WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.660 Let me ask you a question, okay? Can you be holy and still enjoy your life? 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.900 Okay? Can you be holy, like kind of really holy, 00:00:14.740 --> 00:00:18.920 like kind of really serious about God, and enjoy your life? 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:27.580 You see, I met a guy who, John, as a non-Christian, he said to me, 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:31.799 I believe Christianity is true, but I can't become a Christian 00:00:31.799 --> 00:00:34.259 because I'd have to give up sleeping with my girlfriend. 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:36.039 That's what he said. 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:39.299 I met another lady, we'll call her Pam. 00:00:39.379 --> 00:00:39.979 She's a Christian. 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:44.379 She said, I'm worried about getting too serious about my faith 00:00:44.379 --> 00:00:47.519 because Christians who are serious about their faith 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:50.099 have like this whole list of things they shouldn't do. 00:00:50.899 --> 00:00:53.519 And I want to have fun, so I don't want to get too serious. 00:00:53.519 --> 00:00:56.859 I know it's true, but I don't want to get too involved. 00:00:57.579 --> 00:01:01.539 And with both of those kind of people, 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:03.859 and that may be even some of you here today, 00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:05.840 I know it's definitely been me at times, 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:10.340 the implication is if I follow God too seriously, 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:13.259 if I get too holy, in inverted commas, 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:17.099 then that's going to restrict my life in some way. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:20.780 It's like saying kind of, come and be a Christian 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:23.459 and amputate your leg, and it will be fun. 00:01:23.459 --> 00:01:26.500 You know, that's not very appealing. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:30.099 But we're looking at this series in Deuteronomy, 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:33.099 and this series in Deuteronomy is how God has brought 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:35.139 the people of Israel to the promised land, 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:36.939 this land of incredible blessing. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:41.599 And Moses is giving a final pep talk before they're going in. 00:01:41.879 --> 00:01:42.939 And what he's going to say is, 00:01:43.359 --> 00:01:45.239 this is, I've saved you. 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:48.159 This is how I want you to live now as my people in this land. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:50.420 And around you, there's going to be a whole load of people. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:54.060 And when they look at you, if you keep following me, 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:56.759 they're going to see something so attractive, so intriguing. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:59.920 You're going to be this holy people to me 00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:01.879 that people are going to want to say, 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:04.120 who's the God that you follow? 00:02:04.759 --> 00:02:07.179 Because there's something about you which is different. 00:02:07.699 --> 00:02:09.500 That's what Deuteronomy is really about. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:13.560 And today, I want to look in three things 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:18.000 at how God wants to make us these kind of holy people 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.699 who can enjoy life with Him. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:24.840 So we're going to talk about tithe, party, and invite. 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:25.400 Okay? 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:27.159 Tithe, party, invite. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:27.599 Simple. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.680 So have your bulletin with me, open with me. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:33.819 And look at verse 22. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:35.340 It says, 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:40.960 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce 00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:42.879 every year. 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:43.920 Okay? 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:45.060 Basically, this says, 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:45.900 Tithe. 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:47.300 Okay? 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:50.560 Now, we have a lot of misconceptions about what tithing is. 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:52.180 So I want to give you a little bit of background 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:55.240 to help you to understand what's going on in this context. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:56.439 Okay? 00:02:56.460 --> 00:02:57.259 I want you to picture this. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.340 It's a farming community. 00:02:58.780 --> 00:02:59.060 Okay? 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:00.780 Not much of that goes on in Hong Kong. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:02.319 But this is a farming community, 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:05.280 and your income is to produce what you get. 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:06.439 So what you get from the land, 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.300 there's no welcome or park and shop. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:08.900 Okay? 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:10.860 Everything you get for your life, 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.340 your wealth comes from your land. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:17.060 And so giving away the tithe, 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:18.939 and the tithe simply meant tenth, 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:22.640 was a part of giving away the very thing 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.400 that was sustaining your life. 00:03:25.420 --> 00:03:26.780 And there were three types of tithe. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:27.599 I don't know if you knew that. 00:03:27.640 --> 00:03:28.699 There were three types of tithe. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.360 One tithe was called the priest's tithe. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:33.520 Basically, it went to the Levites, 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:35.759 who were kind of like the church staff of the time. 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:39.159 They made sure the religious system was working well. 00:03:39.459 --> 00:03:39.599 Okay? 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:40.239 That's one tithe. 00:03:40.399 --> 00:03:41.539 There was a second tithe, 00:03:41.679 --> 00:03:43.340 which was a party tithe. 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:47.280 And this goes to kind of having this amazing family meal together. 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:49.560 We're going to talk a bit more about this later. 00:03:49.859 --> 00:03:52.459 And the third tithe was the tithe, 00:03:52.539 --> 00:03:53.620 what I call the poor tithe. 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:55.759 It's basically every three years, 00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:59.959 you were to give so that those who had no access to the land, 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:01.080 who weren't landowners, 00:04:01.200 --> 00:04:03.379 could benefit and be blessed. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:03.939 Okay? 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:05.580 And scholars kind of debate whether 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:08.819 these tithes were three completely separate tithes, 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:09.800 because if they are, 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.240 they add up to about 23% of income. 00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:13.000 Okay? 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:18.699 And even if they're not necessarily all completely different, 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:22.180 what we know from another parallel passage, 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:23.000 Deuteronomy 12, 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:23.460 is this, 00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:27.360 that the Israelites would not just bring the tithe. 00:04:27.460 --> 00:04:29.000 They'd also got to bring burnt offerings, 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:30.079 sacrifices, 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:30.800 special gifts, 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:31.459 free will gifts, 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.699 and even your firstborn cow and sheep. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:34.379 Okay? 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:35.139 So, 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:36.459 what's happening, 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:39.120 Old Testament believers didn't give just 10%. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:39.959 Okay? 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.779 They didn't give 10%. 00:04:41.779 --> 00:04:42.759 They gave far more than that. 00:04:42.819 --> 00:04:42.920 So, 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:43.600 what's going on? 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:44.639 Imagine the scene. 00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:45.300 Okay? 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:47.040 There's your average Israelite. 00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:47.839 Let's call him Ian. 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:48.399 Okay? 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.500 Ian the Israelite. 00:04:49.779 --> 00:04:49.939 So, 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:51.000 he would be going, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:52.459 one time a year, 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:53.939 he'd go up with his donkey, 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:55.740 and on his donkey would be olive oil, 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:56.379 wheat, 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:57.699 bottles of Chardonnay, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:58.680 lamb chops, 00:04:58.680 --> 00:04:59.400 beef steaks. 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:03.040 He'd take them all up with him to the place of worship, 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:05.740 which later on would become the temple in Jerusalem. 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:06.500 Okay? 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:08.220 And he'd do all of this, 00:05:08.540 --> 00:05:09.660 and he'd bring it all, 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:12.400 and he'd give it there as worship to the priest. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:15.879 And he'd do it with his whole family was there, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:17.300 and the whole community was there, 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:19.079 and it was this great festival. 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:19.379 I mean, 00:05:19.460 --> 00:05:22.100 it looked like a mix between, 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:23.480 just picture the scene. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:24.360 You've got all these animals, 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:24.759 everything. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.939 It was more like a mix between a farm, 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:28.099 a slaughterhouse, 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.019 a butcher's, 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:29.839 and a festival. 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:31.920 It wasn't a nice church service. 00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:32.459 Okay? 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.860 This was a fun, 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:35.759 exciting activity. 00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:38.680 And God commands this. 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:39.199 Okay? 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:40.480 Which is a little weird. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:44.959 Why does God command this kind of bringing of everything up to the temple? 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:46.079 Well, 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:48.000 in the culture around, 00:05:48.459 --> 00:05:49.699 tithing wasn't unusual. 00:05:50.359 --> 00:05:50.479 Okay? 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:51.519 Other people, 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:53.339 other than the nations around them, 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:54.339 also did tithes, 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:56.839 but they were actually more like a government tax. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:57.639 Okay? 00:05:58.039 --> 00:05:58.299 So, 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:00.099 just to kind of keep the administration running. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:03.299 And you know how we love taxes. 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:04.159 Right? 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:05.500 Um, 00:06:05.919 --> 00:06:06.199 you know, 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:07.120 because with taxes, 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:08.079 you're always thinking, 00:06:08.479 --> 00:06:10.599 can I find a loophole to pay less? 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:11.219 Right? 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:13.599 What's the minimum amount I can get away with? 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:13.840 I mean, 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:15.379 just ask Donald Trump, 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.600 Lionel Messi, 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.540 anyone storing their money in the Cayman Islands, 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:20.760 or Mossack Fonseca. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:21.460 Okay? 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:23.180 We're all, 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:26.560 taxes are not our fun favorite thing to do. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:27.360 Right? 00:06:27.700 --> 00:06:27.980 You know, 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:28.660 this year, 00:06:28.760 --> 00:06:29.260 I actually got, 00:06:29.400 --> 00:06:30.740 I got two tax bills. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:32.220 I got the first tax bill, 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:32.860 came through, 00:06:32.900 --> 00:06:33.300 and it said, 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:34.879 $365. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:37.260 And I was like, 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:38.360 yes! 00:06:40.960 --> 00:06:42.640 I then got a second tax bill. 00:06:43.600 --> 00:06:45.400 Which wasn't $365. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:46.280 And said, 00:06:46.340 --> 00:06:46.460 oh, 00:06:46.520 --> 00:06:49.439 the last tax bill was just making up what you didn't pay last year. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:50.520 Here's the real one. 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:52.240 And I went, 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.080 no. 00:06:54.960 --> 00:06:55.400 Because, 00:06:55.520 --> 00:06:56.920 it's my hard-earned money, 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:59.320 and they're taking it before I can even enjoy it. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:00.300 Right? 00:07:00.700 --> 00:07:02.400 That's tithing as tax. 00:07:03.260 --> 00:07:05.240 But Israel was to be different. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:07.720 Their tithing wasn't a tax. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:10.340 The difference was, 00:07:10.820 --> 00:07:11.940 their God wasn't the government. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:16.600 Their God was the one who was the source of all their material blessings. 00:07:17.460 --> 00:07:19.240 And so when God tells the people, 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:21.320 I want you to come and give this, 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:22.220 it's a call to, 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:22.900 a couple of things, 00:07:22.940 --> 00:07:24.040 it's a call to perspective, 00:07:24.260 --> 00:07:25.380 and it's a call to joy. 00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:27.360 To actually enjoy. 00:07:28.780 --> 00:07:29.180 Perspective, 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:30.980 he's calling people to recognize, 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:32.600 everything you've got, 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:34.460 everything you've got, 00:07:34.540 --> 00:07:37.720 is a gracious gift from God. 00:07:38.140 --> 00:07:38.379 You know, 00:07:38.580 --> 00:07:39.760 the act of giving, 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:40.840 it says in verse 24, 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:43.840 you have been blessed by the Lord your God. 00:07:43.900 --> 00:07:44.100 You know, 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:45.960 if you have nothing to give, 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:47.420 right? 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.660 You have nothing to give. 00:07:49.840 --> 00:07:50.800 You haven't been given anything. 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:52.060 If you've been given something, 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:54.040 you have something to give. 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:55.400 And so, 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:57.020 when you looked in your bank account, 00:07:57.080 --> 00:07:57.780 or your barn, 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:58.620 as it would have been, 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:00.560 and you're then sorting out, 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:01.180 okay, 00:08:01.260 --> 00:08:02.420 I'm going to give a tenth of this, 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:03.259 it's this reminder, 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:04.640 I've been blessed, 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.199 with enough that I can give. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.400 And you know, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:09.319 the temptation, 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:12.620 when you kind of hold on to your money, 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:14.220 is always to think, 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:16.460 for them it would have been, 00:08:16.540 --> 00:08:18.240 my great agricultural techniques, 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.800 have got all of this stuff in this barn. 00:08:19.900 --> 00:08:20.660 Aren't I great? 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.500 I deserve to keep this for myself. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:26.340 And it's really interesting, 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:28.319 the richer you are, 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:30.700 often the less tax you pay. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:31.700 Do you notice that? 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:32.259 Like, 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:33.319 think of Google, 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.019 Apple, 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:34.580 Amazon, 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:34.899 in fact, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.700 most large countries, 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:37.340 they're all trying to get out of paying tax. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:39.960 Because when we feel like we've got something, 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:42.139 and we're not free to give, 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:45.039 we always feel like we want to hold on. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:46.659 And what happens is this, 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:49.960 when you give, 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.679 it unlocks gratitude. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:56.480 And gratitude releases joy. 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.080 You know, 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:57.659 Jesus says, 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:58.620 it's more blessed, 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:00.100 that means happy, 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:00.960 fulfilled, 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:02.139 content to give, 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:03.680 than to receive. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:04.779 And we know that. 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:06.420 You know when you give a present, 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:09.060 and you see the joy in somebody's face, 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:09.759 when they give it. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.420 That is actually more satisfying, 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.500 than just getting it yourself, 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:13.580 than after a day or so, 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.700 kind of wanting another one. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:15.500 Right? 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:19.799 You see, 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:21.659 I've seen, 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:25.820 when your hearts just want to hold on to things for ourselves, 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:26.879 we become entitled. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.440 I've seen a mom, 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:30.519 slaving in the kitchen, 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:31.600 cooking dinner, 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:34.080 and a child's waiting for her to bring her food, 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:34.659 telling her, 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:35.659 hurry up. 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:36.779 I've seen this. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:38.000 And then she brings it, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.580 and the only comment the child makes was, 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:41.720 okay, 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:42.500 you can go now. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.379 And you know, 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:46.920 sometimes, 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:48.420 I've also seen it where, 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:48.980 you know, 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.680 they've produced all this food for you, 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.480 and then there's complaints, 00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.639 that there wasn't enough dessert. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:54.940 And there weren't enough potatoes, 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:55.660 or rice, 00:09:55.740 --> 00:09:56.200 or pasta, 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:57.540 or they wanted something else. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:58.660 Right? 00:09:59.060 --> 00:09:59.700 Have you seen that? 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:01.500 Have you been that person? 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:03.120 Yeah? 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.580 You see, 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:07.000 what happens when you feel entitled to something, 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:10.000 you don't express gratitude for it, 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:12.700 and you don't notice how much you've been given, 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:14.139 and how much you're blessed with. 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.100 But what, 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:16.779 and you know, 00:10:17.920 --> 00:10:19.340 entitled people are always complaining. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:20.360 You notice that? 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:22.399 They're never happy. 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:23.500 And when God says, 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:24.379 I want you to give, 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.320 what he's saying is, 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:29.180 I want your heart to recognize how much I've given to you. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.200 And out of gratitude, 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:32.620 give back a portion, 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:34.100 out of appreciation, 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:37.100 because that's going to release your heart from entitlement. 00:10:38.020 --> 00:10:38.800 Because you see, 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:40.700 everything you have is gift. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:41.500 You know, 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:43.620 kids who always want to keep the toys for themselves, 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:45.520 always feel hard done by, 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.100 when they've kind of got to let go of it. 00:10:47.800 --> 00:10:49.420 But the ones who are generous, 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.500 there's a contentment about them, 00:10:51.660 --> 00:10:53.540 when they let others share with it. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:56.000 So God's saying, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.319 if you want to enjoy, 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.839 as part of God's holy people, 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.679 you've got to give. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:00.919 But let me, 00:11:00.959 --> 00:11:02.399 let me just kind of give a little, 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.860 um, 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.620 proviso on this. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.379 This is the Old Testament, 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:07.939 right? 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.159 This is the Old Testament. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:13.779 So should New Testament Christians tithe? 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.500 What do you think? 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:22.079 Should you give 10% to the church or to anything? 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.179 Well, 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.720 the New Testament 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:29.059 has no command for you to tithe. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.159 There isn't a command for you to tithe. 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:32.799 Did you know that? 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:38.000 Here's what Tim Keller, 00:11:38.459 --> 00:11:39.519 Pastor Tim Keller says. 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.139 People have often asked me, 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:43.439 you don't think now in the New Testament, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:45.620 believers are required to give away 10%, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.000 do you? 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.159 And he says, 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.779 I shake my head and say no. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:52.240 And they give a sigh of relief. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.500 But then I quickly add, 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:59.679 I'll tell you why you don't see the tithing requirement 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.819 laid out in the New Testament. 00:12:01.099 --> 00:12:01.359 Think. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:04.639 Have we received more of God's revelation, 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:05.500 truth, 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.340 and grace 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.259 than Old Testament believers or less? 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.259 Usually there's an uncomfortable silence. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:13.740 Are we more debtors to grace 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.200 than they were or less? 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:19.200 Did Jesus tithe his life and blood to save us 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.120 or did he give it all? 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:22.039 He says, 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:25.420 tithing is a minimum standard for Christian believers. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.899 We certainly wouldn't want to be in a position 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.860 of giving away less of our income 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:33.039 than those who had so much less of an understanding 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.419 of what God did to save them. 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.759 What he's saying is this. 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:38.740 You don't need to tithe. 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:41.560 But if that's a relief to you, 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.480 then you've never understood 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:45.240 what giving is all about, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.379 what the tithing was meant to be about. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:49.440 The New Testament says again and again, 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:51.120 when the gospel works in your life, 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:53.240 when you realize how much God has given you, 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:55.759 then that always bears the fruit of generosity, 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.779 whether that's to the church, 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.159 whether that's to your family, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:01.360 whether that's to the poor around you, 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:03.740 whether that's to gospel ministry like with Amelia, 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:06.019 it always responds with that 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:08.419 because God loves a cheerful giver. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:11.019 You know, some of us give, 00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:14.740 and I can put my hand in this category, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:17.080 but we're miserable givers, 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:20.139 because we see giving as like a tax 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:24.040 that we kind of want to get out of, 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:24.900 but we've got to do 00:13:24.900 --> 00:13:26.060 because that's what we've got to do. 00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:28.759 But you don't understand that when you give, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.259 God's saying, 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:31.540 I want to release joy to you, 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.560 to release you from entitlement, 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:35.960 to see how much I have given you, 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.920 and it to be a blessing. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:40.160 Gospel generosity and gratitude 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:42.120 are like an inseparable married couple. 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:44.200 You can't have one without the other. 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:44.520 Okay. 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.560 So let me ask you the challenge. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:50.820 Are you in a regular rhythm of giving? 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.340 Whether it's to the church, 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:55.460 whether it's to anything outside, 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:56.540 whether it's the poor, 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.320 whether it's those things. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.320 If you're not, 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.960 you may be missing out on joy in Christ. 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:04.280 But if you are, 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.060 can I ask you, 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:10.360 how often do you give thanks that you can give? 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.400 I find this convicting. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:14.679 How often do I give thanks 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:16.000 every time I go to give, 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.100 whoever I'm giving to? 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:20.039 Because what God wants to do, 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.679 if you want to find that pleasure 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:24.360 in the grace of God, 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:27.279 get in the habit of every time you give, 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:30.039 give thanks that He's been so generous to you. 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:32.120 And when you start doing that, 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.980 you'll begin to see His grace 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.259 and His love in your life 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.100 in new and exciting ways. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:40.819 Gratitude is a beautiful thing. 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:44.320 But this isn't a sermon just about money. 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:47.240 Because the holy people give, 00:14:48.020 --> 00:14:49.940 but the holy people do something else. 00:14:50.780 --> 00:14:51.780 They also party. 00:14:53.180 --> 00:14:53.680 I love this. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.180 I haven't heard many sermons on partying. 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.560 But this is great. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:02.580 Because giving is not just here about our joy. 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:04.560 This giving, this tithe, 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:09.440 was about building a God-centered community together. 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:09.840 Okay? 00:15:10.160 --> 00:15:11.280 Look in verse 23. 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:16.060 Eat the tithe of your corn, 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.100 new wine, and olive oil, 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:21.280 and the firstborn of your herds and flocks 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:23.259 in the presence of the Lord your God 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:25.440 at the place He will choose 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:27.040 as a dwelling for His name, 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.160 so that you may learn 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:31.679 to fear the Lord your God always. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.519 Did you see what he said? 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.219 Eat. 00:15:36.719 --> 00:15:37.360 Did you get that? 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:38.919 That's a command. 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:39.679 Okay? 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.480 Eat, he says. 00:15:41.819 --> 00:15:42.600 And he says, 00:15:42.819 --> 00:15:44.439 eat all this great stuff, 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.860 like lamb chops, steaks. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.379 You know, 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.139 think of all this large amount of stuff 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.699 that Ian, the Israelite, 00:15:49.719 --> 00:15:50.439 is bringing up. 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.019 They're taking up. 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.139 They give it to the priest. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:53.860 And then as a portion, 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.240 he says, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:54.799 now, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.699 the priest gives some back to them 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:56.919 and says, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.139 now go and have fun. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.019 Go and have fun. 00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:00.919 He says, 00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.580 basically, 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:03.379 enjoy this in the presence of God. 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.319 Enjoy it. 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:05.299 Okay? 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:07.399 I didn't know if you've had that command before. 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:08.080 But, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.980 and he says, 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.120 if you've got too much stuff to take, 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:12.600 like, 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.299 you're thinking, 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.620 I need a degree in logistics 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.740 to be able to bring all this stuff up to Jerusalem. 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.419 He says, 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.059 basically, 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.340 change it into money. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.360 Verse 26, 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:24.060 spend the money to buy plain congee. 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.320 Is that what he says? 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.879 He says, 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:29.720 spend the money to buy whatever you like. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:30.960 Okay? 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:33.139 Wagyu beef in truffle sauce, 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:34.940 rosemary crusted lamb chops, 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:36.259 marinated in red wine, 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.180 chocolate pudding, 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:37.860 whatever, 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:41.039 anything your heart desires. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.500 Anything you wish. 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:42.759 It says, 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.180 literally, 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.320 that means whatever your soul asks for. 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.420 Okay? 00:16:46.420 --> 00:16:48.019 Whatever your soul asks for. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.560 And he says, 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:50.080 then you and your household, 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:52.160 eat there in the presence of the Lord your God, 00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:53.120 and rejoice. 00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.200 What's he saying? 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.220 He's saying, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.000 meals 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.840 are about 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:04.000 belonging 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:06.759 and strengthening yourself 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.160 as part of a community. 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.600 And this community is a community 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:12.120 that God is wanting you to find joy in. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.920 I, 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.759 I visited India once. 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:16.960 And, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.100 it was an amazing experience. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.980 It was just a great time. 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:19.180 But, 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.380 we, 00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.259 when I was in India, 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.539 we had curry 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.500 three times a day. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.519 Breakfast, 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.200 lunch, 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:26.819 and dinner. 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:27.700 I know, 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.079 Vijay, 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:28.920 you're, 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.940 you can tell me afterwards. 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.299 But, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.200 after a few days, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.000 I have to admit, 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:38.860 I just never wanted to see another curry in my life. 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.959 I mean, 00:17:40.959 --> 00:17:41.639 it was good curry, 00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:41.939 but, 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.319 like, 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.240 three times a day. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:43.819 You know, 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.679 I like my muesli. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.539 And, 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:50.219 I was salivating over the thought of having anything that wasn't curry. 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.019 When I, 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.259 when I got back home, 00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:54.539 to the UK, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:57.319 I enter the house of my door, 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:59.059 and I could smell, 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:01.500 a roast lamb dinner cooking. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.000 And, 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.519 you know what? 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:06.299 I knew I was home. 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.200 Because, 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.119 food, 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:12.159 is one of those things that make you know that you're home. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:12.899 Right? 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.419 That you belong. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:16.079 That you're welcome. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.579 It binds you together as a family. 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:18.779 Like, 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.419 so many of my Hong Kong friends. 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.099 Do you know, 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.740 I've asked them, 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:23.439 how do you know your mom loves you? 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.000 And, 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.480 they say, 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:26.379 because she makes chicken soup for me. 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:29.580 there is something, 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:31.320 very powerful, 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:33.160 about food, 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:34.680 which brings you together, 00:18:35.040 --> 00:18:36.300 brings a sense of welcome, 00:18:36.860 --> 00:18:37.360 belonging, 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.960 and closeness. 00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:40.560 And, 00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.320 God has designed it like that. 00:18:43.760 --> 00:18:44.120 And, 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.740 when God says, 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.080 I want you to eat, 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:49.040 and rejoice together in my presence. 00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:49.460 You see, 00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:50.440 it's in his presence. 00:18:50.540 --> 00:18:51.240 It's not just together. 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.900 It's a worship experience. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.600 I want you to taste, 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:58.980 experience a taste of what it's like to be at home with me. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:01.519 To be at home with me. 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.899 Together as my family with me. 00:19:05.199 --> 00:19:09.119 I want you not just to hear about my love from a sermon. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:12.759 I actually want you to literally taste my love for you. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:14.179 In a meal. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.859 Every day. 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:18.479 And, 00:19:18.479 --> 00:19:20.000 that's one of the reasons why, 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.899 as a church, 00:19:21.939 --> 00:19:24.839 we want to have a regular rhythm of eating together. 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.099 Did you know? 00:19:26.219 --> 00:19:26.419 That's, 00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:27.779 it's, 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:30.399 it's one of the reasons why we have community lunches. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:33.939 It's one of the reasons why we have food in our community groups. 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.100 Food, 00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:35.120 food, 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.019 binds, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.059 unites, 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:38.620 is a worshipful, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:42.720 can be a worshipful experience when you're doing it for the glory of God. 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.080 With gratitude in your heart. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.559 Thanking him for what he's given you. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:51.960 Some of you are gifted in cooking. 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:55.160 Some of you are gifted in organizing parties. 00:19:55.340 --> 00:19:56.539 Some of you have homes, 00:19:56.820 --> 00:20:01.820 but you've never realized that actually God has given you those things as part of the body 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:05.059 to enable us to be the community that God wants us to be. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.519 And so if you have those gifts, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:12.139 you need to use them and invite people and go and eat meals with people. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.879 In this community. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.240 There's also a flip side. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:21.759 If you don't ever eat or drink coffee or whatever with people in this community, 00:20:22.439 --> 00:20:26.579 you're never going to truly feel at home here. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:29.299 You're never going to truly feel at home here. 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:33.119 That's why when people come in and out of church and don't connect, 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:34.639 it's never going to be your home. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.019 You're going to have your home somewhere else. 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.079 And God says, 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.099 I want you to know my home with me, 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.460 with my people together. 00:20:45.359 --> 00:20:46.460 So there's a challenge. 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.700 Eat with people. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.919 This week, 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:52.839 eat with people as worship to him. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.940 But the second thing is, 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.980 and this is really extraordinary, 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.120 he says, 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.779 do this, 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.440 eat, 00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:01.660 so that you may learn to fear the Lord. 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.720 Did you see that? 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:07.960 Have you ever thought of the connection between eating and fearing God? 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.880 Because this is what it says. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.440 Now think about it. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:17.980 Fear is the heart response when you hold something so precious. 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.620 Like if I give you a Ming vase, 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.420 I have a Ming vase, 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:20.720 I say, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.759 here's a Ming vase, 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.640 now hold it. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:26.700 You know a Ming vase is so priceless 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:29.180 that if you drop it, 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:32.880 you know there's that fear 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:34.779 of something, 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:37.620 you fear hurting it in some way. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:42.099 And fear of God is in a similar way, 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:44.339 that sense of knowing he is so precious 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.819 and so awesome 00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:48.459 that you don't want to do anything 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:51.679 to in one sense hurt him. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.559 You're not going to break God like a Ming vase, 00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:55.339 but there is something of his preciousness. 00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:58.720 You do not want to hurt him by sinning. 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.299 And so, 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:07.139 when he says, 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:08.859 I want you to eat together 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:11.619 so that you may see how precious 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:14.019 and valuable I am, 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.399 he's saying, 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.919 I want you to see 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:20.639 that everything that is good in your life 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.639 comes from me. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:25.299 And the more precious I am to you, 00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:27.119 the more you will fear me 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:29.179 and the more that you will love and obey me. 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.980 So when you eat 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.500 and you eat together, 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.139 here's one thing. 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.659 If you want to find that pleasure in God 00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.919 through this meal, 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.779 give thanks. 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:45.960 Okay? 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.920 Give thanks. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:48.860 Now, 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.720 I had a revelation 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.940 about six months ago 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:52.320 because I'm used to saying grace 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:52.900 before a meal. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:54.800 Whoever says grace before a meal? 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:55.779 Anyone? 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.300 I was brought up like that. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:58.980 I had a, 00:22:59.060 --> 00:23:00.120 here's how I used to say grace. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.519 I used to say, 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.600 thank you Jesus for this food, 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:01.820 I'm in. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.120 Eat. 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.220 Eat. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:10.700 It was a religious ritual to me. 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.620 A few months ago, 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.559 I had this revelation. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.799 When I sit down and eat 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:19.200 and there's this food before me, 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:21.880 this is a personal gift 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:23.200 of a God of grace 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.579 to me, 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.240 telling me that he loves me. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.920 This is grace on a plate. 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.319 Right? 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.839 Grace on a plate. 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:34.079 And, 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:37.619 I have become so taking it for granted 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:40.220 that I've stopped treasuring 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.619 and savoring him 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:43.659 in these little moments of life. 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:46.319 Because when you do that 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:48.720 and you see how thankful you can be 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.299 that he's given you so many things, 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.419 then it stops your heart 00:23:51.419 --> 00:23:53.699 from just being discontented all the time 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:55.439 when you don't get what you want 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:57.599 because you see he loves you. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:01.399 So build in that habit of grace, 00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:03.599 that habit of saying thank you. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:04.740 Simple. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.519 But that's how you can find 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.379 some pleasure 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:09.099 in knowing the love of God. 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.539 Now, 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:14.179 some of you are kind of thinking, 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:14.480 ooh, 00:24:15.179 --> 00:24:15.799 food. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:16.619 Great. 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:18.879 That now helps me to indulge 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:20.259 in everything that I wanted to. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:24.220 But there is a twist to this. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:26.079 And I want you just to think about this 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.599 for a second. 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:29.299 We are called to eat together, 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.879 to enjoy God's goodness, 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.420 to thank him for all these things. 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.259 But there's a twist 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.700 because you can go through 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.539 the whole Bible story 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.900 and tell it through the theme of food. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.619 Do you know that? 00:24:38.599 --> 00:24:39.460 I challenge you, 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:42.299 go and read the gospel stories 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.779 and you'll see food is everywhere. 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:47.759 What causes Adam and Eve to sin? 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.759 Food. 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:52.839 Food. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.059 Right? 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.440 You see, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.500 God has created this banquet 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.539 in the Garden of Eden. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.559 He says, 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:01.279 every tree you can eat from. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.099 And what do they say? 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.160 Yeah, 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.319 but I want that one. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.599 I don't want what you've given me. 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.819 I want that one. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.059 You see, 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.059 all sin 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.960 is seeking to satisfy 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.900 natural God-given 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:17.740 appetites and cravings. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.559 In a way that God has said, 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:19.779 no, 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.859 that's not the way to do it. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.019 At a time when he says, 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.180 no, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:23.720 not now. 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:24.640 God says, 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:24.920 wait, 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.819 you want it now. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.480 God says, 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:26.940 no, 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.259 you say, 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.240 I'm going to get it anyway. 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:29.859 Right? 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.500 In Hong Kong, 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.640 there's a lot of partying. 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:33.779 There's a lot of drinking. 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:35.619 There's a lot of eating of meals. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.420 There's a lot of laughter 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.180 on the outside, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.099 but on the inside, 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.579 there's a lot of emptiness. 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.200 There's a lot of loneliness. 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.740 There's a lot of hurt. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.019 We overeat. 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.980 We overdrink. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.359 We comfort eat 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.960 to fill that emptiness. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.180 Anyone done that? 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:51.700 You know, 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:53.079 you're feeling a bit down 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.039 until you get a bar of chocolate. 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:57.119 We do these things 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.839 because we use food 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.859 to replace God 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.019 as the source of our joy. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.000 And we look to his gifts 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.240 rather than looking to the giver 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.440 to provide what he says, 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.960 I will provide you with. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:13.079 And so we are like Adam and Eve 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:15.400 saying to the God, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.660 the host who has provided 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.519 all these things, 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.420 whether it's financial, 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.860 whether it's the food, 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.880 and we say, 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:22.920 you can go now. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.259 Just give me this stuff. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.940 You can go now. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.920 And I'll call you 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.620 when I want dessert. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.819 I'll call you 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.400 when I need you 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:30.059 to help me with my kids 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.900 getting into the school. 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.480 I'll call you 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:31.920 when I need you 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.660 to help me get a boyfriend. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.279 I'll call you 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.940 when you need to help me 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.700 get a better job. 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:36.100 But I'll do the rest 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:36.680 for myself. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.380 If someone invited you around 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:43.000 and said, 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.340 you know, 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:47.500 you invite somebody around 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.920 to your house for a meal, 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:50.400 you put on this amazing banquet, 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.680 and then they come to you 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.220 and they say, 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:53.900 okay, 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.240 you can go now. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.740 I'm going to eat this. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.360 And then they go 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.160 and raid your fridge 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.380 when you told them not to. 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.120 Would you invite them back again? 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.400 Like, 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.900 they would be the kind of people 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.819 I'd be avoiding. 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.200 Right? 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.860 But I realize 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.120 when I take everything 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:13.019 that God gives me 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.759 for granted, 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:16.120 I am just like that. 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:18.720 Daily. 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:22.700 And I want to get things my way, 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.980 but I don't want to recognize 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.340 Him as the source of things. 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.340 So I go elsewhere 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:28.240 and I expect Him 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.600 to provide for me now. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.720 And when He doesn't, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.100 I'm like, 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:32.180 God, how do you love me? 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.299 I can't believe 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.940 you don't love me 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.039 because you didn't give me this. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.080 But all the time, 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.799 He's providing 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.500 and providing 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.019 and providing 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.120 and I don't realize it 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:41.920 because I've taken it 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.380 for granted. 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:49.020 and that's very much 00:27:49.020 --> 00:27:49.440 at the heart 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.960 of what the Bible 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.900 says sin is. 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.640 Do you know Romans 1 says 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:55.100 sin was 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:56.980 we didn't give thanks 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.420 to God. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.720 We didn't give thanks 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.020 to Him. 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.700 We wanted it our way. 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.760 And do you know 00:28:04.760 --> 00:28:05.600 what the amazing thing 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.340 about this story, 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.500 if you traced it through 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.180 with meals, 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:09.700 when Jesus comes, 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.080 what's the greatest accusation 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:13.160 that is made against Jesus? 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:18.880 He eats and drinks 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.380 with sinners. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.960 That's what they say to Him. 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.840 He eats and drinks 00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.940 with ungrateful, 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.980 disobedient sinners 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:31.740 like you and like me. 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.220 And you see, 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.360 there's something 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:39.219 as you look in this picture 00:28:39.219 --> 00:28:40.099 of the community 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.019 in the Old Testament 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:42.240 which was pointing forward 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.679 to the church 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.799 that He was going to create 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.459 later on. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.559 And there's something 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.939 that we forget 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:50.719 when you look at this family meal, 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.659 when you look at the way 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.819 God has set things up 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.719 in this celebration, 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.219 unless you're Jewish, 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:57.039 anyone Jewish? 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.159 Not too many hands. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.159 You're not invited. 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.859 You weren't invited to the fact 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.359 because you're not part 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:05.899 of the family. 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:09.000 I'm not part of the family. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.459 You know, 00:29:09.479 --> 00:29:10.819 you don't have the WhatsApp invite. 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.240 You're left out of the group. 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:14.399 And frankly, 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:17.139 if I was somebody else, 00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:18.740 I wouldn't want to invite 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.799 somebody who's ungrateful 00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:21.419 and feels entitled like me 00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.699 who takes everything for granted. 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.439 But that experience, 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:26.839 I don't know, 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.479 have you experienced 00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:28.500 that being left out 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:30.579 before from a group, 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.479 from a meal? 00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:32.679 You know, 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.659 you come to church 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.559 or you come to work 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.940 and nobody wants to speak to you. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.319 Everyone has their own little circle 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:39.240 and you're on your own. 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:39.419 Well, 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:41.039 that's what the Bible says spiritually. 00:29:41.159 --> 00:29:42.079 That's what we're like. 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.399 We're outsiders 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:45.879 because we deserve 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.720 to be outsiders. 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:50.339 but Jesus is the one 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.559 who comes and says, 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:53.660 I eat and drink with you, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.299 with sinners like you. 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:55.539 You know, 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.539 the words of Revelation, 00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.039 he says, 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.700 I stand at the door and knock. 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.079 If anyone opens the door, 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.640 what will happen? 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.779 Do you know the verse? 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:06.839 I will come in 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:09.099 and I'll eat with you. 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:12.559 I'll pay that place of belonging 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.960 and welcome. 00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.899 When you were left outside 00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.660 and I wanted you 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.700 to be left outside, 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:19.460 I have brought you in 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:21.099 and I brought you 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.700 into relationship with myself 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:24.480 so you can enjoy my goodness. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:27.240 If you keep chasing 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.399 after everything else 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.599 to satisfy you, 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.720 you're going to be left empty. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:36.519 We will do communion later. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.279 What is communion? 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.220 It's a meal. 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:44.980 It's a meal which is meant to say, 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:47.779 this is how much it costs me 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.100 to invite you. 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:52.680 It costs me my whole life 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:54.120 to invite you 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.640 so you can join in 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:57.500 with a family meal. 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:01.279 Heaven and the new creation, 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.700 what's it described as? 00:31:04.139 --> 00:31:05.539 A wedding feast, 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.559 a banquet 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.399 because God wants you 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.799 to be there in the meal. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:13.019 If you're not a Christian, 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:17.000 the challenge to you is 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.619 God says, 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.759 I want to invite you 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.180 to the meal. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.160 Are you just going to say, 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.279 I want your gifts, 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:22.059 I want the food 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.899 but I don't want you? 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.899 Or are you going to say, 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.759 you are the host 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:28.960 and I want you 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.940 and when I get you, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.460 I get everything else. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.700 The gospel says, 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:37.240 calls us to be 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.039 a holy, 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.400 generous, 00:31:39.880 --> 00:31:40.539 giving people 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.819 who are enjoying God 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:43.259 in His way 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.420 as worship to Him, 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.579 partying in a regular rhythm 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.380 of partying. 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.019 But the last thing is, 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.019 invite. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.019 Okay? 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:53.579 Because this is not 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.619 a self-centered 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:56.440 kind of 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.779 parting from myself. 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.599 Verse 27 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:00.359 says, 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.559 don't neglect 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.160 the Levite 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.980 living in your towns. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.240 At the end 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:05.079 of every three years, 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.139 bring all the tithes 00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:06.920 of that year's produce 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.720 and store it 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.480 in your towns 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.900 so that the Levites 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.200 and the foreigners 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.299 and the fatherless 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.019 and the widows 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.720 who live in your towns 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.839 may come and eat 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.799 and be satisfied 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.200 so that the Lord 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:18.680 your God 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.559 may bless you 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.480 in all the work 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.099 of your hands. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.220 Okay? 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.599 So here's this community 00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:24.559 which are enjoying 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.359 the celebration 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.579 and the blessings of God 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.940 and then he says, 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.940 it's not meant 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:31.039 to be just kept for you. 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.679 This is not a holy huddle 00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:33.859 just for you. 00:32:34.899 --> 00:32:35.799 Because in the land 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.500 there were immigrants, 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.519 people who didn't have 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.839 families to celebrate with. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.799 There were the fatherless 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.819 and the widows 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.700 who weren't able 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.399 to join in them 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:45.599 because they had nobody there 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.099 who could bring them to. 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.139 They were those 00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:49.019 on the outside. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.899 And Israel was called 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.759 to be distinctive 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:53.460 because their enjoyment 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.419 with God's blessings 00:32:54.419 --> 00:32:55.519 was meant to overflow 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.319 to others 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:59.759 so that they could find 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:01.359 a home and belonging too. 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:02.980 You know, 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.879 this is the story 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.799 of the whole church. 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.799 This is the story 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.940 of how God 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:08.059 brings people 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:09.559 into his family 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.859 and then in Acts 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.359 it says, 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.779 the church came together 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.319 and they were rejoicing 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.339 with glad hearts 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.099 praising God, 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.159 eating meals together 00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:18.000 in each other's homes 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.619 and then it says, 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.960 and people were added 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.859 to their number daily. 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:22.420 There is something 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:23.500 of eating 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.680 that is a context 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.460 for mission. 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:29.980 One pastor 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.880 tells a story 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.660 of how he went 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.500 to Honolulu 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.279 traveling 00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.799 3.30 in the morning 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.779 and he's hungry. 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.700 So he goes down 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.779 out of his hotel room, 00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.619 goes down on the streets 00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:42.079 trying to find 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:42.799 somewhere to eat 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:44.180 and there's nothing's open 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:44.859 and then finally 00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:45.759 he ends up 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.180 and he finds 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.759 this little 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:48.859 kind of seedy bar 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.839 on the corner 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:50.919 and he goes in there 00:33:50.919 --> 00:33:51.819 and he goes to sit down 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:53.139 on the kind of greasy stool 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:53.960 by the counter 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:55.839 and he's looking at it, 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.480 looking at the menu 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.639 and just then 00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.079 as he's looking 00:33:59.079 --> 00:33:59.500 at the menu, 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:00.919 in walk 00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:02.559 about eight 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.559 sex workers 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:05.960 and they come down 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:07.240 and they sit 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.239 all on either side 00:34:08.239 --> 00:34:08.480 of him 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.000 and he's thinking, 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.900 I hope my congregation 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.840 don't see me now. 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:14.720 And as he's sitting there 00:34:14.720 --> 00:34:15.400 kind of trying 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:17.000 not to look 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.780 too interested 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.280 in anything, 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:19.380 he overhears 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.059 a conversation 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:22.940 and one of the ladies 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.340 says to her friend, 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.740 he says, 00:34:25.100 --> 00:34:25.360 hey, 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.900 it's my birthday tomorrow 00:34:26.900 --> 00:34:29.660 and her friend 00:34:29.660 --> 00:34:31.100 says to her, 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:31.780 Agnes, 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.579 which is the other 00:34:32.579 --> 00:34:33.120 person's name, 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:35.500 why are you telling me that? 00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:37.140 Why should I care? 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:37.800 What do you want? 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.660 A birthday cake 00:34:38.660 --> 00:34:39.059 or something? 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:41.820 The Agnes replies, 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.000 hey, 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:43.119 don't be so mean to me. 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:43.980 Like, 00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.699 I'm only just saying, 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.920 I wasn't asking for anything 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:47.619 and the conversation 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.840 carries on 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.519 for a little while. 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.099 Eventually, 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.199 the ladies leave 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.119 and all that's left 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.400 is this pastor 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.539 with the barman 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:57.500 and he says to, 00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.299 the pastor says 00:34:58.299 --> 00:34:58.820 to the guy, 00:34:59.679 --> 00:34:59.920 hey, 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.500 what do you think 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.860 about holding 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.059 a birthday party 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:04.139 for Agnes tomorrow? 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.500 The barman goes, 00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:06.779 wow, 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:07.679 that's a great idea. 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.039 I'll get the cake. 00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:11.019 So what they do together, 00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:12.659 they organize 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.960 this birthday party. 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:15.359 Next night comes, 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.419 word's gone out, 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:19.099 the bar is packed full 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.839 of sex workers 00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:22.059 and all kinds of people 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:22.819 like wall-to-wall 00:35:22.819 --> 00:35:23.919 prostitutes everywhere 00:35:23.919 --> 00:35:25.899 and this pastor 00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:27.759 in the middle of them. 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:32.159 It's Lark, 00:35:32.319 --> 00:35:33.899 they shut all the lights off 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:35.820 and then Agnes walks in. 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:38.420 They turn on the lights 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:38.940 and then suddenly 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.840 everyone starts singing 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:41.320 happy birthday to her. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.780 You should have seen her face. 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:44.960 She's stunned. 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.920 Somebody carries Agnes 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:50.940 over to the stall, 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:51.900 sits her down 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.019 and then they bring out 00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.900 the birthday cake. 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.260 At that moment, 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.800 Agnes loses it. 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:57.800 She's crying, 00:35:58.780 --> 00:36:00.720 just tears falling down her face 00:36:00.719 --> 00:36:02.259 and everyone's saying, 00:36:02.339 --> 00:36:03.000 cut the cake, 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:03.779 cut the cake, 00:36:03.879 --> 00:36:04.639 go and get on with it, 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.419 cut the cake 00:36:05.419 --> 00:36:06.579 and she says to him, 00:36:07.739 --> 00:36:07.899 hey, 00:36:07.959 --> 00:36:08.919 do you mind if I just 00:36:08.919 --> 00:36:10.599 take this cake 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.259 to my mom? 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.099 Because 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:15.139 I've never had 00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:16.139 a birthday cake before 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:19.099 and the pastor's like, 00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:19.339 well, 00:36:19.459 --> 00:36:19.719 okay, 00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:19.980 sure, 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.839 it's your birthday cake 00:36:20.839 --> 00:36:21.139 and he's like, 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.259 oh, 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:21.859 she just lives 00:36:21.859 --> 00:36:22.519 a couple of doors 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.099 down the road 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:24.339 so Agnes goes off 00:36:24.339 --> 00:36:25.219 with the birthday cake 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:26.199 and they're left in there, 00:36:27.319 --> 00:36:28.759 this guy with all these, 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.659 all these people in there 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:32.079 and he says, 00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:34.619 he says he just felt 00:36:34.619 --> 00:36:35.199 the thing to do 00:36:35.199 --> 00:36:35.739 was at that moment 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.159 to pray. 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:38.579 So he prays and says, 00:36:38.679 --> 00:36:38.839 God, 00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.139 please, 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.900 we pray for Agnes, 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.960 we pray that you'd heal her, 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:41.960 we pray that you'd do 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.239 a restoration in the work, 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:44.259 in her life 00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:44.960 and then after, 00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.519 at the end of it, 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.619 he opens his eyes 00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:47.440 and the barman's 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:47.980 looking at him 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.400 and saying, 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.599 what are you? 00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.319 Are you a preacher 00:36:50.319 --> 00:36:50.799 or something? 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:53.019 And the guy says, 00:36:53.260 --> 00:36:53.840 well, 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:54.620 yeah, 00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:56.060 not really, 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:56.380 you know, 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:56.820 and he said, 00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.920 listen, 00:36:59.620 --> 00:37:03.000 which church 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.519 do you go to? 00:37:05.060 --> 00:37:06.100 And the guy says, 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.320 in that moment, 00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.300 I go to the kind 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:09.900 of church 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.019 that throws parties 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:13.260 for prostitutes. 00:37:14.720 --> 00:37:15.519 The barman answers, 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.620 that kind of church 00:37:16.620 --> 00:37:17.320 doesn't exist. 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.280 If it was, 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.280 I would go to it. 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:24.820 What's the point 00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:25.580 of that story? 00:37:25.740 --> 00:37:26.100 You see, 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.320 that's the kind of church 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:28.600 Jesus died to create 00:37:28.600 --> 00:37:30.240 and it may not be 00:37:30.240 --> 00:37:31.180 sex workers. 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.900 It may be people 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.780 in your office. 00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:35.360 It may be people 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:37.539 who are just around you 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.260 but people 00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:39.360 who are on the outside 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.120 who are lonely, 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:40.900 who are hurting, 00:37:41.120 --> 00:37:41.700 who are desperate 00:37:41.700 --> 00:37:42.760 and the church 00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:43.740 that God has died 00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:44.340 to create 00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:45.300 is one that is not 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.000 just living, 00:37:46.460 --> 00:37:47.700 eating with its own tribe 00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:48.920 but is welcoming others 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:50.240 to experience it. 00:37:50.239 --> 00:37:51.919 I sat in Friday 00:37:51.919 --> 00:37:53.000 in Starbucks. 00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.599 I was doing a Bible study 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.199 with somebody 00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.399 and all the time, 00:37:56.479 --> 00:37:57.459 I could see someone 00:37:57.459 --> 00:37:58.959 just eavesdropping 00:37:58.959 --> 00:37:59.899 on me. 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:01.839 At the end 00:38:01.839 --> 00:38:02.599 of our conversation, 00:38:02.819 --> 00:38:03.779 I go to stand up 00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.239 and this woman 00:38:04.239 --> 00:38:04.919 turns around 00:38:04.919 --> 00:38:05.439 and says to me, 00:38:05.479 --> 00:38:06.239 hey, hold on a second. 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.539 Can I ask you a question? 00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:09.259 And I said, 00:38:09.339 --> 00:38:09.959 yeah, sure, fine. 00:38:10.219 --> 00:38:10.599 She said, 00:38:10.659 --> 00:38:12.000 I'm lost and confused. 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.459 I don't know 00:38:12.459 --> 00:38:13.139 where to turn. 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:14.960 I've been looking 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.420 for someone 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.460 to answer my questions 00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:17.199 and I don't know 00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:17.879 where to go 00:38:17.879 --> 00:38:18.739 and then, 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:20.279 as I've felt 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:21.239 no one to ask them, 00:38:21.279 --> 00:38:22.719 then you guys sit in 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:23.239 and you come 00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:24.179 and sit next to me 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:26.940 because you see, 00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:28.079 this city is filled 00:38:28.079 --> 00:38:29.420 with lost people 00:38:29.420 --> 00:38:32.019 and the thing is, 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:35.679 when we just eat 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.480 with the people 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.440 we want to eat with, 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:41.420 when we just hang out 00:38:41.420 --> 00:38:41.900 with the people 00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:43.139 we want to hang out with 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:45.179 and we don't see outside, 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:47.579 we've lost the gospel 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:50.200 because Jesus, 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:51.720 we were the outsiders 00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:53.059 and Jesus went over 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:53.860 and reached out 00:38:53.860 --> 00:38:54.880 and invited us in. 00:38:58.860 --> 00:38:59.679 And you know what? 00:38:59.679 --> 00:39:00.320 Some of us, 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.659 we're so wrapped up 00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:03.800 with our lives 00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:06.420 that we don't see 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.720 the people around us. 00:39:08.700 --> 00:39:10.039 So here's my challenge. 00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:11.800 Who are you eating 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.599 with this week? 00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:15.039 As a community group, 00:39:15.220 --> 00:39:16.380 my challenge is for you 00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.220 this week, 00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.180 this month, 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:20.220 organize a party, 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:23.019 organize a food, 00:39:23.139 --> 00:39:23.519 a barbecue, 00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.559 whatever it is 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:26.320 and think of who 00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:26.940 the people 00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:28.260 you can invite 00:39:28.260 --> 00:39:28.900 who you don't 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.599 normally invite. 00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.780 Pray for who 00:39:31.780 --> 00:39:32.460 those people 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.740 that God has placed 00:39:33.740 --> 00:39:34.680 around you could be. 00:39:36.420 --> 00:39:38.039 because you see, 00:39:38.460 --> 00:39:39.420 a holy people 00:39:39.420 --> 00:39:41.559 is a generous people 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.760 but a people 00:39:42.760 --> 00:39:43.740 who come together 00:39:43.740 --> 00:39:45.519 and feast together. 00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:47.059 They also fast together 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:50.300 but they feast together 00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:52.460 and then they invite 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:53.760 others to join in. 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.940 At your workplace, 00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:58.200 the greatest missional context 00:39:58.200 --> 00:39:58.920 you may have 00:39:58.920 --> 00:39:59.800 is to invite someone 00:39:59.800 --> 00:40:00.420 for a meal, 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.360 for lunch, 00:40:01.539 --> 00:40:02.099 your colleague. 00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:05.000 who are you eating with? 00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:05.940 Because 00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:06.719 and who are you 00:40:06.719 --> 00:40:08.279 gratefully thinking 00:40:08.279 --> 00:40:09.500 God has blessed you 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:10.739 with so much stuff? 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.539 Can we lead 00:40:12.539 --> 00:40:13.239 a community 00:40:13.239 --> 00:40:14.219 of thanksgiving 00:40:14.219 --> 00:40:15.460 and grace 00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:17.179 which extends that 00:40:17.179 --> 00:40:17.920 for others 00:40:17.920 --> 00:40:19.099 to enjoy? 00:40:19.659 --> 00:40:20.239 Let's pray. 00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:25.759 Father, 00:40:26.759 --> 00:40:29.879 thank you 00:40:29.879 --> 00:40:30.319 that you have 00:40:30.319 --> 00:40:30.959 invited us 00:40:30.959 --> 00:40:31.779 to the greatest meal 00:40:31.779 --> 00:40:32.179 of all. 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:34.699 A meal with you. 00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:37.219 A meal 00:40:37.219 --> 00:40:38.279 where we are welcome. 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.679 We belong. 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.119 I pray 00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:43.239 that we be a church 00:40:43.239 --> 00:40:44.059 which is not 00:40:44.059 --> 00:40:45.259 so wrapped up 00:40:45.259 --> 00:40:45.879 in ourselves. 00:40:47.579 --> 00:40:47.879 Lord, 00:40:47.939 --> 00:40:48.519 I realize 00:40:48.519 --> 00:40:50.119 as a church 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:54.139 so many of us 00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:55.219 including myself 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:56.019 we just go 00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:56.840 and eat with the people 00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.639 we want to eat with. 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.900 We hang out 00:41:00.900 --> 00:41:01.380 with the people 00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.320 we want to hang out with. 00:41:02.420 --> 00:41:03.539 We eat the community lunch 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.820 just with the same people 00:41:04.820 --> 00:41:06.059 and we don't see 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:07.599 the people sitting next to us 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.360 that we could invite 00:41:08.360 --> 00:41:09.199 to join us. 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:10.780 I pray 00:41:10.780 --> 00:41:11.659 challenge us, 00:41:11.820 --> 00:41:12.579 convict us, 00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:13.840 help us to see 00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:15.320 that the world 00:41:15.320 --> 00:41:15.920 needs to see 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.460 a community 00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:17.420 which is not 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:19.180 simply about ourselves 00:41:19.180 --> 00:41:21.099 but is enjoying you 00:41:21.099 --> 00:41:24.000 and enjoys your grace. 00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.519 Please make us 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:27.360 that kind of people. 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:29.260 In Jesus' name. 00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:30.380 Amen.