WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.220 Okay, I want to just share something from God's Word for us this morning, and then we will have a bit of reflection, response song. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:13.439 We'll say farewell to the Tams a little later, and then the kids are going to come in and do a moment. 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:16.660 So that's what the next hour or so is going to look like. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.140 Okay, we've been talking this weekend about growing dependence. 00:00:21.300 --> 00:00:22.460 Obviously, that's our theme. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:28.699 We want to become more reliant, more God-dependent, actively confident in God. 00:00:28.699 --> 00:00:35.600 We want to become less self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-confident as a church and as individuals. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:43.299 And if you are a Christian, that shouldn't sound too outrageous or new or groundbreaking. 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:45.840 In many ways, this is the heart of our faith. 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:48.060 But the question is why? 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.519 Why should we grapple with this? 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:58.299 Why is it something that's worth talking about and thinking about and dedicating a whole weekend to growing in and thinking in and reflecting in? 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:00.079 And I think one of the reasons is this. 00:01:00.659 --> 00:01:08.299 I want to put it to us that the reason we need to constantly think about this is because of the cultural waters that we swim in. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:12.859 Partly, I guess, our human heart, but also the cultural waters that we swim in. 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:15.479 I don't know if you remember recently the Paris Olympic Games. 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:18.560 There was the Seine River. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:23.659 The triathletes, I think, we're going to swim in the Seine as part of the race, right? 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:25.019 The swimming leg. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:31.260 And there was all this controversy because the level of toxins, E. coli toxins in the Seine was too high. 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:32.920 And it was dangerous for the swimmers. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:35.020 And so they kept on pushing it out a few days. 00:01:35.420 --> 00:01:37.460 And they're pushing out this race, right? 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:46.379 And the reason is even though the Seine looks very beautiful and lovely and in hot summer months, you feel like you just want to dive in there and cool off. 00:01:46.699 --> 00:01:53.139 Actually, there are these invisible toxins that if you swallow them or the water gets inside you, it can make you quite sick. 00:01:53.500 --> 00:01:55.979 And in rare cases, you can even die, right? 00:01:55.980 --> 00:02:01.420 But we too live and swim in these cultural waters. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:11.520 Every day, the waters around us are full of these little toxins that are telling us who knows whether there really is a God or a divine being. 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:15.520 And if there is a God, He's probably uninvolved in your life. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:16.740 He probably doesn't care. 00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:18.199 He's hardly knowable. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:19.120 He's not very trustworthy. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:22.920 And so at the end of the day, all you can really do is trust in yourself. 00:02:22.919 --> 00:02:27.259 At the end of the day, if you're going to make your life work, you've got to depend on yourself. 00:02:27.359 --> 00:02:28.519 There's no one else you can depend on. 00:02:29.099 --> 00:02:31.819 And these are the waters that we're swimming in. 00:02:31.899 --> 00:02:41.259 And so every day, this message is coming into us, whether it's in social media or through Netflix or the newspaper or our colleagues at work or wherever it is. 00:02:41.619 --> 00:02:47.000 This anti-gospel false message is like these microtoxins that are getting into our hearts. 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:50.939 And they're causing us to think, at the end of the day, I'm the only one I can rely on. 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:58.939 And so we believe this anti-gospel and we become more self-dependent, self-reliant, self-confident. 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:05.039 And so somewhere deep in our hearts at a subconscious level, we start to believe, okay, I'll pay God my dues. 00:03:05.400 --> 00:03:06.319 I'll do the right things. 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:07.659 I'll try not to sin too badly. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:09.479 I'll go to church and CG. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.079 I'll maybe put some money in the offering. 00:03:12.579 --> 00:03:14.939 But at the end of the day, I'm going to depend on me. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:15.900 I'm going to rely on me. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:19.319 And so we become functional secularists. 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:24.800 Functionally, we weaken Christians, but functionally, we live with a secular worldview. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:26.120 As if there is no God. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:27.900 As if He doesn't really matter. 00:03:28.640 --> 00:03:31.120 As if He doesn't really have any influence on our lives. 00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:34.300 And what that means is our relationship with God becomes like a mirage. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:40.340 You know, if you're walking and it's a hot day, you look ahead and it looks like there's a pool of water, right? 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:42.360 But actually, it's just a mirage. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:42.740 There's nothing. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:44.039 It's just the heat coming off the ground. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:46.680 Or it's like our faith becomes like a hologram. 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:47.180 Hologram? 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:47.980 Is that the right word? 00:03:48.480 --> 00:03:51.640 It looks like life, but when you go to touch it, there's nothing there. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:52.759 It's just lifeless. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:55.480 And our faith with God can become like that. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.740 As we rely on ourselves and depend more on ourselves. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:02.860 And so, just two verses I want to read to us briefly before we get into our main passage. 00:04:03.300 --> 00:04:04.780 Deuteronomy chapter 4. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:11.580 God is constantly warning His people throughout Scripture to rely on Him, depend on Him. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:16.040 And so, in Deuteronomy, Moses' final sermon before we go into the promised land. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:19.360 He's constantly saying, remember God. 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:20.680 Remember His faithfulness. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:21.819 Remember His promises. 00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:23.600 Remember how He's led us. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:24.699 Remember His covenants. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:25.740 Remember His statutes. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:27.139 Look at what He says in Deuteronomy 4. 00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:29.620 The Lord your God loved your fathers. 00:04:29.740 --> 00:04:30.680 This is verse 37. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:35.019 He brought you out of Egypt by His own presence, by His great power. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:42.040 Driving out the nations greater and mightier than you to bring you into this land as it is this day. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:49.420 Therefore, know today, lay it onto your heart that the Lord your God is in heaven above and on earth beneath. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:50.960 There is no other. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:51.860 What we sang earlier. 00:04:51.960 --> 00:04:53.519 There's none above you, none before you. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:05:00.819 Therefore, you shall keep His statutes and His commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well to you. 00:05:00.979 --> 00:05:02.919 He's saying, you've got to go into the promised land. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:07.399 And when you go in there, remember, lay it to heart that there is none other. 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:11.759 God in heaven, God on earth, He's the one that's carrying you and sustaining you. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:13.699 Take this to heart. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:15.839 Let this be the thing that's in your heart. 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:35.659 And He goes on and He says, when you go into the promised land, which is not Singapore, when you go into the promised land and everything is going swimmingly for you and your job is amazing and life is amazing and things are going fantastically, don't forget who took you there. 00:05:36.299 --> 00:05:38.219 Don't become self-reliant, self-confident. 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:54.960 Deuteronomy 6 says, when the Lord your God brings you into the land that He swore to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with good cities, great cities that you didn't build and houses full of good things that you didn't fill and cisterns that you did not dig and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:05.380 When you eat and are full and satisfied, take care lest you forget the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 00:06:05.380 --> 00:06:07.400 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:14.219 And so throughout the Bible, God's saying, don't forget, don't become self-reliant, self-dependent. 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:21.139 Okay, so to help us think about this a bit more, I want us to look at a story in the Old Testament, which is one of my favorite stories. 00:06:21.599 --> 00:06:23.719 It's in 2 Kings chapter 5. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:25.259 Okay, 2 Kings chapter 5. 00:06:25.739 --> 00:06:28.620 And so turn there, we're going to kind of work through it a bit together. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:36.519 If you want to remember where Kings is, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:38.439 Okay, those are the history books. 00:06:38.799 --> 00:06:40.759 It's in reverse order alphabetically. 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:42.819 Okay, so it starts in Samuel, Kings, 1 Chronicles. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:44.719 That's how I always remember the order. 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:46.599 So reverse order alphabetically. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:49.159 So it's after Samuel, before Chronicles. 00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:51.599 2 Kings chapter 5. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:57.480 And it's the story of this man and how God brings him to a place of dependence upon God. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:02.439 And what I love about the story is you see this wrestle in this guy's heart. 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:05.060 He's wrestling with the inside of him. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:07.840 Shall I trust God or shall I trust myself? 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:15.460 And because God loves him, God is going to bring him to a place of forsaking his self-reliance and trust in him. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:20.180 Okay, so the story here is the story of this guy called Naaman the Syrian. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:26.219 Okay, and if you're reading the Watermark Bible reading plan, we're going to read 2 Kings 5 this week, I think. 00:07:26.479 --> 00:07:30.779 So when you read it on Tuesday or Wednesday, hopefully you'll remember this. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:35.659 Now the context here is Israel and Syria have been at each other. 00:07:35.799 --> 00:07:39.899 Okay, the end of Kings, Syria is constantly a thorn in Israel's flesh. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:40.839 They're attacking them. 00:07:41.279 --> 00:07:44.240 They are a real bother to Israel. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:46.199 And so in verse 1 we read this. 00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:50.900 Naaman is the commander of the army of the king of Syria. 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:55.019 He was a great man with his master and in high favor. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:58.460 Because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:01.620 He was a mighty man of valor. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:03.460 Okay, so who is Naaman? 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.100 Naaman is the commander of the army of Syria. 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:08.600 Okay, he's a very powerful man. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:09.900 He's a very influential man. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:11.759 He's probably a wealthy man. 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:14.699 He's attained high status in society. 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.639 He's a very important position of society. 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:20.740 He has great authority, great influence. 00:08:21.120 --> 00:08:22.420 Maybe he's very feared. 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:24.120 People, everybody knows. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:27.379 His number plate is number one in Syria. 00:08:27.680 --> 00:08:28.800 Okay, what is that word? 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:30.159 Yokgar, is that right? 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:31.240 Yokgar. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:33.080 Okay, something like that. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.120 Sorry my pronunciation. 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.559 Yokgar, is that right? 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:38.139 Okay, he's the chief of police. 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:42.699 He's the commander of the armies of Syria. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:44.979 And it says he's a great man. 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:46.299 He's in favor with the king. 00:08:46.939 --> 00:08:50.179 God gave them victory over Israel, which that's a whole other story. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:53.199 He's respected not only by people but by the king. 00:08:53.599 --> 00:08:55.099 He's a man of courage. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:09:02.319 In other words, here's a man who's the most powerful man and probably the most powerful army in the modern world in that day and age. 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:02.559 Right? 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.239 But he has a problem. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.719 Look at the end of verse one. 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:09.319 He's a mighty man of valor, but he is a leper. 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:11.359 He suffers from leprosy. 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:14.699 Leprosy in the old days, it could have been leprosy as we know. 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:16.279 It could have been any other skin disease. 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:18.659 In other words, he's a very sick man. 00:09:19.319 --> 00:09:20.759 Things are not going well for him. 00:09:21.339 --> 00:09:23.739 Maybe it is leprosy as we know. 00:09:23.859 --> 00:09:28.339 His body is going to fall apart slowly, limb by limb. 00:09:28.819 --> 00:09:29.859 There is no cure. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:34.480 His body is going to waste away until eventually his body gives up and he's going to die. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.940 So he's an unhealthy man. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:40.039 But God in his kindness has provided a way for him to get healed. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:40.800 Look at verse two. 00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:45.940 Now the Syrians in one of their raids had carried a little girl from the land of Israel. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:49.399 And she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:51.360 She said to her mistress, 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:55.539 Would that my lord Naaman were with the prophet who is in Samaria. 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:57.740 He would cure him of his leprosy. 00:09:58.300 --> 00:09:59.100 Okay, so that's amazing. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:01.100 Syria goes to attack Israel. 00:10:01.680 --> 00:10:03.899 They, I guess like happened a year ago, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:06.060 they take a whole lot of people as hostages. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:11.019 Here they take a little girl, a young girl, back to Syria as a, 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.840 they traffic her, right? 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:17.620 And now she's working in the house of Naaman's wife as a servant. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:21.860 And she, rather than resenting Naaman and says, 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.740 Oh, this is God getting back at him. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:25.720 She decides to help him. 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.780 She offers a suggestion. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:27.379 She says, 00:10:27.700 --> 00:10:31.000 Naaman needs to go to Israel and find the prophet Elisha. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:33.259 He will cure him of his sickness. 00:10:34.040 --> 00:10:35.139 I mean, that's amazing grace. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:36.860 I would not want to say anything like that, 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:38.879 but that's amazing grace. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:41.139 But what's amazing here is, 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:43.019 here is a young girl. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.220 She's never commanded an army. 00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:48.779 She doesn't have the ear of the king as Naaman does. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:50.879 She's not powerful and influential. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.500 She's just a simple young girl. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.179 We don't even know her name. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:56.659 She's never accomplished anything great in her life. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:59.980 Yet she knows something that Naaman, 00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:03.279 for all his education, all his status, all his prestige, 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:04.700 all his success, 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:06.460 she knows something that he doesn't know. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:09.040 She knows what really matters. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:12.660 Because she knows who the one true God is. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:15.060 She knows nothing's impossible for him. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:17.820 And most importantly, she knows how to find him. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.700 She knows that you've got to go to Israel. 00:11:20.800 --> 00:11:22.240 If you go there, you will find him. 00:11:22.780 --> 00:11:23.980 And you will find grace. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.139 If only Naaman were with Elisha, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.460 he would be cured. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.740 And so Naaman makes a plan, right? 00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:32.240 He goes to Israel to get his healing. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.500 By whatever means possible, 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.019 he is going to sort himself out. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:36.840 And so look what happens. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.379 Verse 4. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:40.480 Naaman went in and he told his lord, the king, 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:43.279 this is what the young girl from the land of Israel said. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.679 And so the king says, 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:47.960 go, I will send a letter to the king of Israel. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:48.399 Okay? 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.240 What do you think that letter is going to say? 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.899 So here's the superpower, 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.360 the powerful ones. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.579 They have like conquered and attacked 00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:57.100 and they're constantly attacking Israel. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.639 He's going to send a letter. 00:11:59.199 --> 00:12:01.740 The letter is not going to be a polite letter, right? 00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:03.019 It's going to be a threatening one. 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:04.720 Sort out my man. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.000 Otherwise, you're a dead man. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:06.360 Okay? 00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.300 So he comes with his threats. 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.120 Look at verse 6. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:11.399 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.259 which read, 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.940 When this letter reaches you, 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.500 know that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:18.360 that you may cure him of his leprosy. 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:20.680 When the king of Israel read the letter, 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:21.960 he tore his clothes. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:22.279 He said, 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.000 Am I God? 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:24.879 Am I able to kill or make alive 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.680 that this man sends words to me 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:28.019 to cure him of his leprosy? 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:31.620 Consider how this man is seeking a quarrel with me. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.139 Okay? 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.539 So what's he done? 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:35.299 Naaman's gone with his letter 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.600 and essentially the letter said, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.560 Sort out my commander, 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:40.220 otherwise we're going to attack you. 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:40.480 Right? 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.519 It's a threat. 00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.679 But if that doesn't work, 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:44.840 Naaman's got another option. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.720 Look at verse 5. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.340 He says, 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:46.980 So he went, 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:47.799 taking with him 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:49.419 ten talents of silver, 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.700 six thousand shekels of gold, 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:53.799 and ten changes of clothing. 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:54.980 So in other words, 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.899 if he can't threaten him, 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.720 he's going to bribe him. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:57.279 Okay? 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:59.480 If the stick doesn't work, 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.360 he has a carrot. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:03.120 He has six thousand shekels of gold. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:03.439 Right? 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:06.419 You see what Naaman's doing here? 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.100 He has a need. 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:08.419 Right? 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:09.759 He is sick. 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.459 He's unwell. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:11.199 He's dying. 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.000 He's told there's a way 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.159 to sort out his need. 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.559 There's a man of God in Samaria. 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:18.439 So he utilizes all his resources. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.839 He taps the king on the shoulder. 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:22.179 He brings his money and his wealth. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.579 He brings his army. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.980 He utilizes all his resources. 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.659 He threatens. 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:27.460 He coerces. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.480 He tries to bribe. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.879 Whatever means possible, 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:31.360 if there's a problem, 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.420 he's going to fix it. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.039 He's going to solve it. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.180 But there is a problem. 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.379 The problem that Naaman has, 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.779 no human being can fix. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.180 No one can solve his problem. 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:44.899 No one can give Naaman what he needs. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.720 Verse 7. 00:13:45.800 --> 00:13:46.500 The king says, 00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:49.899 Am I God that I can kill this man 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:51.279 or heal him or make him alive? 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.519 See friends, 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.899 the storyline of the Bible 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:57.100 is that from beginning to end, 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:59.779 God tells us that life and flourishing 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.059 and wholeness, 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.559 the things that we truly need 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.939 are always, always, 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.659 only found in him. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.539 They're found in living 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:09.340 in true and genuine dependence, 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.340 reliance upon him. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.240 No human being, 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:13.779 no amount of money, 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.539 no career progression, 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.539 no boyfriend or girlfriend 00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.480 or husband or wife, 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.579 no children. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.340 Nothing in this world 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.680 will give you the flourishing, 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.820 the wholeness, 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.920 the satisfaction, 00:14:25.420 --> 00:14:27.340 the life that we long for 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:27.920 and need. 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.740 And those things can be 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.480 great blessings. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.980 We praise God for those things. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.840 Even our enemies, right? 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.100 We can praise God for them. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:38.020 But nothing in this world 00:14:38.020 --> 00:14:39.340 will satisfy our hearts. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.040 Remember Augustine said, 00:14:41.160 --> 00:14:42.340 You have made us for yourself, 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:42.740 O Lord. 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:44.840 Our hearts will always be restless 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:47.080 until we find our rest in you. 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:50.560 And so from our very earliest forefathers, 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.060 Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:54.940 to being delivered from Egypt and slavery, 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.500 through walking in the wilderness, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:58.379 to getting into the promised land, 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.700 to living under the kingship 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.940 of David and Solomon, 00:15:01.180 --> 00:15:02.980 to going into exile in Babylon, 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:05.400 to Christ coming and following Jesus, 00:15:05.520 --> 00:15:06.840 to living in the book of Acts 00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:07.860 as the disciples, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.759 all the way through to the new creation, 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.580 this life is marked by living 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:14.220 in humble dependence, 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:15.720 reliance, 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:18.120 confidence in Him, 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.960 not in ourselves. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.780 That's what the great temptation 00:15:22.780 --> 00:15:23.960 in the Garden of Eden was, right? 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:25.480 Remember Satan says to Eve 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.360 and to Adam, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.580 You don't need God. 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.639 Why don't you need Him? 00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.220 If you eat this fruit, 00:15:31.280 --> 00:15:32.300 it will make you wise. 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.879 You will become like God. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.100 You will know right from wrong. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.220 You can make decisions. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.120 You will have infinite wisdom. 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:40.900 You don't need His restraints, 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.579 His rules. 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.199 Be your own God. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:44.980 Well, think of how, 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.159 in Numbers 13, 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.199 God says, 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.120 Go into the promised land. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.600 The people say, 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.679 No, no, it's too hard. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.539 We can't do it. 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.480 And then eventually, 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:52.360 they change their mind and say, 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.159 Okay, we'll go. 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:53.639 We'll go. 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.720 We'll do it in our own strength. 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.240 And God says, 00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:56.220 You're in deep trouble. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.759 You're doing your own strength. 00:15:57.840 --> 00:15:58.659 You are finished. 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:02.579 Well, Saul in Samuel 15, right? 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.799 Samuel says to him, 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.899 Wait here for the Lord. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.819 Wait for God. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.960 He will go before you. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:10.059 But God's taking quite a long time. 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.379 And so Saul says, 00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.619 Ach, I'll just do it on my own. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.119 Come on, I'll offer the sacrifice. 00:16:14.239 --> 00:16:14.819 We'll go ahead. 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.839 And it ends in disaster. 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.819 It's the end of His kingdom. 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:21.099 Think of Proverbs 3, verse 5. 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:23.259 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:25.399 Lean not on your own understanding. 00:16:25.619 --> 00:16:27.959 That's God's call to us, right? 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:29.979 Well, Jeremiah 9, 23. 00:16:29.979 --> 00:16:30.939 Thus says the Lord, 00:16:31.459 --> 00:16:33.539 Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.979 Let not the mighty man boast in his strength. 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:38.959 Let not the rich man boast in his riches. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:41.200 But let him who boasts boast in this, 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:43.400 That he knows and understands me, 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:45.560 That I am the Lord, 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:48.420 The God who practices love and justice and righteousness. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.379 Well, here's one more. 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.780 John 15, 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.620 I am the vine. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.560 You are the branches. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.800 Whoever abides in me, 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.800 And I am him. 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.879 They bear fruit. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.800 Apart from me, 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.900 You can do nothing. 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.100 We could say, 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.220 Spend all day here, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.680 Just quoting scripture after scripture. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.420 The storyline of the Bible, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.779 From beginning to end, 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:10.120 Is life is found in dependence on him. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.380 Apart from him, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.200 We wither and we die. 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:14.980 Friends, 00:17:15.060 --> 00:17:15.880 God is the creator. 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:17.000 We are creature. 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:19.340 God is self-sufficient. 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.100 We are vulnerable and needy. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.640 God is self-existing. 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.680 We are God-reliant. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.140 God has life in him. 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:28.820 We find life as we are united to him. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:31.079 That's how the world was created. 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:33.039 God designed the world, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.259 So that as we are plugged into him, 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.319 Dependent upon him, 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.039 And reliant on him, 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.019 We find life. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.500 And apart from him, 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:41.179 Life fades away. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.899 It saps out. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.079 It drips away. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:46.220 And that's why God often brings storms, 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:46.839 And struggles, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.619 And sufferings, 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:49.159 And crises into our life, 00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.419 Right? 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:51.980 God brings these things into our lives. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.839 These are a gift from God. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.119 Yes, 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.879 They suck, 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.740 And they're frustrating. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.200 You're like, 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.480 God, 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.480 Why are you doing this? 00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.500 But actually, 00:17:58.579 --> 00:18:00.759 God brings these storms into our lives, 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.779 To help us, 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.779 To wean us off our self-sufficiency. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.319 Charles Spurgeon said, 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:07.660 I thank my God for the waves, 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:10.099 That drive me onto the rock of Christ. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:11.620 These waves come, 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.019 And you storm tossed. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.259 And what do these waves do? 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:16.620 They should drive us onto the rock of Christ, 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.980 We build our lives on him, 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:21.120 Rather than the shaky foundation of self-sufficiency. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.960 And one of the problems, 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.559 Is that in life, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.799 We tend to think that we've got it all together. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:29.039 And then life goes horribly wrong, 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.299 You get cancer, 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.700 Your child gets sick, 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.659 You lose your job, 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.639 You get relocated, 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:35.599 All those things Niels was praying for, 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.879 And suddenly you realize, 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.519 Oh man, 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.980 I do not have it in control. 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.440 Friends, 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.960 One of the dangers of being young, 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.359 And I know we are a young church, 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.139 When you're young, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.159 You think you're invincible, 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:46.639 Right? 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:48.559 You think you're never going to get old, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.139 You're never going to get stiff, 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.299 On the basketball court, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.359 You can play for like five hours, 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.519 Next day you just bounce back, 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.119 No problem, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.039 Right, Gunnar? 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:59.099 And then one day, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:01.220 But one of the blessings of getting old, 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.159 Like me, 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.519 Is that you suddenly realize, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.180 Oh actually, 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.019 I'm not invincible, 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.460 Right? 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:07.720 We are a young church, 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.619 And one of the dangers, 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.859 Is that we think that, 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:11.680 We can handle life on our own. 00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:12.180 Friends, 00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.899 Can I ask us, 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.559 As a church, 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:15.139 Don't waste our suffering. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.420 Hey, 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.960 Storms, 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:17.399 Suffering, 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.940 Crises, 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.480 Challenges, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.399 They're going to come our way, 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.059 They are a gift from God. 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:22.779 It's like God taking us, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.779 When we're blind by the hand, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:23.960 Saying, 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.639 Let me lead you, 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:24.859 Come, 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:26.720 Let me show you the path to life. 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.019 They're like, 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.619 Suffering is like glasses, 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.240 That help us to see reality. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.980 If you've never had glasses, 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:35.440 And the world's blurry, 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.460 Suddenly put in glasses, 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:36.779 You think, 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.159 Wow, 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.920 I can see, 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.660 Suffering does that, 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.279 It helps us, 00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:41.600 And that's what Naaman is discovering, 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:41.840 Right? 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.000 He's this wealthy, 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:43.660 Powerful, 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.519 Influential man, 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.980 He's used to getting what he wants, 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.259 Through bribery, 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.040 Coercion, 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:48.920 Threatening, 00:19:49.040 --> 00:19:49.900 Whatever it is, 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.900 And suddenly, 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:52.080 His life is threatened, 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.980 And he realizes, 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.019 He's not invincible. 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.140 He is not God. 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.700 But God is not done with him, 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.500 Because God, 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.320 In his grace, 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.300 Is still at work. 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.460 Naaman has not yet realized, 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:05.240 The secret of dependence upon God, 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:06.360 But God wants to help him. 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.219 So in his kindness, 00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:07.919 And his mercy, 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:10.279 He brings this pagan worshipper, 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.699 To his knees, 00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.699 And he brings him to the living God. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.419 So look what happens in verse 8 here. 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.099 I love this part. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.699 Verse 8. 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:20.259 So Naaman has gone to Israel, 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.139 He's threatened the king, 00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:23.419 He's tried to bribe the king, 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:25.119 But it's not working. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.679 But Elisha, 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.819 Hears that Naaman is in Israel. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.159 Okay? 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.439 Maybe God speaks to him. 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.019 It says, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.719 When Elisha, 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.379 The man of God, 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:33.799 Heard that the king of Israel, 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:35.319 Had torn his clothes, 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:35.799 Okay? 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.720 Good thing Naaman brought, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.879 A change of 10, 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.079 10 changes of clothing. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.440 Okay? 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:41.079 He sent word to the king, 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.500 And he said, 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:43.440 Why have you torn your clothes? 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.240 And now, 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:46.139 Torn your clothes is a sign of like, 00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:46.980 Desperation. 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.180 Like, 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.519 Oh, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:47.799 What? 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.779 I can't do this, 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:48.960 Right? 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.159 Why have you done this? 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:52.319 Send Naaman to me, 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.619 That he may know, 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.859 That there is a prophet in Israel. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:55.919 So, 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.720 Naaman saddles up his horses, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.579 And his chariots, 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.460 And he goes down to Elisha, 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.859 And he stood at Elisha's door. 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.619 But, 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.699 Elisha doesn't come out to meet him. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.019 What does Elisha do? 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.919 He sends a messenger. 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:09.919 He sends a servant. 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.159 So, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.339 Elisha stays indoors, 00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.720 And he sends his servant. 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:12.980 He says, 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:13.879 A messenger, 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.879 Just go tell Naaman what to do. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.179 Right? 00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.059 Verse 10, 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.039 Elisha sent his messenger saying, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:19.899 And Naaman, 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:22.699 Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.639 And your flesh will be restored. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.899 You shall be clean. 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:27.640 Verse 11, 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:30.259 But Naaman was angry, 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.180 And he went away saying, 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:32.980 Behold, 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:35.100 I thought that this prophet guy, 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.460 Would surely come out, 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.240 And stand, 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:39.160 And call upon the name of the Lord his God, 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.500 And wave his hands, 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.460 And over this place, 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.660 And cure the leprosy. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.860 Are not Abana and Papa, 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:46.320 The rivers of Damascus, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:49.060 Better than all the waters of this stupid place, 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.480 God Israel? 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.800 Couldn't I wash in them and be clean? 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.120 So he turned, 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:55.660 And went away in a rage. 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.019 Okay, 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:58.540 So Naaman's come to Israel, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.940 Elisha's told him what to do, 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.960 And he's offended. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.259 He's angry. 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.700 He leaves in a rage. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.640 He's angry. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:07.480 Things are not going well for him. 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.519 And throughout the story, 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.680 Do you see what's going on here? 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:12.960 God is trying to help Naaman see, 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:15.620 It's not his strength that's God interested in, 00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.640 It's his weakness. 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.820 It's not his abilities, 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.160 Or his power, 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.420 Or his reputation, 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.340 Or his fame, 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:24.300 Or anything that Naaman's got. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.639 That's not what God's interested in. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.639 What God's really interested in, 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.399 Is his weakness, 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.899 His need, 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:31.419 His dependence. 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.619 Look at how the story unfolds. 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.039 First, 00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:35.720 It's a young servant girl, 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:37.399 Not the great doctors of Syria, 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.639 That tell Naaman, 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.519 How he's going to get healed. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.639 Secondly, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:42.440 When Naaman saddles up his war horse, 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.460 And he goes to Israel, 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.980 He goes to the king's palace, 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.480 Because that's where important people go, 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.819 And that's where solutions are found. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:49.339 But the king can't help him. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.500 It's some little prophet down the road, 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.299 That's going to help him. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.579 And eventually he goes to Elisha, 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:56.480 And he expects the prophet Elisha, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.240 Is going to come out, 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.359 And greet him, 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.279 And go through this whole ceremony, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:02.500 But Elisha just sends his servant. 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:04.279 He doesn't even come out and greet him. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.899 And then finally, 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.019 When he's told what to do, 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.680 He thinks, 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.059 Okay, 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:09.460 It's going to be this wonderful ceremony, 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.379 And there's going to be bells, 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.859 And whistles, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.559 And smoke, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:13.240 And we're going to go through this whole thing, 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.279 And God's going to heal me. 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:17.139 And it's just as simple as going down to the river, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.099 And taking a bath. 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:21.099 And it's not even the great rivers of Syria, 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.839 These majestic rivers, 00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.859 It's some of the back waters of Israel. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.639 And he's offended, 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.559 And he's angry, 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.299 Because he thinks, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:28.700 God, 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:28.940 You, 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:29.720 Elisha, 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.920 You treat him like a child. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:31.960 I mean, 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.700 That's one of the things, 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:32.899 Right? 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.259 Anybody can go into, 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.559 The river. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:36.119 One of my little soldiers, 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:37.480 A little private can go in the river. 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.660 A child can go in the river. 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.559 That doesn't require anything great. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:41.660 Elisha, 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.960 Give me something great to do. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:44.799 Tell me to slay a dragon. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.859 Tell me to swim through fire and water, 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.660 And fire and ice. 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.879 Give me something profound, 00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:50.660 Something difficult that I can do, 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.200 To prove my worth. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.599 How much money do you want? 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.500 Do you want a billion dollars? 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:54.779 Okay, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.460 That I can do. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.379 You want me to charge that mountain? 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:57.759 Okay, 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.460 That I can do. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.559 But to go swim in the river? 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.359 Anyone can do that. 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:05.399 You see, 00:24:05.479 --> 00:24:05.659 Friends, 00:24:05.699 --> 00:24:07.240 What God is trying to show Naaman here, 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.479 And if we have eyes to see it, 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.059 We'll see it. 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.599 Naaman's got a problem. 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:12.099 It's not just the leprosy of his skin, 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.319 It's the leprosy of his heart, 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.619 Right? 00:24:14.459 --> 00:24:15.659 The problem of his heart, 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.339 Is pride and self-sufficiency. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.559 It's pride and arrogance. 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:21.419 It's not just his body, 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.219 That needs restoration. 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.679 It's his inner heart, 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.659 That needs to be healed. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:28.000 Naaman is affected with self-importance, 00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.000 With entitlement, 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:31.000 A sense of superiority, 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:32.860 And it's killing him. 00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.380 And friends, 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.360 Just like leprosy, 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:37.420 Self-importance and pride, 00:24:37.560 --> 00:24:39.140 And self-reliance, 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.100 And self-sufficiency, 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:42.300 Makes our hearts not work properly. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.519 It damages our relationships. 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.779 Right? 00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:47.460 It destroys our relationships. 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:47.820 Friends, 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.640 How many of us here, 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:51.640 Have a trail of broken relationships, 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.380 Behind us? 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.180 Everywhere we go, 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.060 There's conflict. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.140 There's issues. 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.020 Why is it? 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.500 John says, 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.960 It's not because we're very humble, 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:00.540 And gracious. 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.040 It's because the leprosy of our hearts, 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:04.320 Has made us self-righteous. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:06.280 We think we're better than others. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.900 And this leprosy is, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.360 Like the leprosy of skin, 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.140 It's incurable. 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:13.420 You think you can sort yourself out, 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.500 And you will die. 00:25:15.020 --> 00:25:16.080 It will kill us. 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.780 Undealt with, 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.560 It will kill you. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.500 It is destructive, 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.480 It's far-reaching, 00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:21.260 It's incurable, 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.000 It's fateful, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.740 It's fatal. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.859 None of us are immune from it. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:27.220 All of us can catch it. 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:28.920 Friends, 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.940 It will kill our relationships, 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.980 It will kill our community, 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.640 It will destroy watermark. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.059 It will eat us from the inside out. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.460 And so twice in the scripture, 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.900 It says that Naaman is angry. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.319 He's angry with Elisha, 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:43.839 Because Elisha told him the solution to his problem, 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:44.960 But it's not what he thought. 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.799 He wants something great, 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.559 And Elisha says, 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.160 You've got to come to the end of yourself. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:52.200 Sally Lloyd-Jones, 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:54.120 Who wrote the Jesus Storybook Bible, 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.360 It got the best light. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.120 She says this, 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:58.640 All Naaman needed was nothing, 00:25:59.040 --> 00:26:01.380 But nothing was the one thing he didn't have. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.960 Isn't that profound? 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.900 He had the money, 00:26:05.340 --> 00:26:06.259 He had the change of clothes, 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:08.140 He had 6,000 talents of gold, 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.539 He has the authority, 00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.700 He has the letter from the king, 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.840 He's got an army behind him, 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:13.259 He's got everything he needs. 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:14.460 There's only one thing he needs. 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.640 He needs nothing. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.480 But it's the one thing he doesn't have. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.380 And so he's stuck. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:22.420 But look what happens next. 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.280 Naaman is offended, 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:23.960 He's insulted, 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.580 He's angry, 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.880 He gets on his war horse, 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.440 And he's ready to ride away, 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:30.420 And leave any hope of healing and restoration. 00:26:30.780 --> 00:26:32.420 See, it's not leprosy that's going to kill him, 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.860 It's pride and self-sufficiency. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.000 That's what's going to kill Naaman. 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.800 But verse 13, 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.040 His servants came near and said to him, 00:26:39.040 --> 00:26:39.380 Master, 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:41.900 If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.940 Would you not have done it? 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.300 How much more now than when he says, 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.920 Simply wash and be clean. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.480 So they convince him. 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.660 Verse 14, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:52.060 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the river, 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.480 Seven times in the Jordan, 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:55.400 According to the word of the man of God, 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:57.240 And his flesh was restored, 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.860 Like the flesh of a little child, 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.440 And he was clean. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.440 And in the rest of the story, 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.400 We don't have time to go through it, 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.160 The rest of the story, 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.740 Naaman is not just healed, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.940 He's saved. 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:09.279 He goes home with new faith, 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.539 He goes home a different man. 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.840 Before he's superstitious, 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:13.880 Now he goes home with faith. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.160 He believes that God has healed, 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.200 And God changes him. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.279 He goes back to Syria, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:21.019 As a worshipper of God. 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.960 And in verse 15 it says, 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:23.680 He says, 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:26.800 Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.920 But the God of Israel. 00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.220 And it's actually amazing, 00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:31.080 He goes back and he says to Elisha, 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:31.380 He says, 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:31.700 Elisha, 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.480 I'm going to have a problem, 00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:35.000 Because my king is going to make me worship, 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.259 In Dagon's temple, 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:38.180 The temple of the God of Syria, 00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:38.480 Right? 00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.200 But he says, 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:41.000 But I know that actually God alone, 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:41.740 Your God, 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.000 God, 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.420 Yahweh, 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.259 He's the one true God. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.640 What do I do? 00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:47.060 And it's an interesting story, 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:48.300 But he comes up with a way of saying, 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:50.140 Even when I'm in Dagon's temple, 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.200 I'm going to worship God. 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.080 On my knees, 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.600 I'm going to be saying, 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.300 Yahweh, 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.400 You alone are God. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.880 But the point here is, 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.400 Naaman, 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.600 He's not just superstitious, 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.600 He's changed. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.880 He's got faith. 00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.420 God has saved him. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.539 He changes his entire life. 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:07.899 You see, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.059 Before he comes to Elisha, 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:10.500 To save his reputation, 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.700 To save his career, 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.259 To save his wealth, 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.619 Now he goes back to Syria, 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.119 A worshipper of God, 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.759 At great cost to his reputation, 00:28:18.379 --> 00:28:19.519 Great cost to his wealth, 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:22.159 Great cost to his career, 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.359 And everything that he is. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.960 He comes out of the waters, 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.619 A new man, 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:27.299 And it's all by grace. 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:29.359 Naaman hasn't done a single thing. 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.960 He hasn't paid any money, 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.799 He hasn't earned it, 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:32.680 He hasn't achieved it, 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.740 He hasn't deserved it, 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:35.339 He's left his chariots, 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.259 And his money behind. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.160 In fact, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.480 It's the problem, 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.920 That he's wanted to earn it. 00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:41.259 That's been the problem all along. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.140 And as long as he held on, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.480 To his pride and his reputation, 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.700 He was dead in the water. 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:47.940 At the moment, 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.759 He's willing to let go, 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.019 And say, 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.599 Okay God, 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.839 I'll do things your way. 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.859 He gets saved, 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.559 He gets healed. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.099 Okay friends, 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.839 So what about us? 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.940 What is God saying to us, 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.660 As a church family? 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.460 This whole weekend, 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.279 We've been talking about, 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.500 Dependence upon God. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.319 We want to grow, 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.620 And reliance upon him. 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:06.900 Let our self-sufficiency die, 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.160 Become more God dependent. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.680 And friends, 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:11.120 We often say this, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.500 You know, 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:12.660 John 3.30, 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.140 I think it is, 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.059 John the Baptist says, 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.460 He sees Jesus and says, 00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:15.859 He, 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.180 Jesus must increase, 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.059 I must decrease. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.019 For us as a church, 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.620 He, 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:21.640 Christ must increase, 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.380 We must decrease. 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.759 And especially the leaders, 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.019 The elders here, 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.359 We must decrease, 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.299 More of him. 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.720 More of Christ. 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.059 We must become more dependent, 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.120 Reliant upon him, 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:33.319 Less reliant and dependent upon us. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.960 I think that's going to be, 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:36.299 One of the great things about sabbatical, 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.559 With me going away, 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.460 And Jeremy leaving, 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:39.400 We're going to be, 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:41.859 As Watermark just goes forward, 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.920 Without a blip, 00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:44.120 We're going to all be under, 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.599 There's going to be no illusions, 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.680 About who leads Watermark, 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:46.940 Right? 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.980 His name is Jesus. 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.680 And I'm not going to be here, 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.579 Jeremy's not going to be here, 00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.680 And Watermark's going to go on, 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.519 Just perfectly. 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.559 And everyone's going to realize, 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:53.980 Oh yeah, 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:55.400 Kevin doesn't do that much around here, 00:29:55.460 --> 00:29:55.759 Actually, 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:56.980 It's all Jesus, 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:57.319 Right? 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:59.259 Maybe I won't have a job after it, 00:29:59.259 --> 00:29:59.500 You're going, 00:29:59.559 --> 00:29:59.700 Oh, 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.679 Why do we even need this guy, 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:00.899 Man? 00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:02.899 Okay. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:04.960 Friends, 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.519 He must increase, 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.299 Jesus does not need, 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.899 Our brilliance, 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.419 Our power, 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.039 Our connections, 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.980 What he's looking for, 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:12.700 Is humble dependence upon him, 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:14.759 For us to bring our nothing, 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:16.460 So that he can fill us, 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.519 With his power and his grace. 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.480 Just, 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:20.740 Three more minutes, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:22.079 One of the areas, 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.259 Where I think we really want to grow, 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:25.120 And I'm really excited about this, 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.240 Is for us to grow, 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.539 In mission and evangelism, 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.519 To grow, 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.920 For us to grow as a church, 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.819 Where we see many, 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.680 Many people saved, 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.640 I'm so excited, 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:34.079 As I even look across the room, 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.339 A bunch of people, 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.620 Who have come to faith in, 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.220 In Christ, 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.859 In Watermark, 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:38.660 The last few years, 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.519 I saw Raph earlier, 00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:42.500 And I saw Alfred earlier, 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.200 And Jack, 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.700 And those are just, 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:46.339 In the last recent few years, 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.620 Raph, 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.799 Who were we talking with yesterday? 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.140 Jeff, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.420 Yeah, 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.160 Jeff also, 00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.200 About two years ago, 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.580 Or so, 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.700 So many people, 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.039 It's one of my, 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:58.039 It's one of my best things, 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:58.700 About Watermark, 00:30:59.120 --> 00:31:00.340 Is that people are coming to faith, 00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:00.880 All the time, 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.039 And yet, 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.180 One of my greatest prayers, 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.120 And our prayers as leaders, 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.860 Is God may you multiply, 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.779 We want to see, 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:09.200 Hundreds and hundreds of people, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:11.100 Coming to know Jesus Christ, 00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.019 As king and savior, 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.340 And friends, 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.800 I know that, 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.060 There's some of us here this morning, 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:16.019 That are not Christians, 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.740 I'm so glad that you're here, 00:31:17.820 --> 00:31:19.080 It's so great to have you here, 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:20.320 You're not yet to follow, 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:20.740 Of Jesus, 00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:21.720 Friends, 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.319 We want you to know, 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.299 We long, 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.379 We long for you, 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.480 To come to a place, 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.200 Where like Naaman, 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:28.179 You realize, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:29.500 The only thing you need, 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.480 Is to get on your knees, 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.419 It's the only thing you have, 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.939 Is your nothing, 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.619 Your money means nothing, 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.599 Your wisdom, 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.619 Your self-sufficiency, 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.639 Can't save you, 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:38.140 Your brilliance, 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.700 Your career, 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.320 Your success, 00:31:39.320 --> 00:31:40.000 Your status, 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.560 No, 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:42.180 They're not going to do anything for you, 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.640 The only way, 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.780 That you are going to get saved, 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.160 The only way, 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.180 That you're going to find life, 00:31:46.280 --> 00:31:46.640 The only way, 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.780 You're going to spend all eternity, 00:31:47.780 --> 00:31:48.300 With God, 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:50.060 Is to know that Christ is king, 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.520 And to bow down your knee, 00:31:51.540 --> 00:31:52.080 Before him, 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.559 And we long for that, 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.439 That to happen, 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.619 That Jesus is not just a good example, 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.659 He went to the cross, 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.220 To die, 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.240 To take our sin, 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:01.059 In our place, 00:32:01.699 --> 00:32:02.399 So that he can, 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.599 And then he rose again, 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.839 So we can rise with him, 00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.639 For all eternity, 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:07.539 We want you to know that, 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.519 And to trust that, 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.399 And to be saved, 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.379 And to be born again, 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:12.059 And to surrender to him, 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:13.399 Friends, 00:32:13.419 --> 00:32:14.439 You don't need to bring your, 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:15.299 Track record, 00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:15.859 Or your goodness, 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.619 Or your perfection, 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.220 You just need to bring your, 00:32:18.359 --> 00:32:18.939 Honest dependence, 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.559 Your need, 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.980 We want you to like Naaman, 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.279 And say, 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.759 God I need you, 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.039 Forgive me, 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.240 I want to find life, 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.819 In your name, 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.620 But for all of us, 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.620 Who are part of Watermark, 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:32.140 I think the next few years, 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.480 Are going to be so exciting, 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.819 I am so excited, 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.980 To come back from, 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:36.819 Sabbatical, 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.740 I think the next few years, 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.079 Are going to be amazing years, 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:39.799 And God's going to do, 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.759 Wonderful things, 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:42.120 But our confidence, 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.980 Can't be in ourselves, 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.740 We need to get smaller, 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.940 And he needs to get bigger, 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:48.220 And so just as we close, 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:50.440 What does a dependent church look like? 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.500 Hey just three, 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.480 Very simple things, 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:54.319 A church that is full of humility, 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.279 And repentance, 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.279 We've been talking about this, 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:56.940 A lot recently, 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.900 We can't take ourselves, 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.500 We're not taking ourselves, 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.160 Too seriously, 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.160 We're not taking our reputation, 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:03.980 Our ego, 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.500 Too seriously, 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.519 We are willing to lose face, 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.980 Lower ourselves, 00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.200 Maybe even look foolish, 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.140 For the sake of walking, 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.220 And faith and obedience, 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.819 Where we are, 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.920 Full of humility, 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:15.819 And repentance, 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.119 Secondly, 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:18.680 A church that is full of prayer, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.000 We've spoken about this a lot, 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.099 But Leonard Ravenhill, 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:23.599 Was this American revivalist preacher, 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.700 And one of the things he used to say is, 00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.460 A church that is not praying, 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.980 Is simply playing, 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.980 Either we're playing games, 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.759 Or we're on our knees, 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.839 Thank God we need you, 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.140 Right, 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:34.240 And so everything we do, 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.940 Must be saturated with prayer, 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:37.519 You meet up with a friend for coffee, 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:37.880 At the end, 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.839 Hey how can I pray for you, 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.920 Let me pray for you right now, 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:42.619 Someone says they're going through a hard time, 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:43.380 Don't just say, 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.339 Hey here's some advice, 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.279 No pray for them, 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:45.559 Right, 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.960 You start CG, 00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:47.779 Start with prayer, 00:33:47.899 --> 00:33:48.319 End with prayer, 00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.259 Everything we do, 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:51.779 We must be saturated with prayer, 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:53.700 And then I can just encourage you, 00:33:54.700 --> 00:33:56.039 The Thursday night prayer meeting, 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.940 Is one of the best church meetings, 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.619 In the whole month, 00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.399 Okay, 00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.460 Here's a brief confession, 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.599 Every Thursday, 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.619 At about five o'clock, 00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.779 I feel like, 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:04.619 Or not every Thursday, 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.639 The first Thursday of the month, 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.379 I feel like, 00:34:07.139 --> 00:34:08.779 I don't know if I feel like this, 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.059 Okay, 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.759 Just confession, 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.579 Don't tell anyone, 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.460 Just keep this between me and you, 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:12.740 Okay, 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.820 Often on Thursday afternoon, 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.639 It's the end of the week, 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.019 I'm like, 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:17.400 Okay, 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:19.440 I'm not sure if I feel like this, 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:21.039 But by 930, 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.280 Oh man, 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:24.240 I am pumped and ready to change the world, 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:24.820 It's like, 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.340 Come on, 00:34:26.220 --> 00:34:28.000 Prayer meeting is the best meeting, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:28.840 In the whole month, 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.079 Okay, 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:30.599 I really encourage you to come, 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.519 It's amazing, 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.079 It will build your faith, 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:33.780 And encourage you, 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.960 Lastly, 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.800 A church which is full of faith, 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.220 Courage and risk taking, 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:40.059 Our confidence is not in ourselves, 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.860 Our confidence is in the promises of God, 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:43.320 God's made these amazing promises, 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:45.160 We can stand on those promises, 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:46.380 I loved what our young said, 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.680 Taking risks, 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:49.740 Being bold, 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:51.940 Doing things that maybe don't make logical sense, 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.519 In some ways, 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:54.539 But God is with us, 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.720 So friends, 00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:57.640 Let's not bring our A game, 00:34:57.800 --> 00:34:58.920 Let's not bring our strength, 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:01.200 Let's not bring our best fight to the fight, 00:35:01.620 --> 00:35:02.400 What do we bring? 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.760 Let's bring our honest weakness, 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.340 Let's bring our need, 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:06.900 Let's bring our nothing, 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:07.360 And saying, 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.680 God, 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.559 We need you, 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.320 You are God and we are not, 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.559 Have your way, 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:13.059 Hey, 00:35:13.140 --> 00:35:13.740 Why don't we do it now, 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:15.019 Let me close for us in prayer, 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:15.980 And then I'd love to, 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:17.400 For us to just get into groups, 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.900 And think about how to respond, 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.519 Father God, 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.900 Won't you help us as a church, 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.160 Lord, 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:22.400 We, 00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.480 This whole weekend, 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.820 We've been talking about growing, 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.920 As a dependent church, 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:26.960 God, 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.519 This picture on the front of the, 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:30.200 The booklet is, 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:32.220 It's what we want to be, 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.599 Just this guy on his knees, 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.640 And humble dependence upon you, 00:35:36.740 --> 00:35:36.940 God, 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:39.740 May this be the picture of Watermark Church, 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.959 God, 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.899 May we decrease, 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.899 And you increase, 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:43.879 God, 00:35:43.939 --> 00:35:45.299 I pray for more of your spirit, 00:35:45.479 --> 00:35:46.399 More of your power, 00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.939 More of your anointing, 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.939 More of your grace, 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:50.739 God, 00:35:50.819 --> 00:35:51.919 Won't you do in Watermark, 00:35:51.979 --> 00:35:53.619 What we can never ever do, 00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:54.319 In our own strength, 00:35:54.459 --> 00:35:54.639 God, 00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:55.500 We want to confess, 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:55.879 And say, 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.559 We're so sorry, 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.559 For times we've, 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:00.019 Wanted to try and be impressive, 00:36:00.819 --> 00:36:01.379 God, 00:36:01.419 --> 00:36:02.199 As one of the leaders here, 00:36:02.279 --> 00:36:02.839 I confess, 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:04.219 I form that temptation, 00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:04.879 I sometimes, 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.980 I want to look impressive, 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.640 I want to arrange things, 00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:08.420 That we look good, 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.059 I want Watermark, 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.539 To look more successful, 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.400 And bolder, 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.519 And bigger than it is, 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.300 God, 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.059 I confess that, 00:36:16.140 --> 00:36:17.720 That is me wanting to try, 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.599 Human techniques, 00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:21.519 And I forget, 00:36:21.640 --> 00:36:22.440 The power of God, 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.500 Is in God alone, 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:25.140 God and God alone, 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.260 And so God, 00:36:27.340 --> 00:36:28.180 May we decrease, 00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:29.140 May you increase, 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.880 May human leaders, 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.380 Become less and smaller, 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:34.180 May Jesus Christ, 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.980 And the Holy Spirit, 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.700 And God the Father, 00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:36.380 Become bigger, 00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:37.960 In our hearts, 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:38.740 And in our church, 00:36:39.320 --> 00:36:39.619 And God, 00:36:39.680 --> 00:36:40.519 As we decrease, 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.180 And you increase, 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:42.140 We pray God, 00:36:42.220 --> 00:36:43.460 For a mighty harvest, 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:43.700 Lord, 00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.440 We pray that, 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:45.480 Next year, 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.920 Tens of people, 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:48.260 Will come to faith, 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:49.619 Come to know you, 00:36:49.740 --> 00:36:50.340 Bow their knee, 00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.420 And be radical, 00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.960 Radical followers of Jesus, 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:54.380 God, 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:54.820 We pray, 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:55.660 Won't you do this, 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:56.900 In your wonderful, 00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:57.760 And gracious name, 00:36:58.760 --> 00:36:59.059 Amen.