WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.860 Nehemiah in a unique position to be trusted by King Artaxerxes as his cupbearer. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:13.880 We have seen King Artaxerxes give permission and a sort of blank check to Nehemiah for the rebuilding of the wall. 00:00:14.860 --> 00:00:16.100 Chapter 1, verse 8 says, 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:19.000 For the good hand of God was upon Nehemiah. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:24.219 We have seen Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem, his observation of the wall, 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:29.760 his report of God's sovereign goodness for the task, and the beginning of the building of the wall. 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:34.439 We have seen the way that the Israelites worked in the face of opposition, 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:38.179 for God had given them a mind to work. 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:40.140 That's chapter 4, verse 6. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:46.140 And we have seen the work completed, and the surrounding nations afraid 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:52.299 because they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of their God. 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:54.960 Chapter 6, verse 16. 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:58.640 So the wall has now been finished. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:01.980 But the work is far from over. 00:01:01.980 --> 00:01:08.379 The building of the wall was just the very beginning of the work that needed to be done in Israel. 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:11.459 Notice here my careful language. 00:01:12.179 --> 00:01:15.140 As I said to you that God brought the news. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:18.459 That God moved Nehemiah's heart. 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:22.560 That God placed Nehemiah in a unique position. 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:25.140 We've been talking a lot about providence 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:29.399 and the way in which God brings about His purposes. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:33.399 As I first read chapter 7 this week, 00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:36.459 I actually had a mind just to skip over it altogether. 00:01:36.459 --> 00:01:38.779 In fact, I spent the week preparing in that way 00:01:38.779 --> 00:01:41.699 and looking at chapters 8, 9, and 10 00:01:41.699 --> 00:01:44.839 at the spiritual revival that began to come. 00:01:45.679 --> 00:01:47.959 But I realized something in my study, 00:01:48.139 --> 00:01:50.519 and unfortunately, yesterday morning, 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:53.159 I realized this and had to start all over again. 00:01:53.919 --> 00:01:56.719 But it's not that the work began, 00:01:56.839 --> 00:01:59.139 that there was a work happening during a period of time, 00:01:59.199 --> 00:02:00.199 these 52 days, 00:02:00.339 --> 00:02:02.239 and that was the work of rebuilding the wall, 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:04.280 and then things changed. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:06.239 And now it's the spiritual work. 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:07.959 And you'll hear many people preach 00:02:07.959 --> 00:02:10.259 and commentate on this in that way. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:11.799 There was a physical work, 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:14.699 and then the spiritual work began. 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:15.560 But in fact, 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:18.159 the spiritual work had already begun. 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:22.159 The people had already been moved to work. 00:02:22.519 --> 00:02:25.099 Nehemiah had been moved to lead in this way, 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:28.900 not simply for the sake of the building of a wall, 00:02:29.359 --> 00:02:31.620 but because of God's glory. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.919 You remember, I've been telling you all along, 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:37.500 the reason Nehemiah was so grieved 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:40.299 is that the state of the nation of Israel 00:02:40.299 --> 00:02:43.680 was the visible manifestation of God's goodness, 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:46.060 God's character to His people. 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:47.639 And they were in shambles. 00:02:48.459 --> 00:02:51.060 They were languishing in the land. 00:02:51.060 --> 00:02:53.719 And Nehemiah wanted God to be seen 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:56.640 as big as God actually is. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:58.120 Wanted to ascribe to Him 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:01.199 the proper glory that is due Him. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:03.699 And that is why this work goes on 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:04.560 as it begins. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.240 And we see the people not failing in this. 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:09.460 They falter at some times in chapter 4. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:10.539 We see them falter. 00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:12.159 They think the work's too great for them. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:13.240 But they don't fail. 00:03:13.340 --> 00:03:14.140 Under Nehemiah's leadership, 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.280 they continue to build. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:19.159 And it seems like everything is just right. 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:21.819 Pretty rare in Scripture we get that. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:23.520 Glimpse of people doing it all right. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:24.919 And guess what? 00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:25.780 In this case, 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:28.579 there's a failure on their part. 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:31.180 I'm going to show you that in chapter 7 00:03:31.180 --> 00:03:33.960 and hope that it speaks to your life today. 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:35.240 Join me in a word of prayer 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:36.800 before we read in chapter 7. 00:03:38.780 --> 00:03:40.479 Father God, I thank You again for this day 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:41.500 and I thank You for Your Word. 00:03:41.579 --> 00:03:42.639 And I pray that this morning 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:44.039 You will bless the preaching of it. 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:46.639 The miracle of this is not that I can get up here 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:48.340 and say words that make any sense. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:50.020 It's that You, by Your Spirit, 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:51.180 apply them to our hearts. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:54.819 I need this as much as anyone else this morning. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:03:56.960 And so I pray that You will bless the reading 00:03:56.960 --> 00:03:58.199 and the preaching of Your Word. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:03:59.480 I pray this in Christ's name. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:00.539 Amen. 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:05.599 Now, I am not going to read to you 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:07.120 all of chapter 7. 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:09.539 I would encourage you to take a look at it 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:10.099 on your own 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.319 when you don't have to properly pronounce 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:13.379 all of these names. 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:15.539 We're going to make a little bit of a jump 00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:16.420 and I will go back 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:17.959 and I will recap for you 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:20.300 the section that we skip in our reading. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:23.019 But let's begin chapter 7, verse 1. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:25.419 Now, when the wall had been built, 00:04:25.539 --> 00:04:26.439 I had set up the doors 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:27.859 and the gatekeepers, the singers, 00:04:28.099 --> 00:04:29.199 and the Levites had been appointed. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:31.060 I gave my brother Hanani 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.959 and Hananiah, the governor of the castle, 00:04:33.099 --> 00:04:34.079 charge over Jerusalem, 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:35.639 for he was a more faithful 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:37.139 and God-fearing man than many. 00:04:37.719 --> 00:04:38.519 And I said to them, 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:40.099 Let not the gates of Jerusalem be open 00:04:40.099 --> 00:04:41.060 till the sun is hot. 00:04:41.299 --> 00:04:42.680 And while they are still standing guard, 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:44.139 let them shut and bar the doors. 00:04:44.599 --> 00:04:46.579 Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:47.879 some at their guard posts 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:49.339 and some in front of their own homes. 00:04:49.339 --> 00:04:51.699 The city was wide and large, 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.099 but the people within it were few 00:04:53.099 --> 00:04:55.339 and no houses had been rebuilt. 00:04:56.199 --> 00:04:57.619 Then my God put it into my heart 00:04:57.619 --> 00:04:59.259 to assemble the nobles and the officials 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:02.060 and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:04.099 And I found the book of the genealogy 00:05:04.099 --> 00:05:05.699 of those who came up at the first 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:07.399 and I found written in it. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:09.599 Jump to verse 73. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:14.460 So the priests, the Levites, 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:16.000 the gatekeepers, the singers, 00:05:16.420 --> 00:05:18.220 some of the people, the temple servants, 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:20.660 and all Israel lived in their towns. 00:05:21.020 --> 00:05:22.420 And when the seventh month had come, 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:25.220 the people of Israel were in their towns. 00:05:25.460 --> 00:05:27.320 I want to draw your attention to two verses. 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:28.920 And this kind of arrested my attention 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.240 as I was really preparing yesterday morning 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:32.939 to give you a little brief summary of chapter 7 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:34.320 so we can move on to chapter 8. 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:35.420 And that's where I was at. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:38.420 And these two verses caught my attention. 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:41.280 Verse 4 and verse 73. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:43.360 The city was wide and large, 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:44.379 but the people within it were few 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:45.819 and no houses had been rebuilt. 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:49.080 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, 00:05:49.220 --> 00:05:50.600 some of the people, the temple servants, 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:52.920 and all Israel lived in their towns. 00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:55.379 So what's happening here 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.460 is that now the wall has been rebuilt. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.480 No one or very few people 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:01.439 had lived within Jerusalem 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.400 because it wasn't a safe place to be 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:05.939 and they were in their country homes. 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:08.400 They were out in the suburbs 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:09.199 living. 00:06:09.919 --> 00:06:11.779 And now that the wall has been rebuilt, 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:14.199 the houses still haven't been rebuilt, 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:15.659 and people are back 00:06:15.659 --> 00:06:18.560 in their nice suburban places. 00:06:18.799 --> 00:06:19.519 That's where they are. 00:06:19.579 --> 00:06:21.500 They're in the comfort of their homes. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.839 And what struck me 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:25.139 is that they missed the point altogether. 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:28.799 God's glory is not found in buildings, 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:30.139 but in His people. 00:06:31.859 --> 00:06:34.159 And they didn't see that the state of Jerusalem 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:36.220 was the real point. 00:06:36.700 --> 00:06:38.580 How is it that the people of God 00:06:38.580 --> 00:06:39.500 are thriving? 00:06:39.640 --> 00:06:40.460 They did a great work. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:42.040 They built a wall in 52 days 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:43.240 and they all headed back 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:44.520 to their comfy homes. 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:49.100 They didn't come to occupy the city. 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:50.320 The people of God 00:06:50.320 --> 00:06:52.180 living in community 00:06:52.180 --> 00:06:54.020 as the people of God. 00:06:54.540 --> 00:06:56.120 The same problem existed 00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.180 a number of years later 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:59.160 as the temple was being rebuilt. 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:00.080 And Haggai, 00:07:00.260 --> 00:07:01.939 who prophesied during this time, 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:02.700 chapter 1, 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:03.840 verse 3 and 4, 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:04.460 says, 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.400 Then the word of the Lord 00:07:05.400 --> 00:07:07.220 came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:09.520 Is it a time for you yourselves 00:07:09.520 --> 00:07:11.160 to dwell in your paneled houses 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:14.460 while this house lies in ruins? 00:07:14.780 --> 00:07:15.800 And speaking of the temple, 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.980 is it the proper time for you 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:20.000 to be living in your nice homes 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:20.780 in the suburbs 00:07:20.780 --> 00:07:24.800 while this house lies in ruins? 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.280 Now, in this day, 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.079 a paneled house 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.220 is a very fancy thing. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.240 Sam and I are painting 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:31.300 our dining room right now, 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:32.120 which at one time 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.120 was paneled and painted 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:34.120 and painted and painted 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:34.800 and painted 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:35.920 and I'm very frustrated 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:36.900 because it's so hard 00:07:36.900 --> 00:07:37.960 to paint a paneled wall 00:07:37.960 --> 00:07:39.600 with all the little grooves 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:40.900 and such in it. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:42.180 But in this time, 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:43.939 it meant that they had lumber. 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:45.800 They had paid the high price 00:07:45.800 --> 00:07:46.800 for wood 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:48.439 and they had had it milled 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:49.439 and they had placed it 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:50.160 along the walls 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:50.980 inside their homes. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:53.160 These were nice homes 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:54.560 that they were dwelling in. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:56.139 And we find them here 00:07:56.139 --> 00:07:58.300 in the same condition. 00:07:58.780 --> 00:08:00.319 It's as if they completely 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.500 missed the point. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.379 Entirely missed the point 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.600 of why they were 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:08.400 to rebuild Jerusalem. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:10.780 A revival comes. 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:11.900 We're going to see that 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:12.879 beginning next week. 00:08:13.280 --> 00:08:13.720 Truth. 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:15.699 The Word of God is open. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:16.759 They called Ezra 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:17.680 and he begins to read 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:18.259 from the law 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:19.620 and the Spirit of God 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.780 comes and gives them conviction 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:23.080 and we see at the end 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:23.939 of this process 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.159 8, 9, and 10. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.120 The very beginning 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:27.859 of chapter 11 00:08:27.859 --> 00:08:28.439 says, 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:29.339 Now the leaders of the people 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.039 lived in Jerusalem 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.219 and the rest of the people 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:32.139 cast lots to bring 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:32.960 one out of ten 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:33.720 to live in Jerusalem, 00:08:33.819 --> 00:08:34.399 the holy city, 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.720 while nine out of ten 00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:37.039 remained in their other towns. 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:38.220 And the people blessed 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:39.000 all the men 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:40.159 who willingly offered 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.340 to live in Jerusalem. 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:42.019 So recognize 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.460 that a revival happens 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.600 and what do they begin to do? 00:08:44.699 --> 00:08:45.480 They begin to send people 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:46.879 back into Jerusalem 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:48.579 to live and dwell 00:08:48.579 --> 00:08:49.620 in a community. 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:53.000 So what does that say 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:53.759 to us? 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:55.620 I've been saying to you 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:56.299 all along 00:08:56.299 --> 00:08:57.340 that the parallel here 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:58.220 is that we're building 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:59.460 a spiritual house. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:02.820 It's not such a far stretch. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:03.919 I kind of missed it 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.259 myself. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:05.840 I wanted to draw 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:06.480 this comparison 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:07.240 between the building 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:07.820 of a wall 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:08.279 to the building 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:08.919 of a church. 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.360 But in fact, 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:11.340 what they were really doing 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:11.840 was building 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.419 a community of faith. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.039 Those who were gods 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:15.879 who worshipped Him. 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:18.320 It's the very same thing 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.680 we're doing today. 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.840 In John chapter 13, 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:25.360 verse 34 and 35, 00:09:25.760 --> 00:09:26.360 Jesus says, 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:27.540 A new commandment 00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:28.379 I give to you 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:30.220 that you love one another. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.780 Just as I have loved you, 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:32.820 you also are to love 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:33.300 one another. 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.160 By this, 00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:35.379 all people will know 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:36.379 that you are My disciples 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.400 if you have love 00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:38.600 for one another. 00:09:39.440 --> 00:09:41.580 Now the word used here, 00:09:42.160 --> 00:09:43.760 no, Jesus didn't say this 00:09:43.760 --> 00:09:44.260 in Greek. 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:45.500 Jesus would have said this 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:47.020 in Hebrew 00:09:47.020 --> 00:09:48.020 more than likely. 00:09:48.920 --> 00:09:49.940 But the Greek word here for, 00:09:50.180 --> 00:09:50.540 excuse me, 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.879 the Hebrew word for new 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:53.340 actually means renewed. 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:54.200 So we could read it, 00:09:54.420 --> 00:09:55.500 A renewed commandment 00:09:55.500 --> 00:09:56.240 I give to you. 00:09:56.760 --> 00:09:58.560 A restating of the commandment 00:09:58.560 --> 00:10:00.140 found in Leviticus 19.18. 00:10:00.260 --> 00:10:01.540 You shall love your neighbor 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:02.960 as yourself. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.440 It's the high calling 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:06.060 of Christians 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:07.000 to love God 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.379 and to love people. 00:10:09.160 --> 00:10:09.800 The commandments 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:10.920 that are given to us 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:11.820 in this way. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.860 And how is it 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:13.920 that they're going to know 00:10:13.920 --> 00:10:14.880 that we're Christians? 00:10:15.020 --> 00:10:16.080 By our buildings, 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:16.980 by our signs, 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:18.220 by our radio stations, 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.159 by our t-shirts, 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:20.639 by our bumper stickers, 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.720 I hope not, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.139 but by our love 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:24.659 for one another. 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:27.860 The Greek word 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:29.080 translated here, 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:30.879 alelus, 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.220 one another, 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:34.680 has no singular form. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:36.840 There's no way 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:37.700 to say this 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.259 in the singular, 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:40.159 meaning that it is never used 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:41.120 in reference to me, 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:42.340 but it is always used 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:44.180 in reference to us. 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:46.739 It is the very paradigm word 00:10:46.739 --> 00:10:47.839 for community. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.579 That is what we are called to. 00:10:52.199 --> 00:10:53.959 I fear there's a form of thinking 00:10:53.959 --> 00:10:55.279 in the Christian church 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.039 in America 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:59.199 that's very radically independent. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.239 There's a little phrase 00:11:01.239 --> 00:11:02.459 that kind of encapsulates it, 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:03.159 although I wouldn't give 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.399 all the credit to the phrase, 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:05.919 but you've heard this, 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.639 personal relationship 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:09.039 with Jesus Christ. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.819 Found nowhere in the Scriptures. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.980 Now it's true, 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:13.940 we do each have 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:14.720 an individual relationship 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.480 with Jesus Christ. 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:16.980 He is my brother. 00:11:17.140 --> 00:11:18.100 We are friends. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.020 He is my Lord. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.379 There's a relationship there 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.240 between me and Him, 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.879 but the more proper way 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.640 to speak about it 00:11:23.640 --> 00:11:24.260 would be to say 00:11:24.260 --> 00:11:25.200 that I have been saved 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.500 not to a personal relationship 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:26.980 to Jesus Christ, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.780 but to a community relationship 00:11:28.780 --> 00:11:29.620 with Jesus Christ. 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:31.680 We have been saved 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:33.840 in order to be together 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.120 for the glory of God. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.160 You cannot miss this point. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:39.480 It's an axiom. 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:41.480 Everything swings on this 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.460 for your Christian living. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:43.800 Your Christian life 00:11:43.800 --> 00:11:45.200 cannot happen 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:46.300 apart from the context 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:47.420 of the church. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:52.300 Notice the epistles. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.759 All of the letters written, 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.879 Paul, Peter, John, 00:11:57.259 --> 00:12:00.279 all of their primary concerns 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:03.680 is correcting the community of faith. 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:05.759 They do so doctrinally. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:06.779 They bring truth. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.500 Praise God for it. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.740 Much of it is commentary, 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.639 setting us straight 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.440 about our thinking. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.139 But they do so in order 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.259 that the community of faith 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:15.860 will live rightly. 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.179 Let's take, for example, 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:20.320 1 Corinthians. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.860 Chapters 1-4. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:26.039 Paul addresses the disunity 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:27.940 that's happening amongst them 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.940 because they're dividing 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:31.419 over worldly criteria. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:34.539 chapter 1, verse 16 and 17. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.679 Do you not know 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:36.839 that you are God's temple 00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:38.120 and that God's spirit 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:38.759 dwells in you? 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:39.719 That's not chapter 1. 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:40.620 I don't know what chapter it is. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.379 You can find it. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.319 Verses 16 and 17 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.039 of one of those chapters. 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.039 I think it's 3. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.120 Do you not know 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.000 that you are God's temple 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.879 and that God's spirit 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.559 dwells in you? 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:50.860 If anyone destroys God's temple, 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.259 God will destroy him. 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:53.719 For God's temple is holy 00:12:53.719 --> 00:12:54.639 and you, 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:55.339 being the church, 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.980 are that temple. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:59.100 chapter 5, 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.659 he addresses concern 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.019 for immorality that's happening. 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.580 There's, in fact, 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:04.000 a sexual relationship 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.019 that's happening. 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.279 And he says in verse 2, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.440 let him who has done this 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.120 be removed from among you. 00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:11.800 Chapter 6, 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:13.000 lawsuits. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.840 There's these lawsuits 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.920 happening between Christians. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:16.759 And in verse 8, 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.060 he says, 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.720 you yourselves wrong 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.500 and defraud 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.680 even your own brothers. 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.940 Chapter 7-10, 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:24.920 he addresses issues 00:13:24.920 --> 00:13:25.700 of Christian liberty. 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.120 10-32, 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:27.580 it says, 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.340 give no offense 00:13:28.340 --> 00:13:29.320 to Jew or to Greek 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:30.280 or the church of God. 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:31.500 Just as I try to please 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.180 everyone in everything I do, 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.820 not seeking my own advantage 00:13:34.820 --> 00:13:35.759 but that of many, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.700 that they may be saved. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.800 The way we live matters. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.720 Chapters 11-14, 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.320 the worship practices 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:45.920 of the Corinthian church. 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:48.040 Chapter 14, 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.640 verse 23, 00:13:48.780 --> 00:13:49.000 he says, 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.240 will they not say 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.460 that you are out 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.660 of your minds? 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.900 It's the major concern 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.819 of the epistles 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:57.100 as how it is 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:58.740 that we live together 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.759 in a community of faith. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.879 Because how we do this, 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.199 how we live as a community 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.659 of God's saints 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:08.299 will either confirm 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.559 the gospel realities 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.120 in our life 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.500 and attract people 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.240 to Christ, 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.600 or it will deny 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.879 those gospel realities 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.000 and repel people 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.919 from Him. 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.079 This happens 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.639 far too much 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:23.100 in the American church. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.820 I can't speak 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.820 for the rest of the world. 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.300 From my observation, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.000 this happens 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.139 far too much. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.399 How will people know 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:30.960 that we are disciples 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.600 of Jesus Christ? 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.740 By our love 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:34.879 for one another. 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.720 How will they see 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.620 that our religion 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:39.620 is a farce? 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.340 That it is ridiculous? 00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:42.220 That it's just a bunch 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.320 of rules and laws 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.139 that are going to rob 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.279 all the temporary fun 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:45.860 of this life? 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.220 Because we are just 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.480 like them. 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:53.500 Go back to Nehemiah. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.240 Let me sum up for you 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:58.120 really fast 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.259 what happens here 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.240 in Nehemiah. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.600 It begins with, 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.740 starting in verse 6, 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.620 a numbering of the 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.399 human resources. 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.360 The people matter. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:07.960 The people that were 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.960 brought back from exile, 00:15:09.279 --> 00:15:09.879 they matter. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.960 They mean something 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:12.660 to the nation of Israel 00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.200 and therefore 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.300 the glory of God. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.360 Verses 6-38, 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.800 the laymen are numbered. 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.659 Verses 39-42, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.600 the priests are numbered. 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.100 Verse 43, 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.639 the Levites are numbered. 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.159 Verse 44, 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.759 the Levitical singers 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.379 are numbered. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:29.879 Verse 45, 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.759 the gatekeepers 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.180 who more than likely 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:33.139 were also Levites 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.539 are numbered. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.840 Verse 46-56, 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.720 the temple servants 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.180 are numbered. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:39.200 Verses 57-60, 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:39.779 the descendants 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.379 of Solomon's servants 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.420 are numbered. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.560 And then we see 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.240 a separating 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:45.279 and an excluding 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:47.200 in verses 61-65, 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.440 kind of a sorting. 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:50.060 And they exclude 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:50.620 those who were 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.700 unable to prove 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:53.060 their descent from Aaron. 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:53.680 Those whose 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:55.440 Levitical line 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.899 was not very clear 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.700 and clean, 00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:58.240 which was a way 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.980 that they were 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.639 ascribing to the 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.080 proper order 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:02.560 of worship 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.220 that God had given 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.659 to them. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:05.220 We could draw a parallel 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.200 to the way we pick 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.480 leadership for our 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.639 churches in this regard. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:11.519 And then verses 66-72, 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.440 there's a numbering 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.700 of the other resources, 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.480 the other things 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.340 that are at their 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.580 disposal for the 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.520 rebuilding and the 00:16:17.520 --> 00:16:19.740 goodness of the people. 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.460 And that's chapter 7. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.380 You see why at first glance 00:16:25.380 --> 00:16:26.340 I might have jumped 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:27.980 right over the top of it. 00:16:28.260 --> 00:16:30.240 But the one anotherness 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.120 is important 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.980 and they were missing it. 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.920 A revival came amongst them 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:35.820 and they got it 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.600 and they began to get 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:38.480 about that work. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.520 Now let's talk a little bit 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.919 about the one another's 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.360 of Scripture 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.460 I mentioned to you before. 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.740 They're in John. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.799 That we are to love 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.840 one another. 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.960 You know that the New Testament 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.960 is full of them? 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.340 I have a cheat sheet 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.860 right here in front of me. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.019 Highlighted and ready to go. 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.019 Listen to some of these. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.500 This is what we're meant 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.980 to do together. 00:16:59.039 --> 00:16:59.860 Be at peace 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.139 with one another. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.720 Love one another. 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:04.180 Be devoted to one another 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.339 in brotherly love. 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.839 Honor one another 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:08.480 above yourselves. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.799 Live in harmony 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.559 with one another. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.299 Stop passing judgment 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.099 on one another. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.819 Accept one another. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.579 Instruct one another. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.819 Greet one another 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.680 with a holy kiss 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.339 which was to say 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.500 you're part of our family. 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:22.839 Have equal concern 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.779 for one another. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.059 Serve one another 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.180 in love. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.279 Carry each other's burdens. 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.779 Be patient. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.839 Bearing with one another 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.279 in love. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.720 Be kind and compassionate 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.339 to one another. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.680 Speak to one another 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:36.220 with psalms, hymns, 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.319 and spiritual songs. 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.980 Submit to one another. 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:40.859 In humility consider others 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.980 better than yourselves. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.720 Bear with each other. 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.099 Forgive one another. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.419 Teach one another. 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.819 Admonish one another. 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.980 Make your love increase 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.639 and overflow 00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.639 for one another. 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.619 Encourage one another. 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:55.460 Build each other up. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.939 Spur one another 00:17:56.939 --> 00:17:57.919 on toward love 00:17:57.919 --> 00:17:58.759 and good deeds. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.159 Confess your sins 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.759 to one another. 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.980 Pray for one another. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.839 Love one another deeply 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.759 from the heart. 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:05.939 Live in harmony 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.740 with one another. 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.200 Offer hospitality 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.100 to one another. 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.320 Clothe yourselves 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.100 with humility 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:12.039 towards one another. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.140 And once again, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:15.320 love one another. 00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:17.500 These are the things 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.160 we're called to 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:19.420 as a faith community. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.820 You may have hoped 00:18:21.820 --> 00:18:22.720 that I was at this point 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.500 going to just give you 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.160 some opinion 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:25.220 of how I think 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:25.840 we ought to be 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:27.279 living together 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.820 because it would be 00:18:27.820 --> 00:18:28.279 really easy 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.980 to weasel your way 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.519 out of that. 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.320 But thus speaks 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.500 the word of the living God. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.339 This is how we're 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.579 meant to live together 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.640 for our good 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:39.579 and for God's glory. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.940 This requires 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.059 a togetherness. 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.500 Do you catch 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.359 all those things? 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.960 I love texting. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.559 I love it. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.759 I don't like the formalities 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.480 of conversation. 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:53.019 Having a phone conversation. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.079 I could skip right over 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.640 the hellos. 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.099 How are you? 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.740 I could just get right 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.240 to the point. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.579 Texting allows me 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.160 to do that. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.559 It's really hard. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:18:59.799 I mean, 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:00.920 to a degree, 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.680 some of these things 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.259 we can accomplish 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.700 this way. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.860 But we need to be 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.500 together, 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.720 face to face, 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.860 spending time 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.700 in relationship 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.220 together 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:10.200 to do these things. 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.480 Community 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.860 is incredibly 00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:14.360 important. 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.660 Beloved, 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.660 Sunday morning 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.460 is not 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.680 enough. 00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:21.820 Especially 00:19:21.820 --> 00:19:22.480 those of you 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.039 who come 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.500 right when we start 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:24.960 and leave 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.960 right when we end. 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.800 That's just 00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.920 consumer Christianity. 00:19:29.380 --> 00:19:29.860 You're coming 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:30.580 for the show. 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.580 You sit, 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.240 you consume, 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.140 you leave. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.480 We need you 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.279 as much as you 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.960 need us. 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.779 We need relationship. 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.820 We need to spend 00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:39.720 time beforehand 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.820 drinking coffee 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.580 and talking about 00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.140 our weeks. 00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:43.180 We need to spend 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.060 time afterward 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:45.300 encouraging one another 00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:45.980 with the preaching 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.480 of the word 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.100 and the singing 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:47.779 of our songs. 00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:49.039 Those things 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.860 matter. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.560 The service 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.539 itself is important. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.440 You know the reason 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.400 we don't turn the music 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.060 up super, 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:56.400 super, 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.160 super loud 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.700 and turn off 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.180 all the lights 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.600 in here? 00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.700 Because we need 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.360 to hear each 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.160 other singing 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.600 true words. 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.039 If you're not 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.460 a singer, 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.080 start. 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.360 I know it's 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:06.840 terrifying. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.220 I have a horrible 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.980 singing voice. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.840 I can hear 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.920 a key at least. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.600 I think I sing 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:12.980 the right notes. 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.779 I think I sing 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.380 the right notes. 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.559 But it doesn't 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.140 matter when you 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.500 sing, 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.120 think. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.880 The person in 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.259 front of me 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:18.680 and the person 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.220 next to me 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:19.740 needs to be 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.279 encouraged with 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.640 the truth of 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.039 the gospel. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.200 I will sing. 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.660 Find your heart 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.539 uniting with the 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.200 words coming out 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.580 of your mouth. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.340 That's why we do 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:27.500 that. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:27.960 If you ever 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.400 come to a 00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.099 concert here, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.240 it'll be much 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.559 louder. 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.240 You won't be able 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.839 to hear yourself 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.819 think we're going 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.339 to turn the music 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:34.940 up so loud. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.059 But there's a 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.799 reason we do 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.460 it that way. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.960 Across the 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.799 nation this 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.140 morning, 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.519 there are dark 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.240 rooms and people 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.900 having these little 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:44.039 silent moments 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:45.160 with God. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.599 Stay home if 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:46.960 that's what you 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.440 want to do. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.079 We come together 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.720 to meet with the 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.759 people of God, 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.920 to encourage one 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.099 another, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.980 to do all these 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.059 things that I 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.160 just listed off. 00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.240 life. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.040 It matters. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.880 It's so, 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:59.940 so important. 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.220 Other times 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.000 during the week, 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:06.560 if you are just 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:07.279 coming on Sunday 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:07.940 morning to 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.360 Christ Family 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:08.820 Church, 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.240 you're missing 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.860 a huge part 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.620 of what church 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.560 life looks like. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.600 We do something 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:15.340 called community 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:15.779 groups. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.820 Right now they 00:21:16.820 --> 00:21:17.540 meet on Wednesdays. 00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.259 They don't have 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.460 to. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.880 There are two 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.519 places they meet 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:20.820 right now. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.360 They can meet 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:21.779 in many, 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:22.000 many, 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.800 many places. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.960 Community groups 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.319 are key and 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.740 vital to what 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.180 we do. 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.379 It lets us get 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.279 together and 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.460 really start working 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.200 these things out 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.579 together, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.599 really pressing 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.579 into Christian 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.559 life together. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.119 It's hugely 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.799 important. 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:38.519 Now look, 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:39.859 some of these 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.680 people probably 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.299 lived in their 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.539 fancy homes out 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.359 in the suburbs 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.119 and they said, 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.700 Nehemiah, 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.539 we can't come 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.000 live in the city. 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:46.319 There aren't 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:47.299 any houses yet. 00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:47.759 The houses 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.440 haven't even been 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.659 built. 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.680 So when you get 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.579 a whole city built 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:50.919 for us, 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.599 we'll come back 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.700 and we'll stay. 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.379 In the city, 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:53.759 right? 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.519 Make sure you 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.039 build me a 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.599 paneled house 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:55.940 because I've got 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.720 a nice paneled 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.559 house out where 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.399 I'm at right now. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.480 They didn't do 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.099 that after 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:01.819 revival came. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:02.960 Chapter 11, 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:03.940 they went back 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.759 and they worked 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.740 and they built. 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.799 It takes that. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.859 It takes work 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.599 to get together. 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.599 Just because you 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.379 show up to a 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.079 small little Bible 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.859 study and you 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.519 don't get a lot 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.039 out of it, 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:14.919 doesn't mean you 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.740 shouldn't go again. 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.659 It takes work. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.139 You have to 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.639 contribute. 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.539 It might be a 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:20.919 mess. 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.399 It might be a 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.220 total shambles. 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.759 Maybe you're the 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.140 one that needs 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.660 to step in and 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:23.779 say, 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.660 this is a mess. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.779 How can we 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.400 help sort this 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.019 out together? 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.140 It's very 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.740 possible. 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.480 It takes 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.940 investment to 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.680 live the 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.180 Christian life 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.539 together. 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.680 How many of 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.200 you have 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.779 said, 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.440 don't raise 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:36.799 your hands, 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.380 please? 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.299 I don't 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.440 certainly 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:38.860 get anything 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.299 out of that. 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:41.940 What did 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.480 you put in? 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.440 Did you 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.420 contribute in 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:44.779 any way 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.279 whatsoever 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.000 before you 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.960 made that 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.500 very comment? 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.880 I would 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.259 guess not. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.700 These things 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.319 take work. 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.279 It's hard to 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.859 get to places, 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.259 right? 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.039 Parents, I 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.440 understand. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:57.940 I didn't used 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.400 to understand. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.940 I get it. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.640 I get it now. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.740 It's hard to get 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.099 them up. 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.000 Sam was mentioning 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.880 this morning that 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.740 there's got to be 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.559 some spiritual warfare 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.119 on a house on 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.799 Sunday mornings because 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.859 nothing goes well 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.720 on Sunday mornings. 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.740 Our boys wake up at 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.680 a quarter till seven 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:13.319 almost every day. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.180 It's annoying. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:16.000 We want one day, 00:23:16.100 --> 00:23:16.600 a day off. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.720 We sleep in just a 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.720 little bit, 7.30, 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.220 come on. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.080 But Sunday morning, 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:20.580 we have to wake 00:23:20.580 --> 00:23:21.460 them up almost 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:21.980 every Sunday 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.259 morning. 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:24.080 They sleep so 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:25.140 well. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.400 Wrestle to get 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:27.840 them here, 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.660 right? 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.960 It's hard to go to 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.680 community group with 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:30.960 kids. 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:31.820 I get that. 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.640 It's conveniently 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.420 been at our house, 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:33.940 which makes it a 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.539 little bit easier 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.759 as of late, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.400 right? 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.259 But it's challenging 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.000 to do that. 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:39.740 We have to work 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.940 at these things. 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.779 It's very, 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.720 very important. 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.500 If you're a member 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.240 of this church, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.460 let's find a way to 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.100 get you involved in 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.860 a community group. 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.220 Come to me and 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.680 talk to me. 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.320 What are the 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:51.740 problems? 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.480 What are the 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.880 things that are 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.480 keeping it from 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.840 happening? 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.960 I understand that 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.180 we have distance 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.120 issues. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.120 We have health 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.700 issues. 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.220 Come talk to me. 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.560 Let's find a way to 00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.560 get you involved in 00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:03.180 this kind of life. 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.240 Let me remind you 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.320 that if you're a 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:05.680 member of this 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.279 church, you signed 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.140 a covenant with 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.799 this church, a 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.920 commitment to be 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.920 together with us. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.420 The preamble says, 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.259 having been led by 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.039 the Spirit of God to 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.880 acknowledge Jesus 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.700 Christ as Savior 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.740 and Lord, and in 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.460 profession of that 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.080 faith, I most 00:24:17.080 --> 00:24:18.120 solemnly and joyfully 00:24:18.120 --> 00:24:18.960 enter into covenant 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.600 with Christ's family 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:19.900 church. 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.740 And there are seven 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.340 statements that 00:24:21.340 --> 00:24:22.100 list it off here. 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.360 And the second to 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.000 the last one says, 00:24:24.260 --> 00:24:24.900 to contribute to 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.460 the work of the 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.400 church with my 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:28.400 talents, time, and 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:28.820 finances. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:31.440 Are you doing that? 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.920 There's probably a 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.760 number of people in 00:24:34.760 --> 00:24:35.620 this church that 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.700 need a dose of 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.460 church discipline 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.360 because you're not. 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.299 You're breaking the 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.199 covenant because you 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:41.579 don't give of 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.059 yourself. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.039 The closing paragraph 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.199 says, I enter into 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:45.899 this covenant together 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.500 with Christ's family 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.399 church under the 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:48.399 common goal of 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.519 obedience to, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.919 glorification of, 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.559 and joyful satisfaction 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.539 in Jesus Christ 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.759 because I believe and 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.779 assert with the rest 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.879 of the body that we 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:58.299 need one another's 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.959 help to do so. 00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:02.759 We were created for 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.219 community. 00:25:04.939 --> 00:25:05.839 You're spiritually 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.399 depressed? 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.660 Get with the 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:07.960 beloved. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:10.180 You're struggling to 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.980 walk out your faith? 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.340 Get with the 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:12.680 beloved. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.960 Don't just go when 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.080 you feel strong and 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.920 ready to contribute. 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.180 Go when you're 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.580 hurting. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.860 That is the place you 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:21.280 need to be. 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.820 It's with those who 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:24.300 understand what you're 00:25:24.300 --> 00:25:25.240 going through and 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.060 want to see you be 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.460 healthy. 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:29.640 These things matter. 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.780 I listened to a 00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:32.519 sermon this week 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:34.680 where the guy was 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:36.380 sharing his shock 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.020 at some of the 00:25:37.020 --> 00:25:37.540 things that are 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.320 happening in our 00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.000 Christian culture. 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.140 The way now you 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:42.440 can watch TV on the 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.240 web, which is not 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.860 really a new thing 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.480 because they've been 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.120 doing it on TV. 00:25:45.280 --> 00:25:45.620 Excuse me. 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:46.680 TV on the web. 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.180 Sermons. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.980 Church sermons. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.100 Church services on 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.540 the web. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.120 Right? 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.720 It's been happening 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:53.180 on TV for a long, 00:25:53.300 --> 00:25:53.820 long time. 00:25:54.260 --> 00:25:54.700 But he was talking 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.300 about this phenomenon 00:25:55.300 --> 00:25:56.080 and he said, 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.020 you'll never believe 00:25:57.020 --> 00:25:58.520 there is a church in 00:25:58.520 --> 00:26:00.500 Atlanta where they 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:02.200 project a holographic 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.640 image of the pastor 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.960 onto the stage. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.579 And I thought, 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:07.180 oh gosh, I know 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:07.840 exactly what he's 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.420 talking about. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.259 That is in our 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.840 backyard. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.039 And I won't say the 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.480 name of the church, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.340 but I think you know 00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:13.620 what we're discussing 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.000 here. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.700 He was just in shock 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.059 about it. 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:17.519 He just couldn't 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.220 believe that these 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.039 things were happening. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.740 And he brought up 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.039 the doctrine of the 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.220 incarnation of Jesus 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.579 Christ. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.240 And I really, 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.259 really appreciated 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.539 that and spent a lot 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.079 of time thinking 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.640 about it this week. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:32.620 Jesus Christ came, 00:26:33.020 --> 00:26:35.180 God sent his son to 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.820 the earth in human 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.560 form. 00:26:37.780 --> 00:26:38.620 He came and he 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:41.060 dwelt amongst us. 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.040 Right? 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.400 Physically dwelt. 00:26:44.040 --> 00:26:44.900 Now I believe that 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:46.240 God did that at the 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.340 perfect time in 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:47.700 history. 00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:48.400 Right? 00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.060 Perfectly sent him 00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:50.940 right when he needed 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:51.440 to be sent. 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.060 Maybe if he had 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:53.800 waited, he could have 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.280 been a little more 00:26:54.280 --> 00:26:54.620 efficient. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.160 Right? 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.720 Could have sent him 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.400 during this time. 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.820 We could have 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:58.180 simulcasted Jesus all 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.440 over the world. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:00.080 How phenomenal 00:27:00.080 --> 00:27:00.600 that would have 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:00.880 been. 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.019 Maybe the reason 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.720 he didn't send 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:04.019 him at this time 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.000 was so that no one 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.279 could simulcast him. 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:06.920 So that it was 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.960 impossible for some 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.120 guy with a web 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:10.900 phone to hold it 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.680 up and try to get 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.440 him up on the 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.180 internet so that 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.059 everyone could hear 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.500 the man Jesus 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.140 Christ speak. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:17.799 Right? 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.600 I think it's 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.259 important that we 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.000 take that and we 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.559 apply that. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.240 That physical 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:23.100 presence is crucial. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.420 Jesus came to 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:27.559 dwell amongst us. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.080 Do we dwell with 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.519 each other? 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.460 I'm thankful that 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.559 you're here this 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:31.839 morning. 00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:32.559 I think for a lot 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:34.259 of you, you get 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.720 this. 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:35.839 Like many of you 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.099 do. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.299 And I would just 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.279 encourage you to let 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.000 this stiffen your 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.419 backbone. 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.399 Put a rod of steel in 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.119 there and don't bend 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.319 from it. 00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.319 Some of you don't. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.319 I love you and that's 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.139 why I'm telling you. 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:48.460 Some of you don't get 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:48.539 it. 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.220 Some of you need to 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.319 spend time seriously 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.639 considering how to 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.539 work your week out 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.839 so you can be with 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.220 the people of God. 00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:57.439 How we function 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:58.819 together and how we 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.200 live in this community 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.679 of faith matters to 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.119 the world. 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.659 I want people to see 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.799 Christ Family Church. 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.500 I don't want them to 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.519 know us for the style 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.859 of music we have or 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.700 that we do verse by 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.859 verse exposition. 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:12.500 We're a reformed 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.819 church. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.639 We're the church that 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.700 meets on 60 and you 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.339 can't see the building 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.019 from the road. 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:16.700 I don't want to be 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.319 known for those things. 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.939 I want to be known 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:21.079 for our love. 00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.539 When people ask me 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.240 what I do for a living 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.119 and I say I pastor a 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.659 church and they say 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.119 what church do you 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.700 pastor and I say 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.299 Christ Family Church 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.819 I want all over this 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.500 community for them to 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:31.000 go ah your people 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.720 love each other. 00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.980 Wouldn't that be nice? 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.759 Be nice. 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:37.639 But what a great grace 00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:39.099 of God that would be 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.079 to us for that to 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.379 happen. 00:28:41.159 --> 00:28:42.039 Now I have to ask you 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.039 the question as we 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:44.119 talk about some of 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.339 these technology things 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.039 and why it's important 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.639 to be together. 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.819 Can you use technology? 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:49.019 Is it an amazing tool? 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.039 Yes please do. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.039 I told you that I was 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.799 listening to a sermon 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:54.259 online that even got 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.319 my mind going about 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.179 the doctrine of the 00:28:56.179 --> 00:28:56.899 incarnation of Jesus 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.519 Christ and how it 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.659 applies to the way we 00:28:58.659 --> 00:28:59.119 do church. 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.179 It's a valuable tool. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.839 It's neat. 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.859 You ought to get out 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.519 there and listen to 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.759 sermons. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.559 There are some good 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.359 preachers out there. 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.980 Don't let them jade 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.779 your opinion of me. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:07.859 There's some very 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:09.019 very good preaching 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.299 at your fingertips. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.179 On your cell phone 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:14.039 it's so incredibly cool. 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.099 But what is 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.639 we have to ask the 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.039 question. 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.399 What is the difference 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:19.599 between just a mere 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:21.740 fellowship and a church? 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.379 Young people 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.339 especially you. 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.460 As you get out of 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.639 going to church 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.319 with your parents 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.079 and you come away 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:29.619 to college 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.200 and you begin to 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:31.099 question everything. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.460 Why can't you just 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.180 have a Bible study 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.920 on your dorm hall? 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.740 Isn't that enough? 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.720 Right? 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.480 You're encouraging 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:36.960 one another. 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.579 You're doing a lot 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.779 of these things 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.279 that I mentioned. 00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:39.980 You're studying the 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.139 word. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.639 You're devoting 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.220 yourself to it. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.619 You're praying 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.019 together. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.720 Those are good 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.200 things, right? 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.879 Why can it not 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:45.059 just stop at that? 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.619 Why do you need 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.460 to be part 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.279 of a church? 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.659 Because there 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.579 are some distinct 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:49.019 differences. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.179 Firstly, a church 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.799 has qualified 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.220 leadership. 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.519 It's important. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.579 Qualified leadership. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.679 We saw the separation 00:29:55.679 --> 00:29:56.220 that happened 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:57.179 in Nehemiah 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:58.099 chapter 7. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.339 There's the practice 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:01.179 of the ordinances. 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.059 Baptism. 00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.059 The Lord's Supper 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.659 which we'll take 00:30:03.659 --> 00:30:04.639 here in a moment. 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.559 Those are an important 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.839 aspect of what a church 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.659 does together 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.599 which are ultimately 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.899 about church discipline. 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.519 Something that happens. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.359 I would encourage you 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.039 to not practice 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.660 church discipline 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.680 amongst a fellowship. 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.740 Continue to encourage. 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.559 Continue to teach. 00:30:17.639 --> 00:30:18.359 Do those types of things. 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.299 In the church setting 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:20.359 though, we must 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.160 call people out 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.839 when they're living 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.680 in habitual sin. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.579 To our application 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.660 today, the third 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:28.759 thing is diversity. 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.480 It's a beautiful 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:33.200 thing about this 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.480 church. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.319 I have discovered 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.039 now that I'm being 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.900 quoted for one of the 00:30:35.900 --> 00:30:36.720 things that I never 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.180 would have wanted 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.920 to be quoted for. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.839 But apparently a lot 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.720 of the college students 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.600 tell each other 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:43.000 as I have told them 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.900 numerous times. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:44.640 If you always hang out 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.319 with your idiot friend 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.120 you'll always be an idiot. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.640 I put myself in that 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:48.980 category. 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.799 If I'm always hanging out 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.839 with people that are my age 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.779 and sharing my same 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:53.160 experiences, I'll never 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.900 grow. 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.279 I need people that have 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.360 gone before me. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.200 And I need to be 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.380 passing information down 00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.279 to those who are 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.960 behind me. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.960 These are important 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.200 things for us to be 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.440 doing. 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:04.160 Diversity in a church 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.140 should happen. 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.700 If we are preaching 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:09.660 Christ, Christ draws 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.700 men to himself. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.539 And there are going 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.779 to be men and women 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.900 of different ages 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:15.460 and different colors. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.140 That's an important 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.559 thing for us to do. 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.460 Now granted, we have 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.680 a church in an area 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.759 and that area is going 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.539 to tend to have a 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.299 certain demographic. 00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:26.380 But we do not have 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:28.000 a Saddleback Sam. 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:28.880 If you're familiar 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.319 with the Purpose 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:31.120 Driven Church. 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:33.019 They had a target 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.720 person. 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.019 This person looks 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.640 like this and we're 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:35.980 going to arrange 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.860 everything we do to 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.799 get this person to 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.339 come to here. 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:40.559 income, likes, 00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.720 dislikes, all of 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.220 those things. 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.959 That's who we're 00:31:42.959 --> 00:31:43.559 going to go after. 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.480 Right? 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.319 I love some of the 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:47.379 motivation behind some 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:48.599 of the like fringy 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.179 churches. 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.740 Right? 00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:52.119 But they're wrong. 00:31:52.459 --> 00:31:53.220 Biker churches? 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.500 We're going to 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.579 minister to motorcycle 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.319 guys. 00:31:57.679 --> 00:31:58.059 No. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.459 We all have a common 00:31:59.459 --> 00:32:00.519 demographic that we're 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.179 trying to minister to 00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:02.319 and that's lost people. 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.019 Right? 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:03.859 That's people in need 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.579 of grace. 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.479 That's who we're 00:32:06.479 --> 00:32:07.459 meant to minister to. 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:08.979 Right? 00:32:09.439 --> 00:32:11.279 I heard recently that a 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.859 girl who had attended 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.839 here for a while decided 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.859 not to come any longer 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:15.859 because our music time 00:32:15.859 --> 00:32:16.500 wasn't charismatic 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.199 enough for her. 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:17.979 She grew up in a much 00:32:17.979 --> 00:32:18.879 more charismatic church 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.500 and she wanted to go 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.259 someplace else and 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.819 that's okay. 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:21.500 Right? 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.379 But what I want you to 00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.740 see is that we didn't 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.439 exclude her from our 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:26.240 meeting because of the 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.919 way we do music. 00:32:27.439 --> 00:32:27.599 Right? 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.819 We didn't do music for 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.939 people who really have a 00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:31.319 hard time swaying at all. 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:31.679 Right? 00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:32.339 That's you guys. 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.559 The clapping is like, 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:35.399 right? 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.200 Clapping and singing is 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:37.599 tough for our group. 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.159 Right? 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.319 That's not what we're 00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:40.179 trying to accomplish. 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.200 We didn't write that 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:42.139 down on our list. 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.799 Non-rhythmic people. 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.659 It wasn't what we were 00:32:44.659 --> 00:32:45.359 looking for. 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.179 Right? 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:49.039 You guys want to get 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.960 super happy in here? 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.940 You go right ahead 00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:52.019 and do it. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.519 Right? 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.559 We just want to minister 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.539 to people who need 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.379 grace. 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.859 That's what we're 00:32:56.859 --> 00:32:57.679 here for. 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.519 In Acts chapter 4 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:02.200 we see Peter before 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:02.779 the council. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.539 Jerusalem verses 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.279 11 and 12 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.539 says, 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.539 This Jesus is the 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.359 stone that was 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.359 projected by you, 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:08.919 the builders, 00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:10.179 which has become the 00:33:10.179 --> 00:33:10.839 cornerstone. 00:33:11.179 --> 00:33:12.279 And there is salvation 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.339 in no one else, 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.220 for there is no other 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.059 name under heaven 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:16.220 given among men 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.859 by which we must 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.919 be saved. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.679 This is our 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.899 Jesus Christ. 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:23.259 The one who draws 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.599 men to himself. 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:26.059 And he uses the church 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.940 to do that. 00:33:27.159 --> 00:33:28.319 This fellowship 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:30.299 of Christian faith. 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.740 this community. 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:35.139 So I'd ask you this 00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:36.720 morning to examine 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.200 your hearts. 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.599 Are you playing your 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:40.119 part in this community? 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.059 Right? 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.200 The analogy is used 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.099 that we're a body. 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.559 What part of the body 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:45.980 are you? 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:46.399 And is it 00:33:46.399 --> 00:33:47.200 dysfunctional? 00:33:47.419 --> 00:33:48.460 Is it non-existent? 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.220 Does it just not even 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.259 show up to some of the 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.879 things that it's 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:52.579 necessary at? 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:55.259 Ask God to search 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.599 your heart. 00:33:55.939 --> 00:33:56.539 Let's pray together. 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:56.619 Amen. 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.619