WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.560 --> 00:00:17.699 This is a special Sunday for us, a little bit unusual. 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:21.699 A dozen or so of you have already commented on our suits. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:26.039 Thank you for telling us how nice we look. 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:30.059 I know this is not exactly what you're used to every Sunday. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:35.460 Some of you have noticed already that there's not as much room for notes on the back of your 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:37.519 bulletin for sermon notes. 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:38.439 You're distressed. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:43.679 You usually have so much you want to write down and the sermon's going to be shorter today. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:46.480 We're even, you don't believe that, do you? 00:00:47.019 --> 00:00:47.899 It is. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:51.759 We're even leaving the book of Ephesians for a Sunday. 00:00:52.519 --> 00:00:55.039 We're in a series there and we're taking a break. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:59.219 This is a special Sunday in the life of our church where we get to ordain and install 00:00:59.219 --> 00:01:02.640 new officers and we're thrilled about that. 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:05.359 But we're going to be in the book of Acts today. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:07.680 Acts chapter 20 at verse 28. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:11.879 We haven't completely left Ephesus behind today. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:18.739 These are actually Paul's words, his parting words to the Ephesian elders, the elders of 00:01:18.739 --> 00:01:21.159 the church that we've been reading the letter to. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:23.480 He's telling them goodbye. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:29.920 This is a church he started, that he loves, and he's speaking to the whole church, particularly 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.920 here to their elders. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:36.140 Listen to God's inerrant, infallible word. 00:01:36.240 --> 00:01:38.400 Acts 20 at verse 28. 00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:45.080 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made 00:01:45.080 --> 00:01:50.939 you overseers to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:56.819 I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:01.939 And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:03.099 disciples after them. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:08.939 Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:10.659 everyone with tears. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:23.099 Pray with me. 00:02:23.099 --> 00:02:23.419 Pray with me. 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:28.199 Father, these are your words. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:30.219 We are your people. 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:34.020 And we ask you that you would teach us this morning. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:38.919 Would these not just be words that we read and hear? 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:44.539 Father, my words in themselves are simply the words that a man would speak. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:47.479 Would your spirit make them much more? 00:02:47.599 --> 00:02:50.699 Would he take your word and apply it to our hearts? 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:55.360 That we might indeed be the kind of people that you mean for us to be? 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:59.340 The kind of church that you have created us and called us to be? 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:02.320 Father, that would be the desire of our hearts. 00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:04.760 Would you do that work by your spirit? 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.540 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:07.700 Amen. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:15.000 This weekend, of course, was Valentine's Day weekend. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:20.280 There are many cultural practices surrounding courtship and marriage. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:22.719 Some that are unique to our society. 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:27.099 Some that are more commonly practiced around the world. 00:03:27.340 --> 00:03:32.120 One of those that I remember experiencing was the moment of asking her father. 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:36.099 You may have had that moment, some of you guys. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:43.479 I remember going to Christy's hometown and taking her parents out for dinner one night 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:48.340 with the express intent of having the conversation with them. 00:03:48.340 --> 00:03:50.680 I was very nervous. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:52.560 My palms were sweaty. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:54.640 I had a long speech prepared. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:58.719 I delivered that pretty shortly after we sat down. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:01.300 I wanted to tell them how much I loved their daughter. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.140 How precious and valuable and important she was to me. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:06.800 All of those things. 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:11.199 And so I told them all of those wonderful things I had prepared in my speech. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:13.680 And I got to the end of it. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:19.519 And her father said, if you're asking for my daughter's hand. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:25.360 And I thought, that's exactly what I was thinking you were hearing for the last several minutes. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:31.019 And it wasn't the last time that I spoke too long and people got confused. 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:35.360 That's happened a couple of times since then. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:37.879 Y'all are so mean. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:47.339 And he said, my answer would be yes, if that's what that just was. 00:04:48.740 --> 00:04:51.680 He had a few other questions and we talked for a while. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:56.620 But many other cultures have conversations that go somewhat similar to that. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:05:01.060 In some cultures, that conversation includes what's called a bride price. 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:07.199 And I'm not going to necessarily commend some of the implications of this. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:12.040 But for a beautiful woman of high social standing with lots of education. 00:05:12.420 --> 00:05:20.519 In some countries, hundreds of thousands of dollars can be paid in that conversation in order to marry that bride. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:28.399 The groom shows how much he values her by the high price he's willing to pay in order to marry her. 00:05:28.399 --> 00:05:30.979 How precious. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:35.339 How valuable is the church to her groom. 00:05:35.679 --> 00:05:40.479 What is he willing to pay to live in relationship with her? 00:05:41.219 --> 00:05:42.359 Verse 28. 00:05:43.919 --> 00:05:47.579 The church of God which he obtained. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:48.120 How? 00:05:49.179 --> 00:05:51.419 With his own blood. 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:55.679 A higher price has never been paid. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.579 His own blood in order to have his bride. 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:05.620 Jesus said his people, his sheep, hear his voice. 00:06:06.660 --> 00:06:07.439 And they know him. 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:11.840 That he lays down his life willingly for the sheep. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:15.019 He knew what it would take for them to be his. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:17.160 And he willingly paid it. 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:18.620 Isn't that amazing? 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:20.980 Willingly he paid it. 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:23.620 How precious must we be to Jesus? 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:23.819 Jesus. 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:27.540 It was the price required, wasn't it? 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:30.620 Because of our wanderings and our failures. 00:06:30.780 --> 00:06:31.699 Not his. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:37.399 The story of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, individually and corporately, 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:41.840 is of an adulterous, unfaithful bride. 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:45.899 One who wanders away. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:48.160 We had earned death. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:50.579 Chosen our own ways and our own paths. 00:06:50.579 --> 00:06:54.199 We had muddied ourselves on the filth of this world, hadn't we? 00:06:55.519 --> 00:07:04.139 But the story of the Bible is also one of an undeterred, absolutely always faithful groom. 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:10.759 And so when the price required to bring us back, to make us clean, was someone's death. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:16.759 When it was said that blood had to be shed in order for sins to be forgiven and people to be cleansed. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:19.019 He was all in. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:21.300 He was willing to pay it. 00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:22.319 He would pay it. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:26.819 And the price wasn't, Peter tells us, silver or gold. 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:29.319 It wasn't with perishable things like that. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.279 Material possessions like silver or gold. 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:37.180 That we were redeemed from the way of life that we had wandered off in. 00:07:38.039 --> 00:07:40.599 It was the precious blood of Christ. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:43.759 A lamb without blemish or defect. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:49.039 The perfect son of God giving his life for us. 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:52.579 Do you ever feel worthless? 00:07:54.259 --> 00:07:54.939 Overlooked? 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:57.139 Neglected? 00:07:58.719 --> 00:08:02.399 Like someone couldn't possibly care for you? 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.719 You really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:08.159 No one would really care if you were gone. 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:10.480 Have others hurt you? 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.380 Made you feel rejected? 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:13.880 Ashamed? 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:18.000 Unworthy of their love, attention, or effort? 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:25.240 You need to remember the high price your God paid to have you as His own. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:27.240 To reclaim your heart. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.360 He didn't just do it impersonally. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:33.279 Your name, the Bible tells us, is written on the palm of His hand. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.000 He did it for you. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:39.379 I've told some of you when we're taking communion before, 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.139 that if you were the only sinner in the whole world, 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:47.519 it would require the blood of Jesus to pay your penalty. 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:53.019 The other thing that's true is that if you were the only sinner in the whole world, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:56.559 Jesus would have paid that price willingly. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.500 Because He loves you that much. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:03.619 That's how much your Savior loves you. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:06.199 That's how precious you are to God. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.259 He loves you that much. 00:09:08.339 --> 00:09:12.199 He loves His church that He purchased with His own blood. 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:19.459 The picture of Jesus that we need to see when we're feeling worthless and neglected and undesirable 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:21.960 is the one that John saw in Revelation 5. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:24.879 We started our service with it as the call to worship. 00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:27.220 It's a lamb standing as if slain. 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:34.120 He is the one who has purchased people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:35.860 to gather His bride together. 00:09:36.920 --> 00:09:41.000 And as you keep reading in Revelation about this lamb who was slain, 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:44.240 there's all of a sudden before Him a great multitude. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:48.700 The bride of Christ that He's gathered together, no one can count them. 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:52.100 It's His bride dressed in beautiful white robes. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:53.220 And how? 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:59.500 How is it that Revelation tells us the church stands before her groom dressed in white robes? 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:06.279 It's because they've washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:11.299 In His blood, He's washed them and made them clean. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:15.620 Dear Christian, you're His treasured possession. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.819 We are His treasured possession. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.879 A people for His own. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:23.759 The ones for whom the Father would send the Son. 00:10:24.099 --> 00:10:27.240 The ones for whom the Son would willingly lay down His life. 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:29.099 He has not forgotten you. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:31.740 You're precious to Him. 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:37.959 Imagine if at the point in your life where you felt most worthless and undesirable, 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:44.240 someone scraped and sacrificed and gathered together enough money to give you a ring. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:47.840 To say, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:51.180 I want to enter into relationship with you. 00:10:51.780 --> 00:10:57.519 That kind of act would at least begin to rewrite the story of worthlessness 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:01.100 that you've been telling yourself that's in your own heart, wouldn't it? 00:11:01.280 --> 00:11:02.700 It would begin to do that. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:09.980 Imagine if rather than a ring, if rather than someone sacrificing just some money, 00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:16.620 He sacrificed His life to save you and to live in relationship with you. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:20.940 That kind of love really does begin to rewrite our story, 00:11:21.040 --> 00:11:23.980 to give us a new narrative of who we are, 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:28.960 a completely new identity because of who He is and what He's done for us. 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:32.140 We have an identity as precious to Jesus. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.860 He has not forgotten us. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.080 We are precious to Him. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:41.500 There's a particular gravity for that this morning, 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:43.100 especially for our new officers, 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:47.299 of thinking of how precious the church is. 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:51.779 I remember one of my seminary professors whom I love, Jack Collins. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:58.960 He used to warn us young, prideful, overconfident seminary guys 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:05.000 of what we could do with God's Word and ways that we would hurt or abuse the flock. 00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:07.720 Ways that we would mislead people. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.879 Things we could do that would hurt them. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:13.100 And he would regularly get emotional and tearful 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:18.560 and warn us not ever to do whatever it was in that moment that he was concerned about. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.659 And he would say, 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:24.479 don't you ever do that to Jesus' precious blood-bought lambs. 00:12:25.619 --> 00:12:27.159 You're going to them. 00:12:27.239 --> 00:12:30.419 Don't you dare treat them that way. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:34.159 In a sense, the marvel of today 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:39.439 is that Jesus would take such a precious bride whom He loves so much 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:44.240 and place her hand in yours this morning 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:47.020 and say, officer, 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:49.940 take good care of my church. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:53.720 The one I bought with my own blood. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:56.440 Take care of that one. 00:12:56.660 --> 00:12:58.000 You'll feel the weight of that 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:02.120 probably even more today than you have before. 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:06.380 Of being asked to care for something so precious to someone else. 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:11.860 Because that is indeed the first thing that the high price shows us 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:15.740 is how valuable and precious the church is to her Savior. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:21.980 But that's not all we notice when we think about the high bride price 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.659 that's paid for the church. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:28.139 When you pay a high bride price, 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:32.820 it's not merely to communicate how precious and valuable the bride is, 00:13:32.820 --> 00:13:36.760 but also how strong and capable the groom is. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:39.920 That's a big part of what's being communicated as well. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.920 It's why I got asked at the restaurant that night 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:44.640 one of the most common questions 00:13:44.640 --> 00:13:46.780 for a guy to get asked in that setting. 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:49.500 How are you going to take care of her? 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.420 How are you going to provide for her? 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.640 It's why I had in my pocket that night 00:13:54.640 --> 00:13:57.940 a copy of a budget for the first year of our marriage. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:02.520 Because I was that anxious to show to her. 00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:03.860 Thankfully, I didn't have to use it. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:06.500 But it was there just in case things got dicey. 00:14:07.800 --> 00:14:11.080 I wanted him to know how much I loved his daughter 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:14.120 and how capable I was of caring for her. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:18.360 I wanted to show myself as strong and capable 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.680 that I intended to provide for her. 00:14:21.380 --> 00:14:23.700 In many cultures, that's the primary thing 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.900 that a bride price is communicating. 00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:28.060 The glory and strength of the groom. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:31.580 It's a display of his power and his resources. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.240 And so in this text, 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:36.759 we see not only how precious the church is, 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:40.080 but also how powerful her Savior is. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:43.879 After those verses where Paul challenges the elders 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:45.840 to care faithfully for the flock, 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.680 he says this, verse 32. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.520 Now I commend you to God 00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:53.340 and to the word of His grace 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.360 which is able to build you up 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.740 and to give you the inheritance 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:59.600 among all those who are sanctified. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.220 You've been given a tall task, 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:04.740 a great charge, 00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:06.340 a high calling. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:08.160 And Paul says, 00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.259 do it well. 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.220 And now, 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:14.480 I commend you to God 00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.780 and His word 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:16.860 and His grace. 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:18.700 He is the one who has the power 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.620 to bring you through 00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.840 to the end of the mission. 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:22.580 That's the word there 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.860 that we have translated 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.160 is able to. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.600 It's the word for power, 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.180 for dynamite. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:31.360 The word is that God is powerful, 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:33.360 that He is strong and capable. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.280 It's one of the words 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.840 we saw recently in Ephesians 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.100 when we were talking about 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:40.920 the immeasurable greatness of His power 00:15:40.920 --> 00:15:43.340 according to the working of His great might, 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.420 the resurrection power 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:46.800 that raised Jesus from the dead. 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.019 You remember that in Ephesians? 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:50.059 The one that had Jesus exalted 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.419 above every power 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.980 and principality and authority? 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:54.600 That kind of power? 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:57.819 That's the power that God has. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:01.039 The power that has Him 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.379 reigning over everything 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:03.699 for His church. 00:16:04.819 --> 00:16:05.659 That power. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.460 He has that kind of power 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.319 to bring us through 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:10.480 from the wolves of outside, 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:12.019 from the deceivers of inside, 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.639 and present us perfect 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.259 at the end of it all. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.340 That's what Jesus is doing, isn't it? 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.259 Ephesians tells us that. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.960 That He shows us 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.039 how He's going to care for us 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:25.080 not only in giving His life 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.439 and paying that high price 00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:27.080 to have us, 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.559 but that He continues 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.879 to cleanse us, 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.639 washing us with water, 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.139 with the Word, 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.299 until He presents us how? 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.919 Holy and blameless, 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.139 above reproach, 00:16:39.439 --> 00:16:40.720 without blemish. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.779 Did you catch that? 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:44.620 He doesn't stop 00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.839 at giving His life 00:16:45.839 --> 00:16:46.939 that one time, does He? 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.799 He's not through then. 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.240 He keeps doing that work 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:52.039 all the way until the end. 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:54.899 He never lets His bride go. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.720 That may be my favorite part 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.459 of this whole passage in Acts. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.720 Paul seems to be heaping 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:02.259 all this weighty responsibility 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.500 all on the shoulders 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.759 of these elders 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.879 that he's talking to. 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.799 Be careful. 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.899 Protect her. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.759 Take care of her. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.720 She's precious. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.019 And then he says 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.539 these words of grace. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.779 He finishes by saying 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:21.759 when God puts her hand in yours, 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:24.259 He never lets go either. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:27.000 He doesn't hand her off 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.059 and turn His back. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.960 He puts her hand in yours 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.359 and then He puts His hand 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.980 around both of yours. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.039 It's not, 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.160 I'll leave you to it. 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.099 Good luck. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.440 It's a big deal. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:40.440 But I commend you 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.799 to God. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.420 You're not on your own. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:46.539 You're still entrusted to Him. 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.039 The One who is able 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.779 to see you through 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.380 to your full sanctification 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.180 and inheritance. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.120 He's the One who's able 00:17:53.120 --> 00:17:53.840 to do that. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.140 So you never shepherd 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:58.039 Christ's church on your own. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:00.600 He never lets her 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:01.539 out of His sight. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.400 How else would you have any hope? 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:05.180 You're weak. 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:06.279 You mess up. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.819 You'd be sure to break 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:09.000 His precious possession. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.099 You'd blow it. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.960 But there's hope for you, 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.420 officer, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:14.720 because you never care 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.740 for Christ's bride 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.899 on your own. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.220 There's another picture 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.680 of Jesus in the book 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.259 of Revelation 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.539 that this reminds me of. 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:25.019 It's in Revelation chapter 1 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.379 where Jesus, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.779 who's described 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.299 one like a son of man, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.379 is pictured in beautiful imagery 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:33.460 as powerful and wise. 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:34.639 White hair, 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:35.820 fiery eyes, 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.900 bronze feet. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:39.060 He holds in His hand 00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:40.860 seven stars. 00:18:41.780 --> 00:18:43.020 And He walks around 00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:45.640 among seven golden lampstands. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.620 Now in itself, 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.820 that picture of Jesus 00:18:48.820 --> 00:18:50.200 holding seven stars, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.440 it does give us 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.420 a little bit of an idea 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.040 of the power 00:18:53.040 --> 00:18:53.900 and the majesty 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.380 that He must have 00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.340 to hold those stars. 00:18:56.580 --> 00:18:57.960 But it may not mean much 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:59.560 to you until you're told 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.860 at the end of the chapter 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:02.180 that the seven stars 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:03.680 stand for the angels, 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.600 the leaders, 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.759 the representatives 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:07.500 of the seven churches. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.880 And the seven lampstands 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:12.160 stand for the churches themselves. 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.400 He's holding those churches 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.980 in His hand 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.019 and walking around 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.840 among them. 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:19.600 He holds all of us 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:20.660 in His hand. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.400 He walks among us. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.240 He will never let go of us 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:26.120 or leave us to ourselves. 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:28.080 Friends, 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.220 where do you feel weak 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.740 or vulnerable? 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.160 What situation 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.880 makes you fearful? 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.539 Is it one where 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.420 it's unfamiliar? 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.100 Where you're feeling alone 00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.920 or incapable 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.140 of handling it? 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.200 Is it the words 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:44.039 of a naysayer 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.400 from recently 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.460 or from long ago 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:48.259 that have you discouraged 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.360 and afraid? 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.980 The picture of Jesus 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.900 we need to see 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:54.519 is the glorious, 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.880 exalted Savior 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.880 holding the seven stars 00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.800 in His hand. 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:00.580 The one who will fight 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.260 for us. 00:20:01.760 --> 00:20:03.520 The one who will sustain us. 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.500 The one who promises 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.520 the gates of hell 00:20:05.520 --> 00:20:07.360 will not prevail against us 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.920 that He's that strong. 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:12.300 You may look up here 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:13.060 on this stage 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:14.400 some Sunday mornings 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.020 and see your pastors 00:20:16.020 --> 00:20:18.940 and know some of our frailties 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:21.000 and begin to be fearful. 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.240 You may look up here 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.820 this morning 00:20:23.820 --> 00:20:25.940 at men being ordained 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.660 to elder and deacon 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.559 and you may know 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.200 their weaknesses 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:31.000 and be concerned. 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.500 You need to see 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.620 beyond these men 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.500 to the powerful God 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.320 behind them. 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.420 It is He, 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.120 verse 28 says, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.279 who has called them 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.660 to care for His bride. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.440 He has called them. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.200 Even as He is 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.380 most fully aware 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:48.680 of all of their weaknesses, 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.900 He has called them. 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.320 Southwood, 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.860 your trust 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.839 is not in a few 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.099 new elders 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.219 or deacons 00:20:56.219 --> 00:20:57.119 this morning. 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:58.719 Your trust 00:20:58.719 --> 00:21:00.279 is in a powerful Savior 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.779 who holds all of them 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:03.139 and all of us 00:21:03.139 --> 00:21:04.039 in His hand. 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.299 Amen? 00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:06.159 Your trust 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.539 is in a Lamb 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.699 who would give 00:21:08.699 --> 00:21:09.619 His life 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.740 for you 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.399 because you're 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.599 precious to Him. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.279 Amen? 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:16.439 He is powerful 00:21:16.439 --> 00:21:17.379 for us 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:19.219 and we are 00:21:19.219 --> 00:21:19.699 precious 00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:21.259 to Him. 00:21:21.979 --> 00:21:22.479 Let's pray. 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:27.639 Father, 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.899 we need to believe 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:30.799 that we struggle 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.539 because we 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.619 so prefer 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.339 to be strong 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:33.939 on our own. 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.639 It's easy 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:37.500 to put our trust 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.139 in princes, 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.119 in mortal men 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.299 who cannot save 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.899 when You indeed 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.699 are strong 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.259 and mighty 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.479 and have saved 00:21:45.479 --> 00:21:46.279 and continue 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.039 to save. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.979 Father, 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.039 would we see You 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.619 this morning 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.740 as strong 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.199 and mighty? 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.019 Would we see 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.079 our Bridegroom 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.000 Jesus Christ 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.619 glorious and exalted? 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.700 Would we get 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.980 great joy from that 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.099 and great joy 00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.940 in celebrating 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.500 together 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:02.000 how He is 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.500 caring 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:04.279 for His church? 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.240 Father, 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.859 would that be 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:07.039 the joy of our hearts 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:08.619 even during 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.579 these next few minutes 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.859 we ask in His name. 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:12.399 Amen. 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:12.519 Amen. 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.919 For more information, 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.219 visit us online 00:22:19.219 --> 00:22:20.519 at southwood.org.