WEBVTT

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 Well, welcome everyone to Church of the Advent.

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 Welcome to our worship gathering here.

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 For those of you who are coming back, glad to see you.

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 And anybody that I don't know yet, I'd love to meet you after the service.

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 We're going to have a reception out in the courtyard since the weather is so nice.

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 Immediately following this worship gathering, so please stick around.

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 Would love to shake your hand if I haven't met you already.

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 My name's Tommy. I'm one of the pastors here.

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 And we're starting a series this week looking at one of Paul's letters that you find in the New Testament.

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 It's the letter that we call Philippians.

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 And we're going to be doing a study through this entire book.

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 And we're going to be tracing one of the central themes in this book.

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 The series is called The Joyful Life.

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 The Joyful Life.

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 One of the main themes in Paul's letter to the Philippians is the theme of joy.

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 And it's a unique kind of joy because it's a joy that is able to exist regardless of circumstance.

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 It's a joy that exists regardless of circumstance.

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 You know, Paul wrote this letter roughly ten years after he helped to plant the church in Philippi.

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 We looked at that last week.

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 So this is roughly 60 to 62 A.D.

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 And he's in prison.

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 And yet he's writing this letter to the people that he hasn't seen in years from prison.

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 And yet he makes some 15 references to joy and to rejoicing.

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 Even many of these are his own joy and his own rejoicing.

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 And you look at his circumstances and you look at the joy and it doesn't make sense.

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 So that's what this series is going to explore.

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 Where does that kind of joy come from?

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 And, you know, some of us are here and we're Christians.

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 And it's good to be reminded as we look at our own lives that, as the late John Stott once wrote in one of his commentaries,

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 it seems clear that the main mark of justified believers is joy.

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 In other words, he's saying if there's one thing that Christians should be known for, it's this inexplicable joy.

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 And if you're here and you're not a follower of Christ or you're not sure what you believe,

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 if it is possible to have a life that is full of joy regardless of your life circumstances,

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 might it not be worth at least exploring whether or not there is some truth to this claim?

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 So this is why we're exploring it.

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 I think it's probably relevant to everybody.

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 And as we get started, we're just going to look at the first eight verses.

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 This is Philippians 1 verses 1 through 8.

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 And the first thing that we see out of the gate is that this book that is about joy begins by talking about identity.

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 In other words, Paul's saying if you want to understand where this joy comes from,

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 you have to start with your own identity.

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 In other words, what constitutes our identity as Christians for those of us who are?

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 And there's a word that Paul uses that sums up what the Christian identity is all about,

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 and that is the word saint.

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 So tonight we're just going to look at that word.

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 Because saint speaks to our identity.

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 You know, before the word Christian was even coined,

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 before it even existed,

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 followers of Jesus referred to one another as saints.

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 So this is what you see all throughout scripture.

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 And the word saint speaks to two things.

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 To who we are,

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 and to who we are becoming.

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 So that's how we're going to look at this this evening.

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 Let's pray for the Lord to lead us.

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 Our God, our Heavenly Father,

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 we pray and we ask,

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 and even as we ask,

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 we know that you will speak to us.

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 Lord, through your word,

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 not through what I have to say,

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 but through your word.

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 We pray that somehow,

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 as we look together at your written word,

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 that we would encounter your living word,

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 Jesus Christ,

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 that we would come face to face

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 with a reality of who he is,

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 and that that would profoundly transform us.

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 Lord, for your glory,

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 and for our good,

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 in your son's name.

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 Amen.

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 So as we're looking at this letter,

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 as I said,

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 Paul is writing this from prison.

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 He begins,

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 as we look at verse one,

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 with a standard greeting.

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 He's saying,

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 Paul and Timothy,

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 servants of Jesus Christ.

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 So that's his way of saying,

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 this letter is from Paul and Timothy,

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 and he says that they are servants of Christ Jesus.

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 We're going to come back to that

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 in subsequent weeks.

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 Here's the interesting part, though.

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 He doesn't just say,

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 to the people in Philippi,

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 like you would normally do.

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 He makes a point right away of saying,

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 to all the saints in Christ Jesus,

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 who are at Philippi,

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 with the overseers and deacons,

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 grace to you and peace from God our Father,

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 and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 So the first thing Paul does,

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 after introducing himself,

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 is to remind the Philippians of their primary identity.

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 He reminds them of their primary identity.

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 And he addresses every single person in the church as a saint.

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 You know, if you're familiar with the Catholic Church,

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 you know that they canonize certain people

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 and set them apart and say,

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 well, here's all of the Christians,

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 but these people are saints.

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 But that's not what Paul's doing here.

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 Every single person in the church is a saint.

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 If you're a Christian,

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 you're a saint.

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 And Paul is saying,

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 this is your primary identity.

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 This is how I think of you.

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 Now, in our culture,

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 we think a lot about identity.

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 We talk a lot about identity.

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 It's a very hot topic,

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 debated topic.

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 And most of that centers around

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 our freedom and our desire

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 to be able to choose our identity,

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 to define ourselves for ourselves,

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 to get rid of social,

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 religious,

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 traditional,

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 institutional constraints,

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 and to be able to have the freedom

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 to define ourselves for ourselves,

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 the freedom to choose who we are.

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 We have kids.

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 We watch a lot of kids' movies.

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 A couple of days ago,

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 we saw a newer kids' movie

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 that's come out called

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 The Good Dinosaur.

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 I don't know if you've seen it.

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 It's pretty good.

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 76% on Rotten Tomatoes.

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 It's kind of like one of those borderline,

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 is it worth our two hours?

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 But the kids loved it.

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 And as I was watching this movie,

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 sort of my mind began to wander

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 and I began to think about other movies

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 in this kind of genre.

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 And I began to realize,

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 you know,

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 a lot of these movies

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 basically tell the same story.

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 It's just with different packaging.

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 You know,

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 like here it's a dinosaur

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 or a cave person

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 and here it's like a fairy

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 or like an Irish warrior.

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 But it all tells the same story

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 just with different sort of,

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 you know,

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 packaging.

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 And so if you think about these movies,

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 maybe you've seen them.

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 Shrek,

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 Frozen,

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 Shrek 2,

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 Shrek 3,

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 Tangled,

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 Brave,

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 Mulan,

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 Little Mermaid,

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 Kung Fu Panda,

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 Kung Fu Panda 2,

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 How to Train Your Dragon,

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 Fantastic Mr. Fox,

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 Book of Life,

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 Maya the Bee,

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 I could go on and on.

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 They all tell a very similar story.

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 And what's that story?

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 It is be true to yourself.

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 Right?

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 Get rid of what your parents expect of you.

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 Get rid of what the culture expects of you.

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 Get rid of all of the things that are,

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 get rid of these expectations that are on you.

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 Get rid of all of that.

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 Figure out who you are

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 and express that to the world.

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 Be true to yourself.

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 I mean,

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 listen to our music.

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 Eminem's beautiful.

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 Casey Musgrave's Follow Your Arrow.

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 Meghan Trainor's all about that bass.

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 Lady Gaga sings it perfectly.

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 She sings,

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 Don't hide yourself in regret.

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 Just love yourself and you're set.

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 Right?

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 That's a powerful claim.

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 All you have to do is love yourself

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 and you're set.

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 We might think of this

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 as a kind of secular gospel of our age.

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 Maybe the gospel of our age.

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 In other words,

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 the good news for the world.

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 This is the key to happiness

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 and joy and fulfillment.

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 Be true to yourself.

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 Get rid of all constraints.

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 Choose your own identity.

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 Express that to the world.

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 Love yourself and you're set.

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 And you know,

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 I have to admit,

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 there's something very compelling

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 about this as an idea.

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 You know,

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 there's this kind of a documentary,

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 sort of a series of vignettes

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 with different celebrities and such

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 called Human.

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 If you've not seen this,

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 it's really, really worth your time.

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 Well,

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 and it's good,

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 I was going to say,

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 it's good for understanding culture.

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 If you really want to understand culture,

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 watch kids' movies.

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 Honestly,

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 it's one of the best ways

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 to understand where our culture is

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 and where we're going.

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 Watch kids' movies.

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 It'll tell you right away.

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 But,

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 you should also watch Human.

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 It's really fantastic.

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 And there's,

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 Cameron Diaz gets on there

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 and she starts talking about fame

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 and how you shouldn't build your life on fame.

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 That doesn't lead to happiness.

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 And as a preacher,

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 I'm thinking,

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 preach it.

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 This will preach, Cameron.

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 And she says,

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 this is,

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 you're going to,

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 life is going to be empty.

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 And, you know,

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 we agree with that, right?

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 And if she was saying,

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 don't build your life on wealth,

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 don't build your life on success,

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 don't build your life on notoriety,

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 don't build your life on,

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 you know,

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 this, that, or the other,

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 we would,

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 even if we're doing it,

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 we would agree,

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 Cameron, you're right.

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 Even though I'm doing that,

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 I shouldn't be doing that

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 because that's empty.

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 But then she goes on

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 and she says,

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 the way to be happy

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 is to be true to yourself.

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 See,

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 and then you hear that

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 and you think,

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 oh, that's a good message.

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 You know,

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 I want to do that,

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 I want my kids to do that,

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 we should,

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 I want to be true to myself.

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 It's compelling.

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 But the only problem is,

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 it doesn't actually work

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 in real life.

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 It's a really great idea,

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 but it doesn't actually work.

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 There's a,

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 there's a couple of problems with it.

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 The first problem

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 with this gospel

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 of being true to ourselves

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 is,

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 is actually illustrated

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 in another kid's movie

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 called The Incredibles.

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 And the bad guy

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 in The Incredibles

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 is a guy named Syndrome.

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 And Syndrome has,

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 has his former mentor,

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 he's kind of taking him

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 as a prisoner.

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 And he's yelling,

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 he's kind of like sounding off

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 at his former mentor

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 who,

00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:15.000
 he is now his arch enemy.

00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:16.659
 And he's saying

00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.459
 to Mr. Incredible,

00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.799
 you always tell me

00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:19.859
 to be true to myself.

00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:22.279
 But you never tell me

00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.699
 which part to be true to.

00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:23.860
 true.

00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.860
 It's so insightful,

00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:27.440
 right?

00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:29.320
 Because I have,

00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:29.820
 I have,

00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.820
 I have a lot of parts

00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.020
 of self in me,

00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:33.520
 right?

00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:35.020
 I have one part

00:10:35.020 --> 00:10:35.540
 that could,

00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.960
 that is completely devoted

00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:38.320
 to the,

00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.360
 to living a long

00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.120
 and healthy life.

00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.320
 I want to see my kids grow up.

00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:42.100
 I want to hopefully

00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:42.980
 know my grandkids.

00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:44.040
 I want to live

00:10:44.040 --> 00:10:44.920
 as long as I can.

00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:45.740
 I want to be healthy.

00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:47.020
 I want to have energy.

00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:47.640
 I want to,

00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.400
 you know,

00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.160
 I want to,

00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.360
 I want that kind of life.

00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:51.720
 And then there's

00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:52.940
 another part of me

00:10:52.940 --> 00:10:54.680
 that could literally

00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:55.860
 live off cheeseburgers

00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:56.260
 and whiskey.

00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.700
 I could literally

00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:59.140
 eat nothing

00:10:59.140 --> 00:10:59.900
 but cheeseburgers

00:10:59.900 --> 00:11:00.380
 and whiskey

00:11:00.380 --> 00:11:00.940
 and I would be

00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:02.240
 completely happy

00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.520
 for like two weeks.

00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:05.820
 And then I would have

00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:06.580
 to go to the hospital.

00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:07.300
 But,

00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:09.340
 but I could literally

00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.280
 live off that stuff,

00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:10.840
 right?

00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:11.700
 And then there's

00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.200
 the part of me

00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:12.900
 that's ashamed

00:11:12.900 --> 00:11:14.040
 that I'm admitting this

00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:14.760
 from up front.

00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:15.840
 You know,

00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:17.420
 now they're all

00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:17.920
 going to know

00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:19.340
 as if you didn't before

00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:19.900
 but now they're

00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:20.820
 definitely all going to know.

00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:21.340
 And,

00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:21.940
 and then there's

00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:22.620
 the other part of me

00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:23.840
 that will justify it

00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.259
 and say,

00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:24.679
 no,

00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:26.299
 I have a stressful job

00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.200
 and I deserve it

00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:28.179
 and I'm going to five guys.

00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.440
 Right?

00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.100
 And so you've got

00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.419
 all these parts competing,

00:11:32.560 --> 00:11:32.740
 right?

00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:34.080
 Which is the real self?

00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:34.919
 Which is the thing

00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:35.580
 that needs to be,

00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:37.720
 to which do I be true

00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.060
 and to,

00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:38.899
 and what needs

00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.720
 to be extinguished?

00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:39.980
 You know,

00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.159
 you've got the person

00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:42.039
 who makes the,

00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.580
 the,

00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:43.340
 the committed

00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:45.039
 lifelong vow

00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.899
 to another person.

00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:48.360
 I'm committing to you

00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.620
 for better,

00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:50.220
 for worse,

00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.360
 for richer,

00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:51.940
 for poorer,

00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:53.580
 sickness and health,

00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:55.360
 till death us do part,

00:11:55.800 --> 00:11:56.560
 I'm yours.

00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:57.960
 Looking in the eyes,

00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:58.620
 meaning it,

00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:58.940
 friends,

00:11:59.080 --> 00:11:59.259
 family,

00:11:59.379 --> 00:11:59.639
 parents,

00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.060
 all there,

00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:00.660
 everybody looking,

00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:01.040
 music,

00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.580
 I'm looking at your eyes,

00:12:02.660 --> 00:12:03.399
 I mean this

00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.460
 from the bottom of my heart.

00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.259
 Right?

00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:07.000
 Years down the road

00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.000
 that same person

00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.500
 really,

00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:08.779
 really,

00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:09.740
 really wants to sleep

00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:10.480
 with their co-worker

00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.660
 with whom they have found

00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:14.040
 a special connection.

00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:15.160
 Right?

00:12:15.579 --> 00:12:16.039
 A connection

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.579
 that they really

00:12:16.579 --> 00:12:17.279
 haven't experienced

00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:17.939
 in their marriage.

00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:19.959
 Two,

00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:20.779
 two parts.

00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.740
 Which is you

00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.799
 and which needs

00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.360
 to be extinguished?

00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:26.519
 See,

00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:27.039
 a lot of people

00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.559
 in our culture

00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.019
 would say,

00:12:28.219 --> 00:12:28.399
 you know,

00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:29.179
 that's the part

00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.299
 that you should be true to.

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:31.639
 Get,

00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.480
 get out of that marriage.

00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:33.399
 That is inhibiting

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.079
 the true you.

00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:35.179
 Be true to yourself.

00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.559
 Which is the true self?

00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:38.959
 Right?

00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.159
 So,

00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:40.319
 so we aren't actually,

00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:41.579
 if you,

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.079
 if I just had one

00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:44.199
 integrated whole self

00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:44.560
 and here,

00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:45.720
 it would be great

00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:46.759
 for me to be true to that.

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.080
 Right?

00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.180
 But what about

00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:48.960
 all the little parts

00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.340
 of self

00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:49.700
 that I,

00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.720
 that I really have?

00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.360
 What do I do with that?

00:12:54.140 --> 00:12:55.340
 But there's another reason

00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.240
 that this doesn't work

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.600
 and I think

00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.480
 an even deeper reason.

00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.460
 And that's this.

00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:00.520
 And I'm not going to tell you

00:13:00.520 --> 00:13:01.000
 how you feel

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.800
 or what you think.

00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:02.140
 You,

00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:02.460
 you,

00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.300
 maybe you're different.

00:13:03.900 --> 00:13:05.040
 But I was thinking about this

00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:06.080
 in my own life this week

00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.340
 and I,

00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.280
 I just have to be honest.

00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:10.080
 Being true to myself

00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.280
 and loving myself

00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:11.680
 as,

00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.620
 as Lady Gaga

00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:12.980
 would,

00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:13.980
 would tell me to do,

00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:16.540
 it's not enough.

00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.700
 It doesn't cut it

00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.240
 with me.

00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:21.640
 You know,

00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.640
 loving myself,

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.700
 it's just not enough.

00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.340
 I mean,

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.180
 if we're honest,

00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:27.200
 I think deep down

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.379
 we actually crave

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.200
 a love that comes

00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.500
 from outside of ourselves.

00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:32.980
 A love,

00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:33.759
 a love that comes

00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.660
 from someone else

00:13:34.660 --> 00:13:35.400
 who's not me,

00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.800
 whose opinion matters.

00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.520
 That's actually

00:13:38.520 --> 00:13:39.240
 what I want.

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.120
 You know,

00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:41.520
 I,

00:13:41.520 --> 00:13:42.680
 I want somebody

00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:43.199
 out there

00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:43.519
 to say,

00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:44.439
 I love you.

00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:45.259
 Right?

00:13:45.939 --> 00:13:46.779
 So another way

00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:47.259
 of saying it

00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:47.699
 is this.

00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:51.299
 Below our desire

00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.500
 to be able

00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.059
 to choose

00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:54.000
 who we are,

00:13:54.719 --> 00:13:55.579
 I think there's

00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:56.579
 a deeper desire

00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.799
 to be chosen

00:13:57.799 --> 00:14:00.639
 as we are.

00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.059
 You know,

00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.039
 we want the lover

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.759
 who says,

00:14:04.159 --> 00:14:05.459
 out of all of the people

00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:06.039
 in the world,

00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:07.120
 I choose you.

00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.200
 I want you.

00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.120
 I want you

00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.120
 to belong to me.

00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.980
 I want to commit

00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:12.440
 to you.

00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.019
 I want,

00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.120
 I want only you

00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.179
 for the rest of my life.

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.120
 I just want you.

00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.019
 That's what I want.

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.740
 That's a thousand

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.419
 times better

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.500
 than whatever love

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.299
 I can muster

00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:22.980
 for myself.

00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:23.500
 Yeah,

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:23.899
 okay,

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.019
 decent self-confidence,

00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.840
 working on that,

00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.759
 therapist is helping

00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.259
 out with it

00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:27.620
 and all that,

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.460
 but it's nothing

00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.539
 compared to this person

00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.580
 whose opinion matters

00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:30.879
 saying,

00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.879
 I choose you.

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.519
 That lifts me

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.259
 up to the heavens,

00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:34.860
 right?

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:37.060
 I want the parent

00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:38.860
 who says,

00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.759
 I'm so delighted

00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.639
 that you're my child.

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.980
 I want you to belong to me

00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.980
 and I will love you

00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:45.159
 for the rest of your life.

00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:47.620
 That's what I want.

00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:49.960
 And yet,

00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:50.200
 you know,

00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.399
 even the best lovers,

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.960
 even the best,

00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.200
 most well-intentioned spouses,

00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.379
 even the best parents

00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:57.220
 love imperfectly.

00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:58.139
 We don't always love

00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.080
 people like that,

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.360
 right?

00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:00.519
 I mean,

00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.460
 even in the best marriages,

00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.440
 sometimes your love

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.039
 is conditional.

00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:05.059
 Even in the best

00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.779
 parent-child relationship,

00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.699
 sometimes that love

00:15:07.699 --> 00:15:08.279
 is conditional.

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.559
 You do your best,

00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.980
 but it falls short.

00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.240
 And we're always,

00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:14.120
 my desire for that kind of love

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:15.399
 always outstrips

00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.519
 what the people

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.699
 in my life can provide.

00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.740
 My wife can't love me

00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.159
 that way.

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.399
 She's an amazing person.

00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.019
 She just can't do it.

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.419
 I can't love her that way.

00:15:24.219 --> 00:15:25.679
 I can't love my kids that way.

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.699
 My parents didn't love me

00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:27.139
 that way.

00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.799
 They got close sometimes.

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.519
 But it's not enough.

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.480
 And that's because

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.939
 we were made to find this love

00:15:34.939 --> 00:15:36.139
 not in a human being,

00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:36.939
 but in God.

00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.860
 It's no coincidence

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.579
 that the two primary images

00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.439
 that God uses

00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.779
 to describe his relationship

00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.379
 with us

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.519
 are what?

00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.720
 Marriage and adoption.

00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.419
 Right?

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.439
 What do those two relationships

00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.120
 have in common?

00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.679
 Marriage and adoption.

00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.600
 They're both situations

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.019
 where somebody says to you,

00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.299
 if you're the one being married

00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.460
 or you're the one being adopted,

00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.279
 there is somebody saying to you,

00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:02.339
 I choose you.

00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:05.379
 Not them, not them, you.

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.419
 I want you.

00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.319
 So this brings us

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:12.199
 to the true meaning

00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:13.079
 of the word saint.

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.419
 See, when we hear

00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:15.959
 the word saint,

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.079
 we tend to think of the people

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.000
 who are super virtuous,

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.779
 super moral, super good.

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.500
 They're doing all kinds

00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.319
 of amazing things.

00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:21.799
 Like I said,

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.740
 the Catholic Church

00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.639
 has canonized a number

00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.220
 of such people,

00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:26.319
 and we should pay attention

00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:26.879
 to these people

00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.659
 and learn about them,

00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.480
 and there are great examples

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.399
 to follow, most of them.

00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.360
 Amazing lives,

00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.019
 very inspiring.

00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.299
 But that's not

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.279
 what Paul's talking about.

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:35.860
 It's funny,

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.559
 the way we misunderstand

00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.799
 the word saint,

00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:41.379
 I think betrays us.

00:16:41.459 --> 00:16:42.620
 It betrays our wiring.

00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.399
 We are so wired,

00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.539
 so wired to think

00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.899
 that God's love

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.919
 depends on our merit.

00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.120
 We're so wired

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.100
 to think that His love

00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.939
 depends on our merit

00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.819
 rather than being something

00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.480
 that exists

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.840
 regardless of merit.

00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:59.139
 When Paul uses

00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.899
 the word saint,

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.820
 it's a word that means

00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.660
 holy or set apart.

00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:05.779
 And in the simplest terms,

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.799
 a saint is someone

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.360
 to whom God says,

00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.920
 I choose you.

00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.960
 Not someone who does

00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.500
 something or says something

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:17.000
 or feels a certain thing

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.279
 or thinks a certain thing

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.860
 or acts in a certain way.

00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:20.880
 No, no, no.

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.740
 We're not the subject of that.

00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:24.240
 We're the object.

00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.079
 A saint is someone

00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:28.099
 to whom God says,

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.279
 I choose you.

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.299
 So everybody

00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.799
 who comes to Jesus Christ,

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.819
 everybody who admits

00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.240
 their sin,

00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.740
 everybody who is reconciled

00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:37.359
 through His death

00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:37.880
 and resurrection,

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.259
 everybody who is baptized

00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.079
 and becomes

00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.440
 a part of the church,

00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:43.339
 then those are people

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.519
 to whom God says,

00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.480
 you.

00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.220
 And how do you know

00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:47.859
 if that's you?

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.460
 It's because you've

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:49.980
 come to faith.

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.279
 So if you're a saint,

00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.059
 it's not because of anything

00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.480
 you've done for God.

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.319
 You haven't earned it.

00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.159
 It's because God

00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:57.079
 has done something

00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.819
 for you in Jesus Christ

00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.859
 through His life

00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.619
 and death and resurrection.

00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:01.839
 And that's why Paul says

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.559
 we're saints in Christ,

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.980
 in all that He's done.

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.839
 So what does this mean?

00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.899
 It means that you can,

00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:11.200
 listen,

00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.700
 you can be a,

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:15.059
 just the smarmiest,

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.659
 you know,

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.839
 investment banker

00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.980
 you can imagine.

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:20.099
 You can just be the,

00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:20.879
 you know,

00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.740
 just that kind of,

00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.580
 you know,

00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.200
 I'm not going to get

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.700
 into detail,

00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:24.840
 but you can kind of imagine,

00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.760
 you know,

00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:27.000
 you can be this kind of like,

00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:27.340
 you know,

00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.260
 big shot with your,

00:18:28.360 --> 00:18:28.560
 you know,

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.320
 and you can,

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.500
 you can have a major

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.240
 wake-up call

00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:34.200
 and you can sell

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.320
 all your stuff

00:18:35.320 --> 00:18:37.340
 and sell all your cars

00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:38.140
 and sell your,

00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:38.900
 your,

00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.560
 your Manhattan condo

00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:41.820
 and sell all of that

00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:43.560
 and you can move

00:18:43.560 --> 00:18:43.860
 to the,

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.600
 to the poorest

00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.460
 third world country

00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:45.860
 you can,

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.740
 you can find

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.759
 and you can spend

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.980
 the rest of your life

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.079
 caring for lepers

00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.200
 and building orphanages

00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.819
 for kids

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:55.500
 and God's not going

00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:55.980
 to love you

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.140
 one ounce more.

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.559
 That's not how it works.

00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.980
 It's not how it works.

00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.460
 Not for saints.

00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.460
 And it could be

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.200
 that God actually

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.500
 wired you for banking

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:11.620
 and not orphanage building.

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.759
 You know,

00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.200
 God wants just as many

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:17.759
 Christians in the banking world

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.440
 as he does

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.779
 building orphanages.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.059
 We're supposed to be everywhere.

00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.440
 You can also come out of,

00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.299
 come out of this room

00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.640
 and have a major public

00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.880
 moral failing.

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.279
 You know,

00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.019
 it all comes out.

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.779
 You've been dishonest.

00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.220
 You've been lying

00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.960
 to all kinds of people.

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.660
 It all comes out.

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.120
 God's not going to love you

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.160
 one ounce less.

00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.799
 God hates the sin

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.640
 but he's not going to love you

00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.380
 one ounce less.

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.120
 You can't affect it

00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:43.940
 because he has chosen

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.259
 to put his love on you.

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.860
 You didn't even ask for it.

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.700
 It just happened.

00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.080
 This is the thing

00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:52.140
 I think that we can't get.

00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.820
 But the entire Christian life

00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.799
 is really about us

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.820
 becoming more and more

00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:57.080
 grounded in this identity.

00:19:58.360 --> 00:19:59.360
 That God loves us

00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.340
 as we are in Christ

00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.259
 regardless of anything

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.759
 we felt or said or done.

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.660
 And then here's the paradox

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:10.340
 is that the more

00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.840
 we're grounded in this identity

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:15.279
 that God has chosen us

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.119
 in Christ

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.319
 set us apart

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.919
 to belong

00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:19.119
 said I want you to belong

00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:19.939
 to me and be mine

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:21.220
 the more I'm grounded

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.899
 in that identity

00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:23.899
 the more it paradoxically

00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:26.399
 creates a desire in me

00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.639
 to become what God

00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.980
 has made me to be.

00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:30.699
 Isn't that weird?

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.159
 Because you say

00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:31.939
 well if he accepts me

00:20:31.939 --> 00:20:32.339
 as I am

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:33.199
 why should I want to change?

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.159
 Well the weird thing is

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.740
 the more you realize

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.720
 that his love

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.119
 is a gift

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.159
 the more that fills you

00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:39.820
 with a desire

00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:42.660
 to allow him

00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.240
 to be the one

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.960
 to define you

00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.660
 rather than you.

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.900
 And that may not make sense

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.880
 but this is why

00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:50.060
 being a saint

00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:51.240
 isn't just about who we are

00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.779
 but it's about

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.620
 who we're becoming.

00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.500
 This might help

00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.580
 clarify it a little bit.

00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.100
 You know Dan Bielman

00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.040
 first sermon

00:21:00.040 --> 00:21:01.040
 at Advent

00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:02.300
 used an illustration

00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:03.040
 from Ben-Hur

00:21:03.040 --> 00:21:03.680
 and I'm just going to

00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.519
 shamelessly borrow it

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:04.860
 because I think

00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.600
 it's a great image.

00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:08.839
 If you've never seen

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.799
 the movie Ben-Hur

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:12.119
 Judah Ben-Hur

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.579
 at this

00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.059
 I won't tell you

00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.559
 the whole story

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.240
 but at this point

00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.139
 that I'm talking about

00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:17.240
 he has become a slave

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:19.619
 and there's a Roman

00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.519
 he's a Jew

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.879
 and there's a Roman

00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.539
 named Quintus Arius

00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.980
 who's a Roman consul

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.839
 and he's actually

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.539
 come to love

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:27.179
 Judah Ben-Hur

00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:27.819
 like a son

00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:29.099
 and so he petitions

00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:31.219
 for Judah Ben-Hur

00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:31.939
 to be freed

00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:33.579
 set free

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.599
 and then he throws

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.079
 a party

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.619
 and he calls

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.379
 everyone's attention

00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.019
 at this party

00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:38.019
 and he announces

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.599
 that he's done

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.359
 all the legal

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.519
 formalities necessary

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:42.639
 to adopt Ben-Hur

00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.720
 as his own son

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:46.599
 and he says

00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.740
 young Arius

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.399
 he doesn't call him

00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.419
 Judah Ben-Hur

00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:50.879
 he names him

00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.199
 gives him his own name

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:53.199
 young Arius

00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:55.500
 is now the legal

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.720
 bearer of my name

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.599
 and the heir

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.319
 to my property

00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:02.319
 and then he gives him

00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.779
 this priceless ring

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.779
 off of his own finger

00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.299
 and he says

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.980
 this ring of my ancestors

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.839
 would have gone

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.559
 to my son

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:10.960
 so now it's yours

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:14.920
 and then Ben-Hur's response

00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.220
 is what I want to focus on

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.440
 because he responds

00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:17.740
 by saying

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.420
 he takes the ring

00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.440
 he puts it on his finger

00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.660
 and he says

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.720
 I shall always try

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.559
 to wear this ring

00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.819
 as a son of Arius

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.339
 should

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.859
 with gratitude

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.839
 affection

00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:29.039
 and with honor

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:31.559
 so you have

00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.319
 this amazing

00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.539
 image

00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.199
 of exactly

00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:35.439
 what we're talking about

00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:35.720
 right

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.279
 Arius

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.799
 of his own free will

00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:40.559
 loves Ben-Hur

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.279
 adopts Ben-Hur

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.279
 gives him what

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.299
 his name

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.399
 he promises him

00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:45.919
 an inheritance

00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:47.199
 and he gives him a ring

00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:48.319
 as a seal of his adoption

00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:50.359
 and then Ben-Hur's response

00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:50.839
 is to say

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.079
 I want to live

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.299
 like your son

00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.019
 I want to be

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.079
 like your son

00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.919
 and I want to do that

00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.539
 because of why

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.320
 not fear

00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:57.860
 not guilt

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.560
 not obligation

00:22:58.560 --> 00:22:59.720
 but out of

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.740
 gratitude

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.019
 and out of affection

00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:04.840
 and this is exactly

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.880
 what happens with us

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.539
 through the gospel

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:06.840
 right

00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:07.740
 God comes and says

00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.519
 I love you

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.620
 and I sent my son

00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:11.100
 to die for you

00:23:11.100 --> 00:23:12.340
 and he says

00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.740
 I want you to belong to me

00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.940
 in Christ

00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.279
 and he says

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.360
 to those who come to him

00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.240
 and accept this forgiveness

00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.400
 he gives us what

00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:20.640
 he gives us his name

00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:22.140
 you're in Christ

00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.980
 right

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.460
 he gives us

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.680
 an eternal inheritance

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.640
 he gives us

00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.620
 a seal

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:29.299
 not a ring

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.580
 but the Holy Spirit

00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:32.740
 this is a seal

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.440
 that guarantees

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.120
 and proves

00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.019
 that you belong to me

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:38.299
 and what does this do

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.920
 it engenders in us

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.120
 a desire

00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:41.620
 right

00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.840
 it kindles in us

00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.480
 in a desire

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.100
 we say

00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:45.259
 I want to be

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.420
 in other words

00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.140
 I want to let go

00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.019
 of my sense

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.560
 of who I am

00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:49.580
 and I prefer

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:51.000
 God's sense

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.640
 of who I am

00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.980
 that's who I want to be

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:54.180
 I want to be the way

00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.079
 you see me God

00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:57.620
 that's how I want to live

00:23:57.620 --> 00:24:00.599
 because of gratitude

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.680
 because of affection

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:04.480
 and Paul goes on to say

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.799
 you know

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.079
 as this happens

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.079
 God actually works

00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.920
 in us

00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.140
 to make that happen

00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.720
 to make us more

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.400
 like his son

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:11.880
 he says

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.900
 in verses

00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.620
 three through six

00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.640
 I thank my God

00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.519
 and all my remembrance

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.980
 of you

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.259
 always in every prayer

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.700
 of mine

00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.500
 for you

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.559
 all making my prayer

00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.139
 with joy

00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:23.059
 because of your

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.099
 partnership in the gospel

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.839
 from the first day

00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.440
 until now

00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.779
 and I'm sure of this

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.339
 here it is

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.539
 that he who began

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.419
 a good work in you

00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.759
 will bring it to completion

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.399
 at the day of Jesus Christ

00:24:32.399 --> 00:24:36.299
 so all those partial selves

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:39.019
 all those partial parts

00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.359
 of us

00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:39.859
 that are kind of

00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.919
 at war with each other

00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:42.740
 and he's saying

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.460
 that God begins

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.500
 to bring all of that

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.919
 together

00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:46.899
 this is why C.S. Lewis

00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.579
 talks about

00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.559
 the more we give

00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.319
 ourselves away

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.139
 the more we actually

00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.579
 become fully

00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.579
 who we were meant to be

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:54.259
 we actually recover

00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.819
 ourselves

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.799
 by giving ourselves

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.139
 to God

00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:56.960
 because he's the one

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.659
 who can make us

00:24:57.659 --> 00:24:58.440
 whole

00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:01.200
 now there are a lot

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.839
 of themes

00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.559
 in here

00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.059
 that we're going

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.679
 to explore

00:25:05.679 --> 00:25:06.659
 through the coming weeks

00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.879
 this is setting up

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.500
 stuff that we're going

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.000
 to come back to

00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.519
 again and again

00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:09.879
 and again

00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:11.319
 so tonight

00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.339
 I just want to pause

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.319
 and I want to think

00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.240
 about this idea

00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.759
 of being a saint

00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.679
 as Paul talks about it

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.420
 and I want to think

00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.420
 about some implications

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.779
 as we think about

00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.380
 what this says

00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.360
 about who we are

00:25:22.360 --> 00:25:22.799
 now

00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.180
 and who we're becoming

00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:26.840
 and I want to just

00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.279
 look at three

00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:27.860
 really quickly

00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:29.240
 three implications

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:31.440
 of our sainthood

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:33.779
 first implication

00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.279
 is this

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.440
 in our relationships

00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.200
 with one another

00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.900
 in this community

00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.640
 and in our friends

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.160
 and family

00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.660
 and all that

00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:40.380
 one of the best ways

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.160
 that we can love

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.580
 one another

00:25:41.580 --> 00:25:43.539
 is by reminding

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.180
 one another

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.900
 that we are

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.460
 in fact

00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.100
 saints

00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:48.740
 by reminding

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.199
 one another

00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:49.599
 of that

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:51.939
 we all need

00:25:51.939 --> 00:25:52.519
 to be reminded

00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.279
 that we're utterly

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.879
 secure

00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.399
 in the love

00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:54.879
 of God

00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:56.119
 right

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.019
 most of the time

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.579
 we either

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:59.699
 we either remind

00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:00.059
 one another

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.699
 that we're sinners

00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:03.419
 or we just

00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.719
 take the easy road

00:26:04.719 --> 00:26:05.159
 out and just

00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:05.879
 don't bring it up

00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.219
 at all

00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:06.759
 right

00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:10.719
 what I need

00:26:10.719 --> 00:26:11.819
 is to be reminded

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.279
 that

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.579
 that

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.699
 that my identity

00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.439
 doesn't hinge

00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:15.439
 on my performance

00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:15.859
 up here

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.979
 I need to know

00:26:17.979 --> 00:26:18.579
 that my identity

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.259
 doesn't hinge

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.899
 in how good

00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.639
 the church is doing

00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.799
 I need to

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.679
 be reminded

00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.319
 that my identity

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:23.959
 doesn't hinge

00:26:23.959 --> 00:26:24.419
 in how good

00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.119
 a dad I am

00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:25.500
 or how good

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.319
 a husband I am

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.299
 or how good

00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.119
 a friend I am

00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:29.879
 that it doesn't

00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.259
 matter

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:32.579
 if people like me

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.279
 or hate me

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.299
 it doesn't matter

00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:34.799
 if people agree

00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.139
 with me

00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.519
 or disagree

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:35.939
 with me

00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.819
 or criticize me

00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.919
 I need to be

00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:38.459
 reminded that my

00:26:38.459 --> 00:26:39.059
 identity isn't

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.039
 based in any of that

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.359
 it is based

00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.059
 squarely

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.619
 completely

00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.119
 and utterly

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.519
 in the undeserved

00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.139
 love of God

00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.180
 I need you

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.720
 to remind me

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.020
 of that

00:26:47.020 --> 00:26:47.820
 we need to be

00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.420
 reminded of that

00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.880
 one of the most

00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.520
 amazing things

00:26:49.520 --> 00:26:49.900
 that Paul

00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.340
 does every time

00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:53.120
 is every time

00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.700
 he writes a letter

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.240
 to confront

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.000
 sin

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.140
 he starts

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.740
 with

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.160
 sainthood

00:26:58.160 --> 00:27:00.120
 right

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.900
 so before he

00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:01.640
 gets to the sin

00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:01.960
 he says

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.440
 the first thing

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.759
 I want to do

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.360
 is to remind you

00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.100
 you're a saint

00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:05.920
 you have the love

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.300
 of God

00:27:06.300 --> 00:27:07.180
 it's yours

00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:09.160
 which opens

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.620
 the door

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.540
 to talk about sin

00:27:10.540 --> 00:27:12.600
 right

00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.180
 so this is the first

00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.720
 thing we should do

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.120
 we should be reminded

00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.839
 again and again

00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.180
 and again

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.079
 that we are

00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.900
 saints

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.779
 you know the reason

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.660
 that we sin

00:27:19.660 --> 00:27:21.160
 at least if you're

00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.700
 anything like me

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.059
 I don't

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.799
 most mornings

00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.559
 I don't wake up

00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.380
 and say I'm going to

00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:24.720
 sin

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.440
 my brains out

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.740
 today

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:28.180
 I don't

00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.500
 you know

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.579
 I don't do that

00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.100
 if you

00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.480
 maybe

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.059
 probably

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.460
 some one person

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.039
 in here does

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.380
 most of us don't

00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.079
 I mean if you do

00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:35.860
 we'll talk about it

00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:37.279
 but I don't think

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.759
 you do

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:39.279
 most of us

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.700
 don't do that

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.180
 most of us

00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.980
 don't sin

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.039
 because we wake up

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.639
 saying I want to

00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:42.759
 sin

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.339
 we sin

00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.079
 because we forget

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.839
 that we're saints

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:46.920
 we sin

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.519
 because we

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.500
 we start looking

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.159
 to other

00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:50.180
 sources

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.220
 for love

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.279
 and affirmation

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.299
 and fulfillment

00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.379
 and meaning

00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:55.240
 rather than God

00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.079
 and so we forget

00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.920
 what we have

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.659
 and we begin

00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.319
 to look elsewhere

00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.299
 that's why we sin

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:01.299
 we need to be reminded

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.019
 that we're saints

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.680
 in Christ

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:05.000
 the second implication

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:05.659
 is this

00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.500
 is that it's connected

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.000
 to the first

00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.680
 that I think

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.139
 that we should

00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:09.359
 always strive

00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:11.299
 to remember

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.899
 that God

00:28:11.899 --> 00:28:12.740
 is at work

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.399
 in the lives

00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.479
 of people around us

00:28:14.479 --> 00:28:16.419
 that when you look

00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:16.899
 to your right

00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:17.379
 and your left

00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:17.859
 your friends

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.339
 your family

00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.339
 your roommates

00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.579
 that you need

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:20.979
 to remember

00:28:20.979 --> 00:28:21.479
 that if they're

00:28:21.479 --> 00:28:22.119
 in Christ

00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.599
 that God

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.299
 is at work

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.079
 in them

00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.519
 right

00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:26.659
 so the way

00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:27.059
 we tend

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.519
 to remember

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.919
 people

00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.419
 is in

00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:29.619
 snapshot form

00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.759
 right

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.240
 you form

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.039
 some impressions

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.779
 of what a person

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.259
 is like

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.899
 and you may

00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.319
 know them

00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.000
 for 10 years

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.539
 but a lot

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.479
 of your image

00:28:36.479 --> 00:28:37.240
 of that person

00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.219
 is like a snapshot

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.500
 it's that picture

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.140
 that was taken

00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.140
 10 years ago

00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.299
 you know

00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:44.240
 you meet somebody

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.920
 in high school

00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.319
 who's

00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:45.720
 you know

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.079
 you knew this person

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.600
 in high school

00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.380
 they're kind of

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.880
 unpopular

00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.000
 and no confidence

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.180
 and always quiet

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.079
 and then you meet

00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.559
 them at your

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.620
 15 year reunion

00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:54.440
 and all of a sudden

00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.279
 they're confident

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.079
 and they're grown up

00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.640
 and they're mature

00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.400
 and they're successful

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.279
 and you're like

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.339
 whoa what a surprise

00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:01.539
 well why is it a surprise

00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.960
 it's been 15 years

00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.519
 a lot can happen

00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.460
 in 15 years

00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:05.779
 right

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.759
 but it's

00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.399
 you're looking

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.119
 at the snapshot

00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:10.639
 and you're looking

00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.160
 at the person

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.500
 and you're like

00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.200
 well there's a

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.500
 different

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:14.099
 you're different

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.680
 of course you're

00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.000
 different

00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.160
 it's been 15 years

00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.460
 why is that a surprise

00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:20.240
 think about how

00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.819
 this plays out

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.480
 spiritually

00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.539
 right

00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:24.420
 if God is at work

00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.139
 in the people

00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.960
 around us

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:26.980
 we need to expect

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.379
 that

00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.379
 people aren't

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.019
 snapshots

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:29.680
 they're dynamic

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.279
 they change

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.879
 they grow

00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:33.200
 right

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.639
 so I guess

00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.200
 my question

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.759
 is this

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.660
 are you giving

00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:38.119
 people in your life

00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.839
 room to surprise you

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:42.299
 right

00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.900
 I mean so

00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:43.119
 you know

00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.660
 your husband

00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.819
 is always

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.859
 is always

00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.599
 you know

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.839
 he's always

00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.339
 impatient

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.519
 she's always

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.000
 critical

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.879
 you know

00:29:51.879 --> 00:29:52.559
 he's always

00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.460
 you know

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:53.839
 he's always

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.920
 she's always

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.299
 late

00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.920
 you know

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.240
 he

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.420
 I don't know

00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.039
 he always does

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.319
 and says

00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.000
 embarrassing things

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.400
 in public

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.240
 you know

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.759
 I mean whatever

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.720
 your gripe is

00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.039
 you know

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.000
 my friend

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.440
 she only ever

00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:05.839
 talks about

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.279
 herself

00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:07.700
 you know

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.399
 she's a horrible

00:30:08.399 --> 00:30:08.759
 listener

00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.279
 right

00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.680
 it goes on

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:11.879
 and on

00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.220
 and on

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.359
 we have all

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:13.839
 these absolute

00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.299
 statements

00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.700
 that's like

00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.139
 looking at the

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:15.480
 snapshot

00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.940
 if your friend

00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:18.539
 or your husband

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.220
 or your wife

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.119
 if they had

00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.519
 that moment

00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.000
 where maybe

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.680
 most of the time

00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.319
 they're impatient

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.299
 but they have

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.740
 this moment

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.159
 of profound

00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:24.680
 patience

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.299
 would you

00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.779
 notice

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.960
 or are you

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.539
 so fixated

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.059
 on the snapshot

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.559
 that you don't

00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:29.960
 see that

00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.759
 stuff is changing

00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.140
 here

00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:33.140
 right

00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:35.200
 so if we're

00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.620
 changing

00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:35.940
 and we're

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.360
 growing

00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:36.640
 and we're

00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.019
 maturing

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.299
 and this

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.539
 says

00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.460
 you absolutely

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:38.900
 are

00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.640
 are we

00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.039
 noticing

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.319
 this

00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:40.559
 in the

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:40.880
 lives

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:41.380
 of the

00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.559
 people

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.079
 around us

00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.319
 and the

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.720
 third thing

00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.220
 is related

00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.840
 I think

00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:45.039
 that we

00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.539
 should always

00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.039
 encourage

00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.480
 the growth

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.720
 that we

00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.120
 do see

00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.579
 in people's

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:47.840
 lives

00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:49.299
 we should

00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.779
 always

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.319
 fan that

00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.600
 flame

00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:52.220
 one of the

00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.620
 great things

00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.019
 about this

00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.440
 section of

00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:53.680
 scripture

00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.299
 is that

00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.519
 Paul

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.019
 notices

00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.720
 and points

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.079
 out

00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.720
 evidence

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.120
 that the

00:30:57.120 --> 00:30:57.500
 Philippians

00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.039
 are growing

00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:59.639
 you notice

00:30:59.639 --> 00:31:00.200
 he first

00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.779
 brings up

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:00.980
 their

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.539
 generosity

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.119
 and says

00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.700
 every time

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.119
 I pray

00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:04.559
 and every time

00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:04.920
 I think

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:05.220
 about you

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.399
 guys

00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:05.839
 it fills

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.139
 me with

00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.359
 joy

00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:06.759
 because of

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:06.879
 your

00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.460
 generosity

00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:07.899
 because of

00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.000
 your

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.460
 partnership

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.759
 in the

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.079
 gospel

00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.899
 and then

00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.200
 it's no

00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:10.500
 wonder

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.079
 he then

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.420
 goes on

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.659
 to say

00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:11.960
 and I

00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.099
 am

00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.680
 confident

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.420
 that God

00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:14.859
 is bringing

00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.519
 to completion

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:15.899
 the work

00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.299
 he began

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.559
 in you

00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.000
 it's because

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.519
 he's saying

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.259
 this is

00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.779
 evidence

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.359
 God is at

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:19.819
 work in

00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.379
 your heart

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.359
 in the

00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:21.819
 ten years

00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.220
 since I

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:22.720
 met you

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.159
 you know

00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:23.659
 last week

00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:24.279
 Lydia the

00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.920
 businesswoman

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.579
 a former

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.240
 slave girl

00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.839
 a civil

00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.220
 servant

00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.539
 in the

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:28.860
 ten years

00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.120
 since I

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.380
 met you

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:29.600
 you've

00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:29.799
 become

00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.259
 so much

00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.480
 more

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:30.819
 generous

00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.259
 look at

00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.759
 the

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.259
 generosity

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.680
 here

00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.259
 Christ

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.539
 is at

00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:33.720
 work

00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.000
 praise

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.500
 God

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.279
 this is the

00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:36.680
 first thing

00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.240
 he says

00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:39.220
 I think

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.440
 that we

00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.759
 should do

00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.079
 all that

00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.440
 we can

00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.019
 to notice

00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.559
 the evidence

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.019
 of God's

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.220
 work

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.839
 and affirm

00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.000
 it

00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.579
 and recognize

00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:43.799
 it

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.059
 for what

00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.519
 it is

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.440
 you know

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.880
 instead of

00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.299
 constantly

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.839
 harping

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.220
 on your

00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.740
 kids

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.140
 or constantly

00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:49.700
 harping

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.079
 on your

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.319
 spouse

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.720
 or constantly

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.220
 harping

00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.980
 or harboring

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.400
 grudges

00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.220
 or resenting

00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.960
 your roommates

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.259
 or your

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.700
 friends

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.960
 shift it

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.360
 around

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.779
 and to say

00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.200
 rather than

00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.740
 focusing on

00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.039
 how they're

00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.700
 always late

00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.519
 notice that

00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:00.920
 one time

00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:01.220
 they're on

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.600
 time

00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:03.779
 and say

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.380
 that's great

00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:04.799
 you're on

00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.279
 time

00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:06.940
 I know

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.519
 this is hard

00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:07.819
 for you

00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.160
 but you're

00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.580
 on time

00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:09.120
 this time

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.819
 that means

00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.100
 a lot

00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.519
 to me

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:10.960
 praise

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.420
 God

00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.980
 I'm

00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.539
 serious

00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:14.900
 but you

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.279
 have to do

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.580
 it in a

00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.120
 non-passive

00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.400
 aggressive

00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:16.720
 way

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.059
 because that

00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.360
 could be

00:32:17.360 --> 00:32:18.519
 really

00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.900
 passive

00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.220
 aggressive

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.579
 so

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.880
 I'll

00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.059
 leave it

00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.240
 to your

00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.640
 discretion

00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:25.420
 but we

00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:25.600
 should

00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:25.900
 notice

00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.160
 these

00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.420
 things

00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.940
 thank you

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.720
 last night

00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.660
 last night

00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.000
 I knew

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:29.319
 I know

00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:29.539
 you were

00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.059
 really angry

00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:30.700
 but you

00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.120
 didn't lose

00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.519
 your temper

00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.420
 and the

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:32.660
 way you

00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:33.039
 responded

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.500
 was really

00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:33.779
 gentle

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.220
 and loving

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.839
 thank you

00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:37.200
 thank you

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.680
 Jesus is

00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.160
 working in

00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.400
 you

00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.160
 right

00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.460
 I just

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:39.680
 want you

00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:39.860
 to know

00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.160
 that Jesus

00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.620
 is working

00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.500
 in you

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:43.059
 if we

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.400
 believe

00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:43.839
 that Christ

00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.160
 is at

00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.360
 work

00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:44.680
 bringing

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.059
 his work

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.200
 to

00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.600
 completion

00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.360
 we should

00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:46.700
 try to

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.019
 notice

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.519
 and encourage

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.019
 that work

00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.740
 so for

00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.059
 all who

00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:50.400
 come to

00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:50.700
 Jesus

00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.079
 for all

00:32:51.079 --> 00:32:51.420
 who ask

00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:51.799
 forgiveness

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.200
 for all

00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.420
 who are

00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:52.759
 baptized

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.220
 in his

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.500
 name

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.460
 you become

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:54.940
 saints

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.639
 that's what

00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:55.940
 it means

00:32:55.940 --> 00:32:56.339
 to be

00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:59.740
 a follower

00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.259
 of Jesus

00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:02.059
 and being

00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.400
 a saint

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:03.099
 means one

00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.660
 that what

00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.119
 God has

00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:04.799
 chosen you

00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.559
 he set

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.039
 you apart

00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.460
 he said

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:06.940
 I choose

00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.240
 you

00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.539
 I want

00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:07.720
 you to

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:07.980
 belong

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.339
 to me

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:08.759
 he's

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.000
 given

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.119
 you

00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.539
 his love

00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:09.960
 not because

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.259
 of anything

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.680
 you said

00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:10.920
 or did

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.299
 or felt

00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.359
 but purely

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:12.839
 because that

00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.059
 is the

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.480
 kind of

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:13.700
 God

00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.259
 he is

00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:16.279
 and second

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.839
 God is at

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.379
 work in

00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:17.920
 you now

00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:18.380
 God is

00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:19.700
 bringing to

00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.200
 completion

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.640
 the work

00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.240
 he began

00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.940
 in you

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.759
 when Christ

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.200
 set you

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.600
 apart

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:25.120
 making you

00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:25.440
 more and

00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.860
 more like

00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.180
 him

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.440
 so what this

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:27.980
 means is that

00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:28.840
 every saint

00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:30.440
 every saint

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:31.660
 can say what

00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:31.960
 the great

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.600
 John Newton

00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.680
 who's the author

00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.100
 of the hymn

00:33:34.100 --> 00:33:34.740
 Amazing Grace

00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.320
 once said

00:33:35.320 --> 00:33:35.980
 he said this

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.920
 I'm not what I

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.500
 ought to be

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:39.039
 I'm not what I

00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.539
 want to be

00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:41.160
 I'm not what I

00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:41.720
 hope to be

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.560
 in another world

00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:44.519
 but still I'm not

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.039
 what I once

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:45.660
 used to be

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.040
 and by the

00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.420
 grace of

00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:46.700
 God

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.300
 I am

00:33:47.300 --> 00:33:48.160
 what I

00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.460
 am

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.820
 let's pray

00:33:49.820 --> 00:33:52.140
 our father

00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:52.460
 in heaven

00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.140
 we thank you

00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:53.900
 and praise you

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.400
 for your word

00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:56.279
 and we

00:33:56.279 --> 00:33:57.900
 as we hear

00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.680
 this we pray

00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:59.080
 that whatever

00:33:59.080 --> 00:33:59.660
 is of you

00:33:59.660 --> 00:33:59.960
 would

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.440
 remain

00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.860
 in a little

00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.420
 while we'll

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.259
 share in

00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.660
 your supper

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.220
 in the Lord's

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.400
 supper

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:06.940
 and we pray

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.019
 that as we

00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.539
 hear this

00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.039
 proclamation

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.880
 of your love

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.680
 that as we

00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:12.119
 receive the

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.659
 bread and wine

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.300
 a bit later

00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.660
 that we

00:34:13.660 --> 00:34:13.840
 would

00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.460
 actually

00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.080
 taste it

00:34:15.080 --> 00:34:16.340
 and that in

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.700
 these two

00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.080
 ways you

00:34:17.080 --> 00:34:17.600
 would drive

00:34:17.600 --> 00:34:18.180
 these truths

00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:18.600
 home

00:34:18.600 --> 00:34:19.480
 into our

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:19.740
 hearts

00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.000
 that we

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.720
 are loved

00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:22.640
 because you've

00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:23.340
 chosen to love

00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:23.680
 us

00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:25.539
 and that we

00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.140
 find our

00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:26.820
 identity and

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.380
 meaning and

00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.019
 acceptance and

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.800
 fulfillment there

00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.019
 and we pray

00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.380
 then that we

00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.920
 would trust

00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.360
 that you

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.120
 who set us

00:34:32.120 --> 00:34:32.760
 apart are

00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:33.840
 forming in

00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.740
 us everything

00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:35.740
 for which you've

00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.300
 purposed us

00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.720
 we thank you

00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.160
 and praise you

00:34:38.160 --> 00:34:38.660
 for this Lord

00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:39.140
 in your son's

00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:39.600
 holy name

00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:40.019
 amen

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.480
 m I

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:41.280
 M valuable

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.420
 is

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.000
 what I

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.420
 can

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:42.940
 I

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.159
 can

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:43.900
 afford

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:43.960
 this

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:43.980
 might

00:34:44.099 --> 00:34:44.699
 what I

00:34:44.699 --> 00:34:45.159
 mean

00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:54.119
 is

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.639
 if I

00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:55.759
 put that

00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:59.199
 my

00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.420
 ESP

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.300
 is

00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:02.199
 I

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.280
 doesn't

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:03.300
 that

00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:03.519
 but I

00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.400
 I

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:04.519
 I

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.840
 don't

00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.440
 b

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.960
 I

00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.400
 can

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:07.860
 what I

00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.000
 can

00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.300
 say

00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:09.960
 there