WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.599 Now, can you turn with me in your Bibles back to the book of Colossians, Paul's letter to the Colossians, 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:21.519 and we're going to read his prayer, verse 9 to verse 14, as we think together about living to please the Lord. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.900 So Colossians chapter 1 and at verse 9. 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:32.960 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:41.799 We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:47.140 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:52.460 bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:56.660 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, 00:00:56.780 --> 00:00:58.960 so that you may have great endurance and patience, 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:01.960 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, 00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:08.400 who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:12.019 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:16.219 and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:20.939 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:29.140 So if you have your Bible, keep it open there as we continue to think through Colossians chapter 1. 00:01:29.739 --> 00:01:32.280 Let me begin with an observation, 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:33.879 and it's this, 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:39.539 how we think about Jesus shapes how we live for Jesus. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:44.659 I want to begin with a letter I read this week, 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:47.340 written by a chap at the age of 66, 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:50.040 and he wrote this, 00:01:50.320 --> 00:01:52.439 as he spoke about the work of God in his life. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:56.980 Did he not redeem and deliver me from being a slave in Africa? 00:01:57.659 --> 00:02:00.840 Take me up from the dunghill of sin and misery? 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:05.100 Put me among the princes, even his own children? 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:08.140 Tame the fierce tiger in my heart, 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:13.839 and give me a name, a place, and service in his house. 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:16.559 The author of that letter, 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:20.059 the author of many hundreds of wonderful gospel-rich letters, 00:02:20.179 --> 00:02:21.199 was John Newton, 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:24.479 the author of the famous hymn Amazing Grace, 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:25.839 which we'll sing at the end. 00:02:26.299 --> 00:02:28.199 John Newton, the former slave owner, 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:31.399 who actually himself became a slave in Africa 00:02:31.400 --> 00:02:33.240 before being converted, 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:34.319 becoming a pastor, 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:37.000 working to end slavery in the UK. 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:41.400 And what I find so lovely about this letter, 00:02:42.340 --> 00:02:45.680 written by him in those days, 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:46.400 the late 1700s, 00:02:47.040 --> 00:02:48.500 fairly elderly man, 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:52.580 he still had that sense of joy in knowing Jesus. 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:54.480 That song of amazing grace 00:02:54.480 --> 00:02:57.439 was one that he still sung in his heart. 00:02:57.439 --> 00:03:02.079 He was somebody who was joyfully serving Jesus decades later. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:04.579 It's always a wonderful thing to see. 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:06.460 We know in our own church 00:03:06.460 --> 00:03:08.400 the wonderful privilege of seeing 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:10.120 older, mature Christians 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:12.500 who have walked with Jesus for many years 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:14.360 and continue to do so joyfully. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:17.039 In many ways, I think he matches, 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:17.960 John Newton matches, 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:20.919 the sentiments of Paul, the apostle. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:23.060 Paul, who would talk about himself 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:24.439 as the chief of sinners, 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:26.840 described himself as a blasphemer 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:28.659 and a persecutor and a violent man. 00:03:29.700 --> 00:03:31.500 And yet God showed him grace and mercy 00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:33.219 so that he would say, 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:34.360 for me to live is Christ 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:36.699 and to die is gain. 00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:39.740 How we think about Jesus 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:41.680 shapes how we live for Jesus. 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:45.000 And that takes us to Paul's prayer here. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:46.780 Because what we'll see 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:48.080 is that Paul is praying 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:49.780 that the believers here 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:51.300 would know God's will 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:54.500 so that they would do God's will. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:56.560 And God's will is here expressed 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:57.960 as walking worthy of Jesus 00:03:57.960 --> 00:03:59.659 and living to please Jesus 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:03.080 and to do that because of God's saving grace. 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:06.180 So let's see this together. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:07.039 Let's think, first of all, 00:04:07.080 --> 00:04:08.819 about living to please Jesus. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:10.819 Verses 9 to 12, 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:13.800 we focus on Paul's prayer. 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:16.019 But before we do that, 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:17.480 almost as a by-the-by, 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.459 let's just think for a minute 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:21.720 about training in language. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:24.360 So think about parents 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:26.500 perhaps training their children 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:27.500 in a language 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.060 or you're perhaps trying to encourage someone 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:32.260 to learn another language. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:34.300 How does that process happen? 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:37.060 Well, there is a listening in 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.380 and there's attempts at repeating, 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:42.560 copying words and phrases 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:44.740 and then adapting them 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:48.060 for their own use. 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:50.259 And I think that process 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.079 of language learning 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:52.319 is helpful whenever we come 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:53.639 to the prayers 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:54.600 that we find in the Bible 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:56.519 because I guess as Christians, 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:57.220 if we're Christians, 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:59.160 many of us will have found ourselves 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:01.000 thinking, asking, saying, 00:05:01.300 --> 00:05:03.340 I wish I had a better prayer life. 00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:07.319 I wish I had a way 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:08.420 to pray for myself 00:05:08.420 --> 00:05:09.060 and for others 00:05:09.060 --> 00:05:10.319 and the church. 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:12.519 I don't feel particularly good 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.379 at prayer. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:15.819 I'm sure we can probably 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:17.379 all resonate with that 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:19.139 at some point in our lives. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:20.899 Jesus' disciples, of course, 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:22.560 turned to Jesus 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:24.920 recognizing his unique relationship 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:25.980 with the Father 00:05:25.980 --> 00:05:26.439 and they said, 00:05:26.500 --> 00:05:28.000 Lord, teach us to pray. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:30.680 And perhaps it's always been the case 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:31.360 that in the church 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:32.219 there's that desire 00:05:32.219 --> 00:05:33.759 to want to grow in prayer 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:34.800 and for centuries 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.120 what the church has done 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:38.620 is we have learned 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:40.019 from the language of prayer 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:41.180 that we find in the Bible. 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.180 That's why Jesus gave 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:44.500 the Lord's Prayer. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:46.579 Christians down 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:47.379 through the centuries 00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:49.540 have used the Psalms 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:50.840 to form their own 00:05:50.840 --> 00:05:52.000 prayer language. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:52.660 And then we have 00:05:52.660 --> 00:05:54.460 the models of prayer 00:05:54.460 --> 00:05:55.319 that we find in the Bible. 00:05:55.420 --> 00:05:55.939 For example, 00:05:56.259 --> 00:05:57.699 Paul's one here. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:00.340 So even as we're thinking 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:02.399 about what he prays, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.199 perhaps we can also be conscious 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:05.259 of here is a way 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:06.280 that I can learn 00:06:06.280 --> 00:06:06.980 to develop 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:09.540 in my own prayers. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:11.520 One of the things 00:06:11.520 --> 00:06:12.560 that we recognize, 00:06:12.900 --> 00:06:13.700 verse 9, 00:06:13.960 --> 00:06:15.640 if you look at the way 00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:16.500 Paul begins there, 00:06:16.580 --> 00:06:16.740 he says, 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:17.520 For this reason, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.020 since the day we heard about you, 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:20.540 we have not stopped 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:21.600 praying for you. 00:06:22.640 --> 00:06:23.120 And again, 00:06:23.200 --> 00:06:23.879 it's significant. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:24.920 Paul is praying 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:25.480 for a church 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:26.480 that he's never met. 00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:27.740 He knows Epaphras, 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:30.000 but he doesn't know the church. 00:06:31.200 --> 00:06:32.420 And so here's a connection 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:32.920 for us. 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:33.100 You know, 00:06:33.140 --> 00:06:34.060 we have the privilege, 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:34.820 I'm saying this to someone 00:06:34.820 --> 00:06:35.180 this week, 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:35.700 and in Beclu, 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.160 we have the privilege 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:38.780 of welcoming 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:39.780 for different times 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:40.680 people involved 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:41.880 in ministry and mission 00:06:41.880 --> 00:06:43.220 all over the world. 00:06:43.260 --> 00:06:44.060 And we may not know 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:44.900 their congregations 00:06:44.900 --> 00:06:45.860 or their ministries, 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:47.240 but we know the leaders 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:48.280 so we can pray 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:50.100 for those that they serve. 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.200 So this can help us 00:06:51.200 --> 00:06:52.160 as we think about mission 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:53.080 and connecting it 00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:53.620 to our prayer. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:55.360 But we also see 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:56.400 that he says, 00:06:56.520 --> 00:06:57.200 We have not stopped 00:06:57.200 --> 00:06:57.740 praying for you. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:59.040 There's a consistency. 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:01.000 These things 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:01.820 that are important 00:07:01.820 --> 00:07:02.480 to Paul 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.240 are things 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:03.760 that he's going 00:07:03.760 --> 00:07:04.320 to commit 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:05.420 to praying 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.459 for regularly. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.259 Here are some principles 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:08.959 that he wants 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:09.920 to see established 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.719 in God's people, 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:11.500 so he's going 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:12.139 to bring them 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:13.899 to God regularly. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:15.680 So even there, 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:16.480 before we even get 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:17.579 to what Paul's praying 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:17.899 for, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:18.719 there are lessons 00:07:18.719 --> 00:07:19.540 for us 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:20.819 in how we ourselves 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:22.519 pray for others. 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:24.159 And again, 00:07:24.219 --> 00:07:25.279 just before we get 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:27.879 into how Paul prays, 00:07:28.219 --> 00:07:29.180 let's just frame this 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:29.879 in the context 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:31.120 of another form 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:31.620 of training. 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:33.300 So we train people 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.340 in language, 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:37.040 but we were those 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:37.900 who were trained 00:07:37.900 --> 00:07:39.340 in politeness, 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:40.199 and as parents, 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:40.439 again, 00:07:40.520 --> 00:07:41.879 we train our children 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:43.040 towards politeness, 00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:43.420 don't we? 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:45.340 From a very early age, 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:46.560 we want our children 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:47.000 to appreciate 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:47.879 if someone does 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.759 something for you, 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:49.780 if somebody gives 00:07:49.780 --> 00:07:50.460 something, 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:52.000 the polite response 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:52.620 is to say, 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:53.400 thank you. 00:07:54.519 --> 00:07:54.660 Now, 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:55.980 apply that to 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:57.280 what we have here, 00:07:57.780 --> 00:07:58.340 and we can say 00:07:58.340 --> 00:07:59.900 that when we understand 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:01.199 that God has given 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:02.659 his one and only 00:08:02.659 --> 00:08:03.979 son for us 00:08:03.979 --> 00:08:05.839 to qualify us 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:06.740 for an eternal 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.339 inheritance, 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:08.339 when he has rescued 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:09.599 and redeemed us 00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:10.159 at the cost 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:12.240 of his son Jesus, 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:13.980 then our lives 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:15.079 as the people of God 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:15.939 ought to become 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:18.339 one big thank you. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:20.680 Worship as thankfulness, 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:23.419 obedience as thankfulness. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:25.540 Now, 00:08:25.580 --> 00:08:26.560 having said all that, 00:08:27.020 --> 00:08:28.699 let's look at 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:31.240 what Paul prays, 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.240 and let's think about 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.340 what it looks like 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:35.000 when Paul says 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:35.980 to aim to walk 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.700 worthy of Jesus 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.139 as Lord 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:40.759 because of 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:41.639 what he's done 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.159 for us 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:43.620 in the gospel. 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:44.960 So, 00:08:45.060 --> 00:08:45.960 what does Paul pray? 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:46.899 Verse 9, 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:49.080 we find his request. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:51.340 The second sentence there, 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:51.980 or the beginning 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.680 of sentence 2, 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:53.979 we continually 00:08:53.979 --> 00:08:55.319 ask God 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:56.620 to fill you 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:57.339 with the knowledge 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:58.219 of his will 00:08:58.219 --> 00:08:59.979 through all the wisdom 00:08:59.979 --> 00:09:01.459 and understanding 00:09:01.459 --> 00:09:03.739 that the Spirit gives. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:05.399 What's he praying? 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:07.219 He's praying for believers 00:09:07.219 --> 00:09:08.500 to know 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:09.719 God's will, 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:11.759 to have that wisdom 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:12.879 that comes from 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.639 God, 00:09:13.739 --> 00:09:14.579 the Holy Spirit, 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:16.079 so that they might, 00:09:16.219 --> 00:09:16.500 as it were, 00:09:16.599 --> 00:09:17.819 think God's thoughts 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:19.599 after him. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:21.320 Now, 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.159 it may be the case 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:22.899 when we hear 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:23.700 that phrase, 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:24.080 you know, 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:24.899 God's will, 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:25.720 what's God's will 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:26.240 for my life, 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:26.860 we might think 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:27.680 of something 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.879 that's very personal, 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:29.980 we might think 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:30.680 of choices 00:09:30.680 --> 00:09:31.560 that we have to make, 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:32.300 it might be about 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:33.639 our future, 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:34.220 career, 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:34.680 relationship, 00:09:34.800 --> 00:09:36.200 that can be 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:37.200 where our mind goes, 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:37.840 but the emphasis 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.740 typically in 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:39.800 God's word 00:09:39.800 --> 00:09:42.100 is that we would 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:42.960 know God's word, 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.680 that's God's will, 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:44.639 that we would know 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.539 him in his word, 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:47.980 and that we would 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:48.860 have the wisdom 00:09:48.860 --> 00:09:50.580 to apply God's word 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.000 to our lives, 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:53.179 that the Holy Spirit 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:54.039 would help us to know 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.860 how to live wisely, 00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:57.600 applying God's word 00:09:57.600 --> 00:09:59.299 in everyday life. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:02.460 Three things we can say 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.039 about the Spirit, 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.539 the Spirit inspired 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:06.580 the writing of God's word, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.759 and that same Spirit 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.620 then in the life 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.080 of a believer 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:11.360 illuminates God's word, 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.439 lights it up for us, 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:14.860 so we can see it come alive, 00:10:14.880 --> 00:10:15.940 and we can understand 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.380 how it applies to us, 00:10:17.400 --> 00:10:18.160 and the Spirit also 00:10:18.160 --> 00:10:19.980 instructs us 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:22.200 in wisdom 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:23.960 so that we can 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.100 in very practical ways 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.800 show love 00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.380 and obedience 00:10:26.380 --> 00:10:27.200 to God 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:29.160 in our day-to-day life. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:30.080 So that's what Paul 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.780 is praying for. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:34.080 We need to ask the question, 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.120 why does he pray that? 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.380 Why does that matter? 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.020 Well, look with me 00:10:38.020 --> 00:10:39.740 at verse 10. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.320 He explains it. 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:42.740 We've not stopped 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:43.320 praying for you 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.500 so that 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:46.320 you may live a life 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.420 worthy of the Lord 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:49.280 and please him 00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:51.100 in every way. 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.900 To know God's will 00:10:53.900 --> 00:10:54.980 so that believers 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:55.920 in the Lord Jesus 00:10:55.920 --> 00:10:56.920 would then do 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:58.060 God's will. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:10:59.640 Specifically, 00:11:00.020 --> 00:11:01.100 that we would walk 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:03.180 worthy of the Lord Jesus. 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:04.740 That we would live 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.640 to please him 00:11:05.640 --> 00:11:06.880 always. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.360 praise. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:10.279 Perhaps we can think 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.320 of it this way. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:12.299 Think about 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:14.039 the setting 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.019 of a family. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:17.179 Christians are called 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.259 into the family 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.740 of God. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:20.039 God is our Father, 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:21.419 Jesus, 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.080 our Savior, 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:22.980 our elder brother. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:24.980 Paul is praying 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.320 that we wouldn't, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.279 as Christians, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.480 drag the name of Jesus 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.240 through the mud, 00:11:29.320 --> 00:11:30.360 but positively 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.340 we would bring glory 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:31.779 to him. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.240 That we wouldn't bring 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.700 shame on our God 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.180 and Father, 00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:36.520 but rather we would 00:11:36.520 --> 00:11:37.640 honor him 00:11:37.640 --> 00:11:40.600 in our everyday lives. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.400 Paul prays for Christians 00:11:42.400 --> 00:11:43.040 to know and do 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:44.220 what pleases Jesus 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:46.180 in every way, 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.400 in all of life. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:47.560 So, 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:49.460 not just the religious part, 00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.840 how do I live for Jesus 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:51.460 on Sunday? 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.360 Disconnect that 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.259 from Monday to Friday. 00:11:54.160 --> 00:11:55.180 Not just how do I 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:55.780 please Jesus 00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:56.640 when it's convenient 00:11:56.640 --> 00:11:57.500 and comfortable. 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:00.160 How do I please Jesus 00:12:00.160 --> 00:12:01.780 in every way, 00:12:01.900 --> 00:12:02.879 in every setting? 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:04.639 It made me think 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.939 of that famous phrase 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.259 from the Dutch 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:08.279 theologian Kuiper. 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.439 I don't think that's 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:09.879 how you say it, 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:10.120 but anyway, 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:10.659 that's how I'm going 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:10.879 for it. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.259 He said, 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.740 there is no square inch 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.360 over all of creation 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.439 in which Jesus 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.480 does not say, 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.460 mine. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:20.480 The lordship of Jesus 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.919 is absolute. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.919 And if that's the case, 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.279 then we can say, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:25.759 and Paul, 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.279 in effect, 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:26.899 is saying to us, 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:27.580 remember 00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.940 that there is no square inch 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:30.860 of our lives 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.820 over which Jesus 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:32.879 does not say, 00:12:33.640 --> 00:12:33.860 mine. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.720 And so wisdom 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:36.840 looks like, 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:38.720 how do I live 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:39.720 to please Jesus 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:41.820 in this particular situation, 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:44.200 in this relationship? 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:45.620 Paul's prayer, 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.100 in a sense, 00:12:46.160 --> 00:12:47.660 is that as Christians 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.480 and as a church, 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:48.940 there would be 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.340 this guiding principle. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.940 What would please Jesus? 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:54.780 Perhaps we remember 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:55.600 those wristbands. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.620 What would Jesus do? 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:59.860 What would please Jesus 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.700 as guiding principle? 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.980 What does walking 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.080 worthy of Jesus 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:06.399 look like here, 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.139 in my workplace, 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.120 in my family situation, 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:12.820 as I face this experience? 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:14.259 So, we pray, 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.259 and we ask the Spirit 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.120 to lead us, 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:18.000 in a sense, 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:19.220 to ask that question 00:13:19.220 --> 00:13:20.220 in the first place, 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.320 because if we're honest, 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.660 there are times 00:13:23.660 --> 00:13:24.860 when living to please Jesus 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.720 falls down 00:13:25.720 --> 00:13:27.120 our priority list. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.440 So, we ask for the Spirit 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:30.220 to remind us, 00:13:30.260 --> 00:13:31.140 that's our calling, 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:33.180 and then we ask 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.600 for the Spirit 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.480 to help us 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.580 to have the wisdom 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:37.040 to answer the question well, 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.200 so that we might 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.160 represent Jesus 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:40.260 well in the world. 00:13:41.520 --> 00:13:42.460 And to think about 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.660 what that looks like, 00:13:44.280 --> 00:13:45.340 Paul draws attention 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.600 to four particular 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.520 aspects. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:49.199 So, continuing in verse 10, 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:51.799 we see four elements 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.600 mentioned 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.019 about what it looks like 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:55.059 to live worthy of a Lord 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.679 and please Him 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.159 in every way. 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.000 The first of those, 00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:58.039 in verse 10, 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.000 is bearing fruit 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:02.659 in every good work. 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.539 That if we are wanting 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:07.519 to live to please Jesus, 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.720 we will want to do good 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.139 to bless others. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.439 Really, to follow 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.360 the pattern of Jesus. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.500 Perhaps it's helpful 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.340 here to think about 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.980 the image that Jesus 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:21.180 uses in John 15, 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:21.960 I am the vine 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.180 and you are 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:24.180 the branches 00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:25.240 that we will bear fruit 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.320 when we are abiding 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.300 in Christ 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.480 by the Spirit. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.759 That's a prayer point 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.980 for this church 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.500 in Colossae. 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.019 That's a prayer point 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.919 for our church also. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.259 That we as Christians, 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:41.980 we as a church, 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.580 may bear the fruit 00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.659 of good work. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.060 So that's one way 00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:47.800 that we can live 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:48.899 to please Jesus. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.139 Then he goes on 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.860 to say, 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.919 at the end of verse 10, 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.379 to pray that they would be 00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:53.820 growing 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.399 in the knowledge 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.000 of God. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:57.700 Growing 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:59.080 in knowledge. 00:14:59.340 --> 00:14:59.919 It's a reminder 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:01.139 that our Christian faith 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.720 is not about 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:03.139 a static relationship. 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:04.460 I came to faith 00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.320 at this point 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.360 and I know God 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.060 to this extent 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.879 and that's me done. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.180 Rather, 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:10.320 because God is infinite 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:10.879 and eternal, 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:11.820 there's always more 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.300 to know 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:13.419 and he invites us 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.859 to know more 00:15:14.859 --> 00:15:15.559 and to delight 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.399 in that knowledge 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:19.099 and to grow 00:15:19.099 --> 00:15:19.699 in that knowledge 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:20.159 of him. 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:22.919 Not for knowledge's sake, 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:24.919 that we'd know him better 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.359 so we'd know 00:15:25.359 --> 00:15:26.339 how to please him. 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:29.000 When we think about, 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:29.879 I guess, 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.120 any friendship 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.620 or a family relationship 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:34.159 where we know someone 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:34.740 or we're getting 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.919 to know somebody well, 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:37.679 we will find ourselves 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:38.899 instinctively 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.620 studying. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.399 Studying to know 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.959 what pleases 00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:45.939 the other person. 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:49.199 Likes, dislikes, 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:49.980 what pleases 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.860 another person, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.720 what makes them 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.679 happy. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.659 We grow 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.579 in the knowledge 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:56.399 of God 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.779 and his word 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.539 so that we might 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:00.980 know how to live 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:02.159 to please him. 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:03.899 So there's another 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:04.779 prayer point 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.079 that Paul has 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:07.020 that we can 00:16:07.020 --> 00:16:09.240 wisely introduce 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.540 to our own prayers 00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:12.120 that our church 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.840 might grow 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.420 to know 00:16:13.420 --> 00:16:14.080 and love 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.879 God 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.139 more. 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.700 The third 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.379 way 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.600 in which 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.540 as Christians 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.440 we can live 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.379 to please Jesus 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:23.940 we find 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.000 in verse 11. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.980 Being strengthened 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.759 with all power 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.080 according to his 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.879 glorious might 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.100 so that you may 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.240 have great endurance 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:34.220 and patience. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.220 Living with 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.799 endurance 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.700 and patience. 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.560 Faith 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:42.220 to stand 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.360 in the face 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.960 of opposition 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.840 or persecution. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.759 A faith 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.419 that continues 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.120 to hope 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.299 in Jesus 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.379 through the trials 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.960 that come 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.139 into our lives. 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.360 A faith 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.740 that clings 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.480 to our solid 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.639 future hope 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.159 when we suffer. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:02.319 faith 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:03.100 that trusts 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.339 our good shepherd 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:06.180 to care for us 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.420 to provide for us 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.220 to walk 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.960 with us. 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:11.680 And so Paul 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.379 prays 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.519 that the church 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.899 would be 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:15.000 strengthened 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.619 with God's 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.299 power and grace 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.799 so that they 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.839 might continue 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:19.559 to run the race 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.399 with patience 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.399 recognizing that 00:17:21.399 --> 00:17:22.399 faith is a marathon 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.619 and not a sprint. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.319 That 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.839 as 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.579 they 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.439 begun 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:30.399 the race 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:30.839 of faith 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.119 that they 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.720 would finish 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.019 it 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.980 with the 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.379 help 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.079 that God 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.899 provides. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.079 And again 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.599 what a wonderful 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.099 prayer 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.279 for ourselves 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.779 to pray 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.599 for one another 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.799 in our church 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.220 that we would 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.539 stand firm 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.240 in faith 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:43.819 that we'd be 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.559 strengthened 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.359 by the grace 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:45.919 of God 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:47.099 to endure 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.220 to hold on 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.259 and not to fold. 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.419 The fourth way 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.919 that Paul 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.339 gives 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:54.919 or Paul 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.759 prays for 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.480 as he seeks 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.160 for God's 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:58.859 people to live 00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.420 worthy of 00:17:59.420 --> 00:17:59.839 Jesus. 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.920 Verse 12 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.140 giving joyful 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:03.980 thanks 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.940 to the 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.359 Father. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.220 A heart 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:07.640 that's full 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.259 of love 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.160 and gratitude 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.119 and thankfulness 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:10.579 worship 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.680 and deep 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.460 joy 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:14.000 rooted 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.259 in their 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.160 relationship 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.879 with 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.799 God. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.640 A life 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.740 lived out 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.379 of God's 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:22.960 love 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.200 for them 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.279 in and 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.700 through 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.359 the Lord 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:26.960 Jesus 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.399 leading to 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.039 thankfulness 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.660 and joy. 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.200 Should be a 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.160 mark of 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:32.639 God's people. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.059 Should be a 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:33.559 mark of 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.339 a church 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.299 that we 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.819 have a joy 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.299 that runs 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:36.980 deeper than 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.759 happiness 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.420 rooted in 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.339 circumstance. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.079 A joy 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.259 because we 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.019 know that we 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.639 know our 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.180 God and 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.660 he knows 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.019 us 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.759 and that 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.299 our future 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.099 is secure 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:49.539 and that we 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.079 have the love 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.500 of God 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:50.859 and we have 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.539 peace with 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.000 God. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.920 And so 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:53.420 again we 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.059 can pray 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.059 for our 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.599 church to 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:55.819 be a 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.339 place of 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.440 gospel driven 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.140 joy and 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.019 thankfulness. 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.480 Living to 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.059 please 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.019 Jesus 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.480 is something 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.140 that clearly 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.859 mattered to 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.380 Paul and it 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:09.980 matters to 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.539 God and so 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.799 he prays. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.960 And now let's 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.839 notice how he 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.779 frames it. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:18.059 he asks that 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.279 they would 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.859 live to 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.359 please 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.200 Jesus 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:22.079 in light 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.420 of the 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.920 gospel. 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:24.819 That's where 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.480 he shifts in 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.359 verses 12 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.920 to 14. 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.940 Why would 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.619 we live to 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.399 please Jesus 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:33.220 in every way? 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.299 Why make 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.779 the effort? 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.480 Why commit 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.059 for the long 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.519 haul? 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.440 Why have 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.079 loyalty and 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:38.579 love to 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.059 Jesus? 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.599 Paul says 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.139 because of 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:40.720 the gospel. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:41.839 Because of 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.200 what God 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.619 has done 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:42.980 for us 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.440 in Jesus. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.319 Because 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.039 specifically 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.720 here 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:48.019 verse 12 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.920 God has 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.380 qualified us 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.700 to share 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.980 in his 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.500 eternal 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.240 inheritance 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.220 through Jesus. 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.900 Verse 13 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.420 because he 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.339 has rescued 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.980 us from 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.420 the dominion 00:19:59.420 --> 00:19:59.860 of darkness. 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:00.940 And verse 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.059 14 because 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.759 in Jesus 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.440 we have 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.700 redemption. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.339 So let's 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:06.759 think about 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.000 these. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.620 Recognizing 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:07.920 that they 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.360 transform 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:08.779 life in 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.200 the present 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:10.819 and life 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.600 in the 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.059 future. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.039 Verse 12 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:15.379 the Father 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.119 through Jesus 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.519 has qualified 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.159 us. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.500 He has 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.279 qualified you 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.799 to share 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.059 in the 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.559 inheritance 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.000 of his 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.740 holy people 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.899 in the 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.240 kingdom 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.839 of light. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.079 Qualified 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.779 for that 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.799 inheritance 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.659 as part 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.420 of God's 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.339 family, 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.359 his holy 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:32.740 people. 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.379 There is a 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.139 treasure 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.420 stored up 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:35.819 for us 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.159 in heaven 00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.740 who ultimately 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.460 is Jesus 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.259 himself. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.279 that 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.799 inheritance 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.539 of living 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:41.859 in the 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:42.200 kingdom 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.859 of light 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.460 looking 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:43.940 forward 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.400 to that 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.859 future 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.279 kingdom, 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:45.960 God's 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.299 kingdom, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.200 life with 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:47.900 him and 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.339 with his 00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:49.039 son Jesus 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.519 forever. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:49.960 That's 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.440 our 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:52.000 inheritance. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:53.879 And he's 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.400 going to make 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:54.940 clear that that 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.559 comes to us 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.119 because of what 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.740 God has done 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.299 for us in 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:57.900 Jesus in 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.779 rescuing us. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.759 But he 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.259 reminds the 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.559 church that 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:01.980 the gospel 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.720 speaks good 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.160 news and 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.640 says to us 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.099 in the 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.619 Lord Jesus 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.200 Christ we 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.779 are 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:08.240 children of 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.620 God. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.839 There is a 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.380 treasure in 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.059 heaven stored 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.819 up for us 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.539 and the 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.220 basis for 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:14.440 that 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.059 inheritance 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:17.599 claim has 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.180 nothing to do 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:18.620 with us and 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.240 everything to 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.559 do with 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.940 Jesus and 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.620 his saving 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.079 work that 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.079 we have 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.880 applied to 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.599 us by 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.680 faith. 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.319 It's a 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.720 remarkable 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.279 truth when 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.620 we stop 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.000 and think 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.519 about it. 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.059 We think 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.380 about our 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:32.740 God who 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.039 is our 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.319 God. 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.740 God is 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.720 holy. 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:35.980 God is 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.099 sinless. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.420 He is 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:37.740 perfect. 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.180 He cannot 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.599 bear sin. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.380 We think 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:41.700 about our 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:42.120 own lives 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.339 and we 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:42.660 know that 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.160 we are 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.279 sinful by 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.799 nature. 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.420 We are 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:46.559 disqualified 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.319 by nature. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.799 We have 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.819 no claim 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.359 to this 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:49.940 eternal 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.880 inheritance. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.700 So how 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.240 does it 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.839 come to 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.299 us? 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.680 And that's 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:55.859 where he 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.420 goes next. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.079 He reminds 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.359 us that 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.880 God has 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.720 rescued us. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:58.980 Verse 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.480 13. 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.380 He has 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:02.160 rescued us 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.480 from the 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.960 dominion of 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.380 darkness 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:06.340 and brought 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.700 us into 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.140 the kingdom 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.519 of the 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.120 Son he 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.040 loves. 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.279 Rescued 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.180 from dominion, 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.420 rescued from 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:15.460 being in 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.360 the grip of 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.960 a hostile 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.640 power, 00:22:18.060 --> 00:22:18.920 brought into 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.560 the kingdom 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:20.360 of light, 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.860 the kingdom 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:21.440 of the 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.080 Son he 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:22.440 loves. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:22.640 There's 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:22.960 been a 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.980 transfer of 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.580 kingdoms that 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.360 takes place 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.259 in the 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.820 gospel. 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:30.339 perhaps we 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.720 might think 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.059 of a 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.019 prisoner of 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.740 war camp, 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.939 a soldier 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.819 who becomes 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.419 a prisoner 00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:36.399 or a slave 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.279 in another 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.939 country with 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.960 no way of 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.339 escape, 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.460 locked in 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.419 darkness 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.639 until the 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.220 forces of 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.700 liberation 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.379 come. 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.899 The Bible 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.299 would say 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:47.619 that by 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.259 nature we 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.939 are prisoners 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.659 of war. 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.159 We live 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.419 in the 00:22:52.419 --> 00:22:52.919 kingdom of 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.679 darkness, 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.379 ruled by 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:55.919 the devil, 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.259 slaves to 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.639 sin. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.480 Not just 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:00.819 the things 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.200 we do, 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.659 but our 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:02.939 sin nature. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.519 Because of 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:04.859 that, by 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.480 nature we 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.480 are enemies 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:06.859 of God, 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:07.079 we are 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.639 opposed to 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.419 God and 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.939 his rule 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.359 and his 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:09.720 word, 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.659 and because 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.039 of that we 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.619 find ourselves 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.039 under the 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:12.759 just judgment 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.220 of God 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.079 and heading 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.599 for death 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.079 and eternal 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.779 separation 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:19.059 from God. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.659 The dominion 00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.200 of darkness 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.240 is real 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.700 and it's 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.039 serious. 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.059 But then we 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:26.519 have the good 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:26.940 news of 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.299 God's 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.579 action. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:27.900 What has 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.559 God done? 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.160 Verse 13, 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.079 he's rescued 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.599 us through 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:31.960 his son 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.339 Jesus. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.440 We've been 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.500 delivered by 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.379 faith out 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:36.900 of the 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.900 prison camp 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.240 into a 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.680 kingdom of 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:39.980 perfect 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.539 freedom. 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.319 God's 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.859 kingdom of 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.139 light and 00:23:44.139 --> 00:23:44.519 love. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.759 How does 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.339 this rescue 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.900 happen? 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.259 Verse 14 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.259 tells us. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.740 In whom, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.240 in the 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.559 son, 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.259 we have 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.059 redemption, 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.400 the 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.039 forgiveness 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.920 of sins. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.140 The Bible 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.059 speaks a 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.379 fair bit 00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:02.599 about 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.379 redemption 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.319 and we 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:04.779 still speak 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.160 about it 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.579 today. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.660 The price 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.220 paid to 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.579 buy 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.740 something 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.319 back, 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:09.660 the price 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.000 paid to 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.180 buy 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.599 someone 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:10.940 back, 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.140 thinking 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.440 about the 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:11.619 Old 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.059 Testament. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.059 A person 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.500 could find 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:13.960 themselves 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.559 falling into 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.160 hard times 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.379 when he 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.720 had to 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.119 sell 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.839 their 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.579 land, 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.859 but they 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.259 or someone 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.799 else could 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.640 save up 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.099 money and 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:21.480 pay the 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:21.879 redemption 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.359 price to 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.740 buy the 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.200 land back. 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.440 Or they 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:23.839 might find 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.200 themselves 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.120 falling into 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:26.339 debt so 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.680 great that 00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.019 they had to 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.680 sell themselves 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.440 into slavery 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.140 to work for 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.759 another person. 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:29.940 Well, 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.299 again, 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.259 they could, 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.579 or a 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.120 family member 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:32.960 could pay a 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.400 redemption 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:34.759 price to 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.339 be set 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.759 free. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:36.759 And what 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.339 Paul does 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.799 is he takes 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.359 this idea 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.220 of redemption 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.759 and he makes 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.440 clear that the 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.200 debt we owe 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.819 is the debt 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.599 of our 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.519 sin. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.180 Jesus said 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.559 the great 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.059 commandment 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.720 is love 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:50.019 the Lord 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.380 your God 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:50.660 with all 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.140 your heart 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.420 and with 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.700 all your 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.180 soul and 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.600 all your 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.080 mind and 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.519 all your 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.080 strength. 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.120 And our 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.779 failure to 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.120 do that 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.440 is that 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.039 debt 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.019 that we 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.580 pile up. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.120 Jesus said 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.660 the second 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.500 great 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.900 commandment 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.180 is to 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.700 love our 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.380 neighbor as 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.779 ourselves. 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:05.080 With the 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.480 same amount 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.039 of energy 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.440 and effort 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.700 that we 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.220 apply to 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.680 caring for 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.000 ourselves, 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.380 we are to 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.759 care for 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.100 our neighbor. 00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:09.440 And our 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:09.960 failure to 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.360 do that, 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.740 again, 00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:11.940 is building 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.460 up a 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.200 debt of 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.799 sin. 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:14.140 And that's 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.460 a debt 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:14.740 that we 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.279 could never 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.340 repay 00:25:16.340 --> 00:25:17.840 ourselves. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:19.920 The 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.820 gospel says 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.240 there is a 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.220 redemption price 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.779 that has 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.259 been paid, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.460 and it's 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.019 been paid 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.839 in and 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.259 through the 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.920 blood of 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.480 Jesus on 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.400 the cross. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.400 In chapter 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.220 2 of 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.019 Colossians, 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.799 Paul takes 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.240 us there in 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.039 picture language. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.539 If you look 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.980 with me, 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.059 chapter 2, 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.059 halfway through 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.079 verse 13, 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.500 we find 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.140 there, 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.880 God made 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.400 you alive 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.200 with Christ. 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.460 He forgave 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.300 us all 00:25:49.300 --> 00:25:50.180 our sins, 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.520 having 00:25:51.520 --> 00:25:52.300 canceled the 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:53.140 charge of 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.840 our legal 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:55.000 indebtedness. 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.120 So there's 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.680 the gospel, 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.340 forgiveness, 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.480 and a debt 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.100 canceled, 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.880 that debt 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.460 which stood 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.180 against us 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.660 and condemned 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:02.840 us. 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.200 So there's 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.740 that honesty. 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:04.220 Because of 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.640 our sin, 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.240 we stand 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.000 justly 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.720 condemned 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.440 because of 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.900 that debt. 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.480 But what 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:08.860 has God 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.120 done? 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.780 He has 00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.400 taken it 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:10.840 away, 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.320 nailing it 00:26:12.320 --> 00:26:12.620 to the 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.300 cross. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.640 And having 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.040 disarmed 00:26:15.040 --> 00:26:15.520 the powers 00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:16.120 and authorities, 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.420 he made 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:16.800 a public 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.840 spectacle of 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.259 them, 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.620 triumphing 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.360 over them 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:20.759 by the 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.259 cross. 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.720 Sometimes 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.920 when in 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.200 the Roman 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.560 Empire, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:25.920 when they 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.740 were executing 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.420 a prisoner 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.740 on the 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.340 cross, 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.600 they would 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.400 nail above 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.100 that person's 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.520 head the 00:26:32.520 --> 00:26:33.100 charges. 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:33.860 This is the 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.640 reason why 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.860 this person 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.880 is being 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.280 condemned 00:26:37.280 --> 00:26:37.900 to death. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.740 A warning, 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.840 don't find 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.640 yourself doing 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.280 likewise. 00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:41.680 Well, 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.860 what does 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.680 Paul do? 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.840 To help 00:26:44.840 --> 00:26:45.460 us understand 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.180 the gospel, 00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:47.440 he says, 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.040 at the 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:48.900 cross, 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.840 that record 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.360 of debt 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:51.840 that should 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.360 be over 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.380 our heads 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.580 is pinned 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:54.980 over the 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.400 head of 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.820 Jesus, 00:26:56.780 --> 00:26:57.660 the sinless 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:57.880 one, 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.580 the perfect 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:58.920 one. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.160 He takes 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.320 that record 00:27:01.320 --> 00:27:02.240 of debt. 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.660 He dies 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.080 in our 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.140 place for 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.680 our sins 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.080 so that 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.920 God can 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.780 justly write 00:27:07.780 --> 00:27:08.759 paid in 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.500 fool 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:11.240 when our 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.720 faith 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.859 is in 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.240 Jesus. 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.000 The 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.380 just 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:15.799 anger 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.319 of God 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.960 falls 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.819 on 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.440 Jesus 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.920 and not 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.440 on 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:20.920 those 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.119 who 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.579 trust 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:21.799 in 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.079 him. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.240 With 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.380 the 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:23.740 result 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.000 of the 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.259 power 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.799 of sin 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.359 is broken, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:25.839 the power 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.940 of darkness 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.460 is broken, 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.000 we're made 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.079 alive with 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.339 Christ, 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.839 we enjoy 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.640 victory 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.539 with 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.359 him. 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:36.319 And what 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.479 Paul says 00:27:37.479 --> 00:27:38.019 in this 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.659 prayer is 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.000 that in 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.539 light of 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.519 how wonderful 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.159 the gospel 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.719 is, 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.839 in light of 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.939 that transformation 00:27:43.939 --> 00:27:44.779 that God 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.479 in Jesus 00:27:45.479 --> 00:27:46.299 has worked 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.199 for us, 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:49.439 we should 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:50.259 live to 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.839 please 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.439 Jesus. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.899 We should 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.479 live to 00:27:53.479 --> 00:27:54.359 walk worthy 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.279 of him 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.519 in light 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.079 of the 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.519 gospel. 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.439 Just as 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.619 we close 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:04.000 some 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.379 random 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:04.779 visitor 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.279 stats, 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.519 and a 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:06.939 question, 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:08.219 what is 00:28:08.219 --> 00:28:09.159 it that 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:09.479 makes 00:28:09.479 --> 00:28:10.699 35,000 00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:11.339 people a 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.719 year 00:28:11.719 --> 00:28:13.059 climb 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.619 Mount 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:13.939 Everest? 00:28:14.939 --> 00:28:15.719 What is 00:28:15.719 --> 00:28:16.039 it that 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.559 draws 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.579 650,000 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.079 people a 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.459 year to 00:28:19.459 --> 00:28:20.099 visit the 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:20.459 Isle of 00:28:20.459 --> 00:28:20.839 Sky? 00:28:21.739 --> 00:28:22.379 What is 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:22.779 it that 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.500 draws 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.579 30 million 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.199 people to 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.799 stand at 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.399 the edge 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:26.979 of 00:28:26.979 --> 00:28:28.039 Niagara 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.899 Falls? 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:31.519 doesn't 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:31.840 it speak 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.120 to the 00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.500 fact that 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.360 as people 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.560 we are 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.259 looking for 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.820 a sense 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.620 of awe 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.680 and wonder, 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:38.840 something 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:40.019 bigger than 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.440 ourselves, 00:28:40.540 --> 00:28:40.940 that we are 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.960 drawn to it, 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.680 we long 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:44.280 for that 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:44.780 sense of 00:28:44.780 --> 00:28:45.259 awe and 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.540 wonder, 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:45.820 and when 00:28:45.820 --> 00:28:46.480 we find 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.920 it, 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.140 you might 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.480 do yourself 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.680 at the 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.060 top of a 00:28:49.060 --> 00:28:49.320 mountain 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:49.880 range, 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:51.600 you might 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:51.640 imagine 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.000 yourself 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.440 in a 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:52.720 really 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.120 dark 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.380 night 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:53.780 looking up 00:28:53.780 --> 00:28:54.000 at the 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.280 stars, 00:28:54.280 --> 00:28:54.560 what does 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:54.880 it do 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.500 for us? 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:56.840 Doesn't 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.440 it fix 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.680 our 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.400 perspective 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.140 so often? 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.080 Doesn't 00:29:01.080 --> 00:29:02.020 it helpfully 00:29:02.020 --> 00:29:03.400 cut us 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:03.840 down to 00:29:03.840 --> 00:29:04.400 size and 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.080 help us 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.600 to remember 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.180 our God 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:06.480 who is 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.040 infinitely 00:29:07.040 --> 00:29:07.480 bigger? 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.160 Paul in 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.840 his prayer 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:14.300 speaks to 00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:14.880 our hearts 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.180 and our 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.740 minds. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.560 He says 00:29:17.560 --> 00:29:17.780 to us, 00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:18.320 remember the 00:29:18.320 --> 00:29:18.840 gospel is 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:19.380 powerful, 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.060 the gospel 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:21.940 is beautiful, 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.440 as we 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.060 long for 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:24.760 awe and 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.200 wonder, 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.480 we're 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.180 invited to 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.779 find it 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.099 in the 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.660 gospel. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.200 And as 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.980 we reflect 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:31.039 on that, 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.240 that it 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.879 sorts our 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.500 perspective, 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:33.940 as we 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.660 understand that 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.099 God in 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.579 Christ has 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.220 done everything 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.220 for us, 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:39.279 then that 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.279 should motivate 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.319 us to 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.759 live for 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.059 him. 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.400 Because how 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:43.819 we think 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.640 about Jesus 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:46.220 shapes how 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.819 we live 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.099 for Jesus. 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.379 So let's 00:29:50.379 --> 00:29:51.519 pray for 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.259 ourselves, 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.420 for our 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:53.700 church, 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.079 for our 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:54.359 churches, 00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:54.779 that we 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.159 would be 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:55.859 transformed 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.559 by the 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:56.979 gospel 00:29:56.979 --> 00:29:57.819 constantly, 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:59.740 so that 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.000 we would 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.379 want to 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.199 live to 00:30:01.199 --> 00:30:01.699 please 00:30:01.699 --> 00:30:02.619 Jesus. 00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:03.679 Let's 00:30:03.679 --> 00:30:04.019 do that 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.259 this 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.500 night. 00:30:06.899 --> 00:30:07.539 Lord, 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.500 our God, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.159 we thank 00:30:09.159 --> 00:30:10.439 you for 00:30:10.439 --> 00:30:11.259 how wonderful 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.000 the gospel 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.379 is. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.659 Thank you 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:13.919 for the 00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.639 many pictures 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.000 that we 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:16.399 find through 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:17.259 your word 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.399 that speak 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:18.779 of the 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.000 life-transforming 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.619 power of 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.720 power of 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.579 the work of 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.380 Jesus for 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:25.000 us in 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.500 his perfect 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.000 life, 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.480 death, 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:26.680 and 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.200 resurrection. 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.440 Thank you 00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:28.779 that by 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.680 faith in 00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.059 Jesus, 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.180 we are 00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.359 qualified for 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.380 that eternal 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.539 inheritance that 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:35.480 is laid up 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.099 for us, 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.900 that treasure 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.119 in heaven 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:39.500 that can never 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.480 be lost or 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.480 taken from 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:41.859 us. 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.880 We thank you 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.420 that you 00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.960 have rescued 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.420 us, 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.380 taken us from 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.380 darkness into 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.160 your wonderful 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.600 light, 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:49.900 that you 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.420 have set 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.020 us free 00:30:51.020 --> 00:30:52.720 from slavery, 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.660 giving us 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.700 true freedom 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.960 in Jesus. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.800 We thank you 00:30:57.800 --> 00:30:58.520 that he came 00:30:58.520 --> 00:30:59.740 to pay that 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:01.000 redemption price 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.940 to forgive 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.220 our sins, 00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:04.400 to bring us 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.240 peace with 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:05.640 you, 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.520 our God. 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:08.760 Lord, 00:31:08.800 --> 00:31:09.380 we pray 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.360 that you 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:10.920 would help 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.940 our hearts 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.400 to be drawn 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.380 to the gospel, 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.860 our minds 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.680 to be drawn 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.600 to the wonderful 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.360 truth of 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.019 the gospel, 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.459 so that it 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:21.479 would change 00:31:21.479 --> 00:31:22.439 how we live, 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.119 that it 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.879 would influence 00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.240 how we 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.379 approach each 00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.259 day and 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.240 each situation. 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.599 Lord, 00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:29.279 may you give 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.079 to us as a 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.819 church and 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.479 as families 00:31:31.479 --> 00:31:31.959 and as 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:32.899 individuals that 00:31:32.899 --> 00:31:34.099 guiding principle 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:35.659 that we would 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.459 want to live 00:31:36.459 --> 00:31:37.179 to please 00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:37.699 Jesus, 00:31:38.699 --> 00:31:39.740 who lived 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.299 and died 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.839 and rose 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.479 for us. 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.779 We pray 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.179 that you 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.699 would give 00:31:44.699 --> 00:31:45.319 the spirit 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.259 to us, 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.139 so that we 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:47.460 would have 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:47.980 wisdom 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.780 to know 00:31:48.780 --> 00:31:49.120 what that 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.660 looks like 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.000 in our 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.520 lives and 00:31:50.520 --> 00:31:50.860 in our 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.600 situations. 00:31:51.600 --> 00:31:52.060 We know 00:31:52.060 --> 00:31:53.060 that we're 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:53.700 all different 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.120 and our 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:55.700 lives are 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.160 different. 00:31:56.280 --> 00:31:56.980 The opportunities 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.800 and challenges 00:31:57.800 --> 00:31:58.460 we face 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:58.960 will differ 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.600 from person 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.180 to person, 00:32:00.280 --> 00:32:00.660 but Lord, 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.900 you know us 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.780 and your spirit 00:32:02.780 --> 00:32:03.820 can help us 00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.840 and equip us. 00:32:05.820 --> 00:32:06.220 And so we 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.520 pray that he 00:32:07.520 --> 00:32:07.880 would do 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.560 just that, 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:12.200 that he would 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.780 cause us to 00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.440 be asking 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.180 ourselves, 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.799 how can we 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.460 walk worthy 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:17.039 of the Lord 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.900 today? 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.620 And that by 00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.080 the spirit 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.420 you would 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.120 help us 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.180 so that we 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:23.539 would give 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.240 glory to 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.559 you, 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:25.759 our great 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.259 God and 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.700 Saviour. 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:27.900 Amen. 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.200 Now we 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.779 will close 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.360 our time 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:35.600 singing the 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.279 great hymn 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.519 from John 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.759 Newton, 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.640 Amazing Grace, 00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.720 and we'll 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.820 stand together 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.359 to sing.