WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720
 Let's pray.

00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:11.419
 Gracious God, we ask for you to pour out your spirit amongst us now as we look at your word again,

00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:18.359
 and particularly a passage which just displays your greatness.

00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:23.580
 Who are we, O Lord, that we could give so generously?

00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:28.900
 Father, I pray that you would search our hearts that we might give with honest intent,

00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:34.119
 that we might desire your glory, that we might see all things come from you.

00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:38.280
 And who are we to do this? And we ask it for your sake. Amen.

00:00:40.239 --> 00:00:45.679
 Since the St. Paul's Vision 2020 was launched a few weeks ago, I've had time to go over the plans.

00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:52.579
 You've had time to discuss them amongst yourselves or with the leaders and to pray about them and to consider your commitment to them.

00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:59.299
 And, of course, what we launched a few weeks ago is not the final word on what's going to happen here.

00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:02.780
 Obviously, in the next 11 years, there's an awful lot of work to be done,

00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:08.680
 and it's certainly impossible to sit this side of 11 years and to work out all the details,

00:01:09.299 --> 00:01:12.939
 particularly all the fine operational details of every ministry for the next 11 years.

00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:14.319
 Those things will happen.

00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:19.519
 That will be discussed as we go along and work out what we need to do and is where God's leading us.

00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:21.459
 But for now, we have the big picture.

00:01:21.899 --> 00:01:23.019
 We have the big picture.

00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:27.640
 We have the key elements of why we exist, what we value as a church,

00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:32.519
 what we hope to achieve under God, him giving us the strength and the mercy to do it.

00:01:33.199 --> 00:01:37.739
 What we hope is that it will pull us together as a church to work in a common goal,

00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:40.479
 to head in a common direction for God's glory.

00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:45.899
 And the question which is before us, the one that I left you with on Vision Sunday,

00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:51.900
 is will you commit yourself to what the Lord has laid before us as his people?

00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:59.080
 More importantly than the question of will you commit yourself to Vision 2020,

00:01:59.800 --> 00:02:03.840
 is will you commit yourself fully to the Lord in this place?

00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:08.259
 Will you commit yourself fully to the Lord in this place?

00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:13.399
 On Vision Sunday, we looked at the parable of the shrewd manager in Luke,

00:02:13.519 --> 00:02:17.899
 and the call of Jesus there was for us to make decisions now in view of eternity.

00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:21.859
 And in particular, the call was for us to build up treasures in heaven

00:02:21.859 --> 00:02:25.579
 and to use our money now and to put it behind ministry.

00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:30.479
 It is the one thing that you will buy which will actually be an internal investment.

00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:33.819
 I've also mentioned a number of points that for Christians,

00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:36.019
 money is not purely a financial issue.

00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:38.020
 It is a spiritual issue.

00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:41.240
 And so what we are doing here today on Commitment Sunday

00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:44.740
 is not fundraising, it is faith-raising.

00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:46.180
 That's the deal.

00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:47.260
 That's what we're working with here.

00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:49.500
 It's fundraising, not fundraising.

00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:51.460
 Faith-raising, not fundraising.

00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:53.760
 It's been a long day.

00:02:55.820 --> 00:02:58.400
 1 Chronicles is primarily about David,

00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:00.580
 primarily about his reign.

00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:07.020
 It's about David's reign as king and the building up to the construction of the temple.

00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:11.040
 And you see David, even though he made a bunch of mistakes in 1 Chronicles,

00:03:11.140 --> 00:03:15.020
 you see him come to the fore at the end of this book.

00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:17.980
 The temple is crucial for the people of God.

00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:22.860
 It is the permanent structure where God will permanently dwell with his people.

00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:26.640
 It is a recapturing, if you like, of the Garden of Eden

00:03:26.640 --> 00:03:28.560
 where people and God walked together

00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:32.280
 and were in peace and harmony and rest with each other.

00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:36.360
 And so it would be the place where God would rule the world.

00:03:36.540 --> 00:03:37.960
 It would be the centre of the world.

00:03:38.080 --> 00:03:44.160
 It was the symbol of God's unending state of rest and peace with his people.

00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:48.460
 A permanent dwelling where God would permanently dwell amongst his people.

00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:52.240
 It was crucial for the nation of Israel for this to happen.

00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:57.219
 David had already been told that he wasn't to build the temple

00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:00.659
 and so what he does in his retirement years

00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:04.460
 is he gets ready for his successor and his son Solomon.

00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:08.340
 Verses 1-9 describe the facts for us on a human level.

00:04:08.920 --> 00:04:11.620
 There is an incredible generosity in Israel

00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:15.080
 for the collection to pay for the building of the temple in Jerusalem.

00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:20.580
 David led the way by giving of the official treasury,

00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:23.400
 the stuff that he had the checkbook for,

00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.639
 the official treasury of Israel.

00:04:25.840 --> 00:04:27.740
 He gave significantly out of that

00:04:27.740 --> 00:04:31.580
 but he also gave significantly out of his personal resources.

00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:36.100
 And these personal resources were highly valued

00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:39.759
 or in actual fact these resources in the original language

00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:42.319
 they were the treasures of the king.

00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:44.319
 It's what the king treasured.

00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:48.019
 They were highly valued by the king.

00:04:48.099 --> 00:04:49.639
 They were treasured by the king

00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:53.279
 because they were kept in reserve for the king

00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:55.319
 as an insurance policy

00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:59.560
 against any unforeseen political misfortunes

00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:01.459
 or natural calamities.

00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.779
 So if he needed to buy an army

00:05:03.779 --> 00:05:06.159
 to beat up someone who was against him,

00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.399
 he's got his own money to put into it

00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:11.779
 as his own personal security.

00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:15.459
 So what happens here is that David leads the people

00:05:15.459 --> 00:05:16.879
 by giving of the goods

00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:20.779
 that were stored up for his own personal security.

00:05:22.039 --> 00:05:23.479
 The amounts are there.

00:05:24.119 --> 00:05:26.359
 100 tons of gold, 240 tons of silver

00:05:26.359 --> 00:05:28.659
 but the amounts actually don't matter.

00:05:29.619 --> 00:05:30.739
 The amounts don't actually matter.

00:05:31.739 --> 00:05:33.979
 What matters is he led the people

00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:36.879
 in giving up of his personal security.

00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:40.839
 And the Bible leads me consistently to conclude

00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:44.100
 that the extent to which we are prepared

00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:47.120
 to risk our material well-being

00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:49.959
 is a measure of the seriousness

00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:52.219
 in which we take our discipleship.

00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:54.379
 That is why, friends,

00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:58.279
 this is a faith-raising issue for St Paul's.

00:05:58.279 --> 00:06:01.599
 That's why David challenges the people,

00:06:02.479 --> 00:06:02.759
 now,

00:06:03.659 --> 00:06:06.939
 who is willing to consecrate himself today

00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:08.299
 to the Lord?

00:06:09.159 --> 00:06:11.719
 This whole thing in raising money for the temple

00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:13.299
 is purely about that.

00:06:14.739 --> 00:06:17.099
 David calls the whole assembly together

00:06:17.099 --> 00:06:18.739
 and says to them,

00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:22.059
 will you freely offer yourselves to God?

00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:29.000
 The issue is not the amassing of glittering jewels

00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:30.019
 or precious metals

00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:34.439
 but the pouring of themselves as God's people

00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:38.620
 into the building of the temple

00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:42.759
 as a symbol of the wholehearted worship

00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:45.319
 that will soon take place in that temple.

00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:50.279
 What David is calling for here

00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:51.739
 is very similar to what Paul says

00:06:51.739 --> 00:06:53.559
 to the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians.

00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:56.339
 Again, in the context of giving,

00:06:56.739 --> 00:06:57.179
 he says,

00:06:57.539 --> 00:06:59.279
 they did not do as we expected

00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:03.679
 but they gave themselves first to the Lord.

00:07:04.479 --> 00:07:07.159
 They consecrated themselves to the Lord

00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:09.199
 and then to us

00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:10.719
 in keeping with his will.

00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:13.219
 That's just what David says

00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:14.679
 a thousand years earlier or more.

00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:17.619
 Give yourselves to the Lord.

00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:18.539
 It's what I've been looking at

00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.799
 as we've been travelling with Jesus

00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:21.699
 on this road to Jerusalem.

00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:24.860
 What does it mean for Jesus to be our king?

00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:26.699
 And he says,

00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:28.460
 give yourselves to the Lord.

00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:29.600
 Give yourselves to this king

00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:33.020
 who will consecrate themselves this day to Jesus.

00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:35.699
 And the response was overwhelming.

00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:38.280
 The fathers, the princes, the commanders,

00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:40.139
 the overseers gave gold and silver

00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.819
 and brass and iron.

00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:43.860
 Everyone who had precious stones

00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:44.900
 gave them to Jehiel,

00:07:45.019 --> 00:07:47.139
 the Wendy J of David's court.

00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:50.680
 Those are the facts on the human level.

00:07:54.099 --> 00:07:55.979
 There was an enormous generosity.

00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:58.180
 The money came in.

00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.579
 There was enough to build the temple.

00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:03.500
 How do you account for that?

00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:06.800
 Was David a charismatic leader?

00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:08.819
 Were they just fearful of David?

00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:11.139
 How do you account for this?

00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:13.740
 David, at one level,

00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.599
 David is not the least afraid of saying

00:08:15.599 --> 00:08:17.139
 that the people did the giving.

00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:18.740
 He stresses their wills

00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.060
 were profoundly involved in the giving.

00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.100
 Verse 9,

00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:24.259
 The people rejoiced at the willing response

00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:24.980
 of their leaders

00:08:24.980 --> 00:08:26.720
 for they had given freely

00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:28.759
 and wholeheartedly to the Lord.

00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:30.959
 They were not coerced.

00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.279
 They made choices.

00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:35.620
 This is what anyone can see

00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:36.639
 on a human level.

00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:39.080
 But what matters on this day

00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:41.120
 is not what the eye can see.

00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:43.919
 What matters is the great,

00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:46.620
 invisible reality of God

00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:47.840
 on this day.

00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:49.899
 And to help us to see that,

00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:51.560
 what the writer of Chronicles does

00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:53.460
 is he sort of pulls apart the curtains

00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:55.879
 on David's prayer.

00:08:58.080 --> 00:08:59.860
 David prays in such a way

00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.620
 that he pulls apart the curtains

00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:04.100
 to see what is really happening

00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:05.920
 when the people of God

00:09:05.920 --> 00:09:08.060
 give so generously.

00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:09.480
 Back then

00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.420
 and here today.

00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.259
 What really happened

00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:18.139
 was that God revealed himself

00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.860
 to his people.

00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:22.299
 So get this.

00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:25.360
 The giving of money

00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.879
 for the house of God

00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:30.379
 was the work of God

00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:32.819
 to reveal God

00:09:32.819 --> 00:09:35.120
 so that the people of God

00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:37.279
 would stand in awe of God.

00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:41.019
 That's what's going on.

00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:42.460
 I'll say it again

00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:44.280
 given the confused, glazed looks

00:09:44.280 --> 00:09:44.980
 that you all have.

00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:47.960
 The giving of money

00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:49.320
 for the house of God

00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:51.440
 was the work of God

00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:53.440
 to reveal God

00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:55.860
 so that the people of God

00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:58.600
 would stand in awe of God.

00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:01.639
 That is what's revealed

00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.480
 in David's prayer.

00:10:06.040 --> 00:10:07.879
 That is what David sees

00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.720
 and this is what he says

00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.740
 he sees is happening

00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:12.419
 on this day.

00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.840
 Of course this is invisible.

00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:17.779
 No camera could pick up God.

00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.759
 No reporter could stick a microphone

00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.740
 and ask him what's going on

00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:22.419
 on this day.

00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:24.480
 Technically there are no signs

00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.039
 and wonders.

00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:26.059
 There are no miracles

00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:27.179
 but David says

00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:28.960
 what has happened here today

00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.539
 is all of God.

00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.980
 And he mentions at least

00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:35.279
 11 things about God.

00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.279
 11 attributes of God

00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.699
 which are being revealed

00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:40.279
 in this enormous generosity

00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.399
 in 1 Chronicles 29.

00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:43.600
 Number one

00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:45.079
 yours oh Lord

00:10:45.079 --> 00:10:46.039
 is the greatness.

00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:48.299
 That is God is great.

00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:49.679
 He is expansive.

00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:52.220
 He is larger than any reality

00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:53.220
 in this universe.

00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.199
 Number two

00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.579
 yours oh Lord

00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:56.459
 is the greatness

00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.919
 and the power.

00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.639
 God is powerful.

00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.759
 All power belongs to God.

00:11:01.839 --> 00:11:03.100
 He is not only big

00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:03.920
 and expansive.

00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.060
 He is also strong.

00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:07.259
 He is stronger

00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:08.759
 than any atomic power

00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.960
 any hydrogen bomb

00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:11.379
 any natural forces

00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.259
 like hurricanes

00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.460
 or ocean tides

00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:15.279
 or an exploding stars.

00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:17.300
 He is not only great

00:11:17.300 --> 00:11:18.300
 in size

00:11:18.300 --> 00:11:20.080
 but he can move

00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:21.379
 that greatness

00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.899
 to accomplish

00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.519
 everything that he

00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:25.639
 wills to accomplish.

00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:28.019
 He is very powerful.

00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.120
 Number three

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:29.879
 yours oh Lord

00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:30.560
 is the greatness

00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:31.399
 and the power

00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.319
 and the glory

00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:33.240
 and the splendor.

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.980
 God is glorious.

00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:36.659
 In other words

00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.899
 his greatness

00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:39.579
 and his power

00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:41.019
 come together

00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.620
 to beauty.

00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:44.959
 Not ugliness.

00:11:45.579 --> 00:11:46.419
 It's beauty

00:11:46.419 --> 00:11:47.480
 when God's greatness

00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.100
 and power

00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:48.759
 come together.

00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:50.279
 When we see God

00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.179
 for who he is

00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:52.259
 our hearts

00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.379
 our souls

00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.340
 respond

00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:55.639
 with a tremendous

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.720
 satisfaction

00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:58.600
 because we were made

00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:00.120
 to behold glory

00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.360
 and splendor.

00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.220
 We were made

00:12:05.220 --> 00:12:06.139
 to exalt

00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.759
 in infinite beauty.

00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.340
 God is the source

00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.240
 and the essence

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.279
 of all great

00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.000
 and powerful beauty

00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.279
 all glory

00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.340
 and splendor.

00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.100
 Number four

00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:17.759
 yours oh Lord

00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.399
 is the greatness

00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.519
 and the power

00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.340
 and the glory

00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.379
 and the splendor

00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.360
 and the majesty.

00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:24.560
 He is majestic.

00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:26.539
 This means that

00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:28.279
 he has all the marks

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.500
 of royalty

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.799
 or kingliness.

00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:32.559
 When he rides by

00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.240
 you take off

00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:33.799
 your hat

00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.759
 and you salute.

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.059
 You don't slouch.

00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.559
 You don't swagger.

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.659
 You don't joke.

00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.500
 You don't jest.

00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.139
 You stand in awe

00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.679
 and you tremble

00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:43.439
 with joy

00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:44.600
 before this God.

00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.259
 You tremble

00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:45.819
 with joy

00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:46.579
 that you have been

00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:48.220
 granted to see him

00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:50.679
 and not die.

00:12:52.079 --> 00:12:53.120
 He is majestic.

00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.980
 Yours oh Lord

00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.000
 is the greatness

00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:56.639
 and the power

00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.240
 and the glory

00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:58.000
 and the majesty

00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:58.720
 and the splendor

00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:59.379
 for everything

00:12:59.379 --> 00:12:59.899
 in heaven

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.879
 and on earth

00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.779
 is yours.

00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:03.679
 God owns the world

00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.360
 and he owns

00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.419
 everything in it.

00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:06.939
 He owns your home.

00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.340
 He owns your car.

00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.899
 He owns your television.

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.240
 He owns your blender.

00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.939
 He owns your mind.

00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:14.240
 He owns your emotions.

00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.539
 He owns your will.

00:13:15.699 --> 00:13:17.659
 He owns your very life.

00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.620
 Everything

00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:22.000
 is his.

00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.000
 He owns your life.

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.299
 He owns your life.

00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:23.899
 He owns your life.

00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:24.600
 He owns your life.

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.539
 He gave it freely

00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.620
 as a trust

00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.340
 and he may take it

00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.740
 whenever he chooses

00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.679
 all of it

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.779
 or any of it

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:35.580
 and he would have done you

00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:36.919
 no wrong.

00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:41.620
 We are only trustees

00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.419
 of life

00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.139
 and thought

00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:45.019
 and possessions.

00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.299
 possessions.

00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.960
 We are only trustees

00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.840
 of life

00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.000
 and thought

00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.360
 and possessions.

00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.079
 Just dwell on that

00:13:55.079 --> 00:13:55.799
 for a little while

00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.879
 and that will blow your mind

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.460
 inside out

00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.299
 and upside down.

00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.460
 We need to ponder that

00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.120
 more than we do.

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:04.840
 Number six,

00:14:04.939 --> 00:14:05.179
 yours,

00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:05.659
 oh Lord,

00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:06.199
 is the kingdom.

00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:06.980
 In other words,

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.259
 he not only has

00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.659
 the splendor of royalty,

00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:10.899
 he has the authority

00:14:10.899 --> 00:14:11.659
 of royalty.

00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.259
 He actually rules

00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.340
 as king over the world.

00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.259
 He has dominion,

00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.639
 ruling authority

00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:18.039
 as king over all.

00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.939
 His kingly decrees

00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.039
 hold sway

00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.200
 over all.

00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:23.840
 Number seven,

00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:24.159
 yours,

00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:24.519
 oh Lord,

00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.139
 is the kingdom.

00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.220
 You are exalted

00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.539
 as head over all.

00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.740
 God is the head

00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.679
 over all things.

00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.139
 That is,

00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:30.919
 he is the leader

00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:32.840
 and he is the final authority

00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.139
 over all things.

00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.779
 God is not incidental

00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:38.059
 or accidental

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.120
 over all.

00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:40.240
 He chooses

00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.120
 to be head

00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.899
 over all.

00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.519
 He exalts himself

00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.220
 as head

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.939
 over all.

00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:45.980
 His position

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.939
 in the universe

00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:47.720
 is a position

00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.459
 he chooses

00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:49.139
 to keep.

00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:50.459
 His reputation

00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.100
 as head

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.840
 over all

00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.939
 is something

00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:54.120
 that he wills

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.980
 and desires

00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:55.699
 to be known

00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:56.480
 to the ends

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:57.659
 of the earth.

00:14:59.139 --> 00:14:59.819
 Number eight,

00:14:59.959 --> 00:15:00.639
 wealth and honour

00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.439
 come from you.

00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.879
 Not only does God

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.879
 own all things,

00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.519
 rule all things,

00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.860
 exalt himself

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.500
 as head

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.620
 over all things,

00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.759
 he also is

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.399
 the source

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.480
 of all things,

00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:11.980
 the source

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:12.919
 of all riches

00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.539
 and honour

00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.340
 that come

00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:15.399
 to any man,

00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.860
 woman or child.

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.399
 On a merely

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.639
 human standpoint,

00:15:20.699 --> 00:15:21.259
 we look

00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.079
 and we go,

00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.079
 my riches

00:15:23.079 --> 00:15:23.699
 and honour

00:15:23.699 --> 00:15:24.439
 come because

00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:25.220
 of my inheritance,

00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.459
 because of some

00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:26.980
 good willing

00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.399
 and dealing

00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.959
 on the stock market,

00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:30.079
 some shrewd

00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:31.819
 real estate dealings,

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.659
 I've saved

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.139
 some money,

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.720
 I've worked

00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.539
 really hard,

00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.960
 I've lived

00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.480
 an honourable

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.019
 life,

00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.460
 but David

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.560
 says riches

00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:41.759
 come from God,

00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.100
 all honour,

00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.680
 any title

00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:45.560
 that you have,

00:15:46.560 --> 00:15:47.379
 any possessions

00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.200
 that you have,

00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:49.740
 all comes

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:51.000
 from God.

00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.360
 That is the

00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.240
 invisible work

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.840
 of God

00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.980
 in and under

00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.780
 and behind

00:15:57.780 --> 00:15:58.940
 all of our

00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.740
 daily work.

00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.920
 Number nine,

00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:02.700
 and linked with this,

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.340
 in your hands

00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:03.820
 are strength

00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.300
 and power

00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.180
 to exalt

00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.600
 and give

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.460
 strength to all.

00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:07.480
 The new thing

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.260
 here is that

00:16:08.260 --> 00:16:09.280
 all human

00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:09.879
 greatness

00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:11.060
 and all

00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.240
 human strength

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.340
 are the work

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.200
 of God's

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.260
 invisible hand.

00:16:18.660 --> 00:16:19.320
 It's all

00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:19.640
 of God.

00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.700
 The ability

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.440
 that I had

00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.560
 to even comprehend

00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.800
 what 1 Chronicles

00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:25.300
 29

00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.800
 was doing

00:16:26.800 --> 00:16:27.300
 and to put it

00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:27.820
 into some

00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.680
 form of a sermon

00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:30.020
 was the work

00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:30.420
 of God

00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.300
 in my brain

00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:33.580
 and in my heart.

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:37.720
 God's point

00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.780
 in all of this,

00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.680
 in this great

00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:40.940
 generosity in Israel

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.120
 is to show

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.800
 that it is

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.740
 his hand

00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:45.520
 that lies

00:16:45.520 --> 00:16:46.200
 behind it

00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.140
 and makes it

00:16:47.140 --> 00:16:47.560
 great.

00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.400
 Number ten,

00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.260
 after pausing

00:16:51.260 --> 00:16:52.520
 in verse 13

00:16:52.520 --> 00:16:53.060
 to burst

00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.680
 with thanks

00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.240
 and praise

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.920
 for all of

00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.540
 this stuff,

00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:58.680
 David goes

00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.380
 on with more

00:16:59.380 --> 00:16:59.940
 about this

00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.640
 great God

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.159
 who has

00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.840
 been at work

00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:04.339
 in his whole

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.039
 affair of giving

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.220
 and he says

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.259
 this about

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.819
 this great

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.220
 God,

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.900
 he is

00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.019
 merciful.

00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.799
 God helps

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.680
 us to do

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.339
 what we do

00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.019
 not deserve

00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.900
 help to do.

00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.119
 Verse 14,

00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.700
 but who am I

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.779
 and who are my

00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.579
 people that we

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.240
 should be able

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.960
 to give

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.079
 as generously

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.180
 as this?

00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.600
 everything

00:17:26.600 --> 00:17:27.279
 comes from

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.560
 you

00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:27.980
 and we

00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.600
 have given

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:29.440
 you only

00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.140
 what comes

00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:30.519
 from your

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:30.980
 hand.

00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.799
 In other

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.220
 words,

00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.380
 God has

00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.640
 enabled us

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:36.120
 to give

00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:36.940
 like this

00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.580
 is what

00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.019
 David is

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:38.340
 saying.

00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.420
 Even though

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:39.820
 we don't

00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:40.680
 deserve the

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.100
 help that

00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:41.460
 God has

00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.180
 given to

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.700
 give like

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.160
 this.

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.440
 Who are

00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.900
 we to be

00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:45.299
 helped to

00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.720
 give like

00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.180
 this?

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.320
 St. Paul's

00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.820
 Chatswood

00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.180
 is a

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.600
 fellowship

00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:48.960
 of

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.680
 graciously

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.259
 saved

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.779
 sinners.

00:17:51.580 --> 00:17:51.860
 As

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.620
 verse 15,

00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:52.940
 the second

00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.140
 answer

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.779
 verse 15

00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.160
 says,

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:54.819
 there is

00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.599
 no hope

00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.359
 for people

00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.160
 like us

00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.019
 outside of

00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.359
 God's

00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:58.940
 mercy to

00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.259
 us in

00:17:59.259 --> 00:17:59.539
 the Lord

00:17:59.539 --> 00:17:59.879
 Jesus.

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.059
 No hope

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:01.480
 whatsoever.

00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.859
 Nevertheless,

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.220
 God acts

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:04.980
 for us in

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.720
 mercy and

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.559
 behold we

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:08.700
 give because

00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.440
 he has acted

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.000
 towards us

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.460
 in mercy.

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.359
 And so

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.059
 the 11th

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.139
 tribute to

00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.819
 God in

00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.460
 this matter

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.139
 of giving

00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.460
 is that

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.660
 God is

00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.519
 sovereignly

00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.940
 merciful and

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.559
 he helps

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.240
 us give

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.779
 even though

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.240
 we don't

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:23.660
 deserve

00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.740
 that help.

00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:26.860
 And so

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.340
 just over

00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:27.920
 10 days

00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.160
 ago,

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.500
 I told

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:28.940
 you last

00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.279
 week,

00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.759
 staff and

00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.400
 parish council

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.080
 got together

00:18:32.080 --> 00:18:33.220
 and they

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:33.740
 pledged

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.900
 $5,200 a

00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.279
 week for

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:35.700
 2010.

00:18:37.320 --> 00:18:37.800
 And

00:18:37.800 --> 00:18:38.440
 following on

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:38.820
 from the

00:18:38.820 --> 00:18:39.300
 words of

00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:39.680
 David,

00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.140
 who are

00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:41.860
 the staff

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.680
 of St.

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.040
 Paul's

00:18:43.040 --> 00:18:43.480
 Chatswood?

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.779
 Who are

00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.320
 the parish

00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:46.660
 council of

00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:46.880
 St.

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.240
 Paul's

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:47.720
 Chatswood

00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.200
 that they

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.779
 could give

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.160
 $5,200 a

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.540
 week for

00:18:50.540 --> 00:18:51.080
 next year?

00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.639
 We are

00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:53.179
 utterly

00:18:53.179 --> 00:18:54.240
 undeserving.

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.659
 Yet from

00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.579
 his hand

00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:58.519
 we have

00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:58.960
 given to

00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.639
 him only

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.179
 what came

00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:01.740
 from him

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.859
 because he

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.139
 is a

00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.879
 merciful God.

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.579
 Number

00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:06.919
 11,

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:07.819
 finally,

00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.419
 jumping down

00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:08.819
 to verse

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.259
 18,

00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.059
 we see that

00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:10.919
 God's

00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.619
 enabling in

00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.059
 this matter

00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.460
 is not

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.439
 simply that

00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:13.919
 he gives

00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:14.619
 the funds

00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.399
 but that

00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:15.839
 he gives

00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.399
 the willingness

00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:17.099
 to give.

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:19.199
 This

00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.599
 takes us

00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:19.879
 back to

00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.139
 where we

00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.459
 started.

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:20.839
 Remember

00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.519
 what we

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.659
 said about

00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.179
 the people,

00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:23.839
 the people

00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.179
 did the

00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:24.419
 giving.

00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.500
 David even

00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.480
 stresses the

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:27.980
 significant

00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.459
 aspect of

00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:28.939
 their will

00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:30.539
 in that

00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:30.740
 they were

00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.139
 profoundly

00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:31.779
 involved in

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.119
 the giving.

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.799
 Verse 9

00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.279
 it says,

00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.980
 the people

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.500
 rejoiced

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:34.939
 the willing

00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.659
 response of

00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.199
 their leaders

00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:36.819
 for they

00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:39.959
 had given

00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:40.819
 freely and

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.719
 wholeheartedly

00:19:41.719 --> 00:19:42.179
 to the

00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.500
 Lord.

00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.759
 That is,

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.719
 the people

00:19:44.719 --> 00:19:45.519
 of Israel

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.919
 made choices.

00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:47.939
 Human

00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.500
 choices,

00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:49.359
 real

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.000
 choices,

00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.179
 joyful

00:19:51.179 --> 00:19:51.899
 choices.

00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:52.719
 That is

00:19:52.719 --> 00:19:53.059
 what you

00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.639
 can see.

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.219
 That is

00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:54.899
 what all

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.339
 the people

00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.899
 can see.

00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.099
 It is

00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.819
 obvious for

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.079
 us to

00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.559
 see that

00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.199
 but that

00:19:59.199 --> 00:19:59.519
 is not

00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.980
 all that

00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.679
 David saw.

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.500
 What David

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.099
 saw and he

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.619
 makes known

00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.079
 to us in

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.559
 the petition

00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.059
 in verses

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.740
 18 to

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.199
 19,

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.919
 O Lord,

00:20:06.219 --> 00:20:06.639
 God of

00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.139
 our fathers

00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:07.579
 Abraham,

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.359
 Isaac and

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.740
 Israel,

00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.079
 keep this

00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.079
 desire in

00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.879
 their hearts

00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.639
 of your

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.599
 people forever

00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:15.579
 and keep

00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.179
 their hearts

00:20:16.179 --> 00:20:16.879
 loyal to

00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.200
 you.

00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:18.560
 And give

00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:18.960
 my son

00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.560
 Solomon the

00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:19.980
 wholehearted

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.620
 devotion to

00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.000
 keep your

00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.540
 commands,

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:22.640
 requirements and

00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.240
 decrees and

00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.520
 to do

00:20:23.520 --> 00:20:24.380
 everything to

00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.180
 build this

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.100
 palatial structure

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.840
 for which I

00:20:26.840 --> 00:20:27.440
 have provided.

00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.600
 See what he's

00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.040
 saying there?

00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.040
 Where is

00:20:31.040 --> 00:20:32.680
 Solomon going

00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.420
 to get a

00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:33.980
 heart to

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.440
 keep the

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:34.960
 commands of

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.260
 God?

00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.040
 From God.

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:40.559
 David

00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.059
 prayed in

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.599
 verse 19,

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.079
 give my

00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.740
 son Solomon

00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:42.960
 the

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.500
 wholehearted

00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:44.299
 devotion to

00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.039
 keep your

00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.759
 commands and

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.519
 requirements and

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.059
 decrees.

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:47.680
 Friends,

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.000
 we ought to

00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.700
 be praying for

00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:48.940
 that.

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.119
 We ought to

00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.659
 be praying

00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:51.359
 that prayer.

00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.099
 Give it to

00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.299
 us,

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:53.579
 Lord,

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.399
 the wholehearted

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.339
 devotion to

00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:55.819
 keep your

00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.500
 commands,

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.019
 your

00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.799
 requirements and

00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.819
 decrees that

00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.839
 we might

00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.139
 generously give.

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:01.940
 And so that's

00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.299
 what he says.

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:02.659
 What about

00:21:02.659 --> 00:21:03.200
 these people

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.519
 here?

00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.319
 What about

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.639
 those who

00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:05.139
 had already

00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:05.899
 given so

00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.440
 generously?

00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.880
 Those who

00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.259
 says he,

00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:08.700
 verse 9,

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.160
 had given

00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.799
 freely and

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.460
 wholeheartedly.

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.100
 What does

00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.259
 David pray for

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.580
 them?

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.720
 Verse 18,

00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:14.440
 O Lord,

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.320
 keep this

00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:16.120
 desire in

00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.840
 their hearts

00:21:16.840 --> 00:21:18.480
 of your

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.360
 people forever

00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.539
 and keep

00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.080
 their hearts

00:21:21.080 --> 00:21:21.640
 loyal to

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:21.860
 you.

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.759
 This is not

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.200
 the end of

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.580
 the matter.

00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:25.880
 We ought to

00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.380
 be growing

00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:26.960
 more and

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.400
 more in

00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.900
 this matter.

00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.400
 When a

00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.080
 sinner directs

00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.500
 his heart

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.180
 towards God,

00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.660
 God has

00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.200
 done that.

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.259
 Apart from

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.920
 God, our

00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.400
 hearts will

00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:36.200
 go in every

00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.420
 direction.

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.240
 But God,

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.960
 apart from

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.420
 God, our

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.820
 hearts will

00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.539
 go after

00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.460
 everything

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.559
 apart from

00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:43.960
 God.

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.740
 We will

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.140
 treasure

00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:46.320
 anything else

00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:46.680
 in this

00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.620
 world apart

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.420
 from God.

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:50.279
 That is

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.799
 what is so

00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.400
 crucial for

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:51.920
 us as a

00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.320
 church to

00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:53.019
 have treasure

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.960
 Jesus at

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.400
 the centre

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.680
 of our

00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:55.940
 mission

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.460
 statement.

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.299
 We ought

00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.519
 to be

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:57.860
 treasuring

00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.259
 him more

00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.420
 than

00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:58.840
 anything

00:21:58.840 --> 00:21:59.279
 else.

00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.340
 And may

00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:00.860
 God give

00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.259
 us the

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.500
 hearts to

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.000
 pursue

00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.779
 treasuring

00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.860
 Jesus more

00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.700
 than anything

00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.440
 else.

00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.640
 Apart from

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.080
 God, we

00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.360
 do not

00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:10.559
 give

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.200
 willingly and

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.720
 joyfully to

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.080
 the cause

00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:12.580
 of God.

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:13.920
 That is

00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.400
 why David

00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.019
 prays.

00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:17.100
 A prayer

00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:17.519
 that is

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.539
 asking God

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.160
 to do

00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.340
 what man

00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.160
 cannot do.

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.600
 We cannot

00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.220
 direct our

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.779
 hearts to

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.480
 God or

00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:24.700
 give

00:22:24.700 --> 00:22:25.259
 willingly to

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.319
 God unless

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.279
 God directs

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.779
 our hearts

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.519
 to himself

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:30.160
 and causes

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:30.700
 us to

00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:30.900
 give

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.240
 willingly.

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.579
 I'm

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:34.900
 kind of

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.440
 hoping by

00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.879
 now that

00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.119
 you've

00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.500
 picked that

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:36.900
 up from

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:38.059
 me in

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.259
 my

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.680
 preaching.

00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.619
 As we've

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:40.819
 looked

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.480
 particularly

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.859
 at Luke's

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.599
 gospel and

00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.059
 the travel

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.639
 narrative of

00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:47.259
 what it means

00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.779
 to walk

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.339
 with Jesus

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.779
 on this

00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.240
 road to

00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.779
 Jerusalem,

00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.119
 I've been

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.879
 asking you

00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:54.759
 give it up

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.019
 for the

00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.259
 king.

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:57.140
 we live

00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.160
 to treasure

00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.059
 Jesus.

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.539
 And so

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.240
 now on

00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.680
 Commitment

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.220
 Sunday,

00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:05.839
 now is

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.299
 the time

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.720
 for you to

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.240
 consecrate

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.859
 yourself to

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.220
 the Lord.

00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.759
 If you

00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.259
 haven't already

00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.619
 do it,

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.500
 to consecrate

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.920
 yourself to

00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.440
 the Lord.

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.900
 I do hope

00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.259
 that you

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.660
 have considered

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.599
 and prayed

00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.140
 and come

00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:18.839
 prepared with

00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.299
 your pledge

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.779
 cards.

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.019
 I do hope

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.319
 that you've

00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.799
 done that,

00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:22.400
 you've worked

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.019
 hard on that.

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.019
 I believe

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.599
 that your

00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.220
 leaders have

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:25.740
 done that.

00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.860
 When parish

00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.779
 council and

00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.640
 staff met

00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.600
 together about

00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.500
 10 days ago,

00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:31.980
 we went

00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.500
 through this

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.140
 process.

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.259
 We looked

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.600
 at this

00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.120
 passage.

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.720
 And I

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.220
 believe that

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.779
 this passage

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.799
 is calling

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.839
 me as the

00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.420
 point leader

00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:41.819
 of this

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.440
 church to

00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.819
 lead as

00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.420
 King David

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.759
 did.

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.539
 And so

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.960
 at parish

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.680
 council meeting

00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:46.980
 with the

00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.400
 staff and

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.960
 parish council

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.279
 there about

00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.079
 10 days ago,

00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.600
 I publicly

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.339
 declared to

00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:51.700
 them what

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.460
 the contribution

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:52.980
 of Natalie

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.259
 and I

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.779
 would be,

00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.600
 what our

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.099
 contribution

00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:55.619
 would be in

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.059
 2010.

00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.419
 I will be

00:23:57.419 --> 00:23:57.899
 the only

00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.539
 one publicly

00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.359
 to do so

00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:01.559
 and the

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.059
 moment I

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.759
 enjoy doing

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.079
 it, I

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.519
 will stop

00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.019
 doing it.

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.199
 Up until

00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:07.579
 recently, we

00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:07.959
 have been

00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:09.299
 giving $500 a

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.619
 month.

00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:11.119
 But as we've

00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.579
 walked with

00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.119
 Jesus to

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:14.259
 Jerusalem, we

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:14.980
 have been

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:16.319
 rethinking our

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.919
 contribution.

00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.099
 And so I

00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.759
 said to parish

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.599
 council that we

00:24:19.599 --> 00:24:19.879
 would be

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.839
 contributing $600

00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.419
 a month in

00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:24.459
 2010, but I

00:24:24.459 --> 00:24:25.159
 asked them to

00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.919
 pray for us

00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:26.459
 that we might

00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:28.019
 reach $700 by

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.519
 the end of

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.919
 the year.

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.339
 We have

00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.119
 since revised

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.899
 that and it's

00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:35.439
 now $650 a

00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:35.659
 month.

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.339
 We're starting

00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.059
 that right now,

00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.399
 $650 a month.

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.419
 And so I'm

00:24:39.419 --> 00:24:40.339
 praying that, I'm

00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.819
 asking you to

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.419
 pray for us that

00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:42.000
 we might reach

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.220
 $750 by the

00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.539
 end of the

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.299
 year, given

00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:45.000
 that my target

00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.759
 was so short.

00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:47.939
 And that is

00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.720
 specifically to

00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.339
 the ministry of

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.759
 St Paul's

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.099
 Chatswood.

00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.539
 That is to

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.119
 our weekly

00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.259
 offertory here

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.519
 for the

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:52.899
 ministry of

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.279
 St Paul's

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.679
 Chatswood.

00:24:54.459 --> 00:24:55.079
 Our mission

00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.720
 giving and

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.879
 our giving to

00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.639
 the poor will

00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.199
 be over and

00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:58.819
 above that.

00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.779
 And like the

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.519
 target that I

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.240
 want to set for

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.059
 everyone here,

00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:03.079
 we are aiming

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.740
 for dollar for

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.000
 dollar.

00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.199
 I then called

00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:07.980
 the staff and

00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.339
 the parish

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.879
 council to

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.519
 follow suit.

00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:10.699
 And they

00:25:10.699 --> 00:25:10.899
 did.

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.119
 $5,200 a

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:13.659
 week was

00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.139
 pledged for

00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.759
 2010.

00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:17.139
 $2,300 was

00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.839
 raised for the

00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.659
 external project

00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.019
 and over

00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.820
 6,000 for

00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.279
 the internal

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.880
 project.

00:25:21.300 --> 00:25:21.660
 They have

00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.279
 significantly

00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.980
 knocked those

00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.320
 figures off

00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:24.680
 already.

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.060
 Your leaders

00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.620
 have led.

00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:28.880
 It was a

00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.860
 wonderful response

00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.840
 and I

00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:31.380
 rejoiced

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.100
 greatly.

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.240
 And I

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.900
 now call

00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:36.140
 St Paul's

00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.500
 Chatswood

00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.200
 today to

00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.640
 follow your

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:37.940
 leaders.

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.519
 In a

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:41.940
 moment we

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.320
 are taking

00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:42.580
 up a

00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:42.940
 collection.

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:43.940
 I'm hoping

00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.240
 that you've

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.860
 come prepared

00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.240
 with your

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.800
 pledge cards

00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:46.060
 if you

00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:46.400
 haven't.

00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.300
 I believe

00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:47.820
 Geoff's got

00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.139
 some.

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.439
 There's

00:25:48.439 --> 00:25:48.639
 some at

00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:49.039
 the back.

00:25:50.179 --> 00:25:50.559
 But the

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.000
 big question

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.319
 I want to

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.639
 leave you

00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:53.879
 with is

00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.279
 who here

00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.799
 today will

00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.279
 consecrate

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.899
 themselves to

00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.240
 the Lord

00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.099
 in this

00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.599
 place in

00:25:58.599 --> 00:25:58.839
 Paul's

00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.200
 Chatswood.

00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.779
 Let's

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:00.980
 pray.

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.099
 Let's

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.519
 pray.

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.559
 Gracious

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:10.939
 God,

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.700
 merciful God,

00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:15.200
 all power

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.920
 and authority

00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.120
 and glory

00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:19.360
 are yours.

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.180
 You rule

00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.779
 over all

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.240
 that is.

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.940
 You own

00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.720
 everything in

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.319
 this world.

00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:25.840
 You own

00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.400
 our lives,

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.140
 our possessions.

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.640
 Oh Lord,

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.400
 we don't

00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.120
 recognise that

00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.460
 enough.

00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:31.500
 We thank you

00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.960
 for the life

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.500
 that we have.

00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.080
 We thank you

00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:34.640
 for the strength

00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.279
 and the honour

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.500
 that you have

00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.440
 given us to be

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.900
 able to gather,

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.600
 to work,

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.100
 to save,

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.740
 to earn.

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.640
 Lord,

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:46.580
 we sit here

00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:46.960
 today,

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:47.840
 we reflect

00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.460
 even on what

00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.400
 the leaders

00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:50.060
 of this church

00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:50.440
 have done,

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:50.960
 the staff,

00:26:51.060 --> 00:26:51.420
 the parish

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.900
 council.

00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:53.800
 And as

00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.780
 David said

00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:55.720
 before Israel,

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.200
 who is

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.580
 Steve

00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.000
 Jeffrey?

00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:00.820
 Who are

00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:02.580
 the staff

00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:02.920
 of St.

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.259
 Paul's

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.700
 Chatswood?

00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:04.880
 Who are

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.340
 the parish

00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:06.000
 council of

00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.180
 St.

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.500
 Paul's

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:06.940
 Chatswood?

00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.640
 Who are

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.140
 the people

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.519
 of St.

00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:09.859
 Paul's

00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.259
 Chatswood

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.619
 that we

00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:10.839
 should

00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.420
 give so

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.879
 generously

00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.539
 as this?

00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.920
 We only

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.059
 give what

00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.299
 you have

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.519
 already

00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.019
 given to

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.420
 us.

00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:17.839
 And so

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.220
 Lord,

00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.639
 rescue us

00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:21.160
 from hypocrisy.

00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.539
 Rescue us

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:23.960
 Lord,

00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.920
 from anything

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.279
 that would

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:26.579
 want to

00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:26.900
 turn it

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.279
 back on

00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.759
 ourselves.

00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.220
 May we

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.819
 rejoice in

00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.160
 you and

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.779
 your goodness

00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:31.099
 to us.

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.420
 May we

00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.680
 do it

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.259
 with honest

00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:33.920
 intent.

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.720
 And we

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.019
 ask it

00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.339
 for your

00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.660
 glory.

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.299
 Amen.