WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.179 Just over a week ago now, I completed my 57th lap of the sun. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:11.000 ! I was born on the 29th of August 1969. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:22.240 And in the moment that I was born, I became a son and a brother at exactly the same time. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:28.539 That is the means becoming one was the exact same means becoming the other. 00:00:28.539 --> 00:00:35.979 My parents had another son just under two years before me. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:43.399 And so when I was born, my parents gained a second son and my older brother gained a brother. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:47.679 And so those first two years of his life were probably the best he's ever had. 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:55.060 I couldn't have become a son without also becoming a brother. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:57.219 It was a package deal. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:03.640 Being born to my parents also meant having their oldest son as my brother. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:05.600 No ifs, no buts. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:18.180 And something very similar happens when a person is born again when someone is united to Christ Jesus. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:25.900 We don't get Christ without getting all those who are united to Christ. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:32.480 Joining him also means being joined to others who are joined to him. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:34.660 It's a package deal. 00:01:36.880 --> 00:01:39.020 And so that's what we're unpacking today. 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:44.700 If you've got the St. Paul's app in front of you, you'll see I've got three points. 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:52.980 We're turning to Romans 12 and the first thing we notice in Romans 12 is what life in Christ, 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:56.579 what is it that God calls us to as his people? 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:04.379 Romans 1 to 11 is a detailed description of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:11.560 And then Romans 12, which was just read out to us, opens with the word therefore. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:12.699 Therefore. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:24.439 In other words, Paul is now moving to unpack the implications of Romans 1 to 11. 00:02:25.519 --> 00:02:31.560 And the first two verses are the summary of the whole Christian life. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:34.300 The first two verses. 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:40.580 This is what it means to be in Christ. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:45.180 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:49.500 to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. 00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:51.840 This is your true and proper worship. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:57.599 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:01.560 There are two central features of living life in Christ. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:08.740 And the first one is in verse one, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:13.939 So what Paul does here, this would have been a familiar image for those in the first century. 00:03:14.039 --> 00:03:15.139 I mean, this was written. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:18.759 He's picking up the idea of the Old Testament temple worship, 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:23.840 where you would go and you would offer a whole burnt offering. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:26.460 That's the image here. 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:31.980 And the whole burnt offering was an animal without defect. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:37.300 In other words, it was the best animal, the first animal in your flock. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:44.580 And so to be a living sacrifice is, to cut it all short, really, in summary, 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:48.820 is to be fully at God's disposal. 00:03:50.200 --> 00:03:51.820 And it's a living sacrifice. 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:53.900 Not a dead sacrifice. 00:03:54.100 --> 00:04:00.720 Living, which means it's a constantly being at God's disposal fully. 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:06.780 It means to obey God in anything that he calls us to in any area of life 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:11.220 and to thank him for anything that he sends in any area of life. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:13.820 Constantly, fully at God's disposal. 00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:17.599 Jesus says exactly the same thing in Luke chapter 9, 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:18.459 where he says, 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:41.459 A life fully at God's disposal is what verse 1 calls our true and proper worship. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:50.859 The original language here, the word is logical worship. 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:53.219 This is your logical. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:59.500 A life fully given over, a living sacrifice is your logical worship. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:08.300 That is, it's a rational, logical response to Romans 1 to 11. 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:14.560 And all that God has done for us in Jesus, his mercy towards us. 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:24.480 And in fact, the word is saying that anything less than total, complete sacrifice of the self to God 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:34.000 is an illogical, an irrational response to what Paul has just written in Romans 1 to 11. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:45.319 To give ourselves partly, to give ourselves half-heartedly, is not only morally offensive, 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:52.699 but also a failure to not think clearly or to understand God's mercy. 00:05:52.699 --> 00:06:01.959 And that's why the second central feature of life in Christ is a call to think clearly. 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:03.240 Verse 2, 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:17.420 Life in Christ means having our minds inflamed with the truth of Christ, 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:25.639 so it fires the imagination, shapes the heart, and controls our living. 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:35.139 And this happens through the spirit of God working through the word of God in such a way 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:43.139 that we see God's mercy to us in Jesus Christ more and more and more and more and more. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:52.639 And we will see it as we offer ourselves to God more and more and more and more and more. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:07:03.539 Knowledge of God's mercy and experience of God's mercy go together. 00:07:05.039 --> 00:07:14.279 We don't experience God's sacrifice for us without sacrificing ourselves to him. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:21.339 When we contemplate God more and more in his word, 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:24.819 we start to also get a right view of ourselves. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:28.579 Verse 3 says we ought not to think too highly of ourselves. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:32.959 Rather than our self-overinflated view of ourselves, 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:38.000 God's mercy leads to us to think of ourselves with sober judgment, 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:43.039 which the word sober there means to have an accurate view of self. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:50.780 That is, the person in Christ ought not to have too high of yourself 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:55.480 because the gospel tells us that we are saved by grace and grace alone. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:56.840 We contribute nothing to it. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.060 That's what we've been unpacking in these last number of weeks, 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:01.840 entirely the work of Christ. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:09.639 Nor should we have too low of ourselves because Christ was willing to save us 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:13.339 and embrace us and love us and affirm us and approve of us. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:20.219 And this gospel transformation is essential 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:30.099 because too high a view of self means we don't think we need anyone else serving us. 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:34.560 We don't think we've got gaps. 00:08:37.060 --> 00:08:44.680 Too low a view of ourselves means that we don't think we've got anything to offer anyone else. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:47.920 And so we won't serve others. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:55.959 And all of this matters because a life lived in Christ and for Christ 00:08:55.959 --> 00:08:59.759 is a life lived together in Christ and for Christ. 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:07.019 When God draws people to himself in Christ, 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:12.480 he is drawing his people to each other in Christ. 00:09:13.719 --> 00:09:17.240 When he saves, he gathers. 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:24.079 And we cannot come to Christ without coming to his people. 00:09:25.839 --> 00:09:28.019 We don't get him without him. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:34.679 Life in Christ is life together in Christ. 00:09:36.099 --> 00:09:39.360 And that's challenging for us. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:44.839 Particularly for those of us with a Western mindset, 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.319 but not just the Western mindset. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:51.700 You see, one of the main features of Western culture is individualism. 00:09:52.640 --> 00:09:55.180 The modern form of individualism, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:59.040 it started back in the 17th century 00:09:59.040 --> 00:10:04.320 with the French philosopher René Descartes. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.320 What he attempted to do was... 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:08.320 What he attempted to do was... 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:15.420 He attempted to defend the existence of God. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:21.100 And he started his defence of the existence of God 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:23.640 with these words in summary form. 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:27.020 I think, therefore I am. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:29.059 That's Descartes. 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:31.159 I think, therefore I am. 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:38.100 And that statement there 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:42.559 kicked off a trend in Western civilisation 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:49.059 that starts all the answers to life's big questions with... 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:49.240 I. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:49.320 I. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:51.799 I. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.820 Everything is defined in relation to me. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.080 That makes me the basic unity of... 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:05.159 unit of reality. 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:06.299 It begins with me. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.960 And we approach Christianity in the same way. 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:17.340 Christianity is so much more 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:20.700 than just a personal relationship with God. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:23.800 Where he loves you 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:25.600 and he has a wonderful plan for your life. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:31.160 Christianity is so much more than that. 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:37.159 And if it was just simply... 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.959 God loves you 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:42.159 and has a wonderful plan for your life... 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:44.159 It would just be okay... 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.159 Just to open your laptop... 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:51.279 Sit in bed on a Sunday morning 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.639 and watch a live stream. 00:11:54.319 --> 00:11:56.019 It'd be okay just to do that. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.000 If that's all it was. 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:05.139 This is a major problem for us, this concept. 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:08.159 Because in the 2021 census... 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:14.459 43.9% of Australians identified themselves as Christian. 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:17.159 43.9%. 00:12:17.839 --> 00:12:24.159 And yet, only 4.5% of those identified as Christian... 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:26.819 also identified that they went to church. 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:34.280 There's a major, major problem with those statistics. 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:38.440 Because you cannot be Christian and not have his church. 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:44.640 Being in Christ means we come to know God as our Father. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:48.940 Which also means coming to know his people as our brothers and sisters. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.940 And so the very first implication... 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:55.940 that Paul lays out here in living life... 00:12:57.400 --> 00:12:58.280 in Christ... 00:12:58.280 --> 00:12:58.900 is... 00:12:58.900 --> 00:12:59.940 he says... 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:01.700 brothers and sisters. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:04.100 Brothers and sisters. 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:06.940 Being in Christ means... 00:13:07.760 --> 00:13:10.000 being part of others who are also in him. 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:12.200 Notice how strong the language of our togetherness is. 00:13:12.260 --> 00:13:12.960 Verses 4 and 5. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:17.340 For just as each of us has one body with many members... 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:19.860 and these members do not have all the same function... 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.900 so in Christ we, though many, form one body... 00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:25.019 and each member belongs to all the others. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.259 Christ... 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.960 God has ordered the church... 00:13:28.740 --> 00:13:31.780 in the same way that he's ordered the human body. 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.960 To be interdependent... 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.340 and so that we belong to each other... 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.900 and we need each other. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:43.100 Church is not a group... 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.840 of people that we attend... 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.259 but a body that we belong to. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:49.000 It's impossible... 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.299 to be in Christ... 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.840 and not belong... 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.679 to his people. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.779 A Christian has a connection with... 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.340 and a responsibility to... 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.000 other Christians. 00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:03.720 You cannot claim... 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.840 Christ... 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.720 and avoid his people. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:11.160 And this was the insight... 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.720 that was burned... 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:15.720 into the heart of the Apostle Paul... 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:19.680 at his very first encounter with Jesus. 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:26.440 When Jesus appeared to Paul... 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:28.720 on the Damascus Road in Acts 9... 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:29.720 Paul... 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:32.420 was on his way... 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.840 a deeply religious man... 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.720 was on his way to systematically... 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.720 destroy the church... 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:39.779 and to stamp out Christianity. 00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.720 And Jesus... 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.720 confronts him... 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.720 and his words to Paul... 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:46.720 were stunning... 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.360 and life-changing. 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.720 He says to Paul... 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.639 why do you persecute me? 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.720 I am Jesus... 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.920 whom you are persecuting. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.220 See the connection? 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.440 See the connection? 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:07.440 in persecuting the church... 00:15:08.260 --> 00:15:10.220 Paul is persecuting Jesus. 00:15:11.300 --> 00:15:12.440 That's how tight... 00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.620 his relationship is... 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.360 with his people. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.440 What you do to Jesus... 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:19.940 sorry... 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.920 what you do to the church... 00:15:20.920 --> 00:15:21.600 you do to Jesus. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:25.680 And the implication is huge... 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:27.180 when you think about the church. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:28.440 If we fail to serve... 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.440 the body of Christ... 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.640 we fail to serve Christ. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:34.000 if we treat them... 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.639 how we treat them... 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:34.639 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.639 how we treat them... 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.519 neglecting the church... 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.639 is neglecting Jesus. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.879 Hardening our heart... 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.639 to Christ's people... 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.720 is hardening our hearts... 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.419 to Christ. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.639 God has designed... 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.819 his saved people... 00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:54.639 to function... 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.819 and grow together... 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.580 in Christ. 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.639 When God saves a person... 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.639 he also gifts them... 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.639 with abilities... 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.639 to serve Christ... 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.759 in his church... 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.059 for our transformation. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.480 Everything that God... 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.639 desires of us... 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:11.039 gets done together. 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.000 Verses 6 to 8... 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.639 if your gift is prophesying... 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:16.639 then prophesy... 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.439 in accordance with your faith. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.299 If it is serving... 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:19.699 then serve. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.919 If it is teaching... 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.360 then teach. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.639 If it is encourage... 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.439 then give encouragement. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.460 If it is giving... 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.299 then give generously. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.779 If it is to lead... 00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.500 do it diligently. 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.059 if it is to show mercy... 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:30.100 do it cheerfully. 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.500 Now... 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:34.240 notice something... 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.379 really significant here. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.659 The list here... 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.440 and there is a... 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:40.620 there's several lists... 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.100 in the New Testament. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.799 The list here... 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.080 alternates between... 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:45.500 two categories... 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.399 of gifts. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.500 Items 1, 3 and 4... 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.399 are prophesied... 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.480 teaching and exhorting... 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.620 are gifts of speech. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.659 Items 2, 5 and 6... 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:58.659 serving, giving, leading... 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.559 and showing mercy... 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.600 are gifts of... 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.659 leading people... 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.879 of meeting needs. 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:06.659 And it alternates... 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.659 between those two gifts... 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:09.659 two categories... 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:13.019 and it is therefore... 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.659 implying... 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.579 that there's no thought... 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:15.659 of superiority... 00:17:15.659 --> 00:17:17.700 over others. 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.659 They're all needed... 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.319 together. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.419 together. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.000 However much... 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.599 these gifts might... 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:30.759 differ in terms of activity... 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.799 or profile... 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.319 within the church... 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:35.319 all the gifts... 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:36.319 are of equal... 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.319 dignity... 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.319 and of importance. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.319 And the... 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.319 really the only question... 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.319 is whether we... 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:49.319 properly use the gift... 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.879 that we've received. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.099 You see... 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:53.859 notice that Paul... 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.639 doesn't just... 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.679 make a list of... 00:17:55.679 --> 00:17:56.279 gifts. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:58.379 He goes all Nike on us. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.299 Just do it. 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.879 You see it again there? 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.359 Again... 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:03.039 just do it. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:03.659 If it's... 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.619 you've got the gift of leading... 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.039 lead! 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.559 Do it! 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.720 Do it! 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.240 Do it! 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:08.819 Do it! 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:08.819 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.319 Every single Christian... 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:15.139 by virtue of coming... 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:15.779 to Christ... 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.619 has been gifted... 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:18.319 to serve God's people... 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:20.319 from the moment... 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.700 that you are in Christ. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.960 And so... 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.179 all of us need to be considering... 00:18:28.179 --> 00:18:28.819 how we serve. 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.319 And the attitude here... 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.019 is an attitude... 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.319 to gather to serve... 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.319 not to be served... 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:39.319 just as Jesus himself... 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:41.779 united himself to us... 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.399 to serve... 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.439 and not to be served. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.099 Mark 10.45. 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:47.099 Now... 00:18:48.459 --> 00:18:48.899 suppose... 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:50.099 this is a church... 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.099 where... 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.099 00:18:52.179 --> 00:18:53.099 you can be... 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:54.099 confident... 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.359 of receiving... 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.099 gospel ministry... 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.099 um... 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.099 but our desire... 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.579 as a church... 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:03.240 is also to be a church... 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.099 where every... 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:06.099 every Christian learns... 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.099 how to... 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.099 00:19:10.219 --> 00:19:11.099 ministry... 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:14.099 to work together... 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.099 to be a church... 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.480 to build each other up... 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:19.039 for the glory of God... 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.379 and for the good of our neighbourhood. 00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:23.679 And the rest of this chapter... 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.099 tells us... 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:26.099 that the gifts of Christ... 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.099 must... 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:29.099 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.099 also be accompanied... 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:32.199 with the character of Christ. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:34.399 In the other two places... 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.019 in the New Testament... 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.719 Ephesians 4... 00:19:35.719 --> 00:19:37.099 and 1 Corinthians 12... 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:40.099 Paul says... 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.319 exactly the same thing... 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:42.099 as he does here... 00:19:43.219 --> 00:19:44.439 in Ephesians 4... 00:19:44.439 --> 00:19:45.359 list of gifts... 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:47.099 God gives the church... 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.099 Paul starts... 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.299 the chapter... 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.439 Ephesians 4... 00:19:50.439 --> 00:19:51.099 with urging them... 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.039 to do as he does here... 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.099 at the beginning of Romans 12... 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:56.099 and to live lives... 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:56.099 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.839 because of what... 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.859 they've received in Jesus. 00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:02.099 He mentions... 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.099 lives of humility... 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.459 and gentleness... 00:20:04.459 --> 00:20:05.099 and patience... 00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:06.099 and bearing one another... 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.000 and he ends... 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:08.059 the section of gifts... 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:09.000 by saying... 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.819 speaking the truth... 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.240 in love... 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.079 we will grow... 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.719 to become... 00:20:11.719 --> 00:20:13.119 in every respect... 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.579 the mature body of him... 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.339 who is the head... 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.899 that is Christ... 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:17.839 from him... 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:19.359 the whole body... 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.519 joined... 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:22.359 and held together... 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:24.779 by every supporting ligament... 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.539 grows... 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.539 and builds itself up... 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.579 in love... 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.619 as each part... 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.399 does its work. 00:20:29.699 --> 00:20:30.939 1 Corinthians 12... 00:20:30.939 --> 00:20:32.259 it's a whole chapter... 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.259 on the diversity... 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.119 and the unity... 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.099 of the church... 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.779 and the spiritual gifts... 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:38.319 that God has given... 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.299 the church... 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.919 in order to build... 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.879 that unity... 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.719 in love... 00:20:43.719 --> 00:20:44.719 and... 00:20:44.719 --> 00:20:45.699 1 Corinthians 12... 00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:47.579 which is an extensive chapter... 00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.779 with all the details... 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.719 about the giftedness... 00:20:49.719 --> 00:20:50.199 and the unity... 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:51.000 of the church... 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:53.079 is followed... 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:53.719 immediately... 00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:55.719 with the most... 00:20:55.719 --> 00:20:56.759 famous passage... 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.480 in the Bible... 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:57.719 on... 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.719 love... 00:20:59.719 --> 00:21:01.719 and he says... 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:03.059 let me show you... 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.720 the most excellent way... 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:07.720 and it makes the point... 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.720 that gifting... 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:11.720 without love... 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.720 does damage... 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.720 it doesn't build up... 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.720 it destroys... 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:19.160 and so the same thing... 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.019 is happening here... 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.319 in verses 9 to 21... 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:23.079 I'm not going to unpack it all... 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.620 what we have here... 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:26.720 is a brief catalogue... 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.720 of... 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.720 20 instructions... 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:33.400 regarding the way... 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.440 God's people... 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.259 should relate... 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.720 to one another... 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.720 and the summary of it all... 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.720 is love... 00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.720 your love... 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:43.720 must be... 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:44.720 sincere... 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.720 that's how it starts... 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.940 and this is what... 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.720 sincere love looks like... 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:53.140 verse 10... 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.720 to be devoted... 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.360 to one another... 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.700 in brotherly love... 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:57.900 love... 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.559 the second half... 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.180 of that verse... 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:00.319 love puts others first... 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.680 and we are to honour... 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.340 one another... 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.980 above ourselves... 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.900 to honour someone... 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.580 is to treat them... 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.200 as valuable... 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.519 they are... 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.200 they are value... 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.900 because they're made... 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.960 in the image of God... 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.920 because they have the spirit... 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.720 of God dwelling in them... 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.500 and each person... 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.019 is precious as important... 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.700 in the body... 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:19.019 the essence of love... 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.480 is not to concentrate... 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.640 on your own image... 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.680 your own position... 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:23.539 your own needs... 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.200 your own gifts... 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.700 your own rights... 00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:26.700 love is doing... 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.980 whatever it takes... 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.140 to give people... 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:29.700 whatever they need... 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:32.700 it is a living sacrifice... 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.600 of emotion... 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:34.700 of action... 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:35.700 and of rights... 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:40.700 and crucially... 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.700 in John 13... 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:43.700 35... 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:45.700 Jesus says... 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:47.420 that love for one another... 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.700 is the defining mark... 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.700 of being his disciple... 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:55.700 another reason... 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.700 another reason... 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.080 why... 00:22:57.080 --> 00:22:57.700 you can't have... 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:58.799 Christ... 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.700 without his people... 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.700 don't... 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.380 tell me... 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:05.700 you love Christ... 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:07.200 if you do not love... 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.700 his people... 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:11.700 you don't have Christ... 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:13.880 and you need to know... 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.700 the love of Christ... 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:19.700 a very significant part... 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.700 of the church's impact... 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.700 on the world... 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.700 will be the quality... 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.700 of the relationship... 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.700 between its members... 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.559 a quality of relationship... 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.500 is found nowhere else... 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.700 in the world... 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:32.840 a church loving each other... 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.740 that displays... 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.700 the beauty of Jesus... 00:23:36.100 --> 00:23:37.019 see the church... 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.080 functioning like this... 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:38.400 together... 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:40.080 with all its diversity... 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:41.700 but building each other... 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.700 up in love... 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:45.700 makes the gospel visible... 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:47.700 to our world... 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:53.700 so how do we... 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:55.700 how do we do that... 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.700 where do we get the power... 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.700 in order... 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.700 that we might... 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.700 live this life... 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.580 because it's massive... 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:06.700 what's being said here... 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.700 what's saying here is... 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.700 that... 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:10.700 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.700 according... 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:13.700 according to Romans 12... 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.700 based on what... 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.700 he has just outlined... 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:20.700 in Romans 1 to 11... 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:23.700 being part of the church... 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.700 is more important... 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.700 than anything else... 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:34.700 let me just let that... 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:34.700 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.700 for a little bit... 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:42.700 there might be reasons... 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.700 why you're not here... 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.700 on a Sunday... 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.700 such as you're giving birth... 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.700 or... 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:52.700 your spouse is giving birth... 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.700 or... 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.700 the atheist Richard Dawkins... 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.700 has just called you... 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.700 and said... 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.700 I need you to come... 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.700 and pray with me... 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.700 and my plane leaves... 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.700 in 20 minutes... 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.700 maybe that might be... 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.700 a reason why... 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:11.700 but there are... 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.700 very few things... 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.700 that ought to ever... 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.700 get in the way of it... 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:19.700 where do we get the power... 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.700 to have our... 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.700 minds renewed... 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.700 so that we see... 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.700 the church... 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.700 as Christ sees the church... 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:33.700 we've already seen it... 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.700 it's right there... 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.700 in view of God's mercy... 00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.700 you see... 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.700 God's mercy to us... 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:44.700 is that in Jesus Christ... 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.700 a Christian is fully accepted... 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.700 and loved as dearly... 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.700 as he loves us... 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.700 sorry... 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.700 he loves Jesus... 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.700 God's mercy to us... 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.700 is more than just... 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:58.700 our sins... 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.700 it's actually been brought... 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.700 into the dynamic... 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:02.700 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.700 of God... 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:05.700 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:06.700 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.700 and Holy Spirit... 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.700 his mercy... 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.700 is to bring us... 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.700 back to him... 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.700 and so now... 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.700 in Jesus... 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.700 everything that belongs... 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.700 to Jesus... 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.700 belongs... 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.700 to the Christian... 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.700 and to the degree... 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.700 that we look to... 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.700 and embrace... 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.700 God's mercy to us... 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.700 in the gospel... 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.700 of Jesus Christ... 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.700 is to the degree... 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.700 that we will offer... 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.700 ourselves... 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.700 up to God... 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.700 and to each other... 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:38.700 we need to look... 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.700 to the one... 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.700 who... 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.700 who surrendered... 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.700 himself... 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.700 utterly... 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.700 for us... 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:49.700 we need to see... 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:53.700 we need to see... 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.700 Jesus Christ... 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.700 as Philippians 2... 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.700 tells us... 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.700 in very nature... 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.700 God... 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.700 but did not use it... 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.700 for his own advantage... 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.700 for all of eternity... 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.700 he existed in perfect... 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.700 joy... 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.700 and service... 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.700 and love... 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.700 with the... 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.700 with the Father... 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.700 and the Spirit... 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.700 a dynamic... 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.700 constantly... 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.700 pouring each other... 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.700 into the life... 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.700 constantly... 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.700 for all of eternity... 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:18.700 and then... 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.700 he left it... 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.700 he left it... 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.700 and entered... 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.700 his creation... 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.700 as a man... 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:27.700 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:29.700 its limitations... 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.700 he went from... 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.700 perfect relationship... 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.700 to being despised... 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.700 and he put himself... 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.700 in that moment... 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.700 at the Father's disposal... 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:40.700 he obediently... 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.700 and willingly... 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.700 made himself... 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.700 nothing... 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.700 he became... 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.700 a servant... 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.700 he gave himself... 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.700 wholly to us... 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.700 and for us... 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.700 he died... 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.700 as a sacrifice... 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.700 for sin... 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.700 once... 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.700 and for all... 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.700 so that we... 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.700 might become... 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.700 living sacrifices... 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.700 his body... 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.700 was destroyed... 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.700 on the cross... 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.700 under the horror... 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.700 of God's anger... 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:09.700 so that we... 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.700 could offer... 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.700 our bodies... 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.700 to bring pleasure... 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.700 to God... 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.700 he was rejected... 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.700 as his Father... 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.700 turned away... 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.700 from him... 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.700 on the cross... 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.700 so that we... 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.700 could come to God... 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.700 and be embraced... 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.700 welcomed... 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:23.700 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.700 into the dynamic... 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.700 relationship... 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.700 of love... 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.700 and joy... 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.700 that he'd always known... 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.700 with the Father... 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.700 and the Spirit... 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.700 the only way... 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.700 to sustain... 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.700 a life of service... 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.700 of God... 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.700 and others... 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.700 is to consistently... 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:41.700 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.700 our heart... 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:45.700 kindle... 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.700 our heart... 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.700 with God's mercy... 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.700 to consistently... 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.700 be gazing... 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.700 at God's mercy... 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.700 to us... 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.700 in Jesus... 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.700 and to know... 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.700 that in Jesus... 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.700 God... 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.700 is pleased... 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.700 with me... 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.700 kindle... 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:04.700 your heart... 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.700 with... 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.700 the knowledge... 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.700 that he loves you... 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:09.700 that he approves... 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.700 of you... 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.700 and when we... 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.700 kindle that heart... 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:14.700 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.700 start to see... 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.700 that that's something... 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:18.700 that's not happening... 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.700 by myself... 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:22.700 that my church... 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.700 is vital for me... 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.700 to have my heart... 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.700 kindled in that way... 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:28.700 I cannot have my heart... 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.700 kindled with... 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.700 for Christ... 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.700 without Christ's people... 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.700 your church... 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.700 needs you... 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.700 to kindle... 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.700 their hearts... 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.700 as well... 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.700 you can't have Christ... 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.700 without his church... 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.700 you cannot serve Christ... 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.700 without serving his church... 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.700 you cannot love Christ... 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.700 without loving his people... 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:55.700 many years ago... 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.700 in ministry... 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.700 I've been in ministry... 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.700 for over three decades... 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.700 and a consistent thing... 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.700 that I used to hear... 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.700 amongst pastors... 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:06.700 and something that I used to say... 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.700 on a regular basis... 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.700 myself... 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.700 unfortunately... 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.700 was... 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.700 church would be great... 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:13.700 if it wasn't for the people... 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.700 you know... 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.700 ministry would be fantastic... 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.700 if it wasn't for the people... 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.700 I've... 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.700 I've actually... 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.700 shifted my thinking... 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.700 over the last... 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.700 three to four years... 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.700 or so... 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.700 and... 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.700 I got to say it... 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.700 in front of a bunch of ministers... 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.700 the other day... 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:31.700 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.700 they asked me... 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.700 how church is... 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.700 and I said... 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.700 church would be great... 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.700 if it wasn't for me... 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.700 great if it wasn't for me... 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.700 that what I find is... 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.700 my struggle... 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.700 with church... 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.700 is my heart... 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.700 that wants independence... 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:52.700 it's my heart... 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:54.700 that wants to be served... 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.700 and so... 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.700 in closing... 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.700 I just want to say... 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.700 in leading this church... 00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:04.700 for 17 years now... 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:08.700 if I was to leave right now... 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:13.700 my overwhelming sense... 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.700 would be... 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.700 I'm not by the way... 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.700 my overwhelming sense... 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.700 would be... 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.700 thank you... 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.700 thank you... 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:22.700 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:23.700 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.700 because... 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.700 I would not be... 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.700 who I am in Christ... 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.700 without you... 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.700 I need you... 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.700 as much as you need me... 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.700 thank you...