WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280
 The first eight verses together, let's read.

00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:13.620
 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:20.379
 to God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ,

00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:25.019
 grace and peace to you from God our Father.

00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:31.300
 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:39.140
 because we've heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have for all God's people.

00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:45.659
 The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven,

00:00:46.100 --> 00:00:53.000
 and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.

00:00:53.000 --> 00:01:00.719
 In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world,

00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:09.140
 just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace.

00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:18.620
 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:23.420
 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:31.680
 Well, follow along with me, you can see the headings on the screen.

00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:39.420
 Well, something wonderful and beautiful has happened in this city of Colossae,

00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:42.640
 which is in modern-day Turkey.

00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:47.420
 The gospel has come to their town.

00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:50.140
 Look at the end of verse 5.

00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:55.799
 The true message of the gospel has come to you.

00:01:56.700 --> 00:02:00.180
 Well, where did they hear this gospel message from?

00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:02.000
 Well, look at verse 7.

00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:08.240
 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,

00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:13.259
 who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf.

00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:14.739
 Epaphras.

00:02:15.539 --> 00:02:16.739
 It's a great name, isn't it?

00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:21.099
 I think we should reintroduce it to children as they're born.

00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:25.599
 I don't know any Epaphrases living today, but here we have him.

00:02:25.679 --> 00:02:31.459
 He lived in Colossae, and he heard the gospel from the Apostle Paul.

00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:34.840
 He was on his third missionary journey,

00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:37.199
 and he stopped in Ephesus.

00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:40.319
 And as we read other scriptures in parts of Acts,

00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:45.239
 we learned that the message from there spread out to other places.

00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:52.359
 And it seems that Epaphras heard the gospel when Paul arrived.

00:02:53.399 --> 00:02:54.859
 And he believed it.

00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:57.379
 And he couldn't contain it.

00:02:58.079 --> 00:03:03.439
 And he had to teach it to his friends and to the community in which he lived.

00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:11.319
 Epaphras shared with the people in Colossae the true message of the gospel.

00:03:13.359 --> 00:03:15.719
 Now, we're familiar with the word gospel.

00:03:15.879 --> 00:03:16.939
 We use it all the time.

00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:19.139
 We've read it here this morning.

00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:21.840
 And it simply means good news.

00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:29.060
 And in this context, it's the good news of God's salvation through Jesus.

00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:34.099
 And we have a lovely summary of it in verse 13,

00:03:34.199 --> 00:03:36.620
 if you just jump ahead to verse 13.

00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:41.500
 Here, if you like, is the gospel in summary form.

00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:44.580
 For he, that is God,

00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.460
 has rescued us

00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:50.360
 from the dominion of darkness,

00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:51.500
 a kingdom

00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.900
 of utter emptiness

00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:57.039
 and hopelessness.

00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:59.439
 He's rescued us

00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:01.019
 from the kingdom of darkness

00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:03.120
 and has brought us

00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:04.239
 into the kingdom

00:04:04.239 --> 00:04:06.899
 of the Son he loves.

00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.019
 And what is it about this kingdom?

00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:14.639
 Well, it's the kingdom of his Son

00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:17.079
 in whom we have

00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:18.339
 redemption.

00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:21.039
 We've been set free

00:04:21.039 --> 00:04:22.839
 from all our guilt

00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:24.459
 and shame of the past

00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:26.620
 and we receive

00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:27.399
 the forgiveness

00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:30.339
 of all of our sins.

00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.019
 A move from darkness

00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:36.019
 into light.

00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:38.659
 A kingdom without hope

00:04:38.659 --> 00:04:41.359
 to a kingdom of redemption

00:04:41.359 --> 00:04:43.000
 and forgiveness.

00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:44.779
 How wonderful

00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:46.599
 and how beautiful is that?

00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.700
 And so this is the message

00:04:49.700 --> 00:04:51.960
 that Epaphras received

00:04:51.960 --> 00:04:53.980
 and he has passed on

00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:55.840
 to his community.

00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:57.580
 And so a church

00:04:57.580 --> 00:04:58.700
 was started

00:04:58.700 --> 00:05:00.260
 in that city.

00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:02.320
 Now the problem is

00:05:02.320 --> 00:05:03.939
 there were other gospel

00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:05.000
 messages

00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:07.000
 that were also being taught.

00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:08.660
 Other so-called

00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:10.220
 good news messages.

00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:12.700
 And Epaphras is concerned

00:05:12.700 --> 00:05:14.060
 that this new church

00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.040
 in Colossae

00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:16.540
 is going to get

00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:17.620
 pulled away

00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:20.259
 from the true gospel.

00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.000
 In fact,

00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.360
 he sends a report

00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.800
 to Paul

00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:26.100
 to tell him

00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:27.180
 what has happened.

00:05:27.340 --> 00:05:28.439
 So if you jump ahead

00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.379
 to chapter 4

00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:30.300
 verse 12.

00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:34.220
 Epaphras has taken

00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:35.500
 a journey it seems

00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:36.340
 to Paul

00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:38.060
 to tell him

00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:40.139
 what is going on

00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:41.160
 in the church

00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:42.960
 and the help

00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:44.120
 that they might need.

00:05:44.700 --> 00:05:45.320
 Chapter 4

00:05:45.320 --> 00:05:45.939
 verse 12.

00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:47.120
 This is Paul writing

00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:48.760
 to the church.

00:05:48.880 --> 00:05:49.280
 He says,

00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:50.120
 Epaphras

00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.640
 who is one of you

00:05:51.640 --> 00:05:53.160
 and a servant

00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:54.220
 of Christ Jesus

00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:55.440
 sends greetings.

00:05:56.140 --> 00:05:57.060
 He is always

00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:58.460
 wrestling in prayer

00:05:58.460 --> 00:05:59.360
 for you

00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:00.580
 that you may

00:06:00.580 --> 00:06:02.260
 stand firm

00:06:02.260 --> 00:06:03.800
 in all the will

00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:04.340
 of God

00:06:04.340 --> 00:06:05.060
 mature

00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:06.500
 and fully

00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:07.080
 assured.

00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:08.760
 So Epaphras

00:06:08.760 --> 00:06:09.879
 has gone to Paul.

00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.819
 he is concerned

00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:12.199
 for them

00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:12.879
 he is praying

00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:13.259
 for them

00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:13.740
 that they will

00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.439
 be strong

00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.659
 and he is telling

00:06:15.659 --> 00:06:17.040
 Paul all the things

00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:17.800
 that are happening.

00:06:18.659 --> 00:06:19.699
 He gives a report

00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:21.480
 and as Paul

00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.040
 receives this report

00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:24.779
 he now writes

00:06:24.779 --> 00:06:26.360
 this letter

00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.959
 to the church.

00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:29.579
 So let's go back

00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:30.560
 to chapter 1

00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.719
 and verse 1

00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.379
 where it tells us

00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.100
 that Paul

00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:36.339
 an apostle

00:06:36.339 --> 00:06:37.480
 of Christ Jesus

00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:38.879
 by the will

00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:39.319
 of God

00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:40.020
 and Timothy

00:06:40.020 --> 00:06:40.580
 our brother.

00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:41.300
 This is who

00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:41.819
 it's from

00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:42.500
 he's writing

00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.400
 to the church.

00:06:44.140 --> 00:06:45.560
 And his whole message

00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:46.800
 the message

00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:47.439
 that he gives

00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:48.319
 to the church

00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:50.180
 can be summarised

00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:50.740
 for us

00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:51.980
 in chapter 2

00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:53.740
 and verse 6.

00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:55.939
 This is the big

00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:56.600
 theme

00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:58.080
 of the letter.

00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:01.220
 He says to them

00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:02.500
 So then

00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.800
 just as you

00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:05.180
 received Christ

00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.420
 Jesus as Lord

00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:08.740
 continue to live

00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:09.680
 your lives

00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:11.560
 in him.

00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:13.080
 He's saying

00:07:13.080 --> 00:07:13.680
 to the church

00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:14.660
 you started

00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:15.560
 with Christ

00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:17.700
 now I want you

00:07:17.700 --> 00:07:18.500
 to continue

00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:19.940
 on with Christ

00:07:19.940 --> 00:07:21.140
 and to

00:07:21.140 --> 00:07:22.120
 finish

00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:22.920
 with Christ.

00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:24.120
 You received

00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:24.460
 him

00:07:24.460 --> 00:07:25.780
 now continue

00:07:25.780 --> 00:07:26.420
 in him.

00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:30.640
 But there's

00:07:30.640 --> 00:07:31.300
 something else

00:07:31.300 --> 00:07:31.939
 he has to

00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:32.400
 tell them

00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:33.100
 verse 8

00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:35.220
 See to it

00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:36.759
 that no one

00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:37.420
 takes you

00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:38.020
 captive

00:07:38.020 --> 00:07:39.080
 through hollow

00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:40.560
 and deceptive

00:07:40.560 --> 00:07:41.180
 philosophy

00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:42.660
 which depends

00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:43.540
 on human

00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:44.060
 tradition

00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:45.020
 and the

00:07:45.020 --> 00:07:45.560
 elemental

00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:46.300
 spiritual

00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:46.900
 forces

00:07:46.900 --> 00:07:47.439
 of this

00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:48.000
 world

00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:49.360
 rather than

00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.100
 on Christ.

00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:51.540
 You see

00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:52.200
 this is his

00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:52.700
 message

00:07:52.700 --> 00:07:54.080
 make sure

00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:54.900
 that you

00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:55.639
 keep to the

00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:56.539
 true gospel.

00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.319
 You started

00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.099
 with Christ

00:07:59.099 --> 00:08:00.339
 now finish

00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:01.500
 with Christ.

00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:02.839
 Don't get

00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:03.680
 sucked in

00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:04.360
 by these

00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:05.180
 empty

00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:06.139
 philosophies

00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:06.560
 and these

00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:07.519
 human traditions

00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:08.379
 that have

00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.279
 nothing to do

00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:09.860
 with Christ.

00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:11.120
 Start with

00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:11.639
 Christ

00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:13.240
 and finish

00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:14.079
 with Christ.

00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.519
 And this

00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.259
 is the message

00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.279
 to Carigaline

00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:19.419
 Church as well.

00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:20.599
 We start

00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:21.399
 with Christ

00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:22.319
 and we

00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:22.939
 continue

00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:24.060
 with him.

00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:25.519
 Be careful

00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:27.000
 of other

00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:27.759
 so-called

00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:28.459
 gospel

00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:29.099
 messages

00:08:29.099 --> 00:08:31.060
 that are

00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:31.839
 just human

00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:32.439
 tradition

00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:34.240
 and empty

00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:35.299
 philosophies.

00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:37.579
 So as

00:08:37.579 --> 00:08:38.340
 Paul writes

00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.199
 he's reminding

00:08:39.199 --> 00:08:39.899
 us of the

00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.740
 true gospel

00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.759
 and it's

00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.740
 all about

00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.319
 new beginnings.

00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:47.100
 Three things

00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:47.519
 we're going

00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:48.100
 to take

00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:49.139
 from these

00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:49.799
 first eight

00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:50.460
 verses of

00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:51.179
 chapter one.

00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.539
 A new

00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:53.120
 community

00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.679
 to live

00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:53.899
 in,

00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:55.440
 a new

00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:56.220
 priority

00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:56.919
 to live

00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:57.320
 by

00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.759
 and a

00:08:58.759 --> 00:08:59.019
 new

00:08:59.019 --> 00:08:59.679
 reality

00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:01.120
 to live

00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:01.779
 for.

00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:02.940
 New

00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:03.519
 community,

00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:03.899
 new

00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:04.560
 priority

00:09:04.560 --> 00:09:06.019
 and a

00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:06.399
 new

00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:07.539
 reality.

00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:08.980
 This is

00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:09.779
 what happens

00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:10.799
 when the

00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:11.220
 gospel

00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:12.519
 comes.

00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.179
 First,

00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:13.879
 a new

00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:14.500
 community

00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.700
 to live

00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:15.960
 in.

00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:17.379
 You see,

00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:17.860
 it's the

00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.320
 gospel

00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.280
 that forms

00:09:20.280 --> 00:09:21.260
 a new

00:09:21.260 --> 00:09:21.879
 community

00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:23.280
 of people.

00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:24.900
 Look how

00:09:24.900 --> 00:09:26.180
 they are

00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:26.800
 addressed.

00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.340
 Verse two.

00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:30.960
 To God's

00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:31.780
 holy

00:09:31.780 --> 00:09:32.600
 people

00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:33.700
 in

00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:34.400
 Colossae.

00:09:36.660 --> 00:09:37.100
 Now to

00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:37.860
 be holy,

00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:39.700
 well,

00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:41.000
 we might

00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:41.560
 think of

00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:42.100
 people who

00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:42.700
 are holy

00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.380
 as those

00:09:43.380 --> 00:09:43.800
 who are

00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:44.380
 kind of,

00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:44.980
 oh they're

00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.000
 very saintly

00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:46.519
 kind of

00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:46.899
 people.

00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:48.519
 They stay

00:09:48.519 --> 00:09:49.360
 indoors all

00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:49.960
 day and

00:09:49.960 --> 00:09:51.179
 wear dark

00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.240
 clothes and

00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:53.259
 pray on

00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:53.820
 their knees

00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:54.220
 and read

00:09:54.220 --> 00:09:54.820
 their Bibles

00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:55.259
 all day

00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:55.500
 long.

00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.080
 Nothing wrong

00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:56.600
 with praying

00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:57.000
 and nothing

00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:57.419
 wrong with

00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:57.940
 reading your

00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:58.419
 Bible at

00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:58.580
 all,

00:09:58.679 --> 00:09:59.539
 but is

00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.559
 that holy?

00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:02.360
 Well to

00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:02.919
 be made

00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:03.519
 holy,

00:10:03.700 --> 00:10:03.960
 to be

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.600
 God's

00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:05.100
 holy

00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:05.720
 people,

00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:06.759
 is to

00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.820
 be made

00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:08.500
 pure

00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:09.919
 and right

00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.279
 before God.

00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:12.700
 This is

00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:13.379
 what happens

00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:13.879
 when we

00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.500
 believe and

00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:15.000
 trust in

00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.399
 Christ.

00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:16.419
 jump ahead

00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:16.919
 to chapter

00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:17.579
 1 verse

00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:18.319
 22.

00:10:20.959 --> 00:10:21.559
 Well it's

00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:22.079
 telling us

00:10:22.079 --> 00:10:22.699
 because of

00:10:22.699 --> 00:10:23.759
 what Christ

00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.419
 has done,

00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:26.079
 verse 22,

00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:27.079
 he has

00:10:27.079 --> 00:10:28.679
 now reconciled

00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:29.340
 you to

00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.519
 God by

00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:31.439
 Christ's

00:10:31.439 --> 00:10:32.039
 physical

00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.220
 body through

00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:34.399
 his death

00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.319
 to present

00:10:36.319 --> 00:10:36.860
 you

00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:38.480
 holy

00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.659
 in his

00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.179
 sight,

00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:41.480
 without

00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.319
 blemish

00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:44.139
 and free

00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:44.460
 from

00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.319
 accusation.

00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:47.179
 isn't

00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:47.340
 that

00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:48.220
 extraordinary?

00:10:49.319 --> 00:10:49.840
 Isn't

00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.019
 that

00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.860
 amazing?

00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:52.100
 That

00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:52.720
 because of

00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.600
 what Christ

00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.259
 did,

00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:55.659
 you now

00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.299
 stand,

00:10:56.340 --> 00:10:56.819
 if you are

00:10:56.819 --> 00:10:57.579
 trusting in

00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:58.199
 him today,

00:10:58.620 --> 00:10:59.199
 you now

00:10:59.199 --> 00:11:00.299
 stand before

00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:00.860
 God

00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:02.639
 as holy,

00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.519
 blameless,

00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.279
 free from

00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.399
 any accusation.

00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:10.220
 God

00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:10.720
 God cannot

00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:11.480
 point his

00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.059
 finger at

00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:12.860
 you and

00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:13.879
 condemn you

00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.679
 for your

00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:15.120
 sin.

00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.139
 God's

00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.079
 holy people.

00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.860
 But God's

00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.720
 people are

00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:27.600
 also a

00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:28.740
 family people.

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:30.639
 You see,

00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:31.399
 if we're God's

00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.019
 people, that

00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:32.720
 doesn't mean we

00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:33.600
 just live in

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.759
 isolation,

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.799
 doing our

00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:36.439
 own little

00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:36.939
 thing as

00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:37.879
 holy people.

00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:37.960
 people.

00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:39.399
 No, when

00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.500
 God saves

00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:41.580
 us, he

00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.519
 saves us

00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:44.299
 into a

00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:44.759
 family.

00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.139
 Look at

00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:46.580
 verse 2

00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:46.939
 again.

00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.179
 To God's

00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:48.960
 holy people

00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:49.720
 in Colossae,

00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:51.220
 the faithful

00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.659
 brothers and

00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:54.259
 sisters in

00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:54.820
 Christ.

00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.159
 You see,

00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.120
 God's people

00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.039
 are a

00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.139
 family people.

00:11:59.340 --> 00:11:59.580
 We're

00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.879
 brothers and

00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:01.500
 sisters.

00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:02.799
 In other

00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.340
 words, we're

00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.299
 not living our

00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:04.940
 lives in

00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:06.039
 isolation and

00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:07.259
 independence from

00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:07.799
 each other.

00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:08.559
 We are

00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:09.919
 dependent on

00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.659
 one another.

00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.200
 Look at the

00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:12.580
 rest of

00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.080
 verse 2.

00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.279
 Grace and

00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.819
 peace to

00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:15.279
 you from

00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.919
 God, my

00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:17.500
 Father.

00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:19.779
 Now, I

00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.299
 don't have a

00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.080
 different Father

00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.659
 to you.

00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.860
 We have the

00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:24.460
 same Father,

00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.500
 Father God.

00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.179
 We share in

00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:28.580
 and have

00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.500
 access to

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.740
 the same

00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.659
 generous

00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.840
 Father who

00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:33.500
 gives his

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.360
 good and

00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:35.240
 great gifts

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:36.740
 grace and

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.019
 peace to

00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:38.320
 his

00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:38.940
 children.

00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.539
 You see,

00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.019
 we're not

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.740
 here as

00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.180
 individuals doing

00:12:44.180 --> 00:12:44.659
 our own

00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:45.000
 thing.

00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:45.759
 We are

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.379
 gathering

00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.500
 together as

00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:49.060
 his family.

00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.500
 Now, all of

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.580
 this shapes how

00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:54.220
 we view

00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.600
 ourselves and

00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.600
 how we treat

00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.200
 each other.

00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.560
 Maybe you're

00:12:59.560 --> 00:13:00.060
 here this

00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:00.700
 morning and

00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:01.320
 you're thinking,

00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:03.540
 well, I'm

00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:04.460
 just a mess.

00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.120
 I'm ashamed.

00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.640
 If you could

00:13:09.640 --> 00:13:10.540
 only see the

00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.180
 things I've

00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:11.640
 done this

00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:13.140
 week, no

00:13:13.140 --> 00:13:14.440
 way can

00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:15.000
 you say

00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.060
 I'm holy.

00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.040
 Or maybe

00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:19.600
 you come

00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.740
 reminding

00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.660
 yourselves of

00:13:21.660 --> 00:13:22.560
 promises that

00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:23.360
 you made last

00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.080
 week that, yes,

00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.020
 I promise I'm

00:13:25.020 --> 00:13:25.800
 going to pray

00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:26.960
 and I promise

00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.600
 it's going to

00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.120
 be different

00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.940
 this term and

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.220
 already this

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.660
 week you

00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.559
 failed in the

00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.199
 promises you

00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:32.639
 made to

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.139
 yourself.

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.779
 There's no

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.620
 way that I

00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:36.959
 could be

00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:37.459
 called

00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.620
 faithful.

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.819
 Well, listen

00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:43.639
 again to how

00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.620
 the gospel has

00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.539
 changed you if

00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.379
 you are trusting

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.000
 Christ.

00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.019
 Listen to

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.480
 this, to

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.199
 God's

00:13:51.199 --> 00:13:52.620
 holy

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.299
 people,

00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:55.879
 faithful

00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:57.459
 brothers and

00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:57.839
 sisters.

00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:58.000
 brothers.

00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:00.680
 That is how

00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:01.800
 God sees you

00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:03.160
 and that is

00:14:03.160 --> 00:14:03.980
 how we must

00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.220
 see ourselves.

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.879
 In fact, the

00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.060
 gospel demands

00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:10.340
 that this is how

00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.300
 we treat each

00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:11.560
 other.

00:14:11.780 --> 00:14:12.740
 We treat each

00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.740
 other in exactly

00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.580
 the same way.

00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.519
 We're gathered

00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.580
 here this morning

00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.820
 with no one

00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:18.519
 thinking they

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.740
 are inferior

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.620
 and nobody

00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.440
 thinking they

00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.700
 are superior.

00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:26.860
 we are the

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.440
 same family.

00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.720
 We have the

00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.960
 same father

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:33.100
 who has made

00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.100
 us holy

00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.600
 and faithful.

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.280
 So we don't

00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:38.840
 come in here

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.420
 this morning

00:14:39.420 --> 00:14:40.320
 looking across

00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:41.280
 at another

00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:41.840
 seat and

00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:44.140
 thinking they're

00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:45.020
 awful people.

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.280
 Desperate.

00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:48.000
 You should have

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.640
 heard what they

00:14:48.640 --> 00:14:48.840
 did.

00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:49.480
 You should have

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.040
 heard what they

00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:50.480
 said.

00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:52.639
 No, we

00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:53.240
 look at each

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.240
 other as

00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.500
 God looks

00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:56.379
 at us and

00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.440
 treats us

00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.980
 holy and

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.460
 faithful.

00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:05.620
 Now this

00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:07.720
 family also

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.560
 has a

00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.519
 double location.

00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.779
 We have a

00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.940
 physical location

00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:15.279
 and a

00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:15.860
 spiritual

00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.639
 location.

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.899
 Again, maybe

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.500
 you picked it

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.059
 up already

00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:20.799
 in verse 2

00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.539
 to God's

00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:22.519
 holy people

00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.980
 in Colossae.

00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.940
 And we can

00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:27.639
 say exactly

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.179
 the same

00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.799
 thing, can't

00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.000
 we?

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.320
 We are God's

00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.500
 holy people

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.700
 living and

00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:34.200
 located in

00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:35.700
 Carigaline.

00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.500
 That's what a

00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.179
 church is.

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.799
 We're not

00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.299
 living isolated

00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.559
 individual lives.

00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:42.759
 We are a

00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.019
 local gathering

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:46.059
 of God's

00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:47.600
 people set

00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.320
 apart to

00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.500
 represent God

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.160
 and reflect

00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:51.340
 God in

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.379
 Carigaline.

00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:53.040
 This is who

00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.520
 we are.

00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.280
 We don't do

00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:55.840
 our own

00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:56.340
 thing.

00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.560
 But more

00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:58.980
 than that

00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.440
 is our

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.220
 spiritual

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:01.080
 location.

00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.000
 Look again

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.520
 at verse 2.

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.060
 We are the

00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:05.040
 faithful brothers

00:16:05.040 --> 00:16:05.800
 and sisters

00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:07.120
 in

00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.520
 Christ.

00:16:09.520 --> 00:16:10.260
 To be

00:16:10.260 --> 00:16:11.400
 in Christ

00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.220
 is to be

00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:13.440
 united to

00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:13.900
 Christ.

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.720
 so that

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.319
 all that

00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.319
 Christ has

00:16:16.319 --> 00:16:17.519
 achieved is

00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.860
 now ours to

00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.759
 share in and

00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.439
 to enjoy.

00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.740
 That is why we

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.579
 can say we are

00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.600
 holy and faithful

00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:25.000
 because it's his

00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.519
 holiness that has

00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.159
 been given to

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.399
 us.

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.319
 It's his

00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:29.639
 faithfulness that

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.759
 becomes our

00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.539
 faithfulness.

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.679
 All that we

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.500
 have and all that

00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.899
 we ever need is

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.340
 found in

00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.340
 Christ.

00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.579
 This comes all

00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.039
 the way through

00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.459
 the letter.

00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.000
 Let me just

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.719
 give you one

00:16:42.719 --> 00:16:44.039
 little hint of

00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.419
 what we are

00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:44.980
 going to be

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.459
 seeing.

00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:46.799
 Chapter 2

00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.620
 verse 3.

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.299
 Chapter 2

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.959
 verse 3.

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.399
 In whom

00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.399
 or in

00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.240
 Christ

00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.980
 are hidden

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.179
 all

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.679
 the treasures

00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.459
 of wisdom

00:17:02.459 --> 00:17:04.240
 and knowledge.

00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.539
 This is our

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.240
 spiritual

00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.960
 location.

00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.720
 We are in

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.200
 Christ.

00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.440
 We have all

00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.320
 that we need

00:17:11.320 --> 00:17:12.340
 in him.

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.900
 So let's

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.640
 try and put

00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.200
 all this

00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:16.820
 together what

00:17:16.820 --> 00:17:17.080
 we have

00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:17.620
 looked at in

00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.059
 the first

00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.120
 couple of

00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.480
 verses.

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.120
 When we

00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.440
 hear and

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.480
 believe the

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.759
 true message

00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.360
 of the

00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:25.820
 gospel,

00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:28.460
 we are now

00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.820
 God's holy

00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:31.460
 and faithful

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.160
 family,

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.200
 children of

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.779
 the same

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.940
 Father God

00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.120
 who generously

00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:37.840
 gives us

00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.559
 grace and

00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.039
 peace.

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.960
 who have

00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.359
 everything we

00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:43.119
 could possibly

00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:44.519
 need for

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.159
 our Christian

00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:46.519
 life in

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.119
 Christ,

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.559
 gathered

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.420
 together to

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.180
 live out our

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.740
 lives in

00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.440
 Carragalline.

00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.920
 This is who

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.420
 we are.

00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.420
 This is the

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.859
 new community.

00:17:59.119 --> 00:17:59.659
 This is the

00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:01.379
 true message

00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.139
 of the

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.180
 gospel that

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:03.779
 we are to

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.659
 start with

00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:05.420
 and to

00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.379
 continue with

00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.240
 and not

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.020
 move from.

00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.180
 This is the

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.280
 new community

00:18:10.280 --> 00:18:11.660
 that we

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.200
 live in.

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.640
 Second,

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.280
 then,

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.320
 there's new

00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:18.060
 priorities

00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:19.700
 to live

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.040
 by.

00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.600
 When we

00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.340
 become part

00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:22.920
 of God's

00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.360
 family,

00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:24.080
 there is a

00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:24.840
 certain way

00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:25.740
 to live.

00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.320
 We have

00:18:26.320 --> 00:18:27.900
 new priorities.

00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:30.340
 Let's read

00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:31.060
 verse 3

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.500
 and 4.

00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.079
 We always

00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.779
 thank God,

00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.299
 the Father

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.639
 of our

00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.220
 Lord Jesus

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:35.679
 Christ,

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.059
 when we

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.519
 pray for

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:36.799
 you,

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:37.980
 because we

00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.539
 have heard

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.079
 of your

00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.139
 faith in

00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.980
 Christ Jesus

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.519
 and of the

00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.099
 love you

00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:43.700
 have for

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.159
 all God's

00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.700
 people.

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.119
 So the

00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.059
 first priority

00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:51.720
 is that we

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.220
 would be a

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:52.720
 people of

00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.940
 faith in

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.399
 Christ.

00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.119
 We've

00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.519
 heard of

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.419
 your faith

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.660
 in Christ

00:18:58.660 --> 00:18:59.240
 Jesus.

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.840
 Faith in

00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.480
 Christ is

00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:01.900
 where it

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:03.180
 starts and

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.900
 it is faith

00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.500
 in Christ

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.100
 where it

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:05.620
 continues.

00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.560
 As a

00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:07.960
 family,

00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:08.700
 we live

00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.800
 each day

00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:11.400
 by faith

00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.480
 in the

00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.200
 promises of

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.580
 God.

00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.340
 So,

00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.140
 will I

00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.940
 trust that

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.600
 all I

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.500
 need for

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.240
 my Christian

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.279
 life is

00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.860
 found in

00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.360
 Christ?

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.460
 Or will

00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.779
 I go

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.140
 looking

00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.580
 elsewhere?

00:19:24.860 --> 00:19:25.519
 Will I

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.259
 trust that

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.960
 when God

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.860
 calls me

00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:29.240
 holy and

00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.840
 faithful,

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.240
 I am

00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.980
 holy and

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.380
 faithful,

00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.220
 even when

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.779
 I don't

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.579
 feel it?

00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.319
 Will I

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.220
 trust what

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.819
 God says

00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.319
 about me

00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.860
 is true?

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.500
 Will I

00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.200
 trust that

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.720
 what God

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.360
 says about

00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:42.920
 gathering

00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:44.200
 together is

00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.220
 best for

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.360
 me, even

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:46.840
 when I

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:47.480
 think other

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.059
 things are

00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.840
 more important?

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.519
 You see,

00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.360
 faith isn't

00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:53.019
 just a ticket

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.700
 into heaven.

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.500
 It's not

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.259
 just where we

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.880
 start.

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.860
 Faith is

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.860
 about trusting

00:19:58.860 --> 00:19:59.740
 God's

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.779
 promises to

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.220
 us,

00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.100
 promising or

00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.880
 obeying

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:05.079
 his word.

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.500
 It's the

00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.240
 way God's

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.680
 family live.

00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.620
 Our

00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:12.980
 second

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.700
 priority

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:16.980
 is love

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.759
 for others.

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.039
 He

00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.759
 reminds them

00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.160
 of the

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.819
 love you

00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:23.480
 have for

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.279
 all God's

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:24.680
 people.

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:24.799
 love.

00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:26.000
 You see,

00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.580
 love isn't

00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.299
 a choice.

00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.900
 It's a

00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.360
 command.

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.539
 Love isn't

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.140
 something I

00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:32.740
 do when I

00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.799
 feel like it

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.299
 or when it

00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.340
 suits me or

00:20:35.340 --> 00:20:36.380
 when I think

00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.799
 the other

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.799
 person deserves

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.220
 it.

00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.620
 No, love is a

00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.560
 command from

00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:41.860
 God to his

00:20:41.860 --> 00:20:43.340
 family, love

00:20:43.340 --> 00:20:44.420
 one another.

00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.920
 In fact, it's

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.920
 not a selective

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.200
 love, it's

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.920
 actually an

00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.980
 all-inclusive

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.519
 love.

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.120
 Did you pick

00:20:52.119 --> 00:20:52.539
 it up in

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.119
 verse 4?

00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:54.319
 The love

00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.819
 you have

00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:57.619
 for all

00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:59.159
 God's

00:20:59.159 --> 00:20:59.559
 people.

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.879
 You see, we

00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:03.639
 are a family

00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.239
 of brothers

00:21:04.239 --> 00:21:04.939
 and sisters,

00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.599
 so we don't

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.519
 get to choose

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.419
 which members

00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:09.119
 of the family

00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.259
 we love and

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.959
 we don't

00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:11.439
 love.

00:21:12.939 --> 00:21:13.539
 And I

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.479
 recognise that

00:21:14.479 --> 00:21:15.159
 that's hard,

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.759
 isn't it?

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.559
 because like

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.299
 our families

00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.059
 that we may

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.779
 live in, we

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.559
 fall out with

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.160
 each other and

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:23.539
 it's no

00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.400
 difference within

00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.079
 the church

00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.559
 family.

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:26.920
 Brothers and

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.640
 sisters can

00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.559
 have fallings

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:28.940
 out.

00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.359
 Sometimes

00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:30.680
 there's

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.619
 arguments and

00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:32.379
 disagreements.

00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.759
 Sometimes

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.720
 people will

00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.799
 frustrate you.

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.519
 Some people

00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.259
 will let you

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.759
 down.

00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:39.799
 And the

00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.640
 easiest way

00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.440
 to respond

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.079
 and say,

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.099
 oh well I've

00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.059
 been hurt by

00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:44.359
 them.

00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.319
 And the

00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.099
 response is

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.779
 not to

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.179
 love.

00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.960
 Perhaps not

00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.579
 by being

00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.539
 vindictive,

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.679
 but by just

00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.200
 taking the

00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:54.639
 position,

00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:55.759
 well I'm

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.339
 just going to

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.980
 avoid them,

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.359
 I'm not

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:57.720
 going to

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.200
 talk to

00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:58.779
 them anymore,

00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.019
 I'm not

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.419
 going to

00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:01.839
 engage,

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.500
 not going

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:03.879
 to send

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.500
 them messages.

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.500
 But that's

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.240
 not love.

00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.220
 Love is

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.940
 seeing each

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.639
 person as

00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.419
 God sees

00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:12.899
 us and

00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.599
 treats us,

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.619
 remember who

00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.299
 we are in

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.919
 verse 2?

00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.699
 We are

00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.240
 holy.

00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.619
 We're

00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:22.299
 holy in

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.059
 his sight.

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.599
 God

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.339
 treats us

00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.459
 as faithful

00:22:26.459 --> 00:22:27.279
 brothers and

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.679
 sisters.

00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:29.839
 And that's

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.259
 what we're

00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.799
 to do with

00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.319
 each other.

00:22:31.959 --> 00:22:32.740
 Love doesn't

00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:33.919
 hold grudges.

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.119
 Love doesn't

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.980
 hold sin

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.759
 against each

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.059
 other.

00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:38.659
 Love

00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:39.839
 forgives.

00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.259
 Love

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.919
 continually

00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.820
 moves out

00:22:42.820 --> 00:22:43.279
 to one

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.640
 another.

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.140
 It gives

00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.660
 and it

00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:46.300
 gives and

00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:46.860
 it gives

00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.560
 because we're

00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.200
 family.

00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.000
 Never saying

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.700
 it's easy,

00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.500
 but this is

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.380
 our priority.

00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.259
 So faith

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.860
 and love

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:58.300
 are the way

00:22:58.300 --> 00:22:58.940
 we are to

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.240
 live.

00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:01.180
 But sadly,

00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:03.120
 and I think

00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:03.660
 we can all

00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.539
 identify with

00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:04.779
 this,

00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.420
 our faith

00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:05.960
 and love

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.500
 can very

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.259
 often grow

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.960
 cold.

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.279
 instead of

00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.000
 a burning

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.620
 fire that's

00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:12.460
 easy to

00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.059
 live out,

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.120
 it just

00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:15.079
 fizzles down

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.559
 to little

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.420
 spark or

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.940
 a flame.

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.960
 How do we

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.400
 reignite our

00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.660
 faith and

00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.279
 our love?

00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.220
 Well, look at

00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.759
 the third

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.660
 priority.

00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.660
 The hope

00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:30.400
 to come.

00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.620
 Look at it

00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.000
 in verse

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.500
 five.

00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.559
 It's talked

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.079
 about the

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.840
 faith and

00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:37.340
 love and he

00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:37.579
 says,

00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.159
 now this

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.039
 faith and

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.579
 love that

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.899
 spring from

00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.519
 the hope

00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.379
 stored up

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.859
 for you

00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:45.000
 in heaven

00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.240
 and about

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.839
 which you've

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.639
 already heard

00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.199
 in the true

00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:48.799
 message of

00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.339
 the gospel.

00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.379
 Here we

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.579
 have motivation

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.819
 which sets

00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.720
 our faith

00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.720
 and love

00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.480
 on fire.

00:23:57.659 --> 00:23:58.720
 It rekindles

00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.559
 us and

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.299
 gives us

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.519
 motivation

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.519
 and encouragement

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.759
 to live

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.119
 as we

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.500
 should.

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.940
 God has

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.819
 stored up

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.480
 for us

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.400
 an eternal

00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.000
 glory,

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.539
 hasn't he?

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.240
 Verse five.

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.460
 Heaven awaits

00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.720
 all his

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.240
 family.

00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.640
 His children

00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.579
 have a

00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:18.220
 glorious

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.039
 future.

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.980
 One writer

00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.160
 explains our

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.119
 hope like

00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.579
 this.

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:25.940
 This is a

00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.240
 quote.

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:28.920
 There is

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.480
 total

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.140
 shalom.

00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.779
 That is a

00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.420
 sense of

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:32.859
 sheer

00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.680
 well-being.

00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:34.839
 Every

00:24:34.839 --> 00:24:35.620
 need is

00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.039
 met.

00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:37.039
 Every

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.900
 longing is

00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.420
 fulfilled.

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.319
 Every

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.940
 goal is

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.539
 achieved.

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.240
 Every

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.099
 sense is

00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.640
 satisfied.

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.240
 We see

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.740
 him.

00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.059
 We are

00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.859
 with him.

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.400
 He holds

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.319
 us and

00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.259
 hugs us

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.319
 and whispers

00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:53.220
 this is

00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:54.440
 forever.

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:54.559
 forever.

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.500
 This is

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.180
 our hope.

00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.700
 This is

00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.580
 the glorious

00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.480
 hope that

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.420
 death has

00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.160
 been defeated.

00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.779
 And I

00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.740
 need reminded

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.460
 of this and

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.320
 you need

00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.080
 reminded of

00:25:08.080 --> 00:25:08.360
 this.

00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.140
 You see,

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.700
 faith will

00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.059
 mature and

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.759
 love will

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:14.019
 grow as

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.759
 we begin

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.580
 to speak

00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.360
 the gospel

00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.299
 hope into

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.059
 each other's

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.580
 lives.

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.740
 As you

00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.700
 tell me

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.759
 the gospel

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.380
 hope,

00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:24.680
 hope and

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.460
 remind me

00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.000
 of what's

00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.440
 to come,

00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.580
 it encourages

00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:28.660
 me to

00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.440
 keep on

00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:29.840
 in my

00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.800
 faith because

00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:31.640
 one day I

00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.260
 will receive

00:25:32.260 --> 00:25:32.880
 the goal

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.300
 of my

00:25:33.300 --> 00:25:33.800
 faith,

00:25:34.760 --> 00:25:35.380
 our eternal

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:35.800
 home.

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.400
 And as I

00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.180
 tell you and

00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.920
 as I share

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.660
 with you the

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.380
 gospel hope,

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.040
 it will

00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:43.220
 encourage you

00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:44.320
 to keep on

00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.260
 loving all

00:25:45.260 --> 00:25:45.980
 God's people

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.680
 because one

00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.340
 day we will

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.320
 experience the

00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.260
 fullness of

00:25:49.260 --> 00:25:50.180
 love because

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.940
 we will be

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.200
 with Christ

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.000
 and like

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.539
 Christ.

00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.299
 So this is

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.180
 our priority

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.180
 as a

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:58.620
 family.

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.180
 We're to

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.820
 tell each

00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.779
 other not

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.220
 what the

00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.759
 weather is

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.220
 like,

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.380
 what you

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.900
 can do.

00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.320
 You can

00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:07.980
 talk to each

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.500
 other about

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.039
 the match

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.920
 yesterday and

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.779
 who played

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.240
 well and

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.980
 who didn't

00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.360
 and where

00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:13.740
 you're going

00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.200
 to be and

00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.600
 what you're

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.120
 going to do.

00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:17.219
 but please

00:26:17.219 --> 00:26:17.659
 can I

00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.419
 encourage us

00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:18.739
 that we

00:26:18.739 --> 00:26:19.419
 would speak

00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.579
 gospel hope

00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.079
 to each

00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.359
 other?

00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.719
 Because when

00:26:23.719 --> 00:26:24.399
 we do,

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.939
 it will

00:26:25.939 --> 00:26:26.919
 mature our

00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:29.619
 faith and

00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.259
 it will cause

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.939
 our love to

00:26:30.939 --> 00:26:31.199
 grow.

00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.599
 That's why

00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.219
 we're here

00:26:34.219 --> 00:26:34.759
 today.

00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.039
 That's why

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.559
 we gather

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.259
 on Wednesday.

00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.239
 We come

00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:40.119
 to talk to

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.559
 each other

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.159
 over tea

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.699
 and coffee

00:26:41.699 --> 00:26:42.779
 to remind

00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.459
 each other

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.500
 of the

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.299
 true message

00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.680
 of the

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.079
 gospel.

00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.000
 These are

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.840
 the priorities

00:26:48.840 --> 00:26:50.380
 that we

00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:50.980
 live by.

00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.840
 So a

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.500
 new community,

00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.480
 new priority

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.380
 and a

00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.180
 new reality

00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.480
 to live

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.819
 for.

00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.180
 You see,

00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.779
 the true

00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.720
 gospel not

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.900
 only forms

00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.340
 a new

00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:08.240
 community of

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.740
 people who

00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.420
 have new

00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.539
 priorities to

00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.160
 live by,

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.980
 the gospel

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.600
 reveals a

00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.580
 new reality

00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.200
 in which

00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.200
 we live

00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.660
 for.

00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.460
 It gives

00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.040
 us a

00:27:20.040 --> 00:27:20.420
 purpose,

00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:20.840
 it gives

00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.200
 us a

00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.779
 meaning for

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.360
 waking up

00:27:22.360 --> 00:27:22.920
 every day.

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.200
 The gospel

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.360
 is effective.

00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.560
 It has a

00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:27.720
 power to

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.640
 change and

00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.920
 transform our

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.000
 lives and

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.779
 the lives of

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.580
 others both

00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:35.600
 locally and

00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.200
 globally.

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:38.200
 power to

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.200
 power.

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.660
 This is the

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.420
 gospel we

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.840
 have.

00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.039
 It is a

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:43.740
 gospel of

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.480
 power.

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.960
 Look at

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.640
 verse 6.

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.759
 We'll pick

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.180
 it up at the

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.600
 end of verse

00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:49.860
 5.

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.539
 The true

00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.200
 message of

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.700
 the gospel

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.080
 that has

00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.539
 come to

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:52.759
 you.

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:53.740
 In the

00:27:53.740 --> 00:27:54.640
 same way,

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.019
 the gospel

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.860
 is bearing

00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:58.200
 fruit and

00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.700
 growing

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.500
 throughout the

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.299
 whole world

00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.559
 just as it

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.000
 has been

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.660
 doing among

00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.279
 you since

00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.840
 the day you

00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:05.180
 heard it and

00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:06.180
 truly understood

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.740
 God's grace.

00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:09.940
 As the

00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.940
 true gospel

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.680
 is heard and

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.180
 believed,

00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.440
 people are

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.380
 declared by

00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:15.360
 God to

00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:15.860
 be his

00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.840
 holy people,

00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.840
 to be his

00:28:17.840 --> 00:28:19.140
 brothers and

00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.880
 sisters in

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.259
 Christ.

00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.440
 The gospel

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.279
 seed is

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.160
 bearing fruit.

00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:24.019
 When that

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.600
 word is

00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.140
 planted,

00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.019
 something

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:28.980
 takes root

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.620
 and something

00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.420
 begins to

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:33.259
 grow and

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.680
 there is

00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.200
 fruit.

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.080
 the word

00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:36.519
 that is

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.560
 explained and

00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.279
 taught is

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.340
 powerful and

00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:39.840
 effective.

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.420
 It leads to

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.480
 a brand new

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.000
 beginning.

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.279
 That's what

00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.000
 happens at

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.620
 Rock and

00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:46.980
 Rooted.

00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.500
 That's what

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.220
 happened to

00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.420
 over 50

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.100
 children.

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.600
 Yesterday,

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.279
 on Friday

00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.160
 afternoon and

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.519
 evening,

00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.600
 the powerful

00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:59.259
 gospel went

00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.660
 out.

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.580
 Seeds were

00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.160
 planted.

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.360
 wanted.

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.720
 You see,

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.200
 we don't

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.080
 make the

00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:07.080
 gospel powerful.

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.680
 It already

00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:09.220
 is.

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.680
 We simply

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:11.660
 declare it

00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.519
 and God

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.080
 does his

00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:14.200
 work by

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.980
 his spirit

00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.840
 in the

00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:16.400
 lives of

00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.019
 those who

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.420
 hear.

00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.440
 But it's

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.880
 not just

00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.680
 bearing fruit

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:22.019
 in individuals

00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.720
 coming to

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.000
 faith.

00:29:23.320 --> 00:29:23.720
 It's

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.540
 growing,

00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.220
 we're told.

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.700
 Not just

00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.460
 new life,

00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.380
 but there

00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.120
 are new

00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.720
 churches.

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.580
 Have a

00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.240
 look at

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.980
 chapter 4

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.760
 verse 12

00:29:34.760 --> 00:29:36.240
 again with

00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:36.440
 me.

00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:36.840
 Here we

00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.220
 get an

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.940
 insight to

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.280
 what has

00:29:38.280 --> 00:29:38.600
 happened.

00:29:38.820 --> 00:29:39.520
 We have

00:29:39.520 --> 00:29:40.140
 already seen

00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.980
 that Epaphras

00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.560
 heard the

00:29:41.560 --> 00:29:42.100
 message.

00:29:43.040 --> 00:29:43.500
 He told

00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:43.900
 it to the

00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.460
 people in

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.140
 Colossae.

00:29:49.260 --> 00:29:49.840
 And then

00:29:49.840 --> 00:29:50.380
 in verse,

00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.120
 let's read

00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.660
 verse 12,

00:29:52.760 --> 00:29:53.320
 Epaphras,

00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:53.840
 who is one

00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.260
 of you and

00:29:54.260 --> 00:29:54.700
 a servant

00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.200
 of Christ

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.580
 Jesus,

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.020
 sends

00:29:56.020 --> 00:29:56.520
 greetings.

00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:57.380
 He is

00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.180
 always wrestling

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.680
 in prayer

00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.200
 for you that

00:29:59.200 --> 00:29:59.559
 you may

00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.420
 stand firm

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:00.799
 in all

00:30:00.799 --> 00:30:01.059
 the will

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.480
 of God,

00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.259
 mature and

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.080
 fully assured.

00:30:03.840 --> 00:30:04.580
 I vouch

00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:05.200
 for him

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.340
 that he

00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:06.940
 is working

00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.000
 hard for

00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:10.240
 you and

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.080
 those at

00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:12.000
 Laodicea

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.920
 and Hierapolis,

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.920
 which were

00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.500
 two other

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.779
 little towns

00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.259
 very close

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.660
 by.

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.440
 So Epaphras

00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.819
 has been

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.440
 there to

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:21.000
 proclaim the

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.559
 good news

00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.039
 as well.

00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.779
 And there

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.319
 are churches

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.920
 in those

00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.360
 places.

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.039
 You see,

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.039
 our reality

00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.579
 is so

00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.359
 often based

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.180
 on our

00:30:31.180 --> 00:30:32.240
 experience.

00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.700
 Perhaps we

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.879
 don't expect

00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.940
 anyone to

00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.480
 believe the

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.399
 gospel anymore.

00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:39.039
 I mean,

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.779
 it's an ancient

00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.319
 message.

00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:41.200
 Who needs

00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.759
 to hear it

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.039
 and who

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.480
 will even

00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:42.859
 listen?

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.579
 Maybe we

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.240
 don't expect

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.099
 anyone to

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.779
 believe it.

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.420
 We don't

00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.220
 say anything

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.000
 because we've

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:52.700
 come to think

00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.259
 the gospel

00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.200
 is powerless.

00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.160
 But look

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:57.599
 what it

00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.200
 says in

00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.879
 chapter 1

00:30:58.879 --> 00:30:59.700
 verse 6.

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.019
 The same

00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.519
 way the

00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.000
 gospel is

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:06.599
 bearing fruit

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.379
 and growing.

00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:10.980
 When Paul

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.680
 wrote to the

00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:13.099
 church in

00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.480
 Rome,

00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.480
 he says

00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:15.940
 this,

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.420
 I am not

00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.059
 ashamed of

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.599
 the gospel

00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.259
 because it

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.180
 is the

00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.819
 power of

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.319
 God that

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.220
 brings salvation

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.200
 to everyone

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:24.039
 who believes.

00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:26.480
 This is our

00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.460
 new reality.

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.200
 The gospel

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.579
 is powerful.

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.039
 The gospel

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:33.500
 is bearing

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:35.039
 fruit and

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.500
 growing.

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.240
 But not

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.839
 only is it

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.440
 powerful,

00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.319
 there is a

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.940
 gospel expansion

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:44.200
 taking place,

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.660
 both locally

00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:47.740
 and globally.

00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:49.120
 That's the

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.680
 message of

00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.220
 verse 6.

00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:50.819
 It's growing

00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:51.519
 throughout the

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.140
 whole world.

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.360
 just as it

00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:53.799
 has been

00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.539
 doing amongst

00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:54.940
 you.

00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.819
 The gospel

00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:57.900
 is at work

00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.240
 in the

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.600
 world.

00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.839
 In Paul's

00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.700
 day and

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.259
 all these

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.759
 centuries

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.240
 after,

00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:03.039
 it continues

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.700
 to take

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.200
 effect.

00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.360
 Here in

00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:05.980
 Ireland and

00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.779
 across Europe,

00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.579
 there are

00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.500
 gatherings of

00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.120
 God's holy

00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.519
 people,

00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.720
 just like us

00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.500
 today meeting

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.880
 now.

00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.319
 Holy people,

00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.079
 brothers and

00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.900
 sisters in

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.319
 Christ,

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.819
 in a

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.720
 particular town

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.240
 or city.

00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.299
 family.

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.319
 I spoke

00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.720
 to our

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.579
 partner

00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.339
 Mickey this

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:23.700
 week.

00:32:24.819 --> 00:32:25.339
 He shared

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.759
 of one

00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:27.380
 lady in

00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:27.700
 a very

00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.220
 difficult

00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.099
 situation,

00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.319
 sharing with

00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.740
 her the

00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.240
 good news

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.740
 of Jesus

00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.460
 and praying

00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:35.180
 and trusting

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.900
 Jesus,

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.059
 but having

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.680
 to keep it

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.680
 quiet for fear

00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.240
 of what her

00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:40.940
 family might

00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.259
 do.

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:43.900
 the gospel

00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:45.420
 taking effect.

00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:47.480
 I got a

00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.119
 message from

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:48.759
 Raj, my

00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.279
 friend in

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.879
 India this

00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.220
 week,

00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.220
 talking about

00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.500
 the pastors

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.839
 that he had

00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.819
 recently visited

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.640
 in Bhutan

00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.359
 and Nepal,

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.779
 representing

00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.960
 hundreds of

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.059
 small village

00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.640
 churches.

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.599
 They've heard

00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.279
 and believed

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.000
 the gospel

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.759
 is growing.

00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.900
 In 1979

00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.200
 in Iran,

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:11.500
 there were

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.220
 an estimated

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.880
 500 local

00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.380
 believers.

00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.320
 Today,

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:16.920
 there are

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.940
 hundreds of

00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.400
 thousands.

00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.240
 Andy shared

00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.980
 with us last

00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:23.000
 week that

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.600
 40 are

00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.380
 attending his

00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.019
 church in

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.540
 Sheffield.

00:33:28.540 --> 00:33:29.900
 In China,

00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:30.860
 one of the

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.680
 most closed

00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.360
 and restricted

00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:33.200
 countries in

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.560
 the whole

00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:33.980
 world,

00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.400
 the estimated

00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:36.080
 number of

00:33:36.080 --> 00:33:36.800
 believers are

00:33:36.800 --> 00:33:38.800
 68 million.

00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:40.200
 in house

00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.860
 churches.

00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:43.300
 The gospel

00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:44.240
 is bearing

00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.380
 fruit and

00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.700
 growing throughout

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.820
 the whole

00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:48.259
 world.

00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.480
 This is a

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.040
 reality.

00:33:51.540 --> 00:33:52.060
 But it's

00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:52.820
 not just a

00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:54.140
 local global

00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:54.840
 expansion.

00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.680
 It's a

00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.420
 local one

00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:57.800
 too,

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.480
 verse 6,

00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:00.040
 as it was

00:34:00.040 --> 00:34:01.580
 amongst you.

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.420
 The gospel

00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.140
 was bearing

00:34:04.140 --> 00:34:04.759
 fruit and

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.320
 growing in

00:34:05.320 --> 00:34:05.820
 the church

00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.560
 at Colossae.

00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:07.620
 This new

00:34:07.620 --> 00:34:08.420
 community,

00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.579
 who were

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.160
 living out

00:34:10.160 --> 00:34:10.740
 their new

00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.539
 priorities,

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.519
 had this

00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.400
 beautiful and

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.480
 wonderful reality

00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.760
 of gospel

00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:18.059
 fruit and

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.680
 growth.

00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:20.960
 And this

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.380
 is what

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.940
 Carigoline

00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:22.940
 Baptist Church

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.700
 is called to

00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:24.220
 live for.

00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:25.599
 This is our

00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:25.980
 vision.

00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.680
 This is our

00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:28.420
 truth.

00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:30.420
 This is why

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.559
 we wake up in

00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.079
 the morning,

00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:33.320
 because there

00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.139
 is a gospel

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:35.019
 message to

00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.380
 tell.

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:36.220
 and when

00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.980
 it is told

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.360
 and when

00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:38.340
 God works,

00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.200
 it leads

00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:39.840
 to new

00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.539
 communities

00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.640
 with new

00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:42.380
 priorities

00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.760
 and new

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:44.400
 realities.

00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.200
 God's

00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:48.019
 holy people

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.860
 gathering as

00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:49.579
 brothers and

00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:50.260
 sisters in

00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:50.720
 Christ,

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.539
 encouraging

00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.180
 each other

00:34:53.180 --> 00:34:53.900
 with gospel

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.440
 hope,

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.460
 resulting in

00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.140
 fruitfulness

00:34:57.140 --> 00:34:58.680
 and growth.

00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:02.000
 You see,

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.719
 our gathering

00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.719
 here today

00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:04.940
 is a

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.699
 reminder of

00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.339
 fruitfulness.

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.319
 Every one of

00:35:08.319 --> 00:35:09.119
 you who is a

00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:10.460
 Christian has a

00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.639
 story to tell of

00:35:11.639 --> 00:35:12.559
 God working in

00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.219
 your life.

00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:17.339
 each one of

00:35:17.339 --> 00:35:18.279
 us can tell

00:35:18.279 --> 00:35:19.000
 how God is

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.699
 working in

00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.099
 us,

00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.539
 making us

00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.359
 more mature,

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.219
 of churches

00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.059
 being planted

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.579
 in the

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.179
 surrounding

00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:26.879
 areas.

00:35:28.459 --> 00:35:29.259
 It's a

00:35:29.259 --> 00:35:29.779
 reality.

00:35:31.359 --> 00:35:32.139
 Live by

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.539
 it.

00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.119
 So here

00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.799
 we have our

00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:38.079
 introduction to

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.779
 the church

00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:39.619
 at Colossae,

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.980
 which reminds

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.699
 us of who

00:35:42.699 --> 00:35:43.259
 we are,

00:35:44.439 --> 00:35:45.159
 God's new

00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:45.819
 community,

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:48.000
 living lives

00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.719
 of faith

00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.439
 and love,

00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.139
 and speaking

00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.119
 gospel hope,

00:35:53.679 --> 00:35:54.219
 and as a

00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:54.579
 result,

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.619
 seeing fruit

00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:57.079
 and growth

00:35:57.079 --> 00:35:58.399
 throughout the

00:35:58.399 --> 00:36:00.199
 world and

00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:00.759
 in our own

00:36:00.759 --> 00:36:01.259
 lives.

00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:02.879
 Let's pray.

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:13.180
 Father God,

00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:13.840
 we thank you

00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:14.800
 for the true

00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:16.500
 message of

00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.119
 the gospel,

00:36:17.700 --> 00:36:19.660
 for its

00:36:19.660 --> 00:36:20.240
 power,

00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:22.200
 for its

00:36:22.200 --> 00:36:22.820
 effectiveness

00:36:22.820 --> 00:36:23.820
 to change

00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.559
 and transform.

00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:24.759
 form.

00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:27.519
 We thank you

00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.159
 that if we

00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:28.920
 believe,

00:36:30.019 --> 00:36:31.239
 we thank you

00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:31.940
 for that gift

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.699
 of salvation.

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:36.139
 And we ask

00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.639
 if we do

00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.500
 not believe,

00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:40.860
 that you would

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.599
 give us faith

00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.239
 that we might

00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:42.980
 trust you,

00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.840
 that we too

00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.500
 might become

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.199
 part of your

00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:48.019
 holy people,

00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:50.119
 part of your

00:36:50.119 --> 00:36:50.579
 family,

00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:53.599
 living a

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.159
 new way.

00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.679
 Father,

00:36:57.799 --> 00:36:58.319
 please would

00:36:58.319 --> 00:36:58.980
 you use us

00:36:58.980 --> 00:36:59.559
 through this

00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:01.380
 week in all

00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:01.860
 that we do

00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:02.880
 individually and

00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.380
 corporately

00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:05.559
 together to

00:37:05.559 --> 00:37:06.299
 share of your

00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:06.960
 good news.

00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:09.900
 We pray this

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.360
 in Jesus'

00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:10.819
 name.

00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:12.019
 Amen.