WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:04.700 Well, good morning, everyone. Good morning. Are we well? Good to see you today. 00:00:05.240 --> 00:00:07.940 If you've got your Bibles, turn back to Colossians chapter 3. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:13.060 This is where we're going to be this morning, or this afternoon, rather. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:18.140 And to these verses in Colossians chapter 3 that... 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:21.559 Let me just whet your appetite for today. We're just going to call it today. 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:29.480 So much to teach us about what a church that brings glory to Jesus Christ 00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:31.440 what it looks like. 00:00:32.380 --> 00:00:33.480 What it looks like. 00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:36.000 So much to teach us this morning, and we need God's help. 00:00:36.759 --> 00:00:38.799 So why don't we still our hearts and let's pray together. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:47.920 John chapter 6. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:49.299 So Jesus said to the twelve, 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:51.640 You don't want to go away too, do you? 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:55.019 Simon Peter answered, 00:00:55.420 --> 00:00:58.280 Lord, to whom will we go? 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:02.539 You have the words of eternal life. 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:05.540 And we have come to believe and know 00:01:05.540 --> 00:01:09.240 that You are the Holy One of God. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:12.560 And so, Heavenly Father, it's our prayer this morning 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:16.460 that You would help us fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus, 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:21.620 who has and is the word of eternal life. 00:01:22.520 --> 00:01:25.680 Help us by Your Spirit, we ask in Jesus' precious name. 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:26.540 Amen. 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:29.540 Well, to get us back into Paul's logic, 00:01:30.460 --> 00:01:32.280 the logic that we've seen over the past few weeks, 00:01:32.360 --> 00:01:34.000 let me introduce you to Irene Ritchie. 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:36.600 Anyone met Irene Ritchie before? 00:01:37.700 --> 00:01:38.800 Anyone's met Irene Ritchie before? 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:41.600 I was wondering, there's like 1% of your brain that thinks, 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:42.900 what if Irene Ritchie is here? 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:43.960 But she's not here. 00:01:44.400 --> 00:01:44.820 So there she is. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:47.280 She's a nurse who lives in Broxburn in West Lothian. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:52.820 And in 2005, she was named the Scottish Slimmer of the Year. 00:01:52.819 --> 00:01:54.639 Irene Ritchie. 00:01:55.139 --> 00:01:58.479 Because she lost an incredible nine stone. 00:01:59.339 --> 00:02:04.539 And she dropped from a size 30 to a size 12. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:07.419 Now, I'm not going to stand here and pretend I know what that means, right? 00:02:07.459 --> 00:02:11.060 I'm a guy, and the fashion industry seems to think that we can only think in letters. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:13.579 We've got S, we've got M, and we've got L. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:14.079 That's what? 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:14.419 XL. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:15.019 There's two. 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:20.140 But she has dropped from a size 30 to a size 12. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.260 And I understand from speaking to a few people, but that's quite good going. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:24.640 This is Irene Ritchie. 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:30.379 Here's what I want you to imagine as we begin our time together in Colossians, 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:32.660 that you walk out the doors at the end of today, 00:02:33.480 --> 00:02:35.560 and you walk up the street and you go to the links. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.540 And on the links, you see Irene Ritchie. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:42.760 And you see her, but she's looking pretty odd. 00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:48.979 And what's odd about Irene is that she's still wearing her size 30 clothes. 00:02:50.019 --> 00:02:50.959 Picture that on your heads. 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:55.599 So she's got her belt on the last buckle, trying to hold up her baggy jeans. 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:57.939 She's wearing a t-shirt like it's a duvet cover. 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:00.039 And frankly, she just looks ridiculous. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:03.459 Now, here's what I want to ask you. 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:05.379 What would you say to her? 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:07.459 What would you say to her? 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:10.300 You would say, come on, Irene. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:16.300 New you, new clothes, wouldn't you? 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:18.480 New you, new clothes. 00:03:18.700 --> 00:03:23.100 And that's exactly been, that's been Paul's logic when it comes to the Christian. 00:03:23.200 --> 00:03:27.879 If you remember verses 1 to 4, Paul has said, new you, hasn't he? 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:28.600 New you. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:28.719 New you. 00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:33.780 Jesus Christ, verses 1 to 4, has claimed you for himself. 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:34.500 You are his. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:35.620 This is what he's been saying. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:38.639 He's dealt with all your sin on the cross. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:45.079 Your life is hid in him as he sits at the right hand of the Father. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:52.659 And one day you will gloriously appear with him when he appears and returns in glory. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:57.579 Your life, verses 1 to 4, Christian, has been a total transformation. 00:03:59.079 --> 00:04:00.300 Because you're Christ's. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.139 You are in Christ. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:04.719 It's Paul's favourite description for the life of the Christian. 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:06.439 You should see it all the way through his letters. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.219 It occurs more than 100 times. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:09.340 In Christ. 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:12.219 The old you has been crucified with Christ. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:14.120 And the new you has been raised with him. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:17.519 And Christ is your life. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.459 That's what he's declared. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.480 Doesn't get much more total than that, does it? 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:24.560 But Christ is your life. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:25.240 New you. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:28.920 And because of that, verse 9, follow his logic. 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:32.160 He says, put off the clothes. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:35.000 The behaviour that went with the old you. 00:04:35.080 --> 00:04:35.939 Get rid of the clothes. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:37.960 And verse 10. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:41.480 Put on the clothes that go with the new you. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:45.980 The one saved by and raised with Jesus Christ. 00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:48.780 And the one so important for us to see, verse 10. 00:04:50.300 --> 00:04:54.000 The one that's being renewed in the image of its creator. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:59.540 And so here's the subtle shift that goes on in our verses today. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:04.300 You see, God hasn't just saved individual persons to himself. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:08.160 He's called out a people for his own possession. 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:10.920 A people for his own possession. 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:16.580 In these verses, you'll see Paul's corporate focus all the way through this little section. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:20.480 And it's indicated by that phrase, look for it, one another. 00:05:21.280 --> 00:05:21.840 Do you see it? 00:05:22.280 --> 00:05:22.980 One another. 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:23.860 One another. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:25.580 All the you's in there are plural. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:28.240 So he's talking to the church. 00:05:29.400 --> 00:05:37.800 And he wants them to be a Christ-like counter-cultural community who together are putting off the old and are putting on the new. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.120 Here's his vision for this church. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:42.840 This church. 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:51.139 And I think as we eavesdrop in here, if you like, on what he's saying, we're going to find a wonderful vision for our church community. 00:05:52.520 --> 00:05:54.759 Wonderful vision for what we are to be. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:56.800 As Jesus calls us to be, that city in the hill. 00:05:57.019 --> 00:05:59.900 The community of salt and light that makes him glorious to the world. 00:05:59.980 --> 00:06:02.080 He's a wonderful vision for our church community. 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:09.359 And I think what we see here is that these words are both wonderfully inspiring and beautifully realistic. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:11.759 Beautifully realistic. 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:17.979 Because Paul hits two paradoxical truths about God's people. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:19.579 Ready for these? 00:06:20.099 --> 00:06:20.779 Verse 12. 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:21.620 Here's the first one. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:23.620 What are they, their saints? 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:27.459 They are God's chosen ones. 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:29.060 Follow the description, verse 12. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:33.000 And if you're a Christian here this morning, then these truths are gloriously yours. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:35.519 They are God's chosen ones. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:36.780 Do you see it? 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.240 They are called to be holy. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:40.939 They are set apart to live for him. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:41.579 They're his. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.399 And they're dearly loved. 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:46.000 Dearly loved. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:53.779 And what he's done is he's taken Old Testament terms that God had used in the Old Testament to refer to Israel. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:58.500 And he's transferred them and said they're applicable for this little church in Colossae. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:00.199 That's what you are, he's saying to them. 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:01.079 That's what you are. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:02.600 That's what God thinks of you. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:05.600 Not because of who you are, but because of who you are in Christ. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:14.639 And as amazing as that is, what's just as amazing is what he has made you corporately. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.480 Verse 15. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:17.620 Do you see? 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:18.839 He's made you one body. 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:20.899 One body. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.060 Verse 11. 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:27.120 Those earthly barriers that should, in one way or another, deeply divide you. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:27.959 Do you see them? 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:30.699 Your background, your social standing, your religious tradition. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:34.319 Well, God has brought you together to form one body. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:36.000 One body. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:39.920 Friends, the church is an amazing thing. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:43.439 And if you don't believe me, look around you. 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:45.360 Look around you. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:50.860 The world looks on at this motley crew and it declares weird. 00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:51.899 Right? 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:52.660 Let's be honest. 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:54.720 It's strange. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:55.920 How has this happened? 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:56.779 This is weird. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:01.279 Why would they come together on a Sunday morning and sing and read the book? 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.219 This is weird. 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:02.339 This is weird. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:09.179 But God looks on and says to the world, you say weird. 00:08:09.299 --> 00:08:10.139 I see wisdom. 00:08:11.559 --> 00:08:13.939 I declare my wisdom. 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:23.980 Something that the angels in heaven look on and exclaim in glorious wonder as we meet here together this morning. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.259 How has God done that? 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:27.500 How has he done that? 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:34.600 Bringing people together from different parts of the world, doing different jobs from different backgrounds, male and female. 00:08:34.620 --> 00:08:36.000 And he's brought them together as one. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.200 How has he done that? 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:42.840 And of course the answer is he's done it gloriously through the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:48.700 I was chatting on the phone last week with a guy called Lefraz. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:55.440 Lefraz works down in London and he's developing an evangelistic resource called the Word One to One. 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:57.100 He was just asking me what I thought about it. 00:08:57.700 --> 00:09:00.680 Now I've never seen the guy and I've never spoken to the guy before. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:01.800 He's South African. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:03.120 I'm Scottish. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:05.019 So we're on the phone. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.060 We're sharing some ideas. 00:09:06.200 --> 00:09:07.320 We're joking and laughing away. 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:09.779 He's inviting me down to his in London for a braai. 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:11.360 That's what a braai is. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:13.200 It's an African barbecue. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.799 He's inviting me down for a braai. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:16.360 I'm inviting. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:18.539 I'm up here for some haggis and iron brew. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:22.279 Let's get some sheep intestine and some orange stuff into you. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:24.440 We know how to treat our visitors in Scotland, don't we? 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.500 We're laughing and joking away. 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:27.759 And then do you know what we did? 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:28.879 We just prayed together. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.100 Never met this guy before. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:32.600 Never even spoken to this guy before. 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:33.460 Let me pray together. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.120 And he signed off. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:38.240 He said, thank you so much for your time, dear brother. 00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:41.480 Friends, the church is an amazing thing. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:45.779 The thing that God has done in birthing the church, friends, 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:47.480 it should never cease to blow our minds. 00:09:48.040 --> 00:09:49.180 We are saints. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:51.019 We are his. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:54.360 It is absolutely incredible. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:58.100 And the second thing about the church, 00:09:58.540 --> 00:10:00.060 we are saints, but we are sinners. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:03.359 What does he write in verse 13? 00:10:05.059 --> 00:10:06.259 Bear with one another. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:07.879 See, it's straight off the bat. 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.679 You're dearly loved. 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:10.699 A few words later, bear with one another. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:12.399 Forgive one another. 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.339 Now, here's my question. 00:10:14.479 --> 00:10:16.559 I asked you, I was reading it this week. 00:10:16.739 --> 00:10:17.959 Why would he need to write that? 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:23.379 Would it not be simply because he anticipates that because of the lingering sin 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:27.980 in all of their hearts, the battle that they're in to put off the old and put off the new, 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:32.039 that inevitably at times they're going to rub each other up the wrong way? 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.320 The church is saints and sinners. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:40.280 But the church, 00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:45.240 this context, the local church, 00:10:45.900 --> 00:10:54.160 is the place that God in his wisdom has put in place for you and I to grow alongside one another in the Christian life. 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.540 Let me just speak pastorally here for a minute. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:59.180 I do worry for some of you 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:03.920 who are settling for what I would deem, I would call a hokey-cokey Christian life, right? 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:07.500 You're in, you're out, you're in and out and you don't even stay long enough to shake it all about. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:10.219 You're just playing with this church thing. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:16.519 And you're robbing yourself of the beauty of being part of God's corporate people. 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:20.959 This is where we'll grow, the local church. 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:25.399 Right here as we live our lives together, as God's brought together body, 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:30.579 this is how we'll visibly show the world the transforming power that the gospel has. 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:33.839 Church in all its messiness, 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.360 in all its unslickness, 00:11:36.579 --> 00:11:38.819 friends, this is where the action is. 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:39.899 Right here. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.360 This is God's wisdom. 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:45.219 Now let me ask you, I wonder whether you believe that to be true. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:49.779 Because I wonder whether that's the reason Paul wrote it. 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:52.500 Were these false teachers, 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:53.759 we've seen them all the way through this letter, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:57.759 were these false teachers in the background with all their talk of their fine-sounding, 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.959 mystical, individual religious experiences, 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:07.220 were they looking down their noses at the unglamorous nature of these Colossian Christians' life together? 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:11.340 How on earth could you think that this is where the power of God is? 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:14.160 But Paul says, 00:12:14.160 --> 00:12:16.720 as you live your Christian lives, 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.060 as this new heavenly community, 00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:22.680 you display the power and the wisdom of God 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.220 to the watching world. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:27.220 This is what we want to be, 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.160 is it not as Brunsfield, 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:29.420 evangelical church? 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:29.740 Otherwise, 00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:31.040 we're just playing at this. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.440 This is what we want to be, 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.560 the kind of community that baffles the world. 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.700 How on earth has God done that? 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:40.259 And so he says, 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:40.520 isn't he, 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:41.120 verse 12, 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.000 you've got the text, 00:12:42.140 --> 00:12:43.200 Paul says to them all, 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:45.379 as they live their lives together as one body, 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.720 he says, 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:47.240 put on. 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.759 So there's our language, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.980 right back to Irene Ritchie, 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.120 get off the old clothes, 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.020 get on the new clothes, 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.480 put on. 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.920 Look at these virtues, 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:54.660 compassion, 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:56.720 kindness, 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.780 humility, 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:00.660 patience, 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:04.440 what wonderful Christ-like virtues. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:05.600 And Paul says, 00:13:05.800 --> 00:13:06.379 get it on. 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:08.420 Get these virtues on. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.759 And from there he says, 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:14.020 here are four things that I want you to do 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:15.100 as a church community, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.740 as together you pursue Jesus Christ. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.520 Here's the first one, 00:13:20.560 --> 00:13:22.379 I want you to make forgiveness normal. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.840 He implores them, 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.400 do you feel his heart in this language? 00:13:26.400 --> 00:13:28.040 He implores them to work hard, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:30.160 to be one with one another, 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.800 be right with one another. 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.580 Look what he writes, 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.740 bear with one another. 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:37.419 Do you feel the longevity in that word? 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:39.960 Bear with one another. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.360 In other words, 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:42.500 in your life together, 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:45.159 commit to sticking it out with one another. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:48.659 Commit to working it out with one another. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.539 And in the text, 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:52.399 do you see how he uses the word forgive three times in quick succession? 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.559 Forgive, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.199 forgive, 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:55.939 forgive. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:00.819 And he draws a direct link between the forgiveness that we have received, 00:14:01.079 --> 00:14:03.139 the mercy we have received from God, 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:06.039 and the forgiveness that we extend to others. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:10.699 And notice the term that Paul uses there all the way through this letter, 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.019 when he's been talking about Jesus, 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:13.860 he's used the term Christ. 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:16.319 Christ all the way through this letter. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:18.279 Now for the first time in the letter, 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.500 do you see what term he uses? 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:20.360 Lord. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.220 Not capital L, 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:24.220 capital O, 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.000 capital R, 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.600 capital D, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.539 the covenant name of God. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.100 Not that one. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.319 L-O-R-D, 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.159 Greek word, 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:29.919 kurios, 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:30.679 master. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:32.539 Master. 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:37.139 So if the master has forgiven you the enormous debt of your sin, 00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:39.500 and he's not just forgiven you, 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:42.699 but he's absorbed the penalty of your debt upon himself, 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:47.860 who are you to withhold that same forgiveness from others? 00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:50.399 I feel the challenge of what he's saying there. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:53.399 But oh, 00:14:53.459 --> 00:14:55.459 how God is glorified, 00:14:55.599 --> 00:14:57.639 and how you and I will grow, 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:02.639 as we practice putting aside our pride and our differences, 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:05.340 and we bear with one another, 00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:09.759 and we move towards each other in forgiveness and love, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.360 and how Satan rages, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:17.019 and how the world stands in shock when a disciple of Jesus decides that bitterness and hurt will not reign in his heart, 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.179 Christ will. 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:21.039 Jesus will. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:26.919 I want a testimony to the transforming power of God at work in the family of God. 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:29.959 Let me ask you, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:31.539 do you need to act to put, 00:15:31.579 --> 00:15:32.719 as he terms it there, 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:38.459 act to put a grievance with somebody right today for the glory of God? 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.719 Think about it. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.720 If we are not at peace with one another, 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:54.160 then we are going against the very grain of the oneness that Jesus Christ accomplished for the church on the cross. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:57.840 You know, 00:15:57.860 --> 00:16:01.720 the late John Stott was once asked how he loved the unlovable Christian. 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:03.019 Don't ever ask me that, 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.259 okay? 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.580 But this is what he was asked. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:06.440 How do you love the unlovable Christian? 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:09.280 And he simply replied, 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.780 I remind myself who they are. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.980 If God the Father chose them, 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.300 and God the Son died for them, 00:16:17.640 --> 00:16:19.420 and God the Spirit lives in them, 00:16:20.060 --> 00:16:21.840 then who am I not to love them? 00:16:24.380 --> 00:16:25.060 Now I know, 00:16:25.260 --> 00:16:26.560 for many of us, 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:29.820 the very mention of that word forgive is a terrifying prospect. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:36.420 Some of us will have been hurt and betrayed and scarred in ways that I don't even want to know. 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:37.659 To pretend that I understand. 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.719 But maybe this morning, 00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:44.039 Jesus would invite you to take his hand, 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:50.059 and to walk with him on the long road towards the destination of forgiveness. 00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:53.120 Because in him, 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:53.839 gloriously, 00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:59.000 not only do we have one who knows what it's like to be the sinned against party, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.959 but we have one who promises to be to his people, 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:07.100 one who sticks and walks closer than a brother. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.740 Paul says, 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.059 make forgiveness normal. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.640 Secondly, 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:12.960 make unity essential. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.519 Verse 14. 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.460 See how he opens it? 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.140 Above all. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.360 Above all. 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.980 Which I take it is his way of saying, 00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:22.319 here's the most important thing 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:25.460 that I need you to get for everything that's about to follow. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.319 Above all, 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.720 put on love. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.819 Put on love. 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:30.720 Not in a kind of hippie, 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.420 green pace, 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.960 make love not war kind of way. 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.299 He's saying, 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:36.160 love the Lord and love the church. 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.200 Love his church. 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:37.980 Love his people. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:40.299 Love your brothers and sisters. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:40.940 Love them. 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.160 Now, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.819 let me ask you this point. 00:17:42.860 --> 00:17:44.339 I've asked myself all week this question. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.440 As you look around here, 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:46.880 friends, 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.779 do we love one another? 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.839 Do we love one another? 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:55.039 Exactly how Jesus said to the world, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.659 said to his disciples, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.619 that the world will know that we are his disciples 00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:01.000 by the way that we love one another. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.539 You know, 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:06.059 a great way for us to practice that this week, 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.240 let me give you a little challenge, 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:09.220 is to pray for one another. 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.399 Now, 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:10.939 hopefully you got, 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.500 as you came in, 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.579 you got the sermon note sheet. 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:14.139 Some of you might be scribbling away on that. 00:18:14.459 --> 00:18:15.799 You'll notice at the bottom of it, 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.139 it says, 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:17.879 my prayer request for this week. 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:20.259 A little perforated strip. 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:23.359 Here's my challenge for you today. 00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.399 I want you to fill that in. 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.939 And you can do two things with it. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.220 First, 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.519 one, 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.559 you can give it to somebody. 00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:30.519 You can swap it with somebody. 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:30.779 Say, 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:32.199 I want you to pray for me this week. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.459 How can I pray for you this week? 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.379 And put it in your Bible 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.559 and pray for them this week. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.339 And the second thing I'd love you to do 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:41.839 is that there's a box in the foy outside 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.959 marked prayer. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.679 If you want to rip that off 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:47.439 and put that in the prayer box there, 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.279 on Wednesday night, 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.679 when we meet together as a church 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.679 for our prayer meeting, 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:52.140 we'll commit to praying for these things 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.000 that go in that box. 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.019 So that's what we do 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.000 when we meet together to pray. 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:56.039 We pray for our world. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.680 We pray for our city. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.279 We pray for our fellow brothers and sisters 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.880 in this city. 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.980 And then we pray for ourselves. 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.519 Not just the stuff that we do, 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.980 but way more importantly, 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.120 the people that we are. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:07.420 So we'll commit together on Wednesday night. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.600 Please come along if you're free. 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.460 It's a wonderful thing 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:10.799 that expresses our unity together 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.920 when we meet together to pray. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.539 But if you can't make it, 00:19:13.580 --> 00:19:14.840 put something in that box 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:16.539 and we'll endeavor to pray for it 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.360 on Wednesday evening. 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:18.959 This is just a practical way 00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:20.000 that we can love one another, 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.459 isn't it? 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.139 That we pray for one another. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.859 Because Paul says, 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.959 if you put on love, 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:27.359 it will bind you together. 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:27.939 Do you see it? 00:19:28.399 --> 00:19:29.759 It will bind you together. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.179 Now if you were watching 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:32.059 the rugby yesterday, 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:34.319 you'll know that's how they set up 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.199 for the scrum, isn't it? 00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:38.139 One thing to test our unity 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:40.119 is we realize that every single nation 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.819 in the six nations 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.259 is represented in this church body. 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.819 A great way to represent 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.919 our unity to the world 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:47.299 that doesn't affect us. 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.319 But what do they do? 00:19:49.679 --> 00:19:50.939 They get together in the scrum 00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.700 and they bind together. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.079 That's what they used to shout to us 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.659 when we were playing it 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:54.179 when we were young. 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:54.619 Bind. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.319 Bind. 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.339 And the forwards 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.339 have the cauliflower ears, 00:19:58.419 --> 00:19:58.619 don't they, 00:19:58.659 --> 00:20:00.019 to prove just how tightly 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.899 they are bound together. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.939 This is what he's saying. 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:04.019 Love will bind you together. 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.720 That's Paul's heart for this church. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.619 That God would work among them 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.299 in such a way 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.819 that they would be inseparably 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.259 and lovingly one. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.439 Do you remember that chorus 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.480 we used to sing sometimes 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.180 when we were young? 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.120 Bind us together, Lord. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.259 Bind us together 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:19.500 with cords that cannot be broken. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.660 Bind us together, Lord. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.500 Bind us together. 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.360 Bind us together in love. 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:26.640 And let the peace of Christ 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.640 rule in your hearts. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.500 What a wonderful picture, isn't it, 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.860 of the peace that we enjoy 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:33.700 with God our Father through Christ 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:35.860 spilling over to the peace, 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:37.059 that oneness that we have 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.320 with one another. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.860 You know the word rule there 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:43.059 is the word for umpire. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.179 Loved that thought this week. 00:20:45.219 --> 00:20:46.099 It's the word for umpire. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.699 The person whose job it is 00:20:47.699 --> 00:20:48.619 to say whether something 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.399 is in or out. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.399 My imagination has great fun 00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.259 this week trying to picture 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.059 the peace of Christ 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.839 as a referee 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:57.019 running around the pitch 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.279 brandishing yellow cards, 00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.399 calling for VAR. 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:01.359 But do you see what he's saying? 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.379 Let the peace of Christ 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.219 be your umpire. 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.479 Is what you're doing 00:21:06.479 --> 00:21:07.279 or saying, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:09.240 is it enhancing 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.480 or is it jeopardizing 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.740 the oneness of the body? 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.039 Would that word 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.039 that came out of your mouth, 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.980 would it see you sent 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.680 to the sin bin? 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.619 This is what he's saying. 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.539 Would that deeds, 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.420 if Hawkeye were to come on it, 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.859 would that be in or out? 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.720 So true, isn't it? 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.700 I know this in my own life. 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.680 We can get lazy 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.440 with our own words 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.680 and thoughts about others. 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:32.599 So much so that loose threads 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.519 begin to emerge 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.379 in our relationships 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.279 with one another 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.859 and it endangers our unity. 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.200 And the call here 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.859 to the church 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.079 is to work so hard 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.960 to let the peace of Christ reign. 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:44.420 Don Carson writes this, 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.759 we will see profound 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.019 spiritual renovation 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:48.460 if by God's grace 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:50.399 we make it our commitment 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.799 not to put anyone down 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:54.480 except on our prayer list. 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:58.019 Make unity essential. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.799 Thirdly, make the Bible central. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:02.019 Make the Bible central. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.879 I remember hearing a speaker 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.759 a few years ago, 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.640 he began his talk 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.839 by asking us the question, 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.200 what do you need most 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.140 in your life right now? 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.879 And I think I was, 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.759 we had a newborn at the time 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:15.180 so caffeine was my first thought 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:17.220 but the answer he was getting at 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.700 in typical Sunday school style 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.379 was Jesus. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.480 What you need most 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.379 in your life right now 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.000 is Jesus. 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.680 So true. 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:26.119 It's exactly what Paul says 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.940 in verse 16. 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.539 The thing that the people of God 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.759 most desperately need, 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.879 what you and I 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.100 most here today 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:35.420 most desperately need 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.920 is what Paul calls here 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:38.060 the word of Christ. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.520 The word of Christ. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:42.480 Probably most simply translated 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:44.100 as the words about Christ. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.580 Who he is, 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.860 what he's done, 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.160 what he's doing, 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.640 what he will do 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.740 and who you are, 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.140 who we are in him. 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.700 The message, 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.420 that message, 00:22:56.540 --> 00:22:56.880 Paul says, 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:59.040 let that dwell in you richly. 00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.839 Do you see that word? 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.759 Wonderful word. 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.579 Not blandly, 00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:03.000 richly. 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:06.319 I remember one university summer 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.079 I worked for a few weeks 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.980 with a guy down the road 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.839 who was a joiner. 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.819 So I worked for a few weeks 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.879 as a joiner's apprentice. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.899 And we're working with big units 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:15.079 and because there was so much dust 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.700 sometimes my asthma would flare up. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.720 And what happened 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.420 at the end of the day 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.359 is the guy, 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:20.720 my neighbour, 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.680 used to take me home 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:23.319 and he used to give me 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.259 what's called in Scotland 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.119 a hot toddy. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.259 This is what he used to give me, 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.899 a hot toddy. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:27.799 And basically, 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.579 if you don't know what that is, 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:31.079 it's a small bit of whiskey 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.039 mixed with honey 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.000 and it's warmed up. 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.500 This is what he used to give me 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.259 to clear my asthma. 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.779 But I remember 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.819 every day when I came home 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:39.839 struggling with my asthma, 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.419 I remember he, 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.700 I used to take it 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.500 and I could feel it 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.779 going down my throat, 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.879 warming my throat 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.659 and it got to my stomach 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.399 and I could feel it 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:48.200 warming my stomach 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.240 and I just sat there 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.440 and just enjoyed the moment. 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:53.039 This is what he's saying, 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.460 isn't it? 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.299 Let the word of Christ 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.759 dwell in you richly. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.639 This is what he's saying. 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.680 In your life, 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.180 swim richly 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.680 in the life-giving words 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.799 of Christ 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:05.359 and allow its truth 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.159 to bring deep 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:08.960 and satisfying nourishment 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.259 for your souls. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.019 Friends, 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.859 if you are here today 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.440 and you're feeling 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.659 weighed down by guilt, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.680 what you most need 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.879 is not to feel better 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.539 about yourself. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.879 What you most need 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:20.099 is to know 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.039 the forgiveness 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.700 that's yours 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.740 in Jesus Christ. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:25.079 if you're here today 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.559 and you're feeling 00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:26.700 like throwing in the towel 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.819 to this Christian life, 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.180 you need to know 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.220 that in Jesus Christ 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:30.779 you have something 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:32.160 far more glorious 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.700 than the world 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.019 could possibly offer you. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:36.319 If you're here today 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.480 and deep down in your soul 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.559 you think to yourself, 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.579 how could anybody 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.000 possibly love me? 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.200 The very next song 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.859 we'll sing will be 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.339 how deep 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.559 the Father's love for us, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.519 how vast beyond all measure 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.200 that he should give 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.839 his only son 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.639 to make a wretch 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.240 his treasure. 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.240 Look to the cross. 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.699 The word of Christ. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.240 Paul says, 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.480 devote yourself to it, 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.359 listen to it, 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.539 speak it to one another, 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.720 get it inside you. 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.779 Teaching and admonishing, 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.220 bringing it to bear 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.139 in each other's lives 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:05.000 as you correct, 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.959 you instruct 00:25:05.959 --> 00:25:06.919 and you encourage. 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.159 You know, 00:25:09.199 --> 00:25:09.759 I've got a good friend 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.379 called Andy. 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:13.179 A dear, dear friend. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.759 I'm so thankful 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.659 to the Lord for Andy. 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.559 Just quite often 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.399 he just texts me 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.119 Bible verses. 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.220 That's what he does. 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.180 Just text me 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:20.779 Bible verses. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.940 Remember I got one 00:25:21.940 --> 00:25:22.759 recently from him. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.539 It simply read 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.860 Ephesians 2, 8 to 10. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.600 You can check that out 00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.000 afterwards. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.220 Ephesians 2, 8 to 10. 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.920 That God has got good works 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.680 for us to walk in. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.700 That's the verse. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.299 And every time he does that, 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.360 I know it's code for, 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.539 I read this this morning, 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.839 I've been praying for you 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:39.380 and I trust and pray 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:40.240 that that's true for you 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.220 in your own life today. 00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.279 Great, isn't it? 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.900 Good friends. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.079 It's such a blessing 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.740 from God. 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.819 But it's a wonderful way 00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.559 that we can encourage 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:47.980 one another 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:49.019 with the word of Christ. 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:50.620 Allow it to dwell 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.839 richly in us. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.140 And you know, 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:53.660 another way, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.500 great way to do that 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.500 is as we come together 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:57.220 on a Sunday 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.860 during the week, 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.380 whenever it is, 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.940 it's singing. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.640 Do you see what it's 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.079 right in there? 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.519 Singing. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.759 Singing the word of Christ. 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.600 Psalms. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.440 Now I've spent 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.480 five years studying 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.079 with dear Presbyterian 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.799 brothers and sisters 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.920 at the Free Church College 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.460 who are well into Psalms. 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:13.019 and they'll tell you 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.960 that they're devoted 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.100 to Psalms singing 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:16.600 because it's so, 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:17.140 it does something 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.920 so beautiful 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.980 for their soul 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.779 when they sing 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.160 this inspired hymn book 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.360 that God has given us 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:24.140 which tells us 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.799 the depths of human experience 00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:27.039 and the towering heights 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.680 of the truths 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.539 of who God is. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.740 And it's a blessing 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.460 for their soul 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.039 to sing it. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.799 And do you know what? 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.960 And I know this has been recorded. 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:34.059 I totally get it. 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.759 Totally get it. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.960 Singing the word of Christ. 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:39.680 Allowing it to dwell in us. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.480 Singing Psalms. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.379 Singing hymns. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:46.339 And singing spiritual songs. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.379 And the truth is, isn't it, 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.879 in the hardest times in life 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:50.000 we need the word of Christ. 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.859 We need the word of Christ. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.960 You know, we had a funeral 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.819 in here on Thursday. 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.420 A dear saint called Jenny Oliver, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.759 she went home to be with the Lord. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:00.200 And the family were telling me 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.279 that as they sat with her 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.440 in the last few moments 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.059 of her life, 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:03.819 they managed to get 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.440 to the care home 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.740 to spend the last few moments 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.220 with her. 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.339 And do you know what they spent 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:08.000 in the last few moments 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.539 with her doing? 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:10.480 Just singing hymns. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.700 Singing hymns. 00:27:13.740 --> 00:27:15.539 Let the word of Christ 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:18.599 dwell in you richly. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.140 Allow that word 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.140 to get deep down 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:22.200 into your souls 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:24.279 and pray that the spirit of God 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.079 would bring light 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.920 to your mind 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.420 and heat to your heart 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:29.079 and that our affections 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.680 for the Lord 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.799 as we feast our souls 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.620 on his word 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.859 would grow. 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:36.000 Let the word of Christ 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.000 dwell in you richly. 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.740 This is what he's saying. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.939 Make the Bible central. 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.479 Make the Bible central. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.039 And fourthly, 00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:41.779 and really quickly, 00:27:41.919 --> 00:27:42.839 make worship total. 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.599 Verse 17. 00:27:45.979 --> 00:27:46.679 Paul is urging them, 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:46.979 do you see, 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.639 not to settle 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.559 for a limited view 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.019 of worship. 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.399 Don't limit it 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.000 to when you do 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:52.919 certain things 00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:54.199 in a certain place 00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.139 in a certain day 00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:56.119 in a certain way, 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.079 which I imagine 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.699 is maybe what these 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.240 false teachers 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:58.839 in the background 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.559 are promoting. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.139 You've got to see 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.079 worship holistically. 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:03.700 Worship is your whole life. 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.339 Whatever you do, 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:05.899 he says, 00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:06.559 if you do it 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.059 with the goal 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:08.240 of glorifying God, 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.240 that is worship. 00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.480 Worship. 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.539 Isn't that a brilliant thought? 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.099 I tell you what, 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.819 it changed the way 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.659 I changed the nappy 00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.220 this morning. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.740 All of it is worship. 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.500 Worshipping him 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:19.220 in the classroom. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.000 Worshipping him 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.859 in the sports field. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.579 Worshipping him 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.259 at your desk. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.379 Worshipping him 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:23.879 when you're putting 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.779 the children to bed. 00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:25.859 Worshipping him 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.879 on the commute to work. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.039 Whatever you do, 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.919 whether it's word or deed, 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.279 all of it is worship 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.700 to God. 00:28:33.800 --> 00:28:34.240 Acceptable 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.920 and pleasing 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:37.279 to him 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.800 through Jesus Christ. 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.300 Paul says, 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.340 make worship 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.620 total. 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.560 And just as we close today, 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.340 let me take you back 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:46.259 to Irene Ritchie. 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:50.320 Put off, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.480 put on. 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.080 Remember, 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.600 there she is. 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:53.320 She's up at the link. 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:54.100 She's still wearing 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.880 her old clothes. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.200 She said, 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.039 come on, Irene. 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.039 New you, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.080 new clothes. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.859 Exactly what Paul 00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.919 is saying to the Christian. 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.299 As they meet together 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.799 as one body, 00:29:04.199 --> 00:29:05.539 be that Christ-like 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:07.279 counter-cultural community 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.439 that God has made you 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:09.619 and God has called you 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.039 to be. 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.059 And that's what it's, 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:12.939 this is what it's going 00:29:12.939 --> 00:29:13.980 to look like for you 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:17.159 to pursue the things above. 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.059 This is what it's going 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.079 to look like for you 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.579 to pursue Jesus together. 00:29:21.579 --> 00:29:23.139 And this is what it's going 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.419 to look like for you, 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.439 remember verse 11, 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.319 to be renewed 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.939 in the image 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:30.379 of your creator. 00:29:31.199 --> 00:29:31.919 Make forgiveness 00:29:31.919 --> 00:29:32.419 normal, 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.480 make unity essential, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.419 make the Bible central, 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.179 and make worship 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:39.119 total. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:39.720 Friends, 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.759 the church is a glorious 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.240 thing. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.740 Glorious thing. 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.779 Let's pray 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.480 and let's thank God 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.139 for that together. 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:50.300 And so dear Heavenly Father, 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:52.340 it's our prayer today 00:29:52.340 --> 00:29:53.900 that you would help us 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.280 to be the kind of community 00:29:55.280 --> 00:29:56.520 that lets the peace 00:29:56.520 --> 00:29:57.600 of Christ rule 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:59.560 and lets the word 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.620 of Christ dwell 00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:03.040 richly among us. 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:05.040 Help us this week, 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.540 we ask, 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.460 to seek the things 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.200 that are above 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:09.800 as we gaze on your son, 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:11.280 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:14.700 Would he dwell richly 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.480 in us we ask 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.299 in the name of Jesus. 00:30:16.880 --> 00:30:17.140 Amen.