WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:05.219 This morning we continue our study of James as Eric takes us through chapter 3. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:10.500 The scripture is found in your bulletins, and if you'd like to follow along, I'll read from God's word. 00:00:14.859 --> 00:00:22.120 Not many of you should become teachers, my brother, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:25.359 For we all stumble in many, many ways. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:33.420 If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:40.460 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:42.899 Look at the ships also. 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:52.820 Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:58.320 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:03.219 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:08.299 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:01:09.340 --> 00:01:18.960 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:30.479 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. 00:01:31.479 --> 00:01:35.319 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 00:01:36.759 --> 00:01:45.280 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:50.500 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:54.099 My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:00.280 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:06.680 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:11.080 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:12.699 This is God's word. 00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:13.420 Please be seated. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:15.139 Good morning. 00:02:15.899 --> 00:02:20.639 As you heard, we have a nice, bright, bubbly, happy passage today that we're going to be talking about. 00:02:21.959 --> 00:02:26.719 And, you know, the passage starts out in the most wonderful of ways for me, the guy who's going to be teaching it, 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:27.199 saying, 00:02:27.299 --> 00:02:31.560 Not many of you should become teachers, for we know that those who teach will be judged by greater strictness. 00:02:31.959 --> 00:02:36.759 So, you know, it's a nice, comforting thought to me as I get up here to teach on this passage 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:41.739 that everything I say is going to be judged by a harsher standard. 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.100 But if you don't know me, my name is Eric. 00:02:44.480 --> 00:02:45.780 I'm the youth guy here at Watermark. 00:02:46.180 --> 00:02:49.640 And I'm very excited to be able to share with you guys today. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:54.879 The emphasis of our talk today will not be on that first verse, but on the power of our words in general. 00:02:55.540 --> 00:03:00.480 And to start our discussion on words, I want to start not in James chapter 3, but in Genesis chapter 1. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:09.939 Because if you look at the Bible, it starts the first three chapters with an incredible, incredible commentary on the overwhelming power of words. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:13.179 At the start of the Bible, God speaks. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:15.019 He says, 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:15.899 Let there be life. 00:03:16.179 --> 00:03:17.839 And God's words create. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:22.359 God's words bring life into existence. 00:03:22.919 --> 00:03:25.159 God's words bring order out of chaos. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:55.139 God's words bless. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:56.120 God's words bring names to the animals. 00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:03.139 And then, after naming all the animals, the man realizes that there's no match for him. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:05.819 All the other animals have matches for each other, and he has no match. 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:09.120 And so God gives him a match for himself, the woman. 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:14.699 And when the man sees this woman, the man uses his words to worship God. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:20.779 So we have an incredible commentary on the positive power of words. 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:21.959 That words can create. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.339 That words can give life. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:24.319 That words can bless. 00:04:24.479 --> 00:04:25.360 That words can obey. 00:04:25.479 --> 00:04:26.319 That words can worship. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:30.699 And yet, words also have incredible destructive power. 00:04:31.539 --> 00:04:34.639 In Genesis chapter 3, the serpent enters into the story. 00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:38.199 The serpent uses words to question the goodness of God. 00:04:39.240 --> 00:04:46.199 To create doubt in the mind of the man and woman as to whether God was really good in the things that he had said to them. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:51.860 The serpent uses words to tempt Adam and Eve to sin. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:05:01.759 And after Adam and Eve listened to the serpent, they used their words to shift the blame and hide from the responsibility for what they've done. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:10.639 And yet, God, being the awesome God that he is, uses his words again to seek out those who are lost. 00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:19.019 After finding them, he uses his words to curse them and the world that he has created for their sin. 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:22.199 But he doesn't leave the story bleak and hopeless. 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:28.079 He uses his words to give them hope and promise a salvation that will come one day. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:35.099 In these first three chapters of the Bible, words literally initiate the course of history, 00:05:36.099 --> 00:05:39.939 launch the greatest rebellion in all of history of creation against our creator, 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:43.500 and alter the course of history. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:46.860 Words are powerful. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:51.620 And that's something that James wants us to see in this chapter. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:56.120 The first thing that he wants us to see, like I said, is words are powerful. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:04.300 He starts out by making this blanket statement of the power of words with no judgment whatsoever about the badness that we can use them for, 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:05.740 or the goodness that we can use them for. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:07.459 He just says they're powerful. 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:12.819 And he gives us one statement and two illustrations to show us that words are powerful. 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:15.780 First off, in verse two, he says, 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:21.259 if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:26.319 Now, we just had Charles read us this passage so we can look ahead and see, 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:29.699 oh, look, no one can control his tongue perfectly. 00:06:29.819 --> 00:06:32.399 No one can control his entire body perfectly. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:34.319 But James isn't saying that at this point. 00:06:35.539 --> 00:06:39.159 All he's saying right now is the tongue is powerful enough and big enough 00:06:39.159 --> 00:06:41.699 that if you can control it, you can control your whole body. 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:46.639 He's saying it has a power that is disproportionate to its size. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:50.079 It is harder to control than you would expect it to be for its size. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:52.339 It's a powerful tool. 00:06:53.419 --> 00:06:57.399 And he gives us a couple other illustrations to show how powerful the tongue is. 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:00.560 He talks about bits that we can put into a horse's mouth. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:02.219 A small little piece of metal. 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:06.180 But when you stick it in the right place in the horse's mouth, 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:09.500 a small child can control this great beast. 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:17.819 And again, he doesn't make any judgment on the morality of controlling a horse with a bit in the mouth. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:20.420 They can be used for good. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:21.759 They can be used for farming. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.800 They can be used for transportation. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:27.579 They can be used, if your city is under attack, to defend your city. 00:07:28.259 --> 00:07:29.420 And they can be used for evil. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:32.360 They can be used to trample on other people or trample on their property. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:36.139 They can be used to attack others unjustly. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:37.319 They can be used for good. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:38.339 They can be used for bad. 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:41.539 He's not making a commentary on the morality of this use. 00:07:41.859 --> 00:07:47.560 He's just saying the bit has a power that is disproportionate to its size. 00:07:48.659 --> 00:07:53.779 And in the same way, the tongue has a power that is disproportionate to its size. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:59.339 He gives us another illustration and talks about a rudder on a ship. 00:08:00.039 --> 00:08:03.799 A huge ship can be controlled by a small rudder. 00:08:04.099 --> 00:08:05.979 It takes huge amounts of wind. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:10.020 Back in those days, now we have big engines that can power the ships. 00:08:10.400 --> 00:08:13.360 But it takes huge amounts of power to make this ship go. 00:08:13.900 --> 00:08:18.939 But once it's going, it just takes a little rudder to guide the direction that it goes in. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:23.439 And again, no comment on the morality of steering a ship with a rudder. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:29.459 You can use ships for good purposes, to transport people and goods, to go fishing and collect goods. 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:32.759 If your city is under attack, you can use your ships to defend yourself. 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:35.100 And ships can be used for evil. 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:37.580 Pirates use them to go rob people. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:40.580 People launch unjust naval attacks. 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:42.580 Ships can be used for good. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.240 Ships can be used for evil. 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:47.240 He's not commenting on whether it's good or bad. 00:08:47.420 --> 00:08:51.300 He's just saying it has a power disproportionate to its size. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:57.940 And in the same way, the tongue has a power disproportionate to its size. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:03.520 So his introduction to the tongue is not some big, strong condemnation of the tongue's power, 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:12.040 but simply a statement that the tongue has an incredible power that is disproportionate to its small size. 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:19.060 But as he moves further into his discussion, he doesn't remain neutral in his discussion of the tongue. 00:09:19.900 --> 00:09:24.800 He says how great a forest is set as blaze by a small fire. 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:27.740 Now again, fire can be good. 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:28.439 It can be bad. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:30.879 Back in those days, fire was essential for life. 00:09:30.979 --> 00:09:32.399 They needed it to stay warm in the winter. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.879 They needed it to cook their food. 00:09:34.859 --> 00:09:38.219 But the threat of fire getting out of control was a constant danger. 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:46.000 And when fire got out of control, there was no way that they could get it back under control effectively. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.919 And so it could destroy villages. 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:51.000 It could destroy forests. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:58.740 And James, in his discussion of the fire, doesn't remain neutral, but he talks about how great a forest is set on fire. 00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:08.440 He's talking about a forest fire, something big, something out of control, something that destroys and kills and leaves a path of wreckage behind it. 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:15.580 He's not talking about a small little cooking fire, but a huge fire. 00:10:15.900 --> 00:10:21.500 And therefore, the fire, the small fire or the spark that starts that big fire is not something that is neutral. 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:27.560 It's something that's bad because it has started such a destructive, powerful force behind it. 00:10:28.380 --> 00:10:31.920 And he's saying that our tongues have this power in them. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:37.959 That our tongues have the destructive power of a forest fire. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:44.579 Something so small starts something so big, so destructive. 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:48.779 And he goes on as if there was any question left about what he's saying. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.639 In verse 6, he says, 00:10:49.719 --> 00:10:53.379 The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:59.799 The tongue in itself is a world of unrighteousness. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.460 The tongue is a fire. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.379 We are like dragons. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:06.580 We open our mouths and fire comes out. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:10.840 I don't know how many of you have read The Hobbit or seen the movie The Hobbit. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.340 But in The Hobbit, there is a dragon named Smaug. 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:22.720 And he comes in and he wants to take over this town because they have a huge pile of gold that they control. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:29.279 And in order to take over this town, all he has to do is fly in there and open his mouth. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:31.960 And fire comes out and kills everyone in his path. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:38.500 So he just goes down to this town, opens his mouth and destroys, wipes out the town, 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:41.039 takes over this mountain of gold and lives there. 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:44.639 And James is saying, we are like that dragon. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:51.019 All we have to do is open our mouths, fire pours out and it can consume everyone in our paths. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:59.740 There is an incredible, powerful, destructive force behind our tongues. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:03.899 And notice that I'm saying we. 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:07.720 Like this isn't something that I'm saying, oh, everyone else struggles with this and I've got it down. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.879 No, this is something that we all struggle with. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:11.379 James talks about that in verse 2. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:13.460 He says, we all stumble in many ways. 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:16.500 He's including himself in this discussion. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.299 I struggle with this. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:21.340 I mean, I was reminded constantly this week, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:26.159 I'd be studying and researching on the tongue and the power of it and how we need to use it for good. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:32.259 And then, like, just a couple hours later, I'd be talking to someone and I'd catch myself trying to destroy them with my words. 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:34.439 And I thought, how messed up am I? 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:41.399 I'm getting ready to teach on how destructive our words can be and realizing how destructive they can be 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:45.120 and then going out and using my words for destructive purposes. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:51.179 It's something that all of us struggle with, something that all of us need to work on. 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:55.839 And something that ultimately, in this lifetime, we're never going to get it perfect. 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:57.799 But we can make progress, I think. 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:02.759 But I want to look at why our negative speech is such a big deal. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:09.439 I have two big reasons that I see in this passage. 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:12.599 First off, because we deceive ourselves. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:21.040 And although we're using our speech destructively, we think that we're using it for positive means. 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:24.060 He says in verse 9, 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:31.159 With it, with the tongue, we bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:37.259 Now, with James' audience, whenever they heard the name of God spoken, 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:41.920 culturally, what they would do is they would actually verbally say a blessing. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:44.779 So if you're reading the Bible and it gets to the name of God, 00:13:45.099 --> 00:13:46.719 everyone in the congregation says out, 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.059 His name be blessed. 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.439 Every single time the word of God is mentioned. 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:58.819 These people would never, ever, ever, ever have dreamed of saying something bad directly against the name of God. 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:03.360 They went out of their way to bless his name when they heard it spoken. 00:14:03.599 --> 00:14:05.360 And they probably would have pointed to this and said, 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:07.219 Look, we're using our tongues for good. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.480 We're blessing God. 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:11.000 But he says, 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:14.639 You're cursing people who are made in God's image. 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:18.120 If you were truly blessing God, 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:22.860 if you truly believed all this wonderful stuff that you say you do about who God is, 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:28.980 then you wouldn't be cursing man who is made in his image. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:36.360 Because the way that we speak to and about people who are made in God's image reflects what we truly believe about God. 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:39.039 Think of it this way. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.720 You're on a vacation to Thailand. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.440 You fly in. 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.100 You go to the airport. 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:44.580 You convert some money. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.279 You go. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.279 You get settled at your hotel. 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:48.620 Somehow, during the course of this trip, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:51.820 you've got it set up so that you get to meet the king of Thailand. 00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.639 Really big deal, right? 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:56.439 And you are getting prepared for this. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:00.539 You search online and figure out what are the right clothes that I need to wear. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:07.519 You sit down and you write out a script of everything that you're going to say when you're with the king so that you do not mess up. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:15.159 And then you go online and you do more research and realize maybe you should leave out that part about loving the king and I when you're talking to the king of Thailand. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.819 Because that's generally frowned upon. 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:19.399 You do your research. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.980 You get everything prepared. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:21.819 You go. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:23.719 You meet with the king and you nail it. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.419 You know when to bow at the right time. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:29.939 You know when to sit down, when to stand up, what to say, how to say it, what clothes to wear. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.159 Everything goes perfectly. 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.779 You leave the meeting with the king. 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:37.399 You're going back to your hotel. 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.779 You stop by a street market. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.699 You're trying to buy something from a vendor. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:43.319 You get in an argument with this vendor over the price of something. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:45.139 And you get really upset. 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:48.480 You pull out a piece of that Thai money that you got at the airport. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:51.339 And to show how upset you are with this vendor, you rip it apart. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:52.399 You throw it on the ground. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.299 You stomp on it. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:59.600 Now what's going to happen right there is the Thai police are going to come and arrest you. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.039 Why is that? 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:05.879 Because the Thai money has the king of Thailand's face on it. 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.519 It bears his image. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:14.360 And in Thailand, they believe that what you do to money bearing the king's image, you do to the king. 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:19.360 And so as the police are dragging you off to prison, you can scream all you want. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.759 I just met with the king. 00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:21.659 He loved me. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.000 It went perfectly. 00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:25.779 And they can say, you don't respect our king. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:29.600 You don't care about our king because you just destroyed and stomped on his image. 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:33.279 And they will lock you away. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:39.839 In the same way, we can say everything good that we want to and about God. 00:16:39.959 --> 00:16:45.000 But if we do not back that up by saying the same things about people who are created in his image, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:48.799 we show that we do not truly value God like we say we do. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:55.319 And so we trick ourselves into thinking that we're using our words for good by blessing God 00:16:55.319 --> 00:17:01.459 when in reality, we're using our words for destruction by cursing people around us who are made in God's image. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:08.019 And the second reason that our negative speech is so important is because the words that come out of our mouths 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:11.380 are just a reflection of what is in our hearts. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:15.880 Jesus himself says this in Matthew 12, 34. 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:16.540 Kind of cool. 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.440 One, two, three, four. 00:17:18.260 --> 00:17:22.060 He says, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:26.560 The things that come out right here have their origin right here. 00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:29.520 The words that we say are not spoken in a vacuum, 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:33.640 but they're a reflection of what is already inside us. 00:17:35.020 --> 00:17:38.080 You know, one of the things that Tobin loves to fill his life with is Diet Coke. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:42.019 Diet Coke. I'm sure if you've been here before to hear him preach, you've heard him mention that. 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:45.740 And let me tell you, if you've only heard him talk about that from the stage, you have no idea. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.279 He loves Diet Coke. 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:50.960 He has this cup in the office that he fills with Diet Coke. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.480 And he carries it around with him. 00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:58.019 And I want you to imagine, Tuesday morning, we're getting ready for staff meeting, 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:01.639 and Tobin's walking from his office to the table where we have staff meeting, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.859 bringing his cup because he loves his Diet Coke. 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:09.240 And as I am sitting at my desk, which he has to walk by to get to staff meeting, 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:13.259 I slide back my chair and go to stand up because I want to go to staff meeting too. 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:18.719 But at times, perfectly, so that as I go to stand up, my head bumps his cup. 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:23.099 Now, here's what's not going to come out of that cup. 00:18:23.979 --> 00:18:29.719 Water, apple juice, Sprite, anything else not Diet Coke. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:34.440 Because what has gone into that cup is Diet Coke. 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:39.180 So when we bump that cup, what is going to come out of that cup is Diet Coke. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:45.400 And in the same way, when we get bothered, when we get irritated, 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.920 when we have life happen to us, 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:52.240 what comes out of our hearts is going to be what has come into our hearts. 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:54.720 What comes out of our hearts is going to come out of our mouths. 00:18:54.720 --> 00:19:02.059 If we are filling ourselves with hateful, angry thoughts, 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:06.000 then what's going to come out is hateful, angry words. 00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:10.819 Destructive words come from destructive hearts. 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.700 And that's what James wants us to see here, 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:19.180 that our words are powerful because they show what is truly inside us. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:23.420 And we can let words out and say, I didn't mean to say that, 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:29.580 but in reality, the words only came from what was already inside our hearts. 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:34.900 And James, in his discussion of the tongue right here, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:37.220 basically leaves us on a really negative note. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.060 It's a real downer. 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:40.660 He talks about our hypocrisy and how, you know, 00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:43.440 a saltwater spring and a freshwater spring can't be combined. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.600 It's one or the other. 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:47.440 Yet we try and produce both from our mouths. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.220 We're hypocrites. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.900 And then he changes topics and talks about wisdom. 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:55.840 Sort of depressing if you just look at it like that. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.799 But the thing that we have to remember 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:05.420 is that although the tongue has great power for destruction, 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:11.220 when redeemed, the tongue has great power for good. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:15.600 James, in verse 8, he says, 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:17.620 no human being can tame the tongue. 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:20.660 We can spend our entire lives trying, 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:24.779 and we will fail again and again and again. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:28.259 It looks hopeless for us. 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:30.779 There's no way that it can be fixed. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.640 But the thing we need to remember 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:36.120 is that although no human being can tame the tongue, 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:38.319 God can. 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:43.419 See, God is the one who made the tongue. 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:46.239 In that great creation narrative, 00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:48.639 he spoke everything into being. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.539 He made the world and everything in it. 00:20:50.719 --> 00:20:53.339 He made man with a tongue. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.479 And he called it good. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:58.079 He didn't just make man and leave him there 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.299 and say like, oh, this tongue, 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:00.979 you know, it's such a bad thing, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.659 but he kind of needs it to be able to communicate 00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:04.239 with other people, so we'll leave it there. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:06.180 No, he made it, he called it good. 00:21:07.620 --> 00:21:08.980 Actually, he made one tongue, 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.059 and he said it's not quite good, 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:10.980 so he made a second tongue. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.240 Then he said it's very good. 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.599 You can read into that what you want 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:17.660 about God liking things that require two tongues. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.579 But anyways, 00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:26.200 the tongue was created good by God. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.599 But the tongue, just like everything else, 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:33.039 was subject to the fall. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:37.880 When man disobeyed against God, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:43.240 every part of our being was affected by that, 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:46.039 including the words that we speak. 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.779 And so the words that we speak now 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:52.720 are a reflection of this fallen state of our hearts, 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:54.599 the fact that we have rebelled against God, 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:58.599 and we speak words that reflect that rebellion against him. 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:04.299 But that's not the end of the story. 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:08.480 John chapter 1 talks about Jesus 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.079 and calls him the word who became flesh. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:15.519 Jesus came to die for our sins, 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:18.059 including the ones that we speak. 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:21.359 The word became flesh to die 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:25.000 and pay the penalty for our unrighteous words. 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.719 Jesus came. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.119 He died. 00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:37.839 He paid the price that we deserve. 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.259 And he is now, 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.079 the Bible says, 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:43.319 making all things new. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:48.459 All things includes our physical bodies, 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.659 the physical world that we're a part of, 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.359 our tongues. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:55.319 He's not concerned with just saving our souls, 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:58.960 but with making all things new. 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:02.179 The Bible says that one day 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:05.200 there will be a physical resurrection from the dead, 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.639 that those of us who have believed in Jesus 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:09.419 will physically live with him forever 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:10.779 in new resurrection bodies, 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.899 just like Jesus had. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.319 And that body will have a tongue 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:17.679 and that those tongues will be used to praise God. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.559 And we will not turn around and curse our neighbor 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:21.460 after we have praised God, 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:24.139 but that we will be new. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:27.579 And it even says in Revelation 5.13 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:30.579 that we will bless God with these tongues. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:30.960 It says, 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:33.919 I heard every creature in heaven and on earth 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.579 and under the earth and in the sea 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.599 and all that is in them 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:39.599 saying to him who sits on the throne 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.419 and to the lamb, 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:43.659 be blessing and honor and glory and might 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.980 forever and ever. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.460 Every creature on heaven and earth, 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.319 under the earth 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:52.679 will bless God with our tongues. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:56.700 God will finish this work that he has started. 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:58.060 He will make all things new. 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.720 He will take these tongues, 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:02.180 this power that we have used for destruction 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.060 and he will use it for good. 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:06.720 And the even crazier thing about that 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:09.360 is that this isn't just something we have to wait for 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:11.720 till we're dead. 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.860 Something that starts now. 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.440 Paul says in Romans 6.22, 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:18.460 but now that you have been set free from sin 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.840 and have become slaves of God, 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:22.259 the fruit you get leads to sanctification, 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.779 to us becoming more like Jesus 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.240 and to its end, 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.380 eternal life. 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:28.220 He's saying this isn't just something 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.920 that we have to wait for forever and ever. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.720 Something that starts now. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.680 This good news that Jesus came and died 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.860 and rose again for us 00:24:35.860 --> 00:24:39.140 has power that transforms our lives right now today. 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:43.140 There is a now power to the gospel 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:45.300 so that even though we struggle, 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.780 we fight, 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.980 we still won't make it 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:49.100 to having perfect tongues today. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.360 If we are Christians, 00:24:51.520 --> 00:24:52.840 God is working in our lives, 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.620 transforming our hearts, 00:24:54.780 --> 00:24:57.000 which will in turn transform our tongues. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:59.040 The Bible says that he gives us fruit 00:24:59.040 --> 00:25:01.660 to show that he is at work in our lives. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:04.180 Things like love, joy, peace, 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:06.500 patience, kindness, goodness, 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.120 faithfulness, gentleness, 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.179 self-control. 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:12.459 God's not just waiting till we're dead 00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:13.439 to make us new, 00:25:13.739 --> 00:25:15.919 but he started that process now. 00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.899 He is at work in our lives, 00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:20.019 transforming us today. 00:25:21.919 --> 00:25:24.179 And because it's God who's responsible 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:26.539 for transforming our tongues, 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.719 when we see our tongues being transformed, 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.159 that shouldn't be a source for pride 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.539 because of what we've done, 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:33.239 but a source of worship 00:25:33.239 --> 00:25:35.199 for what God has done. 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:38.220 We talked a lot about 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:40.360 the destructive power of a tongue, 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.380 but when it's redeemed, 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.360 when it's made new, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.960 the tongue doesn't lose its power, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.200 but instead the power is transformed. 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:50.740 Instead of tearing down 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.400 and destroying 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:52.080 and killing 00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:52.980 and bringing death, 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:55.019 the tongue is now able to build up, 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.960 to give life, 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:56.640 to worship, 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.500 to bless. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:00.259 It's a flip, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.359 a transformation. 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.859 And so as we close today, 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.180 I want to leave us with some questions 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.000 to think about 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:09.119 on our words. 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.920 First is, 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:13.440 how do we use our words? 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.740 Are we like dragons? 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.900 People don't want to stand in front of us 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.819 because they're afraid of the fire 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.859 that's going to come out of our mouths 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.559 when we open them? 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:26.179 Or are our words 00:26:26.179 --> 00:26:27.539 a source of life 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.240 to those around us? 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.019 And 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:36.980 what is happening in our hearts 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.619 that's causing us to talk this way? 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.659 Are our words coming from hearts 00:26:42.659 --> 00:26:44.159 that are insecure 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.119 and restless 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.919 and fearful? 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:49.840 Or are they coming from hearts 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:52.019 that are in love with Jesus, 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:54.420 that are being constantly transformed 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.340 by him? 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.300 What would it look like 00:27:02.300 --> 00:27:04.320 if we were a church 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:07.220 that was known for blessing people 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.980 with our words? 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.420 Here at Watermark, 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.300 we talk a lot about 00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:15.000 gospel, 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:15.800 community, 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.580 and mission. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.580 It's a process 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.240 that we want people 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.060 to go on spiritually. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.500 Gospel, 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.480 understand who God is 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.519 and what he has done for us 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.259 and trust in him. 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.080 Community, 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.700 once you have believed in God, 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.640 enter into this body 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.720 and live life 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.460 as a part of this body. 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.120 And then mission, 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.700 go out and tell others 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.180 about how great God is. 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.080 And we've looked at 00:27:37.080 --> 00:27:37.700 how the gospel 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.019 transforms our tongues, 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.019 how the work of Christ 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:42.160 is making our tongues new. 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.920 But once we understand that, 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.140 the way that we speak 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:47.360 fundamentally transforms 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.060 our community 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.880 and our mission. 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.039 Because words are, 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.779 at their heart, 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:52.160 communal. 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:54.259 They shape how we communicate 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:56.019 and relate to other people. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.220 And so if we were a church 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:01.100 known for blessing others 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.820 with our words, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:04.560 how would that transform 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.680 our community groups? 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:11.400 If we were a church 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.840 known for blessing others 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.539 with our words, 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.660 how would that transform 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.759 our interaction 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.220 with the non-Christian world 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.940 around us? 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.060 If we were a church 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:24.480 known for blessing others 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.180 with our words, 00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.160 how would that transform 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.740 our families? 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.400 I had someone tell me this week, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.980 today was a great day. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.839 For the first time 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.799 in six years, 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.000 my mom told me 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.559 she loved me. 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.319 It was a great day. 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.039 That day, 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.839 that person's mom 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.259 used her words 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.440 to give life 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.200 to her son. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.200 But I had to wonder, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.200 what had her words 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.700 been doing 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.019 for the previous six years? 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.799 What have my words 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.240 been doing 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.319 for the previous 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.680 six years? 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.079 So as we finish today, 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.620 I want to leave us 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.259 with a challenge. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.380 And here's the challenge. 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.000 Try and find 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.799 someone 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.819 that you can bless 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.660 with your words 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.940 each day 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:15.579 this week. 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.380 And Tobin said 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.000 we may even have 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.620 someone come up 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.279 and share about 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.880 this experience 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.359 next week, 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.900 so be ready. 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.240 And this won't be easy. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.839 It's not something 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:28.359 that's normal 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.339 for us to do, right? 00:29:29.419 --> 00:29:30.459 We live in Hong Kong. 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.519 We speak words 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.639 to accomplish tasks. 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.479 At work, 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.079 we tell people 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.559 what to do 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.019 so that they can 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:35.959 get the job done. 00:29:36.899 --> 00:29:37.819 We go to a restaurant, 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.439 we tell the waiter 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:38.839 or waitress 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.579 what to get us 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.039 so that they can 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.559 bring us our food 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.099 and we can eat. 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.299 We get in the cab, 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.859 we tell the guy 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.379 where to go 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.159 so we can get home. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.699 We get home, 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.199 we tell our kids 00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:46.740 what to do 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.240 so that they can 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.899 get stuff done. 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.619 Our words 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:51.000 are all about efficiency. 00:29:51.719 --> 00:29:52.359 And when we speak 00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:52.939 words of blessing 00:29:52.939 --> 00:29:53.359 to people, 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:53.979 they're not going 00:29:53.979 --> 00:29:54.740 to be about efficiency. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.699 But they will give life. 00:29:58.359 --> 00:30:01.519 And so, 00:30:01.719 --> 00:30:02.679 my challenge is 00:30:02.679 --> 00:30:05.399 at least one person 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:07.799 each day this week 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.899 finds someone 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:10.240 that you can bless 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.139 with your words. 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.500 And it may not 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.839 get anything accomplished. 00:30:14.699 --> 00:30:15.179 And you know what? 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:15.699 That's okay. 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.639 Because loving 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.519 our neighbors, 00:30:20.959 --> 00:30:21.879 loving those 00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.979 who God has created 00:30:22.979 --> 00:30:23.859 in His image, 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:26.439 reflects what we truly think 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.820 and believe about God. 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.539 Let's pray. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.180 Father, 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:35.180 we thank you 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:37.000 for your love for us. 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.660 We thank you 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:40.100 for creating the world 00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:41.779 and for creating it good. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.080 We thank you 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:44.660 that although 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.779 we have failed, 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.059 that you came, 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.100 that you are making 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.279 all things new, 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.440 including our tongues. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:54.799 and that you have 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.240 given us 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.380 this incredible power 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:56.900 that we have 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.400 the opportunity 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.059 to use 00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:59.360 for your glory. 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:01.860 So we pray 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.400 that as we go 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:03.059 throughout this week, 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.720 each of us 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.700 would be shaped 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.820 by your gospel. 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.279 We'd be shaped 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.180 by an understanding 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.840 of your love for us 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.420 and what you have 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.200 done for us. 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:13.100 We pray that we 00:31:13.100 --> 00:31:14.100 would use our words 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.759 as a means 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.620 of blessing others 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.400 and giving life 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.440 and not as a means 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.400 of destroying 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.400 and tearing down 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:20.320 other people 00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:21.180 who have been made 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:21.880 in your image. 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:25.080 God, we need grace 00:31:25.080 --> 00:31:25.500 for this, 00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:26.740 so please give it to us. 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.160 In your name, 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.019 amen. 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.960 How are you guys doing? 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.660 Thanks, Eric, 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.160 for bringing us 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.700 God's word 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:35.960 and challenging us 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.539 for this week 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.299 as we go out 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.700 to speak words 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.180 of life and blessing 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:41.799 to everybody 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:42.720 that we run into. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.860 Pray and ask, 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.200 Lord, 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.980 what that looks like 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.960 for you and your family 00:31:45.960 --> 00:31:47.160 and in your workplace. 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:48.539 We have a lot 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.840 of neat things going on 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.519 as we enter 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.140 into the holiday, 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.400 holidays. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.539 If you live 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.100 in this area, 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:54.299 you probably received 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.220 something like this 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.720 this weekend. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.480 If not, 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.360 you'll do it early 00:31:58.360 --> 00:31:58.960 next week. 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.900 It's a flyer. 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.840 Statistics say 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.940 no matter what country 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.240 you're in, 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.960 that people are more 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:05.120 likely to go 00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:06.120 and visit a church 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:07.400 on the holidays 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:07.960 of Christmas 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.560 and Easter. 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.539 People, 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.680 they're asking questions 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.480 and so we sent 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.740 10,000 of these 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.580 out to the households 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.360 in this area 00:32:14.360 --> 00:32:15.620 but there are about 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.660 400 on the table 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:16.920 out there. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.600 We want to ask you 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:18.200 to take some 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.160 with you 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.720 and give them 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.180 to your friends. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.000 Not just throw it 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.400 on the desk 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:22.000 and walk away 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.500 but invite them 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:25.000 to come with you. 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.620 The reason we started 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.320 this church 00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:28.180 was not to gather 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:30.259 people who were 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.259 already of faith 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.140 but was to reach out 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.920 to people who 00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:34.580 aren't in the family yet. 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.000 And so that is one 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.740 of these things 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.460 that drive us 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.920 as a church 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:38.500 as we think about 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.500 planning other churches 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.140 and moving out 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:40.720 into areas where 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.519 people don't know 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.180 Christ yet. 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.700 So this is a great, 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.799 great opportunity 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:46.080 for you to invite 00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.539 friends. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.180 On Good Friday 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:48.560 we're going to have 00:32:48.560 --> 00:32:49.000 a gathering 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.519 at the community 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:49.799 center. 00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.279 We've done it 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.200 the last two years. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.080 It's a very special 00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.360 time. 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.060 It's a come and go 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:53.940 as you want time. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.080 There'll be a small 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:55.660 program, 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.860 some worship 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.360 and fellowship 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:57.840 and it'll end 00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.600 in doing communion 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.440 as a family. 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.680 So your family 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.380 will do the communion 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.400 with the elders. 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.600 It's a great opportunity. 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.480 And then on Easter Sunday 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.880 we're going to have 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.779 the outreach service 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.860 here at 1030 00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.840 and then at 2 o'clock 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:12.339 we have 1,000 Easter eggs 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.579 and we hide them 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.199 in the podium 00:33:14.199 --> 00:33:14.759 out there 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.299 and we're going to 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.919 do an outreach 00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.859 to the community. 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.480 And so we'd love 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:19.139 for you to be a part 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.419 of that. 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.019 Community groups 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.779 are getting involved 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.559 and your community 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.220 group knows what 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.759 they'll be doing 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.519 in that time. 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.740 But again, 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:26.000 we ask you to pray 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.579 and pray that God 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.279 would move in people's 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.000 hearts and people 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.679 would come to know 00:33:29.679 --> 00:33:30.559 Christ and they would 00:33:30.559 --> 00:33:32.419 fall in love with Him. 00:33:32.679 --> 00:33:33.359 So there's a lot 00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:34.699 of really neat things 00:33:34.699 --> 00:33:35.179 and opportunities 00:33:35.179 --> 00:33:36.159 for you to invite 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:37.220 and engage people 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.879 in your world 00:33:37.879 --> 00:33:39.079 to invite them 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.559 to come here 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.159 about Christ 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.700 in that part. 00:33:41.639 --> 00:33:42.000 Also, 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.000 Tuesday night 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.839 is the men's gathering 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.519 at the community center 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.240 so if you're a man, 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.379 be there. 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.019 We have had 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.779 great fellowships. 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.159 We've been doing it 00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:48.919 every other week 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:49.899 and so it's this Tuesday 00:33:49.899 --> 00:33:51.299 at 730. 00:33:51.419 --> 00:33:52.220 Food is provided. 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:54.059 It goes until about 9. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:55.940 It's a really good gathering. 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:56.759 You know, 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.720 when we started the church 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.679 we don't ask for money 00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:01.000 in offering in front. 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.859 The fact that the offering 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:03.299 baskets are off to the side 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.899 and we ask for you 00:34:04.899 --> 00:34:05.819 to give as God 00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:07.500 impacts your heart 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.179 because we feel like 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.139 that's a great indicator 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.259 for us as an understanding 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:11.139 of the gospel. 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.739 One of the things 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.859 we did as we started that 00:34:13.859 --> 00:34:14.719 is we talked about 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.779 these things a lot 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:17.319 but we also make known 00:34:17.319 --> 00:34:18.019 our needs. 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.339 And so when we fitted out 00:34:19.339 --> 00:34:20.019 the community center 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.719 if you've been there 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:22.299 no money was raised 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.079 for the community center. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.659 One Sunday, 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.419 the very first Sunday 00:34:24.419 --> 00:34:25.159 I came up and said 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.839 hey, 00:34:25.919 --> 00:34:26.759 we need toilets 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:27.639 with seats, 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.980 we need chairs, 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.379 we need these things 00:34:30.379 --> 00:34:31.159 and the next week 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:32.679 people gave those things. 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:34.079 I came back the next week 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:34.399 and said okay, 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.440 we need 100 chairs 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.960 and we need some projectors, 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.860 we need some air conditioners 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:38.500 and the next week 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.579 the church family 00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:41.320 gave those things. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.720 And so as we continue 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.920 to pray and think about 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.500 that there are a couple 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.260 needs that we have 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:46.220 we want you to pray about 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:47.079 and one of them 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.119 is just housing. 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:49.740 We have interns coming in 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.920 and we're looking for people 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.000 who have extra flat 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.519 that the church, 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:54.139 we don't want it for free 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.760 but we want to be able 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.500 to rent it from you 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.059 in this area 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.539 so we can house 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.360 the interns 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.039 that are coming in 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.579 because we have a lot 00:34:59.579 --> 00:35:00.980 of neat opportunities 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.920 with people coming in 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:02.900 to serve the church 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:04.179 in the next couple months. 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:06.099 So if you have extra space 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.679 available, 00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:08.699 please contact me 00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.819 or in the office 00:35:09.819 --> 00:35:11.119 because that's just 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.940 a need we have 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.659 for that issue 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.699 for serving the church. 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:14.960 Also we're looking 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.839 for people who have 00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:16.639 office space 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:18.019 around this part 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.639 of Hong Kong 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:20.279 because as we're growing 00:35:20.279 --> 00:35:21.440 we're starting Bible studies 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.199 and gatherings 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.000 and community groups 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.759 and so if you have 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.659 extra office space 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.159 that's available 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:27.079 anytime during the week 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.219 even if it's 8 o'clock 00:35:28.219 --> 00:35:28.719 at night 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.639 just send us a short email 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:31.940 here I have an office space 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:33.139 that can fit 25 people 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.940 8 o'clock here 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.159 and you can use it 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.780 just let me know 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.800 because we're thinking 00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:37.440 as we grow 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.960 we're just looking 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.659 for places to grow 00:35:39.659 --> 00:35:40.599 and we're just trusting 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:42.300 the family of God 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:44.619 to provide those places. 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:45.840 Okay? 00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.000 Is that good? 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.639 So be praying about that 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:50.200 and that is a huge thing 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:51.179 as we continue 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.320 this step of faith. 00:35:52.780 --> 00:35:53.740 Let me pray for us. 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.500 Father we just 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:57.500 we come before you 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.860 and as the passage said 00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.559 as we heard 00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:02.199 the thing that we're called 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:03.320 to do is impossible 00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.460 on our own 00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:06.699 and I think that 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:08.400 for many many years 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:09.099 for many of us 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:10.159 we've been trying to do 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:11.820 the impossible 00:36:11.820 --> 00:36:13.199 in so many ways 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:15.259 and the passage says 00:36:15.259 --> 00:36:16.159 clearly that unless 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:17.340 the perfect man 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:18.619 your son comes in 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:21.239 and makes all things new 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:22.679 and changes all things 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:24.460 that there's no hope 00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.380 it was that way 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.039 from the garden 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.119 and it's that way 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.199 today. 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:31.639 So we come to you 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.420 as your people 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.340 and we worship 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.759 that perfect person 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:35.579 your son Jesus 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:38.059 and as we sing 00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:38.980 Hosanna Lord 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.759 please come 00:36:39.759 --> 00:36:40.460 we pray Lord 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:40.880 that you would 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:42.340 continue to show 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.480 yourselves to us 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.159 as a people 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:45.880 and as a church 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:47.579 Father we surrender 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:49.259 our hearts to you 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:49.820 we surrender 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.119 our lives to you 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:52.219 Lord we surrender 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:53.480 our resources to you 00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:53.960 because they're 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.860 already yours 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:56.619 we surrender 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.500 our tongue 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.639 to you 00:36:58.639 --> 00:37:00.539 fill our heart 00:37:00.539 --> 00:37:01.099 with things 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:01.679 that are worthy 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.699 enough to speak 00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:04.059 help us to be 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.539 a people 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.159 and a church 00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:06.199 that are of your word 00:37:06.199 --> 00:37:07.000 and speak words 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.699 of life 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.340 and wisdom 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:10.380 and grace 00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:12.440 to everyone 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.800 around us 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.920 Lord help us 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.480 to realize 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:16.179 no matter how 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.159 much we try 00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:18.579 behavior modification 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:20.400 that our problem 00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:21.280 is still there 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.440 and the only solution 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.139 to that problem 00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:23.900 is Jesus 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:26.200 and so we come 00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:26.940 before you 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.619 and desperately 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.800 beg you 00:37:29.800 --> 00:37:30.960 to enter into 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.519 our life 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.300 and we repent 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:34.220 of our selfishness 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:35.740 Father we pray 00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:36.420 for this part of 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.079 Hong Kong 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:38.059 in these next 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:38.619 couple weeks 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.599 with so many people 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.440 even just right 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.480 next door in Bel Air 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:42.300 who don't know you 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:43.400 who don't come to church 00:37:43.400 --> 00:37:45.160 we pray for the flyers 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:45.860 that went out 00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:47.559 we pray for us 00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.720 as your church 00:37:48.720 --> 00:37:49.280 to go out 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:50.599 and to walk 00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.340 with courage 00:37:51.340 --> 00:37:52.100 as we talked about 00:37:52.100 --> 00:37:52.760 last week 00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.960 with Rahab 00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.800 and Abraham 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:56.600 and to trust you 00:37:56.600 --> 00:37:58.460 and to invite friends 00:37:58.460 --> 00:38:00.420 into this community 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:02.240 so they might see 00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:03.480 your son 00:38:03.480 --> 00:38:04.180 and fall in love 00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.760 with him 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.700 Father we pray 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.680 for the money 00:38:06.680 --> 00:38:07.420 that we take up 00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:07.840 right now 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.460 we pray that 00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.460 as it goes 00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.480 to a large port 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.280 to outreach 00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:11.820 that you would 00:38:11.820 --> 00:38:12.380 bless it 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.820 and multiply 00:38:13.820 --> 00:38:14.500 the tithe 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.160 that we give back 00:38:15.160 --> 00:38:15.640 to you 00:38:15.640 --> 00:38:16.519 so that we would 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.380 use it to honor 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.640 you in all things 00:38:18.640 --> 00:38:20.079 and Father we just pray 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.900 for that little grassy area 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:22.579 over there 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:23.960 from 2 to 4 00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.639 next week 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:25.960 but 2 weeks from now 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.299 but so many other days 00:38:27.299 --> 00:38:28.460 that your spirit 00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:29.159 would be there 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.219 and the people 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:31.179 wandering through there 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:33.000 would find something 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:34.819 besides an Easter egg hunt 00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:36.500 they'd find people 00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.400 who love you 00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:39.420 they'd find your son Jesus 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:41.559 so Lord we come before you 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:42.059 this morning 00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:42.980 and we just thank you 00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:44.000 and we worship you 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:46.019 and we need you desperately 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:47.360 we pray these things 00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:48.159 in Jesus name 00:38:48.159 --> 00:38:48.960 Amen 00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:50.460 God bless you 00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.400 we'll be back here again 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.099 next Sunday 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:53.400 right here 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:54.619 grab some drinks 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:55.220 on the way out 00:38:55.220 --> 00:38:55.980 and we'll see you 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:56.619 have a great week