WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.960 Good morning, Watermark. I'm Chris. I'm one of the staff here. Let's hope the technicalities are okay. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:16.320 Well done for surviving the rain. I feel like I'm at home from the UK. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:27.940 It's great. We've been going through, starting this year, really looking at a series in 1 Corinthians 15 about the resurrection. 00:00:27.940 --> 00:00:40.079 And about what having an eternal perspective, having a sense of the way God is going to bring things to fulfillment means in our lives. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:51.000 Because if we get the wrong idea about the future, then we're going to invest today maybe in a failing account which will not last. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:01:03.899 And as a church, we may fail to live, as Eric talked about last week, with the radical bravery and the radical sacrifice that the gospel calls us to, 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:07.819 if we don't have this picture of where he's taking us to. 00:01:07.819 --> 00:01:15.739 So today we're just going to kind of continue this theme by thinking about what is the future that we have? 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:19.780 What happens after we die? Big question. 00:01:20.019 --> 00:01:28.239 And as I talk to both Christians and non-Christians from different places, I've heard as many different answers as I've had probably hot dinners. 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:34.819 And in the time of the Corinthians, maybe we can have a look at the first slide. 00:01:35.679 --> 00:01:38.119 In the time of the Corinthians, they also had many answers. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:47.399 The Greeks around them, they would say that the human body was both physical and spiritual, and they were separate. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:49.159 The physical body was bad. 00:01:49.919 --> 00:01:52.379 The soul and the spiritual was good. 00:01:52.379 --> 00:01:56.780 So sex, beer, work, that's physical. 00:01:57.179 --> 00:02:00.199 Prayer, meditation, worship, that's spiritual. 00:02:00.979 --> 00:02:05.399 And the problem is the spiritual things are trapped inside your body. 00:02:06.179 --> 00:02:08.740 You know, a body which gets acne, gets wrinkles. 00:02:09.419 --> 00:02:11.879 And so it's a bit like being stuck in a lift. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:14.000 And you know, you just want to be released. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:18.259 Death is the time when you get released, your spirit goes up, and you float away. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:20.300 That's what the Greeks thought. 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.680 Body bad, spirit good. 00:02:23.920 --> 00:02:31.880 Now, in the West, more atheist, naturalist idea, which is increasingly possible, says, 00:02:32.160 --> 00:02:36.580 well, there's no God, so heaven is really on earth now. 00:02:36.920 --> 00:02:40.240 You've got to enjoy life as much as possible now. 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:44.960 So you go to LKF, you work for charity, you do whatever you feel like doing, 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:47.800 as long as it makes you happy. 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:51.320 Because YOLO, you only live once. 00:02:51.420 --> 00:02:56.860 And truly human equals truly happy, so you can clap along if you feel that happiness is the truth, 00:02:57.260 --> 00:02:59.280 as Pharrell Williams might say. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:05.320 Well, in the East, here you go, this is a brief history of philosophy for you, okay? 00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:08.099 So you're getting more than your money's worth, okay? 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:09.739 Chinese culture. 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:11.419 Well, it's a bit more complicated. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:18.039 There are so many different ideas which come in, it's quite difficult to work out what's going on. 00:03:18.180 --> 00:03:21.139 But life is more pragmatic. 00:03:22.079 --> 00:03:23.539 Life is about getting stuff. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:27.159 And whether you're dead, you still need stuff for your journey. 00:03:27.359 --> 00:03:31.280 So you burn stuff to give to your people's servants, paper house. 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:36.259 And if you're alive, you hope the dead spirits come back and maybe bless you as well. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:39.060 And it's this kind of continual cycle of getting stuff. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:46.000 Now, when it comes to Christians in Hong Kong, I find many Christians are as confused. 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:51.860 Some think that maybe we kind of, heaven is like an extended worship service. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:55.560 You know, lots of singing, clouds, a few angels floating past. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:57.939 Maybe a bit more like the Greeks, though. 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:01.360 I find others are very fascinated with heaven. 00:04:01.520 --> 00:04:06.360 Do you know what one of the biggest selling evangelical Christian books in the last decade was? 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:08.920 Heaven is for real. 00:04:10.160 --> 00:04:14.960 And it's a story about a four-year-old who kind of goes to heaven and comes back again. 00:04:15.820 --> 00:04:21.139 And it provides lots of kind of heavenly gossip, really, about things like, will we have wings? 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.220 Is the Holy Spirit kind of blue? 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:27.180 Will we sit on Jesus' lap and have angels singing to us? 00:04:27.840 --> 00:04:30.259 And the thing is, we love all this stuff. 00:04:30.580 --> 00:04:33.860 But actually, it has nothing to do with the biblical view of heaven. 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:41.080 Others of us, and probably most of us, may be too busy to have even thought about it. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:48.460 It's maybe only when we stop and face death that we actually stop and think, what really is the future? 00:04:49.900 --> 00:04:53.000 And Paul, in this passage, he's facing the same kind of confusion. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:54.560 All these different ideas. 00:04:54.560 --> 00:05:05.199 And he wants to set the record straight to say, listen, what your future looks like and how you're going to live in the light of that counts. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:09.240 And so I'm going to look at three things that he's going to kind of go through here. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:11.740 First of all, we're made to be glorious. 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:15.100 Secondly, we've fallen short of glory. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:18.579 Thirdly, we will be transformed to glory. 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:19.000 Okay? 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:19.920 Made to be glorious. 00:05:20.340 --> 00:05:21.120 Fallen short of glory. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:22.180 Transformed to glory. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:23.519 Okay, what's that all about? 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.659 Well, verse 35, it says this. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:31.099 Someone will ask, how are the dead raised? 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:34.799 With what kind of body do they come? 00:05:36.039 --> 00:05:45.299 Now, if you've not heard the series so far, this question shows that the Corinthians couldn't get their mind around the fact that Paul has said, we will be raised in our body. 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:46.500 They couldn't get it. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.479 Because they thought, well, what kind of body do you get? 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:51.579 Does it have acne and wrinkles like mine? 00:05:52.180 --> 00:05:53.019 They couldn't get it. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:55.159 And Paul says, you foolish person. 00:05:55.219 --> 00:05:56.419 You guys have got no idea. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:58.479 No idea what you're talking about. 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:01.259 And he starts using a little agricultural metaphor. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:07.199 He says, verse 37, what you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:14.099 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:15.100 He's likening God's creation. 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:23.520 He's likening God's creation of us and our human rights to a seed, like this palm tree seed. 00:06:24.520 --> 00:06:25.939 Beautiful seeds. 00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:32.899 And he's saying, if you take this seed and you bury it in the ground, then metaphorically it dies. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:34.019 It's buried. 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:39.439 Now, do you think that seed comes out again in the same way after it's died? 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:41.759 And he says, okay, here's the seed. 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:45.500 It's your physical body buried deep in the ground. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:48.279 And then transformation begins to take place. 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:57.100 And he says, just as this seed is an embryo of a plant, well, then the plant and the fruit is so much better. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.340 But that's what he's saying. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:04.060 He's saying our lives, our bodies here are a kernel. 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:10.200 They're similar, but they're so much gloriously different when you are resurrected from the dead. 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:13.800 And he gives a little biology lesson, okay? 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:15.240 He says about creation. 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:21.040 He says, you know when you look around the world, you see the world, and it's physical. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:25.439 It's a physical world, and there are lots of different kind of physical beings. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:29.139 He says, basically, a tuna fish is not a giraffe. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:31.959 The sun is not the same as the moon. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:37.620 We have different kinds of bodies for different habitats, and each has a glory of its own. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:46.240 The world around you gives you a little picture of the different beauty we will have with resurrected bodies. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:53.600 So he's saying when God created the physical world, he made it to be a beautiful reflection of himself. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:08:00.100 Psalm 19 says, the heavens declare the glory of God. 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:01.640 Let's take the picture off for the moment. 00:08:03.320 --> 00:08:04.240 You're going to get hungry. 00:08:06.320 --> 00:08:08.400 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:13.000 You know, when God made the world, he made day one to day six, and God looked at the physical world. 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:13.840 He looked at the trees. 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:14.600 He looked at the moon. 00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:15.340 He looked at everything. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:15.980 And what did he say? 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:19.140 He said, that's good, right? 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:21.879 And then on day six, he then made human beings. 00:08:21.979 --> 00:08:22.800 And do you know what he said? 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.959 He said, that's very good. 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:32.080 Because God goes, wow, that is beautiful when he looks around at the world. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:38.080 He makes Adam and Eve, and he makes them in his image to be a reflection of himself. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.799 And he says, that is beautiful. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:47.500 And it's meant to reflect, like a mirror, the beauty of God himself. 00:08:48.859 --> 00:08:59.059 And the glory of God is the radiant beauty, power, goodness, splendor of his presence, and his amazing goodness to us. 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:03.699 Exodus 33, Moses asks, God, show me your glory. 00:09:04.219 --> 00:09:04.979 And do you know what God does? 00:09:05.219 --> 00:09:09.459 He says, okay, I will let all my goodness pass in front of you. 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:13.939 And he says, I'm too beautiful for you to see, but you'll see my back. 00:09:14.479 --> 00:09:24.219 And then he passes in front of him, and he says, the Lord, the Lord, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:27.859 That is his glory, his character. 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:34.740 You know, when I was younger, I still do occasionally, but when I'm feeling happier, 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:40.460 I walk along the road, and I'd smile at strangers along the road, just to kind of brighten their day. 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:41.960 You know, it's a miserable world. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:44.379 Let's bring some life into people's lives. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:49.019 And so I would go along, and it's fascinating how people respond when you smile at them. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:49.840 Have you noticed? 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:56.259 So you go along, and most people feel so awkward that they suddenly look down at the ground, 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.919 or they look away, they're like, what does he want? 00:09:58.919 --> 00:09:59.620 Do you know? 00:10:00.199 --> 00:10:07.679 And, but just occasionally, after about 50 stony-faced, kind of miserable people looking on, 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:14.519 you would then come to one person who, as they saw you smiling at them, 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:18.139 their face would light up, and they would kind of beam back at you. 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:21.839 And do you know, that suddenly gives you, this is some kind of connection. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:27.500 And you go away just feeling like, wow, there is life in this world. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:32.019 There's this kind of joy, there's a spring in your step, because humanity exists. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.100 Okay? 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:37.360 Now, I think that's a bit like what God's saying with his glory. 00:10:37.540 --> 00:10:43.600 He's saying, God smiles on us with his beauty and glory, and we were made to smile back. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:49.060 And the world was made to say, wow, isn't God good? 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:56.879 Psalm 8 says, God created us, and he crowned us with glory and honor. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:11:07.599 And our glory, that smile that we reflect, is only found in that deep, intimate, satisfying connection, relationship with God. 00:11:07.979 --> 00:11:11.539 As we mirror his smile, we're to resound with worship. 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:20.419 Now, the thing is, as you look around the world, you will see glimpses of the glory of God, his smile reflected in the world. 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:27.500 You glimpse it when you have that succulent wagyu beef, which just melts in your mouth. 00:11:28.339 --> 00:11:35.639 You glimpse it when you watch the sunset over the mountains, and with your spouse or your friend, and you have that Kodak moment. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:40.939 You glimpse it when you see Messi dribbling with the ball and scoring in the top right-hand corner. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:47.600 You glimpse it when you see a daughter or son helping their aging parents tenderly along the road. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:55.500 You glimpse it when, after 60 years of marriage, you see an elderly couple lovingly shuffling hand-in-hand along the seaside. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:59.059 You see glory and beauty around us in everywhere. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:04.600 And the physical body has a glory as well. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:07.700 Deep inside, you know, we're all attracted to beauty. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:16.279 Now, our society tends to define beauty in certain kinds of ways, but adverts tap into, that's why we love them, 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:23.019 they tap into that deep desire in all of us for beauty and loveliness and glory. 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:28.820 That's why if I said a new CG is starting up, and it's going to be led by a Brazilian supermodel, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:33.779 a lot of you guys, and probably some of you women, would be interested in joining. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:37.779 Because beauty attracts us. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:43.840 We have a desire for beauty and glory, whatever that looks like for us. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:52.080 But every strain of glory, every strain of beauty is meant to be a beam which is meant to draw you back to the source of light. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:59.080 And that thirst and desire for the beauty that we all have, which we're attracted to, 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:04.860 is actually a desire for the source of all beauty, which is God himself in his glory. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:10.700 We were made to be glorious, to reflect him. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:16.000 Secondly, we are fallen short of glory. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:18.180 In the Romans it says, 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.959 We've all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:13:21.059 --> 00:13:23.219 We're not who we should be. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:28.500 It says that though we could see this beauty of God in all of creation, 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:32.359 we didn't honor him, we didn't give him thanks, 00:13:32.699 --> 00:13:37.559 but instead we turned away stony-faced and chased after our own things that we were focused on. 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:43.000 We wanted glory for ourselves, and we worshipped other things, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:46.279 which we thought were more desirable than God. 00:13:47.359 --> 00:13:52.779 In the Garden of Edom, Adam and Eve had the choice of life or death, and they chose death. 00:13:53.459 --> 00:13:57.579 You know, like a flower that needs to turn to the sun for life, 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:59.359 and if it turns away, it will die. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:02.180 So we turned away from God, and we wilted. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:06.960 And spiritual death, physical death, entered the world. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:09.820 Paul puts it like this in Corinthians. 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.580 He says, 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:15.960 What is sown, our physical created bodies in a physical world, are perishable. 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.320 Perishable. 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:22.460 Your beauty fades, as does your memory, as I know. 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:24.340 The sunset disappears. 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:28.460 Your health will deteriorate, like your iPad battery. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:32.100 If you live long enough, we all have an expiry date. 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:34.080 Our lives are perishable. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.160 What is sown is weak, he says. 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:42.120 We're weak, we get sick, and if you're not affected by sickness, you know someone who is. 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:47.580 You know, cancer, autism, celiac disease, flu, aging. 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:50.820 Emotionally, we go up and down like a yo-yo. 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:54.740 That's something as simple as someone forgetting your birthday, right? 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.920 We're weak. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.700 We all are. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:01.840 And we're dishonored, it says. 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.980 Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.800 And they were unashamed. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.360 But when they sinned, you know what happened? 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:12.420 They ran and they hid. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:14.519 Because they had to cover themselves. 00:15:15.160 --> 00:15:18.740 And those people crowned with glory and honor, well, their crown slipped a bit. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:29.220 And I know that personally because that sense of even when I want to love my wife, you know, so often I just end up being insensitive. 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.639 Or saying the thing that I shouldn't say. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:33.600 Doing the thing that I shouldn't say. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.600 Doing the thing that I shouldn't do. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:38.040 And I kick myself and think, how could I be so stupid to do that again? 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:40.620 And yet I keep doing it again and again and again. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:42.240 Anyone know the feeling? 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:46.539 Because it's sin still lives in me. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.659 And my father is Adam. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.340 And I'm naturally like him. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:56.000 That's what he means when he says the body is natural. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:16:01.540 In 1 Corinthians 2 it says, the natural person does not accept the things of God. 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:09.139 Natural is that struggle of selfishness that I constantly have when I'm concerned more with me than with others. 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:11.620 More with my glory than with God's glory. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:17.320 Trying to fulfill my own desires for approval, comfort, control, security by myself. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.160 And I look away from God to other things. 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.240 It's natural. 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:31.139 But when we live like this, we often live more like the atheist or the traditional Chinese model of life. 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:35.639 Because actually this world is a world of if-onlys. 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:42.139 You know, I did a beach clean-up a couple of years ago with some colleagues from Fiona's company. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.540 And we went to Cheng Chao. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:47.120 And we did this amazing job of cleaning up this beach. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.480 There was so much rubbish on it. 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.780 But we cleaned it up. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.180 We spent the whole day doing it. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.979 We finished it. 00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.779 It looked beautiful. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.259 It was a beautiful day. 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:56.019 Beautiful, pristine beach. 00:16:56.559 --> 00:17:00.599 As we kind of got on the boat to start going home, suddenly I noticed something. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:03.100 The tide was coming back in. 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.860 Do you know how frustrating it is? 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:12.700 When all the work that you have just done, the tide just is bringing it all back in again. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:19.240 And this world is filled with what I said. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:22.900 I said, if only people wouldn't throw their rubbish in the sea. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:26.380 If only people would throw their rubbish in the sea. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:28.380 If only. 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:28.880 If only. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.420 If only that vacation didn't come to an end. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:36.040 If only it wasn't work tomorrow and, you know, it's still the weekend. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:41.220 If only I had a better job, not this job, a better job. 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:44.259 And then when you get that job, then if only I had another job. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:49.819 If only my spouse was more sensitive, less critical, more caring. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:54.799 And we compare ourselves to everyone else and we think, 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.099 if only I had that thing. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:18:00.799 If only, if only, if only. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:04.920 And we think it'd be so much better if only I had that. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:11.720 And I think that's why in Hong Kong people tend to change their jobs every two years. 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:15.879 Because if only I get that one, then everything will be fine. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:21.579 We change our phones every, well, probably time Apple releases a new one. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.339 Because if only I can get that, then my life will be better. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:28.659 And all the time we have so many things that we're chasing, chasing, chasing. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:32.200 And we think it's going to get better, but actually when we get in after a little while, 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:34.839 we're like a school kid in the playground who gets a Christmas present, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:38.699 looks at the next door kid, they've got a bigger one and then they're disappointed again. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:44.179 And we're chasing sunbeams rather than looking to the sun to give us life. 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.740 I don't know, what are you chasing at the moment? 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.419 What's consuming your thoughts? 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.939 C.S. Lewis says, 00:18:50.940 --> 00:19:20.680 That's what these glimpses of glory are. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:24.500 That we long to be satisfied. 00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:27.920 Do you long for intimacy with your spouse? 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.160 Well, you know what? 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.860 Your spouse will never fully satisfy it. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:35.740 Because that's a longing for Christ, the perfect spouse. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.980 Do you long for a fully satisfying job? 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:44.539 That's because you're longing for a new creation where work is not so frustrating 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:48.279 and you're not having to say, if only, all the time. 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.119 Do you long for physical health? 00:19:50.119 --> 00:20:01.299 Well, that desire is pointing you along the sunbeam to one day when God will restore and transform every single body who has trusted in him. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.839 Is change possible now? 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.740 Yeah, absolutely. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.919 Things can change now. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:08.399 But you know, sooner or later, the tide will sweep back in more stuff. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:15.700 And if your only hope is now, like the atheist, then you are going to be disappointed. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:18.859 And frustration will grip you. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:26.519 You know, I've discovered the more mature you are as a Christian, the more, like Paul, you groan. 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.519 Anyone seen that? 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:32.419 The more you actually groan and you long for Jesus to return. 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:35.179 Because you realize you are not all you should be. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:37.439 This world is not all it should be. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:43.660 And you long for him to come back and to transform and to restore it to what it should be. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:51.640 That desire that I have inside of my heart for beauty, for glory, for restoration, for satisfaction. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:57.700 We're made to be glorious, but we've fallen short of glory in this world. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:02.660 Thirdly, we are transformed to glory. 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.960 Have a look at verse 42. 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.299 He says, 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:08.059 What is sown is perishable. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:11.039 It is raised imperishable. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:14.059 What is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.640 It is sown in weakness. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.120 It is raised in power. 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.920 It is sown a natural body. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.779 It is raised a spiritual body. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.960 In verse 48, 00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:29.240 As was the man of dust, Adam, so also are those who are of the dust, dead. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:32.240 As is the man of heaven, Jesus, 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:35.099 So also are those who are of heaven. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:37.660 They will be resurrected and alive. 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:41.079 Just as we've borne the image of the man of dust, 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:44.579 We shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:47.619 What Paul is saying is this. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:51.759 For you to be fit for God's presence, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.019 For you to be transformed, 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:56.619 You'll be transformed in different ways, a number of ways. 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:59.839 For you to be fit for God's presence, 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:01.259 Which is what heaven is, 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.919 His beautiful presence, 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:08.980 Where you're intimately face to face in His throne room with the King of Kings. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:11.700 There's no if-onlys there. 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.579 If you want to enter there, 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.140 You cannot enter in your earthly birthday suit. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:20.740 Because that's ragged and it's decaying through sin. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:24.960 Just as a tramp cannot enter into Queen Elizabeth's presence. 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:30.319 So you cannot enter in without a new transformed body. 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:33.759 And it needs to be a spiritual body. 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.079 And by spiritual body, 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:37.579 He doesn't mean kind of like floaty-floaty in the sky. 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:40.639 He means a physical body in a physical world 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:44.460 That is animated by the living Spirit of God. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:47.960 With such freedom that the chains that have held you in this life, 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.579 The things which restrict you, 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.579 Are broken forever. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:54.579 You can enjoy work fully without frustration. 00:22:56.460 --> 00:23:00.720 You can eat buffet after buffet of the finest food and not get fat. 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.339 Isn't that good? 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:04.119 And you'd be satisfied with your body. 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.519 Not looking in the mirror, 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.639 Just thinking if only, 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.859 If only. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:11.279 Because there will be pleasure without a hangover. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.799 Intimacy without an end. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:16.200 Desire that is truly satisfied. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.839 Physical, 00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:21.079 But the Spirit of God animating us. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.980 And this promise 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:26.500 Of what we experience of living in this new body 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:29.700 Can only, I think, be imagined by us. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:31.440 I mean, how do you imagine the unimaginable? 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.759 But it's only by imagining and describing 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.740 What our desires now thirst for. 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:40.180 So the glimpses of glory that you see around 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:44.120 Are just a taste of what God is going to do. 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:46.539 C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia, 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:49.480 He has this right at the end of his books. 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:49.840 He says, 00:23:49.839 --> 00:24:19.839 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:23.099 This is my real country. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:25.519 I belong here. 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:29.399 This is the land I've been looking for all of my life, 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.480 Though I never knew it till now. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:35.539 The reason why we loved the old Narnia so much 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:39.879 Is because sometimes it looked a little bit like this. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.579 Isn't that beautiful? 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:47.240 The reason we loved the old Narnia so much 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:51.639 Was because sometimes it looked a little bit like this. 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:55.699 That is the promise of resurrection. 00:24:57.139 --> 00:25:00.899 But the only way you can have this transformed body 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:05.699 And enjoy the satisfaction of glory and beauty 00:25:05.699 --> 00:25:09.519 Is through Jesus who lived in this other world. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:11.879 Where every desire was satisfied. 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.599 He had no if-onlys. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:18.559 He was in perfect, harmonious, glorious relationship with his father. 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:23.359 And yet out of God's great love for us, 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:27.579 He left the glory of his father. 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.059 He took on a human body. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:34.220 He knew the pain, the full human experience. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:37.379 In agony, he died his death on a cross. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:40.340 Death, which was what we knew. 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:46.840 He died that we might come to experience that satisfaction with him. 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:53.940 And he is the first human to defeat the natural body of death, 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:55.660 Which restricts you and me. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:58.820 He has a new physical, spiritual body 00:25:58.820 --> 00:26:01.580 That could cook breakfast, that ate fish, 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:04.460 That could be touched, but could go through locked doors, 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:08.340 But was free from every if-only which binds us. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.920 His body raised a spiritual body, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:16.860 So that our tired old bodies could gain a new body, 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:19.460 Which courses with life and vitality. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:23.279 More life than your three-year-old bouncing on the sofa. 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:27.779 And as we see his smile, 00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:29.660 Face to face, 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.599 We will be like him. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:37.099 And you know the amazing thing, 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:39.399 Is that in heaven, 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.899 In God's presence, 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:45.200 And you know heaven comes down to earth together, 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.899 There is a song, 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.480 And it goes something like this, 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.339 Worthy is the lamb, 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:52.019 Jesus who was slain, 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:55.000 To receive power and wealth and wisdom and might, 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:57.079 And honor and glory and blessing. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.099 That's what they sing in heaven. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.740 Do you know why? 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:02.860 Because there's only one man-made thing in heaven, 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.039 Right now. 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.500 On the body of Jesus, 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:08.160 Are the scars in his hands and feet. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:11.779 Those ugly, painful scars, 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.660 On the cross, 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:16.940 Are transformed in heaven, 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:19.319 Into the glory and honor of a war hero. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:23.339 I remember once going to a conference, 00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:26.220 With a lady called Toni Erickson Tarda, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.420 I don't know if you've heard of her. 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:31.059 And she's a lady, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.980 Remarkable lady, 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:34.059 She'd been paralyzed at the age of 18, 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.859 From the waist down. 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:38.619 And she had struggled, 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:41.619 With depression and doubt, 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:43.480 Suicidal thoughts. 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.559 And yet she persevered through her life, 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:48.399 Seeking through all the doubts, 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.660 To live for God's glory. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.420 She's ended up writing 40 books, 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:55.180 Ended up learning how to paint with her teeth, 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:57.460 And encouraging people all around the world, 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.420 To trust in Christ. 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:02.259 As we waited in the auditorium, 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.339 She was wheeled out on the wheelchair. 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.940 And suddenly, 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:09.779 The whole of everybody in the auditorium, 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:11.079 Stood to their feet, 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:13.619 And erupted in applause, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:16.359 And cheers for her. 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.720 And it wasn't because of the book she wrote, 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:23.500 And it wasn't because of the painting she painted. 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.759 It was because, 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:30.420 People saw a glimpse of the glory of a life, 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:32.960 Which had been lived through pain, 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:35.440 But they'd seen that those wounds, 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:38.500 Had been transformed in some way, 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:40.420 Into something that was so beautiful, 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:43.879 That reflected something, 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:45.460 Of the image of Jesus. 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:49.039 And that, 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:51.559 Is something of what God is doing, 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.819 To make us like him. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:55.319 That process of transformation, 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.700 To be like him, 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.579 Starts now. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.980 Because it's little wonder, 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.519 That when you see Jesus, 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.140 The only reaction, 00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:05.860 Reaction we will have, 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.759 When we meet him face to face, 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.579 Is not like heaven is for real, 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.600 And to sit on his lap, 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.140 With angels singing to us. 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.519 That is not it. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:16.819 The Bible just shows you, 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.700 That when you see him, 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:20.059 We will erupt, 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:22.379 With applause and adoration, 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:25.099 Because he is so beautiful. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.579 Because his glory, 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.240 His goodness, 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.039 His grace, 00:29:28.160 --> 00:29:28.759 His mercy, 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:30.099 Just hits you. 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:31.639 Because you see the scars, 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:33.279 You see the glory of God, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.400 In its full, 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.339 Unadulterated glory. 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.759 And it is amazing. 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:41.119 And the thing is, 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.160 For each of us now, 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:44.100 When we go through life, 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.360 Many of us here, 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.820 Carry scars, 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:47.920 And wounds, 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.920 From following Christ. 00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:51.000 Some of you, 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.380 Your marriage is tough. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.600 You know what it is, 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.080 To have a spouse, 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.840 Or kids, 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.940 Who don't know Christ. 00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.519 And you cry, 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:02.080 When is it going to happen? 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.140 Some of you, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.180 It's your workplace. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.480 It gets you down, 00:30:06.540 --> 00:30:07.820 And you're trying to honor God, 00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:08.740 In your workplace, 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.720 And yet sometimes, 00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:10.640 You just feel like, 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.200 You're drowning. 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.980 Some of us struggle, 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.819 With forgiveness. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.900 Some of us struggle, 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:18.180 With ungodly habits, 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.220 That we're trying to break, 00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.019 We're trying to work, 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.420 Through them, 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.480 But we seem to fall. 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.079 And the glory, 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.039 Of the gospel, 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.819 Is that, 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.519 The resurrection, 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.880 Tells you to persevere, 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.880 To keep fighting. 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:33.420 Because when you stand up, 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.500 And you keep fighting, 00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:36.300 Looking to please Christ, 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.460 Even though we fall, 00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:38.580 Every sacrifice, 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.520 Is achieving a glory, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.420 That will surpass, 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.280 Every wound. 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.720 And the Bible says, 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:47.260 That every righteous act, 00:30:47.320 --> 00:30:48.240 Of God's people, 00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:49.720 Is woven into this, 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.560 Beautiful garment. 00:30:50.760 --> 00:30:52.360 Every thread of your life, 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:53.120 Right now, 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.060 Is woven, 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:55.660 When you live for Christ's glory, 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:57.100 Is woven into this, 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.980 Beautiful garment. 00:30:57.980 --> 00:31:00.599 That you will wear, 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.400 And display. 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.980 And just as in a battle, 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:04.819 That the wounded, 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.160 Are treated as heroes, 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.819 So in the light of Christ's wounds, 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.000 Your wounds, 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:10.500 Will be a source of pride, 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.460 And honor. 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.079 You'll be like him. 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.380 You'll be like him. 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:18.519 And it's not just our physical body, 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.799 It's not just our scars, 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.180 But also, 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:23.779 Our physical work, 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.860 Will be transformed, 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.740 To be like him. 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.339 You see, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.819 Here's the deal, 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.079 When you go to work tomorrow, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.859 Do you realize, 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.619 That nothing that you do, 00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.359 Or produce, 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:36.019 Has any intrinsic worth, 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.859 Of itself. 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.099 Because if you cook a meal, 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:40.899 Tomorrow, 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.319 That meal is soon, 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.879 Going to be gone. 00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:45.559 If you make a deal tomorrow, 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.159 You know, 00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:46.819 In a few weeks, 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.359 A few months, 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:47.879 A few days, 00:31:47.939 --> 00:31:48.559 A few hours, 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.619 That will be forgotten. 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:54.679 What you do, 00:31:54.679 --> 00:31:55.259 What you do, 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.159 Has value, 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:58.259 Not because, 00:31:58.259 --> 00:32:00.099 The thing has value, 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.599 But because of who, 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.739 You're doing it for, 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:04.120 I have, 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:06.259 I have, 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:09.120 A picture, 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.180 A picture, 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:13.160 This picture, 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:15.240 Is, 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:17.680 A beautiful picture, 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:19.220 Well, 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.960 I mean, 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.860 It won't hang up, 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.920 In some gallery somewhere, 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.440 You know, 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:26.100 If I found this picture, 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:26.920 Lying on the floor, 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.920 I think, 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.620 Probably, 00:32:31.340 --> 00:32:31.799 You know, 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.700 I might leave it there, 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:32.880 I think, 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.259 Oh cute, 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:34.100 Some kid did it, 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.919 But if it was still lying on the floor, 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:37.379 And nobody claimed it after a while, 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:38.539 Do you know what would happen to it? 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.399 It would get thrown away. 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:42.759 Right? 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.199 Because, 00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:45.599 Honestly, 00:32:45.679 --> 00:32:46.879 It doesn't mean anything for me. 00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:49.159 But you know, 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.259 If this is the picture, 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:52.839 That your kid has done for you, 00:32:55.119 --> 00:32:57.219 You know what I see with parents? 00:32:58.519 --> 00:33:00.119 They display it on their wall. 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.359 When visitors come around, 00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:02.799 They say, 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:05.059 Look what my three-year-old did, 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.799 With pride. 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.419 Now, 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:10.759 Is it because of the beauty of the picture? 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.799 It's because, 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.700 It was done for you. 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:18.480 Because you have relationship. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.940 And relationship, 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:22.879 Makes the difference, 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.659 In everything that you are going to do, 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.240 Tomorrow, 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.240 Today, 00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:28.119 The next year. 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:32.419 So when you go, 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.799 To work, 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:33.819 To work, 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:33.839 To work, 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:33.859 To work, 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:33.879 To work, 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:33.899 To work, 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:34.799 To work, 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.500 To work, 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.740 Who are you doing your work for? 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.339 Who are you doing your work for? 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.960 Because our, 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.980 Work, 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:45.240 Was made to reflect God's work. 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.419 He brings order out of chaos. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:49.579 A teacher brings order out of chaos, 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.319 In the classroom. 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:52.539 A banker brings order out of chaos, 00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:54.440 In the figures and financial markets. 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.619 Parents bring, 00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.859 Order and routine, 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:58.659 Out of the chaos of kids lives. 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:01.200 Working reflects God's work. 00:34:01.340 --> 00:34:02.500 But who are you doing it for? 00:34:02.800 --> 00:34:04.420 Because work is worship. 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:07.320 It will either be done for the glory of God, 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.820 It will be done for the glory of yourself, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.519 For the glory of your business card, 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:11.760 For the glory of your achievement, 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.680 For the glory of your own bank balance, 00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:15.340 The glory of your own self-worth. 00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:18.180 But 1 Corinthians 3 tells us, 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.800 That if you are making your work, 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.440 Your study, 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.420 Your raising of children, 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.820 About yourself looking good, 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:24.579 Getting that title for yourself, 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.639 Thinking, 00:34:26.319 --> 00:34:26.799 Actually, 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:28.019 I'm doing pretty well. 00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:30.400 But it's done for self, 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.440 Not for Christ. 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.639 And everything we do, 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:34.000 Which is just done for me, 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:34.679 Will, 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.519 Like that picture, 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.559 Just be thrown away. 00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:37.880 Burnt up. 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.799 And we'll have wasted our entire lives. 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.179 Can you imagine, 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.699 The tragedy, 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.440 Of looking back on your life, 00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.940 Like some people did, 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:52.699 In the cultural revolution in China, 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:54.319 And just seeing all of your work, 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:56.360 Your life's work going up in flames. 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.719 That's a tragedy. 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:02.719 And the tragedy is that some of us, 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:04.319 Are making choices like that, 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.699 Where we're living for ourselves. 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.519 But the beauty, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.759 That God calls us to as a church, 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.420 Is this. 00:35:12.619 --> 00:35:15.739 If you see the depth of Christ's sacrifice for you, 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:17.380 His smile on your life, 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.099 His goodness, 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:21.940 Then you will go into your workplace, 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.920 Wherever you're doing, 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:25.260 And you'll offer what you do tomorrow, 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:27.420 As worship for Him. 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.559 Actually take a minute, 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:31.139 Before you start your day, 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.820 To say God, 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:33.240 I want to give you this, 00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:34.119 To please you. 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:36.680 Because that will change the way, 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.280 Because you know, 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:38.380 When I get stressed, 00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:40.519 When I'm tempted to make it all about me, 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:40.820 You know, 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.840 It becomes stressful, 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:44.220 Because my reputation's on the line. 00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:47.299 But whether you are successful or not, 00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:49.839 Whether it's frustrating or not, 00:35:49.959 --> 00:35:50.699 If you say, 00:35:50.779 --> 00:35:50.879 God, 00:35:50.939 --> 00:35:52.199 I want to give this for you, 00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:54.399 I want to live and work in a way, 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:55.679 Which reflects your character, 00:35:55.839 --> 00:35:56.279 And your goodness, 00:35:56.419 --> 00:35:56.959 And your love, 00:35:57.359 --> 00:35:57.799 Then, 00:35:58.859 --> 00:35:59.639 Then, 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:03.819 When Corinthians would say, 00:36:03.899 --> 00:36:04.719 It's like that picture, 00:36:05.959 --> 00:36:06.679 Your work, 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:09.719 It doesn't matter if it's a success, 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.319 Or a failure, 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:12.119 It doesn't matter how great it is, 00:36:12.339 --> 00:36:14.199 If you're doing it with a heart for Christ, 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:16.960 Then God will display it, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:19.359 On His wall, 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:22.039 And He will show all the angels, 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.739 Look what my child did, 00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:26.859 Look what my child did, 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:30.299 And I think part of the rewards, 00:36:30.379 --> 00:36:31.279 Of the new creation, 00:36:31.419 --> 00:36:32.159 Will be the joy, 00:36:32.239 --> 00:36:33.000 Of being honored, 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:34.199 By the King of Kings, 00:36:34.819 --> 00:36:36.839 For what we did in this life, 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:38.299 In our weak, 00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:39.579 Perishable, 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:41.000 Dishonored bodies, 00:36:41.799 --> 00:36:43.719 Knowing that it's only because of Him, 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.099 Looking to Him, 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:46.299 His smile, 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:48.779 To persevere, 00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:51.019 With whatever's going on in your life, 00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.639 Work for Him, 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:54.279 Because the future is Him, 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:56.659 Live to be like Him, 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:58.400 Because that is our future, 00:36:59.099 --> 00:36:59.699 Let's pray, 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.099 Father, 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.980 You made us, 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.079 To be, 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.420 A little reflection, 00:37:13.879 --> 00:37:14.659 A smile, 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:16.159 That reflects that of you, 00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:20.099 Forgive me when, 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.900 I make the world about me, 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:25.139 But your resurrection, 00:37:25.359 --> 00:37:25.900 It shows us, 00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:27.019 That the world is about you, 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:30.859 But when we see, 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:31.859 Those glimpses of glory, 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.980 Help us to actually, 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:35.739 Give you the thanks, 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.900 Not just to take the credit, 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:39.420 For the successes for myself, 00:37:39.639 --> 00:37:41.139 But to give you the glory, 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.219 When things go well, 00:37:43.279 --> 00:37:44.219 When things go badly, 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.759 To give it all to you, 00:37:46.760 --> 00:37:47.980 Knowing that you, 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.920 You transform, 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:49.940 And use, 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:52.340 Whatever we've given, 00:37:53.220 --> 00:37:55.260 Not because we're trying to earn it, 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:56.020 From your pleasure, 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:58.160 Because you already smile on us, 00:37:58.360 --> 00:37:59.620 Because of Jesus, 00:38:01.100 --> 00:38:03.560 Help us to enjoy your smile, 00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:05.140 To remember your smile, 00:38:05.140 --> 00:38:06.120 As we go to work, 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:08.200 As we go into our lives, 00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:08.940 Into our homes, 00:38:09.060 --> 00:38:09.940 Into our families, 00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:12.280 And to allow, 00:38:12.740 --> 00:38:14.099 That smiling face, 00:38:14.619 --> 00:38:15.460 Of Christ, 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.539 To be what motivates us, 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.700 To smile back at you, 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.440 Thank you for your love, 00:38:22.880 --> 00:38:23.360 Your name, 00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.159 Amen, 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:24.240 Amen, 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:25.239 Amen,