WEBVTT

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 The title of this event is Extraordinary, the Weekly Gathering of the Local Church.

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! And I don't know if when you saw that title, if you saw that title, you thought, yeah, he doesn't know my church.

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 Like, it's anything but extraordinary.

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 Like, maybe if you really, really ordinary, the weekly gathering of my church.

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 Or subordinary, the weekly gathering.

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 And what we hope through our time together is to see you return with fresh faith to your local congregation.

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 Because as you may have guessed, the Christian life is not about conferences.

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 It's not about events.

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 It's about what Jesus is building, which is the local church.

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 So whenever we do something, Sovereign Grace Music does something, we're always very aware that whatever we receive here is meant to serve you in your local context.

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 Tonight, I'm going to talk about what really matters in our gatherings.

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 And this is not a text message.

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 Only one of the messages I'm going to give is taken from a text.

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 I prefer to preach from a text, but this is a kind of a workshop-ish event.

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 And so we want to do the best, do all we can to make this a time where you go home with practical, specific tools that will serve you in your congregation.

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 So as you seek to serve your church.

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 So it begins with asking the question, like, what's most important about what we do?

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 I would imagine even in a group this size, we have a lot of different backgrounds.

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 You know, if you put our Sunday meetings next to each other and compare them, there'd be some real differences.

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 And that's been true throughout history.

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 You know, you have similarities and you have, sorry, differences.

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 You have formal and informal meetings.

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 You have word-oriented and sacrament-oriented meetings.

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 You have planned and spontaneous meetings.

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 You know, meetings that excel at planning and then meetings that just really love it when everything's by the seat of our pants.

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 Sovereign Grace has its own little history.

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 It's a liturgical history.

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 We began in the 1970s.

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 We were born out of the Jesus movement.

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 So if you've seen Jesus' revolution, that's us.

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 I mean, we were that era.

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 That was my era.

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 I got saved in 1972.

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 And they got it right.

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 All that stuff was happening.

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 And it was a crazy, crazy time.

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 So our meetings at that time looked like a lot of singing.

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 You'd have some people sharing some prophetic words and then preaching.

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 That was the liturgy.

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 And, you know, it worked.

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 People kept coming back.

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 And we thought, this is great.

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 Then we started reading our Bibles.

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 And started studying what the church had done for centuries.

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 And realized that not everything we were doing was helpful.

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 I mean, a lot of it was.

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 People did keep coming back.

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 People's lives were changed.

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 Not everything we did was wise.

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 And not everything we did was biblical.

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 So we started thinking about it more.

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 And trying to discern what's really important.

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 Now, when you read your Bible, you realize God doesn't give us this specific meeting structure.

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 Some people act as though he did, but he didn't.

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 You can't find it in the Bible where, you know, there's one way of doing things.

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 But there are better ways of doing things.

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 And generally, a meeting that you've thought about will go better than a meeting that you haven't thought about.

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 Generally speaking.

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 So here's the question we're going to seek to answer in this little time.

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 What are the, some questions.

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 What are the closed-hand, open-hand issues when it comes to our weekly gatherings?

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 Like, what should we have real convictions about?

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 And what things should we kind of lose or wrong?

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 Doesn't mean we can't have preferences and desires.

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 But what are the most important things?

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 What can help us plan?

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 What's biblical?

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 What's cultural?

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 What's context?

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 That's a good way of defining it.

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 Or separating the categories out.

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 What's biblical?

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 What's cultural?

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 What's context?

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 And we're going to seek to address those questions.

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 And rather than laying out a specific practice that you should follow,

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 what we're going to do is consider five values that should inform and direct the choices and decisions we make about our gatherings.

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 Now, you may not be in the position of making those decisions.

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 But that's okay.

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 Even if you aren't the one who makes the decisions,

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 you want to have these values in mind as you participate in your gathering.

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 Each of the five values has two priorities.

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 The first is an indicative value.

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 In other words, it's something that just is true about our gatherings.

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 So each value, there's something that this is the way God set it up.

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 The second value is something that we pursue as response to that first priority, that first value.

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 So here we go.

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 The first one shouldn't surprise you is God.

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 Our gatherings are God initiated and they're meant to be God exalting.

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 So there you have the indicative and the, not the imperative, but the fruit of that.

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 The indicative, what's true?

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 Our meetings are God initiated.

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 What should that mean for us?

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 We should seek to exalt God in them.

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 When we think of worship, as I mentioned in the call of worship, we usually start with ourselves.

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 I mean, it's sad, but we usually do.

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 You know, we're singing, we're praying, we're lifting our hands maybe.

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 We organize things, we read scripture.

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 You know, we're doing all this stuff.

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 But when God presents worship to us, it doesn't start with us.

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 He starts with him.

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 Because God is the one who initiates our worship.

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 He starts it.

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 He's the one who tells us what it should be like.

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 And we see that throughout history, throughout scripture.

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 God put Adam and Eve in the garden and said, I want this perfect relationship with you where you submit to me and you enjoy my presence and you will know the fullness of my love for you.

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 And Adam and Eve said, no.

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 No, thanks.

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 We can figure this out on our own.

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 You've got most of it right, God.

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 But in the issue of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we think this will be better for us.

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 And obviously it wasn't.

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 So who comes running?

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 Who comes after Adam and Eve after they sin?

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 Well, God does.

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 Adam, where are you?

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 It's God who, after the flood, establishes a covenant with Noah.

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 It's God who reveals himself to Abraham in the fields of Hebron.

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 It's God who gets Moses' attention through a burning bush that's not being consumed by the fire.

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 It's God who calls his people together at Mount Sinai to reveal his laws.

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 It's God who speaks to the prophets through the kings.

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 It's God who sent his son to redeem us.

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 It's God who sent his Holy Spirit so that we might know his love and be transformed by it.

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 God's done all this.

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 He's always the one who takes the initiative in our relationship with him.

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 I don't know how you came to the Lord, but when I look back on how I came to the Lord in 1972,

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 I think I did absolutely nothing.

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 Nothing.

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 I was raised Roman Catholic.

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 I was going to become a priest.

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 Went to a junior seminary in freshman high school.

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 It closed down at the end of that year.

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 Hopefully there wasn't any connection.

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 This is the kind of guys we're getting.

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 We're shutting this thing down.

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 I stayed.

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 Went to high school.

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 Freshman year in college.

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 I thought I was in.

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 I thought I was going.

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 And a guy from Campus Crusade, which is not crew, knocked on my door, kept knocking and said,

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 Hey, I want to get with you.

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 I want to get with you.

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 And I said, No, I'm good.

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 I'm good.

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 I'm good.

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 And finally I got with him.

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 And then there in the student building of Temple University, the fall of 1972, he explained to me how there was nothing that I could do to ensure that I would see God after I died.

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 And that he would welcome me into his presence.

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 That only what Jesus did was sufficient for that.

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 I wasn't looking for that.

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 God did all that.

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 And that's how he is.

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 That's what our relationship with him is like.

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 When Jesus sat down with the woman at the well.

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 John 4.23.

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 She says, The hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.

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 For the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

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 He's coming after us.

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 We don't gather as a result of our own desires or planning or impulses.

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 We gather because God wants us to behold his glory and to be transformed by it.

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 That's why we gather.

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 He's initiated our relationship with him and he calls us to gather in his presence.

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 For what purpose?

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 To exalt him.

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 To make much of him.

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 So David says in Psalm 34.

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 I will bless the Lord at all times.

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 His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

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 My soul makes its boast in the Lord.

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 Oh magnify the Lord with me.

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 Let the humble hear him be glad.

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 Oh magnify the Lord with me.

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 And let us exalt his name together.

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 Let's go after this together.

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 He doesn't want to do it just by himself.

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 He's found something so good, so amazing.

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 He says, let's do this.

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 Let's exalt God together.

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 That means when we are meeting, we're not gathering just to talk about God.

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 We're not just gathering simply to consider him or to share our feelings about him or to share our thoughts about him, to philosophize about him, or share our opinions about him.

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 We are gathering to exalt him.

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 We are gathering to exalt him, to magnify him in our minds and in our hearts and in our lives.

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 He is a specific God, not some vague deity, a God that we make up, a God of our own choosing, made in our own image.

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 We're exalting the triune God, Father, Son, and Spirit who rules history, the nations, and our hearts.

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 We lived in Philadelphia for 10 years, and I loved it.

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 We didn't end up in the city, but I love every time I'm in a city, just looking at the diversity of people.

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 We live in Louisville.

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 It's not quite as diverse as Boston.

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 We live in, I mean, Boston is a city where you just, different kinds of people everywhere.

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 And you know what I like to think when I'm looking at that?

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 Jesus is Lord of every one of them.

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 There's no one that he is not Lord of.

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 And I want them to know it.

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 I want him to be exalted because he is a certain way and not other ways.

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 And I want people to know him.

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 Ephesians 2.18 says, for through him, through Jesus,

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 we both have access in one spirit to the Father.

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 There is a God that we know who's not a single person God.

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 He's a tripersonal God, which is amazing because that means he loved,

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 he existed in love before anything existed.

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 And now he wants us to know that love.

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 He invites us into it.

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 So we exalt him for it.

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 And that exaltation one day will be universal.

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 Psalm 150, verse 6, let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

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 Why?

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 Romans 11.36, for from him and through him and to him are all things.

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 To him be glory forever.

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 Amen.

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 We read verses like that sometimes.

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 Just kind of read over them and just go, yeah, that's great.

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 Yeah, from him and through him.

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 That's earth shattering.

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 That should cause us to shake in our boots that we know this God.

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 So what I'm going to do for each of these points is draw some implications from it for our meetings.

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 If our meetings are God initiated and they're meant to be God exalting, what does that mean?

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 Well, although God is invisible, he's spirit, we can't see him.

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 He's to be clearly perceived in our meetings.

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 He's to be clearly preeminent and honored and heard and treasured.

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 There is a God that we have a relationship with that we love and we want to see exalted.

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 So people should get that.

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 We should get that.

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 It's not just a meeting.

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 We are exalting God himself.

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 We don't have to feel the burden of performance or production.

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 Meetings shouldn't burn us out.

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 If God initiated this, if he's the one supplying all the strength and all the ability and all the desire and everything that we need,

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 and our part is just to exalt him,

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 that means the success of the meeting isn't ultimately dependent on what we do.

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 It's dependent on what God has done, what he is doing, and what he will do.

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 And we are gathering to marvel at and to live in the good of the God who has called us to gather into his presence.

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 It's so unburdening.

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 Three, no one should be impressed with our plans and preparation and production as much as they are with God's word and worthiness and works.

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 Say that again.

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 No one should be more impressed with our plans and preparation and production than they are with God's word, his worthiness, and his works.

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 The most important thing about our gathering is not our creativity.

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 It's not our originality.

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 It's not our innovation.

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 The most important thing about our gathering is our listening and faithfulness and bearing witness to who God is and what he's done and what he's said.

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 That's what we're called to do.

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 That's what we're called to exalt.

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 And then our gatherings are to be innately and expressly Trinitarian.

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 Trinitarian.

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 We come to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit.

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 We address Jesus as our brother and friend and King and Savior.

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 We address God the Father as the architect of the plan of salvation.

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 Although God, the triune God, has conceived of salvation, God the Father in the Bible is described as the one from whom all things originate.

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 Through Jesus in the power of his Spirit.

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 But we think about these things and it just makes God more glorious.

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 So that's part of what it means to exalt him.

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 But we can't spend any more time on that.

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 Second value.

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 Scripture.

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 What a surprise.

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 Our gatherings are Scripture governed.

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 The Word of God rules over, governs our gatherings.

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 And they're meant to be Scripture fueled.

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 They're meant to be Scripture fueled.

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 When people attend a concert of their favorite musician or band, they express their devotion in various ways.

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 They might bring a poster.

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 They might dress like them.

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 Or they might go crazy on social media.

00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.880
 They'll sing along with them.

00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.759
 Or they might shout or dance or try to touch them.

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:24.420
 They'll do anything short of destroying property.

00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.500
 Well, sometimes even that happens.

00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:31.680
 But they're kind of free to do what they want to show their adulation of the musicians.

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.440
 God's not like that.

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.480
 He's not a rock star.

00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.960
 He's God.

00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:43.420
 So he's the one who gets to define what's appropriate and right and pleasing to him.

00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:49.759
 We can't say, well, God, I'm just being really sincere in what I'm doing.

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.920
 Sincerity is not enough to make it pleasing to God.

00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:56.160
 It has to be what he has told us to do.

00:17:56.600 --> 00:18:03.980
 Saying, I worship God in my own way, on the golf course, by silent meditation, by waving flags.

00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.759
 That's how I do it.

00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.960
 That's not enough.

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:11.059
 We're to worship God the way he has told us to.

00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:14.600
 So how do we know what constitutes God-pleasing worship?

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.019
 Well, he tells us.

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.980
 That's why he's given us his word.

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:25.000
 A man named Herbert Bateman IV, in his book Authentic Worship, says this.

00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:30.860
 From the beginning, all records of worship, whether erecting altars or performing circumcision,

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:39.699
 always express a response of submission, obedience, and trust in God's verbal statement of relationship,

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:41.500
 his word.

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:53.099
 So we see throughout the Bible that when people aren't submitted to, obedient to, and trusting in God's verbal statement of relationship,

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:55.339
 his word, things don't go very well.

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:59.619
 Adam and Eve didn't trust God's word.

00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.839
 Things didn't go very well.

00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:06.159
 Satan said, did God actually say?

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.980
 Started to question his word.

00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:16.259
 In Genesis 4, God has regards for Abel's offering of worship, but not Cain's.

00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:21.579
 Something about Cain's offering wasn't in line with what God wanted him to do.

00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:29.859
 In the second commandment, God prohibits worship through images, which the Israelites rejected as they danced before the golden calf in Exodus 32.

00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.579
 Didn't go well for them.

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:41.480
 Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu offer up strange fire, which we're not quite sure what that was, but God didn't authorize it, and God struck them dead.

00:19:42.679 --> 00:19:43.559
 This is serious.

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:50.639
 In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the authority of God's word in our worship when he quotes Isaiah 29.

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:53.159
 This is in Matthew 15, 8 and 9.

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:58.359
 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:04.139
 In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:09.619
 Does that mean traditions are bad, like commandments of men?

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:09.879
 No.

00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:12.059
 Traditions can be helpful.

00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:22.139
 But when traditions contradict, ignore, or minimize what God has clearly directed us to do in Scripture,

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:24.819
 then they end up becoming idols.

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:30.839
 And there are a lot of churches that started on a good path, seeking to obey God's word,

00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:35.839
 but those practices became mere traditions that weren't rooted in God's word,

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:39.419
 and then have no life in them.

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.360
 God cares about how we worship him.

00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:46.680
 And he governs our worship by his word.

00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:52.960
 And so that means his word is to fuel what we do when we gather.

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:58.279
 Throughout history, God has maintained his relationship with us,

00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:01.960
 not merely through experiences or visions,

00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:04.660
 but through his word.

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:08.900
 One of my favorite examples of this is in Exodus 33 and 34,

00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:14.299
 when Moses asks God to show him his glory.

00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:16.500
 And God says,

00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.940
 I'll cause my goodness to pass before your eyes.

00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:23.240
 So then in Exodus 34, we see what God does.

00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.180
 He says,

00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:27.980
 The Lord passed before him

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:30.159
 and proclaimed.

00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.599
 The Lord.

00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.039
 The Lord.

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:39.259
 A God.

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.299
 A God.

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.899
 Merciful and gracious.

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:47.920
 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:52.299
 Keeping steadfast love for thousands.

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:57.779
 Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:02.200
 But who will by no means clear the guilty,

00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.920
 visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.559
 and the children's children

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:08.559
 to the third and the fourth generation.

00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:13.460
 This is right after Israel had danced before the golden cow.

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:19.099
 What did God want Moses to see?

00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:22.079
 He wanted him to see who he was.

00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:24.420
 How did he show him who he was?

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.539
 By speaking to him.

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.059
 And you can't imagine,

00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.319
 we can't imagine how

00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:33.220
 assuring those words were to hear.

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.019
 I am the Lord, the Lord of God.

00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.139
 Merciful.

00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:37.839
 And gracious.

00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:41.220
 2 Timothy 4.2

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:44.119
 We're commanded to preach the word.

00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:46.379
 Be ready in season and out of season.

00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:49.079
 Reprove, rebuke, and exhort

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.500
 with complete patience and teaching.

00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:50.799
 In other words,

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.180
 this is to continue

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:54.119
 in our relationship with the Lord.

00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.759
 Hebrews 2.1

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.619
 tells us we need

00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:59.500
 constant reminders of God's word.

00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:00.859
 Therefore, we must pay

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:03.879
 much closer attention to what we have heard

00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:06.000
 lest we drift away from it.

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:08.000
 It is so important

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:11.119
 that we not build our gatherings

00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.619
 around our traditions,

00:23:13.159 --> 00:23:14.039
 our preferences,

00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.859
 things that seem to be working,

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.899
 but around what God has actually said.

00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:20.800
 And then we do that in a way

00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:22.740
 that stirs people's hearts.

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:25.740
 That causes them to treasure God's word

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.000
 and not despise it.

00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:28.680
 And not ignore it.

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.840
 Colossians 3.16 says

00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:32.860
 that it is the word of Christ

00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:34.340
 that is to dwell in us richly

00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.400
 as we sing psalms and hymns

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.160
 and spiritual songs

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:38.080
 with thankfulness in our hearts to God.

00:23:38.540 --> 00:23:40.420
 So, what are some of the implications

00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:43.080
 of a meeting that is Scripture-governed

00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:45.220
 and Scripture-fueled?

00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.880
 Well, one,

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.680
 we should maximize in our gatherings

00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:52.559
 what is mandated or implied by Scripture

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.200
 and minimize what isn't.

00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:57.160
 So, some of you are probably familiar

00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.420
 with the regulative principle,

00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:01.779
 which is in this camp,

00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.720
 in this area.

00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.960
 The problem with the regulative principle,

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.799
 which says that we don't do anything

00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.839
 in our gathered worship,

00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:11.079
 apart from what God has commanded

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.859
 or inferred,

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.839
 is that it leaves a lot of space

00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:15.579
 for, like, wisdom issues.

00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.639
 And so, I won't go any more on that.

00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:21.439
 So, yes to preaching.

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.099
 Yes to praying.

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.379
 Huh?

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.279
 When we're together.

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.839
 Yes to congregational singing.

00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.539
 Praying is one of the things

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.019
 that we realize we weren't doing

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.079
 when we gathered together

00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.759
 in Sovereign Grace.

00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.399
 We prayed sometimes,

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.659
 but it wasn't a conviction.

00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:37.559
 Like, yeah, we're to pray together.

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:39.279
 That's something we're supposed to do.

00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.119
 Yes to spiritual gifts.

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.799
 All of them, I would say,

00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:43.680
 as a continuationist.

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.899
 The Lord's Supper.

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.859
 Greeting.

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.920
 Reading Scripture.

00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:49.639
 No to performances.

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.619
 Movie clips.

00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.440
 Painting.

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.700
 And other things.

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.059
 Musical hype.

00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.379
 We want to maximize

00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.660
 what God has told us to do.

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.859
 Minimize everything else.

00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.059
 Two, we're to sing the Bible.

00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.899
 Pray the Bible.

00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.700
 Read the Bible.

00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.480
 Preach the Bible.

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.259
 See the Bible.

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:08.099
 One of the things we changed

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.379
 when we planted a church

00:25:09.379 --> 00:25:10.459
 13 years ago

00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:11.419
 in Louisville, Kentucky

00:25:11.419 --> 00:25:13.199
 was to begin in our ending

00:25:13.199 --> 00:25:13.939
 and our meetings

00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:14.819
 with the Word of God.

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.059
 We've never done that before.

00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.539
 But wow,

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.519
 what a difference it makes

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.679
 when you tell people,

00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.480
 hey, God's calling us together.

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.679
 God's sending us out.

00:25:23.959 --> 00:25:25.059
 I used to connect the,

00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:27.000
 I used to plan the meeting

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:29.919
 with just picking songs.

00:25:30.439 --> 00:25:31.299
 You know, I'd pick five songs.

00:25:32.179 --> 00:25:33.339
 And there you go.

00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:34.159
 I've planned the meeting.

00:25:34.219 --> 00:25:34.819
 I've done my part.

00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:36.599
 Now, when we do our planning,

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:38.079
 we don't even pick the first song

00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.960
 until we've got the call to worship.

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:41.419
 Because that song

00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:42.899
 is coming out of that call to worship.

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:45.579
 And we want that to make sense.

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.039
 We want there to be progression.

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:50.519
 So another part of having your people

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:53.399
 see that the Scripture's fueling the meeting

00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:55.799
 is by explaining things theologically,

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.939
 which I'm going to do a whole session

00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.500
 on that tomorrow,

00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.619
 on transitions.

00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.500
 So I'm not going to spend time on it here.

00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:03.359
 Three, preach expositionally.

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.559
 Say what the Bible says

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.419
 and the way God said it.

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.740
 Obviously, that's one way

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.299
 the Bible fuels our meetings.

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.759
 Four, seek to move people

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.679
 more by the word than by music.

00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:21.679
 Music is a very powerful emotional motivator.

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:24.379
 It affects our emotions.

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.559
 The word of God

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.059
 is meant to affect our emotions.

00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:31.159
 This is why when we started tonight,

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.660
 you know, we just read the Bible.

00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.860
 We didn't have to have.

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.019
 Is this a song?

00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:40.100
 Just want to welcome everybody tonight.

00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:43.400
 Thank you so much for coming.

00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:48.680
 Just help your souls at peace this morning.

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.440
 It's an end.

00:26:51.080 --> 00:26:53.380
 You know, music can communicate emotions,

00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:55.680
 but a lot of times it can be manipulative.

00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:59.360
 And we can start to think that

00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:03.320
 really, unless music's playing under the Scripture,

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.180
 it's not that good.

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.519
 Don't let your people think that.

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.460
 The word of God stands on its own.

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.840
 Is it wrong to play music under Scripture?

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.340
 No.

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.279
 Is it needed?

00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.279
 No.

00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:19.900
 Let's put the emphasis in the right place.

00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:23.620
 Number five, evaluate responses,

00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.720
 people's responses,

00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:26.480
 more by Scripture than your culture.

00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.740
 So I've been all around the world

00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:30.660
 and seen different congregations

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:32.759
 respond in different ways.

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:36.660
 I put this as a mixed crowd right here

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:38.580
 from what I observed earlier.

00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:41.480
 Some of you are just ready to let it all out!

00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.519
 And others are like,

00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.980
 who's this person around me?

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:46.480
 A little nervous about what they're going to do.

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.759
 And I would say,

00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:50.299
 we want to let our responses

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.599
 be evaluated by Scripture

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:53.380
 and not our culture.

00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.920
 It was up in the Northwest years ago.

00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:59.059
 It was in the early 2000s,

00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.480
 and it was a hip culture.

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.200
 Maybe it still is.

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.680
 Hip, cool culture.

00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.180
 So this particular church

00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.200
 was really hip and cool.

00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:08.019
 And I was talking to them about,

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.380
 you know,

00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:11.000
 people don't seem to be very happy.

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.099
 Well, yeah, it's just the culture.

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:15.819
 Well, you know,

00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:17.559
 you know,

00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:19.119
 I don't think our culture tells us

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.339
 how to respond.

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.679
 I think it's the Word of God.

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:25.439
 So I picked this passage

00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:27.500
 in Nehemiah 8, 5 and 6,

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:30.059
 because I think it's so instructive

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:32.339
 as to what affects us.

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.199
 Ezra opened the book

00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:35.459
 in the sight of all the people,

00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.559
 for he was above all the people.

00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:38.500
 And as he opened it,

00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.819
 all the people stood.

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.699
 Well, there's a response.

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:43.500
 And Ezra blessed the Lord,

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.179
 the great God,

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.240
 and all the people answered,

00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:46.459
 Amen, Amen.

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.379
 Lifting up their hands.

00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:51.559
 There's nothing about music there.

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.000
 And they bowed their heads

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:57.139
 and worshiped the Lord

00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:58.379
 with their faces to the ground.

00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:01.259
 Just showing reverence for God's Word.

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.939
 I mean, there are other passages

00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:04.819
 that we could look at,

00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:07.359
 but let's let the Word of God

00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:08.659
 evaluate our responses

00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:10.939
 rather than our culture.

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.519
 All right, number three.

00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.820
 The gospel.

00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:16.559
 So we've got God,

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.720
 we've got Scripture,

00:29:19.360 --> 00:29:21.100
 and now we've got the gospel.

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:24.340
 Our gatherings are gospel-grounded

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:27.340
 and meant to be gospel-driven.

00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.919
 So this is,

00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.799
 oh, it's just,

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:33.879
 you know,

00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:36.079
 gospel-centeredness

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:37.699
 in some phases,

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:40.659
 some areas of the church,

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.240
 you know,

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:44.899
 is popular at times.

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.399
 You know, gospel-centeredness,

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.000
 gospel-centeredness.

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.459
 You know what?

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:48.859
 To God,

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.079
 the gospel's always popular.

00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:52.279
 It's always popular.

00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:54.399
 Throughout Scripture,

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:56.039
 God has called His people together

00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.039
 to celebrate His acts

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.319
 of deliverance and salvation.

00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:01.200
 Psalm 96, verses 1 and 2.

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.799
 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song.

00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.220
 Sing to the Lord,

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.759
 all the earth.

00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.480
 Sing to the Lord,

00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.039
 bless His name.

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:09.079
 Tell of His salvation

00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:09.920
 from day to day.

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.119
 So for the Israelites,

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.579
 that meant when they gathered,

00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.480
 they were to thank God for,

00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:15.099
 sing about,

00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.220
 and remember the way

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.839
 God had delivered them

00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:19.200
 from the bondage of Egypt

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.860
 and brought them

00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.720
 into the promised land.

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.700
 That was huge.

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.319
 And then after the exile,

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.420
 they celebrated God

00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:26.759
 delivering them from Babylon

00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:28.100
 and restoring them

00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.880
 to the promised land.

00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:30.519
 For Christians,

00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:33.340
 we have something greater

00:30:33.340 --> 00:30:33.880
 to celebrate

00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:35.200
 that those things pointed to.

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.340
 It means that our fellowship

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.980
 with God is grounded

00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:42.840
 in Him reconciling us

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.980
 to Himself

00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:46.539
 and assuring us

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:48.880
 of His eternal purposes

00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.720
 for us

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.320
 and for creation.

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:54.180
 So 1 Peter 3.18 says,

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.120
 For Christ also suffered

00:30:56.120 --> 00:30:56.800
 for sins,

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.600
 the righteous

00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:59.240
 for the unrighteous,

00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:01.740
 that He might bring us

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.340
 to God.

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:04.400
 If Jesus,

00:31:04.760 --> 00:31:06.360
 through His substitutionary

00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:07.560
 sacrifice on the cross,

00:31:07.780 --> 00:31:10.100
 did not bring us to God,

00:31:10.260 --> 00:31:11.880
 we would have no ability

00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.660
 to approach Him.

00:31:14.280 --> 00:31:16.740
 It would be impossible.

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:18.980
 We have no expectation

00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.460
 that He should hear us

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.660
 or bless us

00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:23.180
 or draw near to us.

00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:26.559
 But because of the gospel,

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:30.660
 we can draw near

00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:33.380
 to the living God.

00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:37.000
 There's a passage in Hebrews 10

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:40.480
 where after chapters and chapters

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:43.339
 of explaining why Jesus

00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:45.319
 is a better high priest

00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.439
 of a better covenant,

00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.619
 a better mediator,

00:31:47.699 --> 00:31:49.240
 offering better sacrifices

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:51.559
 and saying He can do

00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.799
 what the old priest

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.480
 couldn't do.

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.359
 The old priest

00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.079
 could just go

00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.519
 into the Holy of Holies

00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.619
 once a year,

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.779
 once a year,

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.759
 bearing the sins

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.279
 of the people.

00:32:03.459 --> 00:32:04.099
 No one else

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:05.059
 was ever allowed in there.

00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.259
 Ever.

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.359
 Ever.

00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:09.979
 And so in verse 19

00:32:09.979 --> 00:32:10.859
 of chapter 10,

00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:13.599
 after He's shown clearly

00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.119
 that Jesus

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:16.159
 is a greater high priest,

00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.659
 He said,

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.719
 therefore, brothers,

00:32:19.979 --> 00:32:21.679
 since we have confidence

00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:24.339
 to enter the holy places

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.579
 by the blood of Jesus,

00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:28.799
 by the new and living way

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:30.099
 that He opened for us

00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:31.039
 through the curtain,

00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:31.659
 that is,

00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.679
 His flesh,

00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:36.680
 and since we have

00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.360
 a great priest

00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.360
 over the house of God,

00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.860
 let us draw near.

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.460
 He says,

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.100
 come on.

00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.060
 Before it was,

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.560
 don't draw near,

00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.019
 don't draw near,

00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:45.480
 don't draw near.

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.660
 Now in Jesus,

00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:47.420
 draw near,

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.060
 let us draw near

00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:48.860
 with a true heart

00:32:48.860 --> 00:32:50.620
 in full assurance

00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.320
 of faith

00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:52.320
 with our hearts

00:32:52.320 --> 00:32:53.200
 sprinkled clean

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.259
 from an evil conscience

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.940
 and our bodies

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:56.160
 washed with pure water.

00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.940
 Let us hold fast

00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.799
 the confession

00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.420
 of our hope

00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.620
 without wavering.

00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.039
 Why?

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:03.000
 Because He promised

00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.680
 His faithful.

00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:06.099
 It's the best news.

00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:08.519
 It's the best news.

00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.000
 That's the gospel

00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.519
 that grounds us.

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.619
 That's what our meetings

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:15.399
 are grounded in.

00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.299
 Paul didn't hesitate

00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:19.039
 to remind those

00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:20.759
 who was writing to

00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.819
 of the gospel.

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.079
 1 Corinthians 15.1,

00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.779
 I would remind you,

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.220
 brothers,

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.700
 of the gospel

00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.879
 I preached to you

00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:29.220
 which you received

00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:30.759
 in which you stand.

00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.740
 He goes on to say

00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:34.879
 it's of first importance.

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:37.240
 Colossians 2, 6, and 7.

00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.079
 Therefore,

00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.379
 as you have received

00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:40.659
 Christ Jesus the Lord,

00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:42.659
 so walk in Him,

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.680
 rooted and built up in Him,

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:46.279
 and established in the faith

00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:48.379
 just as you were taught.

00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:48.980
 In other words,

00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.539
 keep doing this.

00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.659
 Keep doing this.

00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:54.240
 Don't go somewhere else.

00:33:54.859 --> 00:33:55.819
 Don't think there's something

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.240
 better to give people

00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:58.819
 than the gospel.

00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.659
 David Pryor

00:34:00.659 --> 00:34:02.099
 in his 1 Corinthians commentary

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:02.639
 says,

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.819
 we never move on

00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.599
 from the cross

00:34:04.599 --> 00:34:05.359
 only to a deeper

00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:06.500
 understanding of the cross.

00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.159
 It's amazing.

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.619
 So that means

00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.779
 the gospel should drive

00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.299
 our meetings.

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.139
 You could say

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.579
 the gospel should fuel

00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.159
 our meetings,

00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:16.880
 but we had to pick

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.400
 another word.

00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.819
 So it drives our meetings.

00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.259
 Sometimes that's

00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:22.199
 through the structure.

00:34:23.299 --> 00:34:23.420
 You know,

00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:24.219
 some churches are built

00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:25.699
 around a gospel ark

00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:27.639
 where you start

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:29.139
 with the adoration of God,

00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:29.960
 then the acknowledgement

00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.339
 that we are not like God,

00:34:31.439 --> 00:34:32.819
 that we have sinned,

00:34:32.839 --> 00:34:33.919
 so we acknowledge our sin,

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.480
 but then there's

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:35.939
 the assurance of pardon,

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.259
 that God has done something

00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:39.299
 for us in Christ,

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.579
 and then a response

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.460
 of thanksgiving,

00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:43.199
 giving and hearing His word

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.739
 and communion.

00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.559
 That's one way

00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.480
 of doing that.

00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.980
 But there are other ways

00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.519
 of doing it.

00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.659
 Just making sure

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.539
 that people understand

00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.379
 when we gather,

00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.659
 hey, you know what?

00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.759
 Apart from Jesus Christ,

00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:54.779
 we're all in a lot of trouble.

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.799
 Just never forget that.

00:34:58.239 --> 00:34:59.139
 Never forget that.

00:34:59.399 --> 00:35:00.939
 Apart from what Christ has done,

00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.899
 we are all damned

00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.739
 in hell for eternity.

00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.039
 But because of what

00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:06.939
 Jesus Christ has done,

00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:08.359
 we get to enjoy pleasures

00:35:08.359 --> 00:35:09.139
 as His right hand

00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.659
 forevermore.

00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:10.759
 Forever.

00:35:12.319 --> 00:35:12.759
 Forever.

00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:16.139
 That's amazing good news.

00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.699
 The gospel is the power of God,

00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:20.899
 he says in Romans 1, 16.

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.699
 That means technologies,

00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.219
 technologies,

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.239
 techniques,

00:35:26.859 --> 00:35:28.659
 and good transitions

00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:32.119
 can never replace the gospel,

00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.739
 which alone

00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:35.679
 is the power of God.

00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:37.899
 That's why we sing

00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:40.239
 songs like we sang earlier.

00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.980
 When Satan tempts me

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.919
 to despair

00:35:44.919 --> 00:35:46.460
 and tells me

00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.759
 of the guilt within.

00:35:47.859 --> 00:35:48.519
 Has that ever happened to you?

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:50.840
 Have you ever felt

00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.900
 despairing of your sins?

00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.840
 Well, here's what you do.

00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.900
 Upward I look

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.900
 and see Him there

00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:58.920
 who made an end

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.880
 of all my sin.

00:36:00.759 --> 00:36:01.239
 What?

00:36:01.400 --> 00:36:02.119
 What do you mean

00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:02.519
 He made an end

00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.079
 of all my sin?

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.079
 Well, here's what happened.

00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:05.900
 Because the sinless

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:07.019
 Savior died.

00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.599
 Okay, He's sinless.

00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:10.860
 My sinful soul

00:36:10.860 --> 00:36:12.800
 is counted free.

00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:13.860
 Well, what, what, what?

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.340
 Free from what?

00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.619
 Well, free from the

00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:16.599
 penalty of sin,

00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:18.460
 free from the power of sin,

00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.199
 one day free from

00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:20.259
 the presence of sin.

00:36:21.319 --> 00:36:22.519
 Well, how did He do that?

00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:24.619
 Well, for God the just

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.900
 is satisfied

00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:28.139
 to look on Him.

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.719
 Pardon me.

00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.799
 And pardon me.

00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.480
 It's no news like it.

00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:39.659
 That's how we come.

00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:41.299
 That's how we can come.

00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.139
 That's why I celebrate

00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:43.799
 the Lord's Supper.

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:47.199
 We proclaim His death

00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:47.900
 until He comes.

00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:51.159
 So, what are some

00:36:51.159 --> 00:36:51.659
 of the implications

00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.500
 of a meeting

00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:53.559
 that's gospel-grounded

00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.920
 and gospel-driven?

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:57.659
 Our songs and prayers

00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.219
 and preaching

00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:58.799
 are meant to be

00:36:58.799 --> 00:36:59.659
 gospel-exalting

00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.420
 and expanding,

00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:03.000
 not drawing attention

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.779
 to something else,

00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:04.599
 not unclear,

00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:05.339
 not vague.

00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:06.380
 They are pointing

00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:07.259
 to Jesus Christ,

00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:07.940
 who He is,

00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.739
 and what He's done.

00:37:10.099 --> 00:37:11.159
 Two, we emphasize

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:12.400
 what God has done

00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:14.059
 over what we have to do.

00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:15.900
 In other words,

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.440
 the indicative

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.340
 of the imperative.

00:37:17.739 --> 00:37:18.920
 People shouldn't leave

00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:20.299
 our meetings every Sunday

00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:21.539
 with a lot of shoulds

00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:22.659
 and a lot of musts.

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.119
 They should leave with,

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.579
 I can't believe it,

00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:29.279
 and a lot of get-tos

00:37:29.279 --> 00:37:30.059
 and want-tos.

00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:33.400
 That's what a gospel-driven

00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.460
 meeting will produce.

00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.579
 Three,

00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:38.219
 the gospel should,

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.139
 we should be aware

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.619
 of the gospel

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.860
 in terms of the structure

00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.440
 of our meetings.

00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.920
 There's a story we're telling.

00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:44.179
 We'll talk about that tomorrow.

00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:46.240
 We should regularly observe

00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:46.980
 the Lord's Supper

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.599
 and baptism.

00:37:48.599 --> 00:37:48.920
 And then,

00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:50.240
 another effect is

00:37:50.240 --> 00:37:51.260
 diversity is seen

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:52.360
 more as a fruit

00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:53.099
 than a pursuit.

00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.519
 If our meetings

00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.280
 are gospel-ground

00:37:56.280 --> 00:37:56.960
 and gospel-driven,

00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:58.179
 we will see people

00:37:58.179 --> 00:38:00.240
 of different ethnicities,

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.720
 age brackets,

00:38:02.820 --> 00:38:04.619
 financial states,

00:38:05.059 --> 00:38:05.860
 educational backgrounds,

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:07.240
 we'll see different kinds

00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:07.860
 of people coming.

00:38:07.960 --> 00:38:08.079
 Why?

00:38:08.200 --> 00:38:09.000
 Because we're gathering

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:10.320
 around what unites us,

00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:12.059
 and that is Jesus Christ.

00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.119
 All right,

00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:13.820
 fourth value.

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.519
 And these will,

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:17.320
 and then we'll sing

00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:18.099
 another song.

00:38:19.360 --> 00:38:19.800
 Spirit.

00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:21.239
 Our gatherings

00:38:21.239 --> 00:38:22.639
 are spirit-empowered

00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.539
 and meant to be

00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.880
 spirit-dependent.

00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.820
 Our gatherings

00:38:26.820 --> 00:38:27.960
 are spirit-empowered

00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.500
 and meant to be

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.159
 spirit-dependent.

00:38:29.340 --> 00:38:30.780
 Just as God initiates

00:38:30.780 --> 00:38:31.260
 our worship,

00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.539
 he empowers it

00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:34.360
 by his spirit.

00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:36.559
 Thinking back again

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.059
 to Jesus

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.579
 and the woman

00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:38.019
 at the well,

00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:39.519
 he assured her

00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.920
 that whoever drank

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:41.759
 of the living water

00:38:41.759 --> 00:38:42.219
 he offered

00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:43.360
 would never thirst again.

00:38:45.179 --> 00:38:46.139
 A few chapters later,

00:38:46.199 --> 00:38:46.619
 he says that

00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:47.500
 whoever believes in him

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.099
 out of his heart

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:49.360
 will flow rivers

00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:51.099
 of living water.

00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:53.219
 And John says

00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:54.579
 in John 7, 38,

00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:56.179
 now this he said

00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:57.099
 about the spirit

00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:58.039
 whom those

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:58.820
 who believed in him

00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.360
 were to receive

00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.279
 for as yet the spirit

00:39:00.279 --> 00:39:01.059
 had not been given

00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:02.219
 because Jesus

00:39:02.219 --> 00:39:03.380
 was not yet glorified.

00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:05.460
 So when Jesus said,

00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:07.220
 the father is seeking

00:39:07.220 --> 00:39:08.159
 those who worship him

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:10.039
 in spirit and truth,

00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.220
 he's saying

00:39:11.220 --> 00:39:12.559
 we can't worship God

00:39:12.559 --> 00:39:13.440
 apart from

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:15.099
 the spirit of God.

00:39:16.220 --> 00:39:17.179
 So everything

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:18.280
 we experienced

00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:19.639
 in the meeting

00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:20.659
 is empowered

00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:22.699
 by the spirit of God.

00:39:22.780 --> 00:39:23.539
 Anything good

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.360
 of lasting value,

00:39:24.500 --> 00:39:25.059
 it's empowered

00:39:25.059 --> 00:39:25.960
 by the spirit of God.

00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:27.039
 Do we believe that?

00:39:27.639 --> 00:39:28.960
 It's not empowered

00:39:28.960 --> 00:39:31.500
 by our incredible planning

00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.619
 and ingenuity.

00:39:32.780 --> 00:39:33.500
 It's empowered

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:35.039
 by the spirit of God.

00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.119
 That's what Paul says

00:39:36.119 --> 00:39:37.740
 in 1 Corinthians 12, 11.

00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:39.860
 All these are empowered

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:41.380
 by one and the same spirit

00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:42.559
 who apportions

00:39:42.559 --> 00:39:43.480
 to each one

00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:44.240
 individually

00:39:44.240 --> 00:39:46.380
 as he wills.

00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:48.639
 Because our gatherings

00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:50.159
 are spirit-empowered,

00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:52.000
 our worship of God

00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:52.940
 is lifeless,

00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:54.000
 insufficient,

00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:55.300
 and unable

00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:55.960
 to bring fruit

00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:57.059
 apart from

00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:58.579
 the spirit's work.

00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.539
 It's the spirit

00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.039
 who brought

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.679
 our dead spirits

00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:02.360
 to life

00:40:02.360 --> 00:40:04.039
 through the life,

00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:04.320
 death,

00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:04.840
 and resurrection

00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:05.619
 of Jesus

00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.900
 according to the plan

00:40:06.900 --> 00:40:07.400
 of the Father.

00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:09.920
 And he empowers

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.759
 what we do

00:40:10.759 --> 00:40:12.019
 when we gather.

00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:14.239
 Now if we're aware

00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:14.880
 of that,

00:40:15.880 --> 00:40:17.199
 that will make us

00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:18.179
 spirit-dependent.

00:40:19.500 --> 00:40:20.599
 Which means

00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.440
 that Paul says

00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.440
 in Philippians 3,

00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.279
 verse 3,

00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:26.340
 for we are the circumcision

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:28.260
 who worship

00:40:28.260 --> 00:40:29.060
 by the spirit

00:40:29.060 --> 00:40:29.620
 of God,

00:40:30.720 --> 00:40:31.460
 there it is,

00:40:31.560 --> 00:40:32.519
 worship by the spirit

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:32.920
 of God,

00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:34.760
 and glory in Christ

00:40:34.760 --> 00:40:35.200
 Jesus

00:40:35.200 --> 00:40:37.040
 and put no confidence

00:40:37.040 --> 00:40:38.280
 in the flesh.

00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:40.880
 Put no confidence

00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:42.540
 in the flesh.

00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:43.940
 What does it mean

00:40:43.940 --> 00:40:44.560
 to be dependent

00:40:44.560 --> 00:40:45.260
 on the spirit?

00:40:45.560 --> 00:40:46.960
 Not putting confidence

00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:48.260
 in what we're going

00:40:48.260 --> 00:40:48.780
 to do

00:40:48.780 --> 00:40:49.600
 to impress

00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:50.059
 the people

00:40:50.059 --> 00:40:50.519
 who come

00:40:50.519 --> 00:40:52.960
 or to inspire

00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.380
 the people

00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:53.860
 who come.

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:58.139
 We can't do that.

00:40:59.299 --> 00:41:00.319
 The spirit can.

00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:02.500
 And we want

00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:03.519
 to be depending

00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:04.380
 on him

00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:05.259
 to do that.

00:41:06.099 --> 00:41:06.880
 The spirit works

00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:07.799
 in a surprising

00:41:07.799 --> 00:41:08.759
 number of ways.

00:41:10.179 --> 00:41:10.659
 Paul lists

00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:11.880
 in 1 Corinthians 12,

00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:13.299
 verse 4 through 6.

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:13.819
 He doesn't listen,

00:41:13.920 --> 00:41:14.219
 but he says,

00:41:14.599 --> 00:41:15.119
 there are varieties

00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:15.860
 of gifts,

00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:16.940
 but the same spirit.

00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:18.259
 There are varieties

00:41:18.259 --> 00:41:18.900
 of service,

00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.780
 but the same Lord.

00:41:19.940 --> 00:41:20.380
 There are varieties

00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.000
 of activities,

00:41:21.400 --> 00:41:22.300
 but it is the same God

00:41:22.300 --> 00:41:23.059
 who empowers them all

00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:23.420
 and everyone.

00:41:23.680 --> 00:41:24.059
 In other words,

00:41:24.200 --> 00:41:25.599
 every aspect of our meeting,

00:41:25.720 --> 00:41:26.300
 we are depending

00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:27.079
 on the Holy Spirit

00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:28.599
 for it to bring fruit.

00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:32.460
 This is extremely important

00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:32.880
 what happens

00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.539
 behind a pulpit.

00:41:34.820 --> 00:41:35.920
 It's just not the only thing

00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:36.599
 going on in the meeting.

00:41:37.619 --> 00:41:38.599
 And the spirit's empowering

00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:39.780
 everything else

00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.420
 that's going on

00:41:40.420 --> 00:41:43.059
 and we want to ask

00:41:43.059 --> 00:41:44.139
 for the spirit's help

00:41:44.139 --> 00:41:45.460
 in those things.

00:41:45.760 --> 00:41:46.480
 Our singing,

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.940
 just like it's to be filled

00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.880
 with the word of Christ,

00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:51.019
 our singing is to be characterized

00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:52.059
 by the spirit's work.

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:53.840
 Ephesians 5, 18,

00:41:54.059 --> 00:41:55.380
 do not get drunk with wine

00:41:55.380 --> 00:41:56.340
 for that is debauchery,

00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:57.280
 but be filled

00:41:57.280 --> 00:41:57.980
 with the spirit,

00:41:58.260 --> 00:41:59.500
 addressing one another

00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.320
 in psalms and hymns

00:42:00.320 --> 00:42:01.079
 and spiritual songs.

00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:03.380
 Our prayers

00:42:03.380 --> 00:42:04.400
 are a sign

00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:05.300
 of our dependence.

00:42:05.660 --> 00:42:06.619
 Jude 20 says,

00:42:06.720 --> 00:42:07.980
 but you, beloved,

00:42:08.139 --> 00:42:09.119
 building yourselves up

00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:10.400
 in your most holy faith

00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:11.519
 and praying

00:42:11.519 --> 00:42:12.900
 in the Holy Spirit,

00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:14.960
 which leads to

00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:16.240
 what are the implications

00:42:16.240 --> 00:42:17.480
 of seeing our gatherings

00:42:17.480 --> 00:42:18.380
 as spirit-enabled,

00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:20.360
 spirit-empowered,

00:42:20.699 --> 00:42:21.099
 independent.

00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:21.880
 One,

00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:22.699
 it will increase

00:42:22.699 --> 00:42:23.679
 our prayer life dramatically.

00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:26.119
 Like,

00:42:26.199 --> 00:42:26.860
 if we're not praying

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.500
 for our meetings,

00:42:27.960 --> 00:42:28.980
 we don't really believe

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.699
 that our spirit-empowered.

00:42:31.940 --> 00:42:33.099
 It doesn't just happen.

00:42:33.659 --> 00:42:34.619
 And it certainly doesn't happen

00:42:34.619 --> 00:42:35.300
 because of our planning

00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:35.699
 and gifting.

00:42:36.920 --> 00:42:37.599
 It happens because

00:42:37.599 --> 00:42:38.599
 the spirit of God works.

00:42:38.599 --> 00:42:41.259
 Two,

00:42:41.339 --> 00:42:41.739
 it will increase

00:42:41.739 --> 00:42:42.380
 our faith,

00:42:42.619 --> 00:42:43.259
 expectation,

00:42:43.460 --> 00:42:43.920
 and anticipation

00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:45.619
 that God will work

00:42:45.619 --> 00:42:46.159
 in our midst

00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:46.779
 when we gather.

00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:47.639
 You know what?

00:42:47.779 --> 00:42:49.599
 The spirit doesn't look

00:42:49.599 --> 00:42:50.619
 at how many people

00:42:50.619 --> 00:42:52.019
 are in our congregations

00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:53.119
 attending on a Sunday morning

00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:53.900
 to determine

00:42:53.900 --> 00:42:54.440
 whether or not

00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:55.219
 he's going to show up.

00:42:56.819 --> 00:42:57.559
 Aren't you thankful

00:42:57.559 --> 00:42:58.019
 for that?

00:42:59.400 --> 00:42:59.739
 And yet,

00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:00.759
 we can begin

00:43:00.759 --> 00:43:01.880
 subtly to think,

00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:02.319
 oh no,

00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:04.339
 if I have a big congregation,

00:43:04.559 --> 00:43:05.659
 if we have big attendance,

00:43:05.779 --> 00:43:06.539
 then the spirit's

00:43:06.539 --> 00:43:07.199
 really there.

00:43:08.119 --> 00:43:09.039
 That's not how he,

00:43:09.179 --> 00:43:10.400
 that's not how he works.

00:43:11.759 --> 00:43:11.940
 I mean,

00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:12.980
 there's 120 people

00:43:12.980 --> 00:43:13.639
 in the upper room

00:43:13.639 --> 00:43:15.719
 and that was a pretty big,

00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:17.159
 a pretty big event

00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:18.559
 that happened there.

00:43:20.039 --> 00:43:20.779
 God doesn't need

00:43:20.779 --> 00:43:21.480
 a lot of people.

00:43:22.079 --> 00:43:22.639
 He needs people

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:24.159
 who are trusting him

00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:25.440
 and depending

00:43:25.440 --> 00:43:26.880
 on what he can do.

00:43:27.679 --> 00:43:28.500
 We'll begin to see,

00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:28.759
 three,

00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.400
 we'll begin to see

00:43:29.400 --> 00:43:30.239
 how many ways

00:43:30.239 --> 00:43:31.619
 the spirit is actually working.

00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:32.960
 You know,

00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:33.519
 as we look around

00:43:33.519 --> 00:43:35.139
 and see people standing

00:43:35.139 --> 00:43:35.900
 at the door greeting,

00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:36.360
 oh,

00:43:36.360 --> 00:43:37.000
 why there's a gift

00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:38.240
 of hospitality.

00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:40.700
 We don't pass

00:43:40.700 --> 00:43:41.539
 the plate anymore,

00:43:41.660 --> 00:43:41.920
 I don't know,

00:43:42.019 --> 00:43:43.420
 but as you see people

00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:44.360
 getting out their phones

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:44.900
 to give,

00:43:45.680 --> 00:43:45.960
 you see,

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:46.539
 there's a gift

00:43:46.539 --> 00:43:47.200
 of generosity.

00:43:48.660 --> 00:43:49.320
 As you see people,

00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:50.240
 someone praying for someone,

00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:51.180
 there's a gift of faith.

00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:53.019
 You just see the spirit

00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:54.320
 working all around

00:43:54.320 --> 00:43:55.599
 your church.

00:43:57.220 --> 00:43:58.160
 And then we'll expect

00:43:58.160 --> 00:43:59.280
 to be emotionally engaged

00:43:59.280 --> 00:44:00.160
 and physically affected

00:44:00.160 --> 00:44:01.360
 because it is the spirit

00:44:01.360 --> 00:44:02.240
 who's doing the work.

00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:03.960
 It's not dependent

00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:05.480
 on our personality,

00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:06.440
 our background,

00:44:06.659 --> 00:44:07.360
 our experience.

00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:07.900
 It's dependent

00:44:07.900 --> 00:44:08.860
 on the spirit of God

00:44:08.860 --> 00:44:09.880
 and what he's seeking to do.

00:44:10.539 --> 00:44:11.619
 And what is he seeking to do?

00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:12.659
 He's seeking to exalt

00:44:12.659 --> 00:44:13.420
 Jesus Christ

00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:15.059
 in us and through us.

00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:16.280
 All right,

00:44:16.340 --> 00:44:16.740
 last one.

00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:17.400
 Church.

00:44:18.280 --> 00:44:19.179
 We've got God,

00:44:19.440 --> 00:44:20.019
 we've got scripture,

00:44:20.280 --> 00:44:20.699
 gospel,

00:44:21.699 --> 00:44:22.440
 we've got the spirit,

00:44:22.599 --> 00:44:23.240
 and the church.

00:44:23.320 --> 00:44:23.820
 Our gatherings

00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:25.159
 are church defined

00:44:25.159 --> 00:44:26.539
 and meant to be

00:44:26.539 --> 00:44:28.119
 church engaged.

00:44:28.119 --> 00:44:28.239
 church.

00:44:33.299 --> 00:44:34.539
 Anybody here with a church

00:44:34.539 --> 00:44:35.319
 of more than 500

00:44:35.319 --> 00:44:36.199
 on a Sunday morning?

00:44:38.059 --> 00:44:38.279
 Okay,

00:44:38.599 --> 00:44:39.880
 300,

00:44:40.179 --> 00:44:41.699
 is everybody 300 or less?

00:44:42.359 --> 00:44:42.639
 Let's see.

00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:44.420
 Okay,

00:44:44.679 --> 00:44:45.239
 someone around there.

00:44:47.519 --> 00:44:48.619
 We can be tempted

00:44:48.619 --> 00:44:49.639
 as small,

00:44:49.719 --> 00:44:50.500
 our church is between,

00:44:50.799 --> 00:44:52.940
 it's just a growth spurt,

00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:53.759
 so we're between

00:44:53.759 --> 00:44:55.019
 500 and 600 right now.

00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:56.880
 We have been between

00:44:56.880 --> 00:44:58.840
 300 and 400 for years,

00:44:59.179 --> 00:44:59.599
 a long time.

00:45:02.440 --> 00:45:03.699
 But here's the temptation

00:45:03.699 --> 00:45:04.759
 to think that,

00:45:05.019 --> 00:45:05.159
 you know,

00:45:05.179 --> 00:45:05.860
 somehow we've got to

00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:07.000
 perform something.

00:45:07.219 --> 00:45:07.659
 We've got to do,

00:45:07.759 --> 00:45:08.159
 we've got to get

00:45:08.159 --> 00:45:08.840
 something going here.

00:45:09.460 --> 00:45:09.599
 You know,

00:45:09.599 --> 00:45:10.159
 if we're going to grow,

00:45:10.259 --> 00:45:10.639
 we've got to make

00:45:10.639 --> 00:45:11.159
 something happen.

00:45:12.119 --> 00:45:13.119
 So let me just say

00:45:13.119 --> 00:45:13.579
 a few things

00:45:13.579 --> 00:45:14.440
 that the church is not.

00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.800
 Sunday gathering.

00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:17.460
 Sunday gathering

00:45:17.460 --> 00:45:18.739
 is not a production company

00:45:18.739 --> 00:45:21.000
 offering a weekly event

00:45:21.000 --> 00:45:23.099
 defined by lighting

00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:24.119
 and video and staging.

00:45:24.360 --> 00:45:24.780
 It's not.

00:45:25.759 --> 00:45:26.340
 Sunday gathering

00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:27.840
 is not a theological lecture

00:45:27.840 --> 00:45:30.440
 filling people

00:45:30.440 --> 00:45:31.579
 with head knowledge

00:45:31.579 --> 00:45:33.159
 but doing little

00:45:33.159 --> 00:45:34.259
 to affect or shape

00:45:34.259 --> 00:45:35.019
 their passions

00:45:35.019 --> 00:45:35.719
 and desires.

00:45:38.320 --> 00:45:39.239
 Sunday gathering

00:45:39.239 --> 00:45:40.519
 is not a business venture

00:45:40.519 --> 00:45:42.599
 or a fast food franchise

00:45:42.599 --> 00:45:45.719
 driven by principles

00:45:45.719 --> 00:45:47.099
 of pragmatism

00:45:47.099 --> 00:45:48.719
 and marketing

00:45:48.719 --> 00:45:49.920
 and financial success.

00:45:50.659 --> 00:45:51.219
 Some churches

00:45:51.219 --> 00:45:52.840
 are very much that way.

00:45:54.039 --> 00:45:54.840
 Sunday gathering

00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:55.300
 is not a place

00:45:55.300 --> 00:45:56.120
 to push the boundaries

00:45:56.120 --> 00:45:56.960
 of creativity

00:45:56.960 --> 00:45:58.000
 for the sake

00:45:58.000 --> 00:45:58.780
 of doing something new.

00:45:59.100 --> 00:46:00.000
 The Sunday gathering

00:46:00.000 --> 00:46:01.400
 isn't a theater performance

00:46:01.400 --> 00:46:02.440
 where actors

00:46:02.440 --> 00:46:04.720
 whose words and actions

00:46:04.720 --> 00:46:06.000
 bear no resemblance

00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:07.019
 to their daily lives

00:46:07.019 --> 00:46:08.240
 get up in front of people.

00:46:10.940 --> 00:46:12.140
 Our Sunday gatherings

00:46:12.140 --> 00:46:12.800
 are extraordinary.

00:46:12.800 --> 00:46:12.920
 extraordinary.

00:46:15.960 --> 00:46:17.000
 They're extraordinary.

00:46:20.539 --> 00:46:21.640
 It's the church

00:46:21.640 --> 00:46:22.800
 redeemed from every tribe

00:46:22.800 --> 00:46:23.260
 and language

00:46:23.260 --> 00:46:24.160
 and people and nation

00:46:24.160 --> 00:46:28.960
 redeemed from sin's bondage

00:46:28.960 --> 00:46:28.920
!

00:46:28.920 --> 00:46:30.099
 in God's wrath

00:46:30.099 --> 00:46:30.119
 and God's wrath

00:46:30.119 --> 00:46:31.059
 by the blood of Christ

00:46:31.059 --> 00:46:31.980
 gathering

00:46:31.980 --> 00:46:33.639
 to bear witness

00:46:33.639 --> 00:46:34.960
 in the presence of God

00:46:34.960 --> 00:46:35.940
 and to each other

00:46:35.940 --> 00:46:36.860
 of his greatness

00:46:36.860 --> 00:46:38.400
 and glory

00:46:38.400 --> 00:46:39.400
 and goodness

00:46:39.400 --> 00:46:41.760
 in Jesus Christ.

00:46:44.880 --> 00:46:45.880
 Our gatherings

00:46:45.880 --> 00:46:46.760
 are defined

00:46:46.760 --> 00:46:47.880
 by the reality

00:46:47.880 --> 00:46:48.840
 of what Jesus

00:46:48.840 --> 00:46:50.139
 came to do.

00:46:50.519 --> 00:46:51.119
 In him,

00:46:51.220 --> 00:46:52.119
 Ephesians 2.22,

00:46:52.260 --> 00:46:52.720
 in him

00:46:52.720 --> 00:46:53.579
 you are being

00:46:53.579 --> 00:46:55.200
 built together

00:46:55.200 --> 00:46:56.460
 into a dwelling place

00:46:56.460 --> 00:46:56.900
 for God

00:46:56.900 --> 00:46:57.440
 by the Spirit.

00:46:57.539 --> 00:46:58.180
 That's what he's doing

00:46:58.180 --> 00:46:58.900
 in that group of people.

00:46:59.820 --> 00:47:00.840
 Building a dwelling place

00:47:00.840 --> 00:47:01.780
 for God.

00:47:03.500 --> 00:47:04.519
 We're not being built up

00:47:04.519 --> 00:47:05.059
 into an emotional

00:47:05.059 --> 00:47:05.700
 or spiritual

00:47:05.700 --> 00:47:07.079
 and musical experience

00:47:07.079 --> 00:47:09.119
 but into a spiritual house.

00:47:09.360 --> 00:47:10.820
 1 Peter 2.4 and 5.

00:47:11.300 --> 00:47:12.160
 As you come to him

00:47:12.160 --> 00:47:12.880
 a living stone

00:47:12.880 --> 00:47:13.860
 rejected by men

00:47:13.860 --> 00:47:14.780
 but in the sight of God

00:47:14.780 --> 00:47:15.559
 chosen and precious

00:47:15.559 --> 00:47:16.720
 you yourselves

00:47:16.720 --> 00:47:17.599
 like living stones

00:47:17.599 --> 00:47:18.440
 are being built up

00:47:18.440 --> 00:47:19.380
 as a spiritual house

00:47:19.380 --> 00:47:21.599
 to be a holy priesthood

00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:23.880
 to offer spiritual sacrifices

00:47:23.880 --> 00:47:25.139
 acceptable to God

00:47:25.139 --> 00:47:26.880
 through Jesus Christ.

00:47:26.900 --> 00:47:27.260
 Christ.

00:47:27.740 --> 00:47:29.180
 The church has insiders

00:47:29.180 --> 00:47:29.860
 and outsiders.

00:47:31.039 --> 00:47:31.780
 Paul talks about

00:47:31.780 --> 00:47:33.119
 in 1 Corinthians 14

00:47:33.119 --> 00:47:34.160
 where he says

00:47:34.160 --> 00:47:34.720
 when the church

00:47:34.720 --> 00:47:35.240
 comes together

00:47:35.240 --> 00:47:36.079
 and outsiders

00:47:36.079 --> 00:47:37.119
 or unbelievers

00:47:37.119 --> 00:47:37.599
 enter.

00:47:40.559 --> 00:47:41.840
 Church is not just

00:47:41.840 --> 00:47:42.539
 made up of the people

00:47:42.539 --> 00:47:43.280
 we see in the room.

00:47:45.039 --> 00:47:45.720
 It's made up

00:47:45.720 --> 00:47:46.300
 of God's people

00:47:46.300 --> 00:47:47.019
 past, present,

00:47:47.099 --> 00:47:47.539
 and future

00:47:47.539 --> 00:47:48.360
 and when we

00:47:48.360 --> 00:47:49.500
 gather

00:47:49.500 --> 00:47:50.800
 we are

00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:51.639
 experiencing

00:47:51.639 --> 00:47:52.539
 a foretaste

00:47:52.539 --> 00:47:53.559
 of the marriage supper

00:47:53.559 --> 00:47:54.840
 of the Lamb

00:47:54.840 --> 00:47:56.039
 at the end of time.

00:47:57.639 --> 00:47:58.660
 And we're gathering

00:47:58.660 --> 00:47:59.660
 with all those

00:47:59.660 --> 00:48:00.400
 who have gone before

00:48:00.400 --> 00:48:00.980
 and all those

00:48:00.980 --> 00:48:01.539
 who are presently

00:48:01.539 --> 00:48:02.119
 around the throne

00:48:02.119 --> 00:48:02.720
 and all those

00:48:02.720 --> 00:48:03.180
 who will one day

00:48:03.180 --> 00:48:04.019
 be around the throne.

00:48:05.820 --> 00:48:06.700
 Paul talks about it

00:48:06.700 --> 00:48:07.280
 in, I'm sorry

00:48:07.280 --> 00:48:07.840
 the writing of Hebrews

00:48:07.840 --> 00:48:08.420
 talks about it.

00:48:08.460 --> 00:48:08.740
 If you believe

00:48:08.740 --> 00:48:09.400
 Paul wrote Hebrews

00:48:09.400 --> 00:48:09.920
 then it's Paul

00:48:09.920 --> 00:48:10.500
 but if you don't

00:48:10.500 --> 00:48:11.019
 then that's fine.

00:48:12.180 --> 00:48:12.800
 You have come

00:48:12.800 --> 00:48:13.260
 to Mount Zion

00:48:13.260 --> 00:48:14.180
 this is Hebrews 12

00:48:14.180 --> 00:48:14.559
 22

00:48:14.559 --> 00:48:15.139
 you've come

00:48:15.139 --> 00:48:15.799
 to Mount Zion

00:48:15.799 --> 00:48:16.400
 to the city

00:48:16.400 --> 00:48:16.920
 of the living God.

00:48:17.039 --> 00:48:17.579
 This is what's

00:48:17.579 --> 00:48:18.219
 happening every Sunday

00:48:18.219 --> 00:48:18.539
 morning.

00:48:19.699 --> 00:48:20.019
 We're coming

00:48:20.019 --> 00:48:20.619
 to Mount Zion

00:48:20.619 --> 00:48:21.019
 the city

00:48:21.019 --> 00:48:21.679
 of the living God

00:48:21.679 --> 00:48:23.659
 the heavenly Jerusalem

00:48:23.659 --> 00:48:25.639
 and to innumerable

00:48:25.639 --> 00:48:26.139
 angels

00:48:26.139 --> 00:48:27.099
 in festal gathering

00:48:27.099 --> 00:48:28.519
 and to the assembly

00:48:28.519 --> 00:48:29.299
 of the firstborn

00:48:29.299 --> 00:48:29.880
 who are enrolled

00:48:29.880 --> 00:48:30.340
 in heaven

00:48:30.340 --> 00:48:31.199
 and to God

00:48:31.199 --> 00:48:33.059
 the judge of all

00:48:33.059 --> 00:48:33.980
 and to the spirits

00:48:33.980 --> 00:48:34.679
 of the righteous

00:48:34.679 --> 00:48:35.380
 made perfect

00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:36.179
 and to Jesus

00:48:36.179 --> 00:48:37.059
 the mediator

00:48:37.059 --> 00:48:38.519
 of a new covenant

00:48:38.519 --> 00:48:39.460
 and to the sprinkled

00:48:39.460 --> 00:48:39.900
 blood

00:48:39.900 --> 00:48:40.940
 that speaks

00:48:40.940 --> 00:48:41.799
 a better word

00:48:41.799 --> 00:48:43.299
 than the blood

00:48:43.300 --> 00:48:43.700
 of Abel.

00:48:45.039 --> 00:48:46.080
 That's who's gathering.

00:48:47.519 --> 00:48:48.420
 It's the church

00:48:48.420 --> 00:48:49.340
 as God

00:48:49.340 --> 00:48:50.060
 has defined it.

00:48:50.500 --> 00:48:51.120
 That means

00:48:51.120 --> 00:48:51.700
 that our meeting

00:48:51.700 --> 00:48:52.640
 should engage

00:48:52.640 --> 00:48:53.340
 the church.

00:48:54.340 --> 00:48:55.539
 We are the household

00:48:55.539 --> 00:48:56.060
 of God

00:48:56.060 --> 00:48:57.180
 1 Timothy 3 15

00:48:57.180 --> 00:48:58.000
 which is the church

00:48:58.000 --> 00:48:58.760
 of the living God

00:48:58.760 --> 00:48:59.380
 a pillar

00:48:59.380 --> 00:49:01.160
 and buttress

00:49:01.160 --> 00:49:02.080
 of the truth.

00:49:02.980 --> 00:49:03.260
 In other words

00:49:03.260 --> 00:49:05.039
 we're not oriented

00:49:05.039 --> 00:49:06.140
 towards a performance

00:49:06.140 --> 00:49:07.120
 we're not oriented

00:49:07.120 --> 00:49:07.940
 towards a production

00:49:07.940 --> 00:49:09.320
 or people on the stage.

00:49:10.300 --> 00:49:10.780
 We're not

00:49:10.780 --> 00:49:12.260
 seeking to build

00:49:12.260 --> 00:49:13.280
 a bunch of spectators.

00:49:13.300 --> 00:49:14.140
 who are part

00:49:14.140 --> 00:49:15.000
 of an audience.

00:49:15.620 --> 00:49:16.100
 We made a very

00:49:16.100 --> 00:49:17.220
 conscious effort

00:49:17.220 --> 00:49:18.280
 I don't know

00:49:18.280 --> 00:49:18.680
 if this has ever

00:49:18.680 --> 00:49:19.220
 been a temptation

00:49:19.220 --> 00:49:19.580
 for you

00:49:19.580 --> 00:49:20.260
 but not to refer

00:49:20.260 --> 00:49:20.620
 to the people

00:49:20.620 --> 00:49:21.180
 in the congregation

00:49:21.180 --> 00:49:22.260
 as the audience.

00:49:23.960 --> 00:49:24.980
 They're the congregation.

00:49:25.140 --> 00:49:25.800
 We are all members

00:49:25.800 --> 00:49:26.460
 of the congregation

00:49:26.460 --> 00:49:27.880
 being led by Jesus

00:49:27.880 --> 00:49:29.920
 in the praise

00:49:29.920 --> 00:49:30.500
 of the Father.

00:49:31.460 --> 00:49:32.160
 Every member

00:49:32.160 --> 00:49:32.820
 is involved.

00:49:33.820 --> 00:49:34.460
 We're welcoming

00:49:34.460 --> 00:49:35.180
 one another

00:49:35.180 --> 00:49:36.519
 instructing one another

00:49:36.519 --> 00:49:37.740
 greeting one another

00:49:37.740 --> 00:49:38.600
 we're comforting

00:49:38.600 --> 00:49:39.180
 one another

00:49:39.180 --> 00:49:40.180
 serving one another

00:49:40.180 --> 00:49:41.140
 addressing one another

00:49:41.140 --> 00:49:42.200
 admonishing one another

00:49:42.200 --> 00:49:43.240
 encouraging one another

00:49:43.239 --> 00:49:45.779
 church is engaged

00:49:45.779 --> 00:49:46.919
 church is meant

00:49:46.919 --> 00:49:48.519
 to be engaged

00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:49.099
 so what does

00:49:49.099 --> 00:49:49.679
 that look like?

00:49:51.039 --> 00:49:51.639
 Well first

00:49:51.639 --> 00:49:52.179
 we'll be conscious

00:49:52.179 --> 00:49:52.799
 of the uniqueness

00:49:52.799 --> 00:49:53.819
 of what's taking place.

00:49:54.619 --> 00:49:55.599
 There's no meeting

00:49:55.599 --> 00:49:56.339
 in your city

00:49:56.339 --> 00:49:57.379
 in your town

00:49:57.379 --> 00:49:58.419
 in your village

00:49:58.419 --> 00:49:59.000
 in your whatever

00:49:59.000 --> 00:49:59.779
 it is you live in

00:49:59.779 --> 00:50:00.779
 that's like your

00:50:00.779 --> 00:50:01.399
 Sunday meeting

00:50:01.399 --> 00:50:02.119
 on Sunday morning.

00:50:03.699 --> 00:50:04.059
 There's nothing

00:50:04.059 --> 00:50:04.439
 like it.

00:50:05.319 --> 00:50:06.319
 A lot of big

00:50:06.319 --> 00:50:07.000
 important meetings

00:50:07.000 --> 00:50:07.439
 happening

00:50:07.439 --> 00:50:08.739
 business meetings

00:50:08.739 --> 00:50:09.539
 political meetings

00:50:09.539 --> 00:50:10.219
 education meetings

00:50:10.219 --> 00:50:10.939
 nothing like

00:50:10.939 --> 00:50:11.399
 what's happening

00:50:11.399 --> 00:50:13.059
 in your church

00:50:13.059 --> 00:50:14.739
 on Sunday mornings.

00:50:17.299 --> 00:50:17.779
 Two

00:50:17.779 --> 00:50:18.199
 we'll involve

00:50:18.199 --> 00:50:18.859
 the congregation

00:50:18.859 --> 00:50:19.759
 in various ways

00:50:19.759 --> 00:50:20.779
 we'll look for ways

00:50:20.779 --> 00:50:21.679
 to involve them

00:50:21.679 --> 00:50:22.399
 of course as the church

00:50:22.399 --> 00:50:23.039
 grows bigger

00:50:23.039 --> 00:50:23.639
 that becomes

00:50:23.639 --> 00:50:24.399
 more complicated

00:50:24.399 --> 00:50:25.839
 a little more

00:50:25.839 --> 00:50:26.439
 challenging

00:50:26.439 --> 00:50:27.719
 still can be done

00:50:27.719 --> 00:50:28.759
 through serving

00:50:28.759 --> 00:50:30.299
 through prayer

00:50:30.299 --> 00:50:31.139
 through ministries

00:50:31.139 --> 00:50:31.739
 through scripture

00:50:31.739 --> 00:50:32.239
 readings

00:50:32.239 --> 00:50:32.899
 through music

00:50:32.900 --> 00:50:34.840
 three

00:50:34.840 --> 00:50:35.579
 the sound

00:50:35.579 --> 00:50:36.320
 of the congregation

00:50:36.320 --> 00:50:37.160
 will be our priority

00:50:37.160 --> 00:50:37.740
 when we sing

00:50:37.740 --> 00:50:40.800
 we want

00:50:40.800 --> 00:50:41.760
 people to be able

00:50:41.760 --> 00:50:42.599
 to hear their voices

00:50:42.599 --> 00:50:43.500
 and we want

00:50:43.500 --> 00:50:44.039
 when the music

00:50:44.039 --> 00:50:44.619
 drops out

00:50:44.619 --> 00:50:45.059
 the instruments

00:50:45.059 --> 00:50:45.519
 drop out

00:50:45.519 --> 00:50:46.139
 for people

00:50:46.139 --> 00:50:46.980
 to sing louder

00:50:46.980 --> 00:50:49.320
 I've been in

00:50:49.320 --> 00:50:49.880
 different contexts

00:50:49.880 --> 00:50:50.320
 where when you

00:50:50.320 --> 00:50:51.160
 drop the instruments

00:50:51.160 --> 00:50:51.559
 out people

00:50:51.559 --> 00:50:52.240
 sing softer

00:50:52.240 --> 00:50:53.820
 because they

00:50:53.820 --> 00:50:54.680
 aren't used to

00:50:54.680 --> 00:50:55.780
 not being supported

00:50:55.780 --> 00:50:56.599
 by the instruments

00:50:56.599 --> 00:50:57.360
 oh no

00:50:57.360 --> 00:50:58.400
 we're supporting you

00:50:58.400 --> 00:51:00.220
 these instruments

00:51:00.220 --> 00:51:01.740
 are supporting

00:51:01.740 --> 00:51:02.280
 the congregation

00:51:02.280 --> 00:51:03.060
 doesn't mean

00:51:03.060 --> 00:51:03.780
 you can't hear them

00:51:03.780 --> 00:51:05.480
 you need to

00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:06.040
 hear them

00:51:06.040 --> 00:51:06.700
 to lead

00:51:06.700 --> 00:51:07.220
 in some

00:51:07.220 --> 00:51:08.460
 meaningful sense

00:51:08.460 --> 00:51:09.560
 but you do

00:51:09.560 --> 00:51:10.540
 allow space

00:51:10.540 --> 00:51:11.260
 for people

00:51:11.260 --> 00:51:12.080
 to hear their

00:51:12.080 --> 00:51:12.600
 voices

00:51:12.600 --> 00:51:13.940
 number four

00:51:13.940 --> 00:51:14.740
 pastoral care

00:51:14.740 --> 00:51:15.340
 will be the

00:51:15.340 --> 00:51:16.160
 forefront of our

00:51:16.160 --> 00:51:16.780
 planning and

00:51:16.780 --> 00:51:17.660
 preparation and

00:51:17.660 --> 00:51:18.019
 leadership

00:51:18.019 --> 00:51:19.100
 we're not just

00:51:19.100 --> 00:51:19.840
 running a meeting

00:51:19.840 --> 00:51:20.580
 we are caring

00:51:20.580 --> 00:51:21.400
 for people's souls

00:51:21.400 --> 00:51:22.620
 you can't run

00:51:22.620 --> 00:51:23.160
 the meeting

00:51:23.160 --> 00:51:24.019
 without the people

00:51:24.019 --> 00:51:26.280
 that's part of

00:51:26.280 --> 00:51:26.700
 what it means

00:51:26.700 --> 00:51:27.380
 to shepherd the

00:51:27.380 --> 00:51:27.760
 flock

00:51:27.760 --> 00:51:31.120
 we'll be

00:51:31.120 --> 00:51:31.680
 historically

00:51:31.680 --> 00:51:32.060
 aware

00:51:32.059 --> 00:51:32.659
 number five

00:51:32.659 --> 00:51:33.139
 mining

00:51:33.139 --> 00:51:33.639
 liturgy

00:51:33.639 --> 00:51:34.199
 songs

00:51:34.199 --> 00:51:35.519
 and teachings

00:51:35.519 --> 00:51:36.539
 of the past

00:51:36.539 --> 00:51:37.960
 just

00:51:37.960 --> 00:51:39.179
 finding out

00:51:39.179 --> 00:51:39.679
 what's there

00:51:39.679 --> 00:51:41.420
 that Christians

00:51:41.420 --> 00:51:42.179
 have been doing

00:51:42.179 --> 00:51:43.239
 for centuries

00:51:43.239 --> 00:51:44.960
 that we would

00:51:44.960 --> 00:51:45.599
 benefit from

00:51:45.599 --> 00:51:46.619
 someone said

00:51:46.619 --> 00:51:47.360
 tradition

00:51:47.360 --> 00:51:48.259
 is the living

00:51:48.259 --> 00:51:49.219
 faith of the

00:51:49.219 --> 00:51:49.619
 dead

00:51:49.619 --> 00:51:51.920
 traditionalism

00:51:51.920 --> 00:51:52.820
 is the dead

00:51:52.820 --> 00:51:53.559
 faith of the

00:51:53.559 --> 00:51:53.900
 living

00:51:53.900 --> 00:51:55.779
 I think that's

00:51:55.779 --> 00:51:56.599
 a great way

00:51:56.599 --> 00:51:57.340
 of putting that

00:51:57.340 --> 00:51:59.159
 so we want

00:51:59.159 --> 00:51:59.659
 to be committed

00:51:59.659 --> 00:52:00.239
 both to

00:52:00.239 --> 00:52:01.139
 reforming

00:52:01.139 --> 00:52:01.960
 the dead

00:52:01.960 --> 00:52:02.539
 faith

00:52:02.539 --> 00:52:04.500
 and reclaiming

00:52:04.500 --> 00:52:05.259
 the living

00:52:05.259 --> 00:52:05.819
 traditions

00:52:05.819 --> 00:52:06.940
 of the past

00:52:06.940 --> 00:52:11.440
 aren't

00:52:11.440 --> 00:52:11.719
 Sundays

00:52:11.719 --> 00:52:12.539
 extraordinary

00:52:12.539 --> 00:52:15.379
 when you put

00:52:15.379 --> 00:52:15.920
 all those things

00:52:15.920 --> 00:52:16.319
 together

00:52:16.319 --> 00:52:17.119
 we've covered

00:52:17.119 --> 00:52:17.859
 a lot of ground

00:52:17.859 --> 00:52:18.259
 tonight

00:52:18.259 --> 00:52:20.420
 but those five

00:52:20.420 --> 00:52:21.139
 values are true

00:52:21.139 --> 00:52:22.119
 of every church

00:52:22.119 --> 00:52:23.259
 no matter the

00:52:23.259 --> 00:52:23.779
 size

00:52:23.780 --> 00:52:25.060
 age

00:52:25.060 --> 00:52:26.260
 the denomination

00:52:26.260 --> 00:52:27.340
 the leadership

00:52:27.340 --> 00:52:28.180
 the geographical

00:52:28.180 --> 00:52:28.760
 location

00:52:28.760 --> 00:52:29.360
 the ethnicity

00:52:29.360 --> 00:52:29.840
 or musical

00:52:29.840 --> 00:52:30.240
 style

00:52:30.240 --> 00:52:31.860
 those five

00:52:31.860 --> 00:52:32.560
 values are

00:52:32.560 --> 00:52:33.160
 true

00:52:33.160 --> 00:52:34.860
 of every one

00:52:34.860 --> 00:52:35.100
 of those

00:52:35.100 --> 00:52:35.500
 churches

00:52:35.500 --> 00:52:37.000
 God himself

00:52:37.000 --> 00:52:37.600
 calls us

00:52:37.600 --> 00:52:38.040
 together

00:52:38.040 --> 00:52:39.200
 he speaks

00:52:39.200 --> 00:52:39.580
 to us

00:52:39.580 --> 00:52:40.180
 he brings us

00:52:40.180 --> 00:52:40.820
 near through

00:52:40.820 --> 00:52:41.400
 the redemptive

00:52:41.400 --> 00:52:42.200
 work of Christ

00:52:42.200 --> 00:52:43.260
 he's present

00:52:43.260 --> 00:52:43.920
 with us by

00:52:43.920 --> 00:52:44.720
 his spirit

00:52:44.720 --> 00:52:46.080
 and he glorifies

00:52:46.080 --> 00:52:46.480
 himself

00:52:46.480 --> 00:52:47.360
 through our

00:52:47.360 --> 00:52:47.740
 unity

00:52:47.739 --> 00:52:49.119
 and while you

00:52:49.119 --> 00:52:49.879
 may not need

00:52:49.879 --> 00:52:50.439
 to change

00:52:50.439 --> 00:52:51.039
 everything

00:52:51.039 --> 00:52:51.419
 and you

00:52:51.419 --> 00:52:51.759
 shouldn't

00:52:51.759 --> 00:52:52.119
 change

00:52:52.119 --> 00:52:52.479
 everything

00:52:52.479 --> 00:52:52.839
 about what

00:52:52.839 --> 00:52:53.179
 you're doing

00:52:53.179 --> 00:52:53.500
 on your

00:52:53.500 --> 00:52:53.659
 Sunday

00:52:53.659 --> 00:52:53.879
 meeting

00:52:53.879 --> 00:52:54.799
 it's worth

00:52:54.799 --> 00:52:55.319
 asking

00:52:55.319 --> 00:52:56.000
 questions

00:52:56.000 --> 00:52:56.399
 about

00:52:56.399 --> 00:52:56.959
 everything

00:52:56.959 --> 00:52:59.279
 it's worth

00:52:59.279 --> 00:52:59.599
 asking

00:52:59.599 --> 00:53:00.179
 questions

00:53:00.179 --> 00:53:01.279
 is God

00:53:01.279 --> 00:53:01.879
 really being

00:53:01.879 --> 00:53:02.359
 exalted

00:53:02.359 --> 00:53:03.479
 do we really

00:53:03.479 --> 00:53:04.059
 believe he's

00:53:04.059 --> 00:53:04.659
 brought all this

00:53:04.659 --> 00:53:05.039
 together

00:53:05.039 --> 00:53:08.119
 does scripture

00:53:08.119 --> 00:53:08.859
 really govern

00:53:08.859 --> 00:53:09.459
 what we do

00:53:09.459 --> 00:53:09.979
 or are we just

00:53:09.979 --> 00:53:10.479
 doing what

00:53:10.479 --> 00:53:11.519
 has been

00:53:11.519 --> 00:53:12.039
 passed down

00:53:12.039 --> 00:53:14.079
 is the gospel

00:53:14.079 --> 00:53:14.619
 really the

00:53:14.619 --> 00:53:15.159
 grounds of

00:53:15.159 --> 00:53:15.819
 what we

00:53:15.819 --> 00:53:16.959
 are doing

00:53:16.960 --> 00:53:17.460
 every Sunday

00:53:17.460 --> 00:53:18.740
 and are people

00:53:18.740 --> 00:53:19.380
 aware of that

00:53:19.380 --> 00:53:21.579
 do we believe

00:53:21.579 --> 00:53:22.179
 that the spirit

00:53:22.179 --> 00:53:22.760
 is empowering

00:53:22.760 --> 00:53:23.539
 everything we do

00:53:23.539 --> 00:53:24.019
 and are we

00:53:24.019 --> 00:53:24.420
 dependent

00:53:24.420 --> 00:53:25.659
 do we feel

00:53:25.659 --> 00:53:26.260
 our need

00:53:26.260 --> 00:53:26.880
 for the spirit

00:53:26.880 --> 00:53:27.500
 to work

00:53:27.500 --> 00:53:28.260
 in our midst

00:53:28.260 --> 00:53:28.820
 every week

00:53:28.820 --> 00:53:29.380
 or do we

00:53:29.380 --> 00:53:29.940
 just assume

00:53:29.940 --> 00:53:30.539
 because we've

00:53:30.539 --> 00:53:30.860
 been doing

00:53:30.860 --> 00:53:31.360
 this for like

00:53:31.360 --> 00:53:32.300
 four years

00:53:32.300 --> 00:53:33.980
 we're good

00:53:33.980 --> 00:53:34.340
 to go

00:53:34.340 --> 00:53:36.420
 it's not

00:53:36.420 --> 00:53:36.780
 how God

00:53:36.780 --> 00:53:37.220
 works

00:53:37.220 --> 00:53:39.579
 Jesus said

00:53:39.579 --> 00:53:40.260
 you gotta be

00:53:40.260 --> 00:53:40.619
 part of the

00:53:40.619 --> 00:53:40.920
 vine

00:53:40.920 --> 00:53:42.599
 you can't

00:53:42.599 --> 00:53:43.000
 be cut off

00:53:43.000 --> 00:53:43.320
 and expect

00:53:43.320 --> 00:53:43.539
 to bear

00:53:43.539 --> 00:53:43.840
 life

00:53:43.840 --> 00:53:44.900
 you gotta be

00:53:44.900 --> 00:53:45.599
 always part

00:53:45.599 --> 00:53:45.860
 of that

00:53:45.860 --> 00:53:46.119
 vine

00:53:46.119 --> 00:53:47.400
 and then

00:53:47.400 --> 00:53:47.639
 finally

00:53:47.639 --> 00:53:48.099
 are we

00:53:48.099 --> 00:53:49.139
 are we

00:53:49.139 --> 00:53:49.420
 aware

00:53:49.420 --> 00:53:49.739
 that

00:53:49.739 --> 00:53:50.659
 what God's

00:53:50.659 --> 00:53:50.900
 doing

00:53:50.900 --> 00:53:51.179
 is not

00:53:51.179 --> 00:53:51.380
 just

00:53:51.380 --> 00:53:52.059
 through us

00:53:52.059 --> 00:53:52.699
 it's

00:53:52.699 --> 00:53:52.960
 through the

00:53:52.960 --> 00:53:53.659
 whole church

00:53:53.659 --> 00:53:55.179
 that's what

00:53:55.179 --> 00:53:56.039
 defines us

00:53:56.039 --> 00:53:56.980
 we're a body

00:53:56.980 --> 00:53:57.679
 we're a temple

00:53:57.679 --> 00:53:58.400
 we're a building

00:53:58.400 --> 00:53:58.940
 we're a field

00:53:58.940 --> 00:53:59.480
 we're all doing

00:53:59.480 --> 00:54:00.019
 this together

00:54:00.019 --> 00:54:03.099
 it's amazing

00:54:03.099 --> 00:54:04.059
 my prayer

00:54:04.059 --> 00:54:04.619
 is that

00:54:04.619 --> 00:54:06.619
 these values

00:54:06.619 --> 00:54:07.460
 will guide us

00:54:07.460 --> 00:54:08.299
 in terms of

00:54:08.299 --> 00:54:09.239
 what we might

00:54:09.239 --> 00:54:09.960
 need to add

00:54:09.960 --> 00:54:11.759
 what we might

00:54:11.759 --> 00:54:12.339
 need to take

00:54:12.339 --> 00:54:12.679
 out

00:54:12.679 --> 00:54:13.980
 we might

00:54:13.980 --> 00:54:14.960
 need to change

00:54:14.960 --> 00:54:16.440
 or what

00:54:16.440 --> 00:54:16.860
 we might

00:54:16.860 --> 00:54:17.340
 just to give

00:54:17.340 --> 00:54:18.019
 greater emphasis

00:54:18.019 --> 00:54:18.380
 to

00:54:18.380 --> 00:54:20.240
 because I doubt

00:54:20.240 --> 00:54:21.119
 if you're here

00:54:21.119 --> 00:54:22.380
 that any one

00:54:22.380 --> 00:54:22.639
 of these

00:54:22.639 --> 00:54:22.960
 would come

00:54:22.960 --> 00:54:23.519
 as a shock

00:54:23.519 --> 00:54:24.240
 to you

00:54:24.240 --> 00:54:25.639
 especially

00:54:25.639 --> 00:54:26.159
 governed by

00:54:26.159 --> 00:54:26.420
 the word

00:54:26.420 --> 00:54:26.920
 of God

00:54:26.920 --> 00:54:28.900
 what a surprise

00:54:28.900 --> 00:54:30.119
 it's just

00:54:30.119 --> 00:54:30.860
 how we apply

00:54:30.860 --> 00:54:31.119
 it

00:54:31.119 --> 00:54:31.980
 and how we

00:54:31.980 --> 00:54:32.400
 think about

00:54:32.400 --> 00:54:32.679
 it

00:54:32.679 --> 00:54:34.159
 and it's

00:54:34.159 --> 00:54:34.480
 amazing

00:54:34.480 --> 00:54:34.840
 just to

00:54:34.840 --> 00:54:35.199
 think that

00:54:35.199 --> 00:54:35.760
 what we do

00:54:35.760 --> 00:54:36.360
 every Sunday

00:54:36.360 --> 00:54:37.360
 is just a

00:54:37.360 --> 00:54:37.880
 foretaste

00:54:37.880 --> 00:54:39.199
 just a foretaste

00:54:39.199 --> 00:54:39.699
 of what we'll be

00:54:39.699 --> 00:54:40.000
 doing

00:54:40.000 --> 00:54:41.420
 in eternity

00:54:41.420 --> 00:54:42.860
 not singing

00:54:42.860 --> 00:54:43.619
 necessarily

00:54:43.619 --> 00:54:44.519
 but endlessly

00:54:44.519 --> 00:54:46.859
 receiving

00:54:46.859 --> 00:54:48.839
 and celebrating

00:54:48.839 --> 00:54:49.400
 the love

00:54:49.400 --> 00:54:50.199
 of the triune

00:54:50.199 --> 00:54:50.619
 God

00:54:50.619 --> 00:54:52.980
 for our

00:54:52.980 --> 00:54:53.859
 eternal joy

00:54:53.859 --> 00:54:55.199
 and his

00:54:55.199 --> 00:54:56.059
 eternal glory

00:54:56.059 --> 00:54:58.019
 that's what's

00:54:58.019 --> 00:54:58.460
 happening

00:54:58.460 --> 00:55:00.199
 every Sunday

00:55:00.199 --> 00:55:01.019
 morning

00:55:01.019 --> 00:55:03.619
 it's worth

00:55:03.619 --> 00:55:04.239
 our attention

00:55:04.239 --> 00:55:05.559
 it's worth

00:55:05.559 --> 00:55:06.039
 our careful

00:55:06.039 --> 00:55:06.519
 planning

00:55:06.519 --> 00:55:08.039
 it's worth

00:55:08.039 --> 00:55:08.599
 our eager

00:55:08.599 --> 00:55:09.539
 anticipation

00:55:09.539 --> 00:55:12.079
 so let's

00:55:12.079 --> 00:55:12.320
 pray

00:55:12.320 --> 00:55:12.639
 and then

00:55:12.639 --> 00:55:12.980
 we're gonna

00:55:12.980 --> 00:55:13.659
 sing one

00:55:13.659 --> 00:55:14.279
 final song

00:55:14.279 --> 00:55:16.119
 the band

00:55:16.119 --> 00:55:16.360
 can

00:55:16.360 --> 00:55:16.920
 come on

00:55:16.920 --> 00:55:18.960
 Father

00:55:18.960 --> 00:55:19.500
 we thank

00:55:19.500 --> 00:55:19.820
 you

00:55:19.820 --> 00:55:21.059
 that you

00:55:21.059 --> 00:55:21.539
 have given

00:55:21.539 --> 00:55:22.159
 us the

00:55:22.159 --> 00:55:22.719
 privilege

00:55:22.719 --> 00:55:24.820
 of gathering

00:55:24.820 --> 00:55:25.279
 with your

00:55:25.279 --> 00:55:25.759
 people

00:55:25.759 --> 00:55:27.420
 every Sunday

00:55:27.420 --> 00:55:27.840
 what

00:55:27.840 --> 00:55:28.980
 what an

00:55:28.980 --> 00:55:29.599
 amazing

00:55:29.599 --> 00:55:31.179
 thing it

00:55:31.179 --> 00:55:31.579
 is

00:55:31.579 --> 00:55:33.900
 we

00:55:33.900 --> 00:55:34.719
 we pray

00:55:34.719 --> 00:55:35.000
 that it

00:55:35.000 --> 00:55:35.480
 become more

00:55:35.480 --> 00:55:36.079
 amazing in

00:55:36.079 --> 00:55:36.679
 our eyes

00:55:36.679 --> 00:55:37.119
 that we

00:55:37.119 --> 00:55:38.779
 see

00:55:38.779 --> 00:55:40.579
 the way

00:55:40.579 --> 00:55:41.139
 you see

00:55:41.139 --> 00:55:41.500
 you see

00:55:41.500 --> 00:55:42.199
 we see our

00:55:42.199 --> 00:55:42.639
 meetings the

00:55:42.639 --> 00:55:43.259
 way you see

00:55:43.259 --> 00:55:43.559
 them

00:55:43.559 --> 00:55:45.079
 not as simply

00:55:45.079 --> 00:55:46.119
 us getting

00:55:46.119 --> 00:55:46.579
 together

00:55:46.579 --> 00:55:47.480
 but your

00:55:47.480 --> 00:55:48.159
 presence

00:55:48.159 --> 00:55:48.639
 in our

00:55:48.639 --> 00:55:49.039
 midst

00:55:49.039 --> 00:55:50.079
 calling us

00:55:50.079 --> 00:55:50.500
 together

00:55:50.500 --> 00:55:52.340
 to experience

00:55:52.340 --> 00:55:53.460
 your goodness

00:55:53.460 --> 00:55:54.039
 the riches

00:55:54.039 --> 00:55:54.840
 of your grace

00:55:54.840 --> 00:55:55.639
 the immeasurable

00:55:55.639 --> 00:55:56.299
 riches of your

00:55:56.299 --> 00:55:56.920
 grace to us

00:55:56.920 --> 00:55:57.420
 in Jesus

00:55:57.420 --> 00:55:59.599
 Father we pray

00:55:59.599 --> 00:56:00.319
 that we would be

00:56:00.319 --> 00:56:00.759
 more

00:56:00.759 --> 00:56:02.619
 dependent on

00:56:02.619 --> 00:56:03.219
 your spirit

00:56:03.219 --> 00:56:04.139
 we pray that

00:56:04.139 --> 00:56:05.319
 our meetings

00:56:05.320 --> 00:56:06.240
 would be fueled

00:56:06.240 --> 00:56:07.360
 by your word

00:56:07.360 --> 00:56:08.400
 that we would

00:56:08.400 --> 00:56:09.260
 treasure your

00:56:09.260 --> 00:56:09.720
 word we'd

00:56:09.720 --> 00:56:10.460
 esteem and

00:56:10.460 --> 00:56:11.160
 value it that

00:56:11.160 --> 00:56:11.920
 we'd be affected

00:56:11.920 --> 00:56:12.559
 by it

00:56:12.559 --> 00:56:14.220
 we pray that

00:56:14.220 --> 00:56:15.220
 every member of

00:56:15.220 --> 00:56:15.980
 the church would

00:56:15.980 --> 00:56:16.720
 feel more and

00:56:16.720 --> 00:56:17.640
 more a part

00:56:17.640 --> 00:56:18.559
 of what you're

00:56:18.559 --> 00:56:19.620
 doing to bring

00:56:19.620 --> 00:56:20.440
 glory to your

00:56:20.440 --> 00:56:21.039
 name through

00:56:21.039 --> 00:56:21.800
 Jesus Christ

00:56:21.800 --> 00:56:22.140
 and the power

00:56:22.140 --> 00:56:22.640
 of your spirit

00:56:22.640 --> 00:56:23.740
 we thank you

00:56:23.740 --> 00:56:24.680
 Father for doing

00:56:24.680 --> 00:56:25.400
 all these things

00:56:25.400 --> 00:56:27.400
 in Jesus name

00:56:27.400 --> 00:56:27.960
 amen