WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:08.040 Father, sometimes there's stories in the Bible, and especially for us as Canadians, 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:11.320 it's just really hard to understand why they're even in there, 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:15.000 and why you'd ask for something like this to happen. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:20.640 And Father, sometimes, especially those, mainly those of us who are Christians, 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:24.219 we have a hard time just being honest with you, that we find it puzzling, 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:27.359 and that something like this would be in the Bible. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:32.119 And so, Father, we come before you. You know how hard it is for us to be honest before you. 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:39.719 And we know, Father, that you want us to know who we really are in the context of who you really are. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:45.679 And so, Father, we ask that the Holy Spirit would do a gentle but very deep work in each one of us 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:49.700 and bring your word deep into our hearts and rule. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:53.859 And we ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen. 00:00:54.739 --> 00:00:55.700 Please be seated. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:03.700 So, why on earth did I say anything at all like that, especially given the text? 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:09.060 Those of you who aren't aware of it, we're sort of preaching through... 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:13.500 Here at Church of the Messiah, most of the time we either preach through whole books of the Bible or big chunks, 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:22.340 and we're going through the story cycle, the series of stories about Abraham in the book of Genesis. 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:28.159 And the reason I sort of prayed the way that I did is that we're going to look at circumcision today. 00:01:29.019 --> 00:01:37.079 This is the story where the rite of circumcision was first given to the Jewish people. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:40.079 And so, that's... 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:44.079 I mean, if you think about it for a second... 00:01:45.060 --> 00:01:53.379 Like, just imagine Ricky Gervais doing a comment on the rite of circumcision. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:57.439 I mean, just don't imagine it necessarily with all the foul language. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.439 But... 00:01:58.439 --> 00:01:59.859 Or maybe you can. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:01.359 I don't know what's going on in your own heads. 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:04.679 But, I mean, he would make a whole routine about... 00:02:04.679 --> 00:02:09.439 Isn't everything about this story a perfect example of why people should run away from religion? 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:14.439 If the religion requires, you know, cutting off part of... 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:15.620 Pardon my language. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:16.520 The male penis. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:24.820 Isn't that sort of like prima facie evidence that you should just run as fast and as far away as you possibly can from such religion? 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:27.400 You can imagine how he would handle something like this. 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:31.560 So, I don't want to trigger anybody. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:39.360 But one of the things that I think we need to think about a little tiny bit before we look at this is something which is very relevant. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:44.300 Because circumcision on the face of it just seems like a repulsive type of practice. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:47.020 And why God demands it is... 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:49.480 It would be a question if we're sort of honest about it. 00:02:50.200 --> 00:02:52.140 But I don't want to trigger anybody on this. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:55.540 But I think part of the way that we need to start to think about it is to think about death. 00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:58.860 I was at a funeral this week. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:03.500 And I'm sort of bringing it right up front about we're going to talk about death a little bit. 00:03:04.260 --> 00:03:11.180 I have no idea if any of you either here or online have just had a loved one die. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:14.180 Especially I'm going to make a comment about a child dying. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:16.340 And that might be very hard for you. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:19.980 I don't mean to trigger anything. 00:03:20.260 --> 00:03:23.260 But it's best actually if we talk about these things and think about them. 00:03:23.320 --> 00:03:27.640 Because death is actually that one thing that we can't avoid. 00:03:28.660 --> 00:03:29.700 That's going to happen. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:32.540 Has happened to those that we know and love. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:34.340 And will one day happen to us. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:38.080 And I think if we think about death a little bit. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:41.219 It's going to be easier to think about this text. 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:50.460 And why it is that something as weird as circumcision would be required by God of Abraham. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:57.420 You know like in the funeral that I just was at. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:00.659 There's a whole mixture of types of images. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:04.080 And in some ways with one or two exceptions. 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:09.080 It sort of missed a couple of the different ways that human beings think about death. 00:04:09.200 --> 00:04:12.719 But it sort of captured the way that most Canadians think about death. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:17.100 You go to a better place. 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:21.240 You go to a type of a spiritual place. 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:23.420 Something where there's really no bodies. 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:25.660 You go. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:27.100 You're all. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:28.800 When they die. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:29.459 They're sort of. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:31.860 Now the person is with you still. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:32.779 In some way. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:34.779 When they die. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:37.600 They're now sort of living in your memories. 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:38.699 And in your heart. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:39.939 And in your strength. 00:04:39.939 --> 00:04:42.160 When they die. 00:04:42.360 --> 00:04:44.279 They're now part of everything that's around us. 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:46.000 So that when we see the trees. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:04:46.439 Or see. 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:47.399 Or feel the wind. 00:04:48.100 --> 00:04:52.620 We can remember that our loved one is now part of all of that. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:54.540 And then of course. 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:56.360 If in a more. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:58.300 Like India. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:04:59.860 And countries like that. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:03.879 Ultimately the dead person is just being reincarnated. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:05.259 Somewhere else. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:07.480 But the end product of all of that. 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:09.899 Will be that eventually they just merge with the one. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:11.339 They lose their identity. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:13.639 The primary analogy is. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:14.980 It's like a drop of water. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:17.560 Joining the sea or the ocean. 00:05:18.420 --> 00:05:18.920 And of course. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:19.800 The drop of water. 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:22.199 You stop having any independent type of existence. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:24.060 You're all part of just the everything. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.420 And then you have that minority. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:31.319 Perfectly typified by Ricky Gervais. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:32.899 Who would just say. 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:34.180 You don't go anywhere. 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:35.199 When you're dead. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:35.579 You're dead. 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:38.180 To believe anything other than that. 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:39.560 Is just to be irrational. 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:40.800 And anti-scientific. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:42.079 When you die. 00:05:42.159 --> 00:05:42.560 You die. 00:05:43.039 --> 00:05:43.620 That's it. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:46.500 Sort of. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:48.459 I don't hope I trigger other people with this. 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:51.319 My wife and I watched the first half of Ricky Gervais. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.199 Controversial comedy routine. 00:05:54.419 --> 00:05:55.419 That's on Netflix. 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:58.659 The only reason we watched half of it. 00:05:58.859 --> 00:05:59.539 Is just because. 00:06:00.019 --> 00:06:01.099 We watch it late night. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:01.839 And it was just. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:02.500 We were tired. 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:03.399 We wanted to go to bed. 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.419 I'm not recommending you watch it. 00:06:05.979 --> 00:06:06.699 It's very. 00:06:06.919 --> 00:06:08.239 Filled with foul language. 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:10.419 He actually talks a little bit. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:11.959 About the ridiculousness. 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:12.579 Of. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:15.259 Of the different views of death. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:17.060 And he makes it very clear. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.759 As a very public atheist. 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:19.519 That when you die. 00:06:19.599 --> 00:06:20.019 You die. 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:20.919 There's no. 00:06:21.159 --> 00:06:21.419 Nothing. 00:06:21.579 --> 00:06:21.819 You're just. 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:22.439 You're gone. 00:06:23.159 --> 00:06:24.319 And then he shared how. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.939 People have tweeted him. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:26.359 And said. 00:06:26.859 --> 00:06:28.179 Is that what you'd say. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.159 To a grieving mother and father. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.640 As they're watching their child die. 00:06:33.260 --> 00:06:34.260 Is that what you would say. 00:06:34.340 --> 00:06:35.720 If you were there by that bedside. 00:06:35.820 --> 00:06:36.260 With them. 00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:37.180 And the dying child. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:38.560 And his response was. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:39.380 He tweeted back. 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:39.820 And says. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:42.200 It all depends on whether it's a pain gig. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:43.820 Sir. 00:06:43.820 --> 00:06:44.840 It was funnier than special. 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:47.040 In other words. 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:48.340 He didn't really answer the question. 00:06:48.820 --> 00:06:50.240 But he's very unapologetic. 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:50.580 About. 00:06:51.320 --> 00:06:51.840 What. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.840 He believes about death. 00:06:54.940 --> 00:06:56.260 The Bible is very. 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:57.080 Very wise. 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:59.120 And the Bible. 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:00.259 And part of the problem. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:01.379 That we Canadians have. 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:02.220 When we read the Bible. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:03.379 Is both. 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:03.740 It's. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:04.759 Deep wisdom. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:06.500 And the fact. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.740 That it's very frank. 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:09.860 About the nature of life. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:11.259 And talks about it. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.100 Very frankly. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:13.920 And we. 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:14.959 Are very used. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:16.220 To using euphemisms. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.459 And dodging questions. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:18.500 And not really. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:19.680 Thinking very clearly. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:21.120 Although we don't realize that. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:21.980 But that's just sort of. 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:23.040 A deep reflex. 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:23.540 Within us. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:24.480 And so it catches us. 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:25.240 By surprise. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:26.600 When we cross. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:27.240 Come across. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:28.120 Texts. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:28.800 Which are just very. 00:07:28.900 --> 00:07:29.439 Very frank. 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.600 About the human condition. 00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:31.680 And. 00:07:31.780 --> 00:07:32.340 And ultimately. 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:33.400 The Bible wants us. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.060 To understand the human condition. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:36.319 So that we will understand. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:37.160 Our need for God. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.160 The triune God. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.300 Not the God of Canadians. 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:41.500 But the triune God. 00:07:41.579 --> 00:07:42.040 The Father. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:42.480 The Son. 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:43.319 And the Holy Spirit. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:44.840 Three persons. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:45.639 One God. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:46.600 Forever and ever. 00:07:47.460 --> 00:07:48.340 A God of. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:50.060 Unending love. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.379 The only God. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:53.439 That you can realistically. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.639 Say is a God of unending love. 00:07:55.920 --> 00:07:56.319 Because. 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:59.459 If God is just all things. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:00.240 Then that means. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.459 God is both love. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:02.100 And hate. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:02.639 He's. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:03.699 Life. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:04.379 And death. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.180 And corruption. 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:07.300 He's terror. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:08.259 And he's joy. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.560 And he's all of those things. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:10.060 Equally. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.180 And you can't really pick. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:12.019 One over the other. 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:14.579 And if God is just the one. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:16.019 Then that also just means. 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:16.899 At the end of the day. 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.360 He can't really be love. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.759 If there's just the one. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:21.060 If there's just the ocean. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.500 And the ocean doesn't love. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.600 All the things that make up the ocean. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:25.819 That's not love. 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:26.800 That's just. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:27.959 The ocean. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.899 And if you just have a solitary God. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:34.080 Then you can't really have a God of love. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:34.679 Because. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:36.019 Love requires. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:38.259 Something outside of the person. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:39.759 To love. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:41.600 And only the Bible. 00:08:42.679 --> 00:08:43.639 Only the Bible. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.840 Describes the God. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.580 That really is the God of love. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:48.639 The God that we ultimately long for. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:50.539 That from all eternity. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:52.259 The Father has loved the Son. 00:08:52.319 --> 00:08:53.519 And the Son has loved the Father. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:55.199 And from all eternity. 00:08:55.339 --> 00:08:56.019 God is good. 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:56.419 Why? 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:57.980 Well because from all of eternity. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:58.980 The God has been. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:01.719 The Father has been good to the Son. 00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:03.299 And Son has been good to the Father. 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:04.259 And the Holy Spirit. 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.339 And only the God of the Bible. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:07.519 Can truly be understood. 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.539 As a God of beauty. 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:10.120 Because. 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.419 From all eternity. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:12.419 The Father in a sense. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.719 Has seen the beauty of the Son. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:14.179 And the Son. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.159 The beauty of the Father. 00:09:15.319 --> 00:09:16.980 And both the beauty of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:18.799 Because there's an other. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.879 For. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:21.240 And there needs to be an other. 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.299 For there to be beauty. 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:23.979 And so from all eternity. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.359 There is this God. 00:09:25.419 --> 00:09:26.639 Who's been a God of justice. 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:27.599 A God of goodness. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:28.319 A God of. 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:29.259 Of beauty. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:30.299 A God of love. 00:09:30.859 --> 00:09:32.799 A God that we ultimately long for. 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:34.419 At a very, very, very deep level. 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:36.219 Only the Bible reveals. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:37.599 Such a God. 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:39.419 And it's in these stories. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:41.919 Even the oddest and hardest parts of them. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:43.439 That God reveals. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:44.760 Himself. 00:09:45.020 --> 00:09:46.540 The reality of who he is. 00:09:46.900 --> 00:09:47.880 To human beings. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.000 Like us. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:51.840 So what does the Bible say? 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:53.140 What is this odd story. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:54.300 That involves circumcision. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.960 And how can we sort of understand. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.800 Why it's actually wisdom for us? 00:09:57.880 --> 00:09:58.020 Well. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.160 Turn in your Bibles. 00:09:59.280 --> 00:10:00.820 To Genesis chapter 17. 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:03.540 And in the first verse. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.640 It's going to begin like this. 00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:05.000 And just. 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.380 If you've been following along. 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.480 In chapter 12. 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:09.700 God makes this base. 00:10:09.880 --> 00:10:10.760 Fundamental promise. 00:10:10.880 --> 00:10:12.020 That God is going to be. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.319 He's calling Abram. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.500 And he's going to be a bless. 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.600 He's going to bless Abram. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:17.699 He's going to bless Abram. 00:10:17.699 --> 00:10:18.419 With children. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:20.000 With land. 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:22.199 And God is going to bless him. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:23.299 To make him into a people. 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:24.399 A multitude of peoples. 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:26.000 And that they will be a blessing. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:28.159 And Abram is revealed. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.519 As being 65 years old. 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.679 Or 75 years old. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:32.860 And his wife is 65. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.419 And they have. 00:10:33.579 --> 00:10:34.899 They've never been able to have children. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.120 And yet God makes this promise to them. 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:37.860 And that they're called. 00:10:38.819 --> 00:10:39.059 And there's. 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:39.779 And then. 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:41.860 This part just before this. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:42.500 Sarah. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:43.699 Sarah. 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:45.559 Gets tired of waiting. 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:46.539 For God. 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.319 To do something. 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:48.799 So she tries to fix it. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.159 According to the cultural wisdom. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:50.779 Of her day. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.980 By allowing her servant. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.939 To start sleeping. 00:10:53.939 --> 00:10:54.600 With Abraham. 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:55.519 And all that does. 00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:56.659 Is it produces a baby. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:57.319 But all it does. 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.480 Is produce chaos. 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:00.460 And hatred. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:01.319 And resentment. 00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:02.220 And it's a whole thing. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:02.740 Is a mess. 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:04.639 And it's in that context. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.679 Of everything being a mess. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:07.460 That chapter 17 begins. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.500 And it goes like this. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.100 It says. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:12.639 When Abraham was 99 years old. 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:14.440 The Lord appeared to Abraham. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.220 And said to him. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:17.139 I am God almighty. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.759 Walk before me. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.019 And be blameless. 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:22.279 That I may make my covenant. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:24.600 Between me and you. 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.779 And may multiply you greatly. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:29.580 Now just sort of pause there for a second. 00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:32.139 Some of us who have been Christians for a long time. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.199 You've probably seen. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.879 Or posters. 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:37.159 Or sung songs. 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.519 That mention El Shaddai. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.539 And that's the word here. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.259 God almighty. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.620 Is the word in Hebrew. 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.360 El Shaddai. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.620 So that's where it comes from. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.279 In fact. 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:46.120 Actually one of the things. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.740 Which is interesting about this story. 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:49.480 Sort of a geeky moment. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:51.039 Is you'll notice it says. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:52.299 When Abraham. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:52.960 Verse 1. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.019 Was 99 years old. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:54.600 The Lord. 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:57.200 That's sort of the covenant name for God. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:58.799 Appeared. 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.939 And then God is revealed. 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:01.179 Not just his Lord. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:02.099 Yahweh. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.579 The covenant God. 00:12:03.699 --> 00:12:04.759 But as El Shaddai. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.879 The almighty one. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:08.839 And then throughout the entire rest of the story. 00:12:08.939 --> 00:12:09.899 The word for God. 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:10.579 That's used. 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:14.019 Is the most abstract word for God. 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.479 The most transcendent. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:16.219 Distant. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.239 God. 00:12:17.599 --> 00:12:18.879 That's over all things. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:19.279 Is the. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.019 So three different names for God. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:21.899 Mentioned in the text. 00:12:21.959 --> 00:12:22.879 That's a bit of an aside. 00:12:23.339 --> 00:12:24.639 But here's the thing. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.299 God says. 00:12:26.379 --> 00:12:27.779 I'm going to make a covenant with you. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:29.759 He's already inaugurated the covenant. 00:12:29.959 --> 00:12:30.959 In chapter 15. 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:33.019 And he's reminding Abraham. 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:34.519 That he's going to make a covenant with him. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.959 And what a covenant is. 00:12:36.479 --> 00:12:36.959 Is. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.319 It's a. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.019 It's in a sense. 00:12:41.099 --> 00:12:41.779 A bound. 00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:44.500 Relationship. 00:12:45.219 --> 00:12:46.620 Of two persons. 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.379 It's a bound. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.479 Relationship. 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.000 Of two persons. 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.319 Or in this particular case. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:52.919 Of more. 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.519 A secure. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.039 Relationship. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:57.959 That's not really to come to an end. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:59.300 And is to be characterized. 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:01.019 By a deep relationship. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.259 With things like love. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.440 And intimacy. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:04.820 And presence. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:06.879 And. 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.960 And if you think about it for a second. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.060 As I was describing. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:10.780 How. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:12.519 Only the Bible describes a God. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.500 That can realistically. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:14.620 Be understood. 00:13:15.180 --> 00:13:16.160 As a God of love. 00:13:16.900 --> 00:13:18.700 As a God of goodness. 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.360 Of a God. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.500 As a God of beauty. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:25.600 Only really. 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.379 A God of truth. 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:27.879 As well. 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:28.419 Because. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:30.559 The Father is always true to the Son. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.139 And the Son. 00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:33.000 Is true to the Father. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.500 And they know each other truly. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.539 There has to be something. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.519 Other than God. 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.580 For God to truly be a God of truth. 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:39.860 And. 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.480 And. 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:40.980 And so. 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.440 Only the Bible has a God. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.500 That's a God of goodness. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:43.860 Of. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:44.740 Of love. 00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.440 Of beauty. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.519 Of truth. 00:13:47.320 --> 00:13:48.879 Only the Bible has that. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.580 And in a sense. 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:49.840 It's. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.700 It's out of this. 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.980 It's also in a sense. 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:52.759 If you think about it. 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.540 If there's a Father. 00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:53.920 The Son. 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:54.640 And the Holy Spirit. 00:13:54.780 --> 00:13:55.379 Three persons. 00:13:55.520 --> 00:13:55.940 One God. 00:13:56.020 --> 00:13:56.620 Forever and ever. 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:57.379 That. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:57.820 That. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.820 That's already. 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:01.600 God. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.879 God doesn't need. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.120 Any human beings. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.140 Because he's lonely. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.520 But. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.520 As we all know. 00:14:10.640 --> 00:14:12.160 In the best of human beings. 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:15.379 It's of the very nature. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.920 Of love. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.900 It's of the very. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.279 Very nature of love. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.019 That love be extended. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:23.919 Beyond. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:24.699 It's like. 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:26.240 The very nature of goodness. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:28.279 That love be extended. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:28.759 Beyond. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.620 I am now. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.600 In day nine. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:33.759 Of having no hydro. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.879 There's a couple of us. 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:36.639 In the congregation. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.199 Who've now. 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.039 There was one. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:38.419 A fellow. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.480 At the eight o'clock service. 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.379 He might be here as well. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:41.679 And. 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:42.199 We've now. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.360 We're now on day nine. 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:44.139 With no hydro. 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:44.600 And. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.279 One of the things. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.079 I can tell you. 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:47.480 About this odd experience. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:49.059 Is that neighbors. 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:50.339 Have never talked to each other. 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.220 More than they have. 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.299 Than during these nine days. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:56.079 I've had my longest talks. 00:14:56.079 --> 00:14:57.379 With my next door neighbor. 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.379 Since this has happened. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.779 And in very. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.439 Very helpful. 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.819 And friendly ways. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.360 These conversations. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.079 Have been. 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.480 Have been going on. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:08.539 And. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:10.259 You know. 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:11.500 The fact of the matter is. 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:12.639 That we. 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.459 We long to have. 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.639 Some type of a community. 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:21.519 We long. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.740 To have some type of a relationship. 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.019 Which is very stable. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.039 We live in a world. 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:27.279 Where relationships. 00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:28.299 Aren't stable. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.459 Where many marriages. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.259 End in divorce. 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:32.179 Where many. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.240 Parents. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:34.219 Don't treat their kids. 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:34.980 Very well. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.419 Where bosses. 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.179 Don't often. 00:15:37.319 --> 00:15:38.199 Treat their employees. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.080 Very well. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.879 Where companies. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.120 Go in and out of business. 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.340 The idea. 00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.360 That in the 50s. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.720 Somebody might join a company. 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.340 And be with it. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.560 For 30 or 40 years. 00:15:46.640 --> 00:15:47.460 Is sort of an idea. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.280 Of the past. 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:49.240 We. 00:15:49.520 --> 00:15:49.960 We. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.900 We live in a world. 00:15:51.020 --> 00:15:52.460 Where all of these relationships. 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.460 Seem to be very. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.220 Very just. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.480 Impermanent. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.600 And yet. 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:57.820 For. 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.040 For each of us. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.580 We. 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:01.100 We long. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.140 To have something. 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:02.960 Which is permanent. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.540 It's like. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:03.700 One. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.640 It's very interesting. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.120 The way. 00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:06.480 Many Canadians. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.300 Will talk about. 00:16:07.420 --> 00:16:07.820 The person. 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.360 That they'd like. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.060 To live. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.760 To spend the rest. 00:16:09.760 --> 00:16:10.560 Of their time with. 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:11.040 Is that. 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.080 The rest of their life. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.860 Is they're looking. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:13.900 For a soul mate. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.000 They're looking. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.840 For something. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.660 Or someone. 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.100 That is so close. 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.400 To them. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.020 In their soul. 00:16:20.140 --> 00:16:20.760 That there could be. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.560 Never really be. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.180 A break. 00:16:22.760 --> 00:16:23.379 Of that. 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.820 We have this desire. 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.460 For a. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.480 A covenanted. 00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:28.720 Relationship. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.060 And what the Bible. 00:16:32.280 --> 00:16:32.640 Says. 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.940 Is that the God. 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.120 Who from all eternity. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.720 Was seen. 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.120 The beauty. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.620 The father. 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.300 Seeing the beauty. 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:37.960 Of the son. 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:38.480 And the son. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.120 Seeing the beauty. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.759 Of the father. 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.139 And the. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.820 Both. 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.340 Seeing the beauty. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.139 Of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:42.779 And the Holy Spirit. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.279 Seeing the beauty. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:43.660 Of them. 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.180 And the goodness. 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:44.660 And the love. 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:44.980 Etc. 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.500 That that God. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.820 Desires to have. 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:48.879 A relationship. 00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.960 With human beings. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.779 Like you and me. 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.399 And not just. 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.060 A fleeting. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.180 Relationship. 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:55.899 He doesn't want to have. 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.980 A one night stand. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.259 With human beings. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.180 He doesn't want to hook up. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.340 With human beings. 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.779 He doesn't want to look up. 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.320 A human being. 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:03.960 On tinder. 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.740 And then discard. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.600 That human being. 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.740 What Bible. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.480 The Bible. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.700 Is revealing here. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.640 Is that the God. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.880 Who really does exist. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.500 That we'll discover. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.660 Throughout the rest of the Bible. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.220 Is in fact. 00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:16.080 Almost in a sense. 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:16.920 A community. 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.640 In a sense. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.240 With the father. 00:17:18.340 --> 00:17:18.580 The son. 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.180 The Holy Spirit. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.799 Three persons. 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.740 Yet one God. 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.279 That that God. 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:23.080 Desires to have. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.860 A relationship. 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.980 Of love. 00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:27.380 And intimacy. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.299 And presence. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.500 With ordinary. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.120 Human beings. 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.840 Like you and me. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:35.839 And that's not. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.839 A romantic view. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.339 Of the world. 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.200 That's the real view. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.659 Of the world. 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.240 That's the truth. 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:48.139 And that's what we see here. 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.179 Look at the text again. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.619 The first couple of verses. 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.259 When Abram. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.720 Was 99 years old. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.859 The Lord appeared to Abram. 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.579 And said to him. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:57.079 I am El Shaddai. 00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:59.639 Walk before me. 00:18:00.139 --> 00:18:01.500 And be blameless. 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:04.319 And walk before me. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.160 Implies that. 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.599 That the God almighty. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.640 El Shaddai. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.799 The Lord. 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:12.599 The transcendent God. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.579 Desires to actually. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.519 Be with you. 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:18.380 And he wants you to walk. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.420 Not as if. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.759 There is no God. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.299 Not as if. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.380 You are a God. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.819 But to walk. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.420 And spend the day. 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.759 With you. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:32.420 And the word. 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.099 Blameless. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.339 It does have a tiny bit. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.740 Of a moral aspect to it. 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.640 But it's fundamentally. 00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:38.000 A relationship word. 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.799 It's a word. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.420 Of maintaining relationship. 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:43.519 To use sort of. 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.539 A marriage analogy. 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.500 It would be as if. 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.680 You know. 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.220 Louise and I. 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.400 Have been married a long time. 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.039 And it's definitely. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.960 Not the case. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.339 That we've never had a fight. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:50.940 Or that. 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.940 That we've never been. 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.099 Unhappy with each other. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.059 Or definitely. 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:54.759 She's never been. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.819 Not the case. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.379 That she's never been. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.259 Unhappy with me. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:59.339 But the goal of the marriage. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:18:59.940 Is in a sense. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.839 To be blameless. 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.000 That the relationship. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.940 Is never severed. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.019 And that it's restored. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.680 And that's the idea here. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:09.559 And that's the fundamental thing. 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.660 That God is offering. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.619 To Abram. 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.920 And he's already inaugurated. 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:14.059 In chapter 15. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.720 You can go back. 00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.599 And listen to the sermon. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.859 Where God takes upon himself. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:19.319 All of the obligation. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.539 To make this work. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.500 And now. 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.200 The covenant. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.359 Which was inaugurated. 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.279 In chapter 15. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.359 It has to be confirmed. 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.679 Abraham has to say. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.439 Yes to it. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:31.019 And then after. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.219 Abram says yes to it. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.319 God in chapter 22. 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.859 Is going to make. 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.000 His final confirmation. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.819 Of the whole thing. 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.459 But that's sort of. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.099 Jumping ahead. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.899 And you look at it. 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:40.579 In verse 2. 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.959 I am El Shaddai. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.279 My desire. 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:45.779 Abram. 00:19:45.979 --> 00:19:47.219 Is that you'll walk with me. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.899 That you'll be blameless. 00:19:48.959 --> 00:19:50.000 That we have a relationship. 00:19:51.479 --> 00:19:52.559 That I may make. 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.219 I will make. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.819 My covenant. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.960 Between me and you. 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:57.220 And may multiply you greatly. 00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:59.279 And God is saying this. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:19:59.880 To a man. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.640 Who's just said. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.920 Is 99 years old. 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.819 And his wife is 89. 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:05.120 And they've never been able. 00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.860 To have children. 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.759 And for many of you. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.519 You weren't interested. 00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:10.460 In that other relational. 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.279 Stuff stuff. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.160 You were sort of stuck. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.819 At how on earth. 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.100 It can possibly be. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.500 That Abram was 99 years old. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.100 And have a baby. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.620 Once again. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.420 I just was thinking. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.039 About it this week. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:19.600 Because I watched. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.079 The first part of. 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:23.899 This Ricky Gervais. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:24.639 Special. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.519 Hard to watch things. 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.480 When you have no hydro. 00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:30.220 And often. 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:31.279 The internet's not working. 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.159 At our house as well. 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:32.460 Actually. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.699 That's a whole other. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:34.419 You know. 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.679 A whole other thing. 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.159 But I could just imagine. 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:37.939 What Ricky Gervais. 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.879 Would say about a story. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.379 Like this. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:39.720 George. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.699 You actually believe. 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:41.859 Like you're so stupid. 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.599 You actually believe. 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.819 99 year old man. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:45.319 Can make an 89 year old. 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.259 Woman pregnant. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.279 I mean. 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:47.599 He probably. 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:47.879 Actually. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.299 He might say. 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:48.759 He probably. 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.740 Not say stupid. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.500 He'd say something. 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.599 Which was more colorful. 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.240 Which I can't say. 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.259 In church. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.839 He'd call me. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:56.620 A variety of names. 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.579 For being so stupid. 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.319 To believe it. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:20:58.859 Well. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.700 We're going to get to that. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:00.779 I'm not going to dodge. 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.920 This particular issue. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.539 But let's look. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.240 And see now. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.579 What God. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.400 Going to actually do. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.599 This is what his desire. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.539 Is for Abram. 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.559 And look at all of the things. 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.900 That God makes a claim. 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.079 A promise. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.140 That he's going to do. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.400 It begins at verse 3. 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.680 Then Abram fell on his face. 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.320 Now. 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.140 By the way. 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.340 Here. 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.980 It's not clear. 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:22.920 Whether Abram wanted to fall on his face. 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.560 In worship. 00:21:24.060 --> 00:21:24.900 Or whether. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.600 Just. 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.480 Being in God's presence. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.480 And hearing God speak. 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.840 Made him fall on his face. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.100 Maybe it's both. 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.200 Doesn't matter. 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:34.779 But Abram just goes down. 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:37.180 And God said to him. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.820 Behold. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:41.060 My covenant is with you. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.779 And you shall be the father. 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:45.060 Of a multitude. 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.380 Of nations. 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:49.220 No longer shall your name. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.420 Be called Abram. 00:21:50.800 --> 00:21:52.880 But your name shall be Abraham. 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.520 For I. 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:55.480 Have made. 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.520 You the father. 00:21:56.800 --> 00:21:57.400 Of a multitude. 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.220 Of nations. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.960 By the way. 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:02.360 What happens sometimes is. 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:05.040 When God wants to do something. 00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.980 In these original languages. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.320 When there has to be a promise. 00:22:08.320 --> 00:22:09.080 Of the certainty. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.780 Of the future. 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:11.120 They use the past tense. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.959 To communicate. 00:22:12.959 --> 00:22:13.579 The certainty. 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.359 Of the future. 00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:17.979 No longer. 00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:19.000 Verse five again. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.019 No longer shall your name. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.819 Be called Abram. 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.399 But your name. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.000 Shall be. 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:22.819 Abraham. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.659 For I have made you. 00:22:23.719 --> 00:22:24.079 The father. 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:24.659 Of a multitude. 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.279 Of nations. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:27.039 And I will make you. 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.139 Exceedingly fruitful. 00:22:29.459 --> 00:22:30.379 And I. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.219 Will make you. 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.919 Into nations. 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.739 And kings. 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.539 Shall come. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.099 From you. 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:37.139 And I will establish. 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.000 My covenant. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.039 Between me and you. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.899 And your offspring. 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.719 After you. 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:42.919 Throughout their generations. 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:45.199 For an everlasting covenant. 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.099 And here. 00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:48.139 The word everlasting. 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:49.859 Basically. 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:50.379 It's. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.500 Into the future. 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.219 Without end. 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.079 That's sort of the. 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.579 The idea. 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.659 In the original language. 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.879 Sort of captured. 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.839 In the old prayer book. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.480 When it says. 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:59.339 A world without end. 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:01.459 That phrase. 00:23:01.719 --> 00:23:02.319 Those of you. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.719 Are familiar. 00:23:02.719 --> 00:23:03.679 With the old prayer book. 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.079 When they'll. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.859 They'll often say. 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.839 Things world without end. 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.379 That's actually. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.519 Capturing the Hebrew. 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:08.559 Idea. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.659 Which is expressed here. 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.500 To be. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:13.899 Sorry. 00:23:13.979 --> 00:23:14.819 I'll read verse seven. 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.039 Again. 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.799 And I will establish. 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.419 My covenant. 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.379 Between me and you. 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:18.079 And your offspring. 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.119 After you. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.279 Throughout their generations. 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.599 For an everlasting. 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.179 Covenant. 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.559 To be God. 00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:25.259 To you. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.359 And to your offspring. 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.179 After you. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.939 And I will give. 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.579 To you. 00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:31.859 And to your offspring. 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.599 After you. 00:23:32.719 --> 00:23:33.259 The land. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:34.379 Of your sojournings. 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:36.019 All the land. 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.599 Of Canaan. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.199 For an everlasting. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.879 Possession. 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.799 That's a world. 00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:40.359 Without end. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:40.899 Possession. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.500 And I. 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.699 Will be. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.699 Their. 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:45.719 God. 00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.639 And that's the heart. 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.299 Of what God is. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.539 Notice all of the things. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.200 Abram has no children. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.539 He has no land. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.779 He has no. 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.259 He's not. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.240 The head of a nation. 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.960 I will make nations. 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.720 Come from you. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:00.059 I will give you the land. 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.500 You have no. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.399 Children. 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:04.639 I will give you children. 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:06.039 Or a child. 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:07.200 And you will multiply. 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.579 And most importantly. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.599 I. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.359 Will. 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.159 Be. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.159 Your. 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:13.960 God. 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:16.720 So God looks to the unlikely. 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.779 The unqualified. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.259 The unsuitable. 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.740 The childless. 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.600 Ninety nine. 00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.779 Year old man. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:24.180 And he makes these very. 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.779 Very concrete. 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:25.940 Real. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.960 Promises. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.860 About community. 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.079 About nation. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.240 About family. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:31.779 About babies. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.680 And about land. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.500 Now I'm going to circle around to that. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.539 Why circumcision. 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:42.539 In fact. 00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:42.980 Actually. 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:44.319 There's sort of three questions. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.319 Around this text. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.200 If you think about it. 00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.819 The first one is. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.700 How on earth. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.139 Could a ninety nine year old man. 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:54.379 Make an eighty nine year old woman pregnant. 00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:57.159 Is the Bible. 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.220 Just being naive. 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.019 And foolish. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.059 Is it talking. 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.220 Fairy tale language. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.379 Second. 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:07.000 Why circumcision. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.279 Why something. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.519 That seems so barbaric. 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:12.700 And third. 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.839 Isn't circumcision. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.119 Cruel. 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.639 And doesn't it reveal. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.440 The masochistic. 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.139 Element. 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.039 Of the God of the Bible. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.119 Well. 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.980 Let's look. 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.879 Verse nine. 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:34.259 And God said to Abram. 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:35.619 As for you. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.579 You shall keep my covenant. 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.980 So those are all the things. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.899 God's going to do. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.699 God's going to. 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:42.019 Actually give him a baby. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.259 He's going to not only give him a baby. 00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:45.000 But ultimately. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.679 There'll eventually be multitudes. 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.639 There'll be nations. 00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.679 There'll be land. 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:49.359 There'll be. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.460 All of this. 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.359 What's Abram to do. 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.799 How is Abram. 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.980 To receive the covenant. 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.740 And show that he is received. 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:58.279 And wants to enter into this covenant. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:00.339 And how will this be marked? 00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:02.460 Verse 9, and God said to Abram, 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:05.720 As for you, you shall keep my covenant, 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:08.700 you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:12.660 This is my covenant which you shall keep between me and you 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.299 and your offspring after you. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:19.139 Every male among you shall be circumcised. 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:23.299 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:27.680 and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:31.980 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.740 Every male throughout your generations, 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:37.740 whether born in your house or bought with your money, 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:40.539 from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:44.119 both he who is born in your house 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:46.539 and he who is bought with your money 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:49.059 shall surely be circumcised. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:52.000 So shall my covenant be in your flesh, 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.440 an everlasting covenant. 00:26:54.440 --> 00:27:00.160 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:03.240 shall be cut off from his people. 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:05.059 He has broken my covenant. 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.820 And God said to Abram, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:11.100 As for Sarai, your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.840 but Sarah shall be her name. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.380 I will bless her. 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:17.480 And moreover, I will give you a son by her. 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:19.180 I will bless her. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:22.079 And she shall become nations. 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:25.180 Kings of people shall come from her. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:29.360 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:31.919 and said to himself, 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:39.179 Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:42.659 Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.019 bear a child? 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:47.599 And Abraham said to God, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:51.839 Oh, that Ishmael might live before you. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.659 And God said, 00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:56.459 No, but Sarah, your wife, 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:57.899 shall bear you a son, 00:27:58.599 --> 00:28:01.199 and you shall call his name Isaac. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:04.539 I will establish my covenant with him 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.119 as an everlasting covenant 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:09.099 for his offspring after him. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.480 So, first of all, 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:14.759 we can see that the Bible is very realistic. 00:28:14.959 --> 00:28:15.819 Abraham doesn't just say, 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.379 Oh, yeah, yeah, God, 00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:17.319 you said that's going to happen, 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:18.039 it's just going to happen. 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.279 It's just sort of the same thing 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:22.359 when I was introducing the gospel text. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.299 Sometime down the road, 00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:25.660 people will listen to just the sermon 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.599 and not the service. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:29.000 But in this service, 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:31.839 I was introducing the gospel text, 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:33.859 which we read in the service, John. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.799 And one of the things I pointed out 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:38.359 is that Jesus knew the night before 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:40.759 that he was going to be captured that night. 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:43.200 He knew he was going to die on the cross the next day. 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.660 And he knew that none of his disciples 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:46.240 believed that he would rise from the dead. 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:48.680 He knew that the Jewish authorities 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.420 didn't believe it. 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:51.060 The Roman authorities didn't believe it. 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:53.200 The soldiers who carried out the crucifixion 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.820 didn't believe it. 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:55.460 He knew that his mom didn't believe it. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:58.000 His brothers and sisters didn't believe it. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.320 His disciples didn't believe it. 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.340 Nobody believed it. 00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:01.940 The fact, 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.920 one of the things is 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:05.140 if you read the ancient biographies of Jesus, 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.340 it's very, very clear. 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:08.140 The biographies make it very clear 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.080 that nobody believed 00:29:09.080 --> 00:29:10.440 that Jesus would rise from the dead. 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:10.799 Nobody. 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.360 Nobody, nobody, nobody. 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:14.340 And we can see here in the text 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.960 that Abraham, 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.960 and later on in the next story, 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.460 that Sarah, 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.840 none of them believed 00:29:18.840 --> 00:29:21.420 that Abraham would be able to have a baby, 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.100 that Sarah, 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:24.840 that Abraham would be able to make God, 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.779 that Abraham, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.700 that God would be able to make Abraham 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:31.819 make Sarah, 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:33.360 get all the lines, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.240 the makes correct, 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.319 make her pregnant. 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.860 So, 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.539 once again, 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.620 you can sort of imagine 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:42.539 what Ricky Gervais would say about this. 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:44.379 But here's the thing. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.059 This is a very important thing. 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:52.000 God is making a claim here 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.519 that he is going to do a miracle. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.879 And that's part of the reason 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.899 why the age 99 00:29:55.899 --> 00:29:57.279 is very, very significant. 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.359 The age of 99 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.480 is very significant 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.659 because it's going to be made 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:02.879 very clear to Abraham 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:04.339 and to all of the Jewish people 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.139 who come after 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.980 and to us 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.859 that it's a miracle, 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.019 that God does something 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.200 that could not possibly, 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.879 under any stretch 00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.920 of the imagination, 00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:13.320 under any circumstances, 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.400 could it have been accomplished, 00:30:14.780 --> 00:30:15.520 humanly speaking. 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:16.240 It's completely 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.460 and utterly a miracle. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.220 And so, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.900 our skeptical friends 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.520 will say, 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.180 George, 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.960 this is completely 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.920 and utterly ridiculous. 00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:25.900 How can you believe 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:27.040 that life could come 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:28.000 from such barrenness? 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.180 But here's the thing 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.260 which is very significant. 00:30:31.120 --> 00:30:31.920 Ricky Gervais 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.600 and I both believe 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:35.300 that life comes 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:36.280 from barrenness. 00:30:37.260 --> 00:30:38.920 The University of Ottawa, 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.160 the CBC, 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.540 CTV, 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.620 the Liberal Party, 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.800 the Conservative Party, 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:47.100 Secular Canada, 00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.759 they and I 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:50.000 both believe 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.960 that life 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.480 comes from barrenness. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.400 And you'll say 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.200 that's completely 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.120 and utterly absurd, 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:55.560 George, 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.480 that's not true. 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.500 And I will say 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.560 it is completely true 00:30:58.560 --> 00:30:59.360 because that's what 00:30:59.360 --> 00:31:00.480 you believe about evolution. 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:05.540 The very, very heart, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.100 the basis 00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:09.180 of all secular Canadian thought 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.960 is that life emerged 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.660 out of barrenness 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.140 and death. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.580 Ricky Gervais 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.240 believes that. 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.620 Which is more likely? 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.960 Which is more likely 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.620 to believe? 00:31:23.620 --> 00:31:24.820 That a God 00:31:24.820 --> 00:31:26.519 who is life himself 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:29.900 can make the barren 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:31.220 produce life 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.079 or remain 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.860 to believe 00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:34.759 that unending 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.720 barrenness 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:37.200 can somehow 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.740 or another 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.700 produce life. 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.539 I would say 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.460 that one of us 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.660 is actually 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.440 believing something 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.460 which is more credible 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:47.579 and that Christians 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.600 in fact 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.039 are believing 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.660 something 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:52.140 that is more reasonable. 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:55.460 because the fact 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:55.820 of the matter 00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:56.420 is 00:31:56.420 --> 00:32:00.940 that really 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.400 anywhere 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.960 other than 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.560 the very, very 00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:03.000 beginnings 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.200 of human belief 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.200 origins 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.160 nobody believes 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:07.180 that happens today. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.259 If somebody 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.040 was to say 00:32:11.040 --> 00:32:12.520 that there was 00:32:12.520 --> 00:32:13.140 a whole pile 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:13.860 of sand 00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:14.759 and all of a sudden 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.700 out of that sand 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.300 and a whole pile 00:32:16.300 --> 00:32:16.860 of other things 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.680 that there was a tornado 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.140 and out of it 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:18.759 life emerged 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.200 like nobody 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.020 would believe that. 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.560 Like nobody 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.299 would believe that. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.799 Nobody would believe it. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.240 Everybody would go 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.700 looking 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:26.339 for some type 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.639 of microorganisms 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.200 that happened 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.899 to be there 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:30.119 that we just 00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:30.480 weren't able 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.079 to detect. 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.720 Why? 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.659 Because everybody 00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:33.980 knows that life 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.799 does not come 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.799 from barrenness 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:37.819 except when it 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.919 comes for the 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.440 foundation 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.579 of secular 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.619 Canada's belief. 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.339 We, 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.019 Christians, 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:46.960 are not gullible. 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.519 We know 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.920 that life 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.639 does not come 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.579 from barrenness. 00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.420 Abram knew that. 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.299 Sarah knew that. 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.279 It's a miracle. 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.700 God did 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.279 what only God 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.700 could do. 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.019 What about 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:06.019 why circumcision? 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:08.900 Well, 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.119 I mean, 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.559 there's several 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.139 things here 00:33:11.139 --> 00:33:11.660 which is going 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.519 to be a very, 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:12.940 very, 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:14.099 part of it 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.759 is a great 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.839 threat to Canadians. 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.079 Canadians. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.119 Canadians. 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:16.160 Canadians. 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:16.180 Canadians. 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:16.200 Canadians. 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.240 Canadians. 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.279 Canadians. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.379 In a sense, 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.099 the source 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:24.259 of procreation 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.879 is marked 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.920 as belonging 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.680 to God 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.559 with an indelible 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.400 mark 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:31.420 for the covenant 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:31.900 people. 00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.759 And the circumcision 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:39.099 as the mark 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:39.700 that you've entered 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.480 into this covenant 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.079 community, 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:43.160 I mean, 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.920 it's going to come 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.480 to adults. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.019 We're going to see 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:45.740 at the end of the story, 00:33:45.839 --> 00:33:46.379 or maybe we won't. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:47.180 If you read to the end, 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.720 you'll see that 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.380 at the end of this, 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.620 Abraham gets himself 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:51.080 at 99 circumcised. 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.740 Everybody in his household 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.519 is circumcised 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.539 by the end of the story. 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.100 But fundamentally, 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.660 at the heart of it, 00:33:58.100 --> 00:34:00.420 is that the agent, 00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:00.900 in a sense, 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:02.100 the means of procreation 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.759 is marked indelibly. 00:34:04.560 --> 00:34:06.120 That means it can't be removed 00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:09.059 as being claimed by God, 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:10.340 as belonging to God, 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.320 that life, 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.460 ultimately, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.720 is something 00:34:13.720 --> 00:34:15.099 that comes from God. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.860 The miracle 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:17.239 is a miracle 00:34:17.239 --> 00:34:18.940 of life 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:20.599 coming to barrenness, 00:34:20.839 --> 00:34:22.759 and the indelible mark 00:34:22.759 --> 00:34:23.380 of belonging 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:24.259 to the community 00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:26.039 is a reminder 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.940 that God 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.980 is the source 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.920 of life 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:31.619 and claims it. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.739 And why the cutting 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.420 and the blood 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.079 and the pain? 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:36.179 Well, the fact of the matter 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:36.400 is, 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:38.000 and this is far harder 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.539 for us, 00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:40.000 because as we all know, 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.179 meat actually doesn't 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:42.179 come from an animal. 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:42.920 Meat is made 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:44.259 in a factory, 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.140 and it comes 00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:46.200 pre-wrapped 00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:47.460 in saran wrap 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.260 or whatever it is, 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.300 that there's no animals 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.060 that have been killed, 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:51.720 there's no blood, 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.660 there's no gore, 00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:54.640 there's nothing like that, 00:34:54.740 --> 00:34:55.620 and so it's harder 00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:56.620 for us to see 00:34:56.620 --> 00:34:57.660 the earthiness 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.460 and the reality 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.400 of every time 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.340 we have a hamburger, 00:35:00.520 --> 00:35:01.060 the fact that 00:35:01.060 --> 00:35:01.880 that was originally 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.520 a cow, 00:35:03.040 --> 00:35:03.740 or if you're eating 00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:04.500 a pork hamburger, 00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:05.580 it was originally a pig, 00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:06.900 the earthiness of it. 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:08.700 But here is the other 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:09.380 thing about it, 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.200 which is so hard 00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:11.720 for us as Christians 00:35:11.720 --> 00:35:13.040 to get our minds around. 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.019 Like, think about 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.820 how we Canadians 00:35:14.820 --> 00:35:15.940 think about death. 00:35:17.759 --> 00:35:19.320 Like, we live a real life, 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.340 and we live a real life 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.759 where there's a real world, 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.559 and we're like, 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:24.440 if we go and we buy 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:25.279 a dozen donuts 00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:26.360 from Tim Hortons, 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.199 and afterwards, 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:28.199 as we're going to the car, 00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:28.860 we count them, 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:29.920 and they only give us nine, 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.679 what do we do? 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.860 We go back, 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.679 we bought twelve, 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:33.920 you only gave us nine. 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:36.019 We don't spiritualize 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:37.000 what happened to it. 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.539 But how is it 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.400 that we Canadians, 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.360 who first of all, 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:42.140 are in denial of the fact 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:43.360 that we believe 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:44.300 that life comes out 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.220 of barrenness, 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:47.180 also at the end of the day, 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.640 all of our understandings 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:49.500 of the end of life 00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:50.680 is completely and utterly 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:51.620 non-physical. 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.620 It's just, 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:53.760 like, 00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.800 sorry, 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.599 I don't want to offend, 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:56.079 but it's like, 00:35:56.180 --> 00:35:56.440 woo, 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.400 woo. 00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:58.539 I mean, 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.460 that's why Ricky Gervais 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:01.800 can go to make a lot of hay 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:03.260 out of making fun of it. 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.420 Like, 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:05.780 really? 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.360 Like, 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:07.639 really, 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.240 you think about it 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:08.720 for a second, 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.579 that when you die, 00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:11.059 you know, 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:12.639 when your loved one dies, 00:36:12.760 --> 00:36:13.019 sorry, 00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:13.980 I'm offending you, 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.880 your loved one dies, 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:15.320 they're with you 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:15.980 in your spirit. 00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:16.940 Well, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:18.059 that's actually a bit creepy. 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.480 And how does that 00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.240 actually work? 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:23.220 So, 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.860 when your loved one, 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.579 their loved ones died, 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:26.800 so, 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.159 you know, 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:28.260 your parent dies, 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:29.020 but their, 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.040 your parents, 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.520 grandparents have already died, 00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:31.760 so, 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:32.980 your grandparents' 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.060 spirits are sort of 00:36:35.060 --> 00:36:36.000 with your parent 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.080 and they're now with you? 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:39.280 And then you go back 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.000 for generations, 00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:40.220 like, 00:36:40.260 --> 00:36:40.660 what does it mean? 00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:40.840 Like, 00:36:40.880 --> 00:36:41.140 you mean, 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:41.340 like, 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:41.780 within you, 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:42.120 you have, 00:36:42.240 --> 00:36:42.320 like, 00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:42.840 a million, 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:43.440 a billion, 00:36:43.580 --> 00:36:43.820 like, 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.980 spirits all sort of 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.800 present with you? 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.260 Like, 00:36:47.300 --> 00:36:48.680 how does that make any sense? 00:36:50.200 --> 00:36:50.560 And, 00:36:50.600 --> 00:36:51.500 and if you think about it 00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:51.960 for a second, 00:36:52.080 --> 00:36:52.200 like, 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:53.660 the idea that when you die 00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:54.500 and you just sort of 00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.200 join everything, 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.120 how is that different 00:36:56.120 --> 00:36:57.040 from just understanding 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:57.720 that when you're dead, 00:36:57.800 --> 00:36:58.240 you're dead? 00:36:58.260 --> 00:37:00.480 And, 00:37:00.580 --> 00:37:01.820 and if you understand 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.700 that death is just 00:37:02.700 --> 00:37:03.600 ultimately being like 00:37:03.600 --> 00:37:04.380 a drop of water 00:37:04.380 --> 00:37:05.220 going into the ocean, 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.100 how is that different 00:37:06.100 --> 00:37:06.980 than just dying 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.840 and not having any 00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:08.840 identity anymore? 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:12.180 Like, 00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:12.800 how is it, 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:12.980 like, 00:37:13.180 --> 00:37:14.420 the thing about this story, 00:37:14.540 --> 00:37:14.860 and you see, 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.200 this is, 00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:16.600 and so it's very easy 00:37:16.600 --> 00:37:17.140 when you have 00:37:17.140 --> 00:37:18.920 understandings of, 00:37:19.300 --> 00:37:19.780 first of all, 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.720 that you're in denial 00:37:20.720 --> 00:37:22.300 that life comes out 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.100 of barrenness 00:37:23.100 --> 00:37:23.700 and you somehow 00:37:23.700 --> 00:37:24.400 believe that 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:25.120 and you're in denial 00:37:25.120 --> 00:37:25.820 about the fact 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.500 that you believe it 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:27.619 and at the same time 00:37:27.619 --> 00:37:28.619 that you, 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:29.579 you sort of believe 00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.340 that there's some type 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:31.599 of a spiritual type 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.480 of thing that comes 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:32.880 to you 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.420 and, 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:34.039 and it makes it 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.300 very, 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:34.980 very easily 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.659 for you to think 00:37:35.659 --> 00:37:36.420 that right and wrong 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:36.619 is, 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.059 and, 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:37.940 and how you live 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:38.280 your life 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:38.960 is sort of really 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:40.659 something more abstract 00:37:40.659 --> 00:37:41.819 and more emotional 00:37:41.819 --> 00:37:42.500 and just sort of 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.379 more spiritual 00:37:43.379 --> 00:37:44.579 and not very earthy 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:44.920 and not, 00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:45.779 not as, 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:47.079 as concrete as we 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.519 many, 00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:48.339 many times know 00:37:48.339 --> 00:37:48.960 and want it to be 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:50.199 because dang it all, 00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.739 if I buy a dozen donuts 00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.539 at Tim Hortons, 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.179 there needs to be 00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:54.779 twelve in the box. 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:57.599 Nine doesn't cut it. 00:37:58.039 --> 00:37:58.799 I don't accept 00:37:58.799 --> 00:38:00.279 three spiritual ones. 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:02.179 I want twelve 00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:03.259 that I can eat, 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:07.039 not nine and three 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.859 that I can pretend 00:38:07.859 --> 00:38:08.460 that I ate. 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.119 I want all twelve. 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:12.320 And so here, 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:12.740 you see, 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:13.720 it's all part of 00:38:13.720 --> 00:38:14.320 what's going on 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:14.980 here in the Bible. 00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.840 What is it saying? 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.380 God is going to make 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:17.800 a covenant 00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:18.860 and out of Abraham 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:20.000 is going to come, 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:21.320 there's going to be land 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:22.519 and there's going to be 00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:23.019 babies 00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:24.099 and there's going to be 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:24.639 nations 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:26.079 and what does that mean? 00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.740 It means there's going 00:38:26.740 --> 00:38:27.380 to be laws. 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:27.880 There's going to be 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:28.380 that you drive 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.179 on the right-hand side 00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:29.500 of the road, 00:38:29.559 --> 00:38:30.599 not the left-hand side 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:30.920 of the road. 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.880 It means that you stop 00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:32.780 at stop signs. 00:38:33.220 --> 00:38:34.340 It means that there's 00:38:34.340 --> 00:38:35.500 customs in families. 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.300 It means that there's 00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:36.740 traditions 00:38:36.740 --> 00:38:37.940 because it's real. 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:39.260 It's real life. 00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:40.500 And so the Bible 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.460 is not calling you 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.860 into an imaginary life, 00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:44.200 an emotional life, 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:46.079 a spiritual life. 00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:46.900 It's talking into 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.559 a real life 00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.679 where there's human beings 00:38:48.679 --> 00:38:49.539 and there's land 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.619 and there's customs 00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:51.700 and there's communities 00:38:51.700 --> 00:38:53.059 and there's families 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:54.559 and there's obligations 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.320 of a husband 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:55.960 to a wife 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:56.400 and a wife 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:57.079 to her husband 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:57.740 and of parents 00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.440 to the children 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:58.900 and children 00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.679 to the parents 00:38:59.679 --> 00:39:00.559 and neighbors 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:01.280 to each other 00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:01.760 and neighbors 00:39:01.760 --> 00:39:02.420 to the king 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:02.860 and king 00:39:02.860 --> 00:39:03.659 to the people. 00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:05.619 It's a real world 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:06.359 that the Bible 00:39:06.359 --> 00:39:07.440 is calling you into 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.859 and as part of that sign 00:39:08.859 --> 00:39:09.880 of the real world, 00:39:10.279 --> 00:39:11.519 the origin of life 00:39:11.519 --> 00:39:12.380 is marked 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.799 as belonging to God 00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:15.480 in a real, 00:39:15.719 --> 00:39:16.400 indelible, 00:39:16.679 --> 00:39:17.559 physical way 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.159 that you 00:39:18.159 --> 00:39:20.119 can be reminded of 00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:23.079 and hence circumcision. 00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:25.579 And is it cruel? 00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.980 There's two things here 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:28.779 about this text 00:39:28.779 --> 00:39:30.000 which are so remarkable. 00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.440 The first is 00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:35.139 if you go back 00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:35.900 and you look at it 00:39:35.900 --> 00:39:36.579 and I'm sort of running 00:39:36.579 --> 00:39:37.019 out of time 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.840 so you just go look 00:39:37.840 --> 00:39:38.539 at it yourself. 00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:43.279 The rich 00:39:43.279 --> 00:39:44.299 and the poor 00:39:44.299 --> 00:39:47.579 are part of the covenant community. 00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:49.099 The foreigner, 00:39:49.699 --> 00:39:50.579 the stranger, 00:39:51.259 --> 00:39:52.340 the slave, 00:39:52.340 --> 00:39:53.519 the owner, 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:55.140 all are part 00:39:55.140 --> 00:39:55.760 of the community. 00:39:56.220 --> 00:39:57.360 All are equal. 00:39:58.360 --> 00:39:59.500 Ones who are not 00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:00.680 physically descendant 00:40:00.680 --> 00:40:01.360 of Abraham, 00:40:01.640 --> 00:40:02.260 they are part 00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:03.360 of the covenant community. 00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:05.280 It is truly 00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:06.300 for all 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:08.140 without respect 00:40:08.140 --> 00:40:08.860 of person. 00:40:09.940 --> 00:40:10.680 Bill Gates 00:40:10.680 --> 00:40:12.680 and a street person 00:40:12.680 --> 00:40:14.380 both have to enter 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:15.340 the kingdom of God 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:16.079 the same way. 00:40:19.120 --> 00:40:20.019 And Bill Gates 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:23.320 can be outside 00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:23.860 the kingdom 00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:24.960 and the street person 00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.219 in. 00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:27.820 Both have to 00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:28.619 humble themselves 00:40:28.619 --> 00:40:30.019 and in our case 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.719 of the new covenant 00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:31.579 accept what Christ 00:40:31.579 --> 00:40:32.300 has done for them. 00:40:32.619 --> 00:40:33.519 It's profoundly 00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:34.519 equal. 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.019 And the wonderful thing 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:36.840 as well about this 00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:37.380 is the fact 00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:38.340 that it's babies. 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.340 See this is, 00:40:40.900 --> 00:40:41.480 I was thinking 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.119 about afterwards, 00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.579 I'd have a bit 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.500 of a time afterwards 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:45.039 to try how this text 00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:46.219 helps us to understand 00:40:46.219 --> 00:40:47.879 why biblical, 00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:49.819 many people 00:40:49.819 --> 00:40:50.259 who are very, 00:40:50.359 --> 00:40:50.799 very biblical 00:40:50.799 --> 00:40:51.399 and don't believe 00:40:51.399 --> 00:40:52.359 in magical things 00:40:52.359 --> 00:40:53.619 like baptismal regeneration 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:55.299 understand the significance 00:40:55.299 --> 00:40:56.419 of infant baptism. 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.899 See the fact of the matter 00:40:57.899 --> 00:40:58.359 is, 00:40:58.619 --> 00:40:59.480 is that when they're 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:01.119 having an eight day 00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:02.019 old baby 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:02.839 enter the covenant 00:41:02.839 --> 00:41:03.399 community, 00:41:03.779 --> 00:41:04.819 nobody can say 00:41:04.819 --> 00:41:06.219 it's only brave people 00:41:06.219 --> 00:41:06.980 who become part 00:41:06.980 --> 00:41:07.480 of the community. 00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:09.339 It's only holy people 00:41:09.339 --> 00:41:10.059 who become part 00:41:10.059 --> 00:41:10.539 of the community. 00:41:10.879 --> 00:41:11.839 It's only people 00:41:11.839 --> 00:41:13.259 with high IQs 00:41:13.259 --> 00:41:13.919 who can be part 00:41:13.919 --> 00:41:14.359 of the community. 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:15.559 It's only rich people. 00:41:15.559 --> 00:41:17.099 It's only a person 00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:18.159 of a certain race. 00:41:18.239 --> 00:41:19.039 It's only a person 00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:20.559 of a certain accomplishment 00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:21.920 that you need to do 00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:23.179 some types of things 00:41:23.179 --> 00:41:24.460 and because you do 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:25.539 some types of things 00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.360 then you deserve 00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.239 to be in it. 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:28.559 People with all 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.259 of the right connection, 00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.179 no! 00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:34.860 By having an eight day 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.559 old baby 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:36.279 part of the covenant 00:41:36.279 --> 00:41:36.900 community, 00:41:37.299 --> 00:41:38.519 you realize that it's 00:41:38.519 --> 00:41:39.900 only and completely 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.599 and utterly 00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:42.799 because of God's grace. 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:46.240 they have earned 00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:46.720 nothing, 00:41:46.920 --> 00:41:47.680 they've accomplished 00:41:47.680 --> 00:41:48.280 nothing 00:41:48.280 --> 00:41:49.920 and God welcomes 00:41:49.920 --> 00:41:50.700 them into the covenant 00:41:50.700 --> 00:41:51.240 community. 00:41:53.420 --> 00:41:55.039 My time has to come 00:41:55.039 --> 00:41:55.620 to an end. 00:41:56.580 --> 00:41:57.500 All of this 00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:58.580 paints a bit 00:41:58.580 --> 00:41:59.120 of a riddle 00:41:59.120 --> 00:42:02.019 that only Christ 00:42:02.019 --> 00:42:03.940 is able to satisfy 00:42:03.940 --> 00:42:05.680 and bring to a completion. 00:42:05.920 --> 00:42:06.120 You see, 00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:06.840 we Christians 00:42:06.840 --> 00:42:07.539 believe that when 00:42:07.539 --> 00:42:08.840 Jesus died upon the cross 00:42:08.840 --> 00:42:09.680 and rose from the dead, 00:42:09.740 --> 00:42:11.019 there's a new covenant 00:42:11.019 --> 00:42:11.619 which is offered 00:42:11.619 --> 00:42:12.480 to human beings. 00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:13.800 But the very, 00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:14.920 very same principles 00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.380 come. 00:42:17.079 --> 00:42:18.259 I can't make 00:42:18.259 --> 00:42:20.539 a new spiritual life 00:42:20.539 --> 00:42:20.960 myself. 00:42:21.159 --> 00:42:22.139 That has to be a gift 00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:23.480 that comes from God 00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:25.619 to give me this 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.739 new spiritual life. 00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.099 And the fact 00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:28.960 of the matter is 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:29.920 is that Abraham 00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:31.059 wasn't able to keep 00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:32.259 perfectly the covenant. 00:42:32.480 --> 00:42:33.199 He didn't walk 00:42:33.199 --> 00:42:34.440 perfectly before God 00:42:34.440 --> 00:42:35.139 and he wasn't 00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:36.259 perfectly blameless. 00:42:36.719 --> 00:42:37.599 And how is that 00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:38.739 going to be dealt with? 00:42:39.679 --> 00:42:40.719 And even if you go, 00:42:40.719 --> 00:42:41.779 this is all part 00:42:41.779 --> 00:42:42.439 of the first book 00:42:42.439 --> 00:42:43.739 of a five-book series 00:42:43.739 --> 00:42:45.179 and the next books 00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:45.739 in the series 00:42:45.739 --> 00:42:46.739 make very clear 00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:48.119 that there has to be 00:42:48.119 --> 00:42:49.399 some type of a means 00:42:49.399 --> 00:42:50.619 by which justice 00:42:50.619 --> 00:42:51.519 is dealt with 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.859 and the covenant 00:42:52.859 --> 00:42:53.919 relationship can be 00:42:53.919 --> 00:42:54.659 secured, 00:42:54.859 --> 00:42:55.579 but at the end of the day 00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.539 it's going to involve 00:42:56.539 --> 00:42:57.000 the death 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:58.059 and the sacrifice 00:42:58.059 --> 00:42:58.719 of animals, 00:42:58.959 --> 00:43:00.079 but all that is 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:00.619 is it's just, 00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:00.939 you know, 00:43:01.000 --> 00:43:01.939 an ending type 00:43:01.939 --> 00:43:02.639 of sacrifice 00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:03.539 and an ending type 00:43:03.539 --> 00:43:04.179 of examination 00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:04.879 of the context 00:43:04.879 --> 00:43:06.379 of your conscience 00:43:06.379 --> 00:43:07.059 and it's never 00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:07.779 something which is 00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:08.379 so completely 00:43:08.379 --> 00:43:09.339 and utterly secure. 00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:10.860 And all of this text 00:43:10.860 --> 00:43:11.380 is pointing, 00:43:11.760 --> 00:43:12.660 how can God 00:43:12.660 --> 00:43:13.820 justly deal with 00:43:13.820 --> 00:43:14.420 the fact that we 00:43:14.420 --> 00:43:15.400 keep breaking the covenant? 00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:16.320 How is it that we 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.880 can't perfectly keep 00:43:17.880 --> 00:43:18.300 the covenant 00:43:18.300 --> 00:43:19.300 and God will accept it? 00:43:19.320 --> 00:43:20.800 How does this work? 00:43:21.180 --> 00:43:21.860 And the Bible 00:43:21.860 --> 00:43:23.180 keeps pointing and pointing 00:43:23.180 --> 00:43:24.480 for us to understand 00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:26.460 this profound insight 00:43:26.460 --> 00:43:27.559 that we can't. 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.620 And that's why 00:43:29.620 --> 00:43:30.539 we need Jesus. 00:43:32.019 --> 00:43:32.519 You see, 00:43:32.579 --> 00:43:33.160 later on 00:43:33.160 --> 00:43:34.440 in the book of Exodus, 00:43:34.860 --> 00:43:35.800 the book of Leviticus, 00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:36.940 the book of Numbers, 00:43:37.019 --> 00:43:37.960 and the book of Deuteronomy, 00:43:37.960 --> 00:43:39.199 he's going to make very clear 00:43:39.199 --> 00:43:44.099 that there has to be 00:43:44.099 --> 00:43:45.539 something like a sacrifice 00:43:45.539 --> 00:43:49.619 to make us right with God. 00:43:49.720 --> 00:43:50.579 It has to be something 00:43:50.579 --> 00:43:51.880 from outside of us. 00:43:53.039 --> 00:43:53.880 And if this covenant 00:43:53.880 --> 00:43:55.059 is to be as secure 00:43:55.059 --> 00:43:55.599 and eternal 00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:56.860 and go beyond life 00:43:56.860 --> 00:43:58.659 and death 00:43:58.659 --> 00:43:59.880 and into the new heaven 00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.519 and the new earth, 00:44:00.599 --> 00:44:01.699 because the biblical view 00:44:01.699 --> 00:44:02.500 of what happens 00:44:02.500 --> 00:44:03.619 at the end of the end 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.599 of the end of the end 00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:05.779 is that we inhabit 00:44:05.779 --> 00:44:06.860 redeemed bodies 00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:07.739 in a redeemed 00:44:07.739 --> 00:44:09.099 and restored creation 00:44:09.099 --> 00:44:10.539 for all eternity. 00:44:11.619 --> 00:44:12.519 Real people 00:44:12.519 --> 00:44:14.139 in real bodies 00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:15.920 in a real world 00:44:15.920 --> 00:44:17.420 with a real God. 00:44:18.159 --> 00:44:19.360 And when we understand 00:44:19.360 --> 00:44:19.839 that we'll be 00:44:19.839 --> 00:44:21.139 real people 00:44:21.139 --> 00:44:22.360 in real bodies 00:44:22.360 --> 00:44:24.219 in a real world 00:44:24.219 --> 00:44:25.679 with a real community 00:44:25.679 --> 00:44:26.819 with a real God, 00:44:26.820 --> 00:44:27.260 God, 00:44:27.300 --> 00:44:27.960 it doesn't mean 00:44:27.960 --> 00:44:28.580 that that makes 00:44:28.580 --> 00:44:29.080 this world 00:44:29.080 --> 00:44:30.039 less valuable, 00:44:30.160 --> 00:44:31.480 it makes it more valuable. 00:44:33.120 --> 00:44:34.080 And the story 00:44:34.080 --> 00:44:34.940 is going to continue 00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:35.519 to show 00:44:35.519 --> 00:44:37.300 in the illustration 00:44:37.300 --> 00:44:38.920 of the sacrifices 00:44:38.920 --> 00:44:40.820 that you have this, 00:44:40.900 --> 00:44:41.220 in a sense, 00:44:41.340 --> 00:44:42.700 blameless animal. 00:44:43.840 --> 00:44:44.420 And the animal 00:44:44.420 --> 00:44:45.360 is going to be sacrificed. 00:44:46.019 --> 00:44:46.980 You put your hand 00:44:46.980 --> 00:44:47.580 on the animal 00:44:47.580 --> 00:44:48.880 and there's a double 00:44:48.880 --> 00:44:49.900 type of exchange 00:44:49.900 --> 00:44:51.059 that happens there. 00:44:52.240 --> 00:44:53.080 In a sense, 00:44:53.280 --> 00:44:53.820 the sinlessness 00:44:53.820 --> 00:44:55.620 or blamelessness 00:44:55.620 --> 00:44:56.400 of the animal 00:44:56.400 --> 00:44:58.900 is, in a sense, 00:44:59.360 --> 00:45:00.680 put upon you, 00:45:00.820 --> 00:45:01.840 clothed upon you, 00:45:02.019 --> 00:45:03.220 and the wrong 00:45:03.220 --> 00:45:03.820 that you've done 00:45:03.820 --> 00:45:04.840 to break your relationship 00:45:04.840 --> 00:45:05.420 with God 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.660 is put on the animal. 00:45:08.559 --> 00:45:09.860 And the animal 00:45:09.860 --> 00:45:10.940 dies in your place, 00:45:11.100 --> 00:45:11.920 but before the animal 00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:12.800 dies in your place, 00:45:12.880 --> 00:45:13.460 its innocence, 00:45:13.620 --> 00:45:13.980 in a sense, 00:45:14.039 --> 00:45:14.920 is placed on you. 00:45:15.700 --> 00:45:16.640 There's only going to be 00:45:16.640 --> 00:45:17.480 one offspring 00:45:17.480 --> 00:45:18.180 of Abraham 00:45:18.180 --> 00:45:20.320 that perfectly lives 00:45:20.320 --> 00:45:20.860 the covenant 00:45:20.860 --> 00:45:21.740 and that's Jesus. 00:45:21.739 --> 00:45:23.959 And when we see 00:45:23.959 --> 00:45:24.679 Jesus dying 00:45:24.679 --> 00:45:25.579 upon the cross 00:45:25.579 --> 00:45:26.759 and when we put 00:45:26.759 --> 00:45:27.579 our faith and trust 00:45:27.579 --> 00:45:28.059 in him 00:45:28.059 --> 00:45:30.059 and his resurrection power, 00:45:30.179 --> 00:45:31.459 we're not only acknowledging 00:45:31.459 --> 00:45:32.559 that only God 00:45:32.559 --> 00:45:33.219 can give us 00:45:33.219 --> 00:45:34.439 that spiritual life 00:45:34.439 --> 00:45:35.679 that will outlast death. 00:45:35.799 --> 00:45:36.399 Only God 00:45:36.399 --> 00:45:37.259 can give us that. 00:45:38.079 --> 00:45:38.699 And when we put 00:45:38.699 --> 00:45:39.559 our hand upon 00:45:39.559 --> 00:45:41.099 into Christ, 00:45:41.619 --> 00:45:42.179 there's this 00:45:42.179 --> 00:45:43.699 exchange that happens 00:45:43.699 --> 00:45:44.399 and it's not just 00:45:44.399 --> 00:45:45.079 with an animal 00:45:45.079 --> 00:45:46.439 that can't really 00:45:46.439 --> 00:45:47.319 fully represent 00:45:47.319 --> 00:45:48.479 us as human beings 00:45:48.479 --> 00:45:49.500 and can sort of 00:45:49.500 --> 00:45:50.159 deal with 00:45:50.159 --> 00:45:50.779 what we've done 00:45:50.780 --> 00:45:51.500 up until now 00:45:51.500 --> 00:45:52.180 but can't deal 00:45:52.180 --> 00:45:52.800 with what we've done 00:45:52.800 --> 00:45:53.420 in the future. 00:45:54.060 --> 00:45:54.920 But when we see 00:45:54.920 --> 00:45:55.380 God, 00:45:55.460 --> 00:45:56.440 the Son of God, 00:45:56.700 --> 00:45:57.920 who's the only one 00:45:57.920 --> 00:45:58.640 who has perfectly 00:45:58.640 --> 00:45:59.720 kept the covenant 00:45:59.720 --> 00:46:00.460 that God made 00:46:00.460 --> 00:46:00.980 with Abram, 00:46:01.040 --> 00:46:01.700 the only one 00:46:01.700 --> 00:46:02.660 of Abram's seed 00:46:02.660 --> 00:46:03.500 that perfectly 00:46:03.500 --> 00:46:04.620 keeps the covenant, 00:46:05.519 --> 00:46:06.100 that when we put 00:46:06.100 --> 00:46:06.640 our hands 00:46:06.640 --> 00:46:07.740 in the hand of Christ, 00:46:07.840 --> 00:46:08.320 whether you are 00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:09.180 rich or poor, 00:46:09.320 --> 00:46:09.900 whether you are 00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:11.740 high IQ or low IQ, 00:46:11.940 --> 00:46:12.700 whether you come 00:46:12.700 --> 00:46:14.040 from Rwanda 00:46:14.040 --> 00:46:15.340 or Sudan 00:46:15.340 --> 00:46:17.120 or Ireland 00:46:17.120 --> 00:46:18.440 or Canada 00:46:18.440 --> 00:46:19.519 or China 00:46:19.519 --> 00:46:20.659 or Indonesia, 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:21.880 whether you, 00:46:21.980 --> 00:46:22.460 when you put 00:46:22.460 --> 00:46:23.059 your hand 00:46:23.059 --> 00:46:23.700 in the hands 00:46:23.700 --> 00:46:24.300 of Christ 00:46:24.300 --> 00:46:25.519 who is God, 00:46:25.619 --> 00:46:26.420 the Son of God, 00:46:26.500 --> 00:46:27.220 the only one 00:46:27.220 --> 00:46:27.740 who has walked 00:46:27.740 --> 00:46:29.039 perfectly in this covenant, 00:46:29.420 --> 00:46:30.460 that what is happening 00:46:30.460 --> 00:46:31.679 is that his 00:46:31.679 --> 00:46:33.000 perfect keeping 00:46:33.000 --> 00:46:33.760 of the covenant 00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:35.220 is bestowed upon you. 00:46:35.219 --> 00:46:40.699 And the wrong 00:46:40.699 --> 00:46:41.079 you've done 00:46:41.079 --> 00:46:42.119 to damage the covenant 00:46:42.119 --> 00:46:43.119 is put upon him. 00:46:44.019 --> 00:46:45.379 And this also happens 00:46:45.379 --> 00:46:46.619 in the real world, 00:46:46.839 --> 00:46:47.879 in real time, 00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:49.019 in real history. 00:46:49.759 --> 00:46:51.319 But because of who he is, 00:46:51.699 --> 00:46:52.359 in a sense, 00:46:52.439 --> 00:46:53.599 it happens in the heavens 00:46:53.599 --> 00:46:56.079 and therefore 00:46:56.079 --> 00:46:56.980 is available 00:46:56.980 --> 00:46:58.359 for those before him 00:46:58.359 --> 00:46:59.319 and after him 00:46:59.319 --> 00:47:00.559 to every human being. 00:47:00.559 --> 00:47:04.480 And so this picture 00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:05.179 of the covenant 00:47:05.179 --> 00:47:05.880 is pointing 00:47:05.880 --> 00:47:07.299 to the greater covenant 00:47:07.299 --> 00:47:08.179 that it was still 00:47:08.179 --> 00:47:08.719 to come. 00:47:11.000 --> 00:47:12.099 And every time 00:47:12.099 --> 00:47:12.639 we celebrate 00:47:12.639 --> 00:47:13.539 the Lord's Supper, 00:47:14.440 --> 00:47:16.199 we renew 00:47:16.199 --> 00:47:16.779 the covenant. 00:47:17.619 --> 00:47:18.779 We remember 00:47:18.779 --> 00:47:20.360 how it is 00:47:20.360 --> 00:47:21.639 that we become 00:47:21.639 --> 00:47:23.000 Christ's 00:47:23.000 --> 00:47:24.219 and become part 00:47:24.219 --> 00:47:25.380 of Christ's 00:47:25.380 --> 00:47:26.340 covenant community. 00:47:27.019 --> 00:47:28.599 That we reaffirm 00:47:28.599 --> 00:47:29.679 that we need 00:47:29.679 --> 00:47:30.500 to receive him 00:47:30.500 --> 00:47:31.460 and feed on him 00:47:31.460 --> 00:47:32.159 spiritually. 00:47:32.960 --> 00:47:34.079 We need to receive 00:47:34.079 --> 00:47:34.919 his benefits 00:47:34.919 --> 00:47:36.480 and that we are 00:47:36.480 --> 00:47:37.319 to walk with him. 00:47:38.079 --> 00:47:39.279 We come confessing 00:47:39.279 --> 00:47:39.759 our sins, 00:47:39.960 --> 00:47:40.399 acknowledging 00:47:40.399 --> 00:47:41.359 the different ways 00:47:41.359 --> 00:47:41.839 this week, 00:47:42.000 --> 00:47:42.440 acknowledging 00:47:42.440 --> 00:47:43.460 that the ways 00:47:43.460 --> 00:47:44.199 we've done wrong 00:47:44.199 --> 00:47:44.699 this week, 00:47:44.899 --> 00:47:45.359 acknowledging 00:47:45.359 --> 00:47:46.359 that the only way 00:47:46.359 --> 00:47:46.980 we can stand 00:47:46.980 --> 00:47:47.579 before him 00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:48.119 is because of 00:47:48.119 --> 00:47:48.919 his finished work 00:47:48.919 --> 00:47:49.799 upon the cross. 00:47:50.299 --> 00:47:51.199 And we remember 00:47:51.199 --> 00:47:51.859 once again 00:47:51.859 --> 00:47:52.500 his death, 00:47:52.819 --> 00:47:53.259 we remember 00:47:53.259 --> 00:47:54.000 his resurrection, 00:47:54.500 --> 00:47:55.119 we remember 00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:56.019 his coming again, 00:47:56.239 --> 00:47:56.839 we remember 00:47:56.839 --> 00:47:57.440 that there will 00:47:57.440 --> 00:47:58.019 one day be 00:47:58.019 --> 00:47:58.579 the new heaven 00:47:58.579 --> 00:47:59.239 and the new earth 00:47:59.239 --> 00:48:00.399 and once again 00:48:00.399 --> 00:48:01.259 we recommit 00:48:01.259 --> 00:48:01.659 and we say 00:48:01.659 --> 00:48:02.459 thank you Jesus 00:48:02.459 --> 00:48:03.819 and we recommit 00:48:03.819 --> 00:48:05.319 to walk as his. 00:48:06.879 --> 00:48:08.079 Let's stand. 00:48:13.459 --> 00:48:14.279 Bow our heads 00:48:14.279 --> 00:48:14.699 in prayer. 00:48:18.159 --> 00:48:18.619 Father, 00:48:18.679 --> 00:48:19.159 we thank you 00:48:19.159 --> 00:48:19.639 for the gift 00:48:19.639 --> 00:48:20.139 of Jesus. 00:48:21.079 --> 00:48:21.919 We thank you 00:48:21.919 --> 00:48:22.359 for the gift 00:48:22.359 --> 00:48:22.959 of new life 00:48:22.959 --> 00:48:23.799 that comes in him. 00:48:24.519 --> 00:48:25.339 We thank you, 00:48:25.340 --> 00:48:25.680 Father, 00:48:25.680 --> 00:48:30.680 that your desire 00:48:30.680 --> 00:48:31.579 for us 00:48:31.579 --> 00:48:33.700 is that one day 00:48:33.700 --> 00:48:34.820 we who walk 00:48:34.820 --> 00:48:35.300 with you 00:48:35.300 --> 00:48:36.140 by faith 00:48:36.140 --> 00:48:37.300 but not by sight, 00:48:38.100 --> 00:48:39.360 that one day 00:48:39.360 --> 00:48:40.579 the day will come 00:48:40.579 --> 00:48:41.400 when we see you 00:48:41.400 --> 00:48:42.240 face to face 00:48:42.240 --> 00:48:44.579 as you always see us 00:48:44.579 --> 00:48:45.600 in our face. 00:48:46.260 --> 00:48:47.160 That we will have 00:48:47.160 --> 00:48:48.079 renewed bodies, 00:48:48.519 --> 00:48:49.360 restored bodies, 00:48:49.559 --> 00:48:50.500 resurrection bodies 00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:52.199 in a restored 00:48:52.199 --> 00:48:53.639 and recreated world, 00:48:54.380 --> 00:48:56.300 in a community 00:48:56.300 --> 00:48:57.440 under your headship 00:48:57.440 --> 00:48:58.400 and your kingship. 00:49:00.199 --> 00:49:01.440 We will walk 00:49:01.440 --> 00:49:03.679 on this earth, 00:49:03.840 --> 00:49:04.500 the new earth. 00:49:05.519 --> 00:49:06.159 We will go 00:49:06.159 --> 00:49:07.199 to distant stars 00:49:07.199 --> 00:49:08.400 and different planets. 00:49:09.239 --> 00:49:09.760 The whole 00:49:09.760 --> 00:49:10.900 unending universe 00:49:10.900 --> 00:49:11.780 will be ours 00:49:11.780 --> 00:49:13.519 while our home 00:49:13.519 --> 00:49:14.239 will always be 00:49:14.239 --> 00:49:14.880 on this earth. 00:49:15.619 --> 00:49:16.480 We will always be 00:49:16.480 --> 00:49:17.420 under your kingly 00:49:17.420 --> 00:49:18.840 and loving authority. 00:49:21.240 --> 00:49:21.940 And, Father, 00:49:22.000 --> 00:49:22.720 we ask that you 00:49:22.720 --> 00:49:23.860 help us to understand 00:49:23.860 --> 00:49:24.539 as your children 00:49:24.539 --> 00:49:25.099 and people 00:49:25.099 --> 00:49:26.180 at a deeper level 00:49:26.180 --> 00:49:26.800 what Christ 00:49:26.800 --> 00:49:27.760 has done for us 00:49:27.760 --> 00:49:29.980 to give us 00:49:29.980 --> 00:49:30.780 this new life 00:49:30.780 --> 00:49:31.340 that can only 00:49:31.340 --> 00:49:32.119 come from you 00:49:32.119 --> 00:49:34.720 and that knowing 00:49:34.720 --> 00:49:36.280 what our destiny is 00:49:36.280 --> 00:49:38.159 that we will 00:49:38.159 --> 00:49:38.900 love this earth. 00:49:39.960 --> 00:49:40.840 We will love 00:49:40.840 --> 00:49:41.300 our neighbors. 00:49:42.460 --> 00:49:43.280 We will love 00:49:43.280 --> 00:49:43.840 our nation. 00:49:43.840 --> 00:49:47.720 We will love 00:49:47.720 --> 00:49:48.800 all of this creation. 00:49:50.559 --> 00:49:51.579 We will care 00:49:51.579 --> 00:49:52.160 for it 00:49:52.160 --> 00:49:53.640 knowing that 00:49:53.640 --> 00:49:54.200 you love it 00:49:54.200 --> 00:49:55.720 and will restore 00:49:55.720 --> 00:49:56.440 all things. 00:49:57.600 --> 00:49:58.380 And we ask 00:49:58.380 --> 00:49:58.860 these things 00:49:58.860 --> 00:49:59.680 in the name of Jesus, 00:49:59.820 --> 00:50:00.220 your Son 00:50:00.220 --> 00:50:00.840 and our Savior. 00:50:01.320 --> 00:50:01.660 Amen. 00:50:01.660 --> 00:50:01.800 Amen.