WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:18.019 Thanks, DJ, for helping to lead us before God's throne. 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:20.199 I want to stay there this morning. 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:26.179 We're going to get back in just a little bit to our study of John's gospel. 00:00:26.940 --> 00:00:29.640 Lord willing, we will finish this spring. 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:32.039 I know some of you don't believe that, but we will. 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:37.560 But today, I wanted to get back to basics. 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:43.679 At the beginning of a new year, I want us to talk a little bit about why we are here. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.500 What's our why, so to speak? 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:55.200 What motivates and drives us personally and as a church together? 00:00:56.540 --> 00:00:58.519 What's your why? 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:03.740 Some of you, especially business people, like to ask that question a lot. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:08.820 What the question's about is, what's your purpose? 00:01:09.520 --> 00:01:11.280 What gets you out of bed in the morning? 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:15.960 What gets you through the afternoon when you're starting to get weary? 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:24.179 For many of us, at its core, our answer to that question is basically to be happy. 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:32.500 Whether that means being comfortable, you know, making enough money to retire early and do whatever I want. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:36.420 Or, you know, being respected. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:39.719 Having others recognize me. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:45.060 Having my parents see me as successful and made something of myself. 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:50.240 Maybe it's making a difference or an impact in the world. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.219 Giving my kids a better life than I had. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.659 Or seeing justice advanced in my community. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:02:01.840 And many of those are very noble goals as far as they go. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:09.519 But if at the end of the day my why is really about myself. 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:12.039 About my being fulfilled. 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:13.460 My being happy. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:18.639 The Bible says it actually has a higher purpose for us. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:22.759 A grander mission if we're willing to accept it. 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:28.060 It's the why without which we will never be fulfilled. 00:02:29.299 --> 00:02:38.000 We've articulated the mission here at Southwood as to experience and express grace. 00:02:38.899 --> 00:02:42.919 In relationships that impact eternity. 00:02:44.019 --> 00:02:47.039 You've heard me say before that that's a big statement. 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:53.120 And it's synonymous with other things like knowing God and making Him known. 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:58.639 Like tasting God's love and sharing God's love. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:02.419 As Libby said, like loving God and loving neighbor. 00:03:03.579 --> 00:03:04.840 It's why we exist. 00:03:05.579 --> 00:03:11.639 And notice that in all of those things, no matter what words we use to say it, it's all about who? 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:13.519 God. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:15.079 All of them. 00:03:15.080 --> 00:03:17.980 My purpose begins with Him. 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:18.900 Grace. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:20.540 Jesus. 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:22.560 That comes from God. 00:03:22.700 --> 00:03:23.080 That is Him. 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:28.520 It's the same idea saying the main thing is about my relationship with God. 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:32.160 Out of which flow my relationships with other people. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:33.960 An eternal impact. 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:35.439 Because He's eternal. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:44.180 It's what our every breath should be about as we breathe in God's grace. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:50.479 And then, moment by moment, breathing out God's grace over and over. 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:55.400 And I want you to remember this morning that that's not merely for Southwood as a church. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:00.099 Because it's easy to think that and think, well, when I show up in this building, I'll be about that. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:00.419 Okay? 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:00.579 Today? 00:04:01.319 --> 00:04:01.679 No. 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:05.099 It's for each of us individually, too. 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:06.679 That's our why. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:08.779 Life with God. 00:04:09.839 --> 00:04:16.019 And today, I want us to see that primary purpose that you may already think about through a fresh lens. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:23.339 I want to play word association with you this morning, which I know is risky, like asking a question during a children's moment. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.299 You know, you don't know what you're going to get. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:28.879 But word association means I'm going to say a word. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.899 And some of you are going to need to talk. 00:04:31.359 --> 00:04:34.139 And say the first thing that comes to mind. 00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:35.779 We don't do this often. 00:04:36.039 --> 00:04:38.719 So, if you're visiting, we're trying something new. 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:39.039 Okay? 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:43.300 The word for this morning is holy. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:47.200 Whoa. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:47.600 Okay. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:48.620 Now you're going to have to slow down. 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:49.660 It was too many at once. 00:04:50.780 --> 00:04:51.280 Holy. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:53.720 Set apart. 00:04:56.140 --> 00:04:56.620 God's. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:04:58.320 Weak. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:04:59.860 Weighty. 00:05:00.140 --> 00:05:00.680 Thank you. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:01.960 Better than weak, I think. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:04.640 Other things? 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:05.060 Yeah. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:07.100 Halo. 00:05:07.320 --> 00:05:07.520 Yeah. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:12.599 So, a lot of times we think of holy and we think of something churchy, right? 00:05:12.799 --> 00:05:17.279 And super spiritual with a halo. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:18.759 And I understand that. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:25.680 You may think about a lot of things when that word is thrown out there. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:31.539 What if I said to you this morning, you are holy? 00:05:31.540 --> 00:05:34.379 You don't have to respond. 00:05:34.640 --> 00:05:39.180 But how would you feel if I said that to you? 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:41.500 I've tried this on a few people. 00:05:41.760 --> 00:05:43.260 And so, I know some of the answers. 00:05:44.520 --> 00:05:47.820 Would you be too ashamed to agree? 00:05:49.020 --> 00:05:52.200 Apparently, pastor, you don't know how I talk. 00:05:52.199 --> 00:05:55.000 You don't know what I've done. 00:05:55.959 --> 00:05:58.180 Whatever it is that you'd fill in that blank. 00:05:58.219 --> 00:05:59.620 I'm not super spiritual. 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:01.920 What are you talking about? 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:08.419 Would you be embarrassed to think of yourself that way? 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:12.740 Because of the negative connotation that word has for many of us. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:19.199 I'm not stuffy, stuck up, thinking I'm better than everybody else, holier than thou. 00:06:22.019 --> 00:06:23.920 Would you maybe accept it? 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:25.060 You've been in church long enough. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:27.019 You're like, yeah, I think that's probably true. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:31.740 But kind of begrudgingly, like, I mean, maybe I am. 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:35.379 But I'm really not excited because holy means no fun. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:37.300 I know that much. 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:43.540 I hope to start changing the script on holy this morning. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:45.300 What it means for you to be holy. 00:06:45.840 --> 00:06:51.439 So that you'd be excited about being holy in 2025 or any other time. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:53.220 What a great why that is. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:54.740 What a great purpose. 00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.220 What adventure is in that. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:00.019 What fun even. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:03.579 Yeah, some of you don't believe that's going to be convincing. 00:07:04.799 --> 00:07:07.259 But let me back up for a minute before we go there. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.519 Your instincts were right, a couple of you, in word association. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:17.500 You can't talk about holiness without talking about God first. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:20.759 It is all about God. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:24.339 Holiness is sort of, it's his godness. 00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:32.419 What sets him apart from everyone and everything else as the one true God. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:37.599 We sang it that there is none beside thee. 00:07:37.979 --> 00:07:39.539 Perfect in power. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:40.959 Perfect in love. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.799 Perfect in purity. 00:07:44.359 --> 00:07:47.539 God is holy, holy, holy. 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:48.379 Right? 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:56.879 In fact, being holy is so associated with God in the Bible that whatever is associated 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:01.199 with God, whatever gets close to him, becomes holy. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:02.719 That's how it happens. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:05.899 This is actually what got me thinking about this topic. 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:07.639 We were reading toward the end of last year. 00:08:07.719 --> 00:08:10.240 If you were doing the Bible reading plan with us last year. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:13.699 And one of the last books we got to toward the end of the year was Leviticus. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:20.979 I kept noticing things in Leviticus that were holy to the Lord over and over. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:21.800 Lots of things. 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:25.659 And see, what happens in Exodus, it's right before Leviticus. 00:08:25.779 --> 00:08:30.879 And at the end of Exodus, God's people finish building the tabernacle. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:35.700 It's the initial temple, the house for God to live in among them. 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:43.720 And the book ends with Yahweh's presence coming down and filling the tabernacle, which is what 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:47.060 makes it a holy place. 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:53.000 It's just a nice-looking tent before God shows up to live there, right? 00:08:53.560 --> 00:09:00.480 And so in Leviticus, I noticed all sorts of things being referred to as holy, being set 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.800 apart for God. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:12.620 The crazy things, a table, an altar, various utensils, a basin, a stand, every tenth animal, 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:13.819 holy. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:21.079 And it's not that they were superior objects to all of the other objects. 00:09:21.199 --> 00:09:22.399 That's not what made them holy. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:24.179 What was it? 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:27.899 It was that they were gods. 00:09:28.339 --> 00:09:30.719 They were in His presence. 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:34.019 They were used for the purposes of God. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:36.340 So they were holy. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:43.720 Otherwise, honestly, they're not a whole lot different from the next table or the next cow 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:46.200 or the next utensil. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:52.580 But holy, set apart to be gods. 00:09:53.680 --> 00:09:54.500 I just think about that. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:57.039 That's pretty cool for the average bowl, right? 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:02.720 I mean, you're just a bowl, an ordinary, everyday bowl. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:05.000 And all of a sudden, you get set apart. 00:10:05.080 --> 00:10:06.039 And what happens to you? 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:14.279 This bowl is going to witness the sacrifices for sins, for thanksgiving to Yahweh Himself. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:18.639 It's going to hear God's voice speaking to the priest. 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:21.399 And most of the people of Israel don't ever get to hear it. 00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:29.580 It's going to be an instrument itself of cleansing and forgiveness as blood that is in the bowl 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:31.059 is sprinkled on things. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:34.919 And on a daily basis, that's what it's going to be used for. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:38.120 How amazing for an average bowl, right? 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:40.439 And it didn't even win a contest. 00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:43.939 It didn't perform the best or the longest as a bowl. 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:48.420 It just got placed in God's presence. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:50.940 Wow. 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:54.820 You starting to track with me? 00:10:56.560 --> 00:11:01.120 Being holy means being gods. 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:09.200 It means an average person without having to perform to win a contest, 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:12.780 without having to outdo someone else, 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:17.919 can come in close contact with God Himself, 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:26.240 can find oneself becoming an instrument of His healing in ordinary, everyday places, 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:30.600 just by being placed in God's presence. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.059 And here's the deal. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:37.240 It's not just that that could happen, theoretically. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.419 It's that the Bible says over and over to God's people, 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.740 you are holy. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:45.960 So many places. 00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.419 I'll just start with one. 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:49.399 1 Corinthians chapter 3. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.600 Do you not know that you are God's temple 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:54.820 and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.860 If anyone destroys God's temple, 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.100 God will destroy him. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.600 For God's temple is holy 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:04.139 and you are that temple. 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:07.680 You are holy. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:13.500 You, not the super spiritual elite task force. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:18.580 You are the tabernacle of the Most High God. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:22.659 His Holy Spirit dwells inside of you. 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:28.379 So your why is to be His. 00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:32.419 Your purpose, above all else, 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:35.000 is to live with Him, through Him, 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:38.159 and for Him in everything. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.299 Young or old, by the way, 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:43.339 kids, don't you check out on this 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:45.959 because holy sounds like a word for big people. 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:47.439 Elsewhere in the Bible, 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:51.720 our kids are specifically referred to as holy. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.480 And then throughout your life, 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:56.160 once you're holy, you never cease to be. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:03.100 I want us to see that set apart for God reality 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.800 in two ways this morning. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:10.340 First, we were made for this. 00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:13.780 To be God's people. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.620 Yahweh is God. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.700 It is He who made us. 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.899 And as a result, we are His. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.039 Psalm 100. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.779 In Isaiah, God gives us a glimpse of His heart 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.440 in creating us. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:31.060 Everyone called by my name whom I created. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:31.700 Why? 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:36.779 For my glory, whom I formed and made. 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.700 It's about me, God says. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.960 Jesus boils it down to this in John 17. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.620 Remember, if you were here last year, 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:45.379 this is His high priestly prayer. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:47.200 He's talking to His Father. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:49.899 And He says, where is life? 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:54.860 It's in knowing and having relationship with 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:59.980 the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:03.139 We were made for this. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:07.120 I mean, imagine that you owned a race car, okay? 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.399 Some of you have driven some of these cars that are designed to go 200, 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:13.519 even 300 miles an hour. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.120 Imagine you owned one of those. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.100 That would be pretty cool. 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:21.319 Imagine you took it out every day on the streets of your neighborhood here in Huntsville 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:24.720 and drove it 20 to 30 miles an hour. 00:14:25.520 --> 00:14:27.860 There's a lot of things you could do with that race car. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:30.040 You could drop the kids off at school, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:34.560 although it might be a little tight squeeze for carpool in the back. 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:39.220 You could coast down neighborhood roads to Lowe's 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:41.760 and pick up a dozen bags of mulch, 00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:44.280 probably fit them in the back. 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:47.439 You may have some issues when you get home to the driveway. 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.860 It may do some damage. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:51.679 It may ding up the race car trying to get in the driveway 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:54.240 with the back dragging full of mulch. 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.600 It's not made for that. 00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:59.779 I mean, the race car could do some of those things, right? 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:02.759 But the whole time, I think you'd be feeling something. 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:03.959 I know the car would be. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.759 You'd be thinking, it could do so much more. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:09.779 This car was made for more. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.159 Wouldn't you be thinking that? 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:16.379 Some of us thinking, man, I was made to sing. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:20.439 I was made to make good grades. 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:23.339 I was made to play basketball. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.240 I was made to make money. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:31.079 And this year, I'm going to do that. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:34.759 Come what may, nothing's going to stop me. 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:36.439 That's what I was made for. 00:15:36.439 --> 00:15:38.259 And you probably will. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:43.620 Although, if you do those things, you may get dinged up along the way. 00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:48.500 And at some point, you will almost certainly, 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:52.519 if not this year, in a year soon, you'll feel, 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:58.759 you know, I was made for more than studying and acing tests. 00:15:59.080 --> 00:15:59.840 Amen, students? 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:03.679 I was made for more than studying and taking tests. 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.840 Have you felt that before? 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:06.720 Some of you feel that a lot right now. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.980 Others of you remember feeling it when you were younger. 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:12.379 You know why you'll say that at some point? 00:16:13.160 --> 00:16:15.200 I just feel like I was made for more. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.660 It's because you were. 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:23.399 You were made to be holy. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.420 Among other things, 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:33.240 to glimpse the glory of God's infinite holiness 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:36.860 and study Him until you realize 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:39.419 you're never going to ace that test. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:43.339 There's always more to marvel at than you can comprehend. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.819 You were made to rest 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:49.419 in an eternal security 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:55.259 as the tightly held treasure of the king of the universe, 00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:57.699 even when the storms of life hit hard. 00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:01.319 You were made to share 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:05.359 the wonder of a perfect creator 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:09.559 who would grace a rebellious creation 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:12.920 with mercy and life and hope. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.840 And you were made to strategize 00:17:14.840 --> 00:17:16.320 how that wonderful message 00:17:16.320 --> 00:17:18.720 would reach every corner of the globe 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.900 and every person in your life. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.340 Whoa. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.279 Kids. 00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:29.700 God says if even one of your parents 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:31.820 has this special relationship with Him, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:37.720 you are holy from birth. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:41.779 You were made to be His. 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:44.279 So whatever else it is that you want to be, 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.960 and I know there's a lot of things, 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.759 firefighter, right? 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:49.860 Professional athlete, 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.920 nurse, engineer, 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.680 whatever it is, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:58.839 first, you are holy. 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:01.539 You're God's. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.980 And as good as those other things are, 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.059 there's a lot of good things for you to be. 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:09.039 They'll never fulfill you. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:13.920 They will never make you deeply happy on their own 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:17.400 if you skip living with God. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:20.039 You'll always feel like that race car 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.440 was made for more. 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.960 And you were. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.860 1,700 years ago, 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.120 a man named Augustine 00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:29.279 tried out a bunch of these possibilities. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.779 He looked for life for his why 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.779 in money, 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.519 in women, 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:37.420 in fame, 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:39.740 and he finally concluded, 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:42.980 you have made us for yourself, 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.259 O Lord, 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:47.259 and our hearts are restless 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:49.779 till they find their rest 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.059 in Thee. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.099 You have made us for what? 00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:56.359 For yourself. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:59.619 We are designed for God 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:01.519 like a race car 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.480 is designed for a speedway, 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.880 like a fish 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:07.039 is designed for water. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.099 Are any of you feeling 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.420 like a fish out of water 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.140 in this world? 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.200 Are any of you feeling 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:16.099 you're doing some good things, 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.860 but you're a bit dinged up 00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:19.559 and there must be something more than this? 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.380 I can't just do this 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.420 the rest of my life. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.599 Are any of you feeling restless? 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.700 Would you be honest enough 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.120 to admit, 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.360 I know that restlessness 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:28.480 he's talking about. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:29.539 You're on the road 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.339 to being happy 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.339 and fulfilled 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.639 and comfortable 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:34.279 and respected 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.279 and all the things 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.619 you've ever dreamed of, 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:38.659 but you feel the restlessness. 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:40.659 Would you be willing 00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.579 to consider 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:43.500 you may be feeling that 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:45.220 because you were made 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:47.099 for God. 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.879 You were designed 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:50.680 to live with Him. 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.940 You're destined 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.359 for another world. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.779 You're shaped 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.859 with a void 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.779 at the center 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.700 of your soul 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.700 that only God can fill. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.319 Well, one of the reasons 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.879 we know what that feels like, 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:06.839 I think we all 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.960 can relate to that, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.819 is because all the way 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.000 since the Garden of Eden, 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:11.920 we've been trying 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.420 to make ourselves happy 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.899 apart from God. 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.660 We prefer our own ways 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.619 most of the time. 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.039 The Bible says, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:21.379 although we were made for Him, 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.399 we were separated 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.399 from God 00:20:24.399 --> 00:20:25.960 by our sin. 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:28.779 So what did God do? 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.000 God sent His Son 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:33.440 to deal with that sin 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.619 so that we could live 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.220 with Him again, 00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:36.319 so that we could be 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.759 in the holy place 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.200 where He lives. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.799 So, Christian, 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.700 you were redeemed 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.619 for God, 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.180 not only made 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.319 to be holy, 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.160 but redeemed, 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.519 remade, 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.339 if you will, 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:53.039 to be holy. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.279 Now, I just want you 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.099 to marvel with me 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.859 at this for a minute. 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.240 It's amazing enough 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.940 to think that God 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.579 would make you 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.519 once upon a time 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.660 to be His, 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.579 to be holy, 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.139 set apart for Him. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.619 You know how much 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.680 He loves you? 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:09.220 How precious you are 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.660 to Him? 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:12.440 That when you broke, 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.599 when you didn't work 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.279 right anymore, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.920 when you weren't really 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.619 in that relationship 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.059 with Him 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.420 the way you were 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.859 supposed to be, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:22.879 He came and remade you. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:24.600 He came to find you 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:26.660 broken and remake you 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.780 and restore you 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.840 in that relationship 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.240 with Him, 00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:30.780 to make you holy, 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.300 to set you apart 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:34.340 for Himself forever. 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.260 That's how much 00:21:36.260 --> 00:21:36.820 He loves you. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.180 That's amazing. 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:41.080 I hope that gives you joy. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.920 I hope it delights 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.660 your soul 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:44.340 to know that the God 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:45.100 of the universe 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.880 thinks of you that way 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.820 and doesn't just think, 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.220 but acts towards you 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.759 in that way. 00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:54.059 I talked to John Foreman 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.600 this week. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:56.759 John knows Leviticus. 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.400 I've heard him teach it. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.059 That's how I knew. 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.940 I asked him what he learned 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.620 about holiness, 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.819 spending so much time 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.500 in Leviticus. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:06.240 Most of us don't camp out 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.799 in Leviticus 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.420 for long periods of time. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.420 And John said the thing 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.120 that struck him 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.740 is how amazing it is 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:16.140 that God keeps providing 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:19.039 for us to be in His presence. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.420 He keeps making provision 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:23.940 for us to experience 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.640 His holiness. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.640 It's why right after 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.480 God's presence shows up 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.640 in the tabernacle 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.660 among His people, 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.980 we get the book of Leviticus, 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.920 which is mostly, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.019 if you read it on the surface, 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.600 about what? 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.160 Sacrifices. 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:42.100 All kinds of sacrifices. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.900 What's happening 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:45.839 is that God is dealing 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.299 with our sin 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:49.559 to make us holy. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.819 And He especially does that 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.619 when He sends His Son 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:57.639 to be the ultimate sacrifice. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.339 He's dealing with our sin 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:02.179 to have us back holy to Him. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.379 I could put passages 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.740 about this up here all day. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.679 I'll just highlight 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:06.819 a couple different ones. 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.799 Ephesians 1 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:11.059 says, 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:13.000 this has been on God's heart 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:15.359 since before you were born. 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.440 That when the Father 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.279 and the Son 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:20.759 decided to rescue you, 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.720 it was setting you apart 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.879 for God 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:25.379 that you would be holy 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.259 with the goal, 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.099 next verse says, 00:23:27.139 --> 00:23:27.980 of adopting you 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.099 into His family, 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.259 that you'd be His. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:33.480 Colossians 1 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:36.200 says that making you holy 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.400 is the specific effect 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:41.099 of Jesus' sacrificial death 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:43.740 on the cross for you. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:45.759 That you are now holy 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.960 before God. 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.759 He bought you. 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.720 You are His. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.539 In fact, 1 Peter 2 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:56.359 says it's not just you, 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.720 but you're part of a group 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.500 of people bigger 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.700 than you can imagine 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:02.259 that are a holy nation 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:04.380 set apart for God 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:06.440 that you might know Him 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:09.460 and make His excellencies, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.500 His glory, 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.299 His greatness known 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:15.420 because we are God's people. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.580 His treasured possession, 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.960 instruments to serve His purpose 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.480 in His kingdom, 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:23.080 to battle. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.400 This is what He saved you into. 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.340 Into a battle 00:24:26.340 --> 00:24:28.160 that's not a cage match 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.259 against flesh 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.119 and blood, 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.779 but it's actually 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.900 even more adventurous, 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.819 even more daring 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.779 than entering into 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.640 something like that. 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.400 It's a battle 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:38.859 against the forces of evil, 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:40.019 against powers 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.379 and principalities, 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.200 Satan and his minions, 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.240 and it's a battle 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.099 with the souls 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.519 of men and women 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.900 and boys and girls 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:49.000 and the destiny 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:51.259 of all creation at stake. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.079 And He bought you back 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:55.240 to be on His side 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.940 in that great war. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.080 If being holy 00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:59.940 doesn't sound like fun 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.559 to you, 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.059 then you might need 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.259 to get outside these walls 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.059 for a little while. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.039 You might need actually 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.080 to get wounded 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:08.620 in this battle 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:11.779 and to watch King Jesus 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.840 ride in 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:14.940 and swoop you up 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.600 and rescue you 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.820 and heal you 00:25:17.820 --> 00:25:19.279 while He Himself 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.440 is wounded 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:22.519 in your place. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:25.440 Pastor Jack Miller 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.119 said of that 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.220 last verse 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.119 we just looked at, 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.480 what is the fundamental 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.299 nature of the church? 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.839 To belong to God. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:35.420 That's why we exist. 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:36.900 Those who are 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.019 the God-possessed 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.779 by virtue 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.900 of their new life 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.759 and relationship 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.480 to God 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:43.099 are also holy. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.259 If we belong 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.259 to a holy God, 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.460 we are inherently 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:49.099 involved in His holiness 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.379 by virtue 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:52.279 of that relationship. 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:55.659 I share that with you 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.500 to remind us 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.339 how it happens. 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:59.599 We didn't perform well 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.480 to attract 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.379 God's attention. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:01.859 Remember? 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.639 That's not how 00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:04.039 holiness develops. 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:07.000 We are ordinary people, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.119 often those 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:08.859 that no one 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.899 would choose, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.859 who become set apart 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.019 for something 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:14.240 extraordinary 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:16.259 because God 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.099 shows up 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.759 in our lives, 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.200 decides to take 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.880 residence 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.279 in our hearts, 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:21.920 making us 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.960 the tabernacle 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.480 of the Most High God, 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.440 vessels for His 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.519 majesty. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.440 I assure you 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:28.980 that's more than 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.819 you can contain 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.779 and think about. 00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.819 But He dwells in you 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.579 and the reality 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.740 of that transforms 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:36.359 everything about us. 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.259 Everything. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:37.720 It makes you 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.799 entirely different. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.779 Friday morning 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.640 I woke up early. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:44.340 I was excited 00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:46.040 and I went outside 00:26:46.040 --> 00:26:47.520 and the ground 00:26:47.520 --> 00:26:48.640 was wet. 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:50.380 Merely wet. 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:52.980 And muddy 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.160 in a lot of places. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.140 Messy. 00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:57.100 And I was very disappointed 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:58.160 like some of you. 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.960 But over the next few hours 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.620 you watched 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.360 what happened, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.700 didn't you? 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:05.100 This pure 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:06.759 white 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.940 stuff 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.020 started falling 00:27:10.020 --> 00:27:10.680 from heaven. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:13.000 and it came 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.660 in contact 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.640 with the messy 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.080 ground. 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.980 And I was inside 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.620 for a little while 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:19.220 and I came back out 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:22.700 and it was perfect, 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.680 wasn't it? 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.019 It was 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.240 beautiful. 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:29.759 That's how God's 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.180 holiness 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.320 works. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.720 You got a glimpse 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.680 of it this weekend. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:36.140 God comes down 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.299 from heaven 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:39.579 in utter purity 00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:41.940 to land 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:43.680 on messy 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.419 people. 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.220 And there's still 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.839 some mess 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.720 underneath there. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.579 Right? 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.180 But His 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.599 perfect purity 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:54.240 covers it. 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.940 And we are 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.139 as clean 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.259 as the driven 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.879 snow. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.220 And you only get 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.599 to see that 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.359 every once in a while 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:01.899 around here. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:03.159 But that's something 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.639 we got to taste 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.360 and see 00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:07.100 that's holiness. 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:08.860 Child of God, 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:10.240 you are 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.520 holy. 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.680 Like it or not, 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.120 and I hope 00:28:14.120 --> 00:28:14.740 the more we talk 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.040 about it, 00:28:15.060 --> 00:28:15.680 the more you will 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.320 like it. 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.640 You are 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.880 holy. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.140 Set apart 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.740 to be 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.440 gods. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:25.800 Well, 00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.300 so what? 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:29.060 There is another 00:28:29.060 --> 00:28:30.060 facet of holiness 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:31.020 in the Bible 00:28:31.020 --> 00:28:32.000 where God 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.700 calls us 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.540 to become 00:28:33.540 --> 00:28:34.000 holy. 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.700 To holy 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.120 living. 00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:38.920 And we'll 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.620 focus on that 00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:40.240 next week. 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.000 But here's 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.220 what we're 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.380 going to 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.160 remember then 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.700 as well. 00:28:43.780 --> 00:28:44.040 I want to 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.580 connect this 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.020 one dot 00:28:45.020 --> 00:28:45.480 before we 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.920 come to 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.340 the table. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.100 Dr. 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.820 Martin Lloyd-Jones 00:28:48.820 --> 00:28:49.480 says it well. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.880 Holiness is 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.560 not something 00:28:51.560 --> 00:28:52.240 we are called 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.240 upon to do 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:55.060 in order that 00:28:55.060 --> 00:28:55.720 we may become 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.180 something. 00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:58.700 It is 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.140 something we 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.780 are to do 00:28:59.780 --> 00:29:01.120 because of 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.420 what we 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.060 already are. 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:04.379 it's a big 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:04.879 difference. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.319 Something we 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:06.740 do 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.339 because of 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.599 what we 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.279 already are. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.740 Because God 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.200 has shown 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.559 up. 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.659 God has 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.099 set us 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.460 apart. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.099 God has 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.159 made us 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.779 holy. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.700 That's where I 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.359 want to challenge 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.220 all of us to 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.539 start today. 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:23.000 If it's all 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.720 about Him, 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.399 you are 00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:25.740 holy. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.879 You are set 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.639 apart for God. 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.599 You are made 00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.240 to live in 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.079 relationship with 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:30.480 Him every 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.960 moment of 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.339 every day 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.639 and every 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.039 place to 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.599 be holy, 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.539 holy. 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.720 The why 00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.939 behind every 00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:37.659 other why 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.199 for you 00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.919 must come 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.839 back to 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.399 Him. 00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:42.059 And some 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.299 of us 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.279 recognize that. 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.000 For many 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.220 of you, 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:44.599 that's not 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.399 surprising to 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:45.740 hear this 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:45.980 morning, 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:46.579 but what 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.039 you're living 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.460 in is the 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.059 reality that 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.519 life is 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.019 coming at 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.480 you so 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.039 fast. 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:50.919 It's 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:52.119 work and 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.220 school and 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.639 parenting and 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.480 dance and 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:56.319 sports and 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.919 God and 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:57.799 family and 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.679 friendships and 00:29:58.679 --> 00:29:59.579 finances and 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:02.159 it just feels 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:02.919 overwhelming and 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.539 it feels like 00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.099 the best we 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.699 can do is 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:05.819 squeeze God 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.819 in among all 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.639 of those other 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:09.419 important things. 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.720 Squeeze Him 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.159 in when we get 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.619 a minute to 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.039 make it to 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.359 church or to 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.399 grace group or 00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:15.379 a few minutes 00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:15.859 of Bible 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.279 reading. 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.139 But I think 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:19.759 God in His 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.699 Word today is 00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:22.359 calling us to 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.879 something a bit 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.299 different. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:25.200 different to 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:26.000 start with 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:28.000 Him as we 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.279 approach all 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.759 of those other 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.200 things. 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.519 He's not one 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.440 among them. 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.659 We've been set 00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.659 apart for one of 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:35.680 those specifically 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.519 for Him. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.319 There are a lot 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.139 of ways to 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.259 approach this. 00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.539 We'll talk more 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.319 next week, but 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.960 talk with your 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.460 grace group. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.480 Challenge one 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.720 another. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.500 It's what the 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.059 Bible means when 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.960 it says spur one 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.579 another on. 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:49.379 What's it look 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.039 like for you? 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.539 One thing you 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.180 can do is you 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.639 could pick a 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.740 verse of take 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.399 my life and 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:55.940 let it be. 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:57.319 The song DJ 00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:57.960 just sang. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.500 And pray and 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.920 reflect through 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.099 it. 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.480 I say just pick 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.079 one because I'm 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.599 still on the 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.339 first verse. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.500 It's about time. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.220 You might want 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.740 to skip it. 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:12.079 Take my moments 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:14.119 and my days, 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.659 God. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.700 You take them. 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.339 That means my 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.700 mornings. 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.779 And my evenings. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.000 It means my 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.779 meetings that I'm 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.519 expecting and it 00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:26.039 means my free 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.299 time. 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.759 It means my 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.639 weekends and it 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.359 means my vacation 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.819 weeks. 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.420 God, they're 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:31.899 yours. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.779 They're to be 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.279 about you. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.440 They're to be 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:35.879 with you. 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.059 They're to be 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.639 for you. 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:40.200 God, all of 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.379 them. 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.619 Nothing else 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.059 assumed. 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.579 Nothing else I 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:44.240 know has to 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.579 happen. 00:31:46.659 --> 00:31:47.379 And I've got to 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:47.960 start on that now 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.740 because I don't 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.059 know about you, 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:49.500 but I've already 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.019 started dropping 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.960 in on my calendar 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.920 commitments for this 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.259 year and ways I'm 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.960 spending a lot of 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.460 that time. 00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:58.119 We need to start 00:31:58.119 --> 00:32:00.879 from being holy, 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.720 set apart for God. 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.359 That's the one 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:04.660 thing. 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.059 Believing what's 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:07.319 best is actually 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.359 being His. 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.720 That's the best 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.079 thing. 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.259 That's a life of 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.740 real purpose. 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.139 Would you be more 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:15.379 excited about this 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:15.900 year if you 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:17.139 actually believed 00:32:17.140 --> 00:32:18.120 that God was 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:19.080 living in you, 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.880 that you were a 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:20.940 tabernacle of the 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.800 Most High God, 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.540 and that He was 00:32:22.540 --> 00:32:23.280 going to be using 00:32:23.280 --> 00:32:24.259 you for His 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:25.100 purposes that will 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:26.100 last for eternity 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:26.700 this year? 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.720 Is that how you've 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.400 thought about your 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:28.640 year? 00:32:29.600 --> 00:32:30.280 Is that what you 00:32:30.280 --> 00:32:30.900 think He's going to 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:32.100 do with the time 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:32.640 that He's given 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:32.820 you? 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.640 I don't know how 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:34.180 long it'll be. 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.840 It may be just 00:32:34.840 --> 00:32:35.220 today. 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.320 You may have a 00:32:36.320 --> 00:32:36.960 whole year ahead 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.280 of you. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:39.940 But how exciting 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.140 if God was going 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:42.020 to show up and use 00:32:42.020 --> 00:32:43.360 you for His 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.120 purposes. 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:46.799 If you're really 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.419 brave, you can 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:48.459 start with take 00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:49.239 my hands and 00:32:49.239 --> 00:32:51.239 feet, what I do, 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:53.399 where I go, or take 00:32:53.399 --> 00:32:54.579 my money and my 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.799 intellect, or take 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:57.079 my words and my 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:59.039 will, all of them 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:01.359 consecrated, set 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:03.279 apart, holy to the 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.419 Lord, because they 00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:05.699 are. 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.299 Whatever you 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.599 consider, I'm 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.319 challenging you to 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.119 wipe the slate 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.579 clean. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.239 I've done this 00:33:13.239 --> 00:33:14.079 enough times to 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.599 know that our 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.579 first assumed 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.720 priorities are 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.960 often selfish. 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.220 Yes? 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.279 Have you ever 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.899 had a selfish 00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.460 priority? 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.819 I think you 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.159 have. 00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:24.500 If they're not 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.779 selfish, they may 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.819 well be culturally 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:28.859 driven, just 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:30.359 assumed priorities. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:32.399 I have to make 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.159 this much. 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.799 I have to wear 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:36.439 this, work this 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:37.839 long, live here, 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:39.240 fit in there, reach 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.000 that goal. 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.919 I have to. 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.139 I want to 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:44.440 reframe that for 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:44.620 you. 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:46.980 You are holy. 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:48.880 You are set 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:50.560 apart for God. 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:54.680 You have to be 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:57.340 His, period. 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.840 Just stop there for 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:00.060 now. 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.140 No matter how old 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.660 you are, this year 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.640 is for knowing 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:06.000 Him, living with 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.320 Him, living for 00:34:07.320 --> 00:34:08.980 Him, not to become 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:11.360 holy, but because 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.320 you are holy. 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.340 He's made it that 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:14.619 way. 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.980 Remember that. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.760 He wants you to 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.219 remember that you 00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:20.519 are holy. 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.179 It's one of the 00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.000 things this table 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.980 teaches us because 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.240 as you come here, 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.179 just ask yourself 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.980 the question, how 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:27.480 else could He sit 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.740 and eat with you? 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.559 Right? 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.500 The holy 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.460 God 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:34.400 comes here 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.400 by His 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.660 Holy Spirit 00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:38.700 to a holy 00:34:38.700 --> 00:34:39.559 table. 00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.940 Not holy 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:41.740 because it's 00:34:41.740 --> 00:34:42.579 made of better 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.139 wood than 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:43.800 another table. 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.539 Not holy 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.260 because this 00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:47.260 bread is better 00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:48.340 bread than 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.099 some other 00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.500 bread. 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.619 Holy 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:53.260 because He 00:34:53.260 --> 00:34:54.000 is here. 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.940 The only 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.539 holy, 00:34:56.660 --> 00:34:57.160 holy, 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:57.840 holy 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.260 one. 00:34:58.660 --> 00:34:59.260 And He 00:34:59.260 --> 00:35:00.420 eats with 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.380 holy people, 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.000 doesn't He? 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:04.059 That's the only 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.880 way it can be. 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:08.119 So we come 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:08.500 here 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:10.659 calling ourselves 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:11.159 holy, 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:13.500 not because we've 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.239 outperformed 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:15.019 anyone else. 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.579 Don't get the 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.139 wrong idea, 00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:16.639 please. 00:35:17.699 --> 00:35:18.739 But because 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.719 Jesus has 00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:21.219 outgraced 00:35:21.219 --> 00:35:22.300 our sin. 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:22.760 Amen? 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:24.440 He's taking 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:24.880 care of 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:26.380 everything that 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.099 would make us 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.780 unholy. 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.119 In fact, 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:29.719 when we 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:30.539 wandered 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.440 away from 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:31.960 God, 00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.679 that's what 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.119 made us 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.720 unholy, 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.000 right? 00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:34.679 That distance 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.059 from Him, 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.260 Jesus chased 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:36.920 after us 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.700 to bring us 00:35:37.700 --> 00:35:38.039 back and 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.500 He's done 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:38.960 that for 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:39.539 you even 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.360 this week 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:41.019 when your 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.519 heart has 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.599 wandered away 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.059 from God 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.599 and He's 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.720 chased after 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:45.200 you to 00:35:45.200 --> 00:35:45.760 bring you 00:35:45.760 --> 00:35:46.059 back, 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:46.800 to make 00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:47.440 you holy 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:49.099 as you 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.760 turn back 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.460 even now 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.700 by faith 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.559 to being 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.159 His. 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:54.800 I'm His. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.659 That's where 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.240 I rest. 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.179 If that's you 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.659 this morning, 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.300 whether you're 00:35:58.300 --> 00:35:58.700 a member of 00:35:58.700 --> 00:35:59.320 this church 00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:00.320 or another 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.380 church that 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:02.079 preaches the 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.960 good news 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.780 that we 00:36:03.780 --> 00:36:04.700 are holy 00:36:04.700 --> 00:36:05.599 not because 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.579 of our 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.260 good efforts 00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:07.780 or our 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.579 good performance 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:10.980 but by grace 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.200 through faith 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:13.440 in Christ 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.059 alone, 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.320 then please 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:16.300 come and 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.019 eat and 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.800 celebrate with 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.079 us. 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:19.720 If that is 00:36:19.720 --> 00:36:21.160 not your 00:36:21.160 --> 00:36:22.119 why, 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:23.119 if you're 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.140 not about 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:25.500 wanting to 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.220 be holy 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.160 to the Lord 00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.900 or you're 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:28.700 not sure, 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.320 you're still 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.200 kind of wondering 00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:30.659 about that 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.059 because it 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:31.599 seems like 00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:31.879 a big 00:36:31.879 --> 00:36:32.599 change for 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:32.819 you, 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.539 a big 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.059 commitment 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.659 to make, 00:36:35.439 --> 00:36:36.000 what a 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.579 great thing 00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:36.899 to be 00:36:36.899 --> 00:36:37.359 considering. 00:36:37.739 --> 00:36:38.099 I'm so 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.599 glad you're 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.460 here considering 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.899 that and 00:36:39.899 --> 00:36:40.460 we would 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:40.859 invite you 00:36:40.859 --> 00:36:41.199 not to 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.939 come to 00:36:41.939 --> 00:36:42.919 this table 00:36:42.919 --> 00:36:44.259 to this 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:45.319 bread and 00:36:45.319 --> 00:36:46.579 it's a 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:46.939 bite of 00:36:46.939 --> 00:36:47.219 bread, 00:36:47.359 --> 00:36:48.179 a sip of 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:48.500 wine. 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.379 We want 00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:50.099 more than 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:51.139 that for 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.399 you. 00:36:51.639 --> 00:36:52.219 We believe 00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:52.579 that you 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.339 were made 00:36:53.339 --> 00:36:54.019 for more 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.559 than that. 00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:55.739 You can 00:36:55.739 --> 00:36:56.319 come up and 00:36:56.319 --> 00:36:56.699 observe, 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.339 you can come 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:57.800 and let 00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.180 us pray 00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.579 with you 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:58.920 but we 00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.720 would love 00:36:59.720 --> 00:37:00.579 to talk 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.120 with you 00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:01.880 about a 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.660 holy God 00:37:02.660 --> 00:37:03.680 who makes 00:37:03.680 --> 00:37:04.900 unholy people 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:06.260 holy with 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:07.000 him forever. 00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:08.660 It is a 00:37:08.660 --> 00:37:09.280 big change 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:10.400 for people 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:10.960 like us. 00:37:11.180 --> 00:37:11.600 It is a 00:37:11.600 --> 00:37:12.140 big commitment 00:37:12.140 --> 00:37:13.160 but more 00:37:13.160 --> 00:37:13.600 than that, 00:37:13.660 --> 00:37:14.140 it is a 00:37:14.140 --> 00:37:15.300 big gift 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.320 that he 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:16.860 offers to 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:17.420 you freely. 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.480 Jesus, 00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:21.019 on the night 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.340 he was 00:37:21.340 --> 00:37:21.860 betrayed, 00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:24.140 sat with 00:37:24.140 --> 00:37:24.780 his disciples, 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.260 he took 00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:26.400 bread and 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:26.760 he broke 00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:26.960 it. 00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:28.559 As I 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.140 ministering 00:37:29.140 --> 00:37:29.480 in his 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:29.780 name, 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.260 give this 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:30.760 bread to 00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.019 you, 00:37:31.160 --> 00:37:31.660 he gave 00:37:31.660 --> 00:37:31.980 it to 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:32.519 them and 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:32.900 said, 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.140 this is 00:37:34.140 --> 00:37:34.860 my body 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.840 given for 00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:36.100 you. 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.400 Do this 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:38.539 in remembrance 00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:39.079 of me. 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.740 In the 00:37:40.740 --> 00:37:41.180 same way 00:37:41.180 --> 00:37:41.860 after supper 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.380 he took 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:42.880 the cup 00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.260 and said, 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:43.940 this cup 00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:44.260 is the 00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:44.880 new covenant 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.400 in my 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:45.800 blood, 00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:46.740 shed for 00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:47.260 many for 00:37:47.260 --> 00:37:47.880 the forgiveness 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:48.740 of sins, 00:37:49.120 --> 00:37:49.760 drink from 00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:50.740 it all of 00:37:50.740 --> 00:37:50.920 you. 00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:51.480 For as 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.059 often as 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.360 you eat 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:52.900 this bread 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:54.200 and drink 00:37:54.200 --> 00:37:54.760 this cup, 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:55.780 you proclaim 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.500 the Lord's 00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:56.940 death. 00:37:57.340 --> 00:37:58.079 until he 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.539 comes. 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.800 You declare 00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:00.220 that your 00:38:00.220 --> 00:38:01.140 holiness comes 00:38:01.140 --> 00:38:02.019 not from 00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:03.140 yourself but 00:38:03.140 --> 00:38:04.180 from one who 00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.600 would give 00:38:04.600 --> 00:38:05.440 himself for 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:05.700 you. 00:38:06.200 --> 00:38:06.740 Let's pray. 00:38:08.640 --> 00:38:09.280 Jesus, 00:38:09.480 --> 00:38:09.780 what an 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.700 amazing gift. 00:38:12.640 --> 00:38:13.019 What a 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:14.100 great celebration. 00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:16.240 Father, 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.220 would you use 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:18.200 a common 00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:19.660 table set 00:38:19.660 --> 00:38:20.600 with common 00:38:20.600 --> 00:38:21.440 food and 00:38:21.440 --> 00:38:22.820 drink for a 00:38:22.820 --> 00:38:23.640 holy purpose? 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.300 That you 00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:26.820 would meet 00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:27.720 very common 00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:30.559 people and 00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:30.980 by your 00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.620 spirit so 00:38:31.620 --> 00:38:32.000 work in 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.660 their hearts 00:38:32.660 --> 00:38:34.440 that they 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:34.940 would be 00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:36.680 all of us 00:38:36.680 --> 00:38:37.460 for a very 00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.200 uncommon 00:38:38.200 --> 00:38:39.740 purpose for 00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:40.700 you and 00:38:40.700 --> 00:38:41.240 for your 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:41.940 kingdom and 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.680 your glory. 00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:43.700 Meet with 00:38:43.700 --> 00:38:44.519 us, we ask 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:45.039 in Jesus' 00:38:45.260 --> 00:38:45.500 name. 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:46.260 Amen. 00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:48.160 For more 00:38:48.160 --> 00:38:48.680 information, 00:38:49.080 --> 00:38:49.519 visit us 00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:50.240 online at 00:38:50.239 --> 00:38:51.000 sapwa.org.