WEBVTT

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 It's when I hear about those kinds of things, I'm just like that's it.

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 That's why we're here.

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 That's why we come to church, where we can get to a place where we can encounter God's presence

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! And love ourselves.

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 That's it.

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 Not to listen to a concert and sing along to some karaoke, not to then listen to a TED talk,

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 but to genuinely encounter Christ.

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 Now, is that easy?

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 No, it's not.

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 It's actually very hard.

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 And maybe something that's on my heart the most is,

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 she just said, it's the only thing that's real.

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 So if it's the only thing that's real, can we be as real as we can as we pursue him?

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 Recognizing that we are filled with doubts, we are filled with anxiety and distractions,

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 but can we be as real as we can as we approach this real and holy garden?

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 That's what we've been doing.

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 And honestly, I hope that that's what you sense from us as we try and figure it out.

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 Please do continue to fill out the senses.

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 We're trying to figure out how to get alongside one another,

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 to consider how to stir each other up in love and good works.

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 But I'll give you a confession right here.

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 This is our first time in figuring out how to put people together.

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 Okay?

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 We've not done this before.

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 I've not got tons of experience in it,

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 but we give thanks to God that he's brought us together.

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 And so just join us in prayer as we go,

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 well, actually, what is it that actually the Lord has in store for us here?

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 That's something that I would deeply, deeply cherish your prayers for,

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 because that is what church is.

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 You guys all came to church today.

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 Okay, you woke up, you got ready, some of you better than others,

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 and then you came to church.

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 But really, what is church?

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 We talk about what church is, and we've been going through this series going,

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 okay, what is really church?

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 Making us think about what is church.

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 And of course, if you've been around Christianity for long enough,

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 you'll know, well, church is not a building.

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 It's a people.

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 It's us gathering together to worship him.

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 That's church.

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 We don't go to church.

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 We are the church, is maybe what we've heard before.

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 But today, we're actually going to focus on something,

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 which is about the space that we create, the temple of God itself.

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 If you asked me to describe what a temple of God is,

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 it would be us creating a place and a time

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 where the people of God come and encounter the presence of God.

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 It's us creating a place and time where the people of God

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 can come and encounter and meet and walk with the presence of God.

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 That's what church is.

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 Of course, growing up, we've also got these concepts of nice church buildings, right?

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 Can anyone think of any nice buildings?

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 Who are the well-traveled people here who have gone around and seen?

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 Actually, even in Hong Kong, there are some nice buildings.

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 Queenie, what comes to mind when I ask you to think of,

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 what's a nice church building that you've been to?

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 King's College Chapel.

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 Beautiful, where it just draws you into the presence of God.

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 Where else?

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 What other ones?

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 Who else is well-traveled?

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 Joe, where have you gone to when you've seen a building

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 and you're like, wow, that is God?

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 Or that makes you think about God?

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 St. John's Cathedral.

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 St. John's Cathedral.

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 I know that many people get married there as well.

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 That's a beautiful, beautiful place.

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 Those of us who come from England, we lived in a place called Litchfield.

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 Have you guys been to Litchfield Cathedral?

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 Super nice.

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 Terrence, super nice.

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 Every time we walk in, you're just like, oh.

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 And there's a little statue there.

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 Actually, there's a sculptor who created a lot of different statues in that cathedral.

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 And he'd make these perfect, beautiful sculptures.

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 And then just at the end of it, he would put a little mark on them just to almost get out of his way

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 and say nothing is perfect other than God.

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 And it's just stuck in my head that actually we can create something so beautiful,

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 but it still doesn't compare to the beauty of God.

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 Christine and I, we got married on a cruise ship.

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 And we took 70 Chinese people onto a cruise ship in the Mediterranean.

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 And the first stop that we went to was Rome.

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 And you go to Rome and you go to St. Peter's Basilica.

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 You go to the Sistine Chapel.

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 You walk in and you look up.

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 You just can't help it.

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 It's just a default response when you walk into a building like that and you look up.

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 The whole point is to actually create this space where we look up.

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 During COVID, of course, church was shut down or we did all these different kind of creative things.

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 And those who maybe were on the fringe anyway, maybe fell off even further and just resorted to online.

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 And I remember when there'll be moments where it opened back up for a few weeks and then cases would go up and close again.

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 I remember one moment talking to a friend.

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 He kind of half goes to a church here in the city.

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 And he said, James, I didn't realize.

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 When I walked back into church, I realized that everything was intentionally curated for me to worship,

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 whether it's the lighting, whether it's the volume of the music, whether it's the kind of music, the temperature.

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 Everything was just curated for me to be able to worship.

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 And I remember, honestly, in my head, I was like, that is so consumeristic.

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 That is the most consumeristic thing we can say.

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 And on one hand, that is true.

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 But on the other hand, I also just, I'm starting to appreciate and admire the people, the churches that are intentionally putting things in place so that the people of God can encounter the presence of God.

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 Where we can remove all the distractions, where we can go into this place where we can actually worship God fully, truly, wholly.

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 The problem is, sometimes we end up relying on that.

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 And if you've noticed of being here and you've, actually, we have a little bit more space, I feel, these days here.

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 But this isn't the most comfortable place.

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 The ceilings could be a lot higher if I had my way.

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 We could maybe have stained glass windows there.

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 But yeah, why did you come to church?

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 What was the point of it?

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 Today, we're going to look at what the temple of God truly is.

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 Because scripture says the temple of God is no longer a building, but it is the people.

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 It's actually the people who are sat here.

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 You guys are the living stones of this new temple.

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 What does that mean?

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 Do you know what that means?

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 As I've been looking at it and praying over it this week, I'm like, wow, there's some really interesting stuff here.

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 So I'm going to invite us to stand for the word of God.

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 I'm going to invite one of the birthday boys to come back up to read to us, Trevor.

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 He's going to read to us the word of God.

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 And if you're here for the first time and you're like, why do we keep standing and sitting?

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 Especially for this bit, when it comes to the word of God, we're trying to remind ourselves constantly that we should be filled with reverence and awe.

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 That the word of God truly is powerful living.

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 And so I'm going to invite Trevor, who, as you were reading the mission statement, she just had this beautiful radio kind of voice.

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 That I thought maybe we'll have you read again for us.

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 First Peter, chapter two.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

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 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk that by it you may grow up into salvation.

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 If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

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 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious.

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 You yourselves, like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

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 For it stands in scripture.

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 Behold, I am laying in Zion, a cornerstone chosen and precious.

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 And whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.

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 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.

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 They stumble because they disobey the word as they were destined to.

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 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

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 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people.

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 Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

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 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

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 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Please take a seat.

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 Thank you, Trevor.

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 So my goal today is you can leave here having a refreshed idea of what the temple of God actually is.

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 And if you really are the living stones that Peter talks about, that you will live in a manner worthy of that kind of calling.

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 So that is what we're going to do.

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 But before we land in 1 Peter 2, I must take you on a journey and it goes all the way back to Genesis.

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 We're going to go from Genesis all the way actually to Revelation.

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 And we're going to be talking about the garden first.

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 If you think about the garden, that was the original temple.

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 It was the original temple because that's where God walked with man.

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 Okay.

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 So that's when Adam and Eve got to actually be in God's presence.

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 And it was actually God's design that he would have this space, this garden for Adam and Eve to live in, to work and to keep.

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 Now, just bear in mind there, a lot of the scholars and theologians will acknowledge that actually it was the garden that was supposed to be worked and kept.

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 But then actually outside of that would be uncultivated land.

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 The goal, the goal of creation was to then for the garden to spread out, to continue to bear God's image.

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 And they would be in that presence.

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 Does anyone know what the word Eden actually means?

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 I'm looking at those whose children are actually called Eden.

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 Joe, do you know, do you remember what it means?

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 Don't worry, I don't remember my kids.

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 Delight.

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 Well done.

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 Oh, I put him on the spot there.

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 You got it.

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 Okay.

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 It means delight.

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 Delight.

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 And if you've met Eden, you will see delight.

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 You're right.

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 Delight.

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 It means God created this place where we would be with him and we would be filled with delight.

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 I've been memorizing Psalm 16 this week.

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 He says, in your presence, there is what?

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 Fullness of joy.

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 Why is that delight?

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 Because this garden is filled with plentiful of a paradise.

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 That's why it's there.

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 Now, there comes a moment though.

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 We had the plenty.

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 We had the paradise.

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 And then we decided, oh, we actually also have the tree of life where the river flows

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 in and actually they will just be flourishing forevermore.

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 Yeah, we decided, okay, we like that, but we would rather be in charge ourselves.

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 We would rather be the ones that discern what is right and wrong.

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 And so instead of relying on the tree of life and the garden that was plentiful and paradise,

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 we decided, hey, we're going to choose our own way.

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 We're going to choose that tree instead.

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 And that's the moment when we decided to choose our own way, we were exiled from the garden of

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 Eden.

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 We were exiled from that very first temple.

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 And then of course we were pushed out, the cherubim, then God.

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 And from that moment, we've been out there.

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 And honestly, ever since that moment, we've been trying to get back into the garden.

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 That's been the heart's cry.

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 So what happens if you fast forward a little bit from Genesis, then you move into the time

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 where the Israelites are now wandering still in exile, in the wilderness, looking around

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 and God says, I still want to dwell with you.

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 I still want to be with you.

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 But you chose, you know, whenever we say we feel far from God, the next question is, well,

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 who moved?

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 And of course the answer is we moved.

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 We chose our own way.

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 We turned our backs on him.

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 And now we're wondering, how do we get back into there?

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 And God's been saying, well, I want to be with you.

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 So during the Israelites' times in the wilderness, he would create, there was the tabernacle.

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 He gave them the instructions to make the tent.

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 And interestingly, that tabernacle itself was a mirror of the garden of Eden.

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 It would be the menorah, which is the lampstand, which would signify the tree.

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 It would have the kurta, which represents the cherubim that were now blocking us from the

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 garden of Eden.

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 And of course you could not enter in, no one can enter into the tabernacle apart from one

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 person one day a year on the day of atonement, Yom Kippur.

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 Why?

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 Because humans, we chose our own way.

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 So we are sinful.

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 And because of that, the moment we enter into the presence of something that's holy, we would

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 disintegrate.

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 We would die.

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 And so God says only one person, and it will be through a whole ton of different sacrifices.

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 That person has to be completely prepared, given all the sacrifices necessary for him to

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 enter into my presence for one day a year.

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 That was the tabernacle.

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 And these features, whether it's the ark or the table or the curtains or the holy of

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 holies, all of these would just be basically a portable, temporary, mobile precursor to what

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 was going to happen.

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 It was a portal to the presence of God.

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 We've been trying to get back to that moment where we can be filled with delight, where

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 we can be in his presence again.

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 We couldn't because of sin.

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 So that tabernacle eventually, when they move into Jerusalem, becomes a temple.

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 So they built this glorious temple.

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 David designed it.

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 Solomon built it.

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 And it was glorious.

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 And again, it would mirror the Garden of Eden.

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 All of this is about being in the presence of God.

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 The word tabernacle itself simply means to be dwelling with God.

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 And this temple was enormous.

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 And it was great.

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 And it was actually built on Mount Moriah, which is, if you go all the way back to Genesis

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 chapter 22, was exactly the mountain where Abraham chose to go and worship.

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 And how did he worship?

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 The very first mention of the word worship was when Abraham in Genesis 22 turns to his

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 servants and says, you wait here.

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 My son and I are going to go to the mountain to worship.

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 What did he mean by worship?

00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:18.219
 Wasn't synth pads on, electric guitar, let's sing a nice song.

00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:23.539
 It was, I'm going to sacrifice my son because God is not only my number one, he is my only

00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:23.819
 one.

00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:27.540
 And it's on that mountain that Solomon's temple was built.

00:13:28.520 --> 00:13:31.320
 And from there, people would go and dwell in there.

00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:33.320
 But of course, it doesn't last.

00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:35.340
 It gets destroyed by the Babylonians.

00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.940
 King Nebuchadnezzar destroys it.

00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:41.260
 Later, it is then built again, but a smaller version by Zerubbabel.

00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:46.080
 And then that's the temple that we actually see where Jesus actually goes and steps into.

00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:50.460
 And so you see, since the beginning, God's been trying to find a way.

00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:53.560
 We've been craving for a way to be back in his presence.

00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:56.900
 That is essentially why the temple even exists.

00:13:57.160 --> 00:14:00.759
 We're craving for the presence of God, which is the Shekinah, which is this manifest indwelling

00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.820
 of God's presence.

00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:02.500
 We want it.

00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:03.019
 We know it.

00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:03.540
 We need it.

00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:05.440
 We can't find it in anywhere in the world.

00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:08.660
 And yet somehow it always still keeps running away.

00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.040
 Why?

00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:10.400
 Because we keep running away.

00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:13.480
 Because we keep choosing our own way.

00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:16.759
 And so these sacrifices in these temples need to continue.

00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:20.600
 And a couple of weeks ago, when we were in Hebrews 10, we were talking about that Christ's

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:22.279
 sacrifice was once and for all.

00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:26.659
 Actually, the Levites had to stay standing during all their services.

00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.279
 Because why?

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.759
 Every year we would make mistakes.

00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:31.240
 Every year we would need sacrifices.

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.639
 So they would always be standing, always be working.

00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:38.039
 Until the moment came when Jesus decided, well, that's not going to work anymore.

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:41.679
 What we're going to do now is I'm going to make the ultimate sacrifice for you.

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.439
 And what does he do?

00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:43.139
 He does it.

00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.939
 And then he sits down.

00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:45.899
 He drops the mic and he says, it is done.

00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:47.480
 It is finished.

00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:49.600
 From this moment, the curtain is torn.

00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:53.539
 Now you all have access to my presence.

00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:59.340
 A lot of times we think about Christianity, we think about all the rules that we need to

00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:02.079
 kind of abide to, the things that we can do, things we cannot do.

00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:06.879
 Jesus says, actually, all those laws were put in place.

00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.000
 Those rules were there for relationship.

00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:14.919
 Those rules were there so that we would be presented to God in a way where we won't die.

00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:19.379
 You look at Exodus 33, when Moses encounters God, it's kind of like, well, God's like, hey,

00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:22.819
 you actually can't be in my presence because if I let you see me, you would just die.

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:26.699
 You look at Isaiah, you look at Ezekiel, everyone's like, get away from me, God.

00:15:26.719 --> 00:15:29.599
 Even Peter, when he meets Jesus, he's like, depart from me, a sinner.

00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:36.519
 When you are just faced with something that is so pure, so bright, for those of us who are blemished,

00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:39.620
 we can't help but hide in shame.

00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:47.759
 The temple, the tabernacle is the place where we can prepare ourselves to be back with God again.

00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:53.660
 And that's where we go from Genesis all the way now to the New Testament where Jesus is like,

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.559
 it's not going to work.

00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:58.279
 Time and time again, these people keep turning away.

00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.919
 So in John 1, what do we see?

00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:04.059
 The word became flesh and dwelt among us.

00:16:04.219 --> 00:16:06.439
 The word dwelt means tabernacle.

00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:10.059
 The word tabernacled among us.

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:13.139
 So Jesus decided to say, well, this is the moment.

00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:16.899
 Actually, if you have your Bibles, and I think our lovely team, welcome team,

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.039
 have handed out some Bibles.

00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:23.120
 If you can even flick with me to John, the book of John, chapter 1 and 2.

00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.240
 You'll see this.

00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.860
 So chapter 1, verse 14.

00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:33.279
 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory.

00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:38.079
 Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:38.519
 Thank you, Caleb.

00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.639
 Verse 16.

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:44.939
 For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.620
 For the law was given through Moses.

00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:50.840
 That's the law that would keep us clean so we could even be in God's presence.

00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:54.420
 But now grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

00:16:54.520 --> 00:16:57.940
 No one has ever seen God, the only God who is at the Father's side.

00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:00.440
 He has made him known.

00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:06.500
 Because we kept failing in entering into the presence of God,

00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.880
 the presence of God decided to come to us.

00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:12.920
 This was the one thing that Jesus cared so much about.

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:16.260
 Think of the time when Jesus got angry.

00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.600
 When did he get angry?

00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:20.200
 JP, when did Jesus get angry?

00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:27.320
 When he entered into the temple, and people had defiled the temple,

00:17:27.580 --> 00:17:31.000
 and turned it into a den of thieves, right?

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.820
 And actually, that's only in chapter 2.

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:35.380
 So if you've got your Bibles, you can just look it over.

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:41.020
 In chapter 2, verse 13 to 22, this is where he walks into the temple.

00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.820
 Can you just, now that I've told you a little bit about the Garden of Eden,

00:17:44.040 --> 00:17:47.520
 about the tabernacle, can you imagine just Jesus walking into the temple?

00:17:48.020 --> 00:17:49.620
 He's like, guys, for hundreds of thousands of years,

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:52.500
 this is the place where you can actually access God.

00:17:52.540 --> 00:17:53.300
 And what are you doing?

00:17:53.520 --> 00:17:54.600
 You're trying to make some money.

00:17:55.040 --> 00:17:57.700
 You're trying to take advantage of the people who have journeyed from afar

00:17:57.700 --> 00:18:00.420
 to give sacrifices, and you're trying to sell them these things

00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.280
 to make a bit of profit.

00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:03.180
 This is the, why is he so angry?

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:08.220
 Because this is, not because he's worried about them ruining the temple,

00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:09.299
 or the carpet, or whatever it is.

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:14.799
 He's saying, this is the place where you can actually access God himself.

00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:15.759
 Delight.

00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:19.340
 And yet you have chosen to use it for something else.

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.200
 Can you see why he was so angry?

00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.440
 Because this was the tabernacle.

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.740
 This was the temple.

00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:28.360
 So he comes out, and he says something outrageous.

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.960
 He says, chapter 2, verse 19, Jesus answered them,

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:33.799
 destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:36.819
 The Jews then said, it has taken 46 years to build this temple,

00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.480
 and you will raise it up in three days.

00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.400
 Brackets sarcasm.

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:43.140
 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.440
 46 years.

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:48.980
 Herod was actually undergoing a huge renovation project,

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:51.299
 so this temple, not quite as big as Solomon's,

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:54.579
 would be built up so that the people can worship God themselves.

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:57.759
 One of our favorite cities to travel to is Barcelona.

00:18:57.759 --> 00:19:00.319
 We went when we, the year that we got married,

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:03.059
 and who's seen the Sagrada Familia?

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.879
 Still not complete.

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:09.960
 I think 143 years and counting is continuing.

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:13.039
 It just gives me this beautiful image that actually we,

00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.940
 as the body of Christ, we as the church,

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.579
 are still undergoing construction.

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:18.879
 We're not complete yet, but one day we will be.

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.740
 Hopefully, just like the one in Barcelona.

00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:25.619
 And so Jesus says, you can tear this down now.

00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.139
 It doesn't matter.

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.000
 In three days, I will build this up.

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.500
 What is he saying?

00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.319
 He's turning it now.

00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:31.539
 He's saying, okay, the tent didn't really work.

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.639
 The building, the temple didn't really work.

00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:36.379
 I'm going to have to be that temple.

00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:40.099
 And so this would have been just outrageous for the people.

00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.439
 They wouldn't have been able to understand

00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:43.000
 what he was talking about here.

00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:44.119
 But what he was saying is,

00:19:44.219 --> 00:19:45.739
 now flick with me to Romans chapter 8.

00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.839
 Please do come with me.

00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:51.419
 And if you're not super confident in just scripture

00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.139
 and where it is,

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:55.339
 even just following along here is good to help you find

00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:57.179
 or just keep one finger on the contents page.

00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.559
 Romans chapter 8.

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:04.019
 If you want to find out more about what it means

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.279
 for us to be at the temple of God,

00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:08.480
 not only is 1 Peter 2 powerful, but this is why.

00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:10.740
 Okay, so it's chapter 8, verse 1.

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.500
 There is therefore now no condemnation

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.899
 for those who are in Christ Jesus.

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:16.680
 For the law of the spirit of life has set you free

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:19.180
 in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:20.240
 Here's the key line.

00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.800
 For God has done what the law,

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.840
 weakened by the flesh, could not do.

00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:27.560
 So he put the law in place.

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:31.160
 We try to follow the law so we can be in God's presence,

00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.840
 yet time and time again, we keep failing.

00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:34.540
 And so he says this.

00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.880
 For God has done what the law,

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:37.519
 weakened by the flesh, by us,

00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.019
 by our depravity, could not do.

00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:42.400
 By sending his own son in the likeness

00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.700
 of sinful flesh and for sin,

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.120
 he condemned sin in the flesh

00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:47.620
 in order that the righteous requirement of the law

00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:49.319
 might be fulfilled in us

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.940
 who walk not according to the flesh,

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.420
 but according to the spirit.

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.519
 Jesus says actually in his sermon on the mount,

00:20:54.600 --> 00:20:56.059
 he says, I'm not here to abolish the law.

00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:57.539
 I'm here to fulfill it on your behalf.

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.240
 You couldn't do it yourself,

00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:00.860
 but here I am doing it for you.

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.940
 And now my spirit is gonna live inside you,

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:05.860
 which means what God sees in me,

00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:07.779
 he will now see in you.

00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:07.980
 Why?

00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:09.440
 Because I live inside you.

00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.400
 That's what he's saying here.

00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:13.060
 So you can see here that the law

00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:14.920
 did not satisfy what we needed to do.

00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:16.360
 But if you carry on going down

00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:18.000
 to the rest of chapter eight,

00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:21.320
 it's talking about now the spirit of Christ lives in you.

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.540
 So chapter eight, verse 10,

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:24.259
 but if Christ is in you,

00:21:24.320 --> 00:21:25.880
 although the body is dead because of sin,

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:28.100
 the spirit is life because of righteousness.

00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.680
 Because his spirit dwells in us now.

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:34.320
 His spirit has tabernacled in us

00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:36.440
 and those who follow the spirit of God

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.560
 are the sons of God.

00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.419
 So now suddenly we have access to God.

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.419
 We can call him Abba Father.

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.359
 How, when, what was that moment

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.579
 when the spirit came upon us?

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.659
 Aidan, what was that moment

00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.659
 when the spirit descended?

00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:51.019
 Pentecost, Acts chapter two.

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.079
 When Jesus in Acts chapter one,

00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.139
 okay, okay, before that,

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.980
 he dies, he rises again,

00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:57.759
 and then he goes to Acts chapter one,

00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:59.000
 and then he leads him to the mountain,

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.279
 and then he flies up into the sky,

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.200
 and then he says, I'll be back.

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.220
 But before that,

00:22:02.419 --> 00:22:04.000
 I will send my Holy Spirit onto you,

00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.019
 and you will be my witnesses

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.379
 to the rest of the world.

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.140
 And then what happens?

00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.560
 And then they go to Jerusalem.

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.360
 They go to a room.

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.960
 They pray for 10 days,

00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.100
 waiting for God,

00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.000
 because they were so hungry.

00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:13.420
 They were like,

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.220
 we can't unsee what we just saw.

00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.720
 Something has to change.

00:22:17.800 --> 00:22:19.440
 Our lives have to radically change.

00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:21.320
 And so they go and pray for 10 days,

00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.880
 and suddenly that's when the moment

00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:24.180
 the Holy Spirit falls on them.

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:28.420
 And now we are the temple.

00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:32.380
 You sat here right now.

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:34.780
 If you acknowledge that Jesus is your Lord,

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.500
 it means the Holy Spirit is inside you,

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:40.160
 which means you are the church.

00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.539
 You are the temple.

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.660
 That temple that only one person,

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.720
 one day a year,

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:48.160
 after doing tons of sacrifices,

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.099
 can enter into,

00:22:49.379 --> 00:22:51.240
 you now embody that here.

00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:55.480
 If you've been in church for a long time,

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.440
 you may have heard that before,

00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.399
 and so you've just let that fly over your head,

00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:58.940
 and you're like,

00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.160
 okay.

00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:02.840
 But if you understood what that really was,

00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:05.800
 that the mighty power of God,

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:07.140
 the whole fullness of God,

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.800
 now dwells inside you,

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.380
 and me,

00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:13.320
 it should blow your mind.

00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:15.560
 It should change your life.

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.980
 Of course,

00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:19.360
 going back to 1 Peter 2 now,

00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.820
 and I promise we won't fly around

00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.660
 too much more after this.

00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:26.200
 It says,

00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:26.960
 as you come to him,

00:23:27.040 --> 00:23:27.440
 chapter 2,

00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:27.860
 verse 4,

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.620
 as you come to him,

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:30.240
 a living stone rejected by men,

00:23:30.300 --> 00:23:31.060
 but in the sight of God,

00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:31.840
 chosen and precious,

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.740
 you yourselves,

00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.620
 like living stones,

00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.340
 are being built up as a spiritual house,

00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.720
 to be a holy priesthood,

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.100
 to offer spiritual sacrifices,

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.360
 acceptable to God,

00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:41.519
 through Jesus Christ.

00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.480
 So not only are you a temple,

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:48.480
 you are not really the full temple of God by yourself.

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:51.460
 You cannot sit home and be the complete temple of God.

00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:54.079
 You have to come and be with the other living stones,

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.539
 us.

00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:57.000
 The moment you step into this room,

00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:59.120
 the moment the people of God come into a place

00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:00.559
 to encounter the presence of God,

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.480
 we are the church.

00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:05.140
 We are his temple.

00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.319
 You see,

00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:08.480
 the access that each of us have is personal,

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.440
 but the address here is plural.

00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.700
 He's talking to us as a whole group.

00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.680
 Look to the person next to you,

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.059
 or just look across the room now,

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.620
 and just think to yourself,

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:19.980
 wow,

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.039
 wow,

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:22.019
 together,

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:24.059
 we are the church.

00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.099
 Together,

00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.339
 we are the body of Christ.

00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.059
 Together,

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:31.579
 we are the temple of God.

00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.460
 In 1 Corinthians 3,

00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.019
 it says this,

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.420
 that actually,

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:36.200
 we are now God's temple.

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:37.980
 And of course,

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.480
 we look at that,

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:38.639
 and go,

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.619
 what is that about us?

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:39.819
 Sorry,

00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:39.980
 okay,

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.119
 you don't need to go there if you don't want to,

00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.519
 but I will,

00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.680
 because I wanted to show you some of the context there.

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:45.860
 In 1 Corinthians 3,

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.720
 is what actually,

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.600
 was the,

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.160
 originally the passage that I was going to focus on,

00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.500
 but here it is.

00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.900
 1 Corinthians 3,

00:24:54.080 --> 00:24:55.259
 verse 16 to 17.

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:57.680
 Do you not know that you are God's temple,

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:59.440
 that God's spirit dwells in you?

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:01.440
 If anyone destroys God's temple,

00:25:01.880 --> 00:25:02.759
 God will destroy him,

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.160
 for God's temple is holy,

00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.759
 and you are that temple.

00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.299
 Growing up,

00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:08.099
 I looked at that verse,

00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:09.039
 and I always thought that it meant,

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:10.079
 you've got to look after your body,

00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:12.019
 you've got to kind of get fit,

00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:12.940
 you're not allowed to have tattoos,

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:14.119
 you're not allowed to dye your hair.

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.339
 Well,

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:15.480
 of course,

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.039
 my hair died,

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.419
 but then,

00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.480
 so then,

00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.799
 dad joke.

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.740
 But I realized,

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.700
 as we,

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:25.220
 as if you just look up,

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.579
 again,

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:28.099
 those who are saved,

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.180
 using the paper Bibles,

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.759
 if you just,

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.319
 if you just look up a little bit,

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:34.200
 if you just look up and you see,

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:37.019
 he's not talking necessarily about us,

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.200
 being just,

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.720
 how we look after our bodies,

00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.400
 of course,

00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.220
 in other parts of scripture,

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.059
 that is very true,

00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.160
 that is very much the case,

00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:43.799
 but,

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:45.019
 what he's talking about here,

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.859
 is actually arguments,

00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.220
 divisions.

00:25:48.639 --> 00:25:48.900
 He's,

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.480
 he's saying,

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.720
 there's some people in that church,

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:50.980
 he's like,

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:51.759
 I follow Paul,

00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.180
 I follow Sepphas,

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.940
 I follow Apollos,

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.059
 I follow this person,

00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.879
 I follow this person,

00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.879
 it was basically saying,

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.519
 actually,

00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.619
 it's like,

00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:02.160
 my master is better than your master,

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.279
 and so they were arguing,

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:05.259
 but Apollos said this,

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.859
 and bear in mind,

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.279
 that Apollos,

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.579
 we learned from the book of Acts,

00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:09.139
 was actually a very gifted speaker,

00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.879
 very charismatic leader,

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.039
 so there would have been people,

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.200
 who were drawn towards him,

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.420
 so,

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.940
 oh no,

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.960
 that's not what Apollos did,

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.559
 and so they were fighting,

00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.599
 they were arguing,

00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.460
 and that's when,

00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.420
 Paul says,

00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:20.819
 no,

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.200
 stop,

00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.399
 stop arguing,

00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.319
 for you,

00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.259
 are all,

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.299
 God's temple,

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.680
 he's addressing them,

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.279
 as a plural,

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:27.819
 together,

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.440
 you being here,

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.539
 you need to stop your fighting,

00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.019
 because,

00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:32.079
 because when you are together,

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:34.240
 that is when God's spirit dwells inside you,

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.759
 verse 18,

00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.000
 let no one deceive himself,

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.419
 if anyone among you,

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.960
 thinks that he is wise in this age,

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.240
 let him become a fool,

00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:42.299
 that he may become wise,

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:47.659
 as God's temple,

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.819
 just like Adam and Eve,

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:50.700
 were commanded,

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.720
 to work and keep,

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.500
 the garden of Eden,

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.259
 the original first temple,

00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.419
 we as the temple of God,

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.319
 are supposed to work,

00:26:57.399 --> 00:26:57.859
 and keep,

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.159
 what we have here,

00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.879
 so that it would spread outside,

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.619
 so that those who would see,

00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.559
 our good works,

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.819
 would give a glory,

00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.639
 to God,

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.359
 in heaven,

00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:08.839
 it's really interesting,

00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.399
 because if you look at the,

00:27:10.479 --> 00:27:11.439
 commands to Adam and Eve,

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.119
 was work and keep,

00:27:12.219 --> 00:27:13.500
 if you look at the Levitical priests,

00:27:13.679 --> 00:27:14.240
 their commands,

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.079
 to look after the temple,

00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:16.599
 was to work and keep,

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.919
 so in some ways,

00:27:17.979 --> 00:27:18.439
 Adam and Eve,

00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.359
 were the first priests,

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.859
 to look after this land,

00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.779
 to cultivate it,

00:27:22.219 --> 00:27:23.199
 to have dominion over it,

00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:24.439
 so it would bear the image of God,

00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.879
 the priests would then do the same,

00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:26.679
 where there would be a temple,

00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.659
 that would be prepared,

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.379
 intentionally curated,

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.439
 for people to encounter,

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.259
 the presence of God,

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.279
 we here now,

00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.819
 fast forward,

00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:34.079
 we are the church,

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.519
 we need to get ourselves,

00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:35.979
 to a place,

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.900
 where we are working,

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.279
 and keeping what this is,

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.819
 so that others outside,

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.259
 will see,

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.759
 Jesus' prayer,

00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.480
 before he died,

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:44.099
 to God the Father,

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.500
 was may they be as one,

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:45.799
 why?

00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:47.299
 Not just so that they can live,

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.019
 as a happy family,

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.700
 but so that they,

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.240
 that the world would believe,

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.079
 Paul here,

00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.140
 is addressing the division,

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.779
 he's addressing the arguments,

00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.539
 and yet,

00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.720
 what we're supposed to do,

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.180
 is supposed to be together,

00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.480
 as one,

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.460
 with the diversity,

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.559
 you look across,

00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.400
 to the person next to you,

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.880
 like there are so many things,

00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.460
 that are different,

00:28:06.520 --> 00:28:07.180
 between you and I,

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.280
 sometimes we have this image,

00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.640
 of oh,

00:28:10.760 --> 00:28:11.440
 we love this church,

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.380
 because of the community,

00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:13.560
 we love the people,

00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:15.160
 we all like the same things,

00:28:15.280 --> 00:28:15.540
 we all,

00:28:15.540 --> 00:28:16.140
 we all,

00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.900
 do the similar jobs,

00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.500
 we live,

00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.840
 we come from a similar background,

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.040
 you see that is one,

00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.700
 really beautiful way,

00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:23.900
 where the body of Christ,

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.400
 is displayed,

00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.560
 but I don't think,

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.100
 that's the best,

00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.520
 best way,

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.580
 the most powerful way,

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.140
 is when people,

00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.040
 who come across,

00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.820
 different backgrounds,

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.340
 different age groups,

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.600
 different social classes,

00:28:32.919 --> 00:28:33.659
 those people,

00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.319
 getting together,

00:28:34.459 --> 00:28:34.619
 wow,

00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:35.279
 that's,

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.559
 even more beautiful,

00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:40.399
 that's what we're,

00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.199
 supposed to be,

00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.000
 how do we,

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.299
 in that diversity,

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:45.000
 have unity,

00:28:45.719 --> 00:28:46.219
 well there's really,

00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.799
 only one word,

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.299
 that can do,

00:28:47.439 --> 00:28:48.279
 from diversity,

00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:48.799
 to unity,

00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.339
 the only word,

00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:49.799
 that we need,

00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.480
 is humility,

00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.279
 that we would look,

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.939
 at someone else,

00:28:52.939 --> 00:28:53.500
 and see them,

00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:54.179
 more significant,

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.779
 than ourselves,

00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.359
 that's what Paul says,

00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.079
 in Philippians 2,

00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.859
 that let each of us,

00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.519
 look not only,

00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.459
 to our own interests,

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.599
 but to others,

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:02.579
 and just when you think,

00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.419
 oh that's so hard,

00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.159
 I have,

00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:05.679
 honestly I look at my children,

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.179
 and I'm like,

00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.899
 I would like to put myself first,

00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.659
 why are you so selfish,

00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:11.039
 Micah,

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.039
 honestly,

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.279
 sinner,

00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.399
 depravity,

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:14.980
 on show,

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.539
 right there,

00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.799
 crying every time,

00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.480
 you don't get anything,

00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.299
 what you want,

00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.919
 such a cry baby,

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.579
 and yet,

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.919
 in that moment,

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.579
 I look at him,

00:29:23.659 --> 00:29:23.919
 and I go,

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:25.019
 I'm going to put myself,

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.619
 beneath you,

00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.719
 your interests first,

00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.839
 now I'm forced to,

00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.460
 because I have a child,

00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.839
 who looks like me,

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.720
 I can't get away,

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:37.539
 but you don't,

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.079
 you guys actually,

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.960
 don't have to,

00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.039
 you guys go,

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.440
 oh cool,

00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.200
 see you on Sunday,

00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:45.120
 when was the last time,

00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.680
 you said,

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.039
 you know what,

00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.519
 I'm going to go out,

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.180
 of my way for you,

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.960
 I'm going to,

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:51.240
 you're so different to me,

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.980
 actually I don't agree,

00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.620
 with what you think,

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.200
 but we're going to,

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.980
 we're going to fight,

00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.620
 and be together,

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:59.739
 because when we do that,

00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.759
 when we are as one,

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.659
 the people on the outside,

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:02.859
 will go,

00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:04.139
 why are you even hanging out with,

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.559
 that's so different,

00:30:05.639 --> 00:30:05.859
 why,

00:30:06.219 --> 00:30:07.039
 well because Christ,

00:30:08.739 --> 00:30:09.479
 because Christ,

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.239
 and remember in Hebrews 10,

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:12.819
 we talked about,

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.219
 don't neglect to meet each other,

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.559
 consider how to stir each other up,

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.259
 in love and good works,

00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:17.699
 encouraging each other,

00:30:17.959 --> 00:30:20.419
 as the day draws near,

00:30:21.219 --> 00:30:22.659
 now here's the kicker,

00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.639
 here's the final,

00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.339
 but we talked about,

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:24.939
 Genesis,

00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:25.939
 the garden there,

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.779
 the original temple,

00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.580
 we talked about,

00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.240
 Solomon's temple,

00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:28.840
 we talked about,

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.860
 the temple that Herod,

00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.400
 was rebuilding,

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.720
 we talked about Jesus,

00:30:32.120 --> 00:30:32.720
 being the temple,

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.700
 we talked about us,

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.480
 being the temple,

00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.440
 I'm going to fast forward,

00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.620
 I'm going to finish very soon,

00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.360
 so bear with me,

00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.799
 and this book is easy to find,

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.799
 the book of Revelation,

00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.680
 come with me there,

00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.900
 to the book of Revelation,

00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:44.039
 it's at the very end,

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.080
 the Taikid Kok,

00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:47.259
 chapter 21,

00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.620
 is this beautiful passage,

00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.259
 what started off,

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.120
 as a garden,

00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.480
 in the book of Genesis,

00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:54.140
 didn't,

00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.759
 wasn't supposed to stay,

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.379
 as the garden,

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.519
 because if Adam and Eve,

00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.559
 did their jobs properly,

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.440
 and worked,

00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.420
 and kept the garden,

00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.339
 and cultivated it,

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.500
 it would then become,

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.700
 the garden city,

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.559
 and you see the vision of this,

00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.140
 at the end,

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.480
 okay,

00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.539
 and chapter 21,

00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.839
 we've probably seen it before,

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:10.179
 then I saw a new heaven,

00:31:10.179 --> 00:31:10.899
 and a new earth,

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:11.859
 for the first heaven,

00:31:11.959 --> 00:31:12.639
 and the first earth,

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.279
 had passed away,

00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.319
 and the sea was no more,

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.720
 and I saw the holy city,

00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.399
 new Jerusalem,

00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.759
 coming down,

00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.799
 out of heaven from God,

00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.199
 prepared as a bride,

00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:21.599
 adorned for her husband,

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.039
 and I heard a loud voice,

00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:23.619
 from the throne,

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.019
 saying,

00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:24.720
 behold,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.980
 the dwelling place of God,

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.539
 is with man,

00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.879
 he will dwell with them,

00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:29.679
 and they will be his people,

00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.379
 and God himself,

00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.439
 will be with them,

00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:32.939
 as their God,

00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:34.000
 he will wipe away,

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.319
 every tear from their eyes,

00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.599
 and death shall be no more,

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.099
 neither shall there be mourning,

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.679
 nor crying,

00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.500
 nor pain anymore,

00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:40.799
 for the former things,

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.219
 have passed away,

00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:44.859
 ladies and gentlemen,

00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.519
 brothers and sisters,

00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:46.379
 the garden,

00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:48.500
 will be reinstated,

00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:52.559
 us dwelling in God's presence,

00:31:52.679 --> 00:31:53.579
 God will dwell with them,

00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.619
 and walk with them,

00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.899
 isn't that beautiful,

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.259
 so I have this favorite quote,

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.719
 that there are two most important days,

00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.379
 in anyone's life,

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.219
 it is today,

00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.439
 and then it is that day,

00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:03.959
 it is today,

00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.299
 and then it is that day,

00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:06.519
 when we meet him,

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:06.859
 again,

00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.000
 and when we are dwelling,

00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:09.359
 with him again,

00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.679
 in his presence,

00:32:10.959 --> 00:32:11.579
 as of that,

00:32:11.699 --> 00:32:12.279
 in the garden,

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.980
 the key then,

00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:15.079
 how we live life,

00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:16.419
 is how do we live today,

00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:17.959
 with that day in mind,

00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:19.679
 how do we live today,

00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.959
 and let it basically,

00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.939
 point us towards that day,

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.939
 how does that day,

00:32:24.459 --> 00:32:25.599
 influence our decisions,

00:32:26.159 --> 00:32:26.759
 our actions,

00:32:27.119 --> 00:32:27.740
 our hope,

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.579
 our responses,

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.259
 to colleagues,

00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:30.699
 to bosses,

00:32:30.859 --> 00:32:31.179
 to friends,

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.659
 to family,

00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:33.099
 when you know,

00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:34.179
 that this day is coming,

00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:35.459
 when the veil,

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.259
 is completely,

00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:36.759
 and actually,

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.880
 what I really love is,

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.980
 if you keep scanning towards,

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.120
 later in chapter 21,

00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:43.299
 verse 22,

00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:45.579
 and I saw no temple,

00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.180
 in the city,

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.180
 for its temple,

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.140
 is the Lord God,

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:48.700
 the Almighty,

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.440
 and the Lamb,

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.480
 and the city,

00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.559
 has no need of sun,

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:51.960
 or moon,

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.579
 to shine on it,

00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:53.500
 for the glory of God,

00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.120
 gives it light,

00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:55.180
 and its lamp,

00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.160
 is in the Lamb,

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:59.420
 there is no temple,

00:32:59.660 --> 00:33:01.200
 in heaven,

00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:04.779
 there is no church,

00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:06.580
 that you will be late,

00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:07.560
 in going to,

00:33:08.100 --> 00:33:08.860
 brothers and sisters,

00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:12.880
 isn't that just a relief,

00:33:13.540 --> 00:33:15.680
 there isn't a cramped space,

00:33:15.820 --> 00:33:17.080
 that you need to squeeze into,

00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.320
 on a Sunday morning,

00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:22.200
 let that just rest,

00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.000
 in your thoughts,

00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:23.420
 for a little bit,

00:33:23.420 --> 00:33:23.860
 why,

00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:26.700
 it goes back to the garden,

00:33:26.840 --> 00:33:28.000
 what was the whole point,

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.600
 of the garden,

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.820
 was that we would be,

00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.680
 with God,

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.140
 and at the end,

00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.980
 the garden has now,

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.320
 turned into a garden city,

00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.420
 where we will be,

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.880
 with God,

00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:39.420
 and it won't be this,

00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:40.820
 far away place,

00:33:40.840 --> 00:33:41.460
 with clouds,

00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:44.940
 and angels,

00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:46.400
 sat playing the harp,

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.420
 it will be here,

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:50.039
 heaven will come on to earth,

00:33:50.100 --> 00:33:50.840
 we're not going away,

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:51.320
 to another place,

00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.120
 heaven is going to come,

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.220
 here on to earth,

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:53.880
 and all things,

00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.740
 will be made new,

00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.900
 and God will make,

00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.700
 his dwelling place,

00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:59.120
 here with his people,

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.680
 let that truth,

00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.920
 permeate into every,

00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.240
 thought that you have,

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.079
 that that's where,

00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.559
 we're heading,

00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.839
 every time you see,

00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:07.079
 something horrible,

00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:08.039
 devastating,

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:08.800
 heartbreaking,

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.480
 on the news,

00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.159
 you look at that,

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.559
 and you go,

00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.079
 wow,

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.720
 that's where we are heading,

00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:14.240
 I know the ending,

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.599
 of the story,

00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.119
 that's how,

00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:18.099
 you are filled with hope,

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.099
 that's how,

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.500
 we change the way,

00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.159
 we live,

00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:21.619
 finally,

00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.319
 we will be,

00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.980
 people of delight,

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.079
 of Eden,

00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:28.239
 where there is no more tears,

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.559
 and no more pain,

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.399
 CS Lewis has said this,

00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:32.279
 and I won't quote this again,

00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:32.599
 and again,

00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:33.259
 but,

00:34:33.819 --> 00:34:34.799
 there's something inside us,

00:34:34.799 --> 00:34:35.699
 that yearns for it,

00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:37.099
 if there's nothing in this world,

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.119
 that can satisfy that,

00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.299
 inside us,

00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:40.420
 that's because it's something,

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:40.940
 outside,

00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.159
 of this world,

00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:44.159
 that's this deep longing,

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.119
 that we have,

00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.779
 that tree,

00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:47.380
 and that river,

00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.519
 in Genesis,

00:34:48.679 --> 00:34:49.639
 now makes it appearance,

00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:50.079
 again,

00:34:50.319 --> 00:34:50.859
 in Revelation,

00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.900
 this river that flows,

00:34:54.839 --> 00:34:56.039
 and Jesus has promised to us,

00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.299
 is that,

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.779
 if we abide in him,

00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:58.739
 if we stay with him,

00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.440
 out of our heart,

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.960
 will flow this river,

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.719
 and we will be,

00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:03.019
 we will have life,

00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:04.079
 we will hunger,

00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:04.659
 and thirst,

00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:05.619
 no more,

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.500
 how often do you think,

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.920
 about heaven,

00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.980
 how often do you think,

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.400
 about Eden,

00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:11.239
 I think about it daily,

00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:13.879
 I think about death,

00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:14.479
 daily,

00:35:15.319 --> 00:35:17.819
 but actually,

00:35:17.919 --> 00:35:19.000
 if you just look outside now,

00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.199
 if you're in that place,

00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.779
 and you see,

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:23.000
 you see the trees,

00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.000
 that are dotted around everywhere,

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.219
 there's something inside us,

00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:25.739
 that just is,

00:35:25.799 --> 00:35:28.000
 is just yearning,

00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:29.019
 for that moment,

00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:30.519
 that's why gardens,

00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:31.459
 bring us so much peace,

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:33.619
 my wife loves gardens,

00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:35.139
 and loves trees,

00:35:35.439 --> 00:35:36.299
 if you want to just,

00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.459
 be trapped in a conversation,

00:35:37.459 --> 00:35:38.459
 with her for about 15,

00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:38.959
 20 minutes,

00:35:39.439 --> 00:35:40.079
 just ask,

00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:41.039
 just go to her later,

00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.340
 and just go,

00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.480
 what about them trees,

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:44.360
 and she will just go off,

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.279
 okay,

00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.420
 something so beautiful,

00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:47.960
 about the tree,

00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:49.340
 and she told me this,

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.059
 when she asked me,

00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:50.519
 what I was preaching,

00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.679
 and I said,

00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.159
 and I was like,

00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.460
 oh no,

00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:53.059
 I'm going to say it,

00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.400
 she's like,

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.340
 garden,

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.059
 and the trees,

00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:55.480
 and she's like,

00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.400
 did you know,

00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.340
 the human body,

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:59.739
 our whole cardiovascular system,

00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.259
 our veins,

00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.679
 everything just mimics,

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.340
 the tree,

00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.079
 I was like,

00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:05.239
 cool,

00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.239


00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.300
 cool,

00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.300


00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.300


00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.300


00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.300


00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:09.300
 cool,

00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:10.460
 we're all craving for that,

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:12.099
 on Monday,

00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:12.800
 Christine and I,

00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:14.179
 we had our time off,

00:36:14.320 --> 00:36:15.340
 and we didn't really know,

00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.099
 what to do with ourselves,

00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.980
 so we checked up,

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:19.240
 the cinema show times,

00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:19.840
 and we found,

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:21.240
 that Avatar was showing,

00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:22.039
 has anyone watched Avatar,

00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:23.980
 man,

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.179
 there is,

00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:26.240
 the faithful are not here,

00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.720
 of course,

00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:28.300
 it's three hours,

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.099
 17 of your time,

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.800
 it's a long time,

00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.400
 I've always said,

00:36:31.840 --> 00:36:32.480
 if it's a story,

00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.340
 that's worth being told,

00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:34.920
 it can be told in two hours,

00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:36.860
 but,

00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.240
 given that we committed to this,

00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:38.980
 in 2009,

00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:39.700
 in the first one,

00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:41.579
 we decided just to keep following up,

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.320
 and just keep going,

00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:42.960
 and of course,

00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.680
 it was just a nice place,

00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.240
 for us to chill,

00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.159
 and rest,

00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:46.380
 oh my goodness,

00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.659
 I won't spoil it for you,

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.740
 there's not really much to spoil,

00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.380
 there's people chasing,

00:36:50.480 --> 00:36:51.099
 and fighting each other,

00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:51.460
 and blue,

00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.940
 big blue smurfs,

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.139
 and,

00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:56.019
 but my goodness,

00:36:56.480 --> 00:36:57.680
 it steals so much,

00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.180
 from the Bible,

00:36:59.139 --> 00:37:01.000
 the sacrifice of one,

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.760
 the yearning for the garden,

00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.380
 for the tree,

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.940
 the tree being the place,

00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.880
 where there is the source,

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.900
 of life,

00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:08.559
 the moment when you turn away,

00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:09.639
 from that source of life,

00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.539
 you end up in darkness,

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.340
 you end up in the clan,

00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.739
 that just chases after darkness,

00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.599
 that is filled with bitterness,

00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.000
 resentment,

00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:14.500
 and pain,

00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:16.719
 I encourage you,

00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.420
 if you have three hours,

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.219
 and 17 to spare,

00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:19.039
 go and watch the film,

00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:20.280
 and just let it just point you,

00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:20.780
 to the Lord,

00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:22.139
 it's interesting,

00:37:22.260 --> 00:37:22.719
 which is this,

00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:25.900
 we all have that belief inside us,

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.599
 whether you're a Christian,

00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.000
 or not,

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.500
 you have that hunger inside you,

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:28.820
 in fact,

00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:30.539
 the stories that our cultures tell,

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.440
 our culture tells,

00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:33.059
 reflects the culture,

00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:34.360
 and you see,

00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:35.800
 even in this secular age,

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.800
 we cannot escape,

00:37:36.900 --> 00:37:37.860
 those theological questions,

00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.199
 which is,

00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:39.059
 what were we made for,

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.840
 where are we going,

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:41.300
 why is this yearning inside us,

00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.480
 that cannot be satisfied,

00:37:42.679 --> 00:37:43.179
 here on earth,

00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:44.559
 what is it that we need,

00:37:44.699 --> 00:37:45.380
 we are waiting,

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.119
 we are yearning,

00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:46.739
 we are hungry,

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.460
 for the garden of Eden,

00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:51.840
 that is what we,

00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:52.840
 and if you're sat here going,

00:37:53.179 --> 00:37:53.400
 James,

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.579
 that's really quite hard to believe,

00:37:55.320 --> 00:37:56.159
 I'm not a Christian yet,

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:57.199
 trying seeking,

00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.259
 asking questions,

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.179
 but really actually,

00:37:59.179 --> 00:38:00.460
 I find that concept hard,

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:01.840
 when I was like,

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.139
 well actually,

00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:02.500
 what do you,

00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.000
 respectfully,

00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:04.300
 what do you believe in,

00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:06.320
 the billions of years ago,

00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.079
 we came from nothing,

00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:07.860
 and that soon,

00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.340
 in however many years,

00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:10.460
 we're all going to collapse on ourselves,

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:11.420
 and there'll be utter darkness,

00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:13.239
 is that the alternative,

00:38:13.239 --> 00:38:16.479
 is that what satisfies you,

00:38:16.619 --> 00:38:17.019
 intellectually,

00:38:17.759 --> 00:38:19.359
 if that's,

00:38:19.459 --> 00:38:20.559
 well with respect,

00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.019
 if that's it,

00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:21.639
 then good luck,

00:38:22.119 --> 00:38:23.919
 but what I believe,

00:38:23.979 --> 00:38:24.639
 what I see,

00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:25.739
 in scripture,

00:38:25.839 --> 00:38:26.839
 from beginning to end,

00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:28.699
 what I see in my own heart,

00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:30.979
 is that we came from a garden,

00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:32.379
 and we are meant for the garden,

00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:35.119
 we were created,

00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:35.940
 out of community,

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:38.440
 and we are desperate for community,

00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:38.940
 not with,

00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:39.680
 just with each other,

00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:41.200
 but with God himself,

00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.880
 and there will be a moment,

00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:44.019
 where there will be no more tears,

00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:44.880
 no more pain,

00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:45.820
 no more temple,

00:38:46.680 --> 00:38:47.660
 because we'll be with him,

00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:49.280
 and we will be filled,

00:38:49.720 --> 00:38:50.480
 with delight,

00:38:50.580 --> 00:38:51.780
 if I can just allow us,

00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:52.740
 to leave here,

00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.780
 with that vision,

00:38:54.500 --> 00:38:57.180
 that we will be filled,

00:38:57.180 --> 00:38:57.800
 with delight,

00:38:58.160 --> 00:38:59.720
 and any darkness that we see,

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:01.400
 will soon be dealt with,

00:39:01.700 --> 00:39:02.039
 and gone,

00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.580
 because of what Christ did,

00:39:04.640 --> 00:39:05.720
 I will have succeeded,

00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:07.160
 what do we do,

00:39:07.240 --> 00:39:07.820
 as a church then,

00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:09.720
 if I've convinced you,

00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:10.539
 that there is this garden,

00:39:10.640 --> 00:39:11.019
 at the beginning,

00:39:11.120 --> 00:39:12.140
 and there will be a garden city,

00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:12.519
 at the end,

00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:13.320
 what does that mean,

00:39:13.380 --> 00:39:14.140
 for you right now,

00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:15.120
 if that is the day,

00:39:15.180 --> 00:39:15.700
 we're heading for,

00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:16.860
 what do we do today,

00:39:17.039 --> 00:39:17.860
 let's finish back,

00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:18.700
 at 1 Peter 2,

00:39:22.680 --> 00:39:24.260
 you are the living stones,

00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:26.200
 built up as a spiritual house,

00:39:26.200 --> 00:39:27.380
 to be a holy priesthood,

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.539
 to offer sacrifices,

00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:29.700
 spiritual sacrifices,

00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:30.720
 acceptable to God,

00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.280
 through Jesus Christ,

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:33.200
 further on later,

00:39:33.580 --> 00:39:34.660
 you are a chosen race,

00:39:35.400 --> 00:39:36.260
 a royal priesthood,

00:39:37.200 --> 00:39:38.340
 a holy nation,

00:39:38.580 --> 00:39:40.059
 one thing that we can do,

00:39:40.200 --> 00:39:40.920
 is to be holy,

00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.460
 Florence,

00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:42.440
 what does the word holy mean,

00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:43.880
 set apart,

00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:45.240
 different,

00:39:45.239 --> 00:39:48.419
 if your action point today,

00:39:48.679 --> 00:39:49.739
 is you leave this church,

00:39:49.799 --> 00:39:51.019
 and you go to your friends,

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:51.959
 and you got colleagues,

00:39:52.259 --> 00:39:53.359
 and they just see something,

00:39:53.479 --> 00:39:54.359
 different in you,

00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:56.819
 we'll be in the right direction,

00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:59.019
 would we just be different,

00:39:59.359 --> 00:40:00.519
 when can people just look at us,

00:40:00.559 --> 00:40:00.819
 and go,

00:40:01.319 --> 00:40:01.559
 wow,

00:40:01.619 --> 00:40:02.519
 the way you do your job,

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.219
 is just different,

00:40:04.679 --> 00:40:05.739
 normal people don't work,

00:40:05.839 --> 00:40:06.179
 like that,

00:40:06.339 --> 00:40:07.299
 normal people don't study,

00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:08.159
 like that,

00:40:08.579 --> 00:40:09.099
 there's just something,

00:40:09.259 --> 00:40:09.899
 different about you,

00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:10.760
 I know that we've met people,

00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:11.840
 who are just different,

00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:14.820
 if you use a Christianese term,

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.180
 that is,

00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:15.880
 they are holy,

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.220
 they are set apart,

00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.380
 would we be people,

00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:21.180
 who are set apart,

00:40:21.539 --> 00:40:22.360
 would we be people,

00:40:22.519 --> 00:40:23.420
 who are so just,

00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:24.420
 concerned with,

00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:26.320
 building the house of the Lord,

00:40:26.660 --> 00:40:27.840
 and presenting it to him,

00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:29.460
 in a way that is undefiled,

00:40:30.460 --> 00:40:31.360
 uncompromised,

00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.320
 pure,

00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:34.360
 you've been yearning,

00:40:34.360 --> 00:40:35.000
 to see God,

00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:35.619
 blessed are those,

00:40:35.700 --> 00:40:36.360
 who are pure in heart,

00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:37.260
 for they shall see God,

00:40:37.260 --> 00:40:37.700
 well the quote,

00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.760
 if you want to see God,

00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:39.820
 then you work on the first part,

00:40:40.040 --> 00:40:40.480
 blessed are those,

00:40:40.520 --> 00:40:41.280
 who are pure in heart,

00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.040
 what does that mean,

00:40:42.200 --> 00:40:43.560
 that you are single-mindedly,

00:40:43.680 --> 00:40:44.500
 wholly devoted,

00:40:44.660 --> 00:40:45.280
 to seeing him,

00:40:45.520 --> 00:40:46.600
 and those who seek him,

00:40:46.680 --> 00:40:47.300
 will find him,

00:40:48.240 --> 00:40:49.220
 would we be holy,

00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:49.880
 would we commit,

00:40:49.980 --> 00:40:50.940
 to being different,

00:40:54.520 --> 00:40:55.640
 be that community,

00:40:56.260 --> 00:40:56.560
 that is,

00:40:57.540 --> 00:40:58.600
 filled with diversity,

00:40:59.380 --> 00:41:00.780
 filled with annoying people,

00:41:01.880 --> 00:41:02.460
 yet still,

00:41:03.260 --> 00:41:03.920
 chooses to love,

00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:05.060
 yet still,

00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:06.520
 chooses to go out,

00:41:06.520 --> 00:41:07.020
 of our way,

00:41:07.260 --> 00:41:08.800
 how can we be that garden,

00:41:08.900 --> 00:41:09.300
 and it says,

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:09.920
 towards the end,

00:41:10.280 --> 00:41:11.300
 keep your conduct,

00:41:11.340 --> 00:41:12.160
 among the Gentiles,

00:41:12.260 --> 00:41:12.560
 honorable,

00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:13.820
 so that when they speak,

00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:14.760
 against you as evildoers,

00:41:14.860 --> 00:41:16.000
 they may see your good deeds,

00:41:16.060 --> 00:41:16.880
 and glorify God,

00:41:17.200 --> 00:41:18.380
 on the day of visitation,

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:20.040
 Peter didn't say,

00:41:20.140 --> 00:41:21.140
 this was necessary himself,

00:41:21.260 --> 00:41:21.960
 he heard Jesus,

00:41:21.960 --> 00:41:22.620
 talk about those,

00:41:22.700 --> 00:41:23.460
 in the sermon on the mount,

00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.360
 that we would be,

00:41:25.480 --> 00:41:26.040
 a city on a hill,

00:41:26.120 --> 00:41:26.580
 that we would be,

00:41:26.680 --> 00:41:27.220
 the salt and light,

00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:27.700
 of the earth,

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:28.720
 and that when others,

00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:29.740
 see that we are different,

00:41:30.020 --> 00:41:30.780
 that when others see,

00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.900
 that we go out of our way,

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:32.860
 to do good deeds,

00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:35.060
 they'll look and go,

00:41:35.280 --> 00:41:35.940
 there's something different,

00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:36.540
 about that group,

00:41:36.539 --> 00:41:38.980
 them,

00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:40.159
 collectively together,

00:41:40.300 --> 00:41:41.440
 they are the temple,

00:41:42.079 --> 00:41:42.759
 of God,

00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:45.019
 they are the people of God,

00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:47.559
 one of my favorite times,

00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:48.019
 in the week,

00:41:48.820 --> 00:41:49.980
 is 1030,

00:41:50.360 --> 00:41:51.099
 on a Sunday,

00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:52.659
 and this isn't,

00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.380
 oh this is actually,

00:41:53.480 --> 00:41:54.099
 a shameless plug,

00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:54.579
 for that,

00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:57.400
 we deliberately,

00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.460
 intentionally,

00:41:59.019 --> 00:41:59.799
 try and create,

00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:00.659
 and curate,

00:42:00.779 --> 00:42:02.179
 a space and time here,

00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:04.139
 before you come in,

00:42:04.179 --> 00:42:04.679
 with your coffee,

00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:06.659
 to pray,

00:42:08.119 --> 00:42:08.539
 and honestly,

00:42:08.639 --> 00:42:09.219
 I can come in,

00:42:09.299 --> 00:42:10.019
 having whatever week,

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.539
 that I've had,

00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:12.019
 sometimes with,

00:42:12.019 --> 00:42:13.619
 Micah clinging on my shoulder,

00:42:13.739 --> 00:42:14.079
 and moaning,

00:42:14.179 --> 00:42:14.719
 and all that kind of stuff,

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.559
 but the moment,

00:42:15.699 --> 00:42:16.300
 I sit down,

00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:16.780
 and be,

00:42:17.119 --> 00:42:18.119
 with his people,

00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:19.739
 and pray,

00:42:20.659 --> 00:42:21.500
 and I watch people,

00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:22.920
 walking quietly,

00:42:23.000 --> 00:42:23.340
 well sometimes,

00:42:23.480 --> 00:42:24.139
 you're talking outside,

00:42:24.239 --> 00:42:25.059
 and the moment you walk in,

00:42:25.139 --> 00:42:25.519
 and then you're like,

00:42:25.559 --> 00:42:26.679
 oh people are praying,

00:42:26.739 --> 00:42:27.280
 and then you kind of,

00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:27.759
 quieten down,

00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:28.660
 I love that,

00:42:28.740 --> 00:42:28.880
 why?

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:30.140
 Because we are intentionally,

00:42:30.540 --> 00:42:31.980
 creating a space,

00:42:32.160 --> 00:42:32.720
 a place,

00:42:32.980 --> 00:42:34.000
 where the people of God,

00:42:34.080 --> 00:42:34.600
 can hunger,

00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:35.720
 for the presence of God,

00:42:36.360 --> 00:42:37.740
 and I am filled,

00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:39.000
 I realize that,

00:42:39.080 --> 00:42:40.040
 I've been trying to do it alone,

00:42:40.140 --> 00:42:40.500
 this week,

00:42:40.560 --> 00:42:41.400
 but the moment I come in,

00:42:41.420 --> 00:42:43.060
 and I hear people pray,

00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:44.780
 and I hear people pray,

00:42:44.780 --> 00:42:45.460
 with scripture,

00:42:46.520 --> 00:42:48.580
 it just blesses my soul,

00:42:48.640 --> 00:42:48.900
 no end,

00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:49.500
 and I realize,

00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.080
 okay,

00:42:50.440 --> 00:42:51.460
 that's what I've been missing,

00:42:52.700 --> 00:42:53.180
 people,

00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:55.440
 fellow stones,

00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:59.119
 in the temple of God,

00:42:59.340 --> 00:43:01.099
 and I give thanks,

00:43:01.700 --> 00:43:02.760
 I pray,

00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:03.880
 that you and I,

00:43:03.980 --> 00:43:05.380
 would have the same experience,

00:43:05.800 --> 00:43:06.740
 that Janice had last week,

00:43:08.079 --> 00:43:08.599
 that every time,

00:43:08.659 --> 00:43:09.920
 we're drawn into this space,

00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:11.000
 we're pulled away,

00:43:11.720 --> 00:43:12.860
 from the world's distractions,

00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:15.260
 our hearts are recalibrated,

00:43:15.420 --> 00:43:16.280
 our focus is,

00:43:16.760 --> 00:43:17.340
 reoriented,

00:43:17.760 --> 00:43:18.460
 back towards God,

00:43:19.539 --> 00:43:20.639
 we are filled up,

00:43:20.960 --> 00:43:22.099
 we're reminded of the garden,

00:43:22.900 --> 00:43:25.400
 and then we leave,

00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:26.639
 filled with delight,

00:43:26.820 --> 00:43:27.159
 pursuing,

00:43:27.880 --> 00:43:28.559
 that garden again,

00:43:30.840 --> 00:43:31.659
 I'd like to invite you,

00:43:31.720 --> 00:43:32.559
 just to spend a moment now,

00:43:33.179 --> 00:43:35.179
 to ask the Lord yourself,

00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:36.700
 you've heard me speak enough,

00:43:37.820 --> 00:43:38.639
 my prayer is that you would,

00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.460
 hear from the Lord,

00:43:40.380 --> 00:43:44.079
 what is it about the garden,

00:43:44.179 --> 00:43:44.639
 that you crave,

00:43:46.079 --> 00:43:50.119
 what is it that is stopping you,

00:43:50.840 --> 00:43:51.780
 from experiencing,

00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:53.079
 that presence,

00:43:53.079 --> 00:44:05.539
 and to ask together,

00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:06.940
 as a collective body,

00:44:07.940 --> 00:44:10.980
 Lord, how can we surrender,

00:44:10.980 --> 00:44:12.500
 our hearts again to you,

00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:18.059
 that you would dwell with us,

00:44:18.059 --> 00:44:20.980
 that you would dwell,

00:44:21.159 --> 00:44:22.179
 amongst the praises,

00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:22.820
 of your people,

00:44:22.820 --> 00:44:22.820


00:44:22.820 --> 00:44:22.820


00:44:22.219 --> 00:44:22.820
 of your people,

00:44:22.820 --> 00:44:22.820


00:44:22.219 --> 00:44:22.820
 of your people,

00:44:22.820 --> 00:44:37.000
 as St. Augustine said,

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.659
 you have made us,

00:44:37.659 --> 00:44:38.139
 for yourself,

00:44:38.239 --> 00:44:38.519
 O God,

00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:40.039
 and our hearts,

00:44:40.440 --> 00:44:40.960
 are restless,

00:44:41.139 --> 00:44:41.980
 until they rest,

00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:43.219
 in you,

00:44:43.219 --> 00:44:55.740
 I'll finish,

00:44:55.740 --> 00:44:56.539
 with a final quote,

00:44:57.300 --> 00:44:58.460
 John Eldridge says this,

00:44:58.579 --> 00:44:59.340
 we were born,

00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:00.780
 into a world at war,

00:45:01.360 --> 00:45:02.659
 and we have spent,

00:45:02.880 --> 00:45:03.400
 our lives,

00:45:03.579 --> 00:45:04.380
 trying to get back,

00:45:04.500 --> 00:45:04.940
 to the garden,

00:45:06.039 --> 00:45:07.199
 trying to get home,

00:45:07.199 --> 00:45:09.239
 all our longings,

00:45:09.299 --> 00:45:09.759
 for beauty,

00:45:10.939 --> 00:45:11.679
 for intimacy,

00:45:12.719 --> 00:45:13.599
 for adventure,

00:45:14.639 --> 00:45:15.379
 are echoes,

00:45:16.599 --> 00:45:17.079
 of Eden.

00:45:26.460 --> 00:45:27.279
 Yes, Lord,

00:45:27.460 --> 00:45:28.519
 we are your temple,

00:45:29.039 --> 00:45:30.119
 we are your children,

00:45:31.119 --> 00:45:32.179
 and we thank you,

00:45:32.219 --> 00:45:33.759
 that you dwell,

00:45:34.379 --> 00:45:35.779
 in your children's praises,

00:45:35.780 --> 00:45:38.800
 that you are a father,

00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:39.640
 that knows us,

00:45:39.920 --> 00:45:40.920
 each by name,

00:45:41.040 --> 00:45:41.880
 and that it delights,

00:45:42.040 --> 00:45:42.240
 in you,

00:45:42.320 --> 00:45:43.000
 when we delight,

00:45:43.100 --> 00:45:43.420
 in you,

00:45:44.680 --> 00:45:45.040
 and so God,

00:45:45.100 --> 00:45:45.780
 help us this week,

00:45:45.820 --> 00:45:47.260
 as we leave,

00:45:47.380 --> 00:45:48.540
 from this fifth floor,

00:45:49.760 --> 00:45:50.600
 that our worship,

00:45:50.780 --> 00:45:51.380
 does not end here,

00:45:52.519 --> 00:45:53.900
 and that we continue,

00:45:53.900 --> 00:45:54.940
 to live a life,

00:45:54.960 --> 00:45:55.560
 of worship,

00:45:56.620 --> 00:45:57.760
 as we live a life,

00:45:57.980 --> 00:45:59.220
 that others around us,

00:45:59.780 --> 00:46:00.500
 in our neighbors,

00:46:01.200 --> 00:46:01.760
 our colleagues,

00:46:01.920 --> 00:46:02.820
 our classmates,

00:46:04.240 --> 00:46:04.920
 that they see,

00:46:04.920 --> 00:46:05.599
 that our eyes,

00:46:05.639 --> 00:46:06.420
 are on something else,

00:46:06.480 --> 00:46:07.119
 our eyes are not,

00:46:07.200 --> 00:46:08.000
 just on our boss,

00:46:08.059 --> 00:46:08.599
 or our deadline,

00:46:08.780 --> 00:46:09.460
 or our professor,

00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:09.720
 Lord,

00:46:09.740 --> 00:46:10.519
 our eyes are on you,

00:46:11.220 --> 00:46:12.380
 the ultimate creator,

00:46:14.300 --> 00:46:14.940
 the ruler,

00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:15.840
 the king of kings,

00:46:15.900 --> 00:46:16.740
 and the lord of lords,

00:46:17.700 --> 00:46:18.780
 and we look to you,

00:46:18.840 --> 00:46:19.720
 not with fear,

00:46:21.099 --> 00:46:22.460
 and anxiety,

00:46:22.599 --> 00:46:23.460
 but we look to you,

00:46:23.460 --> 00:46:25.400
 with deep trust,

00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:26.079
 deep surrender,

00:46:26.880 --> 00:46:28.139
 knowing all that you've,

00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:28.720
 done for us,

00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:29.300
 and so Lord,

00:46:29.340 --> 00:46:29.639
 we pray,

00:46:29.840 --> 00:46:30.720
 that we be your church,

00:46:30.760 --> 00:46:31.200
 today here,

00:46:31.460 --> 00:46:32.139
 in Hong Kong,

00:46:32.139 --> 00:46:34.179
 we pray this,

00:46:34.219 --> 00:46:35.079
 in Jesus mighty name,

00:46:35.339 --> 00:46:35.639
 Amen.