WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:10.500 ! Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:12.419 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.439 I need God just as much as you do. So let's talk about this together. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:43.500 So it's summertime right now, correct? And you may have felt that outside. 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:52.340 It's the dog days of summer. Now for me, when I look at summertime, I think of movies. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:59.159 And my first job ever was in a movie theater. And my second job was at a rental, a movie rental place. 00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:03.119 A lot of y'all don't know what that is, kids. We used to have to go rent movies physically. 00:01:03.839 --> 00:01:09.280 And it was really fun. But there were always these blockbuster movies. 00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:13.179 And I remember waiting for Batman to come out when I was working at the theater. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:16.459 And I got to get the poster. And I still have the poster at my house. 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:21.319 And it was wonderful. Like that anticipation of the next big movie. 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:28.199 And this summer, we've had Jurassic Park. Spoiler alert, it could have been 30 minutes. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:31.239 So maybe watch that one on Netflix. 00:01:32.920 --> 00:01:37.280 I saw Superman. I really enjoyed Superman. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:43.560 And recently I watched, it was one of those rent at home, but it was still in the theater movies. 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:45.979 Another superhero movie that I didn't know anything about. 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:47.840 And it really caught me off guard. 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:50.459 And it's about this group of misfits. 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:53.339 And they're haunted by their dark pasts. 00:01:54.039 --> 00:01:57.419 And they're kind of the leftovers of the superheroes. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:59.500 The not-so-superheroes. 00:01:59.539 --> 00:02:03.759 And they're trying to figure out if they can make a difference at all in this world. 00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:05.159 Do anything more than make mistakes. 00:02:05.919 --> 00:02:07.199 And it was really great. 00:02:07.259 --> 00:02:12.439 And what surprised me about it was how it unexpectedly explored loneliness. 00:02:12.439 --> 00:02:17.039 And when speaking about loneliness, one of the main characters says, 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:19.439 You can't stuff it down. 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:22.500 You can't hold it in all alone. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:23.639 No one can. 00:02:24.400 --> 00:02:25.740 We have to let it out. 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:27.759 We have to spend time together. 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:30.879 And even if it doesn't make the emptiness go away, 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:33.419 I promise you, it will feel lighter. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:39.679 And then there's this chilling scene where one of the main characters is trapped by his own loneliness. 00:02:40.179 --> 00:02:43.139 And he has to fight himself to battle the loneliness. 00:02:43.319 --> 00:02:47.899 And the movie does this great job of showing the battle by turning them into two characters 00:02:47.899 --> 00:02:51.679 that are literally fighting with their fists, but also with their words. 00:02:52.359 --> 00:02:53.619 And it goes like this. 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:58.560 He says, I was going to show everyone that I was more than something. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:02:59.319 You know, and they're fighting. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:00.279 Boom, boom. 00:03:00.679 --> 00:03:02.539 To which the loneliness responds. 00:03:02.539 --> 00:03:07.719 The most shameful thing of all is thinking that you could be anything more than nothing. 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:10.659 You don't matter to anyone. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:13.979 And then for a moment, you see this glimmer of hope. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.899 And the character gets this gumption up to strike back. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:20.359 And he says, I'm stronger than you. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:24.359 To which the loneliness replies, let's see. 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:29.459 You thought you were going to be some great man, some savior. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:31.539 You can't even save yourself. 00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:35.419 We will always be alone. 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:39.400 You ever felt alone? 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:47.580 Right now, connection is supposedly easier than ever before. 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:52.659 Because we are more digitally connected than any generation before us. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:04:02.939 But somehow, we are more divided, more suspicious of one another, more isolated, and more alone than ever before. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:08.740 Recent studies have found that nearly half of U.S. adults say that they feel lonely. 00:04:09.579 --> 00:04:16.259 Among younger adults, nearly 30% feel lonely on a weekly basis. 00:04:16.259 --> 00:04:23.259 In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health epidemic. 00:04:24.219 --> 00:04:28.259 Citing its health impact as equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:36.920 One in five practicing Christians report feeling lonely every day and 10% constantly lonely. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:45.560 And among pastors, 65% admit to feeling lonely and isolated. 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:52.019 One time, I was in a spin class, the bike class. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:58.959 And the teacher decided to only play Taylor Swift songs for the entire hour or 45 minutes. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:02.439 I was the only guy in the class. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:08.899 And I don't know if you've listened to Taylor Swift, but I don't think she likes dudes that much in her songs. 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:13.879 So, I'll never forget three songs in. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:17.399 And after the song ended, one of the girls looks at me. 00:05:17.459 --> 00:05:19.759 All I've been doing, mind you, is just riding a spin bike. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:23.019 She looks over at me after the song's over and goes, yeah, Derek! 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:29.379 All of that angst channeled right at me because I was the only guy in the room. 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:31.319 And I felt alone. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:32.659 Very alone. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:34.120 Nowhere to go. 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:35.779 Strapped to a spin bike. 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:42.560 One time, though more serious, I wrongfully lost a job. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:45.139 I'd be up in the middle of the night. 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:46.680 I couldn't sleep. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:48.199 Feeling sad. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:49.379 Feeling alone. 00:05:50.280 --> 00:05:52.399 Feeling like there's nobody that I could talk to. 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:55.680 What do you do with your loneliness? 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:58.620 How do you deal with your loneliness? 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:04.240 One of the common ways that people deal with their loneliness is through distractions. 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:07.160 Like keeping busy and just not thinking about it. 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:09.379 As someone in our church once said to me, 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:16.339 we spend money we don't have to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't like. 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:20.079 Sometimes we scroll. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:23.019 Sometimes we swipe and we search. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:25.040 And we're really longing to belong. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:29.779 And even inside the church, people sit next to each other right now. 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:32.459 And they may feel very, very unknown. 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:34.019 Maybe that's you. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.459 Where do you feel lonely? 00:06:37.659 --> 00:06:39.679 Maybe it is that thought in the middle of the night. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:42.519 Is everything going to be okay? 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:45.939 Or that weight of I just lost my job and feel like a failure. 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:49.239 Or maybe you're angry and you feel alone in your anger. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:51.259 You're jealous of people that are happier than you. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:54.079 Maybe you've had a fight with your spouse and you feel alone in it. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.399 Maybe it's something good. 00:06:57.159 --> 00:07:00.560 Like you're starting something new in your life or career. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:03.479 And you just feel alone and isolated. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:04.639 People can't understand. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.560 Or maybe you've lost a loved one. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:11.579 And you just feel lonely or that shame from doing something wrong. 00:07:11.919 --> 00:07:13.779 And you don't feel like you can talk about it. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.419 So you just don't. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:17.399 And you just keep going. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:18.799 Alone. 00:07:21.299 --> 00:07:22.219 Superheroes feel it. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:24.480 You and I feel it. 00:07:25.320 --> 00:07:26.360 Church feels it. 00:07:27.580 --> 00:07:35.820 And there's good news that it's into this world of loneliness and isolation that Jesus prays for something totally different. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.580 Something better. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:39.400 Something complete. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:44.920 Not rooted in screens or likes or comments or failures or shame or isolation. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:47.440 But something rooted only in him. 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:52.000 So it's right after the Last Supper. 00:07:52.220 --> 00:07:53.900 To give you context to where we're jumping in. 00:07:54.020 --> 00:07:56.980 It's right before Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:59.580 And then is arrested and taken to be crucified. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.080 And he knew what was coming. 00:08:03.320 --> 00:08:06.080 And when you know that your life is about to be over. 00:08:06.760 --> 00:08:08.940 You think about the most important things. 00:08:10.080 --> 00:08:14.340 And here we get a glimpse of what Jesus is thinking about through the words in his prayer. 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:18.139 So I want you to imagine that you're there listening in. 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:19.719 Now he's prayed right before this. 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:20.799 He's going to pray after this. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.339 We're jumping in to a little piece of that. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.019 We're just listening to this piece of the prayer. 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:26.319 What's he praying? 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:28.299 What's he thinking about? 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:30.379 What's he praying for? 00:08:30.479 --> 00:08:31.439 Let's listen in. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:35.000 I do not ask for these only. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.820 But also for those who will believe in me through their word. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:41.159 That they may all be one. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.279 Just as you, Father, are in me. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.860 And I in you. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:47.179 That they also may be in us. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:50.820 So that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:55.540 Now this is an excerpt of what's called the high priestly prayer. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:57.800 Jesus has been praying for his apostles. 00:08:58.420 --> 00:09:01.440 Who are going to bring the word all around the world. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:05.400 He's been praying that he would be glorified with his father. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:08.160 With the glory that he had before the world was created. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:12.580 And now he's moved on to pray for who? 00:09:13.640 --> 00:09:14.820 Who's he praying for here? 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:19.060 I'll watch the clock. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:20.560 Anybody? 00:09:21.820 --> 00:09:22.460 Us. 00:09:22.900 --> 00:09:25.160 This prayer is for us. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:29.360 Those who will believe through the words of those. 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.300 The apostles. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:32.580 Okay. 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:33.440 And that's us. 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:34.940 We're here gathered today. 00:09:35.040 --> 00:09:35.980 We're reading this. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:38.300 This is for us. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:42.720 So this prayer is pulling into a much bigger story. 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:43.860 All right. 00:09:43.900 --> 00:09:46.880 And it's the origin story of union. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:47.980 Union. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:48.480 Okay. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:50.540 What does that mean when I say union? 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:57.500 Union is this spiritual oneness that believers have with Jesus. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.940 The resurrected Jesus. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.420 The glorified Jesus. 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:01.280 With God. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:05.740 It's more than merely an association or like a friendship. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.800 Jesus is my friend. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:07.639 And I can talk to him. 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:07.639 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:13.699 There's this mysterious, inseparable connection that's beautiful. 00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:15.779 Because God is spirit. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:16.899 Okay. 00:10:16.979 --> 00:10:18.740 So there's this interconnectedness. 00:10:19.479 --> 00:10:24.779 Union is a oneness that mirrors the union that God has with himself. 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:27.899 You've heard of this referred to as the Holy Trinity. 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:28.539 Okay. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:30.319 Where God is one. 00:10:30.839 --> 00:10:31.959 God is three. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:35.039 Each of the persons is fully God. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.959 And each person is distinct from the others. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:44.920 And the three persons are eternally related to one another as father and son and Holy Spirit. 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:54.399 And when you believe in Jesus, you are supernaturally joining the family of the Godhead. 00:10:55.240 --> 00:11:02.579 And becoming then spiritually knit together, not only with Jesus through the Holy Spirit, but also with each other. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.679 That's where you get that phrase born again. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:07.259 Jesus comes into your heart and you're made new. 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:08.479 New life. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.639 The old is gone. 00:11:09.739 --> 00:11:10.579 The new has come. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:15.759 And nothing can separate you from that spiritual oneness with him. 00:11:15.859 --> 00:11:16.559 He's in you. 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:17.559 You're in him. 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:18.439 He's in the Father. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:19.279 The Father's in him. 00:11:19.359 --> 00:11:20.299 The Holy Spirit's in him. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.059 Everybody's together. 00:11:23.239 --> 00:11:23.579 Okay. 00:11:23.739 --> 00:11:25.099 And he dwells in you. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.759 This is why Galatians 2.20 says, 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:34.840 I've been crucified with Christ and it's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:11:35.679 --> 00:11:36.000 Right? 00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:42.819 The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:47.039 So in the Trinity, there's always been this perfect union. 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:48.299 Okay? 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:54.019 The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, they delight in each other in perfect love, perfect glory. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:57.340 In the Garden of Eden, even, okay? 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:59.840 God shared his space with humanity. 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:09.800 Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in perfect fellowship and they were unashamed and they were not afraid and they were fully known and they were fully loved. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.540 But then something happened, right? 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.000 Sin entered the world. 00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:17.460 Union was shattered. 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:21.700 Death entered through that sin and loneliness was not far behind. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:25.019 Adam and Eve then hid in shame. 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:27.220 They blamed one another. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:29.060 They covered themselves. 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:31.620 Their connection with God and each other was broken. 00:12:32.660 --> 00:12:36.320 And ever since then, we've been living in the ache of that loss. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:40.240 So God is the origin story of union. 00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:43.780 And Eden is the origin story of loneliness. 00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:50.320 And Jesus is praying for the complete reversal of that loss. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:13:00.320 He's praying for a restoration that will happen through a oneness with him, leading to a oneness with one another. 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:04.120 A connection that is not merely superficial, but it is supernatural. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:06.120 It's not just an association. 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:18.019 It's something where you can be fully known and fully loved in all of your mistakes, still accepted and loved far greater than you could possibly imagine. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:25.399 Because it's the love that God himself has with himself shared through his people to one another and to the world. 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:29.240 Now, the Bible gives us examples of how this looks. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:32.559 If you've read the book of Acts, you will see this. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:37.439 It's that believers started to share their possessions and see them as not their own. 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:41.359 And they started to share their burdens and their failures. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:46.439 And there was a connection that led towards restoration with one another. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:49.220 So they could bear truth to one another. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.160 Hard truths. 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:51.880 They could carry burdens with each other. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:57.800 All for the sake of becoming more like Jesus and sharing his love into this world. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:01.840 Now, don't you long for those kinds of friendships? 00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:05.400 I do. 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:09.100 And the reason we long for them is because they're true. 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.520 They do exist. 00:14:11.140 --> 00:14:12.620 And that's God's original design. 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:13.680 Okay? 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:21.699 And Jesus is now praying it forward into this reality that can be lived out through us with one another. 00:14:22.699 --> 00:14:24.139 Okay, but his prayer's not over. 00:14:24.219 --> 00:14:25.639 Let's keep listening into this prayer. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:26.659 He says, 00:14:26.739 --> 00:14:31.459 He doesn't ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:35.979 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:41.699 that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you've sent me. 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:48.740 So he prays for lonely hearts to be restored to God's original design of union. 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:57.180 But he's also praying for his church, his people, the holy Catholic church, as we said earlier, 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:59.540 to be a home for the lonely. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.379 A preview of heaven. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.220 Okay? 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:07.160 So that the world may believe that you have sent me. 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:09.600 So here it's interesting. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:13.360 Jesus is giving the answer to the why of everything that he did. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:17.259 Through the church, the world gets a preview of heaven. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:20.700 A place where God's love is really felt. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:23.220 Where there's a connection to Christ and to each other. 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:27.200 And it becomes a home where people don't have to fight their battles alone. 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:29.840 God gives us himself. 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:32.379 God gives us each other. 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:36.240 Now, if you look in the front of your bulletin, it's not the sticky note. 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.000 We'll tell you about that later. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.080 If you look at the front of your bulletin, there's a quote. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.720 I'm going to read that. 00:15:42.140 --> 00:15:43.720 This is from a guy named Sam Alberry. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:47.220 And speaking of this togetherness, here's what he says. 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:52.240 Through being in Christ, we come to know God as our Father. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:56.560 Which also means coming to know his people as our brothers and sisters. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:16:02.300 Being part of the people of God is not some optional in-app purchase we can choose to make 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:04.019 after we've already become Christians. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:08.460 Being in Christ means being a part of others who are also in him. 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:11.800 We don't get him without them. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.860 We don't get him without them. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.720 You see that? 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:22.379 That union with Christ always has in mind and includes union with his people. 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.919 And that kind of oneness is not optional. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.519 It's also not easy. 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.600 Okay? 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.720 But it is essential. 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:34.740 And the world offers a counterfeit. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:39.300 Tim Keller puts it bluntly like this. 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:42.560 The world says be careful who you hang out with. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:48.039 Make sure you only hang out with people of the same income level so nobody's asking you for money. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:53.939 Make sure you hang out with people with the same golf handicap and dress size so you don't feel too inferior. 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:59.559 Hang out with people who are connected so they can help you with your agenda in life. 00:17:00.119 --> 00:17:04.940 Hang out with people who aren't too messed up so they won't always be calling you and talking about their problems. 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.559 That's what the world says. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:08.519 Do you know what happens though? 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:13.039 When the bottom falls out of your life you'll find that there's nobody there for you. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.920 Do you know why? 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:18.359 Because all of your so-called friends were friends you chose. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.420 People you didn't have to invest in. 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:22.220 Because you didn't invest anything. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:24.660 Now that you have a need there's nothing to withdraw. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:28.279 They're not committed to you and you're not radically committed to them. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.879 Christians are different. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:31.819 They love with their things. 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:33.420 That's why it's visible. 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.639 Do we? 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:34.700 Do we? 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:34.819 Do we? 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:39.160 That's convicting isn't it? 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:43.779 But Jesus doesn't just leave us sitting there in conviction. 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:46.400 He prays for a better way here. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:49.299 A way that starts when we're rooted in him. 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:54.440 We've got this new tree that we put in place of an old playground. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:18:01.180 And the most important thing about Princess is her name is that she establishes roots. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:05.240 And from those roots she will grow. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.960 And that's the most important thing. 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.259 And it's no different with us. 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:15.380 When we establish ourselves and our roots in our union with Christ provided through his Holy Spirit. 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:21.220 Then his love is going to show and it's going to flow through us. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:26.440 Southwood, how are we doing with that? 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:34.660 Does our union with Christ make a difference in how we live? 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:39.720 Does our unity show the love of God to the world? 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:48.779 Are we really places of restoration for one another in this world of shame and failure and loneliness? 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:53.299 And what does that mean? 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.360 Think about God's love. 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:56.420 Are we a place for God's love to each other? 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.900 I like to ask myself this question. 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.600 What does that mean? 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:02.680 What does God's love, what does that feel like? 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:04.079 What does that look like lived out? 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.759 I mean, you see it in the book of Acts. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:09.200 But for me, I have to go to things that happen in my life. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.339 These little snapshots. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.619 And underneath them, I can see God in them. 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:15.200 And I think he's given me a glimpse of what it could be in a bigger way. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.599 For example, a newborn baby. 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:24.680 If any of you have ever held a newborn baby, there's a peace feeling that comes from that, right? 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:28.019 If it's your own, you're like, nobody's mad at each other. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.319 Nobody's hurt each other's feelings yet. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:34.599 I still remember holding John Paul like that when he was little. 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:37.459 And I was like, man, I have not screwed this up yet. 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:40.219 And there was just peace. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:46.859 And I think that's a glimpse of God's love that we can experience in his people. 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:51.439 That there's no enmity and that by the power of God, we can be at peace with one another. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:54.319 And that's something that everybody needs in this world. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:57.019 We can look at each other without enmity. 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:59.119 We have to go through forgiveness trials to get there. 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:03.199 But we can actually live and feel that little peace that you might see when you see a baby. 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.359 That you can feel that when you see somebody else. 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:07.979 Animals. 00:20:08.239 --> 00:20:10.739 I think animals, God uses animals in incredible ways. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:15.019 For me, I like to go stick my head on the couch between my two dachshunds and just sit there. 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:21.660 And there's this security and acceptance and joy and happiness that comes in that little moment. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.859 And animals, you know, they love you unconditionally. 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.299 Right? 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.680 God loves you unconditionally. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:29.599 He gives us these creatures to show us things about himself. 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:33.519 And so animal snuggles to me are rest. 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.579 Okay? 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:39.680 And I really think that by the power of God, we can be a place of rest. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:43.480 That when you see someone or you're at dinner with that person, you're not afraid about going to dinner with them. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:45.740 And you're like, oh, man, I love to be around them. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:46.940 Right? 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.299 God gives us a glimpse of that. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:50.460 And it comes from a rest in Christ. 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:55.160 But we can be a place of rest in the chaos for each other and for this world. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:57.360 And then also a house. 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.099 Think about when you were a kid. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.400 Maybe some of you experienced this. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.099 Some may not have. 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:04.500 But let's imagine that you were a kid. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:07.539 And you were able to go out and play all day. 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:10.559 And no matter what happened, you knew that you could come back home. 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.559 Okay? 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.839 Because it was going to be safe at home. 00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:16.559 And you were going to be accepted and at peace and rested. 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:20.220 And that home was committed to you. 00:21:21.419 --> 00:21:26.679 And I think that by the power of God, that's a little bit of a glimpse of God's love, too, that we can be. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:31.500 Where we can be at rest and at peace and committed to each other no matter what. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.819 We have the best interests of each other's in mind. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:36.919 And when you go through a problem, you're not afraid to talk about it. 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:39.980 Because you know someone's going to be there to help you get to the other side of it. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:43.639 And that all mirrors the love of God. 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:49.059 And that helps me think about what we could maybe be to each other by his power. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:53.700 And you might be hearing this and thinking, man, I feel that. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.899 I want to help make this church better. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.919 I want more people to know Jesus. 00:21:58.119 --> 00:22:00.379 But honestly, I'm overwhelmed. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.259 I'm tapped out. 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.000 I'm burnt out. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:04.099 I feel guilty about what I'm not doing. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.339 I really want this. 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:07.240 But I don't even know where to start, Derek. 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:11.440 And maybe your thoughts sound more like this. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.599 I can't do this. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:17.599 Thank you so much for telling me another thing I can't do, Derek. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:21.940 I don't even know how to be a safe place to my own friends or my own family. 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:27.119 And how am I supposed to be a preview of heaven to a broken world? 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.519 Really? 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.920 And listen, I get that. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:38.220 If that's where your mind is right now, one of those places somewhere in between, I get that. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:42.240 But I want to gently say that you're probably missing the point of Jesus' prayer. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:46.080 If that's where you're staying in your head. 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:49.180 Because he's not asking you to be the answer to his prayer. 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:54.759 He's saying you already are the story that he's telling. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.960 Okay? 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.620 He's prayed that forward. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:01.960 And yes, this world is a mess. 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.400 He knows that. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.400 The church is imperfect. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:09.100 And nobody is meant to do this on their own. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.519 But here's the good news. 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.820 Jesus is not confused. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.560 He's not wringing his hands. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:16.980 He's not disappointed in your exhaustion. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:19.419 He knew exactly who he was praying for. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.639 And he prayed anyway. 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:23.779 Because you are precious to him. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.339 Like that newborn. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.279 And you're not the light. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.279 You're the lamp that he fills. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.059 You're the vessel. 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:34.859 Okay? 00:23:35.719 --> 00:23:40.919 So maybe instead of trying harder, let's let ourselves off the hook here a little bit. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.539 And maybe we just need to come closer. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:47.979 Because here's the deep truth beneath all of it. 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:50.899 Loneliness is not the end of the story. 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:52.219 Jesus is. 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.979 Loneliness may be loud. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.699 But it is not final. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:24:00.119 And Jesus' prayer is already answered. 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:05.479 He prayed union into our separation and loneliness. 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.699 And you might wonder, okay then. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.099 So where do I start? 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:15.039 And I could tell you, you just need to lead a grace group and join a grace group. 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:16.239 And then all of that will happen. 00:24:17.719 --> 00:24:18.319 I could. 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:21.939 I could say go help with the children's ministry. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:24.079 And the kids that you stand up every time somebody gets baptized. 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.119 I'm going to help raise them. 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:25.859 What's their name again? 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:29.519 You know, I could say go do all those things. 00:24:30.439 --> 00:24:32.000 And they're very good things. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.919 And we need to do those things. 00:24:34.479 --> 00:24:37.299 But I don't think it's where you start necessarily. 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.059 Okay? 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:41.599 You got to start at the most important thing and then flow from there. 00:24:41.699 --> 00:24:42.299 The roots. 00:24:42.719 --> 00:24:42.959 Okay? 00:24:44.479 --> 00:24:47.959 And what did Jesus start with? 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.879 Rather than focusing on what he said in this passage, what is he doing? 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.619 He's praying, right? 00:24:55.659 --> 00:24:56.879 He's about to die. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:25:03.440 And he's crying out to his father in the midst of that chaos. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:08.420 And I think that's where we start in our chaos. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:15.259 And all of those things I mentioned about church are so important to find community in different things. 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:20.259 But we've got to start with our roots where Jesus was showing us. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:22.620 Crying out to our father in the chaos. 00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:23.980 Okay? 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:25.420 That's not easy to do for me. 00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:29.720 If you look in your bulletin, there's a QR code in the notes section. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:38.400 And I made a resource for myself that shows all the things, or at least like, I think it's like 50 things, that are true when I'm in Jesus. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:40.960 That I don't necessarily believe. 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:52.079 And with all the bad in the world that I could talk about that's not really good that is also true, simultaneously true at the same time, are the things that are given as gifts to us through Christ. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.799 Who we are. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:26:01.460 And so I'm trying to just, you might see me taking this piece of paper around with me when I'm in a meeting or in a moment and my head goes south. 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:06.059 I've got to look at this and remember, this is who I am at the same time. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:08.879 So I'm offering that to you as a resource if it helps you. 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:10.419 There's, I think, some in the back. 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:12.279 But in case that's helpful. 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.339 Oh, you're welcome. 00:26:14.399 --> 00:26:15.259 Because it's hard for me. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.019 Thank you. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:23.420 And so that's what I'm trying to do to get my head to remember who I am in Jesus and remember these truths simultaneously in the midst of the chaos. 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.759 And then bring him in there. 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:32.319 But also, what does it look like to go to him in prayer, you know, and start with prayer and go from there, so to speak. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.839 It may be that you don't have union with him. 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:36.079 I don't know. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:40.059 Like, if you've never given your life to Jesus, that's a start. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.139 That's the place to start. 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.720 And it's a long journey. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.100 I did that when I was 16. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.660 And think about this. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:54.440 This verse is what I've been praying, Acts 4.13, for this church recently and for myself. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.660 Because you think sometimes you've got to have it all together. 00:26:57.740 --> 00:27:01.519 You've got to have everything in your head figured out and how to talk about Jesus. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:01.819 No. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:07.579 Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated common men. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.299 Thank you. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:09.799 Thank you. 00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:13.059 I don't have to have chat GPT to make you think that I know everything. 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.660 Right? 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:16.140 They were uneducated common men. 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:18.100 They were astonished. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.740 Why? 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:22.480 And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.960 That's my prayer for this church. 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.140 That's my prayer for me. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:29.519 That's my prayer for my family, my friends. 00:27:30.040 --> 00:27:32.580 That people would know that we've been with Jesus. 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.900 That it would make a difference. 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:37.920 It's not by intellect and all the things we got together and the careers and all this and that. 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.840 But by Jesus. 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.560 It makes a difference. 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:48.860 So what if you said, Lord, let me believe the things that are true about me that I forget. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:54.740 By the power of your Holy Spirit, Lord, would you be tangibly present with me today? 00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:01.339 Help me to be sensitive to the people around me that you are using me to encourage. 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:04.500 And please send people to me to encourage me with your love. 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:10.279 Replace my loneliness with your comfort and your presence. 00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:14.240 And help me notice when I need to cry out to you in the chaos. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.439 Just like that song said. 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.439 I will trust in you. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:22.559 Lord, you promised never to leave me lonely. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:25.320 So I'm going to leave it all right here. 00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:27.320 I will trust in you. 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:29.200 Cry out to the Father in the chaos. 00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:31.559 Okay, so plot twist though. 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.720 Like any good movie. 00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:36.559 You're not the answer to Jesus' prayer. 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.960 I guess you're an outflowing of it. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.779 But he answered his own prayer. 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:42.200 Think of that. 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:46.840 Hours after he prayed this, he goes to the cross. 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:50.319 You were on his mind clearly before he died. 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.799 And then he goes to the cross. 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:57.099 The payment for sin is made by his death. 00:28:57.959 --> 00:29:01.240 The invitation into union with God is restored. 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.799 Reversing what happened in Eden. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:06.839 Giving eternal belonging and security. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.419 Loneliness is reversed. 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:13.099 And through faith in him, just believing that it's true. 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.699 And giving your life to it. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:20.180 He says, you are now one with me the way that I'm one with God. 00:29:20.340 --> 00:29:21.779 The way that I am God. 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.180 God is now in you. 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:24.279 You're in me. 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.420 We're in each other. 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.539 I'm here all the time. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.940 As his precious and beloved creation. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.180 So that prayer has been answered. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:33.460 Which is why Galatians 3.28 says this. 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:36.960 There's neither Jew nor Greek nor slave nor free. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.420 Nor male nor female. 00:29:38.600 --> 00:29:40.259 But you are all one. 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.019 In who? 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.160 Christ. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.220 It's not on us. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.960 He took it on him. 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.079 He's already paved the way. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:50.039 It's already a done deal. 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.759 Do we believe it? 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:54.079 Will we live out of that? 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:58.039 So just like any good movie though, there's a little bit more. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.420 Right? 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.600 The credits are rolling. 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.740 And what happens after that end of a superhero movie? 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.940 What do you wait for? 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.400 Get out your phone. 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.960 Is there an after credit sequence on this? 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:09.720 Is there another scene after the credits? 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.400 And there is in this one. 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.800 And it's Revelation 21. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:19.019 One day he's going to wipe away every tear. 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:22.059 And death will be no more. 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:25.240 Behold, I am making all things new. 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.440 It is done. 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:29.460 I'm the alpha and the omega. 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:31.879 The beginning and the end. 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:36.019 Jesus is the beginning and the end. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.039 Loneliness isn't. 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:41.579 And one day all that loneliness that we've battled. 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:44.299 And all that broken relationships and mess. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.019 That you're living in. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:46.480 All the shame and the isolation. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.720 They're going to be gone. 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:51.440 Loneliness is not the end of the story. 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.159 Jesus is. 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:54.339 And his story never ends. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:31:00.139 And through faith, his story becomes our story. 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:03.000 And in that way we become one. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.139 With God and with each other. 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:08.720 And that makes a difference in how we live. 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.399 So back to that superhero movie. 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:17.080 The main character is fighting against his own loneliness. 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:22.420 And the more he fights it alone, the worse it gets. 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:26.080 And he grows darker and darker. 00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:27.420 And it starts to control him. 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:32.000 And is almost going to take complete control of him where he's completely gone. 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:37.759 And his loneliness says, it will always be just us. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:47.579 And then right at the climax of that battle, one of those not so superheroes who's full of mistakes shows up and says, I'm here. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.240 You're not alone. 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:56.700 And at that moment he receives that strength to overcome the loneliness that he's been fighting alone. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:32:01.400 And as powerful, as moving as that was to me, like it really caught me off guard. 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.100 I got emotional. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.440 It was incomplete. 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:08.799 It was incomplete because they were fighting in their own strength. 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.160 Okay. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:16.799 And as we leave today, I want you to remember this in your loneliness or whatever the loneliness is you're in. 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.319 Whatever, fill in the blank. 00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:21.960 Christ not only says, I'm here. 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.299 You're not alone. 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:27.480 But he says, I've already won the battle for you. 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:31.399 And as believers, we don't fight for victory. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.240 Okay. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:34.559 We live from it. 00:32:35.939 --> 00:32:39.659 And because of that, we can cry out to him at any moment. 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:43.619 Help me live as a victor in this moment. 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:46.599 And when we do, we're not just practicing true community. 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:51.679 We're practicing eternity with Christ and with each other. 00:32:52.419 --> 00:32:56.559 And through that oneness, the world gets a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven. 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:59.500 I'm with you in it. 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.659 We're with you in it. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:03.059 God's doing something big with you. 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.039 Don't forget it. 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.159 Let me pray for us. 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:12.219 Father, I pray for your spirit to make these things true and lived out in us. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:16.759 That we may be the love of God to one another, living from your victory. 00:33:17.920 --> 00:33:19.660 Praise you, Jesus, for what you did. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:23.180 Thank you for praying for us and answering the prayer yourself. 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:26.660 God, you always answer and provide on your own. 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:30.319 And you give us the gifts of your provision. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:32.899 Make a difference in our life. 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:34.639 May we look forward to the kingdom of heaven. 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:38.099 And may some today put their faith in you for the first time. 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:40.019 And experience that union. 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.879 Let us be rooted in you. 00:33:42.179 --> 00:33:42.919 Thank you, Lord Jesus. 00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:46.480 We praise you and give you all the glory in Christ's holy name. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.480 Amen. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.619 Amen. 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:52.639 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.