WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:09.519 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.419 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.280 My name is Vanessa Erickson and I am in the Alameda Parish. 00:00:39.120 --> 00:00:43.600 This is a reading from the book of Deuteronomy, verses 11 to 19. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:51.500 Now, what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 00:00:52.019 --> 00:00:55.260 It is not up in the heaven so that you have to ask, 00:00:55.259 --> 00:01:00.280 who will ascend into heaven to get it and to proclaim it to us so that we may obey it. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:04.719 Nor is it beyond the sea so that you have to ask, 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:09.060 who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so that we may obey it. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:12.840 No, the word is very near you. 00:01:13.479 --> 00:01:18.900 It is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it. 00:01:18.900 --> 00:01:26.440 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:31.020 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:36.960 to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:39.960 Then you will live and increase, 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:44.920 and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:49.340 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:54.400 and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 00:01:55.120 --> 00:02:01.859 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:08.099 You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:13.620 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you, 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:19.980 that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. 00:02:20.980 --> 00:02:25.319 Now choose life so that you and your children may live 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:28.000 and that you may love the Lord your God. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:30.920 Listen to his voice and hold fast to him. 00:02:32.200 --> 00:02:34.340 For the Lord is your life, 00:02:34.640 --> 00:02:37.319 and he will give you many years in the land. 00:02:37.920 --> 00:02:39.860 He swore to give your fathers, 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:42.099 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:45.579 It just reminds me of Isaac, 00:02:45.739 --> 00:02:50.299 and how many times we heard him share God's word, 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:52.780 primarily with his parents. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:56.359 The grass withers and the flowers fade, 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:59.699 but the word of our God stands forever. 00:02:59.699 --> 00:02:59.859 Amen. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:13.780 So let me also say good morning, Christchurch. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:15.740 Good morning. 00:03:17.140 --> 00:03:22.260 And thank you, Pastor Jonathan, for inviting me to preach this today. 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:25.599 I must say that this is very unusual for me, 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:28.099 since English is not my language at all. 00:03:29.099 --> 00:03:33.120 So bear with me if I make a lot of mistakes. 00:03:33.739 --> 00:03:35.679 But I'm very happy to be here. 00:03:36.620 --> 00:03:38.799 Since we have family, my wife and I, 00:03:39.519 --> 00:03:40.659 Gabriel is our son, 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:43.159 and we have our grandchildren here. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:44.840 And when we are in Sweden, 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:45.599 we always think, 00:03:45.799 --> 00:03:47.300 it's wonderful to have grandchildren, 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:48.879 but why so far away? 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:53.539 So we try to make it once in a while. 00:03:54.460 --> 00:03:57.599 And now since we have had this corona business going on, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:00.319 it hasn't been possible to see each other that much. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:03.000 So we're very happy about 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:07.359 the technical possibilities to at least communicate. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:14.100 It's, of course, a privilege to be here to preach 00:04:14.100 --> 00:04:17.879 and to do this in the concluding sermon 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:21.180 in the long series of very important texts 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:24.000 that I know that you have gone through this fall. 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.540 I have not been able to listen to the entire series, 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:32.240 but I have listened to a couple of sermons. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.340 And I'm impressed from what I've heard. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:40.699 You have done a wonderful journey 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.220 through the book of Deuteronomy, 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:47.240 and I hope it has deepened your appetite 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:49.720 for studying the Old Testament. 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:53.220 And I hope it has enlarged your knowledge 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:56.540 about the relevance of this part of the Bible. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:01.860 And hopefully you have also understood 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:04.740 that this rather anonymous book, 00:05:04.740 --> 00:05:09.079 at least judging from what my students in Sweden used to say. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:13.180 I hope that you have realized 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:15.920 that this was a favorite of Jesus in Scripture, 00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:19.400 together with Psalms and Isaiah. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:25.220 But before going further into the text in more detail, 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:27.439 let us once more pray together. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:32.100 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:35.939 we pray today that you would open our eyes, 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.379 our ears, and our minds 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:43.360 so that we can see, hear, and perceive your voice 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:44.379 in your own word. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:48.879 Help us listen to and follow your commands. 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:54.159 Help us honor, love, serve, and obey you in everything. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:58.819 And let us, with your help, always choose life. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:01.300 Your life. 00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:05.060 The gift of eternal life. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:09.480 And we pray in Jesus' name. 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:10.399 Amen. 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:18.079 The portion of Scripture that we just listened to 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:22.860 comes at the end of a long speech by Moses. 00:06:22.860 --> 00:06:27.680 The entire book of Deuteronomy is, of course, 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:30.420 in a sense, the last will of the man 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:31.580 who led the Israelites 00:06:31.580 --> 00:06:35.819 through the 40 years in the wilderness 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:37.639 after coming out of Egypt. 00:06:38.460 --> 00:06:40.900 And now his mission has come to an end. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:43.900 He has done what he should do. 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:47.400 And he summarizes his message to the people. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.900 And that is what we find in the book of Deuteronomy. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:55.439 His words are not new to his listeners. 00:06:56.679 --> 00:06:58.239 They've heard all of it before. 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:03.179 And we may notice that Moses is not afraid 00:07:03.179 --> 00:07:04.379 of repeating himself. 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:09.939 The final words of the paragraph 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:11.979 preceding today's reading 00:07:11.979 --> 00:07:13.899 was the exhortation, 00:07:14.179 --> 00:07:16.139 Turn to the Lord your God 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:19.739 with all your heart and with all your soul. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:24.179 Turn to the Lord your God 00:07:24.179 --> 00:07:25.739 with all your heart 00:07:25.739 --> 00:07:27.859 and with all your soul. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.120 And now today's text 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.239 deepens the meaning of this 00:07:34.239 --> 00:07:35.719 in three steps. 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:40.439 It's all about how to mature and grow 00:07:40.439 --> 00:07:42.439 as part of God's people. 00:07:42.979 --> 00:07:44.959 To mature and grow 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:46.859 as part of God's people. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:50.259 The first step 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:51.680 is to remember 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.379 that God's word 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.300 is accessible. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:57.800 The introductory words 00:07:57.800 --> 00:07:58.720 are quite revealing. 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:00.879 It is by no means difficult 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.199 to understand 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.699 and do the will of God. 00:08:03.900 --> 00:08:05.819 It is by no means difficult 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:08.139 to understand 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.680 and do the will of God. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:11.560 God's commands 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.720 are accessible. 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:14.400 His will 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:15.419 is no secret 00:08:15.419 --> 00:08:16.459 to anyone. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:18.899 And Moses 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:19.859 underlines 00:08:19.859 --> 00:08:20.739 what he says 00:08:20.739 --> 00:08:21.719 by using two 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:22.879 proverbial sayings. 00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:24.560 It is no need 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.519 to search high 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:27.359 going to heaven 00:08:27.359 --> 00:08:28.839 or far away 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:30.979 going beyond the sea 00:08:30.979 --> 00:08:32.799 in order to find out 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:34.399 what God expects 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:36.100 from his own people. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:37.379 Moses, 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:37.779 Moses, 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:39.079 the word of God 00:08:39.079 --> 00:08:40.319 is very near you. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:42.560 It is in your mouth 00:08:42.560 --> 00:08:43.879 and in your heart 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:45.720 so that you may 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:46.480 obey it. 00:08:48.640 --> 00:08:49.660 The substance 00:08:49.660 --> 00:08:50.740 of the commandments 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:52.200 is that the will 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:52.760 of God 00:08:52.760 --> 00:08:54.320 is both 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:55.140 reachable 00:08:55.140 --> 00:08:56.080 and doable 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.320 for anyone 00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.500 who has turned 00:08:58.500 --> 00:08:59.280 to the Lord 00:08:59.280 --> 00:09:00.879 with all his 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:01.900 or her heart. 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:04.100 To again quote 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:05.080 Moses. 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:08.060 because anyone 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:08.780 who turns 00:09:08.780 --> 00:09:09.300 to the Lord 00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:10.300 is also eager 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:11.020 to learn 00:09:11.020 --> 00:09:12.360 by heart 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.860 by heart 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:15.000 the word of God. 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:17.240 This is part 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:17.940 of religion 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:19.180 of faith 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:20.259 in practice. 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:21.520 Reading, 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:22.820 memorizing, 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:23.940 meditating 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:25.340 on the word of God. 00:09:26.160 --> 00:09:27.120 It is letting 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:27.879 God's word 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.200 fill mind 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:29.860 and heart 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:32.300 but never 00:09:32.300 --> 00:09:33.100 letting it 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:33.900 stop there. 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:36.180 To know 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:36.600 the will 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.040 of God 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:37.700 through his word 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.580 is a good thing 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:40.160 but it is not 00:09:40.160 --> 00:09:40.580 enough. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:42.060 It is not 00:09:42.060 --> 00:09:42.460 enough. 00:09:43.420 --> 00:09:44.100 The meaning 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:44.740 of it all 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.000 is that his word 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:47.480 should lead 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.180 to action. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:49.540 The rule 00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:50.500 is very simple. 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:51.840 To know 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.960 and to do. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:54.980 To know 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.800 and to do. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:09:58.700 And if I 00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.259 pause there 00:09:59.259 --> 00:09:59.920 for a moment 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:00.759 and add some 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.280 comments 00:10:01.280 --> 00:10:02.020 to this first 00:10:02.020 --> 00:10:02.860 part of today's 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:03.160 reading 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:04.159 reading 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:04.919 and I 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:05.279 will try 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:05.939 to relate 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:06.679 it more 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:07.879 directly to us. 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.939 My first 00:10:10.939 --> 00:10:11.579 observation 00:10:11.579 --> 00:10:12.179 from my 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:12.819 experience 00:10:12.819 --> 00:10:13.319 is that 00:10:13.319 --> 00:10:14.179 many of us 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:14.779 seem to 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:15.559 complicate 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.219 things 00:10:16.219 --> 00:10:17.199 when it 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:17.719 comes to 00:10:17.719 --> 00:10:18.319 understanding 00:10:18.319 --> 00:10:18.759 the word 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:19.179 of God. 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.199 In the 00:10:21.199 --> 00:10:22.059 scholarly world 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:23.059 where I 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:23.620 have spent 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:24.219 much of my 00:10:24.219 --> 00:10:25.059 adult life 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:26.819 it seems 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:27.399 we have 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.259 many times 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:29.120 complicated 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.879 the reading 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:30.620 and interpretation 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.519 of scripture 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:33.220 to such 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:33.840 a degree 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.340 that we 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:34.860 have lost 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:35.919 the directness 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.779 of the word. 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.639 We have 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.179 lost 00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:42.279 to understand 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.639 the possibility 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.799 or the will 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:45.659 to understand 00:10:45.659 --> 00:10:46.759 the simple 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:47.279 meaning 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.379 of the words 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.019 of the Bible. 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:52.700 Well I know 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.519 that there are 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.659 difficult passages 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:55.480 in the Bible 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:58.320 but most 00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:58.879 of what we 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.240 read 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.240 is not 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:00.820 difficult 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.920 to understand. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.740 It might 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:05.440 be difficult 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.259 to agree 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:06.680 upon 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:07.899 or act 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.259 upon 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:09.940 since we 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:10.639 live in a 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.159 much more 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:12.279 secularized 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:13.060 society 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:14.279 than that 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:14.920 of the Bible. 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.120 We are 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.779 influenced 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.899 by so many 00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:19.560 ideas 00:11:19.560 --> 00:11:20.320 and thoughts 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:21.500 which are 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:24.280 very foreign 00:11:24.280 --> 00:11:25.480 to the 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:25.840 word 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:27.640 or to 00:11:27.640 --> 00:11:27.800 the 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.080 biblical 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:28.620 thinking. 00:11:31.020 --> 00:11:31.879 But the 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.300 word of 00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:32.720 God is 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:33.120 not 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.800 necessarily 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:34.340 hard 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:34.640 to 00:11:34.640 --> 00:11:35.260 understand. 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.080 That is 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:37.660 my first 00:11:37.660 --> 00:11:38.340 observation. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.760 My second 00:11:39.760 --> 00:11:40.420 observation 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.980 has to do 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:42.260 with the 00:11:42.260 --> 00:11:42.860 understanding 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.200 of the 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.580 words 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:45.000 in Deuteronomy 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.540 in the 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:46.140 New Testament. 00:11:48.140 --> 00:11:48.900 When the 00:11:48.900 --> 00:11:49.780 apostle Paul 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.740 comments on 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.399 this passage 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.000 in Romans 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:52.439 10, 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.220 he knows 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:54.860 that by 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.259 letting 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.919 Christ, 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.120 who is 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:57.740 the word, 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:58.899 into your 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.439 heart, 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:02.139 this gives 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.120 you salvation. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:05.939 And letting 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:06.620 Christ, 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:07.159 the word, 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:07.620 into your 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.000 heart, 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.980 is simply 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.899 becoming a 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:11.299 Christian 00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:12.539 and believing 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.459 in Christ. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.419 That gives 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.199 you salvation. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:16.300 salvation. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:19.700 Christianity 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.580 is not 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.080 only a 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.500 matter of 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.020 knowledge, 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:23.400 it is a 00:12:23.400 --> 00:12:23.840 matter of 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:24.220 faith. 00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:26.480 Knowing 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.379 Christ is 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:27.740 good, 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:28.640 but it's 00:12:28.640 --> 00:12:29.280 not enough. 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:30.680 Knowing 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.520 Christ in 00:12:31.520 --> 00:12:32.259 your heart, 00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:33.360 which is 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.040 another word 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:34.680 for faith, 00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:35.920 is necessary. 00:12:37.780 --> 00:12:38.740 That is 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:39.600 what gives 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.379 salvation. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:40.439 salvation. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.580 To quote 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:44.279 Paul again 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:44.820 in Romans 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.220 10, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.639 for it 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.159 is with 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:47.879 your heart 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.740 that you 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.740 believe and 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.500 are justified. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:54.100 so then 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:54.779 the first 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.659 step to 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.360 mature and 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:56.840 grow as 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.320 part of 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:57.659 God's 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:58.279 people is 00:12:58.279 --> 00:12:58.759 to never 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.360 forget, 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.519 never forget 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.759 that God's 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.299 word is 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.440 accessible and 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:06.100 that it is 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.299 accessible and 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:07.700 then to 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.679 practice it by 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.220 reading, 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.340 memorizing, 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.120 and meditating 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.720 on it in 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.399 order to 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:14.960 act according 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.799 to the 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.139 word. 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.179 Lord. 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.220 So that 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:20.559 is the 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.360 first step 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:22.179 I wanted 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.639 to point 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:22.980 out. 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.659 The second 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.500 step, and 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.120 if you follow 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:27.919 in your 00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.980 Bibles, that 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:29.360 is from 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.100 verse 15 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.720 to 18, 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:31.759 the second 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.879 step is 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.639 to make a 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.799 decision to 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:35.699 obey the 00:13:35.699 --> 00:13:35.980 Lord. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.199 When 00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:39.740 Moses 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.960 instructed the 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:41.700 Israelites how 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.500 to think and 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.200 act after 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.399 arriving in 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:44.919 the promised 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:46.120 land, he 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.980 put before 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:47.440 them a 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.680 choice between 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:49.700 life and 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.039 death. 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.420 His words 00:13:53.420 --> 00:13:54.220 are sharp, 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:55.800 seemingly 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.899 without 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.620 compromise. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.779 It is a 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.639 matter of 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.379 life and 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:01.700 death, 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.820 prosperity and 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.399 destruction. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.700 Verse 15. 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.879 Moses is 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.060 well aware 00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:10.820 of the 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.560 dangers in 00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.800 life, not 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:13.600 least in a 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.420 situation and 00:14:14.420 --> 00:14:15.680 community where 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.259 there are 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.699 other 00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:17.620 religions 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.159 present. 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:20.299 And that 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:20.859 the Israelites 00:14:20.859 --> 00:14:21.599 knew from 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:22.799 Egypt, and 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:23.159 they will 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:23.719 know it 00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:24.259 when they 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:24.799 come into 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:25.179 Canaan. 00:14:27.359 --> 00:14:28.139 And we, 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:28.659 of course, 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:29.459 know how 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:30.479 right Moses 00:14:30.479 --> 00:14:30.959 was. 00:14:32.099 --> 00:14:32.779 The history 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.519 of Israel 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.399 is a 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.019 history of 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.719 constant 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.759 idolatry, 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:38.959 a history 00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:39.859 of forgetting 00:14:39.859 --> 00:14:42.019 constantly who 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.620 is the true 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.600 Lord and 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:43.940 God. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:47.679 But it 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:49.620 is also a 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.279 history of 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:51.360 God's constant 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.320 calling of the 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.919 chosen people to 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.460 repent and to 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.679 return to 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.240 their Lord. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.320 So the 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.240 speech of 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.220 Moses is 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.179 revealing and 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:03.560 prophetic. 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.080 And just 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.600 like the 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.419 other prophets 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.620 in the Old 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.060 Testament, 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:11.319 Moses exhorts 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.119 the people to 00:15:12.119 --> 00:15:12.779 keep to the 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.579 Lord in 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:15.199 all circumstances. 00:15:17.239 --> 00:15:17.959 In a 00:15:17.959 --> 00:15:18.479 sense, he 00:15:18.479 --> 00:15:20.199 summarizes what 00:15:20.199 --> 00:15:20.959 is meant by 00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:21.659 fearing the 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.739 Lord and 00:15:22.739 --> 00:15:23.479 what the 00:15:23.479 --> 00:15:25.979 benefits of 00:15:25.979 --> 00:15:26.599 this fear 00:15:26.599 --> 00:15:27.799 are. 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.859 It is to 00:15:31.859 --> 00:15:32.299 love the 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.339 Lord, walk 00:15:33.339 --> 00:15:34.059 in his ways, 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.159 and keep his 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.699 commandments. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.439 Verse 16. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.460 All this 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.920 leads to a 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:41.680 blessed life. 00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.200 Idolatry, 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.040 on the 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.440 contrary, 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.820 leads to 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.360 destruction. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.480 And we 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.280 can see that 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.580 Moses even 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.660 foresees that 00:15:54.660 --> 00:15:55.460 in the future 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:56.300 the promised 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:57.560 land will 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:58.180 be taken 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.400 away from 00:15:59.400 --> 00:15:59.940 the people. 00:16:00.400 --> 00:16:01.280 Not because 00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:01.820 of God's 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:03.840 will, but 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.480 because of 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.500 the disobedience 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.840 of God's 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.200 people. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:10.320 life is 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.040 not 00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:11.660 now, thinking 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:12.340 of ourselves, 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.560 we know that 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.500 life is not 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.420 totally black 00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:15.980 and white. 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.240 And we 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.720 know from 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.440 other parts 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:18.720 of the 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.400 Bible, and 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:20.780 probably from 00:16:20.780 --> 00:16:21.340 our own 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.640 experience, that 00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:23.440 life is not 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.440 always easy 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.260 to live. 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:28.280 Blessing 00:16:28.280 --> 00:16:29.640 cannot be 00:16:29.640 --> 00:16:30.080 ordered, 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:32.320 but it can 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:32.860 be prayed 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.160 for. 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:36.600 blessing is 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.399 no automatic 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:38.039 phenomenon 00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:39.059 that simply 00:16:39.059 --> 00:16:39.959 comes as a 00:16:39.959 --> 00:16:40.659 result of 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:41.079 obedience. 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.379 But we 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.959 do know 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.899 that 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.860 disobedience 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.100 very seldom 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.079 has any 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.959 good results. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.799 That we 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:52.399 know, and 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.899 history 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:54.559 confirms our 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:54.980 knowledge. 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.039 knowledge. 00:16:58.920 --> 00:16:59.620 What we 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.220 have here 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:00.600 in the 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.080 words of 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.440 Moses is 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:02.920 in a 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:03.539 sense a 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.200 guide for 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.779 how to 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:06.099 relate to 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.680 God as 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.180 part of 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.660 his people. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:09.259 And it 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:09.560 can be 00:17:09.560 --> 00:17:10.080 summed up 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:10.600 in four 00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:11.080 simple 00:17:11.080 --> 00:17:11.600 words. 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.120 To 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:15.680 honor or 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.740 fear God. 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:17.820 The Hebrew 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:18.640 word is 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.580 double in 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:19.900 meaning. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.160 Fearing God 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:23.000 is more 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.900 giving honor 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.259 to him than 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.940 being afraid 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.360 of him. 00:17:27.800 --> 00:17:28.900 Even if 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.740 there are 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.680 times 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:33.740 when there 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.259 is good 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.300 reason also 00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:36.640 to fear in 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.200 the sense 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:37.660 of being 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.220 afraid. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.840 But honor 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.819 is mainly 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:43.120 giving, 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:46.120 honoring is 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:46.920 the basic 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.460 meaning of 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.819 the word. 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.299 That is the 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:49.740 first word. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.500 The second 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.080 word is to 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:51.759 love God. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.500 And love 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.120 in the Bible 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.039 is less a 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.620 matter of 00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:57.420 very special 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:57.920 thrilling 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:59.559 emotions and 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.019 more a 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.420 matter of 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.500 loyalty and 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.259 faithfulness. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.360 We know 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:03.640 that. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.240 The third 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.980 word is to 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.920 serve God. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.559 And serving 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.440 God is 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.819 paradoxically 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.539 often to 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.360 serve people 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:16.920 in need. 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.400 And it 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.120 has rightfully 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.799 been said 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.259 that we 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.799 as his 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.279 people are 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:24.940 the hands 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.380 and the 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.380 feet of 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:26.799 the Lord. 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.460 And the 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.160 fourth word 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:31.019 to obey, 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.000 to obey 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.400 God. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:32.440 God. 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.340 And this 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:34.700 is of 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:34.880 course 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.980 stressed in 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.560 today's 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.140 Bible 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.580 reading. 00:18:38.040 --> 00:18:38.400 And I 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:38.920 will return 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.420 to it in 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:39.860 a moment. 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:41.880 We have 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.440 the words 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:42.980 like, 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.800 to walk 00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:44.320 in his 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:44.740 that is 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.280 the Lord's 00:18:45.280 --> 00:18:45.700 way and 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:46.120 to keep 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:46.320 his 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:46.860 commandments, 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.540 decrees, 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.140 and laws. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.320 Verse 16. 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.820 So as 00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:52.460 Christians, 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.460 we are 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.460 called to 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.160 walk in 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.640 God's 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.740 ways and 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.440 obey the 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.940 will of 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.220 God. 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.480 What that 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.720 is, we 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.259 know from 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.759 him who 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.620 himself is 00:19:03.620 --> 00:19:04.059 the way 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.559 and who 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.360 was obedient 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:06.940 to his 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:08.220 father until 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.620 death. 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.059 I think 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.740 that St. 00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.920 Paul sums 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:14.500 up our 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.200 calling in 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.539 the letter 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:15.920 to the 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.480 Philippians 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.940 in the 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.360 simple 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.059 sentence, 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.100 your 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:20.740 attitude 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.380 should be 00:19:21.380 --> 00:19:21.960 the same 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.460 as that 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.039 of Christ 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.519 Jesus. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.140 Your 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.759 attitude, 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.720 your 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:28.259 and mine, 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.279 should be 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.859 the same 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.339 as that 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:31.940 of Christ 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.420 Jesus. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.279 And then 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:34.940 he continues 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.000 by describing 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.640 the life 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.160 of Jesus 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:38.319 from his 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:38.920 being with 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.420 the Father 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.180 in the 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.619 heavens. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.180 And then 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.400 coming 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.920 down, 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.500 giving his 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:46.960 life on 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.500 the cross, 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.519 and followed 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:50.019 again by 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.539 God's 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.299 exaltation 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:51.680 of him 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.440 back to 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:52.940 his heavenly 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.220 throne at 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.720 the side 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.019 of the 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.379 Father. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.519 where he 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.240 now is 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.079 praying for 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.400 us. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.900 And it 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.240 is, of 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.660 course, no 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.700 coincidence that 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:04.319 Paul, in the 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.879 letter to the 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.819 Romans, writes 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.180 about the 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.039 Christian faith 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:09.519 in terms of 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.299 obedience. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.779 Obedience. 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.440 When he, in 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.059 the beginning of 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.980 the letter, talks 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.819 about his own 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.279 mission as an 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.799 apostle, he 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.500 says that it 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.379 is to call 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.220 people from 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.099 among all the 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.980 Gentiles to 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.199 the obedience 00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:28.539 that comes 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.219 from faith. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.179 So the 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:32.980 second step 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.199 to mature 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:34.779 and grow 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.699 as part of 00:20:35.699 --> 00:20:36.419 God's people 00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:37.899 is to learn 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:38.740 obedience, 00:20:39.459 --> 00:20:40.240 obedience to 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.759 the Lord, 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:42.240 and to make 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.119 a decision to 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.699 follow him 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.959 by honoring, 00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:46.199 loving, 00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:47.299 and serving 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:47.599 him. 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:49.599 God's 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.240 God's 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.879 life. 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:52.179 That leads 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:52.659 me to the 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.419 third step, 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:56.819 mainly seen 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.399 in the two 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:58.219 last verses 00:20:58.219 --> 00:20:59.879 of today's 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.339 reading. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:02.939 conclusion. 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:04.039 Concluding his 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.980 long speech 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.720 or sermon 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.079 to the 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.539 Israelites, 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.500 Moses once 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.379 more challenges 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.179 his listeners 00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:10.159 to make a 00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.619 choice. 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.879 And again, 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.319 and he repeats 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:14.819 himself, 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.299 it is a matter 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.039 of life and 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.319 death. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.879 In a sense, 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.500 what he says 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.319 is again nothing 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:21.679 new. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.599 It is a 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.839 repetition of 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.240 what he has 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.039 already said, 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:25.980 but it 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:27.720 underlines the 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.539 message he's 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.679 conveying to 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.180 the people. 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.460 The importance 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.480 is further 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.279 underlined by 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.920 the fact that 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.640 he this time 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.660 takes heaven 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.240 and earth 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.240 as witnesses 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.120 against the 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:40.460 people. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.100 And heaven 00:21:42.100 --> 00:21:42.660 and earth, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.720 of course, 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.299 meaning everything 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.259 that comes from 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.039 the creator 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.660 of it all. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.299 So what he 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.980 is doing is 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.360 that he's 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.080 taking God 00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:53.580 himself as 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:53.980 a witness. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.620 And the 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.480 alternatives are 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.120 distinctly 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.519 stated. 00:21:59.120 --> 00:21:59.600 Life and 00:21:59.599 --> 00:21:59.919 death, 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:00.839 blessing, 00:22:00.959 --> 00:22:01.399 and curse. 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.439 And we 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:04.019 could add 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:06.319 belief or 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.959 unbelief. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.579 The choice, 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.519 says Moses, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.500 is up to 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:11.980 the people. 00:22:13.139 --> 00:22:13.939 And what 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.659 they choose 00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.159 will have 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:17.059 consequences 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.899 not only for 00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.419 themselves, 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.459 but also for 00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:22.079 their children. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.959 The people 00:22:24.959 --> 00:22:25.839 are given a 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.219 choice. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:28.160 from the 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:28.960 side of God, 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.380 the decision 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:30.940 is already 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.360 made. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.860 He has 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.799 chosen them 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.880 to be his 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.299 people. 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.400 Now they 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.160 are challenged 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:39.220 to do their 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.759 choice, 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.740 a choice 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.720 which will 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.660 show itself 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:45.000 in the way 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.960 the people 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.480 think and 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:47.920 act. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:51.600 therefore they 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.380 are urged 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.080 to love 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.600 the Lord, 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.460 listen to 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.039 his voice, 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.000 and hold 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.740 fast to 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.000 him. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.500 In the 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.140 last verse, 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.740 this only, 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.300 this only 00:23:03.300 --> 00:23:04.240 will lead 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.940 to life, 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.740 for the 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.600 Lord is 00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:08.460 your life, 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.580 as Moses 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.000 says. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:13.319 So the 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.200 message also, 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.180 this last 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.319 part of 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:18.119 the text 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.779 is clear. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.740 Choose the 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.519 Lord to be 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.160 your God. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.519 Choose life. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.180 And I 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.559 think that 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.319 this message 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.819 is as 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.339 important 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.200 today as 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:30.700 it was 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.140 when it 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.619 was first 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.160 presented. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.480 We, 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.119 all, 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.000 the people 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.519 of God 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.079 today, 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.799 we also 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.819 need to 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.779 make the 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.059 same 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.619 choice 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:43.439 over and 00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:44.439 over again. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.059 We know 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.859 that life 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.679 at large 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.960 is filled 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.579 with small 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:50.919 and big 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:51.599 choices we 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:51.899 have to 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.240 make. 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.339 Some of 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:53.879 them are 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.679 more important 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.399 than others. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.099 Some are 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:57.639 easy to 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.059 make, 00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.000 others are 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.599 more difficult. 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.839 But there 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.259 is one 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.720 choice, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.139 there is 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:04.899 one choice 00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:05.859 which 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.500 determines 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.159 more of 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.659 our life 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.319 than anything 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.759 else. 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:12.379 and going 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.339 back in 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.779 my own 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.240 life, 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.980 I learned 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.659 about this 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.279 decisive 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.819 choice early 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.379 in my 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:19.759 life. 00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.359 I grew 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.819 up on a 00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:23.519 farm in 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:23.919 the northern 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:24.579 part of 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.919 Sweden, 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:25.939 in a 00:24:25.939 --> 00:24:26.779 small rural 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.700 community. 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:30.019 My parents 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.700 were Christians 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:32.119 and my 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:32.819 siblings and 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.679 I were 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:34.359 brought up 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:34.879 in that 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.279 faith. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.319 faith. 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.200 When I 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.480 was in 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:38.700 my 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.200 teens, 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.740 I was 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.099 part of 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.460 a youth 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:41.920 group in 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.099 our 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.480 church. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.440 We were 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.779 not a 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.299 very large 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.700 group, 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.019 but we 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.759 met once 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.240 a week 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.000 for singing, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.980 Bible study, 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.960 and different 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.519 programs. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.980 And I 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:54.519 must admit 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.180 that most 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.839 of what we 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.359 did I 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.079 have forgotten. 00:24:59.420 --> 00:24:59.980 Isn't 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.539 that life 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:00.799 too? 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.859 But there's 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.599 one thing 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:06.180 that I 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.899 remember. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.099 It was a 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:08.879 song that 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.339 we often 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:09.779 sung. 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.619 And I 00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.139 won't sing 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.899 it for you 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.819 because that's 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:14.240 not my 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.539 gift. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.000 But in 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.200 translation it 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.659 says, 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.240 choose now, 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.839 choose Jesus, 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.859 and choose 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.500 for life. 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.980 Choose now, 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.559 choose Jesus, 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.599 and choose 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.159 for life. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:34.379 preparing this 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.559 sermon back 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.099 in Sweden, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.200 those words 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.619 have been 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.379 ringing in 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.899 my head. 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.339 Choose now, 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.839 choose Jesus, 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.819 and choose 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.379 for life. 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.159 And looking 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.899 back on my 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.859 life, I 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.839 realize that 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:51.619 the choice 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.480 I myself 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.359 made as a 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.980 teenager to 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.879 follow Jesus 00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:57.960 has had an 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.200 enormous effect 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.319 on my life. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:05.059 and it 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.680 has affected 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.460 my entire 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:06.960 life 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:09.680 to something 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.059 good. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:12.339 So when 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:12.859 we read 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.339 and listen 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.740 to the 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.259 words in 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.379 today's 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.460 Bible 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.879 reading, 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.700 and the 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.220 theme of 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.779 this sermon, 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.639 we can 00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.599 actually forget 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.480 most of 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.559 what has 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.139 been said. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.759 God 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:26.800 will 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:29.240 stay in 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.940 your mind, 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.180 or to 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.480 speak 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.040 biblically 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:32.920 in your 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.380 heart. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.000 Choose 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.560 life, 00:26:36.280 --> 00:26:36.500 choose 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.020 Jesus. 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.840 And doing 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.300 so, 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:40.920 you will 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:42.000 experience 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.680 that Christian 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.320 belief, 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.300 or choosing 00:26:46.300 --> 00:26:47.240 to believe, 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.420 is actually 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.580 dependent 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:52.079 on the 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:52.659 fact that 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.000 God 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.599 himself 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.359 first 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.799 chose 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.199 us. 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:57.799 And I 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.720 quote from 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.220 the Gospel 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.799 of John, 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:00.579 Jesus' 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.919 own words, 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.679 you did 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.299 not choose 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.639 me, 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.019 but I 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.879 chose you, 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.659 and appointed 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:10.039 you to go 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.819 and bear 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.379 fruit. 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.240 John 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.699 chapter 15, 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.460 verse 16. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:18.600 So our 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.200 choice 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.559 is in 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.160 reality 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.360 an answer 00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:23.319 to God's 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:24.019 or Jesus' 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.039 choosing of 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.340 us. 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.440 The Lord 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.100 is always 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:28.900 a step 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.740 ahead of 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.039 us. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.960 And the 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.759 life we 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.319 are urged 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.120 to choose 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:36.220 is the 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.600 eternal 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.180 life, 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.259 since 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.279 it is 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.200 a life 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.960 given by 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.120 him who 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.319 is himself 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.220 eternal. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:50.759 So that 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.140 was the 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:51.840 third step 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.600 in this 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.039 text, 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:53.860 and it 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.700 summarizes 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.860 what I 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:56.600 wanted to 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.299 say today. 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.019 So let 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.680 me conclude 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.440 with two 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.440 short 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.420 quotes from 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.920 the text 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.720 in Deuteronomy 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.100 30. 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:08.500 The 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.059 Lord, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.299 and here 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.900 we can see 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.340 that the 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:11.819 meaning of 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.180 the Lord 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.779 is both 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.319 God 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.019 and Jesus. 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.160 Jesus, 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.319 the Lord 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.960 is your 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.500 life, 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:19.119 the Lord 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.680 is your 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.139 life, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.519 and then 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.279 the words, 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.160 now 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.440 choose 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.019 life. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.319 Choose 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.700 now, 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:32.400 choose 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:32.960 Jesus, 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.779 and choose 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.359 for life. 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:36.519 God 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.819 is your 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.099 life. 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:38.619 That, I 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.019 think, is 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:45.159 today's message, and a greeting from God himself to all his people, including us, 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:49.379 who are gathered here at Christ's church today. 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.539 Amen. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.639 Amen. 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:53.940 Amen. 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.420 Amen. 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.040 Amen. 00:28:55.040 --> 00:28:55.140 Amen. 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:55.380 Amen. 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.440 Amen. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:55.480 Amen. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:55.600 Amen. 00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.259 Amen. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.440 Amen. 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:56.860 Amen. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.220 Amen. 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.560 Amen. 00:28:57.560 --> 00:28:58.540 Amen. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.580 Amen. 00:28:59.620 --> 00:28:59.720 Amen. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:07.800 Amen. 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.420 Amen. 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:08.700 Amen. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:08.759 Amen. 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:08.880 Amen. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.780 Amen. 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.660 Amen. 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.060 Amen. 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:12.800 Amen. 00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:14.860 Amen. 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.720 Amen. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:15.759 Amen. 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.240 Amen. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.640 Amen. 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:16.900 Amen. 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.300 Amen. 00:29:17.300 --> 00:29:17.420 Amen. 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:17.540 Amen. 00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:17.600 Amen. 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:17.920 Amen. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.740 Amen. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:18.860 Amen. 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.180 Amen. 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.200 Amen. 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:19.820 ope Amen. 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:20.380 Amen. 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:20.800 Amen. 00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:21.540 Amen.