WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:06.900 One other thing I might say at this point as well, that in a talk like this, we're not going to be able to cover everything. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:11.439 And it would be good just to have an open time and for people to throw back questions. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:14.880 If you do have questions afterwards, please talk to me. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:21.699 But what we're going to be doing is over the next few weeks on our Wednesday, on our Gospel Community, our home group nights, 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:24.859 we're going to have opportunity to think this through a bit more. 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:30.160 So if you have questions and you want to think through it more, then come along on a Wednesday night 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:36.500 and we'll be asking more about it and your opportunities to discuss and question. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:47.700 So, what is your position or your opinion on the proposed same-sex referendum? 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:57.160 At the end of last year, our coalition government announced that they were going to hold a referendum to redefine marriage, 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:00.600 which will include same-sex couples. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:06.900 Listen to the views of our Tornister, Eamon Gilmour. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:10.140 This is what he says. 00:01:10.900 --> 00:01:16.840 I believe that in certain key areas, our laws are out of step with public opinion. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:22.120 I don't believe, for example, that it should ever be the role of the state to pass judgment 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:27.180 on whom a person falls in love with or whom they want to spend their life with. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:34.640 The right of gay couples to marry is, quite simply, the civil rights issue of this generation. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:38.500 And, in my opinion, its time has come. 00:01:39.800 --> 00:01:42.540 Very strong and persuasive words. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:48.300 So, what will you say when somebody asks you for your views? 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:51.420 Yes, I think it's great. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.340 Everybody should be allowed to marry. 00:01:53.800 --> 00:01:56.160 It is a civil rights issue. 00:01:57.080 --> 00:01:59.540 Or, will you say, no, I don't agree with it. 00:01:59.660 --> 00:02:02.700 Marriage is just between a man and a woman. 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:04.000 It's a biblical issue. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:11.319 Or, will you just try and avoid the question, keep your head down and stay quiet? 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:17.819 You see, I think that if you haven't yet been asked, you will be asked, 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:22.960 because this is a topic that is going to dominate much of our thinking in this coming year. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:28.939 And it's important that we are all able to give a well-informed answer. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:39.800 And, depending how you give that answer, it may mean your demotion at work or your promotion at work. 00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:45.680 It may mean that you lose friends or it may mean you gain friends. 00:02:46.919 --> 00:02:52.680 So, it is a critical issue and an important one that will affect all of us. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:56.599 But, this debate about marriage is nothing new. 00:02:56.599 --> 00:03:01.120 Jesus himself was confronted about his views on marriage. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:04.699 So, look at Mark's Gospel, chapter 10, verse 2. 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:14.219 The reason we left this section out in our studies in Mark was because we wanted to look at it under this issue. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:16.579 So, look at verse 2 of chapter 10. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:22.079 Some Pharisees, the religious leaders, came and tested Jesus by asking, 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.900 Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? 00:03:27.820 --> 00:03:31.000 So, there was an issue, a debate about marriage. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:34.020 And, while the question here is about divorce, 00:03:35.020 --> 00:03:40.420 Jesus' answer, I think, helps us to understand what God's design for marriage is 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:45.040 and why we should follow his design for our life. 00:03:45.840 --> 00:03:47.620 So, it's not a new issue. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:51.640 So, first of all, the definition of marriage. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:58.700 Central to this debate is the whole issue of redefining what marriage is all about. 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:01.980 Listen to this again, and it's on the screen. 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:05.599 This comes from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, 00:04:05.700 --> 00:04:11.620 the group who have been charged with presenting a case for same-sex marriage. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:13.819 They say this, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:19.759 The ICCL believes that everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:25.519 and that no one should be discriminated against or denied access to services 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:31.959 on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, civil status or family status. 00:04:32.459 --> 00:04:37.660 This includes equal access to the right to marry and found a family. 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:44.740 Denying same-sex couples the right to marry runs contrary to the spirit of equality 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:48.860 and non-discrimination protected by the Irish Constitution 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:54.580 and by international human rights treaties to which Ireland is a party. 00:04:55.700 --> 00:05:00.540 Furthermore, the existing prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:05.140 unfairly discriminates against the section of Irish society, 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:08.980 including the children in the families of same-sex couples 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:12.340 who are otherwise entitled to equal protection 00:05:12.340 --> 00:05:16.420 before the law under the Irish Constitution. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:22.840 Again, it's very strong and very clear as to how they wish to redefine things. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:28.580 Now, while our Constitution doesn't actually define marriage, 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:34.319 it is defined in law as between a man and a woman. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:38.339 So the proposal here is to change that. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:42.539 Now, when Jesus in Mark 10 is asked his opinion in marriage, 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:47.579 he takes everybody back to God's design for marriage 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:51.159 and I think that's where we should go in our discussion. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:53.939 It's not what I think or what you think, 00:05:54.479 --> 00:05:55.979 but what does God think? 00:05:56.099 --> 00:05:57.259 What's God's design? 00:05:57.259 --> 00:05:58.899 So look at verse 3. 00:06:00.259 --> 00:06:02.339 Jesus answers the question like this. 00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:04.319 Well, what did Moses command you? 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:05.899 Well, they said, 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:11.199 Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away. 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:14.579 Now, we'll come back to this in a minute because this is important. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:17.879 But notice where Jesus ends up. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:20.599 Look where he starts his discussion. 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:21.560 Verse 6. 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:26.280 But at the beginning of creation. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:28.939 So this is something foundational. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.420 He takes them right back to the very beginning. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:34.259 But at the beginning of creation, 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:37.439 God made them male and female. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:41.160 For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:43.420 and be united to his wife, 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:45.800 and the two will become one flesh, 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:49.139 so they are no longer two but one. 00:06:50.020 --> 00:06:52.560 Now, that wasn't Jesus just making up something. 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:54.259 This is a direct quote. 00:06:55.020 --> 00:06:58.960 And keep your finger in Mark 10 and go back to Genesis chapter 1. 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:02.040 This is a direct quote from Genesis. 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:07.980 So this is God's order, God's design from the very beginning. 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:14.760 In fact, it's the earliest text in all literature 00:07:14.760 --> 00:07:18.900 that actually defines or says something about marriage. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:21.600 So, chapter 1, verse 26. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:27.660 Then God said, 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:30.920 Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:34.960 and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air 00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:37.000 and over the livestock, over all the earth, 00:07:37.280 --> 00:07:39.720 and over all the creatures that move along the ground. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:43.460 So God created man in his own image. 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:45.100 In the image of God, 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:46.700 He created him. 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:50.760 Male and female, 00:07:51.460 --> 00:07:52.540 He created them. 00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:55.780 Now look at chapter 2, verse 24. 00:07:56.760 --> 00:08:00.700 This is where the male and the female come together. 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:04.340 So chapter 2, verse 24, 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:05.140 and it reads, 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:09.520 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother 00:08:09.520 --> 00:08:12.160 and be united to his wife, 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:15.340 and they will become one flesh. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:17.920 The man and his wife were both naked 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.820 and they felt no shame. 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.220 Now that's important, verse 25. 00:08:24.020 --> 00:08:25.600 They felt no shame. 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:27.220 This was part of God's order, 00:08:27.380 --> 00:08:28.420 part of His design, 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:32.779 and being together was good and right and beautiful. 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:35.700 So, back to Mark 10. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:38.060 You see, this is not an invention of man. 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:42.719 This is a gift from God to His creation. 00:08:43.839 --> 00:08:47.639 So when the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:51.179 when they say they want to redefine marriage, 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:54.759 they're not actually changing Irish law. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:58.859 They are interfering with God's design 00:08:58.859 --> 00:09:00.919 and order for creation. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:03.399 So again, it's not about what you or I think. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:06.139 It's not about what the Irish law says. 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:10.539 But it's what God's design and order says. 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:13.379 Now I think that's very interesting 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:15.460 because even the ICCL 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:18.919 actually have limits on their definition. 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.559 Even they have some kind of standard 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:23.879 by which marriage should be contained. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:26.139 So I ask the question, 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:27.939 why does their definition 00:09:27.939 --> 00:09:31.220 not include, say, something like polygamy? 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:34.620 Why not have multiple wives and husbands? 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:36.440 Who's to say we shouldn't? 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:39.620 Or what about incest? 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:41.940 And by that I mean marriage 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:43.899 to someone within your own family. 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:45.440 So a brother marries a brother 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:47.259 or a sister marries a sister. 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:48.259 Why not? 00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:50.200 Who's to say that's wrong? 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:53.580 Who's deciding where the barrier should be? 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:56.120 Or what about an age limit? 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.919 Why do we have an age limit? 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.000 Who decides that? 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:04.519 You see, even those who are wanting to say, 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.340 let's redefine it, 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.519 they themselves have limits 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.259 and they see that there actually are 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:12.379 good limits and standards. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.820 But again, I want us to come back and say, 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:19.159 it's not us who decide where those boundaries are. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:22.679 It is God who has defined marriage 00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:24.919 and it is for our good. 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:27.279 So that's the first thing. 00:10:27.479 --> 00:10:31.199 The second is the disorder of marriage. 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:34.659 You see, the discussion between Jesus 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:36.599 and the religious leaders in Mark 00:10:36.599 --> 00:10:39.819 is really about submission to God's design. 00:10:39.939 --> 00:10:41.360 That's the key issue here. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:44.360 It's about submission to God's design. 00:10:44.979 --> 00:10:46.599 And that includes you and I 00:10:46.599 --> 00:10:48.819 in every area of life, 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:50.259 not just marriage. 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:52.819 So let's look at the issue again in verse 2. 00:10:52.820 --> 00:10:55.240 The question has come to Jesus. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:58.900 Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? 00:11:00.260 --> 00:11:02.040 Well, what did Moses command you? 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:02.680 He replied. 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:04.580 Well, they said, 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:08.560 Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:10.340 and send her away. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.080 Now, it's important we've got to get the context here 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.440 and what's happening. 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:21.220 You see, society had become very patriarchal. 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:23.820 It had become male-dominated. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:27.120 And it was all about husbands' rights. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.300 And it was little to do with the protection 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:32.560 and the care of wives, 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:37.700 which was at the very heart of God's design. 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:40.660 The protection and care of wives 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:42.720 was central to God's design. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:46.460 So husbands who had got fed up with their wives 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:49.600 and they wanted to move in with somebody else down the road, 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:52.580 well, they could leave them on the basis of, 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:54.540 well, anything that they wanted to. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.580 They could say something like, 00:11:56.680 --> 00:12:00.820 well, you failed to live as a good wife in the house 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:02.399 and to fulfil all your duties. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:05.180 You didn't please me as a wife. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.840 And on those basis, 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:09.860 they could just dismiss their wife, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.720 go move in with somebody else, 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:14.279 and the wife would be left to no rights at all. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:19.199 You see, marriage had become twisted. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:23.199 The husband was abusing his role 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:26.100 and his wife had no rights. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:29.259 So to protect his wife, 00:12:29.819 --> 00:12:31.759 who was being neglected and abandoned, 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:33.039 verse 4, 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:37.839 Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce 00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:40.039 and send her away. 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:43.059 But, verse 5, 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:46.759 it was because your hearts were hard 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:50.319 that Moses wrote you this law. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:54.639 You see, a law had to be introduced. 00:12:55.339 --> 00:12:55.620 Why? 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.240 To protect the woman or wife 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:01.879 from the sinful behaviour of the man or husband. 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:04.199 Moses' law wasn't to say, 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:08.199 oh, you know what, men, you can do and live however you please. 00:13:08.200 --> 00:13:11.540 No, it was all about caring for 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:13.780 and protecting from 00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:16.280 those who were abusing marriage. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:18.460 So the real issue 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:23.420 is they didn't like God's design for marriage. 00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:25.600 They wanted to live as they pleased. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:27.500 They wanted an opt-out clause 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:30.280 and live and change their partner 00:13:30.280 --> 00:13:31.460 if they wanted to. 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:33.879 And if they got fed up with their wife, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.280 they wanted any reason to leave. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:39.980 Now, when Jesus is addressing this issue, 00:13:40.079 --> 00:13:42.100 he doesn't redefine marriage. 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:45.720 He takes them back to God's good design. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:46.980 So look at verse 7. 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.939 For this reason, 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:53.279 a man will leave his father and mother 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:56.159 and be united to his wife. 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.779 The implication there is 00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:00.919 is that husbands now have a responsibility. 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:03.600 They've left their mother and father. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:06.920 He's left their care. 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:09.399 And now he is given the responsibility 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.080 to care for his wife, 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:12.879 to protect his wife, 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.820 to provide for his wife, 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:16.340 to serve his wife, 00:14:16.420 --> 00:14:17.300 to love her 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:19.620 in that relationship. 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:22.840 But let's not lose sight 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.820 of why they were wanting to change 00:14:24.820 --> 00:14:26.600 God's design for marriage. 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.779 It's in verse 5. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:30.139 It was because your hearts 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:32.079 were hard. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.019 In other words, 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:36.339 they didn't like God's design. 00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:38.259 They wanted to create 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.759 their own design. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.559 Now, when I think about that, 00:14:43.059 --> 00:14:44.919 I don't think any of us 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.240 are any different. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.759 Because all of us 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:51.559 rebel against God's design for life. 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.519 We're not different. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:56.279 None of us like our Creator 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:58.779 telling us how we should live our life. 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.480 That's the history of the world. 00:15:00.839 --> 00:15:01.659 That's what happened 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:03.759 to the first married couple, 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.699 Adam and Eve. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.259 Read on in Genesis. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.899 As soon as they're married, 00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:10.879 they begin to go against God's design. 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.899 And havoc is wrecked. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:17.220 So let's ask ourselves a few questions. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.459 Husbands, 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.720 and that includes myself, 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.819 do we love, 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:26.040 do we care and protect our wives 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:26.740 as we should? 00:15:28.400 --> 00:15:30.180 Have you ever sulked 00:15:30.180 --> 00:15:31.640 and got annoyed 00:15:31.640 --> 00:15:32.920 because your wife said, 00:15:33.260 --> 00:15:34.440 no, not tonight? 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:38.379 Have you ever planned your day off 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.940 so that you do things 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:41.220 that you want to do 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:43.700 without first taking into consideration 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.840 the needs of your wife 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.520 or your children? 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:48.899 Have we ever looked 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:50.360 at another woman lustfully? 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.639 I know I have 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:55.259 and a lot more. 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.899 I fail to live up 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.179 to God's good design. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.419 What about wives? 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:04.539 Do you encourage 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:06.059 and support your husbands 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:06.860 as you should? 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.100 Have you ever soaked 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.100 and nagged 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.960 until you get your own way? 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:15.980 Or have you ever read 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:17.519 a nice romantic novel 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:20.000 and then imagined yourself 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.879 in the arms 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.139 of the hero and lover? 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.840 You see, 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.519 none of us live up 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.680 to God's good design. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:30.400 Maybe you're not married. 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.420 Maybe you're single. 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.580 Do you live up 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.800 to God's good design? 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.139 Completely pure 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.980 in your thoughts 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.860 and your attitudes? 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.240 You see, 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:42.560 the big point is this. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:43.719 Whether we support 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:44.859 same-sex marriage 00:16:44.859 --> 00:16:45.979 or whether we don't, 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:47.759 all of us rebel 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:49.059 against God's design 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.859 in some way. 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:51.259 Every one of us. 00:16:52.079 --> 00:16:52.939 We don't want, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.199 we want to live life 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.059 my way. 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.599 We want to define life 00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:58.099 so that it suits me 00:16:58.099 --> 00:16:58.959 and it fulfills 00:16:58.959 --> 00:16:59.779 my needs 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.739 and my desires. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.559 Look at verse 5 again. 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.279 It was because 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.960 your hearts 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.339 were hard 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.599 that Moses 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.419 had to write 00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.039 this law. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.639 it is because 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.399 our hearts 00:17:12.399 --> 00:17:13.259 are hard 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.759 that we want 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.339 same-sex marriage. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.519 It's because 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.139 our hearts 00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:19.000 are hard 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:20.019 that we get 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.539 annoyed 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.839 with our wives. 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.039 It's because 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.740 our hearts 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.659 are hard 00:17:24.659 --> 00:17:25.420 that we 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.920 nag 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.960 our husbands. 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.480 So just as 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.339 Aemon Gilmore 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.539 needs to repent, 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:31.720 repent, 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:34.079 so I 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.200 also need 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:35.759 to repent. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.279 We all need 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.139 to come back 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.379 to God's 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.700 good 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.859 and perfect 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:41.559 design. 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:47.180 Which brings us 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.099 to God's 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.420 design for marriage. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.940 Let's look at this 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.440 carefully. 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:52.359 God's design 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.099 for marriage 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.960 is for our good. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:57.600 Firstly, 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.200 male and 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.620 female, 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.440 verse 6. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.400 At the 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.900 beginning of 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.420 creation, 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:03.200 God made 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.920 them male 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.640 and female. 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.700 It's clear, 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.480 it's obvious. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.400 That's how 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.279 God made us. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.180 And these 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.279 two sexes 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.160 form the 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.840 basis and 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:13.579 the foundation 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.860 of a married 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.319 life. 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.579 The man 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.240 wasn't given 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.220 a mirror image 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.960 of himself. 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:19.860 Instead, 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.779 he was given 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.940 the opposite. 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:22.740 He was given 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.460 a woman. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.840 This is the 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.319 way God 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.120 planned it. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.519 And let's 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.200 remember that 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.079 within marriage 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.660 there is 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.480 firstly 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.460 equality. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.019 We're all 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.600 equal in 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:34.480 God's sight. 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.600 Men 00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.860 are not 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.519 greater than 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:37.840 women. 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.500 And women 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.620 are not 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.240 better than 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.539 men. 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.680 There is no 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.720 inferiority, 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.340 there is no 00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:44.980 superiority. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.079 We are 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.200 equally loved 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.120 and treasured 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:48.720 by God, 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.940 equal in 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:50.640 value, 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.319 equal in 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.340 position before 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:53.759 God, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.919 equal in 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.359 worth. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.619 However, 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.179 within that 00:18:59.179 --> 00:18:59.899 equality, 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:01.639 there is 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.759 complementarity. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.720 Men and 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.099 women, 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.259 in case you 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.000 didn't notice, 00:19:07.459 --> 00:19:08.159 are different. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.159 Physically, 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.179 we are 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:11.740 different. 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.000 Sexually, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.959 we are 00:19:13.959 --> 00:19:14.399 different. 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.679 But the 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.279 thing about 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.079 that difference 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.579 is, 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.319 we complement 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.119 each other. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.639 And for 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:22.480 good reason. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:22.539 children. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:23.860 Because 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:24.680 central to 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.099 God's 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.779 design for 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.539 marriage is 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.599 children. 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:29.940 Having 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.740 made male 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.420 and female, 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.360 God says in 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.160 Genesis chapter 00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.200 1 verse 28, 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.059 this is the 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.880 first command 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.039 that God 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.400 gives to 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.140 people. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.440 He says to 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.980 the man and 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.380 the woman, 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.019 God blessed 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.640 them and 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.180 said to 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.440 them, 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.700 be fruitful 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:47.240 and increase 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.279 in number. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.279 God bless 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.920 him and 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.519 God bless 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.279 him and 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:51.680 God bless 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:51.920 him and 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.619 have sex. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.940 Go make 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.420 babies. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.119 And the 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:56.920 only way to 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.819 have children 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.960 is by one 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.799 man and 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.480 one woman 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.720 coming together. 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.420 Physically and 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.440 sexually we 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.279 fit together. 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:06.660 One was made 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.299 with a penis, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.299 the other was 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.859 made with a 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.299 vagina. 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.700 It's not just 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.339 a biblical 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.000 fact, 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:12.960 this is a 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.220 biological fact. 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.500 Nature tells 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.139 us what the 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:17.180 right design is 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.840 for life. 00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:18.940 We don't 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.340 need to 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:20.220 interfere with 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.480 it. 00:20:21.820 --> 00:20:22.960 Two men 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.080 and two women 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:25.580 can't produce 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:26.400 a child. 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.640 So physically 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.980 and sexually 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.220 God made 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.299 us distinct. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.100 He made 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:34.160 us different. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.740 But through 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.519 marriage we 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.259 complement 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.560 each other. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.940 This is part 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.519 of God's 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.580 good and 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.759 beautiful design 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.980 for us. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.980 God's 00:20:45.980 --> 00:21:08.799 design is so 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.920 crystal clear. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.060 The man 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:12.400 leaves his 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:13.880 father, a 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.980 male, and 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.039 mother, a 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.300 female, and 00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.140 is married or 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:19.000 joined to his 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.279 wife. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:19.960 He enters 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.039 into a 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.440 covenant 00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:23.460 relationship, a 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.460 bond that 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.160 unites them 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.600 together. 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:26.480 And this 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.340 leads to, 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.880 firstly, unity. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.620 Look at the 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.360 end of verse 00:21:32.360 --> 00:21:33.060 eight. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:37.579 they become 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:39.240 one flesh, so 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.899 they are no 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:42.579 longer two, but 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.220 one. 00:21:43.659 --> 00:21:44.220 No longer 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.940 two, but 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.319 one. 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.819 It's no longer 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.539 about two 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.119 individuals trying 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.000 to get what they 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.839 want from the 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.359 other person. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.019 That's how many 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.339 people exist within 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:53.679 marriage. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.839 It's what I want 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.319 and what I need. 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.879 It's not about 00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:01.480 me or I, but 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.359 now it becomes 00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:04.000 we and 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:04.599 us. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.639 We are joined 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.599 together in a 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.819 mutual service of 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.279 one another, 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.619 supporting one 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.479 another, caring 00:22:11.479 --> 00:22:12.299 for one another, 00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:13.599 fulfilling one 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:13.979 another. 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.119 And when that 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.359 unity is broken 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:19.019 by adding in 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.079 somebody else into 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.939 that relationship, 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.639 either through 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:23.359 adultery or 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.519 through pornography, 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:25.919 it becomes 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.659 destructive and 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.500 divisive. 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.839 To add in 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.759 another person 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.019 ruins the 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.500 marriage. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.539 This is to be 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.440 an exclusive, 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.220 special relationship 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.359 between one man 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.559 and one woman. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.319 And this is God's 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.680 lifelong plan for 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:42.900 us. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.619 Verse 9. 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.200 Therefore, 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.759 what God has 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.720 joined together, 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.779 let man not 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.279 separate. 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.400 You see, even in 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.299 the design of us 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.940 coming together, 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.980 I say, well, I 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.839 chose Kirstie, 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.879 Kirstie chose me. 00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.820 In a sense, 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.600 that's true. 00:23:00.760 --> 00:23:01.520 But I also 00:23:01.520 --> 00:23:02.640 believe, verse 9, 00:23:02.760 --> 00:23:03.580 what God has 00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:04.360 joined together. 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:06.960 This is something 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.100 that God works 00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:09.600 in our lives. 00:23:10.260 --> 00:23:11.280 So there is a 00:23:11.280 --> 00:23:12.680 deep unity. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.760 And there is also 00:23:14.760 --> 00:23:15.680 intimacy. 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.560 Again, look at 00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:18.020 verse 8. 00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:18.360 It says, 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.040 the two will 00:23:19.040 --> 00:23:20.260 become one 00:23:20.260 --> 00:23:21.100 flesh. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:22.840 You see, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:24.800 sex is not 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.360 just about 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.220 making babies. 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.799 it's intended 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.400 by God 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.380 for intimacy. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.940 The coming 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.539 together 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.799 as one 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.539 flesh 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.900 is God's 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.319 way to 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.059 develop and 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.740 to grow 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.420 the marriage 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.100 relationship. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.700 In marriage, 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.420 we are to 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.339 give our lives 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.079 to each other, 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.860 including 00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:44.079 our physical 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.600 bodies. 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.640 Not just for 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.620 individual pleasure, 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.579 not just to 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.100 get out of it 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.759 what I can get 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.579 for myself 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.019 and to 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.799 please me. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.279 It's about 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.539 mutual pleasure 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.700 of service 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.539 towards the 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.259 other person. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.100 Now, people 00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.600 will often 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.059 say, 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.759 you know, 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.220 the Bible 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.779 is against 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.100 sex. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.440 You're not 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.860 allowed to 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.400 have sex 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:04.759 if you're 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.240 a Christian. 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.660 God doesn't 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.240 allow it. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.460 Well, 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.660 that's not 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.039 true. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.039 Read your 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.400 Bible. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.360 Read the 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.080 Song of Songs 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:14.620 tonight, 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.680 men and 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:15.940 women, 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.759 husbands and 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.160 wives. 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.340 You see, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.019 the problem 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.279 only comes 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.420 when we 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.340 take sex 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.640 outside of 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.500 God's design 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.620 for marriage. 00:24:26.520 --> 00:24:27.020 When we 00:24:27.020 --> 00:24:27.640 do that, 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.020 then it 00:24:28.020 --> 00:24:28.440 leads to 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.920 emptiness 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.220 and brokenness 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.840 because what 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.700 sex does 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.720 is it binds 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.840 people together. 00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:36.600 So to 00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:37.780 have multiple 00:24:37.780 --> 00:24:39.640 or other 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.220 sexual 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.860 relationships 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.660 means that 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:41.960 you are 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.300 actually binding 00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:43.840 yourself, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.740 you're gluing 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.600 yourself to 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.440 another person 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.520 and you 00:24:47.520 --> 00:24:48.280 can't break 00:24:48.280 --> 00:24:48.640 apart, 00:24:48.800 --> 00:24:49.259 you can't 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:49.860 walk away 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:50.520 from that 00:24:50.520 --> 00:24:51.580 without some 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.200 part being 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.800 broken, 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:54.139 emotionally, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.419 psychologically, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.139 physically. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:56.919 You can 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.339 read the 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:57.779 reports 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.240 yourself, 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.740 it's all 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.019 there. 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.059 The facts 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.259 say that 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.879 it damages. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.740 Of course, 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.460 God's grace 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.039 is great 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.559 enough to 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.200 heal and 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.980 to restore, 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.599 but the 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.259 point is 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.799 that to 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.399 live outside 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.919 of God's 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.659 design is 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.159 not good 00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.759 for us. 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.960 So if 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:16.339 you are in 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.940 a marriage, 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:19.819 it's about 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.379 unity, 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:22.520 intimacy, 00:25:22.520 --> 00:25:23.040 intimacy, 00:25:23.760 --> 00:25:24.540 and if 00:25:24.540 --> 00:25:24.860 you are 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:25.440 struggling 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.080 within your 00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:26.500 marriage 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.200 sexually, 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:28.900 then I 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.460 encourage you 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.060 to talk 00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:30.780 to someone. 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:31.960 You can 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.680 talk to me 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.060 if you're 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:33.380 a man, 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:33.660 you can 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.040 talk to 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:34.600 my wife, 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:35.480 Kirsty, 00:25:36.300 --> 00:25:37.280 and ask 00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:37.720 what is 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.540 God's 00:25:38.540 --> 00:25:39.440 design for 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.940 us, 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:40.620 because it 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:40.920 is a 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.800 vital part 00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.720 of our 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.300 relationship 00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:44.480 together. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:48.099 The last 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.980 part is 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.400 this, 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.440 a divine 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.039 marriage, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.839 and perhaps 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.400 this is the 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.299 most important 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.839 of all. 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.680 God's design 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.279 for marriage 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.860 is clear, 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.480 we've seen 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:58.860 that, 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.299 but let's 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.799 not lose 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.519 sight of 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.299 the ultimate 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.579 purpose of 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.220 what marriage 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.420 is to point 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.299 to and to 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.120 direct people 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.400 to. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.620 The marriage 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.200 between a 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.700 man and a 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:11.059 woman illustrates 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.099 and pictures 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.420 God's marriage 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.380 towards us. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.360 And for 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:15.920 this I want 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.380 us to go 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:17.440 to Ezekiel, 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.000 which is, 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.839 where is 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.059 it? 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:23.680 Isaiah, 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.319 Jeremiah, 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.259 Lamentations, 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.940 Ezekiel. 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.400 So it's 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.480 kind of in 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.860 the Bible, 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.420 if somebody's 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:28.960 got a page 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.599 number there, 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:31.839 could they, 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.000 chapter 16, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.400 sorry, 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.440 chapter 16, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:42.720 842, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:42.920 842, 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:45.259 842, 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.700 and we're 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:45.960 going to 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.500 finish with 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:46.819 this, 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.900 842, 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.660 Ezekiel, 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.839 chapter 16, 00:26:55.600 --> 00:27:00.940 page 842. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.000 Now what we 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.880 have here is 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:04.100 a picture, 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.980 it's imagery, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:08.160 to show God's 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.660 pursuit, 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.160 God's loving 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.539 pursuit, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.599 it's describing 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:14.500 almost how the 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.839 man pursues 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.720 his woman 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:18.079 to marry her. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.500 And so this is 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.259 showing how God 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.140 pursues us, 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.500 his desire for us, 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.640 his love for us, 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.940 so that he might 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.360 rescue us and 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.620 bring us into 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.860 the ultimate 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.940 relationship ever, 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.980 a relationship with 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.299 him, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.339 where we find 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.940 ultimate satisfaction 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.700 and joy in 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.379 every area of 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:37.799 life. 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.819 So as I read 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.440 this through, 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.720 just go with 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.259 the picture, 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.139 don't try and 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:44.240 sort out all the 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.879 different images, 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.859 but just go with 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:47.039 the picture and 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.440 see it as an 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.379 illustration of 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.659 God's marriage 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:51.720 towards us. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.119 We're going to 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.680 pick it up in 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:54.500 verse 4 and 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.220 read through to 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.039 verse 14. 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.720 Here we go, 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.519 chapter 16, 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.159 verse 4. 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:01.519 So on the day 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.220 you were born, 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:03.040 your cord was 00:28:03.040 --> 00:28:03.700 not cut, 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.460 nor were you 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.060 washed with 00:28:05.060 --> 00:28:05.840 water to make 00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.420 you clean, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.580 nor were you 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:08.080 rubbed with 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:09.000 salt or wrapped 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.720 in clothes. 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.160 No one looked 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.700 on you with 00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.400 pity or had 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.240 compassion enough 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.100 to do any of 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.840 these things for 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.060 you. 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:16.279 Rather you were 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.259 thrown out into 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.100 the open field, 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.920 for on that day 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.480 you were born 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.540 you were despised. 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.340 Then I passed 00:28:22.340 --> 00:28:23.240 by and saw you 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.100 kicking about in 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.580 your blood, 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.380 and as you lay 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:25.880 there in your 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.519 blood I said 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:26.779 to you, 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:27.460 live. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.779 I made you 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.759 grow like a 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.380 plant of the 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.740 field. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.880 You grew up 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.480 and developed 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.019 and became 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.440 the most 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.319 beautiful of 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.720 jewels. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.900 Your breasts 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.720 were formed 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.460 and your hair 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:37.840 grew, 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.920 you who were 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.120 naked and 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.539 bare. 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.100 Later I 00:28:42.100 --> 00:28:42.759 passed by 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.220 and when I 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.799 looked at you 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.460 and saw that 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.000 you were old 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.759 enough for love, 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:47.120 I spread the 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:47.960 corner of my 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.000 garment over you 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.819 and covered your 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.500 nakedness. 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.900 I gave you my 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.740 solemn oath and 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.539 entered into a 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.420 covenant with you, 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.460 declares the 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.100 sovereign Lord, 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.599 and you became 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.639 mine. 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.119 I bathed you 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.980 with water and 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.859 washed the blood 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.459 from you and 00:29:02.459 --> 00:29:03.480 put ointments on 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.659 you. 00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.919 I clothed you 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.959 with an embroidered 00:29:05.959 --> 00:29:06.719 dress and put 00:29:06.719 --> 00:29:07.939 leather sandals on 00:29:07.939 --> 00:29:08.139 you. 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.539 I dressed you in 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.659 fine linen and 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.459 covered you with 00:29:11.459 --> 00:29:12.359 costly garments. 00:29:12.919 --> 00:29:13.819 I adorned you 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.619 with jewellery. 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:16.179 I put bracelets on 00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:17.099 your arms and a 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:17.899 necklace round your 00:29:17.899 --> 00:29:19.019 neck and I put a 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.819 ring in your nose, 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.740 earrings on your 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.859 ears and beautiful 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.679 crown on your 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.000 head. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.359 So you were 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.180 adorned with 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:26.440 gold and silver. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.240 Your clothes were 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.279 of fine linen and 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.720 costly fabric and 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.880 embroidered cloth. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.099 Your food was 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:35.140 fine flour, honey and 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:35.980 olive oil. 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.880 You became very 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:39.799 beautiful and rose to 00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:40.400 be a queen. 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:43.400 And your fame spread 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.619 among the nations on 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.599 account of your 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:47.779 beauty because the 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.960 splendour I had 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:51.299 given you made your 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.859 beauty perfect, 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.399 declares the 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.119 sovereign Lord. 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.759 It's wonderful 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.399 poetry. 00:29:59.139 --> 00:29:59.859 It's a picture, 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.259 it's an image of 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.819 God's pursuit of 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.599 his people. 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.259 And the Lord Jesus 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.220 has made that a 00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.139 reality for us. 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:09.000 He has come to us 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.639 in our sin, in all 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.720 of our mess, in all 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.519 of our failure. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.539 When we were 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.419 unlovable, he was 00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.399 the one who loved 00:30:16.399 --> 00:30:16.759 us. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.019 He gave us not 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.200 just jewels and 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.619 fine clothes, but 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.619 he gave us his 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:24.179 life for us so 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.959 that we might 00:30:25.959 --> 00:30:26.959 become beautiful 00:30:26.959 --> 00:30:28.479 in his eyes. 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:29.919 He was the one 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:30.939 who took our 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:32.719 impurity from us. 00:30:32.959 --> 00:30:33.679 He took all of 00:30:33.679 --> 00:30:34.679 our sin and all 00:30:34.679 --> 00:30:36.899 of our mess and 00:30:36.899 --> 00:30:37.699 he took it all on 00:30:37.699 --> 00:30:40.059 himself and he 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.879 suffered in our 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:41.319 place. 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.459 He died for us 00:30:42.459 --> 00:30:44.379 and in exchange of 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:46.199 our impurity, he 00:30:46.199 --> 00:30:47.279 gives us his 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:49.359 purity so that we 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:50.000 might become 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:51.879 beautiful, treasured, 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.740 cared for, welcomed, 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.359 brought in to that 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.879 most beautiful of 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:58.619 relationships with 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:58.979 him. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.959 That is the most 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:03.500 perfect marriage, God 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.879 to his people, and 00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:06.139 that is for all of 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.339 us. 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.719 He will never leave 00:31:07.719 --> 00:31:08.839 us, he will never 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.139 forsake us, he will 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:11.579 never divorce us, he 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.779 will never drift and 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.559 give his love to 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:13.899 another. 00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:15.399 His love is perfect, 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:16.620 perfect, it is intent, 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:17.800 it is true. 00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:21.040 This is the divine 00:31:21.040 --> 00:31:23.400 marriage, this is what 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.960 he calls us all to 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.880 live in and it is 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.960 only when we live 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.360 within that marriage 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.920 and in within his 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:33.480 design, life will be 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:33.840 good. 00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:36.820 This is the true 00:31:36.820 --> 00:31:38.540 marriage that we all 00:31:38.540 --> 00:31:38.960 need. 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.259 Let's pray. 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.340 Amen. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:40.360 Amen. 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.400 Amen. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.420 Amen. 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:54.400 Our Father God, we 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.560 thank you for your 00:31:55.560 --> 00:31:57.400 word, we thank you 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.920 for how clear it is, 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:01.560 but yet each one of 00:32:01.560 --> 00:32:02.860 us find that we 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:04.440 struggle to live 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.600 under your design. 00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:09.040 We confess and we 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:11.640 repent that all of 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:13.800 us have rebelled 00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.940 against your design 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:16.180 in life in some 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.140 way or another. 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.059 And therefore we 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.000 need your grace. 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.880 We need your 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.340 healing. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.299 We need your 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:24.860 love. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.840 So please forgive 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:29.779 us and please 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.779 bring us to be 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:31.720 people who live 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:33.160 under your design. 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:35.120 I pray for every 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:36.120 marriage that is 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:37.100 represented here, 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.640 that you would 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:39.460 protect it, that 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:40.220 you would grow 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.380 their love for one 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:43.279 another, that you 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.700 would create unity 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.640 intimacy and 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:48.120 intimacy, that you 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:49.019 would bless them, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.200 that you would bless 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:51.519 every family that is 00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.620 represented here. 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.720 And I pray for every 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.160 single person here, that 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.340 you would help them to 00:32:57.340 --> 00:32:58.819 live lives that are 00:32:58.819 --> 00:33:00.539 pure and right. 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:03.640 And we pray that they 00:33:03.640 --> 00:33:05.240 would live a life that 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.759 reflects your goodness, 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:09.080 and that for all of us, 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:11.100 in whatever circumstance 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.759 of life we may find 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:14.919 ourselves, that we 00:33:14.919 --> 00:33:15.740 would find our 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:17.480 ultimate relationship 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.699 in Christ. 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:20.699 The one who gave his 00:33:20.699 --> 00:33:22.019 life for us. 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:24.159 The one who is our 00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.679 everything. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.919 The one who gives us 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:28.659 joy, peace and 00:33:28.659 --> 00:33:30.679 fulfillment in ways 00:33:30.679 --> 00:33:31.639 that nothing else 00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:32.699 ever can. 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.799 We thank you for what 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.419 you have done. 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:37.480 and please help us 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.960 to talk about this 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.900 issue to others, 00:33:40.560 --> 00:33:42.500 graciously and in 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.960 love, without 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:46.420 superiority, but 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:48.060 submitting to your 00:33:48.060 --> 00:33:48.800 good design. 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.380 We pray this in 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:51.100 Jesus' name. 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.000 Amen. 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:52.800 Amen. 00:33:52.800 --> 00:33:53.300 Amen. 00:33:53.300 --> 00:33:53.360 Amen. 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:53.420 Amen. 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:53.740 Amen. 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.300 Amen. 00:33:54.300 --> 00:33:54.360 Amen. 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:54.380 Amen. 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:54.400 Amen. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:54.420 Amen. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:54.480 Amen. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.500 Amen. 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.539 Amen. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:54.560 Amen. 00:33:54.560 --> 00:33:54.600 Amen. 00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:54.640 Amen. 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:54.660 Amen.