WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 Folks, great to see you this morning with a finger in Colossians chapter 3. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:08.779 I want everybody to hold their Bibles up in front of you. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:11.960 If you need to grab a Bible roundabout, grab a Bible roundabout. 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:13.259 But everybody needs you to do this. 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:14.759 You need to hold your Bible here. 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:18.179 And I'm going to pray in just a second, lead us in prayer. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:20.600 But I want us to understand what I'm going to pray. 00:00:21.600 --> 00:00:24.320 So I want everybody to hold their Bibles above your head. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:29.620 So we're going to pray together that we would sit under the Word of God. 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:30.679 So this is God's Word. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:34.299 This is the Word of life that we need to be at work in our lives. 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:35.600 This is the Word of our Creator. 00:00:36.260 --> 00:00:42.460 And we want our heart attitude to be that we want to sit under and listen to His Word. 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:44.719 So we're going to pray that we'd sit under the Word. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:46.719 I want everyone to put their Bibles on the floor. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:49.359 And metaphorically, don't do this actually. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.200 But picture yourself standing on the Bible, okay? 00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:55.560 We're going to pray that we would stand on the Word of God. 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:59.660 That this would be the foundation, the sure foundation for our lives and our times. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:06.340 And that we would build our lives, base our lives on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God as we find it in the Bible. 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:09.320 And then thirdly, I want you to hold it on your chest. 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:14.760 And we're going to pray that the Word of God would be at work in us. 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:18.780 So this Word, we believe it's alive and it's active that God speaks today. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:30.660 And we're going to pray that God, by His Spirit, would be molding us and prompting us and challenging us and comforting us and encouraging us and making us more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, for His glory. 00:01:31.080 --> 00:01:32.240 So that's what we're going to pray. 00:01:32.860 --> 00:01:33.900 I'm going to pray it now, okay? 00:01:35.080 --> 00:01:37.380 Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your Word. 00:01:38.620 --> 00:01:42.120 Father, where would we be without Your life-giving Word? 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:55.540 And so, Father, we pray that You would help our attitude this morning, that You would help us to sit under Your Word, that You would help us to stand on Your Word, and that You would, by Your Spirit, work in us by Your Word. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:58.780 And Father, we just want this morning to be of glory to You. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:01.640 And so we pray these things in Jesus' precious name. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:02.360 Amen. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:13.939 Well, with Colossians chapter 3 open in front of you, let me ask us a random rhetorical question just to set us off on the right track today. 00:02:14.300 --> 00:02:17.400 And here's the question, and it is a bit random, but stick with me. 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:18.599 This is going somewhere okay. 00:02:19.280 --> 00:02:22.020 Do you know where your local pizza delivery place is? 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:24.520 Yeah? 00:02:24.939 --> 00:02:25.219 Yes. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:25.819 Know where it is? 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:28.939 Alex and I had a lovely Domino's pizza a couple of weeks ago. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.719 We were getting our oven fixed, and we thought, no, we're not going to cook. 00:02:31.799 --> 00:02:32.840 We're going to get a Domino's. 00:02:32.859 --> 00:02:33.939 So we went to Domino's. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:38.019 The reason I know where Domino's pizza is, our local pizza joint is, 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:43.599 it's because so often they send people out onto the street around about us as walking billboards. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:45.180 I don't know if you've seen people like this. 00:02:45.900 --> 00:02:46.079 Yeah? 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:53.040 So the people that they employ to go and stand on the street corner, and they're dressed as a giant Domino's pizza box, 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:57.840 and they've got the words on the front, any pizza, any size, $6.99. 00:02:58.040 --> 00:02:59.060 This is normally what they say. 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:03.300 And I always read this, read that every time I see it, and I think to myself, 00:03:03.420 --> 00:03:06.280 who is ringing up and ordering a small, right? 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:08.880 Who's ordering a small with that deal? 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:13.340 But this is the image I want us to carry through these verses today, 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:19.039 because Paul is going to ask these Christians on Colossae to think of themselves, 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:22.060 picture themselves as walking billboards. 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:27.120 Now, we saw at the end of last week, Paul encouraged them, and this is verse 17, 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:29.719 if you want to track with me the text, verse 17. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:32.979 He's encouraging them to think of worship as total. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:34.439 That's where we left off last week. 00:03:34.519 --> 00:03:35.460 Worship is total. 00:03:36.579 --> 00:03:37.840 Remember these false teachers? 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:39.580 They're in the background in Colossae. 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:46.180 They're pushing a compartmentalized, experiential, individualized Christianity. 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:48.659 And Paul is saying, don't have any of it. 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:53.879 Because this new identity in Christ, this was verses 1 to 4 of chapter 3, 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:58.780 this new identity, because Jesus Christ, if you're a Christian, has claimed you, 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:04.039 and he's changing you, the fact that that is true, that's an identity in your life, 00:04:04.080 --> 00:04:05.780 it shouldn't just affect your Sundays. 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:08.560 It should affect your everyday. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:13.920 It should affect your Monday, and your Tuesday, and your Wednesday, and your Thursday, and your Friday, and your Saturday, and your back to Sunday. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:18.480 The whole thing should be affected by this new identity that you have in Christ. 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:23.220 It was Dorothy Sawyers, the author of the last century, who commented and said this, 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:29.480 How could anyone be interested in a religion that is no concern for nine-tenths of their life? 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:31.860 And that is so true, isn't it? 00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:37.260 Why would anyone be interested in a religion that is no concern for nine-tenths of your life? 00:04:37.340 --> 00:04:38.500 Paul would heartily agree. 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:41.800 It should transform your individual life. 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:43.220 This is what he's already said. 00:04:43.280 --> 00:04:47.240 It should transform your corporate life together as a church, as this brought together body. 00:04:47.320 --> 00:04:48.400 We saw that last week. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:55.859 And today we're going to hear him tell them, this is verses 18 to chapter 4, verse 1, 00:04:56.859 --> 00:04:59.199 that it should transform your home life. 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:02.799 And so he's speaking to this church. 00:05:02.859 --> 00:05:05.799 Remember, this church made up of tons of different kinds of people, 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:08.279 lots of different things going on in their lives. 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:11.000 And he's going to get them to think about their marriages. 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:14.339 And he's going to get them to think about their families. 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:17.399 And he's going to get them to think about their work. 00:05:18.679 --> 00:05:23.619 And in those areas of their lives, he wants them to think of themselves as walking billboards. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:28.279 And the question then is displaying what, saying what? 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.879 Any pizza, any size, no, no, no. 00:05:30.679 --> 00:05:36.119 He wants them to say, with your life, display the message that Jesus is my Lord. 00:05:36.120 --> 00:05:40.019 Come with me to the text. 00:05:40.120 --> 00:05:42.139 Here's the key little phrase to this little section. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:43.800 Paul uses that word, Lord. 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:44.819 Do you see it? 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:48.259 We saw it kind of creep in at the end of last week. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:50.100 Lord or master, that's the word. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:52.720 He uses it six times in these nine verses. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:54.459 Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:58.800 The whole of their lives has to be lived in the sphere of the Lord. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:06.460 So when it comes to these three years of their lives, the message is, Jesus is my master. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:07.259 He's my Lord. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:13.500 So people from the world should be able to look into your lives, dear Colossian Christians. 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.180 And the same for us today is true. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:22.920 and he should in one way or another be able to conclude that Jesus is your master. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:23.680 He's your Lord. 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.579 Jesus is the master that you live for. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:29.600 He's the one that you seek to give glory to. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:32.579 He is the one that you seek to present to the world. 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:37.740 And I think it's fair comment to say, and we'll just acknowledge this up the top, 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:41.759 that what Paul is urging here couldn't be any more counter-cultural. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:49.199 In our day, I mean, this stuff about husbands and wives and families and work, 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:54.719 it runs so deeply against the grain of how our society tells us to think. 00:06:55.800 --> 00:07:00.980 But the truth is, and we need to hear this before we immediately jump to us, 00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:04.620 it was just as counter-cultural in the day that Paul wrote it, 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:08.019 except that the cultural pendulum is on the other side. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:13.359 In the first century, who were the individuals deemed to be lower down the social ladder? 00:07:14.779 --> 00:07:19.079 Women, children, and slaves. 00:07:20.599 --> 00:07:25.699 But when it comes to their marriages and their families and their work, 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:29.259 who does Paul address first in each instance? 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:35.259 Wives, children, and slaves. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:36.699 You see what he's doing? 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:43.060 You see how he's bestowing on them a real counter-cultural dignity and worth, 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:46.379 and he's massaging home that truth that he stressed at verse 11? 00:07:47.599 --> 00:07:50.659 That in Christ, God has made them one. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:56.939 In other words, though the God-designed differences in creation, they remain. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:08:00.019 There's no second-class citizens in God's kingdom, 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:03.759 because this new family that God has birthed, you're all one in Christ. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:06.500 This is what he's been saying all the way through this letter. 00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:14.219 So we need to understand that these words were just as counter-cultural then as they are today. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:15.680 Paul says, 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:19.199 Be walking billboards that say to the world as you live your life, 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:21.360 Jesus is my master. 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:22.060 He's my master. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:22.899 He's the Lord. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.219 And do that in your marriage. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:25.819 Do you see it? 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:27.000 Verses 18 and 19. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:29.060 Do it in your marriage. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:31.720 Now here's what we need to understand. 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:37.700 As Paul speaks to husbands and wives, he's got the ultimate marriage in mind. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.740 The ultimate marriage in mind. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:47.200 The one that our marriages on earth are supposed to be based upon and point to and reflect. 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:57.500 And that's the marriage that will happen on the last day when Jesus Christ our Lord returns between him and his bride, the church. 00:08:58.560 --> 00:08:59.960 That's the ultimate marriage. 00:09:02.040 --> 00:09:07.759 And Paul's got that in mind as he turns to address husbands and wives here in Colossae. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:14.379 Because their relationship together, the way that they relate to one another, the way that they love one another, 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:17.860 is meant to project and point to that ultimate marriage. 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:22.019 So to the married woman in this church, she says, 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:26.539 In the same way that we've just sung, that the church submits to Christ, 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:31.879 I urge you to reflect that by submitting to your husbands. 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:39.199 And let me just deal with that word, submit, because it's a word that doesn't land softly to our 21st century ears. 00:09:39.339 --> 00:09:43.120 I guess because we've heard of people who have horribly abused that word. 00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:48.799 And because we live in a culture that is so deeply anti-authority. 00:09:49.959 --> 00:09:52.919 But let me just tell you, and this is the best quote on this I read this week. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:53.860 Let me just give this to you. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:56.139 This is how one commentator defines submission. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:10:00.579 Submission is a voluntary willingness. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:03.620 And it's so key, isn't it, that word voluntary. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:11.419 Voluntary willingness, a choice to recognize and put oneself under the loving leadership of another. 00:10:12.719 --> 00:10:17.500 So submission here has nothing to do with a wife's inferiority. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:19.019 Absolutely nothing to do with that. 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:23.240 And that's clear as you trace the use of this word through the Bible. 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.559 Because think what we've just sung. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:28.959 Jesus himself, the one who is fully and equal God. 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:34.939 We see in John's gospel, we just sang it, he submitted himself to the will of the Father. 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:40.799 If you trace it through in the Old Testament, we see God describe himself as being a helper to humanity. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:43.120 In creation, we see in creation. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:48.979 In creation, we see in the same way Eve in the creation account, she's described as being a helper to Adam. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.120 It's nothing to do with inferiority. 00:10:51.859 --> 00:10:56.019 And if it's nothing to do with that, equally it's nothing to do with the husband's superiority. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:11:01.860 Thinking he has carte blanche to rule the roost, that he's got license to take advantage. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:07.639 And Paul will make that so clear by what he goes on to say next to the husbands as they pursue the Lord. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:13.819 But Paul says, wives, bring all your gifts and your talents the way that God has wired you. 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:18.100 And bring it to your marriage. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:39.540 And in the same way that the church submits to Christ out of love, I want you to reflect that as you affirm and you support and you encourage and you look to the loving and sacrificial Christ-like leadership of your husbands. 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:47.439 It was Elizabeth Elliot, who was the late wife of Jim Elliot, who was the missionary to Ecuador. 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:51.179 She's written some wonderful stuff on all of this if you want to go and check it out. 00:11:51.699 --> 00:11:56.879 Elizabeth Elliot said this, and I think this is very good, otherwise I wouldn't have put it in, okay. 00:11:57.959 --> 00:12:02.719 But she said, the fact that I'm a woman doesn't make me a different kind of Christian. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:07.899 But the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman. 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:19.579 And you see, as much as Paul's calling Christian wives to be so counter-culturally and attractively different, he's calling Christian husbands to be just as radical. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:33.719 And so to husbands, he urges them in the same way, in the same way that Christ has sacrificially laid down his life out of love for his bride, the church. 00:12:34.959 --> 00:12:38.579 That's how I want you to love your wives. 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:41.860 Now feel the sting of that one of your husband here this morning. 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:47.020 Remember, he's just teased out in this letter what love looks like, verse 12. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.000 Do you remember it last week? 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:54.020 Love expresses itself in compassion, in humility, in meekness, in patience. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:58.740 And in verse 13, it expresses itself in forgiveness and long-suffering. 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:09.240 So the kind of love that Paul is calling husbands to here is a love that always dies to self and puts somebody else first. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:16.240 And of course, it's the love that Jesus so wonderfully exemplified and showed, isn't it, on the cross? 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:28.360 The one who had all authority in heaven humbled himself by coming down from heaven to earth to seek out and to die for and to give his life for, 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:33.919 to shed his blood to redeem and to purify and win his bride, the church. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.159 He sets that bar. 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.399 Then do you want to get them? 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.379 He sets that bar. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:52.019 Do you see how that is what biblical, true, sacrificial, following after Christ with all your heart, love looks like for a husband? 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:57.840 How counter-cultural then and how counter-cultural today? 00:13:58.179 --> 00:13:59.840 Husbands, let me ask you here this morning. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:02.939 If you are blessed to be a husband, do you love your wife like that? 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.519 Do you love your wife like that? 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:13.279 So do you see what he's saying to those who are married in this congregation in Colossae? 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:18.059 He's saying in your marriages, it's together you pursue the Lord. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:19.519 Together you pursue the Lord. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:23.840 And the way that you love one another, and the way that you relate to one another, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.579 and the way that you sacrificially love one another, 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:30.740 you are to be walking billboards that say, Jesus is my master. 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:35.199 And you are to display that ultimate marriage for the world to see. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.939 And that means, friends, that if we are married here today, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:41.019 people should be able to look into our marriage and say, 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:43.600 I've got no understanding of what that is about, 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:47.860 except that that reflects something of what Jesus did for his church. 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:52.439 That's the ultimate marriage. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.539 That is the ultimate marriage. 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.799 It's not this one, it's that one. 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:57.600 And it's so important that we have that in mind. 00:14:58.439 --> 00:14:59.960 Because if we look for completion, 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:03.879 if we look for something kind of satisfying fulfillment, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.240 and our marriage is down here, 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:08.399 and let me tell you, it will set us up massively for a fall. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.139 Massively for a fall. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:14.000 Some of you might remember the film, 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:16.059 and this is me being a 90s child, okay, 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:18.659 the film Jerry Maguire when it came out in 1996. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:23.819 Jerry Maguire, this film about a lovestruck sports agent. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.240 It was the reason I went into law. 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.840 No, it wasn't. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:26.460 It wasn't. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:32.639 But Jerry Maguire was one of the most iconic and most quoted films of the 90s, 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.340 if you remember it. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:37.019 And two of the most famous quotes from that film were, 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:40.620 number one, the one that his sports, 00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:43.840 American football playing client said to him, 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.060 and you'll remember this one, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:47.460 Jerry, show me the money. 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.259 That's what he said. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.080 Jerry, show me the money. 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:52.780 That was one quote from that film that everybody loves to quote. 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:55.200 The second one from that film comes 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:59.759 when Jerry speaks to the woman that he loves, 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.519 and he says to her those three words. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:06.179 He says, you complete me. 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.439 And it's so cute. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.200 And Hollywood loved it. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:15.840 And it sold millions upon millions upon millions of tickets. 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:19.700 But let me let you into a little secret this morning, this afternoon. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.439 It's nonsense. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:24.200 It's absolute nonsense. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.620 To think that another human being could complete you, 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.279 it's nonsense. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:32.279 Because, now don't hear me wrong, 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.000 I love being married to Alex. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.179 She's not in here today. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.059 She's behind the back. 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.779 I can't say this again. 00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:37.700 She's my best friend. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.960 If I had an evening off, 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.419 she's the person I wanted to spend it with. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.340 I absolutely love her. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.220 But she knows, 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.639 and I tell her this on a regular basis, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.000 that she does not complete me. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:50.360 And I can tell you from my own experience, 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.360 I can tell you this categorically, 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:54.039 that I certainly do not complete her. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.580 Okay? 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.279 I'm an idiot. 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.580 I do not complete her. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:58.660 Friends, 00:16:58.700 --> 00:17:00.139 if we look for completion, 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:03.160 for satisfaction in anyone else but Jesus Christ, 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.640 we will set ourselves up for a fall. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.319 And it was C.T. Studd, 00:17:07.360 --> 00:17:08.799 the famous English cricketer, 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.500 turned missionary to China, 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:14.740 who encouraged his wife to say a little poem to himself every day, 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:15.980 that went, 00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:16.940 Dear Lord Jesus, 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.180 as you are to me, 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.980 dearer than Charlie ever could be. 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.580 That's exactly what Paul is saying, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.019 isn't it? 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.220 That's exactly what Paul is saying. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.360 The ultimate marriage. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.180 Keep that in mind. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:34.160 Because I realize that the truth for many of us here today 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:40.480 is that your experience of marriage has been anything but what you see here. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.680 So painfully true. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.600 It's been anything but what you see here. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:44.820 In fact, 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.899 it's been the polar opposite. 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:49.399 And I realize there'll be some of us here today, 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:52.000 and either you're struggling in your married life, 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:53.740 or you're thinking to yourself, 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.779 will I ever be married? 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.439 Will that ever happen to me? 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.639 Or whoever you are here today, 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:04.439 let me encourage you to fix your eyes on that ultimate marriage. 00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.919 That if you're a Christian here today, 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.460 if you're faithless in Jesus Christ, 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:10.700 that you will be part of that bride. 00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:13.819 To fix your eyes on the perfect husband, 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.679 in Jesus Christ, 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.460 what he's done for you, 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.599 shedding his blood for you, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.619 to buy you, 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.619 ransom you to himself on the cross, 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:23.679 and to fix your eyes on that marriage. 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:25.319 And if you're married, 00:18:25.399 --> 00:18:27.079 to fix your eyes on that marriage. 00:18:27.659 --> 00:18:29.659 And as you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.059 as the spirit of God, 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.839 transform you more into his likeness, 00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:36.460 display his glory in your marriage. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:38.920 So in your marriages, 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.559 Paul says, 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:42.400 be walking billboards that display the message, 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.559 Jesus is my master. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.160 And do the same in your family. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.539 Verse 20, 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.240 we'll move on. 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:49.340 So there's Paul's plea to the family. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:49.700 Again, 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.980 let's just pick out the verbs. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.100 Children. 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.860 And I think he's thinking about children, 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:56.220 who are living with their parents, 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:58.360 and they're old enough to understand, 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.440 and make their own decisions, 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:00.180 and respond. 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.100 He says to them, 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.500 obey. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.220 Obey your parents. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:05.100 This is what he says. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.519 And of course, 00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:06.720 he's rooting that instruction 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.220 in the fifth commandment. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.560 That God had given Israel 00:19:10.560 --> 00:19:12.660 as a way of living 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.920 that pleased the Lord. 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.860 It's a wonderfully, 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.440 is it not, 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.140 dignifying thought in this day 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.440 that Paul writes to children 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:21.080 and says that in your lives, 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.460 in the simple fact 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.880 that you obey your parents, 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:26.240 you can glorify the Lord. 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:30.160 As their parents help you understand, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.160 that the family unit 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.560 is something that the God, 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.460 in his grace and in his mercy, 00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.519 has put in place. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.440 Not for your detriment, 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:39.340 but for your good, 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.420 for your protection, 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.440 for your nurturing, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:43.259 and for your enjoyment. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.120 Obey your parents. 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.440 This is what he says to the children. 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.680 And so quickly off the back of that, 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.680 he says to fathers, 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:50.700 okay, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.140 I got a sting from the first one there. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.840 I've got the sting from the second one as well. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.299 Fathers. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.080 What does he say? 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.860 Speaking to them, 00:19:58.859 --> 00:20:00.279 I take it first and foremost 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.659 as the ones he wants to take 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:03.199 the spiritual, 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.240 sacrificial, 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.519 and loving lead in the home. 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.599 Because if you read around on this one, 00:20:09.719 --> 00:20:12.240 men in the Roman first century context 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.439 have got a real reputation 00:20:13.439 --> 00:20:15.099 for being domineering in the home. 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.779 So he's writing to them 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.479 and says, 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.139 Christian fathers, 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.919 do not provoke your children 00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:22.299 by being harsh with them. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.479 Or discourage them 00:20:24.479 --> 00:20:25.639 because you lay upon them 00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.740 heavy expectations 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.099 of what you want them to become. 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.180 Which I take it 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.980 is his way of saying, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.200 don't treat your children 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.160 like you own them. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.940 Or that they're a burden to you. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.400 Rather encourage 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:39.200 and love 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.620 and nurture 00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:42.000 and instruct 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.400 and pray for 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.960 and take an interest in 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.519 and care about 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.440 and get to know 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.140 and love 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:49.160 your children. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.079 This is what he's saying. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.500 Because they are a gift from the Lord, 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:54.319 they're a precious heritage from him, 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:56.179 and your heavenly father 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.960 loves these children 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.980 way more than you do 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:59.419 in his gracious and perfect way. 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.119 Parents here today, 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.779 let me ask you, 00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:04.379 do you love your children like this? 00:21:05.939 --> 00:21:07.480 Do you love your children like this? 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.099 Let me ask you, 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.500 come at it from a different angle. 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:13.519 What do you long to be true for them 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.240 as they grow up? 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.500 I was thinking on it this week 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.359 for my two little girls. 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.779 What do you long to be true for them 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.480 as they grow up? 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.399 And our ultimate longing for them 00:21:21.399 --> 00:21:21.980 shouldn't be 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:23.519 that they'd come top of the class, 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.139 that they'd win the egg and spoon race 00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.980 on sports day, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.480 that they'd get into that school, 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.799 that they'd get that job, 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.700 that they'd get their grade 8 00:21:30.700 --> 00:21:31.400 on the clarinet. 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:32.379 Our ultimate longing 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.379 for our children 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:35.720 is that they should come 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.079 to know the Lord Jesus 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:38.059 as their saviour 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.759 and their king 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:40.139 and know it for themselves. 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.279 It should be our ultimate longing 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.799 for them. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.099 Because that is 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:45.599 the source of their 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.960 greatest joy. 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:48.700 You know, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.039 I long that Chloe and Grace 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.619 would grow up 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.059 and they would have 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:52.859 the most boring testimonies ever. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:53.920 Honestly, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.639 the most boring testimonies ever. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.240 Because I remember 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.539 when I was at a minister's lunch 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.879 after Chloe was just born 00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:01.299 and I was sharing something 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:03.099 that my fellow brothers 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.160 and sisters could pray for me 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.559 and I said, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.740 would you pray for my little girl? 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.160 Just being handed 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.400 this bundle of responsibility 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.099 straight out of the womb, 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:09.819 I don't know what to do. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.359 And they simply prayed for me 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.299 and they prayed for her 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:12.799 and they said, 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.519 Lord Jesus, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.920 would it be true for her 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:17.019 that there would never be a day 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:18.920 where she wasn't conscious 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.660 of you as her Lord 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.519 and her Saviour 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.060 and her King. 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.140 And do you know what? 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.600 Those words almost four years ago 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.960 have stuck with me ever since. 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.700 And that's what I pray for my girls. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.180 Now how is that going to happen? 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.860 What's my job as a parent? 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.680 Well, my job, 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.840 I can't make them Christians, 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.300 can I? 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:41.100 It's your theology of salvation. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.320 You can't make them Christians. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:44.559 But my job as a parent 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.679 is to put all the Jesus-shaped kindling 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:48.779 that I possibly can 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.599 around their lives 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.099 as Alex and I, 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.299 we live out in front of them 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.579 a vibrant love for 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.659 and a need for 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:56.480 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.019 and pray that the Holy Spirit 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.319 would take that kindling, 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.720 spark it and ignite it. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.599 That's my job. 00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:06.019 And I tell you what, 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:06.819 it's just personally, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:09.419 it's wonderful to think 00:23:09.419 --> 00:23:11.099 we do that in a church family context, 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.539 isn't it? 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.180 Because they have got 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:15.240 tons of spiritual sisters and brothers 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.779 and tons of spiritual grandmothers 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.559 and grandfathers. 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.859 And it means so much to us 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.659 that you are praying for those girls 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:22.519 and it means so much 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.500 I know to the other parents in here 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.159 to know that you're 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.899 dedicating yourselves 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:26.039 to praying for them as well. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.740 That's our job. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.159 That's our job. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.420 It says fathers, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.940 be the father that 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.359 your children need them to be. 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.700 And I hope this encourages you. 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.579 This was John Wesley. 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.480 I was reading this week, 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.039 John Wesley, 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.259 the guy who was the 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:43.379 the former slave ship 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:45.119 master 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.839 turned 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:47.359 Anglican minister 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.700 who wrote the famous song 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.660 Amazing Grace. 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.379 He wrote this 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:52.059 and I hope this encourages parents here. 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:52.960 He said, 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.319 I learned more about Christianity 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.519 from my mother 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.960 than I did from all the theologians 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.379 in England. 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.460 I learned more 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.440 about Christianity 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.400 from my mother 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.359 than I did from all the theologians 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:05.779 in England. 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.900 Keep going, parents. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.420 Keep going. 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:10.080 Keep going. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.539 What a countercultural vision 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.500 for the Christian family 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.340 he lays out here. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.259 In your families, 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.660 be walking billboards 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.320 that say 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:19.400 Jesus is 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.060 my 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.000 master. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.440 And thirdly, 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.460 make him known in your work. 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:25.480 Make him known in your work. 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.279 Verse 22, 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.600 Paul speaks to slaves. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.220 Now, 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.000 I don't think that's 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:31.180 slaves 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.039 like our minds 00:24:32.039 --> 00:24:33.080 would immediately think 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:34.640 like 20 years a slave, 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.300 the film, 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.000 or Selma. 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:38.000 Paul's speaking into 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.940 a first century culture 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.660 where slavery 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:42.039 is a very different thing. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.160 It's why 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.299 if you've got an ESV there, 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.960 the translators 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.700 are so keen 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.299 to footnote 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.420 the use of that word 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.960 all the time 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.500 with the word 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.299 bondservant. 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.220 You might notice that 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.279 if you've got an ESV there. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.839 Because slave 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.839 is a broad term 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.819 that can just describe 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.339 anybody 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:57.319 who's under the authority 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.859 of another. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.539 Slaves in this day 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.000 are often 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.519 well-educated professionals. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.940 Bankers are slaves. 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.779 Doctors were slaves. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.539 In fact, 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.500 I was reading this week 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:09.759 that up to two-thirds 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.759 of the Roman Empire 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.400 at this point 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.500 are deemed slaves. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.599 Whole economy 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.660 based on slaves. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.599 And so, 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.200 although it's not 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.339 identical to it, 00:25:18.420 --> 00:25:19.019 it is actually 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.920 a lot closer 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.319 to our modern-day 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.460 employee-employer 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.079 relationship 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.079 that he's got in mind 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.880 here as he writes. 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.299 And look what he says 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.519 to them. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:26.799 He says, 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.140 obey. 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.180 He says, 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.839 work well. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.539 Be known 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:32.259 for your reliability 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.359 and diligence 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.319 and gain 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.639 a good reputation 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.419 in the eyes 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.159 of your master. 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:39.459 And you see 00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:40.279 how he says, 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.500 do it 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.279 not just when 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.719 the master 00:25:42.719 --> 00:25:43.459 is watching, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.539 do it 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.500 all the time. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.079 Why? 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.000 Well, 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.899 because the eyes 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:50.059 of your true master 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.699 are on you 00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:52.179 all the time. 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.719 And it's a heart thing, 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.039 isn't it, 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.899 what he's saying here? 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.079 Work for the Lord 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.199 from your heart. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.519 from your heart. 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.480 And when he returns, 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.120 your master, 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.200 you will receive 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:05.500 your inheritance. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.840 And so into a culture 00:26:08.840 --> 00:26:11.160 today 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.299 that thinks little 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:13.039 of having an extra 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.860 five minutes 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.940 on your lunch break 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.819 or being five minutes 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.700 late in the morning 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:19.360 or slagging off 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.380 a colleague or client 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.319 behind their back 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.559 or surfing the internet 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.319 until the boss 00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.039 walks in the room 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.080 and then changing the thing 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:27.059 to pretend that 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.699 you are working. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.659 Paul says, 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.460 work for the Lord. 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:32.500 I don't know if you 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.279 remember that as well 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.879 that the 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.819 Bed and the Apprentice 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.599 the last series 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.099 when we're talking 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.879 about dishonesty 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.539 where the guy 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.619 was asked to interview 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:41.259 about some 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.039 false claims 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.460 that were made 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.179 on his website 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:45.139 and the person 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.960 interviewed and asked him 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.679 did you write them 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:47.059 and he said, 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.220 no, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.619 I don't know how 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:48.119 they came onto 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.000 my website. 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.519 And he said, 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.240 did you write them? 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.500 And he said, 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:51.659 well, 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:52.599 I could have written them. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:53.799 He said, 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.539 did you write them? 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.680 Oh, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.460 there's a good chance 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.159 I could have written them. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.920 Did you write them? 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.159 Yes, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.720 I wrote them. 00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.659 To a world that thinks 00:26:59.659 --> 00:27:01.220 nothing of lying 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:02.559 and of deceit, 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.779 Paul says, 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.319 be different, 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.220 work for the Lord. 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.839 Work for the Lord. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:09.359 Show them in the way 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.839 that you work. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.720 Show them that Jesus 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.240 is your master. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.299 Show them how Jesus 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.259 has claimed you 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.460 and changed you 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.960 and do it all the time. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.099 I remember the job 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.379 I was in before this one 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.539 down south. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.480 Some of my colleagues 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.940 would get together 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.100 and they would jokingly 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.799 have their own 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.900 little award ceremony. 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.019 And one of these 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.680 little awards 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.299 that they used to 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:29.900 kind of hand out 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.400 every year 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.799 was the Dolly Parton Award. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.580 The Dolly Parton Award 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.200 wasn't for somebody 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.920 who was good at singing. 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.320 The Dolly Parton Award 00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:37.100 went to the person 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.000 who was seen to be 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.640 simply working 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.440 nine to five. 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:40.279 Right? 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.039 It was a corporate law firm, 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:43.080 very different world, 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.740 simply working nine to five. 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.440 But the subtext 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.180 of that award 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.519 was that this person 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.039 we saw 00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.820 did the bare minimum. 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.980 This person we saw 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.819 was not interested 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:53.000 in going the extra mile. 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.679 They were quite happy 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:55.079 to clock in and clock out. 00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:56.419 This person we saw 00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:57.319 had no interest 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:58.039 in the business 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.200 and he had no interest 00:27:59.200 --> 00:27:59.659 in the people 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:00.240 that worked there. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.539 They got the Dolly Parton Award. 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.099 Now don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.559 I'm not saying 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.859 sell yourself to your work. 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:06.539 Don't do that. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.539 But the Christians 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.279 should never be up 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.439 for the Dolly Parton Award. 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.059 We should never be up for that. 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.519 We should deeply care 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.159 about what we do 00:28:14.159 --> 00:28:15.220 because we are serving 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.099 the Lord. 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.579 Friends, 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.019 we want to be 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.379 the best kind of employees, 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.899 do we not? 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.299 The best kind of employees. 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.359 The best to hire, 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.319 the best to work with. 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:24.539 Think about your place of work. 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.399 Is that how you're known? 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.519 If you were ever 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.139 to move on 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.059 from your place of work, 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:31.500 would people be deeply saddened 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.359 that you've moved on? 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.659 Or would they be 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.659 delighted to see 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.399 the back of you? 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.159 Do people at work 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:39.059 know that you work 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.059 for the higher master? 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.939 Think about how 00:28:40.939 --> 00:28:41.799 that might work out 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.699 in your office 00:28:42.699 --> 00:28:43.379 tomorrow morning 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:43.859 as you speak 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.699 about your weekend. 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.939 Do they know what you do? 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.519 Do they know 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.440 who the master is? 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.200 And to masters, 00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:50.340 that is to bosses, 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.279 Paul says, 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.680 verse 1 of chapter 4, 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.259 remember Christ 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.220 is your master too. 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:56.779 Therefore, 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.080 treat your slaves justly, 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.920 treat them fairly, 00:28:59.039 --> 00:29:00.160 treat them considerately. 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.440 And particularly 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:02.940 in the immediate context 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.700 that he's picturing, 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.660 if your slave 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.740 is a fellow believer, 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.480 I think that's right 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.900 at the heart 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.640 of the little letter 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:10.940 of Philemon, 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.180 if you want to go home 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:12.640 and read that, 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.940 which is written 00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.720 at the same time, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.339 written to a member 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:17.480 of this Colossian family 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.559 who was a slave 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.059 and a master, 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.720 talking about how 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.539 the gospel has totally 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.019 transformed that relationship. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:24.620 But Paul says, 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.420 in your work, 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.380 in your work, 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.819 be walking billboards, 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.519 whatever you do, 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.680 be walking billboards 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.579 that say, 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.180 Jesus is my master. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.680 He's my master. 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.059 So let me just ask you 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:40.100 once again as you close, 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:40.640 do you know where 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.319 your local pizza 00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:42.339 delivery shop is? 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.400 Do you know where it is? 00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:47.720 Paul argues these believers 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:49.060 to live in such a way 00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:50.940 that when people 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.660 look at you 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:52.440 and they look 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.240 into your home, 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:56.360 they see walking billboards 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:57.000 that are displaying 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.480 the message, 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:59.280 Jesus is our master. 00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:00.019 He's my master. 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.259 Now here's where 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.100 I want to end today. 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.440 Now you probably know 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.680 that I love to quote songs. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.640 Here's another song 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:08.220 for you. 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.240 It's one that my dad 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.080 used to play in the car 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.900 when I was growing up 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:13.019 by Scotland's favorite son 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:13.799 called Rod Stewart. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.379 And it went like this. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:19.099 I wish that I knew 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:20.559 what I know now 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.379 when I was younger. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.579 Remember that one? 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:23.839 Some of us? 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.359 No? 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.359 Some of us remember it. 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:27.319 I wish that I knew now, 00:30:27.879 --> 00:30:29.180 I wish that I knew 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.119 what I know now 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.819 when I was younger. 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.420 Now here is what I know now. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.079 Okay? 00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.920 I've been doing this marriage thing 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.960 for almost eight years. 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:39.480 I've been doing this parenting thing 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.519 for almost four years. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:42.420 I've been doing the work thing 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:43.680 between a mixture of part-time 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.259 and full-time 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.200 since I left school 00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:46.619 almost 16 years ago. 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:49.359 And nothing has taught me more 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.680 but the depths of the sin 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.480 in my own heart 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:54.680 and the realities of living 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:56.460 in a broken and a fallen world 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:59.980 and my need for help 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:02.160 and my need for my brothers 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.799 and sisters 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:05.819 and for my absolute need 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.799 for the grace of God 00:31:06.799 --> 00:31:08.240 and for a savior in my life. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:11.460 I don't quite like marriage, 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.900 being a husband, 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.720 being a father, 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.259 and being an employee. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.779 Because if we leave these verses 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.519 this morning 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.420 and the message is internal, 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.339 let's try harder, 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.200 let's be better. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.240 Let me just tell you 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.220 from the little experience 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:26.740 that I've got 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.059 that we've totally missed the point. 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.000 This passage 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.839 should throw us to our knees 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.640 saying, 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.579 Lord Jesus, 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.519 we need you. 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:38.920 we need you. 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.460 And it should send us 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.539 running to the Christ 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.660 that's right at the heart 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:44.240 of this letter to Colossians. 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.139 Remember the Christ 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.299 who has claimed us, 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.480 that our identity 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.599 is not in these things, 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.720 our identity is in him. 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:51.359 The Christ who's claimed us, 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.099 the Christ who's changing us 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.879 by his spirit, 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.740 and the Christ who loves 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.720 to show grace 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:58.160 to those who would 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.160 humble themselves 00:31:59.160 --> 00:32:00.859 before him 00:32:00.859 --> 00:32:02.339 and say, 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.779 Lord, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.200 I need you. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.920 Now I realize 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.319 we'll have hit 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:09.100 a lot of painful things 00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:09.680 this morning. 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:12.620 And I hope a lot of challenges 00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.940 and a lot of encouragements 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.100 at the same time as well. 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:17.220 But just as we close, 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.360 let's not rush on 00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.160 from this today. 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.340 And just before I pray, 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.279 and I'm going to pray 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.640 for the different people 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.539 that come out of this one, 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.440 I just want you to have 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.460 a moment of silence. 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:28.400 And wherever this passage 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.539 finds you this morning, 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.340 I want you just to 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:31.660 bear your soul to the Lord. 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:31.740 God, 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.779 because he knows 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.360 and he cares 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:35.279 and he calls us, 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:35.700 doesn't he, 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.680 to cast our burdens 00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.240 on him 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:39.240 because he cares for us. 00:32:40.060 --> 00:32:40.960 And then I'll pray 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.920 and we'll be done. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.100 And so, Father, 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.060 we thank you so much 00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.900 for the Lord Jesus, 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:55.620 the image of the invisible God, 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:58.040 the creator 00:32:58.040 --> 00:32:59.160 and the sustainer 00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.759 and the redeemer 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.580 of all things. 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:03.060 And we thank you 00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:03.779 that you are the God 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.540 of all grace 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:07.400 and for the gifts 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.360 that you give us 00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:09.519 so unmerited, 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.980 particularly the gift 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.660 of marriage 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:15.080 and the gift of family 00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:17.040 and the gift of work. 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:21.120 And so, Lord, 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.560 we ask that as we respond 00:33:22.560 --> 00:33:24.040 to this passage this morning, 00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:26.820 I ask, Father, 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:27.920 for those who 00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:29.800 are deeply hurting, 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:31.399 Father, 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.399 that you would bring healing. 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.139 Father, 00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.559 for those who are 00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:38.319 dwelling on mistakes, 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.759 I pray that you would bring 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.500 forgiveness 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:42.759 and knowledge of that. 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:45.940 For those who are struggling, 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:47.099 I pray that you would bring 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.059 strength 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:50.180 and endurance 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:52.279 and patience. 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:54.399 and for all of us, 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.759 lords, 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.720 I pray that you would help us 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.839 to fix our eyes 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.980 on Jesus Christ, 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.720 our perfect 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:03.660 and all-sufficient 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.319 Savior. 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.519 So, Father, 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:07.859 help us to look to him 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.920 this week, 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.519 we ask, 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.619 in Jesus' 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.380 precious 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.360 and worthy name. 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.300 Amen. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:13.440 Amen. 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:13.739 Amen. 00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.239 Amen. 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:15.340 Amen. 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:15.460 Amen. 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.519 Amen. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:15.559 Amen. 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:17.460 Amen. 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.519 Amen. 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:17.539 Amen.