WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.080 Friends, I just want us to go back to COVID-19 era, sorry, and think about what was it that you were watching on Netflix, on Stan or whatever it is. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:18.480 One of the shows that I kept watching that kept popping up in 2020 were many home and renovation shows. 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:23.879 One of my favourites was Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:25.199 What a joy. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:41.039 All the shows like that that I was watching were similar in that singles families were looking at making their home more usable, maybe more aesthetic, more homey, a space for their future grandkids, maybe a guest room. 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:45.920 And Marie Kondo's show was all about tidying and decluttering your place. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:51.879 And one of the episodes was a story of a recent widow who said this. 00:00:51.880 --> 00:00:58.920 The kids have moved out, I've lost my husband, and I'm alone now. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:08.200 And so she gets Marie to help her through the grief and the loss of her husband as she navigates making a home for herself, 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:14.719 dealing with the belongings of her recently beloved past husband. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:23.120 But is that not the experience that we are all as individuals, as families trying to do? 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:30.539 That in different seasons of our life, we have all sensed this need to change and transform our homes, 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:35.780 the amount of bedrooms that we need, our plans for the spare bedroom changes, 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:42.079 and our homes have this ability to dictate our reality. 00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:47.939 Like the newlywed couple that's moved to a three-bed hour to expand their family in the future. 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:50.659 It's the empty nesters who've downsized their living. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:02:01.219 For many people, the deepest longing that we have is to make home, to make family. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:07.900 And for the newly single widow, she was trying to recalibrate who she was 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:13.400 and what does that look like to make home for herself now that she was recently widowed. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:17.460 She's found herself sick again, herself single again. 00:02:18.060 --> 00:02:19.560 Her husband got sick. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:24.580 She did not expect to be single as a mother or as a grandmother. 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:27.259 And so what did that mean day by day? 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:29.719 And what was her home like now? 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:34.199 And as we've been speaking about marriage the last few months, 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:38.900 we know it would be remiss of us not to talk about singleness. 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:44.680 Because did you know roughly 40% of St. Paul's are actually not married? 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:51.700 In and beyond the church, there are some singles who are single at a choice. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:55.719 There are some who are longing to be in a relationship but are not. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.480 They've longed and are longing to have children. 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:03.580 There are those who've been widowed and those who've had past marriages. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:10.380 And see, the goal for us in all the seasons of our life here is that wherever you are on that journey, 00:03:10.600 --> 00:03:14.280 I believe that this passage will help you find home. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:20.199 Maybe not to literally clear out your home and make room for a new person in your home, 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:29.979 but that God actually has a greater and beautiful vision of home than what you imagine your home and your family to be. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:37.159 And I want us to feel the sense of home in our inner being, regardless if you are single or married. 00:03:38.399 --> 00:03:44.939 In the past, single people have often been posed as people that must have been something wrong with them. 00:03:45.299 --> 00:03:49.699 We see it in that terms of spinster or the Simpsons crazy cat lady. 00:03:49.959 --> 00:03:53.459 There must be something about them which is the reason why they are still single. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:59.879 Yet in today's culture, we're starting to see this resurgence of singleness. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:03.460 We see the current headlines, singleness has peaked. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.620 Single women are thriving in 2025. 00:04:07.140 --> 00:04:11.340 And this headline that made me chuckle is having a boyfriend embarrassing now. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:20.460 You know, singleness has almost given this new marketing spiel that to be single is to be free and not held down. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:27.779 And I was talking with another friend of mine who said that they wanted to be single instead of in a relationship 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:30.719 so that they didn't need to be involved in all the drama. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.799 But how is singleness viewed in the church? 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:40.459 Danny Trawick, author of Single Ever After, said of singleness in the modern day church. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:46.479 In today's evangelical church, marriage and parenthood sits on a pedestal. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:52.379 They are typically held out as the highest good and goal of the Christian life. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:05:01.520 And this leaves us thinking of singleness as either a season of preparation before real life begins, 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:07.680 a very rare exception for some specially empowered few, or just a tragic reality. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:15.000 I remember at a youth group hangout at my old church, all the guys were talking about looking for a partner, 00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:19.480 wanting to be married one day, and almost all of them, including the male leaders, 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:23.300 said that humans were made not to be single. 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:29.439 They never said it word for word, but there was this implied idea that if a Christian was single, 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:33.360 they would be unformed, immature in their faithful life. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:35.740 And I said, how about Jesus? 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:38.199 Wasn't Jesus single? 00:05:38.840 --> 00:05:45.199 And the reason why I'm so glad to unpack this passage is because I remember sharing that very night 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:50.120 that this passage shows God's beautiful picture of singleness. 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:51.580 So let's pray. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:58.139 Lord Jesus, we thank you that you yourself are an example of a man who was single, 00:05:58.300 --> 00:06:00.540 who lived a pure and perfect life. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:04.460 We thank you that you've given us this wonderful passage. 00:06:05.200 --> 00:06:11.819 And we ask that we might receive peace, joy, clarity, and understanding as we read this passage. 00:06:12.640 --> 00:06:17.939 Make it transform us to be more alive and live more truer to how you made us to live 00:06:17.939 --> 00:06:19.900 than we have ever been before. 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:21.200 Amen. 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:26.820 The first point I want to talk about is that the idea of this gift of singleness. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:33.099 I've often heard this statement being said in the church, quoting this passage, 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:38.920 sounding something like, some have the gift of singleness and some don't. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:42.459 And they get it from earlier verses that I didn't get John to read. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:48.159 But if you just look at that 10 verses before, in verse 7 to 8, Paul says on the screen as well, 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:51.420 I wish that all of you were as I am. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:52.439 Paul is single. 00:06:52.439 --> 00:07:11.639 And I agree with the statement that some have the gift of singleness. 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:18.259 I agree to the extent that you who are married in this room do not have the gift of singleness. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:24.539 And all you who are single do have the gift of singleness. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:30.759 Because the gift of singleness is a gift of the season of singleness, 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:36.620 as the gift of marriage is the gift of the season of marriage. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:43.439 The gift that Paul talks about is not a special spiritual gift that the Lord gives to some believers and not others. 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:47.980 It's not like he's given some people the ability to sing and others not. 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:54.560 We suddenly make out that the gift of singleness is for those who have this extraordinary power 00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:00.160 to remain single and celibate, almost like you need some kind of booster shot injection. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:05.040 And if you don't have that, then the rest of us who don't have it just have to wrestle through it. 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:16.819 But you see, the call that Paul makes here is that both married and unmarried, prior to this, is to be self-controlled. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:21.200 And that doesn't change whether you are single or whether you are married. 00:08:22.520 --> 00:08:29.500 You see, the season of singleness that you might find yourself in is a gift. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:33.539 It's not just a training course for the real deal. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:44.159 Singleness in itself, struggling or joyful, is a legitimate, beautiful gift from God. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:56.980 And you might ask, how can singleness be a gift if it draws such deep pain and loneliness? 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:03.159 Because there are dear friends of mine who I know have long to be married and haven't found that day. 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:05.339 How is it a gift? 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:12.580 I want to share from Elizabeth Elliot, a missionary who was widowed three times, 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:22.399 one of whom, her first husband, was a missionary who went to a country and that country killed him. 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:25.780 And she still decided to be a missionary to that country. 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:30.060 She talks about this in Let Me Be a Woman. 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:33.459 After being widowed three times, she says, 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:38.859 Having now spent more than 41 years single, I have learnt that it is indeed a gift. 00:09:39.979 --> 00:09:41.500 Not one I would choose. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:44.379 Not one many women would choose. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:47.059 But we do not choose our gifts, remember? 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:53.579 We are given them by a divine giver who knows the end from the beginning 00:09:53.580 --> 00:10:00.480 and wants above all else to give us the gift of himself. 00:10:04.780 --> 00:10:07.500 In 1 Corinthians 7 verse 17, it says, 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:13.840 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:16.660 just as God has called them. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:23.579 You see, the verb should live here is best translated as retaining or grasping hold of, 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:29.779 in other words, embracing the season of life that the Lord has assigned. 00:10:30.199 --> 00:10:34.959 And if you were to play reverse on this verse, you might actually say, 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:40.579 Don't hurry leaving the situation that the Lord has placed you in. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:42.800 And when you hear that, you go, 00:10:42.900 --> 00:10:48.180 Well, it sounds well and good until you reach that rut in your current stage of life. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:51.520 And you start to think that the grass is greener elsewhere, 00:10:51.660 --> 00:10:53.620 or the past was rosier than today. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:57.280 You know, some parents will remember how good the baby days were 00:10:57.280 --> 00:11:00.259 before their kids could speak and talk back. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:04.660 Or some wish their children who have moved out 00:11:04.660 --> 00:11:09.520 until they realise how they don't like the quiet home anymore. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:17.520 And it's often in retrospect that we understand what God is and was doing in any season. 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:22.980 That God has been doing it for your good and his glory. 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:27.280 And so we should always be asking in every season, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:29.240 What is the Lord teaching thee? 00:11:29.780 --> 00:11:31.220 What is he teaching me through this? 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:36.460 How is Jesus showing up to thee in this present crisis? 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:43.560 Because we're called to remember that the Lord has assigned your season of life that you are in. 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:48.360 Don't miss out on what God is doing in this season. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:50.720 Because he is indeed doing something. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.259 He is changing you. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:54.879 He is working for your good and his glory. 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:57.780 And that's not to say what Paul is saying. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:58.680 He's not saying, 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.379 If you wish to pursue marriage, 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:01.460 if you want to change jobs, 00:12:01.540 --> 00:12:02.280 if you want to move country, 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.560 it's the wrong decision. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:09.599 Paul himself recognises that while he might embrace singleness and what it affords, 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:15.759 he does not by any means illegitimise marriage as a God-honouring decision. 00:12:15.859 --> 00:12:16.439 Verse 28. 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:18.519 But if you do not marry, 00:12:18.739 --> 00:12:21.139 you have not sinned. 00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:23.119 But you see, 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:23.899 for Paul, 00:12:24.699 --> 00:12:26.919 there is something that matters 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:29.379 much more than your marital, 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:30.119 your work, 00:12:30.359 --> 00:12:31.579 your geographic status, 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.279 where you live. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:34.539 There is something that is primary 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.500 beyond your season of life. 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:38.299 He's saying to the year 12 student, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:39.439 You are more than just a number. 00:12:39.699 --> 00:12:41.259 He's saying to the office worker, 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:43.039 You are more than a set of KPIs. 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:46.399 There is something that has happened for the Christian 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.019 in their circumstances 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:50.699 that is greater than whether you got married or whether you're not. 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:55.100 The gospel is better news for the Christian 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:57.039 than what the world has to offer. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.459 In verse 22, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.459 do you notice, 00:12:59.599 --> 00:13:02.279 a Christian is the Lord's freed person. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.819 They belong to Christ. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:06.860 That you were bought at a price. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:08.919 You see, 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.379 for the struggling single person 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:15.019 who has had failed date after failed date 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.599 and rejection after rejection, 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:19.180 Do you know there's a God who sees you? 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:24.040 Do you know that Jesus has bought you 00:13:24.040 --> 00:13:25.960 at the price of his blood? 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.240 Was he himself that was rejected by you and me 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:31.040 and then by his own father 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:34.300 as he took on the sin and scorn and shame on the cross 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:34.580 and said, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.279 Elo, Elo, 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:37.040 lama sabachthani, 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:37.820 my God, 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.240 my God, 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.480 why have you forsaken me? 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:42.480 And he doesn't see you as broken. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.560 He holds you with worth and dignity 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:47.759 because your primary status 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.379 is not your marital status, 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:53.039 but that you belong to the Lord. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.019 Friends, 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:57.379 there is this wonderful confession of faith 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:59.840 called the Heidelberg Catechism, 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.539 like our creeds that we say, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.940 that begins with the question, 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:07.700 what is the only comfort in life and death? 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:09.019 And what's the answer? 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:12.820 The answer is that I am not my own, 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:16.860 but belong body and soul in life and in death 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:19.300 to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:22.759 Because I belong to him, 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.639 Christ by his Holy Spirit 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:27.060 assures me of eternal life. 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:29.200 Because belonging to Christ, 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:30.659 your status in Jesus, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:33.039 secures a future status. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:37.259 And this is what Paul reiterates himself in verse 29. 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:39.080 What I mean, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.520 what he really means 00:14:40.520 --> 00:14:44.480 about his desire for married and unmarried 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.460 is to remember, 00:14:46.780 --> 00:14:47.560 brothers and sisters, 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:49.080 that the time is short. 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:50.660 The time is short. 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:52.480 That life on this earth 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.940 is soon going to end like the sand 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.800 reaching the bottom of an hourglass. 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.259 It will be finished. 00:14:58.259 --> 00:15:02.399 And so Paul suggests this as his reason to be single. 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.159 Verse 32, 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:07.899 I would like you to be free from concern. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:11.679 An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs, 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.539 how he can please the Lord. 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:17.139 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, 00:15:17.439 --> 00:15:18.639 how he can please his wife, 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:20.299 and his interests are divided. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.819 An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs. 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:28.820 Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. 00:15:29.760 --> 00:15:30.680 And then verse 35, 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:33.760 I am saying this for your own good, 00:15:34.260 --> 00:15:36.620 not to restrict you, 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:39.860 but that you may live in a right way 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:43.640 in undivided devotion to the Lord. 00:15:44.640 --> 00:15:44.840 See, 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.379 Paul is recognizing 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:48.700 an earthly reality 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.960 that come with having families, 00:15:51.140 --> 00:15:52.100 having dependents, 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.800 and that single people 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:55.680 have a unique opportunity 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:57.180 to be freed from that. 00:15:58.040 --> 00:16:00.300 And I know many families 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.540 and many parents, 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:02.800 those who are married, 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.900 those who have children or not, 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:05.560 recognize 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.840 that there is 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.640 a reality 00:16:09.640 --> 00:16:12.420 that there are burdens 00:16:12.420 --> 00:16:14.500 that have come 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.340 uniquely 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.420 because of their 00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:19.019 deep love for another, 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:20.420 whether that is 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.540 the loss of a spouse, 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.940 whether that is 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:24.220 caring for 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.340 dependents. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:28.060 And as much as they love that gift, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.460 it is also hard. 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:32.180 And so Paul is saying 00:16:32.180 --> 00:16:33.580 that perhaps 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:35.200 for someone who is single, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.840 that there is something unique 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:40.300 in that gift 00:16:40.300 --> 00:16:41.480 for you to embrace. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.000 And one gift 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.080 I want you to consider 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:47.000 is single friends. 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:48.180 Have you ever considered 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.639 that your very present 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.800 season of life 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:52.100 is a glimpse 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.860 of eternity 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.320 that your married friends 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.180 cannot reflect? 00:16:57.080 --> 00:16:58.240 In Matthew 22, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:58.780 verse 30, 00:16:58.879 --> 00:16:59.680 Jesus says about 00:16:59.680 --> 00:17:00.600 marriage in heaven, 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.500 at the resurrection, 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.720 people will neither marry 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.779 nor be given in marriage. 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.559 They will be 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.799 like angels 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.559 in heaven. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.120 You see, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.180 what we've been 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.579 pushed by Steve 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:14.279 and Nick, 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.199 is married people 00:17:16.199 --> 00:17:16.919 can reflect 00:17:16.919 --> 00:17:17.679 the marriage 00:17:17.679 --> 00:17:18.199 of the Lord 00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:19.519 and his church. 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.879 But you, 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:22.339 as a single person, 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.960 can uniquely show us 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.519 what it might look like 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.899 to live in the new creation 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:29.439 in a way that married people 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:29.799 cannot 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.119 when our hearts 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.480 will be fully devoted 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.419 to the Lord. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:35.539 married people. 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.820 And so, 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.640 you and married people, 00:17:40.640 --> 00:17:41.360 you are called 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:42.519 to live as though 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.500 you are home 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.660 with Jesus. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:47.279 Do you guys see it? 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.680 It's not actually 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.660 marital status 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.400 that will determine 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.060 whether you will be 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:52.019 a blessing to the church 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.660 in God's kingdom. 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:54.220 Your devotion to God 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.120 depends on where 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:56.140 you set your gaze. 00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:57.580 Where is the home 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.519 that you are building? 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.539 Despite what Paul says 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.480 about single people 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.380 living for the Lord, 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.580 you can be unmarried 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.920 and Christian 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.980 and live with your 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.980 personal dreams 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.580 and ambitions 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.760 and not have the Lord 00:18:08.760 --> 00:18:09.700 shape your interests. 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:12.060 But you could also 00:18:12.060 --> 00:18:13.200 be married with kids 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.040 and be insular 00:18:14.040 --> 00:18:15.560 in your own family. 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.680 It's where you choose 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:19.420 to make your own home. 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.640 Paul's saying, 00:18:20.780 --> 00:18:21.760 you are not bound 00:18:21.760 --> 00:18:23.120 by this earth. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.980 Married people. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.420 Paul says in verse 28 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:29.080 that your marital status 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:30.000 should not trump 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.060 your future status 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:33.000 because you see, 00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.819 the good news of Jesus 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:36.339 extends the meaning 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:38.919 of your earthly time. 00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:42.419 The good news of Jesus 00:18:42.419 --> 00:18:45.599 says that he's redeeming 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:48.139 the parts of your marriage 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:50.460 and pushing you 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.779 and sanctifying you 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.740 so that on the day 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.679 that Jesus returns, 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.500 you will be able 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:57.200 to stand at the gaze 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.019 of the Lord Jesus 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.779 and say, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.759 and hear the words, 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.440 well done, 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.819 good and faithful servant, 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.879 alongside your spouse 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.920 who you together 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:07.079 have spurred one another 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:08.460 into living for Jesus. 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:11.220 It's for the single person 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:13.139 to know their investment 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:14.460 in discipling, 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.240 their investment 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.660 in caring for people 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:19.139 has not gone in vain 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:21.019 because they will see 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.839 their crown and joy 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.279 in heaven. 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:24.139 Instead, 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.779 friends, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.779 you've got a home 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.339 with Jesus. 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.500 He's preparing 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.259 a home for you. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.240 He's making room 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.720 for you. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.180 And so married 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.839 and unmarried, 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.420 live as though 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:34.960 you are home 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.440 with Jesus. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.259 But how should we 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.500 see marriage? 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:40.839 You see, 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.859 Paul does not look down 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.899 on one or the other 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:44.379 that we might do 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.079 subconsciously. 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.740 We might read 00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.259 this passage 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.619 and go, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:46.899 wow, 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.779 Paul's really 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.879 amping up singleness. 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.779 He must be really 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.539 anti-marriage. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.619 Paul being pro-single 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.599 does not mean 00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:56.119 he is anti-marriage. 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:56.619 We've literally 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.920 seen him speak 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.839 about for the last 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.579 many weeks 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.779 in Ephesians 5, 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.579 both are good. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.379 He says singleness 00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:03.839 is a gift. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.480 He says marriage 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:05.000 is a gift. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.500 And as Danny 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.019 has said, 00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:08.079 often in the church, 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.240 marriage has been 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.700 put on this highest 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.839 order or goal 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.539 for the Christian 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:14.980 that we may subvert 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.039 in our heads 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.819 and assume that 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:18.039 if one has not 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.839 been married, 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:20.619 that they are not 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:21.939 mature as Christians 00:20:21.939 --> 00:20:22.799 as others. 00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:24.579 And sometimes 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.599 it's often because 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:27.240 we hear married people 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.799 often share how God 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.480 has used marriage 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.199 to edify and sanctify 00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:33.480 them to grow them 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.159 in maturity. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.740 But that doesn't 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.879 discount the fact 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.779 that there are many 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.419 people who are single 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:40.299 out of obedience 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.000 to the Lord. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.559 They won't stand 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.199 for marrying 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.000 a non-Christian. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.839 They want to embrace 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.659 God's wisdom 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.580 about marriage 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.340 and sexuality. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.080 That's a man 00:20:51.080 --> 00:20:52.440 or woman. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.759 You see, 00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.480 that's godly 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.420 who's mature 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.040 and faithful. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.500 And so in the same 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.440 way that these 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.440 are both gifts 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.420 that grow us 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.940 for maturity, 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.700 both have its 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.080 challenges. 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.120 You see, 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.040 Steve has spoken 00:21:06.040 --> 00:21:06.960 about the challenges 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.460 in marriage, 00:21:07.540 --> 00:21:08.240 but they exist 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.080 for the single person 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:10.560 too in immense 00:21:10.560 --> 00:21:11.380 but sometimes 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.380 quiet ways. 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.320 I had an extroverted 00:21:14.320 --> 00:21:15.220 friend who lived 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.500 alone who was envied 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.220 by their friends 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.860 and colleagues 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:19.000 for being single 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.740 during COVID 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:21.079 and understandably 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.620 it's because 00:21:21.620 --> 00:21:22.460 they didn't, 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.279 like they had 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.240 to deal with Zoom 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.240 at school, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.799 they didn't have 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.960 the kids 24-7 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.079 while they were 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.920 working and living 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:30.420 but the thing 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.000 for them is 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:32.440 they hated isolation. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.779 They hated it. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.440 They didn't get 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.440 to see their grandkids, 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:36.819 they didn't get 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.460 to hug anyone, 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.160 they didn't get 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.779 to have those 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.160 physical conversations 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.940 because there was 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.860 no one at home. 00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:44.579 They are all 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.299 challenges, 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.879 they're just 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:47.699 different. 00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.859 And so our vision 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.839 of singleness 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.959 and marriage 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:52.699 should therefore 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:53.559 be like this. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.759 It's two sides 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:56.319 of the same coin, 00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:57.919 both with ways 00:21:57.919 --> 00:21:58.599 that mirror 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:00.039 the faithfulness 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.919 to Christ 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:02.079 and both 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.959 that uniquely 00:22:02.959 --> 00:22:04.619 show a glimpse 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.539 of what it is 00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.299 like to be 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.719 in heaven. 00:22:06.939 --> 00:22:07.240 And so, 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:08.539 friends, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.199 I want to ask you, 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.019 have you ever 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.639 considered 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:14.619 that side-by-side 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.539 married and 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.720 unmarried people 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.639 can be mutually 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.660 beneficial for 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.319 our community? 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.420 Not when they are 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.500 siloed with only 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.139 married people 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.960 being friends 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.379 and the unmarried 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.079 and childless 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.019 having another group, 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.500 but when they love 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.160 and serve 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.000 and commit to being 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.920 the family of God 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.420 that they have been 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.180 called to be. 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.519 Here are a few 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.420 things that I've seen 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.220 in our community 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.799 or others 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.460 or things that I'd 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.460 love to see more of 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.539 where singleness 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.900 and marriage together 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.780 has been such 00:22:40.780 --> 00:22:41.580 a beautiful thing. 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.680 Number one, 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:45.259 when there's space 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.280 given to single 00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:47.040 people to come 00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:47.640 over when the 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.420 quiet is too much, 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.240 inviting single 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.460 and childless couples 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.380 to be surrogate 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.540 aunties and uncles 00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.920 to their kids, 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.600 not excluding 00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.340 single friends 00:22:59.340 --> 00:22:59.720 from their 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.800 multifamily holidays, 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:02.780 being a trusted 00:23:02.780 --> 00:23:03.820 adult when mum 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.480 and dad become 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.200 a bit too 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.539 annoyed. 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.359 Friends, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.139 to the married 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:10.419 and the unmarried, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.159 what does living 00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:12.919 now like 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.619 you are home 00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:14.159 with Jesus? 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:14.980 What does it look 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.359 like? 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:16.819 Because 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:18.519 isn't that 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.419 the beautiful thing 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.179 about the gospel 00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:21.059 is that it brings 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.599 family? 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.939 That other 00:23:23.939 --> 00:23:25.059 Christians are 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.799 your brothers 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.799 and sisters 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.039 as Paul keeps 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.259 and reminding 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.359 the church? 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:32.259 And if you're 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.059 still someone 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.959 who's searching 00:23:33.959 --> 00:23:35.319 who Jesus is 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.979 but you think 00:23:35.979 --> 00:23:37.179 there's something 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:37.919 beautiful and 00:23:37.919 --> 00:23:39.019 attractive of this 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.059 radical sense of 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.619 community, 00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:41.819 I'd love to chat 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.240 with you. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.779 Single friends, 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.599 it's not wrong 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.539 for you to want 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.599 to make home 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:49.000 on this life, 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:51.240 to be married. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.919 Your desires 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:52.639 are not wrong 00:23:52.639 --> 00:23:53.299 but remember 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.139 there is a greater 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:55.219 home being prepared 00:23:55.219 --> 00:23:55.539 for you. 00:23:55.699 --> 00:23:56.339 Remember that 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.619 however long 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.519 that season of 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.519 singleness is, 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:01.219 you have been 00:24:01.219 --> 00:24:03.019 uniquely positioned 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.639 to point others 00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.419 to your home 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:05.939 in heaven. 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.479 Married friends, 00:24:10.199 --> 00:24:11.419 if you want 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:12.199 to witness 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:13.899 to your single 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.579 friends, 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:16.619 embrace them 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.699 into your lives 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.819 and have your 00:24:18.819 --> 00:24:19.559 marriage be a 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.119 mirror that 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.459 reflects the 00:24:21.459 --> 00:24:22.159 love of Christ 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:22.599 and the church 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.639 so visible 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.799 that your 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.879 Christian single 00:24:25.879 --> 00:24:26.599 friends will feel 00:24:26.599 --> 00:24:28.899 welcome in that 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:30.079 love and that 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.939 they are willing 00:24:30.939 --> 00:24:32.019 to pursue their 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.699 cross to bear 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:32.960 to. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.539 If you've been 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.220 longing to be 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.139 married but have 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.139 chosen time after 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.359 time to be 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.259 faithful to God 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.699 rather than 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.500 disobeying his 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:42.119 law, thank you 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.859 for being a 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.579 witness and 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.339 standing firm. 00:24:45.179 --> 00:24:45.699 If you're a 00:24:45.699 --> 00:24:46.599 same-sex attracted 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.359 Christian who has 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.240 decided to walk 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.539 the narrow path 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.079 of faithful 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:51.579 obedience in 00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.279 seeing God's 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.159 beautiful picture 00:24:53.159 --> 00:24:55.059 of marriage 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.619 marriage and 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.919 decide to be 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.419 celibate, 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.879 hold firm to 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.539 his promises 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.259 and know his 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:00.899 ever-present 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.240 help. 00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:03.700 But I want to 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.559 say specifically 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.700 to those of you 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.480 in the room who 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.519 have been married 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.379 and you have 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.960 been sitting 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.480 here in this 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.379 room, sermon 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.079 after sermon, 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:12.559 and if you 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.240 loved this 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.059 beautiful picture 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.599 of marriage and 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.740 you wished that 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.679 your last marriage 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.220 shared that 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.779 picture, but 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.480 maybe you have 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.240 some regrets on 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.399 how you entered 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.279 the relationship, 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.559 not trusting in 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.539 God's beautiful 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.259 picture of what 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.839 marriage should 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:26.240 look like as a 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.480 Christian, and 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.440 you found yourself 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.359 single once again. 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.339 I want you to 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.240 look at John 4. 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:33.079 We see Jesus 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.299 speak to a 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.180 Samaritan woman. 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.440 It's a story that 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.700 many of you know 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.099 because a Samaritan 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.420 woman in this 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.299 case is someone 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.200 who had multiple 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.319 marriages and in 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.879 fact is a 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:44.480 prostitute. 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.000 And Jesus, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.379 despite knowing 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.759 her, goes with 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.859 purpose and 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.579 presence. 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.659 He, despite 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.759 knowing all her 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.440 sins and 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.120 brokenness, doesn't 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:56.120 withhold himself 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.320 but offers living 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:57.660 water. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.000 And the Lord 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.900 Jesus comes to 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:03.360 you with the 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.240 same purpose 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:06.360 and presence 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:07.799 and says, I 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.620 know what you've 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.320 been through, and 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:11.039 he loves you 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.620 still and has 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.660 prepared a home 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:15.380 for you, that 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.480 you too can 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.680 live as though 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.420 you are home 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.240 with Jesus. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.400 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:49.380 Thank you.