WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.100 Alright, this morning I want to talk to you about building a living model. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:05.060 ! Building a living model. 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:11.820 This last Friday, May 1st, was our two-year anniversary of our church, for those who don't know. 00:00:12.599 --> 00:00:19.160 And as we look forward to the years ahead, I want to talk to you about this concept of a living model. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:25.080 Before I do that, I want to just briefly tell a little story here about the four-minute mile, 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:26.440 by way of introduction. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:36.880 Some of you guys know this, but for years, so many athletes had tried and failed to run a mile in less than four minutes. 00:00:37.900 --> 00:00:42.980 And actually, even doctors and such made it out to be a physical impossibility. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:44.500 Are you familiar with this at all? 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:46.439 They literally said, this can't be done. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:49.180 You cannot run less than a four-minute mile. 00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:56.280 On May 6, 1954, in Oxford, England, Roger Bannister became the first person to do it. 00:00:56.899 --> 00:01:00.960 Finishing in three minutes, 59.4 seconds. 00:01:01.839 --> 00:01:04.379 He did it, right? I thought it couldn't be done. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:10.120 Two months later, John Landy ran a mile in under four minutes in a race he lost to Bannister. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:16.459 Steve Scott has run 136 sub-four-minute miles in his lifetime. 00:01:16.459 --> 00:01:23.000 In 1997, Daniel Komen of Kenya ran two miles in less than eight minutes. 00:01:24.479 --> 00:01:30.899 Doubling up on Bannister's accomplishment, the current record is held by Hikam El-Garaj, 00:01:31.139 --> 00:01:37.819 who ran a time of three minutes, or three, yes, three minutes, 43.13 seconds. 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:39.879 Okay, in 1999. 00:01:40.279 --> 00:01:48.719 According to World Athletic Statistics, the four-minute barrier has been broken by just over 2,000 athletes. 00:01:49.419 --> 00:01:49.619 Okay? 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:57.280 So, for so long, a four-minute mile was never accomplished, and then in the 70 years after, 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:00.240 the record's blown to smithereens. 00:02:00.320 --> 00:02:00.920 What happened? 00:02:02.080 --> 00:02:02.580 What happened? 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:09.900 This quick glance at history would lead you to believe that it was impossible to run a four-minute mile 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:19.060 prior to May 6, 1954, but after May 6, 1954, it somehow became possible. 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:21.500 But we know that's not true, right? 00:02:21.980 --> 00:02:28.560 It wasn't some miracle that happened on May 6, 1954, where all of a sudden, the impossible became possible, 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:30.900 some kind of magic that he performed. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:36.099 It wasn't impossible before May 6, 1954. 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:38.000 It was just invisible. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.159 It was just invisible. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:42.979 No one had seen it done before. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:48.900 The impossible is made possible when the invisible is made visible. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:49.939 Okay? 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:56.939 On May 6, 1954, the impossible was made visible by one, making it possible for many. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:02:59.639 This is true for so much more than running. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:03.759 And today, I want to look at how it's true with the church. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:04.960 Okay? 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:09.420 I've heard so many people say they've never seen certain things in a local church. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:10.520 You ever had these conversations? 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:18.020 I remember a very discouraging conversation I had with my family on a trip up to Wisconsin years ago. 00:03:18.020 --> 00:03:23.360 And they all started saying all these things that they've never seen in a church. 00:03:23.540 --> 00:03:25.939 And then went on to say that they never would. 00:03:26.600 --> 00:03:28.140 And I'm thinking, wait a minute. 00:03:28.320 --> 00:03:28.820 Hold up. 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:30.580 Says who? 00:03:31.420 --> 00:03:32.760 Well, it says all of them. 00:03:32.860 --> 00:03:34.740 And they were pretty convinced of it. 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:38.000 And I'm telling them, I'm like, no. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:39.620 I've seen it. 00:03:40.200 --> 00:03:42.280 What you're saying is impossible. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:43.719 I've seen it. 00:03:44.200 --> 00:03:49.879 So they're all connecting around their unbelief. 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:51.379 And I'm like, no, no, no. 00:03:52.100 --> 00:03:55.540 Hey, I've seen what you say is impossible. 00:03:56.200 --> 00:03:58.540 But the reason, none of them believe me. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:00.660 They kind of just kind of pushed me off. 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:02.160 And I was like, good grief. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:03.939 But I get it. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:05.620 It's because they've never seen it. 00:04:06.819 --> 00:04:10.919 And the reason I have faith for it is because I have seen it. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.699 And it takes people to see something. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:19.620 And it takes people also to see it before it's seen. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:25.060 One of my favorite quotes, actually, is regarding Walt Disney. 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:31.040 Walt Disney had this vision to build the Disney theme park in Orlando, right? 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:33.260 But he died before it was finished. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:39.240 And there's a famous interaction between a reporter and Walt's brother. 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:40.100 I think it was Roy. 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:44.939 And they're standing in some place where they could oversee the whole park. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:51.259 And the reporter says to Roy, wow, if only Walt could have seen this. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:56.080 And Roy looks at him and says, if Walt didn't see this, it would have never existed. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:02.279 And again, this speaks of this seeing of something. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.459 Once you see it, now someone's got to see it. 00:05:05.859 --> 00:05:10.639 Bannister, with the four-minute mile, he believed it could happen even before it happened. 00:05:10.979 --> 00:05:18.240 But once he put it on display, over 2,000 other people now believe it's possible and have done it. 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:21.560 And there's a lot of things in the Bible. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:26.420 There's a lot of things about the church that people don't believe. 00:05:27.340 --> 00:05:29.939 And one of the reasons they don't believe it is they've never seen it. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:34.199 And this is one of the great privileges of the local church. 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:39.579 Not just that we could be a part of all the good things, like Samir has said. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:40.579 Things like adoption. 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.139 Things like all the good things we have in Christ Jesus. 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:47.879 But we can actually put on display invisible things. 00:05:48.159 --> 00:05:50.039 Things not visible to some people. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:53.519 We can experience them and make them visible. 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:55.019 Make the invisible visible. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:57.579 So that the invisible becomes valuable. 00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:01.399 And so that the invisible, in the eyes of many, becomes possible. 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:03.439 Do you believe this? 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:05.199 I believe it. 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.479 I've seen it happen. 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:10.180 And I would love to see it happen in churches all over. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:16.459 I have a firm and strong belief that church can be done the way God wants it to be done. 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:17.219 Why? 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:18.759 Because it's his church. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:22.120 Because he says, I will build my church. 00:06:22.539 --> 00:06:24.560 And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:06:24.919 --> 00:06:28.959 His church is invincible when it comes to hell. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:31.599 Now, if we build our own church and build our own way, 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:34.099 yeah, I got no hope that that's going to last. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:35.920 I got no hope in man's movements. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:42.479 I got no hope that our version of church is going to overcome the gates of hell. 00:06:42.539 --> 00:06:44.360 But I believe that his church will. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:48.459 And if we build what he is building, that we will see that. 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:50.480 And other people can see and have hope. 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:53.480 So the question is, how do we make the invisible visible 00:06:53.480 --> 00:06:56.800 so that people believe that the invisible is possible? 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:00.660 I want to look at very simple, just three things this morning. 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:01.060 Okay. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:05.400 First one is, you have to care. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:06.379 Okay. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:09.120 You have to care specifically about the church. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.020 You have to have conviction. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:11.800 Okay. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:15.620 You'll never endure discomfort for something you don't have conviction about. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:16.800 Right. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:18.759 You'll never endure discomfort. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:24.659 And there is discomfort that is required to put on display the things that God wants to show forth in his church. 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:32.720 But you'll never endure that discomfort if you don't first have conviction about what the church is supposed to be. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:39.660 For Christians, the best way to appropriate, to appropriately care about something is to know how much Christ cares for it. 00:07:40.380 --> 00:07:41.220 You follow me on that? 00:07:41.520 --> 00:07:46.440 The best way to have the appropriate care for something is know how much does Christ care about it. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:50.420 You know, Philippians 2.21 has this indictment that is spoken. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:50.939 It says, 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:55.920 They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:58.660 Jesus Christ has things he's interested in. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:02.899 One of those things that he's interested in is the church being a certain way. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:08.600 There are specific things in the Bible that are referred to when talking about the church. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:09.779 It's not one thing. 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:10.579 It's not two things. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:11.480 It's not five things. 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.459 It's not ten things. 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:16.159 I count at least 15 different things that the Bible says the church is. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:21.500 And for us to be convictional about what those things are and to say, 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:26.240 Hey, it's not okay if these things aren't expressed through the local church. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:29.240 And I want to do everything I can to see that expressed. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:32.240 Because I care about the interests of Christ. 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:35.399 If Christ is interested in these things, I'm interested in these things. 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:40.779 Acts 20.28, when Paul was speaking to the Ephesian elders in Miletus, 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:41.860 He said, 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:47.539 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:51.559 to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 00:08:51.679 --> 00:08:53.419 That last phrase there is important. 00:08:53.959 --> 00:08:58.779 If we want to care rightly, correctly, for the church of God, 00:08:58.959 --> 00:09:01.720 one of the keys is just remembering, 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:04.519 and this is part of the reason we take of the Lord's Table every week, 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:08.480 is remembering what was the cost of the church. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:12.319 Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:18.379 When we see what it cost to receive the church, 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:20.179 we start to value. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:21.860 We start to value it. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.279 If the cost of the church was the blood of Christ, 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.460 it is a very valuable thing. 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:30.560 Because we know the value of anything is what you pay for it. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:32.240 Someone says, 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.139 Hey man, my house is worth this. 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:35.440 And you walk through it and you're just like, 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:36.660 You get ripped off, man. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:38.259 This is not worth this. 00:09:39.780 --> 00:09:43.080 No one else is going to pay this much for this. 00:09:43.560 --> 00:09:45.220 But if you look at the church, you'd say, 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.620 What is the worth of the church? 00:09:46.800 --> 00:09:49.460 Why is the church worthy of our time? 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:51.440 Why is the church worthy of our effort? 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:56.160 Why is there worth in our putting in effort and sacrifice 00:09:56.160 --> 00:09:58.480 to see the church become what God says it's supposed to be? 00:09:58.680 --> 00:09:59.000 Why? 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:02.360 Well, let's look at what was paid for it. 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:05.240 The price of the church was the blood of Jesus. 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:08.760 The sacrifice of the Son, the sinless Savior. 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:10.900 When I look at it that way, I say, 00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:13.380 Oh my gosh, this is of great worth. 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:15.260 Ephesians 5.25 says, 00:10:15.260 --> 00:10:18.880 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.380 The price of the church was Christ. 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:24.220 The price of the church was Christ crucified. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:25.800 It's very valuable. 00:10:26.300 --> 00:10:28.820 What is of higher value than that? 00:10:29.900 --> 00:10:31.900 It truly is a pearl of great price. 00:10:32.400 --> 00:10:35.160 To say, well, Jesus thought the church was so valuable, 00:10:35.280 --> 00:10:36.440 he gave himself for her. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:39.200 And anyone who says that they love Jesus 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:40.560 should walk as Jesus did. 00:10:41.020 --> 00:10:42.100 1 John says this. 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:44.460 And so, number one, 00:10:44.560 --> 00:10:47.400 in order to put these things on display, 00:10:47.540 --> 00:10:48.740 we've got to start with just caring. 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:50.600 And I want to ask you, do you care? 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:51.900 Do you care? 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:52.940 And how much do you care? 00:10:53.300 --> 00:10:54.260 At the end of the day, 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:55.960 I've had times in my life where I've been convicted, 00:10:56.060 --> 00:10:58.520 like, I don't care enough about what Jesus cares about. 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:02.700 I don't care enough about what Jesus cared so much for 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:04.180 that he gave his all for it. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:05.900 He paid for it with his very life. 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:09.220 I want to care consistently 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:12.580 with what the scriptures say is of great worth. 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:14.660 And I would say there are, 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:16.260 what would be of greater worth 00:11:16.260 --> 00:11:17.900 than that which Jesus gave himself for? 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.259 So let me ask you the question, 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:21.299 do you care about the church? 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.799 Do you care appropriately? 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.659 Is it just kind of a, 00:11:25.079 --> 00:11:26.120 well, you know, I get it. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:26.799 I'm a Christian. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:30.159 I should attend a church somewhere on a Sunday morning. 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.459 Please. 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.539 I'm looking around here. 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.199 I know that the people in this room 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:37.039 know better than that, right? 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:38.699 You've been around enough to know 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:40.399 that that's not what Christ has for us. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.799 Christ didn't die so that we could attend 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.939 Sunday morning services. 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:46.460 It's like, praise God, Jesus died 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:48.280 so we have someplace to go on a Sunday morning. 00:11:49.760 --> 00:11:52.200 Jesus died so that I could fight with my spouse 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:54.420 and argue with my kids and getting them dressed 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:56.140 on a Sunday morning. 00:11:56.520 --> 00:11:57.300 Praise God. 00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:59.160 That was such a great thing that he did. 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:01.640 That's not what he, that's not why he did it. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.760 It was so much more than that. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.740 I'm not saying that that's the soul. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:07.420 Some of that, you understand. 00:12:08.520 --> 00:12:10.020 But it's so much more than that. 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.120 It's life together. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.620 It's a group of people. 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:16.639 It's a people for his own possession, right? 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:18.580 He died to purchase a people 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:20.159 and that people would be his church. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:21.539 That people would be his bride. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:23.120 That people would be a family. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.940 That people would be light and salt. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:28.100 That people would be an army of soldiers. 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:31.740 That people would be the people of God 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.659 who are possessed by God, okay? 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.740 So that's the first thing we gotta care. 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:40.279 Number two, we gotta care about the right things. 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.500 We gotta care about the right things. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:43.340 Okay? 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:46.159 So we got three sub-points within the second point. 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:48.580 Three things I think we need to care about 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.779 when we're thinking about the church. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.620 Number one, there are three things 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.560 that the church is to make known. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:57.159 Number one, and this is of utmost importance, 00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:00.700 is we have to care about the wisdom of God 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:01.659 being made known. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:04.539 This comes from a very important verse in the Bible 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:07.639 in Ephesians chapter 3, verses 8 through 11. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.180 Listen as I read this scripture. 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:11.379 To me though, this is Paul, 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.519 I am the very least of all the saints. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:16.819 This grace was given to preach to the Gentiles 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:19.159 the unsearchable riches of Christ 00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:22.620 and to bring to light for everyone 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:26.899 what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God. 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.299 Okay? 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.819 Already you got my attention. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.519 You're gonna bring to light the plan of the mystery. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:36.379 This is something that people have been longing to know. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.840 The Bible says even angels longed to look into this. 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:42.019 This is what the prophets could see partially 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.240 but they didn't see it fully. 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:45.759 This is what people have been longing to know 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:47.319 all the way up until this point. 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:50.659 This plan of God that was a mystery 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.100 hidden for ages in God. 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.519 Then it says, 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:57.000 who created all things so that... 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.039 Whoa, time out again. 00:13:58.039 --> 00:14:00.019 Again, he's about to tell us 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.919 why he created all things. 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.559 Does he have your attention? 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:04.699 He's got my attention. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.519 Anytime God's about to say, 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.980 hey, I'm not just... 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.819 I want to tell you why he created all things. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.299 Okay? 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.539 I'm listening. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.559 That's a big deal. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.539 Why you created all things. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.319 So he says, 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:21.020 So the reason is what? 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:23.920 So that through the church, 00:14:24.440 --> 00:14:25.960 the manifold wisdom of God 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.220 may now be made known 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.780 to the rulers and authorities 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:30.360 in the heavenly places. 00:14:30.640 --> 00:14:31.980 So God had this plan 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.660 hidden throughout the ages 00:14:33.660 --> 00:14:35.320 that the rulers and authorities 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.320 in heavenly realms 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:38.500 would know the wisdom of God 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:40.360 through a particular entity 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:42.520 called the church. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.899 And this was why 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.279 all things were created. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.860 Oh, come on, Josh. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:51.039 I just read it, right? 00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.460 That's what it says. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.399 All things that were created 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:56.120 so that a particular entity 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.539 called the church, 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.319 through that entity, 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.860 rulers and authorities 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.919 in heavenly places 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.720 would know the wisdom of God. 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.699 This was according to 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:07.199 the eternal purpose 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:08.699 that he has realized 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:10.000 in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:12.179 We're talking eternal purpose. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.479 We're talking the reason 00:15:13.479 --> 00:15:14.359 earth was created. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.839 We're talking the mystery 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:17.139 that has been hidden 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:19.059 in ages in God. 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:21.239 This is big deal stuff right here. 00:15:21.979 --> 00:15:22.120 Okay? 00:15:22.239 --> 00:15:24.659 Paul's unpacking quite a bit. 00:15:24.819 --> 00:15:25.179 And these, I mean, 00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:26.279 you could preach on this 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.599 for a long time. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:29.059 This is big deal stuff. 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.239 But it tells us, 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.120 hey, number one, 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.039 there's a wisdom 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.959 that God wants to make known, 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:36.679 which number one, 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.899 what is the wisdom of God? 00:15:37.979 --> 00:15:39.019 The wisdom of God is what? 00:15:39.099 --> 00:15:39.899 Christ crucified. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:42.360 We see this in 1 Corinthians, right? 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:44.939 God wants to display 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:47.199 to not humans. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.279 So the eternal purpose 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.480 is the ultimate test 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.159 of whether or not 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:53.299 we are just consumers 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:54.639 in it for our own good 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:56.179 because the eternal purpose 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:58.259 has nothing to do with us. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.259 Do you hear that? 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.759 He created the earth 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:02.139 so that the church could exist 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.699 to display the wisdom of God 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.639 to us? 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.360 No. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:07.319 To rulers and authorities 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:08.139 in heavenly realms. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.419 Is that offensive to you? 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:11.319 Hopefully it offends your pride. 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.600 It was meant to. 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.220 God is fully committed 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.199 to offending your pride, 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:15.679 by the way. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:19.500 He didn't create this 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.840 to be displayed for us. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.240 We are supposed to, 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.340 as the church, 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:26.179 display wisdom. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.019 How do we do that? 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.580 Through a crucified life. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.559 Through a life that is laid down 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:33.539 for Jesus and for one another. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.360 The cross should be displayed 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.799 through an entity called the church 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.019 so that rulers and authorities 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.919 in heavenly places 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.779 would know the wisdom of God. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:43.099 This is a phenomenal thing. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.620 This is an awesome thing. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.519 Do you have a value 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.959 for the wisdom of God 00:16:47.959 --> 00:16:48.759 being made known 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:51.099 to entities far above us? 00:16:51.979 --> 00:16:52.839 Rulers and authorities 00:16:52.839 --> 00:16:53.679 in heavenly realms. 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:55.299 That's one of the reasons 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:57.159 why the church exists. 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.419 This is the eternal purpose. 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.379 This is the reason 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.679 that all things were created, 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.979 that through the church. 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:04.079 Do you believe in that phrase, 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.079 through the church? 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:07.059 This is why we make such a big deal 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.119 about the local church. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.259 Because the whole earth 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.220 was created so that 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:12.199 that entity could display something. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.299 So it's a big deal. 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.819 It's a big deal. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.899 So that's the first thing. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.699 We have to care about 00:17:18.699 --> 00:17:19.679 the wisdom of God 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.500 being made known. 00:17:21.679 --> 00:17:22.359 Number two, 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:23.939 we should care about 00:17:23.939 --> 00:17:25.460 the character of God 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.639 being made known. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.519 In other words, 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.720 what is God like? 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:29.859 Well, how do we know 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.779 what God is like? 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:34.119 Well, Jesus incarnated God. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.220 He is God. 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.180 And then incarnated 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.399 who God was 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:39.440 into an actual human. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.019 Right? 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.240 So that we could see 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.899 what God was like. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:42.180 He says, 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.339 if you've seen me, 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.859 you've seen the Father. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.879 It says that Jesus 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:47.259 is the exact representation 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.379 of God. 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:49.259 Okay? 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:51.000 So he put on display 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.200 what God was like. 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:55.180 And when he rose 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.620 from the dead 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:57.360 and then ascended 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.039 into heaven, 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:01.360 do we have no longer 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.200 any representation 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.640 of Christ 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.480 in the earth anymore? 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.259 No. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.420 We still do. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:07.279 And what is it called? 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.440 His body. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.940 What is his body? 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.900 The church. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.200 Ephesians 1, 22-23 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:13.580 says, 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.360 The church, 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.039 which is his body, 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.720 the fullness of him 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.400 who fills all in all. 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:21.300 So God wants to fill up 00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:21.940 the world 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:24.019 with this picture 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.240 of who God is. 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.780 He wants to fill it up 00:18:26.780 --> 00:18:27.680 with this entity 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.519 called his body. 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:31.340 Even though his physical body 00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:32.420 is no longer here, 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.440 it ascended into heaven, 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:36.200 he has his body 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.980 still on the earth 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.300 in this thing called 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:39.380 the church. 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.860 And through that, 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.840 the fullness of him 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.880 who fills all in all. 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:47.180 He wants people to see 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.600 what he is like 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.759 now not through 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:51.319 his actual physical body 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.139 because he ascended. 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.939 But he sent his spirit 00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:55.019 and filled up 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.939 a group of people 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:58.439 to now represent him. 00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.019 Right? 00:18:59.179 --> 00:19:00.679 Ephesians 2, 19-22 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.119 says, 00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:02.779 You are members 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.299 of the household of God 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:06.240 built on the foundation 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.699 of the apostles and prophets, 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.379 Christ Jesus himself 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.339 being the cornerstone 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:11.779 in whom the whole structure 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.619 being joined together 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.799 grows into a holy temple 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.379 in the Lord. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.319 In him you also 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.740 are being built together 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:19.220 into a dwelling place 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:20.740 for God by the Spirit. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.759 So he wants the church 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:24.380 to be built together. 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.380 And we're not talking 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.480 about a building itself. 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.059 We're not talking about 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.599 the walls of a building 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:28.900 like this. 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:29.900 We're talking about people 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.299 being built together 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.120 for what? 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:34.620 To be a dwelling place 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.980 for God by the Spirit 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.440 so that people could see 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.279 what God is like. 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:41.359 1 Corinthians 3, 16-17. 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.680 And when you hear the word 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.579 you in this verse, 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:45.200 the Greek in that is plural. 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.440 So it says, 00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:47.160 Do you not know 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.279 that you, plural, 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.559 are God's temple 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.819 and that God's Spirit 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.640 dwells in you? 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.180 If anyone destroys 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.900 God's temple, 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.200 God will destroy him. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.960 For God's temple is holy 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:58.539 and you, plural, 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.960 are that temple. 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.559 We are to be a temple 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:03.799 that God inhabits. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.860 That people can see 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.539 what God is like 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.160 because they see 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.380 his body on the earth 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.519 in this temple. 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:12.080 1 John 4, verse 12 00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.160 in the NIV says, 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:15.120 No one has ever seen God, 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.420 but if we love one another, 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.600 God lives in us 00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.360 and his love 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.740 is made complete in us. 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:23.080 So what does that mean? 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.779 From that verse, 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.300 I can say, 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.400 Your revelation 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.279 of the love of God 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.019 is incomplete 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.980 apart from people. 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:31.420 So if you want to be a hermit 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.900 and go live in a monastery 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:34.420 or go sit in a prayer room 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.680 for all your time, 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.519 you're missing it. 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:38.660 It says, 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.400 No one has ever seen God, 00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:43.100 but if we love one another, 00:20:43.540 --> 00:20:44.960 God lives in us 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.840 and his love 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:47.500 is made complete in us. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.600 Okay? 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:50.180 Well, is God's love 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.500 incomplete? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:50.980 No. 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.820 He's not talking about 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.800 his actual love. 00:20:52.840 --> 00:20:53.240 He's talking about 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:55.120 the expression of it, 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.140 the view of it 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.880 is incomplete 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:58.940 apart from real skin 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.320 of like real people. 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:01.340 Right? 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.600 Real flesh and blood 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:05.360 who are indwelt by God 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:07.380 modeling who God is 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:08.840 by the way they live 00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:09.460 in love. 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.000 This is why we have 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.060 verses like Romans 15, 7. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.280 Welcome one another. 00:21:15.520 --> 00:21:15.800 How? 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:18.220 As Christ has welcomed you 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:20.040 for the glory of God. 00:21:20.280 --> 00:21:21.720 When people are welcomed 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.560 with Christ-like affection 00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:24.320 and love, 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:26.100 they know what God is like 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:27.600 because of how we welcome them. 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.620 Colossians 3, 13 says, 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.960 As the Lord has forgiven you, 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.520 so also you must forgive. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.260 When we forgive others 00:21:34.260 --> 00:21:35.440 the way we've been forgiven, 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:37.100 people are able to understand 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.579 how Christ has forgiven them. 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.659 Ephesians 5, 25 again says, 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.539 Husbands, love your wives. 00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:44.959 How? 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.039 As Christ loved the church 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.500 and gave himself up for her. 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:50.459 Marriage is putting on display 00:21:50.459 --> 00:21:52.240 how Christ loves his church. 00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:54.119 John 13, 34. 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:56.399 Just as I have loved you, 00:21:56.959 --> 00:21:58.719 you also are to love one another. 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.179 Being able to see how God loves 00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:02.519 because of how we love one another. 00:22:02.719 --> 00:22:04.240 John 15, 12 to 13. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.779 This is my commandment 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.740 that you love one another. 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.120 How? 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:09.200 As I have loved you. 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.539 Greater love has no one than this, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:13.559 than someone lay down his life 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.339 for his friends. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.720 In 1 John 3, 16. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.460 By this we know love, 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:20.640 that he laid down his life for us 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.480 and we ought to lay down our lives 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.099 for the brothers. 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.720 Do you see this? 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:27.180 The character of God being made known 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.519 when we love one another 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.420 as we've been loved. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.380 When we forgive one another 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.359 as we've been forgiven. 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.440 When we welcome one another 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.539 as we've been welcomed. 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:36.180 We end up being the body of Christ, 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.320 being indwelt by God. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.960 The love of God is shed abroad 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.440 into the hearts of those around us 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.660 because they've seen it 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.539 in a group of people. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.200 It's not theory. 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:46.259 We're making the invisible visible. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.200 God is not visible. 00:22:48.580 --> 00:22:48.820 It says, 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.880 No one has seen God, 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.100 but when we love one another, 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.920 God lives in us 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.539 and his love is made complete in us. 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:55.960 We are making visible the invisible 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:58.440 so that people now have faith for it. 00:22:58.440 --> 00:23:00.660 The invisible made visible 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:02.160 makes the invisible valuable. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.940 It makes the invisible possible. 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:05.200 Wait a second. 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:06.820 I could be loved this way? 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.320 I never thought anyone could love me this way 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.279 until, 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.519 and I for sure never thought 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.519 God could love me this way, 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:15.799 until I saw his people love me 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.920 the way God loves me. 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.080 And it opened my eyes. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.680 It opened my heart. 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:22.799 It helped me to experience something 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.180 I had heard about, 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.779 I had dreamed about, 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.420 but I had never seen. 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.119 Now that I've seen it, 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.539 now that I've tasted of it, 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.399 I'm in. 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.359 I'm sold. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:34.599 And I want as many people as possible 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:36.599 to experience what I've experienced. 00:23:37.079 --> 00:23:38.420 You see what I'm saying here? 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.579 Number three, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.299 the kingdom of God made known. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:43.160 We have to care 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.500 about the kingdom of God 00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:45.359 being made known. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.139 Essentially, 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.879 seeing the church 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:48.139 is like kingdom embassies. 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.259 What is the kingdom like? 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.200 1 Peter 2 verse 9 says, 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.420 You're a holy nation. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.579 And Ephesians 2 verse 19 says, 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:56.399 You're no longer strangers and aliens, 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:58.059 but you're fellow citizens 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.879 with the saints 00:23:58.879 --> 00:24:01.059 and members of the household of God. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.480 Philippians 3 verse 20 says, 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:04.419 Your citizenship is in heaven. 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:06.079 So it's a group of people 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.779 whose citizenship is in heaven, 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:10.759 a holy nation of heavenly people. 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.519 Okay? 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:12.919 So think of it like, 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.299 but we're living in a world 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.779 that is not ultimately, 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:18.059 right now, 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:19.960 expressed in the way 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.279 that our heavenly citizenship 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:23.559 is expressed. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:25.279 as it is in heaven, 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.619 it is not on earth 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.659 in all things. 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.559 But, 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.139 where the church exists 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.279 as a heavenly embassy, 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.279 just like an embassy 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.220 in another country, 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:35.220 all the culture of the country, 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.980 all the laws of the country, 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.599 all the rules of the country, 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.759 are expressed in that embassy. 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.720 And there are ambassadors 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.200 in those embassies 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.679 who go to other places 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:47.559 and represent the kingdom 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.539 or the country 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.480 from where they're coming. 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:52.000 we too are to build 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.200 an expression, 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.380 a living model 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:56.079 of what heaven is like, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.160 of what it's like 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.960 to be ruled by King Jesus, 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.920 of what it's like 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.839 to love one another, 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.220 take care of one another, 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.660 suffer with one another, 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.700 rejoice with one another. 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:06.660 We create little pockets 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:08.480 of heaven on earth 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.400 called the church 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.740 and then become ambassadors 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.839 of that 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.799 to people 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.740 who've never heard of it, 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.680 who've never seen it. 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.480 And we say, 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.900 we speak a message 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.700 and then we point 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.540 to an expression 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:20.500 as ambassadors 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:22.519 where they can experience 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.320 a part of heaven 00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:25.240 not just in the words we say 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.120 but in the life that we live. 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.920 This is the kingdom of God 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.600 being made known. 00:25:30.780 --> 00:25:31.960 2 Corinthians 5.20 says, 00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:32.660 we're ambassadors 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:34.140 for Christ. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.420 God making his appeal 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.280 through us. 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.360 We implore you 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.240 on behalf of Christ 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.620 be reconciled to God. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:42.300 Ephesians 6.19-20 00:25:42.300 --> 00:25:42.800 Paul says, 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:44.300 pray that words 00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:45.140 may be given to me 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.840 and opening my mouth boldly 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:48.319 to proclaim the mystery 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.000 of the gospel 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.480 for which I am 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.259 an ambassador in chains 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.980 that I may declare it boldly 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.179 as I ought to speak. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.759 Do you see this? 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:57.959 Do you have a vision? 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:58.899 Do you care 00:25:58.899 --> 00:26:00.480 about the kingdom of God 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.199 being made known 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:02.199 in a group of people 00:26:02.199 --> 00:26:03.139 so that 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.859 what you say 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.720 about God 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.539 and his kingdom 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.839 you can point to? 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.179 You can display it. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.220 People can say, 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.779 oh, I get it. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:14.099 I understand 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.000 what you're saying. 00:26:15.379 --> 00:26:16.459 I experienced that 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.059 the other night 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.420 in so-and-so's living room. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.120 Oh, I get it. 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:20.819 I understand. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.039 I experienced that 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.880 the other day 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.819 when so-and-so 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:26.279 helped me with this 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.180 and so-and-so 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:28.740 cried with me. 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:30.019 When so-and-so 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.900 watched my kids 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.940 as if they were their own. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.360 When so-and-so 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.900 cared enough 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.980 to speak into my marriage. 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.980 When so-and-so 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:39.600 adopted me 00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:40.559 as a single person 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.400 and is just like 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.880 I was a part 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.460 of their family. 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.940 I understand 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.680 this reality 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.539 you speak of 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.140 in the gospel 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.559 because 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.779 it's lived 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.480 among a group 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.019 of people. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.600 Heaven has come down 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.400 into a particular 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.100 group of people 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:54.319 and it's called 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.100 the church. 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.480 Some groups of people 00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:57.799 would say, 00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.620 oh, we want to see 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.620 that everywhere. 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.799 Yes, we do want 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.720 to see that everywhere. 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.120 But some people 00:27:03.120 --> 00:27:04.059 want to do that 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.840 by aborting 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:05.579 the means that 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.279 God has created 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.420 to bring that everywhere. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:09.340 We're not revivalists 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.259 seeking revival. 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.920 We are Christians 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.079 who are ambassadors 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.779 for Christ 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.480 who build 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.619 an experience 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:17.980 of that 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.180 demonstration of people 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.859 in the context 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.519 of church 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.400 and then seek 00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.079 to be ambassadors 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.599 of bringing 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:23.240 as many people 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.240 into that as possible. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.559 But the core place 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.319 that that's happening 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.400 is what Jesus 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:29.579 in his eternal purpose 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.579 created the whole earth 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.960 for that through the church 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.920 this would happen. 00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.819 There's no other means. 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.640 There's no other means. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.859 It's through the church. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:38.920 And when you get 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.079 a vision for that 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.559 you do Romans 1, 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.339 11 to 12 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.559 you say things like 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.919 I long to see you 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.740 that I may impart 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.740 to you some spiritual 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.919 gift to strengthen you. 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.099 That is 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:50.579 that we may be 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.679 mutually encouraged 00:27:51.679 --> 00:27:53.039 by each other's faith 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:54.139 both yours and mine. 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.720 This is an expression 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.559 of the kingdom of God 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:56.839 together 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:58.000 where we're both encouraged 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.419 because we're with each other. 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.720 It's Hebrews 10, 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.939 24 to 25. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.279 Let us consider 00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:04.039 how to stir up 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.419 one another 00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:05.519 to love and good works 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.679 not neglecting 00:28:06.679 --> 00:28:07.619 to meet together 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.919 as is the habit 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:09.480 of some 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.500 but encouraging 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.000 one another 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.779 all the more 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.279 as you see 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.319 the day drawing near. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.980 It's a group of people 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.640 who are encouraging 00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.180 one another 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.460 strengthening one another 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.440 building a strong 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.519 foundation of kingdom 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.819 reality on earth 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.900 as it is in heaven. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:23.019 That's the church. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.559 But it doesn't just 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.539 sit there and enjoy 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.279 this on earth 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:27.380 as it is in heaven 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:28.460 with a bunch of Christians 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.940 where they're in it 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.079 the context of church 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.279 where it's all about us 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.920 and we're never 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.819 outward focused 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.720 and we have no vision 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.259 for mission. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.900 it's a group of people 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.859 who are a holy nation 00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.379 experiencing on earth 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.339 as it is heaven 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.960 but then functioning 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.879 as ambassadors 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:44.119 of that kingdom 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:45.119 ambassadors 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:46.599 of that holy nation 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.859 who are constantly 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.279 going out to the world 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.859 and saying 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:52.140 come experience heaven 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.339 come experience 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.319 the good news 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.379 of the gospel 00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.279 of the kingdom 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.960 right? 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.720 The gospel of the kingdom 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.379 the good news 00:28:59.379 --> 00:28:59.920 an ambassador 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.119 is a trumpeter 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.920 of the good news 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.440 of the kingdom 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.059 and he's always 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.980 experiencing it 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:06.000 among his local church 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.840 so he's not 00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:07.539 as Brendan Manning 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:07.940 puts it 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.140 a spiritual travel agent 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.160 handing out brochures 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.559 to places he's never been. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.940 He's been there. 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.100 He knows it. 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.380 He's experienced it. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.720 And he's able 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:19.180 not only to speak it 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.600 and not just speak it 00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:21.080 as someone 00:29:21.080 --> 00:29:22.480 who wishes 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.259 he's been there 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.320 who's dreamt about it 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:25.279 who's read about it 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.380 but has actually 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.420 experienced it 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:29.779 and then his words 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.840 have so much more power 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.500 because he's not 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.420 speaking theory 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.740 he's not speaking 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.440 about something 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.300 he's never seen 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.060 or experienced 00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.880 he's saying 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.460 no listen 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.620 I've been there 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:39.720 I've experienced this 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.860 come experience 00:29:40.860 --> 00:29:42.019 the good news 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.740 of the gospel 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.340 of the kingdom 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:45.140 come experience it 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.700 this is what 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.900 the good news is 00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.140 this is why 00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.960 it's so important 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:51.460 that we are convicted 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.880 about building 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.600 on earth 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.259 as it is in heaven 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.880 about building 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.019 healthy churches 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.620 that model this 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.740 a living model 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.980 of what we're talking about 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.900 this is why 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:01.580 we're so zealous 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.080 about this 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.859 this is why 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:04.139 Jesus said 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:05.119 in Psalm 69 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.439 and then quoted it 00:30:06.439 --> 00:30:07.899 in John 2 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.579 when he made a whip 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:10.179 and cleared out the temple 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:11.480 zeal for God's house 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.379 consumes me 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.879 it's a consuming zeal 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:15.359 to see these 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.579 local churches 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.460 be expressions 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.439 of heaven on earth 00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:20.259 so that as ambassadors 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.559 we're not speaking 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.159 of things 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.639 that have no weight 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:25.359 that have no glory 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:26.679 that have no reality 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.840 okay 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:29.299 the impossible 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.340 is made possible 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:31.600 when the invisible 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:33.060 is made visible 00:30:33.060 --> 00:30:35.060 what are we making visible 00:30:35.060 --> 00:30:36.279 can we make visible 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.460 healthy church 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.539 do you know how many people 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.400 I come into contact 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.539 who do not believe 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.240 that healthy church 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.820 is possible 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:43.360 I mean it's at 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:44.539 epidemic proportions 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:46.680 I'm not discouraged 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:46.980 though 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:49.440 because I have a promise 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.840 that 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:51.900 he will build 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.620 his church 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.660 and the gates of hell 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.320 shall not prevail 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:54.980 against it 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.460 and so I talk to some people 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:56.879 it looks like 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.439 wow it looks like 00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:58.019 the gates of hell 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.500 are prevailing 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.579 it looks like 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.119 these people 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:00.919 would never believe 00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:01.839 that there's healthy church 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.399 and I say 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:04.059 really 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:06.119 my God 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:07.059 will be thwarted 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:07.720 by these things 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.859 I don't think so 00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:10.619 this is the one 00:31:10.619 --> 00:31:11.740 undefeatable 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:13.539 okay 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.939 thing that God 00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.379 has created 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.139 it's the church 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:17.460 it cannot lose 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:19.220 it cannot lose 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.559 when it 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.359 when it is going 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.599 against the gates of hell 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.599 it will prevail 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:24.039 and we can have 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.859 confidence in that 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.579 but 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:27.019 man 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.799 my heart 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:29.220 beats and longs 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.639 to see as many 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:31.279 healthy churches 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:31.980 as possible 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.659 so that 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.420 those who 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.279 have experienced 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.220 horrible experiences 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.759 in church 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.899 or they've started 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.299 to think 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.500 this isn't even possible 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.579 that they can see 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.599 no this is possible 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:42.720 and the good news 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.700 is in fact that 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.779 it is good news 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.740 it's awesome 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.319 when we can make 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.279 the invisible visible 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:49.180 some people have never 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.359 seen good church leadership 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.899 can we put on display 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.940 good church leadership 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.559 as elders are appointed 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.600 as other people 00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.400 rise up into 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.140 other positions 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.720 of leadership 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.539 in the church 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.700 can we put on display 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.519 what good leadership 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.200 looks like 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.460 can we put on display 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.259 what a plurality 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.660 of leadership 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.360 looks like 00:32:04.360 --> 00:32:05.140 instead of 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.000 one man shows 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.180 that have 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.480 one point of failure 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.480 and have no 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.279 biblical precedent 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.940 in the scriptures 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:12.340 but like healthy 00:32:12.340 --> 00:32:13.100 leaders working 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.500 together 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.539 disagreeing well 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.180 with one another 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:16.100 working through 00:32:16.100 --> 00:32:16.860 things together 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:18.019 can we do that 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.539 can we put that 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.080 on display 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:20.220 we can 00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:22.059 can we put on display 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.059 church as family 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:24.419 not just having 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:25.599 the language of family 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.379 but the experience 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:26.799 of family 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.179 there's nothing 00:32:27.179 --> 00:32:28.199 more disillusioning 00:32:28.199 --> 00:32:28.819 than having the 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.599 language of family 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:30.439 without the expression 00:32:30.439 --> 00:32:30.980 of it 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.659 don't get so enamored 00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:34.179 and dreamy 00:32:34.179 --> 00:32:35.039 about the language 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.720 of family 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.500 when we're not 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.559 willingly opening up 00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.039 our homes 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.539 and our hearts 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.259 and our schedules 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.500 to create real 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.759 atmospheres of family 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.519 amongst us 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.419 you really want to 00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:44.220 disillusion someone 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.359 talk about family 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.500 without actually 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.960 putting skin in the game 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:49.019 to create it 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.240 and to experience it 00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:52.039 let us be the kind 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.460 of people 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.559 that don't speak 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.059 of something 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.840 that we don't know 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.559 but that really 00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.299 we can function 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:56.980 as a family 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:58.860 can we make 00:32:58.860 --> 00:32:59.480 the impossible 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:01.460 possible by making 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.000 the invisible 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.840 visible with 00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:03.740 being a church 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.279 on mission 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.160 some people think 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.559 there's no 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.079 I don't even 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.860 understand how 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.720 we can be 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.600 a church on mission 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.600 I don't understand 00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:10.259 how small 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.380 families of believers 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.140 can be on mission 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.059 to specific people 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.519 and places 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.420 and do it in a way 00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:15.500 that we're engaged 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.100 and excited 00:33:16.100 --> 00:33:17.319 it is possible 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:18.500 I've seen it 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:20.200 I'm seeing it here 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.859 at Christ Church 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.439 let's continue 00:33:21.439 --> 00:33:22.500 to put that on display 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.839 can we put on display 00:33:23.839 --> 00:33:25.039 healthy church membership 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:28.019 so often people 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:29.220 get nauseated 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.960 when you even mention 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.079 the topic of membership 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.119 but I think it's one 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:32.919 of the most beautiful 00:33:32.919 --> 00:33:34.500 biblical realities 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.899 and when it's played 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:36.460 out well 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.559 it is powerful 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.899 it is impactful 00:33:38.899 --> 00:33:40.059 and it points 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:40.599 to heaven 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:43.200 can we put on display 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.399 healthy church discipline 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.620 some people 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:45.620 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:46.560 balk at the idea 00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:47.360 of church discipline 00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:47.680 and say 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.140 oh really 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.900 you're a church 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.000 that does church discipline 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:51.240 I can't tell you 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:51.900 how much fruit 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:52.519 I've seen 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:54.280 I'm calling the wayward soul 00:33:54.280 --> 00:33:55.220 back to Jesus 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.660 through church discipline 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:57.780 it bears fruit 00:33:57.780 --> 00:33:59.160 because it's God's idea 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:01.019 can we put on display 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.200 gospel centrality 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.759 having our motivation 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.620 and our fuel 00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.640 be the person 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.620 and the work of Jesus 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:08.900 in a gospel dense culture 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.400 where it's 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.500 it's everywhere 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.880 it's everywhere 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.000 everything we're doing 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:16.619 is because he first loved us 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.760 1 John 4 19 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:19.539 can we put on display 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:21.139 a freedom to confess sin 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.500 just talking to a brother 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:22.960 the other day 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.320 who was a part of another church 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.579 in another state 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:27.119 and he lived there 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.119 for multiple years 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.159 and he ended up 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:30.980 falling into some sin 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.920 in his marriage 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:34.079 some sexual sin 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.079 and he ended up 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.940 confessing it to them 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.599 and you would have thought 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.679 he said something to them 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:38.800 that they'd never heard before 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:40.059 and they looked at him 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.659 with kind of like 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:41.320 kind of 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:42.099 they didn't say it 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.339 but they basically said it 00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:44.980 we don't do that here 00:34:44.980 --> 00:34:45.619 kind of thing 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:45.960 you know 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.480 and it's like 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:46.920 what? 00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:49.039 and there's churches 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.659 like this 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:50.579 where it's like 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.039 no no no 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.940 we don't talk about our sins 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.319 what about a church 00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:56.319 that has all 00:34:56.319 --> 00:34:58.400 their identity 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.339 and their worth 00:34:59.339 --> 00:35:00.039 and the person 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.400 and the work of Jesus Christ 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.199 so that they're free 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:03.360 to share all their foibles 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.039 and failures 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.940 free to confess their sins 00:35:05.940 --> 00:35:07.319 free to lose 00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:07.960 because they have 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.920 everything in Christ 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:10.179 and so they can lose 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.900 their reputation 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.720 they can lose 00:35:11.720 --> 00:35:13.000 what people might think 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.260 of them 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:13.940 because they know 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.460 that Jesus 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.400 loves them 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:16.340 not for who they are 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.740 but for who Jesus is 00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:18.460 and what he's done 00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:20.460 if we put that on display 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.519 can we make that visible 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.400 can we make 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.340 suffering together 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:24.300 and rejoicing together 00:35:24.300 --> 00:35:24.760 visible 00:35:24.760 --> 00:35:26.000 can we make an 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.139 all of life expression 00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:28.039 of church visible 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:29.320 rather than just 00:35:29.320 --> 00:35:30.519 this compartmentalized 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.260 you can get this 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.559 Jesus 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.880 but you can't touch that 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:34.160 can we make that visible 00:35:34.160 --> 00:35:34.860 with joy 00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:36.180 so that people come in 00:35:36.180 --> 00:35:36.440 and say 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.260 wow this sounds 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:38.760 like way too much 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.300 and we say 00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.780 it is apart from Christ 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.420 but in Christ 00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:42.200 it's all joy 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.900 it's joy 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.660 it's pleasure 00:35:44.660 --> 00:35:46.220 can we put on display 00:35:46.220 --> 00:35:47.220 healthy marriage 00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:48.700 can we put on display 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:49.480 healthy marriage 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:50.560 I remember one of the main reasons 00:35:50.560 --> 00:35:51.660 I wanted to get married 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:52.440 as a young person 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.940 is because 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.940 the youth group 00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.780 that I was a part of 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.440 at the time 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.780 that I was 00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:57.960 helping pastor 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.760 at the time 00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:59.680 more 00:35:59.680 --> 00:36:01.039 more kids than not 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.660 were coming from 00:36:01.660 --> 00:36:02.480 divorced families 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.820 and they had no clue 00:36:03.820 --> 00:36:05.019 because they'd never seen it 00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:06.000 they didn't know 00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:06.720 what a healthy family 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.280 looked like 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:09.080 and I wanted to get married 00:36:09.080 --> 00:36:10.040 and have kids 00:36:10.040 --> 00:36:10.760 so that I could 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:12.800 make the invisible visible 00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:14.100 I wanted people 00:36:14.100 --> 00:36:15.160 in broken families 00:36:15.160 --> 00:36:15.740 to be able to see 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:17.100 no it's possible 00:36:17.100 --> 00:36:18.460 it's possible 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.800 can we put on display 00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:20.700 healthy marriage 00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:21.820 can we put on display 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:22.840 healthy parenting 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:24.540 child discipline 00:36:24.540 --> 00:36:25.480 can we put on display 00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:26.880 disciplining our children 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.060 in a loving way 00:36:28.060 --> 00:36:28.920 in a consistent way 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:29.720 so that our kids 00:36:29.720 --> 00:36:30.540 rise up 00:36:30.540 --> 00:36:31.660 and call us blessed 00:36:31.660 --> 00:36:32.900 and people don't look 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.880 upon them with scorn 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:35.660 can we put on display 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.679 an orderly kids 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.579 an orderly family 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:39.440 orderly large families 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.119 who love Jesus 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:40.819 some people think 00:36:40.819 --> 00:36:41.899 it's so spiritual 00:36:41.899 --> 00:36:42.940 to have a bunch of kids 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:44.039 if you have a bunch of kids 00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.819 and they're disorderly 00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.219 all you did 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:45.839 would just create 00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:46.460 more disorder 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.420 if you have a bunch of kids 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.279 and they don't love Jesus 00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:49.839 there's no blessing in that 00:36:49.839 --> 00:36:50.519 that's a curse 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.899 you're just creating 00:36:51.899 --> 00:36:53.159 a bunch more people 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:54.119 who don't love Jesus 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:56.139 there's nothing spiritual 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:57.359 about a large family 00:36:57.359 --> 00:36:58.539 unless it's stewarded 00:36:58.539 --> 00:37:00.239 but can we put that 00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:00.859 on display 00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:02.259 can we put on display 00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:03.139 spiritual fathers 00:37:03.139 --> 00:37:03.639 and mothers 00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.480 can we put on display 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:05.379 healthy dating 00:37:05.380 --> 00:37:06.860 can we put on display 00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:08.039 this reality 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:09.019 which so many people 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.039 have no grit for 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:11.860 that Jesus Christ died 00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.460 so that people 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.720 could be free from lust 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:14.920 I'm not talking about 00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.700 for one week 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.440 or two weeks 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.160 I'm talking about 00:37:17.160 --> 00:37:17.980 for their whole life 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.400 can we put on display 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.519 that lust isn't something 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.380 that guys just need 00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:22.140 to settle and say 00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:23.740 this is just the way it is 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:25.460 I know many guys 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.559 who believe that 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.640 who no longer believe that 00:37:27.640 --> 00:37:28.400 and they walk out 00:37:28.400 --> 00:37:29.180 freedom from lust 00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:30.059 it's possible 00:37:30.059 --> 00:37:31.220 and God wants us 00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:32.119 to put it on display 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:34.059 can we put on display 00:37:34.059 --> 00:37:35.400 healthy gender roles 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.119 can we put on display 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:37.059 charismatic gifts 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.219 that aren't charismatic 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:38.900 wackiness 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:40.960 but like real solid 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.960 biblical reality 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:43.579 that builds up the church 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.900 can we put on display 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.519 those things 00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.980 we can 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.199 and we will 00:37:48.199 --> 00:37:49.179 by God's grace 00:37:49.179 --> 00:37:50.519 and I'm asking you 00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:51.719 to believe for these things 00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.840 I'm asking you 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:54.199 to believe for a church 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.179 that this is possible 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:56.259 and it has nothing 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.519 to do with any of your 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.779 own strength 00:37:58.779 --> 00:37:59.980 or wisdom 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:01.559 this is God's church 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:03.759 if this lands on you 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.219 as burden 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.460 I have good news 00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:06.559 let it go 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:08.039 it's not your church 00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:09.299 Christ's church 00:38:09.299 --> 00:38:10.159 isn't your church 00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:11.159 Christ's church 00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:12.000 isn't my church 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:13.079 it's his church 00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:14.820 we co-labor 00:38:14.820 --> 00:38:15.739 but he's ultimately 00:38:15.739 --> 00:38:16.480 the one building 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:18.900 his grace is sufficient 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:20.380 and hey 00:38:20.380 --> 00:38:21.159 trust me 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.840 I get stressed 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.599 about church stuff 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:23.840 I have many times 00:38:23.840 --> 00:38:25.039 when I read that verse 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.820 that Paul says 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:26.500 about the anxiety 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.219 of the church is 00:38:27.219 --> 00:38:28.579 I feel it 00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:30.139 but at the end of the day 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.960 I just gotta say 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.920 it's not my church 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:33.659 Jesus is building 00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.219 his church 00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:35.279 he loves 00:38:35.279 --> 00:38:36.139 and cares for her 00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:37.119 like I could never 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:38.019 love and care for her 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.980 like you could never 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:39.879 love and care for her 00:38:39.879 --> 00:38:40.940 and he's building 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.420 something 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:42.480 that the gates of hell 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:43.559 cannot prevail against 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:44.859 that is assuring 00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:46.799 but it leaves me 00:38:46.799 --> 00:38:47.819 to my last point here 00:38:47.819 --> 00:38:49.539 you have to count the cost 00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.819 you have to count the cost 00:38:50.819 --> 00:38:51.659 it is costly 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:53.019 to have a church 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:54.400 like I'm talking of 00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.339 it is costly 00:38:55.339 --> 00:38:57.159 now there's a cost 00:38:57.159 --> 00:38:58.639 that is death unto death 00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:59.779 and I don't know about you 00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:00.700 but I'm not really 00:39:00.700 --> 00:39:01.640 into death unto death 00:39:01.640 --> 00:39:02.380 that's not even 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:03.160 that's not cool 00:39:03.160 --> 00:39:04.980 just die for death's sake 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:06.180 nah 00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:06.800 not really 00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:08.540 I don't really like that 00:39:08.540 --> 00:39:11.200 Jesus never told us 00:39:11.200 --> 00:39:11.640 to die 00:39:11.640 --> 00:39:12.760 just for death's sake 00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.940 it was always 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:15.019 always death 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.960 unto life 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.700 death unto life 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.820 our death 00:39:18.820 --> 00:39:20.019 our sacrifice 00:39:20.019 --> 00:39:21.080 our giving up 00:39:21.080 --> 00:39:21.780 of our lives 00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:23.120 is to experience 00:39:23.120 --> 00:39:24.120 the life of Christ 00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:25.560 if you believe that 00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.280 then you can 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:28.060 gladly give 00:39:28.060 --> 00:39:28.940 everything you have 00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.740 to purchase 00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:31.159 the pearl of great price 00:39:31.159 --> 00:39:31.639 or the treasure 00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.200 in the field 00:39:32.200 --> 00:39:33.139 and you can do it 00:39:33.139 --> 00:39:34.059 like the guy who did it 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.460 did it 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:36.000 in his 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:37.380 joy 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.800 in his joy 00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:40.099 do you have joy 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:41.420 in your sacrifice 00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:42.519 some of you are like 00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.460 oh my gosh 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.619 I've heard this before 00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:46.200 heard it in past churches 00:39:46.200 --> 00:39:47.659 you're freaking me out 00:39:47.659 --> 00:39:48.139 Josh 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:50.519 I get it 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.840 I've been that person 00:39:51.840 --> 00:39:52.960 being freaked out as well 00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:53.639 by someone else 00:39:53.639 --> 00:39:54.200 saying it 00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:57.059 and all I can say 00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:57.739 to that is 00:39:57.739 --> 00:39:59.239 real things happen 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.599 from real broken people 00:40:00.599 --> 00:40:01.899 that are hard to overcome 00:40:01.899 --> 00:40:03.759 but Jesus is the same 00:40:03.759 --> 00:40:04.139 yesterday 00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.500 today 00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:05.019 and forever 00:40:05.019 --> 00:40:06.460 and he's calling us 00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.119 to believe him 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:07.939 and to trust him 00:40:07.939 --> 00:40:08.879 and to say 00:40:08.879 --> 00:40:09.739 once again 00:40:09.739 --> 00:40:10.759 just like Paul said 00:40:10.759 --> 00:40:11.559 I die daily 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:13.059 it's a daily choice 00:40:13.059 --> 00:40:14.639 it's a daily to say 00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:15.359 you know God 00:40:15.359 --> 00:40:16.500 I'm having a hard time 00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:17.219 trusting today 00:40:17.219 --> 00:40:19.519 I've met a lot of your people 00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:20.839 that are really hard to trust 00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:22.079 and I'm sure 00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:24.840 God understands 00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:27.120 because he happened to 00:40:27.120 --> 00:40:27.980 walk on earth 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.700 with those people 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.980 and they betrayed him 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:31.039 they killed him 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:32.380 he knows 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:34.019 about people 00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:34.920 who can't be trusted 00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:36.380 he knows about people 00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:36.880 who betray 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:38.079 he knows about people 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:38.720 who treat you 00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:39.440 poorly 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:41.300 Jesus knows 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:42.440 he is a sympathetic 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:43.380 high priest 00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:44.519 isn't it amazing 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:46.300 that the one we serve 00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:47.760 can relate to us 00:40:47.760 --> 00:40:49.220 because he's our high priest 00:40:49.220 --> 00:40:50.019 and he went through 00:40:50.019 --> 00:40:50.820 what we went through 00:40:50.820 --> 00:40:52.680 that's an amazing thing 00:40:52.680 --> 00:40:54.580 he's not asking us 00:40:54.580 --> 00:40:55.160 to give ourselves 00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:55.940 to these realities 00:40:55.940 --> 00:40:56.760 thinking 00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:57.420 oh 00:40:57.420 --> 00:40:59.720 this is a walk in the park 00:40:59.720 --> 00:41:00.600 he knows 00:41:00.600 --> 00:41:02.059 he knows 00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:03.360 and he's with us 00:41:03.360 --> 00:41:04.400 and he'll never leave us 00:41:04.400 --> 00:41:05.220 or forsake us 00:41:05.220 --> 00:41:06.380 and some of us 00:41:06.380 --> 00:41:07.019 have maybe felt 00:41:07.019 --> 00:41:07.700 like the church 00:41:07.700 --> 00:41:08.760 through the church 00:41:08.760 --> 00:41:09.760 that we've been forsaken 00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:10.360 by God 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.320 and maybe you never 00:41:11.320 --> 00:41:12.080 thought of it that way 00:41:12.080 --> 00:41:12.680 because we thought 00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.440 oh actually 00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:14.880 I was forsaken by people 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:15.900 but deep down 00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.600 what is underneath 00:41:16.600 --> 00:41:17.220 the hurt 00:41:17.220 --> 00:41:18.120 from being forsaken 00:41:18.120 --> 00:41:18.740 by people 00:41:18.740 --> 00:41:19.960 is a pain 00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:21.059 that God himself 00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:22.019 has forsaken us 00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.900 and I want to say 00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:23.240 to you 00:41:23.240 --> 00:41:24.460 with full confidence 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:26.079 God has never forsaken 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:28.199 God has never forsaken you 00:41:28.199 --> 00:41:29.659 and he will never leave you 00:41:29.659 --> 00:41:31.139 he will never forsake you 00:41:31.139 --> 00:41:32.240 he will be with you 00:41:32.240 --> 00:41:32.860 always 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.860 how long 00:41:33.860 --> 00:41:35.099 to the very end 00:41:35.099 --> 00:41:35.720 of the age 00:41:35.720 --> 00:41:36.760 and then he's going to 00:41:36.760 --> 00:41:37.199 come back 00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:37.639 and bring us 00:41:37.639 --> 00:41:38.220 to be with him 00:41:38.220 --> 00:41:38.480 so 00:41:38.480 --> 00:41:40.099 that's a good promise 00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:41.539 but it costs 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:42.920 it does cost 00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.679 God is not 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:44.720 we have to be honest 00:41:44.720 --> 00:41:45.260 about it 00:41:45.260 --> 00:41:45.820 to say 00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:46.639 hey we want a church 00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:47.099 like this 00:41:47.099 --> 00:41:47.960 but it doesn't cost 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:48.440 anything 00:41:48.440 --> 00:41:49.400 would be 00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:50.319 I'd be 00:41:50.319 --> 00:41:51.440 I'd be a salesman 00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:52.239 selling you something 00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:53.019 that's not real 00:41:53.019 --> 00:41:54.559 and I can't do that 00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.819 Luke 14 28 00:41:55.819 --> 00:41:56.119 says 00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:56.599 which of you 00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.279 desiring to build 00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:57.759 a tower 00:41:57.759 --> 00:41:58.819 does not first 00:41:58.819 --> 00:41:59.299 sit down 00:41:59.299 --> 00:42:00.279 and count the cost 00:42:00.279 --> 00:42:01.139 whether he has 00:42:01.139 --> 00:42:02.139 enough to complete it 00:42:02.139 --> 00:42:03.239 I'm asking you 00:42:03.239 --> 00:42:03.980 if you consider 00:42:03.980 --> 00:42:04.980 the cost of a church 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:06.299 like that I'm talking 00:42:06.299 --> 00:42:06.639 about 00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:07.880 an invisible church 00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:08.579 that we want to make 00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:08.900 visible 00:42:08.900 --> 00:42:09.579 that we're starting 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:10.339 to do 00:42:10.339 --> 00:42:11.739 in these two years 00:42:11.739 --> 00:42:12.739 and I praise God 00:42:12.739 --> 00:42:13.199 for that 00:42:13.199 --> 00:42:13.980 but it's going to 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.940 continue to cost 00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.920 and a lot of times 00:42:15.920 --> 00:42:16.559 it costs more 00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:17.440 than we'd like to pay 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:19.059 so we need to remember 00:42:19.059 --> 00:42:20.280 what do we need to remember 00:42:20.280 --> 00:42:22.179 well 1 Corinthians 15 58 00:42:22.179 --> 00:42:23.059 NIV says 00:42:23.059 --> 00:42:23.579 always 00:42:23.579 --> 00:42:25.019 give yourselves 00:42:25.019 --> 00:42:25.619 fully 00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:27.099 to the work 00:42:27.099 --> 00:42:27.599 of the Lord 00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:28.679 and I love that 00:42:28.679 --> 00:42:29.240 that's not the end 00:42:29.240 --> 00:42:29.740 of the verse 00:42:29.740 --> 00:42:30.840 why 00:42:30.840 --> 00:42:31.960 how 00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:34.119 because you know 00:42:34.119 --> 00:42:35.019 that your labor 00:42:35.019 --> 00:42:35.840 in the Lord 00:42:35.840 --> 00:42:37.220 is not in vain 00:42:37.220 --> 00:42:38.280 some of you 00:42:38.280 --> 00:42:38.860 maybe the devil 00:42:38.860 --> 00:42:39.519 has told you 00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:40.179 over the years 00:42:40.179 --> 00:42:40.880 that your labor 00:42:40.880 --> 00:42:41.280 in the Lord 00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:42.079 was not in vain 00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:43.420 or was in vain 00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:44.340 maybe you looked 00:42:44.340 --> 00:42:45.039 at certain things 00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:45.840 you've given yourself 00:42:45.840 --> 00:42:46.619 to that didn't turn 00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:47.019 out the way 00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:47.820 you wanted them to 00:42:47.820 --> 00:42:48.639 they didn't turn 00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:49.019 out the way 00:42:49.019 --> 00:42:49.500 you had hoped 00:42:49.500 --> 00:42:50.019 they would 00:42:50.019 --> 00:42:51.920 and the devil 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:52.519 says see 00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:53.400 that was in vain 00:42:53.400 --> 00:42:54.860 that was vanity 00:42:54.860 --> 00:42:55.800 you gave yourself 00:42:55.800 --> 00:42:56.340 to something 00:42:56.340 --> 00:42:57.559 that had no worth 00:42:57.559 --> 00:42:58.320 you gave yourself 00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:59.039 to something 00:42:59.039 --> 00:42:59.659 that didn't go 00:42:59.659 --> 00:43:00.079 as you thought 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:00.440 it was 00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:01.300 you gave yourself 00:43:01.300 --> 00:43:01.720 to something 00:43:01.720 --> 00:43:02.320 that failed 00:43:02.320 --> 00:43:02.720 maybe 00:43:02.720 --> 00:43:04.059 and God 00:43:04.059 --> 00:43:04.599 says here 00:43:04.599 --> 00:43:05.420 always give 00:43:05.420 --> 00:43:06.240 yourselves fully 00:43:06.240 --> 00:43:07.220 when always 00:43:07.220 --> 00:43:07.780 how much 00:43:07.780 --> 00:43:08.260 fully 00:43:08.260 --> 00:43:09.000 to what 00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:09.440 the work 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:09.900 of the Lord 00:43:09.900 --> 00:43:10.700 why 00:43:10.700 --> 00:43:11.860 because your labor 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:12.620 in the Lord 00:43:12.620 --> 00:43:13.760 is not in vain 00:43:13.760 --> 00:43:14.640 someone needs 00:43:14.640 --> 00:43:15.099 to hear that 00:43:15.099 --> 00:43:15.620 this morning 00:43:15.620 --> 00:43:16.440 that your labor 00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:16.860 in the Lord 00:43:16.860 --> 00:43:17.599 is not in vain 00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.700 did you hear 00:43:18.700 --> 00:43:19.240 what I said 00:43:19.240 --> 00:43:20.200 your labor 00:43:20.200 --> 00:43:20.539 in the Lord 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:21.160 is not in vain 00:43:21.160 --> 00:43:21.920 so why do we 00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:22.420 give ourselves 00:43:22.420 --> 00:43:22.940 to this stuff 00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.400 why do we 00:43:23.400 --> 00:43:23.960 give ourselves 00:43:23.960 --> 00:43:24.539 to seeing 00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:25.280 the invisible 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:25.940 made visible 00:43:25.940 --> 00:43:26.440 so that 00:43:26.440 --> 00:43:27.140 the invisible 00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:27.900 can be possible 00:43:27.900 --> 00:43:28.400 for a group 00:43:28.400 --> 00:43:28.740 of people 00:43:28.740 --> 00:43:29.019 who have been 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:29.800 disillusioned 00:43:29.800 --> 00:43:30.780 we do it 00:43:30.780 --> 00:43:31.880 because our labor 00:43:31.880 --> 00:43:32.260 in the Lord 00:43:32.260 --> 00:43:32.960 is not in vain 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:34.200 our labor 00:43:34.200 --> 00:43:34.500 in the Lord 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.260 is not in vain 00:43:35.260 --> 00:43:38.460 Tom Brady 00:43:38.460 --> 00:43:39.019 in his Hall 00:43:39.019 --> 00:43:39.740 of Fame speech 00:43:39.740 --> 00:43:40.660 you're quoting Tom Brady 00:43:40.660 --> 00:43:41.420 yeah I'm quoting Tom Brady 00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:43.039 and his Hall 00:43:43.039 --> 00:43:43.780 of Fame speech 00:43:43.780 --> 00:43:44.159 said 00:43:44.159 --> 00:43:45.420 to be successful 00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:46.220 at anything 00:43:46.220 --> 00:43:47.500 the truth is 00:43:47.500 --> 00:43:47.960 you don't have 00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.720 to be special 00:43:48.720 --> 00:43:50.000 you just have 00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:50.420 to be what 00:43:50.420 --> 00:43:51.139 most people 00:43:51.139 --> 00:43:52.260 aren't 00:43:52.260 --> 00:43:53.019 consistent 00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:54.099 determined 00:43:54.099 --> 00:43:55.159 and willing 00:43:55.159 --> 00:43:56.139 to work for it 00:43:56.139 --> 00:43:57.380 no shortcuts 00:43:57.380 --> 00:43:59.480 consistently believing 00:43:59.480 --> 00:44:00.380 that the impossible 00:44:00.380 --> 00:44:01.300 is possible 00:44:01.300 --> 00:44:02.400 and being determined 00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:03.480 to work for it 00:44:03.480 --> 00:44:04.639 to be displayed 00:44:04.639 --> 00:44:05.780 is what is required 00:44:05.780 --> 00:44:07.480 it's consistency 00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.599 if you want 00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:09.000 a church 00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:09.619 that you haven't 00:44:09.619 --> 00:44:10.119 experienced 00:44:10.119 --> 00:44:10.740 you have to do 00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:11.000 something 00:44:11.000 --> 00:44:11.319 that you 00:44:11.319 --> 00:44:11.979 haven't done 00:44:11.979 --> 00:44:14.339 do you hear me 00:44:14.339 --> 00:44:15.539 if you want 00:44:15.539 --> 00:44:15.899 a church 00:44:15.899 --> 00:44:16.199 that you've 00:44:16.199 --> 00:44:16.859 not experienced 00:44:16.859 --> 00:44:17.399 you have to 00:44:17.399 --> 00:44:17.819 do something 00:44:17.819 --> 00:44:18.179 that you 00:44:18.179 --> 00:44:18.779 haven't done 00:44:18.779 --> 00:44:19.479 to keep 00:44:19.479 --> 00:44:20.099 doing the same 00:44:20.099 --> 00:44:20.559 thing you've 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:21.139 always done 00:44:21.139 --> 00:44:22.059 expecting to 00:44:22.059 --> 00:44:22.599 have a different 00:44:22.599 --> 00:44:23.979 church experience 00:44:23.979 --> 00:44:25.139 is a fool's errand 00:44:25.139 --> 00:44:26.399 we have to be 00:44:26.399 --> 00:44:26.919 willing to count 00:44:26.919 --> 00:44:27.479 the cost 00:44:27.479 --> 00:44:28.500 be consistent 00:44:28.500 --> 00:44:29.179 and put in 00:44:29.179 --> 00:44:29.599 the work 00:44:29.599 --> 00:44:30.619 and I'm thankful 00:44:30.619 --> 00:44:31.079 that there's a 00:44:31.079 --> 00:44:31.479 group of people 00:44:31.479 --> 00:44:32.000 in this room 00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:32.799 that have shown 00:44:32.799 --> 00:44:33.259 over the last 00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:33.739 two years 00:44:33.739 --> 00:44:34.059 that you're 00:44:34.059 --> 00:44:34.559 willing to do 00:44:34.559 --> 00:44:34.779 it 00:44:34.779 --> 00:44:35.659 and for that 00:44:35.659 --> 00:44:36.219 I'm proud 00:44:36.219 --> 00:44:36.739 to be a part 00:44:36.739 --> 00:44:37.019 of it 00:44:37.019 --> 00:44:37.800 I'm excited 00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:38.360 to be a part 00:44:38.360 --> 00:44:38.699 of it 00:44:38.699 --> 00:44:39.579 I am 00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:40.780 grateful 00:44:40.780 --> 00:44:41.539 to be a part 00:44:41.539 --> 00:44:41.840 of it 00:44:41.840 --> 00:44:42.639 you guys 00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:42.940 are 00:44:42.940 --> 00:44:46.159 some people 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:46.659 that I really 00:44:46.659 --> 00:44:47.179 appreciate 00:44:47.179 --> 00:44:48.300 and what you've 00:44:48.300 --> 00:44:48.940 done this last 00:44:48.940 --> 00:44:49.619 two years 00:44:49.619 --> 00:44:51.539 is powerful 00:44:51.539 --> 00:44:52.460 it's powerful 00:44:52.460 --> 00:44:53.119 to see the work 00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:53.539 that you guys 00:44:53.539 --> 00:44:54.000 have put in 00:44:54.000 --> 00:44:54.860 hasn't always 00:44:54.860 --> 00:44:55.460 been easy 00:44:55.460 --> 00:44:56.659 but you guys 00:44:56.659 --> 00:44:57.159 have done it 00:44:57.159 --> 00:44:58.320 and you're still 00:44:58.320 --> 00:44:58.739 doing it 00:44:58.739 --> 00:44:59.179 and you're putting 00:44:59.179 --> 00:44:59.659 in the work 00:44:59.659 --> 00:45:01.759 and you left 00:45:01.759 --> 00:45:02.899 certain things 00:45:02.899 --> 00:45:03.359 that were hard 00:45:03.359 --> 00:45:03.899 to leave 00:45:03.899 --> 00:45:04.940 you left certain 00:45:04.940 --> 00:45:05.500 things that were 00:45:05.500 --> 00:45:06.199 much easier 00:45:06.199 --> 00:45:06.980 and you said 00:45:06.980 --> 00:45:07.539 no we want 00:45:07.539 --> 00:45:07.940 to make the 00:45:07.940 --> 00:45:08.819 invisible visible 00:45:08.819 --> 00:45:09.679 for a group 00:45:09.679 --> 00:45:10.179 of people 00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:10.899 that haven't 00:45:10.899 --> 00:45:11.579 seen it yet 00:45:11.579 --> 00:45:12.159 and so we're 00:45:12.159 --> 00:45:12.559 doing this 00:45:12.559 --> 00:45:13.019 thing called 00:45:13.019 --> 00:45:13.639 Christ Church 00:45:13.639 --> 00:45:14.679 and for that 00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:15.899 I applaud you 00:45:15.899 --> 00:45:16.480 for that 00:45:16.480 --> 00:45:17.199 I say well 00:45:17.199 --> 00:45:17.539 done 00:45:17.539 --> 00:45:18.339 and I say 00:45:18.339 --> 00:45:19.399 don't let up 00:45:19.399 --> 00:45:20.619 don't let up 00:45:20.619 --> 00:45:21.539 keep going 00:45:21.539 --> 00:45:22.779 because Luke 00:45:22.779 --> 00:45:23.259 18 00:45:23.259 --> 00:45:24.319 27 00:45:24.319 --> 00:45:25.940 says 00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:26.819 what is 00:45:26.819 --> 00:45:27.319 impossible 00:45:27.319 --> 00:45:27.960 with man 00:45:27.960 --> 00:45:29.079 is possible 00:45:29.079 --> 00:45:29.639 with God 00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:30.980 let's build 00:45:30.980 --> 00:45:31.719 a living model 00:45:31.719 --> 00:45:32.339 for God's 00:45:32.339 --> 00:45:32.679 glory 00:45:32.679 --> 00:45:33.159 and the good 00:45:33.159 --> 00:45:33.719 of those 00:45:33.719 --> 00:45:34.799 who don't yet 00:45:34.799 --> 00:45:35.539 believe that 00:45:35.539 --> 00:45:36.179 the impossible 00:45:36.179 --> 00:45:36.920 is possible 00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:37.639 amen 00:45:37.639 --> 00:45:39.059 amen