WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.019 Thank you for having me here this morning as I interrupt your sermon series on the book of Esther and speak to you from 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 00:00:09.540 --> 00:00:13.040 ! Again, a pleasure. Let me pray and then we'll get on the way. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:13.019 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:50.260 Well, when the movie Quantum of Solace came out in 2008, I was 21 years old and I saw it with my friends in the city because I am a huge 007 fan. 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:54.920 I thought, particularly Daniel Craig, was a really good James Bond. 00:00:54.920 --> 00:01:00.260 I loved the way he acted, how he talked, his walk, how sort of confident he was. 00:01:00.660 --> 00:01:11.599 And you may be familiar, if you are somewhat a fan of James Bond, that there's this phrase that people often use, that men want to be him, women want to be with him. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:16.879 I can certainly attest to the beginning of that phrase, I wanted to be James Bond. 00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:24.040 And so after seeing the movie, I walked out of the theatre a little bit straighter, a little bit more confident in my stride. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:26.600 I could hear the theme song in the back of my head. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:29.680 I was trying to even talk like him. 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:32.360 And that's what we do, right? 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:34.540 Humans, we're impressionable. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:35.560 We're social. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:37.900 We find people that we admire. 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:39.960 We try to act like them. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:49.200 That's why people like celebrities get paid thousands of dollars to wear certain clothes so that their fans will wear what they're wearing. 00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:58.100 That's why athletes have companies pay top dollar to put KFC on the back of their jerseys as if the athletes ever eat KFC to begin with. 00:01:59.960 --> 00:02:10.599 That's why companies pay top dollar, because we look up to the influential, to the rich, the powerful, and we seek to base our lives off them. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:16.139 The only thing that's changed over the years is what it is that we think makes somebody great. 00:02:17.299 --> 00:02:27.719 See, we think these days that it's fancy clothes, influence, or as the kids at Chatswood High School call it, aura is what makes people important. 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:39.620 Now, in the first century, in Greco-Roman culture, of which the Church of Corinth was living in, it was rhetorical ability that made somebody popular. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:45.400 Rhetorical ability, or basically the ability to speak well, to make an argument. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:03:06.580 The modern version would be the tick-tock philosopher, who lands one-liners, who completely shuts down arguments, who makes people who don't agree with them look like morons as they own or destroy their opponents with their clever logic and argument. 00:03:08.040 --> 00:03:12.020 You see, that's what the first century Greco-Roman culture thought made someone great. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:17.820 And that's what the first century church in Corinth was trying to be like. 00:03:17.880 --> 00:03:19.160 That's what they were looking for. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:21.540 But here's the issue. 00:03:22.600 --> 00:03:30.260 Because that kind of greatness, it's not what greatness looks like in the kingdom of God. 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:39.900 And so the Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church in Corinth, which has gone off track in many ways 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:44.659 to remind them of what greatness in the kingdom of God looks like. 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.280 He's reminding them of a lot of things, as you read throughout the letter. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:50.340 But in chapter 4, he's thinking about greatness. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:56.159 Paul wants the Corinthians to imitate Christian greatness. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.360 Not worldly greatness. 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:01.280 But Christian greatness. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:05.400 And so as we look at 1 Corinthians 4, we see Paul talk about this. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:15.879 He'll identify for us what a great Christian is, what a great Christian looks like, and what to do with a great Christian. 00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:23.220 But first, let's start with verse 1, where Paul talks about what a great Christian is. 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:32.360 So verse 1, this then is how you ought to regard us, as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 00:04:33.020 --> 00:04:37.860 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 00:04:39.140 --> 00:04:41.060 So who is Paul talking about here? 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:45.700 Well, he's actually talking about himself and some of his co-workers. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:49.760 You see, Paul established the Corinthian church some time ago. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:55.639 And one of his co-workers, a gentleman by the name of Apollos, had worked with the Corinthians also. 00:04:56.659 --> 00:04:58.839 He'd helped them to grow in Jesus. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:06.259 But before Paul wrote this letter, the Corinthians had been dividing themselves into groups, into factions. 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:09.740 See, they saw men like Paul and Apollos. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:13.459 They recognized greatness in them, or Christian greatness anyway. 00:05:14.039 --> 00:05:15.240 They wanted to be like them. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:21.500 But rather than doing it together, they were starting to follow one over the other and separating into groups. 00:05:22.780 --> 00:05:24.860 They were saying that one leader was better than the other. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:30.920 Now in the previous chapter, in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul addresses this, saying, 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:32.860 You are still worldly. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.340 For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:39.879 Are you not acting like mere humans? 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:46.719 For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not mere human beings? 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:54.279 And so to set the record straight, Paul identifies what he and Apollos actually are. 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:55.659 Servants. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:58.800 Servants of Christ. 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:02.579 And this, Paul says, is what a great Christian is. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:05.379 A servant of Christ. 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:08.560 But Paul doesn't mean slave. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:15.699 In other parts of the Bible, Paul will talk about being a slave for Christ. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.800 But here he has more in mind a steward. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:21.500 Think the executor of a will. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:22.680 A butler. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:24.420 A house manager. 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:27.000 Something along those lines. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:33.060 Which is why he says that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:41.699 You see, in the ancient world, this likely meant sealed contracts or owes, and it certainly meant proven service. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:49.319 For example, a servant who looks after the master's coin purse and at the end of the day returns it with not a single coin missing. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:51.759 You know, they're not skimming any off the top. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:57.680 But this is what Paul wants the Corinthians to think a great Christian looks like. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:04.779 Not a great orator, but a humble servant who can be trusted. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.620 It's not glamorous. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:07.899 It's not exciting. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:10.399 But it is steady. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:12.719 And reliable. 00:07:15.159 --> 00:07:18.500 And faithful especially to Jesus. 00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:23.800 A great Christian is a servant of Christ. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:32.480 And what the Corinthians and we should look for is somebody who lives their life according to the Bible's teaching. 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:35.839 Who submits their life to the Bible's teaching. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:42.679 But Paul expands on what a great Christian is by using himself as an example. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:48.819 Saying that a great Christian is primarily concerned with getting praise from God. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:50.359 And no one else. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:51.039 Not from men. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:53.779 This is what he starts talking about in verse 3. 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:58.539 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:00.699 Indeed, I do not even judge myself. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:02.579 My conscience is clear. 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:04.279 But that does not make me innocent. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:06.579 It is the Lord who judges me. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:10.519 Now, it may look arrogant at first. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:13.799 You know, Paul saying, I care very little if I am judged by you. 00:08:13.859 --> 00:08:15.119 But Paul's not being arrogant. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:16.799 He's actually being quite humble. 00:08:17.479 --> 00:08:20.000 Because he knows that he serves Christ. 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:21.939 He's proud of serving Christ. 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:25.359 But he serves Christ with humility. 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:32.579 He's saying that his primary audience in how he lives his life is God. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:37.759 The only person he really cares about getting praise from is God. 00:08:38.280 --> 00:08:40.460 And this is the mark of a truly good servant. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.120 A servant who is concerned with praise from the master. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:49.560 Paul knows his master. 00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:49.639 His master. 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:52.080 His master is Jesus. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:56.500 And he knows that Jesus is the Lord. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:04.379 And Paul is concerned completely and confident completely in serving Jesus. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:08.480 Because he knows that to do so means that he truly serves God. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.439 And that's what a great Christian does. 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:16.179 They don't chase after greatness the way the Corinthians are. 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:21.220 Looking for those who can destroy their opponents in arguments or who look flashy or anything like that. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:29.899 No, instead, the Christian gives up any notion of greatness for themselves. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:35.440 And instead, seeks to serve Jesus. 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:45.200 And while sometimes it might be hard for us to figure out what somebody's true motives are as they are serving Christ, 00:09:45.560 --> 00:09:47.840 for Jesus himself, it is clear as day. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:48.820 It is obvious. 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:51.040 Have a look at verse 5. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:53.960 Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.740 Wait until the Lord comes. 00:09:56.260 --> 00:10:01.060 He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:05.500 And so make no mistake, brothers and sisters and friends. 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:09.040 Our hearts are an open book to God. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.260 They are completely clear as day. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:19.559 See, what we work so hard to conceal is evidently obvious to him. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:26.100 This ought to both make us nervous, but also encourage us. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:27.960 It ought to be deeply encouraging. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:32.939 You see, if we are seeking the admiration of others, he can tell. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:39.920 If we are seeking to just be nice people, to be basically good, he can tell. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:49.459 But if we are seeking true greatness, to serve him and him only, he can tell. 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:52.620 And that is a good thing. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:58.940 You see, the Lord Jesus said to his disciples when he was on earth with them, 00:10:59.420 --> 00:11:03.620 as his disciples were arguing amongst each other, which one of them is the greatest, 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.560 the Lord Jesus said to them that, 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:09.420 it is the one who is the least among you all who is the greatest. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:14.339 And as our passage says, our praise comes from God. 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:17.899 He rewards service. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:22.219 And so what has Paul pointed out to us? 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:28.259 A great Christian is not flashy, necessarily, or even necessarily a great speaker. 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.419 Somebody that the world would call influential. 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.519 A great Christian is a servant. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:12:03.500 A great Christian is a servant. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:05.519 A great Christian is a servant. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:10.039 In the 2024 Paris Olympics, apologies here, I'm probably going to mispronounce his name, 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:17.819 but Pan Zhang Lei from China set the record for the 100-meter freestyle swimming. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:21.659 And it is an incredible time that he achieved. 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:26.019 It's stunning what he managed to do. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:31.480 He managed to do the 100-meter freestyle in 46.40 seconds. 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:34.379 That is very fast. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:35.440 Truly incredible. 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:43.920 He is, at the moment, the man with the fastest swimming record in the world for the 100-meter freestyle. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:52.139 But there is another record holder in the 100-meter freestyle, which I think is marvellous. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:13:01.919 In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Eric Musumbini also set a record for the 100-meter freestyle. 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:09.860 He became the fastest Equatorial Guinean to a country in Africa to complete the 100-meter freestyle in, 00:13:10.199 --> 00:13:13.659 get this, one minute, 52 seconds, 72. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:18.559 Just to put that in perspective, Pan Zhang Lei, 46 seconds. 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:22.459 Eric, one minute, 52 seconds. 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:28.179 A time which did not permit Eric to advance into the next round. 00:13:28.719 --> 00:13:29.839 But here's the thing. 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:36.680 When he did that, Eric became the fastest Equatorial Guinean to finish the 100-meter race 00:13:36.680 --> 00:13:42.120 because he became the only Equatorial Guinean to finish the 100-meter freestyle. 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:47.560 His country didn't even have a 100-meter pool for him to practice in. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:54.320 He had to practice every morning between the hours, I think, of 7 and 8 in a hotel 12-meter pool 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:56.600 to get ready for the race. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:14:00.940 And he only started eight months before the Olympics even began. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:09.899 But when his race started, his competitors were all immediately disqualified for starting too early, 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:13.960 which meant that he was the only competitor in his race. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:20.779 And he won in that wonderfully slow time. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.320 You can YouTube this race as well. 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:26.640 I did it in preparation for this sermon, and it is a bizarre race. 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:29.040 In fact, I remember seeing it when it happened live. 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:33.780 It is truly bizarre because he's in the pool by himself, floundering. 00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:36.080 He's barely making it. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:38.600 So much so that the commentators start wondering, you know, 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:41.160 is he actually going to manage to finish this race? 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:44.160 But he perseveres. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:49.199 Which is what Paul says a great Christian can look like. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:56.699 And so while the Corinthians are looking for greatness, Paul offers a lesson in humility. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:59.379 Second half of verse 6. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:21.360 You see, by arguing amongst themselves which teacher is the greatest and who is the greatest person to follow, 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:25.519 the Corinthians are not treating each other in a loving way at all. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:27.519 They're not caring about each other. 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:29.319 They're trying to be better than each other. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:33.539 They're trying to be puffed up, as Paul says. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.919 They're acting in a way that's puffed up. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:44.439 Now, Paul is going to argue later throughout 1 Corinthians that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:47.299 And so to help the Corinthians remember to love each other, 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:53.079 he reminds them quite forcefully, actually, of who they are. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:16:02.300 He reminds them of who they are and how they came to become Christians in the first place. 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:05.879 And he does this through rhetorical questions. 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:10.160 He asks them, what do you have that you did not receive? 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:15.320 Why do you boast as though you did not receive it? 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:22.120 And here we ought to pause and remember how it is that we became Christians as well. 00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:27.920 See, Paul talks about it in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 22. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:55.159 You see, we became Christians by believing in a crucified and risen Jesus, 00:16:55.159 --> 00:17:04.019 a truly ridiculous notion, both in the ancient world and in our world today. 00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:08.519 The very idea that God would take on human form, 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:14.279 that he would come to earth, go to the cross and die, 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:20.159 a most shameful and humiliating death, is ridiculous. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:24.779 It's ridiculous, especially when you note that he does it in the place of his people, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:27.259 the very people who offended him. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:31.519 It's a ridiculous notion when you think about it. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:37.160 It is so antithetical to everything that our world considers to be great, 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:40.960 a God shamefully displayed on a cross, 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:45.680 as opposed to mightily reigning and sweeping his enemies aside, 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.960 you know, the people who have offended him. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:54.799 That the only way we could ever truly believe this 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:59.079 is, as Paul argues in his letter, 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:02.620 if we were given God's help to believe it, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:05.299 by the Holy Spirit. 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:12.660 You see, by his Spirit, God ensures that when we hear this good news 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:15.200 of a crucified and risen Jesus, 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:20.600 that we, his people, will respond in faith. 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:27.240 We can only ever truly come to faith in Jesus if God helps us. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.759 No amount of clever arguments, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.100 no amount of owning your opponent in arguments, 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.800 or miracles even, 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:37.400 will ever truly convince us. 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:41.320 Only a supernatural work of God, 00:18:41.780 --> 00:18:43.840 performed by his Spirit, 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:48.019 will open our ears and our hearts to his message. 00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:51.560 You see, to the world, Jesus looks foolish. 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:55.040 To those who have God's Spirit, 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:57.259 he is the power of God. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.879 God's Spirit, 00:18:57.879 --> 00:19:02.059 which is why Paul calls out the Corinthians, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.579 saying, 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:05.119 you were not clever enough to work this out, 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.900 to work out this truth. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:10.980 God gave it to you, 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:14.660 as he has given it to us. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.039 But of course, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:19.859 the Corinthians are falling away from that idea, 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:25.299 believing that greatness looks like worldly influence and power. 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.579 That's where they're going. 00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.960 They think that they are ruling, 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.619 that they have everything, 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.599 that they are being wise. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:43.319 Which is why Paul then brings up his lived experience as an apostle. 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.279 Verse 9. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:49.559 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.200 at the end of the procession, 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.940 like those condemned to die in the arena. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:57.220 We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:59.299 to angels as well as to human beings. 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:01.880 A spectacle in a bad way, 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:03.600 like a car crash, 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.320 you know, 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:07.940 where everybody slows down to have a look at the carnage. 00:20:10.320 --> 00:20:13.660 The Corinthians are looking for worldly greatness. 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:20.480 Paul says he feels more like a slave in a gladiatorial arena, 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:23.700 being let out in chains, 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:29.200 with the whole world watching him about to die. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.960 That's his lived experience. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.920 In terms of athletics, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:39.380 he's saying he looks and feels more like Eric, 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:43.740 struggling to complete the 100-meter freestyle race. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:48.759 True Christianity looks to this world pathetic. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:53.500 As Paul points out in verses 12 and 13, 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.299 when we are cursed, we bless. 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:58.480 When we are persecuted, we endure. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:01.140 When we are slandered, we answer kindly. 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:05.359 We do not seek fame or fortune, 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:08.980 what the world values, status and wealth, 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:11.599 and so we must look so foolish. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.599 But it is not shameful. 00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.200 It is glorious. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.099 Because to live the Christian life like this, 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.900 believing in the gospel, 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.579 even when the world hurls every insult that it has at us, 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:31.099 is to live like Jesus. 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:37.439 We are shamed for believing what others might call a fairy tale, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:41.619 just as how our own Lord was shamed 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:43.980 when he was displayed on a criminal's cross, 00:21:44.719 --> 00:21:48.339 as he suffered death and died. 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:52.359 But God did not abandon Jesus to death. 00:21:53.459 --> 00:21:55.379 Three days later, he rose again. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:58.319 His tomb is empty. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:04.000 And now, even if it looks foolish, 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:08.799 the only possible answer that we have, 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:10.599 the only possible thing that we can do, 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.720 the only course of action we have, 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:14.139 is to believe in him, 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:16.579 to trust him, 00:22:16.679 --> 00:22:18.119 to cling to Christ. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:21.299 And that's what great Christianity looks like, 00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:23.099 clinging to Christ. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.059 Someone who clings to him to the very end, 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.599 even in the face of ridicule, 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:30.119 suffering, persecution. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:35.419 See, our hope is not to win this world's admiration. 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:39.740 When Eric swam in the 2000 Olympics, 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:41.899 he was clearly struggling, 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:44.399 clearly struggling at the end there, 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.480 but he pushed through, 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.960 and he climbed out of that pool to a standing ovation. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:54.779 Our hope is to reach the end, 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.600 to hear Jesus say, 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.500 well done, 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:01.160 good and faithful servant. 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:06.440 So if that's what great Christianity looks like, 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.559 a great Christian looks like, 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:10.279 Paul is now going to tell us what we can do with one. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.500 Have a look at verse 14. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:15.440 I'm writing this not to shame you, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:17.220 but to warn you as my dear children. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:20.339 Even if you had 10,000 guardians in Christ, 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:22.000 you do not have many fathers. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.480 For in Christ Jesus, 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.440 I became your father through the gospel. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.640 And so, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:28.920 Paul now returns to 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.440 very tender language with the Corinthians, 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.819 very tender. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:35.220 It may seem strange for us to 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:37.079 hear Paul refer to himself 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:39.180 as the father of the Corinthians, 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:41.019 but what he means is that 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.259 the Corinthian church 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.960 first came into being 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:45.840 because he preached the gospel to them. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:49.240 He preached as a witness to Jesus to them. 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:52.460 See, he's not claiming a divine right over them 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.680 or some sort of spiritual headship 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.980 or something like that. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.299 Rather, he's simply saying 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:58.900 that he's their dad 00:23:58.900 --> 00:24:00.799 because they came to believe in Jesus 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.519 after he told them about Jesus. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.480 That's why he's using the father language. 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:07.380 Now, I'm a dad as well. 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:08.779 As I mentioned before, 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.079 I've got two young sons, 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.920 Mark and Paul. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.920 Neither of them are school-aged yet. 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.319 And so, the other day, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:17.319 Mark had to stay home from daycare, 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.639 had a doctor's appointment. 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.099 But anyway, 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:20.879 I took him shopping at Coles 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:22.399 after the appointment. 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:25.259 I was really, really tired that day. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.420 And so, 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.740 as I'm walking through, 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.740 just picking up items 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.000 and listening to the music 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.599 as it's playing, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.379 the song Shake, Shake, Shake 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:34.960 by Casey and the Sunshine Band 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.559 came on. 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.779 It's the one, 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.740 if you've never heard it before, 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.180 it mentions, 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.480 Shake your booty, 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.200 Shake your booty. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.660 Anyway, 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.019 because I'm tired, 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.519 I just start singing it 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.420 without thinking. 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.339 And wouldn't you know it, 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.779 little Mark starts singing it 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.000 next to me as well 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.799 in the middle of the aisles. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:54.980 And so, 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.259 as he started mimicking me, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.900 I was reminded then and there 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.680 that, hang on a minute, 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:01.500 my sons are learning to be men 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.799 by watching me. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.339 So I had to think, 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:04.519 well, 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.579 I need to be very careful 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.220 with my behaviour, 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:07.899 but I also then found myself 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:09.000 in the unenviable position 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.960 of having to explain 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.539 to young Mark 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:12.000 exactly what a booty is. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.659 He found it hilarious, 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.200 by the way. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.359 Anyway, 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.919 that's what Paul means 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.659 when he uses 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:21.079 the father language 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.119 with the Corinthians. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.399 He wants to remind them 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.879 that as a good son 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:26.079 learns their way of life 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.819 from their dad, 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.619 they are to learn 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.480 their way of life 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.740 in Christ 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.180 with him. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.099 That's why he says 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.980 in verse 16, 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.579 therefore I urge you 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.720 to imitate me. 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.180 See, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.940 as their father, 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.079 Paul wants the Corinthians 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:41.500 to imitate him 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.960 because he has 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.160 their best interest 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.920 in mind. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.839 He truly does. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.440 He's not trying 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.500 to win them over 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.180 as like some sort 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.980 of status symbol 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.579 for himself, 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.559 like a notch in the belt 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:52.860 saying, 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.480 ah, look at this, 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.180 I've got the Corinthians 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.279 to add to my collection. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.120 No, 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.880 to him, 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.900 the Corinthians 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.460 are precious. 00:25:58.480 --> 00:26:01.039 He loves them dearly. 00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.940 They are a church 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.599 of people 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.799 that Jesus bled 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.860 and died for. 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.180 They are precious 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:06.799 to him. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:09.140 He desperately wants 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:10.140 them to follow Jesus. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.799 And so he says to them, 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.819 follow me 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:15.240 as I follow Jesus. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.180 I base my life 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:17.480 on him 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.559 and that's the key 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.240 for us. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.059 That's what we are 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:22.180 to do with the great Christian. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.940 We are to follow 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.500 the Christian 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.720 who follows Jesus. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.819 The one who says, 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.400 follow me 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.339 as I follow 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.859 him 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:30.220 who points us 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.119 to Jesus. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.480 If we do that, 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:33.919 in turn, 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.500 then we all grow together 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.939 to be more like Jesus 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:38.279 as we encourage 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.039 and serve 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.220 and love one another. 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:41.839 You see, 00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.279 the Corinthians 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.619 had chosen poorly. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.720 They had chosen 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.299 to follow 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.659 worldly ideas 00:26:47.659 --> 00:26:48.359 of greatness, 00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.399 the person 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.019 who can win 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.579 the arguments, 00:26:50.679 --> 00:26:51.539 who can destroy 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.199 their opponent 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:52.919 with facts 00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:53.559 and logic. 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.960 and as a challenge 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.419 to them, 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.579 Paul himself 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.419 was now coming. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.299 In verse 19, 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.099 Paul announces 00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:01.019 that he plans 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.599 to visit, 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.200 not just 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.659 to see how fine 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.899 their arguments are, 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:06.960 but also 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.980 what power 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.000 they have. 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.919 As Paul says, 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.700 for the kingdom 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.079 of God 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.759 is not a matter 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.379 of talk, 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.879 but of power. 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.740 The power 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:18.339 to change lives, 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:20.379 to turn people 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.059 back to God, 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.799 to have people 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.339 know, 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.139 love, 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.439 and follow Jesus. 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.259 On the one hand, 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.899 we can choose, 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.619 like the Corinthians, 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.339 to follow 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.599 worldly ways 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.119 of thinking, 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.139 chasing worldly 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:36.819 influence, 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:39.079 or we can choose 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.179 to follow Jesus 00:27:40.179 --> 00:27:41.399 the way 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.179 a great Christian 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:42.519 does, 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.359 to see God's 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.240 power to change 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.279 lives in action, 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.379 to help people 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.199 believe in Jesus 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.980 to move 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.019 from death 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.799 to life. 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.580 In our world 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:54.799 today, 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.240 messages 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:57.039 from Christianity 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:58.100 or about Christianity, 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.819 I should say, 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.500 are more prolific 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.400 than ever. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.140 Anyone 00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:04.440 with a phone 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:05.480 can put up 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.620 a ten-second 00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.299 clip 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:09.220 of their argument 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:11.059 swaying 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.860 thousands, 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.840 if not millions, 00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:13.539 of people 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.720 as they destroy 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.600 their opponents 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:17.299 in their arguments. 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.440 they can sway 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.299 millions of people 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:20.900 to a certain 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.819 way of thinking. 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.380 So who do you 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.920 listen to 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.620 to ensure 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.240 that you are 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.100 actually following 00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:28.660 somebody 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.500 who says, 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.019 follow me 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.980 as I follow Jesus? 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.140 Who do you 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.640 listen to? 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:33.980 Well, look for 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.620 what Paul has 00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.680 described in our 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.160 passage. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.799 For me, 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.500 that Christian 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.059 is a man 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.799 from my home 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.259 church. 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.599 I won't 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.119 mention his 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.519 name 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.400 only because 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.779 he would 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.460 hate it 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.220 if I were 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.599 to call 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:46.900 him a 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.160 great 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.619 Christian. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.640 But to me, 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.240 in my mind, 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.680 in a strange 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:49.859 way, 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.259 that actually 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:50.680 makes him 00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:51.140 more of a 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.759 great Christian 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.180 because he's 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.519 humble. 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.259 But he is 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.680 the person 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.200 that I look 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.480 to 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.920 when I 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.619 think of 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.180 somebody 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.700 who is 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.660 a steward, 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.920 servant, 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.859 someone who 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.299 understood 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.140 that telling 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.839 other people 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.440 about Jesus 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.019 was the 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.619 most important 00:29:06.619 --> 00:29:07.099 thing in the 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.460 world, 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.359 but who would 00:29:08.359 --> 00:29:09.699 actually live 00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:10.279 out Jesus' 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:12.379 teaching in 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:12.979 his life. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.439 And so at 00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:14.779 church, 00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:15.519 whenever things 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.059 needed to be 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.359 set up, 00:29:16.479 --> 00:29:17.019 chairs needed 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.439 to be set up 00:29:17.439 --> 00:29:17.859 for a meeting, 00:29:17.979 --> 00:29:18.539 there he was 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:18.979 setting up 00:29:18.979 --> 00:29:19.359 chairs. 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.879 Whenever tables 00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:21.479 needed to come 00:29:21.479 --> 00:29:21.719 out, 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.099 there he was 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.979 setting up 00:29:23.979 --> 00:29:24.459 the tables. 00:29:25.959 --> 00:29:27.419 Whenever I 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.899 recognized that 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.500 I had made a 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.740 mistake, 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.359 or even before 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:30.979 I had recognized 00:29:30.979 --> 00:29:31.519 I had made a 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.719 mistake, 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.179 when I had 00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:32.819 done something 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.859 which was not 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.779 in line with 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.219 the Bible's 00:29:35.219 --> 00:29:35.479 teaching, 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.179 there he was 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.619 to pull me 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.240 aside and say, 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:37.819 you need to 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.139 repent. 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:40.179 you need to 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.500 turn to 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:40.919 Jesus. 00:29:41.919 --> 00:29:42.539 But even 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.379 in himself, 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:45.859 when he 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.740 recognized his 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.339 own sin, 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:48.939 would do the 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.299 same. 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.259 I need to 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.899 repent and 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.240 turn to 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.579 Jesus. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.219 He would 00:29:55.219 --> 00:29:55.819 say sorry. 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.319 He would 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.639 turn to 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:58.139 Jesus for 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.479 help, 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.579 no matter 00:29:59.579 --> 00:29:59.959 what he 00:29:59.959 --> 00:30:00.359 had done. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.639 And this 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.399 reminded me 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:03.099 constantly, 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.039 taught me so 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.859 much about 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.979 following Jesus. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.120 Jesus. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.500 Because this 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:08.980 man lived 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.559 his life, 00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.079 lives his 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.279 life, 00:30:10.319 --> 00:30:10.579 he's still 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:10.920 alive, 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.740 lives his 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.120 life to 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:12.559 tell others 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.200 about Jesus, 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.160 but also 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.700 lives his 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.160 life to 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.279 serve others 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.860 and turns 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.200 to him 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:18.819 constantly 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:20.140 for forgiveness. 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.039 He is a 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.759 great Christian, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.759 retired now, 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.319 but still 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.400 lives his 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:26.980 life every 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.539 day saying, 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.180 follow me as 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.559 I follow 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.000 Jesus. 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.720 And I 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.160 would much 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:30.779 more rather 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.480 look like that 00:30:31.480 --> 00:30:31.860 man than 00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.839 007 any 00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.099 day. 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:35.740 See, 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.059 it's so 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.439 easy to 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:36.879 be swayed 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.279 by clever 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.959 arguments and 00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:38.500 fine sounding 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.019 words, 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.399 by people who 00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:40.919 sound like 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:41.559 they know 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.699 so much, 00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:43.219 who have 00:30:43.219 --> 00:30:43.599 all the 00:30:43.599 --> 00:30:44.059 answers, 00:30:44.439 --> 00:30:44.859 but that's 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.099 not the 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:45.419 mark of 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:45.699 a great 00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:46.059 Christian. 00:30:47.119 --> 00:30:47.799 A great 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.419 Christian is 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:48.879 a servant 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:50.079 whose life 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.579 does not 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.059 necessarily 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.740 look glamorous, 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.179 but it is 00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:53.740 faithful to 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.199 Jesus, 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.119 who follows 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:56.659 Christ. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.639 Follow 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.199 them as 00:30:59.199 --> 00:30:59.599 they follow 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.119 Christ. 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:01.740 And together 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.279 we will 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.680 grow. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.279 We will 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.039 grow well 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.460 as 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.839 Christians.