WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.580 So last week, of course, if you were here, it was an amazing day because we had these eight baptisms, right? 00:00:05.620 --> 00:00:07.040 That was such a great celebration. 00:00:08.380 --> 00:00:11.320 Now, baptism, in some ways, it can feel like an end point, right? 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:15.720 Because for some people, it took like many, many years to get to this point, right? 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:27.600 Maybe someone invited them seven years ago to come here, and they didn't really like it, but they sometimes came back, and, you know, lots of prayer, maybe meeting up with people, and slowly they grow. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:32.320 And, you know, after seven years, now finally they get baptized or something like that, right? 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:34.000 That's really, it feels like an end point. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:37.380 They were on a sinking ship, and now they're in the lifeboat, and it's great. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:41.359 Except, of course, as we all know, baptism is not the end point. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:43.620 It's actually the beginning, right? 00:00:43.680 --> 00:00:48.219 It's the beginning of your Christian life, which actually will come now. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:55.520 And then for some of the people who got baptized, there will be another 60, 70 years of following Jesus because the thing is we're not there yet, right? 00:00:55.520 --> 00:01:03.880 We want to be with Jesus, but it happens, well, unless he comes back earlier, comes after you die, which means the rest of your life you're going to be living as a Christian. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:06.079 And the thing is that's not easy, right? 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:18.200 We still have sin, sinful nature, as we've just confessed, and we have the devil trying to tempt us, and we have the world pressurizing us, and we have all these distractions in our life, 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:22.540 and all these things that kind of stop us really living for Christ. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:24.320 And so it's hard. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:29.659 No one here, you ask them, and they say, ah, Christian life is so easy, so great, so wonderful. 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:35.420 I think all of us will have our stories and our things that make us, yeah, it's not easy to be a Christian. 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:42.540 Maybe you're here, you're not a Christian, you're, okay, it sounds great, Jesus, but, you know, the Christian life doesn't sound easy to me. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:49.540 No, we need help, and the wonderful thing is that God gives us help, right, because we want to make it. 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:58.140 Well, God has given us books in the Bible, and particularly the book we're going to look at today, which is the book of Numbers. 00:01:58.800 --> 00:02:02.080 Now, I don't know if you know the book of Numbers, if you've read, like, your whole Bible. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:04.660 Most people don't get there because they stop in Leviticus. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:12.680 But those that do, I don't think, it's one of my favorite books, actually, but not just because I like math. 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:14.280 It's, you know, numbers. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:18.099 No, I think it's a misunderstood book. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:20.139 Why is it misunderstood? 00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:22.159 It's like this ugly duckling. 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:30.079 I mean, people look at it, and they think it's like a junk room, yeah, this kind of room where all the stuff you don't really need, but you want to keep, you dump it there. 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:33.560 And people see this list, you know, some great stories. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:34.800 I mean, it is about a story. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:36.360 It is about the people of Israel. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:37.599 They've come out of Egypt. 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:39.819 It's their journey to the promised land. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:47.180 But then all through, there are these laws and these lists and these instructions, and it feels like such a mess. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:50.159 And people think, wow, what a junk room. 00:02:51.080 --> 00:02:53.020 Actually, if you look more closely, it's not. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:56.099 You know, everything is, you know, it tells a story. 00:02:56.480 --> 00:02:59.420 And those laws and those lists, they make a point. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:01.620 And, you know, when you see it, I think it's beautiful. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:03.240 So, yeah, it's not a duck. 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:05.360 It's a beautiful swan, the ugly duckling. 00:03:05.420 --> 00:03:06.120 That kind of idea. 00:03:06.600 --> 00:03:08.040 That's how I see it. 00:03:08.140 --> 00:03:10.379 That's partly why we're doing it in eight weeks. 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:16.060 So, it's a big book, but the best way to do it is just in big chunks. 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:17.320 I don't know. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:19.540 You know those Lord of the Rings movies, right? 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.060 These really great epic movies. 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:24.439 Imagine watching it five minutes per week, right? 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:26.860 So, you turn on the movie for five minutes, and then you stop it. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:29.120 And the week after, you watch another five minutes. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:32.140 And then the week after, that would kill the book, right? 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:33.300 That could kill the movie. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:34.379 That wouldn't work. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:37.980 It's meant, you're meant to sit down for three hours and then watch the whole thing. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:39.960 Same with this kind of book. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:41.980 You need to take it in big chunks. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:43.580 So, today we're going to do ten chapters. 00:03:44.140 --> 00:03:46.140 So, we need to study it at a bit of a high level. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:47.620 Just be ready for that. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:52.400 But I think that is, I mean, ten chapters of Numbers is not like ten chapters of Romans. 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:53.599 Don't worry about that. 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:55.240 I think it's going to hang together. 00:03:56.159 --> 00:03:56.740 But, yeah. 00:03:57.280 --> 00:04:01.120 Although, even if it's beautiful, even if you, I mean, art can be beautiful. 00:04:01.920 --> 00:04:02.980 But is it relevant? 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.640 I think that's a bigger question. 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:10.000 You know, this book, the book of Numbers, you know, it's really, you read it. 00:04:10.080 --> 00:04:14.340 And it's from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, right? 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:16.220 That's what it reads like. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:17.899 Is this relevant? 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:19.579 Well, actually, it is. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:21.019 And that's the first thing I want to tackle. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:22.959 So, in a moment, we're going to have our scripture reading. 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:26.399 It's not actually going to be from Numbers, but about Numbers. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:30.879 Because if you want to ask anyone, hey, what does the book of Numbers say to us? 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.300 Why don't we ask the Apostle Paul? 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:34.780 He'll probably have something to say about that, right? 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:38.639 So, the Apostle Paul talks about the book of Numbers. 00:04:38.840 --> 00:04:40.420 And that's the reading we're going to hear. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:46.080 But before that, why don't I pray that God would speak to us as we're going to come to his word together. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:49.660 Our Father, thank you. 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:51.100 Yeah, that you are the speaking God. 00:04:52.020 --> 00:04:54.520 All through this book, the Lord spoke, the Lord spoke. 00:04:54.580 --> 00:04:55.660 And you speak to us today. 00:04:55.900 --> 00:05:00.680 Pray that you would speak as we, yeah, listen to scripture read, as Albert reads it. 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:04.439 And then as I try to talk about these chapters and explain it. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:06.120 Please, would you speak to each of our hearts? 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.040 Would you encourage us? 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:09.080 Would you strengthen us? 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.279 Would you give us faith? 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:12.959 Would you show us your grace and power and glory? 00:05:13.479 --> 00:05:14.800 And would we come away changed? 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:16.399 In Jesus' name. 00:05:16.899 --> 00:05:17.319 Amen. 00:05:18.919 --> 00:05:19.359 Albert. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:29.699 Good morning, Watermark. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:37.379 Today's scripture reading is taken from 1 Corinthians 10, chapter 10, verses 1 to 13. 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:43.699 If you're still looking for a Bible to follow along, you can grab one from the front of the stage or in the back of the room. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:48.779 Our passage is on page 900 of the Church Bible. 00:05:48.779 --> 00:05:57.959 Hear then God's word to us today. 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:15.179 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:20.579 For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:26.480 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:33.180 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:36.100 Do not be idolaters as some of them were. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:41.520 As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:49.359 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and 23,000 fell in a single day. 00:06:49.859 --> 00:06:58.139 We must not put Christ to the test as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble as some of them did and were destroyed by the destroyer. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:06.419 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction on whom the end of the ages has come. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:11.560 Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 00:07:12.339 --> 00:07:15.919 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:20.479 God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:26.579 But with the temptation, he will also provide the way of the escape that you might be able to endure it. 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:30.759 Let us believe and respond to God's true and living word. 00:07:36.419 --> 00:07:40.979 Great. Thanks, Albert. Great. Famous passage. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:44.299 But you can hear it's about the book of Numbers, right? 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:47.560 I guess people then, they knew the story, right? 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:55.240 The people of Israel, God's people in the Old Testament, they had been enslaved in Egypt for a long time, and God had rescued them, right? 00:07:55.240 --> 00:08:02.160 Then they passed through the Red Sea, and then they were in the wilderness, and they traveled through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. 00:08:02.280 --> 00:08:04.340 God fed them with manna from heaven. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:06.480 He brought water from the rock. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:07.879 That story. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:10.779 And what is Paul saying? 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:14.500 He says, actually, their journey is our journey. 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:17.719 Their journey is our journey, right? 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:23.279 Because he says, well, they were basically living a Christian life because they were baptized. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:29.939 You know, when they kind of passed through the sea at the start of their journey, after they had just come out of Egypt, that's like their baptism, right? 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:33.220 Well, they were baptized into Moses in the clouds and in the sea. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:41.980 Then on their journey, they were sustained, a bit like the Lord's Supper with spiritual food and drink, and God was with them, right? 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:44.860 The clouds, the Holy Spirit, and they were on their journey. 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:48.200 And he says, well, this is your journey as Christians. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:50.340 There's something to think about, right? 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:53.139 What is your start of the Christian life? 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.699 It's coming out of Egypt, coming out of slavery. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:59.759 Maybe people think that, okay, when I'm not a Christian, I'm free. 00:09:00.439 --> 00:09:02.960 Actually, the Bible says we're enslaved, right? 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:05.580 So enslaved to sin, the devil, the world. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:11.340 But God has freed us, and then we get baptized, we go through the Red Sea, and we travel. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:14.299 And so their journey is our journey. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:20.139 But the thing is, as Paul says, well, most of them didn't make it. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:21.279 That's the issue. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:24.139 And so here is a book. 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:27.059 And did you notice that he says this is for us? 00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:28.199 All right, verse 6. 00:09:28.659 --> 00:09:35.079 Now, these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:35.860 Or verse 11. 00:09:37.079 --> 00:09:37.939 What does it say? 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:43.519 Now, these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction. 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:45.399 On the end of the ages has come. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:46.299 Did you notice that? 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:51.059 Paul says the book of Numbers, it was written down for us, for our instructions. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:55.899 So that we, who live now, so that we, well, that we can make it. 00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:00.579 Because their journey wasn't very successful, but we can do it better. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:03.259 It's partly a very negative example. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.720 Lots of don't be like them. 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.899 Don't be immoral like they did. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.419 Don't be idolaters like they did. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.699 Don't grumble like they did. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.420 Because they didn't make it. 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:13.860 But no, they, that's their journey. 00:10:14.080 --> 00:10:17.360 They, they were on their way to the promised land, but they didn't make it. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:18.900 You have the same journey. 00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:21.320 Well, I hope you can make it. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.680 It's not just Paul. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.720 Jude does the same thing. 00:10:24.940 --> 00:10:26.280 Hebrews does the same thing. 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.500 Psalm 78. 00:10:27.660 --> 00:10:28.400 Name it 95. 00:10:28.520 --> 00:10:29.100 Lots of Psalms. 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:32.080 You know, all of them say, don't be like these people. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:35.960 Because you have the same journey, but you can make it. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:41.340 And so numbers is God's gift from God to us to help us live the Christian life. 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:44.560 I mean, it's quite, I don't know how you think of the Christian life. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.240 So Paul says it's like going through the wilderness. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:48.540 All right. 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:49.600 Which is, is not great. 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:50.900 I mean, walking through a desert. 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:54.000 Many of us, we don't even want to come outside now. 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.800 We just sit in our air conditioned car, right? 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.639 That's how we travel around Hong Kong. 00:10:58.839 --> 00:11:01.459 Can you imagine walking through the desert, through the wilderness? 00:11:02.319 --> 00:11:03.639 The image is, is hard. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:08.019 Well, that is, yeah, that's the Christian life. 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:08.799 It's going to be hard. 00:11:08.859 --> 00:11:09.719 And so we need help. 00:11:10.079 --> 00:11:14.879 And that brings us, yeah, to these 10 chapters, 10 chapters. 00:11:14.979 --> 00:11:17.839 And we're not going to read it because that would take 57 minutes. 00:11:18.219 --> 00:11:18.579 Apparently. 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:20.459 I don't think you want that. 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:22.419 I don't know. 00:11:22.479 --> 00:11:23.439 It's God's holy words. 00:11:24.099 --> 00:11:24.559 No, I know. 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:26.799 I understand that. 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:29.799 But why do we start with 10 chapters? 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:32.419 Why don't we just start the book with the journey? 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:37.079 Well, that's because this is an epic buildup for an epic journey. 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:38.859 An epic buildup. 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:39.539 Right? 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:42.619 If they would just, I mean, this is such an important journey, right? 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:43.739 This is God's people. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.559 And he's been promising to them. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:47.279 And he's brought them out of Egypt. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:51.979 And now they're going to receive everything they were promised in the land. 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:54.359 This is such a big, epic journey. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:57.759 And, you know, we need some buildup for that, right? 00:11:58.200 --> 00:12:00.080 I mean, you watch the Olympics. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:03.639 And there's, I don't know, the 400-meter hurdles final. 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:08.560 And when you watch that, do you kind of start it and immediately they race? 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.300 No, right? 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:12.159 Because you get interviews with the people. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:14.719 And you get highlights from the previous race. 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:17.459 And you get commentators predicting who's going to win. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:20.279 And you can see them warming up and those kind of things. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:20.479 Right? 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:26.839 You get all that, you know, because this is such a big race that they, you know, they build it up. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:28.960 And so it's the same thing here. 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:37.259 We get 10 chapters of buildup so that by the time we hit chapter 11, right, it has just a lot more impact. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.700 Next week is chapter 11. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:42.860 And particularly numbers has this interplay, right? 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:48.220 We constantly alternate between, I don't know, laws and lists and stuff and stories. 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:51.360 And that's like a dialogue, right? 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:53.240 In the laws and the lists, who speaks? 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:54.740 Well, it's, of course, God who speaks. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:57.120 But then in the stories, it's the people who speak. 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.180 So it's like a dialogue. 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:02.700 Which means that in these 10 chapters, the focus is on God. 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:03.419 Right? 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.659 That's the big focus today. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:10.620 About 30 times throughout these chapters, and the Lord spoke, and the Lord spoke, and the Lord spoke, and the Lord spoke. 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:14.120 This is all about God and what he is like and what he is doing. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:22.519 And that gives this huge buildup so that when they, yeah, when they start the 400 meter final, well, we've had all this buildup. 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:25.120 So, why don't we look at that then? 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:29.019 Let's look at these 10 chapters and kind of what does it tell us. 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:32.879 So, in your Bibles come to Numbers chapter 1. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.899 So, that's page 101. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:38.939 If you have the church Bibles, page 101, Numbers chapter 1. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.639 Fourth book of the Bible, after Leviticus, before Deuteronomy. 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:48.340 What kind of things do we see here? 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:53.259 I want to draw out four things. 00:13:54.940 --> 00:14:01.740 So, the first thing that I think we, how the book actually starts, I think is with God's faithfulness. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.460 God's faithfulness. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:09.280 So, chapter 1, you know, this is where the book gets its name almost because you get all these numbers. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:12.399 Because it starts with, right, a census. 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:18.039 One verse 1, the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the tent of meeting on the first day of the second month. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:22.699 In the second year after they've come out of the land of Egypt saying, take a census of all the congregation. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.639 And so, these are the people who are going to do it. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:29.399 And then, most of the chapter is just this list of people. 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.799 Like, verse 20. 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:43.559 The people of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from 20 years old and upwards, all who were able to go to war. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:46.939 Those listed in the tribe of Reuben were 46,500. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:50.400 And then we get a tribe of Simeon, and that's 59,300. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:53.000 And so on, through 12 tribes. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.760 And then, well, the total, one verse 44. 00:14:56.300 --> 00:15:01.840 These are those who were listed, who Moses and Aaron listed with the help of the chiefs of Israel, 12 men. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.320 Verse 46. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:07.960 All those listed were 603,550. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.620 The math checks out. 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:16.340 But what do you do with such a long list of numbers? 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:20.540 I mean, one thing it really says is that these are really huge numbers. 00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:21.280 Right? 00:15:21.880 --> 00:15:24.780 So, this is 600,000 men, 20 years old and upwards. 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:27.700 I guess the same number of women and then kids. 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:30.460 So, this is a group of 2 million people. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:33.080 That's a big crowd, isn't it? 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:38.680 I mean, when we met them in Genesis and they went down to Egypt, there were 70 families. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.520 And now there are 600,000 people. 00:15:42.640 --> 00:15:44.880 I mean, some people think this is crazy, unrealistic. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.500 It's not. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:49.900 430 years, exponential growth, large families. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:50.860 It checks out. 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:53.520 But 2 million people. 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:55.440 What does that tell you? 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.540 It tells you something about God's faithfulness. 00:15:58.180 --> 00:16:00.520 Because what are these people about? 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:06.540 Well, God promised one time, 600 years before this, to a man named Abraham. 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:06.960 Right? 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:13.519 He appeared to Abraham and said, hey, I'm going to bless you and I'm going to make you a great nation and give you a land. 00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:15.879 And a huge nation. 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.100 Right? 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.740 Genesis 15. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:23.100 And God brought Abraham outside and said, look towards heaven and number the stars if you're able to number them. 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:26.139 Then he said to him, so shall your offspring be. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.519 You're going to be a huge group of people, a huge nation. 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:31.300 Abraham had only one son. 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:36.860 And then 200 years later, they were, you know, 70 men plus their families. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.320 Now there's six. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.840 Now there are 2 million people. 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:40.920 Right? 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.240 So God has been faithful. 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:46.699 He has fulfilled, well, part A of his promise. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:46.919 Right? 00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:49.719 And kind of part B because they have God with them. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.479 They're blessed. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.279 Right? 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:53.879 And that gives you kind of confidence in number three. 00:16:53.979 --> 00:16:54.120 Right? 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:59.159 If someone, okay, there's a, you have to pay a deposit in three parts and you've paid part one. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.959 Well, you're going to pay part two and three as well. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.159 Right? 00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:05.940 God's, this should give us confidence in God's faithfulness. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.299 Isn't it the same with us Christians? 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.659 Right? 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:11.759 Why do we have such confidence in the future? 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.920 Well, because of what God has already done in the past. 00:17:14.040 --> 00:17:14.120 Right? 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.320 Romans 8.32. 00:17:16.580 --> 00:17:17.300 Great verse. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:20.820 He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:24.460 How will he not also along with him graciously give us all things? 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.060 Right? 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:27.040 God already gave up his son. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:27.920 He gave up Jesus. 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.759 He's going to do the rest as well. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.060 Right? 00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:36.120 That's, that motivates me because yeah, if God has already done like the biggest deposit, 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:36.360 right? 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:38.580 His son, he can do the rest. 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:43.160 I mean, if God has already made him into this huge nation, he's going to bring them to the land. 00:17:43.540 --> 00:17:45.740 God's people in God's place under God's rule. 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.880 It's going to happen. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.100 But then what does God do? 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:54.199 And then in chapters one to four, basically God orders his people. 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.199 Order. 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:58.339 When I, I don't mean God tells them to do things. 00:17:58.699 --> 00:18:00.779 No, he, he puts everything in order. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.779 Right? 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:07.180 These chapters where you get the tribes, these 12 tribes, actually they're in order and they're in groups. 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:11.220 And there you get the Levites and they're in a certain order. 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.160 I mean, you can see it. 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.180 Actually, you can look at this picture. 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:16.339 This is kind of what you get to build up. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:21.439 So there's these three tribes on the, on the east and three in the west and three in the north and three in the south. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:26.880 And then within that, you have the, the priests and the Levites in three different groups and the tabernacle. 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:29.200 And that's kind of all described. 00:18:29.320 --> 00:18:30.519 And these guys go here. 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:32.900 And I mean, you can see it from the titles, right? 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:37.880 The, the heading above chapter two, it's actually useful arrangement of the camp. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.759 The sons of Aaron, chapter three. 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:42.720 Look at the headings. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.160 Duties of the Levites. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.799 Chapter four. 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:48.500 Duties of the Coifieds, Gershonites and Merorites. 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.019 Right? 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:50.480 Everything is kind of organized. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:55.759 Everything is put in order because this was just a huge group of slaves. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:19:01.720 This was just like 2 million slaves coming out of Egypt, but they need to travel through the desert. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.900 They need to conquer the promised land. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:05.240 Right? 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:08.259 If you see an army, that's not just a crowd of soldiers, right? 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:18.200 They have their divisions and they have their leaders and they have, you know, everyone has their role and everything is kind of organized so that they are effective. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.460 And that is basically what God is doing. 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:24.200 He's making them into an ordered army. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.460 Right? 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:30.240 Of course, it's a special kind of army because it's got these circles of kind of holiness. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:30.559 Right? 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:32.240 God is in the middle at the center. 00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:35.660 And then you've got the priests and Levites around it. 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:38.420 And then you've got the tribes and outside is the world. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:42.480 You kind of kind of go from profane to holy. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:45.400 That kind of order because, of course, God should be at the center. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:45.640 Right? 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.800 That's how things should be. 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.480 God at the center of everything. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.960 But God is, yeah, he's kind of put everything in place. 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.040 Everything is in order. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:57.000 Everything is arranged so that he can dwell with them. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:20:00.279 And so that they are ready for what they're going to do. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.839 And now they're like this. 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.720 And when they travel, well, these guys go first. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.440 And then these guys. 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.259 And then those guys. 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.940 And it is all organized. 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.619 Of course, not just arranged. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:12.400 Second, God consecrates his people. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.039 He sanctifies them. 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.119 He makes them holy. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.960 Because, of course, God is holy. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.700 What does holy mean? 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.359 Set apart. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:22.140 So the people need to be set apart. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:25.840 And so chapters 5 to 8 is all about holiness. 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:27.200 And we get the same movement. 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:28.480 You start with the tribes. 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.440 And then you move in. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:35.460 So chapters 5 and 6 is all about, yeah, making the people holy. 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:39.600 So we get laws about, well, what to deal with unclean people. 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.100 And then what do you see? 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.440 Verse 5, confession and restitution. 00:20:43.780 --> 00:20:44.860 And you can see all the headings. 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:46.820 A test for adultery. 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.400 Chapter 6, the Nazarite vow. 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:50.860 It's all about holiness. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.459 Holiness. 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.899 All about consecration. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:55.899 Which is holiness means, yeah, consecrated. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.539 Now, these are laws. 00:20:58.819 --> 00:21:03.039 And just to say, I want to say that these are laws of grace. 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:05.339 I don't know how you see laws. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:09.839 Sometimes we have this idea that the Old Testament law, it's just there to condemn us. 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:12.139 To show us our sin and to drive us to Christ. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:16.139 Of course, hey, in the very big storyline of the Bible, that's the case. 00:21:16.199 --> 00:21:17.799 But I don't think that's the function here. 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:20.659 These instructions are grace. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.400 They are help. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:24.759 I mean, imagine I invite you to our house for dinner. 00:21:25.540 --> 00:21:31.700 And so I tell you, okay, at the MTR station, turn left and then cross the footbridge and then go right. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:35.259 Do you think I'm being very demanding and oppressive? 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:37.400 And I'm ordering you around. 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.799 No, I'm not, right? 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:41.259 I'm enabling you to come to dinner. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.700 I'm helping you. 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:44.680 That's why these instructions are here. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:48.440 And so God is enabling them to be holy. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:53.279 He is giving them laws so that they can be his people. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.680 Right? 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.839 Note the positive purpose. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.960 Like 5 verse 3. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.319 It's because the Lord dwells there. 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:03.399 Or most famous, at the end of chapter 6, there's the blessing. 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:05.259 You probably have heard that, right? 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:08.339 I guess if people preach from numbers, they always preach from these verses. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.420 End of chapter 6, verse 24. 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:25.880 Great verses, but that's the result of these two chapters of consecration, right? 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.860 God has made them holy. 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:31.100 And as the result, they can now receive his blessing. 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:34.960 They can be in a relationship with him. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.000 That's wonderful. 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.920 They have his blessing. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:44.220 Chapter 7, again, the tribes bring all kinds of stuff for the Levites, 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:49.620 like carts and other animals for sacrifice and all this kind of stuff. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.300 Very repetitive chapter. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:55.600 One Bible translation just almost left this chapter out. 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:58.360 They just summarized 70 verses by saying, 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.920 and the other tribes did the same. 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.980 I can't believe it. 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:06.860 But at the end of the 11-minute reading, 7 verse 89, 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:10.039 look at the result of all the stuff that they've given. 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.579 7 verse 89, 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:16.639 and when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:20.339 he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:22.139 that was on the ark of the testimony, 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.919 from between the two cherubim, and it spoke to him. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:25.979 What? 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:29.459 Now they, because the tabernacle was operating, 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:32.019 you know, Moses could hear from God, 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.700 and they could have God's words, 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:36.019 and he could tell the people what God wanted 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.920 and what God was doing, right? 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:40.019 You know, they have his blessing, 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.160 they have his words, 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:44.000 all because God has consecrated everything. 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.500 Chapter 8, they, well, you can see it, 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:49.559 cleansing the Levites, the lambs, etc. 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.460 Yeah, consecration. 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:54.860 Again, as Christians, it is the same for us. 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.500 We need that, 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:58.100 although thankfully we don't have any laws to keep 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:59.920 because, of course, they could lose it. 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.640 What is it for us? 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.559 Of course, as we all know, Jesus, right? 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:07.279 Jesus died, and he consecrated us. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.759 1 Corinthians 6, 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.400 this is what Paul says, 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.380 but you were washed, 00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.220 you were sanctified, consecrated, 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:18.340 you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.779 and by the Spirit of our God. 00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:22.539 Jesus did this. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:24.199 Jesus, he died for us, 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:26.099 and in that he washed us, 00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:27.159 he cleansed us, 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.599 and we were, 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.919 and he set us apart. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.079 We were now, you know, 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.220 we used to be in the world, 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.799 and now we're God's holy people, 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.459 and we belong to him, 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.639 and we're holy, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.059 and so we can have his blessing, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.740 and he can speak to us, right? 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:41.619 Everything, all through Jesus. 00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.879 And so then we go on, 00:24:44.939 --> 00:24:46.240 well, the people are ordered, 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.839 and then they're consecrated, 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:50.480 and then chapters 9 and 10, 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.319 basically they're setting off. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.419 And chapter 9, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.720 they celebrate the Passover, 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.720 which is really appropriate, right? 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:58.119 When they came out of Egypt, 00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:00.199 just before they went out, 00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:01.299 just before their journey, 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.000 they had the Passover, 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.939 and same here, 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.220 just before their journey, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.399 they have the Passover, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:08.299 and then second half of chapter 9 00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:10.939 is about the cloud covering the tabernacle, 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:11.299 right? 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:13.019 How the cloud would go before them, 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.099 and stop, and go, 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.099 and that is how they would travel. 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.599 chapter 10, 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.319 they make silver trumpets, 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.839 so that they can actually start going, 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:21.119 right? 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:22.339 They blow the trumpet, 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.059 and they go, 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.959 and then from verse 11, 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.519 well, the cloud moves, 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:28.099 and they blow the trumpets, 00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.740 and they go, 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.439 and slowly, 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.019 you know, 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.339 the first group of tribes go, 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:33.199 and then the first group of Levites go, 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:34.859 and the second group of tribes go, 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.119 and the second group of Levites, 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:37.319 and you get this long description 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:40.539 of how they're all slowly starting to go, 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.960 and Moses, 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.500 he's just so excited, 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.039 at 10 verse 29, 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:47.399 he talks to his father-in-law, 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:47.980 and says, 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.180 oh, 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:49.200 this is going to be so great, 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.099 come with us, 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.579 you know, 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.599 this is going to be wonderful, 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.899 and they start traveling, 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.680 10 verse 35, 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.500 and whenever the ark set out, 00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.259 Moses said, 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.019 arise, 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.599 oh Lord, 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.339 let your enemies be scattered, 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:02.440 and let those who hate you flee before you, 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.000 and it's kind of, 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:04.460 oh, 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:06.559 after 10 chapters, 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.279 they're going, 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:07.879 finally, 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:10.280 and this is going to be so great, 00:26:10.900 --> 00:26:11.100 right, 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.780 that's the idea, 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.380 I hope this gives you kind of a feeling, 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.480 for these 10 chapters, 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:15.780 right, 00:26:16.020 --> 00:26:17.440 God arranges everything, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.740 consecrates everything, 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:20.940 and that they slowly start their journey, 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:22.180 everything is in place, 00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:24.780 and now we have this ordered holy people, 00:26:25.020 --> 00:26:26.320 with everything they need, 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.860 on the way to the promised land, 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:30.060 what a journey this is going to be, 00:26:30.300 --> 00:26:30.480 right, 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:31.300 look, 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.540 so look forward to chapter 11, 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:33.400 right, 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.460 but what, 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.960 what should we go away with this, 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.260 okay, 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:38.259 that's interesting, 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:40.039 I can see that it's not random, 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.420 okay, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.119 there's some order, 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.279 what is this, 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.460 well, 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:43.779 it's a, 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:44.819 I guess, 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.619 like I said before, 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:45.859 right, 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:47.240 this is all about God speaking, 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:48.480 the focus is on God, 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:51.160 and what he has done, 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.539 I guess, 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.839 he has put everything in place, 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.099 right, 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.099 which I guess means that, 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:58.920 this is what we should go away with, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.599 that God has given us, 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.099 everything we need, 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.299 for the journey, 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.740 he's given us, 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.720 everything we need, 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.299 for the journey, 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.380 right, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.240 these people, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.259 they have everything they need, 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:12.640 they have a great number of soldiers, 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.680 they're organized, 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.440 they have God's word, 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.579 they have God's blessing, 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.799 they're consecrated, 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.440 right, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.940 they have the leaders they need, 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:22.160 they have God's presence with them, 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.160 they have the trumpets, 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.700 they've got everything they need, 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:25.779 I mean, 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:26.559 it's quite daunting, 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:26.799 right, 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.900 to travel through the desert, 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.960 they've got everything they need, 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:32.259 I don't know how you, 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:32.880 you know, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:35.519 you know these kind of survival shows on TV, 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:35.940 right, 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.160 where they take some people, 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.360 and they dump them in the jungle, 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.340 and then, 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.620 okay, 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:39.960 well, 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.980 the host will go to the next village, 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.500 and okay, 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.480 let's see if you survive, 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:43.720 right, 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.200 if you can make it, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.120 and win the prize, 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:47.360 by getting out of the jungle, 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:47.940 on your own, 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:51.220 that's not here, 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:51.579 right, 00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.140 it's not that, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.759 he just dumps them in the wilderness, 00:27:54.100 --> 00:27:54.279 okay, 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:55.279 I'll see you in Canaan, 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:56.400 that's not it, 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:58.340 he gives them everything they need, 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.759 and so that they can make it, 00:28:00.820 --> 00:28:01.180 it's like, 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.019 of course, 00:28:02.120 --> 00:28:02.480 it's still a, 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.460 they're still in the jungle, 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:03.920 in some way, 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.140 right, 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:06.140 it's still like this survival show, 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.680 but now, 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.960 you're not on your own, 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.940 you have a cooker, 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.620 and a tent, 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.280 and a torch, 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:10.960 and a knife, 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:12.000 and food, 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.640 and a tent, 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.320 and a jeep, 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:13.980 and you know, 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.259 they've got everything they need, 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:15.880 for the journey, 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.440 and it's the same for us, 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:18.640 right, 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:20.600 it's not like you become a Christian, 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.800 great, 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.460 and God says, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.100 fantastic, 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:26.180 just keep trusting me your whole life, 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.060 and I'll see you in heaven, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:29.660 that would be pretty hard, 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.039 that would be pretty daunting, 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.880 but again, 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.160 that's not the life we have, 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.400 right, 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:36.360 God has given us as Christians, 00:28:36.560 --> 00:28:37.600 everything we need, 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.580 for the Christian life, 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.400 I mean, 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.060 first of all, 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:40.700 Jesus, 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:40.980 right, 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.140 in Jesus, 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:43.140 we have righteousness, 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.720 and holiness, 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.420 and adoption, 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:47.220 and sanctification, 00:28:47.840 --> 00:28:48.620 and cleansing, 00:28:48.840 --> 00:28:49.400 and washing, 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:52.120 we have everything sorted, 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.560 in a way, 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:52.799 right, 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.320 and not because of anything, 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:54.939 we've done, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.139 just purely, 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.919 for his grace, 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.839 we have all those things, 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.200 we've got the Holy Spirit, 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.059 who is inside us, 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:02.639 who is giving us a new heart, 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.799 who is changing us, 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.379 who's given us the power, 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.220 of the resurrection, 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.139 right, 00:29:07.179 --> 00:29:07.819 it's all there, 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.000 through our union with Jesus, 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.700 we have all that, 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:12.759 we have God's word, 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.440 to guide us, 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:14.059 right, 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.720 we have God actually speaking to us, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.460 when you pick this up, 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.240 through Jesus, 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.440 we have access in prayer, 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.259 you can pray, 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.080 you can talk to God, 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.700 anytime, 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:22.980 it's not, 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.920 see you in Canaan, 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.180 no, 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:25.799 talk anytime, 00:29:26.340 --> 00:29:27.220 we have, 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:27.799 well, 00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:28.980 all these organized people, 00:29:29.080 --> 00:29:30.100 we have the church communities, 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:30.960 to support us, 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:31.600 right, 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:32.519 you're not on your own, 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:33.779 you have all these people, 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.319 with spiritual gifts, 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.160 and different roles, 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.680 and leaders, 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.100 and all of this, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.900 to support you, 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.660 right, 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.080 you have everything, 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.120 and so the Christian life, 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.259 is not a survival show, 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.259 you've got everything, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.600 you need, 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.259 right, 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:47.840 as you go, 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:48.720 you become a Christian, 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.680 you go on this journey, 00:29:50.100 --> 00:29:51.640 actually God has put everything, 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.940 in place that you need, 00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:54.540 that's one, 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:54.980 I don't know, 00:29:55.040 --> 00:29:56.100 what you think about living, 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.580 as a Christian, 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.440 what are your fears, 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:58.200 and your worries, 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.200 are you worried, 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.780 that you don't know, 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.320 what to do, 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.140 well, 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.480 you've got God's word, 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:06.600 are you afraid, 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.820 that God won't help you, 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.540 you can pray, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:10.900 right, 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.860 are you afraid, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.680 that you'll be alone, 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.780 you've got a church community, 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:16.100 right, 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.800 are you afraid, 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.280 that you, 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.680 lack power, 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.480 well, 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:21.620 the Holy Spirit is in you, 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.280 are you afraid, 00:30:23.360 --> 00:30:23.920 that when you sin, 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.740 it's all messed up, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.100 well, 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:25.640 you've got Jesus, 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.420 before the throne, 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.860 interceding for you, 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.660 right, 00:30:28.780 --> 00:30:29.800 pleading his precious blood, 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:32.060 you've got all the things, 00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:32.600 you need, 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.120 and this, 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.019 because, 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.519 after all, 00:30:35.540 --> 00:30:36.900 this is not a survival show, 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.600 in a survival show, 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.580 the point is that, 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.800 only one person makes it, 00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.660 and the rest gives up, 00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:43.540 God doesn't want, 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.540 well, 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.880 all except one to make it, 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.680 he wants all of us, 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.259 to make it, 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.900 and so he is with us, 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.620 and he's given us, 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.080 everything we need, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.120 everything for the journey, 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:54.840 and so, 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.420 yeah, 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.840 together with him, 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.300 it means we can do it, 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:58.540 right, 00:30:59.560 --> 00:30:59.759 I mean, 00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:01.400 how does that make you respond, 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:03.200 I think it should give us, 00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:03.740 faith, 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.160 right, 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.340 it should give us, 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.220 trust in God, 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.839 it should give us, 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.360 confidence, 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.559 faith, 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.400 that's what we've called, 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.880 this series, 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.900 faith in the wilderness, 00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.259 yes, 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.880 we're in the wilderness, 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.000 but we can have faith, 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.539 if you know, 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:16.980 God is, 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:18.279 giving you everything, 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.360 and he's with you, 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:21.500 and maybe this week at work, 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.279 or at home, 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.720 or your family, 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:24.559 you're facing this really tough situation, 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.559 now some people think, 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.039 things are tough, 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.059 God has abandoned me, 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.339 no, 00:31:30.380 --> 00:31:31.000 that's not the case, 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.200 right, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.299 you're in the wilderness, 00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.960 that's the Christian life, 00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:35.380 it is going to be tough, 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.640 but then if you think, 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:37.920 okay, 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:39.220 I'm all on my own here, 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:41.819 then I guess what you'll do, 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.620 you'll give in, 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.000 right, 00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:44.160 you'll give up, 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.759 what if you know, 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:48.079 that God's given you everything, 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.440 what do you know, 00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.480 what if you know, 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.299 he's with you, 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.600 then you can hold on, 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:53.860 right, 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.220 then you can reach out to people, 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.920 you can pray, 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:57.940 you can say, 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.220 no, 00:31:58.340 --> 00:31:59.440 I've got promises, 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.519 I've got the power, 00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.360 right, 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.299 through Jesus, 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.940 through the spirit, 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:03.360 so I, 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.059 and you will keep going, 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.480 you will keep having faith, 00:32:07.320 --> 00:32:08.000 that's the idea, 00:32:08.080 --> 00:32:08.259 right, 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.000 if you, 00:32:09.340 --> 00:32:09.920 if you know, 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:11.019 God has given you everything, 00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:11.980 it gives you faith, 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.519 I hope we're going to see a lot of that, 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.380 in the coming weeks, 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:17.980 but of course, 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.700 the second thing, 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.059 not just faith, 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.660 I hope we will follow, 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.640 right, 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.799 all the things that, 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:25.420 that God says, 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:25.960 that he, 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.680 I mean, 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.559 these people follow, 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.220 I mean, 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:30.059 we get a lot of God spoke, 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:30.919 but also, 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.859 all through these chapters, 00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:33.599 and the people did so, 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.559 and Moses and Aaron did so, 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:36.599 and the leaders did so, 00:32:36.679 --> 00:32:37.579 and the people did so, 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.440 they did it, 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:41.899 which kind of makes sense, 00:32:42.159 --> 00:32:42.319 right, 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:42.619 again, 00:32:42.679 --> 00:32:44.059 if you're going to my house for dinner, 00:32:44.179 --> 00:32:44.879 and I tell you, 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:45.559 you know, 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.240 go left, 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.220 cross the footbridge, 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:47.779 go right, 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:49.200 the sensible, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.399 you would do that, 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.599 right, 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:53.000 you follow the instructions, 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:54.000 that makes sense, 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.759 same with the Christian life, 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.099 God has given us everything, 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.759 and the obvious thing, 00:32:58.839 --> 00:33:00.099 is to use it, 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.679 God has given you, 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.579 Jesus, 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:05.940 so you want to grow in him, 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.619 and you want to know him, 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:09.000 and you want to hold on to him, 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.079 he's given you the spirit, 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.319 so you want to learn to walk by the spirit, 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.259 right, 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.559 he's given you God's word, 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.119 so you want to, 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:15.879 his word, 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.700 so you want to read it, 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.379 right, 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:19.000 he's given you access to prayer, 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.919 so you pray, 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.639 he's given you a church community, 00:33:21.899 --> 00:33:22.059 so, 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:22.519 you know, 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.599 join a community group, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:23.879 and, 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:24.299 you know, 00:33:24.299 --> 00:33:25.000 come on Sundays, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.960 and build relationships, 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.119 makes sense, 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.359 right, 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:28.879 again, 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:30.079 imagine the jungle show, 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:30.940 and actually, 00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:32.039 this is a good show, 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.240 and you've got your jeep, 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:33.899 and your tent, 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.539 and your cooker, 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.279 and your food, 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.679 and you just leave them, 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.440 and you're just trying, 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.419 with your bare hands, 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.179 catch an animal, 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.399 and make a hut, 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.500 that's stupid, 00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:41.819 right, 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.779 if you have everything, 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.079 use it, 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:47.679 God has given you all these things, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.379 you can do it, 00:33:49.419 --> 00:33:49.759 do it, 00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:50.179 well, 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.319 use it, 00:33:51.919 --> 00:33:52.139 yeah, 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:53.400 and the best thing, 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.440 time to do that, 00:33:54.520 --> 00:33:54.680 actually, 00:33:54.800 --> 00:33:55.280 is now, 00:33:56.520 --> 00:33:56.740 right, 00:33:56.820 --> 00:33:57.200 I mean, 00:33:57.300 --> 00:33:58.440 he is preparing them, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.460 he's given them all of this, 00:33:59.560 --> 00:34:00.500 before the journey, 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:01.780 of course, 00:34:01.820 --> 00:34:02.180 in some ways, 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.100 we're already on the journey, 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:03.380 but, 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.259 I mean, 00:34:04.300 --> 00:34:06.680 it's good to get to know the gospel better now, 00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:08.840 so that when things are tough at work, 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.820 you can hold on to it, 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.880 you can remind yourself, 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.139 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.680 right, 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.360 it's good to build relationships, 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:14.500 with the church community, 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.260 now, 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.800 so that, 00:34:16.240 --> 00:34:17.700 when you're really in a tough situation, 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:19.659 you can reach out to people, 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.340 and ask for help, 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.059 and ask for prayer, 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.500 and ask for support, 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:22.740 right, 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:24.340 you, 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.099 to use it later, 00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:26.420 better, 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:27.960 do it now, 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.460 I think that's, 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.440 that makes sense, 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:30.639 right, 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:32.079 if God has given us everything, 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.980 but I think you get the point, 00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:35.220 and again, 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.659 this is only the start of the book, 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.259 but again, 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:38.739 God, 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:40.579 God is on your side, 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:41.419 he is for you, 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:43.940 he's given you everything you need, 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:45.480 for the Christian life, 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:46.859 I hope you, 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.019 that leaves you encouraged, 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:48.239 right, 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:49.299 the Christian life is hard, 00:34:49.379 --> 00:34:50.460 but God's given you everything, 00:34:50.839 --> 00:34:52.119 he wants you to make it, 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.839 he wants you to be there, 00:34:54.339 --> 00:34:55.379 he gives you his son, 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.440 he gave you his spirit, 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:58.199 that's two thirds of the trinity, 00:34:58.379 --> 00:34:58.519 right, 00:34:58.960 --> 00:34:59.179 you know, 00:34:59.279 --> 00:35:00.239 you've got everything, 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.099 and so, 00:35:02.419 --> 00:35:03.639 let's do it, 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.059 why don't we pray, 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:17.119 father, 00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:18.259 thank you for your grace, 00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:19.239 as we see this, 00:35:20.359 --> 00:35:22.079 the Christian life is hard, 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.359 just a little journey was hard, 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.619 but, 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.219 by your grace, 00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:26.359 you gave them everything, 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:26.859 they needed, 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.980 they had your presence, 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:29.879 they had your word, 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.719 they had your blessing, 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:32.119 they had holiness, 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:33.179 they had order, 00:35:33.259 --> 00:35:33.980 they had everything, 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:34.679 and just like, 00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:35.579 yeah, 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.219 you gave this, 00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:37.319 you gave all this to us, 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.599 thank you for giving your son, 00:35:39.239 --> 00:35:40.339 thank you for giving your spirit, 00:35:41.259 --> 00:35:42.480 thank you for giving us each other, 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.239 thank you for, 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.519 the means of grace, 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.099 the words, 00:35:46.799 --> 00:35:47.500 the prayer, 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.679 Lord's Supper, 00:35:49.279 --> 00:35:50.199 everything we need, 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.039 Lord, 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.619 make it, 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:53.000 would it make us trust you, 00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:55.599 you know what we're going to face this week, 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.259 we don't know yet, 00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:57.060 they didn't know, 00:35:57.220 --> 00:35:59.360 whether there would be an army attacking them, 00:35:59.540 --> 00:36:00.140 or what, 00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.700 they might face, 00:36:02.660 --> 00:36:04.120 but they could rely on you, 00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.620 they had everything, 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.380 and so do we, 00:36:06.520 --> 00:36:06.640 so, 00:36:07.160 --> 00:36:07.880 give us faith, 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.520 help us to, 00:36:09.040 --> 00:36:10.320 use what you've given us, 00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:11.480 now, 00:36:11.660 --> 00:36:11.760 and, 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:12.980 when things are tough, 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.900 and would you bring us through, 00:36:15.020 --> 00:36:15.520 thank you that, 00:36:15.660 --> 00:36:17.320 you want us to be with you, 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:19.120 you are with us in this, 00:36:19.180 --> 00:36:20.100 and you want to bring us home, 00:36:20.740 --> 00:36:20.940 so, 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.700 would we trust you, 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.700 in Jesus name, 00:36:23.040 --> 00:36:23.360 Amen.