WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.780 Well, folks, let me encourage you to grab a Bible if you have one, 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:09.220 or maybe there's one round about you, and turn to the letter of 1 Timothy 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:11.240 as we finish it this morning as a church. 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:15.080 It's on page 1194 of your pew Bibles. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:18.280 So if you want to grab one of them, that would be fantastic. 00:00:20.500 --> 00:00:23.900 But why don't we just pray as we come to God's words today. 00:00:23.899 --> 00:00:32.239 Heavenly Father, it's our prayer that you would open our eyes 00:00:32.239 --> 00:00:38.200 to behold wondrous things in your law, in your word. 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:41.739 Father, what we see not, would you help us see? 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:48.079 What we have not, you would give us, and what we are not, you would make us. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:53.019 Father, we pray for your Holy Spirit's help now in Jesus' wonderful name. 00:00:53.860 --> 00:00:54.240 Amen. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:58.800 Well, 1 Timothy chapter 6, in it verse 11. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:00.340 As you're turning there, let me ask you, 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:05.340 what is the biggest date that's coming up on the horizon of your life? 00:01:05.460 --> 00:01:06.180 Have a think about it. 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:10.500 What's the biggest date that's coming up on the horizon of your life? 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:14.719 Remember one of our girls, when she was coming up for her second birthday, 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:17.640 every day the week before, she'd ask me, 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:20.500 Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, is it my birthday today? 00:01:20.600 --> 00:01:22.140 How many more days to my birthday? 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:24.500 And I would say, it's five days, sweetheart. 00:01:25.339 --> 00:01:29.019 The next day, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, how many more days to my birthday? 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:31.560 Four days, sweetheart. 00:01:31.679 --> 00:01:34.500 Next day, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, how many more days to my birthday? 00:01:34.679 --> 00:01:35.959 Three days to your birthday. 00:01:36.179 --> 00:01:38.899 And by the time we'd reached two days, it was fever pitch in our house. 00:01:38.900 --> 00:01:43.800 We could hear on the monitor her singing happy birthday to herself through the monitor. 00:01:44.600 --> 00:01:46.560 And after a while, we heard a pfft noise. 00:01:47.260 --> 00:01:48.480 Freaked us out for a little bit. 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:52.500 Before a bit of investigation work, we realized she was practicing blowing out her candles. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:54.599 But we all do it, don't we? 00:01:54.680 --> 00:02:02.400 We orientate our lives around the biggest dates that are on the horizon of our lives, right? 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:04.140 Moving house, big day. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:05.299 Big day. 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:08.060 Starting a new term at school or uni. 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:09.159 Big day. 00:02:10.139 --> 00:02:11.199 Beginning a new job. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:12.599 Big day. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:14.560 The day that you retire. 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:16.520 Big day. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:17.900 The day that you get married. 00:02:18.099 --> 00:02:19.680 If you get married, big day. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:24.740 Those days that are in our minds and we think about them for ages a long way off. 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:26.599 We cannot stop thinking about them. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:31.800 And they naturally shape how we live our lives in the present. 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:36.319 And here's the thing that I think God would say to each one of us here today. 00:02:36.420 --> 00:02:41.879 Whether you would call yourself a Christian, whether you would say you don't believe in this Jesus. 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:47.780 Whoever you are here today, here is the challenge that this passage makes to each and every one of us. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:53.560 Is that there's one day that's coming for all of us. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:59.980 One day that should be the biggest day on every single one of our radars. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:05.659 And the greatest day which all the other days in our lives fall behind. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:07.560 So we're going to read this passage now. 00:03:07.659 --> 00:03:14.159 And I want you to think about, I want you to see if you can spot the day that Paul, who's writing this letter, 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.539 is telling Timothy to think about. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:18.699 So we're in at verse 11. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:21.620 We're just going to finish the letter this morning. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:27.379 And what a passage for Joe on his baptism day. 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:28.780 That's why we picked it. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.400 I thought it would be really great to think about. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:31.400 So Paul writes this, 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:43.080 But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:45.960 Fight the good fight of the faith. 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:55.439 Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:04:05.000 In the sight of God who gives life to everything and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:14.819 I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.259 which God will bring about in his own time. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:23.240 God, the blessed and only ruler, the King of kings and the Lord and Lord of lords, 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:27.579 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, 00:04:27.960 --> 00:04:30.079 whom no one has ever seen or can see, 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.340 to him be honour and might forever. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:34.600 Amen. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.939 Command those who are rich in this present world, 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:41.139 not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.480 which is so uncertain, 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:44.980 but to put their hope in God, 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:49.600 who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:51.439 Command them to do good, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:54.680 to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share. 00:04:55.260 --> 00:04:55.920 In this way, 00:04:56.020 --> 00:05:01.400 they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:06.100 so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 00:05:06.200 --> 00:05:06.600 Timothy, 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:09.580 guard what has been entrusted to your care. 00:05:09.900 --> 00:05:14.939 Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:19.819 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:23.219 Grace be with you all. 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:24.439 Amen. 00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:27.360 I'm sure God will bless the reading of his word. 00:05:27.459 --> 00:05:28.639 So I wonder if you got the day. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:30.240 Did you get the day? 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:31.860 Now here is, 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:33.159 speak to anybody who's a Christian, 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:36.579 and here is what they will tell you is true, 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:38.639 that they have come to see. 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:39.879 That the Bible, 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:40.860 this is what they've come to see. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:44.439 The Bible is a story that makes sense of life. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.360 It's God's word. 00:05:46.459 --> 00:05:47.959 That's what we believe about the Bible. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:50.899 It's the word of the God who created everything. 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:54.040 It's the story that makes sense of life, 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:58.139 because it is the story of the God who is and who gives life. 00:05:59.060 --> 00:05:59.220 You see, 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:05.259 the Bible tells the story of this gloriously good God who created the world. 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:08.399 This God didn't create the world out of something. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:11.220 This God created the world out of nothing. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.900 The entire cosmos, 00:06:13.200 --> 00:06:16.960 the work of his loving and his powerful word. 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:19.360 And as the pinnacle of creation, 00:06:19.760 --> 00:06:21.540 God made human beings. 00:06:22.200 --> 00:06:23.780 Every single human being, 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:24.480 men and women, 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:25.900 made in his image. 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:27.240 And why did he make them? 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:31.380 He made them to live in relationship with him 00:06:31.380 --> 00:06:32.720 as creature, 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:35.840 loves and enjoys and worships the creator. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:37.139 It's the reason, 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:38.419 whoever you are here today, 00:06:38.599 --> 00:06:41.339 it's the reason that God created you. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:43.979 It's the reason that you exist. 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:46.579 You have been bestowed with honor and glory, 00:06:46.619 --> 00:06:48.979 because you are made in his image. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:50.739 No matter how you are feeling here today, 00:06:50.859 --> 00:06:51.620 that is true, 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:52.439 the Bible says. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:55.539 And God gives Adam and Eve right there, 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:56.539 the task of, 00:06:56.539 --> 00:07:00.079 of stewarding and cultivating and filling. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.519 The world which God had made all for his glory. 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.300 As the Bible story goes on, 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:08.680 Eve makes the decision to eat the apple, 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:11.180 the fruit that God told Adam and Eve not to eat, 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:13.939 to show their love for him. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:15.839 And sin enters the world. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.519 All of a sudden in the Bible story, 00:07:18.979 --> 00:07:21.000 you come across words like death, 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:23.159 and strife, 00:07:23.419 --> 00:07:24.159 and anger, 00:07:24.419 --> 00:07:25.180 and murder. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:28.039 Words that weren't there in the opening two chapters 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:28.860 of the Bible, 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:31.540 because they weren't in the human heart. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:34.980 And whether it's BC or whether it's AD, 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:36.420 we know that these words, 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:39.700 sin and its ripple effects in each of our lives, 00:07:39.760 --> 00:07:40.300 in our world, 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:42.360 these words describe our world, 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:42.920 don't they? 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:47.000 Because each of us have followed Adam and Eve's lead 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.500 in rebelling against our creator. 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:51.060 It's the essence of sin. 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:52.120 Remember, 00:07:52.680 --> 00:07:53.560 growing up, 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:55.520 this is how they taught us how to remember it. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.400 Our Sunday school teachers, 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:58.159 sorry God, 00:07:58.259 --> 00:07:59.019 I'm in charge, 00:07:59.159 --> 00:08:00.039 no to your rules. 00:08:00.239 --> 00:08:00.919 It's the heart of it, 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:01.199 isn't it? 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:02.659 It's this rebellion that we have, 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:03.739 that we don't want God, 00:08:04.179 --> 00:08:07.259 we want to be on the throne of our lives. 00:08:08.539 --> 00:08:09.159 But right there, 00:08:09.239 --> 00:08:10.839 as sin enters the Bible story, 00:08:11.159 --> 00:08:12.599 God makes a promise 00:08:12.599 --> 00:08:14.579 that he is going to act 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:18.759 to save us from sin's eternal consequences, 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:20.500 culminating in Jesus. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:22.419 Emmanuel, 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:24.919 that name that just means God with us, 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:27.340 his first appearing at Christmas time. 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:28.540 We're going to start thinking about it. 00:08:28.580 --> 00:08:28.720 In fact, 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:29.840 today's the first day of Advent, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.379 isn't it? 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:31.980 Jesus came, 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:33.920 Jesus lived, 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:37.279 Jesus loved perfectly, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:40.320 Jesus died on the cross. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:44.360 He took the punishment that we deserve on himself, 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:48.740 the eternal separation and punishment from God 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:50.820 that we all deserve by very nature, 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:53.040 and that hangs over us, 00:08:53.520 --> 00:08:54.660 out with Jesus. 00:08:56.400 --> 00:08:57.920 Jesus makes it his own, 00:08:58.900 --> 00:09:00.600 meaning that all those who put their faith in him 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.680 can know forgiveness 00:09:02.680 --> 00:09:07.240 and the joy of being right with our creator. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:09.700 And on the third day, 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:11.379 Jesus rises from the dead. 00:09:13.020 --> 00:09:14.340 Jesus ascends to heaven. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.940 That's where he is right now. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:17.740 What is he doing? 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.020 He's not twiddling his thumbs, 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:20.519 if I can put it like that reverently. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.240 What is he doing? 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:23.019 He is praying for his people. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:26.379 No matter how you're doing today, 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.299 if your faith is in him, 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.000 he is right there in the place of all power, 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:31.439 interceding for you, 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:32.860 pleading your name, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:36.379 right there before God the Father. 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:39.480 And the Holy Spirit descends, 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:41.919 takes up residence in the hearts of believers, 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.720 and ushers in this age of mission 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.439 in which we are now living, 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:47.019 the age in which we are commanded 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:49.079 commanded by the power of the Spirit 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:51.159 to take the message of the risen Jesus, 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:51.779 who he is, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.480 what he's done, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:53.460 and what is coming, 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:56.199 take that message to the ends of the earth 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:57.539 so that every human being 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:59.819 would have the opportunity 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:01.679 to respond to who Jesus is 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.679 and have life in his name. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:06.019 And so the last thing to happen in the story 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:08.600 is that Jesus will return. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.600 And he will settle everyone's destinies 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:13.659 according to how they have responded to him. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:16.279 Right at the end of the Bible story, 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:18.519 he will destroy death. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.740 He will wipe away tears. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:23.419 He will usher in this new creation 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:25.240 where he rules as king 00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:28.100 in God's kingdom of light. 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:30.039 And everything we've seen 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.279 in our news screens this week, 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.679 and we're going to be praying for this tonight, 00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:34.039 particularly thinking about those 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:38.159 who are trying to make dangerous crossings 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:38.620 at the minute, 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:39.720 those who are in our world 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:41.639 who are suffering incredibly, 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:44.559 this Jesus will usher in a kingdom 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.819 where sin and death are no more. 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:49.879 A place where, as Sam said to Frodo, 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.819 a place where everything sad 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:53.659 will come untrue. 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:56.580 And that's the biggest day. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.659 Did you get it in the reading? 00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:58.819 That's the biggest day 00:10:58.819 --> 00:11:01.000 that God is telling us 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:02.460 that every single one of us 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:04.500 should be orientating our lives around. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:06.940 And it's the day that Paul, 00:11:07.080 --> 00:11:08.279 in this passage today, 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:10.559 is telling Timothy, 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:13.759 this young church leader in Ephesus, 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:17.519 he's telling him to live in light of. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.440 What he calls verse 14, 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:22.840 the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.399 You know, I don't know, 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.639 this is what I was thinking about this week. 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.200 What is Paul trying to do? 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.559 Something I learned this week, 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.919 I don't know if you've ever seen a horse race. 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:34.879 Last time you saw a horse race. 00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.479 But if you have, 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:39.000 you'll know what is common for jockeys to do 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:41.759 is to put blinkers on the sides 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:42.839 of the eyes of the horse. 00:11:42.979 --> 00:11:43.879 Never knew this was a thing 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.079 until I looked it up this week. 00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:47.439 Blinkers, and they're called blinkers, 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:49.719 blinkers on the side of the horse's eyes. 00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:51.620 What's the thinking behind it? 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:52.620 The thinking behind it 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:54.579 is they want to cut out everything 00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:55.979 that's going to distract the horse. 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:59.199 And focus it solely on what's ahead. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:02.720 And I think that's exactly what Paul is doing here 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.620 in this passage. 00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.759 Got to focus on what's ahead. 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:09.740 And here's the challenge for all of us, I think. 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:10.940 The challenge is, 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:16.020 are we living in light of this king's return? 00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:18.240 Are we living our lives 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:22.000 in the knowledge that Jesus one day is coming back? 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:23.840 And so in the time we have remaining, 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.240 this will just be 10 or so minutes, 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.220 I just want this passage, God and his word, 00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:30.779 to ask us two questions about our lives. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.799 And here's the first question. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.519 The question is, 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.700 are we pursuing the right things? 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:38.139 Are we pursuing the right things? 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.779 If you come with me to verse 11, 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:44.580 Timothy is told, man of God, 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.840 you are to flee from all this. 00:12:47.180 --> 00:12:50.620 Now, all this is the envy, 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:52.779 the controversies, 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.360 the malicious talk, 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:56.100 the suspicions between people, 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:56.820 the greediness, 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.679 the discontent, 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:00.759 all the stuff that Paul has listed just before 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.419 at verse four. 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:04.320 This is what's going on, 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.919 the false teachers who are in Ephesus. 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:08.179 This is the byproduct of their lives. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.379 This is what is happening. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:13.000 And Timothy has got to flee from all that. 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.180 Not get caught up in it. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:18.259 He's not to fight fire with fire. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.100 I love that, 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:21.120 that all this stuff's going on in the background. 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:22.120 And Paul doesn't say, 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:22.759 see if you, 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:25.500 how about if there's a smear campaign going on 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.700 in the church and in the city, 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:28.860 how about you start your own little smear campaign 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.939 to see if you can out them? 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.200 He doesn't say that, does he? 00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:34.059 He's not to fight fire with fire. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.879 This is not how the kingdom of God works. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.679 This is not what it is to follow Jesus. 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.240 The answer, 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:41.899 the commission that Timothy has given 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.480 to guard the truth, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.679 to stand for the truth of the gospel, 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.279 to put this church back in order 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.519 so that it is relationally working. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.919 The armor that Timothy has to put on, 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.839 the weapons that he brings to the fight 00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:58.299 are righteousness 00:13:58.299 --> 00:14:00.419 and godliness 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:02.759 and faith 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.419 and love, 00:14:04.859 --> 00:14:05.459 endurance 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:07.339 and gentleness. 00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:09.959 The way of the kingdom of God 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:12.579 is the polar opposite 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:14.319 to the way of the kingdom of the world. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.300 Do you see that? 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:17.900 When was the last time you heard about 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:19.520 someone going in to fight with gentleness? 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.700 But that's exactly how it works 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.540 in the kingdom of God. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.720 This is how grace works. 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:28.940 And as we look at the list of these things, 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:30.120 friends, we need to ask ourselves, 00:14:30.260 --> 00:14:31.300 are we pursuing 00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:33.280 these things? 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.480 Are we growing 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.980 in godliness? 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:39.060 Are we pursuing 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.460 endurance? 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:42.660 Why does Timothy need to be told to endure? 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.819 Because this is going to be tough 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:45.039 and he's got to go the distance. 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.779 Are we growing in these things? 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.639 I had heard somebody recently say 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:52.159 that the things from verse 4, 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.139 the envy and strife, 00:14:53.219 --> 00:14:54.139 the malicious talk, 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.779 they're the things 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.719 that will make the news feeds 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:57.399 on our phones, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:57.819 won't they? 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.360 But we've got to understand 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.779 that gentleness and godliness, 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.559 those are the things 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.480 that are going to pop up, 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.500 if I can put it like this, 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:06.839 on the news feed of heaven. 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:06.920 Listen, 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:10.000 this is the fruit of the spirit. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.420 You don't want to see more of it 00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:12.920 in your life? 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:14.379 I find gentle people 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.519 the most encouraging people 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.139 to be around, 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.840 people who just ooze 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:20.860 Jesus. 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.960 And it raises the question, 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.300 doesn't it, 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:26.200 how do we run after these things? 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.340 How do you run after gentleness? 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.160 How does that work? 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.680 I presume that it works 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:32.220 as you run after these things, 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.519 as you pursue, 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:35.740 as we pursue Jesus. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:39.059 Grow as we spend time 00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:40.879 each day in our Bibles, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.720 as we grow in the knowledge 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.939 of who our God is, 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:47.679 as we care about the truth, 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.360 as we care and love one another, 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:52.240 as we spend time in prayer. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.100 And we must understand 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.840 there's a difference 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.980 between legalism and discipline. 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.340 Legalism, 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.419 just doing these things 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.819 because we want to put on the show, 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.500 we think it's the right thing to do, 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.379 but as of in and of themselves, 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.779 they are the kind of end goal, 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.179 if you like. 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.120 But discipline says, 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.960 I do these things 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:10.080 because I want to get 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:11.179 to know God more 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.639 and who he is. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.740 And that's worth 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:15.139 the best of my attention. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.159 See, there's a difference 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.740 between legalism and discipline. 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:20.240 Timothy is to run after these things. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.480 And so Paul says, 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.960 fight the good fight of the faith, 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:25.340 as in this is going to be hard. 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.460 I love it that you never hear 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:31.259 Jesus talking in the Gospels 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:33.179 as if following him 00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:34.080 is going to be easy. 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:36.980 And I remember recently, 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.360 or was it an email I got? 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:38.919 I can't remember. 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.000 The email just said, 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.860 super fast broadband 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.980 coming to your area. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.039 And I thought, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.039 great, join the party. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.519 Let's go. 00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:48.799 It said on the email, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.120 it said, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.000 join the super fast revolution 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.399 for as little as $15.99 a month. 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.620 And that's a pretty good deal, 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.840 $15.99 a month. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.700 And then you notice 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.480 the little asterisk 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.680 next to the $15.99, 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:00.220 don't you? 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:02.080 And you kind of follow 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.220 the rabbit trail down 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.860 where it goes, 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:04.539 and you follow it down 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:04.980 and it says, 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.140 asterisk, 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:08.360 in addition to the line rental 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:09.600 of $15.99 a month. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:09.860 You think, 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.400 all right, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.519 so it's not actually $15.99 a month. 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.840 What I love about Jesus 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:17.740 is that when he talks 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.059 about what it is to follow him, 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:21.259 there are no asterisks. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:24.519 He never hides the small print. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.480 He talks about the narrow way. 00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:28.480 He talks about denying self. 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:30.299 He talks about taking up cross. 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:32.379 He talks about his disciples 00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:34.420 being sent out like lambs 00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.660 in the midst of wolves. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.599 It's going to be hard 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.579 to follow Jesus. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.079 But in the same way 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:42.859 that Jesus made the good confession 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:45.279 in front of Pontius Pilate, 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:46.759 Timothy, 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.779 this is going to be hard, 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.740 but verse 15, 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.920 you have got to fight 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.779 the same fight of the faith 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.400 because the, 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.380 why did Jesus do that? 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.300 What's the Bible say? 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.120 For the glory that was set before him, 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:59.259 he endured the cross. 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.140 In other words, 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.820 he had the eye on who God is 00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:02.700 and what was ahead of him. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:04.440 Timothy used to do exactly the same. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.900 And that's why, 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.279 Joe, 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.460 this is such a good passage 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.420 for you this morning. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.060 O man of God, 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:12.019 pursue the things 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.180 of the kingdom of heaven. 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.740 You know, 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.920 Timothy is reminded, 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.440 verse 12, 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.480 of his public confession 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.539 of his love for Jesus 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.940 and his desire to follow him 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.500 that he made 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.619 in the sight of many witnesses. 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.720 You read around it, 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.819 it's just very likely 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:26.220 that this would have just been 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.899 his baptism 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:28.159 that Paul's talking about here. 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.519 The public confession 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.559 that Timothy made. 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.659 And it's as if Paul is saying 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.859 that that love for Jesus, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.659 that desire to run hard after him 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:38.259 that was so evident on that day, 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:39.519 that came from your lips, 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.399 that was so clear 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.399 for everyone to see. 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.799 Don't drop the pace 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:43.920 as life goes on. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.659 Don't get distracted 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.839 by all the things 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.740 that come at you. 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.160 Do you know what? 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:50.120 My greatest fear in life 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.339 is that I will just go cold 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.240 in my love for Jesus. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.160 Just get bogged down 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.859 by the cares and worries 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.980 of just get distracted. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.099 And Paul says, 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.140 keep your eye on what's ahead. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.079 Don't drop the pace, 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.980 up the pace. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.019 Don't grow cold. 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.440 Fan into flame 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.880 your love for him 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:07.559 and your desire to serve him. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.720 And take hold 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.960 of the eternal life 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.480 which is ahead of you 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.279 in Christ Jesus. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.420 You know, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.279 I read a stat this week 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:15.279 that we take hold 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.879 of our phone 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:18.819 something like 2,617 times. 00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.680 Have you ever done it? 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.200 Great thing I tried 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.799 to do this week 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.879 was take a little post-it note 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:24.599 and put it on the top 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:25.019 of my phone 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.799 covering the camera 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.980 that just said eternal life. 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.220 Every time I picked up my phone, 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.920 take hold of the eternal life. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.899 Are we taking hold 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.700 of the eternal life? 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.859 That's what's ahead of us. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:34.660 Friends, 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.299 are we pursuing 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.220 the right things? 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:36.940 And really quickly, 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.480 secondly, 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.779 are we investing 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.680 in the right places? 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:42.259 Because many in this church 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:42.759 in Ephesus 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.740 were being dazzled 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.340 by money, 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.560 just being distracted 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.220 by it. 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:48.120 And pay careful attention 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.840 to the text. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.180 It's not having the money 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.080 that's the issue. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.920 It's the hope 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:55.120 that people are putting in it 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.120 that's the issue. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.580 And Paul says so lovingly, 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.600 you've got to love 00:19:58.600 --> 00:19:59.960 the people in your church family 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.460 by helping them see 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:03.539 that it's so uncertain. 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.640 That's the word he uses, 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.100 uncertain. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:07.980 I mean, 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.820 know the truth of that, 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.200 don't we? 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.559 In our lives right now, 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.559 energy companies 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.740 disappearing overnight. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:13.519 Mine just went. 00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:14.980 Just went. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.059 Petrol prices 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.120 going up and down. 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.819 I remember the days 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.600 when it was 80 pence 00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.480 to fill up your car. 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.180 Now it's what, 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.039 142? 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.880 I don't know what it is. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.360 Petrol prices up and down. 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.480 Found myself walking 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.319 along Princes Street 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:26.759 the other day. 00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.420 Couldn't believe 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.319 the number of stores 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.500 which are boarded up. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.100 It's so uncertain. 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.500 And that's what he's saying. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.519 To build your life on money, 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:36.759 to put your hope in it, 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.759 you've got to understand 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.880 it is to build your life 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.100 on a pack of cards. 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.380 But what is God calling 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.420 the Christian to know? 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.860 That to build your life 00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:48.500 on God and who he is, 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:50.460 is a firm foundation 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.420 of your life. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.660 Firm foundation 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.440 of your life. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:56.540 Okay, 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.240 so many people, 00:20:57.300 --> 00:20:58.100 we did this this week, 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:59.900 came to Friday night 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.920 with those storms. 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.780 We had to run out 00:21:01.780 --> 00:21:02.140 to the garden 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:03.300 and pin the trampoline 00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:03.860 to the ground. 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.020 Hold it down, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.860 firm foundation. 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:08.060 And that's what he's saying. 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.600 Is your life 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.220 pinned on something 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.880 that it's going to hold 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:11.380 when the storms 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.120 come against it? 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.680 And he's saying, 00:21:12.800 --> 00:21:14.000 put your hope in God. 00:21:14.300 --> 00:21:15.000 And this God 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.120 richly provides. 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.720 And this God 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.500 provides everything 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.820 for our enjoyment. 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.840 Do you see it? 00:21:21.199 --> 00:21:22.639 I take it that's a direct shot 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.500 at the false teachers 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.000 in Ephesus 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.359 who are claiming otherwise. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.720 No, no, no. 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.240 Paul is saying, 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:29.039 this is no stingy God. 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.759 He didn't create the world 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.559 in black and white. 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:32.679 He created it in color. 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:33.879 He didn't create 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.819 one type of flower 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.819 or food or star. 00:21:35.919 --> 00:21:36.899 He created many 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:38.299 because this is the God. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.500 He is the source 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.399 of all true joy. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.199 And the call is to use 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:45.079 what he has given us 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.859 and invest it, 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.579 verse 19, 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.439 in the coming age. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.039 What does that mean? 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.000 It just means invest it 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.579 in the gospel. 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.700 Invest it in the work 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.200 of Jesus. 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:55.619 And what would our 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.740 bank balances show 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:59.099 as the primary places 00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.980 where we're investing? 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.659 What would our diaries say 00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.259 about the things 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.379 that are most important 00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.980 to us? 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:05.579 Think about it. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.559 Just what do you have? 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.480 What has God entrusted 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:08.940 to you? 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.819 What opportunities 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.779 are in front of you? 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.359 Who can you serve? 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.680 What can you do? 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.379 Do you not long 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:15.839 that Brunswick 00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:16.740 would be a community 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.980 that's described here 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:20.039 that would be rich 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.740 in good deeds? 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.559 That we'd be known 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.720 in our community here 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.460 as a people 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.440 who are generous 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:27.339 and willing to share. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.819 And that generosity 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.519 just comes, 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.920 doesn't it, 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.620 from the heart 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:31.960 of our generous God. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.200 Who he is, 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.880 what he's done 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:35.400 in sending his son 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.360 for us. 00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.779 And so are we investing 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.819 in the right places? 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.779 And just as we come 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.559 into land today, 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:42.839 you know, 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.620 I came across 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:45.519 a discussion thread 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.099 this week 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.319 on Quora.com. 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.319 And the question 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.219 simply said, 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.859 what are the best words 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.699 that you've heard 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:53.319 in life? 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.500 What are the best words 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.039 that you could hope 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.939 to hear in life? 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.839 The answer's from people, 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:59.039 I'm sure you can understand them. 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.379 I'm proud of you. 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:02.039 You're hired. 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.959 I love you. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.419 You can do it. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:08.139 Words full of meaning. 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:10.059 Life is full of wonderful words, 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.480 but I wonder 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.439 what you would answer. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:13.960 In the Bible, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.059 for the Christian, 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.320 Jesus has given us 00:23:18.320 --> 00:23:19.920 much greater words 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.900 to live for. 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.580 Much greater words 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.120 to live for. 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.820 We get them at the end 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:24.759 of Matthew's Gospel. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.539 Jesus is telling this parable 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.519 to his disciples, 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.000 teaching them 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:31.080 how they should live 00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:32.820 in light of his return. 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.200 And he tells this parable 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:36.259 about some servants 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:38.440 and about how their master 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.779 gave them stuff 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.700 to invest 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.960 while he went away 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.899 on business. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.619 And he returns 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.500 and he finds out 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.639 that one servant 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.960 has just squandered 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.960 what his master 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.559 has given him. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.460 He's hid it in a hole. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.160 He hasn't done anything 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.639 with it. 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.399 But the other two 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:55.879 invest it really well. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.000 And when the master returns, 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.619 they're greeted 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.799 with those words, 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.139 well done, 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.039 good and faithful servant. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.759 Come and enter 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.899 your master's joy. 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.000 Who is the master? 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.759 This God, 00:24:09.859 --> 00:24:12.039 the blessed and only ruler 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.440 as he's described here, 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.240 the King of kings, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.259 the Lord of lords, 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.680 the God who is immortal, 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.920 the God who dwells 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.319 in unapproachable light, 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.559 yet the God who in Jesus 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.819 we can approach 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:25.180 confidently 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.680 and know him 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:28.279 as Father. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.539 Jesus says to his disciples, 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.440 those are the words 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.519 I want you to live for. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.019 Well done, 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.980 good and faithful servant. 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.039 the best words 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:40.180 on the biggest day. 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.579 Folks, 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.079 as we close, 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.860 are we living 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.880 our lives 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.799 in light of Jesus' 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.360 return? 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.079 Let's pray, 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.440 shall we? 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:53.019 So Heavenly Father, 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.340 I ask that your spirit 00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:54.940 would be at work 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.700 amongst us now, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.000 Lord. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.559 Father, 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.779 we long to be a people 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:00.660 who live for your glory 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.500 and I pray for those, 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:01.700 Father, 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.380 here today 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:04.380 who perhaps don't know 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.400 your son, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.200 the Lord Jesus. 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.320 Oh Father, 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.580 may today be the day 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.880 when they put their trust 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.880 and their faith 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.559 in him 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:13.000 as their saviour 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.680 and their king. 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.460 Father, 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.000 thank you. 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.000 Help us to be mindful 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.620 of that day 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.859 when Jesus will return. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.239 Father, 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.019 may we live our lives 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.679 in light of 00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:24.159 who he is. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.819 Help us 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:26.319 have those words 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.000 in our minds. 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.379 Well done, 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.519 good and faithful servant. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.339 Father, 00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:33.379 thank you that you love us 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.539 and we pray these things 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.539 in Jesus' 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.419 worthy name. 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:37.479 Amen. 00:25:37.479 --> 00:25:37.579 Amen. 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:37.619 Amen. 00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:37.639 Amen. 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:37.659 Amen. 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:37.679 Amen. 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:37.699 Amen. 00:25:37.699 --> 00:25:37.719 Amen. 00:25:37.719 --> 00:25:39.679 Amen. 00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:39.719 Amen. 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:39.739 Amen. 00:25:39.739 --> 00:25:39.759 Amen. 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:39.799 Amen. 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.679 Amen. 00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:41.719 Amen. 00:25:41.719 --> 00:25:41.759 Amen. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:41.799 Amen. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:43.759 Amen. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:43.799 Amen. 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.799 Amen. 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:45.839 Amen. 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.599 Amen.