WEBVTT

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 Good morning, Watermark. My name is Graham, and I'm one of the elders here.

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 Last week, Chris mentioned an expectation when we come to hear God's Word, and I'd like to really continue that expectation that we set when we sit before God and His Word.

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 We want to hear Him speaking to us. I'd like to pray. I'd like to speak to Him before I speak to you.

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 Father, we thank You so much that You are a God who is real, who is a Father who wants to have a relationship with us.

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 Lord, I pray prepare our hearts and our minds for Your Word.

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 I pray help us to hear what You are saying to us, and Lord, not only to be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word.

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 I ask that if there's anything that I say that is not true to Your Word, that You would help us forget it before it does any damage.

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 But I do pray that if Your truth comes out today, that people will forget me, but they will remember Your Word.

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 In Jesus' name, Amen.

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 I want to begin by asking you to imagine with me that I have the means and the power to make you a millionaire.

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 Well, let's up that a bit.

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 I have the means and the power to make you a billionaire this morning.

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 All you need to do is get out of your seat, walk up on the stage, and take it.

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 Let's up that a little more.

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 I have the means and the power to make you a trillionaire this morning.

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 But all you need to do is get out of your chair and come and take it.

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 Okay, let's test that.

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 I have the means to make you a trillionaire this morning.

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 All you need to do is get up and come and take it.

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 Oh, good.

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 Lorna was first.

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 I saw that you moved.

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 Come.

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 Well, you have to move.

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 This is a trillion dollars on offer here.

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 All right, yeah.

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 Let's get very clear.

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 Oh, Lolly, you're too slow.

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 No, no.

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 It's just the first one.

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 Sorry.

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 Even if you're pregnant, it doesn't count.

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 Sorry.

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 Got to go sit down.

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 All right.

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 Moment of truth.

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 Am I true to my word?

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 Well, you've got to ask for it, Janet.

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 Okay.

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 Not only am I going to give Janet a trillion dollars, I'm going to give her $20 trillion.

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 This is legal tender.

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 It really is $20 trillion.

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 Unfortunately, it's Zimbabwean dollars.

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 Okay.

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 But it is real and it is legal tender.

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 So, Janet, there you go.

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 That's yours.

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 That's Watermark's first trillionaire.

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 Before you get too excited, it's only worth about $80 Hong Kong, right?

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 So, before you start asking her to buy you a car or take you out for lunch or anything like that, a trillion dollars.

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 But that's exactly the situation the Israelites faced.

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 God had promised them that a land flowing with milk and honey, a good land,

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 all they had to do was go in and take what God had promised them.

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 But they failed.

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 God had promised them.

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 They got to the promised land and they said, we're not going in.

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 We're too scared.

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 We're not going in.

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 So, God sent them on a 40-year journey and he said all the adults in that generation would have to die out except for two.

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 And then we would try again.

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 And that's where we find ourselves now.

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 The Israelites are camped on the side of the Jordan, ready to go in to the land of Canaan

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 and take the land that God had promised them.

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 And Moses is giving them the book of Deuteronomy.

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 Okay, now have any of you ever been into a synagogue?

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 Anybody?

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 Okay, a couple.

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 Now, if you go into a synagogue, what you'll see is a cupboard, right?

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 And in that cupboard, you open it up and there are scrolls.

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 I have a little miniature copy of what they would look like.

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 So, they would take out these scrolls.

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 There were five of them.

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 They would contain what the Jews called the Torah, the law.

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 And to make sure they got the right scroll that they were looking for, they would open it a little bit.

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 Okay?

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 And they would see what the words were.

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 The first words that they read, they would just give the name to that book.

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 So, for Genesis, they would open it up and it would be in the beginning.

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 And that's what Genesis means, in the beginning.

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 And with Deuteronomy, you'd open it up in Hebrew.

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 It means these are the words.

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 Because that was the first word on the scroll.

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 But when it came time to translate it from the Hebrew to the Greek, they changed it.

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 And they took two Greek words, judo, which means second, and numos, which means law.

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 The second law.

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 Now, the reason it was called the second law was because, if you know, in Exodus, the law, the covenant, was given the first time.

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 And now it was being repeated to a new generation.

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 Because they forget, right?

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 And Moses was giving them all the encouragement, all the decrees and the commands that they would need to go in and live in the promised land.

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 It was theirs.

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 God had promised it to them.

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 But they needed to go in and take it.

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 And he says, if you go in, there are two areas which you really need to take care in.

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 These two things are the foundation.

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 You have to get them right to live how I want you to live in the land.

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 And that is, you need to get your duty towards God right.

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 You need to understand your relationship with Him.

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 That is your foundation.

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 And then the second thing you want to get right is your duty towards your children.

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 Because you need to pass on this message to the next generation.

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 Because they are going to be foundational and live in the land.

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 Two things.

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 Your duty towards God and your duty towards your children.

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 And he tells them, the reason, the reason you need these is so that it may go well with you.

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 So that it may go well with you.

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 Have any of you seen a Singaporean movie?

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 It's quite old now.

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 It's called, I'm Not Stupid.

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 Anyone seen it?

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 It's a good movie.

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 Quite funny, right?

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 But there's a scene in it.

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 I love it.

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 You constantly get these parents who are forcing their kids to study.

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 And whenever the kids protest, the parents would say, for your own good, la.

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 For your own good, la.

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 And that's exactly what God's saying, right?

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 It wasn't about studying.

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 But he's saying, get it right.

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 It's for your own good, la.

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 So that it may go well with you.

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 And God hasn't changed.

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 He still desires the same thing.

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 He wishes and desires that it may go well with you.

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 Now, we might need to readjust what we think well means.

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 But this year, God wants it to go well with you.

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 And God wants to do things for you, in you, and through you this year.

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 So, your duty towards God and your duty towards your children.

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 But first, before he tells them, he details what he means by that.

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 He needs to remind them of who he is.

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 Because the Israelites had this tendency to make God small.

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 And we tend to do the same thing.

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 So, he reminds them.

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 He says, I am the creator.

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 This little ball that we are on in space, just floating through space at millions of miles an hour.

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 God made that.

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 And not only did he make that, he made the heavens and the stars and the moons and the planets and the universe.

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 He made that.

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 He's powerful.

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 He's big.

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 That's the God who is making this covenant with you.

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 And he gives them this little prayer, right?

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 This little saying.

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 It's probably one of the most famous verses in the Torah.

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 And it's called the Shema.

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 And it goes like this.

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 We read it today.

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 It says,

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 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

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 In English, hear, O Israel, sounds very polite, very proper.

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 But in the Hebrew, it's a word that's kind of like, listen up, Israel.

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 Pay attention, Israel.

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 This is important.

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 This is the foundation on which we will build and will go forward.

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 This is it.

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 The Lord our God, the God who created everything, he is ours.

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 We belong to him.

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 He belongs to us.

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 He's relational.

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 He cares about you.

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 He knows you.

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 He is ours.

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 And the second thing, the Lord is one.

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 Meaning he is the only God.

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 There is no exception.

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 There is no other choice or add on.

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 It's God and God alone.

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 Now, to put that into context,

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 the Israelites were about to go into the land of Canaan,

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 which was full of idolatry.

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 And idolatry always leads to immorality.

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 And it was the idolatry of many gods.

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 They worship lots of gods.

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 And God is saying, don't.

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 Don't even ask how they serve their gods.

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 Don't do it.

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 I am the only one.

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 I'm the only true God that really exists.

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 Do not be tempted by what you see.

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 However good it looks.

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 However good that sin that leads from their idolatry looks.

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 Don't do it.

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 I am the only God before you.

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 And then he reminds them of who they are.

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 So first he reminds them of who he is.

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 And then he reminds them of who they are.

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 And he says, you were slaves in Egypt.

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 You were nothing.

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 You had no power.

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 You had no place.

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 You had no influence.

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 You were nothing.

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 But God chose you.

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 There's a lovely verse that says,

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 I love you because I love you.

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 Right?

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 Not because you have anything to offer God and say,

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 God, look at me.

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 I'll give you this.

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 No, you were nothing.

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 And yet God chose to love the Israelites.

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 He chose them.

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 And he made them great.

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 He made them into a great nation.

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 Right?

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 They had nothing to offer him until he came and entered a relationship with them.

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 And if you look today, they were in the might of Egypt.

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 Powerful, powerful nations around them.

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 And yet God has been faithful and he has made the Jews into a powerful nation.

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 Even today, the Jews, their influence in this world is exceptional.

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 Right?

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 In the areas of art, entertainment, culture, finance.

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 There's Jewish names all over it.

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 So I read a statistic that in Harvard, they actually had to put a quota on it.

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 But at Harvard, there were about 25% of their students are Jewish.

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 But only 2% of the population in America.

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 Hugely influential.

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 Because God is faithful to his promises and he's faithful to us today.

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 Because get this.

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 Fast forward into the new covenant and we read this.

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 It comes from 1 Corinthians 1.

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 It says,

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 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.

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 Not many of you were wise by human standards.

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 Not many of you were influential.

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 Not many of you were of noble birth.

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 But God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise.

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 God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

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 God chose you.

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 I think it's such a humbling reminder that all the gifts and the talents that we possess,

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 all the things that we're tempted to become prideful and arrogant about,

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 are ultimately given by God to you.

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 So no one can boast.

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 No one can really say, you know, I'm actually pretty impressive.

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 The only duty we have is to respond to God.

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 You gave me the gifts and talents.

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 Mold me.

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 Let me use them for your glory.

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 I think it is a great leveler.

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 Really helps us to see who we are and just how good God is to us.

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 So God makes this incredible covenant with his people.

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 It's a great deal.

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 So it's kind of like, I want you to imagine again,

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 it's kind of like a king who has this incredible palace in his kingdom.

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 There are vineyards and wells and animals and lush green grass.

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 But outside is absolute poverty and squalor and nothingness.

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 And the king himself comes out of his palace and he goes in to this poverty

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 and he sees a boy who is an orphan.

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 He has nothing.

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 He is hungry.

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 He's starving.

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 And this king comes to him and says,

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 you, I want you to come and live with me in my palace, in my kingdom.

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 I will give you things that you did not work for,

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 but I'm going to give them to you.

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 And I just want you to come and I'm going to provide for you.

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 I'm going to give you food and shelter and clothing and love and care.

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 But all I want from you is just to remember that I'm the king.

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 I have the power to execute judgment and punishment.

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 And I just, I want you to love me.

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 The love that I've shown you,

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 I want you to respond to me with that kind of thing.

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 I mean, can you imagine that kids' eyes,

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 like, wait, wait, hang on, let me get this right.

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 So I'm living here.

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 I got no food.

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 I'm living in dirt, no clothes.

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 And you just come up and you say,

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 can I live there with you?

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 It's an amazing deal, right?

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 I mean, if you think about it,

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 what God is asking of that boy or the king,

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 sorry, what he's asking of that boy,

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 it's an incredibly just thing.

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 He's just saying,

00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:33.219
 show a little bit of gratitude for what I'm giving you.

00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.399
 It's completely reasonable.

00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:38.199
 But the benefits, who benefits from it?

00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:42.240
 The benefits are purely in our favor,

00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:45.459
 incredibly advantageous to us.

00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.279
 So here it is.

00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.620
 These are the things that God lays out.

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:53.000
 It's our duty towards God.

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:54.259
 And he gives it in three words.

00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:58.060
 He says, fear, love, serve.

00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.840
 Fear, love, serve.

00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.100
 The fear of the Lord.

00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:06.820
 Every day, I meet people who are afraid.

00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.000
 They're afraid of sickness.

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.840
 They're afraid of financial collapse.

00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:13.899
 They're afraid of their children

00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.299
 not getting into good schools.

00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.080
 They're afraid of the future.

00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.560
 They're afraid of air pollution.

00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:21.159
 And ultimately, they're afraid of death.

00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:24.239
 But I meet very few people

00:16:24.239 --> 00:16:27.239
 who are genuinely afraid of God.

00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:31.479
 If you are afraid of God,

00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:34.919
 you will fear nothing and no one else.

00:16:35.239 --> 00:16:36.159
 Let me say that again.

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.779
 If you fear God,

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:43.500
 you will fear nothing and no one else.

00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:46.720
 Here the Israelites were.

00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:50.879
 They were going to go into the promised land.

00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:54.460
 And they had every temptation to be afraid.

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:57.100
 Their parents' generation had got it wrong.

00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.860
 They walked in and said,

00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.299
 yes, everything God had promised.

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.059
 Hey, there's grapefruit, everything.

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.200
 But we're afraid.

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.240
 We're afraid.

00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.579
 The people there, they're scary.

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:05.579
 We're afraid.

00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:07.200
 And they were going to be tempted

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.200
 to be afraid again.

00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.840
 And God's saying,

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.080
 do not fear them.

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.400
 Do not fear them.

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.880
 Fear me.

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.140
 I'm the only one you really need to be afraid of.

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:17.160
 Because if you're afraid of me,

00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:18.900
 you're not going to be afraid of them.

00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:22.680
 But what is this kind of fear

00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.740
 we are talking about?

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:26.059
 Because I really see that

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.259
 the fear of God

00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:29.160
 is kind of a controversial thing.

00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.880
 And it's something

00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:31.279
 we're a little bit uncomfortable with.

00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:34.160
 So we tend not really to talk about it.

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:37.340
 But it's actually incredibly liberating

00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.220
 and powerful

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:40.580
 to walk in the fear of the Lord.

00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.820
 So what kind of fear is it?

00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:44.360
 It's not a phobia

00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:46.180
 that paralyzes you,

00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:48.420
 that holds you down.

00:17:49.080 --> 00:17:50.640
 It's the kind of fear

00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:51.880
 that will lead you

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.740
 to the right action.

00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:55.840
 So let me put the thing.

00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:56.880
 As a father,

00:17:57.340 --> 00:17:58.420
 there are times

00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.380
 I need my children

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.480
 to be afraid of me.

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.759
 It just sounds weird,

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.420
 but it's true.

00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.840
 I need my children

00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.900
 to be afraid of me.

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.180
 So I'll give you an example.

00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.880
 About two weeks ago,

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:12.800
 I'm sitting in our living room

00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:14.279
 and I'm working at the desk

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.060
 on my computer

00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:17.259
 and our balcony door is open.

00:18:18.080 --> 00:18:19.340
 And my three-year-old,

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:21.380
 which is quite an adventurous little girl,

00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:23.000
 she, I look,

00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.580
 and she is now climbing up

00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:27.060
 the railing of the balcony.

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.140
 Okay, now you're thinking

00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.440
 bad parent, bad parent.

00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.300
 Okay, I was, yes.

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:33.480
 But in that moment,

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.899
 I just shouted her name

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.720
 and called her here.

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.519
 And she obeyed, right?

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.599
 There was fear in her eyes.

00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.599
 And she came straight to me.

00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:45.579
 Now, if she hadn't been afraid of me,

00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:47.740
 afraid that I had power,

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.399
 she would have just ignored me.

00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.659
 Oh, yeah, who are you?

00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.079
 And carried on doing.

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.139
 But she didn't.

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.860
 There was genuine fear

00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:58.560
 that led to the right action.

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.220
 The right kind of fear

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.280
 will lead you to the right action.

00:19:04.520 --> 00:19:06.040
 If you ever see a snake,

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.500
 that's a healthy fear.

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.800
 Okay, the right kind of action

00:19:09.800 --> 00:19:10.900
 will tell you,

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.920
 run away.

00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.620
 Run away.

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.560
 That's not a good idea.

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.460
 Don't touch the snake.

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.860
 That's what it is.

00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:19.180
 The fear of the Lord.

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.040
 Here's the question for us.

00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:26.839
 What are you afraid of?

00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:29.480
 I ask myself this question.

00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.500
 What am I afraid of?

00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:33.299
 Because how I answer that question

00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:37.019
 will determine if I'm really fearing God

00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:40.519
 or am I fearing the circumstances around me

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.279
 or the people around me.

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.659
 What are you afraid of?

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.579
 The second thing God tells them,

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.740
 He says you are to love

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:54.480
 the Lord your God.

00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.299
 Now,

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:58.480
 we hear the word so much.

00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.319
 It's everywhere.

00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.500
 Love, love wins.

00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:01.200
 Love's great.

00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:03.480
 But the thing with this kind of love,

00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:05.920
 it's not an emotional love.

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:09.120
 It's much more of a devotional love.

00:20:09.640 --> 00:20:11.039
 It's a love of obedience,

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.559
 a love of reverence

00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.640
 for who it is

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.859
 that is speaking to you.

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.240
 It's a love that

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.539
 creates in us

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.500
 a desire

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.500
 to want to be close

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.920
 to that person.

00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.799
 And it's a love

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.380
 that is responsive

00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.079
 to the love

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.319
 that has been shown in you.

00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:31.339
 God first loved you

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:33.880
 and how we respond to Him

00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:35.460
 is an expression of that love.

00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.200
 How we live

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.140
 is proof

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.400
 of this response.

00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:42.519
 Jesus said it like this

00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.420
 in John 14.

00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:44.480
 Jesus replied,

00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:47.360
 Anyone who loves me

00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:52.259
 will obey my teaching.

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.360
 Let me read that again.

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:55.280
 Anyone who loves me

00:20:55.280 --> 00:20:58.180
 will obey my teaching.

00:20:58.180 --> 00:21:00.880
 I don't know if this

00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.680
 has ever happened to you,

00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.519
 but you meet someone

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:04.519
 who is knowingly

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.480
 and blatantly

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.259
 living with sin

00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.880
 in their life.

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.720
 They know it's wrong.

00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:09.960
 They're living it.

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.660
 Whatever it is.

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.620
 Sleeping with your girlfriend,

00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:13.340
 cheating on your taxes,

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.080
 whatever it is.

00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.720
 You know it's wrong.

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.019
 You say,

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.019
 You know,

00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:16.940
 I love Jesus.

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.420
 I still love Jesus.

00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.380
 No, not really.

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.299
 You love your sin

00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.259
 and you might love Jesus

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.940
 a little bit,

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.600
 but you kind of love the sin.

00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:28.779
 And Jesus is saying,

00:21:28.959 --> 00:21:30.839
 That's not what I'm about.

00:21:31.459 --> 00:21:32.279
 Love me.

00:21:32.659 --> 00:21:33.579
 Love me.

00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:35.039
 And all this other stuff

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.980
 will not matter.

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.339
 Love me

00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:39.000
 out of a sense of reverence

00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.059
 for Him.

00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:42.559
 The question we have

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.679
 to ask ourselves is,

00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.599
 Do we love Jesus

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.819
 or do we love our sin?

00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.399
 Which one are we holding on to?

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.740
 And the third thing

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.599
 it gives Him is this,

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.539
 Serve Him

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:54.059
 with all your heart,

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.319
 with all your mind,

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.179
 and with all your strength.

00:21:58.019 --> 00:22:00.460
 It's about giving God

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.819
 everything.

00:22:02.899 --> 00:22:04.879
 Everything that's inside you.

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.679
 One thing about being a servant,

00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:13.619
 the very first step in serving

00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.659
 is to imply

00:22:14.659 --> 00:22:16.639
 that you serve a master.

00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:18.059
 You serve a Lord.

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.099
 Right?

00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.740
 There is someone greater than you.

00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.859
 You have to recognize

00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.859
 that He's the Lord

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.639
 and you're not

00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:25.379
 and I'm serving someone

00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:27.719
 greater than myself.

00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:31.059
 I like sports.

00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.240
 I like watching sports.

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:32.859
 At the moment,

00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:35.059
 it's the Australian Tennis Open.

00:22:35.199 --> 00:22:36.219
 Anyone a tennis fan?

00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.039
 Okay.

00:22:38.199 --> 00:22:39.179
 There's about three of you.

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:39.819
 The rest of you

00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:41.079
 just go along with the story.

00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:41.699
 Okay.

00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.059
 So,

00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.539
 at the moment,

00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.519
 there's the Australian Open

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.479
 and there's this,

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:48.240
 it's actually an Australian

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.059
 tennis player.

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.200
 It goes by the name

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.399
 of Nick Kurgis,

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:51.720
 right?

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.200
 21-year-old.

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.119
 Anyone heard of him?

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.740
 About two months ago,

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.500
 he was playing in a tournament

00:22:57.500 --> 00:23:00.220
 where he just gave up

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:02.399
 and he wasn't trying anymore.

00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:04.279
 He was still playing tennis,

00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:06.159
 but he just gave up

00:23:06.159 --> 00:23:07.379
 and they actually found him.

00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.839
 You go on YouTube,

00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.099
 type in Nick Kurgis,

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.619
 just some of the language

00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.940
 he uses is not appropriate,

00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.960
 but he's there, right?

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.500
 And you see,

00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.379
 you get to this match

00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.679
 and he just gives up.

00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:19.600
 He's still playing tennis,

00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:22.400
 but he's not giving his all.

00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.820
 It's just a little part of him,

00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:24.960
 the little bit of effort

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.779
 that he puts in.

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.240
 And God is saying,

00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:27.940
 I don't want that.

00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:30.580
 Give me your all.

00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:32.420
 There is no area of your life

00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:34.640
 that is not worthy

00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:36.019
 of service to him.

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:38.200
 You serve him in your work,

00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.640
 in your relationships,

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.660
 in your finances.

00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.580
 Every area of your life,

00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:44.500
 it is in service to the Lord.

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.640
 It's not just the sacred Sunday thing

00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.960
 that we're serving the Lord.

00:23:48.040 --> 00:23:50.020
 It's every moment of every day

00:23:50.020 --> 00:23:51.920
 you walk and you live your life

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.940
 in service to him.

00:23:55.020 --> 00:23:56.960
 And the exact opposite of that

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.759
 is to test him.

00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:00.680
 And this is how the Israelites tested him.

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.020
 It comes from Exodus 17.

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:04.220
 Listen carefully.

00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:05.520
 It says,

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.680
 they tested the Lord

00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:08.200
 by asking a question.

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:13.299
 Is the Lord among us or not?

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.639
 Now put that in context, right?

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.900
 Everything the Israelites

00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.259
 had seen God do,

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:20.420
 every time he had provided for them,

00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:22.099
 he had shown them the miraculous.

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:23.299
 And they asked this question,

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.720
 you know,

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.639
 is God really amongst us?

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.680
 Has he gone on holiday

00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.079
 and left us?

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:32.779
 It's the ultimate disrespect

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:35.279
 and doubt to the Lord.

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.319
 Yeah, I don't know.

00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.960
 I'm not really sure

00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.879
 if God's here or not.

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.299
 I just,

00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.399
 as a father,

00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:42.240
 I just like to think,

00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:44.019
 if my six-year-old

00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.599
 suddenly got up and down

00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:45.759
 and said,

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.259
 you know, Dad,

00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.419
 I'm not really sure

00:24:47.419 --> 00:24:48.539
 that you're the father

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.299
 of this house.

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.599
 I'm not really sure

00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.419
 that you actually care

00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:52.279
 about our family.

00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.779
 It would hurt.

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.699
 As a dad,

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.179
 that would be,

00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.279
 it would hurt me

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.740
 to know that kind of thing.

00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.539
 And in that moment,

00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:01.680
 we get a little bit

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.500
 to see God's heart here

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:05.839
 and know that God

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.799
 has feelings too.

00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.319
 Do you know that?

00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.440
 We're so wrapped up

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.839
 often in our own feelings,

00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:14.000
 how we feel about God.

00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.480
 But do you know

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.339
 that God has feelings?

00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.079
 And he says it here.

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.740
 He says,

00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.440
 I am a jealous God.

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.440
 Now, right,

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:21.819
 again,

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.539
 that has lots of

00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.579
 negative connotations.

00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.380
 Oh, jealous,

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.339
 that's not a good thing.

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.500
 Let me put it to you

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.140
 like this, right?

00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:32.400
 If I saw someone else's wife

00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.980
 that I like more than my own,

00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.120
 which I don't,

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:35.620
 honey,

00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:36.700
 I don't,

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.140
 but if I did,

00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.440
 that would be envy.

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.599
 I want something

00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.480
 that's not mine,

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:44.220
 which somebody else has.

00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.279
 But if I saw someone

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.519
 with my wife,

00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.660
 that would be jealousy

00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.359
 because she belongs to me

00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.620
 and I belong to her.

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.559
 She's mine.

00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.380
 I should be jealous.

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.120
 If I wasn't,

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.160
 my wife would be

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.059
 asking questions.

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.460
 You know,

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.359
 that's a bit of a problem

00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.779
 if you do not feel

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:01.220
 in a slight bit jealous

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.619
 that I'm with someone else.

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.200
 And that's how God's feeling.

00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.460
 He's showing his heart.

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:05.679
 He says,

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.179
 I'm jealous,

00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.480
 guys,

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.240
 don't you get it?

00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.359
 That you're mine

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.279
 and I am yours.

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:11.720
 Don't flirt with other gods.

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.119
 Don't test me

00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.480
 and say,

00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:15.079
 are you really in this or not?

00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.200
 I'm jealous

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:20.079
 because you are mine.

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.740
 Don't flirt with other gods.

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.339
 They've got nothing

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.119
 to offer you.

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.519
 And we do it, right?

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:27.240
 We might not have the gods

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.920
 that the Israelites

00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.740
 were facing

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:31.039
 like proper Asher poles

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.539
 and stuff,

00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.519
 but the gods

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:34.619
 of power,

00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.460
 status,

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.079
 money,

00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.660
 sex,

00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:38.319
 they're all around us.

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:39.920
 And sometimes,

00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.539
 if I'm honest,

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:42.079
 I kind of flirt with them

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.940
 a little bit, right?

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.240
 Or maybe a lot.

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.400
 God's saying,

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.099
 don't do it.

00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:47.279
 I'm jealous for you.

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.940
 You're mine.

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.599
 They're not.

00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:50.199
 They pale in comparison

00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.599
 to who I am to you.

00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.519
 Fear,

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.299
 love,

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.359
 serve the Lord.

00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:02.699
 That is your foundation.

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.699
 That is what you are

00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:06.059
 to live in the land.

00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.679
 And if you live like that,

00:27:08.339 --> 00:27:09.959
 it will go well with you.

00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.279
 If you live like that,

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.619
 it will go well with you.

00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:14.399
 And I want it to go well with you.

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.159
 But don't just stop there

00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.200
 because you need

00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.900
 to think about your kids.

00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.279
 This is your duty

00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.000
 to your family.

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.900
 And this is the verse.

00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.320
 It says,

00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.320
 impress them,

00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.180
 the decrees

00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.240
 and the commands of the Lord,

00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.460
 impress them

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.400
 on your children.

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.279
 Talk about them

00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.500
 when you sit at home,

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.320
 when you walk along the road,

00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.440
 when you lie down,

00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.500
 and when you get up.

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.380
 Now,

00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.000
 to impress

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.160
 means to make

00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.320
 an impression.

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.500
 Right?

00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.300
 Like an imprint.

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.500
 It leaves a mark.

00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.680
 And I don't know

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.200
 if you've ever been

00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.100
 to a farm

00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:47.259
 and you've seen

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:49.099
 cows being branded.

00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.599
 Right?

00:27:49.719 --> 00:27:51.279
 They belong to this farm

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.839
 and they kind of

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.859
 brand them on the bum.

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:55.099
 But they leave this mark.

00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:56.339
 They leave an impression.

00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.959
 And that's the word here.

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.139
 Leave an impression

00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.679
 on your kids.

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.939
 So that's what you to do.

00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.519
 And he says,

00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.219
 like,

00:28:04.219 --> 00:28:05.139
 when do we do this?

00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:05.480
 Right?

00:28:05.959 --> 00:28:06.759
 When you talk,

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.379
 when you sit,

00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:08.000
 when you walk,

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.879
 when you lie down,

00:28:08.959 --> 00:28:09.679
 when you get up.

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.319
 Basically,

00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.079
 he's saying

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.139
 every moment

00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.219
 of every day

00:28:13.219 --> 00:28:14.259
 is an opportunity

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.539
 to leave

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.519
 an impression

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.879
 on your children.

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.759
 All of life.

00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.619
 It's not just

00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.379
 quickly send them

00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.299
 to Sunday school.

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.019
 It's all of life

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.579
 that leaves

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.220
 an impression

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.819
 on your kids.

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:28.799
 And kids are going

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.660
 to learn two ways.

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.319
 They're going to learn

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.839
 by what they see

00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:33.480
 and what they hear.

00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.799
 And they're far more likely

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.420
 to learn

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:37.319
 by what they see.

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:39.059
 So,

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.139
 as I was preparing

00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:40.500
 this,

00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.819
 my first draft,

00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.939
 I thought,

00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.539
 I'm going to give you

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.259
 great tips

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.379
 on how I parent

00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:47.399
 and how I want

00:28:47.399 --> 00:28:48.460
 to leave an impression

00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.579
 on my children.

00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.000
 And actually,

00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.919
 it was very short.

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:51.519
 So,

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.700
 I then was reminded

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.559
 what left

00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.539
 an impression

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:57.179
 on me.

00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.679
 What impressed me

00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:00.460
 as a child?

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:00.759
 So,

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:02.039
 I'm going to share

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.579
 a little bit

00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.679
 of my story

00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.839
 with you this morning.

00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.279
 So,

00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:06.299
 bear with me,

00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:06.599
 okay?

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.579
 But,

00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:09.939
 my parents

00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.839
 got divorced

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.599
 when I was

00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.719
 three months old.

00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:13.859
 So,

00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.579
 that left

00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.740
 my mom

00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.639
 with a newborn baby

00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.480
 and my

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.419
 four-year-old

00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.039
 sister.

00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:21.439
 And my mom,

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:21.839
 who's now

00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:23.039
 a retired nurse,

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.139
 was nursing.

00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.779
 And nurses

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.259
 don't get

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.199
 that well paid

00:29:27.199 --> 00:29:27.899
 in South Africa,

00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:29.139
 so she had to take

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:30.719
 a second job,

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.039
 right?

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.379
 So,

00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:32.639
 my mom would

00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:33.539
 work night duty,

00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.679
 come back,

00:29:34.719 --> 00:29:35.579
 and then go and work

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:36.359
 another job,

00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.099
 and so,

00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:38.479
 I have huge amounts

00:29:38.479 --> 00:29:39.119
 of respect

00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:39.879
 for my mother,

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:42.759
 but she didn't know Jesus.

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.139
 And when you don't know Jesus,

00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.740
 you can't introduce your kids

00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.919
 to Jesus,

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.339
 right?

00:29:47.459 --> 00:29:47.719
 So,

00:29:48.719 --> 00:29:50.479
 at about the age of seven,

00:29:50.479 --> 00:29:52.079
 we made a critical move

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.359
 from Johannesburg

00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:55.819
 to a small little coastal town.

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:58.799
 and my sister,

00:29:58.939 --> 00:29:59.740
 my older sister,

00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:02.059
 was invited to a birthday party

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.740
 by one of her classmates,

00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.419
 and we went

00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:06.720
 to drop her off.

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.859
 And the family

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.839
 that she was,

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.879
 had been invited by,

00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:11.019
 they were farmers,

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.819
 they lived on this big farm,

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.839
 and when we got there,

00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.240
 the couple came out

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.460
 to meet us,

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:19.079
 a couple by the name of

00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:20.980
 Gary and Heather Cook.

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.099
 And it turned out

00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.539
 they didn't just have a daughter,

00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.880
 they had three other sons.

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.819
 And they looked at me

00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.079
 and they said,

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.400
 would you like to stay too?

00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:30.819
 And I said,

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.180
 yes.

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.299
 And we always joke

00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.519
 that that's kind of the day

00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.559
 they adopted me

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.920
 as their fifth son.

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.620
 They didn't realize

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.920
 what I was saying yes to,

00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.299
 right?

00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:39.819
 But I kind of became

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:42.240
 their fifth child.

00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.480
 And I stayed,

00:30:43.579 --> 00:30:44.799
 I spent all my weekends

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.579
 on the farm,

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.980
 often when my mom

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:48.019
 worked night duty,

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.819
 I would go and sleep over.

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:52.419
 So we did life together.

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.539
 They took me to school,

00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.500
 they took me on holiday

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.220
 with them.

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.579
 But Gary was also

00:30:57.579 --> 00:31:00.500
 a lay Methodist preacher.

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.720
 He was a farmer

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.879
 and he was a preacher.

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.379
 So I'd go to church

00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:05.659
 with them as well.

00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.240
 And we just,

00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:08.619
 I did family with them.

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:11.039
 So these are the five imprints

00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:13.039
 that they left on me.

00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:15.259
 So I was about seven years old

00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.920
 at this time.

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:17.920
 There are many more,

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.819
 but these are the five

00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:20.640
 that left a big impression on me.

00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:22.220
 The first one is

00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.720
 they taught their children

00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:25.240
 the commands

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.379
 and the grace of God.

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.799
 They showed their kids

00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.819
 what the relevance

00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:32.259
 they have in everyday life.

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.839
 They taught them

00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.500
 the difference

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.220
 between what is really right

00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.420
 and what is really wrong.

00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.700
 They modeled

00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:42.099
 how to honor your parents

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.779
 by modeling,

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:45.000
 by honoring their parents.

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:48.559
 They taught their children

00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:51.079
 the value of telling the truth.

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:53.579
 That was imprint number one.

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.500
 They taught their children

00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.140
 the commands.

00:31:56.140 --> 00:31:56.980
 And the second imprint

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.319
 they left was

00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:00.579
 a desire for learning.

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.759
 Now, just to put it in context,

00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:06.140
 two of their children

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:07.420
 had learning difficulties.

00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:09.660
 They were very gifted at sport,

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.440
 very athletic.

00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.700
 So all they wanted to do

00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.339
 was the sport,

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.240
 not so much the learning.

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.099
 The parents said,

00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.559
 no, no, no.

00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:16.539
 It says to love

00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:17.359
 the Lord your God

00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:18.420
 with all your heart,

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.059
 all your mind,

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:22.279
 all your mind.

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.059
 Okay, don't forget that.

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.299
 So they encouraged

00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.059
 this development

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:27.579
 to love the Lord your God

00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.579
 spiritually

00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.920
 and intellectually,

00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.660
 even when it's difficult

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.660
 and tough.

00:32:32.660 --> 00:32:36.300
 And the third thing

00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:37.360
 they left an imprint on

00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.640
 was this was a family

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.500
 of prayer.

00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:41.400
 They prayed naturally

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:43.060
 and they prayed all the time.

00:32:43.140 --> 00:32:44.519
 They prayed at meals.

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:46.340
 They prayed before going to bed.

00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:48.320
 They were a family of prayer.

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:50.840
 And it wasn't just ritual prayers.

00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:52.880
 They were kind of heartfelt prayers,

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.160
 right?

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:54.500
 Not just something that we say.

00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.480
 They were thought about.

00:32:55.540 --> 00:32:56.980
 I have this memory

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:58.420
 imprinted in my head.

00:32:58.480 --> 00:33:00.019
 They took me on holiday once

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:02.299
 and we went fishing and camping.

00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.500
 And we had this great week,

00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:04.779
 right?

00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:06.319
 And we packed up the tents.

00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.420
 We were just about to leave.

00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.740
 And Gary says,

00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:10.460
 let's all gather around

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:12.839
 and give thanks to God

00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:13.639
 for this time.

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.079
 And we just stood there

00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.180
 and for about three minutes

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.579
 everyone prayed

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:19.960
 giving thanks to God

00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.539
 for a holiday.

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.660
 It just left

00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.940
 an amazing impression

00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.779
 on my mind.

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.379
 Fourth imprint

00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:27.480
 that they left

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:29.180
 was this was a family

00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.319
 of repentance

00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.500
 and forgiveness.

00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:34.539
 They taught their children

00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.579
 that it takes

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.680
 a big person

00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.400
 to say,

00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.660
 I did it.

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.799
 It was me.

00:33:39.960 --> 00:33:40.720
 I'm sorry.

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.920
 And they did it by

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.539
 as a husband and wife,

00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:44.759
 right?

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.980
 This wasn't a perfect family.

00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:47.000
 When they fought

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.860
 or they argued,

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.599
 they modeled

00:33:48.599 --> 00:33:49.620
 in front of their kids.

00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:50.880
 I did it.

00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:51.860
 It was me.

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:52.940
 I'm sorry.

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.319
 And they taught

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:54.860
 their children

00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:56.640
 to own their stuff.

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.700
 You did it.

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.020
 It was me.

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:00.340
 Okay?

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.660
 I'm sorry.

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.100
 You did it.

00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:01.500
 It was me.

00:34:01.540 --> 00:34:02.259
 No, I did it.

00:34:02.280 --> 00:34:02.740
 It was me.

00:34:02.800 --> 00:34:03.020
 Okay?

00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:04.380
 They taught their children

00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.480
 to own their stuff.

00:34:05.540 --> 00:34:06.280
 Not to play

00:34:06.280 --> 00:34:07.840
 the victim card

00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:08.840
 but to say,

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.599
 I did it.

00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:12.119
 And the fifth imprint

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:13.200
 that they really left

00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:13.579
 on me

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.680
 and this kind of

00:34:14.680 --> 00:34:15.460
 involves me

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:17.400
 was their love

00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:19.539
 for the outsider.

00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.800
 And I was that outsider.

00:34:22.800 --> 00:34:24.420
 They already had

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.400
 a family

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.619
 of four kids.

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.780
 They already

00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.480
 were very busy

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.400
 being farmers

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.740
 and preachers

00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:32.440
 and leaders

00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.220
 in the church.

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.880
 And yet,

00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:36.260
 they took the time

00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:38.320
 to love the outsider.

00:34:39.180 --> 00:34:39.400
 Hey,

00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.740
 let's have a fifth kid

00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.680
 who's not really ours

00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.780
 be part of our family.

00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:44.019
 And it cost them

00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:45.380
 financially, right?

00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.340
 They paid for me

00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:47.460
 when I went on holiday

00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.059
 with them.

00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:50.079
 But they taught me

00:34:50.079 --> 00:34:51.860
 what it truly means

00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:54.240
 to love the outsider.

00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:56.480
 And I want you to notice

00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:57.380
 that you might be

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.079
 thinking here today,

00:34:58.160 --> 00:34:58.320
 okay,

00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.380
 I don't have kids.

00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.240
 I'm excused

00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:01.019
 from this little bit.

00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:01.640
 But,

00:35:02.160 --> 00:35:02.360
 hey,

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.460
 I wasn't their child

00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:04.320
 and they left

00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.320
 an imprint on me.

00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.039
 All of us

00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:08.380
 sitting here today,

00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:10.039
 we will have

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.820
 the opportunity,

00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.240
 the means,

00:35:12.340 --> 00:35:12.780
 and the power

00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:13.720
 to leave an impression

00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:15.320
 not only on our kids

00:35:15.320 --> 00:35:16.079
 but all the kids

00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.559
 out there.

00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.660
 All those kids

00:35:17.660 --> 00:35:18.559
 in Sunday school

00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:20.640
 will have an impression

00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.420
 of you.

00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:23.179
 How we live our lives,

00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.960
 how we relate,

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.980
 how we love each other,

00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:26.039
 how we do community

00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:27.440
 will leave an impression

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:28.619
 on our children.

00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:32.179
 We have a very powerful

00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:32.799
 responsibility.

00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.799
 I want to say that

00:35:33.799 --> 00:35:34.960
 I only,

00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:36.239
 we only lived

00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:37.039
 in that little town

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:38.059
 for three years

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:38.879
 and then my sister

00:35:38.879 --> 00:35:39.599
 went to high school

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.420
 and we moved away.

00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.199
 So I only had

00:35:41.199 --> 00:35:42.679
 basically three years

00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.319
 of influence

00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:45.319
 with this family.

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:46.819
 And,

00:35:47.420 --> 00:35:48.980
 but they planted seeds.

00:35:49.339 --> 00:35:50.139
 They planted seeds.

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.739
 I didn't become

00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.279
 a believer

00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:52.719
 during that time

00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.400
 but they had

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.339
 planted seeds.

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.219
 And when I did

00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:56.159
 become a Christian

00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:57.579
 at the age of 21,

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.859
 one of the first

00:35:58.859 --> 00:35:59.659
 things I did

00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:01.000
 was write a letter

00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:02.059
 to this family

00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:03.480
 and thank them

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:05.179
 of the models

00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:05.759
 they were

00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:06.779
 and their love for me.

00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.019
 I now had

00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:09.059
 a clearer understanding

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:10.319
 of what motivated them

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:11.359
 but it was one

00:36:11.359 --> 00:36:12.119
 of the first things

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.559
 I did

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:14.440
 just to honor them

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.460
 for the impression

00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.440
 that they had left

00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:18.000
 on my life.

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:20.940
 What impression

00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.760
 are we leaving

00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:22.619
 on our kids?

00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:23.760
 Okay,

00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.480
 now all this

00:36:24.480 --> 00:36:25.840
 sounds great,

00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.159
 right?

00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:26.800
 So that it may

00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.579
 go well with you.

00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.500
 We do these things,

00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:29.159
 we live them

00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.079
 and it's all

00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:30.840
 working wonderfully

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:33.179
 but it doesn't.

00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.039
 God constantly

00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.340
 warned them.

00:36:35.380 --> 00:36:35.500
 He said,

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.099
 don't forget.

00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:36.860
 When you've got it

00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.800
 and it's going well,

00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.340
 don't forget God

00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:40.559
 but they did.

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.280
 The Israelites did.

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.000
 It's kind of like

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.860
 if that analogy

00:36:44.860 --> 00:36:45.519
 I gave you

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.240
 of the king

00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.580
 going and rescuing

00:36:47.580 --> 00:36:48.280
 that little boy

00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:48.960
 from poverty

00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:50.040
 and brought him in.

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.300
 After a while

00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.600
 he's clothed,

00:36:52.660 --> 00:36:53.280
 he's nice and clean,

00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.160
 things are going well

00:36:54.160 --> 00:36:55.080
 but after a while

00:36:55.080 --> 00:36:56.160
 he gets bored.

00:36:57.580 --> 00:36:58.340
 He starts thinking

00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.300
 a lot of himself

00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.680
 and says,

00:36:59.720 --> 00:37:00.040
 you know what,

00:37:00.080 --> 00:37:00.700
 I'm going to climb

00:37:00.700 --> 00:37:02.640
 over the palace wall again.

00:37:02.700 --> 00:37:03.019
 I'm going to go

00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.640
 and check out

00:37:03.640 --> 00:37:04.560
 the dirt

00:37:04.560 --> 00:37:05.780
 that I used to play in.

00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:06.700
 Maybe I'm going

00:37:06.700 --> 00:37:07.660
 to get dirty again

00:37:07.660 --> 00:37:08.380
 and I'll kind of

00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.360
 jump back in

00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:10.400
 over the wall.

00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.320
 You know,

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.019
 that king,

00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:13.460
 his demand,

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.440
 I have to love him.

00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:17.320
 That's exactly

00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:18.139
 what happened

00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:18.980
 to Israel.

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:21.099
 Time and time again

00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:22.139
 if you look

00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.660
 at the history

00:37:22.660 --> 00:37:23.160
 of the thing,

00:37:23.660 --> 00:37:24.079
 they kind of

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.800
 remembered God,

00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.460
 they forgot him.

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.200
 Remembered God,

00:37:26.300 --> 00:37:26.920
 they forgot him.

00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.440
 But here was

00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:30.039
 the fundamental problem

00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:31.599
 was the law

00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.680
 because the law

00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:34.639
 was an offer

00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:36.079
 and a demand.

00:37:36.720 --> 00:37:37.740
 It was an offer

00:37:37.740 --> 00:37:39.180
 of protection,

00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.079
 provision,

00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.880
 blessing,

00:37:41.280 --> 00:37:41.880
 but it was

00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.700
 a demand

00:37:42.700 --> 00:37:43.780
 of righteousness.

00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.260
 I will bless you,

00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:47.380
 I will protect you,

00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:48.559
 I will be your God,

00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:49.780
 but you need

00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:50.579
 to be holy,

00:37:50.720 --> 00:37:51.680
 you need to live right,

00:37:51.760 --> 00:37:52.559
 you need to respond

00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:53.019
 to me.

00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:55.139
 And they couldn't

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.639
 do it.

00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.660
 They couldn't do it

00:37:56.660 --> 00:37:57.119
 because there's

00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:58.059
 something fundamentally

00:37:58.059 --> 00:37:59.700
 wrong with the human heart.

00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.220
 The human heart

00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.380
 is bent towards

00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:03.579
 rebellion and sin

00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:04.519
 and wanting to do

00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.079
 our things

00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:06.099
 our own way.

00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.740
 We don't like

00:38:06.740 --> 00:38:07.880
 to be told what to do

00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:08.980
 and they couldn't

00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:09.539
 do it.

00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:11.420
 But then the gospel

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.679
 comes along

00:38:12.679 --> 00:38:13.840
 and the gospel

00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:15.239
 is an offer

00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:17.199
 and an offer.

00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:18.500
 It is an offer

00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.639
 of blessing,

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.519
 adoption,

00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.759
 sonship,

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.500
 provision,

00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.599
 care,

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.420
 love.

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:27.300
 But it's also

00:38:27.300 --> 00:38:28.239
 an offer

00:38:28.239 --> 00:38:30.219
 of righteousness.

00:38:30.820 --> 00:38:32.000
 God's righteousness,

00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:33.099
 not your own.

00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:34.079
 This is what it says

00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:35.000
 in Romans 1.

00:38:35.000 --> 00:38:36.780
 For I'm not ashamed

00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.539
 of the gospel

00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:39.079
 because it is

00:38:39.079 --> 00:38:40.619
 the power of God

00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:42.920
 that brings salvation

00:38:42.920 --> 00:38:43.800
 to everyone

00:38:43.800 --> 00:38:44.480
 who believes,

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.480
 first to the Jew,

00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.539
 then to the gentle.

00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:48.039
 For in the gospel,

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.519
 the righteousness

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:50.739
 of God

00:38:50.739 --> 00:38:51.400
 is revealed,

00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.239
 a righteousness

00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:53.960
 that is by faith

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:55.800
 from first to last.

00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:56.719
 Just as it is written,

00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.019
 the righteous

00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:59.420
 will live by faith.

00:38:59.460 --> 00:38:59.920
 And that means

00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.340
 the righteous

00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:00.860
 will live

00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:02.280
 by keeping faith.

00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:04.300
 It is no longer

00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:05.040
 a demand,

00:39:05.160 --> 00:39:05.800
 it is an offer.

00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:07.000
 God is giving you,

00:39:07.080 --> 00:39:08.060
 He's offering you something

00:39:08.060 --> 00:39:09.900
 but He is offering you

00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.660
 even more.

00:39:11.740 --> 00:39:12.320
 In the beginning

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.440
 when Janet came up

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.300
 and collected her

00:39:14.300 --> 00:39:16.600
 20 trillion dollars,

00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:17.960
 even if it was

00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:20.140
 really 20 trillion

00:39:20.140 --> 00:39:21.280
 US dollars,

00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:23.560
 it is nothing,

00:39:23.720 --> 00:39:25.160
 nothing in comparison

00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:26.360
 to what you are

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:27.400
 being offered by God.

00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:28.240
 The gospel

00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:29.620
 is infinitely greater

00:39:29.620 --> 00:39:30.019
 than that.

00:39:30.100 --> 00:39:30.820
 When we grasp

00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.540
 our heads

00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.599
 how wonderful

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:33.779
 God is

00:39:33.779 --> 00:39:34.940
 towards us.

00:39:36.199 --> 00:39:37.340
 An offer

00:39:37.340 --> 00:39:38.519
 and an offer.

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:42.519
 But we have to go in

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.219
 and take it.

00:39:44.079 --> 00:39:45.360
 God is offering you

00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:45.739
 something.

00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:47.159
 Will you accept

00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:48.000
 His righteousness?

00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:48.519
 So,

00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:51.420
 maybe there are people

00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:52.159
 here today

00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:53.759
 where you have heard

00:39:53.759 --> 00:39:55.259
 the gospel

00:39:55.259 --> 00:39:57.579
 time and time again,

00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.460
 but you are sitting

00:39:59.460 --> 00:40:00.960
 on the opposite side

00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.500
 of the Jordan

00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:01.980
 and thinking,

00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:02.740
 I don't know,

00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:03.960
 I'm pretty comfortable,

00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:05.199
 I'm pretty happy here,

00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:06.800
 it looks like a scary

00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:07.740
 place to be.

00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:10.840
 Will you go in

00:40:10.840 --> 00:40:11.840
 and take

00:40:11.840 --> 00:40:13.960
 what God is offering you?

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:17.840
 let's think about that

00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:18.840
 individually for us.

00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.840
 What is it

00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:21.760
 that God has

00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:22.179
 for you

00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:22.780
 this year

00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:26.360
 that we

00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:27.420
 have the opportunity

00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:28.599
 to go in

00:40:28.599 --> 00:40:29.579
 and take?

00:40:32.260 --> 00:40:32.780
 Maybe

00:40:32.780 --> 00:40:34.079
 for some of us

00:40:34.079 --> 00:40:35.079
 God is saying,

00:40:35.199 --> 00:40:36.300
 I want you to step up,

00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:37.360
 I want you to be

00:40:37.360 --> 00:40:38.400
 in leadership,

00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:39.860
 I want you to serve.

00:40:39.860 --> 00:40:42.380
 will you

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:43.260
 take it?

00:40:43.720 --> 00:40:44.420
 I've given you

00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:45.160
 every provision

00:40:45.160 --> 00:40:46.300
 you possibly need.

00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:47.940
 Will you take it?

00:40:49.240 --> 00:40:49.760
 Maybe

00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:50.760
 for some of us

00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.640
 it's

00:40:51.640 --> 00:40:52.660
 God's forgiveness.

00:40:53.300 --> 00:40:54.099
 Are we holding

00:40:54.099 --> 00:40:55.240
 on to a hurt?

00:40:55.360 --> 00:40:55.880
 Are we kind of

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.599
 holding on?

00:40:57.260 --> 00:40:58.240
 We're scared

00:40:58.240 --> 00:40:59.340
 to cross over

00:40:59.340 --> 00:41:00.200
 and take

00:41:00.200 --> 00:41:00.740
 what God

00:41:00.740 --> 00:41:01.420
 is freely

00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:02.960
 wanting to give you.

00:41:04.700 --> 00:41:05.240
 Maybe

00:41:05.240 --> 00:41:05.980
 He's asking you

00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:06.820
 in the workplace

00:41:06.820 --> 00:41:10.220
 to be

00:41:10.220 --> 00:41:10.820
 a light

00:41:10.820 --> 00:41:11.340
 for Him.

00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.340
 You're afraid

00:41:13.340 --> 00:41:14.300
 to speak out.

00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.860
 Are you prepared

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.559
 to go in

00:41:17.559 --> 00:41:18.480
 and take

00:41:18.480 --> 00:41:18.920
 what God

00:41:18.920 --> 00:41:19.620
 has for you?

00:41:20.980 --> 00:41:22.180
 For our children,

00:41:22.539 --> 00:41:23.700
 for our children

00:41:23.700 --> 00:41:24.019
 guys,

00:41:24.080 --> 00:41:25.200
 the next generation,

00:41:26.860 --> 00:41:27.940
 are we prepared

00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:28.900
 to leave

00:41:28.900 --> 00:41:29.559
 an impression?

00:41:29.940 --> 00:41:30.860
 It will cost us,

00:41:30.900 --> 00:41:31.059
 right?

00:41:31.200 --> 00:41:31.900
 When the Israelites

00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.600
 were promised

00:41:32.600 --> 00:41:33.780
 go in and take

00:41:33.780 --> 00:41:34.120
 the land,

00:41:34.180 --> 00:41:35.039
 it wasn't a walk

00:41:35.039 --> 00:41:35.559
 in the park.

00:41:35.660 --> 00:41:36.220
 They still had

00:41:36.219 --> 00:41:36.739
 to get rid

00:41:36.739 --> 00:41:37.719
 of all the enemies

00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:38.699
 that were there,

00:41:38.759 --> 00:41:39.379
 but God

00:41:39.379 --> 00:41:40.279
 would be with them.

00:41:41.159 --> 00:41:41.779
 It was still

00:41:41.779 --> 00:41:42.419
 an effort.

00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:44.119
 Guys,

00:41:44.179 --> 00:41:44.759
 to invest

00:41:44.759 --> 00:41:45.599
 in the lives

00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:46.059
 of others,

00:41:46.139 --> 00:41:46.579
 to invest

00:41:46.579 --> 00:41:47.139
 in the children

00:41:47.139 --> 00:41:47.859
 around you,

00:41:47.959 --> 00:41:49.099
 it will be

00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:50.399
 a costly thing.

00:41:50.799 --> 00:41:51.799
 It will require

00:41:51.799 --> 00:41:52.359
 sacrifice,

00:41:52.359 --> 00:41:53.219
 but are we

00:41:53.219 --> 00:41:54.139
 prepared to do it?

00:41:54.359 --> 00:41:54.980
 Are we prepared

00:41:54.980 --> 00:41:56.000
 to live lives

00:41:56.000 --> 00:41:57.019
 that point them

00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:57.559
 to Jesus?

00:41:58.599 --> 00:41:59.519
 Are we prepared

00:41:59.519 --> 00:42:00.619
 to model truth

00:42:00.619 --> 00:42:01.299
 and grace

00:42:01.299 --> 00:42:01.879
 to them?

00:42:03.699 --> 00:42:03.959
 Guys,

00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:04.419
 and finally,

00:42:04.599 --> 00:42:05.539
 as a church,

00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:08.719
 are we prepared

00:42:08.719 --> 00:42:09.539
 to go in

00:42:09.539 --> 00:42:10.319
 and take

00:42:10.319 --> 00:42:11.299
 what God

00:42:11.299 --> 00:42:12.139
 has for us?

00:42:12.419 --> 00:42:13.119
 This is really

00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:13.799
 something that's

00:42:13.799 --> 00:42:14.239
 been burning

00:42:14.239 --> 00:42:14.899
 on my heart.

00:42:14.959 --> 00:42:15.480
 I look around,

00:42:15.679 --> 00:42:16.599
 there's empty chairs,

00:42:16.699 --> 00:42:16.959
 guys.

00:42:17.359 --> 00:42:18.179
 One of the mission

00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:19.379
 of this church

00:42:19.379 --> 00:42:20.159
 is to be

00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:21.119
 a light

00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:22.259
 in this city,

00:42:22.419 --> 00:42:23.459
 in this district.

00:42:24.079 --> 00:42:25.059
 And the day

00:42:25.059 --> 00:42:25.899
 that we don't have

00:42:25.899 --> 00:42:26.939
 any empty chairs

00:42:26.939 --> 00:42:27.179
 left,

00:42:27.259 --> 00:42:27.859
 then we will build

00:42:27.859 --> 00:42:28.480
 a bigger place

00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:29.159
 or find a bigger

00:42:29.159 --> 00:42:30.059
 place to get

00:42:30.059 --> 00:42:31.059
 more people in here.

00:42:31.599 --> 00:42:32.619
 But that is the heart

00:42:32.619 --> 00:42:33.079
 and soul

00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:34.239
 of why we exist.

00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:36.500
 are we prepared

00:42:36.500 --> 00:42:37.199
 to go in

00:42:37.199 --> 00:42:37.899
 and take

00:42:37.899 --> 00:42:38.779
 what God

00:42:38.779 --> 00:42:39.899
 has for us?

00:42:40.979 --> 00:42:42.259
 I have to put up

00:42:42.259 --> 00:42:42.599
 my hands

00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:43.299
 to ask my question.

00:42:43.399 --> 00:42:43.619
 God,

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.139
 are we prepared

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:45.719
 to take it?

00:42:45.759 --> 00:42:46.739
 Because you are offering

00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:46.919
 us,

00:42:46.959 --> 00:42:47.579
 you've given us

00:42:47.579 --> 00:42:48.099
 everything,

00:42:48.779 --> 00:42:49.799
 but are we prepared

00:42:49.799 --> 00:42:50.959
 to walk in

00:42:50.959 --> 00:42:52.039
 your truth,

00:42:52.339 --> 00:42:53.119
 your righteousness,

00:42:53.679 --> 00:42:54.939
 and be the church

00:42:54.939 --> 00:42:55.979
 we're called to be?

00:42:58.479 --> 00:42:59.779
 Are we going to take

00:42:59.779 --> 00:43:00.679
 hold of God's

00:43:00.679 --> 00:43:01.159
 righteousness

00:43:01.159 --> 00:43:02.000
 this morning

00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:03.599
 so that

00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:04.399
 it may

00:43:04.399 --> 00:43:05.920
 go well

00:43:05.920 --> 00:43:06.839
 with you?

00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.359
 If we care

00:43:08.359 --> 00:43:09.059
 about the city

00:43:09.059 --> 00:43:09.599
 out there,

00:43:10.079 --> 00:43:10.899
 there are people

00:43:10.899 --> 00:43:11.879
 who are desperate

00:43:11.879 --> 00:43:13.039
 for the gospel.

00:43:14.460 --> 00:43:15.219
 They're living

00:43:15.219 --> 00:43:15.940
 in their sin.

00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:16.819
 They're bound

00:43:16.819 --> 00:43:18.199
 by so many things.

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.399
 And we have

00:43:19.399 --> 00:43:20.859
 the word of life

00:43:20.859 --> 00:43:21.719
 for them.

00:43:22.920 --> 00:43:24.039
 We ourselves,

00:43:24.199 --> 00:43:24.920
 do we live

00:43:24.920 --> 00:43:25.859
 in that gospel?

00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:27.019
 Do we live

00:43:27.019 --> 00:43:28.099
 in God's righteousness?

00:43:28.339 --> 00:43:29.239
 Or do we default

00:43:29.239 --> 00:43:30.059
 to our own

00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:30.899
 kind of righteousness?

00:43:31.159 --> 00:43:31.859
 Or do we just

00:43:31.859 --> 00:43:32.759
 blatantly sin?

00:43:33.559 --> 00:43:34.739
 Or are we taking

00:43:34.739 --> 00:43:37.000
 hold of God's

00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:37.559
 righteousness

00:43:37.559 --> 00:43:38.519
 and thanking Him

00:43:38.519 --> 00:43:39.039
 for it?

00:43:40.879 --> 00:43:41.519
 All right,

00:43:41.559 --> 00:43:42.519
 I've spoken enough,

00:43:43.099 --> 00:43:43.920
 but I really,

00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:44.899
 I'd love to pray

00:43:44.899 --> 00:43:45.559
 for us.

00:43:54.480 --> 00:43:55.039
 Father,

00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:55.119
 Father,

00:43:55.319 --> 00:43:57.579
 I ask

00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.699
 for forgiveness

00:43:58.699 --> 00:43:58.759
 forgiveness,

00:43:58.980 --> 00:43:59.579
 where we've,

00:44:00.000 --> 00:44:01.299
 you've given us

00:44:01.299 --> 00:44:01.819
 everything,

00:44:01.939 --> 00:44:02.419
 your blessing,

00:44:02.559 --> 00:44:03.000
 your mercy,

00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:03.819
 and we haven't,

00:44:03.819 --> 00:44:05.339
 we haven't taken it

00:44:05.339 --> 00:44:06.059
 or we've taken it

00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:06.559
 for granted.

00:44:07.219 --> 00:44:08.139
 But we know

00:44:08.139 --> 00:44:09.279
 that you are a God

00:44:09.279 --> 00:44:10.539
 who is full of compassion,

00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:11.500
 full of grace,

00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:13.039
 and freely forgives us.

00:44:14.439 --> 00:44:14.719
 Lord,

00:44:14.779 --> 00:44:15.319
 you're a God

00:44:15.319 --> 00:44:16.339
 who picks us up

00:44:16.339 --> 00:44:17.739
 and leads us on

00:44:17.739 --> 00:44:18.779
 and wants us

00:44:18.779 --> 00:44:20.079
 to take

00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:21.659
 and lead others,

00:44:21.799 --> 00:44:22.199
 Lord Jesus,

00:44:22.399 --> 00:44:23.659
 to a relationship

00:44:23.659 --> 00:44:24.299
 with you.

00:44:24.300 --> 00:44:25.160
 I pray,

00:44:25.660 --> 00:44:26.780
 give us

00:44:26.780 --> 00:44:28.000
 that power,

00:44:28.280 --> 00:44:29.140
 that joy,

00:44:29.340 --> 00:44:30.240
 that desire

00:44:30.240 --> 00:44:31.780
 to live for you,

00:44:31.900 --> 00:44:33.060
 to serve you

00:44:33.060 --> 00:44:34.200
 and you alone,

00:44:34.400 --> 00:44:35.580
 to give you

00:44:35.580 --> 00:44:36.780
 everything

00:44:36.780 --> 00:44:38.940
 that we are.

00:44:40.260 --> 00:44:40.620
 Lord,

00:44:40.660 --> 00:44:41.400
 I pray that as we

00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:42.740
 go out this week,

00:44:43.720 --> 00:44:44.000
 Lord,

00:44:44.140 --> 00:44:44.860
 bless us

00:44:44.860 --> 00:44:45.880
 in such a way

00:44:45.880 --> 00:44:46.500
 that there is

00:44:46.500 --> 00:44:47.240
 a desire

00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:48.480
 in our hearts

00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:49.480
 to love you,

00:44:49.640 --> 00:44:51.360
 to be with you,

00:44:51.360 --> 00:44:52.579
 and to know

00:44:52.579 --> 00:44:54.000
 that your desire

00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:55.019
 is that it may

00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:55.740
 go well

00:44:55.740 --> 00:44:56.860
 with us.

00:44:59.500 --> 00:45:00.059
 Lord,

00:45:00.099 --> 00:45:00.980
 we thank you

00:45:00.980 --> 00:45:03.760
 for the death,

00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:04.340
 burial,

00:45:04.420 --> 00:45:05.160
 and resurrection

00:45:05.160 --> 00:45:06.500
 of Jesus Christ.

00:45:07.099 --> 00:45:07.820
 And in that,

00:45:07.900 --> 00:45:08.620
 in that alone,

00:45:08.920 --> 00:45:10.079
 we have our hope,

00:45:10.260 --> 00:45:11.140
 we have our future,

00:45:11.660 --> 00:45:12.800
 we have our foundation.

00:45:14.320 --> 00:45:15.500
 We love you.

00:45:16.280 --> 00:45:17.500
 In Jesus' name,

00:45:18.200 --> 00:45:18.440
 Amen.