WEBVTT

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 During the Song Dynasty of China, which began in 1960 AD and lasted until 1279,

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 Fan Zhong Yuen spent nearly 40 years as a noble scholar official.

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 He was appointed to be the prime minister over the entire emperor, but later demoted.

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 He firmly believed that governing officials were the first to worry the worries of all under heaven,

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 and the last to enjoy its joy.

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 And this and his reform ensured the Song Dynasty builds on the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty

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 and left a long-lasting impact on the philosophy of governing and management of a fast country like China.

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 A friend tried to persuade him to ease off on his reform and be careful about all the political enemy he has stirred up for himself.

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 And he replied with a poem with this line,

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 Better to ramassade and die than keep silent and live.

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 Bringing reform that would benefit all under heaven was so important to him that he was not free to keep silent.

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 Even though his speak up means demotion or death, but far better than keeping quiet and stay alive.

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 Today, people get into politics and governing jobs for what they can get out of it.

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 But Fan Zhong Yuen's idea for a government official is unheard of in modern society, in the East or in the West.

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 His realization of the limitation of his freedom is even a rare commodity of our current Western culture.

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 Fan treats liberty for the betterment of his countrymen.

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 On the other side, many Western people mix independence and freedom together.

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 Westerners consider themselves free and will protest like William Wallace at the War of Scottish Independence.

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 They may take my life, but they will never take our freedom.

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 Or Arthur Scott, one of the United States founding fathers, Patrick Henry,

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 give me liberty or give me death.

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 As both calls for their countrymen to break free of their motherland, England.

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 The same pride has echoed around many countries last few years.

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 As the world deal with COVID-19 and government restrictions,

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 people protest that no government or anyone should have the right to tell them what to think or how to behave.

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 Our modern view of freedom is one of autonomy and make freedom the highest value of human existence.

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 People define freedom as the absence of any limitations or constraints.

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 The fewer boundaries they have on their choices and actions, the freer they will feel.

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 As we carry on our vision series in looking at Jesus is all about life,

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 we will look at Jesus is all about freedom today.

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 I want to highlight four observations about modern view of freedom

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 and suggest two ways to embrace freedom.

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 Freedom is defined as doing whatever I want without constraint.

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 Freedom is defined as a way to make freedom.

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 Freedom is defined as a way to make freedom.

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 This definition will only work if there is only just one thing called freedom

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 that either you can have or do not have.

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 However, there are numerous freedoms at different stages of life journey

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 and no one can have them all.

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 We all want to be free from illness or sickness

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 and live long enough to enjoy a sustained loving relationship with family and friends.

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 However, if you like to eat wherever you want to

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 and it causes a problem with your health,

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 you will have to make an obvious choice to limit and change your eating habit.

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 Likewise, you pursue a career or profession to ensure an income

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 that allows you the freedom to choose your living standard and your lessons.

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 You will have to sacrifice innumerable other freedoms of time and money.

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 If you speak with anyone who has just started uni this year

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 or is finishing the course,

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 you will know firsthand what it is like to make those sacrifices.

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 Freedom is not what our culture tells us.

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 Genuine freedom comes only from strategically losing some freedoms to gain others.

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 You should ask which freedom is more important,

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 the more truly liberating.

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 At the same time, ask yourself,

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 who has sacrificially invested in your life

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 to ensure that you are not being unjust?

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 We are all products of a family and a community

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 that invests much time and love in us.

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 Much of it happened even before we can speak

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 or can now remember.

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 As a child,

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 when we become injured or sick,

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 or as we age,

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 our need and dependence on others increases,

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 making believing in an absolute individual autonomy

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 a cruel and unjust choice.

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 No one is ever only responsible for themselves.

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 We all share responsibility for and to others.

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 What John Donne wrote in his poem in 1624,

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 no man is an island and tire of itself.

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 Any man's death diminishes me

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 because I am involved in mankind,

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 still ring true today.

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 Modern freedom lives on the principle

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 that everyone should be free to live as they desire,

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 as long as they do not harm anyone else.

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 We no longer need to impose a set of moral rights or wrongs

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 on anyone if people abide to this harm principle.

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 The freedom of choice will become a self-correcting absolute

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 that guides living together without needing any value judgment.

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 Under this principle,

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 freedom is the only unconditional good and moral absolute of our society

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 that should hold a need.

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 Michael Kahneman of Harvard Law Society denies it as an empty concept

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 because it cannot stand alone.

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 It leads us first to define what good and thriving human life is

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 and agree on what harm is for it to work.

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 Whether freedom is good or bad

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 depends entirely on the particular substantive cause

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 on behalf of which freedom is involved.

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 Our challenge today

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 is not to follow the culturally dominant view of freedom from

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 without any definition of what our freedom is for.

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 We must also ensure we do not join the crowd

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 to perpetuate a publicly shaming people or groups

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 to press our moral beliefs about harm on them.

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 Freedom of choice cannot stand alone as a guide to a behavior

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 even with its full intention of not harming other people.

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 theologian Tim Keller

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 Tim Keller observed that

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 the harm principle is useless

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 as a guide and untrustworthy.

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 And he also warns

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 freedom as is widely collected in our society

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 is corrosive to humanity in general

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 and to enduring committed love relationship in particular.

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 He came to this conclusion

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 drawing on Jonathan Head's

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 work titled

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 Happiness

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 Hypothesis

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 Hey, right

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 An ideology of extreme personal freedom

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 can be dangerous

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 because it encourages people

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 to leave homes, jobs, cities, and marriage

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 in search of personal and professional fulfillment

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 thereby breaking the relationship

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 that were properly the best hope for such fulfillment.

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 His happiness research

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 confirmed the importance of strong social relationship

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 in strengthening the immune system

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 extending life

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 speeding up recovery from surgery

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 and reduce the risk of depression

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 and anxiety disorders.

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 Deep down

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 we all sense the need

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 to interact and intertwine with others.

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 We need the gift and take

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 we need to belong.

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 What would happen

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 if everyone ran off to pursue their freedom?

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 Family would fall apart

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 neighborhood association would collapse

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 and the erosion of voluntary

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 and selfish community

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 will necessitate

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 the soft tyranny

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 of a growing bureaucratic state

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 where individuals are powerless.

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 Being honest

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 generous

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 and public spirit

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 being faithful

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 to your spouse and children

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 will regularly infringe

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 on your happiness

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 and freedom.

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 However

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 a more robust

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 and cohesive government

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 is the only alternative

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 if anyone

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 protects their independence

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 and stops doing these things.

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 The harm

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 of emphasizing

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 personal freedom

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 above community

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 commitment

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 could eventually

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 be the loss

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 of liberty

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 and independence.

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 Too much

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 individual freedom

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 leads to increased

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 government control

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 over the whole group

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 because no one

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 is willing to sacrifice

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 for the better good

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 of the collectives.

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 Any

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 authorities

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 organizations

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 or institutions

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 that impose

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 rules and regulations

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 are often perceived

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 as an enemy

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 of freedom.

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 Christian

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 is often seen

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 as an arch enemy.

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 many people

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 reckon

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 Christianity

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 requires people

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 to recognize

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 their insufficiency

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 and turn their back

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 on their autonomies.

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 Autonomics

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 seemingly

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 happy life.

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 It stipulates

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 people

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 to be born

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 as human beings

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 who understand

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 their dependency

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 on something

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 more significant.

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 They consider that

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 as a great

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 infringement

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 on their freedom.

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 if that's

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 what you think

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 Christianity

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 is all about

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 let me encourage you

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 to scan

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 the Christianity

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 explained QR code

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 in front of you

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 and find out

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 the true meaning

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 of Christianity.

00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:36.639
 Christianity

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 being the

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 arch enemy

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 of freedom

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 is a case

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 of mistaken

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 identity.

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 You should give

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 Christianity

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 the benefit

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 of doubt

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 and find the truth.

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 the only thing

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 that generally

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 cannot coexist

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 with the contemporary

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 sense of freedom

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 is not religion

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 but our need

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 for love

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 and worship.

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.500
 Keller says it well

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 there is no

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 greater feeling

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 of liberation

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 than to free

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 and be loved

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 well.

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 The affirmation

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 that comes

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 from love

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 liberates

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 your fear

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 and self-doubt.

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 it frees you

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 from having

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 to face

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 the world

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 alone.

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 Your friend

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 and mate

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 will be crucial

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 to helping you

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 achieve many

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 of your goals

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 in life.

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 In all

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 these ways

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 love

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 is liberating

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 perhaps

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 the most

00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.300
 liberating thing

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 but the minute

00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:35.460
 you get into

00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.400
 a love relationship

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 and the deeper

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 and more intimate

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 and the more

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 wonderful it gets

00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:41.860
 the more

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 you also have

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 to give up

00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.820
 your independence.

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 when you love

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 someone

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 you are not

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 free.

00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:51.080
 You will always

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 have the well-being

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 and the happiness

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 of that someone

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 on your mind.

00:13:56.760 --> 00:13:57.379
 You will think

00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.460
 of way to please.

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 If the feeling

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 and giving

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 are not mutually

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 reciprocal

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 the relationship

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 will become

00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.620
 exploitative

00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:10.879
 and you will feel

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 more trapped

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 wondering why

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.919
 the relationship

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 is not working

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 and what else

00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.879
 you could have done.

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.580
 You might go

00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.720
 from being anxious

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 about staying

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 in a committed

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 loving relationship

00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:27.580
 to consistently

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 dipping in

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 and out

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:29.899
 of relationship

00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.580
 trying to stay

00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.220
 afloat

00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.060
 to avoid

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 being so

00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.480
 hopelessly

00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.639
 devoted to someone.

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 you will move

00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.059
 into that direction

00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:40.080
 especially

00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:40.699
 if you want

00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:41.399
 to be true

00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.539
 to the contemporary

00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.639
 sense of freedom

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.919
 and be your own

00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.379
 master.

00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.379
 However

00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.659
 the more

00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:49.059
 you want

00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:49.679
 to master

00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:50.519
 your freedom

00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.679
 the more

00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.639
 you will realize

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.759
 you are not free

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.480
 or able

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.460
 to be the master.

00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.080
 Over the last

00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.639
 few weeks

00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.559
 we have pointed out

00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:00.439
 that everyone

00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:01.379
 has an inner

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.919
 urge

00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.460
 to find love

00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.080
 meaning

00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:05.020
 and satisfaction.

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.259
 Humans

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.180
 are frustrated

00:15:08.180 --> 00:15:08.879
 and trapped

00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.160
 because we are

00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:10.980
 looking at the

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.759
 wrong thing

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.920
 and wrong place.

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.440
 We look to

00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.540
 created things

00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.540
 rather than

00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.080
 to God

00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.759
 to address

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.500
 that urge.

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.639
 We are

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.940
 our worst enemy

00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:22.800
 regarding

00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:24.500
 autonomous

00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.379
 freedom

00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.560
 because we do

00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:27.220
 not just have

00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.120
 an inner urge

00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.340
 to find love

00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.140
 meaning

00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:31.020
 and satisfaction.

00:15:31.780 --> 00:15:32.340
 We also

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:32.960
 worship

00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:34.240
 what we identify

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.019
 as the source

00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.400
 of them

00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.720
 and we end up

00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.680
 being controlled

00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.440
 by it.

00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.940
 I encourage you

00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.440
 to check out

00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:43.160
 our website

00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.560
 and listen again

00:15:44.560 --> 00:15:45.900
 to the sermon

00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:46.519
 from the last

00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.180
 two Sundays.

00:15:47.780 --> 00:15:48.420
 They outline

00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.940
 humanity's

00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.540
 predicament

00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:51.840
 regarding meaning

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.500
 and satisfaction

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:54.000
 and what we can do

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.820
 to embrace them.

00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.460
 Contemporary

00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.100
 people

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.940
 believe that

00:15:58.940 --> 00:16:00.000
 instead of

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.900
 allowing religious

00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:01.500
 authority

00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.480
 or tradition

00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.200
 to dictate

00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:03.600
 to them

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.460
 they should

00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.019
 be free

00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.899
 to think

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.580
 or live

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.340
 as they choose.

00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.000
 But the reality

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.100
 is none

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.820
 of us

00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.879
 are free agents.

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:12.879
 We are all

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.419
 worshipping

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.299
 and serving

00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:14.740
 something.

00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.320
 There is no

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.019
 such thing

00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.980
 as freedom

00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:19.159
 without limitation.

00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:21.019
 To embrace

00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.539
 freedom

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:23.059
 not in the sense

00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.820
 of our

00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.840
 contemporary culture

00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.460
 tell us

00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.519
 we should look

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.279
 for the right

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.600
 the liberating

00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:29.299
 constraint

00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.100
 that fits

00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.759
 our nature

00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.459
 and design.

00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.299
 We should

00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:33.759
 consider

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.839
 which master

00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:36.279
 will affirm

00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.220
 cherish

00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:38.199
 empower

00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.100
 and honor

00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.399
 us

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.639
 and which

00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:41.139
 one will

00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.639
 exploit

00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.399
 and abuse

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.699
 us.

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.299
 Which master

00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.259
 is the right

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.100
 master for our

00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:47.039
 hearts and lives

00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.399
 and so brings

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.039
 those right

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.039
 constraints.

00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:53.699
 Let me

00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:54.480
 encourage you

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.620
 if you feel

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.599
 somewhat frustrated

00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:57.439
 about your

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.019
 relationship

00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.719
 and trapped

00:16:58.719 --> 00:16:59.379
 in your life

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.480
 and on the

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.240
 issue of freedom

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.819
 I do not

00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.579
 say it in a

00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:04.500
 nasty or

00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.420
 sarcastic sense.

00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.480
 Many modern

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.240
 people try

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.819
 to deny

00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.500
 an obvious

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:09.940
 fact

00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.879
 laid out

00:17:10.879 --> 00:17:11.859
 in today's

00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.379
 passage

00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.180
 read from

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.920
 Romans 8

00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.359
 16 to 21

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:17.299
 that we are

00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.240
 God's children.

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.480
 He created

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:19.859
 us

00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.899
 and it

00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.519
 says God

00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.399
 subject us

00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.639
 to frustration

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:25.119
 for a purpose.

00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:26.959
 Verse 20

00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:27.879
 read

00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:29.299
 for the creation

00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.059
 was subject

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.839
 to freedom

00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.839
 to frustration

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.359
 not by its

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.119
 own choice

00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:34.879
 but by the

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.419
 will of the

00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:35.839
 one who

00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.339
 was subjected

00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.539
 in hope

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.119
 that the

00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.139
 creation itself

00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.799
 would be

00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.279
 liberated

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.859
 from its

00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.339
 bondage

00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.899
 to decay

00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:42.819
 and brought

00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.519
 into freedom

00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.379
 and glory

00:17:44.379 --> 00:17:45.240
 of the

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.919
 children of

00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.199
 God.

00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.799
 Your

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.479
 frustration

00:17:48.479 --> 00:17:49.219
 in life

00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:50.220
 are God's

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.559
 grace

00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.140
 to you.

00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.279
 God put

00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.039
 them there

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.900
 in hope

00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:57.059
 of liberating

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.860
 you from

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.620
 your bondage

00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.339
 to decay

00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.779
 and bringing

00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.360
 you into

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:01.880
 the freedom

00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.640
 and glory

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.000
 of the

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.500
 children of

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.720
 God.

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.839
 God created

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.819
 us to know,

00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:07.980
 serve,

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.799
 and love

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.039
 him.

00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.460
 Trying to

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:10.839
 live for

00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.640
 anything else

00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.079
 will lead

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:12.860
 to slavery

00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.659
 like running

00:18:14.659 --> 00:18:15.039
 on a

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.439
 treadmill

00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:16.039
 that gets

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.579
 no way.

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.000
 When you

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.619
 begin to

00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.079
 live for

00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.539
 God

00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.939
 and follow

00:18:22.939 --> 00:18:23.559
 his will,

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.659
 you will

00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.819
 become who

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.279
 you are

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.740
 meant to

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.039
 be,

00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.240
 realizing

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.359
 your original

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:29.919
 designs.

00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.920
 love for

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.920
 God.

00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:34.200
 Why is it

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.039
 that when

00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.380
 you fall

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:35.840
 in love,

00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.019
 you take

00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.019
 the initiative

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.019
 to discover

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.279
 a list of

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:40.759
 all the

00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.740
 things your

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.279
 loved one

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.800
 loves and

00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.140
 hates?

00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:44.700
 Then you

00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.240
 go all

00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.000
 out to

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.680
 say and

00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.080
 do the

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.660
 things that

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.259
 delight them.

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.840
 Why do

00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.539
 you gladly

00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:52.960
 accept doing

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.779
 their will

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.560
 rather than

00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.080
 your own,

00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:56.100
 the little

00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:57.480
 limits on

00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.019
 your behavior?

00:18:58.019 --> 00:19:00.059
 it's because

00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:01.920
 you have

00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.460
 put your

00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.319
 joy and

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:03.839
 happiness

00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.019
 into the

00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.720
 joy and

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.660
 enjoyment of

00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.039
 the other.

00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.619
 You are

00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.599
 happy to

00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.139
 the degree

00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:10.740
 they are.

00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.019
 You have

00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.539
 come to

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.619
 discover the

00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.680
 pleasure of

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.500
 giving pleasure.

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.740
 You don't

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.240
 follow their

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.180
 will as a

00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:18.660
 means to

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.180
 get other

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:19.740
 things you

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.059
 want.

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:21.799
 Their love

00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.579
 and joy is

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:22.960
 the main

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.720
 thing you

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.059
 want.

00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.480
 In our

00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.920
 relationship

00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.519
 with God,

00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.879
 Jesus took

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.340
 the first

00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:29.500
 step towards

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.120
 humanity.

00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.000
 He saved

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.580
 us at

00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:34.140
 an infinite

00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.800
 cost to

00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.260
 himself.

00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:36.900
 He emptied

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:38.280
 himself of

00:19:38.280 --> 00:19:39.700
 his glory and

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.560
 took on a

00:19:40.560 --> 00:19:42.180
 humble form to

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.760
 serve our

00:19:42.760 --> 00:19:43.500
 best interests.

00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.580
 When you

00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.280
 grasp and

00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:47.140
 understand what

00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.800
 God has

00:19:47.800 --> 00:19:48.200
 done for

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.300
 you, it

00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:50.000
 creates a

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.040
 grateful joy

00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:52.640
 that inwardly

00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.700
 moves you to

00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.100
 want to

00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:54.500
 please,

00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:55.420
 know,

00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.460
 and resemble

00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:56.740
 him.

00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:59.800
 when you

00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:00.320
 put your

00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.820
 happiness into

00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.820
 his happiness,

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.480
 serving him

00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.360
 will become

00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.120
 your perfect

00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.160
 liberation.

00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:10.120
 The concept

00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.740
 of freedom

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.280
 in the

00:20:11.280 --> 00:20:12.460
 Bible comes

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.060
 through having

00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:13.520
 the right

00:20:13.520 --> 00:20:14.080
 constraint.

00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:15.600
 The

00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.260
 stipulations

00:20:16.260 --> 00:20:16.840
 in the

00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:17.580
 Bible are

00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:18.060
 the list of

00:20:18.060 --> 00:20:18.660
 God's love

00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.260
 and hate

00:20:19.260 --> 00:20:20.320
 by which

00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.040
 you can

00:20:21.040 --> 00:20:22.400
 please and

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.900
 come to be

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.460
 like him.

00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:25.059
 God's

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.460
 will.

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:25.519
 That is why we

00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.759
 encourage and

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.960
 urge everyone

00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.660
 to grow in

00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.180
 their faith,

00:20:29.900 --> 00:20:30.759
 spending regular

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.660
 time with God

00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:32.299
 in his word

00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.319
 and praying to

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:33.539
 him.

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.920
 The more you

00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.740
 are in tune

00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.799
 with God's

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.660
 will, the

00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.539
 freer you

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.100
 will become

00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:40.000
 as you do

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.759
 what you

00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.340
 are designed

00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:41.860
 to do.

00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:45.399
 in the

00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.759
 past, people

00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.339
 intend to

00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.819
 break free

00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.399
 from God.

00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.299
 They

00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:50.099
 ignore God's

00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:51.000
 command and

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.779
 exchange God's

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.719
 glory with

00:20:52.719 --> 00:20:53.719
 created things.

00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.819
 So God

00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.439
 allowed their

00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:56.399
 earthly master

00:20:56.399 --> 00:20:57.859
 to capture

00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:59.179
 them so they

00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.819
 will experience

00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.599
 the slavery

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:02.279
 physically and

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.039
 understand what

00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:04.359
 exactly losing

00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.079
 freedom is.

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.500
 after some

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.139
 time, God

00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.779
 allowed a

00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.899
 more benevolent

00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:10.039
 master to

00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.720
 govern over

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.399
 his people

00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.579
 and to let

00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.839
 his people

00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.439
 return to

00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:14.899
 the place

00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.740
 he set for

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:15.939
 them.

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.639
 God said

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:18.379
 in Isaiah

00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.599
 48, verse

00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.839
 12, that

00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.619
 he created

00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.579
 all of us.

00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.279
 I am he,

00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.159
 I am the

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.799
 first and I

00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.359
 am the last.

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.500
 My own hand

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.000
 laid the

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.740
 foundation of

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.619
 the earth and

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.319
 my right hand

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.019
 spread out the

00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.319
 heavens.

00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.399
 This God

00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.519
 is a God

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.180
 that Christianity

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:35.859
 follows.

00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.839
 Come as

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.920
 Jesus to

00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.099
 redeem us and

00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.680
 call us to

00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.319
 return to

00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.579
 him.

00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.019
 This is what

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.359
 the Lord

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.519
 says, your

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.720
 Redeemer, the

00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.319
 Holy One of

00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.639
 Israel, I am

00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.200
 the Lord your

00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.119
 God who

00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.759
 teaches you

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.480
 what is best

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.879
 for you, who

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.619
 will direct you

00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.279
 in the way you

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.799
 should go.

00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.059
 If only you

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.460
 have paid

00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.240
 attention to

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.019
 my commands,

00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.160
 your peace

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.839
 would have been

00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.539
 like a river.

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.379
 Your well-being

00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.500
 like the ways

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.240
 of the sea.

00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.539
 Jesus knows

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.279
 what is best

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.420
 for us and

00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.099
 does not hold

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.920
 back from

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.700
 teaching us

00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.359
 what they

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.359
 are and

00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.519
 directing how

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:14.880
 we should

00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.200
 live.

00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.400
 He keeps

00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.839
 doing that

00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.539
 today through

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.339
 his commands.

00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.859
 If only you

00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.519
 pay attention

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.900
 to them and

00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.640
 follow God's

00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.380
 will of and

00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.339
 in a desire to

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.059
 love our

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.319
 Redeemer, you

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.140
 will increasingly

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.740
 sense that you

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.579
 are also becoming

00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:30.960
 who you are

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.359
 decided to be

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.240
 by your

00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.679
 creator.

00:22:35.199 --> 00:22:36.079
 In Matthew

00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.379
 chapter 11,

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.679
 verse 28 to

00:22:38.679 --> 00:22:39.679
 30, Jesus

00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.799
 calls us to

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.719
 come to me,

00:22:42.219 --> 00:22:43.619
 all you who

00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.039
 are weary

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:45.399
 and burdened,

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.039
 and I will

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.779
 give you rest.

00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.179
 Take my yoke

00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:49.419
 upon you and

00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:50.240
 learn from me,

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.439
 for I am gentle

00:22:51.439 --> 00:22:52.399
 and humble in

00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.479
 heart, and you

00:22:53.479 --> 00:22:54.259
 will find rest

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.139
 for your soul,

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.699
 for my yoke is

00:22:56.699 --> 00:22:58.099
 easy, my burden

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.819
 is light.

00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:02.419
 Jesus essentially

00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:04.059
 tells us that he

00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.639
 calls only to do

00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.919
 those things we

00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.859
 were created to

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:10.059
 do, and you

00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.859
 will find that

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.919
 his yoke is

00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:12.259
 easy.

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.639
 He put on us

00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.779
 the burden to

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.200
 follow him, but

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.859
 he had already

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:20.639
 paid the price, so

00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:21.279
 we will be

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.700
 forgiven when you

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.000
 fail.

00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.099
 Jesus has

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.919
 taken off us

00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.180
 the burdens

00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.100
 that other

00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.759
 people have.

00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:31.500
 He removed the

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.480
 burden of earning

00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.279
 our salvation

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.140
 through striving

00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:36.080
 and effort, and

00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:36.759
 the burdens of

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.660
 guilt and shame

00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.700
 from past

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.220
 failures.

00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.820
 Jesus has

00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.660
 taken off the

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.500
 burden of

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.360
 proving ourselves

00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.279
 worthy of

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.660
 love.

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.140
 He is the

00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.100
 only Lord and

00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.200
 Master who

00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.900
 will satisfy

00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.340
 you if you

00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:52.740
 find him, and

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.320
 if you fail

00:23:53.320 --> 00:23:54.320
 him, he will

00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:54.980
 forgive you.

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:57.360
 Without

00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:58.000
 Jesus,

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.640
 Christianity is

00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.460
 exploitative,

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.120
 because God

00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.460
 will not

00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:03.440
 change, and

00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.839
 you will have

00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.519
 to do all

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.079
 the submitting,

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.779
 repenting, and

00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.400
 making all the

00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.819
 sacrifice.

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.400
 But in

00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.620
 Jesus, God

00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:11.839
 says, I

00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.599
 will adjust

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.140
 to you.

00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.559
 I will

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.480
 sacrifice for

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:15.700
 you.

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.200
 I will give

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.059
 up my glory

00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.319
 and immortality

00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.819
 in becoming

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.519
 human, and

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.360
 all light and

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.219
 joy, and

00:24:24.219 --> 00:24:24.759
 my very

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.599
 life on

00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.119
 the cross.

00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.639
 He was

00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.519
 nailed fast

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.599
 to it, so

00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.119
 he could not

00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.479
 move.

00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.459
 How is that

00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:32.979
 for giving

00:24:32.979 --> 00:24:33.419
 up your

00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:33.699
 freedom?

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:36.659
 I can

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.059
 invite the

00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.539
 music team to

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:37.859
 come up.

00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.199
 Christianity

00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:41.240
 is the only

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.459
 religion that

00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:43.359
 claims God

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:43.979
 gave up his

00:24:43.979 --> 00:24:45.079
 freedom so we

00:24:45.079 --> 00:24:45.839
 could experience

00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.639
 the ultimate

00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.639
 freedom from

00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.419
 evil and death

00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:48.819
 itself.

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.859
 Therefore, we

00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.399
 can trust

00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:51.759
 Jesus.

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:52.880
 He

00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:53.519
 sacrifices

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:53.720
 his

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.759
 independence

00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.480
 for you, so

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.080
 that you can

00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.280
 sacrifice yours

00:24:58.280 --> 00:24:58.759
 for him.

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.740
 And when you

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.759
 do, you

00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.480
 will find it

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:01.780
 is the

00:25:01.780 --> 00:25:02.220
 ultimate,

00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.259
 infinite,

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.259
 liberating

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.220
 constraint.

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:06.660
 If the

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.220
 Son sets

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.720
 you free,

00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.820
 you will be

00:25:08.820 --> 00:25:09.740
 free indeed.

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:09.960
 Amen.

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.580
 Amen.

00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:10.740
 Amen.

00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:10.840
 Amen.

00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.320
 Amen.

00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:11.400
 Amen.

00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:11.740
 Amen.

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:11.880
 Amen.

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.380
 Amen.

00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:12.400
 Amen.

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:12.759
 Amen.

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.360
 Amen.

00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.660
 Amen.

00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:13.780
 Amen.

00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:13.860
 Amen.

00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:13.920
 Amen.