WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.879
 Father, your son has told us that there's many different ways that your word can come to us,

00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:12.259
 that some of us people, we can be like shallow ground.

00:00:12.419 --> 00:00:15.320
 Some can be ground with lots of weeds and thorns.

00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:17.740
 And some of us, Father, can be good soil.

00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.339
 Some of us can be so hard that your word makes no impression whatsoever.

00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:27.080
 Father, you know our hearts and you know our minds and you know our wills.

00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:31.899
 And we ask, Father, that knowing us as you do and knowing that you still love us,

00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:37.379
 Father, in your mercy and in your kindness, would you so pour out your Holy Spirit upon us this morning

00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:42.739
 that we will be good soil, that your word will enter deep within our lives,

00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:45.099
 deep within our minds and hearts and wills,

00:00:45.420 --> 00:00:51.039
 and that as your word comes into us, that it will bear much fruit for your glory.

00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:54.759
 This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

00:00:54.759 --> 00:00:56.420
 Amen. Please be seated.

00:00:57.079 --> 00:01:01.979
 Just as a bit of an aside,

00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:07.640
 this Sunday in the blog, which is in your bulletin,

00:01:07.679 --> 00:01:10.780
 I talk a little bit about the Catholic Church and what the Creed means,

00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:13.959
 and over the next few weeks, different parts of the Creed in particular.

00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:16.959
 I'm going to talk about the Church again next week,

00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:20.000
 and then I'm going to talk about what it means by remission of sins and all that.

00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:21.840
 But if you have any questions, just send me an email,

00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:27.000
 and over the next few weeks as I write my weekly blog, I'll try to answer your questions.

00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:33.040
 Please take your Bible and turn in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5,

00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:39.219
 and we're sort of in the middle of a teaching series on practical discipleship.

00:01:39.880 --> 00:01:45.800
 And so we're taking a series of different commands in the Bible that are practical,

00:01:45.800 --> 00:01:47.300
 and we're looking at one each week.

00:01:48.180 --> 00:01:50.780
 And so it's 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 9,

00:01:50.940 --> 00:01:53.040
 and we're going to read down to verse 18,

00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:57.000
 because verse 18 is the text that I'm going to speak on.

00:01:57.060 --> 00:01:59.219
 We're going to look at together this morning.

00:01:59.719 --> 00:02:02.760
 And 1 Thessalonians 5, if you've forgotten your Bibles,

00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:06.460
 there's always some Bibles up here at the front, and you're welcome to have them.

00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:08.280
 Here's how the text goes.

00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:11.960
 For God has not destined us for wrath,

00:02:12.540 --> 00:02:15.500
 but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:17.240
 who died for us,

00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:20.780
 so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him.

00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:24.719
 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,

00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:25.719
 just as you are doing.

00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:28.060
 We ask you, brothers and sisters,

00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:32.039
 to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord,

00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:33.539
 and admonish you,

00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:37.819
 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:40.340
 Be at peace among yourselves.

00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:42.879
 And we urge you, brothers and sisters,

00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:45.099
 admonish the disorderly,

00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:47.060
 encourage the faint-hearted,

00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:48.620
 help the weak,

00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:50.639
 be patient with them all,

00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:54.300
 see that no one repays anyone evil for evil,

00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:57.640
 but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

00:02:58.620 --> 00:02:59.539
 Rejoice always,

00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:01.180
 pray without ceasing,

00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:03.659
 give thanks in all circumstances,

00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:07.620
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:11.080
 And the text we're going to examine together today is,

00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:13.159
 give thanks in all circumstances,

00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.259
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:18.579
 On Thursday,

00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:22.639
 I went to my daughter Emma's high school graduation ceremony.

00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:24.840
 If you're a guest here,

00:03:24.899 --> 00:03:25.759
 I have nine kids.

00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:27.479
 Emma's my eighth child,

00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:30.659
 so it was my eighth high school graduation ceremony.

00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:32.139
 And, you know,

00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:32.879
 it's astounding.

00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:34.000
 I don't know if,

00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:34.259
 like,

00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:34.280
 like,

00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:36.000
 my oldest son,

00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:37.280
 my oldest child,

00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:37.740
 I don't know,

00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:37.960
 like,

00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:38.639
 if he just is,

00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:38.819
 like,

00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:42.620
 really inferior to Emma and her class,

00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:46.280
 but every single time we go to a high school graduation,

00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:48.639
 they always tell them that you are the kindest,

00:03:49.080 --> 00:03:49.560
 smartest,

00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:51.259
 most gifted,

00:03:52.420 --> 00:03:52.699
 you know,

00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:54.639
 on and on and on class.

00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:55.300
 That,

00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:55.580
 I mean,

00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:56.139
 the principal,

00:03:56.420 --> 00:03:57.120
 the presenters,

00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:58.699
 they always say that every year.

00:03:58.819 --> 00:03:59.959
 So I don't know if that means that,

00:04:00.019 --> 00:04:00.099
 like,

00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:01.060
 my son was up here,

00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:01.459
 and they just,

00:04:01.619 --> 00:04:03.519
 every generation just keeps getting better.

00:04:04.119 --> 00:04:04.639
 And I don't know,

00:04:04.679 --> 00:04:05.280
 before long,

00:04:05.339 --> 00:04:05.839
 they'll all be like,

00:04:05.899 --> 00:04:06.199
 I don't know,

00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:06.399
 like,

00:04:06.459 --> 00:04:08.780
 my grandkids will be like gods and goddesses.

00:04:08.799 --> 00:04:09.799
 I don't know what's going on.

00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:11.019
 But every,

00:04:11.179 --> 00:04:12.039
 every year,

00:04:12.299 --> 00:04:13.539
 they're always told the same thing.

00:04:14.259 --> 00:04:14.379
 I,

00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:16.579
 I said the same thing at the eight o'clock service,

00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.419
 and a man who was going out of the service said,

00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:18.779
 you know what,

00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:20.579
 I went to my daughter's high school graduation,

00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:21.360
 and it's not yours.

00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:24.360
 And they told my daughter that her class was the best,

00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:24.740
 and brightest,

00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:25.339
 and smartest.

00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:26.000
 So I don't,

00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:26.240
 you know,

00:04:26.279 --> 00:04:27.519
 he didn't know what was going on.

00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:28.759
 Now,

00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:30.899
 I'm not going to make fun of high school graduations,

00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.939
 and it's definitely better that they say nice things like that

00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:35.799
 than mean things.

00:04:36.159 --> 00:04:36.919
 True story.

00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:38.839
 When I was in my rural parish,

00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:40.740
 there was a neighboring church,

00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:42.439
 a few kilometers away,

00:04:42.919 --> 00:04:44.939
 and the minister had been away on holidays,

00:04:45.339 --> 00:04:46.259
 and he'd been away for,

00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:46.799
 like,

00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:47.859
 for quite a few weeks,

00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:49.000
 all on the same,

00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:50.479
 he went to one cottage,

00:04:50.479 --> 00:04:52.259
 and he went to the same church the whole time.

00:04:52.599 --> 00:04:53.519
 And when he came back on,

00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.399
 the first Sunday he came back in his sermon,

00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:56.339
 he said,

00:04:56.479 --> 00:04:56.740
 gosh,

00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:59.420
 you guys are such a lousy congregation.

00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:00.240
 Like,

00:05:00.340 --> 00:05:01.879
 where I was before,

00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:03.519
 they give more money,

00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:04.879
 they work harder,

00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:06.500
 they keep the church nicer,

00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:07.939
 they love Jesus more,

00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:09.340
 they come to the prayer meetings,

00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:10.960
 and he went on and on and on,

00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:12.240
 and the sermon ended,

00:05:12.400 --> 00:05:13.500
 and the whole congregation,

00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:14.379
 I'm not making this up,

00:05:14.400 --> 00:05:16.280
 the whole congregation got up and walked out.

00:05:16.960 --> 00:05:17.680
 Didn't come back.

00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:18.680
 So,

00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:20.540
 you know,

00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:22.240
 it's much better at high school graduations

00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:23.960
 that they say nice things than bad things.

00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:24.280
 Okay?

00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:24.459
 I mean,

00:05:24.500 --> 00:05:25.339
 they shouldn't really say,

00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:26.219
 the principal shouldn't say,

00:05:26.299 --> 00:05:27.699
 I've been a principal for 25 years,

00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:30.719
 you're the worst class that I've ever,

00:05:30.739 --> 00:05:31.799
 I've had more problems,

00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:32.179
 headaches,

00:05:32.359 --> 00:05:33.959
 sleepless nights with you than anybody else.

00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:35.239
 He shouldn't say that,

00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:36.079
 even if it was true.

00:05:36.599 --> 00:05:36.979
 However,

00:05:37.299 --> 00:05:38.279
 here's the thing,

00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:40.819
 at a high school graduation ceremony,

00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:43.740
 they'll always as well say all these things like,

00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:44.620
 reach the stars,

00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:45.000
 you know,

00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:45.759
 whatever you can do,

00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:46.920
 do it with all your might,

00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:48.000
 you know,

00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:48.420
 and,

00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:48.699
 you know,

00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:49.519
 be thankful,

00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:50.279
 be kind.

00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:50.680
 In fact,

00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:51.139
 actually,

00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:52.620
 if you put up the Bible verse,

00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:55.300
 you put up the Bible verse,

00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:55.980
 Andrew,

00:05:57.159 --> 00:05:58.439
 other than this little bit,

00:05:58.639 --> 00:05:59.579
 just say it with me,

00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:02.100
 give thanks in all circumstances,

00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:05.860
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:06.740
 In fact,

00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:09.199
 often in ceremonies like that,

00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.639
 they'll actually say something like,

00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:12.180
 give thanks in all circumstances,

00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:13.560
 because it'll make you happier,

00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:14.060
 wiser,

00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:14.900
 more successful,

00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:15.520
 more fit,

00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:16.120
 better looking,

00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:17.680
 shinier teeth,

00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:18.340
 I mean,

00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:19.220
 they don't say all those things,

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:19.879
 but you know what I mean.

00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:22.480
 And they'll often say things like that,

00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:24.860
 and often in churches and stuff,

00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:26.740
 when they have a sermon about giving thanks,

00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:32.120
 it often ends up sounding a little bit like it's a high school graduation ceremony,

00:06:32.660 --> 00:06:32.879
 that,

00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:33.060
 you know,

00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:33.759
 just give thanks,

00:06:33.860 --> 00:06:34.280
 give thanks,

00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:34.740
 give thanks,

00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:35.180
 give thanks,

00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:35.560
 give thanks,

00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:39.660
 but here's the problem with that.

00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.939
 The problem is Jesus.

00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:48.879
 Jesus throws a monkey wrench into all of this talk about give thanks,

00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:49.680
 and give thanks,

00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:51.199
 and giving thanks is good for you,

00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:53.079
 and giving thanks will make you more successful.

00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:54.759
 Here's the problem.

00:06:55.019 --> 00:07:02.600
 Jesus throws a huge monkey wrench into that whole way of interpreting give thanks in all circumstances.

00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:03.439
 You don't believe me?

00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:06.600
 Turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 18.

00:07:07.819 --> 00:07:09.360
 Luke chapter 18.

00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:17.040
 And we're going to look at verse 10 and following and see what Jesus says here.

00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.759
 Luke chapter 18,

00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:19.920
 beginning at verse 10.

00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:22.840
 Luke 18,

00:07:23.080 --> 00:07:24.000
 verse 10.

00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:26.040
 And if you don't have your Bible,

00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:26.060
 and if you don't have your Bible,

00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:26.079
 and if you don't have your Bible,

00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:27.079
 you can just listen as I read.

00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:28.639
 Jesus is talking.

00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.180
 He says,

00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:31.360
 two men went up into the temple to pray,

00:07:31.579 --> 00:07:33.660
 one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:37.100
 The Pharisee standing by himself prayed thus,

00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:38.079
 God,

00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.379
 I thank you

00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:41.480
 that I am not like other men,

00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:42.420
 extortioners,

00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:42.959
 unjust,

00:07:43.100 --> 00:07:43.620
 adulterers,

00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:45.339
 or even like this tax collector.

00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:46.779
 I fast twice a week.

00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.479
 I give tithes of all that I get.

00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:51.479
 But the tax collector standing far off,

00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:53.779
 notice he's not going to be thankful at all.

00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:59.120
 The tax collector standing far off would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,

00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:00.500
 but beat his breast saying,

00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:00.959
 God,

00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.419
 be merciful to me,

00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:02.779
 a sinner.

00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:04.779
 And Jesus says,

00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:05.539
 I tell you,

00:08:05.539 --> 00:08:06.259
 this man,

00:08:06.419 --> 00:08:07.279
 the tax collector,

00:08:08.059 --> 00:08:11.279
 went down to his house justified rather than the other.

00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:15.199
 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

00:08:15.859 --> 00:08:19.799
 but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

00:08:22.679 --> 00:08:24.639
 So here's the first thing.

00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:25.159
 Andrew,

00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:26.000
 if you could put it up.

00:08:27.859 --> 00:08:31.759
 Sometimes being thankful shows that we are very far from God.

00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:40.480
 Sometimes being thankful shows we are very far from God.

00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.539
 I'm going to have a different number.

00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.259
 Like I'm going to have a variety of points up here,

00:08:44.339 --> 00:08:45.120
 but in some ways,

00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:48.639
 this is like the thing I'm going to try to show you a little bit about how to

00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.919
 understand that when the Bible text says to give thanks in all circumstances,

00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:57.100
 that we have to try to understand it in a biblical way so we can put it into

00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:59.039
 in practice in a biblical way.

00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:04.759
 And the first thing is that while being thankful is,

00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:05.379
 good in a right,

00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.600
 in a certain context,

00:09:07.659 --> 00:09:12.159
 Jesus shows us and tells us that sometimes being thankful shows we are very

00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:13.379
 far from God.

00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:17.679
 Put the scripture text up again,

00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:17.919
 Andrew.

00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:18.779
 And by the way,

00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.539
 if you want these points,

00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:23.480
 they'll be on the webpage on Monday if you can't write them down quick enough.

00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:25.259
 But say this text with me together.

00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:25.919
 Say it with me.

00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:28.699
 Give thanks in all circumstances,

00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:33.080
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:34.320
 Now,

00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:37.900
 here's the other problem that we have with this text is,

00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:43.160
 I don't know how many people there are here,

00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:43.700
 a hundred people.

00:09:43.780 --> 00:09:44.620
 I don't know what the number is.

00:09:44.800 --> 00:09:45.860
 I'll figure it out later.

00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:48.920
 Chances are that some of you are very sad.

00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.700
 Some of you are probably depressed.

00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.240
 Some of you are probably depressed.

00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:55.659
 Some of you probably feel very empty.

00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:58.200
 Some of you are struggling with loneliness.

00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:01.740
 Some of you are struggling with financial problems.

00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:03.639
 Some of you are all of the above.

00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.560
 And you know,

00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:08.060
 you hear a Bible text like,

00:10:08.180 --> 00:10:09.539
 give thanks in all circumstances.

00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.980
 And you think to yourself,

00:10:11.180 --> 00:10:12.779
 if you think to yourself,

00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.120
 I came into the church depressed.

00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:17.159
 Now I feel worse.

00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.360
 Because I don't feel thankful at all.

00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.139
 And I don't feel thankful,

00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.659
 and it's hard for me.

00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.039
 And now the Bible tells me

00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:28.779
 that it's God's will for me to be thankful,

00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:30.460
 and I don't feel thankful at all.

00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:32.759
 And inside,

00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.139
 you're saying,

00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:33.419
 George,

00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:35.580
 if you knew the financial problems,

00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.799
 if you knew the pain

00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:39.259
 that I was struggling with right now in my body,

00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:41.320
 if you knew the constant pain I had,

00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.379
 if God knew that,

00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.460
 he wouldn't say that I should be giving thanks

00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:46.100
 in all circumstances.

00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:48.320
 I feel completely and utterly unthankful.

00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:51.620
 Well,

00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.120
 here's the thing

00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.240
 about hearing this Bible text.

00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:56.519
 If

00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.559
 the first thing is

00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:00.279
 to try to tell us that

00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:00.879
 it's not,

00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:02.580
 the Bible's not telling us to be like

00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:03.879
 a boosterism,

00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:04.500
 like just,

00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:05.139
 you know,

00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:05.679
 give thanks,

00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.159
 give thanks,

00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:06.659
 give thanks,

00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.639
 and it's a key to success.

00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.100
 If that's not what the Bible's saying,

00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:11.000
 the Bible's also doing something else,

00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.559
 saying something else

00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:14.299
 which is often missed by Christians.

00:11:14.459 --> 00:11:15.799
 If you could put the next point up,

00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.119
 Andrew,

00:11:16.239 --> 00:11:17.119
 it's saying this,

00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.639
 the Bible is not telling me

00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.619
 to feel thankful.

00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:25.859
 The Bible is not telling me

00:11:25.859 --> 00:11:27.039
 to feel thankful.

00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:30.099
 All you depressed people out there,

00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.739
 a little bit of weight

00:11:32.739 --> 00:11:34.000
 should just come off your shoulders.

00:11:34.599 --> 00:11:34.739
 Okay?

00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:37.179
 The Bible is not telling me

00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:37.819
 to feel thankful.

00:11:38.359 --> 00:11:41.419
 I'm not denying the Bible.

00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.599
 I'm just trying to clarify,

00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.219
 in fact,

00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.759
 what those few simple words

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.979
 are actually telling us.

00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:48.120
 And they're not telling us

00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.219
 to feel anything.

00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:50.799
 The Bible never tells us

00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:52.000
 to feel anything,

00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:54.399
 which is wise,

00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.579
 and the Bible is wise,

00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:56.579
 because as we all know,

00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:57.199
 telling somebody

00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:58.159
 to feel something

00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:00.120
 basically never works.

00:12:00.459 --> 00:12:00.839
 In fact,

00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.759
 if you tell somebody

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.959
 to be more happy,

00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.240
 you know what it usually creates?

00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:05.259
 Anger.

00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:07.819
 It doesn't create happiness.

00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:08.339
 In fact,

00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.299
 unless they get happy

00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.000
 when they're angry,

00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:10.740
 that's the only way

00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:11.360
 they're happy.

00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.100
 You know,

00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.620
 they weren't feeling thankful

00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.559
 or happy before.

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.299
 Now you told them

00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:16.360
 to be happy,

00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.379
 makes them angry.

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.120
 They get happy

00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:18.820
 when they're angry,

00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.399
 so they're happy,

00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.419
 but that's not what you meant,

00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:20.779
 right?

00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.659
 You don't want to have

00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:24.220
 angry people get more angry.

00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.080
 And the Bible's not telling us

00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:26.779
 to feel anything.

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.419
 If you could put

00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.600
 the Bible text up again,

00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:29.720
 Andrew,

00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:30.580
 let's say it together.

00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.259
 Give thanks

00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.740
 in all circumstances,

00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.840
 for this is the will of God

00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:36.899
 in Christ Jesus

00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.820
 for you.

00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:41.899
 The Bible

00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.740
 is not all,

00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.139
 it's also not telling us

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.340
 that we have to be thankful

00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.560
 for every single thing

00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:49.639
 that happens to us.

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.019
 The Bible

00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.100
 is not a piece

00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.040
 of Stoic literature.

00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.800
 Those of a certain type

00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:57.860
 of educational background

00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:59.060
 will know what Stoics are.

00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.540
 The Bible is not telling us

00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:01.639
 to be Stoics.

00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.480
 The Bible does not present

00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:05.159
 a God who's sort of distant

00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.180
 and distant,

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.860
 maybe very distant,

00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.080
 and now sort of operates

00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.300
 basically by fate,

00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:11.940
 and we just have to accept

00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.960
 everything that happens.

00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:14.240
 We don't have to say to God,

00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.220
 okay, God,

00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.500
 thank you for my cancer.

00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:17.700
 Thank you that I'm bankrupt.

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.200
 Thank you that I broke my leg.

00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.899
 Thank you that,

00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.139
 you know,

00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.519
 like that country

00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.379
 and western song,

00:13:22.460 --> 00:13:23.320
 my wife left me,

00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.340
 my dog left me,

00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:24.580
 you know,

00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.659
 my truck left me,

00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.759
 and everything left me,

00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:28.060
 and thank you for this, God.

00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.519
 The Bible's not telling us

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.980
 that we have to give thanks

00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.379
 to God

00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:34.340
 for everything that happens to us.

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.179
 Some really terrible things

00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.240
 happen to us,

00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:41.100
 and it's not our fault,

00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.840
 and some really bad things

00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.559
 happen to us

00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:46.159
 because it's our fault,

00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.320
 right?

00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.720
 I mean,

00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.480
 for many people,

00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:50.980
 if you have,

00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:51.379
 I mean,

00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:52.039
 I'm not a doctor,

00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.939
 maybe it's for every person.

00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.200
 If you have cirrhosis of the liver,

00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:55.740
 for many people,

00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.559
 it's because you have

00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.759
 excessive drinking

00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.960
 for a long time,

00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:01.799
 and you can't say,

00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.000
 God,

00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:02.899
 thank you so much

00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:04.039
 for my excessive drinking

00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:05.059
 for a long time,

00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:05.979
 and I now have,

00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.539
 that's not what the text

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.120
 is saying at all.

00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:08.740
 Here's,

00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.740
 if you put up the point,

00:14:09.839 --> 00:14:10.000
 Andrew,

00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.240
 here's what the text is saying.

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:12.839
 God calls me

00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:13.959
 to turn to him

00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:15.539
 and give him thanks

00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.479
 in my circumstances,

00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:20.459
 not for my circumstances.

00:14:20.939 --> 00:14:22.159
 That's what the Bible text

00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.159
 is telling us to do.

00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:26.199
 If we clear away

00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:26.659
 a little bit

00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.740
 about what the Bible

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.959
 is not telling us to do,

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.540
 this is part,

00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:31.460
 this is the heart

00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.220
 of what the Bible

00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.800
 is telling you

00:14:33.800 --> 00:14:34.600
 and me to do.

00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.879
 God calls me

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.600
 to turn to him

00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:41.220
 and give him thanks

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:43.740
 in my circumstances,

00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:47.540
 not for my circumstances.

00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:51.139
 It's a very,

00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:53.040
 very important distinction.

00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:56.180
 Put the text up again,

00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.780
 Andrew, please,

00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:58.299
 and say it with,

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.899
 give thanks

00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:01.379
 in all circumstances,

00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:02.980
 for this is the will

00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:03.579
 of God

00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:04.659
 in Christ Jesus

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.419
 for you.

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.339
 Here's the other thing.

00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:10.019
 When I was in my

00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:11.379
 previous church,

00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.360
 one morning I got a call

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:15.319
 from a distraught mom

00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:17.120
 and her,

00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.220
 no,

00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:18.839
 so it wasn't the mom,

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.539
 it was the wife,

00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.740
 and her husband

00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.480
 was in jail

00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.159
 and she asked me

00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.600
 if I would go

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.480
 to visit him in jail.

00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:25.320
 And it was the first time

00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.399
 I ever went

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.320
 to visit somebody

00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:27.779
 in jail.

00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.980
 It was the old jail

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.639
 in Pembroke.

00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:30.100
 I don't think

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:30.899
 it exists anymore.

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.420
 And so I went

00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.200
 to see this fellow

00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.580
 in jail.

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.820
 It was a very memorable time,

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.460
 not only because

00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.159
 it was the first time

00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:36.960
 I ever went to jail,

00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.740
 but it was the other thing

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.320
 that was memorable

00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.960
 was that when I walked

00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.740
 into a certain part

00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.240
 of the jail,

00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:43.039
 not only was my parishioner

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:43.300
 there,

00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.600
 but another parishioner

00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.100
 was there.

00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.779
 And I wish I had a camera

00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.560
 to capture the look

00:15:49.560 --> 00:15:51.180
 of surprise on his face

00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:52.659
 when I walked in

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.319
 because he was trying

00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.139
 to keep it secret

00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.659
 that he was doing

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.459
 time in jail.

00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:58.059
 And anyway,

00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:58.839
 so I go see

00:15:58.839 --> 00:16:00.679
 my parishioner

00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:04.059
 and he had a really

00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:05.659
 hard, terrible time.

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:08.120
 It's his own fault.

00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.779
 He woke up

00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.879
 that morning

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:15.039
 in the Killaloo

00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.439
 Detention Center

00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:18.319
 and he didn't know

00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.079
 why he was

00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.679
 in the Killaloo

00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.639
 Detention Center.

00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.559
 He didn't know

00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.220
 what he'd done.

00:16:23.199 --> 00:16:24.100
 But he woke up

00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.799
 feeling sick

00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.960
 and with a terrible headache.

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.779
 He knew

00:16:26.779 --> 00:16:27.779
 the last thing

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.480
 he could remember

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.519
 was that he was drinking.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:32.120
 And then he wakes up

00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:33.179
 and he's in a jail

00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:35.039
 and he asks the guards

00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.860
 what he's done

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.019
 and they won't tell him,

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.000
 but they're not

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.080
 very friendly to him.

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.559
 And they drive him

00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.539
 to the Pembroke Jail

00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.199
 and he asks them

00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:43.259
 time and time again.

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:43.960
 He doesn't know

00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:45.159
 if he's killed somebody.

00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.899
 True story.

00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.559
 He doesn't know

00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.799
 if he's killed somebody.

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.120
 They drive him

00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.459
 to the jail.

00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.439
 They still don't tell him

00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:52.939
 what he's done.

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.740
 It's only when he's

00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.219
 being booked

00:16:54.219 --> 00:16:55.379
 into the Pembroke Jail

00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:56.000
 that they tell him

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.559
 what the charges

00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.299
 were against him.

00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.120
 He'd gotten

00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.139
 ragingly drunk,

00:17:01.199 --> 00:17:02.240
 crashed his car,

00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:04.359
 and when the police

00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.500
 came to try

00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.920
 to deal with him,

00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.579
 he was a little

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.660
 short guy like this,

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.960
 little scrawny,

00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:12.460
 short,

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.420
 hardworking,

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.579
 working class guy,

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.539
 and he tried

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.559
 to take on the cops

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.359
 and beat them up.

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.700
 And the cops

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.680
 were all like this tall

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.980
 with shoulders like this,

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.200
 but so he got

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.839
 overwhelmingly drunk,

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.559
 smashed up his car,

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.620
 walked away from it,

00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.240
 started to fight

00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.019
 and kicked

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:32.200
 and fought the cops

00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.000
 as hard as he could

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.799
 until they finally

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.359
 subdued him,

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.059
 put him in the car,

00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.759
 passed out,

00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:37.519
 threw up in the car,

00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.180
 I mean the whole bit.

00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.700
 You can understand

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.160
 why the cops

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.200
 didn't want to talk to him.

00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:44.880
 But he was very subdued

00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.920
 when I met with him.

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:50.339
 And here's the thing.

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.740
 If you could put

00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.880
 the next point up,

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:54.380
 Andrew,

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.120
 here's the thing.

00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.259
 God calls me

00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.400
 to turn to him

00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.880
 and speak to him

00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:02.200
 and one of the things

00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.120
 I am to do

00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.259
 is to give thanks.

00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.780
 I'll explain why

00:18:07.780 --> 00:18:08.519
 the Bible text

00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.380
 tells us this.

00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.800
 God calls me

00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:11.840
 to turn to him

00:18:11.840 --> 00:18:13.259
 and speak to him

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.600
 and one of the things

00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.300
 I am to do

00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:16.100
 is to give thanks,

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.360
 but it's not the only thing

00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:17.880
 I am to do.

00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.860
 You see,

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.780
 that young guy,

00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.700
 if he was to listen

00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.700
 to give thanks

00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.819
 in all circumstances,

00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.299
 he has to turn to God,

00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:29.840
 he has to say

00:18:29.840 --> 00:18:30.640
 some things to God,

00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.759
 but he shouldn't

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.000
 only say thank you.

00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:34.059
 Right?

00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:37.000
 He needs to probably say,

00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:37.980
 dear God,

00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:41.580
 I really messed up,

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:43.380
 I really did wrong things.

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.700
 Isn't that what he has to say?

00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:46.660
 I mean,

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.319
 some of us,

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.319
 if we're

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:50.500
 in a terrible situation,

00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.440
 maybe we're in a terrible

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.640
 family situation,

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.480
 and we take this text

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.059
 to heart,

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.039
 we're not to say to God,

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.539
 dear God,

00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.400
 thank you so much

00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.400
 that nobody in my family

00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.640
 will ever talk to me again.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.440
 That's not what the Bible

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.360
 is telling us to say.

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.000
 One of the things

00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.880
 that we might have to say

00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.559
 is, dear God,

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.960
 please forgive me

00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:09.440
 that I am so angry

00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.480
 and unforgiving.

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.779
 Please help me

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:14.700
 with my unforgiveness.

00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:16.259
 That might be one of the things

00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.779
 we have to say.

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.380
 You see,

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.819
 if you put up the text again,

00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:19.099
 Andrew,

00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:19.720
 here's the thing,

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.019
 in the original language,

00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.420
 in English,

00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.900
 they have to translate English,

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.019
 give thanks in all circumstances

00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:28.019
 for this is the will of God

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.119
 in Christ Jesus for you.

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.019
 In the original language,

00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.639
 the word the isn't there.

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.720
 It doesn't make any sense

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.099
 in English,

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.980
 so they have to add it

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.440
 in English.

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.099
 And what it means is,

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.059
 if the word the was there,

00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:41.119
 it might mean that literally

00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.200
 in these circumstances,

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.440
 that's the thing you have,

00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.660
 you always have to be thankful.

00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:44.960
 Like,

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.559
 it has to be the substance

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.180
 of your talk,

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.500
 the main thing of your talk.

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.920
 But what this is saying

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.660
 is that what,

00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.759
 the text is saying

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.460
 is that you're not giving

00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.300
 thanks to God

00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:54.340
 for everything that's happened

00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:54.779
 to you,

00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:57.100
 but whatever your situation is,

00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.940
 you turn to God

00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.840
 and talk to him

00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:02.860
 and there's going to be

00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:04.259
 maybe a whole range of things

00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.960
 that you're going to have to say.

00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:06.040
 Maybe you're going to have to say,

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.320
 you know,

00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:07.680
 forgive me for this

00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.880
 and forgive me for this

00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:10.140
 and help me with this

00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:11.980
 and show me this

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.720
 and give me wisdom about this.

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.220
 But out of all of the things

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:15.660
 that you say,

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.420
 one of the things

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.640
 that you must say

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:20.200
 is give thanks.

00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:22.380
 In light of your situation,

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.940
 but it's not the only thing,

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.700
 but it's one thing,

00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:28.080
 it's an important thing

00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:29.920
 in terms of your relationship

00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:31.500
 and my relationship with God,

00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:33.480
 is to give thanks.

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.580
 You see,

00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.240
 this is really,

00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:40.420
 really helpful for us.

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.519
 You know,

00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:41.960
 the Bible,

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:44.240
 just like a brief bit of a thing,

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.200
 but the Bible tells you

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.420
 lots of things about,

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.339
 has a very,

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.500
 very rich and nuanced

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.980
 understanding of suffering

00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.759
 and trials

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.500
 and things like that

00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.400
 that go on in lives.

00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:54.799
 There's a whole range of stories

00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:56.319
 and the Bible is very deep

00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:56.700
 and very,

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.460
 very wise

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:58.940
 and it's,

00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.339
 you can spend your whole life

00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.200
 studying the Bible

00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.700
 and the Bible,

00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:03.019
 God will continue to speak

00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:03.599
 into your life

00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.579
 in new ways

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:06.120
 as you open the scriptures

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.339
 and you go from cover to cover.

00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.319
 And,

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:08.759
 you know,

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.140
 sometimes we're in a period

00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:11.380
 of just things

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.259
 that are happening to us

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.160
 or just very bad

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.960
 and it might just be

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.379
 that we have to call out to God

00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.480
 and one of the things

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.660
 that we might have to say to God

00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:17.839
 is,

00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.119
 Father,

00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:21.299
 is this happening to me

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.619
 because I've sinned?

00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:25.160
 Are these things happening to me

00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.619
 because,

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.579
 you know,

00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.599
 that I've sinned?

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:27.879
 Father,

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.619
 do I have to come to you

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.339
 or is it a sin of commission

00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.279
 or a sin of omission?

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:32.680
 Father,

00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.359
 please reveal that to me

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.240
 and Father,

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.720
 if it is something going on

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.220
 in my life

00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.400
 that,

00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.740
 you know,

00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:39.240
 I in a sense am bringing on

00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.920
 because of what I've done,

00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.740
 show it to me,

00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.000
 Father,

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.319
 and then,

00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:42.559
 Father,

00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.900
 please help me,

00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.500
 help me to understand,

00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:48.579
 help me to seek amendment of life

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.779
 and to say that I'm sorry

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.480
 or,

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.220
 or Father,

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.680
 are you showing me

00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:52.819
 that,

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.759
 is this happening to me

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.779
 because there's something

00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.740
 you want me to know?

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.119
 Is this happening to me

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.039
 because there's something

00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.839
 that you want me to become?

00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.359
 Is this happening to me

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.619
 because there's some new thing

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.400
 you want me to do

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.740
 in a new direction in my life

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:04.900
 and,

00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:05.339
 Father,

00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.259
 and here's,

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.019
 and here's,

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.240
 you see,

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:07.500
 maybe,

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.720
 so you see all these things,

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.339
 you pour out your heart to God.

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:12.379
 God wants us

00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:14.119
 in the middle of every situation

00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:15.179
 and every circumstance

00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.639
 to stop in a sense

00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:18.079
 at least at one time

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.959
 during this situation,

00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.779
 this circumstance,

00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.459
 and turn to him

00:22:21.459 --> 00:22:23.279
 and speak as God.

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.159
 And in the midst of the range

00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:25.819
 of questions

00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:27.359
 and requests

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.519
 that you say to God,

00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.119
 one of the things,

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.299
 and,

00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:29.579
 you know,

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.019
 in terms of,

00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.759
 it might be this.

00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.379
 You might then have to say something,

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:32.900
 Father,

00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.000
 I thank you

00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.220
 that I don't have to deal

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.180
 with this alone.

00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.560
 I thank you

00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:39.580
 that you are with me.

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.740
 I thank you

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.540
 that you are wise.

00:22:43.580 --> 00:22:44.160
 I thank you

00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.960
 that you are power.

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:46.880
 And I don't,

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.100
 I don't,

00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.960
 I'm going to try to list

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.500
 the things

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:50.200
 that you're to thank God for.

00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:53.080
 Pour out your circumstance,

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.040
 your heart to God

00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:54.840
 and your circumstance.

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.940
 And I'm not just giving you

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.340
 bad things.

00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.260
 It could be good things

00:22:57.260 --> 00:22:57.640
 as well,

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:57.880
 you know,

00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.980
 and it could be good things

00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.180
 to go,

00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.380
 Father,

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.040
 thank you so much

00:23:00.040 --> 00:23:01.060
 for blessing me with this.

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.440
 Father,

00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:02.960
 please,

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.919
 please deliver me

00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:06.059
 from any type of pride

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.639
 or vanity

00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:08.039
 or arrogance about this.

00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.500
 But Father,

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.079
 thank you.

00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:10.519
 You've been so kind to me.

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.940
 I'm so thankful for you,

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.079
 to you,

00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.799
 for what you've done.

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.700
 So it's not only

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.720
 just bad situations,

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.039
 it's in every circumstance

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.119
 to turn to God.

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.419
 And you know,

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.279
 when we're depressed

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.480
 or we're despondent

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.599
 or we're in pain

00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.960
 or we're just unbelievably sad

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.839
 or we're in mourning,

00:23:26.919 --> 00:23:27.980
 it might be very hard

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.859
 because we don't feel thankful

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.960
 to think of what we

00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.840
 can say thank you

00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:32.600
 to God for.

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.779
 And that's what is so important

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.039
 because it calls us

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.779
 to think about who God is

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.680
 and what he's done for us.

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:44.720
 And often that,

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.620
 that's very,

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.580
 very important

00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:50.720
 because,

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.620
 you know,

00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:53.440
 our self is talking to us

00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.660
 and saying all of these things

00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.340
 and in a sense

00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:56.320
 that God is just saying

00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:57.259
 that comes a time,

00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:57.600
 George,

00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.700
 where you've just got to stop

00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.779
 and in a sense

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.500
 try to shut off

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.840
 all that conversation

00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:03.720
 that's coming into your head

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.580
 and turn and look to me

00:24:04.580 --> 00:24:05.700
 and think of who I am

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:07.580
 and what I've done

00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:10.059
 and just think of me.

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.180
 And as you think of me

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.759
 and as you think of all

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.580
 of who I am,

00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.740
 I want you to also

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.600
 be thankful

00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:18.799
 for some of who I am.

00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.720
 And that's what the Bible

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.600
 is telling us to do.

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.420
 If you put up the text again,

00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:22.900
 oh, sorry,

00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:23.080
 there,

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.720
 let's say it together.

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:26.420
 Give thanks in all circumstances

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:28.560
 for this is the will of God

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:30.340
 in Christ Jesus for you.

00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.300
 Now,

00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.420
 what I've just described

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.640
 of stopping

00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.779
 and giving thanks to God

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:36.320
 is always very hard.

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.460
 Almost always very hard.

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.100
 It's hard to sustain it.

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.640
 And the reason is,

00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.000
 if you could put up the point,

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:46.080
 here's the reason is,

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:50.039
 I am not a God in process.

00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.900
 I am a fallen creature.

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:56.039
 In our culture,

00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:58.420
 it makes worse

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.820
 something that already goes on

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:01.080
 in every one of our souls

00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.620
 and minds

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:03.039
 and hearts and wills.

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.460
 It's easy for us to think

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.940
 that we are like a God

00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.840
 in process,

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.380
 but we are not

00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.440
 a God in process.

00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.180
 We are fallen creatures.

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.500
 I'll give you an example

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.600
 and then I'll show you

00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:16.380
 how it fits in

00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.120
 with this text.

00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.080
 One of the common pieces

00:25:19.080 --> 00:25:20.080
 of advice that you see,

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.640
 I read lots of novels

00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.180
 and stuff,

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.380
 read newspapers,

00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.120
 watch movies

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.600
 and all that.

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.640
 And one of the very common

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.180
 things you say,

00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:26.880
 and I've actually heard

00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.740
 Christians say this

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.460
 to other Christians,

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.019
 is that you need to learn

00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.000
 to forgive yourself.

00:25:32.080 --> 00:25:32.440
 Okay?

00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.660
 I'm going to shock you all

00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.080
 right now,

00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.039
 but I'm going to tell you this.

00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.680
 Don't forgive yourself.

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.420
 In fact,

00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.080
 I'm going to make you

00:25:39.080 --> 00:25:40.180
 even more shocked.

00:25:40.820 --> 00:25:42.500
 Never forgive yourself.

00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:45.259
 Never forgive yourself.

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.860
 Now I got your attention.

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:50.619
 It's completely opposite

00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.619
 of what the world says.

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.679
 Let me tell you this.

00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.479
 Do it as an experiment.

00:25:53.719 --> 00:25:54.299
 Go all the way

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.919
 through the Bible.

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.659
 Look every time

00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.479
 that the word forgiveness

00:25:56.479 --> 00:25:57.259
 is or forgive

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.219
 and see if it ever

00:25:58.219 --> 00:25:58.699
 in the Bible

00:25:58.699 --> 00:26:00.059
 tells you to forgive yourself.

00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.179
 Not once.

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.500
 Never tells you

00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.000
 to do that.

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.059
 Why doesn't it tell you

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.579
 to do that?

00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:07.619
 God,

00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:10.539
 you're not a God.

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.720
 You're not God.

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.199
 I don't want to depress you.

00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:17.079
 You're not God.

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.379
 I'm not God.

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.339
 My sin

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:25.240
 is against God

00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:26.679
 and against the person

00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.319
 I've wronged.

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.759
 And I might have to go

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.679
 to the person I've wronged

00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:31.339
 and I might have to ask

00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.259
 them for forgiveness

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.240
 because I've wronged.

00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.920
 And every act

00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.579
 of wrongdoing

00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.819
 against another person

00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.920
 or against myself

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:39.120
 is also an act

00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.660
 of wrongdoing

00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.339
 against God

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.700
 and I need to get

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.759
 his forgiveness.

00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.859
 I am not a God

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.759
 to give myself forgiveness.

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.819
 And you see,

00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.839
 this is how it fits in

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.400
 with gratitude

00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.400
 and thankfulness.

00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.539
 I am not a God.

00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:57.039
 I'm not supposed

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:58.339
 to come before God

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.620
 and say,

00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:58.960
 oh God,

00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.940
 I thank you so much

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.960
 that I have the right views

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.900
 on eschatology.

00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:03.340
 I'm not like

00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:04.200
 all those foolish,

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.040
 fill in the blank,

00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.000
 premillennialists,

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.160
 dispensationalists,

00:27:07.280 --> 00:27:07.960
 amillennialists,

00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:08.800
 postmillennialists.

00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.040
 I thank you, God,

00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:10.759
 that I have the right view

00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.220
 on abortion.

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.120
 I have the right view

00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.160
 on same-sex marriage.

00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.040
 I give you thanks

00:27:14.040 --> 00:27:14.680
 and praise God

00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:16.259
 that I have the correct views

00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.540
 on politics.

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.360
 And you know,

00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.480
 really all of these things,

00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.240
 what you're doing

00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.759
 is actually what you're doing

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:23.800
 is congratulating yourself.

00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.280
 And just as the Bible

00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:28.080
 doesn't tell us

00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:29.160
 to forgive ourselves,

00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:31.680
 the Bible doesn't tell us

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.920
 to congratulate ourselves.

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.880
 If we congratulate ourselves,

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:40.040
 it's because we think

00:27:40.040 --> 00:27:40.940
 that we're a God

00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.600
 in process.

00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.480
 And I don't want

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.440
 to depress you,

00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.240
 but the truth

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.240
 is never depressing.

00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.820
 The fact of the matter

00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:49.680
 is you and I

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.420
 are not gods

00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.160
 in process.

00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:52.279
 Process.

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:56.119
 We are fallen creatures.

00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.660
 Fallen creatures.

00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.039
 This has a very

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.960
 important consequence,

00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.839
 but let's look

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.539
 at the text again,

00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:02.799
 Andrew.

00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.460
 Put it up, please.

00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.819
 Say it with me.

00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.180
 Give thanks

00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.680
 in all circumstances,

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.220
 for this is the will

00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.819
 of God

00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.940
 in Christ Jesus

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.700
 for you.

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.420
 What the text

00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.980
 is saying

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.839
 about being,

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:19.680
 about,

00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.019
 when I said earlier

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.579
 that we're not

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.480
 a God in process

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.619
 but fallen creatures,

00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.660
 what it's telling us,

00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.960
 the Bible is,

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.259
 it's so deeply

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.420
 imbued in the Bible.

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.000
 I mean,

00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.660
 it's taught in

00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.779
 Genesis chapter 1

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.279
 and 2

00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.579
 and 3,

00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.819
 but it's so deeply

00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.779
 throughout the Bible

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.700
 that we miss it

00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:39.440
 because nothing

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.940
 in the Bible

00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.920
 makes sense without it.

00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.000
 I could have you

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.019
 read Genesis 1 and 2,

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:43.879
 but it's all the way

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.460
 through the Bible

00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.379
 that we're creatures.

00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.720
 We're creatures.

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.879
 We're completely

00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:51.220
 and utterly dependent.

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.480
 I'm dependent

00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.380
 upon the earth

00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.580
 spinning on its axis

00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:57.300
 at a precise rate.

00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.540
 I'm dependent

00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.480
 upon the sun

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:01.020
 spinning around,

00:29:01.260 --> 00:29:02.020
 the earth spinning

00:29:02.020 --> 00:29:02.640
 around the sun

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:04.100
 at a precise speed.

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:06.340
 I'm dependent

00:29:06.340 --> 00:29:07.180
 upon the earth

00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.140
 being a specific

00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.640
 distance from the sun.

00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.960
 I am dependent

00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.840
 upon air.

00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.540
 I'm dependent

00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:14.700
 upon the chemicals

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.040
 in my head

00:29:16.040 --> 00:29:17.380
 being correctly balanced.

00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.560
 I'm dependent

00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:19.880
 upon the little neurons

00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:21.380
 firing in the right order

00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.040
 in the right way.

00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:24.020
 There's not a single thing

00:29:24.020 --> 00:29:24.940
 in me

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.780
 that is not dependent

00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:28.800
 on something else

00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:29.680
 and external

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.880
 because

00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:33.240
 I am a creature

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:36.540
 and so are you.

00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:39.040
 And our culture

00:29:39.040 --> 00:29:40.140
 wants to make us

00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.880
 think that we are

00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.900
 like gods,

00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.520
 but we're not.

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.840
 I'm not.

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.700
 You're not.

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.720
 I'm a creature.

00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.120
 In fact,

00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.080
 if you put this up,

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.380
 one way that we could

00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.319
 rename ourselves

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.160
 as human beings,

00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.539
 Andrew,

00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:53.740
 is to say,

00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.380
 who am I?

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.980
 I am only need.

00:29:56.340 --> 00:29:56.980
 That's who I am.

00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.259
 I'm only need.

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.200
 I need oxygen.

00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.340
 I need food.

00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.340
 I need water.

00:30:02.539 --> 00:30:03.240
 I need my body

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:03.920
 to work right.

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.960
 I need the planet

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.519
 to spin.

00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.319
 I need the stars

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.140
 to be where they are.

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:09.460
 I am only need.

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.319
 And who is God?

00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:11.279
 What's another name

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.259
 you could have for God?

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.000
 God,

00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.860
 another name for God

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.740
 is never need,

00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.459
 only give,

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.139
 only love.

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.539
 It's another name

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.059
 for God.

00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:21.479
 Never need,

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.259
 only give,

00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:22.959
 only love.

00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.899
 God has no environment.

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.099
 He has nothing

00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.879
 that he needs.

00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:33.799
 But he only gives

00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.740
 because he's only love

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:37.279
 in it as of the nature

00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:39.139
 of love to give.

00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:42.620
 And that's why,

00:30:42.700 --> 00:30:42.940
 you see,

00:30:43.020 --> 00:30:43.520
 when the Bible

00:30:43.520 --> 00:30:44.520
 is saying that

00:30:44.520 --> 00:30:45.660
 it's to give thanks

00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:46.400
 because it's the will

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.340
 of God in Christ Jesus

00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:47.880
 for you,

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.860
 it's because it's just

00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.940
 the Bible's telling us

00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.660
 not to become

00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.420
 some type of,

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.900
 as I've already said,

00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.080
 you know,

00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:53.920
 to feel a certain way

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.400
 all the time.

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.420
 Drugs make you feel

00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.100
 the same way

00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.660
 all the time,

00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.020
 and drugs ruin you

00:30:59.020 --> 00:31:01.540
 if you take drugs

00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:02.120
 to make you feel

00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:02.620
 the same way

00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.220
 all the time.

00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:03.460
 Right?

00:31:03.640 --> 00:31:04.240
 That's what they do.

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.800
 And it's not telling us

00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:06.860
 to be a masochist,

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.880
 and it's not telling us

00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.720
 to tell lies,

00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.600
 and it's not telling us

00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:11.740
 to be self-congratulatory.

00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:13.140
 The Bible's assuming

00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:14.040
 that we understand

00:31:14.040 --> 00:31:14.720
 that we're creatures

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:16.040
 and that we're fallen creatures,

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.920
 and that who we are

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.980
 is only need

00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.260
 because I am creature.

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.980
 And who is God?

00:31:22.320 --> 00:31:24.000
 God is never need,

00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.840
 only give,

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.380
 only love.

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.940
 That's who God is.

00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.460
 And so,

00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:30.500
 in a sense,

00:31:31.340 --> 00:31:32.420
 the deepest sense,

00:31:32.520 --> 00:31:34.160
 since I am only need

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:36.040
 and God is never need,

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:38.099
 it means that in truth,

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:40.460
 I should be always grateful.

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:41.859
 And there should be

00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:44.759
 an almost limitless number

00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.420
 of things

00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:47.319
 that I could give thanks for.

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:49.319
 The physicists amongst us

00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:51.500
 could literally say

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.119
 in their prayers,

00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:52.440
 Father,

00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.619
 thank you that the earth is,

00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.859
 and you actually know

00:31:54.859 --> 00:31:56.019
 the distance from the sun,

00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.259
 thank you that the earth

00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.460
 is traveling at this speed,

00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:00.559
 thank you that the earth

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:02.279
 rotates at this rate,

00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:04.319
 thank you for the ozone layer,

00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:06.679
 and scientists could take

00:32:06.679 --> 00:32:08.159
 all the scientific stuff

00:32:08.159 --> 00:32:08.759
 we know about

00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:09.759
 what it means to be creatures

00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.339
 and what it means

00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.399
 to have life on earth,

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.639
 and that could be

00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:13.980
 a list of thanks to God.

00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.700
 Let's say the biblical text

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.339
 again together.

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.500
 Give with me,

00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:22.200
 give thanks in all circumstances,

00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:24.220
 for this is the will of God

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.679
 in Christ Jesus for you.

00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:28.559
 My wife is a dog walker,

00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.619
 she walks her dogs,

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.539
 and I'm a runner.

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:32.980
 And here's one of the differences

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:34.539
 between runners and dog walkers,

00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.680
 is runners don't talk

00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.259
 to each other.

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.899
 I mean, maybe if you have

00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:38.480
 a running buddy

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.839
 and you run with your buddy,

00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.099
 you talk with that,

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.339
 but runners don't talk

00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:42.899
 to each other,

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.559
 because you're running.

00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.440
 And actually,

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.599
 between trying to fight

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.319
 for breath,

00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.420
 and trying to deal

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.039
 with the pain

00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.099
 all over your body

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.700
 from running,

00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.039
 you wouldn't even be able

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:53.279
 to have much of a conversation

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:53.659
 anyway,

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.319
 because you're trying

00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:55.139
 to deal with all those things.

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:56.379
 But things about dog walkers,

00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.839
 is dog walkers meet each other,

00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:58.740
 the dogs,

00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:58.960
 you know,

00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.019
 sniff and all that stuff.

00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.380
 And then the people talk.

00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.079
 So one day,

00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.900
 my wife was telling me

00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.360
 this afterwards.

00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.340
 She was out walking to the dog.

00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.200
 She met this older lady.

00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.880
 They spent some time talking.

00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.620
 And she was really worried

00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.539
 about her son,

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.440
 who was estranged from her.

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.440
 And not only was her son

00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.860
 estranged from her,

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:17.460
 like not close to her

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.799
 and sort of ignoring her.

00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.360
 And I'm not making

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:21.220
 a political comment

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:21.960
 on this, by the way.

00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.299
 I'm just,

00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.640
 it's just a story,

00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.500
 a true story.

00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.299
 So I'm not making

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.019
 a political point.

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:28.180
 But one of her complaints

00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.880
 about her son

00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:29.779
 and worries about her son

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.460
 is that he'd become

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.320
 very right wing.

00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:34.039
 And he viewed himself

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:35.480
 as a self-made man.

00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:38.200
 And he looked down his nose

00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.240
 on other people

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.560
 who he thought

00:33:40.560 --> 00:33:41.940
 didn't work hard enough

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:43.820
 and try hard enough.

00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.779
 And she said to my wife,

00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.560
 but you know what?

00:33:47.120 --> 00:33:47.799
 He grew up

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.680
 in a stable,

00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.640
 secure home

00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:50.380
 with books.

00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.060
 We gave him

00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:53.560
 every type of opportunity

00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:55.060
 to learn and develop.

00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:57.539
 We sent him to a really

00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.500
 good university.

00:33:59.460 --> 00:34:00.119
 And while he was at

00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.099
 that good university,

00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:02.960
 we paid for every penny

00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.099
 for his tuition,

00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:06.019
 every penny for his residence,

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:08.219
 every penny for things

00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.860
 in between school years,

00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.960
 so that he could have

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.880
 every opportunity.

00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.940
 And that when he was

00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.480
 starting out,

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:15.460
 we paid every penny

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.880
 for him to get set up

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.460
 and established.

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.900
 And here he thinks

00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:21.860
 that he's a self-made man

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:24.920
 and looks down his nose

00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.699
 on people

00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:27.800
 who maybe don't have

00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.380
 much money

00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:29.440
 and aren't as successful

00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.240
 as he is.

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.579
 And he thinks

00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:33.119
 that if they just tried

00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:34.280
 like he tried,

00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.440
 they would be successful.

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.420
 And as the woman

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.039
 told the story,

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.619
 it's a very, very,

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:44.019
 and we can understand it.

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.920
 But here's the thing.

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.780
 In a sense,

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.400
 I am,

00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:49.800
 you and I

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:51.099
 are that young man,

00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:52.400
 no longer a young man.

00:34:52.740 --> 00:34:53.740
 You and I

00:34:53.740 --> 00:34:54.579
 are that man.

00:34:55.220 --> 00:34:55.700
 Andrew put up

00:34:55.700 --> 00:34:56.220
 the next theory.

00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.820
 I am completely

00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:59.360
 dependent upon God

00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:01.720
 and completely estranged

00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:03.099
 from God.

00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.320
 Remember,

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.680
 my first point

00:35:06.680 --> 00:35:07.240
 was that

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.340
 I am not

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.539
 a God in process,

00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.800
 but I am

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:12.380
 a fallen creature.

00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:15.039
 and on one hand,

00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:18.480
 I am only need

00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.280
 and God

00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:20.380
 is never need,

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.099
 only give,

00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:21.880
 only love.

00:35:23.320 --> 00:35:24.720
 And the great mystery

00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.579
 of my existence

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.780
 is that

00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:27.860
 I am completely

00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:28.539
 and utterly

00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:30.039
 dependent upon God

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:32.599
 and yet at the same time

00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:33.660
 in my flesh

00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:34.800
 I am estranged

00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.480
 from him.

00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:39.059
 God is the one

00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:40.260
 who has the neurons

00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:40.800
 fire

00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:41.460
 and the brain

00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.260
 work properly

00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:43.500
 and I use my brain

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.079
 to tell him

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.760
 to stay out

00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.440
 of my affairs.

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:48.019
 God is the one

00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.599
 that gives me

00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.099
 the will

00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:50.500
 and the mind

00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.119
 to work

00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:52.159
 and provides

00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:53.059
 an environment

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:54.139
 and maybe has me.

00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:55.920
 I could have been

00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.619
 born in Iraq.

00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.639
 I could have been

00:35:58.639 --> 00:36:00.079
 born in North Korea,

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.579
 but I'm born

00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.500
 here in Canada.

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:04.059
 I had nothing

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.760
 to do with that.

00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:07.099
 And I have

00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.099
 all these advantages

00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:09.360
 and at the same time

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.980
 that I receive

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:11.340
 advantage after advantage

00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.639
 and gift after gift

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.599
 and need is met

00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.679
 after need is met

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.579
 and I say,

00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:15.860
 God,

00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.599
 how dare you,

00:36:16.719 --> 00:36:17.619
 how dare you

00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.559
 have those views?

00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:20.380
 How dare you ask me

00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:20.940
 to do this?

00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.480
 Stay away from me,

00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:22.659
 God.

00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.599
 I'm not interested

00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:23.980
 in you, God.

00:36:24.019 --> 00:36:24.500
 I don't think

00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.360
 you exist, God.

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:27.559
 And every single thing

00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.619
 that I do like that,

00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:29.400
 even if it's just

00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.599
 ignoring God,

00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.039
 I'm dependent

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.820
 upon God

00:36:32.820 --> 00:36:33.860
 to ignore him.

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:37.019
 And so are you.

00:36:43.199 --> 00:36:44.019
 You see,

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:46.639
 that's why

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.280
 when we turn to God

00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:50.099
 in every circumstance,

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:51.320
 in every situation,

00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:53.780
 it's not just important

00:36:53.780 --> 00:36:55.719
 that we turn to God

00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.659
 in every situation

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:58.619
 and that we say

00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.619
 a variety of things

00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.119
 to him,

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:02.400
 but what needs

00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:03.460
 to form us

00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.920
 as we turn to him

00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.819
 is not just

00:37:05.819 --> 00:37:06.579
 an acknowledgement

00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:08.139
 that God is great

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:09.719
 and that he's full

00:37:09.719 --> 00:37:10.380
 of glory,

00:37:11.039 --> 00:37:12.719
 that God is never need,

00:37:12.839 --> 00:37:13.579
 only good,

00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:14.519
 only love,

00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:15.759
 and that he provides

00:37:15.759 --> 00:37:16.259
 for me,

00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:17.079
 he gives me the gift

00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:17.799
 of existence,

00:37:18.059 --> 00:37:18.179
 he,

00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:21.779
 you couldn't list

00:37:21.779 --> 00:37:22.559
 all of the things

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.259
 that we're dependent

00:37:23.259 --> 00:37:24.299
 upon that God gives,

00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:25.480
 but it's not just

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.319
 that we do that,

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.139
 that would just be

00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.920
 like deism,

00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.539
 it's also that I,

00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:31.239
 I need to turn

00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:31.819
 to him

00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.519
 in light

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.559
 of what God,

00:37:36.299 --> 00:37:36.519
 see,

00:37:36.599 --> 00:37:37.400
 here's the mystery

00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:38.179
 of the gospel,

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.839
 that the same God

00:37:40.839 --> 00:37:41.859
 who even as I am

00:37:41.859 --> 00:37:43.079
 estranged from him

00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:44.900
 provides me air

00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.819
 and food

00:37:45.819 --> 00:37:46.359
 and just,

00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:46.619
 he,

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.659
 all of my,

00:37:47.859 --> 00:37:49.019
 he just provides

00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.039
 at the same time

00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.839
 when I'm estranged

00:37:50.839 --> 00:37:51.400
 from him,

00:37:51.879 --> 00:37:52.759
 he provides

00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.559
 for that truth,

00:37:53.779 --> 00:37:54.319
 that too,

00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:56.320
 and he provides

00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:56.960
 it all

00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.840
 with nothing

00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.380
 left over,

00:37:58.460 --> 00:37:59.039
 with nothing

00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.120
 added by me.

00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.620
 In 1 Thessalonians

00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:04.160
 5 verses 9 and 10

00:38:04.160 --> 00:38:04.700
 which sort of

00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:05.920
 frames this text,

00:38:06.120 --> 00:38:06.640
 it says,

00:38:07.140 --> 00:38:07.980
 for God has not

00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:08.740
 destined us

00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.440
 for wrath,

00:38:10.120 --> 00:38:10.920
 but to obtain

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.620
 salvation

00:38:11.620 --> 00:38:12.420
 through our Lord

00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.240
 Jesus Christ

00:38:13.240 --> 00:38:14.360
 who died for us

00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:14.860
 so that whether

00:38:14.860 --> 00:38:15.539
 we are awake

00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:16.059
 or asleep

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.860
 we might live

00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:17.200
 with him.

00:38:17.640 --> 00:38:18.039
 And notice

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.539
 what it says,

00:38:18.680 --> 00:38:19.440
 for God has not

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.000
 destined us

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.600
 for wrath,

00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:22.280
 but to obtain

00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:23.160
 salvation.

00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:23.239
 salvation.

00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:24.599
 It's something

00:38:24.599 --> 00:38:25.539
 we receive

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:27.420
 that God

00:38:27.420 --> 00:38:28.019
 who gives

00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:29.259
 all things,

00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:30.940
 he,

00:38:31.259 --> 00:38:31.819
 through the death

00:38:31.819 --> 00:38:32.259
 of his son

00:38:32.259 --> 00:38:33.279
 upon the cross,

00:38:34.119 --> 00:38:35.619
 gives salvation

00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:37.460
 and it's something

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.319
 that I am

00:38:38.319 --> 00:38:39.379
 to obtain,

00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.599
 that I am

00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.319
 to receive.

00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.899
 And as the hymn

00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.500
 said at the beginning,

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.359
 you might have missed it,

00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.619
 but it's not in part,

00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:47.440
 but in whole.

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:48.920
 The salvation

00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:49.679
 that God

00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:50.639
 is going to give

00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:51.619
 is whole

00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.359
 and complete.

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:52.799
 Why?

00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:54.100
 I am

00:38:54.100 --> 00:38:55.480
 only need.

00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:58.120
 And even

00:38:58.120 --> 00:38:58.980
 when I rebel

00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.900
 against him

00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:01.200
 and even

00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:01.920
 though I think

00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:02.460
 that he doesn't

00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:03.039
 exist and I'm

00:39:03.039 --> 00:39:04.460
 estranged from him,

00:39:04.560 --> 00:39:05.539
 I never am

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.539
 anything other

00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:08.240
 than only need.

00:39:08.620 --> 00:39:09.380
 So even

00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:10.140
 salvation

00:39:10.140 --> 00:39:11.100
 has to be

00:39:11.100 --> 00:39:11.560
 something

00:39:11.560 --> 00:39:12.840
 that the one

00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:13.539
 who needs

00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.019
 nothing

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:14.680
 and only

00:39:14.680 --> 00:39:15.120
 gives

00:39:15.120 --> 00:39:15.640
 and only

00:39:15.640 --> 00:39:16.019
 loves,

00:39:16.360 --> 00:39:17.360
 he has

00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:18.220
 to do it

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:18.880
 all.

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.780
 And he does

00:39:20.780 --> 00:39:21.500
 it all

00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.560
 through the gift

00:39:22.560 --> 00:39:23.680
 of his son

00:39:23.680 --> 00:39:24.640
 who dies

00:39:24.640 --> 00:39:25.740
 upon the cross

00:39:25.740 --> 00:39:26.800
 that I am

00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:28.040
 estranged from him

00:39:28.040 --> 00:39:28.940
 and he

00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:30.340
 comes to me.

00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:31.920
 He crosses

00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.280
 that infinite

00:39:33.280 --> 00:39:33.980
 distance

00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:35.220
 that I cannot

00:39:35.220 --> 00:39:36.580
 begin to cross

00:39:36.580 --> 00:39:37.500
 and he

00:39:37.500 --> 00:39:38.380
 comes

00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.320
 to me.

00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:40.600
 and what

00:39:40.600 --> 00:39:41.620
 Jesus does

00:39:41.620 --> 00:39:42.080
 for me

00:39:42.080 --> 00:39:42.900
 on the cross

00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:43.800
 is something

00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:44.900
 complete and

00:39:44.900 --> 00:39:46.000
 utter that God

00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:47.280
 does in Jesus

00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.340
 for me.

00:39:49.340 --> 00:39:50.059
 And I

00:39:50.059 --> 00:39:50.980
 can only

00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:52.000
 obtain it.

00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:54.920
 I can only

00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:56.099
 receive it.

00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:57.159
 I can never

00:39:57.159 --> 00:39:58.059
 earn it or

00:39:58.059 --> 00:39:59.059
 accomplish it

00:39:59.059 --> 00:40:00.239
 or work for it.

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:01.380
 I can never

00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.659
 be a self

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:04.059
 made man.

00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:07.360
 I can only

00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:08.960
 receive what

00:40:08.960 --> 00:40:09.980
 Jesus does

00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:10.679
 on the cross

00:40:10.679 --> 00:40:11.579
 because that

00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:12.519
 is the means

00:40:12.519 --> 00:40:13.599
 by which God

00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:14.599
 can give

00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.639
 salvation.

00:40:17.219 --> 00:40:18.139
 And at the end

00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.619
 of all these

00:40:18.619 --> 00:40:19.719
 practical disciples

00:40:19.719 --> 00:40:21.179
 disciplines,

00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:22.000
 how is the text

00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:22.579
 framed verses

00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.579
 23 and 24

00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:24.179
 to bring the

00:40:24.179 --> 00:40:24.619
 point home

00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:24.960
 again?

00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:27.039
 Now may the

00:40:27.039 --> 00:40:27.859
 God of peace

00:40:27.859 --> 00:40:28.879
 himself

00:40:28.879 --> 00:40:30.619
 sanctify you

00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.239
 completely

00:40:31.239 --> 00:40:32.960
 and may your

00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.779
 whole spirit

00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:34.219
 and soul

00:40:34.219 --> 00:40:34.699
 and body

00:40:34.699 --> 00:40:35.239
 be kept

00:40:35.239 --> 00:40:35.940
 blameless

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:36.599
 at the coming

00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:37.139
 of our Lord

00:40:37.139 --> 00:40:37.699
 Jesus Christ.

00:40:37.859 --> 00:40:38.759
 God keeps it

00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:39.139
 blameless.

00:40:39.379 --> 00:40:40.679
 God sanctifies.

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:41.960
 He who calls

00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:42.659
 you is faithful.

00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:44.679
 He will surely

00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:45.599
 do it.

00:40:47.719 --> 00:40:48.759
 And so it is.

00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:50.179
 Whether I'm

00:40:50.179 --> 00:40:50.659
 having it

00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.559
 fantastic

00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.399
 circumstances

00:40:52.399 --> 00:40:53.000
 right now,

00:40:53.219 --> 00:40:54.239
 things are going

00:40:54.239 --> 00:40:54.759
 really, really

00:40:54.759 --> 00:40:55.500
 well, or maybe

00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.000
 there's things

00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:56.399
 that are really

00:40:56.399 --> 00:40:56.920
 not going

00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.420
 very well,

00:40:57.859 --> 00:40:58.379
 the Bible

00:40:58.379 --> 00:40:59.279
 is inviting

00:40:59.279 --> 00:41:00.259
 us in every

00:41:00.259 --> 00:41:00.899
 circumstance

00:41:00.899 --> 00:41:01.779
 and in every

00:41:01.779 --> 00:41:02.519
 situation

00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:04.000
 to turn to

00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:04.500
 God.

00:41:05.639 --> 00:41:06.519
 And as we

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:07.500
 turn to God,

00:41:07.579 --> 00:41:08.359
 we're to dwell

00:41:08.359 --> 00:41:09.440
 on his greatness

00:41:09.440 --> 00:41:10.759
 and his glory.

00:41:11.159 --> 00:41:11.879
 And we are to

00:41:11.879 --> 00:41:12.899
 dwell on the

00:41:12.899 --> 00:41:13.699
 fact that even

00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:14.259
 when we are

00:41:14.259 --> 00:41:14.980
 estranged,

00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:16.399
 Jesus Christ

00:41:16.399 --> 00:41:18.059
 crucified is the

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:19.319
 means provided

00:41:19.320 --> 00:41:20.039
 by God

00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.740
 completely,

00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:21.340
 utterly,

00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:21.880
 thoroughly,

00:41:21.880 --> 00:41:22.519
 with nothing

00:41:22.519 --> 00:41:23.260
 left over,

00:41:23.720 --> 00:41:25.340
 that provides

00:41:25.340 --> 00:41:26.240
 the means by

00:41:26.240 --> 00:41:27.300
 which I can

00:41:27.300 --> 00:41:28.640
 become God's.

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.940
 The estrangement

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.720
 is removed.

00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:32.740
 And all I can

00:41:32.740 --> 00:41:33.800
 do is receive it,

00:41:33.900 --> 00:41:34.559
 never earn it,

00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:35.420
 never attain it,

00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:36.320
 never work for it,

00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:37.160
 just receive it.

00:41:38.140 --> 00:41:39.080
 And as I am in

00:41:39.080 --> 00:41:40.080
 my circumstances,

00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:40.760
 as I'm praying

00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:41.300
 about my

00:41:41.300 --> 00:41:41.940
 circumstances,

00:41:42.180 --> 00:41:43.300
 as I'm asking

00:41:43.300 --> 00:41:43.920
 for wisdom,

00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.680
 as I'm asking

00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:45.200
 for help,

00:41:45.260 --> 00:41:45.880
 as I'm asking

00:41:45.880 --> 00:41:46.519
 for direction,

00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:47.880
 as I'm repenting

00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:48.280
 in the midst

00:41:48.280 --> 00:41:48.960
 of all of these

00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.199
 things,

00:41:49.280 --> 00:41:49.900
 I'm to still

00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:51.019
 turn and thank

00:41:51.019 --> 00:41:52.960
 him in light

00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:53.559
 of his greatness

00:41:53.559 --> 00:41:54.500
 and glory and

00:41:54.500 --> 00:41:55.139
 in light of what

00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:56.199
 his son has done

00:41:56.199 --> 00:41:57.519
 for me on the

00:41:57.519 --> 00:41:57.920
 cross.

00:41:59.259 --> 00:41:59.860
 And here's this

00:41:59.860 --> 00:42:00.460
 final thing.

00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:01.199
 Let's say the text

00:42:01.199 --> 00:42:02.320
 and then I'll show

00:42:02.320 --> 00:42:03.059
 you the final point.

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.519
 Let's say it

00:42:03.519 --> 00:42:03.780
 together.

00:42:04.300 --> 00:42:05.280
 Give thanks in

00:42:05.280 --> 00:42:06.500
 all circumstances

00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:08.039
 for this is the

00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:09.139
 will of God in

00:42:09.139 --> 00:42:10.199
 Christ Jesus for

00:42:10.199 --> 00:42:10.420
 you.

00:42:10.860 --> 00:42:11.659
 Here's the thing

00:42:11.659 --> 00:42:12.199
 that we are to

00:42:12.199 --> 00:42:13.019
 understand when we

00:42:13.019 --> 00:42:13.980
 turn to God in

00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.920
 whatever situation

00:42:14.920 --> 00:42:15.400
 we're in.

00:42:15.400 --> 00:42:16.280
 If you put it

00:42:16.280 --> 00:42:16.960
 up on the screen,

00:42:17.079 --> 00:42:17.320
 Andrew,

00:42:18.519 --> 00:42:19.980
 God is unchangeably

00:42:19.980 --> 00:42:21.480
 wise and powerful.

00:42:22.220 --> 00:42:22.920
 Sorry, God is

00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:23.599
 unchangeable.

00:42:23.680 --> 00:42:24.400
 He's wise and

00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:25.660
 powerful, kind and

00:42:25.660 --> 00:42:26.680
 good, true and

00:42:26.680 --> 00:42:28.539
 loving, wild and

00:42:28.539 --> 00:42:29.119
 untamed.

00:42:31.320 --> 00:42:32.039
 Who knows what

00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:32.619
 he's going to do?

00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:35.280
 Can't put him in a

00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:36.380
 box, can't tame him,

00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.240
 can't put him on a

00:42:37.240 --> 00:42:38.920
 leash, can't pat him

00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:39.680
 on the head, say he's

00:42:39.680 --> 00:42:40.220
 a good boy.

00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:42.280
 And on one hand,

00:42:42.320 --> 00:42:42.740
 it's the most

00:42:42.740 --> 00:42:43.840
 frightening thing in

00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.780
 the world to think

00:42:44.780 --> 00:42:45.240
 that when you

00:42:45.239 --> 00:42:46.159
 turn to God in

00:42:46.159 --> 00:42:46.919
 your circumstances

00:42:46.919 --> 00:42:47.279
 and your

00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:48.419
 situations, you're

00:42:48.419 --> 00:42:49.500
 turning to the

00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.639
 God who has no

00:42:50.639 --> 00:42:52.519
 needs and is

00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:53.439
 completely and

00:42:53.439 --> 00:42:54.699
 utterly wild and

00:42:54.699 --> 00:42:55.459
 untamed.

00:42:57.319 --> 00:42:58.379
 And our only

00:42:58.379 --> 00:43:01.099
 confidence is that

00:43:01.099 --> 00:43:01.839
 he's wise and

00:43:01.839 --> 00:43:03.099
 powerful, kind and

00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:04.159
 good, true and

00:43:04.159 --> 00:43:04.459
 loving.

00:43:05.779 --> 00:43:06.799
 And that he sent

00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:08.339
 his son to die

00:43:08.339 --> 00:43:09.239
 upon the cross.

00:43:09.679 --> 00:43:11.019
 He himself provides

00:43:11.019 --> 00:43:12.759
 all of salvation and

00:43:12.759 --> 00:43:13.859
 we are to receive it.

00:43:13.860 --> 00:43:14.320
 God.

00:43:14.320 --> 00:43:16.420
 And so it is, that

00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:17.460
 is the God and

00:43:17.460 --> 00:43:18.420
 that is the context

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.460
 that we are to turn

00:43:19.460 --> 00:43:20.440
 to in every

00:43:20.440 --> 00:43:21.400
 circumstance and

00:43:21.400 --> 00:43:22.079
 situation.

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:26.440
 And amongst the

00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:27.340
 many things we say,

00:43:27.420 --> 00:43:28.360
 one of them is thank

00:43:28.360 --> 00:43:28.579
 you.

00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:30.400
 And his greatness and

00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:31.599
 his glory and the

00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:33.039
 gift of Jesus and

00:43:33.039 --> 00:43:33.980
 him being wild and

00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:35.519
 untamed is the

00:43:35.519 --> 00:43:37.260
 context of our

00:43:37.260 --> 00:43:39.360
 thankfulness to him.

00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:40.559
 Please stand.

00:43:40.559 --> 00:43:50.380
 Let's just bow our

00:43:50.380 --> 00:43:50.980
 heads in prayer.

00:44:00.980 --> 00:44:01.940
 Father, we give you

00:44:01.940 --> 00:44:03.000
 thanks and praise that

00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:03.880
 you know every single

00:44:03.880 --> 00:44:04.960
 person here in this

00:44:04.960 --> 00:44:06.079
 room and you know us

00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:07.480
 completely and utterly

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.159
 perfectly.

00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:09.759
 We thank you,

00:44:10.039 --> 00:44:10.659
 Father, that you

00:44:10.659 --> 00:44:12.119
 know, not only do

00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:13.299
 you see the mask we're

00:44:13.299 --> 00:44:14.379
 wearing right now, you

00:44:14.379 --> 00:44:15.619
 know every mask we

00:44:15.619 --> 00:44:16.559
 have in our arsenal.

00:44:17.420 --> 00:44:18.359
 You know how, you

00:44:18.359 --> 00:44:19.299
 know even the way we

00:44:19.299 --> 00:44:20.719
 go from mask to mask

00:44:20.719 --> 00:44:21.839
 to mask to mask.

00:44:21.899 --> 00:44:23.159
 You see every mask,

00:44:23.699 --> 00:44:25.219
 every maneuver, and

00:44:25.219 --> 00:44:26.639
 you see us as we

00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:27.399
 really are.

00:44:27.719 --> 00:44:28.799
 You see us, Father,

00:44:28.960 --> 00:44:30.019
 and you know even the

00:44:30.019 --> 00:44:31.039
 dreams at night that we

00:44:31.039 --> 00:44:31.719
 don't remember.

00:44:32.339 --> 00:44:33.420
 Father, you know all of

00:44:33.420 --> 00:44:33.599
 those.

00:44:33.699 --> 00:44:34.779
 You know us perfectly.

00:44:35.420 --> 00:44:36.980
 And still you love us.

00:44:36.980 --> 00:44:38.400
 And still you sent your

00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:39.599
 son to die upon the

00:44:39.599 --> 00:44:40.519
 cross for us.

00:44:40.960 --> 00:44:42.260
 And still, Father, when

00:44:42.260 --> 00:44:43.420
 we come to Jesus and

00:44:43.420 --> 00:44:44.219
 accept him as our

00:44:44.219 --> 00:44:45.039
 Savior and Lord and

00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:46.039
 receive what he has

00:44:46.039 --> 00:44:47.139
 done for us, what only

00:44:47.139 --> 00:44:48.199
 you can accomplish and

00:44:48.199 --> 00:44:49.159
 what you accomplish in

00:44:49.159 --> 00:44:49.659
 your son.

00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:51.400
 Father, we thank you

00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:51.840
 for this.

00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:53.480
 We thank you for it.

00:44:54.300 --> 00:44:55.500
 And we ask, Father, that

00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.639
 your Holy Spirit would

00:44:56.639 --> 00:44:57.860
 move and work deeply in

00:44:57.860 --> 00:44:59.519
 our lives so that in

00:44:59.519 --> 00:45:00.840
 every circumstance and

00:45:00.840 --> 00:45:02.199
 situation that we would

00:45:02.199 --> 00:45:03.980
 pause and turn to you

00:45:03.980 --> 00:45:05.579
 and that we would dwell on

00:45:05.579 --> 00:45:06.500
 your greatness, that we

00:45:06.500 --> 00:45:07.460
 would dwell on your

00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:08.539
 glory, that we would

00:45:08.539 --> 00:45:09.659
 dwell on your wisdom,

00:45:09.760 --> 00:45:10.739
 and we would dwell on

00:45:10.739 --> 00:45:12.119
 your power, and we

00:45:12.119 --> 00:45:13.400
 would dwell on what your

00:45:13.400 --> 00:45:14.420
 son did for us on the

00:45:14.420 --> 00:45:15.699
 cross, what he won for

00:45:15.699 --> 00:45:16.699
 us on the cross, and

00:45:16.699 --> 00:45:18.420
 what you offer us through

00:45:18.420 --> 00:45:19.820
 the cross and through

00:45:19.820 --> 00:45:20.239
 your son.

00:45:20.320 --> 00:45:21.360
 And, Father, we ask that

00:45:21.360 --> 00:45:23.500
 that would form us as we

00:45:23.500 --> 00:45:24.840
 turn to you and talk to

00:45:24.840 --> 00:45:25.079
 you.

00:45:25.820 --> 00:45:27.000
 And in all of our pouring

00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:27.920
 out of our heart to you,

00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:28.880
 Father, and we ask that

00:45:28.880 --> 00:45:29.699
 you would teach us and

00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:30.940
 help us to pour out our

00:45:30.940 --> 00:45:31.519
 heart to you.

00:45:32.559 --> 00:45:33.840
 We ask as well, Father,

00:45:33.840 --> 00:45:34.940
 that we would give you

00:45:34.940 --> 00:45:37.000
 thanks in our different

00:45:37.000 --> 00:45:37.860
 circumstances.

00:45:38.120 --> 00:45:38.960
 Father, make us a

00:45:38.960 --> 00:45:39.700
 prayerful people.

00:45:40.240 --> 00:45:41.680
 Make us disciples gripped

00:45:41.680 --> 00:45:43.559
 by the gospel, living for

00:45:43.559 --> 00:45:44.079
 your glory.

00:45:44.539 --> 00:45:45.840
 And this we ask in Jesus'

00:45:46.059 --> 00:45:46.260
 name.

00:45:46.780 --> 00:45:47.079
 Amen.

00:45:48.600 --> 00:45:50.059
 Please take a posture of

00:45:50.059 --> 00:45:51.559
 prayer as we enter into a

00:45:51.559 --> 00:45:52.760
 time of intercession.

00:45:52.760 --> 00:46:04.160
 As we enter this time of

00:46:04.160 --> 00:46:05.500
 prayer, please feel free to

00:46:05.500 --> 00:46:06.940
 take whatever position helps

00:46:06.940 --> 00:46:08.340
 you to communicate with God

00:46:08.340 --> 00:46:09.100
 our Father.

00:46:11.240 --> 00:46:13.560
 Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus,

00:46:14.180 --> 00:46:16.400
 precious Holy Spirit, our

00:46:16.400 --> 00:46:18.760
 wonderful triune God, we

00:46:18.760 --> 00:46:20.080
 praise and thank you for your

00:46:20.080 --> 00:46:21.300
 love and care for us.

00:46:21.300 --> 00:46:23.680
 As our country prepares to

00:46:23.680 --> 00:46:26.100
 celebrate our national day, we

00:46:26.100 --> 00:46:27.560
 praise and thank you for our

00:46:27.560 --> 00:46:29.140
 temporal home here in Canada

00:46:29.140 --> 00:46:30.620
 and all the freedoms we

00:46:30.620 --> 00:46:31.120
 enjoy.

00:46:32.080 --> 00:46:33.760
 We pray that you will bless all

00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:35.380
 our leaders, federal,

00:46:35.760 --> 00:46:38.000
 provincial, and municipal, and

00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:39.200
 that you grant them open and

00:46:39.200 --> 00:46:40.519
 willing hearts to seek your

00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.880
 will for the good of all.

00:46:43.120 --> 00:46:45.240
 Bless and keep those in all the

00:46:45.240 --> 00:46:46.740
 services, both at home and

00:46:46.740 --> 00:46:48.800
 abroad, whose role it is to

00:46:48.800 --> 00:46:50.120
 keep us safe from harm.

00:46:51.300 --> 00:46:52.900
 And help us to choose

00:46:52.900 --> 00:46:55.360
 gratitude, especially for our

00:46:55.360 --> 00:46:55.960
 salvation.

00:46:56.820 --> 00:46:57.560
 Let us pray.

00:46:59.640 --> 00:47:01.640
 Dear God, may the leaders of the

00:47:01.640 --> 00:47:03.700
 nations rule with righteousness

00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.639
 and may they...