WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading comes from the book of 1st Samuel chapter 16.

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 Please follow along on the bulletin or on your own Bible.

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 Starting in verse 1, we read,

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 The Lord said to Samuel,

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 How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?

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 Fill your horn with oil and go.

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 I will send you to Jesse, the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.

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 And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.

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 And the Lord said, Take a heifer with you and say, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.

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 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do.

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 And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.

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 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem.

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 The elders of the city came to meet him, trembling, and said, Do you come peaceably?

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 And he said, Peaceably.

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 I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.

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 Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.

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 And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

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 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

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 But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,

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 because I have rejected him.

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 For the Lord sees not as man sees.

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 Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

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 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel.

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 And he said, Neither has the Lord chosen this one.

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 Then Jesse made Shama pass by.

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 And he said, Neither has the Lord chosen this one.

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 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel.

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 And Samuel said to Jesse, The Lord has not chosen these.

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 Then Samuel said to Jesse, Are all your sons here?

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 And he said, There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.

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 And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.

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 And he sent and brought him in.

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 Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome.

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 And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he.

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 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers.

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 And the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.

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 And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Thanks, Annabelle.

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 Am I on?

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 Can you guys hear me?

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 Yeah?

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 Okay.

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 Thanks.

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 Thanks, Niels.

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 My name is Oscar.

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 If you don't know me, it's a privilege to be delivering God's word today together as a church family.

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 To our church family.

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 Let me pray for us as we dive into God's word.

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 Father, we come before you, Lord.

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 And we ask that all of us here, God, myself included, Lord, that our hearts would be with awe,

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 filled with awe as we look into your word, God, and as we receive your spirit.

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 Father, I pray, God, that as we look at body again more closely,

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 and as we look at body and identity today, Lord,

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 that we would see, Lord, that we are secure in you as children of God.

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 That you love us.

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 That you delight in us.

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 I pray especially, Lord, for those of us today, God, that may struggle a bit with our identity

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 or with our appearance, how we look.

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 God, that you would fill our hearts with your love and goodness and security

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 that can only be found in Jesus.

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 I pray particularly for our youth who are with us in service today, God.

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 I pray, Lord, that the eyes of their hearts will be opened to receive your word today,

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 that they would be impacted by your word, Father.

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 So we just commend this time, commit this time to you in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 So, yeah, we're in week two of a six-week sermon series on body and faith,

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 where we're looking at what the Bible says about our physical bodies.

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 Last week, Kevin started us off, and he spoke about our bodies and creation,

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 showing us that our bodies are not inconsequential.

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 Our bodies matter.

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 Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made by God who knows us intimately and delights in us.

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 And today, we're going to look at our bodies and identity.

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 Is there a ringing sound?

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 Can you guys?

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 Closer?

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 Okay.

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 Is that better?

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 Is it better?

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 Okay.

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 Now, I think that we all know this phrase,

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 don't judge a book by its cover.

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 Take any book.

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 The title may be one word or a phrase, something innocuous,

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 or maybe something eye-catching.

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 Maybe there's a photograph on the front of the book or a vague picture.

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 But until we actually open up the book and read it,

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 would we appreciate the theme,

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 would we appreciate the theme, the lesson,

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 or would we appreciate the writing style, the prose, the poetry?

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 Until we venture inside the pages,

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 would we understand the storyline and the characters of the book,

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 the meat and heart of the book?

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 And isn't it true that the way we identify people, at least in part,

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 is like judging a book by its cover?

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 We look at a person's appearance, their face, their body.

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 Are they tall?

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 Are they short?

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 Their skin color?

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 And we make an assessment, a judgment.

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 But in today's passage from 1 Samuel 16,

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 the Bible tells us that God doesn't value us based on our appearance.

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 God doesn't look at the cover of the book.

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 God looks at what is inside.

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 And what is inside is not just our heart,

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 but also our body and how we use our body.

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 And so what I hope we see today is that it's faith in Christ,

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 in our heart, lived out through our body,

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 that reflects our identity as children of God.

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 And because this is our identity,

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 we can be secure in Christ

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 and honor God with our heart and with our body.

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 And so today's big idea is that our identity in Christ

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 is that of a child of God,

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 through faith in Christ in our hearts,

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 and lived out in our bodies.

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 Now, in the world's view,

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 how we look, our body type,

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 or how in shape or out of shape we are,

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 is such a big part of our identity.

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 For many of us, it shapes how we see ourselves,

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 how others perceive us,

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 or how we want to be perceived,

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 and also how we view others.

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 Of course, the word identity is such a big and complicated word.

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 In simple terms,

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 I think we can define identity as something we look to,

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 to feel a sense of self-worth and value.

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 In Hong Kong,

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 separate from our physical appearance,

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 our identity is often shaped by,

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 number one, family background.

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 Do we come from a well-known prominent family,

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 or perhaps not?

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 Education.

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 Where do we go to school?

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 How about career?

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 I think this one is big for us here in Hong Kong.

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 I think that for many of us,

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 our career, our title,

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 really is who we are.

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 That is our identity.

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 I'm a lawyer.

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 I'm a doctor.

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 I'm a banker.

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 I'm a PhD student.

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 I'm a business owner.

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 I'm a manager.

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 I'm a partner.

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 Or how about relationship status?

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 I admit,

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 this one is especially difficult to talk about.

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 But I think that for some of us,

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 our identity is tied to who we're dating,

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 or who we're married to,

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 or if we're dating or married at all.

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 And that's why I think that when we break up,

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 we lose our bearings,

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 and we lose a sense of who we are.

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 In Western society,

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 what seems to be elevated in today's culture,

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 when it comes to identity,

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 is this idea that we need to be true to who we are.

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 My body isn't the real me.

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 My gender isn't the real me.

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 What I feel inside is the real me,

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 and therefore,

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 I can do whatever I want with my body.

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 We will touch upon this in more detail

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 when we speak about body and gender in a few weeks.

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 But on the topic of body and identity,

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 there's no doubt that culture and the world around us

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 shape how we view physical appearance,

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 the body, and identity.

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 Think about how much money we spend on our face,

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 just our face alone.

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 In the U.S.,

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 one source indicates that

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 the global spend on cosmetics

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 is upwards of $100 billion a year.

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 Or think about the types of cosmetic surgeries

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 people go through,

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 some of which are quite expensive

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 and perhaps even dangerous.

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 And it isn't just women.

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 All right?

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 Us guys, we're also a part of this too.

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 A survey by Deloitte suggests that in the U.S.,

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 men actually spend more

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 on overall beauty products than women.

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 Surprisingly, yes.

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 It's true.

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 Don't be ashamed, guys.

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 It's okay.

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 I used lotion this morning on my face.

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 Now, if you're sitting here,

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 now if you're sitting here

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 and you don't care about your looks,

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 nor do you feel any social pressure

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 to look a certain way,

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 don't fall asleep quite yet.

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 Maybe you're married and you're like,

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 eh, I don't care about how I look.

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 I'm already married.

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 I don't have to impress my spouse.

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 Maybe I'm peak,

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 maybe I'm peak maxing.

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 Maxing, by the way,

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 means maximizing a physical appearance.

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 I learned that recently

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 as I was researching this sermon.

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 Even if that is your view,

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 even that could be your view,

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 the social pressure on how we look

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 and the world's obsession with our bodies

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 likely affects someone near and dear to your heart.

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 Maybe your wife.

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 Maybe your husband,

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 as he gets a bit older

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 and his hair starts thinning.

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 I think mine is a little bit at the moment.

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 Thank you for caring for me, honey.

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 Maybe your brother or sister.

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 Maybe your parents.

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 Maybe your teenage,

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 maybe your child as he or she

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 is reaching their teenage years.

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 Maybe someone in your CG.

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 Maybe someone sitting around you

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 right here today in church.

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 And given the rise of social media

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 and the pressure of always looking good

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 and having to put our best face

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 and body forward as our identity,

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 look at the rise in body dissatisfaction,

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 especially among teenagers

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 and young adults.

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 The skincare company Dove

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 did a study which indicated

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 that only 2% of women

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 would describe themselves as beautiful.

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 Even actors, supermodels,

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 and pro athletes struggle

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 with how they look.

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 And it just goes to show

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 how much pressure the world places

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 on how we look

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 and how much value that we place

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 on how we look.

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 And look at some of the consequences.

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 In the UK,

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 the NHS reports

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 that the number of children

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 that started treatment

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 for eating disorder,

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 bulimia, anorexia,

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 and binge eating,

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 increased by over 100%

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 in the six years ending 2023.

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 Or look at teen bullying.

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 One report in the US

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 suggests that one in five students

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 reported being bullied in school.

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 And in many cases,

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 the drivers of bullying

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 are linked to physical appearance,

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 race or ethnicity,

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 or disability.

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 In other words,

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 it was about the appearance.

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 This affects all of us,

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 whether we think about it a lot

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 or not at all.

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 And in today's passage

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 from 1 Samuel 16,

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 even the prophet Samuel

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 gets lured into this way of thinking.

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 Saul, the first king of Israel,

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 rejected God,

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 and therefore God rejected him

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 as king of Israel.

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 God then sends Samuel

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 to visit a man in Bethlehem

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 named Jesse,

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 instructing Samuel

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 that one of Jesse's sons

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 would be the next king.

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 Samuel looks at Jesse's son,

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 Eliab,

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 and is impressed

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 with Eliab's physical stature.

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 And Samuel thinks,

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 surely this must be

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 God's anointed one.

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 God, of course,

00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.000
 has other plans,

00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:05.220
 and he tells Samuel

00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:07.379
 in verse 7 of the passage,

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:09.399
 Do not look on his appearance

00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.960
 or the height of his stature,

00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.460
 because I have rejected him.

00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:14.259
 For the Lord sees,

00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.559
 not as man sees.

00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.799
 Man looks on the outward appearance,

00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:20.139
 but the Lord looks on the heart.

00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:23.419
 Jesse's six other sons

00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:24.840
 are presented to Samuel

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.080
 before Samuel,

00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.679
 but none are chosen by God.

00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.340
 Samuel then asks Jesse,

00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.600
 Are all your sons here?

00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.639
 to which Jesse replies

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.399
 that his other son,

00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.060
 his youngest son,

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.740
 David,

00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.220
 is in the shepherd fields.

00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.960
 Jesse was asked to bring

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.560
 before Samuel

00:13:40.560 --> 00:13:41.300
 all of his sons,

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.080
 and he didn't even think

00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.040
 about bringing David,

00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:43.860
 his youngest son,

00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:45.500
 who was probably

00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:47.139
 the least impressive

00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.700
 in terms of physical appearance.

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.820
 For the Lord sees,

00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.759
 not as man sees,

00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:54.920
 and man looks on the outward appearance,

00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.899
 but the Lord looks on the heart.

00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.300
 And so as David emerges,

00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:58.340
 God tells Samuel,

00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.279
 This is the one

00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.840
 who will be my king.

00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.399
 Even Samuel,

00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.480
 the prophet of God,

00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.860
 didn't understand

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.420
 that God doesn't esteem us

00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.659
 based upon how we look.

00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:12.519
 Our identity,

00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:13.180
 according to God,

00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.960
 isn't based on

00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.000
 whether we are tall or short,

00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:15.940
 or whether we are

00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.680
 physically attractive

00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.680
 or not at all.

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.620
 God doesn't esteem us

00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.580
 because of our resume,

00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.519
 nor our title,

00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:22.920
 nor our social influence,

00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.560
 nor our standing.

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.660
 God esteems us

00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:27.399
 because of our heart.

00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.120
 And so now the question is,

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.940
 what did God see

00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.460
 in David's heart?

00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:36.620
 In 1 Samuel,

00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:38.060
 and also in the book of Acts,

00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:40.060
 God says this about David.

00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.060
 I have found in David,

00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.120
 the son of Jesse,

00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:45.159
 a man after my heart.

00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.700
 What does that mean,

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:48.700
 a man after my heart?

00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:50.220
 A man after God's heart?

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.560
 Well, the Bible describes David

00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.299
 in many ways.

00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.299
 On his appearance,

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.299
 he was ruddy

00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:56.819
 and had beautiful eyes

00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.719
 and was handsome.

00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.199
 On his courage,

00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:00.439
 a man of valor,

00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.620
 a man of war.

00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:03.219
 On his musical talents,

00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.479
 he was skillful

00:15:04.479 --> 00:15:05.439
 in playing the lyre.

00:15:06.479 --> 00:15:07.559
 David was also described

00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:08.879
 as prudent in speech,

00:15:09.479 --> 00:15:10.779
 a man of good presence.

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.859
 But of all the ways

00:15:12.859 --> 00:15:14.719
 the scripture describes David,

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.939
 the most important aspect

00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:17.219
 of his character,

00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:19.079
 the foundation of his life,

00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:19.740
 and the driver

00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.879
 of all his ambition

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:24.159
 was that David loved God dearly.

00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.279
 He knew God intimately

00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.620
 and he loved God dearly.

00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.320
 And David's identity

00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:28.980
 was secure

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:31.259
 as a child of God.

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.939
 David's writings

00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:34.059
 from the book of Psalms

00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.580
 paint a beautiful picture

00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.399
 of his relationship

00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.519
 with God.

00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.439
 Here are a few examples.

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.299
 Psalm 139,

00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.600
 we read this last week.

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.759
 David believed

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.820
 that God knew everything

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:46.179
 about him and loved him.

00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.799
 He knitted me together

00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:48.639
 in my mother's womb.

00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.779
 I praise you

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.620
 for I'm fearfully

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.940
 and wonderfully made.

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.259
 Psalm 16,

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.620
 David's life ambition

00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.639
 was to be with God

00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.500
 and to know God.

00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.580
 In your presence

00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.779
 there is fullness of joy

00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.120
 and at your right hand

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.419
 are pleasures forevermore.

00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:02.759
 Psalm 100,

00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.960
 he knew God to be faithful.

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.340
 His steadfast love

00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.120
 endures forever

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.379
 and his faithfulness

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.560
 to all generations.

00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.980
 Through reading these psalms,

00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:12.519
 we see a window

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.419
 into David's heart.

00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.639
 But importantly,

00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.860
 although our passage today

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.299
 says that God looks

00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:20.919
 on the heart,

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.059
 it isn't saying

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:23.240
 that David's body

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.159
 was irrelevant.

00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.179
 In fact,

00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.379
 David's body mattered

00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.299
 a lot.

00:16:28.959 --> 00:16:29.679
 He spent years

00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:31.139
 protecting his father's sheep,

00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.659
 perfecting his hand-to-hand

00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.519
 combat skills

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.899
 and defending his father's sheep

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.179
 from wild lions

00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.959
 and wild bears.

00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:39.000
 And just like God

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.079
 was preparing David

00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.859
 to be shepherded

00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:42.019
 over Israel

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.319
 by first shepherding

00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:44.839
 his father's flock,

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.079
 God was training

00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:46.859
 David's body

00:16:46.859 --> 00:16:48.259
 in the shepherd fields

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.939
 in preparation

00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:49.960
 to fight Goliath

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.100
 and then subsequently

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:53.039
 to lead Israel's armies

00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.639
 against all of God's enemies.

00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.120
 You could say

00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.980
 that David's body

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:57.720
 acted out

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:59.360
 what was in his heart.

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.919
 When it was wartime,

00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.360
 he didn't just sit back

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.240
 and hope for the best.

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.079
 He went out

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.740
 and fought

00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:06.160
 with his body.

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.079
 His heart and body

00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.619
 worked hand in hand.

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.400
 Of course,

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.099
 as a side note,

00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.400
 David,

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.799
 although David was physically

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.859
 trained and prepared

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.419
 to fight,

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.379
 he knew that

00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.379
 at the end of the day,

00:17:17.459 --> 00:17:18.159
 if it was just

00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:18.979
 his own strength,

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.219
 he would fail every time.

00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:21.979
 He believed in faith

00:17:21.979 --> 00:17:23.279
 that it was God

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.779
 to be the one

00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.439
 to deliver him

00:17:25.439 --> 00:17:26.059
 from his enemies.

00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:28.959
 And so,

00:17:29.219 --> 00:17:29.959
 for David,

00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.799
 in all of his life,

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.199
 from when he was a boy

00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:32.919
 in the shepherd fields

00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:33.819
 to when he was a king

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:34.459
 on the battlefield,

00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.439
 his heart and his body

00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:36.099
 worked together

00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.939
 to worship

00:17:36.939 --> 00:17:38.159
 and to honor

00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:39.319
 God.

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.339
 David's body mattered.

00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:43.779
 Jesus' body

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.579
 mattered.

00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:47.240
 We know from Isaiah

00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.000
 there was nothing

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.439
 physically attractive

00:17:49.439 --> 00:17:50.119
 about Jesus.

00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.439
 Isaiah says

00:17:51.439 --> 00:17:52.539
 that he had no form

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.939
 or majesty

00:17:53.939 --> 00:17:55.019
 that we should look at him

00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.240
 and no beauty

00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.319
 that we should desire him.

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.459
 And yet,

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:01.199
 Jesus fully embraced

00:18:01.199 --> 00:18:02.000
 his humanity

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.119
 taking on

00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.039
 a human body.

00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.339
 His body

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.000
 was the means

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.599
 by which he

00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.740
 communed

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.779
 with the world

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.859
 when he walked the earth.

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.219
 And even now,

00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:12.259
 we can relate to Jesus

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.119
 in so many ways

00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:14.479
 because he had a body

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.220
 like we have

00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.920
 full of frailty.

00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.900
 And he experienced

00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:21.099
 pain like we face.

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.799
 And of course,

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.940
 it was Jesus' body

00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:25.500
 that he gave up

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:27.180
 that was broken for us

00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.940
 on the cross.

00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.599
 David's body mattered.

00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.220
 Jesus' body mattered.

00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.400
 Our bodies matter.

00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:39.860
 God doesn't look at

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.860
 God's body.

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:42.180
 God doesn't look at

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.740
 appearance.

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.300
 What we look like,

00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.240
 are we attractive or not,

00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:46.040
 are we tall or short?

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:46.800
 And yet,

00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:48.380
 we use our physical bodies

00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.200
 to act out

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.400
 our worship

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.420
 and honor of God.

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.440
 God doesn't look

00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.080
 at appearance

00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.500
 and yet,

00:18:54.540 --> 00:18:55.440
 we use our physical bodies

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.280
 to act out

00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:57.500
 our honor and worship

00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.040
 of God.

00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.180
 God.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.740
 And yet,

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.200
 for David,

00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:02.539
 in spite of being

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.379
 an incredible man

00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:04.000
 of God,

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.460
 David was highly imperfect

00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.859
 and sinful.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.399
 In that verse

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.200
 we read in Acts

00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.759
 just now

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.460
 about David

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.039
 being a man

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.399
 after God's heart,

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:17.139
 the end of that sentence

00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.500
 actually

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:19.159
 is that

00:19:19.159 --> 00:19:20.619
 God describes David

00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.519
 also as a man

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.879
 who would do

00:19:21.879 --> 00:19:22.619
 all my will.

00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.240
 A man after my own heart

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.639
 who would do

00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:25.359
 all my will.

00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.000
 Well,

00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.879
 David did not

00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:29.859
 always do God's will.

00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.500
 David did not always

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.359
 honor God

00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.000
 with his heart

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.979
 and his body.

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.019
 We all know the story,

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.319
 right?

00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:37.799
 David slept with

00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.799
 another man's wife

00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.459
 and then he murdered

00:19:39.459 --> 00:19:40.199
 the husband.

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:41.819
 And so,

00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:43.379
 although God

00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:44.279
 esteemed David

00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.919
 because of his heart

00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:48.699
 and God esteemed David

00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:49.459
 because of

00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.659
 his body

00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.299
 or his action,

00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:52.000
 what he did,

00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:52.919
 for us,

00:19:52.959 --> 00:19:53.939
 we need to remember

00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:55.019
 that we aren't

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.539
 saved

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.559
 because of the

00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.000
 quality of our hearts

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.500
 nor by anything

00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.119
 we could do

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.160
 with our bodies.

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.420
 There is nothing

00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:03.000
 we can do

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.359
 to save ourselves.

00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:05.539
 Our sin isn't

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.359
 forgiven because of

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:06.819
 anything we could

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.619
 possibly do

00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.400
 for the one

00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.079
 who is perfect,

00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.759
 Jesus Christ,

00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:10.500
 has done everything

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.299
 already for us

00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.279
 on the cross.

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.839
 We are saved

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.539
 by faith in Christ

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:15.900
 alone,

00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.119
 by the grace

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:17.599
 of Christ

00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.839
 alone.

00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:20.400
 And so,

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.720
 therefore,

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.740
 we should remember

00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.180
 there's nothing

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.599
 we could do

00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.400
 to impress God.

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.960
 Perhaps consciously

00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.400
 or subconsciously,

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.339
 we try to impress

00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.099
 others by looking

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.759
 a certain way.

00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.579
 Maybe we go to

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.240
 the gym to try

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.299
 to sculpt our

00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:33.980
 bodies in a more

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.639
 attractive way.

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.559
 Maybe we choose

00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.259
 certain clothes

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.279
 that stand out.

00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.460
 But if our faith

00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.480
 and hope is in

00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.039
 Christ,

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.460
 and God the Father

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.660
 considers us,

00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.000
 he already sees

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.660
 beauty because

00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.900
 in his Son

00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.799
 he sees beauty

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.799
 and in us

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.819
 he sees his Son.

00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:53.000
 Say that again.

00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.200
 If our faith

00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:54.740
 and hope

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.299
 is in Christ,

00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:56.059
 when God the Father

00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.720
 considers us,

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.179
 he already

00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:57.839
 sees beauty

00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:59.259
 because in his Son

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.139
 he sees beauty

00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.240
 and in us

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.259
 he sees his Son.

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.779
 And remember

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.679
 that God's idea

00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.079
 of beauty

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.139
 isn't like man's.

00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.139
 Jesus,

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.639
 when he rose

00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:09.179
 from the grave,

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.000
 he still bore

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.700
 the scars

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.980
 of the cross

00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.960
 on his body.

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.940
 If we saw

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.000
 Jesus walking

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.220
 down the street

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.000
 in Hong Kong

00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.640
 and we looked at him,

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.819
 we may think him

00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.799
 hideous for he would

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.920
 still have the holes

00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.579
 of the cross

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.740
 on his wrists.

00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.120
 But his Father

00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.819
 sees him

00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:29.440
 as beautiful

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.860
 and perfect.

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.000
 And that is how

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.759
 God sees us.

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.600
 And so even though

00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.860
 our hearts and bodies

00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:37.819
 work together

00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.759
 to pursue God

00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.480
 and to love God

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.700
 and to honor God,

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.100
 this

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.719
 cannot earn

00:21:43.719 --> 00:21:44.319
 God's love.

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.579
 For us,

00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.539
 it's a response.

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.839
 It's a reflection

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.619
 of the love

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.459
 we experience

00:21:49.459 --> 00:21:50.319
 first from him.

00:21:50.459 --> 00:21:51.480
 It's an outpouring

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.099
 of worship

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.139
 and adoration

00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.939
 because we're grateful

00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.639
 for Jesus.

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.699
 But it can never

00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:57.759
 earn God's love.

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.639
 When God the Father

00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:00.279
 considers us,

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.199
 he sees his precious

00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:01.959
 Son, Jesus,

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.199
 whom he loves

00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:04.419
 with an everlasting

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:05.439
 undying love.

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.139
 And so therefore,

00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:08.219
 we can be secure

00:22:08.219 --> 00:22:09.379
 in our identity

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.599
 as children

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.599
 of God.

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:14.419
 And so for us,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.740
 what does it mean

00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:16.599
 to be secure

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.919
 in our identity

00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:18.819
 as children

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.299
 of God?

00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.019
 Well,

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:21.839
 the Apostle Paul

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:23.099
 in Romans 8

00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.219
 describes identity

00:22:24.219 --> 00:22:25.319
 in God like this.

00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:26.679
 For we do not

00:22:26.679 --> 00:22:27.579
 receive the spirit

00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.179
 of slavery

00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:28.839
 to fall back

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.480
 into fear,

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.819
 but you have received

00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.659
 the spirit of adoption

00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.359
 as sons

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:34.240
 by whom we cry,

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.480
 Abba, Father.

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:37.880
 Before we put our faith

00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:39.180
 and hope in Christ,

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:40.440
 we were spiritual orphans

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.839
 getting tossed around

00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:43.019
 in the ways of culture

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.440
 and being slaves

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.779
 to fear and sin.

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.420
 But now,

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.880
 if our hope

00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.480
 and faith

00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.500
 is in Christ,

00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.839
 we have been adopted

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.259
 into God's family.

00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.099
 We have been given

00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.920
 a new identity

00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.259
 as children of God.

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.759
 God,

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:59.859
 the creator of heaven

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.379
 and earth,

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.619
 the eternal God

00:23:01.619 --> 00:23:02.099
 of the universe,

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.400
 says,

00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.799
 you are my precious child.

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.099
 Come to me

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.940
 and I will give you rest.

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.319
 I welcome you

00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:10.339
 into my home

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.299
 and into my family.

00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.379
 You are my precious child

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.220
 and I love you.

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.180
 God knows every hair

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.640
 on your head.

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.480
 He made all of our eyes

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.539
 and all of our fingerprints

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.620
 unique.

00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.480
 Think about that.

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.519
 Tens of billions

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.900
 of different fingerprints

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.740
 across billions

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:26.339
 of individually crafted bodies

00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.620
 because our bodies

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.799
 are uniquely,

00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.460
 fearfully,

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.299
 and wonderfully made

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.900
 by a God

00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.839
 who knows us intimately.

00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:35.640
 And so,

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.360
 do you know Him?

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.019
 Do you trust Him?

00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.180
 Do the ruminations

00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.900
 of your heart

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.539
 and the actions

00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.360
 of your body

00:23:43.360 --> 00:23:44.120
 reflect this?

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.220
 The word Abba

00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.819
 from the verse

00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.559
 in Romans 8

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.940
 means

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:50.240
 Daddy in Aramaic.

00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.700
 It's used,

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.340
 I think,

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.600
 48 times or so

00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.279
 in Psalms.

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.720
 Every so often,

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.460
 my two boys,

00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.080
 Axel and Elliot,

00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.480
 their twin boys

00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.140
 are five years old,

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.539
 they would cry out

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.640
 either at home

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:05.160
 or in the grocery store,

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.539
 Daddy,

00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.180
 I need you.

00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.059
 Daddy,

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.320
 I need you to tie my shoes.

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:08.580
 Daddy,

00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.820
 I need you to button my shirt.

00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.080
 Daddy,

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.019
 I need you to fix my toy.

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.240
 Daddy,

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.059
 I need you to lift me up.

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.700
 I can't see.

00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.539
 My boys can say,

00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:15.820
 Daddy,

00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.320
 I need you

00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.400
 for pretty much anything

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.620
 that comes to mind

00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.900
 because I guess

00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:21.380
 after five years of life,

00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.560
 they're pretty secure

00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.160
 in knowing that

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.840
 they're my children

00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:25.640
 and they're pretty secure

00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.259
 in knowing that

00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.400
 if I am able to,

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.560
 I will do whatever I can

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.140
 to help them.

00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.840
 I'll do whatever I can

00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.660
 to take care of them.

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:33.700
 And so,

00:24:33.780 --> 00:24:34.680
 do we cry out

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.720
 to our

00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.880
 Abba Father?

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.080
 Do we know

00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:39.300
 that we are children

00:24:39.300 --> 00:24:40.400
 of the Most High God?

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:42.500
 And maybe

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.620
 if we're really honest

00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:45.220
 with ourselves,

00:24:45.420 --> 00:24:46.600
 we don't always believe

00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.240
 that we're children

00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.040
 of God

00:24:48.040 --> 00:24:49.460
 and the insecurity

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.320
 of being an orphan

00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.120
 sometimes

00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:51.920
 or often

00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.480
 weighs on us,

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.420
 especially when we're

00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.160
 hooked to our phone

00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.840
 two hours a day

00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.460
 and we're looking at

00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.600
 all the beautiful people

00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.560
 on social media

00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:01.060
 or maybe we

00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:02.040
 get caught

00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:02.759
 in our thoughts

00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.580
 and we think that

00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.980
 why doesn't the opposite sex

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.759
 like me?

00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.640
 What's wrong with me?

00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:08.240
 Or maybe we think

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.299
 about life

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:09.960
 and we think

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.380
 we should be

00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.599
 further along in life

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.359
 with a better title

00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.880
 at work

00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.559
 or maybe we should

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.859
 marry with kids

00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.440
 by now.

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.500
 But the anecdote

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.299
 to any insecurity

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.960
 we have

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.799
 about our identity,

00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.799
 it doesn't come

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.519
 from improving

00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.559
 how we look

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:24.059
 or adding accolades

00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.740
 to our resume

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.599
 and it doesn't come

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.759
 from being in any

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.380
 relationship

00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.240
 on earth.

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.519
 King Saul,

00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:32.680
 the sort of

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.559
 anti-David

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.680
 is a good case study

00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.160
 of someone

00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.380
 who is highly insecure

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.900
 on the surface

00:25:37.900 --> 00:25:39.000
 King Saul

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.420
 had everything

00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.140
 going for him.

00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:41.580
 He was tall,

00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.920
 he was good looking,

00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:45.640
 the Bible says

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.140
 that there was not

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.860
 a man among

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:48.120
 the people of Israel

00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.640
 more handsome

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.120
 than he

00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.220
 and of course

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.000
 he held the biggest

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.759
 title of all,

00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.259
 King,

00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.280
 King of Israel.

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.680
 But in spite

00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.180
 of all these

00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.300
 impressive external

00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:57.060
 qualities,

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.980
 Saul had a problem

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.040
 in his heart.

00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:00.940
 He worshipped

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.400
 and analyzed

00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.180
 his position

00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:02.880
 and status

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.740
 and what he valued

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.720
 most it seems

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.700
 was honor

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.200
 and praise

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.740
 from men.

00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.900
 His identity

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.580
 you could say

00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.440
 was tied to his

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.620
 position as king

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.759
 and the honor

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.440
 he received

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.600
 as such

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:16.200
 and sadly

00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.140
 this resulted in

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.640
 Saul making

00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.380
 some very bad

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.000
 decisions

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.880
 and God

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.720
 rejecting him

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.240
 as king.

00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.800
 You see

00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:23.480
 if our identity

00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.540
 is tied to the

00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:24.900
 physical

00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:26.460
 or to the material

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.320
 how we look

00:26:27.320 --> 00:26:28.540
 what we've achieved

00:26:28.540 --> 00:26:29.620
 we will inevitably

00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.340
 be drawn

00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:31.519
 to what the world

00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.840
 values and loves

00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:33.420
 and we'll never be

00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.580
 content nor satisfied

00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.480
 and we'll always

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.059
 be insecure

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.679
 and wondering

00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.139
 if we're good

00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:37.500
 enough

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.519
 and like Saul

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:40.259
 we will possibly

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.119
 make some very

00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.839
 bad decisions

00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:44.359
 and so we need

00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:44.799
 to move our

00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.759
 focus away

00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.539
 from ourselves

00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.699
 and our focus

00:26:47.699 --> 00:26:48.679
 up towards

00:26:48.679 --> 00:26:49.559
 God

00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.119
 the one who

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.899
 created us

00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:51.859
 the one who

00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.599
 knows everything

00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.240
 about us

00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.240
 the one who

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.119
 the one who

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.939
 loves us

00:26:55.939 --> 00:26:56.899
 and we know

00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.319
 how much he

00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.720
 loves us

00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.099
 because of

00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.759
 Jesus Christ

00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:00.139
 the one he gave

00:27:00.139 --> 00:27:00.679
 the one that

00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.339
 gave his body

00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:02.019
 and his blood

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.439
 for us on the cross

00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:05.920
 but the truth

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.640
 is that we

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.440
 won't feel

00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:09.059
 comfort in saying

00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.580
 I'm a child

00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.600
 of God

00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.820
 unless we have

00:27:11.820 --> 00:27:12.240
 a sense

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.120
 of who God

00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.480
 is

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.420
 we won't feel

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.220
 loved by God

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.799
 unless we know

00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.420
 who our lover

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:16.820
 is

00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.500
 we won't be

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.080
 thankful

00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:18.880
 that the God

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.460
 of the universe

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.559
 rescued us

00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.160
 from sin

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.940
 and slavery

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.940
 and adopted us

00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.740
 into his family

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.680
 unless we know

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.880
 who our adopted

00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.740
 father is

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.779
 and so

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.120
 like King David

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.259
 we must

00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.640
 constantly remind

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.320
 ourselves

00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.899
 of our father's

00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:34.679
 sovereign majestic

00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.200
 character

00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.259
 we must remind

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.059
 ourselves of his

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.799
 awesome indeed

00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.799
 terrifying power

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.879
 we must remind

00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.679
 ourselves that the

00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.639
 sovereign yet merciful

00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:43.119
 God loves us

00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.700
 so much

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.799
 he would send

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.579
 his son Jesus

00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:47.279
 to die for us

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.419
 we must remind

00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.259
 ourselves of the

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.619
 gospel

00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:51.240
 we are called

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.319
 his image bearers

00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.119
 but if we don't

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.819
 have a high view

00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.179
 of him

00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:54.899
 what image

00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.039
 are we bearing

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:58.299
 last year

00:27:58.299 --> 00:28:00.079
 Celeste and I

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.859
 we adopted

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.799
 the newest member

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.979
 of our family

00:28:02.979 --> 00:28:03.919
 from the Hong Kong

00:28:03.919 --> 00:28:04.659
 dog rescue

00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.519
 her name is

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.899
 Toffee

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:07.319
 when Toffee

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:07.859
 first came

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.379
 into our home

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.059
 for the first few

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.359
 days

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.659
 she was a nervous

00:28:10.659 --> 00:28:11.019
 wreck

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:12.699
 her tail was down

00:28:12.699 --> 00:28:13.679
 she would hide

00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.159
 in the corner

00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.339
 she wouldn't eat

00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.059
 nor drink

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.299
 she even threw up

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.059
 a few times

00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.859
 just because

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.979
 Toffee was legally

00:28:20.979 --> 00:28:21.439
 adopted

00:28:21.439 --> 00:28:23.099
 into our family

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.779
 it didn't mean

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.659
 that she automatically

00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:25.539
 experienced

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.219
 or felt

00:28:26.219 --> 00:28:27.500
 our love

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.259
 she didn't yet

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.819
 comprehend

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.039
 her new identity

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.000
 as a member

00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.740
 of our family

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.240
 of course

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.799
 over time

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.440
 as we

00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.480
 spent more time

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.940
 with Toffee

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.480
 as we

00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.259
 showed her

00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:38.779
 our love

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.500
 through cuddles

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.579
 through feeding her

00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:40.920
 through

00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.640
 bringing her out

00:28:42.640 --> 00:28:43.640
 on family outings

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.480
 she

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.039
 she became secure

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.539
 in her new identity

00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:49.099
 as the fourth child

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.039
 of the child family

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.279
 the kids call her

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.940
 their baby sister

00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:55.160
 and so for us

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:56.380
 as adopted children

00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:56.820
 of God

00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:58.320
 we must continue

00:28:58.320 --> 00:28:59.880
 to be reminded

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:01.260
 of God's nature

00:29:01.260 --> 00:29:04.940
 excuse me one second

00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:07.800
 of God's nature

00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:12.120
 of God's character

00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:13.820
 and his father's love

00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:14.380
 for us

00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:16.160
 maybe we do have a sense

00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.500
 but we're so busy

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.040
 with work

00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:19.280
 and life

00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:20.360
 and kids

00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.640
 that we forget

00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.500
 I don't think

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.480
 there's any magic formula

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.360
 to know God

00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.259
 I think

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.459
 all of us

00:29:27.459 --> 00:29:27.979
 in this room

00:29:27.979 --> 00:29:29.579
 are on the same

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.219
 journey together

00:29:30.219 --> 00:29:31.379
 and I think

00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:31.839
 even the

00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.659
 quote unquote

00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.799
 most mature Christians

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.259
 only get a tiny sense

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.539
 the majesty

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.859
 of God

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:39.019
 but that tiny glimpse

00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:41.019
 that is still

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.659
 a truly

00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.699
 awe inspiring

00:29:42.699 --> 00:29:43.399
 and beautiful

00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:44.319
 picture

00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:46.259
 so all of us

00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.539
 let's get

00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:46.979
 let's get into

00:29:46.979 --> 00:29:47.539
 God's word

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:49.419
 let's be in prayer

00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:51.019
 get on our knees

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.599
 let's pray

00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.160
 the Holy Spirit

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.000
 opens the eyes

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:54.099
 of our hearts

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.660
 to see

00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.720
 the living God

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.599
 to understand

00:29:56.599 --> 00:29:57.220
 with a deep

00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:59.279
 with a deep knowledge

00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.059
 in our hearts

00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.119
 how much he loves us

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.639
 let's pray

00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:03.259
 the Holy Spirit

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.779
 opens the eyes

00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.200
 of our hearts

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.859
 to worship

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.639
 our great

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.379
 king

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:09.200
 let's pray that

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.740
 for ourselves

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.480
 and let's

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:10.940
 pray that

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.339
 for each other

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:16.000
 I just have two

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.419
 quick ways

00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.220
 that we can respond

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.119
 to today's message

00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.459
 the first is

00:30:20.459 --> 00:30:21.240
 just to focus

00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.859
 our minds

00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.699
 on things above

00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:24.720
 John Piper says

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.279
 that for God

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.259
 to open our eyes

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.399
 to his glory

00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:27.959
 in the Bible

00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:29.539
 he must first

00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.159
 cut away

00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:31.480
 all of his

00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:31.959
 competitors

00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:33.459
 in our hearts

00:30:33.459 --> 00:30:35.539
 and so this week

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.000
 when we

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.159
 pull out our phones

00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:37.879
 to look at

00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.139
 Instagram

00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.439
 or other social media apps

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.079
 or when we're thinking

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.439
 about

00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:43.140
 buying another

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.960
 article of clothing

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.120
 to impress

00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:46.360
 or when we're

00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:46.880
 at the gym

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.240
 pumping iron

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.279
 or whatever

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.140
 it is that

00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:51.240
 we are doing

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.940
 that puts our

00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.680
 attention on

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.580
 outward appearance

00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:54.480
 first

00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.640
 let's remind

00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.059
 ourselves

00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.840
 to hold fast

00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.400
 to the truth

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.940
 that God

00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.440
 doesn't look

00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:01.019
 at outward appearance

00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.580
 let's remember

00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.160
 that we are

00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.200
 children of God

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:05.240
 first

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:07.640
 number one

00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:08.500
 focus our minds

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.420
 on things above

00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:11.059
 and number two

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:12.440
 repentance

00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.579
 repentance

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.159
 repentance

00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:14.599
 have we

00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:16.700
 added fuel

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.379
 to the world's

00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:17.759
 fire

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.379
 by judging

00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:19.000
 other people

00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.839
 based on how

00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.399
 they look

00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:21.799
 perhaps we

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.179
 treat

00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.480
 some colleagues

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.940
 well

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.819
 because they

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.259
 look a certain

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.599
 way

00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.659
 and some

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.139
 colleagues

00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.159
 not as

00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:29.079
 kind

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.299
 with less

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.619
 kindness

00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.039
 because they

00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.419
 look a certain

00:31:31.419 --> 00:31:31.759
 way

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:33.519
 maybe it's

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.779
 how we

00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.000
 treat the

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.240
 opposite

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.740
 sex

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:37.079
 maybe it's

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.900
 how we

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.160
 treat our

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:38.559
 children

00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.420
 we make

00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.000
 comments to

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.359
 them about

00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.759
 their physical

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.099
 appearance

00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.400
 that may

00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.660
 not be

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.039
 the most

00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:42.599
 encouraging

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:45.640
 perhaps we

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:45.900
 need to

00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.259
 repent

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.700
 of this

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:49.099
 maybe we

00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:49.279
 need to

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.640
 repent

00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:49.940
 of

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.019
 viewing

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.700
 appearance

00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.000
 like the

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.180
 world

00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.519
 does

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.859
 and not

00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.140
 how

00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:54.000
 God

00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.339
 does

00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:57.099
 let me

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.480
 close

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.279
 yes

00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.640
 the world

00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.140
 around us

00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.839
 puts a lot

00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.299
 of pressure

00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.680
 on us

00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:00.960
 to look

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.220
 a certain

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.519
 way

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.740
 and to

00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:02.859
 be

00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.200
 attractive

00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:04.220
 it's

00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:04.500
 been that

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.700
 way

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:04.940
 since

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.839
 ancient

00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:06.440
 times

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.639
 even

00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.319
 Samuel

00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.639
 made that

00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.039
 mistake

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.819
 but God

00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.339
 doesn't look

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:13.259
 at the

00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.559
 external

00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.139
 appearance

00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:14.799
 God

00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.200
 looks at

00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.339
 our

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:15.759
 hearts

00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.920
 and God

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.139
 looks at

00:32:17.139 --> 00:32:17.319
 what we

00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.500
 do

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.799
 with our

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.279
 bodies

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.720
 and yet

00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.539
 there is

00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:20.920
 nothing we

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.299
 could do

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.279
 to impress

00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.639
 God

00:32:22.639 --> 00:32:23.279
 nor earn

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.420
 God's

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:24.680
 love

00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:25.920
 it's only

00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.299
 by putting

00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.839
 our faith

00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.539
 and hope

00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.319
 in Jesus

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:28.779
 Christ

00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.079
 that we

00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.400
 can be

00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:29.900
 secure

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.539
 in our

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:30.819
 identity

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.779
 as children

00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.559
 of God

00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.960
 and as we

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.220
 grow to

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.819
 understand

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.519
 how much

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.000
 God loves

00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.379
 us

00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:39.039
 we respond

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:40.079
 with love

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.480
 coming out

00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.720
 of our

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.079
 hearts

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.939
 and we

00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.439
 respond

00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.619
 as we

00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.019
 act that

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.319
 out

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.379
 in our

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.799
 bodies

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:47.079
 for his

00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:47.399
 glory

00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:48.200
 for his

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.480
 honor

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.980
 and for

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.259
 his

00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:49.700
 praise

00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.619
 let's

00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:50.740
 pray

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.079
 together

00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:55.919
 father

00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.599
 it's

00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:57.359
 it's a

00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:57.740
 challenging

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.220
 message

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.460
 lord

00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:58.939
 because

00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:01.940
 every

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.220
 day

00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.400
 the

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:02.660
 pressure

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:02.940
 cooker

00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.160
 of the

00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.420
 world

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:03.860
 is

00:33:03.860 --> 00:33:04.559
 bearing

00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:04.840
 down

00:33:04.840 --> 00:33:05.000
 on

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.220
 us

00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.360
 and

00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:05.519
 saying

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.640
 that

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:05.720
 we

00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:05.820
 need

00:33:05.820 --> 00:33:05.900
 to

00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.019
 look

00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.360
 better

00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:07.160
 it's

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.420
 summertime

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:07.960
 now

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.279
 and

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.539
 people

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:09.759
 are

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.000
 saying

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.240
 we need

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.480
 to look

00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.660
 better

00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:10.820
 for

00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.140
 summer

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:13.660
 God

00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:13.799
 I

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.019
 pray

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.259
 lord

00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.539
 that

00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.519
 as we

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.980
 consider

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.460
 your

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.900
 word

00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.279
 lord

00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.580
 your

00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.019
 truth

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.360
 as we

00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:19.680
 consider

00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:19.880
 what

00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.080
 you

00:33:20.080 --> 00:33:20.360
 have

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.120
 said

00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:21.299
 in

00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:21.600
 this

00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:22.279
 passage

00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.519
 from

00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:22.820
 1st

00:33:22.820 --> 00:33:23.100
 Samuel

00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:23.519
 16

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.759
 that

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:24.980
 you

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.319
 do

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.460
 not

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:25.599
 look

00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:25.740
 on

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.039
 the

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.440
 appearance

00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:26.619
 you

00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:26.740
 look

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.000
 on

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.299
 the

00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:27.619
 heart

00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.240
 I

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.440
 pray

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:28.579
 that

00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:28.680
 we

00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:28.779
 will

00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:28.940
 be

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:29.460
 secure

00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.359
 in

00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:30.480
 our

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:30.799
 identity

00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.279
 as

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.400
 your

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:31.879
 children

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.859
 that

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:32.960
 we

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.099
 would

00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.440
 know

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.519
 deeply

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.740
 that

00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:34.900
 you

00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.220
 love

00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.539
 us

00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:35.720
 that

00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:35.839
 you

00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:36.200
 created

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:36.700
 us

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.319
 that

00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.460
 you

00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:37.779
 know

00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.180
 us

00:33:38.180 --> 00:33:38.480
 everything

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:38.920
 about

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.259
 us

00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.700
 even

00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.019
 our

00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.859
 even

00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.039
 our

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.420
 faults

00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:41.639
 even

00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:41.799
 our

00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.180
 darkest

00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.660
 secrets

00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:43.839
 even

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.079
 the

00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.299
 stuff

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.440
 that

00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:44.559
 we

00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:44.680
 are

00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.039
 ashamed

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.319
 about

00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:45.539
 and

00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:45.660
 you

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.019
 love

00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.359
 us

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:46.920
 with

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.420
 an

00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:47.920
 undying

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.299
 love

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.859
 because

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.079
 you

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.220
 are

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.359
 our

00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:49.799
 children

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.519
 because

00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.839
 father

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.019
 you

00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.259
 love

00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.759
 Jesus

00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.899
 and

00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:53.059
 in

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.259
 us

00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:53.419
 you

00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:53.679
 see

00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:54.179
 Jesus

00:33:54.179 --> 00:33:55.799
 help

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:55.960
 us

00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.159
 lord

00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:56.379
 to

00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:56.740
 really

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.819
 grasp

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.720
 grasp

00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.000
 that

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.439
 deeply

00:33:59.439 --> 00:34:00.720
 today

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.599
 tomorrow

00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:01.839
 and

00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.359
 always

00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:03.059
 may

00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.199
 it

00:34:03.199 --> 00:34:03.399
 not

00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:03.740
 just

00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.059
 be

00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:04.519
 an

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:04.879
 interesting

00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:05.359
 thought

00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:05.559
 or

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:05.819
 something

00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.079
 that

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.319
 we

00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.099
 will

00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:07.399
 say

00:34:07.399 --> 00:34:07.639
 to

00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:07.839
 our

00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.219
 friends

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:08.460
 or

00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.259
 even

00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.099
 think

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.360
 about

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:10.539
 but

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.719
 may

00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:10.840
 it

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:10.960
 be

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.079
 a

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.559
 reality

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.340
 in

00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.440
 the

00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:12.559
 way

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:12.699
 we

00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.000
 love

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.219
 you

00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:13.400
 and

00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:13.500
 the

00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:13.639
 way

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:13.860
 our

00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:14.199
 hearts

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.539
 cry

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:14.739
 out

00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:14.860
 to

00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.099
 worship

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.360
 you

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:15.840
 and

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:15.960
 the

00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.079
 way

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.179
 that

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:21.360
 thank

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:21.480
 you

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:21.679
 god

00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.000
 for

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.239
 your

00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.460
 word

00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:22.779
 today

00:34:22.779 --> 00:34:24.279
 and

00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:24.420
 we

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:24.599
 pray

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:24.840
 lord

00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.019
 that

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.159
 your

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.340
 holy

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.559
 spirit

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:25.719
 would

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:25.819
 be

00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:25.960
 with

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.239
 us

00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:26.880
 for

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:26.960
 the

00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.079
 rest

00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:27.159
 of

00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.259
 the

00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:27.519
 service

00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:27.679
 lord

00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:27.819
 as

00:34:27.819 --> 00:34:27.920
 we

00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.259
 respond

00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:28.460
 to

00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:28.699
 you

00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:30.299
 in

00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:30.519
 Jesus

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:30.900
 name

00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:32.099
 amen