WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.419 Good morning, church family. 00:00:01.760 --> 00:00:04.299 Like Dave said, we're reading from Psalm 96. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:08.040 O sing to the Lord a new song. 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:10.580 Sing to the Lord all the earth. 00:00:11.220 --> 00:00:13.300 Sing to the Lord, bless his name. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:16.160 Tell of his salvation from day to day. 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:19.460 Declare his glory among the nations, 00:00:19.460 --> 00:00:22.580 his marvellous works among all the peoples. 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:27.379 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:30.759 He is to be feared above all gods. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:34.619 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:36.600 but the Lord made the heavens. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:39.840 Splendour and majesty are before him. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:42.960 Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 00:00:44.759 --> 00:00:47.820 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:51.239 Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 00:00:52.259 --> 00:00:55.179 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. 00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:58.259 Bring an offering and come into his courts. 00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:01.820 Worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness. 00:01:02.519 --> 00:01:04.840 Tremble before him all the earth. 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:08.879 Say among the nations, the Lord reigns. 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:11.379 Yes, the world is established. 00:01:12.039 --> 00:01:13.439 It shall never be moved. 00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:15.780 He will judge the peoples with equity. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:20.460 Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:23.500 Let the sea roar and all that fills it. 00:01:23.980 --> 00:01:27.000 Let the fields exult and everything in it. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:32.520 Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord. 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:33.760 For he comes. 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:36.319 For he comes to judge the earth. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:39.159 He will judge the world in righteousness 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:41.819 and the peoples in his faithfulness. 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:50.439 Well, Matt and Grace, you're probably feeling a mixture of things. 00:01:50.739 --> 00:01:53.899 I'm not quite sure what you'll be feeling, but a bit of excitement. 00:01:56.059 --> 00:02:01.319 But I'm also guessing this is one of the most uncertain times of your life 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:03.159 that you've experienced. 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:06.039 With the future, very uncertain. 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:10.080 So this morning we really want to just commend the truths of God's word 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:14.520 that us elders, we know you already know these things. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:17.400 We wouldn't be sending you if you didn't. 00:02:18.040 --> 00:02:23.180 But it's no trouble to us to encourage you to fix your eyes on these things. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:26.360 And it's good for us as a church family to remember these things as well. 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:34.260 So I think as a church family, we're starting a new year. 00:02:34.320 --> 00:02:37.180 I don't know about you, but I'm setting plans for the year. 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:43.420 I consider the hardships that I'm facing, that my brothers and sisters are facing, 00:02:43.540 --> 00:02:45.960 and we want to find meaning and strength in them. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:50.700 And I think in all that, we need to come back to that ultimate question of 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:54.459 if the Lord has delivered us out of the world, 00:02:55.079 --> 00:02:58.019 it would be so much better if we were with Christ right now. 00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:02.280 So why has he got us here, sending us back into the world? 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:05.819 So this morning, yeah, I'm going to be talking to you, Matt and Grace, a lot. 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:10.979 But it's really for our whole church family to be hearing these things as well. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:19.859 So why on earth would you leave all that's familiar, 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:26.319 your country with all the rights and security that are easily accessible, 00:03:26.519 --> 00:03:30.519 and your parents and wider family and taking their granddaughter away, 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:35.819 your home that you built that we love to fill stuff with, 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:40.639 and the comfort and nourishment of belonging to an established church, 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:45.619 why would you leave all that behind and go into the unknown, 00:03:46.619 --> 00:03:49.519 to the people and language and culture you don't know? 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:54.899 You can only plan a few days ahead of you, and even then, that's not certain. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:01.219 You're trying to take on a new skill set from what you've vocationally done thus far. 00:04:02.959 --> 00:04:07.979 And you know that you're going to a people who don't want to hear what you've got to say. 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:13.979 You know that your goal is an impossible task, 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:19.219 that people who are happy living for themselves, apart from God, 00:04:19.599 --> 00:04:21.639 will turn to Christ in faith and joy. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:26.240 What's going to keep you grounded? 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:28.579 How are you going to keep your bearings? 00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:35.819 I think you need to keep clear what the basis of mission is. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.620 What is the fundamental reason you're going? 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:40.639 You've got to keep this clear in your minds. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:44.099 So what is the purpose of mission? 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:47.360 What is the basis of mission in the world? 00:04:47.799 --> 00:04:49.319 I think many Christians might answer, 00:04:49.659 --> 00:04:52.620 because people are lost and in danger of judgment. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:55.019 And that's true. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:59.280 If we were, with our compassion as we went about mission, 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:01.560 someone would be very cold and heartless. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:02.579 Something wouldn't be right. 00:05:02.780 --> 00:05:03.899 But it's not the basis. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.199 The basis is in Psalm 96. 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:12.600 Because from verse 4, 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:38.540 The most basic truth of all reality 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:42.260 is that there is one God, 00:05:42.620 --> 00:05:44.000 Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 00:05:45.760 --> 00:05:48.020 Now, in our present time, 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:49.520 many people are worshipping, 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:52.580 I think, Linal Messi at the moment. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:54.120 After winning the World Cup, 00:05:54.320 --> 00:05:56.240 I saw in the news feed 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:58.580 that one guy got a tattoo of Messi on his forehead. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.200 There's an option. 00:06:01.320 --> 00:06:03.300 You could get Jesus on your forehead if you wanted. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.620 Anyway, that's not in my script. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:07.160 Linal Messi. 00:06:07.160 --> 00:06:08.660 People are worshipping him, 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:09.700 but his splendour. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:11.140 Just consider his splendour. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:12.820 Why people are worshipping this guy. 00:06:13.080 --> 00:06:15.820 It is so limited to a soccer field. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.540 And his splendour is already fading in his 30s. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:23.400 He's going to have to retire soon. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:25.260 And like Pele before him, 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:26.520 he's going to be dead one day. 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:30.000 And people will be cheering for someone else. 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:33.140 People are worshipping this man. 00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:37.699 And what puny splendour. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:41.740 But then compare that to the splendour of the Lord. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:46.680 Like, I got to be in Jindabyne over the Christmas break 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:49.479 and just getting away from the light of the city. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:51.419 Again, you just get the night sky. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:56.000 My dad was trying to film auroras. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:07:00.660 Just the galaxy that praises him. 00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:04.819 The sun that comes up every day declaring his mercy, 00:07:05.640 --> 00:07:07.480 his goodness to mankind. 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:12.240 You just look at the creativity in this room of all the personalities. 00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:17.860 And that's just the reflected glory of God that we see in creation. 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:21.360 Like, what splendour the Lord has. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:25.280 That the oceans roar his greatness. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:27.680 That splendour. 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:34.780 And his majesty is like no other person in authority you've ever met. 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:39.780 Like, some people in authority, you shake before them. 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:44.920 But scripture tells us the people who have got even a glimpse of his majesty 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:46.399 haven't just shaken. 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:50.240 They've fallen down dead as though dead before him. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:53.720 His majesty is that great. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:57.800 All strength belongs to him. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.960 All beauty is from him. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:01.760 It reflects his own beauty. 00:08:01.880 --> 00:08:02.800 He is beauty. 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:10.120 He has made all things to show how glorious he is. 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:17.300 And if even inanimate stars and galaxies and trees sing and oceans roar, 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:20.360 all things were made to worship him, 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:23.600 how much more should men and women and boys and girls 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:29.160 who have the faculties to know him personally be worshipping him? 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:37.279 In light of that, how awful is the current state 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:41.720 of so many people's hearts and the state of the world? 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:48.660 Even here in Newcastle, people were worshipping worthless idols. 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:54.700 Setting themselves up as if they can determine life. 00:08:55.840 --> 00:09:01.500 That what I think equals reality is what our culture is saying here. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:07.180 People were just devoting themselves to worthless things. 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:12.639 And then where you're going, people were bowing down towards a God 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.559 that cannot hear them. 00:09:15.339 --> 00:09:17.659 A God that cannot speak to them. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:19.579 A God that cannot save them. 00:09:22.699 --> 00:09:26.639 The world is in an awful state. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:33.580 The world is worthy of every person and every nation's delight. 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:40.699 And yet, so many are delighting in worthless things. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:47.819 And the Lord takes himself seriously. 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:55.560 He's determined to have all creation respond in ecstatic rejoicing in him alone. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.480 He is so determined to bring this about 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:03.120 that he's brought about a great salvation for all the world. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:09.080 For us who have plunged ourselves into impurity, 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:13.100 he has made a way to wash us clean 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:15.259 through the death of his son 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:18.820 so that we can stand before the splendour of his holiness 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:20.820 and not tremble in dread, 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:22.960 but tremble in delight. 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:25.980 He's made a way. 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:27.620 And he's made a way 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:30.820 for us to know real life 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:32.620 in raising his son from the dead. 00:10:35.300 --> 00:10:36.800 He raises us also. 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:38.279 He has conquered everything. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.740 He is the source of life. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:44.480 He is determined to rescue his people 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:47.620 from every nook and cranny of this world 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.440 so that the whole world might give him the praise 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.759 he is worthy of. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:10:57.000 He wants people to delight in him, 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:59.320 in what is true, 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:00.860 what is good, 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:01.680 what is beautiful. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:07.480 So why does mission exist? 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:11.840 Well, I'm going to quote John Piper here 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:13.460 and there's a little article 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.800 on the second page of the bulletin 00:11:14.800 --> 00:11:16.300 which is well worth your time. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:21.560 Missions exist because worship doesn't. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:26.000 The Lord is worthy of every person 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.220 and every nation's total delight 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:32.460 and he's achieved everything to bring about that 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:34.240 through his son's death and resurrection. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:38.240 Mission exists because worship doesn't. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:42.240 So Matt and Grace, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.440 your task is done, 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:44.659 our task is done 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:47.580 when that day arrives 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:50.639 that's pictured in Revelation chapter 5. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.220 The day is coming, 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.039 it's already begun 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:56.180 but it's going to be brought to completion 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:57.700 when everyone is singing 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:59.060 worthy are you 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:01.299 for you were slain 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:03.599 and by your blood 00:12:03.599 --> 00:12:05.379 you ransomed people for God 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:07.439 from every tribe and language 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:09.059 and people and nation. 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:12.519 When the whole world 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:13.879 is singing with the angels, 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.779 worthy is the lamb 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.699 who was slain 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:19.919 to receive power 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.939 and wealth 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:21.740 and wisdom 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.579 and might 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:23.179 and honour 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.000 and glory 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.679 and blessing 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:26.379 when everyone's saying 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:28.000 life is in 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.279 you 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.620 Lord Jesus. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.399 When that day comes 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:36.620 mission can stop. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.480 When the whole world 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.879 with the ocean roaring 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.939 and the trees singing 00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:44.100 and every human being 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:45.919 singing the praise 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.459 of the one 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.819 who is worthy of all praise 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:50.339 we won't need to be on mission 00:12:50.339 --> 00:12:52.899 and God is determined 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:53.959 to bring that day about. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:55.220 He's done everything 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:57.139 to secure it 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.740 in the death and resurrection 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.340 of his son. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:02.220 So the basis of mission 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:04.259 is that God 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.100 is worthy 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:06.199 of 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:08.159 every person 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.279 and nation's delight. 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.439 He's worthy 00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.220 of all worship. 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:13.059 Christ is 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:13.759 worthy 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.360 to receive 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.059 the reward 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.899 of his suffering. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.539 He was determined 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.259 to bring it about. 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:23.700 So that's the basis. 00:13:24.700 --> 00:13:25.439 So how should we 00:13:25.439 --> 00:13:27.059 considering the next question 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.739 how should we think 00:13:27.739 --> 00:13:28.179 of ourselves 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.659 in this task 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.859 of being sent 00:13:30.859 --> 00:13:31.659 into the world 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.679 to represent God? 00:13:32.739 --> 00:13:33.299 How should we think 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:33.699 of ourselves 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:34.579 in this task 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:34.959 of mission? 00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:37.199 I think Psalm 96 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:38.500 is again 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.599 a great picture 00:13:39.599 --> 00:13:40.099 for us 00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:41.359 in the first verses. 00:13:42.219 --> 00:13:42.959 Oh sing 00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.579 to the Lord 00:13:43.579 --> 00:13:44.359 a new song. 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.879 Sing to the Lord 00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.679 all the earth. 00:13:48.459 --> 00:13:49.239 Sing to the Lord 00:13:49.239 --> 00:13:50.039 bless his name 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:51.219 tell of his salvation 00:13:51.219 --> 00:13:52.239 from day to day 00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:53.819 declare his glory 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.679 among the nations 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.559 his marvellous works 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.599 among all the peoples. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.559 This isn't a description 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.839 of what we call 00:14:01.839 --> 00:14:02.459 missionaries. 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:04.000 This is a description 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.500 of what we call 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.319 a Christian 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:08.000 a believer. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.719 Missions 00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:11.279 isn't 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.120 primarily 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.059 a task 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:13.599 that we have 00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:14.359 to accomplish. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.799 Singing 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:17.620 his praises 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.179 declaring 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:18.939 his glory 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:19.900 is 00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:21.440 just the natural 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.160 overflow. 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:23.960 It's the natural 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.820 response 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.140 to what we've received 00:14:26.140 --> 00:14:27.980 from God 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.620 in Christ. 00:14:29.640 --> 00:14:30.260 It's not that 00:14:30.260 --> 00:14:30.660 I have 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.580 this task 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.600 called telling people 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.160 the gospel 00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:34.140 and I need to find 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:34.980 creative 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.800 manipulative 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.760 ways to 00:14:36.760 --> 00:14:37.700 help them 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.540 buy into it. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.960 That's not what it is. 00:14:40.760 --> 00:14:41.320 It's 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.960 I praise 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.520 his glory 00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:44.360 and I want people 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.500 to join that song. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:49.840 I think it helps 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.559 to realise 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.820 and C.S. Lewis 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.840 helped me 00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.639 grasp this point 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.500 that we all praise. 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:57.100 We all praise 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:57.679 what we love. 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:58.519 We can't help it. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.659 Whether you think 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.860 about what gets 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.600 you excited 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.639 what your mind 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.740 just goes to 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.519 and you love 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.759 thinking and planning 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.860 what 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:10.659 gives you delight 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.720 and what comes 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.440 out of your mouth 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.320 therefore you can't 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.139 help but speak 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.580 about it. 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:15.240 people praise 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.100 books and 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:16.879 restaurants 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.240 and their 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.280 romantic loves 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:21.060 and they praise 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:21.840 like Messias 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.360 talking about. 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:23.840 We can't help it. 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:24.820 Everyone is praising 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.740 praising, praising. 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.400 The only question is 00:15:27.400 --> 00:15:28.980 is it worthy 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.740 of our praise 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.980 and 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:32.540 so a Christian 00:15:32.540 --> 00:15:33.120 is someone 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.460 whose heart 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.040 has just been 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:36.100 captured by the 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:36.720 love of God 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.620 and so they 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.560 naturally just 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:40.060 sing. 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:41.280 It just comes 00:15:41.280 --> 00:15:41.879 out of them 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.019 and not just 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:44.620 sing with our 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.279 words but you 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.120 can just see it 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.259 in our choices 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.919 in our life. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.340 So Matt and 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.120 Grace, this new 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.980 identity that you're 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.519 taking on 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.779 called missionary, 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.559 I'm going to 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.539 suggest to you 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:02.539 that that's not 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.399 fundamentally who 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.019 you are, 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.220 missionary, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:08.220 because the 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.740 Lord might 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.899 decide you're 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.340 only going to 00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:11.060 be overseas 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.980 for a couple 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.440 of weeks. 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.220 We don't 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.720 know or it 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.060 could be the 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.460 rest of your 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.779 lives but it's 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.420 not fundamentally 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:19.160 who you are. 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:20.840 He wants you to 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.500 sing his praises 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.740 wherever you are. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.600 You have already 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.360 been singing his 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.980 praises since the 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.799 time that Christ 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:30.539 has captured your 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.019 hearts. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.320 So I think just 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.159 get that clear in 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.940 your minds that 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.940 you already are 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:39.180 singing his 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.180 praises and you 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:41.000 always will be for 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.460 eternity. 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:42.860 The title 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.100 missionary will 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.240 come and go but 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.600 that's not 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.279 fundamentally who 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:47.659 you are. 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:53.839 And I think 00:16:53.839 --> 00:16:55.299 the other thing 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.139 we should be 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.459 thinking for 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.199 ourselves is the 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:58.279 desire for others 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.079 to delight in the 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:00.459 Lord only comes 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:01.219 when we 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:02.659 ourselves are 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.519 delighting in 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:03.899 the Lord. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.920 The fuel of 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.359 mission is your 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.559 own delight in 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:08.960 the Lord. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.059 As Piper puts 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.859 it, you can't 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.779 commend what you 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.119 don't cherish. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:16.700 So Matt and 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.200 Grace again, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.420 you've got lots 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.460 of tasks ahead 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.000 of you that are 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.700 on your mind 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.680 like learning 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.519 language and 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.480 finding a place 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.900 to live and so 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.600 many other things 00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.860 that are going 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.420 on, how to 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.620 raise Rachel in 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.160 a different 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.900 culture with 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:32.620 different temptations 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.220 and different 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.120 challenges. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.299 But can I just 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.200 urge you to put 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:40.340 one task before 00:17:40.340 --> 00:17:41.480 you always because 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.519 this one task 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.180 will empower and 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.059 guide every other 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.680 thing you need to 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:45.900 do. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.460 and that is to 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.180 know the Lord 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:49.280 more and more 00:17:49.280 --> 00:17:50.400 and more because 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.100 the more you 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:51.960 delight in him, 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.460 the more your 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.120 life will 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:55.220 demonstrate that 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:57.140 he is worthy 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.940 of everything. 00:18:00.540 --> 00:18:02.040 So know him 00:18:02.040 --> 00:18:02.680 more and more 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:04.500 in good times 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.120 and in bad. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.159 God. 00:18:08.219 --> 00:18:09.039 And I think it's 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.659 when you know 00:18:09.659 --> 00:18:10.199 him more and 00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:10.779 more, that's 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.159 when your 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.000 compassion for 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.639 the people you're 00:18:12.639 --> 00:18:13.279 going to will 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:13.959 actually be 00:18:13.959 --> 00:18:14.479 sustained. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.239 I might say an 00:18:18.239 --> 00:18:18.939 outrageous thing 00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:19.119 here. 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:21.359 I don't think we 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.879 in and of 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.899 ourselves have the 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.719 compassion to 00:18:23.719 --> 00:18:24.439 want people to be 00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:24.779 saved. 00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:26.039 It's only when we 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.219 come to the God 00:18:27.219 --> 00:18:29.000 who has that 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:29.659 compassion for 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.339 people, that's 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:30.979 when we're filled 00:18:30.979 --> 00:18:34.119 with him to want 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:34.939 people to know 00:18:34.939 --> 00:18:35.199 him. 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:37.000 So keep knowing 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.619 him more and 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:37.859 more. 00:18:38.719 --> 00:18:39.579 Delight in him 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.879 and that will 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.739 sustain you through 00:18:41.739 --> 00:18:42.519 whatever hardships 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:44.979 you face and it 00:18:44.979 --> 00:18:45.759 will maintain your 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.239 compassion. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.299 compassion. 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:50.759 The last thing I'll 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:54.759 say is because you 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.900 are called to sing 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.880 and declare his 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.599 praises, I think 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.859 that also transforms 00:18:58.859 --> 00:18:59.980 how you measure 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.720 success. 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.559 You can't guarantee 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.339 any results. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.740 I think we often 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.240 think that God wants 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.359 results like the 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.620 world measures 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:12.240 results in numbers 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.400 and money and power 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:14.220 and influence and 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.759 things like that. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.859 He made the 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.200 heavens. 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.619 He doesn't need 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.000 all that. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.160 He owns all 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:22.400 that. 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:27.700 So he doesn't 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.839 need those results. 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.140 Results is 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.980 completely up to 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.240 him. 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.079 You can't 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.200 guarantee any of 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.400 that. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.339 So what does 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.180 success look like 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:38.180 then if it's not 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.640 tangible results 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.140 necessarily? 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:43.820 Well, it looks 00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:45.980 like, let me 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.560 reframe the 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:47.640 question, how 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:49.020 you glorify God, 00:19:49.080 --> 00:19:50.060 is it by results? 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:51.940 No, I think you 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.940 will glorify God 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:55.780 when your life is 00:19:55.780 --> 00:19:57.560 showing that his 00:19:57.560 --> 00:19:59.560 love is better 00:19:59.560 --> 00:20:00.120 than life. 00:20:01.800 --> 00:20:03.000 You will glorify 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.380 him when you can 00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.720 show others that he 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.640 is your delight. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:09.520 And that means 00:20:09.520 --> 00:20:11.680 that even when 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.440 things go really 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.720 bad, even in the 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.980 hardship and losses 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.380 and whatever 00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:17.240 rejection you 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:19.800 receive, even 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.440 when you're facing 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.800 your own death and 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.500 losing everything, 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.080 if your heart can 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.640 still say, your 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.820 love is better 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:29.100 than life, that's 00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:29.580 success. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.580 You're bringing 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.400 glory to him. 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:37.519 So the grace of 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:39.220 God has taken 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.120 us out of the 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:42.519 world and brought 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.640 us into a new 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.680 humanity in Christ 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.480 and we've been sent 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.519 back into the world 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.960 to be embodied 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.440 witnesses to the 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.380 heavenly life that 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.000 we've found in 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:51.759 belonging to Jesus. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:54.100 So the last thing I 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.720 want to say, Matt 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:56.519 and Grace, is can 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.100 you pray for us as 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:58.780 a church family? 00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:01.700 It's not so much 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.559 that we need to be 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.359 committed to 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:05.079 supporting you, it's 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:06.899 more, pray that we 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:08.420 would know the 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.859 Lord more and 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:11.480 more and more so 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.119 that we as a 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.139 church will delight 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:15.039 in him and just 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.539 naturally overflow in 00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:17.700 his praise and want 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.579 him to be honoured in 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.440 all the world because 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.339 that's when we will 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:22.399 be of good use and 00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:23.379 good partnership to 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:23.639 you. 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.759 Why don't I pray 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.160 and then we're going 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:28.599 to sing. 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:30.519 And have a Bible 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:30.980 reading and then 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.039 David will continue. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:40.200 Father, we don't 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.660 desire your glory 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.079 anywhere near as 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.799 much as we should. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.619 So I pray that you 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:47.039 would fill us with 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.460 yourself. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.639 I pray as a church 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:50.440 family and for Matt 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.139 and Grace that you 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:53.779 would reveal yourself 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.839 more and more through 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.139 your son so that we 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:57.519 might cherish you 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.539 with all our heart 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:01.139 and therefore want 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.160 you to be honoured 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.700 as you so rightly 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:06.039 deserve in all the 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.339 world. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.839 So fill us with 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.539 yourself, I pray. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.359 Amen. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:39.339 Thank you.