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 John Updike was an American novelist, poet and short story writer.

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 In his short story, Pigeon Feathers, he presents a jarring description of the end of life according to secularism.

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 It is with its secularism's belief that human history is accidental by nature.

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 And therefore, because it's of accident, what we have in history is an accident.

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 Then everything is without purpose.

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 It's without a direction in life or any ultimate goal.

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 It is just what it is.

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 That's it.

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 And so in this short story of Pigeon Feathers, he has David, the character, has a vision of his end of life.

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 And he writes, David was visited by an exact vision of death.

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 A long hole in the ground, no wider than a body.

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 Down into which you were drawn while the white faces receded.

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 You try to reach for them, but your arms are pinned.

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 Shovels pour dirt in your face.

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 There you will be forever.

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 In an upright position.

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 Blind and silent.

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 And in time, no one will remember you.

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 And you will never be called.

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 And unaltering darkness reigns.

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 Where once there were stars.

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 It's pretty bleak.

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 That is the essence of secularism's view of all things.

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 You just end.

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 That's it.

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 And a worldview, whatever it is your worldview, it determines how you live now.

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 What you do with your life now.

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 If the end is an unalterable darkness, then accumulating as much as you possibly can right now, whether it be possessions or experience,

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 is the only thing in life because you've only got one shot at it.

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 That's it.

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 One shot at life.

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 Do whatever you can do to bring meaning to your life now because there is no meaning apart from whatever you do for it.

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 That's it.

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 In 1 Peter, which we're, our text as we've been told from John this morning, we see an equally jarring end, but it's a very different jarring end.

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 It's an eternally hopeful end.

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 It's quite simple.

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 All of history is heading towards the eternal reign of the risen, ascended Jesus Christ as Lord of all.

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 That's what 1 Peter, that is what Christianity declares.

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 So 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 11.

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 So that in all things, God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

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 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 That is what awaits the Christian at the end is being in the presence of the truly glorious one,

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 the glorious God under the eternal reign of the merciful Lord Jesus Christ for our everlasting joy.

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 That's the end.

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 That is the Christian worldview.

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 And our vision series this year has been about what does it mean to live now with this new resurrected life in Jesus Christ.

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 So come back next week and we'll hear more about that and the plausibility and the reasonableness of the resurrection.

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 How does it mean now until we actually see him face to face?

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 How do we live?

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 That's what our vision series.

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 And our theme today is crucial for understanding life now.

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 And it's a, this is part three, if you like, of a three-part series.

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 Not that we've been communicating it like that.

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 Three-part series.

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 John, a couple of weeks ago, talked about God building a new people for himself.

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 I talked about last week about a new freedom that we have.

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 And it's a freedom.

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 We're being set free from slavery to self.

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 Selfishness in order to serve others.

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 So a new family, new service.

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 And now I want to just land that for us.

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 What does it mean for us now in the new vocation that God has called us to?

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 So three points right there.

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 If you want to, someone who wants to take notes.

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 Who are we called to be, first of all?

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 To be a Christian means, according to 1 Peter, that you are like living stones are being built.

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 It's a word there that means that you are being fitted together into a spiritual house.

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 What we are being built into is built into a temple, if you like, a place where God and people dwell together.

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 Now, to help us understand what 1 Peter is saying there, I'm going to preach the whole Bible to you.

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 No.

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 I'll just do a high-level survey.

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 I'll just do a high-level survey of what the Bible says in terms of one key theme.

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 The presence of God.

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 One key thing.

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 In the beginning, God creates humanity and dwells with them face to face.

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 It was for humanity's delight.

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 God is including us into his eternal joy.

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 People walked and talked with God in the cool of the Garden of Eden.

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 I cannot imagine what joy and what love of such a relationship with the infinitely powerful and beautiful and good God, created God.

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 I can't imagine what Adam and Eve experienced in that moment.

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 But the Bible tells us very quickly in Genesis chapter 3 that that wasn't enough for them.

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 And they wanted to do life their way.

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 This broke the relationship with God.

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 They broke the relationship with his world.

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 Broke humanity themselves.

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 It cost them God's presence as God removed them from his presence.

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 The very thing that they were designed for to enjoy the presence of God was now, no longer did they not only deserve it,

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 but it was also something that they could no longer cope with.

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 They could no longer cope with the presence of God.

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 We cannot cope with the truth and the majesty and the glory and the beauty of God's presence as sinful, broken, flawed humanity.

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 And the consequence of all of this is the world that we now live in.

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 I'm fast forwarding a whole heap here.

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 This is the world we live in.

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 A world that is a world of disease and injustice and violence and suffering and death.

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 That's our world.

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 Because God's presence was not enough for us.

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 And the good news for us is that God refused to leave us in this mess.

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 His plan was to make and gather to himself a people who would experience his presence again.

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 What we see in the early days of the Old Testament is that God's presence is manifested occasionally.

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 You know, it appears to Abraham, it appears to Jacob and to others.

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 Occasionally.

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 Comes and then goes.

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 And then God comes down to Moses at Mount Sinai and he makes a covenant with his people Israel who he has just rescued from slavery in Egypt.

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 And when God enters this covenant relationship with Israel, he promises that I will now dwell with you.

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 And he calls them, gives them plans to build a temporary temple, a tabernacle is what it was called.

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 And in the centre of that tabernacle, in a thing called the Holy of Holies, God's presence dwelt.

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 But only once a year, only once a year was the high priest and only the high priest was allowed to go in there into the presence of God.

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 A little bit later in the prophets in the Old Testament.

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 They look forward to a day when God's presence would be significantly greater and manifested amongst his people.

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 Isaiah 4 is one example.

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 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy.

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 And then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night.

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 Over everything, the glory will be a canopy.

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 It will be a shelter and a shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and a hiding place from the storm and rain.

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 What that prophecy sounds like is that everyone amongst God's people is going to have the glory of God on them.

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 God's presence and glory won't be restricted to the tabernacle or the temple anymore.

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 And what's more, Moses asked God for a full display of his presence in Exodus 33.

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 And God said to him, no, I can't do that to you because you mere mortals cannot look upon the glory of God and live.

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 My presence is too much for you.

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 And Isaiah 4 strangely says that God's glory will be a shelter, a refuge, a hiding place for his people.

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 How would that be?

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 How can God's presence be a place of joy rather than a place of fear?

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 Well, the very end of the prophecy of Zechariah, which is right at the end of the Old Testament,

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 it says this in chapter 14, verse 20.

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 What Zach is saying there is that the day is coming when holy to the Lord will be written on every source,

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 on every pepper grinder, on every thermomix in Jerusalem and Judah, on all of it.

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 It used to only be written on the items within the temple.

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 God's holiness will break out and it will empower his people rather than kill them.

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 When's that going to happen?

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 Got to fast forward to the New Testament.

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 And what we're celebrating on Friday and remembering on Friday,

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 the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on a cross just outside the city walls of Jerusalem.

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 And when that crucifixion happened, the veil of the temple that separated the Holy of Holies

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 from every other part of the world, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom,

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 signifying an act initiated by God himself.

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 The veil was this huge piece of fabric that separated the Holy of Holies from everyone else.

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 It protected them from God's power and his presence and his glory.

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 And with the crucifixion of Jesus, it broke open.

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 Why?

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 John chapter 1 tells us that the word became flesh, we're speaking about God,

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 and made his dwelling amongst us.

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 Literally, he tabernacled amongst us.

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 God's presence was amongst us.

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 We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father,

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 full of grace and truth.

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 God wouldn't let Moses see his glory because it would destroy him.

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 But in Jesus Christ, we get to see the full unveiled glory and fullness of God.

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 In fact, 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3 says that when we become a Christian for the first time,

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 we see his divine glory in all its fullness as we gaze upon the crucified, resurrected Jesus Christ

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 and come to him.

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 And we also, in that moment, partake in his divine glory.

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 Because of the work of Jesus Christ to forgive us for our sin and rejecting God's glory,

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 because of that work, we are called back into the presence and glory of God.

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 I traced all of that really simply, high levels,

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 just to say that the Old Testament saints of old would be astounded.

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 They would be astounded by what we have in Jesus Christ and the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

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 The glory of God, the presence of God, and nothing less has broken out into our lives.

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 If you are a Christian, you are a living stone in the temple of the Holy Spirit.

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 What does that mean?

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 Chapter 2 verse 5 again.

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 You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,

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 offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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 The Holy Spirit comes into us as we are being built into.

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 It's a statement that means that we are being fitted together.

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 As we are being fitted together, we have access to the holiness and the power of God.

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 The imagery of the living stones being built into a single unit

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 implies the significance and the purpose of individual Christians cannot be,

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 cannot be realised apart from the community with other believers.

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 We have access to this incredible glory as we are fitted together with other living stones.

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 In fact, it says that God inhabits us as we are fitted together.

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 So here's one implication of this.

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 You can stay at home, away from the gathered people.

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 You can turn on a live stream, and you can say,

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 God, change me.

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 God, change me.

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 I don't want to be part of the Christian community.

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 Please change me in the privacy of my own home.

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 It makes perfect sense for God to come into our lives and bring about changes

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 as we are fitted together with God's new society, the church.

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 And the problem with staying isolated and asking God for change you

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 is that you didn't get the way you are by yourself.

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 Of course, you made some stupid decisions in life.

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 But most of it is because of other people in your lives.

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 It's because of the relationships in your life that you're as screwed up as you are.

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 Screwed up as I am.

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 As you come into the community of the church,

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 you access the glory and the presence of God.

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 Listening to a sermon like this in the privacy of your own home,

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 and I'm very mindful that there are some categories of people

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 where this is crucial for you right now.

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 You're sick.

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 You're unable to leave your home, so on and so forth.

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 COVID was a great blessing to have a live stream.

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 But listening to a sermon like this in the privacy of your own home

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 or to your commute to work or while you're walking the dog

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 is nowhere the same as experience of sitting amongst the gathered people of God.

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 Not even close.

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 The imagery of the living stones being built into a single unit,

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 I'll say it again,

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 implies the significance and the purpose of individual Christians

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 cannot be realised apart from community with other believers.

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 And so if you're of the ilk that says,

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 I've got the Holy Spirit in my life and that's all I need,

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 the New Testament and God does not agree with you.

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 It's a fallacy that you have built for yourself.

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 So that's who, what we are called to be.

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 What are we called to do?

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 Second half of verse five again.

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 To be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices

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 acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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 The language Peter uses here is that of priesthood.

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 Again, he's looking back into the Old Testament.

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 We are not just a temple being built,

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 but we're also the priests in the temple as well.

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 Looking back to the Old Testament,

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 God's glory and his presence was in the temple.

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 And in those days, Israel had priests who pretty much did everything.

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 The people were by and large pretty passive in Old Testament Israel.

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 Only the priests offered the sacrifices.

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 And what he's saying here is not now, not now.

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 Because of Jesus, no longer.

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 Hebrews 13 is making a similar point of 1 Peter 2,

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 where it says,

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 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God

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 a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that openly profess his name,

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 and do not forget to do good and to share with others,

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 for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

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 Basically, what Hebrews tells us,

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 as you track the theology of Hebrews,

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 is that Jesus is the priest to end all priests,

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 and he's the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.

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 He is the priest who sacrifices himself for our sake.

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 He gave his body to atone for our sins once and for all.

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 And all who are in Jesus now,

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 who come to him,

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 become priests,

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 who are empowered to do ministry

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 that is pleasing to God.

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 That is,

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 ministry,

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 service of others,

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 is the new vocation of all Christians.

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 Of all Christians.

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 God delights in it,

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 and he honours it.

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 Hebrews 13 refers to ministry that involves the word,

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 the fruit of lips that confess his name.

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 When you sit with a grieving person

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 and just share out of your heart

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 biblical truths about God and Jesus

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 and grace and forgiveness,

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 or you're teaching in kids' church,

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 which some are doing right now,

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 or share your faith with a friend,

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 if you confess Jesus' name,

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 God empowers you as a priest,

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 and it is pleasing to him.

00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.319
 Regardless of whether people respond

00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.360
 in the way you want them to,

00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.720
 it is pleasing to him.

00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:06.500
 Hebrews 13 verse 16 also refers to deed ministry.

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.299
 Do not forget to do good

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.420
 and to share with others

00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:11.500
 for with such sacrifices,

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.759
 God is pleased.

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:16.080
 Some of us are specialists,

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.720
 you might call it,

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.879
 in word ministry.

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.699
 There are others set aside

00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:24.339
 who are specialists for deed ministry,

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:28.960
 but all of us are generalists to do both.

00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:34.599
 Because of the empowering presence

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.939
 of the Holy Spirit,

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:39.779
 even the weakest and newest Christian

00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:42.839
 are more empowered

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:44.939
 than the Old Testament prophets and priests.

00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:49.299
 that's phenomenal.

00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:53.059
 Every Christian,

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:56.179
 every single Christian,

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:59.599
 even if you became a Christian yesterday,

00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:03.399
 has the ability to change lives

00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:06.139
 in a way that the Old Testament priests

00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:08.480
 and prophets weren't able to.

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.400
 I'll push it in a little bit further.

00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.279
 One Corinthians,

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.660
 sorry,

00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.680
 1 Peter 4.10,

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:15.360
 which Jackie read out for us,

00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.940
 tells us that every single Christian

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:18.140
 has got a gift.

00:22:18.360 --> 00:22:19.460
 Each of you should use

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.140
 whatever gift you have received

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.559
 to serve others

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:25.579
 as faithful stewards of God's grace

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:27.220
 in its various forms.

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.539
 Every single Christian

00:22:29.539 --> 00:22:31.319
 has got certain talents,

00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:32.480
 certain experiences,

00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.960
 experiences,

00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.480
 aptitudes

00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:37.019
 that make you

00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.900
 as unique

00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:40.059
 as a fingerprint

00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:42.440
 in regard to ministry.

00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:45.039
 There are some people

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:46.240
 in your life

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.059
 that pretty much

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.000
 only you

00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:49.019
 have an opportunity

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.779
 to reach,

00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.579
 to comfort,

00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.380
 to serve.

00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:55.840
 And I want to say to you,

00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:58.720
 for you who are gathered here

00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.360
 right now,

00:22:59.500 --> 00:22:59.920
 online,

00:23:00.020 --> 00:23:00.820
 or right here,

00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:03.680
 you are not here by accident.

00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:06.620
 It is by God's design.

00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:09.360
 In God's providence,

00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.620
 you are here

00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:14.520
 because he wants you

00:23:14.520 --> 00:23:16.580
 to be part of his eternal plan.

00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:21.360
 And there are certain things

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.599
 that he wants you to do.

00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.479
 So,

00:23:24.699 --> 00:23:26.099
 if you are only,

00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.319
 if you like,

00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:27.879
 taking

00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:29.479
 and not giving,

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.959
 not serving,

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.619
 not praying,

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.699
 not being trained

00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.599
 in any way,

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:36.019
 it means there are some things

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.719
 that God

00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:38.179
 wants us to do

00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:39.799
 as a church family

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:41.079
 for our neighborhood

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.899
 that we are not

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:44.279
 currently able to do.

00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:50.519
 We are all priests here

00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.440
 to offer spiritual sacrifices

00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:54.039
 and you are needed.

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.980
 God is calling you

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.779
 to minister.

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.879
 And as we consistently

00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.700
 call you

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.940
 week in and week out

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:06.339
 to take your next step,

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.180
 we are calling you

00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:10.400
 to step into your design.

00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:12.220
 We are calling you

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.759
 to step into your vocation.

00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:21.019
 prioritizing God's people,

00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.220
 his eternal spiritual house

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.579
 over our temporary dwellings

00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.720
 and personal improvement projects

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:31.099
 are often too much for us though.

00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.339
 Expressive individualism,

00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.900
 which I talked about last week,

00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.740
 says,

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.680
 you do you,

00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:41.220
 I'll do me,

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:44.620
 I need to do this for me.

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.980
 And it does not tolerate

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.380
 sacrificing of self

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.359
 for the sake of others.

00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.640
 It might occasionally

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.880
 for immediate family

00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.259
 and for some friendships

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.180
 from inner circle,

00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.880
 but really not anyone else.

00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:01.100
 We even read suggestions

00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.240
 in our day and age

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.620
 that we would be

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:05.280
 significantly happier in life

00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:06.360
 if we cut out

00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.460
 all the negative people

00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.440
 out of our lives.

00:25:10.260 --> 00:25:11.740
 And so even the Christian

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:14.620
 finds it so much easier

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.360
 to justify

00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.960
 curating a circle

00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.260
 of acquaintances

00:25:18.260 --> 00:25:21.660
 who confirm for us

00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.480
 our biases,

00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:25.100
 never challenge us,

00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.699
 and whose lifestyles

00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.740
 and circumstances

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.480
 fit perfectly with our own.

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.259
 We pursue personal preference

00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.799
 consistently in life.

00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:39.279
 And we are called

00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.599
 by God

00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:42.259
 in his providence

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:44.059
 to do exactly the opposite.

00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.879
 And not just that,

00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:46.740
 he's empowered us

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.919
 by his Holy Spirit

00:25:47.919 --> 00:25:49.879
 to do exactly the opposite.

00:25:50.419 --> 00:25:51.879
 Jesus went to the cross

00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:53.559
 for those people,

00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:54.459
 for all people.

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:56.179
 That's the level

00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.719
 of commitment

00:25:56.719 --> 00:25:58.259
 that he requires

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.299
 for each of us

00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.500
 and he's calling us into.

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.240
 We are to cultivate

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.279
 Christian communities

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:05.439
 in which our common characteristic,

00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.879
 our cornerstone,

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.879
 our foundation

00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:09.639
 is Jesus Christ

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.459
 and his service

00:26:10.459 --> 00:26:11.339
 of all people.

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:17.799
 As society fractures

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:19.659
 into toxic tribalism,

00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.539
 it is essential

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.639
 for churches

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.759
 to form deep,

00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.860
 thick communities

00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.580
 based around

00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:28.640
 a lot more

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.640
 than my personal convenience.

00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:33.840
 Our world needs it.

00:26:38.840 --> 00:26:42.020
 Do not choose churches

00:26:42.020 --> 00:26:43.720
 where there are people

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:44.600
 just like you.

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:48.159
 in fact,

00:26:48.219 --> 00:26:49.159
 a surefire test

00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:51.459
 for the gospel-centeredness

00:26:51.459 --> 00:26:53.059
 of any church

00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.759
 is its ability

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.740
 to create deep community

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.000
 across social

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.179
 and cultural barriers.

00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:02.199
 And it will cost us.

00:27:03.199 --> 00:27:04.839
 It will cost us dearly

00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.500
 as we launch

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.439
 into our vision

00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:08.219
 in the coming years.

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:11.779
 prioritizing long-term

00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.000
 church relationships

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.420
 may mean

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.839
 foregoing career advancement

00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.819
 in another city

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:19.600
 or stopping

00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.920
 the entertainment,

00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.339
 the cultural

00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.920
 or the sporting activities

00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.519
 that clash

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.140
 with the gathering

00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.920
 of God's people.

00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:28.339
 It may mean

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.640
 sidelining relationships

00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.680
 that merely reflect

00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:32.000
 my own interests

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.799
 and preferences

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.860
 for the sake

00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.440
 of the weaker,

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.799
 the more needy

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.680
 or the culturally

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.600
 different from me.

00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:39.700
 Right now

00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.779
 at St. Paul's

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.960
 we have got lots on

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.120
 and we are taking

00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.559
 some pretty major steps

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.700
 as a church family.

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.440
 And there may even

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.200
 be an assumption

00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.319
 amongst us

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:53.039
 well they don't need

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.559
 my gifts,

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.279
 they don't need

00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.400
 my financial resistance,

00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.220
 they don't need

00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.920
 my prayers,

00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.740
 they don't need

00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.799
 my service.

00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.160
 I want to say

00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.039
 that is a deadly

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.700
 assumption

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:03.579
 for you.

00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.339
 For you.

00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:09.179
 If you are too

00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:09.679
 timid,

00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.079
 too busy

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.019
 and I say this

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.399
 gently,

00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.759
 maybe too selfish

00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.319
 to do input

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.279
 and output

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.919
 then that is

00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.919
 bad for you.

00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.659
 It is bad

00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.240
 for you.

00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.539
 It is also

00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.379
 bad for us

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:25.000
 and it's also

00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.679
 bad for our

00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.039
 neighbourhood.

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.419
 We have

00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:29.419
 20 people

00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:29.899
 right now

00:28:29.899 --> 00:28:30.500
 signed up

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.019
 and progressing

00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.720
 through Arthur.

00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:33.140
 We are starting

00:28:33.140 --> 00:28:33.900
 a Thursday night

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.579
 congregation

00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.400
 next term.

00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.880
 Big next steps.

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:39.160
 The submission

00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.660
 for building

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.120
 affordable

00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:42.079
 and social housing

00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:42.680
 on our site

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.380
 has just been

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:43.740
 submitted

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.759
 and right now

00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.660
 in the next

00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:47.380
 week even

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.059
 I think it is

00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:49.120
 we are seeking

00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.700
 to raise

00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.720
 $68,500

00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:53.640
 to see God's

00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.660
 spiritual house

00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.940
 continue to be

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.940
 built in our

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.400
 neighbourhood

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.420
 and beyond us.

00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.740
 That's what we're

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.700
 doing right now.

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:02.720
 so far

00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.420
 we haven't

00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:04.880
 even hit

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:06.039
 15% of that.

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.640
 This is what

00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.380
 God is calling

00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:11.200
 us to do.

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.920
 This is what

00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.620
 he is calling

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.580
 you to do.

00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.019
 Give,

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.140
 serve,

00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:18.039
 pray,

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:18.940
 commit to

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.680
 seeing God's

00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.400
 presence built.

00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.019
 You've got

00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.640
 one card

00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.420
 on your seat

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:23.819
 which I'll

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.259
 talk about

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.740
 in a moment

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.319
 another one

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:25.880
 that's coming

00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:27.440
 in the next

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.940
 couple of

00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.319
 weeks.

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.140
 It's about

00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.680
 you taking

00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.200
 your next

00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.660
 step for

00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.240
 your joy.

00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.220
 So how

00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:36.400
 are we

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:36.880
 enabled to

00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.380
 do this?

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.160
 Where do we

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.740
 get the power,

00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.460
 the motivation,

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.240
 the confidence,

00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.039
 the freedom to do

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.360
 all this?

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.220
 It's right there

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.220
 back to 4 and 5

00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.559
 again.

00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.259
 That's my text

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.619
 for today.

00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.500
 As you come

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.980
 to him,

00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.640
 the living

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.640
 stone rejected

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.339
 by humans

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.900
 but chosen

00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:50.640
 by God

00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.420
 and precious

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.960
 to him,

00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.079
 you also,

00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.039
 like living

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.500
 stones,

00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.200
 are being built

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.000
 into a spiritual

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.279
 house to be

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.799
 a holy

00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.400
 priesthood

00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.279
 offering spiritual

00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.000
 sacrifices

00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:01.400
 acceptable to

00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.619
 God through

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:04.099
 Jesus Christ.

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.819
 As you

00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:07.059
 come to

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.539
 the living

00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.279
 stone,

00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:10.220
 Jesus Christ,

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.740
 the living

00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.299
 stone,

00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.579
 is also

00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.599
 the corner

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.099
 stone,

00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.219
 the foundation.

00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:15.759
 He's the

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.199
 thing that

00:30:16.199 --> 00:30:16.759
 connects us

00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.159
 all and

00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:17.679
 holds us

00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.059
 up.

00:30:19.199 --> 00:30:19.819
 He is the

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.539
 cornerstone

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.399
 of what God

00:30:21.399 --> 00:30:22.179
 is eternally

00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:22.779
 building in

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.439
 his people.

00:30:24.459 --> 00:30:25.279
 In verses

00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.199
 6 and 7,

00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.699
 if we relate

00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.240
 to Jesus

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.059
 Christ as

00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.279
 our

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.179
 cornerstone,

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.859
 we then

00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.259
 will have

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.079
 the amazing

00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.259
 power to

00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.240
 see change

00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.799
 in our

00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.359
 lives,

00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.740
 the power

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.299
 to serve

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.799
 people and

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.419
 see other

00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:41.359
 lives changed.

00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.519
 How do

00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:44.859
 you relate

00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.119
 to him

00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:45.359
 as your

00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:45.539
 living

00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:45.899
 stone?

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.299
 Four

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.659
 things,

00:30:46.719 --> 00:30:47.319
 very briefly.

00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.839
 Firstly,

00:30:49.199 --> 00:30:49.759
 he is your

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.279
 foundation.

00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:51.859
 The

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.619
 cornerstone

00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.539
 is the

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.019
 foundation

00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:54.539
 stone

00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.099
 of the

00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.719
 Old Testament

00:30:55.719 --> 00:30:56.159
 temple.

00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:57.699
 It's the

00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.439
 main stone

00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:58.799
 from which

00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.619
 all other

00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.279
 stones are

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.699
 measured

00:31:00.699 --> 00:31:01.980
 and set.

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.500
 It had

00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:04.839
 to be

00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.399
 perfectly

00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:06.279
 placed and

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.799
 perfectly

00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:08.899
 true in

00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:09.339
 order for

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:09.779
 the building

00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.399
 to be built.

00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.740
 friends,

00:31:12.820 --> 00:31:13.100
 it's not

00:31:13.100 --> 00:31:13.640
 simply enough

00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:13.960
 just to

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.519
 believe in

00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:14.860
 Jesus.

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.740
 What I

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.019
 mean by

00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.300
 that is

00:31:17.300 --> 00:31:17.620
 it's not

00:31:17.620 --> 00:31:18.160
 simply enough

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.500
 just to

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:18.820
 give some

00:31:18.820 --> 00:31:19.140
 sort of

00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.620
 intellectual

00:31:19.620 --> 00:31:20.720
 assent to

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.340
 him existing

00:31:21.340 --> 00:31:21.960
 and being

00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.500
 God.

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.440
 He needs

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.360
 to be

00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.840
 who he

00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:27.620
 says he

00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:28.620
 is to

00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.220
 us,

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:30.820
 the

00:31:30.820 --> 00:31:31.700
 operating

00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.600
 foundation

00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.240
 of our

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.660
 very

00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.620
 lives.

00:31:37.780 --> 00:31:38.380
 Our

00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:39.080
 entire

00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.200
 life is

00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.480
 to be

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:40.980
 built on

00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.279
 him.

00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:42.440
 Every

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.799
 human

00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.799
 heart has

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.920
 got its

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.779
 uttermost

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.519
 foundation

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:48.660
 from which

00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:49.160
 we get

00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.819
 our sense

00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.640
 of value,

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:51.460
 worth and

00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:51.860
 self.

00:31:54.080 --> 00:31:54.680
 Every

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.340
 single human

00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:55.759
 heart has

00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.039
 got a

00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.539
 foundation

00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.559
 and from

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.299
 that foundation

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.220
 our lives

00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.680
 are built

00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.580
 and our

00:32:00.580 --> 00:32:01.400
 eternity is

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.960
 governed and

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.519
 our decisions

00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.259
 are made.

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.720
 Whatever it

00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.220
 is for you,

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.779
 and I've

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.340
 preached about

00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.920
 this twice

00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.380
 already in

00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:09.799
 this series,

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.440
 whatever it

00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:10.700
 is,

00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.659
 it must

00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:12.579
 be displaced

00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.359
 by Jesus

00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:13.919
 Christ.

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:17.299
 He has

00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.720
 to be

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.099
 there.

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.059
 And when

00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.940
 Jesus goes

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.279
 to the

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.919
 foundation,

00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.299
 he removes

00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.819
 or he

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.440
 weakens

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.680
 every other

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.339
 identity

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.139
 marker of

00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:28.799
 our life.

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:31.079
 life, if

00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.500
 you want

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.099
 to know

00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:33.359
 what the

00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.799
 identity

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.819
 marker is

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.319
 in your

00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.899
 life, the

00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:36.159
 deepest

00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:36.639
 foundation

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:36.940
 in your

00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.339
 life,

00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:40.379
 see what

00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.720
 quickly

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.700
 replaces the

00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.359
 community of

00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:43.680
 believers.

00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.399
 See what

00:32:45.399 --> 00:32:46.720
 quickly replaces

00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:48.099
 your engage

00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:49.000
 with him in

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.500
 your Bible

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.379
 and your

00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:50.759
 prayer.

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.899
 And you're

00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.240
 getting an

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.000
 idea of what

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.539
 the identity

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.200
 marker, the

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:55.500
 strongest

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.240
 foundation of

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.660
 your life

00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:56.940
 is.

00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.900
 Secondly, for

00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.599
 Jesus to get

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.279
 to that place

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.880
 in our life,

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.859
 he has to be

00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.400
 precious to

00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:04.599
 us.

00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:05.420
 See verse

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.180
 four, rejected

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.759
 by humans but

00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.960
 chosen by God

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.220
 and precious to

00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.480
 him.

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.859
 Jesus, his

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.500
 grace and his

00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.140
 mercy has to

00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.660
 become more

00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.519
 precious to us

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.680
 than anything

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.759
 else, otherwise

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.539
 he will never

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.299
 become our

00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.019
 cornerstone.

00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.339
 He becomes our

00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.420
 foundation when we

00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:22.880
 see him and

00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.279
 regard him as

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.500
 the pearl of

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:26.440
 great price, the

00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.160
 greatest treasure.

00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:30.299
 Thirdly, he

00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.980
 becomes precious

00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.799
 to us when we

00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.440
 see him, when we

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:35.200
 see him as, that

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.059
 we are precious

00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.619
 to him.

00:33:38.379 --> 00:33:39.339
 He was rejected

00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:40.119
 by his closest

00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:41.700
 friends, he was

00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.619
 rejected by his

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.339
 family, he was

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:44.220
 rejected by his

00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.440
 society, he was

00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.500
 rejected by his

00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.579
 father, he was

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.500
 rejected, he went

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.700
 to the cross for

00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.480
 our sin.

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:53.200
 Why would he be

00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.779
 so rejected?

00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:00.380
 Hebrews tells us

00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.980
 it's because we

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.640
 were precious to

00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:02.900
 him.

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.360
 When we see

00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:08.579
 ourselves as

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.440
 being so

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.860
 unworthy and

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.940
 yet so precious

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.740
 to him, that

00:34:13.740 --> 00:34:14.480
 will turn him

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.219
 into being so

00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.079
 precious to us.

00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.599
 And that is

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.280
 when he starts

00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:18.980
 to become the

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.639
 cornerstone in

00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.259
 our life.

00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:21.519
 When we see

00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.460
 that cornerstone,

00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.400
 that foundation,

00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.839
 we are set free

00:34:24.839 --> 00:34:25.779
 and empowered to

00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.500
 serve others.

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:29.179
 Lastly, to

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.819
 swing us right

00:34:29.819 --> 00:34:30.519
 around back from

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.039
 where I started

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.519
 at the beginning,

00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:33.099
 he is the goal

00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.779
 of all things.

00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:37.000
 At the end of

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.440
 the Bible,

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.699
 Revelation 21,

00:34:38.859 --> 00:34:39.559
 we read of the

00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.199
 new heaven, the

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:40.639
 new earth.

00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:42.139
 It's a new city

00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:43.579
 and we are told

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.500
 God's dwelling

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.420
 place is now

00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.099
 amongst the

00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.139
 people and he

00:34:47.139 --> 00:34:47.779
 will dwell with

00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.500
 them and they

00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:49.019
 will be his

00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:50.380
 people and

00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.880
 God himself

00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.460
 will be with

00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.000
 them and be

00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.559
 their God.

00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.340
 He will wipe

00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:54.579
 away every tear

00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.480
 from their eyes

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.059
 and there will

00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.579
 be no more

00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.380
 death or mourning

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.059
 or crying or

00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.860
 pain for the

00:34:58.860 --> 00:35:00.059
 old order of

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:01.059
 things has passed

00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.519
 away.

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.460
 And it says

00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.900
 those who are

00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.260
 victorious will

00:35:05.260 --> 00:35:06.320
 inherit all of

00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:06.760
 this.

00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.199
 And I will be

00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:11.579
 their God and

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.559
 they will be

00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.800
 my children.

00:35:13.800 --> 00:35:16.740
 what you see

00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:18.920
 in Revelation

00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:20.180
 21 and 22

00:35:20.180 --> 00:35:21.019
 as it describes

00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:21.519
 the new heavens

00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.280
 and new earth,

00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:23.980
 there's no

00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.700
 temple there.

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.180
 There's no

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.519
 temple.

00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:29.500
 In fact,

00:35:29.580 --> 00:35:30.400
 Revelation tells

00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.400
 us the entire

00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.080
 new heavens and

00:35:32.080 --> 00:35:32.780
 new earth is the

00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:34.019
 temple, the

00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:35.019
 perfect temple

00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:37.860
 where the throne

00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.700
 of God is in

00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.100
 the middle.

00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:42.739
 God dwells

00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.440
 now with his

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:44.339
 people forever

00:35:44.339 --> 00:35:45.299
 in eternal

00:35:45.299 --> 00:35:45.960
 bliss.

00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:50.319
 That is the

00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.420
 trajectory of

00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:52.719
 all of God's

00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:54.940
 plans to

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.539
 build his

00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:57.259
 people in

00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:58.239
 Jesus Christ,

00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:00.500
 to eternally

00:36:00.500 --> 00:36:01.039
 dwell with

00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.299
 them.

00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.000
 And the

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:05.880
 church is

00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:06.739
 the only

00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:07.579
 glimpse of

00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:08.159
 that that we

00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:09.559
 have right

00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:09.980
 now.

00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:15.579
 And so I

00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.179
 ask you,

00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.059
 call yourself

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.579
 a Christian?

00:36:22.799 --> 00:36:23.559
 God has

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.059
 called you

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.779
 into a new

00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:27.059
 community and

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.440
 here's a

00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:27.940
 community that

00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.460
 he's building

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.380
 for his

00:36:29.380 --> 00:36:30.719
 glory to

00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.119
 permanently

00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.900
 dwell amongst

00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.199
 them.

00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.779
 Does your

00:36:35.779 --> 00:36:38.259
 life reflect

00:36:38.259 --> 00:36:38.799
 that goal?

00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:43.440
 purpose?

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:45.880
 Are you

00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:46.640
 taking your

00:36:46.640 --> 00:36:47.680
 next step to

00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:48.680
 pursue that

00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.539
 purpose in

00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:51.220
 your life?

00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:53.480
 God's purpose

00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.019
 for all

00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.600
 things.

00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.279
 best

00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:56.000
 one

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:57.139
 God's mother

00:36:57.139 --> 00:37:00.079
 have a

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.559
 love

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:02.159
 to

00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:05.139
 not

00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:05.619
 but

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.980
 go to

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.599
 allowance

00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.579
 for all

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:08.679
 and

00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:09.920
 more

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.960
 in

00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.920
 the

00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.159
 life

00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.579
 you