WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.879 Today's reading is from Joshua chapter 14, verse 5. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:10.660 The people of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses, and they adlauded the land. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:19.320 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenesai. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:28.460 You know what the Lord said to Moses, the man of God, in Kadesh Bania, concerning you and me. 00:00:28.460 --> 00:00:35.939 I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh Bania to spy out the land. 00:00:36.579 --> 00:00:39.920 And I brought him word again, as it was in my heart. 00:00:40.539 --> 00:00:45.820 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:49.299 Yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:52.320 And Moses swore on that day, saying, 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:59.420 Surely, the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:02.939 because you have wholly followed the Lord my God. 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:08.239 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:12.960 these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:15.180 while Israel walked in the wilderness. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:19.819 And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:24.779 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. 00:01:25.539 --> 00:01:31.039 My strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:36.459 So now, give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:42.599 For you heard on that day how the Anakins were there with great fortified cities. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:48.000 It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:54.859 Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb, the son of Jephanah, for an inheritance. 00:01:55.859 --> 00:02:01.379 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb, the son of Jephanah the Canazite, to this day, 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:05.159 because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:06.980 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:10.319 Thank you, Margo. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:12.759 Let's pray together as we come to God's word. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:18.080 Father, I know we say this every week, but we say it because we believe it, and it's true. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:20.700 We want you to speak to us. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:26.460 God, the most important part of this morning is not my opinions or anybody else's opinions. 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:28.560 It's what your word says. 00:02:28.659 --> 00:02:29.800 God, your word is life. 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:30.759 Your word is truth. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:32.540 Your word is good for us. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:34.420 Your word edifies and builds us up. 00:02:34.419 --> 00:02:36.459 God, we want your word to speak to us. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:39.819 We want you, the living God, to speak to us through your word. 00:02:39.899 --> 00:02:45.279 And God, we want you to speak to us as a congregation, as a church today. 00:02:45.959 --> 00:02:48.659 You're not merely interested in learning about history. 00:02:49.359 --> 00:02:55.459 We want to know how can we as a church follow you wholeheartedly in this season. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:03:00.000 And so God, I pray, won't you by your spirit, let your spirit and your word work together 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.840 and speak to our hearts and speak to us as a congregation. 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:06.419 We pray these things in your great and wonderful name. 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:07.319 Amen. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:08.259 Amen. 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:10.500 Okay, here's a question. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:18.620 If I had a AI machine here, let's call it an AI crystal ball, okay, that could predict the future 00:03:18.620 --> 00:03:21.780 and tell you everything you needed to know about the future. 00:03:22.300 --> 00:03:23.219 Here's my question. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:29.120 What three questions would you ask this AI machine? 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:29.919 Okay. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:37.620 In other words, what is it about the future that you wish you knew or could predict or have certainty on? 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:42.659 And maybe one of your questions would be something like, maybe you'd want to know about financial security. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:45.219 What's going to happen when I retire? 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:48.000 Maybe you want to know about relationships. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.020 Is this relationship going to work out? 00:03:50.099 --> 00:03:50.719 Is it not? 00:03:51.139 --> 00:03:52.460 Does that person like me? 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:55.539 Maybe you want to know about your career. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:58.319 What would you want to know? 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:00.639 Or here's another way of asking the question. 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:07.860 What area of life do you have very little control over that you wish you could control? 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:09.599 Okay. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:12.960 Hold that question in your mind. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:18.620 This morning we are doing a standalone series or standalone sermon. 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:23.360 Often we work through series and in two weeks time we are going to work through the book of 1 Corinthians. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:24.920 We are going to start that for a couple of weeks. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:28.860 But this Sunday and next Sunday we are going to do two standalone sermons. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:36.160 And this morning is going to be a little bit different because often our sermon series are quite personal and individualistic in a way. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:38.500 It's what does it mean for you to follow God? 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:40.579 For me to trust Jesus this week. 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:48.199 But today what I want to do is to step back and to speak to us as a congregation and say what does God want to say to us as a church body? 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:50.259 So it's going to be a little bit more corporate. 00:04:50.979 --> 00:05:00.019 And so maybe to ask that question is if we as a church family could ask God for three guarantees, what would we ask him for? 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:08.579 The reason I ask us these questions is because if you haven't worked out, at Watermark we are in an interesting season. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:11.919 A season of flux, a season of change, a season of uncertainty. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:16.120 There's lots that's going on at the moment that we can't control. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:17.779 So here's one thing. 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:19.919 Many of you will know we are looking for a new venue. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:25.599 And we have identified the western part of Hong Kong, kind of Kenney townish area. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:28.040 And we found a venue that we like. 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:29.500 And we've raised some money. 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:30.939 And we want to go talk to the landlord. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:33.860 But we have no control over how that's going to work out. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.780 Maybe the landlord doesn't like us. 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:41.760 Maybe the landlord likes us but we can't afford what he wants. 00:05:42.520 --> 00:05:45.780 Maybe some people in the church like it and some people don't. 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:48.920 And there's so much uncertainty about it. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:53.500 Maybe the whole thing falls flat and we are back to square one and we've got to start all over again. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:56.399 So who knows how that whole thing is going to work out. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:58.899 Or maybe it works out amazingly. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:01.879 And we all move in and we love it and it's fantastic. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:03.279 And the church grows. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:06.600 And then there are all sorts of new people that we hadn't anticipated. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:12.779 And maybe the church feels like, I used to know everybody but now the church has grown too big. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:13.660 Now I don't know everybody. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:16.920 This used to be my family but now I feel like a stranger here. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:19.379 Or maybe we need to go to two services. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:23.459 And then we feel like our church doesn't have the same feel that it used to. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:26.199 Or maybe we attract a new demographic. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:27.600 We are a young church already. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:30.560 Maybe a whole lot more students come and we become even younger. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:35.040 Or maybe there's an elderly home next door and we become older. 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:37.379 The point is hundreds of reasons. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:43.540 There are an infinite number of things about the future that we have very little control over and we can't predict. 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:45.339 Here's another thing. 00:06:45.339 --> 00:06:53.039 Now we've recently started on Sunday afternoons a service in Syingpun at 2.30 in our community center. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:55.379 The last two weeks have been so much fun. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:56.539 It's been really great. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.579 I've really loved it. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.039 But that too has a whole lot of unknowns and uncertainty. 00:07:01.719 --> 00:07:03.319 Is this venture going to work out? 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:10.079 Maybe in six months time the whole thing collapses and nobody comes and it is a failure. 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:17.539 Maybe a whole lot of people do come and it explodes with growth and it's big and now we've got two churches on our hands. 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:20.719 And none of us know how to lead two churches at the same time. 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:24.060 Maybe we move to Kennedy Town six months time. 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.719 And then what do we do with that? 00:07:26.719 --> 00:07:27.319 Who knows? 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:31.319 The point is it's a step of faith but there's a lot of uncertainty. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:32.159 A lot of challenges. 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:33.639 There's a lot of change in the air. 00:07:34.419 --> 00:07:37.860 Here's a third thing that an area of change. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:41.100 As a church we've been talking with some of the leaders. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:43.319 Maybe we haven't spoken about that much here. 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:47.100 But as a church one of the things about Watermark is we're a tight community. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.120 We're a tight family. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:50.620 We value community. 00:07:51.379 --> 00:07:55.840 We're not amazingly good at outreach and evangelism and mission. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:59.800 And part of the reason for that is it's a little bit uncomfortable. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:04.980 It's so nice knowing everybody and being a tight community and being inward looking and comfortable. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:09.780 But when you're going to step out and invite people it can sometimes be a bit hard. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:11.540 And it can be uncomfortable. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:13.439 And it can be full of changes. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:18.700 And so once again as we think about how do we as a church we love the gospel. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:20.980 We love community but mission we've got to grow in that. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:21.660 We've got to get better. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:23.160 We want to reach out to people. 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.900 Oh well there's a whole lot of changes there. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:26.640 And it's uncomfortable. 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:27.420 And it's difficult. 00:08:27.580 --> 00:08:28.759 And how's that going to work? 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:33.200 And what happens if I invite my neighbor to the explore course and he laughs in my face? 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:38.820 Or what happens if I tell my boss I'm a Christian and that has career limiting implications for me? 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:43.240 Or what happens if what will people think of me when I invite them to church? 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:45.060 Or I want to ask them to read the Bible with me? 00:08:46.400 --> 00:08:53.360 As we want to grow and be obedient to Jesus there's a whole lot of changes and implications and challenges and unknown and uncertainty. 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:55.180 So here's the question. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.900 What do we do with that? 00:08:57.900 --> 00:08:59.340 And how do we respond to that? 00:08:59.400 --> 00:09:03.000 What is our attitude that we take to this season that we're in? 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:04.559 How are we going to face the future? 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:11.299 And how can we be a church community which faces the uncertainty of the future with faith not fear? 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.159 That's the question I want us to think about. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:13.559 Okay. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:17.700 And so let's look at this passage in Joshua 14. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:19.879 Now again long introduction. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:27.019 In order to understand Joshua 14 we need to understand there's a story in the background from Numbers 13 and 14. 00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:27.299 Okay. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:29.620 So let me run through that story briefly. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:31.240 The story is this. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:34.680 You remember if you've been part of Watermark for a while. 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:39.100 A major theme in the Old Testament is how the people of God leave Egypt. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:42.019 God saves them the exodus by the blood of the lamb. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:46.340 They're rescued and they're on their way to the promised land to Canaan. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:52.620 And so God tells Moses that there'll be slaves in Egypt for 400 years and then they will go to Canaan. 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:55.440 Which is the land that God originally promised Abraham. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:57.279 That's why it's called the promised land. 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:57.639 Okay. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:01.399 In between Egypt and Canaan there's a wilderness period. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:08.539 And so the Israelites leave Egypt and they're in the wilderness and they want to work out how do we get into the promised land. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:17.899 And so Moses takes 12 spies or 12 leaders one from each tribe and he sends them into Canaan and he says you go and spy out the land. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:20.980 Go and tell us what it's like and bring back wood. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:23.000 Bring back some of the produce, the agriculture. 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:25.299 Tell us which way should we go. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:26.179 Should we go this way? 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:27.059 Should we go that way? 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.340 Where should we settle? 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:29.959 What are the cities like? 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:30.620 Are they strong? 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.459 Are they fortified? 00:10:31.579 --> 00:10:32.379 Do they have armies? 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:35.100 Which cities do we need to defeat? 00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:36.480 Which ones do we need to avoid? 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:38.120 Come and bring back wood. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.139 And so the 12 spies go off for 40 days. 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.519 They're walking around the promised land. 00:10:42.939 --> 00:10:44.319 They bring back some of the produce. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.000 And they bring back a report. 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:48.200 And so look at what happens here. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.840 This is Numbers 13. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:51.379 The spies come back and they say, 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:57.800 When we came to the land of which you sent us, Moses, it flows with milk and honey and this is the fruit. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:00.280 In other words, it looks really promising. 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.500 This is looking good. 00:11:02.260 --> 00:11:03.700 So on this point they're united. 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.560 But that's about as far as they get. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.840 Because the next verse is, verse 28. 00:11:08.660 --> 00:11:10.520 10 out of the 12 spies continue. 00:11:10.520 --> 00:11:14.220 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong. 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:17.060 And the cities are fortified and very large. 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:20.360 And besides, we saw the descendants of the Anak there. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:22.420 The Anak were big giants. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:24.280 Like very big people, right? 00:11:24.900 --> 00:11:27.940 And the Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negev. 00:11:28.020 --> 00:11:31.120 And the Hittites and the Jebusites and all these people dwell in the hill country. 00:11:31.560 --> 00:11:33.860 The Canaanites also dwell there along the Jordan. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:36.460 In other words, there are people there. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.560 And they're strong. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.820 And it's scary. 00:11:39.020 --> 00:11:41.120 And we're going to have to fight them. 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:44.080 This is going to be a battle, not a picnic, they're saying. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:44.600 Okay? 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.520 Look at what else they say. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.080 Verse 31. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.160 And they said, 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:50.980 We are not able to go up against these people. 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.720 For they are stronger than we are. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:57.620 The land through which we've gone to spite out is a land that devils its inhabitants. 00:11:58.140 --> 00:12:00.460 And all the people we saw there are of great height. 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:03.980 We seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.539 Grasshoppers. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:06.759 And so we seemed to them. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:07.740 Okay? 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:11.860 So Moses sends them out and says, tell us about the future. 00:12:11.920 --> 00:12:12.960 And how do they respond? 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:15.700 There's not much faith going on. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:16.700 There's fear. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.200 There's uncertainty. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:22.180 They're responding with a sense of trepidation. 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:24.360 Not of faith in the goodness of God. 00:12:25.060 --> 00:12:28.279 And because of their fear, fear spreads out throughout the whole nation. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.060 And everyone says, okay, that's enough. 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:31.240 Let's go back to Egypt. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.680 This is a bad idea. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:36.840 But the two spies, one's called Joshua, one's called Caleb. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.539 And they have a different idea. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:41.860 They saw the same land, same people, same circumstances. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.960 But they approach it differently. 00:12:43.060 --> 00:12:43.840 Look at what they say. 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.659 Verse 30. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:48.519 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, that's enough. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:53.939 Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:58.279 For the land which we pass through to spy is an exceedingly good land. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:03.179 And if the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us. 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.919 A land that flows with milk and honey. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:07.179 So don't rebel against the Lord. 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:09.500 Do not fear the people of the land. 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.019 They are like bread to us. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.259 Their protection is removed. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:14.819 And the Lord is with us. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.019 Do not fear them. 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:21.919 Okay, so Caleb and Joshua say, no, we can do it. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.600 God is with us. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.259 Let's go. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:28.019 But the negativity of the ten spies overwhelms Caleb and Joshua's report. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.000 And so the people say, that's enough. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.840 We're not going to go in. 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:34.379 And so they refuse to go into the land that God is leading them in. 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:37.019 And for 40 years, they wander in the wilderness. 00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:39.620 Until that entire generation has died off. 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.580 And the next generation has risen up. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:44.240 But God makes a promise to Caleb. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:47.520 He says, Caleb, because you trusted me, I'll keep you alive. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.720 You and Joshua will go into the promised land. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:53.860 And there's a portion of land I will give to your families as an inheritance. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.500 Okay? 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:57.560 So that's the story in Numbers 13 and 14. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.460 In Joshua 14, which Margot read to us, and which is in your bulletins. 00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:04.500 It's now 45 years later. 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.240 And Caleb, they're about to go into the promised land. 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.379 All of the next generation. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:11.759 And Caleb is reminding Joshua, saying, remember what Moses said. 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:14.040 That God has set aside a piece of land for me. 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:14.600 Okay? 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:18.700 And so, look at what Caleb's words are. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.680 Look at verse 8. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.600 Look in your bulletin. 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:21.680 He says, 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:41.019 And so, Joshua, now he's taken over from Moses. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:43.259 He agrees with Caleb's recollection. 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:46.639 And he gives this area called Hebron to Caleb's family. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.679 Look at verse 13. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.019 He says, 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:53.480 So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, for inheritance. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:57.659 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb to this day, 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:01.360 because he wholly followed the Lord his God, the God of Israel. 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.439 Okay? 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:04.360 So that's kind of what's going on in this passage, 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:07.180 that Caleb is saying, remember the word. 00:15:07.520 --> 00:15:10.280 I'm going to go up, give me that land, and let's go. 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.340 Now, the question is this. 00:15:12.760 --> 00:15:13.100 Okay. 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:13.780 Wonderful. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:17.780 What does that mean for us today in Hong Kong, 21st century? 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.440 I mean, hello? 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.420 What does that mean for us? 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:22.120 Okay. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:28.160 Three lessons I think that we can take from this for us as a church in this season of our life. 00:15:28.520 --> 00:15:28.580 Okay? 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:29.840 First one is this. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:33.340 Let's be those who wholly follow the Lord. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:33.840 Okay? 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:34.280 Watermark. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:37.720 Let's be a church that wholly follows the Lord. 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:40.700 I'm not sure if you noticed it, but if you didn't, look in your bulletin. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:46.980 Three times, Caleb is described as a man who wholly follows the Lord. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:52.080 Look at the end of verse 8, and verse 9, and verse 14. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:52.540 Right? 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.580 And not only is this Caleb's assessment of himself, 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:58.000 this is what Joshua also says in verse 14. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:01.820 For he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:05.679 But not only that, this is actually something that God says about Caleb. 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:09.480 Back in Numbers 14, God says, 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:13.019 None of those who despise me will enter the promised land. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:14.200 And then he says, 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:19.360 Except my servant Caleb, I will bring him into the land, which he went, and his descendants, 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:22.539 because he has a different spirit. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.799 I've often thought about that over the years. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:27.679 God says, there's something different about Caleb. 00:16:27.859 --> 00:16:31.819 He saw the same data, the same facts, same circumstances, 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:36.219 but there's something about his heart, about his spirit, that was different from everybody else. 00:16:36.479 --> 00:16:38.659 He said, it's going to be hard. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.740 I don't know how it's going to work, but God is with us. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.500 We can do it. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:45.759 Everybody else saw the same data and said, we can't do it. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:47.719 Something different about Caleb. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:50.840 He has a different spirit. 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.680 He has fully followed me. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.560 Okay, so what does that mean? 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:58.820 What does it mean for us to be people that fully follow the Lord? 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:03.440 Well, the contrast obviously is with somebody who partially follows the Lord, right? 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.519 I mean, that's the contrast. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:06.000 Fully versus partially. 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:09.220 What does it mean to be partially devoted to the Lord? 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.720 Especially in uncertain times. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:20.360 What it means is that it's one thing to follow God when everything is predictable, easy, and laid out for you. 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:25.660 But when things are uncertain, when there's change or challenge or uncomfortable, 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:31.259 to partially follow the Lord, to not fully follow the Lord, is to pull back and say, we can't do it. 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:36.579 In other words, to fully follow the Lord means God in good seasons and bad seasons, 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:41.779 I think Nate sang it earlier, in winter and in summertime, to know that you are faithful. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:46.480 Great is your faithfulness, whether in valleys low or mountains high. 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:52.199 God, to fully follow you and say, I will trust you no matter what the season or the circumstances. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:55.359 It's one thing to say, God, I trust you. 00:17:55.439 --> 00:18:01.740 But when difficulty comes or change comes, challenge comes, say, actually, no, wait, I think we'll retreat. 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:05.759 But Caleb is somebody who says, God, we don't know how it's going to work out. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:08.259 But my hope is fully in the Lord. 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:09.579 We'll go for it. 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:14.559 If God has said, we know, we don't know how it's going to work out, but we'll know he'll make a way. 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:19.779 Notice the words of the ten spies in Numbers 13. 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.960 I think we got on the slide. 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:24.440 They said, we are not able to go up against the people. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.000 They are stronger than we are. 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:28.900 And the land is a land that devours its inhabitants. 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.660 The people of a great height. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:34.400 We seem like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them. 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:37.700 And verse 3, why is the Lord bringing us into this land? 00:18:37.780 --> 00:18:38.740 To fall by the sword. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:41.400 Our wives and our little ones will become prey. 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.780 See what's happening here? 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:46.980 They're projecting onto the future their picture of how the future is going to work. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:49.860 So they say, this is what could possibly happen. 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:51.840 And now they say, this is what will happen. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.280 Yeah, it's possible. 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.259 They're going to have some battles. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:54.840 That's true. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.500 Now they say, no, this is how it's going to work out. 00:18:57.580 --> 00:18:58.660 Our children are going to die. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.040 Our wives are going to be killed. 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:03.059 This is the worst possible scenario. 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.779 They take that for themselves. 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:11.619 Friends, it's easy to be people of faith when everything is plain sailing and predictable. 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.639 When there's nothing uncertain. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.119 When there's no challenges and no change. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.539 When we know exactly how the future is going to roll. 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.700 It's easy to follow Jesus. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:26.680 But what happens when the future is as clear as mud, as my dad would say? 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.500 In other words, not very clear at all. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:28.859 Right? 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:31.839 Will we still be wholly devoted to the Lord? 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.740 Paul Tripp writes this. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.859 I just forgot his name. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.140 Paul Tripp writes this. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.079 He says, 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:46.839 You can be very mature in your understanding of theology. 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.779 Even things like God's sovereignty. 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.640 And yet still live your life full of fear. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:58.480 Because in your immaturity, you've attached your security more to your control than to God's wise rule. 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:02.680 But faith is more than what you simply know with your brains. 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:08.839 Ultimately, faith is an investment of your heart that leads to a radically new and different way of living. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.099 And so friends, the future is, of course it's uncertain. 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.359 That's the whole point, right? 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.779 Of course it's unknown. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:18.619 The future is full of obstacles and challenges and reasons to be fearful. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:23.839 And friends, the future of Watermark is no way guaranteed to be easy or plain sailing. 00:20:24.739 --> 00:20:28.799 And yet, and yet, we have every reason to be full of faith. 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:33.019 Because there is a God in heaven who is sovereign and in control of everything. 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:34.459 And he says, 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.559 Trust me. 00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:36.959 Trust me. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.279 Don't trust this AI machine. 00:20:38.459 --> 00:20:39.159 Trust me. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.000 Okay. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:44.759 Friends, what might it look like for us as a church to be wholly devoted to the Lord in this season? 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:45.240 Okay. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:47.900 So first thing, let's be a church that's wholly devoted to the Lord. 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:51.559 Second thing, let's be those who trust God for the long run. 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:59.579 One of the things I love about this passage in Joshua 14 is the time frames and the ages that are given. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.000 Right? 00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:01.660 Look at what Caleb says. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:02.359 Verse 7. 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.900 I was 40 years old. 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.660 Wow, what a great age. 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.900 I've just turned 40 a few weeks ago. 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:08.099 Okay? 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.420 Caleb says, 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:13.160 I was 40 years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me to spy out the land. 00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.880 By the way, I'm not spying out any land. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.440 This is the promised land, Hong Kong. 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.579 We are staying right here. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.619 And verse 10. 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:23.519 And now, behold, I am this day 85 years old. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.000 No comments. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:30.559 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:33.480 My strength now is as my strength was then. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:36.599 So give me this heel country of which the Lord has spoken. 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.960 Now, there's two things I love about this. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.319 First one is this. 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.880 Caleb's 85 years old. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:45.519 And he is still full of faith. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:48.660 And he's raring to go and he's not slowing down. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.460 What a great example. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.279 I want to be like Caleb when I'm 85 years old. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:53.680 Okay? 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.119 What a great example. 00:21:55.119 --> 00:22:01.759 But the other thing, what's even more impressive, is how his faith has remained these 45 years. 00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:03.599 It hasn't abated. 00:22:03.719 --> 00:22:05.979 He hasn't become jaded and cynical and hard. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.719 His life has given him knocks. 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.759 At 40 years old, he's full of faith. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.500 We can do it. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.019 Let's go. 00:22:11.479 --> 00:22:15.019 45 years later, he is just as full of faith. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.000 Let's go. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.979 God is with us. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:21.059 Now, there's two implications of this for us. 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.519 First is this. 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:24.679 Watermark is a fairly young church. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:27.420 We don't look as young today because all our young people are away. 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:27.799 Okay? 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.259 But we're a very young church. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:33.320 70% of our congregations between the age of 20 and 40. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:37.140 35% are in their 20s alone. 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:38.380 Here's my thing. 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:41.320 If you're young, I'm so glad you're here. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:45.259 If you're in your 20s, my heart is so happy that you're in your 20s. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.080 And if you're here. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.919 But let me say this. 00:22:48.399 --> 00:23:01.500 It's easy to follow God wholeheartedly and passionately when you don't have kids and you don't have responsibilities and you don't have a manager in the office and you've got a lot more time in your hands. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:08.440 And it's easy when all your other friends are passionate and life is good and the future is brimming with hope and confidence. 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.619 But my question is this. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:22.099 Can you guys still be as passionate, as full of faith, as convinced of God's goodness in 40 and 50 and 60 years time? 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:26.919 That when you're in your 80s, you're still saying, God's got a good future for us. 00:23:26.959 --> 00:23:27.639 Let's trust Him. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:38.500 Let's not be a church that is passionate and exciting and young when you're in our 20s and 30s and then get jaded and cynical and become mediocre and average when you get older. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.480 Here's the other implication. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:45.500 We need gray-haired granddads and grandmoms. 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.899 We need you. 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:49.119 And the church really needs you. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:55.239 We need you to show us how to consistently and wholeheartedly follow the Lord for the decades. 00:23:56.139 --> 00:24:02.039 Where are young people going to learn what does it look like to follow God for 30 and 40 years if you aren't in our life? 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:11.679 And so one of the temptations in church that's got a lot of young people is that when you get 50 plus, the church kind of moves you aside and says, thanks, we don't need you that much anymore. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.599 That cannot happen. 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.719 You're not just making up numbers. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:19.240 We need those that are more experienced and wiser. 00:24:19.360 --> 00:24:21.140 And I don't think we have any 80-year-olds in our church. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:26.539 But if you're in your 50s, I know, or even 60s, the world kind of says, okay, you're on your way out. 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:29.360 In God's kingdom, you're only just hitting your prime. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.819 That's the best time. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.640 It really is. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.400 It really is. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:35.140 And so I just want to say this church needs you. 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:35.900 We need your wisdom. 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.319 We need your maturity. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.360 Robin, we need you. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:41.120 Don't go anywhere back to South Africa. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.720 We need you. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.400 We need your wisdom. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.380 We need your maturity. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:55.100 But more than anything else, in times of uncertainty and when things are changing and there's lots of unknowns in the air, we need you to remind us youngsters or other youngsters. 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:55.920 I'm now 40. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:25:00.420 We need you to remind us what it means that God is faithful. 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.860 We need you to show us, hold on to him. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.380 Don't worry. 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.580 We've been around this mountain. 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.180 Don't lose your head. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:10.340 Let's be a church that trusts God for the long haul. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:12.339 Finally, last thing. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.699 Let's be those who know that God is with us. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:17.519 Now, here's the question I want us to ask as we close. 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:21.199 Is there's something else from Caleb's life I want us to see. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:23.459 What gave Caleb such confidence? 00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:26.139 Was he just an optimistic kind of guy? 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:28.799 Someone who always sees the glass half full? 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.379 Well, look at verse 12 with me. 00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:32.839 Caleb says this. 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.199 He says, 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:44.480 So now, give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke to me on that day, for it may be the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out just as the Lord has said. 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:44.939 Okay? 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.019 So Caleb says, 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.339 Joshua, give me the hill country. 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.659 I'm feeling good. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299 I'm feeling strong. 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.740 I'm sure the Lord is with me. 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:52.459 I can go. 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.740 Do you remember 45 years earlier? 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:59.019 What did Caleb say back in Numbers 14? 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.379 Verse 8, he says, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:03.440 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into the land and give it to us. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.359 So do not rebel against him. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.740 Do not fear the people. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:11.619 Their protection is removed, and the Lord is with us. 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.720 So do not be afraid. 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:17.099 Friends, what was Caleb's confidence? 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:22.319 Where did he get this assurance that the future is uncertain, but it's going to be good? 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:25.599 The Lord is with us. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:30.000 The Lord is with us. 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.599 That's his confidence. 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.199 See, what more do we need? 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.699 What other assurance do we need? 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.899 Where else are we going to look to? 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:43.980 If we look to our leaders and say, okay, we've got great leaders. 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.679 We've got Oscar. 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.219 We've got Dan. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.799 We've got Simon. 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.959 We've got Neil. 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.919 We've got great leaders. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.179 Okay, our future is certain. 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.699 Sorry, guys. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:53.019 That's a very, very shaky future. 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:56.220 If we look at our bank accounts, okay, we've got reserves. 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.700 There's generous people. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.119 Okay, we've got to be fine in the future. 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.200 No, no, no. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.059 We're not going to be fine. 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.680 That is disastrous. 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:10.539 The only assurance and security we have is not something that's found inside of us. 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:12.039 It's found in who he is. 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:15.019 He is the sovereign God. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:17.740 And he is with us. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.740 The Lord is with us. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:24.099 The Lord there is written in capital letters, which means it's God's name that he gives himself. 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.660 Yahweh. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:33.319 The self-sustaining, uncreated, eternally existed God that holds the entire universe in the palm of his hand. 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:38.759 And this God that brought galaxies and solar systems and all sorts of things I don't understand into being. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:42.339 This God says, I am with you. 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:44.119 And I will not leave you. 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.259 And I will not abandon you. 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.439 And I will not forsake you. 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:48.279 The Lord is with us. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:57.059 And friends, if the Lord is with us, the same Lord who brought the people out of Egypt and into the promised land, what else do we need? 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.119 What else do we need? 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:10.379 In Matthew's gospel, in chapter 1, do you remember when the angel speaks to Joseph and says, Joseph, Mary, your fiancé, is with child, with the Messiah. 00:28:10.479 --> 00:28:11.759 The Messiah is growing inside of her. 00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:18.139 And the angel quotes Isaiah chapter 7 and gives Jesus a nickname. 00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:27.899 He says, he will behold, the virgin shall conceive a son, bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.659 God with us. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:32.239 The name of Jesus means God is with us. 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:35.719 And then do you remember the very last sentence in the book of Matthew? 00:28:36.219 --> 00:28:37.539 How does Matthew's gospel end? 00:28:37.679 --> 00:28:38.399 The Great Commission. 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:41.939 Jesus says, all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:48.739 So go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them all that I've commanded you, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.359 And behold, what does he say? 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:53.839 I am with you to the end of the ages. 00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:56.859 Friends, this is who Jesus is. 00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:58.199 This is his very name. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:29:07.460 This is the same Lord Jesus, the same Lord God who is with Caleb, who came down from heaven to be with us, who died and rose again, who defeated the grave. 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:14.539 This same Lord Jesus now looks at us in Hong Kong, watermark, and says, yeah, the future is unknown to you. 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:15.960 You don't know what's going to happen. 00:29:16.380 --> 00:29:18.220 There's lots of uncertainty, lots of change. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:20.759 But I hold the future, and I am with you. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:24.680 And so, watermark, what a wonderful faith journey we're on. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.119 What an adventure. 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.980 The future is uncertain. 00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.579 It's unknown. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:32.980 There's many changes and many challenges, many obstacles we're still going to come across. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:36.700 But in all of this, we don't look to ourselves. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:39.839 We look to the God who has been faithful to his people. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:42.859 Great is your faithfulness from generation to generation. 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:45.819 And we say, that God is with us. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.219 We can trust him. 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:49.899 Let's go into all that he has for us. 00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:51.219 Let's pray together. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:30:02.719 Lord Jesus, your word is so wonderful because even though it's written thousands of years ago to a completely different culture and group of people, it still speaks to us today. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:08.980 God, we sense in our hearts with so many changes and so much uncertainty and so much that's unknown. 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:22.799 As we want to find a new venue, as we want to, as we start this new congregation, God, as leaders change, and I think of staff that are moving on overseas and people that are coming, people that are going, God, there's so much that's unknown. 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.940 But there is something that's known. 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.500 And that is you. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.140 You are faithful. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:30.500 Your mercies are new every morning. 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.039 Great is your faithfulness. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:34.079 And so we will live with hope. 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:37.200 God, I pray, won't you help us as a church? 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:41.659 God, when challenges come, an obstacle comes, may it not divide us. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:44.839 May it not cause division. 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:53.659 May we be united around who you are and trust you that you will lead us into your future for us and for the city. 00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.899 God, help us to trust you. 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.399 Help us to trust you wholeheartedly. 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:59.639 Help us to follow you wholeheartedly. 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:02.960 Help us to trust you for the long haul. 00:31:03.060 --> 00:31:10.880 God, I pray that there will be men and women here in this church that will still follow you for 50 and 60 years to come, God. 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:18.880 That maybe they're in their 20s today, but when they're in their 80s, God, will still be loving the Lord Jesus more then than they do today. 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:21.600 God, let your spirit fall upon us. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:23.040 Draw us to yourself, we pray. 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:24.579 We need you. 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:27.159 Pray this in your wonderful, great name. 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.039 Amen. 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.159 Amen. 00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.200 Amen. 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:28.220 Amen. 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.240 Amen. 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.279 Amen. 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.319 Amen. 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.679 Amen.