WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.560
 Colossians 1, 15 to 23.

00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:08.179
 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:14.660
 For by him all things are created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:18.359
 whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities.

00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:22.000
 All things were created by him and for him.

00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:26.060
 He is before all things and in him all things hold together.

00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:29.240
 And he is the head of the body, the church.

00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:35.640
 He is the beginning and the firstborn from among dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:45.480
 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things,

00:00:45.959 --> 00:00:51.560
 whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.

00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:57.619
 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:05.159
 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you wholly in his sight,

00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:07.780
 without blemish and free from accusation.

00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:14.120
 If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held in the gospel,

00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:22.680
 this is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,

00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:25.600
 and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

00:01:28.160 --> 00:01:30.220
 Well, good evening to you all.

00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:36.640
 And good evening to you all.

00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:39.320
 Oh, lovely. Thank you.

00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:44.360
 Because it would be an exceptionally lonely place to be up here and nobody out there.

00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:48.859
 Let's look at God's word here.

00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:56.959
 Now, in the 1970s, Andrew Richardson, a Liverpool postal worker,

00:01:57.480 --> 00:02:04.299
 declared his semi-detached flat to be the independent nation of Granbya.

00:02:05.319 --> 00:02:12.240
 After a while, however, Richardson lost interest and the department reverted back to England by default.

00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:19.480
 In 1964, Leicester, I think that's how you say that name.

00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:21.219
 How do I say it?

00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:21.760
 Leicester.

00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:23.040
 Yes. Okay.

00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:29.219
 Hemingway, the little brother of author Ernest Hemingway,

00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:33.600
 built an eight-by-30-foot floating bamboo platform,

00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:36.219
 seven miles off the coast of Jamaica,

00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:42.300
 anchoring it to the ocean floor with a Ford engine block.

00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:47.960
 I can stand on the platform, walk around on it and salute the flag,

00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:51.800
 all of which I do periodically, he told the reporters.

00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:53.840
 There are no taxes here,

00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:59.639
 because taxes are for people not smart enough to start their own countries.

00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:09.019
 In time, part of his country was destroyed by fishermen in search of scrap wood,

00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:11.459
 and the rest sank in a storm.

00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:18.000
 In 1969, in Australia, in Western Australia,

00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:23.839
 the wheat quota board limited the amount of wheat he could grow,

00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:29.219
 so Leonard George Casely took his 18,500-acre farm

00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:34.620
 and seceded from Australia to form his own country.

00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:40.000
 The Principality of Hutt River, it was called.

00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:44.080
 He designed his own national flag and motto,

00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:48.319
 printed his own money and set up his own parliament.

00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:52.919
 Australia refused to recognise his sovereignty,

00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:57.159
 so in 1977, he declared war.

00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.299
 Nothing came of it.

00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:01.620
 What a surprise.

00:04:01.739 --> 00:04:05.979
 He backed down two days later and re-established diplomatic relations.

00:04:06.859 --> 00:04:10.579
 Casely claims he pays no Australian taxes,

00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:14.579
 but he admits he makes payments to the Australian government

00:04:14.579 --> 00:04:17.000
 as an international courtesy.

00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:20.240
 You can still actually visit that place.

00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:22.000
 Tourism.

00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.220
 People go to it.

00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:26.579
 Kingdoms come and kingdoms go.

00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:32.500
 Even the most mighty of nations don't last forever,

00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:37.319
 except for the kingdom of God

00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:39.839
 that we have been talking about over the last few weeks.

00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:44.620
 In this series, we've been saying that the kingdom of God

00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:48.120
 is God's people in God's place under God's rule.

00:04:48.840 --> 00:04:52.139
 And today, we focus on Jesus being the fulfilment

00:04:52.139 --> 00:04:55.759
 of all of what the Old Testament has been saying to us.

00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:58.379
 We read in Matthew 1,

00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:04.019
 and some might wonder at the importance of reading it,

00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:10.519
 but you and I both know that when we look at our own family tree,

00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:16.419
 there are stories that go along with absolutely every person in that tree.

00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:19.539
 Some may be more colourful than others,

00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:23.219
 but there is something important with every entry,

00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:26.039
 as is with the Matthew 1.

00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:30.460
 The genealogy we were looking at today in Matthew

00:05:30.460 --> 00:05:33.920
 is very important for us to understand the kingdom of God.

00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:40.500
 It's important because we see Jesus' lineage was no accident.

00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:44.660
 He was born to fulfil a certain plan

00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:48.700
 that we have been reading and hearing about over these last weeks.

00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:52.819
 It's a specific plan in a specific time,

00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:58.579
 in a specific place from a specific line of people.

00:06:00.860 --> 00:06:03.819
 It had to be this way because God had promised

00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:06.759
 that Jesus would be born a ruler,

00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:09.259
 not just an ordinary ruler,

00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:12.180
 but King of kings, Lord of lords.

00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:15.860
 God planned this ruler through promise.

00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:18.599
 God not only makes his promises,

00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:21.500
 but he's faithful and he keeps his promises.

00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:24.199
 And so we've seen over the weeks

00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:27.139
 that God had a couple of specific promises

00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:30.199
 that stand out above the rest.

00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:35.120
 Promises made to Abraham and promises made to David.

00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:37.579
 Covenants, we call them.

00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:44.000
 Now Matthew lists them in the first verse.

00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:49.339
 He lists it with Jesus is the son of David first

00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:52.300
 before he says son of Abraham.

00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:57.360
 Matthew does that because his purpose in writing his gospel

00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.579
 was to show how Jesus is the Messiah,

00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:03.040
 that he's the king of the Jews.

00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:06.620
 And that's what the Davidic covenant was all about.

00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:09.779
 It was about establishing the throne.

00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:14.059
 In Chronicles chapter 1 verse 17,

00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:17.119
 1 Chronicles chapter 17,

00:07:17.779 --> 00:07:20.599
 which if you want to look up, but I will read.

00:07:21.159 --> 00:07:24.379
 When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers,

00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:28.119
 I will raise up your offspring to succeed you.

00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:30.279
 One of your own sons,

00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:32.559
 and I will establish his kingdom.

00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:35.599
 He is the one who will build a house for me,

00:07:35.679 --> 00:07:37.879
 and I will establish his throne forever.

00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:41.180
 I will be his father and he will be my son.

00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:44.000
 I will never take my love away from him

00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.060
 as I took away from your predecessor.

00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:50.639
 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever.

00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:54.939
 His throne will be established forever.

00:07:55.899 --> 00:08:01.579
 God is reaffirming his promise of the land to Israel,

00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:05.600
 and he promises David an eternal throne.

00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:09.000
 By saying that Jesus is the son of David,

00:08:09.520 --> 00:08:12.340
 Matthew is saying that he is the fulfillment

00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:14.640
 of God's prophecy to David.

00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:20.260
 Jesus is the one whose throne is established forevermore.

00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:24.240
 He is the seed of David that God would raise up

00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.580
 and establish his kingdom.

00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.680
 Now, Jesus was the literal fulfillment

00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:31.120
 of God's promise to David,

00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:35.039
 and Jesus also fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant,

00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:37.860
 the promise made to Abraham.

00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:41.919
 Not only did Jesus fulfill God's promise for a throne,

00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:45.159
 but he also fulfilled God's promise for a seed.

00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.460
 Remember, we have read in earlier weeks

00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:51.080
 in Genesis chapter 12,

00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:55.039
 God told Abraham that through his lineage,

00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:57.620
 all the earth would be blessed.

00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:01.080
 It didn't happen through Isaac or Jacob.

00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:05.639
 It didn't happen through Judah, David or Solomon.

00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:08.860
 The blessing happened through Jesus.

00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:12.299
 Galatians chapter 3 says,

00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:16.240
 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:19.000
 by becoming a curse for us.

00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.720
 For it is written,

00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:23.399
 cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:27.399
 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham

00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:31.279
 might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,

00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:36.120
 so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:40.779
 Not only did God plan for a ruler through promise,

00:09:41.319 --> 00:09:43.740
 he planned for a ruler through people.

00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:46.600
 Look at the list we read earlier.

00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:49.740
 As I look at the list in Matthew 1,

00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:53.799
 the first thing I notice is that it isn't a list

00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:55.200
 that I would have chosen.

00:09:56.139 --> 00:10:01.840
 If I was to choose a lineage for the Son of God,

00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.120
 God in the flesh,

00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:08.139
 I would have chosen better people than these ones,

00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:10.240
 if I knew them.

00:10:11.680 --> 00:10:13.879
 Abraham was a liar.

00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.180
 Isaac learned from his dad

00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:19.459
 and was a liar as well.

00:10:20.339 --> 00:10:22.739
 Jacob was a cheat and a swindler.

00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:25.819
 While Joseph was resisting temptation

00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:28.199
 and living a blessed and holy life in Egypt,

00:10:28.859 --> 00:10:32.399
 Judah was spending time with his daughter-in-law, Tamar,

00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:35.620
 who was disguised as a prostitute

00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:37.779
 and he got her pregnant,

00:10:37.959 --> 00:10:39.799
 so their son was illegitimate.

00:10:40.859 --> 00:10:42.919
 Do you see a pattern sort of happening here?

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:45.599
 Of course not all of them were bad.

00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.560
 Boaz was honourable,

00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:50.279
 although he did marry a Moabite woman

00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:54.100
 that was forbidden for him to marry.

00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:56.659
 Some of the kings were good.

00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:59.940
 David was a man after God's own heart,

00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.580
 but he was a murderer

00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:05.220
 and he had committed adultery with Bathsheba,

00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:08.279
 who, by the way, is also in Jesus' lineage.

00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:15.699
 No, what this list shows is God's goodness and God's mercy.

00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:23.600
 Aren't you glad that God does not choose the best and the brightest?

00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:29.879
 He chooses to work through the weak things of this world

00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:32.980
 that he might be shown to be strong.

00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:38.399
 In God's plan for a ruler through people,

00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:41.259
 he used the royal line of David

00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:45.120
 to give Jesus legal claim to the throne.

00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:49.000
 So we have God's rule in Jesus.

00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:52.000
 Well, what about God's place?

00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:57.080
 Last week, Steve preached about the prophet Ezekiel

00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:59.800
 and the promise from God.

00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:02.800
 All of what he knew about God

00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:04.920
 was attached to the promised land,

00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:08.020
 Israel, Jerusalem and the temple.

00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:12.580
 The temple was the centre of God's activity with his people.

00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:15.800
 The temple was God's dwelling place.

00:12:16.680 --> 00:12:18.080
 And yet it was no more.

00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.800
 It was destroyed.

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:24.040
 But without the land, Jerusalem and a temple,

00:12:24.780 --> 00:12:25.660
 what is left?

00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.759
 Steve had asked,

00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:31.240
 has God abandoned his people?

00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:35.779
 Has his promises to Abraham and David failed?

00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:40.459
 What does it now mean to be the people of God?

00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:45.019
 Well, we've already seen that God has fulfilled his promise

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.579
 through Abraham and David.

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.779
 And now in the New Testament,

00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:51.419
 we can see that the new temple

00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:53.759
 has already come into existence

00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:57.059
 for it is none other than Jesus Christ himself.

00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:00.620
 John describes it in John 1, 14.

00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:04.960
 The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:08.500
 That literal translation is,

00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:10.860
 he tabernacled among us.

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.960
 In other words,

00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:18.340
 John saw Jesus as resembling the tabernacle in the wilderness.

00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:21.200
 We don't need a temple anymore

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:26.639
 because Jesus himself is dwelling with us.

00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:30.800
 Jesus is God dwelling with us.

00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:36.219
 We continue to see that God's place is directly linked to Jesus

00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:37.620
 in the words of the kingdom.

00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:40.259
 Look at Matthew chapter 3,

00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.759
 the first couple of verses,

00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:44.000
 where John is talking about Jesus.

00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:45.659
 In those days,

00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:47.019
 John the Baptist came,

00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:49.779
 preaching in the desert of Judea

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.299
 and saying,

00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:53.319
 repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.

00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:57.660
 Mark 1, verses 14 and 15 say,

00:13:58.180 --> 00:14:00.120
 after John was put into prison,

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.620
 Jesus went into Galilee,

00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:03.980
 proclaiming the good news of God.

00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:06.220
 The kingdom of God is near.

00:14:06.920 --> 00:14:08.640
 Repent and believe the good news.

00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.360
 Mark 11,

00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:13.720
 as part of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem,

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:15.580
 we hear the people shout,

00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:16.580
 Hosanna,

00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:19.280
 blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:23.519
 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David.

00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:26.120
 And in Colossians 1, 13,

00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.079
 we read,

00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:30.899
 for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:35.299
 and brought us into the kingdom of the son he loves,

00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.659
 in whom we have redemption,

00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:39.059
 the forgiveness of sins.

00:14:40.079 --> 00:14:42.039
 The kingdom we see in scripture

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:45.019
 is also referred to as a mustard seed,

00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.600
 a fine pearl.

00:14:47.199 --> 00:14:48.299
 Steve mentioned before,

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:50.579
 a treasure hidden in a field,

00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.319
 a net of fish.

00:14:53.219 --> 00:14:55.799
 All of them are directly connected to Jesus.

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:59.259
 For it is Jesus who is the treasure.

00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:01.099
 And without the treasure,

00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:03.339
 we are lost for all eternity.

00:15:03.979 --> 00:15:04.479
 Hence,

00:15:04.979 --> 00:15:06.259
 we have,

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:09.299
 as our statement for this church,

00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.120
 that we want to treasure Jesus.

00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.259
 Without Jesus,

00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:13.339
 we have nothing.

00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:16.679
 What these verses show

00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:20.019
 is that Jesus is the head of the new race.

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:22.679
 All who are united with him

00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.899
 are members of that race.

00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:26.259
 That is,

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:28.659
 whoever is in Christ

00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.500
 is a new creation

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:32.979
 and Christ is the head.

00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.919
 So we have a people of God,

00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:38.259
 those who are in Christ.

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:41.659
 And we have one who is under God's rule,

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.720
 that is Jesus Christ.

00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:47.700
 So how is Jesus the ruler?

00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:52.480
 Let's read Colossians,

00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:56.100
 that first part of the Colossians reading again.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:58.440
 He is the image of the invisible God,

00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.200
 the firstborn over all creation.

00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.960
 For by him,

00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:05.259
 all things were created,

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.180
 things in heaven and on earth,

00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:08.879
 visible and invisible,

00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:11.080
 whether thrones or powers

00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.720
 or rulers or authorities,

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:15.100
 all things were created

00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.899
 by him and for him.

00:16:17.540 --> 00:16:20.300
 He is before all things

00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.700
 and in him,

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.660
 all things hold together.

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.860
 And he is the head of the body,

00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.600
 the church.

00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.800
 He is the beginning

00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:28.860
 and the firstborn

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.940
 from among the dead

00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:31.580
 so that in everything,

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:34.639
 he might have the supremacy.

00:16:35.160 --> 00:16:36.399
 For God was pleased

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:38.680
 to have all his fullness

00:16:38.680 --> 00:16:39.720
 dwell in him

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:41.120
 and through him

00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.440
 to reconcile himself

00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.620
 all things,

00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.960
 whether things on earth

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.000
 or things in heaven,

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.540
 by making peace

00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.480
 through his blood

00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.180
 shed on the cross.

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:53.220
 The gospel is saying,

00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.100
 he, sorry,

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.220
 he is the one

00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:59.820
 who brings salvation

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.899
 to humankind.

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:04.299
 Everything is in Jesus.

00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.440
 He holds it all together.

00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:08.400
 It is in God's fullness

00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.360
 in him,

00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:11.539
 he then brings peace.

00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.959
 Following on in verse 21,

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.859
 once you were alienated

00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.479
 from God

00:17:18.479 --> 00:17:19.339
 and were enemies

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.139
 in your minds

00:17:20.139 --> 00:17:21.719
 because of your evil behaviour,

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:24.139
 but now he has reconciled you

00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:25.659
 by Christ's physical body

00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:26.419
 through death

00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.740
 to present you

00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:29.639
 wholly in his sight

00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:31.000
 without blemish

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.719
 and free from accusation.

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.639
 If you continue

00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.740
 in your faith

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.500
 established and firm,

00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.639
 not moved

00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.380
 from the hope

00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.600
 held out in the gospel.

00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.160
 This is the gospel

00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.020
 that you have heard

00:17:43.020 --> 00:17:44.080
 that has been proclaimed

00:17:44.080 --> 00:17:45.160
 to every creature

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:45.860
 under heaven

00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.100
 and of which I,

00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:47.540
 Paul,

00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.200
 have become a servant.

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:53.600
 The gospel is saying

00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.700
 that what man

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.700
 cannot do for salvation,

00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.039
 this God

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.080
 has done

00:17:59.080 --> 00:18:00.799
 on our behalf

00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.840
 in the person

00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.880
 of Jesus Christ.

00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.420
 We know from history

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.180
 that man

00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.940
 has failed

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.240
 time and time

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.080
 and time again

00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:09.980
 to present a life

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.759
 to God

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.620
 that is perfect

00:18:11.620 --> 00:18:12.779
 and acceptable.

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.120
 And here,

00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.360
 we see Jesus

00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.620
 do this for us.

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:17.759
 He's the one

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.519
 who is perfect

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.379
 and acceptable

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.439
 on our behalf.

00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:21.639
 It is Jesus

00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.619
 who has perfectly

00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.519
 lived out

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.439
 the holy law

00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.079
 of God

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:27.099
 and its penalty

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.279
 was perfectly

00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:29.279
 paid for us

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.919
 in Jesus.

00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.779
 It is the living

00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.579
 and the dying

00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.359
 of Christ

00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.500
 for us

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.919
 that is the basis

00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:37.659
 of our acceptance

00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.719
 with God.

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:41.259
 It is Jesus Christ

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.759
 who rules.

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:45.200
 But did you pick up

00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.500
 that small word

00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.720
 if

00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:50.400
 in the verses

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.500
 in Colossians?

00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.839
 It is Christ

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.379
 who will present us

00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.779
 without blemish

00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:58.099
 and free from accusation

00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.740
 to almighty God

00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:01.279
 if.

00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:03.400
 If what?

00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:06.759
 If you continue

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.880
 in your faith

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.040
 established

00:19:09.040 --> 00:19:10.640
 and firm

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.060
 not moved

00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.880
 from the hope

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.660
 held out

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.460
 in the gospel.

00:19:15.560 --> 00:19:16.019
 Well,

00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.620
 what does that

00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.259
 look like?

00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.080
 It is a life

00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:20.780
 trusting

00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:22.100
 a sovereign God.

00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:23.940
 Looking at our

00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.780
 core values

00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.740
 here at church

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.060
 it's a life

00:19:27.060 --> 00:19:28.220
 of Christ

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.220
 centred

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.019
 Bible

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.019
 saturation.

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:33.440
 Why do we

00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.259
 keep harping

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.180
 on about

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.139
 this Christ

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.920
 centred

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.599
 Bible

00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.339
 saturation?

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.440
 Because it is

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.139
 there that

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.839
 your life

00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.619
 will be

00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.279
 changed.

00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.319
 It is there

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.379
 that we are

00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.099
 challenged

00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.319
 to live

00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:49.180
 a life

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.259
 of servanthood.

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.139
 It is

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.779
 in

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.599
 Christ

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.039
 centred

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.440
 Bible

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:54.980
 saturation

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:56.920
 that we

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:58.160
 live a life

00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.920
 that is

00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.299
 seeking

00:19:59.299 --> 00:19:59.839
 God's

00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.220
 wisdom

00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.380
 and God's

00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.000
 discernment.

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.579
 It's where

00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.140
 the result

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.620
 is that

00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:04.960
 we are

00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.480
 challenged

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.319
 to live

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.140
 a life

00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.519
 seeking

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:07.960
 for God

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.759
 to change

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.120
 us

00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:09.759
 to be

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.420
 more like

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:10.980
 Jesus.

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.920
 To live

00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.339
 a life

00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:13.960
 of Christ

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.539
 centred

00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.339
 Bible

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:15.819
 saturation

00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.660
 means a

00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.079
 life

00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.160
 of humble

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.059
 authenticity.

00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.839
 We don't

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.339
 live

00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.180
 differently

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.980
 with different

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.460
 people.

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.620
 We are

00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.299
 authentic

00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.500
 people of

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:26.860
 God

00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.640
 in every

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.500
 moment

00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.259
 of every

00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:29.779
 day.

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.200
 It is

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.579
 a life

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:31.960
 where the

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.279
 needs

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.839
 of others

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.579
 are far

00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:33.900
 more

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.440
 important

00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.600
 to us

00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:37.120
 than our

00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.600
 own

00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.140
 needs.

00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.220
 It's a

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.620
 life where

00:20:40.620 --> 00:20:41.299
 we're seeking

00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:42.079
 to know

00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.279
 God in a

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.600
 closer and

00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:45.519
 more personal

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.279
 way every

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.759
 day of

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.880
 our lives.

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.160
 That we

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:52.819
 are never

00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.019
 ever satisfied

00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.839
 with just

00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.660
 head knowledge

00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.660
 life.

00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.660
 It's a

00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.279
 life of

00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.560
 contentment

00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:01.100
 in Jesus

00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:02.140
 and Jesus

00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.640
 alone.

00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.220
 It's a life

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.700
 that we do

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.600
 not get if we

00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:18.340
 don't get our

00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:19.320
 own way in

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:21.179
 family or

00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:22.419
 at our

00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:23.220
 uni or

00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.480
 our

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.159
 workplace or

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.599
 with our

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.919
 friends or

00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.559
 we don't get

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.319
 our own way

00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.960
 in our

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.579
 ministry or

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.159
 we don't get

00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.779
 our own way

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.379
 in this

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.019
 church.

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.259
 That we

00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.299
 can humbly

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:38.799
 seek to do

00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.240
 what is best

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.759
 for other

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.179
 people.

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.919
 That we

00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:42.720
 are content

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:46.059
 because we

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.680
 know Jesus.

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.200
 I would

00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.519
 actually

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.279
 challenge you

00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:51.079
 to consider

00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.200
 what is it

00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.700
 that you

00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.759
 and God

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.299
 are working

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.019
 on at this

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.539
 moment in

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:55.940
 time.

00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.860
 What part

00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:57.220
 of your

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.579
 character are

00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.140
 you working

00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.640
 on with

00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.019
 God?

00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.680
 Because if

00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.200
 you are not

00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.860
 working on

00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:04.100
 anything at

00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:05.220
 all, I

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.019
 can actually

00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.640
 say to

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.420
 you, you

00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.140
 might be

00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.059
 stalling in

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.640
 your Christian

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.120
 faith.

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.720
 We need

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.440
 to be

00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.779
 Christ

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.299
 centred,

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.080
 Bible

00:22:15.080 --> 00:22:15.840
 saturated

00:22:15.840 --> 00:22:16.779
 Christians and

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.380
 doing that,

00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.140
 God is going

00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.860
 to be knocking

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:19.640
 off the

00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.400
 rough edges

00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.220
 of us.

00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.259
 And so

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.000
 there needs

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.640
 to always

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.180
 be something

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.640
 that you

00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.140
 are working

00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.539
 with.

00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.299
 You and

00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:30.460
 God trying

00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.580
 to work

00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.299
 through and

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.180
 are you

00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:34.779
 asking the

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.160
 Lord to

00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.519
 help you

00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.019
 to be more

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.519
 prayerful?

00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:36.980
 Are you

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.680
 asking the

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.580
 Lord to

00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:39.140
 deal with

00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.820
 your anger?

00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.140
 Are you

00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.920
 asking the

00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.620
 Lord to

00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.100
 help you

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.440
 to be

00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:43.740
 more

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.200
 sensitive

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.880
 to another

00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.480
 person's

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.880
 needs?

00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:46.640
 What is

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.519
 it that

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.300
 you and

00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:48.860
 God are

00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.660
 working on

00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.460
 at this

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.060
 moment in

00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.440
 time?

00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.300
 That's a

00:22:54.300 --> 00:22:54.920
 question my

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.539
 mentor would

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.340
 be asking me

00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:57.000
 each time she

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.539
 sees me.

00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.680
 What is it

00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.960
 that you and

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.240
 God are

00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:00.800
 working on?

00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.279
 And that's a

00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.860
 question we

00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.440
 should be able

00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.220
 to ask each

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.420
 other at

00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.140
 any time.

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.700
 What is it

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.900
 that you and

00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.440
 God are

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.019
 working on

00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.440
 at this

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:12.180
 moment for

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.640
 you to

00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.539
 build godly

00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:14.819
 character or

00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.380
 for God to

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:15.860
 be building

00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.299
 godly

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.740
 character?

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.500
 Next week

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.080
 we look at

00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:19.880
 Jesus and

00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.279
 the great

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.000
 fulfilment of

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.180
 Jesus and

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.980
 where Jesus

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.960
 takes us.

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.819
 And as

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.740
 Jesus changes

00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.519
 our life through

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.400
 the Holy Spirit

00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.819
 we actually have

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.819
 the great hope

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:33.140
 of glory,

00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.380
 the great hope

00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.040
 of heaven.

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.600
 But don't be

00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:39.280
 tricked into

00:23:39.280 --> 00:23:39.920
 thinking it's

00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.080
 all about what

00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:42.180
 Jesus has done

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.900
 in us.

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.040
 It's about what

00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:45.920
 God has done

00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:47.300
 for us in

00:23:47.300 --> 00:23:47.700
 Jesus.

00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.520
 That is the

00:23:48.520 --> 00:23:48.880
 gospel.

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.880
 And we get the

00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:52.820
 blessing of being

00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.560
 changed to be

00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.560
 Christ-like as we

00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.080
 go along.

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.060
 Earlier on

00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:58.820
 Steve actually

00:23:58.820 --> 00:24:00.600
 mentioned movies

00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:02.240
 and he mentions

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.700
 that he sees

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.180
 the end and

00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.160
 speaks it

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.640
 forth.

00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.920
 And Nat

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.880
 is the one

00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:11.019
 who still

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.720
 cries even

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.059
 though she

00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.600
 knows the

00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.019
 end.

00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.539
 But in actual

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.660
 fact for me

00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.559
 I actually can

00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.799
 see movies over

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.799
 and over and

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.980
 over again and

00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.880
 I forget what

00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:23.080
 the ending is.

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:27.200
 My son Jason

00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.059
 who's not here

00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.000
 but Jason

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.900
 says I get

00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:31.279
 the best value

00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.740
 out of hiring

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.680
 movies than

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.720
 any person

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.759
 because I

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.200
 can look at

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.240
 it fresh all

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.140
 the time and

00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.539
 it's new.

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.099
 I never

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.019
 sort of,

00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.980
 oh that's a

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.380
 surprise.

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.579
 I can do it

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.240
 with books

00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.680
 also.

00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.380
 Vander will

00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.200
 tell me,

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.880
 I'm not sure,

00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.700
 halfway through

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.180
 the book I

00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.120
 think I've read

00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:52.339
 it.

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.120
 And he'll say

00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.940
 yes you have.

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:54.859
 You know sort

00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.019
 of.

00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.559
 But that's a

00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.259
 problem if you

00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.940
 do that with

00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.500
 Jesus.

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.000
 You see

00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:02.200
 because I

00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.039
 can forget

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.039
 the goodness

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.480
 and the

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.779
 greatness of

00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:07.160
 Jesus.

00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.980
 You might be

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.900
 somebody who

00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.660
 sits in

00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.720
 Steve's camp

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.500
 or Nat's

00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.960
 camp or in

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.000
 my camp which

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.840
 is another one

00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.360
 altogether.

00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.420
 But don't be

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.860
 complacent with

00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:21.340
 Jesus.

00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.320
 Yes Jesus is

00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:23.860
 the answer.

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.539
 We all know

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.340
 that from Sunday

00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:26.140
 school and from

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.519
 scripture.

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.579
 Jesus is the

00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.139
 answer and you

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:29.119
 sort of nearly

00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:30.440
 there most of

00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:30.799
 the time.

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.980
 But don't be

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.779
 complacent with

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.079
 Jesus.

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.220
 Jesus needs to

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.799
 be changing

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.000
 our lives.

00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.920
 I know that

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.039
 most of us have

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.539
 heard this

00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.539
 message over and

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.759
 over again or

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.440
 one similar.

00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.259
 But you need

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:46.519
 to ask how

00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.359
 does this

00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:49.059
 message consistently

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:50.440
 challenge the

00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.359
 way I think and

00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.819
 live out life.

00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.960
 None of us in

00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.559
 this building

00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.559
 absolutely none

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.640
 of us have

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.380
 finished the

00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.500
 race that we

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.019
 are in.

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.579
 So no one is

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.220
 sitting on the

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.700
 side.

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.500
 We are all in

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.360
 a race together.

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.579
 I want you to

00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.680
 continue to run

00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.940
 the race and to

00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.180
 run it faithfully

00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.220
 with Jesus.

00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.559
 I want you to

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.920
 know that the

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.980
 kingdom of God

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:21.620
 is here now but

00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.860
 is also your goal

00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:23.319
 later.

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:25.679
 that way we

00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:26.720
 can be God's

00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.399
 people in God's

00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:30.240
 place under God's

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.460
 rule.

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:38.519
 thanks for saying

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.840
 that

00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:42.079
 I can see you

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.340
 as

00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:44.779
 people in

00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.440
 with

00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.160
 as

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.240
 people in