WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.560 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm one of the pastors here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:23.679 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:32.399 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:38.359 Which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:48.260 This week, we are beginning a series in the story of Abraham, which we find in Genesis chapters 11 through 25. 00:00:48.259 --> 00:00:56.619 Genesis, the entire book, is the origin story of God's people, his people Israel, beginning with Abraham. 00:00:57.019 --> 00:01:01.820 And you'll notice we're not going to do the entire book. We're just doing chapters 11 through 25. 00:01:02.060 --> 00:01:08.560 And the reason for that is we're actually, big picture, preparing to go back into the book of Romans, the letter of Romans. 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:14.099 So you'll remember last year we did Romans chapters 1 through 3, and we took a break. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:17.019 Guess what Romans chapter 4 is about? 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:18.819 Abraham. 00:01:19.679 --> 00:01:26.219 Okay, so we're going to continue the pattern of our church, which is to alternate between the Old Testament and the New Testament. 00:01:26.679 --> 00:01:32.000 And now this is a rich and layered story, even this specific passage that's in front of us. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:40.959 And so I just want to disappoint you right at the beginning and tell you that we're not going to talk about everything in Genesis chapter 11 and 12 today. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:46.179 Okay, so our focus this morning is on the call to Abraham to go. 00:01:46.699 --> 00:01:53.959 What we will not spend a lot of time talking about is the word that's repeated throughout this passage, which is bless and blessing. 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:57.599 We're going to come back. We're going to hone in on that next week. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.759 And so we're going to just have a clear focus this week, a clear focus next week. 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:08.120 If you think, hey, we missed some things, yes, we're coming back. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:14.640 With that, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis chapter 11, starting in verse 27. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:17.099 You can turn in your worship guide. 00:02:17.700 --> 00:02:18.800 You can turn on your phone. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:20.740 You can turn in your Bible. 00:02:21.620 --> 00:02:24.319 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:26.980 Proverbs chapter 30, verse 5 tells us, 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:39.979 And so that's why we're going to read now Genesis chapter 11, starting at verse 27. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.759 Now these are the generations of Terah. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.780 Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 00:02:48.479 --> 00:02:49.839 And Haran fathered Lot. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:57.159 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred in Ur of the Chaldeans. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:00.099 And Abram and Nahor took wives. 00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:06.000 The name of Abram's wife was Sarai and the name of Nahor's wife Milcah, 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:09.539 the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:11.580 Now Sarai was barren. 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:13.460 She had no child. 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:18.819 Terah took Abram his son and Lot, the son of Haran, his granddaughter, 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:23.079 and Sarai, his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:28.579 And they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:31.799 But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:38.639 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran. 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:40.479 Chapter 12. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:43.500 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:50.719 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:56.419 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:59.479 so that you will be a blessing. 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:05.439 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.420 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:11.879 Verse 4. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:17.060 So Abram went as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:21.420 Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:26.159 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:28.839 and all their possessions that they had gathered, 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:31.360 and the people they had acquired in Haran, 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:34.639 and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:37.219 When they came to the land of Canaan, 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:42.440 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Morah. 00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:46.280 At that time, the Canaanites were in the land. 00:04:47.320 --> 00:04:49.400 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:52.840 To your offspring I will give this land. 00:04:53.400 --> 00:04:57.540 So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 00:04:57.540 --> 00:05:01.860 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel, 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:06.800 and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. 00:05:07.460 --> 00:05:12.360 And there he built an altar to the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:17.379 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negev. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:22.399 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:26.500 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you, 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:30.620 and thank you this morning that you have spoken to us through your word. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:33.600 And we ask that you would do it again this morning. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:38.019 That you would open our eyes, that you'd unstop our ears, 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.959 that you would clear our minds, you'd soften our hearts. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.120 That we would be able to see, and hear, and believe, and understand 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.220 everything that's written about you in your word. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:51.639 Most of all, we ask that you would help us to see Jesus. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:57.139 We'd see him in his glory, and power, and majesty, and holiness, and authority, 00:05:57.639 --> 00:05:59.920 and his mercy, and his grace, and his love. 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:02.920 That you would grow our love and our affection for him, 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:05.220 our reverence and our awe for him. 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:07.199 You'd grow our obedience to him. 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:10.980 We come grateful that we don't have to worry this morning 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.680 about whether we've earned these things or deserve them. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.939 We know that we don't, and so we simply ask for them 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.600 in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:19.360 Amen. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:26.840 Believe it or not, in a galaxy far, far away, 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:29.540 I once was a college student. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:32.960 And when I was a college student, 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.480 I was involved in what's called Reformed University Fellowship, 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:40.439 which is the college ministry of our denomination that we support. 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:44.899 And while I was away, you heard from Jonathan Clark and Wes Cowton, 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:50.660 who are both ministers, campus ministers, with that college ministry. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:55.480 Actually, fun fact, Wes Cowton and I were in the same RUF together 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:58.459 in North Carolina as students back in the day. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.899 And so as being part of involved in this, 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.920 I was part of what was called the servant team, 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.300 which was the leadership team for this ministry of students. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:10.759 And one of the things that we would do is every Sunday night, 00:07:10.960 --> 00:07:13.720 we would go over to our college pastor's house, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:15.819 and he would do a little teaching. 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:18.000 And he would try to do some teaching about, 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.360 hey, what does it look like to do ministry here on this college? 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.519 If you're like me, 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:28.860 there are plenty of sermons and talks and teachings 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.720 that you have completely forgotten. 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:36.660 And there are moments that stand out in your mind 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:38.220 that you will never forget. 00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:41.380 Where a pastor or a teacher said something 00:07:41.380 --> 00:07:43.080 and it just stuck with you forever. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:45.040 And I remember one night, 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:49.000 our campus pastor was going through Genesis chapter 12, 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:51.180 what we just looked at together, 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:54.400 and he looked us all dead in the eyes and said this, 00:07:54.399 --> 00:08:03.379 following God's call always involves loss. 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:11.560 Following God's call always involves loss. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:14.399 And then what he went on to say, 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.919 and I think this actually might be why I remember this, 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:19.979 is he said, you know, on Sunday afternoons, 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:23.739 when I think about us meeting on Sunday night, 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:26.139 sometimes I think about how nice it would just be 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:29.040 to be all by myself and to not do this. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:33.820 Which seemed a little awkward then, it still does now. 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:35.159 And of course, his college students were like, 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:35.720 wait, what? 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:39.159 This 35-year-old doesn't want to hang out with us all the time? 00:08:41.060 --> 00:08:43.100 But he said, no, but I get together with you all 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:45.639 on Sunday evenings, even as it's a loss to me 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:48.399 and what I might want to do with my rest and relaxation 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:51.940 because God and his kingdom are worth it. 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:55.159 And he was right. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:01.419 This passage presents us with the call to lose. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:02.799 It's right here. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:05.980 The very first interaction that God and Abraham have, 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:09.480 chapter 12, verse 1, is a command, go. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:14.240 And it's not just go, it is go from. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:17.100 And we see this increasing intensity. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:20.379 First of all, you're going to go from your country. 00:09:21.279 --> 00:09:22.539 Okay, that's bad. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:27.320 Not as bad as what comes next, your kindred, your family. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.399 And then at the end, it gets even worse, 00:09:30.539 --> 00:09:36.320 your father's house, those who are closest to you. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:41.340 Now, in 2025, it is fair to say that we value our families. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:46.200 It is also fair to say we don't value them anywhere near 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:49.180 as much as they valued them in the ancient Near East 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:50.200 in the time of Abraham. 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:53.560 Okay, so to wrap our minds around this, 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:56.680 we have to think about what it would mean for God to come to us 00:09:56.680 --> 00:10:00.080 and call us to leave behind all the identity 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:03.800 and the things that we cling to for security and meaning. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:07.059 It would be like God coming to you and saying, 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:12.579 go, quit your job, abandon your career, 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:16.359 shut down all your social media accounts, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:20.259 throw away your phone forever. 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:26.259 Move cities, move countries, start over. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:30.839 That's how radical this command is to Abram, right? 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:32.300 If he's leaving his father's house, 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:34.280 he's not gonna be able to email them. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.240 He's not gonna be able to put a stamp on his letter 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:41.759 to Tara's house and send it back, right? 00:10:41.780 --> 00:10:43.120 He's not gonna be able to call them. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:47.720 No, Abraham is being called to leave everything. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:52.500 And as we read in Hebrews chapter 11 this morning, 00:10:52.660 --> 00:10:57.080 God doesn't even tell him where he's going. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:11:00.180 Just says go. 00:11:03.800 --> 00:11:06.180 Brothers and sisters, the point is this. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:10.680 If we obey God's call 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:14.820 to follow him in his mission, 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:19.240 we will give things up. 00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:26.519 If we obey God's call to follow him in his mission, 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:29.080 we will give things up. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:32.620 Now, in the context of this passage, 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.659 it is God's call specifically 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:38.259 that Abram and his family would be a blessing to the nations. 00:11:38.700 --> 00:11:40.180 That's what we see in verse three. 00:11:40.779 --> 00:11:42.340 In New Testament terms, 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.759 we would think of the great commission 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:46.980 which Jesus gives to his disciples in Matthew chapter 28. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:50.259 Go, make disciples of all nations, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:52.320 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.740 the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:57.360 teaching them everything I've commanded. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:03.039 This loss looks very practical. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.480 While I was gone, 00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:08.060 you all paid off our building debt. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:15.200 What did we have to do to pay off that debt? 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:19.540 You had to lose money. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.480 Right? 00:12:21.640 --> 00:12:24.820 You gave money to our generosity initiative. 00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:28.280 You could have done something else with that. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.400 There are things you didn't do 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:33.120 because you gave to that, right? 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:35.520 There are experiences that you didn't have. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.140 Maybe trips, 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:39.640 maybe the security of having more savings. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:43.019 And you lost all that. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.179 So that we as a church 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.899 could follow God and his call 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:49.960 for us to be a gospel hub here 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.799 in Southwest Colorado Springs. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.899 That's just one example. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:56.059 That's one example from us here 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:58.639 in this community in this period of time. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:01.100 Following God and his call 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:02.939 to follow him and his mission 00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:05.059 means we will lose. 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:08.539 Now I hope you see the flip side. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:10.319 I hope you also see what we've gained. 00:13:10.979 --> 00:13:13.019 I hope you see what God is doing 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:14.259 in this congregation 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:17.899 as we continue to follow him more and more. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:20.339 I hope you see the way he's multiplying 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:22.519 the ministry of this church. 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:25.099 But what did we have to do? 00:13:26.219 --> 00:13:27.159 We had to lose. 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:32.899 And it's not just about finances, of course. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.339 There's a pastor here in town 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.299 who likes to say, 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:39.019 you know, people are scared of the church 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.379 because they think the church 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.500 is after their money. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.779 And then he goes on to say, 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:44.179 you know what? 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:47.439 It's actually much worse than that. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:50.799 We're not just after your money. 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.100 We're after everything. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.839 We're after all of you, right? 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:59.980 Jesus calls our whole selves to follow him. 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.019 And so we can think of it 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:03.920 not just in sense of following God's call 00:14:03.920 --> 00:14:06.360 specifically obeying him in his mission. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.120 We can think of it as the call 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.300 that he's given us to holiness. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:12.240 A number of years ago, 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:15.100 a friend of mine dated a young woman 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:17.139 who had been living in France. 00:14:17.320 --> 00:14:18.000 She's a Christian. 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.780 She was living in France 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:21.740 with a man that she was engaged to, 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.480 not married to, 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.420 who was not a Christian. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:27.000 And one day she woke up 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:27.919 and realized, 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.039 should not be living with someone 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.979 I'm not married to, 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:32.879 should not be engaged to someone 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.620 who's not a Christian, 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:34.659 who doesn't share my faith. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.819 What did she do? 00:14:38.479 --> 00:14:39.620 She broke up with him. 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.360 She moved out. 00:14:40.459 --> 00:14:41.419 She left France 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:42.899 and she moved to the United States. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.539 That, brothers and sisters, 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.439 is a loss. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:52.640 Following God's call 00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:56.380 always involves loss. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.400 Could be big. 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.860 It could be small. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.440 It could be giving up 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.540 your Sunday evening 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:06.040 to talk to college students 00:15:06.040 --> 00:15:06.920 about God's word. 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:10.020 It could be leaving a relationship 00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:11.220 and a country 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.540 because you're convicted 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:15.599 about what God's call 00:15:15.599 --> 00:15:16.339 to obedience 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:18.279 means for you. 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.959 Question for us 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:23.899 is this. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:27.639 Are you willing 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:30.620 to give up a lot 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:32.500 to follow God? 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:38.519 Are you willing 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.779 to lose 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.919 in order 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:43.080 to obey 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:44.360 God? 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.860 To answer that question, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.639 we have to answer 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:52.100 another question first, 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.820 which is this. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.639 Why? 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:53.700 Why? 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:57.379 Why is it worth 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.080 losing? 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.899 Why is it worth 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.399 giving 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.480 anything 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.539 up? 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.299 Is it actually 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.939 a smart 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:08.980 exchange? 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:10.879 And I'm going 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.220 to give you 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.939 two reasons 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:12.620 this morning 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.199 why it is worth 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:14.899 losing 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.039 to follow God. 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.220 Reason one, 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.059 giving it up 00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:21.879 is the only way 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.659 you keep it. 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:25.679 Reason two, 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.539 giving it up 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.720 gets you 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.399 something better. 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.759 giving it up 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.340 is the only way 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.959 to keep it. 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.139 Giving it up 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.679 gives you 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.740 something better. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.100 First of all, 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.679 giving it up 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.959 is the only way 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:40.039 that you keep it. 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.799 There is a core 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.379 foundational principle 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.100 to the way 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.879 that we think 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.759 in the world 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.319 as Christians 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.240 and you'll find it 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.259 on page seven 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.100 of your worship guide 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:49.840 in that sidebar 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.539 on the left. 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:53.480 In the created world, 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.000 you can only 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.419 truly enjoy 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.379 what you do 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.220 not worship. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.799 In the created world, 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.220 you can only 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.759 truly enjoy 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:07.299 what you do 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.819 not worship. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.380 Now, 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.019 if the language 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.660 of worship 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:13.660 feels abstract 00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.359 to you, 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.039 then you can think 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.279 of it in these terms. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:19.000 What is the object 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.500 of your hope? 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:22.859 What is it 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.779 that you hope 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.619 in? 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.839 The beautiful 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.839 things of this 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.400 world 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.859 cannot bear up 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.339 under the weight 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.579 of your hope. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.960 If you place 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.700 your hope 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.440 in them, 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.660 you will crush 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.220 them 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.339 and they 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.400 will crush 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.380 you. 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:46.320 you can only 00:17:46.320 --> 00:17:47.320 truly enjoy 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:48.260 what you do 00:17:48.260 --> 00:17:49.820 not worship. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.040 There are many 00:17:52.040 --> 00:17:52.920 beautiful things 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.780 in this world 00:17:53.780 --> 00:17:55.160 and they 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.700 only work 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:58.100 when they 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.420 are downstream 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:01.100 of our love 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.960 for and our 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.520 commitment 00:18:02.520 --> 00:18:03.580 to God. 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.880 You can think 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.340 about this 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.100 in a variety 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.960 of areas. 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:09.020 If you're a parent, 00:18:09.560 --> 00:18:10.240 your hope 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.299 cannot 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:13.220 be in your 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.599 kids. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:14.920 Your kids 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.559 actually can't 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:15.980 bear up 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.460 under the 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:16.779 weight 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.420 of that. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:17.759 What's going 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.240 to happen 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.880 if you do 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.120 that is 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.400 you're going 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:20.980 to be driven 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.039 by anxiety, 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.000 putting pressure 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.380 that they 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.019 can't handle 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:24.599 onto them 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.059 and you'll 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.740 see the 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.819 whole situation 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:28.319 become twisted 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.940 and marred. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.700 You can't 00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:31.519 actually enjoy 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.460 them and raise 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.880 them unless 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.539 your hope 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.140 is in something 00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:34.920 more and 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:35.339 greater, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.240 unless your 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.200 hope is in 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.539 God. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.039 We can come 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.599 up with a 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.079 number of 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.819 other examples. 00:18:40.959 --> 00:18:41.279 You'll find 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.699 this on the 00:18:41.699 --> 00:18:42.579 back of 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.159 your worship 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:43.619 guide, 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.259 a quote 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.759 from David 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.579 Foster Wallace 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.299 who tells 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.279 us the 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.359 danger of 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.059 worshiping 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.459 all these 00:18:49.459 --> 00:18:50.000 other things, 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.339 of putting 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.000 our hope 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.740 in things 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.259 that cannot 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.159 bear up 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:53.980 under hope's 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.579 weight. 00:18:56.699 --> 00:18:57.439 If you 00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.139 worship money 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.079 and things, 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.279 then you 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.639 will never 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.240 have enough. 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.359 Worship 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:03.899 your own 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.579 body and 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.199 beauty and 00:19:05.199 --> 00:19:06.219 sexual allure 00:19:06.219 --> 00:19:06.699 and you will 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:07.679 always feel 00:19:07.679 --> 00:19:08.159 ugly. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:09.519 and when 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.180 time and 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:10.920 age start 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.480 showing, 00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.759 you will 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.300 die a 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:14.100 million deaths 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.600 before they 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.820 finally plant 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:16.100 you. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:17.800 Worship 00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.440 power. 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:19.700 You will 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.560 feel weak 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.380 and afraid 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:22.900 and you 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.300 will need 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:24.240 ever more 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.759 power over 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.420 others to 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:26.900 keep the 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.200 fear at 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.440 bay. 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.200 Worship 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.060 your intellect. 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:33.019 Being seen 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.759 as smart, 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:35.000 you will 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.379 end up 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.379 feeling stupid, 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.799 a fraud, 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.460 always on 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.220 the verge 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.200 of being 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.900 found out. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.819 In the 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.220 created 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740 world, 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.099 you can 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.420 only truly 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.279 enjoy 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.299 what you 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.940 do 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.920 not 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.839 worship. 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:59.039 Jesus 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.500 tells us 00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.839 the same 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.119 thing, 00:20:00.199 --> 00:20:00.419 Matthew 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:00.779 chapter 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.159 10. 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.319 Whoever 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.199 loves 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.919 father or 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.599 mother more 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.259 than me is 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.000 not worthy 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.559 of me, 00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:08.139 and whoever 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:08.859 loves son or 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.399 daughter more 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.259 than me is 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.779 not worthy 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.279 of me, 00:20:11.959 --> 00:20:12.679 and whoever 00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:13.139 does not 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:13.779 take his 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.339 cross and 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.439 follow me is 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.079 not worthy 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.599 of me. 00:20:17.459 --> 00:20:17.759 Whoever 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.740 finds his 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.359 life will 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.059 lose it, 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.339 and whoever 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.279 loses his 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.319 life for my 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.639 sake will 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.659 find it. 00:20:27.679 --> 00:20:28.319 Whoever 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.059 finds his 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.539 life will 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.039 lose it, 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.099 and whoever 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.839 loses his 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.759 life for my 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:34.119 sake will 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.659 find it. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.679 Giving it 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:38.319 up is the 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.859 only way 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.960 you will 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.740 keep it. 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.559 Second 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.819 reason I 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.419 told you is 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:48.899 giving it 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:51.279 up because 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.740 you will 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.980 get something 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.920 better. 00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:55.620 And this 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.059 gets to 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.700 answers the 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.039 question, 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.759 why is it 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.500 that Abraham 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.940 is willing 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.299 to just 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.700 go? 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.440 Verse 4. 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.319 So Abraham 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.720 went. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.940 Doesn't know 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.220 where he's 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.579 going. 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.900 Is told he's 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.299 supposed to 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.900 abandon 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:11.019 everything else. 00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:11.640 So there's 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.380 this radical 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.059 act of 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.500 obedience, 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.140 which in 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:14.680 many ways 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.059 seems 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.420 unexplainable, 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:19.660 except the 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.319 author of the 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.680 book of 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.080 Hebrews explains 00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:23.400 it for us. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:24.640 Brit read 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.279 this for us 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:25.779 this morning. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.480 You'll find 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.299 it on page 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.480 3 of your 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.200 worship guide. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.980 Verse 10. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:33.560 For he was 00:21:33.560 --> 00:21:34.560 looking forward 00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:35.420 to the city 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.960 that has 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.740 foundations, 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.460 whose designer 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:39.860 and builder 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:41.460 is God. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:45.019 Abraham went 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.480 because he was 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.940 looking to 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.519 something 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.620 better. 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.000 And it 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.259 says it 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.640 again at 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.019 the end 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.380 of that 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:53.960 passage. 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.640 Verse 16. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.860 But as it 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.440 is, they 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.539 desire a 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.820 better country 00:21:59.820 --> 00:22:01.380 that is 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:02.240 a heavenly 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.700 one. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.019 Therefore, 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.779 God is not 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.460 ashamed to 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.019 be called 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.840 their God, 00:22:08.100 --> 00:22:09.080 for he has 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:10.080 prepared for 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:11.420 them a 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:11.759 city. 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.860 Abraham is 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.620 willing to 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.400 leave one 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.080 place, 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:19.079 because he 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.839 is looking 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:21.059 to a 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.639 better 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.899 place. 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.839 Brothers and 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.439 sisters, the 00:22:26.439 --> 00:22:27.240 same is 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.099 true for 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.699 us. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.399 We will 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.139 not be 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.079 willing to 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.939 lose 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:35.000 unless we 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.460 have a 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.139 vision of 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:36.619 something 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.119 better. 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.899 It's not a 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:40.339 coincidence 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.099 that right 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.699 after Brit 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:43.279 read that, 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.079 we sang the 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.399 song, 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.259 O Jerusalem. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:47.539 that is a 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.579 song about 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.379 us as a 00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:49.740 Christian 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.339 community 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.779 looking towards 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.619 and longing 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.099 for something 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.200 better and 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.379 more beautiful. 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.480 And what is 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:57.579 it? 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.220 We're looking 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.339 that they have 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.160 told us of a 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:01.460 city where 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.500 all tears are 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.140 wiped away. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.119 Is that worth 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.000 losing for? 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.220 Yes. 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.319 And every 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.480 shadowed valley 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.480 is washed 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.200 in the 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.839 endless day. 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.779 Last verse. 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.559 They have 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.259 told us of 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.319 a city where 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.079 all death 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.779 will be 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.579 undone. 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.700 Is that 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.279 better than 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.700 the current 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.220 place we're 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.559 in right 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:23.860 now? 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.620 Yes. 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.460 Is it 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.720 worth losing 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.799 right now 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.660 for a city 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.339 where death 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.799 will be 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.500 undone? 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:35.140 Of course. 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:37.740 and all 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.600 our tearful 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.160 mourning 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.980 gives way 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.120 to healing 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:43.120 song. 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:45.860 I hope 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.420 when you 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:46.820 come and 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.080 as you 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:47.420 come to 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.860 our church 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.360 on Sunday 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:48.880 morning you 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.460 realize we 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.920 are not 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.660 here simply 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.120 to go 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.500 through the 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.100 motions and 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.720 do church 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.240 and be at 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.520 another 00:23:54.520 --> 00:23:55.280 worship service. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.920 We're not 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.759 singing random 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.540 songs that we 00:23:57.540 --> 00:23:58.200 pulled together 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.840 because churches 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.240 are supposed 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.740 to sing. 00:24:00.520 --> 00:24:01.020 No, 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.920 we are coming 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.820 here together 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:04.020 to be reminded 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.940 of what is 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.599 most true 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.119 and most 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.500 real. 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.619 And we're 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.240 here to stir 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.160 up our hearts 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:10.119 as we repeat 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.960 the truth to 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.879 ourselves and 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:12.599 one another 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.619 about what is 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.539 more true 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.200 than anything 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.680 else. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.879 That God 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.859 has prepared 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.920 a city 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.400 and it is 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.980 better than 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.779 anything that 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.319 you would 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:26.099 give up 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.220 here and 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:27.579 now. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.859 Jesus tells 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.119 us, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.019 John chapter 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.639 14, 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:34.600 in my 00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.259 father's 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.020 house are 00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:36.580 many 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.560 rooms. 00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:39.920 If it 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.320 were not 00:24:40.320 --> 00:24:40.820 so, 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:41.820 would I 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.320 have told 00:24:42.320 --> 00:24:43.620 you that 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.440 I go to 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:45.320 prepare a 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:46.500 place for 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.820 you? 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.200 Christian, 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.540 Jesus is 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.860 preparing a 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:56.380 place for 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:59.400 you and it 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.380 is worth 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.680 giving up 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.500 everything 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.520 for. 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:08.100 How do I 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:08.540 know that's 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:08.780 true? 00:25:09.820 --> 00:25:10.360 How do I 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:10.780 know that we 00:25:10.780 --> 00:25:11.520 can trust 00:25:11.520 --> 00:25:11.960 Jesus' 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.620 words? 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.720 We trust 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.060 Jesus' 00:25:15.300 --> 00:25:15.940 words because 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.300 of his 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:17.340 death and 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:17.540 his 00:25:17.540 --> 00:25:18.040 resurrection. 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:19.560 The 00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.280 apostle Paul 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.220 calls Jesus' 00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:21.760 death and 00:25:21.760 --> 00:25:22.540 resurrection the 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:23.560 down payment 00:25:23.560 --> 00:25:24.320 on the 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:24.700 future. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.160 That Jesus 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.820 has put down 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.640 the earnest 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.440 money to 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.259 show that 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.580 he's 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:30.299 serious. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.940 Right? 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.500 He has not 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.039 just given 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.840 us words, 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.960 he's given 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:36.320 us himself. 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.700 Are those 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:43.120 rooms your 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:43.620 line of 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:43.880 sight? 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.820 Is heaven 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:49.539 your horizon 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.100 line? 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:53.539 if you 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.139 are going 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:54.899 to live 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.139 the 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.639 Christian 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.219 life, 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.799 at some 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.500 point, 00:25:58.839 --> 00:26:00.000 it must 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.019 be. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.659 We come 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.359 together here 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:05.879 on Sunday 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.259 mornings, 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.199 week after 00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:07.659 week, 00:26:07.939 --> 00:26:09.019 to reset 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.339 and reorient 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.559 where our 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.419 eyes are 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:12.799 looking. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.519 What is 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.039 the future 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.399 that we're 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:17.079 hoping for? 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.699 What is 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.439 the object 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.000 that can 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.880 bear up 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.680 under the 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.960 weight of 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.400 our hope? 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.259 It's that 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.900 vision, 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.460 that truth, 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.279 that reality 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.360 that helps 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.140 us understand 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.940 what is of 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.400 greater 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.120 importance 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:34.140 and what is 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.559 of lesser 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.140 importance. 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.799 In her 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.120 book, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.059 Tunnel 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.740 29, 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.220 Helena 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.620 Merriman 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.120 tells the 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.820 story of 00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:45.240 Joachim 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.600 Rudolph. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.180 And Joachim 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.920 decided in 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.400 the summer 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.600 of 1962 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:50.780 that he 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.180 was going 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.920 to dig 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.600 a tunnel 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.940 from West 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.800 Berlin to 00:26:54.800 --> 00:26:55.460 East Berlin. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.080 This is during 00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.560 the Cold 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:57.940 War. 00:26:58.300 --> 00:26:58.600 He wants 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:58.840 to help 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.880 people escape 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.640 from being 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:00.980 under 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.660 communism. 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:03.600 And so, 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:03.980 of course, 00:27:04.060 --> 00:27:04.460 during the 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:04.920 Cold War, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.460 the Berlin 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.019 Wall is 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.040 keeping East 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:07.380 Berlin. 00:27:07.560 --> 00:27:07.820 Where they 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:07.980 are, 00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.440 they cannot 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.940 escape, 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:09.500 they can't 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.960 move to 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.480 where there's 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:10.759 freedom, 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.240 they can't 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.580 escape 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:12.280 communism. 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:12.720 And so, 00:27:12.780 --> 00:27:13.100 he works 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:13.620 all summer 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.019 for this 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.319 tunnel, 00:27:14.739 --> 00:27:15.259 and he 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.659 eventually 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.559 finishes it. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.039 And as he 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.679 finishes it, 00:27:18.699 --> 00:27:19.239 he encounters 00:27:19.239 --> 00:27:20.519 one almost 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.519 insurmountable 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.000 problem. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.439 There are 00:27:24.439 --> 00:27:25.599 no telephone 00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.819 lines between 00:27:27.459 --> 00:27:28.319 West Berlin 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:29.379 and East 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:29.719 Berlin. 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.699 And without 00:27:31.699 --> 00:27:32.439 any telephone 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.099 lines, 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.579 there is very 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.579 challenging for 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.339 him to actually 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.339 tell people 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:38.659 in East Berlin 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.679 where and when 00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.079 they're going 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.779 to escape. 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.519 The only 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.079 way to do 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:44.420 it is to 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.839 send someone 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.700 across. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.399 And this is 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:47.819 possible. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.200 West Berliners 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.000 are allowed to 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.519 cross over 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.000 into East 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.299 Berlin. 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.240 It's just 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.940 East Berliners 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.379 can't go 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:53.720 into the 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.019 West. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.799 But no 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.740 West Berliner 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.519 wants to 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.200 do it 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.839 because the 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.680 communists have 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.339 realized, 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.339 hey, we're 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.019 actually not 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.359 going to 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:04.379 punish the 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.139 East Berliners 00:28:05.139 --> 00:28:05.519 trying to 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.180 escape that 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.639 harshly. 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:06.940 You know who 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.399 we're really 00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:07.700 going to 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.059 punish? 00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:08.899 We're going 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.259 to punish 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.859 the West 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.539 Berliners who 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.319 are organizing 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:11.980 the escapes. 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.259 We're not 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:13.680 going to go 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.220 after the 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.619 sheep. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.180 We're going 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.399 to go 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:15.819 after the 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.299 shepherds. 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.079 And so it 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:17.579 gets to a 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.019 point where 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.599 it's almost 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.159 a death 00:28:19.159 --> 00:28:19.819 sentence to 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.480 cross over 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.099 because what 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:21.720 happens if 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.220 you're caught? 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.240 If you are 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.480 caught, your 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.220 life is 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.879 essentially 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.440 over. 00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.299 The communists 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:30.279 reserve their 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.819 cruelest punishments 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.480 for West 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.519 Berliners who 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.099 help East 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.000 Berliners escape. 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.460 And so they've 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.859 dug this 00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.159 tunnel. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:40.120 no one is 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.800 willing to 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.840 go over and 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:43.040 tell the 00:28:43.040 --> 00:28:43.940 East Berliners 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.019 the details 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:47.779 except for 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.040 one person. 00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.960 Just as they 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:53.700 are giving up 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.220 hope, they 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.400 find someone, 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.960 someone who 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.700 will do it 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.960 for the most 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.779 primal reason 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.660 of all. 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:05.019 they find a 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.540 man named 00:29:05.540 --> 00:29:06.019 Wolf Dieter 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.860 Sternheimer. 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.400 What makes 00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.960 Wolf Dieter 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.800 different than 00:29:09.800 --> 00:29:10.740 every other 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.680 West Berliner? 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.860 Wolf Dieter's 00:29:13.860 --> 00:29:15.180 girlfriend is 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.720 in East 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.060 Berlin. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.300 And they go 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:19.740 to him and 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.140 they say, 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:20.759 look, we 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.660 have a tunnel 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:23.140 and you know 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.340 what? 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.920 We'll let your 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.700 girlfriend come 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.340 over to West 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:27.580 Berlin if you 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.500 go to East 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.920 Berlin and tell 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.340 everyone. 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:33.220 the book 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.759 says this, 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.220 Wolf Dieter 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.699 didn't need 00:29:34.699 --> 00:29:35.379 long to 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.919 decide. 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.699 He knew 00:29:37.699 --> 00:29:38.619 this was the 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.799 only way 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.919 to get 00:29:40.919 --> 00:29:41.859 his girlfriend 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:43.079 out. 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.220 Brothers and 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.579 sisters, 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.679 plenty of 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.279 people in 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.859 West Berlin 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.299 had the 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:48.939 right world 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:49.220 view. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.119 Plenty of 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:51.659 people in 00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:52.379 West Berlin 00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.319 understood 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:54.419 intellectually 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.419 the evils 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.179 of communism. 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:57.539 Right? 00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:59.259 The understanding 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.740 wasn't enough. 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.420 They did 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.400 not have 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.299 a strong 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.279 enough vision 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.879 of the 00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:07.279 future to 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.920 risk 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.940 everything. 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.440 Wolf Dieter 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.500 did. 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.299 Many people 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.779 were willing 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.500 to dig a 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.059 tunnel from 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.660 the West 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.079 where it 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.819 was safe. 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.240 Only one 00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.059 man was able 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.720 to cross over 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.420 to the East 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.039 where it 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.519 was not 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:23.960 safe. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.440 Why? 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:27.620 Because he 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.480 had a love 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.480 and a longing 00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.100 and he 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.759 saw 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.880 something 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.700 better. 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.400 And he 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.180 was willing 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.620 to risk 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.880 everything. 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.279 By the 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.539 way, 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:41.080 he and 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.360 Renata 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.860 get married 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.160 and have 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.580 two kids. 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.039 Same is 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:46.440 true of 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:46.820 Abraham. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.820 Same is 00:30:48.820 --> 00:30:50.059 true of 00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.460 us. 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:52.000 For he 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.559 was looking 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.340 forward to 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:53.980 the city 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.519 that has 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.259 foundations 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.339 whose 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.059 designer 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:58.439 and builder 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:59.879 is God. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.019 Let's 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.240 pray. 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.740 Our 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.179 Father in 00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:05.379 heaven, 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.699 we praise 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:07.059 you and 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.480 thank you 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.000 that you 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.059 have 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.819 prepared a 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.159 city where 00:31:11.159 --> 00:31:11.720 all death 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.480 will be 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.039 undone. 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:14.919 We ask 00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:15.139 that you 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.699 would remind 00:31:15.699 --> 00:31:16.299 us of that 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.559 truth, 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:16.879 that it 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.399 would become 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.099 our horizon 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.439 line, 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:18.699 that we 00:31:18.699 --> 00:31:19.220 would look 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.119 forward to 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.599 it and we 00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:20.939 would be 00:31:20.939 --> 00:31:22.839 willing to 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.259 do what 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.759 it takes 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.220 to be 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:24.539 there. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.740 We thank 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.059 you that 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:27.199 Jesus has 00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:28.000 given himself, 00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.459 that he's 00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:29.159 died for our 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:29.579 sins and 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.039 risen from 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.399 the dead, 00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:30.679 that we 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.259 know that 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:31.559 we can 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.699 trust in 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:33.079 the future 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.519 you have 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.980 for us. 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.179 We ask 00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:35.500 all of 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:35.980 these things 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.199 in the 00:31:36.199 --> 00:31:36.699 mighty name 00:31:36.699 --> 00:31:37.079 of Jesus 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.579 Christ. 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.319 Amen. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.619 I invite 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:40.859 you to 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.299 stand for 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.699 our closing 00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.039 hymn.