WEBVTT

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 We're called to a whole life of being with Jesus and growing with Jesus.

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 Paul sums that up there by saying,

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 Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

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 Then he goes on to that description of what that looks like

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 as our minds are renewed in Christ.

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 Woody Allen, who is nearly 89 years old, but a few years ago, said this,

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 My relationship with death remains the same.

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 I'm strongly against it.

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 All I can do is wait for it.

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 He went on to say a little bit more.

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 He said, One must have one's delusions to live.

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 If you look at life too honestly and too clearly,

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 life does become unbearable because it's a pretty grim enterprise.

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 Very often when we hear some of the words of Woody Allen,

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 I find I both laugh and cry at the same time.

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 And I think that's very much the case there.

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 But I think those words possibly capture the way many, many people regard life and death.

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 That death is something that we can do is just wait for it to happen.

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 Perhaps engage ourselves with some kind of preoccupation in the meantime.

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 But you know, there couldn't be a greater contrast with what it is to have life in Christ,

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 to live in Christ.

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 As we said, as we thought about last week,

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 that, as John Mark Comer puts it in this book, I think really quite brilliantly,

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 he says that being a Christian is not about getting into heaven,

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 but rather it's about getting heaven into you.

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 That means, yes, it's about making a commitment to Jesus,

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 but it's not just a one-point-in-time commitment.

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 It's a lifelong thing.

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 That means there's never any time for us to get bored as being Christians.

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 Because it's a lifelong process of having decided to follow Jesus,

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 to knowing him more and more and more,

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 to growing in him, him in us and us in him.

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 I'm going to put some things on the screen this morning.

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 I'm going to just start by giving you this image.

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 I don't know if you've ever done this,

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 but if you put a white rose in food colouring,

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 the rose eventually changes colour.

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 Now, I'm not a scientist,

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 but you can kind of work out roughly what happens there.

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 The dye becomes absorbed,

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 and so it changes the colour of that rose.

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 The question is,

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 does that happen because the rose is in the dye,

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 or because the dye is in the rose?

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 See, following Jesus is a life of being transformed.

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 It's about being in Christ,

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 and Christ in you.

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 And there may be that point in time,

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 when perhaps it's a point of decision,

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 but let's not think for one moment

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 that the Christian gospel and our response to it

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 is about just that one moment,

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 but rather it is a whole life process,

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 calling, invitation,

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 of being in Christ and growing in Christ

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 and knowing his presence

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 more and more and more and more and more,

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 and it doesn't stop.

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 But being with Jesus,

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 becoming Christ-like,

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 it doesn't just happen.

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 It doesn't just happen.

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 And Paul,

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 not just here,

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 but elsewhere as well in his letters,

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 describes this Christian life of discipleship.

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 It is one of being transformed,

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 but it's a lifelong process,

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 and it does call on us

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 to make an effort.

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 Now,

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 as we were thinking about last week,

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 when Paul talks about,

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 you know,

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 work out your salvation,

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 it doesn't mean work for salvation.

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 It's not about

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 earning salvation.

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 salvation is a free gift from God.

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 There is nothing you or I can do

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 to earn it.

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 But as we respond to that free gift,

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 so we are called

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 to work it out,

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 and that takes effort.

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 And as we read this list

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 that we had just a moment ago

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 of what that Christian life looks like,

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 it's challenging stuff.

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 It doesn't just happen.

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 And so we're called,

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 in response to the grace of God,

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 that unconditional grace of God,

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 to work that out,

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 to be transformed,

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 Paul says,

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 by the renewal of your mind.

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 Now,

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 that word,

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 being transformed,

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 can too easily be glossed over.

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 And what I want to do now

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 is just spend a few moments

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 just unpacking it a little bit more,

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 thinking about what it actually might mean.

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 And I would suggest

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 that perhaps the best way

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 of starting that

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 is to think of words

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 that are fairly similar,

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 but not quite the same.

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 So he talks about

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 be transformed

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 by the renewal of your mind.

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 And there are a number of words

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 that have the second part

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 of that word,

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 transformed,

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 transformed in it,

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 which are similar,

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 but are not quite the same.

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 The first one is this.

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 It's coming up on the screen.

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 To be formed.

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 You see,

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 that's the second part

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 of the word,

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 transformed.

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 To be formed.

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 And people will often

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 talk about

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 spiritual formation.

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 Now,

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 I think one of the really helpful

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 and interesting insights

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 in John Mark Comer's book,

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 Practicing the Way,

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 is he says

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 that

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 spiritual formation

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 is not just

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 a Christian thing.

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 Spiritual formation

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 is a human thing.

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 And it's part

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 of our human makeup

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 that we are in the business

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 of spiritual transformation.

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 Why?

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 Sorry,

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 spiritual formation.

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 Why?

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 Because every single one of us

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 as a human being

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 are spiritual beings.

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 Whether you believe

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 in God or not,

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 you can be an atheist,

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 but your life

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 is still a process

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 of spiritual formation.

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 Simply because

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 we are spiritual beings.

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 We are not just

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 flesh and blood,

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 but there is this

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 spiritual dimension

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 about us.

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 And it doesn't matter

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 who you are,

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 your life

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 always has been

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 and always will be

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 during your time

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 on earth,

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 a process

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 of spiritual

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 formation.

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 Whether you are

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 Mother Teresa,

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 Martin Luther King,

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 Adolf Hitler,

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 Vladimir Putin,

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 dear old

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 Donald Trump

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 even,

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 your life is a process

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 of spiritual formation

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 for better

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 or for worse.

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 and dare I say

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 every single one of us,

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 it will be a combination

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 of the better

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 and the worse,

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 the good and the not so good.

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 Every time we make a decision,

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 we are engaging

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 whether we are aware of it

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 in a process

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 of being spiritually formed.

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 Every interaction

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 with another human being,

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 every time we engage

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 with the culture

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 in which we live

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 or we encounter

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 a different culture

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 for the first time,

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 we are in the process

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 of being formed

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 spiritually.

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 So the question,

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 therefore,

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 is not whether

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 or not

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 you are ever doing

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 spiritual formation,

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 you are.

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 The question,

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 rather,

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 is what are you being

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 spiritually formed into?

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 Now there's a question.

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 Take a moment

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 and just reflect on it.

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 I'm not going to ask you

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 to turn to the person

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 next to you and discuss it.

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 Think about it

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 just for a few moments.

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 As you just take

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 a very quick flash

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 glance at your life

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 up until this point

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 and right now

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 and what's going on it.

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 What are you being

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 formed into

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 spiritually?

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 Your whole life

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 has been

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 and will continue

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 to be a process

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 of spiritual formation.

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 We do not live

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 in a spiritual vacuum.

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 Now,

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 Western culture

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 perhaps resists

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 the idea

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 that there is

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 such a thing

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 as absolute truth

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 because our culture

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 says that

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 actually no one has,

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 nobody can claim

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 access to absolute truth

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 and therefore

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 we should always

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 be open-minded

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 about everything.

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 Now,

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 at face value

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 that can seem

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 quite a good thing.

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 Nobody likes people

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 that walk around

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 being judgmental.

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 But there's something

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 quite misleading

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 about it

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 because the danger

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 there is it implies

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 a relativism

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 that says

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 there's no such thing

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 as good or bad,

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 it's just what

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 you want it to be.

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 It was G.K. Chesterton

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 that many years ago

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 said

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 the point of having

00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.800
 an open mind

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 is rather like

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 the point of having

00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:09.320
 an open mouth.

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 Eventually,

00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:13.379
 it should close in

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 on something

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 and something

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 that's good for you.

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 So let's not make

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 too much of a virtue

00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:21.280
 of the culture

00:10:21.280 --> 00:10:22.600
 of open-mindedness.

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 Yes,

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 we should listen,

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 that is vital.

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 We need to listen

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 to others

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 and to one another.

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 We should do that.

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 But when it comes

00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.160
 to being formed,

00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:33.500
 we need to exercise

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 a sense of discernment

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 and critical judgment

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 as to what is good

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 and what is not good.

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 Because God does not

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 just want us

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 to be spiritually formed,

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 that will happen anyway,

00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:48.100
 including in a world

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 that is broken

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 and hurting.

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 But rather,

00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.840
 God calls us

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 to be formed

00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.540
 in a particular way

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 and we will come

00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:57.819
 on to that

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 in just a moment.

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 So Paul talks

00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:03.659
 about not being formed.

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 He actually says,

00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:05.719
 do not,

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 let's have the next one up,

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 do not be conformed.

00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.799
 Do not conform,

00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:11.360
 he says,

00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:12.039
 to the patterns

00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:12.980
 of this world.

00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.939
 What does that mean?

00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:15.779
 Well, quite simply,

00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:16.860
 to conform

00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.659
 means that

00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:19.740
 your spiritual formation

00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:20.500
 is one of where

00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:21.759
 you listen

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.059
 and just go along

00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:23.779
 with the crowd.

00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.620
 and that can be

00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:26.759
 a very dangerous thing.

00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.019
 There's an old story

00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.559
 that's told

00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:30.379
 about a group of eggs.

00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.639
 They were chickens' eggs

00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.759
 except for one of them,

00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.740
 which was an eagle's egg.

00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.379
 I don't know how

00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.079
 the eagle's egg

00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:37.899
 made its way in

00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.779
 among the others,

00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.419
 but it did.

00:11:39.819 --> 00:11:40.759
 And they all hatched

00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.959
 at roughly the same time

00:11:41.959 --> 00:11:42.899
 and all the chicks

00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.819
 grew up together.

00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.480
 And as these chicks

00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.679
 matured into birds,

00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.419
 what you had

00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.100
 was a group

00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.259
 of chickens

00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:51.100
 and an eagle.

00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.740
 And they all

00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.440
 clucked around

00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:54.980
 on the ground

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.659
 all day long,

00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:56.940
 including the eagle.

00:11:58.920 --> 00:11:59.720
 And you can imagine

00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:00.960
 how strange this looked

00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.680
 to see this

00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.620
 extraordinary,

00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.300
 beautiful bird,

00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:05.000
 this eagle,

00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.700
 clucking around,

00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.639
 eating grain

00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:08.360
 off the ground,

00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:09.960
 following the same

00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:10.560
 movements

00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.279
 as his chicken friends.

00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:14.960
 This went on

00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.920
 for a long time

00:12:15.920 --> 00:12:16.660
 and then one day

00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.440
 another eagle

00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:18.759
 came flying over

00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.620
 the place

00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.759
 where these birds lived.

00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.840
 they all looked up

00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.460
 and gasped

00:12:22.460 --> 00:12:23.080
 in wonder,

00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:24.939
 including the eagle

00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:25.639
 on the ground.

00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:27.679
 And having spent

00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:28.360
 his whole life

00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.399
 imitating those

00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.019
 around him,

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.080
 he looked at his own

00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.980
 wings and he looked

00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.259
 at the wings of the eagle

00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:33.980
 flying above

00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:35.019
 and he just began

00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.779
 to stretch out

00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.500
 his own wings

00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.899
 and looked at the eagle

00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:38.860
 above and just thought

00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.259
 to himself,

00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:39.679
 maybe,

00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.039
 just maybe.

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.179
 And he began

00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.200
 to sort of walk around

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.299
 stretching its wings

00:12:48.299 --> 00:12:49.340
 and began to say

00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.700
 to his chicken friends,

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.860
 I'm going to fly.

00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.439
 They laughed at him

00:12:53.439 --> 00:12:55.620
 and said,

00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:56.559
 don't be ridiculous.

00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.700
 You weren't born

00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:00.159
 to fly.

00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.519
 You're one of us.

00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.259
 Tragically,

00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.899
 he never flew.

00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:14.079
 Do not conform,

00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:14.919
 says Paul,

00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.199
 to the patterns

00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:17.459
 of this world,

00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:21.659
 but be transformed

00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.840
 by the renewal

00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:23.679
 of your mind.

00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.480
 What does that look like?

00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:27.559
 Let's have the third word

00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.259
 up that's similar.

00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.319
 To be informed.

00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:31.759
 Now,

00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:32.699
 to be informed

00:13:32.699 --> 00:13:33.699
 is a good thing.

00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.100
 To be informed

00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:36.340
 means that we know

00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:37.299
 what's going on

00:13:37.299 --> 00:13:38.059
 and in fact,

00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.159
 as we read through

00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.839
 these words of Paul,

00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.059
 he talks about,

00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:44.219
 he gives us information

00:13:44.219 --> 00:13:46.219
 as to what it looks like

00:13:46.219 --> 00:13:47.659
 to be transformed.

00:13:47.859 --> 00:13:48.879
 He says things like,

00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:50.059
 never be lacking in zeal,

00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:52.219
 but keep your spiritual fervour,

00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.500
 serving the Lord,

00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.679
 be joyful in hope,

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.779
 patient in affliction,

00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:56.819
 faithful in prayer,

00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.399
 share with the Lord's people

00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.199
 who are in need,

00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.679
 practice hospitality,

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:02.459
 bless those who persecute you,

00:14:02.859 --> 00:14:04.279
 bless and do not curse,

00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:06.019
 rejoice with those who rejoice,

00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:07.220
 mourn with those who mourn,

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.120
 live in harmony with one another.

00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.399
 So it goes on.

00:14:10.460 --> 00:14:11.299
 We have a list

00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:13.460
 which gives us information.

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.480
 But, you know,

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:17.019
 to be informed

00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:19.139
 is not the same thing

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.600
 as being transformed.

00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:23.419
 We need to be informed.

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.699
 Information is

00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:27.879
 the front porch

00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.379
 of understanding.

00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.819
 And that is what,

00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.139
 you know,

00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:34.899
 reading the Bible,

00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:37.019
 giving us information

00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.980
 is an important part

00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:40.419
 of the whole process

00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.500
 of being transformed.

00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.240
 But,

00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.980
 just information,

00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.360
 if we just go to the Bible

00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.199
 for information,

00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.480
 it is a dangerous thing.

00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:55.639
 You might know

00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.139
 the information

00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.059
 of the Bible

00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.139
 inside out

00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.199
 and back to front

00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:01.759
 and never be transformed.

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.759
 You might know

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.480
 the Old Testament

00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.240
 so well

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.480
 that you can not only

00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.779
 name the,

00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:10.559
 name the Uriah,

00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.580
 the Hittite's

00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.679
 second cousin,

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.580
 twice removed's wife,

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.980
 but also be able

00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.620
 to give me

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:18.679
 her inside leg measurements

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:20.100
 in Hebrew.

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.039
 But that doesn't mean

00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:25.799
 to say you'll be transformed.

00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:29.379
 Now,

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.179
 Bible reading,

00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.159
 I mentioned it earlier

00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.659
 this morning

00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:32.319
 in the service,

00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:32.979
 is a really,

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.219
 really important thing.

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.279
 The danger can be

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.399
 that we approach it

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.799
 as an information

00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:41.339
 process

00:15:41.339 --> 00:15:42.139
 alone.

00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.399
 And the danger

00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:45.399
 can be with that

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.019
 is that we think,

00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:46.759
 I've got to speed

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.639
 my way through this,

00:15:47.699 --> 00:15:48.079
 I'm going to do

00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:49.659
 my Bible reading today

00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.379
 and read it

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.019
 as quickly as possible.

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:51.299
 Great,

00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:51.679
 done it,

00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:51.859
 pew,

00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.279
 I can get on

00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.839
 with my life.

00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.399
 Or we can read it

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.559
 and think,

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:55.959
 I've got to get

00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:56.819
 as much information

00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.399
 as possible

00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.039
 through this.

00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.059
 And it's for this reason

00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:01.659
 why I'm not of the opinion

00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.639
 that the starting point

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.439
 in regular Bible reading

00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.779
 should be the quantity

00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.360
 that we read.

00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:09.959
 In fact,

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.039
 I would say the opposite.

00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.959
 It is far more helpful,

00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:14.199
 I would suggest,

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:16.220
 to actually make

00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.000
 our habit

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.240
 of approaching Scripture

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.179
 not so much

00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:20.659
 in terms of

00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:22.159
 how much can I read today,

00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.399
 but how much can I

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.460
 immerse myself

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.259
 in this today

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.639
 and to that end

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:28.399
 a shorter quantity

00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.580
 of Scripture

00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.620
 might,

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.360
 might

00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:33.580
 be a more sensible way

00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.439
 of doing that.

00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.179
 The point is,

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:37.879
 is that

00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:39.340
 if we read the Bible

00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:41.059
 just to be informed,

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:41.659
 yes,

00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:42.240
 that's good,

00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:42.919
 it's helpful,

00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:45.080
 but it doesn't take us

00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:46.740
 to where we need to be.

00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.240
 So might possibly

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:53.460
 we be talking

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.720
 not about information,

00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.720
 but the next one

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:57.700
 is being reformed.

00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.899
 Now being reformed

00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.300
 is good

00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:01.240
 and when we read

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.779
 that list,

00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.160
 again,

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.139
 we read that list

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:05.819
 in Romans 12

00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.519
 where Paul gives us

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.120
 a description,

00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.140
 the information

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.680
 of what it looks like,

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.140
 you could say,

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:11.660
 well yes,

00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.279
 bless those who persecute you,

00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.360
 bless and do not curse,

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.019
 rejoice with those

00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.579
 who rejoice,

00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.220
 mourn with those

00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.579
 who mourn,

00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:18.279
 live in harmony

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.059
 with one another,

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.180
 do not be proud,

00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.539
 be willing to associate

00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.720
 with people of low position,

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.819
 do not be conceited,

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.100
 do not repay evil

00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:25.600
 for evil,

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.400
 all of these

00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:27.279
 different things

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.160
 we might say

00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.900
 are hallmarks

00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:30.799
 of a reformed character.

00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.740
 Being reformed

00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.700
 is no bad thing,

00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.360
 but it doesn't

00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.339
 go far enough

00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.880
 because it means

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.839
 taking something

00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:42.000
 and changing

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.079
 aspects of it,

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.720
 but that,

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.420
 even that,

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.279
 is not what

00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.120
 Paul talks about.

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.039
 Rather,

00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:48.720
 he says,

00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:51.940
 be transformed,

00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:55.279
 be transformed.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.039
 So,

00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:57.740
 if we've thought

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.259
 a bit about

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.600
 what being transformed

00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.620
 isn't,

00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.360
 what does

00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.759
 it actually mean?

00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.240
 Well,

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.420
 of course,

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.000
 the New Testament

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.820
 was not written

00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:06.460
 in English,

00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.019
 it was written

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:07.460
 in Greek

00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:09.059
 and the word

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.880
 for transformed

00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.940
 is metamorpho

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.700
 in the New Testament

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.320
 Greek.

00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.880
 It appears

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.620
 on two other

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.200
 occasions

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.440
 in the New Testament

00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.019
 which are not

00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:20.660
 always translated

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.560
 in exactly

00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:22.460
 the same way.

00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:24.100
 But this is important

00:18:24.100 --> 00:18:24.779
 and relevant

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.279
 and helpful

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.160
 in a very practical

00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.519
 way,

00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:27.140
 I would suggest,

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.240
 for us to understand.

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.860
 When Paul says

00:18:29.860 --> 00:18:31.279
 be transformed,

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.720
 he has a very

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.740
 particular thing

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.340
 in mind

00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:35.019
 and in order

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:35.779
 for us to really

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.420
 get to that,

00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.500
 it is helpful

00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.320
 to look at

00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:39.080
 these two other

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.640
 occasions

00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.880
 where the same

00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.580
 word,

00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.820
 metamorpho,

00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:44.080
 appears within

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.960
 the New Testament.

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.600
 First,

00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.100
 let's look at

00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.839
 the Gospels

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.139
 because we find

00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:53.059
 in both

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:54.299
 Matthew and

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.439
 Mark's account

00:18:55.439 --> 00:18:56.419
 of a very

00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.359
 particular time

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:57.839
 in the life

00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:58.299
 of Jesus,

00:18:58.619 --> 00:18:59.419
 the same

00:18:59.419 --> 00:19:00.740
 word appears

00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.899
 and it's the

00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.799
 story of what

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.339
 is called

00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:06.299
 the Transfiguration.

00:19:07.219 --> 00:19:07.879
 Let me read

00:19:07.879 --> 00:19:08.419
 to you

00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:09.379
 Mark's

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.299
 account

00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.339
 of that

00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.319
 event.

00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.379
 After six

00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:14.839
 days,

00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.679
 Jesus took

00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.219
 Peter,

00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.319
 James and

00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.000
 John with

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.799
 him and

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.460
 led them

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:19.940
 up a

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.299
 mountain

00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.039
 where they

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.539
 were all

00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:21.960
 alone.

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.640
 There he

00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:23.960
 was

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.460
 transfigured,

00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.980
 hold on to

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.539
 that word,

00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.259
 there Jesus

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.779
 was transfigured

00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:31.680
 before them.

00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.619
 His clothes

00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.740
 became dazzling

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.160
 white,

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:35.920
 whiter than

00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.779
 anyone in the

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.279
 world could

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.900
 bleach them.

00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.559
 I know that

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.180
 sounds like a

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.759
 washing powder

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.059
 advert,

00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.880
 it's not.

00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.660
 There appeared

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.799
 before them

00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:47.299
 Elijah and

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.700
 Moses who

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.339
 were talking

00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.039
 with Jesus

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.919
 and Peter

00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:51.379
 said to

00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:51.639
 Jesus,

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:51.960
 Rabbi,

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.599
 it is good

00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.059
 for us to

00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.480
 be here,

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.200
 let us put

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.819
 up three

00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.359
 shelters,

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.399
 one for you,

00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:57.200
 one for

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:57.700
 Moses and

00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.099
 one for

00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:58.500
 Elijah.

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.119
 He did

00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.519
 not know

00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.940
 what to

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.399
 say,

00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.259
 they were

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.259
 so frightened.

00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.559
 Then a

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.480
 cloud appeared

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.240
 and covered

00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.740
 them and a

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.279
 voice came

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.700
 from the

00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.000
 cloud,

00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:09.059
 this is my

00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.000
 son whom

00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.659
 I love,

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.899
 listen to

00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.279
 him.

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:15.700
 suddenly,

00:20:16.619 --> 00:20:16.980
 when they

00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.660
 looked around

00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.220
 they no

00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.779
 longer saw

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.680
 anyone with

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.700
 them except

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.319
 Jesus.

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.859
 They were

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:24.359
 frightened,

00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:24.859
 we're told.

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.220
 They must

00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:26.460
 have been

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.099
 terrified.

00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.079
 This dazzling

00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:30.299
 brightness as

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.200
 Jesus who

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.960
 one day would

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.759
 die and be

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.539
 raised in

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.639
 resurrection glory,

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.859
 they get this

00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:37.119
 glimpse ahead

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:37.980
 of his death

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.660
 as to what

00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.480
 that resurrection

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.379
 looks like.

00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.920
 And what

00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.559
 word is used

00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.139
 to describe

00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.359
 it?

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.639
 Transfiguration

00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:47.879
 in English.

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.660
 But in the

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.079
 New Testament

00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.779
 Greek it is

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.579
 the very same

00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.379
 word that

00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:53.240
 Paul uses

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.079
 when he

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.899
 says be

00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.660
 transformed.

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.139
 In other

00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:58.980
 words, this

00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.599
 New Testament

00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.440
 vision of

00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.480
 transformation

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.660
 takes us

00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.740
 back to the

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.000
 transfiguration

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.779
 or if you

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.079
 like transformation

00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.940
 because it's

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.420
 the same

00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.960
 word of

00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.440
 Jesus.

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:14.440
 like Jesus

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.180
 at that

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.180
 point in

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.080
 his story,

00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.360
 we have

00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:18.840
 not yet

00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.259
 died.

00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.640
 But we

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.299
 are promised

00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.120
 that again

00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.880
 like Jesus

00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:25.120
 we will be

00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:25.600
 raised.

00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.580
 Now this

00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.019
 is what we're

00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.580
 talking about

00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:29.920
 when we're

00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.299
 talking about

00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.740
 not getting

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.279
 into heaven

00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.019
 but heaven

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.660
 getting into

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:32.980
 you.

00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.620
 We have that

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.220
 promise that

00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.900
 is like no

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.519
 other promise

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:37.480
 that one day

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.120
 we won't just

00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:38.840
 simply drift

00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.319
 off into

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.959
 some distant

00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:41.259
 spiritual state

00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.059
 but we will

00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.599
 be given

00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.319
 resurrection

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.859
 bodies.

00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:44.559
 We read

00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.019
 about that

00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.480
 in 1

00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.919
 Corinthians

00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:47.039
 chapter 15

00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:49.059
 where Jesus

00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:49.659
 is described

00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.099
 as the

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.039
 first fruit

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.179
 of resurrection.

00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:53.819
 What comes

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.279
 after the

00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.839
 first fruit

00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.500
 well that's

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.799
 you and

00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.079
 me.

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.599
 And that's

00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:57.879
 what the

00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.559
 gospel hope

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:58.939
 is.

00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.799
 For that

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.199
 everlasting

00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:01.079
 life, that

00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.980
 eternal life

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.539
 when we are

00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.500
 raised forever.

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.359
 Look at your

00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.079
 hands for one

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.439
 moment.

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:08.120
 Look at the

00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.920
 fingerprints on

00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.680
 those hands.

00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:12.400
 Your fingertips,

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.039
 sorry.

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.259
 The contours,

00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:15.940
 the pattern is

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.920
 unique to you.

00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:18.840
 Embedded in

00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.460
 your body is

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.059
 that unique

00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.620
 DNA.

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.600
 You and

00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.320
 only you

00:22:23.320 --> 00:22:24.440
 will ever be

00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:24.779
 you.

00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:25.779
 And that

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.620
 same body

00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.580
 will be

00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.460
 transformed

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.320
 according to

00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:29.900
 the word of

00:22:29.900 --> 00:22:30.140
 God.

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.279
 Will be

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.160
 transfigured

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.779
 into an

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.340
 everlasting

00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:33.860
 body.

00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:35.240
 you will

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.799
 still be

00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.240
 the same

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.099
 person in

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.579
 resurrection

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.439
 glory and

00:22:38.439 --> 00:22:38.859
 yet you

00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.240
 will be

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.019
 transformed

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.819
 in a way

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.079
 that we

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.599
 can only

00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.240
 imagine.

00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.599
 Except we're

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.099
 not left

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.579
 alone to

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.159
 imagine it.

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.859
 We're given

00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.579
 God's word

00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.539
 to help us

00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.240
 imagine what

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.719
 that looks

00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:49.000
 like.

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.799
 We have

00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.459
 this story

00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:50.819
 in the

00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.259
 life of

00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.059
 Jesus where

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.799
 the disciples

00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.719
 before his

00:22:53.719 --> 00:22:54.419
 death are

00:22:54.419 --> 00:22:54.899
 given that

00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.579
 glimpse as

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.079
 to what

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.539
 the resurrection

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.339
 life is

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.719
 like.

00:22:59.199 --> 00:22:59.939
 As Jesus

00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:01.179
 is transfigured

00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:02.679
 momentarily in

00:23:02.679 --> 00:23:03.299
 that moment,

00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.899
 but is now

00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:06.079
 transformed in

00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:06.699
 his resurrection

00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:07.299
 glory.

00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.599
 And that

00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.839
 is the

00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.439
 vision that

00:23:11.439 --> 00:23:12.019
 we are

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.959
 given to

00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:13.379
 live our

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:13.939
 lives by

00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:14.599
 now.

00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.279
 Not some

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.019
 distant,

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.279
 removed,

00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.799
 otherworldly

00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.139
 thing,

00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.359
 but something

00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.959
 that we can

00:23:22.959 --> 00:23:24.199
 know right

00:23:24.199 --> 00:23:24.979
 now in this

00:23:24.979 --> 00:23:25.939
 bodily existence.

00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.140
 sense.

00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:28.820
 To be

00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:29.559
 transformed

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.400
 means to

00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.000
 know that

00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.759
 reality of

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.400
 that future

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.000
 everlasting

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.460
 promise now

00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.460
 in this

00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:35.799
 body.

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.420
 Be

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.400
 transformed,

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.720
 says Paul.

00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.500
 Latch on to

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.039
 that which

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.840
 awaits you.

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.059
 Now let's

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.480
 bring this

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.000
 back to

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.240
 Paul.

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.180
 Because I

00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.519
 said there's

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.840
 another

00:23:48.840 --> 00:23:49.380
 incident,

00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:49.980
 another

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:50.799
 occasion where

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.320
 we find in

00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:51.600
 the New

00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.740
 Testament where

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.940
 mention is

00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.400
 made,

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.039
 where the

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.960
 same word

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.980
 transfigure,

00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.920
 transform,

00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:58.820
 they mean the

00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.380
 same thing,

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.500
 metamorpho,

00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.299
 which we

00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:02.880
 find them

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.700
 once again

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.200
 on the

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.640
 lips of

00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:05.860
 Paul.

00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.059
 And we

00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:07.580
 find it in

00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.259
 2 Corinthians

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.420
 chapter 3

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.080
 and verse

00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:10.519
 18.

00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:11.400
 The words

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:11.820
 are on the

00:24:11.820 --> 00:24:12.180
 screen.

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.660
 And we

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.140
 all,

00:24:14.660 --> 00:24:15.140
 who with

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.340
 unveiled faces

00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:17.400
 contemplate the

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.400
 Lord's glory,

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.860
 are being

00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:21.019
 transformed into

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.820
 his image

00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:22.900
 with ever

00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.920
 increasing glory

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.600
 which comes

00:24:24.600 --> 00:24:25.039
 from the

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.539
 Lord who

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.000
 is the

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.400
 Spirit.

00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:29.120
 Rather than

00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.000
 just me read

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.640
 and you

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:30.960
 listen,

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.259
 let's join in

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.759
 saying these

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.480
 words together

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.060
 because they

00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:34.680
 are actually

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.420
 for every

00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.100
 single one

00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:36.420
 of us.

00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:37.019
 Join with

00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.220
 me.

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.519
 And we

00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.000
 all,

00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.240
 who with

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.880
 unveiled

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.700
 faces,

00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.400
 contemplate the

00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.300
 Lord's glory,

00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.600
 are being

00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:47.100
 transformed into

00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:48.019
 his image

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.140
 with ever

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.500
 increasing glory

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.860
 which comes

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.400
 from the

00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.560
 Lord who

00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.240
 is the

00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.619
 Spirit.

00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.859
 To be

00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.779
 transformed,

00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.179
 not conformed

00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:00.500
 to the

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.019
 patterns of

00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.659
 this world,

00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.700
 but to be

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.379
 transformed

00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.039
 means to

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.859
 know now

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.919
 that which

00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.440
 is promised

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.799
 for the

00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.220
 future.

00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.279
 And when

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.359
 Paul calls

00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.879
 us to

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.700
 know this,

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.359
 he calls

00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:12.679
 us to

00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.259
 lay hold

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.480
 of it,

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.079
 to know

00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.899
 that future

00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.899
 vision which

00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.500
 becomes the

00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.480
 reality now.

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.440
 This is getting

00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.440
 heaven into

00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:19.859
 you.

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.099
 Think of the

00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.659
 rose in

00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:21.799
 the

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.099
 die.

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.139
 This is

00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:23.719
 the calling

00:25:23.719 --> 00:25:24.079
 that we

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.519
 have to

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.379
 absorb this

00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.099
 stuff, to

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.740
 know that we

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.159
 are in

00:25:27.159 --> 00:25:27.759
 Christ and

00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.279
 that Christ

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:28.699
 is in

00:25:28.699 --> 00:25:29.000
 us.

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:29.699
 And it's

00:25:29.699 --> 00:25:30.279
 not just a

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.859
 one moment

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.359
 thing that

00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.819
 happens just

00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.539
 one point in

00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:32.939
 time in

00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:33.559
 our lives

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.099
 at the

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.519
 point of

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.500
 conversion or

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:35.939
 at any

00:25:35.939 --> 00:25:36.559
 other moment,

00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.459
 but rather it

00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:37.919
 is a

00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:38.500
 lifelong

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:40.500
 process of

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.740
 continually being

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:43.039
 transformed into

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.799
 the knowledge of

00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.379
 that resurrection

00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:45.219
 hope that is

00:25:45.219 --> 00:25:45.639
 ours.

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.159
 Be

00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:48.399
 transfigured,

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.300
 be

00:25:49.300 --> 00:25:50.420
 transformed.

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.600
 We're going to

00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.060
 pray in a

00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:55.560
 moment and I

00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.040
 want to share

00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:56.640
 with you one

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:58.500
 last image to

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.180
 help us remember

00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.560
 this.

00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:01.640
 And it's a

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.519
 story about

00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:04.060
 many years ago,

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.980
 I think it's a

00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.840
 fable actually,

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.259
 but it's a

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.900
 story about a

00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.660
 man who begged

00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.500
 and lived

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.320
 outside the

00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:11.840
 gates of a

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.220
 palace.

00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.580
 He lived in

00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.400
 rags but one

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.380
 day he was

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.180
 very excited

00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.980
 when he saw

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.720
 a sign

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.720
 inviting

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.880
 anybody and

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.779
 everybody in

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.220
 the whole

00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:22.819
 kingdom to

00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.319
 a royal

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.279
 banquet that

00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.299
 the king was

00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.279
 putting on.

00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:27.740
 But there was

00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.660
 one condition.

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.440
 In order to

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.960
 come to the

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.819
 banquet you

00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.480
 had to be

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.259
 clothed in

00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.680
 royal garments.

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.360
 Well the man

00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.039
 looked at the

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.660
 rags that he

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.400
 lived in and

00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:39.960
 begged in.

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.960
 And then he

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.180
 looked again at

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.360
 the invitation.

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.059
 And then he

00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.579
 looked at the

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.259
 guards standing

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.960
 outside the

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.579
 palace gates

00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.019
 and just

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.440
 thought,

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.980
 is it worth

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.440
 a try?

00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.099
 So he went

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.879
 to the guard

00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:55.519
 and he said

00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:55.960
 to him,

00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.420
 sir, I would

00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.440
 love to come

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.180
 to that banquet.

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.640
 May I just

00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.420
 ask a favour?

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.299
 May I talk

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.799
 to the king?

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.819
 The guard

00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.519
 who'd seen

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.599
 this man out

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.099
 there every

00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:11.059
 day for years

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.619
 felt for him

00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.219
 and so on

00:27:13.219 --> 00:27:13.839
 the off chance

00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.479
 he decided

00:27:14.479 --> 00:27:14.939
 to go and

00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:16.419
 talk to

00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.559
 his senior

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:19.719
 who in

00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:20.259
 turn had the

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.739
 same thought

00:27:20.739 --> 00:27:21.239
 and went to

00:27:21.239 --> 00:27:21.739
 see somebody

00:27:21.739 --> 00:27:22.319
 else, who

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.719
 went to see

00:27:22.719 --> 00:27:23.259
 somebody else,

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.659
 who went to

00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:24.039
 see somebody

00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.559
 else and

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.699
 eventually the

00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:26.159
 message was

00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.500
 brought to

00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.799
 the king

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.259
 himself.

00:27:27.739 --> 00:27:28.219
 The king's

00:27:28.219 --> 00:27:28.619
 heart was

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.239
 warmed by the

00:27:29.239 --> 00:27:30.039
 story and so

00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.659
 he invited him

00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:30.879
 in.

00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:32.859
 The man in

00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:34.279
 his rags was

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.399
 escorted by

00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:37.019
 the guard to

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:39.799
 somebody who

00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:41.039
 eventually was

00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.440
 led to

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.039
 somebody else

00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.399
 and he

00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:42.779
 passed through

00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.359
 room after

00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:43.859
 room after

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:45.200
 hallway,

00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.059
 passed from

00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.500
 one person

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.940
 to another

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.379
 and then

00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.059
 eventually he

00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:50.259
 was led to

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.980
 a room in

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.399
 which the

00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.159
 king himself

00:27:52.159 --> 00:27:52.700
 was sat.

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.000
 This man was

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.899
 shaking like a

00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:57.359
 leaf, could

00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.980
 barely look at

00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.539
 the king and

00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:00.039
 said, your

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:01.159
 majesty, I

00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.839
 see the

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.759
 invitation to

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:05.039
 everybody to

00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.619
 your banquet.

00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.079
 But I

00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.779
 noticed that it

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:09.440
 says that in

00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.099
 order to come

00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.799
 you must

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:13.240
 wear royal

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.839
 garments and

00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.399
 yet I only

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.019
 have these

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.519
 rags.

00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.440
 Sir, might

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.940
 you be good

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.839
 enough to

00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:24.200
 lend me some

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.000
 of your old

00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.720
 royal clothes?

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.139
 The king

00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.579
 loved this.

00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.159
 He loved the

00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.639
 fact that this

00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:34.419
 man felt that

00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.159
 he could approach

00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.399
 him.

00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.759
 He said, I'm

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.240
 going to give

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:40.200
 you some of my

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.599
 garments.

00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.480
 He gave

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.259
 instruction for

00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.619
 him to go

00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.079
 off, be

00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:44.039
 taken off and

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.539
 to be fitted

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:44.859
 out.

00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:46.700
 He was

00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.279
 brought before

00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.700
 the king

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.819
 dressed in

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.440
 the most

00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:51.000
 expensive clothes

00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.680
 that this man

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.000
 had ever

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.480
 seen.

00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.159
 The king

00:28:55.159 --> 00:28:55.619
 said to him,

00:28:55.659 --> 00:28:56.099
 you are now

00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:56.659
 welcome to

00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.139
 come to my

00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.539
 banquet.

00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.059
 And furthermore

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.700
 you may keep

00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.339
 these clothes,

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.980
 but I want you

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.579
 to know this,

00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.480
 they will never

00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:05.259
 ever wear

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.599
 out.

00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:05.740
 man.

00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.439
 Well, the

00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:11.859
 man was

00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:12.639
 excited about

00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.059
 this and

00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:13.679
 just as he

00:29:13.679 --> 00:29:14.139
 was leaving,

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.659
 he turned

00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.659
 around wearing

00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:16.179
 these new

00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:16.859
 clothes and

00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.419
 saw the

00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:17.879
 bundle of

00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.539
 rags that

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.019
 were his.

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.319
 And he

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.839
 went back and

00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.259
 he bundled

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:21.679
 them up and

00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.019
 he grabbed

00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.279
 them and

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.519
 put them

00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:22.919
 under his

00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.159
 arm.

00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.639
 The day of

00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.019
 the banquet

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.740
 came round

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:29.319
 and the

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.839
 man went

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.119
 in his

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:30.719
 royal robes

00:29:30.719 --> 00:29:31.139
 with his

00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.759
 rags under

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.240
 his arm.

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.220
 He sat

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.480
 at the

00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:33.859
 banqueting

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.880
 table and

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.380
 throughout the

00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.220
 whole evening

00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.099
 the most

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.799
 extraordinary

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.759
 foods were

00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.460
 passed before

00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:39.740
 him.

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.740
 And yet how

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.279
 much of the

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.240
 banquet he

00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.000
 actually missed

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.700
 because all

00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.359
 the while he

00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.059
 was trying to

00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.799
 balance these

00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.859
 rags on his

00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.079
 lap, hoping

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.720
 that nobody

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.359
 could see.

00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.220
 As years

00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.779
 went by,

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.980
 the words of

00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.359
 the king

00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.099
 proved to be

00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.079
 absolutely true.

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.940
 Those clothes

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.620
 never showed

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.500
 any sign of

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.139
 wear or tear.

00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.500
 And yet

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.739
 wherever the

00:30:06.739 --> 00:30:07.399
 man went,

00:30:08.479 --> 00:30:09.239
 he always

00:30:09.239 --> 00:30:09.719
 went with

00:30:09.719 --> 00:30:10.279
 his rags,

00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:11.939
 bundled up,

00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.519
 tucked under

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.039
 his arm,

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.059
 such that he

00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:17.099
 was only ever

00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:19.000
 known, not

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.539
 as the man

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:19.959
 with the royal

00:30:19.959 --> 00:30:22.419
 clothes, but

00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:22.899
 the guy with

00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.359
 the rags.

00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:31.919
 when we

00:30:31.919 --> 00:30:32.359
 come to

00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.000
 follow him,

00:30:34.199 --> 00:30:34.679
 when we

00:30:34.679 --> 00:30:34.939
 come to

00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:35.740
 be with

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.219
 Jesus,

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.899
 to be in

00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.459
 Christ and

00:30:38.459 --> 00:30:38.759
 to know

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.500
 Christ in

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.259
 us, when

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.019
 we come to

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.359
 know his

00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.219
 transformation,

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.219
 that's an

00:30:44.219 --> 00:30:44.959
 eternity that

00:30:44.959 --> 00:30:45.799
 starts now.

00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:45.879
 Now,

00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:50.280
 we are

00:30:50.280 --> 00:30:52.700
 called to

00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.220
 let go of

00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:53.880
 that past,

00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.740
 to not

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.860
 conform to

00:30:56.860 --> 00:30:57.400
 the patterns

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:57.840
 of this

00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.540
 world, but

00:30:58.540 --> 00:30:59.160
 to be truly

00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.920
 transformed,

00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.880
 such that our

00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:03.240
 focus is

00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.740
 not on that

00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.140
 which we've

00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.860
 left behind,

00:31:05.560 --> 00:31:06.340
 and is not

00:31:06.340 --> 00:31:06.780
 on those

00:31:06.780 --> 00:31:07.800
 patterns that

00:31:07.800 --> 00:31:08.440
 surround us

00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.980
 each day,

00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:09.480
 and that

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.160
 would seek to

00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:10.980
 form us in

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.460
 a particular

00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:13.660
 way, but

00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.460
 to dare to

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.039
 be different,

00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.480
 to dare to

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.180
 dream, to

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.579
 dare to

00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.720
 hope, to

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.140
 dare to

00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:20.900
 believe that

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.240
 we are

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.100
 actually with

00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:26.000
 Jesus, to

00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.880
 not conform to

00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.440
 the patterns of

00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:27.920
 this world,

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.799
 but to be

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:33.420
 transformed by

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.059
 the renewal of

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.579
 our minds.

00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.779
 Let's pray

00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.319
 right now

00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.559
 that that can

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:39.860
 happen.

00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:40.960
 Let's pray

00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.259
 together.

00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:48.840
 Lord Jesus

00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.740
 Christ, we

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.559
 thank you

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:52.019
 that you

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.519
 come to

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.980
 us, not

00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.460
 just for

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:53.960
 somebody to

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.480
 believe in,

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.100
 but somebody

00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:55.640
 to live

00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.000
 in.

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.200
 Thank you

00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.720
 that you

00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.420
 clothe us

00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.039
 in royal

00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.539
 garments,

00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.640
 that you

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.279
 invite us

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:04.819
 into that

00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.539
 living,

00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.200
 loving

00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.259
 relationship

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.720
 that is a

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:09.559
 daily reality.

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.240
 Help us,

00:32:11.460 --> 00:32:11.680
 Lord,

00:32:11.680 --> 00:32:13.799
 to focus

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.299
 not on the

00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.160
 things around

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.920
 us, but on

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:19.340
 you, to be

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:20.640
 transformed, to

00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.799
 be transfigured,

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:22.840
 to dare to

00:32:22.840 --> 00:32:23.980
 live our lives

00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.480
 as resurrection

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:28.580
 people, knowing

00:32:28.580 --> 00:32:29.460
 that our future

00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.580
 in you is

00:32:30.580 --> 00:32:31.480
 certain.

00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:34.240
 And because

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.360
 that future is

00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:38.000
 certain, so is

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.480
 the present.

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:42.180
 so transform,

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.440
 transfigure us,

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.720
 we pray, by the

00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.980
 renewal of our

00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:49.200
 minds, by the

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.799
 power of your

00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:52.839
 Holy Spirit, in

00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.500
 Jesus' name.

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:54.880
 Amen.