +[5309.20 --> 5309.94] I've never met him. +[5310.48 --> 5310.86] And he says, +[5310.92 --> 5311.74] can I pray for you? +[5312.06 --> 5312.68] I said, sure. +[5312.86 --> 5313.58] That's why I'm here. +[5314.08 --> 5314.58] And he says, +[5314.62 --> 5315.40] can I put my hand +[5315.40 --> 5315.94] on your chest? +[5315.94 --> 5316.18] I'm like, +[5316.24 --> 5317.24] what is going on here? +[5318.12 --> 5319.12] That's what I remember the most. +[5319.16 --> 5319.72] He puts his hand +[5319.72 --> 5320.28] on my chest +[5320.28 --> 5322.02] and for like five minutes, +[5322.14 --> 5322.64] let's say, +[5322.86 --> 5323.64] he prays. +[5323.66 --> 5324.08] And I don't know +[5324.08 --> 5324.44] what he's praying. +[5324.48 --> 5325.02] He's kind of praying +[5325.02 --> 5326.38] in his own heart, +[5326.64 --> 5327.46] just kind of murmuring. +[5328.16 --> 5329.00] And after five minutes, +[5329.00 --> 5329.38] he says, +[5329.46 --> 5330.20] can I share with you +[5330.20 --> 5330.64] what I think +[5330.64 --> 5331.62] the Spirit is saying? +[5332.20 --> 5332.96] I'm like, yeah. +[5333.86 --> 5335.34] And he starts to share things +[5335.34 --> 5336.24] that there's absolutely +[5336.24 --> 5337.84] no way he could know +[5337.84 --> 5339.24] unless the Spirit +[5339.24 --> 5340.12] was speaking through him. +[5340.22 --> 5341.18] And I did not grow up +[5341.18 --> 5342.10] in a charismatic tradition +[5342.10 --> 5342.98] where people did this, +[5343.26 --> 5344.92] but I took a steep learning curve +[5344.92 --> 5345.60] right there and then +[5345.60 --> 5345.94] where I'm like, +[5346.00 --> 5347.62] this guy knows my life. +[5347.70 --> 5348.64] He knows how I feel. +[5348.90 --> 5350.24] And he's speaking things +[5350.24 --> 5351.28] that I feel like Jesus +[5351.28 --> 5352.94] is saying directly to me +[5352.94 --> 5353.52] through him. +[5354.84 --> 5355.58] Now, there's a lot +[5355.58 --> 5356.26] of beautiful things +[5356.26 --> 5357.30] that came out of my life +[5357.30 --> 5357.80] through that, +[5357.90 --> 5359.54] but what I want to do, +[5360.10 --> 5361.16] if I could go back +[5361.16 --> 5361.94] and talk with him, +[5362.00 --> 5362.76] I'd want him to ask +[5362.76 --> 5363.54] the question to him, +[5363.96 --> 5365.34] how did you learn? +[5366.48 --> 5368.06] And I am almost certain +[5368.06 --> 5369.74] that at a young age, +[5369.78 --> 5370.64] he probably had moments +[5370.64 --> 5371.42] where he's praying +[5371.42 --> 5372.08] and he had images +[5372.08 --> 5372.62] in his head. +[5372.62 --> 5372.86] He's like, +[5372.90 --> 5373.64] well, that's weird. +[5374.32 --> 5375.30] Or he had times +[5375.30 --> 5375.64] where he's like, +[5375.70 --> 5376.56] I feel like I have +[5376.56 --> 5377.70] this voice saying something +[5377.70 --> 5378.34] that's not really +[5378.34 --> 5379.04] my own voice. +[5379.30 --> 5380.02] And he probably had +[5380.02 --> 5381.08] many situations +[5381.08 --> 5382.36] where he tried sharing +[5382.36 --> 5383.82] and it wasn't the right time. +[5384.00 --> 5384.96] Or where he tried +[5384.96 --> 5385.64] to pray for someone +[5385.64 --> 5386.40] and it felt awkward, +[5386.52 --> 5388.06] but slowly and surely, +[5388.80 --> 5389.98] he discovered the gift +[5389.98 --> 5391.04] that God gave him +[5391.04 --> 5392.78] was intercessory prayer. +[5393.64 --> 5394.82] And by God's grace, +[5394.90 --> 5396.38] he stepped bit by bit +[5396.38 --> 5397.32] into the place where, +[5397.60 --> 5398.42] like me and I'm sure +[5398.42 --> 5399.24] many other people, +[5399.56 --> 5400.66] he used his gift +[5400.66 --> 5401.86] and he blessed. +[5403.88 --> 5404.90] What's that for you? +[5406.98 --> 5407.92] What's the opportunity +[5407.92 --> 5409.46] right in front of you +[5409.46 --> 5410.30] that God has already +[5410.30 --> 5410.90] given you, +[5411.34 --> 5412.30] where you take the baby +[5412.30 --> 5413.60] steps of faithfulness +[5413.60 --> 5414.80] and in so doing, +[5414.90 --> 5415.68] you will discover +[5415.68 --> 5417.80] the power and the authority +[5417.80 --> 5419.20] of Jesus working in +[5419.20 --> 5420.72] and through you +[5420.72 --> 5421.98] to bring blessing? +[5425.52 --> 5426.58] Discipleship is not +[5426.58 --> 5428.64] passive observance, +[5428.80 --> 5429.88] although it includes that. +[5429.88 --> 5431.30] It's not just watching +[5431.30 --> 5432.66] Jesus or even other +[5432.66 --> 5433.98] Christians do what they do, +[5434.02 --> 5434.76] it's being invited +[5434.76 --> 5437.64] and sent by Jesus himself. +[5437.80 --> 5438.14] And church, +[5438.22 --> 5438.96] let me say it as clear +[5438.96 --> 5439.50] as I can, +[5439.98 --> 5441.24] his grace is sufficient. +[5442.16 --> 5443.64] His authority is real +[5443.64 --> 5444.80] because the death +[5444.80 --> 5445.48] and resurrection +[5445.48 --> 5446.64] sealed forever, +[5447.14 --> 5447.90] the presence +[5447.90 --> 5449.40] of the kingdom of God +[5449.40 --> 5450.78] that is yours to receive +[5450.78 --> 5452.20] and yours to share. +[5453.00 --> 5453.30] Amen? +[5453.30 --> 5455.64] Let me pray for us. +[5455.64 --> 5461.36] Father, we thank you +[5461.36 --> 5463.32] that you have invited us +[5463.32 --> 5464.48] to be followers +[5464.48 --> 5465.40] of your son Jesus. +[5466.38 --> 5467.44] And we praise you +[5467.44 --> 5468.14] that the invitation +[5468.14 --> 5468.98] to follow you +[5468.98 --> 5470.60] has landed in our hearts, +[5470.78 --> 5471.56] in our minds, +[5471.66 --> 5472.46] in our community. +[5473.22 --> 5474.06] I praise you +[5474.06 --> 5475.54] that as young and old, +[5476.08 --> 5477.68] we know who Jesus is +[5477.68 --> 5479.00] and that his grace +[5479.00 --> 5479.74] has met us +[5479.74 --> 5481.12] in all of our brokenness. +[5481.12 --> 5483.18] And we praise you further +[5483.18 --> 5484.64] that you say, +[5485.04 --> 5486.94] go and make disciples. +[5488.38 --> 5489.86] We pray that you'd meet us +[5489.86 --> 5490.64] in our fears, +[5491.36 --> 5492.92] that your spirit +[5492.92 --> 5494.04] would minister to us +[5494.04 --> 5494.80] in our weaknesses, +[5495.32 --> 5496.42] and even more than that, +[5496.46 --> 5497.64] that you would use us +[5497.64 --> 5498.50] in our weaknesses +[5498.50 --> 5499.36] to demonstrate +[5499.36 --> 5500.30] the power +[5500.30 --> 5501.42] and the love +[5501.42 --> 5502.24] of Jesus. +[5503.46 --> 5504.58] I ask boldly +[5504.58 --> 5505.66] that even this week, +[5506.16 --> 5507.32] there would be moments +[5507.32 --> 5507.90] and opportunities +[5507.90 --> 5508.70] for us to take +[5508.70 --> 5509.62] the baby steps +[5509.62 --> 5511.50] and that in so doing, +[5511.62 --> 5512.06] we would see +[5512.06 --> 5513.00] the power of the gospel +[5513.00 --> 5513.98] at work in +[5513.98 --> 5515.24] and through us. +[5516.20 --> 5517.44] And whatever opportunities +[5517.44 --> 5518.32] there are, Lord, +[5518.98 --> 5520.20] we pray that we would not +[5520.20 --> 5521.14] steal your glory, +[5521.64 --> 5522.28] but that we give +[5522.28 --> 5523.22] all the praise, +[5523.62 --> 5524.50] all the honor, +[5525.14 --> 5526.18] all the worship +[5526.18 --> 5527.02] to your son, +[5527.16 --> 5527.88] Jesus Christ, +[5528.00 --> 5528.52] our Lord, +[5528.62 --> 5529.24] and our Savior. +[5529.80 --> 5530.86] In his name we pray. +[5531.32 --> 5531.64] Amen. +[5532.40 --> 5533.32] Would you stand +[5533.32 --> 5533.98] and sing with me +[5533.98 --> 5534.88] a song of response? +[5539.62 --> 5547.68] What gift of grace +[5547.68 --> 5550.62] is Jesus my redeemed? +[5551.88 --> 5554.12] There is no more +[5554.12 --> 5557.20] for heaven now to be. +[5557.20 --> 5560.58] He is my joy, +[5561.12 --> 5562.34] my righteousness, +[5563.00 --> 5563.94] and peace. +[5563.94 --> 5567.06] My steadfast love, +[5567.70 --> 5570.82] my deep and honest peace. +[5571.76 --> 5573.70] To this I hold, +[5574.16 --> 5577.30] my hope is only Jesus. +[5578.70 --> 5583.48] For my life is holy now to you. +[5584.94 --> 5588.00] Oh, how strange and divine +[5588.00 --> 5591.92] I can see all is mine +[5591.92 --> 5595.58] and all I've come through Christ. +[5595.58 --> 5609.94] The night is dark, +[5609.94 --> 5613.16] but I am not the same. +[5614.34 --> 5616.58] Oh, by my side, +[5617.08 --> 5617.98] the Savior, +[5618.34 --> 5619.98] He will stay. +[5621.12 --> 5623.22] I labor all +[5623.22 --> 5624.54] in weakness +[5624.54 --> 5626.50] and be chosen. +[5627.70 --> 5629.58] Oh, in my name +[5629.58 --> 5632.88] His power is displayed. +[5634.54 --> 5636.30] This I hold, +[5636.72 --> 5637.66] my shepherd, +[5638.02 --> 5640.40] will defend me. +[5641.08 --> 5644.30] Through the deepest valley +[5644.30 --> 5645.84] He will live. +[5647.46 --> 5650.78] Oh, the night has been won +[5650.78 --> 5653.70] and I shall overcome +[5653.70 --> 5655.80] yet not I +[5655.80 --> 5658.50] through cause of me. +[5664.10 --> 5665.74] Oh, faith I tread, +[5666.10 --> 5669.04] I know I am forgiven. +[5670.16 --> 5672.18] The future's sure, +[5672.90 --> 5676.00] the price it has been paid. +[5676.00 --> 5678.92] Oh, Jesus paid +[5678.92 --> 5682.36] and suffered for my heart +[5682.36 --> 5685.70] and He was raised +[5685.70 --> 5689.22] to overthrow the land. +[5689.22 --> 5692.14] To this I hold, +[5692.14 --> 5695.64] my sin has been defeated. +[5696.96 --> 5700.44] Jesus now and ever +[5700.44 --> 5702.42] is my name. +[5703.48 --> 5705.14] Oh, the chains +[5705.14 --> 5706.14] I believe +[5706.14 --> 5708.28] I can see +[5708.28 --> 5709.88] I am free +[5709.88 --> 5711.54] in love +[5711.54 --> 5713.90] through Christ. +[5713.90 --> 5730.76] Amen. +[5730.76 --> 5731.82] Let's return the glory +[5731.82 --> 5732.38] and pay +[5732.38 --> 5734.82] for He has saved +[5734.82 --> 5738.44] That He will bring me home +[5738.44 --> 5744.38] In day by day I know He will return +[5744.38 --> 5751.74] Until I stay with joy before the Lord +[5751.74 --> 5758.82] To this I long, my hope is only Jesus +[5758.82 --> 5764.56] For the glory of an old to Him +[5764.56 --> 5770.80] If the rest is confessed in my days +[5770.80 --> 5775.98] I'll repeat it, no, I've been through Christ +[5775.98 --> 5782.98] In me, no, I've been through Christ +[5794.56 --> 5798.44] It is a gift to receive God's blessing +[5798.44 --> 5799.90] We started our service with it +[5799.90 --> 5802.00] Our children were able to give that blessing +[5802.00 --> 5803.10] And at the end of the service +[5803.10 --> 5805.40] I invite you to hold out your hands +[5805.40 --> 5808.18] And to receive the oldest blessing in the Bible +[5808.18 --> 5810.24] This is called the Aaronic Blessing +[5810.24 --> 5813.76] The Lord bless you and keep you +[5813.76 --> 5817.64] The Lord make His face shine upon you +[5817.64 --> 5819.22] And be gracious to you +[5819.22 --> 5822.52] The Lord turn His face towards you +[5822.52 --> 5825.06] And give you His peace +[5825.06 --> 5827.90] And the church together says, Amen +[5827.90 --> 5828.16] Amen +[5828.16 --> 5833.14] We're going to close in one final song +[5833.14 --> 5836.44] That reflects pillars of our faith +[5836.44 --> 5838.88] Through creeds sung through generations +[5838.88 --> 5839.76] Let's sing together +[5839.76 --> 5859.14] Let's sing together +[5859.14 --> 5863.06] Let's sing together +[5863.06 --> 5863.72] I believe there is one salvation +[5863.72 --> 5867.20] One doorway that leads to life +[5867.20 --> 5875.80] One redemption, one confession, I believe in the name of Jesus Christ. +[5881.50 --> 5888.80] I believe in the crucifixion, by His blood I have been set free. +[5888.80 --> 5897.04] I believe in the resurrection, hallelujah, His love is destined for me. +[5897.86 --> 5899.00] Sing, I'll pray. +[5900.14 --> 5903.46] Oh, praise to God the Father. +[5903.82 --> 5907.06] Oh, praise to Christ the Son. +[5907.74 --> 5910.68] Oh, praise to the Holy Spirit. +[5910.68 --> 5913.96] Our God has overcome. +[5915.06 --> 5920.68] The King who was and is and evermore will be. +[5921.28 --> 5926.08] In Jesus' mighty name, I believe. +[5927.20 --> 5932.96] I believe, I believe. +[5938.86 --> 5946.78] Do I believe that the hope of heaven is preparing a place for me? +[5946.78 --> 5948.44] I love you all. +[5949.12 --> 5950.46] Lots of magic. +[5950.90 --> 5953.86] He's a flower who eyes have seen. +[5954.34 --> 5957.54] I believe that a day is coming. +[5957.54 --> 5960.54] He's returning to claim His bride. +[5961.54 --> 5962.98] Light the altar. +[5963.58 --> 5964.76] Keep it burning. +[5965.34 --> 5967.44] See the Lamb of Rose. +[5967.44 --> 5970.78] He's returning to the Holy Spirit. +[5970.78 --> 5972.20] He's returning to the Holy Spirit. +[5972.20 --> 5973.02] He's returning to the Holy Spirit. +[5973.02 --> 5975.60] Oh, praise to God the Father. +[5975.60 --> 5979.30] Oh, praise to Christ the Son. +[5979.30 --> 5982.82] Oh, praise to the Holy Spirit. +[5983.48 --> 5985.92] As our God has overcome. +[5987.02 --> 5998.04] The King who was and is and evermore will be in Jesus' mighty name, I believe. +[5998.04 --> 6005.22] We are not ashamed +[6005.22 --> 6012.50] I know I'll never be ashamed +[6012.50 --> 6015.98] Of the gospel of Jesus Christ +[6015.98 --> 6019.66] Could I ever walk away +[6019.66 --> 6023.30] The one who has saved my life +[6023.30 --> 6026.98] I know I'll never be ashamed +[6026.98 --> 6030.50] Of the gospel of Jesus Christ +[6030.50 --> 6034.20] Could I ever walk away +[6034.20 --> 6038.90] The one who has saved my life +[6038.90 --> 6041.34] I know I'll never be ashamed +[6041.34 --> 6045.38] Of the gospel of Jesus Christ +[6045.38 --> 6048.72] Could I ever walk away +[6048.72 --> 6053.98] The one who has saved my life +[6053.98 --> 6058.62] Oh praise to God the Father +[6058.62 --> 6062.30] Oh praise to Christ the Son +[6062.30 --> 6065.90] Oh praise to the Holy Spirit +[6065.90 --> 6069.44] Because our God has overcome +[6069.44 --> 6072.96] The King who was in His +[6072.96 --> 6075.90] Evermore will be +[6075.90 --> 6079.28] In Jesus mighty name +[6079.28 --> 6081.34] I believe +[6081.34 --> 6086.64] In Jesus mighty name +[6086.64 --> 6088.28] I believe +[6088.28 --> 6093.20] Amen +[6093.20 --> 6094.16] You can be seated +[6094.16 --> 6101.96] All right +[6101.96 --> 6103.96] Reactivate 2025 +[6103.96 --> 6108.30] This concludes our weekend +[6108.30 --> 6113.66] We can all exhale +[6113.66 --> 6115.70] We can sleep on the bus +[6115.70 --> 6117.40] We can sleep in the cars +[6117.40 --> 6118.62] You can rest +[6118.62 --> 6120.20] We thank you all so much +[6120.20 --> 6121.14] For coming on out +[6121.14 --> 6122.18] Reactivate why don't you give yourselves +[6122.18 --> 6123.04] Just a round of applause +[6123.04 --> 6123.60] For coming on out +[6123.60 --> 6130.30] Just a couple notes +[6130.30 --> 6131.88] As we wrap it up here +[6131.88 --> 6134.14] Make sure to bring home +[6134.14 --> 6135.14] All of your stuff +[6135.14 --> 6137.20] Please don't leave it here +[6137.20 --> 6138.76] Otherwise the Mission Thrift Store +[6138.76 --> 6140.28] Is going to get a large donation +[6140.28 --> 6140.94] This week +[6140.94 --> 6143.00] So please take your things home +[6143.00 --> 6144.72] Emmanuel Youth +[6144.72 --> 6145.84] Good news +[6145.84 --> 6147.44] You're the host church +[6147.44 --> 6149.06] If you're an Emmanuel Youth +[6149.06 --> 6150.88] You're going to join me +[6150.88 --> 6151.80] In the back field +[6151.80 --> 6152.90] We're going to do a quick walk +[6152.90 --> 6154.02] And grab all the garbage +[6154.02 --> 6155.26] If you're a youth +[6155.26 --> 6156.24] From another church +[6156.24 --> 6157.74] And want to join us +[6157.74 --> 6158.72] Please do +[6158.72 --> 6159.34] You're welcome to +[6159.34 --> 6159.86] But Emmanuel Youth +[6159.86 --> 6160.78] That's what we're going to be up to +[6160.78 --> 6161.02] Okay +[6161.02 --> 6161.72] Youth and leaders +[6161.72 --> 6162.38] We're going to head to the back +[6162.38 --> 6162.90] And do that +[6162.90 --> 6166.02] Make sure to say thank you +[6166.02 --> 6166.78] To the leaders +[6166.78 --> 6167.96] That you've got +[6167.96 --> 6169.44] Youth when you disappear +[6169.44 --> 6170.08] If you're going home +[6170.08 --> 6170.96] With your parents today +[6170.96 --> 6172.48] Please check in +[6172.48 --> 6174.10] With your youth pastor +[6174.10 --> 6174.72] Your youth leader +[6174.72 --> 6175.26] Whoever's here +[6175.26 --> 6176.34] Make sure that they know +[6176.34 --> 6177.40] That you are leaving +[6177.40 --> 6178.54] The premise +[6178.54 --> 6179.56] That is it +[6179.56 --> 6181.66] For our closing details +[6181.66 --> 6183.10] Here for Reactivate +[6183.10 --> 6185.20] This concludes Reactivate 2025 +[6185.20 --> 6187.56] But we have already begun +[6187.56 --> 6189.94] Planning for Reactivate 2026 +[6189.94 --> 6191.42] And we are planning +[6191.42 --> 6194.46] This is the last Reactivate +[6194.46 --> 6195.52] Happening in Langley +[6195.52 --> 6198.04] We are planning on having +[6198.04 --> 6203.46] Next year Reactivate +[6203.46 --> 6204.64] Will not be happening in Langley +[6204.64 --> 6207.46] We are planning on having +[6207.46 --> 6208.80] Reactivate 2026 +[6208.80 --> 6210.20] In Salmon Arm, BC +[6210.20 --> 6216.36] We hope to see you there next year +[6216.36 --> 6217.34] Go now in peace +[6217.34 --> 6218.24] To follow Jesus +[6218.24 --> 6238.98] I can't count the times I've called you names +[6239.02 --> 6239.94] What's next? +[6239.94 --> 6241.98] Thank you for growing up +[6241.98 --> 6243.52] For everything that you're leaving +[6243.52 --> 6244.62] Are you there now? +[6244.62 --> 6245.38] Thank you very much +[6245.38 --> 6245.48] 赤 +[6245.48 --> 6246.56] struggling +[6246.62 --> 6248.06] Terima +[6248.06 --> 6248.96] Do you think I'm sure you didn't +[6248.96 --> 6250.92] get me +[6250.92 --> 6251.74] You know +[6251.74 --> 6251.94] We should get back +[6251.94 --> 6253.04] You better +[6253.04 --> 6253.74] Think it +[6253.86 --> 6254.06] example +[6254.08 --> 6254.72] стро +[6254.72 --> 6254.88] timbers +[6254.88 --> 6255.66] Suretric +[6255.66 --> 6255.72] ja +[6255.90 --> 6258.34] nach +[6258.34 --> 6258.74] Esaaaa +[6258.74 --> 6260.30] Port +[6260.30 --> 6260.88] marpsilon +[6260.88 --> 6261.72] mad vrij +[6261.72 --> 6262.74] Tod +[6262.74 --> 6263.80] Do you like +[6263.80 --> 6264.72] but +[6264.72 --> 6265.34] Think it +[6265.34 --> 6265.80] Look +[6265.80 --> 6266.44] There +[6266.44 --> 6266.68] Please +[6266.68 --> 6267.90] hous +[6267.90 --> 6275.14] Cause I know where I'd be without your mercy +[6275.14 --> 6280.62] So I keep praising your name at the top of my lungs +[6280.62 --> 6284.86] Tell me, is he good? He's good +[6284.86 --> 6287.98] Tell me, is he God? He's God +[6287.98 --> 6292.42] He is good God Almighty +[6292.42 --> 6296.84] You say your love goes on forever +[6296.84 --> 6300.04] That your mercy never stops +[6300.04 --> 6304.26] So why would I assume you'll be somebody +[6304.26 --> 6307.60] That you're not like sun in the morning +[6307.60 --> 6311.66] I know you're gonna be there every day +[6311.66 --> 6316.24] So what wonder could make me be afraid? +[6317.24 --> 6319.42] Good God Almighty +[6319.42 --> 6323.14] I hope you'll find me +[6323.14 --> 6328.42] Praising your name no matter what comes +[6328.42 --> 6334.30] Cause I know where I'd be without your mercy +[6334.30 --> 6339.86] So I keep praising your name at the top of my lungs +[6339.86 --> 6344.08] Tell me, is he good? He's good +[6344.08 --> 6347.24] Tell me, is he God? He's God +[6347.24 --> 6351.74] He is good God Almighty +[6351.74 --> 6357.04] Praise him in the morning, praise him in the noontime +[6357.04 --> 6359.14] Praise him when the sun goes down +[6359.14 --> 6362.94] Love him in the morning, love him in the noontime +[6362.94 --> 6364.90] Love him when the sun goes down +[6364.90 --> 6366.92] Good God Almighty, good God Almighty +[6366.92 --> 6368.62] I hope you'll find me +[6368.62 --> 6369.62] I hope you'll find me +[6369.62 --> 6370.62] I hope you'll find me +[6370.62 --> 6371.74] I hope you'll find me +[6371.74 --> 6374.78] Praising your name no matter what comes +[6374.78 --> 6375.80] Praise him in the morning, praise him in the noontime +[6375.80 --> 6376.36] Praise him in the morning, praise him in the noontime +[6376.36 --> 6380.84] Cause I know where I'd be without your mercy +[6380.84 --> 6386.36] Oh, so I keep praising your name at the top of my lungs +[6386.36 --> 6390.12] Tell me is he good +[6390.12 --> 6393.14] Tell me is he God +[6393.14 --> 6399.14] He is good God Almighty +[6399.14 --> 6402.78] Jesus in the morning +[6402.78 --> 6404.46] Jesus in the noontime +[6404.46 --> 6406.58] Jesus when the sun goes down +[6406.58 --> 6408.72] Jesus in the morning +[6408.72 --> 6410.34] Jesus in the noontime +[6410.34 --> 6412.54] Jesus when the sun goes down +[6412.54 --> 6422.54] Jesus in the morning +[6442.54 --> 6472.52] Jesus in the morning +[6472.54 --> 6502.52] Jesus in the morning +[6502.54 --> 6532.52] Jesus in the morning +[6532.54 --> 6534.54] Jesus in the morning +[6562.54 --> 6564.54] Jesus in the morning +[6564.54 --> 6566.54] Jesus in the morning +[6566.54 --> 6568.34] Jesus in the morning +[6568.34 --> 6570.48] Jesus in the morning +[6570.48 --> 6572.04] Jesus in the morning +[6572.04 --> 6572.54] Yu plates +[6572.54 --> 6574.54] Jesus in the morning +[6574.54 --> 6575.60] Jesus in the morning +[6575.60 --> 6577.54] Jesus in the morning +[6577.54 --> 6579.54] Jesus in the morning +[6579.54 --> 6609.52] Thank you. +[6609.54 --> 6639.52] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b6c6a13dc67381c1ffb5c92e08a618bafd53f9aa --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,121 @@ +• Reading from The King by Tanner Olson +• Storytelling about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, his miracles and healings +• Reflection on Jesus as the king who brings hope and salvation +• Worship through music, specifically singing "The Lion and the Lamb" +• The worship service features a repetition of Bible verses and hymns about Jesus Christ, including references to His resurrection and power +• A deacon introduces the morning's offering for the Langley Food Bank, a non-profit organization supported by local churches and businesses +• Various individuals lead in singing and praying, with some comments on the significance of Jesus' resurrection and its impact on the lives of believers +• The pastor invites children to participate in children's worship time and briefly discusses Palm Sunday and Good Friday before moving on to the main service +• Introduction to congregational family prayer on Palm Sunday +• Prayer for council nomination process and consideration of members' gifts and talents +• Thanks for successful knee replacement surgery and recovery +• Prayers for members struggling with mental health challenges, seeking comfort and healing +• Updates on Tessa's recovery and Doug and Tanya's cancer treatment +• Requests for courage for those struggling with private addictions to seek help +• Comfort and encouragement for those experiencing pain of loss due to death of loved ones +• Introduction to the Palm Sunday text in the gospel accounts +• Text from Luke 19:37-40 and Psalm 118 discussed +• Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because its people did not recognize him as the Messiah +• The "triumphal entry" story, where Jesus enters Jerusalem with crowds proclaiming him king +• The importance of recognizing Jesus' true identity and kingship +• Comparison between Matthew and Mark's accounts of this event, highlighting the emphasis on Jesus being a king from David's line +• The phrase "not Caesar, but our guy" is discussed in the context of the Roman Empire and Jesus' potential to gather armies against it. +• The Pharisees are aware of the implications of this language and try to silence Jesus, fearing he will upset the status quo with Rome. +• A story from 1 Kings 1 about King David's transition of power to his son Solomon is referenced, highlighting the importance of anointing a leader and their acceptance by the people. +• The concept of a "man after God's own heart" is discussed in relation to King David, who was promised an everlasting kingdom but also had the sword associated with him. +• The quote "those who live by the sword will die by the sword" comes from the story of David +• Solomon had over 700 wives and 300 concubines, leading to his worship of foreign gods including Ashtoreth (fertility goddess) and Molech (associated with child sacrifice) +• Despite this, Solomon is also known for his humility and wisdom, particularly in asking God for godly wisdom when given the opportunity +• The people celebrated Solomon's coronation in 1 Kings 1, with loud cheers, trumpets, and pipes +• The Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint) translates 1 Kings 1 verse 40 as "the ground broke forth with its voice", emphasizing the massive celebration +• Solomon's story is seen as a mix of good and bad qualities, with both wisdom and idolatry present in his life +• Jesus' kingdom is characterized by humility and wisdom, rather than power and violence +• The Triumphal Entry in the Bible is an "ah-triumphal" entry because it reveals a different kind of king +• Many people did not understand or recognize Jesus as he came to Jerusalem +• Some groups, such as the Pharisees, were particularly resistant to understanding who Jesus was +• In modern times, many people think they know who Jesus is, but may not truly understand him +• A study on religious identity in Canada found that 24% of Canadians attended religious services once a month +• Decline in religious service attendance and Bible reading among Christians +• Statistics on Christian identification and worship habits +• Jesus as a figure who will be worshipped despite lack of knowledge about him +• A phrase from Jesus (Luke 19:40) where he says stones and ground will cry out if people are silent +• Call to action for listeners to fulfill their purpose in worshipping God +• The distinction between knowing about Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him +• Knowing facts about Jesus but not experiencing His presence or joy +• The importance of digging deep into the nature of God to understand one's purpose and find peace +• Jesus' longing to be known by people, despite many thinking they know Him but actually don't +• A passage from the Bible (Luke 19:41-44) where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because they do not recognize the time of His coming +• AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem described by historians Josephus, Tacitus, and Suetonius +• Thorough destruction that left no one able to tell anyone had lived there +• Quote from Jesus about not leaving a stone on another after the destruction +• Story of visiting the Mount of Olives in 2018 with permission to stand on top and see the Temple Mount and Jerusalem +• The speaker reflects on Jesus' tears for those who don't know him +• The weight of evangelism and the importance of sharing one's faith +• The issue of people who think they know God but are missing something fundamental about Him +• The tension between having a sense of superiority in knowing all the answers vs. moving with compassion to help others see +• The speaker connects this conversation to the idea that many people have rejected traditional religious messages and are now embracing secularism as a substitute, specifically referencing the "secular gospel" or myth that says God is dead and individuals can do what they want without consequences +• Concerns about the meaninglessness of modern life and its impact on anxiety +• Statistics showing an increase in men under 35 attending religious services at least once a month +• Trend of younger Canadians being more likely to attend religious services than older generations +• Younger Christians (under 35) are twice as likely to attend religious services compared to other groups +• Immigrants who identify as Canadian make up the second largest group in attendance +• Bible Society's "Quiet Revival" report on UK church attendance statistics from 2018 to 2024 +• Increase in regular church attenders among 18-24 year olds from 8% to 12% +• Similar trend in Canada with increased church attendance among young adults +• One-third of adult church goers in the UK are now between 18 and 30 years old, up from 14% +• 32% of under 55 church goers in Britain are immigrants +• Shift from nominal Christianity to practicing and living the faith +• Statistics showing higher anxiety and less hope among those identifying as Christian but not attending church +• Importance of self-reporting own well-being in relation to Christianity +• Warning that claiming to be Christian without engaging in practices is bad for individuals +• Contrasting benefits of going to church compared to simply identifying as Christian +• The concept of God's work in our midst and the idea that we can partner with Him to cooperate with the Holy Spirit +• The potential for a quiet revival or renewed spiritual movement, possibly triggered by Palm Sunday +• The importance of recognizing Jesus' true nature and meeting Him through worship and scripture +• Gratitude for God's presence and activity in our lives, expressed through prayer and praise +• Welcoming and joining in the feast +• Lifting up the celebrant as king +• Inviting everyone to the banquet table +• Sharing a special liturgy for Palm Sunday +• Participating in the ceremony and saying certain prayers +• Blessing the king who comes in the name of the Lord +• The Lord's Supper and its significance +• Remembrance of Jesus' death and resurrection +• Proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes again +• Understanding Jesus' true nature through faith +• Seeing Jesus in truth and beholding God's glory +• Invitation to worship God with gladness +• Confession of sins and following Jesus as Lord +• Invitations to come to the table of the Lord +• The gifts of God for the people of God in worship +• Upcoming stations for service by pastoral elders +• Preparing for the next three songs +• Receiving bread and juice from elders +• Consuming them at a station or taking back to seats +• Continuing reflection, meditation, and worship +• Indications for taking communion +• Procedure for handling smaller portions if required +• Elder will be roving through the space +• Invitation for elders to come forward and serve +• Worship team process: go through the line, take the stage, lead in song +• Transition to worship and prayer +• Mention of necessary connection or presence (no clear context) +• Reference to a song "Christ on the road to Calvary" +• Description of Christ's sacrifice and power of the cross +• The power and significance of the cross +• Redemption from sin through Jesus Christ +• Sacrificial love and forgiveness at the cross +• Worship and praise to God +• Overcoming shyness and singing praises to God with a "lion's" voice inside +• Praise to God and Jesus +• Assurance of salvation through Christ's blood +• The power of prayer and worship +• Encouragement to walk with God and receive His blessing +• Mission update and invitation for fellowship and service +• Benediction and encouragement to love and serve the King +• Worship and praise to God +• The Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit +• Salvation through Jesus Christ's sacrifice and resurrection +• Redemption of creation and reconciliation of the lost +• Praise and adoration of Jesus as the King of Kings and Prince of Peace +• Testimony of gratitude and thanksgiving \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3dcff1a6894beae178bc19a26bd56b8a527605f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, April 13, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2666 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[659.98 --> 689.96] Thank you. +[689.98 --> 719.96] Thank you. +[719.98 --> 749.96] Thank you. +[749.98 --> 779.98] Thank you. +[779.98 --> 809.96] Thank you. +[809.98 --> 810.00] Thank you. +[839.98 --> 869.96] Thank you. +[869.96 --> 899.96] Thank you. +[899.96 --> 929.96] Thank you. +[929.96 --> 959.94] Thank you. +[959.96 --> 989.94] Thank you. +[989.94 --> 990.94] Thank you. +[1019.94 --> 1049.92] Thank you. +[1049.92 --> 1079.90] Thank you. +[1079.92 --> 1109.90] Thank you. +[1109.92 --> 1139.90] Thank you. +[1139.92 --> 1169.90] Thank you. +[1169.92 --> 1199.90] Thank you. +[1199.92 --> 1229.90] Thank you. +[1229.90 --> 1259.88] Thank you. +[1259.90 --> 1289.88] Thank you. +[1289.90 --> 1319.88] Thank you. +[1319.90 --> 1349.88] Thank you. +[1349.90 --> 1379.88] Thank you. +[1379.90 --> 1409.88] Thank you. +[1409.90 --> 1439.88] Thank you. +[1439.90 --> 1469.88] Thank you. +[1469.90 --> 1499.88] Thank you. +[1499.90 --> 1529.88] Thank you. +[1529.90 --> 1559.88] Thank you. +[1559.88 --> 1589.86] Hosanna, Hosanna. +[1589.86 --> 1594.86] Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. +[1596.86 --> 1606.86] Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. +[1608.86 --> 1611.86] Hosanna in the highest. +[1619.86 --> 1622.86] I invite you all to take a seat. +[1638.86 --> 1642.86] I'll be reading The King by Tanner Olson. +[1643.86 --> 1646.86] You've done things differently, and you've never failed. +[1646.86 --> 1654.86] Like the time you turned water to wine, or like you rubbed mud on the blind man's eyes so he could see. +[1655.86 --> 1659.86] Or when you healed the paralyzed man because his friends truly believed. +[1660.86 --> 1664.86] Or when you healed the paralyzed man because, sorry, truly believed. +[1665.86 --> 1669.86] And like the time you entered Jerusalem, riding on the back of a colt, and they asked who is this, +[1670.86 --> 1673.86] and they along with the rest of the world would soon know. +[1673.86 --> 1676.86] They knew you as the one who healed the sick and fed the poor. +[1677.86 --> 1681.86] The one who turned lives inside out and upside down. +[1682.86 --> 1690.86] The one who had 12 close friends, raised a man named Lazarus from the dead, and told the cripple to get out of bed. +[1690.86 --> 1692.86] But soon he would see you. +[1692.86 --> 1695.86] Soon they would see you. +[1695.86 --> 1698.86] More than anyone had come before. +[1698.86 --> 1700.86] Just in time, hope had arrived. +[1700.86 --> 1705.86] Some cheered and cried, Hosanna, save us, save us now, please save us. +[1706.86 --> 1711.86] They waved palm branches and laid them down so they wouldn't have to touch the ground. +[1711.86 --> 1717.86] Children sat at the shoulders of parents and they pointed to the one they had been waiting for. +[1718.86 --> 1724.86] Echoes of Jesus, Lord, filled the city as you moved forward the beginning of the end. +[1724.86 --> 1728.86] And we thought that the king was coming to take his crown. +[1728.86 --> 1735.86] But you knew the king was coming to be buried in the ground, to bring us from lost to found. +[1736.86 --> 1745.86] Good arrives only to die, only to rise, only for the world to realize you are who you say you are, the king. +[1745.86 --> 1752.86] Please stand and join us as we sing the Lion and the Lamb. +[1752.86 --> 1755.86] The King of the Lamb's Prince, King of the Lamb's Prince, King of the Lamb's Prince. +[1755.86 --> 1772.86] He's coming on the clouds, kings and kingdoms will bow down. +[1772.86 --> 1777.86] He to kingdoms without doubt +[1777.86 --> 1784.34] And every chain will break +[1784.34 --> 1787.86] As broken hearts declare His praise +[1788.58 --> 1792.60] For who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1794.18 --> 1799.18] Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah +[1799.18 --> 1805.14] He is roaring with power and fighting our battles +[1805.14 --> 1809.74] And every knee will bow before Him +[1809.74 --> 1815.18] Our God is a lamb, the lamb that was slain +[1815.94 --> 1821.54] For the sins of the Lord His blood breaks the chains +[1821.54 --> 1827.10] And every knee will bow before the lion and the man +[1827.10 --> 1831.94] And every knee will bow before Him +[1831.94 --> 1845.24] So open up the gates +[1845.24 --> 1849.10] Make way before the King of kings +[1849.10 --> 1856.32] The God who comes to save +[1856.32 --> 1860.26] Is here to set the captives free +[1860.26 --> 1864.50] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1865.94 --> 1871.10] Our God is a lion, the lion of Judah +[1871.10 --> 1876.94] He is roaring with power and fighting our battles +[1876.94 --> 1881.66] And every knee will bow before Him +[1881.66 --> 1887.82] Our God is a lamb, the lamb that was slain +[1887.82 --> 1893.10] For the sins of the Lord His blood breaks the chains +[1893.10 --> 1897.94] And every knee will bow before Him +[1897.94 --> 1901.94] And every knee will bow before Him +[1901.94 --> 1903.44] And every knee will bow before Him +[1903.44 --> 1926.28] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1926.28 --> 1934.96] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1934.96 --> 1936.04] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1936.04 --> 1937.60] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1937.60 --> 1943.40] Who can stop the Lord Almighty? +[1943.40 --> 1947.78] Who can stop the Lord? +[1947.78 --> 1956.18] Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah +[1956.18 --> 1961.82] He is roaring with power and fighting our battle +[1961.82 --> 1966.58] Every knee will bow before Him +[1966.58 --> 1972.58] Our God is the Lamb, the Lamb that will slay +[1972.58 --> 1978.12] For the sins of the world, His blood breaks the chains +[1978.12 --> 1983.62] Every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb +[1983.62 --> 1988.40] Every knee will bow before Him +[2002.58 --> 2016.58] Good morning, my name is Yap, I'm a deacon here at Langley Emanuel +[2016.58 --> 2020.24] This morning's offering will be for the Langley Food Bank +[2020.24 --> 2023.88] They're a non-profit organization +[2023.88 --> 2029.82] Which is entirely funded through the support of local churches, businesses, and individuals +[2029.82 --> 2032.88] Your donations are much appreciated +[2032.88 --> 2034.68] If you want to give to the general budget +[2034.68 --> 2038.90] You can use the envelopes in the seat in front of you +[2038.90 --> 2040.16] Thank you +[2059.82 --> 2072.76] There's a reason why the curse of sin is broken +[2072.76 --> 2079.28] There's a reason why the darkness runs from light +[2079.28 --> 2084.66] There's a reason why we stand here now forgiven +[2084.66 --> 2087.36] Jesus is alive +[2087.36 --> 2097.06] There's a reason why we are unovertaken +[2097.06 --> 2102.82] There's a reason why we sing on through the night +[2102.82 --> 2108.80] There's a reason why our hope remains eternal +[2108.80 --> 2111.50] Jesus is alive +[2111.50 --> 2123.20] Praise the King, He is risen +[2123.20 --> 2126.96] Praise the King, He's alive +[2126.96 --> 2135.20] Praise the King, destiny, heaven +[2135.20 --> 2139.20] Hallelujah, He's alive +[2139.20 --> 2142.86] Hallelujah, He's alive +[2142.86 --> 2145.06] Hallelujah, He's alive +[2145.06 --> 2150.90] There's a reason why our hearts can be released +[2150.90 --> 2156.90] There's a reason why the dead are made alive +[2156.90 --> 2162.90] There's a reason why we share His resurrection +[2162.90 --> 2164.60] Jesus is alive +[2164.60 --> 2172.60] Praise the King, He is risen +[2172.60 --> 2174.60] Praise the King, He is risen +[2174.60 --> 2176.60] Praise the King, He's alive +[2176.60 --> 2180.60] Praise the King, He's alive +[2180.60 --> 2183.60] Praise the King, death's defeated +[2183.60 --> 2189.46] Praise the King, death's defeated +[2189.46 --> 2193.30] Hallelujah, He is alive +[2193.30 --> 2195.30] Hallelujah, He is alive +[2195.30 --> 2199.30] Hallelujah, He is alive +[2199.30 --> 2213.00] Praise the King, death's defeated +[2213.00 --> 2215.94] The grave could not ignore it +[2215.94 --> 2218.94] When all of heaven's roaring +[2218.94 --> 2221.74] Now where is your victory? +[2222.22 --> 2224.72] Death, where is your sting? +[2225.08 --> 2227.88] The world could not ignore it +[2227.88 --> 2231.08] When all the saints are roaring +[2231.08 --> 2233.52] Now where is your victory? +[2233.52 --> 2236.02] Death, where is your sting? +[2236.48 --> 2239.74] The grave could not ignore it +[2239.74 --> 2242.58] When all of heaven's roaring +[2242.58 --> 2245.58] Hell, where is your victory? +[2246.06 --> 2248.14] Death, where is your sting? +[2248.80 --> 2251.68] The world cannot ignore it +[2251.68 --> 2254.40] When all the saints are roaring +[2254.40 --> 2257.30] Now where is your victory? +[2257.30 --> 2261.14] death where is your sting +[2261.14 --> 2267.46] praise the king +[2267.46 --> 2270.48] he is risen +[2270.48 --> 2272.78] praise the king +[2272.78 --> 2274.52] he's alive +[2274.52 --> 2278.94] praise the king +[2278.94 --> 2281.70] death's defeated +[2281.70 --> 2284.36] hallelujah +[2284.36 --> 2286.40] he's alive +[2286.40 --> 2290.00] hallelujah +[2290.00 --> 2291.58] he's alive +[2291.58 --> 2295.76] hallelujah +[2295.76 --> 2297.84] he's alive +[2297.84 --> 2312.38] good morning everyone +[2312.38 --> 2314.64] I'd like to invite any of the kids to come up +[2314.64 --> 2317.44] if you're age 3 all the way up to grade 4 +[2317.44 --> 2319.94] we're going to head off for children's worship time +[2319.94 --> 2324.38] and then the K24s will come back to celebrate Lord's Supper +[2324.38 --> 2343.26] so last week in children's worship time with Pastor Kevin you guys actually talked about Palm Sunday +[2343.26 --> 2354.36] so with children's worship time every year for the grown-ups here we always run into this problem where there's a lot of content and not as many Sundays so we usually talk about Good Friday on Palm Sunday +[2354.36 --> 2384.34] so that we can go over that important holiday and then next week we can focus on Easter Resurrection Sunday so they are well prepared for Palm Sunday today I could see that thank you for helping show us what that would have looked like on back in Jesus's time waving all those branches and today we're going to talk a little about how Jesus had to die first so that's going to be our topic today about how Jesus is our Savior and that's before he died before he rose he died so +[2384.36 --> 2395.70] because I have lots planned over there I just didn't plan a lot here today so we're going to just stand up right away and do the blessing and then we'll have enough time to get everything done before we come back so standing up +[2395.70 --> 2403.68] and do the plan +[2404.40 --> 2406.50] and Trется +[2408.70 --> 2413.42] and Leng +[2415.56 --> 2416.40] and +[2416.40 --> 2416.68] and +[2416.68 --> 2418.22] move +[2418.50 --> 2418.80] all +[2418.80 --> 2419.56] and +[2419.56 --> 2447.10] Good morning. +[2447.10 --> 2456.30] My name is Clary, and I'm an elder here, and it's my privilege to lead us in our congregational +[2456.30 --> 2457.58] family prayer. +[2457.90 --> 2460.58] So will you please join me in prayer? +[2462.56 --> 2470.56] Father in heaven, it is once again really good to be here gathered together. +[2470.56 --> 2473.24] Father, thank you. +[2473.48 --> 2482.14] Thank you for the beauty of this day, and thank you that we can celebrate Palm Sunday together +[2482.14 --> 2488.66] and remember your story and our part in it. +[2488.66 --> 2498.10] And today, Lord, like we always do, because it is good, we want to bring the concerns of +[2498.10 --> 2499.62] our congregation to you. +[2500.08 --> 2505.94] And of course, I've got a short list of six or seven things here, but we know with all +[2505.94 --> 2512.32] of us here, seriously, we could come up with hundreds and hundreds of petitions. +[2513.18 --> 2520.16] But right now, at this moment, we want to bring these, maybe our biggest praises and concerns +[2520.16 --> 2521.36] to you. +[2522.44 --> 2530.12] Father, we want to ask that you are with us as a congregation as we are going through our +[2530.12 --> 2531.78] council nomination process. +[2531.78 --> 2538.86] This is a thing we do every year, so on the one hand, it's kind of old news because it's +[2538.86 --> 2547.50] not long ago we did last year's, but we ask, Father, that we may prayerfully consider those +[2547.50 --> 2553.00] people in our congregation who have gifts and talents that would serve us well. +[2553.06 --> 2558.78] And if we are one of those people who's asked, may we prayerfully consider. +[2558.78 --> 2565.86] We want to give you thanks, Lord, that Matt Schaap underwent successful knee replacement +[2565.86 --> 2568.70] surgery and is much improved. +[2569.08 --> 2577.54] Father, we thank you for the gift of surgeons and the technology and the system that has so +[2577.54 --> 2578.14] helped him out. +[2579.64 --> 2586.36] We want to remember those members of our congregation, Lord, who are struggling with mental health +[2586.36 --> 2586.96] challenges. +[2586.96 --> 2598.00] We ask that you will surround them and, where it's fitting, use us, Lord, to bring peace, +[2599.20 --> 2601.18] comfort, and healing. +[2602.26 --> 2608.12] And we ask, Lord, that you will give them the confidence they need to hold tight to you, +[2608.12 --> 2614.76] particularly those who have struggles every single day that may last for years. +[2614.76 --> 2622.26] It can be exhausting and be with them. +[2623.50 --> 2629.52] And, again, enable them to believe and hold tight. +[2629.52 --> 2638.16] We thank you that Tessa is home from the hospital and seems to be responding well to treatments. +[2638.16 --> 2642.90] Please grant her strength and endurance. +[2642.90 --> 2654.34] And we ask, Lord, that you will continue to strengthen Doug and Tanya as they wrestle and +[2654.34 --> 2656.24] endure stage four cancer. +[2656.24 --> 2664.60] Will you continue to encourage and strengthen my sister, Joan, as she is in her fourth week +[2664.60 --> 2667.34] of radiation for her cancer treatment? +[2667.88 --> 2675.86] In these three cases, Lord, may the spring weather bring some revitalization to them. +[2676.58 --> 2683.24] But may these three lean heavily in their confidence in you. +[2683.24 --> 2691.64] For all of those, Lord, who struggle with private and unknown addictions in our midst, give them courage. +[2692.10 --> 2694.02] Courage to talk to you. +[2695.12 --> 2703.82] And, in particular, courage if their struggles are totally private, that they may talk to somebody +[2703.82 --> 2705.52] and reach out and seek help. +[2705.52 --> 2716.50] Finally, Lord, we know that so many of us gathered here this morning have experienced the pain of loss +[2716.50 --> 2719.34] because of the death of someone we love. +[2720.18 --> 2730.66] And we know that this morning here there will be many of us who feel the pain, feel the grief acutely. +[2730.66 --> 2742.08] Will you please comfort them and encourage them with the promise and the confidence in the resurrection? +[2743.44 --> 2744.12] Amen. +[2744.12 --> 2744.22] Amen. +[2760.66 --> 2777.54] Before I read our text for this morning, I just want to share with you, maybe, perhaps, +[2777.68 --> 2785.52] the text that we're about to read is one of my favorite stories in the gospel accounts. +[2785.52 --> 2788.80] And there's a number of reasons why that is the case. +[2789.02 --> 2796.06] But, in particular, the line, even the stones would cry out. +[2797.24 --> 2801.70] And I remember, I must have been in grade three or five or something. +[2802.34 --> 2803.54] I was very young. +[2803.86 --> 2805.26] I was at a Christian school. +[2805.62 --> 2808.28] And in the Easter season, we did an assembly. +[2808.28 --> 2812.72] And somebody read one of the teachers or someone, I don't even remember who, +[2812.80 --> 2820.22] but somebody read a poem that was Palm Sunday from the perspective of the stone that would cry out. +[2820.78 --> 2825.86] And ever since then, that text has come alive to me. +[2825.96 --> 2829.28] This story has been experienced differently. +[2829.82 --> 2831.98] And I share that with you for a couple of reasons. +[2831.98 --> 2838.42] One, I hope you'll see that excitement and you'll catch some of that in our time together this morning. +[2838.52 --> 2845.52] But two, if you're a teacher, whether it's in school or in children's worship time or something like that, +[2845.80 --> 2847.82] I hope you hear that as an encouragement. +[2848.80 --> 2852.98] Because there was a season of my life where if you had looked at it, you would not have thought, +[2853.10 --> 2856.86] man, that guy's a Christian, let alone he's going to be a pastor later on. +[2856.86 --> 2864.04] But that moment, however old you are in grade three, it was nine, something like that, +[2864.26 --> 2866.24] that moment stuck with me forever. +[2867.10 --> 2868.36] So the work you do is really important. +[2869.02 --> 2872.80] And so I just want to thank you for doing that work and for being faithful in that. +[2873.50 --> 2880.52] And hopefully, somewhere, someone has a similar story because of what you have done in their life. +[2880.84 --> 2884.68] And so please be encouraged as we come into this text. +[2884.68 --> 2891.78] And then for all of us, hopefully, you can be excited and see what we are going to share. +[2892.24 --> 2895.90] Now, I'm going to read this story. +[2896.14 --> 2900.16] And I think on the screen behind me, we're going to pick it up at verse 40. +[2900.44 --> 2904.74] But I'm going to start at verse 37 just to give us context in there. +[2904.92 --> 2908.22] And so, Tara, when I hit verse 40, then we can go through. +[2908.22 --> 2915.96] So this is from Luke 19, starting at verse 37. +[2915.96 --> 2941.60] And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, +[2941.60 --> 2962.12] And as he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, +[2962.12 --> 2968.28] If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace, +[2968.70 --> 2970.64] but now it is hidden from your eyes. +[2971.24 --> 2975.48] The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you +[2975.48 --> 2978.52] and encircle you and hem you in on every side. +[2978.80 --> 2982.88] They will dash you to the ground and you and the children within your walls. +[2983.24 --> 2986.08] They will not leave one stone on another +[2986.08 --> 2991.22] because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you. +[2992.16 --> 2993.60] This is the word of the Lord. +[2997.78 --> 3003.24] So why don't you want us to dig into this juxtaposition in the text? +[3003.74 --> 3003.98] Right? +[3004.02 --> 3006.32] You've got stones that would cry out, +[3007.38 --> 3010.08] but then the people didn't realize, +[3010.88 --> 3015.52] Jerusalem doesn't realize who it is in front of them. +[3016.08 --> 3017.74] And so Jesus weeps. +[3018.66 --> 3021.06] You have a group of disciples who are singing his praises +[3021.06 --> 3024.72] and who are recognizing something about this man, +[3025.30 --> 3027.74] but what is it that they're longing for, +[3027.82 --> 3030.76] that they're clinging to, that they're hoping for? +[3031.48 --> 3036.62] And then you have a whole generation of people who just didn't get it. +[3038.24 --> 3041.98] Our big idea this morning is that even the stones would cry out, +[3041.98 --> 3045.60] but the people didn't recognize who was in front of them. +[3046.08 --> 3048.72] And then the application, +[3049.22 --> 3051.40] let's not make the same mistake. +[3053.40 --> 3054.80] Now this is a story, +[3055.04 --> 3057.04] we've already mentioned it this morning, +[3057.38 --> 3060.06] that's often called the triumphal entry. +[3060.48 --> 3060.80] Right? +[3060.84 --> 3062.66] Because of the procession of Jesus +[3062.66 --> 3065.46] and the crowds of people heralding his coming. +[3065.80 --> 3065.92] Right? +[3065.98 --> 3066.32] They say, +[3066.42 --> 3069.68] blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. +[3069.68 --> 3072.14] which we know, +[3072.40 --> 3075.00] and Jackie used it as our call to worship this morning, +[3075.00 --> 3080.08] is a quote that comes from Psalm 118, verse 26. +[3081.36 --> 3084.32] Now Psalm 118 also says, +[3084.32 --> 3088.52] the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. +[3089.58 --> 3092.06] Psalm 118 also says, +[3092.42 --> 3097.20] the Lord is God and he has made his light shine on us with bows in hand, +[3097.60 --> 3101.28] join the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. +[3101.28 --> 3104.26] And what you can hear in that, +[3104.32 --> 3104.90] I hope, +[3105.00 --> 3105.62] and see, +[3105.96 --> 3106.78] Lord willing, +[3106.92 --> 3111.32] very clearly that this is a kingship psalm. +[3111.54 --> 3113.90] It's a sort of inauguration hymn. +[3114.62 --> 3116.26] When the king comes to town, +[3116.42 --> 3118.02] this is what is played. +[3118.92 --> 3119.64] And in fact, +[3120.02 --> 3120.62] Luke, +[3120.74 --> 3123.42] when he quotes this psalm in our text, +[3123.42 --> 3126.02] in verse 38, +[3126.32 --> 3127.76] when he quotes this psalm, +[3127.84 --> 3130.96] he adds the word king in his quote +[3130.96 --> 3136.54] in order to make sure that the primarily Greek readers of his gospel, +[3136.82 --> 3140.68] who might not know Psalm 118 as an inauguration hymn, +[3140.78 --> 3142.26] as a kingship psalm, +[3142.48 --> 3144.02] that they don't miss that point. +[3144.74 --> 3147.52] That this is the king coming to his people. +[3147.60 --> 3149.30] This is the rightful king. +[3149.30 --> 3150.96] In fact, +[3151.12 --> 3153.58] when Matthew and Mark tell this story, +[3154.26 --> 3156.60] they remember the people shouting, +[3157.00 --> 3158.70] Hosanna to the son of David. +[3159.30 --> 3161.02] They remember the people shouting, +[3161.24 --> 3164.86] Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father, David. +[3165.92 --> 3168.02] If you are familiar with the Bible story, +[3168.16 --> 3171.06] David is the great king of Israel, +[3171.24 --> 3173.38] from whose line the Messiah king, +[3173.50 --> 3174.36] the last king, +[3174.66 --> 3176.62] the true and better king would come. +[3176.62 --> 3179.50] He was promised an everlasting kingdom. +[3181.40 --> 3181.92] And so, +[3182.26 --> 3183.22] to be sure, +[3183.52 --> 3187.46] for the people to be proclaiming this of Jesus +[3187.46 --> 3190.68] as he marches into Jerusalem, +[3191.20 --> 3194.50] don't miss how controversial this is. +[3195.60 --> 3198.50] This is actually insurrection language. +[3199.84 --> 3203.88] This is a people who are under the rule and reign of Rome, +[3203.88 --> 3204.58] saying, +[3204.58 --> 3205.70] not Caesar, +[3206.12 --> 3207.24] but our guy. +[3209.50 --> 3213.18] This is a people hoping that Jesus might gather armies +[3213.18 --> 3216.34] and that he might somehow topple Roman oppression. +[3217.88 --> 3220.34] And the Pharisees in this story, +[3220.72 --> 3221.90] give them a little bit of credit. +[3222.08 --> 3223.08] They knew what it meant. +[3224.82 --> 3225.28] Remember, +[3226.06 --> 3227.10] the Pharisees, +[3227.28 --> 3228.94] along with the Sadducees, +[3229.04 --> 3230.22] which is their sort of counterpart, +[3230.94 --> 3231.36] together, +[3231.36 --> 3233.26] they make up the Sanhedrin. +[3233.26 --> 3234.20] Now, +[3234.24 --> 3238.98] the Sanhedrin is sort of a tenuously cobbled together +[3238.98 --> 3240.86] religio-political alliance +[3241.52 --> 3243.88] of leaders within the Jewish people. +[3244.62 --> 3247.70] And they have a carefully crafted agreement +[3247.70 --> 3249.18] with Rome, +[3249.32 --> 3251.36] through her governors and proconsuls, +[3251.46 --> 3252.58] and through her puppet kings, +[3252.84 --> 3253.88] like Herod Agrippa. +[3253.88 --> 3255.48] Right? +[3255.54 --> 3257.66] And it's a carefully grafted, +[3257.86 --> 3258.84] tenuous agreement +[3258.84 --> 3263.00] that's really balanced on the tip of a gladius, +[3263.20 --> 3264.68] a Roman soldier's sword. +[3264.68 --> 3268.96] And this agreement allows them the opportunity +[3268.96 --> 3270.68] to keep worshiping in the way +[3270.68 --> 3272.68] that they had historically and previously, +[3272.68 --> 3274.32] to have their own temple mount, +[3274.40 --> 3276.02] and to not have temples +[3276.02 --> 3279.56] and temples to other gods +[3279.56 --> 3282.18] or to Caesar within the city of Jerusalem. +[3282.90 --> 3286.34] But the Pharisees hear what these people are saying, +[3286.78 --> 3288.28] and they hiss at Jesus, +[3288.28 --> 3289.06] Jesus, teacher, +[3289.42 --> 3290.42] shut them up! +[3291.46 --> 3292.86] You're going to get us killed! +[3294.12 --> 3294.42] Right? +[3294.46 --> 3296.56] This isn't just going to upset the status quo. +[3296.86 --> 3298.50] This is going to topple the piece, +[3298.84 --> 3301.54] this carefully crafted arrangement that we have. +[3303.60 --> 3305.08] But they're missing something. +[3305.46 --> 3305.72] Right? +[3306.30 --> 3308.16] They're missing something about Jesus, +[3308.40 --> 3310.88] missing something about the nature of His kingdom. +[3310.88 --> 3314.20] And this is the part that I want us to see for a moment. +[3314.86 --> 3316.42] To see it, we have to go back. +[3318.18 --> 3323.58] There's a story that's told in 1 Kings 1. +[3324.22 --> 3327.30] It's a story about the transition of power +[3327.30 --> 3330.68] from King David to one of his sons, Solomon. +[3331.96 --> 3335.88] David tells the priest and the prophet +[3335.88 --> 3340.22] to take Solomon outside the city of Jerusalem, +[3340.22 --> 3342.40] down to the Gihon Spring. +[3343.42 --> 3345.64] Now, the Gihon Spring is in the valley +[3345.64 --> 3347.90] that sits between the Mount of Olives +[3347.90 --> 3349.84] and the mount where the Jerusalem is on, +[3350.34 --> 3352.50] down below there, +[3352.62 --> 3354.84] outside the old city of David in Jerusalem. +[3355.90 --> 3358.94] And David says to the priest and to the prophet, +[3359.32 --> 3363.56] anoint my son and have him ride a donkey +[3363.56 --> 3366.30] to come back into the city. +[3367.10 --> 3368.62] Blow the horn and shout, +[3368.62 --> 3370.42] long live King Solomon. +[3371.44 --> 3373.00] And as the story goes, as you read it, +[3373.04 --> 3373.76] that's what happens. +[3374.18 --> 3376.06] Solomon rides in on a donkey +[3376.06 --> 3378.46] and the people shout his praises. +[3379.44 --> 3380.58] Now, this is important. +[3381.32 --> 3383.98] For those of you who have been around for a little while, +[3384.24 --> 3387.12] what is David known for as king? +[3388.50 --> 3390.98] What's the refrain that makes David so popular? +[3393.22 --> 3393.70] Sorry? +[3394.90 --> 3395.82] Heart after God. +[3395.82 --> 3396.98] A man after God's own heart. +[3397.06 --> 3397.46] Thank you. +[3397.96 --> 3399.38] I think I heard someone say 10,000. +[3399.48 --> 3400.72] We'll come back to that in just a second. +[3402.02 --> 3402.26] Right? +[3402.28 --> 3403.96] This is a man after God's own heart. +[3404.16 --> 3407.48] And yes, God promised him an everlasting kingdom. +[3408.02 --> 3408.14] Right? +[3408.18 --> 3410.64] But maybe you also remember the refrain, +[3411.10 --> 3413.42] Saul killed his thousands and David his... +[3413.42 --> 3413.64] Ken? +[3414.56 --> 3415.50] Tens of thousands. +[3415.64 --> 3416.12] That's right. +[3417.28 --> 3417.44] Right? +[3417.44 --> 3419.08] In 2 Samuel 12, +[3419.20 --> 3420.90] the prophet Nathan tells David, +[3421.26 --> 3423.44] the sword will never depart from you. +[3425.22 --> 3426.82] And so for all of the good things +[3426.82 --> 3427.80] that we know about David, +[3428.70 --> 3430.44] he was known for his sword. +[3431.76 --> 3431.96] Right? +[3432.00 --> 3432.42] That phrase, +[3432.52 --> 3433.46] those who live by the sword +[3433.46 --> 3434.36] will die by the sword, +[3434.40 --> 3435.90] that comes from the story of David. +[3437.12 --> 3438.08] Now, what about Solomon? +[3438.18 --> 3439.16] What do we know about Solomon? +[3440.16 --> 3440.58] Anyone? +[3441.94 --> 3442.38] Wives. +[3442.60 --> 3443.06] That's right. +[3443.44 --> 3445.42] We remember some pretty bad things about Solomon. +[3445.42 --> 3448.76] And he had over 700 wives, 300 concubines. +[3448.86 --> 3449.42] In that way, +[3449.50 --> 3450.84] he was exactly the same +[3450.84 --> 3453.30] as the king of every other nation around them. +[3453.32 --> 3455.00] And Israel was supposed to be different. +[3456.30 --> 3456.66] Right? +[3456.78 --> 3457.12] God said, +[3457.26 --> 3458.64] do not be like the other nations. +[3458.70 --> 3460.16] And that's why he didn't want them to have a king. +[3460.22 --> 3461.20] But then he gave in to them. +[3461.42 --> 3462.76] And then they ended up having kings +[3462.76 --> 3465.40] that were just like all the other kings. +[3466.44 --> 3467.70] Now, Solomon's also remembered +[3467.70 --> 3469.44] for worshiping the wives, +[3469.70 --> 3471.80] or worshiping the gods of his wives. +[3472.24 --> 3473.22] Probably his wives too. +[3473.22 --> 3475.90] One of the gods that we read +[3475.90 --> 3476.64] that he worshipped +[3476.64 --> 3477.76] was Ashtoreth, +[3477.88 --> 3478.90] which is a Phoenician +[3478.90 --> 3481.20] and Canaanite fertility goddess. +[3482.84 --> 3484.26] There are some scholars +[3484.26 --> 3486.04] who say that the Greek analog +[3486.04 --> 3487.56] that you might know is Aphrodite, +[3488.00 --> 3490.54] so goddess of promiscuity and the like. +[3491.96 --> 3494.64] We also know that Solomon worshipped Molech, +[3495.14 --> 3496.54] which is an Ammonite god +[3496.54 --> 3498.22] associated with child sacrifice. +[3498.22 --> 3503.14] But Solomon's also known +[3503.14 --> 3504.94] for his humility +[3504.94 --> 3506.80] and his wisdom. +[3508.02 --> 3508.42] Right? +[3508.48 --> 3509.72] The beginning of Solomon's story +[3509.72 --> 3511.66] is that the Lord gave him a chance +[3511.66 --> 3512.84] to ask for anything. +[3513.50 --> 3513.64] He said, +[3513.72 --> 3514.40] ask me anything +[3514.40 --> 3515.50] and I will give it to you. +[3515.78 --> 3517.14] Riches, power, whatever. +[3517.66 --> 3521.06] And Solomon asked for wisdom. +[3521.70 --> 3523.56] He asked for godly wisdom. +[3523.56 --> 3525.68] When the opportunity to serve +[3525.68 --> 3527.08] and to lead was in front of him, +[3527.36 --> 3527.82] he said, +[3527.94 --> 3529.16] I can't do this. +[3529.60 --> 3530.92] I need God's help. +[3532.08 --> 3533.12] So he humbled himself +[3533.12 --> 3533.66] and he said, +[3534.16 --> 3535.06] give me your wisdom. +[3537.42 --> 3539.02] Wisdom and humility +[3539.02 --> 3542.52] are a mark of Solomon's rule. +[3543.16 --> 3544.72] Now, in this story +[3544.72 --> 3546.08] from 1 Kings 1 +[3546.08 --> 3548.26] about Solomon entering the city +[3548.26 --> 3549.84] after he is anointed king, +[3549.84 --> 3551.86] the people walk before him +[3551.86 --> 3552.66] and around him +[3552.66 --> 3553.42] and behind him. +[3553.52 --> 3554.06] They're shouting. +[3554.22 --> 3555.24] They're blowing trumpets. +[3555.64 --> 3556.76] They're playing pipes, +[3556.98 --> 3557.34] we read. +[3557.56 --> 3558.08] And they say, +[3558.18 --> 3559.12] long live the king. +[3560.00 --> 3561.96] They're singing joyfully +[3561.96 --> 3563.20] and rejoicing +[3563.20 --> 3565.74] that their new king has come. +[3565.84 --> 3567.84] And then in 1 Kings 1 verse 40, +[3567.98 --> 3568.38] we read, +[3568.78 --> 3569.96] they're so loud +[3569.96 --> 3572.06] that the ground shook +[3572.06 --> 3573.12] with the sound. +[3574.86 --> 3576.92] The ground shook with the sound. +[3577.84 --> 3578.04] Now, +[3578.04 --> 3579.60] here's something cool, +[3579.72 --> 3579.88] okay? +[3580.22 --> 3581.50] The Greek translation +[3581.50 --> 3582.64] of the Old Testament, +[3583.18 --> 3584.52] which is called the Septuagint, +[3584.60 --> 3585.24] it's the Bible +[3585.24 --> 3587.08] that most of the Jews +[3587.08 --> 3587.94] of Jesus' day +[3587.94 --> 3589.36] would have been familiar with. +[3589.78 --> 3590.84] The Greek translation +[3590.84 --> 3591.84] of the Old Testament +[3591.84 --> 3594.18] translates 1 Kings 1 verse 40 +[3594.18 --> 3595.16] by saying, +[3595.54 --> 3597.08] the ground broke forth +[3597.08 --> 3598.22] with its voice. +[3602.02 --> 3603.88] Even the stones +[3603.88 --> 3605.54] will cry out. +[3605.54 --> 3609.76] Riding into the city +[3609.76 --> 3610.52] on a donkey +[3610.52 --> 3611.42] like Solomon +[3611.42 --> 3612.66] makes Jesus +[3612.66 --> 3613.82] and his kingdom +[3613.82 --> 3615.20] more about humility +[3615.20 --> 3616.30] and wisdom +[3616.30 --> 3617.50] than the sword. +[3618.54 --> 3619.68] He's a different kind +[3619.68 --> 3620.56] of king. +[3620.88 --> 3621.82] And Jesus is coming +[3621.82 --> 3622.30] as king, +[3622.40 --> 3622.90] to be sure, +[3623.00 --> 3623.96] but not as a king +[3623.96 --> 3625.32] interested in the things +[3625.32 --> 3625.86] of Rome. +[3626.72 --> 3628.64] This isn't a triumphal entry +[3628.64 --> 3629.98] of a warrior king. +[3629.98 --> 3631.14] This is a kingdom +[3631.14 --> 3631.90] that is marked +[3631.90 --> 3632.68] by humility +[3632.68 --> 3633.98] and wisdom. +[3634.96 --> 3636.16] One Bible scholar +[3636.16 --> 3637.28] named Brent Kinman +[3637.28 --> 3639.54] actually calls this story +[3639.54 --> 3641.10] not the triumphal entry, +[3641.56 --> 3641.98] but the +[3641.98 --> 3643.64] ah-triumphal entry. +[3644.34 --> 3644.78] Right? +[3644.84 --> 3646.08] Using the alpha privative +[3646.08 --> 3646.92] because it's an +[3646.92 --> 3648.14] atypical example +[3648.14 --> 3650.32] of what goes on here. +[3651.32 --> 3651.86] Right? +[3651.88 --> 3652.98] An ah-triumphal entry +[3653.62 --> 3654.92] because it's revealing +[3654.92 --> 3656.86] exactly the kind +[3656.86 --> 3657.38] of king +[3657.38 --> 3658.32] that Jesus +[3658.32 --> 3659.34] is. +[3660.66 --> 3661.40] And some people +[3661.40 --> 3661.96] saw it. +[3662.76 --> 3663.62] Maybe even some +[3663.62 --> 3664.36] understood it. +[3664.84 --> 3665.96] But many didn't. +[3666.74 --> 3667.76] Many didn't see it. +[3668.38 --> 3668.96] They didn't get +[3668.96 --> 3669.82] what was going on. +[3670.04 --> 3670.72] And some of them +[3670.72 --> 3671.82] just downright +[3671.82 --> 3673.12] rejected it. +[3674.46 --> 3675.68] The Pharisees, +[3675.72 --> 3676.68] who knew their Bibles +[3676.68 --> 3677.96] better than anyone else, +[3678.48 --> 3679.58] didn't see it. +[3680.34 --> 3681.50] They didn't see Jesus +[3681.50 --> 3682.38] for who he is. +[3683.70 --> 3684.46] And what about people +[3684.46 --> 3685.56] who don't read their Bibles? +[3686.42 --> 3687.38] How will they see it? +[3687.68 --> 3689.08] How will they hear of him? +[3689.40 --> 3691.10] How will people know +[3691.10 --> 3692.74] who this man is? +[3694.72 --> 3694.92] Right? +[3695.12 --> 3696.98] People look at Jesus +[3696.98 --> 3698.58] and they think they know. +[3699.70 --> 3700.66] But do they? +[3704.18 --> 3705.14] And that question +[3705.14 --> 3706.42] is worth asking today. +[3707.28 --> 3707.76] Right? +[3708.44 --> 3709.34] Because people continue +[3709.34 --> 3710.18] to look at Jesus +[3710.18 --> 3711.42] and think they know. +[3712.50 --> 3713.46] But do they? +[3714.48 --> 3715.48] We're living in a time +[3715.48 --> 3715.98] and place +[3715.98 --> 3716.94] that is very much +[3716.94 --> 3717.74] the same. +[3719.38 --> 3720.70] People look at Jesus +[3720.70 --> 3722.10] and they think they know. +[3722.26 --> 3723.70] Or people look at Jesus +[3723.70 --> 3724.84] and they see a stranger. +[3725.40 --> 3726.44] They've got no idea. +[3728.62 --> 3729.14] Quickly, +[3729.26 --> 3730.04] I want to paint +[3730.04 --> 3730.60] a picture +[3730.60 --> 3731.80] for you here. +[3733.42 --> 3735.38] There's a research +[3735.38 --> 3736.18] institution +[3736.18 --> 3737.86] in Hamilton, +[3738.60 --> 3739.10] Ontario. +[3739.30 --> 3739.68] I'm sorry, +[3739.80 --> 3740.44] it's from Ontario. +[3740.60 --> 3741.32] They're not all bad. +[3741.50 --> 3743.64] but named +[3743.64 --> 3744.28] Cardis. +[3745.36 --> 3746.14] They're a research +[3746.14 --> 3746.68] institution +[3746.68 --> 3747.80] and a think tank +[3747.80 --> 3748.80] run by +[3748.80 --> 3750.86] a Christian group +[3750.86 --> 3752.52] and they published +[3752.52 --> 3753.18] a study +[3753.18 --> 3754.16] recently +[3754.16 --> 3755.30] on religious +[3755.30 --> 3756.20] identity +[3756.20 --> 3757.18] in Canada. +[3757.18 --> 3757.30] Canada. +[3758.30 --> 3759.06] And I want to note +[3759.06 --> 3759.88] some of the findings +[3759.88 --> 3760.74] that they have there. +[3762.10 --> 3763.14] In 2018, +[3764.18 --> 3765.34] 24% +[3765.34 --> 3766.42] of Canadians +[3766.42 --> 3767.36] attended +[3767.36 --> 3768.86] religious services +[3768.86 --> 3770.18] once a month. +[3771.18 --> 3772.02] And that's not +[3772.02 --> 3772.68] counting weddings +[3772.68 --> 3773.42] and funerals. +[3774.46 --> 3775.38] But that is +[3775.38 --> 3776.48] religious services +[3776.48 --> 3777.26] so it's not just +[3777.26 --> 3777.70] Christian. +[3778.30 --> 3778.92] So hear that. +[3778.92 --> 3781.06] in 2022, +[3781.70 --> 3782.62] that number +[3782.62 --> 3784.34] is down to 15%. +[3784.34 --> 3786.38] From 24 +[3786.38 --> 3787.54] to 15. +[3788.62 --> 3789.50] In 2022, +[3789.88 --> 3790.80] of those who identify +[3790.80 --> 3791.76] as Christian, +[3792.48 --> 3792.76] now, +[3792.94 --> 3794.00] so focusing in +[3794.00 --> 3795.20] on our group, +[3795.56 --> 3795.94] 2022, +[3796.26 --> 3797.00] of those who identify +[3797.00 --> 3797.60] as Christian, +[3797.84 --> 3799.74] only 15% +[3799.74 --> 3801.56] attend weekly worship. +[3801.56 --> 3804.34] or to put it +[3804.34 --> 3804.74] another way, +[3804.82 --> 3805.74] of those who identify +[3805.74 --> 3806.34] as Christian, +[3806.76 --> 3808.32] only 18% +[3808.32 --> 3809.78] read their Bibles +[3809.78 --> 3811.46] at least once a month. +[3814.04 --> 3814.88] Less than +[3814.88 --> 3816.30] one in five people +[3816.30 --> 3817.04] in Canada +[3817.04 --> 3818.48] who say they are Christian +[3818.48 --> 3819.70] read their Bibles +[3819.70 --> 3820.56] and go to church +[3820.56 --> 3821.10] regularly. +[3823.30 --> 3824.62] People look at Jesus +[3824.62 --> 3825.44] and they think +[3825.44 --> 3825.92] they know. +[3827.28 --> 3828.38] But how can they? +[3830.80 --> 3831.00] Right? +[3831.00 --> 3832.08] Even the Christians +[3832.08 --> 3833.98] barely seem to know. +[3835.12 --> 3836.02] Even the Christians +[3836.02 --> 3838.50] barely seem to open +[3838.50 --> 3839.70] our own book +[3839.70 --> 3840.44] and attend +[3840.44 --> 3841.68] our own worship +[3841.68 --> 3842.84] and know +[3842.84 --> 3843.88] who this +[3843.88 --> 3845.12] Jesus is. +[3847.96 --> 3849.02] And yet, +[3849.42 --> 3851.42] and yet, +[3851.78 --> 3852.08] Jesus +[3852.08 --> 3853.54] will be +[3853.54 --> 3854.70] worshipped. +[3855.96 --> 3856.92] Jesus will be +[3856.92 --> 3857.54] acknowledged. +[3857.66 --> 3858.56] Look back at the story. +[3858.98 --> 3859.64] The Pharisees +[3859.64 --> 3860.16] complain +[3860.16 --> 3861.42] and tell Jesus +[3861.42 --> 3862.06] to quiet +[3862.06 --> 3862.86] his disciples +[3862.86 --> 3864.12] and he responds +[3864.12 --> 3864.58] with the most +[3864.58 --> 3865.40] beautiful phrase +[3865.40 --> 3866.10] and this is the one +[3866.10 --> 3866.64] that has stuck +[3866.64 --> 3867.28] with me forever. +[3867.62 --> 3868.18] I tell you, +[3868.30 --> 3869.34] if they keep quiet, +[3869.60 --> 3870.48] the stones +[3870.48 --> 3871.68] will cry out. +[3872.68 --> 3873.30] The ground +[3873.30 --> 3874.58] will burst forth +[3874.58 --> 3875.52] with its voice. +[3876.08 --> 3876.38] Jesus +[3876.38 --> 3877.44] will be praised. +[3877.58 --> 3878.28] All creation +[3878.28 --> 3879.20] proclaims your +[3879.20 --> 3879.76] handiwork. +[3879.88 --> 3880.68] Day after day, +[3881.02 --> 3881.76] night after night, +[3881.82 --> 3882.82] it pours forth +[3882.82 --> 3883.46] speech +[3883.46 --> 3884.32] and reveals +[3884.32 --> 3885.72] its creator. +[3886.36 --> 3887.10] If the people +[3887.10 --> 3887.62] don't, +[3888.22 --> 3888.76] the rocks +[3888.76 --> 3889.10] will. +[3892.78 --> 3893.44] But are you +[3893.44 --> 3893.76] going to let +[3893.76 --> 3894.34] rocks steal +[3894.34 --> 3895.16] your purpose? +[3896.86 --> 3897.20] Are you going +[3897.20 --> 3898.08] to give to a rock +[3898.08 --> 3898.62] what you were +[3898.62 --> 3899.50] created to do? +[3900.00 --> 3901.10] You were meant +[3901.10 --> 3901.80] to sing +[3901.80 --> 3902.46] his praises. +[3902.62 --> 3903.36] You were made +[3903.36 --> 3904.46] to worship God. +[3904.56 --> 3905.38] You were created +[3905.38 --> 3906.34] to pour forth +[3906.34 --> 3907.16] praise +[3907.16 --> 3908.52] of this Jesus. +[3908.52 --> 3913.36] Let me say it +[3913.36 --> 3913.66] again. +[3914.66 --> 3915.32] People look +[3915.32 --> 3915.80] at Jesus +[3915.80 --> 3916.86] and they think +[3916.86 --> 3917.46] they know. +[3918.86 --> 3919.84] How many of you +[3919.84 --> 3921.18] have kind of +[3921.18 --> 3922.06] felt meh +[3922.06 --> 3923.30] when it comes +[3923.30 --> 3923.74] to Jesus? +[3925.76 --> 3926.98] How many of you +[3926.98 --> 3927.76] know people +[3927.76 --> 3928.68] or perhaps you +[3928.68 --> 3929.90] are here today +[3929.90 --> 3931.22] who haven't +[3931.22 --> 3931.88] really ever +[3931.88 --> 3932.52] given Jesus +[3932.52 --> 3933.26] a second thought +[3933.26 --> 3934.20] before this moment +[3934.20 --> 3934.64] right now +[3934.64 --> 3935.48] when I'm asking you? +[3936.90 --> 3937.50] Or how many +[3937.50 --> 3938.48] people do you know +[3938.48 --> 3938.84] and again +[3938.84 --> 3939.38] perhaps you're +[3939.38 --> 3940.10] sitting here today +[3940.10 --> 3941.38] who know +[3941.38 --> 3942.70] about Jesus +[3942.70 --> 3943.80] but who don't +[3943.80 --> 3944.70] know Jesus? +[3944.98 --> 3945.32] You know the +[3945.32 --> 3945.94] distinction I'm +[3945.94 --> 3946.42] making there? +[3947.48 --> 3947.72] Right? +[3947.76 --> 3948.22] When you've got +[3948.22 --> 3948.78] an awareness +[3948.78 --> 3949.58] a head knowledge +[3949.58 --> 3950.10] of something +[3950.10 --> 3950.54] but you don't +[3950.54 --> 3952.28] hold it +[3952.28 --> 3953.56] you don't feel it +[3953.56 --> 3954.06] it doesn't mean +[3954.06 --> 3954.46] anything +[3954.46 --> 3955.68] it's just an idea +[3955.68 --> 3956.32] that you carry +[3956.32 --> 3956.92] like you would +[3956.92 --> 3957.66] that two plus two +[3957.66 --> 3958.34] equals four +[3958.34 --> 3961.48] takes a special +[3961.48 --> 3962.62] person to get joy +[3962.62 --> 3963.54] out of two plus two +[3963.54 --> 3964.20] equals four +[3964.20 --> 3966.14] but dig deep +[3966.14 --> 3967.72] into the complications +[3967.72 --> 3968.50] and the beauty +[3968.50 --> 3969.20] and the majesty +[3969.20 --> 3969.74] of math +[3969.74 --> 3970.08] and all of a sudden +[3970.08 --> 3970.92] you start to find joy +[3970.92 --> 3972.38] same thing with Jesus +[3972.38 --> 3973.28] you can kind of +[3973.28 --> 3973.60] know him +[3973.60 --> 3973.96] and be like +[3973.96 --> 3974.38] yeah alright +[3974.38 --> 3975.62] but dig deep +[3975.62 --> 3976.52] go down +[3976.52 --> 3977.64] go further in +[3977.64 --> 3978.44] and see +[3978.44 --> 3979.38] what it is +[3979.38 --> 3979.92] that you were +[3979.92 --> 3981.84] created for +[3981.84 --> 3984.60] Jesus longs +[3984.60 --> 3985.74] to be known +[3985.74 --> 3987.18] and the fact +[3987.18 --> 3988.20] that so many people +[3988.20 --> 3989.42] think they know him +[3989.42 --> 3990.72] but don't actually +[3990.72 --> 3991.42] know him +[3991.42 --> 3992.82] makes him +[3992.82 --> 3993.74] weep +[3993.74 --> 3996.70] as he approached +[3996.70 --> 3997.40] Jerusalem +[3997.40 --> 3999.34] he saw the city +[3999.34 --> 4000.98] and he wept +[4000.98 --> 4002.52] over it +[4002.52 --> 4005.30] looking at the city +[4005.30 --> 4005.90] and through +[4005.90 --> 4007.22] his tears +[4007.22 --> 4008.20] Jesus says +[4008.20 --> 4009.94] if you +[4009.94 --> 4011.68] even you +[4011.68 --> 4012.64] had only +[4012.64 --> 4013.24] known +[4013.24 --> 4015.18] that on this day +[4015.18 --> 4015.88] what it is +[4015.88 --> 4016.62] that would bring you +[4016.62 --> 4017.06] peace +[4017.06 --> 4018.54] who would bring you +[4018.54 --> 4019.04] peace +[4019.04 --> 4020.88] but now it's +[4020.88 --> 4021.70] hidden from your eyes +[4021.70 --> 4024.02] so the days +[4024.02 --> 4024.66] will come +[4024.66 --> 4026.68] will come upon you +[4026.68 --> 4027.38] when your enemies +[4027.38 --> 4028.60] will build an embankment +[4028.60 --> 4029.24] against you +[4029.24 --> 4030.30] and encircle you +[4030.30 --> 4031.08] and hem you in +[4031.08 --> 4031.88] on every side +[4031.88 --> 4033.02] and they will dash you +[4033.02 --> 4033.68] to the ground +[4033.68 --> 4035.04] and you and the children +[4035.04 --> 4035.76] within your walls +[4035.76 --> 4036.76] and they will not leave +[4036.76 --> 4038.10] one stone on another +[4038.10 --> 4039.10] because you did not +[4039.10 --> 4040.34] recognize the time +[4040.34 --> 4041.62] of God's coming +[4041.62 --> 4042.68] to you +[4042.68 --> 4045.50] if you had only known +[4045.50 --> 4047.14] if you'd only known +[4047.14 --> 4048.22] what would bring you peace +[4048.22 --> 4048.94] and then Jesus +[4048.94 --> 4050.14] goes on to describe +[4050.14 --> 4051.30] an event +[4051.30 --> 4052.42] that is likely +[4052.42 --> 4053.48] fulfilled in +[4053.48 --> 4054.52] AD 70 +[4054.52 --> 4056.14] by the destruction +[4056.14 --> 4056.96] of Jerusalem +[4056.96 --> 4057.74] at the hands +[4057.74 --> 4058.34] of the Romans +[4058.34 --> 4060.74] now this destruction +[4060.74 --> 4061.46] of Jerusalem +[4061.46 --> 4063.18] is described +[4063.18 --> 4065.52] by historians +[4065.52 --> 4066.66] Josephus +[4066.66 --> 4067.44] and Tacitus +[4067.44 --> 4068.34] and Suetonius +[4068.34 --> 4069.60] the last two +[4069.60 --> 4070.52] Roman historians +[4070.52 --> 4071.20] the first one +[4071.20 --> 4071.98] a Jewish historian +[4071.98 --> 4073.62] who worked for Rome +[4073.62 --> 4074.58] they describe +[4074.58 --> 4075.46] the destruction +[4075.46 --> 4076.20] of Jerusalem +[4076.20 --> 4077.96] as raising +[4077.96 --> 4078.94] a mountaintop +[4078.94 --> 4079.44] flat +[4079.44 --> 4081.46] Josephus +[4081.46 --> 4082.04] says that their +[4082.04 --> 4082.50] destruction +[4082.50 --> 4083.66] was so thorough +[4083.66 --> 4084.78] that the people +[4084.78 --> 4085.86] who came to the city +[4085.86 --> 4086.84] in the generations +[4086.84 --> 4087.40] afterwards +[4087.40 --> 4088.56] were unable to tell +[4088.56 --> 4088.94] that anyone +[4088.94 --> 4089.68] had lived there +[4089.68 --> 4091.68] in fact +[4091.68 --> 4092.42] as Suetonius +[4092.42 --> 4093.02] describes it +[4093.02 --> 4093.56] the only thing +[4093.56 --> 4094.22] left was a +[4094.22 --> 4095.08] garrison tower +[4095.08 --> 4096.62] and it was probably +[4096.62 --> 4097.60] left as a marker +[4097.60 --> 4098.82] of the absolute +[4098.82 --> 4099.42] destruction +[4099.42 --> 4101.44] they will not +[4101.44 --> 4102.60] leave one stone +[4102.60 --> 4103.36] on another +[4103.36 --> 4104.08] said Jesus +[4104.08 --> 4104.76] because you +[4104.76 --> 4105.72] did not recognize +[4105.72 --> 4106.42] the time +[4106.42 --> 4107.44] of God's coming +[4107.44 --> 4107.90] to you +[4107.90 --> 4109.38] that's what +[4109.38 --> 4109.84] happened +[4109.84 --> 4116.52] in 2018 +[4116.52 --> 4118.50] I went +[4118.50 --> 4119.38] to +[4119.38 --> 4120.40] Egypt +[4120.40 --> 4121.12] and Israel +[4121.12 --> 4122.20] and Jordan +[4122.20 --> 4123.94] and on one day +[4123.94 --> 4124.66] I think I've told +[4124.66 --> 4125.12] some of you +[4125.12 --> 4126.08] this story before +[4126.08 --> 4127.32] one day +[4127.32 --> 4127.82] we were +[4127.82 --> 4129.30] standing on top +[4129.30 --> 4129.82] of the Mount +[4129.82 --> 4130.36] of Olives +[4130.36 --> 4132.12] which is now +[4132.12 --> 4133.26] a cemetery +[4133.26 --> 4134.90] a Muslim cemetery +[4134.90 --> 4135.62] there's a small +[4135.62 --> 4136.36] Jewish quarter +[4136.36 --> 4137.72] for graves +[4137.72 --> 4138.62] there +[4138.62 --> 4139.86] we got special +[4139.86 --> 4140.24] permission +[4140.24 --> 4141.24] from the gardener +[4141.24 --> 4142.56] to let us come in +[4142.56 --> 4143.54] and stand on top +[4143.54 --> 4144.16] of the mount +[4144.16 --> 4144.94] and you can see +[4144.94 --> 4145.50] from the Mount +[4145.50 --> 4145.90] of Olives +[4145.90 --> 4147.34] over the Temple +[4147.34 --> 4147.68] Mount +[4147.68 --> 4148.72] and to Jerusalem +[4148.72 --> 4150.50] and we did this +[4150.50 --> 4151.12] teaching +[4151.12 --> 4151.92] this story +[4151.92 --> 4153.52] standing on the top +[4153.52 --> 4154.24] of Mount of Olives +[4154.24 --> 4155.04] and then we marched +[4155.04 --> 4156.16] down the road +[4156.16 --> 4157.94] following the path +[4157.94 --> 4158.70] that likely +[4158.70 --> 4159.56] Jesus would have +[4159.56 --> 4159.92] followed +[4159.92 --> 4161.52] into the valley +[4161.52 --> 4162.42] past the Garden +[4162.42 --> 4163.14] of Gethsemane +[4163.14 --> 4163.96] and then up +[4163.96 --> 4165.74] into Jerusalem +[4165.74 --> 4166.62] walking this +[4166.62 --> 4168.12] very journey +[4168.12 --> 4169.22] about halfway +[4169.22 --> 4169.62] down +[4169.62 --> 4171.18] we stopped +[4171.18 --> 4172.32] under a tree +[4172.32 --> 4173.78] and we read +[4173.78 --> 4174.40] this story +[4174.40 --> 4176.86] and I +[4176.86 --> 4178.12] started +[4178.12 --> 4179.62] bawling +[4179.62 --> 4181.68] weeping +[4181.68 --> 4183.34] for the moment +[4183.34 --> 4184.78] of standing there +[4184.78 --> 4185.50] looking out +[4185.50 --> 4186.38] over the city +[4186.38 --> 4187.48] and mapping +[4187.48 --> 4188.28] over top +[4188.28 --> 4189.14] of the Temple +[4189.14 --> 4189.52] Mount +[4189.52 --> 4190.44] these ancient +[4190.44 --> 4191.02] people who +[4191.02 --> 4192.10] Jesus cried for +[4192.10 --> 4192.78] with the modern +[4192.78 --> 4193.94] people who don't +[4193.94 --> 4194.42] know him +[4194.42 --> 4195.06] and with all the +[4195.06 --> 4196.02] people in my life +[4196.02 --> 4197.08] who don't know him +[4197.08 --> 4197.62] all the people +[4197.62 --> 4198.66] that I haven't yet +[4198.66 --> 4199.36] met who don't +[4199.36 --> 4199.74] know him +[4199.74 --> 4200.40] and it just +[4200.40 --> 4201.94] weighed on me +[4201.94 --> 4202.70] and I wept +[4202.70 --> 4203.96] I joined Jesus +[4203.96 --> 4204.96] in weeping +[4204.96 --> 4205.78] for those people +[4205.78 --> 4206.34] who think +[4206.34 --> 4207.22] they know him +[4207.22 --> 4210.32] but are missing +[4210.32 --> 4210.70] what's right +[4210.70 --> 4211.28] in front of them +[4211.28 --> 4215.56] how will they know +[4215.56 --> 4217.74] how will I +[4217.74 --> 4218.58] make him known +[4218.58 --> 4222.20] moved by +[4222.20 --> 4222.98] compassion +[4222.98 --> 4223.72] for +[4223.72 --> 4225.10] helping people +[4225.10 --> 4225.66] to see +[4225.66 --> 4226.16] or +[4226.16 --> 4230.44] is there a +[4230.44 --> 4230.78] sense of +[4230.78 --> 4231.44] superiority +[4231.44 --> 4233.12] in having it +[4233.12 --> 4233.74] figured out +[4233.74 --> 4234.90] knowing all +[4234.90 --> 4235.56] the answers +[4235.56 --> 4237.20] making sure +[4237.20 --> 4237.66] other people +[4237.66 --> 4238.16] know that I +[4238.16 --> 4238.48] know all +[4238.48 --> 4238.98] the answers +[4238.98 --> 4240.92] what is it +[4240.92 --> 4241.52] that moves +[4241.52 --> 4242.08] us +[4242.08 --> 4245.64] in our +[4245.64 --> 4246.10] time and +[4246.10 --> 4246.48] place +[4246.48 --> 4246.98] in our +[4246.98 --> 4247.42] culture +[4247.42 --> 4249.16] there is a +[4249.16 --> 4250.08] story that +[4250.08 --> 4250.86] was told +[4250.86 --> 4251.28] that was +[4251.28 --> 4251.86] started being +[4251.86 --> 4252.24] told +[4252.24 --> 4253.60] hundreds of +[4253.60 --> 4254.18] years ago +[4254.18 --> 4255.00] and has +[4255.00 --> 4255.86] continued to +[4255.86 --> 4256.42] be told +[4256.42 --> 4258.14] that God +[4258.14 --> 4258.80] is not +[4258.80 --> 4259.28] real +[4259.28 --> 4259.96] that God +[4259.96 --> 4260.66] is dead +[4260.66 --> 4261.10] and we have +[4261.10 --> 4261.62] killed him +[4261.62 --> 4262.92] but they've +[4262.92 --> 4263.66] been connecting +[4263.66 --> 4264.42] it in what's +[4264.42 --> 4265.04] now come to +[4265.04 --> 4265.58] be known as +[4265.58 --> 4266.18] the secular +[4266.18 --> 4266.64] gospel +[4266.64 --> 4267.20] the secular +[4267.20 --> 4267.80] myth that +[4267.80 --> 4268.06] says +[4268.06 --> 4270.04] don't worry +[4270.04 --> 4270.70] don't have +[4270.70 --> 4271.22] anxiety +[4271.22 --> 4272.00] don't carry +[4272.00 --> 4272.60] guilt or +[4272.60 --> 4272.92] shame +[4272.92 --> 4273.64] because God's +[4273.64 --> 4274.08] not real +[4274.08 --> 4274.62] and so go +[4274.62 --> 4275.08] just do what +[4275.08 --> 4275.40] you want to +[4275.40 --> 4275.60] do +[4275.60 --> 4277.42] that's the +[4277.42 --> 4278.06] message that +[4278.06 --> 4278.72] has become so +[4278.72 --> 4279.66] popular in +[4279.66 --> 4280.22] Europe and +[4280.22 --> 4280.76] in Canada +[4280.76 --> 4281.56] and around +[4281.56 --> 4281.98] the world +[4281.98 --> 4283.92] God's not +[4283.92 --> 4285.18] real so just +[4285.18 --> 4285.60] go and have +[4285.60 --> 4285.88] fun +[4285.88 --> 4289.14] but that +[4289.14 --> 4290.92] message in +[4290.92 --> 4291.48] the last +[4291.48 --> 4292.60] five to ten +[4292.60 --> 4293.20] years +[4293.20 --> 4294.32] especially +[4294.32 --> 4294.34] especially +[4294.34 --> 4294.92] among young +[4294.92 --> 4295.34] people +[4295.34 --> 4296.54] has proved +[4296.54 --> 4296.90] to be +[4296.90 --> 4297.28] empty +[4297.28 --> 4298.50] and vapid +[4298.50 --> 4299.64] it's proved +[4299.64 --> 4300.10] to be +[4300.10 --> 4300.70] anemic +[4300.70 --> 4301.58] and devoid +[4301.58 --> 4302.08] of any +[4302.08 --> 4303.22] real meaning +[4303.22 --> 4304.52] and it's +[4304.52 --> 4305.40] leaving people +[4305.40 --> 4305.98] in this +[4305.98 --> 4306.52] time and +[4306.52 --> 4307.02] place where +[4307.02 --> 4308.18] anxiety is +[4308.18 --> 4308.78] spiking +[4308.78 --> 4312.12] and here +[4312.12 --> 4312.68] we are +[4312.68 --> 4313.90] a church +[4313.90 --> 4314.46] of people +[4314.46 --> 4315.56] who see +[4315.56 --> 4316.14] Jesus +[4316.14 --> 4317.02] Lord willing +[4317.02 --> 4317.50] as he +[4317.50 --> 4318.18] really is +[4318.18 --> 4319.70] with a +[4319.70 --> 4320.40] message for +[4320.40 --> 4320.92] those who +[4320.92 --> 4321.50] do not +[4321.50 --> 4324.64] now +[4324.64 --> 4325.38] I quoted +[4325.38 --> 4326.08] some statistics +[4326.08 --> 4326.56] earlier +[4326.56 --> 4327.72] I want to +[4327.72 --> 4328.18] return to +[4328.18 --> 4329.12] that and +[4329.12 --> 4329.52] tell the +[4329.52 --> 4329.94] continued +[4329.94 --> 4330.72] story because +[4330.72 --> 4331.26] it's actually +[4331.26 --> 4332.34] kind of +[4332.34 --> 4332.82] encouraging +[4332.82 --> 4334.86] right in +[4334.86 --> 4335.28] this same +[4335.28 --> 4335.88] study that +[4335.88 --> 4336.74] Cardus did +[4336.74 --> 4337.68] they noticed +[4337.68 --> 4339.02] that there's +[4339.02 --> 4339.40] been an +[4339.40 --> 4340.56] increase in +[4340.56 --> 4341.46] men under +[4341.46 --> 4342.02] the age of +[4342.02 --> 4343.52] 35 attending +[4343.52 --> 4344.42] religious services +[4344.42 --> 4345.04] at least once +[4345.04 --> 4345.40] a month +[4345.40 --> 4348.18] right that +[4348.18 --> 4349.72] up to +[4349.72 --> 4351.14] 22% +[4351.14 --> 4352.96] in April +[4352.96 --> 4353.92] of 2022 +[4353.92 --> 4354.86] which is up +[4354.86 --> 4356.04] from 14% +[4356.04 --> 4357.42] six years +[4357.42 --> 4357.96] before that +[4357.96 --> 4359.86] now this +[4359.86 --> 4360.66] trend they +[4360.66 --> 4361.14] note in the +[4361.14 --> 4361.64] study is +[4361.64 --> 4362.86] representative of +[4362.86 --> 4363.68] something that +[4363.68 --> 4364.98] permeates the +[4364.98 --> 4365.50] report +[4365.50 --> 4366.48] right younger +[4366.48 --> 4367.58] Canadians are +[4367.58 --> 4368.56] more likely to +[4368.56 --> 4369.14] be attending +[4369.14 --> 4370.24] religious services +[4370.24 --> 4371.10] at least once +[4371.10 --> 4371.50] a month +[4371.50 --> 4373.12] right 20% +[4373.12 --> 4373.72] of younger +[4373.72 --> 4374.18] Canadians +[4374.18 --> 4374.86] compared to +[4374.86 --> 4375.62] 13% +[4375.62 --> 4376.32] of people +[4376.32 --> 4377.10] over 35 +[4377.10 --> 4379.62] in fact +[4379.62 --> 4380.92] it's younger +[4380.92 --> 4381.44] Canadians +[4381.44 --> 4382.32] under 35 +[4382.32 --> 4383.42] that is the +[4383.42 --> 4383.90] only +[4383.90 --> 4386.36] group to +[4386.36 --> 4387.06] see an +[4387.06 --> 4387.84] increase +[4387.84 --> 4389.34] in commitment +[4389.34 --> 4390.12] and religious +[4390.12 --> 4390.64] involvement +[4390.64 --> 4393.12] younger Canadians +[4393.12 --> 4394.00] age 35 +[4394.00 --> 4395.00] and younger +[4395.00 --> 4395.62] who identify +[4395.62 --> 4396.36] as Christian +[4396.36 --> 4397.18] are twice +[4397.18 --> 4398.08] as likely +[4398.08 --> 4399.38] to attend +[4399.38 --> 4400.46] religious services +[4400.46 --> 4401.06] more than +[4401.06 --> 4401.66] any other +[4401.66 --> 4401.98] group +[4401.98 --> 4402.80] a whole +[4402.80 --> 4403.36] one-third +[4403.36 --> 4403.82] of that +[4403.82 --> 4404.40] population +[4404.40 --> 4405.52] is likely +[4405.52 --> 4405.88] to do +[4405.88 --> 4406.12] that +[4406.12 --> 4407.18] you know +[4407.18 --> 4407.38] what the +[4407.38 --> 4408.00] second largest +[4408.00 --> 4408.70] group is +[4408.70 --> 4410.54] immigrants +[4410.54 --> 4411.50] who identify +[4411.50 --> 4412.06] as Canadian +[4412.06 --> 4416.60] this week +[4416.60 --> 4417.24] I was listening +[4417.24 --> 4418.48] to an +[4418.48 --> 4418.94] incredible +[4418.94 --> 4420.84] discussion +[4420.84 --> 4421.44] about a +[4421.44 --> 4422.06] report that +[4422.06 --> 4422.52] was just +[4422.52 --> 4423.06] released +[4423.06 --> 4424.12] in the +[4424.12 --> 4424.54] UK +[4424.54 --> 4426.42] tracking the +[4426.42 --> 4426.62] same +[4426.62 --> 4427.66] statistics +[4427.66 --> 4429.04] from +[4429.04 --> 4429.68] from 2018 +[4429.68 --> 4430.66] to 2024 +[4430.66 --> 4431.54] in Britain +[4431.54 --> 4432.44] the Bible +[4432.44 --> 4433.06] Society +[4433.06 --> 4433.86] dug into +[4433.86 --> 4434.28] these +[4434.28 --> 4435.32] things +[4435.32 --> 4435.60] and they +[4435.60 --> 4436.02] published +[4436.02 --> 4436.76] just published +[4436.76 --> 4437.28] a report +[4437.28 --> 4437.64] and that +[4437.64 --> 4438.28] report is +[4438.28 --> 4438.64] called +[4438.64 --> 4439.32] the quiet +[4439.32 --> 4440.06] revival +[4440.06 --> 4440.12] revival +[4440.12 --> 4441.90] and Glenn +[4441.90 --> 4442.68] Scrivener +[4442.68 --> 4443.24] has a +[4443.24 --> 4443.70] discussion +[4443.70 --> 4444.66] on the +[4444.66 --> 4444.98] quiet +[4444.98 --> 4445.60] revival +[4445.60 --> 4446.48] where he +[4446.48 --> 4446.86] notes +[4446.86 --> 4447.24] that from +[4447.24 --> 4447.74] 2018 +[4447.74 --> 4448.60] to 2024 +[4448.60 --> 4449.42] in the +[4449.42 --> 4449.72] UK +[4449.72 --> 4451.76] regular +[4451.76 --> 4452.36] church +[4452.36 --> 4452.88] attenders +[4452.88 --> 4453.12] that's +[4453.12 --> 4453.52] monthly +[4453.52 --> 4453.88] church +[4453.88 --> 4454.32] attenders +[4454.32 --> 4454.72] has gone +[4454.72 --> 4454.94] from +[4454.94 --> 4455.72] 8% +[4455.72 --> 4456.90] to 12% +[4456.90 --> 4459.10] among +[4459.10 --> 4459.96] 18 to +[4459.96 --> 4460.76] 24 year +[4460.76 --> 4461.02] olds +[4461.02 --> 4461.30] though +[4461.30 --> 4461.78] it's gone +[4461.78 --> 4462.00] from +[4462.00 --> 4462.86] 4% +[4462.86 --> 4463.36] to +[4463.36 --> 4464.60] 16% +[4464.60 --> 4466.86] and it +[4466.86 --> 4467.26] works out +[4467.26 --> 4467.54] in the +[4467.54 --> 4467.76] UK +[4467.76 --> 4468.08] that a +[4468.08 --> 4468.24] whole +[4468.24 --> 4468.80] one-third +[4468.80 --> 4469.28] of adult +[4469.28 --> 4469.54] church +[4469.54 --> 4469.90] goers +[4469.90 --> 4470.44] are now +[4470.44 --> 4471.02] 18 to +[4471.02 --> 4471.52] 30 years +[4471.52 --> 4471.80] old +[4471.80 --> 4472.40] 18 to +[4472.40 --> 4472.98] 34 years +[4472.98 --> 4473.20] old +[4473.20 --> 4474.18] that's up +[4474.18 --> 4475.18] from 14% +[4475.18 --> 4475.88] that's a +[4475.88 --> 4476.54] parallel number +[4476.54 --> 4477.04] to what is +[4477.04 --> 4477.54] experienced +[4477.54 --> 4477.90] here in +[4477.90 --> 4478.18] Canada +[4478.18 --> 4480.88] and again +[4480.88 --> 4481.72] among +[4481.72 --> 4482.90] the under +[4482.90 --> 4483.48] 55 +[4483.48 --> 4484.10] church +[4484.10 --> 4484.66] goers +[4484.66 --> 4485.64] 32% +[4485.64 --> 4486.14] of them +[4486.14 --> 4486.62] in Britain +[4486.62 --> 4487.52] are immigrants +[4487.52 --> 4487.98] which is +[4487.98 --> 4488.30] another +[4488.30 --> 4488.70] parallel +[4488.70 --> 4489.06] to what +[4489.06 --> 4489.16] we're +[4489.16 --> 4489.48] seeing +[4489.48 --> 4490.24] here in +[4490.24 --> 4490.60] Canada +[4490.60 --> 4493.44] and when +[4493.44 --> 4494.92] Glenn +[4494.92 --> 4495.48] Scrivener +[4495.48 --> 4495.98] digs into +[4495.98 --> 4496.58] these numbers +[4496.58 --> 4497.66] there's one +[4497.66 --> 4498.06] thing that I +[4498.06 --> 4498.30] want to +[4498.30 --> 4499.40] share with +[4499.40 --> 4500.02] you and +[4500.02 --> 4500.54] note and I +[4500.54 --> 4500.90] encourage you +[4500.90 --> 4501.36] to go check +[4501.36 --> 4501.62] out the +[4501.62 --> 4502.04] video I +[4502.04 --> 4502.58] can share +[4502.58 --> 4502.84] with you +[4502.84 --> 4503.16] the link +[4503.16 --> 4503.58] afterwards +[4503.58 --> 4503.88] you can +[4503.88 --> 4504.66] watch it +[4504.66 --> 4507.22] but in +[4507.22 --> 4507.82] relation to +[4507.82 --> 4508.46] our idea +[4508.46 --> 4509.58] of people +[4509.58 --> 4510.18] think they +[4510.18 --> 4510.58] know +[4510.58 --> 4513.54] but he +[4513.54 --> 4514.02] talks about +[4514.02 --> 4514.78] this shift +[4514.78 --> 4515.66] that's taking +[4515.66 --> 4516.48] place from +[4516.48 --> 4517.46] nominalism +[4517.46 --> 4519.36] to practicing +[4519.36 --> 4520.18] to a deep +[4520.18 --> 4521.00] rootedness +[4521.00 --> 4521.70] from being +[4521.70 --> 4522.36] Christian only +[4522.36 --> 4522.92] in name +[4522.92 --> 4523.68] to actually +[4523.68 --> 4524.62] living it +[4524.62 --> 4525.52] and sharing +[4525.52 --> 4525.78] it +[4525.78 --> 4526.36] and he +[4526.36 --> 4526.76] says that +[4526.76 --> 4527.00] if you +[4527.00 --> 4527.86] identify as +[4527.86 --> 4528.42] a Christian +[4528.42 --> 4529.34] but you +[4529.34 --> 4529.78] don't go +[4529.78 --> 4530.28] to church +[4530.28 --> 4530.88] what the +[4530.88 --> 4531.38] statistics +[4531.38 --> 4532.18] actually are +[4532.18 --> 4532.72] bearing out +[4532.72 --> 4533.12] is that you +[4533.12 --> 4533.66] have higher +[4533.66 --> 4534.38] anxiety +[4534.38 --> 4535.38] and less +[4535.38 --> 4535.86] hope for +[4535.86 --> 4536.38] the world +[4536.38 --> 4537.42] than even +[4537.42 --> 4538.64] our non-Christian +[4538.64 --> 4539.82] neighbors +[4539.82 --> 4542.16] right you've +[4542.16 --> 4542.60] got much +[4542.60 --> 4544.58] less self-reporting +[4544.58 --> 4545.16] about your +[4545.16 --> 4546.10] own well-being +[4546.10 --> 4547.56] right to +[4547.56 --> 4549.02] simply name +[4549.02 --> 4549.60] the name +[4549.60 --> 4550.50] of Christianity +[4550.50 --> 4551.90] without engaging +[4551.90 --> 4552.62] in the church +[4552.62 --> 4553.60] actually seems +[4553.60 --> 4554.20] to be bad +[4554.20 --> 4554.66] for you +[4554.66 --> 4556.72] I'll give +[4556.72 --> 4557.00] you he +[4557.00 --> 4557.40] says +[4557.40 --> 4558.76] directly +[4558.76 --> 4559.04] he says +[4559.04 --> 4559.66] going to +[4559.66 --> 4559.98] church +[4559.98 --> 4560.76] is incredibly +[4560.76 --> 4561.28] good for +[4561.28 --> 4561.50] you +[4561.50 --> 4562.14] but what +[4562.14 --> 4562.88] is absolutely +[4562.88 --> 4563.66] worse for +[4563.66 --> 4564.10] you is +[4564.10 --> 4564.74] claiming to +[4564.74 --> 4565.36] be Christian +[4565.36 --> 4565.96] and not +[4565.96 --> 4566.58] showing up +[4566.58 --> 4567.82] not engaging +[4567.82 --> 4568.14] in the +[4568.14 --> 4568.60] practices +[4568.60 --> 4571.06] and so as +[4571.06 --> 4571.54] we sit here +[4571.54 --> 4572.14] and we wonder +[4572.14 --> 4573.44] about ourselves +[4573.44 --> 4574.36] and as we +[4574.36 --> 4574.90] look at our +[4574.90 --> 4575.66] own lives +[4575.66 --> 4576.94] as we ask +[4576.94 --> 4577.60] the question +[4577.60 --> 4578.92] about those +[4578.92 --> 4580.24] who think +[4580.24 --> 4580.84] they know +[4580.84 --> 4583.16] but maybe +[4583.16 --> 4584.18] are missing +[4584.18 --> 4585.34] something +[4585.34 --> 4587.24] as we wonder +[4587.24 --> 4588.20] about how it +[4588.20 --> 4588.86] is that the +[4588.86 --> 4589.88] stones will +[4589.88 --> 4590.74] cry out +[4590.74 --> 4591.80] but the people +[4591.80 --> 4592.80] don't recognize +[4592.80 --> 4593.34] him +[4593.34 --> 4594.84] as we ensure +[4594.84 --> 4595.50] that we're not +[4595.50 --> 4596.48] making the same +[4596.48 --> 4597.76] mistake +[4597.76 --> 4599.76] I invite you +[4599.76 --> 4601.02] to reflect +[4601.02 --> 4602.74] and to wonder +[4602.74 --> 4604.72] discussing +[4604.72 --> 4605.68] this trend +[4605.68 --> 4606.54] in the UK +[4606.54 --> 4607.86] Gavin Ortlund +[4607.86 --> 4609.20] says +[4609.20 --> 4610.32] wouldn't it +[4610.32 --> 4611.02] be just +[4611.02 --> 4611.92] like God +[4611.92 --> 4612.50] to bring +[4612.50 --> 4613.10] about a +[4613.10 --> 4614.32] quiet revival +[4614.32 --> 4615.34] in an age +[4615.34 --> 4615.92] filled with +[4615.92 --> 4616.52] blustering +[4616.52 --> 4617.94] and grandstanding +[4617.94 --> 4619.10] and polarities +[4619.10 --> 4620.14] and arguing +[4620.14 --> 4620.98] for God +[4620.98 --> 4621.48] just to do +[4621.48 --> 4622.08] his thing +[4622.08 --> 4623.08] quietly +[4623.08 --> 4626.26] earlier we +[4626.26 --> 4626.84] sang a song +[4626.84 --> 4627.38] I see a +[4627.38 --> 4627.90] generation +[4627.90 --> 4628.86] rising up +[4628.86 --> 4629.32] to take +[4629.32 --> 4630.00] their place +[4630.00 --> 4632.70] I think +[4632.70 --> 4633.24] God's doing +[4633.24 --> 4633.72] something +[4633.72 --> 4635.14] in our +[4635.14 --> 4635.52] midst +[4635.52 --> 4636.54] I think +[4636.54 --> 4637.04] God's doing +[4637.04 --> 4637.42] something +[4637.42 --> 4638.02] in our +[4638.02 --> 4638.56] time +[4638.56 --> 4639.22] and it's +[4639.22 --> 4639.78] our privilege +[4639.78 --> 4640.10] and our +[4640.10 --> 4640.48] joy +[4640.48 --> 4641.66] to partner +[4641.66 --> 4642.16] with him +[4642.16 --> 4642.82] to cooperate +[4642.82 --> 4643.52] with the +[4643.52 --> 4644.10] Holy Spirit +[4644.10 --> 4644.80] in what +[4644.80 --> 4645.34] God is +[4645.34 --> 4645.66] doing +[4645.66 --> 4646.36] and maybe +[4646.36 --> 4647.54] this quiet +[4647.54 --> 4648.06] revival +[4648.06 --> 4648.58] gets just +[4648.58 --> 4649.06] a little bit +[4649.06 --> 4649.76] louder for a +[4649.76 --> 4650.02] day +[4650.02 --> 4650.76] on Palm +[4650.76 --> 4651.10] Sunday +[4651.10 --> 4652.82] maybe +[4652.82 --> 4654.08] we see +[4654.08 --> 4654.48] Jesus +[4654.48 --> 4655.18] for who +[4655.18 --> 4656.26] he really +[4656.26 --> 4657.40] is +[4657.40 --> 4659.12] and may +[4659.12 --> 4659.54] I say +[4659.54 --> 4660.04] that's also +[4660.04 --> 4660.34] why we +[4660.34 --> 4660.60] come to +[4660.60 --> 4660.78] this +[4660.78 --> 4661.08] table +[4661.08 --> 4662.54] so that +[4662.54 --> 4662.76] we can +[4662.76 --> 4662.96] see +[4662.96 --> 4663.30] Jesus +[4663.30 --> 4663.82] for who +[4663.82 --> 4664.10] he +[4664.10 --> 4664.88] really +[4664.88 --> 4665.58] is +[4665.58 --> 4665.84] so that +[4665.84 --> 4666.10] we can +[4666.10 --> 4666.60] meet him +[4666.60 --> 4667.04] here +[4667.04 --> 4667.64] in the +[4667.64 --> 4667.92] word +[4667.92 --> 4668.22] and in +[4668.22 --> 4668.36] our +[4668.36 --> 4668.68] worship +[4668.68 --> 4669.08] and then +[4669.08 --> 4669.34] we can +[4669.34 --> 4669.82] take him +[4669.82 --> 4670.24] in +[4670.24 --> 4670.88] in the +[4670.88 --> 4671.20] bread +[4671.20 --> 4672.32] and the +[4672.32 --> 4672.68] juice +[4672.68 --> 4674.70] God +[4674.70 --> 4675.40] is up +[4675.40 --> 4675.66] to +[4675.66 --> 4676.32] something +[4676.32 --> 4677.50] amen +[4677.50 --> 4679.40] let's +[4679.40 --> 4679.80] join him +[4679.80 --> 4680.12] in that +[4680.12 --> 4680.38] work +[4680.38 --> 4680.84] let's +[4680.84 --> 4680.98] pray +[4680.98 --> 4681.34] together +[4681.34 --> 4687.34] God +[4687.34 --> 4687.60] you +[4687.60 --> 4688.08] are +[4688.08 --> 4688.82] so +[4688.82 --> 4689.84] good +[4689.84 --> 4691.30] it's +[4691.30 --> 4691.74] magnificent +[4691.74 --> 4692.66] to see +[4692.66 --> 4692.98] you +[4692.98 --> 4693.56] at work +[4693.56 --> 4693.90] in our +[4693.90 --> 4694.22] midst +[4694.22 --> 4694.50] and in +[4694.50 --> 4694.60] the +[4694.60 --> 4694.90] world +[4694.90 --> 4696.00] we +[4696.00 --> 4696.46] thank you +[4696.46 --> 4696.74] for the +[4696.74 --> 4697.10] privilege +[4697.10 --> 4697.48] now +[4697.48 --> 4698.06] of coming +[4698.06 --> 4698.48] to +[4698.48 --> 4699.34] this +[4699.34 --> 4699.96] table +[4699.96 --> 4700.98] for the +[4700.98 --> 4701.56] truth +[4701.56 --> 4701.86] that you +[4701.86 --> 4702.24] have +[4702.24 --> 4703.18] met us +[4703.18 --> 4703.46] in +[4703.46 --> 4703.80] worship +[4703.80 --> 4704.20] and that +[4704.20 --> 4704.32] you +[4704.32 --> 4704.56] meet +[4704.56 --> 4705.02] us +[4705.02 --> 4705.66] in +[4705.66 --> 4706.02] ways +[4706.02 --> 4706.28] that we +[4706.28 --> 4706.46] can +[4706.46 --> 4706.86] taste +[4706.86 --> 4707.62] and see +[4707.62 --> 4708.22] that the +[4708.22 --> 4708.54] Lord +[4708.54 --> 4709.14] is good +[4709.14 --> 4709.54] here +[4709.54 --> 4709.96] as we +[4709.96 --> 4710.58] receive +[4710.58 --> 4711.44] from +[4711.44 --> 4711.70] you +[4711.70 --> 4712.86] we +[4712.86 --> 4713.30] join +[4713.30 --> 4713.86] now +[4713.86 --> 4714.32] in +[4714.32 --> 4714.90] this +[4714.90 --> 4715.78] feast +[4715.78 --> 4716.44] we +[4716.44 --> 4716.56] have +[4716.56 --> 4716.88] joined +[4716.88 --> 4717.16] the +[4717.16 --> 4717.98] festal +[4717.98 --> 4718.74] procession +[4718.74 --> 4719.12] and we +[4719.12 --> 4719.34] have +[4719.34 --> 4720.08] lauded +[4720.08 --> 4720.44] you +[4720.44 --> 4720.76] as +[4720.76 --> 4721.16] king +[4721.16 --> 4721.80] and now +[4721.80 --> 4722.06] we +[4722.06 --> 4722.42] come +[4722.42 --> 4722.72] to +[4722.72 --> 4723.00] your +[4723.00 --> 4723.44] banquet +[4723.44 --> 4723.96] table +[4723.96 --> 4725.80] meet +[4725.80 --> 4726.30] us +[4726.30 --> 4726.86] here +[4726.86 --> 4727.56] so that +[4727.56 --> 4727.68] we +[4727.68 --> 4727.90] might +[4727.90 --> 4728.10] go +[4728.10 --> 4728.34] from +[4728.34 --> 4728.56] this +[4728.56 --> 4728.90] place +[4728.90 --> 4729.44] nourished +[4729.44 --> 4729.96] and +[4729.96 --> 4730.58] sustained +[4730.58 --> 4730.84] and +[4730.84 --> 4731.58] encouraged +[4731.58 --> 4732.40] in our +[4732.40 --> 4732.72] lives +[4732.72 --> 4733.16] of faith +[4733.16 --> 4733.56] together +[4733.56 --> 4734.40] we pray +[4734.40 --> 4734.84] this in +[4734.84 --> 4735.50] Jesus name +[4735.50 --> 4736.52] amen +[4736.86 --> 4739.76] as we +[4739.76 --> 4739.92] go +[4739.92 --> 4740.22] through +[4740.22 --> 4740.58] the +[4740.58 --> 4740.94] table +[4740.94 --> 4741.22] we +[4741.22 --> 4741.38] have +[4741.38 --> 4741.90] a +[4741.90 --> 4742.72] special +[4742.72 --> 4744.12] liturgy +[4744.12 --> 4744.80] for us +[4744.80 --> 4745.18] one that +[4745.18 --> 4745.64] reflects +[4745.64 --> 4746.12] this +[4746.12 --> 4746.54] Palm +[4746.54 --> 4747.04] Sunday +[4747.04 --> 4747.70] tradition +[4747.70 --> 4748.50] so I +[4748.50 --> 4749.02] invite you +[4749.02 --> 4749.82] to see +[4749.82 --> 4750.26] the words +[4750.26 --> 4750.90] behind me +[4750.90 --> 4751.28] and to +[4751.28 --> 4751.80] participate +[4751.80 --> 4752.94] in the +[4752.94 --> 4753.24] ones that +[4753.24 --> 4753.42] you're +[4753.42 --> 4753.80] indicated +[4753.80 --> 4754.14] to say +[4754.14 --> 4754.52] the yellow +[4754.52 --> 4754.94] ones +[4754.94 --> 4755.84] there +[4755.84 --> 4757.46] holy +[4757.46 --> 4758.08] holy +[4758.08 --> 4758.70] holy +[4758.70 --> 4759.18] lord +[4759.18 --> 4760.02] god +[4760.02 --> 4760.36] of +[4760.36 --> 4760.78] power +[4760.78 --> 4761.04] and +[4761.04 --> 4761.38] might +[4761.38 --> 4762.06] heaven +[4762.06 --> 4762.36] and +[4762.36 --> 4762.84] earth +[4762.84 --> 4763.06] are +[4763.06 --> 4763.58] full +[4763.58 --> 4763.84] of +[4763.84 --> 4764.00] your +[4764.00 --> 4764.44] glory +[4764.44 --> 4768.30] blessed +[4768.30 --> 4769.06] is he +[4769.06 --> 4769.60] blessed +[4769.60 --> 4770.08] is the +[4770.08 --> 4770.48] king +[4770.48 --> 4770.82] who +[4770.82 --> 4771.40] comes +[4771.40 --> 4771.78] in +[4771.78 --> 4772.02] the +[4772.02 --> 4772.44] name +[4772.44 --> 4772.74] of +[4772.74 --> 4772.96] the +[4772.96 --> 4773.26] lord +[4773.26 --> 4778.78] jesus +[4778.78 --> 4779.64] comes +[4779.64 --> 4780.22] to us +[4780.22 --> 4780.52] in +[4780.52 --> 4780.84] this +[4780.84 --> 4781.16] supper +[4781.16 --> 4781.54] with +[4781.54 --> 4781.88] his +[4781.88 --> 4782.30] real +[4782.30 --> 4783.18] spiritual +[4783.18 --> 4784.12] presence +[4784.12 --> 4784.80] the +[4784.80 --> 4784.98] lord +[4784.98 --> 4785.38] jesus +[4785.38 --> 4785.76] on +[4785.76 --> 4786.20] the +[4786.20 --> 4786.44] night +[4786.44 --> 4786.60] when +[4786.60 --> 4786.72] he +[4786.72 --> 4786.92] was +[4786.92 --> 4787.34] betrayed +[4787.34 --> 4787.66] he +[4787.66 --> 4787.90] took +[4787.90 --> 4788.26] bread +[4788.26 --> 4789.20] and +[4789.20 --> 4789.50] when +[4789.50 --> 4789.82] he +[4789.82 --> 4790.20] had +[4790.20 --> 4790.80] given +[4790.80 --> 4791.44] thanks +[4791.44 --> 4792.02] he +[4792.02 --> 4792.52] broke +[4792.52 --> 4792.76] it +[4792.76 --> 4793.06] and +[4793.06 --> 4793.58] said +[4793.58 --> 4794.22] this +[4794.22 --> 4794.68] is +[4794.68 --> 4795.02] my +[4795.02 --> 4795.52] body +[4795.52 --> 4796.28] which +[4796.28 --> 4796.46] is +[4796.46 --> 4796.66] for +[4796.66 --> 4796.96] you +[4796.96 --> 4797.86] do +[4797.86 --> 4798.36] this +[4798.36 --> 4798.68] in +[4798.68 --> 4799.22] remembrance +[4799.22 --> 4800.04] of +[4800.04 --> 4800.32] me +[4800.32 --> 4802.08] and +[4802.08 --> 4802.18] in +[4802.18 --> 4802.32] the +[4802.32 --> 4802.54] same +[4802.54 --> 4802.90] way +[4802.90 --> 4804.20] he +[4804.20 --> 4804.38] took +[4804.38 --> 4804.56] the +[4804.56 --> 4804.86] cup +[4804.86 --> 4805.64] after +[4805.64 --> 4806.18] supper +[4806.18 --> 4806.94] saying +[4806.94 --> 4808.06] this +[4808.06 --> 4808.48] cup +[4808.48 --> 4809.00] is +[4809.00 --> 4809.26] the +[4809.26 --> 4809.48] new +[4809.48 --> 4809.88] covenant +[4809.88 --> 4810.84] in +[4810.84 --> 4811.02] my +[4811.02 --> 4811.40] blood +[4811.40 --> 4812.38] do +[4812.38 --> 4812.96] this +[4812.96 --> 4814.98] whenever +[4814.98 --> 4815.44] you +[4815.44 --> 4815.76] drink +[4815.76 --> 4816.00] it +[4816.00 --> 4816.42] in +[4816.42 --> 4816.86] remembrance +[4816.86 --> 4817.64] of +[4817.64 --> 4817.92] me +[4817.92 --> 4818.70] for +[4818.70 --> 4819.00] whenever +[4819.00 --> 4819.30] we +[4819.30 --> 4819.54] eat +[4819.54 --> 4819.82] this +[4819.82 --> 4820.16] bread +[4820.16 --> 4820.50] and +[4820.50 --> 4820.80] drink +[4820.80 --> 4821.14] this +[4821.14 --> 4821.48] cup +[4821.48 --> 4821.74] we +[4821.74 --> 4822.38] proclaim +[4822.38 --> 4822.92] the +[4822.92 --> 4823.32] Lord's +[4823.32 --> 4823.64] death +[4823.64 --> 4824.12] until +[4824.12 --> 4824.54] he +[4824.54 --> 4825.02] comes +[4825.02 --> 4825.82] again +[4825.82 --> 4826.74] this +[4826.74 --> 4827.24] is +[4827.24 --> 4827.54] the +[4827.54 --> 4828.10] mystery +[4828.10 --> 4828.64] of +[4828.64 --> 4829.00] our +[4829.00 --> 4829.48] faith +[4829.48 --> 4832.66] we +[4832.66 --> 4833.30] proclaim +[4833.30 --> 4834.26] your +[4834.26 --> 4834.92] resurrection +[4834.92 --> 4835.42] we +[4835.42 --> 4835.86] affirm +[4835.86 --> 4836.16] with +[4836.16 --> 4836.54] joy +[4836.54 --> 4837.48] your +[4837.48 --> 4837.96] coming +[4837.96 --> 4838.28] we +[4838.28 --> 4838.66] await +[4838.66 --> 4838.96] with +[4838.96 --> 4839.34] hope +[4839.34 --> 4840.52] glory +[4840.52 --> 4840.82] be +[4840.82 --> 4841.06] to +[4841.06 --> 4841.34] you +[4841.34 --> 4841.64] Lord +[4841.64 --> 4842.12] Jesus +[4842.12 --> 4844.84] church +[4844.84 --> 4845.24] family +[4845.24 --> 4846.46] today +[4846.46 --> 4846.92] we +[4846.92 --> 4847.38] ask +[4847.38 --> 4847.62] for +[4847.62 --> 4848.06] faith +[4848.06 --> 4848.38] that +[4848.38 --> 4848.56] will +[4848.56 --> 4849.00] open +[4849.00 --> 4849.34] our +[4849.34 --> 4849.78] eyes +[4849.78 --> 4850.00] to +[4850.00 --> 4850.52] see +[4850.52 --> 4851.30] Jesus +[4851.30 --> 4851.76] for +[4851.76 --> 4852.06] who +[4852.06 --> 4852.32] he +[4852.32 --> 4852.72] is +[4852.72 --> 4854.46] that +[4854.46 --> 4854.58] we +[4854.58 --> 4854.76] might +[4854.76 --> 4855.38] receive +[4855.38 --> 4855.72] him +[4855.72 --> 4856.20] in +[4856.20 --> 4856.64] truth +[4856.64 --> 4858.40] people +[4858.40 --> 4858.62] of +[4858.62 --> 4858.96] God +[4858.96 --> 4859.60] behold +[4859.60 --> 4860.08] and +[4860.08 --> 4860.76] see +[4860.76 --> 4861.56] your +[4861.56 --> 4862.28] God +[4862.28 --> 4864.24] we +[4864.24 --> 4864.58] open +[4864.58 --> 4864.86] our +[4864.86 --> 4865.30] eyes +[4865.30 --> 4865.52] to +[4865.52 --> 4865.84] see +[4865.84 --> 4866.16] his +[4866.16 --> 4866.56] glory +[4866.56 --> 4867.56] we +[4867.56 --> 4867.82] open +[4867.82 --> 4868.04] our +[4868.04 --> 4868.54] ears +[4868.54 --> 4868.84] to +[4868.84 --> 4869.18] hear +[4869.18 --> 4869.46] his +[4869.46 --> 4869.88] wisdom +[4869.88 --> 4870.92] we +[4870.92 --> 4871.20] open +[4871.20 --> 4871.42] our +[4871.42 --> 4871.96] hands +[4871.96 --> 4872.22] to +[4872.22 --> 4872.60] offer +[4872.60 --> 4872.90] him +[4872.90 --> 4873.30] gifts +[4873.30 --> 4874.34] we +[4874.34 --> 4874.66] open +[4874.66 --> 4874.92] our +[4874.92 --> 4875.42] mouths +[4875.42 --> 4875.76] to +[4875.76 --> 4876.06] sing +[4876.06 --> 4876.36] his +[4876.36 --> 4876.90] praise +[4876.90 --> 4877.48] and +[4877.48 --> 4877.84] receive +[4877.84 --> 4878.26] his +[4878.26 --> 4878.72] mercy +[4878.72 --> 4879.04] and +[4879.04 --> 4879.46] grace +[4879.46 --> 4881.16] hallelujah +[4881.16 --> 4881.92] he +[4881.92 --> 4882.54] is +[4882.54 --> 4883.04] Lord +[4883.04 --> 4884.64] congregation +[4884.64 --> 4884.98] of +[4884.98 --> 4885.18] Jesus +[4885.18 --> 4885.54] Christ +[4885.54 --> 4885.76] the +[4885.76 --> 4885.98] Lord +[4885.98 --> 4886.20] has +[4886.20 --> 4886.54] prepared +[4886.54 --> 4886.92] his +[4886.92 --> 4887.34] table +[4887.34 --> 4887.88] for +[4887.88 --> 4888.46] all +[4888.46 --> 4888.68] who +[4888.68 --> 4889.10] truly +[4889.10 --> 4889.70] believe +[4889.70 --> 4890.46] so +[4890.46 --> 4890.54] if +[4890.54 --> 4890.64] you +[4890.64 --> 4890.80] are +[4890.80 --> 4891.12] sorry +[4891.12 --> 4891.40] for +[4891.40 --> 4891.64] your +[4891.64 --> 4892.02] sins +[4892.02 --> 4892.64] and +[4892.64 --> 4893.10] sincerely +[4893.10 --> 4893.62] follow +[4893.62 --> 4894.00] Jesus +[4894.00 --> 4894.32] as +[4894.32 --> 4894.48] your +[4894.48 --> 4894.86] Lord +[4894.86 --> 4895.08] and +[4895.08 --> 4895.32] as +[4895.32 --> 4895.52] your +[4895.52 --> 4895.84] savior +[4895.84 --> 4896.18] you +[4896.18 --> 4896.46] are +[4896.46 --> 4896.90] invited +[4896.90 --> 4897.16] to +[4897.16 --> 4897.48] come +[4897.48 --> 4897.76] with +[4897.76 --> 4898.50] gladness +[4898.50 --> 4899.06] to +[4899.06 --> 4899.22] the +[4899.22 --> 4899.66] table +[4899.66 --> 4900.36] of +[4900.36 --> 4900.68] our +[4900.68 --> 4901.08] Lord +[4901.08 --> 4901.70] these +[4901.70 --> 4901.80] are +[4901.80 --> 4901.92] the +[4901.92 --> 4902.14] gifts +[4902.14 --> 4902.36] of +[4902.36 --> 4902.76] God +[4902.76 --> 4903.28] for +[4903.28 --> 4903.44] the +[4903.44 --> 4903.82] people +[4903.82 --> 4904.36] of +[4904.36 --> 4904.68] God +[4904.68 --> 4907.32] in +[4907.32 --> 4907.54] our +[4907.54 --> 4908.12] worship +[4908.12 --> 4908.48] together +[4908.48 --> 4908.76] this +[4908.76 --> 4909.02] morning +[4909.02 --> 4909.38] we +[4909.38 --> 4909.50] are +[4909.50 --> 4909.76] going +[4909.76 --> 4910.10] to +[4910.10 --> 4911.14] come +[4911.14 --> 4911.62] up +[4911.62 --> 4912.14] to +[4912.14 --> 4912.46] one +[4912.46 --> 4912.62] of +[4912.62 --> 4912.94] three +[4912.94 --> 4913.64] stations +[4913.64 --> 4914.12] to +[4914.12 --> 4914.70] be +[4914.70 --> 4915.24] served +[4915.24 --> 4915.50] by +[4915.50 --> 4915.72] one +[4915.72 --> 4915.86] of +[4915.86 --> 4916.06] our +[4916.06 --> 4916.60] pastoral +[4916.60 --> 4917.00] elders +[4917.00 --> 4917.94] from +[4917.94 --> 4918.56] the +[4918.56 --> 4920.40] elements +[4920.40 --> 4920.90] and +[4920.90 --> 4921.34] receiving +[4921.34 --> 4921.60] the +[4921.60 --> 4921.94] bread +[4921.94 --> 4922.42] and +[4922.42 --> 4922.84] receiving +[4922.84 --> 4923.10] the +[4923.10 --> 4923.38] juice +[4923.38 --> 4924.68] so +[4924.68 --> 4924.88] for +[4924.88 --> 4925.02] the +[4925.02 --> 4925.22] next +[4925.22 --> 4925.72] three +[4925.72 --> 4926.44] songs +[4926.44 --> 4927.24] you +[4927.24 --> 4927.60] may +[4927.60 --> 4928.56] reflect +[4928.56 --> 4928.92] and +[4928.92 --> 4929.30] pray +[4929.30 --> 4929.58] and +[4929.58 --> 4929.96] prepare +[4929.96 --> 4930.24] your +[4930.24 --> 4930.56] heart +[4930.56 --> 4930.76] and +[4930.76 --> 4930.92] then +[4930.92 --> 4931.32] sometime +[4931.32 --> 4932.20] in +[4932.20 --> 4932.48] that +[4932.48 --> 4932.94] period +[4932.94 --> 4933.30] you're +[4933.30 --> 4933.60] invited +[4933.60 --> 4933.82] to +[4933.82 --> 4934.02] come +[4934.02 --> 4934.20] up +[4934.20 --> 4934.38] to +[4934.38 --> 4934.68] whichever +[4934.68 --> 4935.16] station +[4935.16 --> 4935.50] is +[4935.50 --> 4936.16] nearest +[4936.16 --> 4936.46] to +[4936.46 --> 4936.74] you +[4936.74 --> 4937.24] as +[4937.24 --> 4937.38] you +[4937.38 --> 4937.62] come +[4937.62 --> 4937.84] up +[4937.84 --> 4938.04] and +[4938.04 --> 4938.18] you +[4938.18 --> 4938.66] receive +[4938.66 --> 4939.20] the +[4939.20 --> 4939.50] bread +[4939.50 --> 4939.86] from +[4939.86 --> 4940.22] an +[4940.22 --> 4940.50] elder +[4940.50 --> 4940.86] and +[4940.86 --> 4941.08] the +[4941.08 --> 4941.38] juice +[4941.38 --> 4941.70] from +[4941.70 --> 4941.84] an +[4941.84 --> 4942.06] elder +[4942.06 --> 4942.30] you +[4942.30 --> 4942.50] may +[4942.50 --> 4942.74] then +[4942.74 --> 4943.24] consume +[4943.24 --> 4943.46] them +[4943.46 --> 4943.70] right +[4943.70 --> 4944.02] there +[4944.02 --> 4944.30] or +[4944.30 --> 4944.46] you +[4944.46 --> 4944.58] may +[4944.58 --> 4944.84] take +[4944.84 --> 4944.98] them +[4944.98 --> 4945.18] back +[4945.18 --> 4945.34] to +[4945.34 --> 4945.52] your +[4945.52 --> 4945.82] seats +[4945.82 --> 4946.02] and +[4946.02 --> 4946.48] continue +[4946.48 --> 4947.10] reflecting +[4947.10 --> 4947.92] and +[4947.92 --> 4948.88] meditating +[4948.88 --> 4949.20] and +[4949.20 --> 4949.48] joining +[4949.48 --> 4949.68] in +[4949.68 --> 4949.80] the +[4949.80 --> 4950.10] worship +[4950.10 --> 4950.34] that +[4950.34 --> 4950.48] we +[4950.48 --> 4950.68] are +[4950.68 --> 4951.58] singing +[4951.58 --> 4951.88] until +[4951.88 --> 4952.08] you +[4952.08 --> 4952.24] are +[4952.24 --> 4952.48] ready +[4952.48 --> 4952.78] to +[4952.78 --> 4953.22] take +[4953.22 --> 4953.50] that +[4953.50 --> 4953.84] in +[4953.84 --> 4954.68] you +[4954.68 --> 4954.84] may +[4954.84 --> 4955.02] do +[4955.02 --> 4955.34] that +[4955.34 --> 4956.88] on +[4956.88 --> 4957.20] each +[4957.20 --> 4957.70] tray +[4957.70 --> 4957.98] of +[4957.98 --> 4958.36] bread +[4958.36 --> 4958.72] there +[4958.72 --> 4959.04] are +[4959.04 --> 4960.30] smaller +[4964.38 --> 4964.48] if +[4964.48 --> 4964.58] you +[4964.58 --> 4964.96] require +[4964.96 --> 4965.30] that +[4965.30 --> 4967.76] again +[4967.76 --> 4967.94] we +[4967.94 --> 4968.08] want +[4968.08 --> 4968.16] to +[4968.16 --> 4968.42] remind +[4968.42 --> 4968.58] you +[4968.58 --> 4968.82] come +[4968.82 --> 4969.26] forward +[4969.26 --> 4969.58] as +[4969.58 --> 4969.74] you +[4969.74 --> 4969.90] are +[4969.90 --> 4970.14] ready +[4970.14 --> 4970.36] there +[4970.36 --> 4970.56] will +[4970.56 --> 4970.82] not +[4970.82 --> 4971.08] be +[4971.08 --> 4971.32] an +[4971.32 --> 4971.58] elder +[4971.58 --> 4972.20] indicating +[4972.20 --> 4972.46] when +[4972.46 --> 4972.58] it +[4972.58 --> 4972.72] is +[4972.72 --> 4972.86] your +[4972.86 --> 4973.14] time +[4973.14 --> 4973.30] to +[4973.30 --> 4973.46] go +[4973.46 --> 4973.84] forward +[4973.84 --> 4974.14] but +[4974.14 --> 4974.28] there +[4974.28 --> 4974.54] is +[4974.54 --> 4974.72] an +[4974.72 --> 4974.98] elder +[4974.98 --> 4975.18] who +[4975.18 --> 4975.32] will +[4975.32 --> 4975.48] be +[4975.48 --> 4975.90] roving +[4975.90 --> 4976.36] through +[4976.36 --> 4976.68] the +[4976.68 --> 4977.00] space +[4977.00 --> 4977.18] and +[4977.18 --> 4977.26] so +[4977.26 --> 4977.36] if +[4977.36 --> 4977.50] you're +[4977.50 --> 4977.92] unable +[4977.92 --> 4978.16] to +[4978.16 --> 4978.38] come +[4978.38 --> 4978.84] forward +[4978.84 --> 4979.50] just +[4979.50 --> 4979.76] please +[4979.76 --> 4980.26] indicate +[4980.26 --> 4980.64] that +[4980.64 --> 4980.86] to +[4980.86 --> 4981.34] John +[4981.34 --> 4982.12] and +[4982.12 --> 4982.28] he +[4982.28 --> 4982.54] will +[4982.54 --> 4983.36] come +[4983.36 --> 4983.60] and +[4983.60 --> 4983.88] serve +[4983.88 --> 4984.24] you +[4984.24 --> 4984.58] in +[4984.58 --> 4984.78] your +[4984.78 --> 4985.16] seats +[4985.16 --> 4985.54] in +[4985.54 --> 4985.68] the +[4985.68 --> 4985.90] same +[4985.90 --> 4986.18] manner +[4986.18 --> 4987.40] I +[4987.40 --> 4988.10] want +[4988.10 --> 4988.22] to +[4988.22 --> 4988.56] invite +[4988.56 --> 4988.76] the +[4988.76 --> 4989.00] elders +[4989.00 --> 4989.26] to +[4989.26 --> 4989.46] come +[4989.46 --> 4989.84] forward +[4989.84 --> 4990.06] at +[4990.06 --> 4990.26] this +[4990.26 --> 4990.64] time +[4990.64 --> 4990.88] and +[4990.88 --> 4991.06] then +[4991.06 --> 4991.52] following +[4991.52 --> 4991.94] them +[4991.94 --> 4992.18] the +[4992.18 --> 4992.54] worship +[4992.54 --> 4993.06] team +[4993.06 --> 4993.62] is +[4993.62 --> 4993.76] going +[4993.76 --> 4993.86] to +[4993.86 --> 4994.04] go +[4994.04 --> 4994.38] through +[4994.38 --> 4994.66] the +[4994.66 --> 4994.96] line +[4994.96 --> 4995.46] first +[4995.46 --> 4995.70] and +[4995.70 --> 4995.82] then +[4995.82 --> 4996.02] they'll +[4996.02 --> 4996.26] take +[4996.26 --> 4996.46] the +[4996.46 --> 4996.86] stage +[4996.86 --> 4997.84] and +[4997.84 --> 4998.14] lead +[4998.14 --> 4998.34] us +[4998.34 --> 4998.58] in +[4998.58 --> 4999.00] song +[4999.00 --> 4999.40] as +[4999.40 --> 4999.68] we +[4999.68 --> 5000.28] come +[5000.28 --> 5000.62] to +[5000.62 --> 5001.00] God +[5001.00 --> 5001.88] in +[5001.88 --> 5002.22] these +[5002.22 --> 5002.94] elements +[5002.94 --> 5003.38] together +[5018.10 --> 5043.06] I +[5043.06 --> 5043.26] don't +[5043.26 --> 5043.40] know +[5043.40 --> 5043.52] if +[5043.52 --> 5043.60] you're +[5043.60 --> 5044.02] necessary +[5044.02 --> 5044.40] here +[5044.40 --> 5046.48] no +[5046.48 --> 5060.72] do +[5060.72 --> 5065.70] to +[5065.70 --> 5067.84] connect +[5067.84 --> 5097.82] Thank you. +[5097.84 --> 5127.82] Thank you. +[5127.84 --> 5147.84] Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day, Christ on the road to Calvary. +[5147.84 --> 5149.84] Christ on the road to Calvary. +[5149.84 --> 5153.84] Christ on the road to Calvary. +[5153.84 --> 5165.84] Torn and beaten men, nailed to a cross of wood. +[5165.84 --> 5177.66] This the power of the cross. +[5177.66 --> 5187.08] Christ became sin for us. +[5187.66 --> 5191.66] Took the blame. +[5191.66 --> 5203.26] O'er the wrath, waste and forgiven at the cross. +[5203.26 --> 5220.38] Oh, to see the pain written on your face. +[5220.38 --> 5229.38] Bearing the awesome weight of sin. +[5229.38 --> 5234.72] Every bitter thought. +[5235.38 --> 5239.38] Every evil deed. +[5239.38 --> 5247.38] Down in your blood, stay proud. +[5247.38 --> 5256.38] As the power of the cross. +[5256.38 --> 5265.38] Christ became sin for us. +[5265.38 --> 5267.38] Took the blame. +[5267.38 --> 5271.38] Took the blame. +[5271.38 --> 5281.38] O'er the wrath, waste and forgiven at the cross. +[5281.38 --> 5293.38] Now the daylight flees. +[5293.38 --> 5297.38] Now the ground beneath. +[5297.38 --> 5303.38] Quakes as its maker. +[5303.38 --> 5307.38] Bows his head. +[5307.38 --> 5309.38] Curtain torn in two. +[5309.38 --> 5313.38] Dead are raised to life. +[5313.38 --> 5317.38] Dead are raised to life. +[5317.38 --> 5325.38] Finish the victory cry. +[5325.38 --> 5334.38] Here's the power of the cross. +[5334.38 --> 5335.38] The power of the cross. +[5335.38 --> 5336.38] Lies became sin for us. +[5336.38 --> 5341.38] Lies became sin for us. +[5341.38 --> 5347.38] Took the blame. +[5347.38 --> 5359.38] Pour the wrath, waste and forgiven at the cross. +[5359.38 --> 5369.38] を殺っているかもらえることになる changer まし8 +[5369.38 --> 5387.38] 2 頃およりに Indeed心の粗骨を揚っているか +[5387.38 --> 5389.38] to death +[5389.38 --> 5391.38] life is +[5391.82 --> 5393.38] right to live +[5394.74 --> 5395.38] walk +[5396.34 --> 5397.38] through yourself +[5398.60 --> 5399.38] this +[5399.72 --> 5401.38] blood +[5402.82 --> 5403.38] is +[5404.16 --> 5405.38] the +[5405.38 --> 5407.38] path +[5407.38 --> 5409.38] of the cross +[5411.70 --> 5415.38] Son of God +[5415.38 --> 5417.38] sleep +[5417.38 --> 5419.38] for us +[5419.38 --> 5421.38] what +[5421.38 --> 5423.38] about +[5423.38 --> 5425.38] what +[5425.38 --> 5427.38] a cost +[5427.38 --> 5429.38] we stand +[5429.38 --> 5431.38] forgiven +[5431.38 --> 5433.38] at the +[5433.38 --> 5435.38] cross +[5435.38 --> 5437.38] the +[5437.38 --> 5439.38] cross +[5439.38 --> 5441.38] the +[5441.38 --> 5443.38] cross +[5443.38 --> 5445.38] the +[5445.38 --> 5447.38] cross +[5447.38 --> 5449.38] the +[5449.38 --> 5451.38] cross +[5451.38 --> 5453.38] the +[5453.38 --> 5455.38] cross +[5455.38 --> 5457.38] the +[5457.38 --> 5459.38] cross +[5459.38 --> 5461.38] the +[5461.38 --> 5463.38] cross +[5463.38 --> 5465.38] the +[5465.38 --> 5467.38] cross +[5467.38 --> 5469.38] the +[5469.38 --> 5471.38] cross +[5471.38 --> 5473.38] the +[5473.38 --> 5475.38] cross +[5475.38 --> 5477.38] the +[5477.38 --> 5479.38] cross +[5479.38 --> 5481.38] the +[5481.38 --> 5483.38] cross +[5483.38 --> 5485.38] the +[5485.38 --> 5487.38] cross +[5487.38 --> 5489.38] the +[5489.38 --> 5491.38] cross +[5491.38 --> 5493.38] the +[5493.38 --> 5495.38] cross +[5495.38 --> 5497.38] the +[5497.38 --> 5499.38] cross +[5499.38 --> 5501.38] cross +[5501.38 --> 5503.38] the +[5503.38 --> 5505.38] cross +[5505.38 --> 5507.38] the +[5507.38 --> 5509.38] cross +[5509.38 --> 5511.38] the +[5511.38 --> 5513.38] cross +[5513.38 --> 5515.38] the +[5515.38 --> 5517.38] cross +[5517.38 --> 5519.38] the +[5519.38 --> 5521.38] cross +[5521.38 --> 5523.38] the +[5523.38 --> 5525.38] cross +[5525.38 --> 5527.38] the +[5527.38 --> 5529.38] cross +[5529.38 --> 5531.38] the +[5531.38 --> 5533.38] cross +[5533.38 --> 5535.38] cross +[5535.38 --> 5537.38] the +[5537.38 --> 5539.38] cross +[5539.38 --> 5541.38] the +[5541.38 --> 5543.38] cross +[5543.38 --> 5545.38] the +[5545.38 --> 5547.38] cross +[5547.38 --> 5549.38] the +[5549.38 --> 5551.38] cross +[5551.38 --> 5553.38] cross +[5553.38 --> 5555.38] the +[5555.38 --> 5556.38] cross +[5556.38 --> 5557.38] the +[5557.38 --> 5558.38] cross +[5558.38 --> 5559.38] the +[5559.38 --> 5561.38] cross +[5561.38 --> 5562.38] the +[5562.38 --> 5563.38] cross +[5563.38 --> 5565.38] the +[5565.38 --> 5566.38] cross +[5566.38 --> 5567.38] the +[5567.38 --> 5569.38] cross +[5569.38 --> 5571.38] COMMERIA +[5571.38 --> 5572.38] I +[5572.38 --> 5573.38] will +[5573.38 --> 5575.38] worship +[5575.38 --> 5577.38] you +[5577.38 --> 5584.16] I know I'll find hands and pray to get every chance +[5584.16 --> 5589.52] Because all that I have is a hallelujah +[5589.52 --> 5594.24] Hallelujah +[5594.24 --> 5601.30] And I know it's not much, but I've nothing else before we +[5601.30 --> 5605.62] Except for a heart singing +[5605.62 --> 5609.62] Hallelujah +[5609.62 --> 5615.62] Hallelujah +[5615.62 --> 5625.62] Come on, my soul +[5626.16 --> 5631.08] Oh, don't you get shy or need to lift up your song +[5631.08 --> 5636.12] Because you've got a lion inside of those lungs +[5636.12 --> 5639.08] Get up and praise the Lord +[5639.08 --> 5645.48] Oh, come on, my soul +[5645.48 --> 5650.36] Oh, don't you get shy or need to lift up your song +[5650.36 --> 5655.40] Because you've got a lion inside of those lungs +[5655.40 --> 5659.40] Get up and praise the Lord +[5659.40 --> 5663.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5663.40 --> 5668.40] Oh, don't you get shy or need to lift up your song +[5668.40 --> 5673.40] Because you've got a lion inside of those lungs +[5673.40 --> 5677.40] Get up and praise the Lord +[5677.40 --> 5679.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5679.40 --> 5681.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5681.40 --> 5683.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5683.40 --> 5685.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5685.40 --> 5687.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5687.40 --> 5689.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5689.40 --> 5691.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5691.40 --> 5693.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5693.40 --> 5695.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5695.40 --> 5697.40] Oh, come on, my soul +[5697.40 --> 5704.40] Because all that I have is a hallelujah +[5704.40 --> 5709.40] Hallelujah +[5709.40 --> 5711.40] And I know it's not much +[5711.40 --> 5716.40] But I have nothing else fit for a king +[5716.40 --> 5719.40] Except for a heart singing +[5719.40 --> 5724.40] Hallelujah +[5724.40 --> 5730.40] Hallelujah +[5730.40 --> 5734.40] Hallelujah +[5746.40 --> 5769.40] Before the throne of God above +[5769.40 --> 5775.40] I have a strong and perfect plea +[5775.40 --> 5781.40] A great high priest whose name is Lord +[5781.40 --> 5786.40] Whoever lives and pleads for me +[5786.40 --> 5792.40] My name is graven on his hands +[5792.40 --> 5797.40] My name is written on his heart +[5797.40 --> 5803.40] I know that while in heaven he stands +[5803.40 --> 5809.40] No tongue can bid me thence depart +[5809.40 --> 5813.40] No tongue can bid me thence depart +[5813.40 --> 5817.40] No tongue can bid me thence depart +[5817.40 --> 5827.40] When Satan tempts me to despair +[5827.40 --> 5832.40] And tells me of the guilt within +[5832.40 --> 5837.40] But would I look and see him there +[5837.40 --> 5843.40] Who made an end of all my sin +[5843.40 --> 5848.40] Because the sinless Savior died +[5848.40 --> 5852.40] My sinful soul is counted free +[5852.40 --> 5858.40] For God the justice satisfied +[5858.40 --> 5863.40] To look on him and pardon me +[5863.40 --> 5869.40] To look on him and pardon me +[5869.40 --> 5881.40] Be bold in there the risen Lamb +[5881.40 --> 5886.40] My perfect spotless righteousness +[5886.40 --> 5891.40] The great unchangeable I am +[5891.40 --> 5897.40] The King of glory and of grace +[5897.40 --> 5902.40] One with himself I cannot die +[5902.40 --> 5907.40] My soul is purchased by his blood +[5907.40 --> 5912.40] My life is filled with Christ on high +[5912.40 --> 5922.40] With Christ my Savior and my God +[5922.40 --> 5924.40] With Christ my Savior and my God +[5924.40 --> 5936.40] With Christ my Savior and my God +[5936.40 --> 5941.40] With Christ my Savior and my God +[5941.40 --> 5955.40] With Christ my Savior and my God +[5955.40 --> 5959.40] Yeah? No? +[5959.40 --> 5960.40] Yeah? No? +[5960.40 --> 5961.40] Yeah? +[5961.40 --> 5962.40] Yeah? +[5962.40 --> 5963.40] Yeah? +[5963.40 --> 5964.40] Yeah? +[5964.40 --> 5965.40] I want to be the last guy that gets in the way +[5965.40 --> 5967.40] Of our continuing to worship +[5967.40 --> 5972.40] So as we go this week we go with God +[5972.40 --> 5975.40] And not only with him but he goes before us +[5975.40 --> 5978.40] Preparing a way for us to go +[5978.40 --> 5981.40] And so we walk with him +[5982.40 --> 5984.40] Before we receive God's blessing +[5984.40 --> 5987.40] Just one quick reminder and invitation +[5987.40 --> 5991.40] We have the Mexico mission recap lunch here +[5991.40 --> 5993.40] We're going to aim to start that at noon +[5993.40 --> 5996.40] And so please hang out enjoy your fellowship +[5996.40 --> 6000.40] Have coffee and together and stick around +[6000.40 --> 6002.40] And we'll transform this space +[6002.40 --> 6004.40] If you are able to help transforming the space +[6004.40 --> 6008.40] Closer to noon that would be helpful and wonderful +[6008.40 --> 6012.40] And then we'll hear from them and their time there +[6012.40 --> 6016.40] As you go then receive the blessing of our God +[6016.40 --> 6022.40] May God go before you to lead you +[6022.40 --> 6025.40] May God go behind you to protect you +[6026.40 --> 6029.40] May God go beneath you to support you +[6029.40 --> 6032.40] And may God go beside you to befriend you +[6032.40 --> 6034.40] Do not be afraid +[6034.40 --> 6037.40] Let the blessing of God come upon you today +[6037.40 --> 6040.40] Do not be afraid but go in peace +[6040.40 --> 6044.40] To love and serve our King +[6044.40 --> 6046.40] Amen +[6046.40 --> 6048.40] großer to know for you +[6048.40 --> 6052.40] Listen in Phil Knowing is clear +[6052.40 --> 6054.40] Time continues to prioritize you +[6054.40 --> 6057.40] and you're proud to weigh in +[6057.40 --> 6060.40] Ahh witnesses you +[6060.40 --> 6063.90] and long Bulgar pastor +[6063.90 --> 6072.62] In the darkness we were waiting +[6072.62 --> 6076.62] Without hope, without light +[6076.62 --> 6080.08] Till from heaven you came running +[6080.08 --> 6084.24] There was mercy in your eyes +[6084.24 --> 6087.70] To fulfill the law and prophets +[6087.70 --> 6091.40] To a virgin gave the word +[6091.40 --> 6094.86] From a throne of endless glory +[6094.86 --> 6099.30] To a cradle in the dirt +[6099.30 --> 6108.22] Praise the Father +[6108.22 --> 6111.92] Praise the Son +[6111.92 --> 6115.62] Praise the Spirit +[6115.62 --> 6119.38] Three in one +[6119.38 --> 6122.84] God of glory +[6122.84 --> 6126.30] Majestine +[6126.30 --> 6134.30] Praise forever to the King of kings +[6134.30 --> 6142.46] To reveal the kingdom proudly +[6142.46 --> 6146.24] And to reconcile the lost +[6146.24 --> 6149.70] To redeem the whole creation +[6149.70 --> 6153.70] You did not despise the cross +[6153.70 --> 6156.98] For even in your suffering +[6156.98 --> 6160.84] You started to the other side +[6160.84 --> 6164.12] Knowing this was our salvation +[6164.12 --> 6166.58] Jesus for our sin +[6166.58 --> 6175.58] Praise the Father +[6175.58 --> 6177.58] Praise the Father +[6177.58 --> 6180.58] Praise the Son +[6180.58 --> 6184.58] Praise the Spirit +[6184.58 --> 6186.04] Praise the Son +[6186.04 --> 6188.04] Praise the Son +[6188.04 --> 6192.04] God of glory +[6192.04 --> 6194.04] Majestine +[6194.04 --> 6196.04] Praise the Son +[6196.04 --> 6198.04] Praise the Son +[6198.04 --> 6200.04] Praise the Son +[6200.04 --> 6202.04] Praise the Son +[6202.04 --> 6204.50] Praise the Son +[6204.50 --> 6205.50] Praise the Son +[6205.50 --> 6207.50] Praise the Son +[6207.50 --> 6211.88] And the morning that you rose +[6211.88 --> 6215.58] All of heaven held its bread +[6215.58 --> 6219.22] Till that stone was moved for good +[6219.22 --> 6222.50] For the land had conquered dead +[6222.50 --> 6226.66] And the dead rose from their tombs +[6226.66 --> 6230.12] And the angels stood in awe +[6230.12 --> 6233.12] For the souls of all who've come +[6233.12 --> 6237.12] To the Father are restored +[6237.12 --> 6241.12] And the church of Christ was born +[6241.12 --> 6244.12] Then the Spirit lit the flame +[6244.12 --> 6247.58] Now this gospel truth of old +[6247.58 --> 6249.58] Shall not heal +[6249.58 --> 6251.58] Shall not fade +[6251.58 --> 6255.52] By His blood and in His name +[6255.52 --> 6258.58] In His freedom I am free +[6258.58 --> 6262.62] For the love of Jesus Christ +[6262.62 --> 6266.58] Who has resurrected me +[6266.58 --> 6273.58] Praise the Son +[6273.58 --> 6275.72] Praise the Father +[6275.72 --> 6278.04] Praise the Son +[6278.04 --> 6279.04] Praise the Son +[6279.04 --> 6282.04] Praise the Spirit +[6282.04 --> 6286.04] Three in one +[6286.04 --> 6290.04] God of glory +[6290.04 --> 6293.04] Majestine +[6293.04 --> 6296.04] Praise forever +[6296.04 --> 6300.04] To the King of Peace +[6300.04 --> 6303.04] Praise forever +[6303.04 --> 6303.54] Forever +[6303.54 --> 6308.04] To the King of Peace +[6308.04 --> 6309.96] Prince +[6309.96 --> 6311.14] icher +[6311.14 --> 6312.78] Honest Catherine +[6312.78 --> 6314.04] Armin +[6314.04 --> 6314.32] A small +[6314.32 --> 6314.62] Mother +[6314.62 --> 6315.56] In His name +[6315.56 --> 6316.00] Le First +[6316.00 --> 6316.30] 石 +[6316.66 --> 6317.88] we +[6317.88 --> 6318.38] mercury +[6318.38 --> 6320.06] During the King of Jesus +[6320.06 --> 6320.44] äsin +[6320.44 --> 6321.08] His哈哈 +[6321.08 --> 6322.40] He +[6322.40 --> 6322.56] gave His name +[6322.56 --> 6323.04] He +[6323.04 --> 6323.76] by He +[6323.76 --> 6323.94] Has +[6323.94 --> 6324.64] He +[6324.64 --> 6328.98] j +[6328.98 --> 6329.30] Him +[6329.30 --> 6332.24] Let the King of Peace +[6332.24 --> 6332.74] He +[6333.38 --> 6333.56] Air +[6333.56 --> 6334.42] Our +[6334.42 --> 6335.00] Father +[6335.00 --> 6336.38] He +[6336.38 --> 6366.36] Thank you. +[6366.38 --> 6396.36] Thank you. +[6396.38 --> 6426.36] Thank you. +[6426.38 --> 6456.36] Thank you. +[6456.38 --> 6486.36] Thank you. +[6486.38 --> 6516.36] Thank you. +[6516.38 --> 6546.36] Thank you. +[6546.38 --> 6576.36] Thank you. +[6576.38 --> 6606.36] Thank you. +[6606.38 --> 6636.36] Thank you. +[6636.38 --> 6666.36] Thank you. +[6666.38 --> 6696.36] Thank you. +[6696.38 --> 6726.36] Thank you. +[6726.36 --> 6756.34] Thank you. +[6756.36 --> 6758.36] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fed75f1c2cb54f1bfb6fae2f27d72b88e24b076a --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,139 @@ +• Adult and Teen Challenge will share their story during the service +• Next Sunday's Palm Sunday service will include a lunch gathering to hear from Mexico mission team members +• A town hall meeting on Tuesday at 7pm will discuss plans for an ordained pastor completing his studies +• Youth coffee is available after today's service at the Rollamans House +• April is Treat Tag month, with more information available online +• Song lyrics referencing God's protection and devotion +• Bible passage from Mark 8:31-38 about Jesus' suffering and crucifixion +• Parable of denying oneself to follow Jesus +• Reflection on Christ's sacrifice and atonement for sin +• Personal confession of past failures, including denial of Jesus and lack of vigilance during his trial +• Acknowledging sin and guilt +• Asking for forgiveness and renewal +• Praising God's love and mercy +• Singing hymns (Rock of Ages, Let the Lord's Insurance) +• Reflections on salvation through Christ Jesus +• Recognizing human inability to atone for sins +• Expressions of devotion to Jesus as holy, pure, and lovely +• Being washed with Christ's spirit and being members of Christ's blood +• Sanctification and living holy lives +• The Holy Spirit guiding and teaching +• Surrendering to God's will and giving life to the Father's hand +• Adult and Teen Challenge ministry and its presence in the church community +• Teen Challenge is a year-long program that focuses on transformation through discipleship +• The program is Bible-based and worldwide with the same curriculum +• Aftercare program available for graduates to transition into life outside of the center +• Work experience programs, social enterprise, and community care offices are also offered +• Freedom from addiction is possible and has been seen in program participants +• The speaker reflects on their difficult past and the various traumas they experienced. +• They describe how God has intervened in their life and healed their heart, redeeming what was lost. +• The speaker affirms that God's truth has set them free from slavery to sin and restored their identity. +• They mention specific Bible verses (Colossians 1:13, Psalm 25:5, 1 Peter 1:14-15) to support their message. +• The speaker shares how prayer is crucial for their ministry and encourages listeners to pray for their organization's challenges with intake and barriers to freedom. +• They invite listeners to attend a dessert night event to hear more testimonies and learn about the ministry. +• Discussion of help for those struggling +• Distribution of information and cards +• Thanks and prayer from the audience +• A conversation about a person named Hank and his humorous stories at the dog park +• Encouraging children by saying nice things about them +• Identifying people's strengths and highlighting their positive qualities +• Using stories from Teen Challenge to illustrate God's presence in lives +• Worshiping Jesus and lifting Him up +• Children's worship time discussion and prayer +• Congregational prayer led by an elder +• Worship and giving glory to God +• Acknowledging sin and brokenness as individuals +• Prayer for specific individuals dealing with illnesses, surgery, cancer, and mental health issues +• Thanking God for opportunities to serve and reach out to others +• Seeking blessings on church members and leaders +• Reflecting on Psalm 105 and seeking God's strength and guidance +• Praying for the Holy Spirit's work in daily lives and workplaces +• Reading and understanding the Bible +• Explaining God's will for living a life in Christ +• The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit +• Understanding what it means to live as one in Christ Jesus +• Breaking down and interpreting 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 +• The importance of understanding the preposition "in" in relation to being in Christ +• The distinction between thinking one must follow Jesus' example to get into God's will versus being part of Him +• Belonging and identity in Christ, rather than just doing something to achieve a relationship with God +• Bible passages mentioned: Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 1, Galatians 3, Ephesians 2, and Galatians 2 +• The importance of living by faith in Christ Jesus for salvation and spiritual life +• The role of faith in the life of believers, including the Son of God loving them and giving Himself up for them +• The relationship between faith and works, with faith preceding works as Christ's presence is necessary for the kinds of works He calls us to +• The impossibility of living a life of holiness apart from Christ and the Holy Spirit +• The foundational philosophy of ministry at Adult and Teen Challenge: relying on God through faith in Christ Jesus +• The difference between being converted to Christ and living without Him +• The burden of an impossible law on those who do not know or trust in Christ +• The expectation of people to live up to a certain standard before becoming Christian +• The distinction between requiring the fruit of faith versus looking for the seed of faith +• The importance of recognizing that one is already in Christ through faith and belief in Him +• The tendency to rely on personal determination and effort instead of relying on God's work +• The teaching of the Bible that all aspects of faith require being in Christ, believing in Him, and receiving His work. +• Being in Christ moves one deeper +• Life in Christ Jesus is life drenched deep in the Holy Spirit +• The characteristics of a Spirit-drenched life: being on fire for the Lord, being filled with the Spirit, and living out gratitude +• There are things to do and things not to do in this life lived in Christ +• Do's are for one's good and God's glory +• Don'ts are for one's good and God's glory +• Enjoying God, worshiping Him, and living in the comfort of the gospel are part of a Spirit-drenched life +• The Thessalonian church has faced incredible hardship, persecution, and death in its short existence. +• Living as Christians in a non-Christian society can be difficult and lead to social ostracism. +• God's people need extra reminders and encouragement when things are hard. +• Job's story is an example of how one can find reason to rejoice despite adverse circumstances. +• Christians singing hymns, specifically "It Is Well with My Soul" +• Satan and trials as opposed to Christ's help +• Rejoicing in hardship and worshiping in difficult circumstances +• The greater circumstance of God's presence and love +• Job's hope and faith in his redeemer +• Two reasons for rejoicing: the resurrection of Jesus and his coming again +• The Bible teaches to rejoice always, but this doesn't mean feeling joyful or happy all the time. +• Rejoicing always means submitting one's feelings to the truth of who Christ is and redefining realities in light of the gospel. +• It involves trusting Christ and not one's own feelings. +• Sometimes we sing "it is well with my soul" aspirationally, longing to believe it's true. +• In times of darkness, we may need others to pray for us, but ultimately, our reliance should be on Christ himself. +• The speaker discusses the importance of prayer and its various forms, including inviting God into daily life, pleading with Him, and sitting still to listen for His voice. +• The speaker references Jesus' invitation to come to Him for rest and relief from burdens. +• Praying can also involve using scripture as words spoken from one's own heart. +• Gratitude is emphasized as a key aspect of prayer, even in difficult circumstances. +• The speaker notes that while we may not be able to thank God for sinful or hurtful situations, we can still thank Him for His promise to sustain us through them. +• The passage in Romans 8:28 is referenced as a reminder that God works for the good of those who love and follow Him. +• God is working all things for good +• The resurrection and return of Jesus Christ are our hope +• Giving thanks in every circumstance can be genuine if one believes in God's goodness +• Negatives imperatives (don'ts) follow positives (dos) +• Do not quench the Spirit, meaning do not resist its work +• Conviction of sin is a common way the Holy Spirit works among us +• Repentance and confession are necessary steps after conviction of sin +• The Holy Spirit is working in the area of confession and repentance among people +• The Spirit is leading in the speaker's life and ministry +• Conviction by the Holy Spirit for forgiveness and living for Christ +• Purpose given by the Holy Spirit to serve and edify the church +• Quenching the Spirit through resisting or denying gifts +• Misconceptions about one's gifts and identity +• Dangers of false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing +• Importance of not treating prophecies with contempt +• The risk of falling into cynicism when evaluating spiritual leaders +• God's voice speaking through prophets, including both extraordinary and ordinary revelations +• Testing spirits and messages, including a healthy dose of skepticism +• Evaluating the message of Jesus Christ as unchanging and eternal +• Recognizing false prophets who contradict or speak wrongly about God's word +• The importance of knowing and studying God's word to test new prophecies +• Rejecting every kind of evil, particularly sin. +• The source of evil is within oneself +• Jesus Christ lived the life one should have lived and died for their sins +• Through faith in Jesus, one can receive his perfection and be set free from sin and death +• The Holy Spirit lives within those who follow Christ, bringing transformation and new life +• Prayer is offered to God for His continued work in the midst of those present +• Prayer for transformation and renewal +• Request to draw the light of the gospel into dark places +• Petition for stories to be brought to completion +• Invocation for working out salvation with fear and trembling +• Prayers for heart change, renewal, and being filled with God's love +• Desire to rise up like an eagle and soar in God's power and love +• Requests for spiritual guidance, protection, and support on life's journey +• Blessing and commissioning from God for the journey of faith lived in Christ Jesus +• Prayers for blessings and peace +• Invocation of God's presence and favor +• Praise and worship songs, including "Praise the Lord" and "He has washed them" +• References to God's redemption and forgiveness +• Expressions of gratitude with repeated phrases of "Thank you" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2f5c834bb807c34aa5f7b48b2ca0ba54de836cf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, April 6, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2484 @@ +[0.00 --> 5.70] one of the pastors here. Today's a special service in our midst as we're joined by +[5.70 --> 11.30] Adult and Teen Challenge, and they're going to share a little bit of their life and story and +[11.30 --> 17.24] God's work with them a little bit later in our service. And so we're going to look forward to +[17.24 --> 21.60] that and anticipate that. Before we begin, we have a couple announcements to make. And so, +[21.70 --> 26.82] Paul, why don't you come up? And while Paul's coming up, I just want to inform everyone that +[26.82 --> 34.56] next Sunday, which is Palm Sunday, after our worship, we're going to have a lunch gathering +[34.56 --> 41.68] here to listen to the stories from our Mexico mission team. And so over the last spring break, +[41.78 --> 49.32] we had a team that went down to Mexico and did some work there and saw God at work in their lives +[49.32 --> 53.78] there. And so we're going to hear their stories next week following our worship together. More +[53.78 --> 59.60] details for that will be in the midweek memo and e-bulletin and on social media and the like. So +[59.60 --> 72.04] keep your eyes open for that. Paul? So, whoa, that was loud. Later on this year, this guy is going to +[72.04 --> 79.58] complete his studies, which means he's going to become an ordained pastor, fully ordained. +[79.58 --> 94.34] Tuesday night, this coming Tuesday night at seven o'clock. I have to think there for a second. Yes. Yeah. +[94.60 --> 102.08] Seven o'clock. We invite you all to come here to have a town hall. And we want to discuss how +[102.08 --> 106.22] that plan going forward is good. We want to hear from you. The council wants to hear from you +[106.22 --> 114.82] how we go forward with that process. So invite you to come here on Tuesday night, seven o'clock. Be there. +[121.82 --> 129.42] Rolling through just two more quick announcements. One, after service today, youth coffee is happening +[129.42 --> 135.86] at the Rollamans House. And so youth, if you are part of our youth program or you're wondering about +[135.86 --> 141.94] what that might be like, join and head over to the Rollamans House for coffee. Rollamans, there you go. +[142.38 --> 148.46] Kevin can also tell you where you need to be and how you can get there. And then lastly, just a quick +[148.46 --> 158.48] reminder that April is treat tag month. Thank you. Here at Langley Emanuel. And so I know some of you +[158.48 --> 164.08] have already received little treat bags and the like. And so keep that up. Keep that going. +[164.76 --> 171.26] You can again check out our YouTube channel or in the e-bulletin, midweek memo, social media for more +[171.26 --> 179.68] details on that together. I think that's it. Yeah? Okay. Why don't we stand together and we can be +[179.68 --> 183.40] ushered into God's presence in our worship this morning. +[183.40 --> 191.60] Amen. I invite you to receive God's greeting as he speaks over us today. And then following God's +[191.60 --> 196.74] greeting, invite you to turn to those around you that you might welcome them into worship as well. +[197.00 --> 206.42] Receive the greeting of God. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, +[206.42 --> 212.20] Son, and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +[236.42 --> 264.62] Our call to worship today comes from Psalm 89. I will sing of the Lord's great love forever. With my mouth, I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. +[264.62 --> 270.38] I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. +[271.26 --> 276.40] Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Love and faithfulness go before you. +[277.08 --> 281.86] Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. +[282.32 --> 285.84] They rejoice in your name all day long. They celebrate your righteousness. +[286.50 --> 291.02] For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. +[291.02 --> 295.02] Praise be to the Lord forever. Amen and Amen. +[321.02 --> 339.24] Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. +[339.24 --> 348.08] There is no shadow of turning with me. +[348.08 --> 356.78] Thou changest not, thy compassions may fail not. +[356.78 --> 364.86] As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. +[364.86 --> 373.86] Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness. +[373.86 --> 397.86] Lord unto me. +[397.86 --> 402.06] power of Thy Spirit. +[402.06 --> 409.68] Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. +[409.74 --> 417.46] Sun, moon, and stars to their courses above. +[418.12 --> 425.58] Joined with all nature in mechanical witness. +[425.58 --> 434.32] To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. +[435.28 --> 443.06] Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. +[443.68 --> 450.52] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[450.52 --> 459.12] All I have needed Thy hand and provided. +[460.38 --> 468.34] Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[471.28 --> 479.12] Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. +[479.12 --> 487.72] Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide. +[488.96 --> 496.34] Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. +[497.80 --> 505.44] Blessings all mine with ten thousand days died. +[505.44 --> 514.04] Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. +[515.12 --> 522.04] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[523.82 --> 531.44] All I have needed Thy hand, God, Lord, I am. +[531.44 --> 539.12] Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, I am. +[539.12 --> 550.66] Thanks for active,ください. +[550.66 --> 551.80] Thank bodies, Lord, I am. +[551.80 --> 567.04] Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run. +[567.04 --> 573.18] The mountain I drink from, holy is my song. +[573.96 --> 580.22] Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide. +[580.22 --> 586.20] The blessing for my life, holy is my song. +[586.58 --> 610.20] You are good, good, oh, you are good, good, oh, you are good, good. +[610.22 --> 619.08] Oh, let the King of my heart be the way inside my sails. +[619.08 --> 625.08] The anchor in the waves, holy is my song. +[625.48 --> 631.84] Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins. +[631.84 --> 637.94] The echo of my days, holy is my song. +[637.94 --> 649.94] You are good, good, oh, you are good, good, oh. +[649.94 --> 655.80] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[655.80 --> 662.80] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[662.80 --> 670.80] You are never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[670.80 --> 679.66] You are never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[679.66 --> 688.52] You are never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[688.52 --> 700.52] You are never gonna let, never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[700.52 --> 710.52] You are never gonna let, never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[710.52 --> 714.52] You are never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[714.52 --> 724.52] You are good, never gonna let, never gonna let, never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[724.52 --> 726.52] Oh, you are good, oh. +[726.52 --> 731.52] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[731.52 --> 739.52] Oh, you are good, good, oh. +[739.52 --> 765.52] You are never gonna let, never gonna let, never gonna let me down. +[765.52 --> 784.26] When the night is holding on to me +[784.26 --> 789.60] God is holding on +[789.60 --> 797.48] When the night is holding on to me +[797.48 --> 802.96] God is holding on +[802.96 --> 804.62] I'm watching this again +[804.62 --> 805.34] Amen +[805.34 --> 818.84] Reading from the book of Mark 8 +[818.84 --> 820.60] Verse 31 to 38 +[820.60 --> 824.48] Jesus then began to teach them +[824.48 --> 827.00] That the Son of Man must suffer many things +[827.00 --> 829.38] And be rejected by the elders +[829.38 --> 830.56] The chief priests +[830.56 --> 832.14] And the teachers of the law +[832.14 --> 834.16] And that he must be killed +[834.16 --> 836.24] And after three days rise again +[836.24 --> 838.80] He spoke plainly about this +[838.80 --> 840.50] And Peter took him aside +[840.50 --> 841.82] And began to rebuke him +[841.82 --> 843.70] But when Jesus turned +[843.70 --> 844.98] And looked at his disciples +[844.98 --> 846.86] He rebuked Peter +[846.86 --> 849.42] Get behind me Satan +[849.42 --> 851.34] You do not have in mind +[851.34 --> 852.38] The concerns of God +[852.38 --> 854.16] But merely human concerns +[854.16 --> 857.76] Then he called the crowd to him +[857.76 --> 858.92] Along with his disciples +[858.92 --> 859.76] And said +[859.76 --> 862.34] Whoever wants to be my disciple +[862.34 --> 863.52] Must deny themselves +[863.52 --> 864.70] And take up their cross +[864.70 --> 865.54] And follow me +[865.54 --> 867.92] For whoever wants to save their life +[867.92 --> 868.56] Will lose it +[868.56 --> 870.82] But whoever loses their life for me +[870.82 --> 871.72] And for the gospel +[871.72 --> 872.66] Will save it +[872.66 --> 874.72] What good is it for someone +[874.72 --> 875.86] To gain the whole world +[875.86 --> 877.10] Yet forfeit their soul +[877.10 --> 879.90] Or what can anyone give +[879.90 --> 881.14] In exchange for their soul +[881.14 --> 883.50] If anyone is ashamed of me +[883.50 --> 884.38] And my words +[884.38 --> 885.34] In this adulterous +[885.34 --> 886.46] And sinful generation +[886.46 --> 888.00] The Son of Man +[888.00 --> 889.44] Will be ashamed of them +[889.44 --> 890.96] When he comes +[890.96 --> 892.30] In his Father's glory +[892.30 --> 893.54] With the holy angels +[893.54 --> 916.86] Alas, and did my Savior +[916.86 --> 923.16] And did my sovereign die +[923.16 --> 930.66] Would he devote that sacred bed +[930.66 --> 935.84] For such a firm as I +[935.84 --> 942.64] Was it for crimes that I had done +[942.64 --> 947.76] He'd groaned upon the tree +[947.76 --> 952.10] Amazing pity +[952.10 --> 954.36] Grace unknown +[954.36 --> 959.02] And a beyond degree +[959.02 --> 969.94] Well, might the Son in darkness hide +[969.94 --> 974.98] And shut his glories in +[974.98 --> 981.66] When Christ the mighty Maker died +[981.66 --> 986.62] For man the preacher's sin +[986.62 --> 993.36] Once might I hide my blushing face +[993.36 --> 998.68] While his dear cross appears +[998.68 --> 1005.28] Dissolve my heart in thankfulness +[1005.28 --> 1010.92] And melt my eyes with tears +[1010.92 --> 1017.62] But drops of grief +[1017.62 --> 1019.66] Can ne'er repay +[1019.66 --> 1025.66] The debt of the by-o'er +[1025.66 --> 1031.98] Here, Lord, I give myself away +[1031.98 --> 1037.30] Tis all that I can do +[1037.30 --> 1042.54] Alas, and did my Savior +[1042.54 --> 1043.66] Bleed +[1043.66 --> 1048.82] And did my sovereign die +[1048.82 --> 1052.70] Amazing pity +[1052.70 --> 1055.08] Grace unknown +[1055.08 --> 1059.78] And love beyond degree +[1059.78 --> 1080.94] Was it I, Lord, who fell asleep? +[1080.94 --> 1084.30] When you brought me in as your friend +[1084.30 --> 1085.76] And asked me to keep watch +[1085.76 --> 1086.36] To pray +[1086.36 --> 1087.30] To stay awake +[1087.30 --> 1088.82] As the darkness beckoned me +[1088.82 --> 1090.10] To sleep in my sin +[1090.10 --> 1094.00] Was it I who denied you, my Lord? +[1094.74 --> 1096.30] When they asked me about you +[1096.30 --> 1096.88] And your way +[1096.88 --> 1098.32] I shied away in fear +[1098.32 --> 1099.76] Lied away through the truth +[1099.76 --> 1101.34] To find a way without you +[1101.34 --> 1103.00] For momentary acceptance +[1103.00 --> 1106.80] Was it I who mocked you, my Lord? +[1107.40 --> 1109.08] When I said I know your laws +[1109.08 --> 1111.00] But self-righteously made my own +[1111.00 --> 1112.58] Without knowing you +[1112.58 --> 1113.52] Without loving you +[1113.52 --> 1115.58] Without walking in the way of life +[1115.58 --> 1118.04] Because my ways seemed to serve me better +[1118.04 --> 1121.84] Was it I who afflicted you, my Lord? +[1122.76 --> 1123.88] With my sin +[1123.88 --> 1125.04] With whips of leather +[1125.04 --> 1125.84] Spit of pride +[1125.84 --> 1126.92] And a crown of thorns +[1126.92 --> 1127.82] Driving the nails +[1127.82 --> 1128.74] Through your flesh +[1128.74 --> 1130.08] To the cross of Calvary +[1130.08 --> 1133.20] Yes +[1133.20 --> 1136.98] It is I who did this to you, my Lord +[1136.98 --> 1140.20] I confess I tried to hide +[1140.20 --> 1141.76] But it is I who has sinned +[1141.76 --> 1143.72] I confess I tried to justify +[1143.72 --> 1145.56] But it is I who broke your commands +[1145.56 --> 1148.48] I confess I tried to self-sanctify +[1148.48 --> 1150.12] But it is I who needs you +[1150.12 --> 1154.60] How could you ever forgive me, my Lord? +[1156.38 --> 1158.98] How could you ever come close to me, my Lord? +[1158.98 --> 1162.30] How could you ever renew this brokenness, my Lord? +[1162.30 --> 1166.34] Oh, the great mystery +[1166.34 --> 1168.86] That you wrap me in your love +[1168.86 --> 1170.14] And call me yours +[1170.14 --> 1173.04] That you draw me into awareness +[1173.04 --> 1175.24] Of your presence and delight in me +[1175.24 --> 1177.90] That you give me new life +[1177.90 --> 1179.10] In Christ Jesus +[1179.10 --> 1181.98] And teach me in the way I should go +[1181.98 --> 1186.72] Sanctifying my spirit, body, and soul +[1186.72 --> 1189.94] As you are able +[1189.94 --> 1191.20] Please rise +[1191.20 --> 1192.72] And let's sing together +[1192.72 --> 1194.32] Of our Lord's insurance +[1194.32 --> 1224.30] Rock of Ages +[1224.30 --> 1225.30] Let the Lord's insurance +[1225.30 --> 1227.30] That's left for me +[1227.30 --> 1234.30] Let me hide myself in thee +[1234.30 --> 1240.30] Let the water and the blood +[1240.30 --> 1247.62] From my wounded side which flows +[1247.62 --> 1253.30] Be a Savior, double cure +[1253.30 --> 1256.30] Save from wrath +[1256.30 --> 1260.30] And make me pure +[1260.30 --> 1272.30] Not the labors +[1272.30 --> 1275.30] Of my hands +[1276.04 --> 1278.30] Can fulfill +[1278.30 --> 1281.30] Thy lost demands +[1281.30 --> 1284.30] Could my zeal +[1284.30 --> 1285.30] Could my zeal +[1285.30 --> 1286.30] No respite +[1286.30 --> 1288.30] No +[1288.30 --> 1290.30] Could my tears +[1290.30 --> 1292.30] Forever flow +[1292.30 --> 1296.30] O Savior +[1296.30 --> 1298.30] Not atone +[1298.30 --> 1303.30] Thou must save it +[1303.30 --> 1304.30] Be alone +[1306.30 --> 1310.30] Feel +[1310.30 --> 1311.30] Though the sacrifice +[1311.30 --> 1312.30] And the most +[1312.30 --> 1313.30] Won't charge +[1313.30 --> 1314.30] Any day +[1314.30 --> 1315.30] And I know +[1315.30 --> 1317.34] May +[1317.34 --> 1327.30] May you come to thee +[1327.30 --> 1328.30] For prayer +[1328.30 --> 1335.34] Help us look to Thee for grace +[1335.34 --> 1341.62] Bow I to the fountain by +[1341.62 --> 1348.00] Watch me, Savior, or I die +[1358.30 --> 1364.48] Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1364.48 --> 1367.78] King of mercy +[1367.78 --> 1376.64] Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1376.64 --> 1379.88] King of mercy +[1379.88 --> 1388.78] You are Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1388.78 --> 1392.18] King of mercy +[1392.18 --> 1403.32] While my troubles bleating red +[1403.32 --> 1409.80] When my eyes shall close in death +[1409.80 --> 1415.68] When I soar to worlds unknown +[1415.68 --> 1422.92] See beyond my judgment throne +[1422.92 --> 1429.46] Rock of ages, glad for me +[1429.46 --> 1436.72] Let me hide myself in Thee +[1436.72 --> 1442.60] Kiss me, Savior, or I die +[1442.60 --> 1444.60] Kiss me, Savior, or I die +[1444.60 --> 1450.84] Oh, Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1450.84 --> 1452.60] King of mercy +[1452.60 --> 1464.48] Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1464.48 --> 1467.48] King of mercy +[1467.48 --> 1473.36] Hope of glory +[1473.36 --> 1476.36] Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1476.36 --> 1479.36] King of mercy +[1479.36 --> 1482.36] Hope of glory +[1482.36 --> 1487.36] Jesus, holy, pure and lovely +[1487.36 --> 1489.36] King of mercy +[1489.36 --> 1495.24] King of mercy +[1495.24 --> 1511.12] King of mercy +[1511.12 --> 1513.86] Hattelberg Catechism, question and answer 70 +[1513.86 --> 1517.00] I invite you to respond +[1517.00 --> 1523.00] What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and spirit? +[1523.00 --> 1526.80] To be washed with Christ's blood +[1526.80 --> 1530.88] It means that God, by grace, has forgiven our sins +[1530.88 --> 1537.68] Because of Christ's blood poured out for us in his sacrifice on the cross +[1537.68 --> 1545.68] To be washed with Christ's spirit means that the Holy Spirit has renewed and sanctified us +[1545.68 --> 1547.68] To be members of Christ's blood and sanctified us +[1547.68 --> 1552.68] So that more and more we can become dead to sin and live holy and blameless lives +[1552.68 --> 1563.92] Be +[1563.92 --> 1565.92] Oh +[1565.92 --> 1567.92] Oh +[1567.92 --> 1569.92] Oh +[1569.92 --> 1571.92] Oh +[1571.92 --> 1573.92] Oh +[1573.92 --> 1575.92] Oh +[1575.92 --> 1577.92] Oh +[1577.92 --> 1579.92] Oh +[1579.92 --> 1581.92] Oh +[1581.92 --> 1611.90] Oh +[1611.90 --> 1612.90] Oh +[1612.90 --> 1614.90] Oh +[1614.90 --> 1616.90] Oh +[1616.90 --> 1618.90] Oh +[1618.90 --> 1620.90] Oh +[1620.90 --> 1622.90] Oh +[1622.90 --> 1634.90] Oh +[1634.90 --> 1636.90] Oh +[1636.90 --> 1638.28] Oh +[1638.28 --> 1641.16] in Egypt's cell, +[1641.16 --> 1646.22] deeply, Lord, I pray. +[1650.22 --> 1656.16] Make me, hold me, +[1656.66 --> 1661.58] use me, fill me, +[1662.10 --> 1667.62] I give my life to the waters +[1667.62 --> 1671.30] and +[1671.30 --> 1679.24] call me, guide me, +[1679.86 --> 1684.84] lead me, walk beside me, +[1685.26 --> 1689.66] I give my life to the +[1689.66 --> 1692.62] Father's hand. +[1697.62 --> 1702.30] Wonderful Lord, wonderful Savior, +[1703.30 --> 1705.12] I know for sure, +[1706.12 --> 1711.30] all of my days are held in your hands, +[1711.30 --> 1719.30] crafted into your perfect land. +[1719.30 --> 1724.98] You gently call me into your presence, +[1724.98 --> 1727.98] guiding me by. +[1727.98 --> 1730.98] Your Holy Spirit, +[1730.98 --> 1732.98] teach me, dear Lord, +[1732.98 --> 1740.98] to live all my life through your eyes. +[1740.98 --> 1745.66] I'm captured by, +[1745.66 --> 1748.66] your holy calling, +[1748.66 --> 1751.66] set me apart, +[1751.66 --> 1757.66] I know you're drawing me to yourself, +[1757.66 --> 1763.16] lead me, Lord, I pray. +[1763.16 --> 1771.84] You may be, hold me, +[1771.84 --> 1777.84] use me, fill me, +[1777.84 --> 1784.84] I give my life to the Father's hand. +[1784.84 --> 1787.52] Lord, I pray. +[1787.52 --> 1788.52] I pray. +[1788.52 --> 1789.52] I pray. +[1789.52 --> 1790.52] I pray. +[1790.52 --> 1793.20] Lord, I pray. +[1793.20 --> 1794.20] I pray. +[1794.20 --> 1795.20] I pray. +[1795.20 --> 1797.20] You may be, +[1797.20 --> 1800.20] walk beside me, +[1800.20 --> 1809.20] I give my life to the Father's hand. +[1809.20 --> 1810.20] I pray. +[1810.20 --> 1811.20] I pray. +[1811.20 --> 1812.20] I pray. +[1812.20 --> 1813.20] I pray. +[1813.20 --> 1814.20] I pray. +[1814.20 --> 1816.20] Beautiful Lord, +[1816.20 --> 1819.20] wonderful Savior, +[1819.20 --> 1822.20] I know for sure, +[1822.20 --> 1828.20] all of my days are held in your hand, +[1828.20 --> 1837.20] crafted into your perfect land. +[1837.20 --> 1839.20] I pray. +[1839.20 --> 1840.20] I pray. +[1840.20 --> 1841.20] I pray. +[1841.20 --> 1842.20] I pray. +[1842.20 --> 1843.20] I pray. +[1843.20 --> 1844.20] I pray. +[1844.20 --> 1845.20] I pray. +[1845.20 --> 1846.20] I pray. +[1846.20 --> 1847.20] I pray. +[1847.20 --> 1848.20] I pray. +[1848.20 --> 1849.20] I pray. +[1849.20 --> 1850.20] I pray. +[1850.20 --> 1851.20] I pray. +[1851.20 --> 1852.20] I pray. +[1852.20 --> 1853.20] I pray. +[1853.20 --> 1854.20] I pray. +[1854.20 --> 1855.20] I pray. +[1855.20 --> 1856.20] I pray. +[1856.20 --> 1857.20] Good morning. +[1857.20 --> 1858.20] My name is Brenda, +[1858.20 --> 1860.06] and I'm one of the deacons here at Emmanuel. +[1860.06 --> 1863.20] We continue our worship with the giving of our gifts, +[1863.20 --> 1866.20] and our first offering is for the budget, +[1866.20 --> 1869.20] the ministries, and mission of this church. +[1869.20 --> 1875.20] And our special offering today is for adult and teen challenge. +[1875.20 --> 1877.20] And I'm going to invite Wendy up, +[1877.20 --> 1882.20] and she is going to share with us about their ministry. +[1882.20 --> 1885.20] Welcome, Wendy. +[1885.20 --> 1887.20] Thank you. +[1887.20 --> 1888.20] Thank you. +[1888.20 --> 1890.20] Yes, my name is Wendy Townsend. +[1890.20 --> 1896.20] I'm the center director of the Women's Center here in Surrey, +[1896.20 --> 1898.20] of Adult and Teen Challenge. +[1898.20 --> 1901.20] And we have the Men's Center here from Chilliwack as well. +[1901.20 --> 1906.20] We also have a center up in the Okanagan. +[1906.20 --> 1910.20] And one thing I wanted to say is that, because we go to a lot of different churches, +[1910.20 --> 1918.20] is that I love coming to a church where it's so evident that there's community and family. +[1918.20 --> 1920.20] And that's the sense I get with you guys. +[1920.20 --> 1923.20] Like, it seems like you enjoy life together. +[1923.20 --> 1927.20] And so that's just a little snippet of what I saw this morning. +[1927.20 --> 1930.20] So I'm so grateful that we're here. +[1930.20 --> 1936.20] Just a quick, how many have heard of Adult and Teen Challenge? +[1936.20 --> 1937.20] Yes. +[1937.20 --> 1943.20] So if you haven't, we have tables in the foyer of information, +[1943.20 --> 1946.20] get to know a little bit more about us. +[1946.20 --> 1947.20] Excuse me. +[1947.20 --> 1953.20] We're having a few of our students will be coming up. +[1953.20 --> 1960.20] And we call them students because we feel that it's discipleship that changes lives. +[1960.20 --> 1962.20] It's Jesus that changes lives. +[1962.20 --> 1970.20] Not just, you know, cleaning up and being sober and staying away and being abstinent from stuff. +[1970.20 --> 1975.20] It's actually changing something and being transformed from the heart. +[1975.20 --> 1983.20] And so, you know, we, yeah, treatment is important, but transformation is the key. +[1983.20 --> 1984.20] And that's what we go for. +[1984.20 --> 1987.20] And so it's a year-long program. +[1987.20 --> 1990.20] It's Bible-based. +[1990.20 --> 1998.20] So every, all the curriculum, Teen Challenge is worldwide, but all of the curriculum is the same. +[1998.20 --> 2001.20] It comes from the Word of God. +[2001.20 --> 2004.20] And so if you go to, just go to the next slide. +[2004.20 --> 2009.20] So we, it's 12 months, minimum of 12 months. +[2009.20 --> 2014.20] We also have an aftercare program where once they graduate, +[2014.20 --> 2022.20] they can come into either a leadership training program or you can just stay, +[2022.20 --> 2031.20] come under the covering, get a job, you know, volunteer at the center for that transition part. +[2031.20 --> 2032.20] Because it's really difficult. +[2032.20 --> 2034.20] Everything changes. +[2034.20 --> 2037.20] When somebody comes into the program, everything changes. +[2037.20 --> 2039.20] Their friends change. +[2039.20 --> 2044.20] A lot of times their family aren't healthy, so they need to have boundaries with them. +[2044.20 --> 2046.20] And it's a new life. +[2046.20 --> 2054.20] And so we try to get, as they're going through the program, getting into a church, getting into community, +[2054.20 --> 2059.20] building a new life because it's different. +[2059.20 --> 2061.20] You can't go back to the old. +[2061.20 --> 2065.20] You can't go back to things that are going to drag you down. +[2065.20 --> 2070.20] And so we provide that environment with, in our residential. +[2070.20 --> 2074.20] We also have work experience programs, social enterprise. +[2074.20 --> 2078.20] The men's center, they have, it's called Good Taco. +[2078.20 --> 2081.20] And so we bought a franchise out in Chilliwack. +[2081.20 --> 2084.20] And the men do their work experience there. +[2084.20 --> 2091.20] Our women, we go to, we got a franchise, a noodle box out in Surrey. +[2091.20 --> 2095.20] And so if you want any more information on those, come and visit us. +[2095.20 --> 2100.20] The men and women who are going through the program work there. +[2100.20 --> 2107.20] And it's providing a really safe environment for people to go and get experience. +[2107.20 --> 2112.20] And it also does generate some income for our, for our centers. +[2112.20 --> 2116.20] And then community care offices. +[2116.20 --> 2123.20] We don't have any local ones, but we do have, it just provides information. +[2123.20 --> 2128.20] And getting involved with other organizations that deal with addictions. +[2128.20 --> 2134.20] And bringing people in, because not everybody can do a year long. +[2134.20 --> 2138.20] It's really difficult sometimes with, if they have children, +[2138.20 --> 2142.20] they're not able to have somebody care for their children while they're going through treatment. +[2142.20 --> 2147.20] So we want to provide avenues for people to come and get some help. +[2147.20 --> 2152.20] And learn that they don't have to live the way that they've been living. +[2152.20 --> 2154.20] There is freedom in it. +[2154.20 --> 2159.20] There's freedom from, from any type of addiction. +[2159.20 --> 2160.20] There's freedom. +[2160.20 --> 2165.20] And so we have seen, I get the privilege, I've been doing this for 12 years. +[2165.20 --> 2172.20] I get the privilege of watching men and women grow, get set free, start giving back into the community, +[2172.20 --> 2174.20] start serving in the ministry. +[2174.20 --> 2180.20] And it's, it's been a challenge sometimes, hence the name. +[2180.20 --> 2188.20] However, there's also been such rewarding experiences of seeing these men and women restore their families, +[2188.20 --> 2196.20] get their kids back, get back into relationship, restore with, with parents and siblings. +[2196.20 --> 2198.20] And it's pretty amazing. +[2198.20 --> 2203.20] So we're going to have, um, for two, two of the women and two of the guys come up. +[2203.20 --> 2206.20] And you guys can probably stand up in here. +[2206.20 --> 2207.20] Come on. +[2207.20 --> 2208.20] Come on. +[2208.20 --> 2209.20] Come on. +[2209.20 --> 2212.20] And, uh, they're going to give just a snippet of their story. +[2212.20 --> 2217.20] Um, and so we call it, yeah, go in front here. +[2217.20 --> 2220.20] And we call it Reality Is. +[2220.20 --> 2223.20] And so, um, they're going to present that to you now. +[2223.20 --> 2234.20] What is reality? +[2234.20 --> 2242.20] Reality is, growing up, witnessing your mom's struggle with addiction, causing a very unstable and unpredictable environment, +[2242.20 --> 2248.20] eventually losing her to a drug overdose, blaming yourself, leaving you traumatized, full of fear and full of pain. +[2248.20 --> 2254.20] Reality is, searching for an identity and finding an escape from, and an escape from reality, +[2254.20 --> 2257.20] finding one in drug men's, men and gang activity. +[2257.20 --> 2262.20] Reality is, making your addiction a priority over your own family, +[2262.20 --> 2269.20] and having your brother find you unconscious and overdosed, completely shattering an already fragile relationship. +[2269.20 --> 2277.20] Reality is, being so weighed down from the chains of addiction, feeling so hopeless to ever find a way out, causing you to give up completely. +[2277.20 --> 2281.20] How do I know that was reality? Because that was me. +[2281.20 --> 2291.20] Reality is, smoking and isolating in your room most of your life because you don't feel loved and accepted by the world. +[2291.20 --> 2297.20] Reality is, being so addicted to drugs that you steal money and sell things from your family and friends. +[2297.20 --> 2305.20] Reality is, having no hope in changing, and feeling powerless over my addiction, believing there's no point in living. +[2305.20 --> 2308.20] How do I know that was reality? Because that was me. +[2308.20 --> 2315.20] Reality is, when the enemy tries to take your life when you were born. +[2315.20 --> 2319.20] Reality is, when you've grown up feeling like you don't matter to anyone. +[2319.20 --> 2323.20] Reality is, when your mom passed away leaving you and your family in chaos. +[2323.20 --> 2330.20] Reality is, when your innocence was taken from you when you were 16, through intoxication of alcohol, which caused you to blame yourself. +[2330.20 --> 2335.20] How do I know that's reality? Because that was me. +[2335.20 --> 2340.20] Reality is, dropping out of high school to pursue a career in crime. +[2340.20 --> 2350.20] Reality is, giving your dad chest compressions until the ambulance arrives, going to the hospital to find out he passed away. +[2350.20 --> 2359.20] Reality is, continuously going back to the people that harmed you, robbed you, mentally scarred you, because you found comfort in their chaos. +[2359.20 --> 2364.20] How do I know that was reality? Because that was me. +[2364.20 --> 2372.20] Although we all have different realities, we were all saved by the same truth. +[2372.20 --> 2377.20] The truth is, the Lord is healing my heart and redeeming what the locusts have eaten. +[2377.20 --> 2386.20] Ten years to the exact date of losing my mom, I walked into the doors of Adult and Teen Challenge, marking the first day of the rest of my life. +[2386.20 --> 2394.20] The truth is, I wouldn't change my reality now. He has given me a new name, and like the prodigal, he called me back to him. +[2394.20 --> 2399.20] I am discovering just exactly who I am in Christ, and my identity is secured. +[2399.20 --> 2404.20] The truth is, the Lord restored not just me, but my family as well. +[2404.20 --> 2409.20] He answered the faithful, persistent prayers of my grandparents pleading with him to save me, +[2409.20 --> 2413.20] and my relationships are being restored to even stronger than before. +[2413.20 --> 2424.20] The truth is, he broke the chains that once weighed me down. He redeemed me, forgave me, and by his blood I am free. +[2424.20 --> 2428.20] The truth is, God loves me more than anyone in this world. +[2428.20 --> 2434.20] And he proved it by sending Jesus to die on the cross, which crucified my false belief that I am not accepted. +[2434.20 --> 2444.20] The truth is, Jesus has made so many amazing promises to me, including that he will give me rest and freedom from my burdens, if I pick up my cross and follow him. +[2444.20 --> 2448.20] The truth is, as it says in Colossians 1.13, +[2448.20 --> 2455.20] for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. +[2455.20 --> 2462.20] The truth is, I am here for a specific purpose, to fulfill God's assignment. I am a child of God. +[2462.20 --> 2466.20] The truth is, I am important, I am loved, and I am worthy. +[2466.20 --> 2475.20] The truth is, my mom is with God and isn't suffering anymore, and my family and I are safe in God's arms, where there is no chaos, only peace. +[2475.20 --> 2479.20] The truth is, I am still pure in the eyes of my heavenly Father. +[2479.20 --> 2481.20] Psalm 25, verse 5. +[2481.20 --> 2487.20] Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. +[2487.20 --> 2495.20] The truth is, I am not a slave to my sin anymore, I am a child of God. +[2495.20 --> 2499.20] 1 Peter 1, verses 14-15 says, +[2499.20 --> 2508.20] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. +[2508.20 --> 2513.20] Truth is, in the midst of a storm, he was using it to shape and develop my character. +[2513.20 --> 2515.20] Romans chapter 5, verses 3-4 says, +[2515.20 --> 2524.20] Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. +[2524.20 --> 2532.20] Truth is, there is no need for me to go back to the people who hurt me, robbed me, mentally scarred me, because I found someone who loves me. +[2532.20 --> 2535.20] Ephesians chapter 1, verses 4-5 says, +[2535.20 --> 2541.20] Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. +[2541.20 --> 2549.20] In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. +[2549.20 --> 2551.20] And Jesus said, +[2551.20 --> 2555.20] You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. +[2555.20 --> 2556.20] Amen. +[2556.20 --> 2569.20] Thank you so much, you guys. +[2569.20 --> 2577.20] You know, there's so many ways that you can partner with us. +[2577.20 --> 2580.20] As far as praying for us, pray for these men and women. +[2580.20 --> 2584.20] We've had a challenging time with intake for the Women's Center. +[2584.20 --> 2589.20] There's a number of reasons why it's getting more and more difficult. +[2589.20 --> 2592.20] And so you can pray for us, please. +[2592.20 --> 2599.20] Just in that, there's so many out there, you would think that we would be busting full, but we're not. +[2599.20 --> 2609.20] And there's so many barriers for men and women right now that are making it very difficult for them to find freedom. +[2609.20 --> 2614.20] And there's so many things that the government are doing that are keeping people stuck. +[2614.20 --> 2616.20] And it breaks my heart, actually. +[2616.20 --> 2624.20] But you can pray, because we know that the power of prayer is so important for our ministry. +[2624.20 --> 2629.20] Just quickly, a couple more things. +[2629.20 --> 2632.20] We're doing a dessert night. +[2632.20 --> 2634.20] It's next Saturday. +[2634.20 --> 2635.20] It's still time. +[2635.20 --> 2638.20] You still have time to get tickets if you want. +[2638.20 --> 2640.20] So talk to us out in the foyer. +[2640.20 --> 2647.20] And so you'll be able to hear more testimonies and excuse me. +[2647.20 --> 2651.20] Yeah, just get to learn more about our ministry. +[2651.20 --> 2655.20] And then the final slide is, oh, yeah, that's just how to give. +[2655.20 --> 2658.20] So we appreciate your guys' support. +[2658.20 --> 2668.20] If any of the students and myself will be willing to ask any questions or answer any questions that you have. +[2668.20 --> 2674.20] If you know somebody who's struggling, because I think we all know somebody who might be struggling, +[2674.20 --> 2678.20] please come and take some information and some cards. +[2678.20 --> 2680.20] And so thank you again. +[2685.20 --> 2698.20] Thank you so much, Wendy and students, for being here and for sharing the realities and the truth. +[2698.20 --> 2701.20] We thank you and we will pray for you. +[2715.20 --> 2716.20] Thank you. +[2745.20 --> 2747.20] Oh, God. +[2747.20 --> 2748.20] All right. +[2748.20 --> 2749.20] All right. +[2749.20 --> 2750.20] And to God. +[2750.20 --> 2751.20] Also peace and peace and peace. +[2751.20 --> 2752.20] It's the church and peace. +[2752.20 --> 2753.20] People are getting people to live in thejoys and deuce available here. +[2753.20 --> 2754.20] All right. +[2754.20 --> 2755.20] And you have to give yourself a question. +[2755.20 --> 2756.20] Great. +[2756.20 --> 2757.20] All right. +[2757.20 --> 2758.20] And you have to give them such a battle. +[2758.20 --> 2759.20] And you have to give this joy. +[2759.20 --> 2760.20] And coś can be really good. +[2760.20 --> 2762.20] And so that's just the Gom King. +[2762.20 --> 2763.44] And it's the one man for child, too. +[2763.44 --> 2765.44] And there are still a battle named the heaven. +[2765.44 --> 2766.44] You have to give football. +[2766.44 --> 2768.44] And we have to have to give your aside. +[2768.44 --> 2769.46] Good path. +[2769.46 --> 2770.44] And with some of the great. +[2770.44 --> 2771.26] And we have to give our freedom +[2771.26 --> 2772.76] As SHE can learn. +[2772.76 --> 2775.12] And as well, Paul think live andseits have to believe in the world. +[2775.20 --> 2777.20] Amen. +[2805.20 --> 2807.20] Amen. +[2835.20 --> 2837.20] Amen. +[2865.20 --> 2867.20] Come on up, come on up, come on up. +[2867.20 --> 2870.20] Oh, don't touch, don't touch. +[2870.20 --> 2871.20] All right. +[2871.20 --> 2873.20] How are we all doing? +[2873.20 --> 2874.20] Good. +[2874.20 --> 2876.20] I think Hank is sleeping. +[2876.20 --> 2878.20] He's so tired all the time. +[2878.20 --> 2883.20] Do you think you can wake him up? +[2883.20 --> 2885.20] Can you on the count of three say, +[2885.20 --> 2887.20] good morning, Hank, really loud? +[2887.20 --> 2889.20] Yeah, okay, one, two, three. +[2889.20 --> 2891.20] Good morning, Hank! +[2891.20 --> 2892.20] Ah! +[2892.20 --> 2894.20] Hi, kids! +[2894.20 --> 2896.20] How are you? +[2896.20 --> 2898.20] It's so good to see you again. +[2898.20 --> 2900.20] Hey, Hank, how are you doing? +[2900.20 --> 2901.20] Good. +[2901.20 --> 2902.20] What were you up to this week? +[2902.20 --> 2905.20] I went to the dog park again. +[2905.20 --> 2906.20] You did? +[2906.20 --> 2908.20] Yeah, I love the dog park. +[2908.20 --> 2910.20] And do you have any stories again? +[2910.20 --> 2911.20] Mm-hmm. +[2911.20 --> 2913.20] They're not very good stories. +[2913.20 --> 2915.20] I kind of made a few mistakes. +[2915.20 --> 2916.20] You did, Hank. +[2916.20 --> 2917.20] Oh, no. +[2917.20 --> 2918.20] Do you want to tell us about it? +[2918.20 --> 2919.20] Yeah. +[2919.20 --> 2929.20] I was at the dog park, and my friend, Bikonce the Goose, she came up to me and said, +[2929.20 --> 2931.20] Do I look good, Hank? +[2931.20 --> 2932.20] And what did you say? +[2932.20 --> 2936.20] I said, Well, your beak is really beaky. +[2936.20 --> 2937.20] Oh, Hank. +[2937.20 --> 2938.20] Beaky? +[2938.20 --> 2939.20] Yeah. +[2939.20 --> 2942.20] She didn't like that, and she put her head down and walked away. +[2942.20 --> 2944.20] Oh, no, Hank, that's not good. +[2944.20 --> 2946.20] Yeah, it gets worse. +[2946.20 --> 2947.20] Oh, no. +[2947.20 --> 2948.20] Yeah. +[2948.20 --> 2949.20] Yeah. +[2949.20 --> 2950.20] Yeah. +[2950.20 --> 2957.20] Officer Scamperpants the Squirrel came by and said, Do I look like someone with authority? +[2957.20 --> 2959.20] He's on the park patrol. +[2959.20 --> 2960.20] Oh, boy. +[2960.20 --> 2961.20] And what did you say? +[2961.20 --> 2965.20] I said, Well, your tail is kind of bushy. +[2965.20 --> 2967.20] Well, that probably didn't help, did it? +[2967.20 --> 2969.20] No, he didn't really like that. +[2969.20 --> 2971.20] He gave me a citation and walked away. +[2971.20 --> 2972.20] Oh, no. +[2972.20 --> 2974.20] Yeah, it gets worse. +[2974.20 --> 2975.20] Oh, no. +[2975.20 --> 2976.20] What happened next? +[2976.20 --> 2981.20] Well, I went to the back corner and I started sniffing around a bench, and that's when Invisible +[2981.20 --> 2983.20] Dave popped up. +[2983.20 --> 2985.20] Who's Invisible Dave? +[2985.20 --> 2987.20] He's my chameleon friend. +[2987.20 --> 2990.20] Oh, and what happened with Invisible Dave? +[2990.20 --> 2992.20] Well, he asked if I noticed him. +[2992.20 --> 2993.20] And? +[2993.20 --> 2994.20] What did you say? +[2994.20 --> 2996.20] Well, honestly, I didn't. +[2996.20 --> 2998.20] He blended right into the bench. +[2998.20 --> 2999.20] Hmm. +[2999.20 --> 3001.20] He probably didn't like that so much, did he? +[3001.20 --> 3002.20] No. +[3002.20 --> 3003.20] He was a little bit sad, too. +[3003.20 --> 3005.20] And then I remembered something. +[3005.20 --> 3006.20] What's that? +[3006.20 --> 3009.20] People like to be encouraged. +[3009.20 --> 3010.20] That's right. +[3010.20 --> 3013.20] They like it when you say nice things about them and show them that you love them. +[3013.20 --> 3014.20] Yeah. +[3014.20 --> 3016.20] So I went up to Bicconce. +[3016.20 --> 3017.20] There's a theme with those names. +[3017.20 --> 3018.20] I didn't name them. +[3018.20 --> 3019.20] That's fair. +[3019.20 --> 3024.20] I went up to Bicconce and said, you have beautiful feathers, too. +[3024.20 --> 3026.20] And you are glamorous. +[3026.20 --> 3027.20] And did she like that? +[3027.20 --> 3028.20] She did. +[3028.20 --> 3033.20] And then I went up to Officer Scamperpants and I said, you do have authority because you +[3033.20 --> 3036.20] are everywhere all the time. +[3036.20 --> 3038.20] And he loved that, I bet. +[3038.20 --> 3039.20] He did. +[3039.20 --> 3044.20] And then it took me a while, but I found Invisible Dave on the tree. +[3044.20 --> 3050.20] And I said, Invisible Dave, you are a masterpiece because God can make you any color you want +[3050.20 --> 3051.20] to be. +[3051.20 --> 3052.20] Oh, that's nice, Hank. +[3052.20 --> 3053.20] He liked that. +[3053.20 --> 3054.20] That's right. +[3054.20 --> 3055.20] And you know what? +[3055.20 --> 3058.20] You did learn a good lesson because it's important for us to encourage people, to lift +[3058.20 --> 3059.20] them up, right? +[3059.20 --> 3060.20] Yeah. +[3060.20 --> 3062.20] People like to be lifted up and encouraged. +[3062.20 --> 3065.20] Well, you know what we're going to talk today or about today in children's worship time? +[3065.20 --> 3066.20] What's that? +[3066.20 --> 3069.20] Well, we also just heard some stories from Teen Challenge. +[3069.20 --> 3070.20] I don't know. +[3070.20 --> 3071.20] You were sleeping, maybe. +[3071.20 --> 3072.20] Did you hear them? +[3072.20 --> 3073.20] I did. +[3073.20 --> 3077.20] Well, they told stories about how they were lifted up by God and how we're all lifted +[3077.20 --> 3078.20] up by God. +[3078.20 --> 3085.20] And because of that, Jesus needs to be worshiped and exalted and lifted up even more, right? +[3085.20 --> 3086.20] Yeah. +[3086.20 --> 3088.20] So we're going to talk about that in children's worship time today. +[3088.20 --> 3089.20] Does that make sense? +[3089.20 --> 3090.20] Yeah? +[3090.20 --> 3091.20] Sound good? +[3091.20 --> 3092.20] Okay. +[3092.20 --> 3094.20] We're going to pray and then we're going to do the kids blessing and then we're going +[3094.20 --> 3095.20] to go off to children's worship time. +[3095.20 --> 3096.20] Yeah! +[3096.20 --> 3097.20] All right. +[3097.20 --> 3098.20] Let's pray. +[3098.20 --> 3099.20] Bow our heads. +[3099.20 --> 3100.20] Close our eyes. +[3100.20 --> 3101.20] God, thank you so much for today. +[3101.20 --> 3104.20] Thank you that we could be here in church, that we could hear stories about how you're +[3104.20 --> 3107.20] so active in our lives and that we could learn more about you. +[3107.20 --> 3108.20] We pray that you'll be with us now. +[3108.20 --> 3112.20] The kids as we go to children's worship time and the grown ups as we stay back here. +[3112.20 --> 3116.20] Lord, we just pray that you will teach us more about what it means to follow you. +[3116.20 --> 3117.20] We pray this in your name. +[3117.20 --> 3118.20] Amen. +[3118.20 --> 3119.20] Amen. +[3119.20 --> 3120.20] Okay, kids, let's stand up. +[3120.20 --> 3121.20] Church, you as well, please. +[3121.20 --> 3123.20] Everybody on your feet. +[3123.20 --> 3127.20] The kids on the count of three, they're going to say, the Lord be with you and then you can +[3127.20 --> 3128.20] respond in kind. +[3128.20 --> 3129.20] All right? +[3129.20 --> 3130.20] So kids, are you ready? +[3130.20 --> 3131.20] One, two, three. +[3131.20 --> 3133.20] The Lord be with you. +[3133.20 --> 3135.20] And also with you. +[3135.20 --> 3163.20] With you. +[3163.20 --> 3167.12] My name is John and I'm one of the elders of the church here. +[3167.62 --> 3171.24] I'd like to lead us in our congregational prayer this morning. +[3174.46 --> 3177.38] The words of the psalmist ring true for us today, Lord. +[3178.42 --> 3179.88] The words of Psalm 100. +[3180.16 --> 3182.88] Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. +[3183.62 --> 3185.12] Worship the Lord with gladness. +[3186.02 --> 3187.82] Come before him with joyful songs. +[3188.96 --> 3190.34] Know that the Lord is God. +[3190.34 --> 3191.98] It is he who made us. +[3191.98 --> 3193.24] We are his. +[3193.72 --> 3196.16] We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. +[3197.62 --> 3200.64] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. +[3201.64 --> 3204.42] Give thanks to him and praise his name. +[3205.42 --> 3208.02] For the Lord is good and his love endures forever. +[3208.98 --> 3211.32] His faithfulness through all generations. +[3213.34 --> 3216.24] Lord, you are this God that we read about in the Psalms. +[3216.84 --> 3218.98] And we are here today to worship you. +[3218.98 --> 3222.90] We are here to give you the honor and glory that is due your name. +[3224.32 --> 3226.52] Lord, we as sinful people come before you. +[3228.40 --> 3230.88] Lord, sometimes we don't realize we are broken. +[3232.08 --> 3233.68] Sometimes we don't want to acknowledge that. +[3233.76 --> 3235.90] But we come, Lord, as sinners before your throne. +[3235.90 --> 3247.58] We acknowledge that your son has done for us such a great act that we are here, Lord, to give you the honor and glory that is due your name. +[3249.20 --> 3253.70] Lord, we're thankful for the opportunity to be able to worship in your house this morning. +[3254.42 --> 3256.28] Lord, those who wanted to come. +[3256.70 --> 3258.64] Lord, we pray for those that did not want to. +[3259.34 --> 3260.54] Pray for those that could not. +[3260.54 --> 3265.54] Lord, those who are dealing with illnesses and not able to be here. +[3266.24 --> 3270.20] Lord, we ask a blessing for those in our church family who are recovering from surgery. +[3270.78 --> 3274.18] Pray for Emily and Judy as they recover from hip surgery. +[3275.40 --> 3281.94] Lord, we pray for those that are dealing with cancer like Tessa, Tanya, and Doug who are going through treatments. +[3282.82 --> 3283.96] And looking forward to healing. +[3284.50 --> 3287.52] Pray a blessing for each one as they go through that difficult journey. +[3287.52 --> 3293.64] Lord, we pray for Lena as well that she's being able to return home again. +[3293.74 --> 3296.86] We pray for blessing for her for continued recovery. +[3297.30 --> 3303.42] And Lord, we pray for those that are suffering silently. +[3303.78 --> 3305.72] Those who we don't always see every day. +[3306.34 --> 3307.90] Those who are dealing with mental illnesses. +[3308.10 --> 3309.64] Those who are dealing with addictions. +[3311.00 --> 3314.06] Lord, may your spirit be with each one in their journeys. +[3314.06 --> 3325.54] Lord, we're thankful for the opportunities that this church has to reach out and serve not only in our own church community but elsewhere. +[3327.00 --> 3335.24] Lord, that our work that may be done to your honor and glory, that we may show your light to those around us. +[3335.24 --> 3347.50] Lord, we had a mention this morning of Kevin becoming an ordained pastor in this following year. +[3348.92 --> 3352.74] Lord, we pray a blessing on him as he finishes his last lessons. +[3353.08 --> 3356.98] And Lord, we have this meeting this coming up Tuesday. +[3356.98 --> 3365.66] Lord, we ask a blessing as we discuss and work together to build our community up with the work that Kevin is to do here. +[3368.14 --> 3374.68] And Lord, we as a community are also looking for new office bearers to fill positions for the coming terms. +[3375.30 --> 3378.38] We pray a blessing for those whose hearts are open to serve. +[3378.38 --> 3388.82] Lord, we're thankful for the message that a few of these members of Teen Challenge were able to bless us with this morning. +[3390.40 --> 3394.42] We see your spirit at work in this group and we pray a blessing on their work. +[3395.70 --> 3403.24] That they may continue to be an effective witness for those that are having a difficult time in life. +[3403.24 --> 3410.92] Lord, we pray for blessings of prayer and financial needs that need to be met. +[3414.50 --> 3418.28] Lord, we pray a blessing on Pastor Chris. +[3418.40 --> 3420.38] Lord, as he preaches your word to us this morning, +[3422.10 --> 3425.88] that his words may be your words to us as a community. +[3426.62 --> 3432.30] We may take that to heart and take it to our lives and workplaces in this coming week. +[3433.24 --> 3438.08] Lord, Psalm 105 says, +[3438.92 --> 3441.66] Look to you in your strength. +[3442.56 --> 3444.10] Seek your face always. +[3445.16 --> 3446.88] Lord, as we go in this coming week, +[3447.20 --> 3450.00] may that be something that we are able to do, +[3450.68 --> 3452.68] not through our own strength, +[3453.26 --> 3456.42] but through the blessing of your spirit +[3456.42 --> 3459.56] and the work that Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross. +[3460.30 --> 3462.66] As we ask in your name alone, amen. +[3463.24 --> 3464.24] Thank you. +[3478.66 --> 3481.42] Before we open the scripture and continue on, +[3481.52 --> 3482.30] may I just say, +[3482.70 --> 3484.94] it is so good to be with you this morning. +[3485.10 --> 3487.00] It is so good to hear from you, +[3487.14 --> 3489.16] Wendy, and everyone who is up on stage. +[3489.84 --> 3490.76] The Lord bless you. +[3491.20 --> 3494.34] Thank you for blessing us with your testimony and your story. +[3494.44 --> 3495.88] Thank you for giving us an example +[3495.88 --> 3501.16] of how God's truth overcomes even the darkest realities. +[3501.72 --> 3502.42] And that's amazing. +[3502.58 --> 3503.22] Thank you for that. +[3503.42 --> 3504.20] And in fact, +[3504.32 --> 3506.54] that is so illustrative of the sermon +[3506.54 --> 3508.98] that the Lord has laid on my heart for us this morning +[3508.98 --> 3511.48] that only the Holy Spirit could be at work +[3511.48 --> 3512.80] in the midst of what's going on here. +[3512.80 --> 3515.50] We're going to continue in our series +[3515.50 --> 3517.90] through the book of Thessalonians. +[3518.00 --> 3519.28] We're in 1 Thessalonians. +[3519.60 --> 3521.92] We're going to read together from chapter 5, +[3522.04 --> 3523.82] verses 16 through 22. +[3524.06 --> 3524.96] The first time through, +[3525.04 --> 3526.58] it will be on the screen behind me. +[3526.92 --> 3527.44] But of course, +[3527.50 --> 3528.94] I invite you to open up your own Bible +[3528.94 --> 3531.28] or if you have a device with the Bible app on it, +[3531.34 --> 3532.30] go there. +[3532.48 --> 3534.56] If you're looking for a Bible to get your hands on, +[3534.62 --> 3535.52] there are some at the back. +[3535.72 --> 3536.60] You can grab one of those. +[3537.46 --> 3538.16] Open it up, +[3538.24 --> 3539.10] read through with us, +[3539.14 --> 3540.08] and then keep it open +[3540.08 --> 3541.04] as, of course, +[3541.10 --> 3543.46] we'll be digging deep into these words. +[3544.68 --> 3546.74] Let me begin by reading together +[3546.74 --> 3549.26] one time through 1 Thessalonians 5, +[3549.26 --> 3552.38] starting at verse 16 through to 22. +[3554.44 --> 3555.98] Rejoice always. +[3557.36 --> 3558.46] Pray continually. +[3559.42 --> 3561.24] Give thanks in all circumstances, +[3561.66 --> 3565.66] for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. +[3566.60 --> 3568.98] Do not quench the Spirit. +[3569.94 --> 3572.12] Do not treat prophecies with contempt, +[3572.44 --> 3573.72] but test them all. +[3574.18 --> 3575.88] Hold on to what is good. +[3576.36 --> 3579.16] Reject every kind of evil. +[3579.68 --> 3581.08] This is the word of the Lord. +[3584.74 --> 3586.54] We're going to jump right in +[3586.54 --> 3588.54] to this morning together. +[3589.90 --> 3590.86] And this morning, +[3591.02 --> 3592.66] in this text here, +[3592.76 --> 3594.44] what I hope and pray +[3594.44 --> 3597.06] that the Spirit will help us to see +[3597.06 --> 3599.04] is that we might see +[3599.04 --> 3600.36] what it means +[3600.36 --> 3603.04] to live a life in Christ +[3603.04 --> 3606.00] drenched in the Holy Spirit. +[3606.72 --> 3608.04] That's the big idea +[3608.04 --> 3609.20] for us this morning. +[3609.36 --> 3611.38] Life in Christ Jesus +[3611.38 --> 3612.42] is lived, +[3612.76 --> 3614.94] drenched in the Holy Spirit. +[3615.90 --> 3616.48] Now, +[3617.20 --> 3618.42] when I say that, +[3618.80 --> 3619.50] immediately, +[3619.50 --> 3621.22] some of you +[3621.22 --> 3622.98] have all sorts of ideas +[3622.98 --> 3624.92] about what that's supposed to look like +[3624.92 --> 3626.08] and what that might mean. +[3627.54 --> 3628.46] Some of you +[3628.46 --> 3630.34] have no idea +[3630.34 --> 3632.20] about what that's supposed to look like +[3632.20 --> 3633.50] and what that might mean. +[3634.94 --> 3636.70] Let's see if we can figure out together +[3636.70 --> 3638.14] just what the Bible means +[3638.14 --> 3639.70] when we hear that +[3639.70 --> 3642.02] and when we see that kind of language. +[3643.46 --> 3643.62] Now, +[3643.68 --> 3645.26] in the text that we read here, +[3645.26 --> 3646.72] there are sort of +[3646.72 --> 3649.20] two obvious halves +[3649.20 --> 3650.86] for us this morning. +[3651.68 --> 3652.84] The first half +[3652.84 --> 3655.74] are positive imperatives +[3655.74 --> 3657.68] as an explanation +[3657.68 --> 3660.66] of what God's will for you +[3660.66 --> 3662.78] in Christ Jesus is. +[3663.58 --> 3663.84] Right? +[3663.94 --> 3665.36] To rejoice always, +[3665.70 --> 3666.86] to pray continually, +[3667.24 --> 3668.40] and to give thanks +[3668.40 --> 3669.48] in every circumstance. +[3670.46 --> 3671.84] And the second half +[3671.84 --> 3672.62] of what we read +[3672.62 --> 3673.74] sort of stacks +[3673.74 --> 3675.40] negative imperatives. +[3675.56 --> 3676.34] That's things +[3676.34 --> 3677.50] people in Christ +[3677.50 --> 3678.64] should not do. +[3679.28 --> 3679.44] Right? +[3679.48 --> 3680.78] Do not quench the Spirit. +[3681.14 --> 3682.34] Do not treat prophecies +[3682.34 --> 3683.16] with contempt +[3683.16 --> 3684.38] and reject +[3684.38 --> 3685.80] or don't entertain +[3685.80 --> 3686.96] every kind, +[3687.08 --> 3687.72] any kind +[3687.72 --> 3688.54] of evil. +[3689.68 --> 3690.02] Now, +[3690.08 --> 3690.94] I think that both +[3690.94 --> 3692.44] of these halves +[3692.44 --> 3693.62] are part +[3693.62 --> 3695.50] of the whole picture +[3695.50 --> 3696.76] of what it means +[3696.76 --> 3697.66] to live +[3697.66 --> 3698.48] as one +[3698.48 --> 3699.76] in Christ +[3699.76 --> 3700.34] Jesus. +[3701.62 --> 3702.68] And I want us +[3702.68 --> 3703.52] to be really clear +[3703.52 --> 3705.06] about this. +[3706.52 --> 3707.40] The kind +[3707.40 --> 3708.14] of life +[3708.14 --> 3709.58] that the scriptures +[3709.58 --> 3710.54] have outlined +[3710.54 --> 3711.50] for us +[3711.50 --> 3712.68] and call us +[3712.68 --> 3713.08] to +[3713.08 --> 3714.74] as believers, +[3715.34 --> 3716.34] the person +[3716.34 --> 3718.08] who is in Christ +[3718.08 --> 3719.30] is commanded +[3719.30 --> 3720.60] to live this way, +[3720.78 --> 3721.56] and that part +[3721.56 --> 3722.70] in Christ +[3722.70 --> 3723.98] is critical +[3723.98 --> 3725.56] for these commands. +[3726.46 --> 3726.60] Right? +[3726.64 --> 3727.42] The way of life +[3727.42 --> 3728.60] that we are to be +[3728.60 --> 3729.08] about +[3729.08 --> 3730.86] is only possible +[3730.86 --> 3731.78] for those +[3731.78 --> 3733.00] who are in Christ +[3733.00 --> 3734.22] because it is +[3734.22 --> 3735.54] the life of Christ +[3735.54 --> 3736.56] we are living. +[3738.48 --> 3739.12] And so, +[3739.20 --> 3739.70] that's where I want to +[3739.70 --> 3741.06] dive in together. +[3741.20 --> 3742.04] What does that mean? +[3742.34 --> 3742.52] Right? +[3742.64 --> 3743.60] For you +[3743.60 --> 3744.60] in Christ +[3744.60 --> 3745.18] Jesus. +[3746.74 --> 3747.18] Now, +[3747.22 --> 3747.98] for those who know me +[3747.98 --> 3748.72] know that I +[3748.72 --> 3750.64] am a bit of a grammar nerd, +[3750.74 --> 3751.36] although not as big +[3751.36 --> 3751.88] as Jackie +[3751.88 --> 3752.68] over there. +[3752.68 --> 3754.98] But, +[3755.10 --> 3756.14] because of that, +[3756.24 --> 3757.10] I want you to hear +[3757.10 --> 3758.16] that the preposition +[3758.16 --> 3759.22] matters. +[3760.48 --> 3760.94] Right? +[3761.00 --> 3761.72] The preposition, +[3761.96 --> 3762.44] in this case, +[3762.58 --> 3763.70] extends the pronoun. +[3764.32 --> 3764.42] Now, +[3764.48 --> 3765.56] so when you read that, +[3765.80 --> 3766.82] you might read it +[3766.82 --> 3767.48] and think, +[3767.92 --> 3769.52] this is God's will +[3769.52 --> 3770.12] for me +[3770.12 --> 3772.34] because of Jesus. +[3772.60 --> 3772.88] Meaning, +[3773.14 --> 3774.48] God has shown me Jesus +[3774.48 --> 3775.68] and I need to live +[3775.68 --> 3776.16] like Him. +[3776.50 --> 3777.70] Jesus is the example +[3777.70 --> 3778.86] and I have to follow +[3778.86 --> 3780.18] in order to be +[3780.18 --> 3781.18] in God's will. +[3781.18 --> 3782.36] And honestly, +[3782.52 --> 3783.06] from a pure, +[3783.32 --> 3784.48] sort of simple word +[3784.48 --> 3785.06] perspective, +[3785.36 --> 3786.36] that's not wrong. +[3786.62 --> 3787.56] But so often, +[3787.66 --> 3788.60] for so many of us, +[3788.68 --> 3790.28] behind that perspective +[3790.28 --> 3791.66] is an assumption. +[3792.42 --> 3793.54] An assumption +[3793.54 --> 3794.46] that namely, +[3795.02 --> 3796.90] we are the primary actor. +[3797.62 --> 3799.30] That we are the agent. +[3800.54 --> 3801.38] That we think, +[3801.58 --> 3802.30] I have to follow +[3802.30 --> 3803.18] Jesus' example +[3803.18 --> 3804.70] in order to get in +[3804.70 --> 3805.44] God's will. +[3806.96 --> 3807.18] Right? +[3807.58 --> 3808.18] We think +[3808.80 --> 3810.58] that it is something +[3810.58 --> 3811.96] that we do. +[3812.80 --> 3813.78] That it is primarily +[3813.78 --> 3815.78] our action. +[3816.68 --> 3818.12] But what the Bible means, +[3818.26 --> 3818.58] however, +[3818.86 --> 3820.14] is so much more than that. +[3820.20 --> 3820.38] In fact, +[3820.42 --> 3821.62] it's so much deeper than that. +[3822.00 --> 3823.36] It goes beyond that. +[3824.00 --> 3824.44] This is, +[3824.66 --> 3825.04] first of all, +[3825.10 --> 3826.86] about who you are. +[3828.26 --> 3828.68] Right? +[3828.72 --> 3829.64] And who you are +[3829.64 --> 3830.14] isn't, +[3830.26 --> 3830.74] first of all, +[3830.78 --> 3831.68] about what you do. +[3832.28 --> 3833.88] It's about who you belong to. +[3834.80 --> 3836.06] Who you are part of. +[3836.10 --> 3837.32] Who you are connected to. +[3837.32 --> 3839.14] Who you are at one with. +[3840.54 --> 3840.86] You, +[3841.24 --> 3842.64] in Christ Jesus, +[3843.02 --> 3844.26] is one sort of +[3844.26 --> 3846.40] comprehensive identifier. +[3847.66 --> 3848.66] In Christ, +[3848.86 --> 3849.94] is about belonging. +[3851.10 --> 3851.22] Right? +[3851.26 --> 3852.46] You can't hard work +[3852.46 --> 3853.34] your way in +[3853.34 --> 3854.88] to relationship to Jesus. +[3855.96 --> 3857.04] It's not enough +[3857.04 --> 3857.60] for Jesus +[3857.60 --> 3858.94] to be your example. +[3859.30 --> 3860.94] You must be in Him. +[3861.02 --> 3862.08] Become part of Him. +[3862.08 --> 3864.60] I'm going to show you +[3864.60 --> 3866.38] a couple other Bible texts +[3866.38 --> 3867.02] really quickly +[3867.02 --> 3868.78] that make this same point. +[3869.44 --> 3870.44] I'll run through them quickly, +[3870.56 --> 3871.48] but they will be on the screen +[3871.48 --> 3871.96] behind me +[3871.96 --> 3873.14] so you can note them. +[3874.54 --> 3875.26] The Apostle Paul +[3875.26 --> 3876.54] writes in Romans 6, +[3876.84 --> 3877.72] In the same way, +[3877.88 --> 3878.80] count yourselves +[3878.80 --> 3879.78] dead to sin, +[3879.94 --> 3881.32] but alive to God +[3881.32 --> 3883.84] in Christ Jesus. +[3885.36 --> 3885.84] Right? +[3885.92 --> 3887.16] 1 Corinthians 1, 3, +[3887.26 --> 3888.38] It is because of God +[3888.38 --> 3889.62] that you are in +[3889.62 --> 3891.48] Christ Jesus. +[3892.70 --> 3894.00] Galatians 3, 26, +[3894.10 --> 3895.02] So in Christ +[3895.02 --> 3896.82] you are all children of God +[3896.82 --> 3898.10] through faith. +[3899.08 --> 3899.48] And in fact, +[3899.56 --> 3900.80] this is a major theme +[3900.80 --> 3901.78] of the letter +[3901.78 --> 3902.70] to the Ephesians. +[3902.94 --> 3903.36] I encourage you +[3903.36 --> 3903.86] this afternoon, +[3904.00 --> 3904.42] read it. +[3905.02 --> 3905.72] Ephesians 2, +[3906.20 --> 3907.30] God raised us up +[3907.30 --> 3907.88] with Christ +[3907.88 --> 3909.08] and seated us with Him +[3909.08 --> 3910.34] in the heavenly realms +[3910.34 --> 3912.28] in Christ Jesus. +[3913.14 --> 3913.82] But now, +[3913.98 --> 3914.80] in Christ Jesus, +[3914.98 --> 3916.52] you who were once far away +[3916.52 --> 3917.62] have been brought near. +[3918.66 --> 3919.90] Or to put it another way, +[3919.98 --> 3920.52] as Paul does +[3920.52 --> 3921.64] in Galatians 2, 20, +[3921.64 --> 3923.38] I have been crucified +[3923.38 --> 3924.30] with Christ +[3924.30 --> 3926.10] and I no longer live, +[3926.22 --> 3927.72] but Christ lives in me. +[3928.56 --> 3929.80] The life I now live +[3929.80 --> 3930.46] in the body, +[3930.56 --> 3931.54] I live by faith +[3931.54 --> 3932.54] in the Son of God +[3932.54 --> 3933.60] who loved me +[3933.60 --> 3935.42] and gave Himself up for me. +[3936.84 --> 3936.98] Right? +[3937.06 --> 3938.04] This life +[3938.04 --> 3939.52] that we are called to live +[3939.52 --> 3941.18] is the life of Jesus +[3941.18 --> 3942.80] working in you +[3942.80 --> 3943.70] and through you. +[3944.56 --> 3945.98] And Jesus only works +[3945.98 --> 3947.32] in you and through you +[3947.32 --> 3948.64] when He lives in you. +[3948.64 --> 3950.10] and when you live in Him. +[3950.88 --> 3952.14] And He lives in you +[3952.14 --> 3952.94] by grace +[3952.94 --> 3953.84] through faith. +[3953.90 --> 3954.40] What did we read? +[3954.46 --> 3955.32] The life I live, +[3955.40 --> 3956.44] I live by faith. +[3957.10 --> 3958.14] So in Christ, +[3958.26 --> 3960.02] you are all children of God +[3960.02 --> 3961.52] through faith. +[3962.60 --> 3964.14] Faith that the Son of God +[3964.14 --> 3964.98] loved me +[3964.98 --> 3965.96] and gave Himself +[3965.96 --> 3967.04] up for me. +[3968.22 --> 3968.94] And if you hear +[3968.94 --> 3969.84] one thing this morning, +[3969.92 --> 3970.32] maybe this, +[3970.52 --> 3971.52] don't get it twisted, +[3971.90 --> 3972.10] right? +[3972.34 --> 3974.00] Faith precedes works +[3974.00 --> 3975.96] because Christ in you +[3975.96 --> 3977.14] is necessary +[3977.14 --> 3978.64] for the kinds of works +[3978.64 --> 3980.04] He calls us to. +[3980.94 --> 3981.94] Apart from Christ +[3981.94 --> 3982.94] and the Holy Spirit, +[3983.28 --> 3984.38] apart from the operation +[3984.38 --> 3985.04] of this faith, +[3985.20 --> 3986.56] apart from being in Him, +[3986.82 --> 3987.96] this kind of life +[3987.96 --> 3988.72] is impossible. +[3990.66 --> 3991.74] And this is the foundational +[3991.74 --> 3993.10] philosophy of ministry +[3993.10 --> 3995.10] for Adult and Teen Challenge. +[3996.86 --> 3997.04] Right? +[3997.12 --> 3999.60] This is the only way +[3999.60 --> 4000.90] possible to live +[4000.90 --> 4001.60] the kind of life +[4001.60 --> 4002.80] that God is calling us +[4002.80 --> 4003.68] to live. +[4004.72 --> 4005.74] And if you try to do it +[4005.74 --> 4006.16] without Him, +[4006.82 --> 4007.90] you will burn out. +[4009.30 --> 4010.44] You will fall short. +[4011.20 --> 4012.56] You will prove inadequate +[4012.56 --> 4014.48] over and over and over. +[4015.34 --> 4016.62] And as I stand in front of you +[4016.62 --> 4017.12] this morning, +[4017.90 --> 4018.30] please, +[4019.30 --> 4021.82] as I muster my pastoral heart, +[4022.02 --> 4023.94] please hear this. +[4025.26 --> 4026.66] Because some of you +[4026.66 --> 4028.38] have been playing +[4028.38 --> 4029.30] at Christianity +[4029.30 --> 4030.96] without being converted +[4030.96 --> 4031.48] to Christ. +[4032.80 --> 4035.34] without being in Him. +[4036.88 --> 4037.48] And so, +[4037.82 --> 4038.94] you beat yourself up +[4038.94 --> 4040.80] and you burden yourself +[4040.80 --> 4042.42] with an impossible law +[4042.42 --> 4043.40] because your heart +[4043.40 --> 4044.50] is still stone. +[4048.00 --> 4048.66] Some of you +[4048.66 --> 4049.24] don't even know +[4049.24 --> 4050.32] any different. +[4052.54 --> 4053.90] And there's some of us +[4053.90 --> 4054.52] here +[4054.52 --> 4056.38] who expect people +[4056.38 --> 4057.46] to be living +[4057.46 --> 4058.72] your understanding +[4058.72 --> 4059.78] of the Christian way +[4059.78 --> 4061.32] before you allow +[4061.32 --> 4061.94] that they even +[4061.94 --> 4062.78] become Christian. +[4064.16 --> 4064.54] Right? +[4064.58 --> 4065.22] To put it another way, +[4065.30 --> 4065.72] some of you +[4065.72 --> 4066.92] require the fruit +[4066.92 --> 4067.72] of faith +[4067.72 --> 4068.50] but never look +[4068.50 --> 4069.44] for the seed of faith. +[4070.84 --> 4071.96] The seed of faith +[4071.96 --> 4072.56] is all you need. +[4072.64 --> 4073.44] That's where it starts. +[4073.78 --> 4074.44] I believe +[4074.44 --> 4075.28] Jesus is Lord +[4075.28 --> 4075.76] and that God +[4075.76 --> 4076.18] raised Him +[4076.18 --> 4076.72] from the dead. +[4076.72 --> 4079.18] If you say that +[4079.18 --> 4080.18] and believe it, +[4080.38 --> 4081.82] that is you +[4081.82 --> 4083.08] in Christ. +[4083.08 --> 4087.18] and still some of us +[4087.18 --> 4088.70] here this morning +[4088.70 --> 4090.50] think the way in +[4090.50 --> 4091.68] is by grace +[4091.68 --> 4092.34] through faith +[4092.34 --> 4093.24] and you have that +[4093.24 --> 4094.44] but somehow, +[4095.14 --> 4095.34] right, +[4095.44 --> 4096.16] over time +[4096.16 --> 4097.18] you've come to believe +[4097.18 --> 4097.76] that the way +[4097.76 --> 4098.92] you persevere, +[4099.42 --> 4100.32] the way you make it +[4100.32 --> 4100.88] to the end +[4100.88 --> 4102.16] is by your sheer +[4102.16 --> 4103.26] determination and grit. +[4104.38 --> 4104.78] So yeah, +[4104.86 --> 4105.12] you know what, +[4105.18 --> 4105.82] God did that work +[4105.82 --> 4106.22] at the beginning +[4106.22 --> 4107.58] but now it's my turn +[4107.58 --> 4108.24] to do the work. +[4108.68 --> 4110.20] I'll take control back. +[4110.36 --> 4110.78] Thank you. +[4112.48 --> 4113.54] But the Bible teaches +[4113.54 --> 4114.90] over and over +[4114.90 --> 4115.60] and over again +[4115.60 --> 4117.34] and with such clarity +[4117.34 --> 4118.24] and beauty +[4118.24 --> 4119.58] that all of it, +[4119.66 --> 4120.50] all of this +[4120.50 --> 4121.66] requires you +[4121.66 --> 4123.10] being in Christ, +[4123.26 --> 4124.50] believing in Christ +[4124.50 --> 4125.88] both as the object +[4125.88 --> 4126.84] of your belief +[4126.84 --> 4128.02] and the source +[4128.02 --> 4129.18] of your belief. +[4129.88 --> 4130.88] Both as the goal +[4130.88 --> 4132.04] towards which we press +[4132.04 --> 4133.08] and as the one +[4133.08 --> 4133.98] who moves us +[4133.98 --> 4134.84] in that direction. +[4134.84 --> 4138.78] Let me illustrate it +[4138.78 --> 4139.58] this way. +[4142.16 --> 4143.74] You believe +[4143.74 --> 4145.50] in the ocean +[4145.50 --> 4146.76] differently +[4146.76 --> 4148.44] when you're standing +[4148.44 --> 4149.68] on the beach +[4149.68 --> 4151.72] looking abstractly +[4151.72 --> 4152.32] over it. +[4153.46 --> 4153.88] Right? +[4153.94 --> 4154.54] There's one way +[4154.54 --> 4155.10] of believing +[4155.10 --> 4155.92] and experiencing +[4155.92 --> 4156.52] the ocean. +[4156.90 --> 4157.66] But you believe +[4157.66 --> 4158.28] differently +[4158.28 --> 4159.54] about the ocean +[4159.54 --> 4160.34] when you're sitting +[4160.34 --> 4160.84] on the edge +[4160.84 --> 4161.34] of a boat +[4161.34 --> 4162.32] and you're dipping +[4162.32 --> 4163.20] your feet in the water. +[4164.58 --> 4164.82] Right? +[4165.04 --> 4165.62] That's a different +[4165.62 --> 4166.32] experience +[4166.32 --> 4167.08] and belief +[4167.08 --> 4167.68] of the ocean. +[4168.26 --> 4168.58] Likewise, +[4168.80 --> 4169.34] you believe +[4169.34 --> 4170.54] yet again differently +[4170.54 --> 4171.68] when you're swimming +[4171.68 --> 4172.74] through the ocean +[4172.74 --> 4173.38] on the surface +[4173.38 --> 4174.24] and every once in a while +[4174.24 --> 4174.92] you look down +[4174.92 --> 4176.08] and see what it is +[4176.08 --> 4176.58] that you see. +[4177.72 --> 4179.14] And you believe +[4179.14 --> 4179.80] differently +[4179.80 --> 4180.64] when you are +[4180.64 --> 4181.44] 200 meters +[4181.44 --> 4182.38] below the surface +[4182.38 --> 4183.70] and all you feel +[4183.70 --> 4184.44] is the weight +[4184.44 --> 4185.68] of glory +[4185.68 --> 4186.98] surrounding you, +[4187.14 --> 4188.14] pressing in on you +[4188.14 --> 4189.32] from every direction. +[4191.22 --> 4192.72] Being in Christ +[4192.72 --> 4195.12] moves you +[4195.12 --> 4196.22] deeper. +[4197.50 --> 4198.92] Being in Christ +[4198.92 --> 4200.28] moves you +[4200.28 --> 4200.98] deeper. +[4201.18 --> 4201.66] And so are you +[4201.66 --> 4202.64] standing on the beach? +[4203.74 --> 4204.72] Are you dipping +[4204.72 --> 4205.40] your toes +[4205.40 --> 4206.58] into the water? +[4206.70 --> 4207.24] Are you swimming +[4207.24 --> 4208.18] along the surface +[4208.18 --> 4209.06] or will you +[4209.06 --> 4210.46] go deeper? +[4211.50 --> 4212.68] Life in Christ +[4212.68 --> 4213.20] Jesus +[4213.20 --> 4214.36] is life +[4214.36 --> 4214.96] drenched +[4214.96 --> 4215.70] deep +[4215.70 --> 4217.30] in the Holy Spirit. +[4218.86 --> 4218.98] Right? +[4219.00 --> 4219.40] And as I said, +[4219.44 --> 4220.10] that's the banner +[4220.10 --> 4221.18] over this text +[4221.18 --> 4221.76] and I'm getting +[4221.76 --> 4222.42] that language +[4222.42 --> 4224.42] from verse 19 +[4224.42 --> 4225.42] where we read +[4225.42 --> 4226.30] do not quench +[4226.30 --> 4227.24] the Spirit. +[4227.98 --> 4229.04] And instead of quench, +[4229.54 --> 4229.72] right, +[4229.96 --> 4231.04] this is what a +[4231.04 --> 4232.12] Spirit-drenched +[4232.12 --> 4233.88] life looks like. +[4234.66 --> 4235.42] Or to put it +[4235.42 --> 4235.98] another way, +[4236.30 --> 4237.14] this is what it looks +[4237.14 --> 4238.38] like to be on fire +[4238.38 --> 4239.16] for the Lord +[4239.16 --> 4239.84] by the Spirit. +[4240.02 --> 4240.72] And yes, +[4240.78 --> 4241.50] I get that I'm mixing +[4241.50 --> 4242.64] opposite metaphors now. +[4244.32 --> 4245.30] This is what +[4245.30 --> 4246.24] life filled +[4246.24 --> 4247.20] with the Spirit +[4247.20 --> 4248.08] because you are +[4248.08 --> 4248.64] in Christ +[4248.64 --> 4249.34] looks like. +[4250.34 --> 4250.80] Right? +[4250.84 --> 4251.62] And in that life +[4251.62 --> 4252.16] there are things +[4252.16 --> 4252.88] that we are called +[4252.88 --> 4253.46] to do +[4253.46 --> 4254.20] and things +[4254.20 --> 4254.94] that we are called +[4254.94 --> 4256.00] not to do. +[4256.26 --> 4257.20] There are do's +[4257.20 --> 4258.46] and there are don'ts. +[4258.50 --> 4258.78] And again, +[4258.88 --> 4259.76] let's be abundantly +[4259.76 --> 4260.96] clear about this, +[4261.04 --> 4261.14] right? +[4261.18 --> 4262.20] Because the do's +[4262.20 --> 4263.50] are for your good +[4263.50 --> 4264.74] and for God's glory +[4264.74 --> 4266.28] and the don'ts +[4266.28 --> 4267.48] are for your good +[4267.48 --> 4268.68] and for God's glory. +[4269.76 --> 4269.84] Right? +[4269.96 --> 4270.72] Enjoying God, +[4270.88 --> 4271.50] worshiping Him, +[4271.62 --> 4272.42] living in the comfort +[4272.42 --> 4273.00] of the gospel, +[4273.40 --> 4274.84] living out our gratitude +[4274.84 --> 4276.56] means yes and amen +[4276.56 --> 4277.98] and it means +[4277.98 --> 4278.42] no, +[4278.62 --> 4279.42] not for me. +[4280.70 --> 4281.86] Both of those +[4281.86 --> 4283.18] are for your good, +[4283.48 --> 4284.52] for your comfort, +[4284.96 --> 4286.10] and are for your joy. +[4287.32 --> 4288.70] This is two sides +[4288.70 --> 4289.68] of one life +[4289.68 --> 4291.06] lived in Christ, +[4291.22 --> 4291.68] drenched +[4291.68 --> 4293.50] in the Holy Spirit. +[4294.50 --> 4295.58] And there's one more thing +[4295.58 --> 4296.72] I want us to see +[4296.72 --> 4297.60] before we quickly +[4297.60 --> 4298.82] walk through +[4298.82 --> 4300.40] this life lived in Christ. +[4300.40 --> 4302.26] remember +[4302.26 --> 4304.22] why Paul +[4304.22 --> 4305.52] is writing this letter. +[4306.44 --> 4306.66] Right? +[4306.66 --> 4307.62] If you haven't been with us, +[4307.68 --> 4308.86] let me recap you, +[4308.92 --> 4309.04] right? +[4309.24 --> 4310.72] Paul is writing this letter +[4310.72 --> 4311.66] to encourage +[4311.66 --> 4313.88] the Thessalonian believers, +[4314.08 --> 4315.18] this young church +[4315.18 --> 4317.12] who's been existing +[4317.12 --> 4318.30] only for just +[4318.30 --> 4319.02] a couple months +[4319.02 --> 4319.54] by the time +[4319.54 --> 4320.50] he writes this letter +[4320.50 --> 4322.08] and in those +[4322.08 --> 4322.82] couple months +[4322.82 --> 4323.80] they have had to face +[4323.80 --> 4324.94] incredible hardship, +[4325.42 --> 4326.32] incredible persecution, +[4326.78 --> 4328.20] and even death +[4328.20 --> 4329.26] of their fellow +[4329.26 --> 4330.28] brothers and sisters +[4330.28 --> 4330.86] in Christ. +[4331.30 --> 4332.66] Life in Jesus Christ +[4332.66 --> 4334.02] has not been easy +[4334.02 --> 4334.62] for them. +[4334.84 --> 4335.94] It's not been safe +[4335.94 --> 4336.62] for them. +[4336.84 --> 4338.00] It's been costing them +[4338.00 --> 4338.64] relationships. +[4339.06 --> 4340.46] It's been costing them money. +[4340.74 --> 4341.98] Remember at the very beginning +[4341.98 --> 4343.16] Jason, +[4343.40 --> 4344.12] one of the leaders +[4344.12 --> 4344.70] in the church +[4344.70 --> 4345.78] in Thessalonica, +[4346.02 --> 4347.34] had to pay a fine +[4347.34 --> 4348.52] to the city officials +[4348.52 --> 4349.88] before he could be released +[4349.88 --> 4350.90] after being arrested. +[4352.38 --> 4352.56] Right? +[4352.62 --> 4353.30] These Christians +[4353.30 --> 4354.50] are doing things +[4354.50 --> 4355.70] that their non-Christian +[4355.70 --> 4356.32] neighbors +[4356.32 --> 4357.92] think are super weird. +[4358.98 --> 4359.46] Some of them +[4359.46 --> 4360.50] are even destructive +[4360.50 --> 4361.34] practices. +[4361.92 --> 4362.02] Right? +[4362.08 --> 4363.28] Destructive to the peace +[4363.28 --> 4364.52] and the social order +[4364.52 --> 4365.50] of Thessalonica. +[4365.60 --> 4366.56] It doesn't make sense +[4366.56 --> 4367.00] to them. +[4368.70 --> 4369.62] And when things +[4369.62 --> 4370.14] are hard, +[4370.78 --> 4371.82] God knows +[4371.82 --> 4373.08] we need extra reminders. +[4373.88 --> 4375.26] We need more encouragement +[4375.26 --> 4376.92] when things get tough. +[4377.26 --> 4379.28] That's what this letter is. +[4379.44 --> 4380.52] How do we live +[4380.52 --> 4381.36] in Christ +[4381.36 --> 4382.36] when things are hard? +[4382.36 --> 4384.52] How do we live +[4384.52 --> 4385.76] drenched in the Spirit +[4385.76 --> 4387.96] when our very circumstances +[4387.96 --> 4389.60] could discourage +[4389.60 --> 4390.16] our faith? +[4391.46 --> 4393.16] It's precisely then +[4393.16 --> 4394.02] that we read +[4394.02 --> 4395.74] rejoice always. +[4397.24 --> 4398.52] And hear this. +[4401.02 --> 4403.68] If you +[4403.68 --> 4406.14] are going to live +[4406.14 --> 4407.18] in Christ +[4407.18 --> 4408.98] doing God's will +[4408.98 --> 4410.26] when it's hard, +[4410.26 --> 4412.24] you need to have +[4412.24 --> 4412.70] a reason +[4412.70 --> 4413.40] to rejoice +[4413.40 --> 4415.00] when your circumstances +[4415.00 --> 4416.04] don't give you one. +[4418.00 --> 4418.56] The way +[4418.56 --> 4419.18] to live +[4419.18 --> 4419.96] in Christ +[4419.96 --> 4420.92] doing God's will +[4420.92 --> 4421.58] when it's hard +[4421.58 --> 4422.20] is to have +[4422.20 --> 4422.68] a reason +[4422.68 --> 4423.40] to rejoice +[4423.40 --> 4424.70] when your immediate +[4424.70 --> 4425.46] circumstances +[4425.46 --> 4426.98] do not give you one. +[4428.72 --> 4429.42] For that +[4429.42 --> 4430.00] as an example +[4430.00 --> 4430.48] of this +[4430.48 --> 4431.72] from the Bible +[4431.72 --> 4432.46] I think of the story +[4432.46 --> 4432.90] of Job. +[4433.16 --> 4434.02] Many of you are familiar +[4434.02 --> 4435.00] with Job's story. +[4435.72 --> 4435.84] Right? +[4435.88 --> 4436.44] He lost +[4436.44 --> 4437.42] everything. +[4437.42 --> 4439.30] But Job said +[4439.30 --> 4440.90] shall we accept +[4440.90 --> 4441.80] good from God +[4441.80 --> 4442.80] and not trouble? +[4444.10 --> 4445.14] He also says +[4445.14 --> 4446.14] the Lord gave +[4446.14 --> 4446.66] and the Lord +[4446.66 --> 4447.52] has taken away +[4447.52 --> 4448.70] may the name +[4448.70 --> 4449.30] of the Lord +[4449.30 --> 4449.98] be praised. +[4451.44 --> 4451.58] Right? +[4451.62 --> 4452.14] May the name +[4452.14 --> 4452.60] of the Lord +[4452.60 --> 4453.24] be praised +[4453.24 --> 4453.86] in trouble +[4453.86 --> 4454.86] and when he +[4454.86 --> 4455.44] takes away. +[4456.98 --> 4457.10] Right? +[4457.12 --> 4457.50] And for this +[4457.50 --> 4458.42] I think of Christians +[4458.42 --> 4459.26] who sing +[4459.26 --> 4460.56] and more often +[4460.56 --> 4461.04] than not +[4461.04 --> 4461.66] these days +[4461.66 --> 4462.50] it seems to be +[4462.50 --> 4463.28] at funerals +[4463.28 --> 4464.00] but we sing +[4464.00 --> 4465.00] it is well +[4465.00 --> 4466.18] with my soul. +[4466.18 --> 4467.48] Right? +[4467.56 --> 4468.16] Though Satan +[4468.16 --> 4468.74] should buffet +[4468.74 --> 4469.68] though trials +[4469.68 --> 4470.30] should come +[4470.30 --> 4472.38] Christ has regarded +[4472.38 --> 4473.78] my helpless estate +[4473.78 --> 4475.06] and we sing +[4475.06 --> 4475.78] it is well +[4475.78 --> 4477.26] with my soul. +[4477.80 --> 4478.50] It is well +[4478.50 --> 4479.68] it is well +[4479.68 --> 4480.76] with my soul. +[4481.50 --> 4482.16] In this church +[4482.16 --> 4482.78] another song +[4482.78 --> 4483.80] that we sing +[4483.80 --> 4484.68] we sing +[4484.68 --> 4485.76] when I fear +[4485.76 --> 4487.04] my faith will fail +[4487.04 --> 4488.90] when the tempter +[4488.90 --> 4489.74] would prevail +[4489.74 --> 4491.14] I could never +[4491.14 --> 4492.14] keep my hold +[4492.14 --> 4493.82] through life's +[4493.82 --> 4495.32] fearful paths +[4495.32 --> 4497.66] he will hold +[4497.66 --> 4498.26] me fast. +[4500.02 --> 4500.54] Right? +[4500.60 --> 4501.40] We can rejoice +[4501.40 --> 4502.34] in the hardship +[4502.34 --> 4503.46] we can worship +[4503.46 --> 4504.32] in the valley +[4504.32 --> 4504.94] of the shadow +[4504.94 --> 4506.04] we can sing +[4506.04 --> 4506.86] in the face +[4506.86 --> 4507.40] of death +[4507.40 --> 4508.24] and every other +[4508.24 --> 4508.78] circumstance +[4508.78 --> 4510.00] because there is +[4510.00 --> 4511.10] a yet greater +[4511.10 --> 4511.72] circumstance +[4511.72 --> 4512.78] that we are +[4512.78 --> 4513.38] aware of. +[4513.46 --> 4513.58] Amen? +[4514.58 --> 4514.78] Right? +[4514.84 --> 4515.30] There is a yet +[4515.30 --> 4516.34] greater God +[4516.34 --> 4517.26] whom we know +[4517.26 --> 4518.06] who has invited +[4518.06 --> 4518.88] us into himself +[4518.88 --> 4519.84] and who has made +[4519.84 --> 4520.70] us one with him +[4520.70 --> 4521.52] in Christ Jesus. +[4521.52 --> 4523.24] And again +[4523.24 --> 4524.00] this is Job's +[4524.00 --> 4524.50] hope. +[4524.64 --> 4525.10] Job put it +[4525.10 --> 4525.58] this way +[4525.58 --> 4526.32] Job says +[4526.32 --> 4527.00] I know +[4527.00 --> 4527.74] that my +[4527.74 --> 4528.94] redeemer lives +[4528.94 --> 4529.64] and that in the +[4529.64 --> 4530.32] end he will +[4530.32 --> 4531.02] stand on the +[4531.02 --> 4531.28] earth +[4531.28 --> 4532.26] and after my +[4532.26 --> 4532.94] skin has been +[4532.94 --> 4533.46] destroyed +[4533.46 --> 4534.48] yet in my +[4534.48 --> 4535.18] flesh I +[4535.18 --> 4535.88] will see +[4535.88 --> 4536.48] God +[4536.48 --> 4537.40] I myself +[4537.40 --> 4538.14] will see him +[4538.14 --> 4538.78] with my own +[4538.78 --> 4539.08] eyes +[4539.08 --> 4540.02] I and not +[4540.02 --> 4540.44] another +[4540.44 --> 4541.30] how my +[4541.30 --> 4541.80] heart +[4541.80 --> 4542.68] yearns +[4542.68 --> 4543.74] within me. +[4545.26 --> 4546.34] As Christians +[4546.34 --> 4547.54] we have two +[4547.54 --> 4547.98] reasons +[4547.98 --> 4549.08] to rejoice +[4549.08 --> 4549.54] that are +[4549.54 --> 4550.34] greater than +[4550.34 --> 4551.18] any circumstance +[4551.18 --> 4552.08] we might face +[4552.08 --> 4552.58] right now +[4552.58 --> 4553.30] and those two +[4553.30 --> 4553.86] reasons they +[4553.86 --> 4554.34] really come +[4554.34 --> 4555.20] together as +[4555.20 --> 4555.90] one unified +[4555.90 --> 4556.76] reason. +[4556.90 --> 4557.24] We have the +[4557.24 --> 4558.00] resurrection of +[4558.00 --> 4558.92] Jesus yes and +[4558.92 --> 4560.00] amen and we +[4560.00 --> 4561.04] have his coming +[4561.04 --> 4562.68] again to restore +[4562.68 --> 4564.08] all things. +[4565.40 --> 4566.56] And in fact if +[4566.56 --> 4567.02] you've been with +[4567.02 --> 4567.80] us in this series +[4567.80 --> 4568.44] this has been +[4568.44 --> 4569.24] chapters 4 and +[4569.24 --> 4570.22] 5 this has been +[4570.22 --> 4571.14] the point building +[4571.14 --> 4571.88] to this idea +[4571.88 --> 4572.96] because of the +[4572.96 --> 4574.16] coming return of +[4574.16 --> 4575.10] Jesus because of +[4575.10 --> 4576.16] his resurrection +[4576.16 --> 4578.00] we can experience +[4578.00 --> 4579.10] the defeat of +[4579.10 --> 4580.32] sin and death +[4580.32 --> 4581.70] in him. +[4582.48 --> 4583.08] And because of +[4583.08 --> 4583.80] that we can +[4583.80 --> 4585.62] rejoice in +[4585.62 --> 4587.54] every circumstance +[4587.54 --> 4588.98] we can rejoice +[4588.98 --> 4590.20] always. +[4591.20 --> 4592.40] To be clear +[4592.40 --> 4593.30] again +[4593.30 --> 4594.48] rejoice +[4594.48 --> 4595.52] always +[4595.52 --> 4596.36] doesn't +[4596.36 --> 4597.06] always +[4597.06 --> 4598.06] or doesn't +[4598.06 --> 4598.86] mean always +[4598.86 --> 4600.58] feeling joyful +[4600.58 --> 4601.14] doesn't mean +[4601.14 --> 4602.18] always feeling +[4602.18 --> 4602.88] happy and +[4602.88 --> 4603.48] clappy and +[4603.48 --> 4604.06] putting a good +[4604.06 --> 4604.86] smile on +[4604.86 --> 4605.48] when on the +[4605.48 --> 4606.04] insides +[4606.04 --> 4606.74] we're just +[4606.74 --> 4607.54] chaotic and +[4607.54 --> 4608.06] a mess. +[4608.06 --> 4610.54] it means +[4610.54 --> 4611.72] submitting your +[4611.72 --> 4612.84] feelings to +[4612.84 --> 4613.44] the truth of +[4613.44 --> 4613.92] who Christ +[4613.92 --> 4614.26] is. +[4614.90 --> 4615.58] It means +[4615.58 --> 4616.42] redefining your +[4616.42 --> 4617.10] realities in +[4617.10 --> 4617.40] light of the +[4617.40 --> 4617.78] truth of the +[4617.78 --> 4618.10] gospel. +[4618.26 --> 4618.74] Thank you for +[4618.74 --> 4619.02] that. +[4621.10 --> 4621.96] It means +[4621.96 --> 4623.14] trusting Christ +[4623.14 --> 4624.14] and not your +[4624.14 --> 4624.58] feelings. +[4625.96 --> 4627.10] Rejoice always +[4627.10 --> 4628.34] is to sing +[4628.34 --> 4629.18] it is well +[4629.18 --> 4630.14] with my soul. +[4631.40 --> 4631.88] And there are +[4631.88 --> 4633.34] times when we +[4633.34 --> 4633.92] sing that +[4633.92 --> 4635.02] aspirationally. +[4635.02 --> 4636.62] we sing that +[4636.62 --> 4637.40] longing to +[4637.40 --> 4638.02] believe it's +[4638.02 --> 4638.34] true. +[4639.70 --> 4640.44] And there are +[4640.44 --> 4641.74] times when we +[4641.74 --> 4642.46] will sing that +[4642.46 --> 4643.16] as the most +[4643.16 --> 4643.84] decisive +[4643.84 --> 4645.28] declaration of +[4645.28 --> 4645.96] our faith in +[4645.96 --> 4646.52] the midst of +[4646.52 --> 4647.36] whatever dark +[4647.36 --> 4647.84] night of the +[4647.84 --> 4648.78] soul you are +[4648.78 --> 4649.16] facing. +[4650.00 --> 4650.78] And then there +[4650.78 --> 4651.98] are times where +[4651.98 --> 4652.50] you won't be able +[4652.50 --> 4652.96] to say those +[4652.96 --> 4653.24] words. +[4654.58 --> 4655.60] And so we rely +[4655.60 --> 4656.06] on the brothers +[4656.06 --> 4656.84] and sisters around +[4656.84 --> 4658.30] us to sing them +[4658.30 --> 4659.34] for us and +[4659.34 --> 4660.04] over us. +[4660.64 --> 4661.70] To rejoice +[4661.70 --> 4663.52] always on our +[4663.52 --> 4663.94] behalf. +[4663.94 --> 4665.92] wherever you +[4665.92 --> 4666.66] are on the +[4666.66 --> 4667.34] spectrum of +[4667.34 --> 4668.40] confidence this +[4668.40 --> 4669.22] is part of +[4669.22 --> 4669.78] what it means +[4669.78 --> 4671.18] to live in +[4671.18 --> 4672.10] Christ. +[4673.22 --> 4674.26] And it means +[4674.26 --> 4675.18] right to pray +[4675.18 --> 4676.20] continually and +[4676.20 --> 4677.64] give thanks in +[4677.64 --> 4678.74] all circumstances. +[4679.52 --> 4680.96] Both forms of +[4680.96 --> 4681.24] prayer. +[4681.64 --> 4682.34] You are invited +[4682.34 --> 4683.64] to pray without +[4683.64 --> 4685.14] ceasing to speak +[4685.14 --> 4685.88] to your heavenly +[4685.88 --> 4687.00] father because you +[4687.00 --> 4687.92] are in the +[4687.92 --> 4688.32] son. +[4690.02 --> 4690.78] Right you don't +[4690.78 --> 4691.96] need systems or +[4691.96 --> 4693.16] mediators other +[4693.16 --> 4694.14] than Christ +[4694.14 --> 4695.08] himself. +[4695.26 --> 4695.88] It's God's +[4695.88 --> 4696.58] will that you +[4696.58 --> 4697.14] should come to +[4697.14 --> 4699.00] him in prayer +[4699.00 --> 4700.32] just as Jesus +[4700.32 --> 4701.28] did. +[4702.78 --> 4703.88] Sometimes our +[4703.88 --> 4704.86] prayer and +[4704.86 --> 4705.76] praying means +[4705.76 --> 4706.74] inviting God +[4706.74 --> 4707.30] into the +[4707.30 --> 4708.62] minutia of your +[4708.62 --> 4708.98] life. +[4709.20 --> 4710.34] Sometimes our +[4710.34 --> 4711.06] prayer is +[4711.06 --> 4712.04] pleading with +[4712.04 --> 4712.88] God and +[4712.88 --> 4713.92] sometimes our +[4713.92 --> 4714.42] prayer is +[4714.42 --> 4715.54] sitting still +[4715.54 --> 4716.70] and listening +[4716.70 --> 4718.08] for his voice. +[4719.16 --> 4720.48] Resting in the +[4720.48 --> 4721.14] one who said +[4721.14 --> 4721.72] come to me +[4721.72 --> 4722.30] all who are +[4722.30 --> 4722.76] weary and +[4722.76 --> 4723.28] heavy laden +[4723.28 --> 4723.76] and I will +[4723.76 --> 4724.34] give you +[4724.34 --> 4725.38] rest. +[4726.14 --> 4727.36] Sometimes our +[4727.36 --> 4728.20] praying means +[4728.20 --> 4729.10] opening up +[4729.10 --> 4730.26] these scriptures +[4730.26 --> 4731.10] and praying +[4731.10 --> 4732.20] these words +[4732.20 --> 4733.58] as our +[4733.58 --> 4734.10] words, +[4734.22 --> 4735.16] God's words +[4735.16 --> 4735.98] on your own +[4735.98 --> 4736.60] lips and out +[4736.60 --> 4737.16] of your own +[4737.16 --> 4737.56] heart. +[4738.08 --> 4739.18] Sometimes praying +[4739.18 --> 4740.56] means turning +[4740.56 --> 4741.74] your groanings +[4741.74 --> 4743.02] into gratitude. +[4745.56 --> 4746.36] Someone once +[4746.36 --> 4747.72] said you can't +[4747.72 --> 4749.04] be angry when +[4749.04 --> 4749.58] you're grateful. +[4751.90 --> 4752.26] Now again, +[4752.32 --> 4752.78] let me be really +[4752.78 --> 4753.84] clear, right? +[4753.92 --> 4754.44] Because I think +[4754.44 --> 4755.14] the preposition +[4755.14 --> 4756.44] matters here +[4756.44 --> 4756.98] too. +[4757.16 --> 4757.84] We are invited +[4757.84 --> 4758.80] to give thanks +[4758.80 --> 4760.32] in all +[4760.32 --> 4761.04] circumstances, +[4761.34 --> 4762.66] not for all +[4762.66 --> 4763.28] circumstances. +[4764.48 --> 4765.36] The reality of +[4765.36 --> 4765.98] sin in our +[4765.98 --> 4766.96] world grieves +[4766.96 --> 4767.92] God's heart +[4767.92 --> 4768.88] and that means +[4768.88 --> 4769.26] there are +[4769.26 --> 4769.98] circumstances +[4769.98 --> 4771.42] where we +[4771.42 --> 4772.20] should not +[4772.20 --> 4773.32] be but for +[4773.32 --> 4774.58] sin or sinning +[4774.58 --> 4775.44] or sinfulness +[4775.44 --> 4776.40] in the world +[4776.40 --> 4777.04] around us and +[4777.04 --> 4778.14] affecting our +[4778.14 --> 4779.28] local areas, +[4779.54 --> 4779.82] spheres, +[4780.04 --> 4780.52] and lives. +[4781.28 --> 4782.04] We don't need +[4782.04 --> 4782.90] to thank God +[4782.90 --> 4783.42] for this +[4783.42 --> 4784.68] situation but +[4784.68 --> 4785.84] we can thank +[4785.84 --> 4786.44] him for the +[4786.44 --> 4787.36] promise to +[4787.36 --> 4788.56] sustain us in +[4788.56 --> 4789.10] the midst of +[4789.10 --> 4789.30] it. +[4791.40 --> 4792.32] So just like +[4792.32 --> 4792.98] we have reason +[4792.98 --> 4794.54] to rejoice even +[4794.54 --> 4794.98] when our +[4794.98 --> 4795.96] circumstances don't +[4795.96 --> 4796.62] give us one, +[4796.86 --> 4797.78] we have reason +[4797.78 --> 4798.62] to be thankful +[4798.62 --> 4799.48] even when our +[4799.48 --> 4800.80] circumstances don't +[4800.80 --> 4801.92] give us one. +[4802.40 --> 4803.28] Again, we read +[4803.28 --> 4804.52] in Romans 8, +[4804.60 --> 4805.06] 28, +[4805.06 --> 4806.68] we know that +[4806.68 --> 4807.44] in all things +[4807.44 --> 4808.24] God works for +[4808.24 --> 4808.78] the good of +[4808.78 --> 4809.46] those who love +[4809.46 --> 4810.24] him, who have +[4810.24 --> 4810.76] been called +[4810.76 --> 4811.70] according to +[4811.70 --> 4812.36] his purpose. +[4813.36 --> 4814.14] And if all +[4814.14 --> 4815.00] things really +[4815.00 --> 4815.82] means all +[4815.82 --> 4816.64] things, and I +[4816.64 --> 4817.30] believe it does, +[4817.96 --> 4818.70] then we can +[4818.70 --> 4819.80] give thanks in +[4819.80 --> 4821.12] all things because +[4821.12 --> 4822.26] God is working +[4822.26 --> 4823.82] all things, even +[4823.82 --> 4824.74] that particular +[4824.74 --> 4825.78] awful thing, +[4826.10 --> 4826.96] for good. +[4827.94 --> 4829.76] Now, it may be +[4829.76 --> 4830.74] that that good +[4830.74 --> 4831.66] doesn't come to +[4831.66 --> 4832.62] us until the +[4832.62 --> 4833.32] world to come. +[4833.32 --> 4834.20] Remember, our +[4834.20 --> 4834.80] hope is in the +[4834.80 --> 4835.52] resurrection and +[4835.52 --> 4836.14] in the return of +[4836.14 --> 4836.74] Jesus Christ? +[4837.92 --> 4839.68] But even if it's +[4839.68 --> 4841.14] not good until the +[4841.14 --> 4842.18] return of Jesus +[4842.18 --> 4843.42] Christ, it is all +[4843.42 --> 4844.52] the greater for it. +[4845.58 --> 4846.62] And if you believe +[4846.62 --> 4848.32] that, you can +[4848.32 --> 4849.28] really genuinely +[4849.28 --> 4850.44] give thanks in +[4850.44 --> 4851.98] every circumstance. +[4854.02 --> 4855.20] And so we dig. +[4855.50 --> 4856.02] In the next +[4856.02 --> 4856.58] section, we're +[4856.58 --> 4857.42] given some +[4857.42 --> 4858.62] negative imperatives. +[4858.94 --> 4859.50] If the first +[4859.50 --> 4860.50] part are do's, +[4860.90 --> 4862.48] the second is +[4862.48 --> 4863.32] don'ts. +[4863.36 --> 4863.88] And we begin +[4863.88 --> 4864.62] where we started, +[4864.78 --> 4865.58] do not quench +[4865.58 --> 4866.70] the Spirit. +[4867.80 --> 4868.96] Now, this means +[4868.96 --> 4870.12] do not resist +[4870.12 --> 4871.18] the Spirit's +[4871.18 --> 4871.76] work. +[4872.58 --> 4873.48] On the day of +[4873.48 --> 4874.34] Pentecost, many +[4874.34 --> 4874.96] of you will know +[4874.96 --> 4876.02] this, the Holy +[4876.02 --> 4877.18] Spirit came down +[4877.18 --> 4878.14] on the disciples +[4878.14 --> 4880.40] in displays of +[4880.40 --> 4881.48] tongues of fire. +[4882.16 --> 4882.64] So the Holy +[4882.64 --> 4883.34] Spirit is like a +[4883.34 --> 4884.52] fire, and in this +[4884.52 --> 4885.50] text, we are told +[4885.50 --> 4886.88] not to extinguish +[4886.88 --> 4887.94] that fire. +[4887.94 --> 4887.98] fire. +[4889.76 --> 4890.66] One of the most +[4890.66 --> 4891.90] common ways that +[4891.90 --> 4892.70] the Holy Spirit +[4892.70 --> 4894.40] is at work among +[4894.40 --> 4896.04] us is also one of +[4896.04 --> 4896.68] the most ordinary +[4896.68 --> 4898.68] ways, and that's +[4898.68 --> 4899.24] in the conviction +[4899.24 --> 4899.74] of sin. +[4900.78 --> 4901.82] The Holy Spirit +[4901.82 --> 4903.08] is always at work +[4903.08 --> 4904.28] to produce a +[4904.28 --> 4905.26] conviction of sin +[4905.26 --> 4906.26] that leads to +[4906.26 --> 4906.76] repentance. +[4908.04 --> 4908.90] And if the Spirit +[4908.90 --> 4909.58] is at work +[4909.58 --> 4910.62] convicting you of +[4910.62 --> 4911.70] sin, the next +[4911.70 --> 4912.72] step isn't to +[4912.72 --> 4913.50] tamp it down, +[4913.64 --> 4914.60] isn't to extinguish +[4914.60 --> 4915.64] it, isn't to say, +[4915.72 --> 4916.38] ah, you know, it's +[4916.38 --> 4917.08] not actually that +[4917.08 --> 4917.34] bad. +[4918.04 --> 4919.02] It's to confess. +[4920.02 --> 4920.78] It's to repent. +[4921.58 --> 4922.42] It's to lay it +[4922.42 --> 4923.42] before the cross +[4923.42 --> 4924.06] of our Savior, +[4924.20 --> 4924.68] Jesus Christ, +[4924.72 --> 4925.48] because that's +[4925.48 --> 4926.24] precisely where +[4926.24 --> 4927.32] He died for +[4927.32 --> 4928.52] these sins. +[4933.40 --> 4934.40] It has been my +[4934.40 --> 4935.30] experience in the +[4935.30 --> 4936.08] last number of +[4936.08 --> 4938.28] months, the Holy +[4938.28 --> 4940.54] Spirit is doing +[4940.54 --> 4942.70] a work among us +[4942.70 --> 4944.70] in the area of +[4944.70 --> 4945.24] confession and +[4945.24 --> 4945.54] repentance. +[4946.38 --> 4947.96] that people have +[4947.96 --> 4948.62] been opening up +[4948.62 --> 4949.20] to one another +[4949.20 --> 4950.74] and confessing +[4950.74 --> 4951.64] and seeking help +[4951.64 --> 4952.66] and walking with +[4952.66 --> 4953.56] people in the +[4953.56 --> 4954.20] midst of struggle. +[4954.74 --> 4955.28] And I had a +[4955.28 --> 4956.02] gathering with a +[4956.02 --> 4956.74] group of pastors +[4956.74 --> 4957.52] from Langley +[4957.52 --> 4958.40] this week, +[4959.04 --> 4960.12] and I was +[4960.12 --> 4960.76] sharing that I +[4960.76 --> 4961.60] feel like the +[4961.60 --> 4962.24] Spirit is leading +[4962.24 --> 4962.72] in this, +[4963.08 --> 4964.20] and to a person +[4964.20 --> 4965.06] around the room, +[4965.30 --> 4965.92] every other +[4965.92 --> 4966.80] pastor confirmed +[4966.80 --> 4967.62] the same thing. +[4968.84 --> 4969.32] He said, +[4969.46 --> 4970.06] I haven't been +[4970.06 --> 4970.62] able to put my +[4970.62 --> 4971.08] finger on it, +[4971.10 --> 4971.66] but that's exactly +[4971.66 --> 4972.16] what's happening +[4972.16 --> 4972.80] in our life in +[4972.80 --> 4973.18] ministry. +[4973.18 --> 4975.22] just before I +[4975.22 --> 4975.64] came here, +[4975.72 --> 4976.42] someone came in +[4976.42 --> 4976.72] and said, +[4976.78 --> 4977.32] I need help in +[4977.32 --> 4977.76] this area, +[4978.08 --> 4979.30] please help me +[4979.30 --> 4980.16] find the forgiveness +[4980.16 --> 4980.92] of God and live. +[4981.62 --> 4982.36] The Spirit is at +[4982.36 --> 4983.70] work convicting us +[4983.70 --> 4984.74] and drawing us +[4984.74 --> 4986.64] into Christ Jesus. +[4988.24 --> 4988.90] And make no +[4988.90 --> 4989.62] mistake about it, +[4989.64 --> 4989.80] right? +[4989.86 --> 4991.12] Everyone who lives +[4991.12 --> 4992.98] in Christ has the +[4992.98 --> 4994.28] Holy Spirit and has +[4994.28 --> 4995.24] then been given a +[4995.24 --> 4996.48] Holy Spirit purpose, +[4996.70 --> 4997.80] a gift to serve +[4997.80 --> 4998.76] and to edify the +[4998.76 --> 4999.14] church. +[4999.14 --> 5000.62] And if you +[5000.62 --> 5001.86] resist that gift, +[5002.78 --> 5003.78] if you are stubborn +[5003.78 --> 5004.92] in becoming part of +[5004.92 --> 5005.60] the fellowship of +[5005.60 --> 5006.40] believers and working +[5006.40 --> 5006.98] to build up the +[5006.98 --> 5008.64] body, you're +[5008.64 --> 5009.18] quenching the +[5009.18 --> 5009.42] Spirit. +[5013.12 --> 5014.04] Someone comes up +[5014.04 --> 5014.90] to you and says, +[5015.28 --> 5017.20] I believe that God +[5017.20 --> 5018.10] has gifted you in +[5018.10 --> 5020.16] this way and that +[5020.16 --> 5020.62] you should do +[5020.62 --> 5021.52] something about it. +[5021.68 --> 5022.12] Or here's an +[5022.12 --> 5023.02] opportunity to do +[5023.02 --> 5023.92] something with what +[5023.92 --> 5024.60] I believe God has +[5024.60 --> 5025.26] gifted you. +[5027.12 --> 5027.94] And you, +[5027.94 --> 5029.62] presenting a false +[5029.62 --> 5031.10] humility, respond by +[5031.10 --> 5032.12] saying, no, not me, +[5032.20 --> 5032.88] I could never do +[5032.88 --> 5033.16] that. +[5034.14 --> 5034.90] You might be +[5034.90 --> 5035.34] quenching the +[5035.34 --> 5035.56] Spirit. +[5038.48 --> 5040.14] Equally, if you are +[5040.14 --> 5041.42] utterly convinced in +[5041.42 --> 5042.54] yourself that you have +[5042.54 --> 5043.06] been given a +[5043.06 --> 5044.38] particular gift, but no +[5044.38 --> 5045.06] one in your life has +[5045.06 --> 5045.98] affirmed it, no one +[5045.98 --> 5046.88] has come alongside and +[5046.88 --> 5048.06] said, hey, I wonder if +[5048.06 --> 5049.18] God is calling you into +[5049.18 --> 5049.72] this. +[5051.66 --> 5052.86] And if these people +[5052.86 --> 5053.86] have perhaps even +[5053.86 --> 5055.22] tried to dissuade you +[5055.22 --> 5056.70] from that idea, but +[5056.70 --> 5057.42] you are pressing +[5057.42 --> 5059.26] forward, you might be +[5059.26 --> 5059.92] quenching the Spirit +[5059.92 --> 5060.28] in them. +[5062.28 --> 5063.48] Do not quench the +[5063.48 --> 5063.78] Spirit. +[5064.86 --> 5066.08] Instead, fan the +[5066.08 --> 5067.48] flame, or to stick +[5067.48 --> 5068.04] with our mixed +[5068.04 --> 5069.56] metaphor, dive deep +[5069.56 --> 5070.56] into the ocean. +[5072.88 --> 5073.88] Do not treat +[5073.88 --> 5075.12] prophecies with +[5075.12 --> 5075.62] contempt. +[5078.04 --> 5078.90] Now, Paul regularly +[5078.90 --> 5079.92] warns his readers +[5079.92 --> 5081.18] about false prophets +[5081.18 --> 5082.64] and about wolves +[5082.64 --> 5084.58] disguised as sheep +[5084.58 --> 5085.84] and as shepherds. +[5085.84 --> 5086.84] false prophets. +[5086.84 --> 5088.12] And because of that, +[5088.62 --> 5089.70] right, because of that +[5089.70 --> 5090.88] regular warning, and +[5090.88 --> 5091.98] because we have seen it +[5091.98 --> 5092.68] and some of us have been +[5092.68 --> 5094.24] burned by it, right, there +[5094.24 --> 5096.32] is a possibility, maybe +[5096.32 --> 5097.76] even a tendency, to fall +[5097.76 --> 5098.60] into cynicism. +[5100.38 --> 5101.60] All Christians are +[5101.60 --> 5102.10] hypocrites. +[5102.78 --> 5104.16] All pastors are con +[5104.16 --> 5104.52] artists. +[5104.52 --> 5104.62] prophets. +[5105.30 --> 5109.54] But the reality is, God +[5109.54 --> 5111.68] has spoken and is +[5111.68 --> 5113.94] speaking through prophets. +[5114.48 --> 5116.22] God has given his voice +[5116.22 --> 5118.10] to people to declare his +[5118.10 --> 5120.24] word and his will, either +[5120.24 --> 5121.42] in an extraordinary +[5121.42 --> 5123.34] revelation of God or as +[5123.34 --> 5124.36] part of the ordinary +[5124.36 --> 5125.88] revelation of God in the +[5125.88 --> 5127.16] preaching of his word. +[5127.36 --> 5128.86] And those who live in +[5128.86 --> 5130.90] Christ Jesus will test +[5130.90 --> 5131.62] them all. +[5131.62 --> 5132.62] Right? +[5133.58 --> 5134.48] We won't dive into +[5134.48 --> 5136.34] cynicism, but test +[5136.34 --> 5137.26] them all means a +[5137.26 --> 5138.08] healthy dose of +[5138.08 --> 5139.40] skepticism isn't so +[5139.40 --> 5139.72] bad. +[5140.34 --> 5140.56] Right? +[5140.58 --> 5141.34] It can guard your +[5141.34 --> 5142.58] hearts from those who +[5142.58 --> 5143.70] would take advantage of +[5143.70 --> 5144.40] you or who would +[5144.40 --> 5145.58] spiritually abuse you. +[5146.40 --> 5147.48] And so here, as I +[5147.48 --> 5148.68] stand on stage, I +[5148.68 --> 5149.86] invite you, test +[5149.86 --> 5151.60] this spirit. +[5152.32 --> 5153.48] Test this +[5153.48 --> 5153.62] word. +[5154.38 --> 5155.24] Test this +[5155.24 --> 5156.12] message. +[5156.34 --> 5157.64] Invite the +[5157.64 --> 5158.74] spirit to show you +[5158.74 --> 5160.04] how it is the voice +[5160.04 --> 5161.32] of God speaking. +[5162.68 --> 5163.46] And here's a quick +[5163.46 --> 5164.30] tip for you who want +[5164.30 --> 5165.22] to follow up on that, +[5165.46 --> 5166.24] who want to test +[5166.24 --> 5167.04] prophecy. +[5168.24 --> 5169.42] Jesus Christ is the +[5169.42 --> 5170.78] same yesterday, today, +[5170.78 --> 5171.66] and tomorrow. +[5172.78 --> 5174.42] God is unchanging. +[5175.02 --> 5176.04] God's word is +[5176.04 --> 5176.60] eternal. +[5177.52 --> 5178.90] And so, God will +[5178.90 --> 5180.32] never contradict +[5180.32 --> 5181.66] himself or speak +[5181.66 --> 5182.20] wrongly. +[5183.30 --> 5183.50] Right? +[5183.58 --> 5184.78] Any new movement of +[5184.78 --> 5186.48] the spirit will be a +[5186.48 --> 5187.70] revival of the old, +[5187.78 --> 5188.26] old story. +[5188.26 --> 5190.66] And if you hear a +[5190.66 --> 5191.72] prophet who tries to +[5191.72 --> 5193.04] dismiss a word of God +[5193.04 --> 5193.90] from the Bible as +[5193.90 --> 5195.94] outdated or outmoded or +[5195.94 --> 5196.92] wrong for today's +[5196.92 --> 5198.56] world, that prophet is a +[5198.56 --> 5200.28] liar and should not be +[5200.28 --> 5200.80] listened to. +[5202.48 --> 5203.92] Your word, Lord, is +[5203.92 --> 5204.30] eternal. +[5204.58 --> 5205.96] It stands firm in the +[5205.96 --> 5206.28] heavens. +[5206.74 --> 5207.92] The grass withers and +[5207.92 --> 5209.02] the flowers fall, but the +[5209.02 --> 5210.52] word of our God endures +[5210.52 --> 5211.00] forever. +[5211.84 --> 5213.22] I, the Lord, do not +[5213.22 --> 5213.78] change. +[5214.34 --> 5215.06] Heaven and earth will +[5215.06 --> 5216.34] pass away, but my +[5216.34 --> 5218.42] words will never pass +[5218.42 --> 5219.16] away. +[5222.88 --> 5224.10] But for the prophet who +[5224.10 --> 5225.62] speaks words of life to +[5225.62 --> 5227.96] you, hang on to them. +[5229.32 --> 5231.10] Hang on to that word as +[5231.10 --> 5233.02] it's God speaking directly +[5233.02 --> 5234.74] to your heart and to your +[5234.74 --> 5235.22] imagination. +[5236.16 --> 5238.46] Know the word, study the +[5238.46 --> 5240.04] word so that you can test +[5240.04 --> 5241.58] the word that you hear. +[5241.58 --> 5243.88] And then in that you +[5243.88 --> 5247.08] will find more of God. +[5247.16 --> 5248.16] You will find yourself +[5248.16 --> 5251.26] deeper in Christ Jesus. +[5252.68 --> 5255.98] And lastly, reject every +[5255.98 --> 5257.40] kind of evil. +[5258.62 --> 5259.96] Now this is probably the +[5259.96 --> 5261.26] easiest one to understand, +[5262.08 --> 5263.22] but the hardest one to do. +[5266.58 --> 5269.12] Sin is crouching at your +[5269.12 --> 5270.62] door and desires to have +[5270.62 --> 5270.82] you. +[5272.02 --> 5273.52] The evil that we contend +[5273.52 --> 5274.74] with in our life is not +[5274.74 --> 5276.86] so much out there as it +[5276.86 --> 5277.42] is in here. +[5278.64 --> 5279.68] As it's in here. +[5280.64 --> 5281.00] Right? +[5281.06 --> 5281.90] In our own hearts and +[5281.90 --> 5283.06] minds and imaginations. +[5285.70 --> 5286.78] But hear this. +[5288.64 --> 5291.18] Jesus Christ has come into +[5291.18 --> 5291.68] the world. +[5292.52 --> 5294.30] And he has lived the life I +[5294.30 --> 5294.86] should have lived. +[5295.74 --> 5297.84] He has perfectly kept all +[5297.84 --> 5299.24] the commands of the law in +[5299.24 --> 5299.86] my place. +[5300.18 --> 5302.06] And by his grace he has +[5302.06 --> 5303.48] handed over his +[5303.48 --> 5305.40] perfection to you. +[5306.58 --> 5308.58] You just by faith must +[5308.58 --> 5309.16] receive it. +[5310.30 --> 5312.24] By faith must believe that +[5312.24 --> 5314.38] Jesus Christ is the son of +[5314.38 --> 5314.76] God. +[5314.88 --> 5316.12] That he is the Lord. +[5316.24 --> 5318.24] That he was raised from the +[5318.24 --> 5318.58] dead. +[5319.26 --> 5321.14] Because Jesus lived the life I +[5321.14 --> 5322.02] should have lived and he +[5322.02 --> 5323.46] died the death that I +[5323.46 --> 5323.86] deserved. +[5324.02 --> 5326.76] You now are set free from +[5326.76 --> 5328.10] sin and death. +[5328.20 --> 5330.88] You now are in Christ Jesus +[5330.88 --> 5332.86] transformed into a new +[5332.86 --> 5333.42] creation. +[5334.02 --> 5335.08] Your heart of stone has +[5335.08 --> 5336.40] become a heart of flesh that +[5336.40 --> 5338.08] finally for the first time +[5338.08 --> 5340.60] beats with the very love of +[5340.60 --> 5341.12] God. +[5344.64 --> 5347.04] Your heart of stone beats +[5347.04 --> 5349.66] with the Holy Spirit. +[5349.66 --> 5355.62] life lived in Christ Jesus is +[5355.62 --> 5358.90] life drenched in the Holy +[5358.90 --> 5359.44] Spirit. +[5361.92 --> 5363.08] Wherever you're going this +[5363.08 --> 5366.68] week I pray that part of it is +[5366.68 --> 5370.82] deeper into the ocean of our +[5370.82 --> 5371.76] relationship to God. +[5371.76 --> 5371.80] God. +[5372.56 --> 5373.42] Let's pray together. +[5383.48 --> 5384.28] All right I'm going to do +[5384.28 --> 5385.48] this as the worship team is +[5385.48 --> 5386.10] making their way up. +[5388.68 --> 5391.48] I want to invite the group from +[5391.48 --> 5392.80] Adult and Teen Challenge to +[5392.80 --> 5393.28] come to the front. +[5394.88 --> 5395.76] Take a spot here. +[5396.62 --> 5398.42] Elders, deacons, church members +[5398.42 --> 5399.30] I'm going to invite you to come +[5399.30 --> 5400.08] to the front as well. +[5400.08 --> 5401.76] So we're going to lay our +[5401.76 --> 5402.32] hands on them. +[5403.16 --> 5404.04] We're going to pray for them. +[5405.10 --> 5406.88] Not only as you have been for +[5406.88 --> 5408.74] us an example of diving deep +[5408.74 --> 5410.40] into the ocean of God's love +[5410.40 --> 5412.34] of transformation but that that +[5412.34 --> 5413.04] may continue. +[5413.92 --> 5414.90] And that your story of +[5414.90 --> 5416.98] transformation here might fuel +[5416.98 --> 5419.10] transformation wherever you go. +[5420.52 --> 5421.58] And so whether you come up to +[5421.58 --> 5422.58] the front or not I'm going to +[5422.58 --> 5424.22] invite you to hold your hand +[5424.22 --> 5424.36] out. +[5424.44 --> 5426.42] Let's stand as we pray this +[5426.42 --> 5427.92] prayer together. +[5427.92 --> 5430.54] Father, God is at work in our +[5430.54 --> 5433.36] midst and so we pray for his +[5433.36 --> 5434.08] work to continue. +[5434.68 --> 5435.16] Let's pray. +[5438.84 --> 5442.52] Holy, amazing, almighty God. +[5443.72 --> 5445.72] We are basking in the glory of +[5445.72 --> 5447.00] your presence this morning. +[5448.60 --> 5450.84] Your spirit is here and alive +[5450.84 --> 5451.60] among us. +[5451.60 --> 5453.76] You are at work in the world +[5453.76 --> 5456.14] and there is so many a story +[5456.14 --> 5457.68] and testimony in front of us +[5457.68 --> 5460.32] today bearing to that witness. +[5460.96 --> 5462.32] Witnessing the truth of the +[5462.32 --> 5464.24] gospel, the power of the +[5464.24 --> 5464.54] gospel. +[5464.68 --> 5466.04] And so, Lord God, today we +[5466.04 --> 5468.46] declare, I am not ashamed of the +[5468.46 --> 5470.14] gospel for it is the power of God +[5470.14 --> 5470.94] unto salvation. +[5471.34 --> 5474.08] We thank you for this salvation on +[5474.08 --> 5476.20] display among us today. +[5476.20 --> 5479.06] And we pray, Lord God, as you +[5479.06 --> 5482.62] draw us deeper, that you would +[5482.62 --> 5486.42] fan into a blazing fire our +[5486.42 --> 5487.72] faith and the work of the +[5487.72 --> 5489.06] spirit among us so that we might +[5489.06 --> 5491.28] go from this place transformed +[5491.28 --> 5492.56] and transforming. +[5493.32 --> 5494.84] That we might go from this place +[5494.84 --> 5496.92] renewed and renewing. +[5497.60 --> 5498.92] And that we might go from this +[5498.92 --> 5501.64] place rejoicing always. +[5501.64 --> 5506.36] that your name might be on our +[5506.36 --> 5506.64] lips. +[5507.18 --> 5509.96] That your praises might draw us +[5509.96 --> 5512.74] into the dark places of this +[5512.74 --> 5514.48] world so that we might bring the +[5514.48 --> 5516.08] light of the gospel. +[5517.58 --> 5518.82] And so the stories that you have +[5518.82 --> 5520.40] begun and are beginning here today, +[5520.54 --> 5522.58] I pray, Lord God, see them through +[5522.58 --> 5523.86] unto completion. +[5525.56 --> 5528.54] That we might, Lord Jesus, with fear +[5528.54 --> 5531.18] and trembling, work out the gift of +[5531.18 --> 5533.28] salvation that you have given today. +[5533.80 --> 5535.06] In Jesus' name we pray. +[5535.68 --> 5536.00] Amen. +[5536.88 --> 5537.18] Amen. +[5537.18 --> 5537.36] Amen. +[5561.18 --> 5567.18] Amen. +[5567.18 --> 5568.18] Amen. +[5568.18 --> 5569.18] Amen. +[5569.18 --> 5570.18] Amen. +[5570.18 --> 5573.18] Lord, I come to you. +[5573.72 --> 5578.80] Let my heart be changed, renewed, +[5580.40 --> 5589.94] flowing from the grace that I found in you. +[5589.94 --> 5605.94] Lord, I come to know, weaknesses I see in me. +[5605.94 --> 5614.94] Will we swift away by power of your love? +[5614.94 --> 5623.94] Let me move from the grace that I found in you. +[5623.94 --> 5624.68] Hold me close. +[5624.68 --> 5631.44] Let your love surround me. +[5631.44 --> 5637.04] Bring me here. +[5637.04 --> 5644.04] Draw me to your side +[5644.04 --> 5649.04] And as I wait +[5649.04 --> 5655.04] I'll rise up like the eagle +[5655.04 --> 5658.04] And the light will soar with you +[5658.04 --> 5661.04] Your spirit leads me on +[5661.04 --> 5667.04] In the power of your love +[5671.04 --> 5674.04] Lord unveil my eyes +[5674.04 --> 5678.04] Let me see your face +[5678.04 --> 5684.04] To face the knowledge of your love +[5684.04 --> 5690.04] As you live in me +[5691.04 --> 5699.04] Lord renew my mind +[5699.04 --> 5703.04] As your will unfolds +[5703.04 --> 5705.04] In my life +[5705.04 --> 5711.04] In living everyday +[5711.04 --> 5717.04] The power of your love +[5717.04 --> 5723.04] Hold me close +[5723.04 --> 5729.04] Let your love surround me +[5729.04 --> 5735.04] Bring me near +[5735.04 --> 5741.04] Draw me to your side +[5741.04 --> 5747.04] And as I wait +[5747.04 --> 5753.04] I'll rise up like the eagle +[5753.04 --> 5757.04] And I will soar with you +[5757.04 --> 5759.04] Your spirit leads me on +[5759.04 --> 5761.04] That leads me on +[5761.04 --> 5765.04] The power of your love +[5765.04 --> 5771.04] Hold me close +[5771.04 --> 5773.04] Let your love surround me +[5773.04 --> 5777.04] Let your love surround me +[5777.04 --> 5779.04] Bring me near +[5779.04 --> 5783.04] Bring me near +[5783.04 --> 5785.04] Bring me near +[5785.04 --> 5787.04] Draw me to your side +[5787.04 --> 5789.04] Bring me near +[5789.04 --> 5791.04] Draw me to your side +[5791.04 --> 5793.04] And as I wait +[5793.04 --> 5797.04] And as I wait +[5797.04 --> 5803.04] I'll rise up like the eagle +[5803.04 --> 5805.04] And as I wait +[5805.04 --> 5807.04] And as I wait +[5807.04 --> 5808.04] I will soar with you +[5808.04 --> 5809.04] Your spirit leads me on +[5809.04 --> 5813.04] In the power of your love +[5813.04 --> 5818.04] And as I wait +[5818.04 --> 5819.04] And as I wait +[5819.04 --> 5821.04] And as I wait +[5821.04 --> 5823.04] For your love +[5823.04 --> 5826.08] In the power of your love. +[5837.60 --> 5849.88] As you go, go with the blessing, go with the commissioning of God for the journey of life and faith lived in Christ Jesus ahead. +[5849.88 --> 5854.40] God, go before you to lead you. +[5855.28 --> 5857.54] God, go behind you to protect you. +[5858.32 --> 5860.66] God, go beneath you to support you. +[5861.00 --> 5863.68] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[5864.26 --> 5865.98] Do not be afraid. +[5866.52 --> 5868.40] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5868.50 --> 5874.70] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5875.32 --> 5876.00] Amen. +[5879.88 --> 5881.88] Amen. +[5881.88 --> 5911.86] Burada ed gebaut mais +[5911.86 --> 5915.26] And keep you +[5915.26 --> 5919.54] Make his face shine upon you +[5919.54 --> 5922.58] Be gracious to you +[5922.58 --> 5928.98] Lord turn his face toward you +[5928.98 --> 5935.04] And give peace +[5935.04 --> 5942.44] Lord bless you +[5942.44 --> 5945.86] And keep you +[5945.86 --> 5950.16] Make his face shine upon you +[5950.16 --> 5953.00] Be gracious to you +[5953.00 --> 5959.30] Lord turn his face toward you +[5959.30 --> 5964.30] And give you peace +[5964.30 --> 5979.72] Amen +[5979.84 --> 5987.48] Amen +[5987.48 --> 5992.04] Amen. Amen. +[5995.04 --> 6001.54] Lord bless you and keep you. +[6001.54 --> 6005.54] May his face shine upon you. +[6005.94 --> 6008.36] Be gracious to you. +[6008.66 --> 6014.46] Lord turn his face toward you. +[6014.46 --> 6019.46] And give you peace. +[6023.46 --> 6034.02] Amen. Amen. Amen. +[6034.02 --> 6040.46] Amen. Amen. +[6044.46 --> 6059.46] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. +[6059.46 --> 6072.46] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. +[6072.46 --> 6074.46] Amen. +[6074.46 --> 6076.46] Amen. +[6076.46 --> 6077.46] Amen. +[6077.46 --> 6079.46] Amen. +[6079.46 --> 6081.46] Amen. +[6081.46 --> 6083.46] Amen. +[6083.46 --> 6093.22] Let His presence be upon you and a thousand generations +[6093.22 --> 6099.76] And your family and your children and their children and their children +[6099.76 --> 6106.06] May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations +[6106.06 --> 6112.58] And your family and your children and their children and their children +[6112.58 --> 6120.82] May His presence be upon you and behind you and beside you and all around you +[6120.82 --> 6125.60] And within you He is with you He is with you +[6125.60 --> 6131.78] In the morning, in the evening, in the coming, in the going +[6131.78 --> 6150.30] In your weeping and rejoicing He is for you +[6150.30 --> 6161.30] Amen, Amen, Amen +[6161.30 --> 6173.80] Amen, Amen, Amen +[6173.80 --> 6186.30] Amen, Amen, Amen +[6186.30 --> 6199.30] Amen, Amen, Amen +[6199.30 --> 6206.46] Praise the Lord +[6206.46 --> 6213.30] Come, whom all blessings flow +[6213.30 --> 6220.96] He has washed them +[6220.96 --> 6226.30] May He white and slow +[6226.30 --> 6233.02] Thine redeemed +[6233.02 --> 6239.30] From all my sin and shame +[6239.30 --> 6244.96] Now and forever +[6244.96 --> 6250.96] Praise His holy day +[6250.96 --> 6257.96] Praise His holy day +[6257.96 --> 6263.96] Praise His holy day +[6263.96 --> 6267.62] To God be the glory +[6267.62 --> 6269.62] Now and forever +[6269.62 --> 6270.62] Now and forever +[6270.62 --> 6272.62] Praise His holy day +[6272.62 --> 6273.62] Praise His holy day +[6273.62 --> 6278.62] Praise the Lord +[6278.62 --> 6282.62] Praise the Lord +[6282.62 --> 6287.62] From whom all blessings flow +[6287.62 --> 6295.28] He has washed them +[6295.28 --> 6296.28] He has washed them +[6296.28 --> 6299.28] May He white and slow +[6299.28 --> 6300.28] He has washed them +[6300.28 --> 6301.28] May He white and slow +[6301.28 --> 6305.28] I redeem +[6305.28 --> 6309.28] From all my sin and shame +[6309.28 --> 6314.94] From all my sin and shame +[6314.94 --> 6318.94] Now and forever +[6318.94 --> 6328.60] Praise His holy day +[6328.60 --> 6330.60] Praise His holy day +[6330.60 --> 6332.60] Praise His holy day +[6332.60 --> 6334.60] Praise His holy day +[6334.60 --> 6336.60] Praise His holy day +[6336.60 --> 6338.60] To God be the glory +[6338.60 --> 6344.26] Now and forever +[6344.26 --> 6351.26] Praise His holy day +[6351.26 --> 6360.26] Praise His holy day +[6360.26 --> 6372.66] praise +[6377.94 --> 6386.66] um +[6390.26 --> 6420.24] Thank you. +[6420.26 --> 6450.24] Thank you. +[6450.26 --> 6480.24] Thank you. +[6480.26 --> 6482.26] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..8dc0e43aa58bffbe0850f7e1867ddc700b74801e --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,123 @@ +• The speaker's love is boundless and forgiving, transcending the drops in the ocean. +• The speaker advises someone to open their heart and start again. +• They compare life to climbing an endless hill, but emphasize that one's worth is not defined by effort or achievement. +• The speaker encourages living like you're loved, without guilt or shame, as this is possible through God's love and mercy. +• They advise walking like you're free and staying true to who you are. +• The lyrics of a song about God's love and restoration +• Church service announcements: + + New members class meeting at pastor Chris's house after worship + + Young adults are collecting care packages for students abroad, including notes and small gifts +• Shipping and box distribution +• Upcoming church meetings (pastoral elders, Christianity Explored) +• Coldest Night of the Year charity event on February 22nd +• Invitation to stand for worship and welcome others +• Welcome and greeting from God in worship +• Reading from Titus 3 and worship song "Holy, Holy, Holy" +• Praise and worship of God +• Recognition of God as holy, merciful, and almighty +• Acknowledgement that God is a person in the Blessed Trinity +• Request for spiritual renewal and purification from sin +• Reflection on the importance of Jesus Christ as the heir of all things and the radiance of God's glory +• Discussion of the need for purification from sin through faith in Jesus Christ +• Silent prayer and purification through Christ's blood +• Prayer for clean hands, pure hearts, and seeking God's face +• Repentance and casting down idols +• Seeking God's forgiveness and cleansing +• The River song sung by the congregation +• Offering collection and explanation of its purpose +• Advocate organization and their mission to help local women, babies, children, and teens in need +• Worship and praise to Jesus +• Question from a child about who is the greatest person they've met (Jesus) +• Transition into children's worship time discussing people and characteristics of community +• Discussion on Jesus' control over everything, even difficult choices +• Congregation is led in prayer by the pastor +• Prayers for various family members dealing with cancer +• Reading and discussion of 1 Thessalonians 4 +• The importance of a personal faith that makes a difference in one's life +• The "rise of the nuns" phenomenon, where people claim no religion despite growing up in Christian communities +• God's sanctification of the church and living as set apart +• Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians in his letter, celebrating their good reception of faith +• Applying the frame of celebration and encouragement to the current community +• Various ways God is working in and through the community: + • People asking hard questions of faith + • New believers coming forward + • People digging deeper in their faith + • Sharing of lives and burdens + • Suffering entered into with support from others + • Ministry efforts, such as meals being made and people being helped financially and otherwise +• Paul's urging the church to continue growing and being transformed. +• The danger of becoming complacent in one's spiritual life and thinking "I'm good enough" or "I've already changed so much" +• The importance of continuing to submit to God and not getting satisfied with past progress +• The call to live more fully into a transformed way of being, as revealed by Jesus +• The authority of Scripture, specifically the instruction to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ +• The distinction between personal desires for compromise and the higher call of God's will +• The importance of being perfect as God is perfect +• The distinction between "kill sin" and "put to death" +• The meaning of the word "sanctified" +• The connection between hagios/holiness and sanctification +• Clarifying terms: justification, sanctification, and their roles in salvation +• Justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone +• Change in status and reality before God through justification +• Movement from objects of wrath to lavishly loved children of God +• Sanctification as the application of justification's declaration +• Three dimensions of sanctification: positional, progressive, and perfected realities +• Positional sanctification in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 +• Progressive sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 +• Perfected sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 5 +• Connection between sanctification and the coming of Jesus Christ +• Positional sanctification +• Relationship between judge and acquitted +• Sanctification as being set apart for God's purposes +• Living out of positional sanctification transforms lives +• Adoption as a metaphor for the gospel and its impact +• Adoption into a new family through legal exchange +• Learning to adjust to new identity and way of life +• Positional sanctification as a result of adoption +• Progressive sanctification as ongoing work of the Holy Spirit +• Transforming relationships with God, others, and the world +• Sanctification as a process leading to holiness +• The idea of perfected sanctification and its relationship to glorification and resurrection +• Inaugurated eschatology, where Jesus' life, death, and resurrection began the kingdom of God on earth +• Relationship between positional, progressive, and perfected sanctification concepts +• Understanding theological truths through multiple terms and categories +• Sanctification and its relationship to the church +• The work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification +• Personal holiness and positional vs. progressive sanctification +• Avoiding "cheap grace" or legalism through a balanced understanding of sanctification +• The importance of understanding sanctification for Christian living +• The speaker feels a sense of struggle and frustration with obeying Jesus +• Disobedience is seen as demeans one's identity and rejects the transformation given by God +• A metaphor is used to compare not being fully committed to one's faith to asking for an orphanage while sitting at one's new family's table +• The concept of holiness is repeated in various verses, including its grounding in the Holy Spirit's person and work +• The call to live a holy life is emphasized, with rejecting this instruction seen as rejecting God Himself +• The Holy Spirit is a fundamental aspect of being Christian +• Transformation through justification and sanctification +• Practical implications of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of obedience and transformation +• Positional vs progressive sanctification +• Relationship with God, growth in holiness, and purpose in life +• Sexual lives and relationships under the guidance of the Holy Spirit +• Living in a culture that celebrates sexual hedonism and being able to celebrate holiness to God +• Celebrating being like God and being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ +• The idea of life is actually true and greater joy, and about who you are is actually true and greater good +• A way of being in the world is so much more fulfilling because anything else ends up being vapid and empty +• True fulfillment comes from relationship with God and understanding what he has done for us +• The need for Christians to live out their faith in a genuine way +• The challenges of being a Christian in today's world +• The importance of standing out and living like Jesus +• The opportunity to make a difference in the world by following Jesus' example +• The role of prayer in transforming lives and relationships +• Consecration for divine purpose +• Being sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit +• Overcoming trials, tribulations, questions, and opposition +• Purification of the heart to be holy and set apart for God +• Choosing to be holy and obedient to God's will +• Purification and cleansing of the heart +• Prayers and blessings for purification and holiness +• Commissioning by God to serve the world +• Protection, support, and friendship from God in various aspects of life +• Overcoming fear and going in peace +• Joy, dancing, and praise filling homes and communities +• God's light shining in darkness and glory being hailed worldwide +• Praises and singing to the heavens +• Repeating phrases of gratitude ("Thank you") +• Response to "Thank you" ("You're welcome") \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..fbbce3c907549e6d586ec5b7f8a773caf8cc9a51 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 16, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2615 @@ +[0.00 --> 1.36] Against you +[1.36 --> 4.86] If you wanna know +[4.86 --> 6.74] How far my love can go +[6.74 --> 8.40] Just how deep +[8.40 --> 10.32] Just how wide +[10.32 --> 12.36] If you wanna see +[12.36 --> 14.20] How much you mean to me +[14.20 --> 16.08] Look at my hands +[16.08 --> 18.00] Look at my side +[18.00 --> 20.54] If you could count the times +[20.54 --> 22.22] And say you are +[22.22 --> 23.24] Forgiving +[23.24 --> 26.36] It's more than the drops in the ocean +[30.00 --> 36.70] Don't think you need to settle +[36.70 --> 38.36] For a substitute +[38.36 --> 42.28] When I'm the only love +[42.28 --> 43.90] That changes you +[43.90 --> 46.58] And I am for you +[46.58 --> 50.58] I'm not against you +[50.58 --> 54.26] I am for you +[54.26 --> 58.10] I'm not against you +[58.10 --> 61.54] If you wanna know +[61.54 --> 63.42] How far my love can go +[63.42 --> 65.08] Just how deep +[65.08 --> 66.98] Just how wide +[66.98 --> 69.04] If you wanna see +[69.04 --> 70.90] How much you mean to me +[70.90 --> 72.78] Look at my hands +[72.78 --> 74.68] Look at my side +[74.68 --> 77.22] If you could count the times +[77.22 --> 78.94] And say you are +[78.94 --> 79.90] Forgiving +[79.90 --> 83.10] It's more than the drops in the ocean +[83.10 --> 92.38] Open your heart +[92.38 --> 95.26] It's time that we start again +[95.26 --> 99.96] Open your heart +[99.96 --> 102.74] It's time that we start again +[102.74 --> 106.90] If you wanna know +[106.90 --> 108.78] How far my love can go +[108.78 --> 110.42] Just how deep +[110.42 --> 112.00] Just how wide +[112.00 --> 114.38] If you wanna see +[114.38 --> 116.26] How much you mean to me +[116.26 --> 118.14] Look at my hands +[118.14 --> 119.54] Look at my side +[119.54 --> 122.58] If you could count the times +[122.58 --> 124.26] And say you are +[124.26 --> 125.26] Forgiving +[125.26 --> 128.70] It's more than the drops in the ocean +[128.70 --> 136.08] The drops in the ocean +[136.08 --> 143.82] I am for you +[143.82 --> 144.86] I am for you +[144.86 --> 149.10] I am not against you +[149.10 --> 152.46] I am for you +[152.46 --> 156.82] I am not against you +[156.82 --> 176.84] You're not the only one +[176.84 --> 178.68] Who feels like this +[178.68 --> 180.82] Feeling like you lose +[180.82 --> 182.46] More than you win +[182.46 --> 185.50] Like life is just an endless hill +[185.50 --> 186.54] You climb +[186.54 --> 188.70] You try and try +[188.70 --> 190.96] But never arrive +[190.96 --> 193.96] I am telling you something +[193.96 --> 194.98] This racing +[194.98 --> 195.96] This running +[195.96 --> 198.72] Oh you are working way too hard +[198.72 --> 199.72] You are working way too hard +[199.72 --> 200.92] And this perfection +[200.92 --> 201.94] You are chasing +[201.94 --> 204.06] Is just energy wasted +[204.06 --> 206.72] Cause he loves you like you are +[206.72 --> 210.18] So go ahead and live like you're loved +[210.18 --> 214.76] It's okay to act like you've been set free +[214.76 --> 218.20] His love has made you more than enough +[218.20 --> 222.98] So go ahead and be who he made you to be +[222.98 --> 226.18] And live like you're loved +[226.18 --> 230.18] Live like you're loved +[230.18 --> 237.18] Live like you're loved +[237.18 --> 242.02] And live like you know you're valuable +[242.02 --> 246.54] Like you know the one that holds your soul +[246.54 --> 250.72] Cause mercy has called you by your name +[250.72 --> 255.00] Don't be afraid to live in that grace +[255.00 --> 257.96] Oh I'm telling you something +[257.96 --> 260.16] This God we believe in +[260.16 --> 262.64] Yeah he changed everything +[262.64 --> 264.74] No more guilt +[264.74 --> 265.78] No more shame +[265.78 --> 267.76] He took all that away +[267.76 --> 270.96] Gave us a reason to sing +[270.96 --> 274.16] So go ahead and live like you're loved +[274.16 --> 278.80] It's okay to act like you've been set free +[278.80 --> 282.20] His love has made you more than enough +[282.20 --> 286.96] So go ahead and be who he made you to be +[286.96 --> 291.08] And live like you're loved +[291.08 --> 295.14] Live like you're loved +[295.14 --> 299.14] Live like you're loved +[299.14 --> 303.16] Live like you're loved +[303.16 --> 305.04] Live like you're loved +[305.04 --> 306.96] Walk like you're free +[306.96 --> 310.96] Stay like you know who he made you to be +[310.96 --> 313.74] Live like you're loved +[313.74 --> 314.40] Live like you're loved +[314.40 --> 318.44] His love is all that you'll ever need +[318.44 --> 320.28] Live like you're loved +[320.28 --> 321.92] Live like you're loved +[321.92 --> 323.34] Live like you're loved +[323.34 --> 324.18] Live like you're loved +[324.18 --> 325.08] Live like you're loved +[325.08 --> 325.52] Live like you're loved +[325.52 --> 327.96] Live like you're loved +[327.96 --> 330.24] His love has made you more than enough +[330.24 --> 333.40] Live like you're loved +[333.40 --> 335.28] Live like you're loved +[335.28 --> 335.96] Live like you're loved +[335.96 --> 337.16] Live like you're loved +[337.16 --> 338.16] Live like you're loved +[338.16 --> 339.32] Live like you're loved +[339.32 --> 340.12] Move like you're loved +[340.12 --> 342.80] To act like you've been set free +[342.80 --> 346.52] His love has made you more than enough +[346.52 --> 351.06] So go ahead and be who he made you to be +[351.06 --> 353.88] And live like you're loved +[353.88 --> 356.96] Live like you're loved +[356.96 --> 361.00] Live like you're loved +[361.00 --> 365.08] Live like you're loved +[365.08 --> 369.06] Live like you're loved +[369.06 --> 370.98] Walk like you're free +[370.98 --> 375.00] Stand like you know who he made you to be +[375.00 --> 377.10] Live like you're loved +[377.10 --> 379.06] Like you believe +[379.06 --> 383.04] His love is all that you'll ever need +[383.04 --> 385.28] Live like you're loved +[399.06 --> 408.00] When you're at the end of the road +[408.00 --> 412.24] And it's not the one that you would have chosen +[412.24 --> 415.78] When you're at the end of your road +[415.78 --> 417.30] And you're holding on +[417.30 --> 420.08] But feel like you're falling +[420.08 --> 423.50] With every option exhausted +[423.50 --> 427.64] You tried everything you know +[427.64 --> 432.20] You saw light then you lost it +[432.20 --> 434.08] But there is still hope +[434.08 --> 439.20] Like the fire in the night +[439.20 --> 443.14] Like the ocean parted wide +[443.14 --> 446.94] Like the grave empty inside +[446.94 --> 451.00] You will see he still does +[451.00 --> 452.92] Miracles +[452.92 --> 454.92] Miracles +[454.92 --> 456.94] Miracles +[456.94 --> 459.04] Miracles +[459.04 --> 462.46] Even if you don't see it now +[462.46 --> 464.18] Without a doubt +[464.18 --> 466.98] He's already moving +[466.98 --> 470.40] There's not a pain that you hold +[470.40 --> 472.00] He doesn't know +[472.00 --> 474.84] And he isn't using +[474.84 --> 478.14] With every option exhausted +[478.14 --> 482.38] You tried everything you know +[482.38 --> 486.98] So reach for something beyond it +[486.98 --> 489.92] Cause he is our hope +[489.92 --> 493.84] Like the fire in the night +[493.84 --> 497.76] Like the ocean parted wide +[497.76 --> 501.58] Like the grave empty inside +[501.58 --> 505.62] You will see he still does +[505.62 --> 507.06] Miracles +[507.06 --> 508.98] Miracles +[508.98 --> 510.82] Miracles +[510.82 --> 512.82] Miracles +[512.82 --> 514.82] Miracles +[514.82 --> 516.82] Miracles +[516.82 --> 518.82] Miracles +[518.82 --> 520.82] Miracles +[520.82 --> 525.38] A broken heart can be restored +[525.38 --> 528.58] Good morning +[528.58 --> 532.26] Welcome to church +[532.26 --> 533.82] A special welcome +[533.82 --> 536.28] If you are a guest with us this morning +[536.28 --> 539.16] We are really excited to have you here +[539.16 --> 541.94] And to worship together this morning +[541.94 --> 542.86] My name is Chris +[542.86 --> 545.42] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel +[545.42 --> 546.72] And it's my pleasure +[546.72 --> 547.84] Along with a few others +[547.84 --> 551.12] To lead in our shared worship together this morning +[551.12 --> 552.36] Before we begin +[552.36 --> 554.58] We've got a couple announcements to run through +[554.58 --> 556.96] And so we wanted to share that with you +[556.96 --> 558.28] So I'm going to invite Josh to the front +[558.28 --> 560.34] He's going to make his way forward +[560.34 --> 562.96] And then as Josh is getting ready +[562.96 --> 564.52] Just my first announcement +[564.52 --> 566.92] After worship today +[566.92 --> 569.40] We're going to have a new members class +[569.40 --> 572.46] And so if you've been part of that class with us +[572.46 --> 574.90] We're going to meet again today +[574.90 --> 576.00] After worship +[576.00 --> 577.78] But today we're actually going to meet at my house +[577.78 --> 579.82] So you're going to come over for lunch +[579.82 --> 581.74] And we'll have our class there +[581.74 --> 582.86] So just talk to me afterwards +[582.86 --> 585.26] If you have any questions about that +[585.26 --> 586.18] And grab me afterwards +[586.18 --> 586.96] Josh go ahead +[586.96 --> 590.58] So the young adults are doing the care packages again +[590.58 --> 592.28] For the students that are abroad +[592.28 --> 595.68] We've got nine young adults +[595.68 --> 597.38] Who are currently in school +[597.38 --> 601.16] So the way it goes is like usual +[601.16 --> 603.84] About $50 in the care package +[603.84 --> 605.48] About the size of a shoebox +[605.48 --> 608.28] With various things that they would need for school +[608.28 --> 611.08] Or clothing or knickknacks or fun things +[611.08 --> 612.38] One guy got Lego +[612.38 --> 614.66] And he loved that +[614.66 --> 616.74] So if you get a guy +[616.74 --> 618.14] That would be an awesome choice too +[618.14 --> 619.34] Candy, anything +[619.34 --> 621.52] Just a little note to share +[621.52 --> 624.76] To show them that they're still anchored in this community +[624.76 --> 626.22] And that we're still thinking about them +[626.22 --> 629.90] And then also a little note +[629.90 --> 632.54] To them asking about how school's going +[632.54 --> 633.92] About how life's going +[633.92 --> 635.98] To give that personal connection +[635.98 --> 638.70] If you would like to volunteer to make one +[638.70 --> 642.10] Again just bring the stuff in a bag or a box to me +[642.10 --> 646.70] And we deal with the shipping to the location +[646.70 --> 650.50] So don't try to buy a box from Canada Post or Shoppers +[650.50 --> 652.46] Because we're just going to buy one +[652.46 --> 654.34] So if you would like to volunteer +[654.34 --> 656.02] Please come talk to me after church +[656.02 --> 657.12] Or email me +[657.12 --> 660.90] We would like to have them all in by next Sunday +[660.90 --> 662.58] So that I can ship them out that Tuesday +[662.58 --> 663.82] Thank you very much +[663.82 --> 666.28] Thanks Josh +[666.28 --> 670.32] I wanted to clarify that women also like Lego +[670.32 --> 676.58] We have a couple other announcements to run through +[676.58 --> 679.30] On Tuesday, pastoral elders +[679.30 --> 682.20] We are meeting here at church at 7.30 +[682.20 --> 683.96] And so if you're part of that group +[683.96 --> 685.18] Be prepared for that +[685.18 --> 688.74] On Wednesday, Christianity Explored is meeting +[688.74 --> 691.98] We're having our last official meeting on Wednesday +[691.98 --> 693.62] And so please, if you've been part of that +[693.62 --> 694.46] Be ready for that +[694.46 --> 698.34] And then lastly, on February 22nd +[698.34 --> 700.14] Which is this coming Saturday +[700.14 --> 702.42] Coldest night of the year is happening +[702.42 --> 703.60] And so we've got a group of people +[703.60 --> 704.68] Who are already signed up +[704.68 --> 706.86] To walk and participate in that +[706.86 --> 707.92] You're encouraged +[707.92 --> 709.92] You can still sign up this week to join the group +[709.92 --> 712.06] Or you can go online and make a donation +[712.06 --> 713.96] To those people there as well +[713.96 --> 716.28] I think that's it for our announcements +[716.28 --> 718.60] And so, as you're able +[718.60 --> 719.24] And where you are +[719.24 --> 720.38] I'm going to invite you to stand +[720.38 --> 722.82] And we can be called into God's presence +[722.82 --> 724.68] We can receive his greeting +[724.68 --> 727.02] As he welcomes us in this space +[727.02 --> 728.30] To worship together +[728.30 --> 732.14] Following the receiving of God's greeting +[732.14 --> 734.12] I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you +[734.12 --> 736.00] And just welcome them into worship +[736.00 --> 737.44] Again, just a simple reminder +[737.44 --> 738.76] It's cough and cold season +[738.76 --> 740.46] So not everyone wants to shake hands +[740.46 --> 742.32] And so start with eye contact +[742.32 --> 744.64] And then see if someone makes that first move +[744.64 --> 746.56] To shake hands or otherwise +[746.56 --> 749.16] Receive the greeting of our God +[749.16 --> 754.46] Grace and mercy and peace to you +[754.46 --> 755.66] From God our Father +[755.66 --> 757.54] From the Lord Jesus Christ +[757.54 --> 759.74] His Son and our Savior +[759.74 --> 762.76] Through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit +[762.76 --> 763.96] Amen +[770.46 --> 772.46] Amen +[800.46 --> 809.52] We are also welcomed into a time of worship +[809.52 --> 811.54] With a reading from Titus 3 +[811.54 --> 815.74] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared +[815.74 --> 816.96] He saved us +[816.96 --> 819.36] Not because of righteous things we had done +[819.36 --> 821.12] But because of his mercy +[821.12 --> 824.02] He saved us through the washing of rebirth +[824.02 --> 825.84] And renewal by the Holy Spirit +[825.84 --> 828.16] Whom he poured out on us generously +[828.16 --> 830.54] Through Jesus Christ our Savior +[830.54 --> 834.18] So that having been justified by his grace +[834.18 --> 835.92] We might become heirs +[835.92 --> 838.32] Having the hope of eternal life +[858.16 --> 865.04] Holy, holy, holy +[865.04 --> 872.42] Lord God Almighty +[872.42 --> 879.76] Early in the morning +[879.76 --> 886.48] Our song shall rise to thee +[886.48 --> 893.36] Holy, holy, holy +[893.36 --> 894.02] Holy, holy +[894.02 --> 901.04] Merciful and mighty +[901.04 --> 909.04] God in three persons +[909.04 --> 913.08] Blessed Trinity +[913.08 --> 917.90] Holy, holy, holy +[917.90 --> 919.96] Holy, holy +[919.96 --> 921.96] Holy, holy +[921.96 --> 929.64] All the saints adore thee +[929.64 --> 936.40] Casting down their golden crowns +[936.40 --> 942.28] Around the glassy sea +[942.28 --> 950.16] Cherubim and seraphim +[950.16 --> 956.66] Falling down before thee +[956.66 --> 959.10] Who were the Lord +[959.10 --> 961.48] Who were the Lord +[961.48 --> 968.54] And evermore shall be +[968.54 --> 971.54] Holy, holy, holy +[971.54 --> 976.54] Holy, holy +[976.54 --> 983.42] Though the darkness hide thee +[983.42 --> 990.28] Though the eye may flood my sin +[990.28 --> 996.42] Thy glory may not see +[996.42 --> 1003.30] Boldly thou art holy +[1003.30 --> 1010.30] There is none beside thee +[1010.30 --> 1016.30] Perfect in power +[1016.30 --> 1021.58] With love and purity +[1021.58 --> 1037.04] And there is 순x +[1037.04 --> 1043.44] That as we street +[1043.44 --> 1050.44] Lord, builder, or oversight of the mobile +[1050.44 --> 1052.44] for thee. +[1055.66 --> 1058.06] King of glory, +[1059.50 --> 1062.44] holy are you, Lord, +[1062.92 --> 1066.44] none beside thee. +[1068.10 --> 1072.76] Perfect in power, +[1072.76 --> 1079.08] my God forever. +[1080.44 --> 1088.44] You were and are and you will be, +[1089.46 --> 1093.56] my God before thee. +[1096.08 --> 1098.56] He of glory, +[1099.84 --> 1102.44] holy are you, Lord, +[1102.44 --> 1106.44] none beside thee. +[1106.44 --> 1112.44] Perfect in power, +[1114.44 --> 1119.56] my God forever. +[1119.56 --> 1129.56] Pure and are and you will be. +[1129.56 --> 1139.56] Holy, holy, holy, +[1139.56 --> 1145.56] Lord God almighty, +[1145.56 --> 1153.56] all thy works shall praise thy name, +[1153.56 --> 1159.56] in earth and sky and sea. +[1159.56 --> 1165.56] Holy, holy, holy, +[1165.56 --> 1171.56] merciful and mighty. +[1171.56 --> 1177.56] God is a person, +[1177.56 --> 1179.56] blessed in the earth. +[1179.56 --> 1183.56] Blessed Trinity, +[1183.56 --> 1187.56] I stand before thee. +[1187.56 --> 1189.56] Lord, holy, holy, +[1189.56 --> 1195.56] holy, holy are you, Lord, +[1195.56 --> 1197.56] none beside thee. +[1197.56 --> 1199.56] Lord, holy, holy are you, Lord, +[1199.56 --> 1203.56] holy are you, Lord, +[1203.56 --> 1205.56] and you will be, +[1205.56 --> 1207.56] my God forever. +[1207.56 --> 1209.56] Lord, holy are you, +[1209.56 --> 1214.56] my God forever. +[1214.56 --> 1216.56] Lord, holy are you, +[1216.56 --> 1220.56] Lord, holy are you, Lord, +[1220.56 --> 1222.56] who will be, +[1222.56 --> 1223.56] my God forever. +[1223.56 --> 1225.56] I stand before thee. +[1229.56 --> 1233.56] He of glory, holy are you, Lord, +[1233.56 --> 1235.56] holy are you, Lord, +[1235.56 --> 1237.56] none beside thee. +[1237.56 --> 1238.56] I stand before thee. +[1238.56 --> 1239.56] Lord, holy are you, Lord, +[1239.56 --> 1240.56] holy are you, Lord, +[1240.56 --> 1243.56] my God forever. +[1243.56 --> 1245.56] Who will be, my God forever. +[1245.56 --> 1250.56] And we will be, my God forever. +[1250.56 --> 1251.56] What do you have, my God forever? +[1251.56 --> 1252.56] You will be, my God forever. +[1252.56 --> 1254.56] Joy are you, Lord, +[1254.56 --> 1255.56] your God forever. +[1255.56 --> 1258.56] You are and are and you will be. +[1258.56 --> 1261.56] You will be. +[1261.56 --> 1262.56] Amen. +[1262.56 --> 1263.56] Amen. +[1263.56 --> 1265.56] Amen. +[1265.56 --> 1266.56] Amen. +[1266.56 --> 1276.22] You were and are and you will be. +[1296.56 --> 1316.82] Put a new song in my heart. +[1316.82 --> 1321.36] Let me hear the praises start. +[1321.36 --> 1327.86] Dispel the night and give me light again. +[1331.86 --> 1337.16] Put a new thought in my mind. +[1337.16 --> 1341.96] Help me leave the past behind. +[1342.22 --> 1348.38] And break these chains that I might live again. +[1351.36 --> 1357.86] Lift my fallen face and help me to stand. +[1357.86 --> 1362.86] Help me with the grace that comes from your hand. +[1362.86 --> 1365.86] Bend me from my sin. +[1365.86 --> 1368.86] Lord, forgive me again. +[1368.86 --> 1374.36] And I might be yours alone. +[1374.36 --> 1375.36] Put a new fire in my soul. +[1375.36 --> 1387.86] Put a new fire in my soul. +[1387.86 --> 1391.86] Make this world's miracle. +[1391.86 --> 1402.36] And help me see that I am free again. +[1402.36 --> 1408.36] Let these broken bones rise up and rejoice. +[1408.36 --> 1410.36] Bring the captive home. +[1410.36 --> 1413.86] And lift up my voice. +[1413.86 --> 1416.86] Help my spirit sing. +[1416.86 --> 1420.86] Now to Jesus my King. +[1420.86 --> 1424.36] Lord, He has forgiven me. +[1424.36 --> 1427.36] Lift my fallen face. +[1427.36 --> 1429.36] And help me to stand. +[1429.36 --> 1434.36] Love me with the grace that comes from your hand. +[1434.36 --> 1437.36] Cleanse me from my sin. +[1437.36 --> 1439.36] Lord, forgive me again. +[1439.36 --> 1455.86] That I might be yours alone. +[1455.86 --> 1457.86] You may have a seat. +[1457.86 --> 1470.82] Thank you for VIP +[1470.82 --> 1475.86] with the bond for human creation. +[1475.86 --> 1479.36] Thank you for listening to the Shれた Christifulci. +[1479.36 --> 1484.96] He is the heir of all things through whom all God made the universe. +[1485.42 --> 1491.36] Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, +[1492.26 --> 1495.00] sustaining all things by his powerful word. +[1495.00 --> 1499.84] And now we read that he has provided purification for sins. +[1500.72 --> 1504.44] This points to one of the main teachings in the book of Hebrews. +[1505.22 --> 1509.32] When humanity fell into sin, it tainted everything about us. +[1510.20 --> 1515.02] We are unable to do anything to make ourselves pure or clean again. +[1515.58 --> 1520.60] We need someone far greater than we are in order to be purified of our sin. +[1522.20 --> 1527.38] Having been washed and made pure in Christ, however, we are clean. +[1528.02 --> 1535.26] We do not need to be purified ever again as long as we believe that Jesus has done this already for us. +[1535.26 --> 1541.78] Having been washed and made pure, we are called to live as washed and purified people. +[1541.78 --> 1547.44] We are called to put our sin away and to live holy and pure lives. +[1549.14 --> 1553.22] Let's take a few moments this morning to confess our sins to Christ +[1553.22 --> 1559.28] and to thank him for purifying us through his blood in a moment of silent prayer. +[1559.28 --> 1559.42] Let's pray. +[1559.42 --> 1560.12] Let's pray. +[1560.12 --> 1560.16] Let's pray. +[1560.16 --> 1590.14] Thank you. +[1590.16 --> 1620.14] Thank you. +[1620.16 --> 1625.16] Turn our eyes from evil things. +[1626.34 --> 1630.26] Oh Lord, we cast down our idols. +[1631.06 --> 1634.08] Give us clean hands. +[1634.38 --> 1637.62] Give us pure hearts. +[1638.32 --> 1643.66] Let us not lift our souls to another. +[1643.66 --> 1647.76] Give us clean hands. +[1648.18 --> 1650.66] Give us pure hearts. +[1652.02 --> 1656.66] Let us not lift our souls to another. +[1656.66 --> 1667.12] Oh God, let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks your face. +[1667.12 --> 1670.52] Oh God of Jacob. +[1671.12 --> 1680.38] Oh God, let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks your face. +[1680.38 --> 1684.38] Oh God of Jacob. +[1684.38 --> 1686.38] Oh God of Jacob. +[1686.38 --> 1690.38] Oh God of Jacob. +[1690.38 --> 1692.38] We bow our hearts. +[1692.38 --> 1696.46] We bend our knees. +[1696.46 --> 1700.38] Oh Spirit, come make us a whole. +[1700.38 --> 1709.56] We turn our eyes from evil things. +[1709.56 --> 1713.56] Oh Lord, we cast down our idols. +[1713.56 --> 1715.56] Give us clean hands. +[1715.56 --> 1719.56] Give us pure hearts. +[1719.56 --> 1725.56] Let us not lift our souls to another. +[1725.56 --> 1726.56] Give us clean hands. +[1726.56 --> 1729.56] Give us clean hands. +[1729.56 --> 1732.56] Give us pure hearts. +[1732.56 --> 1734.56] Let us not lift our souls to another. +[1734.56 --> 1739.56] Let us not lift our souls to another. +[1739.56 --> 1748.56] Oh God, let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks your face. +[1748.56 --> 1751.56] Oh God of Jacob. +[1751.56 --> 1761.56] Oh God, let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks your face. +[1761.56 --> 1762.56] Oh God of Jacob. +[1762.56 --> 1763.56] Oh God of Jacob. +[1763.56 --> 1764.56] Oh God of Jacob. +[1764.56 --> 1766.56] Oh God of Jacob. +[1766.56 --> 1769.56] We bow our hearts. +[1769.56 --> 1774.56] We bend our knees. +[1774.56 --> 1783.56] Oh Spirit, come make us a whole. +[1783.56 --> 1788.56] Please stand and join us as we continue singing the song, The River. +[1788.56 --> 1789.56] We do believe in this forever. +[1789.56 --> 1798.56] Our way to when we feel ś +[1798.56 --> 1799.06] We stand and join us as we come, And come-in- west願 you, +[1799.06 --> 1803.56] And in this unf以及 song that shines-forwarded. +[1803.56 --> 1819.38] To that river I am going +[1819.38 --> 1825.44] Bringing sins I cannot bear +[1825.44 --> 1829.76] Come and cleanse me +[1829.76 --> 1832.86] God forgive me +[1832.86 --> 1838.72] Lord I need to meet you there +[1838.72 --> 1841.74] In these waters +[1841.74 --> 1844.68] Feeling mercy +[1844.68 --> 1847.80] Closed with freedom +[1847.80 --> 1849.94] From despair +[1849.94 --> 1854.06] I am going +[1854.06 --> 1857.48] To that river +[1857.48 --> 1862.84] Lord I need to meet you there +[1862.84 --> 1866.78] Precious Jesus +[1866.78 --> 1870.06] I am ready +[1870.06 --> 1875.72] To surrender every care +[1875.72 --> 1879.70] Take my hand now +[1879.70 --> 1882.70] Leave me closer +[1882.70 --> 1888.56] Lord I need to meet you there +[1888.56 --> 1896.08] Come and join us +[1896.08 --> 1898.56] In the river +[1898.56 --> 1903.54] Come find life beyond compare +[1903.54 --> 1907.48] He is calling +[1907.48 --> 1910.48] He is waiting +[1910.48 --> 1912.60] Jesus +[1912.60 --> 1918.46] Jesus loves to meet you there +[1918.46 --> 1918.54] Jesus loves to meet you there +[1918.54 --> 1920.04] He is calling +[1920.04 --> 1922.98] He is waiting +[1922.98 --> 1928.54] Jesus loves to meet you there +[1928.54 --> 1932.40] Precious Jesus +[1932.40 --> 1936.34] I am ready +[1936.34 --> 1937.34] I am ready +[1937.34 --> 1938.34] I am ready +[1938.34 --> 1938.62] To surrender +[1938.62 --> 1941.34] Every care +[1941.34 --> 1945.28] Take my hand now +[1945.28 --> 1948.28] Lead me closer +[1948.28 --> 1953.40] Lord I need to meet you there +[1953.40 --> 1957.28] Take my hand now +[1957.28 --> 1960.22] Lead me closer +[1960.22 --> 1966.22] Lord I need to meet you there +[1966.22 --> 1967.06] Lord I need to meet you there +[1967.06 --> 1988.08] Lord I need to meet you there +[1988.08 --> 1988.68] Jesus +[1988.68 --> 1988.72] My name is Allison +[1988.72 --> 1990.82] And I am one of the deacons here +[1990.82 --> 1991.64] At the church +[1991.64 --> 1993.08] This morning +[1993.08 --> 1994.40] The offering +[1994.40 --> 1996.12] That we are receiving +[1996.12 --> 1996.94] From you +[1996.94 --> 1998.02] Is for +[1998.02 --> 1999.36] Our own +[1999.36 --> 2001.12] Missions and ministries +[2001.12 --> 2001.88] Of the church +[2001.88 --> 2002.72] And also +[2002.72 --> 2004.26] A special offering +[2004.26 --> 2005.40] For Advocate +[2005.40 --> 2007.04] That is an organization +[2007.04 --> 2008.04] Local to us +[2008.04 --> 2009.72] Which helps +[2009.72 --> 2010.90] Women +[2010.90 --> 2011.88] Babies +[2011.88 --> 2012.42] Children +[2012.42 --> 2013.62] And teens +[2013.62 --> 2021.78] in our neighborhood in whatever whenever there's a time of need through their +[2021.78 --> 2027.78] through their mission and in activities so thank you for your support and there +[2027.78 --> 2032.52] are multiple ways to give check out our website for electronic ways or you can +[2032.52 --> 2039.58] get set up with the church just call the office to get set up there thank you +[2043.62 --> 2066.72] Jesus have my heart my will +[2066.72 --> 2072.72] my soul Jesus have my hopes my dreams +[2072.72 --> 2086.72] my love with joy I lay it down with joy I cast my crown Jesus have it all +[2086.72 --> 2108.72] to you I bring my praise my lips my song a living sacrifice as one before your life is now my own your will is what I want Jesus have it all +[2108.72 --> 2130.72] Jesus have it all Jesus have it all to you belongs the glory the praise of all the world Jesus have it all Jesus have it all +[2130.72 --> 2144.72] all blessing and all honor all majesty and all Jesus have it all +[2144.72 --> 2146.72] Jesus have it all +[2146.72 --> 2150.72] Jesus have your church your love your pride +[2150.72 --> 2152.72] Jesus have your church your love your pride +[2152.72 --> 2156.72] the joy of which you freely gave your life +[2156.72 --> 2160.72] radiant in white +[2160.72 --> 2162.72] washed and pure and bright +[2162.72 --> 2164.72] Jesus have it all +[2164.72 --> 2168.72] Jesus have your worth your due +[2168.72 --> 2174.72] Jesus have your worth your due +[2174.72 --> 2176.72] your sound +[2176.72 --> 2178.72] your sound +[2178.72 --> 2180.72] your sound +[2180.72 --> 2182.72] your praise of every nation +[2182.72 --> 2184.72] child and child +[2184.72 --> 2186.72] and child +[2186.72 --> 2188.72] with all that has been paid +[2188.72 --> 2190.72] glorify your name +[2190.72 --> 2192.72] Jesus have it all +[2192.72 --> 2198.72] Jesus have it all +[2198.72 --> 2200.72] Jesus have it all +[2200.72 --> 2202.72] Jesus have it all +[2202.72 --> 2203.72] Jesus have it all +[2203.72 --> 2205.72] Jesus have it all +[2205.72 --> 2206.72] Jesus have it all +[2206.72 --> 2209.72] Jesus have it all +[2209.72 --> 2210.72] Jesus have it all +[2210.72 --> 2212.72] Jesus have it all +[2212.72 --> 2213.72] Jesus have it all +[2213.72 --> 2217.72] Jesus have it all +[2217.72 --> 2218.72] Jesus have it all +[2218.72 --> 2221.72] Jesus have it all +[2221.72 --> 2235.16] have it all jesus have it all to you belongs the glory the praise of all the world jesus have it all +[2236.36 --> 2246.36] jesus have it all a blessing and all honor a majesty and all jesus +[2251.72 --> 2261.72] jesus have it all +[2264.04 --> 2265.72] jesus have it all +[2281.72 --> 2287.72] all my days all my life +[2288.52 --> 2291.72] have it all +[2294.44 --> 2299.72] all my days all my life +[2300.52 --> 2303.72] have it all +[2303.72 --> 2311.72] all my days all my life +[2312.76 --> 2315.72] have it all +[2319.08 --> 2323.72] all my days all my life +[2325.72 --> 2327.72] have it all +[2333.72 --> 2347.56] good morning everybody can i have everybody from the ages of three all the way up to grade four +[2347.56 --> 2357.72] come on up to the front today +[2357.72 --> 2364.60] good morning how's everybody doing this morning +[2366.20 --> 2369.24] good i have a question for you think in your head +[2370.20 --> 2373.32] who is the greatest person you've ever met +[2376.44 --> 2382.12] awesome is there any other person yes that's the ultimate answer but is there any other person +[2382.12 --> 2385.32] and why why do you say mommy +[2388.44 --> 2391.56] because i help you with stuff great answer malachi +[2393.32 --> 2397.48] anybody else is there anybody else who's the greatest person you've met yeah +[2399.88 --> 2405.48] yeah jesus so we're going to go back into children's worship time and we're going to talk about people +[2406.12 --> 2412.04] that we have met and what kind of characteristics that they have to build a community but yes we are +[2412.04 --> 2414.28] also going to talk about how jesus +[2415.32 --> 2419.32] is in control of everything even when we have to make hard choices +[2419.88 --> 2421.32] so can everybody stand up +[2424.28 --> 2425.80] yeah look at the congregation +[2427.96 --> 2429.72] ready one two three +[2430.44 --> 2432.44] the Lord is with you +[2432.44 --> 2436.44] and also with you +[2442.04 --> 2449.40] am +[2449.72 --> 2451.80] okay +[2452.60 --> 2453.00] all right +[2453.32 --> 2453.80] just +[2453.80 --> 2454.60] now +[2465.16 --> 2465.72] of +[2465.72 --> 2495.70] Thank you. +[2495.72 --> 2496.76] Let's go to our Lord in prayer. +[2499.76 --> 2512.18] Our Father in heaven, it is with thanksgiving in our hearts that you have gathered us together in your house to worship you in freedom, to give you praise through our songs and meditations and to hear your word proclaimed. +[2512.18 --> 2533.60] Along with the psalmist, we proclaim, it is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Mosai, to declare your loving kindness in the morning, your faithfulness every night on an instrument of ten strings on the lute and on the harp with harmonious sound. +[2533.60 --> 2537.72] For you, Lord, have made me glad through your work. +[2538.60 --> 2541.24] I will triumph in the works of your hands. +[2542.48 --> 2545.78] Yet, Lord, we confess that we have not followed in your commandments. +[2546.50 --> 2548.34] We have not lived according to your word. +[2549.72 --> 2550.58] Forgive us, Lord. +[2551.06 --> 2552.56] Renew your spirit within us. +[2552.78 --> 2553.90] Give us godly wisdom. +[2555.10 --> 2556.56] Teach us to trust in you. +[2557.28 --> 2560.14] Help us to honor you in all that we do. +[2560.14 --> 2566.48] Lord, we lift up to you members of our church family who are living with health concerns. +[2568.02 --> 2574.40] Please be with our sister, Lena Chekema, as her health is failing and the family is looking for care for her. +[2575.36 --> 2578.22] We know she's in your hands, Lord. +[2578.72 --> 2581.16] Provide for Wes, Lena, and her children. +[2582.12 --> 2584.58] A loving place where Lena can receive support. +[2585.06 --> 2589.34] Be with the family, especially now, as they face uncertainty in Lena's health. +[2590.14 --> 2595.22] Father, many in our family are dealing with cancer. +[2596.02 --> 2601.32] We pray for John Van Burdrake as he begins treatment and ask for complete healing. +[2601.32 --> 2607.60] We pray for Jerry Jansen's daughter, Tessa, as she is undergoing tests for cancer. +[2608.60 --> 2610.48] We pray for a good prognosis. +[2611.62 --> 2620.64] We pray for Elise Wackenauer's father, Doug, and Class Tessemaker's daughter, Tanya, as they both struggle with stage 4 cancer. +[2621.48 --> 2623.94] Lord, you are in control in all these situations. +[2623.94 --> 2630.36] Help these families to put their trust and their hope in you and give them your peace. +[2631.36 --> 2634.90] Give John, Tessa, Doug, and Tanya courage. +[2635.74 --> 2637.70] The ability to endure treatment. +[2638.38 --> 2639.98] Your presence when they feel alone. +[2640.86 --> 2643.94] Love and support of family and healing by your will. +[2643.94 --> 2649.94] Be with those dealing with physical limitations, loneliness, anxiety. +[2650.42 --> 2652.26] Lift them up by your spirit. +[2653.28 --> 2654.64] Relieve sadness and worry. +[2655.84 --> 2664.66] As we anticipate your word, grant to Pastor Chris your spirit that your truth may find open hearts and open minds. +[2664.66 --> 2675.92] And Lord Jesus, as we strive to imitate you on this earth, equip us with your spirit so that your light will continue to shine at Emmanuel in our homes and in this community. +[2676.88 --> 2678.64] Our souls wait for you, Lord. +[2679.00 --> 2680.62] You are our help and our shield. +[2680.94 --> 2685.94] Our hearts shall rejoice in you because we have trusted in your holy name. +[2686.94 --> 2691.34] Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us just as we hope in you. +[2691.96 --> 2693.74] In Jesus' name, amen. +[2694.66 --> 2695.66] Amen. +[2713.80 --> 2720.22] This morning we're going to continue in our preaching series here at Emmanuel. +[2720.22 --> 2732.40] Emmanuel, we have been in the book of Thessalonians, the first letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica. +[2733.96 --> 2738.48] We're living in this book for a while and then we'll move into the second letter as well. +[2738.64 --> 2742.18] Today we're going to read from 1 Thessalonians 4. +[2742.36 --> 2744.64] We're going to read verses 1 through 8. +[2744.64 --> 2752.72] So I encourage you, if you have a Bible, to open it up and to keep that open as we go through the message because we'll be referring back. +[2753.04 --> 2757.40] If you're looking for a Bible, there's a couple in the ladder shelves at the back there. +[2757.52 --> 2759.86] You can grab one and follow along. +[2760.40 --> 2765.10] Or you can turn your device on and get your Bible app open and read along there. +[2765.10 --> 2777.20] Before we dive in, or as we start, let's do so by reading together from God's Word to us in 1 Thessalonians 4. +[2777.20 --> 2791.28] As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God as, in fact, you are living. +[2792.40 --> 2797.32] Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more, +[2797.32 --> 2802.66] for you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. +[2802.66 --> 2811.54] It is God's will that you should be sanctified, that you should avoid sexual immorality, +[2811.54 --> 2816.86] that each of you should learn to control your body in a way that is holy and honorable, +[2817.40 --> 2820.76] not in passionate lusts like the pagans who do not know God, +[2821.44 --> 2826.90] and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. +[2826.90 --> 2833.76] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins as we told you and warned you before. +[2834.76 --> 2839.28] For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. +[2840.08 --> 2845.50] Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being, +[2845.64 --> 2850.58] but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. +[2851.18 --> 2852.56] This is the word of the Lord. +[2856.90 --> 2868.00] One of the repeated themes that has kind of come to the surface from sociologists +[2868.00 --> 2874.12] who look at the modern state of Christianity in the West +[2874.12 --> 2880.62] is this idea that's been commonly called the rise of the nuns. +[2880.62 --> 2887.00] And so the nuns are not the Roman Catholic church order of women who wear habits +[2887.00 --> 2892.20] and devote themselves to the Lord, but nuns as in N-O-N-E-S. +[2892.68 --> 2896.68] That is people who on the demographic surveys that they get to fill out +[2896.68 --> 2900.12] where it says, what is your religion, they check the box, none. +[2900.90 --> 2902.66] They have no religion. +[2902.66 --> 2908.24] This demographic in the West in the last number of years +[2908.24 --> 2914.00] has increased at an exponential and, for many people, alarming rate. +[2914.00 --> 2922.42] When you dive into those statistics and people like Kinnaman and the Barna Group +[2922.42 --> 2931.06] or Bibby in Canada and looking at hemorrhaging faith or transforming faith studies, +[2931.62 --> 2937.12] when you look into these numbers, one of the reasons given for this shift +[2937.12 --> 2942.22] is people who, even though they may have grown up in a church community, +[2942.38 --> 2946.64] they may have grown up in a faith community, but no longer professed that faith, +[2946.70 --> 2949.92] is because they looked around and they asked themselves, +[2950.34 --> 2951.64] what difference is this making? +[2953.48 --> 2958.64] And they didn't see any change in the people who professed to be Christian in their lives. +[2959.08 --> 2963.76] They didn't see it making any difference concretely in the way they behaved in the world, +[2963.76 --> 2965.56] in the way they thought about the world, +[2965.56 --> 2969.04] and in the way they talked about things going on in the world. +[2970.36 --> 2972.80] What difference does it make? +[2973.92 --> 2976.24] This is a really important question for us +[2976.24 --> 2980.34] as we are digging into the lives and stories of faith +[2980.34 --> 2983.86] that Paul talks about here in the church in Thessalonica. +[2984.54 --> 2986.70] What difference does it make? +[2988.50 --> 2991.82] It won't surprise you, I think, to learn +[2991.82 --> 2997.74] that this makes a world, literally, a world of difference. +[2998.66 --> 3002.06] The sort of theme that I want to operate under this morning +[3002.06 --> 3005.44] is the idea that God has sanctified you, +[3005.96 --> 3007.68] and I'll define that term in a little bit, +[3008.40 --> 3011.98] and so live as one set apart. +[3012.66 --> 3014.90] Live as one sanctified. +[3014.90 --> 3021.08] Paul, he opens this section, +[3021.28 --> 3023.04] and he continues this section +[3023.04 --> 3026.76] using the same kind of language that he has been throughout. +[3026.88 --> 3029.00] If you've been with us in this series, +[3029.24 --> 3032.30] you know that Paul has been really encouraged +[3032.30 --> 3036.56] by the reception of the gospel +[3036.56 --> 3040.22] and the lives of faith for these people in Thessalonica. +[3040.22 --> 3044.30] And his letter really is a celebration +[3044.30 --> 3047.88] of that good reception of faith. +[3048.32 --> 3051.08] And he grounds his encouragement in this part +[3051.08 --> 3054.14] in what he sees this church already doing. +[3054.88 --> 3057.18] Maybe you noticed in verse 1. +[3058.06 --> 3058.34] He writes, +[3058.46 --> 3061.52] As for other matters, brothers and sisters, +[3061.76 --> 3064.98] we instructed you how to live in order to please God +[3064.98 --> 3068.18] as, in fact, you are doing. +[3068.18 --> 3071.48] As, in fact, you are doing. +[3071.58 --> 3074.20] We told you how, and you're doing it. +[3074.76 --> 3076.64] We asked, and you answered. +[3077.84 --> 3081.20] Now, one of the reasons why I find Thessalonians +[3081.20 --> 3083.62] so compelling and so beautiful +[3083.62 --> 3087.48] is that Paul is so obviously excited +[3087.48 --> 3091.04] about what God is doing in and through this church, +[3091.18 --> 3093.08] what God is doing in their midst, +[3093.20 --> 3095.58] and he celebrates that with them. +[3098.18 --> 3103.26] Now, I think we can apply that same frame +[3103.26 --> 3105.32] of celebration and encouragement +[3105.32 --> 3108.22] in our midst here as well. +[3109.24 --> 3112.44] I really believe that God is continuing +[3112.44 --> 3114.70] to do something in our midst, +[3114.82 --> 3117.06] and it's really exciting to see it. +[3118.24 --> 3120.58] People are asking hard questions of faith. +[3121.38 --> 3123.00] People are coming to new faith. +[3123.00 --> 3125.54] People are digging deeper in their faith, +[3125.76 --> 3127.56] in and through all the various things +[3127.56 --> 3130.08] and relationships that are circling around here. +[3130.94 --> 3132.60] Lives are being shared. +[3132.88 --> 3134.44] Burdens are being shared. +[3135.58 --> 3137.66] Suffering is being entered into, +[3137.92 --> 3140.70] and people don't have to struggle in isolation. +[3141.70 --> 3143.82] One of the ways you see that is meals are being made. +[3144.58 --> 3146.40] Dinner tables are being opened up. +[3146.54 --> 3149.32] Homes are being opened up for people to come into, +[3149.32 --> 3151.02] even strangers. +[3152.74 --> 3154.76] We heard from our deacons earlier, right? +[3154.84 --> 3156.38] Our deacons, if you don't know, +[3156.88 --> 3159.62] our deacons are paying rent for some people. +[3160.14 --> 3161.08] They're buying groceries. +[3161.36 --> 3163.64] They're offsetting the cost of counseling. +[3164.04 --> 3166.94] They're helping people with rides to and from church, +[3166.98 --> 3168.40] but also from different appointments +[3168.40 --> 3170.20] and the like in their lives. +[3171.24 --> 3173.40] Young adults with the work of Josh +[3173.40 --> 3176.16] and others are studying the Bible together. +[3176.78 --> 3179.48] They're being trained as missionaries, right? +[3179.52 --> 3180.84] They're helping each other move. +[3182.02 --> 3183.42] Youth with Pastor Kevin +[3183.42 --> 3185.80] are asking hard questions of faith, +[3185.88 --> 3187.22] and in asking those questions, +[3187.50 --> 3189.82] are really wrestling with and submitting to +[3189.82 --> 3191.46] what the Word of God says. +[3192.30 --> 3195.18] Mentors are walking with youth through life struggles, +[3195.52 --> 3197.14] and there's a group among us +[3197.14 --> 3200.12] who's getting ready to go to Mexico for 10 days, +[3200.12 --> 3204.60] and that's actually just on the surface, right? +[3204.62 --> 3205.74] When you dig deeper into it, +[3205.76 --> 3207.40] there's so much going on here. +[3207.82 --> 3210.54] I really believe that God is at work here, +[3210.64 --> 3212.64] and I hope that you can see it too, +[3212.82 --> 3215.24] and I hope that you want to be part of it, +[3215.24 --> 3220.98] and that's what Paul is continuing to urge the church +[3220.98 --> 3223.52] in this letter towards, right? +[3223.52 --> 3227.52] To be part of God's continued work among them. +[3227.52 --> 3230.32] You're doing it, he says, +[3230.98 --> 3232.36] and now keep doing it. +[3233.06 --> 3235.22] You've listened and are living. +[3235.84 --> 3237.40] Now do it more and more. +[3239.88 --> 3243.06] Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord, +[3243.24 --> 3245.24] do this more and more. +[3245.74 --> 3247.14] Don't stop growing. +[3247.32 --> 3248.90] Don't stop being transformed. +[3249.32 --> 3249.98] Don't stop. +[3250.12 --> 3250.70] Don't settle. +[3250.86 --> 3251.66] Don't get comfortable. +[3251.86 --> 3252.60] Don't get lazy. +[3253.00 --> 3253.76] Don't be idle. +[3254.12 --> 3255.04] Keep growing. +[3255.72 --> 3257.22] Keep wrestling out obedience. +[3257.22 --> 3259.52] Keep submitting your life to God. +[3261.44 --> 3262.82] Because it's easy to think, +[3263.26 --> 3265.22] I'm doing enough. +[3266.40 --> 3267.56] It's easy to think, +[3267.66 --> 3268.82] I'm obedient enough. +[3268.90 --> 3269.78] I'm good enough. +[3270.04 --> 3271.54] And let me be really, really clear. +[3273.20 --> 3275.06] This is especially true +[3275.06 --> 3277.36] if you are a Christian. +[3279.54 --> 3280.84] Because if you're not a Christian, +[3281.14 --> 3282.12] you probably don't care. +[3282.12 --> 3284.22] But if you are, +[3284.78 --> 3287.48] and perhaps even more so, +[3287.56 --> 3289.12] if you are a mature Christian, +[3289.96 --> 3291.30] this is for you. +[3293.04 --> 3294.32] Because I know I do this, right? +[3294.40 --> 3295.70] You look at your life, +[3296.40 --> 3298.26] and you look at it before God, +[3298.34 --> 3300.26] or before you took God seriously, +[3300.56 --> 3302.70] and you compare that to your life now, +[3302.90 --> 3304.88] and that transformation is incredible, +[3305.18 --> 3305.58] Lord willing. +[3305.58 --> 3309.12] For instance, +[3309.22 --> 3310.42] I look back on my own life, +[3311.64 --> 3316.06] and I see all sorts of patterns of behavior, +[3316.26 --> 3317.20] of binge drinking, +[3317.38 --> 3318.70] and recreational drug use, +[3318.80 --> 3319.88] of addictive behaviors, +[3320.60 --> 3320.88] of womanizing, +[3320.88 --> 3322.82] and so much more. +[3323.38 --> 3325.12] And underneath all of that, +[3325.18 --> 3325.88] I see selfishness, +[3326.56 --> 3327.24] and apathy, +[3327.58 --> 3328.68] I see sloth, +[3328.76 --> 3329.86] and I see pride. +[3330.42 --> 3331.56] So much pride. +[3333.68 --> 3334.56] But now, +[3335.20 --> 3335.94] praise Jesus, +[3336.14 --> 3337.08] I look at my life, +[3337.22 --> 3339.40] and those things that once defined me, +[3339.82 --> 3342.88] those things that I had once been bound to as a slave, +[3343.24 --> 3345.10] none of that is part of my life. +[3345.24 --> 3347.48] And God has grown in me +[3347.48 --> 3350.22] a deep love and heart to care. +[3351.14 --> 3353.18] And I take the words of Jesus seriously +[3353.18 --> 3355.72] when he says that I want to serve, +[3355.72 --> 3356.92] and not be served. +[3356.92 --> 3359.36] But now, +[3360.48 --> 3361.14] candidly, +[3361.80 --> 3362.46] and honestly, +[3363.36 --> 3365.74] the more clearly +[3365.74 --> 3369.16] you see that kind of transformation in your life, +[3369.90 --> 3371.90] the more easily +[3371.90 --> 3375.14] we can convince ourselves that it's enough. +[3377.34 --> 3379.24] The more easily we can say something like, +[3379.32 --> 3381.04] oh, I've already changed so much, +[3381.56 --> 3382.82] I don't have to worry about that. +[3382.82 --> 3385.80] We can say things like, +[3385.90 --> 3387.36] I'll never be perfect, +[3387.94 --> 3389.00] so, you know, +[3389.08 --> 3389.84] this thing here, +[3389.92 --> 3391.68] that's not really affecting other people, +[3391.94 --> 3393.14] I'm just going to leave that be. +[3395.58 --> 3396.94] We get really good +[3396.94 --> 3398.48] at convincing ourselves +[3398.48 --> 3400.48] that a little bit of compromise +[3400.48 --> 3401.44] is okay. +[3404.74 --> 3405.54] And you know what? +[3405.54 --> 3408.32] If it was just me +[3408.32 --> 3409.38] standing here in front of you +[3409.38 --> 3410.12] asking that, +[3411.56 --> 3413.18] you could settle for something less. +[3414.34 --> 3414.72] Honestly, +[3414.84 --> 3416.00] if it was just Paul +[3416.00 --> 3417.04] asking you, +[3417.48 --> 3418.86] he would probably understand. +[3420.12 --> 3421.08] But it's not. +[3422.08 --> 3423.24] Look with me at verse 2. +[3424.54 --> 3425.42] For you know +[3425.42 --> 3426.30] what instructions +[3426.30 --> 3427.22] we gave you +[3427.22 --> 3428.46] by the authority +[3428.46 --> 3430.46] of the Lord Jesus. +[3430.46 --> 3432.28] It is God's will +[3432.28 --> 3433.68] that you should be sanctified. +[3433.68 --> 3433.76] God. +[3436.08 --> 3437.72] Jesus is asking. +[3438.68 --> 3440.00] Jesus is revealing +[3440.00 --> 3441.08] God's will. +[3441.92 --> 3443.04] And that's the thing, right? +[3443.12 --> 3444.22] Jesus is asking +[3444.22 --> 3445.22] and urging +[3445.22 --> 3446.56] and telling us +[3446.56 --> 3447.56] the call +[3447.56 --> 3448.68] to live more +[3448.68 --> 3449.56] and more +[3449.56 --> 3451.44] into this way of being. +[3452.46 --> 3452.78] Right? +[3452.82 --> 3454.16] This isn't my call to you. +[3455.48 --> 3455.68] Right? +[3455.68 --> 3456.64] I would want to compromise. +[3458.90 --> 3460.38] The call is God's. +[3460.38 --> 3463.86] God's word says to us +[3463.86 --> 3465.94] take every thought captive +[3465.94 --> 3467.62] to make it obedient to Christ. +[3468.56 --> 3468.66] Right? +[3468.74 --> 3469.32] Jesus says +[3469.32 --> 3470.00] be perfect +[3470.00 --> 3471.22] as your heavenly father +[3471.22 --> 3472.00] is perfect. +[3473.00 --> 3474.08] Or we read in Romans +[3474.08 --> 3475.06] by the spirit +[3475.06 --> 3475.92] put to death +[3475.92 --> 3477.34] the deeds of the flesh. +[3477.88 --> 3479.24] This is life. +[3480.16 --> 3481.06] Now as you hear these words +[3481.06 --> 3481.68] as you see them +[3481.68 --> 3482.32] there on the screen +[3482.32 --> 3483.42] put to death. +[3483.90 --> 3484.76] Be perfect. +[3484.76 --> 3486.58] Take every thought captive. +[3487.52 --> 3489.06] These aren't half measures. +[3490.38 --> 3490.70] Right? +[3490.78 --> 3493.00] You can't kinda kill sin. +[3494.36 --> 3495.34] It's either dead or it's not. +[3496.58 --> 3498.32] Perfect is perfect. +[3498.66 --> 3499.44] There's no less. +[3500.04 --> 3501.16] Or it's not perfect. +[3501.94 --> 3502.08] Right? +[3502.22 --> 3503.96] Every must mean every +[3503.96 --> 3504.92] or it's not. +[3506.98 --> 3507.54] Instead +[3507.54 --> 3508.60] right +[3508.60 --> 3509.16] we read +[3509.16 --> 3510.52] it's God's will +[3510.52 --> 3512.36] that you should be sanctified. +[3513.74 --> 3515.12] This is God's will +[3515.12 --> 3515.86] for us. +[3516.80 --> 3517.76] And so that word +[3517.76 --> 3518.84] sanctified +[3518.84 --> 3519.84] sanctified +[3519.84 --> 3520.74] I suggest to you +[3520.74 --> 3522.40] is really important +[3522.40 --> 3524.20] for understanding +[3524.20 --> 3525.18] the call +[3525.18 --> 3526.06] in this text. +[3528.46 --> 3529.58] Now that word +[3529.58 --> 3530.52] sanctified +[3530.52 --> 3532.28] comes from +[3532.28 --> 3533.66] a Greek word +[3533.66 --> 3535.22] that's in the holiness +[3535.22 --> 3536.46] group of words +[3536.46 --> 3537.18] in this text +[3537.18 --> 3537.76] it's +[3537.76 --> 3538.86] hagiosmos +[3538.86 --> 3539.96] but hagios +[3539.96 --> 3541.20] is the word +[3541.20 --> 3542.20] that's used there. +[3542.60 --> 3543.64] It means holy. +[3543.64 --> 3546.56] Maybe you are familiar +[3546.56 --> 3547.16] with the word +[3547.16 --> 3548.06] hagiography +[3548.06 --> 3548.74] that's the +[3548.74 --> 3549.74] story of +[3549.74 --> 3550.26] or the making +[3550.26 --> 3550.90] of saints. +[3551.66 --> 3551.76] Right? +[3551.92 --> 3552.42] Hagios +[3552.42 --> 3553.74] is the connection there. +[3554.76 --> 3555.68] Depending on your +[3555.68 --> 3556.60] Bible translation +[3556.60 --> 3558.20] what you read there +[3558.20 --> 3559.42] might say something like +[3559.42 --> 3560.74] that you become holy +[3560.74 --> 3561.68] or that you should +[3561.68 --> 3562.54] be sanctified +[3562.54 --> 3564.36] or this is God's will +[3564.36 --> 3564.88] for you +[3564.88 --> 3565.96] your sanctification. +[3567.00 --> 3567.08] Right? +[3567.10 --> 3568.22] The word holy +[3568.22 --> 3568.64] means +[3569.16 --> 3570.28] to be set apart. +[3570.50 --> 3570.96] It means +[3570.96 --> 3572.20] to be consecrated +[3572.20 --> 3574.00] for a divine purpose. +[3578.24 --> 3578.80] Okay. +[3579.70 --> 3580.48] So for +[3580.48 --> 3581.60] just a minute +[3581.60 --> 3582.90] or five +[3582.90 --> 3584.04] we're going to do +[3584.04 --> 3584.50] a little bit of +[3584.50 --> 3585.28] doctrine work +[3585.28 --> 3585.96] because it lays +[3585.96 --> 3586.68] the foundation +[3586.68 --> 3587.90] for us here. +[3589.60 --> 3590.42] And so +[3590.42 --> 3591.88] first +[3591.88 --> 3592.64] let's clarify +[3592.64 --> 3593.62] some terms. +[3594.56 --> 3595.58] As we talk +[3595.58 --> 3596.44] about salvation +[3596.44 --> 3597.20] as we read +[3597.20 --> 3597.96] about salvation +[3597.96 --> 3599.14] in the Bible +[3599.14 --> 3600.26] there are two +[3600.26 --> 3601.32] important terms +[3601.32 --> 3602.06] that are used +[3602.06 --> 3602.44] there +[3602.44 --> 3603.38] and those terms +[3603.38 --> 3604.26] are justification +[3604.26 --> 3606.62] and sanctification. +[3608.42 --> 3608.64] Now +[3608.64 --> 3609.40] justification +[3609.40 --> 3611.04] is the word +[3611.04 --> 3611.80] that's used +[3611.80 --> 3613.30] to talk about +[3613.30 --> 3614.08] the legal +[3614.08 --> 3614.94] declaration +[3614.94 --> 3616.08] of my +[3616.08 --> 3616.88] redemption +[3616.88 --> 3618.30] of my salvation +[3618.30 --> 3619.98] based on +[3619.98 --> 3620.44] the +[3620.44 --> 3621.86] vicarious +[3621.86 --> 3622.70] satisfaction +[3622.70 --> 3624.20] of Jesus Christ. +[3625.34 --> 3625.72] And so +[3625.72 --> 3626.66] as we say +[3626.66 --> 3627.52] regularly here +[3627.52 --> 3628.48] because Jesus +[3628.48 --> 3629.40] lived the life +[3629.40 --> 3630.02] I should have +[3630.02 --> 3630.34] lived +[3630.34 --> 3631.20] and died +[3631.20 --> 3631.70] the death +[3631.70 --> 3632.08] that I +[3632.08 --> 3632.58] deserved +[3632.58 --> 3633.70] I am +[3633.70 --> 3634.44] justified +[3634.44 --> 3635.80] before God +[3635.80 --> 3636.54] by grace +[3636.54 --> 3637.50] through faith. +[3637.60 --> 3638.18] That's the thing +[3638.18 --> 3638.98] about justification +[3638.98 --> 3639.52] right? +[3639.58 --> 3640.48] It comes by grace +[3640.48 --> 3640.84] alone +[3640.84 --> 3641.58] through faith +[3641.58 --> 3641.94] alone +[3641.94 --> 3642.68] in Christ +[3642.68 --> 3643.06] alone. +[3644.80 --> 3645.48] Justification +[3645.48 --> 3646.44] changes +[3646.44 --> 3648.84] your status +[3648.84 --> 3650.42] your reality +[3650.42 --> 3651.76] before God. +[3652.24 --> 3653.00] It moves us +[3653.00 --> 3653.62] from what the Bible +[3653.62 --> 3655.02] calls by nature +[3655.02 --> 3656.04] objects of wrath +[3656.04 --> 3657.26] to being lavishly +[3657.26 --> 3658.10] loved children +[3658.10 --> 3659.24] of God. +[3661.44 --> 3662.04] Sanctification +[3662.04 --> 3663.54] is the word +[3663.54 --> 3664.44] that comes +[3664.44 --> 3665.42] almost immediately +[3665.42 --> 3666.14] on the heels +[3666.14 --> 3666.96] of justification +[3666.96 --> 3668.44] and sanctification +[3668.44 --> 3669.72] really is the +[3669.72 --> 3670.42] application +[3670.42 --> 3671.88] of the +[3671.88 --> 3672.50] declaration. +[3673.82 --> 3673.94] Right? +[3673.98 --> 3674.46] It's the being +[3674.46 --> 3675.54] moved from here +[3675.54 --> 3676.40] to here +[3676.40 --> 3677.24] because of the +[3677.24 --> 3677.68] decree. +[3678.74 --> 3679.24] Now also +[3679.24 --> 3680.02] let me hear this +[3680.02 --> 3680.64] very clearly +[3680.64 --> 3681.60] sanctification +[3681.60 --> 3683.04] is also +[3683.04 --> 3684.10] an act +[3684.10 --> 3684.84] of God's +[3684.84 --> 3685.30] grace +[3685.30 --> 3686.40] that moves +[3686.40 --> 3686.72] us +[3686.72 --> 3687.56] to cooperate +[3687.56 --> 3688.40] with what +[3688.40 --> 3689.04] God is doing +[3689.04 --> 3689.80] in the world. +[3692.06 --> 3693.66] Now popularly +[3693.66 --> 3695.78] people think +[3695.78 --> 3696.88] about sanctification +[3696.88 --> 3698.16] kind of in +[3698.16 --> 3699.04] two dimensions. +[3699.86 --> 3699.98] Right? +[3700.04 --> 3700.52] The idea is +[3700.52 --> 3701.30] this is where +[3701.30 --> 3701.84] you start +[3701.84 --> 3703.30] and this is +[3703.30 --> 3703.58] where you're +[3703.58 --> 3703.92] going. +[3705.24 --> 3706.72] But biblically +[3706.72 --> 3708.30] sanctification +[3708.30 --> 3709.92] has a more +[3709.92 --> 3710.98] three-dimensional +[3710.98 --> 3711.96] picture. +[3711.96 --> 3713.74] sanctification +[3713.74 --> 3714.76] as we survey +[3714.76 --> 3715.34] the whole +[3715.34 --> 3715.94] of the New +[3715.94 --> 3716.38] Testament +[3716.38 --> 3717.84] comes with +[3717.84 --> 3718.54] what some +[3718.54 --> 3718.92] people have +[3718.92 --> 3719.16] called +[3719.16 --> 3720.10] positional +[3720.10 --> 3721.36] or definitional +[3721.36 --> 3723.38] realities +[3723.38 --> 3725.14] and progressive +[3725.14 --> 3725.94] that is the +[3725.94 --> 3726.48] moving and +[3726.48 --> 3727.04] growing in +[3727.04 --> 3727.62] realities +[3727.62 --> 3729.02] and perfected +[3729.02 --> 3730.16] realities. +[3731.42 --> 3732.10] Positional +[3732.10 --> 3732.82] progressive +[3732.82 --> 3733.98] and perfected +[3733.98 --> 3735.40] these have +[3735.40 --> 3735.68] sort of +[3735.68 --> 3736.20] past +[3736.20 --> 3736.96] present +[3736.96 --> 3737.78] and future +[3737.78 --> 3738.40] aspects +[3738.40 --> 3739.32] to them +[3739.32 --> 3740.88] and actually +[3740.88 --> 3741.86] all three +[3741.86 --> 3742.86] uses of +[3742.86 --> 3743.26] the word +[3743.26 --> 3744.02] sanctification +[3744.02 --> 3744.72] show up +[3744.72 --> 3744.98] in the +[3744.98 --> 3745.28] book of +[3745.28 --> 3745.96] Thessalonians. +[3747.36 --> 3747.62] And so +[3747.62 --> 3748.10] let me do +[3748.10 --> 3748.56] this survey +[3748.56 --> 3748.88] with you +[3748.88 --> 3749.38] really quick. +[3750.90 --> 3751.38] Positional +[3751.38 --> 3752.32] sanctification +[3752.32 --> 3753.94] shows up +[3753.94 --> 3755.24] in 2 Thessalonians +[3755.24 --> 3756.36] 2 verse 13 +[3756.36 --> 3757.42] where we read +[3757.42 --> 3786.40] that is what +[3786.40 --> 3786.88] some of you +[3786.88 --> 3787.18] were +[3787.18 --> 3787.90] but you +[3787.90 --> 3788.68] were washed +[3788.68 --> 3789.20] you were +[3789.20 --> 3789.90] sanctified +[3789.90 --> 3790.34] you were +[3790.34 --> 3790.88] justified +[3790.88 --> 3792.02] in the name +[3792.02 --> 3792.52] of the Lord +[3792.52 --> 3793.32] Jesus Christ +[3793.32 --> 3794.14] and by the +[3794.14 --> 3794.54] Spirit of +[3794.54 --> 3794.96] our God. +[3795.14 --> 3795.68] There you see +[3795.68 --> 3796.18] those close +[3796.18 --> 3796.62] connection +[3796.62 --> 3797.00] of those +[3797.00 --> 3797.56] two terms. +[3799.40 --> 3800.20] Then we have +[3800.20 --> 3800.78] progressive +[3800.78 --> 3802.24] sanctification +[3802.24 --> 3803.06] this shows up +[3803.06 --> 3804.18] in 1 Thessalonians +[3804.18 --> 3804.78] 4 3 +[3804.78 --> 3805.80] our text +[3805.80 --> 3806.86] where we read +[3806.86 --> 3807.48] it's God's +[3807.48 --> 3808.22] will that you +[3808.22 --> 3808.78] should be +[3808.78 --> 3809.38] sanctified +[3809.38 --> 3809.78] that you +[3809.78 --> 3810.40] should avoid +[3810.40 --> 3811.04] sexual +[3811.04 --> 3811.92] immorality +[3811.92 --> 3812.24] that you +[3812.24 --> 3812.62] should be +[3812.62 --> 3813.54] growing +[3813.54 --> 3814.64] in what +[3814.64 --> 3815.28] your obedience +[3815.28 --> 3815.92] to God +[3815.92 --> 3816.80] looks like. +[3818.04 --> 3818.74] And then +[3818.74 --> 3819.40] thirdly +[3819.40 --> 3820.12] we have +[3820.12 --> 3821.48] perfected +[3821.48 --> 3822.54] sanctification. +[3822.88 --> 3823.50] This shows up +[3823.50 --> 3824.88] in 1 Thessalonians +[3824.88 --> 3825.32] 5 +[3825.32 --> 3826.72] a blessing +[3826.72 --> 3827.26] that we have +[3827.26 --> 3827.72] read here +[3827.72 --> 3828.74] in this series. +[3828.90 --> 3829.30] May God +[3829.30 --> 3829.76] himself +[3829.76 --> 3830.24] the God +[3830.24 --> 3830.70] of peace +[3830.70 --> 3831.80] sanctify you +[3831.80 --> 3832.18] through +[3832.18 --> 3832.96] and through +[3832.96 --> 3833.66] may your +[3833.66 --> 3834.22] whole spirit +[3834.22 --> 3834.82] and soul +[3834.82 --> 3835.32] and body +[3835.32 --> 3835.76] be kept +[3835.76 --> 3836.38] blameless +[3836.38 --> 3836.78] at the +[3836.78 --> 3837.04] coming +[3837.04 --> 3837.42] of our +[3837.42 --> 3837.66] Lord +[3837.66 --> 3837.96] Jesus +[3837.96 --> 3838.42] Christ +[3838.42 --> 3839.24] the one +[3839.24 --> 3839.90] who calls +[3839.90 --> 3840.06] you +[3840.06 --> 3840.76] is faithful +[3840.76 --> 3841.70] and he +[3841.70 --> 3842.70] will do +[3842.70 --> 3842.96] it. +[3843.64 --> 3844.02] Right? +[3844.06 --> 3844.42] The idea +[3844.42 --> 3844.86] there that +[3844.86 --> 3845.86] sanctification +[3845.86 --> 3847.40] is connected +[3847.40 --> 3848.34] to the +[3848.34 --> 3849.04] coming of +[3849.04 --> 3849.34] our +[3849.34 --> 3849.74] Lord +[3849.74 --> 3850.48] Jesus +[3850.48 --> 3851.22] Christ. +[3853.08 --> 3853.34] So +[3853.34 --> 3854.42] we're going +[3854.42 --> 3854.64] to keep +[3854.64 --> 3855.00] doing this +[3855.00 --> 3855.52] doctrine work +[3855.52 --> 3855.92] for a minute. +[3856.40 --> 3856.48] Right? +[3856.68 --> 3857.20] Positional +[3857.20 --> 3858.08] sanctification +[3858.08 --> 3859.66] is the +[3859.66 --> 3860.34] biblical +[3860.34 --> 3861.18] idea that +[3861.18 --> 3861.94] refers to +[3861.94 --> 3862.84] the status +[3862.84 --> 3864.30] of believers +[3864.30 --> 3866.32] as irreversibly +[3866.32 --> 3867.40] set apart +[3867.40 --> 3868.16] to God +[3868.16 --> 3869.16] through our +[3869.16 --> 3869.78] union with +[3869.78 --> 3870.24] Christ +[3870.24 --> 3871.60] because of +[3871.60 --> 3872.04] God's +[3872.04 --> 3872.42] decree +[3872.42 --> 3872.76] of +[3872.76 --> 3873.44] justification. +[3874.72 --> 3874.90] Right? +[3874.94 --> 3875.18] So this +[3875.18 --> 3875.74] refers to +[3875.74 --> 3876.20] the same +[3876.20 --> 3877.12] reality as +[3877.12 --> 3877.64] justification +[3877.64 --> 3878.70] but not +[3878.70 --> 3879.08] in the +[3879.08 --> 3879.74] legal or +[3879.74 --> 3880.18] forensic +[3880.18 --> 3880.72] terms +[3880.72 --> 3881.58] but rather +[3881.58 --> 3882.40] in terms +[3882.40 --> 3882.72] of our +[3882.72 --> 3883.26] union. +[3883.96 --> 3884.06] Right? +[3884.08 --> 3884.36] In terms +[3884.36 --> 3884.62] of our +[3884.62 --> 3885.34] new status +[3885.34 --> 3885.74] of being +[3885.74 --> 3886.46] set apart +[3886.46 --> 3886.80] of being +[3886.80 --> 3887.68] consecrated +[3887.68 --> 3888.50] for God's +[3888.50 --> 3889.24] holy purposes. +[3890.08 --> 3890.68] There's a +[3890.68 --> 3891.26] relationship +[3891.26 --> 3892.00] between the +[3892.00 --> 3892.46] judge +[3892.46 --> 3893.02] and the +[3893.02 --> 3893.50] acquitted +[3893.50 --> 3894.24] that the +[3894.24 --> 3895.16] language of +[3895.16 --> 3895.86] positional +[3895.86 --> 3896.64] sanctification +[3896.64 --> 3897.34] conveys. +[3898.36 --> 3898.58] At the +[3898.58 --> 3899.82] moment of +[3899.82 --> 3900.36] justification +[3900.36 --> 3901.42] we are +[3901.42 --> 3902.22] sanctified. +[3902.40 --> 3902.60] That is +[3902.60 --> 3902.80] we're +[3902.80 --> 3903.46] consecrated +[3903.46 --> 3903.96] and devoted +[3903.96 --> 3904.44] to God. +[3905.10 --> 3905.52] And what's +[3905.52 --> 3906.16] really important +[3906.16 --> 3907.06] is to see +[3907.06 --> 3907.78] that this +[3907.78 --> 3908.20] way, +[3908.36 --> 3908.88] this idea +[3908.88 --> 3909.82] of positional +[3909.82 --> 3910.48] sanctification +[3910.48 --> 3911.42] is the +[3911.42 --> 3911.84] way that +[3911.84 --> 3912.26] the Bible +[3912.26 --> 3913.26] usually +[3913.26 --> 3914.40] uses the +[3914.40 --> 3914.66] word +[3914.66 --> 3915.56] sanctification. +[3916.86 --> 3917.40] Overwhelmingly +[3917.40 --> 3917.96] this is the +[3917.96 --> 3918.46] dominant +[3918.46 --> 3919.82] understanding. +[3921.48 --> 3921.62] Right? +[3921.66 --> 3922.18] This act +[3922.18 --> 3922.92] has a purpose +[3922.92 --> 3923.74] that is beyond +[3923.74 --> 3924.34] the event +[3924.34 --> 3924.94] itself. +[3925.50 --> 3926.02] That is, +[3926.12 --> 3926.40] you are +[3926.40 --> 3927.12] set apart +[3927.12 --> 3928.06] to live +[3928.06 --> 3928.60] transforms +[3928.60 --> 3929.08] lives. +[3929.18 --> 3929.62] This act +[3929.62 --> 3930.86] is definitional +[3930.86 --> 3931.80] but we don't +[3931.80 --> 3932.66] experience it +[3932.66 --> 3933.32] in the act, +[3933.44 --> 3934.06] we experience +[3934.06 --> 3934.64] it in the +[3934.64 --> 3935.16] living out. +[3936.10 --> 3936.56] I'm going +[3936.56 --> 3936.92] to illustrate +[3936.92 --> 3938.32] this for +[3938.32 --> 3938.54] you. +[3939.12 --> 3939.90] And it's +[3939.90 --> 3940.16] in this +[3940.16 --> 3940.46] way that +[3940.46 --> 3941.04] adoption +[3941.04 --> 3942.08] becomes a +[3942.08 --> 3943.08] really powerful +[3943.08 --> 3944.54] metaphor for +[3944.54 --> 3945.06] the gospel +[3945.06 --> 3945.56] and its +[3945.56 --> 3946.02] impact. +[3946.64 --> 3947.34] If you've +[3947.34 --> 3947.78] ever gone +[3947.78 --> 3948.18] through +[3948.18 --> 3948.78] adoption, +[3949.06 --> 3949.52] you know +[3949.52 --> 3950.58] this firsthand. +[3951.80 --> 3951.96] Right? +[3952.52 --> 3953.72] As you are +[3953.72 --> 3954.14] going through +[3954.14 --> 3954.64] the process +[3954.64 --> 3955.26] of adoption, +[3955.56 --> 3957.30] there's a +[3957.30 --> 3958.20] moment where +[3958.20 --> 3958.84] you're standing +[3958.84 --> 3959.78] with a judge +[3959.78 --> 3960.44] or a justice +[3960.44 --> 3961.14] of the peace +[3961.14 --> 3961.94] depending on +[3961.94 --> 3962.30] what court +[3962.30 --> 3962.82] system you +[3962.82 --> 3963.18] are in +[3963.18 --> 3964.00] and the +[3964.00 --> 3965.12] judge declares +[3965.12 --> 3966.86] this child +[3966.86 --> 3967.46] is now +[3967.46 --> 3967.88] yours. +[3969.40 --> 3969.58] Right? +[3969.62 --> 3970.34] This child +[3970.34 --> 3971.30] has been +[3971.30 --> 3972.42] moved from +[3972.42 --> 3973.88] this place +[3973.88 --> 3975.30] into this +[3975.30 --> 3975.66] place. +[3975.76 --> 3976.16] There's a +[3976.16 --> 3977.64] legal exchange +[3977.64 --> 3978.56] that is taking +[3978.56 --> 3979.06] place. +[3979.58 --> 3980.00] A new +[3980.00 --> 3980.56] identity +[3980.56 --> 3981.84] is granted. +[3981.84 --> 3984.46] But then +[3984.46 --> 3985.20] what has +[3985.20 --> 3985.62] to happen? +[3987.54 --> 3988.18] The kid +[3988.18 --> 3988.90] has to go +[3988.90 --> 3989.28] home with +[3989.28 --> 3989.44] you. +[3990.38 --> 3990.98] The kid +[3990.98 --> 3991.66] has to learn +[3991.66 --> 3992.00] what it +[3992.00 --> 3992.54] means to +[3992.54 --> 3993.24] be a +[3993.24 --> 3993.60] dewinter +[3993.60 --> 3994.62] and not +[3994.62 --> 3995.18] whatever name +[3995.18 --> 3995.74] they had +[3995.74 --> 3996.32] previously. +[3996.84 --> 3997.36] The kid +[3997.36 --> 3997.88] has to learn +[3997.88 --> 3998.08] what it +[3998.08 --> 3998.30] means to +[3998.30 --> 3998.66] be part +[3998.66 --> 3999.00] of this +[3999.00 --> 3999.44] family. +[3999.58 --> 3999.82] And in +[3999.82 --> 4000.42] this family +[4000.42 --> 4000.84] we do +[4000.84 --> 4001.42] these things +[4001.42 --> 4002.20] this way. +[4002.28 --> 4002.60] In this +[4002.60 --> 4003.44] family we +[4003.44 --> 4003.86] don't do +[4003.86 --> 4004.44] these things +[4004.44 --> 4005.24] that way. +[4006.78 --> 4006.98] Right? +[4007.04 --> 4007.96] That learning +[4007.96 --> 4008.54] and that +[4008.54 --> 4009.54] new reality, +[4009.72 --> 4010.26] that going +[4010.26 --> 4010.98] home with +[4010.98 --> 4011.58] a family, +[4012.22 --> 4012.62] that's +[4012.62 --> 4013.40] sanctification. +[4014.10 --> 4014.58] Positional +[4014.58 --> 4015.78] sanctification. +[4017.04 --> 4017.40] Right? +[4017.46 --> 4017.94] The legal +[4017.94 --> 4018.42] declaration +[4018.42 --> 4019.22] has made +[4019.22 --> 4019.74] you part +[4019.74 --> 4020.04] of that +[4020.04 --> 4020.60] new family +[4020.60 --> 4021.18] and now +[4021.18 --> 4021.48] you have +[4021.48 --> 4022.10] to live +[4022.10 --> 4022.90] and learn +[4022.90 --> 4023.54] to live +[4023.54 --> 4024.70] as a +[4024.70 --> 4024.94] member +[4024.94 --> 4025.44] of that +[4025.44 --> 4025.86] family. +[4027.94 --> 4028.56] That's +[4028.56 --> 4029.28] positional +[4029.28 --> 4030.40] sanctification. +[4030.62 --> 4030.86] And that +[4030.86 --> 4031.20] is a +[4031.20 --> 4031.68] beautiful +[4031.68 --> 4032.16] picture +[4032.16 --> 4033.14] of what's +[4033.14 --> 4033.50] happening +[4033.50 --> 4034.30] in the +[4034.30 --> 4034.68] gospel. +[4035.72 --> 4036.40] A beautiful +[4036.40 --> 4037.32] picture of +[4037.32 --> 4038.00] the good +[4038.00 --> 4038.46] news of +[4038.46 --> 4039.08] Jesus Christ +[4039.08 --> 4039.94] being applied +[4039.94 --> 4040.98] to me +[4040.98 --> 4041.28] and +[4041.28 --> 4043.94] transforming +[4043.94 --> 4045.74] my +[4045.74 --> 4046.42] relationships +[4046.42 --> 4047.44] in +[4047.44 --> 4048.40] and to +[4048.40 --> 4049.00] the world +[4049.00 --> 4050.10] by transforming +[4050.10 --> 4050.96] my relationship +[4050.96 --> 4051.98] to God +[4051.98 --> 4052.82] our Father +[4052.82 --> 4053.80] and Creator. +[4058.00 --> 4058.86] Next +[4058.86 --> 4060.16] is the +[4060.16 --> 4060.46] idea +[4060.46 --> 4061.66] of progressive +[4061.66 --> 4062.62] sanctification. +[4063.32 --> 4063.42] Right? +[4063.46 --> 4063.82] The idea +[4063.82 --> 4064.88] that it +[4064.88 --> 4065.16] is the +[4065.16 --> 4065.54] work of +[4065.54 --> 4065.92] the Holy +[4065.92 --> 4066.38] Spirit +[4066.38 --> 4067.04] to make +[4067.04 --> 4067.56] us more +[4067.56 --> 4067.90] like +[4067.90 --> 4068.36] Jesus +[4068.36 --> 4069.04] by +[4069.04 --> 4069.84] progressively +[4069.84 --> 4070.58] freeing +[4070.58 --> 4070.88] us +[4070.88 --> 4071.08] from +[4071.08 --> 4071.26] the +[4071.26 --> 4071.64] power +[4071.64 --> 4072.12] of +[4072.12 --> 4072.42] sin +[4072.42 --> 4072.72] and +[4072.72 --> 4072.94] by +[4072.94 --> 4073.64] strengthening +[4073.64 --> 4074.12] our +[4074.12 --> 4074.74] disposition +[4074.74 --> 4075.88] towards +[4075.88 --> 4076.46] holiness. +[4077.46 --> 4078.38] We read +[4078.38 --> 4079.10] in Romans 6, +[4079.44 --> 4079.78] so now +[4079.78 --> 4080.72] offer yourselves +[4080.72 --> 4081.52] as slaves +[4081.52 --> 4082.42] to righteousness +[4082.42 --> 4083.10] leading +[4083.10 --> 4084.40] to holiness. +[4085.20 --> 4085.54] And so this +[4085.54 --> 4086.04] is the call +[4086.04 --> 4086.68] to grow +[4086.68 --> 4087.50] in the +[4087.50 --> 4088.12] identity +[4088.12 --> 4089.26] bestowed +[4089.26 --> 4091.06] and so +[4091.06 --> 4091.82] we progress +[4091.82 --> 4093.18] in what it +[4093.18 --> 4093.52] means to +[4093.52 --> 4094.36] be consecrated +[4094.36 --> 4095.14] to the +[4095.14 --> 4095.36] Lord. +[4095.80 --> 4096.16] And then +[4096.16 --> 4096.52] finally +[4096.52 --> 4097.56] we get +[4097.56 --> 4097.98] this idea +[4097.98 --> 4098.24] of +[4098.24 --> 4099.34] perfected +[4099.34 --> 4100.52] sanctification. +[4101.72 --> 4102.22] Right? +[4102.26 --> 4102.42] And the +[4102.42 --> 4102.98] idea here +[4102.98 --> 4104.06] is that +[4104.06 --> 4105.40] to experience +[4105.40 --> 4106.80] the full +[4106.80 --> 4107.42] freedom +[4107.42 --> 4108.62] from sin +[4108.62 --> 4108.92] and +[4108.92 --> 4110.10] uninterrupted +[4110.10 --> 4110.56] communion +[4110.56 --> 4111.36] with God +[4111.36 --> 4112.24] that awaits +[4112.24 --> 4112.72] us +[4112.72 --> 4113.50] in the +[4113.50 --> 4113.98] life to +[4113.98 --> 4114.32] come. +[4114.32 --> 4115.96] At this +[4115.96 --> 4116.54] language +[4116.54 --> 4117.46] this category +[4117.46 --> 4118.04] of +[4118.04 --> 4118.82] perfected +[4118.82 --> 4119.74] sanctification +[4119.74 --> 4121.18] is sometimes +[4121.18 --> 4125.34] included +[4125.34 --> 4125.82] in the +[4125.82 --> 4126.12] broader +[4126.12 --> 4126.82] category +[4126.82 --> 4127.16] of +[4127.16 --> 4128.12] glorification +[4128.12 --> 4129.46] which +[4129.46 --> 4129.94] includes +[4129.94 --> 4130.44] more than +[4130.44 --> 4131.14] sanctification +[4131.14 --> 4131.58] but also +[4131.58 --> 4132.12] resurrection +[4132.12 --> 4132.56] and the +[4132.56 --> 4132.92] restoration +[4132.92 --> 4133.54] of all +[4133.54 --> 4133.94] things +[4133.94 --> 4134.56] at the +[4134.56 --> 4134.88] end of +[4134.88 --> 4135.28] time +[4135.28 --> 4135.98] the end +[4135.98 --> 4136.52] of history. +[4137.96 --> 4138.88] Now in +[4138.88 --> 4139.28] each of +[4139.28 --> 4140.12] these places +[4140.12 --> 4140.88] positional +[4140.88 --> 4141.44] and progressive +[4141.44 --> 4142.52] and perfected +[4142.52 --> 4143.26] there's a +[4143.26 --> 4143.72] sense +[4143.72 --> 4144.94] in which +[4144.94 --> 4146.26] we can +[4146.26 --> 4146.74] make +[4146.74 --> 4149.36] sense +[4149.36 --> 4150.20] of this +[4150.20 --> 4151.20] theological +[4151.20 --> 4151.82] truth +[4151.82 --> 4153.02] and reality +[4153.02 --> 4154.56] with another +[4154.56 --> 4155.10] theological +[4155.10 --> 4155.54] term +[4155.54 --> 4155.88] and I +[4155.88 --> 4156.40] understand +[4156.40 --> 4156.74] that we're +[4156.74 --> 4157.18] getting lots +[4157.18 --> 4157.48] of terms +[4157.48 --> 4157.90] this morning +[4157.90 --> 4159.12] but it's +[4159.12 --> 4159.70] the idea +[4159.70 --> 4160.04] of +[4160.04 --> 4160.90] inaugurated +[4160.90 --> 4161.78] eschatology +[4161.78 --> 4162.74] and so +[4162.74 --> 4163.02] that is +[4163.02 --> 4163.48] that Jesus +[4163.48 --> 4164.14] in his +[4164.14 --> 4164.46] life, +[4164.58 --> 4164.78] death, +[4164.98 --> 4165.38] resurrection +[4165.38 --> 4166.64] and exaltation +[4166.64 --> 4168.02] started, +[4168.34 --> 4168.86] brought in, +[4169.02 --> 4169.74] ushered in +[4169.74 --> 4170.38] the kingdom +[4170.38 --> 4171.22] of God +[4171.22 --> 4171.84] and that has +[4171.84 --> 4172.74] begun +[4172.74 --> 4173.54] in his +[4173.54 --> 4174.22] life and +[4174.22 --> 4174.48] death +[4174.48 --> 4175.12] that has +[4175.12 --> 4175.90] broken into +[4175.90 --> 4176.36] the world +[4176.36 --> 4176.74] through the +[4176.74 --> 4177.24] church at +[4177.24 --> 4177.80] Pentecost +[4177.80 --> 4178.26] and the work +[4178.26 --> 4178.62] of the Holy +[4178.62 --> 4178.96] Spirit +[4178.96 --> 4179.54] that the +[4179.54 --> 4180.12] church now +[4180.12 --> 4181.08] lives out +[4181.08 --> 4182.04] this truth +[4182.04 --> 4182.68] and this way +[4182.68 --> 4183.22] of being +[4183.22 --> 4183.74] in relation +[4183.74 --> 4184.52] to the world +[4184.52 --> 4185.04] and that we +[4185.04 --> 4185.86] wait for the +[4185.86 --> 4186.80] day of its +[4186.80 --> 4187.56] fullness +[4187.56 --> 4188.40] when Christ +[4188.40 --> 4188.90] returns. +[4190.48 --> 4191.34] You hear in +[4191.34 --> 4192.58] that each +[4192.58 --> 4193.00] one of these +[4193.00 --> 4194.46] aspects of +[4194.46 --> 4195.12] sanctification. +[4195.12 --> 4195.18] sanctification. +[4197.68 --> 4197.94] Now, +[4198.66 --> 4200.50] here's why +[4200.50 --> 4201.14] this matters +[4201.14 --> 4202.12] and why we +[4202.12 --> 4202.76] belabored this +[4202.76 --> 4203.64] doctrinal point +[4203.64 --> 4205.02] and so here's +[4205.02 --> 4205.56] the practical +[4205.56 --> 4206.04] payoff. +[4206.18 --> 4206.60] So thank you +[4206.60 --> 4207.08] for journeying +[4207.08 --> 4207.50] with me. +[4207.92 --> 4208.68] You can applaud +[4208.68 --> 4209.14] yourself, +[4209.26 --> 4209.82] pat yourself on +[4209.82 --> 4210.32] the back for +[4210.32 --> 4210.70] doing good +[4210.70 --> 4211.16] work there +[4211.16 --> 4213.12] because besides +[4213.12 --> 4213.74] the sheer +[4213.74 --> 4214.88] beauty of +[4214.88 --> 4215.50] the adoption +[4215.50 --> 4216.22] image for +[4216.22 --> 4216.76] understanding +[4216.76 --> 4217.52] sanctification +[4217.52 --> 4218.64] and that part +[4218.64 --> 4219.10] makes my +[4219.10 --> 4219.68] heart sing +[4219.68 --> 4221.20] but also +[4221.20 --> 4221.84] here's why +[4221.84 --> 4222.26] it matters. +[4222.26 --> 4224.62] personal holiness +[4224.62 --> 4226.58] is at stake +[4226.58 --> 4227.78] in how we +[4227.78 --> 4228.38] talk about +[4228.38 --> 4229.24] personal holiness. +[4231.12 --> 4231.46] Okay, so +[4231.46 --> 4231.86] here's what I +[4231.86 --> 4232.32] mean by that. +[4232.82 --> 4234.64] If we focus +[4234.64 --> 4236.72] on positional +[4236.72 --> 4237.54] sanctification +[4237.54 --> 4238.04] that is our +[4238.04 --> 4238.90] new reality +[4238.90 --> 4240.28] without an +[4240.28 --> 4241.06] understanding of +[4241.06 --> 4241.48] progressive +[4241.48 --> 4242.28] sanctification +[4242.28 --> 4243.46] we end up +[4243.46 --> 4244.14] with what some +[4244.14 --> 4244.48] people have +[4244.48 --> 4245.00] called cheap +[4245.00 --> 4245.42] grace. +[4246.34 --> 4247.22] The idea that +[4247.22 --> 4247.64] says I'm +[4247.64 --> 4248.52] already accepted +[4248.52 --> 4249.36] therefore I +[4249.36 --> 4250.02] don't have to +[4250.02 --> 4250.36] obey. +[4250.36 --> 4252.32] that's cheap +[4252.32 --> 4252.70] grace. +[4254.10 --> 4254.82] But if we +[4254.82 --> 4255.44] focus on +[4255.44 --> 4256.04] progressive +[4256.04 --> 4256.80] without +[4256.80 --> 4257.94] propositional +[4257.94 --> 4258.86] right, without +[4258.86 --> 4259.96] this definitional +[4259.96 --> 4261.06] change you end +[4261.06 --> 4261.42] up in this +[4261.42 --> 4261.82] place of +[4261.82 --> 4262.40] legalism +[4262.40 --> 4263.66] that says +[4263.66 --> 4264.30] you have to +[4264.30 --> 4264.84] do all of +[4264.84 --> 4265.46] these things +[4265.46 --> 4266.84] or live in +[4266.84 --> 4267.68] fear of +[4267.68 --> 4268.14] not doing +[4268.14 --> 4269.02] them because +[4269.02 --> 4269.34] it's not +[4269.34 --> 4269.88] based on +[4269.88 --> 4270.32] this new +[4270.32 --> 4270.80] identity +[4270.80 --> 4271.78] reality for +[4271.78 --> 4272.00] you. +[4273.34 --> 4273.60] And then +[4273.60 --> 4274.38] likewise if +[4274.38 --> 4274.68] you have +[4274.68 --> 4275.24] progressive +[4275.24 --> 4275.90] without +[4275.90 --> 4276.78] perfected +[4276.78 --> 4277.76] we end +[4277.76 --> 4278.84] up with +[4278.84 --> 4279.66] hopelessness. +[4280.36 --> 4281.76] because we +[4281.76 --> 4282.06] go what's +[4282.06 --> 4282.44] the point +[4282.44 --> 4282.68] of it +[4282.68 --> 4283.84] all if +[4283.84 --> 4284.12] I'm never +[4284.12 --> 4284.38] going to +[4284.38 --> 4284.80] get there. +[4285.82 --> 4286.44] But you +[4286.44 --> 4287.12] will be +[4287.12 --> 4287.74] ushered +[4287.74 --> 4288.72] into this +[4288.72 --> 4289.58] full +[4289.58 --> 4290.48] transformation +[4290.48 --> 4291.26] at the +[4291.26 --> 4291.74] return of +[4291.74 --> 4291.96] Jesus +[4291.96 --> 4292.44] Christ. +[4293.40 --> 4294.28] I must +[4294.28 --> 4294.74] obey +[4294.74 --> 4295.32] because if +[4295.32 --> 4295.92] I fail +[4295.92 --> 4296.56] we fear +[4296.56 --> 4297.00] I won't +[4297.00 --> 4297.64] be accepted. +[4299.18 --> 4299.68] Instead +[4299.68 --> 4300.32] when we +[4300.32 --> 4301.04] understand this +[4301.04 --> 4301.70] properly +[4301.70 --> 4302.20] when we +[4302.20 --> 4302.68] pull all +[4302.68 --> 4303.04] of these +[4303.04 --> 4303.36] three +[4303.36 --> 4304.14] together +[4304.14 --> 4304.60] what we +[4304.60 --> 4305.18] see is +[4305.18 --> 4305.86] that I'm +[4305.86 --> 4306.46] accepted +[4306.46 --> 4307.78] by Jesus +[4307.78 --> 4308.62] therefore +[4308.62 --> 4310.00] I get +[4310.00 --> 4310.98] to obey +[4310.98 --> 4311.94] Jesus. +[4313.10 --> 4313.72] In fact +[4313.72 --> 4314.36] what Paul +[4314.36 --> 4315.22] is pointing +[4315.22 --> 4315.84] out here +[4315.84 --> 4316.44] is that +[4316.44 --> 4317.80] disobedience +[4317.80 --> 4319.08] demeans +[4319.08 --> 4320.02] your identity. +[4321.86 --> 4322.54] Minimizing +[4322.54 --> 4323.44] makes +[4323.44 --> 4324.30] excuses +[4324.30 --> 4326.18] that rejects +[4326.18 --> 4326.78] the transformation +[4326.78 --> 4327.42] you've been +[4327.42 --> 4327.70] given. +[4328.36 --> 4328.46] Right? +[4328.88 --> 4329.58] Let's use +[4329.58 --> 4329.94] the metaphor +[4329.94 --> 4330.24] again. +[4330.56 --> 4331.28] Not being +[4331.28 --> 4331.92] all in +[4331.92 --> 4332.62] on this +[4332.62 --> 4333.82] is like +[4333.82 --> 4334.66] asking for +[4334.66 --> 4335.54] the orphanage +[4335.54 --> 4335.96] when you're +[4335.96 --> 4336.36] sitting +[4336.36 --> 4336.92] at your +[4336.92 --> 4337.10] new +[4337.10 --> 4337.50] family's +[4337.50 --> 4337.82] table +[4337.82 --> 4339.66] saying +[4339.66 --> 4339.84] I'd +[4339.84 --> 4340.00] rather +[4340.00 --> 4340.20] have +[4340.20 --> 4340.46] that. +[4342.86 --> 4343.46] But +[4343.46 --> 4343.64] you've +[4343.64 --> 4343.98] got a +[4343.98 --> 4344.94] God-given +[4344.94 --> 4346.16] blood-bought +[4346.16 --> 4346.78] family +[4346.78 --> 4347.72] that wants +[4347.72 --> 4348.04] to say +[4348.04 --> 4348.88] this is +[4348.88 --> 4349.44] who you +[4349.44 --> 4349.82] are. +[4350.76 --> 4351.52] And this +[4351.52 --> 4352.00] holiness +[4352.00 --> 4352.56] language +[4352.56 --> 4353.22] for Paul +[4353.22 --> 4354.02] is repeated +[4354.02 --> 4354.88] in verse +[4354.88 --> 4355.88] 4 and +[4355.88 --> 4356.56] 7 and +[4356.56 --> 4356.84] it is +[4356.84 --> 4357.30] eventually +[4357.30 --> 4357.90] grounded +[4357.90 --> 4358.74] in the +[4358.74 --> 4359.28] person and +[4359.28 --> 4359.62] work of +[4359.62 --> 4359.94] the Holy +[4359.94 --> 4360.36] Spirit +[4360.36 --> 4361.20] in verse +[4361.20 --> 4361.50] 8. +[4362.82 --> 4363.16] For God +[4363.16 --> 4363.44] did not +[4363.44 --> 4363.88] call us +[4363.88 --> 4364.16] to be +[4364.16 --> 4364.62] impure +[4364.62 --> 4364.96] but to +[4364.96 --> 4365.28] live a +[4365.28 --> 4365.50] holy +[4365.50 --> 4365.82] life. +[4365.98 --> 4366.18] Therefore +[4366.18 --> 4366.80] anyone who +[4366.80 --> 4367.34] rejects +[4367.34 --> 4367.52] this +[4367.52 --> 4368.02] instruction +[4368.02 --> 4368.88] does not +[4368.88 --> 4369.30] reject a +[4369.30 --> 4369.90] human being +[4369.90 --> 4370.68] but God +[4370.68 --> 4371.30] the very +[4371.30 --> 4372.00] God who +[4372.00 --> 4372.74] gives you +[4372.74 --> 4373.24] his +[4373.24 --> 4374.14] Holy +[4374.14 --> 4375.32] Spirit. +[4377.14 --> 4377.28] The +[4377.28 --> 4377.88] spiritual +[4377.88 --> 4378.42] gift +[4378.42 --> 4378.92] most +[4378.92 --> 4379.48] common +[4379.48 --> 4380.32] to all +[4380.32 --> 4380.78] Christian +[4380.78 --> 4381.38] that is +[4381.38 --> 4381.98] actually +[4381.98 --> 4382.86] what defines +[4382.86 --> 4383.50] being a +[4383.50 --> 4383.88] Christian +[4383.88 --> 4385.04] is the +[4385.04 --> 4385.26] Holy +[4385.26 --> 4385.82] Spirit +[4385.82 --> 4386.92] and the +[4386.92 --> 4387.14] gift +[4387.14 --> 4387.80] towards +[4387.80 --> 4388.32] obedience +[4388.32 --> 4389.24] and +[4389.24 --> 4389.68] transformation. +[4391.76 --> 4392.68] All right. +[4392.68 --> 4394.78] let's +[4394.78 --> 4396.08] end this +[4396.08 --> 4396.48] morning +[4396.48 --> 4398.58] by thinking +[4398.58 --> 4399.42] about the +[4399.42 --> 4400.08] practical +[4400.08 --> 4401.24] implications +[4401.24 --> 4401.78] of this. +[4403.34 --> 4403.54] And so +[4403.54 --> 4403.92] remember +[4403.92 --> 4405.04] in justification +[4405.04 --> 4406.22] and sanctification +[4406.22 --> 4407.24] you are +[4407.24 --> 4407.96] transformed. +[4408.78 --> 4409.26] In a +[4409.26 --> 4410.04] positional +[4410.04 --> 4410.80] understanding +[4410.80 --> 4411.54] of sanctification +[4411.54 --> 4412.12] you are +[4412.12 --> 4412.64] given a +[4412.64 --> 4413.20] new way +[4413.20 --> 4413.80] of relating +[4413.80 --> 4414.18] to the +[4414.18 --> 4414.72] world by +[4414.72 --> 4415.40] belonging to +[4415.40 --> 4415.66] a new +[4415.66 --> 4416.10] family. +[4416.76 --> 4417.20] And in +[4417.20 --> 4417.60] progressive +[4417.60 --> 4418.26] sanctification +[4418.26 --> 4419.02] you and +[4419.02 --> 4419.34] the Holy +[4419.34 --> 4419.76] Spirit +[4419.76 --> 4420.36] cooperate +[4420.36 --> 4421.04] together +[4421.04 --> 4421.48] that you +[4421.48 --> 4421.70] might +[4421.70 --> 4422.10] grow +[4422.10 --> 4422.98] in living +[4422.98 --> 4423.54] as one +[4423.54 --> 4424.10] who belongs +[4424.10 --> 4424.64] to God +[4424.64 --> 4425.20] and in +[4425.20 --> 4425.78] perfected +[4425.78 --> 4426.34] sanctification +[4426.34 --> 4427.00] you are +[4427.00 --> 4427.52] shown the +[4427.52 --> 4428.02] purpose of +[4428.02 --> 4428.32] it all +[4428.32 --> 4429.26] the telos +[4429.26 --> 4430.00] towards which +[4430.00 --> 4430.66] we are all +[4430.66 --> 4431.30] going +[4431.30 --> 4432.52] blamelessness +[4432.52 --> 4432.84] at the +[4432.84 --> 4433.38] resurrection +[4433.38 --> 4434.72] and glorification +[4434.72 --> 4435.38] to be with +[4435.38 --> 4435.70] God +[4435.70 --> 4436.44] forever. +[4437.50 --> 4438.00] And so +[4438.00 --> 4438.78] for right +[4438.78 --> 4439.26] now +[4439.26 --> 4441.00] what does +[4441.00 --> 4441.34] that look +[4441.34 --> 4441.68] like? +[4442.18 --> 4442.68] For right +[4442.68 --> 4443.10] now +[4443.10 --> 4443.70] what does +[4443.70 --> 4444.16] God tell +[4444.16 --> 4444.46] us? +[4445.48 --> 4445.78] Well one +[4445.78 --> 4445.98] of the +[4445.98 --> 4446.56] places Paul +[4446.56 --> 4446.86] goes +[4446.86 --> 4447.44] immediately +[4447.44 --> 4449.64] is to +[4449.64 --> 4450.08] our +[4450.08 --> 4451.08] sexual +[4451.08 --> 4452.14] lives. +[4453.52 --> 4454.38] In a +[4454.38 --> 4454.72] world +[4454.72 --> 4455.52] saturated +[4455.52 --> 4456.36] with sex +[4456.36 --> 4457.10] and with +[4457.10 --> 4457.38] taking +[4457.38 --> 4457.82] advantage +[4457.82 --> 4458.38] of people +[4458.38 --> 4460.08] you are +[4460.08 --> 4460.92] consecrated +[4460.92 --> 4461.92] for something +[4461.92 --> 4462.52] different. +[4464.06 --> 4464.46] And not +[4464.46 --> 4465.30] only do +[4465.30 --> 4466.02] you start +[4466.02 --> 4466.58] with a +[4466.58 --> 4466.88] different +[4466.88 --> 4467.52] relationship +[4467.52 --> 4468.26] to sex +[4468.26 --> 4468.64] and to +[4468.64 --> 4469.18] sexuality +[4469.18 --> 4470.40] and through +[4470.40 --> 4470.88] that to +[4470.88 --> 4471.68] all people +[4471.68 --> 4473.10] but by +[4473.10 --> 4473.42] the Holy +[4473.42 --> 4473.76] Spirit +[4473.76 --> 4474.06] you're +[4474.06 --> 4474.68] actually +[4474.68 --> 4475.10] made +[4475.10 --> 4475.66] able +[4475.66 --> 4476.54] to live +[4476.54 --> 4476.88] that +[4476.88 --> 4477.42] out. +[4477.44 --> 4483.16] in a +[4483.16 --> 4483.68] culture +[4483.68 --> 4484.60] and a +[4484.60 --> 4485.06] time +[4485.06 --> 4485.88] and place +[4485.88 --> 4486.22] that +[4486.22 --> 4487.18] celebrates +[4487.18 --> 4488.28] sexual +[4488.28 --> 4489.28] hedonism +[4489.28 --> 4490.72] we get +[4490.72 --> 4491.40] to celebrate +[4491.40 --> 4492.14] holiness +[4492.14 --> 4493.00] to God. +[4494.00 --> 4495.04] We get +[4495.04 --> 4495.62] to celebrate +[4495.62 --> 4496.44] being like +[4496.44 --> 4497.12] God. +[4497.24 --> 4497.52] We get +[4497.52 --> 4498.04] to celebrate +[4498.04 --> 4498.84] being transformed +[4498.84 --> 4499.74] into the +[4499.74 --> 4500.28] image of +[4500.28 --> 4501.04] Jesus Christ +[4501.04 --> 4501.86] which is a +[4501.86 --> 4502.46] celebration +[4502.46 --> 4503.34] of what +[4503.34 --> 4503.90] humanity +[4503.90 --> 4504.82] was always +[4504.82 --> 4505.38] intended +[4505.38 --> 4505.92] to be +[4505.92 --> 4506.32] like. +[4506.32 --> 4506.42] joy. +[4507.42 --> 4508.02] This +[4508.02 --> 4509.02] idea +[4509.02 --> 4509.80] of life +[4509.80 --> 4510.72] is actually +[4510.72 --> 4511.48] true +[4511.48 --> 4512.18] and greater +[4512.18 --> 4512.86] joy. +[4513.00 --> 4513.80] This idea +[4513.80 --> 4514.36] about who +[4514.36 --> 4515.06] you are +[4515.06 --> 4515.96] is actually +[4515.96 --> 4516.44] true +[4516.44 --> 4517.06] and greater +[4517.06 --> 4517.62] good. +[4518.46 --> 4519.08] This way +[4519.08 --> 4519.62] of being +[4519.62 --> 4520.04] in the +[4520.04 --> 4520.34] world +[4520.34 --> 4520.92] is so +[4520.92 --> 4521.24] much +[4521.24 --> 4521.78] more +[4521.78 --> 4522.22] fulfilling +[4522.22 --> 4522.86] because +[4522.86 --> 4523.40] anything +[4523.40 --> 4523.84] else +[4523.84 --> 4524.34] in the +[4524.34 --> 4524.56] end +[4524.56 --> 4525.06] proves +[4525.06 --> 4525.60] to be +[4525.60 --> 4526.22] vapid +[4526.22 --> 4526.60] and +[4526.60 --> 4526.98] empty. +[4526.98 --> 4527.22] It +[4527.22 --> 4527.58] proves +[4527.58 --> 4528.02] to be +[4528.02 --> 4528.88] fleeting +[4528.88 --> 4529.30] and +[4529.30 --> 4529.66] anemic. +[4529.84 --> 4529.92] It +[4529.92 --> 4530.20] proves +[4530.20 --> 4530.58] to be +[4530.58 --> 4531.04] like the +[4531.04 --> 4531.46] teacher +[4531.46 --> 4531.66] in +[4531.66 --> 4532.34] Ecclesiastes +[4532.34 --> 4533.38] a chasing +[4533.38 --> 4534.04] after the +[4534.04 --> 4534.38] wind. +[4535.38 --> 4535.94] It's +[4535.94 --> 4536.32] meaningless. +[4537.96 --> 4538.54] It's +[4538.54 --> 4539.16] only in +[4539.16 --> 4539.88] relationship +[4539.88 --> 4540.62] to God +[4540.62 --> 4541.02] and only +[4541.02 --> 4541.22] in +[4541.22 --> 4542.08] understanding +[4542.08 --> 4542.88] what he +[4542.88 --> 4543.38] has done +[4543.38 --> 4543.88] for us +[4543.88 --> 4544.22] and who +[4544.22 --> 4544.70] he has +[4544.70 --> 4545.12] made us +[4545.12 --> 4545.56] to be +[4545.56 --> 4546.16] that we +[4546.16 --> 4546.64] begin +[4546.64 --> 4547.14] to make +[4547.14 --> 4547.54] sense +[4547.54 --> 4547.96] not only +[4547.96 --> 4548.34] of this +[4548.34 --> 4548.62] life +[4548.62 --> 4549.20] but what +[4549.20 --> 4549.80] it actually +[4549.80 --> 4550.30] means +[4550.30 --> 4550.86] to be +[4550.86 --> 4551.66] human. +[4553.54 --> 4553.96] You +[4553.96 --> 4554.94] are set +[4554.94 --> 4555.84] apart. +[4556.92 --> 4557.08] You +[4557.08 --> 4557.94] are called +[4557.94 --> 4558.88] and enabled +[4558.88 --> 4559.70] to live +[4559.70 --> 4560.42] that way +[4560.42 --> 4562.08] and God +[4562.08 --> 4562.98] will carry +[4562.98 --> 4563.94] you to +[4563.94 --> 4564.40] the end +[4564.40 --> 4564.78] of that +[4564.78 --> 4565.10] to the +[4565.10 --> 4565.96] completeness +[4565.96 --> 4566.82] of your +[4566.82 --> 4567.32] holiness. +[4569.00 --> 4569.72] May I +[4569.72 --> 4570.20] just encourage +[4570.20 --> 4570.48] you +[4570.48 --> 4573.02] if more +[4573.02 --> 4573.36] of us +[4573.36 --> 4573.70] started +[4573.70 --> 4574.26] living like +[4574.26 --> 4574.62] that was +[4574.62 --> 4574.98] true +[4574.98 --> 4577.30] those +[4577.30 --> 4577.82] questions +[4577.82 --> 4578.64] and complaints +[4578.64 --> 4579.86] and concerns +[4579.86 --> 4580.20] that we +[4580.20 --> 4580.54] talked about +[4580.54 --> 4580.72] at the +[4580.72 --> 4580.96] beginning +[4580.96 --> 4582.30] what +[4582.30 --> 4582.68] difference +[4582.68 --> 4583.18] does this +[4583.18 --> 4583.48] make +[4583.48 --> 4585.04] would be +[4585.04 --> 4585.80] immediately +[4585.80 --> 4587.04] destroyed. +[4588.88 --> 4592.26] increasingly +[4592.26 --> 4593.86] it is +[4593.86 --> 4594.46] simultaneously +[4594.46 --> 4595.22] becoming +[4595.22 --> 4596.34] harder +[4596.34 --> 4597.48] to be +[4597.48 --> 4597.94] Christian +[4597.94 --> 4599.42] in the +[4599.42 --> 4599.62] world +[4599.62 --> 4600.04] today +[4600.04 --> 4601.86] but +[4601.86 --> 4602.50] rather than +[4602.50 --> 4603.04] lamenting +[4603.04 --> 4603.48] that we +[4603.48 --> 4603.82] have an +[4603.82 --> 4604.34] opportunity +[4604.34 --> 4605.40] to say +[4605.40 --> 4605.66] you know +[4605.66 --> 4606.00] what that +[4606.00 --> 4606.40] does +[4606.40 --> 4607.14] it makes +[4607.14 --> 4608.08] it easier +[4608.08 --> 4609.36] to stand +[4609.36 --> 4610.18] out +[4610.18 --> 4611.82] to stand +[4611.82 --> 4612.48] apart +[4612.48 --> 4613.96] to look +[4613.96 --> 4614.80] like +[4614.80 --> 4615.56] the image +[4615.56 --> 4616.08] of Jesus +[4616.08 --> 4616.54] Christ +[4616.54 --> 4616.96] in the +[4616.96 --> 4617.16] world +[4617.16 --> 4617.54] today +[4617.54 --> 4618.12] and may +[4618.12 --> 4618.52] I just +[4618.52 --> 4618.74] say +[4618.74 --> 4619.38] that +[4619.38 --> 4620.46] is what +[4620.46 --> 4620.62] our +[4620.62 --> 4620.90] hurting +[4620.90 --> 4621.20] world +[4621.20 --> 4621.62] needs +[4621.62 --> 4623.22] more +[4623.22 --> 4623.76] Christians +[4623.76 --> 4624.10] who +[4624.10 --> 4624.42] look +[4624.42 --> 4625.22] like +[4625.22 --> 4626.12] Jesus +[4626.12 --> 4626.88] amen +[4626.88 --> 4628.16] let's +[4628.16 --> 4628.30] pray +[4628.30 --> 4628.68] together +[4628.68 --> 4631.82] dear +[4631.82 --> 4632.20] Jesus +[4632.20 --> 4633.64] transform +[4633.64 --> 4634.66] us +[4634.66 --> 4635.24] transform +[4635.24 --> 4635.68] our +[4635.68 --> 4636.12] lives +[4636.12 --> 4637.02] in line +[4637.02 --> 4637.46] with +[4637.46 --> 4637.72] the +[4637.72 --> 4638.22] calling +[4638.22 --> 4638.50] that +[4638.50 --> 4638.68] you +[4638.68 --> 4638.92] have +[4638.92 --> 4639.18] given +[4639.18 --> 4639.42] us +[4639.42 --> 4640.16] transform +[4640.16 --> 4640.48] our +[4640.48 --> 4640.80] lives +[4640.80 --> 4641.82] working +[4641.82 --> 4642.20] out +[4642.20 --> 4642.56] of +[4642.56 --> 4642.82] our +[4642.82 --> 4643.20] new +[4643.20 --> 4643.94] identities +[4643.94 --> 4644.78] in +[4644.78 --> 4645.00] you +[4645.00 --> 4645.28] our +[4645.28 --> 4645.64] new +[4645.64 --> 4646.48] relationships +[4646.48 --> 4647.28] to +[4647.28 --> 4647.50] you +[4647.50 --> 4647.90] this +[4647.90 --> 4648.22] is +[4648.22 --> 4648.44] what +[4648.44 --> 4648.58] it +[4648.58 --> 4648.96] means +[4648.96 --> 4649.22] to +[4649.22 --> 4649.64] be +[4649.64 --> 4650.78] lavishly +[4650.78 --> 4651.20] loved +[4651.20 --> 4651.64] children +[4651.64 --> 4652.06] of the +[4652.06 --> 4652.36] father +[4652.36 --> 4652.64] this +[4652.64 --> 4652.78] is +[4652.78 --> 4652.92] what +[4652.92 --> 4653.04] it +[4653.04 --> 4653.34] means +[4653.34 --> 4653.54] to +[4653.54 --> 4653.86] be +[4653.86 --> 4654.50] your +[4654.50 --> 4654.96] brothers +[4654.96 --> 4655.36] and +[4655.36 --> 4655.78] sisters +[4655.78 --> 4656.14] Lord +[4656.14 --> 4656.52] Jesus +[4656.52 --> 4656.92] Christ +[4656.92 --> 4657.56] this +[4657.56 --> 4657.76] is +[4657.76 --> 4657.92] what +[4657.92 --> 4658.06] it +[4658.06 --> 4658.34] means +[4658.34 --> 4658.56] to +[4658.56 --> 4658.82] be +[4658.82 --> 4659.86] consecrated +[4659.86 --> 4660.24] for +[4660.24 --> 4660.26] for +[4660.26 --> 4660.94] divine +[4660.94 --> 4661.98] purpose +[4661.98 --> 4662.32] and +[4662.32 --> 4662.70] so +[4662.70 --> 4663.08] Lord +[4663.08 --> 4663.46] God +[4663.46 --> 4664.24] send +[4664.24 --> 4664.66] us +[4664.66 --> 4665.02] out +[4665.02 --> 4665.46] now +[4665.46 --> 4665.68] in +[4665.68 --> 4665.82] the +[4665.82 --> 4666.46] power +[4666.46 --> 4667.12] of +[4667.12 --> 4667.30] the +[4667.30 --> 4667.56] Holy +[4667.56 --> 4667.98] Spirit +[4667.98 --> 4669.90] send +[4669.90 --> 4670.12] us +[4670.12 --> 4670.32] out +[4670.32 --> 4670.66] now +[4670.66 --> 4671.66] that +[4671.66 --> 4671.94] even +[4671.94 --> 4672.30] as +[4672.30 --> 4672.52] we +[4672.52 --> 4672.98] face +[4672.98 --> 4673.88] trials +[4673.88 --> 4674.72] tribulations +[4674.72 --> 4675.14] even +[4675.14 --> 4675.38] as +[4675.38 --> 4675.56] we +[4675.56 --> 4675.94] face +[4675.94 --> 4677.02] questions +[4677.02 --> 4677.38] and +[4677.38 --> 4677.88] opposition +[4677.88 --> 4678.22] and +[4678.22 --> 4678.68] wondering +[4678.68 --> 4679.42] for +[4679.42 --> 4679.66] our +[4679.66 --> 4680.00] faith +[4680.00 --> 4681.40] that +[4681.40 --> 4681.74] people +[4681.74 --> 4682.24] looking +[4682.24 --> 4682.58] at +[4682.58 --> 4682.90] our +[4682.90 --> 4683.38] lives +[4683.38 --> 4683.56] would +[4683.56 --> 4683.72] be +[4683.72 --> 4684.40] amazed +[4684.40 --> 4685.26] at +[4685.26 --> 4685.46] what +[4685.46 --> 4685.94] you +[4685.94 --> 4686.88] are +[4686.88 --> 4687.22] doing +[4687.22 --> 4688.30] in +[4688.30 --> 4688.54] Jesus +[4688.54 --> 4688.88] name +[4688.88 --> 4689.08] we +[4689.08 --> 4689.36] pray +[4689.36 --> 4690.50] amen +[4717.22 --> 4719.22] purify +[4719.22 --> 4721.50] my +[4721.50 --> 4723.02] heart +[4723.02 --> 4723.22] let +[4723.90 --> 4724.34] me +[4724.34 --> 4724.72] be +[4724.72 --> 4725.54] as +[4725.54 --> 4727.44] gold +[4727.44 --> 4728.18] and +[4728.18 --> 4729.22] precious +[4729.22 --> 4730.92] silver +[4730.92 --> 4732.66] purify +[4732.66 --> 4734.22] my +[4734.22 --> 4735.58] heart +[4735.58 --> 4736.52] let +[4736.52 --> 4736.94] me +[4736.94 --> 4737.38] be +[4737.38 --> 4738.18] as +[4738.18 --> 4739.22] gold +[4740.14 --> 4741.22] pure +[4741.22 --> 4743.22] gold +[4743.22 --> 4745.22] reap +[4745.22 --> 4746.22] my +[4746.22 --> 4747.22] heart +[4747.22 --> 4750.22] my +[4750.22 --> 4751.22] heart's +[4752.36 --> 4753.02] one +[4753.02 --> 4753.22] desire +[4753.22 --> 4755.22] is +[4756.58 --> 4758.22] to be +[4758.22 --> 4760.22] holy +[4761.08 --> 4763.22] set +[4764.12 --> 4764.22] apart +[4764.22 --> 4765.22] for +[4766.04 --> 4766.22] you +[4766.94 --> 4767.22] Lord +[4767.98 --> 4768.22] I +[4768.22 --> 4769.04] choose +[4769.04 --> 4769.22] to +[4769.22 --> 4770.22] be +[4770.22 --> 4772.22] holy +[4772.22 --> 4773.22] holy +[4773.22 --> 4775.22] set +[4775.22 --> 4776.22] upon +[4776.22 --> 4778.22] for +[4778.22 --> 4779.10] you +[4779.10 --> 4779.22] my +[4779.22 --> 4780.22] master +[4780.76 --> 4782.22] ready +[4782.22 --> 4782.84] to +[4782.84 --> 4783.22] do +[4783.22 --> 4784.22] your +[4784.22 --> 4785.22] will +[4785.22 --> 4792.22] purify +[4792.22 --> 4793.22] my +[4793.22 --> 4794.22] heart +[4794.22 --> 4795.22] cleanse +[4796.44 --> 4796.72] me +[4796.72 --> 4797.22] from +[4797.22 --> 4798.22] within +[4798.22 --> 4800.22] my +[4800.22 --> 4801.22] heart +[4801.22 --> 4802.22] and +[4802.22 --> 4803.22] make me +[4803.22 --> 4804.22] holy +[4804.22 --> 4805.22] purify +[4805.22 --> 4806.22] my +[4806.22 --> 4807.22] heart +[4807.22 --> 4808.22] cleanse +[4808.22 --> 4809.22] me +[4809.22 --> 4810.22] from +[4810.22 --> 4811.22] my +[4811.22 --> 4812.22] sin +[4812.22 --> 4813.22] deep +[4813.22 --> 4815.22] within +[4815.22 --> 4817.22] refine +[4817.22 --> 4818.22] and +[4818.22 --> 4819.22] spine +[4819.22 --> 4821.22] my +[4821.22 --> 4823.22] heart's +[4823.22 --> 4824.22] one +[4824.22 --> 4825.22] desire +[4825.22 --> 4827.22] is +[4827.22 --> 4828.22] to +[4828.22 --> 4829.22] be +[4829.22 --> 4831.22] holy +[4831.22 --> 4833.22] set +[4833.22 --> 4835.22] apart +[4835.22 --> 4836.22] for +[4836.22 --> 4837.22] you +[4837.22 --> 4838.22] Lord +[4838.22 --> 4839.22] I +[4839.22 --> 4840.22] choose +[4840.22 --> 4841.22] to +[4841.22 --> 4842.22] be +[4842.22 --> 4843.22] holy +[4843.22 --> 4844.22] set +[4844.22 --> 4846.22] apart +[4846.22 --> 4847.22] for +[4847.22 --> 4848.22] you +[4848.22 --> 4849.22] my +[4849.22 --> 4850.22] master +[4850.22 --> 4851.22] ready +[4851.22 --> 4852.22] to +[4852.22 --> 4853.22] ready +[4853.22 --> 4854.22] to +[4854.22 --> 4855.22] do +[4855.22 --> 4856.22] your +[4856.22 --> 4857.22] will +[4857.22 --> 4870.22] as +[4870.22 --> 4871.22] you go +[4871.22 --> 4872.22] this week +[4872.22 --> 4873.22] remember +[4873.22 --> 4874.22] that you go +[4874.22 --> 4875.22] as those +[4875.22 --> 4876.22] consecrated +[4876.22 --> 4877.22] for divine +[4877.22 --> 4878.22] purpose +[4878.22 --> 4879.22] remember that +[4879.22 --> 4880.22] with God +[4880.22 --> 4881.22] who goes +[4881.22 --> 4882.22] in you and +[4882.22 --> 4883.22] with you in +[4883.22 --> 4884.22] the power of the +[4884.22 --> 4885.22] spirit and who +[4885.22 --> 4886.22] goes before you +[4886.22 --> 4887.22] to prepare away from +[4887.22 --> 4888.22] you and so receive +[4888.22 --> 4889.22] the blessing of +[4889.22 --> 4890.22] our God knowing +[4890.22 --> 4892.22] that you are sent +[4892.22 --> 4894.22] out today commissioned +[4894.22 --> 4895.22] by him +[4896.22 --> 4897.22] to serve the world +[4897.22 --> 4898.22] receive God's +[4898.22 --> 4899.22] blessing +[4900.22 --> 4902.22] God go before you +[4902.22 --> 4903.22] to lead you +[4904.22 --> 4905.22] God go behind you +[4905.22 --> 4906.22] to protect you +[4906.22 --> 4907.22] God go beneath you +[4907.22 --> 4908.22] God go beneath you +[4908.22 --> 4909.22] to support you +[4909.22 --> 4910.22] and God go beside you +[4910.22 --> 4911.22] to befriend you +[4911.22 --> 4913.22] do not be afraid +[4913.22 --> 4915.22] let the blessing of God +[4915.22 --> 4916.22] come upon you today +[4916.22 --> 4918.22] do not be afraid +[4918.22 --> 4920.22] but go in peace +[4920.22 --> 4922.22] to love and serve the Lord +[4923.22 --> 4924.22] Amen +[4937.22 --> 4940.22] may our homes be filled +[4940.22 --> 4941.22] with dancing +[4941.22 --> 4944.22] may our streams be filled +[4944.22 --> 4945.22] with joy +[4945.22 --> 4947.22] may our streams be filled +[4947.22 --> 4949.22] with joy +[4949.22 --> 4952.22] may our streams be filled +[4952.22 --> 4954.22] with joy +[4954.22 --> 4958.22] may it just as proud of Jesus +[4958.22 --> 4961.22] may it just as proud of Jesus +[4961.22 --> 4962.22] may our streams be filled +[4965.22 --> 4969.22] as the people turn and pray +[4969.22 --> 4975.22] from the mountain to the valley +[4975.22 --> 4978.22] to the valley +[4978.22 --> 4981.22] hear our praises +[4981.22 --> 4986.22] cry to you +[4986.22 --> 4990.22] from the heavens +[4990.22 --> 4994.22] to the nations +[4994.22 --> 4996.22] hear our singing +[4996.22 --> 4997.22] singing +[4997.22 --> 4999.22] fill the air +[4999.22 --> 5003.22] may your light shine in the darkness +[5003.22 --> 5011.22] as we walk before the cross +[5011.22 --> 5018.22] may your glory hail the whole earth +[5018.22 --> 5023.22] may your glory hail the whole earth +[5024.22 --> 5028.22] may your glory hail the whole earth +[5028.22 --> 5031.22] may your glory hail the whole earth +[5036.22 --> 5040.22] as the water o'er the sea +[5042.22 --> 5045.22] from the mountains +[5045.22 --> 5048.22] to the valley +[5049.22 --> 5054.22] hear our praises +[5054.22 --> 5056.22] to you +[5056.22 --> 5060.22] from the heavens +[5060.22 --> 5064.22] to the nations +[5064.22 --> 5068.22] hear our singing +[5068.22 --> 5072.22] fill the air +[5072.22 --> 5076.22] from the mountain +[5076.22 --> 5080.22] to the valley +[5080.22 --> 5084.22] hear our praises +[5084.22 --> 5088.22] rise to you +[5088.22 --> 5092.22] from the heavens +[5092.22 --> 5096.22] to the nations +[5096.22 --> 5100.22] hear our singing +[5100.22 --> 5104.22] fill the air +[5104.22 --> 5107.22] sing +[5107.22 --> 5110.22] to the heavens +[5110.22 --> 5112.22] to the heavens +[5112.22 --> 5114.22] sing +[5114.22 --> 5116.22] sing +[5116.22 --> 5118.22] sing +[5118.22 --> 5120.22] sing +[5120.22 --> 5122.22] sing +[5122.22 --> 5124.22] sing +[5124.22 --> 5126.22] sing +[5126.22 --> 5156.20] Thank you. +[5156.22 --> 5186.20] Thank you. +[5186.22 --> 5216.20] Thank you. +[5216.22 --> 5218.22] Thank you. +[5246.22 --> 5248.22] Thank you. +[5276.22 --> 5278.22] Thank you. +[5306.22 --> 5308.22] Thank you. +[5336.22 --> 5338.22] Thank you. +[5366.22 --> 5368.22] Thank you. +[5396.22 --> 5398.22] Thank you. +[5426.22 --> 5428.22] Thank you. +[5456.22 --> 5458.22] Thank you. +[5486.22 --> 5488.22] Thank you. +[5516.22 --> 5518.22] Thank you. +[5546.22 --> 5548.22] Thank you. +[5576.22 --> 5578.22] Thank you. +[5578.22 --> 5580.22] Thank you. +[5580.22 --> 5582.22] Thank you. +[5582.22 --> 5584.22] Thank you. +[5584.22 --> 5586.22] Thank you. +[5586.22 --> 5588.22] You're welcome. +[5588.22 --> 5590.22] You're welcome. +[5590.22 --> 5620.20] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a204790740466d2f4bd646f4b95101ad66efff4f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,92 @@ +• Christ's love and redemption +• Inner peace and strength in times of need +• The speaker's personal journey with pain and suffering +• Zion City as a metaphor for spiritual treasure +• Victory over fear and hope in Christ +• Announcements from Emanuel Church, including the Mexico mission and membership project +• Announcements about dinner and childcare for Mexico mission +• Details on Neufelds fundraiser, including payment method change and pickup instructions +• Information on storing food orders overnight at church (not allowed) +• Option to order from general ministry funds instead of youth-led fundraisers +• Psalm 95 is referenced and discussed +• The importance of worshiping God and acknowledging his greatness +• The value of prayer and confession, particularly in times of national crisis or division +• A prayer from "Lift Up Your Hearts" (Song 662) is read, addressing themes such as greed, prejudice, fear, and the need for healing and forgiveness. +• Worship song with repeated lyrics and melody +• Prayers and invocations throughout the service +• Offering collection for Union Gospel Mission +• Deacon Yap gives announcement about organization and offering options +• Collection and thank-yous to congregants for their offerings +• Introduction to Mr. Mike and welcoming children +• Explanation of the theme "Jesus is" in children's worship time +• Discussion about tables and family dinners +• Analogy between tables and God's love: being welcome and included regardless of appearances or actions +• Discussion of someone wearing a basket on their head and garland being unwelcome at dinner +• Upcoming communion service next Sunday +• Church Council meeting summary, including: + + Discerning Kevin Lobert's calling as Minister of the Word + + Exceeding expenses and having a surplus in finances + + Need for volunteer to run church library + + Update on Pastor Chris and others +• Prayer led by Ken (previously mistaken as Kevin) +• Praising God's worthiness +• Seeking God's will in difficult times +• Lifting up those struggling with sickness, mourning, and addictions +• Praying for healing and comfort for specific individuals (Tony Vanderweel, Arnie Mellison, Doug Kendon, Tanya Tessemaker) +• Asking for God's peace and assurance in a world filled with conflict, hunger, and devastation +• Requesting God's guidance and strength to overcome struggles, including depression, addictions, and physical ailments +• Praying for the church to be used as God's hands and feet to bring healing and the gospel to those in need +• Pastor Chris is experienced in church polity and order +• The speaker will be sharing God's Word with the congregation of Langley Emanuel CRC +• The passage from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 teaches how Christians should face persecutions +• Paul was separated from the believers in Thessalonica due to persecution +• Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage the believers in their faith +• Paul and Silas were punished by the Thessalonica authorities for preaching about Jesus +• The punishment led to their forced departure from Thessalonica at night +• Paul considered himself a spiritual parent to the Thessalonians, showing pastoral care in his letters +• The new converts faced persecution after joining Paul and Silas, leading to a forced separation +• The city of Thessalonica was loyal to Caesar and had an imperial cult, making a movement towards Jesus as Lord and Savior problematic for the authorities +• Accusations against Paul and Silas, Jason, and other believers in Thessalonica +• Persecution by city authorities due to alleged disobedience to Caesar's decrees +• Financial and social impact of persecution on believers +• Christian worldview at odds with modern culture and societal norms +• Tectonic shifts in Western culture: + • Movement from majority to minority (cognitive minority) + • Shift from place of honor to place of shame for Christian faith +• Shift from tolerance to rising hostility towards Christians +• Christians seen as a threat to secularism and its vision of human flourishing +• Labeling of Christians as bigots, haters, and homophobes in Western society +• Teaching to live with acceptance of trials and persecution as followers of Jesus +• Suffering and opposition for faith is not unusual for followers of Jesus +• Persecution was a part of the call to take up the cross and follow after Jesus throughout history +• Suffering as participation in Christ's sufferings +• Rejoicing in trials and suffering for Christ's name +• Sharing in Christ's glory through suffering +• Connection between suffering and Christ's return +• Perseverance, character, and hope produced by suffering +• Assurance of not being alone in persecution +• The Thessalonian church faced persecution from their own people, which led to Paul's concern for their faith. +• Paul and Silas sent Timothy to strengthen the Thessalonian church in their faith during a time of trial. +• Paul worries that Satan may have tempted them away from faith through persecution. +• The trials they face can move them away from following Christ and His teachings. +• Similar tectonic shifts in modern culture can also tempt people to walk away from their faith. +• Peer pressure, social norms, and cultural practices can make it easy for Satan to entice people away from their faith. +• Christians need to be connected to their church community during times of trial. +• Identity in Christ and God's work in us +• Accountability and responsibility to one another as believers +• Encouraging and spurring one another on towards love and good deeds +• Waiting for the day of Christ's return and gathering as God's people +• Trials and persecution as part of our destiny as followers of Jesus +• The church as a community of faith that encourages and supports each other +• Jesus' presence with us through his spirit, even in trials +• The importance of community and regular gathering +• Faith in God's presence and power in everyday life +• Waiting for Jesus' return and the establishment of His kingdom +• Prayer for strength, faithfulness, and perseverance +• Reference to biblical creation and the promise of a holy city +• Themes of walking by faith, seeing the hand of God, and standing as children of the promise +• Blessing from God's Father and Son, with emphasis on strengthening hearts in trial and increasing love for one another. +• Praise and worship of God in various forms +• Repetition of phrases such as "Praise God" and "Amen" +• References to the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) +• Expressions of gratitude with repeated mentions of "Thank you" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b37a22b65a10013b32ba97cd1510f04f3c7a035f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 2, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1492 @@ +[0.00 --> 13.80] I fall, His love is sure, for Christ has paid for every failing, I am here forevermore. +[13.80 --> 14.80] Amen. +[43.80 --> 53.54] But mine is peace that flows from heaven, and the strength in times of need. +[53.54 --> 63.54] I know my pain will not be wasted, Christ completes His work in me. +[73.80 --> 83.68] Mine are days here as a stranger, pilgrim on a narrow way. +[83.68 --> 93.68] One with Christ I will encounter, I'm in hatred for His name. +[94.10 --> 103.48] But mine is armor for this battle, strong enough to last a war. +[103.80 --> 113.46] And He has said, He will deliver safely to the golden shore. +[113.46 --> 123.54] And mine are keys to Zion City, where beside the King I walk. +[123.92 --> 133.46] For there my heart has found its treasure, Christ is mine forevermore. +[133.80 --> 158.68] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[158.68 --> 163.68] For His love is my reward. +[163.68 --> 168.62] Fear is gone and hope is sure. +[168.62 --> 173.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[173.74 --> 178.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[178.74 --> 179.74] For His love is my reward. +[179.74 --> 183.74] For His love is my reward. +[183.74 --> 184.74] Fear is gone and hope is sure. +[184.74 --> 185.74] Fear is gone and hope is sure. +[185.74 --> 186.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[186.74 --> 187.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[187.74 --> 188.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[188.74 --> 190.74] For His love is my reward. +[190.74 --> 192.74] Fear is gone and hope is sure. +[192.74 --> 193.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[193.74 --> 194.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[194.74 --> 195.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[195.74 --> 197.74] Come rejoice now, O my soul. +[197.74 --> 199.74] For His love is my reward. +[199.74 --> 200.74] Fear is gone and hope is my reward. +[200.74 --> 201.74] For His love is my reward. +[201.74 --> 206.74] Fear is gone and hope is sure. +[206.74 --> 207.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[207.74 --> 208.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[208.74 --> 213.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[213.74 --> 215.74] And my love leaves to Zion City, where beside the King I walk. +[215.74 --> 230.74] For there my heart has found its treasure. +[230.74 --> 235.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[235.74 --> 237.74] Christ is mine forevermore. +[237.74 --> 243.02] Christ is mine forevermore. +[243.02 --> 244.86] Christ is mine forevermore. +[265.74 --> 295.72] Thank you. +[295.74 --> 325.72] Thank you. +[325.74 --> 327.74] Thank you. +[355.74 --> 357.74] Thank you. +[385.74 --> 387.74] Thank you. +[415.74 --> 417.74] Thank you. +[445.74 --> 447.74] Thank you. +[475.74 --> 477.74] Thank you. +[477.74 --> 479.74] Thank you. +[479.74 --> 481.74] Thank you. +[481.74 --> 483.74] Thank you. +[483.74 --> 485.74] Thank you. +[485.74 --> 487.74] Thank you. +[487.74 --> 489.74] Thank you. +[490.56 --> 491.74] Thank you. +[495.74 --> 497.74] Thank you. +[497.74 --> 498.20] Thank you. +[499.74 --> 501.74] Thank you. +[501.74 --> 511.74] The roaring lion declared the grave as no claim on me. +[513.08 --> 518.08] Jesus, yours is the victory. +[520.90 --> 525.74] Oh, hallelujah. +[525.74 --> 530.16] Praise the one who set me free. +[530.16 --> 532.16] Hallelujah. +[533.84 --> 536.78] Today's lost is great for me. +[537.08 --> 540.16] You have broken every chain. +[540.54 --> 542.34] This now makes sense. +[545.06 --> 546.46] Good morning, everyone. +[547.62 --> 548.62] Good morning. +[549.34 --> 549.92] Good to hear you. +[550.40 --> 555.02] Welcome to Emanuel Church this morning on this beautiful snowy Sunday morning. +[555.16 --> 557.64] To those of us that brave the weather, it's good to see you all here. +[557.64 --> 561.90] And it's good to be here together to worship our Lord this morning. +[563.06 --> 564.26] I'm Ken Hoguing. +[564.38 --> 566.06] I'm an elder here at Emanuel Church. +[566.64 --> 575.78] And just as we're opening up before the service starts here, I'd like to just check if anyone had any announcements that they wanted to make. +[575.78 --> 578.30] Not seeing anyone running up here. +[578.36 --> 578.50] Okay. +[578.84 --> 579.92] I will make a couple. +[580.16 --> 580.78] I'm just... +[581.94 --> 582.44] Oh, hey. +[582.52 --> 582.98] We got Brandon. +[583.10 --> 583.30] Excellent. +[583.40 --> 585.78] I was just going to make an announcement on his behalf, but... +[586.78 --> 587.18] Okay. +[587.34 --> 590.16] I'll go through a couple other things as Brandon's making his way up here. +[590.16 --> 597.72] So, I'm sure he will talk about the Mexico mission and some upcoming things with that. +[598.12 --> 607.90] There is the membership project going on where we're collecting information and contact and just updating the database of information about each of our members in the church. +[607.90 --> 615.16] So, please check the e-bulletin for the link or the QR code to get into that and to fill in your entry. +[615.54 --> 619.34] If you need any help with that, reach out to the church office and they'll be happy to help. +[620.90 --> 623.90] Coldest Night of the Year is coming up on February 22nd. +[624.68 --> 627.96] Something our church has always participated in quite strongly. +[627.96 --> 632.96] So, check out the e-bulletin or you can probably talk to Nikki Lobert for information about that. +[634.02 --> 637.96] And there is a youth coffee today at... +[638.48 --> 639.58] Let's see. +[639.68 --> 640.92] That would be at Trudy Baumann's place. +[641.54 --> 647.50] And information was emailed about that also in the e-bulletin if anyone's looking for details. +[648.86 --> 650.42] I think that's it. +[650.50 --> 652.72] If there's anything else you want to know about, check out the e-bulletin. +[652.80 --> 653.56] There's lots of stuff in there. +[653.64 --> 655.64] That's all I've got going for me right now as well. +[655.64 --> 658.26] So, I'll turn it over to Brandon to talk about the Mexico mission. +[659.70 --> 661.32] Yeah, just two announcements for Mexico. +[661.68 --> 662.62] One is, yeah, the dinner. +[662.78 --> 663.50] Reminder for that. +[663.76 --> 667.32] The sign-up has gone out in the e-bulletin and the midweek memo. +[667.98 --> 670.62] So, you sign up there or you can sign up at the back on the window there. +[670.72 --> 672.74] There's a paper sign-up for those who prefer that. +[673.54 --> 675.60] It's beef brisket, smoked brisket, tacos. +[676.42 --> 681.18] Doors open 530 and $30 a person, $15 for a kid under 12. +[681.18 --> 686.36] And then for other kids or adults that you parents don't want to watch, we have childcare by donation as well. +[686.94 --> 687.72] So, that's the first one. +[687.84 --> 688.62] Second one as well. +[688.72 --> 690.70] Today we'll start the Neufelds fundraiser. +[691.28 --> 695.88] I'll be sending out all the info to the youth and leaders that they can send to you today just after church. +[697.10 --> 699.90] Just a couple things on that that aren't clear. +[700.00 --> 700.30] Hey, hey. +[700.92 --> 701.24] Founder. +[701.24 --> 708.12] A couple things for that one that's changed this year is, number one, you have to pay ahead of time. +[708.68 --> 710.50] It used to be that you paid your youth and whatnot. +[710.96 --> 712.98] Now, Neufelds is collecting all the payment for us. +[713.52 --> 718.14] That means when you do your order at the end, it'll go do a little confirmation screen and you pay by visa there. +[718.76 --> 719.98] It just makes it easier for us. +[720.04 --> 721.14] It makes it easier for Neufelds. +[721.18 --> 722.66] Nobody's chasing funds and all that. +[722.92 --> 724.52] Your order will not go through if you don't pay. +[724.52 --> 728.94] So, if you show up to pick it up and there's no order, it means you didn't pay. +[729.84 --> 731.84] But it'll do all that for you. +[732.38 --> 734.70] And the second one is Neufelds also has changed. +[735.10 --> 736.98] Our youth used to deliver it to you guys. +[738.06 --> 740.34] Neufelds has changed that for us, I guess. +[740.46 --> 742.26] They don't want that. +[742.34 --> 745.42] They want you guys to actually come and pick it up from the truck here. +[746.20 --> 750.78] So, when you buy it, they give you an email and all that that says, hey, 4.30, come pick it up. +[750.78 --> 754.94] But maybe don't show up quite at 4.30, even though they say to, just because that's what the truck's setting up. +[755.44 --> 760.16] Maybe, let's say, like 5 o'clock or so, you can come pick up your food. +[760.30 --> 762.66] 4.45, 5 o'clock would be awesome. +[762.82 --> 767.26] So, the pickup is February 28th, and the ordering will go up until basically then. +[768.42 --> 768.66] And, yeah. +[768.92 --> 774.28] The last thing is, too, I know a couple people also would prefer, like, oh, can we store it in the fridge overnight? +[774.28 --> 777.44] The church does not have large fridges, nor do they always work great. +[777.56 --> 779.74] So, we cannot store your Neufelds order here. +[780.78 --> 783.60] But that's just kind of going to be a thing going forward for that. +[784.88 --> 788.58] And then the last thing with that, too, I guess it's last, last, last thing. +[790.42 --> 797.54] There's also, for those of you that I know some of you guys are like, oh, the youth never contacted me or the leaders never contacted me, but I'd like to order and support the trip. +[798.06 --> 801.76] If you go to the sign-up, there is a little option for General Pot, it's called. +[801.76 --> 810.06] And that goes to just our generic, our general ministry funds, like our building in Mexico, some of the VBS, the evangelism, things like that. +[810.06 --> 814.54] All of that is fundraised separately from the kids as just a general pot. +[815.04 --> 816.44] So, you can order from that as well. +[816.98 --> 821.08] And what we'll do is we're going to give the kids, like, three, four days to kind of contact you guys first. +[821.44 --> 822.98] And then we'll send it out in the midweek memo. +[823.36 --> 826.30] And if you haven't been contacted, you're going to feel free to order from the general pot. +[826.30 --> 831.58] Or if you prefer to, if you like one of the kids really a lot but they didn't contact you, you can order from them as well. +[831.66 --> 832.60] Just give them a heads up. +[832.68 --> 834.94] Otherwise, they may not know you ordered from them. +[835.12 --> 837.58] So, yeah, that's basically it for Mexico. +[839.80 --> 840.44] Thank you, Brandon. +[841.22 --> 845.92] So, this morning we have a guest pastor that we're privileged to have lead us in worship this morning. +[846.22 --> 849.66] I'd like to introduce Sean Jung from New Life CRC. +[849.66 --> 851.84] He will be leading us in worship this morning. +[852.20 --> 854.82] And we're glad to hear from you and to worship with you, Sean. +[854.96 --> 855.28] Welcome. +[856.30 --> 863.12] Good morning. +[863.90 --> 866.84] I invite you to stand for God's greeting this morning. +[868.68 --> 873.44] God's greeting comes to us from 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 2. +[874.48 --> 884.18] People of the triune God, grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and all God's people said, Amen. +[884.18 --> 887.92] As God has greeted us, let us also greet one another. +[887.92 --> 888.00] Amen. +[888.00 --> 888.02] As God has greeted us, let us also greet one another. +[888.02 --> 896.68] Well, thank you for their spirit. +[899.06 --> 899.52] Amen. +[899.52 --> 903.58] Good morning. +[903.66 --> 905.82] Merry Christmas. +[905.82 --> 906.20] Mr. Johnson. +[906.20 --> 908.02] I wish to answer your question. +[908.82 --> 910.92] How did we plan to address it? +[910.92 --> 928.76] Psalm 95 says, +[928.76 --> 931.24] Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. +[931.56 --> 933.86] Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. +[934.68 --> 936.60] Let us come before him with thanksgiving +[936.60 --> 939.52] and extol him with music and song. +[939.52 --> 942.64] For the Lord is the great God, +[943.00 --> 945.36] the great King above all gods. +[945.88 --> 948.52] In his hands are the depths of the earth +[948.52 --> 950.50] and the mountain peaks belong to him. +[951.14 --> 953.44] The sea is his for he made it. +[953.98 --> 956.42] His hands formed the dry land. +[957.06 --> 958.70] Come, let us bow down in worship. +[959.32 --> 961.44] Let us kneel before the Lord our maker +[961.44 --> 963.18] for he is our God. +[969.52 --> 978.52] Come, let us worship and bow down. +[978.52 --> 984.08] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[984.08 --> 992.50] Come, let us worship and bow down. +[993.08 --> 998.06] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[1000.20 --> 1004.80] Come, let us worship and bow down. +[1004.80 --> 1010.42] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[1011.80 --> 1016.80] For he is our God. +[1016.80 --> 1023.26] And we are the people of his pasture. +[1023.26 --> 1025.26] And we are the people of his hand. +[1025.26 --> 1027.26] And we are the people of his hand. +[1027.26 --> 1029.26] And we are the people of his hand. +[1029.26 --> 1035.26] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[1035.26 --> 1041.26] Come, let us worship and bow down. +[1041.26 --> 1048.26] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[1048.26 --> 1055.26] Come, let us worship and bow down. +[1055.26 --> 1061.26] Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our maker. +[1061.26 --> 1067.26] For he is our God. +[1067.26 --> 1073.26] And we are the people of his pasture. +[1073.26 --> 1088.26] And we are the people of his pasture. +[1088.26 --> 1090.26] And the sheep of his hand. +[1090.26 --> 1095.26] Just the sheep of his hand. +[1095.26 --> 1097.10] God. +[1125.26 --> 1127.26] God. +[1155.26 --> 1157.26] God. +[1185.26 --> 1187.26] God. +[1215.26 --> 1217.26] God. +[1245.26 --> 1247.26] God. +[1275.26 --> 1279.26] Your name is the highest. +[1279.26 --> 1282.26] Your name is the greatest. +[1282.26 --> 1288.26] Your name stands above all. +[1288.26 --> 1294.26] All flows and dominions, all bouts and positions. +[1294.26 --> 1299.26] Your name stands above all. +[1299.26 --> 1302.26] And the angels cry. +[1302.26 --> 1308.26] Holy of the ancient times. +[1308.26 --> 1314.26] Holy, you are lifted high. +[1314.26 --> 1323.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1323.26 --> 1327.26] May your people sing. +[1327.26 --> 1333.26] Holy, to the King of King. +[1333.26 --> 1339.26] Holy, you will always be. +[1339.26 --> 1345.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1345.26 --> 1351.26] You will always be. +[1351.26 --> 1355.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1355.26 --> 1357.26] You will always be. +[1357.26 --> 1359.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1359.26 --> 1361.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1361.26 --> 1365.26] Holy, holy forever. +[1365.26 --> 1372.26] Please join me in a prayer of confession as we pray the words of, oh, and you can sit down. +[1372.26 --> 1373.26] Thank you. +[1373.26 --> 1379.26] As we pray the words of Song 662 in the red hymn, Lift Up Your Hearts. +[1379.26 --> 1384.26] This song is titled, In an Age of Twisted Values. +[1384.26 --> 1385.26] Let's pray. +[1385.26 --> 1393.26] Heavenly Father, in an age of twisted values, we have lost the truth we need. +[1393.26 --> 1398.26] In sophisticated language, we have justified our greed. +[1398.26 --> 1403.26] By our struggle for possessions, we have robbed the poor and weak. +[1403.26 --> 1406.26] Hear our cry and heal our nation. +[1406.26 --> 1409.26] Your forgiveness, Lord, we seek. +[1409.26 --> 1414.26] We have built discrimination on our prejudice and fear. +[1414.26 --> 1419.26] Hatred swiftly turns to cruelty if we hold resentment dear. +[1419.26 --> 1427.26] For communities divided by the walls of class and race, hear our cry and heal our nation. +[1427.26 --> 1432.26] Show us, Lord, your love and grace. +[1432.26 --> 1437.26] When our families are broken, when our homes are full of strife, +[1437.26 --> 1442.26] when our children are bewildered, when they lose their way in life. +[1442.26 --> 1448.26] When we fail to give the aged all the care we know we should. +[1448.26 --> 1454.26] Hear our cry and heal our nation with your tender fatherhood. +[1454.26 --> 1459.26] We who hear your words so often choose so rarely to obey. +[1459.26 --> 1464.26] Turn us from your willful blood, from our willful blindness. +[1464.26 --> 1466.26] Give us truth to light our way. +[1466.26 --> 1472.26] In the power of your spirit, come to cleanse us, make us new. +[1472.26 --> 1475.26] Hear our cry and heal our nation. +[1475.26 --> 1478.26] Till our nation honors you. +[1478.26 --> 1481.26] In Jesus name we pray. Amen. +[1481.26 --> 1484.26] Please rise as you are able. +[1484.26 --> 1491.26] As we sing of the insurance of forgiveness we have because of God's amazing love for us. +[1491.26 --> 1492.26] Again. +[1492.26 --> 1495.22] дерев it earthed +[1503.26 --> 1510.26] As we understand the presence of their委員 Coast. +[1510.26 --> 1512.26] If. +[1512.26 --> 1524.18] I'm forgiven because you are forsaken +[1524.18 --> 1531.00] I'm accepted you were the dead +[1531.00 --> 1537.46] I'm alive and well your spirit is in me +[1537.46 --> 1541.92] Because you died and rose again +[1541.92 --> 1550.04] I'm forgiven because you were forsaken +[1550.04 --> 1557.48] I'm accepted you were the dead +[1557.48 --> 1563.32] I'm alive and well your spirit is in me +[1563.32 --> 1568.28] Because you died and rose again +[1568.28 --> 1576.40] Waste of all I can be +[1576.40 --> 1582.40] That you my King would die for me +[1582.40 --> 1589.40] Waste of all I know is true +[1589.40 --> 1594.52] It's my joy to honor you +[1594.52 --> 1597.52] In all I do +[1597.52 --> 1601.64] I honor you +[1601.64 --> 1608.76] I'm forgiven because you were forsaken +[1608.76 --> 1615.64] I'm accepted you were the dead +[1615.64 --> 1621.64] I'm alive and well your spirit is in me +[1621.64 --> 1627.76] Because you died and rose again +[1627.76 --> 1635.88] Waste of all I can be +[1635.88 --> 1642.00] That you my King would die for me +[1642.00 --> 1647.84] Waste of all I know is true +[1647.84 --> 1653.96] It's my joy to honor you +[1653.96 --> 1655.96] In all I do +[1655.96 --> 1662.08] I honor you +[1662.08 --> 1666.08] You are my King +[1666.08 --> 1672.08] You are my King +[1672.08 --> 1680.20] Jesus you are my King +[1680.20 --> 1686.20] Jesus you are my King +[1686.20 --> 1692.32] Waste of all I know is true +[1692.32 --> 1694.32] I'm alive and well your spirit is in me +[1694.32 --> 1695.44] You are my King +[1695.44 --> 1696.32] To my King +[1696.32 --> 1700.44] I'm alive and well your spirit is in me +[1700.44 --> 1706.56] Waste of all I know is true +[1706.56 --> 1712.06] It's my joy to honor you +[1712.06 --> 1715.06] In all I do +[1715.06 --> 1718.44] I honor you +[1718.44 --> 1722.02] In all I do +[1722.02 --> 1725.44] I honor you +[1730.44 --> 1756.24] I love you Lord +[1756.24 --> 1762.00] Oh your mercy never fails me +[1762.00 --> 1765.06] All my days +[1765.06 --> 1768.98] I've been held in your hands +[1768.98 --> 1772.58] From the moment that I wake up +[1772.58 --> 1776.00] Until I lay my hand +[1776.00 --> 1781.86] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1781.86 --> 1786.42] All my life +[1786.42 --> 1788.80] All my life you have been faithful +[1788.80 --> 1797.94] All my life you have been so, so good +[1797.94 --> 1802.40] The very breath that I am able +[1802.40 --> 1808.86] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1808.86 --> 1815.68] I love your voice +[1815.68 --> 1820.46] You have led me through the fire +[1820.46 --> 1823.62] The darkest night +[1823.62 --> 1827.14] You were close like no other +[1827.14 --> 1830.62] I know you as a father +[1830.62 --> 1834.44] I know you as a friend +[1834.44 --> 1835.44] I know you as a friend +[1835.44 --> 1839.44] I have lived in the goodness of God +[1839.44 --> 1844.26] All my life you have been faithful +[1844.26 --> 1848.26] All my life you have been faithful +[1848.26 --> 1855.26] All my life you have been so, so good +[1855.26 --> 1861.26] Every breath that I am able +[1861.26 --> 1868.08] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1868.08 --> 1872.80] Your goodness is running out +[1872.80 --> 1875.80] It's running out to me +[1875.80 --> 1879.40] Your goodness is running out +[1879.40 --> 1882.36] It's running out to me +[1882.36 --> 1884.34] My life made down +[1884.34 --> 1886.04] It's a red word now +[1886.04 --> 1888.14] To give you everything +[1888.14 --> 1892.94] your goodness is running out +[1892.94 --> 1896.58] It's running out to me +[1896.68 --> 1898.08] Your goodness is running out +[1898.08 --> 1907.78] It's running out to me +[1907.78 --> 1914.98] My life laid down, suspended now, I give you everything. +[1916.58 --> 1922.78] Your goodness is running out, it's running out to me. +[1925.36 --> 1929.08] Oh, my life you have been faithful. +[1931.18 --> 1937.08] Oh, my life you have been so, so good. +[1937.78 --> 1948.98] With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God. +[1950.18 --> 1955.62] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[1967.78 --> 1972.74] Good morning. +[1973.16 --> 1974.20] My name is Yap. +[1974.28 --> 1975.76] I'm a deacon here at Langley-Emmanuel. +[1976.50 --> 1980.76] This morning's offering will be for Union Gospel Mission. +[1980.76 --> 1987.22] They are a faith-based organization that has been around for over 80 years, supporting +[1987.22 --> 1992.38] people as they rebuild their lives through providing meals, supportive housing, addiction, +[1992.60 --> 1993.46] recovery, and more. +[1994.52 --> 1995.96] Please give as you're able. +[1996.20 --> 2000.00] If you want to give to the general budget, you can use the envelopes that are in the seats +[2000.00 --> 2000.46] in front of you. +[2000.46 --> 2002.02] Thank you. +[2002.02 --> 2002.10] Thank you. +[2002.10 --> 2032.08] Thank you. +[2032.10 --> 2062.08] Thank you. +[2062.10 --> 2064.10] Thank you. +[2092.10 --> 2094.10] Thank you. +[2122.10 --> 2124.10] Thank you. +[2152.10 --> 2154.10] Thank you. +[2182.10 --> 2184.10] Thank you. +[2212.10 --> 2214.10] Thank you. +[2214.10 --> 2216.10] Thank you. +[2216.10 --> 2218.10] Thank you. +[2218.10 --> 2220.10] Thank you. +[2220.10 --> 2222.10] Thank you. +[2222.10 --> 2224.10] Thank you. +[2224.10 --> 2226.10] Thank you. +[2226.10 --> 2228.10] Thank you. +[2228.10 --> 2230.10] Thank you. +[2230.10 --> 2232.10] Thank you. +[2232.10 --> 2235.88] My Savior forever +[2235.88 --> 2240.38] He sought me and fought me +[2240.38 --> 2244.24] With His redeeming blood +[2244.24 --> 2248.18] He loved me ere I knew Him +[2248.18 --> 2252.04] And all my love is to Him +[2252.04 --> 2255.68] He plunged me to victory +[2255.68 --> 2259.90] Beneath a cleansing flood +[2259.90 --> 2263.84] He loved me ere I knew Him +[2263.84 --> 2267.76] And all my love is to Him +[2267.76 --> 2271.42] He plunged me to victory +[2271.42 --> 2275.32] Beneath a cleansing flood +[2275.32 --> 2284.14] Good morning, my name is Mr. Mike +[2284.14 --> 2286.12] and I would like to welcome all the kids up. +[2286.12 --> 2289.92] We will do a little chat and have a children's blessing +[2289.92 --> 2292.24] and then we'll head to children's worship time. +[2292.94 --> 2294.22] So why don't you guys join me up front. +[2294.32 --> 2295.54] Oh, it's great to see so many. +[2295.66 --> 2298.78] I wasn't sure if the snow would stop a lot of you guys. +[2299.26 --> 2300.78] Exciting, hey, to have so much snow? +[2301.62 --> 2302.62] Oh, don't get too close. +[2302.68 --> 2303.84] I need a little bit of space. +[2304.92 --> 2305.32] Okay. +[2306.34 --> 2308.12] So in children's worship time, +[2308.18 --> 2311.06] do you guys remember what we're talking about? +[2311.06 --> 2315.08] The theme is Jesus is, right? +[2315.30 --> 2317.78] So we're learning all these things about Jesus, +[2318.20 --> 2319.40] His names, +[2319.92 --> 2321.42] all these things about His character +[2321.42 --> 2323.74] that help us know who He is, +[2323.84 --> 2326.30] but it also helps us know who we are, right? +[2326.36 --> 2328.14] Because of who He has made us to be. +[2328.68 --> 2330.66] So I have a question for you guys. +[2331.62 --> 2333.34] We're going to learn a little bit more about Jesus today. +[2333.72 --> 2334.78] Do you guys have tables? +[2335.70 --> 2336.54] Do you have a table? +[2337.04 --> 2339.12] You have like probably more than one table in your house. +[2339.12 --> 2340.60] Do you guys eat dinner at the table? +[2341.04 --> 2341.62] Oh, yeah? +[2344.38 --> 2345.68] You have more than one table? +[2346.94 --> 2348.68] Oh, there's even some inside and outside. +[2349.08 --> 2351.42] And do you guys do like big dinners and stuff? +[2352.06 --> 2352.42] Yeah? +[2352.56 --> 2353.64] Did you have some at Christmas? +[2354.34 --> 2355.66] Or when like there's like your birthday? +[2356.58 --> 2357.36] You have a big table, +[2357.44 --> 2359.32] lots of people come and join you at the table. +[2360.18 --> 2361.92] Is anybody welcome at your table? +[2362.96 --> 2364.64] Could I come for dinner sometime? +[2365.38 --> 2365.60] Yeah? +[2365.84 --> 2367.34] Maybe we'll sign a little sign-up sheet or something? +[2367.34 --> 2373.06] What about if I came to dinner and I had my cell phone with me? +[2373.50 --> 2375.12] And I was always busy on my cell phone. +[2375.18 --> 2376.18] Can I still come for dinner? +[2377.80 --> 2378.10] I know. +[2378.38 --> 2379.20] Could I still come for dinner? +[2379.76 --> 2380.66] You're thinking about it. +[2380.66 --> 2380.84] No? +[2380.98 --> 2381.16] Maybe? +[2381.26 --> 2381.40] Okay. +[2381.68 --> 2382.94] Well, what if I had my cell phone +[2382.94 --> 2387.20] and I decided I had to wear this little Hawaiian lei? +[2387.34 --> 2388.24] Could I still come for dinner? +[2388.90 --> 2389.20] Yeah? +[2389.20 --> 2392.86] What about if I had my lei and my cell phone was beeping +[2392.86 --> 2395.86] and I brought my mints and I'm chewing on my mints +[2395.86 --> 2398.22] and I smell like a mint bush all night? +[2398.54 --> 2399.34] Am I still welcome? +[2399.82 --> 2400.22] Yeah? +[2400.34 --> 2400.74] Oh, okay. +[2400.80 --> 2401.28] Well, that's good. +[2401.66 --> 2402.42] What if I thought, +[2402.48 --> 2404.32] oh, I'm going to jazz myself up +[2404.32 --> 2407.56] and I'm going to wear some Christmas garland. +[2408.84 --> 2410.76] Could I still come for dinner? +[2410.98 --> 2411.18] Yeah. +[2411.18 --> 2412.38] Are you sure? +[2413.00 --> 2413.28] Yeah? +[2413.54 --> 2415.02] I hope the lights work on this thing +[2415.02 --> 2415.72] because that would, +[2415.80 --> 2416.54] oh, they fell out. +[2417.50 --> 2417.88] Darn it. +[2418.04 --> 2418.28] Okay. +[2418.96 --> 2420.22] What about if I thought, +[2420.28 --> 2420.88] oh, I'm going to, +[2421.08 --> 2422.16] I'm going to really jazz myself. +[2422.28 --> 2423.14] I got my cell phone, +[2423.26 --> 2424.10] I got my mints, +[2424.16 --> 2424.98] I'm crunching, +[2425.18 --> 2426.50] I smell like a mint bush, +[2426.84 --> 2427.82] I'm wearing my garland, +[2428.12 --> 2428.94] and then I decided, +[2429.02 --> 2430.90] oh, I'm just going to wear this basket on my head. +[2432.34 --> 2433.86] Am I still welcome at dinner? +[2434.20 --> 2434.52] No. +[2434.74 --> 2435.02] Really? +[2435.22 --> 2435.62] No? +[2435.96 --> 2438.88] It's getting a little crazy. +[2439.88 --> 2441.16] You can't use me. +[2442.04 --> 2444.22] I can't even see what I would be eating. +[2444.68 --> 2444.84] Right? +[2445.46 --> 2447.96] Well, we are going to talk a little bit more today +[2447.96 --> 2451.96] about the big table that God is preparing for us +[2451.96 --> 2456.30] and the table that Jesus ultimately has for all of us. +[2456.38 --> 2456.56] Okay? +[2457.12 --> 2458.20] So we'll talk a little bit more about that +[2458.20 --> 2459.10] in Children's Worship Time. +[2459.82 --> 2460.90] But before we go, +[2461.06 --> 2461.70] let's stand +[2461.70 --> 2464.22] and we'll bless the grown-ups +[2464.22 --> 2465.56] that are going to stay here +[2465.56 --> 2466.62] and listen to the pastor +[2466.62 --> 2469.34] and we will go off to Children's Worship Time. +[2469.34 --> 2470.96] All right. +[2472.08 --> 2474.36] The Lord be with you. +[2474.56 --> 2476.04] And also with you. +[2476.14 --> 2476.40] Okay. +[2476.40 --> 2502.28] Good morning, everyone. +[2502.28 --> 2504.50] Good morning, everyone. +[2504.50 --> 2509.88] Before Ken prays here, I just have a few notes from Council this past week. +[2509.88 --> 2516.82] We had a Council meeting on Tuesday, and just a summary of some of the things we discussed. +[2516.82 --> 2521.34] One of the big points we discussed was our intent and desire to discern the calling of +[2521.34 --> 2525.36] Kevin Lobert as a Minister of the Word, as most of you know. +[2525.36 --> 2530.58] He's been taking school, and he's pretty close to the end of that now, so we need to make +[2530.58 --> 2532.10] some decisions there. +[2532.10 --> 2537.18] So our Council will be, and admin Council will be hosting a roundtable evening sometime +[2537.18 --> 2542.98] in the next few months, and so you'll hear more about that to discuss and discern there. +[2542.98 --> 2549.38] We also had a draft update of our budget from last year versus our giving, and we're very +[2549.38 --> 2553.64] happy to be in a surplus position. +[2553.64 --> 2555.34] We exceeded our expenses last year. +[2555.34 --> 2560.34] We didn't quite meet the budget amount, but we did exceed our expenses, and we have a surplus. +[2560.34 --> 2565.00] In addition, with a lot of rental income the church received last year, we're in a good +[2565.00 --> 2565.42] financial position. +[2565.42 --> 2570.56] So the decision is how to use that money need to be made, and we're very thankful and blessed +[2570.56 --> 2572.22] to be in this position. +[2572.22 --> 2576.88] And thankful to the congregation for all your faithful giving last year. +[2576.88 --> 2581.88] We also had a brief discussion about the future of the church library, so we would like to +[2581.88 --> 2584.88] have a volunteer step up again to run that library. +[2584.88 --> 2591.54] So if anyone feels they can be called to that position, come see a Council member. +[2591.54 --> 2596.54] And we selected delegates for classes, so we had lots of people volunteering for that. +[2596.54 --> 2601.54] And we had an update from Pastor Chris, Kevin, and Josh. +[2601.54 --> 2604.20] And that was what we discussed on Tuesday. +[2604.20 --> 2606.20] Thanks, and I'll add it to Kevin. +[2606.20 --> 2607.20] Or, not to Kevin. +[2607.20 --> 2608.20] Ken. +[2608.20 --> 2609.20] Ken. +[2609.20 --> 2611.20] My name is Ken, not Kevin. +[2611.20 --> 2614.20] And yeah, I'll be leading us in prayer this morning. +[2614.20 --> 2619.36] And before we pray, I just want to mention too that next week Sunday we will be partaking +[2619.36 --> 2622.58] in communion, having Lord's Supper together. +[2622.58 --> 2629.88] And so whether we're in times of joy or times of hurting or wherever we're at, we're called +[2629.88 --> 2633.14] to gather together and participate together. +[2633.38 --> 2637.04] Even if we have a basket on our head and garland, you're welcome around this table. +[2637.04 --> 2639.00] And we look forward to that. +[2639.14 --> 2642.32] So take time this week to prayerfully prepare for that. +[2643.46 --> 2645.20] So now, yeah, let's gather together. +[2645.32 --> 2648.38] For those of us here, let's lift our hearts together. +[2648.38 --> 2653.32] And to those of us online who are worshiping with us as well as one body, let's lift up +[2653.32 --> 2655.86] our voices to God and reach out in prayer. +[2657.86 --> 2661.56] Lord, our God, we exalt you and praise your name. +[2662.32 --> 2666.68] For in perfect faithfulness, you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. +[2667.80 --> 2672.76] We know that you, Lord, our God, you are faithful, keeping your covenant love to a thousand +[2672.76 --> 2675.86] generations of those who love you and keep your commandments. +[2676.80 --> 2678.28] Great is your faithfulness, Lord. +[2678.38 --> 2684.64] When we stop and reflect on your goodness and faithfulness and take time to count our blessings, +[2685.18 --> 2686.98] we see your hand at work everywhere. +[2686.98 --> 2692.94] In this church community, some of us are celebrating restored health, new faith, new +[2692.94 --> 2694.30] children, answers to prayer. +[2694.96 --> 2699.58] We praise you, Lord, for all the blessings you have poured out on us and for your unfailing +[2699.58 --> 2701.08] love and hope in Jesus. +[2702.36 --> 2706.72] We rejoice with the howlings as they receive their new son, Jed Wolf Howling, last week. +[2706.72 --> 2713.06] Bless and guide parents to help us raise children who know your ways and trust and follow you. +[2713.90 --> 2716.18] You alone, Lord, are worthy of our praise. +[2717.18 --> 2723.74] We also turn to those, we also turn to you, those who are carrying burdens, and we carry +[2723.74 --> 2724.66] them to you together. +[2724.66 --> 2737.52] We confess, Lord, that there are times, too, when we don't see the whole picture and we struggle to find your will in hard times. +[2737.96 --> 2740.08] But we know and confess that you are faithful. +[2740.08 --> 2752.34] When we are seeking your will, help us to remember to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. +[2753.54 --> 2757.30] Lord, we lift up those who are in times of sickness and mourning. +[2758.06 --> 2764.54] Lord, we pray for the Vanderweel family, as Tony Vanderweel, a past member of this church, passed away last Sunday. +[2764.54 --> 2769.96] Lord, we ask for your blessing on their family and your comfort in their time of mourning. +[2770.82 --> 2782.04] And Lord, as his funeral is coming up on February 10th at Fleetwood, Lord, we pray for that to be a time of celebration of the life you've given to him and to each of us. +[2783.58 --> 2790.94] And Lord, we also pray for Arnie Mellison from M2W2, as he's presently hospitalized with a brain tumor. +[2790.94 --> 2795.28] Lord, we ask for your healing and for your grace on Arnie and his family. +[2796.60 --> 2803.74] And Lord, we pray for all of those who are struggling with various struggles at this time. +[2804.40 --> 2811.76] Lord, we pray for Elise Wagoner's dad, Doug Kendon, as he has just completed radiation and he's continuing on with chemotherapy. +[2811.76 --> 2821.16] Lord, we ask for your healing hand on the treatments, that the results from the PET scan next Saturday would show the radiation was effective on the spinal tumor. +[2822.14 --> 2829.94] Lord, we pray for Doug, that your spirit would encourage him as he adjusts to partial paralysis when he's so used to being physically fit and active. +[2830.52 --> 2837.02] We pray for Doug's wife, Jerry, and for Aaron, Elise, Tice, and Mareka, as they walk this difficult journey with Doug. +[2837.02 --> 2844.92] Lord, some of us are battling depression, especially those dark winter months that we're in. +[2845.16 --> 2847.10] And Lord, we pray for comfort and hope. +[2847.76 --> 2852.16] Please lift us up out of the pit and settle our feet on Christ, the solid rock. +[2853.12 --> 2859.22] And Lord, we pray for those of us who are struggling deeply with addictions and family and friends who are impacted by these addictions. +[2859.86 --> 2864.36] We ask for you to guide those battling addictions to get the help they need to recover. +[2864.36 --> 2870.54] We also pray for those who are shut in and unable to get out of their homes due to aging and ailments. +[2871.28 --> 2875.56] Help us to be a unified, connected body, even when we are not gathered together, Lord. +[2875.98 --> 2879.62] Each and every one of us here has cares on our hearts, and we need you. +[2880.58 --> 2883.36] Lord, draw us to you as you call us, saying, +[2883.60 --> 2886.96] Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. +[2886.96 --> 2896.02] Lord, we also pray for Tanya Tessemaker, as she is struggling deeply with pain from the cancer in her body and the medications that she's taking to stop the cancer. +[2896.78 --> 2905.64] Lord, we pray for healing for Tanya and strength for the family, Claus, Amanda, and myself, and the kids, and her sister Jocelyn, as we navigate this difficult journey. +[2905.64 --> 2914.32] We pray for peace and assurance to know that it is well with my soul, even when it is not well with our bodies due to sickness or disease. +[2915.44 --> 2920.46] Lord, you are our only comfort, our hope and comfort in life and in death. +[2921.20 --> 2926.30] Help us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. +[2926.30 --> 2935.56] We pray for your grace to flood over our world and bring peace to us in places of war, political divisions, hunger, and devastation. +[2936.32 --> 2944.06] We pray for those affected by the fires in California and elsewhere, Lord, and we pray for your grace in each of their lives. +[2944.90 --> 2949.06] We pray for those who are impacted by the economic actions between countries. +[2949.84 --> 2952.22] Help us follow your call to be good neighbors. +[2952.22 --> 2962.86] Lord, we pray that you will use your church to be your hands and feet and bring healing and bring the gospel to a world so desperately in need of your salvation, Jesus. +[2963.72 --> 2967.00] And as you speak to us this morning through the words of Pastor Sean, +[2967.26 --> 2971.04] please open our hearts to see you and our ears to hear you. +[2971.38 --> 2975.72] And help us not merely listen to the word, Lord, but help us to do what it says. +[2976.50 --> 2979.76] We pray all this in the name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen. +[2982.22 --> 2999.40] Good morning once again. +[3000.08 --> 3005.16] My name is Sean, and I'm from New Life CRC in Abbotsford. +[3005.16 --> 3010.34] Just to give you a bit of an introduction, I have a wife. +[3010.62 --> 3014.68] Her name is Ashley, and our son, Kairos, is almost four. +[3015.18 --> 3021.46] And they wanted to be here with me this morning, but I wasn't sure how the road conditions would be with the snow and everything. +[3021.60 --> 3027.24] So I left early, which meant trying to get a toddler at four years, almost four years old, +[3027.94 --> 3031.70] earlier on time is next to impossible early morning. +[3031.70 --> 3035.66] So those of you who have young children know what I mean. +[3035.96 --> 3040.48] But so sadly, it's just me that's here tonight, to this morning, and I'm glad to be here. +[3042.72 --> 3047.74] I got to know Pastor Chris a little better because we went to Synod together last year. +[3047.90 --> 3051.04] Before that, I knew of him, but I never got to meet him or talk to him. +[3051.38 --> 3053.42] But going to Synod, we drove together. +[3053.58 --> 3057.86] I met him at his house, and we drove to the airport on our way to Synod. +[3057.86 --> 3064.28] And interestingly, that day, there were some major accidents on the bridge and through the tunnel. +[3064.60 --> 3068.46] And so the Google Maps just took us like the most roundabout way to get to YVR. +[3068.76 --> 3075.14] And it took us almost like two hours to get to the airport, which made for lots of good conversations and getting to know one another really well. +[3075.60 --> 3078.98] So it was a good time just getting to know Pastor Chris. +[3078.98 --> 3084.24] And it was also very assuring for me being a first-time delegate to Synod. +[3085.30 --> 3087.92] And I think he's been there three or four times. +[3088.26 --> 3096.82] And to sit at the same table with someone who's that experienced and who's quite keen on church polity and church order, if you know him, +[3097.24 --> 3103.68] is very assuring for someone like me who's also keen in church order and polity, but first-time delegate at Synod. +[3103.68 --> 3113.96] And so all that to say, yeah, I love Pastor Chris, and I'm glad to be here with you to lead you in worship and to share God's Word with you. +[3115.96 --> 3121.12] Now, to share with you a little bit of a secret, lately it's been my practice. +[3121.68 --> 3125.02] As I write the introduction of each sermon to ask myself the question, +[3126.36 --> 3128.62] why should we pay attention to this message? +[3128.62 --> 3132.60] Why should we pay attention to this passage? +[3133.78 --> 3138.48] Why is it important that I, the preacher, and the congregation hear this message? +[3140.04 --> 3142.58] I've asked the same question as I wrote this sermon also. +[3142.74 --> 3147.18] Why should we, you, the congregation of Langley Emanuel CRC, and I, +[3147.60 --> 3154.64] pay attention to this passage that Paul wrote to some people living in some ancient city almost 2,000 years ago? +[3154.64 --> 3163.52] I believe we should pay attention to this passage because it teaches us how we as Christians should face persecutions +[3163.52 --> 3166.80] when it comes to us because of our faith in Jesus Christ. +[3167.62 --> 3172.12] As Paul bears his heart out for the believers in this ancient city of Thessalonica, +[3172.48 --> 3174.80] which still exists today, by the way, in Greece, +[3175.56 --> 3179.38] we're also taught how to face the trials that challenge our faith in the present +[3179.38 --> 3183.42] as we wait for Jesus' future but imminent return. +[3184.64 --> 3186.22] So let's read the passage together. +[3186.66 --> 3192.50] Our passage today is from 1 Thessalonians 2, verses 17 to 3, verse 5. +[3193.56 --> 3197.12] I'll be reading from the NIV, and the words will be up on the screen behind me. +[3197.12 --> 3204.90] But brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time, +[3205.00 --> 3206.40] in person, not in thought, +[3207.40 --> 3210.94] out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. +[3211.70 --> 3215.36] For we wanted to come to you, certainly I, Paul, did again and again, +[3215.82 --> 3217.28] but Satan blocked our way. +[3217.28 --> 3224.54] For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? +[3225.32 --> 3226.14] Is it not you? +[3226.98 --> 3229.20] Indeed, you are our glory and joy. +[3229.92 --> 3234.56] So when we could stand no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. +[3235.46 --> 3238.84] We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service, +[3239.20 --> 3240.72] in spreading the gospel of Christ, +[3240.72 --> 3243.58] to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, +[3244.22 --> 3247.12] so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. +[3248.26 --> 3251.90] For you know quite well that we are destined for them. +[3252.76 --> 3256.40] In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted, +[3257.04 --> 3259.26] and it turned out that way, as you well know. +[3260.40 --> 3263.60] For this reason, when I could stand no longer, +[3263.78 --> 3265.38] when I could stand no longer, +[3265.88 --> 3267.76] I sent to find out about your faith. +[3267.76 --> 3271.80] I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you, +[3272.10 --> 3274.64] and that our labors might have been in vain. +[3276.66 --> 3278.14] Let's pray once again. +[3281.40 --> 3282.86] Spirit of the living God, +[3283.68 --> 3289.94] we ask that you would accomplish what you have purposed, +[3290.78 --> 3293.60] your word to accomplish this morning. +[3294.46 --> 3296.02] May it not return to you empty. +[3297.76 --> 3300.90] As your word is being proclaimed in this place. +[3303.52 --> 3305.86] Illuminate these words into our minds and our hearts. +[3306.64 --> 3307.54] Help us understand. +[3308.20 --> 3308.84] Teach us. +[3309.80 --> 3313.48] And empower us to live in obedience to your word. +[3314.22 --> 3314.98] In Jesus' name. +[3315.58 --> 3315.82] Amen. +[3315.82 --> 3320.90] Now, in chapter 2, verse 17, +[3321.08 --> 3324.02] we read that Paul was separated from them in person. +[3324.82 --> 3327.44] The reason for this is found in the story of Acts 17, +[3327.60 --> 3330.32] where Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica, +[3330.88 --> 3333.50] discussing with the Jews over three Sabbath days, +[3333.64 --> 3334.52] over three weeks, +[3335.06 --> 3337.80] and proving to them that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. +[3337.80 --> 3342.22] Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, +[3342.64 --> 3347.64] along with a great number of the devout Gentiles and women of high standing in the city. +[3348.98 --> 3350.96] Some Jews got jealous of this, +[3351.02 --> 3352.34] so they stirred up a riot, +[3352.94 --> 3353.82] forming a mob, +[3354.14 --> 3355.26] and attacked Jason, +[3355.44 --> 3357.46] whom they thought was hiding Paul and Silas. +[3358.26 --> 3359.52] The mob couldn't find them, +[3359.52 --> 3361.62] so they dragged Jason out of his house, +[3361.68 --> 3362.92] along with other believers, +[3363.50 --> 3365.94] and accused them before the city authorities, +[3366.14 --> 3369.30] saying that Jason had received Paul and Silas, +[3369.66 --> 3372.58] who have caused great trouble all over the world. +[3373.12 --> 3373.72] In their words, +[3373.74 --> 3376.22] who have turned this world upside down, +[3377.22 --> 3378.78] and have now come to the city, +[3378.94 --> 3382.12] leading people to go against Caesar's decrees, +[3382.12 --> 3385.66] by saying that there is another king named Jesus. +[3387.08 --> 3388.70] The city authorities were disturbed +[3388.70 --> 3389.48] by this, +[3389.52 --> 3391.36] so they punished Jason and the other believers +[3391.36 --> 3392.84] by charging them a fine, +[3393.36 --> 3395.56] and let them all go. +[3396.94 --> 3398.52] It was because of this ordeal +[3398.52 --> 3402.18] that Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica at night. +[3404.24 --> 3406.12] It is with this as the backdrop +[3406.12 --> 3408.86] where Paul's pastoral heart for the Thessalonians +[3408.86 --> 3411.68] is shown in this passage that we've just read. +[3413.20 --> 3415.46] Many of the converts to whom Paul was writing +[3415.46 --> 3416.46] were new converts, +[3416.90 --> 3418.68] because it wasn't long after they joined Paul +[3418.68 --> 3420.84] and Silas that persecution broke out, +[3421.10 --> 3423.04] and they were forced to leave the city. +[3424.64 --> 3427.04] This is why Paul says that he was orphaned +[3427.04 --> 3429.66] by being separated from them in verse 17. +[3430.38 --> 3431.92] Now, unlike our modern usage, +[3432.04 --> 3434.02] the Greek word used here +[3434.02 --> 3436.88] could either refer to the child +[3436.88 --> 3439.02] who has lost his or her parents, +[3439.42 --> 3442.98] or the parents who were bereft of their child. +[3442.98 --> 3447.50] So in this case, Paul is using it in the latter sense, +[3447.72 --> 3450.02] where he feels as though he and Silas +[3450.02 --> 3451.42] were separated from them, +[3451.46 --> 3454.02] like parents forced to separate +[3454.02 --> 3455.18] from their own children. +[3456.92 --> 3458.22] Now, from the rest of the letter, +[3458.34 --> 3459.66] Paul clearly thought of himself +[3459.66 --> 3461.18] as their spiritual parent. +[3461.72 --> 3464.08] In the preceding section just before our passage, +[3464.18 --> 3464.54] he writes, +[3464.54 --> 3467.50] just as a nursing mother cares for her children, +[3467.96 --> 3469.26] so we cared for you. +[3469.98 --> 3472.06] Because we loved you so much, +[3472.82 --> 3474.60] we were delighted to share with you +[3474.60 --> 3476.12] not only the gospel of God, +[3476.18 --> 3477.62] but our lives as well. +[3478.68 --> 3480.50] Also in 2, verse 11, he wrote, +[3480.76 --> 3482.04] we dealt with each of you +[3482.04 --> 3484.76] as a father deals with his own children, +[3485.14 --> 3486.68] encouraging, comforting, +[3487.02 --> 3489.90] and urging you to live lives worthy of God. +[3489.90 --> 3493.84] Paul loved and cared for them +[3493.84 --> 3496.48] as a parent loves his or her children. +[3498.14 --> 3499.64] This is why it was so painful +[3499.64 --> 3502.98] for Paul to be torn away from them, +[3503.26 --> 3505.24] which made his longing to be with them +[3505.24 --> 3508.08] in person all the more intense. +[3510.20 --> 3512.58] This is also why Paul writes +[3512.58 --> 3515.36] that although they're separated from him in person, +[3515.96 --> 3518.62] they're not separated from him in thought. +[3518.62 --> 3520.68] In other words, for Paul, +[3520.76 --> 3521.96] the believers in Thessalonica +[3521.96 --> 3523.76] may be out of his sight, +[3524.12 --> 3525.34] absent from him physically, +[3525.94 --> 3527.68] but not out of his mind. +[3529.18 --> 3531.04] Aside from the forced separation, +[3532.04 --> 3534.18] another reason why they were not out of his mind +[3534.18 --> 3535.46] was because of the trials +[3535.46 --> 3536.88] that they were experiencing. +[3537.08 --> 3537.66] What trials? +[3539.46 --> 3541.66] Given the circumstance of Paul and Silas' +[3541.82 --> 3543.46] forced departure from Thessalonica, +[3543.90 --> 3545.18] it is not unlikely +[3545.18 --> 3547.44] that the believers in Thessalonica +[3547.44 --> 3548.64] experienced the same, +[3548.78 --> 3550.86] if not a similar kind of persecution +[3550.86 --> 3552.12] in the city. +[3553.32 --> 3555.40] Because the new converts following Jesus +[3555.40 --> 3556.56] as their new king +[3556.56 --> 3559.44] would have been seen as public enemies, +[3559.82 --> 3562.26] those who disturbed the peace in the city +[3562.26 --> 3564.94] as agitators of the status quo. +[3565.94 --> 3566.84] Here's why. +[3566.84 --> 3570.98] The city of Thessalonica +[3570.98 --> 3573.50] was loyal to Caesar +[3573.50 --> 3575.96] and showed its loyalty +[3575.96 --> 3579.34] through the imperial cult, +[3580.18 --> 3581.78] the worship of the emperor. +[3582.90 --> 3584.58] This in turn allowed the city +[3584.58 --> 3586.66] and its people to enjoy favor from Rome. +[3587.48 --> 3588.60] And for this reason, +[3588.72 --> 3590.66] it was crucial that they maintain +[3590.66 --> 3592.26] good connection to Caesar +[3592.26 --> 3595.06] so that they can continue to enjoy favor, +[3595.06 --> 3598.48] which directly tied to their prosperity +[3598.48 --> 3599.22] as a city. +[3600.82 --> 3601.26] Therefore, +[3601.96 --> 3603.82] to have a movement of people +[3603.82 --> 3604.70] declaring Jesus +[3604.70 --> 3606.36] as their Lord and Savior +[3606.36 --> 3607.80] was a problem. +[3609.26 --> 3610.14] And it needed +[3610.14 --> 3611.74] to be stomped out quickly +[3611.74 --> 3613.70] to show the city's +[3613.70 --> 3615.60] unwavering allegiance to Caesar. +[3615.60 --> 3618.30] This is why the accusation +[3618.30 --> 3619.56] against Paul and Silas +[3619.56 --> 3620.52] along with Jason +[3620.52 --> 3621.44] and the other believers +[3621.44 --> 3623.32] disturbed the city authorities +[3623.32 --> 3624.42] because they were accused +[3624.42 --> 3626.24] of acting against +[3626.24 --> 3627.66] the decrees of Caesar. +[3630.78 --> 3631.42] Thus, +[3631.50 --> 3632.10] the persecutions +[3632.10 --> 3632.72] that the believers +[3632.72 --> 3634.04] in Thessalonica faced +[3634.04 --> 3636.42] may have affected them financially. +[3636.90 --> 3638.10] Just like we see +[3638.10 --> 3639.48] in Acts chapter 17 +[3639.48 --> 3640.84] where Jason is fined +[3640.84 --> 3642.24] as a persecution +[3642.24 --> 3643.72] or as punishment +[3643.72 --> 3645.30] or socially +[3645.30 --> 3647.06] being seen as those +[3647.06 --> 3647.78] who are against +[3647.78 --> 3648.86] the common good +[3648.86 --> 3649.96] of the city and its people. +[3651.02 --> 3651.70] In other words, +[3652.72 --> 3653.58] Christians were viewed +[3653.58 --> 3654.48] as obstacles +[3654.48 --> 3655.86] to the flourishing +[3655.86 --> 3656.78] of the city +[3656.78 --> 3658.04] and the people +[3658.04 --> 3659.28] of Thessalonica, +[3660.30 --> 3661.54] thus needing +[3661.54 --> 3662.80] to be silenced +[3662.80 --> 3664.18] and punished +[3664.18 --> 3665.50] if necessary +[3665.50 --> 3667.34] for the common good +[3667.34 --> 3668.52] of Thessalonica. +[3668.52 --> 3675.16] We also +[3675.16 --> 3677.48] live in a cultural climate +[3677.48 --> 3678.74] that's not too far +[3678.74 --> 3680.34] from the situation +[3680.34 --> 3680.94] that the believers +[3680.94 --> 3681.80] in Thessalonica +[3681.80 --> 3683.04] have found themselves in. +[3684.28 --> 3685.16] In his book, +[3685.42 --> 3686.40] Live No Lies, +[3687.08 --> 3687.90] John Markoma writes +[3687.90 --> 3689.06] that followers of Jesus +[3689.06 --> 3690.30] are currently living +[3690.30 --> 3691.44] through what he calls +[3691.44 --> 3693.18] the three tectonic shifts +[3693.18 --> 3694.22] in Western culture. +[3695.36 --> 3696.08] The first shift +[3696.08 --> 3697.34] is the movement +[3697.34 --> 3698.08] from majority +[3698.08 --> 3698.90] to minority. +[3699.90 --> 3700.68] Although certainly +[3700.68 --> 3701.46] not a minority +[3701.46 --> 3702.06] in number, +[3702.72 --> 3703.30] Christians are now +[3703.30 --> 3704.06] considered to be +[3704.06 --> 3705.04] what the sociologists +[3705.04 --> 3706.96] call a cognitive minority. +[3708.20 --> 3709.44] In today's society, +[3709.56 --> 3710.34] Christian worldview +[3710.34 --> 3711.40] and its value systems +[3711.40 --> 3712.34] are increasingly +[3712.34 --> 3713.06] at odds +[3713.06 --> 3714.02] with the culture's +[3714.02 --> 3714.50] practices +[3714.50 --> 3715.90] and social norms. +[3717.12 --> 3717.80] Christians today +[3717.80 --> 3719.36] face constant pressure +[3719.36 --> 3720.54] to assimilate +[3720.54 --> 3721.32] and follow +[3721.32 --> 3722.42] the rest of society +[3722.42 --> 3723.54] much like the believers +[3723.54 --> 3724.36] in Thessalonica +[3724.36 --> 3725.60] who face pressures +[3725.60 --> 3726.36] to assimilate +[3726.36 --> 3727.30] and to conform +[3727.30 --> 3728.36] to worshiping Caesar. +[3730.50 --> 3731.62] The second +[3731.62 --> 3732.54] tectonic shift +[3732.54 --> 3733.96] is the movement +[3733.96 --> 3735.94] from a place of honor +[3735.94 --> 3737.96] to a place of shame. +[3739.56 --> 3740.36] Christian faith +[3740.36 --> 3741.88] no longer has a place +[3741.88 --> 3742.38] of honor +[3742.38 --> 3743.62] in the public square. +[3744.64 --> 3745.60] With society's +[3745.60 --> 3746.42] radical reversal +[3746.42 --> 3747.10] around issues +[3747.10 --> 3748.04] like human sexuality, +[3748.74 --> 3749.06] gender, +[3749.56 --> 3750.72] and life of the unborn, +[3750.90 --> 3751.72] followers of Jesus +[3751.72 --> 3752.64] are now seen +[3752.64 --> 3753.94] as part of the problem. +[3754.36 --> 3756.24] not as the solution. +[3757.68 --> 3759.06] The biblical vision +[3759.06 --> 3759.98] of human sexuality +[3759.98 --> 3761.40] is taken as simply wrong +[3761.40 --> 3762.86] and irrelevant +[3762.86 --> 3765.14] by a large number +[3765.14 --> 3766.22] of population. +[3767.06 --> 3767.88] Because of this, +[3768.92 --> 3769.94] Christians and their values +[3769.94 --> 3770.96] are no longer held +[3770.96 --> 3771.78] in high esteem +[3771.78 --> 3772.58] in the public square, +[3773.58 --> 3774.50] but as something +[3774.50 --> 3775.56] to hide +[3775.56 --> 3777.28] and to be ashamed of. +[3777.28 --> 3781.14] So first movement, +[3781.88 --> 3782.78] majority to minority, +[3783.36 --> 3784.00] second movement, +[3784.16 --> 3785.14] from a place of honor +[3785.14 --> 3786.24] to a place of shame. +[3786.96 --> 3788.08] Now the third shift +[3788.08 --> 3789.20] is the movement +[3789.20 --> 3790.84] from widespread tolerance +[3790.84 --> 3793.32] to rising hostility, +[3793.96 --> 3794.78] where Christians +[3794.78 --> 3795.74] are now increasingly +[3795.74 --> 3798.28] thought of as dangerous. +[3798.28 --> 3801.32] the teachings of Jesus +[3801.32 --> 3802.40] is now seen +[3802.40 --> 3803.20] as a threat +[3803.20 --> 3805.02] to secularism's +[3805.02 --> 3805.90] alternative vision +[3805.90 --> 3806.90] of human flourishing. +[3807.84 --> 3808.74] While in the past, +[3808.84 --> 3809.62] Christians were regarded +[3809.62 --> 3811.00] as weird, +[3811.26 --> 3812.16] but good people, +[3813.16 --> 3814.92] today in Western society, +[3814.98 --> 3815.68] Christians are regarded +[3815.68 --> 3816.48] as bigots, +[3817.18 --> 3817.46] haters, +[3817.90 --> 3818.96] and homophobes. +[3818.96 --> 3823.20] What are we to do +[3823.20 --> 3824.62] in this cultural climate? +[3826.70 --> 3828.24] How does our passage +[3828.24 --> 3829.20] today +[3829.20 --> 3831.44] teach us to live +[3831.44 --> 3832.38] in this present +[3832.38 --> 3833.22] cultural moment +[3833.22 --> 3834.56] as we wait +[3834.56 --> 3835.94] for Christ's return? +[3838.82 --> 3839.42] First, +[3840.28 --> 3842.38] it teaches us +[3842.38 --> 3844.84] to live with the acceptance +[3844.84 --> 3846.84] that Christians +[3846.84 --> 3847.90] are destined +[3847.90 --> 3849.32] for trials, +[3850.02 --> 3850.68] we're destined +[3850.68 --> 3851.58] for trials, +[3851.66 --> 3852.44] as Paul reminded +[3852.44 --> 3853.32] the Thessalonians. +[3854.38 --> 3855.28] The believers +[3855.28 --> 3856.00] in Thessalonica +[3856.00 --> 3856.86] have seen Paul +[3856.86 --> 3857.50] and Silas +[3857.50 --> 3858.54] and their fellow believers +[3858.54 --> 3859.40] face persecution, +[3859.94 --> 3861.18] and they were told +[3861.18 --> 3861.62] by Paul +[3861.62 --> 3862.48] that they themselves +[3862.48 --> 3863.24] would also +[3863.24 --> 3864.30] experience persecution. +[3865.28 --> 3865.86] And indeed, +[3866.02 --> 3866.98] it has turned out +[3866.98 --> 3867.40] that way, +[3867.56 --> 3868.08] as Paul says +[3868.08 --> 3868.66] in verse 4 +[3868.66 --> 3869.30] of chapter 3. +[3871.18 --> 3871.70] Suffering +[3871.70 --> 3872.92] and facing opposition +[3872.92 --> 3874.12] for our faith +[3874.12 --> 3875.62] is not unusual +[3875.62 --> 3876.42] for followers +[3876.42 --> 3877.00] of Jesus. +[3877.90 --> 3878.74] After all, +[3878.86 --> 3880.10] Jesus himself suffered, +[3880.70 --> 3882.12] being falsely accused, +[3882.72 --> 3883.16] shamed, +[3883.80 --> 3884.40] beaten up, +[3884.90 --> 3885.78] eventually nailed +[3885.78 --> 3886.46] and impaled +[3886.46 --> 3887.30] on a cross. +[3888.30 --> 3889.68] He told his disciples +[3889.68 --> 3890.26] that suffering +[3890.26 --> 3891.00] is inevitable +[3891.00 --> 3892.66] for his followers. +[3893.46 --> 3894.12] He says in John +[3894.12 --> 3894.78] chapter 15, +[3894.86 --> 3895.98] if the world hates you, +[3896.36 --> 3896.92] keep in mind +[3896.92 --> 3898.32] that it hated me first. +[3899.28 --> 3900.50] Remember what I told you, +[3900.70 --> 3902.06] a servant is not greater +[3902.06 --> 3902.82] than his master. +[3903.14 --> 3904.42] If they persecuted me, +[3905.02 --> 3906.52] they will persecute you also. +[3906.52 --> 3911.32] For Christians, +[3912.52 --> 3913.70] suffering persecution +[3913.70 --> 3916.24] is part of the call +[3916.24 --> 3917.88] to taking up the cross +[3917.88 --> 3920.22] and following after Jesus. +[3923.64 --> 3924.76] Persecution was not new +[3924.76 --> 3925.72] for the followers of Jesus +[3925.72 --> 3926.42] throughout history, +[3926.92 --> 3928.06] and it certainly isn't new +[3928.06 --> 3928.70] for us today. +[3929.68 --> 3930.60] We see this +[3930.60 --> 3931.78] in the letters of Paul +[3931.78 --> 3933.02] as well as in 1 Peter +[3933.02 --> 3933.52] where he says, +[3933.52 --> 3934.34] Dear friends, +[3935.20 --> 3936.56] do not be surprised +[3936.56 --> 3938.34] at the fiery ordeal +[3938.34 --> 3939.76] that has come on you +[3939.76 --> 3940.94] to test you, +[3941.58 --> 3942.90] as though something strange +[3942.90 --> 3943.80] were happening to you. +[3946.04 --> 3947.22] Don't be surprised +[3947.22 --> 3948.14] by persecutions, +[3948.28 --> 3948.80] Peter says. +[3949.72 --> 3950.92] So what are we to do +[3950.92 --> 3951.88] when faced with trials? +[3953.58 --> 3954.52] Peter continues, +[3955.52 --> 3956.22] Rejoice. +[3957.30 --> 3958.72] Rejoice in as much +[3958.72 --> 3959.68] as you participate +[3959.68 --> 3961.66] in the sufferings of Christ. +[3961.66 --> 3963.68] Rejoice because you're suffering. +[3964.06 --> 3964.94] By your suffering, +[3965.04 --> 3965.66] you're participating +[3965.66 --> 3967.66] in the sufferings of Christ. +[3967.76 --> 3968.88] You are joining in +[3968.88 --> 3969.78] with Christ +[3969.78 --> 3970.98] in his suffering. +[3971.60 --> 3972.20] Rejoice. +[3974.78 --> 3976.02] We are to rejoice +[3976.02 --> 3976.98] in our trials. +[3977.80 --> 3978.36] We rejoice +[3978.36 --> 3979.30] because we're participating +[3979.30 --> 3980.64] in Christ's suffering. +[3980.98 --> 3982.08] Like those who have gone +[3982.08 --> 3982.82] before us, +[3982.90 --> 3983.44] we rejoice +[3983.44 --> 3984.68] knowing that we're being +[3984.68 --> 3985.62] counted worthy +[3985.62 --> 3986.28] of suffering +[3986.28 --> 3987.26] for Christ's name. +[3987.72 --> 3988.52] We rejoice +[3988.52 --> 3989.28] in our suffering +[3989.28 --> 3990.62] because if we share +[3990.62 --> 3991.36] in his suffering, +[3991.36 --> 3992.92] we will also share +[3992.92 --> 3993.84] in his glory +[3993.84 --> 3994.68] when he returns. +[3995.78 --> 3996.10] Furthermore, +[3996.34 --> 3996.96] we rejoice +[3996.96 --> 3998.28] knowing that when we suffer +[3998.28 --> 3999.22] for Christ's sake, +[3999.52 --> 4000.82] his return is near. +[4001.66 --> 4002.64] As Jesus says +[4002.64 --> 4003.78] in Matthew chapter 24, +[4004.22 --> 4004.80] he says this, +[4004.96 --> 4006.26] Then you will be handed over +[4006.26 --> 4007.08] to be persecuted +[4007.08 --> 4008.30] and put to death. +[4009.36 --> 4010.54] And you will be hated +[4010.54 --> 4011.42] by all nations +[4011.42 --> 4012.20] because of me. +[4012.96 --> 4013.56] But the one +[4013.56 --> 4014.30] who stands firm +[4014.30 --> 4014.78] to the end +[4014.78 --> 4015.98] will be saved. +[4016.42 --> 4017.22] And this gospel +[4017.22 --> 4017.82] of the kingdom +[4017.82 --> 4018.60] will be preached +[4018.60 --> 4019.46] in the whole world +[4019.46 --> 4020.16] as a testimony +[4020.16 --> 4021.78] to all the nations. +[4021.78 --> 4022.86] And then, +[4023.26 --> 4024.88] the end will come. +[4027.64 --> 4029.10] As such, +[4030.16 --> 4031.12] Christian suffering +[4031.12 --> 4032.54] has always +[4032.54 --> 4034.30] had +[4034.30 --> 4035.68] an eschatological +[4035.68 --> 4036.60] perspective. +[4036.60 --> 4039.30] We know that +[4039.30 --> 4040.44] when suffering comes, +[4041.42 --> 4042.20] we're reminded +[4042.20 --> 4043.82] that his return +[4043.82 --> 4045.16] is near +[4045.16 --> 4046.70] as we wait +[4046.70 --> 4048.34] for his return +[4048.34 --> 4049.38] and share +[4049.38 --> 4050.18] in his suffering. +[4055.28 --> 4056.50] Not only that, +[4057.44 --> 4058.42] we rejoice +[4058.42 --> 4060.00] knowing that suffering +[4060.00 --> 4061.82] produces perseverance. +[4062.92 --> 4063.60] Perseverance, +[4063.92 --> 4064.26] character, +[4064.26 --> 4065.60] and character, +[4066.32 --> 4066.62] hope. +[4067.72 --> 4068.44] And no matter +[4068.44 --> 4069.24] how much our faith +[4069.24 --> 4070.08] may bring shame +[4070.08 --> 4072.00] to us in the public square, +[4072.58 --> 4073.40] in the grand scheme +[4073.40 --> 4073.92] of things, +[4074.92 --> 4075.64] the hope produced +[4075.64 --> 4076.38] by suffering +[4076.38 --> 4078.00] for and with Christ +[4078.00 --> 4078.78] will never, +[4079.32 --> 4080.04] never put us +[4080.04 --> 4080.54] to shame +[4080.54 --> 4082.44] because Jesus Christ +[4082.44 --> 4083.70] who suffered +[4083.70 --> 4085.02] has also +[4085.02 --> 4086.40] overcome the world. +[4086.88 --> 4087.20] Hallelujah. +[4089.54 --> 4090.66] Can I get an amen? +[4090.66 --> 4090.86] Amen. +[4090.86 --> 4090.90] Amen. +[4090.90 --> 4090.94] Amen. +[4090.94 --> 4091.50] Amen. +[4091.50 --> 4091.74] Amen. +[4091.74 --> 4091.94] Amen. +[4091.94 --> 4091.98] Amen. +[4094.64 --> 4095.12] Personally, +[4096.74 --> 4097.88] it teaches us +[4097.88 --> 4098.80] to live +[4098.80 --> 4100.22] with the assurance +[4100.22 --> 4101.56] that we're not alone +[4101.56 --> 4102.34] when we are faced +[4102.34 --> 4103.54] with persecutions. +[4105.62 --> 4106.52] We know that +[4106.52 --> 4107.10] the circumstance +[4107.10 --> 4107.86] that the Thessalonians +[4107.86 --> 4108.74] found themselves in +[4108.74 --> 4109.48] after putting +[4109.48 --> 4110.54] their faith in Jesus +[4110.54 --> 4111.74] was not +[4111.74 --> 4113.04] a favorable one. +[4114.38 --> 4115.00] We know this +[4115.00 --> 4115.38] to be true +[4115.38 --> 4116.14] because Paul writes +[4116.14 --> 4116.76] in chapter 2, +[4116.82 --> 4117.32] verse 14 +[4117.32 --> 4118.88] that the Thessalonian church +[4118.88 --> 4119.98] became imitators +[4119.98 --> 4121.00] of God's churches +[4121.00 --> 4122.12] in Judea +[4122.12 --> 4125.10] because they suffered from their own people. +[4126.02 --> 4128.92] Paul writes that the Thessalonians suffered from their own people. +[4130.14 --> 4134.28] The same kind of sufferings the churches in Judea received from the Jews. +[4136.32 --> 4139.96] This is why Paul and Silas, out of their intense longing, +[4140.54 --> 4142.58] made every effort to come see them. +[4143.42 --> 4145.62] Their forced separation from the Thessalonian church +[4145.62 --> 4148.30] not only intensified their longing to see them, +[4148.30 --> 4151.64] it also intensified their concern for their new believers' faith, +[4151.64 --> 4154.30] faith as they faced persecution. +[4157.06 --> 4160.14] Paul and Silas worry that the believers in Thessalonica +[4160.14 --> 4163.32] might be unsettled in their faith by these trials. +[4164.54 --> 4168.38] Paul was also afraid that Satan may have tempted them from faith, +[4168.86 --> 4170.76] thereby making their work be in vain. +[4172.40 --> 4175.90] After all, Paul and Silas consider the believers in Thessalonica +[4175.90 --> 4179.84] their hope, their joy, and the crown of glory. +[4179.84 --> 4184.84] Much like loving parents whose pride and joy is their children. +[4188.50 --> 4195.80] In writing this letter, Paul assures them that they are not alone in their trials. +[4196.64 --> 4198.36] By the contents of the letter, +[4198.76 --> 4203.28] we can see that Paul assures the Thessalonian church that they are not alone. +[4203.28 --> 4208.44] From the start of the letter and the constant repetition of we throughout the letter, +[4208.94 --> 4211.46] it is clear that it is not only Paul who is mindful of them, +[4211.54 --> 4213.12] but also Silas and Timothy. +[4213.78 --> 4216.62] All three of them pray for them continually. +[4217.16 --> 4221.34] All three of them heard that the Thessalonian church suffered persecution from their own people. +[4221.34 --> 4228.38] And for this reason, all three of them longed to be with them and have made every effort to see them. +[4228.92 --> 4231.06] But when they could not return to Thessalonica, +[4231.50 --> 4236.70] Paul and Silas sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them in their faith +[4236.70 --> 4242.32] so that none of them would be unsettled and tempted to turn away from their faith. +[4242.32 --> 4250.54] This was Paul's assurance to the Thessalonian church that he has not abandoned them +[4250.54 --> 4252.82] or has forgotten about them. +[4254.86 --> 4260.46] Now the Greek word translated as unsettle in the NIV in verse 3 of chapter 3 +[4260.46 --> 4264.78] means to be moved from one place to another. +[4264.78 --> 4271.14] Hence the English Standard Version translation writes moved +[4271.14 --> 4274.50] so that you might not be moved by these trials. +[4276.18 --> 4278.78] Paul and Silas' desire in sending Timothy +[4278.78 --> 4282.54] is that they would be strengthened and encouraged in their faith +[4282.54 --> 4285.78] so that the trials they were facing would not move them +[4285.78 --> 4289.32] from following Christ back to following idols. +[4289.32 --> 4294.84] Also the Greek word translated as tempt in the NIV +[4294.84 --> 4298.36] and also in the ESV in 3 verse 5 +[4298.36 --> 4303.80] has the sense of being enticed, being lured into action. +[4306.12 --> 4308.70] Paul was worried that Satan might use the persecution +[4308.70 --> 4312.78] to entice the Thessalonian church to turn away from faith, +[4313.30 --> 4315.58] thereby undoing the work of Paul and Silas +[4315.58 --> 4317.94] in establishing the Thessalonian church. +[4319.32 --> 4326.28] In the same way, the trials brought on by the three tectonic shifts in our culture, +[4326.82 --> 4328.84] namely the shift from majority to minority, +[4329.42 --> 4333.12] shift from honor to shame, shift from tolerance to hostility, +[4334.34 --> 4342.06] these might unsettle us and tempt us to walk away from our faith +[4342.06 --> 4346.60] instead of being steadfast as we wait for Jesus. +[4346.60 --> 4350.82] The trials we face in our cultural moment, +[4351.06 --> 4353.00] whether through shame or hostility, +[4353.56 --> 4359.20] could move us from following Christ and His teachings +[4359.20 --> 4364.64] to following an ideology or political party. +[4366.44 --> 4371.28] We're faced with the constant pressure to conform to the way of cultural practices +[4371.28 --> 4374.58] and social norms rather than the way of Jesus +[4374.58 --> 4379.70] through social media, movies, and the shows we watch on various streaming platforms. +[4381.08 --> 4385.24] Who thought peer pressure only lasts throughout middle school and high school? +[4385.24 --> 4392.84] How easy it must be for Satan to entice us, +[4392.84 --> 4398.28] to simply go with the flow of culture when we spend countless hours on our devices +[4398.28 --> 4400.20] without much vigilance or resistance. +[4401.20 --> 4403.98] All the while, the very Word of God that gives life +[4403.98 --> 4407.98] sits on our desks or bookshelves collecting dust. +[4407.98 --> 4414.54] Sadly, some Christians, much like the title of a book, +[4416.06 --> 4417.30] amuse themselves to death. +[4422.44 --> 4424.70] This is why it's important for us +[4424.70 --> 4428.54] to be connected to our church community, +[4429.50 --> 4433.48] especially as we face various trials of our time. +[4433.48 --> 4438.68] God has given us people in our church like Paul, +[4439.22 --> 4440.86] like Silas, and Timothy +[4440.86 --> 4443.04] that remember us in prayer. +[4443.56 --> 4444.78] People who not only pray, +[4444.88 --> 4447.54] but also remind us of our identity in Christ +[4447.54 --> 4450.32] and the awesome work that God has done in us. +[4450.44 --> 4453.56] And that's not the job of only pastors or Christian leaders. +[4453.72 --> 4456.30] That's the job of all of us as God's people. +[4457.10 --> 4459.80] That's our accountability and responsibility to one another. +[4459.80 --> 4466.04] People who instruct us to continue to live in a way +[4466.04 --> 4467.92] that pleases God, to honor Him, +[4468.24 --> 4471.50] by keeping us accountable to live lives that are holy unto God, +[4471.92 --> 4473.06] faithful to Christ, +[4473.34 --> 4477.04] and loving toward one another as we wait for our Lord's return. +[4478.64 --> 4480.66] Just as God has used Paul and Silas +[4480.66 --> 4483.44] to remind the Thessalonian church of who they are +[4483.44 --> 4484.78] and how they are to live, +[4485.12 --> 4487.48] God also uses people in our church, +[4488.08 --> 4489.30] brothers and sisters in Christ, +[4489.30 --> 4491.38] and co-workers in God's service +[4491.38 --> 4493.22] to strengthen us +[4493.22 --> 4496.24] and to encourage us when we face trials. +[4497.72 --> 4500.40] This is why the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us, +[4500.50 --> 4501.30] let us consider +[4501.30 --> 4505.88] how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, +[4506.50 --> 4509.44] not giving up on meeting together, +[4510.22 --> 4512.00] as some are in the habit of doing, +[4512.68 --> 4514.30] but encouraging one another, +[4514.30 --> 4516.36] as we wait for the day of Christ's return. +[4516.36 --> 4524.46] As we wait for the day of Christ's return, +[4525.42 --> 4529.60] we're called to continue in gathering as God's people +[4529.60 --> 4535.66] for mutual encouragement toward love and good deeds. +[4535.66 --> 4540.64] And this is crucial for us as community, +[4540.86 --> 4544.26] especially as we face trials in our own lives, +[4544.26 --> 4546.66] in our current cultural moment. +[4546.66 --> 4552.22] Now, in this sermon series, +[4552.30 --> 4553.98] you've been learning about how Paul's letter +[4553.98 --> 4556.20] to the Thessalonian church encourages them +[4556.20 --> 4559.58] to live as Christians in the present day +[4559.58 --> 4562.82] as they wait in hope for Christ's return. +[4564.50 --> 4566.42] And in the specific passage we've looked at today, +[4566.52 --> 4569.54] Paul expresses his heart for the believers in Thessalonica +[4569.54 --> 4572.40] to say that they are not alone in their trials. +[4572.40 --> 4575.82] In doing so, he also reminds us, +[4576.54 --> 4580.66] sorry, in doing so, he also reminded them +[4580.66 --> 4582.62] that suffering is part of their destiny +[4582.62 --> 4583.94] as followers of Jesus. +[4585.02 --> 4586.38] Likewise for us, +[4587.18 --> 4589.24] facing opposition and even persecution +[4589.24 --> 4590.82] in our current cultural climate +[4590.82 --> 4594.00] is part of our destiny as we follow Jesus. +[4595.42 --> 4597.56] Accepting it as part of our faith journey +[4597.56 --> 4600.68] will not only help us to persevere in faith, +[4600.68 --> 4604.18] but it would also lead us to rejoice, +[4604.90 --> 4606.62] which would certainly lead those +[4606.62 --> 4608.94] who don't know Christ to wonder. +[4613.78 --> 4616.38] We can also be assured that we are not alone +[4616.38 --> 4618.10] as we face various trials +[4618.10 --> 4620.98] because God has given us the church, +[4621.54 --> 4622.74] the community of faith +[4622.74 --> 4625.24] with whom we're called to gather regularly +[4625.24 --> 4626.94] to encourage one another. +[4626.94 --> 4628.34] But ultimately, +[4629.16 --> 4630.84] we do not face these trials alone +[4630.84 --> 4633.02] because Jesus has assured us +[4633.02 --> 4634.86] that he will be with us always +[4634.86 --> 4637.22] to the very end of the age. +[4638.86 --> 4641.26] Though he may be separated from us physically, +[4642.04 --> 4643.48] it will only be a short time +[4643.48 --> 4645.42] because he will come again soon. +[4646.70 --> 4647.42] Not only that, +[4647.46 --> 4648.50] he's with us in trials +[4648.50 --> 4650.32] because he has given his spirit +[4650.32 --> 4651.40] to dwell in us. +[4651.84 --> 4653.16] The Holy Spirit is the very assurance +[4653.16 --> 4655.94] that Jesus has not abandoned us +[4655.94 --> 4657.70] or forgotten about us. +[4658.58 --> 4659.94] So when we're faced with trials, +[4660.04 --> 4661.90] he's with us through his spirit +[4661.90 --> 4663.08] who teaches us +[4663.08 --> 4666.56] and reminds us of all that Jesus has said. +[4669.06 --> 4670.14] So may we, +[4671.60 --> 4673.84] like many who stood firm in their faith +[4673.84 --> 4675.94] when faced with trials, +[4675.94 --> 4678.28] also stand firm, +[4679.18 --> 4681.92] having our gaze fixed upon Christ +[4681.92 --> 4683.40] until his return +[4683.40 --> 4686.14] so that we may present ourselves +[4686.14 --> 4688.56] blameless in his presence. +[4689.36 --> 4689.64] Amen. +[4689.98 --> 4690.44] Let's pray. +[4698.00 --> 4698.98] Heavenly Father, +[4699.10 --> 4700.20] we thank you for your word. +[4701.84 --> 4703.72] We thank you for the assurance +[4703.72 --> 4706.44] that we are not alone +[4706.44 --> 4709.44] because of your son +[4709.44 --> 4711.54] who is with us +[4711.54 --> 4712.62] always +[4712.62 --> 4715.02] to the very end of the age, +[4715.72 --> 4717.50] because of your spirit +[4717.50 --> 4718.72] who dwells in us, +[4719.50 --> 4721.28] but also because of your people, +[4721.72 --> 4722.28] the church. +[4723.72 --> 4726.22] We're called to gather regularly +[4726.22 --> 4727.82] to love +[4727.82 --> 4729.22] and to encourage one another +[4729.22 --> 4730.94] as we together face trials +[4730.94 --> 4733.84] of trials of various kinds +[4733.84 --> 4734.82] in our own lives. +[4737.48 --> 4738.84] Father, strengthen us. +[4739.86 --> 4740.96] Keep us steadfast +[4740.96 --> 4742.24] in our faith +[4742.24 --> 4744.42] as we wait +[4744.42 --> 4745.84] for your son's return, +[4747.14 --> 4747.82] bringing with him +[4747.82 --> 4748.44] his kingdom +[4748.44 --> 4750.60] and all those +[4750.60 --> 4751.66] who have gone before us. +[4754.32 --> 4755.82] This we pray in Jesus' name. +[4756.52 --> 4756.72] Amen. +[4756.72 --> 4756.82] Amen. +[4760.94 --> 4766.66] Amen. +[4766.66 --> 4766.74] Amen. +[4766.74 --> 4768.02] Amen. +[4768.08 --> 4769.38] Amen. +[4769.48 --> 4769.92] Amen. +[4770.02 --> 4770.40] Amen. +[4770.40 --> 4770.48] Amen. +[4770.48 --> 4770.76] Amen. +[4770.76 --> 4770.98] Amen. +[4770.98 --> 4771.44] Amen. +[4771.64 --> 4771.88] Amen. +[4771.88 --> 4771.98] Amen. +[4771.98 --> 4772.02] Amen. +[4772.08 --> 4772.84] Amen. +[4774.90 --> 4780.86] Amen. +[4780.86 --> 4782.92] Amen. +[4782.92 --> 4782.96] Amen. +[4783.18 --> 4783.46] Amen. +[4783.54 --> 4784.02] Amen. +[4784.24 --> 4784.34] Amen. +[4784.34 --> 4784.70] Amen. +[4784.94 --> 4785.22] Amen. +[4785.26 --> 4786.64] Amen. +[4786.70 --> 4787.04] Amen. +[4787.04 --> 4788.50] Amen. +[4788.50 --> 4789.54] Amen. +[4789.54 --> 4790.08] Amen. +[4790.08 --> 4798.98] But I think we'd see the hand of God +[4798.98 --> 4805.20] In the light of creation's grand design +[4805.20 --> 4812.32] In the lives of those who prove his faithfulness +[4812.32 --> 4817.18] Who walk by faith and not by sight +[4817.18 --> 4825.68] By faith our fathers roll the earth +[4825.68 --> 4832.22] With the power of his promise in their hearts +[4832.22 --> 4838.48] Of a holy city built by God's own man +[4838.48 --> 4842.86] A place where peace and justice reign +[4842.86 --> 4848.66] We will stand as children of the promise +[4848.66 --> 4855.24] We will fix our eyes on him, our souls reward +[4855.24 --> 4861.36] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[4861.36 --> 4867.16] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[4867.16 --> 4875.60] By faith the prophets saw a day +[4875.60 --> 4881.32] When the long for desire would appear +[4881.32 --> 4888.62] With the power to break the chains of sin and death +[4888.62 --> 4893.70] And rise triumphant from the grave +[4893.70 --> 4898.70] By faith the church was called to go +[4898.70 --> 4905.88] In the power of the Spirit to the lost +[4905.88 --> 4912.70] To deliver captives and to preach good news +[4912.70 --> 4917.20] In every corner of the earth +[4917.20 --> 4922.70] We will stand as children of the promise +[4922.70 --> 4929.28] We will fix our eyes on him, our souls reward +[4929.28 --> 4936.12] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[4936.12 --> 4941.40] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[4941.40 --> 4949.40] By faith the mountain shall be moved +[4949.40 --> 4954.94] And the power of the gospel shall prevail +[4954.94 --> 4961.68] For we know with Christ all things are possible +[4961.68 --> 4967.52] For all who call upon his name +[4967.52 --> 4972.52] We will stand as children of the promise +[4972.52 --> 4979.72] We will fix our eyes on him, our souls reward +[4979.72 --> 4986.64] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[4986.64 --> 4991.52] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[4991.52 --> 4996.52] We will stand as children of the promise +[4996.52 --> 5002.52] We will fix our eyes on him, our souls reward +[5002.52 --> 5009.52] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[5009.52 --> 5014.52] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[5014.52 --> 5028.44] People of God, receive God's blessing +[5028.44 --> 5033.56] May God our Father and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord +[5033.56 --> 5037.56] Strengthen your hearts in trial so that you will be blameless +[5037.56 --> 5040.42] And holy in His presence when He returns +[5040.42 --> 5044.42] And until that day, may God make your love increase +[5044.42 --> 5046.62] And overflow for each other +[5046.62 --> 5049.62] As you endure the trials together in community +[5049.62 --> 5053.76] By the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you +[5053.76 --> 5056.60] The one who calls you is faithful +[5056.60 --> 5058.80] And He will do it +[5058.80 --> 5059.58] Amen +[5059.82 --> 5060.80] Amen +[5060.80 --> 5062.60] Amen +[5062.60 --> 5063.70] Amen +[5063.70 --> 5064.74] Amen +[5064.74 --> 5066.80] Amen +[5066.80 --> 5069.38] Amen +[5069.38 --> 5076.38] Amen +[5078.62 --> 5079.82] Amen +[5079.82 --> 5083.68] Amen +[5083.68 --> 5083.98] Amen +[5083.98 --> 5084.30] Amen +[5084.30 --> 5084.84] Amen +[5084.84 --> 5085.68] Amen +[5085.68 --> 5088.30] Amen +[5088.30 --> 5096.82] Praise Father, from whom all blessings flow. +[5097.82 --> 5102.48] Praise Him, all creatures here below. +[5102.48 --> 5108.48] Praise Him, above ye heavenly hosts. +[5109.70 --> 5115.82] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. +[5118.30 --> 5124.60] Let earth and heavenly saints proclaim +[5124.60 --> 5130.60] The power and light of His reign. +[5130.60 --> 5136.72] Let us exalt on bended knee. +[5137.14 --> 5142.26] Praise God, the Holy Trinity. +[5142.26 --> 5150.36] Praise God, praise God. +[5150.36 --> 5154.76] Praise God, who saved our soul. +[5154.76 --> 5158.56] Praise God, praise God. +[5158.56 --> 5163.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5163.56 --> 5171.86] Praise to the King, His throne transcends. +[5171.86 --> 5177.56] His crown and kingdom never end. +[5177.56 --> 5182.36] Now and throughout eternity. +[5182.36 --> 5196.36] Praise God, praise God. +[5196.36 --> 5200.66] Praise God, who saved our soul. +[5200.66 --> 5205.76] Praise God, praise God. +[5205.76 --> 5209.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5209.56 --> 5213.56] Praise God, praise God. +[5213.56 --> 5217.56] Praise God, who saved our soul. +[5217.56 --> 5221.56] Praise God, praise God. +[5221.56 --> 5223.56] Praise God, praise God. +[5223.56 --> 5227.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5227.56 --> 5231.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5231.56 --> 5235.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5235.56 --> 5237.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5237.56 --> 5241.56] Praise Him, all creatures here below. +[5241.56 --> 5247.56] Praise Him, above ye heavenly hosts. +[5247.56 --> 5255.56] Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. +[5255.56 --> 5259.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5259.56 --> 5263.56] Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[5263.56 --> 5293.54] Thank you. +[5293.56 --> 5323.54] Thank you. +[5323.56 --> 5353.54] Thank you. +[5353.56 --> 5355.56] Thank you. +[5383.56 --> 5385.56] Thank you. +[5413.56 --> 5415.56] Thank you. +[5443.56 --> 5445.56] Thank you. +[5473.56 --> 5475.56] Thank you. +[5503.56 --> 5505.56] Thank you. +[5533.56 --> 5535.56] Thank you. +[5563.56 --> 5565.56] Thank you. +[5593.56 --> 5595.56] Thank you. +[5623.56 --> 5625.56] Thank you. +[5653.56 --> 5655.56] Thank you. +[5683.56 --> 5685.56] Thank you. +[5713.56 --> 5715.56] Thank you. +[5743.56 --> 5745.56] Thank you. +[5773.56 --> 5775.56] Thank you. +[5803.56 --> 5805.56] Thank you. +[5833.56 --> 5835.56] Thank you. +[5863.56 --> 5865.56] Thank you. +[5893.56 --> 5895.56] Thank you. +[5923.56 --> 5925.56] Thank you. +[5953.56 --> 5955.56] Thank you. +[5983.56 --> 5985.56] Thank you. +[6013.56 --> 6015.56] Thank you. +[6043.56 --> 6045.56] Thank you. +[6073.56 --> 6075.56] Thank you. +[6103.56 --> 6105.56] Thank you. +[6133.56 --> 6135.56] Thank you. +[6163.56 --> 6165.56] Thank you. +[6193.56 --> 6195.56] Thank you. +[6223.56 --> 6225.56] Thank you. +[6253.56 --> 6255.56] Thank you. +[6283.56 --> 6285.56] Thank you. +[6313.56 --> 6315.56] Thank you. +[6343.56 --> 6345.56] Thank you. +[6345.56 --> 6347.56] Thank you. +[6347.56 --> 6377.54] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d6883b670bf6e8754c6cced6594215e1012a79fa --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,87 @@ +• Music ministry and worship +• Praise album project with Alan and Joey +• Decision-making process for the album's scope +• Personal reflections and gratitude for God's work in their lives +• Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer, and Healer +• Faithfulness through life's challenges and joys +• Difficult journey through dark valleys +• Trust in God's mercy and grace +• Overwhelming sense of dependence on God +• Recognition of God's faithfulness at every step +• Expression of love and gratitude towards a divine figure +• Acknowledgment of limitations in expressing the beauty of one's holiness +• Announcements for worship at Emanuel +• Fundraising update for "Coldest Night of the Year" walk +• Upcoming events: Youth program on Saturday night, worship at Sunridge next Saturday +• Mexico mission team seeking volunteers to transport team members +• Call to worship from Psalm 92 and several songs +• Sermon text not provided in transcript +• The importance of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone +• The Cadet Group's activities and projects +• Lead the Way theme based on 1 Timothy 4:12 +• Setting an example in Christian speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity +• Importance of prayer and service to others +• Expressions of devotion and praise to a king or Lord +• Request for the Lord to reign in the speaker's life +• Mention of the Calvinist Cadet Corps and its goals +• Announcement of an offering to support the ministry +• Worship and prayer, including expressions of awe and gratitude towards God +• Discussion of the name above all names and God's worthiness +• Cadet Sunday gathering and children's worship time discussion on needs vs wants +• Church family prayer led by Eric, an elder at Emmanuel +• Prayers for specific individuals struggling with health concerns: Lena, John V, Tessa, Tim and Charity Johnson, Jermaine +• Prayers for healing and guidance in times of uncertainty and need +• The pastor introduces Cadet Sunday and explains that the sermon will be focused on the cadets +• The passage from 1 Timothy 4:12-14 is read, emphasizing the importance of setting a good example for others and devotion to public reading, preaching, and teaching +• The context of the passage is explained, with Paul writing to his friend Timothy who was a young pastor in Ephesus +• A brief story about Timothy's life is shared, highlighting his faith and relationship with Paul +• The true stories of leaders and their experiences are used as examples for the cadets +• The importance of being a godly example in speech and conduct +• Being an example in love, faith, and purity +• The need to be mindful of the impact of our words on others +• A demonstration or activity with toothpaste and plates (unrelated to the main topic) +• Words are permanent and can't be taken back +• Be careful with words, as they can cause harm or build each other up +• The importance of speaking calmly and respectfully +• Online presence and the permanence of digital posts +• Being an example of right speech in everyday interactions +• Right conduct: acting with integrity and respect in one's actions and interactions +• The importance of referees and linesmen in hockey games +• How the game would have gone without them +• The role of officials in maintaining proper conduct during a game +• The consequences of chaos in a game due to lack of officials +• The connection between right conduct on and off the ice +• The biblical teaching of being an example of right conduct and living honorably +• A story about Desmond Doss, a soldier who refused to carry a rifle but instead carried a medical kit during World War II +• Desmond Doss's story about saving 75 soldiers +• Definition of love and putting others ahead of oneself +• Jesus' statement in John 15:13, "greater love has no one than this...that someone lay down his life for his friends" +• Examples of faith through putting trust in God/other people +• Trust exercise with two cadets standing on chairs and being caught by others +• Faith in wrong things can lead to harm +• Object of faith matters: putting trust in Jesus for hope, peace, and grace +• Examples given of adults putting faith in wrong things (savings accounts, workplaces, etc.) +• Importance of purity as a value to be demonstrated by individuals +• Explanation of purity deferred due to potential consequences (example with dog poop) +• Purity is about what's inside of our hearts, not just avoiding external influences +• Sin originates from within, in thoughts and desires +• Focusing on good things and filling hearts with right thoughts and actions is key to purity +• Taking every thought captive to obey Christ helps maintain purity +• Understanding what it means to be a godly example comes from God's Word, the Bible +• The importance of reading the Bible and its role in teaching us how to live, love, and follow Jesus +• The inevitability of making mistakes despite trying our best, but Jesus' perfection on our behalf +• Jesus using the Bible to guide Him during temptation and living a sinless life as an example for us +• The significance of Jesus taking the punishment for our sins and rising from the dead, allowing us to be forgiven and saved +• How we can follow Jesus without needing to be perfect, but rather because we love Him and are already saved +• The need to read the Bible to grow in faith and remember who Jesus is and what He did for us +• The importance of imitating Jesus' qualities such as speaking, acting, loving, having faith, and living with purity +• Encouragement to read the Bible and learn about Jesus +• Importance of understanding God's Word in shaping lives and behavior +• Call to cadets to be examples of faith and lead by following God's teachings +• Prayer for guidance, wisdom, and protection from God +• Singing a song about God's Word as a lamp unto their feet and light unto their path +• A song is sung with the cadets +• The priestly blessing is recited +• A call to be a godly example in the world +• Cadets are encouraged to participate and help lead singing +• A prayer or dedication to living for Jesus is given \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3d0986c75fc086514856fac83baa85b062011c56 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 23, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1368 @@ +[0.00 --> 1.58] I know that we are. +[2.48 --> 7.00] And God has just amazingly moved during the time of prayer and worship. +[7.74 --> 13.50] And I think that's what some of the people in this room saw when they saw us play live. +[15.06 --> 17.22] And just want to encourage us to do more of that. +[17.40 --> 18.78] God is blessing something. +[20.10 --> 21.34] Hey, let's grab onto it. +[21.92 --> 23.40] This life is too short. +[23.58 --> 29.16] It's too complicated for us to worry about things that we want to do. +[30.00 --> 32.00] All we want to do is go out, my God. +[33.40 --> 39.20] When Joey came to us about to do the Praise album, it was supposed to be his two or three song thing. +[40.28 --> 41.18] I thought that was cool. +[41.90 --> 44.64] And then they had a meeting with Alan. +[44.84 --> 48.74] Alan made some comments about, well, I'll do a ten song thing. +[48.80 --> 49.38] I'll be into that. +[49.38 --> 50.26] And then he came. +[50.84 --> 51.46] Then he was excited. +[51.58 --> 52.60] He called us up and decided about it. +[54.46 --> 56.06] We thought they all lost it. +[56.06 --> 61.84] We had a meeting before we went to go tea to meet to make sure we were all going to stand together and say no to the ten song. +[63.28 --> 64.38] We had bars and nobles. +[64.52 --> 66.68] And we were about to come be able to think about, guys, we've got to stick together on this. +[66.76 --> 68.08] And they'll believe in what we're trying to do. +[68.18 --> 70.70] They're just going to try to make some praise band and all this stuff. +[71.70 --> 73.54] And God just flipped us upside down. +[73.54 --> 83.72] And as a prelude, if tomorrow this whole album falls to pieces for some reason, at the very least, God has brought me back to a place where I was four years ago. +[83.80 --> 84.92] I was excited about servanthood. +[85.42 --> 87.10] I didn't care about where I was going in the world. +[87.76 --> 90.08] At the very least, my marriage is stronger. +[90.54 --> 91.60] My relationship with God is stronger. +[92.08 --> 94.50] And if all this goes tomorrow, praise God. +[94.50 --> 99.10] I'm so happy that you used whatever is happening right now in all our lives to bring me this point. +[124.50 --> 148.50] There is a truth older than the ages. +[148.50 --> 154.46] There is a promise of things yet to come. +[155.46 --> 160.92] There is one born for our salvation. +[162.76 --> 164.00] Jesus. +[167.26 --> 173.42] There is a light that overwhelms the darkness. +[173.42 --> 179.80] There is a kingdom that forever reigns. +[180.38 --> 187.18] There is freedom from the chains that bind us. +[187.76 --> 189.00] Jesus. +[190.92 --> 192.08] Jesus. +[192.08 --> 196.62] Who walks on the waters. +[196.62 --> 199.62] Who speaks to the sea. +[200.00 --> 205.22] Who stands in the fire beside me. +[206.10 --> 208.98] He roars like a lion. +[209.26 --> 212.12] He bled as the lamb. +[212.62 --> 218.04] He carries my healing in His hands. +[218.04 --> 220.16] Jesus +[220.16 --> 229.56] There is a name I call in times of trouble +[229.56 --> 235.78] There is a song that comforts in the night +[235.78 --> 242.18] There is a voice that calms a storm that rages +[242.18 --> 248.24] He is Jesus, Jesus +[248.24 --> 255.72] Who walks on the waters, who speaks to the sea +[255.72 --> 261.38] Who stands in the fire beside me +[261.38 --> 268.24] He roars like a lion, He bread as a lamb +[268.24 --> 273.82] He carries my healing in His name +[273.82 --> 276.26] Jesus +[276.26 --> 282.30] Messiah +[282.30 --> 285.46] My Savior +[285.46 --> 292.18] There is power in Your name +[292.18 --> 298.02] You're my rocket, my redeemer +[298.02 --> 304.62] There is power in Your name +[304.62 --> 307.34] In Your name +[307.34 --> 314.90] You walk on the waters +[314.90 --> 317.94] You speak to the sea +[317.94 --> 323.48] You stand in the fire beside me +[323.48 --> 327.38] You roar like a lion +[327.38 --> 330.56] You blend as a lamb +[330.56 --> 335.84] You carry my healing in Your hands +[335.84 --> 339.86] God, You walk on the waters +[339.86 --> 342.90] You speak to the sea +[342.90 --> 348.44] You stand in the fire beside me +[348.44 --> 352.30] You roar like a lion +[352.30 --> 355.52] You lay as a lamb +[355.52 --> 361.60] You carry my healing in Your hands +[361.60 --> 363.46] Jesus +[363.46 --> 363.50] Jesus +[363.50 --> 368.70] There is no one like You +[368.70 --> 369.82] Jesus +[369.82 --> 375.38] There is no one like You +[375.38 --> 379.82] Jesus +[379.82 --> 381.82] Jesus +[381.82 --> 391.58] There is no one like You +[391.58 --> 392.28] Jesus +[392.28 --> 410.80] Here we stand, here we are +[410.80 --> 414.12] With all our wounds and battle scars +[414.12 --> 417.84] From all the storms and all the wars +[417.84 --> 422.32] together +[422.32 --> 431.32] we had no way of knowing when +[431.32 --> 434.72] we started way back there and then +[434.72 --> 438.34] how the road would twist and turn and bend +[438.34 --> 440.88] we just knew we belonged +[440.88 --> 442.88] together +[447.84 --> 454.84] and if it wasn't for god's mercy and his grace +[454.84 --> 461.84] there's no way we would be standing in this place +[461.84 --> 470.84] but because he has been faithful every step along the way +[470.84 --> 475.84] here we are +[475.84 --> 482.84] together +[482.84 --> 485.84] we've climbed up mountains higher than +[485.84 --> 489.84] we're ever in our hopes and plans +[489.84 --> 492.84] we've held on to each other's hand +[492.84 --> 496.84] watched miracles unfold +[496.84 --> 503.84] together +[503.84 --> 509.84] we've crawled on our hands and knees through valleys cold and dark and deep +[509.84 --> 516.84] and we're not even sure if we can make it out alive together +[516.84 --> 523.84] together +[523.84 --> 529.84] and if it wasn't for god's mercy and his grace +[529.84 --> 533.84] there's no way we would be standing in this place +[533.84 --> 536.84] we're not even sure if we can make it out of this place +[536.84 --> 540.84] but because he has been free for every step along the way +[540.84 --> 541.84] step along the way +[541.84 --> 547.84] here we are +[547.84 --> 550.84] together +[550.84 --> 555.84] together +[555.84 --> 556.84] together +[556.84 --> 558.84] together +[558.84 --> 562.84] together +[562.84 --> 565.84] together +[565.84 --> 569.84] together +[569.84 --> 570.84] together +[570.84 --> 573.84] together +[573.84 --> 575.84] together +[575.84 --> 583.84] and +[583.84 --> 590.84] Because he has been faithful every step along the way. +[590.84 --> 597.84] Here be the Lord. +[597.84 --> 604.84] Together. +[604.84 --> 611.84] Together. +[613.84 --> 615.84] Together. +[615.84 --> 617.84] Together. +[625.84 --> 635.84] In the last three of them. +[635.84 --> 653.52] Let me take a look at what it is. +[653.52 --> 660.52] So why would I let worries spill my breath? +[660.52 --> 664.52] Even the roses +[664.52 --> 669.52] You have clothed in brilliant red +[669.52 --> 676.52] Still I'm the one you love more than this +[676.52 --> 680.52] You give me everything +[680.52 --> 684.52] You give me everything +[684.52 --> 691.52] You give me everything I need +[691.52 --> 698.52] You give me everything I need +[698.52 --> 702.52] You give me everything I need +[702.52 --> 706.52] You give me everything I need +[706.52 --> 713.52] Even the oceans +[713.52 --> 717.52] Push and pull at your command +[717.52 --> 724.52] So you can still my heart with your head +[724.52 --> 728.52] You tell the seasons +[728.52 --> 733.52] When it's time for them to turn +[733.52 --> 739.52] So I would trust you even when it hurts +[739.52 --> 743.52] You give me everything +[743.52 --> 747.52] You give me everything +[747.52 --> 750.52] You give me everything +[750.52 --> 751.52] You give me everything +[751.52 --> 753.52] You give me everything +[754.52 --> 755.52] You give me everything +[755.52 --> 766.40] I need you give me everything you give me everything +[766.40 --> 772.40] you give me everything +[774.64 --> 784.80] when i can't see you lead me when i can't hear you show me when i can't stand +[784.80 --> 787.52] you carry me +[790.96 --> 799.68] when i'm lost you will find me when i'm with you are mighty +[806.64 --> 813.60] you give me everything you give me everything +[814.80 --> 819.52] you give me everything +[819.52 --> 823.52] i need +[823.52 --> 827.52] you give me everything +[827.52 --> 831.52] you give me everything +[831.52 --> 836.24] you give me everything +[836.24 --> 838.24] i need +[838.24 --> 840.24] you give me everything +[840.24 --> 844.24] you give me everything +[844.24 --> 850.24] everything +[850.24 --> 858.96] you give me everything +[858.96 --> 862.96] you give me everything +[862.96 --> 867.68] you give me everything +[867.68 --> 874.40] you give me everything +[874.40 --> 876.40] you give me everything +[876.40 --> 878.40] you give me everything +[878.40 --> 880.40] you the way +[880.40 --> 882.40] you give me everything +[882.40 --> 884.40] You +[912.40 --> 921.40] you is everything I know fails to compare to you and you alone +[921.40 --> 933.40] taken by your majesty I am overcome by the power of what your hand has done +[933.40 --> 940.40] yeah I can never quite express the beauty of your holiness +[940.40 --> 945.40] you're the holy one +[945.40 --> 951.40] I can never quite define the way you change this heart of mine +[951.40 --> 956.40] you're the holy one +[956.40 --> 961.40] you're the holy one +[961.40 --> 965.40] you're the holy one +[970.40 --> 978.40] there's no counting all the ways +[978.40 --> 981.40] you and men so true +[981.40 --> 983.40] faithful to the end +[983.40 --> 986.40] you're faithful through and through +[986.40 --> 989.40] you are more than wonderful +[989.40 --> 992.40] you are everything +[992.40 --> 994.40] you mean more than love +[994.40 --> 998.40] more than life to me +[998.40 --> 1000.40] yeah +[1000.40 --> 1004.40] I can never quite express the beauty of your holiness +[1004.40 --> 1005.40] you +[1005.40 --> 1007.40] you +[1007.40 --> 1009.40] you +[1009.40 --> 1011.40] you +[1011.40 --> 1014.40] you +[1014.40 --> 1016.40] you +[1016.40 --> 1018.40] you +[1018.40 --> 1020.40] you +[1020.40 --> 1022.40] you +[1022.40 --> 1024.40] you +[1024.40 --> 1026.40] you +[1026.40 --> 1039.40] you +[1039.40 --> 1041.40] you +[1041.40 --> 1043.40] you +[1043.40 --> 1058.40] you +[1073.40 --> 1086.40] you +[1086.40 --> 1088.40] you +[1103.40 --> 1116.40] you +[1116.40 --> 1117.40] you +[1117.40 --> 1118.40] you +[1118.40 --> 1120.40] you +[1120.40 --> 1122.40] you +[1122.40 --> 1124.40] you +[1124.40 --> 1127.40] you +[1127.40 --> 1143.40] you +[1143.40 --> 1143.72] you +[1143.72 --> 1146.40] you +[1146.40 --> 1147.40] you +[1147.40 --> 1153.82] to hear from our cadets and their counselors and learn about what they've been up to in this past +[1153.82 --> 1161.06] year and to share this service of celebration and worship with them. As we gather here for +[1161.06 --> 1166.16] worship at Emanuel, we've got a couple announcements that we want to just put out in front of you. +[1167.06 --> 1174.26] And so the first is just a big thank you to everyone who participated in the coldest night +[1174.26 --> 1182.56] of the year walk yesterday or who donated in support of that. We are at Emanuel $600 away from +[1182.56 --> 1189.94] our goal of $3,000 in fundraising for that. So if you are looking for an opportunity to fundraise +[1189.94 --> 1196.72] for something, you can find the link to donate still open today and into next week in the e-bulletins +[1196.72 --> 1205.96] and midweek memos and things like that. Also, tonight is 2020 for the youth in our youth program. +[1206.08 --> 1210.12] If you have any questions about that, Pastor Kevin will happily address them for you. +[1211.22 --> 1218.32] And then next Saturday is worship at Sunridge. And so Sunridge is a retirement to seniors living +[1218.32 --> 1223.46] facility up the hill. We send a group there on the first Saturday of every month to worship with some +[1223.46 --> 1229.34] of the residents there. That's happening this coming Saturday at 2 o'clock. And everyone is invited to +[1229.34 --> 1238.34] join and to gather with those who worship there. And then lastly, Mexico mission team is looking for +[1238.34 --> 1245.70] a few volunteers to drop off at the airport and then pick up 10 days later. And so if you're willing +[1245.70 --> 1254.18] to drive to Seattle SeaTac on the 15th, leaving here at 5 a.m., they would love that. And so would you. +[1255.98 --> 1263.46] And if you're willing or some others of you are willing to drive on the 25th to Seattle SeaTac for +[1263.46 --> 1269.52] 5 p.m., that would be excellent. If you are willing to do that, you can either talk to myself or Kevin +[1269.52 --> 1276.48] or Brandon and we'll get you those details and particulars there. But think about that. It would be great +[1276.48 --> 1284.36] if we could get, I think we're going to need two, probably even three vans this year going. So let's be mindful +[1284.36 --> 1291.36] of that. I think that's it for announcements. I'm getting one nod saying that's it. So I'm going to invite you as you are +[1291.36 --> 1299.02] able to stand and we're going to come into God's presence in worship and in song, in prayer and in word this morning. +[1299.20 --> 1305.96] And so I'm going to invite you to receive God's blessing as we meet him in this place together. +[1306.34 --> 1308.64] Receive the blessing of our God this morning in worship. +[1310.08 --> 1317.66] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son, and our Savior, +[1317.66 --> 1321.90] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +[1322.42 --> 1325.34] I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them into worship this morning. +[1325.34 --> 1325.38] Amen. +[1347.66 --> 1365.62] Good morning. Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 92. +[1365.62 --> 1374.94] It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love +[1374.94 --> 1383.78] in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Cadets and all here and online, let us all join +[1383.78 --> 1390.06] our voices with God's family here as we sing of his love and his faithfulness. +[1390.06 --> 1420.04] In my wrestling and in my downfall, +[1420.04 --> 1428.54] In my failure, you won't walk out. Your great love will lead me through. +[1429.32 --> 1437.16] You are the peace in my troubled sea. You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[1439.94 --> 1448.20] In the silence, you won't let go. In the questions, your truth will hold. +[1448.20 --> 1456.64] Your great love will lead me through. You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[1456.64 --> 1475.64] My lighthouse, my lighthouse, shining in the darkness. I will follow you, O My Lighthouse, My Lighthouse. +[1475.64 --> 1481.64] I will trust the promise. You will carry me safe to shore. +[1481.64 --> 1493.64] Safe to shore. Safe to shore. Safe to shore. Safe to shore. +[1493.64 --> 1505.14] I won't fear. I won't fear what tomorrow brings. With each morning, I'll rise and sing. +[1505.14 --> 1513.64] My God's love will lead me through. You are the peace in my troubled sea. +[1513.64 --> 1525.64] My lighthouse, my lighthouse, my lighthouse. My lighthouse, my lighthouse. +[1525.64 --> 1542.64] I will trust the promise. You will carry me safe to shore. Safe to shore. +[1542.64 --> 1550.64] Safe to shore. Safe to shore. Safe to shore. +[1554.64 --> 1562.64] Fire before us. You're the brightest. You will lead us through the storm. +[1562.64 --> 1578.64] Fire before us. You will lead us through the storm. +[1578.64 --> 1580.64] Fire before us. You're the brightest. You will lead us through the storm. +[1580.64 --> 1590.64] Fire before us. You're the brightest. It is, O My Lighthouse. +[1590.64 --> 1596.64] Fire before us. You are the brightest. You are the brightest. +[1596.64 --> 1602.64] Fire before us. In the flowers. +[1602.64 --> 1604.64] Fire before us. +[1604.64 --> 1608.64] Fire before us. +[1608.64 --> 1610.64] safe to show. +[1638.64 --> 1652.24] My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[1654.24 --> 1667.24] I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' name. +[1668.64 --> 1684.74] My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[1684.74 --> 1699.74] I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' name. +[1699.74 --> 1701.74] Amen. +[1701.74 --> 1716.74] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1716.74 --> 1728.74] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1728.74 --> 1746.74] When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. +[1746.74 --> 1760.74] In every high and stormy game, my anger holds within the veil. +[1760.74 --> 1768.74] My anger holds within the veil. +[1768.74 --> 1783.74] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1783.74 --> 1795.74] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1795.74 --> 1813.74] When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I there in Him be found. +[1813.74 --> 1820.74] Dressed in His righteousness alone, +[1820.74 --> 1821.74] Dressed in His righteousness alone, +[1821.74 --> 1828.74] Faultless stand before the throne. +[1828.74 --> 1843.74] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1843.74 --> 1855.74] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1855.74 --> 1870.74] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1870.74 --> 1883.74] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1883.74 --> 1885.74] You may be seated. +[1885.74 --> 1886.74] Invite Andrew up. +[1886.74 --> 1888.74] Good morning. +[1888.74 --> 1911.74] My name is Andrew Ruckaik, and I'm the leader of the Cadet Group here at Langley Emanuel. +[1911.74 --> 1917.74] I'm just going to start off this morning by sharing a little bit about what the Cadets have been up to this year. +[1917.74 --> 1926.74] First off, this year our Cadet Group consists of 29 boys, with about half of those boys coming from outside of our local church community. +[1926.74 --> 1938.74] On a typical Cadet evening, we always start with our Cadet landmarks, which we'll be going through in a few moments with the boys, followed by a time of devotion, some games, and some sort of project. +[1938.74 --> 1943.74] We end each meeting with singing Living for Jesus. +[1943.74 --> 1948.74] Some of the special evenings that we've done this year so far, we did a pumpkin carving evening. +[1948.74 --> 1955.74] We also went to an ice hockey game for Trinity Western, and we've got a few more things planned before the end of the year. +[1955.74 --> 1965.74] Some of the projects the boys have been working on this year include propeller cars, a mini disc golf game, mouse trap cars, and they're currently working on a pencil box. +[1965.74 --> 1972.74] In the coming weeks, we're also going to be making model rockets with the boys that we'll be launching off at the end of the year. +[1972.74 --> 1977.74] If you're interested, you can check out some of these projects on the table in the foyer after the service. +[1977.74 --> 1986.74] For devotions this year, we've been looking at our theme for Cadets, which is Lead the Way, which is based off of 1 Timothy 4, verse 12. +[1986.74 --> 1987.74] That reads, +[1987.74 --> 1996.74] Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. +[1996.74 --> 2003.74] So through our time of devotion, each meeting, the Cadets have been learning how to combine leading the way with their living for Jesus, +[2003.74 --> 2006.74] by trying to set an example for others in all areas of their life. +[2006.74 --> 2013.74] More specifically, we've been discussing how they can lead the way by setting an example in the words that they use, +[2013.74 --> 2021.74] their actions towards others, showing love through service, being examples of faith, and by having hearts and minds that are kept pure. +[2021.74 --> 2025.74] So that's just a little bit about what we've been up to this year. +[2025.74 --> 2030.74] At this time, I'm going to be going through the landmarks with the Cadets. +[2030.74 --> 2034.74] So I think I'm going to come down in front of you guys here. +[2034.74 --> 2038.74] I'm going to ask the Cadets and the leaders to stand. +[2041.74 --> 2043.74] All right, Cadets, attention. +[2043.74 --> 2047.74] Cadets, what is your motto? +[2047.74 --> 2051.74] Cadets, what is your verse? +[2051.74 --> 2053.74] Cadets? +[2054.74 --> 2058.74] Cadets, what is your noun? +[2058.74 --> 2060.74] Cadets, what IS your code? +[2077.74 --> 2080.74] Cadets, what IS your pledge? +[2080.74 --> 2098.46] All right, thank you. +[2098.46 --> 2099.24] You can have a seat. +[2099.24 --> 2117.00] Next, I'll be leading everyone through a responsive reading, which should be up on the screen. +[2117.00 --> 2119.00] Hopefully. +[2119.00 --> 2122.66] Okay. +[2122.66 --> 2124.62] This year's cadet theme is Lead the Way. +[2124.62 --> 2128.82] The cadets are learning how God directs and trains them as leaders. +[2128.82 --> 2150.58] Cadets must be an example in Christian speech. +[2150.58 --> 2154.52] Cadets must be an example in their Christian conduct. +[2154.52 --> 2173.52] He will pray for you and be all about you, serving in the kingdom. +[2173.52 --> 2180.52] Cadets must be an example displaying Christian love. +[2180.52 --> 2185.52] Cadets must show their Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2185.52 --> 2192.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2192.52 --> 2200.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2200.52 --> 2207.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2207.52 --> 2213.52] He will pray for you and be all about you, serving in all areas of life. +[2213.52 --> 2215.52] Cadets must show purity in their lives. +[2215.52 --> 2232.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2232.52 --> 2234.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2234.52 --> 2254.52] Cadets must be an example of a Christian faith in all areas of life. +[2254.52 --> 2258.44] I'll let any of the values that we've heard of. +[2259.06 --> 2262.40] Let's set an example to the leaders in speech, +[2262.90 --> 2266.56] honor, love, and faith, and truth. +[2266.56 --> 2270.56] Let's set an example to the leaders in speech, honor, and love. +[2270.56 --> 2285.86] Why don't we stand together and offer a few more songs to go. +[2300.56 --> 2330.54] Let's set an example to the leaders in speech, honor, and faith, and truth. +[2330.56 --> 2360.54] Let's set an example to the leaders in speech, honor, and faith, and truth. +[2360.54 --> 2365.50] And in all I do bring you honor and faith. +[2365.82 --> 2373.72] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2373.72 --> 2383.56] You are faithful through the ages you never changed. +[2383.56 --> 2389.56] Be my guide for the road ahead. +[2389.72 --> 2394.02] Should I feel this way, you are just and good. +[2395.02 --> 2402.70] I want to trust in you, and in all I do bring you honor and faith. +[2402.70 --> 2410.94] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2410.94 --> 2419.68] You are faithful through the ages you never changed. +[2419.68 --> 2426.94] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2426.94 --> 2438.00] You are faithful through the ages you never changed. +[2438.00 --> 2446.44] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2446.44 --> 2448.82] You are faithful through the ages you never changed. +[2448.82 --> 2452.18] You are faithful through the ages you never changed. +[2452.18 --> 2454.56] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2454.56 --> 2466.86] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[2466.86 --> 2472.38] Over all the earth you reign on high +[2472.38 --> 2476.84] Every mountain stream, every sunset sky +[2476.84 --> 2482.20] But my one request, Lord my only aim +[2482.20 --> 2485.76] Is that you reign in me again +[2485.76 --> 2490.30] Lord reign in me, reign in your power +[2490.30 --> 2494.84] Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour +[2494.84 --> 2500.10] You are the Lord of all I am +[2500.10 --> 2503.84] So won't you reign in me again +[2503.84 --> 2517.22] Over every thought, over every word +[2517.22 --> 2521.58] May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord +[2521.58 --> 2526.84] Cause you mean more to me than any earthly thing +[2526.84 --> 2530.42] So won't you reign in me again +[2530.42 --> 2534.98] Lord reign in me, reign in your power +[2534.98 --> 2538.84] Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour +[2539.40 --> 2543.84] You are the Lord of all I am +[2544.60 --> 2548.10] So won't you reign in me again +[2548.10 --> 2552.62] Lord reign in me, reign in your power +[2552.62 --> 2557.04] Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour +[2557.04 --> 2562.26] You are the Lord of all I am +[2562.26 --> 2565.90] So won't you reign in me again +[2565.90 --> 2570.36] So won't you reign in me again +[2570.36 --> 2578.36] So won't you reign in me again +[2578.36 --> 2583.62] So won't you reign in me again +[2583.62 --> 2585.26] So won't you reign in me again +[2585.36 --> 2586.32] So won't you reign in me again +[2588.46 --> 2591.48] Ones Lord not only we Abu'r +[2591.48 --> 2600.64] It is now time to continue our worship through the giving of our offerings. +[2601.60 --> 2605.42] Today's offering is for the ministries of this church and also for the Calvinist Cadet Corps. +[2606.38 --> 2610.74] The Calvinist Cadet Corps is the larger organization that our cadet club is part of. +[2611.38 --> 2617.48] It includes cadet clubs across Canada, the United States, the Ukraine, New Zealand, Australia, +[2617.70 --> 2619.36] Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan. +[2619.36 --> 2627.84] The Calvinist Cadet Corps offers a structured program and resources specifically designed to help boys grow spiritually in all areas of their life. +[2628.46 --> 2630.92] Devotional, mental, physical, and social. +[2631.46 --> 2634.96] With their goal of encouraging them to live out the motto, Living for Jesus. +[2636.20 --> 2640.90] As an independent ministry, the Calvinist Cadet Corps depends on your generous gifts and offerings +[2640.90 --> 2644.68] to continue providing ministry materials for boys and for counselors. +[2645.52 --> 2647.36] Please give as the Lord has blessed you. +[2647.36 --> 2655.78] And I think during the offering there will be a slideshow playing with some pictures from the past year from cadets. +[2655.78 --> 2655.88] Thank you. +[2677.36 --> 2686.66] The Lord has blessed you. +[2686.66 --> 2690.74] Let all the earth rejoice. +[2690.74 --> 2693.94] All the earth rejoice. +[2695.86 --> 2700.10] He wraps Himself in light. +[2700.10 --> 2709.10] And darkness strikes too high. +[2709.10 --> 2709.32] And trembles at His voice. +[2709.40 --> 2712.46] Trembles at His voice. +[2713.00 --> 2718.36] How great is our God. +[2718.36 --> 2724.62] Say with me how great is our God. +[2724.62 --> 2727.92] And all will see how great. +[2727.92 --> 2733.92] How great is our God. +[2733.92 --> 2736.62] Age to age. +[2736.62 --> 2742.62] Age to age He stands. +[2742.62 --> 2743.62] Age to age He stands. +[2743.62 --> 2749.62] Age to age He stands. +[2749.62 --> 2751.42] And time is in His hands. +[2751.92 --> 2753.50] Beginning and the end. +[2753.50 --> 2755.04] Beginning and the end. +[2755.04 --> 2757.46] And God hit three in one. +[2757.46 --> 2761.68] God hit three in one. +[2763.24 --> 2767.44] Father, Spirit, Son, +[2768.44 --> 2770.64] the Lion and the Lamb, +[2771.32 --> 2775.10] the Lion and the Lamb. +[2775.10 --> 2780.14] How great is our God. +[2780.38 --> 2786.28] Don't you see me how great is our God. +[2786.28 --> 2790.14] All will see how great, +[2790.72 --> 2796.46] how great is our God. +[2796.94 --> 2798.20] The name of all names. +[2799.20 --> 2804.78] For the name above all names, +[2804.78 --> 2811.00] you are worthy of all praise. +[2811.00 --> 2820.88] And my heart will see how great is our God. +[2820.88 --> 2823.74] Oh, He's the name. +[2823.74 --> 2829.42] He's the name above all names. +[2829.42 --> 2835.52] You are worthy of all praise. +[2835.52 --> 2845.52] And my heart will see how great is our God. +[2845.52 --> 2853.52] See how great, how great is our God. +[2853.52 --> 2859.52] Sing me how great is our God. +[2859.52 --> 2863.52] And all will see how great, +[2863.52 --> 2868.52] how great is our God. +[2868.52 --> 2871.52] He's the name above all names. +[2871.52 --> 2875.52] Oh, He's the name above all names. +[2875.52 --> 2880.52] And my heart will see how great is our God. +[2880.52 --> 2884.52] He's the name above all names. +[2884.52 --> 2887.52] And my heart will see how great is our God. +[2887.52 --> 2889.52] And He's the name above all names. +[2889.52 --> 2891.52] He is worthy of all names. +[2891.52 --> 2893.52] He is worthy of all praise. +[2893.52 --> 2895.90] He is worthy of all names. +[2895.90 --> 2898.52] He is the name above all names. +[2898.52 --> 2907.86] He is worthy of all names. +[2909.44 --> 2913.86] In my heart I will see how great is our God. +[2913.98 --> 2917.32] He is our God. +[2917.52 --> 2923.32] ash 그리고 tamb을 Danielco be worth all names. +[2923.52 --> 2935.90] Good morning, everybody. +[2936.10 --> 2941.58] Can I have preschool all the way up to grade four, but the cadets can stay seated? +[2942.78 --> 2943.54] You were. +[2943.68 --> 2944.10] Come on. +[2950.82 --> 2951.60] You're okay. +[2953.52 --> 2954.72] Perfect. +[2954.98 --> 2955.26] Come on. +[2955.46 --> 2956.10] It's okay. +[2956.40 --> 2956.86] It's okay. +[2957.68 --> 2958.00] Okay. +[2959.92 --> 2961.44] I have a question for you guys. +[2961.44 --> 2969.34] Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were so excited and you talked about it +[2969.34 --> 2977.44] for months and months and months on end for like maybe something like a special trip or +[2978.20 --> 2981.02] a birthday or something. +[2981.22 --> 2981.36] What? +[2982.06 --> 2983.12] You had a birthday? +[2983.52 --> 2989.56] And you thought about like a special gift where you wanted it so badly and you were +[2989.56 --> 2991.22] excited about it? +[2991.60 --> 2993.52] I put the flag at the tree. +[2993.76 --> 2994.86] Oh, cool. +[2994.86 --> 3001.22] So today in children's worship time, we are going to talk about things that we need and +[3001.22 --> 3002.86] things that we want. +[3003.66 --> 3013.50] And also we're going to talk about how sometimes certain drinks will quench our thirst with our +[3013.50 --> 3014.64] needs and our wants. +[3014.64 --> 3018.28] And Jesus will quench our thirst with everything. +[3018.28 --> 3019.62] Okay, guys. +[3019.72 --> 3020.62] So everybody stand up. +[3020.68 --> 3024.74] We're going to go in more detail in children's worship time so you can tell your moms and dads +[3024.74 --> 3025.34] after. +[3025.70 --> 3027.52] So turn around and look at the congregation. +[3027.52 --> 3030.78] Here we go. +[3030.78 --> 3032.56] One, two, three. +[3032.56 --> 3033.72] The Lord. +[3035.22 --> 3037.00] And also with you. +[3037.00 --> 3066.70] Good morning. +[3066.70 --> 3067.70] I'm Eric here. +[3067.70 --> 3069.16] I'm an elder at Emmanuel. +[3069.34 --> 3071.58] I'll lead us in our church family prayer this morning. +[3071.58 --> 3078.64] Lord Jesus, today we come to you on our family prayer on Cadet Sunday. +[3078.86 --> 3082.92] We thank you for the leadership in our church from the men leading the cadet group. +[3083.22 --> 3088.74] May they continue to provide the young men with leadership and continue to show us how +[3088.74 --> 3092.12] it is to be leading the way with living for Jesus. +[3093.26 --> 3094.20] Praise the Lord. +[3094.88 --> 3096.42] Sing to the Lord a new song. +[3097.00 --> 3099.22] Sing to the Lord all the years. +[3099.22 --> 3102.22] Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. +[3102.50 --> 3103.74] His love endures forever. +[3105.50 --> 3108.68] Many people in our circles are still struggling with health concerns. +[3109.32 --> 3114.60] We think of Lena as she's still continuing to be in the hospital with the hope of coming +[3114.60 --> 3117.82] home soon with some sort of aid to help as needed. +[3117.82 --> 3123.78] We pray for the rest of the family and friends as they deal with the ever-changing situation. +[3125.38 --> 3128.94] Earlier this month, John V was diagnosed with bladder cancer. +[3129.38 --> 3131.46] He will be starting his treatments later this week. +[3131.72 --> 3134.22] We pray for a complete recovery. +[3134.22 --> 3138.40] We pray for the family and friends as they support him in this journey. +[3139.40 --> 3145.86] We also wanted to think of Tessa, daughter to Jerry, sister to Eneka. +[3147.14 --> 3151.92] We pray that she waits for the test results showing the mass in our lungs and we pray for +[3151.92 --> 3154.96] the healing and the treatment that may be required. +[3154.96 --> 3162.54] At this time, we also think of Tim and Charity Johnson as they're no longer receiving support +[3162.54 --> 3165.32] for their way ministries, which they've had since 2017. +[3165.96 --> 3170.34] So there's uncertainties as to how they'll continue to serve the Native youth gathering +[3170.34 --> 3172.30] in the Shushwap area. +[3172.52 --> 3175.82] We pray for your hand and leadership and guidance in this. +[3176.72 --> 3182.08] Lord, we also think of Jermaine from Sunridge as she's been worshiping with us for the last +[3182.08 --> 3187.08] few years, but she's now moved to Abbotsford for further care, so she won't be amongst +[3187.08 --> 3187.58] us anymore. +[3187.70 --> 3192.28] We pray for finding a community to plug in and still be part of. +[3192.34 --> 3194.32] Lord, thank you for the time she did have with us. +[3196.22 --> 3200.16] This is the time of year where so many of us deal with all sorts of health concerns, +[3200.44 --> 3203.54] some of us known to us, but many struggle in silence. +[3204.24 --> 3206.68] We pray for your healing hand upon us. +[3206.68 --> 3211.44] So do not fear, for I am with you. +[3211.76 --> 3214.28] Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. +[3214.42 --> 3215.46] I will strengthen you. +[3215.62 --> 3216.44] I will help you. +[3216.82 --> 3220.32] I will uphold you in my righteous right hand. +[3220.84 --> 3221.08] Amen. +[3221.08 --> 3222.08] Amen. +[3227.08 --> 3228.24] Thank you. +[3228.24 --> 3229.90] You're going to hop down. +[3247.90 --> 3248.84] Morning, everybody. +[3249.90 --> 3250.92] Morning, cadets. +[3251.88 --> 3253.78] Welcome to Cadet Sunday, all. +[3254.10 --> 3258.16] It's good to see so many of you boys sitting here in the front. +[3258.68 --> 3261.06] Today's sermon's going to look just a little bit different. +[3261.20 --> 3263.38] You can tell already because I'm down here on the floor. +[3264.36 --> 3268.10] And I, church, I'm going to be addressing the cadets mostly. +[3268.78 --> 3273.36] But as I direct this to the cadets, I hope and pray that all of you will be listening +[3273.36 --> 3277.46] with active ears because this message that's going to the cadets is going to be true for +[3277.46 --> 3278.46] all of us here today. +[3278.46 --> 3284.76] And so that's your responsibility to be listening and applying this as we go through it. +[3284.80 --> 3286.24] I'm also going to be preaching from the floor. +[3286.34 --> 3287.24] So that's going to look different. +[3287.32 --> 3290.68] And there's a few things happening around me that I'm going to need a few of your help +[3290.68 --> 3291.02] with. +[3291.08 --> 3291.84] Okay, guys? +[3291.94 --> 3292.44] Is that okay? +[3292.44 --> 3296.60] I have full-size chocolate bars for anybody who helps out and volunteers with me. +[3296.70 --> 3298.40] If you want proof, Austin saw them. +[3298.44 --> 3298.86] Right, Austin? +[3299.02 --> 3300.04] He can vouch for me. +[3300.48 --> 3300.76] All right? +[3300.96 --> 3301.96] So there's your bribe. +[3302.10 --> 3303.22] Bribery is alive and well. +[3303.94 --> 3307.20] First things first, and most important things first. +[3307.32 --> 3308.66] Austin's actually going to come up here. +[3308.70 --> 3312.10] And he's going to read the text from this year. +[3312.10 --> 3313.52] So I'm going to grab the microphone, Austin. +[3313.64 --> 3317.98] You can stand right there at the front, too. +[3318.94 --> 3319.88] There you are, sir. +[3319.88 --> 3324.72] First Timothy 4, 12 to 14. +[3325.44 --> 3330.86] Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers +[3330.86 --> 3334.72] in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. +[3335.30 --> 3342.60] Until I come, devote yourselves to the public, reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching. +[3342.60 --> 3350.24] Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when your body of elders laid their hands on you. +[3351.18 --> 3351.74] Thank you. +[3355.18 --> 3355.78] All right. +[3355.92 --> 3357.46] Austin, thank you so much for doing that. +[3357.54 --> 3359.32] The Word of the Lord. +[3360.52 --> 3365.70] So, boys, when you read a passage like that, or any passage in the Bible, do you ever ask yourself, +[3365.96 --> 3368.74] who wrote that, and who were they writing that to? +[3369.22 --> 3369.72] Do you guys do that? +[3369.72 --> 3372.02] That's an important question to ask when we open the Bible. +[3372.02 --> 3373.90] It's always good to ask those sort of things. +[3374.04 --> 3382.32] And so, here, in this case, the passage that we read was written by Paul, an apostle named Paul. +[3382.36 --> 3384.10] And he wrote it to his friend named Timothy. +[3384.22 --> 3385.38] That's why the book's called Timothy. +[3385.44 --> 3386.20] That makes sense, right? +[3386.52 --> 3390.00] But why was Paul writing to Timothy? +[3390.82 --> 3396.34] I want to give you a little bit of a snapshot of who Timothy was and why Paul would be writing to him. +[3396.56 --> 3397.76] And we're going to do that right now. +[3397.76 --> 3401.16] So, it's time for True Stories with Pastor Kevin. +[3401.34 --> 3401.66] All right? +[3402.02 --> 3403.08] Here we go. +[3404.04 --> 3405.32] The story of Timothy. +[3405.44 --> 3406.64] The true story of Timothy. +[3406.74 --> 3407.10] Are we ready? +[3408.10 --> 3413.70] There once was a boy named Timothy who grew up in Lystra, a city where most people didn't follow God. +[3414.10 --> 3421.78] His dad was Greek, but his mom, Eunice, that was her name, and his grandmother, Lois, were both Jewish. +[3421.78 --> 3428.12] They both loved God, and they taught Timothy the scriptures from a young age and helped him grow strong in faith. +[3428.12 --> 3433.50] Well, one day, Paul came to Lystra, and he noticed Timothy's great faith. +[3433.88 --> 3436.38] He invited Timothy to join him on his missions trips. +[3436.86 --> 3438.92] So, naturally, Timothy said yes. +[3439.08 --> 3445.50] And he traveled all over Asia with Paul, helping share the gospel and encouraging different churches wherever they went. +[3445.50 --> 3451.06] Over time, Timothy became one of Paul's most trusted partners in ministry. +[3451.06 --> 3455.60] And he helped Paul deliver important letters that helped strengthen churches. +[3455.74 --> 3459.92] Letters like 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians, which we've been hearing about lately, right? +[3459.92 --> 3467.52] Eventually, Paul gave Timothy a huge job, leading a church in Ephesus. +[3468.10 --> 3472.56] Now, this church was a tough place where false teachers were causing a lot of problems. +[3472.70 --> 3478.04] So, to encourage him, Paul wrote Timothy letters like the one that we read today. +[3478.64 --> 3481.48] And Timothy's favorite animal was bears. +[3481.96 --> 3482.84] The end. +[3483.56 --> 3484.92] I made up the last part. +[3485.02 --> 3486.48] Everything else, though, was true. +[3486.86 --> 3487.90] So, that's Timothy. +[3488.50 --> 3489.58] That's who he is. +[3489.92 --> 3494.64] And that's why Paul is writing to him, because he is this leader in this church in Ephesus. +[3495.16 --> 3499.62] Now, even though that passage that Austin read was written specifically for Timothy, +[3499.92 --> 3505.32] and specifically for his context, the message that he gives him is true for all of us here today. +[3505.94 --> 3506.14] All right? +[3506.16 --> 3512.74] No matter how young we are, we can set an example by how we speak, how we act, how we love, +[3512.80 --> 3515.46] how we have faith, and how we stay pure. +[3515.88 --> 3519.36] So, just like Timothy, we can make a difference in this world for Jesus. +[3519.36 --> 3520.12] Right now. +[3520.96 --> 3524.52] So, we read about this throughout, we can read about this story throughout the whole Bible. +[3524.68 --> 3526.82] And we read about it in that little passage that we read today. +[3526.86 --> 3531.16] And this is sort of the big idea that I want you all to take home with you today, is this. +[3531.84 --> 3537.34] You are never too young to read your Bibles and be a godly example in this world. +[3537.40 --> 3537.58] All right? +[3537.58 --> 3543.90] You're not too young to read your Bibles and be a godly example in this world. +[3544.54 --> 3548.10] So, in this passage today, which I know that you've looked at all year long, +[3548.24 --> 3551.92] Paul tells Timothy to be a godly example as he leads this church. +[3551.98 --> 3553.88] And he lists five ways here. +[3553.94 --> 3555.32] Five ways that we can do that. +[3555.70 --> 3562.38] He needs to be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. +[3562.38 --> 3568.78] And like I said, that was specific to Timothy in this place, but it's also for us here today. +[3568.86 --> 3569.52] It's true for us. +[3569.70 --> 3572.98] We're supposed to be examples in our community in all five of those ways. +[3573.14 --> 3576.72] So, we're going to look at all five of them really specifically together, okay? +[3577.20 --> 3578.58] First, we're going to look at speech. +[3579.42 --> 3581.28] How we talk to each other matters. +[3582.16 --> 3583.28] But why do you think that is? +[3584.16 --> 3587.34] Why are we supposed to be an example of how we speak to one another? +[3588.26 --> 3590.60] What damage does our words actually do? +[3590.88 --> 3591.70] Well, I'm going to need some help. +[3592.00 --> 3593.86] First of all, this is where I need your help right away. +[3594.08 --> 3595.62] I need four people to volunteer. +[3595.74 --> 3596.22] Who's going to help? +[3597.16 --> 3600.26] One, two, three, four. +[3600.34 --> 3601.30] We'll get you guys later, okay? +[3601.32 --> 3601.72] I promise. +[3601.84 --> 3602.26] Okay, you four. +[3602.32 --> 3602.74] Come up here. +[3602.76 --> 3603.82] I need you to come around this table. +[3604.32 --> 3604.88] Right here. +[3605.42 --> 3607.20] You're going to go around here. +[3607.98 --> 3609.56] One here, two in the middle, one in the end. +[3609.58 --> 3609.94] Are you ready? +[3610.00 --> 3610.64] Here's the big reveal. +[3610.64 --> 3611.28] You have this end. +[3611.60 --> 3612.94] Here, Lyndon, come this way. +[3613.28 --> 3614.16] Come this way. +[3614.24 --> 3614.72] There we go. +[3614.90 --> 3616.08] And then Malachi, you can go on the end. +[3616.40 --> 3617.32] One, two, three. +[3617.74 --> 3618.82] Oh, it's toothpaste. +[3619.62 --> 3620.76] Who would have thought? +[3621.46 --> 3622.22] Toothpaste and plates. +[3622.34 --> 3623.50] Okay, we're going to do a little bit of a race. +[3623.80 --> 3624.28] This one's yours. +[3624.38 --> 3624.92] This one's yours. +[3625.02 --> 3625.50] This one's yours. +[3625.56 --> 3626.02] This one's yours. +[3626.08 --> 3626.48] Are you ready? +[3626.86 --> 3630.22] We need you to get all of that toothpaste out onto the plate. +[3630.44 --> 3634.32] Try to keep it on the plate, but it's kind of like soap, so it'll wash off. +[3635.24 --> 3636.74] All right, so you guys can go. +[3636.90 --> 3637.56] Get it on the plate. +[3638.12 --> 3639.20] We need it all out. +[3639.40 --> 3640.62] We need it all on your plate. +[3640.62 --> 3641.96] Squeeze it out of that tube. +[3643.28 --> 3644.02] Yeah, good job. +[3644.50 --> 3645.06] Good work. +[3647.38 --> 3648.86] Yeah, as much of it as you can. +[3648.94 --> 3649.38] There you go. +[3650.36 --> 3651.38] You can cheer them on, church. +[3651.46 --> 3654.14] That might encourage them a little bit to, like, get them going. +[3657.38 --> 3657.98] All right. +[3658.08 --> 3659.34] I think you guys have done it. +[3660.10 --> 3660.76] I think you guys have done it. +[3660.76 --> 3661.64] I wasn't very clear. +[3661.88 --> 3664.62] The race wasn't actually getting the toothpaste out of the tube. +[3665.46 --> 3666.68] I just, we needed to get it out of the tube. +[3666.68 --> 3667.26] Okay, you ready? +[3667.34 --> 3667.98] Here's the race. +[3668.62 --> 3672.58] Whoever can put the toothpaste back in the tube the fastest wins. +[3672.82 --> 3674.80] On your mark, get set, go! +[3674.80 --> 3682.10] Is it working? +[3682.84 --> 3683.50] How are we doing? +[3684.90 --> 3685.18] Yeah? +[3686.80 --> 3687.90] It doesn't work, does it? +[3688.20 --> 3689.14] All right, you can put it down. +[3689.18 --> 3690.44] You can just put it down, plop it down. +[3690.72 --> 3692.78] That was a little bit of a red herring challenge. +[3692.98 --> 3694.02] Just wipe it on your clothes. +[3694.12 --> 3695.12] You'll smell like mint all day. +[3695.44 --> 3696.50] All right, you can take a seat. +[3696.58 --> 3697.70] Round of applause for their help. +[3698.64 --> 3699.62] Good job, boys. +[3699.62 --> 3703.76] All right, here's the thing, gentlemen. +[3704.48 --> 3707.32] Our words are like that toothpaste. +[3708.56 --> 3711.78] Once it comes out, you can't put them back in. +[3712.78 --> 3716.30] Once we speak something, you can't take those words back. +[3716.36 --> 3718.44] You can't pretend like you've never said them before. +[3719.12 --> 3719.46] All right? +[3719.60 --> 3721.70] That's why we have to be careful with our words. +[3721.78 --> 3724.12] That's why we have to be an example of our speech. +[3724.44 --> 3726.38] Proverbs 15, verse 1 says this. +[3726.38 --> 3729.88] A gentle answer turns away wrath. +[3730.00 --> 3730.76] That's like anger. +[3731.28 --> 3734.64] But a harsh word stirs up anger. +[3735.04 --> 3736.34] The book of James also talks about... +[3736.34 --> 3737.20] Yeah, Linda, you go ahead. +[3737.40 --> 3738.28] Wash your hands, buddy. +[3739.52 --> 3739.84] They're... +[3739.84 --> 3740.02] Yeah. +[3740.24 --> 3741.22] They'll smell good, though. +[3741.94 --> 3742.80] You guys can all go. +[3742.86 --> 3743.90] If you need to go, just go quick. +[3744.02 --> 3744.40] You're fine. +[3744.46 --> 3744.82] You're fine. +[3744.90 --> 3745.20] Okay, good. +[3746.02 --> 3748.34] The book of James also talks about our words. +[3748.40 --> 3749.42] You know what James talks about? +[3749.86 --> 3752.88] James says that our words are like a spark, +[3753.36 --> 3756.24] and they can light whole forests ablaze. +[3756.84 --> 3758.94] And like the toothpaste, once we say something, +[3759.06 --> 3760.64] it's impossible to put them back. +[3761.10 --> 3763.70] We need to be such good examples of how we speak, +[3764.10 --> 3767.14] because negative words can do a lot of damage. +[3767.54 --> 3767.72] All right? +[3767.74 --> 3770.46] We need to speak calmly and with respect, +[3770.80 --> 3773.28] and not put each other down, but build each other up. +[3773.64 --> 3775.52] Now, this is a message to all of us, though, right? +[3775.54 --> 3776.70] Not just to these boys here. +[3776.98 --> 3778.78] This includes all sorts of things, +[3778.86 --> 3780.82] including our, for you adults out here, +[3780.82 --> 3783.38] and maybe older cadets still, I'm talking to maybe youth as well, +[3783.38 --> 3784.88] our online presence. +[3785.60 --> 3789.86] What we say online also is part of this. +[3790.06 --> 3791.46] What we post is seen forever. +[3791.58 --> 3794.52] Even if you delete something, things have a tendency to linger, +[3794.64 --> 3796.32] just like that classic Cranberry song. +[3797.08 --> 3801.44] When you are commenting online, how are you speaking? +[3802.68 --> 3805.34] Are you an example of right speech in your communities? +[3806.10 --> 3808.20] When you're in a coffee shop or at a restaurant +[3808.20 --> 3811.72] or at the grocery store, how are you speaking to one another? +[3812.38 --> 3813.72] So, church, this is for all of us. +[3814.56 --> 3816.12] But, cadets, you can do this now. +[3816.26 --> 3817.92] You don't have to wait to get older +[3817.92 --> 3819.94] to speak respectfully to each other, +[3820.00 --> 3823.30] to be this example of right speech in our communities. +[3823.84 --> 3824.02] All right? +[3824.08 --> 3824.84] So that's the first one. +[3824.90 --> 3827.02] Be an example of right speech. +[3827.94 --> 3830.18] The second one is right conduct. +[3830.28 --> 3832.08] How are we an example of right conduct? +[3832.22 --> 3833.50] Okay, I want to talk to you guys about something. +[3833.50 --> 3836.66] Who here watched a really awesome sports hockey game this week? +[3838.08 --> 3839.36] You missed it? +[3839.68 --> 3840.88] But have you heard about it? +[3841.04 --> 3842.32] You heard about what happened? +[3842.42 --> 3844.64] Yeah, you guys, everybody knows Canada beat the USA. +[3844.80 --> 3845.96] We all know about that game, right? +[3846.16 --> 3847.68] It was pretty awesome, wasn't it? +[3848.06 --> 3849.04] It was a pretty great game. +[3849.46 --> 3851.62] Now, here's something a little bit weird to think about maybe. +[3851.70 --> 3853.44] I don't think we talk about this in sports too often. +[3854.46 --> 3857.00] When you watched Canada versus the States this week, +[3857.38 --> 3860.30] how many of you were watching the linesmen? +[3862.46 --> 3862.86] Intentionally. +[3863.70 --> 3864.52] Not really, right? +[3864.54 --> 3865.08] Who does that? +[3865.26 --> 3868.30] I mean, we don't really talk about the referees or the linesmen that often, do we? +[3868.84 --> 3869.04] Right? +[3869.10 --> 3869.98] They're just kind of there now. +[3870.04 --> 3871.88] If they're making bad calls, maybe we do. +[3872.16 --> 3873.68] Maybe then all of a sudden we notice them. +[3873.88 --> 3876.20] But if they're not making bad calls and they're just out there, +[3876.28 --> 3878.58] like kind of that finals, we don't really ever notice them. +[3878.84 --> 3881.52] Like, could any of you even tell me one of their names? +[3881.78 --> 3884.12] There was two referees and two linesmen Thursday night. +[3884.22 --> 3884.48] Anybody? +[3884.90 --> 3885.60] What were their names? +[3886.22 --> 3886.38] No? +[3886.46 --> 3886.70] Anybody? +[3887.46 --> 3888.36] What were their names? +[3890.26 --> 3890.62] Yeah! +[3890.88 --> 3891.82] Wow, we got one! +[3891.82 --> 3893.02] Did we just look it up? +[3893.50 --> 3894.52] I believe you. +[3894.76 --> 3897.38] Gord Dwyer and Chris Rooney were the referees. +[3897.48 --> 3898.36] That is very impressive. +[3898.80 --> 3901.44] That's one out of like 300, though, let me point out. +[3901.66 --> 3902.68] My point still stands. +[3903.06 --> 3905.88] The linesmen were Scott Sherry and Johnny Murray. +[3906.24 --> 3909.02] I am certain most of us have never heard those names before. +[3909.68 --> 3910.82] But why do I bring them up? +[3911.42 --> 3912.08] Well, think about this. +[3912.18 --> 3914.64] Can you imagine how that game would have gone if they weren't there? +[3914.64 --> 3916.68] Just think about it. +[3916.70 --> 3917.32] What would have happened? +[3919.08 --> 3920.22] It would have been chaos. +[3920.66 --> 3924.50] We would still be in like last week Saturday's game, the first nine seconds, I think. +[3924.84 --> 3927.94] The referees and linesmen wouldn't have been able to... +[3927.94 --> 3929.58] There would have been chaos everywhere. +[3929.70 --> 3931.12] The players wouldn't have been able to play. +[3931.50 --> 3936.44] Because what the referees and linesmen do is they make sure the game is played with proper conduct. +[3937.00 --> 3939.88] They make sure that everybody's doing the things that they should be doing. +[3939.94 --> 3940.66] They call penalties. +[3940.86 --> 3943.54] They call icings and offsides and high sticks. +[3943.68 --> 3946.68] They drop the pucks for face-offs and make sure the nets are secure. +[3947.08 --> 3952.54] They ensure that proper hockey conduct is followed so that all of us can enjoy a game, right? +[3953.26 --> 3957.32] For example, do you remember what happened right before Canada scored the overtime winner? +[3958.64 --> 3959.02] Yeah. +[3959.44 --> 3959.78] You remember? +[3959.94 --> 3960.12] What? +[3961.12 --> 3961.70] There was an icing. +[3961.70 --> 3961.82] Nothing. +[3963.16 --> 3964.18] America made a pass. +[3964.26 --> 3964.68] It was missed. +[3964.74 --> 3965.66] It went all the way down the ice. +[3965.74 --> 3971.06] And Braden Point just beat out the American player to the red line to call an icing call. +[3971.16 --> 3972.26] And the linesmen blew the whistle. +[3972.34 --> 3975.64] If we didn't have a linesman, that whistle never happens. +[3975.78 --> 3977.44] There's never a face-off in America's end. +[3977.54 --> 3978.88] McDavid doesn't win that face-off. +[3978.98 --> 3980.72] McCarr doesn't wrap it around the boards. +[3980.82 --> 3981.98] Marner doesn't pass it to the slot. +[3982.24 --> 3983.26] And McDavid doesn't bury it. +[3983.76 --> 3985.20] Thank you, linesmen. +[3986.30 --> 3986.70] Right? +[3987.14 --> 3988.84] Right conduct matters. +[3988.84 --> 3991.88] Right conduct helps us in life, too. +[3991.94 --> 3994.62] It helps us live as God intends us to. +[3994.78 --> 3999.34] Some people in this world, they like to kind of bend the rules a little bit or try to get +[3999.34 --> 4001.04] away with as much as they can. +[4001.42 --> 4005.24] But we're taught in God's Word to be an example of right conduct. +[4005.84 --> 4010.20] We're called to live in a way that honors God, doing what's right even when no one is +[4010.20 --> 4010.52] watching. +[4011.16 --> 4012.30] That means being honest. +[4012.66 --> 4013.44] It means not cheating. +[4013.66 --> 4016.04] It means not seeing how much we can get away with. +[4016.04 --> 4020.96] It means we should be working hard and treating people with respect and making a positive +[4020.96 --> 4022.16] difference in our communities. +[4022.32 --> 4022.44] Right? +[4022.84 --> 4025.84] Our lives shouldn't be filled with chaos and selfishness. +[4026.24 --> 4029.54] But we should show good character and integrity every day. +[4029.90 --> 4032.34] That's what being an example of conduct means. +[4032.46 --> 4032.94] That's speech. +[4033.14 --> 4033.92] That's conduct. +[4034.98 --> 4037.98] Now we're called to be examples of love. +[4038.26 --> 4039.00] So what does that mean? +[4039.00 --> 4045.32] Well, I have a story about a guy named Desmond Doss, and it's a true story. +[4045.40 --> 4048.66] And so it's time for another segment of true stories with Pastor Kevin. +[4049.66 --> 4050.02] All right. +[4050.26 --> 4051.10] Desmond Doss. +[4051.16 --> 4051.62] Are we ready? +[4052.54 --> 4053.28] Here we go. +[4054.14 --> 4060.88] Desmond Doss was a soldier who believed in fighting for his country, but he also believed +[4060.88 --> 4063.68] that God called him to never harm another person. +[4064.46 --> 4065.74] So how would he do that? +[4065.74 --> 4069.70] Well, while other soldiers carried rifles, do you know what Doss carried? +[4070.46 --> 4071.68] A medical kit. +[4072.82 --> 4079.68] In World War II, during the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge in Okinawa, Japan, Desmond Doss's unit +[4079.68 --> 4081.48] came under intense fire. +[4082.46 --> 4085.14] Many soldiers were wounded and left on the battlefield. +[4086.00 --> 4088.76] But instead of running away to safety, do you know what Desmond did? +[4089.16 --> 4090.38] He stayed behind. +[4090.60 --> 4092.34] And he stayed behind all alone. +[4092.34 --> 4097.36] And he dragged and carried one wounded soldier after another to safety. +[4098.06 --> 4100.48] And after each soldier, he prayed to God. +[4100.58 --> 4103.16] He said, Lord, help me get one more. +[4104.30 --> 4106.54] By the end of that battle, do you know how many soldiers he saved? +[4107.74 --> 4108.62] Seventy-five. +[4109.84 --> 4115.46] Seventy-five soldiers, including many who mocked him at the beginning because he didn't go to +[4115.46 --> 4116.76] war with a gun in his hands. +[4117.40 --> 4118.20] Isn't that something? +[4118.20 --> 4120.68] And his favorite animal was flamingos. +[4122.40 --> 4124.26] All right, the flamingos was a lie again. +[4124.34 --> 4125.94] But the rest of that story is true. +[4126.60 --> 4128.12] The rest of that story is true. +[4129.00 --> 4133.20] That, boys, that is such a tremendous example of what love is. +[4133.54 --> 4135.78] See, Doss is an example for love. +[4135.88 --> 4139.60] And even though people mocked him for it, he went out and saved them. +[4140.16 --> 4142.52] True love isn't just about saying you care. +[4142.60 --> 4144.84] It's about putting others ahead of yourself, right? +[4144.84 --> 4145.78] Even when it's hard. +[4146.42 --> 4147.84] See, Doss didn't fight with weapons. +[4147.96 --> 4154.68] He fought with love by risking his life 75 times to save as many people as he could. +[4156.38 --> 4156.72] All right? +[4157.04 --> 4159.18] By the end of the battle, he saved so many people. +[4159.42 --> 4161.14] Again, even people who mocked him. +[4162.20 --> 4162.74] It's amazing. +[4163.40 --> 4164.52] So that's what love is. +[4164.66 --> 4168.36] He was a really good example of what Jesus says in John 15, 13. +[4168.46 --> 4169.08] Jesus says this. +[4169.18 --> 4172.60] He says, greater love has no one than this. +[4172.60 --> 4175.26] That someone lay down his life for his friends. +[4175.96 --> 4178.62] See, that's the kind of love that we're supposed to be an example of. +[4178.66 --> 4181.94] The kind of love that puts others ahead of ourselves, right? +[4182.00 --> 4187.46] Because no matter what you hear out in the world, in your schools, in the sports pitches, +[4187.82 --> 4195.20] in any jobs you end up getting, no matter what you hear, you are not the main character of the story. +[4196.36 --> 4198.68] You are not the main character in this world. +[4198.94 --> 4200.94] And we're going to get to who is in just a minute, okay? +[4200.94 --> 4200.98] Okay? +[4201.60 --> 4204.20] So, we've looked at speech. +[4204.32 --> 4204.94] We've looked at conduct. +[4205.06 --> 4205.78] We've looked at love. +[4206.12 --> 4208.18] Now we need to be examples of faith. +[4208.56 --> 4209.38] What does this mean? +[4210.40 --> 4210.70] All right? +[4210.74 --> 4212.96] Well, it means putting our faith in the right place. +[4213.38 --> 4216.40] I need a couple of cadet leaders first to help out. +[4216.48 --> 4217.66] So we're going to get Alvin and Dave. +[4217.74 --> 4218.44] You're going to come help me. +[4219.14 --> 4219.36] All right? +[4219.42 --> 4220.30] Alvin and Dave, come here. +[4220.34 --> 4221.72] You're going to stand off to the side here. +[4222.10 --> 4224.34] And then I need two cadets, actually, this time. +[4224.60 --> 4225.32] Two that haven't done it. +[4225.34 --> 4227.26] If you were up here, okay, I'll do these two here. +[4227.56 --> 4228.34] Sorry, boys in the back. +[4228.34 --> 4229.02] You come see me later. +[4229.84 --> 4231.20] These two right here are going to come. +[4231.42 --> 4232.12] Unless you want to come. +[4232.18 --> 4233.28] Yeah, Ty, I'll get you later. +[4233.90 --> 4237.38] If you've all volunteered but didn't get picked, come see me afterwards too, okay? +[4237.68 --> 4238.00] All right. +[4238.48 --> 4240.30] We're going to talk about faith right now. +[4241.30 --> 4243.18] Do you two trust these two guys? +[4244.60 --> 4244.88] Mostly? +[4245.04 --> 4245.16] Okay. +[4245.18 --> 4245.82] Here's what I'm going to do. +[4245.98 --> 4248.02] Can you two boys stand up on this chair right here? +[4248.06 --> 4248.98] You can stand on this one. +[4249.18 --> 4250.18] You can stand on this one. +[4250.48 --> 4250.90] All right? +[4251.14 --> 4252.58] You're going to face the crowd. +[4253.46 --> 4255.32] And you're going to cross your arms like this. +[4256.26 --> 4258.80] And these guys behind you are going to be right here. +[4258.98 --> 4262.04] And all you're going to do is lean back and they're going to catch you. +[4262.12 --> 4263.50] So, Alvin, you guys can get nice and close. +[4263.68 --> 4264.76] They don't need to lean too far. +[4265.14 --> 4265.44] All right? +[4265.48 --> 4266.64] Do you trust them to catch you? +[4266.74 --> 4267.92] You can take a quick shoulder check. +[4268.30 --> 4269.04] Do you see that they're there? +[4269.56 --> 4272.32] When I say three, can we trust that they'll catch you? +[4272.94 --> 4273.30] All right? +[4273.46 --> 4275.12] One, two, three. +[4275.12 --> 4275.52] Hey. +[4278.56 --> 4279.14] Pretty good. +[4279.22 --> 4279.80] They went for it. +[4279.84 --> 4280.00] All right. +[4280.04 --> 4280.50] That was good. +[4280.78 --> 4281.68] That shows faith. +[4281.92 --> 4282.76] Faith that they would be there. +[4283.02 --> 4283.28] All right. +[4283.60 --> 4285.56] Dave and Alvin, can you guys stand on the chairs? +[4285.90 --> 4287.50] You guys are going to stand here now. +[4287.92 --> 4288.26] Okay? +[4288.38 --> 4291.62] So, you're going to catch Dave and you're going to catch Alvin. +[4291.78 --> 4292.02] All right? +[4292.10 --> 4292.66] Hands up. +[4293.50 --> 4294.06] Hands up. +[4294.64 --> 4294.90] All right. +[4294.92 --> 4295.88] I'm going to count to three. +[4295.98 --> 4296.44] Are you ready? +[4297.36 --> 4298.52] One, two. +[4298.56 --> 4299.28] No, don't do it. +[4300.40 --> 4301.66] That's terrifying, right? +[4302.58 --> 4303.42] That's terrifying. +[4303.66 --> 4303.78] Okay. +[4303.80 --> 4304.50] You guys can all sit down. +[4304.50 --> 4304.96] Round of applause. +[4304.96 --> 4305.56] Round of applause. +[4310.72 --> 4311.26] All right. +[4312.24 --> 4313.58] This is why that matters. +[4314.52 --> 4318.60] You cadets had faith that Dave and Alvin were going to catch you. +[4318.82 --> 4319.80] And that was fair faith. +[4319.86 --> 4320.56] That was good faith. +[4320.62 --> 4322.62] You put faith that they would do it because you knew that they could. +[4323.52 --> 4328.30] But what if, is it cadet leader, counselor, Dave? +[4328.68 --> 4330.86] Just Dave and just Alvin. +[4330.96 --> 4332.64] Cadet leader, counselor, Alvin, doesn't matter. +[4332.64 --> 4335.86] What if Dave and Alvin trusted that you guys would catch them? +[4336.06 --> 4336.76] What would have happened? +[4338.76 --> 4340.60] They would squish you hard. +[4340.60 --> 4342.96] You would have been just part of the carpet. +[4342.96 --> 4343.08] Right? +[4343.08 --> 4344.16] Right? +[4344.16 --> 4349.38] Because sometimes, even if we have a lot of faith, if we put it in the wrong things, it +[4349.38 --> 4350.36] doesn't do us any good. +[4350.36 --> 4351.86] But in fact, it can do a lot of harm. +[4351.86 --> 4355.34] So it's not actually the amount of faith that we have. +[4355.84 --> 4357.84] It's what are we putting our faith in. +[4358.70 --> 4363.84] See, sometimes in life, we're not as smart as you cadets were in not letting those leaders +[4363.84 --> 4364.40] fall on you. +[4364.44 --> 4366.40] We put our faith in the wrong things. +[4366.50 --> 4367.68] Adults, we do this all the time. +[4368.24 --> 4372.40] Adults, we put our trust in our savings accounts, our workplaces, our political platforms. +[4372.70 --> 4374.10] I could list a hundred things. +[4375.12 --> 4380.52] And we claim, either explicitly or implicitly, that those things will save us, that they will +[4380.52 --> 4382.00] give us hope, that they will bring us peace. +[4382.72 --> 4384.26] We put our faith in the wrong thing. +[4384.26 --> 4388.00] And cadets, maybe you're trying to put your hope or your peace, if you're finding hope +[4388.00 --> 4393.16] or peace in sports or in friends, or we think if we just try a little harder, we can save +[4393.16 --> 4393.58] ourselves. +[4393.68 --> 4396.66] But when we do that, we're putting our faith in the wrong thing. +[4397.92 --> 4400.00] See, the object of the faith matters. +[4400.24 --> 4404.60] Jesus is the only one that offers us grace and peace and hope. +[4404.62 --> 4406.12] And we're going to talk about that in just a second. +[4406.18 --> 4408.94] But we need to remember to put our faith in Jesus, okay? +[4409.24 --> 4411.46] He is the true main character of this story. +[4412.00 --> 4413.32] So he's who we need to remember. +[4413.32 --> 4416.02] So we got speech, we got conduct, we got love, we got faith. +[4416.44 --> 4417.90] And finally, purity. +[4418.44 --> 4420.20] We need to be examples of purity. +[4420.38 --> 4424.96] Now, I was going to do a pretty disgusting example for this. +[4425.18 --> 4426.06] You know what I was thinking about doing? +[4426.14 --> 4427.66] I was thinking of bringing a bucket in. +[4428.10 --> 4431.68] And in the bucket was going to be a bunch of garbage and maybe a little bit of my dog's +[4431.68 --> 4431.88] poop. +[4432.16 --> 4433.46] And I was going to bring it in. +[4433.74 --> 4435.12] And then I was going to show you a candy. +[4435.30 --> 4437.04] And I was going to be like, who wants to eat this candy? +[4437.20 --> 4438.32] And you all would be like, yeah. +[4438.44 --> 4439.86] And I would be like, all right, plop. +[4440.16 --> 4441.66] Now who wants to eat the candy? +[4442.56 --> 4442.84] Right? +[4442.84 --> 4444.52] And that's what I was worried about. +[4444.92 --> 4446.02] I was worried. +[4446.86 --> 4448.76] So I didn't do it for a few reasons. +[4449.10 --> 4452.24] The first reason is I didn't really want to carry around a bunch of dog poop. +[4452.66 --> 4456.90] The second reason is I was certain a few of you were going to say yes and eat the candy. +[4457.02 --> 4459.60] And then we'd have a whole case of like septicemia on our hands. +[4459.60 --> 4468.78] But third, and most importantly, the example actually, that example is not the best way to explain what purity is about. +[4468.88 --> 4474.66] You see, purity, it isn't about us avoiding things that might make us dirty from the outside. +[4474.66 --> 4479.42] It's not just about us staying away from the bad things out there. +[4479.42 --> 4481.92] It's about what's inside of our hearts. +[4481.92 --> 4482.58] All right? +[4482.58 --> 4487.44] So in Matthew, in chapter 15, verse 19, Jesus talks about this. +[4487.50 --> 4487.98] And he says, +[4488.48 --> 4492.42] For out of the heart come evil thoughts like murder and theft and slander. +[4493.64 --> 4500.24] In other words, sin isn't just out there or outside of us that we have to avoid or run away from, +[4500.24 --> 4502.52] even though we do have to do that sometimes. +[4502.78 --> 4506.40] But it actually starts inside of us, in our thoughts and in our desires. +[4507.22 --> 4510.34] That means purity isn't just about staying away from bad influences. +[4510.98 --> 4516.50] It's about what we are or who we are and what we let control our hearts and minds. +[4517.20 --> 4518.24] So then how do we stay pure? +[4519.42 --> 4521.42] Well, it starts about what do we focus on. +[4521.68 --> 4523.94] In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul says, +[4524.40 --> 4527.10] Take every thought captive to obey Christ. +[4527.10 --> 4530.40] That means when a wrong or sinful thought pops into our heads, +[4530.44 --> 4532.94] whether it's jealousy or anger or pride or anything else, +[4533.76 --> 4535.18] we don't just let it stay there. +[4536.24 --> 4538.44] Instead, we bring it to God and we ask him for help. +[4538.60 --> 4541.52] And he helps shift our thoughts and shift our minds, +[4541.86 --> 4543.36] the things that are good and right. +[4543.76 --> 4546.94] So purity is more about filling our hearts and minds with good things. +[4547.04 --> 4550.46] It's about making sure our thoughts and words and our actions reflect Jesus. +[4551.08 --> 4551.20] Right? +[4551.52 --> 4552.58] So that's the five things. +[4552.66 --> 4554.12] Can you guys remember what were the five things? +[4554.20 --> 4555.20] Can you repeat them back to me? +[4555.20 --> 4558.24] Number one, you just shout them out. +[4558.30 --> 4558.68] Speech? +[4559.28 --> 4559.42] Yeah. +[4560.64 --> 4561.12] Conduct? +[4561.20 --> 4561.40] Good. +[4562.02 --> 4562.42] Love? +[4562.56 --> 4562.76] Yeah. +[4563.38 --> 4563.74] Faith? +[4563.86 --> 4564.08] Yeah. +[4564.72 --> 4565.12] Purity? +[4565.32 --> 4566.02] Pretty good. +[4566.62 --> 4567.56] Pretty good. +[4568.36 --> 4568.66] All right. +[4569.32 --> 4571.56] I have one last, well, kind of two last things. +[4572.04 --> 4572.82] Two last things. +[4572.90 --> 4573.98] My first question is this. +[4575.12 --> 4579.58] Where do we turn in order to understand what it means to be those examples? +[4579.72 --> 4581.54] Where do we turn to help us be those examples? +[4581.96 --> 4582.36] Any idea? +[4582.36 --> 4582.44] Yeah. +[4583.32 --> 4583.58] Yeah. +[4584.44 --> 4584.78] God. +[4584.86 --> 4585.54] That's a great answer. +[4585.58 --> 4586.90] And where do we hear God's voice? +[4587.52 --> 4588.06] The Bible. +[4588.56 --> 4588.94] That's right. +[4589.00 --> 4589.84] Remember our big idea? +[4590.16 --> 4594.54] You're never too young to read your Bibles and be a godly example in this world. +[4594.80 --> 4598.52] Have you guys ever thought about how amazing it is that we can read the Bible anytime we want? +[4599.22 --> 4600.76] We have Bibles all over the place. +[4600.82 --> 4601.78] We have Bibles in our homes. +[4601.96 --> 4603.32] We have Bibles on our phones. +[4603.54 --> 4604.68] We have Bibles at church. +[4604.78 --> 4606.00] They're hanging out in the back there. +[4606.24 --> 4607.64] We've got Bibles everywhere. +[4607.64 --> 4613.64] But did you know that when Timothy was leading this church in Ephesus, people couldn't just +[4613.64 --> 4614.92] read the Bible whenever they wanted? +[4615.56 --> 4619.18] Most people didn't own copies of the Bible, and it wasn't even fully put together yet. +[4619.36 --> 4620.50] Most people couldn't even read. +[4621.44 --> 4624.40] Instead, they had to listen to it being read out loud in church. +[4624.68 --> 4629.78] That's why the passage that Austin read talked about how Paul told Timothy to make sure that +[4629.78 --> 4631.30] Scripture was read publicly. +[4631.30 --> 4637.04] Timothy's job was to make sure God's Word was heard and preached and taught because it's powerful. +[4637.72 --> 4639.52] It's not just about reading words. +[4639.64 --> 4643.96] It's about letting God speak to His people because that's what the Bible is. +[4644.40 --> 4648.40] See, we can open up our Bibles and read God's Word whenever we want, and that's an incredible +[4648.40 --> 4648.70] gift. +[4648.80 --> 4652.46] But I do think, and again, adults, listen to this carefully. +[4653.28 --> 4658.92] Sometimes because we have such easy access to the Bible, we forget how amazing it truly is. +[4658.92 --> 4661.38] Think about it. +[4661.40 --> 4666.60] When we hear the Bible read, whether it's at church or at cadets or at home or by yourself, +[4667.24 --> 4669.30] those are God's words to you. +[4669.98 --> 4673.26] So when Austin read that passage, they weren't His words. +[4674.08 --> 4678.16] If I read it, they're not my words or Pastor Chris's words or your cadet leader's words or +[4678.16 --> 4679.32] your parents' words. +[4679.40 --> 4680.40] They're God's words. +[4681.46 --> 4683.34] That's why reading the Bible matters so much. +[4683.40 --> 4687.58] It teaches us how to live, how to love, how to follow Jesus and be an example in this world +[4687.58 --> 4689.48] because that's what God is telling us. +[4691.32 --> 4693.46] But sometimes when we live, we mess up, don't we? +[4693.48 --> 4693.88] We all do. +[4693.94 --> 4694.74] We all fall short. +[4694.82 --> 4695.96] We don't quite hit that bar. +[4696.46 --> 4698.00] Maybe we say things that are wrong. +[4698.06 --> 4699.12] Maybe we're not quite so loving. +[4699.22 --> 4700.46] Maybe we think some bad things. +[4702.28 --> 4705.54] And sometimes hearing what God wants from us can maybe feel a little bit overwhelming +[4705.54 --> 4708.34] because we don't always get it right. +[4709.10 --> 4710.36] But here's the best news. +[4710.68 --> 4711.38] Are you ready for this? +[4711.52 --> 4712.66] Here's the best news. +[4712.66 --> 4715.74] Jesus got it right for us. +[4716.84 --> 4720.16] See, Jesus doesn't just tell us how to live. +[4720.82 --> 4723.60] Jesus actually lived it, and He lived it perfectly. +[4724.28 --> 4726.92] When Jesus was tempted to sin, He didn't. +[4727.78 --> 4729.06] In fact, He used the Bible. +[4729.18 --> 4731.50] He used Scripture to help Him. +[4731.80 --> 4732.96] His speech was godly. +[4733.04 --> 4734.14] His conduct was perfect. +[4734.44 --> 4735.70] His love was sacrificial. +[4735.88 --> 4737.36] His faith never wavered. +[4737.60 --> 4738.46] He was pure. +[4739.36 --> 4741.90] And He was tempted just like us, but He never messed up. +[4742.90 --> 4746.94] And yet, even though Jesus was perfect, He took the punishment that we deserved. +[4747.40 --> 4751.78] He died on the cross for your sins and for my sins, but He didn't stay dead either. +[4752.56 --> 4754.26] He rose again, and now He lives in heaven. +[4754.36 --> 4758.52] Because of what Jesus did, we can be forgiven and saved. +[4758.90 --> 4760.42] That's what the Bible teaches us. +[4760.68 --> 4762.64] That's what we read about when we open Scripture. +[4764.10 --> 4765.42] So what does this mean for you? +[4765.92 --> 4768.74] And I'm ending here, so you can just stay with me for another minute or two, and then I'm done. +[4768.74 --> 4769.38] I promise. +[4769.94 --> 4770.20] All right? +[4770.20 --> 4777.36] It means that because Jesus already saved us, we don't have to be perfect to earn God's love. +[4778.06 --> 4783.56] Instead, we follow Jesus and try to be these examples because we love Him and because we +[4783.56 --> 4784.52] are already saved. +[4785.28 --> 4787.70] We are now Jesus' hands and feet in this world. +[4787.76 --> 4791.52] And when we read the Bible, we remember who Jesus is and what He did for us. +[4791.52 --> 4797.04] So as we grow in our faith and we start to become more and more like Him, we know that +[4797.04 --> 4800.96] it's not because we need to do that to be saved, because Jesus already saved us. +[4801.40 --> 4805.72] But we do that because we love Him and we want to live the way our Savior calls us to. +[4806.46 --> 4811.38] Now, you might think that maybe it's just this passage that talks about how we should speak +[4811.38 --> 4817.10] and act and love and, man, you remember them better than I did, and be pure and the faith +[4817.10 --> 4817.40] one. +[4817.68 --> 4819.10] You remember those five things. +[4819.44 --> 4821.52] And it's not just this passage that talks about this. +[4821.62 --> 4824.82] The Bible is full of passages that calls us to these. +[4824.96 --> 4825.70] Take a look at the screen. +[4826.00 --> 4826.52] There's going to be one. +[4826.52 --> 4831.54] Those are just some of the Bible passages I found in like two minutes, all about those +[4831.54 --> 4832.08] five things. +[4832.38 --> 4840.14] The Bible is full of verses teaching us how to speak, teaching us how to act, how to love, +[4840.34 --> 4843.02] how to have faith, how to live as examples of purity. +[4844.70 --> 4846.26] And again, we don't do that to be saved. +[4846.34 --> 4847.92] We do that because Jesus saves us. +[4848.00 --> 4850.88] If we want to grow in our faith, we need to read our Bibles. +[4851.42 --> 4856.40] And when we read about how Jesus speaks, how He lived, how He loved, how He trusted God, +[4856.52 --> 4858.32] it shapes us to live that way too. +[4858.86 --> 4861.18] The more we know Jesus, the more we'll want to follow Him. +[4861.24 --> 4863.52] So here's my final challenge for you boys. +[4863.60 --> 4863.98] Are you ready? +[4864.58 --> 4865.30] Adults, listen up. +[4866.68 --> 4871.38] My challenge to you that I actually want you to do is to read about Jesus. +[4872.20 --> 4877.88] So cadets, with maybe it's a parent or a grandparent or an uncle or an aunt or a mentor or a friend +[4877.88 --> 4882.26] or another adult in this world, read through the book of John. +[4883.16 --> 4884.14] All right, just that one book. +[4884.46 --> 4885.54] Read through the book of John. +[4885.54 --> 4886.92] Take as long as you want. +[4887.24 --> 4888.14] You can do it in a week. +[4888.20 --> 4888.82] You can do it a month. +[4888.90 --> 4889.68] You can do it after dinner. +[4889.76 --> 4890.52] You can do it before bed. +[4890.58 --> 4891.52] You can do it first thing in the morning. +[4891.58 --> 4892.02] Doesn't matter. +[4892.50 --> 4893.54] Take as long as you want. +[4894.08 --> 4897.00] Read it as short or as long as you need. +[4897.40 --> 4903.80] But read about how Jesus obeyed God, how He loved people like no one else, that no one +[4903.80 --> 4904.46] else cared about. +[4904.92 --> 4910.82] Pay attention to how He spoke, how He acted, how He loved, how He had faith, and how He lived. +[4910.82 --> 4914.70] And if you don't have a Bible that's easy to understand, just ask for one. +[4914.96 --> 4915.14] All right? +[4915.16 --> 4916.04] I've got some in my office. +[4916.14 --> 4917.96] If you want to come find me, I'll happily give one to you. +[4918.14 --> 4921.58] You can get an Action Bible or an NLT or a Youth Bible, but read it. +[4922.28 --> 4922.96] That's my challenge. +[4923.06 --> 4923.86] Read the book of John. +[4923.94 --> 4926.44] Take as long as you need, but read the book of John. +[4926.60 --> 4928.98] And if you'd rather read Matthew or Mark or Luke, that's fine. +[4928.98 --> 4931.34] But read one of the Gospels. +[4931.48 --> 4932.92] Read about Jesus this week, church. +[4934.44 --> 4935.16] Listening ears. +[4936.30 --> 4937.50] God's Word is powerful. +[4938.54 --> 4939.34] It teaches us. +[4939.42 --> 4940.14] It changes us. +[4940.20 --> 4941.54] It draws us closer to Jesus. +[4942.22 --> 4946.22] So don't take the Bible for granted, but read it and listen to it and learn from it. +[4946.24 --> 4950.06] And when you'll do, you'll see that God is speaking to you and He's shaping you and He's +[4950.06 --> 4954.08] helping you become more like Him so that we can positively affect the world around us. +[4954.08 --> 4959.92] Because, cadets, you are not too young to read your Bibles and be a godly example in this world. +[4960.32 --> 4963.04] And that is how you can lead the way. +[4963.70 --> 4963.94] Yeah? +[4964.38 --> 4964.62] Amen? +[4965.10 --> 4965.72] Can I pray? +[4966.02 --> 4967.20] And then we're going to sing some songs, okay? +[4967.96 --> 4968.52] Let's pray. +[4969.48 --> 4973.58] Father in heaven, we are so grateful that you sent your Son to come into this world, +[4974.24 --> 4977.92] come down from the throne of heaven, to be born here in this earth, +[4978.06 --> 4981.32] to live the life that He did, to die a death we all deserved, +[4981.58 --> 4983.78] and then rise again and that He has saved us. +[4983.78 --> 4987.00] And if we believe that to be true, that we are saved. +[4987.86 --> 4991.08] And so, God, because we know that, may we look to your Word +[4991.08 --> 4994.26] and learn and know what it means to live for Jesus. +[4994.74 --> 4998.24] May we learn how to speak well, to be examples in how we live, +[4998.84 --> 5004.32] how we love each other, Lord, in the way we act, in the faith that we have. +[5004.48 --> 5006.42] God, may we think pure thoughts as well. +[5006.54 --> 5011.88] And God, may you continue to shape us in this world so that we seek you first in all things. +[5011.88 --> 5013.30] I thank you for these boys. +[5013.30 --> 5017.92] May they really understand that they are not too young to be an example for you in this world, +[5018.22 --> 5023.90] whether that's in their schools, in their sports, God, in their extracurricular activities, +[5024.30 --> 5027.28] wherever they find themselves, God, that they can love you. +[5027.42 --> 5029.52] And may they learn to love you and follow you +[5029.52 --> 5032.12] and open up those Bibles to learn what it means to follow you. +[5032.62 --> 5034.84] God, we pray this in your Son's precious and holy name. +[5035.34 --> 5035.56] Amen. +[5035.56 --> 5035.68] Amen. +[5037.24 --> 5037.78] Thanks, boys. +[5037.82 --> 5038.54] We're going to sing now, okay? +[5039.90 --> 5044.04] So, cadets, it's really cool that you're using God's Word to guide you. +[5044.24 --> 5049.26] And this song is about that, about God's Word lighting our path. +[5049.46 --> 5051.60] So why don't we just stand and we'll sing these songs. +[5051.60 --> 5081.18] Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5081.18 --> 5087.08] And a light unto my path. +[5087.08 --> 5093.28] My Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5093.28 --> 5099.40] And a light unto my path. +[5099.40 --> 5102.82] When I feel afraid, +[5102.82 --> 5105.74] Think I've lost my way, +[5105.74 --> 5111.66] Still you're there right beside me. +[5112.00 --> 5114.56] Nothing will I fear, +[5114.74 --> 5117.62] As long as you are near, +[5118.30 --> 5124.30] Please be near me to the end. +[5124.30 --> 5132.20] Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5132.20 --> 5138.28] And a light unto my path. +[5138.28 --> 5144.20] Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5144.20 --> 5149.90] And a light unto my path. +[5149.90 --> 5155.22] I will not forget your love for me, +[5155.22 --> 5161.58] And yet my heart forever is wandering. +[5162.80 --> 5165.38] Jesus, be my God, +[5165.38 --> 5168.48] And hold me to your side, +[5168.48 --> 5174.72] And I will love you to the end. +[5174.72 --> 5182.62] Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5182.62 --> 5188.62] And a light unto my path. +[5188.62 --> 5194.62] Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, +[5194.62 --> 5200.62] And a light unto my path. +[5200.62 --> 5206.52] O God, you are my God, +[5206.52 --> 5212.52] And I will ever praise you. +[5212.52 --> 5218.52] O God, you are my God, +[5218.52 --> 5224.52] And I will ever praise you. +[5224.52 --> 5230.42] I will sing you in the morning, +[5230.42 --> 5236.42] And I will learn to walk in your way, +[5236.42 --> 5242.00] And step by step you'll lead me, +[5242.00 --> 5248.12] And I will follow you all of my days. +[5248.12 --> 5254.02] O God, you are my God, +[5254.02 --> 5260.02] And I will ever praise you. +[5260.02 --> 5266.02] O God, you are my God, +[5266.02 --> 5272.02] And I will ever praise you. +[5272.02 --> 5285.92] O God, you are my God, +[5285.92 --> 5287.92] And I will ever praise you. +[5287.92 --> 5289.92] O God, you are my God, +[5289.92 --> 5294.92] And I will ever praise you all of my days. +[5294.92 --> 5298.82] O God, you are my God, +[5298.82 --> 5304.82] And I will praise you all of my days. +[5304.82 --> 5306.82] O God, you are my God, +[5306.82 --> 5308.82] You are my God, +[5308.82 --> 5310.82] And I will praise you all of my days. +[5310.82 --> 5312.72] You are a lamp unto my feet, +[5312.72 --> 5318.72] And I will lie unto my path. +[5318.72 --> 5326.72] You are the light unto my path. +[5326.72 --> 5328.72] O God, you are my God, +[5328.72 --> 5330.72] All right. +[5330.72 --> 5332.62] So cadets, know that you are not too young +[5332.62 --> 5335.02] To be that godly example in this world. +[5335.02 --> 5337.02] And church, know the same is for all of us. +[5337.02 --> 5340.52] That we are called to be a godly example in this world. +[5340.52 --> 5342.52] And so as we go from this place, +[5342.52 --> 5345.22] Know that you're not just being excused from this place. +[5345.22 --> 5348.32] You're being sent to this place to be those examples +[5348.32 --> 5349.82] As God has called us to live. +[5349.82 --> 5353.52] And as we go, please hear these words from number six, +[5353.52 --> 5355.02] The priestly blessing. +[5355.02 --> 5358.32] The Lord bless you and keep you. +[5358.32 --> 5362.42] The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. +[5362.42 --> 5366.42] The Lord turn his face towards you and give you his peace. +[5366.42 --> 5369.42] And all of God's people said, Amen. +[5369.42 --> 5374.42] Now we're singing the song for the cadets. +[5374.42 --> 5377.42] And we just liked the very first verse in the chorus. +[5377.42 --> 5381.42] If all the guys can sing and the ladies can enjoy our voices. +[5381.42 --> 5384.42] And then we'll all join in after that. +[5384.42 --> 5388.82] Oh, yeah. +[5388.82 --> 5389.82] We were supposed to do that too. +[5389.82 --> 5394.82] Hey, cadets, why don't you come up and help the church sing the song? +[5394.82 --> 5395.82] So just come on up. +[5395.82 --> 5398.82] Find a spot either on the stage here or in front of the stage. +[5398.82 --> 5402.82] Be nice that everybody can see who you guys are. +[5402.82 --> 5407.22] You can come up, up, high up here too if you want. +[5407.22 --> 5412.22] So here's our cadet club. +[5412.22 --> 5416.80] Lovely +[5416.80 --> 5417.80] Amen. +[5446.80 --> 5447.80] Amen. +[5476.80 --> 5477.80] Amen. +[5506.80 --> 5507.80] Amen. +[5536.80 --> 5537.80] Amen. +[5566.80 --> 5577.08] My life I give henceforth to live, O Christ, for you alone. +[5579.20 --> 5595.80] Living for Jesus wherever I am, doing each duty in his holy name. +[5596.80 --> 5604.84] Seeking the lost ones, he died to redeem. +[5606.16 --> 5613.98] Bringing the weary to find rest in him. +[5614.64 --> 5623.00] O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to you. +[5623.00 --> 5631.00] For you in your atonement did give myself for me. +[5632.36 --> 5635.84] I owe no other master. +[5636.84 --> 5640.00] My heart shall be our throne. +[5640.00 --> 5652.00] My life I give henceforth to live, O Christ, for you alone. +[5652.00 --> 5655.42] Have a good week. +[5655.42 --> 5662.42] Thank you so much. +[5662.42 --> 5664.78] Thank you so much. +[5664.78 --> 5665.88] May body nice. +[5665.88 --> 5669.78] May body nice. +[5669.78 --> 5678.66] Hallelujah, to my Natomiast' future would be our family by calling myself mind maybe me or whether you're a father or the father or the father or father could not be trabalhar as a father. +[5678.66 --> 5683.78] Smart choices are not my and wish absolutely Rafi and others undestể'll alive. +[5684.04 --> 5685.80] It's horrifying. +[5685.80 --> 5686.28] Come on Darrion, get horny. +[5686.32 --> 5687.80] Several times a couple hundred but still have other talents come from pi. +[5687.80 --> 5717.78] Thank you. +[5717.80 --> 5747.78] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0573df9b4277a515672611e36ee6cd00a9c1383a --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,150 @@ +• Music performance with song lyrics +• Chair blocking speaker Chris at front door +• Mexico dinner team thanks congregation for support +• Announcements: HCBC, Heidelberg Catechism Reading Group, lunch, foster family support evening, walk with Gateway of Hope +• Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities +• Introduction to a church service, addressing cough and cold season and suggesting alternative greetings +• Reading of Psalm 100, emphasizing worship and praise +• Singing and clapping, with Aaron leading the congregation +• Song "My Heart" by Hillsong United, focusing on praising God's name in various situations +• Repeating phrases from the song, emphasizing devotion to God's name +• The song "Blessed Be Your Name" is sung and reflected upon +• A prayer is offered asking God to open eyes to His presence and creation +• The congregation prays for forgiveness for their sins and empty prayers +• They confess hiding from God in secular living and forgetting Him +• The importance of surrendering to God and listening to the yearning in hearts is emphasized +• Prayers are offered to forgive forgetfulness of others and to see people around as community of faith +• Hearts are asked to be opened to pray for each other and for faith growth +• The congregation prays for unity with brothers and sisters across the globe in worshiping God +• Worship song with lyrics about heaven, pain, mercy, love, eternity, and resurrection +• Offerings for the church budget and Night Shift Ministries, a faith-based ministry serving street people +• Overview of Night Shift Ministries' locations, services, and volunteers from Langley Emanuel Church +• Report on recent service at Surrey location, including number of people served and types of donations received +• Night Shift Ministry's service times and rapid consumption of food +• Community and fellowship among those eating together on the streets +• The ministry's focus on providing for basic needs and community building +• Bible verse "I was hungry, you gave me food" as guiding principle +• Prayer requests for faith, passion, purity, and Christ's presence +• Discussion of birthdays and being born again in Christianity +• Children's worship theme: the Holy Spirit living in hearts +• Family prayer led by Clary Klosterhof with announcements. +• Gratitude for the church family's love and care for one another +• Thanking God for a new day and day of rest +• Celebrating the Feast of His Table +• Prayers for various individuals and groups, including: + + The Vanderweel family after Tony's passing + + Those struggling with addiction + + Those dealing with depression and anxiety + + Doug Hendon and Tanya, both battling stage 4 cancer + + Jared Jensen's daughter, Tessa, undergoing medical tests + + Shut-ins who are unable to physically attend services +• Encouragement to be God's hands and feet in the presence of Jesus Christ +• Reading from 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 +• The speaker reflects on how stories have shaped their own life and imagination +• The movies Iron Eagle and The Three Ninjas are used as examples of how stories can influence one's desires and actions +• Paul's use of stories in his letters is highlighted as a way to shape the Thessalonian church's understanding of reality and faith +• Stories of faith are seen as fueling and shaping prayers for the saints to stand firm +• The text from 1 Thessalonians 3 is discussed, with a focus on Paul's longing and writing +• Paul was preaching in Thessalonica with Silas and Timothy +• Some Jews became jealous and started a riot, blaming the early Christians for causing trouble +• Jason and other early Christians were fined and likely put under watch +• The believers sent Paul, Silas, and Timothy to Berea, where they also stirred up trouble +• The Christians in Berea sent Paul down the coast to Athens, while Silas and Timothy stayed back +• Silas and Timothy eventually joined Paul in Corinth, where he stayed for a year and a half +• Timothy returned to Thessalonica and brought news of the church's faithfulness to Paul +• Paul wrote a letter of thanksgiving and encouragement to the church in Thessalonica around A.D. 50-51 +• The Greek word "euangelizomai" is often translated as gospel or good news about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. +• Paul treats perseverance in faith as a form of proclaiming the gospel. +• Perseverance in hard things of faith is a result of God's preservation by His grace. +• Standing firm to the end is part of proclaiming the gospel. +• The idea that perseverance is due to God's preservation by His grace has two key reasons why it matters for believers: + • It means that whatever trial or hardship they face, God is working to preserve them through it. + • This truth gives hope and encouragement in difficult times. +• The gospel can be proclaimed in and through life and story, even in times of overwhelming trial or death. +• Death and facing death is an opportunity to proclaim the truth of the gospel. +• A story from a person on their deathbed illustrates how dying can be a chance to declare one's faith. +• 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 teaches that death has been swallowed up in victory through Christ's resurrection, giving us victory over sin and death. +• Perseverance in faith and standing firm in the face of death +• The gospel as a source of victory over sin and death +• The preservation of believers through God's promise +• The implicit promise of God's love available to those who have accepted the truth of the gospel by faith +• The importance of doing God's will and trusting in His sovereignty +• The promise that none of those given to God will be lost, but raised up on the last day +• The truth that all things must work together for God's glory and good +• The foundation of confidence that comes from knowing God is preserving us through trials +• Persevering in trial and suffering as a lived message of God preserving us +• Despair and persecution are not inevitable outcomes of suffering +• Suffering can be a means of carrying the death of Jesus in one's body, allowing the life of Jesus to be manifested in others +• Being afflicted but not crushed is part of being a Christian +• Persecution and exclusion from certain groups or individuals may occur, but God will not forsake or forget those who suffer for their faith +• Suffering can tell the story of the gospel and proclaim Jesus Christ crucified +• Learning to suffer well as Christians is necessary +• The gospel is revealed through suffering and trials +• God's sovereignty is at work in our suffering, giving us confidence despite perplexing circumstances +• Gospel confidence shows up in humility, submission, service to others, and loving everyone around you +• True gospel confidence means trusting God's will and way, submitting to it, and acknowledging His right to decide what's best for us +• The importance of faithfulness in trials +• Stories about one's own and others' faith can fuel or strengthen their own faith +• Telling these stories is part of what God does to preserve us in our trials +• Sharing one's story can come back to help someone else when they need it, and hearing stories of God at work can encourage one's heart that God is working in their situation +• No matter how small or incomplete a person's story may seem, it can be used by God to change a life +• How you tell these stories matters, and telling them in a way that makes Jesus the hero is important +• Experiencing challenges and struggles +• Finding hope and faith in God's presence +• The importance of perseverance and trust in God's sovereignty +• Telling stories about God's involvement in life, using biblical support +• Integrating Scripture into personal narratives to reveal God's love and character. +• Testing one's understanding of God's work in the world through Scripture +• The importance of aligning personal stories with biblical truth and God's nature +• Not needing a "good" or "fixed" ending to share a story of God at work +• Embracing unresolved situations as opportunities for sharing God's story +• Recognizing that one's story can be used by God regardless of circumstances +• God's stories are meant to draw us towards the grand ending of His story, not a fake good ending +• The grand ending is the return of Jesus Christ and the consummation of all history +• Fixing our eyes on the great ending helps us tell our story in a way that proclaims the gospel +• By telling our story within the Bible's story, we can see God at work and how He will use it to preserve others +• The ultimate goal is to see God face-to-face again and have our love for Him increase. +• The Lord Jesus prays for the saints to endure suffering and be blameless and holy. +• He doesn't pray for an easy life, but for their love for each other to increase. +• Stories of faith fuel and shape our prayers for the saints. +• Faith in trials makes the gospel more real and tangible. +• The story of faith is made real at the table through communal sharing and testimony. +• The presence of Jesus is real +• Come hungry for Jesus and be shaped by God's plan +• Receive real grace and mercy from Jesus +• Persevere in trials through the power of Jesus' spirit +• God is faithful and will do it +• Pray for transformation of word to bread and juice +• Experience the real presence of Lord Jesus Christ +• Persevering to the end and looking forward to a heavenly banquet +• The importance of following Jesus' way and bearing his death and resurrection power in one's life +• Connecting with the institution of the Lord's Supper and its practice throughout Christian history +• Giving thanks to God for creation, covenant, and salvation through Jesus Christ +• The Lord's Supper and its significance in remembering Christ's sacrifice +• The new covenant established through the blood of Christ +• Proclaiming Christ's death and resurrection through participation in the Lord's Supper +• Invitation to come to the table regardless of faith or circumstances +• Instructions for serving and receiving communion at Emmanuel +• Invitation to worship team and serving elders to come up front +• Instructions for congregation to come forward +• References to Body of Christ and Blood of Christ, including a repetitive phrase "given for you" +• Encouragement to eat, drink, and remember Christ's sacrifice +• Repeated phrases of thanksgiving +• Worship songs with lyrics about restoration, feasting, and rejoicing in Zion +• Worship and prayer +• Faithfulness of God +• Grace and love of God +• Commissioning and empowerment by the Spirit +• Going forth as witnesses to the gospel +• Receive blessing and protection from God +• Revival and transformation of the church and earth +• Reaching the near and far with God's power +• No force can stop God's work or love +• The beauty of God changes hearts and brings strength +• Affluence is not the goal, but rather fulfilling one's purpose +• Awakening the kingdom within oneself and others +• Filling oneself with pride, strength, and love +• Recognizing the church as a community of believers +• Bringing hope to earth and building God's kingdom +• Confronting darkness with faith and God's power +• Seeking God's presence and guidance \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d62f520e1d4dbf6e11e84b9fed07e5170412a56e --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, February 9, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2693 @@ +[0.00 --> 4.44] I don't need the money +[4.44 --> 8.64] I don't want the fame +[8.64 --> 13.76] I don't want what I can't save with me +[13.76 --> 15.92] In the rain +[15.92 --> 18.58] Oh and I don't want to lose my soul +[18.58 --> 21.88] Chasing out the things that don't leave me +[21.88 --> 24.08] The journey to you is +[24.08 --> 28.12] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[28.12 --> 35.66] Oh I came from this world +[35.66 --> 39.16] I go back and eat it +[39.16 --> 41.08] Ain't gonna be easy +[41.08 --> 43.68] But at least be true +[43.68 --> 47.04] I don't want to lose my soul +[47.04 --> 54.92] I don't want to lose my soul +[54.92 --> 58.10] Chasing out the things that don't leave me +[58.10 --> 62.26] I don't want to lose my gaze +[62.26 --> 64.06] When I meet you face to face +[64.06 --> 65.02] Well done +[65.02 --> 68.64] Now I'm running over +[68.64 --> 71.56] Like the prodigal +[71.56 --> 76.44] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[76.44 --> 86.98] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[86.98 --> 90.52] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[90.52 --> 92.48] I don't want to lose my soul +[92.48 --> 94.48] And I'm running over +[94.48 --> 98.64] Like the particle +[98.64 --> 100.10] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[100.10 --> 102.02] I'm lost in a feeling +[102.02 --> 103.54] Oh I'm lost in a feeling +[103.54 --> 105.02] Oh I'm lost in a feel +[105.02 --> 109.34] Oh, oh, oh, oh, came from this world. +[110.68 --> 112.98] We're going back to eat it. +[113.20 --> 114.90] Ain't going to be easy. +[115.78 --> 118.26] No, please be straight to you. +[118.64 --> 119.92] I'm going to move. +[122.02 --> 123.18] Like the particle. +[126.98 --> 128.48] It is what it is. +[132.52 --> 133.66] Good morning. +[133.66 --> 135.72] Good morning, everyone. +[137.02 --> 139.82] Welcome to worship this morning. +[139.90 --> 142.74] A special welcome if you are a guest with us. +[142.90 --> 143.68] My name is Chris. +[144.22 --> 149.52] And I need to tell you that this morning I woke up and I went to go to my front door. +[149.52 --> 153.18] And there was this massive chair in front of my front door. +[153.34 --> 154.76] And I was blocked in. +[155.06 --> 156.60] And I didn't know what to do. +[159.12 --> 162.36] And so to explain what that's all about, I'm going to invite Josh to the front. +[162.36 --> 164.42] And he's going to give you a little thank you. +[164.42 --> 166.08] Yes. +[169.24 --> 173.68] So thank you all for supporting the Mexico team at the Mexico dinner. +[174.20 --> 178.98] We had record profit this year, which was awesome because the desserts were so well. +[179.02 --> 184.06] And you guys bought, pay way too much for those kind of things. +[184.06 --> 188.58] I would not buy $400 for a cake that I could just make for free. +[190.90 --> 194.08] But yes, thank you on behalf of the team for supporting us so well. +[194.60 --> 195.80] We thank you in our prayers. +[196.70 --> 199.50] And Chris, it's a really comfortable chair. +[199.50 --> 202.06] Still hideous though. +[202.34 --> 202.68] Yes. +[203.64 --> 204.82] Still hideous though. +[205.08 --> 205.68] I was, yeah. +[206.86 --> 210.32] Well, I'll enjoy it for a few days, but then someone's going to get it. +[211.32 --> 214.34] So if you need a chair, talk to me after service. +[216.10 --> 219.46] Just a couple more announcements before we get into our worship. +[219.46 --> 231.74] Following our service together this morning, we are going to, excuse me, we are going to have HCBC and the Heidelberg Catechism Reading Group. +[231.74 --> 236.94] And so we'll start that around noon-ish, although we'll see how it goes. +[237.28 --> 240.42] If you're sticking around for that, there is lunch this afternoon. +[240.58 --> 242.74] And so be mindful of that. +[242.82 --> 247.76] We'll have some soup and buns and then we'll get in our classes together to go through that. +[249.02 --> 261.02] On Tuesday night, so this coming Tuesday, February 11, we're hosting what we're calling it a foster family support information evening. +[261.02 --> 276.28] And so we've got a couple social workers from MCFD and some families who are currently fostering, who are going to share a little bit of stories and circumstances about how we as a community can support people who are doing that. +[276.64 --> 277.50] So I want to be really clear. +[277.60 --> 284.02] This isn't necessarily about asking you to become a foster parent, although if you have questions about that, please ask. +[284.34 --> 290.02] But it's really about how can we support those in our midst who are currently fostering. +[291.02 --> 299.54] And how can we surround them with community and provide the kinds of things that their families need to do that work well and to the glory of God. +[299.64 --> 304.28] And so that's on February 11, Tuesday night, here beginning at 730. +[304.28 --> 310.48] If you have any questions, you can talk to me about that after service or Brenda will also take your questions there. +[310.48 --> 335.50] And then lastly, just a quick note that on February 22, that's coldest night of the year where we're going to have a group of people get together and walk with Gateway of Hope in support of the homeless and addicted populations that need help and support, especially during these cold winter and wet seasons of life. +[335.50 --> 339.76] And so if you want to participate in that, you can sign up to join the team. +[340.04 --> 342.78] That information is available online and in the e-bulletins. +[344.46 --> 345.16] Excuse me. +[345.28 --> 352.84] And if you would like to support that work, you can also find a link in the e-bulletin there and you can make a donation in support of that work together. +[353.30 --> 357.10] If you have any questions about that, you can talk to myself or Nikki. +[357.24 --> 359.32] We'll gladly answer those questions for you too. +[359.32 --> 366.44] Let's stand together and we might be ushered into God's presence this morning for worship. +[370.78 --> 375.72] After the greeting of God, invite you to turn to those around you and to welcome them. +[376.18 --> 377.90] You can hear it in my voice. +[378.02 --> 381.04] It's cough and cold season and so maybe people don't want to shake hands. +[381.94 --> 385.00] Maybe they definitely don't want to hug or greet each other with a holy kiss. +[385.46 --> 386.44] And so a head nod is good. +[386.96 --> 387.60] Words are better. +[387.60 --> 392.46] But just welcome each other into the presence of God after we receive his greeting together. +[392.58 --> 394.18] Receive the greeting of our God. +[395.48 --> 399.90] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father. +[400.28 --> 402.74] From the Lord Jesus Christ, Son and our Savior. +[403.40 --> 405.86] Through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[406.74 --> 407.18] Amen. +[407.18 --> 407.26] Amen. +[417.60 --> 446.24] Our call to worship this morning is Psalm 100. +[446.24 --> 450.54] Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth. +[451.22 --> 452.66] Worship the Lord with gladness. +[453.02 --> 454.82] Come before him singing with joy. +[455.82 --> 457.64] Acknowledge that the Lord is God. +[457.98 --> 459.70] He made us and we are his. +[460.26 --> 462.60] We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. +[463.34 --> 466.14] Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. +[466.14 --> 469.02] Give thanks to him and praise his name. +[469.58 --> 470.44] For the Lord is good. +[470.94 --> 473.28] His unfailing love continues forever. +[473.70 --> 476.70] And his faithfulness continues to each generation. +[477.42 --> 481.34] And with this joy and in this next song, please get your clapping hands ready. +[482.12 --> 484.70] And if you don't know when to clap, Aaron will let you know. +[484.70 --> 506.88] We want to see Jesus lifted high. +[506.88 --> 510.60] A banner that flies across this land. +[510.60 --> 514.26] That all men might see the truth and know. +[514.88 --> 517.30] He is the way to heaven. +[517.30 --> 547.08] He is the way to heaven. +[547.30 --> 555.00] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[555.18 --> 562.38] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[562.82 --> 569.62] Step by step we're moving forward, little by little we're making ground. +[569.62 --> 579.90] Every prayer a powerful weapon, strongholds come, tumbling down and down and down and down. +[580.76 --> 587.72] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[588.00 --> 595.06] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[595.06 --> 602.24] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[602.48 --> 608.86] We want to see, we want to see, we want to see Jesus lifted high. +[608.86 --> 610.08] My Heart +[638.86 --> 652.10] Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful, where the streams of abundance flow. +[652.10 --> 654.64] Blessed be your name. +[657.08 --> 667.64] Blessed be your name when you're found in the desert place, when you walk through the wilderness. +[667.64 --> 670.34] Blessed be your name. +[672.52 --> 679.42] Every blessing you pour out, I'll turn back to praise. +[680.90 --> 687.02] When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, +[687.02 --> 690.02] Blessed be the name of the Lord. +[690.94 --> 693.58] Blessed be your name. +[693.58 --> 695.58] Blessed be your name. +[695.58 --> 697.58] Blessed be the name of the Lord. +[697.58 --> 701.58] Blessed be your glorious name. +[701.58 --> 703.58] Blessed be your name. +[703.58 --> 704.58] Blessed be your name. +[704.58 --> 707.58] When the sun's shining down on me. +[707.58 --> 709.58] For the world's all that it should be. +[709.58 --> 710.58] Blessed be your name. +[710.58 --> 711.58] Blessed be your name. +[711.58 --> 712.58] Blessed be your name. +[712.58 --> 715.58] For the world's all that it should be. +[715.58 --> 717.58] Blessed be your name. +[717.58 --> 719.58] Blessed be your name. +[719.58 --> 720.58] Blessed be your name. +[720.58 --> 722.58] On the road mark, blessed I'll bring. +[722.58 --> 724.58] Blessed be your name. +[724.58 --> 726.58] On the road mark, blessed I'll bring. +[726.58 --> 728.58] So there's a name in the offering. +[728.58 --> 729.58] Blessed be your name. +[729.58 --> 731.58] the offering +[731.58 --> 733.58] blessed be your name +[734.14 --> 737.80] every blessing +[737.80 --> 739.66] you pour out +[739.66 --> 741.88] I'll turn back to +[741.88 --> 743.66] praise +[743.66 --> 745.68] when the darkness +[745.68 --> 747.72] closes in the Lord +[747.72 --> 749.58] still I will say +[750.34 --> 751.58] blessed be the name +[752.22 --> 753.82] of the Lord +[753.82 --> 755.58] blessed be your name +[757.18 --> 759.56] blessed be the name +[759.56 --> 761.42] of the Lord +[761.42 --> 763.78] blessed be your glory +[763.78 --> 765.56] our name +[766.20 --> 769.46] forgive and +[769.46 --> 771.14] take away +[771.14 --> 774.02] forgive and take +[774.02 --> 774.56] away +[774.56 --> 777.72] my heart will choose +[777.72 --> 778.76] to stay +[778.76 --> 781.76] blessed be your +[781.76 --> 782.88] reign +[782.88 --> 785.98] forgive and take away +[785.98 --> 789.54] forgive and take away +[789.54 --> 792.60] my heart will choose +[792.60 --> 793.70] to stay +[793.70 --> 797.54] blessed be your name +[797.54 --> 802.66] blessed be the name of the Lord +[802.66 --> 805.54] blessed be your name +[805.54 --> 810.02] blessed be the name of the Lord +[810.02 --> 813.44] blessed be your glorious name +[813.44 --> 817.50] blessed be your name +[817.50 --> 819.44] blessed be your name +[819.44 --> 820.44] blessed be your name +[820.44 --> 825.24] blessed be the name of the Lord +[825.24 --> 829.44] blessed be your glorious name +[829.44 --> 844.52] free and autour of the Lord +[844.52 --> 846.90] and the Lord +[846.90 --> 847.78] which you can sit +[847.78 --> 848.88] if you would like +[848.88 --> 850.84] it's gonna be a little bit of time +[850.84 --> 861.58] I had the privilege of going to the Calvin worship symposium at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan this week. +[862.32 --> 867.86] And it was beautiful and wonderful to sing with so many incredible people. +[869.68 --> 877.68] And something that was really beautiful was this song that we were going to sing through our Confession Assurance was sung. +[877.68 --> 882.52] And I'd already put it in our service and I thought, oh, that's so cool. +[882.62 --> 883.18] I love that. +[883.54 --> 891.84] And the way that they did it is we're going to reflect that a little bit in how we engage in this song. +[892.02 --> 901.24] And so I'm going to do some prayer and then we're going to respond with the song, Lord, listen to your children praying. +[902.16 --> 905.80] So you can stay with your eyes closed and listen along. +[905.80 --> 907.98] It's familiar for a lot of us. +[908.40 --> 915.52] You can open your eyes or just keep along and follow along with us and let us lead. +[916.70 --> 917.56] Pray with me. +[922.54 --> 923.14] Lord. +[927.52 --> 930.52] Gracious God, thank you for who you are. +[931.44 --> 932.92] We want to see you. +[932.92 --> 938.62] We want to see your gifts of grace in plenty. +[939.88 --> 948.32] We want to see and recognize how you have blessed us and look around and see your beautiful creation. +[948.52 --> 951.78] Open our eyes to your wonder. +[953.78 --> 960.16] We want to feel you when we walk in the desert place, knowing that you are with us. +[960.16 --> 966.84] We sing your praises and assure our souls with who you are. +[967.78 --> 969.46] Open our eyes to your word. +[970.00 --> 971.62] Open our hearts to your love. +[974.76 --> 975.76] Lord, listen. +[977.26 --> 979.00] Listen to us as we pray. +[979.00 --> 990.06] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[992.74 --> 999.24] Lord, send your spirit in this place. +[999.24 --> 1005.94] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1007.94 --> 1009.84] Send us love. +[1010.02 --> 1011.74] Send us power. +[1012.02 --> 1013.94] Send us grace. +[1013.94 --> 1021.56] Lord, forgive us. +[1022.56 --> 1024.46] Forgive us for our sins. +[1027.76 --> 1031.26] Forgive us for our empty prayers. +[1032.26 --> 1037.26] When we pray for you to take our sins away, but we don't really mean it. +[1037.26 --> 1038.80] Forgive us for our sins away. +[1038.80 --> 1039.24] Forgive us for our sins away. +[1039.24 --> 1039.34] Forgive us for our sins away. +[1039.34 --> 1041.64] Forgive us when we lean deeper into the darkness. +[1044.52 --> 1047.02] It's familiar and easy to hide from you. +[1048.44 --> 1051.08] We come to church and we praise you. +[1051.86 --> 1054.82] And we confess our sins communally. +[1055.28 --> 1057.70] And then we're assured by your presence, Lord. +[1057.70 --> 1061.58] And then we walk out the doors and go back. +[1062.44 --> 1063.60] Back into life. +[1064.06 --> 1065.58] Into our secular living, God. +[1066.94 --> 1068.22] Forgive us for that. +[1069.12 --> 1070.46] Forgive us for forgetting you. +[1072.90 --> 1078.68] We fool ourselves so often that we've got it under control. +[1081.04 --> 1082.34] But you see us. +[1083.06 --> 1085.80] You see us in those vulnerable moments, Lord. +[1087.70 --> 1090.48] And you're calling us back to you. +[1092.40 --> 1094.50] Lord, listen to us as we pray. +[1094.90 --> 1098.40] Listen to the yearning in our hearts to surrender to you, Lord. +[1109.40 --> 1113.86] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1113.86 --> 1129.56] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1129.56 --> 1137.56] Send us love, send us power, send us grace. +[1137.56 --> 1139.56] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1143.56 --> 1147.12] Lord, forgive us when we forget each other. +[1148.50 --> 1154.40] Forgive us for being self-centered and only seeing what's right in front of us. +[1157.06 --> 1160.28] Lord, open our eyes to the people around us. +[1160.66 --> 1163.38] This community of faith that you have put us in. +[1163.38 --> 1165.38] Lord, open our hearts. +[1165.38 --> 1166.38] Lord, open our hearts. +[1166.38 --> 1167.38] Lord, open our hearts. +[1167.38 --> 1169.68] Put on our hearts the needs. +[1170.38 --> 1177.48] Put on our hearts to pray for each other, for our faith, that we may grow and that we may flourish. +[1178.54 --> 1183.60] Pray that we may see that in each other and encourage and grow each other. +[1183.60 --> 1185.60] Lord, help us to pray for each other. +[1185.60 --> 1190.40] Lord, help us look to the world. +[1192.04 --> 1196.50] Help us see our brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe. +[1198.10 --> 1204.38] And remind us to pray that we join in unity in worshiping you, Lord. +[1207.46 --> 1209.22] Hear us as we pray, Lord. +[1209.22 --> 1211.22] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1211.22 --> 1228.22] Lord, send your spirit in this place. +[1228.22 --> 1235.22] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1235.22 --> 1265.20] Lord, listen to your children praying. +[1265.20 --> 1275.20] Send us love, send us power, send us grace. +[1281.20 --> 1283.96] Please rise if you are able and sing our assurance. +[1283.96 --> 1284.96] Amen. +[1286.96 --> 1287.10] Amen. +[1287.10 --> 1306.80] I long to breathe the air of heaven +[1306.80 --> 1313.96] Where pain is gone and mercy kills the streets +[1313.96 --> 1321.46] To love the God, the one who pled to save me +[1321.46 --> 1326.98] And walk with him for all eternity +[1326.98 --> 1337.96] There will be a day when all the love accorded +[1337.96 --> 1345.46] There will be a day when death will be no more +[1345.46 --> 1353.96] Standing face to face with he who died and rose again +[1353.96 --> 1359.96] Holy, holy is our Lord +[1359.96 --> 1369.46] Every prayer we pray in desperation +[1369.46 --> 1376.96] A song of faith we sang through doubt and fear +[1376.96 --> 1384.46] And in the end we'll see that it was worth it +[1384.46 --> 1391.96] When he returns to wipe away our tears +[1391.96 --> 1400.46] There will be a day when all will bow before him +[1400.46 --> 1406.96] There will be a day when death will be no more +[1406.96 --> 1415.46] Standing face to face with he who died and rose again +[1415.46 --> 1421.46] Holy, holy is our Lord +[1421.46 --> 1430.46] And on that day we join the resurrection +[1430.46 --> 1438.46] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1438.46 --> 1444.46] With one voice a thousand generations +[1444.46 --> 1451.46] Sing worthy is the Lamb who was played +[1451.46 --> 1458.46] And on that day we join the resurrection +[1458.46 --> 1465.46] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1465.46 --> 1466.46] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1466.46 --> 1467.46] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1467.46 --> 1469.46] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1469.46 --> 1474.46] And stand beside the heroes of the命令 +[1474.46 --> 1477.46] Children of the faith +[1477.46 --> 1478.06] And stand beside the heroes of the faith +[1479.46 --> 1481.46] And all пап Af'n源 +[1486.46 --> 1487.46] The was you everywhere +[1487.46 --> 1490.46] That Christ is the earth +[1490.46 --> 1491.46] And all biblical40ga +[1491.46 --> 1493.46] And all gods will be no more +[1493.46 --> 1495.32] For Him +[1495.32 --> 1498.32] There will be a day +[1498.32 --> 1501.06] When death will be gone +[1501.06 --> 1504.94] Standing face to face +[1504.94 --> 1509.84] With He who I am rose again +[1509.84 --> 1515.56] Holy, holy is the Lord +[1515.56 --> 1517.72] Let it be today +[1517.72 --> 1521.06] We shall live forever +[1521.06 --> 1524.54] With angels and her saints +[1524.54 --> 1528.20] Give grace and mighty glory +[1528.20 --> 1531.20] Glory to our God +[1531.20 --> 1536.18] Who gave us life beyond the grave +[1536.18 --> 1541.82] Holy, holy is the Lord +[1541.82 --> 1549.32] Holy, holy is the Lord +[1549.32 --> 1556.00] Holy, holy is the Lord +[1556.00 --> 1561.48] Holy, holy is the Lord +[1561.48 --> 1580.46] Good morning, my name is Pearl +[1580.46 --> 1582.60] I'm one of the deacons here at Langley Emanuel +[1582.60 --> 1586.00] And it's time to continue our worship with our offerings +[1586.00 --> 1588.44] Today's offering is first for the budget +[1588.44 --> 1590.46] Which is for the ministries of this church +[1590.46 --> 1591.94] And if you wish to give to that +[1591.94 --> 1594.70] Then do it in a marked envelope +[1594.70 --> 1596.74] Or use the envelopes that are in front of you +[1596.74 --> 1597.88] And the chairs in front of you +[1597.88 --> 1601.58] And our other offering for any money that's not designated +[1601.58 --> 1604.22] Will be for Night Shift Ministries +[1604.22 --> 1610.20] Night Shift Ministries is a ministry that serves primarily the street people +[1610.20 --> 1614.96] And they have location, one in the city of Langley +[1614.96 --> 1619.10] And then also one off of King George Boulevard in Surrey +[1619.10 --> 1623.74] And in both locations we have teams from this church here that go +[1623.74 --> 1629.98] The one in Langley, it's a couple of nights a week that there's food being served +[1629.98 --> 1632.42] And there's volunteers from this church that help serve that +[1632.42 --> 1637.52] And then the one in Surrey is 365 days of the year +[1637.52 --> 1643.12] And there not only is there food served on the street there in the parking lot +[1643.12 --> 1646.20] There's also counselling available there +[1646.20 --> 1649.00] There's also a clothing truck +[1649.00 --> 1653.00] There's also prayer that's being offered there +[1653.00 --> 1654.98] It's a faith-based ministry +[1654.98 --> 1657.74] It's 100% operated by donations +[1657.74 --> 1659.58] There's no government funding whatsoever +[1659.58 --> 1667.28] And as most of you know, I happen to be on the team that is a part of the Surrey group +[1667.28 --> 1670.12] And so just to give you a bit of a snapshot of what happens there +[1670.12 --> 1671.76] We were there this past Thursday +[1671.76 --> 1674.46] And we served, I think it was 89 people +[1674.46 --> 1676.80] There's always a report that we get through our emails +[1676.80 --> 1682.30] And I think I read this morning that there were 89 people that we served on the streets of Surrey +[1682.30 --> 1683.84] This past Thursday +[1683.84 --> 1686.68] And these people, some of them are homeless +[1686.68 --> 1688.30] Some of them live in shelters +[1688.30 --> 1689.84] Some of them have jobs +[1689.84 --> 1693.92] But just can't afford to both put a roof over their head and feed themselves +[1693.92 --> 1695.68] So everybody's welcome there +[1695.68 --> 1697.02] There's no questions asked +[1697.02 --> 1699.88] And then we made three pots of chili +[1699.88 --> 1701.88] We always make hot food +[1701.88 --> 1704.88] So we made three pots of chili and did nine loaves of bread +[1704.88 --> 1708.42] And all that food is donated by people from this congregation +[1708.42 --> 1712.12] And then, yeah, we start serving at 7 +[1712.12 --> 1713.10] We prepare it there +[1713.10 --> 1714.18] We start serving at 7 +[1714.18 --> 1715.80] And then by 8 o'clock it was all gone +[1715.80 --> 1718.54] And, but that one hour then +[1718.54 --> 1720.64] There's a lot of fellowship that happens on the streets +[1720.64 --> 1722.18] So there's a lot of community +[1722.18 --> 1726.28] A lot of networking amongst the people that are eating together +[1726.28 --> 1728.38] So it's a real community time +[1728.38 --> 1732.76] And it's a real ministry that Night Shift offers for all of these people +[1732.76 --> 1734.28] So do give generously +[1734.28 --> 1738.68] Even as we've been blessed with such warm homes this week +[1738.68 --> 1740.76] The people on the streets, of course, are cold +[1740.76 --> 1742.66] So do give generously this week +[1742.66 --> 1749.00] And remember their, the Bible verse that Night Shift Ministry operates under is +[1749.00 --> 1750.68] I was hungry, you gave me food +[1750.68 --> 1752.18] I was thirsty, you gave me drink +[1752.18 --> 1753.56] I was naked and you clothed me +[1753.56 --> 1754.30] Thank you +[1754.30 --> 1778.22] Holy Spirit, living breath of God +[1778.22 --> 1791.36] Let the presence of the risen Lord +[1791.36 --> 1797.06] Come renew my heart and make me old +[1797.06 --> 1804.90] Cause your word to call the life in me +[1804.90 --> 1811.28] Give me faith for what I cannot see +[1811.28 --> 1817.08] Give me passion for your purity +[1817.08 --> 1822.72] Holy Spirit, bring you my faith +[1822.72 --> 1830.48] Holy Spirit, come abide with me +[1830.48 --> 1836.48] May your joy be seen in all I do +[1836.48 --> 1843.40] Love enough to cover every sin +[1843.40 --> 1848.20] In each thought and deed and attitude +[1848.20 --> 1856.86] Kindness to the greatest and the least +[1856.86 --> 1863.20] Gentleness, bless those, the path of peace +[1863.20 --> 1869.10] Turn my strides into words of grace +[1869.10 --> 1874.86] Breath of God, show Christ in all I do +[1874.86 --> 1882.12] Holy Spirit, from creation's birth +[1882.12 --> 1888.12] Giving life to all that God has made +[1888.12 --> 1895.16] Show your power once again on earth +[1895.16 --> 1901.12] Ask your church to hunger for your grace +[1901.12 --> 1908.56] Let the great grace of our prayers arise +[1908.56 --> 1914.42] Lead us on the road of sacrifice +[1914.42 --> 1914.50] Lead us on the road of sacrifice +[1914.50 --> 1915.28] Lead us on the road of sacrifice +[1915.28 --> 1920.78] That in humanity the face of Christ +[1920.78 --> 1926.44] May be clear for all the world to see +[1926.44 --> 1933.28] Let the fragrance of our prayers arise +[1933.28 --> 1948.28] rise, lead us on the road of sacrifice, that in unity the place of Christ may be clear +[1948.28 --> 1953.28] for all the world to see. +[1963.28 --> 1970.54] Good morning everyone, I'd like to invite any kids up to the front, age three, up to grade +[1970.54 --> 1976.40] four, and have a little chat before we head off to our classes for children's worship +[1976.40 --> 1976.78] today. +[1984.28 --> 1989.46] I'm wondering if you guys know why you celebrate your birthday. +[1989.46 --> 1994.18] Why do we celebrate our birthday? +[1994.18 --> 1995.18] Where does that come from? +[1995.18 --> 2003.48] What do you think, Mateo? +[2003.48 --> 2007.58] You might have a cake at your birthday party, you might have like some fun games and some +[2007.58 --> 2011.82] friends over, but how do you know when to celebrate your birthday? +[2011.82 --> 2015.12] You just pick your favorite day of the year when it seems like it would be good? +[2015.12 --> 2016.12] How do you know? +[2016.12 --> 2017.12] What do you think, Hayley? +[2017.12 --> 2019.56] Yeah, it's about when you were born, the day you were born. +[2019.56 --> 2023.16] You probably don't remember the day you were born, but when you were born, you're a little +[2023.16 --> 2026.38] tiny baby, exactly. +[2026.38 --> 2028.38] And what do babies do? +[2028.38 --> 2029.38] Cry. +[2029.38 --> 2030.38] Cry. +[2030.38 --> 2031.38] Crawl. +[2031.38 --> 2032.38] Crawl. +[2032.38 --> 2033.38] Poop. +[2033.38 --> 2034.38] Yeah. +[2034.38 --> 2040.44] They make you go and laugh, but they can't do too much, right? +[2040.44 --> 2044.14] I'm sure there's things you can think of that you can do now that when you were a baby, you +[2044.14 --> 2051.12] just couldn't do that yet, like ride a bike or go for a run or play soccer or paint beautiful +[2051.12 --> 2051.52] pictures. +[2051.52 --> 2057.16] So today what we're going to talk about is in the Bible, Jesus talks about being born +[2057.16 --> 2057.76] again. +[2058.18 --> 2062.06] We were already born when we were a baby, but what does it mean to be born again? +[2062.32 --> 2065.76] And what does it mean to have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts? +[2065.76 --> 2067.90] So that's going to be our theme today. +[2068.90 --> 2072.16] And before we go though, I'd like to invite you to stand or everyone to stand and we'll +[2072.16 --> 2076.00] do our blessing and receive our blessing and then we'll head off. +[2076.00 --> 2082.14] The Lord be with you. +[2082.34 --> 2083.92] And also with you. +[2095.76 --> 2125.74] Good morning, my friends. +[2125.74 --> 2127.90] My name is Clary Klosterhof. +[2129.08 --> 2131.14] I don't know if I'm allowed to use last names. +[2132.14 --> 2133.22] That's my last name. +[2134.28 --> 2141.76] And I'm an elder here and I'm going to lead us in our family prayer this morning. +[2143.94 --> 2147.18] A couple announcements though that won't be in the prayer. +[2147.18 --> 2158.08] First of all, donation receipts are going to be in your church mailboxes EOD Tuesday, which +[2158.08 --> 2160.96] apparently is an acronym that stands for end of day. +[2161.52 --> 2166.00] So end of day Tuesday, your donation receipts are available. +[2166.00 --> 2172.98] Please contact the church office if you have any questions or need yours mailed out. +[2173.86 --> 2181.96] And then just as a council, as a congregation, we want to give thanks for the many ways in +[2181.96 --> 2185.90] which our church family is loving and taking care of each other. +[2185.90 --> 2196.36] Whether in meals, cards, rides, visits, and prayers, we see God at work among us in our love for each other. +[2196.98 --> 2198.80] And that's wonderful. +[2198.80 --> 2206.38] So please join me, join with me as we come to the Father in congregational prayer. +[2208.56 --> 2214.34] Gracious Father in heaven, again, we want to say thank you for a new day. +[2214.34 --> 2220.98] And we want to give you thanks that we can begin our work weeks with a day of rest. +[2221.62 --> 2237.86] And we can put away maybe the mundane details of making a living and being busy and begin the week with an act of faith +[2237.86 --> 2249.46] where we don't work and we can begin our day all together glorifying you, being blessed by your presence, +[2249.80 --> 2253.08] and this morning celebrating the feast of your table. +[2254.36 --> 2255.58] Thank you for this. +[2257.22 --> 2261.58] And thank you that it is so easy to talk to you. +[2262.38 --> 2266.74] We don't have to face a particular direction. +[2266.74 --> 2270.24] We don't have to assume a specific posture. +[2272.66 --> 2273.56] You are here. +[2274.16 --> 2276.78] And thank you for that. +[2277.58 --> 2288.72] So this morning, Lord, we want to raise up prayers, petitions, gratitude, and concerns to you. +[2289.74 --> 2291.20] And we ask that you hear our prayers. +[2291.20 --> 2297.88] Father, we want to ask that you will be with the family of Tony Vanderweel. +[2298.88 --> 2302.10] He died recently and his funeral is going to be this week. +[2302.10 --> 2307.66] Thank you for his life and the testimony of his life. +[2308.62 --> 2315.66] But please provide your peace and comfort to those who mourn his loss. +[2315.66 --> 2328.84] Father, we want to ask that you help those who struggle daily with addictions to alcohol, drugs, pornography. +[2328.84 --> 2337.44] We are so good at making idols out of basically anything that you have created. +[2337.44 --> 2343.24] And some of our brothers and sisters really, really struggle. +[2343.24 --> 2352.36] So, Father, in particular, we ask that you will grant those who struggle courage to reach out for help. +[2352.36 --> 2368.06] But also, will you, with all of us who may be available to help, make us or keep us humble +[2368.06 --> 2381.64] and make this a safe place so that people can be vulnerable and take the risk of asking for help. +[2383.30 --> 2389.30] Father, we want to lift up all of those who struggle with depression and with anxiety. +[2389.30 --> 2397.04] Sometimes these challenges are harder in the winter because it's darker. +[2397.36 --> 2398.80] We're inside a lot more. +[2400.40 --> 2409.66] Father, give peace to these people and give courage and encouragement. +[2409.66 --> 2419.20] And then for their friends, family, and loved ones, help them to be good listeners, encouragers. +[2419.30 --> 2426.88] And help all of us not to give advice unless it's asked. +[2427.98 --> 2434.66] We want to pray for Elise Wagoner's father, Doug Hendon. +[2435.00 --> 2438.46] He is struggling with stage 4 cancer. +[2439.00 --> 2443.40] We want to lift up to you Amanda Hogan-Wonings' sister, Tanya. +[2444.02 --> 2447.74] She's also struggling with stage 4 cancer. +[2447.74 --> 2454.70] In these two cases, Lord, please give courage, good cheer, strength, and healing. +[2455.80 --> 2464.44] We also want to lift up Jared Jensen's daughter, Tessa, who is going for tests just in a couple of days on Tuesday +[2464.44 --> 2468.28] to determine a course of action for a mass in her lungs. +[2469.10 --> 2474.64] Father, also give her courage, healing, and good news. +[2474.64 --> 2489.18] We also want to lift up all of those people in our congregation who are shut-ins because of a host of reasons +[2489.18 --> 2491.74] are not able to physically be here. +[2492.68 --> 2497.26] Give them a full measure of your presence and keep them encouraged. +[2497.26 --> 2502.76] Again, in these dark days of winter to be housebound. +[2503.72 --> 2504.40] It's hard. +[2505.92 --> 2512.08] So in all these things, Lord, we know that you can work miracles and you can do anything. +[2513.08 --> 2516.36] But you have called us to be your hands and feet. +[2516.36 --> 2521.22] So as we think about all the people we've just prayed for, +[2521.90 --> 2529.56] help us to remember and think of ways that we can be the hands and feet in the presence of Jesus Christ. +[2530.64 --> 2531.10] Amen. +[2546.36 --> 2559.58] We're going to continue in our close reading of the book of Thessalonians. +[2559.78 --> 2563.54] We're in 1 Thessalonians right now, chapter 3. +[2564.12 --> 2569.96] We're going to read together from verse 6 through to the end of the chapter, verse 6 through 13. +[2569.96 --> 2578.46] As always, I encourage you, if you have a Bible, open it up and keep it open or turn it on and find our text and leave that there. +[2578.50 --> 2582.54] If you're looking for some Bibles, there's a couple at the back that you're welcome to grab. +[2583.86 --> 2589.10] It will be on the screen the first time we go through, but it will be helpful for you as we refer back throughout. +[2590.74 --> 2593.68] Let's read together from 1 Thessalonians 3. +[2593.68 --> 2603.66] But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. +[2604.50 --> 2613.32] He has told us that you have always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us just as we also long to see you. +[2614.38 --> 2622.38] Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you because of your faith. +[2622.38 --> 2628.22] For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. +[2629.10 --> 2636.10] How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? +[2637.06 --> 2643.68] Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may seek you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. +[2645.20 --> 2651.12] Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. +[2651.12 --> 2660.34] And may the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. +[2661.24 --> 2667.24] May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father +[2667.24 --> 2671.74] when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. +[2672.24 --> 2673.42] This is the word of the Lord. +[2673.42 --> 2684.14] If you have been following along the Narthex podcast for the last couple of weeks, +[2684.70 --> 2689.96] which is something that Kevin and Josh and myself do every week and we reflect on the sermon, +[2690.56 --> 2698.58] in that Josh has had the gall to call Kevin and I old by making particular cultural references +[2698.58 --> 2702.26] to certain movies of a particular age. +[2703.50 --> 2707.36] And so instead of fighting against Josh, I'm just going to embrace it. +[2707.96 --> 2712.50] And so this is going to mean absolutely nothing to probably 80% of you. +[2712.80 --> 2716.32] But if you were born in the six-year window that I was born in, +[2716.50 --> 2718.70] how many of you are familiar with the movie Iron Eagle? +[2720.16 --> 2720.52] Yeah! +[2721.46 --> 2722.28] We got one. +[2722.48 --> 2723.50] Oh, my dad at the back. +[2723.58 --> 2723.76] Yep. +[2723.86 --> 2724.12] Ken. +[2724.36 --> 2724.88] Very good. +[2724.96 --> 2726.66] Ken, you're almost outside that six-year window. +[2726.80 --> 2727.18] Good job. +[2727.18 --> 2732.34] So the movie Iron Eagle is about a young man, teenager, +[2732.88 --> 2737.92] who is in the Air Force cadet program in the United States. +[2738.02 --> 2741.48] His father is an Air Force captain and fighter pilot +[2741.48 --> 2746.28] who goes on a mission to some Middle Eastern country. +[2746.40 --> 2749.48] They're very careful to not actually tell you what country it is, +[2749.86 --> 2754.20] being politically correct at the time in the early to mid-80s. +[2754.20 --> 2757.48] And he is shot down and captured. +[2758.42 --> 2761.76] And so the plot of the movie is this young man and his friends +[2761.76 --> 2765.62] coming up with a plan for how they're going to steal some fighter jets +[2765.62 --> 2767.40] from the Air Force base that they live on, +[2767.70 --> 2769.34] fly halfway around the world, +[2769.74 --> 2771.68] somehow manage to land their planes, +[2771.88 --> 2773.06] rescue dad from prison, +[2773.16 --> 2774.60] get back in their fighter jets, +[2774.72 --> 2778.14] and fly all the way back to the United States Air Force base. +[2778.14 --> 2780.10] It's highly improbable, +[2780.60 --> 2783.98] but watching that movie changed about four years of my life. +[2784.80 --> 2786.42] Because after watching that movie, +[2786.80 --> 2788.08] after hearing that story, +[2788.20 --> 2791.30] after seeing that story like a thousand times when I was a kid, +[2791.48 --> 2794.06] all I wanted to do was be a fighter pilot. +[2795.34 --> 2797.74] Now, unfortunately, my father wasn't in the Air Force, +[2797.84 --> 2798.84] and so he didn't get kidnapped, +[2798.94 --> 2800.52] and I had no opportunity to do that. +[2800.52 --> 2803.26] It was clearly his fault that that never happened. +[2806.10 --> 2812.14] But that story changed the way I saw my own story in my own life. +[2813.16 --> 2816.54] Made me want to live a particular way and do a particular thing. +[2818.92 --> 2820.56] Maybe this one's a bit more accessible, +[2820.90 --> 2822.04] but still from my age. +[2822.18 --> 2823.72] How many of you know the movie The Three Ninjas? +[2825.16 --> 2826.06] My mom hated it. +[2826.08 --> 2827.00] Yeah, Daryl knows that one. +[2827.04 --> 2828.92] My mom hated that movie because we watched that, +[2828.92 --> 2830.50] and then we all decided we wanted to be ninjas, +[2830.58 --> 2831.64] and then me and my three brothers +[2831.64 --> 2834.20] just ended up beating each other up for the next four hours. +[2835.54 --> 2838.10] But that story shaped what we did +[2838.10 --> 2839.58] and how we wanted to live. +[2840.84 --> 2841.62] Here's my point. +[2842.40 --> 2844.48] Stories shape how you see the world. +[2845.56 --> 2848.58] Stories have an impact on your imagination +[2848.58 --> 2851.30] for how you want to be in the world. +[2852.50 --> 2854.80] What Paul is doing in Thessalonians +[2854.80 --> 2856.94] is highlighting stories +[2856.94 --> 2861.18] that shape our experience in the world +[2861.18 --> 2863.18] and our understanding of reality +[2863.18 --> 2867.28] and how we might see God at work in those stories +[2867.28 --> 2869.50] in order to spur us +[2869.50 --> 2871.98] in the midst of our particular stories +[2871.98 --> 2875.10] of trial and struggle and hardship. +[2875.94 --> 2878.80] Really, the big idea that I hope we can see together... +[2878.80 --> 2882.64] The big idea that I hope we can see together this morning +[2882.64 --> 2884.96] is that stories of faith +[2884.96 --> 2889.72] are fueling and shaping our prayers of faith +[2889.72 --> 2892.52] for the saints to stand firm. +[2893.46 --> 2895.18] So there's sort of three moves in there +[2895.18 --> 2896.26] that I want us to see. +[2896.38 --> 2899.78] First, stories of faith fueling and shaping us +[2899.78 --> 2903.40] and stories of faith directing our prayers +[2903.40 --> 2904.54] in a particular way +[2904.54 --> 2907.18] and stories of faith and prayers +[2907.18 --> 2910.26] being used by God +[2910.26 --> 2915.28] to make the saints, the church, stand firm. +[2916.46 --> 2919.18] Now, the part of the text that we read here +[2919.18 --> 2921.78] in 1 Thessalonians 3 +[2921.78 --> 2924.22] kind of jumps right into the middle +[2924.22 --> 2926.08] of Paul's longing and writing. +[2926.22 --> 2927.74] And if you were here last week, +[2927.84 --> 2929.72] Pastor Sean did an excellent job +[2929.72 --> 2932.78] of carrying us into this story. +[2932.78 --> 2935.52] And in verse 6, where we picked up, +[2935.60 --> 2936.00] he says, +[2936.50 --> 2940.26] Timothy has just now come to us from you. +[2941.54 --> 2943.92] And so remember, if you will, +[2944.00 --> 2944.64] what happened +[2944.64 --> 2948.74] while Paul was in Thessalonica. +[2949.60 --> 2951.50] You can read about it in Acts 17. +[2951.60 --> 2953.38] If you want to flip to it in your Bibles, +[2953.46 --> 2954.10] you can do that. +[2954.38 --> 2956.56] But let me just recap that story quickly for us. +[2957.28 --> 2959.42] Paul and his missionary partners, +[2959.62 --> 2960.74] Silas and Timothy, +[2960.74 --> 2963.08] arrived in Thessalonica +[2963.08 --> 2965.52] after spending time in Philippi. +[2966.16 --> 2967.54] When they get to Thessalonica, +[2967.70 --> 2969.36] they stay there for three weeks +[2969.36 --> 2972.52] preaching the gospel each Sabbath day, +[2972.62 --> 2973.28] which is Saturday. +[2974.24 --> 2976.06] And Paul would go to the synagogue +[2976.06 --> 2977.24] in Thessalonica, +[2977.34 --> 2978.12] and he would preach +[2978.12 --> 2979.76] that Jesus is the Messiah. +[2980.58 --> 2982.32] And as a result of this preaching ministry +[2982.32 --> 2983.68] there in Thessalonica, +[2983.80 --> 2985.00] some of the Jews believed, +[2985.00 --> 2987.08] we read in Acts 17, verse 4, +[2987.56 --> 2988.96] so did a number of Greeks, +[2989.38 --> 2992.44] and so did quite a few prominent women, +[2992.72 --> 2993.16] Paul writes, +[2994.02 --> 2995.32] or Luke writes in Acts. +[2996.58 --> 3000.46] Now, because of this ministry success there, +[3000.80 --> 3002.78] some of the other Jews became jealous, +[3002.78 --> 3005.28] and they started a riot in the city. +[3005.42 --> 3007.32] And they blamed that riot +[3007.32 --> 3008.56] on the early Christians. +[3008.56 --> 3011.80] And then this mob goes to Jason's house, +[3012.04 --> 3013.72] where Paul, Silas, and Timothy +[3013.72 --> 3014.76] were likely staying, +[3015.34 --> 3016.60] and they take Jason +[3016.60 --> 3018.34] and some other of the early Christians +[3018.34 --> 3020.04] before the city officials, +[3020.42 --> 3022.28] accusing them of sedition +[3022.28 --> 3024.72] and causing trouble all over the world. +[3024.98 --> 3026.66] That's in Acts 17, 6, and 7. +[3027.22 --> 3028.58] And Jason and the others +[3028.58 --> 3031.74] are fined and likely put under watch. +[3032.08 --> 3032.92] That is, there's somebody +[3032.92 --> 3034.26] probably watching their house. +[3034.26 --> 3036.60] Now, that same night, +[3037.12 --> 3039.62] the believers send Paul +[3039.62 --> 3041.06] and Silas and Timothy +[3041.06 --> 3043.10] to the next city over, +[3043.26 --> 3044.54] to the city of Berea. +[3046.42 --> 3049.00] Now, when the Jewish leaders found out, +[3049.08 --> 3050.58] the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica +[3050.58 --> 3052.76] hear that Paul and Silas and Timothy +[3052.76 --> 3054.36] have made their way to Berea, +[3054.62 --> 3056.20] a group of the Jewish leaders +[3056.20 --> 3057.98] from Thessalonica follow Paul +[3057.98 --> 3059.44] to Berea, +[3059.56 --> 3061.22] and they stir up trouble there +[3061.22 --> 3062.24] for them as well. +[3062.66 --> 3064.10] And so the Christians in Berea +[3064.10 --> 3066.10] send Paul down the coast +[3066.10 --> 3067.36] towards Athens, +[3067.64 --> 3070.42] and we read that Silas and Timothy +[3070.42 --> 3072.36] stayed back in Berea. +[3073.72 --> 3076.48] From Athens, Paul goes to Corinth, +[3076.74 --> 3078.00] where he ends up staying +[3078.00 --> 3079.22] for a year and a half. +[3080.20 --> 3081.62] And probably early on +[3081.62 --> 3083.72] in his stay in Corinth, +[3083.92 --> 3086.12] Silas and Timothy join him again, +[3086.50 --> 3088.52] we read in Acts 18, 5, +[3088.78 --> 3089.82] from Macedonia. +[3090.22 --> 3092.18] And so that's where Thessalonica is. +[3092.18 --> 3094.24] So Timothy has gone back +[3094.24 --> 3095.84] to the churches +[3095.84 --> 3098.40] and the church in Thessalonica +[3098.40 --> 3101.12] and now comes back to Paul +[3101.12 --> 3103.74] while he is in the city of Corinth. +[3104.24 --> 3106.60] And this is where Paul writes the letter. +[3106.74 --> 3107.38] And so Paul, +[3107.60 --> 3109.24] hearing this message from Timothy +[3109.24 --> 3110.52] about the faithfulness +[3110.52 --> 3112.50] of the Christians in Thessalonica, +[3113.22 --> 3115.52] when he and Silas join him, +[3116.22 --> 3118.64] he writes this letter of thanksgiving +[3118.64 --> 3121.30] and encouragement to the church there, +[3121.44 --> 3123.10] sometime around A.D. 50, +[3123.30 --> 3124.38] maybe A.D. 51. +[3125.36 --> 3126.82] And Paul is so excited +[3126.82 --> 3128.62] and so grateful for the news +[3128.62 --> 3131.64] that he hears about their faith and love. +[3132.64 --> 3135.48] In fact, the way Paul reflects that here +[3135.48 --> 3136.72] is really interesting. +[3137.28 --> 3137.88] Paul writes, +[3138.40 --> 3140.08] Timothy has brought us, +[3140.14 --> 3141.02] and you can see it there +[3141.02 --> 3142.28] at the end of, +[3142.52 --> 3143.54] in the middle of verse 6, +[3143.64 --> 3144.64] brought us good news +[3144.64 --> 3147.56] news about your faith and love. +[3148.46 --> 3150.44] That word that Paul uses there +[3150.44 --> 3151.96] that's translated good news +[3151.96 --> 3154.66] is euangelizomai, +[3155.02 --> 3156.54] which is the Greek word +[3156.54 --> 3158.24] that's most often, +[3158.36 --> 3160.02] actually in every other case, +[3160.48 --> 3161.90] translated as gospel +[3161.90 --> 3164.44] or translated as the good news +[3164.44 --> 3165.66] about Jesus' life, +[3165.96 --> 3166.18] death, +[3166.64 --> 3167.32] and resurrection. +[3167.32 --> 3170.62] Now, I think there's something beautiful +[3170.62 --> 3171.80] going on +[3171.80 --> 3174.62] in the use of this word choice here +[3174.62 --> 3175.70] for Paul, right? +[3175.78 --> 3178.18] Writing in the power of the Holy Spirit, +[3178.44 --> 3179.86] there's something magnificent +[3179.86 --> 3181.42] and compelling for us +[3181.42 --> 3182.72] in this language. +[3183.78 --> 3185.28] What I want to suggest to you +[3185.28 --> 3186.02] is that Paul +[3186.02 --> 3188.76] is treating their perseverance +[3188.76 --> 3190.48] in the faith +[3190.48 --> 3192.58] as gospel. +[3193.94 --> 3194.26] Right? +[3194.38 --> 3195.18] Their standing +[3195.18 --> 3196.48] is confirmation +[3196.48 --> 3198.38] of the goodness +[3198.38 --> 3199.98] and the truth +[3199.98 --> 3201.18] of the gospel. +[3202.02 --> 3203.54] Their standing firm +[3203.54 --> 3205.68] as those who have received it +[3205.68 --> 3206.44] is confirmation +[3206.44 --> 3208.36] that the gospel message +[3208.36 --> 3209.28] is effective +[3209.28 --> 3210.60] in their life. +[3211.52 --> 3211.74] Right? +[3211.82 --> 3213.10] Their life and faith +[3213.10 --> 3214.70] through the struggle, +[3214.98 --> 3216.00] through the suffering, +[3216.44 --> 3217.30] through the trial, +[3217.50 --> 3218.36] through the hardship +[3218.36 --> 3219.58] is, +[3220.50 --> 3221.32] for Paul, +[3221.32 --> 3223.32] a form of proclaiming +[3224.16 --> 3225.10] the gospel. +[3225.18 --> 3228.46] So here's what I want us +[3228.46 --> 3229.24] to hear. +[3230.64 --> 3231.64] There is a sense, +[3232.14 --> 3234.48] there is a sense +[3234.48 --> 3234.98] in which +[3234.98 --> 3236.68] your perseverance +[3236.68 --> 3238.38] in hard things +[3238.38 --> 3239.56] of faith +[3239.56 --> 3240.96] is because +[3240.96 --> 3242.46] of God's +[3242.46 --> 3243.24] preservation +[3243.24 --> 3245.68] of your faith +[3245.68 --> 3246.88] by His grace. +[3249.02 --> 3250.44] Let me say that again. +[3251.18 --> 3252.42] Your perseverance, +[3253.06 --> 3254.52] that is your stick-to-itiveness, +[3254.52 --> 3255.90] in faith, +[3255.90 --> 3257.16] in the hard things +[3257.16 --> 3257.68] of life +[3257.68 --> 3258.28] and of faith +[3258.28 --> 3259.18] is because +[3259.18 --> 3262.48] God is preserving you, +[3262.60 --> 3264.68] He is holding you fast +[3264.68 --> 3266.28] by His grace. +[3267.40 --> 3268.74] Standing firm +[3268.74 --> 3269.60] to the end +[3269.60 --> 3271.48] is part of +[3271.48 --> 3272.46] proclaiming +[3272.46 --> 3273.34] the gospel +[3273.34 --> 3274.18] and part of +[3274.18 --> 3274.94] proclaiming +[3274.94 --> 3275.78] the gospel +[3275.78 --> 3277.08] is proclaiming +[3277.08 --> 3277.72] the truth +[3277.72 --> 3279.00] of standing firm +[3279.00 --> 3279.68] to the end +[3279.68 --> 3280.94] based on +[3280.94 --> 3281.68] God's +[3281.68 --> 3283.12] preservation +[3283.12 --> 3284.52] by His grace. +[3285.14 --> 3285.36] Now, +[3286.12 --> 3286.98] I understand +[3286.98 --> 3288.52] maybe it's too early +[3288.52 --> 3289.06] in the morning +[3289.06 --> 3290.12] for this kind +[3290.12 --> 3290.62] of doctrine, +[3291.06 --> 3292.76] but I want to give you +[3292.76 --> 3293.86] at least two reasons +[3293.86 --> 3295.16] why this idea +[3295.16 --> 3296.72] is so crucial +[3296.72 --> 3298.14] and why this matters +[3298.14 --> 3298.66] for us. +[3299.54 --> 3300.16] One, +[3301.26 --> 3303.78] this truth, +[3304.02 --> 3304.94] this reality +[3304.94 --> 3307.08] that we persevere +[3307.08 --> 3308.02] in hard things +[3308.02 --> 3308.64] because God +[3308.64 --> 3309.86] is preserving us +[3309.86 --> 3310.78] by His grace, +[3311.36 --> 3312.16] this truth +[3312.16 --> 3313.46] matters for us +[3313.46 --> 3314.24] because it means +[3314.24 --> 3315.80] that whatever trial +[3315.80 --> 3316.96] you are facing +[3316.96 --> 3318.46] or may one day face, +[3319.74 --> 3320.52] whatever hardship +[3320.52 --> 3321.64] you are going through +[3321.64 --> 3322.48] or may one day +[3322.48 --> 3323.20] go through, +[3323.26 --> 3324.00] whatever struggle +[3324.00 --> 3325.24] you are currently +[3325.24 --> 3326.18] in the midst of, +[3326.24 --> 3327.64] and even if it is +[3327.64 --> 3328.84] feeling absolutely +[3328.84 --> 3330.52] and utterly overwhelming, +[3330.52 --> 3333.82] whatever it is, +[3334.82 --> 3335.92] it is a chance +[3335.92 --> 3336.96] to proclaim +[3336.96 --> 3338.30] the gospel +[3338.30 --> 3340.32] or for the gospel +[3340.32 --> 3341.38] to be proclaimed +[3341.38 --> 3342.76] in and through +[3342.76 --> 3343.68] your life +[3343.68 --> 3344.40] and story. +[3345.40 --> 3346.24] In fact, +[3346.78 --> 3348.40] even if +[3348.40 --> 3349.64] that trial +[3349.64 --> 3351.52] goes unto death, +[3352.34 --> 3353.20] this is a chance +[3353.20 --> 3353.90] to proclaim +[3353.90 --> 3355.22] the gospel. +[3358.10 --> 3359.40] I have a friend +[3359.40 --> 3360.60] who, +[3361.22 --> 3362.52] excuse me, +[3362.54 --> 3363.28] who this week +[3363.28 --> 3364.80] is walking +[3364.80 --> 3365.40] through +[3365.40 --> 3367.06] three deaths +[3367.06 --> 3368.50] and three funerals +[3368.50 --> 3369.42] in his community +[3369.42 --> 3372.10] and he relayed +[3372.10 --> 3372.62] to us +[3372.62 --> 3373.32] a story +[3373.32 --> 3375.04] from someone +[3375.04 --> 3375.78] that he was +[3375.78 --> 3376.60] ministering to +[3376.60 --> 3377.42] while she was +[3377.42 --> 3378.14] on her deathbed. +[3379.20 --> 3380.10] And as he was +[3380.10 --> 3380.82] talking to her, +[3380.90 --> 3381.24] he said, +[3381.66 --> 3381.84] you know, +[3381.90 --> 3382.48] all of this +[3382.48 --> 3383.10] must be really +[3383.10 --> 3383.88] hard to face. +[3385.62 --> 3386.44] And she looked +[3386.44 --> 3387.16] him in the eyes, +[3387.96 --> 3388.42] bless her +[3388.42 --> 3389.56] 93-year-old +[3389.56 --> 3390.30] saintly heart +[3390.30 --> 3391.64] and said, +[3391.84 --> 3392.56] don't worry +[3392.56 --> 3393.12] about me, +[3393.68 --> 3394.84] it's only death. +[3396.34 --> 3397.70] It's only death. +[3399.74 --> 3400.68] That's the kind +[3400.68 --> 3401.26] of story +[3401.26 --> 3402.64] that proclaims +[3402.64 --> 3403.20] the gospel. +[3404.90 --> 3405.10] Right? +[3405.12 --> 3405.54] And I've seen +[3405.54 --> 3406.34] it so many times, +[3406.44 --> 3407.24] not just from +[3407.24 --> 3408.44] 93-year-old seasoned +[3408.44 --> 3408.80] saints, +[3408.92 --> 3410.04] but from 30-year-olds +[3410.04 --> 3411.30] diagnosed with cancer, +[3412.00 --> 3413.26] from 50-year-olds +[3413.26 --> 3414.56] with ALS. +[3414.56 --> 3416.36] Right? +[3416.58 --> 3417.56] Even death +[3417.56 --> 3418.64] and facing death +[3418.64 --> 3419.28] is a chance +[3419.28 --> 3420.08] to proclaim +[3420.08 --> 3420.72] the truth +[3420.72 --> 3421.38] of the gospel, +[3421.88 --> 3422.54] especially +[3422.54 --> 3424.22] as we read it +[3424.22 --> 3424.96] in light of +[3424.96 --> 3426.42] 1 Corinthians 15. +[3427.40 --> 3428.14] This is worth +[3428.14 --> 3428.64] looking at, +[3428.68 --> 3429.02] and so we're +[3429.02 --> 3429.42] going to put it +[3429.42 --> 3429.96] on the screen +[3429.96 --> 3431.50] behind us. +[3431.98 --> 3432.72] Starting in +[3432.72 --> 3433.54] verse 54, +[3434.50 --> 3435.18] Paul says, +[3435.70 --> 3436.90] death has been +[3436.90 --> 3437.66] swallowed up +[3437.66 --> 3438.36] in victory. +[3438.98 --> 3439.52] Where, +[3439.70 --> 3440.12] O death, +[3440.12 --> 3441.02] is your victory? +[3441.20 --> 3441.46] Where, +[3441.56 --> 3441.98] O death, +[3442.06 --> 3442.86] is your sting? +[3442.86 --> 3444.54] The sting of death +[3444.54 --> 3445.26] is sin, +[3445.38 --> 3446.00] and the power +[3446.00 --> 3446.48] of sin +[3446.48 --> 3447.22] is the law, +[3447.62 --> 3448.66] but thanks be +[3448.66 --> 3449.36] to God, +[3449.46 --> 3450.30] he gives us +[3450.30 --> 3450.86] the victory +[3450.86 --> 3451.80] through our Lord +[3451.80 --> 3453.00] Jesus Christ. +[3453.10 --> 3453.90] That's the gospel. +[3455.70 --> 3456.76] Death has died +[3456.76 --> 3457.42] by the death +[3457.42 --> 3458.04] of Christ. +[3458.64 --> 3459.58] Victory is ours +[3459.58 --> 3460.36] by the resurrection +[3460.36 --> 3460.94] of Christ. +[3461.32 --> 3462.48] Victory over death +[3462.48 --> 3463.38] and victory +[3463.38 --> 3464.48] over the sting +[3464.48 --> 3465.22] of death, +[3465.38 --> 3466.24] which is sin. +[3468.22 --> 3469.42] That's the gospel. +[3470.64 --> 3471.28] And then listen +[3471.28 --> 3472.26] to what Paul says +[3472.26 --> 3473.16] immediately after. +[3474.48 --> 3475.32] He gives this +[3475.32 --> 3476.38] gospel presentation +[3476.38 --> 3477.66] about life +[3477.66 --> 3478.34] in the face +[3478.34 --> 3479.00] of death +[3479.00 --> 3480.26] and gospel +[3480.26 --> 3481.12] in the face +[3481.12 --> 3482.10] of death +[3482.10 --> 3482.68] and the gospel +[3482.68 --> 3483.40] of victory +[3483.40 --> 3484.44] over sin +[3484.44 --> 3484.94] and death, +[3485.06 --> 3485.74] and then he says, +[3486.22 --> 3486.56] therefore, +[3487.20 --> 3488.16] my dear brothers +[3488.16 --> 3489.44] and sisters, +[3490.10 --> 3491.36] stand firm. +[3492.20 --> 3493.50] Let nothing +[3493.50 --> 3494.80] move you. +[3496.48 --> 3497.56] Stand firm. +[3497.70 --> 3498.38] Let nothing +[3498.38 --> 3499.02] move you, +[3499.06 --> 3499.58] or the language +[3499.58 --> 3500.02] of Paul +[3500.02 --> 3501.36] from last time, +[3501.48 --> 3502.44] or let nothing +[3502.44 --> 3503.70] unsettle you. +[3504.54 --> 3504.76] Right? +[3504.78 --> 3505.96] It's the same language +[3505.96 --> 3507.18] in 1 Corinthians +[3507.18 --> 3507.98] that Paul has been +[3507.98 --> 3508.48] using here +[3508.48 --> 3509.22] in Thessalonians. +[3510.22 --> 3511.32] And what does it +[3511.32 --> 3511.96] mean in summary? +[3512.68 --> 3513.22] Don't worry +[3513.22 --> 3513.78] about me. +[3514.44 --> 3515.44] It's only death. +[3517.04 --> 3517.80] Don't worry +[3517.80 --> 3518.34] about me. +[3519.00 --> 3521.16] It's only death. +[3523.04 --> 3523.60] Imagine, +[3523.60 --> 3526.92] imagine it, +[3527.92 --> 3529.22] your faith +[3529.22 --> 3532.04] proclaims the gospel +[3532.04 --> 3534.24] in every trial +[3534.24 --> 3535.22] you face, +[3535.62 --> 3536.82] every temptation +[3536.82 --> 3537.90] that you endure, +[3538.06 --> 3538.98] every victory +[3538.98 --> 3539.74] over sin +[3539.74 --> 3540.70] that you experience, +[3540.78 --> 3542.26] you give testimony to, +[3542.44 --> 3543.32] and you proclaim +[3543.32 --> 3544.16] the gospel +[3544.16 --> 3545.64] by persevering, +[3546.04 --> 3546.98] by having this +[3546.98 --> 3547.76] victory, +[3548.44 --> 3549.66] by living transformed. +[3549.66 --> 3551.54] You proclaim +[3551.54 --> 3552.10] the gospel +[3552.10 --> 3553.66] by not being moved, +[3554.06 --> 3554.88] by remaining +[3554.88 --> 3556.62] settled in your faith +[3556.62 --> 3557.74] and in your love, +[3558.54 --> 3560.02] by standing firm +[3560.02 --> 3561.44] for the truth +[3561.44 --> 3563.64] and in love. +[3566.22 --> 3567.32] That's why +[3567.32 --> 3569.06] this matters. +[3569.06 --> 3574.00] And two, +[3575.26 --> 3576.16] second reason +[3576.16 --> 3577.02] why this doctrine +[3577.02 --> 3578.24] matters, +[3578.44 --> 3578.80] that we +[3578.80 --> 3580.12] persevere +[3580.12 --> 3581.50] because of God's +[3581.50 --> 3582.86] preservation. +[3584.14 --> 3585.32] This matters +[3585.32 --> 3586.40] because +[3586.40 --> 3587.96] what we're beginning +[3587.96 --> 3588.70] to see +[3588.70 --> 3590.50] is the implicit +[3590.50 --> 3591.58] promise of God +[3591.58 --> 3593.04] given in the gospel +[3593.04 --> 3594.82] made explicit +[3594.82 --> 3596.42] by our living +[3596.42 --> 3597.60] in response +[3597.60 --> 3598.18] to it. +[3599.06 --> 3600.48] If you believe +[3600.48 --> 3601.40] and have faith, +[3601.48 --> 3602.36] if you have accepted +[3602.36 --> 3603.04] the truth +[3603.04 --> 3604.08] of the gospel +[3604.08 --> 3604.82] by faith +[3604.82 --> 3606.40] and have received +[3606.40 --> 3607.58] God's love, +[3607.96 --> 3608.96] the truth is +[3608.96 --> 3609.70] there is now +[3609.70 --> 3610.24] nothing +[3610.24 --> 3611.56] that can separate +[3611.56 --> 3612.46] you from the love +[3612.46 --> 3612.82] of God +[3612.82 --> 3613.48] that is available +[3613.48 --> 3614.34] in Christ Jesus. +[3615.76 --> 3616.64] Jesus says +[3616.64 --> 3617.20] in the gospel +[3617.20 --> 3617.70] of John +[3617.70 --> 3618.42] in John 6, +[3619.34 --> 3620.18] he says, +[3620.78 --> 3621.58] all those +[3621.58 --> 3622.88] the Father gives me +[3622.88 --> 3623.98] will come to me +[3623.98 --> 3624.54] and whoever +[3624.54 --> 3625.64] comes to me +[3625.64 --> 3626.46] I will never +[3626.46 --> 3627.22] drive away +[3627.22 --> 3628.76] for I have +[3628.76 --> 3629.26] come down +[3629.26 --> 3629.74] from heaven +[3629.74 --> 3630.34] not to do +[3630.34 --> 3631.00] my will +[3631.00 --> 3631.54] but to do +[3631.54 --> 3631.94] the will +[3631.94 --> 3632.32] of him +[3632.32 --> 3633.02] who sent me +[3633.02 --> 3633.98] and this +[3633.98 --> 3634.94] is the will +[3634.94 --> 3635.42] of him +[3635.42 --> 3636.24] who sent me +[3636.24 --> 3637.24] that I +[3637.24 --> 3638.10] shall lose +[3638.10 --> 3638.70] none +[3638.70 --> 3639.68] of all +[3639.68 --> 3640.14] those +[3640.14 --> 3640.66] he has +[3640.66 --> 3641.42] given me +[3641.42 --> 3642.64] but raise +[3642.64 --> 3643.46] them up +[3643.46 --> 3644.82] on the last +[3644.82 --> 3645.14] day. +[3646.14 --> 3647.14] I shall +[3647.14 --> 3648.06] lose none +[3648.06 --> 3649.52] of all +[3649.52 --> 3649.84] those +[3649.84 --> 3650.20] he has +[3650.20 --> 3650.76] given me. +[3651.30 --> 3652.22] This too +[3652.22 --> 3653.70] is the gospel. +[3653.70 --> 3655.94] You can +[3655.94 --> 3656.74] persevere +[3656.74 --> 3657.38] because you +[3657.38 --> 3657.88] are being +[3657.88 --> 3658.40] preserved +[3658.40 --> 3659.46] by God. +[3660.30 --> 3660.92] Your right +[3660.92 --> 3661.72] now trial +[3661.72 --> 3662.66] can be faced +[3662.66 --> 3663.40] with the kind +[3663.40 --> 3664.08] of sovereign +[3664.08 --> 3665.04] God confidence +[3665.04 --> 3665.86] that comes +[3665.86 --> 3666.26] from this +[3666.26 --> 3666.68] truth. +[3667.62 --> 3668.04] The truth +[3668.04 --> 3668.46] that not a +[3668.46 --> 3668.92] hair can +[3668.92 --> 3669.38] fall from +[3669.38 --> 3669.78] your head +[3669.78 --> 3670.36] without the +[3670.36 --> 3671.26] will of +[3671.26 --> 3671.94] our God +[3671.94 --> 3672.38] in heaven. +[3672.54 --> 3673.04] That kind +[3673.04 --> 3673.68] of confidence +[3673.68 --> 3674.56] undergirds +[3674.56 --> 3675.32] your facing +[3675.32 --> 3675.80] trials. +[3676.50 --> 3677.04] The truth +[3677.04 --> 3677.38] that all +[3677.38 --> 3678.22] things must +[3678.22 --> 3678.84] work together +[3678.84 --> 3679.26] for his +[3679.26 --> 3679.82] glory and +[3679.82 --> 3680.24] for your +[3680.24 --> 3680.56] good. +[3680.90 --> 3681.36] That kind +[3681.36 --> 3681.94] of confidence +[3681.94 --> 3682.64] is the +[3682.64 --> 3683.14] foundation +[3683.14 --> 3684.06] onto which +[3684.06 --> 3684.82] you step +[3684.82 --> 3685.60] forward +[3685.60 --> 3687.32] into whatever +[3687.32 --> 3688.18] it is +[3688.18 --> 3689.32] that God +[3689.32 --> 3689.86] calls you. +[3690.70 --> 3690.98] Your +[3690.98 --> 3692.00] persevering +[3692.00 --> 3692.70] in trial +[3692.70 --> 3693.70] and suffering +[3693.70 --> 3695.12] is gospel +[3695.12 --> 3695.86] because it +[3695.86 --> 3696.60] is a +[3696.60 --> 3697.56] lived message +[3697.56 --> 3698.32] of God +[3698.32 --> 3698.94] preserving +[3698.94 --> 3699.44] you. +[3699.90 --> 3700.12] No matter +[3700.12 --> 3700.74] what trial +[3700.74 --> 3701.44] you face, +[3701.70 --> 3701.86] no matter +[3701.86 --> 3702.44] what struggle +[3702.44 --> 3702.98] you find +[3702.98 --> 3703.48] yourself in, +[3703.56 --> 3704.08] God is +[3704.08 --> 3704.72] with you +[3704.72 --> 3705.32] and he +[3705.32 --> 3705.88] is telling +[3705.88 --> 3706.58] the story +[3706.58 --> 3707.08] of his +[3707.08 --> 3707.54] gospel +[3707.54 --> 3708.26] through +[3708.26 --> 3709.28] your story +[3709.28 --> 3710.90] that he +[3710.90 --> 3711.26] will not +[3711.26 --> 3711.52] lose +[3711.52 --> 3712.16] any +[3712.16 --> 3713.22] the +[3713.22 --> 3713.46] father +[3713.46 --> 3713.68] has +[3713.68 --> 3713.90] given +[3713.90 --> 3714.20] him. +[3715.70 --> 3715.98] Or to +[3715.98 --> 3716.32] put it +[3716.32 --> 3717.48] like Paul +[3717.48 --> 3717.84] does in +[3717.84 --> 3719.92] 2 Corinthians +[3719.92 --> 3722.14] we are +[3722.14 --> 3722.86] afflicted +[3722.86 --> 3723.50] in every +[3723.50 --> 3723.88] way +[3723.88 --> 3724.28] but not +[3724.28 --> 3724.66] crushed, +[3725.90 --> 3726.66] perplexed +[3726.66 --> 3727.16] but not +[3727.16 --> 3727.56] driven to +[3727.56 --> 3727.98] despair, +[3728.74 --> 3729.28] persecuted +[3729.28 --> 3729.76] but not +[3729.76 --> 3730.24] forsaken, +[3730.62 --> 3731.18] struck down +[3731.18 --> 3731.58] but not +[3731.58 --> 3732.08] destroyed, +[3732.46 --> 3733.38] always carrying +[3733.38 --> 3733.82] in the +[3733.82 --> 3734.32] body the +[3734.32 --> 3734.76] death of +[3734.76 --> 3735.34] Jesus so +[3735.34 --> 3735.68] that the +[3735.68 --> 3736.24] life of +[3736.24 --> 3737.16] Jesus may +[3737.16 --> 3737.74] also be +[3737.74 --> 3738.36] manifested +[3738.36 --> 3739.22] in our +[3739.22 --> 3740.14] bodies. +[3741.26 --> 3742.86] what's +[3742.86 --> 3743.42] the story? +[3744.42 --> 3745.00] Are you +[3745.00 --> 3745.58] afflicted +[3745.58 --> 3747.38] in every +[3747.38 --> 3747.68] way +[3747.68 --> 3749.14] but not +[3749.14 --> 3749.56] crushed? +[3750.86 --> 3751.50] Are you +[3751.50 --> 3752.12] perplexed +[3752.12 --> 3752.68] and confused +[3752.68 --> 3753.40] and unsure +[3753.40 --> 3753.90] of why +[3753.90 --> 3754.26] this is +[3754.26 --> 3754.60] happening? +[3755.16 --> 3755.62] Absolutely +[3755.62 --> 3756.38] but I'm +[3756.38 --> 3756.80] not driven +[3756.80 --> 3757.46] to despair +[3757.46 --> 3758.40] because of +[3758.40 --> 3758.76] who God +[3758.76 --> 3759.06] is. +[3759.98 --> 3760.60] Are you +[3760.60 --> 3761.14] persecuted? +[3761.28 --> 3761.44] Are you +[3761.44 --> 3761.82] cut off +[3761.82 --> 3762.26] from certain +[3762.26 --> 3762.62] places? +[3762.76 --> 3762.94] Are you +[3762.94 --> 3763.36] excluded +[3763.36 --> 3763.80] from others? +[3763.90 --> 3764.06] Are you +[3764.06 --> 3764.50] made fun +[3764.50 --> 3764.98] of for +[3764.98 --> 3765.38] the faith +[3765.38 --> 3765.60] that you +[3765.60 --> 3765.88] have? +[3766.34 --> 3766.72] Sure +[3766.72 --> 3767.76] absolutely +[3767.76 --> 3768.22] but I +[3768.22 --> 3768.84] am never +[3768.84 --> 3769.42] forsaken +[3769.42 --> 3770.24] and never +[3770.24 --> 3770.72] forgotten. +[3772.58 --> 3773.28] Are you +[3773.28 --> 3773.86] knocked down +[3773.86 --> 3774.38] every once +[3774.38 --> 3774.92] in a while? +[3775.42 --> 3775.82] Yes +[3775.82 --> 3777.22] but never +[3777.22 --> 3778.40] destroyed +[3778.40 --> 3779.26] never +[3779.26 --> 3780.18] out. +[3781.62 --> 3782.24] Your +[3782.24 --> 3782.88] suffering +[3782.88 --> 3784.08] tells the +[3784.08 --> 3784.70] story +[3784.70 --> 3785.60] of the +[3785.60 --> 3786.06] gospel. +[3786.50 --> 3786.68] Your +[3786.68 --> 3787.80] persevering +[3787.80 --> 3788.58] tells the +[3788.58 --> 3789.06] story +[3789.06 --> 3790.06] of Jesus +[3790.06 --> 3791.18] always +[3791.18 --> 3791.90] carrying +[3791.90 --> 3792.46] in the +[3792.46 --> 3792.86] body +[3792.86 --> 3793.42] the death +[3793.42 --> 3794.10] of Jesus +[3794.10 --> 3797.68] so that +[3797.68 --> 3798.18] the life +[3798.18 --> 3798.92] of Jesus +[3798.92 --> 3799.98] may also +[3799.98 --> 3800.56] be manifest +[3800.56 --> 3801.88] in our +[3801.88 --> 3802.28] bodies. +[3804.68 --> 3805.52] This +[3805.52 --> 3805.98] matters +[3805.98 --> 3808.20] because your +[3808.20 --> 3808.84] suffering +[3808.84 --> 3810.32] matters. +[3811.40 --> 3811.94] Your +[3811.94 --> 3812.44] suffering +[3812.44 --> 3812.82] your +[3812.82 --> 3813.30] trials +[3813.30 --> 3813.52] your +[3813.52 --> 3814.02] hardship +[3814.02 --> 3815.18] tell +[3815.18 --> 3815.72] the +[3815.72 --> 3816.16] gospel. +[3816.72 --> 3816.86] Your +[3816.86 --> 3817.34] suffering +[3817.34 --> 3818.22] proclaims +[3818.22 --> 3818.60] Jesus +[3818.60 --> 3819.12] Christ +[3819.12 --> 3819.54] and him +[3819.54 --> 3820.28] crucified +[3820.28 --> 3820.82] and as +[3820.82 --> 3821.24] Christians +[3821.24 --> 3822.12] we need +[3822.12 --> 3822.64] to learn +[3822.64 --> 3823.04] how to +[3823.04 --> 3823.36] suffer +[3823.36 --> 3823.82] well. +[3824.10 --> 3825.30] We need +[3825.30 --> 3825.70] to learn +[3825.70 --> 3826.08] how to +[3826.08 --> 3826.44] suffer +[3826.44 --> 3827.40] for the +[3827.40 --> 3827.84] gospel. +[3829.40 --> 3829.88] And part +[3829.88 --> 3830.22] of how +[3830.22 --> 3830.76] we do +[3830.76 --> 3831.32] that is +[3831.32 --> 3831.70] learning +[3831.70 --> 3832.34] that our +[3832.34 --> 3832.78] suffering +[3832.78 --> 3834.08] tells the +[3834.08 --> 3834.48] gospel. +[3835.56 --> 3836.32] There is a +[3836.32 --> 3836.86] confidence +[3836.86 --> 3837.82] that comes +[3837.82 --> 3838.34] to us +[3838.34 --> 3839.26] here and +[3839.26 --> 3840.08] now because +[3840.08 --> 3840.52] our +[3840.52 --> 3841.32] suffering +[3841.32 --> 3842.16] our +[3842.16 --> 3843.12] trials +[3843.12 --> 3844.42] perplexing +[3844.42 --> 3844.84] though they +[3844.84 --> 3845.48] may be +[3845.48 --> 3846.58] are always +[3846.58 --> 3847.34] in the +[3847.34 --> 3847.92] hands of +[3847.92 --> 3848.40] a sovereign +[3848.40 --> 3848.86] God. +[3848.86 --> 3849.32] God +[3849.32 --> 3855.62] now let +[3855.62 --> 3855.80] me be +[3855.80 --> 3856.04] really +[3856.04 --> 3856.44] clear +[3856.44 --> 3858.78] that +[3858.78 --> 3859.24] sort +[3859.24 --> 3859.40] of +[3859.40 --> 3859.80] gospel +[3859.80 --> 3860.50] confidence +[3860.50 --> 3861.90] shows up +[3861.90 --> 3862.30] in your +[3862.30 --> 3862.72] life +[3862.72 --> 3863.50] in so +[3863.50 --> 3863.72] many +[3863.72 --> 3864.12] ways +[3864.12 --> 3866.64] but that +[3866.64 --> 3866.94] sort of +[3866.94 --> 3867.28] gospel +[3867.28 --> 3868.10] confidence +[3868.10 --> 3869.22] ought to +[3869.22 --> 3870.06] never show +[3870.06 --> 3871.24] up as +[3871.24 --> 3871.70] arrogance +[3871.70 --> 3872.66] or +[3872.66 --> 3873.36] haughtiness +[3873.36 --> 3875.60] instead our +[3875.60 --> 3876.56] gospel confidence +[3876.56 --> 3877.36] shows up in +[3877.36 --> 3877.92] humility +[3877.92 --> 3879.40] and in +[3879.40 --> 3879.88] submission. +[3881.92 --> 3882.32] Gospel +[3882.32 --> 3882.94] confidence +[3882.94 --> 3884.14] manifests in +[3884.14 --> 3885.20] your humble +[3885.20 --> 3886.36] service of +[3886.36 --> 3887.06] others and +[3887.06 --> 3887.84] your loving +[3887.84 --> 3889.04] of everyone +[3889.04 --> 3889.78] around you +[3889.78 --> 3890.76] putting them +[3890.76 --> 3891.24] first. +[3892.28 --> 3892.58] Gospel +[3892.58 --> 3893.22] confidence +[3893.22 --> 3893.90] shows up +[3893.90 --> 3894.58] it manifests +[3894.58 --> 3894.98] in your +[3894.98 --> 3896.14] submission to +[3896.14 --> 3896.98] God's will +[3896.98 --> 3897.60] and to +[3897.60 --> 3898.24] God's way. +[3898.24 --> 3898.26] way. +[3899.52 --> 3899.76] And that +[3899.76 --> 3900.12] means he +[3900.12 --> 3900.52] gets to +[3900.52 --> 3901.28] decide what's +[3901.28 --> 3901.74] right for +[3901.74 --> 3902.30] you and he +[3902.30 --> 3902.66] gets to +[3902.66 --> 3903.60] decide how +[3903.60 --> 3904.02] we should +[3904.02 --> 3904.90] live and +[3904.90 --> 3905.44] we get to +[3905.44 --> 3905.90] say thank +[3905.90 --> 3906.10] you. +[3907.12 --> 3907.64] We get to +[3907.64 --> 3907.94] worship. +[3911.06 --> 3911.70] And now +[3911.70 --> 3912.16] it's these +[3912.16 --> 3913.26] two ideas +[3913.26 --> 3914.80] coming together +[3914.80 --> 3916.24] that motivates +[3916.24 --> 3917.70] and encourages +[3917.70 --> 3918.82] Paul as he +[3918.82 --> 3919.56] sees God at +[3919.56 --> 3919.82] work. +[3920.46 --> 3920.58] Right? +[3920.64 --> 3921.02] He says +[3921.02 --> 3922.78] therefore +[3922.78 --> 3923.44] brothers and +[3923.44 --> 3924.00] sisters in +[3924.00 --> 3924.48] all our +[3924.48 --> 3925.38] distress and +[3925.38 --> 3926.32] persecution we +[3926.32 --> 3927.48] were encouraged +[3927.48 --> 3928.56] about you +[3928.56 --> 3929.60] because of +[3929.60 --> 3930.98] your faith. +[3931.80 --> 3932.16] Right? +[3932.20 --> 3932.76] In the face +[3932.76 --> 3933.32] of Paul's +[3933.32 --> 3934.18] own trials +[3934.18 --> 3935.30] in the face +[3935.30 --> 3935.80] of his own +[3935.80 --> 3936.40] suffering and +[3936.40 --> 3937.40] persecution he +[3937.40 --> 3938.14] is encouraged +[3938.14 --> 3939.68] by the stories +[3939.68 --> 3940.42] of their +[3940.42 --> 3941.24] faithfulness +[3941.24 --> 3942.06] in trial. +[3943.28 --> 3943.50] Right? +[3943.54 --> 3944.12] Here's the thing +[3944.12 --> 3944.46] from that. +[3944.52 --> 3944.86] This is what +[3944.86 --> 3945.12] we've been +[3945.12 --> 3945.58] saying that +[3945.58 --> 3946.60] stories about +[3946.60 --> 3947.42] your faith +[3947.42 --> 3948.48] fuels my +[3948.48 --> 3948.88] faith. +[3949.92 --> 3950.44] And stories +[3950.44 --> 3951.06] about his +[3951.06 --> 3951.86] faith fuels +[3951.86 --> 3952.52] her faith. +[3954.10 --> 3954.34] Right? +[3954.38 --> 3954.76] And stories +[3954.76 --> 3955.34] about their +[3955.34 --> 3956.08] faith fuel +[3956.08 --> 3956.88] our faith. +[3957.48 --> 3958.38] Telling +[3958.38 --> 3959.12] these stories +[3959.12 --> 3959.64] is part +[3959.64 --> 3959.98] of what +[3959.98 --> 3961.02] God does +[3961.02 --> 3961.52] and uses +[3961.52 --> 3962.54] to preserve +[3962.54 --> 3963.22] us in +[3963.22 --> 3963.56] our own +[3963.56 --> 3964.00] trials. +[3965.28 --> 3965.66] How many +[3965.66 --> 3968.20] times has +[3968.20 --> 3969.58] sharing your +[3969.58 --> 3970.62] story come +[3970.62 --> 3971.62] back to you +[3971.62 --> 3972.86] as something +[3972.86 --> 3973.38] that has +[3973.38 --> 3973.86] helped another +[3973.86 --> 3974.58] person right +[3974.58 --> 3974.86] when they +[3974.86 --> 3975.30] needed it? +[3976.40 --> 3976.82] Or when +[3976.82 --> 3977.74] hearing stories +[3977.74 --> 3978.48] of God at +[3978.48 --> 3978.86] work in +[3978.86 --> 3979.28] some other +[3979.28 --> 3979.98] situation +[3979.98 --> 3981.86] can be used +[3981.86 --> 3982.54] by God to +[3982.54 --> 3983.32] encourage your +[3983.32 --> 3983.84] heart that +[3983.84 --> 3984.48] he's at work +[3984.48 --> 3984.94] in your +[3984.94 --> 3985.54] situation? +[3985.54 --> 3990.12] Now with +[3990.12 --> 3991.14] that, here's +[3991.14 --> 3991.60] what I hope +[3991.60 --> 3992.84] you can hear. +[3994.42 --> 3994.90] Right? +[3994.96 --> 3995.70] These stories +[3995.70 --> 3996.38] matter. +[3997.54 --> 3998.46] Your story +[3998.46 --> 3999.28] matters. +[3999.82 --> 4000.22] No matter +[4000.22 --> 4001.26] how minuscule +[4001.26 --> 4002.18] it seems +[4002.18 --> 4002.64] in the +[4002.64 --> 4003.00] moment, +[4003.38 --> 4003.88] God can +[4003.88 --> 4004.50] use your +[4004.50 --> 4005.18] story to +[4005.18 --> 4005.70] change a +[4005.70 --> 4006.04] life. +[4007.26 --> 4007.52] And no +[4007.52 --> 4007.96] matter how +[4007.96 --> 4008.62] much of a +[4008.62 --> 4009.26] story in +[4009.26 --> 4010.48] progress you +[4010.48 --> 4010.92] might be +[4010.92 --> 4011.32] or how much +[4011.32 --> 4011.84] of a work +[4011.84 --> 4012.50] in progress +[4012.50 --> 4013.20] your life +[4013.20 --> 4014.68] of discipleship +[4014.68 --> 4015.42] might be, +[4015.54 --> 4016.30] your story +[4016.30 --> 4017.12] can be used +[4017.12 --> 4017.74] by a sovereign +[4017.74 --> 4018.18] God to +[4018.18 --> 4019.42] encourage someone +[4019.42 --> 4020.06] in the midst +[4020.06 --> 4020.40] of their +[4020.40 --> 4020.86] story. +[4022.78 --> 4023.66] And so, +[4023.86 --> 4024.36] really, +[4024.82 --> 4025.32] practically, +[4026.62 --> 4027.34] how you +[4027.34 --> 4028.02] tell these +[4028.02 --> 4028.70] stories +[4028.70 --> 4029.64] matters. +[4031.74 --> 4032.46] How you +[4032.46 --> 4032.94] tell these +[4032.94 --> 4033.38] stories +[4033.38 --> 4034.20] matters. +[4034.38 --> 4034.78] When you +[4034.78 --> 4035.28] tell the +[4035.28 --> 4035.86] stories of +[4035.86 --> 4036.26] God at +[4036.26 --> 4036.66] work in +[4036.66 --> 4037.08] your life, +[4037.96 --> 4038.42] tell them +[4038.42 --> 4038.94] in a way +[4038.94 --> 4039.42] that makes +[4039.42 --> 4040.06] Jesus the +[4040.06 --> 4040.38] hero. +[4040.38 --> 4040.48] So, +[4040.48 --> 4043.64] let me +[4043.64 --> 4043.84] give you +[4043.84 --> 4044.14] an example. +[4044.24 --> 4044.70] It sounds +[4044.70 --> 4045.48] like two +[4045.48 --> 4046.32] very different +[4046.32 --> 4047.34] things to +[4047.34 --> 4047.66] say, +[4048.12 --> 4048.46] man, +[4048.58 --> 4049.06] that was +[4049.06 --> 4049.84] so hard. +[4050.06 --> 4050.78] We barely +[4050.78 --> 4051.28] made it +[4051.28 --> 4051.56] through. +[4051.82 --> 4052.14] There were +[4052.14 --> 4052.54] so many +[4052.54 --> 4053.06] times where +[4053.06 --> 4053.46] I thought +[4053.46 --> 4053.98] we were +[4053.98 --> 4054.26] just going +[4054.26 --> 4054.60] to give +[4054.60 --> 4054.86] up, +[4055.48 --> 4055.80] but I +[4055.80 --> 4056.24] figured it +[4056.24 --> 4056.90] out and +[4056.90 --> 4057.24] we got +[4057.24 --> 4057.54] there. +[4059.24 --> 4059.68] Versus, +[4060.56 --> 4060.96] man, +[4061.06 --> 4061.46] that was +[4061.46 --> 4062.32] so hard. +[4062.52 --> 4063.02] I didn't +[4063.02 --> 4063.40] think we +[4063.40 --> 4063.76] would make +[4063.76 --> 4064.10] it through. +[4064.20 --> 4064.44] There were +[4064.44 --> 4064.94] so many +[4064.94 --> 4065.80] times that +[4065.80 --> 4066.20] I wanted +[4066.20 --> 4066.60] to give +[4066.60 --> 4066.78] up. +[4066.84 --> 4067.08] But you +[4067.08 --> 4067.42] know who +[4067.42 --> 4067.92] never gave +[4067.92 --> 4068.10] up? +[4068.42 --> 4069.08] Jesus never +[4069.08 --> 4069.52] gave up. +[4069.80 --> 4070.32] God never +[4070.32 --> 4070.74] let go +[4070.74 --> 4071.04] of me. +[4071.30 --> 4071.58] Even +[4071.58 --> 4072.00] when I +[4072.00 --> 4072.34] couldn't +[4072.34 --> 4073.04] feel him, +[4073.12 --> 4073.72] I know +[4073.72 --> 4074.12] in my +[4074.12 --> 4074.60] heart of +[4074.60 --> 4075.26] faith that +[4075.26 --> 4075.54] I was +[4075.54 --> 4075.84] in his +[4075.84 --> 4076.16] hands. +[4077.30 --> 4077.88] That's a +[4077.88 --> 4078.66] different story. +[4079.84 --> 4080.26] And I +[4080.26 --> 4080.68] think some +[4080.68 --> 4081.16] of us are +[4081.16 --> 4081.86] scared to +[4081.86 --> 4082.28] talk that +[4082.28 --> 4082.50] way. +[4084.98 --> 4085.80] But maybe +[4085.80 --> 4087.68] we should +[4087.68 --> 4088.06] be more +[4088.06 --> 4089.28] scared to +[4089.28 --> 4089.66] not see +[4089.66 --> 4090.16] God act +[4090.16 --> 4090.62] that way. +[4091.86 --> 4092.48] Maybe we +[4092.48 --> 4092.72] should be +[4092.72 --> 4093.48] more concerned +[4093.48 --> 4094.32] to reveal +[4094.32 --> 4094.96] God in the +[4094.96 --> 4095.30] midst of +[4095.30 --> 4095.74] these kinds +[4095.74 --> 4096.26] of moments. +[4096.26 --> 4097.26] God's +[4097.26 --> 4097.42] love. +[4097.42 --> 4097.82] This is +[4097.82 --> 4098.26] where the +[4098.26 --> 4098.90] good +[4098.90 --> 4099.46] doctrine +[4099.46 --> 4100.60] of our +[4100.60 --> 4101.54] perseverance +[4101.54 --> 4103.42] because of +[4103.42 --> 4103.70] God's +[4103.70 --> 4104.20] preservation, +[4104.54 --> 4104.88] where the +[4104.88 --> 4105.44] good doctrine +[4105.44 --> 4105.86] of that +[4105.86 --> 4106.56] hits the +[4106.56 --> 4107.08] hard mat +[4107.08 --> 4107.60] of life. +[4108.32 --> 4108.74] Where the +[4108.74 --> 4109.22] rubber of +[4109.22 --> 4109.68] the doctrine +[4109.68 --> 4110.16] of God's +[4110.16 --> 4110.52] sovereignty +[4110.52 --> 4111.04] hits the +[4111.04 --> 4111.32] road. +[4112.26 --> 4112.46] Make +[4112.46 --> 4113.20] Jesus the +[4113.20 --> 4113.78] hero of +[4113.78 --> 4113.94] your +[4113.94 --> 4114.44] stories. +[4116.20 --> 4116.56] Second, +[4116.74 --> 4117.00] when you +[4117.00 --> 4117.70] tell these +[4117.70 --> 4118.62] stories, +[4119.78 --> 4120.82] support your +[4120.82 --> 4121.66] stories and +[4121.66 --> 4122.32] your claims +[4122.32 --> 4123.36] about God +[4123.36 --> 4124.22] from the +[4124.22 --> 4124.50] Bible. +[4125.52 --> 4126.26] Tell your +[4126.26 --> 4127.16] story within +[4127.16 --> 4128.08] the Bible's +[4128.08 --> 4128.86] own story. +[4129.36 --> 4129.66] Weave +[4129.66 --> 4130.64] Scripture into +[4130.64 --> 4131.56] your stories in +[4131.56 --> 4132.32] such a way that +[4132.32 --> 4133.54] your voice and +[4133.54 --> 4134.14] the voice of +[4134.14 --> 4135.00] God stitch +[4135.00 --> 4135.72] together in +[4135.72 --> 4136.76] beautiful and +[4136.76 --> 4137.58] compelling ways. +[4138.88 --> 4139.70] That way you're +[4139.70 --> 4141.20] also testing your +[4141.20 --> 4142.28] own understanding +[4142.28 --> 4143.86] of God at work +[4143.86 --> 4144.44] in the world +[4144.44 --> 4145.24] through God's +[4145.24 --> 4146.20] own revelation +[4146.20 --> 4147.08] of his work +[4147.08 --> 4147.66] in the world. +[4148.96 --> 4149.82] Testing that +[4149.82 --> 4150.54] truth against +[4150.54 --> 4151.70] Scripture actually +[4151.70 --> 4152.44] seeks to +[4152.44 --> 4153.06] heighten +[4153.06 --> 4154.58] your confidence +[4154.58 --> 4155.48] in the truth +[4155.48 --> 4156.26] of how God +[4156.26 --> 4156.94] uses your +[4156.94 --> 4157.64] story to +[4157.64 --> 4158.22] proclaim the +[4158.22 --> 4158.62] gospel. +[4160.66 --> 4161.56] God will +[4161.56 --> 4162.44] not contradict +[4162.44 --> 4163.10] himself. +[4164.00 --> 4164.62] He can't. +[4165.24 --> 4165.62] It goes +[4165.62 --> 4166.12] against his +[4166.12 --> 4166.46] nature. +[4167.64 --> 4168.12] And so when +[4168.12 --> 4168.82] your telling +[4168.82 --> 4169.68] of God's +[4169.68 --> 4170.42] work in the +[4170.42 --> 4171.84] world aligns +[4171.84 --> 4172.50] with what God +[4172.50 --> 4173.00] has said +[4173.00 --> 4174.30] about himself, +[4174.52 --> 4175.22] you can be +[4175.22 --> 4175.98] even more +[4175.98 --> 4177.06] sure that +[4177.06 --> 4177.78] God is +[4177.78 --> 4178.42] with you. +[4179.98 --> 4181.00] Make Jesus +[4181.00 --> 4181.74] the hero of +[4181.74 --> 4182.34] your stories +[4182.34 --> 4183.18] and then tell +[4183.18 --> 4183.86] your story +[4183.86 --> 4184.60] from within +[4184.60 --> 4185.18] the Bible +[4185.18 --> 4185.70] story. +[4187.02 --> 4187.26] And then +[4187.26 --> 4187.64] lastly, +[4187.80 --> 4188.22] and here's a +[4188.22 --> 4188.88] really important +[4188.88 --> 4189.48] one for some +[4189.48 --> 4189.88] of you this +[4189.88 --> 4190.16] morning, +[4191.42 --> 4191.98] you don't +[4191.98 --> 4192.44] need to +[4192.44 --> 4193.04] fake a good +[4193.04 --> 4193.36] ending. +[4195.78 --> 4196.78] A story in +[4196.78 --> 4198.52] progress is +[4198.52 --> 4199.10] the story we +[4199.10 --> 4199.54] need to hear. +[4201.30 --> 4202.14] A work of +[4202.14 --> 4202.64] God in +[4202.64 --> 4203.42] progress is a +[4203.42 --> 4204.22] great story. +[4205.38 --> 4205.88] And part of +[4205.88 --> 4206.34] what that means +[4206.34 --> 4206.98] is that your +[4206.98 --> 4207.76] story, even +[4207.76 --> 4208.50] your work in +[4208.50 --> 4209.48] progress story, +[4209.48 --> 4210.18] even your +[4210.18 --> 4211.06] unresolved, +[4211.48 --> 4212.02] still in the +[4212.02 --> 4212.82] midst of turmoil +[4212.82 --> 4214.34] situation, is +[4214.34 --> 4216.32] a story that +[4216.32 --> 4218.06] we need to +[4218.06 --> 4218.32] hear. +[4220.02 --> 4221.02] In fact, this +[4221.02 --> 4221.68] leaves us without +[4221.68 --> 4222.64] any excuse, +[4222.88 --> 4223.66] really, for not +[4223.66 --> 4224.52] telling your story +[4224.52 --> 4225.70] of God at work +[4225.70 --> 4226.62] and of God +[4226.62 --> 4227.92] working or of +[4227.92 --> 4228.68] where you need +[4228.68 --> 4229.70] God to be at +[4229.70 --> 4230.00] work. +[4231.00 --> 4231.30] Right? +[4231.34 --> 4231.88] Your story +[4231.88 --> 4232.48] doesn't have to +[4232.48 --> 4233.70] be over or +[4233.70 --> 4234.36] your situation +[4234.36 --> 4234.94] doesn't have to +[4234.94 --> 4236.16] be fixed for +[4236.16 --> 4236.94] it to be used +[4236.94 --> 4237.52] by God. +[4237.52 --> 4238.68] And I think +[4238.68 --> 4239.52] sometimes we +[4239.52 --> 4240.18] get the idea +[4240.18 --> 4240.94] that until we +[4240.94 --> 4241.40] have it all +[4241.40 --> 4242.10] figured out, +[4242.34 --> 4242.98] until we've +[4242.98 --> 4243.52] put ourselves +[4243.52 --> 4244.30] back together, +[4244.50 --> 4245.30] dusted ourselves +[4245.30 --> 4246.28] off, and until +[4246.28 --> 4247.02] we look prim +[4247.02 --> 4247.94] and proper again, +[4248.18 --> 4249.18] then we can't +[4249.18 --> 4250.26] share this story. +[4251.44 --> 4252.66] But that idea, +[4252.90 --> 4253.72] entirely common +[4253.72 --> 4254.40] as it is, +[4254.60 --> 4255.72] is completely +[4255.72 --> 4257.10] contradictory to +[4257.10 --> 4257.86] the very reason +[4257.86 --> 4258.78] why God uses +[4258.78 --> 4259.62] these stories. +[4260.66 --> 4260.76] Right? +[4260.80 --> 4261.30] Instead of +[4261.30 --> 4262.14] faking a good +[4262.14 --> 4263.38] ending, fix +[4263.38 --> 4264.06] your eyes on +[4264.06 --> 4264.66] the grand +[4264.66 --> 4265.10] ending. +[4265.94 --> 4266.04] Right? +[4266.08 --> 4266.90] Allow your +[4266.90 --> 4268.06] story, incomplete +[4268.06 --> 4268.82] as it is, +[4268.88 --> 4269.48] to draw your +[4269.48 --> 4270.16] eyes of faith +[4270.16 --> 4270.64] and your hearts +[4270.64 --> 4271.16] of love for +[4271.16 --> 4271.94] God towards +[4271.94 --> 4272.72] the end of +[4272.72 --> 4273.52] His story, +[4273.88 --> 4274.36] towards the +[4274.36 --> 4274.98] return of +[4274.98 --> 4275.64] Jesus Christ, +[4275.76 --> 4276.18] towards the +[4276.18 --> 4277.46] consummation of +[4277.46 --> 4278.40] all that is, +[4278.46 --> 4279.14] of all of +[4279.14 --> 4279.56] history. +[4280.00 --> 4280.60] Let the end +[4280.60 --> 4281.68] of His story, +[4282.00 --> 4282.78] His work in +[4282.78 --> 4283.20] the world, +[4283.34 --> 4284.22] be that which +[4284.22 --> 4284.94] draws you +[4284.94 --> 4285.76] towards the +[4285.76 --> 4286.34] same end. +[4287.48 --> 4287.68] Right? +[4287.74 --> 4288.42] Don't fake a +[4288.42 --> 4288.96] good ending, +[4289.14 --> 4289.84] but fix your +[4289.84 --> 4290.44] eyes on the +[4290.44 --> 4291.20] great ending. +[4292.36 --> 4293.28] Make Jesus +[4293.28 --> 4293.92] the hero. +[4294.92 --> 4295.36] Tell your +[4295.36 --> 4296.06] story from +[4296.06 --> 4296.92] within the +[4296.92 --> 4297.84] Bible's story +[4297.84 --> 4298.80] and fix your +[4298.80 --> 4299.88] eyes on God's +[4299.88 --> 4301.26] great ending. +[4303.10 --> 4303.90] That's how you +[4303.90 --> 4304.44] can tell your +[4304.44 --> 4305.70] story in such +[4305.70 --> 4306.56] a way that the +[4306.56 --> 4307.76] gospel is +[4307.76 --> 4308.34] proclaimed. +[4309.26 --> 4309.98] That's how you +[4309.98 --> 4310.48] can tell your +[4310.48 --> 4311.26] story in such +[4311.26 --> 4312.36] a way that it +[4312.36 --> 4313.64] is easy for us +[4313.64 --> 4314.98] to see God +[4314.98 --> 4315.62] at work and +[4315.62 --> 4316.38] how He is +[4316.38 --> 4316.98] going to use +[4316.98 --> 4317.96] it to preserve +[4317.96 --> 4318.88] others. +[4320.60 --> 4321.26] And then +[4321.26 --> 4321.64] finally, +[4321.94 --> 4322.48] lastly, and +[4322.48 --> 4323.48] we'll land here +[4323.48 --> 4324.12] this morning, +[4324.90 --> 4326.72] all of this +[4326.72 --> 4328.66] and all of +[4328.66 --> 4330.52] this is +[4330.52 --> 4331.06] what we pray +[4331.06 --> 4331.38] for. +[4332.38 --> 4332.92] Look at +[4332.92 --> 4333.34] verse 10. +[4336.06 --> 4336.80] Night and +[4336.80 --> 4337.66] day we pray +[4337.66 --> 4338.86] most earnestly +[4338.86 --> 4339.82] that we may +[4339.82 --> 4340.68] see you again +[4340.68 --> 4341.34] and supply +[4341.34 --> 4342.32] what is lacking +[4342.32 --> 4343.68] in your faith. +[4343.80 --> 4344.12] And then +[4344.12 --> 4344.52] Paul, +[4346.24 --> 4347.16] majestically, +[4348.48 --> 4349.04] musically +[4349.04 --> 4349.74] even, +[4350.16 --> 4350.84] writes out +[4350.84 --> 4351.46] his prayer. +[4352.82 --> 4353.56] Now may +[4353.56 --> 4354.16] our God +[4354.16 --> 4354.72] and Father +[4354.72 --> 4355.50] Himself and +[4355.50 --> 4355.98] our Lord +[4355.98 --> 4356.84] Jesus clear +[4356.84 --> 4357.68] the way for +[4357.68 --> 4358.50] us to come +[4358.50 --> 4358.98] to you. +[4359.66 --> 4360.10] And may +[4360.10 --> 4360.54] the Lord +[4360.54 --> 4361.06] make your +[4361.06 --> 4362.10] love increase +[4362.10 --> 4363.00] and overflow +[4363.00 --> 4363.72] for each +[4363.72 --> 4364.20] other and +[4364.20 --> 4364.92] for everyone +[4364.92 --> 4365.56] else just +[4365.56 --> 4366.14] as ours +[4366.14 --> 4367.06] does for +[4367.06 --> 4367.34] you. +[4367.86 --> 4368.36] And may +[4368.36 --> 4369.02] He strengthen +[4369.02 --> 4369.62] your hearts +[4369.62 --> 4370.38] so that you +[4370.38 --> 4370.68] will be +[4370.68 --> 4371.76] blameless and +[4371.76 --> 4372.98] holy in the +[4372.98 --> 4373.60] presence of +[4373.60 --> 4374.24] our God +[4374.24 --> 4374.80] and Father +[4374.80 --> 4375.36] when our +[4375.36 --> 4375.94] Lord Jesus +[4375.94 --> 4377.02] comes with +[4377.02 --> 4378.16] all His +[4378.16 --> 4379.80] holy ones. +[4380.84 --> 4382.66] Now notice +[4382.66 --> 4384.34] He doesn't +[4384.34 --> 4386.12] pray that +[4386.12 --> 4386.56] He might +[4386.56 --> 4387.10] find a +[4387.10 --> 4388.16] solution for +[4388.16 --> 4389.14] His situation. +[4390.50 --> 4391.40] He prays +[4391.40 --> 4391.74] that God +[4391.74 --> 4392.28] might provide +[4392.28 --> 4392.50] one. +[4394.24 --> 4394.70] And notice +[4394.70 --> 4395.16] He doesn't +[4395.16 --> 4396.10] pray for +[4396.10 --> 4396.78] their suffering +[4396.78 --> 4397.48] to end. +[4397.88 --> 4398.24] Instead, +[4398.54 --> 4399.04] He prays +[4399.04 --> 4399.28] that they +[4399.28 --> 4399.80] will endure. +[4401.50 --> 4402.06] Right? +[4402.08 --> 4402.48] He doesn't +[4402.48 --> 4403.06] pray that +[4403.06 --> 4403.58] their comfort +[4403.58 --> 4404.42] would increase. +[4404.68 --> 4405.28] He prays +[4405.28 --> 4405.56] that their +[4405.56 --> 4406.42] love for +[4406.42 --> 4406.86] each other +[4406.86 --> 4407.56] would increase. +[4408.58 --> 4409.20] He doesn't +[4409.20 --> 4409.70] pray that +[4409.70 --> 4410.28] their lives +[4410.28 --> 4410.66] would be +[4410.66 --> 4411.24] easy. +[4411.68 --> 4411.98] Instead, +[4412.18 --> 4412.72] He prays +[4412.72 --> 4412.94] that they +[4412.94 --> 4413.24] would be +[4413.24 --> 4414.02] blameless +[4414.02 --> 4415.30] and holy. +[4417.40 --> 4418.44] Stories of +[4418.44 --> 4418.88] faith +[4418.88 --> 4419.86] fueling +[4419.86 --> 4420.52] and shaping +[4420.52 --> 4421.46] our prayers +[4421.46 --> 4422.10] of faith +[4422.10 --> 4423.82] for the +[4423.82 --> 4424.16] saints +[4424.16 --> 4425.08] to stand +[4425.08 --> 4425.98] firm. +[4427.00 --> 4427.90] The stories +[4427.90 --> 4428.44] that we +[4428.44 --> 4428.98] tell of +[4428.98 --> 4429.40] God at +[4429.40 --> 4430.02] work in +[4430.02 --> 4430.44] and through +[4430.44 --> 4431.14] our trials +[4431.14 --> 4432.62] even into +[4432.62 --> 4433.58] the face +[4433.58 --> 4434.18] of death +[4434.18 --> 4435.30] are the +[4435.30 --> 4436.26] stories that +[4436.26 --> 4437.04] fuel our +[4437.04 --> 4437.50] prayers +[4437.50 --> 4438.66] and shape +[4438.66 --> 4438.68] and shape +[4438.68 --> 4439.30] what we +[4439.30 --> 4439.78] ought to +[4439.78 --> 4440.38] be praying +[4440.38 --> 4440.82] for. +[4441.62 --> 4442.22] So that +[4442.22 --> 4443.10] God might +[4443.10 --> 4444.34] preserve us +[4444.34 --> 4445.12] to the end +[4445.12 --> 4446.02] and we +[4446.02 --> 4446.50] can be +[4446.50 --> 4447.30] confident +[4447.30 --> 4449.96] in our +[4449.96 --> 4451.00] preservation +[4451.00 --> 4452.12] and our +[4452.12 --> 4452.78] perseverance +[4452.78 --> 4453.84] that comes +[4453.84 --> 4454.28] from it. +[4455.14 --> 4455.90] Stories like +[4455.90 --> 4456.64] this make +[4456.64 --> 4457.28] the story +[4457.28 --> 4457.70] of the +[4457.70 --> 4458.12] gospel +[4458.12 --> 4459.36] more real. +[4460.20 --> 4461.14] Your story +[4461.14 --> 4461.86] of faith +[4461.86 --> 4462.40] even in +[4462.40 --> 4462.72] trial, +[4462.84 --> 4463.54] maybe especially +[4463.54 --> 4464.14] in trial, +[4464.56 --> 4465.06] makes the +[4465.06 --> 4465.84] story of the +[4465.84 --> 4466.94] gospel more +[4466.94 --> 4467.40] real. +[4468.38 --> 4469.20] And that +[4469.20 --> 4470.06] is exactly +[4470.06 --> 4470.62] what happens +[4470.62 --> 4470.96] at this +[4470.96 --> 4471.26] table. +[4472.50 --> 4473.56] The story +[4473.56 --> 4474.14] of faith +[4474.14 --> 4475.42] made real. +[4475.80 --> 4476.22] The story +[4476.22 --> 4476.86] of the gospel +[4476.86 --> 4477.96] comes to us +[4477.96 --> 4478.96] in a form +[4478.96 --> 4479.46] that we can +[4479.46 --> 4480.44] taste and +[4480.44 --> 4480.84] that we can +[4480.84 --> 4481.80] see and +[4481.80 --> 4482.36] the real +[4482.36 --> 4483.18] presence of +[4483.18 --> 4484.24] Jesus is +[4484.24 --> 4485.02] here. +[4486.08 --> 4486.58] So as we +[4486.58 --> 4487.06] come to +[4487.06 --> 4487.66] this table, +[4488.38 --> 4489.12] I invite +[4489.12 --> 4490.06] you to +[4490.06 --> 4491.38] come hungry +[4491.38 --> 4493.02] for Jesus. +[4494.12 --> 4494.72] I invite +[4494.72 --> 4494.96] you to +[4494.96 --> 4495.64] come with +[4495.64 --> 4496.76] your story +[4496.76 --> 4497.78] ready to +[4497.78 --> 4498.46] be shaped +[4498.46 --> 4499.24] by God +[4499.24 --> 4499.86] in this +[4499.86 --> 4500.42] moment. +[4501.10 --> 4501.84] That from +[4501.84 --> 4502.84] him you +[4502.84 --> 4503.78] might receive +[4503.78 --> 4505.90] real grace +[4505.90 --> 4507.00] and mercy. +[4507.14 --> 4507.60] That from +[4507.60 --> 4508.14] him you +[4508.14 --> 4509.24] might receive +[4509.24 --> 4510.20] the power +[4510.20 --> 4510.66] of his +[4510.66 --> 4511.78] spirit to +[4511.78 --> 4512.78] persevere +[4512.78 --> 4514.06] in whatever +[4514.06 --> 4515.36] trial the +[4515.36 --> 4516.20] Lord is +[4516.20 --> 4517.10] calling you +[4517.10 --> 4517.68] to. +[4517.80 --> 4518.76] Because he +[4518.76 --> 4520.66] is faithful +[4520.66 --> 4522.58] and he +[4522.58 --> 4522.94] will do +[4522.94 --> 4523.16] it. +[4524.16 --> 4524.80] Let me +[4524.80 --> 4525.16] pray with +[4525.16 --> 4525.66] you as +[4525.66 --> 4525.78] we +[4525.78 --> 4526.00] prepare +[4526.00 --> 4526.20] our +[4526.20 --> 4526.40] hearts +[4526.40 --> 4526.70] to come +[4526.70 --> 4526.98] to this +[4526.98 --> 4527.24] table. +[4531.24 --> 4531.92] Holy, +[4533.42 --> 4534.00] majestic, +[4535.32 --> 4535.60] mighty, +[4536.00 --> 4536.76] and sovereign +[4536.76 --> 4537.58] God, +[4538.28 --> 4541.20] each one +[4541.20 --> 4541.60] of us +[4541.60 --> 4542.88] here you +[4542.88 --> 4543.64] have carried +[4543.64 --> 4544.32] to this +[4544.32 --> 4546.10] place for +[4546.10 --> 4546.74] a purpose +[4546.74 --> 4548.08] to this +[4548.08 --> 4549.12] moment that +[4549.12 --> 4549.64] we might +[4549.64 --> 4550.56] receive from +[4550.56 --> 4551.12] you the +[4551.12 --> 4551.76] grace of +[4551.76 --> 4552.24] your word. +[4552.24 --> 4552.28] God, +[4552.68 --> 4554.28] we pray +[4554.28 --> 4554.74] now that +[4554.74 --> 4554.98] you would +[4554.98 --> 4555.46] take the +[4555.46 --> 4556.00] grace of +[4556.00 --> 4556.48] your word +[4556.48 --> 4556.78] and that +[4556.78 --> 4557.04] you would +[4557.04 --> 4558.10] transform it +[4558.10 --> 4558.72] by the +[4558.72 --> 4559.28] bread and +[4559.28 --> 4559.70] the juice +[4559.70 --> 4560.06] that we +[4560.06 --> 4560.60] are about +[4560.60 --> 4560.94] to eat, +[4561.02 --> 4561.64] that in +[4561.64 --> 4561.92] it we +[4561.92 --> 4562.86] might experience +[4562.86 --> 4563.56] the real +[4563.56 --> 4564.46] presence of +[4564.46 --> 4565.12] our Lord +[4565.12 --> 4566.24] Jesus Christ. +[4566.36 --> 4567.18] Meet us +[4567.18 --> 4567.94] here, we +[4567.94 --> 4568.94] pray, by +[4568.94 --> 4569.92] grace through +[4569.92 --> 4570.74] faith. +[4572.40 --> 4573.20] May we +[4573.20 --> 4574.18] receive from +[4574.18 --> 4576.02] you sustaining +[4576.02 --> 4576.92] power. +[4576.92 --> 4576.98] power. +[4577.86 --> 4578.66] May we +[4578.66 --> 4579.42] receive from +[4579.42 --> 4581.58] you preserving +[4581.58 --> 4584.40] power that +[4584.40 --> 4584.82] we might +[4584.82 --> 4586.64] persevere into +[4586.64 --> 4587.26] whatever dark +[4587.26 --> 4587.72] night of the +[4587.72 --> 4588.66] soul we face, +[4589.18 --> 4589.68] into whatever +[4589.68 --> 4590.98] moment of +[4590.98 --> 4591.68] death we are +[4591.68 --> 4592.24] looking down +[4592.24 --> 4592.88] upon, into +[4592.88 --> 4593.70] whatever abyss +[4593.70 --> 4594.56] we stare, to +[4594.56 --> 4595.28] whatever trial +[4595.28 --> 4596.22] and persecution +[4596.22 --> 4597.52] you call us to +[4597.52 --> 4598.84] go in this +[4598.84 --> 4599.48] moment. +[4601.20 --> 4602.20] Preserve us +[4602.20 --> 4605.56] that we +[4605.56 --> 4606.38] might persevere +[4606.38 --> 4607.74] to the end. +[4609.28 --> 4610.06] May this +[4610.06 --> 4610.94] feast be for +[4610.94 --> 4611.88] us a glimpse +[4611.88 --> 4612.92] of your great +[4612.92 --> 4614.22] feast to come, +[4614.32 --> 4614.94] that heavenly +[4614.94 --> 4616.02] banquet at the +[4616.02 --> 4616.88] end of time +[4616.88 --> 4618.32] that draws us +[4618.32 --> 4619.36] forward in +[4619.36 --> 4620.72] obedience to +[4620.72 --> 4621.28] your word, +[4621.94 --> 4623.30] to your will, +[4624.36 --> 4624.94] that we might +[4624.94 --> 4625.58] be disciples +[4625.58 --> 4626.54] who follow in +[4626.54 --> 4627.62] the way of +[4627.62 --> 4627.94] Jesus, +[4628.84 --> 4630.92] that we might +[4630.92 --> 4631.40] bear in our +[4631.40 --> 4632.18] bodies the +[4632.18 --> 4632.92] death of +[4632.92 --> 4634.64] Jesus, that +[4634.64 --> 4635.20] we might also +[4635.20 --> 4635.68] bear in our +[4635.68 --> 4636.36] bodies his +[4636.36 --> 4637.22] resurrecting +[4637.22 --> 4637.92] power. +[4639.46 --> 4640.42] We pray this +[4640.42 --> 4641.00] Jesus in your +[4641.00 --> 4641.68] holy name. +[4642.44 --> 4642.72] Amen. +[4644.34 --> 4644.74] Amen. +[4650.08 --> 4651.12] As we come +[4651.12 --> 4652.30] to this table +[4652.30 --> 4653.76] together, we +[4653.76 --> 4654.68] have opportunity +[4654.68 --> 4656.94] to stand in +[4656.94 --> 4658.14] the 2,000 +[4658.14 --> 4659.10] year history +[4659.10 --> 4659.74] of the +[4659.74 --> 4660.70] Christian church +[4660.70 --> 4662.26] to live +[4662.26 --> 4663.20] out this +[4663.20 --> 4664.06] feast of +[4664.06 --> 4664.86] anticipation. +[4665.82 --> 4666.30] And so part +[4666.30 --> 4666.98] of the words +[4666.98 --> 4667.46] that we are +[4667.46 --> 4668.04] invited to +[4668.04 --> 4668.68] say here +[4668.68 --> 4669.94] connect us +[4669.94 --> 4670.66] back all +[4670.66 --> 4671.66] the way to +[4671.66 --> 4671.96] the very +[4671.96 --> 4673.08] institution of +[4673.08 --> 4673.88] this meal in +[4673.88 --> 4674.54] our Lord Jesus +[4674.54 --> 4675.24] Christ, to the +[4675.24 --> 4676.08] very practice of +[4676.08 --> 4677.00] it in the early +[4677.00 --> 4677.74] church, and to +[4677.74 --> 4678.48] the very words +[4678.48 --> 4679.42] spoken by the +[4679.42 --> 4680.10] church throughout +[4680.10 --> 4681.22] the ages. +[4681.72 --> 4682.54] And so together +[4682.54 --> 4683.64] with one voice, +[4684.12 --> 4684.76] lift up your +[4684.76 --> 4685.16] hearts. +[4685.16 --> 4688.60] let us give +[4688.60 --> 4689.30] thanks to the +[4689.30 --> 4689.76] Lord our +[4689.76 --> 4690.10] God. +[4692.96 --> 4693.62] Let's pray +[4693.62 --> 4694.02] together. +[4695.70 --> 4696.84] With joy we +[4696.84 --> 4697.62] praise you, +[4697.80 --> 4698.52] gracious God, +[4698.58 --> 4699.12] for you have +[4699.12 --> 4699.92] created heaven +[4699.92 --> 4700.56] and earth. +[4701.10 --> 4701.52] You have made +[4701.52 --> 4702.02] us in your +[4702.02 --> 4702.76] image and kept +[4702.76 --> 4703.50] covenant with +[4703.50 --> 4704.48] us even when +[4704.48 --> 4705.26] we fell into +[4705.26 --> 4705.58] sin. +[4706.44 --> 4707.06] We give you +[4707.06 --> 4707.60] thanks for +[4707.60 --> 4708.36] Jesus Christ, +[4708.48 --> 4708.96] who by his +[4708.96 --> 4709.72] life, death, +[4709.80 --> 4710.40] and resurrection +[4710.40 --> 4711.84] opened to us +[4711.84 --> 4712.70] the way of +[4712.70 --> 4713.92] life everlasting. +[4713.92 --> 4715.26] Amen. +[4718.02 --> 4718.98] Now our Lord +[4718.98 --> 4720.62] Jesus, before +[4720.62 --> 4722.24] he suffered, gave +[4722.24 --> 4723.52] us this memorial +[4723.52 --> 4724.80] of his sacrifice +[4724.80 --> 4725.70] until he comes +[4725.70 --> 4726.04] again. +[4727.02 --> 4727.86] The Lord Jesus, +[4728.16 --> 4728.76] on the night +[4728.76 --> 4730.12] that he was +[4730.12 --> 4731.10] betrayed, he +[4731.10 --> 4732.48] took bread, and +[4732.48 --> 4732.82] when he had +[4732.82 --> 4733.94] given thanks, he +[4733.94 --> 4735.58] broke it, and +[4735.58 --> 4736.90] he said, this +[4736.90 --> 4738.40] is my body, +[4738.92 --> 4739.74] which is for +[4739.74 --> 4740.00] you. +[4740.64 --> 4741.82] Do this in +[4741.82 --> 4743.28] remembrance of +[4743.28 --> 4743.54] me. +[4743.92 --> 4745.90] And in the +[4745.90 --> 4747.26] same way, after +[4747.26 --> 4747.88] supper, he +[4747.88 --> 4748.64] took the cup +[4748.64 --> 4749.72] and said, this +[4749.72 --> 4750.74] cup is the +[4750.74 --> 4751.38] new covenant +[4751.38 --> 4752.82] in my blood. +[4753.74 --> 4754.52] Do this +[4754.52 --> 4755.48] whenever you +[4755.48 --> 4756.54] drink it in +[4756.54 --> 4757.96] remembrance of +[4757.96 --> 4758.24] me. +[4758.80 --> 4759.70] For whenever you +[4759.70 --> 4760.66] eat this bread +[4760.66 --> 4761.84] and drink this +[4761.84 --> 4762.74] cup, you +[4762.74 --> 4763.86] proclaim the +[4763.86 --> 4764.70] Lord's death +[4764.70 --> 4766.12] until he +[4766.12 --> 4767.32] comes again. +[4768.02 --> 4769.44] This is the +[4769.44 --> 4770.58] mystery of +[4770.58 --> 4771.28] our faith. +[4771.28 --> 4773.96] your death, O +[4773.96 --> 4774.74] Christ, we +[4774.74 --> 4775.24] proclaim. +[4776.06 --> 4777.00] Your resurrection +[4777.00 --> 4778.24] we affirm with +[4778.24 --> 4778.60] joy. +[4779.36 --> 4780.32] Your coming we +[4780.32 --> 4781.32] await with hope. +[4782.10 --> 4783.14] Glory be to +[4783.14 --> 4784.28] you, Lord Jesus. +[4785.74 --> 4787.34] Church family, the +[4787.34 --> 4788.20] Lord has prepared +[4788.20 --> 4789.82] his table for all +[4789.82 --> 4790.84] who love him and +[4790.84 --> 4791.82] for all who trust in +[4791.82 --> 4793.36] him alone for their +[4793.36 --> 4793.84] salvation. +[4794.02 --> 4795.04] And so, come to +[4795.04 --> 4796.40] this table, you who +[4796.40 --> 4797.98] have much faith and +[4797.98 --> 4798.86] you who would like to +[4798.86 --> 4799.38] have more. +[4799.38 --> 4800.86] Come to this table, +[4801.00 --> 4801.84] you who have been +[4801.84 --> 4803.36] here often and +[4803.36 --> 4804.32] you who have not +[4804.32 --> 4805.88] been for a long +[4805.88 --> 4806.46] time. +[4807.30 --> 4808.32] Come to this table, +[4808.46 --> 4809.38] you who have tried +[4809.38 --> 4810.80] to follow Jesus and +[4810.80 --> 4811.88] you who have failed. +[4812.28 --> 4813.34] Come to this table +[4813.34 --> 4814.86] because Jesus Christ +[4814.86 --> 4816.36] is raised. +[4817.20 --> 4818.00] We invite you to +[4818.00 --> 4818.94] come if you are here +[4818.94 --> 4819.98] with us or if you +[4819.98 --> 4820.80] are joining us +[4820.80 --> 4821.48] online. +[4821.84 --> 4822.82] Come because it is +[4822.82 --> 4823.88] Christ who meets +[4823.88 --> 4825.52] his gathered body +[4825.52 --> 4826.40] here. +[4827.24 --> 4828.48] The gifts of God +[4828.48 --> 4829.46] for the people +[4829.46 --> 4830.42] of God. +[4831.98 --> 4832.86] As we come to +[4832.86 --> 4833.82] this table here +[4833.82 --> 4835.20] at Emmanuel, we +[4835.20 --> 4836.24] have a particular +[4836.24 --> 4836.98] way that we do +[4836.98 --> 4837.62] that and so there +[4837.62 --> 4838.52] will be some elders +[4838.52 --> 4839.48] up here who will +[4839.48 --> 4840.82] help serve as you +[4840.82 --> 4841.74] are invited to the +[4841.74 --> 4842.00] front. +[4842.16 --> 4842.80] We will gather in +[4842.80 --> 4843.80] a circle together +[4843.80 --> 4844.96] and we will pass +[4844.96 --> 4845.94] the elements around. +[4846.12 --> 4847.06] As you pass the +[4847.06 --> 4848.06] bread, we encourage +[4848.06 --> 4848.86] you to say the +[4848.86 --> 4849.72] body of Christ +[4849.72 --> 4850.52] given for you. +[4851.18 --> 4852.14] On the tray of +[4852.14 --> 4852.76] bread in the +[4852.76 --> 4854.42] center is a little +[4854.42 --> 4855.64] tin of gluten-free +[4855.64 --> 4855.98] bread. +[4856.06 --> 4856.70] We encourage you if +[4856.70 --> 4857.26] you need that to +[4857.26 --> 4857.64] take that. +[4857.64 --> 4858.68] We have some +[4858.68 --> 4859.38] gluten-free bread +[4859.38 --> 4859.92] that is also +[4859.92 --> 4861.04] completely separated +[4861.04 --> 4861.60] up here. +[4861.70 --> 4862.36] If you need that, +[4862.42 --> 4863.12] please just indicate +[4863.12 --> 4863.74] and we will give +[4863.74 --> 4864.08] you there. +[4864.76 --> 4865.68] As you pass the +[4865.68 --> 4866.62] juice, we invite +[4866.62 --> 4868.08] you to say the +[4868.08 --> 4868.96] blood of Christ +[4868.96 --> 4870.06] shed for you. +[4871.12 --> 4872.24] In this way, we +[4872.24 --> 4873.46] are met by Jesus +[4873.46 --> 4874.88] in his body +[4874.88 --> 4875.78] together. +[4877.22 --> 4878.98] Before we invite +[4878.98 --> 4879.74] everyone to come +[4879.74 --> 4880.22] up, I am going to +[4880.22 --> 4880.98] invite those who +[4880.98 --> 4881.94] will help facilitate +[4881.94 --> 4882.88] and help serve. +[4883.02 --> 4883.90] The worship team +[4883.90 --> 4884.48] and the serving +[4884.48 --> 4886.02] elders, people at +[4886.02 --> 4886.46] the back of the +[4886.46 --> 4887.72] house who can +[4887.72 --> 4888.58] come up and +[4888.58 --> 4889.62] they will receive +[4889.62 --> 4890.76] first so that they +[4890.76 --> 4891.44] can lead us in +[4891.44 --> 4892.60] singing as the +[4892.60 --> 4894.08] rest of you come +[4894.08 --> 4894.42] forward. +[4894.72 --> 4895.46] If you are looking +[4895.46 --> 4896.24] for someone to pray +[4896.24 --> 4897.66] with you before +[4897.66 --> 4898.28] coming to the +[4898.28 --> 4899.12] front or in space +[4899.12 --> 4899.70] of coming to the +[4899.70 --> 4900.24] front, there will be +[4900.24 --> 4901.46] people in the foyer +[4901.46 --> 4902.64] at the back as well. +[4903.30 --> 4904.20] Invite the leaders to +[4904.20 --> 4904.82] come up to the front +[4904.82 --> 4905.26] of the front. +[4926.44 --> 4927.30] Close the gap. +[4931.92 --> 4932.70] Body of Christ +[4932.70 --> 4933.32] given for you. +[4936.08 --> 4936.84] Body of Christ +[4936.84 --> 4937.40] given for you. +[4937.40 --> 4938.58] Body of Christ +[4938.58 --> 4939.52] given for you. +[4939.52 --> 4968.58] Thank you. +[4968.58 --> 4975.72] Eat and remember. +[4986.60 --> 4987.38] Blood of Christ +[4987.38 --> 4987.98] shed for you. +[4991.22 --> 4992.02] Blood of Christ +[4992.02 --> 4992.58] shed for you. +[4992.58 --> 4992.66] Amen. +[4992.66 --> 4992.70] Amen. +[4992.70 --> 4993.10] Amen. +[4993.10 --> 4993.70] Amen. +[4993.70 --> 4994.70] Amen. +[4998.58 --> 4999.58] Move. +[4999.58 --> 5000.58] God." +[5028.58 --> 5033.22] Thank you. +[5037.26 --> 5038.74] Drink and believe. +[5058.58 --> 5088.56] Thank you. +[5088.58 --> 5118.56] Thank you. +[5118.58 --> 5120.58] Thank you. +[5120.58 --> 5122.58] Thank you. +[5122.58 --> 5124.58] Thank you. +[5124.58 --> 5126.58] Thank you. +[5126.58 --> 5128.58] Thank you. +[5128.58 --> 5130.58] Thank you. +[5130.58 --> 5132.58] Thank you. +[5132.58 --> 5134.58] Thank you. +[5134.58 --> 5136.58] Thank you. +[5136.58 --> 5138.58] Thank you. +[5138.58 --> 5140.58] Thank you. +[5140.58 --> 5142.58] Thank you. +[5142.58 --> 5144.58] Thank you. +[5144.58 --> 5146.58] Thank you. +[5146.58 --> 5148.58] Thank you. +[5148.58 --> 5150.58] Thank you. +[5150.58 --> 5152.58] Thank you. +[5152.58 --> 5154.58] Thank you. +[5154.58 --> 5156.58] Thank you. +[5156.58 --> 5158.58] Thank you. +[5158.58 --> 5160.58] Thank you. +[5160.58 --> 5162.58] Thank you. +[5162.58 --> 5164.58] Thank you. +[5164.58 --> 5166.58] Thank you. +[5166.58 --> 5168.58] Thank you. +[5168.58 --> 5170.58] Thank you. +[5170.58 --> 5172.58] Thank you. +[5172.58 --> 5174.58] Thank you. +[5174.58 --> 5176.58] Thank you. +[5176.58 --> 5178.58] Thank you. +[5178.58 --> 5180.58] Thank you. +[5180.58 --> 5182.58] Thank you. +[5182.58 --> 5184.58] Thank you. +[5184.58 --> 5190.98] With our hearts restored, He has done great things. +[5190.98 --> 5201.98] We will say together, we will feast and weep no more. +[5201.98 --> 5224.68] In the dark of night before the dawn, my soul be not afraid for the promised morning of how long. +[5224.68 --> 5239.38] O God, O Jacob, be my strength. We will feast in the house of Zion. +[5239.38 --> 5248.72] We will sing with our hearts restored, He has done great things. +[5248.72 --> 5259.72] We will say together, we will feast and weep no more. +[5259.72 --> 5268.72] Every vow we've broken and betrayed. +[5268.72 --> 5282.72] You are the faithful one, and from the garden to the grave. +[5282.72 --> 5289.72] Find us together, bring shalom. +[5289.72 --> 5296.72] We will feast in the house of Zion. +[5296.72 --> 5305.72] He will sing with our hearts restored, He has done great things. +[5305.72 --> 5315.72] We will say together, we will feast and weep no more. +[5315.72 --> 5322.72] We will feast in the house of Zion. +[5322.72 --> 5331.72] We will sing with our hearts restored, He has done great things. +[5331.72 --> 5342.72] We will say together, we will feast and weep no more. +[5342.72 --> 5349.72] O God, O Jacob. +[5349.72 --> 5349.86] From our hearts in the generationspark of Zion Oake 물어� +[5352.94 --> 5355.00] He will be waiting with us. +[5355.00 --> 5357.72] With our hearts повbeeld on our hearts Rivera +[5357.72 --> 5358.62] ấy +[5358.72 --> 5365.32] With God hattended focle Hierleb +[5365.32 --> 5367.32] Amen. +[5395.32 --> 5397.32] Amen. +[5425.32 --> 5427.32] Amen. +[5455.32 --> 5457.32] Amen. +[5485.32 --> 5487.32] Amen. +[5515.32 --> 5517.32] Amen. +[5545.32 --> 5547.32] Amen. +[5575.32 --> 5577.32] Amen. +[5605.32 --> 5607.32] Amen. +[5635.32 --> 5637.32] Amen. +[5665.32 --> 5667.32] Amen. +[5695.32 --> 5697.32] Amen. +[5725.32 --> 5727.32] Amen. +[5755.32 --> 5757.32] Amen. +[5785.32 --> 5787.32] Amen. +[5815.32 --> 5817.32] Amen. +[5845.32 --> 5847.32] Amen. +[5847.32 --> 5849.32] Amen. +[5849.32 --> 5851.32] Amen. +[5851.32 --> 5853.32] Amen. +[5853.32 --> 5855.32] Amen. +[5855.32 --> 5859.32] Great is your faithfulness, O God. +[5859.32 --> 5869.32] You wrestle with the sinner's restless heart. +[5869.32 --> 5877.32] You lead us by still waters into mercy. +[5877.32 --> 5883.32] And nothing can keep us apart. +[5883.32 --> 5889.32] So remember your people. +[5889.32 --> 5893.32] Remember your children. +[5893.32 --> 5899.32] Remember your promise of God. +[5899.32 --> 5905.32] Your grace is enough. +[5905.32 --> 5909.32] Your grace is enough. +[5909.32 --> 5915.32] Your grace is enough for me. +[5915.32 --> 5922.32] Great is your love and justice, God. +[5922.32 --> 5924.32] God of Jacob. +[5924.32 --> 5930.32] You used the weak to lead us strong. +[5930.32 --> 5940.32] You lead us in the song of your salvation. +[5940.32 --> 5946.32] And all your people sing along. +[5946.32 --> 5948.32] God of Jacob. +[5948.32 --> 5950.32] God of Jacob. +[5950.32 --> 5952.32] You lead us in the song of your salvation. +[5952.32 --> 5954.32] You lead us in the song of your salvation. +[5954.32 --> 5956.32] You lead us in the song of your salvation. +[5956.32 --> 5962.32] Enjoying your salvation. +[5962.32 --> 5968.32] Fucking joy. +[5968.32 --> 5970.32] COVID. +[5970.32 --> 5972.32] God of Jacob is your worthy name. +[5972.32 --> 5977.32] God of Jacob is your�. +[5977.32 --> 5980.32] Your grace is your folly. +[5980.32 --> 5994.32] Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. +[5994.32 --> 6009.56] So remember your people. Remember your children. Remember your promise, O God. +[6009.56 --> 6024.56] Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. +[6024.56 --> 6039.56] Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. +[6039.56 --> 6055.56] God, I sing your grace is enough. I'm covered in your love. Your grace is enough for me. +[6056.56 --> 6059.56] For me. +[6069.56 --> 6086.90] As you go this week, go as those sent by God, as those commissioned by him, +[6086.98 --> 6093.34] as those empowered by the Spirit to proclaim the gospel in the story of your life. +[6093.34 --> 6097.86] And go as those who know that God goes with you. +[6097.86 --> 6103.66] Receive the blessing of our God for the journey of faith ahead. +[6105.36 --> 6107.32] God, go before you to lead you. +[6108.04 --> 6110.08] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6110.64 --> 6112.68] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6113.04 --> 6115.42] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6116.06 --> 6118.28] Do not be afraid. +[6118.92 --> 6121.00] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6121.00 --> 6122.00] Do not be afraid. +[6122.00 --> 6122.64] Do not be afraid. +[6122.64 --> 6128.02] But go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[6128.88 --> 6129.54] Amen. +[6151.00 --> 6159.04] Come set your rule and reign in our hearts again. +[6160.00 --> 6162.88] Increase in us, we pray. +[6163.56 --> 6166.80] Unbill while we're made. +[6167.26 --> 6170.80] Come set our hearts ablaze with hope. +[6170.80 --> 6174.62] Like wildfire in our very souls. +[6174.62 --> 6180.36] Holy Spirit, come and reign us now. +[6180.36 --> 6184.68] We are your church. +[6184.68 --> 6191.32] We need your power in us. +[6191.32 --> 6200.00] We seek your kingdom first. +[6200.00 --> 6203.84] We hunger and we thirst. +[6204.46 --> 6207.68] Refuse to waste our lives. +[6208.18 --> 6211.50] For you're our joy and prize. +[6211.96 --> 6215.62] To see the captive's hearts released. +[6215.62 --> 6219.46] The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace. +[6219.46 --> 6226.02] We lay down our lives for heaven's cause. +[6226.92 --> 6229.90] We are your church. +[6231.00 --> 6236.08] We pray, revive this earth. +[6241.08 --> 6244.86] Build your kingdom here. +[6244.86 --> 6248.60] Let the darkness fear. +[6248.60 --> 6252.30] Show your mighty hand. +[6252.50 --> 6256.06] Heal our streets and land. +[6256.40 --> 6259.66] Set your church on fire. +[6260.12 --> 6263.34] With this nation back. +[6263.78 --> 6266.60] Change the atmosphere. +[6267.50 --> 6271.08] Build your kingdom here. +[6271.56 --> 6272.54] We pray. +[6274.86 --> 6282.30] Unleash your kingdom's power. +[6282.50 --> 6286.02] Reaching the near and far. +[6286.40 --> 6289.78] No force of hell can stop. +[6290.14 --> 6293.64] Your beauty changing hearts. +[6294.08 --> 6297.74] You may afford much more than this. +[6298.06 --> 6301.44] Awake the kingdom seed in us. +[6301.44 --> 6307.92] Fill us with strength and love of pride. +[6307.92 --> 6311.66] We are your church. +[6311.66 --> 6311.72] We are your church. +[6311.72 --> 6318.36] We are the hope on earth. +[6322.36 --> 6326.46] Build your kingdom here. +[6326.46 --> 6330.16] Let the darkness fear. +[6330.16 --> 6337.80] Show your kingdom here. +[6337.80 --> 6337.90] Show your mighty hand. +[6337.90 --> 6338.02] Show your mighty hand. +[6338.02 --> 6339.80] Heal our streets and land. +[6339.80 --> 6341.32] Set your church on fire. +[6341.32 --> 6344.94] With this nation back. +[6344.94 --> 6348.02] Change the atmosphere. +[6348.02 --> 6352.42] Build your kingdom here. +[6352.92 --> 6354.12] We pray. +[6354.12 --> 6354.30] We pray. +[6354.30 --> 6384.28] Thank you. +[6384.30 --> 6414.28] Thank you. +[6414.30 --> 6444.28] Thank you. +[6444.30 --> 6446.30] Thank you. +[6474.30 --> 6476.30] Thank you. +[6504.30 --> 6506.30] Thank you. +[6534.30 --> 6536.30] Thank you. +[6564.30 --> 6566.30] Thank you. +[6594.30 --> 6596.30] Thank you. +[6624.30 --> 6626.30] Thank you. +[6654.30 --> 6656.30] Thank you. +[6684.30 --> 6686.30] Thank you. +[6714.30 --> 6716.30] Thank you. +[6744.30 --> 6746.30] Thank you. +[6774.30 --> 6776.30] Thank you. +[6804.30 --> 6806.30] Thank you. +[6806.30 --> 6836.28] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..9d561818fcaa8ce92a0aa46367b64c7457c521bd --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,80 @@ +• Repetition of the phrase "You are perfect in all your ways" +• Hymn or song lyrics referencing Jesus and salvation +• Kevin Lowbert introducing himself as the youth pastor at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church +• Announcements about a membership project questionnaire and directory consolidation +• Invitation to members to fill out the questionnaire +• Upcoming events: HCBC for youth and catechism/Belgic Confession (grades 9-12), Pastor Chris' read-through of catechism, new members class +• Event on January 21st: "Making Disciples" evening event for care group leaders, small group leaders, and ministry leaders +• Call to worship from Psalm 147 and a series of hymns and choruses about Jesus Christ as hope and salvation +• Declaration of victory over death and grave +• Importance of spending time with God +• Prayer for guidance and relationship with God +• Song: "Great is thy faithfulness" by Thomas O. Chisholm +• Praise and worship of God's mercy, love, and faithfulness +• Songs of worship, prayer, and devotion +• Introduction to Reframe Ministries and their mission to translate the gospel into various languages and cultures +• Collection for Reframe Ministries during church service +• Discussion about nicknames and names given by loved ones or in biblical context +• Announcements for upcoming Children's Worship Time topic: Jesus as the Lamb of God +• Introduction and Happy New Year's greeting +• Scripture reading from Thessalonians 1:4 and message of being loved by God +• Prayer for guidance, help, and strength in sharing God's word +• Prayer for members recovering from illness or surgery +• Prayer for the new year and acknowledging God's presence and love despite chaos +• The speaker leads a workshop called "Compelling Christianity" that focuses on Romans 3 and what separates Christianity from other religions. +• The key claim of Christianity is that salvation is not dependent on individual works, but rather on Jesus' actions. +• In contrast to other worldviews, where salvation is achieved through moral performance or accomplishments, Christianity teaches that it's a gift based on Christ's righteousness. +• This unique aspect of the Christian gospel can be compelling and interesting for some, especially youth. +• A potential issue raised by this truth is the question of why bother doing anything if salvation is not dependent on individual actions. +• Some have misinterpreted this idea as "cheap grace" or "covenant child syndrome", where people think they can do whatever they want and still be saved. +• cheap grace vs covenant child syndrome +• transforming faith is a faith that works +• God chooses people and then faith follows +• salvation comes from God's loving grace, not human effort +• true faith produces visible results in one's life +• faith comes from the power of the Holy Spirit +• The faith of early Christians was a spirit-empowered conviction that led to transformation +• Faith in Jesus produces tangible results, as seen in Scripture +• James 2:26 and Ephesians 2:10 emphasize the connection between faith and good works +• When God saves us, we have work to do because of our salvation +• Faith is rooted in Jesus Christ and manifests in daily life +• The transformative power of faith shapes how people live, talk, gather, spend money, work, and serve their communities +• This church in Thessalonica was commended for having a faith that works +• Evidence of being a Christian should be seen in one's day-to-day living +• Similarities exist between the Thessalonian church and Emmanuel Church, reflecting God's work +• Ministries at Emmanuel Church produce faith in its congregation +• Teams at Emmanuel Church labor with love to serve the community +• Compassion care is evident through various ministries and unseen acts of kindness +• The transforming work of Christ reoriented the lives of the Thessalonians, resulting in a visible break from their past pursuits. +• The church's faith works is evident in their actions, including repentance and service. +• Those who call Jesus Lord can regularly turn to God and trust that he is with them always. +• For those who have not made this confession yet, there is an invitation to press in and be part of the text, which is a letter written to a specific church who confessed Jesus as Lord. +• Repentance is necessary, turning away from idols that entangle us +• Idols can be anything, including good things elevated to ultimate status +• The Thessalonians were admired for turning away from idols and turning to God +• Daily examination of one's own idols is crucial +• Faith should work, laboring in love and enduring through hope in Jesus +• Hope is found in the eventual return of King Jesus Christ +• The Thessalonian church's practical application of Paul's theology +• The importance of looking up with anticipation for Christ's return +• The distinction between passive waiting and active faith +• The role of hope in reorienting life around the promise of Christ's return +• The connection between faith, works, and living a life that glorifies God +• The significance of the Lord's Supper as a means of connecting with God and each other +• The significance of the Lord's Supper +• The invitation to participate in the Lord's Supper, regardless of faith level or frequency of attendance +• Instructions for participating in the Lord's Supper in groups and receiving the bread and juice +• Notes on special circumstances for those unable to come forward +• Availability of prayer and worship during the service +• Praise and worship music +• Repetition of "Thank you" phrase +• Song lyrics: "Here I am to worship" +• Discussion of God's love and worthiness +• Confession of sin and need for God's grace +• Reference to Jesus as hope and stay +• Invitation to sing "Jesus Messiah" +• Worship and praise to Jesus Christ +• Discussion of God's love and sacrifice through Jesus Messiah +• References to the Bible and Christian theology (e.g. name above all names, blessed redeemer, emmanuel) +• Invitation to receive God's blessing and presence in daily life +• Benediction and dismissal from worship service \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..61d2684b77040ab8d72ed29bd1ff4cb0fd401d5f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 12, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1220 @@ +[0.00 --> 6.10] You are perfect in all of your ways +[6.10 --> 16.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[16.00 --> 20.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[30.00 --> 59.98] You are perfect in all of your ways +[60.00 --> 89.98] You are perfect in all of your ways +[90.00 --> 100.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[100.00 --> 110.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[110.00 --> 120.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[120.00 --> 130.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[130.00 --> 140.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[140.00 --> 170.00] +[170.00 --> 200.00] +[200.00 --> 210.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[210.00 --> 220.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[220.00 --> 230.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[230.00 --> 240.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[240.00 --> 250.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[250.00 --> 260.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[260.00 --> 262.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[262.00 --> 272.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[272.00 --> 274.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[274.00 --> 276.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[276.00 --> 286.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[286.00 --> 296.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[296.00 --> 298.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[298.00 --> 302.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[302.00 --> 306.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[306.00 --> 308.00] And not like you +[308.00 --> 312.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[312.00 --> 314.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[314.00 --> 316.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[316.00 --> 318.00] You are perfect in all of your ways +[318.00 --> 332.00] I walk in standing there +[332.00 --> 334.00] Should we go and walk away throughout you? +[334.00 --> 337.00] I walk away from therecebal +[337.00 --> 366.98] Thank you. +[367.00 --> 396.98] Thank you. +[397.00 --> 426.98] Thank you. +[427.00 --> 456.98] Thank you. +[457.00 --> 459.00] Thank you. +[487.00 --> 489.00] Thank you. +[517.00 --> 519.00] Thank you. +[519.00 --> 521.00] Thank you. +[521.00 --> 523.00] Thank you. +[523.00 --> 525.00] Thank you. +[525.00 --> 527.00] Thank you. +[527.00 --> 529.00] Thank you. +[529.00 --> 531.00] Thank you. +[531.00 --> 537.00] Thank you. +[537.00 --> 543.00] Thank you. +[543.00 --> 545.00] Thank you. +[545.00 --> 547.00] Thank you. +[547.00 --> 555.00] Your eyes upon Jesus +[555.00 --> 565.00] The foal in his wonderful face +[565.00 --> 579.00] And the things of earth will grow strange +[579.00 --> 591.00] In the light of his glory and peace +[591.00 --> 599.00] Oh soul, are you weary and troubled? +[599.00 --> 605.00] No light in the darkness you see +[605.00 --> 611.00] There's light for a look at the Savior +[611.00 --> 617.00] And life more abundant and free +[617.00 --> 625.00] Through death and to life everlasting +[625.00 --> 631.00] He passed and we follow him there +[631.00 --> 637.00] Oh, us and no more have dominion +[637.00 --> 643.00] For more than conquerors we are +[643.00 --> 655.00] Oh, turn your eyes upon Jesus +[655.00 --> 665.00] The foal in his wonderful face +[665.00 --> 677.00] And the things of earth will grow strange +[677.00 --> 681.00] The foal in his wonderful face +[681.00 --> 685.00] You can keep on your уч koll +[685.00 --> 687.00] Before Ere ponieważ +[687.00 --> 689.00] You may need more men +[689.00 --> 690.00] You may need more men +[690.00 --> 691.00] You may be aware of Mydom +[691.00 --> 693.00] You change the world +[693.00 --> 697.00] Knowing that your commands +[697.00 --> 699.00] Are your mature and adapting +[699.00 --> 709.32] believe him and all will be well then go to a world that is dying +[711.32 --> 715.24] his perfect salvation to tell +[729.00 --> 742.12] good morning everyone +[744.52 --> 749.40] oh we'll try that again i think good morning everyone oh that's so nice uh welcome to +[749.40 --> 753.40] lagley emmanuel christian reformed church this morning my name is kevin lowbert i'm the youth +[753.40 --> 758.04] pastor here it's so good to see you all here this morning a few announcements before we begin +[758.60 --> 764.60] in earnest this morning or maybe as we begin in earnest this morning um many of you hopefully +[764.60 --> 770.04] most of you if you are a member here at emmanuel have received an email or seen other advertisements +[770.04 --> 775.32] for a membership project questionnaire so we have created a google form where we are seeking +[775.96 --> 781.64] just a bunch of information birthdays and addresses and things of the like and we're looking for that +[781.64 --> 787.00] as a church office staff to be able to put together directories and to be able to compile together all +[787.00 --> 791.32] that information in one spot we have it all scattered about but it makes um doing all sorts +[791.32 --> 796.12] of different things a little bit uh crazy and so we want to kind of consolidate that and so that's +[796.12 --> 800.84] why that form exists so if you've seen that form please we just invite you to fill it out it should +[800.84 --> 805.16] take somewhere between two and five minutes um i know that there may seem to be a lot of questions +[805.16 --> 809.24] there but we really encourage you all to fill it out that way we can get a church directory out to +[809.24 --> 813.96] everybody as well so um please consider doing that if you need a little bit of help with that +[813.96 --> 820.44] uh next week sunday after the service um i think maria perhaps myself uh will be in the back there with +[820.44 --> 825.24] a laptop computer or two and we can help sort of direct you in that way as well so if you're a member +[825.24 --> 830.12] here please do uh fill that out for us that would be wonderful there's also three events that i want +[830.12 --> 836.36] to bring to everyone's attention uh today if you are uh today we have hcbc so that's for youth and for +[836.36 --> 841.88] anyone so uh youth will be going through uh catechism and belgic confession uh grade 9 to 12 you're +[841.88 --> 847.40] welcome to come out to that and then pastor chris is leading a read through of the catechism as well and +[847.40 --> 851.64] so if you've been coming to that or if you're curious about that please do stick around from noon until +[851.64 --> 858.20] one today i will be doing that uh there is lunch as well um new members class if you're a new member +[858.20 --> 862.84] here you're invited to come out next sunday after the morning service with pastor chris i'll learn +[862.84 --> 866.12] more about what it means to be a member here at emmanuel what this church is about what our +[866.12 --> 870.60] denominations about things like that so if you're a new member uh that class will start next week +[870.60 --> 875.24] and it will also happen on february the 2nd so please kind of circle those sundays in your calendars +[875.24 --> 883.48] as well and then finally on tuesday january 21st in the evening um we are hosting here a uh an +[883.48 --> 889.16] evening event for care group leaders small group leaders ministry leaders anyone who wants to come +[889.16 --> 894.60] out on leading small groups it'll be a making disciples uh event and so please have that night +[894.60 --> 899.24] circled in your calendar again if you uh are involved in small groups in any way if you lead a small group +[899.24 --> 903.56] in a ministry setting or in a care group setting or if you're a leader or you're just interested in this +[903.56 --> 909.56] please do come out on tuesday january the 21st that's the announcements we've got today and so +[909.56 --> 914.44] now i would love to invite you all to rise and receive god's greeting this morning +[919.32 --> 928.28] god's greeting this morning comes from revelation 1. grace and peace to you from him who is and who was +[928.28 --> 935.32] and who is to come and from the seven spirits before his throne and from jesus christ who is the faithful +[935.32 --> 943.08] witness the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth amen as god has greeted us +[943.08 --> 946.68] this morning please take a moment to greet those around you +[958.28 --> 972.28] good morning +[972.28 --> 995.72] good morning our call to worship comes from psalm 147 verses 11 and 12. the lord delights in those who fear him +[995.72 --> 999.64] who put their hope in his unfailing love +[1000.52 --> 1008.04] extol the lord jerusalem praise your god zion the lord delights in us because we put our hope in his +[1008.04 --> 1023.72] unfailing love as we worship this morning may we extol our lord for his unfailing love for us +[1025.72 --> 1027.88] we worship this morning +[1032.60 --> 1034.36] so +[1034.36 --> 1035.72] jesus +[1035.72 --> 1039.72] hope of the nations jesus +[1039.72 --> 1041.72] comfort for all who mourn +[1041.72 --> 1047.72] you are the source of heaven's call on earth +[1047.72 --> 1061.72] jesus +[1061.72 --> 1076.62] мо +[1076.62 --> 1081.00] jesus +[1081.00 --> 1088.96] You are the light shining for all the world to see. +[1089.44 --> 1093.40] You rose from the dead, conquering fear. +[1093.86 --> 1097.30] Our heads of peace drive us here. +[1097.90 --> 1103.40] Jesus, our hope, living for all who will receive. +[1105.16 --> 1106.84] Lord, we believe. +[1111.00 --> 1118.20] Jesus, our wealth and nations. +[1119.20 --> 1123.70] Jesus, comfort for all who mourn. +[1123.70 --> 1129.70] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[1130.82 --> 1133.86] Jesus, light in the darkness. +[1135.04 --> 1138.28] Jesus, through the circumstance. +[1138.28 --> 1145.38] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[1145.86 --> 1149.60] In history, you lived and died. +[1149.92 --> 1151.86] You broke the chains. +[1151.98 --> 1153.88] You rose to life. +[1155.32 --> 1158.80] You are the hope living in us. +[1159.26 --> 1160.68] You are the rock. +[1160.68 --> 1162.32] You are the hope of the earth. +[1162.32 --> 1169.26] You are the light shining for all the world to see. +[1170.78 --> 1174.68] You rose from the dead, conquering fear. +[1175.22 --> 1178.62] Our heads of peace drive us here. +[1179.20 --> 1184.00] Jesus, our hope, living for all who will receive. +[1184.00 --> 1203.48] For all good of all you have. +[1204.02 --> 1206.40] As a way is a mess, you speak your strength. +[1206.42 --> 1207.60] As a way is a light, you gain the consequence. +[1207.60 --> 1209.66] of the long as forgiveness of death. +[1209.66 --> 1236.76] How great the chasm that lay between us +[1236.76 --> 1242.40] How high the mountains I could not climb +[1242.40 --> 1248.12] In desperation I turned to heaven +[1248.12 --> 1253.76] And spoke your name into the night +[1254.40 --> 1260.52] Then through the darkness your loving kindness +[1260.52 --> 1265.76] Tore through the shadows of my soul +[1265.76 --> 1271.76] The work is finished, the end is written +[1272.60 --> 1277.76] Jesus Christ, my living hope +[1278.46 --> 1286.76] Who could imagine so great a mercy +[1287.56 --> 1292.76] What heart could follow such boundless grace +[1292.76 --> 1298.76] The God of ages sent down from glory +[1299.76 --> 1304.76] To wear my sin and bear my shame +[1304.76 --> 1310.76] The cross has spoken, I am forgiven +[1310.76 --> 1316.76] The King of kings calls me his own +[1316.76 --> 1322.76] Beautiful Savior, I'm yours forever +[1322.76 --> 1328.76] Jesus Christ, my living hope +[1328.76 --> 1335.76] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free +[1335.76 --> 1340.76] Hallelujah, death has lost its rib on me +[1340.76 --> 1343.76] You have broken every chain +[1343.76 --> 1346.76] There's salvation in your name +[1346.76 --> 1352.76] Jesus Christ, my living hope +[1352.76 --> 1360.76] Then came the morning that sealed the promise +[1360.76 --> 1366.76] Your very body began to breathe +[1366.76 --> 1368.76] Out of the silence +[1368.76 --> 1369.76] Out of the silence +[1369.76 --> 1370.76] Out of the silence +[1370.76 --> 1372.76] The roaring lion +[1372.76 --> 1373.76] Declared the grave has no claim on me +[1373.76 --> 1375.76] Declared the grave has no claim on me +[1375.76 --> 1377.76] Declared the grave has no claim on me +[1377.76 --> 1378.76] Jesus, yours is the victory +[1378.76 --> 1379.76] Jesus, yours is the victory +[1379.76 --> 1384.76] Then came the morning that sealed the promise +[1384.76 --> 1389.76] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free +[1389.76 --> 1390.76] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free +[1390.76 --> 1391.76] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free +[1391.76 --> 1393.76] Your buried body began to breathe +[1393.76 --> 1394.76] Out of the silence +[1394.76 --> 1395.76] The roaring lion declared the grave of the mercy +[1395.76 --> 1396.76] The roaring lion declared the grave has no claim on me +[1396.76 --> 1397.76] Jesus, yours is the victory +[1397.76 --> 1411.76] grave has no claim on me jesus +[1411.76 --> 1425.76] oh +[1427.76 --> 1441.76] is +[1441.76 --> 1455.76] you have broken +[1455.76 --> 1465.76] oh +[1465.76 --> 1475.76] if i could be seated +[1475.76 --> 1503.76] i was reading in psalm 25 the four to seven verses and it says show me your way lord teach me your path guide me in your truth and teach me for you are my god and my savior and my hope is in you all day long and it kind of noticed that those three action words were show me teach me and guide me they all have a element of spending time with somebody +[1503.76 --> 1513.76] and it has me asking myself how much time am i setting aside to spend with the one that i claim to put my hope in +[1513.76 --> 1531.76] am i too busy to invest in that relationship so i asked let's pray together that um god will help us to find time to spend with the ones that we claim that we love them and our lord let's bow our heads +[1531.76 --> 1537.76] father you are our god and savior +[1537.76 --> 1543.76] forgive us for not making our relationship a priority +[1543.76 --> 1545.76] and for going our own ways +[1545.76 --> 1547.76] father +[1547.76 --> 1549.76] father show us your ways +[1549.76 --> 1553.76] we want you to guide us in your truth +[1553.76 --> 1557.76] help us spend +[1557.76 --> 1559.76] more time with you +[1559.76 --> 1561.76] as we put our hope in your unfailing love +[1561.76 --> 1563.76] amen +[1563.76 --> 1567.76] let's rise as we sing this next song +[1567.76 --> 1571.76] we sing +[1573.76 --> 1575.76] do +[1577.76 --> 1579.76] um +[1579.76 --> 1593.12] Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father. +[1593.12 --> 1601.24] There is no shadow of turning with thee. +[1601.86 --> 1609.26] Thou changest not, but no fashions they fail not. +[1609.26 --> 1616.84] As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. +[1617.52 --> 1624.26] Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness. +[1625.38 --> 1632.26] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[1632.26 --> 1639.52] All I have needed, thy hand hath provided. +[1640.72 --> 1647.26] Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[1647.26 --> 1658.00] Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. +[1658.58 --> 1664.72] Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above. +[1664.72 --> 1673.18] Joy with all nature in manifold witness. +[1673.18 --> 1680.86] To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. +[1681.58 --> 1688.86] Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness. +[1688.86 --> 1696.12] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[1696.12 --> 1703.32] All I have needed, thy hand hath provided. +[1703.32 --> 1711.78] Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[1711.78 --> 1714.36] Lord, unto me. +[1714.36 --> 1722.32] Pardon for sin and the peace that endureth. +[1722.32 --> 1730.20] Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide. +[1730.20 --> 1737.82] Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. +[1737.82 --> 1744.82] Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside. +[1744.82 --> 1754.82] Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness. +[1754.82 --> 1755.82] Lord, unto me. +[1755.82 --> 1761.82] Morning by morning new mercies I see. +[1761.82 --> 1770.82] All I have needed, thy hand hath provided. +[1770.82 --> 1778.82] Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. +[1778.82 --> 1779.82] Amen. +[1779.82 --> 1780.82] Amen. +[1780.82 --> 1781.82] Amen. +[1781.82 --> 1782.82] Amen. +[1782.82 --> 1783.82] Amen. +[1783.82 --> 1784.80] Amen. +[1784.82 --> 1787.82] Amen. +[1787.82 --> 1788.82] Amen. +[1788.82 --> 1789.82] Amen. +[1789.82 --> 1790.90] Amen. +[1790.90 --> 1791.28] Amen. +[1791.28 --> 1791.80] Amen. +[1791.82 --> 1795.86] Amen. +[1795.86 --> 1798.08] Amen. +[1798.08 --> 1799.44] Amen. +[1799.44 --> 1800.14] Amen. +[1805.56 --> 1807.60] Amen. +[1811.68 --> 1813.04] Amen. +[1813.04 --> 1814.32] Amen. +[1814.32 --> 1814.58] Amen. +[1814.58 --> 1819.64] Worthy of every song we could ever sing. +[1821.78 --> 1826.18] Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. +[1828.44 --> 1832.50] Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe. +[1832.76 --> 1834.56] We live for you. +[1834.56 --> 1864.54] We live for you. +[1864.56 --> 1871.58] Oh, there is no one like you. +[1871.78 --> 1874.86] There is none beside you. +[1875.26 --> 1882.90] Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who you are. +[1882.90 --> 1892.96] And fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me. +[1894.56 --> 1911.96] Jesus the name above every other name, +[1911.96 --> 1918.26] Jesus, the only one who could ever save +[1918.26 --> 1924.42] Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe +[1924.42 --> 1930.54] We live for you, we live for you +[1930.54 --> 1936.70] Holy, there is no one like you +[1936.70 --> 1940.00] There is none beside you +[1940.00 --> 1946.38] Open up my eyes in wonder and show me +[1946.38 --> 1952.74] Who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me +[1952.74 --> 1958.10] In your love to those around me +[1970.00 --> 1989.46] I will build my life upon your love +[1989.46 --> 1993.84] It is a firm foundation +[1993.84 --> 2001.84] I will put my trust in you alone +[2001.84 --> 2006.98] And I will not be shaken +[2006.98 --> 2015.36] And I will build my life upon your love +[2015.36 --> 2019.36] It is a firm foundation +[2019.36 --> 2025.74] I will put my trust in you alone +[2025.74 --> 2031.58] And I will not be shaken +[2031.58 --> 2036.74] Holy, there is no one like you +[2036.74 --> 2040.02] There is none beside you +[2040.02 --> 2046.40] Open up my eyes in wonder and show me +[2046.40 --> 2052.46] Who you are and fill me with your heart and lead me +[2052.46 --> 2057.40] Give your love to those around me +[2057.40 --> 2074.86] Good morning, my name is Mike and I'm a deacon here at this church +[2074.86 --> 2077.88] And we're going to take a moment in our time of worship +[2077.88 --> 2081.32] To give back as God has given so much to us +[2081.32 --> 2086.42] So our offerings today are of course for the ministries and missions of this church +[2086.42 --> 2089.48] So anything that you would like to give there +[2089.48 --> 2092.06] You want to designate it or write it as such in your donation +[2092.06 --> 2095.16] And then anything else that goes in the collection bags +[2095.16 --> 2096.64] Is for Reframe today +[2096.64 --> 2099.78] So Reframe Ministries is over 80 years old +[2099.78 --> 2102.20] It's a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church +[2102.20 --> 2105.04] And it started as the Back to God Hour +[2105.04 --> 2108.56] And they actually rebranded as Reframe a number of years ago +[2108.56 --> 2112.22] Their mission is to see the gospel translated +[2112.22 --> 2115.76] And brought to as many languages and culture people as possible +[2115.76 --> 2117.76] So they started as radio +[2117.76 --> 2120.18] And they've since grown into all kinds of different media +[2120.18 --> 2121.66] Training resources +[2121.66 --> 2123.90] And they've grown into quite a powerful ministry +[2123.90 --> 2127.38] So thank you for giving generously to Reframe today +[2127.38 --> 2146.56] And many of our 해주 verdure +[2146.56 --> 2147.56] Amen. +[2176.56 --> 2177.56] Amen. +[2206.56 --> 2207.56] Amen. +[2236.56 --> 2237.56] Amen. +[2266.56 --> 2279.78] All I have within me, I give you praise. +[2279.78 --> 2287.88] All that I adore is in you. +[2287.88 --> 2298.88] Lord, I give you my heart, I give you my soul. +[2298.88 --> 2309.48] I'll live for you alone, every breath that I take, every moment I'm awake. +[2309.48 --> 2339.46] Lord, have your way in me. +[2339.48 --> 2369.46] Lord, have your way in me. +[2369.48 --> 2370.48] Lord, have your way in me. +[2370.48 --> 2371.48] Hi. +[2371.48 --> 2372.48] Hi. +[2372.48 --> 2373.48] Hey, I have a quick question before we go back there. +[2373.48 --> 2375.48] Do you guys have nicknames? +[2375.48 --> 2378.48] Does anybody have a nickname? +[2378.48 --> 2379.48] Care Bear? +[2379.48 --> 2380.48] That's cute. +[2380.48 --> 2381.48] Hales? +[2381.48 --> 2382.48] Mia? +[2382.48 --> 2385.48] Do you have a nickname? +[2385.48 --> 2386.48] Josie? +[2386.48 --> 2388.48] I think that's your name. +[2388.48 --> 2389.48] Yeah? +[2389.48 --> 2390.48] Do you have a nickname? +[2390.48 --> 2391.48] What's your nickname? +[2391.48 --> 2392.48] Beanie? +[2392.48 --> 2393.48] Oh, good one. +[2393.48 --> 2394.48] Do you have a nickname? +[2394.48 --> 2395.48] Thinking about it? +[2395.48 --> 2396.48] What's your nickname? +[2396.48 --> 2397.48] Eyeball? +[2397.48 --> 2398.48] I think you maybe made that up. +[2398.48 --> 2399.48] What's that? +[2399.48 --> 2400.48] Addie? +[2400.48 --> 2401.48] Yeah. +[2401.48 --> 2413.48] Sometimes our nickname is just a short version of our name, but sometimes it's like a different +[2413.48 --> 2414.48] name. +[2414.48 --> 2417.48] Do you have a nickname to sometimes your dads or moms or grandparents or your loved ones, +[2417.48 --> 2421.48] do they even have other names for you guys? +[2421.48 --> 2424.48] Like your little goofballs? +[2424.48 --> 2425.48] Or your rascals? +[2425.48 --> 2427.48] Or your silly guys? +[2427.48 --> 2428.48] Yeah? +[2428.48 --> 2431.96] Yeah, some of you are nodding. I know I've used those words before. +[2432.16 --> 2434.76] We always have lots of names for ourselves, right? +[2434.84 --> 2437.24] People give us other names. We get nicknames. +[2438.12 --> 2439.50] We get cute names. +[2439.74 --> 2442.86] So we're going to talk in Children's Worship Time this month +[2442.86 --> 2447.86] about all the different names that Jesus has in the Bible +[2447.86 --> 2453.52] and how some of those names mean a lot for the names we get to have as followers of Jesus. +[2453.90 --> 2454.70] Yeah, sound good? +[2454.70 --> 2459.88] So today we're going to talk a big one about Jesus as the Lamb of God. +[2460.66 --> 2465.98] Okay? Okay, let's stand and bless the adults that are staying back here, +[2466.14 --> 2468.72] and then we will go and enjoy some time in Children's Worship Time. +[2470.86 --> 2473.04] The Lord be with you. +[2473.46 --> 2474.98] And also with you. +[2484.70 --> 2512.10] It's on. Good. +[2512.10 --> 2513.90] Happy New Year. +[2514.72 --> 2517.48] We weren't here last week, so I can say it now. +[2517.86 --> 2520.68] It's a whole lot easier saying it from up here to everybody. +[2521.44 --> 2522.64] It's like everybody's covered. +[2526.08 --> 2527.92] I have a little list here. +[2528.86 --> 2530.36] My wife is in the nursery. +[2531.04 --> 2532.78] This is actually her shopping list, +[2532.78 --> 2537.76] and sometimes it goes missing along with the pen. +[2539.16 --> 2540.14] Don't tell her. +[2542.00 --> 2545.08] We want to remember Elise Wagner's father. +[2546.30 --> 2547.76] We want to remember Tanya. +[2548.98 --> 2550.40] We want to remember Lena, +[2550.40 --> 2551.94] and there are others as well, +[2552.08 --> 2555.48] but we focused on these three ladies for a while. +[2555.48 --> 2561.74] And then sometimes my sleep is sporadic. +[2563.32 --> 2564.46] So last night, +[2566.60 --> 2574.00] what I do when I get the bulletin every Saturday morning +[2574.00 --> 2576.00] is I look up the scripture. +[2577.14 --> 2577.84] And that's what I do. +[2577.94 --> 2578.50] That's what I did. +[2579.08 --> 2582.04] I also found out yesterday was my turn to pray. +[2582.04 --> 2586.36] It takes me longer than a day to get out of it. +[2586.88 --> 2588.14] Anyway, so here I am. +[2590.54 --> 2594.38] The scripture is Thessalonians 1, +[2595.18 --> 2597.14] and I want to read verse 4. +[2598.88 --> 2601.52] For we know, brothers and sisters, +[2601.52 --> 2602.58] that means everybody, +[2603.98 --> 2605.84] loved by God. +[2606.08 --> 2606.66] Imagine that. +[2606.76 --> 2607.70] Loved by God. +[2608.70 --> 2611.06] That he has chosen you. +[2612.04 --> 2614.74] You know, we should just read that over and over and over. +[2614.84 --> 2615.92] The world is so crazy. +[2616.66 --> 2618.56] We should just read that over and over. +[2618.98 --> 2619.84] Anyway, let's pray. +[2621.68 --> 2623.02] Father, Lord, in heaven, Lord, +[2623.68 --> 2624.32] thank you. +[2625.12 --> 2626.58] Thank you that we can come together. +[2626.84 --> 2628.74] Thank you that we can hear your word. +[2628.92 --> 2630.36] Thank you that we can read your word. +[2630.90 --> 2632.48] Thank you that we can share your word. +[2633.54 --> 2636.58] Help us to do that more and more and more, Lord. +[2636.58 --> 2639.24] Help us to focus on that daily, weekly. +[2639.24 --> 2641.62] Help us to get on our knees, Lord. +[2641.88 --> 2642.98] Nobody needs to know. +[2643.62 --> 2644.38] Go to your room. +[2644.96 --> 2645.58] Bow yourself. +[2646.54 --> 2647.12] And just pray. +[2648.50 --> 2649.76] Lord, and if we don't know how, +[2649.82 --> 2650.60] just ask for help. +[2650.80 --> 2651.32] Lord, help. +[2651.94 --> 2652.54] And you will. +[2652.74 --> 2653.08] You do. +[2653.74 --> 2654.34] Thank you. +[2656.04 --> 2657.42] Lord, we bring before you +[2657.42 --> 2659.14] some of our members who +[2659.14 --> 2661.08] are recovering. +[2662.00 --> 2663.54] Some of them are in the midst of +[2663.54 --> 2666.74] stuff being treated +[2666.74 --> 2667.86] or surgery +[2667.86 --> 2669.10] or whatever, Lord. +[2669.18 --> 2669.84] You know everyone. +[2671.02 --> 2672.68] We prefer everyone that has +[2672.68 --> 2674.48] issues to deal with +[2674.48 --> 2676.08] and that from time to time +[2676.08 --> 2676.98] is most of us, Lord. +[2678.70 --> 2680.38] Lord, we thank you for this new year. +[2680.82 --> 2682.08] Lord, there's so much happening +[2682.08 --> 2685.10] and yet you are always in charge. +[2685.10 --> 2686.56] You always love us +[2686.56 --> 2688.68] and you have called +[2688.68 --> 2689.78] each one of us, Lord. +[2691.80 --> 2693.28] Lord, as we deal with that +[2693.28 --> 2694.42] from day to day, +[2694.56 --> 2695.42] whatever we do, +[2695.72 --> 2696.14] school, +[2697.06 --> 2697.48] teaching, +[2698.32 --> 2699.12] working anywhere, +[2701.02 --> 2701.46] preaching, +[2702.68 --> 2704.16] running a congregation, Lord, +[2705.60 --> 2707.00] Lord, will you lead and guide us? +[2707.00 --> 2710.16] Will you send us +[2710.16 --> 2713.58] to people who need your help? +[2713.58 --> 2715.36] Will you send people to us +[2715.36 --> 2716.64] when we need help, Lord, +[2717.04 --> 2717.74] and to share? +[2719.72 --> 2720.88] Lord, thank you that +[2720.88 --> 2722.26] we can be called Emmanuel. +[2723.86 --> 2725.34] Thank you that we can be +[2725.34 --> 2727.22] servants in your world, Lord. +[2727.92 --> 2729.86] Give us the strength +[2729.86 --> 2730.60] and the power +[2730.60 --> 2731.24] and the wisdom +[2731.24 --> 2732.44] and the light +[2732.44 --> 2734.84] to dare to share, Lord. +[2736.28 --> 2737.10] Lord, we pray +[2737.10 --> 2738.48] will you be with Kevin this morning +[2738.48 --> 2740.06] as he shares your word, Lord. +[2740.62 --> 2741.62] Will you be with each of us +[2741.62 --> 2743.18] to not only listen +[2743.18 --> 2744.82] but to go home +[2744.82 --> 2747.80] and look up that scripture +[2747.80 --> 2748.54] a little bit more, +[2748.88 --> 2749.86] study it some more, +[2751.16 --> 2752.20] and then share +[2752.20 --> 2753.92] when we have the opportunity, Lord. +[2753.96 --> 2754.68] It doesn't have to be +[2754.68 --> 2755.26] a big sermon. +[2755.42 --> 2756.14] It doesn't have to be +[2756.14 --> 2758.34] a big spiel or whatever, Lord. +[2758.42 --> 2760.66] Just that we love you +[2760.66 --> 2761.92] and that people know that +[2761.92 --> 2762.90] and see that, Lord. +[2763.04 --> 2764.00] That's why we're here. +[2764.68 --> 2765.86] Thank you in Jesus' name. +[2765.96 --> 2766.18] Amen. +[2773.18 --> 2776.24] Very, very much. +[2776.24 --> 2776.88] Thank you. +[2776.88 --> 2777.10] Thank you. +[2777.10 --> 2795.14] Several times over the past few years, I've had this cool opportunity to lead a workshop +[2795.14 --> 2799.78] at various youth conferences entitled Compelling Christianity. +[2800.72 --> 2804.94] Youth, if you're here still, we've talked about this a bunch over like youth ministry +[2804.94 --> 2807.34] last couple years, so you can just zone out for like a whole minute. +[2807.46 --> 2809.06] I'll call you back when I'm ready for you, right? +[2809.18 --> 2813.44] So Compelling Christianity, it focuses on Romans 3. +[2814.04 --> 2820.16] And we looked at what separates Christianity from every other religion and worldview out there. +[2820.28 --> 2821.16] It's a big claim. +[2821.92 --> 2825.36] But to ruin the whole entire workshop and all of the lead up to it, +[2825.36 --> 2828.84] what's so compelling about Christianity is that with Jesus, +[2828.84 --> 2835.04] your salvation is not dependent on you or your works. +[2835.80 --> 2842.02] Your salvation, your pathway to forgiveness, mercy, and eternal life is, was, and always has been +[2842.02 --> 2845.32] dependent on Jesus and what he did. +[2845.88 --> 2846.96] Not you, but him. +[2847.16 --> 2853.04] In every other religion, in every other worldview, the belief is that your morals, your accomplishments, +[2853.04 --> 2860.06] your spiritual records, what you do affects the outcome, affects your present and your future. +[2860.24 --> 2864.28] If your performance, your actions, or your accomplishments are good enough, +[2864.62 --> 2869.54] you go to heaven, or you go to a place called jhana, or you attain nirvana or enlightenment, +[2870.04 --> 2872.38] or you become a sovereign over a planet, +[2872.74 --> 2877.08] or you end up creating a positive legacy for yourself and then simply cease to be. +[2878.28 --> 2880.54] Now, I'm summing up a whole workshop here in a paragraph, +[2880.54 --> 2882.68] so this is a little bit oversimplified, but it's true. +[2883.04 --> 2889.38] Everywhere else, your eternity, your salvation, or whatever you call it, however you dress it up, +[2889.70 --> 2891.38] depends on you. +[2892.80 --> 2897.16] However, with Christianity, with Jesus, God intervenes. +[2897.76 --> 2899.04] Jesus came to us. +[2899.64 --> 2902.66] Righteousness is given apart from what we do. +[2902.96 --> 2904.28] No other place offers this. +[2904.64 --> 2909.14] Outside of the gospel, we must deliver our own righteousness to earn our way to glory. +[2909.14 --> 2910.88] But Christ's gospel is different. +[2910.88 --> 2916.30] It says that we have developed a perfect righteousness, or God, sorry, has developed a perfect righteousness, +[2916.52 --> 2917.68] and he offers it to you. +[2918.54 --> 2921.94] And by what Christ did, we are accepted. +[2922.74 --> 2924.98] That's the uniqueness of the Christian gospel. +[2925.06 --> 2929.10] Now, we preach this all the time here because this is the gospel truth found in Jesus. +[2929.10 --> 2933.74] Now, what's cool is when I do this workshop with youth, most people listen, +[2933.94 --> 2936.10] and there's generally pretty good engagement, which is nice, +[2936.16 --> 2939.92] but then as it ends, most youth sort of filter out the back, and that's totally fine and normal. +[2940.10 --> 2945.06] But every time I've done it, at least one, and oftentimes several youths come up to me afterwards, +[2945.56 --> 2947.30] very intrigued, very excited. +[2947.66 --> 2950.64] They've said that they've never heard this before or presented in this way, +[2950.64 --> 2955.02] and they become just a little bit more interested in what this gospel of Jesus is saying. +[2956.62 --> 2958.28] Because this is compelling. +[2959.82 --> 2961.20] It's not up to you. +[2961.40 --> 2962.28] It's because of him. +[2963.54 --> 2964.38] All right, youth, now time over. +[2964.46 --> 2965.02] You can come back now. +[2966.92 --> 2972.94] Now, this very compelling truth does open up a curious question, though. +[2972.94 --> 2980.02] If our salvation is not dependent on us, if we don't have to do anything to earn salvation, +[2980.16 --> 2984.38] if salvation is completely and utterly because of what Christ accomplished, +[2985.38 --> 2989.92] if salvation is all grace, why bother doing anything? +[2991.84 --> 2994.68] See, if we don't have to do anything for our salvation, +[2995.40 --> 2998.02] and we could just repent of our sin and be saved, +[2998.02 --> 3003.14] why not just do whatever we want and then give it to Jesus later? +[3004.62 --> 3008.70] See, in reformed circles, I've heard this called covenant child syndrome. +[3009.92 --> 3012.08] In other circles, I've heard it called cheap grace. +[3013.08 --> 3018.16] But this sort of misplaced and unethical idea is that if we're saved by faith in Jesus, +[3018.74 --> 3022.12] and it's not by our own works, and he forgives you anyways, +[3023.32 --> 3026.66] just do whatever you want, have faith, and repent on your deathbed. +[3026.66 --> 3030.12] You get no rules, no requirements, all the glory, eternal life. +[3030.20 --> 3031.12] Boom, loophole. +[3032.60 --> 3033.50] It's a win-win. +[3035.88 --> 3039.42] Well, as we continue our sermon series today on the letters to the church in Thessalonica, +[3039.78 --> 3045.08] we'll see that this text that we're about to read dispels the idea of cheap grace +[3045.08 --> 3046.64] or covenant child syndrome. +[3047.42 --> 3050.86] Paul celebrates the faith of this church in Thessalonica +[3050.86 --> 3054.02] and praises them for a faith that works. +[3054.86 --> 3056.42] They have a faith that works. +[3056.66 --> 3058.20] So we're going to dig into that today. +[3058.44 --> 3062.80] We'll be reading 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 2 to 10 together. +[3062.92 --> 3065.18] And as always, I invite you to have your Bibles open. +[3065.26 --> 3066.44] There's some in the back if you need. +[3066.68 --> 3068.80] You can even have your Bible apps on your phone open. +[3068.86 --> 3072.06] That's great, because we're going to be referencing this passage over and over again today. +[3073.36 --> 3077.24] But 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 2 to 10 says this. +[3077.24 --> 3107.24] +[3107.24 --> 3115.66] You know how we lived among you for your sake. +[3115.66 --> 3122.60] You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering +[3122.60 --> 3126.50] with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. +[3126.50 --> 3132.04] And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. +[3132.04 --> 3137.42] The Lord's message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia. +[3137.50 --> 3140.38] Your faith in God has become known everywhere. +[3141.54 --> 3143.76] Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, +[3143.80 --> 3147.34] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. +[3147.34 --> 3154.04] They tell how you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God +[3154.04 --> 3157.58] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, +[3157.98 --> 3160.90] Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. +[3161.92 --> 3162.96] The word of the Lord. +[3164.60 --> 3167.26] It's fun preaching a very positive text, isn't it? +[3167.28 --> 3169.42] This is a very positive text. +[3171.20 --> 3174.16] And the heart of this text is what we talked about off the beginning. +[3174.16 --> 3178.92] The big idea today is that transforming faith is a faith that works. +[3180.24 --> 3182.80] Transforming faith is faith that works. +[3183.70 --> 3186.82] See, Paul and Timothy and Silas, in our text today, +[3186.92 --> 3192.16] they unabashedly celebrate this church in Thessalonica for their faith that is working. +[3193.32 --> 3197.52] And when I say working, I mean like physically and visibly working. +[3197.64 --> 3201.64] A faith that does, not just simply is. +[3201.64 --> 3204.56] Look at the first two verses of our text. +[3204.70 --> 3210.96] See how Paul, Timothy, and Silas just praise this church for their actionable faith. +[3211.88 --> 3216.40] But do notice, they aren't simply boasting. +[3217.14 --> 3218.88] They're boasting in the Lord. +[3219.78 --> 3221.94] They always thank God for them. +[3222.00 --> 3224.74] They remember them before God and before their Father. +[3224.86 --> 3227.56] They praise their faith, their labor of love, and their endurance. +[3227.56 --> 3233.14] But not just their endurance, but their endurance that they have because of their hope in Jesus Christ. +[3234.62 --> 3242.76] They praise God for their brothers and sisters who are worthy of encouraging because of their praise and dedication to God. +[3243.72 --> 3244.82] See, it's God first. +[3246.04 --> 3253.06] And then what flows from God is this spirit-driven work done by this church in Thessalonica because of their faith. +[3253.06 --> 3257.04] Paul then goes on to describe this working faith. +[3257.68 --> 3261.36] In verses 4 and 5, it speaks about how God has chosen them. +[3261.64 --> 3263.02] Dick just highlighted this. +[3263.40 --> 3263.76] He says, +[3264.12 --> 3268.50] For we know, brothers and sisters, loved by God, that he has chosen you. +[3269.10 --> 3273.34] Because our gospel came to you, not simply with words, but also with power. +[3273.74 --> 3275.60] With the Holy Spirit and a deep conviction. +[3277.44 --> 3279.04] See, God had chosen them. +[3279.04 --> 3282.56] And the gospel came to them with power from the Spirit. +[3282.80 --> 3284.78] Again, this is God's directive. +[3286.18 --> 3286.28] Right? +[3286.36 --> 3290.60] The fact that God chose them reminds us, it doubles down on the truth, +[3291.00 --> 3295.54] that salvation is not something that's earned by human effort, not earned by what you do. +[3296.50 --> 3299.86] Instead, it's rooted in God's loving grace. +[3300.72 --> 3307.24] This church in Thessalonica was not chosen by God, though, because they worked on their faith. +[3307.24 --> 3315.08] Rather, this church in Thessalonica, because they were chosen, they had a faith that worked. +[3317.02 --> 3319.84] See, God's choosing precedes faith. +[3319.94 --> 3324.54] And faith, in turn, produces visible results in the lives of these believers. +[3325.78 --> 3326.92] Faith is transformative. +[3328.08 --> 3332.26] And true faith is evidenced by a life that works in response to this grace. +[3332.26 --> 3337.54] Beyond that, our faith comes from the power of the Holy Spirit. +[3337.62 --> 3344.22] According to verse 5 of our text, the Thessalonians' faith, it came through a deep conviction in the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. +[3344.94 --> 3349.80] Now, if you remember last week, Pastor Chris talked about this church's context and where they were situated. +[3350.16 --> 3354.84] They didn't rationally follow Jesus because it was convenient for them. +[3355.26 --> 3358.04] This wasn't like a step up for them socially. +[3358.04 --> 3362.14] In fact, they weren't getting any advantages at all by following Christ. +[3362.40 --> 3367.44] Choosing to follow Christ subjected them to all sorts of persecution and suffering. +[3367.84 --> 3372.68] It would have affected them personally, financially, socially, economically, and culturally. +[3374.46 --> 3383.24] And yet, Paul notes in verse 6 that they welcomed the truth of the gospel in the midst of severe suffering. +[3383.24 --> 3389.84] Their faith was not merely of belief or some sort of surface level commitment. +[3390.92 --> 3396.44] It was a spirit-empowered conviction that led them to transformation. +[3398.84 --> 3402.00] This faith in Jesus produces tangible and visible results. +[3402.08 --> 3403.32] We see this elsewhere in Scripture, too. +[3403.40 --> 3405.80] This isn't just found in this text here. +[3405.86 --> 3410.76] The book of James is famous for saying that the faith without works is dead. +[3410.76 --> 3413.64] Similarly, Ephesians 2 verse 10 says this. +[3414.16 --> 3418.20] It says that we are God's workmanship created in Jesus Christ for good works. +[3418.60 --> 3422.92] Which, and hear this, God prepared in advance for us to do. +[3424.68 --> 3426.92] When God saves us, we have work to do. +[3427.54 --> 3430.34] Not to stay saved, but because we are saved. +[3432.42 --> 3434.62] See, faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. +[3435.46 --> 3436.50] It's not hidden. +[3437.20 --> 3438.62] It's not simply belief. +[3438.70 --> 3439.88] It cannot be inactive. +[3439.88 --> 3442.68] It manifests in our daily life. +[3442.98 --> 3444.30] And it shapes the way we live. +[3444.52 --> 3444.92] In everything. +[3445.06 --> 3446.12] It shapes the way we talk. +[3446.38 --> 3448.50] It shapes the way we gather together as community. +[3448.82 --> 3450.40] It shapes the way we spend our money. +[3450.78 --> 3452.84] It shapes the way we work in our communities. +[3453.20 --> 3453.64] Everything. +[3455.12 --> 3459.40] That is the transformative power of faith in the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. +[3460.00 --> 3464.02] And that's what this church in Thessalonica is being praised for. +[3464.20 --> 3465.70] They had a faith that works. +[3465.70 --> 3469.80] And so it raises a good question for us. +[3469.80 --> 3482.30] If someone were to follow me around for a week, would there be enough evidence in my life, in the way that I handle my day-to-day living, for them to accuse me of being a Christian? +[3482.30 --> 3493.96] If someone were to follow you around for a week, would there be enough evidence in the ways that you handle your day-to-day living, for them to accuse you of being a Christian? +[3495.44 --> 3498.80] Would our lives clearly show who we follow? +[3498.80 --> 3498.82] Would our lives clearly show who we follow? +[3498.82 --> 3528.80] Would our lives clearly show who we follow? +[3528.82 --> 3531.46] With one another because of their hope in Jesus Christ. +[3534.32 --> 3547.52] One of the reasons we are doing this sermon series throughout the books, these two books of Thessalonians, is that both Pastor Chris and I see, and what we pray is that many of you will see as well, that God is doing some very cool things here at Emmanuel. +[3547.52 --> 3553.98] Now, obviously, the context is different, and the joys and the sorrows experienced by these two churches don't directly correlate. +[3553.98 --> 3559.10] But what God is doing in our midst seems to have some similarities with this Thessalonian church. +[3560.20 --> 3565.80] When Pastor Chris and I were discussing that this week in our office, Pastor Chris brought up the image of an overhead projector. +[3565.90 --> 3567.74] Remember those with the transparency sheets? +[3568.18 --> 3574.12] And he was like, if you put, like, a transparency sheet of our church and a transparency sheet of the Thessalonian church, you could see some similarities. +[3574.12 --> 3579.40] I'm not going to use that example because Chris is a dinosaur, and I don't think anybody actually knows what he's talking about. +[3579.78 --> 3589.26] But if we wanted to modern it up a little bit, if we utilized advanced document comparison algorithms or leveraged image editing software with overlay functionalities, +[3589.26 --> 3594.66] whether you displayed that on a smart board or by the precision layering tools of a graphic tablet, +[3594.90 --> 3603.18] you could systematically analyze the similarities that see that our church does, in fact, reflect the church described in our text today. +[3603.48 --> 3605.38] Overhead projectors, Chris, seriously. +[3607.94 --> 3612.46] What we're getting at is that there are parallels here. +[3613.60 --> 3615.44] And as Josh would say, we think that's awesome. +[3616.94 --> 3618.10] Look at verse 3 again. +[3618.10 --> 3622.64] The Thessalonian church was commended because their works were produced by faith. +[3623.92 --> 3630.76] When I look here and I see the discipleship ministries whose work produces faith in the lives of our congregation, it's here as well. +[3631.30 --> 3636.84] Ministries like cadets and gems and coffee break and story hour and children's worship time. +[3637.02 --> 3639.04] And it's not just the ministries of this church. +[3639.28 --> 3643.06] There are teams of people here doing hard work behind the scenes, +[3643.06 --> 3647.66] making sure that we are able to gather together and grow in faith with one another. +[3648.10 --> 3652.70] Teams like the kitchen team and board of stewards, sound of media, sound and media, sorry, +[3652.70 --> 3659.34] counting committee, communion prep here today, liturgical arts, worship ministry, all of these groups, +[3660.06 --> 3665.50] and many more do such good work, which allows us to gather and grow in faith together. +[3665.50 --> 3671.50] Now, this Thessalonian church was acclaimed because their labor was also prompted by love. +[3671.58 --> 3680.64] And again, I look around this congregation and I see so many people in ministries laboring in love for the community around us. +[3680.64 --> 3688.16] People are involved in night shift, at Gateway of Hope, organizing and participating in missions trips. +[3688.58 --> 3690.60] They're serving breakfast at HD Stafford. +[3690.86 --> 3695.88] There's the work of the refugee team and various local service opportunities like hamper ministry, +[3696.40 --> 3700.32] food drives, meal trains, kettle campaigners, school supply deliveries, +[3700.86 --> 3703.16] and of course, the work of the deacons and many other people. +[3703.16 --> 3713.06] And finally, this Thessalonian church is encouraged because they endured with one another due to their hope in Jesus Christ. +[3713.16 --> 3715.82] And again, there's so much compassion care happening in this church. +[3717.12 --> 3721.90] You see it in mentorship ministries and pastoral care work and women's and men's ministry, +[3722.08 --> 3725.04] seniors ministry, prayer ministry, the work of our elders, +[3725.58 --> 3730.78] and then the unseen cards and prayers and visiting from those in our community here, +[3730.78 --> 3735.38] which does not always get recognized because it's happening in the background all the time. +[3735.92 --> 3738.94] That is what faith that works looks like. +[3740.44 --> 3741.58] Praise God for that. +[3744.16 --> 3752.90] Commentator Mark Howell notes that the transforming work of Christ decisively and completely reoriented the lives of the Thessalonians. +[3753.38 --> 3757.36] So apparent was their break from past pursuits that others took notice of their transformation. +[3758.40 --> 3760.52] Others took notice of them. +[3760.78 --> 3765.78] One of the reasons I listed all those ministries is not to brag necessarily, +[3766.24 --> 3772.76] but it's to highlight something that Chris and I do all the time. +[3772.86 --> 3775.96] We boast in the Lord about this place, about this church, about you. +[3776.50 --> 3779.96] The work and the time and the effort that goes on by so many of you. +[3780.70 --> 3781.84] We notice you. +[3782.00 --> 3782.88] We thank you. +[3783.50 --> 3784.54] Thank you for your work. +[3784.54 --> 3788.46] Thank you for being faithful to God in that way +[3788.46 --> 3790.52] and for being a part of this community. +[3791.52 --> 3795.66] And maybe some of you are new here or considering different ways of what that could look like for you. +[3795.72 --> 3797.94] We'd love to have you involved in any of these ways. +[3798.32 --> 3800.54] God is doing some amazing things here. +[3800.82 --> 3801.86] Come be a part of that. +[3802.78 --> 3804.22] And church, celebrate this. +[3806.16 --> 3808.28] God is doing his good work through you. +[3808.92 --> 3809.72] Praise God. +[3809.72 --> 3810.72] God is doing some amazing things here. +[3810.72 --> 3811.72] We're not done. +[3811.72 --> 3813.00] We're not done. +[3814.00 --> 3819.06] See, our text here concludes with two verses that provide an example to follow +[3819.06 --> 3822.62] and help us prepare for what lies ahead in the rest of this letter +[3822.62 --> 3824.88] that we're going to be looking at for the next little while. +[3825.14 --> 3827.46] Look at verse 9 here right now. +[3828.24 --> 3829.06] Verse 9 says this. +[3829.12 --> 3829.36] It says, +[3829.36 --> 3841.24] This church turned to God. +[3842.08 --> 3844.06] They repented and they served. +[3846.56 --> 3847.96] That was their faith in action. +[3848.08 --> 3850.02] That was their transformative formula. +[3850.44 --> 3851.58] Their faith that works. +[3851.94 --> 3852.84] They turned to God. +[3853.14 --> 3854.78] They repented and they served. +[3855.80 --> 3858.60] And again, this should be our rhythm of faith as well. +[3858.60 --> 3861.40] We should be turning to God first. +[3862.36 --> 3865.40] Now for those of you out there who call Jesus as your Lord and Savior, +[3865.52 --> 3867.06] this is something that we do regularly. +[3867.56 --> 3870.26] And we can do this because he's already got us. +[3871.26 --> 3872.84] We belong to him. +[3873.76 --> 3874.84] He is not distant. +[3875.14 --> 3875.92] He is near. +[3876.00 --> 3877.78] He might seem far away at times. +[3877.96 --> 3880.38] And things might certainly be hard for us here and there. +[3880.58 --> 3882.16] We can certainly find trouble. +[3882.16 --> 3888.16] But we can always turn to God because we belong to him. +[3888.60 --> 3890.82] And we can trust that he is with us always. +[3892.60 --> 3897.38] No matter what we go through, there is this comfort of knowing that God is with us. +[3897.40 --> 3900.10] And that brings a peace that can pass our understanding. +[3900.10 --> 3908.48] And for those of us here today that might not know him yet, this is a call to faith in this text. +[3909.56 --> 3912.58] A challenge for us to press in a little. +[3913.64 --> 3917.08] An invitation to be brought into this text, actually. +[3917.50 --> 3921.54] This is a letter written to a specific church who confessed that Jesus is Lord. +[3921.54 --> 3925.98] And this here, Emmanuel CRC, is also a church who's confessing the same thing. +[3926.62 --> 3929.12] But it is possible maybe you haven't made this confession yet. +[3930.18 --> 3934.86] But if you're compelled by the grace offered to you by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. +[3934.92 --> 3939.62] If you're curious about this working faith that we're talking about. +[3939.76 --> 3946.38] About how you're not saved by your actions, but your lives are transformed because of the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. +[3946.38 --> 3951.18] If you're wondering how Jesus lived the life that we've been called to live but fail. +[3951.46 --> 3954.72] And that Jesus then died a death that I deserve, that you deserve. +[3954.86 --> 3957.36] Only to raise up from the dead three days later. +[3957.60 --> 3959.28] Defeating sin and death forever. +[3959.36 --> 3960.80] If you're curious about that. +[3961.66 --> 3963.38] If that intrigues you just a little. +[3963.56 --> 3964.82] Press in. +[3965.86 --> 3967.00] Invite him in. +[3967.08 --> 3969.54] Be a part of this text today. +[3969.68 --> 3971.32] This church today. +[3971.42 --> 3972.08] This body. +[3972.08 --> 3974.98] And by this body I don't mean Emmanuel CRC. +[3975.08 --> 3977.02] Although please do come back and be a part of this. +[3977.56 --> 3979.00] I mean Christ's church. +[3979.80 --> 3983.44] The one whom he lived and died and rose again for. +[3983.50 --> 3987.32] The one whom he redeemed and saved and rules over. +[3987.74 --> 3994.92] Now the church who has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to transform the lives of billions of people throughout history. +[3996.32 --> 3997.16] Press in. +[3997.82 --> 3998.66] Come learn more. +[3998.66 --> 4003.74] We are called to turn to God. +[4005.18 --> 4007.02] And then notice we're called to repent. +[4008.78 --> 4012.00] Turn away from idols or the things that so easily entangle us. +[4012.34 --> 4013.26] Idols are tricky though. +[4013.58 --> 4015.30] Idols are tricky because they can be anything. +[4016.62 --> 4017.26] They can be anything. +[4017.36 --> 4019.22] They can be things we know that are pinning us down. +[4019.42 --> 4020.66] Things that we're very aware of. +[4020.92 --> 4025.10] Things like vices or addictions or things that draw us away from God and community. +[4025.10 --> 4029.90] But they can also be good things actually. +[4030.06 --> 4034.32] Good things that have taken root in our hearts and have become maybe ultimate things. +[4034.96 --> 4037.12] Things that we've elevated in place of God. +[4037.20 --> 4040.68] Things that we actually worship more than God himself. +[4041.54 --> 4045.62] Things like work or play or even people like family and friends. +[4046.30 --> 4049.44] See idols are the things that we place above our God. +[4049.44 --> 4051.16] And they entrap us. +[4051.24 --> 4051.98] Sometimes quickly. +[4052.14 --> 4052.88] Sometimes slowly. +[4053.10 --> 4054.18] But they take our time. +[4054.28 --> 4055.06] They take our energy. +[4055.18 --> 4056.52] They take ourselves. +[4057.86 --> 4060.04] And we allow them to run our lives. +[4061.34 --> 4064.04] And I think often times we don't even realize it. +[4065.74 --> 4069.54] The Thessalonians, they were admired for turning away from those idols. +[4071.54 --> 4074.36] Turning away from those things of the world that were entangling them. +[4074.36 --> 4076.00] And then turning to God. +[4077.28 --> 4079.80] And so for us, what's at the forefront of our minds? +[4079.92 --> 4080.84] Is it our savior? +[4080.98 --> 4084.26] Is it his work in our life or in the lives of the community around it? +[4084.64 --> 4088.08] Is it stewarding his gifts well here on earth? +[4088.84 --> 4090.18] Or is it something else? +[4091.40 --> 4094.38] I think this is a question we can ask every single day. +[4094.68 --> 4096.22] What are our idols? +[4096.38 --> 4097.98] What are we turning to today? +[4098.52 --> 4100.62] Is it God or is it something else? +[4100.62 --> 4106.00] Finally, the Thessalonians. +[4106.22 --> 4109.20] This is going to be a problem throughout this whole sermon series, I think. +[4109.76 --> 4111.56] The Thessalonians served. +[4112.50 --> 4113.82] And we've talked about this. +[4115.26 --> 4116.36] The Thessalonians served. +[4116.60 --> 4118.52] They had a faith that worked. +[4119.06 --> 4120.34] They labored in love. +[4120.64 --> 4123.32] They endured because of the hope that they found in Jesus. +[4124.36 --> 4127.06] Emmanuel CRC, may we do the same. +[4127.06 --> 4139.58] Finally, our text concludes in verse 10, where Paul highlights how that hope that we seek is found in the eventual return of our King Jesus Christ. +[4140.62 --> 4144.62] Now, this actually becomes a bit of a theme that we see throughout the entire letter. +[4144.70 --> 4146.18] Both letters, actually, of Thessalonians. +[4146.18 --> 4154.00] Paul challenges this church to view their present circumstances through the lens of God's eternal promises. +[4154.00 --> 4159.96] See, the letters of 1 and 2 Thessalonians focus heavily on eschatology. +[4160.08 --> 4162.08] That's the study of the end times. +[4162.44 --> 4164.82] Especially, of course, on the final coming of Christ. +[4165.98 --> 4171.32] Notice, though, Paul doesn't aim to answer when Christ will return. +[4172.32 --> 4176.48] But he emphasizes the certainty that it will happen. +[4176.66 --> 4178.26] That Christ will come again. +[4178.44 --> 4179.68] That distinction is crucial. +[4179.68 --> 4184.64] See, the promise of Jesus' return is not a matter of, like, human calculations. +[4185.24 --> 4191.78] But for us, this promise is a divine certainty that actually shapes how we should live today. +[4193.76 --> 4200.86] Do you remember back in 2012, after, like, 5,000 years of history, the Mayan calendar was coming to an end? +[4201.10 --> 4201.64] You remember that? +[4202.16 --> 4203.92] December 21st, 2012. +[4204.62 --> 4207.68] It actually became known as the 2012 phenomenon. +[4207.68 --> 4210.88] So many people thought the world was going to come to an end there. +[4210.96 --> 4213.16] I'm sure you heard about it back then, if you were around. +[4214.00 --> 4214.84] But it was everywhere. +[4214.94 --> 4215.64] It was a big deal. +[4216.18 --> 4219.14] Like, people had circled the date on their calendars. +[4219.24 --> 4221.00] People quit their jobs beforehand. +[4221.24 --> 4223.34] They gathered in parks at night the night before. +[4224.52 --> 4225.18] It's crazy. +[4225.60 --> 4228.12] The world was definitely ending December 12th. +[4228.14 --> 4229.74] Or, sorry, yeah, December 21, 2012. +[4231.42 --> 4232.96] My favorite part was the next day. +[4232.96 --> 4236.56] You know, the day after the world didn't end? +[4237.10 --> 4240.90] Actually, there's a billboard that popped up in a town somewhere in the States. +[4241.76 --> 4242.82] It was awesome. +[4245.78 --> 4249.38] But about that day or hour when Jesus returns, no one knows. +[4249.50 --> 4253.34] Not even the angels in heaven nor the sun, but only the Father. +[4253.34 --> 4260.10] We get trapped sometimes trying to figure out when Christ will come again. +[4260.70 --> 4262.34] Or even how it will go down. +[4263.54 --> 4267.12] But Paul's not worried about how this will happen or when this will happen. +[4268.22 --> 4271.80] He's just reminding people here that it will happen. +[4271.80 --> 4277.56] We don't need to concern ourselves of when or if or how long it will take for Jesus to turn. +[4277.60 --> 4284.34] But we can sure rest in the hope and knowledge that Christ will come again. +[4286.54 --> 4290.44] And for Paul, this wasn't just some, like, theological idea. +[4291.54 --> 4298.06] But it actually was this practical way of life that shaped how the Thessalonian church engaged with their present challenges. +[4298.06 --> 4304.80] It is in this truth that Paul directs all of us, actually. +[4304.92 --> 4307.22] The Thessalonians and the Emmanuelites. +[4308.02 --> 4309.62] Paul urges us all to look up. +[4310.38 --> 4311.56] I mean, figuratively look up. +[4311.58 --> 4314.32] But we could look up with anticipation for our king. +[4315.68 --> 4318.86] See, this gaze, this upward gaze is not, it's not passive waiting. +[4319.12 --> 4320.36] It's not just an ideology. +[4320.60 --> 4322.14] It's an active faith. +[4322.14 --> 4328.70] It reflects a life lived in anticipation for Christ's reign and the fulfillment of all of God's promises. +[4329.60 --> 4339.80] So when chaos or uncertainty surrounds us, our response should not be one of looking around in fear or confusion. +[4340.58 --> 4346.94] But we can plant ourselves and look upward in confident hope. +[4346.94 --> 4353.62] And this perspective shift is not simply about us enduring difficult times together, +[4353.72 --> 4359.20] but it's about us reorienting our lives around the promise of Christ's return. +[4361.08 --> 4371.48] See, faith in Jesus and hope in his kingdom come gives us a foundation that allows us to face present challenges with resilience and with purpose. +[4371.48 --> 4380.60] But more than that, it's a reminder that the story of our lives is part of a much greater narrative. +[4382.54 --> 4385.82] One where God's promises always are fulfilled. +[4386.52 --> 4394.72] And as we wait, and as we look up with anticipation, we're called to live with the faith that works. +[4394.72 --> 4410.04] This letter is going to get to what that looks like and how that faith and works plays itself out. +[4410.60 --> 4419.62] But this faith, which is exemplified by this church, gives us hope because it comes from, is sustained by, +[4419.62 --> 4423.96] and is fixed upon the giver of eternal life, Jesus Christ. +[4425.02 --> 4431.54] This eternal hope reorients our perspectives here and now, as well as tomorrow and beyond. +[4431.72 --> 4431.90] Amen? +[4433.14 --> 4437.62] I'm going to pray, and then following the prayer, Pastor Chris is going to come forward and lead us in the Lord's Supper, +[4437.70 --> 4445.40] which not only reorients our lives, but it grounds us in that reality that Jesus came to save us all from the clutches of sin and death, +[4445.52 --> 4448.78] and will come again to usher in us into eternal glory. +[4449.36 --> 4449.90] So let's pray. +[4449.90 --> 4458.10] Our Father in heaven, God, we praise you for this church in Thessalonica, for this letter to these people, Lord. +[4458.30 --> 4464.90] We praise you for this church as well, for the work that you are doing in and amongst the members here at Emanuel CRC, God. +[4465.12 --> 4471.54] And as we partake in Lord's Supper in a moment, as we go out into our third places today, +[4471.54 --> 4475.34] may we live this life with faith that works. +[4475.84 --> 4479.74] God, may others in our life notice who it is we serve and follow. +[4480.14 --> 4487.60] May we work in our communities, in the way we talk, in the way we work, in the way we spend our money, +[4487.68 --> 4492.50] in the way we gather with one another, in the fun we have, in the joys we have, in the sorrows we experience. +[4492.50 --> 4494.16] May all of it be to your glory. +[4496.70 --> 4502.42] And so God, may that truth infuse itself into our hearts and lives. +[4503.94 --> 4506.18] Be with us now as we celebrate this supper. +[4506.82 --> 4508.42] We pray this in your name. Amen. +[4522.50 --> 4527.98] My name is Chris, and apparently I'm a dinosaur in this church. +[4530.26 --> 4537.90] We are going to come to the table, and as Kevin has just so beautifully said for us, +[4538.38 --> 4546.00] this supper is a means of connecting us not only to God in Jesus Christ as we receive him here, +[4546.22 --> 4551.88] but connecting us to each other as the body of Christ as we together take that in. +[4552.50 --> 4559.72] And so we show that in a couple ways here at Emanuel, not least of which is the liturgy we use, +[4559.78 --> 4560.94] the words that we use. +[4561.62 --> 4566.84] And some of the words that I'm going to invite you to speak and participate as we come to this table +[4566.84 --> 4570.84] are almost 2,000 years old. +[4571.62 --> 4575.92] And so not only are we connecting ourselves to the body of Christ here at Langley Emanuel, +[4575.92 --> 4581.82] but we are connecting ourselves to the Christian church throughout time and space. +[4582.50 --> 4585.00] As those who belong to Jesus. +[4586.00 --> 4592.48] Jesus is really present here at this table, and we receive him as his body. +[4593.10 --> 4597.92] And so as we move through this liturgy, I invite you to speak words that appear on the screen +[4597.92 --> 4603.16] that are indicated for you as a way of connecting to him, connecting to each other, +[4603.16 --> 4606.48] and connecting to the church throughout time and space. +[4607.14 --> 4609.96] And so congregation of Jesus Christ, lift up your hearts. +[4610.80 --> 4612.36] Give them up to the Lord. +[4612.70 --> 4614.86] Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. +[4615.42 --> 4617.60] It is right for us to give thanks. +[4617.84 --> 4618.80] Let us pray together. +[4618.80 --> 4623.62] With joy, we praise you, gracious God. +[4624.34 --> 4626.46] For you have created heaven and earth. +[4627.36 --> 4633.40] You have made us in your image and kept covenant with us, even when we fell into sin. +[4634.14 --> 4640.68] We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, who by his life, death, and resurrection opened for us +[4640.68 --> 4643.54] the way of everlasting life. +[4643.54 --> 4645.50] In his name we pray. +[4646.30 --> 4646.64] Amen. +[4650.26 --> 4652.00] Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ. +[4652.52 --> 4660.00] Our Lord Jesus, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice until he comes again. +[4660.96 --> 4664.46] And the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was betrayed, took bread. +[4664.46 --> 4668.20] And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, +[4668.56 --> 4671.30] This is my body, which is for you. +[4672.12 --> 4674.92] Do this in remembrance of me. +[4675.70 --> 4679.10] And in the same way, he took the cup after supper, +[4680.02 --> 4683.68] saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. +[4684.82 --> 4689.28] Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. +[4689.28 --> 4694.16] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, +[4694.36 --> 4698.98] you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. +[4700.08 --> 4703.90] This is the mystery of our faith. +[4705.36 --> 4707.70] Your death, O Christ, we proclaim. +[4708.42 --> 4710.96] Your resurrection we affirm with joy. +[4711.64 --> 4713.84] And your coming we await with hope. +[4714.64 --> 4716.68] Glory be to you, Lord Jesus. +[4716.68 --> 4716.84] Jesus. +[4718.84 --> 4723.58] Church family, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love him, +[4723.66 --> 4726.84] for all who trust in him alone for their salvation. +[4727.72 --> 4731.48] And so, come to this table, you who have much faith. +[4731.86 --> 4734.28] Come to this table, you who would like to have more. +[4735.18 --> 4738.28] Come to this table, you who have been to the sacrament often, +[4738.54 --> 4740.88] and you who have not been for a long time. +[4741.20 --> 4744.08] Come to this table, you who have tried to follow Jesus, +[4744.08 --> 4747.42] and come to this table, you who have failed. +[4747.42 --> 4751.92] Come to this table, because Jesus Christ is raised. +[4753.06 --> 4754.48] Come to this table. +[4754.64 --> 4756.26] If you are here with us this morning, +[4756.48 --> 4758.72] or if you are joining us at home, +[4758.76 --> 4761.44] and you are part of this body together, +[4761.64 --> 4766.40] come to this table, because it is Christ who welcomes us here. +[4766.40 --> 4772.70] These are indeed the gifts of God for the people of God. +[4774.66 --> 4776.90] As I mentioned, as we come to this table, +[4777.06 --> 4778.86] we will do so in groups. +[4779.12 --> 4783.14] We will have elders who will indicate when it's time for you to come to the front. +[4783.42 --> 4785.86] We'll gather in a circle in one group, +[4785.92 --> 4789.30] and then you will be past the bread or the juice. +[4789.48 --> 4792.14] As you pass the bread to the person beside you, +[4792.14 --> 4796.18] we invite you to say, this is the body of Christ given for you. +[4796.76 --> 4799.06] As you pass the juice to the person beside you, +[4799.12 --> 4802.18] we invite you to say, the blood of Christ shed for you. +[4802.60 --> 4804.42] And then we will go around in that way. +[4804.50 --> 4807.14] We will all take together, and then you will return to your seats, +[4807.20 --> 4811.34] and then the next group of 20 to 30 or so people +[4811.34 --> 4814.22] will come up to the front and be served in that way. +[4814.92 --> 4816.08] Two notes about that. +[4816.08 --> 4817.92] If you are unable to come to the front, +[4817.92 --> 4820.78] but would like to receive the supper, +[4821.00 --> 4822.70] please indicate that to the elder, +[4822.84 --> 4825.56] and they will serve you in your seat where you are +[4825.56 --> 4829.18] with the same words spoken so that you participate in that way. +[4829.62 --> 4831.16] And throughout this time together, +[4831.16 --> 4834.90] we'll be led in worship sung by the worship team. +[4835.56 --> 4837.46] There's also people available for prayer. +[4837.88 --> 4839.86] And so if you would like to meet with someone to pray, +[4840.36 --> 4842.98] there'll be a couple people in the foyer at the back. +[4842.98 --> 4844.74] They would love to meet you and pray with you +[4844.74 --> 4846.24] either before you come to the front +[4846.24 --> 4847.42] or after you come to the front +[4847.42 --> 4848.94] or in lieu of your coming to the front. +[4849.52 --> 4851.78] However it is that you want to meet them, +[4851.92 --> 4853.78] they will be there for you in that regard. +[4854.46 --> 4855.86] To help us facilitate that, +[4855.90 --> 4857.74] we're going to have the first group come up, +[4857.82 --> 4859.44] be those who are on the worship team +[4859.44 --> 4860.78] who are serving back of house, +[4860.86 --> 4862.60] who are going to be in the back praying +[4862.60 --> 4864.00] so that we can serve them +[4864.00 --> 4867.78] and then they can serve us in their task tether. +[4867.88 --> 4870.24] So I'd like to invite those worship volunteers +[4870.24 --> 4872.84] and other leaders up to the front at this point. +[4876.24 --> 4877.24] Amen. +[4877.24 --> 4878.24] Amen. +[4878.24 --> 4878.66] Amen. +[4878.66 --> 4878.74] Amen. +[4878.74 --> 4879.24] Amen. +[4879.24 --> 4879.74] Amen. +[4879.74 --> 4880.24] Amen. +[4900.24 --> 4902.02] The body of Christ given for you. +[4904.24 --> 4905.86] The body of Christ given for you. +[4905.86 --> 4926.66] The body of Christ given for you. +[4926.66 --> 4935.02] The body of Christ given for you. +[4935.02 --> 4945.62] eat and remember. +[4959.62 --> 4961.20] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4963.16 --> 4964.70] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4965.02 --> 4972.18] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4973.62 --> 4974.94] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4974.94 --> 4998.10] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[4998.10 --> 5006.50] Drink and believe. +[5006.50 --> 5014.10] Amen. +[5014.10 --> 5023.70] Blood of Christ shed for you. +[5023.70 --> 5053.68] Thank you. +[5053.70 --> 5083.68] Thank you. +[5083.70 --> 5113.68] Thank you. +[5113.70 --> 5115.70] Thank you. +[5143.70 --> 5145.70] Thank you. +[5173.70 --> 5175.70] Thank you. +[5203.70 --> 5205.70] Thank you. +[5233.70 --> 5247.70] Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my call. +[5247.70 --> 5260.70] You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me. +[5260.70 --> 5262.70] Thank you. +[5262.70 --> 5264.70] Thank you. +[5264.70 --> 5266.70] Thank you. +[5266.70 --> 5268.70] Thank you. +[5268.70 --> 5270.70] Thank you. +[5270.70 --> 5272.70] Thank you. +[5272.70 --> 5274.70] Thank you. +[5274.70 --> 5276.70] Thank you. +[5276.70 --> 5278.70] Thank you. +[5278.70 --> 5280.70] Thank you. +[5280.70 --> 5282.70] Thank you. +[5282.70 --> 5284.70] Thank you. +[5284.70 --> 5286.70] Thank you. +[5286.70 --> 5288.70] All of you. +[5288.86 --> 5291.04] Thank you. +[5294.70 --> 5296.70] Thank you. +[5296.70 --> 5298.70] Thank you. +[5298.70 --> 5300.70] That is a question and thats end. +[5300.70 --> 5306.50] Here I am to say that you're my God. +[5306.50 --> 5319.26] You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me. +[5319.26 --> 5332.44] And I'll never know how much it costs to see my sin upon that cross. +[5332.82 --> 5344.84] And I'll never know how much it costs to see my sin upon that cross. +[5344.84 --> 5350.00] Here I am to worship. +[5350.66 --> 5353.70] Here I am to bow down. +[5354.14 --> 5359.72] Here I am to say that you're my God. +[5360.34 --> 5371.90] You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me. +[5371.90 --> 5375.90] Here I am to worship. +[5376.46 --> 5379.34] Here I am to bow down. +[5379.62 --> 5384.66] Here I am to say that you're my God. +[5384.66 --> 5390.72] You're altogether lovely, altogether wonderful to me. +[5390.72 --> 5396.28] Here I am. +[5396.28 --> 5401.30] Here I am. +[5401.30 --> 5402.30] Amen. +[5431.30 --> 5433.30] Amen. +[5461.30 --> 5463.30] Amen. +[5491.30 --> 5493.30] Amen. +[5521.30 --> 5523.30] Amen. +[5551.30 --> 5553.30] Amen. +[5581.30 --> 5583.30] Amen. +[5611.30 --> 5612.30] Amen. +[5641.30 --> 5643.30] Amen. +[5671.30 --> 5672.30] Amen. +[5701.30 --> 5704.30] Amen. +[5712.30 --> 5714.30] Mhm. +[5714.30 --> 5728.30] I +[5728.30 --> 5740.10] come, I confess, bowing here, I find my rest. +[5740.10 --> 5746.40] And without you, I fall apart. +[5746.70 --> 5753.60] You're the one that guides my heart. +[5755.20 --> 5762.60] Lord, I need you. Oh, I need you. +[5762.60 --> 5768.74] Every hour I need you. +[5768.74 --> 5774.60] My one defense, my righteousness. +[5775.40 --> 5779.54] Oh God, how I need you. +[5779.54 --> 5789.74] Where sin runs deep, your grace is more. +[5789.74 --> 5795.90] Where grace is found is where you are. +[5795.90 --> 5801.76] Where you are, Lord, I am free. +[5802.76 --> 5808.10] Holiness is Christ in me. +[5808.10 --> 5813.96] Where you are, Lord, I am free. +[5813.96 --> 5821.30] Holiness is Christ in me. +[5821.30 --> 5829.56] Lord, I need you. Oh, I need you. +[5829.56 --> 5835.42] Every hour I need you. +[5835.42 --> 5841.28] My one defense, my righteousness. +[5841.28 --> 5847.14] Oh, Lord, how I need you. +[5847.14 --> 5853.00] Jesus, you're my hope and stay. +[5853.00 --> 5856.86] When temptation comes my way. +[5856.86 --> 5861.80] And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on you. +[5863.80 --> 5867.00] Jesus, you're my hope and stay. +[5867.00 --> 5872.86] And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on you. +[5872.86 --> 5877.36] Jesus, you're my hope and stay. +[5877.36 --> 5883.22] Lord, I need you. +[5883.22 --> 5887.22] Oh, I need you. +[5887.22 --> 5892.90] Every hour I need you. +[5892.90 --> 5898.50] My one defense, my righteousness. +[5898.50 --> 5928.48] Oh, God, how I need you. +[5928.50 --> 5935.96] My one defense, my righteousness. +[5935.96 --> 5941.82] Oh, God, how I need you. +[5943.04 --> 5944.40] Let's do Jesus Messiah. +[5958.50 --> 5961.30] Let's go. +[5961.44 --> 5963.56] Amen. +[5965.40 --> 5966.24] Amen. +[5966.24 --> 5967.64] Amen. +[5967.64 --> 5968.08] Amen. +[5968.08 --> 5968.46] Amen. +[5968.46 --> 5976.52] Amen. +[5977.36 --> 5977.64] Amen. +[5977.64 --> 5978.38] Amen. +[5978.38 --> 5980.36] Amen. +[5981.40 --> 5982.60] Amen. +[5983.02 --> 5983.58] Amen. +[5984.24 --> 5984.72] Amen. +[5984.72 --> 5985.58] Amen. +[5985.58 --> 5986.38] Amen. +[5986.38 --> 5987.24] Amen. +[5987.24 --> 5987.58] Amen. +[5987.58 --> 5993.34] He became sin +[5993.34 --> 5996.08] Who knew no sin +[5996.08 --> 5998.84] That we might become +[5998.84 --> 6000.84] His righteousness +[6000.84 --> 6003.84] He humbled himself +[6003.84 --> 6007.84] And carried the cross +[6007.84 --> 6011.94] Love so amazing +[6011.94 --> 6017.48] Love so amazing +[6017.48 --> 6023.12] Jesus Messiah +[6023.12 --> 6031.02] Name above all names +[6031.02 --> 6034.66] Blessed Redeemer +[6034.66 --> 6038.26] Emmanuel +[6038.26 --> 6045.08] The rescue for sinners +[6045.08 --> 6050.72] The ransom from heaven +[6050.72 --> 6056.36] Jesus Messiah +[6056.36 --> 6062.00] Lord of all +[6062.00 --> 6067.42] His body the breath +[6067.42 --> 6070.26] His blood the wine +[6070.26 --> 6073.20] Broken and poured out +[6073.20 --> 6075.00] All for love +[6075.00 --> 6077.64] The whole earth trampled +[6077.64 --> 6078.36] The whole earth trampled +[6078.36 --> 6080.64] And the veil was torn +[6080.64 --> 6086.28] Love so amazing +[6086.28 --> 6087.28] Love so amazing +[6087.28 --> 6091.28] Love so amazing +[6091.28 --> 6097.28] Jesus Messiah +[6097.28 --> 6102.92] Name above all things +[6102.92 --> 6106.56] Blessed Redeemer +[6106.56 --> 6108.56] The rescue for sinners +[6108.56 --> 6123.56] The ransom from heaven +[6123.56 --> 6129.20] Jesus Messiah +[6129.20 --> 6133.20] Lord of all +[6133.20 --> 6141.20] All our hope is in you +[6141.20 --> 6146.84] All our hope is in you +[6146.84 --> 6152.20] All the glory to you +[6152.20 --> 6153.26] God +[6153.26 --> 6159.84] The light of the world +[6159.84 --> 6165.48] Jesus Messiah +[6165.48 --> 6166.48] Jesus Messiah +[6166.48 --> 6170.48] Name above all names +[6170.48 --> 6172.12] Blessed Redeemer +[6172.12 --> 6174.12] Blessed Redeemer +[6174.12 --> 6176.12] Blessed Redeemer +[6176.12 --> 6181.76] Emmanuel +[6181.76 --> 6182.76] The rescue for sinners +[6182.76 --> 6184.76] The rescue for sinners +[6184.76 --> 6186.76] The ransom from heaven +[6186.76 --> 6188.76] Jesus Messiah +[6188.76 --> 6191.36] Jesus Messiah +[6208.52 --> 6209.62] Lord of all +[6209.62 --> 6211.82] Jesus Messiah +[6211.82 --> 6212.98] Lord of all +[6212.98 --> 6213.42] Lord of all +[6213.42 --> 6225.92] As you go this week, +[6226.20 --> 6230.92] please know that you are not simply dismissed from this service, +[6231.48 --> 6235.58] but you are sent out in the power of Jesus' name, +[6235.58 --> 6240.00] filled with the Holy Spirit to serve our God. +[6240.90 --> 6243.20] And so know that he goes with you. +[6244.04 --> 6246.38] Receive his blessing. +[6248.62 --> 6250.74] God, go before you to lead you. +[6251.40 --> 6253.56] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6254.18 --> 6256.04] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6256.12 --> 6258.58] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6259.14 --> 6261.26] Do not be afraid. +[6262.20 --> 6264.12] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[6264.12 --> 6270.30] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[6271.32 --> 6271.78] Amen. +[6273.42 --> 6294.46] Now unto the King eternal +[6294.46 --> 6301.34] Unto the King immortal +[6301.34 --> 6308.26] Unto the King invisible +[6308.26 --> 6315.14] The only wise God +[6315.14 --> 6322.02] The only wise God +[6322.02 --> 6328.90] Now unto the King eternal +[6328.90 --> 6335.78] The only wise God +[6335.78 --> 6342.66] The only wise God +[6342.66 --> 6344.66] The only wise God +[6344.66 --> 6351.54] The only wise God +[6351.54 --> 6355.54] The only wise God +[6355.54 --> 6357.54] The only wise God +[6357.54 --> 6358.46] Alty yeah +[6358.46 --> 6358.88] Come on +[6358.88 --> 6359.42] Avatar +[6359.42 --> 6360.30] To all +[6360.30 --> 6363.42] O +[6363.42 --> 6364.42] Up to the King +[6364.42 --> 6368.66] be glory and honor +[6368.66 --> 6372.62] up to the king forever +[6372.62 --> 6377.78] up to the king +[6377.78 --> 6382.20] be glory and honor forever +[6382.20 --> 6390.88] and ever +[6390.88 --> 6396.54] amen +[6396.54 --> 6401.44] amen +[6401.44 --> 6405.32] amen +[6405.32 --> 6408.02] amen +[6420.88 --> 6450.86] Thank you. +[6450.88 --> 6480.86] Thank you. +[6480.88 --> 6510.86] Thank you. +[6510.88 --> 6540.86] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..38a3abeede845558b3b433b97b737b77bc560de0 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,68 @@ +• Gathering of people from different nations and cultures +• Unity in Jesus Christ +• Singing praises to God and expressing love for Him +• Confession and prayer of assurance +• Asking God for forgiveness and guidance +• Requesting help to remember God's goodness and presence throughout life +• The importance of focusing on Jesus in our lives +• The tendency to lose sight of God in daily life, even during worship +• The call to turn eyes to Jesus and speak of His love +• The assurance that God's glory and love will be revealed in the end times +• The invitation to come to Christ for salvation, mercy, and satisfaction +• The declaration of God's love for the world and His gift of salvation through Jesus +• Worship service at a church +• Reading from the Bible (God's love and redemption) +• Collection of financial gifts for various ministries, including North American Indigenous Ministries and the Johnson family missionary support +• Children's worship time with interactive activities +• A deacon (Mike) participating in the service and introducing the collection of gifts +• Humorous interactions between the speaker and children +• The speaker shares personal details and experiences, including having kittens at home. +• Discussion about learning about Jesus and sharing that knowledge with others. +• Places where people learn about Jesus mentioned include school, church, Sunday school, parents, and reading the Bible. +• Congregational prayer led by Seth, focusing on gratitude, nearness of God, faithfulness, guidance, provision, holiness, justice, and righteousness. +• Discussion of living with gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus +• Reading and analysis of 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 +• Examination of how the Apostle Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica +• Explaining the conversion, conviction, and courage demonstrated by genuine faith +• Retelling of the story from Acts 17 about Paul's missionary work in Thessalonica +• Paul's opponents in Thessalonica are spreading false rumors about him +• Paul suffered persecution in Philippi for preaching the gospel +• He responds to accusations of cowardice by sharing his message and example as proof of authenticity +• The pattern of conversion to the gospel, conviction of the gospel, and courage with the gospel is emphasized +• Genuine belief leads to authentic transformation, which must work its way out through obedience and submission to God's word +• The importance of Christ and His Word in building conviction for the Word +• The role of the gospel in transforming lives through faith +• The truth of the gospel: Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross to take our sin and shame, and rose from the dead to give us new life +• The relationship between transformation, truth, and testimony in living out one's faith +• The need to return to the Word of God for courage and conviction if struggling with timid or uncertain faith. +• The importance of being transformed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God +• Recognizing the need to let go of crutches, drinks, or drugs that hold us back from transformation +• Understanding that faith is an imagination profoundly convicted by the Word of God +• The role of the Word of God in shaping our imaginations and transforming our lives +• The importance of speaking the truth plainly, humbly, and without flattery +• The need to please God rather than people and to set one's heart on Him +• Conversion, conviction, and courage as a personal reality and in the context of the church +• Authentic faith being demonstrated through conversion, conviction, and courage in the context of the church +• Paul uses the image of a nursing mother to describe mature believers who work hard not to be a burden, but to ease the burden for others in the church. +• Leaders and those with more experience in faith are like spiritual fathers who encourage and comfort younger believers. +• The responsibility of being a spiritual father or mother extends beyond one's own family, to the next generation of believers. +• There is an openness to faith and spirituality in today's world, especially among young people, creating opportunities for proclamation of the gospel. +• Living a life worthy of God involves speaking the truth plainly, with humility, concerned only with what God thinks of you. +• The glory of God is not sought from humans, but is found in Christ, who holds the fullness of deity and transforms those who behold Him. +• Living lives worthy of one's calling and not losing heart +• Renewal inwardly despite outward decay +• Focus on eternal glory rather than temporary troubles +• Fixing eyes on unseen things, which are eternal +• Transformation through faith, truth, and testimony +• Sending out the gospel to the next generation +• The call to stand as children of promise and fix eyes on Jesus for souls' reward +• Walking by faith and not sight, trusting in God's power and provision +• The church's mission to preach good news and deliver captives with the power of the Spirit +• Standing firm against darkness and opposition, armed with faith and truth +• The call to love the captive soul but rage against the captor, using the sword that makes the wounded whole +• Trusting in a secure outcome with Christ as the prize for which He died +• The glory and triumph of God's grace +• A call to rise up in faith and worship +• Encouragement to lift one's eyes and be radiant in Christ +• Repeated calls to the Church to arise and shine in its light +• Expressions of gratitude and appreciation \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2690d75211f151bb038fef418fbb47b94d3c4530 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 19, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1015 @@ +[0.00 --> 1.34] When he sees you, we're praying. +[1.56 --> 2.20] Peace of Christ. +[2.46 --> 2.92] Good morning. +[3.26 --> 3.74] Good morning. +[19.02 --> 20.66] Brothers and sisters in Christ, +[21.38 --> 24.60] may the light of God's love push back the darkness. +[25.78 --> 28.64] We come to the light from the four corners of the earth, +[28.64 --> 33.32] from the north, the south, the east, and the west. +[34.60 --> 37.50] But we are all one in Jesus Christ. +[38.26 --> 42.00] We come from many nations and many cultures, young and old. +[42.92 --> 45.44] But we are all one in Jesus Christ. +[46.06 --> 49.40] We come with burdens and sins, regrets and mistakes, +[49.88 --> 51.72] new faith and generations of faith, +[52.10 --> 53.68] strong faith and weak faith. +[54.32 --> 56.98] But we are all one in Jesus Christ. +[56.98 --> 62.12] We are united by the love showered upon us by God through our Lord Jesus Christ. +[62.54 --> 65.92] Let us lift up our many voices and praise the God of all. +[65.92 --> 87.18] Can we listen to the sweet that God, +[87.18 --> 91.50] The triumphs of his grace +[91.50 --> 96.56] My gracious master and my goddess +[96.56 --> 98.78] Assist me to proclaim +[98.78 --> 101.72] To step through all the earth +[101.72 --> 106.08] Across the honors of thy name +[106.08 --> 109.98] Oh, come on and sing out +[109.98 --> 113.08] Let our anthem roll out +[113.08 --> 117.16] There is one praise +[117.16 --> 120.42] Jesus +[120.42 --> 135.36] Jesus, the name that shines our fears +[135.36 --> 138.22] That bids our sorrows cease +[138.22 --> 141.64] Tis music in the sinner's ears +[141.64 --> 145.26] Stears like a belt and peace +[145.26 --> 149.58] He breaks the power of counsel sin +[149.58 --> 152.44] He sets the prisoner free +[152.44 --> 155.88] His blood can make the foulest clean +[155.88 --> 158.52] His blood availed for me +[158.52 --> 162.84] Oh, come on and sing out +[162.84 --> 166.10] Let our anthem roll out +[166.10 --> 171.22] There is one great love +[171.22 --> 178.02] There is one great love +[178.02 --> 179.34] Jesus +[179.34 --> 180.28] Jesus +[180.28 --> 194.56] He speaks and listening to his voice +[194.56 --> 197.40] New life and every scene +[197.40 --> 200.82] The mortal broken hearts rejoice +[200.82 --> 202.52] The humble poor +[202.52 --> 204.08] The humble poor believe +[204.08 --> 208.84] Glory to God and praise and love +[208.84 --> 211.52] Be ever, ever again +[211.52 --> 214.88] By sins below and saints above +[214.88 --> 218.14] The church in earth and death +[218.14 --> 222.46] Come on and sing out +[222.46 --> 225.32] At the throne of the earth +[225.32 --> 230.40] There is one great love +[230.40 --> 236.90] There is one great love +[236.90 --> 238.60] Jesus +[238.60 --> 239.16] Jesus +[239.16 --> 239.92] Lord, Fatherис +[239.92 --> 245.74] Levendsang +[245.74 --> 246.42] He ties the listener who 와 +[246.42 --> 246.62] Amen +[246.62 --> 248.28] Thumb starts +[248.28 --> 249.82] Jenna +[249.82 --> 250.48] Dab politics +[250.48 --> 252.30] Everybody +[252.30 --> 252.42] He calls a believer +[252.42 --> 253.12] Pepper +[253.12 --> 253.48] He calls me +[253.48 --> 277.00] And the faith rise up and sing Of the great and glorious king +[277.00 --> 287.00] You are strong when you feel weak In your brokenness complete +[287.00 --> 296.00] Shout to the north and the south Sing to the east and the west +[296.00 --> 305.00] Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth +[305.00 --> 314.00] Rise up women of the truth And then sing to broken hearts +[314.00 --> 324.00] Who can know the healing power Of our awesome King of love +[324.00 --> 333.00] Shout to the north and the south Sing to the east and the west +[333.00 --> 342.00] Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth +[342.00 --> 351.00] We've been through fire We've been through rain We've been refined by the power of His name +[351.00 --> 360.00] We've fallen deeper in love with you You burn the truth in our lips +[360.00 --> 369.00] We will shout to the north and the south Sing to the east and the west +[369.00 --> 378.00] Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth +[378.00 --> 387.00] Let the church with broken wings Build this place with songs again +[387.00 --> 397.00] Of our God who reigns on high By His grace and His name +[397.00 --> 398.00] Shout to the north and the north And the north and earth +[398.00 --> 406.00] Shout to the north and the south Sing to the east and the west +[406.00 --> 407.00] Jesus is Savior to the north and the north And the north and the north +[407.00 --> 413.00] Jesus is Savior to all Lord of heaven and earth +[413.00 --> 415.00] Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth +[415.00 --> 422.00] Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth +[422.00 --> 440.00] Lord Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth +[440.00 --> 443.36] Please be seated for a prayer of confession and assurance. +[448.26 --> 450.90] I invite you to join me in a silent prayer. +[470.00 --> 499.98] Thank you. +[500.00 --> 529.98] Thank you. +[530.00 --> 558.00] Thank you. +[558.76 --> 570.10] Heavenly Father, here we are gathered before you, each of us with different things on our hearts that we come and lay before you, Lord. +[570.10 --> 576.80] Lord, we've gathered and we've been singing your praises. +[576.80 --> 581.60] And sometimes sitting in silence can be really uncomfortable. +[581.60 --> 589.58] Sometimes we gather and we sing and we worship you and then we go back to our own spaces of life. +[589.58 --> 594.12] And we lose sight of you, God. +[619.58 --> 622.38] And walk with you wherever we go, Lord. +[622.38 --> 627.98] Lord, help us to remember your goodness. +[627.98 --> 630.18] Help us to turn your eyes to you, Lord. +[630.18 --> 641.38] And help us to look to our neighbors, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and turn their eyes to you and speak of you into their life, Lord. +[641.38 --> 656.22] Lord, when there's differences in the nitty-gritty of the details, Lord, we get lost. +[656.22 --> 658.22] We lose sight of you, Lord, we lose sight of you, Lord. +[658.22 --> 662.16] We lose sight of you so often in everything we do, even in our praises, Lord. +[662.16 --> 674.38] Sometimes we sing these songs and we forget that we're praising the God of the universe, the God who created us, who gave us life. +[676.14 --> 678.34] Lord, help us turn our eyes to you. +[678.48 --> 680.58] Help us turn our eyes to Jesus. +[682.70 --> 689.14] And help us to turn each other's eyes to you, Lord, and speak of your love. +[690.38 --> 691.72] In your name we pray. +[692.22 --> 692.56] Amen. +[693.18 --> 693.68] Amen. +[700.00 --> 702.86] Amen. +[711.22 --> 718.84] Turn your eyes upon Jesus. +[720.10 --> 721.94] Look full in voice. +[721.94 --> 726.00] In His wonderful face. +[727.58 --> 733.90] And the things of earth will grow strangely. +[735.12 --> 741.06] In the light of His glory and grace. +[741.06 --> 755.12] Turn your eyes to the hillside. +[755.12 --> 762.12] Where justice and mercy embrace. +[763.04 --> 770.12] Hither Son of God gave His life for us. +[771.06 --> 776.74] And our measureless debt was a great. +[779.38 --> 786.24] Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[786.84 --> 793.24] Jesus, our glory and our prize. +[794.18 --> 798.24] We adore You, behold You. +[798.24 --> 801.58] Our Savior ever true. +[802.20 --> 807.24] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[807.24 --> 820.38] Turn your eyes to the morning. +[820.38 --> 826.38] Then see Christ the Lion away. +[828.38 --> 832.30] What a glorious dawn. +[832.38 --> 836.28] Fear of death is gone. +[836.80 --> 842.04] For we carry His life in our veins. +[842.04 --> 851.04] Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[851.04 --> 858.04] Jesus, our glory and our prize. +[858.04 --> 862.80] We adore You, behold You. +[863.04 --> 865.04] Our Savior ever true. +[865.04 --> 871.92] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[871.92 --> 883.92] Turn your eyes to the heavens. +[883.92 --> 890.92] Our King will return for His own. +[890.92 --> 891.92] Every knee will bow. +[891.92 --> 895.92] Every knee will bow. +[895.92 --> 899.92] Every tongue will shout. +[899.92 --> 905.92] All glory to Jesus the Lord. +[905.92 --> 912.92] Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[912.92 --> 919.92] Jesus, our glory and our prize. +[919.92 --> 920.92] We adore You, behold You. +[920.92 --> 921.92] We adore You, behold You. +[921.92 --> 922.92] Our Savior ever true. +[922.92 --> 924.92] We adore You, behold You. +[924.92 --> 926.92] Our Savior ever true. +[926.92 --> 928.92] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[928.92 --> 932.92] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[932.92 --> 934.92] Oh Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[934.92 --> 939.92] Oh Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[939.92 --> 944.92] Oh Jesus, to You we lift our eyes. +[944.92 --> 951.92] Oh Jesus, our glory and our prize. +[951.92 --> 955.92] We adore You, behold You. +[955.92 --> 958.92] Our Savior ever true. +[958.92 --> 968.92] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[968.92 --> 973.92] Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You. +[981.92 --> 982.92] Please stand. +[988.92 --> 1000.92] Come all you weary. +[1000.92 --> 1002.92] Come all you thirsty. +[1002.92 --> 1007.92] Come to the well that never runs dry. +[1007.92 --> 1009.92] Drink of the water. +[1009.92 --> 1013.92] Come and thirst no more. +[1013.92 --> 1018.92] Come all you sinners. +[1018.92 --> 1020.92] Come find His mercy. +[1020.92 --> 1022.92] Come to the table. +[1022.92 --> 1024.92] He will satisfy. +[1024.92 --> 1027.92] Taste of His goodness. +[1027.92 --> 1030.92] Find what you're looking for. +[1034.92 --> 1038.92] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[1038.92 --> 1043.92] His one and only Son to save us. +[1043.92 --> 1048.92] Whoever believes in Him will live forever. +[1052.92 --> 1054.92] Bring all your failures. +[1054.92 --> 1056.92] Bring your addictions. +[1056.92 --> 1061.92] Come lay them down at the foot of the cross. +[1061.92 --> 1062.92] Jesus is waiting there. +[1062.92 --> 1068.92] Jesus is waiting there with open arms. +[1068.92 --> 1074.92] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[1074.92 --> 1079.92] His one and only Son to save us. +[1079.92 --> 1084.92] Whoever believes in Him will live forever. +[1084.92 --> 1091.92] The power of hell forever defeated. +[1091.92 --> 1094.92] Now it is well. +[1094.92 --> 1096.92] I'm walking in freedom. +[1096.92 --> 1098.92] For God so loved. +[1098.92 --> 1103.92] God so loved the world. +[1103.92 --> 1105.92] their Come on. +[1105.92 --> 1106.92] To the whole ramsey morning. +[1106.92 --> 1107.92] home. +[1107.92 --> 1108.92] Silly ninty again. +[1108.92 --> 1125.20] Shedra +[1125.20 --> 1131.88] Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[1133.14 --> 1140.94] Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[1144.26 --> 1153.26] For God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only Son to save us. +[1153.26 --> 1162.24] For God so loved the world that He gave us His one and only Son to save us. +[1162.24 --> 1167.40] Whoever believes in Him will live forever. +[1170.22 --> 1177.38] The power of hell forever defeated, now it is well. +[1177.38 --> 1186.36] I'm walking in freedom for God so loved, God so loved the world. +[1188.50 --> 1197.88] Bring all your failures, bring your addictions, come lay them down at the foot of the cross. +[1197.88 --> 1205.16] Jesus is waiting, God so loved the world. +[1205.86 --> 1207.32] I invite you to be seated. +[1227.88 --> 1239.66] Good morning, my name is... +[1239.66 --> 1240.38] Wow. +[1241.06 --> 1243.16] Good morning, my name is Mike. +[1243.30 --> 1247.54] I am a deacon here at the church and we are going to take some time in our service to worship +[1247.54 --> 1249.70] God by giving back some of our financial gifts. +[1250.30 --> 1253.90] So, we are giving to the ministry missions of this church, of course. +[1253.90 --> 1258.20] So, if you want to give to that, make sure it's designated, whether it's an e-transfer +[1258.20 --> 1260.70] or in the bags that we'll pass around in a minute. +[1261.20 --> 1263.60] But our special offering today is for NAME. +[1264.32 --> 1268.28] That is the North American Indigenous Ministries that our church supports. +[1268.42 --> 1273.02] And there is the Johnson family, which is a missionary family that works with indigenous peoples +[1273.02 --> 1275.62] that this church is supporting directly. +[1275.88 --> 1278.76] So, thank you very much for giving of your gifts this morning. +[1278.76 --> 1278.82] Thank you. +[1278.82 --> 1278.86] Thank you. +[1283.90 --> 1313.88] Thank you. +[1313.90 --> 1314.90] Thank you. +[1314.90 --> 1315.90] Thank you. +[1315.90 --> 1343.88] Thank you. +[1343.90 --> 1348.18] Yes, sir. +[1348.42 --> 1352.16] Thank you. +[1355.90 --> 1360.54] Thank you. +[1360.54 --> 1361.64] Yes, sir. +[1361.64 --> 1364.98] Yes, sir. +[1365.12 --> 1373.56] No, as you said that. +[1373.56 --> 1383.06] God's love so sure shall still endure, all measureless and strong. +[1383.46 --> 1391.86] Redeeming grace to Adam's race, to saints and angels' song. +[1391.86 --> 1409.92] O love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong, it shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels' song. +[1409.92 --> 1420.64] Could we rethink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, +[1420.98 --> 1429.62] were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man ascribed by trade, +[1429.62 --> 1438.40] to write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry, +[1438.40 --> 1447.16] nor could the scroll contain the whole, the stretch from sky to sky. +[1447.56 --> 1455.84] O love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong, +[1456.26 --> 1464.68] it shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels' song. +[1464.68 --> 1473.84] O love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong, +[1473.84 --> 1483.60] it shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels' song. +[1483.60 --> 1494.76] O love of God, how rich and pure, how rich and pure, how rich and pure, how rich and pure. +[1494.76 --> 1498.62] Okay, I'd like to call the kids up front for the children's worship time. +[1498.62 --> 1514.88] I'm going to say good morning to you, but I want you guys to respond in a different way. +[1514.96 --> 1518.02] I want you to say good morning with a long morning. +[1518.40 --> 1519.00] Can you do that? +[1519.78 --> 1520.64] Good morning. +[1521.14 --> 1522.62] Good morning. +[1523.74 --> 1524.36] I love it. +[1524.38 --> 1524.84] I love it. +[1524.86 --> 1525.28] All right. +[1525.94 --> 1526.74] You know what? +[1526.74 --> 1528.98] Have you guys seen me in a while? +[1529.04 --> 1530.22] I haven't been up here in a long time. +[1530.28 --> 1531.38] Does anybody recognize me? +[1531.42 --> 1532.16] Do you know who I am? +[1532.44 --> 1532.68] Yeah? +[1533.04 --> 1534.78] I've been on a little bit of a sabbatical. +[1534.92 --> 1535.82] Do you know what that word is? +[1536.40 --> 1537.78] I'm taking a little bit of a break. +[1538.70 --> 1540.56] But I was asked to help out this morning. +[1540.66 --> 1541.48] So I'm just checking. +[1541.58 --> 1543.14] I haven't been up here in like six months. +[1543.24 --> 1547.34] I'm wondering if you guys, does anybody know, does anybody here know what my name is? +[1547.94 --> 1549.30] Who knows what my name is? +[1550.10 --> 1550.46] Anybody? +[1550.94 --> 1551.30] Uh-oh. +[1552.32 --> 1552.68] Anybody? +[1553.42 --> 1553.92] Come on. +[1553.94 --> 1554.98] You got to help me right now. +[1554.98 --> 1556.18] You got to help me, Smiley. +[1556.18 --> 1557.84] What's, you know what my name is? +[1559.50 --> 1560.48] Go for it. +[1560.88 --> 1561.28] Eric. +[1561.38 --> 1561.74] All right. +[1561.80 --> 1562.08] Okay. +[1562.18 --> 1563.58] We're doing good here. +[1563.64 --> 1563.90] Okay. +[1563.96 --> 1565.56] I got another question for you. +[1568.12 --> 1570.22] Does anybody know if I'm married or not? +[1571.04 --> 1571.52] Okay. +[1571.64 --> 1571.82] Good. +[1571.90 --> 1572.16] Okay. +[1572.26 --> 1573.42] That's good. +[1574.64 --> 1576.20] Here's a really trick question. +[1576.58 --> 1578.66] Anybody got any idea how old I am? +[1581.12 --> 1582.02] Throw it out there. +[1582.14 --> 1582.48] I'm going to... +[1582.48 --> 1583.82] Forty-eight. +[1583.82 --> 1583.88] Forty-eight. +[1583.88 --> 1583.92] Forty-eight. +[1586.18 --> 1586.78] Forty. +[1586.86 --> 1587.28] I like it. +[1587.34 --> 1589.26] Well, I'm actually a little bit older than that, but that's close. +[1589.32 --> 1589.82] We'll take that. +[1589.88 --> 1590.44] That's all good. +[1591.02 --> 1593.50] The gray hair hasn't deceived you guys yet. +[1593.58 --> 1593.84] Okay. +[1594.74 --> 1595.70] Another question for you. +[1595.76 --> 1597.06] Do you want to see me walking around? +[1597.14 --> 1598.52] Am I tall or am I short? +[1602.18 --> 1603.22] I heard that. +[1604.14 --> 1604.46] Medium. +[1604.70 --> 1605.30] Good answer. +[1605.30 --> 1606.30] Good answer. +[1606.30 --> 1607.98] So, you guys know a few things about me. +[1608.04 --> 1611.00] I got something new I want to tell you about me that you don't know. +[1611.64 --> 1614.56] At my house, we had... +[1614.56 --> 1616.30] This shirt's kind of old, but... +[1617.58 --> 1620.90] At my house, we have a cat that lives outside. +[1621.00 --> 1622.96] It's not an inside cat, but it had kittens. +[1622.96 --> 1627.22] And I didn't really think I liked cats or kittens, but you know what? +[1627.72 --> 1629.02] The kittens are kind of cute. +[1629.10 --> 1631.04] Does anybody here have a cat or a pet at home? +[1631.32 --> 1631.60] Yeah? +[1632.56 --> 1633.82] Well, guess what? +[1633.86 --> 1639.48] I got two extra kittens at home, so if anybody wants a kitten, come talk to me after church. +[1639.48 --> 1644.24] Now, back to children's worship time. +[1646.68 --> 1651.38] I just shared a whole bunch of things about you that you know about me, but today, we're +[1651.38 --> 1654.54] going to go into children's worship time, and we're working on a series right now about +[1654.54 --> 1655.94] who Jesus is. +[1656.96 --> 1660.56] And I just shared a bunch of things about you that you know about Jesus, and in the +[1660.56 --> 1663.92] back, we're going to learn a little bit more about how to share the things that we +[1663.92 --> 1665.56] know about Jesus with other people. +[1666.40 --> 1667.26] You think we can do that? +[1667.26 --> 1667.66] Yeah. +[1667.66 --> 1670.50] What are some places where we learn about Jesus? +[1670.62 --> 1671.66] Where have you learned about Jesus? +[1671.80 --> 1672.40] Give me an idea. +[1672.72 --> 1673.56] From school. +[1673.98 --> 1674.84] From church. +[1675.46 --> 1676.30] Sunday school. +[1676.90 --> 1679.68] Your parents, maybe, and reading the Bible, stuff like that. +[1680.86 --> 1681.30] Right? +[1682.30 --> 1682.98] Right on. +[1684.12 --> 1689.00] Okay, we are going to give the blessing, so if everybody can please rise, and we'll share +[1689.00 --> 1691.08] the blessing with everybody before we run out of here. +[1692.52 --> 1692.96] Ready? +[1692.96 --> 1693.02] Ready? +[1694.36 --> 1696.62] The Lord be with you. +[1696.62 --> 1698.54] And also with you. +[1698.54 --> 1699.70] Good morning. +[1699.70 --> 1720.40] My name is Seth, and I promise not to try to sell you any kittens or pets. +[1720.40 --> 1727.54] Instead, it would be my, it is my pleasure to lead you in our congregational prayer. +[1728.00 --> 1729.20] So if you could please bow your heads. +[1729.44 --> 1729.78] Let's pray. +[1732.66 --> 1737.46] Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude, knowing you are a +[1737.46 --> 1739.30] God who listens and responds. +[1739.30 --> 1743.50] As the psalmist said, give ear to my words, O Lord. +[1744.02 --> 1745.06] Consider my sighing. +[1745.72 --> 1748.54] Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. +[1748.90 --> 1750.22] For to you I pray. +[1751.56 --> 1756.48] We thank you for your nearness and faithfulness, and we bring our prayers before you, trusting +[1756.48 --> 1757.32] that you hear us. +[1757.32 --> 1764.16] In the morning we lay our requests before you, waiting expectantly for your guidance and provision. +[1765.36 --> 1770.80] We acknowledge that you are holy and just, and we seek to walk in your light, turning +[1770.80 --> 1771.60] away from sin. +[1772.48 --> 1776.00] Help us, Father, to live lives that reflect your goodness and righteousness. +[1776.00 --> 1782.92] We pray for our church family, for Pastor Chris and all our leaders, that they may serve with +[1782.92 --> 1783.98] wisdom and compassion. +[1785.08 --> 1787.66] Strengthen them as they lead us to follow you more faithfully. +[1788.72 --> 1794.26] We also pray for each member of this congregation, those who are struggling with illness, grief, +[1794.54 --> 1795.34] or anxiety. +[1796.48 --> 1801.64] May your peace, healing, and comfort be with them, and may we as a community support one +[1801.64 --> 1802.44] another in love. +[1802.44 --> 1807.56] And may we also celebrate when there is joy and healing that comes to us. +[1809.18 --> 1814.00] Lord, we lift up our families, our children, youth, and marriages. +[1815.12 --> 1820.08] Protect and guide our young ones, and strengthen the bonds of love between husbands and wives. +[1820.98 --> 1826.48] We pray that our homes may be places of peace, joy, and faith, reflecting your love. +[1828.06 --> 1831.66] We ask for your provision for those in need in our community and beyond. +[1832.44 --> 1837.78] May your church be a light in this community and in this world, offering hope and help +[1837.78 --> 1838.32] to the hurting. +[1839.34 --> 1843.68] We also pray for the global church, especially those suffering for their faith. +[1844.68 --> 1849.30] May they find strength in your presence, and may your message of hope reach every corner +[1849.30 --> 1849.80] of the earth. +[1849.80 --> 1855.14] Finally, Lord, we return to the words of the psalmist. +[1855.14 --> 1858.72] But I, by your great love, can come into your house. +[1859.36 --> 1861.84] In reverence, I bow down toward your holy temple. +[1862.84 --> 1866.34] We are grateful that by your love, we can approach you freely. +[1867.14 --> 1871.94] Help us to honor you with our lives, living with gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus, +[1872.48 --> 1874.44] who made a way for us to be with you. +[1874.44 --> 1879.26] We offer all of these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. +[1879.86 --> 1880.14] Amen. +[1880.14 --> 1880.26] Amen. +[1880.26 --> 1905.94] As you can tell by the picture behind me, we are currently in a series in the books +[1905.94 --> 1907.34] of Thessalonians. +[1907.90 --> 1913.08] We're continuing this week in our deep dive in the beginning of chapter 2. +[1913.80 --> 1919.16] And so in just a moment, I'm going to read from 1 Thessalonians 2, verses 1 through 12. +[1919.78 --> 1922.34] First time through, of course, they're going to be on the screen behind me. +[1922.76 --> 1927.82] But I encourage you, as you are able to have a Bible, either in your hands or on your device, +[1927.82 --> 1936.90] and turn that to the passage and keep that open as we will be referring regularly back to this text together. +[1938.68 --> 1948.26] In this series, we have been challenged by the Apostle Paul to fix our eyes on the future +[1948.26 --> 1958.52] and imminent return of Jesus Christ as an encouragement for how we live our lives of faith in the world today, right now. +[1959.32 --> 1966.56] So we open our eyes to the truth of Christ's future return so that in this present moment, +[1966.88 --> 1969.94] we can be sustained and encouraged. +[1969.94 --> 1979.12] And we're going to continue seeing how Paul leads us and invites us into this perspective on life here and now. +[1979.50 --> 1982.60] And so I encourage you to read along with me. +[1983.40 --> 1986.34] We're going to read starting in chapter 2. +[1990.22 --> 1991.54] Hear the word of the Lord. +[1992.00 --> 1997.68] You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. +[1997.68 --> 2004.40] We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, +[2004.86 --> 2011.04] but with the help of our God, we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. +[2012.36 --> 2018.86] For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. +[2018.86 --> 2024.98] On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. +[2024.98 --> 2029.98] We're not trying to please people, but God who tests our hearts. +[2030.94 --> 2036.00] You know, we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed. +[2036.44 --> 2037.84] God is our witness. +[2038.56 --> 2042.88] We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, +[2042.96 --> 2047.04] even though as apostles of Christ, we could have asserted our authority. +[2047.68 --> 2052.60] Instead, we were like children, young children among you. +[2052.60 --> 2059.32] Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. +[2060.58 --> 2066.64] Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, +[2066.74 --> 2068.40] but our lives as well. +[2069.74 --> 2073.26] Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship. +[2073.92 --> 2080.30] We worked night and day in order to not be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. +[2080.30 --> 2089.22] You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless we were among you who believed. +[2090.36 --> 2096.38] For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, +[2097.24 --> 2103.18] encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, +[2103.50 --> 2107.36] who calls you into his kingdom and glory. +[2107.36 --> 2109.26] This is the word of the Lord. +[2117.76 --> 2122.10] How do you know your faith is real? +[2124.26 --> 2128.14] How do you know the Christian faith is real? +[2128.14 --> 2132.96] Let's get a little more existential. +[2133.58 --> 2136.72] How do we know any of this is real? +[2139.72 --> 2142.86] As we dig into the word to us this morning, +[2142.86 --> 2152.10] what I hope you will see clearly and plainly is that authentic faith shows up in conversion, +[2153.30 --> 2156.20] in conviction, and courage. +[2156.20 --> 2160.80] Conversion, conviction, and courage. +[2162.60 --> 2163.92] Now let's set the stage again. +[2164.66 --> 2171.18] While Paul and his missionary companions, Silas and Timothy, were in Thessalonica, +[2172.34 --> 2177.90] it was their practice to go to the Jewish synagogue to preach and to teach. +[2177.90 --> 2181.60] And for three weeks, they did this. +[2181.60 --> 2187.48] They would work and they would meet with people, maybe operating out of the house of Jason, +[2188.20 --> 2191.38] and then they would go to the synagogue on the Sabbath and they would teach. +[2192.34 --> 2198.52] And as a result of this work and pattern, some of the Jews and a large number of Greek men and women, +[2198.52 --> 2202.48] even ones of status, we're told, became Christian. +[2202.60 --> 2203.94] They became believers. +[2205.40 --> 2209.94] Acts 17, where this story is told, actually tells us that because of that, +[2210.30 --> 2213.16] some of the other Jewish leaders were jealous. +[2213.84 --> 2218.40] And so what they did is round up some bad characters. +[2218.76 --> 2220.10] That's how Luke describes them. +[2220.10 --> 2222.48] And they started a riot in the city. +[2223.78 --> 2229.94] The mob gathered up early believers, Jason and a few others, but not Paul or Silas and Timothy, +[2230.46 --> 2232.64] and brought them to the city officials. +[2233.50 --> 2238.10] And they were charged with insurrection and treason against Caesar +[2238.10 --> 2243.32] because they called Jesus the only true king. +[2243.32 --> 2251.84] And the crowd and the city officials then are thrown into turmoil and an uproar, +[2252.16 --> 2257.00] and Jason and the others have to pay a fine, and then they're let go. +[2258.42 --> 2266.14] Now, when night fell, we read that Paul and Silas and Timothy are secreted away out to Berea, +[2266.28 --> 2269.86] which is the next town over to the west of Thessalonica. +[2269.86 --> 2278.26] And so, using our imaginations, it's not hard to imagine what the people, +[2278.82 --> 2283.78] the opposition groups left in Thessalonica are now saying about Paul. +[2285.38 --> 2289.94] In fact, when Silas and Timothy join up with Paul later in Corinth, +[2290.44 --> 2294.72] they would tell him that you won't believe what they're saying in Thessalonica. +[2295.50 --> 2298.00] They're saying you ran away because you were scared. +[2298.00 --> 2304.02] They're saying that your work there was pointless because nothing has changed for them. +[2305.34 --> 2310.50] Now, to be clear, right, these are the opponents of Paul who are saying these things, +[2310.58 --> 2314.84] who are trying to sway those early Christians back from their beliefs. +[2315.54 --> 2318.26] But as we've seen, right, they're not swayed. +[2318.58 --> 2320.36] That's why Paul is so encouraged. +[2320.64 --> 2323.82] That's why he's so excited about the church in Thessalonica. +[2323.82 --> 2326.74] What did we read in verse 1? +[2327.54 --> 2332.84] You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. +[2333.74 --> 2335.74] Our work was not in vain. +[2335.94 --> 2337.38] Lives were changed. +[2338.66 --> 2339.44] He goes on, he says, +[2339.52 --> 2344.16] We suffered and we were treated outrageously in Philippi. +[2344.26 --> 2345.32] You know that too. +[2345.32 --> 2354.12] Quickly, Philippi is the city that Paul and Silas and Timothy were in before going to Thessalonica. +[2354.78 --> 2360.68] And while they were there, they were arrested because they cast out a demon from a girl. +[2360.84 --> 2364.52] And that demon was using the girl to predict the future. +[2364.72 --> 2370.88] And so the merchants who owned this slave girl were really upset and charged Paul and Silas, +[2370.98 --> 2372.12] brought them before the courts. +[2372.12 --> 2376.84] They were stripped and they were beaten with rods and they were severely flogged. +[2376.98 --> 2381.98] And they were thrown into prison and they were locked up in the stockades in prison in Philippi. +[2382.16 --> 2383.86] And do you know what they did when they were in prison? +[2386.26 --> 2387.66] They sang hymns. +[2388.26 --> 2390.72] They sang hymns and they prayed to God. +[2392.80 --> 2396.28] That's what they did in prison after being flogged and beaten. +[2396.28 --> 2398.62] And so here in our text, Paul is saying, +[2398.76 --> 2399.84] You know I'm not a coward. +[2400.62 --> 2402.68] You know that I don't run away from pain. +[2403.20 --> 2405.92] In fact, I sing in the face of pain. +[2407.70 --> 2410.12] The opponents of Paul are saying things like, +[2410.46 --> 2411.20] He tricked you. +[2411.30 --> 2412.64] He's a lying swindler. +[2412.92 --> 2414.62] He's a snake oil salesman. +[2414.70 --> 2415.62] He's a charlatan. +[2415.70 --> 2417.68] He just wanted to cheat you out of your money. +[2420.30 --> 2422.70] You ever heard pastors or churches described that way? +[2422.70 --> 2425.84] Paul says, +[2426.76 --> 2431.24] Remember, remember, we never used flattery. +[2431.52 --> 2432.82] We didn't put a mask on. +[2433.60 --> 2435.38] We didn't lie or speak error. +[2435.74 --> 2436.86] Our motives were pure. +[2437.04 --> 2438.98] Instead, God is our witness. +[2439.48 --> 2440.50] He tests our hearts. +[2440.64 --> 2442.64] He approves the message we speak, +[2442.72 --> 2446.54] the gospel that you have received and believed in and been transformed by. +[2446.54 --> 2447.04] Right? +[2447.86 --> 2451.58] Paul is able to cite the content of his message +[2451.58 --> 2457.18] and the content of his life to prove his authenticity. +[2460.46 --> 2466.00] Paul's concern, then, here, is for the truth. +[2467.94 --> 2468.04] Right? +[2468.14 --> 2470.60] And God's word is truth. +[2470.60 --> 2487.10] Now, there's a pattern here that I want us to identify and to look at for a moment. +[2487.10 --> 2496.38] Conversion by the gospel yields a conviction for the gospel, +[2497.06 --> 2501.38] which together then yield a courage with the gospel. +[2502.90 --> 2503.30] Okay? +[2503.44 --> 2506.40] Follow the adverbs there. +[2506.58 --> 2507.76] Follow those words. +[2507.88 --> 2511.18] Conversion by the gospel brings a conviction for the gospel, +[2511.18 --> 2515.98] which shows up in your life by courage with the gospel. +[2517.10 --> 2518.68] Or, to put it another way, +[2519.18 --> 2523.18] transformation based on truth brings testimony. +[2524.70 --> 2527.22] Transformation, truth, testimony. +[2529.52 --> 2530.46] Here's the principle. +[2530.60 --> 2531.28] Zoom out from that. +[2531.38 --> 2531.44] Right? +[2531.50 --> 2534.30] Because this is the disciples' journey. +[2535.52 --> 2536.02] Right? +[2536.08 --> 2537.46] This is what happened to Paul. +[2537.66 --> 2538.74] This is what happened to Timothy. +[2538.74 --> 2541.80] This is what happened and was happening for the church at Thessalonica. +[2542.22 --> 2544.80] And this is our journey as disciples. +[2545.54 --> 2545.66] Right? +[2545.66 --> 2547.88] 21 centuries later. +[2548.04 --> 2549.16] This is my journey. +[2549.32 --> 2550.32] This is your journey. +[2550.44 --> 2552.90] This is the journey for all of us who believe. +[2553.12 --> 2557.18] Genuine belief brings authentic transformation. +[2557.86 --> 2559.18] It's really real. +[2559.28 --> 2560.10] There's no masks. +[2560.26 --> 2561.24] There's no self-deception. +[2561.66 --> 2563.44] There's no deceiving others. +[2563.88 --> 2568.10] Genuine belief equals authentic transformation. +[2568.10 --> 2575.34] And that authentic transformation has to work its way out of you. +[2575.34 --> 2578.62] It happens inside and it works out. +[2579.88 --> 2580.52] Right? +[2580.56 --> 2585.38] That conversion is worked by genuine conviction for the gospel. +[2585.38 --> 2592.50] Scripture and doctrine growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. +[2592.62 --> 2601.50] Submitting yourself and your life, your opinions, taking all your thoughts captive to Christ and to His Word. +[2602.68 --> 2602.88] Right? +[2602.88 --> 2606.06] With Peter, we say, where else can we go, Lord? +[2606.06 --> 2608.66] You have the words of eternal life. +[2611.24 --> 2617.10] Conversion by the Word builds a conviction for the Word. +[2617.10 --> 2629.10] And when you see what the Word can do in your life and in the lives of other believers, there's a courage, right, that compels you to share it, to declare it, to proclaim it. +[2630.90 --> 2635.10] Mark begins his gospel saying, this is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. +[2635.10 --> 2639.36] This is the gospel of God, the power of God unto salvation. +[2639.80 --> 2641.72] And so, I will not be ashamed. +[2642.94 --> 2644.46] Or with Paul in Romans, right? +[2644.50 --> 2646.64] How can they believe unless they hear? +[2646.90 --> 2649.34] How can they hear unless it is preached to them? +[2649.48 --> 2651.76] And how can they preach unless someone is sent? +[2653.52 --> 2659.16] Transformation is your born-again life by grace through faith. +[2659.32 --> 2663.30] This is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. +[2665.10 --> 2678.66] And now, put plainly, put simply, the gospel is the truth that Jesus lived the life I should have lived and died the death that I deserved. +[2680.40 --> 2685.68] Put it another way, the gospel is the truth that Jesus entered into the world. +[2686.48 --> 2692.60] He entered into your world and He took on Himself all my sin and all my shame. +[2692.60 --> 2694.44] He took on Himself all my guilt. +[2694.44 --> 2702.82] He took on Himself all your anxiety, all your worries, all your fears, everything that is bad and broken in your life. +[2702.98 --> 2704.60] He put it on His own shoulders. +[2705.46 --> 2708.06] And He bore that all the way onto the cross. +[2709.04 --> 2710.02] Into death. +[2711.36 --> 2719.62] And then, in taking that from you, He looked at you and He put on your shoulders His righteousness. +[2719.62 --> 2724.20] By grace, you are clothed with Him. +[2724.20 --> 2726.72] His holiness is on your shoulders. +[2726.86 --> 2728.60] You now wear Christ. +[2728.74 --> 2730.78] This is the gospel that transforms. +[2732.30 --> 2735.44] And we know that this mission was successful. +[2735.44 --> 2740.48] That this act was really real because of the resurrection of God. +[2740.48 --> 2742.06] The tomb is empty. +[2742.92 --> 2748.08] And therefore, death and sin and guilt and wrath are defeated and ended. +[2748.22 --> 2749.86] The wrath of God is satisfied. +[2749.86 --> 2754.54] The kingdom of darkness no longer has a claim on those who believe. +[2754.94 --> 2760.86] But you, rather, are God's children, holy and dearly loved. +[2760.86 --> 2768.50] This is your transformation set apart for God's purposes. +[2769.96 --> 2774.38] And it comes by the truth of the gospel. +[2775.62 --> 2782.64] And when that truth works its way out, it's revealed in your life as your testimony. +[2782.64 --> 2788.96] Your life lived courageous with the gospel. +[2790.48 --> 2792.02] Here's the thing, right? +[2793.24 --> 2794.64] One who has ears, let him hear. +[2795.46 --> 2797.40] We've been building here. +[2798.80 --> 2801.38] Transformation, truth, testimony. +[2802.08 --> 2804.48] Transformation, truth, testimony. +[2804.48 --> 2818.02] If you are not living the courage of your faith in that testimony area, you've got to come back one more to the truth. +[2818.94 --> 2825.98] If you are not living that compelling testimony, standing up for the faith, guarding the good deposit that was entrusted for you, +[2825.98 --> 2832.26] right, you've got to come back to the word, to the truth, to the doctrines of your faith, to the words of eternal life, +[2832.28 --> 2838.12] where God speaks to his church, where you hear the voice of Jesus say to you, +[2838.58 --> 2844.04] come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. +[2845.26 --> 2851.82] If you are timid with your faith, open the word of God and ask him to show you himself. +[2851.82 --> 2857.90] Ask him to show you why these are living words, powerful words. +[2858.34 --> 2863.92] Pray that the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of your heart to see Jesus and to hear him say, +[2864.34 --> 2867.02] go into all the world and declare my name. +[2867.28 --> 2871.58] Ask the Holy Spirit to unstop your ears so that you can hear Jesus say, +[2872.00 --> 2875.90] in this world you will have trouble, but take heart. +[2876.80 --> 2878.30] I have overcome the world. +[2881.82 --> 2897.06] If you are not living the courage of your faith, you need to come back to the conviction of the gospel. +[2901.10 --> 2909.32] Maybe, maybe you're here this morning, and courage in the gospel isn't where you're trying to be yet. +[2909.32 --> 2912.94] Maybe you're one step further away yet. +[2913.20 --> 2916.14] Maybe your struggle is actually trusting in the truth. +[2916.48 --> 2919.08] Maybe you haven't yet been converted to the gospel. +[2919.24 --> 2921.74] Maybe you're holding back Holy Spirit transformation. +[2922.26 --> 2926.80] Maybe you have wondered about the cost of this thing, and you're like, +[2926.88 --> 2928.52] eh, not sure that's for me. +[2928.82 --> 2935.76] Maybe you're not convinced that taking up your cross and following Jesus is what you really want. +[2935.76 --> 2942.12] Or, more likely for most of us here this morning, +[2943.12 --> 2948.02] maybe you're not convinced that you actually want to give up everything. +[2950.58 --> 2955.22] Maybe you're content with the current content of your life. +[2956.28 --> 2956.78] Right? +[2956.82 --> 2957.38] You're pretty okay. +[2958.64 --> 2959.78] You're not so bad. +[2959.78 --> 2964.86] Instead, you don't hurt people, at least on purpose, and definitely not often. +[2966.12 --> 2966.60] Right? +[2966.62 --> 2968.46] You don't need to change everything, right? +[2969.44 --> 2971.50] Besides changing everything, that's way too much work. +[2974.78 --> 2981.00] And, what's more, I actually can't imagine my life without that thing. +[2981.00 --> 2987.70] I can't imagine what life would be like without that crutch, or without that drink, or without that drug. +[2987.98 --> 2988.12] Right? +[2988.14 --> 2993.42] I've done this for so long, I don't know what I would be apart from that thing. +[2994.50 --> 2997.96] Apart from that personality or that plan. +[2999.90 --> 3001.06] Here's the thing, right? +[3001.16 --> 3006.38] Again, if you're tracking with me, and I pray that you are, because I think this is so amazing. +[3006.38 --> 3007.14] Right? +[3007.40 --> 3013.80] If that's where you're at, if you are holding something back from transformation by the Holy Spirit, +[3014.42 --> 3016.82] you also need more of the truth. +[3017.36 --> 3018.34] You need more of the Word. +[3018.66 --> 3024.04] You also need to come to the Word of God, to, yes, this book right here, +[3024.24 --> 3029.74] so that your very imaginations can be shaped by the voice of Jesus. +[3029.74 --> 3035.90] So that what you imagine possible can be transformed by the reality of who God is. +[3037.38 --> 3037.90] Right? +[3037.96 --> 3041.70] If you've ever thought, it's no big deal, or I could never change that. +[3041.86 --> 3046.02] If you've ever thought, I could keep that part to myself, ideally. +[3046.38 --> 3046.56] Right? +[3046.60 --> 3049.08] Or if you've ever thought, I'm always going to be stuck here. +[3049.38 --> 3049.52] Right? +[3049.64 --> 3054.28] What we need is for your imagination to be transformed by the Gospel. +[3054.56 --> 3056.94] You need to believe what's really possible. +[3056.94 --> 3062.24] You need to hear from God's Word that nothing is impossible with God. +[3062.24 --> 3066.80] You need to hear that the Word of God is alive and active. +[3066.92 --> 3069.00] It is sharper than any double-edged sword. +[3069.38 --> 3072.18] It penetrates even dividing soul and spirit. +[3072.52 --> 3074.98] You need to hear that Jesus prayed for you. +[3074.98 --> 3078.76] Jesus Himself in the garden prayed for you, and He said, +[3079.20 --> 3081.08] Sanctify them by your truth. +[3081.48 --> 3083.88] Your Word is truth. +[3085.40 --> 3085.56] Right? +[3085.62 --> 3093.16] Sometimes, faith is just an imagination profoundly convicted by the Word of God. +[3093.16 --> 3109.24] In the transformed life of faith is one that lives in submission to the Word of God +[3109.24 --> 3113.04] and is sustained by the Word of God. +[3113.76 --> 3114.06] Right? +[3114.06 --> 3119.44] The Word of God is both the rule and the means by which we are spurred to keep the rule. +[3119.44 --> 3126.68] And all of this is what Paul wants the church in Thessalonica to remember. +[3127.28 --> 3127.58] Right? +[3127.62 --> 3131.22] In short, he says to them, and you can look at this with me, right? +[3131.48 --> 3132.02] He says, +[3132.12 --> 3133.22] We spoke the truth. +[3133.84 --> 3134.54] That's verse 3. +[3134.90 --> 3135.00] Right? +[3135.00 --> 3141.16] For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. +[3141.60 --> 3144.68] We spoke the truth, and we spoke it plainly. +[3145.06 --> 3145.68] Verse 5. +[3145.68 --> 3146.58] He says, +[3146.68 --> 3152.12] You know, we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed. +[3152.22 --> 3156.84] We spoke the truth, we spoke it plainly, and we spoke with humility. +[3157.60 --> 3158.06] Verse 6. +[3159.18 --> 3163.52] We were not looking for praise from people. +[3164.50 --> 3168.68] Even though as apostles of Christ, we could have asserted our authority. +[3168.68 --> 3179.12] We spoke the truth, spoke it plainly, spoke it with humility, concerned only to please God. +[3180.16 --> 3185.14] We speak as those approved by God, not trying to please people, but God. +[3185.28 --> 3188.12] God is our witness. +[3188.12 --> 3204.16] And here, here we are, we talked about speaking the gospel courageously. +[3204.84 --> 3204.98] Right? +[3205.06 --> 3209.12] Living and speaking the testimony of our truth. +[3209.90 --> 3211.58] And this is what that looks like. +[3212.42 --> 3212.90] Right? +[3213.00 --> 3213.78] Speak the truth. +[3214.84 --> 3215.82] Speak it plainly. +[3215.82 --> 3217.60] Speak with humility. +[3218.60 --> 3219.52] And then don't worry about them. +[3220.22 --> 3221.86] Don't worry about what they might say. +[3221.94 --> 3224.02] Instead, set your heart on Him. +[3224.80 --> 3226.58] Set your heart on Him who gives you the words. +[3227.76 --> 3231.54] Set your heart on Him who has given you this gospel. +[3231.68 --> 3234.92] Set your heart on Him who has transformed you by it. +[3237.60 --> 3242.22] Finally, one last thing from this text. +[3242.22 --> 3253.24] Paul is here speaking about the transformation that comes from the truth that is lived as a testimony to the gospel. +[3253.50 --> 3253.60] Right? +[3253.72 --> 3255.52] Conversion, conviction, courage. +[3255.92 --> 3260.20] And to be sure, this is a personal reality. +[3260.44 --> 3268.12] This is ultimately about you and your restoration to relationship to God through Jesus Christ. +[3268.12 --> 3272.62] This is about your conversion, your conviction, and your courage. +[3273.34 --> 3282.66] But notice, all of that happens in the broader context of broader relationships. +[3283.40 --> 3284.08] Right? +[3284.18 --> 3288.96] Conversion and conviction and courage in the context of the church. +[3289.60 --> 3292.44] At the body of Christ, the family of God. +[3292.44 --> 3296.28] So here, I've added a line to our big idea. +[3296.70 --> 3296.78] Right? +[3296.90 --> 3304.78] Authentic faith shows up in conversion, conviction, and courage in the context of the church. +[3306.46 --> 3308.82] Paul illustrates this for us with some word pictures. +[3309.72 --> 3312.04] First, he says in verse 7, +[3312.44 --> 3315.80] Instead, we were like young children among you. +[3316.26 --> 3318.74] That is, we lived with you. +[3319.22 --> 3320.88] We didn't try to be out on our own. +[3320.88 --> 3321.20] Right? +[3321.20 --> 3321.80] Right? +[3321.86 --> 3326.18] We were part of the new family that is being built in Thessalonica. +[3327.08 --> 3328.08] And then he goes on. +[3328.14 --> 3328.38] He says, +[3328.72 --> 3330.32] We were like a nursing mother. +[3331.46 --> 3335.16] Now, some of you will get this more clearly than others. +[3336.82 --> 3344.56] But of course, nursing mothers give their whole lives to their infant child. +[3344.56 --> 3353.88] Night and day, while dad is snoring away, mom gives herself for the baby. +[3354.78 --> 3360.78] The child, in that moment, quite literally, is receiving their life from mom. +[3362.68 --> 3367.66] And Paul says that we worked hard not to be a burden, but to ease the burden. +[3368.46 --> 3369.42] That's a mother. +[3369.42 --> 3369.90] Right? +[3369.90 --> 3370.50] Right? +[3370.50 --> 3373.94] Everything a mother does is for her baby. +[3375.54 --> 3380.76] And that's a model for us in our shared lives of faith. +[3381.58 --> 3384.24] This is a beautiful image that Paul is using here. +[3384.60 --> 3390.66] Leaders, those who are mature in faith, are like nursing mothers to the next generation of believers. +[3391.38 --> 3394.22] This is the covenant picture of the church family. +[3394.22 --> 3399.66] You might be 60 years old and all your kids grown and moved out of the house. +[3399.82 --> 3405.92] But your responsibility is to be a nursing mother to the next generation of faith. +[3408.16 --> 3409.64] And then he continues, right? +[3409.70 --> 3416.64] He continues and builds on this image that Paul says that in the context of the church, +[3416.86 --> 3423.18] in the context of the church, our relationship to God is worked out in the midst of our relationship to each other +[3423.18 --> 3425.54] as spiritual fathers. +[3426.20 --> 3426.30] Right? +[3426.38 --> 3432.00] Fathers encourage and comfort and urge you to live lives worthy of God. +[3433.08 --> 3433.38] Right? +[3433.46 --> 3438.84] Urge you to become the men and the women that you were born by grace through faith to be. +[3439.86 --> 3444.70] And so you might be 30 years old, having barely figured out where your life is going +[3444.70 --> 3446.72] and what it's going to look like for the next 10 years, +[3446.86 --> 3452.14] but you are responsible to be a spiritual father to the next generation of those in faith. +[3453.18 --> 3460.34] Look, I really believe that there is something happening in the world right now. +[3461.62 --> 3465.86] Now, I don't want to use the language of revival because by definition, +[3466.12 --> 3470.08] that language can only be applied after the fact when you're looking back on history. +[3470.64 --> 3475.08] But there does seem to be an openness to faith right now. +[3475.08 --> 3482.16] There does seem to be a new curiosity for things spiritual and things historic. +[3483.48 --> 3488.36] Young people especially are asking questions of faith and life. +[3489.40 --> 3492.84] And whether you call it a meaning crisis or a spiritual void, +[3493.14 --> 3497.22] the reality of today's world is that the harvest is plentiful, +[3497.54 --> 3498.76] the fields are ripe, +[3498.76 --> 3502.38] and who is going to go and proclaim the gospel to them. +[3503.98 --> 3505.70] When your faith is real, +[3505.96 --> 3508.72] when you've experienced that transformation by the truth, +[3508.94 --> 3511.60] you long to live as a testimony of Christ. +[3511.96 --> 3513.76] So then go, speak the truth, +[3514.12 --> 3515.12] speak it plainly, +[3515.40 --> 3516.66] speak it with humility, +[3517.88 --> 3518.86] concerned only +[3518.86 --> 3521.06] with what God +[3521.06 --> 3523.06] thinks of you. +[3523.06 --> 3529.18] This is what Paul describes as a life lived, +[3529.42 --> 3530.50] worthy of God, +[3530.70 --> 3535.58] who calls you into His kingdom and His glory. +[3536.26 --> 3537.48] If your Bibles are open, +[3538.40 --> 3539.68] look at that in verse 12. +[3540.44 --> 3540.74] It says, +[3541.06 --> 3542.30] live lives worthy of God, +[3542.36 --> 3544.96] who calls you into His kingdom and His glory. +[3544.96 --> 3546.00] That word glory +[3546.00 --> 3550.30] shows up in our text in verse 6 +[3550.30 --> 3551.92] as well. +[3551.92 --> 3553.10] In verse 6, +[3553.26 --> 3554.26] we already read it, +[3554.50 --> 3555.24] but you missed it, +[3555.50 --> 3558.62] we're not looking for praise from people. +[3559.16 --> 3559.88] That word praise +[3559.88 --> 3561.94] is the same word for glory. +[3562.88 --> 3563.84] Doxen in Greek. +[3565.44 --> 3567.36] Paul wasn't seeking glory +[3567.36 --> 3569.20] from the people of Thessalonica, +[3569.44 --> 3570.96] from the people that he was preaching to, +[3571.04 --> 3573.54] because he already had glory +[3573.54 --> 3575.10] in God His Father. +[3575.20 --> 3577.56] He already had glory visible +[3577.56 --> 3579.10] in the face of Jesus. +[3579.10 --> 3581.78] He had a true and better glory +[3581.78 --> 3582.56] that he knew +[3582.56 --> 3584.24] and that he clinged to. +[3584.56 --> 3585.66] The glory of God +[3585.66 --> 3586.38] is held +[3586.38 --> 3587.32] and beheld +[3587.32 --> 3588.78] in the face of Jesus. +[3588.96 --> 3589.46] In Him, +[3589.56 --> 3591.32] the fullness of the deity dwells. +[3591.64 --> 3592.46] Beholding Him, +[3592.54 --> 3593.26] we are transformed +[3593.26 --> 3594.28] from one degree +[3594.28 --> 3595.16] of glory +[3595.16 --> 3595.98] to another. +[3596.08 --> 3597.04] Or as Paul says +[3597.04 --> 3597.78] elsewhere, +[3597.94 --> 3598.30] he says, +[3598.44 --> 3598.76] therefore, +[3599.06 --> 3600.64] we do not lose heart. +[3601.48 --> 3602.92] Live lives worthy of the calling, +[3603.00 --> 3603.16] right? +[3603.22 --> 3603.80] With courage. +[3604.16 --> 3605.80] We do not lose heart. +[3605.80 --> 3608.44] Though outwardly we are wasting away, +[3608.58 --> 3610.90] yet inwardly we are being renewed +[3610.90 --> 3612.28] day by day. +[3612.38 --> 3613.16] For our light +[3613.16 --> 3614.72] and momentary troubles +[3614.72 --> 3616.32] are achieving for us +[3616.32 --> 3618.06] an eternal glory +[3618.06 --> 3620.00] that far outweighs them all. +[3620.32 --> 3621.22] And so what do we do? +[3621.48 --> 3622.64] What does a life lived +[3622.64 --> 3624.04] worthy of the calling look like? +[3624.10 --> 3625.84] We fix our eyes on +[3625.84 --> 3627.34] not what is seen, +[3627.46 --> 3629.30] but on what is unseen. +[3630.02 --> 3631.76] Since what is seen is temporary, +[3632.02 --> 3632.84] but what is unseen +[3632.84 --> 3634.88] is eternal. +[3634.88 --> 3636.64] This is what it looks like +[3636.64 --> 3637.94] to live lives +[3637.94 --> 3639.02] worthy of God. +[3639.48 --> 3640.24] Transformation, +[3640.80 --> 3641.20] truth, +[3641.58 --> 3642.28] and testimony. +[3642.86 --> 3643.80] Children of faith +[3643.80 --> 3645.46] encouraged and surrounded +[3645.46 --> 3646.56] by spiritual mothers +[3646.56 --> 3647.48] and fathers +[3647.48 --> 3648.82] and all of us together +[3648.82 --> 3650.24] fixing our eyes +[3650.24 --> 3651.66] on the glory +[3651.66 --> 3653.12] of Christ. +[3654.78 --> 3655.18] And so, +[3656.12 --> 3659.24] as you go into this week, +[3660.38 --> 3664.18] as you go into this week, +[3664.18 --> 3666.52] I wonder if you would be bold enough +[3666.52 --> 3669.64] to pray this prayer with me. +[3670.82 --> 3673.44] I wonder if you would be courageous enough +[3673.44 --> 3674.90] to take this prayer +[3674.90 --> 3677.28] into your Monday +[3677.28 --> 3678.42] and Tuesday, +[3679.06 --> 3679.42] Wednesday, +[3680.02 --> 3680.42] Thursday, +[3680.96 --> 3681.26] Friday, +[3681.50 --> 3682.30] and Saturday. +[3683.74 --> 3685.52] Would you pray this prayer with me? +[3685.52 --> 3687.36] Lord Jesus, +[3688.06 --> 3689.20] reveal to me +[3689.20 --> 3690.52] the next generation +[3690.52 --> 3692.70] of those who will believe. +[3693.60 --> 3695.24] Send me to them +[3695.24 --> 3697.24] that I may declare the gospel. +[3697.78 --> 3698.72] Send me out +[3698.72 --> 3700.96] that I may speak the truth, +[3701.26 --> 3702.68] may speak it plainly, +[3702.80 --> 3704.38] and may speak it with humility +[3704.38 --> 3709.20] concerned only with your glory. +[3709.20 --> 3712.98] Would you pray this with me? +[3714.04 --> 3714.78] And who knows? +[3715.44 --> 3716.26] Who knows? +[3717.22 --> 3718.38] Maybe we will look back +[3718.38 --> 3719.12] on this moment +[3719.12 --> 3720.84] and see revival +[3720.84 --> 3722.14] in this land. +[3722.80 --> 3723.02] Amen? +[3724.02 --> 3725.10] Oh, come on, guys. +[3726.30 --> 3726.82] Amen? +[3732.36 --> 3733.42] Let's pray this prayer. +[3733.42 --> 3738.86] Lord Jesus, +[3739.86 --> 3741.62] reveal to me +[3741.62 --> 3742.42] the next generation +[3742.96 --> 3745.52] of those who will believe. +[3747.78 --> 3749.46] Send me to them +[3749.46 --> 3751.54] that I may declare the gospel. +[3753.04 --> 3753.80] Send me out +[3753.80 --> 3755.26] that I may speak the truth, +[3755.96 --> 3757.54] that I may speak it plainly, +[3757.70 --> 3759.28] that I may speak it with humility +[3759.28 --> 3763.30] concerned only with your glory. +[3763.42 --> 3769.94] May this be our prayer. +[3771.28 --> 3772.14] Lord Jesus, +[3772.28 --> 3773.08] we pray this +[3773.08 --> 3776.26] in your powerful name. +[3777.10 --> 3779.12] The name by which lives +[3779.12 --> 3780.38] are transformed. +[3781.40 --> 3783.74] The truth of who you are. +[3785.18 --> 3786.10] And the testimony +[3786.10 --> 3788.24] that you are calling us to live. +[3789.16 --> 3790.20] In Jesus we pray. +[3791.04 --> 3791.40] Amen. +[3793.42 --> 3795.24] Amen. +[3795.24 --> 3812.66] With faith we see the hand of God +[3812.66 --> 3818.86] In the light of creation's grand design. +[3820.02 --> 3827.00] In the lives of those who prove his faithfulness. +[3827.00 --> 3832.72] Who walk by faith and not by sight. +[3836.82 --> 3842.10] By faith our fathers roam the earth. +[3842.66 --> 3849.38] With the power of his promise in their hearts. +[3849.38 --> 3856.72] Of a holy city built by God's own hand. +[3857.10 --> 3861.22] A place where peace and justice reign. +[3862.74 --> 3867.86] We will stand as children of the promise. +[3867.86 --> 3874.86] We will fix our eyes on him our souls reward. +[3875.92 --> 3881.86] Till the race is finished and the work is done. +[3883.64 --> 3887.86] We'll walk by faith and not by sight. +[3887.86 --> 3894.86] We'll walk by faith and not by sight. +[3894.86 --> 3896.86] And by faith the prophets all day. +[3898.44 --> 3903.58] With a longed for Messiah would appear. +[3905.26 --> 3910.86] With the power to break the chains of sin and death. +[3912.86 --> 3916.86] And rise triumphant from the grave. +[3916.86 --> 3926.52] My faith the church was called to go +[3926.52 --> 3933.96] In the power of the Spirit to the lost +[3933.96 --> 3941.08] To deliver captives and to preach good news +[3941.08 --> 3946.00] In every corner of the earth +[3946.00 --> 3952.50] We will stand as children of the promise +[3952.50 --> 3959.10] We will fix our eyes on Him on souls reward +[3959.10 --> 3966.52] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[3966.52 --> 3971.54] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[3976.00 --> 3981.50] By faith the mountains shall be moved +[3981.50 --> 3987.00] And the power of the gospel shall prevail +[3987.00 --> 3994.50] For we know in Christ all things are possible +[3994.50 --> 4000.00] For the who call upon His name +[4000.00 --> 4006.50] We will stand as children of the promise +[4006.50 --> 4013.40] We will fix our eyes on Him on souls reward +[4013.40 --> 4020.00] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[4020.00 --> 4026.50] We'll walk by faith and not by sight +[4026.50 --> 4033.00] We will stand as children of the promise +[4033.00 --> 4039.00] We will fix our eyes on Him on souls reward +[4039.00 --> 4046.50] Till the race is finished and the work is done +[4046.50 --> 4051.00] We will walk by faith and not by sight +[4051.00 --> 4069.50] As we are sent out to live our faith courageously +[4069.50 --> 4073.90] I want to end this service with a blessing from God's word +[4073.90 --> 4079.00] Actually the way that Paul ends his letter to the church in Thessalonica +[4079.00 --> 4082.76] Before we go, just a quick reminder +[4082.76 --> 4085.54] That if you're going to stick around for the new members class +[4085.54 --> 4088.94] That's going to take place about 20 or 25 minutes +[4088.94 --> 4091.22] After the final song +[4091.22 --> 4092.68] And so you'll have time to grab a coffee +[4092.68 --> 4094.12] And hang out together +[4094.12 --> 4095.74] And then we'll meet in the multi-purpose room +[4095.74 --> 4098.96] Additionally, if you would like to meet with someone for prayer +[4098.96 --> 4100.94] There will be someone here up at the front +[4100.94 --> 4102.94] Probably with the yellow name tag on +[4102.94 --> 4104.90] Who'd love to meet you and pray with you +[4104.90 --> 4109.06] Go now this week with the blessing of God +[4109.06 --> 4114.22] May God Himself, the God of peace +[4114.22 --> 4117.68] Sanctify you through and through +[4117.68 --> 4121.86] And may your whole spirit, soul, and body +[4121.86 --> 4126.50] Be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ +[4126.50 --> 4129.00] The one who calls you is faithful +[4129.00 --> 4132.20] And He will do it +[4132.20 --> 4133.48] Amen +[4147.68 --> 4160.50] O church, arise and put your armor on +[4160.50 --> 4163.96] Hear the call of Christ our captain +[4163.96 --> 4170.00] For now the weak can say that they are strong +[4170.00 --> 4173.28] In the strength that God has given +[4173.28 --> 4178.60] With shield of faith and belt of truth +[4178.60 --> 4183.46] We'll stand against the devil's light +[4183.46 --> 4188.90] An army bull whose battle cries love +[4188.90 --> 4192.28] Wishing out to those in darkness +[4192.28 --> 4193.10] Amen +[4193.10 --> 4202.32] A call to war +[4202.32 --> 4205.32] To love the captive soul +[4205.32 --> 4208.60] But to rage against the captor +[4208.60 --> 4211.72] And with the sword +[4211.72 --> 4214.66] That makes the wounded whole +[4214.66 --> 4218.84] We will fight with faith and valor +[4218.84 --> 4223.48] With faith that drowns on every side +[4223.48 --> 4227.66] We know the outcome is secure +[4227.66 --> 4227.94] We know the outcome is secure +[4227.94 --> 4229.80] With Christ the land +[4229.80 --> 4233.52] The prize for which He died +[4233.52 --> 4237.80] The inheritance of nations +[4237.80 --> 4243.12] Arise, shine for the risen Son +[4243.12 --> 4244.12] For the risen Son +[4244.12 --> 4258.12] Lift your eyes +[4258.12 --> 4265.12] We are His radiant pride +[4265.12 --> 4270.44] Arise, arise, arise +[4270.44 --> 4275.44] Arise, arise +[4275.44 --> 4280.08] See the cross where love and mercy meet +[4280.08 --> 4283.44] As the Son of God is stricken +[4283.44 --> 4289.66] Then see His foes like crushed beneath His feet +[4289.66 --> 4293.06] For the conqueror has risen +[4293.06 --> 4298.38] And as the stone is rolled away +[4298.38 --> 4303.06] And Christ emerges from the grave +[4303.06 --> 4308.38] The victory march continues till the day +[4308.38 --> 4312.38] Every eye and heart shall see Him +[4312.38 --> 4317.00] So Spirit come +[4317.00 --> 4320.18] Put strength in every strife +[4320.18 --> 4323.44] Give grace for every hurdle +[4323.44 --> 4326.36] And we may run +[4326.36 --> 4329.54] With faith to win the prize +[4329.54 --> 4332.84] Of a servant good and faithful +[4332.84 --> 4338.02] As saints of old still lie the way +[4338.02 --> 4342.58] We challenge triumphs of His grace +[4342.58 --> 4344.18] We hear their calls +[4344.18 --> 4351.40] Fall and hunger for the day when Christ will stand in glory. +[4353.64 --> 4361.20] Arise, shine, for your light has come. +[4361.20 --> 4370.14] Arise, shine, for the risen Son. +[4370.14 --> 4379.24] Lift your eyes, we are His radiant bright. +[4379.98 --> 4385.36] Arise, O Church, arise. +[4385.36 --> 4397.24] Arise, shine, for your light has come. +[4397.24 --> 4405.80] Arise, shine, for the risen Son. +[4406.34 --> 4415.04] Lift your eyes, we are His radiant bright. +[4415.04 --> 4421.28] Arise, O Church, arise. +[4427.24 --> 4433.50] Arise, O Church, arise. +[4433.50 --> 4436.34] Arise, O Church, arise. +[4436.34 --> 4440.30] Arise, O Church, arise. +[4440.30 --> 4470.28] Thank you. +[4470.30 --> 4500.28] Thank you. +[4500.30 --> 4530.28] Thank you. +[4530.30 --> 4546.30] Thank you. +[4560.30 --> 4590.28] Thank you. +[4590.30 --> 4620.28] Thank you. +[4620.30 --> 4650.28] Thank you. +[4650.30 --> 4680.28] Thank you. +[4680.30 --> 4710.28] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d8a062b10e32b805d327d58077d13289ea804dde --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,104 @@ +• Identity and self-worth +• Miracles and hope in difficult times +• Inner conflict and self-doubt +• Reminders of love, strength, and identity +• Believing and trusting in a higher power's words about oneself +• Personal worth and identity +• Church announcements (Mexico Mission dinner, childcare services) +• Upcoming events at Emanuel (soup fellowship lunch, Neufelds fundraiser) +• Responsibilities and rules for childcare services +• The dollar is at a 10-year low, making the trip expensive +• Fundraising efforts need to be increased for general expenses +• Upcoming events mentioned: + + Dinner/auction fundraiser + + Membership project with survey + + HCBC and Adult Education Reading Group after lunch today + + Leading worship at Sunridge Gardens next Saturday + + Coldest Night of the Year walk on February 22nd +• Worship announcements, including passing the peace and the call to worship from Psalm 24 +• Worshiping God with joyful sound and praising Him as holy +• The attributes of Jesus: the one who was, is, and is to come +• Praise and worship as a way to connect with God in heaven +• Recognizing the limitations of human understanding and reliance on faith +• Overcoming fear, guilt, shame, and anxiety through trust in God's love +• Confession and prayer for mercy and forgiveness +• The speaker expresses longing to know God and asks for mercy +• A passage from Romans 8:35-39 is referenced as a source of comfort and assurance +• The speaker affirms that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus +• The Bible is referred to as the word of God, and its truth and glory are celebrated +• Faith alone is emphasized as the means of coming to God and being justified +• The speaker expresses gratitude for God's promises and salvation through faith +• A deacon gives a brief announcement about a special offering for Gateway and explains how people can give +• A hymn or song is sung, celebrating God's ability, power, and presence in our lives. +• The speaker invites kids to join them at the front before children's worship time. +• The speaker jokes about Hank being absent and uses a loud call-out to locate him. +• A story is announced about Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding. +• The speaker makes humorous remarks about their inability to have wine or lemonade due to allergies. +• The speaker leads a prayer for the group, thanking God for the day and asking for learning opportunities. +• An announcement is made about a new baby in the church community, Daniel and Ismay Howling's son Jed. +• Prayer for those with stage four cancer +• Prayers for strength and healing for others battling depression, anxiety, and addiction +• Birth announcement of Jed Wolfe Howling +• Request for Pastor Chris's message to be impactful +• Gratitude for blessings and guidance from God +• Beginning of a new section in the Thessalonians series +• Discussion on hearing God's voice through preaching +• The Thessalonian church's faithfulness to the gospel is a source of encouragement and gratitude for Paul. +• Practicing gratitude is seen as an antidote to grumbling and complaining. +• Gratitude transforms one's perspective, opening their minds to what is possible in the present circumstances. +• God's word is at work in believers, transforming their lives. +• Gratitude should be regularly expressed, even in everyday life, such as during prayer. +• Seeing God at work in circumstances and trusting in his goodness +• Practicing gratitude to counteract grumbling attitudes +• The role of the preached word of God in bringing salvation and faith +• The importance of humility and willingness for preachers to be used by God to speak his voice +• Recognizing that even average or mediocre preachers can be vessels for God's message +• Understanding that there is always a word of God available for individuals, regardless of the preacher's abilities +• The Swiss Reformed churches emphasize the importance of preaching as the word of God +• The Heidelberg Catechism explains that preaching is one of the keys to the kingdom, opening heaven to believers by faith +• John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and Thomas Aquinas' sermon on Pentecost highlight the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in preaching +• Church fathers such as Augustine and Irenaeus emphasize the role of preaching in conveying God's word to His people throughout history +• Preaching is seen as a means by which God speaks to humanity, both orally and through tradition and scripture +• The Word of God took on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ +• The miracle of incarnation continues to be worked out as we gather together under the Word +• Paul commissioned Timothy and Titus to hold out the Word of life +• The early church expressed the teaching and tradition of the apostles through written forms, such as letters (e.g. Paul's letters, John, Peter, James, Hebrews, Revelation) +• The oral ministry of the Word of God continues through ministers and theologians today +• The only way to know the Word of God spoken orally is by testing it against the record of Scripture in its written form +• The written Word of God is the infallible rule for life and faith, which must be tested against the spoken words of God +• The importance of testing oral teachings against written scripture to ensure their truth. +• The infallibility of Scripture is connected to the character of God who speaks through it. +• Trust in the Bible comes from trusting a trustworthy God who always speaks truth. +• Identifying the "living voice of God" requires confirming words with Scripture and testing them by the Spirit. +• Transformation of lives, becoming imitators of Christ and mature disciples, is evidence that a message is from God. +• Paul uses the early Christians in Judea as an example of discipleship, which involves suffering for one's faith. +• Suffering for the gospel is a sign of transformation by it. +• The author emphasizes that being called strange or weird due to Christian faith is actually a proof of its truth. +• Practical steps are discussed on how to transform hearing and being transformed by it. +• Key points include rejoicing in suffering, God's work being real, and his voice speaking in one's life. +• Importance of prayer before worship +• Hearing the infallible word of God and having it align with one's heart's desires +• Practicing scripture, specifically James, to not only be hearers but doers +• Striving against grumbling and replacing it with gratitude +• Living lives of obedience to what the Lord has called us to do +• Preaching the gospel to others +• Taking the gospel from Sunday and applying it to daily life +• Partaking in the sacraments and means of God's presence +• Hearing and participating in the voice of God through word and living faith +• Changing one's approach to worship and participation, moving from receiver/consumer to participant/experiencer +• Participating in worship and hearing from God +• Preparation for preaching and listening to others +• Hearing the living voice of God +• Prayer to have meditations transformed into God's own words +• Planting and growing faith, bearing fruit in one's life +• Longing for a personal presence and love +• Desire to be in a relationship with God +• Confession of sin and need for forgiveness +• Worship and praise of God's greatness +• Invitation to meet someone for prayer +• Reflection on where God is seen at work in one's life +• Worship songs and hymns, including "We Praise Thee" and "Hallelujah" +• Prayers for revival and spiritual renewal +• Praise of God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ +• Requests for the filling of hearts with God's love and fire from above +• Repeated expressions of gratitude ("Thank you") \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..741d0bee9a188e3f045acfd01505f6a72a88963b --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 26, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1766 @@ +[0.00 --> 2.12] Who we made you to be +[2.12 --> 5.00] And live like you're loved +[5.00 --> 9.18] Live like you're loved +[10.26 --> 12.26] Live like you're loved +[12.26 --> 17.26] Live like you're loved +[18.26 --> 20.12] Live like you're loved +[20.12 --> 22.14] Walk like you're free +[22.14 --> 23.94] Stay like you know +[23.94 --> 26.08] Who we made you to be +[26.08 --> 28.10] Live like you're loved +[28.10 --> 29.90] Like you're alive +[29.90 --> 34.12] His love is all that you'll ever need +[34.12 --> 37.28] So go ahead and live like you're left +[37.28 --> 45.32] His love has made you more than enough +[45.32 --> 53.28] So go ahead and live like you're left +[53.28 --> 57.92] It's okay to act like you've been set free +[57.92 --> 61.62] His love has made you more than enough +[61.62 --> 66.14] So go ahead and be who he made you to be +[66.14 --> 68.02] And live like you're left +[68.02 --> 72.10] Live like you're left +[72.10 --> 76.08] Live like you're left +[76.08 --> 80.24] Live like you're left +[80.24 --> 84.16] Live like you're left +[84.16 --> 86.08] Walk like you're free +[86.08 --> 90.10] Stare like you know who he made you to be +[90.10 --> 92.22] Live like you're left +[92.22 --> 94.18] Like you believe +[94.18 --> 98.14] His love is all that you'll ever need +[98.14 --> 100.08] Live like you're left +[100.08 --> 110.04] When you're at the end of the road +[110.04 --> 114.14] And it's not the one that you would have chosen +[114.14 --> 118.20] When you're at the end of the road +[118.20 --> 120.28] When you're at the end of the road +[120.28 --> 122.20] When you're at the end of the road +[122.20 --> 126.20] And it's not the one that you would have chosen +[126.20 --> 128.20] When you're at the end of your road +[128.20 --> 130.20] And you're holding on +[130.20 --> 132.20] But feel like you're falling +[132.20 --> 134.20] With every option exhausted +[134.20 --> 142.16] You tried everything you know +[142.16 --> 146.16] You saw light then you lost it +[146.16 --> 149.20] But there is still hope +[149.20 --> 153.20] Like the fire in the night +[153.20 --> 157.20] Like the ocean parted wide +[157.20 --> 161.20] Like the grave empty inside +[161.20 --> 163.20] You will see +[163.20 --> 165.20] He still does +[165.20 --> 167.20] You will see +[167.20 --> 168.20] Miracles +[168.20 --> 169.20] Miracles +[169.20 --> 170.20] Miracles +[170.20 --> 171.20] Miracles +[171.20 --> 173.20] Miracles +[173.20 --> 177.20] Even if you don't see it now +[177.20 --> 179.20] Without a doubt +[179.20 --> 181.20] He's already moving +[181.20 --> 183.20] There's not a pain that you hold +[183.20 --> 185.20] He doesn't know +[185.20 --> 186.20] He doesn't know +[186.20 --> 189.20] And he isn't using +[189.20 --> 192.20] With every option exhausted +[192.20 --> 196.20] You tried everything you know +[196.20 --> 199.20] So reach for something beyond it +[199.20 --> 202.20] Cause he is our hope +[202.20 --> 206.20] Like the fire in the night +[206.20 --> 209.20] Like the ocean parted wide +[209.20 --> 211.20] Like the grave empty inside +[211.20 --> 213.20] You will see +[213.20 --> 215.20] He still does +[215.20 --> 217.20] Miracles +[217.20 --> 219.20] Miracles +[219.20 --> 221.20] Miracles +[221.20 --> 223.20] Miracles +[223.20 --> 225.20] Miracles +[225.20 --> 227.20] Miracles +[227.20 --> 229.20] Miracles +[229.20 --> 231.20] Miracles +[231.20 --> 233.20] Miracles +[233.20 --> 235.20] Miracles +[235.20 --> 237.20] Miracles +[237.20 --> 239.20] A broken heart can be restored +[239.20 --> 241.20] A broken soul can be reborn +[241.20 --> 242.20] A broken soul can be reborn +[242.20 --> 243.20] A broken soul can be reborn +[243.20 --> 244.20] A broken soul can be reborn +[245.20 --> 248.20] And greater things are still in store +[248.20 --> 249.20] For us +[249.20 --> 250.20] For us +[250.20 --> 257.20] Like the fire in the night +[257.20 --> 261.20] Like the ocean parted wide +[261.20 --> 264.20] Like the grave empty inside +[264.20 --> 267.20] You will see +[267.20 --> 274.20] He still does miracles +[274.20 --> 284.20] He still does +[284.20 --> 289.20] You're the broken dead dream +[289.20 --> 293.20] More than you ever see +[293.20 --> 298.20] Destin-a, destin-a +[298.20 --> 302.20] Miracles +[323.20 --> 332.20] I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough +[332.20 --> 341.20] Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up +[341.20 --> 347.20] Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up +[347.20 --> 356.20] Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up +[356.20 --> 362.20] Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low +[362.20 --> 371.20] Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low +[374.20 --> 383.20] Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know +[383.20 --> 386.20] Ooh, oh +[386.20 --> 392.20] You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing +[392.20 --> 398.20] You say I am strong when I think I am weak +[398.20 --> 404.20] And you say I am held when I am falling short +[405.20 --> 411.20] And when I don't belong, oh, you say I am yours +[412.20 --> 414.20] And I believe +[414.20 --> 415.20] I +[415.20 --> 417.20] Oh, I believe +[417.20 --> 418.20] I +[418.20 --> 419.20] I +[419.20 --> 421.20] What you say of me +[421.20 --> 422.20] I +[422.20 --> 423.20] I +[423.20 --> 424.20] I believe +[424.20 --> 431.20] The only thing that matters now is everything you think of me +[431.20 --> 434.20] You +[434.20 --> 435.20] And +[435.20 --> 442.20] You +[442.20 --> 443.20] You +[443.20 --> 444.20] I +[444.20 --> 445.20] You +[445.20 --> 446.20] You +[446.20 --> 447.20] I +[447.20 --> 448.20] I +[448.20 --> 449.20] You +[449.20 --> 450.20] I +[450.20 --> 451.20] I +[451.20 --> 452.20] I +[452.20 --> 454.20] I +[454.20 --> 455.20] My +[455.20 --> 456.20] I +[456.20 --> 457.20] I +[457.20 --> 458.20] I +[458.20 --> 463.20] You say I am strong when I think I am weak. +[464.20 --> 469.20] And you say I am held when I am falling short. +[470.20 --> 473.20] When I don't belong. +[474.20 --> 476.20] Oh, you say I am yours. +[477.20 --> 486.20] And I believe, oh, I believe what you say of me. +[486.20 --> 489.20] Oh, I believe. +[494.20 --> 503.20] Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at your feet. +[507.20 --> 514.20] You'll have every failure, God. You'll have every victory. +[516.20 --> 524.20] Oh, you say I am loved when I can't feel a thing. +[525.20 --> 531.20] You say I am strong when I think I am weak. +[532.20 --> 537.20] You say I am held when I am falling short. +[537.20 --> 541.20] You say I am good when I don't belong. +[541.20 --> 544.20] Oh, you say I am yours. +[545.20 --> 547.20] And I believe. +[547.20 --> 550.20] Good morning. +[553.20 --> 555.20] Welcome to church this morning. +[555.20 --> 559.20] A special welcome if you are a guest here. +[560.20 --> 562.20] We are really grateful to have you here with us. +[562.20 --> 563.20] My name is Chris. +[563.20 --> 565.20] I am one of the pastors here at Emanuel. +[565.20 --> 572.20] And it's my privilege to lead in our shared worship this morning along with these others that you see on stage. +[572.20 --> 575.20] Before we begin this morning, we've got a couple of announcements to make. +[575.20 --> 578.20] And so I'm going to invite Brandon up to the front. +[578.20 --> 580.20] He's going to make one for Mexico Mission. +[581.20 --> 592.20] And while he's on his way up, just want to remind you that after worship today, we are sticking around and everyone is invited to soup fellowship lunch. +[592.20 --> 594.20] And so that's going to happen here. +[594.20 --> 604.20] And so at some point as we are transitioning from coffee to soup, it would be really grateful if these two sections of chairs could be just cleaned up and kind of pushed to the side. +[604.20 --> 607.20] And that way we could put tables out here for people to sit at. +[607.20 --> 609.20] But we think this will be enough. +[610.20 --> 614.20] And so the reconstruction after will be easy if we limit ourselves to here. +[614.20 --> 618.20] So anyways, please stick around for that following our worship today. +[618.20 --> 619.20] Soup and some buns and the like. +[619.20 --> 620.20] Brandon, go ahead. +[620.20 --> 624.20] So yeah, just an announcement again for the Mexico dinner. +[624.20 --> 627.20] Sign up went out, I believe it was yesterday for the e-sign up. +[627.20 --> 630.20] We'll have a paper sign up at the back desk there as well. +[630.20 --> 634.20] Cost is $30 for an adult, $15 for a kid 12 and under. +[634.20 --> 637.20] Even though now I have my own kids, I realize they eat more than adults. +[637.20 --> 639.20] Probably should charge double. +[639.20 --> 642.20] Beyond that, doors open at 5.30. +[642.20 --> 647.20] There will be dessert auction as well as a mystery auction that I think you guys will like as well. +[647.20 --> 651.20] And then we also knew this year we kind of want to just go over is childcare. +[651.20 --> 652.20] We are going to offer childcare. +[652.20 --> 655.20] I know a lot of you guys have to get babysitters to come. +[655.20 --> 660.20] Instead of paying your babysitter, just you can pay us, which would be great. +[660.20 --> 661.20] There's a couple caveats of that. +[661.20 --> 665.20] So it will be operating off kind of like nursery rules like diapers, things like that. +[665.20 --> 666.20] We won't do. +[666.20 --> 667.20] We'll come get you guys for. +[667.20 --> 672.20] The other thing is, again, having my own kids and friends with kids realizing everybody eats something different. +[672.20 --> 679.20] If your kid is not going to eat the dinner itself and you would like them to eat something else, you must bring that. +[679.20 --> 684.20] We're not going to make a separate meal for little kids like this and stuff like that. +[684.20 --> 686.20] We will feed it to them if you like. +[686.20 --> 691.20] Again, we would take no responsibility if they end up with more of the dinner on them than they ate. +[691.20 --> 694.20] But that is, we will take care of that if you do bring that dinner. +[694.20 --> 697.20] If not, they're free to come in here and eat dinner with you guys and then you're sick of them after that. +[697.20 --> 700.20] You can send them to us, whatever you kind of like. +[700.20 --> 702.20] And there's no age limit on it. +[702.20 --> 705.20] So if you want to get rid of your 21-year-old kid, we'll take them as well. +[705.20 --> 708.20] So yeah, that's about it for that. +[708.20 --> 712.20] And the last thing is just we also have the Neufelds fundraiser starting the week after. +[712.20 --> 717.20] So for all you guys that hoard a whole lot of chicken, stuff like that, wait to buy that, buy it from us. +[717.20 --> 720.20] Neufelds is great prices, helps the kids, helps the trip. +[720.20 --> 724.20] Especially this year, we kind of want to emphasize, unfortunately, the dollar sucks. +[724.20 --> 726.20] I think it's like a 10-year low. +[726.20 --> 728.20] It means this trip is going to be really expensive this year. +[728.20 --> 734.20] We kind of got to put fundraising efforts on the double, just even for the general pot for what we're doing down there. +[734.20 --> 737.20] So definitely come out for the dinner. +[737.20 --> 738.20] It's going to be a great time. +[738.20 --> 739.20] It's going to be a great auction. +[739.20 --> 742.20] Someone's going to come home with a beautiful prize that you're going to love. +[742.20 --> 745.20] And the Neufelds is great for just your everyday food. +[745.20 --> 747.20] So keep an eye on that. +[747.20 --> 750.20] Those will all be sent out in emails and things like that as well. +[750.20 --> 754.20] And then kids will be contacting you and bugging you nonstop for it. +[754.20 --> 756.20] So yeah, that's it. +[756.20 --> 758.20] Thanks, Brandon. +[758.20 --> 765.20] Also following worship today, not only will Brandon be at the back with the sign up for Mexico, +[765.20 --> 772.20] but Kevin will be at the back to help you with the membership project that's going on. +[772.20 --> 774.20] And so you may have heard from the office. +[774.20 --> 782.20] We've been trying to consolidate our various databases and clarify some internal systems. +[782.20 --> 788.20] Anyway, to do that and facilitate that, we've created this membership survey just to gather some information. +[788.20 --> 795.20] Kevin will be at the back desk or at the connect booth back there to help you through that if you need assistance with that. +[795.20 --> 798.20] There's also some QR codes back there that you can just scan with your phone. +[798.20 --> 800.20] It'll take you right to the form. +[800.20 --> 803.20] But if you need help with that, Kevin will be there. +[803.20 --> 811.20] HCBC and Adult Education Heidelberg Catechism Reading Group are after lunch today. +[811.20 --> 814.20] And so we're going to roll straight into that. +[814.20 --> 820.20] Next Saturday is our chance to lead worship at Sunridge Gardens up the hill. +[820.20 --> 822.20] And so that's 2 p.m. on Saturday. +[822.20 --> 824.20] If you want to join, you're invited to join. +[824.20 --> 827.20] You can talk to me for details on that. +[827.20 --> 830.20] And then lastly, February 22nd. +[830.20 --> 835.20] Now, I know that's a while off yet, but that's the coldest night of the year walk. +[835.20 --> 839.20] And so a number of us have participated in this in the past. +[839.20 --> 842.20] This is an excellent opportunity for young families. +[842.20 --> 845.20] There's a 2-kilometer and a 5-kilometer walk. +[845.20 --> 851.20] We start at Gateway of Hope over on the bypass and just kind of walk through the downtown neighborhood +[851.20 --> 855.20] and come back to Gateway of Hope and have dinner with a group of people there. +[855.20 --> 858.20] We will be putting a team together for that again. +[858.20 --> 861.20] And so you can join the team or you can sponsor the team. +[861.20 --> 863.20] We would love to have you participate. +[863.20 --> 867.20] Details for that will be in the midweek memo as we go into this week as well. +[867.20 --> 870.20] As far as announcements go, I think that's it. +[870.20 --> 877.20] So I'm going to invite you to stand as you're able as we are gathered together in the presence of our good God. +[877.20 --> 889.20] We gather in God's presence and so we receive his greeting and then we pass that greeting on to those around us. +[889.20 --> 895.20] And so after I give you God's greeting, I invite you to turn to those around you and extend that greeting to them +[895.20 --> 900.20] by passing the peace of Christ or by saying the Lord be with you as we gather in worship together. +[900.20 --> 902.20] Receive the greeting of our God. +[902.20 --> 911.20] Grace, mercy, peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, Son and our Savior, +[911.20 --> 914.20] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[914.20 --> 916.20] Amen. +[919.20 --> 920.20] Amen. +[949.20 --> 968.20] Our call to worship this morning comes from Psalm 24, verses 7 through 10. +[968.20 --> 969.20] The Lord is the Lord Almighty. +[969.20 --> 971.20] Lift up your heads, you gates. +[971.20 --> 976.20] Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. +[976.20 --> 978.20] Who is the King of glory? +[978.20 --> 982.20] The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. +[982.20 --> 984.20] Lift up your heads, you gates. +[984.20 --> 989.20] Lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. +[989.20 --> 991.20] Who is this King of glory? +[991.20 --> 993.20] The Lord Almighty. +[993.20 --> 995.20] He is the King of glory. +[995.20 --> 996.20] The King of glory. +[996.20 --> 1002.20] The King of glory. +[1002.20 --> 1005.20] The King of glory. +[1005.20 --> 1007.20] My work. +[1007.20 --> 1008.20] Why, Father seen Him dull. +[1008.20 --> 1011.20] The King of glory it that He has made some joy. +[1011.20 --> 1012.20] Why, Father O Es Bit. +[1012.20 --> 1013.20] While those who Johns could worship Him. +[1013.20 --> 1014.20] The King of glory. +[1014.20 --> 1016.20] The King of glory. +[1016.20 --> 1019.20] weather like my world. +[1019.20 --> 1020.20] Yeah. +[1020.20 --> 1023.20] The King of glory, the King of glory. +[1023.20 --> 1034.30] There's a melody of ceaseless praise, as you wait, just the moon is all the good and stronger. +[1037.18 --> 1045.30] There's a throne beneath the name of names, there is seated on it one who reigns, +[1045.30 --> 1052.80] and His kingdom now is here and getting closer. +[1056.46 --> 1070.64] Praise Him like we're there in glory, here and now He's just as holy, Jesus, He's so worthy of it all. +[1070.64 --> 1082.84] He exists in everlasting light, so on heaven's streets there is no night. +[1083.38 --> 1089.88] Every tear is wiped away, we'll know no sorrow. +[1089.88 --> 1100.88] Worship Him with joyful sound, sing until your voice gives out. +[1101.72 --> 1107.88] No matter where, or who's around, release your worship. +[1107.88 --> 1125.88] Praise Him like we're there in glory, here and now He's just as holy, Jesus, He's so worthy of it all. +[1125.88 --> 1144.76] Bring your song, He loves to hear it, bring Him every prayer so clear it, Jesus, He's so worthy of it all. +[1144.76 --> 1156.76] The one who was, the one who is, the one who is to come. +[1156.76 --> 1175.76] The one who was, the one who is, the one who is to come. +[1175.76 --> 1184.76] The one who was, the one who is to come. +[1185.76 --> 1199.76] Praise Him like we're there in glory, here and now He's just as holy, Jesus, He's so worthy of it all. +[1199.76 --> 1229.74] The one who was, the one who is, the one who is to come. +[1229.74 --> 1239.74] The one who was, the one who is, the one who is to come. +[1239.74 --> 1246.74] The one who was, the one who was, the one who is to come. +[1246.74 --> 1258.74] The one who was, the one who was, the one who was to come. +[1258.74 --> 1263.74] The one who is, the one who is to come. +[1263.74 --> 1267.74] The one who was, the one who was to come. +[1267.74 --> 1268.74] The one who was, the one who is to come. +[1268.74 --> 1270.74] Amen. +[1298.74 --> 1300.74] Amen. +[1328.74 --> 1330.74] Amen. +[1358.74 --> 1360.74] Amen. +[1388.74 --> 1389.74] Amen. +[1418.74 --> 1420.74] Amen. +[1448.74 --> 1450.74] Amen. +[1450.74 --> 1452.74] Amen. +[1452.74 --> 1454.74] Amen. +[1454.74 --> 1456.74] Amen. +[1456.74 --> 1458.74] Amen. +[1458.74 --> 1460.74] Amen. +[1460.74 --> 1462.74] Amen. +[1462.74 --> 1464.74] Amen. +[1464.74 --> 1470.74] Who else could rescue me from my failing? +[1470.74 --> 1476.74] Who else would offer his only son? +[1476.74 --> 1482.74] Who else invites me to call him Father? +[1482.74 --> 1486.74] Only a holy God. +[1486.74 --> 1492.74] Only my holy God. +[1492.74 --> 1501.74] Come and behold him, the one and the only. +[1501.74 --> 1509.74] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[1509.74 --> 1513.74] And worship the holy God. +[1513.74 --> 1523.74] Come and behold him, the one and the only. +[1523.74 --> 1531.74] Cry out, sing holy, forever a holy God. +[1531.74 --> 1535.74] Come and worship the holy God. +[1535.74 --> 1537.74] Amen. +[1537.74 --> 1547.74] You may have a seat. +[1547.74 --> 1553.74] Pastor Chris will be preaching on transformation this morning. +[1553.74 --> 1565.74] And while reflecting on that this week as I worked through planning this service, I wondered what hinders us from being fully transformed as believers. +[1565.74 --> 1571.74] What holds us back from truly living in the abundant life that he has for us? +[1571.74 --> 1575.74] For some of us, it might be guilt. +[1575.74 --> 1576.74] For some it might be shame. +[1576.74 --> 1579.74] It might be addiction, selfishness. +[1579.74 --> 1583.74] For me, I've come to realize that it's fear. +[1583.74 --> 1596.74] Three weeks after Eric and I got married, we tragically lost a dear friend of ours, Kirk, who was the best man in our wedding. +[1596.74 --> 1602.74] And many of you here remember that loss and we all grieved together. +[1602.74 --> 1609.74] It was an incredibly difficult time and one that knocked us off our feet. +[1609.74 --> 1611.74] And we asked God why. +[1611.74 --> 1615.74] And it really tested us as a recently married couple. +[1615.74 --> 1618.74] And it was an even truer test of our faith. +[1618.74 --> 1629.74] But I've realized that experiencing these types of unexpected circumstances over the years has caused me to live in the fear of bad news. +[1629.74 --> 1638.74] I still have moments of feeling paralyzed by fear and the lack of control over what will happen in my life or in the lives of those I love. +[1638.74 --> 1644.74] And I often think about these things and how life has been relatively good these last number of years. +[1644.74 --> 1650.74] And so I almost expect a sudden loss or a heartache to come our way again. +[1650.74 --> 1655.74] But living in fear is not what God desires for us. +[1655.74 --> 1665.74] Nor does he want any of us to be stuck in guilt or shame or anxiety or selfishness, whatever that is for you. +[1665.74 --> 1673.74] God calls us to trust in his unfailing love as the Psalms remind us again and again. +[1673.74 --> 1678.74] And this is when transformation can begin. +[1678.74 --> 1686.74] So please stand with us as we confess this together by singing the song, Lord Have Mercy. +[1686.74 --> 1707.74] Let's pray. +[1707.74 --> 1716.24] Jesus, I've forgotten the words that you have spoken. +[1717.54 --> 1723.76] Promises that burn within my heart of Calvary. +[1723.76 --> 1733.60] With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom. +[1733.60 --> 1742.94] Give me for my unbelief, renew the fire again. +[1744.94 --> 1752.72] Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy. +[1752.72 --> 1760.72] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1760.72 --> 1769.06] Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy. +[1769.06 --> 1777.50] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1777.50 --> 1787.84] I have built an altar where I worship things of them. +[1787.84 --> 1795.90] I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from You. +[1797.18 --> 1804.56] Now I am returning to Your mercies ever-flowing. +[1805.92 --> 1812.84] Pardon my transgressions, help me love You again. +[1812.84 --> 1822.18] Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy. +[1822.18 --> 1830.52] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1830.52 --> 1839.10] Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy. +[1839.10 --> 1846.74] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1846.74 --> 1853.08] I have longed to know You. +[1853.08 --> 1865.02] And all Your tender mercies, like a river of forgiveness, ever flowing without end. +[1865.02 --> 1869.36] So I bow my heart before You. +[1869.36 --> 1873.36] In the goodness of Your presence. +[1873.36 --> 1881.70] The grace of grace, the grace forever shining, like a beacon in the night. +[1881.70 --> 1888.04] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1888.04 --> 1890.04] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1890.04 --> 1896.04] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1896.04 --> 1904.38] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1904.38 --> 1908.38] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1908.38 --> 1916.46] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1916.46 --> 1928.80] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1928.80 --> 1938.14] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1938.14 --> 1943.14] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1943.14 --> 1951.22] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1951.22 --> 1954.56] Lord, have mercy on Thee. +[1954.56 --> 1960.52] Our assurance this morning comes from Romans 8, 35 to 39, which is the passage that Pastor +[1960.52 --> 1963.50] Ed at the time preached at Kirk's funeral. +[1963.50 --> 1966.28] And so we can find comfort and assurance in these words. +[1967.64 --> 1971.38] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? +[1971.88 --> 1977.10] Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? +[1977.10 --> 1982.00] Lord, as it is written, for Your sake we face death all day long. +[1982.00 --> 1985.00] We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. +[1985.00 --> 1989.88] Knowing all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. +[1989.88 --> 1994.72] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the +[1994.72 --> 2000.22] present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation +[2000.22 --> 2007.30] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. +[2007.30 --> 2011.88] with His word. +[2011.90 --> 2024.64] myślę +[2028.52 --> 2030.96] Your word of hepatitis +[2030.96 --> 2037.78] The mighty rock on which we build +[2037.78 --> 2042.96] In every line that truth is found +[2042.96 --> 2048.96] And every page with glory filled +[2048.96 --> 2055.82] Through faith alone we come to you +[2055.82 --> 2061.34] We have no merit we can claim +[2061.34 --> 2066.56] Sure that your promises are true +[2066.56 --> 2072.12] We place our hope in Jesus' name +[2072.12 --> 2076.18] Gloria, Gloria +[2076.18 --> 2082.12] Glory to God alone +[2082.12 --> 2086.50] Gloria, Gloria +[2086.50 --> 2092.44] Glory to God alone +[2092.44 --> 2104.92] In Christ alone we're justified +[2104.92 --> 2110.46] His righteousness is all our plea +[2110.46 --> 2115.98] Your lofty lands are satisfied +[2115.98 --> 2120.84] His perfect word has set us free +[2120.84 --> 2125.48] Gloria, Gloria +[2125.48 --> 2130.84] Glory to God alone +[2130.84 --> 2136.24] Gloria, Gloria +[2136.24 --> 2141.22] Glory to God alone +[2141.22 --> 2155.08] By grace alone we have been saved +[2155.08 --> 2160.20] All that we are has come from you +[2160.20 --> 2165.92] Hearts that were once by sin enslaved +[2165.92 --> 2170.86] Now by your power have been anew +[2170.86 --> 2180.86] Gloria, Gloria, glory to God alone +[2180.86 --> 2190.86] Gloria, Gloria, glory to God alone +[2190.86 --> 2200.86] Gloria, Gloria, glory to God alone +[2200.86 --> 2212.86] Gloria, Gloria, glory to God alone +[2212.86 --> 2237.26] Good morning, everyone. +[2237.26 --> 2241.26] My name is Allison and I am one of the deacons here at the church. +[2241.26 --> 2247.26] This morning's special offering is for Gateway +[2247.26 --> 2250.26] just down the road and it was mentioned earlier today. +[2250.26 --> 2254.26] So it would be a great opportunity to check out what it's all about +[2254.26 --> 2262.26] to actually be part of the dinner that's going on after coldest night of the year. +[2262.26 --> 2266.26] They also do scheduled tours if you're interested in finding out more +[2266.26 --> 2274.26] about the many, many, many people and the things that they do for people who are on the street, +[2274.26 --> 2279.26] who need food, who need shelter, and general help. +[2279.26 --> 2283.26] They do an awful lot in our community for some very precious people. +[2283.26 --> 2288.26] So that is what we're supporting this morning. +[2288.26 --> 2290.26] There are many ways to give. +[2290.26 --> 2297.26] Check, cash, check out our website for electronic ways to give as well. +[2297.26 --> 2298.26] Thank you. +[2298.26 --> 2299.26] Thank you. +[2299.26 --> 2304.26] Thank you. +[2304.26 --> 2324.26] Thank you. +[2324.26 --> 2334.64] He is able, He will never fail, He is almighty God. +[2335.64 --> 2346.26] Greater than all we see, greater than all we ask, He has done great things. +[2346.26 --> 2357.96] Lifted up, He defeated the grave, Raised to life, our God is able. +[2359.06 --> 2369.84] In His name we overcome, For our Lord, our God is able. +[2376.26 --> 2393.74] God is with us, God is on our side, He will make the way. +[2393.74 --> 2405.74] For above all we know, For above all we hope, He has done great things. +[2406.68 --> 2416.74] Lifted up, He defeated the grave, Raised to life, our God is able. +[2416.74 --> 2428.74] In His name we overcome, For the Lord, our God is able. +[2428.74 --> 2446.74] For the Lord, our God is with us, He will go before. +[2446.74 --> 2452.78] He will never leave us, He will never leave us. +[2453.00 --> 2460.74] God is for us, He has opened us, He will never fail us. +[2461.58 --> 2465.96] He will never fail us, He lifted up. +[2466.74 --> 2475.16] He defeated the grave, Raised to life, our God is able. +[2475.16 --> 2505.14] In His name we overcome. +[2505.14 --> 2509.50] For the Lord, our God is able. +[2509.50 --> 2515.22] For the Lord, our God is able. +[2515.22 --> 2521.04] For the Lord, our God is able. +[2521.04 --> 2535.62] All right. +[2535.68 --> 2539.80] I would love to invite all of the kids to come down and join me up here at the front +[2539.80 --> 2541.68] before we head off into children's worship time. +[2541.68 --> 2543.86] So come on forward. +[2543.86 --> 2543.92] Here everyone comes. +[2543.92 --> 2555.76] Here everyone comes. +[2555.76 --> 2555.92] Here everyone comes. +[2555.92 --> 2558.52] Good morning, everybody. +[2558.52 --> 2560.76] How's everybody doing? +[2560.76 --> 2563.38] Where is Hank? +[2564.38 --> 2565.92] I think, you know what I think you need to do? +[2565.98 --> 2566.72] I don't think so. +[2567.90 --> 2568.16] Nope. +[2568.16 --> 2572.78] I think if you all said, Hank, where are you? +[2572.78 --> 2573.98] He might show up. +[2573.98 --> 2575.00] Do you think that's true? +[2575.66 --> 2576.00] All right. +[2576.20 --> 2577.22] You have to do it nice and loud. +[2577.28 --> 2577.66] Are you ready? +[2578.16 --> 2579.72] One, two, three. +[2579.72 --> 2585.72] Here he is. +[2586.54 --> 2588.04] What a rush. +[2589.00 --> 2589.48] Wow. +[2589.76 --> 2592.46] What an exciting entrance that was logistically. +[2593.86 --> 2594.58] All right. +[2595.20 --> 2598.98] We are going to talk about something pretty cool today in children's worship time, Hank. +[2599.08 --> 2599.96] What is that? +[2599.96 --> 2604.54] Well, I have a question, and this is a little bit of a silly question. +[2605.42 --> 2607.18] How many of you have ever had wine? +[2609.12 --> 2610.14] No, that's good. +[2610.18 --> 2611.64] I don't want to out any of your parents. +[2612.02 --> 2613.14] That's an adult drink. +[2613.24 --> 2614.80] Yeah, I'm not even allowed it. +[2614.90 --> 2615.40] You're not? +[2615.70 --> 2615.98] Nope. +[2616.22 --> 2617.18] Allergic to grapes. +[2617.54 --> 2617.92] Oh, yeah. +[2617.96 --> 2618.86] That's true, I guess, eh? +[2619.04 --> 2619.36] Mm-hmm. +[2620.18 --> 2626.76] Well, we are going to hear a story about a wedding that Jesus went to where he turned water, +[2626.76 --> 2629.60] Mm-hmm, water, into wine. +[2629.98 --> 2630.54] Blech. +[2632.50 --> 2633.76] Does that sound kind of fun? +[2634.50 --> 2634.94] Yeah? +[2635.44 --> 2636.62] Is that all you got? +[2636.92 --> 2637.44] What do you mean? +[2637.74 --> 2639.02] Usually you talk longer. +[2639.44 --> 2640.66] That's all I have today, Hank. +[2641.22 --> 2641.56] Hmm. +[2641.82 --> 2644.44] You know what they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. +[2644.92 --> 2646.42] I'm not allowed lemonade either. +[2647.16 --> 2647.44] Oh. +[2647.76 --> 2648.60] Too much sugar. +[2649.12 --> 2650.08] I'm a dog. +[2650.88 --> 2651.30] All right. +[2653.22 --> 2655.64] I am watching the stickball team still. +[2655.64 --> 2659.22] So we're going to pray, and then we're going to go off to children's worship time, okay? +[2659.38 --> 2659.78] Are you ready? +[2659.88 --> 2660.26] Let's pray. +[2660.62 --> 2661.82] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. +[2661.90 --> 2665.72] Thank you that we could gather together here in this place, and that we could worship you. +[2665.88 --> 2668.90] And we pray now, God, as we head off to children's worship time, and as the adults +[2668.90 --> 2672.64] stay back here for church, Lord, and listen to Pastor Chris, we pray that we will learn +[2672.64 --> 2674.64] more about you and your kingdom today. +[2674.78 --> 2675.72] We pray this in your name. +[2676.20 --> 2676.52] Amen. +[2676.74 --> 2677.44] Okay, let's stand up. +[2677.48 --> 2678.20] We're going to do the blessing. +[2678.84 --> 2679.90] All right, so turn around. +[2681.14 --> 2683.18] On the count of three, we're going to say, the Lord be with you. +[2683.18 --> 2683.64] Are you ready? +[2683.64 --> 2685.14] One, two, three. +[2685.14 --> 2687.40] The Lord be with you. +[2688.00 --> 2688.40] Amen. +[2708.50 --> 2708.98] Hello. +[2709.36 --> 2713.22] My name is Allie Stam, and I'm going to be leading us in our church family prayer today. +[2713.70 --> 2715.54] Before we pray, I have an announcement. +[2716.32 --> 2719.22] Daniel and Ismay Howling had their baby Saturday morning. +[2720.10 --> 2723.16] Jed Wolf Howling was born weighing eight pounds and ten ounces. +[2723.62 --> 2727.98] Mom and everyone are doing really well, and there will be a meal train link for people +[2727.98 --> 2729.94] to provide meals for them coming soon. +[2730.28 --> 2732.60] Look in the e-bulletin or on the Facebook group for that. +[2733.24 --> 2733.84] Let's pray. +[2733.84 --> 2738.96] Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us all here today. +[2739.30 --> 2741.48] Thank you that we can gather together as a community. +[2741.96 --> 2746.30] We often take for granted that we are able to meet together and celebrate our faith as +[2746.30 --> 2747.00] often as we do. +[2747.70 --> 2752.74] I pray that we continue to celebrate our faith in whatever way we are able to make fit for +[2752.74 --> 2753.20] our lives. +[2753.20 --> 2758.06] As we meet together, I want to pray for all the members of our church community. +[2758.66 --> 2763.44] Specifically, I want to pray for the Wagener family, Elise Wagener's dad, who has been diagnosed +[2763.44 --> 2764.96] with stage four prostate cancer. +[2765.50 --> 2770.28] We pray that all treatments go well and pray that you stay near to him and his family through +[2770.28 --> 2770.70] this time. +[2770.70 --> 2776.62] We also pray for Amanda Hoguewoning's sister, Tanya, as she has been diagnosed with stage +[2776.62 --> 2778.94] four breast cancer and it has spread to other areas. +[2779.56 --> 2784.20] We pray for strength during this time as she starts new meds, and we pray those meds can +[2784.20 --> 2786.06] help her and that the side effects are minimal. +[2788.06 --> 2793.42] Lord, we lift up those who are battling with depression, anxiety, and addiction, asking for +[2793.42 --> 2795.30] your healing, touch, and peace to surround them. +[2795.98 --> 2798.04] Please be near to them and show them your love. +[2798.04 --> 2802.86] We pray that they find the strength in you, Lord, to seek the help and support they need. +[2803.48 --> 2807.34] May your light shine on them and show them a new path of your grace and love. +[2808.02 --> 2812.78] We thank you for the birth of Jed Wolfe Howling and that he is healthy and that mom is doing +[2812.78 --> 2813.06] well. +[2813.84 --> 2817.20] We pray for Pastor Chris as he comes up to preach and give us the word. +[2817.84 --> 2820.00] May we have the ears to hear and the hearts to listen. +[2821.02 --> 2825.68] We want to thank you, Lord, for the countless blessings you have given to us, seen and unseen. +[2825.68 --> 2829.84] We are grateful for your constant love and guidance through our lives. +[2830.20 --> 2833.60] May we continue to walk in your grace and share your light with others. +[2834.12 --> 2837.44] We pray this all in your son's name, who died on the cross for all our sins. +[2837.72 --> 2837.94] Amen. +[2837.94 --> 2838.04] Amen. +[2838.04 --> 2860.36] We are going to spend the next little while looking together at the next section in our +[2860.36 --> 2862.54] Thessalonians series. +[2862.54 --> 2868.98] We are going to read 1 Thessalonians 2, 13 through 16. +[2870.30 --> 2879.14] Before we do that, I want to start off this morning just by simply acknowledging that there +[2879.14 --> 2887.56] is possibly no greater critic of preaching than preachers. +[2887.56 --> 2896.82] And so I want to confess to you that when I go to other churches or when I have the opportunity +[2896.82 --> 2906.62] to sit down under the preaching of other people, some of my default posture is, oh, that's not +[2906.62 --> 2907.60] how I would have done that. +[2908.26 --> 2911.88] Or that's not what I think the main point is here. +[2911.88 --> 2917.28] And I can become rather critical. +[2918.98 --> 2922.02] Now, I never do that with Josh and Kevin when they preach here. +[2923.88 --> 2927.20] But that's because by the time they preach here, I've gone through it three or four times +[2927.20 --> 2927.54] with them. +[2927.60 --> 2929.26] So they're already saying what I want them to say. +[2931.58 --> 2931.98] Kidding. +[2933.78 --> 2934.68] Sort of. +[2934.68 --> 2946.68] And I will also confess to you that there's no greater critic of my preaching than me. +[2948.46 --> 2950.30] And so say what you want. +[2950.48 --> 2951.88] I've already said it to myself. +[2952.84 --> 2954.26] Come at me however you want. +[2954.32 --> 2956.18] I've already come at myself in that regard. +[2957.70 --> 2959.32] Now, why am I starting this way? +[2959.56 --> 2963.56] Not because I want to tip the scales in favor of you saying, oh, pastor, that was an awesome +[2963.56 --> 2963.88] sermon. +[2964.06 --> 2964.80] Thank you for that. +[2965.26 --> 2967.06] Quite the opposite, actually. +[2971.94 --> 2983.46] I have been trying to learn how to comprehensively and more intentionally hear the voice of God +[2983.46 --> 2985.54] in preaching. +[2985.54 --> 2997.50] Because there's something going on in this moment right now that speaks the voice of God. +[3000.12 --> 3006.62] And I need to humble myself to not be so arrogant as to determine what God is saying, but rather +[3006.62 --> 3010.10] to receive what he is saying. +[3010.10 --> 3017.04] And so as we come into God's word this morning, I wonder if maybe that is a helpful posture +[3017.04 --> 3018.34] to adopt. +[3018.48 --> 3028.20] How can we receive in this moment the word of God as a word of grace and hope and encouragement? +[3030.06 --> 3036.80] Let's read together from 1 Thessalonians 2, starting at verse 13. +[3036.80 --> 3046.68] And we also thank God continually, because when you received the word of God, which you heard +[3046.68 --> 3053.90] from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is the word of God, which +[3053.90 --> 3056.26] is indeed at work in you who believe. +[3057.12 --> 3063.84] For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ +[3063.84 --> 3064.84] Jesus. +[3064.84 --> 3070.80] You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews +[3070.80 --> 3074.00] who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets who drove us out. +[3075.06 --> 3080.20] They displeased God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to +[3080.20 --> 3082.22] the Gentiles so that they may be saved. +[3082.80 --> 3086.12] In this way, they also heap up their sins to the limit. +[3086.80 --> 3090.12] The wrath of God has come upon them at last. +[3090.12 --> 3092.18] The word of the Lord. +[3097.86 --> 3109.34] What I hope we can begin to see together this morning from these words of Paul is the idea, +[3110.16 --> 3120.06] the truth that God's word preached is the source of transformation for those who receive it. +[3120.12 --> 3130.32] That's the preaching of God's word that has a power to change hearts, lives, and minds. +[3130.32 --> 3138.96] Now, Paul begins this section kind of continuing in a line and theme that he has been on from +[3138.96 --> 3139.38] the beginning. +[3140.18 --> 3145.12] He begins by saying, we also thank God continually, right? +[3145.18 --> 3150.40] That language is a callback to verse 2 of chapter 1. +[3150.40 --> 3160.02] Remember, Paul is encouraged by the testimony of the Thessalonian church, and so he's grateful +[3160.02 --> 3166.54] for the ways that they have remained faithful to the gospel that he first proclaimed and preached +[3166.54 --> 3167.70] to them when he came. +[3168.20 --> 3175.42] His gratitude to God for the Thessalonian church abounds in this moment and in this letter. +[3175.42 --> 3181.76] He celebrates their faith that works, to use the language that Kevin led us in, their love +[3181.76 --> 3187.58] that labors, and their hope that holds fast in trials. +[3187.76 --> 3189.60] That's verse 3 of chapter 1. +[3190.50 --> 3200.78] And now he celebrates the truth that they accepted, they heard the word of God as the word of God, +[3200.78 --> 3202.60] not merely as human words. +[3202.68 --> 3207.42] It's the word of God, Paul says, that's at work in you who believe. +[3208.20 --> 3209.68] And that's what he's grateful for. +[3211.32 --> 3219.14] Paul's gratitude for the way the word of God has transformed the lives of the church in Thessalonica +[3219.14 --> 3220.88] is profound. +[3220.88 --> 3234.50] And I wonder, by way of example, how often are you in your lives giving thanks to God for +[3234.50 --> 3240.84] the way you see him at work through the word in the lives of those around you? +[3242.50 --> 3242.70] Right? +[3242.78 --> 3250.44] Have you prayed, Jesus, I thank you for the work that you are doing in their life? +[3250.88 --> 3257.08] I thank you for the work that you are doing in the lives of those in my church, in my small +[3257.08 --> 3257.44] group. +[3258.62 --> 3265.10] Jesus, I thank you for the way your word is changing the people around me. +[3266.44 --> 3272.18] I'll be honest with you, that's a regular part of my prayers and my prayers of gratitude +[3272.18 --> 3275.06] because we see that at this church. +[3275.06 --> 3278.26] It's a regular part of our praying as staff together. +[3279.56 --> 3285.36] And it's a regular part of the elders' meetings that we have and the elders praying through +[3285.36 --> 3287.06] the work that we get to do. +[3287.80 --> 3295.54] It seems clear to those of us with eyes to see who look at this regularly that God is doing +[3295.54 --> 3297.60] something in our midst. +[3297.60 --> 3303.46] And I'm really grateful to be able to see that and to be part of that and I give thanks to God +[3303.46 --> 3304.54] for it. +[3304.62 --> 3314.44] The encouraging thing that we get to see and that we get to share with you is that God's +[3314.44 --> 3317.84] word is doing something in our midst. +[3317.84 --> 3321.22] God's word is doing something in our midst. +[3321.22 --> 3326.88] This past week, we had the opportunity to gather with a group of about 30 or so small +[3326.88 --> 3336.52] group leaders and ministry teachers from those who lead the littlest among us to youth leaders, +[3336.84 --> 3343.64] care group leaders, to those who are leading in the sort of retired and senior ministries around +[3343.64 --> 3350.58] here, and we gathered all to sort of discuss and to be encouraged and to be equipped on how +[3350.58 --> 3358.98] what we do is used by God to make disciples, how what we do is used by God to take his word and to +[3358.98 --> 3365.90] apply it into the lives of those he has given us here, how what we do is used by God to raise up +[3365.90 --> 3373.58] and encourage the next generation of those who will believe. And at that evening, I'm so great +[3373.58 --> 3379.70] for the stories we got to share and for the difficulties that we could support each other in. +[3382.18 --> 3387.96] And throughout all of that, and with all of that in mind, there's a principle, +[3388.96 --> 3395.84] a principle of gratitude that I want to pull out for a moment with you. And that principle, +[3395.84 --> 3403.82] I'll state it this way. Practicing gratitude is the antidote to a grumbling attitude. +[3405.72 --> 3411.34] Practicing gratitude is the antidote to a grumbling attitude. And so I just want to do a quick straw +[3411.34 --> 3418.34] poll for a minute. How many of you know somebody with a grumbling attitude? Raise your hand. +[3418.34 --> 3424.24] All right. How many of you know somebody with a propensity for complaining? Don't be afraid. Hold +[3424.24 --> 3431.76] your hand up. Now, we were timid here. But if you looked around, and if we weren't lying, +[3432.18 --> 3438.86] you would see that at least half of our hands went up. Now, here's what I want you to think about that. +[3438.86 --> 3449.38] Okay? That means there's a 50% chance or higher that you are the grumbler that somebody knows. +[3451.80 --> 3458.54] Are we following that? Now, look, this doesn't surprise us, right? Because we know ourselves, +[3459.16 --> 3465.44] and we know that our churches are full of sinners now called saints who struggle with sin. And so all +[3465.44 --> 3474.70] of us do grumble-worthy things. But the command of God, right, is to not grumble even when they do +[3474.70 --> 3481.74] grumble-worthy things, even when we face grumble-worthy circumstances. Right? In 1 Corinthians, +[3482.20 --> 3489.38] Paul uses the story of Israel wandering in the wilderness, and he holds them up as a negative example, +[3489.38 --> 3495.42] and he says, don't be like them, right? Don't be idolaters, he says in 1 Corinthians 10, 7. He says, +[3495.44 --> 3505.56] don't test Christ, and then he says, do not grumble. James, in his epistle, like the Apostle Paul here in +[3505.56 --> 3515.42] Thessalonians, he looks to Jesus' return as the impetus, the ground for patience and for faithfulness. +[3515.88 --> 3524.34] And he says, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near. Do not grumble against one +[3524.34 --> 3534.66] another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. And so, how is it that we don't grumble? +[3536.24 --> 3542.92] Well, by doing what Paul does in our text, right? We have gratitude to God for the way that he is +[3542.92 --> 3550.10] working in the lives around us, right? Gratitude transforms your imaginations from being captive +[3550.10 --> 3557.36] to the immediate and opens your minds to what is possible in the transcendent, right? Gratitude +[3557.36 --> 3565.16] changes the way you see your present circumstances because you're training yourself to see God at work. +[3566.40 --> 3573.86] And if you can see God at work over here in this mess, right? And if you can see God at work over here +[3573.86 --> 3582.20] in this circumstance, right? You can have faith that he will do something similar over here. And you can +[3582.20 --> 3591.86] have patience for when he comes to do it. Or you can have faith that if he doesn't do that, he's doing +[3591.86 --> 3600.48] something even greater for his glory, something different for his and your good. You just can't yet see it. +[3600.48 --> 3609.80] Right? A heart of gratitude is training to accept a God of goodness even when he is hidden. +[3611.20 --> 3617.76] A heart filled with gratitude for the ways in which God is at work doesn't dwell on the ways in which +[3617.76 --> 3628.64] other people are or aren't working in ways that frustrate you. If we don't focus on gratitude to God, +[3628.64 --> 3640.94] grumbling is the sort of default response. Gratitude is the grace-filled supernatural response. +[3642.56 --> 3649.30] So as we are applying this principle, think for a minute, the next time that you are tempted to grumble, +[3649.68 --> 3652.64] try asking yourself, I wonder how God is working here. +[3652.64 --> 3661.60] Or try asking yourself, is God asking me to be part of a story of gratitude for his working right now? +[3663.60 --> 3670.66] And as you go today, ask, how are you in your words and in your attitudes, +[3670.66 --> 3677.74] how are you contributing to a culture here of gratitude over grumbling? +[3681.30 --> 3688.56] And maybe the next time someone grumbles to you, you might have the courage to stop them +[3688.56 --> 3692.30] and just ask, where are you seeing God right now? +[3692.30 --> 3697.24] How is God at work in your life right now? +[3697.72 --> 3699.00] Where is God showing up? +[3699.68 --> 3701.42] Or where do you need him to show up? +[3702.60 --> 3708.16] And if you are seeing him over here, maybe, maybe you can wait for him over here. +[3709.08 --> 3713.12] And maybe that is something we need to pray about rather than grumble about. +[3715.12 --> 3719.66] Practicing gratitude is the antidote for a grumbling attitude. +[3722.30 --> 3725.24] Now hold that in your brain for a moment. +[3726.82 --> 3732.80] So let's notice next exactly what it is that Paul is grateful for. +[3732.90 --> 3737.04] He says, we thank God because when you received the word of God, +[3737.04 --> 3741.78] which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, +[3741.94 --> 3746.38] but as it actually is the word of God. +[3746.38 --> 3753.62] So Paul is grateful for the way the Thessalonian church has received the word of God. +[3753.90 --> 3759.36] But notice here, right, a characteristic of the word of God that they received that he is grateful for. +[3760.66 --> 3761.94] They heard it. +[3763.54 --> 3769.16] Paul is talking about the way they heard the word of God preached. +[3769.16 --> 3776.32] Paul came to them and he preached in the Spirit and the Spirit used his preaching to transform their lives. +[3777.50 --> 3780.98] We read in Romans 10 that this is actually the normal pattern. +[3781.48 --> 3783.16] Romans 10 verse 17 says, +[3783.56 --> 3790.00] Faith comes from hearing the message and the message heard is through the word about Christ. +[3790.00 --> 3795.18] You received the word of God which you heard from us not as a human word, +[3795.26 --> 3800.50] but as it actually is a word of God. +[3801.58 --> 3811.10] In 1 Peter 1, 23 to 25, there's a long section there and a continuous thought that starts +[3811.10 --> 3818.66] and it says that the living and enduring word of God is the word that was preached to you. +[3820.00 --> 3821.66] So here's what I want us to be hearing, right? +[3821.72 --> 3826.72] That somehow, somehow in the economy of God's work in the world, +[3826.88 --> 3832.34] the preached word is the means by which he brings salvation and faith to people. +[3833.22 --> 3838.46] Such that when the preacher stands up and opens the word of God and begins to preach, +[3838.82 --> 3845.26] insofar as he is faithful to the message, it is God's voice through him to you. +[3846.94 --> 3848.36] Now this means a couple things. +[3848.36 --> 3857.24] First, for those of us who preach, it means we better take this task and responsibility seriously. +[3858.76 --> 3864.26] It means we better make our hearts willing and subservient to the will of God. +[3865.22 --> 3865.58] Right? +[3865.62 --> 3870.18] I want to be a humble and willing tool in the hands of God. +[3870.18 --> 3875.24] So that it might be his voice that comes through me. +[3876.96 --> 3879.46] But it also changes the way you listen. +[3880.54 --> 3885.28] Because it means that even the most average preachers, +[3885.44 --> 3887.92] even the most mediocre preachers like myself, +[3888.08 --> 3892.14] are used by God to speak his voice. +[3892.14 --> 3895.62] God is faithful. +[3896.74 --> 3902.26] And that means there's always, always something here for you. +[3902.94 --> 3906.78] There's always a word of God for your heart. +[3908.70 --> 3913.38] There's always a word of God for your faith. +[3913.38 --> 3919.84] Now, you may not be entertained, +[3920.84 --> 3923.26] but God is still speaking. +[3923.26 --> 3927.76] The preacher may not be the most riveting, +[3928.56 --> 3931.50] but God is still speaking. +[3931.50 --> 3943.38] And look, lest you think that this is an attempt to platform myself or Kevin or Josh for our own words, +[3943.76 --> 3948.86] this has been the understanding of the Christian church from its beginning. +[3950.54 --> 3955.50] A preached word of God is the word of God. +[3955.50 --> 3956.70] Let me give you a couple examples. +[3957.90 --> 3961.22] We'll move out of this era to make this point. +[3961.64 --> 3965.70] In the 1560s, okay, almost 500 years ago, +[3966.72 --> 3970.16] the Second Helvetic Confession was written. +[3971.42 --> 3977.24] This is a lesser-known Reformed Confession written by Henry Bollinger. +[3977.72 --> 3979.48] He's a Swiss theologian. +[3980.42 --> 3983.32] This confession became popular in the Swiss Reformed churches. +[3983.32 --> 3986.82] And there, in the middle of that confession, +[3987.42 --> 3988.06] it reads, +[3988.40 --> 3992.78] the preaching of the word is the word of God. +[3994.12 --> 3996.60] This idea is worked out in our own tradition, +[3996.86 --> 3998.24] in the Heidelberg Catechism. +[3998.58 --> 4000.60] Question and answer 83 through 85 +[4000.60 --> 4004.52] explains what it is we believe Jesus means +[4004.52 --> 4007.42] when he talks about the keys of the kingdom +[4007.42 --> 4009.42] that are given to the church. +[4010.34 --> 4012.54] Preaching is one of the keys of the kingdom +[4012.54 --> 4015.48] whereby heaven is open to those who believe +[4015.48 --> 4018.74] by grace through faith and close to those who don't. +[4020.52 --> 4022.36] John Calvin is a French theologian +[4022.36 --> 4024.94] from this same time period in the 16th century. +[4025.84 --> 4027.70] In the Institutes of the Christian Religion, +[4028.24 --> 4028.92] he writes this, +[4029.04 --> 4030.74] and I think these are just beautiful words. +[4031.74 --> 4032.14] He writes, +[4032.14 --> 4053.60] Now, lest you think this is a Protestant truth, +[4053.96 --> 4055.30] let me keep going even further. +[4055.30 --> 4059.70] In his sermon for the Feast of Pentecost, +[4059.86 --> 4063.02] Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians +[4063.02 --> 4066.70] in the history of the church in the 12th century, +[4067.24 --> 4069.24] emphasizes the transformative power +[4069.82 --> 4072.22] of the Holy Spirit in preaching. +[4072.36 --> 4074.02] And I'm going to summarize one of the main points +[4074.02 --> 4075.46] in that sermon that he gives, +[4075.52 --> 4078.20] is that the Holy Spirit makes the tongue +[4078.20 --> 4080.44] of the preacher efficacious, +[4080.44 --> 4082.70] that is, it gives it power and effective, +[4083.28 --> 4086.06] so that the preacher can worthily +[4086.06 --> 4089.30] and fruitfully set forth the Word of God. +[4091.08 --> 4092.98] And we can keep going back further, right? +[4093.04 --> 4095.24] Because again, this is the history of the church. +[4095.70 --> 4097.94] Augustine, a 4th century church father, +[4098.16 --> 4099.48] now from North Africa, +[4100.68 --> 4101.70] he says that, +[4101.70 --> 4105.00] We should not find it surprising +[4105.00 --> 4107.58] that to meet our weakness, +[4107.78 --> 4111.34] Christ descended to the discreet sounds +[4111.34 --> 4112.38] that we use. +[4113.76 --> 4115.84] He goes on to say, +[4117.12 --> 4120.86] I feed you on what I feed on myself. +[4122.44 --> 4122.90] Right? +[4122.96 --> 4124.16] So I feed you the Word +[4124.16 --> 4125.74] as I feed on it myself. +[4126.02 --> 4127.20] I am just a waiter. +[4127.36 --> 4128.62] I am not a master of the house. +[4128.62 --> 4131.00] I set before you from the pantry +[4131.00 --> 4133.24] which I too live on. +[4133.96 --> 4134.80] And I'll be honest with you, +[4135.00 --> 4135.84] I could keep going. +[4137.22 --> 4138.68] Yesterday I was in my study +[4138.68 --> 4140.50] trying to put some final touches +[4140.50 --> 4141.32] on these things +[4141.32 --> 4143.16] and Rachel called me at 4 o'clock +[4143.16 --> 4143.88] and she said, +[4143.94 --> 4144.80] Hey, are you coming home? +[4145.74 --> 4146.04] And I said, +[4146.08 --> 4146.74] What time is it? +[4147.46 --> 4149.04] She pulled me out of this deep dive +[4149.04 --> 4150.60] that I was doing in the midst of this. +[4150.98 --> 4152.94] I spent like an hour and a half +[4152.94 --> 4154.00] reading Irenaeus, +[4154.08 --> 4155.88] who's a second century church father +[4155.88 --> 4159.10] who argues from the apostolic tradition +[4159.10 --> 4161.32] that preaching is the means +[4161.32 --> 4162.78] by which the gospel continues +[4162.78 --> 4163.46] to be affirmed. +[4163.66 --> 4164.60] Point is, +[4164.96 --> 4166.52] this is how the church +[4166.52 --> 4168.26] has always understood +[4168.26 --> 4170.66] the way God speaks to His people. +[4172.26 --> 4172.48] Right? +[4172.52 --> 4174.68] The Word of God starts actually +[4174.68 --> 4176.48] as an oral reality +[4176.48 --> 4177.38] of God Himself +[4177.38 --> 4180.70] speaking creation into being. +[4181.24 --> 4182.86] Of speaking to Adam and Eve +[4182.86 --> 4183.42] in the garden +[4183.42 --> 4184.40] as He walks with Him +[4184.40 --> 4185.68] in the cool of the day. +[4186.20 --> 4187.40] Speaking through angels. +[4187.40 --> 4189.44] The Word of God continues orally +[4189.44 --> 4190.38] and is memorized +[4190.38 --> 4191.76] in tradition +[4191.76 --> 4192.82] and in family. +[4193.00 --> 4194.60] It's spoken by the patriarchs +[4194.60 --> 4195.74] and by the storytellers +[4195.74 --> 4196.76] of the community. +[4197.06 --> 4198.00] It's written +[4198.00 --> 4199.70] and collected +[4199.70 --> 4200.58] by Moses +[4200.58 --> 4201.52] all the while +[4201.52 --> 4202.16] continuing +[4202.16 --> 4203.48] in its oral form +[4203.48 --> 4203.92] and speech +[4203.92 --> 4204.96] as God is progressively +[4204.96 --> 4206.04] revealing Himself +[4206.04 --> 4206.70] more and more +[4206.70 --> 4207.44] through the prophets. +[4208.56 --> 4209.20] And then +[4209.20 --> 4210.88] in the most amazing +[4210.88 --> 4211.94] of all miracles +[4211.94 --> 4214.00] the Word of God +[4214.00 --> 4215.40] took on flesh. +[4215.40 --> 4217.68] In John 1 +[4217.68 --> 4218.48] we read that +[4218.48 --> 4219.02] in the beginning +[4219.02 --> 4219.68] was the Word +[4219.68 --> 4220.54] and the Word was God +[4220.54 --> 4221.28] and the Word was with God +[4221.28 --> 4222.30] He was God in the beginning +[4222.30 --> 4223.88] and then in John 1.14 +[4223.88 --> 4225.78] the Word took on flesh +[4225.78 --> 4227.22] and made His dwelling among us. +[4227.52 --> 4228.88] And so God has always +[4228.88 --> 4230.20] communicated Himself +[4230.20 --> 4231.80] mediated Himself +[4231.80 --> 4233.18] through the Word +[4233.18 --> 4234.10] and that Word +[4234.10 --> 4235.20] has taken on flesh +[4235.20 --> 4236.56] in the person of Jesus Christ +[4236.56 --> 4237.94] and now we continue +[4237.94 --> 4239.26] to hear the voice +[4239.26 --> 4240.88] of that same Jesus +[4240.88 --> 4243.06] in the preached Word. +[4243.06 --> 4245.54] This is the miracle +[4245.54 --> 4246.86] of our faith +[4246.86 --> 4248.08] and it is a miracle +[4248.08 --> 4248.74] of incarnation +[4248.74 --> 4249.92] that continues +[4249.92 --> 4250.90] to be worked out +[4250.90 --> 4252.48] week in and week out +[4252.48 --> 4253.66] as we gather together +[4253.66 --> 4254.92] under the Word. +[4255.60 --> 4256.26] This is the point +[4256.26 --> 4256.90] that Paul makes +[4256.90 --> 4257.76] when he commissions +[4257.76 --> 4259.24] the next generation +[4259.24 --> 4260.22] of apostles +[4260.22 --> 4261.16] just as Christ +[4261.16 --> 4262.18] commissioned the apostles +[4262.18 --> 4262.96] to preach the Word +[4262.96 --> 4264.06] Paul commissions +[4264.06 --> 4265.68] Timothy and Titus +[4265.68 --> 4267.40] to hold out +[4267.40 --> 4268.46] the Word of life. +[4269.46 --> 4270.34] And it's at this point +[4270.34 --> 4272.12] that the early church +[4272.12 --> 4273.48] expressing through +[4273.48 --> 4274.44] written forms +[4274.44 --> 4275.40] what had been +[4275.40 --> 4276.40] the teaching +[4276.40 --> 4277.12] and tradition +[4277.12 --> 4278.04] of the apostles +[4278.04 --> 4278.90] throughout +[4278.90 --> 4279.76] and we note it +[4279.76 --> 4280.74] in the letters +[4280.74 --> 4281.70] that Paul has written +[4281.70 --> 4283.76] we notice in the letters +[4283.76 --> 4284.94] that John and Peter +[4284.94 --> 4285.60] James +[4285.60 --> 4287.10] the letter to the Hebrews +[4287.10 --> 4287.70] Revelation +[4287.70 --> 4291.10] in all these things +[4291.10 --> 4293.68] the Word of God +[4293.68 --> 4294.40] first taught +[4294.40 --> 4295.20] and expressed +[4295.20 --> 4296.16] orally +[4296.16 --> 4297.12] and then +[4297.12 --> 4298.30] which was written down +[4298.30 --> 4300.78] all of that +[4300.78 --> 4301.84] right +[4301.84 --> 4302.74] is the Word +[4302.74 --> 4303.72] of God +[4303.72 --> 4305.70] and this oral ministry +[4305.70 --> 4306.58] of the Word of God +[4306.58 --> 4307.32] continues +[4307.32 --> 4308.36] throughout +[4308.36 --> 4309.98] ministers and theologians +[4309.98 --> 4310.74] today. +[4312.06 --> 4312.28] Now +[4312.28 --> 4313.58] at this point +[4313.58 --> 4314.06] we need to +[4314.06 --> 4315.84] slow down for a minute +[4315.84 --> 4318.06] because this is really +[4318.06 --> 4318.90] important for me to say +[4318.90 --> 4322.04] the only way +[4322.04 --> 4323.44] the only way +[4323.44 --> 4324.64] that you can know +[4324.64 --> 4325.90] the Word of God +[4325.90 --> 4327.44] spoken orally +[4327.44 --> 4329.32] is by testing it +[4329.32 --> 4330.28] against the record +[4330.28 --> 4330.84] of Scripture +[4330.84 --> 4332.52] in its written form. +[4333.48 --> 4334.82] The written Word +[4334.82 --> 4335.34] of God +[4335.34 --> 4336.22] is the only +[4336.22 --> 4337.36] infallible rule +[4337.36 --> 4338.32] for life and faith +[4338.32 --> 4339.56] by which we must +[4339.56 --> 4340.66] test the spoken +[4340.66 --> 4342.42] words of God +[4342.42 --> 4342.76] and so +[4342.76 --> 4343.76] every Sunday +[4343.76 --> 4344.44] when I'm up here +[4344.44 --> 4344.80] preaching +[4344.80 --> 4345.64] proclaiming to you +[4345.64 --> 4346.24] what I believe +[4346.24 --> 4346.74] faithfully +[4346.74 --> 4347.76] to be the Word of God +[4347.76 --> 4349.00] you need to know +[4349.00 --> 4349.62] the Scriptures +[4349.62 --> 4351.34] to test it +[4351.34 --> 4353.26] and see that it is true. +[4353.26 --> 4356.14] This must be +[4356.14 --> 4357.82] part of our +[4357.82 --> 4358.78] work +[4358.78 --> 4359.96] together. +[4361.00 --> 4361.98] The Word of God +[4361.98 --> 4362.92] spoken orally +[4362.92 --> 4364.16] must be tested +[4364.16 --> 4365.78] against the Word of God +[4365.78 --> 4367.06] written infallibly +[4367.06 --> 4367.94] in order for us +[4367.94 --> 4368.46] to know +[4368.46 --> 4369.12] that it +[4369.12 --> 4370.32] is true. +[4371.88 --> 4373.02] Because the Scriptures +[4373.02 --> 4374.28] are the infallible +[4374.28 --> 4375.26] rule of God +[4375.26 --> 4376.16] the Scriptures +[4376.16 --> 4377.58] are the revelation +[4377.58 --> 4378.64] of the God +[4378.64 --> 4379.54] who speaks, right? +[4379.60 --> 4380.42] The infallibility +[4380.42 --> 4381.02] of the Scripture +[4381.02 --> 4381.74] is connected +[4381.74 --> 4382.70] to the character +[4382.70 --> 4383.36] of the God +[4383.36 --> 4384.14] who speaks them. +[4385.42 --> 4385.96] So if you've ever +[4385.96 --> 4386.44] wondered why +[4386.44 --> 4387.40] we trust the Bible +[4387.40 --> 4389.02] it's because God +[4389.02 --> 4389.66] is trustworthy +[4389.66 --> 4391.68] and so when He speaks +[4391.68 --> 4393.46] He speaks only truth. +[4395.90 --> 4396.84] But that's how +[4396.84 --> 4397.80] we can identify +[4397.80 --> 4399.58] what the early +[4399.58 --> 4400.30] church fathers +[4400.30 --> 4401.30] called the +[4401.30 --> 4402.48] viva vox dei +[4402.48 --> 4404.18] the living voice +[4404.18 --> 4404.84] of God. +[4406.48 --> 4407.52] My job +[4407.52 --> 4408.82] and anyone +[4408.82 --> 4409.38] who stands +[4409.38 --> 4410.28] on this stage +[4410.28 --> 4410.78] and opens +[4410.78 --> 4411.28] the Scriptures +[4411.28 --> 4411.94] for you +[4411.94 --> 4413.72] is to be +[4413.72 --> 4414.66] a mouthpiece +[4414.66 --> 4415.82] for the living +[4415.82 --> 4417.60] voice of God. +[4418.70 --> 4419.98] I must decrease +[4419.98 --> 4420.64] so that He +[4420.64 --> 4421.66] may increase +[4421.66 --> 4422.60] and when you +[4422.60 --> 4423.74] receive the Word +[4423.74 --> 4424.20] of God +[4424.20 --> 4425.16] that you hear +[4425.16 --> 4425.78] from me +[4425.78 --> 4426.46] the question +[4426.46 --> 4427.78] on your hearts +[4427.78 --> 4429.30] must be +[4429.30 --> 4430.64] do you hear +[4430.64 --> 4431.36] this +[4431.36 --> 4432.10] as +[4432.10 --> 4433.96] it is +[4433.96 --> 4435.80] as a word +[4435.80 --> 4437.24] from God? +[4437.24 --> 4442.24] how do we know +[4442.24 --> 4442.62] it's a word +[4442.62 --> 4443.08] from God? +[4444.70 --> 4445.22] One +[4445.22 --> 4446.88] it's confirmed +[4446.88 --> 4447.64] by the Scriptures +[4447.64 --> 4449.26] right? +[4449.32 --> 4449.86] We test +[4449.86 --> 4450.50] the Spirit +[4450.50 --> 4451.62] and we see +[4451.62 --> 4452.74] that it is true +[4452.74 --> 4453.78] that the two +[4453.78 --> 4454.24] accord +[4454.24 --> 4455.46] because the Spirit +[4455.46 --> 4456.00] will speak +[4456.00 --> 4457.32] with one voice. +[4458.20 --> 4458.72] Two +[4458.72 --> 4459.62] we know +[4459.62 --> 4460.04] that it is +[4460.04 --> 4460.88] the Word of God +[4460.88 --> 4462.06] because lives +[4462.06 --> 4463.30] are transformed +[4463.30 --> 4464.62] right? +[4464.62 --> 4464.90] we know +[4464.90 --> 4465.20] that it's +[4465.20 --> 4465.44] the Word +[4465.44 --> 4465.72] of God +[4465.72 --> 4466.48] because by it +[4466.48 --> 4467.22] you become +[4467.22 --> 4468.28] imitators +[4468.28 --> 4469.74] imitators +[4469.74 --> 4470.40] of Christ +[4470.40 --> 4471.28] imitators +[4471.28 --> 4471.72] of other +[4471.72 --> 4472.10] mature +[4472.10 --> 4472.76] disciples +[4472.76 --> 4473.76] imitators +[4473.76 --> 4474.12] of those +[4474.12 --> 4474.58] examples +[4474.58 --> 4475.12] of faith +[4475.12 --> 4475.82] and godliness +[4475.82 --> 4476.50] that He +[4476.50 --> 4476.92] has set +[4476.92 --> 4477.46] before you +[4477.46 --> 4478.28] imitators +[4478.28 --> 4478.92] of God's +[4478.92 --> 4479.28] church +[4479.28 --> 4480.04] that's what +[4480.04 --> 4481.08] Paul grounds +[4481.08 --> 4481.74] his argument +[4481.74 --> 4482.20] in here +[4482.20 --> 4482.54] he says +[4482.54 --> 4483.14] you received +[4483.14 --> 4483.48] the Word +[4483.48 --> 4483.88] of God +[4483.88 --> 4484.28] and so +[4484.28 --> 4484.80] by it +[4484.80 --> 4485.68] you became +[4485.68 --> 4486.38] imitators +[4486.38 --> 4486.94] of the churches +[4486.94 --> 4487.66] in Judea +[4487.66 --> 4488.82] and in that +[4488.82 --> 4490.82] point of comparison +[4490.82 --> 4491.58] that Paul is +[4491.58 --> 4491.88] making +[4491.88 --> 4492.18] he says +[4492.18 --> 4493.44] those Christians +[4493.44 --> 4494.14] those early +[4494.14 --> 4494.52] Christians +[4494.52 --> 4495.18] in Judea +[4495.18 --> 4496.66] also suffered +[4496.66 --> 4497.30] from their +[4497.30 --> 4497.84] own people +[4497.84 --> 4498.54] in the same +[4498.54 --> 4499.38] way that you +[4499.38 --> 4500.12] have suffered +[4500.12 --> 4500.98] from your +[4500.98 --> 4501.50] own people +[4501.50 --> 4501.92] remember +[4501.92 --> 4502.56] when the +[4502.56 --> 4502.90] believers +[4502.90 --> 4503.96] first became +[4503.96 --> 4504.36] Christian +[4504.36 --> 4505.18] in Thessalonica +[4505.18 --> 4506.48] they were +[4506.48 --> 4507.14] challenged +[4507.14 --> 4508.08] and persecuted +[4508.08 --> 4509.18] and they +[4509.18 --> 4509.94] were arrested +[4509.94 --> 4511.18] they suffered +[4511.18 --> 4512.30] from their +[4512.30 --> 4513.38] own people +[4513.38 --> 4514.52] and Paul +[4514.52 --> 4514.80] is saying +[4514.80 --> 4515.56] this is +[4515.56 --> 4515.84] what +[4515.84 --> 4517.26] discipleship +[4517.26 --> 4518.44] looks like +[4518.44 --> 4519.64] in fact +[4519.64 --> 4521.96] suffering +[4521.96 --> 4523.56] for the +[4523.56 --> 4524.00] gospel +[4524.00 --> 4525.80] is confirmation +[4525.80 --> 4527.38] of transformation +[4527.38 --> 4528.52] by the +[4528.52 --> 4528.92] gospel +[4528.92 --> 4530.34] or to put it +[4530.34 --> 4530.84] another way +[4530.84 --> 4532.56] peculiarity +[4532.56 --> 4533.28] for those of +[4533.28 --> 4533.96] us who believe +[4533.96 --> 4536.00] is a +[4536.00 --> 4536.64] proof +[4536.64 --> 4538.30] that it's +[4538.30 --> 4539.54] true +[4539.54 --> 4540.36] in your +[4540.36 --> 4540.68] heart +[4540.68 --> 4541.86] and in +[4541.86 --> 4542.38] your lives +[4542.38 --> 4545.88] and so +[4545.88 --> 4548.10] when someone +[4548.10 --> 4548.92] calls you +[4548.92 --> 4549.66] strange +[4549.66 --> 4551.12] or weird +[4551.12 --> 4552.20] because of +[4552.20 --> 4552.74] your Christian +[4552.74 --> 4553.28] faith +[4553.28 --> 4555.68] do what we +[4555.68 --> 4556.08] read in the +[4556.08 --> 4556.44] scriptures +[4556.44 --> 4557.38] rejoice +[4557.38 --> 4558.80] because you +[4558.80 --> 4559.38] get to suffer +[4559.38 --> 4560.64] for that name +[4560.64 --> 4562.08] because it +[4562.08 --> 4562.86] means God's +[4562.86 --> 4563.58] work is +[4563.58 --> 4564.66] really working +[4564.66 --> 4565.46] his voice +[4565.46 --> 4566.10] is really +[4566.10 --> 4567.08] real and +[4567.08 --> 4567.82] it is really +[4567.82 --> 4568.80] speaking to +[4568.80 --> 4569.96] you in +[4569.96 --> 4570.74] your +[4570.74 --> 4571.94] life +[4571.94 --> 4573.62] God's +[4573.62 --> 4573.92] word +[4573.92 --> 4574.50] preached +[4574.50 --> 4575.28] is the +[4575.28 --> 4575.70] source +[4575.70 --> 4576.04] of +[4576.04 --> 4576.68] transformation +[4576.68 --> 4578.00] for those +[4578.00 --> 4578.78] who +[4578.78 --> 4580.02] receive it +[4580.02 --> 4581.86] and so +[4581.86 --> 4582.50] really quickly +[4582.50 --> 4583.72] I want to +[4583.72 --> 4584.26] land this +[4584.26 --> 4584.78] plane +[4584.78 --> 4586.16] with some +[4586.16 --> 4586.78] ideas +[4586.78 --> 4587.72] and practical +[4587.72 --> 4588.64] steps of +[4588.64 --> 4589.22] application +[4589.22 --> 4590.20] for you +[4590.20 --> 4591.18] to transform +[4591.18 --> 4592.16] your hearing +[4592.16 --> 4592.94] so that you +[4592.94 --> 4593.32] can be +[4593.32 --> 4593.84] transformed +[4593.84 --> 4594.70] by hearing +[4594.70 --> 4596.08] first of all +[4596.08 --> 4597.20] what's one +[4597.20 --> 4597.76] thing that you +[4597.76 --> 4598.40] can do +[4598.40 --> 4599.28] to hear +[4599.28 --> 4599.74] the voice +[4599.74 --> 4600.12] of God +[4600.12 --> 4600.78] well pray +[4600.78 --> 4602.04] pray +[4602.04 --> 4602.86] pray before +[4602.86 --> 4603.84] you come +[4603.84 --> 4604.86] to worship +[4604.86 --> 4605.60] pray on +[4605.60 --> 4606.38] Saturday night +[4606.38 --> 4607.06] and on Sunday +[4607.06 --> 4607.44] morning +[4607.44 --> 4608.38] that in this +[4608.38 --> 4608.78] moment +[4608.78 --> 4609.88] through this +[4609.88 --> 4610.94] feeble attempt +[4610.94 --> 4611.50] of mine +[4611.50 --> 4612.56] you might hear +[4612.56 --> 4613.56] the infallible +[4613.56 --> 4614.82] word of God +[4614.82 --> 4616.22] that you might +[4616.22 --> 4617.24] hear the voice +[4617.24 --> 4618.10] of the living +[4618.10 --> 4618.98] God +[4618.98 --> 4620.44] pray that +[4620.44 --> 4621.40] what you need +[4621.40 --> 4622.16] to hear from +[4622.16 --> 4622.92] God would not +[4622.92 --> 4623.58] only be the +[4623.58 --> 4624.50] truth of God +[4624.50 --> 4625.24] but would be +[4625.24 --> 4626.40] what your heart +[4626.40 --> 4627.50] is crying out +[4627.50 --> 4627.86] for +[4627.86 --> 4628.96] what your soul +[4628.96 --> 4629.98] is longing for +[4629.98 --> 4630.42] so that you +[4630.42 --> 4631.30] might hear +[4631.30 --> 4632.00] and rest +[4632.00 --> 4633.16] in the words +[4633.16 --> 4634.50] of Jesus +[4634.50 --> 4636.28] and then +[4636.28 --> 4637.40] after praying +[4637.40 --> 4638.30] and hearing +[4638.30 --> 4639.64] I suggest +[4639.64 --> 4640.16] to you +[4640.16 --> 4641.64] to practice +[4641.64 --> 4643.56] practice +[4643.56 --> 4644.00] right +[4644.00 --> 4644.48] scripture +[4644.48 --> 4645.58] James in +[4645.58 --> 4645.96] particular +[4645.96 --> 4646.58] calls us +[4646.58 --> 4647.10] to not only +[4647.10 --> 4647.90] be hearers +[4647.90 --> 4648.48] of the word +[4648.48 --> 4649.40] but doers +[4649.40 --> 4650.26] also +[4650.26 --> 4652.34] this is +[4652.34 --> 4653.00] by the way +[4653.00 --> 4653.62] let's unpack +[4653.62 --> 4654.20] that thought +[4654.20 --> 4654.92] this idea +[4654.92 --> 4655.64] of practice +[4655.64 --> 4656.32] is also +[4656.32 --> 4656.78] where +[4656.78 --> 4657.56] your +[4657.56 --> 4660.42] striving +[4660.42 --> 4661.22] against +[4661.22 --> 4661.88] grumbling +[4661.88 --> 4662.90] and replacing +[4662.90 --> 4663.40] it with +[4663.40 --> 4663.90] gratitude +[4663.90 --> 4664.84] comes into +[4664.84 --> 4665.16] play +[4665.16 --> 4667.84] right +[4667.84 --> 4668.24] how do we +[4668.24 --> 4669.34] not grumble +[4669.34 --> 4670.50] but practice +[4670.50 --> 4671.68] do we do +[4671.68 --> 4672.40] what the Lord +[4672.40 --> 4673.02] is calling +[4673.02 --> 4673.90] us to do +[4673.90 --> 4674.88] in these +[4674.88 --> 4675.36] moments +[4675.36 --> 4675.90] how do we +[4675.90 --> 4677.36] live lives +[4677.36 --> 4678.40] of obedience +[4678.40 --> 4679.30] that he has +[4679.30 --> 4680.06] called us +[4680.06 --> 4681.00] to live +[4681.00 --> 4681.78] and do so +[4681.78 --> 4682.48] faithfully +[4682.48 --> 4682.88] and with +[4682.88 --> 4683.32] gratitude +[4683.32 --> 4684.26] for what +[4684.26 --> 4684.50] he has +[4684.50 --> 4684.74] done +[4684.74 --> 4686.06] and then +[4686.06 --> 4686.28] third +[4686.28 --> 4686.76] practical +[4686.76 --> 4687.32] application +[4687.32 --> 4688.00] preach +[4688.00 --> 4688.72] yourselves +[4688.72 --> 4689.82] right +[4689.82 --> 4690.38] take this +[4690.38 --> 4690.92] message +[4690.92 --> 4691.74] and tell +[4691.74 --> 4692.40] the gospel +[4692.40 --> 4693.26] to your +[4693.26 --> 4693.80] neighbors +[4693.80 --> 4694.26] and your +[4694.26 --> 4694.78] co-workers +[4694.78 --> 4695.20] and your +[4695.20 --> 4695.68] colleagues +[4695.68 --> 4696.08] to your +[4696.08 --> 4696.76] care groups +[4696.76 --> 4697.42] to your +[4697.42 --> 4697.78] friends +[4697.78 --> 4698.22] to those +[4698.22 --> 4698.54] whom you +[4698.54 --> 4698.70] meet +[4698.70 --> 4699.54] take this +[4699.54 --> 4700.12] truth +[4700.12 --> 4700.78] and then +[4700.78 --> 4701.74] cast it +[4701.74 --> 4702.06] out +[4702.06 --> 4702.70] into the +[4702.70 --> 4703.02] world +[4703.02 --> 4703.90] right +[4703.90 --> 4704.66] take the +[4704.66 --> 4705.00] gospel +[4705.00 --> 4705.32] that you +[4705.32 --> 4705.76] hear on +[4705.76 --> 4706.16] Sunday +[4706.16 --> 4706.64] and then +[4706.64 --> 4706.90] say +[4706.90 --> 4707.54] this is +[4707.54 --> 4707.80] what we +[4707.80 --> 4708.04] talked +[4708.04 --> 4708.26] about +[4708.26 --> 4708.72] in church +[4708.72 --> 4709.42] this is +[4709.42 --> 4709.72] what I'm +[4709.72 --> 4710.08] excited +[4710.08 --> 4710.44] about +[4710.44 --> 4711.00] this is +[4711.00 --> 4711.20] what's +[4711.20 --> 4711.58] going on +[4711.58 --> 4711.80] in my +[4711.80 --> 4712.18] life +[4712.48 --> 4713.24] right +[4713.24 --> 4713.68] preach +[4713.68 --> 4713.98] it +[4713.98 --> 4715.04] yourself +[4715.04 --> 4716.86] and then +[4716.86 --> 4717.22] fourth +[4717.22 --> 4717.76] how do we +[4717.76 --> 4718.76] make this +[4718.76 --> 4719.88] real +[4719.88 --> 4720.30] how do we +[4720.30 --> 4721.32] ensure that in +[4721.32 --> 4721.84] this we are +[4721.84 --> 4722.38] hearing the +[4722.38 --> 4723.00] voice of God +[4723.00 --> 4723.46] well I want to +[4723.46 --> 4723.92] use the language +[4723.92 --> 4724.76] of partake +[4724.76 --> 4726.42] partake +[4726.42 --> 4727.00] and by that I +[4727.00 --> 4727.74] mean partake +[4727.74 --> 4729.20] in the supper +[4729.20 --> 4730.10] that we have +[4730.10 --> 4730.48] together +[4730.48 --> 4731.40] partake in +[4731.40 --> 4732.50] the sacraments +[4732.50 --> 4733.84] partake in +[4733.84 --> 4734.90] the means +[4734.90 --> 4735.74] by which God +[4735.74 --> 4736.34] has said +[4736.34 --> 4737.56] I will +[4737.56 --> 4738.66] meet you +[4738.66 --> 4739.34] here +[4739.34 --> 4741.18] come to the +[4741.18 --> 4741.80] table where +[4741.80 --> 4742.40] we receive +[4742.40 --> 4742.92] the grace +[4742.92 --> 4743.54] of God +[4743.54 --> 4745.22] in ways +[4745.22 --> 4745.52] that we +[4745.52 --> 4746.54] can hold +[4746.54 --> 4747.44] and touch +[4747.44 --> 4748.34] and taste +[4748.34 --> 4748.96] and it's +[4748.96 --> 4749.46] the same +[4749.46 --> 4750.20] grace that's +[4750.20 --> 4751.12] offered in +[4751.12 --> 4751.66] the word +[4751.66 --> 4752.26] proclaimed +[4752.26 --> 4754.92] partake in +[4754.92 --> 4755.78] the voice +[4755.78 --> 4756.98] of God +[4756.98 --> 4757.82] and take +[4757.82 --> 4758.94] in that +[4758.94 --> 4760.04] living +[4760.04 --> 4760.92] word +[4760.92 --> 4762.94] and then +[4762.94 --> 4763.42] lastly +[4763.42 --> 4765.76] how can +[4765.76 --> 4766.22] you +[4766.22 --> 4768.24] hear the +[4768.24 --> 4768.82] voice of +[4768.82 --> 4769.16] God +[4769.16 --> 4770.44] participate +[4770.44 --> 4772.94] in the +[4772.94 --> 4773.34] message +[4773.34 --> 4774.92] right +[4774.92 --> 4775.26] it's really +[4775.26 --> 4776.00] easy for +[4776.00 --> 4776.50] you to +[4776.50 --> 4777.04] sit in +[4777.04 --> 4777.62] your seats +[4777.62 --> 4778.30] each Sunday +[4778.30 --> 4779.54] and say +[4779.54 --> 4780.40] I'm not a +[4780.40 --> 4780.92] participant +[4780.92 --> 4782.38] I am a +[4782.38 --> 4783.14] receiver +[4783.14 --> 4784.98] or I am a +[4784.98 --> 4785.60] consumer +[4785.60 --> 4787.60] how do you +[4787.60 --> 4788.44] change even +[4788.44 --> 4789.08] the way you +[4789.08 --> 4789.68] sit +[4789.68 --> 4791.04] so that you're +[4791.04 --> 4791.82] participating +[4791.82 --> 4793.90] and experiencing +[4793.90 --> 4794.78] what it is +[4794.78 --> 4795.18] that God +[4795.18 --> 4795.50] might be +[4795.50 --> 4795.72] saying +[4795.72 --> 4796.08] and maybe +[4796.08 --> 4796.44] for some +[4796.44 --> 4796.62] of you +[4796.62 --> 4796.88] that's +[4796.88 --> 4797.24] notes +[4797.24 --> 4798.52] maybe for +[4798.52 --> 4798.80] some of +[4798.80 --> 4799.16] you that's +[4799.16 --> 4799.68] sitting close +[4799.68 --> 4799.98] to the +[4799.98 --> 4800.20] front +[4800.20 --> 4800.68] so you're +[4800.68 --> 4801.74] less distracted +[4801.74 --> 4802.16] by the +[4802.16 --> 4802.74] people around +[4802.74 --> 4802.98] you +[4802.98 --> 4803.96] clearly this +[4803.96 --> 4804.36] morning we +[4804.36 --> 4804.74] have a bunch +[4804.74 --> 4805.04] of those +[4805.04 --> 4805.36] people +[4805.36 --> 4807.34] how do you +[4807.34 --> 4808.12] participate +[4808.12 --> 4809.38] in what's +[4809.38 --> 4809.80] happening +[4809.80 --> 4810.42] here +[4810.42 --> 4811.44] so that +[4811.44 --> 4812.20] you can +[4812.20 --> 4812.96] in this +[4812.96 --> 4813.44] moment +[4813.44 --> 4814.22] hear +[4814.22 --> 4815.22] from +[4815.22 --> 4816.26] God +[4816.26 --> 4818.18] pray +[4818.18 --> 4819.68] practice +[4819.68 --> 4820.70] preach +[4820.70 --> 4821.78] partake +[4821.78 --> 4823.14] and participate +[4823.14 --> 4827.32] I know +[4827.32 --> 4828.04] for myself +[4828.04 --> 4830.30] when I do +[4830.30 --> 4831.00] these things +[4831.00 --> 4831.98] not only in +[4831.98 --> 4832.32] preparation +[4832.32 --> 4833.34] for preaching +[4833.34 --> 4834.18] but in +[4834.18 --> 4834.56] preparation +[4834.56 --> 4835.18] for listening +[4835.18 --> 4835.64] to other +[4835.64 --> 4836.14] preachers +[4836.14 --> 4837.22] that changes +[4837.22 --> 4838.12] my posture +[4838.12 --> 4840.64] changes my +[4840.64 --> 4841.06] posture +[4841.06 --> 4844.04] and I can +[4844.04 --> 4844.56] hear +[4844.56 --> 4845.62] the living +[4845.62 --> 4846.86] voice +[4846.86 --> 4847.88] of God +[4847.88 --> 4850.32] I think +[4850.32 --> 4850.66] that's what +[4850.66 --> 4851.08] we're after +[4851.08 --> 4851.50] together +[4851.50 --> 4852.12] right +[4852.12 --> 4853.42] hearing +[4853.42 --> 4854.20] the living +[4854.20 --> 4855.36] voice +[4855.36 --> 4856.64] of God +[4856.64 --> 4858.62] he's here +[4858.62 --> 4859.90] and he's +[4859.90 --> 4860.36] speaking +[4860.36 --> 4862.48] the one +[4862.48 --> 4862.74] who has +[4862.74 --> 4863.18] ears to +[4863.18 --> 4863.56] hear +[4863.56 --> 4864.84] here +[4864.84 --> 4866.22] amen +[4866.22 --> 4867.82] let's pray +[4867.82 --> 4868.18] together +[4868.18 --> 4878.42] dear +[4878.42 --> 4878.74] Jesus +[4878.74 --> 4880.24] I pray +[4880.24 --> 4880.66] that +[4880.66 --> 4881.82] the +[4881.82 --> 4886.34] meditations +[4886.34 --> 4887.18] of my +[4887.18 --> 4887.48] heart +[4887.48 --> 4887.80] that have +[4887.80 --> 4888.16] just been +[4888.16 --> 4888.46] offered +[4888.46 --> 4888.86] would be +[4888.86 --> 4889.22] pleasing +[4889.22 --> 4890.32] in your +[4890.32 --> 4890.64] sight +[4890.64 --> 4894.22] and that +[4894.22 --> 4894.44] in the +[4894.44 --> 4894.98] miracle of +[4894.98 --> 4895.50] your grace +[4895.50 --> 4895.90] you would +[4895.90 --> 4896.44] take these +[4896.44 --> 4897.00] words and +[4897.00 --> 4897.86] transform them +[4897.86 --> 4898.74] into your +[4898.74 --> 4899.04] own +[4899.04 --> 4900.62] that they +[4900.62 --> 4901.04] may take +[4901.04 --> 4901.46] root in +[4901.46 --> 4901.86] the hearts +[4901.86 --> 4902.30] of those +[4902.30 --> 4902.86] who believe +[4902.86 --> 4904.88] and that +[4904.88 --> 4905.22] they may +[4905.22 --> 4905.68] convict +[4905.68 --> 4906.58] those that +[4906.58 --> 4906.94] do not +[4906.94 --> 4907.20] yet +[4907.20 --> 4907.78] believe +[4907.78 --> 4912.32] take your +[4912.32 --> 4912.74] word +[4912.74 --> 4914.06] plant it +[4914.06 --> 4914.40] deep +[4914.40 --> 4917.12] transform our +[4917.12 --> 4917.52] lives +[4917.52 --> 4918.50] and may it +[4918.50 --> 4919.12] grow in +[4919.12 --> 4919.68] us and +[4919.68 --> 4920.22] out of us +[4920.22 --> 4920.94] bearing fruit +[4920.94 --> 4922.08] thirty sixty +[4922.08 --> 4922.70] and one +[4922.70 --> 4923.32] hundredfold +[4923.32 --> 4926.16] may we +[4926.16 --> 4926.98] hear you +[4926.98 --> 4928.14] and sing +[4928.14 --> 4929.70] in Jesus +[4929.70 --> 4930.18] name we +[4930.18 --> 4930.46] pray +[4930.46 --> 4931.72] amen +[4931.72 --> 4933.14] amen +[4933.14 --> 4957.82] restore in +[4957.82 --> 4959.70] the joy +[4959.70 --> 4960.86] of my +[4960.86 --> 4962.82] salvation +[4962.82 --> 4967.40] take me +[4967.40 --> 4968.68] back to +[4968.68 --> 4969.92] where it +[4969.92 --> 4971.98] all began +[4971.98 --> 4976.42] where all +[4976.42 --> 4977.92] i ever +[4977.92 --> 4978.92] wanted +[4978.92 --> 4980.54] was your +[4980.54 --> 4982.30] presence +[4982.30 --> 4986.62] how i +[4986.62 --> 4987.42] longed +[4987.42 --> 4988.54] to be +[4988.54 --> 4989.02] there +[4989.02 --> 4989.76] once +[4989.76 --> 4992.70] again +[4992.70 --> 4995.28] gjorde +[4995.28 --> 4996.04] god +[4996.04 --> 5001.22] That the world can't burn out and the flame +[5001.22 --> 5006.24] Till nothing between us remains +[5006.24 --> 5011.50] My life is an altar to you +[5011.50 --> 5020.50] Breathe again on the embers that burn in my heart +[5020.50 --> 5025.24] A love taken back to the start +[5025.24 --> 5031.04] My life is an altar to you +[5031.04 --> 5039.88] Renew in me a pure and willing spirit +[5039.88 --> 5049.10] Take me back to where it all began +[5049.10 --> 5057.90] Before it all became so complicated +[5057.90 --> 5069.70] How I long to be there once again +[5069.70 --> 5076.70] Light a fire that the world can't burn out and the flame +[5076.70 --> 5082.50] Till nothing between us remains +[5082.50 --> 5088.50] My life is an altar to you +[5088.50 --> 5096.50] Breathe again on the embers that burn in my heart +[5096.50 --> 5100.30] A love taken back to the start +[5100.30 --> 5106.30] My life is an altar to you +[5106.30 --> 5110.30] God, I'm sorry +[5110.30 --> 5116.30] Please forgive me +[5116.30 --> 5125.10] Lord, I need you +[5125.10 --> 5129.90] How I need you +[5129.90 --> 5134.90] To awake my soul +[5134.90 --> 5141.90] I find that the world can't burn out and the flame +[5141.90 --> 5146.90] Till nothing between us remains +[5146.90 --> 5152.70] My life is an altar to you +[5152.70 --> 5154.70] My life is an altar to you +[5154.70 --> 5160.70] Breathe again on the embers that burn in my heart +[5160.70 --> 5164.70] A love taken back to the start +[5164.70 --> 5170.50] My life is an altar to you +[5170.50 --> 5184.30] And all the earth will shout your praise +[5184.30 --> 5188.30] Our hearts will cry these bones +[5188.30 --> 5201.80] We'll sing +[5201.80 --> 5208.10] Great are you, Lord +[5208.10 --> 5216.10] And all the earth will shout your praise +[5216.10 --> 5219.90] Our hearts will cry these bones +[5219.90 --> 5228.90] Great are you, Lord +[5228.90 --> 5234.90] And all the earth will shout your praise +[5234.90 --> 5239.90] Our hearts will cry these bones will sing +[5239.90 --> 5244.90] Great are you, Lord +[5244.90 --> 5248.70] Great are you, Lord +[5248.70 --> 5253.70] It's your breath in our lungs +[5253.70 --> 5256.70] So we pour out our praise +[5256.70 --> 5258.90] We pour out our praise +[5258.90 --> 5262.70] It's your breath in our lungs +[5262.70 --> 5267.70] So we pour out our praise to you only +[5267.70 --> 5272.10] It's your breath in our lungs +[5272.10 --> 5274.90] So we pour out our praise +[5274.90 --> 5275.90] So we pour out our praise +[5275.90 --> 5280.90] It's your breath in our lungs +[5280.90 --> 5286.90] So we pour out our praise to you only +[5286.90 --> 5293.70] God, I'm sorry +[5293.70 --> 5299.70] Please forgive me +[5299.70 --> 5306.50] For when I've got cold +[5306.50 --> 5310.50] Lord, I need you +[5310.50 --> 5315.50] How I need you +[5315.50 --> 5322.50] To awake my soul +[5322.50 --> 5336.30] Just a moment +[5336.30 --> 5338.30] We will close with a blessing +[5338.30 --> 5340.00] From God himself +[5340.00 --> 5343.60] Confirmed and given to us in God's word +[5343.60 --> 5345.10] Go with two invitations +[5345.10 --> 5345.90] First, an invitation +[5345.90 --> 5346.90] First, an invitation +[5346.90 --> 5348.90] If you would like to meet someone for prayer +[5348.90 --> 5350.90] There will be someone here up at the front +[5350.90 --> 5351.90] With a tag on +[5351.90 --> 5353.90] They'd love to meet you and pray with you +[5353.90 --> 5355.10] Over whatever it is +[5355.10 --> 5356.70] Whether in celebration +[5356.70 --> 5358.50] Or in crying out +[5358.50 --> 5361.10] To meet you and pray with you +[5361.10 --> 5365.04] Second, as we stick around afterwards for fellowship +[5365.04 --> 5369.10] And maybe even extending into lunch and soup together +[5369.10 --> 5372.52] Just encourage you in your groups or tables +[5372.52 --> 5374.58] To ask each other the question +[5374.58 --> 5376.78] Where have you seen God at work? +[5377.62 --> 5380.44] What are you grateful for that God is doing in your life? +[5380.44 --> 5385.30] And then maybe if you're so willing and have the courage +[5385.30 --> 5388.38] Invite someone and share with someone +[5388.38 --> 5391.74] Where you need to see God at work +[5391.74 --> 5395.72] Where you long for him to show up and be present with you +[5395.72 --> 5400.44] Receive the blessing of our God as we go this week +[5400.44 --> 5405.16] May God himself, the God of peace +[5405.16 --> 5408.14] Sanctify you through and through +[5408.14 --> 5411.24] May your whole spirit, body, and soul +[5411.24 --> 5414.94] Be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ +[5414.94 --> 5417.54] The one who calls you is faithful +[5417.54 --> 5420.38] And he will do it +[5420.38 --> 5421.62] Amen +[5421.62 --> 5443.42] We praise thee, O God +[5443.42 --> 5446.90] For the Son of thy love +[5446.90 --> 5453.90] For Jesus who died and is now gone above +[5453.90 --> 5457.56] Hallelujah, thine the glory +[5457.56 --> 5460.56] Hallelujah, amen +[5460.56 --> 5464.80] Hallelujah, thine the glory +[5464.80 --> 5467.90] Revive us again +[5467.90 --> 5470.80] We praise thee, O God +[5470.80 --> 5473.84] We praise thee, O God +[5473.84 --> 5477.26] For thy spirit of light +[5477.26 --> 5480.72] Who has shown us thy Savior +[5480.72 --> 5484.14] And scattered our lives +[5484.14 --> 5487.64] Hallelujah, thine the glory +[5487.64 --> 5490.50] Hallelujah, amen +[5490.50 --> 5494.60] Hallelujah, thine the glory +[5494.60 --> 5504.96] Revive us again +[5504.96 --> 5507.40] Revive us again +[5507.40 --> 5514.06] Who has borne all our sins and has cleansed every stain. +[5514.62 --> 5517.74] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5518.16 --> 5520.64] Hallelujah, amen. +[5521.64 --> 5524.70] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5524.70 --> 5528.14] Revive us again. +[5529.94 --> 5533.54] Revive us again. +[5533.54 --> 5537.26] Fill each heart with thy love. +[5537.70 --> 5543.84] May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. +[5544.56 --> 5547.60] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5548.02 --> 5550.44] Hallelujah, amen. +[5551.44 --> 5554.48] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5554.96 --> 5557.66] Revive us again. +[5558.46 --> 5561.46] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5561.46 --> 5564.34] Hallelujah, amen. +[5565.34 --> 5568.44] Hallelujah, thine the glory. +[5568.86 --> 5571.76] Revive us again. +[5571.76 --> 5573.76] Amen. +[5574.06 --> 5578.08] So many words we sing. +[5582.14 --> 5583.16] Amen. +[5583.16 --> 5584.06] Amen. +[5584.06 --> 5584.18] Amen. +[5584.18 --> 5584.66] Amen. +[5584.66 --> 5585.16] Amen. +[5585.20 --> 5585.34] Amen. +[5585.72 --> 5586.02] Amen. +[5587.60 --> 5587.66] Amen. +[5592.84 --> 5593.18] Amen. +[5593.44 --> 5593.98] Amen. +[5594.06 --> 5594.60] Amen. +[5594.60 --> 5624.58] Thank you. +[5624.60 --> 5654.58] Thank you. +[5654.60 --> 5684.58] Thank you. +[5684.60 --> 5714.58] Thank you. +[5714.60 --> 5744.58] Thank you. +[5744.60 --> 5774.58] Thank you. +[5774.60 --> 5804.58] Thank you. +[5804.60 --> 5834.58] Thank you. +[5834.60 --> 5864.58] Thank you. +[5864.60 --> 5894.58] Thank you. +[5894.60 --> 5924.58] Thank you. +[5924.60 --> 5954.58] Thank you. +[5954.60 --> 5984.58] Thank you. +[5984.60 --> 6014.58] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..351af0b3d208458f8ab24a8616c48092dd1a1b9f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,81 @@ +• Welcome and introduction by Pastor Chris +• Community announcements: + + Youth Coffee at Hubert's House after worship + + HCBC and Heidelberg Catechism Reading Group starting back up next Sunday with soup and buns + + Small group leaders training night on January 21st +• Call to worship from Psalm 90, verses 1 and 2 +• Worship song +• Invocation of God as eternal, everlasting, and invisible +• Gratitude for the love and peace of Christ +• Reflection on Christ's sacrifice and resurrection +• Personal confession and prayer for forgiveness +• Thanksgiving and praise for life's blessings +• Prayer for guidance and cleansing in Jesus' name +• Expression of love and gratitude to God +• Discussion of a song about God's goodness and faithfulness +• Introduction by Pearl, deacon at Langley Emanuel, announcing offerings for the 2025 budget and life recovery charity +• Explanation of life recovery's mission to support women overcoming substance abuse through a safe home and structured programs in a Christian community +• Scripture reading from Hebrews on doing good and sharing with others +• Announcement of a slide presentation highlighting church family highlights from 2024 +• Call for generous giving and thank-yous for donations +• Reflection song about going back to church, dependence on faith, and belonging +• Desire for spiritual refuge and comfort +• Longing to return to a place of faith and love (church) +• Praise and adoration for God's greatness and love +• Recognition of God's immeasurable qualities compared to human understanding +• Reflection on the inadequacy of human words to express devotion +• Acknowledgment of God's supremacy over humanity +• Discussion about the speaker's physical resemblance to someone, specifically Hank and his sister Peggy +• Transition to children's worship time and discussion of who Jesus is like +• Prayers for the church family and new year, led by an elder Paul +• Faithfulness and gratitude towards God +• Prayers for healing, comfort, and peace for individuals and families +• Requests for God's protection and guidance for the church community +• Reflection on waiting and delayed gratification as a spiritual discipline +• Introduction to a new series based on 1st and 2nd Thessalonians +• The Thessalonian church's hope for Jesus' return was a central part of their faith +• This hope gave them courage, shaped their priorities, and motivated their actions +• Paul's letters to the Thessalonians explore how this hope should transform everyday life +• Christians are often criticized for being apathetic towards the world due to a misconception about their belief in Jesus' return +• In reality, faith in Jesus' resurrection and future return empowers believers to care about the world and its people +• The city of Thessalonica was a major seaport in ancient Macedonia with a diverse population, including Jews and Greeks. +• Paul's preaching in the synagogue for three weeks had a significant impact, converting some Jews and many God-fearing Greeks and prominent women. +• A group of Jews caused trouble, charging believers with saying there is a king other than Caesar, leading to Paul and Silas leaving Thessalonica. +• Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica to check on the believers, and his encouraging report from Corinth led to the writing of 1st Thessalonians. +• 2nd Thessalonians was written in response to worsening persecution and hardship for the church. +• Both letters emphasize the importance of staying strong and enduring through faith in Jesus Christ's return. +• Paul uses the hope of Christ's return as a means of grace to sustain believers in the present. +• The importance of following God's way and persevering in the narrow path +• The concept of identity in Christ and how it differs from modern self-discovery +• Jesus' approach to transforming individuals, rather than helping them become their best selves +• The idea that our identities are defined by our relationship with God, not through individualism or self-discovery +• The offense of the gospel and its potential to challenge cultural assumptions about identity and self +• The question of whether one's identity is in themselves or in Christ +• The significance of greetings and addresses in letters as a way of defining relationships and identities. +• The definition of "church" and its significance in identity +• Paul's greetings in his letters as a representation of relationships +• Identity as the bride of Christ and being set apart for God's purposes +• Church as an all-inclusive, plural community and body +• Belonging to one another and the local church +• The expression of the Catholic Church in local churches +• Being Christian requires belonging to a local church +• Connection to a church marks connection to God through Jesus +• The gift of God is grace alone, and it's the truth of the gospel that Jesus Christ, God himself, came into the world to live the life we should have lived and died for our sins. +• The result of grace is peace, and living in peace is made alive in us by more grace being manifested in the hope of Christ's return. +• The gospel transforms people and cities, and those who gather as the church are sent out to transform others through their message of hope in Jesus. +• Waiting for Jesus fuels our mission, and our waiting is not idle, but we are commissioned to share this message with others. +• This message alone has the power to transform the world. +• We go into this week and year knowing that God goes with us, with his church, and with the prayers of the saints. +• Worship and praise of God +• Charity and giving +• The Gospel and redemption +• Praise to God's name and character +• Singing the song of ages and worship forever +• Angels crying "Holy" and creation praising God +• Forgiveness and redemption through Christ +• Repetition of the word "holy" and other phrases +• Mention of "forever" and "true" +• Reference to a person or entity named "aman" +• Repetitive use of the number "4" or "25" +• Use of the words "harbor", "cover", and "amen" +• Repeated expression of gratitude ("Thank you") \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..c6c62392c462eeda18b56043aa781d734aa9745f --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, January 5, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1152 @@ +[0.00 --> 1.00] Amen. +[30.00 --> 32.00] Amen. +[60.00 --> 62.00] Amen. +[90.00 --> 92.00] Amen. +[120.00 --> 122.00] Amen. +[150.00 --> 152.00] Amen. +[180.00 --> 182.00] Amen. +[210.00 --> 212.00] Amen. +[240.00 --> 242.00] Amen. +[270.00 --> 272.00] Amen. +[300.00 --> 302.00] Amen. +[312.00 --> 317.26] Happy New Year to you if I didn't catch you earlier and on the way in. +[317.40 --> 321.84] Welcome to worship here at Langley Emanuel Church. +[321.84 --> 326.48] If you are a guest with us or if you are forgetful, my name is Chris. +[326.48 --> 335.14] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel and it's my privilege to lead in our shared worship together this morning. +[335.14 --> 339.76] Before we begin our worship, we have a couple community announcements to make. +[340.88 --> 348.34] And so, first of all, after worship today, Youth Coffee is happening at the Hubert's House. +[348.52 --> 353.32] And so if you're part of our youth program or you're interested in being a part of our youth program, +[353.72 --> 356.46] join them for Youth Coffee at the Hubert's House. +[356.52 --> 360.74] If you have questions about that, Pastor Kevin will happily answer that. +[360.74 --> 363.00] Or Hubert's, Jackie, wave. +[364.08 --> 365.98] That, yeah, not that Hubert's. +[367.10 --> 371.14] I was trying to figure out a way to differentiate which Hubert's it was. +[371.68 --> 374.06] And then I thought, we'll go with the young Hubert's. +[374.74 --> 377.48] So go to the young-ish Hubert's House. +[378.40 --> 380.70] Yeah, but don't show up at Noah's House. That's fair. +[380.70 --> 384.44] If you have questions, talk to either one. They'll get you there. +[385.30 --> 393.44] Next Sunday, we are having our HCBC and Heidelberg Catechism Reading Group. +[393.94 --> 395.44] That's starting back up. +[395.80 --> 401.66] But we're trying for the month of January to do that after morning service. +[401.66 --> 404.00] And so there's going to be soup and buns. +[404.40 --> 412.82] And we're going to hang out and do that after morning service, both for the youth HCBC and for the adult education group. +[413.26 --> 417.82] So that will happen next Sunday after service with soup and buns. +[418.06 --> 419.36] So mark your calendars. +[419.80 --> 420.52] Be ready for that. +[420.52 --> 430.96] And then many of you probably have already received the invitation to the small group leaders training night that we're running. +[431.00 --> 439.18] But that's an invitation for all of us, even if you're not part of one of our official run small group or Bible study groups here. +[439.18 --> 445.20] If you would like to join us for a small group training night, please just talk to me after the service. +[445.30 --> 448.00] I'll take that down or you can email me through the week. +[448.30 --> 451.78] But that's going to happen on January 21st at 730. +[452.16 --> 453.34] So you can mark your calendar for that. +[453.46 --> 454.96] Love to see you out there. +[456.26 --> 457.28] That's it for announcements. +[457.28 --> 467.94] And so let's stand together as you are able and where you are and we can be ushered into the presence of God, welcomed by him and receive his greeting. +[470.88 --> 472.78] Receive the greeting of our God. +[474.12 --> 484.90] Grace to you and peace from God, our father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, son and our savior through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[486.06 --> 486.46] Amen. +[487.28 --> 490.88] I invite you to welcome those around you into worship as well this morning. +[492.10 --> 492.50] Peace. +[492.50 --> 492.54] Peace. +[492.54 --> 492.58] Peace. +[492.58 --> 492.62] Peace. +[492.62 --> 492.66] Peace. +[492.66 --> 492.68] Peace. +[492.68 --> 492.72] Peace. +[492.72 --> 492.78] Peace. +[492.78 --> 493.72] Peace. +[493.72 --> 502.30] Peace. +[506.88 --> 509.14] Peace. +[512.98 --> 513.04] Peace. +[513.18 --> 513.58] Peace. +[513.58 --> 516.02] Peace. +[516.02 --> 517.96] Peace. +[517.96 --> 526.32] Good morning. +[527.26 --> 531.94] As we begin our worship service, our first worship service of this new year, +[532.38 --> 536.22] our call to worship comes from Psalm 90, verses 1 and 2. +[537.22 --> 543.76] I chose Psalm 90 because I was familiar with it as it was always read in its entirety +[543.76 --> 550.48] by my grandfather on New Year's Day as we all got together as a family after church. +[551.40 --> 552.88] This is our call to worship. +[554.00 --> 556.86] The words of Psalm 90, verses 1 and 2. +[557.54 --> 562.40] From everlasting to everlasting, a prayer of Moses, the man of God. +[562.98 --> 566.52] Lord, you have been my dwelling place in all generations. +[567.02 --> 569.04] Before the mountains were brought forth, +[569.04 --> 572.28] wherever you had formed the earth and the world, +[572.48 --> 576.24] from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. +[576.24 --> 593.62] From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. +[593.62 --> 607.44] From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. +[607.44 --> 614.90] From holiness, you stand secure through culture, shift in sin. +[615.58 --> 621.68] I'm changed by all the amenities of man. +[621.68 --> 629.06] And as the nations rise and fall, your sovereignty remains. +[629.06 --> 642.66] You are, you are, you are, you are the one true love. +[642.66 --> 655.04] To everlasting, you are God. +[655.04 --> 669.04] To everlasting, you are God. +[669.04 --> 671.42] You are, you are, you are. +[671.42 --> 676.22] Faithfulness, your love extends through times of turbulence. +[676.22 --> 682.92] And God to those who call upon your name. +[682.92 --> 690.80] And every generation joins in songs of grateful grace. +[690.80 --> 704.38] You are, you are, you are the one to come. +[704.38 --> 716.70] From everlasting, to everlasting, you are God. +[716.70 --> 730.70] From everlasting, to everlasting, you are God. +[730.70 --> 743.52] Eternal, before our Lord, invisible God. +[743.52 --> 757.66] Eternal, before our Lord, invisible God. +[757.66 --> 772.10] From everlasting, to everlasting, you are God. +[772.10 --> 786.10] From everlasting, to everlasting, you are God. +[787.66 --> 789.66] Amen. +[817.66 --> 819.66] Amen. +[819.66 --> 821.66] Amen. +[821.66 --> 823.66] Amen. +[823.66 --> 824.66] Amen. +[824.66 --> 826.66] Amen. +[826.66 --> 837.52] What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are still and striding cease. +[837.88 --> 848.58] My comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand. +[848.58 --> 861.02] In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless day. +[861.02 --> 871.32] There's gift of love and righteousness, stored by the ones he gave to save. +[871.32 --> 881.60] Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied. +[881.60 --> 892.36] For every sin on him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live. +[892.36 --> 904.36] Through him the ground his body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. +[904.36 --> 914.36] Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again. +[914.36 --> 925.46] And as he stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me. +[925.80 --> 936.36] For I am his and he is mine, part of the precious blood of Christ. +[936.36 --> 943.36] No will to life, no fear in death. +[944.36 --> 948.36] This is the power of Christ in me. +[948.36 --> 958.52] From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commends my destiny. +[958.52 --> 969.64] No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever walk me from his hand. +[969.64 --> 979.52] Till he returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand. +[979.52 --> 1005.52] May we sing. +[1005.52 --> 1013.52] Thank you. +[1013.52 --> 1015.52] Please pray with me. +[1015.52 --> 1022.52] Eternal, everlasting God, who can make all things new, we humbly come before you this +[1022.52 --> 1025.52] first Sunday of a new year. +[1025.52 --> 1030.52] Where life has been good to us this past year, we give you our thanks and praise. +[1030.52 --> 1036.52] Where we have pleased you in our thoughts, words and deeds as your children, may our reward +[1036.52 --> 1038.52] be your smiling face. +[1038.52 --> 1044.52] Where we have sinned and fallen short of your good pleasure, we pray for your forgiveness +[1044.52 --> 1048.52] and pray that you would free us from our sinful past. +[1048.52 --> 1055.52] Lord, we take a few minutes now in time of personal confession and reflection. +[1055.52 --> 1065.52] Lord, we take a few minutes. +[1065.52 --> 1066.52] Thank you. +[1066.52 --> 1068.52] Lord, we take a few minutes. +[1068.52 --> 1070.52] Lord, we take a few minutes. +[1070.52 --> 1073.52] Lord, we take a few minutes. +[1073.52 --> 1079.98] Holy and merciful God, +[1080.46 --> 1083.66] we pray and we thank you that you cleanse us by your mercy, +[1084.58 --> 1085.92] guide us in your truth, +[1086.44 --> 1089.96] and you fill us with your love and lead us forward in this new year +[1089.96 --> 1093.78] with hope and trust through the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord. +[1093.78 --> 1094.66] Amen. +[1097.18 --> 1100.04] Please stand again as we continue singing. +[1103.52 --> 1105.52] Amen. +[1129.52 --> 1132.16] I love you, Lord. +[1133.52 --> 1137.52] For your mercy never fails me. +[1139.06 --> 1144.52] All my days have been held in your hands. +[1145.72 --> 1148.52] From the moment that I wake up, +[1149.40 --> 1151.52] until I lay my head, +[1151.52 --> 1157.52] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[1157.52 --> 1165.52] All my life you have been faithful. +[1168.52 --> 1174.52] All my life you have been so, so good. +[1174.52 --> 1179.52] And every breath that I am able, +[1179.52 --> 1185.52] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[1185.52 --> 1189.52] I love your voice. +[1189.52 --> 1194.52] You have led me through the fire, +[1194.52 --> 1196.52] into our best life. +[1196.52 --> 1201.52] You are close like no other. +[1201.52 --> 1205.72] I've known you as a father +[1205.72 --> 1209.92] I've known you as a friend +[1209.92 --> 1214.66] I have lived with your goodness +[1214.66 --> 1223.22] All my life you have been faithful +[1223.22 --> 1231.50] All my life you have been so, so good +[1231.50 --> 1237.16] With every breath that I am able +[1237.16 --> 1243.86] I will sing in my goodness, O God +[1243.86 --> 1249.42] Your goodness is running after +[1249.42 --> 1252.28] It's running after me +[1252.28 --> 1256.32] Your goodness is running after +[1256.32 --> 1259.40] It's running after me +[1259.40 --> 1263.28] My life laid down, surrender now +[1263.28 --> 1266.06] To give you everything +[1266.06 --> 1270.12] Your goodness is running after +[1270.12 --> 1273.40] It's running after me +[1273.40 --> 1277.12] Your goodness is running after +[1277.12 --> 1280.06] It's running after me +[1280.06 --> 1284.12] Your goodness is running after +[1284.12 --> 1287.18] It's running after me +[1287.18 --> 1290.96] My life laid down, surrender now +[1290.96 --> 1293.62] To give you everything +[1293.62 --> 1297.62] Your goodness is running after +[1297.62 --> 1301.28] It's running after me +[1301.28 --> 1307.94] All my life you have been faithful +[1307.94 --> 1318.10] All my life you have been so, so good +[1318.10 --> 1322.76] With every breath that I am able +[1322.76 --> 1329.76] I will sing of the goodness, O God +[1329.76 --> 1336.42] I will sing of the goodness, O God +[1336.42 --> 1345.08] All my life you have been so, so good +[1345.08 --> 1349.08] I will sing of the goodness, O God +[1349.08 --> 1379.06] All my life you have been so, so good +[1379.08 --> 1384.46] A peace like a river +[1384.46 --> 1388.90] A peace like a river, a dead and death my way +[1388.90 --> 1396.86] When sorrows like sea billows roll +[1396.86 --> 1405.98] Whenever my heart, thou hast taught me to stay +[1405.98 --> 1414.48] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1414.48 --> 1423.92] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1423.92 --> 1434.86] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1434.86 --> 1442.24] Though Satan should buffet +[1442.24 --> 1447.04] Though trials should come +[1447.04 --> 1454.68] Let his blessed assurance control +[1454.68 --> 1463.06] That Christ has regarded my health, my health, my health, my health, my health +[1463.06 --> 1473.06] And hasten, and hasten, his own blood for my soul +[1473.06 --> 1482.44] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1482.44 --> 1493.44] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1493.44 --> 1506.02] I sing, O the bliss of this glorious song +[1506.02 --> 1506.06] My sin, O the bliss of this glorious song +[1506.06 --> 1513.76] My sin, not in part, but the whole +[1513.76 --> 1514.76] It is well with my soul +[1514.76 --> 1519.14] It is well with my soul +[1519.14 --> 1523.52] And I bear it no more +[1523.52 --> 1529.14] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord +[1529.14 --> 1533.14] Praise the Lord, O my soul +[1533.14 --> 1540.14] It is well with my soul +[1540.14 --> 1544.14] It is well with my soul +[1544.14 --> 1554.14] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1554.14 --> 1560.14] O Lord, haste the day +[1560.14 --> 1565.94] When my faith shall be signed +[1565.94 --> 1570.96] The clouds be rolled back +[1570.96 --> 1573.14] As a scroll +[1573.14 --> 1579.28] The trump shall resound +[1579.28 --> 1584.52] And the Lord shall descend +[1584.52 --> 1595.32] Even so, it is well with my soul +[1595.32 --> 1596.52] Even so, it is well with my soul +[1596.52 --> 1603.36] It is well, it is well with my soul +[1603.36 --> 1615.56] With my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul. +[1633.36 --> 1641.58] Good morning and happy new year to all of you. +[1642.14 --> 1645.54] My name is Pearl. I'm a deacon here at Langley Emanuel. +[1646.46 --> 1650.64] And it's time to continue our worship by giving of our offerings. +[1651.46 --> 1660.14] And today's offerings are for the budget, brand new budget of 2025, and also for life recovery. +[1660.14 --> 1663.40] Life recovery stands for living in faith every day. +[1664.20 --> 1670.12] And it is a Christian faith-based charity that is not-for-profit. +[1670.34 --> 1676.58] And it is established to support women to overcome their addictions to substance abuse. +[1677.24 --> 1683.92] So they have a mission to provide a safe home and structured programs in a Christian community +[1683.92 --> 1691.06] so that women who desire can have a lifestyle change that's free from alcohol and drug abuse. +[1693.26 --> 1694.88] In Hebrews we read, +[1695.44 --> 1701.16] Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. +[1701.16 --> 1706.68] While we're giving of our offerings, today there will also be a slide presentation +[1706.68 --> 1711.34] of the highlights of this church family from 2024. +[1711.84 --> 1714.72] So do give generously even as God has been generous with you. +[1714.72 --> 1744.70] Thank you. +[1744.72 --> 1744.78] Thank you. +[1745.28 --> 1756.48] Thank you. +[1756.86 --> 1761.58] Thank you. +[1765.76 --> 1769.04] Thank you. +[1769.04 --> 1770.54] Thank you. +[1771.02 --> 1772.90] Thank you. +[1772.90 --> 1773.08] Thank you. +[1774.12 --> 1774.38] Thank you. +[1774.38 --> 1786.58] Take me back to the place that feels like home +[1786.58 --> 1789.44] To the people I can depend on +[1789.44 --> 1792.64] To the faith that's in my bones +[1792.64 --> 1797.38] Take me back to a preacher and a verse +[1797.38 --> 1800.06] Where they've seen me at my worst +[1800.06 --> 1802.74] To the love I had at first +[1802.74 --> 1806.82] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1806.82 --> 1813.78] Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost +[1813.78 --> 1819.26] Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross +[1819.26 --> 1823.42] It's not a trophy for the winners +[1823.42 --> 1826.44] It's a shelter for the sinners +[1826.44 --> 1829.12] And it's right where I belong +[1829.12 --> 1834.48] Take me back to the place that feels like home +[1834.48 --> 1837.44] To the people I can depend on +[1837.44 --> 1840.28] To the faith that's in my bones +[1840.28 --> 1845.30] Take me back to a preacher and a verse +[1845.30 --> 1848.02] Where they've seen me at my worst +[1848.02 --> 1850.66] To the love I had at first +[1850.66 --> 1854.74] I wanna go to church +[1854.74 --> 1859.86] I wanna go to church +[1859.86 --> 1867.66] Oh, more than an obligation +[1867.66 --> 1870.58] It's not our foundation +[1870.58 --> 1872.58] The family of God +[1872.58 --> 1873.58] The family of God +[1873.58 --> 1874.58] I know it's hard +[1874.58 --> 1875.58] I know it's hard +[1875.58 --> 1878.38] But we need to turn +[1878.38 --> 1879.70] This is the same +[1879.70 --> 1881.62] It's not our fault +[1881.62 --> 1882.62] To the people that I'm making my way to the Lord +[1882.62 --> 1883.62] I know it's hard +[1883.62 --> 1884.62] I know it's hard +[1884.62 --> 1885.94] To the people I can depend on +[1885.94 --> 1887.94] To the people I can depend on +[1887.94 --> 1889.94] To the people I can depend on +[1889.94 --> 1891.94] To the faith that's in my bones +[1891.94 --> 1895.94] Take me back to a preacher and a verse +[1895.94 --> 1897.94] Where they've seen me at my worst +[1897.94 --> 1899.94] Where they've seen me at my worst +[1899.94 --> 1902.94] To the love I had at first +[1902.94 --> 1905.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1905.94 --> 1908.94] Yeah, I wanna go to church +[1908.94 --> 1912.94] Take me back to the church +[1912.94 --> 1916.94] Take me back to the church +[1916.94 --> 1922.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1922.94 --> 1926.94] Take me back to the church +[1926.94 --> 1931.94] I wanna go to church +[1931.94 --> 1935.94] Take me back to church +[1935.94 --> 1937.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1937.94 --> 1941.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1941.94 --> 1943.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1943.94 --> 1944.94] Oh, I wanna go to church +[1944.94 --> 1947.94] More than all we ask +[1947.94 --> 1950.94] Than all we seek +[1950.94 --> 1954.94] All our hopes and dreams +[1954.94 --> 1959.94] You are immeasurably more +[1959.94 --> 1962.94] Than we can know +[1962.94 --> 1965.94] Than we can pray +[1965.94 --> 1969.94] All our words can say +[1969.94 --> 1974.94] You are immeasurably more +[1974.94 --> 1978.94] There's nothing greater than your love +[1978.94 --> 1981.94] You're more than we can imagine +[1981.94 --> 1986.94] There's nothing sweeter on this earth +[1986.94 --> 1990.94] You're more than we can imagine +[1990.94 --> 1993.94] Our hearts respond to who you are +[1993.94 --> 1996.94] It's you, oh Lord, that we adore +[1996.94 --> 2011.94] You are more than we can imagine +[2011.94 --> 2013.94] in your love +[2013.94 --> 2021.94] than we are +[2021.94 --> 2023.94] Both pro Manuel +[2023.94 --> 2024.94] like I will +[2024.94 --> 2026.94] more than you +[2026.94 --> 2027.88] than you are +[2027.88 --> 2028.94] into all our hearts +[2028.94 --> 2029.94] the truth is +[2030.94 --> 2032.94] Slowly willую +[2032.94 --> 2036.24] Stronger than the brave +[2036.24 --> 2040.42] You are immeasurably more +[2040.42 --> 2043.30] I can't help but think +[2043.30 --> 2047.16] I can't help but praise +[2047.16 --> 2050.34] My heart cannot contain +[2050.34 --> 2055.08] You are immeasurably more +[2055.08 --> 2060.98] There's nothing greater than your love +[2060.98 --> 2064.02] You're more than we can imagine +[2064.02 --> 2068.16] There's nothing sweeter on this earth +[2068.16 --> 2071.32] You're more than we can imagine +[2071.32 --> 2075.42] Our hearts respond to who you are +[2075.42 --> 2078.88] But you are more than we adore +[2078.88 --> 2081.88] You are more, you are more +[2081.88 --> 2085.72] You are more than we can imagine +[2085.72 --> 2089.16] You are more, you are more +[2089.16 --> 2093.20] You are more than we can imagine +[2093.20 --> 2108.42] You are more than we can imagine +[2108.42 --> 2113.42] You are more than me +[2113.42 --> 2115.98] You are more than me +[2115.98 --> 2116.32] You are more than me +[2116.32 --> 2117.54] You are more than me +[2117.54 --> 2117.76] You are more than me +[2117.76 --> 2118.04] You are more than me +[2118.04 --> 2119.46] You are more than me +[2119.46 --> 2120.06] You are more than me +[2120.06 --> 2120.54] You are more than me +[2120.54 --> 2121.00] You are more than me +[2121.00 --> 2121.56] You are more than me +[2121.56 --> 2121.88] You are more than you +[2121.88 --> 2122.02] You are more than me +[2122.02 --> 2122.44] You are +[2122.44 --> 2122.60] You are more than me +[2122.60 --> 2122.96] You are more than me +[2122.96 --> 2123.60] You are more than me +[2123.60 --> 2123.86] You are more than me +[2123.86 --> 2124.42] You are more than me +[2124.42 --> 2125.72] You are more than me +[2125.72 --> 2126.30] You are more, you are more than me +[2126.30 --> 2126.70] You are more than me +[2126.70 --> 2127.34] You are more than me +[2127.34 --> 2128.14] You are number one +[2128.14 --> 2128.46] I am no one +[2128.46 --> 2129.18] You are tomorrow +[2129.18 --> 2130.16] You are more than me +[2130.16 --> 2130.70] You are more than me +[2130.70 --> 2131.52] You are more than me +[2131.52 --> 2132.20] You are more than me +[2132.20 --> 2132.22] You are more than me +[2132.22 --> 2133.22] You are fine +[2133.22 --> 2145.30] No eye has seen, no ear has heard +[2145.30 --> 2150.88] What is coming, what is coming +[2150.88 --> 2159.68] Never ends in joy, never fail in love +[2159.68 --> 2165.92] You are coming, you are coming +[2165.92 --> 2174.16] No eye has seen, no ear has heard +[2174.16 --> 2179.90] What is coming, what is coming +[2179.90 --> 2188.40] Never ends in joy, never fail in love +[2188.40 --> 2194.64] You are coming, you are coming +[2194.64 --> 2208.64] You are coming, you are coming +[2208.64 --> 2216.14] There's nothing greater than your love +[2216.14 --> 2219.06] The more than we can imagine +[2219.06 --> 2223.36] There's nothing sweeter on this life +[2223.36 --> 2226.48] The more than we can imagine +[2226.48 --> 2230.60] Our hearts respond to who you are +[2230.60 --> 2233.98] But you are the one that we adore +[2233.98 --> 2237.06] You are more, you are more +[2237.06 --> 2240.66] You're more than we can imagine +[2240.66 --> 2244.28] You are more, you are more +[2244.28 --> 2247.90] You are more than we can imagine +[2247.90 --> 2251.54] You are more, you are more +[2251.54 --> 2255.78] You're more than we can imagine +[2255.78 --> 2275.24] You are more than we can imagine +[2275.24 --> 2277.24] is +[2277.24 --> 2279.24] mine +[2279.24 --> 2281.56] find us +[2281.56 --> 2283.40] together Lord +[2283.40 --> 2285.24] find us together +[2285.92 --> 2286.92] with +[2286.92 --> 2289.48] force that cannot +[2289.48 --> 2291.24] be broken +[2292.06 --> 2295.08] find us +[2295.08 --> 2296.86] together Lord +[2296.86 --> 2299.34] find us together +[2299.34 --> 2301.24] Lord find us +[2301.88 --> 2302.82] together +[2302.82 --> 2305.22] in love +[2305.24 --> 2309.24] applause +[2309.24 --> 2310.24] applause +[2310.24 --> 2311.24] applause +[2312.92 --> 2313.24] applause +[2313.24 --> 2315.24] applause +[2315.24 --> 2317.24] applause +[2317.24 --> 2319.30] Alright kids you can come on +[2319.30 --> 2321.24] down now join me up here at the +[2321.24 --> 2323.40] front for children's worship time +[2323.40 --> 2339.40] good morning everybody +[2339.40 --> 2341.40] good morning everybody +[2341.40 --> 2343.40] good morning +[2343.40 --> 2345.40] good morning +[2345.40 --> 2355.40] good to see you all I think you guys need to wake up Hank he's also very tired this morning +[2355.40 --> 2357.40] shh +[2357.40 --> 2359.40] can you wake him up by saying +[2359.40 --> 2361.40] morning Hank +[2361.40 --> 2363.40] morning Hank +[2363.40 --> 2365.40] morning +[2365.40 --> 2367.40] morning kids +[2367.40 --> 2369.40] morning Kevin +[2369.40 --> 2371.40] morning Hank how are you guys all doing today +[2371.40 --> 2373.40] and how are you Hank +[2373.40 --> 2375.40] I'm good too +[2375.40 --> 2377.40] Hank I have a question for you +[2377.40 --> 2379.40] who do you have anybody in this world that you look like +[2379.40 --> 2381.40] mm-hmm +[2381.40 --> 2383.40] who do you look like +[2383.40 --> 2385.40] my sister +[2385.40 --> 2387.40] who's your sister +[2387.40 --> 2389.40] Peggy the pooch +[2389.40 --> 2391.40] oh yeah we met her a long time ago that was really difficult for me +[2391.40 --> 2393.40] yeah +[2393.40 --> 2395.40] where is Peggy right now +[2395.40 --> 2397.40] she's hiking in Peru +[2397.40 --> 2399.40] oh okay that's where she's been +[2399.40 --> 2401.40] yeah she's really busy +[2401.40 --> 2403.40] but you do look quite alike don't you +[2403.40 --> 2406.40] mm-hmm people even say we act the same +[2406.40 --> 2408.40] oh that's interesting +[2408.40 --> 2411.40] does anybody look like you or do you look like anybody +[2411.40 --> 2415.40] I mean maybe do you think I look like someone +[2415.40 --> 2416.40] mm-hmm +[2416.40 --> 2418.40] who do you think I look like +[2418.40 --> 2420.40] Ursula +[2420.40 --> 2422.40] who's Ursula +[2422.40 --> 2425.40] the one from Little Mermaid +[2425.40 --> 2427.40] Hank that is not very nice +[2427.40 --> 2433.40] well we're not going to talk about what we look like or who we look like in church today +[2433.40 --> 2439.40] but we are going to talk about who Jesus is like in children's worship time today +[2439.40 --> 2441.40] and so that's what we're going to talk about in the back +[2441.40 --> 2443.40] does that sound like a good plan mm-hmm +[2443.40 --> 2446.40] all right so we're gonna pray and then we're going to do the kids blessing +[2446.40 --> 2450.40] and then we're gonna go back to the children's worship time classes okay you ready let's pray +[2450.40 --> 2467.40] dear God thank you so much for this day thank you for this first Sunday in January where we can celebrate New Year's together as a church family and we can learn more about you be with the kids now as we go to children's worship time and the grown ups as they stay back here and we learn more about Jesus we pray this in your name amen +[2467.40 --> 2470.40] amen all right stand up stand up stand up +[2470.40 --> 2476.40] we're gonna say on the count of three we're gonna say the Lord be with you together are you ready one two three +[2476.40 --> 2479.40] the Lord be with you +[2479.40 --> 2483.40] and also with you +[2483.40 --> 2485.40] thank you +[2485.40 --> 2487.40] thank you +[2487.40 --> 2493.40] thank you +[2493.40 --> 2497.40] thank you +[2497.40 --> 2499.40] thank you +[2499.40 --> 2501.40] thank you +[2501.40 --> 2504.40] thank you +[2504.40 --> 2518.40] my name is Paul and I'm an elder here and it's my privilege to pray with us before the +[2518.40 --> 2522.40] for this this new year and for our church family +[2522.40 --> 2527.40] great video wasn't that the slide presentation +[2527.40 --> 2529.40] shows +[2529.40 --> 2533.40] I think great community that we have here +[2533.40 --> 2539.40] let's come to our father in prayer +[2539.40 --> 2545.40] holy father in heaven +[2545.40 --> 2547.40] holy father in heaven +[2547.40 --> 2552.40] your name is exalted above the heavens +[2552.40 --> 2558.40] we lift your name overall because you created all things +[2558.40 --> 2564.40] you love us all of your days and you keep us in your hands +[2564.40 --> 2569.40] from the moment that we wake up until we lay down our heads +[2569.40 --> 2571.40] we sing of your goodness +[2571.40 --> 2573.40] you are faithful +[2575.40 --> 2580.40] we thank you for your spirit and grace that brings us all here together in this place +[2581.40 --> 2584.40] we thank you for all your goodness this past year +[2586.40 --> 2590.40] we each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us +[2590.40 --> 2594.40] but you alone know what it holds for us +[2594.40 --> 2601.40] and only you can give us the strength and the wisdom that we need to meet its challenges +[2601.40 --> 2606.40] help us to humbly put our lives into your hands +[2606.40 --> 2610.40] and to trust you and seek your will this coming year +[2610.40 --> 2615.40] in the midst of all of life's uncertainties +[2615.40 --> 2620.40] assure us of the certainty of your unchanging love +[2620.40 --> 2626.40] in the midst of life's temptations and the pull of our stubborn self will +[2627.40 --> 2629.40] help us not to lose our way +[2629.40 --> 2632.40] but to have the courage to do what is right +[2632.40 --> 2634.40] and regardless of the cost +[2634.40 --> 2638.40] oh lord guide our way +[2639.40 --> 2644.40] we pray for Elise Waggoner's dad Doug Kendon +[2644.40 --> 2647.40] we pray that you will bring healing +[2647.40 --> 2651.40] we pray that you will give wisdom and direction for his care +[2652.40 --> 2658.40] we pray that you will bring comfort and peace to Doug and the rest of the family as they navigate through this time +[2659.40 --> 2663.40] we also pray for Tanya +[2664.40 --> 2667.40] Amanda Hovland's sister and Klaas Tesemacher's daughter +[2667.40 --> 2674.40] we ask you lord for comfort peace healing and hope for Tanya's future +[2674.40 --> 2679.40] give her and the whole family comfort and strength as they need +[2679.40 --> 2682.40] that they need at this time +[2683.40 --> 2687.40] Lord we ask that for those who have recently gone through cancer treatments +[2687.40 --> 2690.40] that you will give complete healing and hope for the future +[2690.40 --> 2699.40] Lord we ask that your hand will be over this world wherever there is war and strife +[2699.40 --> 2706.40] we pray that you will comfort and protect your children that are persecuted for your name's sake +[2706.40 --> 2712.40] we ask for your protection for this church family +[2712.40 --> 2718.40] we pray that you will continue to bless the ongoing ministries of this church +[2718.40 --> 2722.40] sustain us in the present and guide us into the future +[2723.40 --> 2726.40] as we hear from your word +[2726.40 --> 2732.40] and your will for us this morning through the word preached by Pastor Chris +[2733.40 --> 2735.40] bind us together in Christ +[2736.40 --> 2738.40] keep us focused on your purpose +[2739.40 --> 2741.40] and fill us with the Holy Spirit +[2742.40 --> 2745.40] we pray that we will grow in love and truth +[2746.40 --> 2748.40] righteousness, peace, hope and faith +[2749.40 --> 2753.40] help us to grow in Jesus that we might become more and more like him +[2753.40 --> 2755.40] in character and soul +[2756.40 --> 2759.40] fulfill your will and purposes among us +[2760.40 --> 2761.40] advance your kingdom through us +[2762.40 --> 2763.40] so that your holy name is glorified +[2764.40 --> 2768.40] we pray all these things in your holy name +[2769.40 --> 2770.40] Amen +[2783.40 --> 2799.40] this is the time of year where many people +[2800.40 --> 2802.40] have spent some time looking back on the year that was +[2803.40 --> 2807.40] but more than that are looking forward to the year that will be +[2808.40 --> 2809.40] the year that's coming ahead +[2809.40 --> 2814.40] and even as we think about everything that happened in this past year +[2815.40 --> 2816.40] whether joyous or tumultuous +[2817.40 --> 2819.40] we look forward with a little bit of hope +[2820.40 --> 2822.40] to whatever this next year might be +[2823.40 --> 2828.40] and in that as we are hoping and thinking about what is to come +[2829.40 --> 2836.40] I suspect and imagine that we can't help but think of the kinds of things +[2836.40 --> 2839.40] we might be waiting for +[2840.40 --> 2842.40] and then maybe it's something simple in your life +[2843.40 --> 2844.40] something you are waiting for +[2844.40 --> 2846.40] maybe it's a package on the doorstep +[2847.40 --> 2851.40] although with Amazon these days that happens at least at my house like every other day +[2852.40 --> 2854.40] so there's not a lot of anticipation because it comes so quickly +[2855.40 --> 2859.40] maybe you're hoping in the middle of the day for the end of a long work day +[2859.40 --> 2862.40] or maybe you're hoping for something deeper +[2863.40 --> 2865.40] maybe you're hoping for a relationship to heal +[2866.40 --> 2868.40] or for a body to heal +[2869.40 --> 2871.40] maybe you're waiting and hoping for a career breakthrough +[2872.40 --> 2878.40] maybe you are coming into this new year waiting for an answer to prayer +[2878.40 --> 2883.40] as we wait +[2884.40 --> 2887.40] and as we have these hopes +[2888.40 --> 2891.40] I want to encourage us +[2892.40 --> 2894.40] this morning and for the next little while +[2895.40 --> 2898.40] to zoom up from that experience +[2899.40 --> 2901.40] as I want to ask the question +[2901.40 --> 2910.40] how does what you're waiting for shape the way you live right now +[2911.40 --> 2913.40] now again we've already mentioned Amazon +[2914.40 --> 2918.40] but in our culture things are pretty immediate +[2919.40 --> 2920.40] right? +[2921.40 --> 2923.40] most of us don't have to wait long for things +[2924.40 --> 2925.40] and so the discipline of waiting +[2926.40 --> 2928.40] the discipline of delayed gratification +[2928.40 --> 2931.40] isn't something that we have to wrestle with often anymore +[2932.40 --> 2935.40] but that's what we're being invited to right now +[2936.40 --> 2939.40] we're going to jump into a new series here at Emmanuel +[2940.40 --> 2941.40] for a little while +[2942.40 --> 2944.40] in the two letters to the Thessalonians +[2945.40 --> 2947.40] so to the church at Thessalonica +[2948.40 --> 2951.40] for the Thessalonian believers in the church there +[2952.40 --> 2953.40] the answer was clear +[2954.40 --> 2956.40] the answer of what they were waiting for is clear +[2956.40 --> 2958.40] they're waiting for Jesus +[2959.40 --> 2960.40] and not just figuratively +[2961.40 --> 2962.40] but literally +[2963.40 --> 2964.40] they're waiting for his return +[2965.40 --> 2966.40] right? just as he promised he would +[2967.40 --> 2968.40] their hope isn't wishful thinking +[2969.40 --> 2974.40] it was a certainty that shaped everything about their lives +[2975.40 --> 2977.40] their courage under persecution +[2978.40 --> 2979.40] shaped their priorities +[2980.40 --> 2981.40] as they waited it shaped their purposes +[2982.40 --> 2983.40] as they did life together +[2983.40 --> 2988.40] and so we are left with the same question +[2989.40 --> 2991.40] what are we waiting for? +[2992.40 --> 2994.40] and if we're waiting for Jesus +[2995.40 --> 2996.40] does that change how we live today +[2997.40 --> 3000.40] or is that just something that kind of exists in the background +[3001.40 --> 3002.40] in the language of the pastor on Sunday +[3003.40 --> 3006.40] but doesn't really impact my day to day being and operating in the world +[3007.40 --> 3009.40] as we dig into these letters to the Thessalonians +[3010.40 --> 3029.40] Paul wants us to see God is inviting us to consider how the hope of Jesus return is meant to fuel our faith and transform our lives and give us strength for whatever we're waiting for in the here and now +[3029.40 --> 3034.40] so what are you waiting for? +[3035.40 --> 3036.40] and how is it changing you? +[3037.40 --> 3047.40] we're going to start this morning with a really long text for our reflection in 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 1 +[3047.40 --> 3049.40] that's it +[3050.40 --> 3051.40] it's going to be on the screen behind me +[3052.40 --> 3056.40] I encourage you as always open your Bible +[3057.40 --> 3058.40] we'll have it in front of you +[3059.40 --> 3060.40] we will refer back and around variously +[3061.40 --> 3064.40] but we'll start here in this first verse +[3064.40 --> 3068.40] Paul, Silas, and Timothy +[3069.40 --> 3072.40] to the church of the Thessalonians +[3073.40 --> 3075.40] in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ +[3076.40 --> 3077.40] grace and peace to you +[3078.40 --> 3080.40] this is the word of the Lord +[3083.40 --> 3084.40] now as we begin +[3085.40 --> 3088.40] just a little bit of background on these two letters +[3088.40 --> 3092.40] the two letters and the city of Thessalonica +[3093.40 --> 3095.40] or Thessaloniki in modern day Greek +[3096.40 --> 3100.40] these two letters are written only a few months apart +[3101.40 --> 3106.40] and many scholars believe these are actually the first letters written by Paul +[3107.40 --> 3111.40] although some people argue that that's that privilege belongs to Galatians +[3111.40 --> 3115.40] what this means is that these letters are written +[3116.40 --> 3117.40] sometime +[3118.40 --> 3125.40] 17 to 20 years after Jesus' resurrection and ascension +[3126.40 --> 3132.40] which I at least think is cool and makes them worth reading +[3133.40 --> 3137.40] because they give us a glimpse into the incredible scope of the spread of the gospel +[3137.40 --> 3142.40] a glimpse into the speed of its spread throughout the Roman Empire +[3143.40 --> 3148.40] and they give us a glimpse of its immediate social impact as the church +[3149.40 --> 3151.40] from its off is being persecuted +[3152.40 --> 3159.40] now what's also neat I think is that the content of these two short letters coming as quickly as they do +[3160.40 --> 3165.40] to us teach us something about the content of Paul's missionary preaching +[3165.40 --> 3169.40] while he was moving around the area of the Mediterranean Sea there +[3170.40 --> 3177.40] these two letters are filled with references to Jesus' second coming +[3178.40 --> 3185.40] in fact there's at least one reference every chapter spanning both letters to the second coming of Jesus +[3186.40 --> 3192.40] and then that question is asked how does that hope that belief that reality +[3192.40 --> 3195.40] transform everyday life +[3195.40 --> 3205.40] and how does that reality that hope transforming everyday life challenge the cultural assumptions of the world +[3206.40 --> 3211.40] and the calling of people in the world to something other to something holy +[3211.40 --> 3215.40] in short +[3216.40 --> 3223.40] right faith in Jesus doesn't make sense without his resurrection and without his future return +[3224.40 --> 3227.40] right his resurrection and his future return +[3228.40 --> 3232.40] transforms everything about our living faith right now +[3232.40 --> 3233.40] now +[3233.40 --> 3234.40] now +[3234.40 --> 3235.40] now +[3235.40 --> 3236.40] sometimes +[3236.40 --> 3237.40] and maybe you have heard this before +[3238.40 --> 3241.40] but Christians can be criticized +[3242.40 --> 3257.40] saying that we don't care about the world because there's this really wrong and bad idea that Christians believe that somehow the world is just going to be burned up and we're all going to be taken away out of it that our goal is to escape and to leave this world behind +[3257.40 --> 3258.40] now +[3258.40 --> 3261.40] now that may be true for some people and some Christians +[3261.40 --> 3262.40] it's not true of the Bible +[3263.40 --> 3264.40] though +[3265.40 --> 3276.40] in fact as Ligon Duncan says that Paul's point in Thessalonians is that our eternal confidence does not rob us of the capacity to care about the world and people in it +[3276.40 --> 3279.40] instead it empowers us to care +[3279.40 --> 3280.40] right +[3280.40 --> 3291.40] it's precisely because of the resurrection of Jesus and his future return and the restoration of all things that we care about this world about the kingdom of God being manifest within it +[3292.40 --> 3294.40] now +[3294.40 --> 3295.40] Paul +[3296.40 --> 3297.40] visits +[3297.40 --> 3298.40] Macedonia +[3298.40 --> 3299.40] which is modern day Greece +[3300.40 --> 3301.40] sometime around +[3301.40 --> 3302.40] A.D. 49 +[3302.40 --> 3303.40] or 50 +[3303.40 --> 3306.40] in and around there +[3306.40 --> 3307.40] now +[3307.40 --> 3308.40] Thessalonica +[3308.40 --> 3313.40] is the capital and the largest city of Macedonia +[3313.40 --> 3314.40] I think we have a map +[3315.40 --> 3316.40] that we can throw up +[3317.40 --> 3318.40] it's a busy seaport +[3319.40 --> 3323.40] and the Via Ignatia ran right through it +[3324.40 --> 3327.40] now the Via Ignatia is a road that's +[3328.40 --> 3331.40] spans starting in Byzantium +[3331.40 --> 3339.40] and runs along the north of Macedonia to a city called Dracaeum which is modern day Duras in Albania +[3340.40 --> 3348.40] which from there if you can see the map is just a short ride across to the Italian peninsula and then on up to Rome +[3348.40 --> 3350.40] the Via Ignatia +[3350.40 --> 3355.40] the Via Ignatia connects Rome to the eastern half of the empire +[3355.40 --> 3361.40] any land trade that happens or road routes run through Thessalonica +[3362.40 --> 3373.40] it's a commonly understood historical fact that the Rome was able to spread its empire and its influence and rule so dramatically and drastically because of the roads that the Rome was able to spread its empire and its influence and rule so +[3373.40 --> 3374.40] the Via Ignatia +[3374.40 --> 3376.40] the Via Ignatia +[3376.40 --> 3377.40] the Via Ignatia +[3378.40 --> 3383.40] the city of Thessalonica has about 200,000 inhabitants at this time +[3384.40 --> 3386.40] which is actually quite huge +[3387.40 --> 3391.40] considering that the global population at this time is estimated to be about 200 million +[3391.40 --> 3400.40] so 0.1% of the world lived in Thessalonica +[3400.40 --> 3406.40] now Paul when he visits stays for only three weeks +[3406.40 --> 3410.40] and his time is marked by his preaching in the synagogue +[3410.40 --> 3416.40] now that Thessalonica has a synagogue is another indication that it's a large and diverse city +[3416.40 --> 3420.40] you can read about this in Acts 17 +[3421.40 --> 3423.40] the effect of Paul's preaching there +[3423.40 --> 3425.40] he would go on the Sabbath to the synagogue and preach +[3425.40 --> 3429.40] and the effect we can read is that some of the Jews were persuaded +[3430.40 --> 3434.40] along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women +[3435.40 --> 3440.40] now in due course as regularly happens in Paul's missionary journeys +[3440.40 --> 3447.40] a group of Jews begin to gather up and create trouble +[3447.40 --> 3453.40] they take some of the believers who had converted because of Paul's preaching and message +[3453.40 --> 3455.40] and take them in front of the city officials +[3456.40 --> 3462.40] and they charge them with saying that there is a king other than Caesar whose name is Jesus +[3463.40 --> 3467.40] now this becomes another repeated and regular pattern throughout the early church +[3467.40 --> 3472.40] and when that happens Paul and Silas slip away at night +[3472.40 --> 3475.40] and they go to the next city into Berea +[3476.40 --> 3479.40] from there they go to Athens and then on to Corinth +[3480.40 --> 3483.40] Timothy stays behind in Berea +[3484.40 --> 3490.40] and Paul sends word to Timothy to check on the believers in Thessalonica +[3490.40 --> 3493.40] and so Timothy goes from Berea back to Thessalonica +[3493.40 --> 3495.40] and so Timothy goes from Berea back to Thessalonica +[3496.40 --> 3499.40] visits with them and then joins Paul in Corinth +[3500.40 --> 3508.40] and it's Timothy's encouraging report to Paul in Corinth that precipitates this letter +[3509.40 --> 3511.40] he's encouraged by their continuing of their belief +[3512.40 --> 3517.40] and he rejoices in what God is doing among them even in the face of persecution +[3517.40 --> 3527.40] now Paul's second letter what we call second Thessalonians is occasioned by news from the group of people +[3528.40 --> 3532.40] who likely delivered the first letter to the church in Thessalonica +[3533.40 --> 3538.40] when they returned Paul hears from them how persecution has worsened +[3539.40 --> 3541.40] how their life has become harder and more challenging +[3541.40 --> 3544.40] and so he wants to encourage them all the more +[3544.40 --> 3548.40] and through both of these letters +[3549.40 --> 3550.40] here's what we see +[3551.40 --> 3554.40] right? Paul encourages the church to stay strong +[3555.40 --> 3556.40] and endure +[3557.40 --> 3561.40] and you can see this already if your Bibles are open in chapter 1 verse 9 and 10 +[3562.40 --> 3563.40] right? +[3563.40 --> 3565.40] to endure by turning to God from idols +[3565.40 --> 3567.40] to serve the living and true God +[3568.40 --> 3570.40] and to wait for his son from heaven +[3571.40 --> 3572.40] right? +[3573.40 --> 3574.40] throughout this +[3575.40 --> 3576.40] these two letters +[3577.40 --> 3578.40] Paul uses the hope of Christ's return +[3579.40 --> 3582.40] as a means of grace to sustain us in the present +[3583.40 --> 3587.40] right? faith in Jesus doesn't make sense without his resurrection +[3587.40 --> 3588.40] and without his future return +[3588.40 --> 3590.40] and his resurrection and future return +[3590.40 --> 3591.40] and his resurrection and future return +[3592.40 --> 3594.40] transform everything about life right now +[3595.40 --> 3596.40] for holy obedience +[3597.40 --> 3600.40] in short +[3601.40 --> 3605.40] this is about what it means to be a believer of Jesus +[3606.40 --> 3608.40] a follower of the way +[3609.40 --> 3614.40] early Christians were called followers of the way +[3614.40 --> 3615.40] the way +[3615.40 --> 3617.40] the way is a shorthand +[3618.40 --> 3620.40] to refer to Jesus himself +[3621.40 --> 3624.40] who said I am the way the truth and the life +[3625.40 --> 3631.40] it's also a way of referring to the kind of life that Jesus calls his disciples to live +[3632.40 --> 3638.40] so Matthew 7 we read for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction +[3638.40 --> 3648.40] and those who enter by it are many for the gate is nor narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few +[3649.40 --> 3656.40] followers of Jesus are those who follow the way on the way to eternal life +[3657.40 --> 3663.40] and the letters to the Thessalonians are meant to be an encouragement for when that narrow way is hard +[3663.40 --> 3668.40] a reminder of who you are and what you signed up for +[3669.40 --> 3671.40] and that's where we begin +[3672.40 --> 3681.40] the idea in these this first verse that the gospel of Jesus can transform a people and a city +[3682.40 --> 3686.40] this is about your identity in Christ +[3686.40 --> 3695.40] and I mean I need you to bring your best selves to our listening here right because when I say identity +[3696.40 --> 3701.40] I don't mean identity in the way that we use the word in our modern setting +[3702.40 --> 3705.40] right where our identities are simultaneously +[3706.40 --> 3709.40] something that we have to look within to figure out +[3709.40 --> 3714.40] and they prove to be fickle and never fixed so we can never actually be sure if we figured out +[3715.40 --> 3721.40] right in our modern world identity is something that you have to find within you and then be true to +[3722.40 --> 3724.40] something that you get to discern +[3725.40 --> 3733.40] that particular cultural understanding of an absolutely autonomous individualistic sense of self +[3733.40 --> 3749.40] that is foreign to the culture of the ancient world and it is foreign to an identity granted from outside a transcendent identity given to you as Christians we would say by grace through faith in Christ +[3750.40 --> 3754.40] and because it is foreign +[3754.40 --> 3756.40] it is alien +[3757.40 --> 3759.40] and because it is alien +[3760.40 --> 3766.40] it will be impossible or at least it will be really hard for most of us even us here who have been in church our whole lives +[3767.40 --> 3769.40] most of us it will be hard to immediately understand +[3770.40 --> 3775.40] right in fact because the identity we are talking about is alien +[3776.40 --> 3779.40] it is probably going to be offensive to our understandings +[3780.40 --> 3782.40] offensive to our modern sensibilities +[3782.40 --> 3785.40] right that is just not how the world works +[3786.40 --> 3787.40] you might say +[3788.40 --> 3790.40] to which Jesus will gently respond +[3791.40 --> 3793.40] sensitively and pastorally +[3794.40 --> 3795.40] your world isn't working +[3796.40 --> 3797.40] how about we try my way +[3798.40 --> 3800.40] look +[3801.40 --> 3803.40] put it bluntly +[3804.40 --> 3807.40] and this is where we might start to offend people +[3808.40 --> 3811.40] Jesus isn't interested +[3812.40 --> 3814.40] in a be true to yourself +[3814.40 --> 3815.40] way of being +[3816.40 --> 3817.40] he's interested +[3818.40 --> 3819.40] in you being true to him +[3819.40 --> 3823.40] Jesus isn't interested in +[3824.40 --> 3826.40] in looking inside for self discovery +[3827.40 --> 3829.40] he's interested that you discover yourself +[3830.40 --> 3831.40] in him +[3832.40 --> 3833.40] right +[3833.40 --> 3834.40] Jesus doesn't want to help you +[3835.40 --> 3836.40] he wants to heal you +[3837.40 --> 3838.40] right +[3838.40 --> 3840.40] he wants to set you free from the lie of the devil +[3840.40 --> 3841.40] and the world +[3841.40 --> 3842.40] that says you are on your own +[3843.40 --> 3844.40] that it's up to you +[3845.40 --> 3846.40] right Jesus wants to transform you +[3847.40 --> 3848.40] to raise you to new life +[3849.40 --> 3850.40] to take you from darkness into his light +[3851.40 --> 3853.40] this isn't about becoming the best version of yourself +[3854.40 --> 3857.40] this is about your being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ +[3858.40 --> 3859.40] and so yeah +[3860.40 --> 3863.40] you might get offended by this +[3864.40 --> 3867.40] the gospel is an offense and it's a stumbling block +[3868.40 --> 3869.40] man +[3870.40 --> 3872.40] if you are offended +[3873.40 --> 3875.40] that's exactly the right time to ask +[3876.40 --> 3879.40] am I looking at the world my way +[3880.40 --> 3883.40] or is Jesus asking me to look at the world his way this morning +[3883.40 --> 3889.40] am I trying to define myself or will I let Jesus define me +[3890.40 --> 3894.40] is my identity in me or is it in him +[3895.40 --> 3897.40] that's the question of questions +[3898.40 --> 3901.40] and it's time to start doubting our cultural assumptions +[3902.40 --> 3904.40] and trust the way the truth and the life +[3905.40 --> 3910.40] so who does Jesus say you are +[3910.40 --> 3915.40] to the church of the Thessalonians +[3916.40 --> 3917.40] in God the Father +[3918.40 --> 3920.40] and the Lord Jesus Christ +[3921.40 --> 3923.40] grace and peace to you +[3925.40 --> 3926.40] now most of the time +[3927.40 --> 3928.40] in our world today +[3929.40 --> 3931.40] greetings in letters are sort of throwaway signs +[3932.40 --> 3933.40] now some of you hear that and go what's a letter +[3934.40 --> 3938.40] right but if you've ever had to write a reference for someone +[3938.40 --> 3940.40] right to whom it may concern +[3941.40 --> 3943.40] dear sir or madam +[3944.40 --> 3946.40] right and if they're not throwaway lines +[3947.40 --> 3948.40] they're still not very insignificant +[3949.40 --> 3951.40] or not very significant right maybe you'll get a letter that says +[3952.40 --> 3954.40] Mr. De Winter more likely I'll start an email that says +[3955.40 --> 3956.40] hey man +[3957.40 --> 3960.40] or maybe you'll find a note that says to the person who parked over the line +[3961.40 --> 3962.40] I didn't break your mirror +[3962.40 --> 3966.40] but sometimes +[3967.40 --> 3968.40] sometimes +[3969.40 --> 3971.40] greetings define a relationship +[3972.40 --> 3974.40] they speak to an identity +[3975.40 --> 3977.40] to the love of my life +[3978.40 --> 3980.40] that's a way to start a note +[3981.40 --> 3984.40] to my bride on our wedding day +[3985.40 --> 3990.40] to my best friend and the only person I've ever trusted +[3990.40 --> 3994.40] those are greetings that define a relationship +[3995.40 --> 4001.40] now Paul's greetings in his letters at the beginning of his letters define a relationship +[4002.40 --> 4005.40] a relationship that Paul has to this church as its pastor +[4006.40 --> 4011.40] and a relationship that this church has to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ +[4011.40 --> 4016.40] because of the gospel that tells us something about who we are +[4017.40 --> 4020.40] from the off right to the church +[4021.40 --> 4028.40] he says that is to the gathered ones to the called out ones to those who are set apart for eternal life +[4029.40 --> 4030.40] to those disciples of the way +[4030.40 --> 4031.40] the way +[4032.40 --> 4035.40] now if you've been around church long enough +[4036.40 --> 4037.40] that word church loses its punch +[4038.40 --> 4042.40] but this is about your identity as the bride of Christ +[4043.40 --> 4045.40] this is about being set apart for the purposes of God +[4046.40 --> 4048.40] this is about being made holy in his name +[4049.40 --> 4052.40] church isn't primarily something we do or some place that we go +[4053.40 --> 4054.40] church is who you are +[4054.40 --> 4058.40] and because you can't hear it in English +[4059.40 --> 4061.40] right all of those use are plural +[4062.40 --> 4065.40] right the church is an all y'all kind of community +[4066.40 --> 4070.40] right it's a body it's a family and I don't say that as cliche +[4071.40 --> 4072.40] because I know that's how it sounds +[4073.40 --> 4078.40] right this is the Bible's understanding of all y'all's reality together +[4078.40 --> 4089.40] you are not your own you were bought with a price you belong body and soul in life and a death to your faithful savior Jesus Christ and you belong to one another +[4090.40 --> 4101.40] and this is Romans 12 verse 5 in Christ we though many form one body and each member belongs to all the others +[4101.40 --> 4107.40] to the church of the Thessalonians +[4108.40 --> 4114.40] now there is a sense here right in which the whole church belongs to the whole church +[4115.40 --> 4120.40] that is every disciple of Jesus every follower of the way belongs to each other +[4121.40 --> 4124.40] we are all one great cloud of witnesses +[4124.40 --> 4134.40] and that's what we mean when we for instance in the Apostles Creed confess and profess that I believe a holy Catholic Church +[4135.40 --> 4139.40] the word Catholic means literally from the whole right or belonging to the whole +[4140.40 --> 4153.40] we are all all the church of all times in all places to confess Christ raised from the dead and to believe that he is God's son is to be part of the Catholic Church +[4154.40 --> 4159.40] but that Catholic Church has particular locations +[4160.40 --> 4163.40] to the church of the Thessalonians +[4164.40 --> 4167.40] right of Thessalonica +[4168.40 --> 4171.40] here it's to the church of Langley +[4172.40 --> 4176.40] Emmanuel the local church is the expression of the Catholic Church +[4177.40 --> 4182.40] the local church grounds our experience of the Catholic Church +[4182.40 --> 4198.40] or to put it another way that the spiritual reality of belonging to the whole church the body of Christ is expressed in the physical reality of being embodied geographically belonging to a local church +[4198.40 --> 4209.40] now sometimes I will hear people say that they can be a Christian without belonging to a local church +[4210.40 --> 4216.40] and I want to tell you 99 times out of 100 that's an oxymoronic statement +[4217.40 --> 4218.40] maybe just moronic +[4219.40 --> 4222.40] right to be Christian is to belong to the head +[4222.40 --> 4223.40] you belong to the head +[4223.40 --> 4225.40] and if you say you belong to the head +[4226.40 --> 4227.40] you're part of the body +[4228.40 --> 4229.40] and if you're part of the body +[4230.40 --> 4232.40] you should belong to a local church +[4233.40 --> 4235.40] look +[4236.40 --> 4237.40] see why this matters +[4238.40 --> 4239.40] right? +[4240.40 --> 4241.40] your connection to a church +[4242.40 --> 4243.40] marks your connection to the church +[4244.40 --> 4249.40] which is the mark of your belonging to God in Jesus +[4249.40 --> 4250.40] to the church of the Thessalonians +[4252.40 --> 4255.40] in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ +[4256.40 --> 4259.40] just as these believers are in Thessalonica +[4260.40 --> 4266.40] so are they in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ +[4267.40 --> 4275.40] just as you are here in Langley Emmanuel so you are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ by grace +[4275.40 --> 4284.40] the spiritual reality is made tangible in the physical reality the spiritual truth is made real in the physical expression +[4285.40 --> 4288.40] and this too is about your identity +[4289.40 --> 4296.40] your personal relationship connects to a personal God who connects to other persons +[4297.40 --> 4298.40] you can't do this alone +[4299.40 --> 4302.40] but thanks be to God you're not alone +[4302.40 --> 4305.40] to the church +[4306.40 --> 4308.40] in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ +[4309.40 --> 4311.40] grace and peace to you +[4312.40 --> 4319.40] so in Greek here it actually says grace to you and peace +[4320.40 --> 4324.40] Paul places the to you after grace not after the word peace +[4324.40 --> 4329.40] not after the word peace and in Greek word order can indicate priority +[4330.40 --> 4333.40] grace precedes peace results +[4334.40 --> 4338.40] to be a follower of the way is to have received grace +[4339.40 --> 4341.40] we are defined by grace by God's grace +[4342.40 --> 4347.40] it is grace that makes us in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ +[4347.40 --> 4354.40] maybe you know the old hymn grace grace grace God's grace grace that erases all my sin +[4355.40 --> 4360.40] if you don't know that one maybe you know amazing grace how sweet the sound I once was lost but now I'm +[4361.40 --> 4365.40] found right it is by grace you have been saved through faith +[4365.40 --> 4369.40] this is not of yourselves it is the gift of God grace alone +[4370.40 --> 4371.40] sola gratia +[4372.40 --> 4375.40] the truth of the gospel +[4376.40 --> 4379.40] is that Jesus Christ God himself +[4380.40 --> 4381.40] the word +[4382.40 --> 4383.40] who took on flesh +[4384.40 --> 4392.40] came into this world and lived the life I should have lived that is he kept perfectly the demands of God and law +[4392.40 --> 4403.40] he kept perfectly the righteous requirements of what is needed in order to come into the presence of a holy perfect God +[4404.40 --> 4417.40] and he died the death that I deserve even though he was perfectly righteous he took the punishment for my sin for your sin for the sins of the world all who would believe +[4417.40 --> 4418.40] believe +[4420.40 --> 4421.40] this is the gospel +[4422.40 --> 4423.40] and grace +[4424.40 --> 4425.40] applies his merit +[4426.40 --> 4427.40] and grace +[4428.40 --> 4429.40] removes my demerit +[4430.40 --> 4434.40] right and the result of grace is peace +[4435.40 --> 4437.40] grace to you and peace +[4438.40 --> 4441.40] restored to God living in wholeness +[4442.40 --> 4443.40] that's what real peace is +[4443.40 --> 4444.40] is +[4444.40 --> 4449.40] living in peace is motivated and it is made alive in us by grace +[4450.40 --> 4465.40] and that living then is fueled by it is mobilized by more grace being manifested in the hope of Christ's return and the fulfillment of that peace in a world restored and completely renewed +[4465.40 --> 4475.40] the gospel of Jesus transforms a people and the city +[4476.40 --> 4479.40] because the people who gather in the church +[4480.40 --> 4482.40] people who gather as the church +[4483.40 --> 4488.40] the people who gather in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ +[4488.40 --> 4490.40] are sent out +[4491.40 --> 4492.40] to a city +[4493.40 --> 4497.40] you go from this place transformed in order to transform +[4498.40 --> 4513.40] you go as witnesses to and a herald of the kingdom come in your hearts by grace and the kingdom come in your lives as you live out that grace and the kingdom coming in the world around us as others are called into this relationship with God and the kingdom coming yet even more by the kingdom of God. +[4513.40 --> 4520.40] that is your message that is your message that is your hope and that changes everything about how we live right now because it changes who you are. +[4520.40 --> 4529.40] maybe for the first time in your life you know real humanity because you've met the real Jesus. +[4530.40 --> 4543.40] waiting for Jesus fuels our mission right now and and and and +[4543.40 --> 4544.78] Because you've met the real Jesus. +[4546.44 --> 4550.90] Waiting for Jesus fuels our mission right now. +[4552.26 --> 4557.58] So we wait with our eyes fixed on his return. +[4558.60 --> 4562.44] But as we will see, our waiting is not idle. +[4563.52 --> 4565.16] That is, we're not sitting still. +[4566.02 --> 4567.12] We are sent. +[4567.52 --> 4568.50] We are commissioned. +[4568.50 --> 4574.54] We are called out with this message. +[4575.62 --> 4580.66] And this message alone is what will transform the world. +[4581.92 --> 4585.34] This is your message. +[4586.46 --> 4586.72] Amen. +[4587.54 --> 4588.46] Let's pray together. +[4588.46 --> 4599.60] Lord Jesus, today you have reminded us who we are. +[4600.86 --> 4607.38] And you've done that, Lord willing, by reminding us who you are. +[4608.06 --> 4609.20] And what you have done. +[4609.44 --> 4610.46] And what you will do. +[4611.10 --> 4613.46] And, Lord God, what you are doing. +[4613.46 --> 4624.60] So as we look back, as we look around, and as we look ahead, may we fix our eyes on you. +[4625.54 --> 4629.46] May we wait for you, Lord Jesus. +[4630.24 --> 4631.54] In your name we pray. +[4632.48 --> 4632.80] Amen. +[4632.80 --> 4633.02] Amen. +[4643.46 --> 4647.94] Amen. +[4660.04 --> 4663.38] Amen. +[4663.38 --> 4664.40] Amen. +[4664.40 --> 4694.38] Thank you. +[4694.40 --> 4724.38] Thank you. +[4724.40 --> 4726.40] Thank you. +[4754.40 --> 4756.40] Thank you. +[4784.40 --> 4786.40] Thank you. +[4814.40 --> 4816.40] Thank you. +[4816.40 --> 4818.40] Thank you. +[4818.40 --> 4820.40] Thank you. +[4820.40 --> 4822.40] Thank you. +[4822.40 --> 4824.40] Thank you. +[4824.40 --> 4826.40] Thank you. +[4826.40 --> 4828.40] Thank you. +[4828.40 --> 4844.06] As you go into this week. +[4844.06 --> 4852.84] as you go into this year, know that you do not go alone. You in fact go with God as he goes with +[4852.84 --> 4857.96] you. You in fact go with his church as we go together and you go with the prayers of the +[4857.96 --> 4863.12] saints. And so if you need prayer, please, there'll be someone here after service that to meet with +[4863.12 --> 4868.46] you and to pray with you. You can find me or pastor Kevin or really anyone here would love to pray +[4868.46 --> 4876.52] with you. And we go with the blessing of God. Receive the blessing of God for the journey of faith +[4876.52 --> 4887.26] ahead. God go before you to lead you. God go behind you to protect you. God go beneath you to support +[4887.26 --> 4895.24] you. And God go beside you to befriend you. Do not be afraid. Let the blessing of God come upon you +[4895.24 --> 4903.62] today. Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen. +[4903.62 --> 4903.76] Amen. +[4903.76 --> 4904.58] Amen. +[4904.94 --> 4909.80] God do not be afraid, but go in peace. +[4909.80 --> 4909.92] Amen. +[4911.54 --> 4911.88] Amen. +[4911.88 --> 4912.14] Amen. +[4912.14 --> 4912.18] Amen. +[4913.18 --> 4913.34] Amen. +[4913.34 --> 4913.92] A man. +[4913.92 --> 4914.24] Amen. +[4914.42 --> 4915.92] Amen. +[4915.92 --> 4916.08] Amen. +[4916.08 --> 4916.72] Amen. +[4917.24 --> 4918.20] God teleprints, Dave. +[4918.20 --> 4919.08] Amen. +[4919.64 --> 4920.28] Amen. +[4920.28 --> 4921.22] Amen. +[4921.22 --> 4922.32] Amen. +[4922.32 --> 4923.28] Amen. +[4923.28 --> 4926.10] And the name of how we are going for charity. +[4926.10 --> 4926.26] Amen. +[4926.26 --> 4926.88] Amen. +[4926.88 --> 4930.86] HILM PTER S sistema,地, let the art of the Gospel, Gospel, wrath, and redemption, all the +[4930.86 --> 4931.66] morning, many Tahitiobia. +[4931.66 --> 4932.76] Amen. +[4932.76 --> 4932.86] Amen. +[4932.92 --> 4933.60] Amen. +[4933.60 --> 4935.60] before us +[4935.60 --> 4937.38] and all who will +[4937.38 --> 4938.64] we need +[4938.64 --> 4941.46] will sing the song of ages +[4941.46 --> 4943.44] to the end +[4943.44 --> 4948.26] Your name is the highest +[4948.26 --> 4951.50] Your name is the greatest +[4951.50 --> 4953.42] Your name +[4953.42 --> 4955.42] stands above +[4955.42 --> 4957.42] it all +[4957.42 --> 4959.82] All thrones +[4959.82 --> 4961.18] and millions +[4961.18 --> 4963.00] All powers +[4963.00 --> 4964.36] and positions +[4964.36 --> 4966.38] Your name +[4966.38 --> 4968.36] stands above +[4968.36 --> 4969.52] it all +[4969.52 --> 4972.38] and the angels cry +[4972.38 --> 4974.38] Holy +[4974.38 --> 4977.58] all creation +[4977.58 --> 4978.38] Christ +[4979.66 --> 4980.38] Holy +[4981.86 --> 4984.12] You are lifted +[4984.12 --> 4985.38] high +[4985.38 --> 4988.38] Holy +[4988.38 --> 4990.38] Holy +[4990.38 --> 4991.38] forever +[4991.38 --> 4999.76] If you've been forgiven +[4999.76 --> 5002.76] And if you've been redeemed +[5003.44 --> 5005.76] Sing the song forever +[5006.32 --> 5007.76] to the land +[5007.76 --> 5012.76] If you've been forgiven +[5012.76 --> 5014.14] And if you've been forgiven +[5014.14 --> 5016.14] And if you've been forgiven +[5016.14 --> 5019.14] Sing the song forever +[5019.14 --> 5021.14] to the land +[5021.14 --> 5025.14] Sing the song forever +[5025.14 --> 5027.14] And in heaven +[5027.14 --> 5030.14] And the angels cry +[5030.14 --> 5032.14] Holy +[5032.14 --> 5033.52] Holy +[5033.52 --> 5035.52] Holy +[5035.52 --> 5037.52] All creation +[5037.52 --> 5038.52] Christ +[5038.52 --> 5039.52] Holy +[5039.52 --> 5041.52] You are lifted +[5041.52 --> 5042.52] high +[5042.52 --> 5043.52] Holy +[5043.52 --> 5045.52] Holy +[5045.52 --> 5046.90] Holy +[5046.90 --> 5047.90] Holy +[5047.90 --> 5048.90] Holy +[5048.90 --> 5049.90] Forever +[5049.90 --> 5050.90] Holy +[5050.90 --> 5051.90] Holy +[5051.90 --> 5053.90] Holy +[5053.90 --> 5054.90] You will always be +[5054.90 --> 5055.90] Holy +[5055.90 --> 5056.90] Holy +[5056.90 --> 5058.90] Holy +[5058.90 --> 5059.90] Holy +[5059.90 --> 5073.20] You are Matt +[5073.20 --> 5074.28] Holy +[5074.28 --> 5074.46] Holy +[5074.46 --> 5076.88] People +[5077.14 --> 5077.28] Holy +[5077.28 --> 5078.96] Holy +[5078.96 --> 5081.28] Holy +[5081.28 --> 5083.50] is the highest +[5083.50 --> 5085.22] your name +[5085.22 --> 5086.74] is the greatest +[5086.74 --> 5088.64] your name +[5088.64 --> 5090.72] stands above +[5090.72 --> 5092.48] and all +[5092.48 --> 5095.28] all thrones +[5095.28 --> 5096.86] and dominions +[5096.86 --> 5098.40] all powers +[5098.40 --> 5099.56] and positions +[5099.56 --> 5101.58] your name +[5101.58 --> 5103.50] stands above +[5103.50 --> 5104.76] and all +[5104.76 --> 5107.76] as the angels cry +[5107.76 --> 5109.64] holy +[5109.64 --> 5112.40] of creation +[5112.40 --> 5113.64] Christ +[5114.36 --> 5115.64] holy +[5116.54 --> 5118.10] you are +[5118.10 --> 5118.78] lifted +[5118.78 --> 5119.64] high +[5120.80 --> 5121.64] holy +[5123.08 --> 5123.64] holy +[5125.10 --> 5125.64] forever +[5126.64 --> 5131.64] may the people +[5131.64 --> 5132.64] sing +[5133.24 --> 5135.64] holy +[5135.64 --> 5137.24] to the +[5137.24 --> 5139.64] heal of peace +[5139.64 --> 5141.24] holy +[5142.24 --> 5145.24] you will always be +[5146.06 --> 5147.24] holy +[5147.24 --> 5148.24] holy +[5148.24 --> 5151.24] forever +[5152.24 --> 5158.24] you will always be +[5159.06 --> 5161.24] holy +[5161.24 --> 5163.24] holy +[5163.24 --> 5164.24] holy +[5164.24 --> 5165.24] forever +[5165.24 --> 5166.24] holy +[5166.24 --> 5167.24] forever +[5167.24 --> 5168.24] holy +[5168.24 --> 5169.24] forever +[5169.24 --> 5170.24] true +[5170.24 --> 5172.24] holy +[5172.24 --> 5173.24] harbor +[5173.24 --> 5174.24] holy +[5174.24 --> 5175.24] holy +[5175.24 --> 5176.24] holy +[5177.24 --> 5178.24] for aman +[5178.24 --> 5179.24] 4 +[5179.66 --> 5180.24] or +[5180.56 --> 5181.24] 25 +[5181.24 --> 5183.24] ever +[5183.24 --> 5184.24] cover +[5184.24 --> 5185.24] amen +[5185.24 --> 5215.22] Thank you. +[5215.24 --> 5245.22] Thank you. +[5245.24 --> 5275.22] Thank you. +[5275.24 --> 5284.24] Thank you. +[5305.24 --> 5335.22] Thank you. +[5335.24 --> 5365.22] Thank you. +[5365.24 --> 5395.22] Thank you. +[5395.24 --> 5425.22] Thank you. +[5425.24 --> 5455.22] Thank you. +[5455.24 --> 5485.22] Thank you. +[5485.24 --> 5515.22] Thank you. +[5515.24 --> 5545.22] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..98f5684c5ed9975734b392bd568438cb2dc0fd9a --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,79 @@ +• Prayer for God's presence and filling +• Acknowledging sin and asking for mercy +• Desiring a deeper connection with God +• Trusting in God as rock, salvation, and refuge +• Pouring out hearts to God in worship +• Singing hymns of praise and strength in God +• God is eternal and does not grow weary +• God comforts those in need and lifts them up like eagles +• God is a defender of the weak +• Waiting on God brings strength +• The goodness of God runs after its children +• Surrendering to God brings full surrender +• Speaking pleasing words is a prayer for children of God +• Needing God's presence and help in daily life +• Struggling with sin and the influence of old nature +• Seeking forgiveness and purification of desires +• Recognizing God's guidance and control over hearts +• Acknowledging dependence on God for everything +• Praising God's holiness, love, and redemption +• Expressing gratitude and devotion to God +• The congregation's gift to the church budget and special offering for the Langley Food Bank +• Report on the success of the recent food bank drive and festival in the Murrayville community +• Explanation for holding the event in July, as it is a month when the food bank typically receives less support +• Congratulatory comments and thanks from the deacons to the congregation +• Prayer requests and thanksgiving for various individuals and groups within the church and community +• Prayers for transition and education +• Accountability as a gift from God +• The importance of living in the light, not darkness or sin +• Genesis 3: Satan's temptation of Adam and Eve, and their subsequent sin +• The concept that sin is tricky and can blow one's life wide open +• The story of Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden +• God's questioning of Adam about his nakedness and eating from the forbidden tree +• The curses placed on the serpent, woman, and man for their disobedience +• God's warning to Adam that he will return to the ground from which he was made +• A passage from James 5 about prayer and confession in times of trouble or sickness +• The importance of accountability and confessing sin to others in order to be healed +• The consequences of sin, including isolation, alienation, and shame +• Sin forces people to hide and cover up their true selves. +• In the Garden, Adam and Eve were able to live openly and authentically, without shame or pretenses. +• Sin leads to shame, which causes people to hide and become less of who God designed them to be. +• Marty McFly's story is used as an analogy for how sin can "unbecome" us. +• The question "Where are you?" is a question of grace that God asks, inviting people to live openly and authentically with Him. +• Accountability is necessary to help people overcome their shame and become who they were designed to be. +• Importance of living in the light and being honest about sin +• Definition of accountability as being answerable to someone else +• Examples of everyday situations where accountability is important (marriage, parenting, finances) +• Benefits of living with accountability, including flourishing and reducing shame +• Consequences of not living with accountability, using examples such as government corruption, academic performance, and financial irresponsibility +• Accountability is necessary for personal growth and avoiding negative consequences +• The concept of accountability can be compared to gardening, where providing adequate light allows plants to thrive +• Living in the light is a key aspect of Christian accountability, allowing individuals to confront and overcome past traumas or secrets +• Being personally accountable means taking responsibility for one's own faith and making intentional decisions about spiritual growth +• Christian accountability also involves being communally accountable, confessing sins to others and praying for their healing +• Accountability is best achieved in community +• The law is good because it shows where we are and what we need to do, but we can't obey the law without the Spirit +• The sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a way of being accountable for sin through the community +• Coming to church on Sunday morning can be a simple way to practice accountability +• Intimate accountability relationships, such as small groups, are also important +• Being accountable to oneself by stewaring one's faith is also essential +• Ultimately, being accountable to God and open to the Spirit's work in our lives is crucial. +• The relationship between humans and God +• Recognizing when the spirit speaks through experiences or situations +• Living in openness and accountability with others +• Struggling with sin and shame, and seeking help from God and spiritual guidance +• The importance of community and relationships in living a life of light and truth +• Discussion of the Last Supper and the significance of Christ's body and blood +• Explanation that the wine may be grape juice rather than actual wine +• Instructions for observing the Lord's Supper, including receiving elements and remembering God's desire for believers to truly live +• Music played during the service, with a focus on lyrics referencing Christ as cornerstone, weak made strong through His love, and standing before the throne +• Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God +• The power of His blood to wash away sin +• The beauty and majesty of His body and sacrifice +• The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead +• Praise and worship of God's name forevermore +• Eternal life and singing praise to God in heaven +• A dying Savior's love and power, a risen Savior's ascension +• Praise to the King eternal, immortal, and wise God +• Acknowledgement of God's wisdom and glory +• Expressions of gratitude (repeated) \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..5bd8e0f55c0b95c10030a52fc771741a456c8fee --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, July 13 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1225 @@ +[0.00 --> 25.88] I can feel you flowing through me, Holy Spirit, come and fill me up, come and fill me up. +[30.00 --> 45.76] Love and mercy fill my sancties, I am thirsty for your presence, Lord, my Lord, come and fill me up. +[45.76 --> 58.14] Lord, let your mercy wash away all of my sin. +[59.60 --> 67.76] Fill me completely with your love once again. +[67.76 --> 78.24] I need you, I want you, I love your presence. +[78.24 --> 88.90] I need you, I want you, I love your presence. +[88.90 --> 118.88] Fill me up. +[118.90 --> 119.68] Fill me up. +[119.68 --> 120.52] Yeah. +[121.36 --> 135.88] Love and mercy fill my sancties, I am thirsty for your presence, Lord, come and fill me up. +[135.88 --> 137.90] Come and fill me up. +[137.90 --> 138.80] Come. +[138.80 --> 157.66] Come and fill me up. +[157.66 --> 164.90] I need you, I want you +[164.90 --> 168.82] I love your presence +[168.82 --> 174.74] I need you, I want you +[174.74 --> 179.78] I love your presence +[179.78 --> 186.98] I need you, I want you +[186.98 --> 190.80] I love your presence +[190.80 --> 196.82] I need you, I want you +[196.82 --> 201.82] I love your presence +[201.82 --> 204.40] Come and fill me up +[204.40 --> 206.34] I need you +[206.34 --> 209.26] Come and fill me up +[209.26 --> 210.94] I need you +[210.94 --> 214.24] Come and fill me up +[214.24 --> 216.24] I need you +[216.24 --> 217.06] I need you +[217.06 --> 219.18] You're the only one who can +[219.18 --> 220.68] Fill me up +[220.68 --> 222.06] I need you +[222.06 --> 224.12] I need you +[224.12 --> 226.20] I need you +[226.20 --> 228.06] You're the only one who can +[228.06 --> 230.06] Fill me up +[230.06 --> 234.04] I need you +[234.04 --> 235.88] I need you +[235.88 --> 236.86] Come and fill you +[236.86 --> 237.86] I need you +[237.86 --> 238.48] You're the only one in your +[238.48 --> 240.84] I need you +[240.84 --> 242.98] I need you +[242.98 --> 244.18] You must fill me up +[244.44 --> 246.00] I need you +[246.00 --> 246.66] I need you +[246.66 --> 246.96] I need you +[246.96 --> 248.18] I need you +[248.18 --> 249.44] I need you +[249.44 --> 250.62] I need you +[250.62 --> 251.82] You must fill me up +[251.82 --> 252.00] I need you +[252.00 --> 252.86] I need you +[252.86 --> 253.82] You must fill me up +[253.82 --> 254.96] I need you +[254.96 --> 255.80] I need you +[255.80 --> 256.38] I need you +[256.38 --> 286.36] We'll be right back. +[286.38 --> 316.36] We'll be right back. +[316.38 --> 346.36] We'll be right back. +[346.38 --> 376.36] We'll be right back. +[376.38 --> 406.36] We'll be right back. +[406.36 --> 436.34] We'll be right back. +[436.34 --> 466.32] We'll be right back. +[466.32 --> 496.30] We'll be right back. +[496.30 --> 526.28] We'll be right back. +[526.30 --> 556.28] We'll be right back. +[556.28 --> 559.62] Yes, my soul rest in God. +[560.12 --> 561.72] My hope comes from him. +[562.42 --> 564.80] Truly, he is my rock and my salvation. +[565.32 --> 566.56] He is my fortress. +[566.94 --> 568.04] I will not be shaken. +[569.04 --> 572.22] My salvation and my honor depends on God. +[572.48 --> 575.28] He is my mighty rock, my refuge. +[575.28 --> 576.54] Trust in him. +[576.54 --> 576.62] Trust in him. +[576.62 --> 577.12] Trust in him. +[577.12 --> 578.96] Trust in him at all times, you people. +[579.96 --> 584.40] Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. +[584.40 --> 586.40] We come together. +[586.40 --> 590.78] We come together to pour out our hearts to him, our rock. +[590.78 --> 591.84] Let's sing. +[591.84 --> 591.88] Let's sing. +[591.88 --> 591.90] Let's sing. +[591.90 --> 592.82] Let's sing. +[592.82 --> 594.82] Let's sing. +[594.82 --> 595.82] Let's sing. +[595.82 --> 596.82] Let's sing. +[596.82 --> 603.82] Let's sing. +[603.82 --> 610.82] strength arises +[610.82 --> 615.82] strength arises we wait +[615.82 --> 618.82] we will wait +[618.82 --> 624.82] strength arises we wait +[624.82 --> 627.82] upon the Lord +[627.82 --> 632.82] you reign forever +[632.82 --> 639.82] our strong deliverer +[639.82 --> 643.82] you are the everlasting God +[643.82 --> 647.82] the everlasting God +[647.82 --> 651.82] you do not faint you won't +[651.82 --> 655.82] grow weary +[655.82 --> 659.82] you're the defender of the weak +[659.82 --> 664.82] you comfort those in need +[664.82 --> 670.82] you lift us upon wings like evil +[670.82 --> 674.82] strength arises we wait upon the Lord +[674.82 --> 677.82] we will wait upon the Lord +[677.82 --> 680.82] we will wait upon the Lord +[680.82 --> 683.82] strength arises we wait upon the Lord +[683.82 --> 684.82] we will wait upon the Lord +[684.82 --> 685.82] we will wait upon the Lord +[685.82 --> 687.82] we will wait upon the Lord +[687.82 --> 688.82] our God +[688.82 --> 692.82] you may for +[692.82 --> 696.82] oh +[696.82 --> 700.82] strong +[700.82 --> 708.82] you are the everlasting God +[708.82 --> 712.82] the everlasting God you do not +[712.82 --> 716.82] wait you won't grow weary +[716.82 --> 718.82] you're the +[718.82 --> 720.82] defender of +[720.82 --> 722.82] the weak +[722.82 --> 724.82] you comfort those +[724.82 --> 726.82] in need +[726.82 --> 728.82] you lift us +[728.82 --> 730.82] upon wings +[730.82 --> 732.82] like eagles +[732.82 --> 734.82] you are +[734.82 --> 736.82] the everlasting +[736.82 --> 738.82] God +[738.82 --> 740.82] the everlasting +[740.82 --> 742.82] God +[742.82 --> 744.82] you do not +[744.82 --> 746.82] wait you won't +[746.82 --> 748.82] grow weary +[748.82 --> 750.82] you're the +[750.82 --> 752.82] defender of +[752.82 --> 754.82] the weak +[754.82 --> 756.82] you comfort those +[756.82 --> 758.82] in need +[758.82 --> 760.82] you lift us +[760.82 --> 762.82] upon wings +[762.82 --> 764.82] like eagles +[764.82 --> 766.82] strength will rise +[766.82 --> 768.82] as we wait upon the +[768.82 --> 770.82] we will wait +[770.82 --> 771.82] we will wait +[771.82 --> 772.82] upon the +[772.82 --> 774.82] Lord +[776.82 --> 778.82] Amen +[778.82 --> 801.08] I love you, Lord. +[803.12 --> 807.10] Oh, your mercy never fails me. +[807.10 --> 814.10] All my days I've been held in your hands. +[815.10 --> 819.10] From the moment that I lay down, +[819.10 --> 823.10] until I lay in my hands, +[823.10 --> 829.10] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[829.10 --> 837.10] All my life you have been faithful. +[837.10 --> 847.10] All my life you have been so, so good. +[847.10 --> 851.10] With every breath that I am laid, +[851.10 --> 859.10] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[859.10 --> 865.10] I love your voice. +[865.10 --> 869.10] You have led me through the fire. +[869.10 --> 872.10] In the darkest night, +[872.10 --> 876.10] You are close like no other. +[876.10 --> 880.10] I've known you as a father. +[880.10 --> 884.10] I've known you as a friend. +[884.10 --> 890.10] I have lived in the goodness of God. +[890.10 --> 892.10] I love you, Lord. +[892.10 --> 894.10] I love you, Lord. +[894.10 --> 896.10] I love you, Lord. +[896.10 --> 898.10] I love you, Lord. +[898.10 --> 902.10] I love you, Lord. +[902.10 --> 904.10] I love you, Lord. +[904.10 --> 906.10] I love you, Lord. +[906.10 --> 908.10] I love you, Lord. +[908.10 --> 910.10] I love you, Lord. +[910.10 --> 913.10] When I am in the morning when I lay down, +[913.10 --> 916.10] what a matter of your eyes, +[916.10 --> 917.10] when you are in your hands, +[917.10 --> 921.10] I will sing of the goodness of God. +[922.10 --> 925.10] Your goodness is running after +[925.10 --> 929.10] Who's running after me. +[929.10 --> 932.10] Your goodness is running after +[932.10 --> 935.10] Who's running after me. +[935.10 --> 937.10] If my life lay down, +[937.10 --> 939.10] I surrender now, +[939.10 --> 941.44] And I give you everything +[941.44 --> 945.98] Your goodness is running after +[945.98 --> 948.88] It's running after me +[948.88 --> 953.02] Your goodness is running after +[953.02 --> 955.98] It's running after me +[955.98 --> 959.88] Your goodness is running after +[959.88 --> 962.72] It's running after me +[962.72 --> 965.04] With my life laid down +[965.04 --> 966.86] I surrender now +[966.86 --> 969.24] I give you everything +[969.24 --> 973.84] Your goodness is running after +[973.84 --> 977.36] It's running after me +[977.36 --> 987.68] All my life you have been faithful +[987.68 --> 996.18] All my life you have been so, so good +[996.86 --> 1001.42] With every breath that I am made for +[1001.42 --> 1008.24] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1008.24 --> 1014.80] I will sing of the goodness of God +[1014.80 --> 1021.84] Psalm 19 verse 14 says +[1021.84 --> 1023.36] That's how you do this, sit seated, sorry +[1023.36 --> 1024.42] Sit first, it's okay +[1024.42 --> 1026.26] Please be seated +[1026.26 --> 1030.40] It's okay +[1030.40 --> 1034.30] Psalm 19 verse 14 says +[1034.30 --> 1036.26] May the words of my mouth +[1036.26 --> 1038.80] May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart +[1038.80 --> 1042.12] Be pleasing in your sight, Lord +[1042.12 --> 1044.70] My rock and my redeemer +[1044.70 --> 1048.70] This is our prayer as children of God +[1048.70 --> 1051.56] That what our hearts dwell on +[1051.56 --> 1054.00] What captures our passions +[1054.00 --> 1056.84] Is pleasing in our Father's sight +[1056.84 --> 1061.20] We pray that the words we speak show a heart +[1061.20 --> 1062.70] That has been reborn +[1062.70 --> 1065.82] That in him we are a new creation +[1065.82 --> 1069.40] Speaking in a way that communicates his love +[1069.40 --> 1071.40] That's power heads +[1071.40 --> 1076.94] Father, our heart's desire is to please you +[1076.94 --> 1080.00] Continue to fill us with your spirit +[1080.00 --> 1084.10] And purify our desires to fall in step with you +[1084.10 --> 1090.58] Forgive us when we let our old nature influence what we say +[1090.58 --> 1094.26] And control what our hearts long for +[1094.26 --> 1097.36] May the words we speak +[1097.36 --> 1099.66] And the things we meditate on +[1099.66 --> 1101.66] Be pleasing to you +[1101.66 --> 1103.70] Lord, we need you +[1103.70 --> 1104.50] Amen +[1104.50 --> 1107.76] When we rise and sing this next song +[1107.76 --> 1130.72] Lord, I come +[1130.72 --> 1133.88] I confess +[1133.88 --> 1137.98] Now in here +[1137.98 --> 1141.60] I find my rest +[1141.60 --> 1144.32] Without you +[1144.32 --> 1148.08] I fall apart +[1148.08 --> 1151.52] You're the one +[1151.52 --> 1155.22] That guides my heart +[1155.22 --> 1162.12] Lord, I need you +[1162.12 --> 1166.64] Oh, I need you +[1166.64 --> 1169.84] Every hour +[1169.84 --> 1170.84] Every hour +[1170.84 --> 1172.84] I need you +[1172.84 --> 1175.68] My love +[1175.68 --> 1176.88] May hence +[1176.88 --> 1180.02] My righteousness +[1180.02 --> 1182.20] Oh God +[1182.20 --> 1185.50] How I need you +[1185.50 --> 1193.22] Where sin runs deep +[1193.22 --> 1196.22] Your grace is more +[1196.22 --> 1199.94] Where grace is found +[1199.94 --> 1200.22] Where grace is found +[1200.22 --> 1203.22] Is where you are +[1203.22 --> 1206.22] And where you are +[1206.22 --> 1213.94] Lord, I am free +[1213.94 --> 1218.94] Where you are +[1218.94 --> 1219.94] Lord, I am free +[1219.94 --> 1223.94] Holiness +[1223.94 --> 1229.94] Is Christ in me +[1229.94 --> 1237.66] Lord, I am free +[1237.66 --> 1238.22] Jesus +[1238.22 --> 1240.66] You're my hope and save +[1240.66 --> 1243.66] Lord, I need you +[1243.66 --> 1248.18] Lord, I need you +[1248.18 --> 1251.38] Oh, I need you +[1251.38 --> 1255.30] Every hour +[1255.30 --> 1255.64] I need you +[1255.64 --> 1263.52] Every hour +[1263.52 --> 1267.32] I need you +[1267.32 --> 1271.34] Every hour +[1271.34 --> 1272.08] I need you +[1272.10 --> 1273.30] anyway +[1273.30 --> 1273.96] It's my pastry +[1273.96 --> 1276.30] Oh, I need you +[1276.30 --> 1278.30] you +[1278.30 --> 1280.30] every +[1280.30 --> 1282.30] hour I +[1282.30 --> 1284.30] need you +[1284.30 --> 1286.30] my one +[1286.30 --> 1288.30] defense +[1288.30 --> 1290.30] my one +[1290.30 --> 1292.30] righteousness +[1292.30 --> 1294.30] oh God +[1294.30 --> 1296.30] how I need +[1296.30 --> 1298.30] you +[1306.30 --> 1326.30] you are +[1326.30 --> 1328.30] forever +[1328.30 --> 1330.30] Lord +[1330.30 --> 1332.30] Jesus +[1332.30 --> 1336.30] we are +[1336.30 --> 1338.30] a paper +[1338.30 --> 1340.30] you are eternal +[1340.30 --> 1342.30] love everlasting +[1342.30 --> 1344.30] reigning +[1344.30 --> 1346.30] on high +[1346.30 --> 1348.30] holy +[1348.30 --> 1350.30] holy +[1350.30 --> 1352.30] Lord +[1352.30 --> 1354.30] God almighty +[1354.30 --> 1356.30] worthy +[1356.30 --> 1358.30] is the lamb +[1358.30 --> 1360.30] who was slain +[1360.30 --> 1362.30] highest +[1362.30 --> 1364.30] praises +[1364.30 --> 1366.30] honor +[1366.30 --> 1368.30] and glory +[1368.30 --> 1370.30] be unto +[1370.30 --> 1372.30] your name +[1372.30 --> 1374.30] be unto +[1374.30 --> 1378.30] your name +[1378.30 --> 1380.30] we are +[1380.30 --> 1382.30] the broken +[1382.30 --> 1384.30] you are +[1384.30 --> 1386.30] the healer +[1386.30 --> 1388.30] redeemer +[1388.30 --> 1390.30] mighty to +[1390.30 --> 1392.30] you are +[1392.30 --> 1394.30] a love song +[1394.30 --> 1396.30] we'll sing +[1396.30 --> 1398.30] forever +[1398.30 --> 1400.30] loving before you +[1400.30 --> 1402.30] blessing your name +[1402.30 --> 1404.30] holy +[1404.30 --> 1406.30] holy +[1406.30 --> 1408.30] holy +[1408.30 --> 1410.30] lord God +[1410.30 --> 1412.30] almighty +[1412.30 --> 1414.30] worthy +[1414.30 --> 1416.30] is the lamb +[1416.30 --> 1418.30] who was slain +[1418.30 --> 1420.30] highest +[1420.30 --> 1422.30] praises +[1422.30 --> 1424.30] honor +[1424.30 --> 1426.30] and glory +[1426.30 --> 1428.30] be unto +[1428.30 --> 1430.30] your name +[1430.30 --> 1432.30] be unto +[1432.30 --> 1434.30] your name +[1434.30 --> 1436.30] be unto +[1436.30 --> 1438.30] your name +[1438.30 --> 1440.30] be unto +[1440.30 --> 1454.30] your name +[1454.30 --> 1456.30] be unto +[1456.30 --> 1458.30] your name +[1458.30 --> 1460.30] be unto +[1460.30 --> 1468.36] Be unto your name +[1468.36 --> 1470.44] You invite to be seated. +[1481.04 --> 1484.38] Good morning. My name is Brenda and I'm one of the deacons here at Emanuel. +[1484.94 --> 1489.32] We have the pleasure of continuing our worship with the giving of our gifts. +[1489.32 --> 1497.84] To the budget which covers the ministry and mission of our church and also our special offering today is for the Langley Food Bank. +[1497.84 --> 1508.16] The Langley Food Bank exists in our community to offer support and in tangible ways help for those who are in need. +[1508.82 --> 1518.52] And I get to say a great big thank you to this congregation, this church family, who once again stepped up in these last weeks. +[1518.52 --> 1525.48] And we were able to have our food bank drive and festival yesterday. +[1525.48 --> 1531.00] And you can see the results here. +[1531.00 --> 1537.00] We were able to pass out bags, grocery bags within our Murrayville community here. +[1537.00 --> 1541.96] And yesterday there was opportunity for people to bring those bags back. +[1541.96 --> 1552.32] We enjoyed pancake breakfast and sausages and some games and conversation with those in our community who came to join us yesterday. +[1552.32 --> 1554.84] So thank you. +[1554.84 --> 1555.84] Thank you. +[1555.84 --> 1561.64] On behalf of the deacons, thank you for helping us and for helping our community. +[1561.64 --> 1564.84] We pray that this will be a blessing. +[1564.84 --> 1571.84] I know that Josh from the Food Bank, when he comes to pick this up this week, will be overwhelmed once again by what has been gathered here. +[1571.84 --> 1576.36] Some questions sometimes have come up as to why we do this in July. +[1576.36 --> 1583.60] Because a lot of people are on holidays and would we get more support and more people participating in this. +[1583.60 --> 1594.60] And the simple answer to that has come directly from the Food Bank that July is the month that they receive the least amount of stuff. +[1594.60 --> 1603.60] And so we have, as deacons have decided, that we will, that continuing to do this in July is a benefit for our community. +[1603.60 --> 1626.60] So thank you for being a blessing. +[1626.60 --> 1656.58] Thank you. +[1656.60 --> 1673.60] I will proclaim +[1673.60 --> 1680.60] The glory of the risen Lord +[1680.60 --> 1685.60] Who once was slain +[1686.60 --> 1692.60] To reconcile men to God +[1692.60 --> 1697.60] Forever He will be +[1697.60 --> 1703.60] The Lamb upon the throne +[1703.60 --> 1709.60] And gladly bow my knee +[1709.60 --> 1714.60] And worship Him alone +[1714.60 --> 1720.60] Forever You will be +[1720.60 --> 1725.60] The Lamb upon the throne +[1725.60 --> 1731.60] I gladly bow my knee +[1731.60 --> 1737.60] And worship You alone +[1737.60 --> 1739.60] Or there be some love +[1739.60 --> 1744.60] Only oneeron P bridge +[1744.60 --> 1746.60] My heart is dying +[1746.60 --> 1748.60] The Lord for equal Familial +[1748.60 --> 1750.60] Die table +[1750.60 --> 1753.60] From alleœurs free +[1753.60 --> 1758.60] Then pray down and ما +[1758.60 --> 1759.60] Thank you. +[1788.60 --> 1818.58] Thank you. +[1818.60 --> 1848.58] Thank you. +[1848.60 --> 1878.58] Thank you. +[1878.58 --> 1880.58] Thank you. +[1908.58 --> 1909.58] Thank you. +[1909.58 --> 1910.58] God is awesome. +[1910.58 --> 1918.58] Before we pray this morning, Clem's mom passed away Friday. +[1918.58 --> 1948.58] +[1948.58 --> 1958.58] We want to continue to pray for Tanya Tessemaker, who most Sundays joins us here, and they are both dealing with cancer. +[1958.58 --> 1966.58] Also, we want to continue to pray for Clary's sister, who is also dealing with stuff. +[1966.58 --> 1976.58] What I want to do this morning before I pray is just recite one of my favorite songs, hymns, and I won't do the whole thing, just one of the first verses. +[1976.58 --> 1981.58] And that is, have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. +[1981.58 --> 1984.58] You are the potter, and we are the clay. +[1984.58 --> 1987.58] Mold us and make us after your will. +[1987.58 --> 1989.58] While we are waiting, yielded and still. +[1989.58 --> 1991.58] While we are waiting, yielded and still. +[1991.58 --> 1997.58] And the part that's not a part of this song is, Lord, help us to be waiting, yielded and still. +[1997.58 --> 1999.58] That's a, that's a hard. +[1999.58 --> 2001.58] Join me in prayer, please. +[2001.58 --> 2005.58] Our Father in Heaven, Lord, thank you. +[2005.58 --> 2009.58] Lord, thank you for where we live, how we live. +[2009.58 --> 2011.58] Lord, thank you for new babies. +[2011.58 --> 2013.58] Thank you for marriages. +[2013.58 --> 2021.58] Lord, we pray for people who are dealing with, again today, the Molenkamps, Lord, with passing of Clemsum. +[2021.58 --> 2029.58] Lord, we also pray for everybody else who, in the last while, has had to deal with somebody's passing, Lord. +[2029.58 --> 2039.58] Lord, we pray will you give us grace, will you give us wisdom, will you give us insight, will you, will you help us to also reach out to people who are hurting that way. +[2039.58 --> 2046.58] Lord, and then we want to thank the people who are dealing with cancer or, or something other, health problem. +[2046.58 --> 2049.58] Lord, we pray for each one. +[2049.58 --> 2052.58] Lord, we pray for new parents. +[2052.58 --> 2055.58] We pray for parents that have children, have new children. +[2055.58 --> 2062.58] Lord, we pray will you help us as parents to raise those little ones, and the little ones tend to get bigger, Lord. +[2062.58 --> 2074.58] And we ask you also that, as adults, we may not only tell our kids what to do, but lead by example. +[2074.58 --> 2079.58] Lord, because they're, they're probably going to watch us more than they listen. +[2079.58 --> 2080.58] Lord, we pray for kids. +[2080.58 --> 2085.58] Lord, we pray for preschoolers who are now worshiping with their leaders. +[2085.58 --> 2089.58] Lord, we thank you for the praise team this morning and all mornings, Lord. +[2089.58 --> 2094.58] Lord, we thank you for anybody who does any kind of a role in this church. +[2094.58 --> 2096.58] We pray we bless them, Lord. +[2096.58 --> 2100.58] We pray will you be with us this summer as some take a break. +[2100.58 --> 2102.58] We pray will you be with teachers, Lord. +[2102.58 --> 2105.58] Give them an awesome break, and kids as well, Lord. +[2105.58 --> 2111.58] We pray for kids who are looking to go into a new grade next year, maybe even a new school. +[2111.58 --> 2120.58] And instead of being the little kids in the big school or the big kids in the little school, Lord, help them to do that transition. +[2120.58 --> 2129.58] Lord, we pray for older children who have, young adults who have gone off to college and back again for a while, +[2129.58 --> 2131.58] and are in the midst of their studies, Lord. +[2131.58 --> 2133.58] Will you help each one of them? +[2133.58 --> 2141.58] Thank you for all the opportunities, not only in school for education, but also for trips people have made or are making, Lord. +[2141.58 --> 2144.58] We pray will you be with people who travel. +[2144.58 --> 2152.58] We pray will you be with each of us, Lord, and all the things we are dealing with, some known, some unknown. +[2152.58 --> 2155.58] Lord, we ask you to help and guide us. +[2155.58 --> 2159.58] Lord, we live in a different world, Lord. +[2159.58 --> 2164.58] So many things going on, so many not good things, and yet you are in control. +[2164.58 --> 2168.58] We know that, but, Lord, it's something we just don't understand. +[2168.58 --> 2171.58] Help us to trust and obey, Lord. +[2171.58 --> 2175.58] Lord, this morning we ask for a blessing on Grant as he brings your word. +[2175.58 --> 2180.58] Will you help us to listen, to pay attention? +[2180.58 --> 2183.58] Will you give him your spirit? +[2183.58 --> 2191.58] Lord, will you help us to be part of that learning while we trust and obey? +[2191.58 --> 2193.58] Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. +[2193.58 --> 2205.58] Amen. +[2205.58 --> 2214.58] What is the one area in your life where Satan could blow you out of the water? +[2214.58 --> 2224.58] This is a question my mentor, Martin Quintant, asked me every time as a pastor for the first five years after I started ministry. +[2224.58 --> 2227.58] Why did he ask a question like that? +[2227.58 --> 2231.58] Because sin is tricky. +[2231.58 --> 2239.58] Sin is tricky, and it has an incredible ability to blow our lives wide open. +[2239.58 --> 2244.58] And so, Scripture is very clear about sin and about life. +[2244.58 --> 2248.58] You'll either live in the light or you'll live in the dark. +[2248.58 --> 2253.58] Proverbs, you'll either be a fool or you'll live in the wisdom. +[2253.58 --> 2256.58] You'll be righteous or wicked. +[2256.58 --> 2259.58] God wants us to live in the light. +[2259.58 --> 2268.58] So today we're going to talk about one of the most incredible gifts that God gives a Christian community +[2268.58 --> 2271.58] and gives us personally the gift of accountability. +[2271.58 --> 2277.58] It's also one of the most difficult things because no one really loves accountability. +[2277.58 --> 2279.58] I remember doing some marriage counseling. +[2279.58 --> 2287.58] I was a pastor and we were talking about how, you know, sometimes you've got to call your spouse on stuff. +[2287.58 --> 2297.58] And invariably, one of the people we are counseling saying, well, I don't really like being called out on my stuff. +[2297.58 --> 2299.58] Yeah, well, duh. +[2299.58 --> 2300.58] No one does. +[2300.58 --> 2302.58] But that's accountability. +[2302.58 --> 2309.58] Accountability is the grace to be called on our stuff so that we can live in the light. +[2309.58 --> 2319.58] And so today we're going to look at a question, the very first question that God asks, where are you? +[2319.58 --> 2321.58] So we're going to look at that this morning. +[2321.58 --> 2327.58] And my hope today is not to smack you guys down with, oh, you should be better and you should be better people +[2327.58 --> 2332.58] and you shouldn't sin so much, but rather that you might hear the heart of God this morning. +[2332.58 --> 2339.58] That he is a God who wants us to have the life, but he also wants us to live in the light. +[2339.58 --> 2342.58] So let's open our Bibles this morning to Genesis 3. +[2342.58 --> 2346.58] I'll try to cruise along because it definitely isn't the coolest place. +[2346.58 --> 2350.58] I mean, it is cool, but it's not cool if you know what I mean. +[2350.58 --> 2353.58] So we will try to go at a pretty good clip. +[2353.58 --> 2358.58] It's kind of like you don't want to go too fast, but you don't also want to go too slow. +[2358.58 --> 2362.58] Because my kid's learning how to drive right now, so we were a little bit late to church. +[2362.58 --> 2366.58] So it's kind of like I want you to go fast, but I don't want to go too fast. +[2366.58 --> 2369.58] But we got here. Anyways, I digress. +[2369.58 --> 2374.58] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. +[2374.58 --> 2380.58] And he said to the woman, did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden? +[2380.58 --> 2384.58] Well, the woman said to the serpent, we may eat from the trees in the garden, +[2384.58 --> 2388.58] but God did say you must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, +[2388.58 --> 2391.58] and you must not touch it or you will die. +[2391.58 --> 2394.58] You will not surely die, the serpent said to the woman. +[2394.58 --> 2398.58] Huh! For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, +[2398.58 --> 2401.58] and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. +[2401.58 --> 2406.58] Well, when the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, +[2406.58 --> 2410.58] and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. +[2410.58 --> 2414.58] She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. +[2414.58 --> 2418.58] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked. +[2418.58 --> 2422.58] So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. +[2422.58 --> 2425.58] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God +[2425.58 --> 2428.58] as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, +[2428.58 --> 2431.58] and they hid from the Lord. +[2431.58 --> 2433.58] They hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden, +[2433.58 --> 2436.58] but the Lord God called to the man, +[2436.58 --> 2438.58] Where? Let's say it all together. +[2438.58 --> 2440.58] Where are you? +[2440.58 --> 2441.58] He answered, +[2441.58 --> 2445.58] Well, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. +[2445.58 --> 2447.58] And he said, +[2447.58 --> 2448.58] Another question. +[2448.58 --> 2450.58] Who told you that you were naked? +[2450.58 --> 2453.58] Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? +[2453.58 --> 2455.58] That's the third question. +[2455.58 --> 2456.58] Well, the man said, +[2456.58 --> 2460.58] Well, the woman you put me here. +[2460.58 --> 2462.58] What a guy. +[2462.58 --> 2466.58] She gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it. +[2466.58 --> 2468.58] Well, then the Lord said to the woman, +[2468.58 --> 2470.58] What is this you've done? +[2470.58 --> 2471.58] The woman said, +[2471.58 --> 2473.58] Well, the serpent deceived me, and I ate. +[2473.58 --> 2475.58] So the Lord God said to the serpent, +[2475.58 --> 2477.58] Because you have done this, +[2477.58 --> 2480.58] Cursed are you above all livestock and all the wild animals. +[2480.58 --> 2481.58] You'll crawl on your belly. +[2481.58 --> 2484.58] You will eat dust all the days of your life. +[2484.58 --> 2486.58] I'll put enmity between you and the woman, +[2486.58 --> 2488.58] and between your offspring and hers. +[2488.58 --> 2491.58] He'll crush your head, and you will strike his heel. +[2491.58 --> 2492.58] To the woman he said, +[2492.58 --> 2495.58] I'll greatly increase your pains and childbearing. +[2495.58 --> 2497.58] With pain you'll give birth to children. +[2497.58 --> 2500.58] Your desire will be for your husband, and he'll rule over you. +[2500.58 --> 2501.58] And to Adam he said, +[2501.58 --> 2505.58] Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, +[2505.58 --> 2507.58] You must not eat of it. +[2507.58 --> 2509.58] Cursed is the ground because of you. +[2509.58 --> 2513.58] Through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. +[2513.58 --> 2517.58] It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. +[2517.58 --> 2521.58] By the sweat of your brow you'll eat your food until you return to the ground. +[2521.58 --> 2526.58] Since from it you were taken, for dust you are, and to dust you will return. +[2526.58 --> 2528.58] This is where we're going to stop. +[2528.58 --> 2531.58] Now let's get over to James 5. +[2531.58 --> 2534.58] This is a letter for an early church. +[2535.58 --> 2538.58] And we'll read 13 to 20. +[2538.58 --> 2540.58] Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. +[2540.58 --> 2543.58] Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. +[2543.58 --> 2545.58] Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church +[2545.58 --> 2549.58] To pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. +[2549.58 --> 2553.58] And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. +[2553.58 --> 2556.58] The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he'll be forgiven. +[2556.58 --> 2561.58] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. +[2561.58 --> 2564.58] The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. +[2564.58 --> 2566.58] Elijah was a man just like us. +[2566.58 --> 2571.58] He prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't rain on the land for three and a half years. +[2571.58 --> 2575.58] Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. +[2575.58 --> 2580.58] My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth, and someone should bring him back, remember this. +[2580.58 --> 2587.58] Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. +[2587.58 --> 2591.58] This is the word of God for us this morning. Praise be to God. +[2591.58 --> 2597.58] So I want to make a little bit of a case for accountability this morning. +[2597.58 --> 2604.58] So you've just seen, and for many of us we've read the story so many times. +[2604.58 --> 2610.58] We've been reminded of the stark reality of sin in our lives. +[2610.58 --> 2613.58] And how it breaks everything. +[2613.58 --> 2617.58] In the first story it breaks the relationship with God. +[2617.58 --> 2621.58] And it breaks the relationship between man and woman. +[2621.58 --> 2623.58] Right? They start blaming each other. +[2623.58 --> 2627.58] And it also breaks the relationship that Adam and Eve would have with creation. +[2627.58 --> 2632.58] There would be toil, and thorns and thistles, and all that. +[2632.58 --> 2647.58] And what we remember is that when it comes to sin, no matter how big our sin is, big or small, sin results in incredible isolation, alienation, and shame. +[2647.58 --> 2655.58] We're going to have the elements this morning, the Lord's Supper, and we're reminded that Jesus came to save us from our sins. +[2655.58 --> 2660.58] So sin is a big deal. It's always been a big deal, no matter how much we poo-poo it, and oh, it's not that bad. +[2660.58 --> 2662.58] It's a big deal. It's the biggest deal. +[2662.58 --> 2665.58] Otherwise we wouldn't have needed a savior. +[2665.58 --> 2672.58] But when we look at this story, we see what happens to this first couple when they sin. +[2672.58 --> 2674.58] Almost instantaneously. +[2674.58 --> 2679.58] What happens? They sin, and all of a sudden they realize they're naked. +[2679.58 --> 2681.58] They make clothes. +[2681.58 --> 2683.58] They cover up. +[2683.58 --> 2686.58] Then what do they do? +[2686.58 --> 2688.58] They go hide away in the trees. +[2688.58 --> 2695.58] And so the first thing we see, or the big thing we see about sin, is that sin forces us under cover. +[2695.58 --> 2701.58] Now remember, one of the beauties of the garden, maybe the most beautiful thing, is that you could live out in the open. +[2701.58 --> 2703.58] You could bear all. +[2703.58 --> 2706.58] You know, as kids, we always used to remember, oh, they were naked. +[2706.58 --> 2708.58] It's funny they're naked. +[2708.58 --> 2711.58] Well, naked is also symbolic. +[2711.58 --> 2713.58] They could bear all. +[2713.58 --> 2714.58] They didn't have to hide. +[2714.58 --> 2716.58] They could be who they were. +[2716.58 --> 2720.58] No pretending, no masks, no cover-ups, no insecurities. +[2720.58 --> 2722.58] They could just be. +[2722.58 --> 2723.58] No shame. +[2723.58 --> 2724.58] It was amazing. +[2724.58 --> 2725.58] They could just be who they were. +[2725.58 --> 2728.58] And they could be who God designed them to be. +[2728.58 --> 2732.58] The first thing that comes, when sin comes, is they hide. +[2732.58 --> 2733.58] They cover up. +[2733.58 --> 2735.58] They layer up. +[2735.58 --> 2742.58] Now you're here today, probably, one of the reasons you're here today, because you know you need God. +[2742.58 --> 2744.58] You know you're a sinner. +[2744.58 --> 2747.58] You know you need the saving grace of God. +[2747.58 --> 2754.58] But what you should also know about sin is, sin and shame are inseparable. +[2754.58 --> 2759.58] And the more we sin, the more we hide. +[2759.58 --> 2763.58] And the more we hide, the less we become. +[2763.58 --> 2771.58] To the point that when all the layers keep coming on, the more we start unbecoming who God designed us to be. +[2771.58 --> 2774.58] I think of the great time traveler, Marty McFly. +[2774.58 --> 2776.58] Remember Marty McFly? +[2776.58 --> 2780.58] Now I'm going to probably reveal the plot here. +[2780.58 --> 2782.58] It's 40 years old, the movie. +[2782.58 --> 2783.58] So I don't feel bad. +[2783.58 --> 2789.58] If you haven't seen it yet, Marty McFly goes back into the future. +[2789.58 --> 2790.58] He goes back into the past. +[2790.58 --> 2793.58] He kind of messes up his parents' destiny. +[2793.58 --> 2796.58] And then he's got to kind of put everything back on the rails. +[2796.58 --> 2799.58] But the problem is, he's got to face a big bully. +[2799.58 --> 2801.58] He's got to orchestrate this whole thing. +[2801.58 --> 2803.58] And he's losing courage. +[2803.58 --> 2804.58] And remember, he has this picture. +[2804.58 --> 2807.58] And he's looking at this picture of his family. +[2807.58 --> 2813.58] And whenever his courage wanes and he feels like he can't pull this off, all the members of his family disappear. +[2813.58 --> 2821.58] But then, when he starts having courage to be able to put this thing back together, all the family members come back. +[2821.58 --> 2823.58] Right? They become. +[2823.58 --> 2825.58] This is what sin does. +[2825.58 --> 2828.58] Sin unbecomes us. +[2828.58 --> 2830.58] Sin steals our humanity. +[2830.58 --> 2832.58] It unravels us. +[2832.58 --> 2836.58] It takes away who God designs us to be. +[2836.58 --> 2840.58] And so the need for accountability. +[2840.58 --> 2846.58] We need the question, where are you? +[2846.58 --> 2848.58] Now isn't that interesting? +[2848.58 --> 2850.58] That's the first question that God asks. +[2850.58 --> 2852.58] Do you think God was perplexed? +[2852.58 --> 2854.58] Oh, I wonder where they were. +[2854.58 --> 2855.58] Where are those two people? +[2855.58 --> 2857.58] Only two people on the planet. +[2857.58 --> 2859.58] I created everything. +[2859.58 --> 2860.58] No. +[2860.58 --> 2861.58] God knows where they are. +[2861.58 --> 2863.58] This is a question of grace. +[2863.58 --> 2868.58] God wants them back in the open. +[2868.58 --> 2869.58] They open. +[2869.58 --> 2872.58] And so he says, hey. +[2872.58 --> 2874.58] He's coming to them. +[2874.58 --> 2876.58] Hey, where are you guys? +[2876.58 --> 2878.58] I want you back. +[2878.58 --> 2881.58] And so it's an awesome question to ask. +[2881.58 --> 2882.58] Where are you? +[2882.58 --> 2884.58] Where are you at? +[2884.58 --> 2887.58] Where are you at in your life? +[2887.58 --> 2889.58] Where are you at in your relationship with God? +[2889.58 --> 2892.58] Sometimes we ask, where are you at in your finances? +[2892.58 --> 2896.58] Sometimes we ask, where are you at with your steps? +[2896.58 --> 2900.58] We have stupid watches that even tell us to stand up now. +[2900.58 --> 2902.58] It's time to stand, you lazy blank. +[2902.58 --> 2908.58] Even our watches do that. +[2908.58 --> 2911.58] But the question is a question of grace. +[2911.58 --> 2915.58] It's an invitation to live out in the open. +[2915.58 --> 2918.58] It's an invitation to not live in the shadows. +[2918.58 --> 2919.58] Because let's face it. +[2919.58 --> 2922.58] Just because you're a Christian, that doesn't mean that you don't tamper. +[2922.58 --> 2924.58] That sin doesn't get you. +[2924.58 --> 2927.58] That sin doesn't get you in your clutches. +[2927.58 --> 2929.58] You hide things. +[2929.58 --> 2931.58] You live in the secret. +[2931.58 --> 2932.58] In the secrets. +[2932.58 --> 2938.58] And so the question of accountability, or the thing that this question gets to, +[2938.58 --> 2943.58] is the heart of God that says, people of God, I want you to live out in the open. +[2945.58 --> 2946.58] I don't want you pretending. +[2946.58 --> 2948.58] I don't want you in shame. +[2950.58 --> 2954.58] And so even for maybe some of you this morning, you're like, is it even possible? +[2954.58 --> 2955.58] Like, I got this secret. +[2955.58 --> 2957.58] I got this sin in my life. +[2957.58 --> 2958.58] Yes! +[2958.58 --> 2960.58] It's why Jesus came. +[2960.58 --> 2963.58] Oh, Jesus came only to bring us to heaven. +[2963.58 --> 2964.58] No! +[2964.58 --> 2966.58] Jesus came to give you life. +[2966.58 --> 2968.58] And life in the full. +[2968.58 --> 2970.58] John 8, 12. +[2970.58 --> 2973.58] I am the light of the world. +[2973.58 --> 2978.58] Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. +[2979.58 --> 2981.58] He wants us in the light. +[2981.58 --> 2983.58] Isn't that awesome? +[2983.58 --> 2984.58] Isn't that awesome? +[2984.58 --> 2987.58] So even today, you're like, man, I'm so stuck right now in my sin. +[2987.58 --> 2988.58] I don't know what to do. +[2988.58 --> 2990.58] I do this stupid thing over again. +[2990.58 --> 2993.58] Jesus says, okay. +[2993.58 --> 2994.58] Where are you at? +[2994.58 --> 2999.58] So, that's the case for accountability. +[2999.58 --> 3001.58] We want to live in the light. +[3001.58 --> 3003.58] What exactly is accountability? +[3003.58 --> 3007.58] Now, there's a couple definitions of what accountability is. +[3007.58 --> 3012.58] But ultimately, accountability is being answerable to someone else. +[3012.58 --> 3013.58] Okay? +[3013.58 --> 3016.58] So, you've heard this question before, if you're a married person probably. +[3016.58 --> 3019.58] Honey, where are we at with the MasterCard? +[3019.58 --> 3022.58] Hate that question. +[3022.58 --> 3023.58] Silence. +[3023.58 --> 3024.58] Silence. +[3024.58 --> 3030.58] Or, we ask our kids, where's your report card? +[3030.58 --> 3033.58] Now, as kids, we hid it under the waterbed mattress. +[3036.58 --> 3038.58] Or, your kids, where's your phone? +[3038.58 --> 3041.58] Because parents, you should be looking at their phones. +[3041.58 --> 3046.58] Sometimes in my house, it's my wife asks me, where did all the cinnamon buns go? +[3048.58 --> 3053.58] Ultimately, accountability is being answerable to someone. +[3053.58 --> 3056.58] To God, to a friend, to accountability partner. +[3060.58 --> 3062.58] Often, it creates tension. +[3063.58 --> 3067.58] Because you've got to, on your side, when you answer the question, +[3067.58 --> 3069.58] you've kind of got to lay yourself bare. +[3069.58 --> 3071.58] Or, you could lie, which isn't cool. +[3071.58 --> 3072.58] And that won't get you anywhere. +[3074.58 --> 3075.58] And so, yeah, it can be tense. +[3075.58 --> 3077.58] The MasterCard, that's overdue. +[3077.58 --> 3078.58] We should probably get caught up. +[3078.58 --> 3080.58] Ah, my report card, I think it's under the mattress. +[3080.58 --> 3083.58] And, well, the cinnamon buns, the dog ate those again. +[3087.58 --> 3091.58] But the reality is, with accountability, is, you've got to own up to the question. +[3095.58 --> 3099.58] Ultimately, accountability is the process and the commitment +[3099.58 --> 3102.58] of getting ourselves out in the open as much as we can. +[3102.58 --> 3106.58] This is what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4.2. +[3106.58 --> 3111.58] Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. +[3111.58 --> 3113.58] We don't use deception. +[3113.58 --> 3114.58] We don't live in that life anymore. +[3114.58 --> 3115.58] That's not the life. +[3115.58 --> 3116.58] That's the dark life. +[3116.58 --> 3118.58] We're called to the light life. +[3118.58 --> 3121.58] And so, we live out in the open as hard as that can be. +[3121.58 --> 3124.58] As hard as those questions can be. +[3124.58 --> 3129.58] And the more we live out in the open, the better we live and the more we flourish. +[3131.58 --> 3135.58] The alternative question is, what happens when we don't live with accountability? +[3136.58 --> 3137.58] So, I'll ask you this. +[3137.58 --> 3139.58] What happens when the government isn't held accountable? +[3139.58 --> 3144.58] You can mutter about yourselves. +[3144.58 --> 3145.58] About that one. +[3146.58 --> 3149.58] What happens when students in the classroom aren't held accountable? +[3149.58 --> 3152.58] You know, we have this debate right now in our province. +[3152.58 --> 3153.58] I don't know another. +[3153.58 --> 3156.58] But kids don't get grades until like grade 10. +[3156.58 --> 3160.58] And I was talking to a nursing professor at a school in British Columbia. +[3160.58 --> 3166.58] And she said, literally, when some of these kids are getting into the nursing school, +[3166.58 --> 3169.58] it's the first time that they can get a pass-fail grade. +[3169.58 --> 3172.58] Now, I don't know about you, but I kind of want to, if I may have a nurse, +[3172.58 --> 3175.58] I kind of want to know that they passed or failed something. +[3175.58 --> 3176.58] Right? +[3176.58 --> 3183.58] And this person said that there's almost a crisis of anxiety now for a lot of these people +[3183.58 --> 3188.58] who come into nursing school because they've never passed or had to pass or fail anything. +[3188.58 --> 3192.58] And she said, in some of these kids, it brings them to near suicide. +[3192.58 --> 3197.58] I mean, no life of accountability? +[3197.58 --> 3201.58] What happens when we don't hold ourselves financially accountable? +[3201.58 --> 3206.58] Then we end up on a Sands & Associates commercial or whatever that's called, right? +[3206.58 --> 3209.58] I mean, ultimately, you've got to pay the piper. +[3209.58 --> 3212.58] What happens when we don't hold our kids accountable? +[3212.58 --> 3217.58] Well, with all of those instances, everything goes to hell. +[3217.58 --> 3222.58] Now, remember the setting of our story. +[3222.58 --> 3223.58] It's a garden. +[3223.58 --> 3225.58] Who here is a gardener? +[3225.58 --> 3226.58] Anybody is a gardener here? +[3226.58 --> 3228.58] You like garden? +[3228.58 --> 3229.58] Yeah, yeah. +[3229.58 --> 3230.58] Oh, yes, you're a big gardener. +[3230.58 --> 3231.58] Yeah. +[3231.58 --> 3236.58] I, the other day, I left my hose out on the lawn for a week. +[3236.58 --> 3239.58] Not on, but like on and on. +[3239.58 --> 3240.58] It has a timer on it. +[3240.58 --> 3243.58] And then, you know what happened when I pulled the hose away? +[3243.58 --> 3247.58] There's a big line of death, right? +[3247.58 --> 3251.58] So a garden is all about light. +[3251.58 --> 3255.58] Most plants, the more light you give them, the better they do. +[3255.58 --> 3258.58] That's what accountability is. +[3258.58 --> 3263.58] Accountability, even in the case of the hose, where all the grass is now alive again because it got back into the light. +[3263.58 --> 3266.58] The whole point of accountability is you living in the light. +[3266.58 --> 3272.58] And so the question this morning for you, it's very personal. +[3272.58 --> 3274.58] I can ask it because I'm not your pastor. +[3274.58 --> 3276.58] Where are you? +[3276.58 --> 3278.58] Where are you in your life? +[3278.58 --> 3280.58] Where are you in your marriage? +[3280.58 --> 3282.58] Where are you in your sexuality? +[3282.58 --> 3286.58] Where are you with your secrets? +[3286.58 --> 3292.58] What are you hiding? +[3292.58 --> 3296.58] Now maybe it's something that happened to you as a child. +[3296.58 --> 3298.58] Or maybe it's a certain trauma that you had. +[3298.58 --> 3300.58] Or maybe it's a trauma you gave someone out and the guilt has you. +[3300.58 --> 3302.58] It grips you. +[3302.58 --> 3307.58] Do you know that you don't have to have that in your life anymore? +[3307.58 --> 3309.58] Do you know that's why Jesus came? +[3309.58 --> 3311.58] So that you could live in the light? +[3311.58 --> 3315.58] So that you could know the light and the life? +[3315.58 --> 3318.58] Maybe you're loneliness. +[3318.58 --> 3321.58] Maybe you're lonely and loneliness has you. +[3321.58 --> 3325.58] And you feel so stupid telling people, I feel lonely. +[3325.58 --> 3328.58] God wants us to live out in the open. +[3328.58 --> 3329.58] And the cross proves it. +[3329.58 --> 3331.58] You know, it's very interesting. +[3331.58 --> 3334.58] Adam and Eve, they go hide under the trees. +[3334.58 --> 3337.58] Jesus bears himself on a tree. +[3337.58 --> 3340.58] So that we could live out in the open. +[3340.58 --> 3343.58] So that we could live. +[3343.58 --> 3350.58] He became sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God. +[3350.58 --> 3354.58] So again, the case for accountability, what it is. +[3354.58 --> 3357.58] Now I'm going to land the plane here and hopefully we're not too hot. +[3357.58 --> 3359.58] What does Christian accountability look like? +[3359.58 --> 3364.58] So James says this. +[3364.58 --> 3369.58] Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. +[3369.58 --> 3373.58] First of all, and I don't have a PowerPoint, so just imagine it's there. +[3373.58 --> 3378.58] First of all, Christian accountability looks like being personally accountable. +[3382.58 --> 3384.58] As Reformed Christians, we talk a lot about grace. +[3384.58 --> 3385.58] Oh, it's all grace. +[3385.58 --> 3386.58] It's all grace. +[3386.58 --> 3387.58] It's all grace. +[3387.58 --> 3388.58] It is. +[3388.58 --> 3389.58] It's all grace. +[3389.58 --> 3392.58] But that doesn't mean it's cheap grace. +[3392.58 --> 3396.58] Christianity is about taking responsibility for your own faith. +[3396.58 --> 3398.58] Isn't that interesting? +[3398.58 --> 3400.58] God gives us the keys. +[3400.58 --> 3403.58] He says, he calls us to steward our own faith. +[3403.58 --> 3406.58] I remember talking to a guy one time when I was a pastor and he says, +[3406.58 --> 3407.58] Oh, I don't worry about faith. +[3407.58 --> 3409.58] My grandpa was a pastor. +[3409.58 --> 3411.58] Okay, cool. +[3411.58 --> 3412.58] I don't even know what to do with that. +[3412.58 --> 3413.58] Okay, see ya. +[3413.58 --> 3415.58] I don't know what to do with that. +[3415.58 --> 3420.58] It's not about your husband or your wife dragging you to church, praying for you. +[3420.58 --> 3422.58] It's not about your mom taking you to church. +[3422.58 --> 3427.58] At some point, if you confess in Jesus Christ, you become the steward of your faith. +[3427.58 --> 3431.58] And Paul says it in Ephesians. +[3431.58 --> 3432.58] Right? +[3432.58 --> 3435.58] He says, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. +[3437.58 --> 3439.58] James says, confess your sins. +[3439.58 --> 3441.58] Not someone else's sins. +[3441.58 --> 3442.58] That's gossip. +[3442.58 --> 3444.58] Confess your sins. +[3444.58 --> 3453.58] And so it's understanding that we have in our own hands our faith life. +[3453.58 --> 3457.58] Secondly, it looks like being communally accountable. +[3457.58 --> 3461.58] So as we see in this story, the sin was committed in community, really. +[3461.58 --> 3462.58] Oh, hey, you want some? +[3462.58 --> 3463.58] Okay. +[3463.58 --> 3468.58] Accountability works best in community. +[3468.58 --> 3472.58] After Adam and Eve, come the people of Israel. +[3472.58 --> 3474.58] Long time after, come the people of Israel. +[3474.58 --> 3476.58] And they have something called the law. +[3476.58 --> 3477.58] Right? +[3477.58 --> 3478.58] And people are confused. +[3478.58 --> 3479.58] Is the law good? +[3479.58 --> 3480.58] Is the law bad? +[3480.58 --> 3481.58] We're Christians. +[3481.58 --> 3482.58] Do we obey the law? +[3482.58 --> 3483.58] Is it good or it's bad? +[3483.58 --> 3484.58] It's good. +[3484.58 --> 3486.58] Because the law tells you where you are. +[3486.58 --> 3491.58] If you read the Ten Commandments, and if you realize everybody obeyed those things, +[3491.58 --> 3493.58] we live in a pretty good world. +[3493.58 --> 3495.58] And so the law is good. +[3495.58 --> 3497.58] The problem is, without the Spirit, we can't obey the law. +[3497.58 --> 3503.58] But in the Old Testament system, the law told everybody where they were. +[3503.58 --> 3504.58] Hey, you did that. +[3504.58 --> 3505.58] Oh yeah, I know I did that. +[3505.58 --> 3506.58] Sorry, pray for me. +[3506.58 --> 3507.58] Yes. +[3507.58 --> 3509.58] That's where the sacrificial system was. +[3509.58 --> 3516.58] You brought in little Lammy to the temple, put your hand on his head, and that accounted +[3516.58 --> 3517.58] for your sin. +[3517.58 --> 3519.58] Because your sin was a big deal. +[3519.58 --> 3522.58] But it was done in community. +[3522.58 --> 3525.58] And so, we do it in community. +[3525.58 --> 3531.58] And I think one of the simple ways to do accountability is just come to church on a Sunday morning. +[3531.58 --> 3533.58] There's just something about coming to church. +[3533.58 --> 3537.58] And realizing that you sit under someone else's authority. +[3537.58 --> 3544.58] Just coming, I remember so often as a pastor, if someone wouldn't come to church for a couple weeks, +[3544.58 --> 3548.58] and he'd be like, hey pastor, I want to know where I was the last couple weeks. +[3548.58 --> 3549.58] No. +[3549.58 --> 3554.58] But there was this innate desire to say, hey, this is where we were. +[3554.58 --> 3555.58] But this is where I am. +[3555.58 --> 3557.58] I think that's good, by the way. +[3557.58 --> 3558.58] That's good. +[3560.58 --> 3564.58] And I mean, you do know why people in our times don't go to church, right? +[3564.58 --> 3566.58] It's not schedule problems. +[3566.58 --> 3569.58] It's not, aw, they're all just a bunch of hypocrites. +[3569.58 --> 3570.58] It's accountability. +[3570.58 --> 3573.58] People don't want to be held accountable. +[3573.58 --> 3577.58] People are believing the gospel of, I am my own person. +[3577.58 --> 3579.58] And I make my own decisions. +[3579.58 --> 3581.58] And my right is my right. +[3581.58 --> 3583.58] And your right is your right. +[3583.58 --> 3585.58] They want to be held accountable. +[3585.58 --> 3589.58] So simply committing to church is accountability. +[3589.58 --> 3592.58] Secondly, though, it goes deeper. +[3592.58 --> 3597.58] To be in more intimate accountability relationships. +[3597.58 --> 3600.58] You do know that it was 12 guys that changed the world, right? +[3600.58 --> 3603.58] And when you read the gospels, +[3603.58 --> 3607.58] when you read the gospels, you see a lot of accountability going on. +[3607.58 --> 3610.58] Jesus is not afraid to rebuke the disciples. +[3610.58 --> 3617.58] And after Jesus leaves, these guys form a union, except for Judas, so 11 and then 12. +[3617.58 --> 3622.58] They form a union and they create a culture of accountability. +[3622.58 --> 3623.58] You even see it in the New Testament. +[3623.58 --> 3629.58] There's a time when Paul holds Peter accountable. +[3629.58 --> 3633.58] There's accountability, even in this small letter of James. +[3633.58 --> 3635.58] Confess your sins to each other. +[3635.58 --> 3636.58] Open up. +[3636.58 --> 3639.58] And so it's a small group thing too. +[3639.58 --> 3640.58] And I don't know if your church does small groups. +[3640.58 --> 3642.58] I know our church did it for a little while. +[3642.58 --> 3643.58] We struggled. +[3643.58 --> 3645.58] But the whole point is to have people in our lives to say, +[3645.58 --> 3647.58] Hey, where are you at? +[3647.58 --> 3649.58] How can I pray for you? +[3649.58 --> 3654.58] Lastly, lastly, so you'd be accountable to yourself. +[3654.58 --> 3656.58] Because you steward your faith. +[3656.58 --> 3658.58] You're accountable together. +[3658.58 --> 3659.58] So small groups is good. +[3659.58 --> 3661.58] Sign up if you have small groups. +[3661.58 --> 3664.58] But lastly, it's being accountable to God. +[3664.58 --> 3668.58] Are you open to the spirit working in your life? +[3668.58 --> 3671.58] Oh, I'm just so busy though. +[3671.58 --> 3673.58] So busy. +[3673.58 --> 3675.58] And I'd have people say to me, +[3675.58 --> 3677.58] Oh, I'm not a reader. +[3677.58 --> 3679.58] Oh, okay. +[3679.58 --> 3681.58] Well, that's a great excuse. +[3681.58 --> 3682.58] I'm not a reader. +[3682.58 --> 3683.58] No, it's not. +[3683.58 --> 3684.58] It's not a good excuse. +[3684.58 --> 3687.58] We're in relationship with God. +[3687.58 --> 3690.58] And so, do you know when the spirit speaks? +[3690.58 --> 3693.58] So for instance, when you're reading the Bible in the morning. +[3693.58 --> 3694.58] By the way, I like Dick's idea. +[3694.58 --> 3695.58] I do this every morning. +[3695.58 --> 3697.58] I have my Bible and my coffee every morning. +[3697.58 --> 3700.58] One thing I love and one thing that's really hard. +[3700.58 --> 3704.58] And I open the Bible and as soon as something jumps out of the page, +[3704.58 --> 3706.58] It's like, I think God spoke to me today. +[3706.58 --> 3708.58] I should probably do that. +[3708.58 --> 3710.58] Or if you're in a situation where you're like, +[3710.58 --> 3712.58] I just said something stupid. +[3712.58 --> 3714.58] That's probably the Holy Spirit speaking. +[3714.58 --> 3716.58] Or maybe your wife. +[3716.58 --> 3717.58] Right? +[3717.58 --> 3719.58] But are you open? +[3719.58 --> 3722.58] Are you open to the fact that God is with you? +[3722.58 --> 3724.58] And he's speaking all the time. +[3724.58 --> 3725.58] Through the radio station. +[3725.58 --> 3726.58] Through friends. +[3726.58 --> 3727.58] Through the preacher. +[3727.58 --> 3729.58] Through your devotional times. +[3729.58 --> 3731.58] And are you able to say, God, you're right? +[3733.58 --> 3735.58] So in close this morning, +[3737.58 --> 3739.58] Couple questions. +[3739.58 --> 3740.58] That you can go home with. +[3740.58 --> 3743.58] Maybe have lunch and talk about it with your friends or whatever. +[3743.58 --> 3748.58] Are you at this moment in your life living more in the light? +[3748.58 --> 3750.58] Or more in the dark? +[3754.58 --> 3759.58] Who is one person in your life you feel like you can be totally open with? +[3759.58 --> 3762.58] And, +[3762.58 --> 3768.58] How can you make your church a place of openness and accountability? +[3769.58 --> 3771.58] Will you join with me in prayer? +[3773.58 --> 3775.58] God, we thank you so much for your grace. +[3778.58 --> 3780.58] And we have this picture, Lord. +[3780.58 --> 3790.58] We're reminded of this picture that these two people, our forerunners, our oldest parents. +[3791.58 --> 3795.58] They sin, they cover up, and they hide. +[3796.58 --> 3799.58] And we have the picture of a cross of a Savior who is naked. +[3799.58 --> 3804.58] And all out in the open on a rugged cross. +[3807.58 --> 3813.58] So that we too might live out in the open and know your love and your life and your light. +[3814.58 --> 3817.58] All of us in this room struggle, Lord. +[3817.58 --> 3818.58] We struggle with our sin. +[3819.58 --> 3820.58] We struggle with shame. +[3820.58 --> 3834.58] And we ask, Lord, by your Spirit that you might help us and call us to a place where we can have a friend in our life or a pastor or something so that we too can live in such a place where we can live with life and light. +[3835.58 --> 3836.58] We thank you, Lord. +[3837.58 --> 3838.58] In your name. +[3839.58 --> 3840.58] Amen. +[3840.58 --> 3841.58] Amen. +[3841.58 --> 3842.58] Amen. +[3842.58 --> 3843.58] Amen. +[3843.58 --> 3844.58] Amen. +[3846.58 --> 3847.58] Turn a little pitch. +[3848.58 --> 3849.58] Amen. +[3849.58 --> 3850.58] Amen. +[3850.58 --> 3852.58] Amen. +[3852.58 --> 3854.58] Amen. +[3854.58 --> 3855.58] Amen. +[3855.58 --> 3857.58] Amen. +[3857.58 --> 3861.58] Amen. +[3861.58 --> 3864.58] Amen. +[3864.58 --> 3865.58] Amen. +[3865.58 --> 3866.58] Amen. +[3866.58 --> 3869.58] Amen. +[3869.58 --> 3870.58] Amen. +[3870.58 --> 3874.26] whether it's lunch, whether it's a donut from Tim Hortons, +[3874.28 --> 3875.14] which is my preference, +[3876.36 --> 3878.88] whenever you sit down and eat with someone, +[3878.98 --> 3881.08] you're telling them one profound thing. +[3882.08 --> 3884.00] I want you to live. +[3885.58 --> 3887.00] Now, I think it's kind of cool today. +[3887.66 --> 3889.88] I've been tempted to look through a couple of these bags +[3889.88 --> 3891.36] to see what kind of snacks we have. +[3892.24 --> 3895.32] But I think it's very cool that your church is communicating +[3895.32 --> 3898.32] to your culture and to your community +[3898.32 --> 3900.56] that you very much want them to live. +[3900.58 --> 3904.30] Well, that's what this meal is all about. +[3906.68 --> 3908.78] You know, when the disciples came with Jesus +[3908.78 --> 3912.00] and they sat down to the last meal, +[3912.16 --> 3913.98] remember, they were thinking revolution, right? +[3914.36 --> 3917.10] They were thinking, this guy's going to be the king +[3917.10 --> 3918.60] who's going to topple the empire. +[3920.68 --> 3922.18] So they were ready for conquest. +[3922.42 --> 3923.68] They were so excited. +[3924.72 --> 3927.00] But Jesus didn't want them just to have that life. +[3927.10 --> 3929.82] He wanted them to have the real life, the true life. +[3930.58 --> 3932.52] And what he was about to go through +[3932.52 --> 3934.08] was going to make sure that happened. +[3935.46 --> 3937.46] And so on the night that Jesus was betrayed, +[3937.60 --> 3938.68] he took bread. +[3939.98 --> 3941.60] And after he had given thanks, +[3941.66 --> 3942.82] which always blows my mind, +[3942.88 --> 3944.14] he knows he's about to go die, +[3944.60 --> 3946.02] but after he had given thanks, +[3946.10 --> 3947.02] he broke it and said, +[3947.12 --> 3948.66] this is my body which is for you. +[3948.66 --> 3956.00] And then he took what was then wine, +[3956.16 --> 3957.76] which this is probably grape juice, +[3958.12 --> 3959.86] and then he took the cup, +[3960.82 --> 3961.98] and he said, +[3962.22 --> 3962.84] this is the cup +[3962.84 --> 3967.68] that signifies the new covenant in my blood. +[3970.08 --> 3970.66] He says, +[3970.66 --> 3979.62] And so, +[3979.62 --> 3981.98] as you come up +[3981.98 --> 3983.36] and you receive the elements, +[3984.80 --> 3985.74] may you remember +[3985.74 --> 3988.76] that God is the one +[3988.76 --> 3989.64] who wants you to live, +[3990.46 --> 3991.36] really live. +[3992.84 --> 3994.06] How cool is that? +[3994.06 --> 3997.88] Let's come up +[3997.88 --> 3999.24] and have Lord's Supper together. +[3999.24 --> 4000.24] Let's go. +[4021.24 --> 4021.60] Oops, +[4021.80 --> 4022.24] wrong one. +[4024.54 --> 4025.66] How do I just give it to you? +[4027.54 --> 4027.92] Sure. +[4027.92 --> 4029.64] And then do I give it that one too? +[4029.78 --> 4031.08] There's also gluten-free here. +[4031.68 --> 4032.90] And then I pass it this way +[4032.90 --> 4033.44] for you guys. +[4034.08 --> 4035.16] This is the body of Christ +[4035.16 --> 4036.34] broken for you +[4036.34 --> 4037.68] for the forgiveness of your sins. +[4037.82 --> 4038.10] Take, +[4038.52 --> 4038.72] eat, +[4038.86 --> 4039.12] remember, +[4039.18 --> 4039.58] and believe. +[4039.68 --> 4040.02] Go ahead. +[4047.24 --> 4047.60] Okay. +[4047.60 --> 4047.72] Okay. +[4048.22 --> 4048.38] Okay. +[4057.92 --> 4068.80] I can take that. +[4074.48 --> 4075.62] The body of Christ +[4075.62 --> 4076.28] shed for you. +[4077.00 --> 4077.24] Take, +[4077.44 --> 4077.58] eat, +[4077.64 --> 4078.02] and believe. +[4078.02 --> 4091.88] the blood of Christ. +[4108.02 --> 4130.18] This is the blood of Christ poured out for you. +[4130.82 --> 4133.94] Take, drink, remember, and believe. +[4133.94 --> 4134.40] Go ahead. +[4138.02 --> 4145.92] You may go in peace. +[4145.92 --> 4153.82] Go ahead. +[4153.82 --> 4161.72] Go ahead. +[4161.72 --> 4169.62] Go ahead. +[4169.62 --> 4177.52] Go ahead. +[4177.52 --> 4185.42] Go ahead. +[4185.42 --> 4187.42] Go ahead. +[4187.42 --> 4195.32] Go ahead. +[4195.32 --> 4203.22] Go ahead. +[4203.22 --> 4213.12] Go ahead. +[4213.12 --> 4215.12] Go ahead. +[4215.12 --> 4225.02] Go ahead. +[4225.02 --> 4227.02] Go ahead. +[4227.02 --> 4229.02] Go ahead. +[4229.02 --> 4238.92] Go ahead. +[4238.92 --> 4246.82] Go ahead. +[4246.82 --> 4254.72] Go ahead. +[4254.72 --> 4262.62] Go ahead. +[4262.62 --> 4264.62] Go ahead. +[4264.62 --> 4266.52] Go ahead. +[4266.52 --> 4272.52] Go ahead. +[4272.52 --> 4274.42] Go ahead. +[4274.42 --> 4280.42] Go ahead. +[4280.42 --> 4282.32] Go ahead. +[4282.32 --> 4284.32] Go ahead. +[4284.32 --> 4288.32] Go ahead. +[4288.32 --> 4298.22] Go ahead. +[4298.22 --> 4300.12] Go ahead. +[4300.12 --> 4302.12] пока. +[4302.12 --> 4305.44] To hide His face +[4305.44 --> 4311.48] I rest on His unchanging grace +[4311.48 --> 4317.72] In every hide and stormy hail +[4317.72 --> 4322.88] My anchor holds again the veil +[4322.88 --> 4329.04] My anchor holds again the veil +[4329.04 --> 4338.08] Christ alone, cornerstone +[4338.08 --> 4341.18] Weak made strong +[4341.18 --> 4344.24] Through the Savior's come +[4344.24 --> 4347.14] Through the storm +[4347.14 --> 4354.44] He is Lord, Lord of all +[4354.44 --> 4363.48] When the door shall come with trumpet sound +[4363.48 --> 4369.34] Oh, may I then in Him be found +[4369.34 --> 4375.58] Rest in His righteousness alone +[4375.58 --> 4381.62] Of this stand before the throne +[4381.62 --> 4390.66] Christ alone, cornerstone +[4390.66 --> 4399.70] Christ alone, cornerstone +[4399.70 --> 4403.70] Weak made strong +[4403.70 --> 4404.98] In the Savior's love +[4404.98 --> 4411.70] Christ alone, cornerstone +[4411.70 --> 4412.74] Weak made strong +[4412.74 --> 4415.74] Weak made strong +[4415.74 --> 4418.96] In the Savior's love +[4418.96 --> 4421.74] Through the storm +[4421.74 --> 4428.74] He is Lord, Lord of all +[4428.74 --> 4435.74] Christ alone, cornerstone +[4435.74 --> 4436.78] Weak made strong +[4436.78 --> 4438.78] Weak made strong +[4438.78 --> 4439.78] Weak made strong +[4439.78 --> 4441.78] In the Savior's love +[4441.78 --> 4444.78] Through the storm +[4444.78 --> 4451.78] He is Lord, Lord of all +[4451.78 --> 4460.82] He is Lord, Lord of all +[4460.82 --> 4463.82] He is Lord, Lord of all +[4463.82 --> 4493.80] Thank you. +[4493.82 --> 4514.70] Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent Him from your side to walk upon this guilty song and to become the Lamb of God. +[4514.70 --> 4523.70] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[4523.70 --> 4534.08] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[4534.08 --> 4564.08] +[4564.08 --> 4575.08] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[4575.08 --> 4597.08] I was so lost, I should have died, but you have brought me to your side to be led by your staff and brought, and to be called the Lamb of God. +[4597.08 --> 4607.28] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[4607.28 --> 4616.72] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[4616.72 --> 4626.40] O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the Holy Lamb of God. +[4626.40 --> 4636.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. +[4636.40 --> 4643.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4643.40 --> 4647.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4647.40 --> 4653.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4653.40 --> 4670.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4670.40 --> 4674.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4674.40 --> 4678.40] O wash me in His precious blood, my God. +[4678.40 --> 4700.40] O wash me in His wise blood, my P clothing, my God. +[4700.40 --> 4722.16] How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ. +[4722.16 --> 4739.16] How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful the heart that fled, that took all my sin and bore it instead. +[4739.16 --> 4752.16] How beautiful, how beautiful the tender eyes that chose to forgive and never despise. +[4752.16 --> 4774.88] How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ. +[4774.88 --> 4786.88] And as He laid down His life, we offer this sacrifice. +[4788.08 --> 4799.16] That we will live just as He died, willing to pay the price. +[4799.16 --> 4805.16] Willing to pay the price. +[4808.16 --> 4821.16] How beautiful, the rage and pride, who waits for her groom with His light in her eyes. +[4821.16 --> 4828.38] How beautiful, the new Lord's ear. +[4828.90 --> 4834.48] The fruit of your eyes, so that others may live. +[4834.48 --> 4855.48] How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ. +[4855.48 --> 4869.26] How beautiful, the heat that bring, the sound of good news and the love of the King. +[4869.26 --> 4876.26] How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful. +[4876.26 --> 4890.26] How beautiful, how beautiful. +[4890.26 --> 4903.26] How beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ. +[4903.26 --> 4905.92] Praise the name. +[4905.92 --> 4906.92] I'm God. +[4906.92 --> 4907.92] You're a great friend. +[4907.92 --> 4909.92] I'm going to pray. +[4909.92 --> 4910.92] I'm going to pray. +[4910.92 --> 4911.92] We're going to pray. +[4911.92 --> 4912.92] Take me. +[4912.92 --> 4914.92] Tara, we're going to go again. +[4914.92 --> 4916.92] Amen. +[4944.92 --> 4946.92] Amen. +[4946.92 --> 4948.92] Amen. +[4948.92 --> 4950.92] Amen. +[4950.92 --> 4952.92] Amen. +[4952.92 --> 4954.92] Amen. +[4954.92 --> 4956.92] Amen. +[4956.92 --> 4958.92] Amen. +[4958.92 --> 4960.92] Amen. +[4960.92 --> 4973.92] I cast my mind to Calvary, where Jesus blessed and died for me. +[4973.92 --> 4989.92] I see His wounds, His hands, His feet, my Savior on that cursed tree. +[4989.92 --> 5003.92] His body bound and drenched in tears, they laid Him down in Joseph's tomb. +[5003.92 --> 5017.92] The entrance sealed by heavy stone, Messiah still and all alone. +[5017.92 --> 5019.92] Amen. +[5019.92 --> 5026.92] Oh, praise the name of the Lord our God. +[5026.92 --> 5032.92] Oh, praise His name forevermore. +[5032.92 --> 5039.92] For endless days we will sing Your praise. +[5039.92 --> 5045.92] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[5045.92 --> 5046.92] Amen. +[5046.92 --> 5048.92] Amen. +[5048.92 --> 5060.92] Then on the third, at break of dawn, the Son of Heaven rose again. +[5060.92 --> 5067.92] Oh, Trapped of Death, where is your sting? +[5067.92 --> 5073.92] The angels roar for Christ the King. +[5073.92 --> 5083.92] Oh, praise the name of the Lord our God. +[5083.92 --> 5089.92] Oh, praise His name forevermore. +[5089.92 --> 5096.92] For endless days we will sing Your praise. +[5096.92 --> 5102.92] Oh, Lord, oh, Lord our God. +[5102.92 --> 5105.92] Oh, praise His name forevermore. +[5105.92 --> 5111.92] We shall return in robes of wine. +[5111.92 --> 5117.92] The blazing sun shall pierce the night. +[5117.92 --> 5123.92] And I will rise among the saints, +[5123.92 --> 5131.32] my gaze transfixed on Jesus' face. +[5153.92 --> 5171.92] O praise the name of the Lord our God, O praise His name forevermore. +[5171.92 --> 5182.92] For endless days we will sing Your praise, O Lord, O Lord our God. +[5183.92 --> 5195.92] O praise the name of the Lord our God, O praise His name forevermore. +[5195.92 --> 5206.92] For endless days we will sing Your praise, O Lord, O Lord our God. +[5207.92 --> 5212.92] O Lord, O Lord our God. +[5213.92 --> 5219.92] O Lord, O Lord our God. +[5219.92 --> 5233.92] And now may a dying Savior's love, a risen Savior's power, an ascended Savior's prayer, and a returning Savior's glory be with you and all whom you hold dear. +[5234.92 --> 5235.92] Go in peace. Amen. +[5235.92 --> 5237.92] Amen. +[5237.92 --> 5265.24] Now unto the King eternal, unto the King immortal, unto the King immortal. +[5265.24 --> 5284.24] The only wise God, the only wise God. +[5284.24 --> 5304.24] The only wise God, the only wise God. +[5304.24 --> 5319.24] invisible the only wise God the only wise God +[5319.24 --> 5334.24] Oh unto the King be glory and honor unto the King forever +[5334.24 --> 5344.24] unto the King be glory and honor forever +[5344.24 --> 5351.24] and ever +[5351.24 --> 5355.24] Amen +[5355.24 --> 5359.24] Amen +[5359.24 --> 5363.24] Amen +[5363.24 --> 5365.24] Amen +[5374.24 --> 5385.24] Amen +[5385.24 --> 5387.24] Amen +[5387.24 --> 5417.22] Thank you. +[5417.24 --> 5447.22] Thank you. +[5447.24 --> 5477.22] Thank you. +[5477.24 --> 5479.24] Thank you. +[5507.24 --> 5509.24] Thank you. +[5537.24 --> 5539.24] Thank you. +[5567.24 --> 5569.24] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..51838e766b1bb1bdf38d999740487b1ed20c18ee --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,118 @@ +• Reciting a prayer-like statement about following and trusting God +• Praising God as light, refuge, strength, and faithfulness +• Expressing awe and humility in God's presence +• Describing God's majesty, glory, and power over creation +• Welcoming guests to worship service and introducing the pastor, Chris +• Announcing a need for drivers to pick up the Mexico mission team from the airport +• Invitation to worship and prayer +• Call to pass the peace of Christ among congregation +• Reading from Revelation 15 +• Series of hymns and songs praising God's holiness, majesty, and salvation +• Reflection on God's power and glory +• Invitation to call God "Father" and come before Him in worship +• Worshiping the holy God +• Confessing sins and seeking forgiveness +• Expressing love for Jesus through prayer and song +• Baptism as a symbol of Christ's life, death, and resurrection +• Infants being baptized as covenant children +• Adoption and new identity in Christ through baptism +• The speaker leads a ceremony to baptize Jed. +• Daniel and Ismay invite the congregation to ask two questions and make a promise to support Jed's Christian faith. +• The congregation promises to instruct Jed in the Christian faith, lead him by example, and support his life of Christian discipleship. +• Many children present are asked to come forward for the baptism ceremony. +• The speaker explains the significance of baptism as a symbol of what Jesus has done with his blood to wash away sin. +• Daniel and Ismay baptize Jed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. +• Welcoming new members into the church family +• Teaching and spreading the gospel of God's love +• Setting an example of Christian faith and character +• Baptism as a sign and seal of adoption +• Journeying with Jed in his pursuit of faith +• The hope that Jed will one day make a profession of faith +• Faithfulness and compassion of God +• Provision and care from God in all times and circumstances +• Praise and worship of God's faithfulness, mercy, and love +• Request for pardon from sin and peace +• Need for guidance, strength, and hope +• Expression of gratitude for God's blessings and presence +• Offering and giving to the church budget and benevolence +• The congregation was informed about two offering opportunities: a marked envelope for benevolence and another for unspecified purposes +• A song, "Who Am I", was sung during the offering, emphasizing identity in Christ and God's love +• Discussion of a word called perspective, which is a different way of looking at things, and how it can change over time +• An example of changing perspective was given through an analogy involving the monkey bars at a playground +• Pastor Kevin was invited to come forward to demonstrate how his perspective has changed as he got older +• Discussion about a person's age and appearance +• Reflections on the speaker's own perspective changes after waking up +• Changes in love for others as people grow older +• Explanation of the kingdom of God and its new perspective when seen from heaven +• Story of the mustard seed and examples from Jesus' teachings +• Introduction to upcoming town hall meeting about Pastor Kevin's future at the church +• Discussion of council member nominations and upcoming events, including a calendar for nominations +• Update on Pastor Chris and Pastor Kevin's work at the church +• Personal testimony by Peter about the men's meeting and discussion of prayer needs in the community +• Discussion of current events and world news +• Canadian politics (new prime minister, Trudeau's resignation) +• US tariffs and their impact on anxiety in the church community +• Conflict and hope for peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas, and Gaza +• Death and the return of Christ, a discussion from last week's sermon +• Needs in the congregation: + + Al's disintegrating disc disease (prayer for pain relief and mobility) + + Joe's hospitalization after two strokes (prayer for healing and therapy) + + Young children who are sick and their parents' need for care and stress relief + + Ongoing mental health issues, addictions, and family dynamics + + Cancer affecting several families in the church community +• Prayer request for Anne-Marie's heart valve repair and Judy Versteg's upcoming operation +• Reading from 1 Thessalonians 5, discussing the importance of being aware of and prepared for the day of the Lord +• Comparing the attitude of waiting to a situation where one is waiting to leave at a set time, highlighting the importance of being eager and ready rather than grumbling or indifferent +• Interpreting Paul's message as an invitation to be armed and ready for the return of Jesus Christ +• Reviewing previous discussion on the return of Jesus and its implications for those alive and deceased. +• The idea that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night is a common teaching among the apostles +• This concept was taught by Jesus himself, mentioned in Matthew 24 +• Similar imagery can be found in 2 Peter 3 and Revelation 3 and 16 +• The Pax Romana or gospel of peace was a declared message during this time, emphasizing the idea that Rome brought peace and security +• Coins and monuments from the time period feature the image of peace, such as the Pax on the silver cystophorus coin +• Paul's letters to the Thessalonians emphasize that they already know the answer to when Christ will return, but not how it will happen +• The Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire +• Excavated altar pillars in Palestrina with inscriptions "Pax Sacrum" (Holy Peace) and "Securitas Sacrum" (Holy Security) +• Paul's reference to people saying "peace and safety" as a slogan or word pairing for the Thessalonians +• The Thessalonia region as the capital of Macedonian province, with its regional governor and proconsul of the empire +• Paul's warning that the gospel of Rome is illusory and short-lived, and that destruction will come upon them +• The importance of an expectant church being filled with passion and motivation, rather than indifference or panic +• Paul's exhortations in 1 Thessalonians 4:10 and 2 Thessalonians 3 to work with their hands and not be dependent on anyone, as well as warnings against idleness and disruption. +• The dangers of indifference to faith +• How the way one lives their faith affects others +• The difference between indifference and real faith +• The consequences of being indifferent to God's return and judgment +• The importance of taking a stance or making a decision about one's faith +• The importance of being motivated to declare the truth of God's gospel and make a difference in people's lives +• The contrast between indifference and motivation, and how our actions can have consequences +• The call to be different from the world, with gentleness and respect, rooted in love for God and His world +• The reminder that we know more about God than we do about our own lives, and that this knowledge brings peace and security +• The trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when life is uncertain or difficult +• Motivation and peace through faith in God's character +• Expectation and passion for the return of Jesus Christ +• Purpose and meaning in life due to understanding of God's sovereignty +• Importance of living expectantly and passionately despite struggles +• Invitation to come and see God at work +• Raising up future generations of believers, leaders, and missionaries +• Life and death, resurrection, and exaltation +• Jesus' return to judge the living and dead +• Being armed and ready for His coming +• Identity and purpose as children of light and day +• Motivation to not be indifferent to darkness +• Spiritual reality of being asleep apart from Christ +• Being alive in Christ and having eternal life now +• The importance of believing in Jesus for eternal life +• Jesus' message is about quality of life, not just quantity +• The quality of life mentioned in the New Testament (e.g. Thessalonians) emphasizes living a life with faith, love, and hope as armor against spiritual battles +• Life is a battle between light and darkness, heaven and hell, and we must be prepared and equipped to live accordingly +• The temptation to choose ease and safety over real living and mission-critical way of living is strong +• We are called to "armor up" with the power of the gospel and live as people of the light. +• Invocation and prayer for God's light to shine through them +• Praise of God's goodness and help in daily life +• Reference to Jesus and the gospel +• Lyrics from a hymn (multiple instances) +• Blessing and commission to go as children of the light, with God's presence and guidance +• Final prayers and expressions of gratitude +• Repeated thank yous at irregular intervals +• A single "I'm sorry" after a string of similar phrases +• Transition to a new phrase ("Yeah") and then a mention of having an idea or creativity ("got a creative") \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..dd177fa12317c21852b5dbacc89c88b996607ad3 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 16, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1850 @@ +[0.00 --> 15.66] Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow. +[15.66 --> 42.00] All your ways are good, all your ways are sure. I will trust in you alone. Higher than my sight, high above my life. +[42.00 --> 46.98] I will trust in you alone. +[51.36 --> 61.52] Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you. +[61.52 --> 71.62] Who you love, I'll love. How you serve, I'll serve. This life I lose. I will follow you. +[72.00 --> 77.00] I will follow you. +[81.00 --> 91.00] Light into the world. Light into my life. I will live for you alone. +[91.00 --> 106.00] Light into my life. I will trust in you alone. You're the one I seek. Knowing I will find. All I need in you alone. In you alone. +[106.84 --> 116.14] Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you. +[116.14 --> 133.14] Who you love, I love. How you serve, I serve. This life I lose. I will follow you. I will follow you. +[133.14 --> 152.14] Yeah. In you, there's life everlasting. In you, there's freedom for my soul. In you, there's joy, unending joy. +[152.14 --> 176.14] And I will follow. Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow. Who you love, I'll love. How you serve, I'll serve. If this life I lose, I will follow. +[176.14 --> 197.14] Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you. Who you love, I'll love. How you serve, I'll serve. If this life I lose, I will follow you. +[197.14 --> 216.14] I will follow you. Yeah. I will follow you. Yeah. I will follow you. Yeah. +[216.14 --> 246.12] Thank you. +[246.14 --> 276.12] Thank you. +[276.14 --> 278.14] Thank you. +[306.14 --> 308.14] Thank you. +[336.14 --> 338.14] Thank you. +[366.14 --> 368.14] Thank you. +[396.14 --> 398.14] Thank you. +[398.14 --> 400.14] Thank you. +[400.14 --> 402.14] Thank you. +[402.14 --> 406.14] Thank you. +[406.14 --> 408.14] Thank you. +[408.14 --> 410.14] Thank you. +[410.14 --> 420.14] Let me arise, open my eyes, open my eyes +[420.14 --> 427.24] I lift my hands to believe again +[427.24 --> 432.82] You are my refuge, you are my strength +[432.82 --> 438.74] As I pour out my heart, these things I remember +[438.74 --> 444.42] You are faithful, God, forever +[444.42 --> 450.10] I lift my hands to believe again +[450.10 --> 455.76] You are my refuge, you are my strength +[455.76 --> 461.58] As I pour out my heart, these things I remember +[461.58 --> 468.72] You are faithful, God, you are faithful, God +[468.72 --> 470.16] Forever +[470.16 --> 481.72] Let faith arise +[481.72 --> 487.72] Let faith arise +[487.72 --> 489.72] Let faith arise +[489.72 --> 502.72] Let faith arise +[502.72 --> 504.72] Let faith arise +[504.72 --> 508.72] Let faith arise +[508.72 --> 512.72] Let faith arise +[512.72 --> 516.72] Let faith arise +[516.72 --> 520.72] Your majesty of heaven +[520.72 --> 526.72] Your glory fills the skies +[526.72 --> 531.72] Light of the world +[531.72 --> 537.72] You are Lord of all +[537.72 --> 543.28] Humbled by your presence +[543.28 --> 549.68] Amazed by who you are +[549.68 --> 554.80] Nothing compares +[554.80 --> 561.16] You are Lord of all +[561.16 --> 567.72] To you, the nations bow down +[567.72 --> 573.64] To you, creation cries out +[573.64 --> 576.36] Majesty +[576.36 --> 584.18] All things you hold together +[584.18 --> 589.52] Your name will stand forever +[589.52 --> 593.32] Majesty +[593.32 --> 596.08] You are +[596.08 --> 598.96] Majesty +[598.96 --> 607.70] Merciful and mighty +[607.70 --> 615.16] My heart is over when +[615.16 --> 618.96] You stand alone +[618.96 --> 624.72] You are Lord of all +[624.72 --> 631.96] To you, the nations bow down +[631.96 --> 638.52] To you, creation cries out +[638.52 --> 642.32] Majesty +[642.32 --> 644.32] Majesty +[644.32 --> 649.08] All things you hold together +[649.08 --> 654.32] Your name will stand forever +[654.32 --> 658.32] Majesty +[658.32 --> 661.00] You are +[661.00 --> 662.96] Majesty +[662.96 --> 670.64] Majesty +[670.64 --> 672.36] itas +[672.36 --> 672.84] films +[673.68 --> 674.26] I just need the dock to +[674.26 --> 674.64] roy +[692.96 --> 715.72] Here we go. There we go. Good morning. Welcome to worship. A special welcome if you are a guest +[715.72 --> 722.30] with us this morning. An extra special welcome if you are a guest because of Jed's baptism. +[722.96 --> 729.98] We are excited to see God at work in our midst here in our worship together. My name is Chris. I'm one of +[729.98 --> 735.72] the pastors here at Langley Emanuel and it's my privilege along with these others on stage to lead +[735.72 --> 740.88] in our shared worship together this morning. Before we begin we have just one announcement +[740.88 --> 747.10] and we've been making this announcement for the past couple weeks now. We are looking for drivers +[747.10 --> 756.20] to pick up the Mexico mission team when they return from their trip on March 25. And so that +[756.20 --> 763.78] is a drive to Seattle airport to pick them up. They will be ready to be picked up around 5 p.m. +[763.78 --> 772.16] And so we currently have seats for 14 people. We need seats for 22. And so that's one or two more +[772.16 --> 778.42] drivers depending on your vehicle. And so please if you're able to do that on the 25th connect with +[778.42 --> 784.72] either myself or Pastor Kevin. And sooner is better. At least that will help our anxiety in ensuring that +[784.72 --> 789.44] we can get everyone home. And that's the only announcement that we have this morning. And so I'm +[789.44 --> 795.94] going to invite you as you're able to stand. We come together in worship of our good God who meets us +[795.94 --> 805.18] in this place, who welcomes us, and who greets us. In this season of Lent as we approach the cross of +[805.18 --> 812.50] our Lord Jesus Christ we do so prayerfully, reflectively, we do so in worship, reflecting on +[812.50 --> 819.50] who God is and what he has done for us. And so let's enter this moment of worship together +[819.50 --> 825.38] met by God. Following God's greeting I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you, welcome +[825.38 --> 830.34] them into our shared worship together this morning by passing the peace of Christ, by saying good +[830.34 --> 838.82] morning, and offering them a greeting as well. Receive the greeting of our God. Grace, mercy, and peace to +[838.82 --> 844.02] you. From God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son, and our Savior, through the +[844.02 --> 847.38] presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +[868.82 --> 896.84] From Revelation 15. Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, +[896.84 --> 905.56] King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. +[905.56 --> 908.76] All nations will come and worship you. +[908.76 --> 924.04] Praise is rising. Eyes are turning to you. We turn to you. +[924.04 --> 935.54] Praise is rising. Eyes are turning to you. We turn to you. +[935.54 --> 951.54] Praise is rising. We turn to you. Hope is stirring. Lives are yearning for you. We long for you. +[951.54 --> 966.54] Cause when we see you. We find strength to face the day. In your presence, all our fears are washed away. +[966.54 --> 969.54] Washed away. +[969.54 --> 985.54] Hosanna, Hosanna. You are the God who saves us. Worthy of all our praises. +[985.54 --> 998.54] Hosanna, Hosanna. Come have your way among us. Welcome to here, Lord Jesus. +[998.54 --> 1003.54] Hosanna, Hosanna. Come have your way among us. We turn to you. +[1003.54 --> 1017.54] Hear the sound of hearts returning to you. Return to you. +[1017.54 --> 1025.54] In your kingdom, broken lives are in you. +[1025.54 --> 1044.54] You make us in you. You make us in you. Cause when we see you, we find strength to face the day. In your presence, all our fears are washed away. +[1044.54 --> 1047.54] You are the God who saves us. +[1047.54 --> 1063.54] You are the God who saves us. Worthy of all our praises. +[1063.54 --> 1070.58] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1070.58 --> 1074.82] Come have your way among us +[1074.82 --> 1078.04] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus +[1078.04 --> 1085.60] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1085.60 --> 1090.00] You are the God who saves us +[1090.00 --> 1093.26] Worthy of all our praises +[1093.26 --> 1100.80] Hosanna, Hosanna +[1100.80 --> 1105.10] Come have your way among us +[1105.10 --> 1108.50] We welcome you here, Lord Jesus +[1123.26 --> 1131.64] Who else commands all the hosts of heaven? +[1131.64 --> 1138.14] Who else can make every king bow down? +[1138.80 --> 1143.84] Who else can whisper and darkness trembles? +[1143.84 --> 1149.38] Only a holy God +[1149.38 --> 1156.38] What other beauty demands such praises? +[1156.38 --> 1162.38] What other splendor outshines the sun? +[1162.38 --> 1167.92] What other majesty rules with justice? +[1167.92 --> 1173.92] Only a holy God +[1173.92 --> 1180.40] Come and behold Him +[1180.40 --> 1184.74] The one and the only +[1184.74 --> 1189.50] Cry out, sing holy +[1189.50 --> 1193.46] Forever a holy God +[1193.46 --> 1198.46] Come and worship the holy God +[1198.46 --> 1212.80] What other glory consumes like fire +[1212.80 --> 1218.00] What other power can raise the dead +[1218.00 --> 1225.54] What other name remains undefeated? +[1225.54 --> 1227.54] Only a holy God +[1227.54 --> 1235.08] Come and behold Him +[1235.08 --> 1236.08] Come and behold Him +[1236.08 --> 1239.08] The one and the only +[1239.08 --> 1244.08] Cry out, sing holy +[1244.08 --> 1253.62] Forever a holy God +[1253.62 --> 1255.62] Come and behold Him +[1255.62 --> 1257.62] Come and behold Him +[1257.62 --> 1260.16] The one and the only +[1260.16 --> 1266.16] Cry out, sing holy +[1266.16 --> 1269.16] Forever a holy God +[1269.16 --> 1272.16] Come and worship the holy God +[1272.16 --> 1275.16] Come and worship the holy God +[1275.16 --> 1299.32] Who else can rescue me from my failing? +[1299.32 --> 1304.70] Who else would offer His only Son? +[1305.16 --> 1309.20] Who else invites me to call Him +[1309.20 --> 1311.70] Who else invites me to call Him Father? +[1311.70 --> 1313.70] Only a holy God +[1313.70 --> 1316.70] Only a holy God +[1316.70 --> 1320.70] Only my holy God +[1320.70 --> 1321.70] Only my holy God +[1321.70 --> 1326.70] Come and behold Him +[1326.70 --> 1330.70] The one and the only +[1330.70 --> 1332.24] Cry out, sing holy +[1332.24 --> 1335.24] Cry out, sing holy +[1335.24 --> 1336.24] Forever a holy God +[1336.24 --> 1337.24] Forever a holy God +[1337.24 --> 1343.24] Come and worship the holy God +[1343.24 --> 1347.24] Come and behold Him +[1347.24 --> 1348.24] Come and behold Him +[1348.24 --> 1352.24] The one and the only +[1352.24 --> 1353.24] Cry out, sing holy +[1353.24 --> 1354.24] Forever a holy God +[1354.24 --> 1355.24] Cry out, sing holy +[1355.24 --> 1357.78] Forever a holy God +[1357.78 --> 1361.78] Forever a holy God +[1361.78 --> 1365.78] Come and worship the holy God +[1365.78 --> 1375.32] Please bow your head with me as we pray +[1375.32 --> 1378.32] Gracious God +[1378.32 --> 1381.72] Our sins are too heavy to carry +[1381.72 --> 1383.78] They're too real to hide +[1383.78 --> 1386.26] And too deep to wade through +[1386.26 --> 1390.36] Father, forgive the sins that we fear to name +[1390.36 --> 1393.88] The guilt that our hearts struggle to bear +[1393.88 --> 1398.14] And our thoughts that draw us far from you +[1398.14 --> 1402.12] Living God, we confess these burdens to you +[1402.12 --> 1403.76] In this time of silent prayer +[1403.76 --> 1404.82] Amen +[1433.76 --> 1444.20] Lord, set us free from our past +[1444.20 --> 1446.74] and reveal to us the glorious future +[1446.74 --> 1449.96] in which you have ushered in through your Son, Jesus Christ. +[1450.68 --> 1454.18] Grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image. +[1455.40 --> 1456.30] Jesus, we love thee. +[1456.80 --> 1458.86] And we pray this in your name. Amen. +[1463.76 --> 1465.76] Amen. +[1479.76 --> 1486.64] My Jesus, I love thee. +[1486.64 --> 1491.48] I know thou art mine. +[1491.48 --> 1501.76] For thee all the fallings of sin I resign. +[1502.42 --> 1507.24] My gracious Redeemer, +[1507.64 --> 1511.48] my Savior art thou. +[1511.48 --> 1522.76] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1522.76 --> 1535.76] I love thee because thou hast first loved me +[1535.76 --> 1545.76] And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. +[1545.76 --> 1555.76] I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy crown. +[1555.76 --> 1566.76] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1566.76 --> 1579.76] I love thee in life, I will love thee in death. +[1579.76 --> 1590.76] And praise thee as long as thou lendest me prayer. +[1590.76 --> 1592.76] And say when the dead do not die, +[1592.76 --> 1596.76] And say when the dead do not die, +[1596.76 --> 1600.76] Hold on my crown. +[1600.76 --> 1611.76] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1611.76 --> 1623.76] In that chance of glory and endless delight, +[1623.76 --> 1632.76] I'll never adore thee in heaven so bright. +[1632.76 --> 1644.76] I'll sing with a clitoring crown on my crown. +[1644.76 --> 1654.76] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1654.76 --> 1677.76] I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1677.76 --> 1684.76] We are a moment, you are forever. +[1684.76 --> 1691.76] Lord of the ages, God before time. +[1691.76 --> 1698.76] We are a paper, you are eternal. +[1698.76 --> 1699.76] Lord of the ages, O Lord forever. +[1699.76 --> 1705.76] Love ever lastly, reigning on high. +[1708.76 --> 1714.76] Holy, holy Lord God Almighty, +[1714.76 --> 1721.76] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. +[1721.76 --> 1729.98] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1729.98 --> 1736.74] Be unto your name +[1736.74 --> 1743.86] Be unto your name +[1743.86 --> 1747.60] We are the broken +[1747.60 --> 1751.74] You are the healer +[1751.74 --> 1755.00] Jesus, Redeemer +[1755.00 --> 1758.22] Mighty to save +[1758.22 --> 1762.54] You are the love song +[1762.54 --> 1765.42] We'll sing forever +[1765.42 --> 1769.64] Vowing before you +[1769.64 --> 1774.50] Blessing your name +[1774.50 --> 1778.14] Holy, Holy +[1778.14 --> 1781.04] Lord God Almighty +[1781.04 --> 1788.04] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1788.68 --> 1795.04] Highest praises, honor and glory +[1795.04 --> 1800.52] Be unto your name +[1800.52 --> 1807.52] Be I to your name +[1807.52 --> 1808.52] Be I to your name +[1808.52 --> 1809.52] Be I to your name +[1809.52 --> 1811.52] Be I to your name +[1811.52 --> 1815.52] Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty +[1815.52 --> 1821.52] Worthy is the Lamb who was slain +[1821.52 --> 1822.88] say +[1822.88 --> 1824.88] highest +[1824.88 --> 1826.34] praises +[1826.34 --> 1829.58] honor and glory +[1829.58 --> 1832.00] be unto +[1832.00 --> 1835.76] your name +[1835.76 --> 1838.72] be unto +[1838.72 --> 1842.72] your name +[1842.72 --> 1845.72] be unto +[1845.72 --> 1848.72] your name +[1851.52 --> 1855.18] you may be seated +[1855.18 --> 1878.36] this morning in our shared life together we have the opportunity to celebrate the baptism of one of our little ones +[1878.36 --> 1888.76] the water that we use here doesn't cleanse from sin but symbolizes for us jesus life death and resurrection +[1888.76 --> 1894.04] the water seals for us the promise of forgiveness +[1894.04 --> 1904.48] so though born with a sinful nature this child is offered god's promise of forgiveness and life in the holy spirit +[1904.48 --> 1908.14] and so in our church tradition +[1908.14 --> 1910.04] we baptize infants +[1910.04 --> 1911.98] not out of superstition +[1911.98 --> 1913.82] but as covenant +[1913.82 --> 1914.80] children +[1914.80 --> 1917.32] god's covenant with abraham +[1917.32 --> 1920.62] was sealed by circumcision in genesis 15 +[1920.62 --> 1924.28] and that now finds its sign in baptism +[1924.28 --> 1926.36] as we read in colossians 2 +[1926.36 --> 1930.82] and through it the triune god marks our adoption +[1930.82 --> 1933.18] and new identity in christ +[1933.18 --> 1936.18] a promise extended to our children +[1936.18 --> 1938.18] in acts 2 verse 39 +[1938.18 --> 1941.28] and because god has called them holy +[1941.28 --> 1942.90] god has set them apart +[1942.90 --> 1945.02] we read that in first corinthians 7 +[1945.02 --> 1948.68] and so baptism obeys christ's command +[1948.68 --> 1950.90] it aligns with church +[1950.90 --> 1952.20] and our history +[1952.20 --> 1954.66] and it signifies our inclusion +[1954.66 --> 1956.22] in god's covenant +[1956.22 --> 1957.20] community +[1957.20 --> 1958.30] and today +[1958.30 --> 1960.26] we celebrate and pray +[1960.26 --> 1962.82] that jed would embrace these promises +[1962.82 --> 1967.48] and follow jesus as his savior throughout his entire life +[1967.48 --> 1969.58] to do that we're going to ask +[1969.58 --> 1971.86] daniel and ismay to come to the front +[1971.86 --> 1974.64] with whomever is coming up with them +[1974.64 --> 1978.20] olivia rolled her eyes at me +[1978.20 --> 1979.62] i want everyone to know that +[1979.62 --> 1986.94] so we're going to ask you guys just two questions +[1986.94 --> 1990.58] and then daniel and ismay invite you to respond by saying +[1990.58 --> 1992.12] we do with god's help +[1992.12 --> 1995.20] do you believe that your children +[1995.20 --> 1996.86] those sinful by nature +[1996.86 --> 1999.06] are received by god in christ +[1999.06 --> 2000.44] as members of his covenant +[2000.44 --> 2002.30] and therefore ought to be baptized +[2002.30 --> 2003.62] two +[2003.62 --> 2006.56] do you promise in reliance on the holy spirit +[2006.56 --> 2008.62] and with the help of the christian community +[2008.62 --> 2010.62] to do all in your power +[2010.62 --> 2012.84] to instruct jed in the christian faith +[2012.84 --> 2014.92] and to lead him by your example +[2014.92 --> 2017.28] into a life of christian discipleship +[2017.28 --> 2018.28] what is your answer +[2018.28 --> 2023.46] we'll get there guys +[2023.46 --> 2025.18] this is how many tries now +[2025.18 --> 2033.32] we means together +[2033.32 --> 2038.32] let's picture that togetherness for a moment +[2038.32 --> 2039.34] our lord jesus said +[2039.34 --> 2040.98] let the little children come to me +[2040.98 --> 2042.06] and do not hinder them +[2042.06 --> 2044.34] for the kingdom of god belongs to such as these +[2044.34 --> 2046.10] so i want to invite all the kids +[2046.10 --> 2047.58] who are here this morning +[2047.58 --> 2049.20] just to come and grab a seat +[2049.20 --> 2051.04] nice and close up here in the front +[2051.04 --> 2053.50] so that you can see what's going on +[2053.50 --> 2064.18] many of you who are coming up here +[2064.18 --> 2066.24] were also baptized +[2066.24 --> 2068.68] many of you here in this church +[2068.68 --> 2071.30] and i wonder how many of you remember that +[2071.30 --> 2074.20] karis you remember your own baptism +[2074.20 --> 2075.60] amazing +[2075.60 --> 2079.24] that's fantastic +[2079.24 --> 2081.32] if you don't remember your baptism +[2081.32 --> 2082.46] what i would love for you to do +[2082.46 --> 2083.82] is talk to your parents +[2083.82 --> 2085.68] or your parent after church +[2085.68 --> 2086.10] and be like +[2086.10 --> 2086.72] what was that like +[2086.72 --> 2087.90] what did we do +[2087.90 --> 2090.00] and if you haven't been baptized +[2090.00 --> 2091.30] also talk to your parents +[2091.30 --> 2091.64] and be like +[2091.64 --> 2091.86] hey +[2091.86 --> 2092.78] what's up +[2092.78 --> 2094.82] why haven't we done that +[2094.82 --> 2097.42] we're going to +[2097.42 --> 2099.64] come and baptize +[2099.64 --> 2100.56] jed this morning +[2100.56 --> 2101.26] and to do that +[2101.26 --> 2102.02] we're going to use +[2102.02 --> 2103.26] some water +[2103.26 --> 2104.42] just as +[2104.42 --> 2105.50] we use water +[2105.50 --> 2106.50] to wash away +[2106.50 --> 2107.16] our bodies +[2107.16 --> 2108.12] so +[2108.12 --> 2108.86] this water +[2108.86 --> 2110.14] is a picture for us +[2110.14 --> 2111.78] of what jesus has done +[2111.78 --> 2113.12] with his blood +[2113.12 --> 2114.40] in washing us +[2114.40 --> 2115.38] and making us new +[2115.38 --> 2116.66] so i invite you to +[2116.66 --> 2117.78] present jed +[2117.78 --> 2118.62] for baptism +[2118.62 --> 2131.62] jed wolf howling +[2131.62 --> 2133.48] i baptize you in the name +[2133.48 --> 2134.06] of the father +[2134.06 --> 2136.24] and of the son +[2136.24 --> 2138.56] and of the holy spirit +[2138.56 --> 2139.82] amen +[2139.82 --> 2147.36] amen +[2147.36 --> 2150.66] even as we baptize jed +[2150.66 --> 2151.34] this morning +[2151.34 --> 2152.62] and his parents +[2152.62 --> 2153.38] have made a promise +[2153.38 --> 2155.08] this is a covenant +[2155.08 --> 2156.08] ceremony +[2156.08 --> 2157.28] that means we do this +[2157.28 --> 2157.96] all together +[2157.96 --> 2159.14] and so you also +[2159.14 --> 2160.84] as part of this covenant +[2160.84 --> 2162.32] family have the opportunity +[2162.32 --> 2163.64] to make a promise +[2163.64 --> 2164.66] and so i'm going to invite you +[2164.66 --> 2166.02] as you're able to stand +[2166.02 --> 2167.82] and i will ask you +[2167.82 --> 2169.46] congregation gathered here +[2169.46 --> 2170.94] a question as well +[2170.94 --> 2171.88] and then invite you +[2171.88 --> 2172.70] to respond +[2172.70 --> 2173.98] also saying +[2173.98 --> 2175.30] we do with god's help +[2175.30 --> 2176.18] and you can model for them +[2176.18 --> 2177.18] how it's supposed to be done +[2177.18 --> 2180.32] do you promise +[2180.32 --> 2181.34] to love +[2181.34 --> 2181.84] encourage +[2181.84 --> 2182.76] and support +[2182.76 --> 2183.40] daniel +[2183.40 --> 2184.24] ismay +[2184.24 --> 2184.66] jed +[2184.66 --> 2186.48] and all of their family +[2186.48 --> 2188.24] by welcoming them +[2188.24 --> 2189.70] into our church family +[2189.70 --> 2190.78] by teaching +[2190.78 --> 2191.42] the gospel +[2191.42 --> 2192.32] of god's love +[2192.32 --> 2193.60] by being an example +[2193.60 --> 2194.74] of christian faith +[2194.74 --> 2195.42] and character +[2195.42 --> 2197.00] and by giving the strong +[2197.00 --> 2198.34] support of god's family +[2198.34 --> 2199.00] in fellowship +[2199.00 --> 2200.70] prayer and service +[2200.70 --> 2201.84] what is your answer +[2201.84 --> 2205.32] amen +[2205.32 --> 2207.68] jed +[2207.68 --> 2210.30] the lord +[2210.30 --> 2213.26] the lord +[2213.26 --> 2213.30] lord +[2213.30 --> 2213.38] lord +[2213.38 --> 2213.92] make his face +[2213.92 --> 2214.84] to shine upon you +[2214.84 --> 2215.60] and be gracious +[2215.60 --> 2216.54] to you +[2216.54 --> 2216.84] the lord +[2216.84 --> 2217.90] turn his face +[2217.90 --> 2218.66] towards you +[2218.66 --> 2219.60] and give you +[2219.60 --> 2220.90] his peace +[2220.90 --> 2222.40] and in this way +[2222.40 --> 2223.26] may the lord +[2223.26 --> 2223.98] put his name +[2223.98 --> 2224.60] on you +[2224.60 --> 2225.68] and make you +[2225.68 --> 2227.06] his own +[2227.06 --> 2227.98] amen +[2227.98 --> 2229.82] you may be seated +[2229.82 --> 2233.04] may i take him +[2233.04 --> 2233.54] for a minute +[2233.54 --> 2237.42] hey there +[2237.42 --> 2238.68] hey +[2238.68 --> 2238.76] hey +[2238.76 --> 2248.60] regularly in our +[2248.60 --> 2250.24] services of baptism +[2250.24 --> 2250.98] like this +[2250.98 --> 2251.22] we +[2251.22 --> 2252.38] mark +[2252.38 --> 2253.68] the beginning +[2253.68 --> 2254.96] of a journey +[2254.96 --> 2255.78] of faith +[2255.78 --> 2256.74] that jed +[2256.74 --> 2257.98] is on +[2257.98 --> 2258.38] now +[2258.38 --> 2259.16] among us +[2259.16 --> 2260.18] and so +[2260.18 --> 2261.04] we present him +[2261.04 --> 2261.58] to you +[2261.58 --> 2262.38] as one +[2262.38 --> 2262.86] who belongs +[2262.86 --> 2263.38] to our covenant +[2263.38 --> 2263.76] family +[2263.76 --> 2265.00] as one +[2265.00 --> 2265.54] who has +[2265.54 --> 2266.74] received the sign +[2266.74 --> 2267.36] and seal +[2267.36 --> 2268.02] of adoption +[2268.02 --> 2269.28] this morning +[2269.28 --> 2270.44] and so +[2270.44 --> 2270.98] he begins +[2270.98 --> 2271.48] this journey +[2271.48 --> 2272.00] of faith +[2272.00 --> 2272.64] among you +[2272.64 --> 2273.48] and with you +[2273.48 --> 2274.40] and our hope +[2274.40 --> 2275.04] and prayer +[2275.04 --> 2276.30] is that one day +[2276.30 --> 2277.42] jed will stand +[2277.42 --> 2278.22] before us +[2278.22 --> 2279.14] in his profession +[2279.14 --> 2279.70] of faith +[2279.70 --> 2281.04] and he will make +[2281.04 --> 2281.54] this faith +[2281.54 --> 2282.00] his own +[2282.00 --> 2283.12] he will say +[2283.12 --> 2283.48] yes +[2283.48 --> 2284.48] i believe +[2284.48 --> 2285.10] in jesus +[2285.10 --> 2286.00] as my lord +[2286.00 --> 2286.58] and savior +[2286.58 --> 2287.40] and that god +[2287.40 --> 2288.04] raised him +[2288.04 --> 2288.88] from the dead +[2288.88 --> 2290.12] this is our +[2290.12 --> 2291.00] solemn hope +[2291.00 --> 2292.10] and prayer +[2292.10 --> 2292.96] for jed +[2292.96 --> 2294.18] may we all +[2294.18 --> 2294.70] together +[2294.70 --> 2296.26] journey with him +[2296.26 --> 2297.46] in this pursuit +[2297.46 --> 2298.64] of faith +[2298.64 --> 2299.24] amen +[2299.24 --> 2301.12] amen +[2301.12 --> 2303.40] you guys sat down +[2303.40 --> 2304.00] before you were +[2304.00 --> 2304.68] instructed to +[2304.68 --> 2305.32] so you can just +[2305.32 --> 2305.82] stay here +[2305.82 --> 2306.60] but i'm going to +[2306.60 --> 2307.46] invite seth +[2307.46 --> 2308.10] your elder +[2308.10 --> 2308.82] to come forward +[2308.82 --> 2309.34] he is a little +[2309.34 --> 2309.98] gift and a +[2309.98 --> 2310.58] memento of +[2310.58 --> 2311.10] today's +[2311.10 --> 2312.22] event +[2312.22 --> 2312.74] an occasion +[2312.74 --> 2313.20] that we want +[2313.20 --> 2313.56] to share +[2313.56 --> 2314.04] with you +[2314.04 --> 2315.56] in remembrance +[2315.56 --> 2316.16] of today +[2316.16 --> 2343.40] great is thy +[2343.40 --> 2345.48] faithfulness +[2345.48 --> 2346.84] oh god +[2346.84 --> 2348.40] my father +[2348.40 --> 2351.42] there is no +[2351.42 --> 2353.60] shadow of +[2353.60 --> 2355.52] turning with +[2355.52 --> 2356.94] thee +[2356.94 --> 2359.42] thou changest +[2359.42 --> 2360.48] not +[2360.48 --> 2362.20] thy compassion +[2362.20 --> 2364.10] they fail +[2364.10 --> 2365.04] not +[2365.04 --> 2367.44] as thou hast +[2367.44 --> 2368.40] been +[2368.40 --> 2370.28] thou forever +[2370.28 --> 2371.52] wilt be +[2371.52 --> 2375.48] great is thy +[2375.48 --> 2377.20] faithfulness +[2377.20 --> 2379.48] great is thy +[2379.48 --> 2381.14] faithfulness +[2381.14 --> 2383.34] morning by +[2383.34 --> 2384.40] morning +[2384.40 --> 2386.58] new mercies +[2386.58 --> 2387.52] I see +[2387.52 --> 2391.04] all I have +[2391.04 --> 2392.16] needed +[2392.16 --> 2393.64] thy hand +[2393.64 --> 2395.68] hath provided +[2395.68 --> 2398.88] great is thy +[2398.88 --> 2400.78] faithfulness +[2400.78 --> 2402.68] lord unto +[2402.68 --> 2404.60] me +[2404.60 --> 2408.94] summer and +[2408.94 --> 2410.80] winter and +[2410.80 --> 2412.80] springtime and +[2412.80 --> 2414.22] harvest +[2414.22 --> 2416.50] sun moon and +[2416.50 --> 2418.38] stars in their +[2418.38 --> 2419.26] courses +[2419.26 --> 2420.68] above +[2420.68 --> 2422.76] joy +[2422.76 --> 2423.46] join with +[2423.46 --> 2424.06] all +[2424.06 --> 2425.14] nature +[2425.14 --> 2425.98] in +[2425.98 --> 2427.28] manifold +[2427.28 --> 2428.64] witness +[2428.64 --> 2430.92] to thy +[2430.92 --> 2431.60] great +[2431.60 --> 2433.42] faithfulness +[2433.42 --> 2434.42] mercy +[2434.42 --> 2435.48] and +[2435.48 --> 2436.48] love +[2436.48 --> 2438.78] great is +[2438.78 --> 2439.34] thy +[2439.34 --> 2441.06] faithfulness +[2441.06 --> 2442.70] great is +[2442.70 --> 2443.28] thy +[2443.28 --> 2444.86] faithfulness +[2444.86 --> 2446.06] morning +[2446.06 --> 2447.06] by +[2447.06 --> 2448.06] morning +[2448.06 --> 2448.98] new +[2448.98 --> 2450.22] mercies +[2450.22 --> 2451.98] I see +[2451.98 --> 2453.32] all +[2453.32 --> 2454.58] I have +[2454.58 --> 2455.64] needed +[2455.64 --> 2456.42] thy +[2456.42 --> 2457.04] hand +[2457.04 --> 2457.62] hath +[2457.62 --> 2459.06] provided +[2459.06 --> 2461.50] great is +[2461.50 --> 2462.10] thy +[2462.10 --> 2464.00] faithfulness +[2464.00 --> 2464.86] lord +[2464.86 --> 2465.82] unto +[2465.82 --> 2467.52] thee +[2467.52 --> 2471.28] pardon +[2471.28 --> 2472.36] for +[2472.36 --> 2473.56] sin +[2473.56 --> 2473.98] and +[2473.98 --> 2474.56] a +[2474.56 --> 2475.22] peace +[2475.22 --> 2475.96] that +[2475.96 --> 2478.10] endureth +[2478.10 --> 2479.22] thy +[2479.22 --> 2479.26] thy +[2479.26 --> 2479.80] own +[2479.80 --> 2480.38] dear +[2480.38 --> 2481.76] presence +[2481.76 --> 2482.22] to +[2482.22 --> 2483.18] cheer +[2483.18 --> 2483.82] and +[2483.82 --> 2484.40] to +[2484.40 --> 2485.86] guide +[2485.86 --> 2487.18] strength +[2487.18 --> 2487.80] for +[2487.80 --> 2488.76] today +[2488.76 --> 2489.92] and +[2489.92 --> 2491.14] bright hope +[2491.14 --> 2491.76] for +[2491.76 --> 2493.26] tomorrow +[2493.26 --> 2495.22] blessings +[2495.22 --> 2496.40] all +[2496.40 --> 2497.40] mine +[2497.40 --> 2497.76] with +[2497.76 --> 2498.34] ten +[2498.34 --> 2499.18] thousand +[2499.18 --> 2500.64] beside +[2500.64 --> 2503.58] great is +[2503.58 --> 2504.14] thy +[2504.14 --> 2505.72] faithfulness +[2505.72 --> 2507.34] great is +[2507.34 --> 2507.88] thy +[2507.88 --> 2509.44] faithfulness +[2509.44 --> 2510.60] morning +[2510.60 --> 2511.60] by +[2511.60 --> 2512.60] morning +[2512.60 --> 2513.48] new +[2513.48 --> 2514.74] mercies +[2514.74 --> 2516.26] I see +[2516.26 --> 2517.84] all +[2517.84 --> 2519.10] I have +[2519.10 --> 2520.14] needed +[2520.14 --> 2520.96] thy +[2520.96 --> 2521.54] hand +[2521.54 --> 2522.14] have +[2522.14 --> 2523.60] provided +[2523.60 --> 2526.10] great is +[2526.10 --> 2526.80] thy +[2526.80 --> 2528.80] faithfulness +[2528.80 --> 2529.88] Lord +[2529.88 --> 2530.84] unto +[2530.84 --> 2531.84] thee +[2531.84 --> 2547.38] good +[2547.38 --> 2561.82] morning my name is Pearl I'm one of the deacons here at Langley Emanuel and we continue worship by having an offering today +[2561.82 --> 2591.34] is both for the budget and for benevolence the budget is for the needs and the ministries of this church and if you would like to give to that then make sure that it's in a marked envelope you can use the envelopes that are in front of the chairs in front of you and the other offering is for benevolence which is a fund that's administered by the deacons and it's for people who are in need that from this congregation or from the immediate community for people who are in need that are from this congregation or from the immediate community for +[2591.34 --> 2598.34] people who are in need that of the church and for people who are in need that of the church and for people who may be experiencing unemployment or sickness or trauma and need some assistance. +[2599.06 --> 2609.74] So thank you so much for being so generous and giving to the benevolent fund in the past and continue today to give with a happy heart. Thank you. +[2609.74 --> 2624.26] We're going to sing who you say I am during the offering right now so as your gift please join us in this song which is about our identities rooted in Christ which we know are signified by our baptisms because God's grace for us precedes our knowledge of it. +[2624.42 --> 2626.70] So please join us in singing who you say I am. +[2626.70 --> 2653.38] Who am I that the highest thing would welcome me? +[2653.38 --> 2658.76] I was lost but he brought me in. +[2658.76 --> 2662.38] Oh his love for me. +[2662.38 --> 2666.38] Oh his love for me. +[2666.38 --> 2667.38] Oh his love for me. +[2667.38 --> 2671.38] Oh the sun sets free. +[2671.38 --> 2676.38] Oh it's free indeed. +[2676.38 --> 2680.38] I'm a child of God. +[2680.38 --> 2683.38] Yes I am. +[2683.38 --> 2684.38] Yes I am. +[2684.38 --> 2690.38] Free in last he has ransomed me. +[2690.38 --> 2694.38] His grace runs deep. +[2694.38 --> 2699.38] While I was a slave to sin. +[2699.38 --> 2703.38] Jesus died for me. +[2703.38 --> 2708.38] Yes he died for me. +[2708.38 --> 2712.38] Through the sun sets free. +[2712.38 --> 2713.38] Oh his love for me. +[2713.38 --> 2716.38] Oh his love for me. +[2716.38 --> 2718.38] Yes I am. +[2718.38 --> 2720.38] I'm a child of God. +[2720.38 --> 2724.38] Yes I am. +[2724.38 --> 2725.38] I am. +[2725.38 --> 2726.38] Yes I am. +[2726.38 --> 2727.38] Yes I am. +[2727.38 --> 2728.38] Yes I am. +[2728.38 --> 2731.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2731.38 --> 2732.38] I am who you say I am. +[2732.38 --> 2733.38] I am who you say I am. +[2733.38 --> 2734.38] You are for me, not against me. +[2734.38 --> 2736.38] I am who you say I am. +[2736.38 --> 2737.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2737.38 --> 2738.38] I am who you say I am. +[2738.38 --> 2739.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2739.38 --> 2740.38] I am who you say I am. +[2740.38 --> 2741.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2741.38 --> 2742.38] I am who you say I am. +[2742.38 --> 2744.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2744.38 --> 2748.38] I am who you say I am. +[2748.38 --> 2754.38] I am chosen, not forsaken. +[2754.38 --> 2769.38] I am who you say I am. +[2769.38 --> 2782.50] You are for me, not against me. I am who you say I am. Oh, I am who you say I am. +[2782.50 --> 2798.66] Who the sun sets free, always believe in me. I'm a child of God, yes I am. +[2798.66 --> 2815.24] In my Father's house, there's a place for me. I'm a child of God, yes I am. +[2815.24 --> 2833.64] In my Father's house, there's a place for me. I'm a child of God, yes I am. +[2833.64 --> 2863.62] I'm a child of God, yes I am. +[2863.64 --> 2868.32] Okay, so today we're going to talk about a big word called perspective. +[2868.86 --> 2872.22] Do you guys know what perspective means? What does it mean? +[2874.34 --> 2877.66] Yeah, that's a good explanation. She said it's a different way of where you're looking. +[2877.78 --> 2883.98] So how you see things. So we all have our own perspective how we see things, but our perspective can change. +[2884.32 --> 2891.00] It's not always the same. So I want you to imagine you're at the playground and maybe you've gone on the monkey bars +[2891.00 --> 2896.00] or like one of those bars you can do little flips off. Has anyone been on those at school or at the park? +[2896.50 --> 2899.10] And does anyone ever hang upside down on the monkey bars? +[2899.94 --> 2904.16] You've done that? And does everything look a little bit silly when you're upside down? +[2904.48 --> 2908.02] Because your perspective changed, right? You went upside down. +[2908.80 --> 2911.12] Yeah? Like a monkey, exactly. +[2911.12 --> 2915.32] People do look a little creepy then, you're right. +[2915.56 --> 2918.20] If you look at them long enough, everything's upside down. +[2918.80 --> 2922.34] So there's another way you can change perspective too is when you get older. +[2922.50 --> 2925.18] When you get older, you might have a little bit of a different perspective. +[2925.86 --> 2928.66] And I thought we'd have a good little demonstration of that today. +[2928.72 --> 2933.54] I have the perfect person who can come up and demonstrate how their perspective has changed +[2933.54 --> 2934.74] because they've gotten older. +[2934.74 --> 2936.96] So I'm going to invite Pastor Kevin to come forward. +[2937.30 --> 2938.32] He's going to sit right here. +[2940.82 --> 2945.32] Now if you didn't know, you all are going to know that it is his birthday today. +[2945.88 --> 2947.62] And we give him a big clap. +[2949.94 --> 2951.58] Now we're going to play a little game. +[2951.68 --> 2952.86] This is his favorite game. +[2952.92 --> 2954.06] So I picked it just for him. +[2954.22 --> 2955.22] And it's his favorite game. +[2955.28 --> 2957.92] His game is Guess How Old Pastor Kevin Is. +[2957.96 --> 2959.46] He loves playing this with the youth. +[2959.54 --> 2961.96] If you're like a young adult, you might remember playing this. +[2962.46 --> 2963.20] He loves it. +[2963.20 --> 2964.52] Okay. +[2965.14 --> 2965.62] All right. +[2965.70 --> 2966.32] How about Amabel? +[2966.46 --> 2967.52] How old do you think he is? +[2968.70 --> 2969.62] You think he's 40? +[2970.06 --> 2970.36] Okay. +[2970.44 --> 2972.76] How old do you think he is, Ava? +[2975.28 --> 2975.60] 43? +[2976.44 --> 2977.42] What about Spencer? +[2977.42 --> 2978.42] How old do you think he is? +[2983.28 --> 2983.94] It's hard. +[2985.52 --> 2985.92] 34. +[2986.34 --> 2986.58] Oh. +[2987.00 --> 2987.92] You're his new favorite. +[2989.76 --> 2990.04] Malachi? +[2990.68 --> 2991.64] You think he's 40? +[2992.02 --> 2992.64] What do you think? +[2993.20 --> 2994.08] You all think he's 40? +[2994.16 --> 2996.22] Well, you are way better at this than the youth. +[2996.98 --> 2999.90] I think someone thought he was 40, like, when he was 24. +[3000.12 --> 3000.96] 19 years ago. +[3001.06 --> 3003.60] You guys all, I'm sure, could get a gumball for him after his birthday. +[3004.00 --> 3005.72] He's 40, so we're going to do a little interview. +[3005.86 --> 3011.20] So can you demonstrate how your perspective has changed in the last few hours that you've +[3011.20 --> 3011.58] been awake? +[3011.58 --> 3017.68] I have learned that giving my wife the microphone to AdLib Children's Worship Time is a bad idea. +[3017.68 --> 3019.66] I've learned that that's gotten harder and harder. +[3020.68 --> 3023.22] As you get older, you apparently get wiser. +[3023.54 --> 3025.24] So we'll see if that becomes true. +[3025.24 --> 3030.68] And I just, you grow in your love for others as well. +[3030.78 --> 3030.90] Yeah? +[3035.68 --> 3037.24] Well, thanks for coming up. +[3037.34 --> 3038.36] You can go, you can sit down. +[3038.62 --> 3042.88] You can go and see him for gumballs after the service, I'm sure, or wish him a happy birthday. +[3043.34 --> 3047.40] But we're going to talk about how our perspective changes about the kingdom of God. +[3047.50 --> 3048.58] So that's our topic today. +[3048.58 --> 3053.12] We understand the kingdom of God from earth, but one day we get to see a new perspective +[3053.12 --> 3057.64] when we get to see the kingdom of God that Jesus talks about in the Bible. +[3057.92 --> 3061.78] So we're going to learn about the story of the mustard seed and some different examples +[3061.78 --> 3065.26] that Jesus gives us to learn about what the kingdom of God is. +[3065.64 --> 3067.44] So we can stand up for a moment. +[3067.62 --> 3069.68] Everybody, stand up please with us. +[3069.78 --> 3072.96] And the children are going to bless us and receive a blessing. +[3072.96 --> 3073.06] Thank you. +[3078.58 --> 3108.56] Thank you. +[3108.76 --> 3109.80] full council. +[3110.06 --> 3113.72] We had a meeting this past Tuesday evening. +[3115.20 --> 3126.18] And regarding Pastor Kevin, we are going to have a town hall discussing the future of +[3126.18 --> 3128.18] Pastor Kevin here at this church. +[3128.50 --> 3132.70] He's going to be fully ordained sometime this year soon. +[3132.70 --> 3140.70] So we want to ask you to put a placeholder for April 8th, the evening, that's a Tuesday evening for April 8th. +[3140.70 --> 3142.50] If you could put that in your calendars. +[3144.12 --> 3152.48] We also discussed a calendar for upcoming nominations for council members, both elders and deacons. +[3152.84 --> 3160.90] We have a few that will be retiring this year and we need you to think of who could fill their positions. +[3162.70 --> 3164.64] And that calendar was put forward. +[3165.06 --> 3171.64] And we also received updates from Pastor Chris and Pastor Kevin that work here at this church. +[3172.60 --> 3173.64] Thank you. +[3187.98 --> 3189.98] Good morning. I'm Peter. +[3189.98 --> 3192.70] I'm a member of this church. +[3193.56 --> 3204.88] I'm also a, we have a men's meeting that meets on Thursday mornings at 10 from 10 to 1130 to discuss the pastor's sermons. +[3205.46 --> 3210.88] And we can have anywhere from 8 to 12 people present. +[3210.88 --> 3221.70] And one of the things that we do is we discuss, after we discuss the pastor's sermon and how it applies to our lives, life, we always have a time for, time for prayer. +[3222.24 --> 3227.36] And it's amazing how many, when you have 12 people, just 12. +[3227.46 --> 3238.22] So I can imagine among all of you here, if we, if I dig into your personal stories, there are always needs, there are always needs for prayer. +[3238.22 --> 3248.56] One of the things that I like to think about too, though, is in the prayer, is how we fit into our communities and into our, into our society in which we live. +[3248.56 --> 3251.86] And I think that's important. +[3251.86 --> 3262.66] So for instance, I was thinking about when Jackie and I came here to this church in 1995, they were just starting out with the Mexico missions. +[3262.66 --> 3266.38] So we're into, we're into 2025 now. +[3266.48 --> 3272.46] If you do the math, that's 30 years of Mexican, Mexico missions, missions, trips. +[3272.76 --> 3276.22] I think that's a, that's an incredible legacy that we have. +[3276.56 --> 3286.38] And when you think about it, one of our young people at the time, Jody, was there and she married a fellow, Uriel, and they have their ministry there. +[3286.44 --> 3289.32] And in two weeks, we'll be doing a collection for them. +[3289.54 --> 3291.22] So let's keep them in our prayers. +[3291.22 --> 3298.70] Also five years ago this week, COVID, COVID started and the government clamped down on us. +[3298.78 --> 3309.26] It's hard to believe it was five years already, but our church, all churches at Christianity in many ways felt threatened in some respects, but we persevered. +[3309.58 --> 3319.54] And out of that has come, you know, the, our services are now, you can, you can see them at home if you're, if you're, if you're ill. +[3319.54 --> 3324.58] Also this week, we have a new prime minister, Mark Carney. +[3325.38 --> 3331.24] And whatever we think of our politics, God does call us to, to, to pray for them and keep them. +[3331.24 --> 3338.84] And Trudeau resigned and so, but he served us for, for, for 10 years. +[3339.72 --> 3340.82] South of the border. +[3341.34 --> 3343.78] These are things that we talk, we kind of talk about. +[3343.92 --> 3349.78] We try not to get too, too fired up about our opinions about it, but I think it's important. +[3349.78 --> 3357.90] But right now tariffs are a big deal and the U.S. president is, is fairly, has been fairly disruptive in terms of what's happening. +[3357.90 --> 3368.86] And I know that's brought a lot of anxiety in our church community, too, among those of us who are in the employment business or looking for work and stability. +[3369.66 --> 3375.06] We continue also to see in Ukraine and Russia, the conflict that's there. +[3375.06 --> 3380.24] And we're hoping for peace there as well as in the Middle East between Israel, Hamas, Gaza. +[3381.06 --> 3386.52] So there's a lot, a lot on our plate when we, when we go, when we go to prayer. +[3386.52 --> 3397.70] And we keep coming back to like the sermon even from last, and I'm sure it'll be today from Thessalonians, where Pastor Chris last week told us about what happens when we die. +[3397.96 --> 3399.30] We have a tremendous hope. +[3399.30 --> 3403.12] But what happens if Christ returns before we die? +[3403.56 --> 3405.58] We've had a wonderful discussion about that. +[3406.96 --> 3412.02] In our congregation, we also have a lot of, a lot of needs. +[3412.74 --> 3420.78] And, and I just want to kind of go through them because I'm not always sure exactly how to pray for these things because there's important details there. +[3420.88 --> 3425.74] For instance, Tamara, Tara, sorry, Tara, where are you? +[3425.74 --> 3432.32] Her husband, Al, has a, has a disintegrating disc disease and it's gotten so bad. +[3432.40 --> 3436.10] There's nothing the doctors can do about it except shots for pain relief. +[3436.86 --> 3440.96] Please pray for pain relief, for mobility, that something can be done to fix it. +[3441.62 --> 3447.36] Also for Tara's brother-in-law, Joe, who was in hospital in Fredericton after having two strokes. +[3448.54 --> 3453.04] Prayers for healing and that therapy to learn to walk and speed goes well. +[3453.04 --> 3459.66] We have a lot of young kids that are sick and parents how to, and parents need to know how to care for them. +[3459.76 --> 3460.82] That could create stress. +[3461.42 --> 3468.26] We have ongoing mental health issues in our, in our, in our, our concerns as well in our church. +[3468.72 --> 3472.26] And there's some who struggle with addictions and family dynamics. +[3472.26 --> 3477.18] So if you dig in, there's all kinds of things that are, that are going on. +[3477.18 --> 3480.40] Cancer also is a reality in our church community. +[3481.48 --> 3485.40] Uh, Jerry and Eneka's sister's dealing with cancer therapy. +[3486.06 --> 3491.44] Um, Klaas and, uh, Amanda's sister Tanya. +[3492.60 --> 3493.36] Cancer. +[3493.86 --> 3496.98] John has just been introduced to, uh, cancer therapy. +[3496.98 --> 3498.84] The Kemp and our family. +[3499.14 --> 3500.20] Uh, so it's there. +[3500.20 --> 3506.54] Um, the good news is Anne-Marie Van Muen had her, had her heart valve repaired. +[3506.86 --> 3509.48] And that's gone, uh, that's gone really well. +[3509.56 --> 3511.06] And Judy Versteg, where are you? +[3511.16 --> 3514.40] You're, you're going to have your, uh, operation for a heart valve. +[3515.84 --> 3520.04] In, in a, in a few, in a week or so, it's going to happen. +[3520.20 --> 3524.82] So there's a lot of things happening in, uh, a lot of things that are happening. +[3524.96 --> 3525.98] Let me lead you in prayer. +[3525.98 --> 3530.80] Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. +[3532.10 --> 3537.78] Your kingdom come, not just in Ukraine or in the Middle East, but even here. +[3538.76 --> 3544.94] We've heard the promise that went to the, the Church of Thessalonica, that you are there for us. +[3545.44 --> 3550.84] You are, you will be calling us home, or we will greet you as you return. +[3551.30 --> 3553.00] We long for that day. +[3553.00 --> 3555.38] Your will be done. +[3555.38 --> 3558.18] As in heaven, so on earth. +[3559.00 --> 3565.44] We are sometimes so perplexed, Lord, by what's going on in the body politic and in our neighborhoods and in our community. +[3566.00 --> 3567.48] We're often aghast. +[3567.48 --> 3568.48] We're often aghast. +[3568.48 --> 3571.40] But yet at the same time, we rely, we rely on you. +[3572.44 --> 3575.78] Give us this day our daily bread and a house to live in. +[3576.98 --> 3583.46] We recognize that in most parts of the world, just to have one meal a day is a huge deal. +[3583.46 --> 3586.46] Forgive us our sins. +[3586.46 --> 3592.92] Forgive us our sins as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. +[3593.18 --> 3596.34] It's the constant reminder every day for us. +[3597.30 --> 3600.78] And bring us not, bring us not into temptation. +[3601.56 --> 3603.12] There's so many around us. +[3603.34 --> 3607.90] So many things around us that tempt us, but deliver us from the evil one. +[3607.90 --> 3608.02] Amen. +[3609.02 --> 3610.10] Yours is the kingdom. +[3610.48 --> 3611.58] Yours is the power. +[3612.18 --> 3614.00] And yours is the glory forever. +[3614.60 --> 3614.98] Amen. +[3637.90 --> 3653.14] We're going to spend the bulk of the rest of our time together looking at the next text out of the letter to the Thessalonians, +[3653.26 --> 3654.70] the first letter to the Thessalonians. +[3655.12 --> 3659.48] This morning we're going to read from 1 Thessalonians 5, 1 through 11. +[3659.98 --> 3663.00] The first time through it will be on the screen behind me. +[3663.00 --> 3668.32] But I encourage you, as you're able, open a Bible, whether it's on a device or if you brought one, excellent. +[3668.46 --> 3671.50] If you're looking for one, there's a few at the back you can grab. +[3672.00 --> 3676.34] And just have that and keep that open in front of you as we refer back to that throughout. +[3678.66 --> 3682.72] Let's read together from 1 Thessalonians 5. +[3682.72 --> 3690.88] Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write you, +[3691.34 --> 3695.80] for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. +[3696.54 --> 3704.24] While people are saying peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly as labor pains on a pregnant woman, +[3704.52 --> 3705.86] and they will not escape. +[3705.86 --> 3713.62] But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. +[3714.18 --> 3717.24] You are all children of the light and children of the day. +[3717.82 --> 3720.62] We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. +[3721.56 --> 3727.20] So then, let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. +[3727.72 --> 3731.40] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. +[3731.40 --> 3737.54] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate +[3737.54 --> 3739.80] and the hope of salvation as a helmet. +[3740.44 --> 3746.40] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. +[3747.20 --> 3753.62] He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. +[3754.56 --> 3761.34] Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as, in fact, you are doing. +[3761.98 --> 3763.12] This is the word of the Lord. +[3769.12 --> 3775.66] I wasn't sure if I was going to introduce this message in this way until just five minutes ago +[3775.66 --> 3779.02] when I found out that none of my family are in the service right now. +[3779.08 --> 3780.64] They're all volunteering in other parts. +[3781.20 --> 3782.58] And so I can say this safely. +[3782.58 --> 3792.26] Have you ever had somewhere to go and a time you had to leave at, at, say, 7.55 in the morning, +[3792.44 --> 3800.78] to get to school for 8 o'clock start, and you're standing at the door and no one else is ready to go? +[3800.78 --> 3804.32] And you're just waiting and waiting? +[3804.32 --> 3806.58] So, cards on the table. +[3806.66 --> 3814.28] I'm the kind of person that I can sleep in with the best of them, but if I have somewhere to be, something to do, I can get up. +[3814.32 --> 3815.54] It doesn't matter what time. +[3815.84 --> 3819.36] It doesn't matter how little or how long of sleep I've had. +[3819.36 --> 3821.20] But when I get up, I've got to start going. +[3821.86 --> 3823.94] I'm not a lazy morning kind of person. +[3824.10 --> 3828.88] I'm not a sit down with a coffee and read or play games on my phone. +[3829.26 --> 3832.38] I'm a get up, get dressed, and get out the door kind of guy. +[3832.38 --> 3837.68] Now, my kids are a little different. +[3839.02 --> 3843.14] Bless her heart, Nora is trying, and she's usually the first one ready. +[3843.84 --> 3845.50] And then I won't tell you about Rachel. +[3847.96 --> 3852.20] Let's just say that Nora and I are usually in the car and ready to go first. +[3853.78 --> 3858.80] But we're waiting, we're ready, and we're waiting eagerly to go. +[3859.66 --> 3862.24] And then we just wait and wait. +[3863.22 --> 3863.98] And wait. +[3865.18 --> 3868.16] Now, what is the attitude of my heart in that moment? +[3869.04 --> 3872.74] Is it a posture of anticipation and excitement and readiness for what's to come? +[3872.88 --> 3874.10] Or is there a grumbling? +[3874.86 --> 3875.76] You can decide. +[3878.72 --> 3884.04] This morning, in the text that Paul has for us to study and read, +[3884.04 --> 3888.88] we are asking the question of our posture in waiting. +[3888.88 --> 3893.62] And not just waiting for someone to be ready to go to school, +[3893.80 --> 3900.18] but waiting for the return of Jesus Christ to this world and the restoration of all things. +[3900.54 --> 3904.72] Are we ready, expectant, motivated, and eager? +[3904.72 --> 3908.24] Or are we grumbling? +[3908.24 --> 3915.08] Or perhaps worse, indifferent, and the ones not caring about what's coming next? +[3915.08 --> 3921.18] The idea here that Paul presents to us that I believe the Lord wants us to see +[3921.18 --> 3929.38] is the invitation for our waiting to be armed and ready for the day of the Lord is coming. +[3929.38 --> 3933.74] Be armed and ready for the day of the Lord is coming. +[3933.74 --> 3943.38] As we read, you can maybe see that verse 1 and 2 follow naturally from the section before. +[3943.38 --> 3948.40] Last week, we looked at this section, and there, just a quick summary, +[3948.60 --> 3952.18] we finished hearing a message about the return of Jesus, +[3952.62 --> 3955.10] what it will be like, how it will look, +[3955.38 --> 3959.04] and like Peter said before, what it means for us, +[3959.18 --> 3962.72] and for those who have died, and for those who are still alive. +[3962.72 --> 3967.24] And after that beautiful exposition and presentation, +[3967.66 --> 3971.22] the next natural question that you and I might ask is, +[3971.48 --> 3973.70] okay, that's great, but when? +[3974.92 --> 3976.38] When is that going to happen? +[3977.00 --> 3979.64] When will the return of Christ take place? +[3980.78 --> 3983.68] And what's really fascinating, at least it's fascinating to me, +[3984.02 --> 3986.56] is that you and I might ask that question, +[3987.00 --> 3992.42] but it's one that Paul apparently doesn't think that Thessalonians need to ask. +[3993.02 --> 3995.10] Because they should already know the answer. +[3995.58 --> 3996.88] We read in verse 2 that, +[3998.30 --> 4002.54] For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. +[4003.36 --> 4004.90] You know very well, he says, +[4004.96 --> 4007.96] which means he probably taught this idea to them. +[4008.06 --> 4010.98] It was part of his preaching to them regularly +[4010.98 --> 4015.16] while he was there in Thessalonica for those three weeks, +[4015.54 --> 4017.94] a few months before he wrote these letters. +[4018.42 --> 4021.00] And he taught them this, in part, no doubt, +[4021.00 --> 4024.46] because this is a message that Jesus himself taught. +[4024.56 --> 4027.44] It's an image that he uses of his own return +[4027.44 --> 4029.46] and the unexpected suddenness of it. +[4029.50 --> 4031.06] You can read about that in Matthew 24. +[4032.20 --> 4034.98] And Peter, actually, in his letter, says the same thing. +[4035.04 --> 4035.34] He says, +[4035.42 --> 4037.44] The day of the Lord will come like a thief, +[4037.58 --> 4038.72] in 2 Peter 3. +[4038.72 --> 4043.10] John uses this same image in the book of Revelation, +[4043.36 --> 4045.58] in Revelation 3 and in Revelation 16. +[4046.38 --> 4047.16] Point is, +[4047.70 --> 4052.72] this idea that we know what the return of Christ will look like, +[4052.72 --> 4054.68] but not when it will happen, +[4055.10 --> 4057.08] because it will come like a thief in the night, +[4057.22 --> 4059.24] seems to be a regular, +[4059.58 --> 4063.22] commonplace teaching of the apostles in the early church. +[4063.22 --> 4069.90] It was a teaching of Jesus that we don't know when he will return, +[4070.68 --> 4073.90] and so the apostles continued that teaching. +[4075.50 --> 4078.66] We know how, and we know what it means, +[4079.08 --> 4081.18] and that ought to be enough, says Paul. +[4082.52 --> 4086.36] And so with that, verse 3 continues with a bit of a contrast. +[4086.36 --> 4088.50] And so it says, +[4089.14 --> 4091.88] While people are saying peace and safety, +[4092.08 --> 4095.66] or maybe your translation says peace and security there, +[4096.36 --> 4099.46] destruction will come upon them suddenly. +[4101.18 --> 4106.24] I want to do a little bit of historical and archaeological remembering with you +[4106.24 --> 4106.88] for just a moment. +[4107.02 --> 4109.38] And so if this isn't your cup of tea, +[4109.48 --> 4110.82] just bear with me for a few minutes, +[4110.94 --> 4113.80] but we'll have some images on screen as we go through. +[4113.80 --> 4119.26] So remember that Thessalonica is a major Roman town, +[4119.80 --> 4123.06] and Paul is writing to them from Corinth, +[4123.42 --> 4125.82] which is another major Roman town. +[4126.72 --> 4130.14] And on the coins and statues and monuments and gates, +[4130.30 --> 4134.64] and in many of the writings of note and influence during this time, +[4135.12 --> 4139.92] the gospel of the Pax Romana was declared everywhere, +[4140.04 --> 4141.82] the gospel of the peace of Rome. +[4141.82 --> 4144.24] If you look on screen behind me, +[4144.32 --> 4145.98] and hopefully you can see it. +[4146.02 --> 4148.54] If not, you can check out the live stream later and see the details. +[4149.02 --> 4149.88] But trust me, they're there. +[4150.78 --> 4154.50] The silver coin there on the bottom and to the left +[4154.50 --> 4156.62] is called a cystophorus. +[4157.14 --> 4159.76] This coin was minted in the 20s BC. +[4160.36 --> 4162.44] It's worth about three denarii. +[4163.12 --> 4165.82] And it was used as currency in the empire +[4165.82 --> 4169.02] from about 27 BC until around 200 AD. +[4169.02 --> 4172.70] And on the one side, it has the face of Augustus, +[4173.22 --> 4175.16] the successor to Julius Caesar, +[4175.56 --> 4178.76] the adopted son whose original name was Octavian. +[4179.44 --> 4182.84] And on the other side, there's the inscription Pax, +[4183.38 --> 4185.74] and the image of the goddess of peace. +[4186.78 --> 4189.10] And so you have this connection to the emperor +[4189.10 --> 4192.48] and peace being declared right on the coin. +[4192.48 --> 4197.14] The gold coin that's up there is called an oris, +[4197.36 --> 4202.12] and it's minted around 40 AD and worth about 25 denarii. +[4203.00 --> 4206.14] And it has the face of Claudius on one side, +[4206.26 --> 4209.24] and he reigned as emperor until about 54 AD, +[4209.68 --> 4211.78] which is right around the time these letters were written. +[4212.52 --> 4214.88] So those coins would have been in circulation +[4214.88 --> 4217.88] as Paul is writing these letters. +[4217.88 --> 4220.52] And on the other side of that gold coin, +[4220.72 --> 4223.64] it says Passi Auguste, +[4223.84 --> 4227.02] which means to the venerable peace in Latin. +[4228.26 --> 4230.86] What you also see up there is this giant altar +[4230.86 --> 4232.52] that's built in Rome, +[4232.78 --> 4236.06] and that's called the Ara Passis Auguste, +[4236.20 --> 4238.62] or the altar to the Augustinian peace. +[4239.30 --> 4241.52] It was built at the commemoration +[4241.52 --> 4244.70] of Augustus Octavian's return to Rome, +[4245.12 --> 4246.22] commissioned by the Senate +[4246.22 --> 4249.60] and consecrated on January 30th, 9 BC. +[4249.86 --> 4253.18] And it stood as a monument to the peace and prosperity, +[4253.48 --> 4256.26] as a monument to the peace and safety +[4256.26 --> 4258.28] of the Pax Romana. +[4260.14 --> 4262.58] Now about 30 kilometers outside of Rome, +[4262.74 --> 4263.74] in the next slide, +[4264.46 --> 4267.46] is a small town called Palestrina. +[4268.42 --> 4271.86] And there they recently excavated two altar pillars, +[4272.30 --> 4273.84] and the one on the left, +[4273.84 --> 4274.98] which you can't see at all, +[4275.12 --> 4276.12] so you'll have to trust me, +[4276.22 --> 4279.02] the one on the left says Pax Sacrum, +[4279.34 --> 4282.60] and the one on the right says Securitas Sacrum, +[4283.08 --> 4286.24] which means to the holy peace and to the holy security. +[4287.94 --> 4289.50] So what I want you to hear and see +[4289.50 --> 4292.72] is that it seems likely that when Paul says, +[4292.90 --> 4295.76] well, people are saying peace and safety, +[4296.06 --> 4298.18] he's picking up on a slogan +[4298.18 --> 4299.78] or on a word pairing +[4299.78 --> 4304.40] that would have been an obvious political force +[4304.40 --> 4305.90] for the Thessalonians. +[4308.04 --> 4308.82] Like I said, +[4310.82 --> 4315.20] Thessalonia is the capital of the Macedonian region, +[4315.58 --> 4316.64] and because of that, +[4316.70 --> 4319.38] it is the regional home for the governor +[4319.38 --> 4321.24] and the proconsul of the empire. +[4321.24 --> 4327.04] The peace and security of the empire will fail. +[4327.62 --> 4328.78] That's what Paul is saying. +[4329.40 --> 4333.26] The gospel of Rome is illusory and short-lived. +[4334.26 --> 4336.26] Destruction will come upon them. +[4336.26 --> 4342.74] Even Rome can't save you from what's to come. +[4344.04 --> 4345.26] Only Jesus can. +[4346.44 --> 4347.50] I think that's the point +[4347.50 --> 4349.30] that Paul is trying to underscore here. +[4351.06 --> 4353.68] I read something this week +[4353.68 --> 4354.92] that said, +[4354.92 --> 4358.24] An indifferent church lacks motivation. +[4359.12 --> 4361.50] A panicked church lacks peace. +[4362.64 --> 4363.00] However, +[4364.14 --> 4367.52] an expectant church is filled with passion. +[4368.48 --> 4370.86] I should say an expectant church, +[4370.98 --> 4372.32] not an unexpected church. +[4372.92 --> 4375.94] An expectant church is filled with passion. +[4377.92 --> 4378.82] Now, again, +[4378.92 --> 4380.36] if you've been with us in this series, +[4380.36 --> 4381.34] we've seen already +[4381.34 --> 4383.42] that a sense of indifference +[4383.42 --> 4386.02] existed in some of these Christians +[4386.02 --> 4388.66] and in some of the people of Thessalonica. +[4389.12 --> 4390.66] Paul urges them, right, +[4390.72 --> 4392.06] to work with their hands +[4392.06 --> 4394.10] and to not be dependent on anyone. +[4394.24 --> 4396.10] That's 1 Thessalonians 4, 10. +[4396.56 --> 4398.30] And in chapter 5 of this letter, +[4398.72 --> 4402.02] and again in chapter 3 of 2 Thessalonians, +[4402.20 --> 4405.66] he warns those who are being idle and disruptive. +[4407.54 --> 4409.38] And that's actually part of why it's important +[4409.38 --> 4412.96] not to know the dates and the times of Jesus' return. +[4413.42 --> 4415.28] Because think about it from that perspective. +[4415.42 --> 4417.34] If you know that you have hundreds +[4417.34 --> 4418.82] or thousands of years, +[4419.54 --> 4421.08] it's really easy to be indifferent. +[4422.56 --> 4424.14] I'm a deadline kind of guy. +[4425.02 --> 4426.26] And if I don't have a deadline, +[4426.76 --> 4428.74] I don't have any anxiety about it. +[4432.02 --> 4432.46] Indifference +[4432.46 --> 4434.68] is a gospel killer. +[4434.68 --> 4439.04] Faith, +[4439.54 --> 4442.44] if your faith +[4442.44 --> 4444.02] doesn't make you live differently, +[4444.84 --> 4446.08] why should anyone care? +[4448.48 --> 4448.92] Right? +[4448.96 --> 4450.04] If your kids don't see +[4450.04 --> 4451.46] a different approach to life, +[4451.90 --> 4453.72] what would captivate their hearts +[4453.72 --> 4455.20] to catch our faith? +[4456.94 --> 4458.86] If everything about your life +[4458.86 --> 4459.70] looks no different +[4459.70 --> 4461.00] than your non-Christian friends +[4461.00 --> 4461.84] or neighbors +[4461.84 --> 4462.90] except that maybe +[4462.90 --> 4464.42] you go to church twice a month, +[4464.76 --> 4465.56] three times a month +[4465.56 --> 4466.78] if you had a really good time, +[4467.64 --> 4467.84] right? +[4467.86 --> 4468.54] Why should they care? +[4470.12 --> 4470.34] Or, +[4471.28 --> 4472.20] this is going to hit +[4472.20 --> 4474.30] a few more of you particularly, +[4474.60 --> 4475.86] but if you look to like +[4475.86 --> 4477.16] Instagram or TikTok +[4477.16 --> 4478.38] or YouTube +[4478.38 --> 4480.50] and influencers there +[4480.50 --> 4481.96] to determine +[4481.96 --> 4483.22] what is going to bring you +[4483.22 --> 4484.54] peace and safety, +[4485.00 --> 4485.58] to tell you +[4485.58 --> 4486.32] what the good life +[4486.32 --> 4487.08] is going to be like, +[4487.10 --> 4488.44] if those are your influences, +[4488.44 --> 4490.32] how is that any different +[4490.32 --> 4491.02] than the rest of the world? +[4493.40 --> 4494.26] And is there something +[4494.26 --> 4495.84] missing in that? +[4497.34 --> 4497.52] Right? +[4497.54 --> 4498.44] If the primary way +[4498.44 --> 4499.24] that your neighbors +[4499.24 --> 4500.64] experience your faith +[4500.64 --> 4502.12] is because you're grumbling +[4502.12 --> 4503.98] about who the prime minister is +[4503.98 --> 4505.38] or about who the president +[4505.38 --> 4505.96] might be, +[4506.92 --> 4508.50] what would compel them +[4508.50 --> 4510.08] to pick up the cross daily +[4510.08 --> 4510.86] and follow Jesus? +[4512.34 --> 4513.20] What's different? +[4514.04 --> 4514.12] Right? +[4514.38 --> 4514.86] Indifference +[4514.86 --> 4516.48] is a faith killer. +[4516.48 --> 4518.72] But real faith +[4518.72 --> 4519.80] makes a difference. +[4520.72 --> 4521.94] And it is a beautiful, +[4522.32 --> 4523.28] magnificent thing +[4523.28 --> 4524.88] to confess our sins +[4524.88 --> 4525.80] to each other +[4525.80 --> 4526.62] and to have God +[4526.62 --> 4528.14] speak a word of forgiveness +[4528.14 --> 4529.66] and assurance over you. +[4530.06 --> 4531.44] It is a beautiful thing +[4531.44 --> 4532.66] to see the scales +[4532.66 --> 4533.84] of unbelief +[4533.84 --> 4534.66] fall off +[4534.66 --> 4536.34] the eyes of someone's heart +[4536.34 --> 4537.48] and watch their world +[4537.48 --> 4538.84] actually get brighter +[4538.84 --> 4540.16] and more magnificent. +[4541.06 --> 4542.10] It is majestic +[4542.10 --> 4542.92] when the prayers +[4542.92 --> 4543.62] of the saints +[4543.62 --> 4544.28] are answered +[4544.28 --> 4545.58] and healing comes. +[4545.58 --> 4547.16] It is moving +[4547.16 --> 4548.00] when a church +[4548.00 --> 4549.24] full of people +[4549.24 --> 4549.98] at a funeral +[4549.98 --> 4550.84] can sing +[4550.84 --> 4551.76] It is well +[4551.76 --> 4552.90] with my soul. +[4555.14 --> 4556.28] In the world +[4556.28 --> 4557.80] apart from Christ, +[4558.76 --> 4560.14] the world apart +[4560.14 --> 4560.88] from Christ +[4560.88 --> 4562.20] is indifferent +[4562.20 --> 4563.52] to His return +[4563.52 --> 4565.02] and to who He is +[4565.02 --> 4566.04] and then also +[4566.04 --> 4567.02] to the judgment +[4567.02 --> 4568.78] that He will bring. +[4570.60 --> 4572.08] And our indifference +[4572.08 --> 4573.44] only confirms +[4573.44 --> 4574.16] their right +[4574.16 --> 4574.78] to be so. +[4576.42 --> 4577.56] One writer I read +[4577.56 --> 4578.38] said that +[4578.38 --> 4580.20] God's solemn warnings +[4580.20 --> 4580.98] of judgments +[4580.98 --> 4582.08] are often met +[4582.08 --> 4583.60] by the world's yawn. +[4585.66 --> 4586.74] The kingdoms +[4586.74 --> 4587.70] of the world +[4587.70 --> 4588.94] that are saying +[4588.94 --> 4590.56] peace and safety, +[4590.70 --> 4591.12] the kingdoms +[4591.12 --> 4592.36] of the world +[4592.36 --> 4593.34] whisper peace +[4593.34 --> 4594.14] and security +[4594.14 --> 4595.60] and they lull people +[4595.60 --> 4597.40] into a waking sleep, +[4597.74 --> 4599.52] a spiritual listlessness, +[4599.80 --> 4601.42] a malaise of indifference, +[4601.42 --> 4602.82] relative peace +[4602.82 --> 4604.78] and a terrestrial security, +[4604.98 --> 4605.84] fool the masses +[4605.84 --> 4606.92] and they amass +[4606.92 --> 4607.58] the foolish. +[4609.14 --> 4610.20] But indifference +[4610.20 --> 4610.86] to God +[4610.86 --> 4612.36] is always +[4612.36 --> 4613.28] deadly. +[4613.28 --> 4617.46] You can't sit +[4617.46 --> 4618.32] on the fence anymore. +[4620.16 --> 4620.84] It's time +[4620.84 --> 4621.46] to dive in. +[4623.36 --> 4624.44] For most of you +[4624.44 --> 4625.18] here this morning, +[4625.32 --> 4625.76] you know. +[4626.58 --> 4627.46] You already +[4627.46 --> 4628.30] know +[4628.30 --> 4629.44] what you need +[4629.44 --> 4629.96] to know. +[4630.14 --> 4630.98] The question is +[4630.98 --> 4632.10] what will you do +[4632.10 --> 4632.52] with it? +[4633.88 --> 4634.34] Right? +[4634.38 --> 4634.96] We don't need +[4634.96 --> 4635.46] to know +[4635.46 --> 4636.24] when Jesus +[4636.24 --> 4636.92] will return. +[4637.16 --> 4637.82] We need to know +[4637.82 --> 4639.20] that He will return. +[4639.54 --> 4640.72] And when He does, +[4640.72 --> 4642.16] the only way through +[4642.16 --> 4643.24] will be by believing +[4643.24 --> 4644.42] in Him now, +[4644.56 --> 4645.78] by receiving His mercy +[4645.78 --> 4646.76] and grace now +[4646.76 --> 4648.24] and living with perseverance +[4648.24 --> 4648.98] until the end. +[4649.92 --> 4651.72] The Bible doesn't shy away +[4651.72 --> 4652.62] from the reality +[4652.62 --> 4653.22] of judgment +[4653.22 --> 4654.42] and so neither can we. +[4656.16 --> 4656.72] Instead, +[4657.36 --> 4658.32] in the time +[4658.32 --> 4659.12] that we have, +[4659.64 --> 4660.60] let's be different. +[4661.64 --> 4662.76] Let's be motivated +[4662.76 --> 4663.66] to snatch people +[4663.66 --> 4664.76] away from the fire +[4664.76 --> 4665.52] like we read +[4665.52 --> 4666.28] in Jude 23. +[4667.14 --> 4668.48] We cannot be +[4668.48 --> 4669.14] indifferent. +[4669.98 --> 4670.04] Right? +[4670.04 --> 4670.98] We must care. +[4671.12 --> 4672.16] We must make a difference. +[4672.28 --> 4673.32] We must be motivated +[4673.32 --> 4674.70] to declare the truth +[4674.70 --> 4675.78] of God's gospel +[4675.78 --> 4677.32] because that's the only way +[4677.32 --> 4678.26] for people to have +[4678.26 --> 4678.96] real peace +[4678.96 --> 4680.16] and real security. +[4682.06 --> 4682.70] And especially +[4682.70 --> 4684.40] as we baptize +[4684.40 --> 4684.88] an infant +[4684.88 --> 4686.20] into this truth +[4686.20 --> 4687.00] today, +[4687.22 --> 4689.08] we cannot be indifferent +[4689.08 --> 4690.76] because He will see +[4690.76 --> 4691.70] your indifference. +[4693.16 --> 4694.46] They will see it. +[4695.36 --> 4696.54] And so let us all together +[4696.54 --> 4697.84] be different. +[4697.84 --> 4700.52] And the how +[4700.52 --> 4702.14] of our being different +[4702.14 --> 4703.28] matters here. +[4704.08 --> 4704.74] That's to say +[4704.74 --> 4706.12] we are not panicked. +[4706.92 --> 4707.02] Right? +[4707.08 --> 4707.68] Our declaring +[4707.68 --> 4708.40] of the gospel +[4708.40 --> 4709.78] is with gentleness +[4709.78 --> 4710.60] and respect. +[4710.84 --> 4711.36] It is rooted +[4711.36 --> 4712.22] in love +[4712.22 --> 4712.84] for the world +[4712.84 --> 4713.92] and it is expressed +[4713.92 --> 4714.94] in love +[4714.94 --> 4715.98] for those whom +[4715.98 --> 4717.44] God Himself loves. +[4718.14 --> 4719.14] Instead of panic, +[4719.26 --> 4720.40] we have peace. +[4721.12 --> 4722.02] Let me put it this way +[4722.02 --> 4722.36] for us. +[4722.36 --> 4725.14] The things we know +[4725.14 --> 4725.94] about God +[4725.94 --> 4728.12] far outweigh +[4728.12 --> 4728.72] the things +[4728.72 --> 4729.64] we don't know +[4729.64 --> 4730.34] about our life +[4730.34 --> 4730.92] in this world. +[4732.12 --> 4733.24] Let me say that again +[4733.24 --> 4733.72] for the people +[4733.72 --> 4734.16] in the back. +[4734.46 --> 4735.24] The things we know +[4735.24 --> 4735.94] about God +[4735.94 --> 4737.76] far outweighs +[4737.76 --> 4739.98] the things we don't know +[4739.98 --> 4740.82] about our life +[4740.82 --> 4741.54] in this world. +[4744.48 --> 4745.62] I don't know +[4745.62 --> 4746.24] what tomorrow +[4746.24 --> 4746.82] will bring, +[4747.78 --> 4748.56] but I know +[4748.56 --> 4748.92] the God +[4748.92 --> 4749.74] who brings tomorrow. +[4749.74 --> 4752.62] I don't know +[4752.62 --> 4753.24] how the story +[4753.24 --> 4753.86] of my life +[4753.86 --> 4754.44] will end, +[4754.64 --> 4755.22] but I know +[4755.22 --> 4755.94] how the story +[4755.94 --> 4756.64] of history +[4756.64 --> 4757.46] will end +[4757.46 --> 4758.24] because of who +[4758.24 --> 4758.88] God is. +[4760.30 --> 4761.40] That you may not +[4761.40 --> 4762.60] know why you +[4762.60 --> 4763.60] have some disease +[4763.60 --> 4764.62] and you may just +[4764.62 --> 4765.64] be tired of it all, +[4766.58 --> 4767.70] but you do know +[4767.70 --> 4768.58] the voice of Him +[4768.58 --> 4769.00] who said, +[4769.30 --> 4769.76] come to me +[4769.76 --> 4770.66] all who are weary +[4770.66 --> 4771.50] and heavy laden +[4771.50 --> 4773.14] and I will give you +[4773.14 --> 4773.98] rest. +[4776.46 --> 4777.24] I don't know +[4777.24 --> 4778.10] what comes next, +[4778.10 --> 4780.26] but I know +[4780.26 --> 4781.40] that I am known +[4781.40 --> 4782.08] by the God +[4782.08 --> 4782.68] who does +[4782.68 --> 4784.82] and that is +[4784.82 --> 4786.80] better by far. +[4787.10 --> 4787.32] Amen? +[4789.32 --> 4790.50] That's real peace. +[4791.50 --> 4792.58] A peace that's not +[4792.58 --> 4793.38] dependent upon +[4793.38 --> 4794.32] my circumstances +[4794.32 --> 4795.20] but on the character +[4795.20 --> 4795.74] of God. +[4796.68 --> 4797.74] That's real peace. +[4798.56 --> 4799.58] If indifference +[4799.58 --> 4800.78] kills motivation +[4800.78 --> 4801.90] and being panicked +[4801.90 --> 4802.86] wrecks our peace, +[4803.18 --> 4804.14] the counter vision +[4804.14 --> 4804.94] that the gospel +[4804.94 --> 4805.82] casts for us +[4805.82 --> 4807.18] is motivation +[4807.18 --> 4808.78] and peace +[4808.78 --> 4809.74] coming together +[4809.74 --> 4810.40] to make +[4810.40 --> 4811.66] an expectant +[4811.66 --> 4813.14] and passionate church +[4813.14 --> 4815.08] and we can be +[4815.08 --> 4815.90] expectant +[4815.90 --> 4816.86] because we believe +[4816.86 --> 4817.32] and know +[4817.32 --> 4818.34] that God is at work +[4818.34 --> 4818.98] among us, +[4819.26 --> 4820.34] that God is in control, +[4820.70 --> 4821.44] that led by His +[4821.44 --> 4822.16] sovereign rule +[4822.16 --> 4823.50] and providential guiding, +[4823.66 --> 4824.66] history is moving +[4824.66 --> 4825.82] towards the return +[4825.82 --> 4826.86] of Jesus Christ, +[4826.96 --> 4828.18] ever marching forward +[4828.18 --> 4829.32] for His glory +[4829.32 --> 4830.44] and for our good. +[4830.44 --> 4832.54] we know that +[4832.54 --> 4834.68] our present sufferings +[4834.68 --> 4836.14] will be incomparable +[4836.14 --> 4837.14] to the glory +[4837.14 --> 4838.24] that will be revealed +[4838.24 --> 4839.20] in us +[4839.20 --> 4840.08] and to us +[4840.08 --> 4840.94] and through us. +[4841.52 --> 4842.30] We know that +[4842.30 --> 4843.10] compared to +[4843.10 --> 4844.66] an eternity with God, +[4844.92 --> 4845.52] these light +[4845.52 --> 4846.80] and momentary struggles +[4846.80 --> 4847.60] are producing +[4847.60 --> 4849.26] an eternal weight +[4849.26 --> 4849.82] of glory. +[4850.14 --> 4851.74] Because of who God is, +[4851.94 --> 4853.00] we have purpose +[4853.00 --> 4853.94] and meaning. +[4854.30 --> 4855.18] We have an identity +[4855.18 --> 4856.40] that goes beyond +[4856.40 --> 4857.98] our physical feelings +[4857.98 --> 4859.78] and our present moments. +[4859.78 --> 4860.80] and so, +[4861.12 --> 4862.18] we can be +[4862.18 --> 4864.08] an expectant people +[4864.08 --> 4868.12] and we can be +[4868.12 --> 4869.50] passionate +[4869.50 --> 4871.68] about this truth +[4871.68 --> 4873.58] and about this God, +[4873.78 --> 4874.72] about who He is +[4874.72 --> 4875.80] and what He is doing +[4875.80 --> 4876.80] in our midst, +[4876.96 --> 4878.90] desiring that all people +[4878.90 --> 4879.58] might see +[4879.58 --> 4880.50] and know +[4880.50 --> 4881.58] God this way. +[4882.84 --> 4883.64] Our passion +[4883.64 --> 4884.54] is an invitation +[4884.54 --> 4885.70] to come +[4885.70 --> 4886.36] and see +[4886.36 --> 4887.12] a God +[4887.12 --> 4888.00] at work. +[4888.34 --> 4888.86] Our passion +[4888.86 --> 4889.72] is a display +[4889.72 --> 4890.54] of God's work +[4890.54 --> 4891.08] among us. +[4891.16 --> 4891.68] Our passion +[4891.68 --> 4892.64] is to sing +[4892.64 --> 4893.30] His praises +[4893.30 --> 4894.06] even though +[4894.06 --> 4894.56] we walk +[4894.56 --> 4895.10] through the valley +[4895.10 --> 4895.64] of the shadow +[4895.64 --> 4896.00] of death. +[4896.32 --> 4896.80] Our passion +[4896.80 --> 4897.40] is to sing +[4897.40 --> 4898.00] His praises +[4898.00 --> 4898.70] as we stand +[4898.70 --> 4899.98] on the mountaintops +[4899.98 --> 4900.76] of life. +[4900.88 --> 4901.46] Our passion +[4901.46 --> 4902.52] is for the next +[4902.52 --> 4903.72] generation of believers +[4903.72 --> 4904.90] to be raised up +[4904.90 --> 4905.84] in our midst. +[4906.18 --> 4906.62] Our passion +[4906.62 --> 4907.30] is for the next +[4907.30 --> 4908.20] generation of church +[4908.20 --> 4908.78] leaders to be +[4908.78 --> 4910.16] discipled right here +[4910.16 --> 4910.94] and right now +[4910.94 --> 4911.74] and sent out +[4911.74 --> 4912.66] into the world. +[4912.78 --> 4913.30] Our passion +[4913.30 --> 4914.40] is to raise up +[4914.40 --> 4915.68] an army of missionaries +[4915.68 --> 4916.32] who will go +[4916.32 --> 4917.74] into their workplaces +[4917.74 --> 4918.70] and third places +[4918.70 --> 4919.22] locally +[4919.22 --> 4920.54] and globally +[4920.54 --> 4921.86] all around the globe +[4921.86 --> 4923.70] with this gospel message. +[4923.70 --> 4924.30] The message +[4924.30 --> 4925.26] of Jesus' life, +[4925.64 --> 4925.88] death, +[4926.08 --> 4926.46] resurrection, +[4926.72 --> 4927.52] and exaltation. +[4927.86 --> 4928.44] The message +[4928.44 --> 4929.56] of His return +[4929.56 --> 4930.50] to judge +[4930.50 --> 4931.04] the living +[4931.04 --> 4932.14] and the dead. +[4933.14 --> 4934.82] And it's for this passion, +[4935.20 --> 4936.18] this passion +[4936.18 --> 4937.40] that we must be +[4937.40 --> 4939.08] armed and ready +[4939.08 --> 4940.62] because the day +[4940.62 --> 4940.90] of the Lord +[4940.90 --> 4941.34] is coming. +[4943.10 --> 4943.94] Verse 5 says, +[4943.94 --> 4945.70] you are all children +[4945.70 --> 4947.20] of light +[4947.20 --> 4947.90] and children +[4947.90 --> 4949.24] of the day. +[4949.84 --> 4950.72] Jesus said, +[4951.00 --> 4951.86] you are the light +[4951.86 --> 4952.48] of the world. +[4953.42 --> 4955.10] You are an army +[4955.10 --> 4955.82] for the day +[4955.82 --> 4956.40] of the Lord. +[4957.26 --> 4957.80] This speaks +[4957.80 --> 4958.60] to our identity +[4958.60 --> 4959.90] and our purpose. +[4960.06 --> 4960.50] This speaks +[4960.50 --> 4961.52] to your motivation. +[4962.12 --> 4962.88] Children of the light +[4962.88 --> 4963.98] and children of the day +[4963.98 --> 4965.74] cannot be indifferent +[4965.74 --> 4966.46] to darkness. +[4969.62 --> 4970.50] So then, +[4970.62 --> 4971.54] let us not be like +[4971.54 --> 4972.80] others who are asleep +[4972.80 --> 4976.00] but let us be awake +[4976.00 --> 4977.74] and sober. +[4979.72 --> 4980.02] Again, +[4980.08 --> 4980.92] it's interesting to me +[4980.92 --> 4982.76] that in the previous section +[4982.76 --> 4983.90] Paul uses +[4983.90 --> 4985.42] the metaphor of sleep +[4985.42 --> 4986.66] to refer to death +[4986.66 --> 4987.48] and now +[4987.48 --> 4988.32] he's talking about +[4988.32 --> 4990.08] those who do not know Christ +[4990.08 --> 4991.18] as being asleep +[4991.18 --> 4992.36] and the deeds +[4992.36 --> 4993.20] that they do +[4993.20 --> 4994.48] being the deeds +[4994.48 --> 4995.16] of darkness. +[4996.04 --> 4996.58] He says that +[4996.58 --> 4997.18] Christians +[4997.18 --> 4998.10] are the ones +[4998.10 --> 4999.00] who are alive. +[4999.86 --> 5000.58] There's a sense +[5000.58 --> 5002.42] in which the spiritual reality +[5002.42 --> 5004.06] that we find ourselves in +[5004.06 --> 5005.98] is one of deathliness +[5005.98 --> 5007.32] apart from Christ. +[5007.78 --> 5008.84] But in Christ +[5008.84 --> 5009.72] we are finally +[5009.72 --> 5011.38] actually alive. +[5012.24 --> 5013.08] There's something +[5013.08 --> 5013.98] about life +[5013.98 --> 5015.36] already now +[5015.36 --> 5016.70] that has the marks +[5016.70 --> 5018.18] of eternal life +[5018.18 --> 5018.62] in it. +[5020.14 --> 5020.86] And Jesus said, +[5021.50 --> 5022.08] and this will be +[5022.08 --> 5022.96] on the screen behind me, +[5023.40 --> 5024.36] read with me. +[5024.42 --> 5025.02] Jesus said, +[5025.34 --> 5026.14] the Son of Man +[5026.14 --> 5027.22] must be lifted up +[5027.22 --> 5027.74] that everyone +[5027.74 --> 5028.80] who believes in Him +[5028.80 --> 5030.20] may have eternal life. +[5031.02 --> 5031.54] And then John +[5031.54 --> 5032.32] goes on to comment. +[5032.48 --> 5032.74] He says, +[5033.06 --> 5034.14] for God so loved +[5034.14 --> 5034.58] the world +[5034.58 --> 5035.26] that He gave +[5035.26 --> 5036.84] His one and only Son +[5036.84 --> 5037.82] that whoever believes +[5037.82 --> 5038.16] in Him +[5038.16 --> 5039.10] shall not perish +[5039.10 --> 5040.52] but have eternal life. +[5041.16 --> 5041.98] For God did not +[5041.98 --> 5042.74] send His Son +[5042.74 --> 5043.48] into the world +[5043.48 --> 5044.44] to condemn the world +[5044.44 --> 5045.46] but to save the world +[5045.46 --> 5045.92] through Him. +[5046.20 --> 5047.32] Whoever believes in Him +[5047.32 --> 5048.24] is not condemned. +[5048.94 --> 5049.98] This is the verdict. +[5050.20 --> 5050.96] Light has come +[5050.96 --> 5051.64] into the world +[5051.64 --> 5052.52] but people have loved +[5052.52 --> 5053.72] darkness instead of light +[5053.72 --> 5054.86] because their deeds +[5054.86 --> 5055.34] were evil. +[5055.68 --> 5056.52] But whoever lives +[5056.52 --> 5057.06] by the truth +[5057.06 --> 5058.42] comes into the light +[5058.42 --> 5060.78] so that it may be seen plainly +[5060.78 --> 5062.14] that what they have done +[5062.14 --> 5062.96] has been done +[5062.96 --> 5065.12] in the sight of God. +[5066.90 --> 5068.10] Eternal life, +[5068.80 --> 5070.84] the life of light, +[5071.14 --> 5073.14] is not only about quantity, +[5073.58 --> 5074.32] about the length +[5074.32 --> 5075.72] of unending days, +[5075.90 --> 5077.58] but it is about quality. +[5078.12 --> 5079.50] It's about the kind of life +[5079.50 --> 5081.18] you live already now, +[5081.42 --> 5082.92] in this moment, +[5083.20 --> 5083.92] in this world. +[5084.12 --> 5085.40] That's the message of Jesus. +[5085.66 --> 5086.86] That's the message of Paul +[5086.86 --> 5088.36] here in Thessalonians. +[5088.46 --> 5089.44] That's the life +[5089.44 --> 5090.82] that we baptized Jed +[5090.82 --> 5092.16] into this morning. +[5093.40 --> 5094.70] And make no mistake about it, +[5094.90 --> 5096.04] quality here +[5096.04 --> 5097.52] does not mean easy. +[5098.86 --> 5099.08] Right? +[5099.10 --> 5099.32] In fact, +[5099.38 --> 5100.86] we're given the opposite picture +[5100.86 --> 5102.40] as we are instructed +[5102.40 --> 5103.38] by Paul +[5103.38 --> 5105.18] to put on faith and love +[5105.18 --> 5106.14] as a breastplate. +[5106.70 --> 5106.92] Right? +[5107.00 --> 5108.72] And put on the hope +[5108.72 --> 5109.44] of salvation +[5109.44 --> 5110.16] as a helmet. +[5111.60 --> 5112.04] Right? +[5112.04 --> 5113.22] This is prepping for war. +[5114.22 --> 5115.62] There's a spiritual battle +[5115.62 --> 5117.16] between light and dark, +[5117.28 --> 5118.52] between heaven and hell. +[5118.76 --> 5119.70] That's the life +[5119.70 --> 5120.60] you are entering. +[5122.88 --> 5124.02] And to that end, +[5124.86 --> 5126.32] let me tie this metaphor +[5126.32 --> 5127.72] back to the language +[5127.72 --> 5128.50] from the beginning. +[5130.78 --> 5131.62] An indifferent +[5131.62 --> 5134.28] or a panicked soldier +[5134.28 --> 5135.94] risks losing +[5135.94 --> 5137.04] his entire platoon, +[5138.68 --> 5139.52] risks the life +[5139.52 --> 5141.16] of his entire platoon. +[5141.16 --> 5144.60] There is an identity here +[5144.60 --> 5147.30] and a mission-critical way +[5147.30 --> 5149.04] of living together. +[5152.04 --> 5153.42] For the security +[5153.42 --> 5154.46] of all of us +[5154.46 --> 5156.68] to be motivated +[5156.68 --> 5158.36] with the gospel. +[5160.04 --> 5161.16] The temptation is strong +[5161.72 --> 5162.68] and the truth +[5162.68 --> 5163.82] of the matter is real. +[5164.66 --> 5165.72] Some of us +[5165.72 --> 5166.74] are choosing +[5166.74 --> 5167.44] deathliness +[5167.44 --> 5168.90] and spiritual sleep +[5168.90 --> 5170.10] over real living. +[5170.10 --> 5171.74] real humanity, +[5171.94 --> 5172.68] real mission +[5172.68 --> 5174.08] is lived with God. +[5175.68 --> 5176.64] But the pull +[5176.64 --> 5177.36] of the empire +[5177.36 --> 5178.76] is strong. +[5179.92 --> 5181.40] Whether it's on coins +[5181.40 --> 5182.82] or altars +[5182.82 --> 5183.44] and pillars +[5183.44 --> 5185.26] or on TikTok +[5185.26 --> 5186.94] and YouTube, +[5187.94 --> 5188.88] the promise +[5188.88 --> 5190.68] of easy peace +[5190.68 --> 5192.40] and easy safety +[5192.40 --> 5193.58] is alluring. +[5195.26 --> 5196.46] But it's a lie. +[5196.46 --> 5200.36] don't believe the lie. +[5201.86 --> 5202.44] Instead, +[5203.14 --> 5203.92] instead, +[5204.50 --> 5205.24] armor up +[5205.24 --> 5206.80] and find +[5206.80 --> 5208.52] real life. +[5209.24 --> 5209.50] Amen? +[5210.18 --> 5211.30] Let's pray together. +[5211.30 --> 5217.66] Holy God, +[5217.74 --> 5218.34] Heavenly Father, +[5218.84 --> 5219.42] in the power +[5219.42 --> 5220.50] of your spirit, +[5221.30 --> 5221.88] may we go +[5221.88 --> 5222.98] from this place +[5222.98 --> 5225.04] armed and armored +[5225.04 --> 5226.56] with the power +[5226.56 --> 5227.48] of the gospel. +[5228.48 --> 5229.16] May we go +[5229.16 --> 5230.54] from this place +[5230.54 --> 5233.84] wearing the breastplate +[5233.84 --> 5234.52] of faith +[5234.52 --> 5235.22] and love. +[5235.90 --> 5236.46] May we go +[5236.46 --> 5237.24] from this place +[5237.24 --> 5238.12] with the helmet +[5238.12 --> 5238.66] of the hope +[5238.66 --> 5239.32] of salvation. +[5239.32 --> 5239.82] we go +[5239.82 --> 5240.52] from this place +[5240.52 --> 5241.96] with the sword +[5241.96 --> 5242.64] of the word +[5242.64 --> 5243.12] of God. +[5243.22 --> 5243.70] May we go +[5243.70 --> 5244.76] from this place +[5244.76 --> 5246.44] prepared +[5246.44 --> 5247.68] and equipped +[5247.68 --> 5249.74] to live +[5249.74 --> 5250.58] as people +[5250.58 --> 5252.48] of the light. +[5255.28 --> 5256.56] May your light +[5256.56 --> 5258.10] shine through us +[5258.10 --> 5259.04] today. +[5260.38 --> 5261.46] May your light +[5261.46 --> 5262.82] shine on us +[5262.82 --> 5263.94] and in us +[5263.94 --> 5265.40] and may that light +[5265.40 --> 5266.94] radiate out of us +[5266.94 --> 5267.74] as we go +[5267.74 --> 5269.46] into this week. +[5271.12 --> 5271.62] God, +[5271.70 --> 5273.30] you are so good +[5273.30 --> 5274.84] and help us +[5274.84 --> 5275.84] today to know +[5275.84 --> 5276.54] a little more +[5276.54 --> 5277.40] of who you are +[5277.40 --> 5278.54] and to live +[5278.54 --> 5279.52] a little more +[5279.52 --> 5280.86] as you have +[5280.86 --> 5281.50] called us +[5281.50 --> 5282.30] to live. +[5282.76 --> 5283.76] In Jesus we pray. +[5284.32 --> 5284.68] Amen. +[5284.68 --> 5284.78] Amen. +[5284.78 --> 5284.80] Amen. +[5284.80 --> 5284.84] Amen. +[5284.84 --> 5284.86] Amen. +[5284.86 --> 5284.88] Amen. +[5284.88 --> 5286.80] Amen. +[5286.80 --> 5288.80] Amen. +[5288.80 --> 5288.86] Amen. +[5288.86 --> 5290.80] Amen. +[5290.80 --> 5292.80] Amen. +[5292.80 --> 5292.86] Amen. +[5292.86 --> 5293.80] Amen. +[5293.80 --> 5294.86] Amen. +[5294.86 --> 5294.88] Amen. +[5294.88 --> 5294.92] Amen. +[5294.92 --> 5294.98] Amen. +[5294.98 --> 5295.02] Amen. +[5295.02 --> 5295.06] Amen. +[5297.74 --> 5297.98] Amen. +[5304.16 --> 5305.06] Amen. +[5311.46 --> 5315.94] Amen. +[5316.32 --> 5317.18] Amen. +[5317.44 --> 5317.82] Amen. +[5323.34 --> 5324.04] Amen. +[5324.98 --> 5326.00] Amen. +[5326.00 --> 5336.00] Robed in white apparel, washed in Jesus' blood +[5336.00 --> 5345.80] Lay away in heaven with the Lamb of God +[5345.80 --> 5357.88] Out of tribulation, death and Satan's hand +[5357.88 --> 5366.64] They have been translated at the Lord's command +[5366.64 --> 5375.68] In their hands they're holding palms of victory +[5375.68 --> 5385.68] Hark the duven chorus shouts triumphantly +[5385.68 --> 5397.54] Unto God Almighty sitting on the throne +[5397.54 --> 5407.54] And the Lamb victorious, be the praise of the Lord +[5407.54 --> 5417.54] God has brought salvation, He did wondrous things +[5417.54 --> 5427.54] Who shall not extol Thee, Holy King of kings +[5427.54 --> 5442.26] As you go, go as those sent by God, commissioned by Him with the message of the gospel. +[5442.42 --> 5446.98] Go as children of the light because God Himself goes with you. +[5447.30 --> 5450.30] And so receive God's blessing for the journey ahead. +[5450.30 --> 5453.92] God go before you to lead you. +[5454.30 --> 5456.28] God go behind you to protect you. +[5456.64 --> 5458.56] God go beneath you to support you. +[5458.90 --> 5461.32] God go beside you to befriend you. +[5462.04 --> 5463.30] Do not be afraid. +[5464.30 --> 5466.20] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5466.34 --> 5471.80] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5471.80 --> 5473.14] Amen. +[5473.14 --> 5473.34] Amen. +[5473.34 --> 5495.52] Now unto the King eternal +[5495.52 --> 5502.52] Unto the King immortal +[5502.52 --> 5508.96] Unto the King invisible +[5508.96 --> 5514.80] The only wise God +[5514.80 --> 5521.52] The only wise God +[5521.52 --> 5551.52] +[5551.52 --> 5558.52] The only wise God +[5558.52 --> 5559.52] The only wise God +[5559.52 --> 5561.52] The only wise God +[5561.52 --> 5564.52] Oh unto the King +[5564.52 --> 5568.52] The glory and honor +[5568.52 --> 5572.52] Unto the King forever +[5572.52 --> 5573.52] Unto the King +[5573.52 --> 5577.52] For ever +[5577.52 --> 5578.52] Unto the King +[5578.52 --> 5579.52] The glory and honor +[5579.52 --> 5581.52] For ever +[5581.52 --> 5583.52] And ever +[5583.52 --> 5586.52] Amen +[5586.52 --> 5591.52] Amen +[5591.52 --> 5593.52] Amen +[5593.52 --> 5597.52] Amen +[5597.52 --> 5599.52] Amen +[5599.52 --> 5600.96] Amen +[5600.96 --> 5610.92] Amen +[5611.48 --> 5611.98] Amen +[5611.98 --> 5612.40] Amen +[5616.52 --> 5618.18] Amen +[5618.18 --> 5622.52] Amen +[5625.88 --> 5625.90] Amen +[5625.90 --> 5628.28] Amen +[5628.28 --> 5629.50] Amen +[5629.50 --> 5659.48] Thank you. +[5659.50 --> 5689.48] Thank you. +[5689.50 --> 5691.50] Thank you. +[5719.50 --> 5721.50] Thank you. +[5749.50 --> 5751.50] Thank you. +[5779.50 --> 5781.50] Thank you. +[5809.50 --> 5811.50] Thank you. +[5839.50 --> 5841.50] Thank you. +[5869.50 --> 5871.50] Thank you. +[5899.50 --> 5901.50] Thank you. +[5929.50 --> 5931.50] Thank you. +[5959.50 --> 5961.50] Thank you. +[5989.50 --> 5991.50] Thank you. +[6019.50 --> 6021.50] Thank you. +[6049.50 --> 6051.50] Thank you. +[6079.50 --> 6081.50] Thank you. +[6109.50 --> 6111.50] Thank you. +[6139.50 --> 6141.50] Thank you. +[6169.50 --> 6171.50] Thank you. +[6199.50 --> 6201.50] Thank you. +[6229.50 --> 6231.50] Thank you. +[6259.50 --> 6261.50] Thank you. +[6289.50 --> 6291.50] Thank you. +[6319.50 --> 6321.50] Thank you. +[6321.50 --> 6322.50] Thank you. +[6322.50 --> 6323.34] Thank you. +[6323.50 --> 6324.50] Thank you. +[6324.50 --> 6325.50] Thank you. +[6325.50 --> 6326.50] I'm sorry. +[6326.50 --> 6327.50] I'm sorry. +[6327.50 --> 6328.50] I'm sorry. +[6328.50 --> 6329.50] Yeah. +[6329.50 --> 6330.50] I got a creative. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..997b8de9cf47bb38a360341f2855ae6323c711ab --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,89 @@ +• A future day when God will bring justice, love, and restoration to all creation +• The importance of living justly, showing mercy, and loving others in anticipation of this day +• The role of individuals as "hands and feet of Jesus" until that day arrives +• A focus on God's nature as a good, good father who loves and provides for His children +• Personal expressions of love and devotion to God, emphasizing His perfection and faithfulness +• Discussion on shame and blame, with a message that God can turn broken things into something beautiful +• Announcements: + + Mexico Mission trip: need volunteers to pick up team members from SeaTac airport + + Reactivate style conference in East TJ had over 150 youth participants + + Youth camp registration is open until March 30th +• Invitation to worship and receive God's greeting, with a reading of Psalm 89 verses 1-3 +• Singing and celebration of God's love and faithfulness +• Redemption through Jesus Christ and the power of faith +• Overcoming fear and addiction through surrender to God +• Praise and worship for the wonders of God's love +• Identity as a child of God, free from slavery to fear +• Spiritual growth and rest in Jesus, especially during Lent season +• Worship song about constant need for God's presence and power +• Welcome of new church member Aidan Eyre +• Reaffirmation of faith and commitment to church mission +• Brief presentation by Aidan Eyre on his story and work at Trinity Western University +• Aidan shares his background in linguistics and translation, hoping to join Wycliffe Bible Translators +• He grew up surrounded by the world of Bible translation through his parents' work with Wycliffe in North America +• Aidan felt a strong calling to Bible translation during an internship at CanIL and is now pursuing a master's degree in linguistics +• His goal is to help deliver God's word to minority language groups who have been forgotten or marginalized +• He plans to join Wycliffe after completing his master's program and has been given the opportunity to spend three months in Africa this summer for training and language engagement +• The community prays for Aidan, seeking clarity on God's call on his life and guidance in serving Him through Bible translation +• The church budget +• A ministry to seafarers with locations in Vancouver and Tawasson +• Support for volunteers who visit seafarers, provide safe places for them to contact their families, and help with appointments +• Nominations for elders and deacons in the church +• Request for prayer for Tara Porter's husband +• Prayers for various individuals dealing with struggles and illnesses +• Blessings for the nomination process +• Reflection on Jesus' prayer life and its significance for believers +• Request for conviction and improvement in personal prayer time and scripture study +• Prayer for young people, teachers, parents, and workers +• Seeking focus on God while doing daily tasks +• Sharing loving words with others at work or in daily interactions +• Prayers for those undergoing surgery this week +• Reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 +• Discussion of treating leaders with respect and acknowledgement +• Nomination announcements for new church leaders +• Acknowledging Jesus' life and death as a substitution for our own sin +• The gospel and new identity as Christians +• Marks of a healthy church: acknowledging leaders and people looking out for each other +• Recognizing hard work among leaders, those who care for others, and those who admonish them +• Seeing and knowing leaders, which includes genuine appreciation and acknowledgment +• Church leaders (elders, deacons, pastors) who labor among the body of Christ +• The concept of "labor" in church leadership, including its demands and rewards +• Inviting others into Jesus' rest by working hard among them +• Supporting and thanking church leaders for their service +• Acknowledging and caring for those who care for others in the Lord +• The role of church leaders as servant-leaders, ministers, and overseers who direct the affairs of the church +• Admonishing others with truth and protecting against false spirituality +• The importance of acknowledging and showing respect for church leaders +• The need for a culture of love, peace, and harmony within the church community +• The responsibility of members to create a healthy church culture +• The role of church members in holding leaders accountable and promoting peaceful relationships +• The six imperatives listed in verse 14 for churches to follow: + + Warn those who are idle and disruptive + + Encourage the disheartened + + Help the weak + + Be patient with everyone + + Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong + + Always strive to do what is good +• The importance of admonishing, warning, and encouraging one another +• The culture of politeness and tolerance can hinder accountability and confrontation +• Warning against being idle and disruptive, and the negative impact on community stability +• The contrast between leaders who work hard as examples and those who are idle and immature in their faith +• Encouraging disheartened individuals, comforting the discouraged, and speaking hope in dark times +• The biblical concept of "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable" and its relevance to church leadership and community. +• Characteristics of a healthy church include comforting those who feel disheartened, helping the weak, accepting help and correction +• Patience is essential for a healthy church, especially with difficult individuals +• A healthy church practices justice infused with mercy, seeking to restore members to God and each other rather than responding with evil +• Healthy churches strive to do good for each other and the community around them, having eyes that are simultaneously looking inward and outward. +• Characteristics of a healthy church +• Inviting people to experience God's goodness through the church +• Nurturing relationships within the church +• Lifting up leaders and acknowledging their work +• Living out kingdom justice and restoring relationships +• Being patient, comforting the discouraged, and warning those who are out of step +• Serving both within and beyond the church community +• The importance of individual responsibility for spiritual growth and application +• Prophecies of the earth's restoration and God's reign +• The crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ +• Angels gathering before God and crying out in praise +• God's power and glory as King of all kings and Lord of all lords +• Themes of worship, thanksgiving, and celebration \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..1eb8dc4f387b4699876a6e361d542ff211d898c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 23, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1093 @@ +[0.00 --> 4.10] There's a day that is coming +[4.10 --> 8.34] When all the last will be first +[8.34 --> 11.90] Every orphan will be home +[11.90 --> 13.94] And all will be filled +[13.94 --> 16.40] With hunger and thirst +[16.40 --> 19.96] It's gonna be a celebration +[19.96 --> 23.26] All our creation longs for +[23.26 --> 27.16] And while we're waiting for that day +[27.16 --> 29.18] To come +[29.18 --> 31.88] We've got a little more time +[31.88 --> 34.02] To do justly +[34.02 --> 35.94] And love mercy +[35.94 --> 39.14] And show the love we've been shown +[39.14 --> 41.76] For we can only be +[41.76 --> 45.36] The hands and feet of Jesus +[45.36 --> 49.24] Till He leads us home +[49.24 --> 55.46] He will lead us home +[59.18 --> 63.34] There's a day that is coming +[63.34 --> 67.34] A day that ever will end +[67.34 --> 71.18] There in the light of His glory +[71.18 --> 75.14] Everything broken will be whole again +[75.14 --> 79.02] And this will be the celebration +[79.02 --> 81.90] All our creation longs for +[81.90 --> 86.22] And while we're waiting for that day +[86.22 --> 88.18] To come +[88.18 --> 90.88] We've got a little more time +[90.88 --> 92.58] To love +[92.58 --> 98.98] Just a little more time +[98.98 --> 99.58] To love +[99.58 --> 103.08] Just a little more time +[103.08 --> 103.84] To love +[103.84 --> 116.54] Just a little more time +[116.54 --> 118.54] To love +[118.54 --> 124.38] Peter Lamote +[124.38 --> 124.92] There in the light of his mother +[124.98 --> 125.46] To come +[125.54 --> 126.76] There in the night +[126.98 --> 128.38] Peace +[128.38 --> 129.38] Louis +[129.38 --> 130.92] Alec +[131.14 --> 131.54] Andерт +[131.90 --> 132.80] In the night +[132.84 --> 133.34] Loan +[133.34 --> 133.72] que +[133.72 --> 163.70] I love you. +[163.72 --> 172.46] I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like. +[172.80 --> 182.32] But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night. +[182.32 --> 191.18] And you tell me that you're pleased and that I'm never alone. +[191.18 --> 196.16] You're a good, good father. +[196.64 --> 198.24] It's who you are. +[198.92 --> 200.52] It's who you are. +[201.12 --> 202.92] It's who you are. +[202.92 --> 206.06] And I'm loved by you. +[206.48 --> 208.02] It's who I am. +[208.66 --> 210.62] It's who I am. +[211.32 --> 213.90] It's who I am. +[213.90 --> 223.90] Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers. +[224.90 --> 227.10] Far and wide. +[227.10 --> 234.06] But I know we're all searching for answers. +[234.48 --> 237.32] Only you provide cause. +[237.38 --> 245.56] You know just what we need before we say a word. +[245.56 --> 248.32] And you're a good, good father. +[248.74 --> 250.22] It's who you are. +[250.84 --> 252.72] It's who you are. +[253.30 --> 255.12] It's who you are. +[255.58 --> 258.04] And I'm loved by you. +[258.48 --> 260.18] It's who I am. +[260.18 --> 262.18] It's who I am. +[262.18 --> 265.18] It's who I am. +[265.18 --> 270.86] Because you are perfect in all of your ways. +[271.24 --> 275.94] You are perfect in all of your ways. +[275.94 --> 284.72] You are perfect in all of your ways to us. +[284.72 --> 311.66] Oh, it's love so undeniable. +[311.66 --> 317.66] I can hardly speak peace. +[317.66 --> 321.78] So unexplainable. +[321.78 --> 328.96] I can hardly think as you call me. +[329.36 --> 333.90] Deeper still as you call me. +[334.34 --> 338.88] Deeper still as you call me. +[338.88 --> 342.62] Deeper still into love. +[342.98 --> 344.88] Love, love. +[344.94 --> 347.56] You're a good, good father. +[348.00 --> 349.50] It's who you are. +[349.88 --> 352.06] It's who you are. +[352.56 --> 354.44] It's who you are. +[354.44 --> 357.50] And I'm loved by you. +[358.00 --> 359.52] It's who I am. +[360.06 --> 362.12] It's who I am. +[362.74 --> 364.70] It's who I am. +[364.70 --> 369.70] It's who you are. +[369.70 --> 371.94] It's who you are. +[372.44 --> 374.70] It's who you are. +[374.70 --> 377.32] And I'm loved by you. +[377.70 --> 379.30] It's who I am. +[379.70 --> 382.02] It's who I am. +[382.38 --> 384.26] It's who I am. +[384.26 --> 388.32] It's who I am. +[388.32 --> 391.44] It's who I am. +[391.44 --> 392.52] It's who you are. +[392.52 --> 394.26] It's who you are. +[394.26 --> 397.08] And I'm loved by you. +[397.08 --> 399.30] It's who I am. +[399.30 --> 401.72] It's who I am. +[401.72 --> 404.52] It's who I am. +[404.52 --> 416.52] It's who I am. +[416.52 --> 419.60] It's who I am. +[419.60 --> 421.64] It's who I am. +[422.02 --> 424.06] It's who I am. +[424.06 --> 454.04] I love you +[454.06 --> 458.10] I see you sitting over there with your head in your hands +[458.10 --> 461.04] And the mess life's made of your best laid plans +[461.04 --> 465.18] You really want to shake your fist, but you don't know who to blame +[465.18 --> 468.36] Well, you can blame yourself or the man upstairs +[468.36 --> 470.94] Or the guy on the screen who says he cares +[470.94 --> 473.70] But all the shame and the blame won't change a thing +[473.70 --> 475.02] What's done is done +[475.02 --> 477.88] Oh, but grace has just begun +[477.88 --> 481.64] And God says, I'm gonna turn it into something different +[481.64 --> 484.14] I'm gonna turn it into something good +[484.14 --> 489.36] I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could +[489.36 --> 491.96] So put it all in the hands of the Father +[491.96 --> 499.84] Give it up, give it all over to the only one who can turn it into something beautiful +[499.84 --> 505.46] Something really beautiful +[505.46 --> 509.88] We know the world got broke when it took the fall +[509.88 --> 512.48] And here we are living in the middle of it all +[512.48 --> 516.68] Longing, waiting for the day when everything's restored +[516.68 --> 519.98] But the best of the beauty that we get to see +[519.98 --> 522.72] While we're living down here and it's yet to be +[522.72 --> 526.56] Is to watch God take the most broken things and to hear Him say +[526.56 --> 530.22] When I get through, you're gonna be amazed +[530.22 --> 533.14] Cause I'm gonna turn it into something different +[533.14 --> 535.74] I'm gonna turn it into something good +[535.74 --> 540.98] I'm gonna take all the broken pieces and make something beautiful like only I could +[540.98 --> 543.54] So put it all in the hands of the Father +[543.54 --> 547.58] Give it up, give it all over to the only one who can turn it into something good +[547.58 --> 559.90] Good morning +[559.90 --> 564.66] There was like a definitive hush that settled over the crowd that time +[564.66 --> 564.94] Wow +[564.94 --> 567.46] Welcome to church +[567.46 --> 568.38] Welcome to worship +[568.38 --> 572.44] A special welcome if you are a guest here with us this morning +[572.44 --> 573.34] My name is Chris +[573.34 --> 579.74] I'm one of the pastors here and it's my privilege to lead in our shared worship together this morning +[579.74 --> 582.54] Before we begin, we have a couple announcements to make +[582.54 --> 586.48] The first of which is regarding Mexico Mission +[586.48 --> 592.62] So currently, our church has a group of young people and leaders in Mexico +[592.62 --> 595.94] Serving in East TJ and Rosarito +[595.94 --> 600.56] They come back on Tuesday and we need people to pick them up +[600.56 --> 606.68] And so we have rides home for 14 of the 22 currently +[606.68 --> 615.82] And so we need another vehicle or probably two to go down on Tuesday with us as we pick them up +[615.82 --> 619.18] And so if you're able to do that, please just grab me after service +[619.18 --> 621.50] So we can get that coordinated +[621.50 --> 623.62] And get going +[623.62 --> 627.44] They have to be picked up at 5 p.m. from Seattle SeaTac +[627.44 --> 628.70] Now +[628.70 --> 633.04] Here's something to encourage you to do that +[633.04 --> 637.20] We got a message yesterday from Brandon who's leading the team there +[637.20 --> 642.00] They hosted a reactivate style conference +[642.00 --> 643.30] Yesterday +[643.30 --> 647.14] And so reactivate is a conference that we host here for youth +[647.14 --> 649.84] We have about 200 youth and leaders who come +[649.84 --> 658.56] They hosted the first ever reactivate style conference at pastor abelino's church in the slums of east TJ +[658.56 --> 663.58] And they had over 150 youth and participants show up to that event +[663.58 --> 666.32] Which is absolutely amazing +[666.32 --> 673.90] And so you can imagine the stories that the youth in the team is going to tell on the way home +[673.90 --> 678.96] So you get to hear those firsthand and right away as you drive them back +[678.96 --> 681.96] Which is one of the unique privileges of driving and picking them up +[681.96 --> 685.94] So encourage you to think about whether or not you're able to do that +[685.94 --> 694.50] And then also pastor kevin has asked that I remind you youth and parents of youth that youth camp +[694.50 --> 698.68] Registration is out and closes on march 30th +[698.68 --> 700.50] Which is next week sunday +[700.50 --> 704.78] And so if you haven't yet registered or registered your child for youth camp +[704.78 --> 707.24] Please do that this week coming up +[707.24 --> 709.70] That's it for our announcements this morning +[709.70 --> 712.08] So i'm going to invite you as you are able and where you are +[712.08 --> 717.06] You might stand together as we enter into the presence of god in worship +[717.06 --> 729.42] I invite you to receive god's greeting his welcome into this sacred space of worship together +[729.42 --> 731.18] Receive the greeting of our god +[731.18 --> 732.72] Grace +[732.72 --> 734.12] Mercy +[734.12 --> 742.12] And peace to you from god our father from the lord jesus christ his son and our savior through the presence and power of the holy spirit +[742.12 --> 743.48] Amen +[759.42 --> 789.40] Psalm 89 verses 1 to 3 +[789.40 --> 789.86] He says +[789.86 --> 792.66] I will sing of the lord's great love forever +[792.66 --> 794.36] With my mouth +[794.36 --> 797.70] I will make your faithfulness known through all generations +[797.70 --> 800.86] I will declare that your love stands firm forever +[800.86 --> 804.90] That you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself +[804.90 --> 809.20] So why don't we join our voices and just celebrate god's love and faithfulness this morning +[809.20 --> 827.74] Come all ye weary come all ye thirsty come to the well that never runs dry drink of the one that never runs dry +[827.74 --> 843.32] Come all you weary, come all you thirsty, come to the well that never runs right. Drink of the water, come and thirst no more. +[843.32 --> 862.32] Come all you sinners, come find His mercy, come to the table, He will satisfy. Taste of His goodness, find what you're looking for. +[862.32 --> 878.58] For God so loved the world that He gave us, His one and only Son to save us. Whoever believes in Him will live forever. +[878.58 --> 897.84] Bring all your failures, bring your addictions, come lay them down at the foot of the cross. Jesus is waiting there with open arms. +[897.84 --> 913.84] For God so loved the world that He gave us, His one and only Son to save us. Whoever believes in Him will live forever. +[913.84 --> 932.84] The power of hell forever defeated, how it is well. I'm walking in freedom for God so loved, God so loved the world. +[932.84 --> 952.16] Praise God, praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[952.16 --> 971.48] Praise God, praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[971.48 --> 1001.46] Praise God, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[1001.48 --> 1031.46] Praise God, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[1031.58 --> 1035.84] Praise God, praise Him, for God. +[1036.48 --> 1041.42] OFF +[1061.48 --> 1072.42] You unravel me with a melody +[1072.42 --> 1079.08] You surround me with a song +[1079.08 --> 1086.20] Of deliverance from my enemies +[1086.20 --> 1092.52] Till all my fears are gone +[1092.52 --> 1099.20] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1099.20 --> 1105.88] I am a child of God +[1105.88 --> 1112.92] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1112.92 --> 1119.24] I am a child of God +[1119.24 --> 1132.56] From my mother's womb +[1132.56 --> 1136.24] You have chosen me +[1136.24 --> 1141.94] Love has called my name +[1141.94 --> 1145.78] I've been born again +[1145.78 --> 1148.48] Into your family +[1148.48 --> 1155.06] Your blood rose through my veins +[1155.06 --> 1161.38] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1161.38 --> 1168.02] I am a child of God +[1168.02 --> 1174.52] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1174.52 --> 1180.84] I am a child of God +[1180.84 --> 1187.42] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1187.42 --> 1193.84] I am a child of God +[1193.84 --> 1207.16] I am a child of God +[1207.16 --> 1224.56] You split the sea so I could walk right through it +[1224.56 --> 1228.48] My fears were drowned in perfect love +[1228.48 --> 1236.80] You rescued me so I could walk right through it +[1236.80 --> 1241.80] I am a child of God +[1241.80 --> 1249.68] You split the sea so I could walk right through it +[1249.68 --> 1256.00] My fears were drowned in perfect love +[1256.00 --> 1261.50] You rescued me so I could stand and sing +[1261.50 --> 1267.00] I am a child of God +[1267.00 --> 1272.32] I am a child of God +[1272.32 --> 1275.32] I am a child of God +[1275.32 --> 1279.82] I am a child of God +[1279.82 --> 1282.32] I am a child of God +[1282.32 --> 1288.72] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1288.72 --> 1295.04] I am a child of God +[1295.04 --> 1297.04] I am a child of God +[1297.04 --> 1302.10] I'm no longer a slave to fear +[1302.10 --> 1308.04] I am a child of God +[1308.04 --> 1312.38] I invite you to be seated +[1312.38 --> 1322.44] Last week I walked into the lobby +[1322.44 --> 1325.56] And I was reading the verse that's on the wall there +[1325.56 --> 1327.46] Matthew 11, 28-29 +[1327.46 --> 1330.10] It just got me thinking a little bit +[1330.10 --> 1331.78] It says, +[1331.88 --> 1334.04] Come to me, all who are weary and burdened +[1334.04 --> 1335.10] And I will give you rest +[1335.10 --> 1337.88] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me +[1337.88 --> 1340.62] For I am quiet and humble in heart +[1340.62 --> 1344.12] And you will find rest for your souls +[1344.12 --> 1349.96] I just find that we can be so distracted by our own failures +[1349.96 --> 1352.64] Distracted by even cultural values +[1352.64 --> 1354.12] Life pressures +[1354.12 --> 1356.84] Mouth is dry +[1356.84 --> 1359.12] Life pressures +[1359.12 --> 1362.84] If we're honest with each other and ourselves +[1362.84 --> 1364.64] There's a long list of distractions +[1364.64 --> 1369.10] We can hardly hear the voice of Jesus offering us rest +[1369.10 --> 1371.82] So I thought this Lent season is a good time +[1371.82 --> 1373.40] To take him at his offer +[1373.40 --> 1377.44] To take his yoke upon us +[1377.44 --> 1380.48] And to rest in the victory he has won +[1380.48 --> 1383.02] And to live in his love +[1383.02 --> 1386.48] So let his gentle, humble heart +[1386.48 --> 1389.94] Draw us into a life filled with his love +[1389.94 --> 1392.30] Let's bow our heads +[1392.30 --> 1398.32] Father, will you by your spirit quiet our hearts +[1398.32 --> 1401.86] So we can hear your invitation to rest in you +[1401.86 --> 1405.90] Forgive us for allowing +[1405.90 --> 1408.36] The concerns of this life +[1408.36 --> 1409.80] To drown out your voice +[1409.80 --> 1412.40] In this Lent season +[1412.40 --> 1415.34] Help us to reflect on your sacrifice +[1415.34 --> 1418.12] Your love poured out for us +[1418.12 --> 1422.36] Quiet us and enfold us in your love +[1422.36 --> 1425.40] We need you every hour +[1425.40 --> 1426.42] Amen +[1426.42 --> 1430.60] Why don't we stand and continue worship +[1435.90 --> 1444.76] Thank you +[1458.72 --> 1461.46] Thank you +[1461.46 --> 1465.56] Michael +[1465.56 --> 1482.28] I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord, no tender voice like Thy can peace afford. +[1482.28 --> 1499.10] I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1499.10 --> 1516.52] I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby, temptations lose their power when Thou art gone. +[1516.52 --> 1533.28] I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1533.28 --> 1552.26] I need Thee every hour, enjoy your pain, come quickly and abide, for life is vain. +[1552.26 --> 1570.26] I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1570.26 --> 1588.26] I need Thee every hour, most holy one, O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son. +[1588.26 --> 1605.26] I need Thee every hour, most holy one, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1618.26 --> 1648.24] I need Thee every hour, most holy one, my Savior, I come to Thee, O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1648.24 --> 1678.22] I need Thee every hour, most holy one, my Savior, I come to Thee, O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. +[1678.24 --> 1689.24] Sing a new song, sing a new song, to hear new sin song, Heaven's mercy sing. +[1689.24 --> 1703.02] Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. +[1703.02 --> 1719.02] With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, you are my everything, and I will adore you. +[1719.02 --> 1742.02] Golden rainbows, a living color, flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder. +[1742.02 --> 1744.02] Golden rainbows, a living color, heavy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. +[1744.02 --> 1746.02] Golden rainbows, a living color, most holy is the Lord God Almighty, who is and is and is to come. +[1746.02 --> 1749.06] in honor strength and glory +[1749.06 --> 1750.10] glory +[1750.10 --> 1754.98] to you the only wise +[1754.98 --> 1757.06] king +[1757.06 --> 1761.06] holy holy holy +[1761.06 --> 1763.86] is the lord god almighty +[1763.86 --> 1769.06] who was and is and is to come +[1769.06 --> 1773.22] with all creation +[1773.22 --> 1777.22] i sing praise to the king of me +[1777.22 --> 1781.22] you are my everything +[1781.22 --> 1787.22] and i will adore you +[1797.22 --> 1801.22] filled with wonder +[1801.22 --> 1805.22] all struck wonder +[1805.22 --> 1809.22] at the mention of your name +[1809.22 --> 1813.22] filled with wonder +[1813.22 --> 1817.22] all struck wonder +[1817.22 --> 1825.22] at the mention of your name +[1825.22 --> 1827.22] filled with wonder +[1827.22 --> 1831.22] all struck wonder +[1831.22 --> 1841.22] and the mention of your name +[1841.22 --> 1843.22] breath of +[1843.22 --> 1845.22] breath of living water +[1845.22 --> 1848.44] Such a marvelous mystery. +[1851.84 --> 1861.90] Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. +[1864.34 --> 1870.66] With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings. +[1870.66 --> 1877.36] You are my everything and I will adore you. +[1878.26 --> 1887.88] Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. +[1890.88 --> 1896.56] With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings. +[1896.56 --> 1904.26] You are my everything and I will adore you. +[1904.26 --> 1915.66] I invite you to be seated. +[1915.66 --> 1916.66] Amen. +[1916.66 --> 1917.66] Amen. +[1917.66 --> 1919.66] Amen. +[1922.10 --> 1931.84] This morning in our worship together we have the blessed opportunity to welcome a new member into our church fellowship. +[1932.26 --> 1938.26] This morning we're going to welcome Aidan Eyre into our church family. +[1938.44 --> 1941.66] Aidan has been worshiping with us for some time now. +[1941.66 --> 1945.44] He's a master's student at Trinity Western University. +[1945.98 --> 1949.80] He's working with the Canada Institute of Linguistics. +[1950.78 --> 1953.46] He's originally from Calgary where he still has family. +[1954.02 --> 1959.86] And in fact he's going to share a little bit with us later what he's up to and what God is calling him to. +[1960.00 --> 1965.10] Because it's a neat opportunity I think for us to encourage him and support him in that work too. +[1965.10 --> 1972.30] But to do that Aidan I want to invite you to the front as we welcome you into the fellowship of this church. +[1972.40 --> 1975.18] We're going to do so with a couple questions where you can reaffirm your faith. +[1975.28 --> 1977.02] Just come up here and then you can have a microphone. +[1980.94 --> 1987.90] So this morning we're going to ask that you reaffirm your faith and your commitment to God's mission in and through Langley Emanuel. +[1988.08 --> 1993.82] Us here to our city, to our region, and to the world through what God is doing in our midst. +[1993.82 --> 1999.56] So I'm going to ask you three questions and I'm going to invite you to respond by saying adieu with God's help. +[2002.94 --> 2010.92] As we welcome you into this church family we ask you to affirm your faith that you have professed and your commitment to God's mission among us. +[2011.48 --> 2017.92] And so do you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord and that in him alone is hope and freedom from sin found? +[2017.92 --> 2026.92] Do you believe that the Bible is the word of God revealing his plan for redemption in Jesus Christ and the preaching and teaching of Langley Emanuel reflect this truth? +[2026.92 --> 2035.68] And do you promise with the help of the Holy Spirit to do all you can to strengthen your relationship to Jesus by being a part of the life of this church, +[2035.84 --> 2044.10] recognizing its oversight and authority, and joining with us on mission for Jesus in this community, this city, and to the world? +[2044.58 --> 2045.74] Aidan, what is your answer? +[2046.38 --> 2047.72] I do with God's help. +[2047.86 --> 2048.12] Amen. +[2048.12 --> 2048.24] Amen. +[2048.80 --> 2051.38] Let's welcome Aidan to our church family together. +[2058.02 --> 2063.08] Because what Aidan is up to at Trinity, I think, is really cool, +[2063.50 --> 2068.76] I've asked if he would share a little bit about his story and what brought him to this place and what he sees God doing. +[2069.14 --> 2070.94] So we're going to hear from Aidan at this point. +[2071.18 --> 2074.68] After which, I'm going to invite an elder to come up, so don't run away at the end. +[2074.88 --> 2075.20] Go ahead. +[2075.20 --> 2076.64] All right. +[2076.86 --> 2077.58] Hey, everyone. +[2077.80 --> 2079.20] I am Aidan Eyre. +[2079.72 --> 2086.66] I'm from Calgary, and I'm currently taking a master's program in linguistics and translation at Trinity Western University, +[2087.34 --> 2090.64] hoping to join in the ministry of Bible translation. +[2091.48 --> 2095.62] My parents have both been with Wycliffe Bible Translators since before I was born. +[2096.30 --> 2102.46] And so, I mean, they never actually worked overseas, but they did sort of administrative roles here in North America. +[2102.46 --> 2110.32] And so I kind of grew up in that whole world, knowing about Bible translation, hearing stories around the world. +[2110.62 --> 2117.80] But it wasn't really until halfway through my undergraduate degree that he started to give me my own strong calling for it. +[2117.80 --> 2125.90] I got the chance to attend a summer program out at CanIL, the Canada Institute of Linguistics, which is at Trinity Western. +[2125.90 --> 2131.08] And just seeing people's passion and hearing the stories of God's work all around the world. +[2131.64 --> 2136.50] It's just so inspiring and just really cut through to my heart. +[2136.50 --> 2143.72] And so, yeah, I decided to start my own master's program in June of 2023. +[2144.02 --> 2147.62] So I'm just about two years in with one year left to go. +[2147.70 --> 2149.94] And after that, I intend to join Wycliffe myself. +[2149.94 --> 2158.70] And I'm just so glad that God's brought me where he has because he's surrounded me with some of the most amazing godly people that I've ever met. +[2158.90 --> 2163.42] And they've just blessed me in so many ways with their depth of character and Bible knowledge. +[2163.62 --> 2165.14] It just astounds me. +[2165.26 --> 2167.48] And it's just taught me so much. +[2167.48 --> 2183.24] And he's also given me an intense compassion for minority language groups because these are often people who have kind of been forgotten, cast out, ostracized, even looked down upon by other members of society. +[2184.08 --> 2195.64] The government doesn't recognize them in most cases as having official status, even though they've usually been there for generations and generations before the larger languages have. +[2195.64 --> 2209.56] But it forces them to have to learn these larger languages that have come in in order to communicate with other towns, but also often to be able to take in God's word. +[2210.08 --> 2217.10] They have to learn a separate language aside from their heart language in order to be able to intake God's word and his message to them. +[2217.10 --> 2228.96] And that just is sad to me because it kind of acts as an additional barrier for God to be able to effectively communicate to them and really speak into their hearts. +[2229.74 --> 2241.16] And so I just want to help work in Bible translation and help deliver God's word to them in the language that they know best and that speaks to them emotionally. +[2241.16 --> 2245.12] And there's just so much work that needs to be done. +[2245.74 --> 2254.24] There's about 7,000 languages in the world and only a little over 10% of those actually have a full Bible, which is such a small number. +[2254.24 --> 2259.20] I've started to feel God specifically calling me to Africa. +[2259.96 --> 2267.20] And so in order to help prepare me for that, he's actually given me an amazing opportunity to spend three months in Africa this summer. +[2267.92 --> 2279.24] And so I'll be going with a Wycliffe team in May to visit language communities in South Africa and Namibia, just kind of seeing parts of the translation process and helping get involved in scripture engagement activities. +[2279.24 --> 2297.46] And then I'll get to spend June and July helping teach a linguistics class at a training school in Nairobi, Kenya, with the focus of helping train local translators from all across the continent of Africa in order to better equip them with the linguistic skills that will help in their translation efforts. +[2297.46 --> 2298.46] Yeah. +[2300.46 --> 2315.08] And so I just can't wait for the chance to see God's word in action in those tangible ways, transforming lives, but also to see the transformation that he'll inevitably be taking me through, both through this trip this summer, but also through the crazy life that he's calling me into. +[2316.36 --> 2316.70] Yeah. +[2316.88 --> 2317.70] So thank you. +[2318.06 --> 2322.92] I'm so excited to join this community over the next year and beyond. +[2324.30 --> 2325.18] Thanks for that. +[2327.46 --> 2328.42] Eric up to the front. +[2328.56 --> 2332.62] Eric is one of the pastoral elders here in our church community. +[2333.18 --> 2339.80] He's not the pastoral elder of the district that we have put you in because it's spring break and that pastoral elder isn't here. +[2340.32 --> 2342.92] But the one you're in is about the same height as Eric. +[2343.54 --> 2345.76] So you should be able to see him in a crowd. +[2345.86 --> 2348.72] I'll make sure Seth reaches out to you this week. +[2349.20 --> 2353.08] We're going to take a moment and just pray for Aidan and for God's call on his life. +[2353.08 --> 2356.58] So I invite you to join your heart with us in prayer together. +[2357.46 --> 2364.58] God, we thank you for the testimony of your faithfulness that Aidan shared with us just now. +[2365.12 --> 2371.14] We thank you for the calling that you've placed on his life and for the process of discernment that he is now in, +[2371.56 --> 2378.68] even as he grows in his skills and capacities, even as he exercises his response to your call. +[2378.68 --> 2391.02] We pray, Lord, for clarity of heart and mind as he listens to the voice of the Holy Spirit and discerns more precisely where it is you are calling him to go with your word. +[2391.40 --> 2401.08] And how it is that you are calling him to bring that word to unreached places, unreached people groups, and un-yet-translated languages. +[2401.08 --> 2405.66] God, you are so good and your word is so powerful. +[2405.66 --> 2416.38] And we thank you for people like Aidan who commit themselves and their lives to serving you by bringing your word into places it has not yet gone. +[2416.90 --> 2422.00] And so we pray, Lord God, accomplish your purpose in him and through him. +[2422.00 --> 2431.90] And may he be blessed as he joins our fellowship and may we, together as the body of Christ, be blessed for having him among us. +[2432.40 --> 2434.82] We pray this, Jesus, in your most holy name. +[2435.44 --> 2435.70] Amen. +[2437.00 --> 2437.32] Amen. +[2438.20 --> 2438.70] Thanks, Aidan. +[2439.34 --> 2441.78] We're going to continue our worship with the offering, +[2442.04 --> 2445.62] so I'm going to invite the deacon to come forward and explain what our offering this morning is. +[2452.00 --> 2460.26] Good morning, everyone. +[2460.50 --> 2465.90] Welcome, Aidan, and thank you for your global perspective this morning. +[2467.18 --> 2472.18] The offering, my name is Allison, first of all, and I'm a deacon here at the church. +[2472.84 --> 2480.86] The offerings, we are supporting this morning, first of all, the budget for the workings of the church here. +[2480.86 --> 2484.82] The other one is also kind of global. +[2486.38 --> 2488.46] It's a ministry to seafarers. +[2489.24 --> 2493.14] There are two locations, one in Vancouver, one in Tawasson. +[2494.14 --> 2501.66] And the volunteers there go visit the seafarers on the ships up to 40 roughly a month. +[2502.00 --> 2508.12] That's a huge number of people from all over the world, and they come to our harbors. +[2508.12 --> 2514.02] And the volunteers of the ministry to seafarers help them. +[2514.28 --> 2515.42] They take them to appointments. +[2515.80 --> 2524.12] They have safe places for the seafarers to go to contact their families that they're separated from for months, +[2524.92 --> 2526.54] sometimes years at a time. +[2526.54 --> 2531.60] So that's what we're supporting this morning. +[2532.12 --> 2533.98] And there are multiple ways. +[2534.44 --> 2535.22] Check your bulletin. +[2535.32 --> 2538.66] Check the website for ways to give to both those. +[2539.66 --> 2540.16] Thank you. +[2540.16 --> 2543.30] Thank you. +[2547.70 --> 2569.70] Thank you. +[2569.70 --> 2583.70] Your faithfulness stretches to the sky. +[2583.70 --> 2593.70] Your righteousness is what reminds mountains. +[2593.70 --> 2602.70] Your justice flows like the ocean top. +[2602.70 --> 2612.70] And I will lift my arms to worship you, my being. +[2612.70 --> 2623.70] I will find my strength in the shadow of your wings. +[2623.70 --> 2633.70] Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. +[2633.70 --> 2643.70] Your faithfulness stretches to the sky. +[2643.70 --> 2652.70] Your righteousness is what reminds mountains. +[2652.70 --> 2661.70] Your justice flows like the ocean top. +[2661.70 --> 2671.70] I will lift my voice to worship you, my being. +[2671.70 --> 2680.70] I will find my strength in the shadow of your wings. +[2680.70 --> 2681.70] Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. +[2681.70 --> 2682.70] Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. +[2682.70 --> 2683.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2683.70 --> 2689.70] I will lift my voice to worship you, my being. +[2689.70 --> 2690.70] I will lift my voice to worship you, my being. +[2690.70 --> 2691.70] Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens. +[2691.70 --> 2692.70] Your faithfulness stretches to the sky. +[2692.70 --> 2693.70] I will lift my voice to worship you, my being. +[2693.70 --> 2694.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2694.70 --> 2695.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2695.70 --> 2696.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2696.70 --> 2697.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2697.70 --> 2702.70] Thank you, my God. +[2702.70 --> 2703.70] Amen! +[2703.70 --> 2707.70] Your faithfulness is what makes me. +[2707.72 --> 2721.70] Amen! +[2727.70 --> 2736.70] Good morning everybody. Can I have the preschool to grade four come up to the front? +[2736.70 --> 2752.70] You were a rocket ship, yeah. What kind of weather do we have outside today? Rainy. I found it kind of ironic as I was driving here. +[2752.70 --> 2759.70] It was pouring rain. You could barely see. And our story today is Jesus calms the storm. +[2759.70 --> 2771.70] So what do you think when it's craziness outside, how do we feel? Wet, but like how do we feel inside? +[2771.70 --> 2778.70] Are we worried? Are we scared? What if it's thunder and lightning coming down? +[2778.70 --> 2783.70] Sometimes we're scared, yeah. Mateo, what do you think? +[2791.70 --> 2796.70] You wonder how it's going to calm the storm and Jesus is going to help us? Yeah, definitely. +[2796.70 --> 2803.70] What do you think when there's a snowstorm outside? We go inside, definitely. +[2803.70 --> 2812.70] But today we're going to learn when it's stormy, so whether it's raining, whether it's too hot, that can be kind of a storm, a dust storm, +[2812.70 --> 2824.70] snow storm, that Jesus is always there and he reminds us to be still and calm and listen and he will help us through it. +[2824.70 --> 2828.70] We're going to go more about that in children's worship time, so I'm going to get you guys to stand up. +[2828.70 --> 2838.70] Stand up. Yeah. And everybody look, turn around. Ready? One, two, three. +[2838.70 --> 2840.70] We'll be with you. +[2840.70 --> 2842.70] We'll be with you. +[2858.70 --> 2874.70] We'll be with you. +[2875.70 --> 2881.70] Always great to be in God's church with his people. +[2881.70 --> 2890.70] Welcome, Aidan. And I'm going to get in trouble for this, but Lena, it's awesome to see you back. Praise God. +[2892.70 --> 2898.70] My first duty is to read a letter from Council, a short letter about nominations. +[2898.70 --> 2904.70] Council is calling for nominations of people to serve as elders and deacons in our church. +[2904.70 --> 2909.70] This season we are looking for pastoral elders and for deacons. +[2909.70 --> 2915.70] Pastoral elders serve the church by providing shepherding care and theological discernment. +[2915.70 --> 2925.70] Working closely with our pastors, deacons serve the church by providing material care and service discernment in our church family and community. +[2925.70 --> 2932.70] Both of these positions call for people mature in faith who share the mission and vision of our church. +[2932.70 --> 2939.70] Please prayerfully discern who the Holy Spirit may be calling to serve our church in this way. +[2939.70 --> 2950.70] Nomination forms are available at the church office beside the confidential mailbox and will be in the e-bulletin and the mid-week memo after spring break. +[2950.70 --> 2957.70] If you have any questions, please talk to any of the elders and deacons or church pastors. +[2957.70 --> 2969.70] This morning we want to remember the people who are challenged. I'll call them challenged. We're all challenged, I think. +[2969.70 --> 2977.70] But I want to focus on Tara Porter. She's asking for prayer for her husband and for her brother-in-law. +[2977.70 --> 2991.70] We've prayed Sunday after Sunday for Tessa, for Tanya, for Doug Kandon, and a host of others who are dealing with stuff we may not know about, but God certainly does. +[2991.70 --> 2999.70] And then we also want to thank the shut-ins. We have members that can't physically join us, but would probably love to. +[2999.70 --> 3006.70] And then it's time to go to God in prayer. So let's pray. +[3006.70 --> 3018.70] Father, Lord in heaven, Lord, thank you. Thank you that we can be here. Thank you that we can live amongst your people. +[3018.70 --> 3035.70] Lord, we pray for the people we just spoke about, each one who's going through stuff that we'd rather not, but we pray we bless each person as they deal with their treatments or sicknesses or whatever it is, Lord. +[3035.70 --> 3042.70] Lord, we want to ask you to bless the nomination process. +[3042.70 --> 3054.70] Lord, if we look at Scripture and study about Jesus, and the day before he picked his disciples, he spent the whole evening in prayer. +[3054.70 --> 3059.70] Lord, and we would think that he wouldn't have to do this, but because he was your son. +[3059.70 --> 3064.70] Lord, and how many of us, Lord, spend even half the night in prayer? +[3064.70 --> 3069.70] Lord, will you convict us for things we could do better? +[3069.70 --> 3074.70] Time we spent in your word, time we spend in prayer. +[3074.70 --> 3081.70] Lord, who else calls us to share time with you? +[3081.70 --> 3086.70] Lord, it is only because of you that we are even here. +[3086.70 --> 3090.70] It is only because of you that each of us has another day. +[3090.70 --> 3094.70] Lord, we pray for the young among us. We pray for wisdom. +[3094.70 --> 3100.70] We pray for the teachers who teach them. We pray for the parents, the moms and the dads. +[3100.70 --> 3106.70] Lord, and then when school is done, work starts, or maybe even before. +[3106.70 --> 3114.70] We pray for the jobs each of us has, whatever it is, Lord, if it's in the home or outside the home, or whatever you've called us to do. +[3114.70 --> 3118.70] Lord, we pray will you help us to focus on you while we're doing this. +[3118.70 --> 3126.70] Lord, if there's a word we can share with somebody that we work with, we pray will you give us the opportunity and the wisdom, +[3126.70 --> 3132.70] and not a cutting or challenging, but a loving and caring word. +[3132.70 --> 3141.70] Lord, we pray this morning as we hear your word that Chris may be enlightened, that it may be a word from you, Lord. +[3141.70 --> 3145.70] We thank you for your many blessings, Lord. We pray will you help and guide us. +[3145.70 --> 3150.70] We pray also for the people who are going for surgery this week, Lord. +[3150.70 --> 3156.70] We pray will you give them strength, give the doctors wisdom, and the nurses insight. +[3156.70 --> 3161.70] Thank you for your love and care, Lord. Thank you that we can be here in Jesus' name. Amen. +[3162.70 --> 3191.70] Here at Emmanuel, we have been in a preaching series through the letters of the Thessalonians, of the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. +[3191.70 --> 3200.70] This morning, we continue that, and we're going to read the four verses from chapter 5, verses 12 through 15. +[3200.70 --> 3207.70] I'm going to invite you to have a Bible, either on your apps, on your devices and phones, or one that you brought. +[3207.70 --> 3209.70] Or if you'd like, there's some at the back you can grab. +[3209.70 --> 3214.70] Have that open. Keep that open. We'll refer back to that intentionally throughout. +[3214.70 --> 3219.70] The first time through, it will be on the screen behind me there for you. +[3219.70 --> 3231.70] Now, before I read this text, I want you to know that I really struggled this week in how to do this, and how to preach on this text. +[3231.70 --> 3236.70] For reasons I hope will become clear once we start reading it together. +[3236.70 --> 3244.70] But let me just say that this is one of the reasons, texts like these, is one of the reasons why I like to preach in series, +[3244.70 --> 3248.70] where we start at the beginning of the book of the Bible and we go through to the end of it, +[3248.70 --> 3253.70] because it forces me to preach on topics that I might otherwise avoid. +[3253.70 --> 3266.70] And the reason I'm saying that is because the first half of this text that we are about to read is Paul telling the church how they're supposed to acknowledge and treat their leaders. +[3266.70 --> 3274.70] And so I don't want it to appear for me to stand up here and then tell you how you're supposed to pander to me. +[3274.70 --> 3280.70] And so I really, really wrestled with this text that I'm inviting you into that wrestling. +[3280.70 --> 3289.70] And one of the things that I did as I prepared for this was to make sure and search my own heart and life +[3289.70 --> 3298.70] to see if this kind of recognition of good leadership in the church is something that I strive for, +[3298.70 --> 3307.70] is the posture that I try to have in my leading and that I try to present to you so that, Lord willing, you can see it. +[3307.70 --> 3312.70] And then if you choose to acknowledge it, great. +[3312.70 --> 3324.70] It is also amazing to me that as we are about to spend a good portion of our time talking about what makes good leaders in the church +[3324.70 --> 3332.70] and how we acknowledge good leaders, it happens to providentially fall on the Sunday that we also announce nominations for new leaders. +[3332.70 --> 3342.70] And so as you hear these descriptions, may the Holy Spirit press on your heart who God might be calling to serve this church in this way. +[3342.70 --> 3356.70] And so I please, I beg your patience and I hope you see my humility, but also my unwillingness to compromise the word of God. +[3356.70 --> 3361.70] And to call you to the things that God calls us to. +[3361.70 --> 3372.70] And so if you have a problem with what I say this morning, please wait till Tuesday of next week, like the week after next, because I'm off this next week. +[3372.70 --> 3377.70] Or talk to Paul as the chair of council. +[3377.70 --> 3396.70] Secondly, by way of introduction and before we read this text, I do want to remind us that the kinds of things that we are being called to here in the word of God is a calling for people who are Christians. +[3396.70 --> 3397.70] Right? +[3397.70 --> 3398.70] Right? +[3398.70 --> 3413.70] And this is a specific reality that those who have received the gospel of grace by faith, who have been, as a result of that, made into a new creation, are now challenged by God to live in line with this new creation. +[3413.70 --> 3414.70] Right? +[3414.70 --> 3422.70] And so because Jesus has already lived the life I should have lived, because Jesus has already died the death that I deserve because of my sin, +[3422.70 --> 3428.70] because the truth of the matter is I'm more sinful than I would ever dare admit. +[3428.70 --> 3432.70] Yet I'm more loved by God than I could ever imagine possible. +[3432.70 --> 3441.70] And out of that deep love for us, that God has made us into a new creation by believing in the truth of this word. +[3441.70 --> 3445.70] We are made a new people who live new lives together. +[3445.70 --> 3453.70] And so the foundation of this text is the gospel and our new identity as Christians. +[3453.70 --> 3458.70] And this then is how we are called to lead and to live. +[3458.70 --> 3464.70] So with those two words of introduction, let's read this text together. +[3464.70 --> 3469.70] 1 Thessalonians 5, starting at verse 12. +[3469.70 --> 3479.70] Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. +[3479.70 --> 3484.70] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. +[3484.70 --> 3487.70] Live in peace with each other. +[3487.70 --> 3494.70] And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive. +[3494.70 --> 3496.70] Encourage the disheartened. +[3496.70 --> 3497.70] Help the weak. +[3497.70 --> 3499.70] Be patient with everyone. +[3499.70 --> 3502.70] Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, +[3502.70 --> 3508.70] but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. +[3508.70 --> 3510.70] This is the word of the Lord. +[3510.70 --> 3526.70] The way that I want to frame the text for us this morning is to identify these two sections in these verses as two marks of a healthy church. +[3526.70 --> 3533.70] So our big idea, right, is that the marks of a healthy church are, one, how leaders are acknowledged. +[3533.70 --> 3537.70] That is how they are held up, how they are encouraged, respected, and held accountable. +[3537.70 --> 3542.70] And two, how people look out for each other in the body. +[3542.70 --> 3550.70] Now, there's a grammatical reason for this division, and I'll give this for Aidan, who can probably get it, and maybe Cole, who follows along as well. +[3550.70 --> 3557.70] But there's an imperative structure being connected to the vocative voice here that gives you the division where we read in verse 12, +[3557.70 --> 3564.70] Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, and then later down the line in verse 14, +[3564.70 --> 3567.70] we urge you, brothers and sisters. +[3567.70 --> 3572.70] There's two sections, two marks of identifying a healthy church. +[3572.70 --> 3575.70] So it's pretty easy for us to see. +[3575.70 --> 3581.70] Those are the divisions we're going to follow in our time together this morning. +[3581.70 --> 3590.70] And so first, we read that we are to acknowledge those who work hard among you. +[3590.70 --> 3599.70] The word that's used here and translated acknowledged is related to another Greek word that means to see, +[3599.70 --> 3606.70] which is itself related to a Hebrew word or concept that means to know. +[3606.70 --> 3615.70] And so to acknowledge someone in the biblical sense here is to really see them and to really know them. +[3615.70 --> 3621.70] To be seen and known in the Bible is to look on someone with favor. +[3621.70 --> 3623.70] And it's more than just saying thank you. +[3623.70 --> 3626.70] It's more than just saying good job. +[3626.70 --> 3629.70] It's a genuine appreciation. +[3629.70 --> 3631.70] Let me illustrate. +[3631.70 --> 3639.70] Maybe you're a student and perhaps this is true for a senior, high school senior project or paper that you had to write. +[3639.70 --> 3643.70] You poured yourself into that paper in doing that project. +[3643.70 --> 3650.70] And not only did you get a good grade on it, but when the teacher was handing those back out, +[3650.70 --> 3655.70] they made a point to draw everyone else's attention to how standout your work was. +[3655.70 --> 3659.70] That's the kind of appreciation we're talking about here. +[3659.70 --> 3669.70] Maybe you have started a job for the first time and you remember the first time your new supervisor pointed out your good work and how that made you feel. +[3669.70 --> 3672.70] That's what we're talking about here when we talk about being acknowledged. +[3672.70 --> 3673.70] Right? +[3673.70 --> 3677.70] A genuine knowing and being known. +[3677.70 --> 3680.70] Seeing and being seen. +[3680.70 --> 3683.70] And that's your job. +[3683.70 --> 3688.70] To see and know your leaders. +[3688.70 --> 3691.70] Which naturally then moves us to ask the following question. +[3691.70 --> 3695.70] What are the kinds of things we should acknowledge around here? +[3695.70 --> 3696.70] Right? +[3696.70 --> 3700.70] What are the things we're supposed to see and know about our leaders? +[3700.70 --> 3703.70] Our text lists three of them. +[3704.70 --> 3710.70] Lists those who work hard among you, those who care for you, and those who admonish you. +[3710.70 --> 3712.70] And so let's dig into this a little bit. +[3712.70 --> 3717.70] First, acknowledge those who work hard among you. +[3717.70 --> 3726.70] The word that's used for work hard among you means to be spent with labor. +[3726.70 --> 3729.70] Jesus actually uses the same word. +[3729.70 --> 3731.70] And it was a beautiful thing. +[3731.70 --> 3736.70] Pete in our worship referenced this text from Matthew 11, these words of Jesus. +[3736.70 --> 3737.70] When Jesus says, +[3737.70 --> 3741.70] Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden. +[3741.70 --> 3745.70] That word weary is the same word that Paul uses in our text here. +[3747.70 --> 3748.70] Right? +[3748.70 --> 3754.70] That word, all who are weary, is the same word that Paul says, those who work hard among you. +[3755.70 --> 3758.70] The point is, good leaders work hard. +[3759.70 --> 3762.70] Good leaders are going to be tired at the end of the day. +[3762.70 --> 3765.70] And if you're a leader in the church, and this will be true of any leader, +[3765.70 --> 3771.70] but I think that this text is especially talking about church office leaders, +[3771.70 --> 3773.70] those who are ordained into a particular service. +[3773.70 --> 3776.70] So elders, deacons, pastors, evangelists. +[3776.70 --> 3777.70] Right? +[3777.70 --> 3780.70] This kind of hard work is demanding work. +[3780.70 --> 3784.70] It's not for the faint of heart, but it is for the soft of heart. +[3784.70 --> 3786.70] More on that later. +[3786.70 --> 3791.70] And this isn't just work, and to mix our definitions, this is labor. +[3791.70 --> 3799.70] Now the joke always is, you know, go be a pastor because you'll only work one day a week. +[3801.70 --> 3802.70] And that's fine. +[3802.70 --> 3803.70] If that's what you think. +[3804.70 --> 3808.70] That probably means I'm doing my job okay, and I'm exercising healthy boundaries, +[3808.70 --> 3810.70] and I'm not giving in to the culture of busyness around me. +[3810.70 --> 3816.70] But if we're more realistic about it, it should probably go and be a pastor, +[3816.70 --> 3818.70] and maybe you'll get one day a week off. +[3818.70 --> 3822.70] Now, again, don't hear what I'm not saying, okay? +[3822.70 --> 3823.70] Because I love this. +[3823.70 --> 3825.70] I love what I get to do. +[3825.70 --> 3829.70] I love that I get to do it with you and be in the mix of all of this. +[3829.70 --> 3832.70] But this is what it means to work hard among you. +[3832.70 --> 3839.70] And when we work hard among you, right, using this word, when we are spent with labor, +[3839.70 --> 3843.70] we get to hear Jesus say, come to me, all who are weary. +[3843.70 --> 3844.70] Right? +[3844.70 --> 3849.70] Laboring among you, I hear that as an invitation to Jesus himself. +[3849.70 --> 3850.70] Right? +[3850.70 --> 3857.70] We labor among the body so that we might rest in the body of Jesus as we experience him through one another. +[3857.70 --> 3869.70] And when you see your pastors and your elders and deacons and church leaders and maybe church staff laboring in this way, +[3869.70 --> 3875.70] we are inviting you into the rest of Jesus. +[3875.70 --> 3886.70] And when you see that, you ought to tell them, to acknowledge them, to say, I see you and I'm thankful to God for you. +[3886.70 --> 3887.70] Right? +[3887.70 --> 3893.70] To encourage them and to pray for them and to thank God for them, to support them, and yes, to pay them well. +[3893.70 --> 3894.70] There, I said it. +[3894.70 --> 3895.70] That's the last time. +[3895.70 --> 3896.70] Right? +[3896.70 --> 3899.70] Bless them with surprises. +[3899.70 --> 3900.70] Right? +[3900.70 --> 3902.70] Care for those who care for you. +[3902.70 --> 3907.70] And then if I may, that's my experience of you. +[3907.70 --> 3911.70] And I know that that is true for the other pastors here. +[3911.70 --> 3914.70] I pray that it is true for the elders and deacons who serve here. +[3914.70 --> 3921.70] But as you see this happen among you, acknowledge those. +[3921.70 --> 3925.70] Acknowledge those who care for you in the Lord. +[3925.70 --> 3927.70] That's the second part. +[3927.70 --> 3928.70] Right? +[3928.70 --> 3931.70] Acknowledge those who care for you in the Lord. +[3931.70 --> 3940.70] That term, translated care, is actually a particular and perhaps even more technical term. +[3940.70 --> 3952.70] The form that it's used here as a middle passive participle, again, Aidan, that's for you, means to direct or lead, to govern. +[3952.70 --> 3961.70] It's the same word, actually, that Paul uses in 1 Timothy 5, 17, about the elders who direct the affairs of the church. +[3961.70 --> 3963.70] That's how it's translated there. +[3963.70 --> 3964.70] Right? +[3964.70 --> 3986.70] And this is the word that leads me to conclude that this section is really about church leaders, specifically about elders, deacons, and pastors, who are together ordained to direct the affairs of the church as servant leaders, as ministers, as overseers. +[3986.70 --> 4003.70] And caring for you in the Lord means to govern the church, to lead well, to rule with an authority that represents the authority of Christ among us. +[4003.70 --> 4010.70] And this is confirmed with the third descriptive participle there, those who admonish you. +[4010.70 --> 4026.70] In his letter to the Ephesians, to the Ephesian elders, that's recorded for us in the book of Acts, Paul warns the elders of the church at Ephesus, and he says to them, and I think this one we have, +[4026.70 --> 4033.70] this one we have, keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. +[4033.70 --> 4036.70] There's the word, elders, leaders. +[4036.70 --> 4041.70] Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. +[4041.70 --> 4043.70] So be on your guard. +[4043.70 --> 4050.70] Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. +[4050.70 --> 4064.70] Warning each of you is the same word in Acts that Luke writes with that Paul uses here in 1 Thessalonians 5, 12, for admonish. +[4064.70 --> 4067.70] Leaders warn you. +[4067.70 --> 4070.70] Leaders say be on the lookout. +[4070.70 --> 4075.70] Good leaders say don't be deceived by hollow and deceptive philosophy. +[4075.70 --> 4082.70] Leaders are the ones who stand in front of you and expose the vapid and empty spirituality of gospel substitutes, +[4082.70 --> 4086.70] and the ones who declare to you with boldness the real thing. +[4089.70 --> 4093.70] The ones who are weary in labor among you. +[4093.70 --> 4098.70] The ones who direct the affairs of the church who care enough to lead in the Lord, +[4098.70 --> 4104.70] and the ones who admonish you, who tell the truth to you when you are lying to yourselves. +[4104.70 --> 4113.70] Those are the ones that you are instructed to acknowledge, to see, and to know. +[4113.70 --> 4119.70] And in fact, that's what a healthy church does. +[4119.70 --> 4127.70] Verse 13 says, hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. +[4127.70 --> 4131.70] Hold them in the highest regard is parallel to acknowledge them. +[4131.70 --> 4134.70] And then to do so in love. +[4134.70 --> 4141.70] And so with my pastoral heart for you, I ask, +[4141.70 --> 4148.70] Are you quick to love or quick to complain? +[4148.70 --> 4158.70] Are you quick to tell someone how it should have been done? +[4158.70 --> 4161.70] And it's the same for those of us who work hard, right? +[4161.70 --> 4164.70] Do you love the church that you're called to lead? +[4164.70 --> 4168.70] Or do you complain about having to work hard? +[4168.70 --> 4175.70] Do you count it a privilege to enter into the lives of the saints around you? +[4175.70 --> 4182.70] Or do you struggle to see anything other than a bunch of sinners whose job it is to make you miserable? +[4182.70 --> 4187.70] How are you showing up? +[4187.70 --> 4191.70] And how are you acknowledging leaders who show up? +[4191.70 --> 4197.70] And then for everyone, we read, live in peace with each other. +[4197.70 --> 4206.70] Now, for a number of reasons based on grammar, this line seems like it could go out of place and maybe should belong with the second half. +[4206.70 --> 4210.70] But I think actually it belongs with this first half. +[4210.70 --> 4216.70] I think that this is a specific instruction for the church and church leader relationship. +[4216.70 --> 4218.70] Right? +[4218.70 --> 4220.70] There's two groups that are being held up here. +[4220.70 --> 4225.70] The brothers and sisters, the gathering of the church, and the leaders who rule. +[4225.70 --> 4227.70] The leaders who admonish and encourage. +[4227.70 --> 4230.70] The pastors who labor unto weariness. +[4230.70 --> 4235.70] The brothers and sisters and the ones called by the Holy Spirit to lead. +[4235.70 --> 4240.70] These are the two groups that are being told to live in peace with each other. +[4240.70 --> 4243.70] And so real candidly, this is you and I. +[4243.70 --> 4245.70] This is all y'all and we. +[4245.70 --> 4246.70] Right? +[4246.70 --> 4250.70] This is every one of us who call Emmanuel Church home and family. +[4250.70 --> 4252.70] We are charged with this peace. +[4252.70 --> 4257.70] This is all y'all and we all together take responsibility for this peace. +[4257.70 --> 4271.70] And it's this peace, this relationship dynamic between leaders and church family members that proves us to be a healthy church or not. +[4271.70 --> 4273.70] It takes leaders who work hard. +[4273.70 --> 4276.70] Leaders who care and leaders who admonish. +[4276.70 --> 4281.70] And a healthy church takes you to acknowledge them. +[4281.70 --> 4286.70] It takes you taking responsibility for the peace in the system. +[4286.70 --> 4293.70] In fact, I'm going to say that the lion's share of responsibility for this peace falls to you. +[4293.70 --> 4298.70] Because you are the consistent ones. +[4298.70 --> 4301.70] You are the ones who make culture here. +[4301.70 --> 4305.70] You are the ones who represent culture here. +[4305.70 --> 4308.70] Okay, hear me carefully on this. +[4308.70 --> 4310.70] Leaders come and go. +[4310.70 --> 4315.70] People serve in a church for a season and then they're out. +[4315.70 --> 4318.70] Either out of service or out of the church. +[4318.70 --> 4321.70] But culture is constant. +[4321.70 --> 4327.70] And if you keep a culture of loving those who lead by serving. +[4327.70 --> 4332.70] And if you keep a culture of acknowledging the leaders among you. +[4332.70 --> 4335.70] Of making peaceful environments for us to serve. +[4335.70 --> 4340.70] You will find that people aren't afraid to step into leadership. +[4340.70 --> 4343.70] You will find that people are more willing to step up. +[4343.70 --> 4346.70] When they will feel acknowledged and seen. +[4346.70 --> 4349.70] Rather than struggled with or complained about. +[4349.70 --> 4350.70] Right? +[4350.70 --> 4352.70] You create this culture. +[4352.70 --> 4358.70] And that's why you, brothers and sisters, are addressed here. +[4358.70 --> 4364.70] You show the mark of a healthy church just as much, maybe more. +[4364.70 --> 4367.70] Than those of us who are called to lead. +[4367.70 --> 4378.70] Now the second mark of a healthy church comes in the second half of this paragraph here. +[4378.70 --> 4380.70] In verse 14. +[4380.70 --> 4381.70] Where we read, +[4381.70 --> 4383.70] Re-urge you, brothers and sisters. +[4383.70 --> 4388.70] And then, if you have the eyes to see it, there are six imperatives listed there. +[4388.70 --> 4393.70] Six things a church should do as brothers and sisters for each other. +[4393.70 --> 4394.70] Right? +[4394.70 --> 4397.70] Warn those who are idle and disruptive. +[4397.70 --> 4398.70] Encourage the disheartened. +[4398.70 --> 4399.70] Help the weak. +[4399.70 --> 4401.70] Be patient with everyone. +[4401.70 --> 4403.70] Make sure nobody pays back. +[4403.70 --> 4404.70] Wrong for wrong. +[4404.70 --> 4405.70] And then six. +[4405.70 --> 4408.70] Always strive to do what is good. +[4408.70 --> 4413.70] And so now again, this is you. +[4413.70 --> 4415.70] This is your responsibility. +[4415.70 --> 4421.70] A healthy church will warn those who are idle and disruptive. +[4421.70 --> 4428.70] Now that word warn there is the same as the word in verse 12. +[4428.70 --> 4429.70] Right? +[4429.70 --> 4433.70] Who care for you and who admonish you. +[4433.70 --> 4435.70] Admonish you in the Lord. +[4435.70 --> 4439.70] Those who admonish you as a responsibility of leaders. +[4439.70 --> 4444.70] But now we're seeing that that responsibility also extends to the gathering of believers. +[4444.70 --> 4445.70] To warn. +[4445.70 --> 4446.70] To admonish. +[4446.70 --> 4447.70] To warn. +[4447.70 --> 4448.70] To admonish. +[4448.70 --> 4449.70] Right? +[4449.70 --> 4450.70] It's not just leaders who are to warn us. +[4450.70 --> 4455.70] But we're all supposed to admonish, to warn, and to encourage each other. +[4455.70 --> 4456.70] To hold each other accountable. +[4456.70 --> 4458.70] This is everyone's job. +[4458.70 --> 4459.70] And let's be really candid. +[4459.70 --> 4460.70] Right? +[4460.70 --> 4463.70] Because in our culture of politeness. +[4463.70 --> 4465.70] And our culture of tolerance. +[4465.70 --> 4466.70] Right? +[4466.70 --> 4468.70] It's really easy for you to sit there and go, +[4468.70 --> 4471.70] Well, who am I to tell them what to do? +[4471.70 --> 4472.70] I'm just as bad as they are. +[4472.70 --> 4473.70] Maybe even worse. +[4473.70 --> 4474.70] Right? +[4474.70 --> 4477.70] If they knew my heart, they would never listen to me. +[4477.70 --> 4481.70] Or it's also likely that someone might say, +[4481.70 --> 4482.70] Don't judge me. +[4482.70 --> 4484.70] You can't tell me what to do. +[4484.70 --> 4489.70] But this is exactly what we're supposed to do. +[4489.70 --> 4490.70] Right? +[4490.70 --> 4491.70] In love. +[4491.70 --> 4492.70] And with peace. +[4492.70 --> 4494.70] With gentleness and respect. +[4494.70 --> 4498.70] But you've got to warn each other against being idle and disruptive. +[4498.70 --> 4503.70] And there's two senses then that this Greek word is at work. +[4503.70 --> 4508.70] The word that's translated idle and disruptive is one word in Greek. +[4508.70 --> 4512.70] And it literally means out of line or out of sync. +[4512.70 --> 4520.70] It's used outside of the Bible to refer to a soldier who's marching out of step with their unit. +[4520.70 --> 4525.70] So you can imagine you have a unit, an army unit that's marching in perfect cadence. +[4525.70 --> 4531.70] And then with one of them out of step, it's glaringly obvious and disruptive to the whole. +[4531.70 --> 4533.70] It means disorderly. +[4533.70 --> 4534.70] It means out of line. +[4534.70 --> 4536.70] And it can mean insubordinate. +[4536.70 --> 4544.70] And then, insofar as we're called to work with our hands, we've seen this in the text, to not depend on others. +[4544.70 --> 4549.70] Insofar as it means that we're not idle or lazy in our faith and in our life together. +[4549.70 --> 4554.70] The word means to warn those who are being idle. +[4554.70 --> 4558.70] Now, there's an interesting contrast in these two sections. +[4558.70 --> 4565.70] Between the leader who works hard among you as an example of this kind of mature faith. +[4565.70 --> 4574.70] And the idleness as an example of an immature faith that needs to be warned against falling into. +[4574.70 --> 4581.70] Because too much immaturity creates instability and disorder in the body. +[4581.70 --> 4583.70] And that's not healthy. +[4583.70 --> 4586.70] So we need to warn each other. +[4586.70 --> 4588.70] Hey, I see this. +[4588.70 --> 4590.70] Hey, is this a problem? +[4590.70 --> 4592.70] Hey, do you need help? +[4592.70 --> 4595.70] Hey, do you need to confess something? +[4595.70 --> 4596.70] Do you confess something? +[4596.70 --> 4607.70] Now, in that context of warning and confession, note the next thing that we are to do together. +[4607.70 --> 4610.70] To encourage the disheartened. +[4610.70 --> 4616.70] Another way to translate that is to comfort the discouraged. +[4616.70 --> 4621.70] Part of what you do for each other is to comfort the discouraged. +[4621.70 --> 4625.70] To speak hope and help in dark times. +[4625.70 --> 4635.70] Last week on Disney Plus, a new rock opera just came out. +[4635.70 --> 4638.70] I know this is a pretty particular target. +[4638.70 --> 4640.70] Those people who like rock operas. +[4640.70 --> 4643.70] But there is a rock opera called Odessa. +[4643.70 --> 4648.70] And Sadie Smith, who is most famous for her role in Stranger Things. +[4648.70 --> 4650.70] And the scene running up the hill. +[4650.70 --> 4651.70] Anyway. +[4651.70 --> 4654.70] Sadie Smith's character is named Odessa. +[4654.70 --> 4660.70] She is the seventh in a line of what are called ramblers. +[4660.70 --> 4667.70] Now, ramblers in this world are traveling musicians who kind of function like a bard. +[4667.70 --> 4669.70] A musical storyteller for the culture. +[4669.70 --> 4670.70] And also a priest. +[4670.70 --> 4673.70] Who mediate healing and wholeness. +[4673.70 --> 4678.70] And she says that they describe the job of a rambler there. +[4678.70 --> 4683.70] As to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. +[4683.70 --> 4690.70] Which actually, when I was researching this, is a riff from a line in a book that was written in 1902. +[4690.70 --> 4692.70] By Finley Peter Dunn. +[4692.70 --> 4696.70] In which there is an Irish barman named Mr. Dooley. +[4696.70 --> 4698.70] Who says, the newspaper. +[4698.70 --> 4700.70] And by that he means journalism generally. +[4700.70 --> 4701.70] Because it's 1902. +[4701.70 --> 4703.70] The newspaper was all they had for media. +[4703.70 --> 4708.70] Journalism comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. +[4708.70 --> 4710.70] What I want you to see now. +[4710.70 --> 4714.70] Is that this idea is actually rooted in the Bible. +[4714.70 --> 4718.70] As church leaders and church communities together. +[4718.70 --> 4723.70] We need good preachers to afflict our misplaced comforts. +[4723.70 --> 4729.70] And we need brothers and sisters to comfort those of us who feel disheartened. +[4729.70 --> 4733.70] This is what a healthy church looks like. +[4733.70 --> 4737.70] Another mark of a healthy church is how we help the weak. +[4737.70 --> 4741.70] The word weak here can mean infirmity. +[4741.70 --> 4743.70] It can mean illness. +[4743.70 --> 4746.70] And so we're called to help those who are struggling with health. +[4746.70 --> 4750.70] And to walk alongside those who are in treatment for one thing or another. +[4750.70 --> 4753.70] To care for those who can't care for themselves. +[4753.70 --> 4757.70] But the word can also have spiritual connotations. +[4757.70 --> 4760.70] It can also have moral implications. +[4760.70 --> 4765.70] And so we're supposed to help each other and encourage one another to grow in our faith. +[4765.70 --> 4766.70] Right? +[4766.70 --> 4769.70] To grow in our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. +[4769.70 --> 4773.70] To grow in our relationship as brothers and sisters together. +[4773.70 --> 4777.70] We're supposed to help each other grow in our obedience to Jesus Christ. +[4777.70 --> 4780.70] And in living in mutual submission to him. +[4780.70 --> 4785.70] Now that means we not only have to be willing to give help. +[4785.70 --> 4790.70] It also means we have to be willing to accept help. +[4790.70 --> 4793.70] To accept correction. +[4793.70 --> 4796.70] And I don't know about you. +[4796.70 --> 4801.70] But it seems to me that for most of us, that second part is probably the harder one. +[4801.70 --> 4805.70] We can give all the help in the world. +[4805.70 --> 4808.70] But it becomes really hard when we have to accept it. +[4808.70 --> 4814.70] But by accepting help, by accepting encouragement, +[4814.70 --> 4819.70] you are part of making it possible for us together to be a healthy church. +[4819.70 --> 4821.70] And to live out that health. +[4821.70 --> 4824.70] And the truth of the matter is, +[4824.70 --> 4828.70] you may be in a season where you have to accept help. +[4828.70 --> 4830.70] And I may be in a season where I have to give help. +[4830.70 --> 4833.70] But you better believe those tables are going to turn. +[4833.70 --> 4836.70] And then they'll turn again, and again, and again. +[4836.70 --> 4838.70] Because that's what happens in life together. +[4838.70 --> 4847.70] Healthy churches, we read, are places of patience. +[4847.70 --> 4850.70] Now the root of this is probably self-explanatory. +[4850.70 --> 4857.70] The practice of it, especially in a community of a few hundred people, can be really hard. +[4857.70 --> 4858.70] Right? +[4858.70 --> 4862.70] Because there always seems to be at least one person, and if you have only one, you're doing good, +[4862.70 --> 4867.70] who just gets under your skin. +[4867.70 --> 4872.70] If you've ever parented young kids, you know the difficulty of this. +[4872.70 --> 4873.70] Right? +[4873.70 --> 4875.70] I'll use language that's common today. +[4875.70 --> 4878.70] You know all the techniques of gentle parenting. +[4878.70 --> 4883.70] But the fifth time your kid doesn't listen, gentleness goes out the window. +[4883.70 --> 4884.70] Am I right? +[4884.70 --> 4885.70] No? +[4885.70 --> 4887.70] Is that just me? +[4887.70 --> 4890.70] Please, don't leave me alone. +[4890.70 --> 4897.70] A healthy church is patient even with that one person. +[4897.70 --> 4902.70] Especially with that one person. +[4902.70 --> 4906.70] That's actually a mark of what makes it supernatural. +[4906.70 --> 4907.70] Right? +[4907.70 --> 4912.70] That apart from the grace of God, I could never be patient in that moment. +[4912.70 --> 4917.70] Because of the grace of God, somehow, by his spirit, we can. +[4917.70 --> 4918.70] Together. +[4918.70 --> 4924.70] Healthy churches make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong. +[4924.70 --> 4928.70] Now I take this to be an instruction towards justice. +[4928.70 --> 4934.70] But justice defined in the sort of inverted economy of the kingdom of God sense. +[4934.70 --> 4935.70] Right? +[4935.70 --> 4941.70] Justice infused with mercy, such that when someone does evil, we don't allow evil in response. +[4941.70 --> 4946.70] Instead, we seek to restore them to God and to each other, to the fellowship. +[4946.70 --> 4949.70] And this kind of restoration is hard. +[4949.70 --> 4957.70] And again, to be honest, in our culture of easy believism and consuming church as a product, +[4957.70 --> 4961.70] most people today don't have that kind of commitment to each other. +[4961.70 --> 4966.70] Instead of restoration, we just leave and find another church. +[4966.70 --> 4975.70] Instead of listening to spiritual leaders that God has given us, we walk away from the hard things that they're calling us to. +[4975.70 --> 4983.70] And to be sure, good leaders will weary themselves in trying to draw these people back to the fellowship. +[4983.70 --> 4986.70] But we can't make anybody do that work. +[4986.70 --> 4995.70] You've got to want to be a healthy church member in order to receive this well. +[4995.70 --> 5001.70] And lastly, a healthy church strives to do good for each other. +[5001.70 --> 5006.70] And, notice that and, for everyone else. +[5006.70 --> 5019.70] I love this because there's a sense here in which the good that we do here for this community spills forward and spills out to the rest of the neighborhood, to the rest of the community around us. +[5019.70 --> 5033.70] The mark of a healthy church is that its eyes are simultaneously looking inward to care for brothers and sisters here and outward to be a presence of God's love and God's goodness in the world. +[5033.70 --> 5037.70] And it's not first here and then out there. +[5037.70 --> 5044.70] It's not that we have to get stuff figured out here internally before we can go out externally. +[5044.70 --> 5052.70] It's not that we have to get our mission and ministry right here before we can see mission and ministry beyond these walls in the community. +[5052.70 --> 5055.70] It's both and, always both and. +[5055.70 --> 5057.70] That's the core of being a healthy church. +[5057.70 --> 5071.70] A healthy church is always essentially, and I mean core to its being when I use the word essential there, essentially looking beyond its walls and inviting people to experience the goodness of God through us. +[5071.70 --> 5081.70] Healthy churches acknowledge those who work hard among them, who care for you and admonish you. +[5081.70 --> 5085.70] Healthy churches warn those who are out of step. +[5085.70 --> 5087.70] They comfort the discouraged and afflict the comfortable. +[5087.70 --> 5091.70] Healthy churches help the weak and are patient with everyone. +[5091.70 --> 5096.70] Healthy churches live inverted kingdom justice, restoring people to relationship. +[5096.70 --> 5103.70] And healthy churches live for its own and for those beyond her walls. +[5103.70 --> 5106.70] Do you want to be a healthy church? +[5106.70 --> 5109.70] Thank you. +[5109.70 --> 5114.70] This is your work. +[5114.70 --> 5117.70] Only you can do this. +[5117.70 --> 5123.70] And I often say that the work of sermon application is yours. +[5123.70 --> 5125.70] That's not my job. +[5125.70 --> 5136.70] I open up the text and hopefully through this message, through these words, you hear the words of Jesus and you hear in them an invitation to something compelling and beautiful. +[5136.70 --> 5139.70] Something that moves your heart and soul in worship. +[5139.70 --> 5142.70] But you have to move. +[5142.70 --> 5145.70] You have to step. +[5145.70 --> 5148.70] Jesus is calling. +[5148.70 --> 5151.70] And so let's be a healthy church together. +[5151.70 --> 5152.70] Amen? +[5152.70 --> 5154.70] Let's pray. +[5154.70 --> 5161.70] God, you are so good. +[5161.70 --> 5165.70] You have shown us your goodness in your word. +[5165.70 --> 5168.70] You have given us a picture of what a healthy church looks like. +[5168.70 --> 5180.70] You have painted for us with clarity and precision what it means to be a good leader and what it means to be a healthy church in relationship to our leaders and into our ministry and mission together. +[5180.70 --> 5184.70] And so may we catch your vision for us today. +[5184.70 --> 5191.70] May this truth be planted deep in our hearts and may we live it out. +[5191.70 --> 5197.70] May this be the culture of Langley Emanuel from this moment forward. +[5197.70 --> 5200.70] As it has been, may it so be. +[5200.70 --> 5205.70] And where we have fallen short, may we grow in your grace. +[5205.70 --> 5215.70] Hear our prayer we pray Lord Jesus. +[5215.70 --> 5216.70] Amen. +[5216.70 --> 5217.70] Amen. +[5217.70 --> 5227.30] when we rise and join our voices in this song. +[5228.08 --> 5234.34] It's a song of what we can look as together +[5234.34 --> 5237.30] as we share Christ's love with each other. +[5247.70 --> 5258.54] We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. +[5258.54 --> 5264.78] We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. +[5265.08 --> 5270.92] And we pray that all unity may one day be restored +[5270.92 --> 5275.66] and they'll know we are Christians by our love, +[5275.66 --> 5282.40] by our love, yes and no, we are Christians by our love. +[5285.82 --> 5292.34] We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. +[5292.60 --> 5298.44] We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. +[5298.74 --> 5304.56] And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land +[5304.56 --> 5310.30] and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. +[5310.30 --> 5315.62] Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. +[5315.62 --> 5325.86] We will walk with each other, we will walk side by side. +[5325.86 --> 5332.18] We will walk with each other, we will walk side by side. +[5332.36 --> 5338.84] And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride. +[5338.84 --> 5344.58] And they'll know we are Christians by our love. +[5344.58 --> 5353.32] By our love, by our love, yes they'll know we are Christians by our love. +[5353.32 --> 5362.70] All praise to the Father, come all be done. +[5362.70 --> 5368.94] And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son. +[5369.06 --> 5375.20] And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one. +[5375.20 --> 5386.66] And they'll know we are Christians by our love. +[5386.66 --> 5402.92] Just a moment, we're going to receive God's blessing for the journey of life and faith, +[5403.02 --> 5407.20] of responding to God's call to mission among us. +[5407.20 --> 5415.72] Before we do that, just a quick reminder, if you are able to help pick up the Mexico mission team on Tuesday, +[5415.98 --> 5419.00] please talk to me after the service so I can coordinate that with you. +[5419.56 --> 5422.14] And additionally, if you'd like to meet with someone for prayer, +[5422.48 --> 5426.14] there'll be someone who comes up to the front here, they'll have a yellow name tag on. +[5426.60 --> 5429.62] They'd love to meet you, pray with you for whatever it is. +[5429.62 --> 5433.70] Whether it's joy and thanksgiving or whether you're crying out to God in need of circumstance, +[5433.98 --> 5435.30] they'll meet you and pray with you there. +[5435.30 --> 5438.72] Receive the blessing of God as we go today. +[5441.16 --> 5443.72] May God go before you to lead you. +[5444.50 --> 5446.78] God go behind you to protect you. +[5447.10 --> 5449.16] God go beneath you to support you. +[5449.44 --> 5451.88] God go beside you to befriend you. +[5452.44 --> 5454.18] Do not be afraid. +[5454.90 --> 5456.86] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5456.98 --> 5463.32] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5464.50 --> 5464.86] Amen. +[5465.30 --> 5466.64] Amen. +[5470.58 --> 5486.46] You're the Lion of Judah, the Lamb who was linked. +[5486.72 --> 5491.20] You ascend into heaven and burdened all the acet ancestral You know, see the blood shown in theіч price. +[5491.20 --> 5493.20] of the age when the earth +[5493.20 --> 5495.28] to return to gather +[5495.28 --> 5497.20] the nations before you +[5497.76 --> 5500.12] and the eyes of all men +[5500.12 --> 5502.08] will be next on the land +[5502.08 --> 5504.20] who was crucified +[5504.92 --> 5507.98] with mercy and mercy +[5507.98 --> 5509.80] and justice you'll reign +[5509.80 --> 5512.20] at the corner side +[5513.46 --> 5515.20] and the angels are right +[5515.72 --> 5520.20] who builds our life +[5520.20 --> 5523.12] who has saved all the world +[5523.12 --> 5526.36] who will cry +[5526.36 --> 5530.44] and if the earth will rely +[5530.44 --> 5534.44] you shall win +[5534.44 --> 5537.92] the King of all kings +[5537.92 --> 5540.44] and the Lord of all kings +[5540.44 --> 5549.36] raise a shield in our hand +[5549.36 --> 5551.28] and the sword at our side +[5551.28 --> 5553.28] there's a fire in our spirit +[5553.28 --> 5555.02] that cannot be denied +[5555.02 --> 5557.28] that the Father has told us +[5557.28 --> 5558.98] for we still have life +[5558.98 --> 5560.90] for the angels have gathered +[5560.90 --> 5562.12] before you +[5562.12 --> 5565.60] and the ears of all can be to hear +[5565.60 --> 5569.52] from the land who was crucified +[5569.52 --> 5571.26] who was crucified +[5571.26 --> 5574.18] who was raised up to rain +[5574.18 --> 5577.90] and upon the side +[5577.90 --> 5579.52] and the angels will cry +[5579.52 --> 5583.44] hail the land +[5583.44 --> 5585.44] who was raised up to rain +[5585.44 --> 5587.44] who was raised up to rain +[5587.44 --> 5589.44] and the angels will cry +[5589.44 --> 5591.44] and the angels will cry +[5591.44 --> 5593.44] and the angels will cry +[5593.44 --> 5598.44] of the land +[5602.56 --> 5604.36] and the angels will cry +[5604.36 --> 5605.36] and the armies of heaven +[5605.36 --> 5606.32] the land +[5606.78 --> 5607.48] who shallят +[5607.48 --> 5607.86] who was navigated +[5607.86 --> 5608.94] and the angels will cry +[5608.94 --> 5609.40] and the angels will cry +[5609.40 --> 5611.16] and the angels will cry +[5611.16 --> 5616.48] Who will swing for the world, who will fly? +[5618.70 --> 5625.16] And the next of the light you shall reign +[5625.72 --> 5630.02] As the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords +[5630.02 --> 5635.16] As the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords +[5641.16 --> 5645.56] We 180 g andETA +[5649.60 --> 5650.98] The best place to be +[5650.98 --> 5658.46] Kings! +[5658.46 --> 5662.14] Kings! +[5662.96 --> 5665.84] We'll see you next week +[5665.84 --> 5695.82] Thank you. +[5695.84 --> 5725.82] Thank you. +[5725.84 --> 5755.82] Thank you. +[5755.84 --> 5757.84] Thank you. +[5785.84 --> 5787.84] Thank you. +[5787.84 --> 5789.84] Thank you. +[5789.84 --> 5791.84] Thank you. +[5819.84 --> 5821.84] Thank you. +[5821.84 --> 5823.84] Thank you. +[5823.84 --> 5825.84] Thank you. +[5825.84 --> 5827.84] Thank you. +[5827.84 --> 5829.84] Thank you. +[5857.98 --> 5859.84] Thank you. +[5859.84 --> 5861.84] Thank you. +[5861.84 --> 5863.84] Thank you. +[5863.84 --> 5865.84] Thank you. +[5865.84 --> 5868.84] Than what could stand against +[5873.84 --> 5879.84] Than what could stand against +[5884.84 --> 5886.84] Our God is greater +[5886.84 --> 5888.84] Our God is stronger +[5888.84 --> 5893.84] God you are higher than any other +[5893.84 --> 5895.84] Our God is healer +[5895.84 --> 5897.84] Awesome and power +[5897.84 --> 5899.84] Our God +[5899.84 --> 5901.84] Our God +[5901.84 --> 5904.84] Our God is greater +[5904.84 --> 5906.84] Our God is stronger +[5906.84 --> 5911.84] God you are higher than any other +[5911.84 --> 5913.84] Our God is healer diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..9cba71ac2f4175463cef40c22f2af1369fd2f158 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,100 @@ +• Power and glory in the name of Jesus +• Breaking of chains and freedom through faith +• Salvation and healing in Christ's name +• Waiting on and trusting God's faithfulness +• Belief in God's presence and power in all aspects of life +• Worship and praise to God, acknowledging Him as Lord +• Introduction to worship service +• Welcome to Curtis Malista, seminary student and former pastor +• Announcements for video, Tree Tag game, and other church activities +• Explanation of Tree Tag rules and participation +• Encouragement to participate in Treat Tag during April +• Worship team meeting and lunch after church +• Youth camp registration deadline today +• Invitation to worship service +• Passing of the peace of Christ among congregation +• Reading of Psalm 13 verses 5-6 +• Worship songs referencing God's love, faithfulness, and strength +• Reflection on God's presence and power throughout eternity +• Offering of heart to God in surrender +• Declaration of commitment and promise +• Confession of sins +• Request for forgiveness and healing +• Prayer and thanksgiving +• Offering for church budget and C10 (Commissioned to Every Nation) +• Testimony from Jody Gonzalez regarding missionary support from the church +• Update on the team's work in the area, with 18 men currently living at Alfaro's men's home +• Story of a man who was saved and is now attending church and starting a new job +• Introduction of Interwoven, a women's group for knitting, sewing, and other crafts +• Gratitude expressed to Emmanuel family for their support and prayers +• Prayer in Spanish referencing the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus +• Invitation from Mr. Mike to four-year-olds to come up for Kids Corner +• Discussion about a parent driving skills and money +• Reference to the Book of Mark in Children's Biblesheve Time +• Announcement by Ken about church service at Sunridge Gardens on Saturdays +• Steve's announcements about town hall meeting for second pastor job description and nomination process for pastoral elders and deacons +• Klosterhof's sister has stage 3 cancer and is starting treatment +• Prayers for those who are sick, have mobility issues, or are recovering from illness +• Thanksgiving for the Mexico team's spring break mission and relationships developed during it +• Prayer for students heading back to school and parents returning to work +• Thanksgivings for successful surgeries (Emily Klingelting and Judy Versteg) +• Prayers for those struggling with mental health challenges, physical pain, and hospitalizations (Tara's husband, brother-in-law, Lena) +• Children getting sick repeatedly and its impact on family life +• Prayers for healing and strength, particularly for Tessa after surgery +• Cancer diagnoses and struggles within community members (Doug, Elise Wagner's dad; Amanda Hogawoning's sister; Joan, Clary's sister) +• Reflections on trusting God in difficult situations and understanding the "why" +• Invitation to turn to Colossians chapter 1 for a Bible reading +• The concept of "walking in a manner worthy of the Lord" is discussed +• The phrase is echoed in Colossians, and Paul is drawing on ancient wisdom literature +• Two paths are presented: walking with Christ or not +• Encouragement and advice from Paul to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord is given +• Walking with Christ is empowered by the hope laid up in heaven (Christ's conquest of sin) +• The same God who paid for sin desires to rescue and redeem us +• We are encouraged, empowered, and emboldened to walk with Christ +• Paul's thanksgiving section in Colossians highlights love, work of God, and Epaphras +• Encouraging Christian behavior through praise and prayer +• The church in Colossae struggled with worldviews and religions, such as Zeus, Apollo, Artemis, and the imperial cult +• Paul encourages Christians to live differently from the world by bearing fruit, growing, being empowered, and giving thanks +• These aspects of the Christian life are unique compared to other ways of living +• The Colossians were under pressure from cultural and political forces, similar to today's society with its access to bad content and worldly messaging +• Christians must resist these pressures at every turn, making it a monumental task +• The speaker notes the difficulty of reading and understanding Leviticus in the morning +• The Colossians and modern society are not so different in their struggles with Christian values +• The Western world is becoming increasingly post- or anti-Christian +• Children and adults are catechized by the media, internet, and iPhones +• It's challenging to resist the temptations of the world and grow in knowledge and affections for God +• God gives hope through Paul that we can walk with Him empowered by prayer, knowledge, and salvation +• Sanctification is a monergistic process where God does the work in us, and we cooperate with Him +• The importance of surrendering to God's work in one's life +• The role of prayer in Christian living and the empowerment of the Spirit +• The distinction between human effort and divine enablement in achieving spiritual goals +• The way God fills believers with knowledge and wisdom through His Word +• The balance between personal responsibility and dependence on God's work +• Encouragement vs. empowerment in faith +• The struggle to maintain courage and boldness in the face of trials and pressures +• Dealing with doubt, questioning God's actions, and suffering +• Paul's reminder to the Colossians of their transfer from darkness to the kingdom of Christ +• Connection between Old Testament stories (Exodus) and Christian salvation +• The story of Exodus has multiple layers of significance and meaning, but its core historical fact is that God rescued His people from Egypt. +• Moses receives the tablets of the law on Mount Sinai, but the Israelites soon succumb to worldly pressures and worship a golden calf. +• Despite their mistakes, the Israelites demonstrate faith in God by donating their riches to build the tabernacle. +• Paul calls Christians to be emboldened not by their own will or determination, but because God has already done that work through His rescue and transfer of them from darkness into light. +• Living by faith and trusting in God +• Not fearing the world but being bold in faith +• God's presence and hope in times of fear, doubt, and despair +• Paul's tone in his letter to the church in Colossae despite being in prison +• The salvation secured in Christ and its encouragement for Christians today +• The importance of living a life pleasing to God +• The role of Christ's work in our salvation and its ongoing effects on us +• The relationship between God's work and our response as believers +• The empowerment of the Holy Spirit for growth, knowledge, and love of Christ +• The call to live in a godly manner that reflects gratitude and faith in Jesus Christ +• The speaker's steadfast love and devotion to Jesus Christ +• Hope and trust in Jesus despite life's challenges and uncertainties +• Salvation through Christ and the forgiveness of sins +• Surrendering one's life and identity to Christ, giving up body and soul +• Dependence on God's power and presence in times of weakness and desperation +• Rejoicing in hope and peace as a result of trusting in Jesus +• Repetition of "Oh" and "Eh" sounds +• No coherent conversation or content mentioned +• Continuous expression of gratitude ("Thank you") from timestamp 5800.56 to 6170.56 \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ccd84464f64801185d969c546392bde30bf01d6c --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 30, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1634 @@ +[0.00 --> 6.84] Let all that you have made bring glory to your name. +[7.14 --> 10.38] When we fall, you are the Savior. +[10.88 --> 14.24] When we call, you are the answer. +[14.74 --> 17.58] There is power in your name. +[18.22 --> 21.48] There is power in your name. +[21.90 --> 28.92] In the name of Jesus, there is life and healing. +[28.92 --> 34.78] Chains are broken in your name. +[36.60 --> 44.72] Every knee will bow down and our hearts will cry out. +[45.18 --> 49.50] Songs of freedom in your name. +[50.94 --> 53.04] Oh, in your name. +[53.04 --> 60.64] Every chain broken away. +[60.64 --> 64.10] In your name. +[66.10 --> 69.48] When we fall, you are the Savior. +[69.86 --> 73.32] When we call, you are the answer. +[73.32 --> 76.86] When we fall, you are the Savior. +[77.28 --> 80.74] When we call, you are the answer. +[81.00 --> 83.96] There is power in your name. +[83.96 --> 90.96] There is power in your name. +[90.96 --> 95.10] There is power in your name. +[95.10 --> 98.64] There is power in your name. +[98.64 --> 102.32] There is power in your name. +[102.32 --> 106.32] There is power in your name. +[106.32 --> 111.00] There is power in your name. +[111.00 --> 117.66] In the name of Jesus, there is life and healing. +[117.66 --> 119.66] There is power in your name. +[119.66 --> 123.40] Chains are broken in your name. +[123.40 --> 125.26] Chains are broken in your name. +[125.26 --> 133.26] And every knee will bow down and our hearts will cry out. +[133.26 --> 138.66] Songs of freedom in your name. +[138.66 --> 140.66] Oh, in your name. +[140.66 --> 141.50] Oh, in your name. +[141.50 --> 144.66] There is power. +[146.66 --> 154.30] There is power in your name. +[168.66 --> 170.66] There is power in your name. +[170.66 --> 171.66] There is power in your name. +[171.66 --> 172.66] There is power in your name. +[172.66 --> 174.06] There is power in your name. +[174.06 --> 175.82] Mark, please come back. +[175.82 --> 179.64] Mark, please come back. +[179.64 --> 184.82] And put your shoes back on, please. +[184.82 --> 194.54] Precious cornstone, sure foundation. +[194.54 --> 202.34] You are faithful to Him. +[202.34 --> 210.04] We are waiting on You, Jesus. +[210.04 --> 217.04] We believe You're all to Him. +[217.04 --> 218.04] Max! +[218.04 --> 219.04] Max! +[219.04 --> 220.04] Max! +[220.04 --> 221.04] Max! +[221.04 --> 229.04] Precious cornerstone, sure foundation. +[229.04 --> 237.04] You are faithful to the end. +[237.04 --> 245.04] We are waiting on You, Jesus. +[245.04 --> 251.04] We believe You're all to us. +[251.04 --> 253.04] Amen. +[253.04 --> 255.04] Amen. +[255.04 --> 263.04] Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the church. +[263.04 --> 271.04] Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. +[271.04 --> 279.04] Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. +[279.04 --> 286.04] We believe You're all to us. +[286.04 --> 288.04] We believe You're all to us. +[288.04 --> 292.04] We believe You're all to us. +[292.04 --> 294.04] We believe You're all to us. +[294.04 --> 296.04] Amen. +[296.04 --> 297.04] Amen. +[297.04 --> 298.04] Amen. +[298.04 --> 299.04] Amen. +[299.04 --> 302.04] One more prayer, this isgalithomals of your love. +[302.04 --> 304.04] The Lord GORDON tudo bem escorted from heaven to pray this morning que yards +[304.04 --> 306.04] под объемing his own soul based on hope and mercy. +[306.04 --> 311.96] The Lord died out of faith, with with with with allwahs in other Fay� +[311.96 --> 313.46] and her love. +[313.46 --> 318.04] The Lord Take your prayer, this isgalithomals of theittomals of the Lord. +[318.04 --> 322.88] You're the promise, Jesus. +[322.88 --> 329.76] You are all to us. +[330.08 --> 331.78] Yeah, you're all. +[333.44 --> 341.20] So let the glory of your name be the passion of the church. +[341.20 --> 348.92] Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. +[349.18 --> 356.68] Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. +[357.14 --> 364.02] We believe you're all to us. +[364.02 --> 372.18] Let the glory of your name be the passion of the church. +[372.46 --> 379.86] Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. +[380.10 --> 387.68] Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. +[387.68 --> 395.68] We believe you're all to us. +[397.68 --> 398.68] Yeah. +[398.68 --> 406.90] You're all to us. +[406.96 --> 414.70] You're all to us. +[414.76 --> 422.22] You're all to us. +[422.22 --> 426.22] Yes, you are. +[426.22 --> 428.22] You're all to us. +[428.22 --> 430.22] You're all to us. +[430.22 --> 436.22] You're all to us. +[436.22 --> 442.22] You're all to us. +[442.22 --> 460.22] You're all to us. +[460.22 --> 462.22] You're all to us. +[462.22 --> 468.22] You're all to us. +[468.22 --> 493.22] When this past starts, world on top, we will see you faced by, and forever we will worship +[493.22 --> 518.22] Jesus, you are the Lord, Jesus, you are the Lord, you are the Lord, you are the Lord, +[518.22 --> 523.22] and forever we will worship you. +[523.22 --> 527.22] Everything to us. +[548.22 --> 553.22] We will worship you. +[553.22 --> 556.22] We will worship you. +[557.22 --> 559.22] We will worship you. +[559.22 --> 562.22] We will worship you. +[562.22 --> 565.22] Faithful. +[565.22 --> 569.22] Forever you are faithful. +[569.22 --> 576.22] Father to the Fatherland. +[576.22 --> 584.22] You uphold the one who feels forsaken. +[586.22 --> 588.22] Good morning. +[588.22 --> 590.22] Welcome to worship. +[590.22 --> 591.22] Worship. +[591.22 --> 593.22] A special welcome if you are visiting with us today. +[593.22 --> 594.22] My name is Chris. +[594.22 --> 598.22] It is our privilege this morning in our worship to welcome Curtis Malista. +[598.22 --> 600.22] He is going to preach for us later. +[600.22 --> 604.22] Curtis is a seminary student at Calvin Theological Seminary. +[604.22 --> 610.22] He used to be one of the pastors at a church here in town and then since moved away and focused on his studies. +[610.22 --> 614.22] So we are grateful for having Curtis later on in our service show up. +[614.22 --> 620.22] We have a couple of announcements before we begin our service and the first announcement is going to be a video. +[620.22 --> 622.22] And so we are going to jump to that right now. +[644.22 --> 664.22] Let's go to the beach. +[664.22 --> 666.22] Yeah, okay. +[666.22 --> 668.22] Where's Josh? +[668.22 --> 669.22] He's in Mexico. +[669.22 --> 670.22] He'll meet us at the beach. +[670.22 --> 671.22] Good for him. +[671.22 --> 674.22] Getting away before the rush of tree tag. +[674.22 --> 675.22] Tree tag! +[675.22 --> 678.22] Kevin, you're looking kind of burnt. +[678.22 --> 681.22] Like, you're really red. +[681.22 --> 685.22] Chris, you're not looking burnt but you are looking kind of jaundice. +[685.22 --> 687.22] I think we should switch spots. +[687.22 --> 690.22] I thought you said Josh was supposed to be here. +[691.22 --> 695.22] Swimming, swimming in the ocean blue. +[695.22 --> 697.22] It's that time of year again. +[697.22 --> 699.22] Tree tag is back. +[699.22 --> 704.22] During the month of April, we encourage you to drop off treats of all sorts. +[704.22 --> 705.22] Like all sorts? +[705.22 --> 706.22] Yes. +[706.22 --> 709.22] Treats of all kinds to our church community. +[709.22 --> 712.22] Whether candies, cards, compliments, or corn chips. +[712.22 --> 719.22] Drop off a treat tag in someone's church mailbox, at their door, or in some other creative and fun way. +[719.22 --> 726.22] And remember, if you get tagged, you then have to pass it off to one or six others. +[728.22 --> 730.22] And so on, and so on. +[730.22 --> 732.22] It's the game that keeps on giving. +[732.22 --> 737.22] And try to tag people you don't know yet. +[737.22 --> 739.22] And remember to include everybody. +[739.22 --> 751.22] Until then, let's just enjoy the smell of the ocean and the beautiful, restful, absolutely not dangerous, relaxing, peaceful, calming vistas. +[751.22 --> 753.22] I'm gonna have an app. +[770.22 --> 771.22] Wanna go fishing? +[771.22 --> 777.94] Oh, you cut it early. +[778.08 --> 779.26] The best part was coming. +[779.76 --> 781.00] You're going to have to watch it online. +[784.42 --> 786.40] There is a note at the end that says, +[786.48 --> 788.66] no Joshes were harmed in the making of this short film. +[788.86 --> 790.98] So you have to go figure out how he gets rescued +[790.98 --> 793.14] as you check that video out online. +[793.92 --> 795.66] So the point of that, it's treat tag. +[795.66 --> 797.76] If you have no idea what that means, +[797.76 --> 801.54] talk to Pastor Kevin or to myself after the service. +[801.82 --> 803.28] If you know what that means, +[803.32 --> 804.28] this is something we've been doing +[804.28 --> 806.42] for the last four or five years. +[806.88 --> 809.14] Now, it's just an opportunity to bless one another +[809.14 --> 812.20] with some treats of some sort and in some way. +[812.32 --> 814.86] We let you creatively figure that out together. +[815.56 --> 817.76] So April is the month we do that every year. +[817.90 --> 820.36] And so we encourage you to start participating in that +[820.36 --> 822.32] when April starts right away. +[822.72 --> 824.14] A couple other announcements. +[824.50 --> 826.38] First of all, worship teams. +[826.38 --> 830.40] You're having a worship session after church today +[830.40 --> 831.54] that includes lunch. +[832.10 --> 833.34] And so if you're on a worship team, +[833.44 --> 836.00] please stick around after our worship this morning. +[836.16 --> 837.94] You'll have some time together, some fellowship, +[838.28 --> 842.74] and work on some emerging worship songs in our midst. +[843.52 --> 846.52] And then also want to note +[846.52 --> 849.14] that youth camp registration ends today. +[849.72 --> 851.74] And so if you haven't registered your youth +[851.74 --> 853.58] or if you are a youth who hasn't yet registered +[853.58 --> 855.86] for youth camp, please do that today. +[855.86 --> 857.88] If you have any questions, again, Pastor Kevin +[857.88 --> 859.20] will deal with those. +[859.42 --> 861.38] And then tonight for the youth, +[861.88 --> 864.54] 2020 is happening here at church. +[864.80 --> 867.44] And that begins at 6.30. +[867.50 --> 867.94] Thank you. +[868.36 --> 871.52] And tonight's topic for 2020 is hell. +[873.14 --> 874.52] So it should be pretty interesting. +[875.40 --> 877.54] Come on out and have, +[877.70 --> 879.66] I'm not going to say enjoy a discussion on hell, +[879.66 --> 882.84] but have a discussion on the reality of hell +[882.84 --> 886.10] and how we can think about that biblically. +[887.12 --> 888.66] I think that's it for announcements. +[888.90 --> 889.78] And so I'm going to invite you, +[889.88 --> 891.18] as you're able, to stand. +[891.68 --> 894.72] We can be welcomed into the presence of our God together. +[897.10 --> 899.50] Following the receiving of God's greeting, +[899.60 --> 901.42] I'm going to invite you to turn to those around you +[901.42 --> 904.04] and welcome them in our shared worship this morning +[904.04 --> 905.68] by passing the peace of Christ. +[905.68 --> 907.08] So you can say the Lord be with you +[907.08 --> 909.30] or the peace of Christ be with you, +[909.30 --> 910.56] or you can just say good morning +[910.56 --> 912.34] and shake a hand or give a fist bump. +[912.60 --> 914.50] Receive the blessing of our God. +[916.34 --> 919.50] Grace, mercy, and peace to you +[919.50 --> 920.60] from God our Father, +[920.92 --> 922.14] from the Lord Jesus Christ, +[922.24 --> 923.70] Son and our Savior, +[924.10 --> 925.24] through the presence and power +[925.24 --> 926.54] of the Holy Spirit. +[927.54 --> 927.86] Amen. +[935.68 --> 936.68] Amen. +[965.68 --> 972.56] Good morning. +[973.68 --> 977.30] Our call to worship this morning is Psalm 13, +[977.46 --> 979.86] Psalm 13, verses 5 and 6. +[980.60 --> 982.74] But I trust in your unfailing love. +[983.06 --> 985.32] My heart rejoices in your salvation. +[986.02 --> 987.74] I will sing the Lord's praises, +[987.98 --> 989.48] for he has been good to me. +[990.16 --> 991.54] Let's worship him together. +[991.54 --> 991.62] Amen. +[995.68 --> 1024.92] It begs to the Lord, our God and King, +[1024.92 --> 1027.92] His love and jones forever. +[1029.12 --> 1032.96] For he is good, he is a final face, +[1033.26 --> 1035.92] His love and jones forever. +[1037.02 --> 1042.92] Sing praise, sing praise. +[1045.06 --> 1048.92] With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, +[1048.92 --> 1051.92] His love and jones forever. +[1051.92 --> 1055.92] For the life that's been reborn, +[1055.92 --> 1059.92] His love and jones forever. +[1059.92 --> 1066.92] Sing praise, sing praise. +[1066.92 --> 1073.92] Sing praise, sing praise. +[1073.92 --> 1074.92] For the life that's been made. +[1074.92 --> 1075.92] For the life that's been made. +[1075.92 --> 1079.92] Forever God is faithful. +[1079.92 --> 1083.92] Forever God is strong. +[1083.92 --> 1087.92] Forever God is with us. +[1087.92 --> 1088.92] Forever. +[1088.92 --> 1089.92] Forever. +[1089.92 --> 1091.92] Forever. +[1091.92 --> 1092.92] Forever. +[1092.92 --> 1093.92] Forever. +[1093.92 --> 1094.92] Forever. +[1094.92 --> 1095.92] Forever. +[1095.92 --> 1096.92] Forever. +[1096.92 --> 1097.92] Forever. +[1097.92 --> 1099.92] Rising to the setting sun, +[1099.92 --> 1101.92] His love endures forever. +[1101.92 --> 1102.92] Forever. +[1102.92 --> 1103.92] Forever. +[1103.92 --> 1104.92] Forever. +[1104.92 --> 1105.92] Forever. +[1105.92 --> 1106.92] Forever. +[1106.92 --> 1107.92] God. +[1107.92 --> 1108.92] God. +[1108.92 --> 1109.92] Forever. +[1109.92 --> 1110.92] God. +[1110.92 --> 1111.92] Furn't. +[1111.92 --> 1116.92] Furn affordance forever. +[1116.92 --> 1117.92] Sing. +[1117.92 --> 1118.92] And let us sing. +[1118.92 --> 1119.92] Bye. +[1119.92 --> 1120.92] And let us sing. +[1120.92 --> 1127.92] Sing praise, sing praise. +[1129.06 --> 1141.92] Forever God is faithful, forever God is strong, forever God is with us, forever. +[1141.92 --> 1158.00] Forever you are faithful, forever you are strong, forever you are with us, forever. +[1160.14 --> 1162.02] Forever. +[1171.92 --> 1173.92] Forever. +[1173.92 --> 1175.92] Forever. +[1175.92 --> 1177.92] Forever. +[1177.92 --> 1179.92] Forever. +[1179.92 --> 1181.92] Forever. +[1181.92 --> 1183.92] Forever. +[1183.92 --> 1185.92] Forever. +[1185.92 --> 1187.92] Forever. +[1187.92 --> 1189.92] Forever. +[1189.92 --> 1191.92] Forever. +[1191.92 --> 1193.92] Forever. +[1193.92 --> 1195.92] Forever. +[1195.92 --> 1197.92] Forever. +[1197.92 --> 1199.92] Forever. +[1199.92 --> 1205.92] You stood before creation, eternity in your heart. +[1205.92 --> 1221.92] You stood before creation, my soul now to stand. +[1221.92 --> 1233.92] I stood before my failure, and carried the cross for my shame. +[1233.92 --> 1239.92] I stood before your shoulder, and my soul now to stand. +[1239.92 --> 1243.92] I stood before your shoulder, and my soul now to stand. +[1243.92 --> 1249.92] So what can I say? +[1249.92 --> 1255.92] And what can I do? +[1255.92 --> 1265.92] But offer this heart, oh God, completely to you. +[1265.92 --> 1266.92] You stood before your shoulder, and my soul now to stand. +[1266.92 --> 1267.92] So what can I say? +[1267.92 --> 1268.92] I'm not going to stand before your shoulder, and my soul now to stand. +[1268.92 --> 1269.92] So what can I say? +[1269.92 --> 1270.92] And what can I do? +[1270.92 --> 1271.92] And what can I do? +[1271.92 --> 1273.92] I'm not going to stand before your shoulder, and my soul now to stand. +[1273.92 --> 1274.92] So what can I say? +[1274.92 --> 1275.92] And what can I do? +[1275.92 --> 1276.92] But I'll move in. +[1276.92 --> 1277.92] I'll move in. +[1277.92 --> 1278.92] And I'll move in. +[1278.92 --> 1284.80] I'd like to declare your promise +[1284.80 --> 1288.28] My soul now to stand +[1288.28 --> 1293.68] So what can I say? +[1296.44 --> 1299.56] And what can I do? +[1302.22 --> 1307.30] But I'll move this far, oh God +[1307.30 --> 1311.26] Don't we need you? +[1313.96 --> 1316.86] So what can I say? +[1319.58 --> 1322.62] And what can I do? +[1325.36 --> 1330.26] But I'll move this far, oh God +[1330.26 --> 1334.46] Don't we need you? +[1337.30 --> 1350.48] So I'll stand with arms high and heart out there +[1350.48 --> 1356.94] In awe of the one who gave it all +[1356.94 --> 1372.12] I'll stand with arms high and heart out there +[1372.12 --> 1379.12] In awe of the one who gave it all +[1379.12 --> 1385.30] I'll stand with arms high and heart out there +[1385.30 --> 1390.30] In awe of the one who gave it all +[1390.30 --> 1394.30] I'll stand with arms high and heart out there +[1394.30 --> 1400.30] In awe of the one who gave it all +[1400.30 --> 1402.30] Who gave it all +[1402.30 --> 1405.30] I'll stand with my soul +[1405.30 --> 1407.30] Lord, to you surrender +[1407.30 --> 1409.30] All I am +[1409.30 --> 1413.30] It's yours all +[1413.30 --> 1415.30] I am +[1415.30 --> 1417.30] It's yours all +[1417.30 --> 1424.30] You may be seated +[1424.30 --> 1429.86] Please join me in prayer +[1429.86 --> 1434.34] Gracious and merciful God +[1434.34 --> 1436.86] We humbly confess our sins +[1436.86 --> 1441.14] Sins we have committed when we have strayed from your path +[1441.14 --> 1441.98] In our thoughts +[1441.98 --> 1443.16] In our words +[1443.16 --> 1444.46] And in our actions +[1444.46 --> 1447.76] In the next moment of silent confession +[1447.76 --> 1450.36] We acknowledge our failures and shortcomings +[1450.36 --> 1453.42] We seek your forgiveness and healing +[1453.42 --> 1462.22] 次に +[1462.22 --> 1466.70] 温め poco +[1466.70 --> 1470.68] から +[1470.68 --> 1472.52] 福祉 +[1472.84 --> 1474.76] jakby +[1475.38 --> 1478.44] 作 loud +[1478.44 --> 1508.42] Thank you. +[1508.44 --> 1538.42] Thank you. +[1538.44 --> 1540.44] Thank you. +[1568.44 --> 1570.44] Thank you. +[1598.44 --> 1600.44] Thank you. +[1628.44 --> 1630.44] Thank you. +[1658.44 --> 1660.44] Thank you. +[1688.44 --> 1690.44] Thank you. +[1718.44 --> 1720.44] Thank you. +[1748.44 --> 1750.44] Thank you. +[1750.44 --> 1752.44] Thank you. +[1752.44 --> 1754.44] Thank you. +[1754.44 --> 1756.44] Thank you. +[1756.44 --> 1758.44] Thank you. +[1758.44 --> 1760.44] Thank you. +[1760.44 --> 1762.44] Thank you. +[1762.44 --> 1764.44] Thank you. +[1764.44 --> 1772.44] Thank you. +[1772.44 --> 1776.44] Thank you. +[1776.44 --> 1781.26] The joy of the Lord will be my strength. +[1781.26 --> 1786.18] I will not falter, I will not faint. +[1786.62 --> 1790.78] He is my shepherd, I am not afraid. +[1791.30 --> 1795.06] The joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1796.20 --> 1804.82] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1804.82 --> 1814.90] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1817.46 --> 1823.00] The joy of the Lord will be my strength. +[1823.56 --> 1828.06] He will uphold me all of my days. +[1828.42 --> 1832.74] I am surrounded by mercy and grace. +[1832.74 --> 1836.74] The joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1836.74 --> 1846.74] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1846.74 --> 1856.16] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1857.12 --> 1862.12] The joy of the Lord will be my strength. +[1862.58 --> 1866.92] I will not waver, walking by faith. +[1867.44 --> 1871.56] He will be strong to deliver me, say. +[1871.56 --> 1885.56] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1885.56 --> 1895.56] The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1895.56 --> 1914.50] The joy of the Lord is my strength. +[1914.50 --> 1922.70] of the deacons here at Emanuel. Our offerings this morning are first for our budget, which gives to +[1922.70 --> 1928.60] the ministries and such of this church. If you would like to donate to that, you can use the +[1928.60 --> 1935.08] envelopes and label it. The envelopes are in your front, should be in the chairs in front of you. +[1935.88 --> 1941.26] Our second offering this morning is for C10, which is Commissioned to Every Nation. +[1941.26 --> 1948.38] C10 is a servant organization which helps missionaries to fulfill the vision that God +[1948.38 --> 1954.74] has given them. Through the administrative support, they provide accountability and they help the +[1954.74 --> 1960.46] missionaries get to the field. Through their pastoral care, they help the missionaries remain +[1960.46 --> 1968.68] effective and healthy while they are there. Our church has supported Jody and Uriel Gonzalez +[1968.68 --> 1979.40] through C10 for a number of years. That's what our offering is for this morning. I have a +[1979.40 --> 1987.30] letter, note, whatever, directly from Jody. I'm just going to read that to you this morning. +[1988.16 --> 1990.00] She says, or they do, +[1990.00 --> 1997.36] Good morning, Emanuel family. As we go through some team withdrawal after having a fabulous time +[1997.36 --> 2004.42] with them here, we first want to say a great big thank you. Thank you for faithfully sending a group +[2004.42 --> 2010.58] to our area of the world. Having church family come and work here for a time truly keeps us motivated. +[2010.58 --> 2019.66] Even though the team has returned home, the work here continues. 18 men are currently living at Alfaro +[2019.66 --> 2027.02] men's home. A quick story. There was a gentleman who was found on the side of the road near death. He was +[2027.02 --> 2033.36] brought to a local rehab and stayed there for a few months. They contacted Uriel to see if we had a bed +[2033.36 --> 2041.06] for him. He came with nothing. He was clean and sober, but he was empty and lost. He knew the Lord, +[2041.30 --> 2049.42] but had walked away. He's now going to church and he starts a new job on Monday. God is working in him. +[2049.96 --> 2057.04] This is just one of the many lives that are changing here at Alfaro. I, Jody, have started a women's group +[2057.04 --> 2063.38] called Interwoven. Two Saturdays a month, a group of ladies get together to knit, crochet, latch hook, +[2063.54 --> 2068.98] sew, whatever. I have a sewing machine, but don't know how to use it. A lady asked if she could use +[2068.98 --> 2075.30] it during our interwoven time to make curtains for her home. Yes. Another lady has offered to teach us +[2075.30 --> 2082.20] how to sew. We have 17 regular ladies, Spanish and English speaking, who come during our drop-in times. +[2082.20 --> 2088.28] This is a new type of outreach ministry that is opening up doors of opportunity in our area. +[2089.16 --> 2094.94] Emmanuel family, thank you for your continued support. Your faithfulness in praying for us +[2094.94 --> 2101.98] and giving of your finances makes this possible. God is using you to help us help others. +[2102.54 --> 2107.12] Jody, Uriel, Jonathan, and Antonio. Let's give as God has given to us. +[2112.20 --> 2134.08] Suosda, the FROM THE BRUS mismo called +[2134.08 --> 2143.46] Man of Soros have gone by his own betrayal. +[2143.46 --> 2155.70] The sin of Man of Atta gone has killed Jesus' name. +[2155.70 --> 2168.70] Silent as he stood accused, beaten, rocked, and stoned. +[2168.70 --> 2180.70] Fowing to the Father's will, he took the crown of thorns. +[2180.70 --> 2192.84] O that rugged cross, my salvation, with your love poured out over me. +[2192.84 --> 2203.74] Now my soul cries out, hallelujah, praise and honor of Jesus. +[2203.74 --> 2216.74] Set a heaven God's own Son to purchase and redeem. +[2216.74 --> 2227.74] And red and solidary ones who nailed him to the tree. +[2227.74 --> 2238.74] Hold that rugged cross, my salvation, with your love poured out over me. +[2238.74 --> 2248.74] Now my soul cries out, hallelujah, praise and honor of Jesus. +[2248.74 --> 2259.08] Now my debt is paid, it is paid in full. +[2259.08 --> 2264.66] By the precious blood that my Jesus built. +[2265.00 --> 2270.16] Now the curse of sin has no hold on me. +[2270.44 --> 2275.34] When the Son stands free, always free indeed. +[2275.34 --> 2302.80] Oh that rugged cross, my salvation. +[2302.80 --> 2308.80] When the Son stands free, always free indeed. +[2308.80 --> 2318.80] Now my soul cries out, hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2318.80 --> 2327.80] See the stone is rolled away. +[2327.80 --> 2332.80] Behold the empty tomb. +[2332.80 --> 2334.80] Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2334.80 --> 2339.80] Hallelujah, God be praised, he's risen from the grave. +[2339.80 --> 2343.80] He's risen from the grave. +[2343.80 --> 2353.80] Oh my rugged cross, my salvation, with your love poured out over me. +[2353.80 --> 2365.80] And my soul cries out, hallelujah, praise and honor unto thee. +[2365.80 --> 2371.80] Praise and honor unto thee. +[2371.80 --> 2381.80] Good morning. +[2381.80 --> 2382.80] Good morning. +[2382.80 --> 2387.80] My name is Mr. Mike and I'd like to invite all the four-year-olds up to grade four to come up for Kids Corner +[2387.80 --> 2390.80] before we head off to Children's Worship Time. +[2390.80 --> 2392.80] Oh boy, you can't get any closer. +[2392.80 --> 2393.80] Ooh. +[2394.80 --> 2395.80] Come on up. +[2398.80 --> 2400.80] Okay, oh, oh. +[2400.80 --> 2403.80] Okay guys, it's pretty nice out. +[2403.80 --> 2406.80] I'm feeling pretty good about myself today. +[2406.80 --> 2408.80] How are you guys feeling? +[2408.80 --> 2409.80] Good? +[2409.80 --> 2410.80] Oh, oh boy. +[2410.80 --> 2412.80] Okay, this might go in my direction. +[2412.80 --> 2416.80] I'm feeling so good about myself, I kind of think I'm better than you guys. +[2416.80 --> 2417.80] Huh? +[2417.80 --> 2419.80] What do you guys think? +[2419.80 --> 2421.80] Oh, not so sure, eh? +[2421.80 --> 2425.80] Okay, well, let's have a little competition then, shall we? +[2425.80 --> 2430.80] Have their brave soul who thinks they want to come up against me for who's better? +[2430.80 --> 2431.80] Huh? +[2431.80 --> 2433.80] How about we have these two girls come on up. +[2433.80 --> 2434.80] Okay. +[2434.80 --> 2438.80] All right, first up, I think I'm better because I'm taller. +[2438.80 --> 2440.80] Let's see, back to back. +[2440.80 --> 2441.80] Who's taller? +[2441.80 --> 2442.80] Who's taller? +[2442.80 --> 2443.80] Me? +[2443.80 --> 2446.80] Oh, okay, well, thank you. +[2446.80 --> 2448.80] Does that make me better? +[2448.80 --> 2449.80] Oh. +[2449.80 --> 2451.80] Okay, all right, I'll try again. +[2451.80 --> 2452.80] Let's see. +[2452.80 --> 2453.80] Oh, what's this? +[2453.80 --> 2454.80] Oh. +[2454.80 --> 2457.80] I know how to drive. +[2457.80 --> 2460.80] Do you know how to drive? +[2460.80 --> 2461.80] No. +[2461.80 --> 2462.80] Oh. +[2462.80 --> 2464.80] Maybe that makes me better. +[2464.80 --> 2465.80] No. +[2465.80 --> 2466.80] What? +[2466.80 --> 2469.80] Oh, every parent knows how to drive, she says. +[2469.80 --> 2470.80] Sure, sure. +[2470.80 --> 2473.80] Okay, all right, I'll try again. +[2473.80 --> 2476.80] How much money you got? +[2476.80 --> 2481.80] We're not going to sense my sense of balance, that's for sure. +[2481.80 --> 2482.80] 60 million. +[2482.80 --> 2483.80] You, what? +[2483.80 --> 2484.80] Oh, look at this. +[2484.80 --> 2485.80] Look at this. +[2485.80 --> 2486.80] Thousand. +[2486.80 --> 2492.80] How do you, how do you guys, oh, okay, well, paper. +[2492.80 --> 2493.80] Okay, all right, all right. +[2493.80 --> 2495.80] Maybe that didn't work. +[2495.80 --> 2496.80] Maybe that didn't work. +[2496.80 --> 2499.80] Oh, someone's, you got American money? +[2499.80 --> 2501.80] Oh, my goodness. +[2501.80 --> 2502.80] All right, all right. +[2502.80 --> 2504.80] Take that one off the list. +[2504.80 --> 2511.80] How about, all right, you guys, I think you got a nice dress on, do you? +[2511.80 --> 2513.80] Let's see. +[2513.80 --> 2524.80] This makes me better, eh? +[2524.80 --> 2529.80] No, oh, oh, a little heckling from the audience. +[2529.80 --> 2531.80] All right, it always works in my favor. +[2531.80 --> 2534.80] All right, well, I got the last piece de resistance. +[2534.80 --> 2537.80] This is gonna top it off. +[2537.80 --> 2538.80] All right. +[2538.80 --> 2540.80] We all saw the game last night, huh? +[2540.80 --> 2541.80] Huh? +[2541.80 --> 2543.80] I am wearing the blood, though. +[2543.80 --> 2545.80] But are you a fan of these guys, huh? +[2545.80 --> 2547.80] Does that make you better, make me better? +[2547.80 --> 2548.80] No. +[2548.80 --> 2549.80] What? +[2549.80 --> 2550.80] No? +[2550.80 --> 2552.80] Oh, okay, all right. +[2552.80 --> 2554.80] All right, I'm struggling. +[2554.80 --> 2557.80] Well, we've been talking about the Book of Mark. +[2557.80 --> 2563.80] Thank you, ladies, for your brave efforts coming up against me. +[2563.80 --> 2566.80] We've been talking about the Book of Mark in Children's Bershive Time, right? +[2566.80 --> 2573.80] And all about the different things that make us who we are and our identity in Jesus. +[2573.80 --> 2580.80] And a big one is none of us is better than the other person because we're all children of God. +[2580.80 --> 2582.80] So we're gonna talk more about that today, okay? +[2582.80 --> 2585.80] So let's do that in Children's Bershive Time. +[2585.80 --> 2591.80] But before then, let's stand and we'll bless the congregation that's gonna stay here and learn from Pastor Chris. +[2591.80 --> 2594.80] And we are gonna learn a little bit more. +[2594.80 --> 2595.80] Oh, Curtis. +[2595.80 --> 2596.80] That's right. +[2596.80 --> 2598.80] Pastor Curtis is here today. +[2598.80 --> 2600.80] All right, let's do this together. +[2600.80 --> 2601.80] Arms up. +[2601.80 --> 2621.80] Good morning. +[2621.80 --> 2622.80] My name is Ken. +[2622.80 --> 2626.80] I just have one quick announcement before Steve has some announcements from Council. +[2626.80 --> 2635.80] Every first Saturday of the month, our church gathers with folks up the hill at the retirement community, Sunridge Gardens. +[2635.80 --> 2637.80] And we have a church service at 2 p.m. +[2637.80 --> 2638.80] So that's coming up this Saturday. +[2638.80 --> 2643.80] And for anyone who's been wondering what that's about, it's kind of a small, intimate setting. +[2643.80 --> 2646.80] We're sitting around on chairs kind of in a circle sort of set up around a piano. +[2646.80 --> 2651.80] We sing some of the old classic hymns and songs and then have a small message. +[2651.80 --> 2656.80] And we sit together and share story and life with folks up there. +[2656.80 --> 2659.80] And there's a number of our church members who are residents at Sunridge as well. +[2659.80 --> 2664.80] So if you've ever been thinking about coming out or if you're wondering a bit more about it, please reach out to me. +[2664.80 --> 2667.80] And I can give you a little more info. +[2667.80 --> 2669.80] And Saturday at 2 p.m. we'll be meeting there. +[2669.80 --> 2673.80] So we'd love to see more of you there. Thanks. +[2673.80 --> 2674.80] Thanks. +[2674.80 --> 2675.80] I'm up here. +[2675.80 --> 2679.80] Steve is an elder to announce a few reminders. +[2679.80 --> 2687.80] Next week, Tuesday, I think it is, April 8th, we have a town hall to discuss the job description for a second pastor. +[2687.80 --> 2694.80] And the other announcements we've got, we're in the nomination process for pastoral elders and deacons. +[2694.80 --> 2698.80] So there's details in the bulletin about that. And yeah, so check that out. +[2698.80 --> 2701.80] And I'll hand it off to Sarah here. +[2701.80 --> 2706.80] Good morning. +[2706.80 --> 2713.80] Before we dive into, people usually introduce themselves up here. +[2713.80 --> 2720.80] My name is Sarah. I am one of your sisters in Christ here at Emanuel. +[2720.80 --> 2728.80] And just a note of change to one of the prayer request items. +[2728.80 --> 2733.80] And Tessa, Jerry Jansen's daughter and Enochalas' sister. +[2733.80 --> 2739.80] She had some surgery to remove a tumor. +[2739.80 --> 2745.80] She's regaining some strength but still has some more treatment ahead. +[2745.80 --> 2748.80] So just an adjustment to what was written there. +[2748.80 --> 2756.80] And then Joan, Clary Klosterhof's sister, has stage 3 cancer and is starting treatment. +[2756.80 --> 2761.80] So we'll keep them in our prayers along with the list we have here. +[2761.80 --> 2764.80] Join me in prayer. +[2768.80 --> 2774.80] Heavenly Father, we come to you in prayer, lifting up our community. +[2774.80 --> 2782.80] We thank you for each person sitting here and those who cannot be here with us. +[2782.80 --> 2789.80] Lord, we think especially of those who have sickness who can't be with us. +[2789.80 --> 2793.80] Those who have mobility issues who can't be with us. +[2793.80 --> 2797.80] Those who aren't feeling well who are at home. +[2797.80 --> 2802.80] And we pray that they would feel your arm around them. +[2802.80 --> 2806.80] And the extension of community in whatever space they're in. +[2809.80 --> 2811.80] Lord, we thank you that you hear our prayers. +[2813.80 --> 2816.80] And we first want to bring our thanksgiving before you. +[2816.80 --> 2823.80] Our thanksgiving for the Mexico team who went down during spring break. +[2823.80 --> 2831.80] Lord, the bountiful of experiences, of joys, of connection. +[2831.80 --> 2836.80] Lord, there was a youth conference that our team hosted. +[2836.80 --> 2839.80] A children's festival. +[2839.80 --> 2844.80] And they engaged with the church that were connected there. +[2844.80 --> 2847.80] And the Gonzales family, Lord, and their ministry. +[2847.80 --> 2857.80] Lord, we thank you for those connections and the family that has been developed over the years. +[2857.80 --> 2861.80] Over 30 years, Lord, we thank you for that. +[2861.80 --> 2864.80] Your goodness in those relationships. +[2864.80 --> 2870.80] And for the experiences for the team and for the people who live there, Lord. +[2871.80 --> 2874.80] Also thinking about spring break. +[2874.80 --> 2880.80] We thank you for the rest that some have been able to have, Lord. +[2880.80 --> 2883.80] And the travel and family time. +[2883.80 --> 2885.80] Lord, we thank you for that. +[2885.80 --> 2890.80] And we pray for everyone heading back into school. +[2890.80 --> 2896.80] We pray for parents as maybe they get back into their work routine. +[2896.80 --> 2899.80] For kids as they get back into their school routine. +[2899.80 --> 2901.80] Transitions can be hard. +[2901.80 --> 2907.80] And we pray that you give us each a generous measure of patience for each other. +[2907.80 --> 2916.80] Lord, we also bring up in thanksgiving for the successful surgeries. +[2916.80 --> 2920.80] Hip replacement for Emily Klingelting and Judy Versteg. +[2920.80 --> 2924.80] Lord, both of them had smooth procedures. +[2924.80 --> 2929.80] And we thank you so much that those went well. +[2929.80 --> 2931.80] And we pray for the recovery process. +[2931.80 --> 2933.80] Lord, it can be long. +[2933.80 --> 2934.80] It can be slow. +[2934.80 --> 2936.80] It can be challenging. +[2936.80 --> 2940.80] And so I pray that you would give them patience. +[2940.80 --> 2947.80] And that their community and family would surround them as they regain their strength. +[2947.80 --> 2960.80] Lord, we turn to you asking for your strength for those who are struggling with health issues. +[2960.80 --> 2965.80] We first lift up those with mental health challenges. +[2965.80 --> 2970.80] Lord, this can be really hard. +[2970.80 --> 2974.80] We have all been touched by it. +[2974.80 --> 2977.80] Whether ourselves or knowing someone. +[2977.80 --> 2981.80] Or maybe even we don't know the person beside us. +[2981.80 --> 2983.80] What they're struggling with. +[2983.80 --> 2985.80] Sometimes it can be hidden. +[2985.80 --> 2989.80] Sometimes it can be right in front of our face, Lord. +[2989.80 --> 2995.80] And sometimes we don't know how to deal with it. +[2996.80 --> 3000.80] And maybe sometimes it's something that can't be dealt with. +[3000.80 --> 3003.80] And we just need to sit in that. +[3003.80 --> 3017.80] Lord, give us the patience and the grace and the love that we need to sit with people as they walk hard, dark roads. +[3017.80 --> 3024.80] May your peace and comfort and healing surround those who are struggling with mental health challenges. +[3024.80 --> 3029.80] And we pray for strength. +[3029.80 --> 3034.80] Lord, we also want to lift up those who are having physical challenges. +[3034.80 --> 3038.80] We think especially of Tara and her family. +[3038.80 --> 3040.80] Her husband. +[3040.80 --> 3046.80] He's been suffering from a disintegrating disc disease. +[3046.80 --> 3052.80] For those of us who don't have or haven't had back pain. +[3052.80 --> 3060.80] We probably don't even know the measure of pain that he has experienced and is continuing to experience. +[3061.80 --> 3064.80] Lord, we pray for strength in that. +[3065.80 --> 3067.80] We pray for healing. +[3068.80 --> 3071.80] We pray that the right treatments would come along. +[3072.80 --> 3077.80] We give wisdom to the doctors who are involved in his care. +[3077.80 --> 3087.80] Lord, we also think of Tara's brother-in-law who's in the hospital after suffering two strokes. +[3089.80 --> 3098.80] This wild change of life is hard for him and is hard for the family around him. +[3098.80 --> 3101.80] It's a long road, Lord. +[3101.80 --> 3103.80] A lot of changes. +[3103.80 --> 3106.80] We pray for patience. +[3107.80 --> 3114.80] We pray that that slow progression would bring a sense of comfort for them. +[3115.80 --> 3117.80] But we know that it can be hard. +[3117.80 --> 3120.80] It can be really hard, the changes in life that that brings. +[3120.80 --> 3127.80] And so we pray that you would be with him in those moments. +[3130.80 --> 3133.80] We also want to lift up Lena. +[3134.80 --> 3138.80] Lena is back in the hospital after having a fall. +[3141.80 --> 3144.80] Lord, we pray for whatever pain that she's experiencing. +[3144.80 --> 3152.80] And we pray that things would move along so that they can determine what needs to be done for her. +[3153.80 --> 3154.80] Lord. +[3159.80 --> 3164.80] We also pray for the parents in our midst with sick children. +[3165.80 --> 3167.80] The children who keep getting sick. +[3167.80 --> 3173.80] Who seem to recover for maybe a day, maybe a week, and then get sick again and bring it home. +[3173.80 --> 3176.80] And then the parents get sick, Lord. +[3176.80 --> 3179.80] This can be a very frustrating cycle. +[3180.80 --> 3187.80] Especially with plans and life going on, having to cancel, having to move things around, having to be flexible. +[3188.80 --> 3191.80] And Lord, the toll of having to take care of sick children. +[3192.80 --> 3197.80] It can be hard to have patience in those moments. +[3197.80 --> 3199.80] And maybe hard to have strength. +[3199.80 --> 3203.80] Lord, I pray that you would bring healing. +[3203.80 --> 3205.80] We thank you for this warm weather. +[3206.80 --> 3209.80] That we can all go outside and enjoy it. +[3209.80 --> 3211.80] And we pray for more sun. +[3212.80 --> 3216.80] And pray that that would boost our health, Lord. +[3218.80 --> 3220.80] But we know that sickness comes around. +[3220.80 --> 3224.80] And so we pray for those that are continuing to struggle with that, that you would walk with them. +[3226.80 --> 3228.80] Lord, we also pray for Tessa. +[3229.80 --> 3233.80] As we learned that she had surgery to remove a tumor. +[3234.80 --> 3239.80] And she's regaining strength, which is good and encouraging, but she has a road ahead of her still. +[3239.80 --> 3262.80] Lord, this, for some of us, for those especially close to her, can be really hard to watch the process of treatment and hope for healing, but not knowing the future. +[3262.80 --> 3277.80] Lord, we also pray for Doug, Elise Wagner's dad, Tanya, Amanda Hogawoning's sister and class test maker's daughter. +[3277.80 --> 3284.80] These are all people in our communities who are struggling with cancer. +[3285.80 --> 3289.80] As well as Joan, Clary's sister. +[3293.80 --> 3295.80] Sometimes we don't understand it. +[3295.80 --> 3300.80] And that's really hard. +[3301.80 --> 3302.80] We don't understand the why. +[3304.80 --> 3308.80] We don't necessarily see the hope. +[3309.80 --> 3311.80] But we hold on to that glimmer of hope. +[3312.80 --> 3314.80] That you are our God. +[3317.80 --> 3320.80] And that you hold everything and everyone in your hands. +[3320.80 --> 3324.80] Which sometimes can make us angry. +[3326.80 --> 3327.80] In the why. +[3328.80 --> 3334.80] We pray that you would soften our hearts and open us to your love. +[3335.80 --> 3337.80] And hear your voice. +[3337.80 --> 3338.80] I hear you. +[3339.80 --> 3340.80] I see you. +[3341.80 --> 3342.80] In the tears by the hospital beds. +[3343.80 --> 3347.80] In the hard times when life is changing. +[3347.80 --> 3348.80] Be with us, Lord. +[3350.80 --> 3352.80] Thank you for listening to our prayers. +[3355.80 --> 3356.80] We pray. +[3357.80 --> 3361.80] As we turn to your message, Lord. +[3362.80 --> 3363.80] That you would be with Curtis. +[3364.80 --> 3368.80] And that you would open our hearts and our eyes to see you and hear your word. +[3369.80 --> 3370.80] In your name we pray. +[3370.80 --> 3371.80] Amen. +[3371.80 --> 3372.80] Good morning. +[3373.80 --> 3374.80] Good morning. +[3374.80 --> 3376.80] It's good to be here. +[3376.80 --> 3378.80] See some familiar faces. +[3378.80 --> 3391.58] Good morning. +[3393.10 --> 3396.26] It's good to be here, see some familiar faces. +[3397.32 --> 3399.52] For those of you who don't know me, my name is Curtis Maliefsta. +[3400.10 --> 3404.68] I'm a member at Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church in Salmon Arm, and so I bring greetings +[3404.68 --> 3406.78] from your sister church up in the interior. +[3406.78 --> 3413.08] And I know this building, this church family has a special place in the hearts of some +[3413.08 --> 3417.16] of us because of Reactivate, and many of our youth look forward to coming here every year, +[3417.26 --> 3417.90] as do I. +[3418.88 --> 3423.98] So I would invite you to turn in your Bibles to Colossians chapter 1 with me. +[3424.68 --> 3430.58] We're going to read the first 14 verses, and we're going to focus on the last few, verses +[3430.58 --> 3431.42] 9 to 14. +[3436.78 --> 3442.08] Colossians chapter 1, verse 1, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God and Timothy, +[3442.24 --> 3447.74] our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae, grace to you and peace +[3447.74 --> 3448.78] from God our Father. +[3448.78 --> 3454.16] We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we +[3454.16 --> 3459.46] heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints because +[3459.46 --> 3461.30] of the hope laid up for you in heaven. +[3461.96 --> 3466.58] Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you +[3466.58 --> 3471.72] as indeed in the whole world that is bearing fruit and increasing as it also does among +[3471.72 --> 3477.16] you since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned +[3477.16 --> 3480.26] it from Epaphras, our fellow beloved servant. +[3480.96 --> 3486.32] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in +[3486.32 --> 3486.68] the Spirit. +[3487.80 --> 3492.66] And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may +[3492.66 --> 3497.98] be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so +[3497.98 --> 3504.12] as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every +[3504.12 --> 3510.88] good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according +[3510.88 --> 3516.32] to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father +[3516.32 --> 3521.24] who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. +[3521.84 --> 3527.48] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his +[3527.48 --> 3532.54] beloved Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. +[3533.04 --> 3534.16] This is the word of the Lord. +[3534.88 --> 3535.90] Thanks be to God. +[3536.38 --> 3537.44] Let's pray together. +[3538.58 --> 3543.58] Our Father in heaven, we come before your throne this morning and we ask now that you would +[3543.58 --> 3548.62] give us ears to hear, that you might anoint the preaching of your word by your Holy Spirit +[3548.62 --> 3554.44] to sound forth with great power and authority, and that you might do a work in our hearts, +[3554.44 --> 3557.12] just what each one of us needs to hear. +[3557.78 --> 3559.26] We pray this in Jesus' name. +[3559.44 --> 3559.68] Amen. +[3562.36 --> 3567.02] You've likely heard the phrase, walk the walk, don't just talk the talk. +[3567.46 --> 3569.78] This is a common phrase, pregnant with meaning. +[3569.90 --> 3570.66] It gets thrown about. +[3570.80 --> 3576.14] I remember hearing it in elementary school, and I don't know how much it gets used today, +[3576.14 --> 3581.78] but it's funny that this is still a common phrase, and yet we hear an echo of it in the +[3581.78 --> 3586.72] text in Colossians where Paul talks about walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. +[3587.66 --> 3590.22] What we do regularly and what Paul is doing is the same thing. +[3590.22 --> 3598.60] He's drawing on ancient wisdom literature to say that the path of life often is exemplified +[3598.60 --> 3599.48] in this pathway. +[3599.66 --> 3601.26] We can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. +[3601.26 --> 3607.72] We can choose two paths, two paths diverge in a yellow wood, as Robert Frost has said. +[3609.42 --> 3613.40] And so I was wondering when I came across this passage, well, what does Paul really mean +[3613.40 --> 3615.08] when he says walk in a manner worthy of the Lord? +[3615.10 --> 3620.82] Because embedded within this Thanksgiving section of Paul is some encouragement and some advice +[3620.82 --> 3627.00] from Paul to the church in Colossae, and now from God through Paul to us today, this morning. +[3627.00 --> 3632.04] And so the question that we have is what is in there for us? +[3632.08 --> 3634.84] Because the Bible is not written to us, it's written for us. +[3634.88 --> 3639.44] So when Paul says to the church, walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, we should know what +[3639.44 --> 3643.68] that means generally, and maybe we should think a little bit more specifically about that. +[3643.80 --> 3644.80] And so that's what we're going to look at. +[3646.30 --> 3651.68] The words that God has given to the church in Colossae and indeed for us this morning is +[3651.68 --> 3656.18] fitting for us today because of the hope laid up in heaven that Paul mentions in verse +[3656.18 --> 3663.22] five, which is the good news that Christ conquers, has conquered sin and reigns victorious on +[3663.22 --> 3665.62] the earth, and that is indeed good news. +[3666.08 --> 3669.40] Because brothers and sisters, what really could be better news than that? +[3669.46 --> 3674.38] The same God that paid the price for you, the same God that rules over all creation, the +[3674.38 --> 3681.84] same God that has created it, the same God who's created and fashioned you, desires you, +[3682.30 --> 3684.08] wants to rescue you, wants to redeem you. +[3684.08 --> 3689.12] And indeed he has done that on the cross and he wants to walk with you and talk with you. +[3690.34 --> 3695.86] And so from this passage, we are to be encouraged in our walk with Christ. +[3696.38 --> 3703.70] We are to be empowered in our walk with Christ and we can be emboldened in our walk with Christ. +[3704.00 --> 3706.48] Encouraged, empowered, and emboldened. +[3706.48 --> 3713.86] Paul tends to write his letters in a similar style and this letter to the church in Colossae +[3713.86 --> 3715.38] is no different. +[3716.00 --> 3720.18] He greets the church always, you're probably familiar with that, and then he enters into +[3720.18 --> 3724.52] a little section of thanksgiving where he thanks the church for the things that they +[3724.52 --> 3729.04] are doing and he reminds them of what Paul is thankful for. +[3729.04 --> 3733.56] And there's a few notable moments in this particular thanksgiving section. +[3734.20 --> 3738.12] The preceding verses, not part of our focus, but the context is important. +[3739.18 --> 3742.84] Paul's thankful for the love of the saints for their fellow Christians. +[3743.56 --> 3746.32] He's thankful for the work of God among them. +[3746.88 --> 3750.98] And he is thankful for Epaphras, this fellow beloved minister. +[3750.98 --> 3754.68] But in verse 9, the tone of the thanksgiving shifts. +[3755.66 --> 3758.96] The and so indicates that there's a shift in the tone. +[3759.02 --> 3762.80] And this isn't just because Paul wants to make another list, it's because he's doing +[3762.80 --> 3763.74] something else. +[3764.38 --> 3770.30] As Pastor Chris probably remembers from New Testament class with Dr. Wyma, Paul is a very +[3770.30 --> 3771.06] good letter writer. +[3771.90 --> 3776.30] And when he makes shifts in the way he writes, we should pay attention because he doesn't do +[3776.30 --> 3778.68] these things by accident. +[3778.68 --> 3785.64] And so, Paul makes this shift and he brings out this idiom of walking through life. +[3786.12 --> 3788.78] And this is Paul's encouragement to the Colossians. +[3789.70 --> 3794.30] It might be similar if I came here and I said, thank you, Langley, Emmanuel, Christian +[3794.30 --> 3796.34] Form Church for welcoming me into your pulpit. +[3796.62 --> 3801.22] I've heard from my good friend Kevin that you guys are all very good at listening to sermons. +[3802.06 --> 3803.16] And you might think, oh, that's very nice. +[3803.24 --> 3804.24] Kevin said that about us. +[3804.48 --> 3805.44] I know Curtis affirmed it. +[3805.44 --> 3810.60] But what's really going on is I'm encouraging you to continue in that way, that you would +[3810.60 --> 3811.50] be more inclined. +[3811.54 --> 3812.74] We do this with our kids all the time. +[3813.28 --> 3815.08] My kids do something good and I say, oh, good job. +[3815.12 --> 3816.12] That's really good that you did that. +[3816.30 --> 3820.12] It's not because I just want to thank them for doing it, because I want to encourage them +[3820.12 --> 3821.58] to do more of that good thing. +[3822.26 --> 3823.66] And so, Paul does the same thing. +[3823.66 --> 3830.46] And so, he does this by saying that he's praying for them to be filled with the knowledge of +[3830.46 --> 3835.42] God's will, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to bear good fruit, and to increase +[3835.42 --> 3836.44] in the knowledge of God. +[3836.86 --> 3841.04] These are things that the Colossians have been doing through the work of Epaphras and through +[3841.04 --> 3841.82] the work of the Holy Spirit. +[3842.26 --> 3844.30] And Paul wants them to do more of it. +[3844.30 --> 3850.26] And so, we know what they're doing because of Epaphras, and Paul wants to encourage them +[3850.26 --> 3851.52] in those ways. +[3851.64 --> 3853.00] But why does he want to do that? +[3853.60 --> 3856.48] Because these are things that the church in Colossae struggled with. +[3856.62 --> 3862.26] Colossae was on a significant trade route in Asia Minor, which meant like many cities +[3862.26 --> 3867.38] of their day, they were pressured by many different worldviews and religions. +[3867.38 --> 3874.52] And so, in this particular city, there was significant worship of Zeus, of Apollo, of Artemis, and +[3874.52 --> 3878.98] of course, the imperial cult where everybody was called to worship the Caesar. +[3880.60 --> 3887.02] And so, Paul is encouraging these Christians to be different than the world around them and +[3887.02 --> 3890.64] to live in according to their understanding of Christ. +[3891.56 --> 3897.30] He encourages them in four ways to exemplify this lifestyle, bearing fruit, growing, being +[3897.30 --> 3898.74] empowered, and giving thanks. +[3899.38 --> 3904.24] And according to the Scriptures, these are aspects of the Christian life that make Christian +[3904.24 --> 3907.96] living unique compared to other ways of life. +[3909.08 --> 3914.34] And what's important to notice here in that by the way of Paul's writing, he's encouraging +[3914.34 --> 3920.32] the church in Colossae and indeed encouraging us today to increase in these areas of life because +[3920.32 --> 3923.32] that is what God desires for His disciples. +[3923.32 --> 3929.50] These features of the Christian life and of the Colossian Christians should increase in them. +[3930.88 --> 3931.88] What are they bearing fruit? +[3932.30 --> 3935.20] Growing in the knowledge of Christ, being empowered, and giving thanks. +[3936.98 --> 3939.70] But Paul doesn't leave the Colossians without hope. +[3939.76 --> 3942.36] He doesn't just say, do more of that, and then he leaves them there. +[3942.76 --> 3947.84] Because we know, probably quite intimately, if we examine our own hearts and our own souls, +[3947.84 --> 3951.30] that sometimes this feels like a futile effort. +[3952.10 --> 3956.54] The best laid plans are often abandoned when it comes to Christian discipleship. +[3956.60 --> 3962.30] Who's already given up on their 2025 Bible reading plan because they fell too far behind? +[3962.72 --> 3968.18] Why do we have a litany of confession and assurance every single week in our Sunday worship? +[3968.28 --> 3973.58] It's because we know we come into this place having failed at what we've desired to do around +[3973.58 --> 3974.94] Christian living. +[3976.88 --> 3982.84] For the Colossian Christians in the first century, to be a Christian was a monumental task. +[3983.32 --> 3986.40] Having to resist the cultural and political pressures at every turn. +[3986.66 --> 3989.38] It's not really unlike our world today. +[3990.24 --> 3992.16] Consider this reality for a moment. +[3992.28 --> 3997.52] It wasn't long ago that the invention of radio and television transformed our world. +[3998.52 --> 4000.36] Some people might even remember that still. +[4000.36 --> 4006.76] And then the TV arrived and the internet arrived and the smartphone arrived and it changed our world even more. +[4008.28 --> 4014.20] If you could imagine for a moment, or maybe you can remember, being raised in a Christian home +[4014.20 --> 4016.82] before the advent of radio, television, and the internet, +[4016.82 --> 4025.48] it was easy as parents to have control over what messages your children received or what messages you received. +[4025.48 --> 4030.56] And there's times in the world where we have to recede, we have to retreat from the world, +[4030.62 --> 4031.54] and now is the time to do that. +[4031.58 --> 4035.78] We come into the sanctuary on Sunday morning to worship God and hear the Word and be fed. +[4036.70 --> 4038.32] But there's also times to engage with the world. +[4038.44 --> 4041.70] I don't want to say that, you know, we should run from the world all the time. +[4042.04 --> 4043.22] We have to engage with the world. +[4043.28 --> 4046.08] We have to do groceries and do our civic duties and whatnot. +[4046.08 --> 4051.10] But we live in a world now, very similar to the Colossian world, +[4051.48 --> 4058.34] where the line between the haven of our homes and the danger of the world out there can be very blurred. +[4059.04 --> 4063.02] Most of us have giant TV screens in our living room, +[4063.42 --> 4065.82] and what rolls across those TV screens regularly? +[4066.36 --> 4068.50] Advertisements and worldly messaging. +[4068.50 --> 4074.98] And so, these messages are coming at every turn. +[4075.12 --> 4080.50] Our access to bad content, and we could define bad in a variety of ways, +[4080.60 --> 4083.94] to downright evil things we shouldn't do and just things that are maybe less bad. +[4084.56 --> 4088.04] But our access to bad content is unlimited. +[4088.84 --> 4090.88] So, we're not that different from the Colossian church. +[4090.98 --> 4096.26] We too, like them, have to resist worldly and cultural pressures at every turn. +[4096.26 --> 4099.78] And this is not a small thing to do. +[4100.04 --> 4103.10] Maybe some of you have experienced this where you wake up in the morning, +[4103.24 --> 4107.54] and you look at your phone, and you see the Bible app notification for the verse of the day, +[4107.58 --> 4108.44] and you go to open it. +[4108.48 --> 4111.72] But before you open it, another notification pops up that you click on. +[4112.10 --> 4116.24] And before you know it, you've not read your Bible verse of the day +[4116.24 --> 4117.68] because you saw that it was in Leviticus, +[4117.80 --> 4120.32] and you didn't really want to deal with Leviticus at 6 o'clock in the morning. +[4122.62 --> 4123.78] But we end up wayward. +[4123.78 --> 4127.48] But our fingers lead us astray on our smartphones all the time or on our computers. +[4129.24 --> 4130.28] This is not so different. +[4130.82 --> 4133.02] The Colossians are not so different from our modern context. +[4133.64 --> 4136.78] The Western world now, depending on who you listen to, +[4136.86 --> 4139.30] is going into a post- or anti-Christian state. +[4139.56 --> 4144.56] And while we might remember or we can think about romantically +[4144.56 --> 4149.48] this idea of a general Christian ethic in the world where things are safe for our children, +[4150.06 --> 4151.20] the world's not quite the same. +[4151.20 --> 4154.90] When I was a kid, if it said rated PG, it was fine to watch. +[4154.94 --> 4158.06] And now we might think of those things with a little more skepticism. +[4159.18 --> 4164.46] Our children, we even as adults, engage in a catechesis of the world. +[4164.98 --> 4169.16] And our use of the TV, internet, and iPhones allow that catechesis, +[4169.24 --> 4175.04] that teaching to us, happen at a rate unrivaled by any previous era. +[4175.04 --> 4178.30] It's almost enough to lose hope. +[4179.42 --> 4184.34] It's enough to think that we cannot gain enough knowledge or truth +[4184.34 --> 4188.24] or do enough good work to resist the world's temptations for ourselves +[4188.24 --> 4191.20] or for our children or for our grandchildren. +[4192.74 --> 4198.12] Indeed, you likely, like me, have seen relatives, neighbors, friends, siblings +[4198.12 --> 4203.34] fall from a place of Christian understanding into a place of unbelief. +[4203.88 --> 4204.56] It's tragic. +[4205.62 --> 4208.56] We wonder, you might wonder where God is in all of this. +[4209.28 --> 4211.64] Our life is so pressured by these other messages. +[4212.16 --> 4213.64] We want to do better. +[4213.74 --> 4214.96] We want to be better Christians. +[4215.08 --> 4217.52] We want to grow in our knowledge and our affections of God. +[4217.66 --> 4221.18] And yet, we don't seem to be able to do it. +[4221.18 --> 4226.78] And God, through Paul, gives us hope. +[4227.36 --> 4231.22] We are not left to increase in our Christian walk, +[4231.66 --> 4234.60] to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord by ourselves. +[4235.30 --> 4237.84] Rather, we are empowered to do it. +[4238.40 --> 4241.10] We're empowered to walk with God through prayer, +[4241.96 --> 4243.96] through the knowledge, and through the fact of salvation. +[4245.00 --> 4248.62] Recall for a moment, the text of Focus this morning comes +[4248.62 --> 4251.42] after Paul thanks the Colossians for their faith in Christ. +[4252.02 --> 4255.56] When he says in verse 9 that he has not ceased to pray for them, +[4256.22 --> 4258.06] this is not an empty promise. +[4258.74 --> 4261.18] The earlier statement in verse 3 qualifies them. +[4261.94 --> 4264.12] He even says something similar to the church in Philippi, +[4264.54 --> 4265.84] but God has begun in them. +[4265.94 --> 4268.42] He will continue to complete that work. +[4269.82 --> 4272.74] I think of a quote from one of my favorite theologians, John Webster, +[4273.22 --> 4274.20] who says, +[4274.20 --> 4276.60] the ability to do these things, +[4276.70 --> 4279.40] the ability to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, +[4279.92 --> 4282.64] is given to us by God the Spirit. +[4284.08 --> 4286.00] We can hang our hats on that promise. +[4286.12 --> 4288.24] Our job, as Christians, +[4288.38 --> 4291.46] is just to cooperate with the work that God is already doing. +[4293.92 --> 4295.76] Part of my studies at Calvin Seminary +[4295.76 --> 4298.82] means I go to Grand Rapids once a semester, +[4299.30 --> 4300.54] in October and in February. +[4300.54 --> 4302.16] And while we're there, +[4302.26 --> 4305.56] we often spend one evening as classmates and faculty in a pub +[4305.56 --> 4307.52] and enjoying some good conversation, +[4307.66 --> 4308.92] a lively conversation. +[4309.42 --> 4310.82] You might imagine what would happen +[4310.82 --> 4314.60] when seminary professors and seminary students get together. +[4315.02 --> 4316.72] It doesn't always sound like a discussion, +[4316.82 --> 4317.76] maybe more of an argument, +[4317.90 --> 4319.30] but I assure you they are discussions. +[4321.10 --> 4323.20] And there was a question that was tabled +[4323.20 --> 4326.22] with our systematic theology professor, Dr. Vandenberg, +[4326.22 --> 4327.14] saying, +[4327.80 --> 4328.94] is sanctification, +[4329.80 --> 4330.92] monergistic or synergistic, +[4331.00 --> 4331.28] big words, +[4331.34 --> 4332.04] don't worry about it, +[4332.82 --> 4333.48] is sanctification, +[4333.58 --> 4334.46] the work of God +[4334.46 --> 4336.72] growing us to be more like Christ, +[4336.80 --> 4338.98] is that something that God does without us +[4338.98 --> 4340.74] or something that we do with God? +[4342.22 --> 4343.44] And it's something that we do with God. +[4343.56 --> 4344.74] God is doing that work in us +[4344.74 --> 4347.24] and we just cooperate with God in that work. +[4347.78 --> 4348.48] So our job, +[4348.56 --> 4350.92] when we think of our walk with Christ, +[4350.92 --> 4354.08] is not to retreat from God +[4354.08 --> 4356.70] and just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps +[4356.70 --> 4358.92] and try to read our Bible more +[4358.92 --> 4360.66] and get more involved in church +[4360.66 --> 4362.94] and just do these things from our own sheer will, +[4363.40 --> 4365.82] but rather our job is to surrender +[4365.82 --> 4368.84] to the work that God is already doing in our life +[4368.84 --> 4370.18] and run to Him, +[4371.32 --> 4373.48] to have a posture of receipt from Him. +[4374.50 --> 4375.68] We don't need to think, +[4375.76 --> 4378.30] we shouldn't think that we need to get our lives in order +[4378.30 --> 4380.52] before we can go be better Christians. +[4381.14 --> 4383.22] In fact, we need to realize that we're a mess +[4383.22 --> 4384.92] and we need to run to Christ +[4384.92 --> 4387.44] and He will do that work with us. +[4389.48 --> 4391.10] And so when it comes to Paul saying, +[4391.28 --> 4392.20] I will pray for you +[4392.20 --> 4393.74] and I won't cease to pray for you, +[4394.32 --> 4395.56] this is not an empty promise. +[4395.74 --> 4397.38] This is the work that God is doing +[4397.38 --> 4399.34] in the church at Colossae +[4399.34 --> 4401.48] and indeed the work that God is doing +[4401.48 --> 4402.50] in our own lives, +[4402.72 --> 4403.56] in your lives, +[4403.62 --> 4405.20] in the life of this church. +[4405.20 --> 4408.36] It's not just a simple statement about prayer +[4408.36 --> 4410.60] and the promise that God hears our prayer. +[4411.58 --> 4413.62] Paul is doing a more significant work +[4413.62 --> 4416.04] in the text to tell the Christians in Colossae +[4416.04 --> 4418.80] that God is at work among them +[4418.80 --> 4421.24] and so they can know that the Spirit +[4421.24 --> 4424.32] empowers them to continue walking with God. +[4425.12 --> 4425.82] Paul doesn't say, +[4426.18 --> 4427.18] go do these things more, +[4427.64 --> 4428.14] have fun, +[4428.32 --> 4428.94] you're on your own. +[4429.04 --> 4429.34] He says, +[4429.40 --> 4429.54] no, +[4429.62 --> 4430.40] I will pray for you +[4430.40 --> 4432.58] and God will do it with you. +[4432.58 --> 4437.20] The second part of Paul's Thanksgiving section +[4437.20 --> 4438.88] shares many parallels with the first. +[4439.00 --> 4440.72] He's repeating a lot of these things +[4440.72 --> 4442.88] and this connects with the earlier section +[4442.88 --> 4444.96] that encourages the Colossians +[4444.96 --> 4446.90] to continue in these various ways +[4446.90 --> 4447.70] of Christian living. +[4448.58 --> 4448.92] Furthermore, +[4449.16 --> 4450.88] Paul's emphasis on empowerment +[4450.88 --> 4453.10] in these expectations of Christian living +[4453.10 --> 4454.44] comes from verse 9 +[4454.44 --> 4455.80] when he says, +[4455.80 --> 4457.48] that you may be filled +[4457.48 --> 4458.92] with the knowledge of His will +[4458.92 --> 4460.88] in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. +[4460.88 --> 4463.60] What does it mean to be filled with knowledge? +[4464.04 --> 4465.36] I mentioned just a moment ago, +[4465.42 --> 4466.38] it's not about just +[4466.38 --> 4468.46] out of our own sheer will and determination +[4468.46 --> 4470.24] to open up our Bibles more often. +[4471.44 --> 4474.30] Rather, it's a surrender to God +[4474.30 --> 4477.76] because the way that Paul writes this +[4477.76 --> 4479.42] is that somebody else +[4479.42 --> 4480.56] needs to be doing the filling. +[4481.70 --> 4483.04] We are the passive recipients +[4483.04 --> 4485.10] of God filling us with His knowledge. +[4486.80 --> 4487.58] And we might think, +[4487.66 --> 4488.32] well, how does that work? +[4488.38 --> 4489.94] How does God fill us with knowledge? +[4489.94 --> 4491.54] One way, +[4491.86 --> 4493.78] Belgic Confession Article 2 says +[4493.78 --> 4495.98] that God makes Himself known to us +[4495.98 --> 4497.82] more clearly by His holy and divine Word +[4497.82 --> 4499.68] as much as we need in this life +[4499.68 --> 4501.24] for God's glory and for our salvation. +[4501.80 --> 4504.04] So yes, there is practical elements +[4504.04 --> 4505.48] to our Christian living +[4505.48 --> 4507.52] where we should be more diligent +[4507.52 --> 4508.92] in our discipleship +[4508.92 --> 4509.84] and in our Bible reading +[4509.84 --> 4510.62] and our church attendance +[4510.62 --> 4512.96] and going to Bible studies and so on. +[4513.00 --> 4513.82] The life of the church +[4513.82 --> 4516.50] is critically important in this way. +[4516.50 --> 4519.54] But recall that this is not exactly +[4519.54 --> 4520.82] our own sheer will and determination. +[4520.96 --> 4522.08] It's a matter of surrendering +[4522.08 --> 4522.96] to the work of God +[4522.96 --> 4524.06] in our lives already +[4524.06 --> 4525.94] and have that posture +[4525.94 --> 4527.66] of receiving from God. +[4529.26 --> 4530.88] Congregation, this is a great hope +[4530.88 --> 4532.50] and comfort for the Colossian church +[4532.50 --> 4534.04] and indeed a great hope +[4534.04 --> 4535.58] and comfort for us today +[4535.58 --> 4538.98] because God is at work in His church +[4538.98 --> 4540.88] and He will continue +[4540.88 --> 4542.04] to help us grow +[4542.04 --> 4544.14] more and more like Christ. +[4544.14 --> 4546.64] So hopefully at this point +[4546.64 --> 4547.84] you're feeling maybe +[4547.84 --> 4549.06] like the Colossians felt. +[4549.62 --> 4550.60] Saying, yeah, I'm encouraged. +[4550.74 --> 4551.90] I'm feeling encouraged to do this +[4551.90 --> 4553.06] and I'm feeling empowered. +[4553.50 --> 4555.56] But sometimes that's not enough +[4555.56 --> 4556.66] because we could wake up +[4556.66 --> 4557.14] in the morning +[4557.14 --> 4558.80] and we can walk out that door. +[4558.90 --> 4559.44] We could walk out +[4559.44 --> 4560.42] of the sanctuary today +[4560.42 --> 4563.36] with all sorts of gumption +[4563.36 --> 4564.50] ready to do it. +[4564.60 --> 4566.20] But then as soon as something +[4566.20 --> 4566.82] comes our way +[4566.82 --> 4568.28] we lose all of that courage +[4568.28 --> 4569.56] and we shrink back +[4569.56 --> 4571.50] to our old sinful selves +[4571.50 --> 4572.42] that is kind of the way +[4572.42 --> 4573.18] we're used to being. +[4573.18 --> 4575.36] And so Paul doesn't leave them +[4575.36 --> 4576.46] with just encouragement +[4576.46 --> 4578.22] and empowerment. +[4578.68 --> 4579.82] He also encourages them +[4579.82 --> 4581.34] to be bold in their faith. +[4582.56 --> 4583.84] There's a reason why Paul +[4583.84 --> 4584.78] structures this section +[4584.78 --> 4585.84] of Scripture in this way. +[4586.16 --> 4587.74] He knows that there will be trials. +[4588.22 --> 4588.30] Right? +[4588.36 --> 4589.30] The Colossian church +[4589.30 --> 4591.92] faces all sorts of pressures +[4591.92 --> 4593.44] against their way of life +[4593.44 --> 4594.58] and their worldview +[4594.58 --> 4596.18] very much like ours. +[4597.18 --> 4599.12] There are constant worldly pressures +[4599.12 --> 4600.98] that cause us to doubt our faith +[4600.98 --> 4602.96] or to stray from the path +[4602.96 --> 4605.60] and there's more existential threats. +[4605.84 --> 4606.20] What do we do +[4606.20 --> 4607.54] with our own questions of doubt? +[4608.24 --> 4608.86] What do we do +[4608.86 --> 4609.66] when we see God +[4609.66 --> 4610.68] acting in the world +[4610.68 --> 4613.18] in ways that don't make sense to us? +[4614.02 --> 4615.00] When we hear about +[4615.00 --> 4615.84] brothers and sisters +[4615.84 --> 4617.32] who are suffering terribly +[4617.32 --> 4619.08] because of illness +[4619.08 --> 4619.94] or disability +[4619.94 --> 4621.46] or mental health +[4621.46 --> 4622.48] and we don't think +[4622.48 --> 4624.04] we don't seem to find an answer +[4624.04 --> 4625.04] as to why God +[4625.04 --> 4626.64] is allowing that to happen. +[4626.64 --> 4628.92] When it seems like +[4628.92 --> 4631.26] our own battle against sin +[4631.26 --> 4631.88] in our lives +[4631.88 --> 4632.66] is futile. +[4633.34 --> 4634.08] You've been struggling +[4634.08 --> 4635.48] with the specific sin +[4635.48 --> 4636.54] in your life for years +[4636.54 --> 4637.30] decades +[4637.30 --> 4638.70] and it does not go away. +[4640.76 --> 4641.74] What do we do? +[4642.72 --> 4644.54] God has a reminder for us. +[4645.68 --> 4646.56] Paul reminded +[4646.56 --> 4647.86] the Colossians +[4647.86 --> 4648.74] of a simple fact +[4648.74 --> 4649.74] that we cannot deny +[4649.74 --> 4650.82] when we look +[4650.82 --> 4652.06] at the work of Christ +[4652.06 --> 4653.36] as summarized +[4653.36 --> 4654.80] in verses 13 and 14 +[4654.80 --> 4656.18] when he says +[4656.18 --> 4657.68] that He has transferred us +[4657.68 --> 4659.10] from the domain of darkness +[4659.10 --> 4659.88] and into the kingdom +[4659.88 --> 4661.22] of His beloved Son. +[4662.26 --> 4663.64] Paul's using language +[4663.64 --> 4666.64] similar to Exodus chapter 6 +[4666.64 --> 4667.88] when Paul says +[4667.88 --> 4669.18] that God has delivered us, +[4669.24 --> 4670.10] He's transferred us, +[4670.14 --> 4671.04] He's redeemed us, +[4671.44 --> 4672.54] He's forgiven us. +[4673.06 --> 4674.06] This is the same motif +[4674.06 --> 4674.68] that he's drawing +[4674.68 --> 4675.32] out of the Israelites +[4675.32 --> 4676.30] coming out of Egypt +[4676.30 --> 4678.36] and into what eventually +[4678.36 --> 4679.58] will be the promised land. +[4680.24 --> 4681.36] And so we can easily +[4681.36 --> 4682.34] see these connections. +[4682.34 --> 4685.06] Paul makes this statement +[4685.06 --> 4685.78] with this allusion +[4685.78 --> 4687.36] because it reminds us +[4687.36 --> 4688.56] of God's handiwork, +[4688.76 --> 4689.52] God's victory, +[4689.74 --> 4692.16] God's reigning over His world. +[4693.54 --> 4694.14] These would have been +[4694.14 --> 4695.08] familiar stories +[4695.08 --> 4695.92] to Jewish, +[4696.14 --> 4697.04] former Jewish Christians +[4697.04 --> 4698.46] and they know +[4698.46 --> 4699.32] these stories well +[4699.32 --> 4700.40] just like many of us +[4700.40 --> 4700.98] know the story +[4700.98 --> 4702.52] of the Exodus well. +[4703.14 --> 4703.52] And we know +[4703.52 --> 4704.40] that there's many layers +[4704.40 --> 4705.08] of significance +[4705.08 --> 4705.76] and meaning +[4705.76 --> 4707.50] to the story of Exodus +[4707.50 --> 4708.54] but we also know +[4708.54 --> 4709.64] that it is simply +[4709.64 --> 4710.64] a historical fact +[4710.64 --> 4712.36] that God rescued +[4712.36 --> 4714.38] His people from Egypt. +[4715.60 --> 4716.46] But to kind of illustrate +[4716.46 --> 4717.36] this idea of being +[4717.36 --> 4718.56] emboldened by the work +[4718.56 --> 4718.92] of God, +[4719.02 --> 4720.08] let me draw out +[4720.08 --> 4721.78] a little motif +[4721.78 --> 4722.92] from the later chapters +[4722.92 --> 4723.36] of Exodus. +[4724.44 --> 4724.74] The Israelites +[4724.74 --> 4725.58] come out of Egypt, +[4725.88 --> 4727.08] they go to Mount Sinai +[4727.08 --> 4728.12] and Moses ascends +[4728.12 --> 4728.60] to the top +[4728.60 --> 4729.94] to receive the tablets +[4729.94 --> 4730.48] of the law +[4730.48 --> 4731.82] and in Exodus 32 +[4731.82 --> 4732.78] he descends +[4732.78 --> 4733.44] from the mountain. +[4734.40 --> 4735.64] These rescued people +[4735.64 --> 4736.84] from slavery +[4736.84 --> 4737.90] and what does +[4737.90 --> 4738.94] He find them doing? +[4739.66 --> 4740.10] Worshipping +[4740.10 --> 4741.94] the golden calf. +[4742.96 --> 4743.82] Worldly pressures +[4743.82 --> 4744.50] got to them +[4744.50 --> 4746.06] and they succumbed. +[4746.94 --> 4747.48] Aaron offers +[4747.48 --> 4748.16] some excuses +[4748.16 --> 4749.28] and Moses is angry. +[4750.60 --> 4752.26] But in Exodus 35 +[4752.26 --> 4755.22] Moses starts teaching +[4755.22 --> 4755.98] about how God +[4755.98 --> 4756.54] wants them to build +[4756.54 --> 4757.22] their tabernacle +[4757.22 --> 4758.22] and He puts a call +[4758.22 --> 4758.82] to them +[4758.82 --> 4761.08] to donate +[4761.08 --> 4761.84] their riches +[4761.84 --> 4763.26] to build +[4763.26 --> 4764.06] the tabernacle. +[4764.14 --> 4764.44] Now remember +[4764.44 --> 4765.42] they had donated already +[4765.42 --> 4765.96] a whole bunch +[4765.96 --> 4766.46] of their plunder +[4766.46 --> 4767.04] from the Egyptians +[4767.04 --> 4767.42] to build +[4767.42 --> 4768.18] the golden calf +[4768.18 --> 4769.72] and Moses ground it up, +[4769.78 --> 4770.14] put it in the water +[4770.14 --> 4770.56] and they drank +[4770.56 --> 4771.36] and he wasted it +[4771.36 --> 4772.30] but they still have +[4772.30 --> 4774.14] more to give. +[4775.56 --> 4776.32] And so the Israelites +[4776.32 --> 4777.12] donate their plunder, +[4777.24 --> 4777.94] God calls them +[4777.94 --> 4778.46] into worship, +[4778.68 --> 4779.48] Moses teaches them +[4779.48 --> 4780.18] about the law +[4780.18 --> 4782.08] and says this is +[4782.08 --> 4783.08] how you can respond +[4783.08 --> 4784.38] is by giving your gifts +[4784.38 --> 4785.34] to build the tabernacle +[4785.34 --> 4786.24] and they do. +[4787.14 --> 4787.84] And while the Israelites +[4787.84 --> 4788.74] are not always +[4788.74 --> 4789.74] the best examples +[4789.74 --> 4790.92] of the Christian life, +[4791.92 --> 4792.68] in this case +[4792.68 --> 4793.34] this is a moment +[4793.34 --> 4793.80] where they were +[4793.80 --> 4794.86] emboldened by +[4794.86 --> 4795.80] their faith +[4795.80 --> 4796.60] in God +[4796.60 --> 4797.36] to trust +[4797.36 --> 4798.54] in God +[4798.54 --> 4800.20] and that in many +[4800.20 --> 4800.82] circumstances +[4800.82 --> 4801.56] God would never +[4801.56 --> 4802.20] forsake them, +[4802.56 --> 4803.52] never abandon them +[4803.52 --> 4804.60] and that He will +[4804.60 --> 4805.18] always seek +[4805.18 --> 4806.10] to embolden them +[4806.10 --> 4806.90] in their faith. +[4807.62 --> 4808.88] Paul is calling us +[4808.88 --> 4809.72] to be emboldened +[4809.72 --> 4811.66] not because we have +[4811.66 --> 4812.26] the sheer will +[4812.26 --> 4812.88] and determination +[4812.88 --> 4813.52] the ability +[4813.52 --> 4814.12] to be bold +[4814.12 --> 4814.68] in our faith +[4814.68 --> 4816.18] but because God +[4816.18 --> 4817.54] has already done +[4817.54 --> 4818.20] that work +[4818.20 --> 4819.28] and we can just +[4819.28 --> 4820.42] boast in that work +[4820.42 --> 4820.82] that God +[4820.82 --> 4821.50] has already done. +[4821.88 --> 4822.58] He has already +[4822.58 --> 4823.42] transferred you +[4823.42 --> 4824.10] from the kingdom +[4824.10 --> 4824.64] of darkness +[4824.64 --> 4825.82] into the kingdom +[4825.82 --> 4827.50] of His beloved Son. +[4828.22 --> 4829.10] So to be emboldened +[4829.10 --> 4830.26] is to live by faith, +[4830.62 --> 4831.90] to live with a trust +[4831.90 --> 4832.52] in God +[4832.52 --> 4834.36] and so we ought not +[4834.36 --> 4836.14] fear the world +[4836.14 --> 4837.98] but be bold +[4837.98 --> 4838.96] in our faith. +[4840.46 --> 4841.58] God has not +[4841.58 --> 4842.86] abandoned you +[4842.86 --> 4844.38] to try and live +[4844.38 --> 4845.46] a godly life alone. +[4845.52 --> 4846.70] He does not call you +[4846.70 --> 4847.72] into relationship +[4847.72 --> 4848.28] with Him +[4848.28 --> 4849.12] and then say +[4849.12 --> 4849.82] here's my Bible +[4849.82 --> 4850.42] off you run +[4850.42 --> 4851.16] have a good time +[4851.16 --> 4852.06] figure it out +[4852.06 --> 4852.52] on your own. +[4853.80 --> 4854.92] He doesn't leave you +[4854.92 --> 4856.26] without hope +[4856.26 --> 4858.14] even though He knows +[4858.14 --> 4859.08] that you will face +[4859.08 --> 4859.90] many trials +[4859.90 --> 4861.84] and exist in a world +[4861.84 --> 4862.74] that does not look +[4862.74 --> 4863.48] favorably +[4863.48 --> 4864.74] on Christianity +[4864.74 --> 4866.50] but we can find +[4866.50 --> 4867.34] hope and comfort +[4867.34 --> 4868.14] in a God +[4868.14 --> 4869.22] who ministers +[4869.22 --> 4869.92] to us +[4869.92 --> 4870.80] in those moments +[4870.80 --> 4871.48] of fear, +[4872.30 --> 4872.64] doubt, +[4873.20 --> 4874.00] and despair. +[4875.26 --> 4876.10] In closing, +[4876.32 --> 4877.10] think of it this way. +[4877.72 --> 4878.76] Paul writes this letter +[4878.76 --> 4879.28] to the church +[4879.28 --> 4879.84] in Colossae +[4879.84 --> 4882.24] while he is in prison. +[4883.18 --> 4883.96] We might have +[4883.96 --> 4884.94] a romantic view +[4884.94 --> 4886.92] of first century prisons +[4886.92 --> 4888.20] from our children's Bibles +[4888.20 --> 4889.86] where there's big smiles +[4889.86 --> 4890.68] on their faces +[4890.68 --> 4892.20] and it looks all wonderful +[4892.20 --> 4893.04] and maybe there's a plate +[4893.04 --> 4894.32] of bread for them +[4894.32 --> 4895.58] but we should probably +[4895.58 --> 4896.26] get rid of those. +[4896.80 --> 4897.56] First century prisons +[4897.56 --> 4898.74] were one of the worst places +[4898.74 --> 4899.90] you could ever possibly +[4899.90 --> 4900.98] find yourself. +[4901.12 --> 4901.88] Dark, dingy, +[4902.34 --> 4902.92] disease-ridden, +[4903.06 --> 4903.60] infested, +[4904.24 --> 4905.70] disgusting places. +[4906.60 --> 4907.68] Maybe the closest place +[4907.68 --> 4908.40] that you might think +[4908.40 --> 4909.30] you could find hell +[4909.30 --> 4909.80] on earth. +[4911.02 --> 4911.90] But what is the tone +[4911.90 --> 4912.66] of Paul's letter? +[4914.10 --> 4915.50] Does Paul let that +[4915.50 --> 4916.84] dark, dingy, +[4917.10 --> 4918.26] despairing attitude +[4918.26 --> 4918.92] around him +[4918.92 --> 4920.18] seep into his +[4920.18 --> 4921.08] letter writing? +[4922.20 --> 4922.94] No, his tone +[4922.94 --> 4923.70] of letter writing +[4923.70 --> 4924.74] is thanksgiving +[4924.74 --> 4925.44] and gratitude +[4925.44 --> 4926.56] for what God +[4926.56 --> 4927.26] has done +[4927.26 --> 4927.66] in the church +[4927.66 --> 4928.28] of Colossae +[4928.28 --> 4929.48] and will continue +[4929.48 --> 4929.96] to do +[4929.96 --> 4930.56] in the church +[4930.56 --> 4931.66] of Colossae. +[4932.62 --> 4933.64] Paul hearkens back +[4933.64 --> 4934.56] to the Exodus story +[4934.56 --> 4935.56] as an encouragement +[4935.56 --> 4936.94] for the salvation +[4936.94 --> 4937.72] that is secured +[4937.72 --> 4938.74] in Christ. +[4939.60 --> 4940.06] And we, +[4940.28 --> 4941.04] as Christians today, +[4941.54 --> 4942.32] we can be reminded +[4942.32 --> 4943.00] of that moment +[4943.00 --> 4944.16] of Exodus. +[4944.30 --> 4945.02] We can be reminded +[4945.02 --> 4945.58] of this moment +[4945.58 --> 4945.96] in the church +[4945.96 --> 4946.64] of Colossae +[4946.64 --> 4947.74] where God +[4947.74 --> 4948.76] was at work +[4948.76 --> 4949.86] through Paul +[4949.86 --> 4950.34] to them +[4950.34 --> 4951.62] and be reminded +[4951.62 --> 4952.38] that God +[4952.38 --> 4953.28] is indeed +[4953.28 --> 4954.46] at work today +[4954.46 --> 4955.58] in the midst +[4955.58 --> 4956.28] of this church +[4956.28 --> 4956.86] as well, +[4956.90 --> 4957.20] in the midst +[4957.20 --> 4958.04] of your life. +[4958.76 --> 4959.46] So people of God, +[4959.54 --> 4960.54] it is our joy, +[4961.46 --> 4962.08] it is our joy +[4962.08 --> 4962.68] to walk +[4962.68 --> 4963.70] in a manner +[4963.70 --> 4965.34] pleasing to God. +[4967.96 --> 4968.80] It's our joy +[4968.80 --> 4969.56] to walk that way. +[4969.68 --> 4970.94] It's a gracious response +[4970.94 --> 4972.20] to the completed work +[4972.20 --> 4973.20] of Christ +[4973.20 --> 4974.46] which was done +[4974.46 --> 4975.30] for our salvation. +[4975.46 --> 4976.32] We have the pleasure +[4976.32 --> 4977.56] of living +[4977.56 --> 4978.30] to bear fruit, +[4978.40 --> 4978.96] to grow empowered +[4978.96 --> 4979.70] and to give thanks +[4979.70 --> 4980.52] because God +[4980.52 --> 4981.74] is doing it with us. +[4982.12 --> 4983.96] This is a relational task. +[4984.06 --> 4984.74] We're not doing it +[4984.74 --> 4985.34] on our own. +[4986.42 --> 4987.36] God will increase +[4987.36 --> 4988.18] this in us +[4988.18 --> 4989.56] and we will bear +[4989.56 --> 4990.52] the fruit of the Spirit. +[4991.26 --> 4991.90] We will grow +[4991.90 --> 4992.72] in our knowledge +[4992.72 --> 4993.54] and love of Christ +[4993.54 --> 4994.82] and we will be empowered +[4994.82 --> 4996.32] by God the Spirit +[4996.32 --> 4996.98] to live +[4996.98 --> 4998.28] in a godly manner +[4998.28 --> 4999.52] that harbors +[4999.52 --> 5000.46] the spirit of gratitude. +[5001.68 --> 5002.70] Brothers and sisters, +[5003.66 --> 5004.88] God is at work +[5004.88 --> 5005.58] among us. +[5005.80 --> 5006.38] He's at work +[5006.38 --> 5007.38] in you +[5007.38 --> 5008.18] encouraging, +[5008.96 --> 5009.42] empowering, +[5010.10 --> 5011.14] and emboldening you +[5011.14 --> 5011.82] to walk +[5011.82 --> 5013.04] the walk of faith +[5013.04 --> 5014.38] in Jesus Christ. +[5015.00 --> 5015.36] Amen. +[5016.04 --> 5016.70] Let me pray. +[5018.56 --> 5019.40] Father in heaven, +[5019.48 --> 5020.16] we thank you +[5020.16 --> 5021.24] for your word +[5021.24 --> 5021.80] to us today. +[5022.66 --> 5023.30] We marvel +[5023.30 --> 5024.64] at the way +[5024.64 --> 5026.60] that these events +[5026.60 --> 5028.22] happened so many years ago. +[5028.58 --> 5029.26] Paul in prison, +[5029.38 --> 5030.20] writing to a church +[5030.20 --> 5030.88] in Colossae +[5030.88 --> 5032.60] and that these documents +[5032.60 --> 5033.50] were saved +[5033.50 --> 5034.86] and preserved +[5034.86 --> 5035.84] for our benefit today +[5035.84 --> 5036.44] and that you +[5036.44 --> 5037.76] are at work in them. +[5038.68 --> 5038.88] So Lord, +[5038.92 --> 5039.66] I pray that you would +[5039.66 --> 5041.02] continue this work +[5041.02 --> 5041.68] in our lives, +[5042.28 --> 5042.68] that you would +[5042.68 --> 5043.50] encourage us, +[5043.68 --> 5044.22] empower us, +[5044.24 --> 5045.00] and embolden us +[5045.00 --> 5046.14] to be Christians +[5046.14 --> 5046.86] as we go into +[5046.86 --> 5047.76] our workplaces, +[5047.92 --> 5048.58] into our communities, +[5048.72 --> 5049.54] into our families. +[5049.54 --> 5050.84] And Lord, +[5050.90 --> 5051.48] that your kingdom +[5051.48 --> 5052.64] would come +[5052.64 --> 5053.32] and the people +[5053.32 --> 5053.74] around us +[5053.74 --> 5054.48] would see a glimpse +[5054.48 --> 5055.14] of your goodness. +[5055.80 --> 5056.26] We pray this +[5056.26 --> 5056.70] in your name. +[5056.96 --> 5057.20] Amen. +[5059.70 --> 5060.62] I think we'll stand +[5060.62 --> 5061.10] and sing +[5061.10 --> 5062.16] one more song +[5062.16 --> 5063.00] or two more songs. +[5063.90 --> 5064.90] One of my favorite songs +[5064.90 --> 5065.44] we'll sing is +[5065.44 --> 5066.28] Yet Not I, +[5066.34 --> 5067.26] But Through Christ and Me. +[5067.84 --> 5068.48] A good reminder +[5068.48 --> 5070.96] that the great hymn writers +[5070.96 --> 5071.60] aren't all dead. +[5071.68 --> 5072.08] There are still +[5072.08 --> 5072.72] great hymn writers +[5072.72 --> 5073.28] alive today +[5073.28 --> 5074.00] writing good, +[5074.38 --> 5074.92] biblical hymns +[5074.92 --> 5075.62] that we get to sing. +[5075.62 --> 5075.72] Amen. +[5075.72 --> 5075.92] Amen. +[5104.92 --> 5107.00] Grace is Jesus, +[5107.24 --> 5109.10] my Redeemer. +[5109.96 --> 5112.38] There is no more +[5112.38 --> 5115.82] for heaven now to give. +[5116.54 --> 5118.90] He is my joy, +[5119.08 --> 5120.24] my righteousness, +[5120.24 --> 5122.08] and freedom, +[5123.14 --> 5125.52] my steadfast love, +[5125.64 --> 5129.24] my deep and boundless kiss. +[5129.24 --> 5132.14] To this I hope, +[5132.24 --> 5135.24] my hope is only Jesus, +[5136.56 --> 5142.36] for my life is wholly bound to His. +[5143.04 --> 5146.04] Oh, how strange and divine +[5146.04 --> 5147.86] I can see, +[5148.16 --> 5149.80] all is mine, +[5149.90 --> 5151.36] yet not I, +[5151.56 --> 5154.56] but through Christ in me. +[5159.24 --> 5171.20] The night is dark, +[5171.20 --> 5174.20] but I am not forsaken, +[5175.20 --> 5177.66] for by my side +[5177.66 --> 5180.98] the Savior He will stay. +[5181.74 --> 5185.26] I labor on in weakness +[5185.26 --> 5187.50] and rejoicing, +[5187.50 --> 5190.38] for in my need +[5190.38 --> 5193.46] His power is displayed. +[5194.82 --> 5196.46] To this I hope, +[5197.32 --> 5200.46] my shepherd will defend me, +[5201.46 --> 5204.74] through the deepest valley +[5204.74 --> 5207.04] He will lead. +[5208.14 --> 5211.16] Oh, the night has been won, +[5211.42 --> 5214.00] and I shall overcome, +[5214.00 --> 5215.68] long yet not I, +[5215.68 --> 5220.74] but through Christ in me. +[5232.62 --> 5235.28] No fate I dread, +[5235.96 --> 5238.38] I know I am forgiven, +[5238.38 --> 5245.38] The future's sure, the price it has been paid +[5246.06 --> 5252.04] For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon +[5252.04 --> 5258.38] And he was raised to overthrow the grave +[5258.38 --> 5264.38] To this I hold, my sin has been forgiven +[5264.38 --> 5271.38] Jesus now and ever is my plea +[5271.38 --> 5278.38] Oh, the chains are released, I can sing, I am free +[5278.38 --> 5284.38] Yet not I, come through Christ with me +[5294.38 --> 5303.38] With every breath I long to follow Jesus +[5303.38 --> 5310.38] For he has said that he will bring me home +[5310.38 --> 5317.38] And day by day I know he will renew me +[5317.38 --> 5323.38] Until I stand with joy before the throne +[5323.38 --> 5330.38] To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus +[5330.38 --> 5336.38] All the glory evermore to him +[5336.38 --> 5343.38] When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat +[5343.38 --> 5350.38] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[5350.38 --> 5356.38] When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat +[5356.38 --> 5362.38] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[5362.38 --> 5370.38] Yet not I, but through Christ in me +[5370.38 --> 5380.88] People of God, God has called us into worship this morning +[5380.88 --> 5384.32] We've been reconciled to him through confession +[5384.32 --> 5386.48] And through the victorious death of Christ +[5386.48 --> 5389.30] And he has fed us from his preached word +[5389.30 --> 5393.24] Now, people of God, go from this place into the world +[5393.24 --> 5395.84] Into your homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods +[5395.84 --> 5399.52] With this blessing from God's word in Romans chapter 15 +[5399.52 --> 5403.12] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace +[5403.12 --> 5404.42] As you trust in him +[5404.42 --> 5407.00] So that you may overflow with hope +[5407.00 --> 5409.26] By the power of the Holy Spirit +[5409.26 --> 5410.12] Amen +[5410.46 --> 5414.82] Amen +[5414.82 --> 5418.44] The tomb of my holy Spirit +[5418.44 --> 5441.88] It's my only comfort in my life and in my death +[5441.88 --> 5447.72] You have fully paid for all my sins and all my men +[5447.72 --> 5451.72] Even when I struggle to believe +[5451.72 --> 5457.16] With your precious blood you set me free +[5457.16 --> 5468.36] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5468.36 --> 5474.08] In my life and in death +[5474.08 --> 5480.72] To you, Lord Christ my Lord +[5480.72 --> 5486.08] You've reserved my life in such a way that without you +[5486.08 --> 5491.76] Not a hair can fall from me, I bless you with it too +[5491.76 --> 5495.76] Even when I'm lost in desperation +[5495.76 --> 5502.08] All things work together for my salvation +[5502.08 --> 5512.08] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5512.08 --> 5518.08] In my life and in death +[5518.08 --> 5524.72] To you, Lord Christ my Lord +[5524.72 --> 5538.72] Always by your holy spirit, you wish you were made +[5538.72 --> 5552.72] Always by your holy spirit, you wish you were made +[5552.72 --> 5556.72] Of eternal life and make me willing and ready +[5556.72 --> 5558.72] Even when I'm lost in desperation +[5558.72 --> 5560.72] Even when I'm lost in desperation +[5560.72 --> 5562.72] Even when I'm lost in desperation +[5562.72 --> 5566.72] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5566.72 --> 5578.72] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5578.72 --> 5580.72] In my life and in death +[5580.72 --> 5584.72] In my life and in death +[5584.72 --> 5586.72] In my life and in death +[5586.72 --> 5592.72] To you, Lord Christ my Lord +[5592.72 --> 5598.72] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5598.72 --> 5600.72] In my life and death +[5600.72 --> 5604.72] In my life and in death +[5604.72 --> 5606.72] In my life and soul +[5606.72 --> 5610.72] In my life and in death +[5610.72 --> 5613.92] I am not my own, but give up body and soul +[5613.92 --> 5616.72] In my life and in death +[5616.72 --> 5618.42] In my life and death +[5618.72 --> 5620.72] In my life and death +[5620.72 --> 5622.72] Oh +[5650.72 --> 5652.72] Oh +[5680.72 --> 5682.72] Oh +[5710.72 --> 5712.72] Oh +[5712.72 --> 5714.72] Oh +[5714.72 --> 5716.72] Oh +[5716.72 --> 5718.72] Oh +[5718.72 --> 5720.72] Oh +[5720.72 --> 5722.72] Oh +[5722.72 --> 5724.72] Oh +[5724.72 --> 5726.72] Oh +[5726.72 --> 5728.72] Oh +[5728.72 --> 5730.72] Oh +[5740.72 --> 5742.72] Oh +[5742.72 --> 5744.72] Oh +[5744.72 --> 5746.72] Eh +[5746.72 --> 5748.72] Eh +[5748.72 --> 5750.72] Eh +[5750.72 --> 5752.72] Eh +[5752.72 --> 5754.72] Eh +[5754.72 --> 5755.72] Eh +[5756.00 --> 5756.72] Eh +[5756.72 --> 5758.72] Eh +[5762.72 --> 5764.72] Oh +[5764.72 --> 5767.00] Eh +[5767.00 --> 5768.94] Eh +[5770.14 --> 5770.56] Oh +[5770.56 --> 5800.54] Thank you. +[5800.56 --> 5830.54] Thank you. +[5830.56 --> 5860.54] Thank you. +[5860.56 --> 5890.54] Thank you. +[5890.56 --> 5920.54] Thank you. +[5920.56 --> 5950.54] Thank you. +[5950.56 --> 5980.54] Thank you. +[5980.56 --> 6010.54] Thank you. +[6010.56 --> 6040.54] Thank you. +[6040.56 --> 6070.54] Thank you. +[6070.56 --> 6100.54] Thank you. +[6100.56 --> 6130.54] Thank you. +[6130.56 --> 6160.54] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..eaf1c6b090ca39c775e86c2ee41d48bc2fa1ecc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,78 @@ +• Praise and worship segment +• Introduction to the first Sunday of Lent and its significance +• Explanation of Lent's purpose and upcoming Good Friday and Easter celebrations +• Upcoming events, including a supper and Bible study groups +• Announcements, including lost and found items and Bible studies +• Announcement about needing drivers to pick up Mexico mission team from Seattle airport +• Reminder to fix eyes on Jesus during Lent season +• Call to rejoice in God's great love and mercy +• Invitation to worship together and receive the greeting of God +• Prayer for God's presence and power in their lives +• Praise and worship songs about Jesus' return, faithfulness, and justice +• Prayers and declarations of God's sovereignty and deliverance +• Acknowledgment of humanity's sinfulness and need for forgiveness +• Confession of specific sins such as lack of love, forgiveness, and obedience to God +• Petition for mercy and healing from God +• Invitation to confess sins to one another and pray for each other +• Confession of sins and shortcomings +• Repentance for wrongdoings, neglect, and indifference +• Request for restoration and forgiveness from God +• Praise and thanksgiving for God's mercy and love +• Announcement of a charity offering for Cascade Christian Counseling +• Family member introduction and guessing game +• The theme of "brothers and sisters in Christ" is introduced +• Transition into the book of Mark +• Blessing is given for the congregation +• Prayer is offered for the family of God, development of creation, and the church +• Specific prayers are mentioned for individuals in need of healing or support +• General prayer is offered for those with cancer, nation's leaders, and ongoing church ministries +• Reading and reflection on 1 Thessalonians 4 +• Understanding death and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ +• The concept of the "rapture" and its origins in Christian theology +• Critique of pre-millennial dispensational approach to theology +• Importance of good theology being practical and applicable in real-world situations +• Theology is about words and understanding related to God +• Good theology provides comfort, hope, and encouragement in times of hardship or death +• Knowing the truth about death can transform its meaning from tragedy to a divine comedy +• Death is defeated through Jesus Christ and has lost its sting +• A Christian's approach to death should be distinct from the culture around them +• Christians have hope in the face of death because they know that their daily living, even if it ends in death, can win respect and approval from God +• The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a guarantee of future resurrection for all who believe +• Those who die go to be with Jesus and will come back with Him at His return +• This new reality is real, visible, and glorious +• The rapture is not an escape from the world but rather being snatched from death into life +• The hope of Christians is forever, meeting the Lord in the air and being with Him forever +• The concept of meeting the Lord in the air at his return +• The meaning of "to meet" in ancient Greek as a formal reception for a dignitary, not just any kind of meeting +• Christians are like this delegation, ushering Jesus into the world at his return and restoring him to his rightful place on earth +• Death is not the end, but rather an intermediate step before the resurrection and return of Jesus Christ +• This understanding gives hope and changes how people live in the present, especially in the face of death +• Preparation for communion service +• Scripture readings and prayers +• Invitation to participate in communion +• Explanation of communion procedures +• Distribution of bread and juice +• Prayer partners available for those unable to come forward +• Conclusion of the service with final prayers and amens +• Praise and worship of Jesus Christ +• Declaration of victory over death and sin +• Prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide and teach +• Acknowledgement of God's power and majesty +• Expression of gratitude and adoration for salvation in Jesus' name +• Hope and confidence in Christ alone +• Reflection on life, death, and eternity +• Confession of faith and hope in Christ +• Praise and worship of Christ +• Hope and life in Christ, through death +• Confession and trust in Christ as Savior +• Grace and mercy of God +• Rest and peace in God's presence +• Empowerment by the Spirit to proclaim the gospel +• Going into life with God's presence and blessing +• Prayers and devotionals +• Journeying towards a promised land or destination +• Pressing on towards the message show +• Approaching home, with various mentions of being "almost home" +• Songs and music mentioned (e.g. "Grand and happy throw") +• Encouragement from darkness +• The concept of "going" or "being gone" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..f681208096b6f346da9389b6a2b9d338e9be8a70 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 9, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1036 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 62.00] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 92.00] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 122.00] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 152.00] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 188.78] Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[190.00 --> 198.66] Praise Him, praise Him for the wonders of His love. +[198.66 --> 208.00] Praise God, praise God, from whom all blessings flow. +[208.66 --> 218.18] Praise Him, praise Him, for the wonders of His love. +[218.18 --> 221.18] Praise God, He's amazing love. +[221.18 --> 226.46] For God so loved the world that He gave us. +[226.66 --> 228.18] It's one and all. +[228.18 --> 229.18] It's one and all. +[229.18 --> 231.18] It's one and all. +[231.18 --> 232.18] It's one and all. +[232.18 --> 233.18] It's one and all. +[233.18 --> 259.26] It's one and all. +[259.26 --> 262.24] Freedom for God so loved. +[262.74 --> 265.72] God so loved the world. +[269.48 --> 272.02] Bring all your failures. +[272.58 --> 274.32] Bring your addictions. +[274.32 --> 279.12] Come lay them down at the foot of the cross. +[279.46 --> 281.54] Jesus is waiting. +[282.18 --> 285.08] God so loved the world. +[289.26 --> 319.24] God so loved the world. +[319.26 --> 321.28] God so loved the world. +[324.28 --> 325.80] I am all a Christian. +[327.56 --> 329.18] I am a Christian. +[330.62 --> 334.40] Do you 바�os for them? +[334.40 --> 336.44] They are the sistema. +[336.52 --> 338.56] They are the same. +[339.14 --> 342.24] What the flow is that it is to add. +[343.28 --> 345.54] God so loved the veramente. +[345.54 --> 352.20] So I throw up my hands and praise you again and again. +[353.34 --> 362.94] Because all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. +[362.94 --> 370.44] And I know it's not much, but I've nothing else fit for a king. +[370.44 --> 381.48] Except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah. +[386.36 --> 389.58] I've got one response. +[391.74 --> 394.62] I've got just one move. +[394.62 --> 404.62] With my arms stretched wide, I will worship you. +[405.62 --> 411.62] So I throw up my hands and praise you again and again. +[412.62 --> 423.62] Because all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah. +[423.62 --> 430.62] And I know it's not much, but I've nothing else fit for a king. +[430.62 --> 441.62] Except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah. +[441.62 --> 443.62] Hallelujah. +[443.62 --> 445.62] Hallelujah. +[445.62 --> 466.62] en- +[466.62 --> 473.00] Lift up your soul, cause you've got a light inside those lungs. +[473.50 --> 476.38] Get up and praise the Lord. +[479.92 --> 482.08] Oh, come on, my soul. +[482.52 --> 485.04] Oh, don't you get shy on me. +[485.18 --> 491.74] Lift up your soul, cause you've got a light inside those lungs. +[491.74 --> 495.42] Get up and praise the Lord. +[496.62 --> 500.64] Oh, come on, my soul. +[501.04 --> 503.52] Oh, don't you get shy on me. +[503.68 --> 508.62] Lift up your soul, cause you've got a light inside those lungs. +[510.06 --> 511.20] Good morning. +[512.76 --> 514.62] Welcome to worship. +[515.40 --> 518.34] A special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning. +[518.52 --> 521.16] My name is Chris, and I'm one of the pastors here. +[521.16 --> 526.98] And it's my privilege to lead in our shared worship this morning with these people you +[526.98 --> 530.40] see on stage and a couple others who will come up at different points. +[531.42 --> 535.72] Today is the first Sunday of Lent. +[536.26 --> 542.90] Lent is the season of preparation leading us to Good Friday where we remember and reflect +[542.90 --> 549.10] upon the death of Jesus in our place and where we anticipate Easter Sunday and his resurrection. +[549.68 --> 551.72] The season began with Ash Wednesday. +[551.98 --> 558.42] We had a little service here where we reflected on our sinfulness and our mortality, and we carry +[558.42 --> 563.50] that reflection and introspection forward in this season of Lent together. +[563.50 --> 568.80] to mark the remembering Jesus' death until he comes again. +[568.92 --> 573.06] We're also participating in the supper this morning, and so I encourage you already now, +[573.38 --> 577.64] begin preparing your heart and your mind to come to this table together later. +[578.10 --> 582.32] Before we begin our worship in earnest, there's a few announcements to make. +[582.82 --> 585.12] One of them, I hope, is just a reminder. +[586.00 --> 589.42] The other two are bits of information for you to follow up on. +[589.42 --> 593.36] The first bit of information to follow up on is in the foyer over there. +[593.46 --> 597.74] There's a table marked Lost and Found, and it's covered in things. +[598.62 --> 601.78] So we would love for it to be less covered by the end of today. +[602.60 --> 606.92] At some point in the next couple weeks, whatever is left on there is just going to get donated +[606.92 --> 609.96] to Mission Thrift Store or somewhere. +[610.48 --> 616.26] And so please have a look, see if your things are there, or probably see if your kids' things +[616.26 --> 620.00] are there, and maybe you can find something you've been missing for a little while. +[621.18 --> 631.14] The other note today, tonight at 7 p.m., is HCBC for the youth and the Heidelberg Catechism +[631.14 --> 634.88] Reading Group for the rest of us to participate in. +[634.96 --> 640.68] So we're going to gather here at 7 p.m. to continue our studies of the Heidelberg Catechism +[640.68 --> 641.90] and the Belgic Confession. +[641.90 --> 645.24] If you have any questions about that, you can talk to myself or Pastor Kevin. +[645.50 --> 647.36] He will address those for you. +[648.48 --> 652.44] Lastly, we've been making this announcement for a couple weeks now, but we still have to +[652.44 --> 653.24] keep making it. +[653.70 --> 659.94] On March 25th, the Mexico mission team needs some drivers to pick them up from Seattle +[659.94 --> 661.90] Airport and bring them home. +[662.70 --> 668.42] March 25th at 5 p.m. is when they need to be picked up at and brought home, and we need +[668.42 --> 670.70] rides for 18 more people yet. +[672.04 --> 676.30] 18's quite a lot, and so your kid might get left in Seattle unless we figure this out. +[677.04 --> 679.42] Now, maybe that's what you want, but that's not what we want. +[680.46 --> 685.72] And so if you are able to do that, please talk to, again, Pastor Kevin or Brandon, who's over +[685.72 --> 686.50] there in the corner. +[686.66 --> 689.10] He will happily arrange those things with you. +[689.10 --> 693.80] I think that's it for our announcements, and so I'm going to invite you as you are able +[693.80 --> 698.96] to stand, and we'll be ushered into the presence of God together this Lenten season. +[704.64 --> 708.14] As we come into the presence of God, receive His greeting. +[708.52 --> 712.18] Following the greeting of God, I invite you to turn to those around you and to welcome them +[712.18 --> 713.94] into our shared worship together. +[714.38 --> 715.48] Receive the greeting of God. +[715.48 --> 722.64] Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son +[722.64 --> 726.54] and our Savior, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[727.54 --> 727.86] Amen. +[745.48 --> 763.82] People of God, as we enter this season of Lent, let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the pioneer +[763.82 --> 765.22] and perfecter of faith. +[765.86 --> 770.70] For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the +[770.70 --> 772.30] right hand of the throne of God. +[772.30 --> 776.18] Behold, Christ will come again and judge the living and the dead. +[776.64 --> 781.90] Let us then rejoice, because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made +[781.90 --> 785.16] us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. +[785.88 --> 789.52] Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose mercy endures forever. +[789.52 --> 816.58] All the creation, all the fear, made straight a highway back for the Lord. +[816.58 --> 818.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[818.58 --> 822.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[822.58 --> 829.82] Come, every sinner, wake up the saint. +[830.26 --> 834.58] Let every nation shout your faith. +[834.58 --> 840.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[840.58 --> 842.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[842.58 --> 843.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[843.58 --> 848.58] Like a cry, waiting for a broom. +[848.58 --> 855.00] We'll be a church ready for every heart. +[855.00 --> 860.58] Longing for our King, we sing. +[860.58 --> 867.58] Give us so loud, Lord Jesus come. +[867.58 --> 874.58] Give us so loud, Lord Jesus come. +[874.58 --> 883.58] There will be justice, all will be you. +[883.58 --> 888.58] Your name forever, faithful and true. +[888.58 --> 889.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[889.58 --> 890.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[890.58 --> 895.58] Jesus is coming soon. +[895.58 --> 903.58] Like a cry, waiting for a broom. +[903.58 --> 909.58] We'll be a church ready for you every heart. +[909.58 --> 914.58] Longing for our King, we sing. +[914.58 --> 924.58] Give us so loud, Lord Jesus come. +[924.58 --> 930.58] Give us so loud, Lord Jesus come. +[930.58 --> 931.58] God, we wait for you. +[931.58 --> 933.58] Come, we wait. +[933.58 --> 936.58] You are coming soon. +[936.58 --> 938.58] God, we wait. +[938.58 --> 944.58] You are coming soon. +[944.58 --> 947.58] God, we wait. +[947.58 --> 950.58] We wait for you. +[950.58 --> 958.34] So we wait, we wait for you. +[960.82 --> 968.10] We wait, you're coming soon. +[970.60 --> 974.52] Like a rising dawn, +[974.52 --> 977.52] In the end, +[978.02 --> 980.98] Reckoning to every heart, +[980.98 --> 984.30] Calling for our King, +[984.68 --> 986.34] We sing. +[988.04 --> 992.00] Like a rising dawn, +[993.40 --> 995.24] In the end, +[995.74 --> 998.68] Reckoning to every heart, +[999.06 --> 1002.02] Calling for our King, +[1002.38 --> 1004.04] We sing. +[1004.52 --> 1007.14] He will so come, +[1007.70 --> 1011.48] For Jesus come. +[1013.48 --> 1016.06] He will so come, +[1016.06 --> 1020.62] For Jesus come. +[1022.32 --> 1025.48] He will so come, +[1025.78 --> 1030.06] For Jesus come. +[1030.06 --> 1031.18] He will so come, +[1031.18 --> 1031.68] For Jesus come. +[1031.68 --> 1035.18] He will so come, +[1035.18 --> 1035.68] For Jesus come. +[1035.68 --> 1038.14] For Jesus come. +[1038.14 --> 1043.22] He is yang to come, +[1043.22 --> 1047.42] For Jesus come. +[1047.42 --> 1048.14] And he must go. +[1048.14 --> 1048.44] He is to come. +[1049.16 --> 1050.06] He will so come. +[1050.06 --> 1052.28] He will so come. +[1052.98 --> 1055.22] And have a chance to center this evening. +[1055.22 --> 1056.72] The Father himself may shall come, +[1056.72 --> 1065.62] To the riders we pray upon the Lord, we obey upon the Lord, we obey upon the Lord, Lord God. +[1065.62 --> 1077.62] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1077.62 --> 1093.20] You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God, to the faith you won't go away. +[1093.20 --> 1106.06] You're the defender of the will, you've conquered those who live, you've lifted us up on the way. +[1106.06 --> 1109.44] You're the everlasting God. +[1117.44 --> 1123.44] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1123.44 --> 1128.44] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1128.44 --> 1134.44] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1134.44 --> 1145.82] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1145.82 --> 1160.20] You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God, to do my things you won't go away. +[1160.20 --> 1161.20] We pray forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1161.20 --> 1173.58] You're the defender of the will, you've conquered those who live, you've lifted us up on the way. +[1173.58 --> 1174.58] Be forever, come on, our strong deliverer. +[1174.58 --> 1185.20] You're the everlasting God, the everlasting God. +[1185.26 --> 1191.64] You do not wait to walk, nor weary. +[1191.64 --> 1221.62] you're the defender of the +[1221.64 --> 1223.64] way upon the moon +[1223.64 --> 1237.32] Our God reigns forever. He is our hope, +[1237.58 --> 1239.52] our strong deliverer. May he +[1239.52 --> 1241.64] strengthen us to name that which +[1241.64 --> 1242.84] we need deliverance from. +[1243.42 --> 1245.28] For if we claim to be without sin, +[1245.58 --> 1247.48] we deceive ourselves, and the truth +[1247.48 --> 1249.62] is not in us. But if we confess +[1249.62 --> 1251.34] our sins, he is faithful +[1251.34 --> 1253.46] and just, and will forgive us our +[1253.46 --> 1255.62] sins and purify us from all +[1255.62 --> 1256.50] unrighteousness. +[1256.50 --> 1260.14] O'er our sea? +[1260.14 --> 1287.14] ixoam file +[1290.14 --> 1293.80] Hear my desperation +[1293.80 --> 1299.18] For so long I've planned and prayed +[1299.18 --> 1303.00] God, don't you, I rest you +[1303.00 --> 1307.52] Even so, the Lord remains +[1307.52 --> 1311.38] So my heart will praise you +[1311.38 --> 1318.84] Songs within the trouble so +[1318.84 --> 1323.40] Questions without answers +[1323.40 --> 1327.56] Unlike me, these heroes roll +[1327.56 --> 1331.20] God, we know our shelter +[1331.20 --> 1335.74] Why are you blessed on my soul? +[1335.74 --> 1339.90] I'll be able to say to +[1339.90 --> 1344.56] The Christ of all the hope +[1344.56 --> 1348.54] Songs in such a great feeling +[1348.54 --> 1356.72] Oh my soul, put your hope in God +[1356.72 --> 1363.36] My help, my love, I will praise you +[1363.36 --> 1369.88] Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm +[1369.88 --> 1374.54] You're still my God, my salvation +[1374.54 --> 1392.60] Should my life be torn from me +[1392.60 --> 1396.20] Every worldly pleasure +[1396.20 --> 1400.86] When all I possess is free +[1400.86 --> 1404.64] God, be then my treasure +[1404.64 --> 1409.58] Be my vision in the night +[1409.58 --> 1412.94] Be my hope and refuge +[1412.94 --> 1417.68] Till my faith is turned to sight +[1417.68 --> 1421.36] Lord, my heart will praise you +[1421.36 --> 1429.02] Oh my soul, put your hope in God +[1429.02 --> 1433.68] My help, my God, my help, my God +[1433.68 --> 1435.68] My help, my God, my salvation +[1435.68 --> 1438.02] Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm +[1438.02 --> 1442.02] Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm +[1442.02 --> 1447.68] You're still my God, my salvation +[1447.68 --> 1448.68] Oh my God, my salvation +[1448.68 --> 1453.34] Oh my soul, put your hope in God +[1453.34 --> 1455.34] Oh my soul, put your hope in God +[1455.34 --> 1458.34] My help, my God, my help, my God +[1458.34 --> 1461.34] I will praise you +[1461.34 --> 1468.34] Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm +[1468.34 --> 1473.00] You're still my God +[1473.00 --> 1476.00] You're still my God, my salvation +[1476.00 --> 1498.48] Brothers and sisters in Christ +[1498.48 --> 1500.98] Let us confess our sins to each other +[1500.98 --> 1502.42] And pray for one another +[1502.42 --> 1504.24] So that we may be healed +[1504.24 --> 1506.98] For the prayer of a righteous person +[1506.98 --> 1508.74] Is powerful and effective +[1508.74 --> 1512.60] Holy and merciful God +[1512.60 --> 1515.72] We confess to you and to my love +[1515.72 --> 1518.76] And to the whole communion of saints +[1518.76 --> 1520.34] In heaven and of earth +[1520.34 --> 1523.40] That we have sinned by our own fault +[1523.40 --> 1525.88] In thought, word, and deed +[1525.88 --> 1527.90] That what we have done +[1527.90 --> 1530.32] And that I will be left undone +[1530.32 --> 1532.68] We have not loved you +[1532.68 --> 1534.86] With our whole heart and mind and strength +[1534.86 --> 1537.26] We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves +[1537.26 --> 1539.18] We have not forgiven others +[1539.18 --> 1540.62] As we have been forgiven +[1540.62 --> 1544.10] Have mercy on us, O God +[1544.10 --> 1548.44] We have not listened to your call to serve as Christ served us +[1548.44 --> 1550.98] We have not been true to the mind of Christ +[1550.98 --> 1553.24] We have grieved your Holy Spirit +[1553.24 --> 1556.36] Have mercy on us, O God +[1556.36 --> 1559.10] We confess to you, O God +[1559.10 --> 1559.22] We confess to you, O God +[1559.22 --> 1561.16] All our past unfaithfulness +[1561.16 --> 1565.32] Pride, hypocrisy, and impatience in our lives +[1565.32 --> 1568.94] We confess to you, O God +[1568.94 --> 1571.96] Our self-indulgent appetites and ways +[1571.96 --> 1573.82] And our expectation of other people +[1573.82 --> 1577.40] We confess to you, O God +[1577.40 --> 1580.70] Our anger and our own frustration +[1580.70 --> 1584.10] And our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves +[1584.10 --> 1587.18] We confess to you, O God +[1587.18 --> 1590.96] Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts +[1590.96 --> 1593.26] And our dishonesty in daily life and work +[1593.26 --> 1596.54] We confess to you, O God +[1596.54 --> 1599.14] Our negligence in prayer and worship +[1599.14 --> 1602.18] And our failure to commend the faith that is in us +[1602.18 --> 1605.24] We confess to you, O God +[1605.24 --> 1608.24] Accept our repentance, O God +[1608.24 --> 1610.06] For the wrongs we have done +[1610.06 --> 1612.90] For our neglect of human need and suffering +[1612.90 --> 1615.66] And our indifference to injustice and cruelty +[1615.66 --> 1619.46] Accept our repentance, O God +[1619.46 --> 1621.60] For all false judgments +[1621.60 --> 1624.22] For uncharitable thoughts towards our neighbors +[1624.22 --> 1628.26] And for our prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from us +[1628.26 --> 1631.78] Accept our repentance, O God +[1631.78 --> 1634.00] For not trusting in you +[1634.00 --> 1637.22] For turning to other people and things for our hope +[1637.22 --> 1638.56] And for living in fear +[1638.56 --> 1641.48] Blind and deaf to the truth of your word +[1641.48 --> 1644.48] And the call to live faithful lives to your glory +[1644.48 --> 1647.84] Accept our repentance, O God +[1647.84 --> 1649.98] Restore us, O God +[1649.98 --> 1652.68] And let your anger depart from us +[1652.68 --> 1654.68] Favorably hear us, O God +[1654.68 --> 1656.36] For your mercy is great +[1656.36 --> 1657.22] Amen +[1657.22 --> 1661.22] Please rise as we respond +[1661.22 --> 1662.16] To the song +[1662.16 --> 1671.54] Praise the Lord +[1671.54 --> 1675.10] His mercy is full +[1675.10 --> 1679.54] Praise the Lord +[1679.54 --> 1680.38] His mercy is full +[1680.38 --> 1683.54] Praise the Lord +[1683.54 --> 1685.16] His mercy is full +[1685.16 --> 1686.00] His mercy is full +[1686.00 --> 1688.14] His mercy is full +[1688.14 --> 1691.96] jalap +[1691.96 --> 1694.60] Stronger the darkness +[1694.60 --> 1695.72] Due and behold +[1695.72 --> 1698.28] Our sins +[1698.28 --> 1699.28] They are made +[1699.28 --> 1700.10] His mercy is full +[1700.10 --> 1702.08] His mercy is full +[1702.08 --> 1704.08] My mercy is full +[1704.08 --> 1715.78] What love could remember no wrongs we have done +[1715.78 --> 1720.78] Conditioned all knowing he cast on their sons +[1720.78 --> 1725.92] Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore +[1725.92 --> 1732.08] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1732.08 --> 1745.52] What patience would wait as we constantly roam +[1745.52 --> 1750.48] What love is so tender, is calling us whole +[1750.48 --> 1756.18] He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor +[1756.18 --> 1761.68] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1761.68 --> 1769.76] Praise the Lord, his mercy is full +[1769.76 --> 1777.38] Stronger and darker, still and poor +[1777.38 --> 1782.56] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1782.56 --> 1796.00] What riches of kindness he lavished on us +[1796.00 --> 1801.10] His blood was the payment, his blood was the cost +[1801.10 --> 1807.18] We soon need the debt we could never afford +[1807.18 --> 1812.50] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1812.50 --> 1820.32] Praise the Lord, his mercy is full +[1820.32 --> 1828.40] Stronger and darker, still and poor +[1828.40 --> 1832.64] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1832.64 --> 1841.40] Praise the Lord, his mercy is full +[1841.40 --> 1847.48] Stronger and darker, still and poor +[1847.48 --> 1851.48] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1851.48 --> 1854.52] Our sins they are many, his mercy is full +[1854.52 --> 1862.60] Our grace is full +[1862.60 --> 1883.68] Good morning, my name is Yap, I'm a deacon here at Langley Emanuel +[1883.68 --> 1887.52] This morning's offering is for Cascade Christian Counseling +[1887.52 --> 1894.46] Cascade Christian Counseling is a non-profit organization that has been in operation for over 40 years +[1894.46 --> 1899.70] With a mission to provide Christian counseling and consulting services to the whole community +[1899.70 --> 1906.44] In order to do that they raise funds in order to provide lower session fees to those who cannot afford to get the help they need +[1906.44 --> 1915.78] Please give as you're able to and if you want to give to the general budget or any other mission or ministry you can use the envelopes in your seats in front of you +[1915.78 --> 1917.06] Thank you +[1936.44 --> 1949.12] Thank you +[1949.12 --> 1979.10] Thank you. +[1979.12 --> 2009.10] Thank you. +[2009.12 --> 2039.10] Thank you. +[2039.12 --> 2069.10] Thank you. +[2069.12 --> 2071.12] Thank you. +[2100.08 --> 2101.12] Thank you. +[2101.54 --> 2102.92] We're not quite twins. +[2103.94 --> 2104.68] Any guesses? +[2104.82 --> 2105.94] Who is one of my family members? +[2108.04 --> 2108.38] Ooh. +[2109.68 --> 2111.10] Did we stump you guys? +[2111.18 --> 2111.84] What do you think, Haley? +[2111.84 --> 2115.22] You think Matthias is one of my family members? +[2115.38 --> 2116.48] Oh, he could be. +[2116.84 --> 2117.02] Yeah? +[2117.56 --> 2119.12] Do you think Jared and I are brothers, maybe? +[2119.80 --> 2121.10] We look a little bit similar. +[2122.44 --> 2124.42] Well, yeah. +[2126.10 --> 2128.30] That's perhaps more of a compliment to myself. +[2129.28 --> 2129.72] No? +[2129.90 --> 2131.08] Are we brothers, do you think? +[2131.96 --> 2133.46] But me and Matthias maybe are brothers? +[2134.60 --> 2136.88] Maybe Mr. Kevin and I are brothers? +[2137.78 --> 2138.08] No? +[2138.08 --> 2138.20] No. +[2138.48 --> 2139.22] Oh, there it's like, oh. +[2139.22 --> 2142.00] Maybe Miss Nikki is my sister? +[2142.56 --> 2143.00] No? +[2143.94 --> 2144.64] Oh, boy. +[2144.72 --> 2148.04] We're moving into the book of Mark, and there's a big theme in Mark. +[2148.10 --> 2148.60] What do you think? +[2149.96 --> 2150.36] Oh. +[2151.56 --> 2152.68] Yes, there we go. +[2152.76 --> 2154.06] I knew someone would nail it. +[2154.32 --> 2156.78] We're all brothers and sisters in Christ. +[2157.12 --> 2159.08] Now, that wasn't meant to be a trick question, +[2159.48 --> 2164.86] but it is the big theme that we're going to talk about now that we move into the book of Mark. +[2164.86 --> 2165.42] Okay? +[2165.86 --> 2169.06] So, thank you very much, helpers, for the illustration. +[2170.08 --> 2170.44] All right. +[2170.60 --> 2175.52] Why don't we stand and we'll bless the congregation as they stay and hear our message here, +[2175.58 --> 2180.08] and we're going to hear more about the family of God in children's worship time. +[2180.88 --> 2181.32] Ready? +[2181.40 --> 2182.20] Let's give the blessing. +[2183.22 --> 2185.04] The Lord be with you. +[2185.30 --> 2186.86] And also with you. +[2187.22 --> 2187.94] Come and eat. +[2187.94 --> 2188.06] Come and eat. +[2199.22 --> 2203.40] Lord, our Lord, your glorious name. +[2203.40 --> 2203.84] Amen. +[2207.84 --> 2221.04] amientoelduff +[2221.04 --> 2232.04] Lord, our Lord, your glorious name in all your wondrous works proclaim. +[2233.54 --> 2238.90] In the heavens with the radiant signs, evermore your glory shines. +[2239.98 --> 2241.86] How great is your name. +[2243.48 --> 2247.94] Lord, our Lord, in all the earth, how great is your name. +[2247.94 --> 2255.46] Yours is the name of matchless worth, excellent in all the earth. +[2256.52 --> 2258.66] How great is your name. +[2261.00 --> 2265.56] We gather in your name this morning to bring you our prayers, +[2266.16 --> 2269.50] to sing your praises and to hear and study your word. +[2270.96 --> 2276.20] Thank you for this day, for bringing us all here. +[2276.20 --> 2280.76] Your people into a preview of your kingdom, +[2281.62 --> 2284.68] for giving us this foretaste of glory divine. +[2286.22 --> 2290.60] We know we cannot truly understand the nature of your kingdom, +[2291.28 --> 2297.54] but we do know that it is wonderful and glorious beyond all belief. +[2297.54 --> 2306.02] As we wait, we are mindful at this time of our task here on earth. +[2306.02 --> 2309.78] You did not create us to be idle. +[2311.16 --> 2314.64] You gave us dominion and responsibility over creation, +[2314.64 --> 2320.78] and we ask that you give us what we need for this task of developing and caring for creation. +[2320.78 --> 2334.96] Fill our hearts with your spirit so that we do our daily work and help us to keep that in mind in all that we do is for you, Lord. +[2336.06 --> 2339.92] Raise up the church to do deeds of faith and generosity. +[2339.92 --> 2347.54] We pray for our nation and its leaders that they would follow after justice and righteousness. +[2348.92 --> 2350.82] We pray for your church. +[2352.32 --> 2358.92] Grant our leaders your wisdom and discernment, strength for the day and faith in troubled times. +[2358.92 --> 2367.78] We pray for the ongoing ministries here at Emmanuel that they may help us to grow in faith and love. +[2369.10 --> 2376.64] We pray that we would all grow into the grace and knowledge of Jesus, doing good works to his glory. +[2376.64 --> 2386.30] We thank you that Michaela Chamberlain and Kate and Abby recently got engaged. +[2386.82 --> 2390.06] We pray that you will continue to bless their relationship. +[2392.44 --> 2397.48] We give thanks that Anne-Marie Van Mayen's heart surgery went well, +[2397.98 --> 2400.96] and we ask that you will give her a smooth recovery. +[2400.96 --> 2409.38] We pray for Lena that she will regain her physical strength so that she can go home. +[2411.14 --> 2415.22] We pray for your healing and sustaining peace for John Finbergite. +[2417.56 --> 2422.32] We pray for Jerry Jansen's daughter and Anikala's sister, Tessa. +[2423.88 --> 2427.78] We ask for Tessa to be given strength as she undergoes chemotherapy. +[2430.96 --> 2438.56] We ask also that you pray for Elise Wagener's dad, Doug Kendon, and Tessa Tessemacher. +[2440.30 --> 2443.70] Amanda, Hohuwoning's sister, and Klaus Tessemacher's daughter. +[2444.46 --> 2451.22] We ask for you to give effective treatment and courage to face this journey. +[2452.22 --> 2457.22] And we pray for the families involved as they need strength to walk beside their loved ones. +[2457.22 --> 2465.68] Lord, we hear of many people with cancer, and we ask for your healing and strength. +[2469.64 --> 2474.16] Lord, as we hear your will for us this morning through the word preached by Pastor Chris, +[2475.16 --> 2477.06] bind us together in Christ. +[2478.22 --> 2480.24] Keep us focused on our purpose. +[2481.70 --> 2483.30] Fill us with the Holy Spirit. +[2483.30 --> 2492.16] We pray that we will grow in love and truth, righteousness and peace, hope and faith. +[2493.64 --> 2497.70] Mature us in Jesus that we may become more and more like him. +[2499.36 --> 2505.16] Fulfill your will and purposes among us, and bring glory to your holy name. +[2506.26 --> 2510.46] All these things we pray in your holy name. +[2511.24 --> 2511.50] Amen. +[2513.30 --> 2542.36] Here at Emmanuel, we are reading together through the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. +[2542.36 --> 2546.52] Paul's letter written to the church of Thessalonica. +[2547.66 --> 2552.06] This morning, we come to chapter 4, verse 13 to 18. +[2552.22 --> 2554.86] We're going to read that together beforehand, +[2555.32 --> 2558.58] and then we'll spend some time reflecting on that. +[2558.58 --> 2558.64] Amen. +[2558.64 --> 2558.70] Amen. +[2558.70 --> 2558.78] Amen. +[2558.78 --> 2559.14] Amen. +[2559.14 --> 2559.20] Amen. +[2559.20 --> 2559.58] Amen. +[2559.58 --> 2560.70] Amen. +[2560.70 --> 2561.14] Amen. +[2561.14 --> 2561.64] Amen. +[2561.64 --> 2561.70] Amen. +[2561.70 --> 2562.14] Amen. +[2562.14 --> 2562.70] Amen. +[2562.70 --> 2562.80] Amen. +[2562.80 --> 2563.58] Amen. +[2563.58 --> 2564.20] Amen. +[2564.20 --> 2564.70] Amen. +[2564.70 --> 2564.80] Amen. +[2564.80 --> 2565.70] Amen. +[2565.70 --> 2566.70] Amen. +[2566.70 --> 2566.80] Amen. +[2566.80 --> 2567.80] Amen. +[2567.80 --> 2568.80] Amen. +[2568.80 --> 2568.86] Amen. +[2568.86 --> 2569.80] Amen. +[2569.80 --> 2570.80] Amen. +[2570.80 --> 2571.80] Amen. +[2571.80 --> 2572.36] Amen. +[2572.80 --> 2577.54] Amen. +[2577.54 --> 2577.62] Amen. +[2582.02 --> 2591.82] Amen. +[2591.82 --> 2592.02] Amen. +[2592.02 --> 2592.80] Amen. +[2592.80 --> 2593.68] Amen. +[2593.68 --> 2602.12] understand and approach even the tragedy and hardship of death. For that, we look here in +[2602.12 --> 2608.70] 1 Thessalonians 4. I'm going to start reading in chapter, or in verse 13, and we'll read through to +[2608.70 --> 2612.32] the end of verse 18, which is the end of this chapter. +[2614.62 --> 2621.58] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, +[2621.58 --> 2629.24] so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died +[2629.24 --> 2637.70] and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in +[2637.70 --> 2645.12] him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the +[2645.12 --> 2652.16] coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will +[2652.16 --> 2657.50] come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call +[2657.50 --> 2665.80] of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left +[2665.80 --> 2670.82] will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, +[2670.82 --> 2680.26] and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage one another with these words. +[2680.92 --> 2682.36] This is the word of the Lord. +[2686.46 --> 2696.56] I've said before to you that good theology, properly taught, properly applied, is practical +[2696.56 --> 2710.04] theology. Good theology is practical theology. In the face of hardship and suffering, in the face of +[2710.04 --> 2720.94] challenge and trial, understanding a word about God can bring encouragement and hope. This text, +[2720.94 --> 2729.24] like the story referenced in the comic over my shoulder, this text is an excellent example of what I mean. +[2730.74 --> 2737.54] To whet your appetite, to see where we're going, notice this. We read in verse 17 together, +[2738.34 --> 2745.14] after that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds +[2745.14 --> 2755.62] to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be with the Lord forever. That word, caught up in Greek, +[2756.16 --> 2766.16] is a form of harpazo, which when translated from Greek into Latin in the fourth century by Jerome, +[2766.72 --> 2774.42] becomes a form of the word rapio, which is where we get the English word rapture. +[2775.14 --> 2781.68] From. And so if you've been around Christian circles in the 20th or 21st century for any amount +[2781.68 --> 2788.00] of time, you've probably heard the word rapture. You've probably heard people talk about a secret +[2788.00 --> 2793.10] rapture wherein the bodies of all who believe will vanish and their clothes will be left in a nice +[2793.10 --> 2801.04] folded pile on their airplane seat as everyone around them screams. This idea of a secret rapture +[2801.04 --> 2810.46] was first taught by a man named John Nelson Darby in the 19th century, and it's part of what many have +[2810.46 --> 2816.56] come to call a pre-millennial dispensational approach to theology, where Jesus will come in secret, +[2817.02 --> 2824.04] where he will collect all Christians in order to escape a period of tribulation that will take place +[2824.04 --> 2833.26] before the full, visible, and final return of Christ. The question of theology asks, is that true? +[2834.26 --> 2841.64] Is that what this text is actually teaching? Is that good theology? And does it help us? +[2841.64 --> 2849.68] Because remember, good theology is practical theology. What I want to suggest this morning, +[2850.40 --> 2857.94] and the sort of banner under which we will labor together in this text, is that what we hear here +[2857.94 --> 2869.44] is a real hope because of a real end, a real telos, a purpose for the world. And to get to that, to see +[2869.44 --> 2877.68] this real hope because of a real end for our real world, I want to start by taking the beginning and +[2877.68 --> 2884.76] the end of this text and looking at them together. So verse 13 and verse 18. At the beginning, Paul writes, +[2884.76 --> 2892.44] brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed. Now what he literally says there in +[2892.44 --> 2898.84] Greek in the original language is, we do not want you not to know. And the editors have made it +[2898.84 --> 2905.00] uninformed because not want you not to know is a confusing sentence structure in English. It's hard +[2905.00 --> 2911.56] to follow along. But effectively, what Paul is saying is, hey, there's something we really want you to +[2911.56 --> 2918.54] know. We wish you would understand this. Think about this with me for a minute. We don't want you +[2918.54 --> 2925.96] not to know. He's saying, don't miss this truth. Paul wants his readers and he wants us to know +[2925.96 --> 2932.32] something, to be aware of some truth, to have an idea or a thought or a formulation in our head, +[2932.32 --> 2942.62] to have words at the ready. To be sure, what he wants us to know is something about God, words about God. +[2943.36 --> 2954.40] In its simplest definition, that's what theology is, words about God. Theology is to have and speak +[2954.40 --> 2966.14] and know words about God. And Paul here wants us to have a word about God. We need to know. He says, +[2966.26 --> 2973.34] I do not want you not to know. I do not want you to be uninformed. Know these things, have words about +[2973.34 --> 2983.32] these things, have good theology. And then at the end of our text, verse 18, he says, therefore, +[2983.76 --> 2990.84] encourage one another with these words. Right? There are things I want you to know, things I want +[2990.84 --> 2998.64] you to study and to trust and believe. And when you know them, when you study them, when you trust them, +[2998.64 --> 3007.82] you will be encouraged. Good theology is practical. Good theology is for encouragement. And in particular, +[3008.10 --> 3017.10] in this moment, Paul wants his readers to be comforted in the face of a great trial and hardship +[3017.10 --> 3026.56] we call death. We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death. So you do not grieve +[3026.56 --> 3034.94] like the rest of mankind who have no hope. Good theology is hopeful. Good theology is practical. +[3035.40 --> 3043.92] Good theology is encouraging. And when it comes to death, good theology reframes the whole thing for us. +[3045.60 --> 3049.84] Kevin Van Hooser is a modern theologian. He says, +[3049.84 --> 3057.62] knowing the ending turns what might be otherwise a tragedy into a divine comedy. +[3059.08 --> 3064.94] And that doesn't mean it's a joke. It means that at the end, all things are put right. +[3067.76 --> 3076.34] So the question that we face this morning isn't, will I die? The question isn't, when will I die? +[3076.34 --> 3084.86] The question isn't even, what will cause my death? Instead, the question is, how will I die? How will I +[3084.86 --> 3091.86] approach death? How will I think about death? How will I face death? How will I have hope? How will I +[3091.86 --> 3101.50] overcome? How will I be encouraged? How will I have courage? Or will I be afraid? Will I have peace in the +[3101.50 --> 3109.56] face? Or will I be cast about? When I die? Or when someone I love dies? How will I be? +[3111.56 --> 3118.40] Part of being a disciple, as we enter this season of Lent reflecting on death and our mortality, +[3118.98 --> 3125.18] part of being a disciple of Jesus is having a different approach to death, even in this life +[3125.18 --> 3132.22] and in this world. And what is the practical impact that's flowing from the truth that in Jesus, +[3132.48 --> 3140.36] death is defeated and has lost its sting? This is a uniquely Christian new reality. +[3141.56 --> 3149.72] Do not grieve, we read, like the rest of mankind who have no hope. And that actually is an idea, +[3149.72 --> 3155.46] right? Grieving that comparison to the rest of mankind. It's an idea that ties back to the +[3155.46 --> 3162.72] preceding section. We looked at it before, last time, in verse 11 and 12, we read, +[3163.24 --> 3169.64] make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your +[3169.64 --> 3177.68] hands just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. If the rest of +[3177.68 --> 3184.90] mankind and the respect of outsiders, and in both cases, we are encouraged to live and to conduct +[3184.90 --> 3192.28] ourselves in life in a way that is genuinely Christian, genuinely distinct from the culture +[3192.28 --> 3198.08] around us, a way that is genuinely consistent with the message of the gospel and the teachings +[3198.08 --> 3205.86] of God in Jesus Christ. And as Christians then, what can we know about God in the face of death, +[3205.86 --> 3213.16] and how can that bring us comfort? As Christians, what can we know about God in the face of God in +[3213.16 --> 3220.22] death, in the face of death, that our daily living, and even if we face it ourselves, that even our death +[3220.22 --> 3231.24] may in fact win the respect of outsiders. Death is one thing that unites us all. And so, +[3231.24 --> 3239.44] a word about God, a theology of death is eminently practical and useful. +[3243.04 --> 3253.06] In the ancient world, and for many today, death is simply an end. And so, for these Christians +[3253.06 --> 3261.16] in Thessalonica, many of whom are new to faith, these new Christians, these people who've +[3261.16 --> 3268.58] just been converted to Christianity are still learning how to reframe their experience of life +[3268.58 --> 3274.72] by the teachings of the gospel and by the word, right? And so, the ideas that they have about death +[3274.72 --> 3282.00] are going to have some of the vestiges of the culture's teaching within it. And in the culture of +[3282.00 --> 3290.30] the day, death is generally associated with a lack of hope. There are some examples of great heroes +[3290.30 --> 3296.98] who are taken up into Elysium and who experience peace and celebration. But for the most people, +[3297.08 --> 3304.04] for the average person in the ancient world, death is just an end. It is formless and void. It is lonely +[3304.04 --> 3313.74] wandering. Catalyst, who's a contemporary of Paul, he writes in one of his poems, +[3313.74 --> 3323.14] the sun can set and rise again, but once our brief light sets, there is one unending night to be slept +[3323.14 --> 3333.74] through. Similarly, Theocritus, who is a Greek philosopher, he writes, hopes are for the living, +[3333.74 --> 3345.10] the dead are without hope. And these are the kinds of ideas that surround death for the people of +[3345.10 --> 3353.14] Thessalonica. These new Christians have to wonder what changes. What will happen to me at death? Do I +[3353.14 --> 3358.82] have hope? And if I die before Jesus returns, will I miss out on what's going to happen? What happens if I +[3358.82 --> 3366.68] die before He returns? The church at Thessalonica is relearning a whole new theology of death because of +[3366.68 --> 3375.14] their faith, and Pastor Paul is teaching good theology to them. And so what I want to do for the time +[3375.14 --> 3387.08] that remains to us this morning is look at six points of practical application as we face death +[3387.08 --> 3396.20] from this text. First of all, point number one, death isn't the end, it is a transition. +[3397.72 --> 3404.54] This is verse 14, if you will follow along with me. Verse 14, for we believe that Jesus died and rose +[3404.54 --> 3414.36] again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. +[3414.36 --> 3423.50] Jesus' resurrection is offered as a guarantee of a future resurrection for all who will believe. +[3424.56 --> 3434.30] Because Jesus rose, God will raise you up if you died in Christ. This is how the gospel becomes +[3434.30 --> 3440.90] good news for you. Jesus lived the life I should have lived and died the death that I deserved, +[3440.90 --> 3449.02] and on the third day He rose again from the dead. He died in order to defeat death. And if you are united +[3449.02 --> 3454.72] to Him in His death, you will be united to Him in a resurrection like His. This is the promise of God +[3454.72 --> 3463.52] and of the gospel. Death isn't the end, it's a transition. And what we see is that if death isn't the end, +[3463.52 --> 3473.12] there must be a new one. That new end is the resurrection of all, the return and the reign of Jesus Christ. +[3473.70 --> 3480.60] That's the end of history. That's the goal of it all. The resurrection of all, the return and the reign +[3480.60 --> 3490.94] of Jesus. Death isn't the end. Number two, what do we see? We see that those who die go to be with +[3490.94 --> 3499.96] Jesus. Again in verse 14, we read, God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. +[3501.40 --> 3509.20] Here we read that those who have died are with Jesus and they will come with Him at His return, +[3509.36 --> 3517.04] reunited with resurrected bodies. The scriptures tell us that to die is gain, for if I die, I go to be with +[3517.04 --> 3523.54] Christ. Right? The scriptures tell us that if we die and are away from the body, we are at home in the +[3523.54 --> 3530.90] Lord. Jesus Himself, to the thief on the cross, when death was imminent for both of them, says, +[3531.28 --> 3540.68] today you will be with me in paradise. Those who die go to be with Jesus. +[3540.68 --> 3547.74] The third thing that we see here as we face death is that this new reality is real. +[3548.78 --> 3554.32] We know it's real because it's given to us for all to see. Did you see that in verse 16? +[3555.10 --> 3556.34] In verse 16, we read, +[3556.94 --> 3561.08] For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command and with the voice of the +[3561.08 --> 3566.50] archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. +[3566.50 --> 3572.90] Now, I don't know about you, but a loud command, a voice from the archangel and the trumpet call of +[3572.90 --> 3580.18] God sure doesn't sound like a quiet secret coming to steal people away. Right? This is a visible, +[3580.76 --> 3587.60] public, glorious return for all to see. And the rest of the Bible tells this same story. +[3588.40 --> 3595.18] In Matthew 24, 27 to 21, we read that the Son of Man and His return will be visible like +[3595.18 --> 3601.90] lightning in the east is visible in the west. We read that it will come with great power and glory. +[3601.90 --> 3609.62] And again, we read that angels will trumpet it. In Revelation 1, 7, it says that He is coming with +[3609.62 --> 3617.64] the clouds and every eye will see Him. Which makes sense because at the ascension of Jesus, +[3618.12 --> 3623.32] the angels told the disciples who were staring up into the clouds looking, the angels said, +[3623.32 --> 3630.46] this same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back in the same way that you +[3630.46 --> 3643.74] have seen Him go into heaven, riding on the clouds. Right? This is real and it's for all to see. +[3643.74 --> 3655.80] Number four, this real hope isn't escaping this world set for destruction, but the real hope is +[3655.80 --> 3667.42] actually rooted in the ushering in of the defeat of death by death bringing new life. Verse 17 says, +[3667.42 --> 3675.40] after that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to +[3675.40 --> 3684.16] meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever. Now this is where that word, +[3684.86 --> 3694.70] harpazo, becomes rapio, become rapture. This is where that happens. And is our hope really a rapture, +[3694.70 --> 3701.26] an escape? An escape? Or is Paul doing something different here? Now this is going to take a little +[3701.26 --> 3706.70] bit of brain work, so roll up your sleeves and dig in with me. This is where biblical theology becomes +[3706.70 --> 3718.50] helpful to us. The Greek verb harpazo, caught up, is used by many writers to refer to people being caught +[3718.50 --> 3727.92] up or snatched away from life to death. And so there's a first century Greek philosopher and historian +[3727.92 --> 3735.60] named Plutarch. He uses it to refer to those who die an early death such that they are snatched away +[3735.60 --> 3742.22] from the advantages of life such as marriage, education, manhood, citizenship, and public office. +[3742.22 --> 3751.04] At the time, there are funeral inscriptions written that we have and have collected saying that fate +[3751.04 --> 3760.08] has snatched away the living to the place of Hades. Or we also have writings from Lucian, who's a second +[3760.08 --> 3770.42] century AD Roman satirist and rhetorician, and he writes a speech of a grieving father who cries out at the +[3770.42 --> 3780.06] death of his son. And he says, dearest child, you are gone from me dead, snatched away, harpazo, before your time. +[3781.62 --> 3788.22] And in all of these cases, the way this word is normally used, death is snatching people away from life. +[3789.44 --> 3797.04] And so I tend to agree with Bible scholar Jeff Wyma, who concludes that Paul may have chosen this word, +[3797.04 --> 3805.34] harpazo, not to describe a literal snatching away or rapture, but rather to make a clever pun, an inversion +[3805.34 --> 3813.00] on the common use of this word. And so instead of being snatched away and caught up from life to death, +[3813.42 --> 3820.84] Christians are the kind of people who are caught up from death to life, right? From life to new life. +[3820.84 --> 3830.56] This is the inversion. This is the beauty of what's happening here in the gospel, right? This hope isn't +[3830.56 --> 3836.16] about escaping a world set for destruction, but ushering in the defeat of death by being snatched +[3836.16 --> 3850.00] from death into life. And then five, this real hope is forever. This is the rest of verse 17. +[3850.00 --> 3856.80] We're caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with +[3856.80 --> 3864.76] the Lord forever. So let's focus on the first idea there, to meet the Lord in the air. +[3866.20 --> 3873.80] Now sometimes people take this idea and they tie it to the previous idea of being caught up to meet +[3873.80 --> 3879.98] the Lord in the air. And they conclude that people are being gathered up into heaven and that +[3880.00 --> 3885.86] is where we will be forever. And maybe as you read it in English, that kind of makes sense. It seems +[3885.86 --> 3890.62] like the structure seems to go that way. But again, this is where that biblical theology thing becomes +[3890.62 --> 3898.90] helpful. The Greek word that's used here, apentesis, doesn't refer generically to any kind of meeting, +[3898.90 --> 3908.62] but it's actually a technical term that's used in that day to a specific custom of sending out a +[3908.62 --> 3917.58] delegation of leading citizens, a reception party outside of the city in order to meet a visiting +[3917.58 --> 3927.26] dignitary or member of a royal court, and then to escort that person in the final part of their journey +[3927.26 --> 3935.42] back into the city from which they were sent. So let me paint a picture for you of this formal, +[3935.42 --> 3944.16] technical use of the word to meet. This reception involves a group of prominent citizens who are +[3944.16 --> 3952.18] chosen to be members of the delegation or the reception party, and they would journey out to meet the +[3952.18 --> 3962.12] coming king or ruler or official. And city leaders would adopt a formal resolution to pay tribute, +[3962.12 --> 3969.64] to offer worship to this visiting dignitary, and to host a banquet for them. +[3970.86 --> 3979.28] And these citizens who go out would dress in their finest clothes, often white robes with laurel wreaths +[3979.28 --> 3985.94] on their heads, with crowns on their head, and they would leave the city to meet the dignitary along +[3985.94 --> 3992.88] the way. And after meeting and greeting the visiting dignitary, the reception party would escort this +[3992.88 --> 3999.50] person the rest of the way into the city, heralding their coming, saying, the king is coming, the king is +[3999.50 --> 4006.58] coming, make way, make ready for the feast of the king. And then sometimes this visiting dignitary, +[4006.68 --> 4012.80] when they arrived and got to the place where they were at, they would pronounce judgment on prisoners. +[4012.80 --> 4019.00] They would liberate some and set them free, and they would sentence others to execution. +[4020.66 --> 4027.86] This is the picture that Paul is painting of the return of Christ. So that means that at the return +[4027.86 --> 4035.16] of Christ, Christians are those dignitaries who go out. Christians usher him into the world as his +[4035.16 --> 4042.58] kingdom restored for the work of judgment and ruling forever. Right? That's how we'll be with him +[4042.58 --> 4050.68] forever under his rule in this world restored with our rightful king on the throne of his creation. +[4052.02 --> 4060.10] And again, to be clear, this is how that word, to meet, is used in other places in the Bible as well. +[4061.06 --> 4071.22] And so in Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable of the ten virgins. And we read in that story, +[4071.22 --> 4077.38] at midnight, the cry rang out, here is the bridegroom, come out and meet him. And the rest of the parable, +[4077.84 --> 4085.26] the virgins who are ready, go out and join him, and they usher him into the wedding banquet. +[4086.36 --> 4093.92] The same kind of thing happens, actually, in Acts 28, 15, when Paul arrives in Rome. If you read that +[4093.92 --> 4100.32] story, the brothers and sisters of the church in Rome, who heard about Paul's coming, about his travels, +[4100.32 --> 4108.34] they go out to meet him, and they journey with him for the last 60 or so kilometers coming into Rome. +[4109.70 --> 4116.46] Now, all of this together, right, means that Christians aren't caught up or raptured in order +[4116.46 --> 4125.14] to escape, but we're caught up to meet the Lord, to welcome the returning Jesus, and to usher him to his +[4125.14 --> 4137.36] rightful place on the throne of this world, restored as his kingdom. That is the true story of what's going +[4137.36 --> 4149.84] on here. And so, lastly, sixth, what we get here is a real hope because of a real end for the real world. +[4149.84 --> 4159.56] And this is how we encourage one another. This is the word about God that we know about how the future +[4159.56 --> 4167.90] shapes how we live in the present. Good theology is practical theology, and this is a word of hope for +[4167.90 --> 4175.50] life in the face of death because death is not the end. Those who die know to be with Jesus, +[4175.50 --> 4184.44] right, and this is real, and it's for all the world to see. And our hope is in the reality that death is +[4184.44 --> 4195.82] defeated by life and that this new life is forever. I don't know about you, but that changes +[4195.82 --> 4207.02] how we go through even death, whether yours or someone else's. Remember, death isn't the end. +[4207.90 --> 4217.58] The resurrection, the return, and the reign of Jesus Christ is the end. And that is the most +[4217.58 --> 4225.34] encouraging news you will ever hear. Amen. Let's pray together. +[4232.02 --> 4239.90] God, you are so good. Even in the face of death, you have given us this gospel, +[4239.90 --> 4249.14] this truth that death is not the end, that even that enemy has been defeated by Jesus Christ. +[4250.72 --> 4253.54] And so there is no victory left for death, +[4254.26 --> 4264.02] that the sting of death is overcome by the resurrection of Jesus as a guarantee of our future +[4264.02 --> 4271.98] and glorious resurrection. And so, Lord God, especially now as we enter this season of Lent, +[4272.88 --> 4281.42] especially now as we prepare our hearts to meet you at the table, may we come in the truth and the hope +[4281.42 --> 4289.52] of this resurrection, in the truth and the hope of your return, in the truth and the hope of your reign +[4289.52 --> 4298.28] forever in this world restored. And so, God, even as we stare death in the face today, +[4298.28 --> 4303.50] we do so as those who sit around the banquet table of the King. +[4305.54 --> 4309.52] At this table, we proclaim your death until you come again. +[4309.52 --> 4318.18] Amen. And so, Lord Jesus, come quickly, we pray. In your name alone. Amen. +[4327.08 --> 4332.92] As we come to this table together, especially in the beginning of this season, +[4332.92 --> 4341.18] we do so reflecting on the death of Jesus Christ, reflecting on our own mortality and the sin that +[4341.18 --> 4349.34] brought him to the cross and on his suffering in our place. We do so as a community of believers +[4349.34 --> 4355.68] together. We will have some words of liturgy for you to speak, encourage you to speak them as you're +[4355.68 --> 4362.24] indicated on the screen, to join your hearts in prayer as we pray, because we come now to the table +[4362.24 --> 4373.82] of our Lord. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Let's pray together. +[4375.98 --> 4383.00] With joy, we praise you, gracious God, for you have created heaven and earth. You've made us +[4383.00 --> 4390.48] in your image. You have kept covenant with us, even when we fell into sin. We give you thanks for Jesus +[4390.48 --> 4398.56] Christ, who by his life, death and resurrection, open to us the way of everlasting life. Amen. +[4401.94 --> 4409.54] Our Lord Jesus, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice until he comes again. +[4410.46 --> 4415.16] The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread. And when he had given thanks, +[4415.16 --> 4426.04] he broke it and said, this is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And in the same way, +[4426.66 --> 4435.88] he took the cup after supper and he said, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this whenever you +[4435.88 --> 4438.88] drink it? Do this when you drink it? Do this when you drink it? In remembrance of me. +[4442.46 --> 4450.56] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. +[4450.56 --> 4461.90] This is the mystery of our faith. Your death, O Christ, we proclaim. Your resurrection, we affirm with joy. +[4462.58 --> 4467.64] Your coming, we await with hope. Glory be to you, Lord Jesus. +[4469.26 --> 4476.12] Church family, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love him and trust in him alone for their +[4476.12 --> 4482.86] salvation. And so come to this table, you who have much faith and you who would like to have more. +[4483.56 --> 4489.00] Come to this table, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time. +[4489.34 --> 4496.24] Come to this table, you who have tried to follow Jesus and you who have failed. Come to this table +[4496.24 --> 4505.84] because Jesus Christ has been raised and so we proclaim victory by his death. Come to this table. +[4505.84 --> 4511.74] If you are here in person or if you are at home and online, come to this table because it is Christ +[4511.74 --> 4522.04] who meets us here. The gifts of God for the people of God. As we come to this table together, +[4522.84 --> 4530.62] we will do so in a particular manner for Emmanuel Church. We will gather in groups in the front and +[4530.62 --> 4536.90] we will encircle the table and you will be invited to pass the bread and pass the juice to the person +[4536.90 --> 4542.04] to your left or to your right. When you pass the bread, we invite you to say the body of Christ +[4542.04 --> 4547.74] given for you. When you pass the juice, we invite you to say the blood of Christ shed for you. +[4549.34 --> 4554.38] As we come to this table, we're going to have the first group come up, which will be the worship +[4554.38 --> 4559.92] leaders, the elders and the like who are going to help facilitate our serving together. Afterwards, +[4560.48 --> 4565.76] they will go up on stage and lead us in song for when you're not up here and there will be +[4565.76 --> 4572.40] serving elders to indicate when you can come to the front together. If you are unable to come to the +[4572.40 --> 4578.38] front but would like to receive the supper, please indicate that to the elder who is ushering and +[4578.38 --> 4583.82] they will meet you where you are and they will serve you, also saying the body of Christ given +[4583.82 --> 4590.28] for you and the blood of Christ shed for you. For those who desire, there's gluten-free bread in +[4590.28 --> 4595.82] the center of each tray of bread as well and there's some up here off to the side if you need +[4595.82 --> 4601.30] complete separation for that. I'm going to invite those who are helping us serve this morning up to +[4601.30 --> 4605.98] the front, elders and worship leaders, we can receive the first round of the table. +[4608.38 --> 4616.30] As they are coming to the front, I'd also like to make known that there are prayer partners +[4616.30 --> 4621.40] available, people with yellow name tags will be in the foyer at the back there if you'd like to meet +[4621.40 --> 4626.46] someone and receive prayer in lieu of coming up to the front or before you come up or even after you +[4626.46 --> 4632.76] come up to the front, you can meet them for prayer as part of your experience of God here at the table +[4632.76 --> 4633.16] together. +[4638.38 --> 4643.20] Body of Christ given for you. +[4646.80 --> 4648.12] Body of Christ given for you. +[4648.12 --> 4659.16] , blood of Christ given that for you are on the front, the storage for you there at the +[4659.16 --> 4660.68] bottom, you may see you the other individuals who are going to follow up to the front, but as you +[4660.68 --> 4662.56] check your mart at the table and Belauer is going togod Nilo. +[4662.56 --> 4665.82] Now, let's say that the들 does have a good amount of storage that you need for yourauftrabing. +[4665.82 --> 4667.98] Which is one of the most part, when we have to go to the last day chegou and after you look at the +[4667.98 --> 4670.92] broadcast, there is a game where I see a little bit more rounded but also filled with forefront what do you +[4670.92 --> 4671.80] this pattern pis zac and pr formations. +[4671.80 --> 4694.36] eat and remember +[4701.80 --> 4709.74] blood of Christ shed for you +[4709.74 --> 4716.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4716.80 --> 4731.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4731.80 --> 4737.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4737.80 --> 4743.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4743.80 --> 4756.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4756.80 --> 4758.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4758.80 --> 4764.80] blood of Christ shed for you +[4764.80 --> 4766.80] drink and believe +[4766.80 --> 4772.28] Amen. +[4772.28 --> 4772.32] Amen. +[4783.32 --> 4788.40] Thanks, man. +[4796.80 --> 4798.80] Amen. +[4826.80 --> 4828.80] Amen. +[4856.80 --> 4858.80] Amen. +[4886.80 --> 4888.80] Amen. +[4916.80 --> 4918.80] Amen. +[4946.80 --> 4948.80] Amen. +[4948.80 --> 4950.80] Amen. +[4976.80 --> 4978.80] Amen. +[5006.80 --> 5036.80] +[5036.80 --> 5051.52] When came the morning that sealed the promise, your very body began to breathe. +[5051.52 --> 5064.36] Out of the silence, the roaring lion declared that he has no blame on me. +[5064.36 --> 5070.32] Jesus, your victory. +[5077.38 --> 5082.40] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free. +[5084.64 --> 5089.00] Hallelujah, death has lost his grip on me. +[5089.00 --> 5095.64] You have broken every chain, the salvation in your name. +[5095.64 --> 5102.08] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[5104.26 --> 5108.82] Hallelujah, praise the one who set me free. +[5108.82 --> 5115.46] Hallelujah, death has lost his grip on me. +[5115.46 --> 5122.04] You have broken every chain, the salvation in your name. +[5122.46 --> 5127.46] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[5127.46 --> 5134.10] Jesus Christ, my living hope. +[5134.10 --> 5141.02] Oh God, you are my living hope. +[5141.02 --> 5148.72] Oh God, no Lord. +[5148.72 --> 5178.70] piano plays softly +[5178.72 --> 5187.28] Speak, O Lord, as we come to you +[5187.28 --> 5195.14] To receive the word of your Holy Word +[5195.14 --> 5202.10] Take your truth, plant it deep in us +[5202.10 --> 5209.06] Shake and passion us in your life +[5209.06 --> 5216.10] And the light of Christ that we see today +[5216.80 --> 5224.10] In our acts of love and our deeds of faith +[5224.10 --> 5231.10] Seek, O Lord, and fulfill in us +[5231.76 --> 5238.10] All your purposes for your glory +[5238.10 --> 5253.10] Teach us, Lord, your obedience +[5253.10 --> 5260.10] Holy reverence, humility +[5260.10 --> 5268.10] Test our lives and our actions +[5268.10 --> 5274.10] In the radiance of your glory +[5274.10 --> 5279.24] He wants to raise your eyes +[5279.24 --> 5286.24] To see your majesty bowed +[5286.24 --> 5289.24] In the glory of Jesus +[5289.24 --> 5296.24] Words of heart that you never gave +[5296.24 --> 5299.24] That the truth prevailed +[5299.24 --> 5306.24] Over our lives and our lives +[5306.24 --> 5317.24] Take your Lord and renew our hearts +[5317.24 --> 5320.24] Now, what's Christ's light +[5320.24 --> 5325.24] Till your plans go out +[5325.24 --> 5328.24] Truth, Son, change +[5328.24 --> 5331.24] From the dawn of time +[5331.24 --> 5335.24] That will echo down +[5335.24 --> 5338.24] Through eternity +[5338.24 --> 5342.24] And by grace we'll stand +[5342.24 --> 5343.24] Of your promises +[5343.24 --> 5345.24] Of your promises +[5345.24 --> 5349.24] And by faith we'll walk +[5349.24 --> 5353.24] As you walk with us +[5353.24 --> 5355.24] Take our Lord +[5355.24 --> 5359.24] Till your churches build +[5359.24 --> 5362.24] And the earth is filled +[5362.24 --> 5378.80] warerne +[5392.24 --> 5415.26] What is our hope in life and death? +[5415.26 --> 5419.94] Christ alone, Christ alone. +[5419.94 --> 5430.08] What is our only confidence that our souls to Him belong? +[5430.50 --> 5435.18] Who holds our days within His hand? +[5435.50 --> 5439.94] What comes apart from His command? +[5439.94 --> 5445.14] And what will keep us to the end? +[5445.50 --> 5450.08] The love of Christ in which we stand. +[5450.08 --> 5462.08] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5462.08 --> 5471.84] O sing hallelujah, now I dare to be confessed. +[5471.84 --> 5475.84] Christ our hope in my name. +[5475.84 --> 5485.98] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5485.98 --> 5487.98] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5487.98 --> 5491.98] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5491.98 --> 5497.48] Where is His grace and goodness known? +[5498.14 --> 5502.32] In our great Redeemer's life. +[5502.32 --> 5506.98] Who holds our faith when fears arise? +[5506.98 --> 5511.98] Who stands above the stormy trial? +[5511.98 --> 5516.98] Who sends the waves that bring us high? +[5516.98 --> 5523.98] Unto the shore of the rock of Christ. +[5523.98 --> 5531.98] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5531.98 --> 5534.98] O sing hallelujah, our hope's great eternal. +[5534.98 --> 5538.98] O sing hallelujah, now and ever we confess. +[5538.98 --> 5540.98] Christ our hope in my name. +[5540.98 --> 5547.98] Christ our hope in my name. +[5549.98 --> 5558.98] A sing hallelujah, now and ever we confess. +[5558.98 --> 5560.98] Burst de-eats, Brust de-eats. +[5561.18 --> 5563.98] Ed, Burst de-ev find him hunger, in the name of Christ God. +[5564.58 --> 5565.98] O ve candles espero eternal. +[5565.98 --> 5567.98] God desupe will take months eternal. +[5567.98 --> 5569.98] B exemplary, near the storm 발라s on earth is showed very clear. +[5569.98 --> 5572.28] everlasting life +[5572.28 --> 5573.10] within +[5573.10 --> 5576.14] where we will rise +[5576.14 --> 5578.22] to be the Lord +[5578.22 --> 5580.34] when sin and death +[5580.94 --> 5582.34] will be destroyed +[5582.94 --> 5584.54] and we will +[5584.54 --> 5585.82] be pleased +[5585.82 --> 5587.84] in heaven's glory +[5587.84 --> 5589.54] when Christ is +[5589.54 --> 5592.34] our forevermore +[5592.34 --> 5594.34] oh +[5594.34 --> 5596.34] oh +[5596.34 --> 5596.96] sing +[5596.96 --> 5599.34] hallelujah +[5599.34 --> 5602.12] our most +[5602.12 --> 5604.60] praise eternal +[5604.60 --> 5606.08] oh +[5606.08 --> 5606.60] sing +[5606.60 --> 5609.34] hallelujah +[5609.34 --> 5610.18] to the +[5610.18 --> 5611.30] out there +[5611.30 --> 5612.70] we have +[5612.70 --> 5615.46] Christ our hope +[5615.46 --> 5616.26] and life +[5616.26 --> 5617.58] and death +[5617.58 --> 5618.74] oh +[5618.74 --> 5619.22] sing +[5619.22 --> 5621.34] hallelujah +[5621.34 --> 5624.34] our most +[5624.34 --> 5625.58] praise +[5625.58 --> 5626.34] eternal +[5626.34 --> 5628.32] oh +[5628.32 --> 5629.32] sing +[5629.32 --> 5631.58] hallelujah +[5631.58 --> 5633.84] now and ever +[5633.84 --> 5635.58] we confess +[5635.58 --> 5637.64] to pass our hope +[5637.64 --> 5638.48] in life +[5638.48 --> 5639.82] and death +[5639.82 --> 5640.28] of +[5640.28 --> 5641.36] sing +[5641.36 --> 5644.32] hallelujah +[5644.32 --> 5646.54] our most +[5646.54 --> 5648.58] praise eternal +[5648.58 --> 5650.58] oh +[5650.58 --> 5650.98] sing +[5650.98 --> 5654.24] hallelujah +[5654.24 --> 5655.98] now and ever +[5655.98 --> 5657.36] we confess +[5657.36 --> 5659.96] Christ our hope +[5659.96 --> 5660.30] in life +[5660.30 --> 5661.98] and death +[5661.98 --> 5664.30] now and ever +[5664.30 --> 5666.30] we confess +[5666.30 --> 5668.42] Christ our hope +[5668.42 --> 5669.30] in life +[5669.30 --> 5670.42] and death +[5670.42 --> 5673.26] is +[5673.26 --> 5678.48] conf +[5678.54 --> 5679.26] peace +[5679.54 --> 5679.70] amen +[5679.70 --> 5679.78] oh +[5679.78 --> 5679.80] gone +[5679.80 --> 5681.74] in life +[5681.74 --> 5681.76] and ever +[5681.76 --> 5683.74] 前 +[5683.74 --> 5686.02] am +[5686.02 --> 5686.88] oh +[5686.88 --> 5687.12] oh +[5687.12 --> 5687.94] oh +[5687.94 --> 5689.26] пом +[5689.26 --> 5689.56] ho +[5689.56 --> 5689.68] expand +[5689.68 --> 5691.06] al +[5691.06 --> 5691.74] sage +[5691.74 --> 5721.72] Thank you. +[5721.74 --> 5751.72] Thank you. +[5751.74 --> 5764.74] I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see. +[5764.74 --> 5778.74] There's grace that brought my heart to Him and grace my fears relieved. +[5778.74 --> 5791.74] How precious death and grace appear, the hour I first meet. +[5791.74 --> 5799.74] The tears are gone, life is set free. +[5799.74 --> 5805.74] My God, my Savior, has rest on me. +[5806.74 --> 5813.74] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[5813.74 --> 5820.74] My ending love, my raising grace. +[5820.74 --> 5830.74] The Lord has come, His love to me. +[5830.74 --> 5837.74] His word my hopes and goals. +[5837.74 --> 5844.74] He will my shield and portion be. +[5844.74 --> 5851.74] As long as I can do. +[5851.74 --> 5864.74] And I will my God, my Savior, has rest on me. +[5864.74 --> 5871.74] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[5871.74 --> 5878.74] My ending love, my raising grace. +[5878.74 --> 5896.74] Even there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun. +[5896.74 --> 5903.74] We've no less days to sing God's praise. +[5903.74 --> 5910.74] Than when we first meet. +[5910.74 --> 5916.74] My chains are gone, life is set free. +[5916.74 --> 5923.74] My God, my Savior, my Savior, has rest on me. +[5923.74 --> 5929.74] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[5929.74 --> 5937.74] My unending love, amazing grace. +[5937.74 --> 5944.74] My chains are gone, life is set free. +[5944.74 --> 5945.74] My chains are gone, life is set free. +[5945.74 --> 5951.74] My God, my Savior, has rest on me. +[5951.74 --> 5958.74] And like a flood, His mercy brings. +[5958.74 --> 5975.74] My unending love, amazing grace. +[5975.74 --> 5980.74] As you go into this day, this week, this season of Lent, +[5980.74 --> 5983.74] know that God Himself goes with you. +[5983.74 --> 5987.74] And you go commissioned and empowered by the Spirit +[5987.74 --> 5992.74] to proclaim the gospel that we have heard this morning. +[5992.74 --> 5996.74] Go with the blessing of our God. +[5996.74 --> 5999.74] God, go before you to lead you. +[5999.74 --> 6001.74] God, go behind you to protect you. +[6001.74 --> 6003.74] God, go beneath you to support you. +[6003.74 --> 6007.74] And God, go beside you to befriend you. +[6007.74 --> 6012.74] Do not be afraid of death or trial or any tribulation. +[6012.74 --> 6017.74] Do not be afraid, but go in peace and in hope +[6017.74 --> 6021.74] to love and serve the Lord. +[6021.74 --> 6022.74] Amen. +[6022.74 --> 6024.74] God, go with the isolates. +[6024.74 --> 6025.74] Amen. +[6025.74 --> 6028.74] Amen. +[6029.74 --> 6030.74] Amen. +[6030.74 --> 6031.74] Amen. +[6031.74 --> 6036.74] Amen. +[6036.74 --> 6037.74] Amen. +[6037.74 --> 6038.74] Amen. +[6038.74 --> 6039.74] Amen. +[6039.74 --> 6040.74] Amen. +[6040.74 --> 6041.74] Amen. +[6041.74 --> 6044.06] We're almost home. +[6044.54 --> 6050.32] In every time the danger we're almost home, +[6050.70 --> 6053.32] how we build our saints, +[6053.46 --> 6056.56] have you full of us, Lord? +[6056.96 --> 6061.18] No stopping, now we're almost home. +[6061.18 --> 6071.18] The promised land is falling, we're almost home. +[6072.40 --> 6078.10] And not in tears, gosh, fall, and we're almost home. +[6078.52 --> 6084.18] Make ready now your souls, for let kingdom come. +[6084.56 --> 6088.18] No turning back, we're almost home. +[6088.18 --> 6091.18] We're almost home. +[6092.38 --> 6095.18] We're almost home. +[6096.44 --> 6099.74] So press on towards the message show. +[6100.00 --> 6101.18] Oh, praise the Lord. +[6102.18 --> 6105.18] We're almost home. +[6109.78 --> 6112.18] Journey us together. +[6113.18 --> 6115.56] We're almost home. +[6115.56 --> 6121.52] To that grave forever, we're almost home. +[6121.90 --> 6124.56] What song did you receive? +[6124.70 --> 6127.56] Grand and happy throw. +[6128.06 --> 6131.56] And feet apart, we're almost home. +[6131.56 --> 6132.58] gh ALL opportunity? +[6132.58 --> 6134.56] The cloud, we're almost home. +[6134.56 --> 6139.76] We're almost home. +[6140.00 --> 6143.26] So press on towards the message show. +[6143.52 --> 6145.32] Oh, praise the Lord. +[6145.58 --> 6148.60] We're almost home. +[6153.00 --> 6156.12] The sun is just a paper. +[6156.12 --> 6159.00] We're almost home. +[6159.24 --> 6162.62] The sun is setting yonder. +[6162.62 --> 6165.32] We're almost gone +[6165.32 --> 6166.86] To encourage +[6166.86 --> 6168.56] From His darkness +[6168.56 --> 6171.78] So great to talk +[6171.78 --> 6172.76] To encourage +[6172.76 --> 6176.18] We're almost gone +[6176.18 --> 6179.22] Almost gone +[6179.22 --> 6182.74] We're almost gone +[6182.74 --> 6185.84] So press on towards +[6185.84 --> 6187.24] The message show +[6187.24 --> 6189.18] Praise the Lord +[6189.18 --> 6192.24] We're almost gone +[6192.24 --> 6195.42] Almost gone +[6195.42 --> 6198.78] We're almost gone +[6198.78 --> 6202.06] So press on towards +[6202.06 --> 6203.50] The message show +[6203.50 --> 6205.76] Praise the Lord +[6205.76 --> 6209.42] We're almost gone +[6222.24 --> 6236.24] And it's been aичес been a dumb lady +[6236.24 --> 6237.58] I love you +[6237.58 --> 6238.90] And it's been a Titan +[6238.90 --> 6240.44] We're almost gone +[6240.58 --> 6242.02] block lavish +[6242.02 --> 6243.60] And it's happened that +[6243.60 --> 6244.44] The train said to her +[6244.44 --> 6245.64] So press on towards diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..08bb6a3ac1ea3ca7be3e28dc9f1a85cb44983acf --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,123 @@ +• A series of repeated phrases ("Let's go") +• References to time (60 minutes, 50 o'clock) +• Discussion about someone's wife and parents +• Repeated expressions of gratitude ("Thank you") +• Mention of a dog breaking out +• Reference to 2,000 people leaving +• Use of non-English words or phrases (e.g. "Nooit", "двух") +• Quotes or references to scripture +• Discussion about being hands and feet for God +• Welcome and introduction by Pastor Chris +• Announcements: + • Mexico Mission Team needs drivers for trip to and from airport + • Youth coffee at Kuhl's house after worship service + • Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday at 7 a.m. +• Invitation to worship, including greeting and welcome to those around you +• Reading of Matthew 18:20 and introduction to the day's worship +• Jesus is the source of heaven's light on earth +• The chain between God and humans was broken by Jesus +• Jesus lives in humanity as hope, love, and light +• Confession of sins and trusting in God's grace leads to reconciliation +• The mercy and love of God are unsurpassing and forever enduring +• The power of God's love being measureless and strong +• Commissioning a group going to Mexico for mission work +• Partnership between the church and groups/ministries in Tijuana/Rosarito, Mexico +• History of the church partnering with these groups for over 25 years +• The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ being sent around the world +• Commissioning team members with the gospel to make disciples everywhere +• Prayer over the team before they depart +• Prayers for missionary friends and team in Mexico +• Mission trip details: kids festival, Reactivate conference, church facility upgrade +• Fundraising goal: $2,000 for ministry outreach +• Thank you message for church's generosity and support +• Praying for peace and blessings +• Inviting kids to join in a gathering +• Welcoming Hank to the front of the group, but having trouble getting him to move +• A child named Hank shares a story about being excluded from a "cool critter club" because he couldn't perform certain abilities (jumping high, flying, catching flies) +• A story is told about a dog helping a squirrel by digging up its lost chestnut +• The story illustrates the value of kindness and helping others, mirroring Jesus' invitation to everyone to follow him +• The congregation goes to children's worship time to discuss following Jesus +• A prayer is said for guidance and understanding in following Jesus' teachings +• Pastor Chris invites Susan LeClear, a colleague from Canada, to talk about her role as Director of Candidacy in the Christian Reformed Church +• The role of being involved in the work of candidacy and the importance of supporting emerging leaders. +• Examples of candidates who have been supported, including Kevin Lobert and Josh Chamberlain. +• Recognition of those who have prayed for and encouraged candidates throughout their process. +• Acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by families of candidates. +• The importance of laborers in the harvest field, as mentioned in Luke 10:2. +• Encouragement to continue investing in leaders and blessing people. +• Gratitude for ministry shares given to the Christian Reformed Church. +• Invitation to join in prayer for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest field. +• Michaela Chamberlain is engaged to Caden +• Tessa has been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma and is undergoing further testing +• Ann Marie Van Muen is having open heart surgery +• Lena Chepkama's health is improving +• John Van Bergkijk is undergoing treatment for non-invasive bladder cancer +• Amanda Hogawone's sister and Klaus Tessamacher's daughter Tanya are experiencing stage 4 cancer +• Prayers for those struggling with addiction, mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and winter difficulties +• Prayer for Pastor Chris as he leads the study of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians +• The church's reliance on quiet, unsung servants +• Importance of service without recognition or reward +• The role of individual members in contributing to the church's success +• Jesus as the backbone of the church +• The Holy Spirit's role in facilitating the church's ministry +• Josh Chamberlain (a specific person) and his contribution to the church +• Ecclesiology (the study of church structure and organization) +• Recognizing and appreciating the efforts of those who quietly serve +• Loving others and living quietly as compelling acts of mission in the world +• Review of Thessalonians chapter four, specifically verses one through eight +• The positive example of loving one another as a way to strive after in the world +• Paul's use of "taught by God" language from Old Testament prophets +• Jesus' application of this language to himself and his teaching +• Jesus' unity with God as one with the Father +• The redemption reality being for all people, including every tribe, tongue, and nation +• Jesus showing us what the covenant of grace was always about +• The Holy Spirit's role in teaching and anointing believers +• Being taught by God is connected to one's union with Christ and transformation into a new creation +• Redemption is received from God, not achieved through human effort +• Living a covenant with God defines who you are +• God is immutable (unchanging) and this means that our relationship with him is ultimately unchangeable +• This provides security rooted in God's character +• Identity formation can be a process of trying on different identities, especially during adolescence or major life transitions +• Having a foundation in Christ Jesus provides stability and security regardless of external circumstances +• The speaker discusses changes in life that can make one feel lost or uncertain about their identity +• The foundation for navigating life's transitions is a fixed, rooted, and immutable identity in Jesus Christ +• Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself +• The speaker references several Bible passages that reinforce the command to love one another +• The concept of "loving one another" is a central theme in the section of text being discussed. +• Family defined in the ancient world +• Paul's broader definition of family +• The gospel redefines family and includes those who do God's will +• Adoption to sonship and becoming brothers and sisters +• A new identity in Christ Jesus as a part of the body of Christ +• Loving each other more and more because of this new identity +• Prioritizing spiritual relationships over biological ones +• Prioritization of biological family vs redefinition of family in scripture +• The church as a new family and spiritual community +• Dependence on the church for support and guidance +• Covenants and baptism, including becoming spiritual parents to each other's kids +• Loving the church through serving, trusting, vulnerability, honesty, and meeting others in their brokenness +• Polarization and division in online and real-life spaces +• The importance of showing love to those who disagree with us +• Defining relationships through the kind of love we show others +• Whether the church is known for this kind of love +• Making a change and painting a new picture +• Being mindful of one's own business and not being dependent on others +• Leading a quiet life and working with one's hands +• The importance of daily actions in showing love and respect to others +• The distinction between doing good deeds occasionally or when feeling motivated versus making it a daily habit +• The idea that being a Christian missionary involves both quiet service and speaking out against injustice +• The balance between serving quietly and having the responsibility to speak up and make a bigger impact +• The value of quiet, consistent service in making a difference in the lives of others +• The importance of declaring God's gospel in a quiet life and loving one another +• Praying for transformation of hearts and lives through God's word +• Seeking to proclaim Jesus' name in love and trust +• Being sent out by holy God with the power of His spirit +• Following after God, even when facing unknown outcomes +• The deep, deep love of Jesus and His intercession for loved ones +• God's presence and blessing for life and faith +• Comfort and protection from God +• The joy of living with God beyond mortality +• The washing away of sins +• Eternal life and happiness in God's presence +• A future reunion with God, dancing together in heaven +• Gratitude and thanksgiving for God's love \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..0019d018f8662390c3d350be928eb29702554d41 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, March 2, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2010 @@ +[0.00 --> 5.60] exam +[30.00 --> 34.00] ... +[34.00 --> 38.00] ... +[38.00 --> 42.00] ... +[42.00 --> 48.00] ... +[48.00 --> 50.00] ... +[50.00 --> 52.00] ... +[52.00 --> 54.00] ... +[54.00 --> 58.00] ... +[58.00 --> 64.00] ... +[64.00 --> 66.00] ... +[66.00 --> 70.00] ... +[70.00 --> 78.00] ... +[78.00 --> 80.00] ... +[80.00 --> 82.00] ... +[82.00 --> 84.00] ... +[84.00 --> 86.00] ... +[86.00 --> 86.66] Let's go. +[116.00 --> 145.98] Let's go. +[146.00 --> 175.98] Let's go. +[176.00 --> 205.98] Let's go. +[206.00 --> 208.00] Let's go. +[208.00 --> 212.00] Let's go. +[212.00 --> 214.00] Let's go. +[214.00 --> 216.00] Let's go. +[216.00 --> 220.00] Let's go. +[220.00 --> 222.00] Let's go. +[222.00 --> 226.00] Let's go. +[226.00 --> 228.00] Let's go. +[228.00 --> 230.00] Let's go. +[230.00 --> 232.00] Let's go. +[232.00 --> 234.00] Let's go. +[234.00 --> 238.00] Let's go. +[238.00 --> 240.00] Let's go. +[240.00 --> 242.00] Let's go. +[242.00 --> 244.00] Let's go. +[244.00 --> 246.00] Let's go. +[246.00 --> 248.00] Let's go. +[248.00 --> 250.00] Let's go. +[250.00 --> 252.00] Let's go. +[252.00 --> 262.00] Let's go. +[262.00 --> 264.00] Let's go. +[264.00 --> 266.00] Let's go. +[266.00 --> 268.00] Let's go. +[268.00 --> 270.00] Let's go. +[270.00 --> 272.00] Let's go. +[272.00 --> 274.00] Let's go. +[274.00 --> 276.00] Let's go. +[276.00 --> 278.00] Let's go. +[278.00 --> 280.00] Let's go. +[280.00 --> 282.00] Let's go. +[282.00 --> 284.00] Let's go. +[284.00 --> 286.00] Let's go. +[286.00 --> 288.00] Let's go. +[288.00 --> 290.00] Let's go. +[290.00 --> 292.00] Let's go. +[292.00 --> 294.00] Let's go. +[294.00 --> 296.00] Let's go. +[296.00 --> 298.00] Let's go. +[298.00 --> 300.00] Let's go. +[300.00 --> 302.00] Let's go. +[302.00 --> 304.00] Let's go. +[304.00 --> 306.00] Great. +[306.00 --> 308.00] So, you can feel comfortable. +[308.00 --> 310.00] Thank you for this. +[310.00 --> 312.00] Really? +[312.00 --> 314.00] Yeah. +[314.00 --> 316.00] Happy days. +[316.00 --> 318.00] Our dog will probably break out. +[318.00 --> 320.00] Yeah, we're going to go on. +[320.00 --> 322.00] 2,000 people left. +[322.00 --> 324.00] One day and three. +[324.00 --> 326.00] Please stand. +[326.00 --> 328.00] Every day. +[328.00 --> 329.00] Bye, my friend. +[330.00 --> 332.00] This is only 60 nooit. +[332.00 --> 332.34] Unfortunately, +[332.34 --> 334.34] this is 50 o'clock. +[338.42 --> 340.46] All right. +[341.00 --> 342.00] Thank you very much. +[342.00 --> 344.38] I need to do here. +[344.38 --> 346.38] Thanks. +[346.38 --> 348.00] I need them to do all this. +[348.00 --> 365.18] I'm just explaining this to my wife. +[365.18 --> 367.68] I didn't hear it to my parents. +[368.80 --> 371.18] Parents twice made a school before parents. +[371.18 --> 372.74] So she's a great person. +[372.74 --> 373.52] She's a great person. +[373.52 --> 374.52] She's a great person. +[374.52 --> 375.52] She's a great person. +[375.52 --> 405.50] She's a great person. +[405.52 --> 409.52] She's a great person. +[409.52 --> 413.52] She's a great person. +[413.52 --> 417.52] She's a great person. +[417.52 --> 447.50] Thank you. +[447.52 --> 477.50] Thank you. +[477.52 --> 507.50] Thank you. +[507.52 --> 509.52] Thank you. +[537.52 --> 539.52] Thank you. +[567.52 --> 569.52] Thank you. +[569.52 --> 573.52] Thank you. +[573.52 --> 575.52] Thank you. +[575.52 --> 577.52] Thank you. +[577.52 --> 579.52] Thank you. +[579.52 --> 581.52] Thank you. +[581.52 --> 585.52] Thank you. +[585.52 --> 587.52] Thank you. +[587.52 --> 589.52] Thank you. +[589.52 --> 595.52] Jed難ku +[595.52 --> 597.52] five +[597.52 --> 599.52] New +[599.52 --> 602.52] Christmas +[602.52 --> 603.88] New +[603.88 --> 606.52] двух +[606.52 --> 612.62] With you, God, it all comes down to this. +[613.30 --> 617.16] To be your hands and feet. +[618.52 --> 621.98] Good news to all the world. +[622.78 --> 625.82] Oh, the truth will set us. +[628.40 --> 629.78] Good morning. +[630.96 --> 632.80] Oh, I think we can do better than that. +[632.84 --> 633.42] Good morning. +[634.42 --> 635.90] Hey, much better. +[635.90 --> 637.72] Welcome to church. +[638.18 --> 640.94] Special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning. +[641.38 --> 646.14] An extra special welcome if you are a guest with us this morning from Vernon, +[646.74 --> 651.04] here for the Mexico Mission Team Commissioning Service. +[651.16 --> 654.54] We are grateful to gather in worship this morning. +[654.88 --> 655.56] My name is Chris. +[656.04 --> 661.02] I'm one of the pastors here at Emanuel, and it's my blessing to lead along with a few others +[661.02 --> 663.84] and some we haven't yet seen in our shared worship together. +[663.84 --> 668.54] Before we begin in earnest, we've got a couple announcements that we want to make sure everyone +[668.54 --> 668.92] hears. +[669.90 --> 674.54] And so, first of all, as I've already mentioned, the Mexico Mission Team, we're still looking +[674.54 --> 678.04] for drivers to get them to and from the airport. +[678.80 --> 683.94] As I understand it, we have enough drivers except one for the way there. +[683.94 --> 689.64] So, we need one more driver for the way there, and then we need, as I heard, a whole slew of +[689.64 --> 691.72] drivers for the way back yet. +[692.16 --> 695.40] And so, if you are able to do that, please talk to Brandon. +[695.58 --> 697.26] He's over there after service. +[697.72 --> 701.26] Or Pastor Kevin or myself will help coordinate and figure that out. +[701.26 --> 707.76] After worship today, youth coffee is taking place at the Kuhl's house. +[708.00 --> 710.28] And so, Kuhl's, raise your hands if you need directions. +[710.40 --> 710.86] There you go. +[711.40 --> 714.40] Pastor Kevin also can give information about what that means. +[714.48 --> 717.22] That's for the youth involved in our youth ministry here. +[717.46 --> 721.08] Go and have coffee and some lunch at their house today. +[721.08 --> 727.58] And then, lastly, on Wednesday, the season of Lent is beginning. +[728.26 --> 736.06] And so, the season of Lent is a time of introspection and reflection as we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday. +[736.46 --> 743.00] A time where we prepare our hearts and reflect on the truth of Jesus coming to live and to die in our place. +[743.40 --> 746.96] And so, we begin that with an Ash Wednesday service. +[747.20 --> 749.68] That's going to happen at 7 a.m. +[749.68 --> 751.50] Hear that correctly? +[751.62 --> 760.10] 7 a.m. on Ash Wednesday so that we can enter that season in a sort of sunrise opportunity to begin it, +[760.36 --> 762.72] reflecting on our own mortality and sin. +[763.12 --> 766.64] And then, we'll be sent out into that day, into that season. +[767.36 --> 770.30] The service is only about half an hour at 7 a.m. +[770.30 --> 773.00] So, most of you will still make it to work on time. +[773.00 --> 780.52] But we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our 7 a.m. Ash Wednesday service this coming week. +[781.32 --> 783.02] That's it for our announcements this morning. +[783.18 --> 785.64] And so, as you're able, and where you are, I'm going to invite you to stand. +[786.34 --> 788.56] We can be gathered up into God's presence together. +[789.08 --> 791.22] We mark that by receiving His greeting. +[791.22 --> 797.88] And then, after we receive God's greeting, I invite you to turn to those around you and welcome them into worship. +[798.42 --> 800.68] I don't have to remind you of this, but just a note. +[801.06 --> 806.16] It's cold and cough season still, and so not everybody wants to shake hands or hug or the like. +[806.82 --> 811.42] And so, just make sure you get some sort of, like, visual cue that a handshake is okay. +[812.80 --> 814.68] Otherwise, you can head nod and just say, +[814.84 --> 815.22] Good morning. +[815.36 --> 816.46] Peace of Christ be with you. +[816.46 --> 820.02] Receive the greeting of our God in worship this morning. +[821.30 --> 824.54] Grace, mercy, and peace to you. +[824.94 --> 828.86] From God our Father, from the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, and our Savior, +[829.30 --> 831.84] through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. +[832.84 --> 833.28] Amen. +[836.16 --> 837.26] Morning. Peace of Christ. +[837.86 --> 839.00] Morning. Peace of Christ. +[839.90 --> 841.80] Kezia, morning. Peace of Christ. +[846.90 --> 847.34] Morning. +[849.00 --> 850.40] Morning, Ruby. Peace of Christ. +[850.64 --> 850.90] Morning. +[852.20 --> 853.34] Morning. Peace of Christ. +[853.54 --> 853.74] Morning. +[853.94 --> 855.48] I feel like my microphone is still on. +[856.14 --> 856.90] Go ahead. +[856.90 --> 856.92] Go ahead. +[856.92 --> 886.90] Thank you. +[886.90 --> 893.54] Good morning. Welcome to worship this morning. In Matthew 18 verse 20, Jesus says, +[893.90 --> 900.12] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them. Today we gather +[900.12 --> 905.52] together in the great name of Jesus, our hope and our strength. Let's worship him together. +[905.52 --> 927.52] Jesus, hope of the nations. Jesus, come before all who bore. You are the source of heaven's +[927.52 --> 946.28] light on earth. Jesus, light in the darkness. Jesus, through this circumstance. You are the source of heaven's light on earth. +[946.28 --> 955.28] In history, you live in God. You are all the chains. You are all to die. +[956.28 --> 971.14] You are the hope, living in us. You are the rock, living in us. You are the light, shining on all the world to see. +[971.14 --> 977.12] You are the way, believing in us. You are theiri. Your heart, living in a establish M linearly. +[977.88 --> 995.14] You are the advocate for law, and мясe is theесть. You are the devil, andét me as a passer. +[995.14 --> 1003.40] Jesus, hope of the nations +[1003.40 --> 1009.06] Jesus, conquer for all who are born +[1009.06 --> 1014.62] You are the source of heaven's oil and fire +[1014.62 --> 1020.90] Jesus, light in the darkness +[1020.90 --> 1025.66] Jesus, in the eternal sense +[1025.66 --> 1032.28] You are the source of heaven's light on earth +[1032.28 --> 1037.00] In history, you live without +[1037.00 --> 1042.78] You broke the chain to go to us +[1042.78 --> 1047.02] You are the hope, you live in us +[1047.02 --> 1051.30] You are the love, you will we trust +[1051.30 --> 1058.02] You are the light, shining for all the world to see +[1058.02 --> 1064.08] You are the source of death, conquer we fear +[1064.08 --> 1067.78] Our friends of peace, drive us in +[1067.78 --> 1075.02] Jesus, our hope, living for all the world to see +[1075.02 --> 1078.74] Lord, we believe +[1078.74 --> 1082.84] Lord, we believe +[1082.84 --> 1087.22] Lord, we believe +[1087.22 --> 1092.98] Lord, we believe +[1092.98 --> 1095.04] Lord, we believe +[1095.04 --> 1097.04] Lord, we believe +[1097.04 --> 1100.94] Lord, we believe +[1100.94 --> 1114.70] Lord, we believe +[1114.70 --> 1120.28] It is a wonder of the King +[1120.28 --> 1126.46] Gold in majesty +[1126.46 --> 1132.46] All the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice +[1132.46 --> 1138.46] In the essence of the night +[1138.46 --> 1143.46] The darkness rise to life +[1143.46 --> 1149.46] And trembles at His voice, trembles at His voice +[1149.46 --> 1160.46] How great is our love, sing with me How great is our love +[1160.46 --> 1171.46] In all the sea of rain, how great is our love +[1171.46 --> 1179.46] From age to age He stands +[1179.46 --> 1183.46] And time is in His hands +[1183.46 --> 1189.46] Beginning and the end, beginning and the end +[1189.46 --> 1195.46] But God agreed in one +[1195.46 --> 1200.46] Falling spirit inside +[1200.46 --> 1203.46] The lion at the end +[1203.46 --> 1207.46] The lion at the end +[1207.46 --> 1217.46] How great is our love, sing with me How great is our love +[1217.46 --> 1227.46] You all will see how great, how great is our love +[1227.46 --> 1241.46] The name above all names Worthy of all names +[1241.46 --> 1251.46] My heart will sing with me How great is our love +[1251.46 --> 1264.46] The name above all names Worthy of all praise +[1264.46 --> 1274.46] I want to sing How great is our love +[1274.46 --> 1286.46] How great is our love Sing with me how great is our love +[1286.46 --> 1288.46] How great is our love +[1288.46 --> 1292.46] How great is our love +[1292.46 --> 1296.46] How great is our love +[1296.46 --> 1307.46] Our confession and assurance today is this +[1307.46 --> 1310.46] When we offer God our confession +[1310.46 --> 1314.46] We enter the beautiful work of reconciliation +[1314.46 --> 1319.46] Which begins with our confessing our sins and sinful nature to God +[1319.46 --> 1322.46] And trusting in His grace +[1322.46 --> 1327.46] Let us take a few moments now in time of personal silent prayer +[1344.46 --> 1345.46] And loving the Lord +[1345.46 --> 1346.46] How great is your love +[1346.46 --> 1349.46] And the words of heart +[1349.46 --> 1351.46] Let us ask whether your love +[1351.46 --> 1354.46] Or what God rebounds +[1354.46 --> 1355.46] Let us take my hand +[1355.46 --> 1356.46] For each of our hearts +[1356.46 --> 1357.46] Is there for you +[1357.46 --> 1359.44] To this very people +[1359.44 --> 1359.46] sev anything +[1359.46 --> 1364.46] We pray +[1364.46 --> 1369.46] Let us just work +[1369.46 --> 1370.46] To theце +[1370.46 --> 1371.46] The rebellion +[1371.46 --> 1373.46] For none +[1373.46 --> 1376.80] Gracious and loving God, +[1377.62 --> 1380.10] we have opened our hearts +[1380.10 --> 1385.10] so that we are able to admit to you the paradoxes of our lives, +[1385.94 --> 1387.98] that which is beautiful and good +[1387.98 --> 1391.42] and that which is hurtful and sinful. +[1392.76 --> 1397.24] We confess that we do not imitate Jesus in all that we do. +[1398.24 --> 1399.80] Forgive us, we pray. +[1399.80 --> 1408.50] Forgive our sin and empower us to be imitators of Christ in love and service. +[1408.96 --> 1409.58] Amen. +[1412.92 --> 1419.24] Friends in Christ, we have our assurance in knowing this. +[1420.02 --> 1423.32] The mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting, +[1423.80 --> 1427.08] and we are reminded of his unsurpassing grace. +[1427.08 --> 1430.96] In Jesus Christ, we, we are forgiven. +[1430.96 --> 1457.46] The love of God is greater far than tongue, +[1457.46 --> 1460.64] nor can you never tell. +[1461.00 --> 1464.46] It goes beyond the highest star +[1464.98 --> 1469.36] and reaches to the lowest hell. +[1469.84 --> 1473.76] What guilty pair bowed down with care, +[1474.16 --> 1477.46] God gave his son to win. +[1477.46 --> 1482.58] His erring child, he reconciled, +[1482.58 --> 1487.02] and pardoned from his sin. +[1487.02 --> 1491.06] Lamb of God, how rich and pure, +[1491.38 --> 1495.34] how measureless and strong, +[1495.68 --> 1499.46] he shall forevermore endure +[1499.46 --> 1504.08] the saints and angels' song. +[1504.08 --> 1510.26] When years of time shall pass away, +[1510.26 --> 1514.52] and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, +[1514.52 --> 1518.80] when men who hear refuse to pray, +[1518.80 --> 1523.06] on rocks and hills and mountains fall, +[1523.44 --> 1527.24] God's love so sure shall endure, +[1527.62 --> 1531.58] all measureless and strong, +[1531.58 --> 1538.58] He shall forevermore endure, +[1538.58 --> 1539.96] the saints and angels' song. +[1539.96 --> 1544.24] O love of God, how rich and pure, +[1544.64 --> 1548.38] how measureless and strong, +[1548.76 --> 1552.40] he shall forevermore endure +[1552.40 --> 1557.50] the saints and angels' song. +[1557.50 --> 1563.18] Could we with ink the ocean fill, +[1563.18 --> 1567.64] and were the skies of parchment made, +[1567.88 --> 1571.80] where every stalk on earth a quail, +[1572.18 --> 1576.18] and every man a scribe I drink, +[1576.56 --> 1580.56] to write the love of God above, +[1580.88 --> 1584.78] would drain the ocean dry, +[1584.78 --> 1587.22] nor can the scroll, +[1587.22 --> 1589.04] nor can the scroll continue hold, +[1589.04 --> 1589.10] nor can the scroll continue hold, +[1589.10 --> 1589.12] nor can the scroll continue hold, +[1589.12 --> 1593.32] the stripes through sky to sky. +[1593.32 --> 1597.54] O love of God, how rich and pure, +[1597.54 --> 1601.82] how measureless and strong, +[1601.82 --> 1605.88] he shall forevermore endure, +[1605.88 --> 1610.32] the saints and angels' song. +[1610.32 --> 1627.84] O love of God,�� +[1628.00 --> 1637.22] that you as a child draw, +[1637.22 --> 1667.20] Thank you. +[1667.22 --> 1688.22] I love you, Lord, and I lift my heart to worship you. +[1688.22 --> 1705.22] All my soul rejoice, take joy, my King, in what you hear. +[1705.22 --> 1717.22] Give me a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. +[1717.22 --> 1735.34] I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you. +[1735.34 --> 1752.34] All my soul rejoice, take joy, my King, in what you hear. +[1752.34 --> 1762.34] Give me a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. +[1762.34 --> 1768.34] I exalt Thee. +[1768.34 --> 1774.34] I exalt Thee. +[1774.34 --> 1780.34] I exalt Thee. +[1780.34 --> 1792.34] I exalt Thee. +[1792.34 --> 1798.34] I exalt Thee. +[1798.34 --> 1804.34] I exalt Thee. +[1804.34 --> 1810.34] Oh, Lord. +[1810.34 --> 1816.34] I exalt Thee. +[1816.34 --> 1822.34] I exalt Thee. +[1822.34 --> 1827.34] I exalt Thee. +[1827.34 --> 1833.34] Oh, Lord. +[1833.34 --> 1839.34] I exalt Thee. +[1839.34 --> 1845.34] I exalt Thee. +[1845.34 --> 1850.34] I exalt Thee. +[1850.34 --> 1851.34] I exalt Thee. +[1851.34 --> 1855.34] Oh, Lord. +[1855.34 --> 1856.34] I exalt Thee. +[1856.34 --> 1865.34] I exalt Thee. +[1865.34 --> 1866.34] I exalt Thee. +[1866.34 --> 1868.34] I exalt Thee. +[1868.34 --> 1874.24] This morning, as part of our worship, we have the chance to commission, and that means to send with +[1874.24 --> 1880.96] a purpose in the power of the Holy Spirit, a group going to Mexico. Now, I'm going to take this +[1880.96 --> 1885.90] opportunity and just invite that group to come forward. Just come up here, stand along the front +[1885.90 --> 1892.32] here so that everyone can see you in a moment. We'll pray over you and commission you for this +[1892.32 --> 1902.54] work together. So, leaders as well, everyone who's going, come on up. There's a lot of Langley people +[1902.54 --> 1911.50] missing, figures. Way to represent, Vernon. They had five hours to get to church this morning, and they +[1911.50 --> 1924.70] made it. Most of us here already know this, but if you don't, this church has a more than 25-year +[1924.70 --> 1934.24] history of partnering with groups and people down in Tijuana and Rosarito, Mexico, for mission. So, +[1934.30 --> 1940.72] we partner with Jody and Uriel in the work that they do in Rosarito in a men's ministry and a +[1940.72 --> 1947.44] women's ministry out of their church. We partner with Pastor Abelino in the Iglesia de la Rection +[1947.44 --> 1955.94] in East TJ and the work that they do there in the slums of Tijuana, meeting people there. And we have +[1955.94 --> 1961.34] a long history of working with them, and it is a beautiful story of partnership and a beautiful +[1961.34 --> 1969.26] picture, I believe, of the church spanning across the globe and how we have brothers and sisters, +[1969.26 --> 1977.10] family of God in places like Tijuana and Rosarito. And we get to partner with them and serve them. +[1977.66 --> 1984.52] And what's amazing about this is this has always been how God works. God has always used people and +[1984.52 --> 1992.02] sent people around the world to proclaim his gospel message. The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, +[1992.02 --> 1998.52] who lived, died, and was raised again. The message of the kingdom of God come and the kingdom of God +[1998.52 --> 2009.66] coming. Today, we commission you guys with this mission, with this message. You are sent out with +[2009.66 --> 2018.34] the gospel to make disciples everywhere and to be disciples everywhere. And for those of you heading to +[2018.34 --> 2026.50] Tijuana and to Rosarito for this mission, go with the gospel. Go with the power of God in the Holy Spirit +[2026.50 --> 2034.32] in you and through you. And may God bless your efforts. May he bless your relationships. And may you +[2034.32 --> 2041.36] be blessed to see the fruits of your labors in this work. I'm going to invite Pastor Kevin to come +[2041.36 --> 2051.42] forward. He's going to lead in a prayer. First of all, I'm going to invite you all to stand like about +[2051.42 --> 2057.32] here. So take two big steps forward. And then I'm going to invite any family, friends, elders, anyone +[2057.32 --> 2062.26] who wants to pray over this team to come on up. You can make your way right now. We're going to lay +[2062.26 --> 2067.00] hands on them. If we fill up the front of the church, that is okay. So come on to the front. We're +[2067.00 --> 2070.56] going to lay hands on this team and then we will send them off in prayer. +[2088.56 --> 2089.92] Let us pray. +[2089.92 --> 2099.30] Our Father in heaven, we are grateful for your gospel truth found in your Son, Jesus Christ's life, +[2099.40 --> 2106.56] death, and resurrection. And Lord, as this team of youth, of adults, of young adults heads down to +[2106.56 --> 2112.18] Tijuana in just under two weeks, Lord, we pray that you will be with them as they bring that gospel +[2112.18 --> 2118.70] truth with them. May they be your hands and feet in that community. May they continue to work alongside +[2118.70 --> 2123.90] our friends and family down there like Pastor Abilino, like Pastor Andrew, like Jody and Uriel, +[2124.28 --> 2129.36] with so many other of our missionary friends and pastors, Lord. We pray that they are able to go down +[2129.36 --> 2136.60] to connect to the communities down there and to bring your love and your message of truth to those +[2136.60 --> 2142.40] people. Lord, we thank you for our friends down in Mexico and we pray that you'll continue to be with +[2142.40 --> 2146.66] them as well. Be with this team. Give them what they need. We pray for safety on their travels. +[2146.66 --> 2154.10] We pray for courage as they step out of their comfort zones. We pray for rest as they endure long days, +[2154.22 --> 2159.40] Lord. And we just pray, God, that you continue to support them and walk alongside of them as they do +[2159.40 --> 2166.96] this work. God, may this be a time that is glorifying to you. And we give this over to you in your +[2166.96 --> 2170.62] son's precious and holy name. Amen. Amen. +[2170.62 --> 2170.72] Amen. +[2196.96 --> 2206.70] Good morning. My name is Mike and I am a deacon at this church and I'm also a part of the Mexico +[2206.70 --> 2212.12] team. And today we have a chance to also give financially a little bit more to that trip. So +[2212.12 --> 2217.64] first of all, thank you on behalf of the team for the way this church gives and gives and has +[2217.64 --> 2222.70] supported this ministry for many, many years. And especially for a prayer that has been going on +[2222.70 --> 2228.14] for weeks for this and even just now for that commissioning. And so you heard a little bit +[2228.14 --> 2234.54] about what the team is doing and the makeup of the team. And this trip, one of the kind of bigger +[2234.54 --> 2239.44] outreach projects that the team's going to undertake, there's a couple big ones. One is a kids festival +[2239.44 --> 2246.96] that's going to take place as well as a bit of a Tijuana version of Reactivate. So we're helping host +[2246.96 --> 2254.36] a bit of a conference on a weekend for local teens in a variety of, or from a few churches in the area. +[2254.84 --> 2259.04] So those are kind of two big things we're doing as well as there is a missionary friend we've worked +[2259.04 --> 2264.26] with for years. They are part of a church plant and we'll be doing some work with them upgrading +[2264.26 --> 2271.32] their church facility. So we have that in our budget as kind of some of the ministry outreach stuff that +[2271.32 --> 2276.96] we are still hoping to raise a couple thousand dollars for to facilitate that ministry. So that +[2276.96 --> 2282.72] is what today's offering essentially will go to cover. So thank you for your generosity +[2282.72 --> 2285.12] and thank you for giving with a joyful heart. +[2312.72 --> 2336.66] a song from onslaught +[2336.66 --> 2338.66] with me. +[2339.66 --> 2341.12] The changes +[2341.12 --> 2343.12] come in +[2343.12 --> 2344.78] your passions +[2344.78 --> 2347.28] they fail, Lord. +[2347.92 --> 2348.64] As +[2348.64 --> 2350.66] thou hast me +[2350.66 --> 2352.82] thou forever +[2352.82 --> 2354.72] will be. +[2356.16 --> 2356.90] Where +[2356.90 --> 2358.66] is thy faithfulness? +[2360.24 --> 2360.66] Where +[2360.66 --> 2362.66] is thy faithfulness? +[2364.42 --> 2364.66] Lord, +[2364.66 --> 2366.66] in thy morning +[2367.38 --> 2368.44] new +[2368.44 --> 2370.52] blessings I +[2370.52 --> 2371.52] see. +[2372.52 --> 2374.66] All I have +[2374.66 --> 2376.70] near the +[2376.70 --> 2378.66] earth and the +[2378.66 --> 2379.66] fire, +[2380.86 --> 2382.28] great is +[2382.28 --> 2384.66] the faithfulness +[2384.66 --> 2386.66] glory to +[2386.66 --> 2388.42] me. +[2390.62 --> 2392.16] Summer +[2392.16 --> 2394.60] and winter +[2394.60 --> 2396.60] and springtime +[2396.60 --> 2398.60] and harvest +[2398.60 --> 2400.60] summer +[2400.60 --> 2402.60] and stars +[2402.60 --> 2403.60] in the +[2403.60 --> 2404.60] courses +[2404.60 --> 2405.60] of +[2405.60 --> 2406.60] time. +[2406.60 --> 2408.60] Join +[2408.60 --> 2409.60] with all +[2409.60 --> 2410.60] nature +[2410.60 --> 2411.60] and +[2411.60 --> 2412.60] with all +[2412.60 --> 2413.60] witness. +[2414.46 --> 2416.60] Through the +[2416.60 --> 2417.60] great +[2417.60 --> 2418.60] people's +[2418.60 --> 2420.60] first +[2420.60 --> 2422.60] mercy +[2422.60 --> 2423.60] and love. +[2423.60 --> 2424.60] Great +[2424.60 --> 2426.60] is thy +[2426.60 --> 2428.60] faithfulness, +[2428.60 --> 2429.60] great +[2429.60 --> 2430.60] is thy +[2430.60 --> 2432.60] faithfulness, +[2432.60 --> 2433.60] Lord, in +[2433.60 --> 2434.60] thy +[2434.60 --> 2435.60] glory, +[2435.60 --> 2436.60] through +[2436.60 --> 2437.60] places +[2437.60 --> 2438.60] I see. +[2438.60 --> 2440.60] all +[2440.60 --> 2441.60] I see. +[2441.60 --> 2442.60] All I +[2442.60 --> 2443.60] have +[2443.60 --> 2444.60] need +[2444.60 --> 2445.60] in thy +[2445.60 --> 2446.60] comfort +[2446.60 --> 2447.60] for +[2447.60 --> 2448.60] thy +[2448.60 --> 2449.60] name. +[2449.60 --> 2450.60] Great +[2450.60 --> 2451.60] is +[2451.60 --> 2452.60] the +[2452.60 --> 2453.60] people +[2453.60 --> 2454.60] destroy +[2454.60 --> 2456.60] to me. +[2456.60 --> 2458.60] Lord, in +[2458.60 --> 2459.60] for +[2459.60 --> 2460.60] sin and +[2460.60 --> 2462.60] a +[2462.60 --> 2464.60] peace that +[2464.60 --> 2466.60] endureth, +[2466.60 --> 2468.60] thy +[2468.60 --> 2469.60] own +[2469.60 --> 2470.60] dear +[2470.60 --> 2471.60] presence +[2471.60 --> 2472.60] to +[2472.60 --> 2473.60] cheer +[2473.60 --> 2474.60] and to +[2474.60 --> 2475.60] guide, +[2475.60 --> 2477.60] strength +[2477.60 --> 2478.60] for +[2478.60 --> 2479.60] to +[2479.60 --> 2480.60] day +[2480.60 --> 2481.60] and +[2481.60 --> 2482.60] bright +[2482.60 --> 2483.60] hope +[2483.60 --> 2484.60] for +[2484.60 --> 2486.60] tomorrow. +[2486.60 --> 2487.60] Blessings +[2487.60 --> 2488.60] all +[2488.60 --> 2489.60] by +[2489.60 --> 2490.60] with +[2490.60 --> 2491.60] ten +[2491.60 --> 2492.60] thousand +[2492.60 --> 2493.60] beside. +[2493.60 --> 2494.60] Great +[2494.60 --> 2495.60] is +[2495.60 --> 2496.60] thy +[2496.60 --> 2498.60] faithfulness, +[2498.60 --> 2500.60] great +[2500.60 --> 2501.60] is +[2501.60 --> 2502.60] thy +[2502.60 --> 2503.60] faithfulness, +[2503.60 --> 2505.60] glory +[2505.60 --> 2506.60] by +[2506.60 --> 2507.60] glory +[2507.60 --> 2508.60] through +[2508.60 --> 2509.60] mercies +[2509.60 --> 2510.60] I +[2510.60 --> 2511.60] sing, +[2511.60 --> 2513.60] all +[2513.60 --> 2514.60] I +[2514.60 --> 2515.60] have +[2515.60 --> 2516.60] in +[2516.60 --> 2517.60] thy +[2517.60 --> 2518.60] hand +[2518.60 --> 2519.60] have +[2519.60 --> 2520.60] hold +[2520.60 --> 2521.60] my +[2521.60 --> 2522.60] hope. +[2522.60 --> 2523.60] Great +[2523.60 --> 2524.60] is +[2524.60 --> 2525.60] thy +[2525.60 --> 2526.60] voice +[2526.60 --> 2527.60] brought +[2527.60 --> 2528.60] unto +[2528.60 --> 2529.60] me. +[2533.60 --> 2535.60] I +[2535.60 --> 2537.60] would +[2537.60 --> 2538.60] love +[2538.60 --> 2539.60] to invite +[2539.60 --> 2540.60] all of the +[2540.60 --> 2541.60] kids to come +[2541.60 --> 2542.60] forward and join +[2542.60 --> 2543.60] me up here at the +[2543.60 --> 2544.60] front. +[2544.60 --> 2546.60] That was fast. +[2546.60 --> 2548.60] So fast. +[2553.60 --> 2554.60] Good +[2554.60 --> 2555.60] morning, +[2555.60 --> 2556.60] everybody. +[2558.60 --> 2559.60] Good morning, +[2559.60 --> 2560.60] everyone. +[2560.60 --> 2561.60] Good morning. +[2561.60 --> 2562.60] How are we all doing? +[2562.60 --> 2563.60] I +[2563.60 --> 2564.60] have +[2564.60 --> 2565.60] Hank with me, +[2565.60 --> 2566.60] but he's off to the side. +[2566.60 --> 2567.60] I think you need to shout, +[2567.60 --> 2569.60] come on out, Hank, +[2569.60 --> 2570.60] and then he might join us. +[2570.60 --> 2571.60] Are you ready? One, two, three. +[2571.60 --> 2572.60] Come out, Hank! +[2574.60 --> 2576.60] I think it needs to be a little bit louder than that. +[2577.60 --> 2578.60] One, two, three. +[2578.60 --> 2579.60] Come out, Hank! +[2580.60 --> 2581.60] Ah! +[2582.60 --> 2584.60] Here he is. +[2584.60 --> 2585.60] Hey, kids! +[2586.60 --> 2587.60] Hi, Hank! Hi. +[2587.60 --> 2588.60] Hank! +[2588.60 --> 2591.60] It looks like you were chewing some sort of a sour sock this morning. +[2591.60 --> 2592.60] What's wrong with you? +[2592.60 --> 2594.60] I had a bit of a week. +[2594.60 --> 2595.60] You did? What happened? +[2596.60 --> 2602.60] Well, I was at the park, and there was three fun people over there hanging out. +[2602.60 --> 2606.60] A cat, and a parrot, and a frog. +[2606.60 --> 2608.60] And I went over to say hi. +[2608.60 --> 2609.60] Oh, and then what happened? +[2610.60 --> 2613.60] Well, they said they're part of a cool critter club. +[2613.60 --> 2615.60] But I wasn't allowed. +[2615.60 --> 2616.60] What? +[2616.60 --> 2617.60] Yeah. +[2617.60 --> 2621.60] The cat, whose name was Fergus, said, +[2621.60 --> 2623.60] I can't jump high enough. +[2623.60 --> 2624.60] Oh, really? +[2624.60 --> 2625.60] Yeah. +[2625.60 --> 2628.60] And the parrot, Wingston, said, +[2628.60 --> 2629.60] I can't fly. +[2629.60 --> 2630.60] Oh, no! +[2630.60 --> 2631.60] Yeah! +[2631.60 --> 2635.60] And the frog, Amphibionc, said, +[2635.60 --> 2638.60] that I can't catch flies with my tongue. +[2638.60 --> 2639.60] Oh, no! +[2639.60 --> 2640.60] Yeah! +[2640.60 --> 2641.60] It made me sad. +[2641.60 --> 2643.60] But guess what happened next? +[2643.60 --> 2644.60] What happened next? +[2644.60 --> 2653.60] A squirrel named A. Cornelius lost his chestnut under a rock and asked for help. +[2653.60 --> 2656.60] Well, did those other cats and frogs and parrots help? +[2656.60 --> 2657.60] No. +[2657.60 --> 2660.60] The cat said she didn't want to get her paws dirty. +[2660.60 --> 2663.60] And the parrot said he flies and doesn't really dig. +[2663.60 --> 2671.60] And the frog, Amphibionc, yeah, I remember, he, he, she said that he, she doesn't eat rocks and nuts. +[2671.60 --> 2672.60] She just eats bugs. +[2672.60 --> 2673.60] So what did happen? +[2673.60 --> 2682.60] Well, I went, because I'm a dog, yeah, and I dug up the chestnut for the squirrel and saved the day. +[2682.60 --> 2683.60] Wow, that's really cool. +[2683.60 --> 2685.60] Yeah, and then guess what? +[2685.60 --> 2686.60] What? +[2686.60 --> 2691.60] Well, then the other three critters saw what I did and they wanted to hang out with me and the squirrel. +[2691.60 --> 2693.60] Hank, that's so great. +[2693.60 --> 2694.60] Yeah! +[2694.60 --> 2702.60] You weren't invited into an area, but then you helped someone with kindness and then everyone was invited to hang out. +[2702.60 --> 2703.60] Yeah! +[2703.60 --> 2709.60] Well, in children's worship time, we're going to talk about how Jesus invites everyone to follow him. +[2709.60 --> 2710.60] Wow! +[2710.60 --> 2714.60] What a coincidence that those two stories line up! +[2714.60 --> 2715.60] I know! +[2715.60 --> 2716.60] That's so great! +[2716.60 --> 2721.60] So we're going to take some time and go to children's worship time and talk more about Jesus, okay? +[2721.60 --> 2722.60] Okay! +[2722.60 --> 2726.60] But first, we're going to pray and then we're going to do the Lord's blessing, alright? +[2726.60 --> 2727.60] Alright, let's pray. +[2727.60 --> 2729.60] Father God, thank you so much for this day. +[2729.60 --> 2732.60] Thank you that we could come to church and that we could learn more about you. +[2732.60 --> 2738.60] And be with us as we go to children's worship time and the adults as they stay back here and listen to Pastor Chris. +[2738.60 --> 2742.60] May we all learn more about what it means to follow you in this world. +[2742.60 --> 2743.60] We pray this in your name. +[2743.60 --> 2744.60] Amen. +[2744.60 --> 2745.60] Alright, let's stand up. +[2745.60 --> 2746.60] Oh, oh, oh! +[2746.60 --> 2747.60] Not yet! +[2747.60 --> 2748.60] Not yet! +[2748.60 --> 2749.60] We have to do the blessing together. +[2749.60 --> 2752.60] Okay, we're going to say the Lord be with you all at the same time. +[2752.60 --> 2753.60] Are you ready? +[2753.60 --> 2754.60] One, two, three. +[2754.60 --> 2756.60] The Lord be with you. +[2756.60 --> 2758.60] And also with you. +[2758.60 --> 2772.60] Six years of seminary, ladies and gentlemen. +[2772.60 --> 2782.60] Speaking of six years of seminary, I want to take a moment and invite a friend of mine, +[2782.60 --> 2785.60] a colleague of mine, Susan, up to the front. +[2785.60 --> 2790.60] Susan is the Director of Candidacy in the Christian Reformed Church. +[2790.60 --> 2794.60] And she's here for a classist meeting that we have this coming week. +[2794.60 --> 2800.60] Classist is the word that we use to refer to the regional group of Christian Reformed Churches. +[2800.60 --> 2801.60] We have a meeting next week. +[2801.60 --> 2803.60] Susan's going to help us run a session there. +[2803.60 --> 2812.60] But I asked if she would join us in our worship this morning and then just give us a little bit about what she does and how that's connected to the broader work of our churches together. +[2812.60 --> 2814.60] So, Susan, welcome. +[2814.60 --> 2815.60] Thank you. +[2815.60 --> 2817.60] It should be. +[2817.60 --> 2818.60] Susan, welcome. +[2818.60 --> 2819.60] Yeah. +[2819.60 --> 2820.60] I can't believe I have to go after that. +[2820.60 --> 2825.60] Like the best children's message ever with the best voices and the best puppet. +[2825.60 --> 2826.60] I loved it. +[2826.60 --> 2829.60] But my name is Susan LeClear, as Chris said. +[2829.60 --> 2832.60] And I come to you from Canada's 11th province. +[2832.60 --> 2835.60] I live in Michigan in the United States. +[2835.60 --> 2836.60] And, yeah. +[2836.60 --> 2842.60] I mean, I thought it was a pretty good burn. +[2842.60 --> 2844.60] Deserved. +[2844.60 --> 2846.60] Totally deserved. +[2846.60 --> 2851.60] So, anyway, it's a hard time to be an American and an embarrassing time to be American. +[2851.60 --> 2852.60] But anyway. +[2852.60 --> 2853.60] But here I am. +[2853.60 --> 2860.60] And I work with the, as the candidacy director, I work with the candidacy committee, which is nine people. +[2860.60 --> 2861.60] All volunteer. +[2861.60 --> 2868.60] Wonderful, amazing pastors from around the denomination, United States and Canada, are on this team. +[2868.60 --> 2874.60] And what we do together is oversee the pathways to ordination in the Christian Reformed Church. +[2874.60 --> 2876.60] And it's very fun work. +[2876.60 --> 2877.60] I love my work. +[2877.60 --> 2881.60] I get to show hospitality to new pastors that are coming in. +[2881.60 --> 2886.60] I get to orient them to what the Christian Reformed Church is all about. +[2886.60 --> 2893.60] Advise classist leaders and others about candidacy processes as they come in. +[2893.60 --> 2900.60] And then what we're most known for, probably, is recommending emerging leaders who come through the processes. +[2900.60 --> 2902.60] They finish their seminaries. +[2902.60 --> 2905.60] And then we recommend them to synod for candidacy. +[2905.60 --> 2907.60] So, that's what we do. +[2907.60 --> 2914.60] But it's just the tip of the iceberg of what it means to be involved in the work of candidacy. +[2914.60 --> 2923.60] Your pastor, Chris, is on the CMLT of your classes, which means he works with all these emerging leaders from your area. +[2923.60 --> 2930.60] He helps support them financially and in all kinds of other ways as they come through. +[2930.60 --> 2934.60] And we just so appreciate the work that classist leaders like Chris do. +[2934.60 --> 2943.60] And actually, every single one of you probably is involved in the work of candidacy even more than I am. +[2943.60 --> 2947.60] Because you are the most important part of the process. +[2947.60 --> 2959.60] You're the ones that actually identify leaders and encourage them and pray for them and send them kind of on their way towards ministry in the Christian Reformed Church. +[2959.60 --> 2963.60] So, you've raised up a candidate just recently, Kevin Lobert. +[2963.60 --> 2967.60] We are so excited that he's almost at the end of his candidacy process. +[2967.60 --> 2972.60] And he's almost, he's getting so close to ordination after I think it was eight years in the process. +[2972.60 --> 2975.60] He told me, a long, long time. +[2975.60 --> 2981.60] And so, I just want to see for a minute how many of you have been involved in the work of candidacy for Kevin. +[2981.60 --> 2988.60] How many of you have prayed for him or encouraged him throughout that ten years or so that he's been in this process? +[2988.60 --> 2989.60] Okay. +[2989.60 --> 2991.60] How many of you have said, Kevin, you're really good at that. +[2991.60 --> 2993.60] You should try doing some of this. +[2993.60 --> 2994.60] Anyone? +[2994.60 --> 2995.60] All right. +[2995.60 --> 2998.60] How many of you are parents of Kevin? +[2998.60 --> 3002.60] I had to say that because I sat by the parents of Kevin. +[3002.60 --> 3011.60] So, all along his life and his wife and his kids that have been making big sacrifices for him to invest the time into his studies. +[3011.60 --> 3014.60] So, much work even for the family of candidates. +[3014.60 --> 3016.60] So, I appreciate that. +[3016.60 --> 3019.60] So, you guys are the ones that have done this. +[3019.60 --> 3025.60] And then Josh Chamberlain, I found out, is here also and is also working through his MDiv. +[3025.60 --> 3028.60] And I just talked to his parents this morning, his mom who was up here. +[3028.60 --> 3036.60] So, any of you who have encouraged Josh or identified gifts in Josh or just said, hey, you know what? +[3036.60 --> 3037.60] You should get your MDiv. +[3037.60 --> 3043.60] Any of you here that have done that as well, thank you for the amazing work that you've done in this process. +[3043.60 --> 3048.60] The candidacy committee and me were just like the salt shaker. +[3048.60 --> 3051.60] But you guys are the ones that put the salt in the shaker. +[3051.60 --> 3054.60] And we're so, so thankful that you've done that work. +[3054.60 --> 3061.60] Luke 10 verse 2 says that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. +[3061.60 --> 3068.60] And so, we're supposed to, Jesus said, pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest field. +[3068.60 --> 3074.60] And the laborers going into the harvest field, of course, are not just pastors. +[3074.60 --> 3077.60] It's all of these that are going to Mexico. +[3077.60 --> 3083.60] All of you, as you go into your jobs and you're a light and a witness for the kingdom, you're all laborers. +[3083.60 --> 3090.60] But this particular role of laborer, the pastor who's supposed to equip and encourage everybody else, +[3090.60 --> 3094.60] you guys have been really instrumental also in doing that. +[3094.60 --> 3101.60] So, if you would mind joining me in prayer, the candidacy committee has been praying. +[3101.60 --> 3105.60] We set our alarms on our phones for 10-02. +[3105.60 --> 3114.60] And every 10-02 every day, we stop when the alarm goes and we pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest field. +[3114.60 --> 3115.60] Luke 10-02. +[3115.60 --> 3119.60] So, if any of you want to do that, we would sure love it. +[3119.60 --> 3125.60] And if you would also just continue what you're doing, investing in leaders, encouraging and blessing people. +[3125.60 --> 3130.60] And also, thank you for the ministry shares that you give to the Christian Reformed Church. +[3130.60 --> 3141.60] That's one way that your church can do broader work to equip and help and resource all the other churches that we're in covenant with together. +[3141.60 --> 3144.60] So, thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued faithful support. +[3144.60 --> 3146.60] I'm so thankful for that. +[3146.60 --> 3151.60] Would you mind just joining me in prayer for a minute in that Luke 10-02 prayer? +[3151.60 --> 3155.60] Lord Jesus, you are the Lord of the harvest. +[3155.60 --> 3161.60] Lord, you know that throughout this world, there are people that you're drawing into your kingdom. +[3161.60 --> 3172.60] There's people in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces, in our families, that desperately need to hear that you love them and that Christ has died for them. +[3172.60 --> 3175.60] And that their sins can be forgiven, Lord. +[3175.60 --> 3180.60] There's people just weighed down with the burden of their sin and not knowing what to do with it. +[3180.60 --> 3189.60] So, we pray, Lord, that you would make us those laborers, that you'd open up conversations, help us to see ourselves as missionaries in every place we go. +[3189.60 --> 3207.60] And Lord, we pray also that you'd raise up this specific kind of laborer, these ministers of the gospel that are willing to equip and teach and serve as pastors in churches and maybe plant churches or do other kinds of ministry, full-time ministry work. +[3207.60 --> 3210.60] We do pray that you would continue to raise them up. +[3210.60 --> 3216.60] And Lord, continue to use this congregation as you've been doing to raise up those laborers. +[3216.60 --> 3220.60] I'm so, so thankful for the work that you're doing in them. +[3220.60 --> 3223.60] And we pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. +[3223.60 --> 3224.60] Good morning. +[3224.60 --> 3225.60] My name is Dave. +[3225.60 --> 3230.60] I am one of the elders for this church. +[3230.60 --> 3247.60] Two announcements before I begin in our church family prayer. +[3247.60 --> 3250.60] Robin Bauman has asked us to announce. +[3250.60 --> 3255.60] Some of us already know this news that Michaela Chamberlain is engaged. +[3255.60 --> 3259.60] So, we'll pray for her and for Caden for many happy years together. +[3259.60 --> 3260.60] And some news. +[3260.60 --> 3263.60] We've been praying for Tessa for a while. +[3263.60 --> 3267.60] She has gone through a battery of tests with more to come this week. +[3267.60 --> 3271.60] B-cell lymphoma has been confirmed, but not the type. +[3271.60 --> 3274.60] So much is yet unknown. +[3274.60 --> 3276.60] We wait for further test results. +[3276.60 --> 3283.60] So, we pray for her, for endurance, for patience, and understanding what the next steps are. +[3283.60 --> 3286.60] Let us pray. +[3286.60 --> 3292.60] The heavens declare the glory of God. +[3292.60 --> 3294.60] The skies proclaim the work of his hands. +[3294.60 --> 3296.60] Day after day, they pour forth speech. +[3296.60 --> 3299.60] Night after night, they reveal knowledge. +[3299.60 --> 3300.60] They have no speech. +[3300.60 --> 3301.60] They use no words. +[3301.60 --> 3303.60] No sound is heard from them. +[3303.60 --> 3305.60] Yet their voice goes out into all the earth. +[3305.60 --> 3308.60] Their words to the ends of the earth. +[3308.60 --> 3311.60] Father, it is very good that we gather on this Lord's Day. +[3311.60 --> 3316.60] It is a time that we join with the church everywhere and rejoice in your name. +[3316.60 --> 3321.60] Father, we confess that even though we focus our thoughts on you each Sunday, +[3321.60 --> 3324.60] our thoughts stray throughout the busyness of the week. +[3324.60 --> 3328.60] We confess that there are things that we have done that we should not have, +[3328.60 --> 3331.60] and things that we should have done but did not. +[3331.60 --> 3336.60] We confess that there are things that we have said and things that we should have said. +[3336.60 --> 3340.60] Father, we feel the same frustration as the Apostle Paul. +[3340.60 --> 3343.60] I do not understand what I do. +[3343.60 --> 3346.60] For what I want to do, I do not do. +[3346.60 --> 3348.60] But what I hate, I do. +[3348.60 --> 3352.60] Father, we thank you that we do not have to feel burdened by our sin. +[3352.60 --> 3357.60] For it has been nailed to the cross, and we don't have to be burdened by it anymore. +[3357.60 --> 3361.60] Father, we come to you because we have so many reasons to be thankful. +[3361.60 --> 3366.60] Not long ago, we had a chance to experience some winter weather and to enjoy your creation. +[3366.60 --> 3369.60] We thank you for the variety of seasons we get to experience. +[3369.60 --> 3372.60] And like that first week of creation, it is very good. +[3372.60 --> 3375.60] We thank you for this church family and everyone who has gathered here. +[3375.60 --> 3377.60] We thank you for the leadership of this church. +[3377.60 --> 3389.60] For Chris, for Kevin, for Josh, for members of council. +[3389.60 --> 3396.60] We pray for Kevin as he is finishing off his work and completing the steps in need for candidacy. +[3396.60 --> 3400.60] We pray that all of that will fall into place and go very well. +[3400.60 --> 3403.60] We pray for the many ministries of this church. +[3403.60 --> 3409.60] We ask that you bless the work that they do, that they may meet the spiritual and physical needs that we see around us. +[3409.60 --> 3413.60] We thank you that we had the opportunity to commission our Mexico missions team. +[3413.60 --> 3417.60] We thank you that so much organization and funding has fallen into place. +[3417.60 --> 3420.60] We pray that everything about this trip will go very well. +[3420.60 --> 3426.60] That they will be able to be an effective witness to the people around them. +[3426.60 --> 3431.60] Father, as a church community, we thank you the joys and needs that we have. +[3431.60 --> 3435.60] We pray for Ann Marie Van Muen who will have open heart surgery. +[3435.60 --> 3438.60] Be with the healthcare professionals who will be taking care of her. +[3438.60 --> 3440.60] And we pray for her recovery. +[3440.60 --> 3444.60] We thank you that Lena Chepkama's health is improving. +[3444.60 --> 3447.60] We pray that she will be able to go home soon. +[3447.60 --> 3455.60] We pray for John Van Bergkijk who has been diagnosed with non-invasive bladder cancer and is expecting treatment soon. +[3455.60 --> 3458.60] We pray for your healing and for your peace. +[3458.60 --> 3461.60] Father, we pray for Tessa. +[3461.60 --> 3468.60] We hear the news that she is experiencing B-cell lymphoma and there are more tests to come. +[3468.60 --> 3476.60] Father, we pray that these tests will give more knowledge and more insight about her condition and what may happen next. +[3476.60 --> 3478.60] We pray for patience. +[3478.60 --> 3480.60] We pray for endurance. +[3480.60 --> 3485.60] We pray for all of her family and her friends who must walk with her on this difficult journey. +[3485.60 --> 3494.60] We pray for Amanda Hogawone's sister and Klaus Tessamacher's daughter, Tanya, who are experiencing stage 4 cancer. +[3494.60 --> 3501.60] We pray that they, their families, may feel your comfort, peace, healing, and hope. +[3501.60 --> 3506.60] We pray for those who are struggling with addictions, both physical and psychological. +[3506.60 --> 3512.60] We pray for families who have been impacted, that they may be able to make good decisions and feel your strength. +[3512.60 --> 3517.60] Father, we pray for those who struggle with their mental health and find winter difficult. +[3517.60 --> 3521.60] We pray for those who need relief for their depression and anxiety. +[3521.60 --> 3525.60] Father, we thank you for the good news about Michaela's engagement to Caden. +[3525.60 --> 3531.60] We pray that with all the work and busyness of planning for our wedding, that it will be a good time to celebrate, +[3531.60 --> 3536.60] but more importantly, that it will be a start to a very long and happy life together. +[3536.60 --> 3545.60] And Father, we pray for Pastor Chris as he leads us again in the study of your word, as revealed to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. +[3545.60 --> 3550.60] We pray that the message of love and a quiet life is one that will reach each of us. +[3550.60 --> 3556.60] Father, may these words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight. +[3556.60 --> 3559.60] O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. +[3559.60 --> 3560.60] Come Lord Jesus. +[3560.60 --> 3561.60] Amen. +[3566.60 --> 3584.60] We here at Emmanuel are in the middle of a series in the books of Thessalonians. +[3584.60 --> 3593.60] We're going to continue our close look at Thessalonians this morning by reading together from 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 9 through 12. +[3593.60 --> 3596.60] The first time through, it will be on the screen behind me. +[3596.60 --> 3604.60] But of course, I encourage you to open up a Bible or have your device and your Bible app turned to 1 Thessalonians 4. +[3604.60 --> 3608.60] If you'd like a Bible to hold on to, there's some at the back in the little ladder shelves there. +[3608.60 --> 3610.60] You can grab one of those. +[3610.60 --> 3615.60] Let's start by reading together this text from 1 Thessalonians 4. +[3615.60 --> 3618.60] We'll begin at verse 9. +[3618.60 --> 3637.60] In verses 10, verse 10 through 7, verse 10. +[3637.60 --> 3656.50] This is the word of the Lord. +[3662.50 --> 3665.02] So I wonder if you'll permit me. +[3665.02 --> 3670.32] Let's do a little bit of a survey here, a question for you. +[3671.22 --> 3673.92] And when I ask you a question, I'm inviting you to give a response. +[3674.50 --> 3677.74] Okay, this is not one of those passive moments where the pastor talks at you. +[3678.58 --> 3678.96] Together. +[3680.44 --> 3684.02] Who is the backbone of the church? +[3686.84 --> 3687.24] Jesus. +[3687.44 --> 3688.86] I'm glad we started with that one. +[3688.94 --> 3692.04] That's, of course, the absolutely right answer. +[3692.04 --> 3694.34] But how does Jesus make himself known among us? +[3694.34 --> 3696.16] Who's the backbone of the church? +[3698.10 --> 3698.62] Sorry? +[3699.46 --> 3700.36] His people. +[3700.56 --> 3700.80] Okay. +[3701.36 --> 3703.40] Let's get a little bit more specific. +[3705.76 --> 3708.68] Without whom would the ministry of the church not happen? +[3709.82 --> 3710.90] The Holy Spirit. +[3711.02 --> 3713.22] Oh, see, you guys are even better than I thought. +[3713.28 --> 3713.54] Okay. +[3714.08 --> 3714.58] Keep going. +[3716.26 --> 3717.68] Josh Chamberlain. +[3718.42 --> 3718.94] Excellent. +[3718.94 --> 3719.22] Excellent. +[3720.40 --> 3723.18] Yeah, there's about 3% for whom that is true. +[3724.34 --> 3725.54] Okay. +[3725.64 --> 3726.22] Anyone else? +[3728.78 --> 3729.18] Pastor. +[3729.34 --> 3729.76] Thanks, Mom. +[3732.74 --> 3733.72] Yeah, pastor. +[3733.90 --> 3734.84] That's unanswered. +[3734.90 --> 3736.64] But I don't think that's the answer I'm looking for. +[3737.76 --> 3738.52] The people. +[3738.86 --> 3739.70] What about the people? +[3741.16 --> 3741.32] Sorry. +[3742.48 --> 3743.26] Sheila, did you? +[3743.88 --> 3744.78] No, not there. +[3744.94 --> 3745.82] Someone back there then. +[3746.66 --> 3747.38] Sheila was terrified. +[3747.52 --> 3748.06] I called on her. +[3749.24 --> 3749.54] Sorry? +[3749.54 --> 3749.62] Sorry? +[3749.62 --> 3750.80] The Bible study group. +[3750.80 --> 3752.48] The Bible study group. +[3752.62 --> 3753.10] All right. +[3753.16 --> 3753.42] All right. +[3753.48 --> 3754.12] We're getting there. +[3756.12 --> 3756.72] Counsel. +[3757.62 --> 3758.74] Oh, man. +[3758.82 --> 3760.76] There's a guy who understands ecclesiology. +[3761.28 --> 3761.98] But no. +[3763.42 --> 3764.40] Each of us. +[3764.50 --> 3765.04] Thank you. +[3765.94 --> 3766.78] Each of us. +[3766.96 --> 3768.44] Here's what I want to suggest to you. +[3768.44 --> 3777.72] The backbone of this church and of any church are the people who quietly serve without title, +[3778.42 --> 3780.72] without fanfare, without reward. +[3780.72 --> 3785.00] I get thanked all the time. +[3786.00 --> 3787.44] And I'm grateful for your gratitude. +[3788.90 --> 3792.92] But it is the people who make coffee on Sunday. +[3794.42 --> 3795.54] And sometimes it's okay. +[3797.32 --> 3799.12] That feed the life of this church. +[3800.10 --> 3805.58] It's the people who come in the middle of the week to tidy up a room without being asked. +[3805.58 --> 3811.22] It's the people who serve on this committee or that committee, like the finance committee, +[3811.76 --> 3814.78] and just do so for years and years and years. +[3815.74 --> 3821.66] The people who quietly serve without any recognition or reward. +[3821.96 --> 3828.58] Without them, this church wouldn't function at near the capacity it does. +[3829.38 --> 3831.16] And so, yeah, Josh, he's awesome. +[3831.16 --> 3841.32] But he needs all y'all to do the work of the church so that we can do and be who God is calling us to be. +[3843.20 --> 3848.00] But it's really hard, isn't it, to be an unsung servant. +[3849.30 --> 3855.98] It's really hard to quietly persist in the work that God has called you to do. +[3855.98 --> 3864.30] And yet, some of the greatest testimonies of God's love for his church have been shown to me +[3864.30 --> 3868.26] by the people who serve it without asking for a thank you. +[3869.12 --> 3874.62] By the people who serve it without looking for recognition and who just do it. +[3875.82 --> 3878.76] And so for you who serve, thank you. +[3879.40 --> 3884.64] For you who live in this way and serve in this church and the broader church, thank you. +[3884.64 --> 3892.06] You are an example for us of what I believe this text is showing us mission looks like. +[3893.18 --> 3898.58] The banner that I want to operate under this morning, the big idea for us, +[3898.70 --> 3906.80] is that loving others and living quietly are compelling acts of mission in the world. +[3906.80 --> 3912.74] Now this is sort of a part two from a message that we began two weeks ago. +[3913.24 --> 3916.74] Last week, Pastor Kevin led us in our Cadet Sunday service, +[3916.74 --> 3919.58] so we took a little interlude from our look at Thessalonians. +[3919.88 --> 3925.68] But we're picking up after the first part of chapter four, where we looked at verses one through eight. +[3926.26 --> 3929.78] And if your Bibles are open, you'll see really quickly that in some sense, +[3929.78 --> 3935.54] the first part presents a sort of negative example, something that we should avoid, +[3935.74 --> 3937.28] something that we should flee from. +[3937.76 --> 3942.88] And the second part, where we are today, is kind of a positive example. +[3943.00 --> 3944.56] That is something we should run towards. +[3944.92 --> 3947.88] A way of being in the world that we should strive after. +[3949.18 --> 3957.12] Paul explains that striving towards the way we should be in the world as loving one another. +[3957.12 --> 3961.66] Right? He says, you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. +[3962.12 --> 3966.14] And in fact, you love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. +[3967.36 --> 3973.02] In this kind of love for one another, for Christians around the world, +[3973.14 --> 3979.14] this kind of love for one another that we see on display here so often and so regularly, +[3979.40 --> 3981.90] that's what we are called to grow in. +[3982.48 --> 3983.74] Right? Paul says in verse 10, +[3983.74 --> 4000.36] And if you recall, that more and more ties this section with the previous section that we looked at. +[4000.62 --> 4002.32] Right? We looked at it two weeks ago. +[4002.42 --> 4003.68] Verse one says, +[4003.68 --> 4021.62] The first part that we looked at a couple weeks ago is our service and love and worship of God. +[4021.86 --> 4027.14] And the second part, where we're looking today, is our service and love for others. +[4027.14 --> 4032.06] And keep those two parts in mind because we'll return to that idea in a moment. +[4032.34 --> 4037.72] To begin, I want to jump in and look at that phrase from the beginning there, +[4037.78 --> 4039.88] that phrase, taught by God. +[4040.92 --> 4042.10] Right? Paul says, +[4042.26 --> 4045.78] You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. +[4047.42 --> 4051.98] That phrase, taught by God, is from the Old Testament prophets. +[4051.98 --> 4058.68] And it was used to talk about the kingdom of God and the restoration of God's chosen people. +[4059.34 --> 4064.66] For example, Isaiah writes some 800 years before Paul and before Jesus. +[4064.92 --> 4067.48] He writes in Isaiah 54, 13, +[4068.16 --> 4072.66] All your children will be taught by the Lord and great will be their peace. +[4073.72 --> 4077.90] In the prophet Micah, this vision of the kingdom is expanded even further. +[4077.90 --> 4079.18] Micah says, +[4079.18 --> 4081.30] Many nations will come and will say, +[4081.80 --> 4086.00] Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. +[4086.28 --> 4091.26] He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths. +[4092.84 --> 4098.50] Taught by God is a particular new covenant language. +[4099.18 --> 4106.36] It's language that has been fueling the hope of redemption and salvation of God's people for centuries. +[4106.36 --> 4109.62] That's what we mean when we say new covenant language. +[4109.96 --> 4113.12] And Paul's use of it here is a way of saying, +[4113.62 --> 4114.48] This is happening. +[4115.20 --> 4116.56] This is being fulfilled. +[4117.56 --> 4118.02] Right? +[4118.06 --> 4121.26] You have this predominantly Greek church in Thessalonica +[4121.26 --> 4126.88] being shown to be part of the fulfillment of God's covenant plan for the whole world. +[4128.20 --> 4131.06] Now, that is already pretty cool, I think. +[4131.82 --> 4132.94] But there's more. +[4132.94 --> 4137.94] Because Jesus uses this same new covenant language. +[4138.94 --> 4139.16] Right? +[4139.24 --> 4140.32] Being taught by God. +[4140.70 --> 4143.10] And he applies it to himself and to his teaching. +[4144.14 --> 4145.30] Look at John 6. +[4146.06 --> 4146.88] John 6. +[4147.58 --> 4148.38] Jesus says, +[4148.54 --> 4149.86] It's written in the prophets. +[4150.06 --> 4151.42] They will be taught by God. +[4151.82 --> 4152.62] Now, we can say, +[4152.74 --> 4153.72] Yes, we know that. +[4153.80 --> 4154.58] We heard that. +[4154.64 --> 4155.48] We've seen it in Isaiah. +[4155.62 --> 4156.36] We've seen it in Micah. +[4156.44 --> 4157.64] It also appears in Jeremiah. +[4157.90 --> 4159.98] For the keener students among us this morning. +[4159.98 --> 4162.08] They will be taught by God. +[4162.30 --> 4162.86] Jesus says, +[4163.26 --> 4167.24] Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. +[4168.16 --> 4171.34] No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God. +[4171.68 --> 4173.68] Only he has seen the Father. +[4174.96 --> 4177.04] Effectively, Jesus is saying, +[4177.46 --> 4179.74] God's teaching, the Father's teaching, +[4179.88 --> 4182.54] and my teaching are one and the same thing. +[4182.54 --> 4185.38] This is Jesus saying, +[4186.02 --> 4189.48] If you are taught by me, +[4189.72 --> 4191.06] you're taught by God. +[4191.86 --> 4195.38] It's a similar thing to what Jesus says in John 10, verse 30, +[4195.58 --> 4196.16] where he says, +[4196.26 --> 4197.86] I and the Father are one. +[4199.54 --> 4202.06] And so here in Thessalonians, in our letter, +[4202.20 --> 4207.12] you have new covenant language about the redemption reality being for all people, +[4207.22 --> 4209.38] for every tribe, tongue, and nation, +[4209.38 --> 4214.08] because of the redemption reality of Jesus being God +[4214.08 --> 4218.56] and showing us what the covenant of grace was always already about. +[4219.26 --> 4220.90] Showing us, right, +[4221.02 --> 4224.58] Jesus accomplishing in our place what we could never do. +[4225.96 --> 4227.84] Not only because he is man, +[4228.00 --> 4231.26] but precisely because he is God. +[4231.80 --> 4234.68] The Father and I are one, says Jesus. +[4234.68 --> 4237.94] Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. +[4238.40 --> 4241.84] My teachings are the teachings of God. +[4243.08 --> 4246.68] Which again, I think, is already so cool. +[4247.68 --> 4248.78] But can you guess it? +[4249.86 --> 4251.00] There's still more. +[4251.72 --> 4252.70] This goes even further. +[4253.70 --> 4256.38] In 1 John 2, verse 27, we read, +[4256.38 --> 4259.52] His anointing teaches you about all things, +[4259.64 --> 4262.76] and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit, +[4263.20 --> 4266.66] just as he taught you, remain in him. +[4268.24 --> 4270.20] So in context, right, +[4270.26 --> 4275.54] his anointing refers to Jesus anointing those who would believe +[4275.54 --> 4278.12] that he is the Christ and that he comes from the Father. +[4279.12 --> 4280.62] The question remains, right, +[4280.62 --> 4285.96] who or what is doing this anointing? +[4286.58 --> 4289.94] Now that answer comes in verse 20 in 1 John, +[4290.10 --> 4290.84] where we read, +[4291.02 --> 4294.00] You have an anointing from the Holy One. +[4295.38 --> 4298.64] The use of anointing language and Holy One +[4298.64 --> 4302.18] tells us that John is referencing the work of the Holy Spirit. +[4303.82 --> 4306.24] And so, to be taught by God, +[4306.70 --> 4309.02] as Paul says the Thessalonians have been, +[4309.02 --> 4313.08] is, one, the application of new covenant promises. +[4314.04 --> 4317.78] It's, two, fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. +[4318.02 --> 4320.82] And, three, it is applied by the Holy Spirit +[4320.82 --> 4324.94] to those who genuinely believe and remain in him. +[4325.10 --> 4327.86] In short, this is about who we are. +[4328.98 --> 4330.78] That's why I think this is so cool, +[4331.38 --> 4332.64] why this matters so much, +[4332.64 --> 4334.22] because about who we are, +[4334.24 --> 4338.14] and who we are is directly connected to who God is. +[4339.02 --> 4343.34] Right, to be taught by God isn't just about ideas or ideals. +[4344.04 --> 4345.64] Now, it includes that, to be sure, +[4345.72 --> 4346.66] but there's so much more. +[4346.98 --> 4349.08] To be taught by God is to be connected +[4349.08 --> 4352.06] to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. +[4352.68 --> 4354.70] To be taught by God is to be part of +[4354.70 --> 4357.02] his new covenant relationship to humanity +[4357.02 --> 4358.20] and to the world. +[4358.28 --> 4361.12] To be taught by God is about your union with Christ, +[4361.60 --> 4362.84] transforming who you are +[4362.84 --> 4364.32] and how you show up in the world. +[4364.32 --> 4366.48] And that is really cool. +[4367.92 --> 4369.80] That's just three words from our text. +[4369.90 --> 4371.60] Can you imagine how long this sermon's going to be? +[4372.98 --> 4374.86] Actually, in Greek, it's just one word. +[4376.86 --> 4377.38] Theodidaktos. +[4378.02 --> 4378.92] Taught by God. +[4380.44 --> 4381.52] That's who you are. +[4381.52 --> 4385.40] That's who you are. +[4387.30 --> 4388.50] And this matters, +[4388.74 --> 4390.32] not just because it's cool +[4390.32 --> 4392.12] if you're a nerd word like I am. +[4392.70 --> 4394.74] This matters because of what it means +[4394.74 --> 4396.64] and what follows from it. +[4397.40 --> 4400.94] What really has come before +[4400.94 --> 4402.58] and transformed you, +[4402.88 --> 4404.34] what has grounded you +[4404.34 --> 4407.58] in your identity in Jesus Christ. +[4407.58 --> 4412.90] Who you are transforms your very nature. +[4415.42 --> 4417.14] The Bible tells us +[4417.14 --> 4418.72] that in Christ, +[4419.12 --> 4420.62] you are a new creation. +[4422.38 --> 4424.10] And that the calls to obedience +[4424.10 --> 4426.72] that we experience in this life +[4426.72 --> 4430.38] aren't given in order to accomplish this new life, +[4430.48 --> 4433.18] but because Christ has accomplished it for us. +[4433.58 --> 4434.56] That order matters. +[4435.56 --> 4437.50] We're not trying to achieve redemption. +[4438.04 --> 4441.68] Rather, redemption is something we receive from God. +[4442.96 --> 4445.14] A relationship with a living God +[4445.14 --> 4446.78] by the life, death, resurrection, +[4446.92 --> 4448.06] and exaltation of Jesus +[4448.06 --> 4449.34] applied to you +[4449.34 --> 4450.92] through the working of the Holy Spirit +[4450.92 --> 4453.34] in your heart and through your life +[4453.34 --> 4455.72] is the ground of your identity. +[4457.10 --> 4460.28] A real, living covenant with God +[4460.28 --> 4462.26] defines who you are. +[4463.54 --> 4464.16] And hear this. +[4465.16 --> 4465.96] This God, +[4466.56 --> 4467.74] in classical terms, +[4467.82 --> 4468.56] in theology terms, +[4468.64 --> 4469.48] is immutable. +[4470.52 --> 4472.00] It means he is unchanging. +[4472.42 --> 4473.60] He does not change. +[4473.72 --> 4475.18] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, +[4475.36 --> 4476.76] today, and forever. +[4478.20 --> 4480.54] And because God is unchanging, +[4481.12 --> 4482.36] that means, right, +[4482.46 --> 4483.14] what you do +[4483.14 --> 4485.10] and your relationship to him +[4485.10 --> 4487.44] is ultimately unchangeable. +[4487.44 --> 4489.86] as you have this security +[4489.86 --> 4492.50] because it's rooted in the very character, +[4493.04 --> 4494.90] the very being of who God is. +[4494.90 --> 4497.82] What God has genuinely done in you +[4497.82 --> 4499.22] cannot be undone. +[4501.22 --> 4501.86] Now, +[4502.58 --> 4504.74] this is where I need you to lean in +[4504.74 --> 4506.82] and I need you to hear this. +[4506.82 --> 4510.08] This is the beauty +[4510.08 --> 4511.76] of the gospel reality. +[4514.00 --> 4514.76] And especially, +[4515.04 --> 4515.26] maybe, +[4515.46 --> 4516.74] if you're young. +[4517.50 --> 4517.62] Right? +[4517.66 --> 4519.36] Maybe some of you are teenagers. +[4519.94 --> 4520.02] Right? +[4520.06 --> 4521.52] So much of your life right now +[4521.52 --> 4522.82] is about figuring out +[4522.82 --> 4523.62] who you are. +[4524.78 --> 4526.64] About what it means to be you +[4526.64 --> 4527.74] in this moment, +[4527.94 --> 4528.66] in this life. +[4528.94 --> 4530.10] And developmentally, +[4530.26 --> 4531.06] that tracks. +[4531.58 --> 4531.72] Right? +[4532.06 --> 4532.54] Developmentally, +[4532.94 --> 4534.46] teenagers are trying on +[4534.46 --> 4535.48] different identities, +[4536.06 --> 4536.90] different relationships +[4536.90 --> 4537.60] to the world. +[4538.10 --> 4538.44] That's why, +[4538.54 --> 4539.52] if you parent a teenager, +[4539.68 --> 4540.36] sometimes you're like, +[4540.46 --> 4541.20] who are you? +[4541.44 --> 4542.62] Who is this kid? +[4543.36 --> 4544.30] Where's my nice, +[4544.58 --> 4546.16] pleasant daughter? +[4546.94 --> 4547.10] Well, +[4547.10 --> 4548.06] she's trying on something new. +[4548.26 --> 4548.98] I'm not talking about +[4548.98 --> 4549.80] personal experience here, +[4549.86 --> 4550.02] okay? +[4550.06 --> 4550.64] Don't tell Nora. +[4552.32 --> 4553.36] But this is normal. +[4553.46 --> 4554.66] This is what happens. +[4555.04 --> 4555.16] Right? +[4555.24 --> 4556.42] You're trying to figure out +[4556.42 --> 4557.40] who you are +[4557.40 --> 4558.44] and what feels right. +[4559.48 --> 4560.14] One week, +[4560.20 --> 4561.10] you're really into anime. +[4561.44 --> 4562.20] The next week, +[4562.26 --> 4563.72] you want to be a river surfer. +[4565.18 --> 4565.44] See, +[4565.50 --> 4566.68] someone sees a logical connection +[4566.68 --> 4567.30] between those two +[4567.30 --> 4567.94] because I didn't. +[4569.38 --> 4569.54] Right? +[4570.18 --> 4571.60] Even as that's happening +[4571.60 --> 4572.32] in your life, +[4572.42 --> 4574.38] there's no more secure foundation +[4574.38 --> 4576.02] for you to enter into +[4576.02 --> 4577.32] that situation +[4577.32 --> 4578.44] and to try to figure +[4578.44 --> 4579.22] all that out +[4579.22 --> 4580.80] than on the one +[4580.80 --> 4582.12] that undergirds it all, +[4582.24 --> 4583.06] Christ Jesus. +[4584.74 --> 4584.94] Now, +[4585.00 --> 4585.64] this is also true +[4585.64 --> 4586.20] for those of us +[4586.20 --> 4587.04] who are a little bit older. +[4587.78 --> 4587.98] Right? +[4587.98 --> 4588.96] Maybe in terms of +[4588.96 --> 4590.14] a major transition +[4590.14 --> 4591.08] in your life. +[4591.80 --> 4592.70] Maybe you're finishing +[4592.70 --> 4593.24] university +[4593.24 --> 4594.44] and you're wondering +[4594.44 --> 4595.06] what's next. +[4595.82 --> 4596.84] Maybe you've decided +[4596.84 --> 4597.62] to quit a job +[4597.62 --> 4598.10] that you've had +[4598.10 --> 4598.82] for 10 years +[4598.82 --> 4599.44] or 20 years +[4599.44 --> 4600.44] and you've got +[4600.44 --> 4601.08] no idea +[4601.08 --> 4602.10] what's coming up next. +[4603.42 --> 4603.78] Right? +[4603.82 --> 4604.44] You've got to reinvent +[4604.44 --> 4605.38] your entire life, +[4606.04 --> 4606.88] your social groups +[4606.88 --> 4608.02] and the like. +[4609.08 --> 4610.62] Maybe you're a little bit older +[4610.62 --> 4611.12] and your kids +[4611.12 --> 4612.16] are moving out this year +[4612.16 --> 4614.76] and you have no idea +[4614.76 --> 4616.12] how marriage +[4616.12 --> 4617.12] to that man +[4617.12 --> 4617.82] or that woman +[4617.82 --> 4618.76] is going to be +[4618.76 --> 4619.64] without a buffer +[4619.64 --> 4620.92] of those teenagers +[4620.92 --> 4621.46] in your house. +[4623.42 --> 4624.34] Maybe retirement +[4624.34 --> 4624.96] is approaching +[4624.96 --> 4626.50] and you don't know +[4626.50 --> 4626.90] what that's going +[4626.90 --> 4627.46] to mean for you. +[4628.12 --> 4629.02] Who are you +[4629.02 --> 4630.44] apart from your work? +[4631.86 --> 4632.00] Right? +[4632.00 --> 4632.96] The same is true here. +[4633.84 --> 4635.28] There is no stronger +[4635.28 --> 4636.06] foundation +[4636.06 --> 4637.32] into which +[4637.32 --> 4638.16] we can enter +[4638.16 --> 4639.14] the chaoses +[4639.14 --> 4640.34] of these transitions +[4640.34 --> 4641.84] than our fixed, +[4642.28 --> 4642.48] rooted, +[4642.76 --> 4643.48] and immutable +[4643.48 --> 4644.24] identity +[4644.24 --> 4645.70] in Jesus Christ. +[4646.70 --> 4647.70] There is nothing +[4647.70 --> 4648.78] that can separate you +[4648.78 --> 4649.70] from the love of God +[4649.70 --> 4650.38] that is available +[4650.38 --> 4651.54] in Christ Jesus +[4651.54 --> 4652.06] our Lord. +[4652.34 --> 4654.64] This is who you are +[4654.64 --> 4655.58] and someone needs +[4655.58 --> 4656.16] to say amen. +[4658.00 --> 4659.48] This is part of what it means +[4659.48 --> 4660.62] to be taught by God. +[4662.86 --> 4663.98] But at this point, +[4664.76 --> 4665.50] it won't surprise you +[4665.50 --> 4665.86] to learn +[4665.86 --> 4667.46] there's still more. +[4668.56 --> 4669.70] There's still more awesome +[4669.70 --> 4671.58] in this text. +[4672.78 --> 4674.20] The Old Testament prophets +[4674.20 --> 4675.76] say of the new covenant +[4675.76 --> 4677.64] that the law of God +[4677.64 --> 4678.24] will be written +[4678.24 --> 4680.12] on your hearts. +[4681.16 --> 4682.30] Jesus says effectively +[4682.30 --> 4683.28] the same thing, right? +[4683.32 --> 4684.64] He summarizes the law +[4684.64 --> 4685.60] by saying +[4685.60 --> 4686.72] the first and greatest +[4686.72 --> 4687.58] commandment is this, +[4687.66 --> 4688.88] to love the Lord your God +[4688.88 --> 4689.42] with all your heart, +[4689.50 --> 4689.94] with all your soul, +[4690.02 --> 4690.54] with all your mind, +[4690.58 --> 4691.26] and with all your strength. +[4691.70 --> 4693.70] And the second is like it, +[4693.76 --> 4694.84] to love your neighbor +[4694.84 --> 4696.18] as yourself. +[4699.00 --> 4699.96] Jesus says again, +[4701.08 --> 4701.80] a new command +[4701.80 --> 4703.20] I give you +[4703.20 --> 4704.54] that you love +[4704.54 --> 4705.56] one another. +[4706.36 --> 4707.04] By this, +[4707.48 --> 4708.40] they will know +[4708.40 --> 4709.96] that you are my disciples +[4709.96 --> 4710.92] if you love +[4710.92 --> 4712.02] one another. +[4713.56 --> 4713.94] And again, +[4714.02 --> 4715.26] in 1 John 3, +[4715.46 --> 4715.86] we read, +[4716.22 --> 4717.06] this is the message +[4717.06 --> 4718.06] you heard from the beginning. +[4718.26 --> 4719.00] We should love +[4719.00 --> 4719.90] one another. +[4720.12 --> 4721.32] This is the command +[4721.32 --> 4722.04] to believe +[4722.04 --> 4722.76] in the name +[4722.76 --> 4723.32] of his Son, +[4723.40 --> 4723.98] Jesus Christ, +[4724.12 --> 4725.02] and to love +[4725.02 --> 4725.56] one another +[4725.56 --> 4727.52] as he had commanded us. +[4728.46 --> 4729.34] This whole section +[4729.34 --> 4729.80] of text +[4729.80 --> 4730.80] is under the banner +[4730.80 --> 4731.52] of loving +[4731.52 --> 4732.28] one another. +[4732.36 --> 4732.80] It begins, +[4732.94 --> 4733.10] right? +[4733.16 --> 4733.66] We look at it +[4733.66 --> 4734.16] in verse 9, +[4734.44 --> 4735.64] now about your love +[4735.64 --> 4736.52] for one another. +[4737.72 --> 4738.26] And in Greek, +[4738.36 --> 4738.82] it's a little bit +[4738.82 --> 4740.36] more particular there. +[4740.54 --> 4740.78] It says, +[4741.08 --> 4742.46] now about Philadelphia. +[4744.14 --> 4746.34] Now about brotherly love. +[4748.14 --> 4748.76] Now interestingly, +[4749.14 --> 4749.60] that word, +[4749.74 --> 4750.20] Philadelphia, +[4750.70 --> 4752.34] is used only a handful +[4752.34 --> 4752.90] of times +[4752.90 --> 4754.04] outside of the Bible, +[4754.04 --> 4756.26] but it is always used +[4756.26 --> 4757.64] outside of the Bible +[4757.64 --> 4758.24] in reference +[4758.24 --> 4759.20] to families +[4759.20 --> 4761.52] and the love +[4761.52 --> 4762.64] that someone has +[4762.64 --> 4764.42] for their family. +[4765.46 --> 4765.98] Now family +[4765.98 --> 4767.14] was defined +[4767.14 --> 4767.94] a little bit bigger +[4767.94 --> 4768.90] in the ancient world +[4768.90 --> 4770.28] than our nuclear family +[4770.28 --> 4771.72] with 2.3 kids. +[4772.32 --> 4773.38] It included +[4773.38 --> 4774.62] in-laws +[4774.62 --> 4775.52] and out-laws +[4775.52 --> 4776.34] and in some cases +[4776.34 --> 4777.32] included slaves +[4777.32 --> 4778.04] and the like. +[4778.82 --> 4779.62] But the way +[4779.62 --> 4780.84] Paul is using it +[4780.84 --> 4781.92] is even bigger +[4781.92 --> 4782.52] and broader +[4782.52 --> 4783.50] than that. +[4784.56 --> 4785.32] The gospel +[4785.32 --> 4787.64] redefines family. +[4788.96 --> 4789.80] Jesus asks, +[4790.00 --> 4790.84] who are my mother +[4790.84 --> 4791.52] and my brothers? +[4792.46 --> 4792.86] And he says, +[4792.96 --> 4794.08] those who do the will +[4794.08 --> 4795.40] of my Father in heaven +[4795.40 --> 4796.64] are my mother +[4796.64 --> 4797.68] and brothers. +[4798.52 --> 4799.56] And we read about it again +[4799.56 --> 4800.12] over and over +[4800.12 --> 4800.58] in Romans +[4800.58 --> 4801.44] and in Galatians +[4801.44 --> 4802.34] and in Ephesians. +[4802.78 --> 4803.72] We hear about +[4803.72 --> 4804.40] our adoption +[4804.40 --> 4806.04] to sonship. +[4807.10 --> 4807.58] Where we read +[4807.58 --> 4808.54] that we are now +[4808.54 --> 4810.76] all sons of God +[4810.76 --> 4812.42] and if we're sons of God +[4812.42 --> 4812.94] that means +[4812.94 --> 4813.58] we are made +[4813.58 --> 4814.98] brothers to each other +[4814.98 --> 4815.82] and of course +[4815.82 --> 4817.68] brothers includes +[4817.68 --> 4819.38] and sons includes +[4819.38 --> 4820.66] daughters and sisters. +[4821.40 --> 4822.94] We are a new family +[4822.94 --> 4824.60] because of this identity +[4824.60 --> 4826.40] in Christ Jesus. +[4826.40 --> 4827.74] It's the new body +[4827.74 --> 4829.14] of Christ family +[4829.14 --> 4830.72] that Paul is encouraging +[4830.72 --> 4831.76] the Thessalonians +[4831.76 --> 4832.32] to love +[4832.32 --> 4833.48] more and more. +[4834.10 --> 4835.00] And that encouragement +[4835.00 --> 4836.22] continues down the line +[4836.22 --> 4836.98] to us today. +[4836.98 --> 4839.34] And just like +[4839.34 --> 4839.82] the call +[4839.82 --> 4841.08] to the Thessalonians +[4841.08 --> 4841.72] to love +[4841.72 --> 4842.46] more and more +[4842.46 --> 4843.52] is based upon +[4843.52 --> 4844.84] the new identity +[4844.84 --> 4845.82] they have received +[4845.82 --> 4846.82] as those taught +[4846.82 --> 4847.52] by God. +[4847.88 --> 4848.52] New identity +[4848.52 --> 4849.32] we have received +[4849.32 --> 4850.48] because of the gospel. +[4850.80 --> 4851.50] We too +[4851.50 --> 4852.94] love each other +[4852.94 --> 4854.28] more and more +[4854.28 --> 4855.36] because +[4855.36 --> 4857.38] of who he is. +[4859.26 --> 4860.32] And in fact +[4860.32 --> 4864.26] in this redefined +[4864.26 --> 4865.10] family +[4865.10 --> 4867.52] we are closer +[4867.52 --> 4868.92] with those +[4868.92 --> 4869.62] who share +[4869.62 --> 4870.72] the blood of Jesus +[4870.72 --> 4872.84] than with those +[4872.84 --> 4873.88] who share +[4873.88 --> 4875.86] our particular DNA +[4875.86 --> 4877.74] if they don't believe. +[4879.84 --> 4880.64] Now I know +[4880.64 --> 4881.22] that's not really +[4881.22 --> 4881.88] a kosher thing +[4881.88 --> 4882.22] to say. +[4882.22 --> 4885.26] And of course +[4885.26 --> 4885.98] we pray +[4885.98 --> 4886.64] that our +[4886.64 --> 4887.76] biological families +[4887.76 --> 4888.64] are also part +[4888.64 --> 4889.44] of the blood-bought +[4889.44 --> 4890.38] family of God. +[4891.56 --> 4892.70] But this reality +[4892.70 --> 4893.42] is also why +[4893.42 --> 4894.18] it's so hard +[4894.18 --> 4895.06] in marriages +[4895.06 --> 4895.74] where one +[4895.74 --> 4896.80] partner +[4896.80 --> 4898.06] is a believer +[4898.06 --> 4899.44] and the other one +[4899.44 --> 4900.04] even if they're +[4900.04 --> 4900.44] supportive +[4900.44 --> 4900.98] is not. +[4902.36 --> 4903.64] It's just so hard. +[4905.28 --> 4906.16] It's also why +[4906.16 --> 4907.08] single people +[4907.08 --> 4908.00] in the church +[4908.00 --> 4908.72] sometimes +[4908.72 --> 4909.80] have so much +[4909.80 --> 4910.26] trouble. +[4911.56 --> 4911.84] Whether +[4911.84 --> 4912.52] you're single +[4912.52 --> 4913.20] by choice +[4913.20 --> 4914.14] or by calling +[4914.14 --> 4915.26] or by circumstance +[4915.26 --> 4916.32] what so many +[4916.32 --> 4917.26] of them experience +[4917.26 --> 4918.70] is a prioritization +[4918.70 --> 4919.72] of the biological +[4919.72 --> 4920.82] family +[4920.82 --> 4921.68] when what +[4921.68 --> 4922.10] scriptures +[4922.10 --> 4923.10] are calling us +[4923.10 --> 4923.78] to is a +[4923.78 --> 4924.78] redefinition +[4924.78 --> 4925.96] of the family. +[4927.58 --> 4928.46] And it's beautiful +[4928.46 --> 4929.16] to see +[4929.16 --> 4929.90] villages +[4929.90 --> 4931.00] raising kids. +[4932.34 --> 4933.16] To put it bluntly +[4933.16 --> 4934.06] you guys know +[4934.06 --> 4934.48] my kids +[4934.48 --> 4935.06] I'm dependent +[4935.06 --> 4935.82] on all y'all. +[4936.64 --> 4937.30] I can't do it +[4937.30 --> 4937.78] without you. +[4940.52 --> 4941.30] In fact +[4941.30 --> 4941.88] as we talk +[4941.88 --> 4942.64] about covenants +[4942.64 --> 4943.36] and new covenant +[4943.36 --> 4944.22] realities +[4944.22 --> 4945.16] this is the promise +[4945.16 --> 4946.12] we make at baptism +[4946.12 --> 4946.94] isn't it? +[4947.64 --> 4948.52] That we will all +[4948.52 --> 4949.76] be spiritual parents +[4949.76 --> 4950.48] to each other's +[4950.48 --> 4950.82] kids +[4950.82 --> 4951.66] mentors +[4951.66 --> 4952.66] and disciples +[4952.66 --> 4955.38] you are +[4955.38 --> 4956.24] sanctified +[4956.24 --> 4957.16] you are set +[4957.16 --> 4957.68] apart +[4957.68 --> 4958.54] to love +[4958.54 --> 4959.10] your new +[4959.10 --> 4959.68] family +[4959.68 --> 4960.42] and so +[4960.42 --> 4961.48] here's the question +[4961.48 --> 4962.90] how are you +[4962.90 --> 4963.40] doing at that? +[4963.40 --> 4966.88] how are you +[4966.88 --> 4967.72] loving this church? +[4969.26 --> 4970.12] Sometimes loving +[4970.12 --> 4971.20] looks like serving +[4971.20 --> 4971.78] right? +[4971.90 --> 4972.84] Sometimes love +[4972.84 --> 4973.94] looks like trusting +[4973.94 --> 4975.14] trusting +[4975.14 --> 4976.12] someone with +[4976.12 --> 4976.80] your hardship +[4976.80 --> 4978.30] with your brokenness +[4978.30 --> 4978.82] with the +[4978.82 --> 4979.36] chaoses +[4979.36 --> 4981.56] sometimes love +[4981.56 --> 4981.96] looks like +[4981.96 --> 4982.54] vulnerability +[4982.54 --> 4985.58] your love +[4985.58 --> 4986.32] can look like +[4986.32 --> 4987.16] a willingness +[4987.16 --> 4988.16] to be honest +[4988.16 --> 4989.16] about the +[4989.16 --> 4989.58] hardships +[4989.58 --> 4991.12] and the garbage +[4991.12 --> 4991.96] you're going +[4991.96 --> 4992.28] through +[4992.28 --> 4994.98] and your love +[4994.98 --> 4996.24] can look like +[4996.24 --> 4997.24] meeting someone +[4997.24 --> 4998.68] in that place +[4998.68 --> 5000.08] and sitting +[5000.08 --> 5000.68] with them +[5000.68 --> 5002.08] in the brokenness +[5002.08 --> 5003.52] and encouraging +[5003.52 --> 5004.06] them +[5004.06 --> 5005.04] as their heart +[5005.04 --> 5005.56] falters +[5005.56 --> 5010.08] but not just +[5010.08 --> 5011.16] here +[5011.16 --> 5011.78] right? +[5012.50 --> 5013.32] Because Paul +[5013.32 --> 5013.84] says that +[5013.84 --> 5014.54] this is what +[5014.54 --> 5015.22] they have been +[5015.22 --> 5015.60] doing +[5015.60 --> 5016.66] not only in +[5016.66 --> 5017.20] their own church +[5017.20 --> 5017.78] but throughout +[5017.78 --> 5018.58] Macedonia +[5018.58 --> 5019.50] there's a sense +[5019.50 --> 5020.10] in which that +[5020.10 --> 5020.94] love functioning +[5020.94 --> 5022.00] here sort of +[5022.00 --> 5022.72] bubbles up +[5022.72 --> 5023.52] and spills +[5023.52 --> 5024.04] over +[5024.04 --> 5024.74] it blossoms +[5024.74 --> 5025.98] up to include +[5025.98 --> 5026.78] Christians +[5026.78 --> 5027.80] everywhere +[5027.80 --> 5029.76] brothers and +[5029.76 --> 5030.42] sisters in +[5030.42 --> 5030.88] Langley +[5030.88 --> 5031.62] and in +[5031.62 --> 5032.04] Canada +[5032.04 --> 5032.94] and yes +[5032.94 --> 5033.42] even in +[5033.42 --> 5033.76] Michigan +[5033.76 --> 5035.80] throughout +[5035.80 --> 5036.44] the world +[5036.44 --> 5039.50] so let me +[5039.50 --> 5040.20] ask you this +[5040.20 --> 5041.68] at a time +[5041.68 --> 5042.36] such as +[5042.36 --> 5042.82] this +[5042.82 --> 5044.82] when things +[5044.82 --> 5045.62] are incredibly +[5045.62 --> 5046.78] polarized +[5046.78 --> 5048.12] divided +[5048.12 --> 5049.54] divisive +[5049.54 --> 5050.22] not just +[5050.22 --> 5050.76] in online +[5050.76 --> 5051.24] spaces +[5051.24 --> 5051.76] but in +[5051.76 --> 5052.14] life +[5052.14 --> 5052.86] spaces +[5052.86 --> 5056.36] is this +[5056.36 --> 5056.68] how you're +[5056.68 --> 5057.14] showing up? +[5058.60 --> 5059.42] Is this +[5059.42 --> 5060.00] the love +[5060.00 --> 5060.44] you're bringing +[5060.44 --> 5060.84] to your +[5060.84 --> 5061.32] brothers and +[5061.32 --> 5061.64] sisters +[5061.64 --> 5062.10] who maybe +[5062.10 --> 5062.74] disagree with +[5062.74 --> 5062.90] you? +[5063.64 --> 5064.38] Is this +[5064.38 --> 5064.94] the love +[5064.94 --> 5065.38] you're bringing +[5065.38 --> 5066.16] to brothers +[5066.16 --> 5066.58] and sisters +[5066.58 --> 5067.16] who are going +[5067.16 --> 5067.98] through something +[5067.98 --> 5068.60] right now +[5068.60 --> 5068.90] that you +[5068.90 --> 5069.62] maybe only +[5069.62 --> 5070.04] know a little +[5070.04 --> 5070.42] bit of +[5070.42 --> 5070.92] but probably +[5070.92 --> 5071.34] don't know +[5071.34 --> 5072.00] near enough +[5072.00 --> 5072.34] of? +[5073.00 --> 5073.68] Is this +[5073.68 --> 5074.16] the love +[5074.16 --> 5074.92] that's defining +[5074.92 --> 5075.94] your relationships +[5075.94 --> 5076.86] with everyone +[5076.86 --> 5077.52] around here +[5077.52 --> 5077.80] and with +[5077.80 --> 5078.40] everyone else +[5078.40 --> 5079.00] in your +[5079.00 --> 5079.34] life? +[5083.34 --> 5084.12] Is this +[5084.12 --> 5084.52] the kind +[5084.52 --> 5084.90] of love +[5084.90 --> 5085.24] that the +[5085.24 --> 5085.58] church +[5085.58 --> 5086.30] in the +[5086.30 --> 5086.56] world +[5086.56 --> 5087.08] is known +[5087.08 --> 5087.44] for? +[5090.18 --> 5090.82] And if +[5090.82 --> 5091.34] it's not +[5091.34 --> 5093.66] what can +[5093.66 --> 5094.20] we do +[5094.20 --> 5095.96] to paint +[5095.96 --> 5096.22] a new +[5096.22 --> 5096.58] picture? +[5097.54 --> 5098.20] What can +[5098.20 --> 5098.82] we do +[5098.82 --> 5099.58] to cast +[5099.58 --> 5099.90] a new +[5099.90 --> 5100.24] vision? +[5101.42 --> 5101.76] And hear +[5101.76 --> 5102.22] that carefully +[5102.22 --> 5102.44] right? +[5102.46 --> 5102.76] I say +[5102.76 --> 5103.18] we +[5103.18 --> 5104.22] right? +[5104.30 --> 5104.86] In verse +[5104.86 --> 5105.44] 11 and +[5105.44 --> 5105.86] 12 +[5105.86 --> 5106.86] make it +[5106.86 --> 5107.24] your +[5107.24 --> 5107.76] ambition +[5107.76 --> 5108.22] to lead +[5108.22 --> 5108.64] a quiet +[5108.64 --> 5108.98] life +[5108.98 --> 5109.28] you should +[5109.28 --> 5109.54] mind +[5109.54 --> 5109.90] your own +[5109.90 --> 5110.20] business +[5110.20 --> 5110.58] and work +[5110.58 --> 5110.82] with your +[5110.82 --> 5111.08] hands +[5111.08 --> 5111.54] just as we +[5111.54 --> 5112.02] told you +[5112.02 --> 5112.54] so that +[5112.54 --> 5113.14] your daily +[5113.14 --> 5113.76] life may +[5113.76 --> 5114.12] win the +[5114.12 --> 5114.68] respect of +[5114.68 --> 5115.14] outsiders +[5115.14 --> 5115.62] and so that +[5115.62 --> 5115.98] you will +[5115.98 --> 5116.38] not be +[5116.38 --> 5116.74] dependent +[5116.74 --> 5117.70] on anyone +[5117.70 --> 5118.64] that you +[5118.64 --> 5119.46] that your +[5119.46 --> 5120.34] is plural +[5120.34 --> 5122.02] right? +[5122.08 --> 5122.40] And so that +[5122.40 --> 5123.08] turns it from +[5123.08 --> 5123.82] a mind +[5123.82 --> 5124.42] your business +[5124.42 --> 5125.20] to mind +[5125.20 --> 5125.86] all y'all's +[5125.86 --> 5126.28] businesses +[5126.28 --> 5126.84] together +[5126.84 --> 5128.48] right? +[5128.54 --> 5128.82] So that +[5128.82 --> 5129.36] you're not +[5129.36 --> 5129.90] dependent +[5129.90 --> 5131.40] because you're +[5131.40 --> 5132.58] not alone +[5132.58 --> 5135.00] we're all +[5135.00 --> 5135.88] in this +[5135.88 --> 5137.04] together +[5137.04 --> 5138.80] and is our +[5138.80 --> 5139.42] love +[5139.42 --> 5140.02] together +[5140.02 --> 5140.54] telling +[5140.54 --> 5141.54] that kind +[5141.54 --> 5142.64] of story +[5142.64 --> 5143.54] right? +[5143.58 --> 5144.24] That mission +[5144.24 --> 5145.14] that might +[5145.14 --> 5146.16] daily win +[5146.16 --> 5146.96] the respect +[5146.96 --> 5148.74] of outsiders +[5148.74 --> 5148.92] matters. +[5151.72 --> 5152.92] It strikes me +[5152.92 --> 5153.78] right now +[5153.78 --> 5155.04] that that +[5155.04 --> 5155.80] word daily +[5155.80 --> 5157.44] matters. +[5159.48 --> 5160.04] Daily +[5160.04 --> 5160.80] win the +[5160.80 --> 5161.34] respect. +[5162.20 --> 5162.56] Not just +[5162.56 --> 5162.94] every once +[5162.94 --> 5163.28] in a while. +[5163.86 --> 5164.28] Not just +[5164.28 --> 5164.58] when you're +[5164.58 --> 5165.12] feeling like +[5165.12 --> 5165.50] your best +[5165.50 --> 5165.90] self. +[5166.30 --> 5166.60] Not when +[5166.60 --> 5166.96] you've got +[5166.96 --> 5168.16] your patience +[5168.16 --> 5168.74] all figured +[5168.74 --> 5169.18] out and +[5169.18 --> 5169.62] your children +[5169.62 --> 5170.18] all nice +[5170.18 --> 5170.74] dressed and +[5170.74 --> 5171.24] pressed and +[5171.24 --> 5171.54] in their +[5171.54 --> 5172.16] ties ready +[5172.16 --> 5172.56] to go. +[5173.12 --> 5173.68] Daily +[5173.68 --> 5175.80] this is +[5175.80 --> 5176.74] our +[5176.74 --> 5177.74] call. +[5178.74 --> 5181.20] And lastly +[5181.20 --> 5181.60] I think +[5181.60 --> 5181.94] this is +[5181.94 --> 5182.30] bigger than +[5182.30 --> 5182.58] we have +[5182.58 --> 5183.06] time for +[5183.06 --> 5183.58] this morning +[5183.58 --> 5185.44] but I +[5185.44 --> 5185.86] wonder +[5185.86 --> 5188.22] is +[5188.22 --> 5189.18] your +[5189.18 --> 5189.92] ambition +[5189.92 --> 5190.86] as a +[5190.86 --> 5191.22] Christian +[5191.22 --> 5191.80] missionary +[5191.80 --> 5193.32] to lead +[5193.32 --> 5193.80] a quiet +[5193.80 --> 5194.30] life? +[5196.58 --> 5197.30] Or +[5197.30 --> 5197.76] do you +[5197.76 --> 5198.20] think +[5198.20 --> 5198.78] you have +[5198.78 --> 5198.90] the +[5198.90 --> 5199.38] responsibility +[5199.38 --> 5200.08] to be +[5200.08 --> 5200.68] the loudest +[5200.68 --> 5201.02] voice +[5201.02 --> 5201.32] because +[5201.32 --> 5201.54] you're +[5201.54 --> 5201.66] the +[5201.66 --> 5202.06] rightest +[5202.06 --> 5202.42] voice? +[5203.92 --> 5204.80] Do you +[5204.80 --> 5205.22] think +[5205.22 --> 5205.42] that +[5205.42 --> 5206.20] you have +[5206.20 --> 5206.34] a +[5206.34 --> 5206.76] responsibility +[5206.76 --> 5207.28] to +[5207.28 --> 5207.98] change +[5207.98 --> 5208.20] the +[5208.20 --> 5208.58] entire +[5208.58 --> 5209.26] system +[5209.26 --> 5210.00] and to +[5210.00 --> 5210.46] do so +[5210.46 --> 5211.00] by any +[5211.00 --> 5211.24] means +[5211.24 --> 5211.84] necessary? +[5214.74 --> 5215.58] But what's +[5215.58 --> 5215.94] compelling +[5215.94 --> 5216.50] about that +[5216.50 --> 5217.02] quiet +[5217.02 --> 5218.18] service? +[5219.60 --> 5220.18] That +[5220.18 --> 5221.12] 60-year-old +[5221.12 --> 5221.92] woman who +[5221.92 --> 5222.46] shows up +[5222.46 --> 5222.98] week in +[5222.98 --> 5223.80] and week +[5223.80 --> 5224.72] out to +[5224.72 --> 5225.26] count the +[5225.26 --> 5225.88] checks and +[5225.88 --> 5226.48] the coins +[5226.48 --> 5227.64] every Tuesday +[5227.64 --> 5228.06] morning? +[5228.84 --> 5229.64] Thank you. +[5232.58 --> 5233.48] A quiet +[5233.48 --> 5234.06] life +[5234.06 --> 5235.30] life and +[5235.30 --> 5236.76] life of +[5236.76 --> 5237.16] love. +[5237.80 --> 5238.82] This is +[5238.82 --> 5239.32] our +[5239.32 --> 5240.38] mission. +[5241.86 --> 5242.30] And I +[5242.30 --> 5242.64] pray +[5242.64 --> 5243.76] that +[5243.76 --> 5244.18] together +[5244.18 --> 5245.32] we can +[5245.32 --> 5245.76] join +[5245.76 --> 5246.72] God in +[5246.72 --> 5247.38] this work +[5247.38 --> 5247.64] and that +[5247.64 --> 5247.84] we can +[5247.84 --> 5248.30] go from +[5248.30 --> 5249.20] this place +[5249.20 --> 5250.64] called to +[5250.64 --> 5251.30] declare +[5251.30 --> 5252.18] his +[5252.18 --> 5253.18] gospel +[5253.18 --> 5255.60] in a +[5255.60 --> 5256.32] quiet life +[5256.32 --> 5258.06] and loving +[5258.06 --> 5259.38] one another. +[5260.00 --> 5260.28] Amen? +[5260.28 --> 5260.38] Amen? +[5260.38 --> 5261.92] Let's pray +[5261.92 --> 5262.24] together. +[5268.24 --> 5269.34] God, you +[5269.34 --> 5270.54] are so +[5270.54 --> 5271.50] good. +[5272.58 --> 5272.82] Your +[5272.82 --> 5273.68] gospel is +[5273.68 --> 5275.02] so beautiful +[5275.02 --> 5275.78] and may it +[5275.78 --> 5276.84] be for us +[5276.84 --> 5277.88] a compelling +[5277.88 --> 5279.54] new reality. +[5280.66 --> 5281.42] Transform our +[5281.42 --> 5282.38] hearts and +[5282.38 --> 5282.88] our lives. +[5283.16 --> 5283.92] Transform our +[5283.92 --> 5284.74] minds by +[5284.74 --> 5285.36] your word +[5285.36 --> 5286.16] this morning +[5286.16 --> 5286.54] that we +[5286.54 --> 5287.20] may see +[5287.20 --> 5287.88] the face +[5287.88 --> 5288.60] of Jesus +[5288.60 --> 5289.60] and we +[5289.60 --> 5290.70] may go +[5290.70 --> 5291.74] forth from +[5291.74 --> 5292.50] this place +[5292.50 --> 5293.28] to proclaim +[5293.28 --> 5294.70] your name +[5294.70 --> 5295.66] in love. +[5299.18 --> 5299.96] Send us +[5299.96 --> 5300.30] out, +[5300.62 --> 5301.28] holy God. +[5303.70 --> 5304.10] May we +[5304.10 --> 5304.62] trust that +[5304.62 --> 5305.06] you go +[5305.06 --> 5305.78] before us +[5305.78 --> 5306.04] in the +[5306.04 --> 5306.58] power of +[5306.58 --> 5307.08] your spirit +[5307.08 --> 5309.18] and that +[5309.18 --> 5309.40] no matter +[5309.40 --> 5309.90] where we +[5309.90 --> 5310.20] go, +[5310.40 --> 5310.72] we are +[5310.72 --> 5311.12] in fact +[5311.12 --> 5311.48] just +[5311.48 --> 5311.94] following +[5311.94 --> 5312.98] after +[5312.98 --> 5313.54] you. +[5314.90 --> 5315.36] Pray this +[5315.36 --> 5315.66] Jesus +[5315.66 --> 5316.06] in your +[5316.06 --> 5316.36] most +[5316.36 --> 5316.68] holy +[5316.68 --> 5317.06] name. +[5317.70 --> 5318.00] Amen. +[5318.00 --> 5318.08] Amen. +[5345.36 --> 5361.56] O the dear, +[5361.56 --> 5366.24] dear love of Jesus +[5366.24 --> 5368.54] holy 해 th outcomes +[5368.54 --> 5369.24] . +[5369.24 --> 5370.72] and that +[5370.72 --> 5371.24] Fount +[5371.24 --> 5371.78] all +[5371.78 --> 5372.54] of his +[5372.54 --> 5372.60] How +[5372.66 --> 5373.74] is free +[5373.74 --> 5374.54] keep +[5374.54 --> 5376.36] O the +[5376.36 --> 5377.36] fit +[5377.36 --> 5379.12] in the +[5379.12 --> 5380.18] hoped +[5380.18 --> 5380.70] and his +[5380.70 --> 5383.66] 속 +[5383.66 --> 5384.44] and his +[5384.44 --> 5385.38] own +[5385.38 --> 5387.94] His +[5387.94 --> 5388.88] erosion +[5388.88 --> 5390.12] Without +[5390.12 --> 5391.08] look +[5391.08 --> 5391.62] both +[5391.62 --> 5391.94] as +[5391.94 --> 5392.40] Oers +[5392.40 --> 5392.56] of +[5392.56 --> 5393.40] I +[5393.40 --> 5394.76] 酷 +[5394.76 --> 5395.24] lost +[5395.24 --> 5405.84] All around me is the current of my love. +[5405.84 --> 5421.84] Leading onward, leading homeward to the glorious rest of God. +[5421.84 --> 5430.58] Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus. +[5430.58 --> 5438.80] Spread his praise from shore to shore. +[5439.58 --> 5446.58] How he loves us, heaven loves us. +[5446.58 --> 5454.58] Changes never, nevermore. +[5455.28 --> 5462.70] How he watches for his loved ones. +[5463.14 --> 5469.54] Died to call them all his own. +[5469.54 --> 5477.54] How for them he's interceding. +[5478.24 --> 5484.54] Watches over them from the throne. +[5484.54 --> 5494.54] Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus. +[5494.54 --> 5501.54] Love of every love that bless. +[5501.54 --> 5510.54] Tis an ocean that's a blessing. +[5510.54 --> 5517.54] Tis a haven, sweet of rest. +[5517.54 --> 5547.54] +[5547.54 --> 5569.88] As you go this week, know that you go as those commissioned by God to love and live a quiet life. +[5569.88 --> 5577.88] God himself goes with you and so receive his blessing for the journey of life and faith ahead. +[5577.88 --> 5581.88] God go before you to lead you. +[5581.88 --> 5583.88] God go behind you to protect you. +[5583.88 --> 5585.88] God go beneath you to support you. +[5585.88 --> 5588.88] God go beside you to befriend you. +[5588.88 --> 5590.88] Do not be afraid. +[5590.88 --> 5593.88] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5593.88 --> 5599.88] Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love and serve the Lord. +[5599.88 --> 5601.88] Amen. +[5629.88 --> 5631.88] God go beyond you today. +[5631.88 --> 5632.88] We can go there. +[5632.88 --> 5634.88] We can live there. +[5634.88 --> 5635.88] Beyond you. +[5635.88 --> 5638.88] Because of you. +[5638.88 --> 5641.88] Because of you. +[5641.88 --> 5648.88] Because of your love. +[5648.88 --> 5650.88] Because of your love. +[5650.88 --> 5652.88] No pain. +[5652.88 --> 5654.88] No sadness. +[5654.88 --> 5655.88] No suffering. +[5655.88 --> 5657.88] No pain. +[5657.88 --> 5659.88] No pain. +[5659.88 --> 5660.88] No sin. +[5660.88 --> 5663.88] No secrets. +[5663.88 --> 5665.88] No injustice. +[5665.88 --> 5666.88] No pain. +[5666.88 --> 5669.88] Because of you. +[5669.88 --> 5674.88] Because of you. +[5674.88 --> 5678.88] Because of your love. +[5678.88 --> 5682.88] Because of your love. +[5682.88 --> 5687.88] All our sins are washed away. +[5687.88 --> 5691.88] We can live forever. +[5691.88 --> 5694.88] Now we have this love. +[5694.88 --> 5697.88] Because of you. +[5697.88 --> 5702.88] Oh, we'll see you face to face. +[5702.88 --> 5706.88] We will dance together. +[5706.88 --> 5709.88] In the city of our God. +[5709.88 --> 5711.88] Because of you. +[5711.88 --> 5712.88] Because of you. +[5712.88 --> 5717.88] There is joy everlasting. +[5717.88 --> 5721.88] There is darkness and peace. +[5721.88 --> 5725.88] There is wine and flowing. +[5725.88 --> 5729.88] There's a wedding with me. +[5729.88 --> 5730.88] There is honey and rose with you. +[5730.88 --> 5731.88] So you are spiritual for me. +[5731.88 --> 5735.88] Our sin. +[5735.88 --> 5736.88] Because of you. +[5736.88 --> 5737.88] Because of you. +[5738.88 --> 5741.96] Because of your love. +[5742.88 --> 5745.88] Because of your love. +[5745.88 --> 5750.88] All our sins are washedaway. +[5750.88 --> 5754.54] We will dance forever +[5754.54 --> 5758.10] Now we have this hope +[5758.10 --> 5761.04] Because of you +[5761.04 --> 5766.42] Oh, we will see you day to day +[5766.42 --> 5770.26] We will dance together +[5770.26 --> 5774.12] In the city of our God +[5774.12 --> 5776.88] Because of you +[5776.88 --> 5782.26] Oh, all our sins are washed away +[5782.26 --> 5786.32] We can live forever +[5786.32 --> 5790.16] Now we have this hope +[5790.16 --> 5793.10] Because of you +[5793.10 --> 5798.38] Oh, we will see you day to day +[5798.38 --> 5802.32] We will dance together +[5802.32 --> 5806.32] In the city of our God +[5806.32 --> 5808.50] Because of you +[5808.50 --> 5810.64] Oh, we will see you day to night +[5810.64 --> 5815.48] We will dance together +[5815.48 --> 5819.84] We will dance together +[5819.84 --> 5822.14] In the city of our God +[5822.14 --> 5852.12] Thank you. +[5852.14 --> 5882.12] Thank you. +[5882.14 --> 5912.12] Thank you. +[5912.14 --> 5914.14] Thank you. +[5942.14 --> 5944.14] Thank you. +[5972.14 --> 5974.14] Thank you. +[6002.14 --> 6004.14] Thank you. +[6032.14 --> 6034.14] Thank you. +[6062.14 --> 6064.14] Thank you. +[6092.14 --> 6094.14] Thank you. +[6122.14 --> 6124.14] Thank you. +[6152.14 --> 6154.14] Thank you. +[6182.14 --> 6184.14] Thank you. +[6212.14 --> 6214.14] Thank you. +[6242.14 --> 6244.14] Thank you. +[6244.14 --> 6245.14] Thank you. +[6245.14 --> 6247.10] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..5b61cd156ca922f4cd5a5c1ccb535be71454e4d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,188 @@ +• Spiritual transformation through pressure and refinement +• The joy of the Lord as strength in difficult times +• Love's power to change and forgive +• Unforgiveness and its consequences +• Accepting God's love and being valued and loved for who you are +• Overcoming guilt, shame, and fear through faith in God +• Celebrating Mother's Day and the role of mothers +• Reactivation registration for youth conference open until September 5-7 +• Women's Bible study ministry, Coffee Break, hosting year-end social +• Adult Heidelberg Catechism reading group rescheduled due to long weekend +• Call to worship from Psalm 62 +• Worship song referencing Jesus as source of heaven's hope on earth +• Prayers of trust and rest in God +• Reflection on Psalm 91 and the importance of trust +• Invitation to let go of own abilities and trust in God's promise +• Worship and singing of hymns and prayers +• Affirmation of Jesus as strength, treasure, and all in all +• A person sings a Christian song with repetitive lyrics +• Introduction by Mike, a deacon, to a special offering for Diacola Ministries of Canada +• Discussion about the importance and history of serving alongside Diacola Ministries in the church +• Invitation to give undesignated gifts to Diacola Ministries +• A person sings another song with lyrics expressing love for God and desire for more of God's presence +• Mike forgets how to lead a prayer or blessing and asks for help +• Discussion about what it means to say "The Lord be with you" and the response "And also with you" +• Introducing a prayer service with the congregation standing and praying together +• Discussion of church history, noting that in the past people prayed while standing or kneeling instead of sitting +• A blessing is given to kids who are learning about Jesus and to those present in worship +• A report from the leadership board (council) on recent meetings and updates +• Review of 2024 financial statements, a surplus over expenses, and plans for using this surplus +• Approval of nominees for Deacon and Elder positions +• Reports from Pastor Chris and Pastor Kevin +• Family prayer led by Paul, an elder at the church +• Prayers for the Skipper family, particularly Matt and his children +• Comfort and strength requested for those grieving and suffering from cancer (Tanya, Tessa, Doug) +• Request to continue being with the church and help them grow in faith and spread God's message +• Reading and discussion of 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7 +• The speaker praises the church for their perseverance and faith in the face of persecution. +• The speaker mentions that God's judgment is right and those who are suffering will be worthy of the kingdom of God. +• The speaker affirms that God is just and will pay back those who trouble them. +• The speaker encourages listeners to acknowledge God's real presence in their lives, despite any fear or lack of trust. +• The speaker emphasizes that God is active in this world, particularly through His people. +• The power of God is revealed through the church +• Paul's letter to the Thessalonians was written in response to an update on the persecution they were experiencing +• The first letter was likely written after a brief time apart for Paul, Silas, and Timothy +• The second letter (today's focus) was probably written only a few months later +• The church in Thessalonica faced severe persecution and trouble with local authorities +• Paul's opening words in a letter, referencing God as Father +• Claim about God's triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) +• Jesus' relationship with God as the Son +• God being viewed as Father to all believers through Jesus +• Prayer examples from 1 Thessalonians and Matthew 6 +• Characteristics of God: slow to anger, abounding in love +• Characteristics of God: patience, comfort in trouble, provision, forgiveness, and mercy +• Trusting God's faithfulness and unchanging nature +• Understanding the phrase "Our Father" and its significance in prayer +• Knowing how to start and end a prayer +• Defining the word "grace" as an unmerited disposition of God towards us +• God's initiative in coming to humans +• God's demonstration of love for humans while they were still sinners +• The concept of grace as an unearned favor from God +• God's movement towards humans first, before they call on him +• The result of being in a relationship with God: peace +• The biblical sense of peace is holistic and more than just the absence of conflict +• The concept of shalom and its meaning +• Wholeness in life and orientation to God +• The relationship between a person's relationship with God and their experience of peace +• Peace as the fruit of grace and restored relationship with God +• How peace flows into different areas of a person's life, including heart, mind, relationships, and endurance of suffering +• Death and sin +• God's grace and Jesus' transformative power +• Peace and living righteously +• The gospel as good news that transforms individuals +• Gratitude for the faith, love, and growth of others in the church +• The body of Jesus is transformed by profession, belief, and looks like transformation that takes shape +• Transformation grows in faith and love for one another +• Paul gives thanks to God who is real and still at work in the world +• God gives growth and the first part of our transformation is gratitude +• Christian life and living is defined by gratitude +• It's hard to be thankful when you're angry, but being thankful is important +• Combating negative thoughts and voices in the head +• The importance of actively listing and reflecting on reasons to be grateful +• Overcoming difficult emotions such as darkness, loneliness, and oppression +• Finding comfort and support in God's presence +• Defeating sin and death through spiritual renewal +• Praise and worship of God +• Expressing gratitude to God +• The importance of faith and love in one's life +• Recognizing God's presence and work in the world +• Understanding how to know if God is at work through faith and love growing +• Faith and love as coming from God and being a sign of His presence +• The speaker visited Sierra Leone and met Reverend Moses Jawara, the president of the Christian Reformed Church. +• Reverend Jawara was previously a devout Muslim and anti-Christian leader in Sierra Leone before converting to Christianity. +• He attended a rally where he heard about Jesus and accepted him as his Lord and Savior. +• Training women for small business opportunities +• Gathering groups and promoting unity +• Progress of the CRC church in Sierra Leone +• God's work in communities, including growth of faith and love +• Stories of people experiencing God's love and being lavishly loved children of God +• Described learning period of their life +• Taking opportunities to grow in faith and life with Christ +• Transformation of their lives and desires over the past six months +• Seeing God work miracles in people's lives +• Observing love and care for others through hardships and grief +• Providing for others, including making meals and giving rides +• Prayer for perseverance +• Story of Sunday gathering +• God's work in the community +• Growth of faith and love among people +• Importance of perseverance and faith +• Church grounded in faith and working together +• Faithfulness to God's plans and preparation for future works +• Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead +• Pressing on toward the goal, not resting on the past +• Stepping forward into the future that God is preparing +• Gratitude looking back, but faith always stepping forward +• Pressing on into what God has next, including trials and hardships +• Polycarp's life and leadership in the church +• His relationship with Apostle John +• Martyrdom at age 86, including Roman officials' attempts to force him to renounce Christ +• Calm response to being sentenced to be burned alive +• Miraculous circumstances surrounding his death, including a flame arch forming over his body +• The faith of early Christians was emboldened by their testimonies and showed God's power and provision even in impossible circumstances. +• A story from the early church, Polycarp's, is mentioned as a legacy of perseverance that fuels the modern Christian faith. +• The lineage of faith runs straight from the New Testament era to the present day, with examples including Paul's story, the church in Thessalonica, and the church facing political disappointments and war. +• God's strength always holds Christians fast even through death and if he sustains them through death, he can sustain his church through difficult times. +• Tariff wars +• Trust in God to sustain through recommendations (429 and 430) +• Endurance of the church +• Perseverance in trials +• Evidence of God's judgment as a result of perseverance +• Worthy count towards the kingdom of God +• Value of faith, endurance, love, and hardship +• God sees and knows the listener +• Trials are not random, but refining of faith +• Faith is noticed by heaven and not wasted +• Church grounded in faith will be fruitful in its work +• Praying together to thank God for who He is and what He has done +• Asking God to transform lives and preserve perseverance in faithfulness +• The importance of faith and trust in God +• The connection between scripture, sacrament, and worship +• Liturgical practices and shared worship +• Invitation to speak specific words from the screen behind the speaker +• Request for faith to open eyes to see Jesus +• Worship and adoration of God +• Invitation to receive God's presence and glory +• Opening one's heart, hands, and mouth to offer praise and gifts +• Remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice through the Last Supper +• Participating in communion (Lord's Supper) with faith and remembrance +• The Lord's death is proclaimed until he comes again +• Death is swallowed by life, and victory is won +• The feast of the congregation of Jesus Christ is celebrated +• The table of the Lord has been prepared for true believers +• Invitation to come with gladness to the Lord's table +• The gifts of God are given to the people of God +• Instructions on how to participate in the feast together +• Reminders to pass the bread and juice during a church service +• Instructions for gluten-free options available in the church +• Procedures for worship volunteers and elders at the first table +• Invitation for people seated in back of house to come forward and participate in worship +• Jesus Christ +• God and His power +• Worship and adoration (hallelujah) +• Salvation through the precious blood of Jesus Christ +• Resurrection and victory over death +• Praise and glory to God +• Singing hallelujah and worshiping at the altar +• Song titles mentioned: We Sing Hallelujah, Revelation Song +• Repeated phrases mentioned: + + "I'm forgiven because you were forsaken." + + "I'm accepted." + + "You were condemned." + + "I'm alive and well." + + "Your spirit is within me." + + "Because you died and rose again." + + "Amazing love, how can it be?" + + "It's my joy to honor you." + + "In all I do, I honor you." +• Worship lyrics mentioned: + + "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty" + + "With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings" + + "You are my everything and I will adore you" +• Praise to the King of kings +• God's presence and power in our lives +• Protection and guidance from God +• The blessing of God and its effects +• Courage and peace in serving the Lord +• Worship and glory to the eternal, immortal, invisible King +• Repeated expressions of amen, indicating conclusion and affirmation \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..89a6ce50fa2bb5fa0ad8f2804124ed61fd2a433a --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 11, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3971 @@ +[0.00 --> 13.64] Here and now I'm in the fire and above my head +[13.64 --> 22.74] Being held under the pressure, don't know what'll be left +[22.74 --> 34.52] But it's here in the ashes, I'm finding treasures +[34.52 --> 44.48] He's making diamonds, diamonds, making diamonds out of dust +[44.48 --> 53.84] He is refining, and in his timing, he's making diamonds out of us +[53.84 --> 59.38] I'll surrender to the power of being crushed by love +[59.38 --> 68.48] Till the beauty that was hidden isn't covered up +[68.48 --> 75.98] Oh, it's not what I hoped for +[75.98 --> 80.22] It's something much better +[80.22 --> 90.20] He's making diamonds, diamonds, making diamonds out of dust +[90.20 --> 99.54] He is refining, and in his timing, he's making diamonds out of us +[99.54 --> 106.20] Oh, the joy of the Lord, it will be my strength +[106.74 --> 110.94] When the pressure is on, he's making diamonds +[110.94 --> 115.94] Oh, the joy of the Lord, it will be my strength +[115.94 --> 120.04] When the pressure is on, he's making diamonds +[120.04 --> 125.04] Oh, the joy of the Lord, it will be my strength +[125.04 --> 131.50] When the pressure is on, he's making, he's making, he's making diamonds +[131.50 --> 133.76] Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds +[133.76 --> 138.14] Making us rise up from the dust +[138.14 --> 147.34] He is refining, and in his timing, he's making diamonds out of dust +[147.34 --> 151.80] Making diamonds out of dust +[151.80 --> 181.78] I won't be afraid +[181.78 --> 187.02] Oh, the joy of the Lord, you're seeing me +[187.02 --> 189.06] Oh, the joy of the Lord, I am making diamonds +[189.06 --> 196.94] I want you as you are, not as you ought to be +[196.94 --> 201.90] Won't you lay down your guard and cut me +[201.90 --> 207.36] The shame that grips you now is crippling +[207.36 --> 213.20] It breaks my heart to see you suffering +[213.20 --> 216.38] Cause I am for you +[216.38 --> 220.38] I'm not against you +[220.38 --> 225.70] If you wanna know how far my love can go +[225.70 --> 229.28] Just how deep, just how wide +[229.28 --> 233.16] If you wanna see how much you mean to me +[233.16 --> 236.96] Look at my hands, look at my side +[236.96 --> 242.24] If you could count the times that say you are unforgiving +[242.24 --> 245.60] It's more than the drops in the ocean +[245.60 --> 257.30] Don't think you need to settle for a substitute +[257.30 --> 262.80] When I'm the only love that changes you +[262.80 --> 265.54] And I am for you +[266.96 --> 269.52] I'm not against you +[269.52 --> 273.12] I'm not against you +[273.12 --> 277.12] I'm not against you +[277.12 --> 282.40] If you wanna know how far my love can go +[282.40 --> 285.24] Just how deep, just how wide +[285.24 --> 289.88] If you wanna see how much you mean to me +[289.88 --> 293.64] Look at my hands, look at my side +[293.64 --> 298.92] If you could count the times that say you are unforgiving +[298.92 --> 302.26] It's more than the drops in the ocean +[302.26 --> 304.40] If you wanna see how much I am about ten +[304.40 --> 322.34] It's kind of like a trump +[322.34 --> 352.32] I love you. +[352.34 --> 355.18] The drops in the ocean. +[361.08 --> 363.76] I am for you. +[364.66 --> 367.80] I'm not against you. +[368.80 --> 371.34] I am for you. +[372.78 --> 375.56] I'm not against you. +[382.34 --> 412.32] I'm not against you. +[412.32 --> 442.30] I'm not against you. +[442.30 --> 443.80] Live like you know. +[444.08 --> 445.86] Live like you know. +[445.86 --> 448.28] Live like you know. +[450.14 --> 452.36] Live like you know. +[454.14 --> 456.92] Live like you know. +[457.84 --> 460.90] And live like you know you're valuable. +[461.22 --> 465.34] Like you know the one that holds your soul. +[465.34 --> 469.58] Cause mercy has called you by your name +[469.58 --> 473.88] Don't be afraid to live in that grace +[473.88 --> 476.84] Oh, I'm telling you something +[476.84 --> 479.04] This God we believe in +[479.04 --> 481.52] Yeah, He changed everything +[481.52 --> 484.66] No more guilt, no more shame +[484.66 --> 486.64] He took all that away +[486.64 --> 489.84] Gave us a reason to sing +[489.84 --> 493.02] So go ahead and live like you live +[493.02 --> 497.70] It's okay to act like you've been set free +[497.70 --> 501.08] Cause love has made you more than enough +[501.08 --> 504.48] So go ahead and live like you live +[504.48 --> 507.80] Good morning! +[510.14 --> 512.60] Welcome to church. +[512.74 --> 516.00] A special welcome if you are a guest among us today. +[516.44 --> 521.92] And an extra special welcome if you are a mom among us today. +[521.92 --> 524.36] Happy Mother's Day to you. +[524.72 --> 526.28] Here in the church especially, +[526.58 --> 530.02] we know that mothers come in all sorts of different roles +[530.02 --> 530.90] and relationships +[530.90 --> 533.30] and we're grateful for all of you +[533.30 --> 536.50] and for the impact that you have on the lives +[536.50 --> 539.28] of our families and our kids together. +[540.10 --> 542.04] We're also mindful that on days like today +[542.04 --> 547.38] mothers can be, and being a mom can be hard +[547.38 --> 549.98] and we can be missing our moms +[549.98 --> 552.14] we can be wishing we were moms +[552.14 --> 557.12] and so there's lots of emotions in this space today. +[557.28 --> 561.30] And so we want to just bring that all to our God in worship. +[561.70 --> 563.84] Our God meets us in this place +[563.84 --> 566.36] in just a moment He's going to welcome us +[566.36 --> 568.10] and He's going to greet us together. +[568.68 --> 572.36] Before that, we do have a couple of announcements to make +[572.36 --> 576.00] and so just wanted to note for you +[576.00 --> 579.82] that reactivate registration is open +[579.82 --> 583.10] and so that's a youth conference that we host here +[583.10 --> 586.60] and that takes place September 5 through 7. +[587.34 --> 589.32] And so if you are in our youth program +[589.32 --> 592.52] or you know someone who would like to come to this conference, +[592.52 --> 594.50] you can send them the link to registration +[594.50 --> 596.82] which is in the e-bulletin, goes out +[596.82 --> 598.06] and you can find it online. +[598.06 --> 603.24] As well, this week, Tuesday, Coffee Break, +[603.34 --> 605.36] which is a women's Bible study ministry +[605.36 --> 607.18] that meets here Tuesday mornings. +[607.70 --> 609.94] They're having their year-end social +[609.94 --> 612.98] and so if you would like to come +[612.98 --> 614.64] and have some excellent food +[614.64 --> 616.48] and some even better fellowship, +[616.70 --> 618.40] there's an opportunity for you to do that +[618.40 --> 620.28] one last time this year. +[621.06 --> 626.06] And then lastly, we had originally scheduled +[626.06 --> 631.24] HCBC and our adult Heidelberg Catechism reading group +[631.24 --> 632.74] for next weekend, +[633.28 --> 634.28] but it's a long weekend +[634.28 --> 635.90] and we've heard feedback from people +[635.90 --> 638.00] and so we're rescheduling that. +[638.46 --> 640.22] That information will come out +[640.22 --> 643.34] to those who participate in the next little while. +[643.48 --> 645.66] So keep your eyes and ears open for that. +[646.60 --> 648.72] I think that's it for our announcements +[648.72 --> 649.92] and so I'm going to invite you +[649.92 --> 652.86] as you're able and where you are to stand together. +[652.86 --> 656.04] Together, we can be welcomed into the presence +[656.04 --> 658.54] of our God and Father together. +[658.66 --> 660.48] Following God's greeting, +[660.68 --> 662.78] I invite you to turn to those around you +[662.78 --> 665.54] and to welcome them into worship together. +[665.94 --> 667.72] You can do so with a handshake, +[668.08 --> 669.78] with a fist bump or a head nod +[669.78 --> 671.86] and then pass the peace of Christ. +[672.04 --> 673.96] Say the peace of Christ be with you +[673.96 --> 675.34] or the Lord be with you +[675.34 --> 677.04] as we come together this morning. +[677.16 --> 678.48] Receive God's blessing. +[678.48 --> 682.92] grace, mercy and peace to you +[682.92 --> 684.06] from God our Father, +[684.34 --> 685.66] from the Lord Jesus Christ, +[685.76 --> 686.84] His Son and our Savior, +[687.44 --> 688.62] through the presence and power +[688.62 --> 689.86] of the Holy Spirit. +[690.72 --> 691.08] Amen. +[691.08 --> 691.20] Amen. +[691.20 --> 691.24] Amen. +[708.48 --> 738.30] Our call to worship this morning +[738.30 --> 740.22] comes from Psalm 62. +[740.22 --> 744.82] Yes, my soul finds rest in God. +[745.48 --> 747.34] My hope comes from Him. +[748.38 --> 751.04] Truly, He is my rock and my salvation. +[751.66 --> 752.94] He is my fortress. +[753.38 --> 754.78] I will not be shaken. +[755.82 --> 758.56] My salvation and my honor depend on God. +[758.72 --> 761.64] He is my mighty rock, my refuge. +[762.72 --> 765.12] Trust in Him at all times, you people. +[765.12 --> 768.16] pour out your hearts to Him. +[768.16 --> 770.32] For God is our refuge. +[771.38 --> 773.62] Let's pour out our hearts to God this morning +[773.62 --> 774.44] as we worship. +[775.00 --> 777.90] May we rest in Him our hope and our refuge. +[777.90 --> 798.58] Jesus, hope of the nations. +[799.58 --> 802.94] Jesus, comfort for all who bore. +[802.94 --> 803.94] Jesus, Lord. +[803.94 --> 809.94] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[809.94 --> 813.94] Jesus, light in the darkness. +[813.94 --> 818.26] Jesus, truth in the circumstance. +[818.26 --> 825.26] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[825.26 --> 829.26] In history, you live and die. +[829.26 --> 831.26] You broke the chains. +[831.26 --> 833.26] You rose to life. +[833.26 --> 838.16] You are the hope living in us. +[838.16 --> 841.16] You are the rock in whom we trust. +[841.16 --> 848.16] You are the light shining for all the world to see. +[849.16 --> 853.16] Heroes from the dead, conquering fear. +[853.16 --> 856.90] Our prince of peace drawing us here. +[857.42 --> 862.16] Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive. +[862.16 --> 864.16] Lord, we believe. +[864.16 --> 866.16] Lord, we believe. +[874.16 --> 877.16] Jesus, hope of the nations. +[877.16 --> 882.16] Jesus, comfort for all who mourn. +[882.16 --> 889.16] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[889.16 --> 892.16] Jesus, light in the darkness. +[893.16 --> 897.16] Jesus, truth in the circumstance. +[897.16 --> 903.16] You are the source of heaven's hope on earth. +[903.16 --> 907.16] In history, you lived and died. +[907.16 --> 909.16] You broke the chains. +[909.16 --> 912.16] You rose to life. +[912.16 --> 916.16] You are the hope living in us. +[916.16 --> 920.16] You are the rock in whom we trust. +[920.16 --> 927.16] You are the light shining for all the world to see. +[927.16 --> 931.16] Heroes from the dead, conquering fear. +[931.16 --> 935.16] Our prince of peace drawing us here. +[935.16 --> 942.16] Jesus, our hope living for all who will receive. +[942.16 --> 955.16] Lord, we believe. +[955.16 --> 968.16] Lord, we believe. +[968.16 --> 990.34] My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[990.34 --> 1005.34] I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' name. +[1005.34 --> 1019.10] My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. +[1019.10 --> 1033.10] I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' name. +[1033.10 --> 1048.46] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1048.46 --> 1057.64] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1063.10 --> 1075.60] When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. +[1075.60 --> 1087.60] In every mind, stormy air, my anger holds within the air. +[1087.60 --> 1094.82] My anger holds within the air. +[1096.20 --> 1108.62] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1108.62 --> 1118.62] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1118.62 --> 1134.62] When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found. +[1134.62 --> 1146.62] Dressed in His righteousness alone, fallen stand before the throne. +[1146.62 --> 1160.62] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1160.62 --> 1172.62] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1172.62 --> 1185.62] Christ alone, cornerstone, weak made strong in the Savior's love. +[1185.62 --> 1197.62] Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. +[1200.62 --> 1202.22] I invite you to be seated. +[1208.12 --> 1210.66] So I was looking this week at Psalm 91. +[1211.22 --> 1213.18] It's a pretty well-known psalm. +[1213.18 --> 1215.34] The first couple of verses says, +[1215.34 --> 1220.32] Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. +[1220.94 --> 1225.82] I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. +[1226.48 --> 1228.42] And so there's a couple of words that caught my eye. +[1229.68 --> 1232.78] Rest and trust were the two words. +[1233.26 --> 1236.04] And it reminded me of a picture I had in a... +[1236.04 --> 1238.66] There was a sermon we were listening to a while back. +[1238.66 --> 1239.66] And it was... +[1239.66 --> 1243.62] The illustration was of a child resting in his mother's arms. +[1244.50 --> 1245.76] And it was just resting. +[1246.56 --> 1254.14] It looked to me like there is no rest if that child has no trust. +[1254.14 --> 1262.94] And so I was thinking, the quality of our rest speaks of the trust we have in our Heavenly Father. +[1264.54 --> 1275.44] And it got me asking myself, what do I have to let go of in order for myself to be able to kind of lay back and rest like that child in my Father's arms? +[1275.44 --> 1279.02] So let's invite you to pray with me. +[1281.26 --> 1286.56] Abba Father, life has so many concerns, so many distractions. +[1286.56 --> 1294.36] It's so easy for us to trust in our own abilities and to tell ourselves, just work harder. +[1295.66 --> 1298.22] Forgive us for trying to live life on our own. +[1298.96 --> 1305.98] For forgetting your promise that whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. +[1305.98 --> 1315.62] Will you, by your Holy Spirit, help us to trust as we find shelter and learn to rest in your arms? +[1316.54 --> 1316.78] Amen. +[1318.46 --> 1321.06] Why don't we continue worship with... +[1321.06 --> 1322.66] Just rise and sing with us. +[1322.66 --> 1323.66] Amen. +[1335.98 --> 1351.76] You are my strength when I am weak. +[1351.76 --> 1355.40] You are the treasure that I seek. +[1355.80 --> 1361.14] You are my all in all. +[1361.14 --> 1366.14] Seeking you as a precious jewel. +[1366.14 --> 1369.62] For to give up I be a fool. +[1369.62 --> 1375.36] You are my all in all. +[1375.36 --> 1383.30] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1383.30 --> 1387.98] Worthy is your name. +[1387.98 --> 1396.46] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1396.46 --> 1403.46] Worthy is your name. +[1403.46 --> 1408.46] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1408.46 --> 1411.46] Worthy is your name. +[1411.46 --> 1416.46] You are my all in all. +[1416.46 --> 1418.46] You are my all in all. +[1418.46 --> 1422.34] When I fall down, you take me up. +[1422.34 --> 1425.68] When I am dry, you fill my cup. +[1425.68 --> 1430.46] You are my all in all. +[1430.46 --> 1433.94] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1433.94 --> 1434.94] Thank you. +[1434.94 --> 1438.96] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1438.96 --> 1440.12] Worthy is your name. +[1440.12 --> 1442.78] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1442.78 --> 1444.12] You are my all in all. +[1444.12 --> 1444.82] Jesus, Lamb of God. +[1444.82 --> 1447.08] You are my all in all. +[1447.08 --> 1449.30] When I fall down, you pick me up. +[1449.30 --> 1451.16] When I am dry, you fill my cup. +[1451.16 --> 1456.16] You are my all in all. +[1456.16 --> 1473.92] Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name. +[1473.92 --> 1488.36] Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is your name. +[1503.92 --> 1520.36] My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine. +[1520.36 --> 1530.36] For thee all the fall is the sin I resign. +[1530.36 --> 1540.36] My precious Redeemer, my Savior art thou. +[1541.96 --> 1551.36] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1551.36 --> 1562.96] I love thee because thou hast first loved me. +[1563.56 --> 1572.96] And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. +[1572.96 --> 1583.96] I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow. +[1585.06 --> 1594.56] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1594.56 --> 1606.96] I love thee in life, I will love thee in death. +[1607.42 --> 1617.16] And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath. +[1617.16 --> 1629.46] And sin when the death dew lies cold on my brow. +[1629.46 --> 1640.74] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1640.74 --> 1651.74] In mansions of glory and endless delight. +[1651.74 --> 1663.74] I'll ever adore thee in heaven so bright. +[1663.74 --> 1674.74] I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow. +[1674.74 --> 1686.74] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. +[1686.74 --> 1689.14] I invite you to be seated. +[1689.14 --> 1699.36] Good morning. +[1699.36 --> 1699.38] Good morning. +[1699.38 --> 1702.34] My name is Mike and I serve as a deacon here for the church family. +[1702.34 --> 1707.10] And this morning we have a special offering for the Diacola Ministries of Canada. +[1707.10 --> 1713.98] So they are a wonderful agency that works with the CRC and churches across Canada to empower deacons, +[1713.98 --> 1719.98] and leaders in the church, any of us in the church to be able to work in their communities, +[1719.98 --> 1724.98] and empower others, and have compassionate ministries be vibrant and actually helpful. +[1724.98 --> 1729.98] So they work with a lot of churches, but they also work with other smaller organizations that are getting going, +[1729.98 --> 1732.98] getting off the ground, and they've been a huge blessing to this church. +[1732.98 --> 1739.98] I think our church has actually quite a long history serving alongside them, and resourcing them, and also blessing them. +[1739.98 --> 1744.98] So thank you in advance for blessing the DMC this morning. +[1744.98 --> 1752.98] So any of the undesignated gifts that are put in these baskets, or in these little baggies, are for the DMC. +[1752.98 --> 1757.98] And if you want to give to the budget or anything else, please make sure that is specifically designated in envelope, +[1757.98 --> 1760.98] or on the check, or however you choose to give. +[1760.98 --> 1765.98] All of the nine espaces, can you search for a descriptive word of help, +[1765.98 --> 1771.98] and there are great connections towarz stranger singer artindooms. +[1771.98 --> 1777.98] Saman speaking +[1777.98 --> 1787.98] No place I'd rather be +[1787.98 --> 1791.98] Than here in your love +[1791.98 --> 1801.98] No place I'd rather be +[1801.98 --> 1805.98] Than here in your love +[1805.98 --> 1815.98] I want more of you, God +[1815.98 --> 1819.98] To set a fire down in my soul +[1819.98 --> 1825.98] That I can't contain and I can't control +[1825.98 --> 1829.98] I want more of you, God +[1829.98 --> 1835.80] I want more of you God. I want more of you God. +[1842.24 --> 1856.80] No place I would rather be. No place I would rather be. No place I'd rather be than here in your love. Here in your love. +[1856.80 --> 1871.98] No place I would rather be. No place I would rather be. No place I would rather be than here in your love. Here in your love. +[1871.98 --> 1878.98] So set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I can't control. +[1879.60 --> 1886.12] I want more of you God. I want more of you God. +[1886.12 --> 1893.58] So set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I can't control. +[1894.14 --> 1900.54] I want more of you God. I want more of you God. +[1900.54 --> 1930.52] I want more of you God. +[1930.52 --> 1934.12] So that's preschool through grade four. +[1935.08 --> 1937.80] If you're here, come on up to the front. +[1939.10 --> 1942.00] Awesome. Thank you. +[1944.18 --> 1944.62] Beautiful. +[1947.28 --> 1947.72] Excellent. +[1948.52 --> 1949.16] All right, guys. +[1949.86 --> 1953.56] It has fallen to me this morning to lead you, but I forget how we do it. +[1953.56 --> 1957.32] So when you guys come up to the front, what do we do? +[1959.56 --> 1959.92] Anyone? +[1961.26 --> 1963.10] Someone help me? Everly, do you know? +[1963.92 --> 1964.14] No? +[1965.64 --> 1966.00] Hmm. +[1966.78 --> 1967.96] Ty, I said, what about you? You know. +[1968.50 --> 1969.46] You don't know either? +[1969.58 --> 1970.40] I don't believe you. +[1971.12 --> 1972.02] I was supposed to tell a story. +[1972.44 --> 1973.68] I was supposed to tell a story? +[1974.40 --> 1975.04] Oh, no. +[1976.72 --> 1978.00] I was supposed to have a puppet. +[1978.36 --> 1978.86] Oh, yeah. +[1981.22 --> 1985.86] Unfortunately, I don't have the capacity for puppeting and talking out of that side of my mouth. +[1987.80 --> 1991.16] I think we do something like pray. +[1991.16 --> 1991.56] Pray. +[1992.26 --> 1992.66] Yeah? +[1993.32 --> 1993.96] We pray. +[1994.16 --> 1994.74] Okay, good. +[1994.84 --> 1995.34] We got one. +[1995.84 --> 1996.54] And then what else? +[1997.10 --> 1998.20] We stand, right? +[1998.60 --> 1999.50] What do we stand for? +[2001.04 --> 2001.90] Stand for praying? +[2002.06 --> 2002.32] All right. +[2002.34 --> 2002.78] I love it. +[2003.42 --> 2004.62] We're going to stand to pray. +[2004.94 --> 2006.82] And then we say a blessing, right? +[2007.84 --> 2009.22] What does that mean? +[2009.80 --> 2014.66] When you say, the Lord be with you, what do you think that means? +[2017.24 --> 2020.08] Does that maybe mean that God is with you? +[2021.10 --> 2021.54] Yeah. +[2022.20 --> 2023.48] That's exactly what that means. +[2023.48 --> 2026.18] And then they say, and also with you. +[2026.56 --> 2030.36] And that means that God is here among us and we're in his presence together. +[2031.36 --> 2032.90] That is pretty cool. +[2033.00 --> 2037.90] That's one of the amazing things about our church family coming together to worship, +[2037.90 --> 2039.66] is that God actually shows up. +[2040.46 --> 2045.40] You actually get to hear him and meet him and be present with him through all these awesome people. +[2046.02 --> 2047.80] So, we're going to follow the lead. +[2047.86 --> 2049.64] We're going to stand and pray together. +[2050.26 --> 2051.98] And then we're going to do the blessing, all right? +[2052.18 --> 2054.94] Congregation, you're also going to stand and pray with us. +[2056.22 --> 2060.76] Did you know that in church history, there was three or four postures for praying? +[2061.50 --> 2063.72] None of them were sitting in a comfortable seat. +[2064.42 --> 2067.62] They were standing or kneeling or laying prostrate. +[2067.90 --> 2068.76] Before the Lord. +[2068.96 --> 2071.38] And so, let's stand and pray together. +[2071.46 --> 2072.38] Let's pray, all right, guys? +[2073.28 --> 2079.94] Dear Jesus, we love you and we are so glad that you are here with us in worship. +[2079.94 --> 2085.86] As these kids go to learn more about you, may you speak to their hearts. +[2086.70 --> 2091.42] And as we remain here together, may you also speak to our hearts. +[2091.42 --> 2098.50] And as we all together as church family prepare to come to the table, may you fill our hearts. +[2099.18 --> 2100.46] In Jesus' name we pray. +[2101.54 --> 2101.94] Amen. +[2102.46 --> 2103.10] Good work. +[2103.16 --> 2104.48] All right, let's hold our hands up. +[2104.90 --> 2106.78] And we're going to say, the Lord be with you. +[2106.84 --> 2109.78] And then everyone else is going to respond by saying, and also with you. +[2109.88 --> 2110.08] Ready? +[2110.28 --> 2111.58] One, two, three. +[2111.96 --> 2113.82] The Lord be with you. +[2114.20 --> 2115.70] And also with you. +[2115.84 --> 2116.32] Amen. +[2116.32 --> 2116.54] Amen. +[2139.72 --> 2142.92] My name is Paul, and I'm an elder here at this church. +[2142.92 --> 2147.10] And I'd like to lead you in our family prayer. +[2147.56 --> 2155.30] But before I do that, a bit of an update from the council, the leadership board of this church. +[2155.62 --> 2161.44] We met this past Tuesday, and a few things happened there. +[2161.44 --> 2174.26] We reviewed the 2024 financial statements and approved them for presentation at our spring general meeting coming up. +[2175.48 --> 2180.26] That'll be on May the 17th, I believe. +[2181.34 --> 2184.44] So 22nd, sorry, 22nd. +[2184.44 --> 2188.84] 22nd, so hold a place on your calendar for that, please. +[2191.12 --> 2202.64] After reviewing the financial statements, we had a surplus over expenses this past year. +[2202.64 --> 2210.88] So we had a prayer of thanksgiving for that, how God has blessed this church family. +[2210.88 --> 2224.38] So that pending the approval of those financial statements, we're going to decide what we're going to do with that surplus. +[2225.44 --> 2232.78] We approved the agenda and plan for hosting the spring general meeting, which is on May the 22nd. +[2232.78 --> 2239.54] And we reviewed also the report from the town hall. +[2239.92 --> 2252.72] Hope that all you, everybody who got those, the link for that is in the bulletin for the email that you got for the meeting coming up. +[2254.06 --> 2256.24] Encourage everyone to read that. +[2256.24 --> 2265.46] And then we also approved the slate of nominees for Deacon and Elder. +[2267.02 --> 2275.90] And while I call out those names, they're up there on the screen for you to see because we didn't know for sure who would all be here. +[2277.38 --> 2281.90] For Deacon, it's Pete Birkenpass, Carolyn Spoor, and Warren for Hoof. +[2281.90 --> 2293.04] And for Elder, it's also Pete Birkenpass, Jesus Hernandez, Pim Schoen, Frank Welfing, and Sam Wind. +[2293.04 --> 2303.54] And Dick Klingelting and Brenda Alkema also agreed to extend their term for one year. +[2304.00 --> 2311.62] That's so that we get a bit more of a balance on how we call out or have to nominate names for. +[2311.62 --> 2319.82] We also received some reports from Pastor Chris and Pastor Kevin. +[2324.82 --> 2326.92] Let's go to our God in prayer. +[2326.92 --> 2343.52] Father in heaven, holy, holy, holy are you, Lord God Almighty, +[2344.22 --> 2350.32] who was and is and is to come with all creation. +[2350.84 --> 2353.50] We sing praise to you, the King of kings. +[2353.50 --> 2359.46] You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. +[2361.00 --> 2367.56] You are everything to all, a wonderful mystery, and we adore you. +[2370.56 --> 2373.50] We give you thanks that you have given us your Son, +[2374.86 --> 2377.54] that we have the grace to stand before you. +[2377.54 --> 2382.68] Lord, we are incapable of changing ourselves, +[2383.08 --> 2387.44] but by your Spirit, work in us to make us like your Son. +[2389.30 --> 2391.28] Thank you for your mercy and grace, +[2392.08 --> 2394.24] for always being there when we need you. +[2396.44 --> 2399.94] When days are long and our hearts are troubled, +[2400.94 --> 2403.30] you are always there to walk beside us. +[2403.30 --> 2409.14] We've all come with individual and personal needs, +[2409.68 --> 2413.26] needs that we may not have shared with anyone else, +[2414.26 --> 2419.02] but you know us and the struggles and burdens we are facing. +[2421.48 --> 2424.00] Lord, we thank you for mothers this day +[2424.00 --> 2428.18] and for those that fill in as mothers. +[2430.58 --> 2432.50] They are all so much for us. +[2435.46 --> 2437.16] We thank you for new life, +[2440.16 --> 2443.66] for babies that have come into families. +[2443.66 --> 2448.66] We pray that you give us grace and strength +[2448.66 --> 2453.28] to raise these children up to follow you. +[2455.52 --> 2458.46] We pray for those that also find this day difficult +[2458.46 --> 2462.46] because of loss or strained relationships +[2462.46 --> 2465.50] or unfulfilled longing for motherhood. +[2467.80 --> 2470.54] We ask for the grace and the comfort +[2470.54 --> 2471.78] that only you can provide. +[2471.78 --> 2476.84] We pray for the Skipper family. +[2477.98 --> 2480.00] We ask that you give comfort and strength +[2480.00 --> 2481.26] to Matt and his children +[2481.26 --> 2484.72] and that you will be with the whole family +[2484.72 --> 2487.16] as they grief the loss of Rachel. +[2490.00 --> 2492.36] We ask that you will continue to be with those +[2492.36 --> 2493.56] who suffer from cancer. +[2495.36 --> 2496.52] We think of Tanya, +[2498.00 --> 2498.46] Tessa, +[2499.06 --> 2499.56] and Doug. +[2499.56 --> 2502.58] We pray that you will walk beside them +[2502.58 --> 2503.60] and their families +[2503.60 --> 2505.70] as they make their individual journeys. +[2509.04 --> 2510.98] Lord, we ask that you will continue +[2510.98 --> 2513.82] to help this church gather in your name +[2513.82 --> 2516.72] to grow in the knowledge +[2516.72 --> 2517.92] that you are with us +[2517.92 --> 2519.52] and saved us from our sins. +[2521.24 --> 2522.40] Help us to go +[2522.40 --> 2525.22] out into the community around us +[2525.22 --> 2526.48] and share your love. +[2529.48 --> 2530.80] We pray hear us. +[2533.44 --> 2535.32] Look at the list of our concerns. +[2536.34 --> 2537.56] We know that you knew it +[2537.56 --> 2538.80] before we wrote it down. +[2540.38 --> 2542.28] And we know you better than us +[2542.28 --> 2543.44] that we... +[2543.44 --> 2546.06] what must be prayed +[2546.06 --> 2548.66] in each of these circumstances. +[2550.22 --> 2551.96] We ask that your Holy Spirit +[2551.96 --> 2553.34] completes that for us. +[2555.86 --> 2558.10] As we hear your word for us this morning, +[2558.26 --> 2559.52] preached by Pastor Chris, +[2560.46 --> 2563.36] fill our hearts with your will and purposes +[2563.36 --> 2564.70] by your Holy Spirit +[2564.70 --> 2568.46] so that your kingdom will advance through us. +[2568.46 --> 2570.18] your Holy Name +[2570.18 --> 2571.38] will be glorified +[2571.38 --> 2574.58] and the story of your great name +[2574.58 --> 2576.28] is spread through us. +[2577.74 --> 2579.84] The story of amazing love, +[2580.72 --> 2581.88] the light of the world +[2581.88 --> 2582.90] given for us. +[2585.38 --> 2586.82] Father, we pray that our eyes +[2586.82 --> 2588.04] would be fixed on Jesus. +[2588.56 --> 2589.80] We pray that by your Spirit +[2589.80 --> 2591.36] you might bring it into our hearts +[2591.36 --> 2591.94] to believe +[2591.94 --> 2593.48] and to trust in you. +[2594.32 --> 2595.66] For all these things we pray +[2595.66 --> 2597.02] because of your Holy Name. +[2597.98 --> 2598.26] Amen. +[2598.46 --> 2598.96] Amen. +[2620.30 --> 2623.64] This morning we will continue +[2623.64 --> 2624.64] in our series +[2624.64 --> 2626.42] through Thessalonians +[2626.42 --> 2628.24] although we're making a bit +[2628.24 --> 2628.86] of a shift +[2628.86 --> 2630.38] in that we're starting +[2630.38 --> 2631.60] the second letter +[2631.60 --> 2632.92] to the Thessalonians +[2632.92 --> 2634.32] and so we're going to +[2634.32 --> 2635.62] in just a moment +[2635.62 --> 2636.66] read together +[2636.66 --> 2639.48] from 2 Thessalonians +[2639.48 --> 2641.38] 1 through +[2641.38 --> 2642.58] chapter 1 +[2642.58 --> 2643.38] verse 1 +[2643.38 --> 2645.40] through the first part +[2645.40 --> 2646.02] of verse 7. +[2646.74 --> 2647.64] I encourage you to +[2647.64 --> 2648.70] have that open +[2648.70 --> 2649.26] in front of you +[2649.26 --> 2650.22] whether on a device +[2650.22 --> 2651.12] or in a Bible +[2651.12 --> 2652.18] if you would like to hang on +[2652.18 --> 2652.68] to a Bible +[2652.68 --> 2653.42] but don't have one +[2653.42 --> 2654.00] there's a couple +[2654.00 --> 2655.66] a few at the back there +[2655.66 --> 2656.10] you're welcome +[2656.10 --> 2656.76] to grab one +[2656.76 --> 2657.20] from there +[2657.20 --> 2658.66] open it up +[2658.66 --> 2659.36] the first time +[2659.36 --> 2659.98] we go through +[2659.98 --> 2661.42] it will be on the screen +[2661.42 --> 2662.38] behind me +[2662.38 --> 2664.96] let's read God's Word +[2664.96 --> 2665.60] together +[2665.60 --> 2669.14] Paul +[2669.14 --> 2670.02] Silas +[2670.02 --> 2670.82] and Timothy +[2670.82 --> 2672.40] to the church +[2672.40 --> 2673.64] of the Thessalonians +[2673.64 --> 2674.48] in God +[2674.48 --> 2675.38] our Father +[2675.38 --> 2676.26] and the Lord +[2676.26 --> 2677.16] Jesus Christ +[2677.16 --> 2679.34] grace and peace +[2679.34 --> 2679.88] to you +[2679.88 --> 2680.54] from God +[2680.54 --> 2681.06] the Father +[2681.06 --> 2681.82] and the Lord +[2681.82 --> 2682.66] Jesus Christ +[2682.66 --> 2684.72] we ought always +[2684.72 --> 2685.92] to thank God +[2685.92 --> 2686.38] for you +[2686.38 --> 2687.48] brothers and sisters +[2687.48 --> 2689.40] and rightly so +[2689.40 --> 2690.36] because your faith +[2690.36 --> 2690.96] is growing +[2690.96 --> 2692.14] more and more +[2692.14 --> 2693.14] and the love +[2693.14 --> 2694.16] all of you have +[2694.16 --> 2694.84] for one another +[2694.84 --> 2695.64] is increasing +[2695.64 --> 2697.20] therefore +[2697.20 --> 2698.94] among God's churches +[2698.94 --> 2699.96] we boast +[2699.96 --> 2701.48] about your perseverance +[2701.48 --> 2702.64] and faith +[2702.64 --> 2704.10] in all the persecutions +[2704.10 --> 2704.78] and trials +[2704.78 --> 2705.92] you are enduring +[2705.92 --> 2708.16] all this +[2708.16 --> 2708.98] is evidence +[2708.98 --> 2710.50] that God's judgment +[2710.50 --> 2711.56] is right +[2711.56 --> 2713.18] and as a result +[2713.18 --> 2714.38] you will be counted +[2714.38 --> 2715.68] worthy of the kingdom +[2715.68 --> 2716.28] of God +[2716.28 --> 2718.02] for which you are suffering +[2718.02 --> 2720.58] God is just +[2720.58 --> 2722.44] he will pay back +[2722.44 --> 2723.80] to those who trouble you +[2723.80 --> 2725.00] and give relief +[2725.00 --> 2725.60] to you +[2725.60 --> 2726.44] who are troubled +[2726.44 --> 2728.16] and to us +[2728.16 --> 2729.36] as well +[2729.36 --> 2731.14] this is the word +[2731.14 --> 2731.58] of the Lord +[2731.58 --> 2738.00] now I want to begin +[2738.00 --> 2738.56] this morning +[2738.56 --> 2740.64] by saying something +[2740.64 --> 2741.60] that shouldn't +[2741.60 --> 2742.28] be controversial +[2742.28 --> 2743.40] in a church +[2743.40 --> 2745.78] and yet is controversial +[2745.78 --> 2747.16] to people +[2747.16 --> 2748.50] outside of a church +[2748.50 --> 2750.86] and in fact +[2750.86 --> 2752.14] may be +[2752.14 --> 2753.50] functionally +[2753.50 --> 2754.60] controversial +[2754.60 --> 2755.94] in your own life +[2755.94 --> 2757.40] you ready +[2757.40 --> 2760.20] God +[2760.20 --> 2761.38] is +[2761.38 --> 2762.48] real +[2762.48 --> 2766.46] God +[2766.46 --> 2767.36] is +[2767.36 --> 2768.22] active +[2768.22 --> 2770.32] in this world +[2770.32 --> 2773.54] and God +[2773.54 --> 2774.52] is active +[2774.52 --> 2775.66] in +[2775.66 --> 2776.56] your +[2776.56 --> 2777.54] life +[2777.54 --> 2779.52] now like we said +[2779.52 --> 2780.06] that shouldn't be +[2780.06 --> 2780.92] controversial here +[2780.92 --> 2782.04] four of you +[2782.04 --> 2782.96] should have said amen +[2782.96 --> 2783.80] by now +[2783.80 --> 2786.36] okay three of you +[2786.36 --> 2786.66] tried +[2786.66 --> 2787.14] good work +[2787.14 --> 2790.02] but it is +[2790.02 --> 2790.50] controversial +[2790.50 --> 2791.26] in a world +[2791.26 --> 2792.06] that doesn't believe +[2792.06 --> 2792.56] in God +[2792.56 --> 2793.86] or that doesn't believe +[2793.86 --> 2794.36] in the God +[2794.36 --> 2794.88] of the Bible +[2794.88 --> 2795.58] that refuses +[2795.58 --> 2797.30] to believe in God +[2797.30 --> 2798.56] and maybe +[2798.56 --> 2800.56] it's convicting +[2800.56 --> 2802.14] to your life +[2802.14 --> 2803.58] that professes +[2803.58 --> 2804.26] with your lips +[2804.26 --> 2805.22] that God is real +[2805.22 --> 2807.02] but then lives +[2807.02 --> 2808.06] in fear +[2808.06 --> 2809.22] and without trust +[2809.22 --> 2809.82] day in +[2809.82 --> 2810.42] and day out +[2810.42 --> 2811.28] like he's not +[2811.28 --> 2813.74] like he isn't +[2813.74 --> 2814.12] walking +[2814.12 --> 2815.26] with you +[2815.26 --> 2815.92] and preparing +[2815.92 --> 2816.88] a way for you +[2816.88 --> 2817.58] like he isn't +[2817.58 --> 2817.92] guiding +[2817.92 --> 2818.62] and sustaining +[2818.62 --> 2819.66] and upholding +[2819.66 --> 2820.14] you +[2820.14 --> 2820.82] like he isn't +[2820.82 --> 2821.30] giving you +[2821.30 --> 2823.56] everything you need +[2823.56 --> 2824.14] for faith +[2824.14 --> 2825.22] and godliness +[2825.22 --> 2826.18] like he hasn't +[2826.18 --> 2827.22] prepared a way +[2827.22 --> 2827.80] for you +[2827.80 --> 2830.34] God +[2830.34 --> 2831.40] is +[2831.40 --> 2832.38] real +[2832.38 --> 2833.18] and he +[2833.18 --> 2834.48] is at work +[2834.48 --> 2835.20] in +[2835.20 --> 2836.12] the world +[2836.12 --> 2838.16] and the way +[2838.16 --> 2838.90] we see God +[2838.90 --> 2839.38] at work +[2839.38 --> 2840.30] in the world +[2840.30 --> 2841.24] primarily +[2841.24 --> 2842.36] not the only way +[2842.36 --> 2843.14] but primarily +[2843.14 --> 2844.32] first +[2844.32 --> 2846.70] is through his church +[2846.70 --> 2849.32] is through his people +[2849.32 --> 2851.34] through you +[2851.34 --> 2852.64] and me +[2852.64 --> 2854.06] however humbly +[2854.06 --> 2855.10] and feebly +[2855.10 --> 2856.22] we try +[2856.22 --> 2857.50] the reality +[2857.50 --> 2858.46] is +[2858.46 --> 2859.90] the amazing +[2859.90 --> 2860.98] power of God +[2860.98 --> 2861.82] is made known +[2861.82 --> 2862.54] to the world +[2862.54 --> 2864.20] through the church +[2864.20 --> 2866.16] and so +[2866.16 --> 2866.60] reading +[2866.60 --> 2867.24] Paul +[2867.24 --> 2867.88] today +[2867.88 --> 2869.48] our big idea +[2869.48 --> 2870.24] our theme +[2870.24 --> 2871.12] to explore +[2871.12 --> 2872.10] is that +[2872.10 --> 2872.78] a church +[2872.78 --> 2874.34] grounded in faith +[2874.34 --> 2875.70] will be fruitful +[2875.70 --> 2877.24] in its work +[2877.24 --> 2879.14] and then the +[2879.14 --> 2880.44] parenthetic remark +[2880.44 --> 2881.00] behind that +[2881.00 --> 2881.38] because +[2881.38 --> 2882.66] God is real +[2882.66 --> 2884.38] because +[2884.38 --> 2886.04] God is at work +[2886.04 --> 2888.62] now we started +[2888.62 --> 2889.54] in this letter +[2889.54 --> 2891.12] the way +[2891.12 --> 2892.48] all ancient letters +[2892.48 --> 2893.22] started +[2893.22 --> 2894.72] with the names +[2894.72 --> 2895.56] of the author +[2895.56 --> 2896.92] the one +[2896.92 --> 2897.94] whose names +[2897.94 --> 2898.98] and authorities +[2898.98 --> 2900.14] stand behind +[2900.14 --> 2900.96] the content +[2900.96 --> 2902.28] so we read +[2902.28 --> 2902.80] Paul +[2902.80 --> 2903.66] Silas +[2903.66 --> 2904.70] and Timothy +[2904.70 --> 2907.16] now just a quick +[2907.16 --> 2907.68] reminder +[2907.68 --> 2908.24] Paul +[2908.24 --> 2908.78] Silas +[2908.78 --> 2909.36] and Timothy +[2909.36 --> 2910.92] are missionaries +[2910.92 --> 2913.04] to the church +[2913.04 --> 2914.16] in Thessalonica +[2914.16 --> 2915.58] which is in +[2915.58 --> 2916.46] modern day Greece +[2916.46 --> 2917.42] we have a map +[2917.42 --> 2918.30] just to remind us +[2918.30 --> 2918.90] where we're at +[2918.90 --> 2921.04] and after preaching +[2921.04 --> 2921.84] and teaching +[2921.84 --> 2923.56] for three weeks +[2923.56 --> 2924.20] there +[2924.20 --> 2925.80] they had to flee +[2925.80 --> 2927.44] because of +[2927.44 --> 2928.16] persecution +[2928.16 --> 2929.24] and trouble +[2929.24 --> 2930.00] with the local +[2930.00 --> 2930.60] authorities +[2930.60 --> 2932.84] and for a brief +[2932.84 --> 2933.32] time +[2933.32 --> 2933.80] Paul +[2933.80 --> 2934.66] and then Silas +[2934.66 --> 2935.16] and Timothy +[2935.16 --> 2936.14] had to separate +[2936.14 --> 2937.36] and Paul +[2937.36 --> 2938.02] made his way +[2938.02 --> 2938.84] down to Corinth +[2938.84 --> 2940.28] and eventually +[2940.28 --> 2941.34] Silas and Timothy +[2941.34 --> 2942.46] rejoin him +[2942.46 --> 2943.52] and when they do +[2943.52 --> 2944.86] they bring an update +[2944.86 --> 2946.22] of what was happening +[2946.22 --> 2947.46] back in Thessalonica +[2947.46 --> 2948.70] and that's what +[2948.70 --> 2949.48] causes Paul +[2949.48 --> 2950.56] to write his first +[2950.56 --> 2951.28] letter to them +[2951.28 --> 2952.58] first Thessalonians +[2952.58 --> 2954.44] the second letter +[2954.44 --> 2954.96] the one that we're +[2954.96 --> 2955.58] starting today +[2955.58 --> 2956.72] was probably written +[2956.72 --> 2957.90] only a few months +[2957.90 --> 2958.32] later +[2958.32 --> 2960.28] after the first one +[2960.28 --> 2961.44] most likely +[2961.44 --> 2963.10] after those people +[2963.10 --> 2964.64] who had delivered +[2964.64 --> 2965.64] the first letter +[2965.64 --> 2966.56] to the church +[2966.56 --> 2967.50] in Thessalonica +[2967.50 --> 2969.02] and then turned around +[2969.02 --> 2969.68] and returned +[2969.68 --> 2970.58] to Paul +[2970.58 --> 2971.16] while he was +[2971.16 --> 2972.02] in Corinth +[2972.02 --> 2973.20] and brought an update +[2973.20 --> 2974.26] of what was happening +[2974.26 --> 2974.60] there +[2974.60 --> 2976.20] an update about +[2976.20 --> 2977.00] how the persecution +[2977.00 --> 2977.90] they were experiencing +[2977.90 --> 2978.70] was getting worse +[2978.70 --> 2980.60] and so Paul +[2980.60 --> 2981.08] is moved +[2981.08 --> 2982.32] to write to them again +[2982.32 --> 2983.36] so he writes +[2983.36 --> 2984.10] to the church +[2984.10 --> 2985.40] of the Thessalonians +[2985.40 --> 2986.56] in God +[2986.56 --> 2987.28] our Father +[2987.28 --> 2988.10] and the Lord +[2988.10 --> 2989.28] Jesus Christ +[2989.28 --> 2991.60] now for our purposes +[2991.60 --> 2992.14] this morning +[2992.14 --> 2992.78] what I want us +[2992.78 --> 2993.28] to see +[2993.28 --> 2994.74] right in these +[2994.74 --> 2995.68] opening words +[2995.68 --> 2996.58] is where Paul +[2996.58 --> 2996.98] says +[2996.98 --> 2997.60] God +[2997.60 --> 2998.72] our +[2998.72 --> 3000.16] Father +[3000.16 --> 3002.74] this is how +[3002.74 --> 3003.84] you can talk +[3003.84 --> 3004.38] to God +[3004.38 --> 3005.50] when you believe +[3005.50 --> 3007.86] as your Father +[3007.86 --> 3010.82] now in 1 Thessalonians +[3010.82 --> 3011.26] Paul +[3011.26 --> 3012.42] opened up +[3012.42 --> 3013.36] by saying +[3013.36 --> 3013.84] God +[3013.84 --> 3014.62] the Father +[3014.62 --> 3015.58] and the Lord +[3015.58 --> 3016.66] Jesus Christ +[3016.66 --> 3017.76] and in that letter +[3017.76 --> 3018.34] in there +[3018.34 --> 3019.74] he's making a claim +[3019.74 --> 3020.80] about God's +[3020.80 --> 3021.76] triune nature +[3021.76 --> 3022.68] and about his +[3022.68 --> 3023.88] special relationship +[3023.88 --> 3024.70] as Father +[3024.70 --> 3025.82] to Jesus +[3025.82 --> 3026.66] the Son +[3026.66 --> 3027.96] and now +[3027.96 --> 3029.30] in the second letter +[3029.30 --> 3030.18] he's adding +[3030.18 --> 3031.92] to our experience +[3031.92 --> 3032.52] of God +[3032.52 --> 3033.28] by saying +[3033.28 --> 3033.92] that because +[3033.92 --> 3035.38] of Jesus +[3035.38 --> 3036.84] he is +[3036.84 --> 3037.74] your Father +[3037.74 --> 3038.32] too +[3038.32 --> 3038.72] God +[3038.72 --> 3039.38] is your +[3039.38 --> 3039.86] Father +[3039.86 --> 3040.42] too +[3040.42 --> 3041.08] you are +[3041.08 --> 3041.88] his sons +[3041.88 --> 3042.90] and daughters +[3042.90 --> 3044.22] Paul's doing +[3044.22 --> 3045.08] the same thing +[3045.08 --> 3046.02] that Jesus +[3046.02 --> 3046.50] did +[3046.50 --> 3047.14] when he taught +[3047.14 --> 3047.82] his disciples +[3047.82 --> 3048.36] to pray +[3048.36 --> 3049.72] right +[3049.72 --> 3050.68] in Matthew 6 +[3050.68 --> 3051.60] Jesus teaches +[3051.60 --> 3052.30] his disciples +[3052.30 --> 3052.90] to pray +[3052.90 --> 3054.32] our Father +[3054.32 --> 3055.16] in heaven +[3055.16 --> 3056.20] hallowed +[3056.20 --> 3056.98] be your name +[3056.98 --> 3059.16] our Father +[3059.16 --> 3060.50] God +[3060.50 --> 3061.60] is your Father +[3061.60 --> 3062.26] and Jesus +[3062.26 --> 3063.28] is your brother +[3063.28 --> 3064.72] if you believe +[3064.72 --> 3065.58] if you are +[3065.58 --> 3066.38] born again +[3066.38 --> 3067.00] if you +[3067.00 --> 3068.38] confess with your lips +[3068.38 --> 3069.00] and believe +[3069.00 --> 3069.82] in your hearts +[3069.82 --> 3070.42] that Jesus +[3070.42 --> 3071.04] is Lord +[3071.04 --> 3071.68] and that God +[3071.68 --> 3072.36] raised him +[3072.36 --> 3073.28] from the dead +[3073.28 --> 3074.90] if that's you +[3074.90 --> 3075.74] then Jesus +[3075.74 --> 3076.48] is your brother +[3076.48 --> 3077.04] and you have +[3077.04 --> 3077.50] a Father +[3077.50 --> 3078.06] in heaven +[3078.06 --> 3079.54] and this +[3079.54 --> 3080.36] changes +[3080.36 --> 3081.44] how you pray +[3081.44 --> 3082.94] right +[3082.94 --> 3083.76] even if you +[3083.76 --> 3084.16] have had +[3084.16 --> 3084.68] the most +[3084.68 --> 3085.54] excellent +[3085.54 --> 3087.12] earthly fathers +[3087.12 --> 3088.44] your heavenly +[3088.44 --> 3088.94] Father +[3088.94 --> 3090.16] is matchless +[3090.16 --> 3091.48] and incomparable +[3091.48 --> 3092.64] right +[3092.64 --> 3093.66] even the best +[3093.66 --> 3094.68] earthly fathers +[3094.68 --> 3095.64] are a pale +[3095.64 --> 3096.22] reflection +[3096.22 --> 3097.28] of our heavenly +[3097.28 --> 3097.70] Father +[3097.70 --> 3099.96] but especially +[3099.96 --> 3101.38] especially +[3101.38 --> 3102.32] if you had +[3102.32 --> 3103.36] an earthly +[3103.36 --> 3103.80] father +[3103.80 --> 3104.46] who failed +[3104.46 --> 3104.80] you +[3104.80 --> 3106.50] our heavenly +[3106.50 --> 3106.90] Father +[3106.90 --> 3107.60] never will +[3107.60 --> 3109.44] right +[3109.44 --> 3110.40] this is +[3110.40 --> 3111.20] who we +[3111.20 --> 3112.12] pray to +[3112.12 --> 3112.60] these are +[3112.60 --> 3113.38] the characteristics +[3113.38 --> 3113.94] of God +[3113.94 --> 3114.78] that we hold +[3114.78 --> 3115.46] out in our +[3115.46 --> 3115.84] prayers +[3115.84 --> 3116.06] right +[3116.06 --> 3116.44] that he is +[3116.44 --> 3117.62] slow to angry +[3117.62 --> 3118.68] and abounding +[3118.68 --> 3119.72] in love +[3119.72 --> 3121.12] right +[3121.12 --> 3121.60] these are the +[3121.60 --> 3122.14] characteristics +[3122.14 --> 3122.70] of God +[3122.70 --> 3123.38] when we pray +[3123.38 --> 3124.54] that he is +[3124.54 --> 3125.36] patient +[3125.36 --> 3126.80] with our +[3126.80 --> 3127.76] failures +[3127.76 --> 3129.62] that he +[3129.62 --> 3130.58] comforts us +[3130.58 --> 3131.80] in trouble +[3131.80 --> 3133.18] that he provides +[3133.18 --> 3133.96] for all our +[3133.96 --> 3134.38] needs +[3134.38 --> 3135.00] that he is +[3135.00 --> 3135.50] forgiving +[3135.50 --> 3136.74] and merciful +[3136.74 --> 3138.50] right +[3138.50 --> 3139.22] our Father +[3139.22 --> 3139.80] in heaven +[3139.80 --> 3140.84] is forever +[3140.84 --> 3141.96] faithful +[3141.96 --> 3143.30] and unchanging +[3143.30 --> 3144.56] you can trust +[3144.56 --> 3144.94] him +[3144.94 --> 3146.64] and all of +[3146.64 --> 3147.00] that +[3147.00 --> 3147.18] right +[3147.18 --> 3147.50] you see +[3147.50 --> 3147.88] it behind +[3147.88 --> 3148.04] me +[3148.04 --> 3148.48] all of +[3148.48 --> 3148.64] that +[3148.64 --> 3149.30] goes +[3149.30 --> 3149.78] into +[3149.78 --> 3150.10] that +[3150.10 --> 3150.36] little +[3150.36 --> 3151.04] phrase +[3151.04 --> 3151.70] our +[3151.70 --> 3152.26] Father +[3152.26 --> 3153.48] all of +[3153.48 --> 3153.70] that +[3153.70 --> 3153.90] is +[3153.90 --> 3154.48] packed +[3154.48 --> 3154.92] into +[3154.92 --> 3155.14] the +[3155.14 --> 3155.46] words +[3155.46 --> 3155.78] our +[3155.78 --> 3156.26] Father +[3156.26 --> 3157.14] when you +[3157.14 --> 3157.48] pray +[3157.48 --> 3159.38] and so +[3159.38 --> 3160.14] if you were +[3160.14 --> 3160.56] here with +[3160.56 --> 3160.80] us +[3160.80 --> 3161.58] last week +[3161.58 --> 3161.96] if you +[3161.96 --> 3162.74] add +[3162.74 --> 3163.38] our +[3163.38 --> 3163.84] Father +[3163.84 --> 3164.58] to the +[3164.58 --> 3165.36] amen +[3165.36 --> 3166.04] the so +[3166.04 --> 3166.60] be it +[3166.60 --> 3167.16] the one +[3167.16 --> 3167.68] who calls +[3167.68 --> 3167.98] you is +[3167.98 --> 3168.34] faithful +[3168.34 --> 3168.70] and he +[3168.70 --> 3169.06] will do +[3169.06 --> 3169.18] it +[3169.18 --> 3169.42] that we +[3169.42 --> 3169.82] looked at +[3169.82 --> 3170.38] last week +[3170.38 --> 3170.92] right +[3170.92 --> 3171.36] now +[3171.36 --> 3171.98] you know +[3171.98 --> 3172.26] how to +[3172.26 --> 3172.64] start +[3172.64 --> 3173.16] a prayer +[3173.16 --> 3173.94] our +[3173.94 --> 3174.34] Father +[3174.34 --> 3175.54] and you +[3175.54 --> 3175.72] know how +[3175.72 --> 3176.08] to end +[3176.08 --> 3176.56] a prayer +[3176.56 --> 3178.64] the middle +[3178.64 --> 3179.04] part +[3179.04 --> 3179.78] you can +[3179.78 --> 3180.04] add +[3180.04 --> 3181.98] in fact +[3181.98 --> 3182.24] we'll get +[3182.24 --> 3182.48] to the +[3182.48 --> 3182.62] middle +[3182.62 --> 3182.84] part +[3182.84 --> 3183.12] in just +[3183.12 --> 3183.52] a second +[3183.52 --> 3184.68] Paul +[3184.68 --> 3185.22] continues +[3185.22 --> 3185.74] he says +[3185.74 --> 3186.60] grace +[3186.60 --> 3187.68] and peace +[3187.68 --> 3188.62] to you +[3188.62 --> 3190.50] now +[3190.50 --> 3191.42] some of +[3191.42 --> 3191.62] you have +[3191.62 --> 3191.92] heard me +[3191.92 --> 3192.38] say this +[3192.38 --> 3192.78] before +[3192.78 --> 3193.12] but +[3193.12 --> 3193.84] it's +[3193.84 --> 3194.54] important +[3194.54 --> 3195.08] and helpful +[3195.08 --> 3195.68] for us +[3195.68 --> 3196.10] to just +[3196.10 --> 3196.80] define +[3196.80 --> 3197.50] the word +[3197.50 --> 3198.16] grace +[3198.16 --> 3199.84] right +[3199.84 --> 3200.40] grace +[3200.40 --> 3201.24] is the +[3201.24 --> 3202.08] unmerited +[3202.08 --> 3203.08] disposition +[3203.08 --> 3204.04] of God +[3204.04 --> 3204.74] towards +[3204.74 --> 3205.28] you +[3205.28 --> 3206.44] and +[3206.44 --> 3206.74] the +[3206.74 --> 3207.48] unmerited +[3207.48 --> 3208.06] disposition +[3208.06 --> 3208.74] of God +[3208.74 --> 3210.06] for you +[3210.06 --> 3211.56] right +[3211.56 --> 3211.74] God +[3211.74 --> 3212.26] comes +[3212.26 --> 3212.86] to you +[3212.86 --> 3213.60] and he +[3213.60 --> 3213.86] is +[3213.86 --> 3214.50] for +[3214.50 --> 3215.24] you +[3215.24 --> 3216.90] and that's +[3216.90 --> 3217.36] all part +[3217.36 --> 3218.08] of who +[3218.08 --> 3218.76] he is +[3218.76 --> 3219.10] and his +[3219.10 --> 3219.72] relationship +[3219.72 --> 3220.58] to you +[3220.58 --> 3221.18] he comes +[3221.18 --> 3221.74] to you +[3221.74 --> 3222.16] before +[3222.16 --> 3222.96] you ever +[3222.96 --> 3223.38] thought +[3223.38 --> 3223.88] about +[3223.88 --> 3224.18] coming +[3224.18 --> 3224.58] to him +[3224.58 --> 3226.88] as Paul +[3226.88 --> 3227.34] says +[3227.34 --> 3228.10] elsewhere +[3228.10 --> 3228.56] he writes +[3228.56 --> 3229.06] in Romans +[3229.06 --> 3230.02] but God +[3230.02 --> 3230.62] demonstrates +[3230.62 --> 3231.46] his own +[3231.46 --> 3231.82] love +[3231.82 --> 3232.36] for us +[3232.36 --> 3233.04] in this +[3233.04 --> 3234.24] while +[3234.24 --> 3234.80] we were +[3234.80 --> 3235.20] still +[3235.20 --> 3235.82] sinners +[3235.82 --> 3237.10] Christ +[3237.10 --> 3238.04] died +[3238.04 --> 3238.80] for us +[3238.80 --> 3240.08] right +[3240.08 --> 3240.36] that's +[3240.36 --> 3240.80] grace +[3240.80 --> 3242.16] that's +[3242.16 --> 3242.52] grace +[3242.52 --> 3242.92] God +[3242.92 --> 3243.70] moves +[3243.70 --> 3244.46] towards +[3244.46 --> 3244.82] you +[3244.82 --> 3245.46] first +[3245.46 --> 3246.34] he +[3246.34 --> 3247.22] initiates +[3247.22 --> 3247.94] right +[3247.94 --> 3248.28] before +[3248.28 --> 3248.58] you +[3248.58 --> 3249.00] called +[3249.00 --> 3249.62] on him +[3249.62 --> 3249.90] he +[3249.90 --> 3250.46] calls +[3250.46 --> 3251.10] you +[3251.10 --> 3251.62] he +[3251.62 --> 3252.14] draws +[3252.14 --> 3252.48] you +[3252.48 --> 3252.74] to +[3252.74 --> 3253.26] himself +[3253.26 --> 3255.40] and +[3255.40 --> 3255.52] then +[3255.52 --> 3255.88] after +[3255.88 --> 3256.36] grace +[3256.36 --> 3257.16] after +[3257.16 --> 3257.64] grace +[3257.64 --> 3258.14] comes +[3258.14 --> 3259.06] peace +[3259.06 --> 3261.78] that +[3261.78 --> 3262.04] order +[3262.04 --> 3262.24] is +[3262.24 --> 3262.78] important +[3262.78 --> 3264.12] God +[3264.12 --> 3264.58] draws +[3264.58 --> 3264.74] you +[3264.74 --> 3264.90] to +[3264.90 --> 3265.34] himself +[3265.34 --> 3265.56] and +[3265.56 --> 3265.74] his +[3265.74 --> 3266.10] grace +[3266.10 --> 3266.40] and +[3266.40 --> 3266.54] the +[3266.54 --> 3266.98] result +[3266.98 --> 3267.24] of +[3267.24 --> 3267.62] being +[3267.62 --> 3268.16] in +[3268.16 --> 3268.74] relationship +[3268.74 --> 3269.04] with +[3269.04 --> 3269.36] God +[3269.36 --> 3269.94] is +[3269.94 --> 3270.70] peace +[3270.70 --> 3270.98] now +[3270.98 --> 3271.56] again +[3271.56 --> 3272.18] peace +[3272.18 --> 3272.62] here +[3272.62 --> 3272.92] is +[3272.92 --> 3273.30] more +[3273.30 --> 3273.60] than +[3273.60 --> 3274.04] just +[3274.04 --> 3274.48] the +[3274.48 --> 3274.98] absence +[3274.98 --> 3275.24] of +[3275.24 --> 3276.00] conflict +[3276.00 --> 3276.86] peace +[3276.86 --> 3277.14] is +[3277.14 --> 3277.48] more +[3277.48 --> 3277.70] than +[3277.70 --> 3278.06] just +[3278.06 --> 3278.38] inner +[3278.38 --> 3278.78] calm +[3278.78 --> 3279.06] although +[3279.06 --> 3279.26] I +[3279.26 --> 3279.40] know +[3279.40 --> 3279.72] a lot +[3279.72 --> 3279.84] of +[3279.84 --> 3279.98] us +[3279.98 --> 3280.14] could +[3280.14 --> 3280.38] use +[3280.38 --> 3280.52] a +[3280.52 --> 3280.62] little +[3280.62 --> 3280.76] bit +[3280.76 --> 3280.94] more +[3280.94 --> 3281.22] inner +[3281.22 --> 3281.58] calm +[3281.58 --> 3281.80] right +[3281.80 --> 3282.10] now +[3282.10 --> 3282.80] right +[3282.80 --> 3283.56] peace +[3283.56 --> 3284.08] is +[3284.08 --> 3284.66] in +[3284.66 --> 3284.80] the +[3284.80 --> 3285.38] biblical +[3285.38 --> 3285.86] sense +[3285.86 --> 3286.10] is +[3286.10 --> 3286.80] holistic +[3286.80 --> 3287.66] right +[3287.66 --> 3287.88] in +[3287.88 --> 3288.16] the +[3288.16 --> 3288.48] Hebrew +[3288.48 --> 3288.98] concept +[3288.98 --> 3289.40] it is +[3289.40 --> 3290.06] shalom +[3290.06 --> 3290.92] it means +[3290.92 --> 3291.92] wholeness +[3291.92 --> 3292.30] it is +[3292.30 --> 3293.26] all of +[3293.26 --> 3293.66] life +[3293.66 --> 3294.28] lived in +[3294.28 --> 3294.92] proper +[3294.92 --> 3295.80] orientation +[3295.80 --> 3296.58] to who +[3296.58 --> 3297.26] God +[3297.26 --> 3297.96] is +[3297.96 --> 3298.24] it's +[3298.24 --> 3298.82] fullness +[3298.82 --> 3299.74] it's +[3299.74 --> 3300.10] life +[3300.10 --> 3300.44] made +[3300.44 --> 3300.82] right +[3300.82 --> 3301.18] because +[3301.18 --> 3301.56] your +[3301.56 --> 3302.14] relationship +[3302.14 --> 3302.44] with +[3302.44 --> 3302.84] God +[3302.84 --> 3303.28] has +[3303.28 --> 3303.56] been +[3303.56 --> 3304.14] made +[3304.14 --> 3304.72] right +[3304.72 --> 3305.50] peace +[3305.50 --> 3306.26] is +[3306.26 --> 3306.54] the +[3306.54 --> 3307.06] fruit +[3307.06 --> 3307.48] of +[3307.48 --> 3307.94] grace +[3307.94 --> 3309.54] right +[3309.54 --> 3309.68] it +[3309.68 --> 3310.08] starts +[3310.08 --> 3310.30] with +[3310.30 --> 3310.42] a +[3310.42 --> 3310.86] restored +[3310.86 --> 3311.48] relationship +[3311.48 --> 3311.76] with +[3311.76 --> 3312.10] God +[3312.10 --> 3312.30] and +[3312.30 --> 3312.50] from +[3312.50 --> 3312.84] there +[3312.84 --> 3313.30] it +[3313.30 --> 3313.86] flows +[3313.86 --> 3314.54] into +[3314.54 --> 3314.76] the +[3314.76 --> 3315.10] rest +[3315.10 --> 3315.58] of +[3315.58 --> 3315.72] your +[3315.72 --> 3316.06] life +[3316.06 --> 3316.22] it +[3316.22 --> 3316.58] flows +[3316.58 --> 3317.10] into +[3317.10 --> 3317.34] your +[3317.34 --> 3317.66] heart +[3317.66 --> 3317.88] and +[3317.88 --> 3318.10] into +[3318.10 --> 3318.28] your +[3318.28 --> 3318.70] mind +[3318.70 --> 3318.86] and +[3318.86 --> 3319.46] into +[3319.46 --> 3319.72] your +[3319.72 --> 3320.36] relationships +[3320.36 --> 3320.92] and +[3320.92 --> 3321.06] it +[3321.06 --> 3321.44] flows +[3321.44 --> 3321.98] even +[3321.98 --> 3322.22] to +[3322.22 --> 3322.46] how +[3322.46 --> 3322.68] you +[3322.68 --> 3323.08] endure +[3323.08 --> 3323.96] suffering +[3323.96 --> 3326.26] God +[3326.26 --> 3326.46] is +[3326.46 --> 3326.66] not +[3326.66 --> 3327.10] against +[3327.10 --> 3327.40] you +[3327.40 --> 3327.58] he +[3327.58 --> 3327.82] is +[3327.82 --> 3328.46] for +[3328.46 --> 3328.68] you +[3328.68 --> 3328.86] you +[3328.86 --> 3329.00] are +[3329.00 --> 3329.20] no +[3329.20 --> 3329.58] longer +[3329.58 --> 3329.80] an +[3329.80 --> 3330.16] enemy +[3330.16 --> 3330.50] of +[3330.50 --> 3330.96] God +[3330.96 --> 3331.18] you +[3331.18 --> 3331.36] are +[3331.36 --> 3331.60] a +[3331.60 --> 3332.26] lavishly +[3332.26 --> 3332.98] loved +[3332.98 --> 3333.86] child +[3333.86 --> 3334.60] of +[3334.60 --> 3335.06] our +[3335.06 --> 3335.96] father +[3335.96 --> 3336.98] that +[3336.98 --> 3337.92] is +[3337.92 --> 3338.88] peace +[3338.88 --> 3340.60] and +[3340.60 --> 3340.84] these +[3340.84 --> 3341.18] two +[3341.18 --> 3341.96] things +[3341.96 --> 3342.54] come +[3342.54 --> 3343.14] together +[3343.14 --> 3343.96] to +[3343.96 --> 3344.54] form +[3344.54 --> 3344.84] the +[3344.84 --> 3345.50] fundamental +[3345.50 --> 3346.12] shape +[3346.12 --> 3346.72] of +[3346.72 --> 3346.94] what +[3346.94 --> 3347.20] in +[3347.20 --> 3347.40] the +[3347.40 --> 3347.74] church +[3347.74 --> 3347.98] we +[3347.98 --> 3348.18] call +[3348.18 --> 3348.32] the +[3348.32 --> 3348.72] gospel +[3348.72 --> 3350.10] right +[3350.10 --> 3350.26] the +[3350.26 --> 3350.58] good +[3350.58 --> 3351.02] news +[3351.02 --> 3351.26] that +[3351.26 --> 3351.62] Jesus +[3351.62 --> 3352.08] lived +[3352.08 --> 3352.26] the +[3352.26 --> 3352.54] life +[3352.54 --> 3352.76] I +[3352.76 --> 3353.02] should +[3353.02 --> 3353.16] have +[3353.16 --> 3353.48] lived +[3353.48 --> 3353.66] and +[3353.66 --> 3354.02] died +[3354.02 --> 3354.20] the +[3354.20 --> 3354.46] death +[3354.46 --> 3354.86] that +[3354.86 --> 3355.00] I +[3355.00 --> 3355.50] deserved +[3355.50 --> 3355.82] because +[3355.82 --> 3356.04] of +[3356.04 --> 3356.30] sin +[3356.30 --> 3358.16] grace +[3358.16 --> 3358.46] is +[3358.46 --> 3358.82] God +[3358.82 --> 3359.32] coming +[3359.32 --> 3359.58] to +[3359.58 --> 3360.00] you +[3360.00 --> 3360.38] in +[3360.38 --> 3360.76] Jesus +[3360.76 --> 3361.08] to +[3361.08 --> 3361.34] make +[3361.34 --> 3361.66] things +[3361.66 --> 3362.08] right +[3362.08 --> 3363.04] peace +[3363.04 --> 3363.40] is +[3363.40 --> 3363.72] God +[3363.72 --> 3364.26] changing +[3364.26 --> 3364.64] you +[3364.64 --> 3364.88] so +[3364.88 --> 3365.10] that +[3365.10 --> 3365.26] you +[3365.26 --> 3365.46] can +[3365.46 --> 3365.92] live +[3365.92 --> 3366.44] right +[3366.44 --> 3368.16] the +[3368.16 --> 3368.64] gospel +[3368.64 --> 3369.00] is +[3369.00 --> 3369.30] good +[3369.30 --> 3369.70] news +[3369.70 --> 3369.98] because +[3369.98 --> 3370.20] it +[3370.20 --> 3370.50] doesn't +[3370.50 --> 3370.74] just +[3370.74 --> 3371.20] tell +[3371.20 --> 3371.60] you +[3371.60 --> 3372.12] what +[3372.12 --> 3372.50] Jesus +[3372.50 --> 3373.10] did +[3373.10 --> 3373.54] it +[3373.54 --> 3374.22] transforms +[3374.22 --> 3375.12] who +[3375.12 --> 3375.38] you +[3375.38 --> 3375.86] are +[3375.86 --> 3376.50] because +[3376.50 --> 3376.86] of +[3376.86 --> 3377.06] what +[3377.06 --> 3377.34] Jesus +[3377.34 --> 3377.76] did +[3377.76 --> 3379.28] and +[3379.28 --> 3379.44] that +[3379.44 --> 3380.00] transformation +[3380.00 --> 3380.74] makes +[3380.74 --> 3381.24] your life +[3381.24 --> 3381.52] look +[3381.52 --> 3382.10] differently +[3382.10 --> 3383.16] in +[3383.16 --> 3383.34] verse +[3383.34 --> 3383.62] 3 +[3383.62 --> 3384.20] Paul +[3384.20 --> 3384.52] writes +[3384.52 --> 3384.98] we +[3384.98 --> 3385.30] ought +[3385.30 --> 3385.88] always +[3385.88 --> 3386.12] to +[3386.12 --> 3386.46] thank +[3386.46 --> 3386.90] God +[3386.90 --> 3387.12] for +[3387.12 --> 3387.44] you +[3387.44 --> 3387.86] brothers +[3387.86 --> 3388.24] and +[3388.24 --> 3388.66] sisters +[3388.66 --> 3389.42] and +[3389.42 --> 3389.94] rightly +[3389.94 --> 3390.66] so +[3390.66 --> 3391.28] because +[3391.28 --> 3391.64] your +[3391.64 --> 3392.14] faith +[3392.14 --> 3392.40] is +[3392.40 --> 3392.80] growing +[3392.80 --> 3393.20] more +[3393.20 --> 3393.42] and +[3393.42 --> 3393.72] more +[3393.72 --> 3393.92] and +[3393.92 --> 3394.08] the +[3394.08 --> 3394.38] love +[3394.38 --> 3394.72] all +[3394.72 --> 3394.86] of +[3394.86 --> 3394.98] you +[3394.98 --> 3395.30] have +[3395.30 --> 3395.48] for +[3395.48 --> 3395.68] one +[3395.68 --> 3396.00] another +[3396.00 --> 3396.58] is +[3396.58 --> 3397.12] increasing +[3397.12 --> 3399.04] at +[3399.04 --> 3399.20] the +[3399.20 --> 3399.74] church +[3399.74 --> 3400.24] that's +[3400.24 --> 3400.36] the +[3400.36 --> 3400.66] word +[3400.66 --> 3400.88] we +[3400.88 --> 3401.24] use +[3401.24 --> 3401.40] for +[3401.40 --> 3401.56] the +[3401.56 --> 3401.98] collective +[3401.98 --> 3402.30] of +[3402.30 --> 3402.42] the +[3402.42 --> 3402.68] people +[3402.68 --> 3402.88] who +[3402.88 --> 3403.50] believe +[3403.50 --> 3403.74] in +[3403.74 --> 3404.00] Jesus +[3404.00 --> 3404.20] who +[3404.20 --> 3404.78] believe +[3404.78 --> 3404.94] in +[3404.94 --> 3405.06] their +[3405.06 --> 3405.36] hearts +[3405.36 --> 3405.46] and +[3405.46 --> 3405.80] profess +[3405.80 --> 3406.10] with +[3406.10 --> 3406.22] their +[3406.22 --> 3406.46] lips +[3406.46 --> 3406.62] that +[3406.62 --> 3406.86] Jesus +[3406.86 --> 3407.08] is +[3407.08 --> 3407.34] Lord +[3407.34 --> 3407.50] and +[3407.50 --> 3407.72] God +[3407.72 --> 3408.00] raised +[3408.00 --> 3408.10] him +[3408.10 --> 3408.22] from +[3408.22 --> 3408.36] the +[3408.36 --> 3408.56] dead +[3408.56 --> 3408.94] the +[3408.94 --> 3409.54] church +[3409.54 --> 3409.98] the +[3409.98 --> 3410.34] body +[3410.34 --> 3410.54] of +[3410.54 --> 3410.82] Jesus +[3410.82 --> 3411.28] is +[3411.28 --> 3412.20] transformed +[3412.20 --> 3412.90] by +[3412.90 --> 3413.10] that +[3413.10 --> 3413.66] profession +[3413.66 --> 3414.20] by +[3414.20 --> 3414.38] that +[3414.38 --> 3414.80] belief +[3414.80 --> 3415.98] and +[3415.98 --> 3416.18] that +[3416.18 --> 3416.70] looks +[3416.70 --> 3417.34] like +[3417.34 --> 3417.64] that +[3417.64 --> 3418.34] transformation +[3418.34 --> 3419.08] takes +[3419.08 --> 3419.30] a +[3419.30 --> 3419.66] shape +[3419.66 --> 3420.12] it +[3420.12 --> 3420.50] looks +[3420.50 --> 3421.02] like +[3421.02 --> 3421.58] growing +[3421.58 --> 3422.12] in +[3422.12 --> 3422.86] faith +[3422.86 --> 3423.08] it +[3423.08 --> 3423.40] looks +[3423.40 --> 3423.78] like +[3423.78 --> 3424.24] growing +[3424.24 --> 3424.70] in +[3424.70 --> 3425.08] love +[3425.08 --> 3425.58] for +[3425.58 --> 3425.76] one +[3425.76 --> 3426.12] another +[3426.12 --> 3426.62] and +[3426.62 --> 3426.86] so +[3426.86 --> 3427.40] Paul +[3427.40 --> 3427.88] here +[3427.88 --> 3428.24] gives +[3428.24 --> 3428.66] thanks +[3428.66 --> 3428.92] to +[3428.92 --> 3429.40] God +[3429.40 --> 3429.76] because +[3429.76 --> 3430.40] God +[3430.40 --> 3430.78] is +[3430.78 --> 3431.24] real +[3431.24 --> 3431.64] and +[3431.64 --> 3431.88] he's +[3431.88 --> 3432.06] still +[3432.06 --> 3432.20] at +[3432.20 --> 3432.36] work +[3432.36 --> 3432.48] in +[3432.48 --> 3432.58] the +[3432.58 --> 3432.88] world +[3432.88 --> 3433.48] God +[3433.48 --> 3433.68] is +[3433.68 --> 3433.86] the +[3433.86 --> 3434.12] one +[3434.12 --> 3434.32] who +[3434.32 --> 3434.62] gives +[3434.62 --> 3434.80] the +[3434.80 --> 3435.22] growth +[3435.22 --> 3436.62] and +[3436.62 --> 3437.06] the +[3437.06 --> 3437.46] first +[3437.46 --> 3437.88] part +[3437.88 --> 3438.06] of +[3438.06 --> 3438.22] our +[3438.22 --> 3438.98] transformation +[3438.98 --> 3439.78] which +[3439.78 --> 3440.06] is +[3440.06 --> 3440.24] now +[3440.24 --> 3440.42] the +[3440.42 --> 3440.68] second +[3440.68 --> 3441.00] part +[3441.00 --> 3441.16] of +[3441.16 --> 3441.30] your +[3441.30 --> 3441.64] prayer +[3441.64 --> 3442.26] right +[3442.26 --> 3442.44] if +[3442.44 --> 3442.56] the +[3442.56 --> 3442.74] first +[3442.74 --> 3442.96] part +[3442.96 --> 3443.08] is +[3443.08 --> 3443.32] our +[3443.32 --> 3443.68] father +[3443.68 --> 3443.90] the +[3443.90 --> 3444.68] second +[3444.68 --> 3444.94] part +[3444.94 --> 3445.08] of +[3445.08 --> 3445.36] prayer +[3445.36 --> 3445.92] is +[3445.92 --> 3446.96] gratitude +[3446.96 --> 3448.32] the +[3448.32 --> 3448.62] first +[3448.62 --> 3448.86] part +[3448.86 --> 3448.96] of +[3448.96 --> 3449.10] our +[3449.10 --> 3449.56] transformation +[3449.56 --> 3450.16] is +[3450.16 --> 3450.92] gratitude +[3450.92 --> 3451.92] Christian +[3451.92 --> 3452.40] life +[3452.40 --> 3452.84] Christian +[3452.84 --> 3453.16] living +[3453.16 --> 3453.48] is +[3453.48 --> 3454.06] defined +[3454.06 --> 3454.72] by +[3454.72 --> 3455.62] gratitude +[3455.62 --> 3458.42] some +[3458.42 --> 3458.58] of +[3458.58 --> 3458.68] you +[3458.68 --> 3458.88] know +[3458.88 --> 3459.24] this +[3459.24 --> 3460.40] some +[3460.40 --> 3460.52] of +[3460.52 --> 3460.62] you +[3460.62 --> 3460.84] need +[3460.84 --> 3460.98] to +[3460.98 --> 3461.16] know +[3461.16 --> 3461.52] this +[3461.52 --> 3462.90] it's +[3462.90 --> 3463.20] really +[3463.20 --> 3463.44] hard +[3463.44 --> 3463.70] to be +[3463.70 --> 3464.16] thankful +[3464.16 --> 3465.94] or +[3465.94 --> 3466.08] it's +[3466.08 --> 3466.24] really +[3466.24 --> 3466.38] hard +[3466.38 --> 3466.60] to be +[3466.60 --> 3466.98] angry +[3466.98 --> 3467.46] when +[3467.46 --> 3467.64] you're +[3467.64 --> 3468.00] thankful +[3468.00 --> 3470.74] right +[3470.74 --> 3470.94] one +[3470.94 --> 3471.20] of the +[3471.20 --> 3471.66] surest +[3471.66 --> 3471.98] ways +[3471.98 --> 3472.22] to +[3472.22 --> 3472.98] combat +[3472.98 --> 3473.40] the +[3473.40 --> 3473.76] voice +[3473.76 --> 3474.02] in +[3474.02 --> 3474.16] your +[3474.16 --> 3474.46] head +[3474.46 --> 3474.64] that +[3474.64 --> 3474.92] tries +[3474.92 --> 3475.10] to +[3475.10 --> 3475.38] pull +[3475.38 --> 3475.58] you +[3475.58 --> 3476.00] down +[3476.00 --> 3476.42] that +[3476.42 --> 3476.68] tries +[3476.68 --> 3476.90] to +[3476.90 --> 3477.28] flood +[3477.28 --> 3477.46] you +[3477.46 --> 3477.68] with +[3477.68 --> 3478.12] darkness +[3478.12 --> 3478.92] right +[3478.92 --> 3479.14] is +[3479.14 --> 3479.36] to +[3479.36 --> 3479.96] actively +[3479.96 --> 3480.58] list +[3480.58 --> 3481.20] and +[3481.20 --> 3481.70] reflect +[3481.70 --> 3482.20] upon +[3482.20 --> 3482.74] all +[3482.74 --> 3482.94] the +[3482.94 --> 3483.30] reasons +[3483.30 --> 3483.52] that +[3483.52 --> 3483.70] God +[3483.70 --> 3483.88] has +[3483.88 --> 3484.18] given +[3484.18 --> 3484.56] you +[3484.56 --> 3484.92] to +[3484.92 --> 3485.10] be +[3485.10 --> 3485.48] grateful +[3485.48 --> 3487.98] yes +[3487.98 --> 3488.30] this +[3488.30 --> 3488.60] may +[3488.60 --> 3488.84] be +[3488.84 --> 3489.26] hard +[3489.26 --> 3489.66] but +[3489.66 --> 3489.90] God +[3489.90 --> 3490.08] is +[3490.08 --> 3490.56] good +[3490.56 --> 3490.76] and +[3490.76 --> 3490.92] he +[3490.92 --> 3491.08] is +[3491.08 --> 3491.26] on +[3491.26 --> 3491.44] your +[3491.44 --> 3491.84] side +[3491.84 --> 3493.00] yeah +[3493.00 --> 3493.22] the +[3493.22 --> 3493.60] valley +[3493.60 --> 3493.76] of +[3493.76 --> 3493.90] the +[3493.90 --> 3494.22] shadow +[3494.22 --> 3494.48] of +[3494.48 --> 3494.84] death +[3494.84 --> 3495.28] can +[3495.28 --> 3495.42] be +[3495.42 --> 3495.84] dark +[3495.84 --> 3496.20] and +[3496.20 --> 3496.30] it +[3496.30 --> 3496.44] can +[3496.44 --> 3496.62] be +[3496.62 --> 3497.02] lonely +[3497.02 --> 3497.48] but +[3497.48 --> 3497.76] you +[3497.76 --> 3498.06] are +[3498.06 --> 3498.44] never +[3498.44 --> 3499.02] alone +[3499.02 --> 3499.50] the +[3499.50 --> 3499.74] light +[3499.74 --> 3499.88] of +[3499.88 --> 3500.04] the +[3500.04 --> 3500.42] world +[3500.42 --> 3500.80] walks +[3500.80 --> 3501.06] with +[3501.06 --> 3501.34] you +[3501.34 --> 3502.56] yeah +[3502.56 --> 3502.92] I +[3502.92 --> 3503.28] know +[3503.28 --> 3503.48] that +[3503.48 --> 3503.62] the +[3503.62 --> 3503.90] dark +[3503.90 --> 3504.12] night +[3504.12 --> 3504.22] of +[3504.22 --> 3504.38] the +[3504.38 --> 3504.66] soul +[3504.66 --> 3504.90] can +[3504.90 --> 3505.26] feel +[3505.26 --> 3505.78] oppressive +[3505.78 --> 3506.12] and +[3506.12 --> 3506.38] all +[3506.38 --> 3506.86] consuming +[3506.86 --> 3507.70] but +[3507.70 --> 3508.86] these +[3508.86 --> 3509.24] dry +[3509.24 --> 3509.62] bones +[3509.62 --> 3509.90] can +[3509.90 --> 3510.28] live +[3510.28 --> 3511.38] the +[3511.38 --> 3511.80] spirit +[3511.80 --> 3512.40] breathes +[3512.40 --> 3512.64] new +[3512.64 --> 3513.06] life +[3513.06 --> 3513.66] sin +[3513.66 --> 3513.96] and +[3513.96 --> 3514.24] death +[3514.24 --> 3514.44] and +[3514.44 --> 3514.60] the +[3514.60 --> 3514.88] devil +[3514.88 --> 3515.34] are +[3515.34 --> 3515.84] defeated +[3515.84 --> 3518.18] praise +[3518.18 --> 3518.40] the +[3518.40 --> 3518.74] Lord +[3518.74 --> 3520.78] and +[3520.78 --> 3521.02] here's +[3521.02 --> 3521.16] the +[3521.16 --> 3521.42] thing +[3521.42 --> 3521.66] right +[3521.66 --> 3521.88] about +[3521.88 --> 3522.40] gratitude +[3522.40 --> 3523.60] it +[3523.60 --> 3523.96] isn't +[3523.96 --> 3524.54] enough +[3524.54 --> 3525.12] to +[3525.12 --> 3525.38] be +[3525.38 --> 3526.42] generally +[3526.42 --> 3527.58] thankful +[3527.58 --> 3529.24] right +[3529.24 --> 3529.44] it's +[3529.44 --> 3529.64] not +[3529.64 --> 3529.96] enough +[3529.96 --> 3530.30] to +[3530.30 --> 3531.92] ambiguously +[3531.92 --> 3532.44] say +[3532.44 --> 3532.78] I'm +[3532.78 --> 3533.04] thankful +[3533.04 --> 3533.28] for +[3533.28 --> 3533.64] this +[3533.64 --> 3533.94] or +[3533.94 --> 3534.14] for +[3534.14 --> 3534.46] that +[3534.46 --> 3535.96] you +[3535.96 --> 3536.16] are +[3536.16 --> 3536.78] thankful +[3536.78 --> 3537.56] to +[3537.56 --> 3537.76] the +[3537.76 --> 3538.22] one +[3538.22 --> 3538.58] who +[3538.58 --> 3538.98] gives +[3538.98 --> 3539.30] it +[3539.30 --> 3540.58] right +[3540.58 --> 3540.74] we +[3540.74 --> 3540.94] give +[3540.94 --> 3541.28] thanks +[3541.28 --> 3541.50] to +[3541.50 --> 3541.90] God +[3541.90 --> 3542.16] Paul +[3542.16 --> 3542.42] says +[3542.42 --> 3542.72] and +[3542.72 --> 3543.20] rightly +[3543.20 --> 3544.06] so +[3544.06 --> 3544.66] it +[3544.66 --> 3544.80] is +[3544.80 --> 3545.16] right +[3545.16 --> 3545.40] for +[3545.40 --> 3545.62] us +[3545.62 --> 3545.82] to +[3545.82 --> 3546.02] give +[3546.02 --> 3546.38] thanks +[3546.38 --> 3546.72] because +[3546.72 --> 3547.14] God +[3547.14 --> 3547.50] is +[3547.50 --> 3547.98] real +[3547.98 --> 3548.32] and +[3548.32 --> 3548.48] he's +[3548.48 --> 3548.58] at +[3548.58 --> 3548.82] work +[3548.82 --> 3549.10] among +[3549.10 --> 3549.38] you +[3549.38 --> 3550.10] it's +[3550.10 --> 3550.36] right +[3550.36 --> 3550.56] for +[3550.56 --> 3550.72] us +[3550.72 --> 3550.88] to +[3550.88 --> 3551.02] give +[3551.02 --> 3551.28] thanks +[3551.28 --> 3551.54] because +[3551.54 --> 3551.84] God +[3551.84 --> 3552.00] is +[3552.00 --> 3552.52] here +[3552.52 --> 3553.10] it +[3553.10 --> 3553.26] is +[3553.26 --> 3553.50] right +[3553.50 --> 3553.68] for +[3553.68 --> 3553.84] us +[3553.84 --> 3553.96] to +[3553.96 --> 3554.10] give +[3554.10 --> 3554.32] thanks +[3554.32 --> 3554.56] because +[3554.56 --> 3555.02] God +[3555.02 --> 3555.52] is +[3555.52 --> 3556.04] doing +[3556.04 --> 3556.60] something +[3556.60 --> 3557.30] in +[3557.30 --> 3557.46] our +[3557.46 --> 3557.80] midst +[3557.80 --> 3558.16] and +[3558.16 --> 3558.32] in +[3558.32 --> 3558.46] our +[3558.46 --> 3558.74] day +[3558.74 --> 3560.54] how +[3560.54 --> 3560.66] do +[3560.66 --> 3560.76] we +[3560.76 --> 3560.90] know +[3560.90 --> 3561.14] God +[3561.14 --> 3561.26] is +[3561.26 --> 3561.50] doing +[3561.50 --> 3561.94] something +[3561.94 --> 3563.44] because +[3563.44 --> 3563.86] faith +[3563.86 --> 3564.12] is +[3564.12 --> 3564.44] growing +[3564.44 --> 3564.88] more +[3564.88 --> 3565.68] and +[3565.68 --> 3565.96] more +[3565.96 --> 3566.84] because +[3566.84 --> 3567.24] love +[3567.24 --> 3567.50] is +[3567.50 --> 3567.88] growing +[3567.88 --> 3568.58] more +[3568.58 --> 3569.02] and +[3569.02 --> 3569.32] more +[3569.32 --> 3569.92] faith +[3569.92 --> 3570.16] and +[3570.16 --> 3570.44] love +[3570.44 --> 3570.82] both +[3570.82 --> 3571.18] come +[3571.18 --> 3571.46] from +[3571.46 --> 3571.82] God +[3571.82 --> 3572.18] and +[3572.18 --> 3572.30] so +[3572.30 --> 3572.46] you +[3572.46 --> 3572.78] know +[3572.78 --> 3573.04] he +[3573.04 --> 3573.26] is +[3573.26 --> 3573.48] at +[3573.48 --> 3573.92] work +[3573.92 --> 3574.62] because +[3574.62 --> 3575.06] faith +[3575.06 --> 3575.34] and +[3575.34 --> 3575.68] love +[3575.68 --> 3575.90] are +[3575.90 --> 3576.40] working +[3576.40 --> 3577.76] faith +[3577.76 --> 3578.04] is +[3578.04 --> 3578.44] growing +[3578.44 --> 3578.80] and +[3578.80 --> 3579.20] love +[3579.20 --> 3579.88] is +[3579.88 --> 3580.68] living +[3580.68 --> 3582.14] I +[3582.14 --> 3582.46] love +[3582.46 --> 3582.96] to +[3582.96 --> 3583.32] hear +[3583.32 --> 3583.56] and +[3583.56 --> 3583.72] to +[3583.72 --> 3584.00] share +[3584.00 --> 3584.66] stories +[3584.66 --> 3585.16] about +[3585.16 --> 3585.44] God +[3585.44 --> 3585.74] doing +[3585.74 --> 3586.18] this +[3586.18 --> 3586.64] among +[3586.64 --> 3586.94] us +[3586.94 --> 3587.12] and +[3587.12 --> 3587.22] in +[3587.22 --> 3587.32] the +[3587.32 --> 3587.50] world +[3587.50 --> 3587.84] today +[3587.84 --> 3589.40] this +[3589.40 --> 3589.70] week +[3589.70 --> 3590.74] this +[3590.74 --> 3591.02] past +[3591.02 --> 3591.22] week +[3591.22 --> 3591.38] it +[3591.38 --> 3591.52] was +[3591.52 --> 3591.80] so +[3591.80 --> 3592.76] cool +[3592.76 --> 3593.32] and +[3593.32 --> 3593.44] a +[3593.44 --> 3593.58] neat +[3593.58 --> 3594.10] opportunity +[3594.10 --> 3594.48] I +[3594.48 --> 3594.62] had +[3594.62 --> 3594.76] the +[3594.76 --> 3595.12] chance +[3595.12 --> 3595.44] to +[3595.44 --> 3596.30] visit +[3596.30 --> 3596.82] with +[3596.82 --> 3597.10] a +[3597.10 --> 3597.60] pastor +[3597.60 --> 3598.44] from +[3598.44 --> 3599.02] Sierra +[3599.02 --> 3599.56] Leone +[3599.56 --> 3600.38] his +[3600.38 --> 3600.54] name +[3600.54 --> 3600.68] is +[3600.68 --> 3601.04] Reverend +[3601.04 --> 3601.70] Moses +[3601.70 --> 3602.26] Jawara +[3602.26 --> 3603.44] he +[3603.44 --> 3603.68] is +[3603.68 --> 3603.88] the +[3603.88 --> 3604.32] president +[3604.32 --> 3604.78] of +[3604.78 --> 3604.94] the +[3604.94 --> 3605.28] Christian +[3605.28 --> 3605.74] Reformed +[3605.74 --> 3606.22] Church +[3606.22 --> 3606.52] in +[3606.52 --> 3606.92] Sierra +[3606.92 --> 3607.36] Leone +[3607.36 --> 3609.12] before +[3609.12 --> 3609.42] he +[3609.42 --> 3609.74] became +[3609.74 --> 3609.90] a +[3609.90 --> 3610.20] Christian +[3610.20 --> 3610.48] he +[3610.48 --> 3610.68] was +[3610.68 --> 3610.84] a +[3610.84 --> 3611.28] devoted +[3611.28 --> 3612.48] Muslim +[3612.48 --> 3612.86] and +[3612.86 --> 3613.36] anti +[3613.36 --> 3613.90] Christian +[3613.90 --> 3615.86] in +[3615.86 --> 3616.10] the +[3616.10 --> 3616.34] way +[3616.34 --> 3616.60] he +[3616.60 --> 3617.16] lived +[3617.16 --> 3617.58] and +[3617.58 --> 3618.20] worked +[3618.20 --> 3619.92] and +[3619.92 --> 3620.34] then +[3620.34 --> 3621.36] at +[3621.36 --> 3621.76] a +[3621.76 --> 3622.16] rally +[3622.16 --> 3623.14] he +[3623.14 --> 3623.54] came +[3623.54 --> 3623.76] to +[3623.76 --> 3624.20] hear +[3624.20 --> 3624.66] and +[3624.66 --> 3625.18] believe +[3625.18 --> 3625.76] Jesus +[3625.76 --> 3626.12] and +[3626.12 --> 3626.26] he +[3626.26 --> 3626.64] left +[3626.64 --> 3626.92] his +[3626.92 --> 3627.20] group +[3627.20 --> 3627.46] of +[3627.46 --> 3627.86] friends +[3627.86 --> 3628.52] and +[3628.52 --> 3628.82] walked +[3628.82 --> 3629.00] up +[3629.00 --> 3629.12] to +[3629.12 --> 3629.28] the +[3629.28 --> 3629.64] front +[3629.64 --> 3630.04] and +[3630.04 --> 3630.46] accepted +[3630.46 --> 3630.72] him +[3630.72 --> 3630.86] as +[3630.86 --> 3631.00] his +[3631.00 --> 3631.18] Lord +[3631.18 --> 3631.36] and +[3631.36 --> 3631.60] Savior +[3631.60 --> 3634.48] and +[3634.48 --> 3634.60] what +[3634.60 --> 3634.72] he +[3634.72 --> 3635.00] told +[3635.00 --> 3635.30] me +[3635.30 --> 3636.52] is +[3636.52 --> 3636.86] that +[3636.86 --> 3637.54] the +[3637.54 --> 3637.90] Christian +[3637.90 --> 3638.38] Reformed +[3638.38 --> 3638.94] Church +[3638.94 --> 3639.28] in +[3639.28 --> 3639.64] Sierra +[3639.64 --> 3640.12] Leone +[3640.12 --> 3640.54] is +[3640.54 --> 3640.80] now +[3640.80 --> 3641.32] growing +[3641.32 --> 3642.12] in +[3642.12 --> 3642.42] leaps +[3642.42 --> 3642.62] and +[3642.62 --> 3643.80] bounds +[3643.80 --> 3644.38] because +[3644.38 --> 3644.60] it +[3644.60 --> 3644.80] is +[3644.80 --> 3645.54] starting +[3645.54 --> 3646.24] schools +[3646.24 --> 3646.66] in +[3646.66 --> 3647.24] communities +[3647.24 --> 3648.18] and +[3648.18 --> 3648.30] it +[3648.30 --> 3648.48] is +[3648.48 --> 3648.86] training +[3648.86 --> 3649.26] women +[3649.26 --> 3649.56] for +[3649.56 --> 3649.94] small +[3649.94 --> 3650.38] business +[3650.38 --> 3651.08] opportunities +[3651.08 --> 3653.04] and +[3653.04 --> 3653.16] then +[3653.16 --> 3653.36] it's +[3653.36 --> 3653.76] gathering +[3653.76 --> 3654.18] those +[3654.18 --> 3654.46] two +[3654.46 --> 3654.94] groups +[3654.94 --> 3655.22] and +[3655.22 --> 3655.58] saying +[3655.58 --> 3655.98] now +[3655.98 --> 3656.18] let's +[3656.18 --> 3656.30] get +[3656.30 --> 3656.56] together +[3656.56 --> 3656.76] on +[3656.76 --> 3657.06] Sunday +[3657.06 --> 3658.40] and +[3658.40 --> 3658.50] then +[3658.50 --> 3658.64] they +[3658.64 --> 3658.78] do +[3658.78 --> 3658.96] so +[3658.96 --> 3659.10] for +[3659.10 --> 3659.28] about +[3659.28 --> 3659.58] six +[3659.58 --> 3660.00] hours +[3660.00 --> 3661.28] so +[3661.28 --> 3661.42] when +[3661.42 --> 3661.58] we +[3661.58 --> 3661.70] hit +[3661.70 --> 3661.82] the +[3661.82 --> 3662.00] two +[3662.00 --> 3662.22] hour +[3662.22 --> 3662.44] mark +[3662.44 --> 3662.76] today +[3662.76 --> 3663.86] no +[3663.86 --> 3664.30] complaining +[3664.30 --> 3666.88] in +[3666.88 --> 3667.10] fact +[3667.10 --> 3667.54] Reverend +[3667.54 --> 3668.10] Moses +[3668.10 --> 3668.82] said +[3668.82 --> 3669.08] that +[3669.08 --> 3669.26] the +[3669.26 --> 3669.92] CRC +[3669.92 --> 3670.22] in +[3670.22 --> 3670.64] Sierra +[3670.64 --> 3671.10] Leone +[3671.10 --> 3671.40] is +[3671.40 --> 3671.60] the +[3671.60 --> 3672.06] fastest +[3672.06 --> 3672.52] growing +[3672.52 --> 3672.90] church +[3672.90 --> 3673.06] in +[3673.06 --> 3673.20] that +[3673.20 --> 3673.56] country +[3673.56 --> 3675.80] God +[3675.80 --> 3675.98] is +[3675.98 --> 3676.24] doing +[3676.24 --> 3676.72] something +[3676.72 --> 3677.12] there +[3677.12 --> 3678.52] and +[3678.52 --> 3678.68] so +[3678.68 --> 3678.86] we +[3678.86 --> 3679.10] see +[3679.10 --> 3679.52] faith +[3679.52 --> 3679.88] being +[3679.88 --> 3680.30] grown +[3680.30 --> 3680.52] and +[3680.52 --> 3680.84] people +[3680.84 --> 3681.16] loving +[3681.16 --> 3681.38] each +[3681.38 --> 3681.58] other +[3681.58 --> 3681.86] more +[3681.86 --> 3682.04] and +[3682.04 --> 3682.34] more +[3682.34 --> 3684.34] and +[3684.34 --> 3684.52] here +[3684.52 --> 3684.82] too +[3684.82 --> 3686.50] every +[3686.50 --> 3687.02] week +[3687.02 --> 3687.50] every +[3687.50 --> 3687.84] week +[3687.84 --> 3688.02] I +[3688.02 --> 3688.32] talk +[3688.32 --> 3688.48] to +[3688.48 --> 3688.76] people +[3688.76 --> 3689.04] in +[3689.04 --> 3689.26] this +[3689.26 --> 3689.56] church +[3689.56 --> 3689.70] and +[3689.70 --> 3689.86] it's +[3689.86 --> 3690.04] the +[3690.04 --> 3690.44] same +[3690.44 --> 3691.32] story +[3691.32 --> 3692.36] God +[3692.36 --> 3692.52] is +[3692.52 --> 3692.84] doing +[3692.84 --> 3693.30] something +[3693.30 --> 3694.06] here +[3694.06 --> 3694.44] people +[3694.44 --> 3694.68] are +[3694.68 --> 3695.30] experiencing +[3695.30 --> 3695.54] what +[3695.54 --> 3695.66] it +[3695.66 --> 3695.96] means +[3695.96 --> 3696.30] to be +[3696.30 --> 3696.46] a +[3696.46 --> 3696.94] lavishly +[3696.94 --> 3697.26] loved +[3697.26 --> 3697.86] child +[3697.86 --> 3698.16] of the +[3698.16 --> 3698.48] father +[3698.48 --> 3699.52] right +[3699.52 --> 3699.62] I +[3699.62 --> 3699.78] hear +[3699.78 --> 3700.24] stories +[3700.24 --> 3700.46] from +[3700.46 --> 3700.74] people +[3700.74 --> 3700.96] who +[3700.96 --> 3701.12] are +[3701.12 --> 3701.34] in +[3701.34 --> 3701.94] a +[3701.94 --> 3702.28] self +[3702.28 --> 3702.90] described +[3702.90 --> 3703.46] learning +[3703.46 --> 3704.02] period +[3704.02 --> 3704.46] of their +[3704.46 --> 3704.74] life +[3704.74 --> 3704.88] and +[3704.88 --> 3704.98] they're +[3704.98 --> 3705.14] just +[3705.14 --> 3705.42] taking +[3705.42 --> 3705.74] all +[3705.74 --> 3705.90] the +[3705.90 --> 3706.38] opportunities +[3706.38 --> 3706.76] that +[3706.76 --> 3706.92] they +[3706.92 --> 3707.22] have +[3707.22 --> 3707.60] to +[3707.60 --> 3707.92] grow +[3707.92 --> 3708.16] in +[3708.16 --> 3708.30] their +[3708.30 --> 3708.62] faith +[3708.62 --> 3708.80] and +[3708.80 --> 3708.90] in +[3708.90 --> 3709.02] their +[3709.02 --> 3709.28] life +[3709.28 --> 3709.44] with +[3709.44 --> 3709.82] Christ +[3709.82 --> 3710.86] right +[3710.86 --> 3711.06] from +[3711.06 --> 3711.38] people +[3711.38 --> 3711.56] who +[3711.56 --> 3711.74] in +[3711.74 --> 3711.86] the +[3711.86 --> 3712.10] last +[3712.10 --> 3712.44] six +[3712.44 --> 3712.70] months +[3712.70 --> 3712.90] have +[3712.90 --> 3713.58] seen +[3713.58 --> 3713.80] their +[3713.80 --> 3714.08] life +[3714.08 --> 3714.68] completely +[3714.68 --> 3715.46] transformed +[3715.46 --> 3715.92] their +[3715.92 --> 3716.50] desires +[3716.50 --> 3717.24] changed +[3717.24 --> 3717.62] for the +[3717.62 --> 3717.86] heart +[3717.86 --> 3718.00] of +[3718.00 --> 3718.44] Christ +[3718.44 --> 3720.00] people +[3720.00 --> 3720.20] who +[3720.20 --> 3720.36] have +[3720.36 --> 3720.72] seen +[3720.72 --> 3721.10] God +[3721.10 --> 3721.34] work +[3721.34 --> 3722.00] miracles +[3722.00 --> 3722.58] in +[3722.58 --> 3722.76] their +[3722.76 --> 3723.14] lives +[3723.14 --> 3726.32] I've +[3726.32 --> 3726.60] seen +[3726.60 --> 3726.96] you +[3726.96 --> 3727.96] love +[3727.96 --> 3728.38] people +[3728.38 --> 3728.68] through +[3728.68 --> 3729.30] hardships +[3729.30 --> 3730.68] and +[3730.68 --> 3731.04] grief +[3731.04 --> 3733.08] I've +[3733.08 --> 3733.24] seen +[3733.24 --> 3733.46] you +[3733.46 --> 3733.68] love +[3733.68 --> 3733.90] each +[3733.90 --> 3734.20] other +[3734.20 --> 3734.46] in +[3734.46 --> 3734.60] the +[3734.60 --> 3734.86] midst +[3734.86 --> 3735.12] of +[3735.12 --> 3735.58] deep +[3735.58 --> 3736.52] sadness +[3736.52 --> 3737.58] and +[3737.58 --> 3738.04] sorrow +[3738.04 --> 3739.98] I've +[3739.98 --> 3740.22] seen +[3740.22 --> 3740.54] you +[3740.54 --> 3740.88] love +[3740.88 --> 3741.10] each +[3741.10 --> 3741.32] other +[3741.32 --> 3741.52] by +[3741.52 --> 3741.82] making +[3741.82 --> 3742.32] bags +[3742.32 --> 3742.58] of +[3742.58 --> 3742.96] freezer +[3742.96 --> 3743.56] sandwiches +[3743.56 --> 3743.96] for +[3743.96 --> 3744.32] school +[3744.32 --> 3744.92] lunches +[3744.92 --> 3745.36] and +[3745.36 --> 3745.88] meals +[3745.88 --> 3746.26] upon +[3746.26 --> 3746.74] meals +[3746.74 --> 3747.02] upon +[3747.02 --> 3747.58] meals +[3747.58 --> 3748.94] upon +[3748.94 --> 3749.40] meals +[3749.40 --> 3749.60] and +[3749.60 --> 3749.88] upon +[3749.88 --> 3750.36] meals +[3750.36 --> 3751.80] I've +[3751.80 --> 3751.96] seen +[3751.96 --> 3752.14] you +[3752.14 --> 3752.60] pray +[3752.60 --> 3753.34] and +[3753.34 --> 3753.78] pray +[3753.78 --> 3754.32] for +[3754.32 --> 3754.74] people +[3754.74 --> 3758.18] I've +[3758.18 --> 3758.32] seen +[3758.32 --> 3758.46] you +[3758.46 --> 3758.66] give +[3758.66 --> 3759.00] rides +[3759.00 --> 3759.18] to +[3759.18 --> 3759.32] the +[3759.32 --> 3759.60] dentist +[3759.60 --> 3760.92] and +[3760.92 --> 3761.06] to +[3761.06 --> 3761.18] the +[3761.18 --> 3761.56] doctor +[3761.56 --> 3763.04] I +[3763.04 --> 3763.18] have +[3763.18 --> 3763.50] sat +[3763.50 --> 3763.72] with +[3763.72 --> 3763.92] you +[3763.92 --> 3764.16] in +[3764.16 --> 3764.32] your +[3764.32 --> 3764.84] tears +[3764.84 --> 3765.44] and +[3765.44 --> 3765.60] your +[3765.60 --> 3766.38] frustrations +[3766.38 --> 3768.34] and +[3768.34 --> 3768.44] I +[3768.44 --> 3768.62] have +[3768.62 --> 3768.98] prayed +[3768.98 --> 3769.48] for +[3769.48 --> 3769.82] every +[3769.82 --> 3770.00] one +[3770.00 --> 3770.18] of +[3770.18 --> 3770.42] you +[3770.42 --> 3770.92] by +[3770.92 --> 3771.38] name +[3771.38 --> 3772.04] or +[3772.04 --> 3772.20] by +[3772.20 --> 3772.68] face +[3772.68 --> 3773.26] or +[3773.26 --> 3773.42] by +[3773.42 --> 3773.58] the +[3773.58 --> 3773.78] rough +[3773.78 --> 3774.10] place +[3774.10 --> 3774.26] where +[3774.26 --> 3774.42] you +[3774.42 --> 3774.70] sit +[3774.70 --> 3775.04] on +[3775.04 --> 3775.38] Sunday +[3775.38 --> 3777.98] your +[3777.98 --> 3778.66] story +[3778.66 --> 3779.26] is +[3779.26 --> 3780.22] here +[3780.22 --> 3780.54] it's +[3780.54 --> 3780.74] in +[3780.74 --> 3781.02] this +[3781.02 --> 3781.44] mix +[3781.44 --> 3781.64] and +[3781.64 --> 3782.10] God +[3782.10 --> 3782.34] is +[3782.34 --> 3783.02] doing +[3783.02 --> 3783.56] something +[3783.56 --> 3784.18] here +[3784.18 --> 3784.38] and +[3784.38 --> 3784.68] so +[3784.68 --> 3784.94] we +[3784.94 --> 3785.24] see +[3785.24 --> 3785.70] faith +[3785.70 --> 3786.46] grown +[3786.46 --> 3786.76] and +[3786.76 --> 3787.14] people +[3787.14 --> 3787.56] loving +[3787.56 --> 3787.84] each +[3787.84 --> 3788.06] other +[3788.06 --> 3788.52] more +[3788.52 --> 3789.18] and +[3789.18 --> 3789.98] more +[3789.98 --> 3790.82] and +[3790.82 --> 3791.10] like +[3791.10 --> 3791.64] Paul +[3791.64 --> 3792.34] I +[3792.34 --> 3792.92] boast +[3792.92 --> 3793.54] about +[3793.54 --> 3793.98] your +[3793.98 --> 3794.70] perseverance +[3794.70 --> 3795.38] and +[3795.38 --> 3795.80] faith +[3795.80 --> 3796.98] we +[3796.98 --> 3797.20] are +[3797.20 --> 3797.40] a +[3797.40 --> 3797.68] church +[3797.68 --> 3798.22] grounded +[3798.22 --> 3798.48] in +[3798.48 --> 3798.84] faith +[3798.84 --> 3799.10] and +[3799.10 --> 3799.32] we +[3799.32 --> 3799.58] are +[3799.58 --> 3800.20] faithful +[3800.20 --> 3800.98] in +[3800.98 --> 3801.30] our +[3801.30 --> 3801.66] work +[3801.66 --> 3802.08] together +[3802.08 --> 3802.80] striving +[3802.80 --> 3803.16] to +[3803.16 --> 3803.60] be +[3803.60 --> 3804.20] ever +[3804.20 --> 3804.70] more +[3804.70 --> 3805.52] faithful +[3805.52 --> 3806.14] God +[3806.14 --> 3806.34] is +[3806.34 --> 3806.70] doing +[3806.70 --> 3807.12] something +[3807.12 --> 3807.48] here +[3807.48 --> 3807.86] and +[3807.86 --> 3808.34] because +[3808.34 --> 3808.66] he +[3808.66 --> 3809.18] is +[3809.18 --> 3809.54] we +[3809.54 --> 3810.06] don't +[3810.06 --> 3810.58] stop +[3810.58 --> 3812.58] as +[3812.58 --> 3812.94] Jesus +[3812.94 --> 3813.30] said +[3813.30 --> 3813.54] whoever +[3813.54 --> 3813.84] can +[3813.84 --> 3813.98] be +[3813.98 --> 3814.36] trusted +[3814.36 --> 3814.64] with +[3814.64 --> 3814.84] a +[3814.84 --> 3815.12] little +[3815.12 --> 3815.66] can +[3815.66 --> 3816.02] also +[3816.02 --> 3816.26] be +[3816.26 --> 3816.58] trusted +[3816.58 --> 3816.84] with +[3816.84 --> 3817.20] much +[3817.20 --> 3818.84] and +[3818.84 --> 3819.00] what +[3819.00 --> 3819.28] God +[3819.28 --> 3819.48] has +[3819.48 --> 3819.76] done +[3819.76 --> 3820.56] so far +[3820.56 --> 3820.88] is +[3820.88 --> 3821.16] just +[3821.16 --> 3821.34] the +[3821.34 --> 3821.70] beginning +[3821.70 --> 3822.16] of what +[3822.16 --> 3822.30] he +[3822.30 --> 3822.50] is +[3822.50 --> 3822.94] preparing +[3822.94 --> 3823.18] to +[3823.18 --> 3823.40] do +[3823.40 --> 3823.58] and +[3823.58 --> 3823.88] so +[3823.88 --> 3824.40] like +[3824.40 --> 3824.78] Paul +[3824.78 --> 3824.98] who +[3824.98 --> 3825.24] writes +[3825.24 --> 3825.42] in +[3825.42 --> 3825.96] Philippians +[3825.96 --> 3826.70] forgetting +[3826.70 --> 3827.06] what +[3827.06 --> 3827.22] is +[3827.22 --> 3827.68] behind +[3827.68 --> 3828.00] and +[3828.00 --> 3828.58] straining +[3828.58 --> 3828.94] toward +[3828.94 --> 3829.24] what +[3829.24 --> 3829.38] is +[3829.38 --> 3829.72] ahead +[3829.72 --> 3830.00] we +[3830.00 --> 3830.42] press +[3830.42 --> 3830.90] on +[3830.90 --> 3831.24] toward +[3831.24 --> 3831.52] the +[3831.52 --> 3831.80] goal +[3831.80 --> 3833.12] we +[3833.12 --> 3833.32] don't +[3833.32 --> 3833.60] rest +[3833.60 --> 3833.76] on +[3833.76 --> 3833.88] the +[3833.88 --> 3834.30] past +[3834.30 --> 3835.94] we +[3835.94 --> 3836.18] step +[3836.18 --> 3836.62] forward +[3836.62 --> 3837.06] into +[3837.06 --> 3837.26] the +[3837.26 --> 3837.60] future +[3837.60 --> 3837.80] that +[3837.80 --> 3837.98] God +[3837.98 --> 3838.14] is +[3838.14 --> 3838.52] preparing +[3838.52 --> 3841.06] gratitude +[3841.06 --> 3841.86] looks +[3841.86 --> 3842.56] back +[3842.56 --> 3843.06] yes +[3843.06 --> 3843.38] and +[3843.38 --> 3843.78] amen +[3843.78 --> 3844.42] but +[3844.42 --> 3844.96] faith +[3844.96 --> 3845.72] always +[3845.72 --> 3846.18] steps +[3846.18 --> 3847.16] forward +[3847.16 --> 3848.88] faith +[3848.88 --> 3849.34] steps +[3849.34 --> 3849.80] forward +[3849.80 --> 3850.18] on +[3850.18 --> 3850.36] the +[3850.36 --> 3850.94] foundation +[3850.94 --> 3851.80] of +[3851.80 --> 3852.30] gratitude +[3852.30 --> 3854.30] God +[3854.30 --> 3854.48] is +[3854.48 --> 3854.88] calling +[3854.88 --> 3855.32] us +[3855.32 --> 3855.60] to +[3855.60 --> 3856.40] press +[3856.40 --> 3857.32] on +[3857.32 --> 3857.82] into +[3857.82 --> 3858.26] what +[3858.26 --> 3858.52] he +[3858.52 --> 3858.90] has +[3858.90 --> 3859.64] next +[3859.64 --> 3860.46] and +[3860.46 --> 3860.58] there +[3860.58 --> 3860.70] will +[3860.70 --> 3860.84] be +[3860.84 --> 3861.22] trials +[3861.22 --> 3861.44] there +[3861.44 --> 3861.62] will +[3861.62 --> 3861.94] be +[3861.94 --> 3862.82] persecutions +[3862.82 --> 3863.02] there +[3863.02 --> 3863.20] will +[3863.20 --> 3863.36] be +[3863.36 --> 3863.84] hardships +[3863.84 --> 3864.52] there +[3864.52 --> 3864.88] may +[3864.88 --> 3865.32] even +[3865.32 --> 3865.56] be +[3865.56 --> 3865.98] things +[3865.98 --> 3866.28] that +[3866.28 --> 3866.80] apart +[3866.80 --> 3867.30] from +[3867.30 --> 3867.52] the +[3867.52 --> 3867.90] clear +[3867.90 --> 3868.56] provision +[3868.56 --> 3868.84] of +[3868.84 --> 3869.12] God +[3869.12 --> 3869.36] are +[3869.36 --> 3870.06] impossible +[3870.06 --> 3870.78] for +[3870.78 --> 3871.06] us +[3871.06 --> 3871.24] to +[3871.24 --> 3871.54] do +[3871.54 --> 3874.22] but +[3874.22 --> 3874.40] our +[3874.40 --> 3874.72] God +[3874.72 --> 3876.02] is +[3876.02 --> 3876.14] the +[3876.14 --> 3876.30] God +[3876.30 --> 3876.40] of +[3876.40 --> 3876.50] the +[3876.50 --> 3877.06] impossible +[3877.06 --> 3878.94] Jesus +[3878.94 --> 3879.36] himself +[3879.36 --> 3879.58] says +[3879.58 --> 3879.74] with +[3879.74 --> 3880.06] man +[3880.06 --> 3880.24] this +[3880.24 --> 3880.36] is +[3880.36 --> 3880.84] impossible +[3880.84 --> 3881.32] with +[3881.32 --> 3881.78] God +[3881.78 --> 3882.44] nothing +[3882.44 --> 3883.12] is +[3883.12 --> 3884.14] impossible +[3884.14 --> 3888.14] there's +[3888.14 --> 3888.64] a story +[3888.64 --> 3890.44] a story +[3890.44 --> 3890.72] from +[3890.72 --> 3891.92] church +[3891.92 --> 3892.34] history +[3892.34 --> 3892.56] from +[3892.56 --> 3892.76] the +[3892.76 --> 3893.08] second +[3893.08 --> 3894.42] century +[3894.42 --> 3895.30] AD +[3895.30 --> 3896.36] about +[3896.36 --> 3896.70] a man +[3896.70 --> 3896.94] named +[3896.94 --> 3897.88] Polycarp +[3897.88 --> 3899.26] Polycarp +[3899.26 --> 3900.20] was the +[3900.20 --> 3900.58] bishop +[3900.58 --> 3900.84] of +[3900.84 --> 3901.32] Smyrna +[3901.32 --> 3901.82] he became +[3901.82 --> 3902.18] a leader +[3902.18 --> 3902.54] in the +[3902.54 --> 3902.80] church +[3902.80 --> 3903.20] he is +[3903.20 --> 3903.40] a +[3903.40 --> 3904.00] disciple +[3904.00 --> 3904.60] of +[3904.60 --> 3904.78] the +[3904.78 --> 3905.20] apostle +[3905.20 --> 3905.78] John +[3905.78 --> 3907.70] he +[3907.70 --> 3908.26] faced +[3908.26 --> 3909.22] martyrdom +[3909.22 --> 3909.74] execution +[3909.74 --> 3910.78] for his +[3910.78 --> 3911.12] faith +[3911.12 --> 3911.90] at age +[3911.90 --> 3912.68] 86 +[3912.68 --> 3914.50] at age +[3914.50 --> 3915.38] 86 +[3915.38 --> 3916.14] Roman +[3916.14 --> 3916.72] officials +[3916.72 --> 3917.60] collected +[3917.60 --> 3917.94] him +[3917.94 --> 3918.34] gathered +[3918.34 --> 3918.60] him +[3918.60 --> 3918.82] up +[3918.82 --> 3919.46] brought +[3919.46 --> 3919.80] him +[3919.80 --> 3920.22] to +[3920.22 --> 3920.40] the +[3920.40 --> 3920.66] court +[3920.66 --> 3920.88] and +[3920.88 --> 3921.42] demanded +[3921.42 --> 3921.94] that he +[3921.94 --> 3922.44] curse +[3922.44 --> 3923.04] Christ +[3923.04 --> 3923.38] and +[3923.38 --> 3923.88] swear +[3923.88 --> 3924.50] allegiance +[3924.50 --> 3924.90] to +[3924.90 --> 3925.36] Caesar +[3925.36 --> 3925.98] and +[3925.98 --> 3926.90] Polycarp +[3926.90 --> 3927.70] calmly +[3927.70 --> 3928.32] replied +[3928.32 --> 3929.40] as the +[3929.40 --> 3929.78] story +[3929.78 --> 3930.48] goes +[3930.48 --> 3931.22] 86 +[3931.22 --> 3932.54] years +[3932.54 --> 3932.82] have +[3932.82 --> 3933.00] I +[3933.00 --> 3933.42] served +[3933.42 --> 3933.68] him +[3933.68 --> 3934.48] and +[3934.48 --> 3934.68] he +[3934.68 --> 3934.94] has +[3934.94 --> 3935.18] done +[3935.18 --> 3935.34] me +[3935.34 --> 3935.56] no +[3935.56 --> 3935.90] wrong +[3935.90 --> 3937.72] how +[3937.72 --> 3938.14] then +[3938.14 --> 3938.40] can +[3938.40 --> 3938.58] I +[3938.58 --> 3939.32] blaspheme +[3939.32 --> 3939.60] my +[3939.60 --> 3940.04] king +[3940.04 --> 3940.58] and +[3940.58 --> 3941.02] savior +[3941.02 --> 3942.58] and +[3942.58 --> 3942.72] they +[3942.72 --> 3943.00] sentenced +[3943.00 --> 3943.78] him +[3943.78 --> 3944.04] to be +[3944.04 --> 3944.20] burned +[3944.20 --> 3944.56] alive +[3944.56 --> 3945.98] and +[3945.98 --> 3946.20] again +[3946.20 --> 3947.38] when +[3947.38 --> 3947.52] they +[3947.52 --> 3947.84] tried +[3947.84 --> 3948.02] to +[3948.02 --> 3948.22] burn +[3948.22 --> 3948.46] him +[3948.46 --> 3949.36] witnesses +[3949.36 --> 3949.82] standing +[3949.82 --> 3950.20] around +[3950.20 --> 3950.72] record +[3950.72 --> 3951.48] that +[3951.48 --> 3951.66] the +[3951.66 --> 3952.16] flames +[3952.16 --> 3952.68] formed +[3952.68 --> 3952.90] an +[3952.90 --> 3953.26] arch +[3953.26 --> 3953.58] over +[3953.58 --> 3953.92] top +[3953.92 --> 3954.06] of +[3954.06 --> 3954.20] his +[3954.20 --> 3954.52] body +[3954.52 --> 3954.68] and +[3954.68 --> 3954.86] didn't +[3954.86 --> 3955.12] touch +[3955.12 --> 3955.32] him +[3955.32 --> 3956.18] didn't +[3956.18 --> 3956.56] consume +[3956.56 --> 3956.90] him +[3956.90 --> 3958.62] eventually +[3958.62 --> 3959.44] a +[3959.44 --> 3959.76] soldier +[3959.76 --> 3960.40] had to +[3960.40 --> 3961.28] be pushed +[3961.28 --> 3961.72] through +[3961.72 --> 3962.00] the +[3962.00 --> 3962.26] arch +[3962.26 --> 3962.48] of +[3962.48 --> 3962.78] fire +[3962.78 --> 3963.02] and +[3963.02 --> 3963.36] stab +[3963.36 --> 3963.62] him +[3963.62 --> 3965.78] his +[3965.78 --> 3966.30] courage +[3966.30 --> 3966.54] and +[3966.54 --> 3966.86] God's +[3966.86 --> 3967.22] sustaining +[3967.22 --> 3967.76] power +[3967.76 --> 3968.42] became +[3968.42 --> 3968.98] for the +[3968.98 --> 3969.24] early +[3969.24 --> 3969.64] church +[3969.64 --> 3969.84] a +[3969.84 --> 3970.52] powerful +[3970.52 --> 3971.12] testimony +[3971.12 --> 3971.76] that +[3971.76 --> 3972.46] emboldened +[3972.46 --> 3972.70] the +[3972.70 --> 3973.00] faith +[3973.00 --> 3973.20] of +[3973.20 --> 3973.60] Christians +[3973.60 --> 3974.34] across +[3974.34 --> 3974.56] the +[3974.56 --> 3974.98] empire +[3974.98 --> 3976.72] faith +[3976.72 --> 3977.24] presses +[3977.24 --> 3977.74] on +[3977.74 --> 3978.52] despite +[3978.52 --> 3979.68] persecution +[3979.68 --> 3981.30] showing +[3981.30 --> 3981.82] God's +[3981.82 --> 3982.26] power +[3982.26 --> 3982.52] and +[3982.52 --> 3982.92] provision +[3982.92 --> 3983.60] even +[3983.60 --> 3984.02] in +[3984.02 --> 3984.82] impossible +[3984.82 --> 3985.66] circumstances +[3985.66 --> 3986.96] and +[3986.96 --> 3987.18] this +[3987.18 --> 3987.54] story +[3987.54 --> 3987.74] from +[3987.74 --> 3987.86] the +[3987.86 --> 3988.08] early +[3988.08 --> 3988.58] church +[3988.58 --> 3989.80] is +[3989.80 --> 3990.08] not +[3990.08 --> 3990.52] just +[3990.52 --> 3990.78] a +[3990.78 --> 3991.26] story +[3991.26 --> 3992.32] 1800 +[3992.32 --> 3992.92] years +[3992.92 --> 3993.28] old +[3993.28 --> 3994.36] this +[3994.36 --> 3994.52] is +[3994.52 --> 3994.74] the +[3994.74 --> 3995.20] legacy +[3995.20 --> 3995.76] of +[3995.76 --> 3995.96] our +[3995.96 --> 3996.38] faith +[3996.38 --> 3997.58] their +[3997.58 --> 3998.26] perseverance +[3998.26 --> 3998.96] fuels +[3998.96 --> 3999.42] ours +[3999.42 --> 4000.44] this +[4000.44 --> 4000.58] is +[4000.58 --> 4000.76] the +[4000.76 --> 4001.16] line +[4001.16 --> 4001.34] of +[4001.34 --> 4001.50] the +[4001.50 --> 4001.88] lineage +[4001.88 --> 4002.16] of +[4002.16 --> 4002.42] faith +[4002.42 --> 4002.64] that +[4002.64 --> 4003.00] runs +[4003.00 --> 4003.48] straight +[4003.48 --> 4003.74] from +[4003.74 --> 4003.92] the +[4003.92 --> 4004.08] New +[4004.08 --> 4004.50] Testament +[4004.50 --> 4004.88] era +[4004.88 --> 4005.42] right +[4005.42 --> 4005.66] to +[4005.66 --> 4005.86] our +[4005.86 --> 4006.12] own +[4006.12 --> 4007.86] and +[4007.86 --> 4008.52] polycarp's +[4008.52 --> 4008.82] story +[4008.82 --> 4009.38] reminds +[4009.38 --> 4009.82] us +[4009.82 --> 4010.60] Paul's +[4010.60 --> 4010.94] story +[4010.94 --> 4011.52] reminds +[4011.52 --> 4011.80] us +[4011.80 --> 4011.98] the +[4011.98 --> 4012.30] church +[4012.30 --> 4012.56] in +[4012.56 --> 4013.28] Thessalonica +[4013.28 --> 4013.92] reminds +[4013.92 --> 4014.22] us +[4014.22 --> 4014.64] that +[4014.64 --> 4015.06] when +[4015.06 --> 4015.54] faith +[4015.54 --> 4016.04] steps +[4016.04 --> 4016.56] forward +[4016.56 --> 4017.02] into +[4017.02 --> 4017.30] what +[4017.30 --> 4017.80] seems +[4017.80 --> 4018.54] impossible +[4018.54 --> 4019.36] God's +[4019.36 --> 4020.00] strength +[4020.00 --> 4020.86] always +[4020.86 --> 4021.26] holds +[4021.26 --> 4021.46] us +[4021.46 --> 4021.90] fast +[4021.90 --> 4023.38] even +[4023.38 --> 4023.80] through +[4023.80 --> 4024.20] death +[4024.20 --> 4027.28] and +[4027.28 --> 4027.42] if +[4027.42 --> 4027.70] God +[4027.70 --> 4028.26] sustains +[4028.26 --> 4028.52] us +[4028.52 --> 4028.78] through +[4028.78 --> 4029.24] death +[4029.24 --> 4030.90] surely +[4030.90 --> 4031.28] he +[4031.28 --> 4031.68] can +[4031.68 --> 4031.94] and +[4031.94 --> 4032.38] will +[4032.38 --> 4033.26] sustain +[4033.26 --> 4033.58] his +[4033.58 --> 4034.04] church +[4034.04 --> 4034.64] through +[4034.64 --> 4035.26] political +[4035.26 --> 4036.14] disappointments +[4036.14 --> 4037.80] through +[4037.80 --> 4037.98] the +[4037.98 --> 4038.26] rumors +[4038.26 --> 4038.52] of +[4038.52 --> 4038.88] war +[4038.88 --> 4039.10] and +[4039.10 --> 4039.54] actual +[4039.54 --> 4040.16] wars +[4040.16 --> 4040.64] or +[4040.64 --> 4040.80] the +[4040.80 --> 4041.06] rumors +[4041.06 --> 4041.26] of +[4041.26 --> 4041.64] tariff +[4041.64 --> 4042.08] wars +[4042.08 --> 4043.70] surely +[4043.70 --> 4043.96] if +[4043.96 --> 4044.18] God +[4044.18 --> 4044.66] sustains +[4044.66 --> 4044.86] us +[4044.86 --> 4045.06] through +[4045.06 --> 4045.64] death +[4045.64 --> 4046.14] he +[4046.14 --> 4046.34] can +[4046.34 --> 4046.78] sustain +[4046.78 --> 4047.10] us +[4047.10 --> 4047.34] through +[4047.34 --> 4048.06] recommendations +[4048.06 --> 4049.12] 429 +[4049.12 --> 4049.94] and 430 +[4049.94 --> 4052.10] God +[4052.10 --> 4052.68] will not +[4052.68 --> 4053.04] fail +[4053.04 --> 4054.02] he +[4054.02 --> 4054.46] cannot +[4054.46 --> 4056.02] and +[4056.02 --> 4056.42] so +[4056.42 --> 4058.02] his +[4058.02 --> 4058.60] church +[4058.60 --> 4059.90] will +[4059.90 --> 4060.34] endure +[4060.34 --> 4061.46] and +[4061.46 --> 4061.78] you +[4061.78 --> 4062.26] can +[4062.26 --> 4063.34] persevere +[4063.34 --> 4064.10] precisely +[4064.10 --> 4064.78] because +[4064.78 --> 4065.32] you +[4065.32 --> 4065.64] are +[4065.64 --> 4066.04] being +[4066.04 --> 4066.56] preserved +[4066.56 --> 4067.84] and +[4067.84 --> 4068.14] just +[4068.14 --> 4068.40] like +[4068.40 --> 4069.04] polycarp +[4069.04 --> 4069.28] just +[4069.28 --> 4069.52] like +[4069.52 --> 4069.78] Paul +[4069.78 --> 4070.16] before +[4070.16 --> 4070.36] him +[4070.36 --> 4070.66] just +[4070.66 --> 4070.92] like +[4070.92 --> 4071.08] the +[4071.08 --> 4071.72] Thessalonians +[4071.72 --> 4072.00] we +[4072.00 --> 4072.40] today +[4072.40 --> 4072.64] are +[4072.64 --> 4073.04] called +[4073.04 --> 4073.52] to +[4073.52 --> 4073.84] press +[4073.84 --> 4074.10] on +[4074.10 --> 4074.54] trusting +[4074.54 --> 4074.80] that +[4074.80 --> 4075.14] even +[4075.14 --> 4075.52] in +[4075.52 --> 4076.20] trials +[4076.20 --> 4076.64] God +[4076.64 --> 4077.04] is +[4077.04 --> 4077.62] at +[4077.62 --> 4078.42] work +[4078.42 --> 4079.26] that's +[4079.26 --> 4079.76] exactly +[4079.76 --> 4080.38] what +[4080.38 --> 4080.58] Paul +[4080.58 --> 4080.88] says +[4080.88 --> 4081.32] next +[4081.32 --> 4083.06] all +[4083.06 --> 4083.40] this +[4083.40 --> 4083.62] is +[4083.62 --> 4084.10] evidence +[4084.10 --> 4084.36] that +[4084.36 --> 4084.84] God's +[4084.84 --> 4085.22] judgment +[4085.22 --> 4085.52] is +[4085.52 --> 4085.92] right +[4085.92 --> 4086.40] and +[4086.40 --> 4086.62] as +[4086.62 --> 4086.74] a +[4086.74 --> 4087.14] result +[4087.14 --> 4087.52] you +[4087.52 --> 4087.76] will +[4087.76 --> 4087.90] be +[4087.90 --> 4088.24] counted +[4088.24 --> 4088.82] worthy +[4088.82 --> 4089.16] of +[4089.16 --> 4089.34] the +[4089.34 --> 4089.64] kingdom +[4089.64 --> 4089.88] of +[4089.88 --> 4090.20] God +[4090.20 --> 4090.80] for +[4090.80 --> 4091.12] which +[4091.12 --> 4091.44] you +[4091.44 --> 4092.02] are +[4092.02 --> 4092.82] suffering +[4092.82 --> 4094.34] your +[4094.34 --> 4095.02] perseverance +[4095.02 --> 4095.36] and +[4095.36 --> 4095.72] faith +[4095.72 --> 4096.26] your +[4096.26 --> 4097.30] endurance +[4097.30 --> 4097.52] and +[4097.52 --> 4097.90] trials +[4097.90 --> 4098.12] your +[4098.12 --> 4098.56] love +[4098.56 --> 4098.72] and +[4098.72 --> 4099.10] hardship +[4099.10 --> 4099.36] your +[4099.36 --> 4100.32] faithfulness +[4100.32 --> 4100.50] in +[4100.50 --> 4100.64] the +[4100.64 --> 4100.96] small +[4100.96 --> 4101.34] things +[4101.34 --> 4101.74] is +[4101.74 --> 4102.02] not +[4102.02 --> 4102.48] meaningless +[4102.48 --> 4103.66] it +[4103.66 --> 4103.80] is +[4103.80 --> 4104.40] evidence +[4104.40 --> 4104.66] that +[4104.66 --> 4105.02] God +[4105.02 --> 4105.30] is +[4105.30 --> 4105.48] at +[4105.48 --> 4105.82] work +[4105.82 --> 4106.40] among +[4106.40 --> 4106.68] you +[4106.68 --> 4107.46] it +[4107.46 --> 4107.62] is +[4107.62 --> 4108.08] proof +[4108.08 --> 4108.34] that +[4108.34 --> 4108.78] he +[4108.78 --> 4109.02] is +[4109.02 --> 4109.46] shaping +[4109.46 --> 4109.82] you +[4109.82 --> 4110.02] and +[4110.02 --> 4110.58] preparing +[4110.58 --> 4110.98] you +[4110.98 --> 4111.36] for +[4111.36 --> 4111.78] his +[4111.78 --> 4112.58] kingdom +[4112.58 --> 4112.90] and +[4112.90 --> 4113.30] so +[4113.30 --> 4113.88] brothers +[4113.88 --> 4114.16] and +[4114.16 --> 4114.56] sisters +[4114.56 --> 4114.92] do +[4114.92 --> 4115.26] not +[4115.26 --> 4115.66] lose +[4115.66 --> 4116.16] heart +[4116.16 --> 4117.64] God +[4117.64 --> 4118.32] sees +[4118.32 --> 4118.96] you +[4118.96 --> 4119.50] God +[4119.50 --> 4120.12] knows +[4120.12 --> 4120.70] you +[4120.70 --> 4120.98] and +[4120.98 --> 4121.26] God +[4121.26 --> 4121.50] is +[4121.50 --> 4121.88] working +[4121.88 --> 4122.34] in +[4122.34 --> 4122.56] you +[4122.56 --> 4122.84] and +[4122.84 --> 4123.58] with +[4123.58 --> 4123.78] you +[4123.78 --> 4123.98] the +[4123.98 --> 4124.50] trials +[4124.50 --> 4124.78] you +[4124.78 --> 4125.26] face +[4125.26 --> 4125.76] are +[4125.76 --> 4126.02] not +[4126.02 --> 4126.50] random +[4126.50 --> 4127.06] they +[4127.06 --> 4127.28] are +[4127.28 --> 4127.90] refining +[4127.90 --> 4129.66] the +[4129.66 --> 4130.06] faith +[4130.06 --> 4130.30] you +[4130.30 --> 4130.58] live +[4130.58 --> 4130.82] out +[4130.82 --> 4131.06] is +[4131.06 --> 4131.28] not +[4131.28 --> 4131.80] wasted +[4131.80 --> 4132.42] it +[4132.42 --> 4132.58] is +[4132.58 --> 4133.16] noticed +[4133.16 --> 4133.50] by +[4133.50 --> 4133.88] heaven +[4133.88 --> 4135.62] and +[4135.62 --> 4135.76] the +[4135.76 --> 4136.14] love +[4136.14 --> 4136.32] that +[4136.32 --> 4136.50] you +[4136.50 --> 4137.02] show +[4137.02 --> 4137.82] is +[4137.82 --> 4138.28] not +[4138.28 --> 4139.04] forgotten +[4139.04 --> 4140.36] it +[4140.36 --> 4141.02] reflects +[4141.02 --> 4141.48] our +[4141.48 --> 4142.28] father's +[4142.28 --> 4143.10] heart +[4143.10 --> 4144.74] a +[4144.74 --> 4145.02] church +[4145.02 --> 4145.42] grounded +[4145.42 --> 4145.64] in +[4145.64 --> 4146.06] faith +[4146.06 --> 4147.34] will +[4147.34 --> 4147.62] be +[4147.62 --> 4148.04] fruitful +[4148.04 --> 4149.28] in +[4149.28 --> 4149.46] its +[4149.46 --> 4149.88] work +[4149.88 --> 4151.00] amen +[4151.00 --> 4152.08] and +[4152.08 --> 4152.42] amen +[4152.42 --> 4152.74] let's +[4152.74 --> 4152.88] pray +[4152.88 --> 4153.28] together +[4153.28 --> 4161.38] our +[4161.38 --> 4161.80] father +[4161.80 --> 4162.94] in +[4162.94 --> 4163.20] heaven +[4163.20 --> 4165.58] we +[4165.58 --> 4166.10] thank +[4166.10 --> 4166.42] you +[4166.42 --> 4167.12] for +[4167.12 --> 4167.34] who +[4167.34 --> 4167.56] you +[4167.56 --> 4167.90] are +[4167.90 --> 4169.02] and +[4169.02 --> 4169.18] for +[4169.18 --> 4169.48] what +[4169.48 --> 4169.64] you +[4169.64 --> 4169.78] have +[4169.78 --> 4170.08] done +[4170.08 --> 4170.80] we +[4170.80 --> 4171.16] thank +[4171.16 --> 4171.38] you +[4171.38 --> 4171.64] for +[4171.64 --> 4172.18] the +[4172.18 --> 4172.48] way +[4172.48 --> 4172.70] you +[4172.70 --> 4173.42] transform +[4173.42 --> 4174.08] our +[4174.08 --> 4174.66] lives +[4174.66 --> 4174.88] and +[4174.88 --> 4175.12] now +[4175.12 --> 4175.66] call +[4175.66 --> 4176.24] us +[4176.24 --> 4177.22] forward +[4177.22 --> 4177.64] in +[4177.64 --> 4178.08] faith +[4178.08 --> 4180.58] preserve +[4180.58 --> 4181.54] us +[4181.54 --> 4182.22] as we +[4182.22 --> 4182.92] persevere +[4182.92 --> 4183.24] in +[4183.24 --> 4183.98] faithfulness +[4183.98 --> 4186.82] strengthen +[4186.82 --> 4187.66] our hearts +[4187.66 --> 4188.16] and our +[4188.16 --> 4188.60] minds +[4188.60 --> 4188.88] and +[4188.88 --> 4191.82] enlighten +[4191.82 --> 4192.12] our +[4192.12 --> 4193.06] imaginations +[4193.06 --> 4194.84] so that +[4194.84 --> 4194.98] we +[4194.98 --> 4195.28] might +[4195.28 --> 4195.66] see +[4195.66 --> 4195.92] that +[4195.92 --> 4196.52] all +[4196.52 --> 4197.14] things +[4197.14 --> 4197.62] all +[4197.62 --> 4198.08] things +[4198.08 --> 4198.68] are +[4198.68 --> 4199.28] possible +[4199.28 --> 4200.24] with +[4200.24 --> 4200.50] you +[4200.50 --> 4202.04] in +[4202.04 --> 4202.38] Jesus +[4202.38 --> 4202.90] name +[4202.90 --> 4203.22] we +[4203.22 --> 4203.60] pray +[4203.60 --> 4205.10] amen +[4205.10 --> 4206.50] amen +[4206.50 --> 4212.26] the +[4212.26 --> 4212.68] ground +[4212.68 --> 4213.20] of +[4213.20 --> 4213.60] our +[4213.60 --> 4214.22] faith +[4214.22 --> 4215.02] is +[4215.02 --> 4215.44] Jesus +[4215.44 --> 4216.00] Christ +[4216.00 --> 4217.18] who +[4217.18 --> 4217.34] is +[4217.34 --> 4217.54] made +[4217.54 --> 4217.82] known +[4217.82 --> 4218.06] to +[4218.06 --> 4218.52] us +[4218.52 --> 4219.22] through +[4219.22 --> 4219.46] his +[4219.46 --> 4219.82] word +[4219.82 --> 4221.10] which +[4221.10 --> 4221.52] is +[4221.52 --> 4221.90] then +[4221.90 --> 4222.20] in +[4222.20 --> 4222.60] part +[4222.60 --> 4223.62] confirmed +[4223.62 --> 4224.64] in +[4224.64 --> 4224.80] the +[4224.80 --> 4225.18] sacrament +[4225.18 --> 4226.74] so +[4226.74 --> 4226.90] there +[4226.90 --> 4227.04] is +[4227.04 --> 4227.20] a +[4227.20 --> 4227.48] straight +[4227.48 --> 4227.96] line +[4227.96 --> 4228.96] from +[4228.96 --> 4229.14] where +[4229.14 --> 4229.32] we +[4229.32 --> 4229.60] just +[4229.60 --> 4229.96] were +[4229.96 --> 4230.90] to +[4230.90 --> 4231.08] where +[4231.08 --> 4231.26] we +[4231.26 --> 4231.40] are +[4231.40 --> 4231.74] going +[4231.74 --> 4232.74] and +[4232.74 --> 4232.88] to +[4232.88 --> 4233.04] where +[4233.04 --> 4233.22] we +[4233.22 --> 4233.38] are +[4233.38 --> 4233.68] sent +[4233.68 --> 4235.06] and +[4235.06 --> 4235.16] that +[4235.16 --> 4235.42] line +[4235.42 --> 4235.64] goes +[4235.64 --> 4235.80] through +[4235.80 --> 4236.02] this +[4236.02 --> 4236.38] table +[4236.38 --> 4237.50] we +[4237.50 --> 4237.70] come +[4237.70 --> 4237.84] to +[4237.84 --> 4237.98] the +[4237.98 --> 4238.30] table +[4238.30 --> 4238.60] this +[4238.60 --> 4239.12] morning +[4239.12 --> 4240.68] met +[4240.68 --> 4241.20] by +[4241.20 --> 4241.90] God +[4241.90 --> 4242.42] in +[4242.42 --> 4242.74] our +[4242.74 --> 4243.26] shared +[4243.26 --> 4244.14] worship +[4244.14 --> 4244.44] and +[4244.44 --> 4244.60] so +[4244.60 --> 4244.78] we +[4244.78 --> 4245.26] come +[4245.26 --> 4245.58] with +[4245.58 --> 4246.46] some +[4246.46 --> 4247.36] practices +[4247.36 --> 4247.94] of +[4247.94 --> 4248.62] liturgy +[4248.62 --> 4249.12] and +[4249.12 --> 4249.76] words +[4249.76 --> 4250.14] that +[4250.14 --> 4250.58] gather +[4250.58 --> 4251.14] us +[4251.14 --> 4251.86] together +[4251.86 --> 4252.88] here +[4252.88 --> 4253.80] I +[4253.80 --> 4254.10] invite +[4254.10 --> 4254.34] you +[4254.34 --> 4254.62] to +[4254.62 --> 4255.02] speak +[4255.02 --> 4255.26] the +[4255.26 --> 4255.66] words +[4255.66 --> 4255.84] you +[4255.84 --> 4256.10] see +[4256.10 --> 4256.30] on +[4256.30 --> 4256.42] the +[4256.42 --> 4256.72] screen +[4256.72 --> 4257.12] behind +[4257.12 --> 4257.38] me +[4257.38 --> 4258.38] as +[4258.38 --> 4258.56] you +[4258.56 --> 4258.76] are +[4258.76 --> 4259.32] indicated +[4259.32 --> 4259.86] to +[4259.86 --> 4261.36] church +[4261.36 --> 4261.78] family +[4261.78 --> 4263.04] today +[4263.04 --> 4263.58] we +[4263.58 --> 4264.00] ask +[4264.00 --> 4264.28] for +[4264.28 --> 4264.66] faith +[4264.66 --> 4264.88] that +[4264.88 --> 4265.04] will +[4265.04 --> 4265.34] open +[4265.34 --> 4265.58] our +[4265.58 --> 4265.98] eyes +[4265.98 --> 4266.18] to +[4266.18 --> 4266.48] see +[4266.48 --> 4266.96] Jesus +[4266.96 --> 4267.36] for +[4267.36 --> 4267.72] who +[4267.72 --> 4268.36] he +[4268.36 --> 4269.14] is +[4269.14 --> 4269.34] that +[4269.34 --> 4269.48] we +[4269.48 --> 4269.70] might +[4269.70 --> 4270.38] receive +[4270.38 --> 4270.86] him +[4270.86 --> 4271.44] in +[4271.44 --> 4271.90] truth +[4271.90 --> 4273.08] people +[4273.08 --> 4273.32] of +[4273.32 --> 4273.78] God +[4273.78 --> 4274.42] behold +[4274.42 --> 4274.92] and +[4274.92 --> 4275.46] see +[4275.46 --> 4276.16] your +[4276.16 --> 4276.92] God +[4276.92 --> 4279.02] we +[4279.02 --> 4279.26] open +[4279.26 --> 4279.50] our +[4279.50 --> 4279.94] ears +[4279.94 --> 4280.48] to see +[4280.48 --> 4280.74] his +[4280.74 --> 4281.16] glory +[4281.16 --> 4282.18] we +[4282.18 --> 4282.20] we +[4282.20 --> 4282.22] we +[4282.22 --> 4284.34] we +[4284.34 --> 4285.42] we +[4285.42 --> 4285.72] open +[4285.72 --> 4285.98] our +[4285.98 --> 4286.46] hands +[4286.46 --> 4286.72] to +[4286.72 --> 4287.12] offer +[4287.12 --> 4287.40] him +[4287.40 --> 4287.80] gifts +[4287.80 --> 4288.80] we +[4288.80 --> 4289.10] open +[4289.10 --> 4289.36] our +[4289.36 --> 4289.88] mouths +[4289.88 --> 4290.14] to +[4290.14 --> 4290.44] sing +[4290.44 --> 4290.70] his +[4290.70 --> 4291.16] praise +[4291.16 --> 4291.78] and +[4291.78 --> 4292.24] receive +[4292.24 --> 4292.80] his +[4292.80 --> 4293.26] mercy +[4293.26 --> 4293.54] and +[4293.54 --> 4293.94] grace +[4293.94 --> 4295.50] hallelujah +[4295.50 --> 4296.12] he +[4296.12 --> 4296.86] is +[4296.86 --> 4297.36] Lord +[4297.36 --> 4298.26] amen +[4298.26 --> 4301.14] our +[4301.14 --> 4301.34] Lord +[4301.34 --> 4301.72] Jesus +[4301.72 --> 4302.52] and his +[4302.52 --> 4302.90] real +[4302.90 --> 4303.46] spiritual +[4303.46 --> 4304.06] presence +[4304.06 --> 4304.78] among us +[4304.78 --> 4305.18] comes +[4305.18 --> 4305.94] to us +[4305.94 --> 4306.84] in the +[4306.84 --> 4307.10] supper +[4307.10 --> 4308.42] and +[4308.42 --> 4308.58] the +[4308.58 --> 4308.76] Lord +[4308.76 --> 4309.12] Jesus +[4309.12 --> 4309.62] on +[4309.62 --> 4309.78] the +[4309.78 --> 4310.00] night +[4310.00 --> 4310.16] that +[4310.16 --> 4310.28] he +[4310.28 --> 4310.50] was +[4310.50 --> 4310.94] betrayed +[4310.94 --> 4311.62] took +[4311.62 --> 4312.06] bread +[4312.06 --> 4312.48] and +[4312.48 --> 4312.60] when +[4312.60 --> 4312.70] he +[4312.70 --> 4312.82] had +[4312.82 --> 4313.06] given +[4313.06 --> 4313.60] thanks +[4313.60 --> 4313.94] he +[4313.94 --> 4314.68] broke +[4314.68 --> 4315.06] it +[4315.06 --> 4315.58] and +[4315.58 --> 4316.38] said +[4316.38 --> 4317.30] this +[4317.30 --> 4317.70] is +[4317.70 --> 4318.02] my +[4318.02 --> 4318.48] body +[4318.48 --> 4318.92] which +[4318.92 --> 4319.12] is +[4319.12 --> 4319.32] for +[4319.32 --> 4319.58] you +[4319.58 --> 4320.32] do +[4320.32 --> 4320.84] this +[4320.84 --> 4321.14] in +[4321.14 --> 4321.64] remembrance +[4321.64 --> 4322.40] of +[4322.40 --> 4322.70] me +[4322.70 --> 4326.04] and +[4326.04 --> 4326.16] in +[4326.16 --> 4326.30] the +[4326.30 --> 4326.52] same +[4326.52 --> 4326.90] way +[4326.90 --> 4327.38] he +[4327.38 --> 4327.62] took +[4327.62 --> 4327.82] the +[4327.82 --> 4328.14] cup +[4328.14 --> 4328.76] after +[4328.76 --> 4329.16] supper +[4329.16 --> 4330.02] saying +[4330.02 --> 4330.84] this +[4330.84 --> 4331.30] cup +[4331.30 --> 4331.76] is +[4331.76 --> 4332.04] the +[4332.04 --> 4332.28] new +[4332.28 --> 4332.70] covenant +[4332.70 --> 4333.66] in +[4333.66 --> 4333.90] my +[4333.90 --> 4334.30] blood +[4334.30 --> 4335.98] do +[4335.98 --> 4336.46] this +[4336.46 --> 4337.00] whenever +[4337.00 --> 4337.32] you +[4337.32 --> 4337.62] drink +[4337.62 --> 4337.86] it +[4337.86 --> 4338.24] in +[4338.24 --> 4338.70] remembrance +[4338.70 --> 4339.58] of +[4339.58 --> 4339.88] me +[4339.88 --> 4340.44] for +[4340.44 --> 4340.70] whenever +[4340.70 --> 4340.96] you +[4340.96 --> 4341.24] eat +[4341.24 --> 4341.54] this +[4341.54 --> 4341.88] bread +[4341.88 --> 4342.16] and +[4342.16 --> 4342.50] drink +[4342.50 --> 4342.84] this +[4342.84 --> 4343.14] cup +[4343.14 --> 4343.70] we +[4343.70 --> 4344.14] proclaim +[4344.14 --> 4344.50] the +[4344.50 --> 4344.88] Lord's +[4344.88 --> 4345.16] death +[4345.16 --> 4345.90] until +[4345.90 --> 4346.54] he +[4346.54 --> 4347.08] comes +[4347.08 --> 4347.88] again +[4347.88 --> 4349.52] and +[4349.52 --> 4349.68] so +[4349.68 --> 4350.12] come +[4350.12 --> 4350.94] then +[4350.94 --> 4351.36] for +[4351.36 --> 4351.82] all +[4351.82 --> 4352.46] is +[4352.46 --> 4353.20] ready +[4353.20 --> 4354.34] Christ +[4354.34 --> 4354.70] was +[4354.70 --> 4355.18] raised +[4355.18 --> 4355.70] to +[4355.70 --> 4356.12] life +[4356.12 --> 4356.62] death +[4356.62 --> 4357.04] is +[4357.04 --> 4357.54] swallowed +[4357.54 --> 4357.90] up +[4357.90 --> 4358.50] victory +[4358.50 --> 4359.50] is +[4359.50 --> 4360.40] won +[4360.40 --> 4361.76] hallelujah +[4361.76 --> 4363.22] therefore +[4363.22 --> 4364.02] we +[4364.02 --> 4364.52] keep +[4364.52 --> 4365.14] the +[4365.14 --> 4365.74] feast +[4365.74 --> 4367.20] hallelujah +[4367.20 --> 4369.74] congregation +[4369.74 --> 4370.12] of +[4370.12 --> 4370.34] Jesus +[4370.34 --> 4370.76] Christ +[4370.76 --> 4372.38] the +[4372.38 --> 4372.68] Lord +[4372.68 --> 4373.34] has +[4373.34 --> 4373.68] prepared +[4373.68 --> 4373.94] his +[4373.94 --> 4374.32] table +[4374.32 --> 4375.16] for +[4375.16 --> 4375.64] true +[4375.64 --> 4376.56] believers +[4376.56 --> 4378.36] if +[4378.36 --> 4378.46] you +[4378.46 --> 4378.62] are +[4378.62 --> 4378.90] sorry +[4378.90 --> 4379.10] for +[4379.10 --> 4379.30] your +[4379.30 --> 4379.72] sins +[4379.72 --> 4379.96] and +[4379.96 --> 4380.08] if +[4380.08 --> 4380.24] you +[4380.24 --> 4381.02] sincerely +[4381.02 --> 4381.58] follow +[4381.58 --> 4381.80] the +[4381.80 --> 4382.02] Lord +[4382.02 --> 4382.34] Jesus +[4382.34 --> 4382.90] Christ +[4382.90 --> 4383.18] as +[4383.18 --> 4383.50] Savior +[4383.50 --> 4384.24] and +[4384.24 --> 4384.58] Lord +[4384.58 --> 4384.88] you +[4384.88 --> 4385.14] are +[4385.14 --> 4385.58] invited +[4385.58 --> 4385.84] to +[4385.84 --> 4386.28] come +[4386.28 --> 4386.64] with +[4386.64 --> 4387.30] gladness +[4387.30 --> 4387.50] to +[4387.50 --> 4387.66] the +[4387.66 --> 4388.10] table +[4388.10 --> 4388.94] of +[4388.94 --> 4389.08] the +[4389.08 --> 4389.34] Lord +[4389.34 --> 4390.70] these +[4390.70 --> 4390.80] are +[4390.80 --> 4390.94] the +[4390.94 --> 4391.14] gifts +[4391.14 --> 4391.34] of +[4391.34 --> 4391.72] God +[4391.72 --> 4392.60] for +[4392.60 --> 4392.74] the +[4392.74 --> 4393.10] people +[4393.10 --> 4394.02] of +[4394.02 --> 4394.38] God +[4394.38 --> 4395.76] amen +[4395.76 --> 4397.64] as +[4397.64 --> 4397.80] we +[4397.80 --> 4398.18] come +[4398.18 --> 4398.60] to +[4398.60 --> 4398.84] the +[4398.84 --> 4399.18] table +[4399.18 --> 4399.68] together +[4399.68 --> 4400.78] we +[4400.78 --> 4400.94] will +[4400.94 --> 4401.12] do +[4401.12 --> 4401.56] so +[4401.56 --> 4402.32] in +[4402.32 --> 4402.66] groups +[4402.66 --> 4402.92] and +[4402.92 --> 4403.08] so +[4403.08 --> 4403.22] we +[4403.22 --> 4403.34] will +[4403.34 --> 4403.56] have +[4403.56 --> 4403.84] some +[4403.84 --> 4404.22] elders +[4404.22 --> 4405.50] functioning +[4405.50 --> 4405.78] as +[4405.78 --> 4406.24] ushers +[4406.24 --> 4406.44] will +[4406.44 --> 4406.64] tell +[4406.64 --> 4406.76] you +[4406.76 --> 4406.90] to +[4406.90 --> 4407.08] come +[4407.08 --> 4407.32] up +[4407.32 --> 4407.80] and +[4407.80 --> 4407.90] we +[4407.90 --> 4408.06] will +[4408.06 --> 4408.38] gather +[4408.38 --> 4408.70] in +[4408.70 --> 4409.08] a +[4409.08 --> 4409.48] circle +[4409.48 --> 4410.00] around +[4410.00 --> 4410.26] the +[4410.26 --> 4410.60] table +[4410.60 --> 4411.08] together +[4411.08 --> 4412.10] as +[4412.10 --> 4412.26] you +[4412.26 --> 4412.68] pass +[4412.68 --> 4413.32] the +[4413.32 --> 4413.70] bread +[4413.70 --> 4414.32] we +[4414.32 --> 4414.70] remind +[4414.70 --> 4414.86] you +[4414.86 --> 4415.04] to +[4415.04 --> 4415.30] say +[4415.30 --> 4415.54] the +[4415.54 --> 4415.88] body +[4415.88 --> 4416.12] of +[4416.12 --> 4416.52] Christ +[4416.52 --> 4416.90] given +[4416.90 --> 4417.18] for +[4417.18 --> 4417.40] you +[4417.40 --> 4417.96] as +[4417.96 --> 4418.10] you +[4418.10 --> 4418.42] pass +[4418.42 --> 4418.64] the +[4418.64 --> 4419.02] juice +[4419.02 --> 4419.38] we +[4419.38 --> 4419.80] encourage +[4419.80 --> 4419.96] you +[4419.96 --> 4420.10] to +[4420.10 --> 4420.34] say +[4420.34 --> 4420.54] the +[4420.54 --> 4420.92] blood +[4420.92 --> 4421.16] of +[4421.16 --> 4421.52] Christ +[4421.52 --> 4421.98] shed +[4421.98 --> 4422.42] for +[4422.42 --> 4422.62] you +[4422.62 --> 4423.86] if +[4423.86 --> 4424.18] you +[4424.18 --> 4425.10] require +[4425.10 --> 4425.46] gluten +[4425.46 --> 4425.76] free +[4425.76 --> 4426.12] bread +[4426.12 --> 4426.38] in +[4426.38 --> 4426.64] each +[4426.64 --> 4426.92] tray +[4426.92 --> 4427.20] there's +[4427.20 --> 4427.30] a +[4427.30 --> 4427.42] little +[4427.42 --> 4427.74] cup +[4427.74 --> 4427.96] in +[4427.96 --> 4428.08] the +[4428.08 --> 4428.28] middle +[4428.28 --> 4428.60] that +[4428.60 --> 4428.78] has +[4428.78 --> 4429.02] gluten +[4429.02 --> 4429.28] free +[4429.28 --> 4429.54] bread +[4429.54 --> 4430.42] if +[4430.42 --> 4430.54] you +[4430.54 --> 4430.68] are +[4430.68 --> 4431.04] unable +[4431.04 --> 4431.40] to +[4431.40 --> 4431.76] come +[4431.76 --> 4431.94] to +[4431.94 --> 4432.08] the +[4432.08 --> 4432.38] front +[4432.38 --> 4433.34] we +[4433.34 --> 4433.76] encourage +[4433.76 --> 4434.18] you +[4434.18 --> 4434.48] to +[4434.48 --> 4434.82] just +[4434.82 --> 4435.04] make +[4435.04 --> 4435.22] that +[4435.22 --> 4435.54] known +[4435.54 --> 4435.80] to +[4435.80 --> 4435.96] the +[4435.96 --> 4436.24] usher +[4436.24 --> 4436.52] and +[4436.52 --> 4436.66] they +[4436.66 --> 4436.80] will +[4436.80 --> 4437.02] meet +[4437.02 --> 4437.30] you +[4437.30 --> 4437.60] where +[4437.60 --> 4437.80] you're +[4437.80 --> 4438.08] at +[4438.08 --> 4438.32] and +[4438.32 --> 4438.48] will +[4438.48 --> 4438.80] serve +[4438.80 --> 4439.16] you +[4439.16 --> 4439.74] there +[4439.74 --> 4440.06] in +[4440.06 --> 4440.24] your +[4440.24 --> 4440.54] seat +[4440.54 --> 4441.70] the +[4441.70 --> 4441.92] first +[4441.92 --> 4442.24] table +[4442.24 --> 4442.52] is +[4442.52 --> 4442.72] going +[4442.72 --> 4442.86] to +[4442.86 --> 4442.98] be +[4442.98 --> 4443.14] our +[4443.14 --> 4443.46] worship +[4443.46 --> 4444.04] volunteers +[4444.04 --> 4444.36] and +[4444.36 --> 4444.50] our +[4444.50 --> 4444.82] service +[4444.82 --> 4445.14] elders +[4451.98 --> 4452.12] the +[4452.12 --> 4452.40] first +[4452.40 --> 4452.70] table +[4452.70 --> 4452.88] to +[4452.88 --> 4453.08] come +[4453.08 --> 4453.26] up +[4453.26 --> 4453.44] our +[4453.44 --> 4453.72] worship +[4453.72 --> 4454.34] volunteers +[4454.34 --> 4455.24] back +[4455.24 --> 4455.38] of +[4455.38 --> 4455.70] house +[4455.70 --> 4456.30] people +[4456.30 --> 4457.16] to +[4457.16 --> 4457.34] come +[4457.34 --> 4457.70] forward +[4457.70 --> 4457.92] that +[4457.92 --> 4458.06] we +[4458.06 --> 4458.32] might +[4458.32 --> 4459.34] come +[4459.34 --> 4459.84] together +[4459.84 --> 4460.36] as a +[4460.36 --> 4460.62] church +[4460.62 --> 4460.84] to +[4460.84 --> 4461.28] receive +[4461.28 --> 4462.08] our +[4462.08 --> 4462.26] Lord +[4462.26 --> 4462.50] Jesus +[4462.50 --> 4462.86] Christ +[4481.98 --> 4483.42] if +[4483.68 --> 4484.06] God +[4484.16 --> 4484.52] doesn't +[4484.52 --> 4485.58] all +[4485.58 --> 4496.80] P +[4496.80 --> 4498.46] that +[4498.46 --> 4498.90] I +[4498.90 --> 4499.46] and +[4499.46 --> 4499.96] I +[4508.96 --> 4509.46] and +[4509.46 --> 4539.44] Thank you. +[4539.46 --> 4569.44] Thank you. +[4569.46 --> 4599.44] Thank you. +[4599.46 --> 4629.44] Thank you. +[4629.46 --> 4659.44] Thank you. +[4659.46 --> 4661.46] Thank you. +[4689.46 --> 4691.46] Thank you. +[4719.46 --> 4721.46] Thank you. +[4721.46 --> 4723.46] Thank you. +[4751.46 --> 4753.46] Thank you. +[4753.46 --> 4755.46] Thank you. +[4755.46 --> 4757.46] Thank you. +[4757.46 --> 4759.46] Thank you. +[4759.46 --> 4761.46] Thank you. +[4761.46 --> 4763.46] Thank you. +[4763.46 --> 4765.46] Thank you. +[4765.46 --> 4767.46] Thank you. +[4767.46 --> 4769.46] Thank you. +[4769.46 --> 4771.46] Thank you. +[4771.46 --> 4775.46] Thank you. +[4775.46 --> 4777.46] Thank you. +[4777.46 --> 4779.46] Thank you. +[4779.46 --> 4781.46] Thank you. +[4781.46 --> 4783.46] Thank you. +[4783.46 --> 4785.46] Thank you. +[4785.46 --> 4787.46] Amen. +[4787.46 --> 4793.46] Thank you. +[4793.46 --> 4795.46] Thank you. +[4795.46 --> 4799.00] down before him +[4799.00 --> 4804.26] for he is Lord of all +[4804.26 --> 4807.14] sing hallelujah +[4807.14 --> 4810.66] Christ is risen +[4810.66 --> 4816.82] oh what a Savior +[4816.82 --> 4822.72] oh is he wonderful +[4822.72 --> 4826.36] sing hallelujah +[4826.36 --> 4829.80] Christ is risen +[4829.80 --> 4837.08] bow down before him +[4837.08 --> 4842.48] for he is Lord of all +[4842.48 --> 4845.40] sing hallelujah +[4845.40 --> 4848.36] Christ is risen +[4852.72 --> 4858.36] oh come to the altar +[4858.36 --> 4863.98] the Father's arms are open wide +[4863.98 --> 4868.48] forgiveness was brought with +[4868.48 --> 4873.68] the precious blood of Jesus Christ +[4873.68 --> 4877.48] oh come to the altar +[4877.48 --> 4883.04] the Father's arms are open wide +[4883.04 --> 4887.34] forgiveness was brought with +[4887.34 --> 4893.12] the precious blood of Jesus Christ +[4893.12 --> 4906.98] bear the cross as you wait for the crown +[4906.98 --> 4912.60] tell the world of the treasure you've found +[4912.60 --> 4926.26] I hope now +[4932.36 --> 4934.36] return +[4934.36 --> 4964.34] piano plays softly +[4964.34 --> 4994.32] piano plays softly +[4994.34 --> 5001.34] piano plays softly +[5001.34 --> 5005.34] One final breath came +[5005.88 --> 5008.34] As heaven looked away +[5009.06 --> 5014.34] The Son of God was laid in darkness +[5015.18 --> 5018.34] A battle in the grave +[5018.34 --> 5022.50] The war on death was waged +[5022.50 --> 5027.34] The power of hell forever broken +[5027.34 --> 5032.28] The ground began to shake +[5032.28 --> 5035.34] The stone was rolled away +[5035.34 --> 5040.34] His perfect love could not be overcome +[5040.34 --> 5045.34] Now death, where is your sin? +[5045.34 --> 5048.56] A resurrected King +[5048.56 --> 5052.34] Has threatened you defeated +[5052.34 --> 5058.34] Forever He is glorified +[5059.34 --> 5065.34] Forever He is lifted up +[5065.34 --> 5070.34] Forever He is risen +[5070.34 --> 5073.34] He is alive +[5073.34 --> 5076.34] He is alive +[5076.34 --> 5083.34] The ground began to shake +[5083.34 --> 5086.34] The stone was rolled away +[5086.34 --> 5091.34] His perfect love could not be overcome +[5091.34 --> 5093.34] His perfect love could not be overcome +[5093.34 --> 5095.34] Now death, where is your sin? +[5095.34 --> 5097.34] Our resurrected King +[5097.34 --> 5101.34] Has threatened you defeated +[5101.34 --> 5106.34] Forever He is glorified +[5106.34 --> 5110.34] Forever He is glorified +[5110.34 --> 5116.34] Forever He is lifted up +[5116.34 --> 5121.34] Forever He is risen +[5121.34 --> 5122.34] He is risen +[5122.34 --> 5123.34] He is steady +[5123.34 --> 5124.34] He is risen +[5124.34 --> 5126.34] He is risen +[5126.34 --> 5128.34] He is alive +[5128.34 --> 5135.80] Forever He is glorified +[5135.80 --> 5141.04] Forever He is risen +[5141.04 --> 5146.94] Forever He is risen +[5146.94 --> 5153.04] He is alive, He is alive +[5153.04 --> 5158.90] We sing hallelujah +[5158.90 --> 5162.08] We sing hallelujah +[5162.08 --> 5165.28] We sing hallelujah +[5165.28 --> 5168.44] The land that's overcome +[5168.44 --> 5171.62] We sing hallelujah +[5171.62 --> 5174.78] We sing hallelujah +[5174.78 --> 5177.90] We sing hallelujah +[5177.90 --> 5180.60] The Lord has overcome +[5180.60 --> 5184.16] We sing hallelujah +[5184.16 --> 5187.34] We sing hallelujah +[5187.34 --> 5190.46] We sing hallelujah +[5190.46 --> 5193.04] The Lord has overcome +[5193.04 --> 5204.86] Forever He is glorified +[5204.86 --> 5211.06] Forever He is lifted high +[5211.06 --> 5215.86] Forever He is risen +[5215.86 --> 5221.42] He is alive, He is alive +[5221.42 --> 5229.50] Forever He is glorified +[5229.50 --> 5235.96] Forever He is lifted high +[5235.96 --> 5241.00] Forever He is risen +[5241.00 --> 5246.50] He is alive, He is alive +[5246.50 --> 5251.76] Forever He is risen +[5251.76 --> 5267.94] icherung +[5267.94 --> 5281.08] I'm forgiven because you were forsaken. +[5282.46 --> 5284.34] I'm accepted. +[5285.78 --> 5287.40] You were condemned. +[5289.60 --> 5291.86] I'm alive and well. +[5291.86 --> 5295.02] Your spirit is within me. +[5295.02 --> 5299.54] Because you died and rose again. +[5302.36 --> 5307.64] I'm forgiven because you were forsaken. +[5309.06 --> 5311.00] I'm accepted. +[5312.40 --> 5314.08] You were condemned. +[5316.40 --> 5318.46] I'm alive and well. +[5318.46 --> 5321.40] Your spirit is within me. +[5321.40 --> 5326.92] Because you died and rose again. +[5326.92 --> 5333.92] Amazing love, how can it be? +[5336.10 --> 5339.92] That you, my King, would die for me. +[5339.92 --> 5347.72] Amazing love, I know it's true. +[5349.18 --> 5352.60] It's my joy to honor you. +[5353.66 --> 5359.16] In all I do, I honor you. +[5359.16 --> 5366.80] I'm forgiven because you were forsaken. +[5368.12 --> 5370.00] I'm accepted. +[5371.38 --> 5373.06] You were condemned. +[5375.30 --> 5377.32] I'm alive and well. +[5377.50 --> 5380.34] Your spirit is within me. +[5380.34 --> 5385.22] Because you died and rose again. +[5385.22 --> 5392.22] Amazing love, how can it be? +[5392.22 --> 5393.22] How can it be? +[5393.22 --> 5398.22] That you, my King, would die for me? +[5398.22 --> 5406.22] Amazing love, I know it's true. +[5406.22 --> 5411.22] And it's my joy to honor you. +[5411.22 --> 5418.22] In all I do, I honor you. +[5418.22 --> 5424.22] You are my King. +[5424.22 --> 5431.22] You are my King. +[5431.22 --> 5437.22] Jesus, you are my King. +[5437.22 --> 5443.22] Jesus, you are my King. +[5443.22 --> 5450.22] Amazing love, how can it be? +[5450.22 --> 5452.22] Amazing love, how can it be? +[5452.22 --> 5457.22] That you, my King, would die for me? +[5457.22 --> 5462.22] Amazing love, I know it's true. +[5462.22 --> 5469.22] And it's my joy to honor you. +[5469.22 --> 5476.22] In all I do, I honor you. +[5476.22 --> 5481.22] In all I do, I honor you. +[5481.22 --> 5485.22] In all I do, I honor you. +[5489.22 --> 5491.22] Let's go to Revelation song. +[5492.22 --> 5494.22] Hence and pray. +[5494.22 --> 5524.20] Thank you. +[5524.22 --> 5554.20] Thank you. +[5554.22 --> 5556.22] Thank you. +[5584.22 --> 5594.22] Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. +[5594.22 --> 5603.22] With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings. +[5603.22 --> 5611.22] You are my everything and I will adore you. +[5611.22 --> 5613.22] Thank you. +[5613.22 --> 5615.22] Thank you. +[5615.22 --> 5623.22] Thank you. +[5623.22 --> 5625.22] Thank you. +[5625.22 --> 5627.22] Thank you. +[5627.22 --> 5629.22] Thank you. +[5629.22 --> 5631.22] Thank you. +[5631.22 --> 5633.22] Thank you. +[5633.22 --> 5635.22] Thank you. +[5635.22 --> 5637.22] Thank you. +[5637.22 --> 5639.22] Thank you. +[5639.22 --> 5641.22] Thank you. +[5641.22 --> 5643.22] Thank you. +[5643.22 --> 5645.22] Thank you. +[5645.22 --> 5651.22] Thank you. +[5651.22 --> 5653.22] Thank you. +[5653.22 --> 5655.22] Thank you. +[5655.22 --> 5661.54] the lord god almighty who was and is and is to come +[5665.46 --> 5675.86] with all creation i sing praise to the king of kings you are my everything and i will +[5685.22 --> 5704.14] so +[5704.14 --> 5711.88] Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder +[5711.88 --> 5718.00] Have the mention of your name +[5718.00 --> 5725.26] Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder +[5725.26 --> 5732.00] Have the mention of your name +[5732.00 --> 5736.00] Jesus, your name is power +[5736.00 --> 5739.44] Breath of living water +[5739.44 --> 5743.44] Such a marvelous mystery +[5743.44 --> 5749.50] Holy, holy, holy +[5749.50 --> 5752.50] Is the Lord God Almighty +[5752.50 --> 5757.10] Who was and is and is to come +[5757.10 --> 5763.04] With all creation I sing +[5763.04 --> 5766.28] Praise to the King of kings +[5766.28 --> 5768.66] You are my everything +[5768.66 --> 5773.10] And I will adore you +[5773.10 --> 5776.30] Holy, holy, holy +[5776.30 --> 5779.26] Is the Lord God Almighty +[5779.26 --> 5785.20] Who was and is and is to come +[5785.20 --> 5789.98] With all creation I sing +[5789.98 --> 5792.58] Praise to the King of kings +[5792.58 --> 5795.64] You are my everything +[5795.64 --> 5800.20] And I will adore you +[5800.20 --> 5829.16] Since it is true +[5829.16 --> 5830.70] That God is real +[5830.70 --> 5832.82] Since it is true +[5832.82 --> 5833.92] That God is here +[5833.92 --> 5835.16] And he is doing something +[5835.86 --> 5837.12] Among us +[5837.12 --> 5838.46] It is also true +[5838.46 --> 5840.06] That God goes with you +[5840.06 --> 5843.80] And so we are sent out +[5843.80 --> 5847.46] In and with the power of our God +[5847.46 --> 5851.46] And so receive his blessing +[5851.46 --> 5855.58] God go before you +[5855.58 --> 5856.62] To lead you +[5856.62 --> 5858.78] God go behind you +[5858.78 --> 5859.90] To protect you +[5859.90 --> 5862.76] God go beneath you +[5862.76 --> 5864.04] To support you +[5864.04 --> 5866.44] And God go beside you +[5866.44 --> 5867.50] To befriend you +[5867.50 --> 5870.06] Do not be afraid +[5870.06 --> 5871.74] Let the blessing of God +[5871.74 --> 5872.68] Come upon you today +[5872.68 --> 5874.32] Do not be afraid +[5874.32 --> 5876.50] But go in peace +[5876.50 --> 5879.38] To love and serve the Lord +[5879.38 --> 5881.04] Amen +[5881.04 --> 5903.26] Now unto the King eternal +[5903.26 --> 5909.80] Unto the King immortal +[5909.80 --> 5915.80] Unto the King invisible +[5915.80 --> 5922.02] The only wise God +[5922.02 --> 5928.56] The only wise God +[5928.56 --> 5929.56] The only wise God +[5929.56 --> 5934.56] Now unto the King eternal +[5934.56 --> 5939.10] Unto the King eternal +[5939.10 --> 5941.10] Unto the King immortal +[5941.10 --> 5943.10] Unto the King immortal +[5943.10 --> 5947.10] Unto the King invisible +[5947.10 --> 5951.10] Unto the King invisible +[5951.10 --> 5953.10] The only wise God +[5953.10 --> 5956.10] The only wise God +[5956.10 --> 5962.64] The only wise God +[5962.64 --> 5963.64] The only wise God +[5963.64 --> 5964.64] The only wise God +[5964.64 --> 5966.64] The only wise God +[5966.64 --> 5968.64] Oh unto the King +[5968.64 --> 5970.18] Unto the King +[5970.18 --> 5975.18] Be glory and honor +[5975.18 --> 5979.18] Unto the King forever +[5979.18 --> 5981.72] Unto the King +[5981.72 --> 5982.72] Unto the King +[5982.72 --> 5983.72] Unto the King +[5983.72 --> 5985.72] Be glory and honor +[5985.72 --> 6006.98] Mount +[6006.98 --> 6009.74] Amen +[6009.74 --> 6011.38] Amen. +[6039.74 --> 6041.74] Amen. +[6069.74 --> 6071.74] Amen. +[6099.74 --> 6101.74] Amen. +[6129.74 --> 6131.74] Amen. +[6159.74 --> 6161.74] Amen. +[6189.74 --> 6191.74] Amen. +[6219.74 --> 6221.74] Amen. +[6249.74 --> 6251.74] Amen. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..d0e62cfd4e077a0a3dd935a2fd78d63939bb2fc0 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,53 @@ +• Announcement from Council: BBQ and lawn games on Thursday the 22nd at 6 p.m., followed by an AGM +• Discussion of financial statements and approval process for last year's budget +• Nominations for Office of Elder and Deacon, with lots to be drawn for open positions +• Upcoming vote to affirm nominees by ballot on May 25 +• Installation of new leaders on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th +• Prayer notes: Ben and Leanne's marriage, congratulations to Jason and Kathy Lee Klengelting, another couple to get married this summer (not named) +• Prayers for Tessa, Doug, Rachel Shipper's family, and the community +• Reflection on God incorporating all churches and individuals +• Story of Corrie ten Boom being allowed to pray in a communist country +• Prayer to God, praising Him and thanking Jesus for taking care of sinners +• Reading the Gospel of John and its impact on faith +• Understanding God's sovereignty and justice +• The importance of prioritizing faith and prayer +• Eschatology (study of the last things) including death, judgment day, and the return of Jesus +• Prayer for guidance, wisdom, and boldness in proclaiming God's word +• Discussion of a Bible passage from 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 +• The concept of God's grace and peace shaping the church and response to the future +• The concept of the apocalypse and its various interpretations +• Fear and anxiety about the end of the world +• The idea that the apocalypse is not just an event but a revelation or unveiling of God's plan +• The Bible as the primary source for understanding the apocalypse +• The phrase "the day" in biblical contexts, which can refer to a future time period rather than a literal 24-hour period +• Typology and the reusing of phrases across the Bible to convey complex ideas and concepts +• The Bible's complexity and simplicity +• Two parts to each passage that use the phrase "in that day" or similar phrases, referencing both immediate judgment/consequences and future restoration/vengeance +• Genesis 2: uses the phrase "for in the day you eat of it, you shall surely die" with Adam, highlighting two parts: spiritual death at the moment of sinning, and physical death later +• Deuteronomy 32: describes God's heavenly view of history through poetry, mentioning judgment on nations and future vengeance, again using the phrase "in that day" +• Isaiah 7: uses the phrase multiple times to describe both destruction by Assyria and a promised restoration +• Joel 2: mentions a day of judgment with an unnamed but historically unmatched army, referencing both immediate consequences and future restoration/vengeance. +• A large army will invade, like in ancient times, but with God's restoration of his people +• God will pour out his spirit on all people, including men, women, and children, for prophecy, dreams, and visions +• The sun will be turned to darkness, moon to blood, before the great day of the Lord +• Jesus uses the same phrase in John 14:19-20, referring to his death, resurrection, ascension, Pentecost, and return as one event +• The "day" is not a single 24-hour period but encompasses multiple events over time +• Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, Pentecost, and return are all linked, part of God's plan for salvation and the outpouring of his wrath upon sin +• Salvation, wrath, justice, mercy, and blessing find their purpose in Jesus +• The concept of spiritual resurrection and relationship with God, nature, others, and oneself is being restored. +• Physical resurrection promises union with Jesus forever. +• The apocalypse brings relief from current trials and hope for eternity. +• Judgment is a blessing to God's people and vengeance on his enemies. +• Forgiveness and restoration are promised through repentance and faith in Jesus. +• Repentance is open to all human beings, regardless of their past. +• The promise of glory and life with Christ in eternity is available to those who believe. +• Testimony of faith in the church and towards a higher power +• Promises of eternal life and revelation through history and divine apocalypse +• Gratitude for the church's love and service to others +• Prayer for continued empowerment and glorification of God +• Reflection on personal faith and relationship with Jesus Christ +• The speaker introduces a song about praising their Savior. +• An announcement is made for a meeting after church. +• A blessing from the Lord is given, including several repetitions of similar phrases. +• A prayer is offered, asking God's favor and presence to be with those present. +• Repeated Amen statements conclude the service. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..b06020cb32874d0fc3623b1b4d978b321e85865d --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 18, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,678 @@ +[0.00 --> 7.58] Jesus wants you. Jesus died for you. We just celebrated Easter and it's real. It is real. +[9.26 --> 21.14] Anyway, okay, first the announcement from Council. All members are invited to barbecue and lawn games on Thursday the 22nd at 6 p.m. +[21.60 --> 28.82] followed by an AGM at 7. The packet for this meeting went out last week. Please read it over. +[28.82 --> 40.14] We will be voting to approve last year's financial statements. The packet also includes Council's follow-up to the Town Hall we had about calling Pastor Kevin as Minister of the Word. +[40.84 --> 48.90] We call that document our shared future. Please read that before the meeting as we will also be discussing the process. +[50.08 --> 56.06] Council presents the following people who have been nominated and approved for the Office of Elder and Deacon. +[56.06 --> 67.52] For the Office of Deacon, Pete Birkenpass, Carolyn Spohr, Warren Verhoef. We will draw lots for two open positions at a later date. +[68.22 --> 75.96] For the Office of Pastoral Elder, Pete Birkenpass, Jesus Hernandez, Pim Schoen, Frank Welfing, and Sam Wind. +[75.96 --> 79.66] We will draw lots for three positions. +[80.66 --> 87.74] The Lord willing, as part of our worship service on May 25, we will vote to affirm the slate of nominees by ballot. +[88.60 --> 92.78] Once the nominees are affirmed, the drawing of lots will take place on June 1st. +[93.64 --> 97.96] The installation will take place on Pentecost Sunday, June 8th. +[97.96 --> 100.38] And now a few prayer notes. +[101.62 --> 109.74] Ben Walters and Leanne Meanders were united in marriage in Smithville, Ontario, on May 24th this year. +[110.30 --> 116.72] Congrats to them, to Jake and Annette, and to the whole extended family of Ben and Leanne. +[116.72 --> 127.00] As I was reading this earlier and what I was supposed to say, there is another couple who got married not this past Saturday, but the Saturday before that. +[127.66 --> 133.60] And it just so happens they are here, and it is Jason and Kathy Lee Klengelting. +[134.24 --> 134.66] Congrats. +[134.66 --> 134.84] Congrats. +[136.04 --> 145.64] And there is another couple who are also in that family, who I won't mention yet because it's a little premature, but they are also going to get married this summer. +[146.24 --> 147.60] So congrats to you too. +[148.50 --> 149.26] Blessings, people. +[150.90 --> 152.18] It's time to pray. +[152.60 --> 156.20] This morning, I want to remember Tessa. +[157.34 --> 160.02] I want to remember Doug, two people who are dealing with cancer. +[160.02 --> 163.08] And also Tanya and her family. +[164.46 --> 167.04] It's always awesome to see Tanya here. +[168.60 --> 169.94] And we pray. +[170.30 --> 170.78] We pray. +[171.78 --> 182.10] Rachel Shipper also yesterday, they had a service for her in upcountry. +[182.64 --> 183.34] Forget the name. +[184.46 --> 187.76] It happens when you get a certain age, if you don't write it down. +[188.04 --> 189.66] That's maybe why they wrote this down. +[191.02 --> 193.72] Anyway, the extended family is the whistlings and the shippers. +[195.04 --> 196.60] So we pray for them. +[198.46 --> 203.10] I was reminded this morning as we were sitting here, as we were singing, as we were praising God, +[203.10 --> 208.52] you know, on any given Sunday, there's thousands and thousands of churches worshiping. +[208.52 --> 212.80] And we all seem to think that maybe ours is the best way. +[212.80 --> 215.62] But God incorporates us all. +[216.40 --> 219.86] And there's no two like people ever, anywhere. +[219.86 --> 227.64] And then the other thing, on my journey, I read a few books from Corrie ten Boom. +[227.64 --> 229.74] And she lived through the war. +[229.74 --> 234.52] And she became a minister, pastor, missionary, call it what you want. +[234.74 --> 236.86] And she went to a lot of communist countries. +[237.52 --> 239.60] And I forget which country she went to. +[240.24 --> 246.54] But they told her specifically, because she would go to the preach, specifically she was not allowed to preach. +[246.54 --> 247.40] But she could pray. +[248.22 --> 249.16] So guess what? +[249.78 --> 251.68] She prayed for two hours. +[252.62 --> 254.00] Which I'm not going to do, but. +[255.26 --> 256.16] Anyway, let's pray. +[256.16 --> 263.04] Our Father, who art in heaven, Lord, hallowed be your name. +[264.62 --> 274.04] Lord, we praise you this morning that we could share in the joy of Mark and Dee and their beautiful kids, Lord. +[275.32 --> 278.54] Lord, you watched our journey, every one of us. +[280.30 --> 282.28] Sometimes it's pretty straightforward. +[282.62 --> 283.54] A lot of times it's not. +[284.36 --> 285.40] But you don't forget us. +[285.40 --> 286.46] You never forget us. +[286.94 --> 295.62] You place things in our midst to remind us of you, of Jesus, of what he's done for us. +[296.46 --> 300.10] Lord, we just talked about the men in prison, or the women in prison. +[301.68 --> 304.42] And they're there for a reason, but some of us could be as well. +[305.46 --> 306.66] We're all sinners, Lord. +[307.22 --> 311.86] And we thank you that Jesus, you sent Jesus to take care of that whole thing. +[312.64 --> 313.40] Thank you, Lord. +[313.40 --> 316.04] Lord, we pray for the kids. +[316.68 --> 323.00] Lord, for those of us who've been given children such a blessing and a challenge. +[323.82 --> 324.90] We pray for the moms. +[326.06 --> 332.64] Lord, we pray will you be with them day after day after day as the kids grow up. +[332.64 --> 336.12] Lord, when they're small, help us to be examples. +[336.12 --> 344.72] Lord, examples in not just do what I tell you to, but watch what I do. +[344.72 --> 347.22] Lord, do we pray? +[347.42 --> 349.12] Do we let our kids see us pray? +[349.40 --> 350.74] Do we pray with them? +[351.68 --> 353.06] Do we read your word? +[353.54 --> 355.62] Lord, we've got a whole book you sent us. +[356.08 --> 358.86] Do we actually read it with our kids, with each other? +[358.86 --> 366.34] Lord, or do we prefer to watch a football game or maybe a hockey game or whatever else we do? +[367.54 --> 371.62] Lord, a couple Sundays ago, Kevin said, Gospel of John. +[372.32 --> 374.66] Just in one sitting, read the Gospel of John. +[374.66 --> 378.58] So, Lord, some of us have done that. +[378.68 --> 379.62] It only took two hours. +[380.98 --> 381.76] Two hours. +[381.84 --> 383.62] That's faster than a game. +[385.38 --> 387.36] Lord, you know each one of us. +[388.12 --> 395.08] You tell us in Psalm 139 that you knew us before we were named. +[395.94 --> 397.62] You watched us being formed. +[397.62 --> 407.04] Lord, you've got the days, every one of our days written in your book before one of them came to be. +[408.06 --> 409.24] How amazing is that, Lord? +[411.94 --> 416.42] Lord, we ask you that you give us understanding, that you guide us. +[416.62 --> 422.66] Lord, that you help us realize what's important and what's not really important, Lord. +[422.66 --> 430.04] Lord, if we're Christians, we're going to heaven, and we praise you and thank you that you died for us. +[431.98 --> 443.48] And, Lord, you ask us or you invite us to make that same commitment if we're not, if our sins are not forgiven, Lord. +[443.78 --> 445.30] It seems just way too easy. +[445.30 --> 452.52] But you did it all for us, for the people in jail, for whomever. +[453.54 --> 460.48] Lord, and you will call, you have called, and you are calling those who you want. +[461.70 --> 462.96] Lord, we thank you for your blessings. +[463.74 --> 465.58] We help us to prioritize. +[467.08 --> 470.88] Lord, we thank you that you give us our needs, not so much our wants. +[470.88 --> 474.84] We thank you, Lord, that you answer prayer any time we pray. +[475.56 --> 478.62] We thank you, Lord, that you take time to listen to us. +[479.16 --> 479.76] Imagine that. +[480.88 --> 489.04] The maker of us, the maker of heaven and earth, takes time to listen to each one of us and counts each one of us special, Lord. +[489.92 --> 491.44] Lord, will you press that upon our hearts? +[492.34 --> 493.36] Today, this week. +[493.36 --> 504.34] Lord, as we drive somewhere by ourself and we think about these things, Lord, with your spirit, will you fill us with prompts from yourself, Lord? +[504.64 --> 505.42] And we thank you. +[506.16 --> 508.08] How amazing you set it all up, Lord. +[509.26 --> 512.26] And we thank you, Lord, for the people who've gone before us. +[512.42 --> 517.44] Most of us can think of friends, family, parents. +[518.76 --> 520.28] We've had to say goodbye to, Lord. +[520.28 --> 524.56] We pray for those people, Lord, because there's a void. +[524.70 --> 525.52] There's always a void. +[527.42 --> 529.04] But we pray we help each one of us. +[529.74 --> 531.46] We thank you for today again. +[532.38 --> 533.40] We thank you for the blessings. +[534.02 --> 536.72] We thank you that Josh is bringing your word next. +[537.16 --> 542.58] We pray we give him wisdom and insight and boldness to proclaim your word, Lord. +[543.10 --> 544.26] Thank you for your love and care. +[544.36 --> 545.10] In Jesus' name, amen. +[550.28 --> 580.26] Thank you for your love and care. +[580.58 --> 584.40] And for the other nerds out there, eschatology. +[584.88 --> 586.82] The study of the last things. +[587.26 --> 588.94] Death, our destiny after it. +[589.76 --> 592.80] The last days, Armageddon, judgment day. +[593.10 --> 594.00] All fun things. +[594.62 --> 599.68] And we get to do that today in our passage today, 2 Thessalonians 1, 7 to 12. +[599.68 --> 607.98] While you are opening your Bibles or your devices to the passage, we must remember what Chris preached last Sunday. +[608.98 --> 616.06] Paul opens up the letter of 2 Thessalonians with God's grace and peace about the way it shapes the church and our gratitude, +[616.06 --> 620.38] but also our response of faith for what God has in store in the future. +[620.98 --> 629.74] As terrifying as it may seem with all its uncertainty and chaos, let us remember there is no uncertainty in God's sovereignty. +[630.70 --> 632.12] He is faithful. +[632.12 --> 639.32] And with the reminder, let's start reading in verse 6 to connect back a little to Chris' sermon. +[639.32 --> 644.84] God is just. +[645.68 --> 652.18] He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled and to us as well. +[652.18 --> 658.50] This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. +[659.30 --> 663.22] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. +[664.16 --> 669.98] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord from the glory of his might. +[670.90 --> 676.50] On the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among those who have believed. +[677.30 --> 681.52] This includes you because you believed our testimony to you. +[682.66 --> 687.38] With this in mind, we constantly pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling +[687.38 --> 695.46] and that by his power he may bring to fruition every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. +[696.48 --> 701.14] We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, +[702.08 --> 704.98] according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. +[708.52 --> 709.72] This is the word of the Lord. +[712.18 --> 718.54] Many of us are obsessed with the end of the world, the apocalypse. +[719.50 --> 727.16] The movies we watch like The Terminator, War of the Worlds, Mad Max, 28 Days Later, Interstellar, Planet of the Apes, +[727.44 --> 730.28] The Day After Tomorrow, even the Pixar movie WALL-E, +[730.28 --> 734.80] and the famously questionable Christian movie Left Behind. +[737.54 --> 742.32] Though these movies all present a way humanity could find its demise, +[742.88 --> 744.50] the way that this world could end, +[744.90 --> 749.70] either with zombies, monsters, robots, God, nature, or even garbage, +[750.52 --> 751.44] in the case of WALL-E. +[751.44 --> 758.60] Sometimes the end time comes slowly, sometimes sudden, sometimes it's preventable, and other times inevitable. +[758.60 --> 761.74] And it's not just movies. +[762.46 --> 769.10] Our books often depict evil or destructive things, or a being or a force that will destroy everything. +[769.74 --> 773.30] The greatest fantasy book and movie, Lord of the Rings, +[773.70 --> 779.64] centered on a plot to stop the Dark Lord Sauron from destroying all of the good and beauty in Middle Earth, +[779.64 --> 781.76] and along with all its inhabitants. +[782.68 --> 788.42] In all of these stories, it's either something evil trying to destroy all that exists, +[788.62 --> 791.22] or something mindless just going through the motions, +[791.46 --> 794.14] and humanity and life is helpless to stop it. +[795.42 --> 797.84] Many of us are obsessed with the end, +[798.28 --> 799.98] and some of us are terrified of it. +[800.60 --> 801.86] We love this place. +[802.48 --> 804.06] Our families, our friends, +[804.42 --> 807.22] we love food and the activities we busy ourselves with. +[807.22 --> 809.00] We love the sunsets. +[809.16 --> 812.58] We love weddings and gatherings and music and baptisms. +[814.24 --> 816.02] There's a lot in this world to love. +[817.86 --> 821.06] And the idea of it ending is terrifying to us, +[821.62 --> 824.38] especially if we don't know how it's going to end. +[825.16 --> 827.82] We worry it's going to be long and painful. +[828.70 --> 832.24] We also worry it's going to be too quick for us to notice and put our affairs in order +[832.24 --> 833.74] to make the end good. +[835.02 --> 836.96] We're mostly scared about what comes after. +[837.72 --> 840.64] The dread of that mysterious end that no one can see. +[841.44 --> 844.92] When the curtain call goes, does the show just end, or is there an encore? +[847.08 --> 849.34] Paul is addressing this idea today. +[849.94 --> 852.92] What do we do with the end of our lives and the end of days? +[854.88 --> 856.54] What does the Bible say about this? +[856.74 --> 858.28] Where is God in all of this? +[858.28 --> 864.74] Our passage today, written by Paul and much of 2 Thessalonians, deals with this area of life. +[865.28 --> 869.30] And Paul's unexpected answer to this problem we face is our big idea. +[870.14 --> 876.48] The apocalypse is the relief from our trials today and hope for God's people in eternity. +[877.84 --> 881.42] Relief for our trials today and hope for God's people in eternity. +[881.42 --> 891.12] The reason the apocalypse is the relief and hope is because the apocalypse is not about a day. +[891.12 --> 892.28] It's not a time. +[892.44 --> 893.54] It's not a cataclysm. +[893.54 --> 902.56] The apocalypse comes from the Greek word apocalypsis, which means revelation, unveiling, or revealing. +[903.84 --> 906.36] The Bible is the revelation of God. +[907.32 --> 909.24] Christ is the revelation of God. +[909.24 --> 912.84] This Bible is the apocalypse. +[913.88 --> 914.76] Not an event. +[916.20 --> 918.24] This isn't just fancy wordplay. +[918.58 --> 919.98] This is everything we believe. +[920.72 --> 927.60] It's not just the events in certain parts of the Bible where it talks about cataclysms and fights with Satan and the angel Michael. +[927.98 --> 929.86] It's not just judgment day. +[930.04 --> 933.24] And it's not a set of tribulations that rip the earth in half. +[933.24 --> 945.96] The core of Christianity, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and his eventual return is not just about what happens right now. +[947.20 --> 949.22] It's also about the end of the world. +[950.72 --> 955.74] His death saves us from condemnation now and on that last day. +[956.72 --> 957.68] There are two parts. +[959.46 --> 960.24] But let's go see. +[960.90 --> 961.96] Let's go through and see how. +[961.96 --> 974.20] Over and over again, phrases like in that day, on that day, or the day of the Lord describe a future event where God's judgment comes for his enemies and salvation for his people. +[975.26 --> 982.82] In many cases here, the word day doesn't mean a 24-hour period of time, but simply a time at some point in the future. +[984.00 --> 989.98] For example, many times in the New Testament, it will describe a time after the disciples as the last days. +[989.98 --> 992.50] 2 Timothy 3.1 says, +[992.50 --> 995.82] But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days. +[996.64 --> 997.50] Hebrews 1.2, +[997.66 --> 1004.88] But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he also made the universe. +[1005.92 --> 1007.14] 2 Peter 3.3, +[1007.50 --> 1013.52] Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. +[1013.52 --> 1016.92] It's been 2,000 years. +[1017.60 --> 1019.20] That's a lot of last days. +[1019.90 --> 1022.18] Or a long, long last day. +[1022.18 --> 1026.34] Phrases in the Bible are important. +[1027.54 --> 1034.28] The Bible was written by a people that didn't speak English and by people that wrote differently than us. +[1034.92 --> 1040.68] They had different techniques and different methods, and those people knew those techniques and those methods. +[1040.68 --> 1047.90] And one of those techniques is the reusing of similar phrases across the whole canon. +[1048.52 --> 1054.78] So when you see that phrase, it makes you think of all the other times that phrase is used. +[1054.78 --> 1067.88] That phrase creates a chain of increasing complexity, revealing to the person who's reading the story a concept or idea that God has been teaching his people across the whole Bible. +[1068.48 --> 1072.68] And by reading it over and over again, it starts to make more sense. +[1073.26 --> 1074.54] It becomes more clear. +[1075.06 --> 1077.36] But it takes reading it to see the pattern. +[1078.42 --> 1081.30] This method is part of what's called typology. +[1081.30 --> 1088.86] And in this phrase, in the beginning of verse 10 of 2 Thessalonians, is the phrase we will follow today. +[1089.54 --> 1090.58] On the day. +[1093.34 --> 1101.18] And as we go through a couple examples, note that there are two parts to each of the passages that we go through and how this phrase is used. +[1103.22 --> 1105.74] God's Word is rich. +[1106.22 --> 1108.64] It's complex and yet beautifully simple. +[1108.64 --> 1111.06] It is the perfect book. +[1111.72 --> 1115.54] It reaches every person where they are at and brings them closer to God. +[1116.20 --> 1123.26] But sometimes in our attempt to read this massive tome, we are slogged down in Numbers or Leviticus. +[1123.80 --> 1124.70] And I get it. +[1125.28 --> 1129.76] There are parts of the Bible that I yawn at when reading, even though I'm obsessed with it. +[1129.76 --> 1135.90] But when we go through the whole Bible and we see how this book interconnects and we see the complexity, +[1136.92 --> 1138.42] sometimes it takes more than one read. +[1138.88 --> 1139.90] It's mind-blowing. +[1140.94 --> 1142.56] So please, follow along. +[1143.40 --> 1148.32] Deal with this just for a little as we track through some passages and see what God is telling us today. +[1150.00 --> 1154.12] Our first use of this term is right in the beginning in Genesis. +[1154.12 --> 1159.44] In Genesis 2, God makes the garden and then makes Adam and places him in the garden. +[1160.04 --> 1163.10] He tells him that he can eat of any tree and then says this, +[1164.40 --> 1167.04] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. +[1167.74 --> 1171.50] For in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die. +[1172.82 --> 1175.28] We see our phrase here right at the end. +[1175.52 --> 1178.36] For in the day you eat of it, you shall surely die. +[1179.10 --> 1181.56] Now, this use of the phrase seems pretty normal. +[1181.56 --> 1187.02] Well, God is just telling Adam, whatever day you happen to eat of the fruit, you'll die. +[1188.06 --> 1189.34] Why single this out? +[1190.72 --> 1193.16] Well, because Adam doesn't die that day. +[1194.30 --> 1195.58] Remember, there are two parts. +[1196.36 --> 1199.94] The first part is Adam and Eve are cursed that day that they eat the fruit. +[1201.16 --> 1206.08] All their relationships are broken between God, each other, and nature and themselves. +[1206.42 --> 1207.60] They die spiritually. +[1208.32 --> 1209.90] And Ephesians 2.1 tells us how. +[1209.90 --> 1214.22] As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. +[1215.32 --> 1220.28] And the second part of this event is that God tells them that they will die physically, +[1220.62 --> 1222.56] returning to the dust that they were made. +[1225.36 --> 1226.90] Let's jump to Deuteronomy 32. +[1227.52 --> 1231.68] In Deuteronomy 32, we are given a heavenly view of history through poetry. +[1232.18 --> 1233.64] And he tells them two things. +[1233.64 --> 1236.00] God tells them that he made the earth. +[1236.52 --> 1240.04] And because of humanity's sin, he gave them over to the gods they worshipped instead of him, +[1240.44 --> 1244.80] dividing the nation, and kept Israel for himself as his inheritance, +[1245.20 --> 1246.72] despite the rejection of him as well. +[1247.46 --> 1249.92] And in verse 35 to 36, we get our phrase again. +[1249.92 --> 1272.50] And so we see there are two parts again in Deuteronomy 32. +[1272.50 --> 1278.96] The first part is that God has judged the nations, giving them over to their tiny gods +[1278.96 --> 1281.68] and letting them be ruled by their sinful desires. +[1282.42 --> 1286.00] And the second part is that because of their continued sin, +[1286.38 --> 1291.30] he will have his vengeance on that future day out of compassion for his people. +[1291.30 --> 1294.78] Two parts. +[1295.80 --> 1298.38] We then jump to the book of Isaiah, chapter 7. +[1299.48 --> 1305.10] Isaiah is sent to King Ahaz to tell them that because of Israel's sin and lack of repentance +[1305.10 --> 1307.06] and disregard for God and his law, +[1307.74 --> 1310.74] God has sent the king of Assyria to bring destruction to Israel. +[1311.44 --> 1316.80] With a promised restoration later on in verses 18 to 25, we see our phrase again. +[1316.80 --> 1322.70] In that day, the Lord will whistle for flies from the Nile Delta in Egypt +[1322.70 --> 1324.68] and for the bees from the land of Assyria. +[1325.18 --> 1328.66] They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices of the rocks, +[1329.14 --> 1331.96] on all the thorn bushes and at all the watering holes. +[1332.24 --> 1335.86] In that day, the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River, +[1335.98 --> 1340.50] the king of Assyria, to shave your head and private parts and to cut off your beard also. +[1341.34 --> 1344.50] And it continues like this for another five verses, +[1344.50 --> 1352.22] repeating that phrase in that day over and over again for both the invasion and the restoration, +[1353.24 --> 1355.86] hinting to us that that day is more than that. +[1356.84 --> 1358.32] And again, we see two parts. +[1359.04 --> 1362.26] The first part is that Israel will soon come under siege by Assyria. +[1362.82 --> 1366.28] And the second part is that Israel later on will be destroyed. +[1366.28 --> 1374.14] But that phrase in that day is used for both events, the destruction and the restoration. +[1374.50 --> 1382.04] Our next passage is in Joel 2, verses 1-2 and verses 28-32. +[1382.04 --> 1388.50] Chapter 2 of Joel is another heavenly view of history, like Deuteronomy. +[1389.04 --> 1392.26] And the beginning and the end sections use the phrase we've been following. +[1393.02 --> 1397.14] And what we see is, again, two parts. +[1397.82 --> 1400.00] The first part is that on the day of the Lord, +[1400.44 --> 1406.24] God is sending judgment in the form of an unnamed but also historically unmatched army. +[1406.24 --> 1407.96] Verses 1 and 2. +[1407.96 --> 1411.36] Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy hill. +[1411.92 --> 1415.42] Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. +[1416.42 --> 1421.96] It is close at hand, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. +[1422.36 --> 1426.12] Like dawn spreading across the mountains, a large mighty army comes, +[1426.40 --> 1430.32] such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. +[1430.32 --> 1436.76] And the second part is that God, like in Isaiah, is going to restore his people. +[1437.52 --> 1441.20] But more than that, his people don't just include Israel this time, +[1441.94 --> 1449.16] but people from all nations and the further promise of God's spirit dwelling and empowering with his people. +[1449.88 --> 1451.78] Verses 28-31. +[1451.78 --> 1454.48] And afterwards I will pour out my spirit on all people. +[1454.80 --> 1459.94] Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. +[1460.60 --> 1464.86] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days. +[1465.06 --> 1469.00] I will show wonders in the heavens and on earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. +[1469.42 --> 1474.88] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. +[1474.88 --> 1484.40] Both this imminent invasion from this unmatched army and the future restoration and further blessing of God's people +[1484.40 --> 1487.82] happen on that same great day of the Lord. +[1489.84 --> 1491.38] We now jump to the New Testament. +[1491.64 --> 1492.30] We're just about done. +[1494.14 --> 1497.60] This is one of the last passages that connects this chain together. +[1497.60 --> 1505.08] In the Gospel of John, we see that Jesus himself uses this phrase in John chapter 14, verses 19-20. +[1506.10 --> 1510.10] In chapter 14, Jesus is teaching the many last things before he goes, +[1510.26 --> 1516.46] and he promises the imminent death, his imminent death, and that the Holy Spirit would come after he dies. +[1517.36 --> 1519.14] And in verses 19-20, this is what we read. +[1519.60 --> 1526.60] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me, because I live, you also will live. +[1526.60 --> 1533.52] On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. +[1535.54 --> 1538.36] There are two parts to this day he's talking about. +[1538.70 --> 1544.02] The first is that he will disappear, and the second part is that they will live because he lives in them. +[1546.22 --> 1547.34] What is this day? +[1548.46 --> 1549.46] When is this? +[1549.46 --> 1556.90] Jesus is intentionally using the same phrases in Genesis, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Joel, +[1557.08 --> 1560.30] to highlight what the day he is talking about will look like. +[1561.12 --> 1568.88] All of those uses of that phrase have taught us something about Jesus' use here in his promise to his disciples. +[1568.88 --> 1580.72] What day could Jesus be talking about where we see someone who isn't sinful become sin and is cursed by God? +[1581.40 --> 1582.42] Like in Genesis. +[1583.12 --> 1588.88] What day could we see Jesus be talking about where God makes a special people for himself +[1588.88 --> 1591.90] and separates them from those who are evil? +[1591.90 --> 1594.34] Like in Deuteronomy. +[1594.94 --> 1602.60] What day could Jesus be talking about where God brings both his wrath and his blessing on his people? +[1602.98 --> 1603.62] Like in Isaiah. +[1604.32 --> 1611.26] What day could Jesus be talking about where he both destroys his people and gives them his spirit +[1611.26 --> 1612.82] and brings them to life? +[1613.22 --> 1613.98] Like in Joel. +[1613.98 --> 1619.70] What day could Jesus be speaking about where he disappears and people get life? +[1620.18 --> 1621.06] Like in John. +[1622.12 --> 1623.46] Is it his crucifixion? +[1624.00 --> 1625.18] Is it his resurrection? +[1625.68 --> 1626.74] Is it his ascension? +[1627.22 --> 1628.22] Is it Pentecost? +[1628.62 --> 1630.22] Or is it even his return? +[1631.74 --> 1633.12] The answer is yes. +[1634.28 --> 1641.44] The day Jesus is talking about, the day all these previous stories are hinting at, teaching us about, +[1641.44 --> 1645.20] the day of the Lord is all of the above. +[1646.18 --> 1650.66] Remember the day in that phrase used over and over again isn't 24 hours. +[1651.68 --> 1655.96] In Genesis and Deuteronomy, it was one day with a promise of another day later on. +[1656.54 --> 1660.36] And in Isaiah and Joel, it was a calamity that happened over a period of time +[1660.36 --> 1663.48] with the promise that there would be a period of restoration after. +[1664.56 --> 1669.50] Just like how all of those days consisted of events of larger spans of time, +[1669.50 --> 1675.90] so it is with Christ's death and resurrection and ascension and Pentecost and his awaited return. +[1676.86 --> 1678.56] They are all linked. +[1679.34 --> 1681.32] They're not just series of events. +[1681.48 --> 1685.04] They are elements stemming from one unifying purpose. +[1685.82 --> 1688.60] Just like all those elements from Genesis to John, +[1688.78 --> 1691.86] these four days are all linked together, +[1692.02 --> 1695.56] telling a bigger story about God's plan for salvation +[1695.56 --> 1698.18] and the outpouring of his wrath upon sin. +[1699.38 --> 1703.68] All of these ideas find their purpose and unity in Jesus. +[1704.58 --> 1707.78] Salvation and wrath, justice and vengeance, +[1708.54 --> 1709.80] mercy and blessing, +[1710.40 --> 1712.34] all find their purpose in him. +[1713.40 --> 1718.04] It was on that great and terrifying and beautiful day of the Lord +[1718.04 --> 1719.60] where God became man, +[1720.08 --> 1721.46] lived the life we should have lived, +[1721.80 --> 1723.24] died the death we should have died, +[1723.46 --> 1724.90] and later rose from the dead +[1724.90 --> 1727.48] and restored, ascended to be with his Father, +[1727.88 --> 1730.08] and the Spirit came down and filled the church. +[1731.52 --> 1732.80] And now look at this. +[1733.50 --> 1736.98] Remember how when with Adam, there were two parts. +[1738.12 --> 1739.24] He died spiritually +[1739.24 --> 1741.40] and was promised a future death. +[1741.40 --> 1745.80] Christ is using that same phrase to hint to his disciples +[1745.80 --> 1748.28] that there are two parts to this new life. +[1749.00 --> 1752.06] The first part is that his disciples and every Christian +[1752.06 --> 1755.68] given new life spiritually. +[1756.66 --> 1758.38] We are raised from the dead spiritually. +[1758.86 --> 1761.84] Our relationship with God, nature, each other, and ourselves +[1761.84 --> 1763.12] is on the mend. +[1764.30 --> 1768.06] And the second part is the promise of a physical resurrection +[1768.06 --> 1770.74] where we will be united with our Savior forever. +[1771.40 --> 1774.44] This is our big idea revisited. +[1775.04 --> 1779.02] The apocalypse is our relief from today's trials +[1779.02 --> 1781.84] and hope for God's people in eternity. +[1783.08 --> 1785.96] God has turned the curse into blessing. +[1786.78 --> 1788.54] For God's people, judgment is blessing, +[1788.78 --> 1790.14] and his enemies, it is vengeance. +[1790.98 --> 1795.00] For his people, it is God's perfect justice means grace, +[1795.58 --> 1797.98] and for his enemies, it means condemnation. +[1797.98 --> 1801.64] That great and terrible day of the Lord, +[1802.06 --> 1804.24] that final day to end all days, +[1804.60 --> 1806.82] where God separates for the last time +[1806.82 --> 1808.74] his people and his enemies, +[1809.16 --> 1811.52] where God will give the promised final death +[1811.52 --> 1813.04] and the promised final life, +[1813.62 --> 1816.40] that day is hope for his people +[1816.40 --> 1819.32] and terror to everyone else. +[1819.32 --> 1823.58] He will punish those who do not know God +[1823.58 --> 1825.82] and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. +[1829.00 --> 1833.48] We were all dead in our trespasses like Adam. +[1834.48 --> 1835.92] That's where this all started. +[1836.88 --> 1837.90] We were all condemned. +[1838.76 --> 1840.28] We were all the enemy of God. +[1841.34 --> 1843.96] That day of the Lord would have been terror +[1843.96 --> 1847.62] and judgment for us all if it wasn't for Jesus. +[1848.52 --> 1850.54] In Deuteronomy, we see that God doesn't want +[1850.54 --> 1851.54] to condemn everyone. +[1852.32 --> 1854.90] He is merciful and wants to reconcile +[1854.90 --> 1857.86] our relationship with him that we destroyed. +[1858.98 --> 1861.46] And in Isaiah, we see that God is promising restoration +[1861.46 --> 1863.72] for our relationship with him, +[1864.34 --> 1868.34] that if we only recognize that we were the ones +[1868.34 --> 1869.92] that brought the calamity and death. +[1869.92 --> 1872.92] We were the ones that brought destruction. +[1874.00 --> 1875.54] And in Joel, we learned that the promise +[1875.54 --> 1878.02] isn't just for those who are currently his people, +[1878.76 --> 1882.58] but that it is open to every single human being on earth. +[1883.30 --> 1886.04] Everyone can repent and have unity with God. +[1886.92 --> 1890.60] We are the bringers of destruction, decay, and death. +[1891.50 --> 1894.78] God is the one who brings relief, hope, and life. +[1895.60 --> 1896.82] He has promised forgiveness. +[1896.82 --> 1902.52] You, even you, can repent. +[1902.80 --> 1905.72] No matter how small or big the sin is, +[1906.26 --> 1907.82] you can repent. +[1908.56 --> 1909.84] He wants you back. +[1910.52 --> 1912.24] He proved it by dying for you. +[1916.44 --> 1918.24] Let's read verses 10 to 12 again. +[1920.20 --> 1923.54] On the day he comes to be glorified in his people +[1923.54 --> 1926.24] and to be marveled at among those who believed, +[1926.82 --> 1927.82] this includes you, +[1928.56 --> 1930.86] because you believed our testimony to you. +[1931.86 --> 1932.70] With this in mind, +[1933.02 --> 1934.48] we constantly pray for you, +[1934.98 --> 1936.94] that our God may make you worthy of his calling, +[1937.34 --> 1938.44] and that by his power, +[1938.56 --> 1942.00] he may bring fruition to your every desire for goodness +[1942.00 --> 1945.12] and every deed prompted by faith. +[1945.82 --> 1947.90] We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus +[1947.90 --> 1949.22] may be glorified in you, +[1949.66 --> 1950.46] and you in him, +[1951.34 --> 1952.78] according to the grace of our God +[1952.78 --> 1954.12] and the Lord Jesus Christ. +[1954.12 --> 1957.26] Do you see that language? +[1958.38 --> 1959.86] Remember, there are two parts. +[1960.90 --> 1965.10] The first part is that they believed in the testimony of Paul, +[1965.46 --> 1967.30] and the second part is that +[1967.30 --> 1969.10] because they believed in the testimony, +[1969.60 --> 1972.72] they will be glorified with Christ in eternity. +[1972.72 --> 1976.64] This applies to us here today. +[1977.44 --> 1978.80] The promise of repentance, +[1979.26 --> 1981.52] of true and actual belief. +[1982.20 --> 1983.32] Christ, the word of God, +[1983.44 --> 1984.60] that testifies to us. +[1984.98 --> 1985.80] In this case, +[1985.92 --> 1987.50] Paul's message to the Thessalonians, +[1987.90 --> 1988.64] this belief, +[1988.86 --> 1989.46] this faith, +[1990.02 --> 1991.40] comes with a promise. +[1992.46 --> 1993.58] If we believe now, +[1994.10 --> 1995.06] then on that day, +[1995.14 --> 1996.42] we will be glorified with him. +[1996.42 --> 1999.26] But Paul isn't done. +[2000.24 --> 2001.34] In verses 11-12, +[2001.58 --> 2003.64] Paul ties the two-part promise +[2003.64 --> 2005.60] to prayer and God's faithfulness. +[2006.28 --> 2007.96] He prays that by the power of God, +[2008.10 --> 2011.16] they may be made worthy of God's calling, +[2011.54 --> 2012.72] and that their desires for goodness +[2012.72 --> 2014.38] and their works may be prompted by faith. +[2015.12 --> 2017.22] This is where the relief today comes from. +[2017.90 --> 2019.14] The way this church, +[2019.28 --> 2020.26] and churches everywhere, +[2020.74 --> 2022.48] the hands and feet of Jesus, +[2023.12 --> 2024.76] bring relief to his people. +[2024.76 --> 2027.40] Through faith in their faithful Savior, +[2027.94 --> 2030.20] this church can be that promised relief. +[2030.74 --> 2032.28] Is that promised relief. +[2032.78 --> 2033.90] And it is his power +[2033.90 --> 2034.90] and the prayers of the church +[2034.90 --> 2035.70] that fuel this. +[2036.64 --> 2037.88] Look at D and Mark today. +[2038.88 --> 2040.96] Their testimony of the faith of this church +[2040.96 --> 2042.90] and their faith towards you. +[2044.56 --> 2045.96] That's our relief today. +[2047.14 --> 2048.52] And because of that faith, +[2048.72 --> 2051.00] we have that promise on that final day. +[2052.30 --> 2053.74] Remember, two parts. +[2055.22 --> 2056.14] Langley, Emmanuel, +[2056.82 --> 2058.26] as we go from this place +[2058.26 --> 2059.64] with this in mind, +[2060.30 --> 2061.60] may we constantly pray +[2061.60 --> 2063.34] that our God may make us worthy +[2063.34 --> 2063.94] of this calling, +[2064.76 --> 2065.68] and that by his power, +[2065.80 --> 2066.84] we may bring to fruition +[2066.84 --> 2069.04] our every desire for goodness +[2069.04 --> 2071.56] and our deeds prompted by faith. +[2072.38 --> 2073.68] Let us pray so that the name +[2073.68 --> 2075.08] of our Lord Jesus Christ +[2075.08 --> 2076.24] may be glorified in us +[2076.24 --> 2077.26] and us in him, +[2078.40 --> 2079.92] according to the grace of our God +[2079.92 --> 2081.12] and Lord Jesus Christ. +[2081.12 --> 2083.10] On that day, +[2083.86 --> 2085.70] that great and terrible day, +[2086.08 --> 2087.98] when we are before the throne of God, +[2088.56 --> 2090.54] we won't just receive +[2090.54 --> 2092.16] a promise of life to come. +[2092.76 --> 2094.96] We will receive the eternal life +[2094.96 --> 2096.96] that he has been promising +[2096.96 --> 2098.74] this whole time. +[2100.10 --> 2102.64] Revealing it slowly through history. +[2103.68 --> 2104.82] Revealing it to us. +[2104.82 --> 2105.28] Revealing it to us. +[2105.28 --> 2105.90] Uncovering it +[2105.90 --> 2107.46] in God's revelation, +[2107.88 --> 2108.90] in his apocalypse. +[2110.98 --> 2112.48] In the apocalypse, +[2113.24 --> 2113.80] this book, +[2114.44 --> 2116.00] we have relief today +[2116.00 --> 2118.08] and hope in eternity. +[2120.28 --> 2121.00] Let's pray. +[2121.00 --> 2124.86] God, +[2124.94 --> 2125.84] thank you for this day. +[2127.02 --> 2128.24] Thank you for the way +[2128.24 --> 2130.38] this church loves each other +[2130.38 --> 2131.70] and the world around us. +[2132.42 --> 2133.62] For the way that we've taken +[2133.62 --> 2134.60] the opportunity to help +[2134.60 --> 2136.80] the prisoners in chains +[2136.80 --> 2138.58] and the way that we've helped +[2138.58 --> 2139.72] the poor. +[2140.62 --> 2141.70] The way that we've helped each other +[2141.70 --> 2143.10] in various ways. +[2143.32 --> 2143.68] I pray, Lord, +[2143.70 --> 2144.76] that we would continue to do so +[2144.76 --> 2145.68] and that you, +[2146.20 --> 2146.74] through this prayer, +[2146.84 --> 2148.12] would continue to empower us +[2148.12 --> 2149.84] to do all this. +[2149.84 --> 2151.18] You have given Your Holy Spirit, +[2151.34 --> 2151.44] Lord, +[2151.48 --> 2152.60] and I pray that we would continue +[2152.60 --> 2153.58] to glorify You +[2153.58 --> 2154.90] now and forever. +[2155.36 --> 2155.64] Amen. +[2155.64 --> 2155.74] Amen. +[2179.84 --> 2187.84] As in assurance, +[2189.34 --> 2190.84] Jesus is mine. +[2192.12 --> 2194.18] Oh, what a forte +[2194.18 --> 2196.84] of glory divine. +[2197.96 --> 2200.00] Heir of salvation, +[2200.84 --> 2203.10] purchase of God. +[2203.10 --> 2205.76] Lord of His Spirit, +[2206.54 --> 2208.78] washed in His blood. +[2208.78 --> 2211.54] This is my story, +[2212.22 --> 2214.52] this is my song, +[2215.06 --> 2217.12] praising my Savior +[2217.12 --> 2220.08] all the day long. +[2220.44 --> 2222.74] This is my story, +[2223.58 --> 2225.74] this is my song, +[2226.30 --> 2228.38] praising my Savior +[2228.38 --> 2231.64] all the day long. +[2231.64 --> 2235.08] perfect submission, +[2235.08 --> 2237.90] perfect divine, +[2237.90 --> 2240.08] visions of rapture, +[2241.08 --> 2243.56] numbers of my sight, +[2243.98 --> 2246.02] angels descending, +[2246.90 --> 2249.00] great from above, +[2249.56 --> 2251.60] echoes of mercy, +[2252.48 --> 2254.62] whispers of love. +[2254.62 --> 2257.38] This is my story, +[2257.38 --> 2260.28] this is my song, +[2260.28 --> 2262.96] praising my Savior +[2262.96 --> 2265.78] all the day long. +[2265.78 --> 2268.42] This is my story, +[2268.42 --> 2271.42] this is my song, +[2271.42 --> 2274.02] praising my Savior +[2274.02 --> 2277.24] all the day long. +[2277.24 --> 2280.68] perfect submission, +[2280.68 --> 2283.80] all is at rest, +[2283.80 --> 2286.36] high in my Savior, +[2287.08 --> 2289.42] happy and blessed, +[2289.42 --> 2292.08] watching and waiting, +[2292.90 --> 2295.04] looking above, +[2295.52 --> 2297.80] filled with His goodness, +[2298.52 --> 2300.66] lost in His love. +[2300.78 --> 2303.32] This is my story, +[2303.36 --> 2306.34] this is my song, +[2306.74 --> 2309.02] praising my Savior +[2309.02 --> 2311.66] all the day long. +[2312.12 --> 2314.66] This is my story, +[2315.10 --> 2317.52] this is my song, +[2318.04 --> 2320.10] praising my Savior +[2320.10 --> 2322.64] all the day long. +[2323.32 --> 2325.72] This is my story, +[2326.56 --> 2328.90] this is my song, +[2328.90 --> 2334.72] Praising my Savior all the day long +[2334.72 --> 2340.78] This is my story, this is my song +[2340.78 --> 2347.08] Praising my Savior all the day long +[2347.08 --> 2359.88] I'm so worried about my sermon this morning that I forgot to get an announcement in +[2359.88 --> 2361.46] So, quickly before the blessing +[2361.46 --> 2364.94] Young adults, if you didn't receive the email, there's a meeting after church +[2364.94 --> 2366.80] Ten minutes after, in the multi-purpose room +[2366.80 --> 2369.42] But, the blessing of the Lord +[2369.42 --> 2372.76] The Lord bless you and keep you +[2372.76 --> 2376.38] The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you +[2376.38 --> 2379.82] The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace +[2379.82 --> 2380.94] Amen +[2406.38 --> 2411.82] Amen +[2411.82 --> 2415.82] Amen +[2415.82 --> 2419.82] Amen +[2419.82 --> 2422.82] Amen +[2422.82 --> 2427.82] Amen +[2427.82 --> 2429.82] Amen +[2429.82 --> 2431.82] Amen +[2431.82 --> 2438.14] Amen +[2438.14 --> 2440.94] Amen +[2440.94 --> 2441.26] Amen +[2441.26 --> 2443.92] Amen +[2444.64 --> 2447.14] Amen +[2447.14 --> 2448.78] Amen +[2448.78 --> 2451.20] Amen +[2451.20 --> 2452.78] Amen +[2452.78 --> 2455.98] Amen +[2455.98 --> 2459.26] Amen +[2459.26 --> 2461.26] Amen. +[2489.26 --> 2496.02] Lord, bless you and keep you. +[2496.52 --> 2499.80] Make this face shine upon you. +[2500.10 --> 2502.34] Be gracious to you. +[2502.34 --> 2514.22] Lord, turn his face toward you and give you peace. +[2514.84 --> 2518.16] Amen. +[2519.26 --> 2521.48] Amen. +[2523.02 --> 2524.68] Amen. +[2526.52 --> 2527.48] Amen. +[2532.40 --> 2533.50] Amen. +[2535.46 --> 2537.16] Amen. +[2549.26 --> 2569.80] May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations +[2569.80 --> 2576.26] And your family and your children and their children and their children +[2576.26 --> 2582.88] And His presence go before you and behind you and beside you +[2582.88 --> 2589.46] All around you and within you He is with you, He is with you +[2589.46 --> 2595.60] In your morning and in evening and you're coming and you're going +[2595.60 --> 2603.86] And you're weeping and you're rejoicing He is for you, He is for you, He is for you +[2603.86 --> 2610.48] He is for you, He is for you, He is for you, He is for you +[2610.48 --> 2615.48] He is for you, He is for you +[2615.48 --> 2619.48] Amen +[2619.48 --> 2622.48] Amen +[2622.48 --> 2625.48] Amen +[2625.48 --> 2630.48] Amen +[2630.48 --> 2634.48] Amen +[2634.48 --> 2636.48] Amen +[2636.48 --> 2643.48] Amen +[2643.48 --> 2645.48] Amen +[2645.48 --> 2648.48] Amen +[2648.48 --> 2651.48] Amen +[2651.48 --> 2657.48] Amen +[2657.48 --> 2658.48] Amen +[2658.48 --> 2659.48] Amen +[2659.48 --> 2660.48] Amen +[2661.48 --> 2665.48] Amen +[2666.48 --> 2667.48] Amen +[2667.48 --> 2670.48] Amen +[2670.48 --> 2672.48] Amen +[2672.48 --> 2673.48] Amen +[2673.48 --> 2677.48] Amen +[2677.48 --> 2682.48] Amen +[2682.48 --> 2712.46] Thank you. +[2712.48 --> 2742.46] Thank you. +[2742.48 --> 2772.46] Thank you. +[2772.48 --> 2802.46] Thank you. +[2802.48 --> 2804.48] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..81ac0e23e30096acf61a9ae0ed5324524c81d164 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,100 @@ +• Praise and worship through singing +• Announcement of a unique opportunity to acknowledge God's work among them +• Prayer over individuals (Liam, Matt, Nicole, Rob, Brenda, and their families) +• Celebration of Matt and Nicole becoming guardians for Liam and taking on new responsibilities +• Blessing and support from the church congregation for the Alkema family +• Acknowledging and encouraging a person's calling +• Laying hands for prayer on individuals +• Psalm 103 being read aloud as a prayer +• Blessing Liam, Matt, Nicole, and the church family +• Prayer for love and guidance in guardianship responsibilities +• Thanking God for relationships and modeling the gospel +• Singing a song about restoration of joy and praise to God +• Recitation of the Apostles Creed +• Discussion of faith and salvation in a time of desperation and doubt +• Affirmation of belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit +• Importance of placing an X beside nominees for elder and deacon positions +• Instructions on voting process and handling ballots +• Introducing the offering bag and Baby Bottle Campaign +• Participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign for Hope for Women Pregnancy Center +• Discussing budget needs, being 15% behind on giving, and encouraging top-ups +• Explaining ministry shares and church budgets +• Inviting children to Kids Corner +• Defining training and muscles for a children's educational segment +• Introduction to muscles and exercise +• Demonstrating sit-ups and push-ups +• Analogy between exercising physical muscles and strengthening faith +• Discussion of how God can use hardships to strengthen faith +• Congregational prayer led by Seth, a pastoral elder +• Prayer requests for various individuals and church ministries +• The congregation prays for God's goodness, healing power, and guidance in their spiritual struggles. +• They pray for comfort and peace for those mourning the loss of loved ones, specifically the Skipper and Whistlink families. +• The speaker reflects on the importance of weekly worship gatherings, which refresh their souls after periods of anxiety and hardship. +• The congregation is about to hear a sermon based on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, focusing on the coming of Jesus Christ and the day of the Lord. +• The lawless one will be revealed and destroyed by Jesus +• Satan works through signs and wonders that serve the lie +• God sends a powerful delusion so people believe the lie +• Doubts about the reality of Christianity can lead to anxiety +• The return of Jesus is visible, loud, and unmistakable +• People who claim it has already happened are wrong +• The challenge to God's truthfulness can be overcome +• Paul addresses the question of what if Jesus is not true and gives reasons why it is true +• Rebellion must occur before the return of Jesus +• Apostasy will face God's people as a whole slew of people fall away from faith +• This apostasy will manifest as a mass turn away from true belief to a false one, marked by following a false Messiah +• Throughout church history, those who have fallen into apostasy did not recognize themselves as such +• The speaker describes what it means to be a Christian in the current world, referencing faith and obedience. +• The concept of "such a time as this" is mentioned, implying that Christians have a responsibility to act during difficult moments. +• A remnant of people will know the truth, but others will be deceived and eventually become apostates who no longer care about the truth. +• The speaker discusses the idea of an Antichrist or man of lawlessness, referencing Paul's writing in 2 Thessalonians. +• Bible scholars believe that this passage is likely the only explicit reference to the Antichrist in Paul's writings. +• The Antichrist is mentioned as a figure who opposes Jesus and His teaching, with some translations referring to it as "the man of lawlessness". +• The speaker contrasts knowing the truth with being deceived by Satan's lies and counterfeit. +• The revelation of Jesus Christ as the true and full apocalypse +• The man of lawlessness and the antichrist as an antirevelation to deceive and steal away believers +• How wickedness deceives people by giving them what they want, surrounding them with a culture that says morality is normal, or making them think moral and morality don't exist but are a social construct +• The importance of loving the truth +• The relationship between wickedness and deception +• How God reveals Himself as the way, truth, and life +• The need to go to God for guidance on what is true +• The role of God's warning in perseverance and connection to the truth +• God's grace in revealing the truth to believers +• The speaker emphasizes that faith is not the opposite of truth or rational understanding +• Believing in God does not require shutting off one's brain, but rather using it to explore and deepen one's faith +• Jesus encourages asking questions and seeking answers through his word and truth +• God can handle fear and doubts, and encourages using them as a means to go deeper into faith +• Jesus is the answer to all questions, the truth to all doubts, and has words of eternal life +• He invites people to come to Him with their worries, fears, and uncertainties. +• The speaker discusses the concept of a counterfeit Christ and the need to be aware of false promises. +• Paul's comfort in 2 Thessalonians 2 is analyzed, focusing on what holds back the man of lawlessness until he is taken away. +• The identity of this holding power is debated among scholars and preachers. +• Three possible answers are considered from different places in Scripture: Matthew 16, another unspecified location, and a third possibility not mentioned. +• The speaker presents their own approximation of the answer based on these locations. +• The church will not be overcome by Satan +• Jesus' gospel must be preached to all nations before the end times +• The truth of Jesus being proclaimed holds back evil and lawlessness +• An angel in Revelation 20 binds Satan for a thousand years, holding him back from deceiving nations +• God's active providence restrains evil through the church, preaching of the gospel, and his armies of angels +• The power of God's message in the world +• Trusting in Jesus as truth +• Knowing and living in the truth, even when uncertain about the future +• Staying confident in God's sovereignty and providence +• Standing firm in the gospel and trusting in God's plan for the church +• Prayer for the whole world to know that God exists +• Invocation of God's name and power through Jesus Christ +• Request for the Holy Spirit to come and guide the speaker +• Expression of trust in Christ's love and forgiveness +• Prayer for protection from fears, doubts, and sorrows +• Acknowledgment of Jesus as Savior and Lord +• Request for divine care of salvation and purification of the spirit +• The speaker's story is a song born of God's spirit, washed in his blood +• Salvation purges and is the glory of divine care +• Jesus is the Savior, and the speaker belongs to him +• The speaker's story is their song, born of God's spirit, washed in his blood +• The work of salvation involves being purchased by God +• A blessing from God is promised for those who go in faith, with protection, support, and friendship. +• A prayer to a great and mighty King, asking for guidance and faithfulness +• The speaker wants to trust in the King's wisdom and strength +• The King is described as faithful and never-changing over time +• The violin plays a line that echoes the theme of faithfulness +• A musical performance or recital is concluded with gratitude (multiple "thank you" statements) \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..cbe70f92145d50e40daef7df81ae66e25bf8ae52 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 25, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1842 @@ +[0.00 --> 29.98] Thank you. +[30.00 --> 59.98] Thank you. +[60.00 --> 89.98] Thank you. +[90.00 --> 119.98] Thank you. +[120.00 --> 149.98] Thank you. +[150.00 --> 179.98] Thank you. +[180.00 --> 209.98] Thank you. +[210.00 --> 239.98] Thank you. +[240.00 --> 269.98] Thank you. +[270.00 --> 299.98] Thank you. +[300.00 --> 329.98] Thank you. +[330.00 --> 359.98] Thank you. +[360.00 --> 389.98] Thank you. +[390.00 --> 419.98] Thank you. +[420.00 --> 449.98] Thank you. +[450.00 --> 479.98] Thank you. +[480.00 --> 509.98] Thank you. +[510.00 --> 539.98] Thank you. +[540.00 --> 569.98] Thank you. +[570.00 --> 599.98] Thank you. +[600.00 --> 629.98] Thank you. +[630.00 --> 659.98] Thank you. +[660.00 --> 689.98] Thank you. +[690.00 --> 719.98] Thank you. +[720.00 --> 749.98] Thank you. +[750.00 --> 779.98] Thank you. +[779.98 --> 809.96] Holy, holy, holy, holy, +[809.96 --> 839.94] All you, all the saints, +[839.94 --> 869.92] Thank you. +[869.92 --> 899.90] Thank you. +[899.90 --> 929.88] Love and purity. +[929.88 --> 959.86] Holy, holy, holy, +[959.86 --> 978.62] O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, +[978.62 --> 986.26] greatest treasure of my longing soul, +[986.26 --> 994.06] my God, like you there is no other, +[995.32 --> 1001.50] true delight is found in you alone. +[1002.16 --> 1009.38] Your grace, a well too deep to fathom, +[1009.38 --> 1016.38] your love exceeds the heaven's reed, +[1017.88 --> 1023.70] your truth, a fount of perfect wisdom, +[1024.92 --> 1031.86] my highest good and my unending need. +[1031.86 --> 1042.60] O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, +[1043.54 --> 1049.86] strong defender of my weary heart, +[1051.60 --> 1057.26] my sword to fight the cruel deceiver, +[1057.26 --> 1065.46] and my shield against its equal eyes. +[1066.32 --> 1072.26] My song when enemies surround me, +[1073.20 --> 1079.26] my hope when times of sorrow thrive, +[1079.26 --> 1086.38] my joy when trials are abounding, +[1086.94 --> 1094.26] your faithfulness, my refuge in the night. +[1098.26 --> 1104.26] O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, +[1104.26 --> 1112.26] gracious Savior of my ruined life, +[1112.26 --> 1119.26] my guilt and cross laid on your shoulders, +[1119.26 --> 1126.26] in my place you suffered, let and die. +[1126.26 --> 1134.26] You rose, the grave and never conquered. +[1134.26 --> 1141.26] You broke my bonds of sin and shame. +[1141.26 --> 1148.26] You rose, the grave and never conquered. +[1148.26 --> 1149.26] You rose, the grave and never conquered. +[1149.26 --> 1150.26] You rose, the grave and never conquered. +[1150.26 --> 1155.26] You rose, my bonds of sin and shame. +[1155.26 --> 1162.26] O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, +[1162.26 --> 1167.26] may all my days be glory to your name. +[1167.26 --> 1171.26] Glory to your name. +[1185.26 --> 1188.10] I invite you to have a seat for a moment. +[1188.10 --> 1189.10] Amen. +[1189.10 --> 1190.10] Amen. +[1190.10 --> 1193.10] We have a unique opportunity this morning, +[1193.10 --> 1196.10] and so we're going to break away +[1196.10 --> 1199.10] from our normal rhythms of worship +[1199.10 --> 1203.10] to acknowledge a thing that God has been doing among us +[1203.10 --> 1205.10] and that God continues to do among us +[1205.10 --> 1209.10] and to cover that over in prayer. +[1209.10 --> 1218.10] This morning we have a chance to pray over Liam and Matt and Nicole +[1218.10 --> 1221.10] and Rob and Brenda and all of their families +[1221.10 --> 1227.10] as Matt and Nicole are becoming guardians for Liam +[1227.10 --> 1230.10] and are going to take on the joy and the responsibility, +[1230.10 --> 1235.10] the heartache and the burden and the celebration of raising him. +[1235.10 --> 1240.10] And we are blessed to have gotten to know and love Liam +[1240.10 --> 1243.10] as a foster child to Rob and Brenda, +[1243.10 --> 1248.10] and we are blessed that Matt and Nicole are no longer of this congregation +[1248.10 --> 1250.10] but they're of our family, right? +[1250.10 --> 1252.10] And so we celebrate with you guys +[1252.10 --> 1255.10] and want to cover this moment in prayer. +[1256.10 --> 1258.10] I'm going to invite Rob and Brenda +[1258.10 --> 1261.10] and whoever else in the Alkema family who wants to come up, +[1261.10 --> 1263.10] and Matt and Nicole and whoever else in your family +[1263.10 --> 1267.10] wants to come up to the front here, +[1267.10 --> 1269.10] and we're going to gather around you +[1269.10 --> 1272.10] and lay hands on in worship. +[1272.10 --> 1286.10] Move to the middle, because people are going to surround you in a moment. +[1286.10 --> 1294.10] First of all, Rob and Brenda and the Alkema family wanted you all to know +[1294.10 --> 1298.10] how grateful they are for you as church family +[1298.10 --> 1302.10] and for the way that you have supported them and encouraged them +[1302.10 --> 1306.10] and welcomed and loved Liam into this family. +[1307.10 --> 1311.10] The way that you have helped to provide an incredibly stable, +[1311.10 --> 1314.10] most of the time, community for him. +[1317.10 --> 1320.10] And, as well, Matt and Nicole, +[1321.10 --> 1323.10] we wanted to take this time +[1324.10 --> 1328.10] and to cover over you in prayer +[1329.10 --> 1332.10] as you embody the gospel for Liam now. +[1333.10 --> 1336.10] As sons and daughters of this church family, +[1336.10 --> 1340.10] we love that you have been called by God to this task. +[1341.10 --> 1342.10] And we want to acknowledge that +[1342.10 --> 1344.10] and encourage that with prayer. +[1345.10 --> 1346.10] And so, as you guys are up here, +[1346.10 --> 1349.10] elders, family members, supporters, +[1349.10 --> 1350.10] come on up. +[1351.10 --> 1353.10] We're going to lay our hands on them at this time. +[1354.10 --> 1355.10] And so, maybe take a couple steps forward +[1355.10 --> 1357.10] so people can get around behind. +[1357.10 --> 1366.10] Yeah, Kevin's not wrong. +[1366.10 --> 1367.10] There's going to be a lot of people, +[1367.10 --> 1368.10] so make lots of room. +[1378.10 --> 1380.10] If you're not here at the front, +[1380.10 --> 1381.10] we encourage you, of course, +[1381.10 --> 1386.10] just to hold your hand out as a mark of you also extending this blessing in prayer. +[1387.10 --> 1388.10] Let's pray together. +[1391.10 --> 1395.10] Father God, this morning we pray the words of the psalmist in Psalm 103. +[1396.10 --> 1398.10] Bless the Lord, O my soul. +[1399.10 --> 1403.10] All that is within me, bless his holy name. +[1404.10 --> 1407.10] Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, +[1408.10 --> 1409.10] who forgives all your iniquity, +[1410.10 --> 1411.10] who heals all your diseases, +[1411.10 --> 1413.10] who redeems your life from the pit, +[1413.10 --> 1416.10] who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, +[1416.10 --> 1421.10] who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. +[1421.10 --> 1424.10] Bless the Lord, O my soul. +[1425.10 --> 1429.10] Lord God, our souls bless you today. +[1430.10 --> 1435.10] We bless you for the gift that is Liam to us as a church family +[1435.10 --> 1441.10] and to Matt and Nicole as they take increasing responsibility for his guardianship. +[1442.10 --> 1444.10] And we pray that you would bless them. +[1445.10 --> 1454.10] That the love that Liam has known and grown in here would just grow even more over these next days, weeks, months, and years. +[1454.10 --> 1461.10] We thank you, God, for the privilege of walking with him, of loving him. +[1461.10 --> 1464.10] And even as that changes for us here at Emmanuel, +[1464.10 --> 1469.10] we know that it is your love that persists and goes with him. +[1469.10 --> 1477.10] We thank you for Rob and Brenda and all the Alcuma family and what they have been as a gift to Liam +[1478.10 --> 1480.10] and how they have modeled the gospel to him. +[1481.10 --> 1483.10] And as that mantle now falls to Matt and Nicole, +[1483.10 --> 1487.10] we pray that you would cause your face to shine upon them, +[1487.10 --> 1490.10] that you would give them your grace and your peace, +[1490.10 --> 1497.10] and that in all things they too would model and live this gospel of Jesus Christ. +[1498.10 --> 1502.10] Father God, we celebrate your work among us +[1502.10 --> 1508.10] and we ask for your spirit to continue to guide, lead, and shape this story +[1508.10 --> 1511.10] in ways that are glorifying to you +[1512.10 --> 1515.10] and in ways that just cause us to say, +[1515.10 --> 1518.10] Bless the Lord, O my soul. +[1518.10 --> 1521.10] Bless his holy name. +[1521.10 --> 1524.10] All God's people said, Amen. +[1525.10 --> 1526.10] Amen. +[1538.10 --> 1551.10] Would you stand and join us in singing our next song? +[1551.10 --> 1572.10] Restoring me the joy of my salvation. +[1572.10 --> 1579.10] Restoring me the joy of my salvation. +[1579.10 --> 1582.10] Take me back to where it all began. +[1582.10 --> 1587.10] Take me back to where it all began. +[1587.10 --> 1600.10] For all I ever wanted was your presence. +[1601.10 --> 1607.10] How I long to be there once again. +[1607.10 --> 1616.10] Like a fire that the world can burn out and play. +[1616.10 --> 1620.10] Till nothing between us remains. +[1620.10 --> 1626.10] My life is an altar to you. +[1626.10 --> 1628.10] Renewing me a pure and willing spirit. +[1628.10 --> 1645.46] Breathe in care, all the efforts that burn in my heart, a love taken back to the start, my life is an altar to you. +[1645.46 --> 1671.42] Renewing me a pure and willing spirit, take me back to where it all began, before it all became so complicated. +[1675.46 --> 1701.10] How I long to be there once again, like fire that the world can burn up and flame, till nothing between us reigns, my life is an altar to you. +[1701.10 --> 1719.10] Breathe in care, all the efforts that burn in my heart, a love taken back to the start, my life is an altar to you. +[1719.10 --> 1738.10] Now I'm sorry, please forgive me, for when I've gone cold, Lord I need you. +[1738.10 --> 1764.10] How I need you, how I need you, to awake my soul, my heart, that the world can burn up and flame, till nothing between us reigns, my life is an altar to you. +[1764.10 --> 1782.10] Breathe in care, all the efforts that burn in my heart, a love taken back to the start, my life is an altar to you. +[1782.10 --> 1811.10] All the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry. +[1811.10 --> 1814.10] These bones will cry, these bones will sing. +[1814.10 --> 1821.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1821.10 --> 1832.10] And all the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing. +[1832.10 --> 1833.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1833.10 --> 1834.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1834.10 --> 1839.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1839.10 --> 1847.10] And all the earth will shout your praise, our hearts will cry, these bones will sing. +[1847.10 --> 1851.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1851.10 --> 1852.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1852.10 --> 1853.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1853.10 --> 1858.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1858.10 --> 1859.10] Great are you, Lord. +[1859.10 --> 1860.10] You're your grace, your love, so we pour out our praise, your hope. +[1860.10 --> 1861.10] You're your grace, your love, so we pour out our praise, your hope. +[1861.10 --> 1863.10] Oh +[1891.10 --> 1893.10] Oh +[1921.10 --> 1940.34] Join us together in speaking the truth through the Apostles Creed +[1940.34 --> 1947.60] I believe in God, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth +[1947.60 --> 1952.44] I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord +[1952.44 --> 1957.58] Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary +[1957.58 --> 1963.60] He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried +[1963.60 --> 1965.62] He descended to hell +[1965.62 --> 1968.92] The third day he rose again from the dead +[1968.92 --> 1974.96] He ascended to heaven and is seated at the bright hand of God the Father Almighty +[1974.96 --> 1979.12] From there he will come to judge the living and the dead +[1979.12 --> 1984.40] I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church +[1984.40 --> 1988.52] The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins +[1988.52 --> 1992.74] The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting +[1992.74 --> 1993.96] Amen +[1993.96 --> 2016.04] In this time of desperation +[2016.04 --> 2024.24] When all we know is doubt and fear +[2024.24 --> 2030.78] There is only one foundation +[2030.78 --> 2033.78] We believe +[2033.78 --> 2037.78] We believe +[2037.78 --> 2038.78] We believe +[2038.78 --> 2045.12] In this broken generation +[2045.12 --> 2052.78] When all is dark you help us see +[2052.78 --> 2059.78] There is only one foundation +[2059.78 --> 2060.78] There is only one salvation +[2060.78 --> 2061.78] There is only one salvation +[2061.78 --> 2062.78] We believe +[2062.78 --> 2063.78] We believe +[2063.78 --> 2065.78] We believe +[2065.78 --> 2067.78] We believe +[2067.78 --> 2069.78] We believe +[2069.78 --> 2070.78] We believe +[2070.78 --> 2071.78] In God the Father +[2071.78 --> 2072.78] We believe +[2072.78 --> 2073.78] We believe +[2073.78 --> 2074.78] In Jesus Christ +[2074.78 --> 2076.78] We believe +[2076.78 --> 2078.78] In the Holy Spirit +[2078.78 --> 2082.78] And he's giving us new life +[2082.78 --> 2083.78] We believe +[2083.78 --> 2085.78] In the crucifixion +[2085.78 --> 2086.78] We believe +[2086.78 --> 2089.78] That he comforted death +[2089.78 --> 2090.78] We believe +[2090.78 --> 2091.78] We believe +[2091.78 --> 2092.78] We believe +[2092.78 --> 2094.78] We believe +[2094.78 --> 2095.78] We believe +[2095.78 --> 2096.78] In the resurrection +[2096.78 --> 2097.78] And he's coming back again +[2097.78 --> 2100.78] We believe +[2100.78 --> 2101.78] We believe +[2101.78 --> 2102.78] We believe +[2103.78 --> 2116.78] So let our faith be more than that God +[2116.78 --> 2130.78] we believe +[2133.82 --> 2142.78] we believe in jesus +[2146.78 --> 2151.74] we believe +[2153.50 --> 2159.78] ане +[2159.78 --> 2168.32] Let the lost be found and the dead be raised in the here and now. +[2168.32 --> 2171.88] Let the blood in vain, let the church live out. +[2172.12 --> 2176.66] Our God will say we believe, we believe. +[2176.86 --> 2180.44] And the gates of hell will not prevail. +[2180.60 --> 2184.04] For the power of God has torn the veil. +[2184.14 --> 2187.56] Though we know your love will never fail. +[2187.56 --> 2194.30] We believe, we believe, we believe in God the Father. +[2194.30 --> 2197.30] We believe in Jesus Christ. +[2198.14 --> 2201.42] We believe in the Holy Spirit. +[2202.20 --> 2205.30] And He's given us new lives. +[2205.62 --> 2208.30] We believe in the crucifixion. +[2208.96 --> 2211.30] We believe that He conquered death. +[2212.48 --> 2215.48] We believe in the resurrection. +[2215.48 --> 2218.04] Today He's coming back. +[2218.38 --> 2220.44] He's coming back again. +[2225.22 --> 2228.46] He's coming back again. +[2230.22 --> 2235.08] We believe, we believe. +[2235.08 --> 2235.68] We believe. +[2245.48 --> 2258.96] Good morning. +[2258.96 --> 2259.02] Good morning. +[2260.22 --> 2267.38] As part of our process for elders and deacons, +[2267.38 --> 2278.54] this morning, we have the opportunity to place an X beside all those people that we affirm +[2278.54 --> 2283.28] for the office of elder and deacon. +[2284.34 --> 2287.12] This vote is actually required. +[2287.12 --> 2289.60] So that's why we're going through this process. +[2289.60 --> 2293.98] But it's not the vote to install either one. +[2294.08 --> 2296.76] So you just put an X beside every name, +[2296.90 --> 2302.86] unless you feel that you have to say no for one reason or another. +[2304.48 --> 2307.18] A couple of elders are going to come up front here, please. +[2307.18 --> 2309.68] And hand out these ballots. +[2311.04 --> 2316.12] And then we have some just before we do that, before the offering this morning. +[2317.88 --> 2319.12] Dick is here already. +[2319.34 --> 2322.16] Can we, Dave, you want to come up front and clarity, please? +[2322.16 --> 2336.62] So once you've filled out the ballot, fold it in half, please, +[2336.68 --> 2339.28] and put it in the offering bag as it comes by. +[2340.38 --> 2341.94] And then that way they'll be collected. +[2342.54 --> 2348.18] And then a couple of elders will afterwards sort them out and count everything. +[2348.18 --> 2355.30] Next week will be the drawing of the lots of the names. +[2355.40 --> 2357.34] So we put the names in a bag. +[2358.20 --> 2363.46] And then because we have more than one person for each position that needed, +[2364.78 --> 2369.06] those names will be drawn next week during the service. +[2378.18 --> 2393.40] Who's ever coming up for the deacons now can come up and give that announcement. +[2396.24 --> 2396.68] Pearl? +[2396.68 --> 2396.74] Pearl? +[2401.74 --> 2402.46] Yeah, yeah. +[2402.64 --> 2407.68] The fold up the ballot and place it in the bags, the offering bag, as it comes by. +[2408.18 --> 2408.68] Okay. +[2421.18 --> 2421.50] Okay. +[2421.68 --> 2425.02] So while we're doing that, we'll also introduce the offering. +[2426.50 --> 2430.30] First of all, a reminder that we are participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign, +[2430.68 --> 2436.62] which is in coordination with the Hope for Women Pregnancy Center. +[2436.62 --> 2439.10] And we're about halfway through that campaign. +[2439.20 --> 2442.34] It started Mother's Day, will end on Father's Day. +[2442.46 --> 2449.70] And if you haven't yet joined in this campaign, then you can pick up a baby bottle that's in the back on the booth in the foyer. +[2449.70 --> 2456.70] And the idea is that you fill it with loonies, toonies, paper, money, bills, checks. +[2457.22 --> 2459.94] And then they are returned on Father's Day. +[2460.46 --> 2464.52] And then the deacons will see to it that it gets to the Hope for Women's Pregnancy Center. +[2464.52 --> 2474.28] This center is a place where women who are experiencing unexpected, unplanned, troublesome pregnancies can go for counseling, +[2474.28 --> 2478.48] for support, and for some practical aid as well. +[2478.48 --> 2484.46] And this center supports until the children that are born are about two years of age. +[2484.46 --> 2488.02] So it's a great way to support life. +[2488.46 --> 2499.10] And also it's a way of dealing with all those loonies and toonies that have a way of collecting in various pockets and purses and bowls and whatnot in our homes +[2499.10 --> 2502.50] that you can actually then just give them away to the pregnancy center. +[2502.62 --> 2511.28] And all the bottles will be recorded by who gave them so that you can get a tax receipt for them as well. +[2511.28 --> 2522.40] So, and then the offering today, not only in the bags do we place our vote, but today's offering today is for the budget. +[2522.96 --> 2524.82] So this is called Budget Sunday. +[2525.48 --> 2533.60] We're not quite halfway through the fiscal year, but it's a good time to pause and reflect how we're doing. +[2533.88 --> 2540.98] And in communication with Marilyn this past week, we're doing pretty good, but we are about 15% behind in our giving. +[2541.28 --> 2547.44] So if we do the math, that means by November, which is when you get all these annoying announcements, +[2547.44 --> 2553.86] if you keep up this trend, then by November we'll be behind by 30%. +[2553.86 --> 2558.54] So think of ways that you can top up your giving now. +[2559.00 --> 2565.58] And also, especially since the summer months tend to be a little leaner in donations as we're all on vacation and whatnot. +[2565.58 --> 2574.50] So reminder that the budget is for the ministries of this church and also for the greater church ministries through our ministry shares. +[2574.50 --> 2604.48] Thank you. +[2604.50 --> 2632.88] Thank you. +[2632.88 --> 2634.88] I want to see you. +[2636.22 --> 2639.88] Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. +[2640.76 --> 2643.68] Open the eyes of my heart. +[2644.14 --> 2646.88] I want to see you. +[2648.22 --> 2651.24] I want to see you. +[2652.36 --> 2656.50] See you, Father, and stand it up. +[2658.20 --> 2660.92] Shining in the light of your glory. +[2660.92 --> 2662.92] Shining in the light of your glory. +[2662.92 --> 2665.16] Throw out your power and love. +[2665.56 --> 2669.48] As we sing holy, holy, holy. +[2673.34 --> 2676.46] Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. +[2677.68 --> 2679.92] Open the eyes of my heart. +[2680.94 --> 2683.64] I want to see you. +[2685.02 --> 2687.98] I want to see you. +[2687.98 --> 2693.98] Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. +[2694.94 --> 2697.64] Open the eyes of my heart. +[2698.22 --> 2700.98] I want to see you. +[2702.14 --> 2705.26] I want to see you. +[2706.30 --> 2709.98] See you, Father, and stand it up. +[2709.98 --> 2713.48] I want to see you. +[2713.48 --> 2713.90] í +[2714.06 --> 2728.28] enjoy it's the idea you know and Tout +[2728.28 --> 2732.26] this is where you dream come true. +[2732.26 --> 2741.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2741.26 --> 2747.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2747.26 --> 2752.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2752.26 --> 2756.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2756.26 --> 2760.26] I want to see you +[2762.26 --> 2766.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2766.26 --> 2770.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2770.26 --> 2774.26] Holy, Holy, Holy +[2774.26 --> 2778.26] I want to see you +[2792.26 --> 2810.26] Good morning, everyone. If you are a child, age three up to grade four. I'd like to invite you to come on up to the front for kids corner before we head off to children's worship time. +[2810.26 --> 2816.50] I know we're going to be missing a few people because it's cadet camp this weekend, right? +[2816.56 --> 2819.16] So some of the boys, the older boys are gone. +[2823.90 --> 2824.78] All right. +[2825.48 --> 2830.50] So we started talking last week about something called training. +[2830.64 --> 2832.42] Does anyone know what training is? +[2832.46 --> 2834.42] What does it mean if you're training for something? +[2836.16 --> 2837.14] What do you think, Ruby? +[2838.40 --> 2839.72] You're getting ready for something. +[2839.72 --> 2843.08] It's like when you practice for something so that you get better and better at it. +[2843.62 --> 2844.50] Okay, another question. +[2845.04 --> 2846.96] Can anyone tell me what muscles are? +[2847.86 --> 2850.26] Not the food, the other kind of muscles. +[2850.68 --> 2851.06] Karis. +[2852.66 --> 2853.84] Something that makes you strong. +[2853.92 --> 2854.14] Exactly. +[2854.24 --> 2856.54] They're a part of your body that we can't see, but they're underneath. +[2856.70 --> 2858.80] They're all over our body, and they help make us strong. +[2858.92 --> 2863.34] And did you know you can make your muscles stronger by training, by practicing? +[2863.62 --> 2865.94] So do you guys know what a sit-up is? +[2866.58 --> 2866.94] Yeah. +[2867.02 --> 2867.98] Can you do a sit-up? +[2868.38 --> 2868.60] No. +[2868.60 --> 2869.98] Can anyone do a sit-up? +[2870.74 --> 2871.82] Okay, show me a sit-up. +[2871.86 --> 2873.46] If you think you can do a sit-up, do a sit-up. +[2874.40 --> 2875.94] Anybody can do this, just saying. +[2877.62 --> 2877.90] Awesome. +[2878.10 --> 2878.56] Yeah, see, look. +[2878.60 --> 2879.26] Some of them can do a sit-up. +[2879.32 --> 2880.18] How about a push-up? +[2880.62 --> 2881.34] That's a little harder. +[2881.44 --> 2882.24] Can anyone do a push-up? +[2882.30 --> 2882.64] Try it. +[2882.68 --> 2882.98] Show me. +[2883.12 --> 2884.10] If you think you can do it. +[2884.64 --> 2886.56] Again, anyone is welcome to do this. +[2887.06 --> 2887.98] So there's some push-ups. +[2888.92 --> 2889.84] Exercise time in the middle. +[2889.92 --> 2890.74] Okay, awesome. +[2890.74 --> 2890.86] Awesome. +[2891.22 --> 2893.08] Which one's harder, a push-up or a sit-up? +[2894.74 --> 2895.84] Some people think push-up. +[2895.84 --> 2897.76] I think, I mean, I think a push-up's pretty hard. +[2898.32 --> 2901.58] If you couldn't do a push-up, you know, if you practice doing push-ups every day, that +[2901.58 --> 2904.94] you would get better and better, and you could do more and more push-ups, right? +[2904.94 --> 2909.48] So we're going to be talking about how we can strengthen our faith today. +[2909.62 --> 2913.78] So we can strengthen our muscles, but we can also strengthen our faith so that when we +[2913.78 --> 2919.42] go through hard times, that our faith is strong, and how God can use those hard times to make +[2919.42 --> 2922.30] our faith even stronger, kind of like training our muscles. +[2922.78 --> 2928.48] So let's all stand up, and we'll do the blessing, and then we're going to head off to continue +[2928.48 --> 2928.90] our learning. +[2928.90 --> 2929.20] All right. +[2929.20 --> 2933.28] All right. +[2934.06 --> 2936.10] The Lord be with you. +[2936.32 --> 2938.12] And also with you. +[2955.44 --> 2956.22] Good morning. +[2956.22 --> 2961.34] My name is Seth, and I am a pastoral elder here at our church, and I am not going to +[2961.34 --> 2964.74] make you stand up and do jumping jacks or push-ups or anything. +[2965.10 --> 2968.30] And I'm thankful that Nikki didn't extend that invitation to all of us for the other +[2968.30 --> 2969.00] exercise, too. +[2969.64 --> 2973.58] But we are going to approach God as one way of strengthening our faith. +[2973.68 --> 2975.58] So please join me in our congregational prayer. +[2978.86 --> 2981.06] Father in heaven, we thank you for this day. +[2981.70 --> 2985.90] Thank you for the opportunity to gather together as your body to worship you. +[2985.90 --> 2987.58] And magnify your holy name. +[2988.46 --> 2993.34] Thank you for the reminder in Psalm 5 that by your great love, we can come into your house, +[2993.52 --> 2996.54] and in reverence we can bow down toward your holy temple. +[2997.66 --> 3000.86] We are grateful for all that you have done and continue to do. +[3001.34 --> 3004.48] And each week as we gather, we remember together your goodness. +[3004.48 --> 3011.04] We also remember and stand in awe of your power and faithfulness, claiming hold of the promise +[3011.04 --> 3014.74] made in Psalm 5 that in the morning, Lord, you hear my voice. +[3015.38 --> 3018.94] In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. +[3019.70 --> 3022.02] And we humbly bring these requests to you now. +[3022.02 --> 3026.22] We pray for your blessing on the new marriage of Ben and Leanna Walsher. +[3026.84 --> 3031.04] We pray that you will allow them to grow in their love for each other and for you. +[3032.02 --> 3036.30] We also lift up all of the marriages in our church, and we ask that you will bless each +[3036.30 --> 3039.76] and every one of them through whatever challenges or struggles they may be facing. +[3040.62 --> 3043.26] May they find joy in loving you and each other. +[3043.26 --> 3048.76] Father, we also pray for your continued blessing on the ministries of this church. +[3049.60 --> 3054.20] Today we specifically lift up the cadets' ministry to you in thankfulness for another great year, +[3054.64 --> 3058.44] and ask that you will continue to provide ways for the young boys of this church +[3058.44 --> 3060.90] to learn about living lives of service for you. +[3062.24 --> 3064.64] We also pray for a blessing on our church leadership. +[3065.32 --> 3068.66] As we enter a time of changing season with our leadership, +[3069.00 --> 3071.28] we thank you for providing a new slate of leaders. +[3071.28 --> 3074.24] We ask for a blessing on that process moving forward, +[3074.52 --> 3077.48] and that the new leadership will follow your guiding. +[3078.52 --> 3081.20] We also pray for a blessing moving forward with Kevin, +[3081.42 --> 3085.30] as we discern as a church our response to your call. +[3086.08 --> 3087.92] Give us wisdom in that light as well. +[3089.86 --> 3092.36] Lord Jesus, we ask that you will use your healing power +[3092.36 --> 3095.16] in the lives of those who struggle with physical and mental health. +[3096.00 --> 3097.88] We lift up Doug and Tessa, +[3098.12 --> 3100.56] and ask that you will give them strength and endurance +[3100.56 --> 3102.44] in their respective battles with cancer. +[3103.64 --> 3105.00] We also pray for Tanya, +[3105.42 --> 3107.86] and ask that you will allow her to experience joy +[3107.86 --> 3109.78] in the knowledge of your faithful goodness +[3109.78 --> 3111.12] in the midst of her struggle. +[3113.34 --> 3115.26] We also pray for your healing power +[3115.26 --> 3117.02] to reach into the hearts of all of us +[3117.02 --> 3118.66] who struggle with our spiritual health. +[3119.40 --> 3121.40] We pray again, like the psalmist, +[3121.40 --> 3123.02] that you would lead us, Lord, +[3123.18 --> 3125.52] in your righteousness because of our enemies. +[3126.12 --> 3127.94] Make your way straight before us. +[3129.30 --> 3130.80] Guide us so that we are not deceived, +[3131.24 --> 3132.52] but that we may love the truth. +[3134.44 --> 3135.52] And Lord, this morning, +[3135.66 --> 3137.12] we ask for your comfort and peace +[3137.12 --> 3139.46] for all of those who mourn the loss of loved ones. +[3139.46 --> 3142.90] We especially pray for the Skipper and Whistlink families, +[3143.24 --> 3144.48] that you will be very near to them +[3144.48 --> 3146.90] during this difficult time after Rachel's loss. +[3147.82 --> 3151.44] We thank you that your promises reach beyond the grave +[3151.44 --> 3154.16] and give us the assurance of eternity with Christ. +[3155.10 --> 3156.64] May we hold on to these promises +[3156.64 --> 3158.80] as faithfully as you hold on to us. +[3158.80 --> 3162.00] As the psalmist again writes, +[3162.62 --> 3164.74] Let all who take refuge in you be glad. +[3165.42 --> 3166.76] Let them ever sing for joy. +[3167.62 --> 3169.12] Spread your protection over them, +[3169.30 --> 3172.10] that those who love your name may rejoice in you. +[3172.90 --> 3174.70] Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous. +[3175.24 --> 3177.70] You surround them with your favor as with a shield. +[3179.36 --> 3181.10] Bless us all as we are about to hear +[3181.10 --> 3182.22] the preaching of your word. +[3182.82 --> 3185.06] May we listen well to what your spirit tells us, +[3185.46 --> 3187.56] love the truth, and so be saved. +[3188.80 --> 3191.64] All this we humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, +[3191.86 --> 3192.86] our Lord and Savior. +[3193.66 --> 3193.96] Amen. +[3214.74 --> 3217.04] I know I've said this a number of times before, +[3217.04 --> 3220.24] but it is so good to be with you. +[3220.32 --> 3224.06] It is so good to gather and to worship our God. +[3224.76 --> 3228.28] Our weekly worship together really does refresh my soul, +[3228.52 --> 3233.10] and after weeks of anxiety and sharing concerns +[3233.10 --> 3238.58] and hardship, after troubles and celebrations +[3238.58 --> 3241.26] and entering into hard things, +[3241.26 --> 3245.34] it is just a gift to gather and to worship our God +[3245.34 --> 3248.40] and to sit in his presence and to hear from him. +[3249.18 --> 3251.02] We're going to hear from God this morning +[3251.02 --> 3254.42] as he speaks to us from 2 Thessalonians. +[3254.56 --> 3257.90] We've been in a series through the books of Thessalonians. +[3258.74 --> 3260.96] And at the off, I just want to warn you +[3260.96 --> 3262.56] that this is one of those texts +[3262.56 --> 3265.84] that probably isn't preached on a lot, +[3265.84 --> 3268.72] but is speculated about a whole bunch. +[3269.52 --> 3271.06] And there's some weird things in here. +[3271.48 --> 3273.52] We're not going to cover over all of them. +[3273.64 --> 3276.70] We just can't do that in our time together this morning. +[3277.42 --> 3280.22] But I do want to encourage you to open up your Bible, +[3280.40 --> 3282.48] to follow along, to have that there. +[3282.58 --> 3284.68] And so if you don't have a Bible in hand, +[3285.04 --> 3286.18] there's a few at the back. +[3286.26 --> 3287.02] You can grab there, +[3287.02 --> 3291.14] or you can turn your device and find the text there. +[3291.34 --> 3292.54] The first time through, +[3292.68 --> 3294.48] it will be on the screen behind me. +[3295.32 --> 3296.68] But otherwise, I'm going to encourage you +[3296.68 --> 3298.44] to have that in front of you as we go. +[3300.40 --> 3303.26] We're going to read 2 Thessalonians 2, +[3303.70 --> 3304.80] starting at verse 1, +[3304.84 --> 3306.52] and we'll read through verse 12. +[3309.20 --> 3312.32] Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ +[3312.32 --> 3314.66] and our being gathered to him, +[3314.66 --> 3317.28] we ask you, brothers and sisters, +[3317.74 --> 3320.66] not to become easily unsettled or alarmed +[3321.24 --> 3324.08] by the teaching allegedly from us, +[3324.44 --> 3327.50] whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter, +[3328.08 --> 3331.62] asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. +[3333.34 --> 3336.42] Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, +[3337.02 --> 3340.50] for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs +[3340.50 --> 3343.70] and the man of lawlessness is revealed, +[3343.70 --> 3345.88] the man doomed to destruction. +[3347.20 --> 3349.96] He will oppose and will exalt himself +[3349.96 --> 3353.22] over everything that is called God and is worshipped +[3353.22 --> 3356.74] so that he sets himself up in God's temple, +[3357.20 --> 3359.22] proclaiming himself to be God. +[3360.70 --> 3364.26] Don't you remember that when I was with you, +[3364.34 --> 3365.96] I used to tell you these things? +[3365.96 --> 3370.28] And now you know what is holding him back +[3370.28 --> 3373.10] so that he may be revealed at the proper time. +[3373.76 --> 3377.92] For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, +[3378.08 --> 3380.16] but the one who now holds it back +[3380.16 --> 3383.92] will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. +[3384.68 --> 3387.72] And then the lawless one will be revealed, +[3388.16 --> 3391.98] whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth +[3391.98 --> 3394.68] and destroy by the splendor of his coming. +[3395.86 --> 3399.98] The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. +[3400.78 --> 3404.82] He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders +[3404.82 --> 3410.24] that serve the lie and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. +[3410.24 --> 3415.44] They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. +[3416.44 --> 3419.86] For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion +[3419.86 --> 3421.92] so that they will believe the lie +[3421.92 --> 3424.34] and so that all will be condemned +[3424.34 --> 3429.16] who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. +[3430.22 --> 3431.80] This is the word of the Lord. +[3434.06 --> 3437.92] I think for many of us, thanks be to God in that moment is, +[3438.36 --> 3439.26] that's weird. +[3440.24 --> 3440.96] Right? +[3441.04 --> 3442.70] This is one of those texts, like I've said. +[3444.80 --> 3449.60] Now, what if all of this, +[3450.90 --> 3453.34] by this I mean everything we're doing here this morning, +[3453.88 --> 3456.62] right, the singing, the praying, the longing for, +[3456.72 --> 3457.98] the laying on of hands, +[3458.34 --> 3462.22] what if all of this isn't true? +[3464.52 --> 3467.74] What if this Jesus thing isn't real? +[3470.24 --> 3471.28] What if this isn't true? +[3471.28 --> 3471.62] Right? +[3471.66 --> 3472.32] What we're doing here? +[3473.60 --> 3474.74] Are we wasting our time? +[3477.02 --> 3478.24] I mean, if it's not true, yeah. +[3479.08 --> 3479.48] Absolutely. +[3480.18 --> 3480.30] Right? +[3480.34 --> 3484.06] The Apostle Paul says that if the resurrection of Jesus isn't true, +[3484.18 --> 3486.24] which is foundational, core to what it means to be Christian, +[3486.52 --> 3488.58] then Christians are most of all to be pitied. +[3488.58 --> 3492.32] What if we missed something? +[3493.82 --> 3494.96] What if we got it wrong? +[3496.76 --> 3496.96] Right? +[3497.00 --> 3499.34] And I'm not just talking about regular doubts here. +[3499.56 --> 3501.80] I'm not just talking about questions that we might have. +[3502.04 --> 3504.08] I mean, what if this isn't real? +[3504.08 --> 3510.20] If this isn't real, we've all been lied to. +[3511.26 --> 3514.26] If this isn't real, you pay me to lie to you. +[3518.38 --> 3521.80] If this isn't real, we've missed something. +[3522.74 --> 3524.62] And I don't know about you, but if this isn't real, +[3524.68 --> 3526.10] my anxiety starts spiking. +[3526.10 --> 3532.12] Now, there's all sorts of ways that we're told in our world, right, +[3532.16 --> 3534.02] that we can bring down our anxiety. +[3534.24 --> 3537.98] There's all sorts of ways that we can limit the impact of our worry. +[3538.20 --> 3540.20] We can breathe deeply. +[3540.88 --> 3544.48] We can practice intention or meditation. +[3544.88 --> 3546.98] We can reevaluate our priorities. +[3547.40 --> 3548.98] We can reeducate ourselves. +[3549.94 --> 3552.26] And if it's not this, well, +[3552.26 --> 3555.64] then maybe we better get on the right side of history +[3555.64 --> 3557.24] and find a better answer. +[3559.16 --> 3560.98] Now, whether you've wondered this +[3560.98 --> 3564.14] or whether you've wondered something else that gives you anxiety, +[3564.70 --> 3566.86] the question for all of us is, +[3567.16 --> 3568.30] how do we handle it? +[3569.32 --> 3571.42] How do we find out what's really real? +[3571.92 --> 3573.02] What's really true? +[3575.54 --> 3578.96] That question and its related impact +[3578.96 --> 3581.32] is behind what we read about this morning. +[3582.44 --> 3585.36] And if you look at the first couple verses that we read, +[3585.64 --> 3590.82] it seems that either after Paul's first teaching on the matter +[3590.82 --> 3593.20] or before even his first letter, +[3593.72 --> 3596.04] other people, other teachers, +[3596.60 --> 3600.24] had risen up in the community of the church of Thessalonians, +[3600.36 --> 3601.34] of the Thessalonians, +[3601.34 --> 3605.60] and have said that the return of Jesus has already taken place. +[3605.60 --> 3609.92] You might remember from the first letter, +[3610.70 --> 3613.62] in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 16, +[3614.08 --> 3614.92] we read that, +[3614.92 --> 3618.54] the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, +[3618.66 --> 3619.92] with the voice of the archangel, +[3620.02 --> 3621.20] the trumpet call of God, +[3621.32 --> 3624.24] and the dead in Christ will rise first. +[3625.20 --> 3626.26] Now, notice there, +[3626.34 --> 3628.34] and we made this point when we were looking at that text, +[3628.66 --> 3630.34] the return of Jesus is visible, +[3630.60 --> 3631.28] it is loud, +[3631.42 --> 3632.70] and it is unmistakable. +[3632.70 --> 3634.50] It won't be missed, right? +[3634.56 --> 3636.58] Even the dead will rise when he comes. +[3636.82 --> 3638.12] Point is, you won't miss it. +[3638.20 --> 3639.34] It cannot be missed. +[3639.92 --> 3642.04] And anyone who tries to tell you otherwise, +[3643.42 --> 3645.74] right, anyone who tries to tell you that it's already happened, +[3646.62 --> 3647.86] you can say, +[3648.24 --> 3648.40] no. +[3649.38 --> 3650.34] That's impossible. +[3650.84 --> 3652.00] Because we would know. +[3652.80 --> 3654.70] There's no secret to it. +[3654.70 --> 3656.94] But, +[3657.18 --> 3658.36] missing it +[3658.36 --> 3660.42] is their anxiety. +[3662.36 --> 3663.92] Being wrong about it +[3663.92 --> 3665.76] is their fear. +[3666.62 --> 3666.72] Right? +[3666.80 --> 3667.92] What if we missed it? +[3668.58 --> 3669.94] What if we're wrong? +[3670.20 --> 3671.06] What if Paul lied? +[3671.32 --> 3672.66] What if this isn't true? +[3673.76 --> 3674.86] You see how that line works? +[3675.72 --> 3676.66] That's their longing. +[3677.30 --> 3679.52] That's the aching of their heart. +[3679.52 --> 3684.12] What if all this Jesus thing isn't true? +[3685.82 --> 3687.02] That's what Paul's addressing. +[3688.10 --> 3689.26] And he gets at it right away. +[3689.54 --> 3692.52] He gives us another reason why we can see that it's true. +[3692.96 --> 3695.08] Verse 3 and 4, if you're looking at it. +[3695.38 --> 3695.44] Right? +[3696.00 --> 3700.92] This shows us another reason why the challenge to God's truthfulness can be overcome. +[3701.78 --> 3704.48] He tells us what must happen first. +[3705.40 --> 3705.60] Right? +[3705.64 --> 3708.62] What must happen before the return of Jesus. +[3708.62 --> 3709.26] He says, +[3709.68 --> 3712.02] For that day will not come until... +[3712.02 --> 3713.80] And then he lists two things. +[3714.70 --> 3714.84] Right? +[3714.98 --> 3716.18] The rebellion occurs +[3716.18 --> 3719.68] and the man of lawlessness is revealed +[3719.68 --> 3722.66] and sets himself up to be worshipped. +[3723.52 --> 3724.70] Paul is saying, +[3725.56 --> 3727.30] As you are discerning the truth, +[3727.76 --> 3728.88] know this truth. +[3729.66 --> 3729.90] Right? +[3729.96 --> 3732.18] There are some things that have to yet happen +[3732.18 --> 3736.26] before we can say this is taking place. +[3736.34 --> 3737.26] There are some truths +[3737.26 --> 3738.42] that you have to know +[3738.42 --> 3741.36] that will help you make sense of this whole thing. +[3741.36 --> 3746.48] That will help you understand the greater truth of this whole world +[3746.48 --> 3748.30] and where history is heading. +[3749.36 --> 3752.86] And one of the warning signs that Paul says +[3752.86 --> 3756.64] is to be on the lookout for that rebellion. +[3756.64 --> 3758.22] Now, +[3758.98 --> 3761.48] that might be a strange word to you, +[3761.56 --> 3762.94] especially in this context, +[3763.04 --> 3767.98] as you know that the Christians are being persecuted by the Roman Empire. +[3768.66 --> 3770.78] And if you are a Star Wars fan, +[3770.88 --> 3772.64] you know that empire is bad +[3772.64 --> 3774.34] and the rebellion is good. +[3776.04 --> 3777.58] But that's not true in this text. +[3778.10 --> 3780.82] The rebellion is not good. +[3780.82 --> 3782.54] The word rebellion here +[3782.54 --> 3786.98] is the word from where we get the word for apostasy. +[3787.88 --> 3788.10] Right? +[3788.12 --> 3789.96] It's the word that's used in the Bible +[3789.96 --> 3793.14] to tell of a religious crisis +[3793.14 --> 3795.90] that will face God's people. +[3796.76 --> 3800.58] Apostasy is falling away into unbelief. +[3801.70 --> 3801.84] Right? +[3801.84 --> 3802.82] And so there's a crisis. +[3803.10 --> 3805.12] This rebellion will be an apostasy +[3805.12 --> 3807.34] of a whole slew of people +[3807.34 --> 3809.78] who everyone thought were Christians. +[3810.38 --> 3811.26] But turns out, +[3811.94 --> 3812.92] they've fallen away. +[3813.48 --> 3814.12] They don't believe. +[3814.88 --> 3817.28] Jesus actually talks about this same thing +[3817.28 --> 3818.72] in Matthew 24. +[3819.42 --> 3820.38] Jesus says, +[3820.72 --> 3823.22] when he's discussing the end times and last days, +[3823.76 --> 3824.86] at that time, +[3825.22 --> 3827.50] many will turn away from the faith +[3827.50 --> 3830.12] and will betray and hate each other. +[3830.12 --> 3830.84] Right? +[3832.04 --> 3833.06] At some point, +[3833.76 --> 3835.96] there will be a mass +[3835.96 --> 3840.28] and noticeable turn away from true belief. +[3841.30 --> 3842.00] Right? +[3842.02 --> 3843.28] That's one of the markers +[3843.28 --> 3846.12] that the return of Christ is coming. +[3847.10 --> 3847.50] Right? +[3847.54 --> 3850.86] A turn from true faith to a false faith. +[3851.76 --> 3852.20] Right? +[3852.26 --> 3855.48] From a true Messiah to a false Messiah. +[3856.80 --> 3858.44] Now here's the tricky thing. +[3860.12 --> 3861.92] Throughout church history, +[3862.48 --> 3867.56] no apostate ever thought they were apostate. +[3869.02 --> 3869.74] Right? +[3869.80 --> 3871.00] The people who believe +[3871.00 --> 3873.86] and who will follow this false Christ +[3873.86 --> 3874.78] will likely, +[3875.16 --> 3876.64] especially at first, +[3877.06 --> 3879.06] think they're following the true Christ. +[3880.32 --> 3882.40] They'll say things like, +[3882.90 --> 3886.74] this is what real faith looks like +[3886.74 --> 3887.90] in this hard moment. +[3887.90 --> 3891.48] This is what it really means +[3891.48 --> 3892.62] to be Christian +[3892.62 --> 3894.26] in the world right now. +[3895.38 --> 3896.72] They will say things like, +[3896.94 --> 3898.36] for such a time as this, +[3898.54 --> 3899.54] we have to do that. +[3901.42 --> 3901.94] Right? +[3901.98 --> 3902.74] They'll say things like, +[3902.90 --> 3903.98] it may not be +[3903.98 --> 3905.66] the best option, +[3906.18 --> 3907.66] but it's the only one +[3907.66 --> 3908.36] we really have. +[3910.28 --> 3910.80] Now, +[3911.14 --> 3911.90] a remnant, +[3912.12 --> 3912.52] right, +[3912.58 --> 3913.68] will not be deceived +[3913.68 --> 3915.32] and they will know the truth, +[3915.96 --> 3918.18] but especially at first, +[3919.28 --> 3920.40] the apostates +[3920.40 --> 3922.32] won't realize it. +[3923.04 --> 3924.74] Those who fall to the rebellion +[3924.74 --> 3925.60] won't know +[3925.60 --> 3927.20] that's what is happening. +[3927.72 --> 3928.86] And eventually, +[3929.70 --> 3932.34] even if they figure it out, +[3932.90 --> 3934.08] they won't care. +[3936.08 --> 3936.72] Right? +[3936.72 --> 3937.04] Now, +[3937.08 --> 3937.92] the apostasy, +[3938.34 --> 3939.00] this rebellion, +[3939.22 --> 3940.78] will either coincide with, +[3940.90 --> 3941.68] Paul says, +[3941.84 --> 3943.64] or will most likely +[3943.64 --> 3944.90] be caused by +[3944.90 --> 3946.16] the revealing +[3946.16 --> 3947.46] of the man +[3947.46 --> 3948.62] of lawlessness. +[3949.66 --> 3949.88] Now, +[3949.96 --> 3951.10] some translations +[3951.10 --> 3951.76] of the Bible, +[3951.88 --> 3952.26] if you're reading +[3952.26 --> 3952.82] a different one +[3952.82 --> 3953.68] than what we have here, +[3954.04 --> 3955.08] might say the man +[3955.08 --> 3955.44] of lawlessness +[3955.44 --> 3956.30] there. +[3957.58 --> 3958.52] Bible scholars +[3958.52 --> 3959.30] will tell you +[3959.30 --> 3960.86] that this is +[3960.86 --> 3961.58] probably +[3961.58 --> 3962.78] the only +[3962.78 --> 3964.10] explicit reference +[3964.10 --> 3965.88] in Paul's writing +[3965.88 --> 3966.70] to +[3966.70 --> 3968.38] what you might know +[3968.38 --> 3969.04] by the name +[3969.04 --> 3970.08] Antichrist. +[3971.56 --> 3972.20] Antichrist +[3972.20 --> 3972.92] is a figure +[3972.92 --> 3974.40] that's talked about +[3974.40 --> 3976.02] more in John's writing, +[3976.10 --> 3977.00] the Apostles John, +[3977.38 --> 3978.56] both as a type, +[3978.74 --> 3979.62] and so in the three +[3979.62 --> 3980.78] letters of John, +[3981.14 --> 3981.98] we hear about +[3981.98 --> 3983.26] Antichrists, +[3983.80 --> 3984.88] and Antichrists +[3984.88 --> 3985.92] are anyone +[3985.92 --> 3987.32] who actively, +[3987.90 --> 3989.14] usually forcibly, +[3989.52 --> 3990.72] oppose the teaching +[3990.72 --> 3991.82] and the transformation +[3991.82 --> 3993.60] and the exalting +[3993.60 --> 3994.54] of Jesus. +[3995.94 --> 3997.02] And as a sort of +[3997.02 --> 3998.34] archetype, +[3998.64 --> 3999.54] as a sort of +[3999.54 --> 4000.92] ultimate revealing +[4000.92 --> 4001.60] of that, +[4001.70 --> 4002.04] there is +[4002.04 --> 4003.70] an ultimate +[4003.70 --> 4004.88] Antichrist, +[4005.74 --> 4006.42] an individual +[4006.42 --> 4008.06] who is this +[4008.06 --> 4008.90] man of +[4008.90 --> 4009.80] lawlessness. +[4010.08 --> 4011.32] The book of Revelation +[4011.32 --> 4012.58] paints a picture +[4012.58 --> 4013.68] of an Antichrist +[4013.68 --> 4014.62] into which +[4014.62 --> 4015.36] all of these +[4015.36 --> 4016.36] other ideas +[4016.36 --> 4017.58] are poured +[4017.58 --> 4018.88] into one person. +[4018.88 --> 4021.88] And that's why, +[4022.00 --> 4023.28] Paul is saying, +[4023.72 --> 4024.78] knowing the truth, +[4025.18 --> 4025.98] why knowing +[4025.98 --> 4027.30] this is true +[4027.30 --> 4028.22] matters. +[4029.26 --> 4030.68] Because the singular +[4030.68 --> 4031.70] responsibility +[4031.70 --> 4033.04] and task of Satan, +[4033.30 --> 4033.82] if we were to +[4033.82 --> 4034.62] boil it all down, +[4034.84 --> 4035.94] is to deceive, +[4037.86 --> 4038.52] is to trick, +[4039.02 --> 4039.76] to lie. +[4040.56 --> 4041.88] And he wants you +[4041.88 --> 4042.82] to fall +[4042.82 --> 4043.84] away +[4043.84 --> 4045.06] by this +[4045.06 --> 4046.24] counterfeit. +[4046.24 --> 4048.06] Now notice +[4048.06 --> 4049.48] in chapter 1, +[4050.00 --> 4050.92] verse 7, +[4051.52 --> 4052.42] we read, +[4052.78 --> 4053.76] this will happen +[4053.76 --> 4054.70] when the Lord +[4054.70 --> 4056.08] Jesus is revealed. +[4057.34 --> 4057.56] Right? +[4057.70 --> 4058.20] Revealed +[4058.20 --> 4059.12] is the word +[4059.12 --> 4059.72] apocalypse. +[4060.06 --> 4060.40] Josh, +[4060.54 --> 4061.12] last week, +[4061.42 --> 4062.40] talked about that +[4062.40 --> 4063.14] for us +[4063.14 --> 4063.66] and we dove +[4063.66 --> 4064.50] deep into that. +[4064.62 --> 4065.08] Apocalypse +[4065.08 --> 4066.68] means revelation. +[4067.64 --> 4067.96] Jesus +[4067.96 --> 4069.20] is the apocalypse +[4069.20 --> 4070.32] of God. +[4070.42 --> 4071.30] He is the true +[4071.30 --> 4072.00] and full +[4072.00 --> 4072.80] revelation. +[4073.16 --> 4074.04] We know him +[4074.04 --> 4075.42] through the revelation +[4075.42 --> 4076.68] of the word +[4076.68 --> 4078.30] eternally made +[4078.30 --> 4079.20] known to us +[4079.20 --> 4080.64] through the apostolic +[4080.64 --> 4081.30] word. +[4082.60 --> 4083.02] And now, +[4083.16 --> 4083.64] notice, +[4083.88 --> 4084.86] in our text, +[4085.66 --> 4086.50] in verse 3, +[4087.06 --> 4088.32] the man of lawlessness +[4088.32 --> 4089.46] will also +[4089.46 --> 4090.60] be revealed. +[4091.74 --> 4093.04] And then in verse 6, +[4093.14 --> 4093.46] we read, +[4093.74 --> 4094.56] so that he may be +[4094.56 --> 4095.70] revealed at the +[4095.70 --> 4096.42] proper time. +[4096.70 --> 4097.10] And again, +[4097.18 --> 4097.72] in verse 8, +[4097.92 --> 4098.84] the lawless one +[4098.84 --> 4100.08] will be revealed. +[4100.30 --> 4101.24] There's that word again. +[4102.40 --> 4102.54] Right? +[4102.54 --> 4103.76] The antichrist +[4103.76 --> 4105.98] is an antirevelation. +[4105.98 --> 4107.66] It's a counterfeit +[4107.66 --> 4110.10] designed to deceive +[4110.10 --> 4111.78] and steal away +[4111.78 --> 4112.80] those who believe. +[4114.20 --> 4115.08] Verse 9 and 10 +[4115.08 --> 4115.62] say that +[4115.62 --> 4116.30] he, +[4116.62 --> 4117.58] the man of lawlessness, +[4117.88 --> 4120.22] this antirevelation, +[4120.66 --> 4122.14] will use all sorts +[4122.14 --> 4122.80] of displays +[4122.80 --> 4123.66] of power +[4123.66 --> 4124.84] through signs +[4124.84 --> 4125.56] and wonders +[4125.56 --> 4126.82] that serve the lie +[4126.82 --> 4128.10] and all the ways +[4128.10 --> 4128.96] that wickedness +[4128.96 --> 4130.12] deceives those +[4130.12 --> 4132.10] who are perishing. +[4138.28 --> 4139.04] Maybe, +[4139.30 --> 4141.30] maybe, +[4141.46 --> 4142.46] one of the ways +[4142.46 --> 4144.08] that wickedness +[4144.08 --> 4145.12] deceives those +[4145.12 --> 4146.16] who are perishing +[4146.16 --> 4149.18] is by giving you +[4149.18 --> 4150.42] everything you thought +[4150.42 --> 4150.90] you wanted. +[4154.50 --> 4155.26] Maybe, +[4155.68 --> 4157.24] one of the ways +[4157.24 --> 4158.06] that wickedness +[4158.06 --> 4158.80] deceives +[4158.80 --> 4160.32] is by surrounding +[4160.32 --> 4161.94] you with a culture +[4161.94 --> 4162.78] that says, +[4163.02 --> 4163.70] this is normal. +[4164.68 --> 4165.88] This is no big deal. +[4166.78 --> 4167.92] Stop caring so much +[4167.92 --> 4168.58] about those silly +[4168.58 --> 4169.36] little things. +[4170.48 --> 4170.58] Right? +[4170.62 --> 4171.64] Get on the right side. +[4173.72 --> 4174.28] Or, +[4174.46 --> 4174.78] maybe, +[4175.14 --> 4176.38] wickedness deceives +[4176.38 --> 4177.66] by making you think +[4177.66 --> 4178.48] that wicked +[4178.48 --> 4180.22] doesn't actually exist. +[4181.34 --> 4182.68] That moral +[4182.68 --> 4183.88] and morality +[4183.88 --> 4185.18] isn't real +[4185.18 --> 4186.34] but a social construct. +[4186.34 --> 4186.46] corrupt. +[4187.54 --> 4188.10] Or, +[4188.26 --> 4189.62] even more perniciously, +[4189.70 --> 4190.08] I think, +[4190.16 --> 4191.28] for us here +[4191.28 --> 4191.86] this morning, +[4192.36 --> 4192.92] maybe, +[4192.92 --> 4195.00] wickedness deceives +[4195.00 --> 4196.26] by saying +[4196.26 --> 4197.08] that moral +[4197.08 --> 4198.38] is all there is. +[4199.90 --> 4201.02] That morality +[4201.02 --> 4202.06] is all that matters. +[4202.48 --> 4202.76] Good, +[4203.02 --> 4203.34] bad, +[4203.48 --> 4204.18] you judge +[4204.18 --> 4205.02] that fiercely. +[4206.14 --> 4207.20] Cancel quickly +[4207.20 --> 4208.40] and write them off +[4208.40 --> 4208.96] absolutely. +[4208.96 --> 4212.12] Maybe that's +[4212.12 --> 4212.84] the pernicious +[4212.84 --> 4214.04] effect of wickedness. +[4215.74 --> 4216.64] Paul writes, +[4216.74 --> 4217.26] they perish +[4217.26 --> 4218.22] because they refuse +[4218.22 --> 4219.66] to love the truth +[4219.66 --> 4221.10] and so be saved. +[4222.24 --> 4223.24] And so for us, +[4223.36 --> 4224.56] that means only one thing. +[4225.36 --> 4226.32] Love the truth. +[4227.66 --> 4228.66] Love the revelation +[4228.66 --> 4229.34] of God +[4229.34 --> 4230.38] who is Jesus. +[4230.58 --> 4231.30] Love Jesus +[4231.30 --> 4232.58] with all your heart +[4232.58 --> 4233.38] and soul +[4233.38 --> 4233.96] and mind +[4233.96 --> 4234.56] and strength. +[4234.90 --> 4235.88] Love His word +[4235.88 --> 4236.92] and then +[4236.92 --> 4238.10] in so loving +[4238.10 --> 4239.46] and in so receiving +[4239.46 --> 4240.16] and being, +[4240.52 --> 4242.12] you will not be deceived. +[4243.90 --> 4244.10] Right? +[4244.14 --> 4244.78] That's the point +[4244.78 --> 4245.74] of all of this. +[4246.60 --> 4246.82] Right? +[4246.86 --> 4247.72] When you ask +[4247.72 --> 4248.92] what is true, +[4249.16 --> 4250.06] when you wrestle with +[4250.06 --> 4251.10] is this true, +[4251.48 --> 4252.96] God stands in front of you +[4252.96 --> 4253.40] and He says, +[4253.58 --> 4254.00] yes! +[4254.48 --> 4255.96] I am the way, +[4256.26 --> 4256.84] the truth, +[4256.92 --> 4257.86] and the life. +[4259.26 --> 4260.56] When you are wondering +[4260.56 --> 4262.08] is this really true, +[4262.48 --> 4263.50] go to the one +[4263.50 --> 4265.04] who defines reality. +[4265.04 --> 4267.28] Right? +[4267.32 --> 4268.64] That's the only way +[4268.64 --> 4269.38] to know +[4269.38 --> 4270.80] what is really true. +[4272.12 --> 4272.98] And when you are anxious +[4272.98 --> 4274.06] and when you are worried +[4274.06 --> 4274.98] about what is next +[4274.98 --> 4276.08] or what is coming, +[4276.46 --> 4277.28] go to the one +[4277.28 --> 4278.46] who directs history. +[4279.92 --> 4280.48] Right? +[4280.50 --> 4281.14] That's the point +[4281.14 --> 4281.88] of this text. +[4282.46 --> 4282.68] Right? +[4282.70 --> 4283.98] That's the big idea here. +[4284.22 --> 4284.32] Right? +[4284.34 --> 4285.16] That God, +[4285.40 --> 4286.82] in His grace, +[4287.30 --> 4288.28] tells believers +[4288.28 --> 4289.74] what to expect +[4289.74 --> 4291.02] so that you won't +[4291.02 --> 4291.62] be deceived +[4291.62 --> 4293.00] and so that you +[4293.00 --> 4293.66] can live +[4293.66 --> 4294.34] with eyes +[4294.34 --> 4295.00] wide, +[4295.30 --> 4295.74] open. +[4297.74 --> 4297.96] Right? +[4298.02 --> 4298.32] God, +[4298.48 --> 4299.48] in His grace, +[4299.90 --> 4301.08] is telling you +[4301.08 --> 4301.86] the truth +[4301.86 --> 4304.02] so that you can see +[4304.02 --> 4304.62] clearly +[4304.62 --> 4306.28] what is true. +[4308.68 --> 4309.26] Now, +[4309.28 --> 4309.94] notice this +[4309.94 --> 4311.32] carefully. +[4313.70 --> 4315.00] This warning, +[4316.18 --> 4316.48] right, +[4316.54 --> 4317.40] this truth, +[4317.76 --> 4319.12] can't be +[4319.12 --> 4320.00] for those +[4320.00 --> 4321.06] who are perishing. +[4321.06 --> 4322.68] right? +[4322.68 --> 4323.72] To use Paul's language. +[4324.66 --> 4325.32] This warning +[4325.32 --> 4326.62] is for those +[4326.62 --> 4327.46] who believe +[4327.46 --> 4328.66] so that we will +[4328.66 --> 4329.42] not perish. +[4330.14 --> 4330.22] Right? +[4330.28 --> 4330.94] This warning +[4330.94 --> 4332.32] is a means +[4332.32 --> 4333.40] of perseverance. +[4334.06 --> 4334.68] It's a means +[4334.68 --> 4335.68] of keeping you +[4335.68 --> 4336.28] connected +[4336.28 --> 4337.48] to the truth. +[4337.78 --> 4338.36] The warning +[4338.36 --> 4338.94] itself +[4338.94 --> 4339.96] is a grace +[4339.96 --> 4340.94] of God +[4340.94 --> 4341.54] and God, +[4341.66 --> 4342.26] in His grace, +[4342.34 --> 4343.38] is saying to you +[4343.38 --> 4344.24] and He's saying +[4344.24 --> 4344.70] to me, +[4345.00 --> 4346.04] open your eyes, +[4346.82 --> 4347.94] open your mind, +[4347.94 --> 4349.14] open your heart +[4349.14 --> 4350.12] and know +[4350.12 --> 4351.08] that I +[4351.08 --> 4352.52] am God. +[4352.64 --> 4353.56] There is no other +[4353.56 --> 4354.82] like me. +[4356.40 --> 4357.30] And here's the thing, +[4357.58 --> 4357.74] right? +[4358.84 --> 4359.48] Sometimes, +[4359.74 --> 4360.84] sometimes, +[4361.02 --> 4362.06] we believe +[4362.06 --> 4362.96] or we're guilty +[4362.96 --> 4363.60] of thinking +[4363.60 --> 4364.80] that in order +[4364.80 --> 4365.58] to believe, +[4366.26 --> 4366.88] I have to shut +[4366.88 --> 4367.60] my brain off. +[4368.88 --> 4369.62] That faith +[4369.62 --> 4370.90] is how the opposite +[4370.90 --> 4371.72] of truth +[4371.72 --> 4372.62] or the opposite +[4372.62 --> 4373.56] of what can be +[4373.56 --> 4374.40] rationally +[4374.40 --> 4375.22] understood +[4375.22 --> 4376.28] and discerned. +[4376.34 --> 4377.04] And absolutely, +[4377.22 --> 4377.98] there is a mystery +[4377.98 --> 4379.10] beyond comprehension +[4379.10 --> 4380.16] in relationship +[4380.16 --> 4380.70] to God. +[4381.86 --> 4382.16] Right? +[4382.42 --> 4383.32] But the impact +[4383.32 --> 4384.26] of that way +[4384.26 --> 4384.74] of thinking +[4384.74 --> 4385.18] sometimes +[4385.18 --> 4386.28] is when we +[4386.28 --> 4386.92] struggle with +[4386.92 --> 4387.92] questions like, +[4388.02 --> 4388.78] is it true? +[4388.86 --> 4390.02] Is any of this true? +[4390.40 --> 4391.22] We kind of tell +[4391.22 --> 4391.98] ourselves we've got +[4391.98 --> 4392.68] to shut our brain +[4392.68 --> 4393.30] down and just +[4393.30 --> 4394.00] believe harder. +[4397.38 --> 4398.30] But hear me say +[4398.30 --> 4399.02] this very clearly. +[4400.28 --> 4400.88] Christianity, +[4401.74 --> 4402.60] the gospel, +[4402.82 --> 4403.34] God's word, +[4403.92 --> 4404.52] God Himself, +[4404.52 --> 4406.36] is not afraid +[4406.36 --> 4407.40] of your questions. +[4410.40 --> 4410.52] Right? +[4410.60 --> 4411.60] Use your doubts +[4411.60 --> 4412.56] to go deeper +[4412.56 --> 4413.66] into faith. +[4414.46 --> 4415.24] God can handle +[4415.24 --> 4415.80] your fear. +[4416.84 --> 4417.84] Jesus Himself +[4417.84 --> 4419.48] prays in John 17, +[4419.92 --> 4420.90] sanctify them +[4420.90 --> 4421.94] by your truth. +[4422.34 --> 4423.14] Your word +[4423.14 --> 4424.44] is truth. +[4426.56 --> 4426.90] And so, +[4427.02 --> 4427.64] hear Jesus +[4427.64 --> 4428.70] standing in front +[4428.70 --> 4429.58] of you this morning, +[4429.92 --> 4430.80] right now, +[4431.02 --> 4431.84] saying to +[4431.84 --> 4432.88] those of you, +[4433.02 --> 4433.94] to anyone +[4433.94 --> 4435.40] who has ever said, +[4435.72 --> 4436.26] what if this +[4436.26 --> 4436.88] Jesus thing +[4436.88 --> 4437.56] isn't true? +[4438.38 --> 4439.78] Jesus is saying, +[4439.98 --> 4441.04] I am the way. +[4441.80 --> 4444.08] I am truth. +[4444.94 --> 4446.10] Come to me +[4446.10 --> 4447.78] with all your anxieties, +[4447.78 --> 4448.96] with all your worries. +[4449.10 --> 4449.66] Come to me +[4449.66 --> 4450.44] with your tears +[4450.44 --> 4451.42] and your fears +[4451.42 --> 4452.38] and your loneliness. +[4452.62 --> 4453.12] Come to me +[4453.12 --> 4454.06] with your heartache +[4454.06 --> 4454.98] and your hurt. +[4454.98 --> 4457.00] And I will give you +[4457.00 --> 4458.20] rest. +[4460.20 --> 4462.74] To all of your questions, +[4463.94 --> 4465.86] Jesus is the answer. +[4466.66 --> 4468.86] To all of your doubts, +[4469.38 --> 4471.18] Jesus is the truth. +[4472.14 --> 4473.92] And to all of your wondering, +[4474.88 --> 4476.52] Jesus has the words +[4476.52 --> 4478.50] of eternal life. +[4479.00 --> 4481.36] Come to Him. +[4481.36 --> 4483.92] even +[4483.92 --> 4485.48] to the questions +[4485.48 --> 4486.32] about the end +[4486.32 --> 4487.36] of all of this. +[4488.42 --> 4489.40] Even questions +[4489.40 --> 4490.30] about what the end +[4490.30 --> 4491.22] will be like +[4491.22 --> 4492.82] at and in +[4492.82 --> 4493.54] and through +[4493.54 --> 4494.40] and after +[4494.40 --> 4495.94] the return of Jesus. +[4496.46 --> 4497.44] God tells us +[4497.44 --> 4498.56] what to expect +[4498.56 --> 4500.06] and what to +[4500.06 --> 4501.98] project +[4501.98 --> 4502.90] and protect +[4502.90 --> 4503.98] so that +[4503.98 --> 4505.24] you aren't +[4505.24 --> 4505.90] deceived. +[4506.80 --> 4507.54] So that you +[4507.54 --> 4508.12] aren't tricked +[4508.12 --> 4508.90] into following +[4508.90 --> 4509.88] some counterfeit +[4509.88 --> 4510.74] Christ, +[4511.26 --> 4511.88] deceived +[4511.88 --> 4512.80] by the promises +[4512.80 --> 4513.56] of a false +[4513.56 --> 4514.36] kingdom. +[4515.80 --> 4516.88] And until that day, +[4517.32 --> 4518.34] until that end, +[4518.50 --> 4519.74] Paul provides +[4519.74 --> 4520.22] for us +[4520.22 --> 4521.14] another comfort +[4521.14 --> 4522.52] and we'll start +[4522.52 --> 4523.52] wrapping up here. +[4524.64 --> 4525.94] In verse 5 +[4525.94 --> 4526.64] through 8, +[4527.32 --> 4528.32] he effectively +[4528.32 --> 4529.42] tells them, +[4529.84 --> 4530.94] I've already +[4530.94 --> 4531.74] told you this. +[4532.58 --> 4533.76] You should know this. +[4534.52 --> 4535.44] And then he adds, +[4535.84 --> 4537.02] and now you know +[4537.02 --> 4538.42] what is holding him back. +[4538.42 --> 4539.88] Somehow, +[4540.48 --> 4541.44] in some way, +[4541.62 --> 4542.70] the man of lawlessness +[4542.70 --> 4544.16] and the rebellion +[4544.16 --> 4545.90] is being restrained +[4545.90 --> 4546.66] right now. +[4547.56 --> 4548.14] Paul says, +[4548.52 --> 4550.26] the one who holds it back +[4550.26 --> 4551.84] will continue to do so +[4551.84 --> 4552.52] until he +[4552.52 --> 4553.76] is taken away. +[4555.24 --> 4556.36] Paul tells them, +[4556.60 --> 4557.38] you know what +[4557.38 --> 4558.68] and you know who. +[4560.62 --> 4560.88] Now, +[4561.42 --> 4563.46] the problem is +[4563.46 --> 4565.24] that they might know that, +[4565.86 --> 4566.78] but we don't. +[4566.78 --> 4569.24] scholars suggest +[4569.24 --> 4570.40] that Paul +[4570.40 --> 4571.22] is referring +[4571.22 --> 4572.24] to something +[4572.24 --> 4573.24] that he told them +[4573.24 --> 4574.10] while he was with them. +[4574.96 --> 4575.78] To a teaching +[4575.78 --> 4576.62] that he gave them +[4576.62 --> 4577.62] that isn't written down +[4577.62 --> 4578.54] for us. +[4578.70 --> 4579.04] And so, +[4579.34 --> 4580.50] we have to figure it out. +[4580.58 --> 4581.24] We have to discern. +[4581.98 --> 4582.78] And I want to be candid +[4582.78 --> 4583.10] with you, +[4583.18 --> 4584.22] there is a huge debate +[4584.22 --> 4585.64] throughout church history +[4585.64 --> 4586.50] and in scholarship +[4586.50 --> 4588.18] and in contemporary preaching +[4588.18 --> 4589.38] about just exactly +[4589.38 --> 4590.52] what is going on here. +[4590.96 --> 4591.32] And so, +[4591.38 --> 4592.34] I'm going to give to you +[4592.34 --> 4592.86] what I think +[4592.86 --> 4593.66] is the best +[4593.66 --> 4595.22] approximation of it, +[4595.22 --> 4595.80] but I would love +[4595.80 --> 4596.62] to hear your ideas +[4596.62 --> 4597.86] and I'm sure +[4597.86 --> 4599.06] that when we record +[4599.06 --> 4600.30] a podcast later this week, +[4600.60 --> 4601.60] it will be very interesting +[4601.60 --> 4602.56] as we bounce it around. +[4605.58 --> 4606.10] But, +[4606.44 --> 4609.68] as we have the question +[4609.68 --> 4611.56] of who is +[4611.56 --> 4613.02] the true thing +[4613.02 --> 4614.36] or the true one +[4614.36 --> 4616.22] that is holding back +[4616.22 --> 4617.66] the power of lawlessness +[4617.66 --> 4619.22] already at work, +[4619.30 --> 4620.18] we ask ourselves, +[4620.18 --> 4621.94] which or what +[4621.94 --> 4623.62] is this person +[4623.62 --> 4625.16] that is now +[4625.16 --> 4625.90] currently +[4625.90 --> 4628.22] holding that back? +[4629.44 --> 4630.04] And again, +[4630.10 --> 4630.52] I think that +[4630.52 --> 4631.74] the best answer +[4631.74 --> 4633.46] is an approximation +[4633.46 --> 4634.70] from three different +[4634.70 --> 4636.24] places in Scripture. +[4636.44 --> 4636.62] And so, +[4636.72 --> 4637.50] let me tie those +[4637.50 --> 4638.58] all together for you. +[4639.36 --> 4639.90] First, +[4640.48 --> 4641.70] in Matthew 16, +[4642.26 --> 4643.22] Jesus says +[4643.22 --> 4644.20] to Peter, +[4644.40 --> 4645.48] I tell you +[4645.48 --> 4646.76] that you are Peter +[4646.76 --> 4648.42] and on this rock +[4648.42 --> 4649.58] I will build +[4649.58 --> 4650.32] my church +[4650.32 --> 4651.38] and the gates +[4651.38 --> 4652.20] of Hades +[4652.20 --> 4653.86] will not overcome it. +[4655.86 --> 4657.52] The power of Hades, +[4657.76 --> 4658.56] the gates of Hades, +[4658.68 --> 4659.64] the work of Satan +[4659.64 --> 4661.48] will not overcome +[4661.48 --> 4662.72] the church. +[4664.58 --> 4665.60] The church. +[4666.80 --> 4667.40] Second, +[4667.74 --> 4669.26] in Mark 13, +[4669.40 --> 4669.84] 10, +[4670.60 --> 4671.62] when Jesus +[4671.62 --> 4672.66] is discussing +[4672.66 --> 4674.42] when the end +[4674.42 --> 4675.18] will come, +[4675.50 --> 4676.18] he says +[4676.18 --> 4677.38] to his disciples +[4677.38 --> 4679.00] that the gospel +[4679.00 --> 4680.70] must first be preached +[4680.70 --> 4681.98] to all nations. +[4684.22 --> 4684.48] So, +[4684.56 --> 4685.24] right now, +[4685.62 --> 4686.50] the gospel +[4686.50 --> 4688.38] is being preached +[4688.38 --> 4690.44] and it's holding back +[4690.44 --> 4691.58] the deceiver +[4691.58 --> 4692.98] because it hasn't yet +[4692.98 --> 4694.44] reached all nations. +[4694.58 --> 4695.82] The truth of Jesus +[4695.82 --> 4696.94] being proclaimed +[4696.94 --> 4698.44] in the world +[4698.44 --> 4701.18] and part of its effect +[4701.18 --> 4703.54] is restraining evil, +[4703.76 --> 4704.44] holding back +[4704.44 --> 4705.10] the power +[4705.10 --> 4706.28] of lawlessness +[4706.28 --> 4707.42] because the gospel +[4707.42 --> 4709.14] reveals truth. +[4710.92 --> 4711.46] And then third, +[4712.40 --> 4714.44] in Revelation 20, +[4714.64 --> 4715.90] verse 1 and 3, +[4716.64 --> 4717.58] we read, +[4718.60 --> 4719.68] I saw an angel +[4719.68 --> 4720.44] coming down +[4720.44 --> 4721.08] out of heaven +[4721.08 --> 4722.06] having the keys +[4722.06 --> 4723.18] to the abyss +[4723.18 --> 4724.62] and holding in his hand +[4724.62 --> 4725.64] a great chain. +[4726.04 --> 4727.70] He seized the dragon, +[4727.90 --> 4728.96] that ancient serpent +[4728.96 --> 4730.06] who is the devil +[4730.06 --> 4730.94] or Satan, +[4730.94 --> 4732.06] and bound him +[4732.06 --> 4733.20] for a thousand years +[4733.20 --> 4734.14] and threw him +[4734.14 --> 4735.24] into the abyss +[4735.24 --> 4735.92] and locked +[4735.92 --> 4737.40] and sealed it over him +[4737.40 --> 4738.32] to keep him +[4738.32 --> 4739.22] from deceiving +[4739.22 --> 4740.58] the nations anymore +[4740.58 --> 4742.16] until the thousand years +[4742.16 --> 4742.64] were ended. +[4743.32 --> 4744.02] After that, +[4744.10 --> 4745.26] he must be set free +[4745.26 --> 4746.52] for a short time. +[4748.90 --> 4749.22] And so, +[4749.92 --> 4751.26] maybe the angel +[4751.26 --> 4752.86] of Revelation 20 +[4752.86 --> 4753.78] is the one +[4753.78 --> 4754.74] holding back +[4754.74 --> 4756.12] along with the church +[4756.12 --> 4757.28] and the gospel. +[4757.82 --> 4758.08] And now, +[4758.16 --> 4759.32] I can also add +[4759.32 --> 4760.20] that some people +[4760.20 --> 4760.90] understand +[4760.90 --> 4762.50] the angel here +[4762.50 --> 4764.90] to be a literary device +[4764.90 --> 4766.48] consistent in the long line +[4766.48 --> 4767.54] of literary devices +[4767.54 --> 4768.76] in the book of Revelation +[4768.76 --> 4769.88] as a reference +[4769.88 --> 4772.56] to the active providence +[4772.56 --> 4773.26] of God. +[4774.44 --> 4775.52] Point is, +[4776.24 --> 4777.22] God himself, +[4777.84 --> 4779.20] either through his active +[4779.20 --> 4780.42] providential will +[4780.42 --> 4782.00] or through his armies +[4782.00 --> 4782.68] of angels, +[4783.16 --> 4784.32] has the dragon +[4784.32 --> 4785.20] restrained. +[4785.20 --> 4787.36] And so, +[4787.44 --> 4788.18] there's three things +[4788.18 --> 4789.40] there that we pull together. +[4790.06 --> 4790.52] The church, +[4791.08 --> 4792.40] the preaching of the gospel, +[4792.86 --> 4793.56] and the power +[4793.56 --> 4795.12] and protection of God +[4795.12 --> 4796.78] by his providence +[4796.78 --> 4797.74] is how, +[4797.90 --> 4798.86] right now, +[4799.00 --> 4800.38] evil is restrained +[4800.38 --> 4801.02] and how, +[4801.18 --> 4801.74] right now, +[4801.92 --> 4803.20] Satan is bound. +[4804.70 --> 4805.32] And so, +[4805.68 --> 4806.00] church, +[4806.54 --> 4808.54] this is your mission. +[4809.88 --> 4811.16] This is your purpose. +[4811.30 --> 4812.52] This is what you get to do. +[4812.52 --> 4813.28] Right? +[4813.34 --> 4814.20] To be the church +[4814.20 --> 4815.46] is to preach the gospel +[4815.46 --> 4817.48] in a way that transforms lives +[4817.48 --> 4818.98] and transforms the world. +[4820.16 --> 4820.40] Right? +[4820.46 --> 4821.40] Your message +[4821.40 --> 4822.48] literally +[4822.48 --> 4823.62] binds +[4823.62 --> 4824.38] evil. +[4826.02 --> 4827.28] Do you hear that? +[4828.56 --> 4830.44] And as you go +[4830.44 --> 4831.18] to declare +[4831.18 --> 4832.62] this message +[4832.62 --> 4833.80] into the world, +[4834.12 --> 4835.34] know that you go +[4835.34 --> 4836.10] in +[4836.10 --> 4836.90] and with +[4836.90 --> 4837.92] and full of +[4837.92 --> 4838.64] the power +[4838.64 --> 4839.78] and protection +[4839.78 --> 4840.58] of God. +[4840.58 --> 4840.62] God, +[4841.14 --> 4843.24] this is what +[4843.24 --> 4844.68] you now do +[4844.68 --> 4845.90] because this is now +[4845.90 --> 4847.04] what God is doing +[4847.04 --> 4848.44] through you. +[4849.76 --> 4850.30] Nothing +[4850.30 --> 4851.36] surprises +[4851.36 --> 4852.48] God +[4852.48 --> 4853.06] and you +[4853.06 --> 4853.88] are held +[4853.88 --> 4854.68] in his +[4854.68 --> 4855.38] will. +[4855.54 --> 4856.44] That's what providence +[4856.44 --> 4856.84] means. +[4858.16 --> 4859.50] That's your confidence. +[4861.00 --> 4861.12] Right? +[4861.20 --> 4862.00] This is your +[4862.00 --> 4862.74] truth +[4862.74 --> 4863.36] and it's nothing +[4863.36 --> 4864.18] short of the truth +[4864.18 --> 4865.18] of the whole world. +[4866.46 --> 4867.40] How do we know +[4867.40 --> 4868.30] that this is true? +[4869.26 --> 4869.74] Well, +[4869.76 --> 4870.40] Jesus is true. +[4870.92 --> 4871.66] We trust him. +[4872.60 --> 4873.28] How do we know +[4873.28 --> 4873.92] that this is true? +[4874.22 --> 4874.38] Well, +[4874.44 --> 4875.28] God has told us +[4875.28 --> 4875.96] it's true +[4875.96 --> 4877.56] and we rely on that. +[4878.24 --> 4879.00] And how do we know +[4879.00 --> 4879.60] that this is true? +[4879.86 --> 4880.06] Well, +[4880.12 --> 4880.86] we live +[4880.86 --> 4881.82] in this +[4881.82 --> 4882.54] truth. +[4883.26 --> 4884.22] Our lives +[4884.22 --> 4885.28] are transformed +[4885.28 --> 4886.42] by it. +[4887.88 --> 4889.10] Open your eyes +[4889.10 --> 4889.90] wide +[4889.90 --> 4890.98] and do not +[4890.98 --> 4891.70] be deceived +[4891.70 --> 4893.22] but go. +[4893.94 --> 4894.30] Go. +[4894.86 --> 4895.34] Knowing +[4895.34 --> 4896.82] what to expect +[4896.82 --> 4897.84] and knowing +[4897.84 --> 4898.66] that you +[4898.66 --> 4899.38] go with +[4899.38 --> 4899.94] God. +[4900.40 --> 4900.94] Come what +[4900.94 --> 4901.30] may, +[4902.08 --> 4902.32] you +[4902.32 --> 4903.36] go with +[4903.36 --> 4903.76] God. +[4904.22 --> 4904.46] Amen? +[4905.46 --> 4905.86] Amen. +[4906.10 --> 4906.80] Let's pray together. +[4913.48 --> 4913.90] God, +[4913.98 --> 4914.74] we do not know +[4914.74 --> 4915.30] the day +[4915.30 --> 4916.58] or the hour +[4916.58 --> 4917.78] of your return. +[4918.70 --> 4919.56] Only you do. +[4919.56 --> 4920.06] God, +[4920.06 --> 4920.90] we do not know +[4920.90 --> 4921.70] that this is true. +[4921.70 --> 4922.62] But you have told us +[4922.62 --> 4923.76] what to watch out for. +[4924.76 --> 4925.86] And you have told us +[4925.86 --> 4926.06] what, +[4926.32 --> 4928.12] before that happens, +[4928.22 --> 4929.60] will have to happen. +[4929.60 --> 4931.70] And so, +[4931.94 --> 4932.32] now, +[4932.56 --> 4932.86] God, +[4933.46 --> 4934.34] we stand +[4934.34 --> 4935.00] in this +[4935.00 --> 4935.52] sure +[4935.52 --> 4936.44] truth. +[4937.50 --> 4938.58] We stand +[4938.58 --> 4939.22] in this +[4939.22 --> 4939.74] sure +[4939.74 --> 4940.72] reality. +[4941.40 --> 4942.06] We stand +[4942.06 --> 4943.02] in the confidence +[4943.02 --> 4944.64] of the gospel, +[4945.02 --> 4945.62] the confidence +[4945.62 --> 4946.72] of the truth +[4946.72 --> 4948.00] that your church +[4948.00 --> 4948.86] will never +[4948.86 --> 4950.18] be overcome +[4950.18 --> 4951.46] and that you +[4951.46 --> 4952.46] are working +[4952.46 --> 4953.72] in the world +[4953.72 --> 4954.46] right now, +[4954.74 --> 4955.44] right here, +[4955.82 --> 4956.52] through us. +[4956.52 --> 4958.68] And so, +[4958.80 --> 4959.20] embolden +[4959.20 --> 4960.32] our hearts, +[4960.82 --> 4961.20] strengthen +[4961.20 --> 4962.58] our faith, +[4962.74 --> 4963.50] and send us +[4963.50 --> 4964.60] out with this +[4964.60 --> 4965.46] message of hope +[4965.46 --> 4966.50] and love +[4966.50 --> 4967.32] that by it +[4967.32 --> 4968.70] the whole world +[4968.70 --> 4969.36] may know +[4969.36 --> 4970.46] that you +[4970.46 --> 4972.16] are God. +[4973.00 --> 4973.96] To the glory +[4973.96 --> 4974.88] of your name, +[4975.04 --> 4975.54] we pray, +[4975.88 --> 4976.58] in the power +[4976.58 --> 4977.26] of Jesus' +[4977.56 --> 4978.50] own perfection +[4978.50 --> 4979.70] in his life +[4979.70 --> 4980.30] and death +[4980.30 --> 4981.30] on the cross, +[4981.58 --> 4982.68] in the truth +[4982.68 --> 4983.66] of the resurrection +[4983.66 --> 4984.86] and in the +[4984.86 --> 4985.78] reality +[4985.78 --> 4986.82] of your +[4986.82 --> 4987.70] ascension, +[4988.28 --> 4988.86] we pray. +[4989.56 --> 4990.04] Amen +[4990.04 --> 4991.22] and amen. +[4991.22 --> 4991.38] Amen. +[5009.38 --> 5012.46] Come, Holy Spirit, +[5012.68 --> 5014.42] my soul of show, +[5014.42 --> 5015.74] you're going to be +[5015.74 --> 5016.96] with my fears +[5016.96 --> 5018.72] that I owe. +[5019.24 --> 5020.40] May doubt +[5020.40 --> 5021.52] the love +[5021.52 --> 5022.64] of Christ +[5022.64 --> 5023.62] for me +[5023.62 --> 5024.46] that my +[5024.46 --> 5026.14] debt is paid +[5026.14 --> 5027.20] that I've been +[5027.20 --> 5028.16] made free. +[5028.62 --> 5028.92] Oh, +[5029.04 --> 5029.64] come, +[5029.98 --> 5030.32] further, +[5030.80 --> 5032.92] in me reside +[5032.92 --> 5034.26] when the tender +[5034.26 --> 5035.24] cease +[5035.24 --> 5035.90] be my +[5035.90 --> 5037.46] faithful guide. +[5037.68 --> 5038.12] Show your +[5038.12 --> 5039.36] promises +[5039.36 --> 5040.98] for me, +[5041.02 --> 5041.66] secure, +[5041.66 --> 5043.58] for the battle +[5043.58 --> 5044.98] be my +[5044.98 --> 5047.20] heavenly soul. +[5047.20 --> 5048.88] Blessed +[5048.88 --> 5050.82] assurance +[5050.82 --> 5053.52] Jesus +[5053.52 --> 5056.58] is mine +[5056.58 --> 5058.58] for what a +[5058.58 --> 5058.98] forfeit +[5058.98 --> 5059.60] Lord, +[5059.68 --> 5061.10] take +[5061.10 --> 5062.52] the glory +[5062.52 --> 5064.02] divine +[5064.02 --> 5068.94] care of salvation +[5068.94 --> 5071.52] purges +[5071.52 --> 5073.36] the God +[5073.36 --> 5076.30] Lord of his +[5076.30 --> 5077.52] spirit +[5077.52 --> 5081.02] washed in his +[5081.02 --> 5081.98] life +[5081.98 --> 5083.30] God +[5083.30 --> 5083.98] and +[5083.98 --> 5085.38] God +[5085.38 --> 5085.94] to +[5085.94 --> 5087.20] the +[5087.20 --> 5087.94] Savior +[5087.94 --> 5088.30] of the +[5088.30 --> 5089.14] God +[5089.14 --> 5089.30] to +[5089.30 --> 5090.64] dispel my +[5090.64 --> 5091.26] thoughts +[5091.26 --> 5091.76] in the +[5091.76 --> 5093.28] blackest night +[5093.28 --> 5094.74] in darkest +[5094.74 --> 5095.64] hour +[5095.64 --> 5096.30] to my +[5096.30 --> 5096.88] soul +[5096.88 --> 5097.80] reveal +[5097.80 --> 5098.36] the +[5098.36 --> 5099.16] wounds +[5099.16 --> 5099.72] wish +[5099.72 --> 5100.80] all my +[5100.80 --> 5101.88] sorrows +[5101.88 --> 5102.36] did +[5102.36 --> 5103.30] impress +[5103.30 --> 5104.30] the +[5104.30 --> 5104.62] love +[5104.62 --> 5105.30] that +[5105.30 --> 5105.90] seal +[5105.90 --> 5106.42] is +[5106.42 --> 5106.48] in it +[5106.48 --> 5106.88] sleep +[5106.88 --> 5107.56] and +[5107.56 --> 5108.70] by your +[5108.70 --> 5109.24] power +[5109.24 --> 5109.66] to +[5109.66 --> 5109.90] his +[5109.90 --> 5110.46] grace +[5110.46 --> 5111.00] of +[5111.00 --> 5111.38] me +[5111.38 --> 5111.90] until +[5111.90 --> 5112.70] faith +[5112.70 --> 5113.74] beside +[5113.74 --> 5114.90] and prayer +[5114.90 --> 5115.96] be praised +[5115.96 --> 5117.72] when beholding +[5117.72 --> 5118.54] Jesus +[5118.54 --> 5119.46] days +[5119.46 --> 5119.96] to +[5119.96 --> 5121.18] day +[5121.18 --> 5122.78] blessed +[5122.78 --> 5123.50] and +[5123.50 --> 5124.78] assurance +[5124.78 --> 5127.38] Jesus +[5127.38 --> 5128.34] is +[5128.34 --> 5130.22] mine +[5130.22 --> 5132.22] this +[5132.22 --> 5133.22] my +[5133.22 --> 5134.22] story +[5134.22 --> 5135.22] is +[5135.22 --> 5136.22] the +[5136.22 --> 5137.22] glory +[5137.22 --> 5138.22] divine +[5138.22 --> 5140.70] care of +[5140.70 --> 5142.22] salvation +[5142.22 --> 5144.22] purges +[5144.22 --> 5145.22] the +[5145.22 --> 5146.22] song +[5146.22 --> 5148.22] born +[5149.22 --> 5149.96] of his +[5149.96 --> 5151.22] spirit +[5151.22 --> 5153.22] washed +[5153.22 --> 5154.22] in his +[5154.22 --> 5155.22] life +[5155.22 --> 5156.22] this +[5156.22 --> 5159.22] my +[5159.22 --> 5160.22] my +[5160.22 --> 5161.22] story +[5161.22 --> 5162.22] is +[5162.22 --> 5163.22] my +[5163.22 --> 5164.22] song +[5164.22 --> 5165.22] born +[5165.22 --> 5166.22] a +[5166.22 --> 5167.22] spirit +[5167.22 --> 5168.22] washed +[5168.22 --> 5169.22] in +[5169.22 --> 5170.22] blood +[5170.22 --> 5171.22] this +[5171.22 --> 5172.22] my +[5172.22 --> 5173.22] song +[5173.22 --> 5174.22] in +[5174.22 --> 5175.22] my +[5175.22 --> 5176.22] Savior +[5176.22 --> 5177.22] I +[5177.22 --> 5178.22] belong +[5178.22 --> 5179.22] this +[5179.22 --> 5180.22] my +[5180.22 --> 5181.22] song +[5181.22 --> 5182.22] born +[5182.22 --> 5183.22] of +[5183.22 --> 5184.22] spirit +[5184.22 --> 5185.22] washed +[5185.22 --> 5186.22] in +[5186.22 --> 5187.22] blood +[5187.22 --> 5189.22] in +[5189.22 --> 5190.22] blood +[5190.22 --> 5191.22] this +[5191.22 --> 5192.22] my +[5192.22 --> 5193.22] story +[5193.22 --> 5194.22] is +[5194.22 --> 5195.22] my +[5195.22 --> 5196.22] song +[5196.22 --> 5197.22] born +[5197.22 --> 5198.22] of +[5198.22 --> 5199.22] spirit +[5199.22 --> 5200.22] washed +[5200.22 --> 5201.22] in +[5201.22 --> 5202.22] blood +[5202.22 --> 5203.22] this +[5203.22 --> 5204.22] my +[5204.22 --> 5205.22] story +[5205.22 --> 5206.22] this +[5206.22 --> 5207.22] works +[5207.22 --> 5208.22] my +[5208.22 --> 5209.22] song +[5209.22 --> 5211.22] is +[5211.22 --> 5212.22] the +[5212.22 --> 5213.22] heart +[5213.22 --> 5214.22] the +[5214.22 --> 5215.22] sin +[5215.22 --> 5216.22] assuring +[5216.22 --> 5217.22] jesus +[5217.22 --> 5218.22] is +[5218.22 --> 5219.22] mine +[5219.22 --> 5220.22] oh +[5220.22 --> 5221.22] what a +[5221.22 --> 5222.22] fortune +[5222.22 --> 5223.22] of +[5223.22 --> 5224.22] glory +[5224.22 --> 5225.22] divine +[5225.22 --> 5226.22] he +[5226.22 --> 5227.22] is +[5227.22 --> 5232.22] is +[5232.22 --> 5236.22] Purchased our child +[5237.10 --> 5240.22] Born of his spirit +[5240.74 --> 5244.22] Washed in his blood +[5245.74 --> 5249.22] Born of his spirit +[5249.90 --> 5254.38] Washed in his blood +[5262.22 --> 5269.20] As you go this week +[5269.20 --> 5271.48] As you go sent by God +[5271.48 --> 5273.20] And commissioned by him +[5273.20 --> 5275.26] Go in the confidence +[5275.26 --> 5277.08] That he goes with you +[5277.08 --> 5281.14] Go in the full sense of his purpose +[5281.14 --> 5283.54] For you and through you +[5283.54 --> 5286.40] And so receive his blessing +[5286.40 --> 5289.10] For the journey of life and faith ahead +[5289.10 --> 5293.50] God go before you +[5293.50 --> 5294.50] To lead you +[5294.50 --> 5296.42] God go behind you +[5296.42 --> 5297.34] To protect you +[5297.34 --> 5299.08] God go beneath you +[5299.08 --> 5300.02] To support you +[5300.02 --> 5301.80] And God go beside you +[5301.80 --> 5302.90] To befriend you +[5302.90 --> 5305.48] Do not be afraid +[5305.48 --> 5309.46] The blessing of God +[5309.46 --> 5310.52] Come upon you today +[5310.52 --> 5313.30] Do not be afraid +[5313.30 --> 5314.60] But go +[5314.60 --> 5316.70] In peace +[5316.70 --> 5318.42] And confidence +[5318.42 --> 5319.42] To love +[5319.42 --> 5320.58] And serve +[5320.58 --> 5321.56] The Lord +[5321.56 --> 5322.82] Amen +[5322.82 --> 5324.82] Amen +[5324.82 --> 5325.82] Amen +[5326.08 --> 5326.76] Frederick +[5326.76 --> 5327.28] Amen +[5327.28 --> 5327.34] Amen +[5327.34 --> 5328.32] Amen +[5328.32 --> 5328.80] Amen +[5328.80 --> 5328.82] Amen +[5329.34 --> 5330.26] find +[5330.26 --> 5331.30] Amen +[5331.30 --> 5341.36] Amen +[5341.36 --> 5341.52] Amen +[5341.96 --> 5345.46] Be my guide +[5345.46 --> 5349.66] Be my guide, not a bigger hand, +[5349.88 --> 5354.58] if you buy your hand, you are strong and wise. +[5355.52 --> 5358.34] I want to trust in you, +[5358.56 --> 5363.10] and in all I do, bring you honor and praise. +[5363.58 --> 5366.52] How I love you, +[5367.92 --> 5371.54] great and mighty King. +[5371.54 --> 5374.26] You are faithful. +[5375.46 --> 5381.72] Through the ages you never dreamed. +[5384.96 --> 5388.68] Be my guide in the dark of night, +[5388.90 --> 5392.92] and I'll hear you like you are hope and true. +[5394.26 --> 5397.20] I want to trust in you, +[5397.20 --> 5401.20] and in all I do, bring you honor and praise. +[5402.28 --> 5405.20] How I love you, +[5405.46 --> 5409.72] great and mighty King. +[5410.72 --> 5412.90] You are faithful. +[5414.84 --> 5420.10] Through the ages you never dreamed. +[5420.10 --> 5425.36] Be my guide, not a bigger hand, +[5425.36 --> 5431.48] but I'll hear you like you are strong and good. +[5431.48 --> 5435.78] I want to trust in you, +[5435.78 --> 5440.04] when in all I do, bring you honor and praise. +[5440.04 --> 5448.30] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[5448.30 --> 5451.42] You are faithful. +[5451.42 --> 5459.68] through the ages you never dreamed. +[5459.68 --> 5464.80] How I love you, great and mighty King. +[5464.80 --> 5468.68] You are faithful. +[5468.68 --> 5476.94] Through the ages you never dreamed. +[5476.94 --> 5478.32] as you're faithful. +[5478.32 --> 5482.20] So, the violin starts with a line. +[5482.20 --> 5483.20] You are as faithful. +[5483.20 --> 5483.92] God, +[5483.92 --> 5484.20] will you, great and mighty様ous? +[5484.20 --> 5485.32] And then хват you will like. +[5486.32 --> 5489.04] He had heard of the men dance you never were- +[5493.48 --> 5495.74] Yeah. +[5495.74 --> 5525.72] Thank you. +[5525.74 --> 5555.72] Thank you. +[5555.74 --> 5585.72] Thank you. +[5585.74 --> 5615.72] Thank you. diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_summary.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_summary.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..4dd98ab39bf2ce37b48826e32ae1a647cda17734 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_summary.txt @@ -0,0 +1,92 @@ +• Resurrection and eternal life of Christ +• Christ's power and reign +• The believer's relationship with Christ and the laying down of burdens +• God's healing and salvation +• Worship and praise to God +• The pastor mentions the GEMS (young girls ministry) is away for a camping weekend, but included in worship +• Brenda makes an announcement on behalf of the deacons about the baby bottle campaign and Advocate's Walk for Life fundraiser +• Upcoming events: youth coffee gathering at Pastor Kevin's house after service, celebration of John and Elsa Hubert's 50th wedding anniversary with cake +• Call to worship from Romans chapter 11 +• Reading of scripture (Romans 11:33-36) +• Song or hymn with lyrics praising God's name and holiness +• References to angels, creation, and redeemed people singing praise to God +• Repetition of the phrase "Holy" and its variations +• The congregation sings hymns including "Worthy is the Lamb" and "All I Have is Christ" +• A liturgy for those struggling with destructive desires is read from the book "Every Moment Holy" by Douglas Kane McKelvie +• The speaker encourages reflection on the words and a prayer to reorient one's life around God's love and will +• Hymns including "I Once Was Lost in Darkest Night" and others are sung, expressing themes of redemption, dependence on God, and worship +• Praise and declaration of God's victory +• Welcoming new church members, Cole and Natasha, and their child Adrian into the church fellowship +• Baptism of Adrian +• Explanation of baptism as a sign and seal of forgiveness and life in the Spirit +• Affirmation of faith by Cole and Natasha +• Discussion of church membership process +• Baptism and its significance +• Questions to Cole and Natasha about their faith and commitment +• Invitation for children to come forward +• Explanation of baptism's meaning and Jesus' promise +• Baptism of Adrian +• Congregation's promises to love and support the new family members +• Blessing of Adrian by the pastor +• The introduction of Adrian and his journey of faith +• The church's hope for Adrian to grow in his faith and become part of the church family +• The celebration of Adrian joining the church with cake and song +• The gift-giving ceremony, including a book and new member booklet +• The singing of "Be Thou My Vision" +• The continuation of giving gifts through the budget and special offering for World Renew Disaster Response +• Prayer or worship session +• Announcing kids' corner and inviting children to come down +• Welcoming Hank back from his absence +• Story of Hank helping at his uncle's sheep farm, learning about taking care of sheep +• Discussion of Jesus teaching disciples about taking care of sheep +• Question from a child asking why Hank talks in a silly voice +• Transitioning to children's worship time for Q&A +• Discussing what it means to take care of sheep +• Prayer and Lord's blessing +• Church family prayer led by Elder Ken +• Confession of struggles with trust and faith +• Prayers for various individuals and families dealing with health issues, loss, and grief +• Pray for comfort and peace in times of sorrow +• Acknowledge tragic events and pray for those affected +• Celebrate joys and blessings, including recent marriages and anniversaries. +• Prayers for a family called the Gems who are on camp +• Prayer for Emmanuel Church leaders and their upcoming council meeting +• Pray for government leaders and the country +• Reflection on gathering in worship during difficult or celebratory times +• Reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28, focusing on God's promise to bring believers closer to Him +• God promises to carry us through difficulties and hardships +• Sanctification means being set apart for God's purposes and growing in Christ-like character +• Submission is key to sanctification and growing in faith +• Being a Christian can be hard and lead to persecution, but it brings a deeper identity and love from God +• The world tries to impose its own identity on us, but our true identity comes from being known by God as his child +• The importance of living a whole life, oriented towards God's goals and purposes +• Overcoming spiritual apathy and laziness to persevere in faith +• Remembering one's identity in Christ Jesus and being preserved in faith +• Trusting God more than oneself and believing in His goodness and promises +• The faithful nature of God, who will do what He says He will do +• Prayer and calling on God's name in faith +• The relationship between God and believers is not just a passive one, but an active partnership where God walks with them through life. +• Christians are called to blameless living, which is made possible by God's work in them. +• The Christian life is not just about being carried along by God, but also involves cooperation with the Holy Spirit. +• There are two wrong ideas of the Christian life: being "frozen chosen" (waiting for God to do everything) and moralism/legalism (thinking that our efforts keep us on the right path). +• The correct understanding is a partnership where believers actively work out their salvation with God's help. +• The idea that our active involvement in faith is not the sole means of receiving God's grace +• Comparing faith to sailing: hoisting the sails (our actions) while relying on the wind of the Holy Spirit for propulsion +• The power of the Holy Spirit and obedience in sanctification and moving towards spiritual goals +• God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, including sending Jesus to save humanity from sin and death +• Identity in Christ and being a child of God through faith +• The importance of community and praying for one another as brothers and sisters in faith +• The redefinition of family by God's grace and the marks of Christian community (such as greeting each other with a holy kiss) +• The importance of welcoming and acknowledging one's spiritual family in worship +• A call to recognize that one's identity is not solely defined by biological relationships, but also by their relationship with God +• Reading a letter or promise from scripture as fuel for the invitation to love and serve each other +• Inviting the congregation to pray together, seeking transformation and guidance from the Holy Spirit +• Reciting the hymn "Be Still My Soul" as a declaration of trust and hope in God's presence and provision +• God's presence and protection +• Psalm-like prayer with themes of guidance, strength, and deliverance +• Request for healing and spiritual nourishment +• Longing for safe passage to a promised land (Canaan) +• Expressed fear and anxiety about death and hell's destruction +• Desire to sing praises to God +• Repetition of the word "so" or similar expressions ( possibly indicating a sense of longing or yearning) +• A final message of lifting up a shout or cry, with the aim of shaking the ground. \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_transcript.txt b/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_transcript.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..ddf37f8007dd27e886aa9258e23b8d04282f8be6 --- /dev/null +++ b/Sunday Worship, May 4, 2025_transcript.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1401 @@ +[0.00 --> 14.14] And from the cross to an empty grave, He rose to life, He rose to life. +[14.14 --> 28.42] He lives, reigning in power. He lives, name above all names. Hallelujah. +[30.00 --> 39.54] Now forever. Hallelujah. Christ is risen. +[40.98 --> 57.26] All glory to Him upon the throne. Forever exalted and seated at the Lamb of God. +[57.26 --> 67.00] He has overcome. He is alive. He is alive. +[67.00 --> 82.26] He lives, reigning in power. He lives, name above all names. Hallelujah. +[82.26 --> 97.00] Now forever. Hallelujah. Christ is risen. He is risen. +[97.00 --> 109.58] And on that day with Him I rise. For Christ He lives in me. +[109.58 --> 111.32] He lives. +[111.32 --> 122.32] This life I live. No longer mine. For Christ He lives in me. +[122.32 --> 124.06] Oh. +[124.06 --> 135.06] And on that day with Him I rise. For Christ He lives in me. +[135.06 --> 136.06] He lives. +[136.06 --> 137.80] He lives. +[137.80 --> 151.80] He lives. +[151.80 --> 157.54] He lives. +[157.54 --> 160.54] He lives. +[160.54 --> 162.54] He lives. +[162.54 --> 163.54] He lives. +[163.54 --> 165.54] of all names +[165.54 --> 167.54] Hallelujah +[167.54 --> 171.54] Now forever +[171.54 --> 173.54] Hallelujah +[173.54 --> 177.54] Christ is risen +[177.54 --> 179.54] Healing +[179.54 --> 183.54] Reigning in power +[183.54 --> 185.54] Healing +[185.54 --> 189.54] In the name of all names +[189.54 --> 191.54] Hallelujah +[191.54 --> 193.54] Hallelujah +[193.54 --> 195.54] Now forever +[195.54 --> 197.54] Hallelujah +[197.54 --> 201.54] Christ is risen +[201.54 --> 207.54] At the feet of Jesus I will lay my verse +[207.54 --> 217.54] My burdens down +[217.54 --> 219.54] I will lay my burdens down +[219.54 --> 229.54] I will lay my heavy burdens down +[229.54 --> 231.54] I will lay my heavy burdens down +[231.54 --> 235.54] I will lay my heavy burdens down +[235.54 --> 239.54] In the stillness I can hear my Savior calling out +[239.54 --> 243.54] Come to me and lay your burdens down +[243.54 --> 245.54] I will lay your burdens down +[245.54 --> 247.54] I will lay my burdens down +[247.54 --> 249.54] I will lay my burdens down +[249.54 --> 251.54] I will lay down my struggles +[251.54 --> 253.54] I will lay down my shame +[253.54 --> 255.54] And all the fear I drive around through this life +[255.54 --> 257.54] Like a ball and chain +[257.54 --> 259.54] And I will sing +[259.54 --> 261.54] And I will lay my burdens down +[261.54 --> 263.54] And I will lay my burdens down +[263.54 --> 265.54] And I will lay my burdens down +[265.54 --> 267.54] And I will lay my burdens down +[267.54 --> 269.54] And I will lay my shame +[269.54 --> 271.54] And all the fear I drive around through this life +[271.54 --> 273.54] Like a ball and chain +[273.54 --> 275.54] And I will sing +[275.54 --> 277.54] Hallelujah to the one who sets me free +[277.54 --> 283.54] And you will find me at the feet of Jesus +[283.54 --> 289.54] And you will find me at the feet of Jesus +[289.54 --> 293.54] And you will find me at the feet of Jesus +[293.54 --> 303.54] In the arms of Jesus I will find my peace and rest +[303.54 --> 305.54] I hear Him calling +[305.54 --> 309.54] I hear Him calling, come to me, yes +[309.54 --> 313.54] Carried by my shepherd +[313.54 --> 317.54] Cradled tightly to His chest +[317.54 --> 323.54] There and there alone my soul finds rest +[323.54 --> 331.54] So I will rest in the shelter of my Saviour's embrace +[331.54 --> 337.54] Hidden safely in the refuge of His mercy and His grace +[337.54 --> 347.54] And I will sing hallelujah to the one who sets me free +[347.54 --> 353.54] And you will find me in the arms of Jesus +[353.54 --> 355.54] The arms of Jesus +[383.54 --> 385.54] To the Himalayas +[385.54 --> 389.54] To the Himalayas +[389.54 --> 393.54] To the Himalayas +[393.54 --> 395.54] Water you turned into wine +[395.54 --> 399.54] Open the eyes of the blind +[399.54 --> 403.54] There's no one like you +[403.54 --> 405.54] None like you +[405.54 --> 407.54] None like you +[407.54 --> 414.16] Into the darkness you shine +[414.16 --> 418.94] Out of the ashes we rise +[418.94 --> 421.54] There's no one like you +[421.54 --> 427.50] None like you +[427.50 --> 431.34] Our God is greater +[431.34 --> 433.80] Our God is stronger +[433.80 --> 437.22] God you are higher than any +[437.22 --> 438.24] Other +[438.24 --> 440.92] Our God is healer +[440.92 --> 442.90] Awesome in power +[442.90 --> 444.18] Our God +[444.18 --> 447.30] Our God +[447.30 --> 459.96] Into the darkness you shine +[459.96 --> 464.64] Out of the ashes we rise +[464.64 --> 467.34] There's no one like you +[467.34 --> 472.64] None like you +[472.64 --> 477.04] Our God is greater +[477.04 --> 479.50] Our God is stronger +[479.50 --> 482.96] God you are higher than any +[482.96 --> 483.98] Other +[483.98 --> 498.16] Good morning +[498.16 --> 501.52] Good morning +[501.52 --> 502.48] There it is +[502.48 --> 504.22] I love the murmur +[504.22 --> 505.36] This morning +[505.36 --> 507.24] It seems like there's a lot of excitement +[507.24 --> 509.04] To gather together +[509.04 --> 511.10] It is so good to be together +[511.10 --> 512.98] And to worship our God this morning +[512.98 --> 514.54] If you're a guest here +[514.54 --> 515.30] My name is Chris +[515.30 --> 517.90] I'm one of the pastors at Emanuel +[517.90 --> 520.54] And it's my privilege with these others +[520.54 --> 523.88] To lead in our shared worship this morning +[523.88 --> 526.78] If you are a regular here +[526.78 --> 529.92] You might look around and notice a missing demographic +[529.92 --> 532.88] And that is because the GEMS +[532.88 --> 534.48] Our young girls ministry +[534.48 --> 536.48] Is camping this weekend +[536.48 --> 539.06] And so they're having their own worship service at camp +[539.06 --> 541.04] Together with a few other leaders +[541.04 --> 544.12] And so they aren't here with us this morning +[544.12 --> 546.88] But they are indeed there at camp worshiping together +[546.88 --> 548.76] And so we include them in our worship +[548.76 --> 550.36] And we pray with them and for them +[550.36 --> 552.24] In that weekend time together +[552.24 --> 553.36] Before we begin +[553.36 --> 555.28] We do have a couple announcements to make +[555.28 --> 557.44] And so I'm going to invite Brenda up to the front +[557.44 --> 559.66] She's going to make an announcement on behalf of the deacons +[559.66 --> 562.00] And then while she's coming up +[562.00 --> 563.88] I just want to invite everyone +[563.88 --> 566.04] Following our worship this morning +[566.04 --> 568.40] We will have an opportunity to gather +[568.40 --> 570.28] For refreshments at the back +[570.28 --> 572.52] And you may have noticed on your way in +[572.52 --> 573.76] Some tables set up +[573.76 --> 577.52] And that's because we are being invited +[577.52 --> 580.54] To celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary +[580.54 --> 583.66] Of John and Elsa Hubert's +[583.66 --> 587.26] And so they have provided cake for us to share together +[587.26 --> 593.16] And so that is after our service together +[593.16 --> 595.08] Please stick around for that +[595.08 --> 595.68] Brenda +[595.68 --> 597.20] Good morning +[597.20 --> 599.00] On behalf of the deacons +[599.00 --> 600.24] I just wanted to do +[600.24 --> 602.06] This is a heads up announcement +[602.06 --> 604.22] For next week Sunday +[604.22 --> 606.04] Which is Mother's Day +[606.04 --> 609.94] We are going to be doing the baby bottle campaign +[609.94 --> 612.26] We're joining with Advocate again +[612.26 --> 613.42] And so we're starting +[613.42 --> 616.74] We'll be starting handing out baby bottles next week +[616.74 --> 618.16] That +[618.16 --> 621.14] And it will run till Father's Day in June +[621.14 --> 623.50] And you can fill those with +[623.50 --> 624.12] You take them home +[624.12 --> 625.28] You can fill them with cash +[625.28 --> 625.76] A check +[625.76 --> 628.34] There will be a sheet inside of them +[628.34 --> 631.00] That you can also just go directly to their website +[631.00 --> 632.60] However you would like to give +[632.60 --> 636.02] But that is going to be started next week +[636.02 --> 638.34] Also if you are interested +[638.34 --> 641.06] Advocate is hosting another fundraiser +[641.06 --> 642.56] Which is their Walk for Life +[642.56 --> 645.52] And that will be June the 7th +[645.52 --> 646.94] From 1230 to 4 +[646.94 --> 649.36] At Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford +[649.36 --> 650.28] Thank you +[650.28 --> 651.68] Thanks Brenda +[651.68 --> 654.62] And then lastly +[654.62 --> 655.80] Today +[655.80 --> 657.58] Our youth ministry +[657.58 --> 660.16] Is having youth coffee +[660.16 --> 663.18] Together following our worship service +[663.18 --> 664.88] And so that's where the youth ministry +[664.88 --> 666.34] Go to someone's house +[666.34 --> 667.74] From our church family +[667.74 --> 668.96] And have coffee +[668.96 --> 669.96] A little lunch there +[669.96 --> 671.14] After our service +[671.14 --> 673.50] And that is happening at the Porter's house +[673.50 --> 675.22] And so Tara is at the back +[675.22 --> 677.00] She can tell you where to go +[677.00 --> 678.78] Or Pastor Kevin can tell you where to go +[678.78 --> 679.58] But +[679.58 --> 680.90] I need you to hear this +[680.90 --> 682.08] Tara has asked +[682.08 --> 685.76] That you stay and enjoy the cake and coffee here +[685.76 --> 687.40] So she has time to get home +[687.40 --> 688.86] And prepare for all y'all showing up +[688.86 --> 690.90] She doesn't want to arrive +[690.90 --> 692.62] To like 30 of you waiting eagerly +[692.62 --> 693.58] To get into her house +[693.58 --> 695.10] So just give her some time +[695.10 --> 697.14] To transition to hosting you there +[697.14 --> 698.30] She would appreciate that +[698.30 --> 699.66] I think that's it +[699.66 --> 700.92] For our announcements this morning +[700.92 --> 701.98] So I'm going to invite you +[701.98 --> 702.72] As you're able +[702.72 --> 703.30] And where you are +[703.30 --> 703.92] To stand +[703.92 --> 705.30] So we can be gathered up +[705.30 --> 706.62] Into the presence of God +[706.62 --> 707.52] Together +[707.52 --> 713.02] God is here among us +[713.02 --> 713.96] We know that +[713.96 --> 715.00] And we mark that +[715.00 --> 717.06] By receiving his greeting +[717.06 --> 719.46] And by turning that greeting +[719.46 --> 720.26] From God +[720.26 --> 721.02] To a greeting +[721.02 --> 722.08] To one another +[722.08 --> 723.58] And so after I give you +[723.58 --> 724.80] God's greeting this morning +[724.80 --> 725.76] I invite you to turn +[725.76 --> 726.70] To those around you +[726.70 --> 727.70] And to welcome them +[727.70 --> 728.94] In the name of the Lord +[728.94 --> 729.94] Into worship +[729.94 --> 730.98] Saying the Lord be with you +[730.98 --> 731.82] Peace of Christ +[731.82 --> 732.78] Be with you +[732.78 --> 733.76] As we worship together +[733.76 --> 734.44] This morning +[734.44 --> 735.38] Receive the greeting +[735.38 --> 736.30] Of our God +[736.30 --> 738.66] Grace +[738.66 --> 740.26] Mercy +[740.26 --> 741.88] Peace to you +[741.88 --> 743.20] From God our Father +[743.20 --> 744.32] From the Lord Jesus Christ +[744.32 --> 744.86] His Son +[744.86 --> 745.78] And our Savior +[745.78 --> 746.84] Through the presence +[746.84 --> 747.46] And power +[747.46 --> 748.82] Of the Holy Spirit +[748.82 --> 750.16] Amen +[764.44 --> 767.36] You +[767.36 --> 776.58] And our notre +[776.58 --> 778.32] Know +[778.32 --> 779.06] And our +[779.06 --> 780.80] Our +[780.80 --> 781.94] Dialogue +[781.94 --> 782.48] Time +[782.48 --> 782.92] To +[782.92 --> 784.32] We're +[784.32 --> 785.50] hearing +[785.50 --> 787.02] When we're +[787.02 --> 787.50] Those +[787.50 --> 789.46] Trying to +[789.46 --> 790.52] Call +[790.52 --> 791.00] To +[792.04 --> 793.40] Let them +[793.40 --> 796.32] Late night? Late night? +[800.28 --> 801.92] Good morning, everyone. +[802.20 --> 808.72] Our call to worship this morning comes from Romans chapter 11, verses 33 to 36. +[809.50 --> 814.00] Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. +[814.70 --> 819.46] How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out. +[819.46 --> 824.38] Who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? +[825.30 --> 829.80] Who has ever given to God that God should repay them? +[830.98 --> 835.60] For from him and through him and for him are all things. +[836.12 --> 838.62] To him be the glory forever. Amen. +[849.46 --> 858.96] A thousand generations falling down in worship +[858.96 --> 864.30] To sing the song of ages to the Lamb +[864.30 --> 869.76] And all who've gone before us +[869.76 --> 872.30] And all who will redeem +[872.30 --> 877.76] Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb +[877.76 --> 882.92] Your name is the highest +[882.92 --> 886.36] Your name is the greatest +[886.36 --> 888.54] Your name +[888.54 --> 892.36] Stands above them all +[892.36 --> 896.36] All thrones and dominions +[897.16 --> 900.02] All powers and positions +[900.02 --> 902.14] Your name +[902.14 --> 905.48] Stands above them all +[905.48 --> 908.36] And the angels cry +[908.36 --> 910.36] Holy +[910.36 --> 911.36] Holy +[911.36 --> 914.36] All creation cries +[914.36 --> 916.36] Holy +[916.36 --> 917.36] Holy +[917.36 --> 921.36] You are lifted high +[921.36 --> 924.36] Holy +[924.36 --> 925.36] Holy +[925.36 --> 928.36] Holy forever +[928.36 --> 937.10] If you've been forgiven +[937.10 --> 940.36] And if you've been redeemed +[940.36 --> 945.36] We'll sing the song forever to the Lamb +[945.36 --> 948.36] Amen +[948.36 --> 951.36] And if you walk in freedom +[951.36 --> 954.36] And if you bear his name +[954.36 --> 959.36] We'll sing this song forever to the Lamb +[959.36 --> 966.36] We'll sing this song forever and Amen +[966.36 --> 970.36] And the angels cry +[970.36 --> 977.30] Holy, all creation cries. +[977.80 --> 983.36] Holy, you are lifted high. +[984.58 --> 990.16] Holy, holy forever. +[993.16 --> 996.36] Hear your people sing. +[996.36 --> 1004.16] Holy to the King of kings. +[1005.00 --> 1010.36] Holy, you will always be. +[1011.74 --> 1017.24] Holy, holy forever. +[1017.24 --> 1019.24] Holy, holy forever. +[1019.24 --> 1026.10] Your name is the highest. +[1026.74 --> 1029.56] Your name is the greatest. +[1030.20 --> 1035.24] Your name stands above them all. +[1035.24 --> 1040.42] All thrones and dominions. +[1040.58 --> 1043.20] All powers and positions. +[1043.84 --> 1048.60] Your name stands above them all. +[1048.86 --> 1051.24] And the angels cry. +[1052.64 --> 1058.24] Holy, all creation cries. +[1058.24 --> 1065.44] Holy, you are lifted high. +[1065.94 --> 1071.36] Holy, holy forever. +[1075.02 --> 1078.38] Hear your people sing. +[1079.38 --> 1084.24] Holy to the King of kings. +[1084.24 --> 1091.24] Holy, you will always be. +[1092.24 --> 1097.24] Holy, holy forever. +[1100.24 --> 1104.24] You will always be. +[1106.24 --> 1111.24] Holy, holy forever. +[1111.24 --> 1118.24] Holy, holy. +[1118.24 --> 1130.00] Holy, holy are you, Lord God almighty. +[1130.00 --> 1134.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1134.00 --> 1138.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1138.00 --> 1141.00] You are holy. +[1141.00 --> 1151.00] Holy, holy are you, Lord God almighty. +[1151.00 --> 1152.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1152.00 --> 1153.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1153.00 --> 1154.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1154.00 --> 1156.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1156.00 --> 1157.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1157.00 --> 1159.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1159.00 --> 1162.00] For you are holy. +[1162.00 --> 1172.00] Holy, holy are you, Lord God almighty. +[1172.00 --> 1173.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1173.00 --> 1174.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1174.00 --> 1175.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1175.00 --> 1180.00] Worthy is the Lamb. +[1180.00 --> 1183.00] For you are holy. +[1183.00 --> 1192.00] Holy are you, Lord God almighty. +[1192.00 --> 1206.00] almighty worthy is the man worthy is the man for you are holy +[1206.00 --> 1218.00] holy are you lord god almighty worthy is the lamb +[1218.00 --> 1236.00] worthy is the lamb for you are holy holy are you lord god almighty +[1236.00 --> 1246.00] worthy is the man worthy is the man +[1248.00 --> 1250.00] you may have a seat +[1250.00 --> 1262.80] our confession this morning are words from a gentleman named douglas kane mckelvie from a +[1263.44 --> 1270.24] book called every moment holy and this is a liturgy for those of us all of us who +[1270.24 --> 1278.24] have destructive desires in our life and i think we can all relate to something in our life that's +[1278.24 --> 1285.44] destructive at any point and so i just encourage you to reflect on these words this prayer close your +[1285.44 --> 1293.12] eyes if you wish uh here are the words a liturgy for one battling a destructive desire +[1295.92 --> 1304.48] jesus here i am again desiring a thing that were i to indulge in it would war against my own heart +[1304.48 --> 1314.40] and the hearts of those i love oh christ rather let my life be thine take my desires let them be +[1314.40 --> 1321.44] subsumed in still greater desire for you until there remains no room for these lesser cravings +[1321.44 --> 1330.08] in this moment i might choose to indulge a fleeting hunger or i might choose to love you more +[1331.68 --> 1340.96] faced with temptation i would rather choose you jesus but i am weak so be my strength i am shadowed be my +[1340.96 --> 1349.84] light i am selfish unmake me now and refashion my desires according to the better designs of your love +[1349.84 --> 1360.56] love given the choice of shame or glory let me choose glory given the choice of this moment or eternity let me +[1360.56 --> 1369.36] choose in this moment what is eternal given the choice of this easy pleasure or the harder road of the cross +[1370.40 --> 1378.48] give me grace to choose to follow you knowing that there is nowhere apart from your presence where i might +[1378.48 --> 1388.88] find the peace i long for no lasting satisfaction apart from the reclamation of my heart let me build then my king +[1389.44 --> 1399.20] a beautiful thing by long obedience by the steady progression of small choices that laid end to end will become like stones +[1399.84 --> 1408.40] of a pleasing path stretching to eternity and unto your welcoming arms and unto the sound of your +[1408.40 --> 1412.48] your voice pronouncing the judgment well done +[1416.16 --> 1429.36] please stand and join us as we continue to sing all i have is christ +[1429.36 --> 1438.32] your voice +[1438.32 --> 1456.96] i once was lost in darkest night yet thought i knew the way the sin that promised joy and life +[1456.96 --> 1469.36] had led me to the grave i had no hope that you would hold a rebel to +[1469.36 --> 1481.92] your will and if you had not loved me first i would refuse you still +[1481.92 --> 1490.88] still +[1490.88 --> 1492.88] but as i ran +[1492.88 --> 1498.00] my hell-bound grace indifferent to +[1498.00 --> 1502.88] the cost you looked upon +[1502.88 --> 1511.84] my helpless state and led me to +[1511.84 --> 1520.80] and i beheld god's love displayed you suffered in +[1520.80 --> 1530.80] my place you bore the wrath reserved for me now all i know is +[1530.80 --> 1553.84] my +[1553.84 --> 1572.56] is my life now lord i would be yours alone and live so all might see the strength to follow +[1572.56 --> 1590.16] your commands could never come from me oh father use my ransom life in any way you choose +[1590.16 --> 1599.60] and let my song forever be my only post is you +[1603.52 --> 1613.28] all i have is christ +[1613.28 --> 1633.92] alleluia jesus is my life alleluia all i have is christ +[1633.92 --> 1647.92] alleluia jesus is my life +[1647.92 --> 1669.52] this is my prayer in the desert when all that's within me feels dry +[1669.52 --> 1677.52] this is my prayer in my hunger and need my god is the god who provides +[1679.20 --> 1685.52] this is my prayer in the fire in weakness or trial or pain +[1685.52 --> 1703.20] i will bring praise i will bring praise no weapon formed against me shall remain +[1703.20 --> 1711.20] i will rejoice i will declare god is my victory and he is +[1711.20 --> 1717.20] me +[1717.20 --> 1726.40] this is my prayer in the battle when triumph is still on its way +[1726.40 --> 1732.40] i am +[1732.40 --> 1736.40] i am +[1736.40 --> 1742.40] i will bring praise i will bring praise no weapon formed against me shall remain +[1742.40 --> 1754.40] i will rejoice i will declare god is my victory and he is +[1754.40 --> 1756.88] i will +[1756.88 --> 1760.32] and i will bring praise no weapon +[1760.32 --> 1762.40] i am +[1762.40 --> 1764.40] i will bring praise no weapon +[1764.40 --> 1766.40] i am +[1766.40 --> 1768.40] i am +[1768.40 --> 1770.40] i am +[1770.40 --> 1772.40] i am +[1772.40 --> 1774.40] i am +[1774.40 --> 1776.40] i am +[1776.40 --> 1778.40] i am +[1778.40 --> 1780.40] i am +[1780.40 --> 1802.40] i am +[1802.40 --> 1804.40] i am +[1804.40 --> 1807.78] I have a reason to worship. +[1810.94 --> 1817.20] All of my life, in every season, you are still God. +[1817.60 --> 1820.54] I have a reason to sing. +[1821.60 --> 1824.54] I have a reason to worship. +[1826.80 --> 1829.36] I will bring praise. +[1829.46 --> 1831.38] I will bring praise. +[1831.38 --> 1835.24] No weapon formed against me shall remain. +[1835.78 --> 1837.46] I will rejoice. +[1838.02 --> 1839.40] I will declare. +[1840.18 --> 1844.14] God is my victory and He is here. +[1844.52 --> 1846.48] I will bring praise. +[1846.76 --> 1848.60] I will bring praise. +[1848.98 --> 1852.36] No weapon formed against me shall remain. +[1853.04 --> 1854.56] I will rejoice. +[1855.24 --> 1856.50] I will declare. +[1856.50 --> 1861.46] God is my victory and He is here. +[1861.46 --> 1862.46] God is my victory and He is here. +[1862.46 --> 1863.46] I will declare. +[1863.46 --> 1864.46] I will declare. +[1864.46 --> 1865.46] I will declare. +[1865.46 --> 1866.46] I will declare. +[1866.46 --> 1867.46] I will declare. +[1867.46 --> 1868.46] I will declare. +[1868.46 --> 1869.46] I will declare. +[1869.46 --> 1872.46] This is my prayer in the harvest. +[1872.46 --> 1877.46] When favor and providence flow. +[1877.46 --> 1882.46] I know I fail to be emptied again. +[1882.46 --> 1885.46] The seed I've received. +[1885.46 --> 1887.46] I will sow. +[1887.46 --> 1891.60] You may have a seat. +[1901.32 --> 1904.84] We just sang, the seed I have received, I will sow. +[1905.28 --> 1912.14] And we have the opportunity to give thanks to God for seeds sown and planted, watered, +[1912.14 --> 1915.46] and received as we welcome new members. +[1915.46 --> 1921.78] And so I didn't say it earlier, but a special welcome to you if you're here for Cole and Natasha +[1921.78 --> 1926.56] and for Adrian, and thank you for joining with us in worship this morning. +[1927.16 --> 1935.46] We're going to invite Cole and Natasha up to the front as we welcome them into our shared +[1935.46 --> 1940.44] church family together, and then we will baptize Adrian following that. +[1940.44 --> 1947.80] This morning we are blessed to welcome you guys officially into our church fellowship +[1947.80 --> 1948.44] and family. +[1948.44 --> 1951.32] You've been worshiping with us for a while now, and we're grateful for that. +[1951.76 --> 1954.40] Let's move over there so that we can stand together. +[1956.68 --> 1960.28] Cole and Natasha come to us from Linden, Washington. +[1960.68 --> 1964.48] They make the trip in multiple times every week for different things. +[1964.62 --> 1970.34] Natasha has been part of our coffee break program every Tuesday, and sometimes because +[1970.34 --> 1974.88] of Adrian, she's not in that group, but hangs out with the staff when we have coffee at +[1974.88 --> 1975.62] that same time. +[1975.78 --> 1978.66] And so we've gotten to know her in that way too, which has been a lot of fun. +[1979.66 --> 1984.58] As part of our membership process, I run a membership class a few times a year. +[1985.36 --> 1990.54] And if you're wondering what kind of people Cole and Natasha are, let me tell you that Cole +[1990.54 --> 1996.88] asked the most particular and unexpected question I've ever been asked during one of these new +[1996.88 --> 1997.58] member classes. +[1998.48 --> 2001.46] And I'm going to let you talk to them and ask him what that question was. +[2002.92 --> 2004.64] It was about the gift of apostleship. +[2007.84 --> 2013.80] As we welcome you this morning, Cole and Natasha, we welcome you into the fellowship of this church. +[2013.80 --> 2019.72] And it's our hope and our prayer that here, together, your faith in God will be strengthened, +[2020.18 --> 2025.80] that your love for Jesus will be grown, and that you will find opportunity to serve in the spirit +[2025.80 --> 2031.38] as you join with us on mission for this community, this neighborhood, and to the world. +[2032.24 --> 2036.82] As we welcome you into this church family, we ask that you would affirm the faith that you have +[2036.82 --> 2043.48] professed and your commitment to God's mission in and through Langley and Linden, in and through +[2043.48 --> 2046.38] this city and region, and to the world. +[2046.74 --> 2048.56] And to do so, I'm going to ask you three questions. +[2049.06 --> 2053.06] After I ask all three, I invite you to respond by saying we do, with God's help. +[2054.02 --> 2060.56] First, do you believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and that in him alone is hope and freedom +[2060.56 --> 2061.54] from sin found? +[2061.54 --> 2067.06] Second, do you believe that the Bible is the word of God, revealing his plan of redemption +[2067.06 --> 2071.46] in Jesus Christ, and that the preaching and teaching of Langley and Emmanuel reflect this +[2071.46 --> 2071.84] truth? +[2072.78 --> 2077.84] And then third, do you promise, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to do all that you can +[2077.84 --> 2083.26] to strengthen your relationship to Jesus by being part of this church, recognizing its +[2083.26 --> 2089.40] oversight and authority, and joining with us on mission for Jesus in this community, this +[2089.40 --> 2090.62] city, and to the world? +[2090.62 --> 2092.74] Cole and Natasha, what is your answer? +[2093.18 --> 2094.48] We do, with God's help. +[2094.66 --> 2094.92] Amen. +[2095.40 --> 2097.42] Why don't we switch sides so we don't have to worry about him? +[2097.66 --> 2097.82] Yep. +[2100.26 --> 2101.78] Candles are always dangerous. +[2103.56 --> 2111.38] Part of our welcoming you into our fellowship is extending to you and through your faith to +[2111.38 --> 2115.86] Adrian the inclusion of God's covenant promises. +[2115.86 --> 2120.76] So this morning, we get to celebrate his baptism together. +[2121.76 --> 2128.54] The water, for us, is a sign and a seal of being cleansed from sin through Jesus' life, +[2128.90 --> 2129.98] death, and resurrection. +[2130.90 --> 2138.02] Though born with a sinful nature, this child, Adrian, is offered God's promise of forgiveness +[2138.02 --> 2139.50] and life in the Spirit. +[2139.50 --> 2146.50] We baptize infants not from superstition, but because they are covenant children. +[2147.00 --> 2152.18] We baptize infants as an extension of the history of the church from its very beginning. +[2153.62 --> 2161.88] God's covenant with Abraham was sealed by circumcision in Genesis 15 and now finds its sign in baptism +[2161.88 --> 2163.52] as we read in Colossians 2. +[2164.52 --> 2169.54] And through it, the triune God marks our adoption and identity in Christ, +[2169.90 --> 2174.16] a promise that is extended to our children as we read in Acts 2 verse 39, +[2174.58 --> 2176.36] because God calls them holy. +[2176.74 --> 2179.94] He calls them set apart as we read in 1 Corinthians 7. +[2181.10 --> 2183.38] And so baptism obeys Christ's command. +[2183.86 --> 2186.08] It aligns with the living traditions of the church +[2186.08 --> 2190.14] and it signifies inclusion into God's covenant community. +[2190.14 --> 2197.54] And today, we pray that Adrian embraces these promises and follows Jesus throughout his life. +[2198.10 --> 2201.72] So I have two more questions to ask you in regards to this, Cole and Natasha. +[2202.36 --> 2206.54] Again, I'll ask you the two questions and invite you to respond by saying we do with God's help. +[2207.84 --> 2213.20] Do you believe that your child, Adrian, as cute as he is, though sinful by nature, +[2213.68 --> 2218.40] is received by God in Christ as a member of his covenant and therefore ought to be baptized? +[2218.40 --> 2225.28] And two, do you promise, in reliance on the Holy Spirit and with the help of this Christian community, +[2225.76 --> 2229.34] to do all in your power to instruct Adrian in the Christian faith +[2229.34 --> 2233.50] and to lead him by your example into the life of Christian discipleship? +[2234.02 --> 2234.74] What is your answer? +[2235.30 --> 2236.68] We do with God's help. +[2236.86 --> 2237.18] Amen. +[2237.18 --> 2239.80] Our Lord Jesus said, +[2240.04 --> 2242.90] Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, +[2243.02 --> 2245.24] for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. +[2245.36 --> 2247.38] And so, as is our practice, +[2247.50 --> 2251.76] I want to invite all the little children and the young at heart to come forward, +[2251.88 --> 2254.24] come close, gather around here at the front. +[2254.34 --> 2258.04] Just find a seat on the floor right here so that you can see +[2258.04 --> 2264.76] and that you can be part of this sign and seal together. +[2264.76 --> 2266.18] Yeah, see them all? +[2275.22 --> 2277.74] Guys, in just a moment, we're going to take this water +[2277.74 --> 2281.76] and we're going to pour it over Adrian's head +[2281.76 --> 2289.26] as a picture for us, a living picture for us about what Jesus has promised, right? +[2289.26 --> 2293.92] That he would wash us and make us new and that he includes us in his family. +[2294.68 --> 2298.82] And so, many of you have also received this sign of baptism. +[2299.32 --> 2302.44] And if you haven't received this sign or if you don't remember it, talk to your parents. +[2303.20 --> 2306.78] And parents, if you haven't received it or if you haven't talked to your kids about it, talk to me. +[2307.24 --> 2309.70] I would love to talk to you about what that means for you. +[2311.24 --> 2315.40] We're going to baptize Adrian together this morning. +[2315.40 --> 2315.84] Are you ready? +[2316.98 --> 2317.30] Yeah? +[2317.64 --> 2318.00] All right. +[2318.72 --> 2320.04] Just lean him in here a bit. +[2323.16 --> 2327.76] Adrian, James, Paul, Berzenji. +[2328.02 --> 2329.70] I baptize you in the name of the Father, +[2330.88 --> 2332.02] in the name of the Son, +[2333.32 --> 2334.82] and in the name of the Holy Spirit. +[2336.10 --> 2336.38] Amen. +[2337.86 --> 2338.30] Amen. +[2338.30 --> 2338.36] Amen. +[2340.18 --> 2341.32] Just for his face there. +[2345.40 --> 2350.54] congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, +[2350.70 --> 2353.10] church family gathered here today. +[2353.44 --> 2356.58] Not only do we hear promises from God in baptism +[2356.58 --> 2358.58] and promises from parents in baptism, +[2358.88 --> 2362.90] but we have an opportunity to hear promises from our shared family. +[2363.30 --> 2366.54] So I'm going to invite you, again, as you're able, where you are, to stand. +[2366.54 --> 2370.68] And I'm going to offer, read out a question for you, +[2370.92 --> 2373.08] at the end of which I invite you to respond, +[2373.22 --> 2376.12] together with one voice we do with God's help. +[2377.74 --> 2379.04] And so do you, +[2379.98 --> 2382.82] congregation of Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church, +[2382.94 --> 2385.32] representing the entire church of Jesus Christ, +[2385.68 --> 2386.54] gathered here today, +[2386.64 --> 2389.88] do you promise to love, encourage, and support +[2389.88 --> 2392.14] Cole, Natasha, and Adrian +[2392.14 --> 2394.88] by welcoming them into our church family, +[2395.36 --> 2398.60] by teaching him the gospel of God's love, +[2398.68 --> 2401.22] by being an example of Christian faith and character, +[2401.54 --> 2404.34] and by giving the strong support of God's family +[2404.34 --> 2407.22] in fellowship, in prayer, and in service? +[2407.40 --> 2408.44] What is your answer? +[2409.12 --> 2410.98] We do it for God's help. +[2411.38 --> 2411.86] Amen. +[2412.98 --> 2414.02] Please have a seat. +[2416.44 --> 2417.70] Let me stay here for a minute. +[2419.10 --> 2419.50] Adrian, +[2420.50 --> 2421.88] my brother, +[2422.14 --> 2423.74] the Lord bless you +[2423.74 --> 2425.02] and keep you. +[2425.60 --> 2427.62] The Lord make his face to shine upon you +[2427.62 --> 2429.02] and be gracious to you. +[2429.36 --> 2431.82] The Lord turn his face towards you +[2431.82 --> 2434.08] and give you his peace. +[2434.84 --> 2436.00] And in this way, +[2436.16 --> 2438.76] may the Lord put his name on Adrian +[2438.76 --> 2440.72] and make him his own. +[2441.30 --> 2441.52] Amen? +[2442.44 --> 2443.00] Amen. +[2443.78 --> 2445.10] May I take him for a minute? +[2446.32 --> 2447.24] Hey, my buddy. +[2448.24 --> 2448.76] Hi. +[2448.76 --> 2448.82] Hi. +[2450.44 --> 2451.46] You want to go for a walk? +[2452.14 --> 2455.02] This morning, +[2455.22 --> 2457.80] as we celebrate baptism together, +[2458.20 --> 2461.72] this is a living picture for us +[2461.72 --> 2464.70] of Adrian's journey of faith. +[2465.44 --> 2465.98] And so, +[2466.10 --> 2467.16] he joins us +[2467.16 --> 2470.36] and becomes part of our church family together, +[2470.74 --> 2472.64] wherein we hope and pray +[2472.64 --> 2475.02] that he will grow to know the Lord. +[2475.02 --> 2479.20] And that he will one day stand before us +[2479.20 --> 2480.02] and say, +[2480.18 --> 2480.92] this too, +[2481.14 --> 2481.92] I believe. +[2482.72 --> 2485.74] That this promise of God is real for him +[2485.74 --> 2487.56] and not just words we speak, +[2488.36 --> 2490.12] but that it defines reality. +[2491.48 --> 2494.70] And as he joins us in this blessed fellowship, +[2495.50 --> 2499.76] may you walk with him in this journey of life and faith. +[2499.76 --> 2505.34] May you know him as a spiritual son in the Lord, +[2506.10 --> 2508.38] because that is who he is to us. +[2508.60 --> 2508.84] Amen? +[2510.06 --> 2510.50] Amen. +[2511.78 --> 2512.72] Good work, buddy. +[2512.72 --> 2519.24] I want to invite Dick Klingelting to come to the front. +[2519.40 --> 2522.16] He is an elder in our church, +[2522.72 --> 2525.66] and you guys have been placed into his region, +[2525.84 --> 2526.56] his group, +[2526.70 --> 2531.20] and so he's got a little memento of today's celebration +[2531.20 --> 2532.80] and a little gift for Adrian, +[2532.94 --> 2534.24] a book that you can read with him, +[2534.54 --> 2537.48] as well as a new member booklet that we give to everyone. +[2537.48 --> 2538.48] Amen. +[2548.98 --> 2549.42] Amen. +[2549.62 --> 2550.64] Thank you guys so much. +[2550.90 --> 2551.94] Let's welcome them together. +[2553.20 --> 2563.40] We're going to sing a song together +[2563.40 --> 2565.80] that they have chosen for us +[2565.80 --> 2567.78] as a momentum of this occasion. +[2568.00 --> 2569.52] We're going to stand and we're going to sing +[2569.52 --> 2571.06] Be Thou My Vision. +[2571.32 --> 2572.84] Following our worship today, +[2573.04 --> 2575.24] especially even as we're celebrating with cake, +[2575.30 --> 2576.62] there's so many reasons to celebrate, +[2576.82 --> 2579.56] I encourage you to grab Cole and Natasha +[2579.56 --> 2581.36] to welcome them in the Lord +[2581.36 --> 2583.54] and to greet them in Jesus' name together. +[2583.74 --> 2584.98] Let's stand as we sing. +[2584.98 --> 2585.06] Amen. +[2595.80 --> 2613.20] Be Thou My Vision +[2613.20 --> 2618.20] O Lord of my heart +[2618.20 --> 2622.92] Not Thee all else to me +[2622.92 --> 2627.02] Save that Thou art +[2627.02 --> 2630.96] Thou my best thought +[2630.96 --> 2636.02] By day or by night +[2636.02 --> 2639.42] Waking or sleeping +[2639.42 --> 2645.34] Thy presence my light +[2645.34 --> 2655.10] Be Thou my wisdom +[2655.10 --> 2660.10] Thou my true heart +[2660.10 --> 2664.42] I ever with Thee +[2664.42 --> 2668.76] And Thou with me Lord +[2668.76 --> 2673.26] Thou my great Father +[2673.26 --> 2677.78] I Thy true Son +[2677.78 --> 2681.34] Thou in me dwelling +[2681.34 --> 2685.44] And I with Thee one +[2685.44 --> 2702.04] Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise +[2702.04 --> 2710.58] Thou mine inheritance, now and always +[2710.58 --> 2719.32] Thou and Thou only, first in my heart +[2719.32 --> 2728.50] High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art +[2728.50 --> 2742.54] High King of Heaven, my victory won +[2742.54 --> 2750.24] May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Son +[2750.24 --> 2758.98] Heart of my own heart, whatever befall +[2758.98 --> 2768.26] Still be my vision, O ruler of all +[2768.26 --> 2775.98] Heart of my own heart, whatever befall +[2775.98 --> 2785.98] Still be my vision, O ruler of all +[2785.98 --> 2803.30] Good morning again. +[2804.38 --> 2808.84] This morning we continue the giving of our gifts, our worship with the giving of our gifts, +[2809.24 --> 2813.06] first to the ministry and mission of our church through the budget, +[2813.06 --> 2817.72] and our special offering today is for World Renew Disaster Response. +[2818.70 --> 2823.22] When disasters strike, World Renew responds to the urgent needs that arise, +[2823.74 --> 2828.38] clearing up debris, assessing needs, providing emergency food, water and shelter, +[2828.94 --> 2832.98] training local leaders and repairing and rebuilding homes. +[2833.78 --> 2839.62] Communities around the world are impacted by natural disasters like floods, hurricanes and fires, +[2839.62 --> 2843.34] as well as conflict, war and violence. +[2844.10 --> 2847.20] These disasters cause serious disruption in communities, +[2847.60 --> 2849.96] especially when people's homes are severely damaged. +[2851.54 --> 2854.26] Recovery often takes months, even years. +[2855.04 --> 2858.68] These disasters not only have a tremendous impact on communities physically, +[2858.90 --> 2864.20] but they are likely to have drastic and long-lasting effects on the emotional and mental health of its members. +[2864.20 --> 2870.36] Giving financially is one way to support these efforts and is so needed and appreciated. +[2871.32 --> 2875.92] Another option is to volunteer time and energy at a disaster site. +[2875.92 --> 2880.74] I know some members of this congregation in years past have volunteered, +[2881.18 --> 2883.26] and the experience has been very impactful. +[2883.26 --> 2888.22] By supporting the work of World Renew and the Disaster Response Services, +[2888.22 --> 2892.52] you give new life to communities impacted by disaster. +[2892.52 --> 2919.00] Lord, I want to be a sacrifice. +[2919.00 --> 2927.16] Lord, I want to be pleasing to you. +[2927.16 --> 2936.24] Lord, I want your love to rule my life. +[2936.24 --> 2942.82] And be the one that you shine through. +[2942.82 --> 2950.82] Jesus, I give you hope. +[2950.82 --> 2958.82] Every part of me cries out your name. +[2958.82 --> 2966.82] Jesus, I give you hope. +[2966.82 --> 2996.80] Lord, I want your love to rule my life. +[2996.80 --> 3003.80] Lord, I want your love to rule my life. +[3003.80 --> 3011.80] And be the one that you shine through. +[3011.80 --> 3019.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3019.80 --> 3026.80] Every part of me cries out your name. +[3026.80 --> 3032.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3032.80 --> 3037.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3037.80 --> 3047.80] Living and holy, living and holy, living and holy, living and holy, living and holy for you. +[3047.80 --> 3052.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3052.80 --> 3059.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3059.80 --> 3061.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3061.80 --> 3063.80] Every part of me cries out your name. +[3063.80 --> 3065.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3065.80 --> 3067.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3067.80 --> 3071.80] Jesus, I give you hope. +[3071.80 --> 3087.08] Living and holy, living and holy, living and holy, living and holy for you. +[3087.08 --> 3102.14] All right, kids, come on down to the front. +[3102.38 --> 3103.50] We're going to have a little kids' corner. +[3103.54 --> 3104.92] Maybe not so close to the front. +[3104.98 --> 3106.44] I want to be able to see you still. +[3107.22 --> 3107.90] There we go. +[3107.98 --> 3108.56] There we go. +[3108.68 --> 3109.60] How's everybody doing? +[3110.46 --> 3111.52] We've got more coming. +[3111.62 --> 3115.20] All kids age three to grade four, you can come on down. +[3115.20 --> 3117.84] We still have a lot of kids here. +[3117.98 --> 3122.06] There's a few missing from Gems, but we have a lot of kids here. +[3122.08 --> 3122.96] How's everybody doing? +[3123.80 --> 3124.24] Good. +[3125.70 --> 3126.90] Are we missing someone? +[3127.70 --> 3128.82] We're missing Hank. +[3129.10 --> 3133.44] I think you guys all need to shout, come on out, Hank, and maybe he'll come. +[3133.82 --> 3134.80] One, two, three, go. +[3137.30 --> 3137.70] Whoa. +[3141.46 --> 3142.88] Hank, you were flying. +[3142.88 --> 3143.40] Wow. +[3144.16 --> 3145.40] What a rush. +[3146.10 --> 3148.52] It's so good to see you all. +[3148.76 --> 3149.64] How are you doing, Hank? +[3149.92 --> 3151.04] I'm great. +[3151.54 --> 3152.28] Wow, really? +[3152.64 --> 3154.86] Yeah, I had that best week ever. +[3155.32 --> 3156.44] What did you do, Hank? +[3156.80 --> 3162.40] I went to my Uncle Wrinkle's house, and I helped take care of his sheep. +[3162.66 --> 3163.08] Really? +[3163.32 --> 3164.72] Yeah, he's a sheepdog. +[3164.98 --> 3165.76] A sheepdog? +[3165.92 --> 3167.84] He looks like me, but he herds sheep. +[3168.20 --> 3169.84] Well, that's fun, and you got to help him out? +[3169.98 --> 3171.28] I've never done it before. +[3171.28 --> 3173.30] Well, what did he ask you to do? +[3173.56 --> 3176.58] He said, Hank, take care of the sheep. +[3177.10 --> 3177.76] That's fun. +[3178.12 --> 3182.06] Well, I thought he meant, like, take care of the sheep, and they look delicious. +[3182.06 --> 3185.00] So they kind of look like marshmallows. +[3185.28 --> 3190.58] But when I went out there and tried to take a bite, Hank, that's what Uncle Wrinkle said. +[3191.38 --> 3194.62] And then I learned, oh, I'm supposed to take care of the sheep. +[3194.94 --> 3195.86] So you know what I did? +[3196.04 --> 3196.86] What did you do, Hank? +[3197.12 --> 3198.94] I thought they might want breakfast. +[3199.50 --> 3203.70] So I cooked up a pound of bacon, and then I ate it. +[3203.70 --> 3208.32] And then I plucked up another pound of bacon, and I ate that one, too. +[3208.66 --> 3211.56] And then Uncle Wrinkle said, stop wasting the bacon. +[3211.70 --> 3215.44] So I plucked up one more pound, and I brought it out to the sheep. +[3215.76 --> 3216.74] And do you know what I learned? +[3218.10 --> 3219.64] Sheep don't eat bacon. +[3220.48 --> 3222.98] They're not a big fan of breakfast meats. +[3222.98 --> 3229.04] So I ate the pound of bacon, and then I learned that they like to eat grass. +[3229.34 --> 3234.36] So I helped lead them to some grass, and they ate, and they were so happy. +[3234.70 --> 3237.32] And then I just got to watch them, and it was the best weekend. +[3237.50 --> 3239.78] That's what taking care of sheep means. +[3240.12 --> 3241.48] That's what I learned anyways. +[3241.90 --> 3242.68] Well, that's fun. +[3242.90 --> 3245.14] Do you know what we're going to do in children's worship time today? +[3245.78 --> 3249.92] We're going to learn about what Jesus said to his disciples about taking care of sheep. +[3250.58 --> 3251.20] You have a question? +[3251.20 --> 3251.50] Yeah. +[3252.98 --> 3256.06] I don't know why Hank talks silly. +[3256.16 --> 3257.30] Hank, why do you talk silly? +[3257.42 --> 3258.42] I don't really know. +[3258.70 --> 3263.24] This was the voice that was chosen for me on a whim, and I kind of regret it. +[3263.46 --> 3265.38] But it's what we're stuck with now. +[3266.18 --> 3267.06] That's kind of why. +[3267.26 --> 3267.62] Yeah. +[3268.60 --> 3269.10] All right. +[3269.28 --> 3272.72] So we're going to go to children's worship time, and you can ask me questions there, okay? +[3272.86 --> 3275.32] And then we'll talk more about what it means to take care of sheep. +[3275.36 --> 3277.36] But we're going to pray, and then we're going to do the Lord's blessing, okay? +[3277.58 --> 3278.20] Sounds good. +[3278.30 --> 3278.54] All right. +[3278.56 --> 3278.92] Let's pray. +[3278.92 --> 3280.26] Let's bow our heads and close our eyes. +[3281.14 --> 3282.62] Dear God, thank you so much for this day. +[3282.62 --> 3286.06] Thank you that we could be here in church today and learn more about what it means to +[3286.06 --> 3286.60] follow you. +[3286.76 --> 3290.50] And as we go off to children's worship time and the grown-ups stay back here, God, we +[3290.50 --> 3294.64] will all learn more about the word and what it means to be a disciple of Christ. +[3294.84 --> 3296.34] We pray this all in your name. +[3296.80 --> 3297.16] Amen. +[3297.76 --> 3298.00] All right. +[3298.02 --> 3298.66] Let's stand up. +[3298.66 --> 3301.88] We're going to do the children's blessing together, okay? +[3301.92 --> 3304.24] We're going to say, the Lord be with you at the same time. +[3304.32 --> 3305.16] Boys, not too fast. +[3306.30 --> 3306.62] Ready? +[3307.26 --> 3308.28] One, two, three. +[3308.28 --> 3332.50] Good morning. +[3332.50 --> 3336.50] My name is Ken, and I'm an elder here at Emanuel Church. +[3336.50 --> 3340.34] And this morning, I will be leading us into our church family prayer. +[3340.68 --> 3345.86] So let's turn our hearts to the Lord and reach out to him together. +[3346.64 --> 3347.44] Let's pray. +[3347.44 --> 3353.88] Our Father in heaven, holy, holy are you, Lord God Almighty. +[3354.76 --> 3358.72] Worthy is the Lamb to receive all glory, honor, and praise. +[3359.40 --> 3364.48] We are grateful, Lord, that you are always present, always loving, and always caring. +[3364.96 --> 3369.28] And we humbly approach your throne of grace with confidence this morning, Lord Jesus. +[3369.28 --> 3399.26] Lord, we confess. +[3399.28 --> 3404.02] That there are so many times when we try to take control of our lives and stop trusting you. +[3404.76 --> 3410.10] And there are times, Lord, where we try to replace faith with logic and our limited understanding. +[3410.92 --> 3414.12] Correct our vision, Lord, and help us fix our eyes on Jesus. +[3415.42 --> 3417.32] For now we know and see in part. +[3418.02 --> 3421.64] But when completeness comes, we will come to fully know your works, Lord. +[3422.44 --> 3428.10] We trust that our lack of understanding today does not change that you are at work in all things. +[3428.10 --> 3430.78] And so we lift up all things to you today, Lord. +[3430.98 --> 3432.40] Our joys and our sorrows. +[3432.84 --> 3437.20] Our celebrations and our pains within our church, our families, and our communities. +[3438.36 --> 3443.64] Lord, we don't understand when health fails in our loved ones. +[3444.14 --> 3445.88] But we put our hope and trust in you. +[3446.72 --> 3452.70] Lord, we lift up the Skipper family in this time of grief and loss with the passing of Matthew's wife, Rachel. +[3452.70 --> 3456.30] Lord, she has struggled and suffered for so long. +[3456.64 --> 3461.34] And we are thankful that she is with you with no more pain but basking in your glory. +[3462.06 --> 3469.92] But, Lord, we still grieve deeply for the many years of failing health and for the loss of a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend. +[3469.92 --> 3477.58] Lord, please be near to Matt and the kids, to John and Fran, Dave and Sheila, and to all the other family and friends who are in mourning. +[3479.10 --> 3486.14] And, Lord, we lift up Tanya Tessemaker and her family as the cancer in her body has advanced and she is receiving hospice-level care now. +[3487.08 --> 3491.30] Lord, give her comfort and peace in the knowledge that you are with her always. +[3491.30 --> 3496.68] Lord, we lift up all those dealing with cancer, including Tessa and Doug. +[3497.44 --> 3507.48] And, Lord, we pray for Clary's sister, Joan, and her family as she deals with fatigue and effects of a round of radiation treatment and waits to see whether it was effective. +[3509.02 --> 3515.50] Lord, we don't understand when tragic events happen in our world and we see devastating pain and heartbreak. +[3516.06 --> 3520.80] Lord, we think of the horrific events this week at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. +[3521.30 --> 3523.76] So many lives were lost and changed forever. +[3524.56 --> 3527.62] And, God, we pray for those affected and touched by this tragedy. +[3528.10 --> 3534.48] And we ask for your nearness to the Filipino community as they rally together in shock, mourning, and in grief. +[3536.00 --> 3539.32] Lord, we also lift up our joys and celebrations to you. +[3539.98 --> 3545.12] Despite our sinful nature, you shower us with grace and blessings beyond our understanding. +[3545.48 --> 3547.18] And we are thankful to you, Lord. +[3547.18 --> 3551.52] Lord, we praise you with Eli and Emily Alexander who were married here yesterday. +[3552.18 --> 3554.06] What a blessing you have poured out on them. +[3554.82 --> 3564.18] Lord, we pray that their marriage will be centered in you in times when the direction you are leading them is obvious and in times that are hard to understand. +[3564.18 --> 3573.90] Lord, we pray for all of our marriages that they would be an image of Christ's sacrificial love for the church and the church fully serving Christ. +[3574.64 --> 3580.10] Lord, as we see John and Elsa celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, what an amazing gift. +[3580.64 --> 3585.92] And, Lord, we praise you for their long marriage and for all the blessing you have poured out on them. +[3585.92 --> 3591.84] And each of the members of our church who have had marriages that have lasted decades and decades. +[3592.86 --> 3599.58] Lord, we're joyful to celebrate the new members, Cole and Natasha, as they have joined our church family. +[3599.86 --> 3602.98] And Adrian, as he was baptized as one of your covenant children. +[3603.74 --> 3607.90] Your promises never fail, Lord, and we stand in awe and celebrate together. +[3607.90 --> 3612.74] And, Lord, we thank you that the Gems have been having a great time at camp. +[3613.08 --> 3616.62] And we pray that you be with them as they worship together in Maple Ridge this morning. +[3617.22 --> 3622.82] And, Lord, as they're getting to share and grow in knowledge and faith in you in new ways, work in their hearts. +[3623.46 --> 3632.34] As the Gems camp is wrapping up and the girls and leaders head home, we pray for their safe return and that you would continue to work and grow in each of their lives. +[3633.40 --> 3637.40] Lord, we lift up Emmanuel Church, its ministries, and the church leaders. +[3637.90 --> 3640.82] We pray for your leading as new elders and deacons are called. +[3641.60 --> 3647.46] Lord, we ask that you work through the process to draw out individuals that you are calling to serve in this capacity. +[3648.02 --> 3652.58] And we pray that you place your guiding hand on the council meeting happening this week. +[3653.96 --> 3657.18] We pray, God, for our country and our government leaders. +[3657.46 --> 3664.18] As we have elected a new federal government, Lord, we acknowledge that all authority in heaven and on earth comes from you alone. +[3664.18 --> 3670.00] Lord, please work through our government and leaders at all levels to bring forth your kingdom. +[3670.74 --> 3677.32] And, Lord, just as we sang, we want to be a sacrifice, pleasing to you, living and holy for you. +[3677.98 --> 3679.64] Help us live for you alone. +[3680.22 --> 3685.52] In our lack of understanding of so many things, Lord, we have certainty in you, Lord Jesus, +[3685.90 --> 3690.76] with faith that allows us to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. +[3690.76 --> 3692.06] Thank you, Jesus. +[3692.48 --> 3693.34] In your name we pray. +[3693.70 --> 3693.98] Amen. +[3693.98 --> 3694.10] Amen. +[3694.10 --> 3694.12] Amen. +[3694.12 --> 3694.14] Amen. +[3694.14 --> 3694.58] Amen. +[3694.58 --> 3694.64] Amen. +[3694.64 --> 3695.14] Amen. +[3695.14 --> 3696.14] Amen. +[3696.14 --> 3700.52] Amen. +[3700.52 --> 3701.32] Amen. +[3701.32 --> 3701.52] Amen. +[3701.52 --> 3702.48] Amen. +[3702.48 --> 3726.12] I just say before we continue here, it is, at least to my heart and to my soul, so good, +[3726.12 --> 3734.30] to be with you in worship this week and to gather again. I don't know what your past week has been +[3734.30 --> 3739.34] like and the kinds of things that are happening in your life, in your heart, in your minds, and +[3739.34 --> 3748.20] around you, but there just seems to me those times and those circumstances, those events in our lives +[3748.20 --> 3755.76] that just weigh down, that feel a little heavier, that are sometimes a little bit more difficult to +[3755.76 --> 3761.84] carry, and there are some times in our lives where we're just not sure what's going on or why it's +[3761.84 --> 3768.88] happening, and it's in both of those moments where I think it's good to gather together, right? There +[3768.88 --> 3774.92] are times in our lives where tragedy strikes and we cry out to God and we just don't know how to hold +[3774.92 --> 3780.02] the weight of it, and that's a reason to gather. There are times in our lives where we've got more +[3780.02 --> 3785.26] celebrations going on around us than we can manage in our times and in our schedules, and we're singing +[3785.26 --> 3795.12] for joy, and that's a reason to gather. And so whatever it is for you this week, and as it has +[3795.12 --> 3805.02] been for me, a week of chaos and confusion, it's so good to gather and to once again center our hearts +[3805.02 --> 3811.88] and our minds on the Lord Jesus and to once again open his word and to hear his voice to our hearts. +[3811.88 --> 3817.44] And so that's what we're going to do for the next little while together. Open the word of God, hear his +[3817.44 --> 3826.38] voice to our hearts for encouragement and for celebration, for sustaining power, and for his very +[3826.38 --> 3835.94] presence among us. I'm going to read from 1 Thessalonians 5. We, for a while now, have been working our way +[3835.94 --> 3842.52] through the books of Thessalonians for Easter and for gems. We've kind of taken a pause, but we're now +[3842.52 --> 3851.68] returning to the last few verses of 1 Thessalonians 5. I'm going to read verses 23 through 28. The first +[3851.68 --> 3856.86] time through, it will be on the screen behind me, but we will refer back, and so I encourage you, if you +[3856.86 --> 3861.82] have a Bible, to open it up, or if you have one on your phone, to look up the text and keep it there. +[3861.82 --> 3866.02] If you'd like a Bible, there's some available at the back. You can grab one from the back. +[3867.32 --> 3871.62] If you don't have a Bible, and if you don't have a Bible at home, grab one from the back and take +[3871.62 --> 3877.04] it home. We would love to bless you with that. But let's open God's word and read together. +[3877.04 --> 3890.54] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, +[3890.94 --> 3898.58] soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is +[3898.58 --> 3909.44] faithful, and he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God's people with a holy kiss. +[3910.12 --> 3915.18] I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. +[3916.16 --> 3921.76] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. This is the word of the Lord. +[3921.76 --> 3936.28] Into moments like these, and that is inclusive of everything that you bring into worship today. +[3936.42 --> 3949.12] Into moments like these, God speaks to us through his word. And the theme or the big idea for this +[3949.12 --> 3957.60] morning that comes out of this scripture text is the blessing of God as the promise of God to bring +[3957.60 --> 3962.58] you closer to God. Although at least that's what it was when I was preparing for this, and I realized +[3962.58 --> 3969.86] just how convoluted that sounds, and how difficult that is to understand. And so instead, really simply, +[3970.20 --> 3978.92] God does what he says he will do. And God says he will carry you through. God does what he says he +[3978.92 --> 3988.24] will do, and he says that he will carry you through. At the end of this first letter to the church in +[3988.24 --> 3998.38] Thessalonica, Paul closes with a prayer. Now throughout this whole letter, his desire has been to encourage +[3998.38 --> 4004.86] these faithful Christians in the face of their own struggles and hardships with faith, to encourage +[4004.86 --> 4011.14] them in the face of opposition from the governing authorities in Thessalonica, to encourage them to +[4011.14 --> 4016.72] grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to grow in their faith and to +[4016.72 --> 4026.92] become more like Jesus, in living in more and more in ever-increasing obedience to his call on their life +[4026.92 --> 4032.92] because of their new faith. And the word that we have learned and that we have used, because Paul +[4032.92 --> 4041.04] has been using it, the word for that is sanctification. And to be sanctified means to be set apart for God's +[4041.04 --> 4048.10] purposes. It means to live as one set apart, to grow in our looking like disciples of Jesus. +[4048.10 --> 4059.38] That's all it is, to grow, to look more like Jesus. And Paul prays now that that growth would continue +[4059.38 --> 4068.84] in them right through to the end. And in fact, this prayer is a sort of guarantee of God's promise to be +[4068.84 --> 4074.78] present and part of shaping you so that you make it to the end. We read, +[4074.78 --> 4081.42] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. We're talking about God +[4081.42 --> 4088.92] here, God himself. And God has revealed himself to us as a Father through the Son by the work of the +[4088.92 --> 4097.10] Holy Spirit. And God has sanctified you and will make it go through and through. That's his promise to us. +[4097.10 --> 4110.38] God does what he says he will do. And through and through just means all of your life, into every +[4110.38 --> 4117.10] aspect of your being. There's no part of you that isn't transformed by God's grace. +[4117.10 --> 4126.68] We don't get to hold things back, even though we try. We try to hold things back from God. We try to +[4126.68 --> 4132.86] hang on to a little piece of our former selves. We pretend that we have a measure of control +[4132.86 --> 4139.44] and that we can keep that secret. But the truth of the gospel, the truth of his transformation, +[4139.44 --> 4149.08] right, is that it's all of me for all of him. And in that way, sanctification, looking more like Jesus, +[4149.62 --> 4158.66] starts with submission. Now, I've said this before. I think it's helpful for us. Part of what it means +[4158.66 --> 4168.36] to be Christian is to trust God more than you trust yourself. It means to submit to God's will in place +[4168.36 --> 4175.26] of your will. Deeper yet, it means to have your will transformed, your heart transformed, so that +[4175.26 --> 4183.36] your desires become God's desires, so that you love what God loves. Part of being Christian is a +[4183.36 --> 4194.66] continual submission of your life to who God is. And to be completely honest with you, that's not easy. +[4194.66 --> 4202.92] Jesus promised us, in this world you will have trouble. We read, anyone who desires to live a +[4202.92 --> 4209.50] godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Being a Christian, one of the word pairings we get in the +[4209.50 --> 4213.98] New Testament, that being a Christian will make you strangers and aliens in the world. +[4213.98 --> 4227.68] It's hard. And it's harder the more you grow. But there's good news. Because even though it's hard, +[4228.72 --> 4239.28] it is good. It is good. It is so good. There is nothing that compares to the love of God, +[4239.28 --> 4244.50] your father. There's nothing that compares to being known by the person of God. There's nothing +[4244.50 --> 4253.68] that matches being a lavishly loved child of the Father. We read, I have made you and I will carry you, +[4253.78 --> 4260.74] I will sustain you, and I will rescue you. There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God +[4260.74 --> 4268.94] that is available in Christ Jesus our Lord. Again, do not fear, for I have redeemed you, God says. I have +[4268.94 --> 4277.68] summoned you by name. You are mine. This is such a good identity for us. +[4279.02 --> 4286.98] Better than whatever else the world might offer. And in fact, the world is going to try to subtly force an identity +[4286.98 --> 4293.46] on you. And I want you to hear that intentionally. Subtly force. Those sound like oxymoronic word pairs, +[4293.56 --> 4299.02] but they're not. Because it's a forceful thing that happens without most of us even realizing it. +[4300.10 --> 4305.86] It's not something we choose, but it's something we live out of. And the world is going to subtly force +[4305.86 --> 4312.28] an identity on you. It's going to want to shape you in a particular way. And sin and the flesh and the devil +[4312.28 --> 4318.70] are all going to want you to think a certain way about what it means to be you. A certain way about +[4318.70 --> 4325.02] what it means to live in this world. And it can be so easy for us to move down that road. +[4326.44 --> 4332.38] But what I hope we can hear and see, I hope our hearts begin to glimpse that the identity that is +[4332.38 --> 4342.82] bestowed on you by God is better by far. It is fixed in you by his grace, and he will hold you fast. +[4343.76 --> 4350.36] This is the identity that is imaged for us in baptism this morning. This is the identity that +[4350.36 --> 4358.00] is signed and sealed in the means of grace. And with that, we pray that your whole spirit, +[4358.00 --> 4369.44] soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again, notice who's working in +[4369.44 --> 4378.40] this text. Notice who's doing this work, who the actor is, right? May your whole spirit, soul, and body +[4378.40 --> 4387.82] be kept blameless. God is doing the keeping. God is the subject. He is the agent of the first +[4387.82 --> 4393.42] line of this prayer, and he's the subject or the agent of the second line of this prayer. And you +[4393.42 --> 4401.66] are the recipient of his keeping. And again, in that phrase, spirit, soul, and body, it's just another +[4401.66 --> 4410.76] way of saying your whole selves, all of you for all of him. This is God's promise to you. It's about the +[4410.76 --> 4417.04] whole process from beginning to end, from the moment of your salvation to the fulfillment of your +[4417.04 --> 4424.30] salvation at the return of Jesus Christ. Our whole lives, in fact, are oriented, are directed, are lived, +[4424.56 --> 4433.06] facing forward to his future return. The God of peace has reoriented your life towards his goals +[4433.06 --> 4440.72] and his purposes. We live faces fixed on the future return of Christ, and when our faces are fixed on +[4440.72 --> 4449.44] the future return of Christ, we're called to live in line with that fixation. Based on the work of God, +[4450.32 --> 4458.66] this prayer, then, is a call to comprehensive Christian living. It's a call to live drawing +[4458.66 --> 4465.54] closer and closer and closer to God in faith and in faithfulness, in trust and in obedience. +[4469.14 --> 4469.70] Sometimes, +[4470.26 --> 4480.12] sometimes we feel stuck in our faith, right? And when we feel stuck in our faith, it's really easy to give up. +[4480.12 --> 4488.36] Sometimes we feel like we just can't experience God in the way that we want to, and so we become apathetic. +[4491.72 --> 4498.48] Sometimes we think, I'm not really getting anything out of it, and so I'm not going to put anything into it. +[4500.24 --> 4506.72] And to be candid, sometimes we just get lazy with our faith. I'm guilty of that. +[4506.72 --> 4515.58] Can I confess that with you this morning? I'm guilty of being lazy with my faith. +[4517.48 --> 4524.54] But this prayer of Paul is not just for the church in Thessalonica. It's a prayer of Paul for you and for me. +[4525.34 --> 4532.26] This is a call to push through and to press in. This is a call to persevere in faith because we're being preserved in faith. +[4532.26 --> 4540.28] This is a call to remember our identities in Christ Jesus, sanctified through and through. +[4540.38 --> 4545.28] This is a call to actually trust God more than I trust myself. +[4546.28 --> 4549.68] To really believe that He is good, +[4550.68 --> 4553.78] and that in Him is the true, the good, and the beautiful. +[4553.92 --> 4557.94] That in Him is the truest, and the best, and the most beautiful. +[4557.94 --> 4562.54] And in this is also a promise. +[4564.20 --> 4566.18] Right? God does what He says He will do. +[4567.20 --> 4569.14] And He will carry you through. +[4570.68 --> 4571.98] What did we read? We read, +[4572.78 --> 4578.08] The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. +[4579.36 --> 4581.98] This is like an amen in prayer. +[4581.98 --> 4589.16] Some of you are new to faith and are new to taking faith seriously, +[4589.40 --> 4590.72] and so you're learning how to pray. +[4591.06 --> 4595.46] One of the first things we learn when we pray is that prayers end by saying, +[4595.70 --> 4598.24] In Jesus' name, amen. +[4598.66 --> 4599.28] Very good. +[4600.00 --> 4600.98] Some of you know how to pray. +[4601.90 --> 4603.42] But honestly, that's all it takes. +[4603.86 --> 4605.38] That's all it takes to know how to pray. +[4605.54 --> 4606.76] In Jesus' name, amen. +[4606.76 --> 4613.78] This line, the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it, is an amen. +[4614.38 --> 4617.52] The word amen simply means, let it be so. +[4618.38 --> 4621.64] Amen means, I believe you are faithful, and you will do it. +[4622.68 --> 4624.68] So when you pray amen, you're saying, +[4624.80 --> 4626.96] God, I know you can do this. +[4627.80 --> 4630.08] And so I trust you to do it. +[4631.24 --> 4632.32] Paul prays, +[4632.32 --> 4635.78] May the God of peace then sanctify you through and through. +[4635.78 --> 4637.28] That is, may he make you holy. +[4637.40 --> 4639.44] May he set you apart in everything. +[4639.96 --> 4643.18] And may he carry you through to the end, to the fulfillment, +[4643.34 --> 4648.22] so that in him, in everything, and in every way, you are set apart. +[4648.56 --> 4650.64] You are holy in his name. +[4650.90 --> 4651.64] And then he prays, +[4651.70 --> 4655.00] May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless. +[4655.10 --> 4655.68] And then again, that is, +[4656.02 --> 4661.58] May all of you, every thought, every imagination, every love, every desire, +[4661.58 --> 4668.14] every will, every action, and every reaction, be blameless, and holy, and pure. +[4669.60 --> 4670.64] And he prays, +[4671.16 --> 4674.72] The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. +[4676.00 --> 4678.38] Again, notice the language carefully. +[4678.52 --> 4678.72] It says, +[4678.88 --> 4680.82] The one who calls you, right? +[4681.04 --> 4684.08] It is a present, ongoing reality. +[4685.08 --> 4685.64] It doesn't say, +[4685.64 --> 4686.94] The one who called you, +[4687.34 --> 4687.56] It says, +[4687.62 --> 4688.90] The one who calls you. +[4689.30 --> 4691.60] He continues to call. +[4691.70 --> 4693.12] He didn't call you and then say, +[4693.22 --> 4694.16] Go figure it out. +[4695.22 --> 4695.44] Right? +[4695.48 --> 4697.24] He didn't show you the way and then say, +[4697.34 --> 4698.82] Now walk in it and then just leave. +[4700.00 --> 4700.20] Right? +[4700.22 --> 4701.12] He's calling you. +[4701.20 --> 4704.14] He's actively walking with you. +[4704.52 --> 4705.58] He's calling you. +[4705.68 --> 4709.80] He's actively walking alongside and in you by his spirit. +[4709.80 --> 4713.78] He's calling you and he carries you through. +[4714.44 --> 4716.98] He calls and he walks with you. +[4717.06 --> 4718.26] That's sanctifying. +[4719.26 --> 4721.80] That's the whole self, blameless living. +[4722.70 --> 4722.80] Right? +[4722.82 --> 4724.36] He doesn't just show you the way. +[4724.72 --> 4727.36] He walks in it with you and through you. +[4728.32 --> 4731.32] And this truth is written all over the pages of Scripture. +[4734.08 --> 4735.18] In Philippians, +[4735.18 --> 4743.08] In Corinthians, we read, +[4743.48 --> 4746.18] He will also keep you firm to the end +[4746.18 --> 4749.40] so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. +[4750.62 --> 4750.76] Right? +[4750.86 --> 4752.04] God will do it. +[4752.80 --> 4756.26] And he invites you to do it with him, +[4756.42 --> 4758.38] to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. +[4759.02 --> 4759.90] In Hebrews 13, +[4759.90 --> 4765.10] Now may the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will. +[4765.74 --> 4768.52] He equips you with everything good for doing his will, +[4768.72 --> 4770.56] and then he invites you to go do it. +[4771.80 --> 4772.08] Right? +[4772.12 --> 4773.98] Another place that we can look to, +[4774.10 --> 4774.80] Philippians 2. +[4774.90 --> 4775.90] This is one of my favorite. +[4776.42 --> 4776.92] Paul writes, +[4777.06 --> 4778.50] Therefore, my dear friends, +[4778.80 --> 4782.98] continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. +[4783.66 --> 4783.84] Right? +[4783.90 --> 4785.18] Work it out continually. +[4785.64 --> 4787.42] Do it and keep doing it. +[4787.76 --> 4791.44] For it is God who works in you to will and to act +[4791.44 --> 4795.02] in order to fulfill his good purposes. +[4795.18 --> 4797.36] Here's the thing. +[4798.26 --> 4799.46] Here's what all that means. +[4800.06 --> 4800.16] Right? +[4800.30 --> 4802.12] God's promise is a guarantee. +[4802.82 --> 4805.24] And God's promise is an invitation. +[4806.88 --> 4808.70] God does what he says he will do, +[4808.80 --> 4811.62] and he says he will carry you through. +[4812.72 --> 4816.58] And the life of one being carried looks a particular way. +[4816.58 --> 4820.12] I want to illustrate this idea with you, +[4820.16 --> 4822.84] and I'm going to use an image borrowed from Michael Horton. +[4824.22 --> 4828.42] Sometimes we think of the Christian life like a raft. +[4828.42 --> 4828.86] Right? +[4830.06 --> 4835.00] Where we just float along in the ocean of life. +[4835.96 --> 4837.96] We go along with the current, +[4838.36 --> 4843.82] hoping that God does everything without any real participation on our part. +[4844.70 --> 4845.22] Right? +[4845.28 --> 4847.80] And this is a passive approach. +[4847.80 --> 4852.86] It very easily and possibly becomes an apathetic approach. +[4853.68 --> 4855.26] Some people have called this, +[4855.62 --> 4857.60] the reality of this for the Christian person, +[4857.82 --> 4859.56] the idea of being frozen chosen. +[4860.38 --> 4860.60] Right? +[4860.60 --> 4862.22] That God has selected you, +[4862.26 --> 4863.48] and now you just sit back and wait. +[4864.48 --> 4865.44] You're stuck right there. +[4865.98 --> 4868.48] Kevin calls this covenant child syndrome. +[4869.68 --> 4870.16] Right? +[4870.20 --> 4873.66] And it's the wrong idea that because of God's election and providence, +[4873.76 --> 4876.64] I don't have to cooperate with his spirit to live a transformed life. +[4877.12 --> 4877.34] Right? +[4877.36 --> 4878.68] I don't have to live a certain way. +[4878.86 --> 4880.32] I don't have to join him on mission. +[4880.62 --> 4881.88] I'm just along for this ride, +[4881.96 --> 4882.82] whatever it looks like. +[4884.68 --> 4885.68] That's the wrong idea. +[4886.38 --> 4889.52] There's another wrong idea that's maybe more common to some of us here. +[4889.98 --> 4892.64] Sometimes we think of this relationship, +[4892.64 --> 4895.52] this idea like a canoe or like a rowboat. +[4896.38 --> 4896.74] Right? +[4896.82 --> 4899.76] Where it's all your effort to paddle the boat. +[4900.78 --> 4904.04] And we know that rowing hard takes strength and discipline, +[4904.42 --> 4906.18] and if you're with people, a lot of yelling. +[4908.46 --> 4909.86] And this is legalism. +[4910.80 --> 4911.00] Right? +[4911.04 --> 4911.90] This is moralism. +[4912.32 --> 4913.86] This is the wrong idea that, +[4913.98 --> 4916.14] yeah, sure, grace gets me in, +[4916.30 --> 4919.24] but it's my effort that keeps me on the straight and narrow. +[4921.12 --> 4922.24] This one is heavy. +[4922.78 --> 4923.94] This one is hard. +[4924.94 --> 4928.40] And this one burdens our souls with a new yoke of slavery. +[4929.26 --> 4929.36] Right? +[4929.36 --> 4933.80] This is the one where we end up pretending that we have it all together on the outside +[4933.80 --> 4937.98] because if I were to ever reveal the truth of what's going on in my heart to you, +[4938.10 --> 4941.98] I'd be terrified that you would reject me because I'm not perfect like I pretend to be. +[4941.98 --> 4946.50] If people knew how I really struggled with sin, +[4947.14 --> 4949.46] they wouldn't think I'm Christian anymore. +[4950.60 --> 4951.04] Right? +[4951.06 --> 4953.18] That's down the line of this way of thinking. +[4953.18 --> 4960.52] Instead, a more faithful way to think about this is like a sailboat. +[4961.92 --> 4962.48] Right? +[4962.56 --> 4964.02] We hoist the sails. +[4964.60 --> 4966.00] That's our active involvement. +[4966.42 --> 4969.22] And our active involvement is the means of grace. +[4969.44 --> 4969.60] Right? +[4969.64 --> 4971.52] It is submitting to the preached word. +[4971.64 --> 4974.82] It is participating in the Lord's Supper and receiving baptism. +[4974.82 --> 4982.42] Our involvement in hoisting the sails is the means of grace and obedience and prayer and worship and service. +[4982.64 --> 4987.72] We hoist these sails, but it is the wind of the Holy Spirit that propels us forward. +[4989.10 --> 4989.58] Right? +[4989.62 --> 4994.28] It's the power of the Holy Spirit that moves us in the direction God is calling us to. +[4994.28 --> 4997.02] That carries us towards the goal. +[4997.38 --> 4997.46] Right? +[4997.50 --> 5000.94] That carries us heavenward and the prize for which we have been saved. +[5001.28 --> 5001.48] Right? +[5001.52 --> 5005.58] That draws us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. +[5007.00 --> 5015.72] Hoist the sail and let the Spirit blow and take you in the path and journey of sanctification. +[5015.88 --> 5019.86] The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. +[5020.42 --> 5023.74] God does what he says he will do and he will carry you through. +[5023.74 --> 5026.00] So hoist the sails of your obedience. +[5026.44 --> 5028.74] Hoist the sails of worship and word. +[5028.94 --> 5031.62] Hoist the sails of prayer and devotion. +[5031.92 --> 5034.50] Hoist the sails of service and mission. +[5034.90 --> 5037.06] And the Spirit of God will lead you. +[5037.14 --> 5039.94] The power of God will propel you forward. +[5040.12 --> 5043.18] Because that is what God has said he will do. +[5045.08 --> 5050.54] If you ever doubt what God says he will do and that he does it, look to the cross. +[5052.46 --> 5053.56] Look to the cross. +[5053.56 --> 5061.82] Because way back in the very beginning, God promised that I will send one who will crush the head of the serpent. +[5062.82 --> 5069.90] And over and over and over again as God told the story to his people and reminded them of who he is, +[5069.94 --> 5072.64] of what it means to be their God and for them to be his people, +[5072.86 --> 5076.78] God said, I will send one who will save you. +[5076.78 --> 5083.76] I will send one who will keep perfectly the law and the commandments and all of the things that I have told you to do. +[5083.92 --> 5086.34] And you prove day in and day out that you cannot. +[5086.62 --> 5088.34] I will do it. +[5088.34 --> 5094.48] And so Jesus came and live the life we should have lived. +[5095.06 --> 5098.12] Jesus came and he died the death that we deserve. +[5098.12 --> 5103.26] Jesus came and even though he was innocent, even though he died on that cross, +[5103.26 --> 5107.74] he was raised three days later victorious over sin and death. +[5108.74 --> 5114.10] He was raised having granted now for you newness of life. +[5114.96 --> 5119.22] So that if you're united with him in his death, you can be united with him in his life. +[5119.22 --> 5121.20] This is God's promise. +[5121.56 --> 5123.76] He is faithful and he will do it. +[5123.80 --> 5124.48] And how do we know? +[5125.22 --> 5126.50] Because he did it. +[5127.44 --> 5128.20] It's done. +[5128.74 --> 5129.76] It's finished. +[5131.18 --> 5134.96] This is your reality now. +[5135.52 --> 5139.72] And by grace, through faith, it becomes your identity. +[5141.16 --> 5141.68] Right? +[5141.72 --> 5147.74] That you are not your own, but that you belong body and soul and life and in death to your faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. +[5147.74 --> 5153.26] That he has set you free from the tyranny of the devil. +[5154.24 --> 5160.60] And that now you are a lavishly loved child of the Father. +[5161.42 --> 5163.18] This is who you are. +[5164.76 --> 5169.82] And this, for us, is a promise and an invitation. +[5171.08 --> 5172.20] A promise. +[5172.70 --> 5175.02] This is true and an invitation. +[5175.02 --> 5177.68] And so let's live like it is true. +[5178.64 --> 5187.88] And then lastly, and very quickly, part of the promise and part of the invitation is that you are not alone. +[5188.90 --> 5189.00] Right? +[5189.06 --> 5190.50] Notice how Paul ends. +[5190.66 --> 5193.56] He says, brothers and sisters, pray for us. +[5195.30 --> 5199.48] He says, family of God, pray for one another. +[5200.04 --> 5204.12] Pray for those who are journeying in faith, who are declaring the gospel. +[5204.12 --> 5207.08] Pray for those who are having lives transformed. +[5207.28 --> 5216.84] Pray for those who are moving from chaos to chaos and cannot understand how and why it is that God is allowing happen to happen in this life and in this moment. +[5217.02 --> 5218.70] But we pray for them. +[5219.08 --> 5222.96] Brothers and sisters, God has given you a new family. +[5223.50 --> 5226.46] This is part of our new identity. +[5226.46 --> 5232.16] And that family functions a particular way. +[5232.60 --> 5237.22] Now, bear with me, because I'm going to explain it after I read it, but I don't want you to jump to conclusions. +[5237.80 --> 5239.66] Greet all God's people with a holy kiss. +[5239.66 --> 5245.74] So don't turn to each other and start kissing unless you're married and it's appropriate and your kids aren't too close. +[5248.24 --> 5254.04] Our family is redefined by God's grace. +[5254.04 --> 5265.30] And this mark of a holy kiss, this handshake and the peace of Christ be with you, this head nod and the Lord be with you and also with you, +[5265.52 --> 5269.54] this hug before worship is a marker of this new family. +[5270.78 --> 5277.62] And so, if in our worship together at the beginning, when we say, turn to those around you and welcome them in worship, +[5277.62 --> 5282.84] I really want to encourage you when we do that, don't just do that to your biological family. +[5283.92 --> 5284.12] Right? +[5284.16 --> 5286.86] Don't just turn to your kids and say, good morning. +[5287.60 --> 5295.68] Turn to your blood-bought family and say, brother, sister, you are mine and I am yours. +[5297.06 --> 5297.48] Right? +[5297.52 --> 5299.62] Maybe not a holy kiss, but a holy handshake. +[5300.84 --> 5306.24] Something more is going on in this moment and in this group. +[5306.24 --> 5309.62] It means you are not alone. +[5310.04 --> 5312.26] You are never alone. +[5313.90 --> 5318.56] I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. +[5319.12 --> 5327.18] The word of God as fuel for this promise and invitation as our defining peace together. +[5327.42 --> 5329.24] And then one last promise. +[5330.24 --> 5333.68] And after I read this, I invite you all together to say, amen. +[5333.68 --> 5338.00] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. +[5338.92 --> 5339.40] Amen. +[5340.10 --> 5340.78] Let's pray. +[5340.78 --> 5359.84] Lord Jesus Christ, blow in the power of the Holy Spirit that we might be transformed into the image of you, our Savior. +[5359.84 --> 5365.96] That we might rest sure in the promise of our new identity. +[5366.40 --> 5370.88] And in that identity, we might see an invitation to love and serve. +[5371.80 --> 5374.72] And that in that new identity, we might see a new family. +[5375.22 --> 5380.58] A new community of people to walk this road of life and faith with us. +[5381.00 --> 5383.56] Open our hearts, Lord God. +[5383.56 --> 5387.76] That we might follow after your leading. +[5389.76 --> 5396.06] And in this moment, as we have hoisted the sails of our obedience and of our coming to your word, +[5396.90 --> 5402.66] may you blow us forward and out in the power of your Spirit +[5402.66 --> 5407.88] so that we might declare the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. +[5407.88 --> 5412.68] May that be our anthem of faith this morning. +[5413.26 --> 5416.98] Rooted in who you are and what you have done. +[5417.62 --> 5419.36] In Jesus' name we pray. +[5420.40 --> 5420.76] Amen. +[5421.70 --> 5422.02] Amen. +[5422.02 --> 5422.14] Amen. +[5422.14 --> 5422.18] Amen. +[5422.18 --> 5424.14] Amen. +[5424.14 --> 5425.14] Amen. +[5425.14 --> 5426.14] Amen. +[5426.14 --> 5428.14] Amen. +[5428.14 --> 5430.14] Amen. +[5430.14 --> 5432.14] Amen. +[5432.14 --> 5434.14] Amen. +[5434.14 --> 5436.14] Amen. +[5436.14 --> 5437.14] Amen. +[5437.14 --> 5437.64] Amen. +[5437.64 --> 5437.86] Amen. +[5437.88 --> 5444.38] Amen. +[5444.38 --> 5445.42] Amen. +[5445.42 --> 5445.66] Amen. +[5445.66 --> 5446.30] Amen. +[5446.30 --> 5447.58] Amen. +[5447.58 --> 5449.76] Amen. +[5449.76 --> 5449.82] Amen. +[5449.82 --> 5456.56] Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side. +[5458.04 --> 5458.42] Be still, my soul, the Lord is on my side. +[5458.42 --> 5465.42] Bear patiently the cross of grief for pain. +[5465.42 --> 5482.84] Leave to thy God to order and provide, in every change he faithful will remain. +[5482.84 --> 5500.84] Be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. +[5500.84 --> 5518.22] Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake, to guide the future as he has the past. +[5518.22 --> 5535.20] Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake, and thou mysterious shall be bright at last. +[5535.20 --> 5550.94] Be still my soul, thy ways and winds still know, his voice to rule them while he dwelt below. +[5550.94 --> 5568.60] In you I rest, in you I found my hope, in you I trust, you never let me go. +[5568.60 --> 5577.84] I place my life within your hands alone. +[5577.84 --> 5592.84] Be still my soul, be still my soul, the hour is facing on. +[5592.84 --> 5601.08] When we shall be forever with the Lord. +[5601.84 --> 5608.84] When disappointment, grief and fear are gone. +[5608.84 --> 5615.84] Sorrow for God, love's purest joys restored. +[5615.84 --> 5624.84] Be still my soul, when change and tears are past. +[5624.84 --> 5632.84] All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last. +[5632.84 --> 5641.84] In you I rest, in you I found my hope. +[5641.84 --> 5649.84] In you I trust, you never let me go. +[5649.84 --> 5658.84] I place my life within your hands alone. +[5658.84 --> 5664.84] Be still my soul, be still my soul. +[5664.84 --> 5669.84] In you I rest, in you I rest. +[5669.84 --> 5673.84] In you I found my hope. +[5673.84 --> 5681.84] In you I trust, you never let me go. +[5681.84 --> 5693.84] I place my life within your hands alone. +[5693.84 --> 5700.84] Be still my soul, be still my soul. +[5700.84 --> 5705.84] Be still my soul. +[5705.84 --> 5714.84] Be still my soul. +[5714.84 --> 5742.84] Amen. +[5742.84 --> 5749.84] Amen. +[5749.84 --> 5755.84] As we go into this week, we do not go alone. +[5755.84 --> 5759.84] But God himself goes with you. +[5759.84 --> 5766.84] Into whatever circumstance you may face, God is with you. +[5766.84 --> 5775.84] And so receive his blessing for the journey ahead. +[5775.84 --> 5779.84] God go before you to lead you. +[5779.84 --> 5782.84] God go behind you to protect you. +[5782.84 --> 5785.84] God go beneath you to support you. +[5785.84 --> 5788.84] God go beside you to befriend you. +[5788.84 --> 5789.84] Do not be afraid. +[5789.84 --> 5792.84] Let the blessing of God come upon you today. +[5792.84 --> 5794.84] Do not be afraid. +[5794.84 --> 5797.84] The one who calls you is faithful. +[5797.84 --> 5800.84] And he will do it. +[5800.84 --> 5801.84] Amen. +[5801.84 --> 5802.84] Amen. +[5802.84 --> 5803.84] Amen. +[5803.84 --> 5804.84] Amen. +[5804.84 --> 5808.84] Amen. +[5808.84 --> 5824.76] our +[5824.76 --> 5837.16] guide me oh my great redeemer pilgrim through this +[5837.16 --> 5857.16] spirit land i am weak but you are mighty hold me with your powerful hand bread of heaven bread of heaven +[5857.16 --> 5871.16] feed me now and evermore +[5872.92 --> 5883.16] open now the crystal fountain where the healing waters flow +[5883.16 --> 5901.16] let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me on my journey through strong deliver strong deliver +[5901.16 --> 5911.16] ever be my strength and shield ever be my strength and shield +[5913.16 --> 5933.16] when i tread the verge of jordan did my anxious fears subside death of death and hell's destruction +[5933.16 --> 5951.16] let me be safe on canaan's side strong of praises songs of praises i will ever sing to you +[5951.16 --> 5965.16] songs of praises songs of praises i will ever sing to you +[5965.16 --> 5979.16] sing to you +[5979.16 --> 5981.16] so +[5981.16 --> 5983.16] so +[5983.16 --> 5985.16] so +[5985.16 --> 5987.16] so +[5987.16 --> 5989.16] so +[5989.16 --> 5999.16] so +[5999.16 --> 6001.16] so +[6001.16 --> 6003.16] so +[6003.16 --> 6007.16] so +[6007.16 --> 6021.16] so +[6021.16 --> 6025.16] so +[6025.16 --> 6027.16] so +[6027.16 --> 6041.16] so +[6041.16 --> 6043.16] so +[6043.16 --> 6045.16] so +[6045.16 --> 6047.16] so +[6047.16 --> 6049.16] so +[6049.16 --> 6051.16] so +[6051.16 --> 6053.16] so +[6053.16 --> 6055.16] so +[6055.16 --> 6057.16] much +[6057.16 --> 6061.16] so +[6061.16 --> 6063.16] so +[6063.16 --> 6065.16] so +[6065.16 --> 6067.16] so +[6067.16 --> 6069.16] so +[6069.16 --> 6071.16] so +[6071.16 --> 6073.16] so +[6073.16 --> 6075.16] so +[6075.16 --> 6077.16] so +[6077.16 --> 6079.16] so +[6079.16 --> 6087.16] so +[6087.16 --> 6089.16] so +[6089.16 --> 6091.16] so +[6091.16 --> 6093.16] so +[6093.16 --> 6099.16] so +[6099.16 --> 6101.16] so +[6101.16 --> 6103.16] so +[6103.16 --> 6113.16] who could +[6113.16 --> 6115.16] so +[6115.16 --> 6117.16] so +[6117.16 --> 6119.16] so +[6119.16 --> 6121.16] so +[6121.16 --> 6123.16] so +[6123.16 --> 6127.16] so +[6127.16 --> 6129.16] so +[6129.16 --> 6131.16] so +[6131.16 --> 6133.16] so +[6133.16 --> 6135.16] so +[6135.16 --> 6137.16] so +[6137.16 --> 6139.16] so +[6139.16 --> 6141.16] so +[6141.16 --> 6143.16] so +[6143.16 --> 6147.16] so +[6147.16 --> 6149.16] so +[6149.16 --> 6151.16] so +[6151.16 --> 6153.16] so +[6153.16 --> 6155.16] so +[6155.16 --> 6157.16] so +[6157.16 --> 6159.16] so +[6159.16 --> 6161.16] so +[6161.16 --> 6163.16] so +[6163.16 --> 6167.16] so +[6167.16 --> 6169.16] so +[6169.16 --> 6171.16] so +[6171.16 --> 6173.16] so +[6173.16 --> 6175.16] so +[6175.16 --> 6177.16] so +[6177.16 --> 6179.16] so +[6179.16 --> 6181.16] so +[6181.16 --> 6183.16] so +[6183.16 --> 6185.16] so +[6185.16 --> 6187.16] so +[6187.16 --> 6189.16] so +[6189.16 --> 6191.16] so +[6191.16 --> 6193.16] what +[6193.16 --> 6195.16] you +[6195.16 --> 6197.16] you +[6197.16 --> 6199.16] you +[6199.16 --> 6201.16] you +[6201.16 --> 6203.16] you +[6203.16 --> 6205.16] you +[6205.16 --> 6207.16] you +[6221.16 --> 6244.88] This is a dream +[6244.88 --> 6249.76] Dream for the world to see you +[6249.76 --> 6253.50] Dream for the world to know you +[6253.50 --> 6256.14] To love your name +[6256.14 --> 6260.78] Lift up a shout +[6260.78 --> 6265.06] Lift up a cry to shake the ground +[6265.06 --> 6268.26] Shining the walls coming down