WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.599 The context of these verses is the Apostle Paul defending the authenticity as the true apostle of the Lord Jesus 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:13.980 because his gospel is authentic and therefore his ministry is authentic. 00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:21.559 He's being challenged consistently by this church of Corinth who are being swayed away to follow a group of people 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:24.320 who we will discover in a few weeks as the super apostles. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:34.200 This gives us clarity too on what it means for us to be an authentic follower of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:36.700 What does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus? 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:48.820 And what Paul has written in 2 Corinthians 3, 4 and now 5 is meant to help us to not lose heart as a follower of Christ. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:54.759 He mentions not losing heart in chapter 4 verse 1, again in verse 16 00:00:54.759 --> 00:00:58.880 and he writes about the ministry of the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:03.640 the Christian faith that has turned his life inside out and upside down. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:14.700 And in chapters 4 and 5 are written so that we don't walk into a life of apathy and losing heart. 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:19.040 And see, the stakes are high for us. 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:25.460 As we've just heard, the stakes are high for our world when we just decide to cruise, 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:32.420 just decide to coast, to lose heart in this mission that God's called us to do 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:36.780 and busy ourselves with trivia and irrelevancies. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:41.620 We get a glimpse of how high the stakes are. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:46.740 This was from last week in chapter 5 verse 10 with Richard Goscombe. 00:01:47.380 --> 00:01:52.240 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 00:01:52.580 --> 00:01:58.480 that each one may receive what is due him for the things done well in the body, whether good or bad. 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:03.939 That is, what that verse is declaring, 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:10.400 is that God will hold everyone accountable for their life. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:16.360 Every single person will answer for their life. 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:20.879 Notice that the judgment seat of Christ is universal. 00:02:21.759 --> 00:02:24.659 We must all appear, everyone, no exceptions. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:29.060 We will all give an account to the Lord Jesus as the King of kings, 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:31.800 the Lord of all, the ruler of all things, 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:34.099 the one who holds eternity in his hands. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:48.780 Notice too, that while it is for everyone, 00:02:49.299 --> 00:02:51.519 we'll all be judged individually. 00:02:51.799 --> 00:02:54.299 Each one must give an account. 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.039 Everyone will be held accountable to God for their life. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:10.120 Now, the point of chapter 5 verse 10 is meant to cause us to shudder. 00:03:10.519 --> 00:03:12.280 That's the point of that verse. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:14.659 It's meant to cause us to shudder. 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:17.239 That is, there is a day of consequences. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:19.439 There is a day of reckoning. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:23.520 Eternal consequences. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:27.280 And no one will escape it. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:31.419 And so it says in verse 11, 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:35.699 Since then, we know what it is to fear the Lord. 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:37.939 We try to persuade men. 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:40.659 Now, the fear of God, 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:42.599 this final judgment, 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:46.159 is a good motivation. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:50.299 But it's not the only motivation. 00:03:51.960 --> 00:03:54.439 You see, the fear of God 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:57.479 is in no way whatsoever 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:01.319 proof that you actually love Jesus. 00:04:02.460 --> 00:04:04.919 Fear of God by itself 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:10.240 moves you into a life of self-confidence, 00:04:11.519 --> 00:04:14.519 a life of legalism, 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:17.800 a life of bare minimum apathy. 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:19.240 That's what fear of God does. 00:04:19.900 --> 00:04:20.860 In and of itself. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:26.699 If we do not believe in our hearts 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:28.220 the awful truth 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:30.600 of the enmity there is 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:31.879 between us and God 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.120 and all of its eternal, 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:36.300 terrifying consequences, 00:04:36.960 --> 00:04:38.939 then our love for Christ 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:40.639 will in fact be shallowed and flawed. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:42.259 So we need the fear of God, 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:43.819 but that's just not enough in itself. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.019 Without the fear, 00:04:46.479 --> 00:04:47.620 love for Christ 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.219 will be taken for granted. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:50.859 It'll be passionless 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:53.979 and entry into all the joys of his presence 00:04:53.979 --> 00:04:56.539 is just the next thing that I expect to happen 00:04:56.539 --> 00:04:59.979 because of my life of service. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:06.340 You see, the horror of final judgment 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:08.700 and I don't have time to unpack 00:05:08.700 --> 00:05:10.860 exactly what the horror of final judgment 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:11.780 will look like 00:05:11.780 --> 00:05:15.580 except that it's meant to result 00:05:15.580 --> 00:05:18.220 in shuddering on our behalf. 00:05:19.900 --> 00:05:21.580 But the horror of final judgment 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:23.720 makes the wonder and the awe of God's grace 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:25.220 in the Lord Jesus for us 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:28.740 are just beautiful 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.560 and humbling 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:33.160 and almost incomprehensible. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.320 Let us believe and feel the horror 00:05:37.320 --> 00:05:38.780 of eternal condemnation 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:40.120 and flee from it 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:44.300 into the loving and the gracious arms of Jesus, 00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:47.300 the judge of all people, 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:50.139 where you will find no condemnation. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:52.139 In other words, 00:05:52.259 --> 00:05:54.340 as Exodus 20, 20 says, 00:05:54.520 --> 00:05:55.199 fear the Lord 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:56.819 so that you don't have to fear the Lord. 00:06:02.340 --> 00:06:03.740 We're told in verse 14, 00:06:03.840 --> 00:06:04.519 the fear of judgment 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:05.699 is not Paul's only motive. 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:06.019 He says, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:09.420 for Christ's love compels us. 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:11.379 And then these verses 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:12.420 which follow on from here 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:13.160 are just the wonder 00:06:13.160 --> 00:06:16.660 of the love of Christ for us. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:18.180 Verse 18, 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:18.759 God, 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:22.020 who reconciled us to himself through Christ. 00:06:22.140 --> 00:06:22.360 Again, 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.379 verse 19, 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:27.000 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ. 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:28.639 To reconcile 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:32.160 is to render two parties 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:36.340 to be no longer opposed to each other. 00:06:37.080 --> 00:06:39.420 It's to win over from hostility 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:41.560 towards friendliness. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:43.660 It is to make two opposites 00:06:43.660 --> 00:06:45.399 consistent and compatible. 00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:48.019 And that is what these verses say 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:50.120 that God has done for us in Christ. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.379 Totally opposed. 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:54.939 Enmity and hostility 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:56.860 and brought together. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:59.459 These verses say 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:01.420 that it's God who took the initiative 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:03.519 to reconcile us to himself, 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:04.500 which is the foundation 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.759 of the Christian faith. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.000 It's not about us working for God. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.180 It is all the work of God on our behalf. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.040 See it there. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:12.900 Verse 18, 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:16.560 all this is from God. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:17.860 Verse 19, 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:20.720 God was reconciling the world to himself. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:21.600 Verse 21, 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.120 God made him who had no sin 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:25.199 to be sin for us. 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:26.420 The initiative, 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:27.800 the momentum, 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:30.060 and purpose of reconciliation 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:31.720 are all from God. 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:32.720 God does something about it. 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:33.720 God does something about it. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.720 God does something about it. 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:36.800 God does something about the sin 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:39.220 that has caused the enmity, 00:07:39.340 --> 00:07:41.120 all of our rebellion against him. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.920 He does something about it. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:48.320 Verse 19 is the preliminary explanation 00:07:48.320 --> 00:07:52.960 of how the reconciliation is brought about. 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:59.500 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, 00:08:00.039 --> 00:08:02.779 not counting men's sins against them. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.459 That's the preliminary explanation. 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:09.659 In the work of reconciliation, 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:16.000 God doesn't count all of our rebellion against him, 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:17.299 against us. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:22.219 He doesn't hold us accountable for it. 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:27.480 And verse 21 describes how it's possible 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:30.740 that God doesn't count our sins against us. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:36.660 God made him who had no sin 00:08:36.660 --> 00:08:38.840 to be sin for us. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:42.080 So that in him, 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:45.600 we might become the righteousness of God. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:50.960 The end of verse 19 says that 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:54.940 God doesn't want to count our sin against us. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.780 And frankly, 00:08:56.400 --> 00:09:01.120 we don't want God to count our sins against us. 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:08.840 The picture here is an account book. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:13.100 And the account book has written in it 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:14.820 all that we've said, 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:16.840 all that we've done, 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:18.920 all that we've thought, 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.720 all that we are. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:24.460 And verse 21 says that 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:27.080 my sin 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:30.519 is not put to my account. 00:09:32.420 --> 00:09:34.240 But that account book 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:35.580 with my name on it 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.879 and everything that I have done, 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.460 everything that I've thought, 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:41.460 everything that I've done 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:43.019 in rebelling against God 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:46.800 has been put into Jesus' account book. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:53.019 my name has been scratched off the top 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:56.099 and Jesus has been put there 00:09:56.099 --> 00:09:59.399 and I have got Jesus' account book. 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:03.899 my account of sin has been put by God 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:06.340 to the account of his sinless son. 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:09.899 Jesus has taken my place on the cross. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:13.759 He bore my sin in his body on the cross. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.840 He has been judged in my place. 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:19.159 All the horrors of the crucifixion 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:21.379 is what I, Steve Jeffrey, 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:24.220 deserve for all of eternity 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:26.120 without any relief 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:29.740 including the hope of physical death 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:31.600 from that so that the suffering would end. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.920 No ending for all of eternity 00:10:33.920 --> 00:10:35.360 is what I deserve 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.240 for my rebellion against God. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:40.060 And verse 15, sorry, verse 10 00:10:40.060 --> 00:10:42.000 says that that's what God will do 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.160 to everyone 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:46.219 who rejects him. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.240 He was made sin. 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.480 The sin of the world, 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:55.279 that terrible burden, 00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:56.259 offense to God, 00:10:56.339 --> 00:10:57.199 all the hostility, 00:10:57.339 --> 00:10:57.939 the enmity, 00:10:57.939 --> 00:10:59.120 and the filth 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:02.059 that separates us from God 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:06.219 and causes us to deserve eternal torment 00:11:06.219 --> 00:11:08.120 has been placed by God 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:08.860 unto his son, 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.980 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:14.860 But, 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:17.539 that's only half the story. 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:19.639 Not only that, 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:21.600 but 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.700 his perfect, 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:28.740 unblemished righteousness 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:31.240 is put to my account. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:35.200 I cannot be condemned 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.200 because 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:40.800 my record reads 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:42.280 perfect, 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:44.460 unblemished righteousness. 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.920 The only thing 00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:47.720 that I contribute 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.759 to my reconciliation 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.700 with God 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:50.960 is the sins 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:53.040 from which I must be redeemed. 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:55.620 All I contribute 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:57.080 is debt, 00:11:57.920 --> 00:11:58.500 sin 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.840 that I can never repay 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:02.580 and that only needs 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.480 to be wiped out. 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.560 It's the only hope 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.780 is for it to be declared 00:12:05.780 --> 00:12:06.980 wiped out. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:08.720 Now, 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:09.740 this is a trivial 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:11.080 illustration, 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:12.360 but it's kind of like 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.379 my wedding day. 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:15.780 As I exchanged 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:16.920 wedding rings 00:12:16.920 --> 00:12:17.560 with Nat, 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:19.540 I said to her, 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:20.800 Natalie, 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.460 with this ring 00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:23.400 I wed you 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:24.800 with all that I am 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:27.140 and all that I have 00:12:27.140 --> 00:12:28.340 I honor you. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:29.800 So, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.660 in that moment 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:31.840 I promised 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.620 to 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.200 hand over 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:35.860 all that I am 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.440 to her. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:38.860 of course 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.000 I had just 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.820 finished five years 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.740 of ministry training, 00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:43.640 had a hex debt, 00:12:43.760 --> 00:12:44.460 a car loan 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.840 and needed to borrow 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.480 $2,000 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.580 from my father-in-law 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.140 in order to get married 00:12:49.140 --> 00:12:50.040 and 00:12:50.040 --> 00:12:51.120 he figured 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.860 it was a cheap deal 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.480 longer term. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.000 And so in that moment 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.980 I'm saying to her 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.700 there you are 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:58.760 it's all yours. 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.860 It's all yours. 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:05.919 And I know 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.399 it's trivial 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.320 but that's what 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:07.980 happens when you 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.700 become a Christian 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:09.539 you bring all 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:10.139 of your sin, 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.879 you bring all 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.300 of your 00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.960 moral bankruptcy 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:15.980 and you say 00:13:15.980 --> 00:13:16.560 to him 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:18.960 they're yours. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.440 They're all yours. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:26.660 And in his mercy 00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:27.620 he receives them. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:29.760 Our great God 00:13:29.760 --> 00:13:30.540 receives them 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:31.960 and counts them 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:33.260 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.560 And he hands over 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.660 all of his perfect 00:13:39.660 --> 00:13:40.120 righteousness 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.760 to me 00:13:40.760 --> 00:13:42.360 and accounts them 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:42.860 to me 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:44.060 forever sealed. 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.100 Forever sealed. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:50.300 It is to fill us 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:50.899 with wonder 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.600 and gratitude 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:52.480 and thankfulness 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.100 and humility 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.379 that the death 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.259 of one man 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.040 the God-man 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:58.080 Jesus Christ 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.480 could bear 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:00.840 the infinite penalty 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.920 as a substitute 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:03.120 for everyone 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.500 who repents 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.300 and trusts 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:06.019 in him. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.180 As a side point 00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:14.220 I am 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.080 greatly distressed 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:18.639 that in so much 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.520 of the church 00:14:19.520 --> 00:14:20.700 in the western world 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.000 all we want to do 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.840 is talk about 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.360 the love of God 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:27.680 and to leave out 00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:29.440 the crucial 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:31.820 central doctrine 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:33.120 of the penal 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.220 substitutionary 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:34.700 atonement 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:36.020 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.940 You cannot 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.020 understand 00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:39.800 the love of God 00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:40.700 for you in Christ 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:42.379 unless you understand 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.620 that a debt 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.040 had to be paid. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.080 and he 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.660 bore it 00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:49.240 for us. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.759 It is essential 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.700 for our confidence 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.740 in this work 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.520 of reconciliation 00:14:57.520 --> 00:14:59.000 that we see 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.000 the centrality 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.920 of Jesus 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.639 in it. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:02.620 Notice 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.540 verse 18 00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:04.900 through Christ 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:05.980 verse 19 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.379 in Christ 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.520 the reconciliation 00:15:08.520 --> 00:15:09.740 of the world 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.980 to God 00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:12.180 happens through 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:12.879 the death 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.640 and the resurrection 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.539 of Christ. 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:15.360 It is something 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:15.860 that's happened 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.460 in history 00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:17.379 it is something 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.480 that is finished 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.220 and we have 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:20.059 no part 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.620 of it 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.799 and the word 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:24.259 world 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.080 in verse 19 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.740 is staggering 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.639 staggering 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.860 staggering. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.860 It says 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.379 that what God 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.879 did 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.740 through the 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.539 death of his 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.080 son 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.059 the Lord 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:37.860 Jesus Christ 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.699 on a hill 00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:39.960 outside the city 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.980 walls of Jerusalem 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.779 around about 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.939 AD 33 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:44.439 concerns the 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:45.379 reconciliation 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:47.480 of the entire 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.340 universe 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.939 with its creator. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.019 Everyone 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.919 every culture 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.860 every tribe 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.519 every people 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:55.860 group 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.779 every language 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.899 comes under 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.580 that statement 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.440 the world. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.360 Whatever 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.240 background 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.340 you come 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:04.980 from 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.259 we all 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.840 worship 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.840 a guy 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.379 who was 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.139 Jewish 00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.879 2000 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.180 years ago 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.120 who declared 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:13.680 that I am 00:16:13.680 --> 00:16:14.240 God 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.860 in this 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.340 world 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.519 reconciling 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:16.919 the world 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:17.259 to its 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.620 maker. 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.800 It's 00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:22.080 the extraordinary 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.840 claim of the 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.420 New Testament. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.460 It's the claim 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.480 verses 14 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.180 and 15 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:27.040 we are 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:27.660 convinced 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.639 that one 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.180 died for 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:29.460 all 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:30.000 and therefore 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.840 all died 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.259 and he 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.740 died for 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.139 all. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:33.519 Jesus' 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.180 death 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:34.940 has 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:35.740 universal 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.440 significance. 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.180 He is 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:38.220 the reconciler. 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:38.780 There is 00:16:38.780 --> 00:16:39.780 no reconciliation 00:16:39.780 --> 00:16:40.740 with God 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.400 outside of 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:41.680 Jesus. 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:42.420 You don't 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:42.920 need anything 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.480 more than 00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.040 Jesus but 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:44.480 you can't 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:44.879 have anything 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.440 less than 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:45.879 Jesus. 00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.540 This message 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:51.340 of reconciliation 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.080 with God 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:53.920 through Christ 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:54.680 is our 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.540 message for 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.120 the nations 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.259 and the 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:57.759 stakes could 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.200 not be any 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:58.500 higher. 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.180 God calls 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.399 us clearly 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:01.960 through the 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.780 Apostle Paul 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:03.680 right through 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:04.400 2 Corinthians 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.400 you give 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:06.460 yourself to 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.940 this matter. 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.539 You give 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.279 attention to 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.920 this matter. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.779 If you 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.220 are someone 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.079 right now 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.460 who's 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.420 you're not 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.200 sure whether 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.700 you're trusting 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.180 in the Lord 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.400 Jesus can 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.000 I say the 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.340 fact that 00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:21.779 you're here 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:22.440 right now 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.279 this morning 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.180 the stakes 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.660 couldn't be 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.180 any higher 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.700 for you. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.220 I implore 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:31.580 you on 00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.100 Christ's 00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:33.380 behalf be 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.259 reconciled to 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.740 God through 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.140 Jesus. 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.259 So the 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.740 message of 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.220 reconciliation 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.380 is what God 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:40.960 has done and 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.400 it can only 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.860 do through 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:43.560 Christ. 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.700 The ministry 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.400 of reconciliation 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.700 on the other 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.320 hand is what 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:48.259 God can only 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.160 do through 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:49.880 us. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.900 So this 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.740 bit is for 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.340 those who 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.300 have received 00:17:53.300 --> 00:17:54.120 the message 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.900 of reconciliation. 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:56.500 So this 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.700 bit is for 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.440 all Christians. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.300 This is for 00:17:59.300 --> 00:17:59.880 all of us. 00:18:00.300 --> 00:18:00.840 Verse 20 00:18:00.840 --> 00:18:02.259 We are 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.920 therefore 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.279 Christ's 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.420 ambassadors as 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:05.980 though God 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.519 were making 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.300 his appeal 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:09.140 through us. 00:18:10.560 --> 00:18:11.220 Now the 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.180 main thrust 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.420 of verse 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.279 20 onwards 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:16.060 is that the 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.720 message of 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.400 reconciliation 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:18.280 reconciliation is 00:18:18.280 --> 00:18:19.540 our ministry 00:18:19.540 --> 00:18:20.900 of reconciliation 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.560 to the 00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:21.980 nations. 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:22.480 This is what 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.700 God does 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.940 through us. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.140 Verse 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.360 18 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:28.640 All this 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.340 is from 00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.400 God who 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.360 reconciled us 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:31.940 to himself 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.940 through Christ 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:34.640 and gave us 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.220 the ministry 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:35.900 of reconciliation. 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.040 The ministry 00:18:37.040 --> 00:18:37.759 is given to 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.960 us, not to 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.820 Christ or the 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:40.259 angels. 00:18:40.780 --> 00:18:41.560 Verse 19 00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.280 And he 00:18:42.280 --> 00:18:42.980 committed to 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.120 us the 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.860 message of 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.420 reconciliation. 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.079 It's given 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.180 to us, not 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.960 to Christ or 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.519 the angels. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.180 Verse 20 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.880 We are 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.880 therefore Christ's 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:51.880 ambassadors as 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:52.539 though God 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.039 were making 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.799 his appeal 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.140 through us. 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.160 He does it 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.400 through us, not 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.099 Christ, not 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:58.819 the angels. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.740 Verse 20 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.339 Makes our 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.000 ministry very 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.319 clear. 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.299 We are 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.700 Christ's 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.360 ambassadors. 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:07.640 Now an 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.279 ambassador's 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.240 role, as we 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.000 would know, is a 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.160 distinguished one. 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:14.980 We speak, we 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.779 behave on 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:17.640 behalf of a 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.400 sovereign power. 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.660 We represent 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.460 that sovereignty 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:22.500 and the 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.160 honour of the 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.940 sovereignty is 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.940 at stake. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.819 That's an 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.319 overwhelming 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.000 thought. 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.700 In his 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.200 death, Jesus 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.400 represents us 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.259 to God and 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.200 in his absence, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:34.920 we represent 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.559 him to the 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:35.920 world. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.480 If you 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.599 have received 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.279 the message of 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.880 reconciliation, 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.180 reconciliation, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.519 then you 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.360 have the 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.160 responsibility 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.220 and will be 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.099 held accountable 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.160 for the 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.740 ministry of 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.319 reconciliation. 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.339 See the 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:53.799 connection in 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.680 verse 15? 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.039 He, that's 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.400 talking about 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:58.299 Christ, died 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.240 for all, 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.940 that those 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.720 who live 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.779 should no 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.360 longer live 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.299 for themselves, 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.099 but for him 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.240 who died for 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.339 them and was 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.299 raised again. 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:12.000 as a recipient 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.000 of the 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:13.919 message of 00:20:13.919 --> 00:20:14.559 reconciliation, 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.079 my whole 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:17.079 life is now 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.139 deployed in 00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:18.519 diplomatic 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.119 service. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.279 I speak and 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.119 live in such 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:22.759 a way that 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:24.180 Jesus looks 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.720 like the 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.180 magnificent 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.019 treasure that 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.720 he actually 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.399 is. 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.319 And 2 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.379 Corinthians 6 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:31.859 verses 3 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.419 to 10 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:33.619 gives us a 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.319 glimpse into 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.299 the lifestyle 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.639 and the 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.799 expectations of 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.339 an ambassador 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.819 of the Lord 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.180 Jesus. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.259 It's important 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.639 for us to 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.099 see this 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.419 because this 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.119 was confusing 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.500 for the 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.879 Corinthian 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.359 church. 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:43.779 This is not 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.299 a special 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.299 category of 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.039 Christians like 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.759 apostles or 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.460 missionaries or 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:47.779 ministers. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.319 This is for 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.039 everyone. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.359 What Paul 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.919 writes in 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:54.619 verses 3 and 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.819 4 is key. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.480 We put no 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.700 stumbling block 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.700 in anyone's 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.539 path so that 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.480 our ministry 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.200 will not be 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:04.859 discredited. 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.680 We represent 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.200 the Lord 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:08.579 Jesus. 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.099 If the 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.740 ministry is 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.319 discredited, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:12.919 the message 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:13.839 is discredited. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.259 Jesus is 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.859 discredited. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:16.799 You see, 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.599 when you see 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.879 yourself as 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.440 an ambassador 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.299 of Jesus in 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.919 chapter 5 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:22.319 verse 2 and 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.480 as God's 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.680 co-workers in 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.159 chapter 6 00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.879 verse 1, 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.279 I actually 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.859 think there's 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.460 an inevitable 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.759 drivenness about 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.440 the service. 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:32.759 I think this 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.460 is the thing 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.279 that captivates 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.419 our life and 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.279 drives us with 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.960 their real 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.700 great deal of 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.279 focus and 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.720 attention. 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.480 I therefore 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.160 believe that if 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.859 you're casual, 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:43.740 you're laid 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.700 back, you're 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.839 comfortable, you're 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.680 happy to cruise 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.980 along, then I 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.680 would encourage you 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.539 to take another 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.200 look at the 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.160 diplomatic service. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.240 Too many of us 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.220 are just happy to 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:56.059 go to church 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:58.119 once or twice 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:58.799 a month. 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.660 Occasional 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.619 devotional times, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.819 give money here, 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:05.299 that's not 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.019 ambassador or 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.419 service. 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.279 Can I, first 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.119 of all, encourage 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.700 you that you 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.059 don't go to 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.519 church. 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.139 You belong to 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:14.439 one. 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.099 It is the 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.939 priority of your 00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.339 life. 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.259 You belong to 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.720 a church. 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.759 And when you're 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.359 coasting and 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.279 cruising, it is 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.919 one of the sure 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.679 signs that you 00:22:27.679 --> 00:22:27.980 have lost 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.700 confidence, you're 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.379 losing heart. 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:32.300 look at Paul's 00:22:32.300 --> 00:22:33.240 lifestyle here. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.100 It is in fact a 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.880 lifestyle that 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.460 commends the 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.140 greatness and the 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.640 glory and the 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.060 wonder of the 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.840 Lord Jesus to 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.400 the world. 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.560 It's a sacrificial 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.460 service is his 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:42.980 lifestyle. 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.100 Verse 4 again, 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.240 chapter 6, 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:47.200 rather, in other 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.780 words, rather than 00:22:47.780 --> 00:22:48.540 being a stumbling 00:22:48.540 --> 00:22:49.860 block, rather than 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:50.820 discrediting the 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:52.440 ministry of the 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.460 Lord Jesus, rather 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.500 as servants of 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.280 God, we commend 00:22:56.280 --> 00:22:57.340 ourselves in every 00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:57.700 way. 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:59.060 So how does the 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.599 Apostle Paul 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.500 commend himself in 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.039 his service? 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.960 In great 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.919 endurance, in 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.539 troubles, hardship, 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.700 distresses, in 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.319 beatings, in 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.099 imprisonments and 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.960 riots, in hard 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.839 work, in sleepless 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.319 nights and hunger, in 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.139 purity, in 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:16.039 understanding, in 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.619 patience and 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.700 kindness, in the 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.759 Holy Spirit and in 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.139 sincere love, in 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:21.240 truthful speech and 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.919 in the power of 00:23:21.919 --> 00:23:23.299 God with weapons of 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.980 righteousness in the 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.059 right hand and in 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.519 the left. 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:25.579 world. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.400 That's his 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.420 diplomatic service. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.039 Instead of being 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.019 embittered and 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.299 frustrated and angry 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:39.859 and resentful by all 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:41.180 the afflictions and the 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.980 hardships and the 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.700 calamities and the 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.420 labors and the 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.680 sleepless night, by 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:47.059 God's grace, Paul has 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.359 shown patience and 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.940 kindness and love and 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.180 he is continually 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.480 propelled forward. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:57.400 His spirit has not 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.440 been broken by the 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.039 pain of his 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.519 ministry. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.420 In the Holy 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.519 Spirit he has found 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:03.259 resources to give and 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.620 to not grumble and to 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:07.220 keep focusing on his 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.099 duty to the Lord 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.500 Jesus. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.740 To be patient in 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.720 God's timing rather 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.319 than to pitying 00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.660 himself. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:14.279 To be kind to 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.099 people rather than 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.960 taking it out on 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.339 others. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.599 There are six 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:19.599 paradoxes, if you 00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:20.779 like, in verses 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.720 8 to 10 of 00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:23.920 chapter 6, I 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.559 want to just focus 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.180 on one because 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.819 for me, this one 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.380 sums up all of 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:28.579 them. 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.480 Verse 10. 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:32.019 This is the one I 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.400 think. 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.539 And this, I 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.839 believe, is what 00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:36.740 our world needs to 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.960 see displayed in 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.440 Christ's ambassadors. 00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.440 Verse 10. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:45.079 Sorrowful, yet 00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:46.480 always rejoicing. 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.059 What? 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.819 Sorrowful, and yet 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.299 always, how do you 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.379 put those together, 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:54.879 Paul? 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.859 What this world 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.919 needs from Christ's 00:24:58.919 --> 00:25:00.079 fellow workers is an 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:02.440 unshakable joy in 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.500 Jesus in the midst of 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.519 suffering and sorrow. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:10.700 Not serving him when I 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.940 feel the joy, when the 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.859 things are, suffering and 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.759 sorrow is over, then I'm 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.539 free to serve him. 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:17.220 When the kids are 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.720 sore and the 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.339 marriage, and I've 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.379 got the work is 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.379 settled, then I'll 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.859 serve him. 00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:22.579 That's not what Paul's 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.259 saying here. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.720 There are countless 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.759 reasons for our hearts 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.759 to break in the service 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.519 of the Lord Jesus. 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:35.440 But in them all, we do 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.539 not cease to rejoice. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:38.359 One of the great 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.480 paradoxes of the 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.399 Christian life, and I 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:42.159 believe this is unique to 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:45.480 the Christian faith, it 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.900 displays the wonder of 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:49.759 God that we serve, that 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.980 we can be sorrowful and 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.660 yet always rejoicing. 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.120 No other religion 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.820 offers you that. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:00.779 When you have Jesus, you 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.100 can lose everything else 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.840 with joy. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:05.000 That's what our world 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.860 needs to see from 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.340 Christians. 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:08.580 The grace of God is so 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.740 infinitely valuable. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:09.799 people. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.359 Our vision here at 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.220 St. Paul's is to 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.819 unite our diverse 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.920 community in the good 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.579 news of the Lord 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:18.400 Jesus, which means 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:20.000 that he is our joy. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.079 And whatever your 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.880 cultural background 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.539 says is your ultimate 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.819 joy, Jesus trumps it 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.079 all. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.180 Don't care what it 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.900 is, Jesus says, I'm 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.120 better. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.900 I am your joy. 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.240 And our community 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.660 needs to embrace Jesus 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.759 as their only hope and 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.640 their deepest joy, and 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:36.460 they need to see it in 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:36.779 us. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:39.899 What do you think it 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:41.859 says to them when we 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:43.619 have a casual, take it 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:45.000 or leave it approach to 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.440 Christ's demands over 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.259 our lives? 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.039 Jesus has given us a 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:53.119 job, and Paul pushes 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.500 the point in chapter 6 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:56.200 verses 1 and 2, as 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.720 God's co-workers, we 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.019 urge you not to receive 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:01.700 God's grace in vain, for 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.339 he says, in the time of 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:05.759 my favor I heard you, in 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.720 the day of salvation I 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.559 helped you, I tell you 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.079 now is the time of God's 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:12.599 favor, now is the day of 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.119 salvation. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.519 Now in those couple of 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:17.000 verses, Paul is making 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:19.920 both a simple point and a 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.160 slightly more complex 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.559 point. 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:25.700 In verse 2, Paul quotes 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.599 from Isaiah 49 verse 8, 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.640 which was just read out to 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:30.039 us, written hundreds of 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.940 years earlier, and what does 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.440 he say? 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:36.360 He says, for he says. 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.980 Paul is actually using the 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:43.759 tense in that verse, which 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:46.019 means that God is still 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.259 saying. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:49.920 What he said hundreds of 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.279 years earlier, he is still 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.580 saying now. 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:57.640 He is still speaking. 00:27:58.080 --> 00:28:00.039 That's the really simple 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.519 point he's making there. 00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.599 This God who spoke then 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:05.839 continues to speak with 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.980 authority now. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:13.000 He is, however, a 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:16.440 slightly more significant, 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.819 deeper point, complex 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.180 point. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:22.200 What God has said throughout 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.839 history, he's still saying, 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.559 the slightly more complex 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:27.379 point is that in Isaiah 49, 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:31.100 God is speaking to his 00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:33.820 servant who we know now to 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:35.160 be the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:39.320 God is saying that he has 00:28:39.320 --> 00:28:40.340 heard his servant. 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.680 In Isaiah 49, he's heard 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.200 his servant. 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:45.520 He has come to the aid of 00:28:45.520 --> 00:28:47.420 his servant and he has 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.780 helped the servant to 00:28:48.780 --> 00:28:50.240 fulfill his mission. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:55.100 And that's exactly what Jesus 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:56.360 has done throughout his life. 00:28:56.359 --> 00:28:57.679 in his death and his 00:28:57.679 --> 00:28:58.919 resurrection and opening the 00:28:58.919 --> 00:29:01.719 way for humanity to be 00:29:01.719 --> 00:29:03.039 reconciled with God and 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.500 given them eternal life. 00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:07.839 God has equipped him and 00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:08.919 helped him for that mission. 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:13.319 The day of salvation was the 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:15.419 day of the servant, the day of 00:29:15.419 --> 00:29:17.539 the death of Jesus for the 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:20.139 reconciliation of humanity to 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.779 their God. 00:29:21.439 --> 00:29:23.699 And in quoting that verse to 00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:25.740 the Corinthians in the present 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:28.180 tense, Paul is now saying 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:30.539 that the day of salvation is 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:32.519 continuing in the present 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.440 through the servants of the 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.720 servant. 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.380 That's the point he's making. 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:41.279 First with Paul and then 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.000 those who embrace the gospel 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.880 through Paul. 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:48.160 God is saying now is the time 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.819 to embrace the gospel. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:54.619 And it falls on every single one 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:56.579 of us to listen and to 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:59.659 respond unless we ourselves 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:01.259 receive the grace of God in 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.539 vain. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:07.759 When God speaks to us as he 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:10.759 does in the present, it is to 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:13.439 take priority over everything in 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:14.119 our life. 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:16.199 That's Paul's point here. 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:20.339 It is so easy to slip into this 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:22.419 Corinthian mindset and just put 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.819 God on pause. 00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:26.619 I'll respond to you when I get my 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.659 life back together. 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:30.339 I'll respond to you when everything 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.059 suits. 00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:37.379 way too much of our modern church 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:39.879 has bought into this view that 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:41.019 God exists for me. 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:43.619 He exists to meet my needs, to get 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:45.099 me out of trouble when I'm in it 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.839 and pretty much stay out of my way 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.819 the rest of the time. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.079 Now, very few of us actually 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:53.480 articulate our theology like that, 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:56.619 but it is our operational theology 00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:58.599 because it's the way we live our 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.039 lives. 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:03.980 We come to church when it suits. 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:08.119 We get involved when my life is in 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:08.379 order. 00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:14.179 And so we embrace the grace of God 00:31:14.179 --> 00:31:14.619 in vain. 00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:20.259 Time with God is often the first 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.819 thing to go when the moments of 00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.500 pressure are on. 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.919 Giving, serving stops in crisis 00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:26.379 moments or just busy times. 00:31:27.219 --> 00:31:27.519 Why? 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:30.480 Because our operational theology is 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:33.539 God is there to serve me. 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:39.079 And yet what it says here is the 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:40.539 normal Christian life is a life of 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.460 diplomatic service. 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:45.359 All other pursuits serve that 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.139 pursuit. 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:48.400 Our support of them is diplomatic 00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:49.799 service in and of itself. 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:53.319 And so I want to say to those 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.859 gathered here now 00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:58.139 who haven't received Jesus, 00:31:58.819 --> 00:32:03.259 I urge you to receive God's grace in 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.859 the Lord Jesus. 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:07.059 Today is the day of salvation. 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:12.339 I urge you to receive God's grace. 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:17.000 He's calling you to receive him. 00:32:18.679 --> 00:32:20.179 To surrender to him. 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.980 To stop putting him to one side. 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:25.259 To stop operating as if he's there to 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.599 serve you and to fully serve you. 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:29.059 And you may have sat in churches all 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.859 of your life. 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:33.619 I loved hearing the story 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:37.740 I read it this week of a Christian man 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:41.159 who had spent his entire life in church 00:32:41.159 --> 00:32:44.379 involved in a global ministry. 00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:46.659 Global ministry. 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:51.600 And in his 20s 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:54.019 discovered the gospel for the first time. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.660 Christ died for all 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:04.220 that those who live should no longer 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.720 live for themselves but for those 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:07.620 but for him who died for them 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.600 and was raised again. 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:11.360 That is for you who've received this message. 00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.800 Give yourself to its service. 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.200 The ministry of reconciliation 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.680 is sheer hard work. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.119 It's not being ambassador 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.079 when it feels right 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.200 or when it seems correct 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:23.419 or a positive response is there. 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:24.180 It's guaranteed 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.879 or when it's convenient to do so. 00:33:26.159 --> 00:33:28.240 It is to shape your whole life. 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:29.700 I loved hearing the story 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.940 of an elderly Christian man 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:32.240 recently dying of cancer. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.799 His main concern 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:35.799 was to die so well 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:38.779 that those around him 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.559 caring for him, 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.960 nurses, doctors, family 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:44.079 just saw Jesus 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:46.359 and the joy of Jesus. 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:49.240 He hadn't lost heart 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.980 in the troubles 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.740 and the distresses 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.179 and the hardship. 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.019 He hadn't 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:53.859 just 00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:55.399 given up. 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.519 So maybe that's you. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.299 Over time 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:03.299 there's been a loss of heart. 00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:04.319 Just happy to cruise along. 00:34:04.619 --> 00:34:05.639 Happy to kind of 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:06.480 just spend your time 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.879 talking, 00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:08.119 thinking about theology, 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.400 Christian huddles, 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.259 that kind of stuff 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.560 but not actually 00:34:12.560 --> 00:34:14.360 giving yourself 00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:15.160 to the work of God 00:34:15.160 --> 00:34:15.720 in this world. 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.060 Maybe you're 00:34:17.060 --> 00:34:18.720 trading on past stories. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:20.420 Someone who got converted 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:22.480 somehow around you 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:24.220 10, 15, 20 years ago. 00:34:27.080 --> 00:34:28.280 Maybe you've lost heart. 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:33.380 As recipients of the message 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.100 of reconciliation 00:34:34.100 --> 00:34:35.140 you've been called 00:34:35.140 --> 00:34:36.780 to make this message clear. 00:34:38.100 --> 00:34:39.280 That is your purpose, 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.260 it is your calling, 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.280 it is your ministry. 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:42.900 Give your life 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:44.100 to God's global agenda 00:34:44.100 --> 00:34:45.519 by holding out 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.460 this message 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.700 from a heart of love 00:34:47.700 --> 00:34:48.740 and a life of service. 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.660 As we've sung this morning 00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:53.380 and I might add 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.400 with a little bit of gusto 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:56.119 and I hope it's true. 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.240 Christ alone 00:34:58.240 --> 00:34:59.760 is our ceaseless message. 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:01.400 Grace and peace 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.360 is the overflow 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.760 of our lives.