WEBVTT

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 Two weekends ago was the most exciting weekend of my life thus far.

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 Kay and I woke up one morning on Saturday morning

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 and we went to a rock at Freshwater Beach

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 and I proposed to her and she said yes.

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 It was a wonderful Saturday morning.

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 Thank you.

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 Thank you.

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 Now, I didn't necessarily put a lot of effort into the proposal itself.

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 It was pretty easy.

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 I had it all planned out pretty much the night before.

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 But something I did put a lot of effort into

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 and did a lot of work for

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 was trying to find the right engagement ring for Katie.

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 You know, I wanted her to have the best ring I could afford.

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 And so I did so much research into the different rings,

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 into the different diamonds you could have,

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 into the colour, the clarity, the cut of the diamond

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 and how each worked in its favour

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 to produce a very wonderful sparkle and such.

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 And so I worked out how I could get the best diamond

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 for the best value for my wonderful-to-be fiance.

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 But something I noticed myself doing on the day itself

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 after I proposed, after I gave Katie the ring,

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 was when we went back to celebrate with friends and family,

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 I began to compare the ring I had given her

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 to the rings that my other friends had given

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 to their fiancés and their wives.

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 And I began to get a little bit envious

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 as I looked at some of their rings

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 and saw that perhaps their ring, their diamond,

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 was perhaps a little bit bigger than what I gave Katie.

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 Katie, it was a bit shinier, a bit brighter,

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 seemed to be a better cut than what I had given Katie.

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 And it made me really envious in the moment.

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 I got really bitter and resentful to my own friends

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 in that moment because they had given something

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 far better than what I had given Katie.

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 It made me think,

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 I should have gone out and gone all out,

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 got the biggest rock I could have afforded,

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 got the best diamond I could have gotten.

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 In that moment, envy had consumed me.

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 Now, Katie and I are very happy with the ring

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 and we're very excited to get married,

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 so just to clarify that.

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 But the temptation of envy can be all too easy

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 to fall into straight away.

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 It was only for a moment that I felt that temptation.

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 But in that moment, envy pretty much had consumed me.

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 It's so easy and it's so dangerous.

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 It's something that we are all at risk of every single day

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 at every single moment of our life,

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 which is why this evening we are continuing our series

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 looking at wisdom in the book of Proverbs

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 and particularly looking at the evil of envy.

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 And so to begin, I want to unpack why evil is,

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 so why envy is so evil.

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 And there are two conditions that envy thrives on

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 in our life in this world.

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 Firstly, we envy those we identify with.

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 And secondly, we envy these people

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 in the area we value the most.

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 Now, these effects can have minor or major consequences

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 for us in our life.

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 So, for example, I struggled with envy

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 when I saw the engagement rings my mates had bought

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 for their girlfriends and fiancés,

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 so people I identified with.

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 And it made me bitter in the moment

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 because it made me feel less or less of a person

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 because they had outdone me and such.

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 Now, that's a minor consequence, right?

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 It was a moment and then it passed and I got over it.

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 However, in the Bible, there are instances

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 where someone's envy has had major consequences

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 for themselves and for other people in their life.

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 We already know the story of Joseph

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 and his brothers that Steve mentioned last week.

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 Joseph's brothers envied the attention

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 that he received from their father

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 and the gifts he would get, such as his wonderful coat.

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 For them, the coat symbolized and expressed

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 Jacob's favoritism towards his son, Joseph,

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 that he was held in elevated status before them,

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 a status that the rest of the brothers really wanted

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 and valued themselves.

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 So their envy turned into bitterness, resentment and hate,

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 which expressed itself through a plot

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 trying to kill Joseph, their own brother.

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 Or take Cain and Abel, for example,

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 brothers who, as far as we knew,

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 had no tension between each other

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 until God chose to accept Abel's gift over Cain's gift.

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 And again, Cain's envy sprouted out of nowhere,

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 but it sprouted because from God's action to him

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 symbolized that God had favored him over Abel.

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 And whereas Cain, he wanted and valued God's favor.

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 And so he envied his own brother for being favored over him.

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 And whilst he had the opportunity to not give in to his envy,

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 that God had warned him,

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 don't give in to your sin,

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 eventually in the end,

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 envy had consumed him so much that he did give in.

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 He turned bitter, hateful,

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 he resented the fact that his younger brother

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 was favored over him.

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 And so he ended up killing him.

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 And he tried to cover it up.

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 Funny enough, just the same way

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 Joseph's brothers tried to cover it up as well.

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 Whether minor or major,

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 envy targets the internal qualities of another person,

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 and it makes you play the comparison game.

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 And these internal qualities are generally symbolized externally.

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 So for example,

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 Joseph's coat symbolized the favoritism he received from his father.

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 His brothers didn't want Joseph's coat per se.

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 They wanted the favoritism from his father that the coat had symbolized.

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 They compared themselves to Joseph and saw they didn't match up to him,

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 which led them to envy him.

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 This is the comparison game envy makes us play.

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 Envy takes everything that we have in our life

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 and it uses it to make us play this game of comparison,

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 where we look down on people who are not as good as us,

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 who don't have enough as us,

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 or we look up at people in bitterness and resentment for what they have

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 and therefore what that says about us.

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 When we see someone wearing a nicer suit,

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 who has a better job than us,

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 who has a better body or nicer clothes than us,

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 who drives a nicer car,

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 owns a bigger house than us,

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 it's easy to let these things,

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 to let envy use these things

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 to make us feel bitter and resentful towards them.

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 For they have something that says something about them

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 and when you compare yourself to them,

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 it says something about yourself

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 and when we seem not to measure up to them.

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 The envious person is consumed

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 by how they stack up against other people

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 and the consequences,

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 whether seemingly minor or obviously major,

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 are damaging either way.

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 See, from these examples,

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 I think we can see two main things

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 in the way that envy distorts and corrupts our humanity.

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 Firstly, it distorts and compromises our character,

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 leading us to do things we may have never have done,

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 to bring other people down to our level

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 or worse, below our level,

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 like in the example of Cain and Abel.

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 And secondly, it distorts

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 and attempts to destroy our relationships

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 as it pits us against those we identify with

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 and share similar values,

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 like the way I struggled with the engagement rings.

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 In the moment,

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 my bitterness and my resentment

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 was towards my own friends.

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 And this, for me,

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 is why envy is most evil

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 and particularly dangerous in a church context.

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 Indeed,

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 if any of us here harbour any envy towards each other

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 here in this place,

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 we are indeed under serious threat.

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 Our unity,

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 our fellowship,

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 is seriously at threat.

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 Envy is truly evil.

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 And what makes it so dangerous

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 and even more evil

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 is that it works insidiously.

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 That is,

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 it works without us even knowing it.

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 And it always works

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 with evil intent behind it

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 to make us fall into sin

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 and to destroy our relationships.

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 And this is why Proverbs is very,

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 very strong.

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 If you look at 23 again,

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 verse 1 and 2,

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 when you sit to die of a ruler,

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 note well what is before you

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 and put a knife to your throat

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 if you are given to gluttony.

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 The sage urges his son or his pupil here

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 to restrain himself from envy

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 as if there were a sword hanging over his head

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 or a knife being put to his throat,

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 threatening him that if he gives in to envy,

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 he will cut his neck

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 or cut off his head.

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 That's how strong the Proverbs are

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 about giving in to envy.

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 It's serious,

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 not only because it distorts

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 our relationships with each other

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 and the things we value,

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 but it also distorts

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 and corrupts our relationship with God.

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 As the psalmist notes in Psalm 73,

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 verse 1,

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 Surely God is good to Israel,

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 to those who are pure in heart.

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 But as for me,

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 my feet had almost slipped.

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 I had nearly lost my foothold,

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 for I envied the arrogant

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 when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

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 The psalmist knew that God was good,

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 but because he envied the wicked

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 who were prospering when he wasn't,

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 see there he's playing the comparison game already,

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 he nearly forsook what was right and true.

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 He was tempted to think that God was unjust,

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 unjust to allow him to suffer.

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 His envy began to distort his relationship with God,

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 how he saw who God was

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 and what his true qualities were.

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 When he compared himself to the wicked

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 and saw that he wasn't as blessed as they were,

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 he nearly lost God altogether.

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 Envy is so evil and so dangerous

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 because it calls us to question God's goodness

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 on the basis of our own experience,

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 to compare that of the wicked

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 and decide upon that experience

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 whether he is good enough or not.

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 It's a dangerous, dangerous thing to do,

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 to question the Lord of all creation,

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 to question his own goodness

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 as his creatures.

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 So how does one not fall into temptation of envy?

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 How does one heed the sage

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 in Proverbs 23, 17 that says,

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 let not your heart envy sinners,

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 but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

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 The biggest problem with envy

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 is that it can distort anything we value

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 into a standard by which we play the comparison game.

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 Whether it's your job, your wealth,

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 your car, your wife, your husband,

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 your boyfriend or your girlfriend,

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 your phone, your skills,

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 or your gadgets and possessions,

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 your passions and your values,

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 envy can take all these things,

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 anything in your life,

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 and distort it into a standard

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 by which you play the comparison game,

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 by which you play the game,

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 which you compare yourself with other people

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 and determine where do you sit.

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 Are you up here or are you down here?

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 How high on the ladder are you?

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 Up there or down there?

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 Therefore, thinking through this logically,

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 the only way to deal with envy

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 is to value something

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 that can't be distorted.

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 To value something that envy can't distort

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 and use to cause us to look down on people

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 and to judge them and to think we're better,

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 or to look up to people in bitterness and resentment

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 for what that says about us.

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 But does such a thing in this world exist?

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 And what on earth could it be?

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 When David realized his sin

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 of committing adultery against Bathsheba

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 and his sin of murdering Uriah,

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 he came before God in repentance,

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 in deep, sorrowful repentance.

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 And he penned the psalm, Psalm 51.

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 And in this psalm,

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 he acknowledges the root cause of his sin,

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 why he gave in to this sin

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 and envy.

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 In verse 12, he says this,

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 Restore to me the joy of salvation

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 and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

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 The reason why David fell into this sin quickly

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 was because his greed had blinded him

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 to the joy he already had in God,

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 the one who saves,

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 the one who gives life.

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 David's joy had turned from being in God's salvation

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 to being whatever his eye had seen

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 that pleased him.

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 Even if what he had seen was not his.

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 But now David realizes that his covetous pursuits

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 led him into shame and sin.

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 And he asked God,

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 Please, God,

00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.820
 restore to me the joy of salvation.

00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:29.240
 Restore to me what it is to be known by you

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.340
 and to know you.

00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:36.860
 Having his eyes fixed on the wonderful salvation

00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:38.680
 that comes from God

00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:42.300
 is how David reorients his heart

00:13:42.300 --> 00:13:45.040
 to not give sin a foothold.

00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:48.120
 And closely related to coveting,

00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:50.960
 envy as well has the same ability

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.360
 to blind us to the wonderful joy

00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.980
 in salvation.

00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:57.980
 And it's only when we fix our eyes

00:13:57.980 --> 00:14:00.480
 and remember the wonderful salvation

00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:02.360
 that comes from God in Christ

00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:05.680
 that envy is left powerless

00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:09.139
 to corrupt and to distort.

00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:11.099
 Why is that?

00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:13.019
 Because the salvation

00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:15.059
 that comes from God

00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:16.159
 through the gospel

00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:19.019
 is the great equalizer

00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.399
 of all men.

00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:21.839
 The salvation

00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:23.479
 that comes through the gospel

00:14:23.479 --> 00:14:25.799
 is the great equalizer

00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:27.059
 among all men.

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.139
 Whilst envy

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:31.039
 perpetuates on playing the comparison game,

00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.120
 playing the game that says

00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.299
 you've got to work out

00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.879
 where you are

00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.879
 on the status level.

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.860
 The gospel says no.

00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.440
 Salvation

00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.120
 through the gospel

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.500
 is the great equalizer

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.940
 of all men.

00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:44.120
 There is no place

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.740
 in the gospel

00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:46.279
 to look down at anyone

00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.980
 for we are all sinful.

00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:48.700
 We are all

00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:50.179
 in the same predicament.

00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.759
 There is no place

00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.240
 in the gospel

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.720
 for envy of any kind

00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.320
 for no matter

00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.179
 how prosperous

00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.180
 you might be,

00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.379
 no matter how well off

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:57.860
 you might be,

00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:58.899
 no matter how high up

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.240
 the ladder

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.320
 you might think you are,

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.100
 we are all called.

00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.919
 to repent of our sin

00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.060
 and to turn back

00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.500
 to Christ in faith.

00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.039
 And such opportunity,

00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:10.539
 no matter how high you are,

00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.460
 no matter how low you are,

00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.679
 is given to all people

00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.799
 freely,

00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.220
 without distinction,

00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.039
 the grace of God

00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.580
 in Christ.

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.519
 Galatians 3.26

00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.220
 makes this really clear for us.

00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.659
 So in Christ Jesus

00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:26.600
 you are all children

00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:27.779
 of God through faith.

00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.759
 For all of you

00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:30.120
 were baptized into Christ

00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.120
 and have clothed yourselves

00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.000
 with Christ,

00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.279
 there is neither Jew

00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.159
 nor Gentile,

00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:36.019
 neither slave nor free,

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.360
 nor is there male

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.100
 and female,

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.399
 for you are all one

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.340
 in Christ Jesus.

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.980
 If you belong to Christ

00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.340
 then you are Abraham's

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.080
 seed

00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.279
 and heirs

00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.580
 according to the promise.

00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.240
 The playing field

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.159
 has been leveled

00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.580
 completely.

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.220
 There is no room

00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:53.039
 for the comparison game

00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:53.320
 at all

00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:53.860
 to be played.

00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:55.460
 You can't compare

00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.299
 each other's salvation

00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:57.779
 at all.

00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:59.740
 And Romans 3.23

00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.259
 further clarifies this.

00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.639
 For all have sinned

00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.180
 and fall short

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.820
 of the glory of God

00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:07.159
 and all are justified

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.700
 freely by his grace

00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.460
 to the redemption

00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.680
 that came

00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:12.180
 by Christ Jesus.

00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.399
 Salvation

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.580
 in God

00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.340
 is the great

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.299
 equalizer

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:18.120
 to which envy

00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.000
 is rendered

00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.120
 powerless against.

00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.320
 Envy can't use

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.220
 this salvation

00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:23.980
 as a means

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.060
 of distorting

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.680
 your relationship

00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.639
 because everyone

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.679
 who knows

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.500
 this salvation,

00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.239
 who trusts

00:16:29.239 --> 00:16:30.259
 in Jesus

00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.679
 that comes

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.539
 to know Christ

00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:34.120
 knows they are sinful

00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.739
 and deserving

00:16:35.739 --> 00:16:36.419
 of death

00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:36.959
 and along with

00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:37.639
 everyone else

00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.979
 and they know

00:16:38.979 --> 00:16:40.439
 they are only made

00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:41.359
 right with God

00:16:41.359 --> 00:16:42.139
 through faith

00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.019
 alone

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:44.559
 along with

00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.799
 everyone else.

00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:47.799
 Envy

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:49.299
 thrives in this world

00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.139
 because it's built

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.959
 on a social hierarchy.

00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.600
 we are constantly

00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.800
 told to climb

00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.940
 some sort of ladder

00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:56.900
 whether it's to build

00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.540
 our wealth

00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.420
 our skills

00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.160
 our possessions

00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:00.360
 our friends

00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:00.920
 our fame

00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.879
 we are told to climb

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:03.400
 this endless ladder

00:17:03.400 --> 00:17:05.319
 and the only way

00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.940
 to measure

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.380
 our success

00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:08.380
 to see where

00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.620
 we are going

00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:10.240
 in this ladder

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.900
 is to play

00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.160
 the comparison game

00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:14.019
 and therefore

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.340
 to let envy

00:17:15.340 --> 00:17:16.559
 take its hold

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.059
 on us

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.360
 to influence

00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.559
 us

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:21.700
 but the gospel

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.399
 comes in

00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:23.399
 and decimates

00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:24.279
 that entirely

00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.579
 and declares

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.440
 that all people

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.359
 no matter who

00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:27.819
 you are

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.079
 have access

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.879
 through faith

00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.539
 and repentance

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.740
 to the wonderful

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.399
 salvation

00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.720
 that is on offer.

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.119
 Indeed

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:36.220
 we don't climb

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.480
 any ladder

00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.099
 anymore

00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:39.139
 the world

00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.619
 wants you to

00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.240
 try and keep

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.059
 climbing this ladder

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.019
 to get higher

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.539
 and higher

00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:43.940
 and higher

00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.659
 but it's endless

00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:46.480
 but on the contrary

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.440
 in Ephesians 1

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.039
 we're reminded

00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.759
 that for those

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.819
 who trust in Jesus

00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:50.900
 you are already

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:52.259
 ascended to the very top

00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.940
 you are seated

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.900
 with Christ

00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:56.180
 in the heavenly realms

00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.720
 and in him

00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.660
 being at the very top

00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.160
 in him

00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.339
 we enjoy peace

00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:02.379
 with God

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.420
 satisfaction

00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.740
 and contentment

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.900
 we enjoy unity

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.980
 and fellowship

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.559
 together

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.680
 we enjoy

00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.039
 our significance

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.779
 and worth

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.579
 being found

00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.420
 in him

00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:16.259
 he is supremely

00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.759
 valuable

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.220
 whose blood

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.240
 whose blood

00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.000
 is more precious

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.759
 than gold

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.119
 nothing can compare

00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:21.799
 to him

00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:23.099
 having him

00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.900
 and therefore

00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.900
 envy cannot

00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:26.180
 take its stand

00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.859
 against him

00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.920
 it is rendered

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.039
 powerless

00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:32.200
 so when the thing

00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.279
 that captures

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.059
 your attention

00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.680
 the most

00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.579
 the thing that

00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.680
 stirs the affection

00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.879
 of your heart

00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.700
 the most

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:40.500
 is the salvation

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.279
 that comes

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.420
 through Jesus

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.920
 envy will lose

00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:44.379
 its grip

00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.220
 on your life

00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:49.319
 because not only

00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:49.579
 do you have

00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.799
 the best thing

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.920
 but you have

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.920
 the very thing

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.360
 that levels

00:18:54.360 --> 00:18:55.160
 the playing field

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:57.460
 the great equaliser

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.259
 of all men

00:18:58.259 --> 00:19:00.860
 but this is easier

00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:01.779
 said than done

00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.940
 although we have

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.720
 this knowledge

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.940
 of salvation

00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.039
 we often fail

00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.600
 to keep

00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.519
 our eyes

00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.240
 fixated

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.900
 on Jesus

00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.539
 we are so easily

00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.500
 distracted by

00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.880
 what surrounds us

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.860
 by the world's message

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:15.019
 to sell the good

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.099
 life to us

00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.659
 telling us

00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.119
 what we ought

00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.579
 to value

00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.000
 the most

00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.699
 in our life

00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:20.579
 and because

00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.319
 we are sinful

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:21.959
 and foolish

00:19:21.959 --> 00:19:22.919
 we buy into it

00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.500
 and take our

00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.359
 eyes off of

00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:24.679
 Jesus

00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:26.119
 every now and then

00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.000
 even David

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.859
 prays in the same

00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.240
 verse

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.159
 grant me

00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.479
 a willing spirit

00:19:30.479 --> 00:19:32.000
 to sustain me

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.959
 and the proverb

00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:33.699
 says as well

00:19:33.699 --> 00:19:34.559
 let not your heart

00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.419
 envy sinners

00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.500
 but continue

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.500
 in the fear

00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.099
 of the Lord

00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:40.439
 all the day

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:42.160
 there is still

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.799
 a need

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.039
 to persevere

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.580
 in our struggle

00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.380
 against envy

00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.360
 it's a daily

00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.019
 fight

00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.759
 a daily

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.640
 battle

00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:50.779
 one which we

00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.480
 need to let

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.000
 Christ

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.600
 through the power

00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.559
 of the Holy Spirit

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.700
 help us

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.519
 in the fight

00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:57.100
 but instead of

00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:57.940
 just leaving it

00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.620
 there

00:19:58.620 --> 00:20:00.279
 we are in a series

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:00.920
 on wisdom

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.700
 and I want to

00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.660
 provide I think

00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.660
 what's best practice

00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.539
 from my research

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.480
 in the last week

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.880
 or so

00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.380
 so on the screen

00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.140
 it's going to come up

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.340
 a summary of where

00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.160
 we've just gone

00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.200
 and then where

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.180
 we're going to next

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.180
 which I'll read

00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.900
 for us as well

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:16.200
 to fight envy

00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.960
 we need to realise

00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:19.000
 that envy affects

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.000
 the way we interact

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.800
 with everything

00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:22.460
 that is of this world

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:24.100
 drawing us to see

00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.019
 everything we value

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.640
 as a means

00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.440
 for comparison

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.980
 and therefore

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:29.000
 we need to

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.860
 counter envy

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.980
 by choosing

00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.840
 to value that

00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.620
 which is not

00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.920
 of this world

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.019
 the gospel

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.779
 of salvation

00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:38.019
 the way we do this

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.880
 is by training

00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.740
 and cultivating

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.400
 the heart

00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:42.480
 to value

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:42.940
 and love

00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.359
 the gospel

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.440
 above all else

00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.759
 through daily

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.620
 and weekly

00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.400
 practice

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.740
 reorienting

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.519
 our hearts

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.420
 from loving

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.940
 and valuing

00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.380
 the things

00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.120
 of this world

00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:53.279
 to loving

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.259
 and valuing

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.000
 the gospel

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:58.759
 we so often

00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.579
 struggle to fight

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.279
 against envy

00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.500
 and all sin

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.960
 for that matter

00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.799
 because we think

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.579
 transformation

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.299
 has to do

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:06.960
 with this thing

00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.460
 up here

00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:09.039
 thinking

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.139
 deciding

00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:12.500
 that as long

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.839
 as we can

00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.859
 mentally assent

00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.699
 to the truth

00:21:14.699 --> 00:21:15.799
 we'll be able

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.299
 to change

00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.859
 our habits

00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.799
 but that's not

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.579
 how we work

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.679
 as human beings

00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.679
 don't hear me

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.879
 say that thinking

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.559
 is not important

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.079
 it is

00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:26.199
 that's not entirely

00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.960
 the way we work

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.679
 we're not just

00:21:27.679 --> 00:21:28.139
 thinkers

00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.419
 we don't change

00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:30.099
 our habits

00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.339
 by simply

00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.659
 knowing the truth

00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:33.519
 about something

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.139
 and interesting enough

00:21:35.139 --> 00:21:36.079
 the world doesn't

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.000
 work at that either

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.699
 the world doesn't

00:21:38.699 --> 00:21:39.439
 convince us

00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:40.159
 through mental

00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.779
 assent

00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.899
 to live the way

00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.419
 it wants

00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.679
 the world

00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:44.559
 convinces us

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.259
 through shaping

00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.179
 our hearts

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.559
 to love

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.779
 what it has to say

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.819
 is the good life

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:51.500
 through repetitive

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.379
 exposure

00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.519
 pulling our

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.179
 heart strings

00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:55.240
 the world

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.859
 is able to

00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.439
 shape

00:21:56.439 --> 00:21:57.740
 what it is

00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.559
 we ought to

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.259
 value

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.359
 the most

00:22:00.359 --> 00:22:02.240
 it's a

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.279
 it's a thing

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.740
 that happens

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:04.200
 without us

00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:04.720
 even knowing

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.700
 at times

00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:07.640
 for example

00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.500
 the tech giant

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.440
 Apple is a great

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.539
 example of this

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.000
 they don't

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.680
 they're a company

00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.259
 that advertises

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.799
 their products

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.579
 not through

00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.720
 trying to get you

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.200
 to mentally

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.240
 just agree with them

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.099
 about how good

00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.900
 their products are

00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:19.299
 but they're a company

00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:20.059
 that advertises

00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.680
 their products

00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:22.000
 by repetitively

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.079
 drawing upon

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.039
 your desires

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.799
 and wants

00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.839
 constantly exposing

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.799
 their product

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.379
 to you

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.260
 all the time

00:22:29.260 --> 00:22:30.520
 and this

00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:31.060
 repetitive

00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:31.900
 exposure

00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.580
 eventually

00:22:32.580 --> 00:22:33.200
 takes

00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.000
 its effects

00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.100
 in eventually

00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.800
 forming

00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:36.960
 our hearts

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.880
 to love

00:22:37.880 --> 00:22:38.580
 their products

00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:40.220
 to want

00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:40.560
 them

00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:41.400
 and desire

00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:41.780
 them

00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:42.920
 to which I

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.400
 have fallen

00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:43.920
 completely

00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.240
 for

00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:46.940
 to put it

00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.360
 simply

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.940
 we are not

00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.280
 simply thinkers

00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:50.820
 first

00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:52.440
 we are lovers

00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.480
 first

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:57.400
 we are lovers

00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:58.360
 first

00:22:58.360 --> 00:23:00.140
 and the reason

00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.200
 why we struggle

00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.880
 with changing

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.579
 our habits

00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.599
 and therefore

00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.680
 removing envy

00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.620
 is because we

00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.599
 approach the fight

00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.420
 as thinkers

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:09.360
 and not as lovers

00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:11.599
 therefore we must

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.000
 approach this fight

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.059
 not through mental

00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.579
 assent

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.839
 but as lovers

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:17.519
 but how we do

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.839
 that

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.559
 I have already

00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.139
 kind of given

00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.740
 you a clue

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.779
 the only way

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.799
 in which we can

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.679
 grow in our love

00:23:23.679 --> 00:23:24.179
 for something

00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:25.379
 is by repetitively

00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.480
 being exposed

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.699
 to it

00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.859
 and allowing it

00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.419
 to train

00:23:29.419 --> 00:23:30.119
 and cultivate

00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:31.240
 our heart

00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.099
 to be something

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:32.699
 we love

00:23:32.699 --> 00:23:33.559
 you see

00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.019
 you grow

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.980
 in love

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.959
 for your wife

00:23:35.959 --> 00:23:36.480
 for your husband

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.039
 your girlfriend

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.599
 or boyfriend

00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.559
 for your family

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.459
 and for your friends

00:23:39.459 --> 00:23:39.959
 or for anything

00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:40.559
 for that matter

00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.899
 when you choose

00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.679
 to actively

00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:44.259
 expose yourself

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.559
 daily to it

00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.779
 when you choose

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.419
 to engage

00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:47.940
 with it

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:49.059
 when you continue

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.759
 to practice

00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.419
 relationship

00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.539
 with that person

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.559
 you are

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.599
 in regard

00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.519
 you might not

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.059
 put it this way

00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:55.539
 but you are

00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.319
 training yourself

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.619
 to love this person

00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.639
 you're training

00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.159
 your heart

00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.200
 to love them

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.639
 by daily

00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.759
 choosing to do so

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.859
 and then growing

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.619
 in that love

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:06.839
 in the same way

00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.419
 of the gospel

00:24:07.419 --> 00:24:09.980
 the way in which

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.919
 we train our hearts

00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:12.240
 to love the salvation

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.500
 that comes from Jesus

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.819
 is to repetitively

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.599
 expose ourselves

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.759
 to the message

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.399
 of the gospel

00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:21.039
 to practice it daily

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.200
 and allow for our hearts

00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.119
 to be trained

00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.759
 and to grow

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.980
 in the love

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.539
 of the gospel

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.779
 and to do this

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.000
 in a counter

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.480
 formative way

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.259
 that is

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.980
 as we grow

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.899
 in our love

00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:34.139
 for the gospel

00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:35.000
 to then allow

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.179
 the gospel itself

00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.960
 to root out

00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:39.200
 any place

00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.879
 in our heart

00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.419
 which might

00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:41.460
 give in to envy

00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:43.579
 so that when we

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.099
 are tempted

00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.799
 to envy

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.559
 our hearts

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:47.439
 natural reaction

00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:48.439
 ought to be

00:24:48.439 --> 00:24:50.059
 to turn to the gospel

00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:51.779
 and let the gospel

00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.559
 shape the way

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.319
 we proceed

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.319
 from there

00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.599
 to not give in

00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.439
 to envy

00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:58.139
 and the question

00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.639
 is now

00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:00.079
 where do we begin

00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.299
 with this

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.959
 the practice

00:25:01.959 --> 00:25:02.559
 I've suggested

00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.079
 is something

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.719
 that should be used

00:25:04.719 --> 00:25:05.619
 in fighting

00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.179
 all sin

00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:06.579
 in general

00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.639
 but what about envy

00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.819
 in particular

00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.839
 when we

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.279
 where in our daily

00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.240
 repetitive practice

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.940
 of the gospel

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.700
 do we begin

00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.720
 in regards

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.559
 to envy

00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:17.160
 well I believe

00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:18.700
 in general use

00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.940
 but I think

00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.500
 particularly for envy

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:23.259
 Psalm 73

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.680
 is one that provides

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.740
 a helpful pattern

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.039
 that helps us

00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.720
 to acknowledge

00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.980
 our own struggle

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.500
 with envy

00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.279
 and gives us

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.859
 a voice

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:32.620
 to tell God

00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.200
 our struggle

00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.380
 but then helpfully

00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.640
 provides a corrective

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.220
 for us

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.400
 that will lead us

00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.279
 away from envy

00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.480
 and finding joy

00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:41.319
 in God's salvation

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:43.099
 the first three verses

00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:44.160
 the psalmist acknowledges

00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.200
 he struggled with envy

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.860
 and says he almost

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.839
 fell away from God

00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.680
 because of it

00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.860
 and then he provides

00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:51.819
 why in verses 4 to 15

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.599
 explain that the wicked

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.620
 were prospering

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:56.579
 but they were mocking God

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.559
 at the same time

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.980
 the psalmist though

00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.700
 who was obedient

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.420
 and righteous

00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:01.400
 he was suffering

00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.000
 so whilst they were

00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.539
 prospering

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.299
 he was suffering

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.200
 he was struggling

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.279
 to put the two

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.900
 or two together

00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.880
 eventually

00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.420
 till we get to

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.259
 verse 16

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.740
 he admits

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.340
 it's too much

00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:11.160
 for him to handle

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.460
 he can't understand

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.100
 why he is suffering

00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.740
 in this way

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:16.259
 and why they are prospering

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.300
 so what does he do

00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:19.019
 what's his response

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:21.279
 he goes to God

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.320
 in verse 17

00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:24.440
 to the temple

00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:26.460
 he brings this

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.340
 confusing state

00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:28.000
 before God

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.640
 and gives it to him

00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:31.539
 and being in the

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.460
 presence of God

00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.580
 he realizes

00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.480
 the true fate

00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.600
 of the wicked

00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.600
 in verses 18

00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.600
 to 22

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:39.759
 he realizes

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.819
 what's going to

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.599
 happen to those

00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.240
 even if they're

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:42.779
 prospering

00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.399
 what does

00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.079
 eventually happen

00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.679
 to the wicked

00:26:44.679 --> 00:26:46.619
 and he talks

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.039
 about that

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.699
 in those next

00:26:47.699 --> 00:26:48.279
 few verses

00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:50.219
 and then in verse 23

00:26:50.219 --> 00:26:51.279
 again

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.699
 after being with God

00:26:52.699 --> 00:26:53.799
 he realizes

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.759
 his own state

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.879
 and what's going

00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.599
 to happen to him

00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:58.879
 he says in verse 23

00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.299
 nevertheless

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:01.179
 I am continually

00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:01.759
 with you

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.959
 you hold

00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:03.939
 my right hand

00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:05.460
 you guide me

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.299
 with your counsel

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.340
 and afterward

00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:08.539
 you receive me

00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.580
 to glory

00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.960
 whom have I

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.559
 in heaven

00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.580
 but you

00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:13.860
 and there is

00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.640
 nothing on earth

00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.299
 I desire

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.200
 besides you

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.440
 my flesh

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.420
 and my heart

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.019
 may fail

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.480
 but God

00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.039
 is the strength

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.600
 in my heart

00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.220
 and my portion

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.759
 forever

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.820
 for behold

00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.600
 those who are

00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.220
 far from you

00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.019
 shall perish

00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:27.039
 you put an end

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.500
 to everyone

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.259
 who is unfaithful

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.759
 to you

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.960
 but for me

00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.740
 it is good

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.720
 to be near God

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.839
 I have made

00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.980
 the Lord God

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.839
 my refuge

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.059
 that I may tell

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.400
 of your works

00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:39.480
 do you see

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.420
 how the psalmist

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.799
 recounts

00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.660
 his emotions

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.859
 and thoughts

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:45.200
 as he goes along

00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.779
 he doesn't just

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.960
 simply tell us

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.620
 don't envy

00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.359
 trust God

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:51.519
 he recounts

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.559
 his own journey

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.380
 and progression

00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.960
 towards understanding

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.480
 and seeing the truth

00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.680
 and it's through

00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.440
 that journey

00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.960
 he was able

00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.700
 to write

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:01.380
 the reality

00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.640
 that God

00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.819
 is his joy

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.160
 and strength

00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.840
 that he need

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.700
 not to envy

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:09.059
 because he enjoyed

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.039
 God's presence

00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.660
 and God's salvation

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:13.880
 and so since

00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:15.319
 we have this psalm

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.080
 written down

00:28:16.080 --> 00:28:16.860
 for us

00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:18.759
 when we are tempted

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.840
 to feel envious

00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:22.000
 when we are tempted

00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.640
 to play

00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.920
 the comparison game

00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.500
 we can turn

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.259
 to this psalm

00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.920
 to help us

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.740
 fight envy

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:29.859
 to use

00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.559
 as a guide

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.039
 for the way

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.059
 we should struggle

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.539
 with it

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:34.940
 you notice that

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.620
 the psalmist

00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:36.599
 doesn't just conclude

00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.200
 okay I'm going to

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.920
 trust God now

00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.440
 he actually voices

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:41.359
 his opinion to God

00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.400
 he tells God

00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:43.059
 I'm struggling

00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:45.500
 the wicked are

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.099
 prospering

00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.319
 and me the righteous

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.980
 I'm suffering

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.200
 what's going on

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:52.039
 but then he provides

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.660
 that helpful

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.359
 corrective

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.740
 in verse 17

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.319
 he turns to God

00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:58.319
 that's the difference

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.000
 between him

00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.839
 and us sometimes

00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:01.480
 do you turn

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.980
 to God

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.779
 after voicing

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.339
 your opinion

00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.759
 to him

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.620
 after telling him

00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:05.160
 you're struggling

00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.079
 do you turn

00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.680
 to God

00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.019
 to try and

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.319
 understand

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.339
 what's going on

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:12.799
 when we

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.460
 repeatedly

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.099
 practice

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:15.059
 this helpful

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.579
 pattern

00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.079
 in psalm 73

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.339
 but also

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.220
 help we practice

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.720
 on a broader

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.140
 level

00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.960
 the gospel

00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:22.259
 through the reading

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.099
 the speaking

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.619
 aloud

00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:24.099
 as well

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.859
 as in our mind

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.039
 and the singing

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.579
 of scripture

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.920
 and the psalms

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:29.180
 when we allow it

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.700
 to sink

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.680
 into our hearts

00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:32.240
 that's

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.240
 when our joy

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.819
 will begin

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.539
 to turn

00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:36.059
 to be fixated

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.039
 on the salvation

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.599
 of God

00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:40.259
 and then

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.920
 only then

00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:41.440
 we'll be able

00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.000
 to counter

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.619
 the message

00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.519
 of this world

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.779
 that is to

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.539
 climb the social

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.819
 ladder

00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.759
 to play the

00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.720
 comparison game

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.240
 that envy

00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:49.019
 wants us to play

00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.579
 envy

00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:52.160
 is truly

00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.800
 evil

00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:53.660
 and like

00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.240
 all sin

00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.940
 it requires

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.800
 us to fight

00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.580
 daily

00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.980
 but brothers

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.540
 and sisters

00:29:58.540 --> 00:29:59.779
 when we

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.660
 respond to

00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.400
 envy by

00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.240
 encountering

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.080
 the gospel

00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:04.259
 each and

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.060
 every day

00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:06.860
 envy

00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.300
 we rendered

00:30:07.300 --> 00:30:07.940
 powerless

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:09.960
 when we work

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.300
 through the

00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:10.560
 scriptures

00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:11.380
 and the psalms

00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.640
 in our response

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.340
 practicing

00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.279
 and training

00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.080
 our hearts

00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:16.560
 to love

00:30:16.560 --> 00:30:17.800
 the gospel

00:30:17.800 --> 00:30:18.500
 to see it

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:18.940
 as the thing

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.400
 we value

00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:20.000
 the most

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.720
 envy

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.060
 will be

00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:21.540
 stopped

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.440
 in its

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.940
 tracks

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:24.639
 and the

00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.059
 gospel

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.960
 the great

00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.599
 equalizer

00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.359
 will take

00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.779
 its seed

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.619
 and flourish

00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.059
 and grow

00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.799
 in our hearts

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:33.139
 giving us

00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:33.680
 the freedom

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.619
 to enjoy

00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.299
 to worship

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.000
 God

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.039
 without fear

00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.659
 of measuring

00:30:37.659 --> 00:30:38.460
 up to each

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:38.759
 other

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.759
 but then also

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.579
 giving us

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.220
 the power

00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.259
 to love

00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.859
 each other

00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.879
 to serve

00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.460
 each other

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.579
 to be with

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.119
 each other

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:47.200
 and not fear

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.579
 that we don't

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.139
 measure up

00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.799
 to each other

00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.339
 because we

00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.039
 all here

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.879
 enjoy the

00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:51.319
 wonderful

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.000
 salvation

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.039
 of God

00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.419
 as in

00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.119
 Christ Jesus

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.680
 let me pray

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.299
 for us

00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:59.799
 heavenly father

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.419
 we thank you

00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:01.319
 so much

00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.180
 that we

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.180
 enjoy peace

00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:03.779
 with you

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.299
 through your

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.700
 son

00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:05.659
 we thank you

00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:05.940
 that through

00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.440
 your word

00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.940
 you've given

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.779
 us life

00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.879
 and we pray

00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.319
 father

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:09.619
 that you

00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.000
 would help

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.299
 us to

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.980
 always have

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.440
 our eyes

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.319
 fixated

00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.200
 on your

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.579
 son

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.059
 for him

00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.339
 to be

00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:14.740
 the thing

00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:15.399
 we value

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:15.940
 the most

00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:16.299
 in our

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.740
 life

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:18.059
 for the

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.600
 salvation

00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.740
 that comes

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.140
 through him

00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.539
 to be the

00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.940
 thing

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.779
 that gives

00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.420
 us confidence

00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:22.840
 in this

00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.180
 world

00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.900
 would we

00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.460
 not envy

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:25.960
 each other

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.420
 or envy

00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.000
 sinners

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.960
 but father

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.279
 would we

00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.680
 know that

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.320
 we enjoy

00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:29.779
 the great

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.400
 salvation

00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:30.980
 that comes

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.920
 from you

00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.000
 that puts

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.799
 all of us

00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.180
 on the

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.440
 leveling

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.259
 playing field

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.640
 that stirs

00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.340
 all of us

00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:38.019
 to love

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.380
 each other

00:31:38.380 --> 00:31:38.799
 and to serve

00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:39.299
 each other

00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.640
 help us

00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:40.940
 father

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:42.180
 to go out

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.539
 now

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.220
 into the

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.640
 world

00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.779
 to show

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.279
 forth your

00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.759
 love

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.220
 and your

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:46.500
 light

00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:46.779
 to those

00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.519
 around us

00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.400
 to so many

00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:48.900
 people who

00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.180
 are trying

00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.599
 to play

00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.339
 this comparison

00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:50.700
 game

00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.279
 thinking it's

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.519
 going to

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.059
 fulfill them

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.599
 thinking it's

00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:52.839
 going to

00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.379
 help them

00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.099
 progress

00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:55.039
 but father

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.720
 only leaves

00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.700
 them feeling

00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:57.079
 bitter

00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.480
 and resentful

00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.420
 and hated

00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.059
 hateful

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.559
 father we

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.079
 offer them

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.599
 the peace

00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.059
 that comes

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.579
 from you

00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.720
 only through

00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.299
 the salvation

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.779
 that comes

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.299
 also from

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.500
 you

00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.579
 we pray

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:07.940
 this in

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.460
 your son's

00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:08.720
 name

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.779
 amen