WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:17.160 Hey, good morning, everybody. I'm Derek Harris, in case you don't know me. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:22.480 I'm one of the new pastors here. Just got here about two months ago. 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:28.240 My wife and my son, John Paul, who is six years old, my wife Anna Catherine and I, 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:31.659 we moved here about two months ago, and we are so happy to be here. 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:39.519 I look out here, in those short two months, I see your faces, and I know so many of you already 00:00:39.519 --> 00:00:43.299 and count you as dear friends, and we just look forward to the years ahead. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:49.579 It's an honor to be here to preach the Word today, and if you don't mind, it's a wait as well, 00:00:50.099 --> 00:00:53.019 which we'll hear about the weight of glory today, but this is a different wait. 00:00:53.599 --> 00:00:57.439 So I'm going to pray. So if you wouldn't mind bowing your heads with me. 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.719 Father in heaven, thank you for this congregation. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:05.599 Thank you for your Word. Thank you for the opportunity to preach it. 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:09.719 I pray that anything that I say that needs to be forgotten, that they would forget it, 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:13.579 and all good things from you that they would remember. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.000 It would take root in their soul, and it would grow. 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:20.659 And I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:20.920 Amen. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:25.479 So, like I said, we recently moved here. 00:01:26.219 --> 00:01:30.680 Now, part of moving to a new place is competitive sports, right? 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:31.719 When you have kids. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:38.100 And recently, my son, John Paul, has started his first ever basketball league. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:40.359 Isn't that right, John Paul? He's in here. 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:42.840 Kids, hang on today, by the way. I'm glad you're in here. 00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:45.359 Okay? So if you're in here, this is for you too. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:51.819 But his basketball league, his co-ed, his five and six-year-olds, is organized. 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:56.159 It's complete chaos. It's organized chaos. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:00.980 It's adorable. It's absolutely horrific. 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:03.099 It's adorably horrific. 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:09.079 A typical game is spent with parents on the sidelines yelling things like, 00:02:10.079 --> 00:02:11.719 You can dribble the ball. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:14.500 No, run the other way. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:17.019 You're on defense. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:18.859 You can shoot the ball. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:20.500 You're on the same team. 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:23.459 Quit doing ballet twirls. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:26.639 Don't sit down in the middle of the court. 00:02:26.639 --> 00:02:31.539 Now, my wife, Anna Catherine, and in her high school days, 00:02:31.579 --> 00:02:34.059 she was known as the intimidator, by the way, in basketball. 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:39.099 She's agreed to be an assistant coach, and she's quite the baller. 00:02:39.339 --> 00:02:42.000 But during one of our recent games, I looked over on the sidelines, 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.879 and coaching in that moment called her to console the team, 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:50.560 a few of which who were crying because they had been handsomely defeated, 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:52.679 like the Auburn Tigers would beat down anyone. 00:02:52.680 --> 00:02:57.819 But they had been handsomely defeated so bad that they had to take the score 00:02:57.819 --> 00:02:58.879 off the scoreboard. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:02:59.840 And so she's crying. 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:03.120 One of the girls is crying, and one of the guys is crying. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:06.740 And nothing that she seemed to say would comfort them in that moment, 00:03:07.260 --> 00:03:11.780 nothing except redirecting their attention to the team's snack. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:14.700 Ah, yes. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:16.719 We all know the team's snack, right? 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:20.400 The best part of competitive sports at a young age. 00:03:20.400 --> 00:03:23.700 No matter the score at the end of the game, 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:25.960 you're always going to get that team's snack, right? 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:28.200 Will it be Capri Sun? 00:03:28.620 --> 00:03:30.120 Will it be Oreos? 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.200 Maybe it's goldfish. 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:33.379 Maybe it's pizza after the game with the team. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:36.219 But the hope of that team's snack 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:40.020 actually made the sadness a little bit more bearable. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:43.620 Because there was a yet unseen reality ahead 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:46.800 far better than the current circumstances. 00:03:47.480 --> 00:03:48.759 It outweighed them. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:52.340 And it's not much different, really, for us, 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:53.319 if you think about it. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.099 When we look at our lives, 00:03:55.179 --> 00:03:56.879 when we look at the world around us, 00:03:57.099 --> 00:04:01.419 we have a lot of reason to be sad and to despair. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:04.000 Do we cry uncontrollably? 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:04.859 Maybe. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:08.159 But what do we do and what do we run to 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:11.299 to console us and to help us cope with the pain? 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:16.759 Is there yet unseen reality for us ahead 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:21.199 that's far better than the current seen circumstances? 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.160 If so, what is it? 00:04:24.900 --> 00:04:27.480 And I believe the answer is found in today's Scripture. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:30.640 So let's read these verses together. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:32.340 I'll read them and you read along with me. 00:04:32.640 --> 00:04:33.600 You don't have to read out loud. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:39.200 Okay, now we're jumping into a book we haven't been, 00:04:39.199 --> 00:05:03.740 Okay, now we're jumping into a book we haven't been in. 00:05:03.740 --> 00:05:05.079 This is the book of 2 Corinthians, 00:05:05.280 --> 00:05:07.439 and it was written by the Apostle Paul. 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:10.180 Now, he also wrote most of the New Testament. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:13.900 Fun note, there are originally four letters to the Corinthians. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:15.439 We only have two today. 00:05:15.960 --> 00:05:16.980 Two of them were lost. 00:05:17.460 --> 00:05:19.800 They were referred to as A, B, C, and D. 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:22.740 So this letter is actually the fourth. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:23.740 This is letter D. 00:05:23.900 --> 00:05:25.079 We lost A and C. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:27.840 So what you have in the Bible is B and D. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:29.019 1 Corinthians is B. 00:05:29.340 --> 00:05:30.720 2 Corinthians is D. 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:36.540 Now, Paul is writing to a church that he started in a town on an island actually called Corinth. 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:40.980 And if you lived there, you were known as a Corinthian. 00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:47.120 They were riddled with anything bad you can imagine they had. 00:05:47.580 --> 00:05:48.760 Imagine Bourbon Street. 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:50.100 That was Corinth. 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:51.080 Okay? 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:55.860 So he's writing to Christians that are surrounded by a lot of reason to despair. 00:05:56.460 --> 00:05:59.820 He's writing to people that are not very different than you and I. 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:04.319 So as we read this passage, though, I think that God wants us to hear three specific things today. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:09.659 First, sometimes things aren't what they seem to be. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.079 Second, I love you. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:14.620 You're not alone. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:16.360 There is a purpose. 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:19.420 And third, trust me. 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:21.480 So let's take a look at these. 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:25.779 First thing that I think he wants you to hear today is this. 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.819 Sometimes things aren't what they seem to be. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:33.639 And in that, he wants us to consider our perception of reality. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:37.759 When I say perception, I mean awareness, understanding, comprehension. 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:40.800 Paul was no stranger to despair. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:41.779 Okay? 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:47.199 He knows that when we look around, things can be very, very, very discouraging. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:48.959 And many times confusing. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:51.100 But sometimes they're not what they seem to be. 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:53.639 For instance, one thing you need to know about me. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:58.680 Secondly, my angry face is identical to my I'm listening to you, I love you face. 00:06:59.419 --> 00:06:59.740 Okay? 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:04.539 So you may think I'm mad at you sometimes, but it may not be what it seems to be. 00:07:05.419 --> 00:07:09.680 So sometimes you'll see me just trying to go and awkwardly smile to let you know, hey, I'm not angry. 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:10.719 I'm actually gelling with you. 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:12.180 I can't change it. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:14.959 And then I'll get mad that you think I'm angry when I'm really listening. 00:07:15.399 --> 00:07:15.639 Right? 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:18.039 This has been the source of many conflicts in my life. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.519 I live over the mountain. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.219 Owens Crossroads. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:24.539 OC, as I like to call it. 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:26.680 One day I stop at this gas station. 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:27.939 It's a Chevron. 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:30.379 And I see a sign for a fine wine store. 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:33.539 And I'm like, hmm, fine wine store in a gas station. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:34.899 I got to check this out. 00:07:35.399 --> 00:07:38.259 So out of curiosity, I go in and I check it out. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.399 And I didn't expect much. 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:42.680 But what I got was an amazing wine store. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:48.220 Not only could I buy wine from all over the world, and I think it's the best wine store in Huntsville, 00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:54.840 but if I wanted to, I could walk across the store and get a slushie and a ring pop and a bag of Doritos. 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:58.340 Sometimes things are not what they seem to be. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:01.079 In fact, they're better than they seem to be, right? 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:07.259 I asked some people, what are some things in our lives that are different than we would have originally thought? 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:08.759 Here's some answers I got. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:09.800 Life. 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:11.899 It hasn't turned out the way I thought it would. 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:13.099 Parenthood. 00:08:13.599 --> 00:08:16.399 My kids are better or worse than I thought they would be. 00:08:17.179 --> 00:08:17.620 Instagram. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:23.099 I thought I could connect with people, but I just get sad and feel worthless. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.039 Christmas, kids. 00:08:25.739 --> 00:08:28.000 I got everything I wanted, but I'm not happy. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:31.359 It didn't make me feel the way I thought it would. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:32.779 Finances. 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:35.659 Maybe you thought you'd be a millionaire by now. 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.139 People. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.919 They let us down. 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:39.559 Politics. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.479 Politics. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:42.059 I won't even go there. 00:08:43.099 --> 00:08:44.779 And miracle wrinkle cream. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:45.740 Okay? 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:48.279 I thought it was going to give me back my youth. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:49.919 That's just what actually somebody said to me. 00:08:50.919 --> 00:08:53.639 But sometimes things actually aren't what we think they are. 00:08:54.279 --> 00:09:00.819 And if you read the news, if you look around, if you look on the internet, we have reason to actually get sad. 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.639 So if you're sad, hey, okay. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.559 So was Jesus, right? 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.599 He looked around. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:07.699 He was a man of sorrows. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:08.339 Why do you think? 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:10.799 He's so in touch with the world around us. 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.839 It's a world of despair. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.100 His disciples saw it. 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:16.000 And they give us words to focus on here in the scriptures. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:25.960 Is it possible, though, that our perception, how we perceive things, is actually off from the way that we're created to see things? 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:28.960 Paul knew the answer to that is yes. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:32.740 And that the visible world around us gives us reason to despair. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:35.480 That's why he begins verse 16. 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:38.540 Let's go back to verse 16 with an exhortation. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:42.599 So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away. 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:44.980 Our inner self is being renewed day by day. 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:46.620 He says we do not lose heart. 00:09:47.339 --> 00:09:55.759 Okay, if you look back to chapter 4, verse 1, or ahead to chapter 5, verse 6, he's hanging in this zone again. 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:58.459 4.1, he says, again, we do not lose heart. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:01.719 But in chapter 5, verse 6, he says we're always of good courage. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:03.480 This is his perception. 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:08.419 There's a positive thing going on that's a real focus on something ahead. 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.599 But it's causing his world around him to change. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:15.319 So in the midst of a horrible circumstance, he's hanging on to something bigger. 00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:22.559 But what's translated as so right there should actually, I've heard, better be translated as the word therefore. 00:10:23.039 --> 00:10:26.980 And whenever you see the word therefore, you should stop and ask, what's it there for? 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:33.060 And the word therefore in this, if it were so, it should say, therefore we do not lose heart. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:34.759 Some translations do translate it. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:39.300 It's there to let you know that these verses are tied in with the verses that were ahead. 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:42.580 And Paul has been teaching about the resurrection from the dead. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:44.900 That's what he's talking about. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.340 That's the focus of what he's talking about. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:54.480 And it's there to let us know that this is a continuation of that teaching, which will later be closed out. 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:58.180 The resurrection from the dead is Paul's hope. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.780 What is your hope? 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:03.300 What is my hope in the midst of the world? 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.000 We all know it's sad, but what's our hope? 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:10.000 Whatever you may be going through right now, don't give up hope. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:12.179 One time I was in a time of despair. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:16.440 And so what we did is we turned on Wheel of Fortune to watch Wheel of Fortune. 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:18.460 Because that's what you do when you're in despair, right? 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:21.000 And so my wife and I were watching Wheel of Fortune. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.980 And I was like, you know what? 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:24.860 I'm so frustrated. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.679 So we stopped and I said, I'm going to pray. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.200 I'm going to actually trust God's word. 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:30.120 I'm going to cast my anxiety upon him. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.639 And I'm going to look for his peace. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:34.320 And so I did that. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:35.440 I muted the TV. 00:11:35.660 --> 00:11:36.200 We prayed. 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:38.360 I look up right when the prayer is over. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:40.060 And you know what it says? 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:41.160 The puzzle's right there. 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:42.000 Still muted. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:44.000 It says, don't give up hope. 00:11:46.020 --> 00:11:46.460 Right? 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:50.879 Pat Sajak was a messenger of the Lord. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.140 No. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:53.560 So that was cool. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:55.600 And I don't want you to give up hope. 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:56.480 Right? 00:11:56.520 --> 00:11:59.540 Whatever you're going through right now, it may not be what it seems to be. 00:12:00.380 --> 00:12:02.300 Paul says, outwardly we're wasting away. 00:12:02.300 --> 00:12:04.060 What he's talking about is our bodies. 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:04.720 Right? 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:08.020 We're all moving towards something that's going to end. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:11.600 But inwardly is our spirit is being renewed day by day. 00:12:12.040 --> 00:12:13.080 Christmas was just over. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.900 We had our 91-year-old grandmother in town. 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:19.140 And I took her, was taking her back home because she lives in Arkansas. 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:21.720 And we were meeting someone halfway to pick up. 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:23.940 And she just lost her husband last year. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:27.340 And she said, you know, Derek, when I read the Bible, 00:12:28.140 --> 00:12:31.080 something just changes in me and it gives me hope. 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:34.139 And I can't explain it, but it helps me keep going. 00:12:35.040 --> 00:12:36.840 She's talking about what Paul's talking about. 00:12:37.780 --> 00:12:41.480 There's an inward renewal that happens when we encounter the truths of God. 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:43.240 And that's what you're created to look at. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:46.840 But you're surrounded in a world that just distracts you all the time. 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:48.940 Now, we don't leave the world. 00:12:49.280 --> 00:12:50.680 No, we learn how to live in it. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:53.100 And we learn how to be transformed within it. 00:12:53.920 --> 00:12:55.340 Outwardly, we're wasting away. 00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:57.980 But if you trust your life to Jesus Christ, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:03.360 you're standing on a foundation of something so much greater and so much more beautiful. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:07.480 And everyone in this room and in this world is welcome to take that step. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:11.320 That step of faith to stand on that foundation of Christ. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.240 And like Paul, we can look to Jesus in faith. 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:17.759 By looking ahead to the resurrection, 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:21.220 we can have an unquenchable hope. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:26.120 Because for those who are united to Jesus Christ through faith, 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:28.019 the resurrection from the dead, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:30.899 literally coming back to life after you die, 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:34.399 is the unstoppable reality for you. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.600 This is the message of the gospel. 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.720 Not that Jesus died only, 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:40.519 but he came back to life. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:42.379 Get your head around that. 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:45.259 You can live forever. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:48.679 Now, we either believe that or we don't. 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:51.579 But that's the message that Christ brings to us. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.519 And that either transforms this world today, 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:57.860 or it's just another thing that we read. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:01.759 Like children crying on the sidelines of that basketball game, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:05.580 we're all in despair over something that we see. 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:08.259 It clouds our perception from the gospel hope. 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:13.560 But Paul's encouraging us to look to what's ahead and not to lose hope. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:16.720 Because sometimes things actually aren't what they seem to be. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.779 They're better. 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.820 Way better. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:23.300 Secondly, God wants us to hear these words today. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.420 Imagine him saying this to you. 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:26.679 I love you. 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.539 You're not alone. 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.579 There is a purpose. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:36.000 He calls it an eternal weight of glory in the scripture. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.819 Paul does. 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:38.959 That hope, that purpose. 00:14:41.339 --> 00:14:43.000 You know, what is it that gives you hope? 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:45.439 Whatever you're going through, good or bad, 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.779 to find that purpose or meaning. 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.399 Right? 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:50.139 Because what he means is ultimate meaning. 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:52.339 Not just something little, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:54.319 but the end of the game, so to speak. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:56.760 What is it that gives you hope as you sit here? 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:59.760 What gives you hope to get through this sermon being over? 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.800 It's thinking about lunch. 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.500 I know it is. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.000 A lot of y'all are thinking right now, 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.900 where are you going to go eat? 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.340 Right? 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.760 And that helps you get through the sermon. 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:07.300 It helps me. 00:15:08.260 --> 00:15:10.379 And so it's got to help you. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:13.940 But what is it that gives you hope in that ultimate thing? 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.360 In that ultimate thing? 00:15:15.400 --> 00:15:17.080 There's a good chance, you know, 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:19.560 we can think of things that help us get through tough situations. 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:21.819 There's a good chance that somebody in here is an engineer. 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:23.419 A very good chance. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:26.059 And there's a good chance that someone in here is an engineer 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:27.079 that works on rockets. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:27.939 Right? 00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:29.719 And if we're going to work on rockets, 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:34.959 we have to first go through that painful process of design and testing. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.639 Right? 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:38.059 And sometimes you may only realize the outcome 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:40.639 when the rocket is actually launched. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:44.779 But that trial, that tough time, 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.899 can lead to something so beautiful. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.759 One time I had a terrible tooth infection. 00:15:50.199 --> 00:15:51.100 It was awful. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:54.939 And it led to me needing to get my wisdom teeth out. 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.539 And there's a reason why they tell you 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:58.220 to get those things out before you're 28. 00:15:58.819 --> 00:16:01.419 And that reason is pain, misery, 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:04.220 and everything you can imagine horrible for one solid week. 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.200 Okay? 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:07.819 But I had to trust that surgeon. 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:10.720 And the way I got through that week was looking to what's ahead. 00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:12.760 And that's no more tooth infections. 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:16.860 And, man, they had to hammer that thing out and it hurt. 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:19.879 But what if that's true in our spiritual lives? 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:22.660 What if what we go through in life 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:25.440 is really leading to something better? 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:28.520 What if God feels our pain with us? 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:32.040 What if we don't know the fullness of good 00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:34.800 actually until we've undergone the surgery? 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.340 And he's saying, I love you. 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.360 You're not alone. 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:40.860 There is a purpose for what you're going through. 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.460 Verse 17 tells us what it is. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.860 Let's jump back to those verses. 00:16:47.420 --> 00:16:49.300 For this light, momentary affliction 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:51.680 is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:54.040 beyond all comparison. 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:57.960 He's saying there's a light at the end of this tunnel. 00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.940 We're not alone in the tunnel, in fact. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.680 God is in the tunnel with us. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.920 But do you ever get bogged down? 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.799 If you're like me, you do. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.700 You get bogged down in the darkness 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.940 and you lose sight of hope. 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.819 And you may think, oh, that's great. 00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.659 Paul can say that. 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.339 He knew Jesus. 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:14.399 Okay, Paul was no stranger to suffering and pain. 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:17.659 Let's look at 2 Corinthians 11, 24. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:19.059 Would you put that on the screen for me? 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:21.960 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.839 the 40 lashes less one. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.099 Three times I was beaten with rods. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:27.339 Once I was stoned. 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.299 Three times I was shipwrecked. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:31.119 A night and a day I was adrift at sea 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.159 on frequent journeys. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.559 Danger from rivers. 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.579 Danger from robbers. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.859 Danger from my own people. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.440 Danger from Gentiles. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.399 Danger in the city. 00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:39.619 Danger in the wilderness. 00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.440 Danger at sea. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.779 Danger from false brothers. 00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:44.000 Keep going. 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.899 Next one. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:47.780 In toil and hardship. 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.860 Through many a sleepless night. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.140 In hunger and thirst. 00:17:51.800 --> 00:17:52.360 Fast forward. 00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:53.759 Apart from other things. 00:17:54.280 --> 00:17:55.560 There's the daily pressure on me 00:17:55.560 --> 00:17:57.019 for the anxiety of all the churches. 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.600 Who's weak and I'm not weak? 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:02.500 Who's made to fall and I'm not indignant? 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.580 If I must boast, 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:07.160 I will boast in the things of my weakness. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.500 That show my weakness. 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.780 There it is right there. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.379 Paul was no stranger to suffering. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.139 But in the midst of weakness 00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:17.200 is God's strength. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.700 And in the midst of weakness, 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:19.779 God is saying to you, 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.420 I love you. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:22.039 You're not alone and there is a purpose. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.480 This is the great dichotomy 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.619 of the kingdom of God. 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.799 If you follow Jesus Christ 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.960 or you're considering it, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.019 know this. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.720 The world defines strength 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:34.539 in status, power, money, and fame. 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.879 But God defines strength 00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.940 in Jesus Christ. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.700 The lowly, the humble, 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:41.140 the loving, the forgiving Son of God 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.420 who laid aside glory for a time 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:44.819 for me and for you. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.880 He humiliated Himself 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.600 to the point of death 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.940 on a cross on this earth 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:52.100 so that we can be exalted with Him 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.840 forever in eternity. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:57.120 One time I was in Washington, D.C. 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.240 I lived there for nine years. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.840 And there's this road 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:02.440 that surrounds it called the Beltway. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.519 And I had to take the toll road 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.539 to get onto the Beltway. 00:19:05.940 --> 00:19:06.860 Okay, and the toll road, 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.639 right before you enter the Beltway, 00:19:08.719 --> 00:19:09.819 there's no lines. 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:12.679 Okay, so imagine thousands of people 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:13.959 trying to work themselves 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:15.879 into about five lanes. 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:18.059 It is complete chaos. 00:19:18.719 --> 00:19:19.579 Okay, and so this morning 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.159 I was particularly having a hard day, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.279 but I look up 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:24.639 and I see the beauty of the sky. 00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:26.379 It was beautiful that morning. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.799 Then I look down 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:30.919 and I see a complete and utter mess. 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:31.419 It was like, 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:33.839 God, human beings. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.500 And I was like, 00:19:34.699 --> 00:19:35.759 where are you, man? 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.379 Where are you? 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.519 And I just kind of had 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.539 one of those moments with Him. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.859 And at that moment 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.699 I look at the car in front of me 00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:45.240 and right there on the bumper 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.019 is a bumper sticker 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.059 that just says Jesus. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:48.980 And it hit me. 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:50.779 I'm in it with you, Derek. 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:54.139 God is here with us 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.519 in this mess. 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.839 That is who Jesus is. 00:19:56.919 --> 00:19:57.539 He became, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.980 He took flesh to Himself for us. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.159 This is what we just celebrated 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.740 at Christmas. 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.420 We're all born 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.500 in this tunnel of darkness 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:07.040 in a world of sin and misery 00:20:07.040 --> 00:20:08.519 as our confession tells us. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.380 Decay, decomposition, 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:13.060 but God is making all things new 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:14.540 and we are not alone. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.759 There is a purpose. 00:20:18.540 --> 00:20:21.440 There is a weight of glory ahead 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.519 as Paul called it. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:24.060 And he called this pain here 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:28.300 temporary, light, momentary affliction. 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:29.900 This is why Jesus says, 00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:31.540 come to me all you who are weary 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:32.519 and heavy burdened. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.340 I'll give you rest for your souls. 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.300 Right? 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.040 Because we come here each week 00:20:37.040 --> 00:20:38.019 with so many struggles 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.840 and temptations. 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.980 But we've got to take them to Jesus. 00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:43.019 My job as a pastor 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.759 is to remind you, 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.600 to encourage you, 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.100 to admonish the idle, 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:47.500 to encourage the weak, 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:49.400 to be patient with all. 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.440 And the only way I know to do that 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.660 is to look at what 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.500 those who knew Jesus personally, 00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:56.380 like literally flesh to flesh, 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:58.560 we can say we do. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.839 But those who walked with him, 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.599 this is what they focused on. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.460 Take your pain to Jesus. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.759 He will walk with you. 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.759 He promises future hope 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.779 and he says that sometimes 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.279 things aren't what they seem to be. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.960 But I love you. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.299 You're not alone. 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.379 And there is a purpose. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.919 And finally, I think that God 00:21:17.919 --> 00:21:20.240 wants you to hear these words today. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.259 Trust me. 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:24.599 That's the third point. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.519 Could you bring that up? 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:27.619 Trust me. 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:31.119 He wants us to see things 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:33.279 from his perspective, 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.920 his position, 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.759 his point of view. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:39.039 Perspective is a frame of mind. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.000 Well, how can I see things 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.119 from God's perspective? 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.359 You may ask. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:46.460 The only way that I know to tell you 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.900 is for you to use his eyes. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.099 To see things the way that he does 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.980 is you have to actually use his eyes. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:54.700 He gives us his eyes through faith. 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.819 The Bible calls faith 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.180 the assurance of things hoped for, 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.140 the certainty of things not seen. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.140 And Paul teaches us 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:04.339 how to see through God's eyes 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.539 with the eyes of faith. 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.120 He says, 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.759 here's what you focus on. 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:09.420 Not the seen, 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.700 but the unseen. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.660 Let's read that last verse. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.480 Verse 18. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.420 Could you bring up that slide? 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.839 Thank you. 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:19.019 As we look not to the things 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.839 that are seen, 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:22.419 but to the things that are unseen. 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.720 For the things that are seen 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.019 are transient or temporary, 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:27.299 but the things that are unseen 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.939 are eternal. 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:31.079 If you think about this, 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.919 it's no wonder that Paul talks about 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:35.339 the seen and the unseen so much. 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:37.720 Because what was the most influential moment 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.500 in his life? 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:39.919 Anybody remember? 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.639 Just blurt it out if you want. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:47.340 The road to Damascus 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:49.759 when he was converted 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.980 and God did what to his eyes? 00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:53.860 Blinded him. 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:56.700 The first time that Paul saw Jesus 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:58.820 was when he was blinded. 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:01.600 And on that road to Damascus. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.900 So this makes sense 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.980 that he would write this way. 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.440 This was a huge part of his life. 00:23:05.520 --> 00:23:06.340 It took blindness 00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:08.400 for him to have faith. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:10.160 What will it take for us 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.680 to see Jesus? 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.840 What will it take for us? 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.980 And you may say, 00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:16.259 how can I focus on something 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.140 I can't see? 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:19.100 Well, Paul is talking about 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.060 the ultimate thing, 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.000 the outcome of things. 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.680 Not necessarily something 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.880 right in front of your face. 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.220 And God's saying, 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:25.880 trust me. 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:28.120 If we surrender our lives 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.400 to Jesus through faith, 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.920 and faith means 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:32.180 trusting him at his word. 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.320 Trusting that our sins 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:34.800 are forgiven, 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:36.000 our souls are set free, 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.420 and that we're given eyes 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.759 of faith through which to see 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.000 when we surrender to him. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.940 If we do that, 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.720 we can see things 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.859 the way that they really are. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.160 We can know that we're loved. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.819 We can know that we're not alone. 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.000 We can know that there's a purpose. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.640 We can be like the children 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:52.079 crying on the bench of life 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:54.119 because we've been defeated, 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.559 but we can look forward 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.640 then to that future hope, 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.960 which is life without end. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.019 No more death. 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:01.400 No more pain. 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:03.039 No more suffering. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.640 It's a future hope, 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:06.099 and that's what Paul's talking about. 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:08.019 That ultimate future hope. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.400 That's what he focused on. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.259 That's what the eyes of faith 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:13.259 give us the ability to focus on, 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.819 the scoreboard at the end of the game, 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.480 so to speak. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.740 It's looking ahead 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.900 to that future reality, 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.240 that future hope of life, 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.279 that death does not get the last word. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.519 Christ has won the victory. 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.039 He's made the shot. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.960 He's done the homework. 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.660 He's won the battle. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:31.700 God's eyes focus on victory 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.019 all the time, 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:35.859 but not necessarily ours, do they? 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.979 We need his eyes to see that. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:39.219 We need his eyes to get through it. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.059 Martin Luther King Jr. wrote it this way 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:42.039 when speaking of faith. 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.740 Faith is taking the first step 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.919 even when you don't see the whole staircase. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.479 And the verb used in verse 18 there 00:24:49.479 --> 00:24:51.459 for look is not like 00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:52.679 I look at this water bottle. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:55.479 It's more to set your gaze on something, 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.339 your ultimate focus. 00:24:57.939 --> 00:24:59.979 It's ocopeo, regard as your aim. 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.659 That's different than the word 00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.879 that meant just to look at something 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.560 in front of you, 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:05.340 which was like what's called blepo, 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.800 which I think is a funny Greek word. 00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.760 But Paul sets his gaze 00:25:08.760 --> 00:25:10.440 on that invisible world 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:12.420 of God's providence and rule, 00:25:12.780 --> 00:25:14.080 as one commentator said. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:16.240 And Paul is challenging you and I 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.040 to do the same. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.040 But do we do this 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:21.540 in our own lives? 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.180 Yeah. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.900 I think you can understand 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.980 focusing on the unseen. 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:27.360 Can you think of something 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.240 in this world, 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:29.800 seen world, 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:32.919 that serves as a reminder 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.980 of something that happened? 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.980 Think of 9-11. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.960 Right? 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.059 We set up a memorial 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.139 to go there 00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:40.559 to remember those men and women 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:42.500 who sacrificed their lives 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.940 and to remember those men and women 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.539 who actually ran to, 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:49.019 as Will has been saying recently, 00:25:49.339 --> 00:25:51.019 ran to the pain and the suffering 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:53.159 as our God runs to us. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.299 A tombstone. 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:56.339 It's so easy to forget life, 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.740 isn't it? 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:58.339 So we have tombstones 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.660 where we go and we remember 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.779 people that we love, 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.299 what they stood for, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.579 what they meant to us. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.700 It's a stone to remember. 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.880 In the Bible, 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.759 this stone was called 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.359 an Ebenezer. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.240 And it was set up, 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.039 originally, 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.460 in 1 Samuel, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.440 you read about this, 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.039 that Samuel set this up 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:17.400 to represent Israel's victory 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.339 over the Philistines, 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.700 that God had delivered them. 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:21.339 It was a seen reminder 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.920 of the eternal God. 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.599 A way to remember 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.599 that God's trustworthy. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:27.579 And maybe you and I 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.279 need to set up 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.339 some of those this year. 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.779 Maybe we need some 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.819 Ebenezers in our lives. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.539 Something to point 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.899 our temporary eyes 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.359 to something eternal 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.740 and something tangible 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.740 that we can hold in our hands. 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:38.980 Jesus said, 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.259 your eye is the lamp 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.399 of your body. 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:43.980 But because of our sinful natures, 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.319 we're so good at setting up 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.599 Ebenezers of despair 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:50.059 rather than Ebenezers of life. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.119 Ebenezers that become 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.059 temporal reminders 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.159 of spiritual despair, 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:56.000 saved rings from broken marriages, 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.740 so to speak. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.500 Looking at an Instagram 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.420 and focusing on 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.460 what you don't have. 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.400 We're really good 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.140 at that stuff. 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:05.460 Paul Miller is a great author. 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:06.480 If you've never read his book, 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.380 A Praying Life, 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.880 one of the best books 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.540 I've ever read. 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.660 And one of the best chapters 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.060 is called 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:12.779 Following Jesus 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.580 Out of Cynicism. 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.220 But he says this 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.860 about America. 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.340 America is a place 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.080 where cynicism 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:19.859 is the dominant spirit 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.500 of the age, 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.559 a spirit of depression 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.439 and despair 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:24.399 behind every silver lining 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:26.019 is a dark cloud. 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.279 Maybe we need to make 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.659 a habit 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:30.419 of Ebenezer-ing. 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.379 And yes, 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.699 I did just make a verb 00:27:32.699 --> 00:27:33.740 out of a noun. 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.099 For us, 00:27:36.199 --> 00:27:37.019 in our lives, 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.939 in times of despair, 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.179 someone gave me this one day. 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.419 It's called 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.399 My Daily Gratitude 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:41.039 Thank You Book. 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.720 And I thought 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.919 this was the cheesiest thing 00:27:43.919 --> 00:27:44.539 I'd ever seen 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.099 when that person 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:45.659 gave it to me. 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:47.019 But during our times 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.560 of despair, 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.560 we just would write down 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.500 one thing each day. 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.779 I found I can always think 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.759 of just one thing 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.519 that I'm thankful for. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.440 Well, I said this today. 00:27:55.540 --> 00:27:56.279 Today I'm thankful 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.960 for a family 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.500 that loves me 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.480 and lets me be myself. 00:27:58.800 --> 00:27:59.759 It's all I had for that day. 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.620 My wife would go in 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.240 and write something 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.860 and we didn't have 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:04.060 an order to it, 00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.680 but it helped. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.779 It helped us a lot 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.259 to focus on the Lord. 00:28:08.300 --> 00:28:09.060 One time I went 00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.660 on a missions trip 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.140 to Cuba 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.740 and I have this. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:12.940 It sits in my kitchen 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.400 every day 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.960 and I look at it. 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.960 It reminds me of God 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.519 saving someone's soul 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.460 despite myself 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.620 and this is what 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.480 that family gave me 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.059 as a gift. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.319 But put these little things 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.299 like do you have something 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.240 in your life maybe 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.140 that could help you 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.019 remember that God 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.460 is real 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.960 in the midst 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.579 of the temporal? 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:29.400 Something you can 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.240 hold in your hand. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.660 What do you think 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.140 you need 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:33.660 to put in your life 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.840 to trust God this year 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.100 to remind you 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:36.720 of that future 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.600 unseen hope 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.740 and that reality? 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.360 It might be this 00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:40.880 right here. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.420 The Bible. 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:44.880 Right now I hold 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:46.220 in my temporary hands 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.800 time bound hands 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:49.200 the word of the unseen 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.560 eternal God 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:51.360 and the same author 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.259 that made me 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:54.720 gave us this right here. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.560 But to hear him 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:58.019 I've got to actually 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.960 read what he says. 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.840 That's why he says 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.860 thy word is a lamp 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.580 into my feet 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.100 and a light 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.019 into my path. 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.240 Maybe we need to make 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.019 a little more time 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.519 this year 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:08.320 to see those words 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.619 so that we can 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.559 find our focus 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.079 and our purpose 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.359 in this world 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.559 that's often times dark. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.579 The reality here 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.639 is that we all 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.339 have a world view. 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.899 You know what a world view is? 00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.980 It's the view 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.559 through which 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.779 the glasses 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.319 or lenses 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.740 through which 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.539 I view the world. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.099 Okay? 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.980 And every basic 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.519 world view 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.859 answers four questions. 00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:31.519 Where did I come from? 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.019 Why is the world 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.859 such a mess? 00:29:34.439 --> 00:29:35.480 Is there hope? 00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.960 And so what? 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.600 And the Bible 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:40.100 answers those four questions 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:41.140 in distinct ways. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.799 Here at this new year 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.759 where did I come from? 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.940 You came from God. 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.000 He created you 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.000 and he created you 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.740 for a purpose. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.500 The world is such a mess 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.460 because of sin. 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.279 Sin led to condemnation 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.519 and sin is the reason 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.059 that death 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:55.079 and everything horrible 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.680 exists in this world. 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.200 Is there hope? 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.160 The only hope 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.960 I have to give you 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.880 is Jesus Christ 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.360 because he's the only one 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.400 who made this eternity 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.400 known to us. 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.460 And he's not only 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.640 made it known 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.820 he took it for us 00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:08.320 the sin 00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:09.080 and the condemnation 00:30:09.080 --> 00:30:09.500 and death 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.660 so that we can have life. 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.560 Not only did he live 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:12.880 though 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:14.140 paying for the sin 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.220 we can never pay for 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.720 he came back to life 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:19.040 and now he reigns 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:20.040 as king of all. 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.880 He's the alpha 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.840 the omega 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.560 the beginning 00:30:22.560 --> 00:30:23.420 and the end 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.580 but so what? 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.860 So what is surrender? 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.240 We don't understand 00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.820 the so what 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.640 until we surrender 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:32.220 and we don't find 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.720 the purpose 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.700 until we surrender. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.600 The difference 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:35.480 between Christianity 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.600 and every other religion 00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:38.740 is the difference 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.759 between two words 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.240 doing and done 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.960 and that's why 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.700 we can rest 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.660 when we come to Jesus. 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.200 That's why we can hope 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.799 when we hurt 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:48.700 because God hurts for us 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.380 God holds us 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:52.299 and he will resurrect us 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:54.340 and make all things new. 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.740 But Derek 00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.620 I want to do this 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.700 and I don't know how 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.279 you may say 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.039 I want to focus 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.840 on the unseen 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:01.340 but how can I 00:31:01.340 --> 00:31:02.299 with all this stuff 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.960 drowning it out 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.519 as you said. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:05.240 I tell you this 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.139 trusting starts 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.839 with surrender 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:08.579 surrendering everything 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.240 you have 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.460 to the one 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.440 with greater authority 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:13.579 surrendering your footsteps 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.839 to the voice of one 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:16.339 who tells you 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:16.919 where to walk 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.099 like Paul did. 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:20.039 We must make time 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.519 to surrender 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.059 to listen 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.720 to let God 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.639 retune our hearts 00:31:22.639 --> 00:31:23.379 and to refocus 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.039 our spirits 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.139 and God saying 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:26.079 trust me 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:27.460 not you 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.539 trust me 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:30.119 do you trust him? 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:32.019 have you given 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.959 your life to Jesus? 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.679 I mean really 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:35.659 if you have 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:37.359 do you make time 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.000 to surrender? 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.699 Do you make time 00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.399 to remember 00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.439 that? 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.739 To hope? 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.479 Are you just too busy? 00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.919 I'm pretty sure 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.639 we're all busy 00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:50.039 but without Jesus 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.079 there's no knowledge 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.359 and there's no understanding 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.919 of the things 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:53.659 that are unseen. 00:31:54.479 --> 00:31:55.019 Without Jesus 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.819 there's no knowledge 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.500 or understanding 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.259 of the things 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.479 that are eternal. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.799 Without Jesus 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.620 there's no knowledge 00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.339 or understanding 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.440 of any pain 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:04.099 as it has to do 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.940 with future glory 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.920 but in Jesus 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:08.059 the unseen 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:09.819 became seen 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:11.079 for us. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.680 In Jesus 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:13.579 the eternal 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:15.120 entered time 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:16.360 for a time 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.559 for us 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:19.039 and through Jesus' death 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.180 on that wooden cross 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:21.579 unmeasurable 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.839 temporary pain 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:24.660 became eternal forgiveness 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:26.519 for those of us 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.579 who open our eyes 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.199 of faith 00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:29.439 to see the promised 00:32:29.439 --> 00:32:29.939 future 00:32:29.939 --> 00:32:31.839 of resurrection glory. 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.099 But the reality 00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:34.240 is that some of us 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.559 here 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:36.619 we know our diagnosis 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.179 we've heard it 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:37.899 a million times 00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:39.000 we've gotten 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.559 the prescription 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.599 filled in fact 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:42.099 but our faith 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:43.619 is actually equivalent 00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.419 to sitting next 00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:44.960 to the bottle. 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:46.939 We talk about 00:32:46.939 --> 00:32:47.679 taking the medicine 00:32:47.679 --> 00:32:48.199 all the time 00:32:48.199 --> 00:32:49.039 we read books 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.639 that other people 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.039 have written 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.199 about taking the medicine 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.720 we've read the bottle 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.879 we know the side effects 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:55.279 we can even convince 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.099 others around us 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:57.240 that we've taken the pill. 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:59.099 But we never 00:32:59.099 --> 00:33:00.259 actually took the pill 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.139 that will cure us. 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.159 God's saying 00:33:03.159 --> 00:33:04.039 trust me 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:05.159 take the pill. 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.199 If you've never 00:33:07.199 --> 00:33:08.279 trusted him today 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:10.359 would you do it? 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.159 Would you let him 00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:12.980 set you free? 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:14.519 Would you let him 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.980 be the trustworthy 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.099 God that he is? 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.659 Would you let him 00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.179 forgive you 00:33:19.179 --> 00:33:20.039 of your sins? 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.740 And give you 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.699 the eyes of faith 00:33:22.699 --> 00:33:23.399 to see things 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.019 the way that they 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.659 really are? 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:27.440 would you let him 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.240 show you 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.360 that you're loved 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:29.940 by him? 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:31.340 That you're not alone 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.500 and that there is a purpose 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.940 would you trust him today? 00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:35.380 And if you have 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:35.920 trusted him 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.620 would you run back 00:33:36.620 --> 00:33:37.000 to him? 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.779 Would you make time 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:39.240 to remember 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.900 that surrender? 00:33:40.560 --> 00:33:41.560 What a great way 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:43.340 to start this new year 00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:44.900 with God's focus. 00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:46.460 He says 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.180 sometimes things 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.620 aren't what they 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.180 seem to be. 00:33:48.800 --> 00:33:49.660 I love you 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.880 you're not alone 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.519 there's a purpose 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.920 trust me. 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.960 Let's pray. 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:55.960 Father 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:57.240 thank you for this time 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.840 and your word 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:59.540 I pray that any in here 00:33:59.540 --> 00:34:00.440 who may not know you 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:01.019 that they would 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.460 take the step of faith 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:02.840 today 00:34:02.840 --> 00:34:04.120 and surrender 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:05.140 their lives to you. 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:06.519 I thank you 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.380 for everyone here 00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.440 I thank you 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.180 for the opportunity 00:34:09.180 --> 00:34:09.820 to be a part 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.360 of their lives 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:10.740 and I pray 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.340 that they would know 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.000 they're loved 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.500 no matter where they are 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.579 they're welcome here 00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:16.200 no matter what they bring 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.599 God you love them 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.000 and I pray 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.619 they would know it 00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:19.659 I pray those that do 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.359 know you Father 00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:21.219 would run to you 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.619 and experience new hope 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.099 this year 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:24.179 and Father 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:25.679 I pray we would enjoy that 00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.960 as we sing about that hope 00:34:26.960 --> 00:34:27.420 right now 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.500 it's in Christ's holy name 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:28.980 I pray 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.759 Amen 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:34.779 For more information 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:36.079 visit us online 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:37.380 at southwood.org