WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:04.400 Jack and Grace met through a mutual friend. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:09.939 From day one, they seemed to be perfect for each other. 00:00:10.560 --> 00:00:13.040 Grace was everything that Jack had always wanted. 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:17.059 She was beautiful and outgoing and caring, 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:19.359 always there when Jack needed her. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:21.440 For the first... 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:23.460 I might get one of those other microphones, is that alright? 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:30.960 Grace was beautiful, outgoing and caring. 00:00:31.240 --> 00:00:33.600 She was always there for whatever Jack needed her. 00:00:34.120 --> 00:00:36.799 For the first five months, they were just inseparable. 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:42.400 Jack could hardly think of anything but Grace. 00:00:43.519 --> 00:00:45.179 He didn't need to look further. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:46.219 He told his friends. 00:00:46.380 --> 00:00:47.560 He said, she's the one. 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:50.840 Now, almost three years have passed, 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:56.200 and Jack still enjoys the comfort and the familiarity of being with Grace. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:58.280 But the spark's gone. 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:03.460 Grace's flaws are just a little bit more obvious. 00:01:04.880 --> 00:01:08.260 He's not sure he finds her as attractive as he once did. 00:01:08.800 --> 00:01:12.240 And he's beginning to resent all the time that she wants to spend with him. 00:01:13.020 --> 00:01:19.820 One day, when she asks if they can define the nature of their relationship, 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:21.839 Jack blows up. 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:23.879 We're together, aren't we? 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:25.679 He says angrily. 00:01:26.419 --> 00:01:28.479 Why is that not enough for you? 00:01:31.439 --> 00:01:33.359 Obviously, Jack isn't ready for commitment. 00:01:34.459 --> 00:01:36.119 He's not sure he ever will be, 00:01:36.839 --> 00:01:39.979 nor ever wants to be. 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:45.600 I wonder if you've ever been in a relationship like that. 00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:51.140 I wonder if you know of people who are in relationships like that. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:54.060 I can think of a couple. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:59.519 Let me say, if you are in a relationship like that, 00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:02.820 that is not God's purpose for your life. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:06.040 God wants you to be in a relationship 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:11.640 defined by both passion and commitment. 00:02:11.639 --> 00:02:15.479 And the reality is, 00:02:15.559 --> 00:02:17.539 there are millions of Jacks 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:20.859 walking around on the face of the earth today. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:24.339 But before I go on any further, 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:26.399 let me just give you one more piece of information 00:02:26.399 --> 00:02:27.459 that you should know. 00:02:28.679 --> 00:02:30.139 Grace isn't a girl. 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:33.299 Grace is a church. 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:38.180 And this, unfortunately, 00:02:38.480 --> 00:02:40.980 is the let's define the nature relationship talk. 00:02:43.920 --> 00:02:46.900 The ethic of personal autonomy 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:49.180 shapes the minds, 00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:51.040 the expectations, 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:55.520 and the worldviews of most Australians. 00:02:56.700 --> 00:02:57.760 And regrettably, 00:02:57.900 --> 00:03:00.060 this ethic has permeated 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:02.580 the Australian church. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:04.560 There is little, 00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:04.979 in fact, 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:06.500 it's not just the Australian church 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:08.060 in terms of the culture. 00:03:08.219 --> 00:03:08.819 It's one of the things 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:09.939 that's happening with this pandemic 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:10.659 at the moment 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:12.800 as to why places like Singapore 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:13.920 and Hong Kong 00:03:13.920 --> 00:03:15.479 can contain it so well. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:17.420 But in the Western world, 00:03:17.480 --> 00:03:18.140 it explodes. 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:23.379 In our minds, 00:03:23.379 --> 00:03:24.379 there is little thought 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:27.240 given to our statement 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:28.719 from the Apostles' Creed today. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:30.199 I believe in 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.359 one holy, 00:03:31.979 --> 00:03:32.419 Catholic, 00:03:32.979 --> 00:03:34.219 and apostolic church 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:35.699 and the communion of saints. 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:37.000 Now, 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:38.159 if you've just joined us 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:39.939 today, 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:41.639 then we're working our way 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:43.400 through the ancient statement 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:44.120 of Christian belief 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:45.300 called the Apostles' Creed. 00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:47.539 And this short statement 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:49.259 captures the way 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:51.340 that Christians view God, 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:52.419 the world, 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:53.340 the life, 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:54.300 future. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:56.599 It's our worldview, 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:57.300 if you like. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:03:58.820 And so today, 00:03:58.900 --> 00:03:59.460 I'm picking up 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:00.280 what Christians believe 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:01.000 about the church. 00:04:01.100 --> 00:04:01.820 I've got three things 00:04:01.820 --> 00:04:02.719 I want us to explore. 00:04:02.820 --> 00:04:03.480 If you've got a phone 00:04:03.480 --> 00:04:03.939 or an iPad 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.719 or a handout in front of you, 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:06.300 you'll see there 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:08.240 three main points. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:09.240 What is the church? 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:10.420 What's the purpose 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:11.160 of the church? 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:12.240 And how to be 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:14.640 a purposeful church member? 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:17.300 So what's the first point? 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:19.019 What is the church? 00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:21.360 The word church 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.080 in our New Testament 00:04:24.080 --> 00:04:26.060 comes from the Greek word 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:26.879 ecclesia. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:30.780 It's used just under 80 times 00:04:30.780 --> 00:04:31.800 in the New Testament 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:35.300 and only on three occasions 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:36.620 in the New Testament 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:38.259 is the word ecclesia 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.420 not translated 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:43.740 into the English word church. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.160 For instance, 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:48.220 in Acts 19, 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:50.960 an idol-making silversmith 00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:52.240 named Demetrius 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.300 whips the whole city up 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:55.360 into a riot 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:57.379 because too many 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:59.120 of his customers 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:01.379 were turning from idolatry 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.660 to faith in the Lord Jesus 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:03.680 and therefore not buying 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:04.519 his produce. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.800 And next thing you know, 00:05:06.900 --> 00:05:08.480 there's this large crowd 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:09.319 that's gathered 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.079 and it says 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:12.099 in Acts 19, 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:12.980 32, 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:14.639 the assembly 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:16.560 was in confusion. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:18.240 Some were shouting 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:18.939 one thing, 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:20.180 some another 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:21.920 and most people 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:22.319 didn't even know 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:22.879 why they were there. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:24.920 So it seems like 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:26.319 a sensible kind of mob really. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.740 The word assembly there 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:31.579 is the Greek word 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:32.300 ecclesia. 00:05:33.899 --> 00:05:35.300 The word church 00:05:35.300 --> 00:05:36.300 at its core 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:38.039 simply refers to 00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:39.139 a crowd 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:40.199 of people 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:41.159 gathered together. 00:05:42.159 --> 00:05:43.579 Sometimes in the New Testament, 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:44.899 churches used to 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:45.959 refer to the 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:47.579 gathering of Christians 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:49.019 around God 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:49.659 in heaven. 00:05:50.219 --> 00:05:52.000 Theologians refer to this 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:54.219 as the invisible church. 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:56.539 Everyone 00:05:56.539 --> 00:05:58.399 who knows Jesus 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:00.319 from every time 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:01.159 and 00:06:01.159 --> 00:06:03.219 place, 00:06:04.039 --> 00:06:05.339 those who are alive 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:06.899 and those who are dead 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:07.759 are gathered 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:08.500 spiritually 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:10.019 in God's presence, 00:06:10.739 --> 00:06:11.959 united in Jesus, 00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:13.439 magnifying God. 00:06:14.239 --> 00:06:15.759 That's the invisible church. 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:18.719 And if you are in Jesus now, 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:19.719 if you're a Christian, 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:20.479 spiritually, 00:06:20.679 --> 00:06:21.319 you're connected 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:23.939 to that universal church 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.060 currently gathering 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:26.620 in the throne room 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:27.539 around God. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.419 That's the invisible church. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:31.540 mostly, 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:32.020 however, 00:06:32.020 --> 00:06:32.740 the words 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:33.920 in the New Testament 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:34.980 refer to the 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.259 local church 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:38.060 gathered in a particular 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:38.699 place, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.160 like the church 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:41.700 that gathers 00:06:41.700 --> 00:06:42.620 on the corner of 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:43.340 Fuller's Road 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:44.000 and View Street, 00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:44.560 Chatswood. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.060 The local church. 00:06:46.280 --> 00:06:46.639 Us. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.120 This is the church 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:49.920 visible. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.240 never 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.540 in the New Testament 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:55.560 is the 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:56.759 word 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:57.560 ecclesia 00:06:57.560 --> 00:06:59.199 used 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:00.000 to describe 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:00.840 a location, 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:02.640 a building, 00:07:03.340 --> 00:07:04.280 or an institution, 00:07:04.840 --> 00:07:06.960 or even 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.439 a collection 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:10.100 of local churches. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:15.840 And so, 00:07:16.020 --> 00:07:16.520 you could say, 00:07:16.580 --> 00:07:16.639 well, 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:17.420 the church is just 00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:18.080 a mob 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:19.979 on one level. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:21.800 But, 00:07:22.419 --> 00:07:22.859 the church 00:07:22.859 --> 00:07:23.439 is not just 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:24.359 any mob 00:07:24.359 --> 00:07:24.979 or crowd 00:07:24.979 --> 00:07:25.699 gathered together. 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:27.000 The Greek word 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:27.620 ecclesia 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:28.879 is made from 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:29.639 two other 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.479 Greek words 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:31.599 and joined together. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:33.959 These words 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:34.620 mean 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.899 to call 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:36.539 out. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:39.139 The word 00:07:39.139 --> 00:07:39.759 church 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:41.339 really refers 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:41.979 to those 00:07:41.979 --> 00:07:42.819 called out 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.000 by God, 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:46.240 called out 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:46.939 by God, 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:47.539 joined 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:48.120 together 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:48.879 as his 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:49.480 people, 00:07:50.080 --> 00:07:50.600 the followers 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:51.080 of his 00:07:51.080 --> 00:07:51.460 son, 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:51.920 Jesus. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:53.540 And 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.879 Matthew 18, 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:55.520 which Peter 00:07:55.520 --> 00:07:56.480 read out to us, 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:58.340 is where we see 00:07:58.340 --> 00:07:59.120 the foundation 00:07:59.120 --> 00:07:59.860 of the church. 00:07:59.960 --> 00:08:00.520 We see this 00:08:00.520 --> 00:08:01.360 theology 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:02.600 starting there. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:03.460 This is 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:04.680 what separates 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:05.780 this particular 00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:07.340 gathering of people 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:08.320 from all other 00:08:08.320 --> 00:08:09.340 gatherings of people. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:12.120 Matthew 16, 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:15.100 13 to 19, 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:18.139 people, 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:18.680 Jesus 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:19.459 asks his 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:19.920 disciples, 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:20.560 who do 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.639 people say I am? 00:08:21.660 --> 00:08:22.060 And they come up 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:22.420 with all sorts 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:22.699 of different 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:23.079 answers. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:23.740 Jesus says, 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:23.879 well, 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.540 what about you? 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:25.720 And Peter 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:26.699 confesses the 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:27.319 identity 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.100 of who 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.199 Jesus is. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:30.560 Peter says 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.160 that Jesus 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:32.240 is more than 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:32.700 a prophet, 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:33.700 he's more 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.360 than a teacher, 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:35.899 he is 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:36.919 the son 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:37.440 of the living 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:37.940 God, 00:08:38.040 --> 00:08:38.740 the Messiah. 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:42.220 He is 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.900 the promised 00:08:43.900 --> 00:08:45.180 seed of the 00:08:45.180 --> 00:08:46.260 woman from 00:08:46.260 --> 00:08:47.100 Genesis 3. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.880 And Jesus 00:08:49.880 --> 00:08:51.000 then responds 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:51.960 with an 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:52.720 announcement 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.880 that will 00:08:53.880 --> 00:08:54.780 change the 00:08:54.780 --> 00:08:55.280 course of 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:55.960 human history. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:59.100 He says, 00:08:59.100 --> 00:08:59.660 upon 00:08:59.660 --> 00:09:01.340 Peter's 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.560 word, 00:09:05.200 --> 00:09:05.440 not 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:06.460 Peter the 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:06.980 person, 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:08.740 but upon 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:09.760 his word, 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:11.220 his confession, 00:09:12.520 --> 00:09:12.980 he will 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.080 build his 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:15.040 church, 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:15.620 his gathering. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:16.080 Why is 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:16.540 Peter's 00:09:16.540 --> 00:09:17.260 word not 00:09:17.260 --> 00:09:18.900 Peter the 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:19.380 person? 00:09:19.920 --> 00:09:20.480 Because the 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.220 whole context 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:21.920 tells you 00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:22.840 it's about 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:23.840 who Jesus 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:24.460 is, 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:24.860 not who 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:25.460 Peter is, 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:26.220 it's about 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:26.860 the identity 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:27.860 of Jesus. 00:09:28.640 --> 00:09:29.040 Who do 00:09:29.040 --> 00:09:29.760 people say 00:09:29.760 --> 00:09:30.680 I am? 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:31.680 And in the 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:32.040 very next 00:09:32.040 --> 00:09:32.320 section, 00:09:32.440 --> 00:09:32.800 Peter gets 00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:33.180 it totally 00:09:33.180 --> 00:09:33.520 wrong and 00:09:33.520 --> 00:09:33.920 tries to 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:34.600 stop Jesus 00:09:34.600 --> 00:09:34.840 from going 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:35.000 on the 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:35.260 cross in 00:09:35.260 --> 00:09:35.540 the first 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:35.860 place. 00:09:36.160 --> 00:09:36.420 So Peter 00:09:36.420 --> 00:09:36.660 hasn't 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.039 fully 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:37.740 grasped it. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:41.299 Upon 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:41.819 Peter's 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:42.459 confession, 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:43.839 he will 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:44.399 build his 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:44.879 church. 00:09:45.719 --> 00:09:46.139 Where 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:46.699 Peter's 00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:47.259 confession 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:47.899 of the 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:48.339 true 00:09:48.339 --> 00:09:49.039 identity 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:49.819 of Jesus 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:50.399 Christ 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.360 is found, 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.259 the church 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:54.219 is found. 00:09:55.219 --> 00:09:55.899 Where 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:56.240 this 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:56.819 confession 00:09:56.819 --> 00:09:57.279 is 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.059 proclaimed, 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:00.000 you find 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.639 the communion 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.419 of saints. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:03.299 Entrance 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:04.139 into God's 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:04.819 church, 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:04.860 church, 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.120 his crowd, 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.260 his mob 00:10:07.260 --> 00:10:08.460 begins 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:09.340 with the 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:09.940 confession 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:11.240 that Jesus 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.260 Christ is 00:10:12.260 --> 00:10:12.900 Lord, 00:10:13.260 --> 00:10:14.120 Son of 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:14.440 the living 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:14.900 God. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.640 All who 00:10:17.640 --> 00:10:18.260 make that 00:10:18.260 --> 00:10:18.800 confession, 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.540 by God's 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:19.960 grace, 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.060 become his 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:22.200 people and 00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:23.080 unite themselves 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:23.840 to Christ 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:24.200 and his 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:24.560 body, 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.580 the church. 00:10:26.280 --> 00:10:26.740 It's by 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:27.520 God's grace 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:28.500 because Peter's 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.020 confession 00:10:29.020 --> 00:10:30.580 was gifted 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:31.200 to him 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.379 by God 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:32.780 himself, 00:10:32.900 --> 00:10:33.300 as Jesus 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:33.640 said. 00:10:34.780 --> 00:10:35.379 This all 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:35.820 means that 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:36.220 when a 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:36.660 church 00:10:36.660 --> 00:10:38.780 fails to 00:10:38.780 --> 00:10:39.460 hold to 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.520 this truth 00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:42.440 and declare 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:43.660 this truth 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:44.820 and embody 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.259 this truth, 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:48.860 they forfeit 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:49.680 their status 00:10:49.680 --> 00:10:50.980 as a 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:51.400 church of 00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:51.800 Christ. 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:54.680 And they 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:56.180 become a 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:56.420 mob, 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:57.580 a crowd. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:00.920 As 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:01.600 theologian 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:01.960 J.R. 00:11:02.020 --> 00:11:02.340 Packer 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:02.800 puts it 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:03.360 in his 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.300 very short 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:04.600 book, 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.020 Affirming 00:11:05.020 --> 00:11:05.560 the Apostles 00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:05.980 Creed, 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:06.900 he says, 00:11:07.020 --> 00:11:07.440 the church 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:07.920 is a 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:08.300 supernatural 00:11:08.300 --> 00:11:09.280 society 00:11:09.280 --> 00:11:10.060 of God's 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:10.639 redeemed 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.500 and baptized 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.259 people, 00:11:12.900 --> 00:11:13.720 looking back 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:14.560 to Christ's 00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:15.200 first coming 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:15.879 with gratitude 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:17.100 and on to 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:17.620 his second 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.259 coming with 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.620 hope. 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.340 That's the 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:21.720 first point, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.120 that's what the 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:22.460 church is. 00:11:22.520 --> 00:11:22.920 So what's the 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:23.280 purpose of 00:11:23.280 --> 00:11:23.560 church? 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:24.840 Matthew 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:25.960 16 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:27.600 would also 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:28.280 suggest the 00:11:28.280 --> 00:11:29.080 church has a 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.060 specific purpose. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:31.740 It alludes to 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.120 it in the 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.700 second half of 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:33.480 verse 18 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.160 where we read, 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.560 the gates of 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:36.560 Hades will not 00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:37.300 overcome it, 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:38.820 I will give you 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:39.740 the keys of 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:40.379 the kingdom of 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:40.660 heaven, 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.879 whatever you 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.700 bind on earth 00:11:42.700 --> 00:11:43.460 you will be 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.160 bound in 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:44.580 heaven and 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:45.040 whatever you 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:45.560 loose on 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:46.240 earth will be 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:46.700 loosed in 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:46.960 heaven. 00:11:48.400 --> 00:11:49.440 So Peter's 00:11:49.440 --> 00:11:50.040 confession 00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:52.220 insists that 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:53.220 the church be 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:53.960 built on the 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:54.800 truth of the 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:55.200 gospel, 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:57.120 but Jesus 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:59.639 also endows 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:00.500 his body 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.700 with an 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:03.960 insurmountable 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:04.680 power, 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.840 a power that 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.440 Satan himself 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:09.820 cannot 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:10.600 overturn 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:12.000 even by 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:12.440 death. 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.139 And this 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.000 authority is 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.879 given to the 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:17.080 church that 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.180 the church 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:19.660 might carry 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:20.500 out its 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.620 God-given 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:23.259 duties and 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:23.960 that is to 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:24.820 shine the 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:26.000 light of 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.060 the glory 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:27.840 of Jesus 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.020 Christ to 00:12:29.020 --> 00:12:29.680 a lost 00:12:29.680 --> 00:12:30.180 and dying 00:12:30.180 --> 00:12:30.660 world. 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.060 That's his 00:12:33.060 --> 00:12:33.480 purpose. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.620 So let's 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.260 unpack that 00:12:35.260 --> 00:12:35.720 purpose a 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:36.180 little bit. 00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:38.300 We'll see, 00:12:38.420 --> 00:12:38.840 and I want to 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:39.220 jump into 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.140 Ephesians chapter 00:12:40.140 --> 00:12:40.400 1. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:40.780 So if you've 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:41.920 got your 00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:42.440 Bibles in 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:42.720 front of you, 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:43.000 you're going to 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.440 run through 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:43.840 some of 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.620 Ephesians to 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:45.740 see some of 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.300 what God's 00:12:46.300 --> 00:12:47.240 intention is 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:47.620 for his 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.100 church. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.700 So Ephesians 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.320 1 verse 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:51.500 8, we 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.180 see, if 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.600 you like, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.500 the end 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:53.760 of the 00:12:53.760 --> 00:12:55.180 plan of 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.379 the gathered 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:56.940 church. 00:12:57.560 --> 00:12:57.860 With all 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.379 wisdom and 00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:58.960 understanding, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.420 he made 00:12:59.420 --> 00:12:59.820 known to 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.160 us the 00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:00.640 mystery of 00:13:00.640 --> 00:13:00.980 his will 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.580 according to 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:02.080 his good 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:02.500 pleasure, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.300 which he 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.080 purposed in 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:05.140 Christ, to 00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:06.100 be put into 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.400 effect when 00:13:07.400 --> 00:13:08.060 the times 00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:08.820 reach their 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.280 fulfillment. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:10.720 Here it 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.200 is, to 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:13.300 bring unity 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.120 to all 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:14.800 things in 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.240 heaven and 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:15.820 on earth 00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:17.360 under 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.020 Christ. 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.780 That's the 00:13:19.780 --> 00:13:21.020 end of it 00:13:21.020 --> 00:13:21.220 all. 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:21.900 That's the 00:13:21.900 --> 00:13:22.280 goal. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:23.840 That's where 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.540 everything is 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:24.920 going. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:25.980 Everything 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.560 gathered 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.080 together 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:28.360 around 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:29.620 Jesus. 00:13:31.760 --> 00:13:32.560 There's that 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:33.100 word gathering 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:33.460 again. 00:13:34.060 --> 00:13:34.640 Gathered 00:13:34.640 --> 00:13:35.520 together around 00:13:35.520 --> 00:13:35.920 Jesus. 00:13:36.140 --> 00:13:36.879 It's been 00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:37.580 God's plan 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:38.200 all along. 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:38.440 In the 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:38.840 Garden of 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.040 Eating, 00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:39.500 there's a 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.180 real sense 00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:40.800 right at 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:41.240 the beginning 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:43.340 that things 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:44.040 are gathered 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:44.800 to God. 00:13:45.380 --> 00:13:45.740 He has 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.360 made the 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.200 garden and 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.120 all is at 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.600 peace and 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:49.139 ordered and 00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.700 everything is 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.240 in perfect 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:50.820 relationship 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.399 with God. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.220 And then 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:53.000 the first 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.700 people make 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:55.440 the decision 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.180 to live 00:13:56.180 --> 00:13:57.000 their way 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.799 and make 00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:58.259 everything 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.340 about them. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.659 And the 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.399 Bible calls 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.340 this attitude 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:02.820 and this 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:03.960 action sin. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.279 And the 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.120 consequence of 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:07.560 sin is that 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:08.320 everything is 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.159 disordered. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:10.440 There's no 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.100 more harmony. 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.379 There's no 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.299 more peace. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.560 Relationship 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.460 is broken. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.519 And where 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.379 there was 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:20.259 unity and 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.139 closeness, 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:23.879 now because 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:24.460 of sin, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.360 there's 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.200 distance and 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:26.799 disunity. 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.200 God judges 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:31.759 sin by 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.580 scattering 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.700 his people. 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:36.759 Scattering 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.480 people from 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:37.879 himself. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.139 And this is a 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.799 principle that 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.620 you'll see right 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:42.120 throughout the 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.039 entire Bible. 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:44.459 Bible, when 00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:45.819 humanity sets 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.620 itself up 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.000 against God, 00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:49.959 he scatters 00:14:49.959 --> 00:14:50.159 them. 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.099 Whenever 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:54.259 humanity sets 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:54.819 itself up 00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:55.980 against God, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.659 he scatters 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:56.779 them. 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.500 When he 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.379 rescues them, 00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.559 he brings 00:14:59.559 --> 00:14:59.980 them to 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.419 himself. 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.219 He gathers 00:15:01.219 --> 00:15:01.659 them to 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.059 himself. 00:15:03.719 --> 00:15:04.120 In 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.959 Isaiah 11, 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.959 700 years 00:15:05.959 --> 00:15:06.879 before Jesus, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:07.959 Isaiah is 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:08.959 looking forward 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:10.099 to the day 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.879 when everything 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:11.580 is finally 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.399 ordered and 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.740 harmonious and 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.540 peaceful and 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.460 right relationship 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.200 like it was in 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:16.620 the beginning. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.460 And he refers 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.019 to a particular 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.820 person who 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.700 will accomplish 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:24.120 God's grand 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.879 plan. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.740 God's grand 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.700 and he calls 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:28.100 the Messiah, 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.340 a son of 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.019 King David. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.939 And this is 00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:33.500 what he says 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.200 in verse 12 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.120 of Isaiah 11. 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.240 He will 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.960 raise a banner 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.299 for the 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:39.179 nations and 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.840 gather the 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.580 exiles of 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.039 Israel. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.320 He will 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.299 assemble the 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:44.840 scattered people 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.720 of Judea 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:47.139 from the 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.500 four quarters 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.120 of the 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:49.620 earth. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.220 And a 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.840 little later 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:52.639 in Isaiah 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:54.139 chapter 56, 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.659 God declares 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.820 that it's 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.279 not just 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:58.740 for his 00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.200 people, 00:15:59.379 --> 00:15:59.919 but this 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.700 promise is 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.939 expanded beyond 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.539 Israel. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.840 When he says, 00:16:04.039 --> 00:16:04.580 I will gather 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.439 still others 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:05.919 to them 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.379 besides those 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.000 already gathered. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.279 And the 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.320 climax of 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.279 God's plan 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:12.879 is revealed 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:13.439 in Isaiah 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:14.240 66. 00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:15.559 And I, 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.559 because of 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.100 what they 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.919 have planned 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.700 and done, 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:19.860 am about to 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.940 come and 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.480 gather the 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:22.220 people of 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:23.240 all nations 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.360 and languages 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.840 and they 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.700 will come 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.720 and see 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.480 my glory. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.460 You see, 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:31.820 God's 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.279 plan 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:35.379 is to 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:35.560 gather 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.180 people from 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:37.000 all nations 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.139 and tribes 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.960 and languages 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.639 and people 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.259 groups and 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.919 cultures to 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.620 himself that 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.159 they might 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.240 see his 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:46.320 glory and 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:46.820 live 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:48.420 forever. 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:48.519 forever. 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:51.179 And what 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.399 Peter confesses 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:53.000 in Matthew 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.759 16 is 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.699 that Jesus 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.919 is the 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.579 one that 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:58.019 Isaiah 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.699 talked about. 00:17:00.219 --> 00:17:01.219 Jesus is 00:17:01.219 --> 00:17:01.779 the focal 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.459 point of 00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:02.839 God's 00:17:02.839 --> 00:17:03.500 gathering of 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.759 people that 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.220 they might 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.779 see the 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.279 glory of 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.619 God. 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.359 Jesus is 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:09.180 central to 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.879 God's plan 00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.220 of bringing 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.819 people back 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.200 to each 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.000 other and 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.359 to their 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:12.799 creator. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.200 And Ephesians 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:17.019 2, if you're 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:17.500 working with 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:17.660 through 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.039 Ephesians 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.319 with me, 00:17:18.639 --> 00:17:19.099 is the 00:17:19.099 --> 00:17:20.059 long-awaited 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.720 plan being 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.500 worked out 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.200 with Jesus 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:22.559 at the 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:22.940 heart of 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.079 it. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.420 Verse 11, 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:25.440 we read, 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:25.920 therefore, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.619 remember that 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:27.019 formally, 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.619 you who are 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.359 Gentiles by 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.019 birth and 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.500 called the 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.460 uncircumcised by 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:31.799 those who 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.259 call themselves 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.859 circumcision, 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.539 which is done 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.359 in the body 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:34.859 by human 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.400 hands, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.359 remember that 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.939 at that 00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.679 time you 00:17:38.679 --> 00:17:39.500 were separated 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.619 from Christ, 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.539 excluded from 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.319 citizenship in 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.359 Israel, and 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:45.439 foreigners to 00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.019 the covenants 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.639 of the promise 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.879 without hope 00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.619 and without 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.500 God in the 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.000 world. 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:52.779 What Paul 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.419 does there in 00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:53.979 Ephesians 2 00:17:53.979 --> 00:17:55.039 is he highlights 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.099 this massive 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:57.819 division between 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.679 Jews and 00:17:58.679 --> 00:18:00.079 Gentiles, but 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:00.799 also between 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.279 them and 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.659 God. 00:18:02.479 --> 00:18:03.599 Deep, deep 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.299 hostility. 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:06.740 And then in 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.240 the very next 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:07.879 verse he shows 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.259 how that 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.940 hostility is 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.480 overcome. 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:11.940 Now in 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.659 Christ Jesus, 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.240 you who 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.899 once were 00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:15.460 far away, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.559 scattered from 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.859 God, have 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.319 been brought 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.700 near by the 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.259 blood of 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.720 Christ. 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.259 For he 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.859 himself is 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.579 our peace, 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:25.919 who has 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:26.599 made the 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.180 two groups 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:27.720 one, 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:29.099 destroyed the 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.700 barrier, the 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.319 dividing wall 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.019 of hostility, 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:32.259 by setting aside 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.919 in his flesh 00:18:32.919 --> 00:18:33.720 the law with 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.279 its commandments 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.079 and regulations. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.500 His purpose 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.079 was to create 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.160 in himself 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:40.220 one new 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.359 humanity out 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.059 of the two, 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.079 thus making 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.500 peace, and 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.799 in one body 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.740 to reconcile 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.700 both of them 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.220 to God 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.000 through the 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.079 cross by 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.539 which he 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:50.899 put to 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.379 death their 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:52.000 hostility. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.960 Sin and 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:56.079 death and 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.639 hostility between 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.379 Jews and 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.379 Gentiles is 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:00.500 finally dealt 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.279 with by the 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.980 Messiah, the 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.420 son of the 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:03.940 living God, 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.000 Jesus on a 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.380 cross 2,000 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.100 years ago. 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.460 Jesus is the 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:08.900 one who 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.900 gathers these 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.100 diverse groups 00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:11.440 of people 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.320 together into 00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:13.539 one new 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:15.019 humanity in 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.400 relationship with 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:17.000 their creator 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.420 God. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:22.279 God's purpose in 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.900 all of this? 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.180 What is the 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.740 idea? 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.500 What's his 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.120 plan? 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.200 Ephesians 3, 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:28.120 10, read 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.800 out to us by 00:19:28.800 --> 00:19:29.120 Tom. 00:19:30.060 --> 00:19:31.380 His intent 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.860 was that now 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.200 through the 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.759 church, that's 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.660 us, that word 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.259 there, Ecclesia, 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:37.940 is talking about 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.240 us, local 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.860 gathering, 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.859 God's 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.859 God's 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.419 manifold 00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:44.179 wisdom of 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.719 God should 00:19:44.719 --> 00:19:45.119 be made 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:46.479 known to 00:19:46.479 --> 00:19:47.199 the rulers 00:19:47.199 --> 00:19:47.879 and the 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.939 authorities in 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:49.359 the heavenly 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.879 realms according 00:19:50.879 --> 00:19:51.959 to his 00:19:51.959 --> 00:19:53.240 eternal purpose 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.779 that he 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.399 accomplished in 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:54.959 Christ Jesus 00:19:54.959 --> 00:19:55.579 our Lord. 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:56.839 God's great 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.979 and glorious 00:19:57.979 --> 00:20:00.639 plan is to 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.119 bring a very 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:02.299 diverse group of 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.079 people together 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.439 and to himself 00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:05.379 in such a 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.419 way that his 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.539 greatness and 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.059 his glory is 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.879 made known 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:11.000 everywhere 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:13.440 including the 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.259 heavenly realms. 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.000 There is a 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.579 sense where 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.680 God calls 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.639 over the 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.500 rulers and 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.339 the authorities 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.039 of the heavenly 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.000 realms, gets 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.440 them to look 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.079 over the 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.720 balcony of 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.159 heaven if 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:26.779 such a place 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.759 exists and 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.279 says look 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.180 at that, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.019 look at 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.359 that. 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.480 See 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.019 St. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.480 Paul's 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.180 Chatswood? 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.899 That is 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.500 what I've 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.079 been working 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.519 on for 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.220 all of 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.639 history. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.639 My son 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.500 Jesus has 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.200 made that 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.839 possible. 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.240 United 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:47.759 Nations 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.460 can't do 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:48.619 it. 00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.660 He's the 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.119 one who's 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.740 brought down 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:55.500 those dividing 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.420 walls of 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.220 hostility and 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.920 brought diverse 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.720 people together 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.859 and he 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.440 turns to 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:00.700 Satan, 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.000 hey, 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.299 enemy, 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:02.960 get over 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.339 here. 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.940 He says, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.539 see that? 00:21:09.080 --> 00:21:10.120 You cannot 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.220 prevail against 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.580 that. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.460 You cannot 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.620 stop that. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.220 My son is 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.779 building his 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.400 church out of 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.140 every tribe and 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.620 language and 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.000 peoples. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.119 people. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:25.759 And so let 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.059 me just 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.359 say, 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.299 as a 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:30.960 society of 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:32.380 individualistic 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:33.220 thinkers where 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.220 personal autonomy 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:35.200 rules and a 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.339 highest value, 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:39.599 this is very 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.339 important for us 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.839 to grasp. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.180 Before 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.019 church 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.740 has 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.119 anything to 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.700 do with 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.519 you and 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:49.900 me, 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.500 before 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.140 church is 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.720 about us 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.480 serving one 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.519 another or 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.100 even before 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.680 church is 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.360 about us 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:57.019 learning more 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.080 about God, 00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.920 it is about 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.680 him and his 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.120 glory. 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.800 It's why we 00:22:04.800 --> 00:22:05.460 start with 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:07.440 singing and 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.380 singing in such 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.120 a way that we 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.960 actually believe 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.120 it. 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:15.500 this is so 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.239 fundamental for 00:22:16.239 --> 00:22:16.899 us to grasp. 00:22:17.239 --> 00:22:17.879 It's critical 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.279 even. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.000 Before church 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.919 is about me 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.859 or about you 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.979 or about us, 00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:24.459 it is about 00:22:24.459 --> 00:22:25.359 God. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.319 It is about 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.359 his design, 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:29.339 his plan for 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.299 all of time 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.899 and eternity. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.079 A 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.899 multi-ethnic, 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.199 multi-generational, 00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:36.859 socially, 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.299 socio-economically 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.199 diverse gathering 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.680 of people, 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.480 declaring that 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.900 Jesus is 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.559 Lord and 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.799 King for 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.519 the glory 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.480 of God 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.100 is the 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.940 reason 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.480 St. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.860 Paul's 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.279 Chatswood 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:49.920 exists. 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.140 And it's 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:55.640 about more 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:55.900 and more 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.559 people being 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:58.840 added for 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.539 that purpose, 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:01.200 for the 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.720 glory of 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.019 God. 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.840 And all 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.220 of our 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.259 resources are 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.880 to be deployed 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:07.240 in that 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.720 direction. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.240 this 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.839 building, 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:11.220 you've got 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.500 to get 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.960 this deep 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.400 down into 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.079 your souls. 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.200 This 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.279 building is 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.079 not a 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.620 church. 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.660 This 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.799 building is 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.759 a tool. 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.220 It is 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.019 nothing more 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.360 than a 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:24.759 tool. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.200 It's a 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.200 resource to 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.880 help the 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:30.360 church, 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.160 us, 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.779 to pursue 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.920 its mission 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.400 for the 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.039 glory of 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.500 God. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.539 God, 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.119 this 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.759 building is 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.400 not even 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:37.720 our 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.640 clubhouse 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.200 where we 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.500 gather. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.619 It's not 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.079 about us 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:44.420 having a 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.119 nice place 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:45.500 for us to 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.900 gather and 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.960 facilities and 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.579 room to 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.380 spread out and 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.500 kick back and 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.299 enjoy. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.420 It's our 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:52.799 mission 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.759 headquarters to 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.000 see God's 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.000 reason for 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.579 us gathering 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.160 fulfilled. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.640 Okay. 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:03.360 number 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:03.620 three, 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.120 how to be a 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.840 purposeful church 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.160 member. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.020 So how do we 00:24:07.020 --> 00:24:07.580 as individuals 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.160 be members of 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.660 a church on 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.000 purpose? 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:10.820 Firstly, 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.520 let me say, 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.860 you don't 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.620 become a 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:13.980 member of 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:14.680 God's church 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.460 by completing 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:15.940 a membership 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.520 course or 00:24:16.520 --> 00:24:17.000 going to a 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.500 Welcome Sunday 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:17.880 event. 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.980 Although I'm 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.500 not suggesting 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:23.880 you don't 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:25.560 go at 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:25.920 all. 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:31.660 you don't 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.500 become a 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.019 member of 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.120 a church 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.660 by sitting 00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:36.759 in a pew 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.220 for a very 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.660 long time 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:37.960 either. 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.759 Longevity's 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.300 got nothing to 00:24:40.300 --> 00:24:40.740 do with your 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.259 membership of 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.700 a church. 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.720 You become a 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.200 member of 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.920 God's church 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.620 by doing 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.120 what we saw 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:46.519 in Matthew 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.220 16, 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.840 by repenting 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.420 of living 00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:52.980 independent of 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.840 God, by 00:24:53.840 --> 00:24:54.340 putting your 00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:55.200 trust in the 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.580 Lord, 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.019 Jesus Christ 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.779 declaring that 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.039 he is the 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.560 son of the 00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:00.220 living God 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:02.480 and receiving 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.539 the Holy Spirit 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.500 who unites you 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.440 with God and 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.940 all other 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.539 Christians from 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:06.960 time and 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.360 eternity. 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.720 That's how you 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.120 become a 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:10.580 member of his 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:10.960 church. 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.519 And that is 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.140 the fundamental 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.519 first step. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.160 There will be 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.019 people, just to 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.740 emphasize this 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.220 point, there 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.100 will be people 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:22.820 in heaven who 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:23.640 have not done 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.620 a pathways, 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.380 a course, 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.060 who have 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:26.540 never been 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:26.840 to a 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.080 Welcome 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.480 Sunday 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:29.500 event, but 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.940 there won't 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.680 be anyone 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.840 in heaven who 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:32.580 hasn't repented 00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.260 of their sins 00:25:33.260 --> 00:25:34.100 and trusted in 00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:35.180 Jesus Christ as 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.280 son of the 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:36.840 living God. 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:37.860 Not a single 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.120 one. 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:42.360 And potentially 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:42.980 you're here 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:45.080 today and 00:25:45.080 --> 00:25:45.560 this is the 00:25:45.560 --> 00:25:46.320 fundamental first 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.080 step that you 00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.120 need to take. 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:52.319 and if that 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.779 is you, then 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.279 come to the 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.559 Welcome 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:54.939 Center. 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:55.799 We would 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.179 love to 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:56.500 speak to 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:56.679 you. 00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:01.199 Secondly, and 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:01.719 this is going to 00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.259 sound somewhat 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:04.959 ironic, being a 00:26:04.959 --> 00:26:05.699 purposeful church 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.399 member means that 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:09.219 you gather because 00:26:09.219 --> 00:26:09.819 that's what you've 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.519 been called to do. 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.079 You've been called 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.539 to gather. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:11.579 together. 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.619 Because you are 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:17.559 spiritually gathered 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.220 by God. 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.559 One of the core 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:21.159 values that helps 00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:22.299 us think about the 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.139 sort of gathering 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:25.079 that we are and 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.680 inspire to be is 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.079 our core value of 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.440 treasuring Jesus 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:29.920 together. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.480 It says this, 00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.740 having been led 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.880 individually by the 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.680 Spirit of God to 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.640 receive Christ Jesus 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:37.300 Lord, Savior and 00:26:37.300 --> 00:26:38.200 supreme treasure of 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:40.100 our lives, we now 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:41.100 most solemnly and 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.060 joyfully enter into 00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:43.039 covenant with one 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.140 another as one body 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.740 in Christ. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:47.460 We believe the 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.580 people whom Jesus 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.500 has called into 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.360 relationship with 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:51.620 himself are his 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:53.600 church and not an 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.680 institution or a 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.000 building. 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.600 In an age of 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.660 individualism, we 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.920 value vigilance and 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.440 accountability. 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.180 In treasuring Jesus 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.680 together. 00:27:03.340 --> 00:27:05.019 In Ephesians, Paul 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:07.039 spends extensive 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.900 time on what God's 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.500 new humanity, his 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.220 gathering, his 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.279 church looks like in 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.100 their life together. 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.940 And our value of 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.660 treasuring Jesus 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:17.160 together is a value 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.180 that tries to capture 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.140 some of that in terms 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:20.820 of the quality of who 00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.700 we are as God's 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.060 people. 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.060 It's about our life 00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.320 together. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:23.820 It's about our 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.360 relationships. 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:24.980 It's about our 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.840 togetherness as a 00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:27.440 dynamic spiritual 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.740 community under the 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.620 lordship of Jesus. 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.320 It says things like 00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:33.240 this as a church, we 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:33.759 are committed to 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.400 making corporate 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.380 worship a weekly 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.420 priority, unless of 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.380 course I shut them 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:37.880 all down. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.880 In the Bible, to 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:43.500 magnify God always 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.940 requires the regular 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.880 gathering of God's 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.220 people. 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:51.680 And so, if or maybe 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.180 when that decision is 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:55.880 made for us not to 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:58.180 gather, that is not the 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.640 normal pattern for us. 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.440 That will never be the 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.660 normal pattern for us. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.940 It will be out of love 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.920 for our community. 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.799 And we're working on 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.640 specific ways where we 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:16.600 can still gather, even 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:19.100 if it's via a screen, in 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:20.000 order to declare the 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.320 praises of God as his 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:24.000 people and to hear from 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.240 him. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:27.980 So I want to ask you, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.700 first of all, have you 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:30.079 ever calculated how many 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.200 gatherings you miss in a 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.460 year? 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.299 Ever done that? 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:38.079 Regular attendance now for 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.960 churches has become 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.400 somewhere between 30 and 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.279 40 percent 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:43.059 attendance 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:45.180 across a year. 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.400 Now, I don't need a rule 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.740 here. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.740 And I'm not looking to 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.839 implement a rule here 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.740 because you'll just go to 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:53.140 the next church that 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.019 doesn't have that rule. 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:58.079 The only way for there to 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.279 be radical change is 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.200 radical change in the 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.640 heart. 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:03.380 What we need to see is the 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:06.460 greatness and the 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:08.279 gracious plan of a great 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.400 and a gracious God. 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:12.940 We need to see that all of 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.759 history is about God's 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.140 glory and the church of 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:17.660 Jesus Christ is central to 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:17.860 that. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.940 We need to see what it 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:22.420 cost him to gather us 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:24.920 together and to gather us 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.620 to himself. 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.380 Frankly, nothing else will 00:29:28.380 --> 00:29:29.160 motivate us. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:34.180 Second point, under point 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.700 three, is to build 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.800 supernatural community. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.460 Treasuring Jesus 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.960 together not only says that 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.160 we value being together, 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.860 but how we value being 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.300 together. 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.900 We're committed to 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.740 gathering in small 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.759 groups, remembering one 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.339 another in prayer and a 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:48.660 aiding one another in 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.940 sickness and distress and 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.160 cultivating sympathy, 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.500 Christian sympathy and joy 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:54.059 and being slow to take 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:57.160 offense and always seeking 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.879 reconciliation and mindful 00:29:58.879 --> 00:30:00.039 of the need and of the 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.019 fact that command of our 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.440 Savior to secure it 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.059 without delay. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.299 We want to be a church 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.420 that's welcoming of people 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.579 of every blackout. 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.299 We don't want to have 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:08.940 cliquishness in our groups. 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:11.220 We want to purge our lives 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.759 of sin that cause division. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.220 We want to pursue 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:16.180 increasingly visible and 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.519 authentic practical ways of 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.539 loving each other and our 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.039 community. 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:22.220 But frankly, the best thing to 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:24.339 do is to look at what the 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:26.299 New Testament says about our 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.460 supernatural life together. 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:31.119 John 13, a new commandment I 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.539 give you. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.299 This is Jesus. 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.740 Love one another as I have 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.319 loved you so that you must love 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:36.859 one another. 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:39.680 By all this, by this, all people 00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:40.700 will know that you are my 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.759 disciples if you love one 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.080 another. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.860 Romans 12, be devoted to one 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:47.100 another in brotherly love. 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.440 James, do not slander one 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.720 another. 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.880 Don't grumble against one 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:51.039 another. 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.319 Confess your sins to each 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:52.519 other. 00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:53.460 Pray for one another. 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:55.360 And that's just a snapshot. 00:30:57.740 --> 00:31:00.160 What is obvious from the New 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:02.360 Testament is the prominence of 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:04.860 loving, Christ-exalting, other 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:06.279 person-centered personal 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.539 relationship in the local 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:07.980 church. 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:12.839 There is no such thing as 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:15.620 isolated, individually sick, 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.759 meet-my-needs consumer 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.460 Christianity in the Bible at 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:19.860 all. 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:22.620 Not even a glimpse of it. 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:29.700 You can't even play exegetical 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:31.360 gymnastics and come to any form 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:32.319 of conclusion on that. 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.460 Anywhere. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:38.980 What we are seeking to do at 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.900 St. Paul's is build a gospel- 00:31:40.900 --> 00:31:41.620 centered community. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.319 Another way of putting that is 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.519 we are seeking to build a 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:46.460 supernatural community, not a 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.340 natural community. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.019 A natural community is where 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.480 people feel connected because of 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:52.400 demographic closeness and 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.079 connectedness. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.860 They gravitate to each other and 00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:56.779 they find a sense of belonging 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:58.279 because they've got similarities 00:31:58.279 --> 00:32:00.120 and irrespective of whether the 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:01.640 gospel is true or not, you can do 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:01.940 that. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.700 Now, that's not a bad thing. 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:08.200 All of my friends that I've got, I 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.840 share common interests with them. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:13.400 Not a bad thing to have those 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.020 connections and affinities here at 00:32:15.020 --> 00:32:15.740 St. Paul's. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.520 But I want us to caution about 00:32:18.520 --> 00:32:20.340 thinking that somehow that that is 00:32:20.340 --> 00:32:22.140 the total sum of gospel community. 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:27.759 At the end of the day, you can have 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:30.220 natural community without Jesus. 00:32:32.520 --> 00:32:35.160 The heavenly realms look on and see 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:38.740 the wisdom of God when they gaze upon 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:40.560 supernatural community. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.180 Gospel community. 00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:46.000 And so we seek diversity. 00:32:47.080 --> 00:32:50.720 We seek shared discomfort in all of our 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.579 corporate gatherings. 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:54.019 This is the kind of community that 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:57.220 could really only exist when Jesus 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.279 is Lord of all. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:02.079 And we have the indwelling power of 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:03.759 the Holy Spirit to drive us away from 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.539 self-centeredness. 00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:09.519 It's when people who would not 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:13.480 gravitate to each other or people 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:16.579 groups who have open hostility towards 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:19.339 one another are drawn together in 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:21.059 peace and love because of the work of 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:22.319 Jesus Christ in their hearts. 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.899 Thirdly, having said that, 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:31.899 about that, third thing about being a 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:33.980 purposeful church member is to 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.599 purposely fracture community. 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.639 Bear with me here. 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:40.799 It is great to be part of a gospel 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:42.039 community that God is growing. 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:44.339 And one of the painful realities of God 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:47.000 growing a community is that we have to 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:50.079 keep fracturing in order to make space 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:51.579 for others who are being welcomed in. 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:55.079 We should see that as a joy. 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:58.519 In the same way, I remember having one 00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:00.819 child and not sure how I was going to 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.940 work with two children. 00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:06.059 And then you discover the joy of having 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.539 two and then a third. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.539 And not sure how. 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.860 It resulted in all kinds of different 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.380 changes. 00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:16.099 But the joy of welcoming more people in. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:19.420 And so we've got to be a church 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:23.219 that's building deep relationships, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:26.480 but also seeing that deep relationships 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.619 in themselves are not the goal. 00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:31.820 People being connected to their God 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.739 is the goal. 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:35.099 And therefore, we need to fracture some 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:38.000 of those relationships to allow room for 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.780 more to come in. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:47.599 There are a few metaphors that the Bible 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.659 uses to describe the intimate way that 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.940 Jesus views his church. 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:54.920 He calls it his family, his body, his bride. 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:57.440 He loves his church and he gave himself 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.760 over to death for it. 00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:02.500 He looks forward to the day when his bride, 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:05.800 in all its perfection, will be presented to 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:08.360 him and be with him forever. 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:11.000 And as I said at the beginning, 00:35:11.700 --> 00:35:13.200 today is one of those commitment 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:14.019 conversations. 00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:17.360 If you're a Christian, 00:35:18.640 --> 00:35:22.740 you have a crucial part in God's plan 00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:23.519 for eternity. 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:26.820 Your life, and I think this is what I want 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:30.140 to get hopefully in showing you how the Bible, 00:35:30.580 --> 00:35:32.720 all the Bible views the idea of gathering 00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:33.500 as his people. 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:35.780 I want you to get this picture. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:42.200 Your life is so much bigger than a good job, 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.760 an understanding spouse, 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:47.980 non-delinquent kids or even having kids, 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:50.920 good friends and active social life. 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:53.880 It is so much bigger than beautiful gardens 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:56.260 and nice holidays and fashionable clothes. 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:59.099 If you're a Christian, 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:04.340 you are part of something immense 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:06.820 that will never end. 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:10.900 Something that began before you were born 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:13.320 and continued long after you die. 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:16.080 God is rescuing fallen, 00:36:16.700 --> 00:36:18.559 scattered humanity 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:20.800 and gathering to him himself 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:23.420 and progressively shaping them 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:26.000 into the likeness of his much-loved son, 00:36:26.160 --> 00:36:26.420 Jesus. 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:30.120 He gathers you to himself 00:36:30.120 --> 00:36:34.080 so that you may take part in his glory 00:36:34.080 --> 00:36:39.360 and find your joy in his glory. 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:45.420 The church matters because God chose it 00:36:45.420 --> 00:36:47.000 to show and tell the universe 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:48.180 his wisdom and love. 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:53.559 And this message is our world's only hope. 00:36:53.559 --> 00:37:00.799 And so we must fight the toxicity 00:37:00.799 --> 00:37:05.619 and the poison of modern church culture 00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:08.960 that says that you can walk this Christian life 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:10.320 without the church. 00:37:12.299 --> 00:37:13.960 It is not true. 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:19.779 Individualism not only betrays the church, 00:37:20.199 --> 00:37:21.579 it betrays the gospel, 00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:25.000 it takes glory from God, 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:28.019 it insinuates that the glorious good news 00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.219 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:37:29.219 --> 00:37:31.259 is only about saving people, 00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:34.319 it's only a gospel of sin management, 00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:37.279 there is such a bigger story. 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:40.019 God is creating an eternal people. 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.860 God's design throughout history 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:43.000 from beginning to end 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:46.179 is about him creating an eternal people 00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:49.400 from every tribe, tongue, language and group. 00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:53.880 one people are people for his pleasure. 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.579 So let me ask you, 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:02.800 if I ask you to tell your story 00:38:02.800 --> 00:38:05.160 of your journey to 00:38:05.160 --> 00:38:07.720 and growth in 00:38:07.720 --> 00:38:09.920 faith in the Lord Jesus, 00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.700 how central 00:38:11.700 --> 00:38:14.200 is the church to that story? 00:38:14.199 --> 00:38:15.579 Amen. 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:15.739 Amen. 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.939 Amen. 00:38:26.939 --> 00:38:27.539 Amen.