WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.820 Father, thank you for words in your Holy Scripture that comfort us. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:11.519 And thank you, Father, that you speak gently to our heart. 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:15.660 Thank you, Father, that your grace is sufficient for us. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:19.039 And since you do not weigh our merits but pardon our offenses, 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:23.980 that once we have put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:25.379 you never give up on us. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:28.699 You never leave us or forsake us. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:29.839 You never mock us. 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:36.280 But your Holy Spirit continues to come and move within us time and time and time again, 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:42.000 moving us, Father, to different ways of faithfulness and fitting us for heaven. 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:45.679 Father, this is all your work and all to your glory. 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:47.600 And we give you thanks and praise. 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:52.539 And we ask now that the Holy Spirit would speak gently but deeply to each one of our hearts. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.920 And we ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. 00:00:56.400 --> 00:00:56.740 Amen. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:00:58.179 Please be seated. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:06.159 There's a joke about two conspiracy theorists. 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:09.780 And they die and they go to heaven. 00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:13.260 I guess even conspiracy theorists can go to heaven, I suppose. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:14.439 People who are really into it. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:15.980 So they die and go to heaven. 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:19.560 And as they come to the gate of heaven, they don't meet St. Peter. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:20.500 They meet God himself. 00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:21.259 And they ask God. 00:01:21.340 --> 00:01:27.879 They say, God, just before we go into heaven, we really just love to know who killed JFK. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:33.159 And God says, well, it was Oswald asking all by himself. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:38.599 And then one conspiracy theorist turns to the other and says, see how high up the conspiracy goes. 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:41.239 Sorry, nobody got that joke. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:42.059 Anyway, sorry. 00:01:43.199 --> 00:01:45.959 Maybe that's a bad precursor to the rest of the sermon. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:52.259 But we're bringing the book of Colossians to a close. 00:01:52.260 --> 00:02:00.320 And we're going to spend most of our time in verses 2 to 6 of chapter 4. 00:02:01.240 --> 00:02:07.380 We're really, we get to, in a sense, Paul's final words about the significance of grace 00:02:07.379 --> 00:02:14.900 and the posture that we need to have to be, have God's grace, do what only God's grace can do. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:20.359 Because, you see, the constant message of the Bible is that if it's not grace that's growing you, 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:21.219 you're not growing. 00:02:21.799 --> 00:02:24.900 If it's not grace that's growing you, you're not growing. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:30.719 And there's lots and lots of ways in the world that we think that we're growing, but we're actually not. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.460 Only grace grows us in a way that really fits us for heaven, 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:37.800 fits us for what our true end and true purpose is, 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:45.260 that we can once again be, you know, in a sense, unveiled face to face with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 00:02:45.260 --> 00:02:49.780 to be in the presence of that one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:56.080 to experience their love, the glory, the beauty, the goodness, the truth, 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.620 which is God, and to be in that, and not to be unmade, 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:07.439 but to just be changed from one degree of glory to another. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:11.020 And that is the final destiny of every human being, 00:03:11.960 --> 00:03:15.200 the most, the true destiny of every human being. 00:03:15.420 --> 00:03:20.460 And human beings choose that destiny or choose, in a sense, to be gods themselves. 00:03:21.040 --> 00:03:22.780 That's the choice of every human being. 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:29.900 But God's desire, God's heart is that human beings would, in a sense, surrender, lay down their arms, 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:34.080 and receive the grace that only God can give, 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:36.819 and receive the growth that comes from grace. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:38.939 That's the only growth worth having. 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:46.579 And so Paul's going to say a little bit about that, some very important final words in verses 2 to 6. 00:03:47.039 --> 00:03:51.060 But I'm going to also read that little bit of the end of Colossians, 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:53.520 which people often don't read and don't talk about. 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:57.340 And I mentioned the last little bit, 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:00.520 I'll just have a bit of a sideways sort of interest for some of us, 00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:04.980 in terms of what the average Canadian thinks they know about the Bible, 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:09.080 which is that the average Canadian, they think they know about the Bible, 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:15.740 is that basically there was this really mean emperor by the name of Constantine 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:23.519 and the Roman Catholic Church that conspired to suppress whole parts of the Bible 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:26.819 and exalt something that is their own. 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:30.620 In other words, there's this big conspiracy about how the Bible was formed. 00:04:31.599 --> 00:04:34.319 And so now we shouldn't really pay any attention to it, 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:37.300 because it's just something corrupted as a result of a conspiracy. 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:40.540 And that's, I think, what a lot of Canadians would just think about the Bible, 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:43.879 one of the many reasons why they think that knowing the Bible, reading the Bible, 00:04:43.959 --> 00:04:46.639 is completely and utterly unimportant and insignificant. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:51.079 And it's just that this last little bit, there's other ways that it encourages us, 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:55.159 but it has a little interesting bit of a comment on that, 00:04:55.160 --> 00:04:57.660 what average Canadians think they know. 00:04:58.260 --> 00:05:03.620 So if you open your Bibles, it's Colossians 4, verse 2, and we'll read. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:08.700 As I said, I'm going to circle back to speak more about verses 2 to 6, 00:05:09.320 --> 00:05:12.020 but we'll read the whole thing to see the end of Colossians. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:13.720 Those of you who have been tracking with us, 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:18.320 this is the 13th sermon on the book of Colossians, and so let's go. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:22.379 Continue steadfastly in prayer. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:27.860 Actually, probably, those words are sort of good. 00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:36.699 The fundamental idea here is being devoted, being devoted to prayer. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:41.100 That's the fundamental idea, that if you're devoted to prayer, you'll be steadfast. 00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:42.920 But it's the call. 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:47.800 Well, in fact, in these first three verses, there's three exhortations or three imperatives, 00:05:47.900 --> 00:05:48.939 and this is the first one. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:53.160 Be devoted in prayer or to prayer. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:56.560 Being alert or watchful in it with thanksgiving. 00:05:57.400 --> 00:06:01.879 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:06.660 to declare the mystery of Christ on account of which I am in prison, 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.680 that I may make it clear. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:13.100 There, the sense is not that you sort of can clear up the mystery, 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:17.100 but that the mystery is clearly set forth, right? 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.860 There's a very important distinction there that we'll return to. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:25.079 It's not that Paul is saying, listen, I know the mystery of Christ is a bit unclear, 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:26.620 so you guys got to make it clear. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:27.660 That's not what he's saying. 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:33.220 He's saying you have to proclaim the mystery clearly, not clear up the mystery. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:36.680 That's a very important idea which we're going to return to. 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:42.300 It's the source of a lot of confusion in the Christian life that we have to clear up the mystery 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:47.920 rather than be clear about the mystery, which is how I ought to speak. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:51.280 And just sort of pause there for a second. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:55.840 One of the things which I haven't talked about very much in all of these sermons is you'll notice here 00:06:55.840 --> 00:06:58.540 that it says that he's in prison, and I haven't talked about it much, 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:03.360 but that's in fact what we have to understand is that, I mean, once again, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:06.500 I love saying this, but you can't say it too much, right? 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:10.360 People get a Bible, and this used to have sort of fancy gold stuff on the edge, 00:07:10.879 --> 00:07:16.080 and it has this fancy, expensive, my version does anyway, you know, expensive paper, 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.900 and it looks like a special book. 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:21.120 It looks like a type of holy book, and there's nothing wrong with that. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:24.780 But what we have to understand is somewhere around the year 60 or 61, 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:31.059 so somewhere 25 to 30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:34.759 this man by the name of Paul is in jail in Rome. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:41.259 And he's in jail in Rome because he's a Christian, fundamentally. 00:07:41.599 --> 00:07:43.639 We'll talk about this a little bit more in a moment. 00:07:44.179 --> 00:07:50.199 And he's writing this letter to a group of Christians in a place which we would now call Turkey. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:56.219 In a particular valley in Turkey, there's three sort of principal cities, 00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:00.800 and this was one of the three letters or two letters at least or three or four letters that he wrote, 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:02.980 and that's where it comes out of jail. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.300 Sort of very interesting. 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:08.159 If you're going through the letter, you would never really think that much that Paul's in jail 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:09.800 when he's writing it, but that's what happens. 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:10.339 He's in jail. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:11.560 He's writing this letter to them. 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:13.480 So what happens next? 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:19.779 The next is the second of the three commands or exhortations in the first little bit. 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:27.459 The closing sort of part of the book, which is walk in wisdom towards outsiders, 00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:30.519 making the best use of the time. 00:08:31.419 --> 00:08:33.259 And that's really more a matter. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:35.879 It isn't calling you to be better at time management. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.980 It's calling you. 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:42.079 It's connected to praying that God would open doors and you would recognize them. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:46.399 So in other words, recognize opportunities when they come. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:51.279 But walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:55.159 And here's the final command of this last section. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.899 Let your speech always be gracious. 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:00.860 And that, once again, is a fine translation, 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:06.720 but it doesn't so much mean that I have to be very gracious in my speaking. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:11.519 The fundamental idea is that my speech is full of grace. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.700 That my speech is full of grace. 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:19.360 You see, what is going on here in the text, which is really important, 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:21.560 and it's easy for us to lose, 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:26.080 is that the text keeps pointing back to the power of God. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:31.300 And it's easy for us to misread it as if it's about our power. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:34.980 But the text keeps pointing us back to the power of God. 00:09:35.060 --> 00:09:37.100 In fact, the fundamental human problem we have, 00:09:37.280 --> 00:09:39.840 and those of you who are watching who might be seekers 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:42.620 or just sort of anthropologists, 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:45.860 curious about the odd thing that Christians say, 00:09:46.420 --> 00:09:48.780 is I can share with you a secret, 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:51.160 is that Christians constantly struggle 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:55.240 with forgetting about the fact that it's God that's powerful. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:58.919 And we have amnesia about it. 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:04.019 And we keep trying to do everything as if it's all up to our power. 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:07.539 And so even when we look at this text, 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:09.559 in fact, that's often why we have problems, right? 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:11.360 We're not very good at being devoted to prayer 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:12.699 because we're not very powerful. 00:10:12.839 --> 00:10:15.179 We have problems in walking in wisdom 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.480 because we're not very wise. 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:19.679 We have problems having gracious speech 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:23.239 because the fact of the matter is a lot of us are ornery and anal. 00:10:23.859 --> 00:10:25.339 You all know who you are. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.599 We all know who we are. 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:29.759 And so we have these problems that keep getting in the way. 00:10:31.099 --> 00:10:32.500 And then we figure out, 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:35.319 try to think about how we can fix it with our power. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:39.039 But all the way through this last little bit, 00:10:39.099 --> 00:10:41.259 it's actually emphasizing God's power 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:45.279 because grace is, in fact, a power that comes from God. 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:46.259 Right? 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:47.159 That's what grace is. 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.099 Grace is a power. 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:54.000 Grace is, in a sense, God's unmerited favor and kindness 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:57.200 to change you for your true good, 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:00.000 and it comes from him with power. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:01.080 That's what grace is. 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:04.740 It's God's unmerited favor and kindness, 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:08.500 his love and mercy to change you for your true good, 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:12.960 which comes to God to you with power, his power. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:19.080 And so this isn't a little bit an ending thing to make us feel guilty 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:22.740 or to gird up our loins so that we can be more powerful. 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:26.220 It's a constant reminder that it's God's power. 00:11:26.920 --> 00:11:30.160 And that's actually partially illustrated by the fact that he's in jail. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:33.319 As we all know, generally speaking, 00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:36.000 I mean, if I was to write a little bit of a, you know, 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:39.279 time management book about channeling your inner power, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:44.519 the first lesson wouldn't be get arrested and go to jail 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:46.519 so you can become more powerful. 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:49.259 That would be viewed as something pretty stupid. 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.439 So here it is. 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.100 Paul's in jail. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:57.060 To the eyes of Romans, he's being dealt with by imperial power. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.279 He's not powerful at all. 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.659 So it's not a call to our power. 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:02.440 It's a call to remember grace. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:05.960 Grace being a type of power that comes from God 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.639 that will change us for a true good. 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:10.639 And now we get into this last little bit, 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:12.800 which is sort of just often people leave. 00:12:12.920 --> 00:12:15.200 It goes, Tychicus will tell you, 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.639 I hope I pronounced that correctly. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.660 Don't, by the way, if you're watching this or you're here listening, 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:22.539 don't take it that the way I pronounce these names 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.219 is the correct way to pronounce their names. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.339 I'll just try to do it confidently 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:30.480 because they say when you're reading the Bible up front, 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.279 it's better to be confident than correct. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:38.620 If you're unconfidently correct, it doesn't do anything. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:40.219 So, you know, say it with confidence. 00:12:40.219 --> 00:12:43.240 Anyway, Tychicus will tell you about my activities. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:46.039 He is a beloved brother and a faithful minister 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:48.100 and a fellow servant in the Lord. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:50.960 I have sent him to you for this very purpose 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.379 that you may know how we are, 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:54.519 that he may encourage your hearts. 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:58.220 And with him, Anisimus, our faithful and beloved brother, 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.460 who is one of you, 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:02.899 they will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:06.320 So this person, Tychicus, he shows up in several letters. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:09.100 He's part of Paul's traveling companions. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:13.040 Paul went around with always a bit of a team. 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:14.100 He wasn't a lone ranger. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:17.200 And he's here in jail and he's written a letter. 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.779 In fact, we'll find out later he's written several letters. 00:13:20.040 --> 00:13:22.000 And Tychicus is the letter carrier. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:24.700 And so Tychicus would have read it in public. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:27.860 And then he would have also maybe filled in a few blanks 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.899 about other questions that people might have. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:33.420 Anisimus is significant for two reasons. 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:34.500 One is he's a slave. 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:38.680 Those of you who saw my sermon or heard my sermon last week on slavery, 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.320 Anisimus is a slave. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:44.020 And once again, it's very interesting because Anisimus, 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:46.300 he calls Anisimus his brother. 00:13:47.020 --> 00:13:51.280 And given that one of the aspects of slavery is to deny personhood to slaves, 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:54.620 for Paul to call this escaped slave his brother 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:58.300 is one of those very significant things in the text. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:01.440 I talked last week about how only the biblical gospel 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:04.020 makes slavery morally unthinkable. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:08.820 Only the biblical gospel makes slavery morally unthinkable. 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:12.680 And this is one of those ways that it makes it morally unthinkable. 00:14:12.760 --> 00:14:14.500 The slave is his brother. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.740 Then it continues, verse 10. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:20.360 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:23.660 greets you and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, 00:14:23.780 --> 00:14:26.000 concerning whom you have received instructions. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.820 If he comes to you, welcome him. 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:31.200 And Jesus, who is called Justice, 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:34.960 these are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.540 for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:40.899 Just a couple of things which are interesting here is 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:44.639 Mark is very interesting because he shows up in the book of Acts, 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:48.099 and he might even show up in the Gospels. 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:52.839 He is probably the fellow who wrote the Gospel of Mark. 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:56.539 And those of you who are familiar with the Gospel of Mark, 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.539 many people believe that there's... 00:14:58.539 --> 00:15:01.779 Mark's Gospel is the one that has that very, very funny aspect to it 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:05.259 of a guy who's following along when Jesus gets arrested, 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:08.720 and they go to grab him, and they grab his cloak, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.779 and he runs away naked. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:13.220 And people think that little bit of a story was put in 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:15.740 because that's sort of a bit of an embarrassing thing about Mark. 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:18.939 And this is the same guy that's being mentioned here. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:21.039 He's the guy who wrote the Gospel of Mark. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:26.279 And he's also a guy that Paul and Barnabas had a big disagreement on 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:28.319 because Mark screwed up big time. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.839 Mark failed. 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.740 He couldn't hack it. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:34.720 He got frightened, and he left. 00:15:35.339 --> 00:15:39.120 And then later on, Barnabas wanted to give him another chance. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.100 Paul didn't want to. 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:42.059 But here's one of the wonderful things. 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:45.100 It's just one of those small little things about this last part of the letter, 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.500 which is really important, 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:49.559 is that reconciliation and restoration are important to Christians. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:52.879 holding grudges isn't Christian. 00:15:54.099 --> 00:15:56.579 Having feuds isn't Christian. 00:15:57.699 --> 00:16:03.359 Remembering past hurts so they fester and make you continue to dislike or hate 00:16:03.359 --> 00:16:08.019 another person isn't what grace does in you. 00:16:08.239 --> 00:16:11.399 You see, remember I said earlier, maybe some of you do, 00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:15.019 that if it's not grace growing you, it's not growth. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:19.699 The fact of the matter is, is that many of us struggle with grudges. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.799 Many of us struggle with past wounds. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:26.259 Many of us struggle with terrible things that were done to us 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:31.379 or terrible injustices because something that should have been done wasn't done. 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:35.100 Terrible times of being overlooked. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.679 And those things form us and change us. 00:16:39.220 --> 00:16:40.039 They really do. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:42.379 But that's not something that's growing you. 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:48.320 Only grace is growing you with a growth that's worth, 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:52.080 it can only be called growth if it's grace. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:55.120 And so one of the things we hear, just as a bit of a side, 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:59.399 Paul doesn't say how it is that he came to realize that he was wrong 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:00.899 and how he was reconciled to Mark, 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:04.680 but we just see if you go back and you read Acts sometime and you see the incident, 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:08.500 and then you see here now Paul writing quite a few years afterwards, 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:11.240 now Mark is one of his trusted companions again. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:13.400 And it's a surreal thing of hope. 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:17.039 And, you know, one of the things, this is the ending sermon, 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:21.200 it's a bit more of a, I don't know, it's like, you know, the letter, 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:24.660 one of the things they say about sermons is that sermons should partially model 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:28.900 and reflect the type of literary genre that you're reading. 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:32.019 Like, it wouldn't be right to preach on Job, 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:35.039 which is all about suffering and make jokes all the time. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:37.379 That would be very inappropriate. 00:17:37.659 --> 00:17:39.960 It wouldn't be appropriate for me to preach on hell, 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:46.200 clapping my hands and hooting and hollering because I'm really happy about it, you know. 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:49.879 And this is a bit of a rambly type of letter at the end, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:54.740 and so my sermon is going to be a little bit more rambly at the end, 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:59.899 not going to have that tight laser focus because the text is rambling a little bit. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:05.180 But this is a really hopeful thing for us, 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:08.680 just to remember that we are called to try to be restored. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:14.300 We are called, even if the other person who's wronged us doesn't want to be restored, 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:20.480 we are to pray in a sense time and time and time again that we can forgive 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:27.920 and that that wound, that really bad thing that happened will no longer control and form us. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:32.620 And part of the way we know that those things still have to be dealt with 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:37.120 is if it creates within us, to be in the presence of the person 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:42.740 or to be reminded of the situation or to hear about the person, 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:46.220 if it feels us, if inside we start to feel anxious, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:50.460 if we can either feel within us the desire to fight or flight, 00:18:50.820 --> 00:18:53.580 to tower over them or to cower under them, 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:55.560 if we feel any of these types of emotions, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:58.539 it means that there's something in there which hasn't been dealt with yet. 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:02.879 And sometimes those of us who've been Christians for a long time, 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.599 some of us know we can pray into that 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:10.220 and God does a really great fast miracle where it just goes away. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:15.700 But a lot of times God calls us to a long obedience in the same direction 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:20.500 where we need to pray into that day in and day out for a long time. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:27.740 I remember there was one man who really did a whole series of bad things to me 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:30.900 and I came under conviction. 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:33.119 I realized I had to pray for forgiveness. 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:38.099 And by God's grace, I had to drive by his house regularly. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:41.559 And so it was one of those things regularly for him to pray about it. 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:46.720 And then about 10 years, and I knew that 8 or 9 years after, 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.720 something would come up and his name would be mentioned 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:53.579 and I could feel that, you know, that clenching that goes on. 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:56.819 And then about 2 or 3 years after that, 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.879 he actually came to the church. 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.659 And I was able to just say hi to him. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:06.099 And it was only then, about 10 to 12 years of prayer, 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:08.259 that I realized that I had finally forgiven him. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:13.059 And that's what God calls us to. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:15.480 So we don't know here whether Paul and Mark had, 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:17.400 what they had to do to be able to be restored, 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.819 but we can see that they're restored. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:25.519 And one of the other things which here is really, really cool about this, 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:29.099 where was I with my reading? 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:31.799 Verse 10, Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:37.019 and then Jesus and just the only men amongst the circumcision. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:39.420 And one of the things which is going to be really cool about all of this 00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.819 is that we see that the early church is made up of, 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:46.859 it's multi-ethnic, it's multi-racial. 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:49.819 And that's one of the things that we should always pray for, 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:52.319 not only that local congregations will be that way, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:55.299 but also that the church universal will be that way, 00:20:55.359 --> 00:21:00.359 that we're always praying that God will bring the gospel to new people groups. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.319 Not only new people groups in the city, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:05.660 as people groups develop within the city, 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:08.759 but also people groups to the very end of the age. 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:13.779 That's part of the, it's part of the natural heart that's formed by grace, 00:21:13.800 --> 00:21:15.940 that we have that concern, that burden, 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:19.360 that more and more people groups will hear the gospel. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:23.519 This can be seen very powerfully here in the next little bit, verse 12. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:28.319 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:31.740 greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:36.500 that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:40.019 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.740 and for those in Laodicea in Hierapolis. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.420 I just sort of pause here for a second. 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:48.859 Here's, I don't have sermon notes today 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:51.000 because it's a bit more of a rambling type of sermon. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:53.619 You know, one of the really good things that we could pray for 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:57.299 is that the day will come when one of our wardens is named Muhammad. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:04.180 That the day will come when one of our wardens is named Muhammad. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:07.799 Not because Muslims have taken over the church, 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:12.700 but because a man named Muhammad has become a Christian 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.740 and now he's one of our wardens. 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.220 And so I just want to, 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.980 that's one of the things that came to me, 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.059 it's making me emotional. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.440 I never planned to get emotional, by the way. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.720 I'm a pretty unemotional guy. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.799 I'm getting emotional about it. 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:27.740 But wouldn't that be a wonderful thing for us as a church to commit to, 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:30.339 that the day would come that one of our wardens 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.980 or one of our assistant pastors 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:35.160 or that maybe the man who replaces me as pastor, 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.099 he's named Muhammad, 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:39.140 because the gospel has come to him 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.539 and he's received Jesus. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.860 Why? 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:46.119 Epaphras is the short form for the name Epaphroditus. 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:48.899 He was born a slave. 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.979 Somewhere along the line, 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.779 he became a freed man, 00:22:53.219 --> 00:22:54.240 but his name, 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.199 he was, 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.679 it says, 00:22:57.000 --> 00:23:00.319 he's named after the glory of the goddess Aphrodite. 00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:04.359 And this is the guy who planted the church. 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:09.919 A man named after the goddess Aphrodite, 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.240 who was born a slave, 00:23:11.399 --> 00:23:13.139 somehow or another gets his freedom. 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:17.439 He's the one who goes to Colossae and plants the church. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.319 And that's why I say, 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.740 let's pray for the day 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:23.219 that one of our wardens is called Muhammad. 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.699 Then verse 14, 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:29.379 these are all pagans. 00:23:29.479 --> 00:23:31.319 These are all people who would have grown up 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:35.059 worshiping the different gods and goddesses of Rome and Greece. 00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:36.240 Luke, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.159 the beloved physician, 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.720 greets you as does Demas. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:42.639 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:44.700 and to Nympha and the church in her house. 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.599 And just sort of pause there. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.679 Here's one of the things about the text, 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.200 which is very, 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.000 very interesting, 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:50.939 is, 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:51.879 see, 00:23:51.939 --> 00:23:53.819 one of the things that Christians believe about the Bible 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:56.139 isn't that the Bible writers were wise. 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.799 There's nothing special about Paul. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:03.419 And the fact that Paul's not wise is partially seen here, 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:06.859 that he has no particular special powers, 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.899 is that later on, 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.119 at the end, 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:13.240 a letter that he writes about four or five or six years after this, 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:16.500 we discover that Demas has betrayed him. 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:17.960 And in fact, 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.599 Demas has renounced the faith. 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:23.519 If Paul was a special person, 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.500 he'd know that. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:32.460 But the biblical claim isn't that God was looking around the world 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.920 and he thought, 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.160 ah, 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.920 should I pick Brian to write the Bible? 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.960 Should I pick Owen? 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.380 You know, 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.220 should I pick Sana? 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.519 Should I pick Sue? 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.559 Should I pick Amy? 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.099 Nah, 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.380 nah, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.660 nah. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.000 There's these really special, 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:45.059 very insightful people, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.660 prophetic people, 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.720 named Paul and John and Mark, 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.599 and I'm going to choose them. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:49.779 No, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.599 that's not what it is. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:53.259 That's not how the Bible was written. 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:56.980 You'll see here that Paul wrote other letters to other churches, 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:00.279 and it's not that everything that Paul said had this prophetic power. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:03.460 Paul doesn't know when he's writing this that Demas is going to betray him. 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:07.720 But the God in his grace and in his mercy, 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:11.660 we hear and we read the historic records of Jesus, 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:15.480 that Jesus says that his words will never pass away, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:20.940 that he is going to guarantee that his words that need to be communicated to human beings, 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:22.120 that he in a sense, 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.820 that God in a sense, 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.380 the Holy Spirit in a sense, 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:28.840 will make sure that the words that are needed for people to know about Jesus, 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:33.480 that they will be received and recognized and preserved. 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:36.279 That's the fundamental Christian hope. 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:38.360 Not that the writers are specially brilliant. 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:42.139 They're ordinary people like you and me. 00:25:42.939 --> 00:25:44.779 And so out of all of the words that Paul spoke, 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:47.099 some of them are the ones that are now, 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:50.179 God wanted the right things to be said, 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:54.339 and he makes sure those things are recognized, 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.740 that they're preserved, 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.219 that they're spoken, 00:25:58.459 --> 00:25:59.159 they're recognized, 00:25:59.319 --> 00:26:00.099 and they're preserved. 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:02.539 And that's what we have here in the book of Colossians. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.659 If we ever found one of those other letters, 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.420 it would be curious, 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.740 but we wouldn't put it in the Bible. 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:08.899 And it's very interesting. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:11.659 This goes back to the early comment about conspiracy theories. 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.000 You know, 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.960 I'm not a conspiracy theorist. 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.899 You know, 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.200 I think generally speaking, 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:21.740 if you ever want to really read an interesting thing, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.139 read, 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.519 I think, 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:24.759 I can't remember what book it was about Charles Coulson. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:28.619 Charles Coulson is too old for most of you to remember, 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:31.480 but he was one of the guys involved in the great Watergate scandal 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:34.440 that brought down President Nixon in the early 70s, 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.819 almost 50 years ago now. 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:38.480 And one of the things that he, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:40.519 one of the things that he shows about, 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:43.620 one of the arguments that he has for the resurrection of Jesus 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:46.039 is here you have these very, 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.380 very, 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:46.720 very, 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:50.360 very powerful small group of men who do a conspiracy, 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:54.519 conspire to do something wrong, 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:57.380 immoral and illegal to help President Nixon. 00:26:57.380 --> 00:27:00.380 And I think it might be in his book, 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.940 Born Again. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:05.880 And he talks about exactly how long this conspiracy lasts. 00:27:06.760 --> 00:27:07.520 And I can't remember, 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:09.640 but I think it's something like 36 hours. 00:27:09.800 --> 00:27:12.800 Like it's not very long before the first person cracks. 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:13.700 And, 00:27:13.760 --> 00:27:15.340 and he just goes on and says, 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.620 if, 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.540 if there's this big, 00:27:16.760 --> 00:27:17.820 if all these very, 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.680 very powerful, 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.100 high, 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:20.260 highly connected, 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:25.440 highly leveraged people can't keep a conspiracy going for longer than about 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.180 36 hours. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:30.640 And how is it that we can think that there was some conspiracy amongst the 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:32.920 apostles to, 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:36.740 to say that Jesus had actually risen from the dead? 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.380 See, 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:40.180 this is one of the things which is so interesting. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.519 You know, 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:40.700 if, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.380 if you're a, 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:45.200 a non-Christian or the anthropologist trying to figure out what Christians 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.600 believe, 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:45.960 and you're, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:48.259 you've come to stumbling upon this video. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.460 You see, 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.759 the resurrection changes everything. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:55.879 The resurrection changes everything. 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.640 And that, 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:02.140 that's the heart of the Christian hope is that this man, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.700 Jesus really did die. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:07.940 He died prophesying that he would die. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:10.140 He died a death that he couldn't have organized, 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.900 organized or orchestrated, 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:14.619 that he was embalmed, 00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:16.379 that he was in a tomb, 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:17.640 that on the third day, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.619 just as he predicted, 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:21.000 he rose from the dead. 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:23.160 And the grave clothes show it. 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.660 And the tomb is empty. 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.039 And they never found the body. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:30.039 And he appeared alive to many people. 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:36.380 And one of the evidences for all of this is actually what I'm just reading to you right now. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:41.500 Because we all know that there's people who go to jail for causes. 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:53.799 Many of us are cheering the very brave people in Hong Kong who have been laboring for quite a while to try to maintain some type of freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.720 And many of those people, 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.380 for the cause of democracy, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.599 have been willing to go to jail. 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:01.579 And they have a type of courage that's, 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.779 I hope if that time ever comes for me, 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:05.680 that I will have that type of courage as well. 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:10.820 But Paul isn't in jail because of a cause. 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:14.460 Paul is in jail for a very, very odd thing. 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:17.940 He's in jail because of a fact. 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:29.519 So he's not in jail because he's launched some type of a moral movement that will make slavery morally unthinkable, 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:37.100 although his writing contributes to making slavery morally unimaginable, unthinkable. 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:42.839 Paul, he's in jail purely and utterly because he said that Jesus is alive, 00:29:43.959 --> 00:29:45.579 that he rose from the dead. 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:49.519 He's in jail because of a fact. 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:52.799 And if you go on and read the rest of the New Testament, 00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:54.019 you come to 2 Timothy, 00:29:54.159 --> 00:29:56.959 which is the last thing that he wrote that we have a record of. 00:29:57.339 --> 00:30:00.719 And he knows that this time he's in jail in Rome for the second time. 00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.879 And we know this from history, 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:04.439 that he does in fact die a martyr's death. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:10.680 And he dies a very, very painful martyr's death after spending much time in and out of jail, 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:17.759 all because he maintains a particular fact that the man Jesus who died upon the cross, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.740 a slave's death, 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.519 on the third day the grave was empty. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.519 And he rose from the dead, 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.120 just as he predicted, 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.420 just as he said, 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.240 and that he appeared alive. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.720 And the reason that Paul is in jail 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.880 is that Paul is one of the men 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:36.059 that Jesus appeared to alive. 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:41.140 He's in jail because of a fact. 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:45.299 You see, friend, if this is true, 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:48.860 that if Jesus really did die upon the cross 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:50.120 and rise from the third day, 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.539 that has to change everything 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:53.420 in every person's life. 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:57.640 It means there is a way that death isn't final. 00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:00.539 It means that we're not alone in the universe. 00:31:01.560 --> 00:31:04.220 It means that in a world of 100,000 religions, 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:08.340 there is in fact one way which is in fact true. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.840 It means that if in fact there is a God 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:14.580 who can raise a man from the dead, 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:16.720 it is not a very hard thing for him 00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:19.539 to cause what we now call the Bible to be written. 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:21.220 And that's a very easy thing 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:23.599 compared to raising a man from the dead. 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:26.279 And to understand that he didn't do it 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:28.480 just to show that God has the power to do it, 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.559 but he does it for you. 00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.779 It's done for grace. 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:33.740 It's God's unmerited kindness 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.579 and goodness and mercy. 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:38.200 God's, when I say unmerited, 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.519 it's not that he's unmerited. 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:42.099 It means that when God looks at George, 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:44.139 George has done nothing to merit 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.859 the kindness and mercy 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:49.519 and gentleness and favor of God. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:53.099 George has done nothing to merit this, 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:56.979 but God has unmerited kindness 00:31:56.979 --> 00:31:59.740 and mercy and favor to me 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:02.819 that God, the son of God, 00:32:02.939 --> 00:32:04.819 would take on human form 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:08.000 and live the life that I could never live 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:10.859 and die the death that would be my doom 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:12.439 and rise from the dead 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:16.019 all as a way that God does 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.920 what I cannot do of my own, 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:20.220 which is to provide all that is needed 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.660 to make me right with him. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:23.559 It is all God's grace. 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:26.740 The action is an action of grace. 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:29.160 The message is a message of grace. 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:32.100 It comes when we tell this mystery 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:34.039 of God, the son of God, 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.559 dying upon a cross, 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.400 living a human life, 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.340 dying upon the cross, 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.500 resurrected from the dead, 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:40.460 and that it's done for you and for me, 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.680 that for you and me, 00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:44.779 God not counting our merits, 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.059 but pardoning our offenses, 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.660 knowing what we're exactly like, 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.600 has done all of this 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:51.600 so that if an ordinary person 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:52.440 like you and me, 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.059 in a sense, 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:54.900 just lay down our arms, 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.140 and even though we can't, 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.360 even of our own effort, 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:01.900 turn towards him truly, 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.160 and all we can say 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.779 as we're running from God is, 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:07.480 God, I want Jesus to be my savior. 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:09.480 I can't even stop running from you. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.319 Have mercy upon me. 00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:13.420 I trust that he is my savior and Lord, 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.779 that he is the only one. 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.720 He is your provision 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:19.140 to make me right with you. 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:22.279 And God hears that prayer. 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.019 He takes you as his own. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.240 See, it's all grace. 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.059 It's all grace. 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.839 And the resurrection changes everything. 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:36.899 Just closing, 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.279 and then we're going to round it up 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.299 with the last little bit. 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.099 Verse 15, 00:33:40.199 --> 00:33:41.500 give my greetings to the brothers 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.819 and sisters at Laodicea 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.659 and to Nympha 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:45.059 and the church in her house. 00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:46.099 Nympha is a woman, 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:46.839 and she's obviously 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:47.799 an important person, 00:33:47.919 --> 00:33:49.019 a patron of the church, 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:50.619 a person of significance 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.279 and weight 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:52.819 in that local church 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.519 and in the region. 00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:54.939 And when this letter, 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:55.639 verse 16, 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:56.659 has been read among you, 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.099 have it also read 00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:59.720 in the church of the Laodiceans, 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:01.119 and see that you also read 00:34:01.119 --> 00:34:01.839 the letter from Laodicea, 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:03.519 and say to Archippus, 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:04.799 see that you fulfill 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.399 the ministry 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.319 that you have received 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.879 in the Lord. 00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.340 I, Paul, 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.259 write this greeting 00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:10.360 with my own hand. 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.739 Remember my chains. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.679 So in other words, 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:14.279 the whole letter 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.539 is written by somebody else, 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.659 and Paul is in chains, 00:34:16.819 --> 00:34:17.380 but he takes, 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.299 for the last little bit 00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.880 of the manuscript, 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.699 he takes the, 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.799 wouldn't have been a pen, 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.019 but the writing instrument, 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.480 and he writes 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:24.539 that last little verse 00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.639 so that people recognize 00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:26.559 that it came from him. 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:29.059 And his final words, 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:31.199 grace be with you. 00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:33.720 It's the final words. 00:34:34.660 --> 00:34:37.420 May God's unmerited favor 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:38.420 and kindness 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.720 to change you 00:34:40.720 --> 00:34:41.860 for your true good, 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.960 which comes from him 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.660 with power. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:47.940 May that unmerited kindness 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:50.200 of change and power 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:51.720 be with you. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:53.559 Those are the final words 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.660 that ring out. 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:59.639 So the whole text, 00:34:59.859 --> 00:35:00.779 even as he ends, 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:02.719 he just wants to remind them 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.299 of their fact 00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:04.399 that they need this power 00:35:04.399 --> 00:35:05.299 that comes from God 00:35:05.299 --> 00:35:06.299 and not from themselves. 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:10.359 See, that's one of the important things 00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:11.139 for us as Christians. 00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:12.980 I'm such a slow learner. 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.799 If you could continue 00:35:13.799 --> 00:35:14.659 to pray for me 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:16.379 that my life will be 00:35:16.379 --> 00:35:18.500 in response to grace. 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:20.940 I'm such a slow learner. 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:22.539 I have amnesia all the time. 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.420 I walk out the door 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:23.940 and I forget 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.699 and think that it's all 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.559 about my power. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.840 But it's not about my power. 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.860 It's all about grace 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:30.340 and responding to grace. 00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:31.960 I'm worthy as I am. 00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.239 And so we just need 00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:35.199 to constantly remember 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.059 the grace of God. 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:36.360 You see, 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:36.920 if you go back 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.599 to that little bit 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.519 when it says continue, 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:39.159 verse 2, 00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:40.739 continue steadfastly in prayer, 00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:41.519 you know, 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.679 being devoted to prayer, 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.699 being watchful in it 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.320 with thanksgiving 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:45.400 and at the same time, 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.039 pray also for us 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.059 that God may open to us 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:49.800 a door for the word. 00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:51.180 And that's the thing 00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:52.120 is the word. 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.420 What has power? 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.460 Not George. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.800 What has power? 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:57.240 Not George's cleverness 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.880 with words. 00:35:58.160 --> 00:35:59.059 What has power? 00:35:59.180 --> 00:36:00.240 It is the word 00:36:00.240 --> 00:36:01.180 which has power. 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:02.740 It is reading the word 00:36:02.740 --> 00:36:04.059 which has power. 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.940 And that's emphasized 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.920 in the text. 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:09.100 And it's not just the word 00:36:09.100 --> 00:36:10.620 because all sorts of people 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.660 can quote the word, 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.800 but they quote the word 00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:13.860 in a way that points people 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.820 away from Christ. 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:16.280 That's part of the great tragedy 00:36:16.280 --> 00:36:16.880 of churches. 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:18.220 There are churches in the city 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:19.400 that read the word 00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:20.320 on a Sunday morning 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.420 and read it in such a way 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:22.059 to point people 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:23.120 away from Christ 00:36:23.120 --> 00:36:24.760 or away from grace 00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:26.420 towards their own effort, 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:28.280 towards worldly power, 00:36:28.480 --> 00:36:29.880 towards worldly idols. 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:32.220 And the text is saying 00:36:32.220 --> 00:36:34.260 it's the word 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:35.200 which has power 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:36.180 and it's to declare 00:36:36.180 --> 00:36:37.579 the mystery of Christ. 00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:41.240 This mystery of Christ 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:43.719 to proclaim 00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:45.699 that Jesus is God's provision 00:36:45.699 --> 00:36:46.679 to make you right 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.279 with God. 00:36:47.419 --> 00:36:48.459 Yes, it is a mystery 00:36:48.459 --> 00:36:49.000 because, you know, 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.799 at the end of the day 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:51.479 there are so many things 00:36:51.479 --> 00:36:52.379 which are a mystery. 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:53.759 Evil is a mystery. 00:36:53.919 --> 00:36:54.979 It can't be reduced. 00:36:55.239 --> 00:36:56.739 We can't reduce evil 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.939 to upbringing 00:36:57.939 --> 00:36:59.979 or socioeconomic status, 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:01.500 cultural Marxists. 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:03.639 You can't reduce evil 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:05.339 to some type of process 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:05.779 or anything. 00:37:05.879 --> 00:37:06.679 At the end of the day 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:08.239 there is this profound mystery 00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:10.299 mystery as to why is it 00:37:10.299 --> 00:37:12.099 that I would choose evil. 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:14.399 Why is it that any human being 00:37:14.399 --> 00:37:15.279 chooses evil? 00:37:15.379 --> 00:37:16.219 There's this mystery. 00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.259 But at the same time 00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:18.419 there is this other mystery, 00:37:18.519 --> 00:37:19.679 the mystery of love 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:22.299 and the mystery of God's love 00:37:22.299 --> 00:37:23.539 and the mystery 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:24.639 that at the end of the day 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:27.000 if God's love for you and me 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.419 is truly unmerited 00:37:28.419 --> 00:37:30.479 there is a fundamental mystery 00:37:30.479 --> 00:37:30.839 to that 00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:32.219 that all you can proclaim 00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:33.819 is that the God 00:37:33.819 --> 00:37:35.219 that truly exists 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:37.379 is a God who is love 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:38.519 but from all eternity 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.800 the Father has loved the Son 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:41.059 and the Son has loved the Father 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:42.240 and the Holy Spirit 00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:43.039 has loved the Father 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:43.780 and the Son 00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:47.660 that there's this mystery of love 00:37:47.660 --> 00:37:48.720 from all eternity 00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:50.160 which continues to exist 00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:52.180 and out of this mystery of love 00:37:52.180 --> 00:37:53.160 not out of a love 00:37:53.160 --> 00:37:54.260 because he needs other 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:56.320 God didn't need to create you 00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:57.800 he didn't need to love you 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.980 because from all eternity 00:37:58.980 --> 00:38:00.240 the Father has loved the Son 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:01.460 and the Son has loved the Holy Spirit 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:03.420 and out of this mystery of love 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:05.340 it is of the very nature of love 00:38:05.340 --> 00:38:06.519 that it would expand 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:08.780 that it would create 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:11.059 and that even when creation has fallen, 00:38:11.199 --> 00:38:12.559 there's a very nature of love 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:14.199 that love didn't give up, 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:17.880 that love desired the restoration 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:20.059 and reconciliation and return 00:38:20.059 --> 00:38:22.460 and restoring of fallen human beings 00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:24.239 that were in complete and utter rebellion 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:25.780 and enmity against God. 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.739 And at the end of the day, 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:28.940 you can't reduce that to anything. 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:31.420 It is a fundamental mystery, 00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:33.239 the mystery of love, 00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:36.979 the mystery of goodness, of beauty, 00:38:37.799 --> 00:38:38.879 of delight. 00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:46.459 Irreducible things that are a mystery 00:38:46.459 --> 00:38:47.500 but are real. 00:38:49.819 --> 00:38:52.259 And I have no authority to say a single thing 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:54.239 other than the fact that Jesus loves you. 00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:56.979 I have no authority, 00:38:57.459 --> 00:38:59.379 nor would it help any of you to say anything 00:38:59.379 --> 00:39:01.079 other than that Jesus loves you. 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.840 This I know, 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.259 for the Bible, 00:39:04.779 --> 00:39:05.619 tells me so. 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.980 Not because I tell me so, 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:09.920 but because the Bible tells me so. 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:15.380 Our posture. 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.380 You know, one of the things, 00:39:18.799 --> 00:39:20.380 if we understand that all grace 00:39:20.380 --> 00:39:22.579 is a type of power that comes from God 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:25.000 and that even as it's ending, 00:39:25.360 --> 00:39:27.380 God in his word through Paul 00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:28.619 is reminding us of grace, 00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:31.480 then what we need to constantly 00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.559 remind each other of, 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:34.199 and this is why we need to come to church, 00:39:34.339 --> 00:39:35.699 this is why we need to celebrate 00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:36.519 the Lord's Supper, 00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:38.259 this is why we need to have small groups, 00:39:38.359 --> 00:39:39.259 this is why we need to have 00:39:39.259 --> 00:39:40.420 Christian friends, 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:42.779 this is why we need to have mentors, 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.759 this is why we need to have 00:39:44.759 --> 00:39:46.000 spiritual friendships, 00:39:46.699 --> 00:39:48.559 because we have amnesia 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:50.619 and we so quickly and utterly forget. 00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:54.440 But I come to the beginning of my day 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:56.280 and I think to myself, 00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:59.420 I don't have time to pray. 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.639 I'm too busy to pray. 00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:04.179 I need to get this done 00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:04.900 and this done and this done 00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:05.579 and this done and this done 00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:06.619 and this done and this done and this done. 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:08.820 And I go look at my long list of things to do 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:10.619 and I get depressed and I get tired. 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:13.240 So I roll up my sleeves 00:40:13.240 --> 00:40:15.280 and I get to work at it 00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:17.220 and I try to knock these things off 00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:18.500 and I think to myself, 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:21.039 because it has to be me 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:23.099 getting all these things done from God, 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:23.900 for God, 00:40:23.980 --> 00:40:24.819 that at the end of the day, 00:40:24.880 --> 00:40:25.659 if I have enough time, 00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:27.199 I can fit in a little bit of prayer 00:40:27.199 --> 00:40:28.079 or maybe as I'm going 00:40:28.079 --> 00:40:29.059 from one thing to another, 00:40:29.159 --> 00:40:30.599 I can fit in a little bit of prayer. 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:36.099 But if we understand 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:37.500 that the power to change 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:39.360 comes from God, 00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:42.860 then what God is asking for us 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:44.159 is a posture of obedience 00:40:44.159 --> 00:40:47.860 that makes ourselves available to his word 00:40:47.860 --> 00:40:49.739 because only he can do 00:40:49.739 --> 00:40:51.239 what only he can do 00:40:51.239 --> 00:40:53.339 and I need what only he can do. 00:40:56.299 --> 00:40:57.639 And it is very, very hard. 00:40:57.739 --> 00:40:58.899 I'm just sharing this with you, friends. 00:40:58.959 --> 00:40:59.939 You can pray for me. 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:01.699 It's hard to be devoted to prayer. 00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:05.500 It's hard to think, 00:41:05.679 --> 00:41:07.639 I am so busy today 00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:08.959 that I need to pray. 00:41:13.019 --> 00:41:14.819 I am so busy today. 00:41:14.939 --> 00:41:16.399 I have so much anxiety. 00:41:16.400 --> 00:41:18.180 I have so much stress. 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:21.340 I have so much responsibility. 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:23.079 There are so many things 00:41:23.079 --> 00:41:24.300 depending upon me 00:41:24.300 --> 00:41:26.380 that I need to pray. 00:41:28.740 --> 00:41:30.139 And then your flesh says, 00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:32.099 George, don't do that. 00:41:32.180 --> 00:41:32.639 Don't do that. 00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:33.200 Don't do that. 00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:33.720 Don't do that. 00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:34.019 Come on. 00:41:34.200 --> 00:41:35.599 George, it makes no sense 00:41:35.599 --> 00:41:37.160 that if you waste 00:41:37.160 --> 00:41:38.579 20 minutes 00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:39.880 in reading God's word 00:41:39.880 --> 00:41:40.480 and praying 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:41.280 that you're going to get 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:42.480 more things done. 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.880 You're going to have 00:41:43.880 --> 00:41:45.200 more time. 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:46.819 George, do math. 00:41:48.439 --> 00:41:48.619 You know, 00:41:48.779 --> 00:41:50.619 10 hours minus 20 minutes 00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:52.139 gives you less time, 00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:52.759 not more. 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:54.699 Time at the end of the day. 00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:56.159 But you see, 00:41:56.279 --> 00:41:57.879 this call to be devoted to prayer 00:41:57.879 --> 00:41:59.279 isn't a call for us 00:41:59.279 --> 00:42:00.439 to white-knuckle it 00:42:00.439 --> 00:42:02.559 and depend upon our own power. 00:42:02.719 --> 00:42:03.159 It's saying, 00:42:03.699 --> 00:42:04.059 George, 00:42:04.799 --> 00:42:05.199 remember, 00:42:05.319 --> 00:42:06.299 one of the very first things 00:42:06.299 --> 00:42:06.759 I talked about 00:42:06.759 --> 00:42:07.639 with the means of grace 00:42:07.639 --> 00:42:09.799 is when the very first miracle 00:42:09.799 --> 00:42:10.919 that Jesus performed, 00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:11.619 which is 00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:13.639 chaining the water into wine. 00:42:13.639 --> 00:42:17.159 And Jesus asked 00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:18.379 the servants 00:42:18.379 --> 00:42:19.219 to put water 00:42:19.219 --> 00:42:20.379 into the stone buckets 00:42:20.379 --> 00:42:21.619 and deliver them. 00:42:21.719 --> 00:42:22.980 That's all he asked them to do. 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.859 And he was the one 00:42:23.859 --> 00:42:24.759 who turned it into wine. 00:42:26.279 --> 00:42:26.940 And that's how all, 00:42:27.219 --> 00:42:27.900 that's why 00:42:27.900 --> 00:42:29.440 devoted to prayer means, 00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:31.039 George, 00:42:31.139 --> 00:42:32.579 will you trust me 00:42:32.579 --> 00:42:34.659 that my grace 00:42:34.659 --> 00:42:35.739 is going to work in you? 00:42:36.859 --> 00:42:38.039 Will you trust me? 00:42:38.759 --> 00:42:39.359 And George, 00:42:39.420 --> 00:42:40.379 if you trust me, 00:42:40.799 --> 00:42:42.139 then here's what you've got to do. 00:42:42.139 --> 00:42:43.440 You've got to be devoted to prayer. 00:42:44.619 --> 00:42:45.879 And the other thing you have to do 00:42:45.879 --> 00:42:47.039 is when it comes to outsiders, 00:42:47.179 --> 00:42:48.480 you've got to be open 00:42:48.480 --> 00:42:50.000 and look for opportunities 00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:51.159 to tell them about Jesus. 00:42:52.379 --> 00:42:53.019 Yeah, yeah, George, 00:42:53.059 --> 00:42:53.879 I know that in Canada 00:42:53.879 --> 00:42:54.920 that means you won't get invited 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.420 to parties 00:42:55.420 --> 00:42:56.779 and people will think you're weird 00:42:56.779 --> 00:42:57.980 and it won't get you promotions. 00:42:58.299 --> 00:42:59.559 I know all that. 00:43:00.339 --> 00:43:01.719 Like, I know all of those things. 00:43:02.699 --> 00:43:04.359 I'm not asking you to be clever. 00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.980 I'm not asking you 00:43:05.980 --> 00:43:07.619 to be silent about everything 00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:09.099 until you get into a position of power 00:43:09.099 --> 00:43:10.420 and then you can tell people about it. 00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:11.019 No, no, I'm just, 00:43:11.320 --> 00:43:12.119 do you trust me? 00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:13.639 And if you trust me, 00:43:13.659 --> 00:43:14.220 you put yourself 00:43:14.220 --> 00:43:15.360 in a posture of obedience. 00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:19.220 And how is grace going to grow you? 00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:21.200 Well, you take that time for prayer. 00:43:23.119 --> 00:43:24.380 You be an out Christian 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:27.099 and let people know about Jesus. 00:43:28.280 --> 00:43:29.059 That's what you do. 00:43:30.180 --> 00:43:31.240 I'm just asking you 00:43:31.240 --> 00:43:32.340 to carry the water 00:43:32.340 --> 00:43:33.740 in a stone jar. 00:43:33.739 --> 00:43:35.519 You keep thinking, 00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:35.959 George, 00:43:36.079 --> 00:43:37.339 you can make the wine, 00:43:37.439 --> 00:43:39.259 but you can never make the wine, George. 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:41.639 You can never make the wine. 00:43:42.979 --> 00:43:44.219 So stop trying to think 00:43:44.219 --> 00:43:45.059 of how to make wine. 00:43:45.959 --> 00:43:47.179 Just carry the water 00:43:47.179 --> 00:43:48.079 in the stone jars. 00:43:49.359 --> 00:43:50.439 Take the time for prayer. 00:43:50.839 --> 00:43:52.179 Take the risk of sharing the faith. 00:43:54.099 --> 00:43:55.139 I'll make the wine. 00:43:55.139 --> 00:44:04.239 And the promise is 00:44:04.239 --> 00:44:06.559 that when we do this, 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.980 we become anti-fragile. 00:44:09.579 --> 00:44:10.599 And I shared this 00:44:10.599 --> 00:44:11.480 a couple of months ago. 00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:12.759 It's a secular idea. 00:44:13.199 --> 00:44:14.920 A secular thinker came to realize 00:44:14.920 --> 00:44:16.299 that there's things in life, 00:44:17.359 --> 00:44:18.940 there's no English word 00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:19.460 for something 00:44:19.460 --> 00:44:20.500 which is really important. 00:44:20.500 --> 00:44:21.780 And just very briefly, 00:44:21.980 --> 00:44:25.280 if I knock this cup over, 00:44:25.440 --> 00:44:26.480 it stays the same. 00:44:26.539 --> 00:44:27.940 If I knock a glass over it, 00:44:28.179 --> 00:44:29.059 it breaks. 00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:31.039 But there's no word 00:44:31.039 --> 00:44:31.679 in English 00:44:31.679 --> 00:44:32.880 for things that actually 00:44:32.880 --> 00:44:34.539 require stress to grow. 00:44:36.139 --> 00:44:38.139 And he uses the example 00:44:38.139 --> 00:44:39.039 in the book of, 00:44:39.199 --> 00:44:39.619 in fact, 00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:40.500 if you took a baby, 00:44:40.559 --> 00:44:41.340 a brand new baby 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:41.920 that was born, 00:44:42.019 --> 00:44:42.559 and you put it 00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:43.760 in a perfect environment 00:44:43.760 --> 00:44:45.119 with absolutely no viruses 00:44:45.119 --> 00:44:45.840 or germs, 00:44:47.039 --> 00:44:49.000 and then at the age of 18, 00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:49.639 you let it out 00:44:49.639 --> 00:44:50.420 into the world, 00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:52.039 it would actually 00:44:52.039 --> 00:44:54.559 not be a strong child 00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:55.679 but a weak child. 00:44:56.420 --> 00:44:57.219 Because, in fact, 00:44:57.300 --> 00:44:58.239 immune systems 00:44:58.239 --> 00:44:59.599 need to be stressed 00:44:59.599 --> 00:45:00.420 to grow. 00:45:02.300 --> 00:45:02.699 Ironically, 00:45:02.900 --> 00:45:04.119 the other kid 00:45:04.119 --> 00:45:05.679 who played in the sand 00:45:05.679 --> 00:45:06.539 and ate dirt 00:45:06.539 --> 00:45:08.079 would be stronger. 00:45:08.440 --> 00:45:09.539 And the one who got sick 00:45:09.539 --> 00:45:10.380 with lots of colds 00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:11.239 would be stronger 00:45:11.239 --> 00:45:12.179 than the one 00:45:12.179 --> 00:45:13.300 that was in the safe environment. 00:45:14.300 --> 00:45:15.000 And so God's saying, 00:45:15.139 --> 00:45:16.179 here's how the grace works. 00:45:16.820 --> 00:45:17.400 Your grace needs, 00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:18.380 your life needs 00:45:18.380 --> 00:45:19.179 to be stressed. 00:45:21.420 --> 00:45:22.260 You need to have 00:45:22.260 --> 00:45:22.940 that stress 00:45:22.940 --> 00:45:23.920 of sacrificing 00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.719 some of your time 00:45:24.719 --> 00:45:25.139 to pray. 00:45:26.099 --> 00:45:27.400 You need to be stressed 00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:28.739 by taking those times 00:45:28.739 --> 00:45:29.599 to share the gospel. 00:45:30.659 --> 00:45:31.519 Because, you see, 00:45:31.679 --> 00:45:33.139 the way I've designed 00:45:33.139 --> 00:45:34.019 you to grow 00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:37.039 is I'm making you 00:45:37.039 --> 00:45:37.960 anti-fragile. 00:45:39.960 --> 00:45:41.559 As you just trust me 00:45:41.559 --> 00:45:42.659 in a posture of obedience, 00:45:43.539 --> 00:45:44.920 knowing that the power 00:45:44.920 --> 00:45:45.760 comes from me. 00:45:50.300 --> 00:45:51.220 And you do these 00:45:51.220 --> 00:45:52.180 obedient things. 00:45:52.920 --> 00:45:53.700 I'm the one 00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:55.340 who changes you 00:45:55.340 --> 00:45:56.860 and changes you 00:45:56.860 --> 00:45:57.760 and changes you. 00:45:58.460 --> 00:45:59.700 And always remember 00:45:59.700 --> 00:46:00.300 that the end 00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:01.440 of the story of grace 00:46:01.440 --> 00:46:03.000 is that we will see 00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:04.200 God face to face 00:46:04.200 --> 00:46:05.300 and we will see 00:46:05.300 --> 00:46:06.599 Jesus face to face 00:46:06.599 --> 00:46:08.320 and we will be like him. 00:46:09.119 --> 00:46:10.320 That is the end 00:46:10.320 --> 00:46:11.380 of the story 00:46:11.380 --> 00:46:12.579 for those 00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.500 in Jesus. 00:46:14.299 --> 00:46:16.400 You will be 00:46:16.400 --> 00:46:18.019 like him. 00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:21.039 Not because of your own 00:46:21.039 --> 00:46:21.699 doing or my, 00:46:21.880 --> 00:46:22.619 but because of him. 00:46:23.219 --> 00:46:25.199 You will be 00:46:25.199 --> 00:46:26.699 like Jesus 00:46:26.699 --> 00:46:27.699 is the end 00:46:27.699 --> 00:46:28.480 of your story 00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:29.900 when you trust in him. 00:46:30.319 --> 00:46:31.340 I invite you to stand. 00:46:31.340 --> 00:46:31.440 Thank you. 00:46:38.440 --> 00:46:39.579 Let's just bow our heads 00:46:39.579 --> 00:46:40.059 in prayer. 00:46:47.059 --> 00:46:47.500 Father, 00:46:47.619 --> 00:46:48.599 we are so, 00:46:48.799 --> 00:46:49.019 so, 00:46:49.179 --> 00:46:49.400 so, 00:46:49.400 --> 00:46:50.199 so thankful 00:46:50.199 --> 00:46:51.059 that you know us 00:46:51.059 --> 00:46:51.659 perfectly 00:46:51.659 --> 00:46:52.960 and still you love us. 00:46:55.619 --> 00:46:56.900 We are so thankful 00:46:56.900 --> 00:46:57.619 that you know 00:46:57.619 --> 00:46:59.699 all the different 00:46:59.699 --> 00:47:00.940 masks we have, 00:47:01.059 --> 00:47:02.000 you know our dreams, 00:47:02.219 --> 00:47:03.039 you know our fears, 00:47:03.360 --> 00:47:04.179 you know our shames, 00:47:04.400 --> 00:47:05.400 you know our grudges, 00:47:06.119 --> 00:47:07.659 you know the things 00:47:07.659 --> 00:47:08.639 that we do really well 00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:09.599 and the things we really 00:47:09.599 --> 00:47:10.539 can't do well 00:47:10.539 --> 00:47:12.679 and still you love us. 00:47:13.679 --> 00:47:13.920 And, 00:47:14.019 --> 00:47:14.699 and we give you 00:47:14.699 --> 00:47:15.559 thanks and praise, 00:47:15.759 --> 00:47:15.980 Father, 00:47:16.119 --> 00:47:17.920 that you choose to use 00:47:17.920 --> 00:47:19.159 ordinary people like us. 00:47:19.219 --> 00:47:19.779 You choose to use 00:47:19.779 --> 00:47:20.599 our prayers, 00:47:21.359 --> 00:47:21.579 Father. 00:47:21.819 --> 00:47:22.619 You choose to use 00:47:22.619 --> 00:47:23.719 our prayers for others. 00:47:24.199 --> 00:47:25.119 You choose to use, 00:47:25.659 --> 00:47:25.759 Father, 00:47:26.199 --> 00:47:26.960 unlikely, 00:47:28.339 --> 00:47:29.940 incompetent people like us 00:47:29.940 --> 00:47:31.000 to tell another person 00:47:31.000 --> 00:47:31.719 about Jesus 00:47:31.719 --> 00:47:33.460 and then you do this, 00:47:33.839 --> 00:47:34.879 these spectacular, 00:47:35.440 --> 00:47:36.819 miraculous things 00:47:36.820 --> 00:47:38.280 of bringing that word 00:47:38.280 --> 00:47:40.420 into that person's life 00:47:40.420 --> 00:47:41.200 in a way that they 00:47:41.200 --> 00:47:42.260 will receive Jesus. 00:47:42.500 --> 00:47:42.660 That, 00:47:42.720 --> 00:47:43.660 that you do things 00:47:43.660 --> 00:47:45.000 of changing the world 00:47:45.000 --> 00:47:46.320 when we, 00:47:46.600 --> 00:47:46.800 Father, 00:47:46.920 --> 00:47:48.160 are willing just to, 00:47:48.160 --> 00:47:50.220 to keep remembering 00:47:50.220 --> 00:47:51.800 that it's all grace 00:47:51.800 --> 00:47:52.600 and, 00:47:52.680 --> 00:47:54.440 and grace is the only growth 00:47:54.440 --> 00:47:55.380 and the only good 00:47:55.380 --> 00:47:56.059 that's worth 00:47:56.059 --> 00:47:57.500 growing out of. 00:47:57.559 --> 00:47:57.920 It's just, 00:47:57.980 --> 00:47:59.200 only grace is what 00:47:59.200 --> 00:48:00.140 needs to grow us 00:48:00.140 --> 00:48:01.200 and it's all power 00:48:01.200 --> 00:48:02.180 that comes from you 00:48:02.180 --> 00:48:03.700 and that you just ask us 00:48:03.699 --> 00:48:05.219 in our daily life 00:48:05.219 --> 00:48:06.519 to be like those servants 00:48:06.519 --> 00:48:08.000 who filled the water pots 00:48:08.000 --> 00:48:08.839 and took them 00:48:08.839 --> 00:48:09.599 to the next person 00:48:09.599 --> 00:48:10.779 and you do the wine making. 00:48:11.799 --> 00:48:12.099 And so, 00:48:12.179 --> 00:48:12.339 Father, 00:48:12.419 --> 00:48:13.399 we ask that you help, 00:48:13.559 --> 00:48:14.119 help me, 00:48:14.299 --> 00:48:15.019 help each of us, 00:48:15.079 --> 00:48:15.759 help us to pray 00:48:15.759 --> 00:48:16.460 for each other 00:48:16.460 --> 00:48:18.319 that we will understand 00:48:18.319 --> 00:48:19.239 the Christian life 00:48:19.239 --> 00:48:20.259 is like those servants 00:48:20.259 --> 00:48:21.019 taking this, 00:48:21.599 --> 00:48:23.119 the stone jars of water 00:48:23.119 --> 00:48:24.119 that you make the wine. 00:48:24.319 --> 00:48:24.460 So, 00:48:24.579 --> 00:48:24.719 Father, 00:48:24.819 --> 00:48:25.579 help us to take 00:48:25.579 --> 00:48:26.379 that great risk 00:48:26.379 --> 00:48:27.399 of losing some time 00:48:27.399 --> 00:48:28.259 in a day in prayer. 00:48:29.739 --> 00:48:30.960 That you will help us 00:48:30.960 --> 00:48:32.099 take that great risk 00:48:32.099 --> 00:48:33.299 of trusting your word. 00:48:34.279 --> 00:48:34.860 You will help us 00:48:34.860 --> 00:48:35.980 take that great risk 00:48:35.980 --> 00:48:36.799 of being willing 00:48:36.799 --> 00:48:37.960 to let another person 00:48:37.960 --> 00:48:38.819 know about Jesus. 00:48:40.319 --> 00:48:41.279 That you will help us 00:48:41.279 --> 00:48:42.460 to take that great risk 00:48:42.460 --> 00:48:43.440 of not being ashamed 00:48:43.440 --> 00:48:44.059 of the gospel 00:48:44.059 --> 00:48:45.400 or the whole counsel of God 00:48:45.400 --> 00:48:46.119 even when things 00:48:46.119 --> 00:48:46.699 in the Bible 00:48:46.699 --> 00:48:47.779 disagree with things 00:48:47.779 --> 00:48:48.299 in the word. 00:48:49.219 --> 00:48:50.059 But you will help us, 00:48:50.219 --> 00:48:50.279 Father, 00:48:50.319 --> 00:48:51.679 to take that great risk. 00:48:52.420 --> 00:48:53.079 And we thank you 00:48:53.079 --> 00:48:53.539 so much, 00:48:53.679 --> 00:48:53.860 Father, 00:48:53.940 --> 00:48:54.639 that as your grace 00:48:54.639 --> 00:48:55.619 works in our lives, 00:48:55.719 --> 00:48:57.299 it doesn't shatter us, 00:48:57.440 --> 00:48:58.659 doesn't leave us unchanged, 00:48:59.519 --> 00:49:00.679 but that your desire 00:49:00.679 --> 00:49:01.319 is to make us 00:49:01.320 --> 00:49:02.460 anti-fragile. 00:49:03.780 --> 00:49:04.720 That we grow 00:49:04.720 --> 00:49:05.480 in obedience. 00:49:06.200 --> 00:49:06.780 And we thank you 00:49:06.780 --> 00:49:07.320 so much, 00:49:07.480 --> 00:49:07.740 Father. 00:49:08.600 --> 00:49:09.660 Thank you so much 00:49:09.660 --> 00:49:10.720 that the end of the story 00:49:10.720 --> 00:49:11.760 for each of us 00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:13.920 who have put our faith 00:49:13.920 --> 00:49:14.880 and trust in Jesus 00:49:14.880 --> 00:49:16.420 is that we will be 00:49:16.420 --> 00:49:17.240 like Jesus. 00:49:18.600 --> 00:49:20.220 That that is the final word 00:49:20.220 --> 00:49:21.580 about each one of us. 00:49:24.039 --> 00:49:25.140 Even though some of us 00:49:25.140 --> 00:49:25.680 are poor, 00:49:26.220 --> 00:49:27.260 some of us are weak, 00:49:27.940 --> 00:49:29.180 some of us are old, 00:49:29.179 --> 00:49:30.960 most of us 00:49:30.960 --> 00:49:31.699 are unimportant, 00:49:33.139 --> 00:49:34.379 but that in Jesus 00:49:34.379 --> 00:49:35.259 the final word 00:49:35.259 --> 00:49:35.940 about us 00:49:35.940 --> 00:49:37.679 will be welcome 00:49:37.679 --> 00:49:39.359 and we will be like him. 00:49:41.779 --> 00:49:43.159 And that for all eternity. 00:49:44.519 --> 00:49:45.339 It is not only 00:49:45.339 --> 00:49:46.239 the end of our lives 00:49:46.239 --> 00:49:46.919 but the beginning 00:49:46.919 --> 00:49:47.739 of our lives. 00:49:48.879 --> 00:49:49.940 And it's all grace. 00:49:50.919 --> 00:49:52.219 And all God's people said, 00:49:52.899 --> 00:49:53.219 Amen. 00:49:53.219 --> 00:49:53.379 Amen. 00:49:53.379 --> 00:49:53.440 Amen. 00:49:53.440 --> 00:49:53.480 Amen. 00:49:53.480 --> 00:49:53.500 Amen. 00:49:53.500 --> 00:49:53.519 Amen.