WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.600 my wife, obviously my wife. 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:06.400 Before I got married, I bought a house at Hornsby Heights. 00:00:06.600 --> 00:00:11.000 It's a little weatherboard house near the Birara Valley National Park. 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:13.060 And if you look at the next slide, 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:17.400 the house was lined with about 10 to 15 meter tall trees. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:19.600 It's a bit of a nightmare, actually. 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:24.120 It's all along the back fence and along the side fence up to the main road. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:27.660 As you can see, they've turned it way too close together. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:30.100 And you can see some of them, they don't even have leave from them properly. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:31.800 They're full of dead branches. 00:00:33.259 --> 00:00:36.939 So imagine if there was a bushfire at the nature reserve 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:42.939 and the embers blew from the National Park to this wall of trees. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:43.920 What would happen? 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:48.299 The mess of dry wood would just act as fuel for the fire. 00:00:49.019 --> 00:00:54.359 It would burn all the way along the back fence up the driveway and to my house. 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:57.359 There would be a disaster waiting to happen. 00:00:58.619 --> 00:01:01.019 So I took up the following public service announcement 00:01:01.019 --> 00:01:02.779 to combat the threat of bushfire. 00:01:03.379 --> 00:01:05.340 Be alert, but not alarmed. 00:01:06.259 --> 00:01:10.939 So this catchphrase has been used in many public service relation campaigns, 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:13.519 maybe from counterterrorism to bushfire safety. 00:01:14.699 --> 00:01:17.060 So in order to apply this campaign properly, 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:18.599 I needed to prepare my house. 00:01:18.599 --> 00:01:22.059 So with the council's permission, I cut down on those trees 00:01:22.059 --> 00:01:26.899 and to help to combat the threat of bushfire. 00:01:27.619 --> 00:01:32.500 So let's think about the consequence of not heeding that advice of be alert, not alarmed. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:36.299 So if I'm not alert, obviously I won't be alarmed. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:40.280 So I wouldn't have prepared my house for the threat of bushfire. 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:43.659 There would have been a serious stretch of the house burning down. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:48.539 But however, if I lived in a constant state of being alarmed, 00:01:49.179 --> 00:01:51.840 I would have a nervous breakdown or be constantly anxious. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:56.420 The Bible was full of warnings of dangers around us. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:01:57.579 There's a devil. 00:01:58.420 --> 00:02:00.859 We are told to watch out for temptation around us 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:03.780 and be on guard against being deceived by sin. 00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:09.699 Are we alert and not anxious when it comes to watching out for attacks? 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:13.680 Do we even know what to do when an attack happens? 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:17.120 Today's topic is the discipline of watching. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:23.020 I want to look at how we can appropriately be alert and not be alarmed 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:25.620 when we watch against sin and the devil. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:29.620 And also in light of the topic, the discipline of grace, 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:36.240 how do we use the means of grace provided by God to combat those two things? 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:38.780 So I'll focus mainly on two passages. 00:02:39.640 --> 00:02:42.719 If it helps you fold your outline in half, but you can't fold your app, 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:45.000 that's okay, you can take notes in there. 00:02:45.539 --> 00:02:49.140 You can write the note from Hebrews on one side and 1 Peter on the other side. 00:02:49.860 --> 00:02:53.259 So let us pray to get God's help so we can understand this topic. 00:02:54.140 --> 00:02:58.879 Dear God, we know that we are so easily deceived by sin and the devil. 00:02:59.620 --> 00:03:05.360 Pray that you can help us to know your means of being equipped to combat that. 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:08.240 We thank you that we can do so through your word. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:11.599 Pray that I will speak clearly and that we will listen to you 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:15.020 so that we will be attentive to change for your sake. 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:16.680 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:22.640 So what sort of threats from sin and the devil should we watch out for? 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:28.719 The first attack from sin is that sin is deceptive. 00:03:29.679 --> 00:03:33.779 We'll read again from Hebrews chapter 3, verses 12 to 13. 00:03:35.019 --> 00:03:40.659 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you have a sinful, unbelieving heart 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:42.139 that turns away from the living God. 00:03:42.959 --> 00:03:46.619 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:50.180 so none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.580 So what does it mean for sin to be deceptive? 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:59.060 So I'll illustrate that with my health or the lack thereof. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:03.340 Around the start of the year, I twisted my back. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:07.060 So for those who were around, it was like around Lunar New Year. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:08.819 I was walking sort of really lopsided. 00:04:08.819 --> 00:04:11.159 I went to the doctor. 00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:15.139 He prescribed a set of back exercises for me to do 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:18.740 and told me to go back to check up once in a while. 00:04:19.659 --> 00:04:21.259 Now, being a classic male, 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:26.079 I'm too stubborn and lazy and busy to go to do those exercises. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:28.019 I wanted a quick fix. 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:29.800 I said, I'll just put a bit of photobium on it. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:30.420 It should be fine. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.159 I said, it's not that bad. 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:34.339 I'll just stretch it out. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:34.939 It should be okay. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:37.560 Likewise, spiritually, 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:40.519 sometimes we think that we are strong enough 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:42.459 and healthy enough to deal with sin. 00:04:43.819 --> 00:04:46.519 And it's deceived when we are entangled by sin. 00:04:46.660 --> 00:04:47.980 I'll give you a few examples. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:51.519 Sometimes we discount the seriousness of sin. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:54.579 Some might think lying isn't a big deal. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.439 That's why it's called a white lie, right? 00:04:56.779 --> 00:04:57.480 It's not that serious. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:01.659 Sometimes we compare ourselves with other people around the world 00:05:01.659 --> 00:05:03.480 instead of what is in the Bible. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:09.060 For example, it doesn't matter if we stream live sports from certain websites. 00:05:09.640 --> 00:05:10.819 Everyone else is doing it. 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:11.400 It's not stealing. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.080 It's okay. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.860 And at times, we justify our sin in periods of stress. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:18.600 We call anger. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:20.400 We're just blowing off some steam. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:24.520 And greed and materialism, a bit of retail therapy. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:29.600 Another more subtle way that sin deceives us is that 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:32.040 if we are caught in a pattern of sin, 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:37.319 we despair and think that God can't possibly help us or love us 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:39.000 because we sin repeatedly. 00:05:40.780 --> 00:05:43.379 And when someone asks us how we are going, 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:46.939 no matter which way we are deceived, 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:49.340 we pretend everything is fine, everything is okay. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:53.680 So these are just some of the many ways that sin deceives us. 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:56.920 So in the same passage, we'll go back to that, 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:01.939 the writer warns us about the long-term effect of being deceived by sin 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:05.259 as hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:07.500 So what does it mean to be hardened? 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:11.899 That's actually a pretty important point to clarify. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.920 As Christians, we are often deceived by sin. 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:18.800 So what's the difference between being deceived once in a while 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:20.680 and being hardened in the heart? 00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:24.960 So I'll use the doctor analogy a bit further. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:29.439 So let's say if the doctor is giving me advice for checkups, 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:30.720 I have to go back to him. 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:34.920 If it became too annoying, I treated it as nagging, 00:06:35.200 --> 00:06:37.120 I found him too annoying, 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:39.220 I would start ignoring his advice. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:41.420 But let's imagine the following. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:45.759 If I think the doctor is basically a scammer 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:48.740 trying to get me to repeat my visit, 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:50.400 to rip off Medicare, 00:06:51.340 --> 00:06:52.500 then I would doubt his character. 00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:54.259 I wouldn't go back to him. 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:55.500 I would just stop seeing him altogether. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.600 In a similar way, 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.759 these are the ways that we are hardened against God. 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:05.740 Sometimes we think of the promises and commands of the Bible, 00:07:06.580 --> 00:07:07.560 sometimes even the Gospel. 00:07:08.400 --> 00:07:09.100 It's repetitive. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:12.680 And we become a bit blasé about listening to God's Word. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:15.080 In a more serious form, 00:07:16.140 --> 00:07:18.900 sometimes we believe that sin is more attractive 00:07:18.900 --> 00:07:20.080 than the promises of God. 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:23.660 And we doubt the intentions and the character of God. 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:28.320 So let's look at the second attack from the devil. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:32.700 We'll go to 1 Peter 5, verse 8. 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:36.959 Now the devil prowls like a roaring lion, 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:38.620 looking for someone to devour. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:41.899 So what this means is that 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:44.939 the devil is actively looking for ways 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:46.860 to snatch us away from God. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.120 So usually there are two ways 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:52.699 that we are sort of oblivious to the attack of the devil. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:57.139 So the more usual way is that 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:59.480 we don't think that the devil exists, 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:00.780 or if he does, 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:02.600 he doesn't really do much these days. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:06.319 The reason is that for most of us, 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:09.060 we believe the world is purely material. 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:13.780 We don't encounter animism or evil spirits. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:16.860 So what we think often is that 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:20.160 sin is truly something that we can control by our will. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:23.580 That is, we think that the only factor 00:08:23.580 --> 00:08:25.220 that affects whether I sin 00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:29.180 is whether I'm using my own willpower to stop it. 00:08:30.780 --> 00:08:31.800 On the flip side, 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:34.860 some people give the devil too much power. 00:08:35.920 --> 00:08:37.379 As if God and the devil 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:40.300 is in a daily cosmic arm wrestle. 00:08:41.660 --> 00:08:45.320 And is in constant fear of demonic powers 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:46.779 influencing their everyday life. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.839 So you can actually see that 00:08:48.839 --> 00:08:51.279 in sort of animism and shamanism 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.799 in many parts of the world, like Africa. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:57.459 So how are we to defend 00:08:57.459 --> 00:09:00.620 the attacks from sin and the devil? 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:02.639 So God has given us 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:05.120 quite a few means to be prepared. 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:08.939 So I'm glad that these are left up there. 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:10.779 So the first way is God's word. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:11.659 God's word. 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:14.799 In Hebrews 4, 11 to 13, 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:16.899 we can see that God's word 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:18.399 is the very means he has used 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:20.599 to battle against the threat of sin. 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:24.879 So notice in the second part of the verse 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.179 from chapter 4, verse 11, 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:30.079 it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.179 joint and marrow. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:34.979 It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:38.379 So most of us think that God's word, 00:09:38.959 --> 00:09:39.639 to apply it, 00:09:39.699 --> 00:09:40.899 it means to change our actions, right? 00:09:41.699 --> 00:09:43.339 In some way, that's good. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:45.180 We need to change when we read God's word. 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:47.220 But we only change our actions 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:48.780 with just changing the external stuff. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:50.580 It's like the double-edged sword 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.120 hitting the external bits of the body. 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:55.560 But the word of God does more than that. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.440 It cuts to the heart. 00:09:58.420 --> 00:10:00.440 That's actually exactly the problem we have, 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:03.240 as we read from the bits before in our passage. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.740 The problem of sin 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:06.540 is not that we have the wrong action, 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:09.720 but a dull and unbelieving heart towards God. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:12.820 The reason why the word of God 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:14.320 is a means of grace 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:17.000 is that it's actually a means for us to be saved. 00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:20.540 So if we go back one verse to Hebrews 4.11, 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.300 it says, 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:24.160 Let us therefore make every effort 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:25.540 to enter that rest, 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:27.420 so that no one will perish 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:29.560 by following the example of disobedience. 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.399 So in context, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.840 if you read the next verse, 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.639 which is verse 12, 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.820 the writer gives us the answer, 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:36.700 which is God's word. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:38.520 God's word is able to help us 00:10:38.520 --> 00:10:40.780 to have some salvation 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:42.000 to enter the rest of God, 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:42.900 the promises of God. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:47.100 The second preparation we have 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:49.800 is to rely on what Jesus has done, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.680 the priest and perfect example. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:56.560 So in Hebrews 4.14-16, 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.140 let's have a look 00:10:58.140 --> 00:11:00.180 why we should fix our eyes on Jesus 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:00.920 and rely on him. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.740 The first way you set Jesus is our priest, 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:07.299 the person that acts as an agent 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.620 between a sinful man 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.259 and the holy God. 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.460 His death on the cross 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:13.399 has enabled us 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:15.279 to approach God with confidence. 00:11:15.940 --> 00:11:17.980 You can see the confidence in verse 16. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:20.000 Let us approach with great confidence. 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.600 Why can we be confident? 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:24.779 The reason is that a Christian relies 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:26.720 on the perfect work of Jesus, 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:29.060 not the works that we have done. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:30.919 And hence, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:31.919 Jesus has the credentials 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:34.199 to speak on behalf of us. 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:35.579 That's how he acts as a priest. 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:38.860 And Jesus also acts as an example. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.559 If we go to verse 15, 00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:45.599 we see that he can empathize 00:11:45.599 --> 00:11:46.479 with our weakness. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:47.699 And also, 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:50.379 Jesus has been tempted in every way, 00:11:50.959 --> 00:11:51.939 just as we are, 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:52.959 yet without sin. 00:11:54.719 --> 00:11:55.919 Jesus is an example 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:57.299 of how we can overcome sin. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.519 If we look at his life 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:01.360 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:03.759 or during his temptation 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.799 in the desert, 00:12:06.079 --> 00:12:07.279 he uses God's word. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.980 It is his belief in God's word 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.860 that made him overcome the devil. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:16.139 A third way that we can achieve a victory 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:18.980 is in other aspects of Jesus' life. 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:21.120 Jesus is the shepherd. 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:23.899 So we go back to 1 Peter. 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.959 We can see how the devil 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:28.199 is prowling around like the lion. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.120 So whether we are oblivious 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.379 to the devil's attack, 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:34.259 or we give them too much power, 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.740 the answer is the same. 00:12:37.699 --> 00:12:40.179 We need to not look at the lion, 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.159 but the shepherd. 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.399 What we often forget 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.919 is that Jesus has already 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.959 driven away the lion. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:48.259 He has already defeated 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:49.860 the devil on the cross. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:53.560 If we rely on the victory of Jesus 00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:55.279 in our daily struggle 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:56.580 against sin, 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.779 then we will be able to resist. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.379 That's why we go 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.019 a couple of verses down 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.759 in verse 10. 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:04.100 It says, 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:06.500 For those who have resisted, 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:08.120 Jesus can restore you 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.220 and make you strong, 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.720 firm, and steadfast. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.300 So having looked at 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.860 the sins, 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:16.279 the attack from sin and the devil, 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.659 and the means that we can have victory, 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:21.360 let's see how we can be prepared. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.179 So I want to separate 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.360 sort of two aspects 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.240 of being prepared. 00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.740 The goal of being prepared 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:29.120 and the means 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.339 which we get prepared. 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.899 I'll give you an example 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.959 of what I mean. 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.100 So the first thing we looked at 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.799 was God's word. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:41.339 If God's victory is achieved 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:42.620 through the power of his word, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.439 the application is to 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:45.480 read the Bible, right? 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:48.159 I'm going to say no 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:50.079 and don't condemn me 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:51.139 to be a heretic right now. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.759 So hear me out. 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.919 The way that we are prepared 00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:58.240 is to listen to God's word. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.659 And listening is a little bit different 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.539 from reading. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:04.059 So there are a few different aspects 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:04.579 of listening. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:07.299 So if we only read the Bible 00:14:07.299 --> 00:14:08.219 as a habit 00:14:08.219 --> 00:14:09.379 or something to tick off 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.360 in our boxes, 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:12.500 that doesn't actually 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.720 achieve the goal of listening. 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.879 It's just a habit 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.720 to tick a box. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:18.019 If we read the Bible 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.860 for information, 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.980 that's only going to 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.680 build our knowledge. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:24.420 And we're not even reading 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:24.899 the Bible 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:26.220 to transform our behavior. 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.560 As good as that sounds, 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.320 in the worst form, 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.639 if we just read 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.920 to change our behavior, 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.620 we might be tempted 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:37.040 to rely on our behavior 00:14:37.040 --> 00:14:39.060 rather than Jesus 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:40.600 to prepare against 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.720 the sin and the devil. 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.340 So how are we 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:43.980 to read the Bible? 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.320 We need to read the Bible 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.480 and listen 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.139 in a way 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:49.340 that's for our hearts. 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:51.540 To understand the words 00:14:51.540 --> 00:14:52.660 on the page of the Bible 00:14:52.660 --> 00:14:53.440 or in your app, 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.860 it's not a daily habit 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.540 you tick off 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:57.019 or a guide to life, 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.259 but it's actually 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.840 the word of God. 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.300 God is speaking to us 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.120 through his word. 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.860 The aim of reading 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.879 is to listen 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.899 to who God is. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:10.100 That's why we need to pray 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.180 before we read the Bible. 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:13.180 We want the Holy Spirit 00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:14.420 to help us to recognize 00:15:14.420 --> 00:15:16.000 that the words 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.180 are actually God's words. 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.080 And then through knowing God, 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.820 can we keep believing in him? 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:22.820 And only in this way, 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:24.560 we won't harden our hearts 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:25.660 and we'll be able 00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:28.040 to correctly prepare ourselves 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:28.879 and resist 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.759 the deception of sin. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:35.160 So the implication of this 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:36.139 is pretty big. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.240 So I want to ask you 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.700 a question. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.800 When you read the Bible, 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:42.679 do you recognize 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.159 that it's actually 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.500 God speaking to you? 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.419 If the answer is no, 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:50.120 I would love for you 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.979 to fill in a card. 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.819 Don't be shy 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.819 if no one else is grabbing it. 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.939 Just grab it 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:55.120 and fill out a card saying, 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.519 I would like some help 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:58.259 to know how to read the Bible 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.139 so that I can recognize 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.379 that it's God speaking to me. 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:01.939 And I would love 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.699 to help you to do this. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.539 I'm the missions pastor, 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.639 but I'm really glad 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.379 that I can help you 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.439 if you want to do this. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.379 Fill it in, 00:16:08.579 --> 00:16:09.259 I'll let you 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.879 read the Bible with me. 00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.879 I'd actually want to love 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.919 to ask you to 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:15.620 ask each other 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.419 after the service. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.480 What would it take 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.980 in terms of time 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.059 or environment, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.139 routine, 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.419 patterns, 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.860 for us to read 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.599 in such a way 00:16:25.599 --> 00:16:27.179 that we are listening 00:16:27.179 --> 00:16:28.399 to God 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.019 from the Bible? 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:31.840 So this actually 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.639 sets ways 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.480 into the second thing 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:33.919 that we need 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:35.419 to be prepared for 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:36.759 is that we 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.360 need to encourage each other, 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.279 have people around us 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.120 to encourage each other. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.419 We'll go to Hebrews 3 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:45.240 and look at what it means 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.340 to encourage each other. 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.360 3.13 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:50.899 But encourage one another daily 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:53.799 as long as it is called today 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.779 so that none of you 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:56.500 is deceived 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.000 by sin's deceitfulness. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:01.120 So, 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.539 you can see from this verse, 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.960 on this side of heaven, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.700 we need to encourage 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:06.720 each other every day. 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.379 So the implication of this 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.879 is that 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:11.960 the health of the church 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.039 is not measured 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.240 by how many people 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.119 attend church 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:17.139 or in our small groups, 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.119 but whether we actually 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:20.160 come together 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.819 with the aim 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.920 of encouraging each other. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.460 And encouragement 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.160 isn't just 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:26.160 the slap on the back 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:27.139 like you're going well, 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.680 hollow encouragement, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.660 not hollow compliments. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.580 In this passage, 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.680 the type of encouragement 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.759 we need 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:37.140 is a type that will help us 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.200 to not be deceived 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.660 by sin. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.759 You think of the nature 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.299 of deception, 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.279 no one knows 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.039 that they are deceived. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:44.880 Otherwise, 00:17:45.080 --> 00:17:45.840 you won't be right. 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:47.180 You'll figure it out yourself. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:50.860 So in order for other people 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.720 to help us 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.600 not to be deceived, 00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:54.799 we really need 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.340 the value 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.740 of humble authenticity. 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:59.580 The reason why 00:17:59.580 --> 00:17:59.980 we need that 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.400 is that 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.279 we need 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:03.160 to let other people 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.380 point out 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:04.980 the instances 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.779 when we are deceived. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.120 And, 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.060 on the flip side, 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.160 we need to 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.220 be humble 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.820 and courageous 00:18:11.820 --> 00:18:13.039 to approach other people 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:15.019 to point out 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:15.880 when they are being deceived. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:18.020 even at the cost 00:18:18.020 --> 00:18:19.180 of friction 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.440 during the relationship. 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.340 So the other thing 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.060 that it means is 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.780 if the goal is 00:18:24.780 --> 00:18:25.360 encouragement, 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:26.320 not attendance, 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:27.500 we'd love for you 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.220 to keep going to church, 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:28.480 but 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:31.200 it's a really deep way 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.480 of 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:33.740 relating to each other. 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.960 is that 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.440 we, 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:37.079 even when we are sick 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.680 or we have 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.880 unavoidable situations, 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.880 we'll make efforts 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.960 to encourage each other. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.920 So, 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.940 I'll give an example 00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:46.220 of how this works. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.680 I'm in a Sunday 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.519 morning 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.180 community group 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.519 led by Adam Ma. 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.720 So, 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.359 there are many 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.339 young parents 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.160 in that group 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:57.279 and 00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:58.000 you know 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.779 with young parents 00:18:58.779 --> 00:18:59.620 in winter, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.920 what happens is that 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.519 a lot of the people 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.160 in the group 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:03.560 get sick 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:05.180 and sometimes 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.660 some people 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:06.400 have work trips, 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.340 got a couple of 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:08.800 mothers that are 00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:09.220 expecting. 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.200 So, 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.300 for all various 00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:11.820 reasons, 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.019 not all of us 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.500 can attend 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.060 every week. 00:19:15.340 --> 00:19:16.320 But we still 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.580 aim to encourage 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.060 each other 00:19:18.060 --> 00:19:19.120 by having a 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:19.680 WhatsApp group. 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:20.539 So, 00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:20.900 we can actually 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.660 send messages 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.279 to each other 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.660 to keep each other 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.140 accountable 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.500 and encourage 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:25.880 each other 00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.600 in that way. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:27.380 So that 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.539 even when we 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.560 can't see each other, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.819 we have the 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.679 intention to 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.559 help each other 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.319 to grow. 00:19:34.899 --> 00:19:35.579 We can also 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.460 apply this 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:36.919 to the way 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.419 that we 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:38.759 meet at church. 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.259 So, 00:19:40.419 --> 00:19:41.099 if we are keen 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.599 to encourage 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.059 each other, 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:43.220 then we would 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.740 love to stay 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.119 behind. 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.460 We won't 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.859 duck out 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.339 after the 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:45.720 service. 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.460 And I think 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.039 the afternoon 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.539 service does 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.039 a great job 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.659 at staying 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.440 right here 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:51.259 and talking 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.759 with each other. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.559 We actually 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.299 want to get 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.879 to know 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:55.379 each other 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:56.659 and not just 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:56.879 have a 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.379 superficial 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.279 greeting, 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.319 but we 00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.619 will be 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.019 eager 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.180 to help 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.700 one another 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.299 if we 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:02.960 see someone 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:03.420 going off 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:03.680 track 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.160 because of 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.480 sin's 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:04.879 deception. 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.799 That's why 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.279 all these 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.720 events 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.339 in the last 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.720 couple of 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:09.899 months 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.139 have been 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.700 so helpful. 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:12.480 I hope 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:12.879 that through 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.279 all these 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.619 events, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:13.980 we have 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.379 gotten to 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:14.740 know each 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.119 other a 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.519 bit better, 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:16.539 but more 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.059 than that, 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.039 once there's 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.619 a relationship, 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:19.639 we can get 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.059 into the 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.539 task of 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:20.980 encouraging 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.420 each other. 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:24.099 And if for 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.879 any reason 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.619 that you 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:25.960 have felt 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.339 that you've 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.039 been on 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.680 the outside 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.779 of the 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.139 church, 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.940 not really 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.379 getting into 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:30.700 the group, 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:31.839 whether you 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.139 find it 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.599 hard to 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:32.980 share your 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.680 situation, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.759 maybe due 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.279 to language 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.859 or life 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.480 circumstances, 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.039 this passage 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.879 is for you. 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.220 We would 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.539 actually, 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.259 all of us 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.619 would love 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.019 to be in 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.359 community 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:42.899 with you 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:44.379 because, 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.119 as we can 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.379 see from 00:20:45.379 --> 00:20:45.680 the Bible, 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.519 it's so 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.079 easy to 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.500 be deceived 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.980 by sin. 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.240 So I 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.720 would encourage 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.359 you to sign 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:51.700 up to 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.139 community 00:20:52.139 --> 00:20:52.539 group 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.460 afterwards, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.220 we'll bring 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.619 the iPads 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:54.879 around, 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.139 and stay 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:56.619 behind at 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:56.939 church and 00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.379 meet us. 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:00.039 So in 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.379 the morning 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:00.779 service, 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.899 and probably 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.159 in the 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:02.659 afternoon as 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:02.799 well, 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:03.199 we've got 00:21:03.199 --> 00:21:03.899 a roughly 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.839 half and 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.699 half split 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:06.019 between 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.899 Anglo-Australians 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.679 and people 00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:08.059 from other 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.539 backgrounds. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.459 So my 00:21:09.459 --> 00:21:10.399 hope is that 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:11.019 we'll have a 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.659 similar split 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.659 in our 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:12.959 community 00:21:12.959 --> 00:21:13.239 group. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.919 Right now, 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.319 we don't 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:14.619 have that 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:14.839 at the 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.079 moment. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.919 So we 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.519 actually really 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:17.939 do want 00:21:17.939 --> 00:21:18.319 all of us 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.599 to sign 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:18.779 up. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.479 The third 00:21:21.479 --> 00:21:21.899 way we get 00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:23.879 prepared is 00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.319 how we 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.179 relate in 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:25.500 light of 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.119 Christ being 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:26.539 our shepherd. 00:21:28.699 --> 00:21:29.179 So we 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:29.419 go to 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:29.799 1 Peter 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.059 now. 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:31.479 In 1 Peter 00:21:31.479 --> 00:21:32.079 chapter 5, 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.719 verse 2, 00:21:33.719 --> 00:21:34.239 we can see 00:21:34.239 --> 00:21:34.839 the elders, 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.699 the leaders 00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:35.959 of the 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:36.299 church, 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.619 are to 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.399 lead in 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:38.819 light of 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.219 Christ's 00:21:39.219 --> 00:21:40.000 suffering as 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.379 a shepherd. 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:41.579 So just 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.179 as Christ 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:42.899 as a 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.199 shepherd, 00:21:43.739 --> 00:21:44.219 the leaders 00:21:44.219 --> 00:21:44.639 are to 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.579 lead and 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.299 have oversight 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.559 of the 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.899 church or 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:48.359 the flock 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.579 as 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.000 shepherds. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:52.500 so some 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.099 people from 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.019 probably a 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.180 more 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.480 eastern 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:54.960 culture 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.859 might take 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.119 that to 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:57.140 mean for 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.480 all the 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.440 pastors to 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.099 take care 00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.660 of each 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.119 person in 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.500 the congregation. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:04.299 But how 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.619 we do 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.200 things here 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.980 is that the 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.700 biblical command 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.759 is for 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.480 oversight, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.799 to have 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:10.559 oversight of 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.000 the entire 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.420 church. 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.039 And the 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.480 way that we 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.940 do this 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.960 is that we 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.680 want everyone 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.099 to have an 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.759 opportunity to 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.160 be cared 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.400 for. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.800 So the 00:22:17.800 --> 00:22:18.180 way we 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.500 organize 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.920 things is 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.200 that we 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.720 have got 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.100 a group 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:20.640 of community 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:20.900 group 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.200 leaders. 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:23.300 And not 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:23.620 all of 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:23.840 them are 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:24.259 in full-time 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.620 ministry. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.240 In fact, 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:25.680 most of 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.160 them aren't. 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.040 But the 00:22:28.040 --> 00:22:28.580 group leaders 00:22:28.580 --> 00:22:28.960 are to 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.320 act as 00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:30.220 mini-shepherds. 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:31.720 So we've 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.240 got more 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.800 people taking 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.259 care of 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.660 everyone. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.120 And that 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:36.580 way we can 00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:36.860 actually 00:22:36.860 --> 00:22:37.400 connect, 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.019 care, 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:38.640 and grow 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.640 with God 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:39.840 and one 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.080 another. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.580 The 00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:41.940 pastoral 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.860 staff and 00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.660 Paul Fitzpatrick, 00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:45.280 the community 00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:46.040 group director, 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.440 has taken 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:47.720 on the 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.280 task of 00:22:48.280 --> 00:22:49.259 discipling and 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.820 coaching these 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.120 leaders. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.500 So we can 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.960 actually do 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.920 the task of 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.780 oversight well, 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.220 so we can 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.780 take care of 00:22:54.780 --> 00:22:54.960 everyone. 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.280 So notice in 00:22:57.280 --> 00:22:57.840 this structure, 00:22:58.540 --> 00:22:59.180 it's not about 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.900 how old you 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:01.040 are, or how 00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:01.460 long you've 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:01.740 been at 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.420 church, or 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:02.880 what status 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.300 you have. 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.800 That determines 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.320 who is 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.480 leading, but 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:06.780 the role 00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.320 is assigned. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.620 So in the 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.040 Sunday group, 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:10.560 for example, 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.640 Adam Ma is 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:11.940 leading. 00:23:12.780 --> 00:23:13.140 I'm the 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.700 mission pastor 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.259 at church, 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.400 but in that 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.380 group, he's 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.700 the leader. 00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:18.460 I gladly 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.620 submit to 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.900 him, and 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.320 I gladly 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.120 support him 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.880 in the 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.500 Sunday group, 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.260 so that he 00:23:24.260 --> 00:23:24.900 can help all 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:25.200 the other 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.980 members to 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.480 take care of 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.820 each other 00:23:26.820 --> 00:23:27.420 and to 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:27.620 grow. 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.560 So I 00:23:29.560 --> 00:23:29.860 want to go 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.880 back, now 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.100 that we've 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.400 looked at 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.320 the means 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:32.600 that we 00:23:32.600 --> 00:23:34.120 can get 00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.020 prepared and 00:23:35.020 --> 00:23:35.740 equip ourselves 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:37.080 against the 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.460 attack of the 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.060 devil, I 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.320 want to go 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:38.700 back to the 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.160 picture of 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.600 the house 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:40.800 that I 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.080 used to 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.400 live in. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.900 And if 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.100 you have 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:43.720 to imagine 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.980 your spiritual 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.180 state as 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.740 that house, 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.540 all would 00:23:48.540 --> 00:23:48.960 be like, 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.240 are you 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.240 currently not 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.380 alert to 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:55.140 the work of 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.640 sin and the 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.080 devil, a 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:57.400 little bit 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.019 like a 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.560 house surrounded 00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.440 by all these 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.120 tall dead 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.860 trees, in 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.800 the constant 00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:04.820 danger of 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:05.280 trees 00:24:05.280 --> 00:24:05.560 getting, 00:24:06.280 --> 00:24:07.560 waiting to 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.100 catch fire? 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.779 or are 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.279 you too 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.779 alarmed and 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.459 anxious to 00:24:12.459 --> 00:24:13.159 trust God 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.339 and rely on 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.779 the gracious 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.279 means that 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.719 is provided 00:24:15.719 --> 00:24:16.519 through his 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.679 word or the 00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.219 people around 00:24:18.219 --> 00:24:18.519 him? 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.559 Or are you 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:20.939 rightly 00:24:20.939 --> 00:24:22.299 armed by 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.959 God's means 00:24:22.959 --> 00:24:23.819 to be 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.359 alert and 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.019 not alarmed? 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:26.839 May God 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.480 help us to 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:27.980 use these 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.699 means to 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.039 do so.