WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 I think it was around 2004 that the famous atheist Richard Dawkins released his book, 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:08.019 The God Delusion. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:15.000 It was a book that was designed to argue that there was no logical possibility that a God 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:16.219 of any form existed. 00:00:16.780 --> 00:00:23.920 His premise was that anyone who believed in God was deluded or stupid or any other list 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:27.440 of names that he proceeded to call Christians and the like. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:33.039 It was a fairly uninspiring book and since then a whole bunch of prominent atheists have 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:38.740 kind of distanced themselves from it because it turns out that really his book was more 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:43.380 anti-Christian propaganda than any kind of logical discussion. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:49.320 And so more thinking atheists have kind of separated themselves from him and his attack. 00:00:49.500 --> 00:00:55.100 But what struck me about this book when it came out and about its content was the irony 00:00:55.100 --> 00:00:55.859 of the title. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:01:04.780 So Richard Dawkins was eager to prove basically that there was nothing and no one other than 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:06.500 himself that he was accountable to. 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:12.939 So essentially what he was arguing was that he was his own God. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:18.960 Now those aren't his words but the possibility of there being a God was held up against his 00:01:18.960 --> 00:01:24.920 personal logic or his personal experience or his personal understanding and his philosophies 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:29.200 of right and wrong and then rejected because it didn't fit his perception. 00:01:30.460 --> 00:01:35.060 It could be argued that Dawkins has his own God delusion of sorts. 00:01:35.879 --> 00:01:41.219 He's made himself God and perhaps that delusion is more dangerous than the one that he was seeking 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:43.500 to mock and argue against. 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:50.900 But the scary thing about this particular delusion is that it's one that you and I share with him. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:58.740 The idea that the world revolves around me, the idea that I'm the final arbiter of truth, 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:02.760 that I decide what's right and wrong, even though we don't articulate it like that, 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.000 is evident in so many of our lives. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:14.800 And the problem with this delusion is that it's not just arrogant but it's ignorant as well. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:18.660 I mean firstly it distorts our perception of reality. 00:02:19.700 --> 00:02:23.860 We love to use language like the world is your oyster, you can do whatever you want, 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:26.439 you can do whatever you set your mind to. 00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:30.760 But that's just not true, is it? 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:34.460 Have a look at verse 13. 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:39.860 Now listen, you who say today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:42.659 spend a year there, carry on business and make money, 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:45.879 well you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:47.480 What is your life? 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.800 You're a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:56.520 You can make plans all you want but you actually have no idea what's going to happen. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:01.240 You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone next week or next month or next year. 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:09.580 There will always be external forces or factors that affect the things that happen in our life. 00:03:10.640 --> 00:03:13.280 There's always going to be things that are beyond our control. 00:03:15.080 --> 00:03:20.420 Four weeks ago I came back from a few days away of planning with the senior staff here at St. Paul's. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:24.719 It was a good couple of days, we've got some exciting things in store for next year. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:28.080 And I was about to head home and pack for a trip 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:31.340 because me and Sal were heading away for her cousin's wedding. 00:03:32.040 --> 00:03:36.020 And I was sitting there in my head thinking about how am I going to dodge the traffic, 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:41.020 how am I going to pack in the five or ten minutes that I'll have when I get home before we leave. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:45.900 You know, I was looking at restaurants on my phone about where I could take Sal 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:49.340 and you know, my head was completely in the things that we were going to be doing. 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:53.280 And about an hour later I was in hospital with two broken legs 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:58.259 and the prospect of six weeks of rehab for me, let alone the stress on Sal. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:01.219 Now I had no idea what was about to happen. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:04.640 I had no control over what was about to happen. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:08.699 I had no control over when it was going to happen and neither do we. 00:04:08.699 --> 00:04:18.620 And yet, so often in ignorance we live and talk and plan as if we're in control. 00:04:19.579 --> 00:04:23.079 As if we can absolutely influence everything in our life. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:26.879 Like the ultimate defining factor is what I want and when I want it. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:33.639 The delusion that we're in control is arrogant because it presumes power that we just don't have. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:43.620 And it's ignorant because God's rule is not dependent on us acknowledging or recognising it. 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:49.199 One of the great parenting challenges in our house at the moment 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:55.120 is trying to teach an increasingly competent and coherent three-year-old about who's in charge. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:59.479 So now if I ask Bailey to do something that he doesn't want to do, 00:04:59.959 --> 00:05:02.819 he can respond with, no, I don't want to do that. 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:07.620 In fact, it's the only time that he responds politely and says, no thanks, I don't want to do that. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.500 Maybe hoping that that might win the argument. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:15.459 And if I insist, he responds with phrases that are scarily familiar. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:18.339 Like, daddy, I said no. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:22.360 Or, daddy, you're not the boss. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:26.719 Now of course, when this happens, I respond with gentleness and grace. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:29.039 No, that's not true. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.920 I react. 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:35.700 Because my authority is being challenged in that moment. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.740 My rightful authority as his dad is being challenged. 00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:43.480 And there's this understanding for him, even at three years old, 00:05:44.020 --> 00:05:48.160 that he wants to be the master of his own destiny. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:51.379 He wants to be his own decision maker. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.300 He wants to be his own king. 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:57.840 And of course, the problem comes when you have two masters or two kings in the same domain. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.840 Two kings, two self-proclaimed kings in the one house. 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:06.280 Because whenever there are two people competing for authority, 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:10.680 two people claiming authority, one of them has to be rejected. 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:17.920 See, when we think or speak or act or plan like we're the ones in control, 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:20.100 like we know everything that's going to happen, 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:24.920 in effect, we are arrogantly saying to God, 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:26.879 I'm king, not you. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:30.000 I'm in charge, not you. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:32.379 I'm in control, not you. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:38.199 It is arrogant and ignorant to say to the creator of everything, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:41.100 I'm more powerful than you. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:48.159 Or to somehow assume that his power is dependent on my willingness to submit to it. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:52.139 The Bible describes Jesus as the creator of all things, 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:53.600 the sustainer of all things. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.439 Without him, nothing exists. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:59.779 The New Testament tells us that there will come a point where every knee will bow, 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:04.000 where every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, is King. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:07.059 Either by force or by choice, 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:11.479 everyone will one day acknowledge that Jesus is King. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:16.599 And yet we, as Christians, 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:22.899 as people who claim to willingly choose Jesus as our King, 00:07:24.419 --> 00:07:26.619 shamefully remove him from his place 00:07:26.619 --> 00:07:29.419 and act like we're in control. 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:36.799 Plus, the delusion of control for us foolishly ignores eternity. 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:39.599 When we think we're in control, 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:41.539 we start to live life like this, 00:07:41.719 --> 00:07:43.599 here and now is all that there is. 00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:48.359 And so suddenly we are consumed by the desire to accumulate stuff, 00:07:49.039 --> 00:07:50.179 to get things, 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:52.059 to gather pleasure, 00:07:52.339 --> 00:07:54.019 as much as we possibly can. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:55.919 And if you're a Christian, 00:07:56.099 --> 00:07:59.559 and remember that this letter in James is written to the church, 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:02.600 it's written to people who claim to be following Jesus, 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:04.860 who as far as we know are following Jesus. 00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:07.199 If you're a Christian, 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:12.160 and you've forgotten about the eternity that your life is a part of, 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:17.360 then your life is pitiful. 00:08:20.320 --> 00:08:24.620 1 Corinthians 15 says that if you only have hope for this life, 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:28.700 then you are to be pitied above all men. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:32.439 Because the Christian life, 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:38.439 the Christian hope recognizes that we are made for more than just a bit between our birth and our death. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:45.879 The Christian hope yearns for something that is more satisfying than the fickle treasures and pleasures 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:48.220 that we do enjoy in this life. 00:08:48.220 --> 00:08:54.420 Our lives in the scheme of eternity are a mist that appears 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:56.899 and is gone. 00:08:58.580 --> 00:09:01.519 And it is arrogance to assume 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:05.399 that what we could accumulate in our short breath of a life 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:07.440 can even vaguely compare 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.800 to the eternity of goodness 00:09:09.800 --> 00:09:11.240 that God has prepared 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.259 for those who love him. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:17.299 And yet, 00:09:17.460 --> 00:09:19.379 we pour out our lives 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.559 in a vain attempt 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.319 to satisfy ourselves, 00:09:22.980 --> 00:09:24.519 to gather pleasure, 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.220 to gather things, 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:27.559 to make ourselves happy. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:33.500 This passage isn't saying that our lives have no value. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.319 What it means, 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.259 what it's talking about 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.819 when it says that your life is a mist 00:09:38.819 --> 00:09:41.000 is it's giving you the context 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.779 in which your life can flourish. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:44.980 It's giving you the purpose, 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:47.379 the environment in which you can get the most 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.659 out of the mist, 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:50.340 the breath that God has given you. 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.740 And that context 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:55.620 is eternity. 00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.539 To quote Russell Crowe, 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.460 the modern day prophet 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:01.620 from the movie Gladiator, 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:04.519 what we do in this life 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:06.740 echoes in eternity. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:10.039 The way we live, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.240 the choices we make, 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.000 the things we pursue, 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.419 the things we dream about, 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.980 need to reflect our understanding 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:23.600 that God has indescribable goodness for us 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.519 beyond this life. 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:29.419 And that he has already purchased that for us 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.919 by sending Jesus. 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:32.340 The way we use our time 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:33.100 and our energy 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:33.759 and our money 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.740 must reflect our awareness 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:37.360 that everything we have 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.539 in this life 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.120 comes from God 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.599 and is entrusted to us 00:10:42.599 --> 00:10:44.199 for his purpose. 00:10:47.199 --> 00:10:49.240 Have a look at verse 1 of chapter 5. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:51.279 Now listen, 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.200 you rich people, 00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:53.620 weep and wail 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.580 because of the misery 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:55.820 that is coming upon you. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.340 Your wealth has rotted 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:58.980 and moths have eaten your clothes. 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:00.080 Your gold and silver 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:00.779 are corroded. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:01.940 Their corrosion 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:03.460 will testify against you 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.480 and eat your flesh 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:05.240 like fire. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.100 You have hoarded wealth 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:08.019 in the last days. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:08.419 Look, 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:10.000 the wages you failed 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.860 to pay the workmen 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:11.779 who mowed your fields 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:13.299 are crying out against you. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.120 The cries of the harvesters 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:16.159 have reached the ears 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.259 of the Lord Almighty. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.980 You have lived on earth 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.679 in luxury 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:20.960 and self-indulgence. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.399 You have fattened yourselves 00:11:22.399 --> 00:11:23.480 in the day of slaughter. 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.679 You have condemned 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:26.000 and murdered innocent men 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:27.319 who are not opposing you. 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:29.000 The issue here 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:30.360 is not with the fact 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.519 that these people are rich. 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:34.039 The problem 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:35.319 for these rich people 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:35.860 and remember 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.679 we've been reminded 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.720 that we fall under 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:39.039 the category of rich people. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.200 The issue 00:11:40.200 --> 00:11:42.019 is how they got rich. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.779 The issue 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.759 is what they've done 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.519 with their wealth. 00:11:46.059 --> 00:11:46.559 The issue 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.659 is most importantly 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:49.259 where their hearts are. 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:50.659 See, 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.359 their unbridled commitment 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:53.459 to hoarding wealth 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:54.119 for themselves 00:11:54.119 --> 00:11:55.319 at the expense of others, 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.259 even in the oppression 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:56.839 of others, 00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:58.879 by not paying wages, 00:12:00.619 --> 00:12:02.039 reflects an ignorance 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.919 that their life 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:04.959 that they live now 00:12:04.959 --> 00:12:05.839 and everything 00:12:05.839 --> 00:12:07.079 that they gather now 00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:08.539 is but a mist 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:10.500 in the context 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.179 of eternity. 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.399 They have forgotten 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.459 that there is something 00:12:14.459 --> 00:12:14.939 bigger 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:15.560 that God 00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.280 has prepared. 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:17.980 Their wealth 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.740 is corroding 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.200 and even 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.100 condemning them 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.920 because it 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:22.800 testifies 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:23.780 to their desire 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:25.340 to be in control. 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.920 They hoard wealth 00:12:26.920 --> 00:12:28.260 to look after 00:12:28.260 --> 00:12:28.700 themselves, 00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:29.740 to protect themselves, 00:12:29.900 --> 00:12:30.920 to create the illusion 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:31.960 of safety. 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.020 It testifies 00:12:33.020 --> 00:12:34.300 that they have 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:34.880 rejected 00:12:34.880 --> 00:12:35.700 God 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:36.380 as king. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.100 They have rejected 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:39.020 his purposes 00:12:39.020 --> 00:12:40.000 in their life 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.200 and we need 00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:41.879 to be warned 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:42.700 because we are 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:43.259 the rich. 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:46.460 We need 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:47.159 to have our 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:47.820 hearts 00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.500 and our eyes 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.159 fixed 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:50.519 on eternity. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.519 We need 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:52.980 to see 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.419 everything 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.200 that we have 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:55.220 and enjoy now, 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.320 the transient 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.000 treasures, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.039 the good things 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:58.480 that God 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.120 has entrusted 00:12:59.120 --> 00:12:59.759 to us 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.899 as just that, 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.080 things 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:04.000 entrusted 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:04.779 to us 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:05.779 for his 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:06.399 purpose. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.059 Nothing 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.839 we have 00:13:08.839 --> 00:13:10.279 is ours. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.439 Every good 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.120 thing we have 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:13.980 comes from God, 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.019 James 1 tells us 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.259 that, 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.199 but nothing 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:17.799 we have 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:18.799 is ours 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:19.679 or 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.759 for our 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.259 discretion. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:22.899 Everything 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.439 we have 00:13:23.439 --> 00:13:24.240 is from him 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.360 and for him. 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.620 In 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.459 a couple 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:28.740 of weeks' 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.039 time, 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.519 we will be 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:29.799 in our 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.819 commitment series 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.240 and something 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.759 that we do 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.220 as part of 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:32.639 our commitment 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.339 series is we 00:13:33.339 --> 00:13:33.779 pledge 00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.419 financially 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:34.819 to the 00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.159 work of 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:35.559 ministry 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.639 for the 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.179 coming 12 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:37.459 months. 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:37.639 It's 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:37.839 something 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.159 that we've 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:38.579 been doing 00:13:38.579 --> 00:13:39.099 for several 00:13:39.099 --> 00:13:39.399 years 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:39.799 and many 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.039 of you 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.259 are in 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:40.599 the habit 00:13:40.599 --> 00:13:41.099 of doing. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:42.579 But I 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:43.059 wonder in 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.819 reflection on 00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:44.339 what God 00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:44.919 is challenging 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:45.360 us here 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:45.799 tonight, 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:47.419 given that 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:47.860 we have 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:48.519 to recognise 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.179 that at 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:49.659 points in 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.079 our lives 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:50.339 and in 00:13:50.339 --> 00:13:50.899 areas of 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.360 our lives 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:51.959 we live 00:13:51.959 --> 00:13:52.759 like God 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:53.120 is not 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:53.419 king, 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:53.879 like we 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:54.279 are king, 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.500 what would 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:55.899 it look 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:57.659 like as 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.240 you reflect 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.500 on the 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.240 resources that 00:13:59.240 --> 00:13:59.719 God has 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.439 entrusted to 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:00.659 you, 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.459 financial and 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:01.919 otherwise, 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.339 as you 00:14:03.339 --> 00:14:03.959 dream about 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.700 how to 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.920 give them 00:14:05.920 --> 00:14:06.220 to the 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.620 work of 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.060 ministry, 00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:10.000 what difference 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:10.500 would it make 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:10.800 if your 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.519 starting point 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.360 was everything 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.040 that I have 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:13.340 in my 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.700 hand, 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:15.780 every dollar, 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.639 every resource, 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.360 every ounce of 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.759 energy is not 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.200 mine, 00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:21.700 but is God's, 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.100 entrusted to me 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.460 for his purpose. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:24.560 purpose, 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:27.400 how might that 00:14:27.400 --> 00:14:30.040 change what 00:14:30.040 --> 00:14:30.600 you commit 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.139 to doing, 00:14:32.180 --> 00:14:32.639 what you 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.060 commit to 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:33.300 giving? 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.460 See, 00:14:35.540 --> 00:14:35.840 when we 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.900 place ourselves 00:14:36.900 --> 00:14:37.300 at the 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:37.600 centre, 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.040 when we 00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:39.540 delude 00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:40.000 ourselves 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.580 into thinking 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.040 that we 00:14:41.040 --> 00:14:41.519 are in 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.080 control, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:44.040 we take 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:44.440 the good 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.040 things that 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:45.600 God gives 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.960 us and 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.700 elevate them 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.259 above the 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.600 one who 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:48.960 gave them 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.160 in the 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:49.820 first place 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:51.879 and that 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.500 is sin 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:52.960 at its 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.320 heart. 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:56.160 You can 00:14:56.160 --> 00:14:56.740 almost hear 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.300 the defence 00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:57.620 of the 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.420 people who 00:14:58.420 --> 00:14:58.760 are reading 00:14:58.760 --> 00:14:59.300 this passage 00:14:59.300 --> 00:14:59.620 for the 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.200 first time. 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:01.200 It might 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:01.480 be the 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.100 defence that 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.320 you're 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:02.920 rehearsing in 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.320 your mind 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:03.860 even now 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.140 as I 00:15:04.140 --> 00:15:04.500 speak. 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:05.820 What's 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:06.180 wrong with 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:07.400 planning or 00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.040 working hard? 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:09.740 I still go 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.320 to church, 00:15:10.640 --> 00:15:11.580 I still pray, 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.000 I still do 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.760 good things? 00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.580 But this is 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.400 where this 00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:18.360 God delusion 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.160 becomes really 00:15:19.160 --> 00:15:19.600 dangerous. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:23.160 when you're 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:23.660 the centre 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.120 of your 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.560 world, 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:26.020 when what 00:15:26.020 --> 00:15:26.500 you want 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.320 matters most, 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.260 you actually 00:15:30.260 --> 00:15:30.900 lose the 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:32.520 ability to 00:15:32.520 --> 00:15:33.260 even understand 00:15:33.260 --> 00:15:33.740 what sin 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.100 is. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.840 Sin becomes 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.440 just a list 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:37.940 of things 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.480 that I'm not 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:38.960 supposed to 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:39.180 do. 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:41.060 Or maybe a 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:41.379 list of 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.060 things that I 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:42.580 am supposed 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.140 to do. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:44.920 Hence the 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:45.280 defence, 00:15:45.380 --> 00:15:45.860 I'm not so 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.100 bad, I'm 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:47.560 ticking the 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:47.840 boxes. 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:51.040 But only 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.759 when Jesus 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.180 is in 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.899 his rightful 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.460 place at 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.019 the centre, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.000 can you 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.420 begin to 00:15:55.420 --> 00:15:55.740 see the 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.259 impact of 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.720 not just 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.680 the specific 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.480 actions that 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.019 you do or 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.560 don't do, 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.139 but the 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:01.780 impact of 00:16:01.780 --> 00:16:02.620 your allegiance, 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.500 of your 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.220 affection. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.320 creation. 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.660 Because if 00:16:08.660 --> 00:16:09.200 you're loving 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.700 something else, 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:12.500 something other 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.240 than Jesus, 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.180 who loved you 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:14.660 and gave 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.360 himself for 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.920 you and 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:16.600 sits on the 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.160 throne as 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:17.740 the rightful 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.360 ruler over 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.259 all creation, 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:20.779 if you are 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.500 loving anything 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.000 more than 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.600 Jesus, that 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.139 is sin, 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.279 that is 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.920 serious, 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:25.960 that matters. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:28.879 And so 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.660 verse 17 00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:30.259 tells us, 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:30.860 anyone then 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.400 who knows 00:16:31.400 --> 00:16:31.759 the good 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.240 he ought to 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:32.620 do and 00:16:32.620 --> 00:16:33.220 doesn't do 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.480 it, 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:34.879 sins. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.220 The good 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.560 that you 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.019 ought to 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:39.139 do, the 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.519 good that 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:39.940 you know 00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.379 about as 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.800 someone who 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:41.120 follows 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.180 Jesus, is 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:42.540 that the 00:16:42.540 --> 00:16:43.400 world and 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:44.160 your life and 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:44.960 everything in 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.900 them belong 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:47.100 to Jesus, 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.879 belong under 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.379 his rule. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.019 The good you 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.920 ought to do is 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:51.800 to love him 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:52.320 with all your 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.259 heart, soul, 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:53.940 mind and 00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:54.480 strength. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.399 the good 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.700 that you 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.100 ought to 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.399 do is 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:56.720 to offer 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:57.320 your life 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:58.000 and everything 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.659 in it for 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.539 his purpose 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.360 and not 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:00.840 your own. 00:17:04.120 --> 00:17:04.799 But when 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.200 you live 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.519 with a 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.299 God delusion, 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.759 when you 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.120 live with 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:08.720 yourself at 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.160 the center 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.599 like the 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:09.940 world is 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.420 your oyster 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:10.880 to do 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.299 with as 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:11.940 you please, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.019 you float 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.539 along in 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.120 ignorance, 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:16.740 oblivious 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.259 even to 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:17.839 the good 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.620 design that 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.140 God has 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.519 for your 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:19.940 life. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.620 You become 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.380 unwilling to 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:24.980 submit to 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.640 his direction 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.380 because you're 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.140 convinced that 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.640 your life 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:27.960 will go 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:28.960 better if 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.400 you stay 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:29.640 in the 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:30.060 driver's 00:17:30.060 --> 00:17:30.280 seat. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.440 The 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:34.220 command here 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.700 in verse 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.200 15, 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:36.700 the alternative 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.580 to having 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:37.980 a God 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.480 delusion, 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.380 instead, 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.100 you ought to 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.480 say, 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:43.600 if it is 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:44.340 the Lord's 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:44.620 will, 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.760 we will 00:17:45.760 --> 00:17:46.520 live and 00:17:46.520 --> 00:17:47.080 do this 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:47.580 or that. 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:49.180 The 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:50.100 alternative is 00:17:50.100 --> 00:17:50.740 to submit 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.220 to the 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:51.660 Lord's 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:51.900 will, 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:54.000 to ask 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.220 that 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:54.700 question 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.019 before 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.359 every 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:55.859 decision 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.140 and 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.680 action, 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.620 if it 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.620 is the 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:00.019 Lord's 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.220 will. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.920 That's a 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.420 really 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.339 significant 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.099 phrase. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.460 We need 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.000 to pause 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.500 and just 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.279 reflect on 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.779 that for a 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.039 second. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:11.859 It's a 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.559 sentence that's 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.000 maybe been 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.660 emptied of 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.279 its gravity, 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:15.420 of its meaning, 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.019 because it's the 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.620 sort of thing we 00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:17.099 throw into 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.900 prayers to make 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.940 ourselves sound 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.380 godly. 00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.080 Dear God, 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.100 please make 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.420 me feel 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:22.700 better, 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.640 if it's 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:23.940 your will. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.900 It's become 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.500 something that's 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.860 a bit of a 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:28.460 cliche or 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:28.800 maybe a 00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:29.280 lip service 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:29.800 to God. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.300 But the 00:18:33.300 --> 00:18:33.800 problem in 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.360 this passage 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:34.880 and in our 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.840 lives is not 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.440 that we have 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.620 rejected God, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.180 it's that 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.060 we've reduced 00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:41.660 God, 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.840 we've diluted 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.100 him, 00:18:44.380 --> 00:18:45.040 we've tried to 00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:45.620 tame him, 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.380 we haven't sent 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:46.960 him away, 00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:47.720 we've just 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.440 reduced his 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.240 authority and 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.079 his power over 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.539 us to the 00:18:50.539 --> 00:18:50.940 point where 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.400 he's still 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:51.900 king, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.900 but just not 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.539 over everything, 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.019 he gets a 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.400 little bit. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.100 He's kind of 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.980 a vice king 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.500 to my 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:57.960 ultimate 00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.700 kingship. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.579 And so I 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.120 will follow 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.000 wherever God 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.079 leads, as long 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:03.600 as it fits in 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:03.980 with where I was 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.519 going anyway. 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.039 I'll go to 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.559 church, I'll 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.279 read my Bible, 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:08.799 I'll do my 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.319 best to be 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.720 moral, but I'm 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.240 going to decide 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.779 what I do with 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.200 my money. 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.660 I'll submit to 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.120 your rule, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.880 Jesus, but I 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:16.579 decide where I 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:16.839 live. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:18.399 I decide what 00:19:18.399 --> 00:19:19.079 job I have. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.159 Because we've 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.899 shrunk God 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:24.059 down so much, 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.240 we become 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.059 ignorant to 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.439 what his 00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:28.980 will even 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:31.119 is, to the 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.639 point where 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.619 we've begun to 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.500 make his will 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.419 our will. 00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:36.579 And so when 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.379 I've talked to 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:37.879 people about 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.539 areas of their 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.339 life that don't 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:40.919 reflect God's 00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:41.459 will, that don't 00:19:41.459 --> 00:19:42.339 reflect the Bible, 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.179 that don't reflect 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:43.980 a love for Jesus 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:44.640 above all 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.599 else, and if 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.279 I'm honest, I've 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.720 heard these 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.599 phrases in myself 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.140 as well, the 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.839 phrases that 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:50.680 sometimes come 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.380 out when we've 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:52.120 twisted God's 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:52.759 will to be our 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.500 will is, I 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.500 can't imagine a 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.680 God who 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.339 wouldn't want me 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:57.900 to be happy. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.720 I can't imagine a 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.339 God who would 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.059 care which 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.839 suburb I live 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.000 in. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.980 I can't imagine a 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.079 God who would 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.140 bother interfering 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.860 with my love 00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:11.319 life, or my 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.839 work. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.279 When we 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:20.079 reduce God, we 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.119 just make him 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.799 like us, so 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.319 it's easier. 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.480 And so we 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.200 think that 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:26.259 following God's 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.779 will will only 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.980 be good, because 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.700 that's our plan 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.220 for us. 00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.599 We can't imagine 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.619 a scenario where 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.279 God would actually 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:33.759 put something 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.700 difficult in our 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.960 lives for our 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.740 sake and for 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.299 his glory. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.899 And yet when 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.859 Jesus prayed, 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.579 your will be 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.179 done and not 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:45.599 mine, he said 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.759 it in tears as 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.379 he prepared to 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:47.759 go to the 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.179 cross. 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.039 Following 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.079 Jesus is an 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.519 all-consuming 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.379 reality. 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.419 It 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:03.759 redefines your 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.480 whole life. 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.299 It replaces 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.359 every ambition 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.939 and every 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:08.339 treasure. 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.039 It demands 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.759 that we lay 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.279 down the 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.759 things that 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.019 we had 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.539 hoped for 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.379 ourselves and 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:14.980 come empty 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.640 handed, ready 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.359 to go wherever 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.119 we are sent, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.759 ready to do 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.379 whatever is 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.680 asked, ready 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.539 to serve in 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.440 whatever way he 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:22.960 requires. 00:21:23.379 --> 00:21:24.259 It demands that 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:25.099 we let go of 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:25.599 the treasures 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:25.960 that we 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.920 previously held 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:28.200 so that we 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.920 can grab hold 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.680 of the better 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.180 treasure that 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:33.039 is Jesus, that 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.759 is forgiveness, 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.940 that is hope. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.619 Submitting to 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.720 God is better, 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.720 God is 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.720 will. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.779 But when we 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.700 delude ourselves 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.720 into thinking the 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.460 world is about 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.620 God's will is. 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.339 Jesus is the 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.660 ultimate picture of 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.299 what it looks like 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.100 to submit to his 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.720 father's will. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.940 Through his whole 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.680 life he gives 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.240 himself to 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.039 everything that is 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.759 asked of him, 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.880 even his death. 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:58.980 Taking the 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.680 penalty for our 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.720 sins is in 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:01.779 obedience to his 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.460 father's will. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:02.960 Listen to 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.819 Philippians chapter 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.160 2. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.160 It says, 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.480 Jesus who being 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.180 in very nature 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.019 God did not 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.059 consider equality 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.960 with God something 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.860 to be grasped, 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.000 but made himself 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.380 nothing, taking the 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.319 very nature of a 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.519 servant, being made 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.620 in human likeness, 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.539 and being found in 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.279 appearance as a 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.100 man, he humbled 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.700 himself and became 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:23.039 obedient to death, 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.579 even death on a 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:24.980 cross. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.400 The path that he 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.579 chose in life was 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.720 the path of 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.640 obedience to his 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.059 father. 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.740 And what 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.019 happened? 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.860 God exalted 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.539 him to the 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.960 highest place and 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.500 gave him the 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.360 name that is above 00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.360 every name, that 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.140 at the name of 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.440 Jesus every knee 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.480 should bow, in 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.240 heaven and on 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:44.079 earth and under 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.700 the earth, and 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.259 every tongue 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.620 confess that Jesus 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.880 Christ is Lord, to 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:49.019 the glory of God 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.740 the Father. 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:52.740 Jesus always did 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.720 his father's will, 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.700 for our sake. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.360 He always did what 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.220 was asked of him, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.200 and his father 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.019 lifted him up. 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.100 He was not left 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.759 forsaken. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.380 Jesus models what 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.299 it is to give 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:08.059 yourself fully to 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.460 God. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.920 And James is 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.799 calling us as 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.579 Christians to 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:15.000 imitate that 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.720 wholesale 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:17.579 commitment, that 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.620 uncompromising, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.860 undiluted, every 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.799 minute of everyday 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.100 commitment to our 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.799 father's call. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.259 He calls us to 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.779 have as the 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.559 starting point to 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.620 every decision in 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.740 life, to every day 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.420 that we wake, 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:31.980 God, here I am. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.720 With everything 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.480 that you have 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:36.440 given me, what 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.279 would you have me 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.519 do? 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.100 Not, God, I've 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.779 got this stuff 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.779 planned, is there 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.220 anything you want 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.940 me to do while I'm 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.700 getting it done? 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.340 But to start 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:46.279 every decision 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.200 about what job 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.840 we'd have, about 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.600 what house we'd 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.259 live in, about 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:51.240 what ministry 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.920 we'd be involved 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.580 in, about what 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.180 money we would 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.820 give, what money 00:23:53.820 --> 00:23:54.460 we would save, 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.220 about everything 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.779 that we would 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:58.440 do, with the 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.319 heart position of 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.299 your will be done 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.960 because you are 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.220 king. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:05.120 This is a scary 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:06.000 prospect. 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.039 This is a scary 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.539 demand. 00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.400 What about the 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.220 things that you're 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.200 looking forward to? 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.960 What about the 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.539 things that you 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.319 really love? 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:17.640 What if you have 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.140 to give up 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.860 something that 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:20.579 you really enjoy? 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.700 I mean, if I 00:24:22.700 --> 00:24:23.539 give up control, 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.559 if I stop trying 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:26.079 to be God and 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.419 entrust myself to 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:29.359 God, how is that 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.039 going to work out 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.480 for me? 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.539 That's the fear, 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.019 isn't it? 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:36.220 That's why we try 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.779 and hold the 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.659 wheel, isn't it? 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:39.960 Because we're 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.319 worried that 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.480 somehow we'll 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:44.359 lose if we let 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:44.619 go. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.599 Jesus is more 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.359 than just a model 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:50.899 for us to 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:51.200 imitate. 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.639 Jesus is the 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.600 foundation that 00:24:54.600 --> 00:24:55.080 gives us 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:56.320 confidence to 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.080 trust God, 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.440 confidence to 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.380 submit our lives 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.160 to His will 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:01.200 and know that 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.140 it will always 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.040 be good. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.900 Listen to the 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.500 words of Romans 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:06.800 8. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.759 Verse 28 says, 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.620 We know that in 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.480 all things God 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.100 works for the 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:11.840 good of those 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.440 who love Him. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.040 How do we know? 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:14.100 Verse 32. 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.180 He who did not 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.140 spare His own 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.380 Son, but gave 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.120 Him up for us 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.360 all, how will 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.160 He not also, 00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:22.060 along with Him, 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.419 graciously give us 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.119 all things. 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.579 The cross is the 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.659 proof that God's 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:27.480 will for you is 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.839 always good. 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:31.399 Sometimes difficult, 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.899 sometimes painful, 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.460 but always good. 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.539 Always given to you 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.240 out of love, 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.220 always given for 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.779 your benefit, 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.980 always given for 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.619 His glory. 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.200 The fear that our 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.359 lives won't be as 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.359 good, won't be as 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.399 satisfying, won't be 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:47.099 as fantastic, or 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.940 that we'll miss out 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.659 on something is 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.980 obliterated by the 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.240 cross, because at 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.019 the cross God 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.620 gives you the 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.380 thing that He 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.380 cares about most. 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.380 He pays the 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.620 highest price for 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:56.900 you. 00:25:59.360 --> 00:26:00.660 And He proves 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.960 that He is in 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.460 control. 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:05.440 He proves that 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.279 His power and 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.860 His goodness 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.319 combine to give 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.360 us security when 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:10.059 we trust Him. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.740 To know that He is 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.640 good and He is in 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:15.180 control, and He is 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:16.200 working for our 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.440 good. 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.759 And so I want to 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.660 ask you tonight to 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.640 reflect on your own 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.080 life. 00:26:20.520 --> 00:26:21.580 Right now, is there 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.780 anything in your 00:26:22.780 --> 00:26:23.480 life, is there any 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.560 part of your life 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:25.600 that you are holding 00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.680 on to and trying to 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.060 control? 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.560 Are there dreams and 00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.540 ambitions in your 00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:33.220 life that you're 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.140 holding on to so 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:34.980 tightly that you 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.140 would not let go if 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.000 God asked you to? 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.120 Are there things that 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:42.600 you're sacrificing for, 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.940 that you're prioritizing, 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:46.640 that don't reflect the 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.340 one who bought you 00:26:48.340 --> 00:26:48.940 with the blood of 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.360 His Son? 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.700 What is it that you're 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.460 pouring your energy 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:54.799 into? 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.600 What is it that you're 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.759 sacrificing to get? 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.200 What is it that you're 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.200 dreaming about in your 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.660 life? 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:06.200 Because God's will for 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.200 you is that the answer 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.380 to all those questions 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.120 would be Him. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.680 That the thing you 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:13.880 dream about is Him. 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:16.000 The thing you sacrifice 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.940 for is Him. 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.599 The thing you pour your 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:20.299 energy into is Him and 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.599 His purpose and His 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.819 kingdom and His will. 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.440 His desire is that you 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:26.059 would be so satisfied in 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.779 Him that you would 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.700 joyfully empty your 00:27:28.700 --> 00:27:30.400 hands of the temporary, 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:34.220 inferior joys that the 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.180 world is trying to sell 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:35.539 us. 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:39.220 God alone is God. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:45.339 God alone belongs at the 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:46.759 center of your world. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:49.380 He alone has mapped out the 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:51.160 best path for your life. 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.160 God alone has a life. 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.160 God alone has a life. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.160 God alone has a life. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.160 God alone has a life. 00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.160 God alone has a life. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.460 God alone has a life full of 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:59.680 good gifts entrusted to you 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:01.500 for His purpose. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:10.140 Instead, you should say, if it 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.080 is the Lord's will. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.519 Let's pray. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:26.599 Father God, we want to 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:29.099 acknowledge and recognize 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:32.440 that we elevate ourselves, 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:34.259 we place trust in ourselves 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:38.339 that is misguided, that we 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:39.960 try and control things even 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.119 when we know we can't 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.680 logically. 00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:44.940 We still refuse to throw 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.160 ourselves on you and your 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.580 goodness. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.279 But God, we ask that you 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.720 would open our eyes to see 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.820 in the cross the guarantee 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:55.660 that your will is good, that 00:28:55.660 --> 00:29:00.000 your will is unstoppable, and 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:01.779 that there is much joy and 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.320 much blessing in living the 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.620 life that you have designed 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:05.200 for us. 00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.700 God, I pray that you would 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:10.100 open our eyes to see the 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.660 things or the areas of 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:13.519 the passions in our life 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:16.080 that we are keeping for 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.680 ourselves. 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.080 Things that we are elevating 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.680 above you. 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.860 God, I pray that tonight you 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.300 would shine brighter for us, 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:26.580 that we would recognize that 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:28.120 you are the true treasure, 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.560 that we would let go of 00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:31.720 things that we might grab 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:33.300 hold of more of you and be 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:34.740 more satisfied in you. 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:37.759 God, we pray for us as a 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:39.400 church that as we begin to 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:41.340 give ourselves, give our whole 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.759 lives, give everything that we 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:44.500 are and have to you and your 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:46.059 cause, that you might use us 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:48.399 mightily, that you might draw 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.959 others to come and know the 00:29:49.959 --> 00:29:51.379 hope and purpose that you have 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.519 ordained for your people. 00:29:53.419 --> 00:29:55.139 We pray that people would see a 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:56.299 difference in us, see a 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:58.199 contentment, see a security that 00:29:58.199 --> 00:29:59.939 cannot be found elsewhere. 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:02.600 We pray that in our difficult 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:03.940 times and in our prosperous 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:06.279 times that we would still hold 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:08.660 firmly to the truth that you are 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:11.539 king, that you rule, that you are 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.000 worthy. 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:16.620 Father, please open our hearts, 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:18.519 enable us to love you as you 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:20.559 deserve so that you might get the 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:20.860 glory. 00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:22.200 Amen.