WEBVTT 00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:06.480 Good morning. How are you guys doing? Good, good. Hey, you know, my name is Tobin Miller. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:10.179 I'm a teaching pastor here at Watermark. If you're here joining us for the first time, 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:15.620 this is our first time actually in this venue. So we're continually being amazed at how God 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:21.719 provides a place for us to come and to plant our tent and to worship Him and to see how amazing and 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:26.260 great He is. And this week we've had a very special privilege on our journey as a church. 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:30.340 We're here three years old. We would say the purpose of our church is to help people wherever 00:00:30.340 --> 00:00:35.539 they're at take their next step in their journey towards Christ. That means that some of us haven't 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:39.460 started the journey yet. That means some of us have been on the journey for a long time. But wherever 00:00:39.460 --> 00:00:47.280 you are, our prayer and our hope is as a team that we would bring people, God's Word, community in that 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:52.120 would encourage you to take that next step. This week we've had an amazing opportunity to have 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:59.780 Paul Tripp come in and we've been doing marriage and parenting conference meetings at Cyberport along 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:04.879 with many other churches in Hong Kong. Now Paul, I think, is only the second person we've ever had 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:11.459 from the outside come in and speak at Watermark. We try to guard the pulpit pretty closely because we 00:01:11.459 --> 00:01:16.680 want you guys to hear God's Word very clearly. And I can think of no other person who can communicate 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:24.160 God's Word clearly than Paul can. Paul has been a professor at seminary. He's been a pastor for 25 00:01:24.160 --> 00:01:30.800 years. He's a church planner. He's part ahead of Paul Tripp's ministries. He's a speaker, an author. 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:36.180 He's very hard to get as a conference speaker in the States and sometimes it's two years and we were 00:01:36.180 --> 00:01:40.840 amazed that it took us less than two years and we were very fortunate to bring him in here and just 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:45.820 speak into our lives what it means to walk with the Lord. And one of the things I appreciate about Paul 00:01:45.819 --> 00:01:51.199 is just his understanding of the gospel and how the gospel impacts and weaves into every moment of our 00:01:51.199 --> 00:01:57.079 life. And you can hear that so clearly in his books and in his teaching. Paul was joined by Luella, 00:01:57.179 --> 00:02:02.939 his wife. She came and joined them here. They have four grown children and they just got their first 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:09.519 grandchild last Saturday. So that's a huge blessing for them. So with all of that, would you help me 00:02:09.519 --> 00:02:11.419 welcome Paul Tripp to come up and share with us? 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:26.099 Well, it's been great to be with you and wonderful to be in Hong Kong. God has been bringing us to 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:37.840 Asia a lot. We were just in Singapore in October. Well, we got the call that no parent wants to get. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:47.360 I was about six hours away from home. Luella called me on the phone. My dear wife, Luella is back there. 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:57.020 Raise your hand, please. She's trying to hide, but I won't let her. And Luella is a very level person 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:01.819 emotionally. I'm the passionate person. I'm up and down in our relationship. Luella is very level 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:07.140 emotionally. And when I got the call from Luella, I knew that something serious had happened. I could 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:15.439 sense that from her voice. She informed me that our daughter had been in a terrible accident. Nicole 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:24.060 was walking down the street in Philadelphia and a drunk and unlicensed driver driving a huge all-terrain 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:29.719 vehicle careened off onto the sidewalk and crushed Nicole against a wall. 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:39.699 She had massive injuries. She had 11 breaks of her pelvis alone. The doctors told us if it had 00:03:39.699 --> 00:03:43.659 happened in the suburbs of Philadelphia where we live, she wouldn't have made it to the hospital. 00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:52.840 I'll never forget how long that trip seemed to take to get from where I was to that hospital 00:03:52.840 --> 00:04:00.099 intensive care room. I'll never forget walking into the room seeing the broken body of my daughter 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:05.860 hooked up to machines. I didn't know for sure what her condition was, but I couldn't think of anything 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:14.080 else to do as the heart of this father was breaking but to crawl up onto the bed next to her and put my 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:21.519 cheek next to her cheek and whisper into her ear, Nicole, it's dad. I'm here. You're not alone. 00:04:22.839 --> 00:04:37.679 Nicole. That kicked in about four years of travail. It was very, very hard. Nicole had remarkable pain. 00:04:38.039 --> 00:04:42.959 There was no position she could be in that wasn't painful for her because that center part of her 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:52.000 skeleton was shattered. We had no idea where things were going. She was hurt and angry and confused and 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:59.439 I didn't go into my office for three months. We couldn't leave her alone. We turned the bottom 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:10.759 floor of the back part of our house into a hospital. Now when you go through those kinds of things, 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:19.600 hear what I'm about to say. You preach some kind of gospel to yourself. When you're going through 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:29.760 difficulty. When the unplanned and the unexpected and the unwanted enters your door, you preach 00:05:29.760 --> 00:05:41.620 something to yourself. You say incredibly important things about God. You say incredibly important things 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:55.740 to yourself about meaning and purpose. Everyone in this room is a philosopher. Everyone in this room 00:05:55.740 --> 00:06:01.899 is a theologian. Everyone in this room is an archaeologist and you will dig through the mound of 00:06:01.899 --> 00:06:08.160 your existence to make sense out of your life. I say this all the time and often when I say it, 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:13.380 people laugh, but I'm really quite serious, no one's more influential in your life than you are 00:06:13.380 --> 00:06:20.800 because no one talks to you more than you do. Most of us have learned not to move our lips 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:27.520 because they may think we're crazy. But you are in a constant conversation with yourself and the things 00:06:27.520 --> 00:06:34.960 you say to you are profoundly important because they're formative of the way you respond to life. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:40.739 In moments of difficulty, what do you say to you? 00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:51.019 Luella tells me that I don't finish this story of Nicole and I leave congregations in utter trauma. 00:06:52.359 --> 00:06:58.179 So I want to tell you by God's grace, Nicole is doing very well and if you saw her, you probably 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:08.740 wouldn't know she had been in the kind of accident she was in. Now in your bulletins, it says that I'm 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:16.220 speaking from Mark 6 and you have a passage from Mark 6 there and I'm not. That's just because I'm 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:23.399 rebellious. You'll just have to pray for me. God's not done with me yet. Sometimes I step over the 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:30.739 boundaries. So if you're mad about that, it's my fault. You can talk to me later. It's not anyone 00:07:30.739 --> 00:07:39.099 else's fault here at Watermark. I want to read for you from Psalm 27. Now Psalm 27 is a psalm of trouble. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:47.239 I love the psalms. I love, love, love the psalms because I think the psalms are very honest about 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:54.980 the messiness of faith between the already of your conversion and the not yet of your homegoing as you're 00:07:54.980 --> 00:08:01.960 living in this broken, fallen world. I love the psalms. I think the psalms are in the Bible to keep us 00:08:01.960 --> 00:08:11.220 honest because faith doesn't look so easy and doesn't look so platitudinous in the psalms. It looks messy 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:19.560 and hard. You have psalms where the cry is, how long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:31.700 And Psalm 27 is a psalm that the scholars say is written out of one of two moments in David's life. 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:40.300 Either it's written when David was fleeing from his own son Absalom because Absalom, his son, had decided 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:47.339 to take his throne. Now think about this. If it's a monarchy, the only way you can fully take another 00:08:47.339 --> 00:08:56.799 person's throne is for that person to die. Think about this. This is a father whose son is not just after his 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:04.019 position, who is after his life. Think how heartbroken you would be. And you know when you begin to read this 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:11.939 story that it's not going to have a happy end. And it doesn't. There's a moment when that rebellious, 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:19.259 murderous son dies and David is a father he can't celebrate. He crumbles to the ground and cries, 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:27.100 Absalom, my son, Absalom, Absalom. It's as poignant of a moment as you have in all of Scripture. 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:36.800 Or this psalm may have been written when David was fleeing from Saul, a king that he served loyally 00:09:36.800 --> 00:09:45.279 who hates him and is out to take his life. This psalm is written out of trouble, the kind of trouble 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:52.399 you would read in the newspaper and it would take your breath away. Let me read for you. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:10:01.000 The Lord is my light and salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is a stronghold of my life. Of whom 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:07.139 shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who 00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:12.959 stumble and fall. Though an army acamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war rise against me, 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:19.340 yet I will be confident. One thing I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:26.560 in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, to inquire in 00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:34.800 his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble. He will conceal me under the 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:41.280 cover of his tent, and he will lift me up on a high rock. It's very interesting that this psalm of 00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:48.980 trouble doesn't begin with trouble. This psalm of trouble begins with theology, and there is immediately 00:10:48.980 --> 00:11:05.399 a lesson in that for us here what I'm about to say. Peace in times of trouble begins with sound 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:11.000 biblical theology. It doesn't begin with trying to figure out what in the world God is doing. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:24.320 God's secret will is called his secret will because it's secret. You'll never ever reach peace by trying 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:32.379 to understand things that God has not yet revealed to you. Peace is found in grabbing a hold of things 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:37.480 that God has already revealed to you in his word. That's where peace is found. 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:48.320 And what David says in this moment of trouble in his life is remarkable. The Lord is light. The Lord 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:56.759 is salvation. The Lord is stronghold. Think about that. What does light point to in Scripture? Light is a 00:11:56.759 --> 00:12:03.240 metaphor for what is true and what is right and what is holy and what is just. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:13.180 In a world where evil things happen. In a world where there's injustice on every side. 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:22.940 In a world where people make evil decisions that alter the lives of others. It's so wonderful to know 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:32.019 that ruling over all of that chaos is a God of perfect holiness, perfect justice. Hear what I'm about to say. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:34.939 Holiness and justice will win. 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.779 Sometimes that's hard to see. 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:49.340 The legal authorities in Philadelphia wanting to get Nicole's case through the court, I would imagine, 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:56.980 pled it down from a drunk driving case to a reckless driving case and she got no justice whatsoever. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:13:08.779 Hard to accept. Hard to accept. But there is justice in this world because this world is ruled by a God of remarkable, 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:23.620 untainted justice. The Lord is salvation. In the biggest, grandest term, sense of that term, what does that word mean? 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:38.460 It means deliverance from evil. The evil inside and the evil outside. This is a God who is zealous and intent on delivering us from evil. 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:51.620 And although evil is still around us and evil is inside of us, this God will not rest. He will not relent. He will not stop until evil is no more. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:59.519 Right now, your Lord is in the process of eradicating evil, although it doesn't seem like that. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:10.539 There will be a day when all of us are invited to the one funeral that we'll all want to attend. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:17.579 We will be invited to the funeral of sin and death because sin and death will die. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:30.020 And we will live on forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever in a place where these things are no more. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:46.840 The Lord is refuge. What's the picture there? The picture is of a fortified city, thick-walled and safe, a place to run in times of trouble. 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:55.679 If you're God's child, you are never alone in trouble. It's impossible for you to be left alone in trouble. 00:14:55.679 --> 00:15:02.859 It's impossible for you to be left alone to your own resources and your own ingenuity and your own wisdom 00:15:02.859 --> 00:15:09.039 because a God who is refuge has invaded your life by His grace. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.639 There's refuge. 00:15:14.079 --> 00:15:18.919 You're not without a place to run. 00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:22.299 The Lord is light. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:25.899 The Lord is salvation. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.079 The Lord is refuge. 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:29.939 Now, I'm about to confuse you. 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:31.699 I'm warning you. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:38.399 But I must say something that will initially be confusing to you, but I think it's important to say. 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:41.419 What I've just given you is bad theology. 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.539 It's bad theology. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:47.120 It may have sounded to you like good theology, but it's bad theology. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:47.839 Here's why. 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:52.399 Because I've left out a very significant word in this passage. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:56.879 It's a word that changes everything you think about what David said. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:00.360 David did not write, the Lord is light. 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:04.019 He didn't write, the Lord is salvation. 00:16:04.540 --> 00:16:06.720 He didn't write, the Lord is refuge. 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:07.500 What did he write? 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:12.300 A little two-letter word that changes everything. 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:15.979 The Lord is my light. 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:19.500 The Lord is my salvation. 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:22.299 The Lord is my stronghold. 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:25.479 Listen, here's what David is saying. 00:16:25.839 --> 00:16:31.019 By glorious grace, grace that I could have never earned or achieved or deserved, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:40.340 this God who is light, this God who is salvation, this God who is refuge, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:44.039 has been connected to me by grace. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.059 He's light for me. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.419 He's light. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.919 He's salvation for me. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.939 He's refuge for me. 00:16:52.940 --> 00:17:01.700 I will say this, enough of distant, abstract, informational, impersonal theology. 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.700 That's not the theology of Scripture. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:08.120 The theology of Scripture is deeply relational and deeply personal. 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:12.420 The theology of Scripture is not meant just to define who God is. 00:17:12.580 --> 00:17:15.980 It's meant to give you a whole new sense of identity as his children. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:23.860 And if the theology that you believe hasn't redefined your identity as a child of God, 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:26.539 that's bad, unhelpful theology. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:34.000 Because David is saying, listen, in this moment of trouble, this is who I am. 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:36.819 I'm a child of the one who is light. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:40.339 I'm a child of the one who is salvation. 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:44.180 I'm a child of the one who is refuge. 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:50.259 You see, when you're going through trouble, you know one of the things you will do? 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:52.799 You will assign yourself some kind of identity. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.640 You will tell yourself who you are. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.759 You will tell yourself that you're poor and weak and unable 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:05.019 and you don't have the resources to get through. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:10.740 You will tell yourself that you've been singled out for a particular suffering. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:14.680 You will tell yourself that you've been forgotten by God. 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:21.220 Or you will tell yourself that you're rich and well-supplied and not alone. 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:26.120 And you have every reason to have confidence, not because life is easy, 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:30.279 not because it's going well, not because you know what's going to happen next, 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:34.620 but because God is and he's connected himself to you by grace. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:34.759 Grace. 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:34.879 Grace. 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.819 That's what should get you up in the morning 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:44.079 and give you a reason to continue. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:47.779 Now, if that isn't radical enough, 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:50.619 this psalm is about to get more radical. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:56.180 Let me read the next few verses for you. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:19:00.060 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:03.519 my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.840 Though an army acamp against me, 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:09.320 my heart shall not fear. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.799 Though war rise against me, 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.019 yet I will be confident. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.960 One thing I have asked of the Lord, 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.940 that I will seek after, 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:20.380 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:22.340 all the days of my life 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:24.539 to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.980 and inquire in his temple. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:29.799 What is radical about this psalm 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:36.359 is the contrast between verses 2 and 3 and verse 4. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.639 Verses 2 and 3 say, 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:44.199 when evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.619 my adversaries and foes, 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:48.639 though an army camp against me, 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:50.799 though war rise against me, 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.959 now think with me, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.400 be honest in this moment. 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.420 If you're in a situation 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:59.340 where there are an army of people 00:19:59.340 --> 00:20:01.279 who are encamped against you 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:05.920 and they want to eat up your flesh, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:09.200 that is a very graphic word picture. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:12.900 They want to eat you alive. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.259 They want you dead. 00:20:17.620 --> 00:20:19.680 What would be the one thing 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.880 that you would desire? 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:29.519 If you were facing unthinkable trouble, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.700 you didn't know where it was going to go, 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:35.380 but it looks like it's leading to your death, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.200 be honest. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.940 What would be the one thing 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.000 that you would pray for God, 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:40.740 to God for? 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:43.019 How about weapons? 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.519 That makes sense to me. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:48.240 Just give me bigger weapons than my enemy. 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:53.879 How about just incinerate them? 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.539 You're God. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:59.039 You can destroy this enemy 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.819 with a twitch of your finger. 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.779 You're the Lord Almighty. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:06.200 How about sucking me out of the situation 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.480 and dropping me somewhere else? 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.259 It's an easy thing for you to do. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.299 You're Lord Creator. 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:17.799 But that's not what David prays for. 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:20.080 What he says is, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:24.519 this one thing I want to do, 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.860 I want to run to God's temple 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:31.059 and I want to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.619 What? 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:35.720 Now either this man 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.980 is so super spiritual 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.839 that none of us can relate to him 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:42.559 or he's on to something. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:47.399 Why would that be the response of David? 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.599 Why would he say, 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:51.519 in this moment of deep and dark trouble 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:54.159 that I don't think I'm going to get myself out of 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:55.279 that is so crushing 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:57.339 because two people that I love 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.740 are out to end my life, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.380 this is what I want to do. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:03.819 I want to run to the house of the Lord. 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:06.579 I want to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.039 Why? 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:10.079 Here's why. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.220 Here's what I'm about to say. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.400 I'm going to explain it. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:15.000 Because David has come to understand 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:18.839 that there exists in the universe 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:24.099 one of greater and more glorious beauty 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.920 than any ugly thing 00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.920 you will ever face in your life. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.920 Let me say it again. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.319 David has come to understand 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:34.940 that there exists in the universe 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:40.299 one of grand and glorious beauty, 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.980 more stunningly beautiful 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:46.460 than any dark, ugly thing 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:48.980 that you will ever face in your life. 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:59.860 If you're facing the loss of a job, 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:04.539 you better remind yourself 00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.680 in that ugly moment 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:08.940 of the gorgeous beauty 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:13.380 of the Savior to whom you have been connected by grace. 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:17.540 If you're facing physical sickness 00:23:17.540 --> 00:23:21.820 and you feel weaker than you've ever felt in your life, 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.500 you better remind yourself 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:26.240 of the gorgeous beauty 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:31.040 of the one who is connected to you by grace. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:34.620 If you're facing the disloyalty of a friend 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:36.740 and you wake up every morning 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.780 and you remember it again 00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:39.000 and you know you should get over it, 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.559 but you don't, 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.480 your heart is broken, 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.039 you better remind yourself 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.579 of the glorious beauty 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:46.839 of the one who you've been connected to by grace. 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:50.660 If you're facing things in your marriage 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:52.460 that you thought you would never face 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:55.599 and you try and you try 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.960 to bring it to a different place 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:58.960 and it doesn't ever seem to be in a different place, 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.519 you better remind yourself 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.259 of the stunning beauty 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:05.480 of the one to whom you've been connected by grace. 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.519 You're at the end 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:12.460 of a particularly discouraging parenting day 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.700 where it seems like your children 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.099 have conspired together 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.759 to be particularly rebellious. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.519 You better remind yourself 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:22.279 of the stunning beauty 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:25.900 of the one to whom you've been connected by grace. 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:28.759 If you're facing the difficulties of old age 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:31.039 and your body seems more weak and vulnerable 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.559 than it ever has before, 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.000 you better remind yourself 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.940 of the stunning beauty 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:39.039 of the one who you've been connected to by grace. 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:42.059 God is gorgeous in his wisdom. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:44.379 He's beautiful in his sovereignty. 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.879 He's beautiful in his love. 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:49.140 He's beautiful in his faithfulness. 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:51.379 He's beautiful in his grace. 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:54.559 He's beautiful in his patience. 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:56.759 He's beautiful in his kindness. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.980 He's beautiful in his mercy. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.980 He's beautiful. 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.000 He's beautiful. 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.039 He's beautiful. 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.099 He's beautiful. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.099 He's beautiful. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.539 And here what I'm about to say, 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:11.740 you only will ever understand 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.579 and see clearly 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:16.720 the ugliness of life in a fallen world 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.579 when you look at it through the lens 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:20.319 of the beauty of your Savior. 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:28.259 You will only ever understand 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:30.399 and see clearly 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:35.139 the ugliness that you will face in your life 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:37.659 when you see that ugliness 00:25:37.659 --> 00:25:41.819 through the lens of the stunning beauty 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:44.240 of your Savior. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:47.000 You see, 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:51.000 because when you look at life 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:53.059 from the vantage point 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:56.319 of the expansive beauty 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:58.460 of God's glory, 00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.799 life looks different. 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:03.660 There's a moment in the life 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:07.180 of this psalmist. 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:10.580 He's a shepherd, 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.279 young man. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.820 His brothers are in the army 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:16.880 and they're assembled 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:18.220 with the army of Israel 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.640 in the valley of Elah. 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:24.640 And across from them in the valley 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:27.860 is the army of the Philistine nation, 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:30.060 a marauding pirate nation. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:33.259 Now the Lord has said, 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:35.480 this promised land belongs to you 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:37.079 and I will deliver those nations 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.940 into your hands 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.220 because I am the Lord. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.039 And so the army of Israel 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:44.039 is lined up for battle 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.359 the very first day 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:47.419 and rather than the whole 00:26:47.419 --> 00:26:49.259 Philistine army coming out, 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:52.720 out comes one giant warrior, Goliath. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:56.220 And he lays out this challenge, 00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:58.940 send me your best soldier. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.240 Guess what happens? 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.180 The army of Israel goes 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:05.360 back to their tents in fear 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:06.340 and they commiserate. 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.120 What are we going to do? 00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:08.000 What are we going to do? 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.880 What are we going to do? 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.559 Now what they're doing is 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:13.880 they're drawing this false 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:15.360 spiritual equation. 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:18.400 They're comparing their little selves 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:20.200 against this great big giant. 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:22.259 Well, who do you think is going to win? 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.559 Because they're not looking 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.900 at this ugly moment 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:26.200 from the vantage point 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.539 of the stunning beauty 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.440 of the God 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.240 who has sent them 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.940 into that valley. 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.440 They do that for 40 days. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.119 They've completely forgotten 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.700 who they are. 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:40.039 They've completely forgotten 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.839 who God is. 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.440 David shows up. 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:45.099 It's sort of a humorous family scene. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:47.339 He's there to deliver lunch 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.259 to his brothers, 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.920 bread and cheese. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.539 They sort of make fun of him 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.879 and tell him he's trying 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.920 to hang around with the real men. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.960 Go home and take care 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.860 of your little lambs. 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:59.360 David asks the question 00:27:59.360 --> 00:27:59.860 of the moment. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.819 Why aren't we fighting? 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.000 It's a good question. 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.880 It's the right question. 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.440 It's a theological question. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.660 And then he says, 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.539 I'll go. 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.660 Now he either is saying that 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:14.220 because he's arrogant 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:16.200 or delusional 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:18.519 or he's on to something. 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:21.819 They want to arm him for battle 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.920 and he doesn't want armament. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:26.160 And as he walks into that valley, 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.819 now just with the cloak 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.599 of a shepherd 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:31.900 and a wimpy little shepherd's sling 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.119 and five stones, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.220 he says this, 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.680 he, God, 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.079 delivered the lion 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.980 and he delivered the bear 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.019 and he will deliver 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.660 this Philistine this day. 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.400 David is able to look 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:44.819 at that ugly moment, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.099 not through the lens 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:47.079 of his own ability, 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.599 but through the lens 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.779 of the stunning beauty 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.419 of the God that he represents. 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.399 And he says, 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.720 it's not little me 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:55.139 against that big giant. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:56.659 It's this puny little giant 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:58.119 against Almighty God. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.099 Now who do you think 00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.779 is going to win? 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.599 And when he walks 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.579 into that valley, 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.759 I hear the timpani 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.659 begin to roll. 00:29:08.699 --> 00:29:10.119 The drums get louder 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.159 as he gets closer 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.279 to that giant 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:14.199 and Goliath mocks him 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:14.759 and he says, 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.759 are you a dog 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.920 that you're going 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.960 to give me a stick? 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.220 That's not a compliment. 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.940 And David stands 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.640 in front of him 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.539 and now the drums 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.720 are rolling louder 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:29.160 and he begins to, 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.819 he loads the sling 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.839 and he begins to do this. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.559 Now you're hearing 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.559 the drums roll 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.079 and the cymbals crash 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.920 and you just know 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.420 there's going to be 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.799 some kind of carnage. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.400 And he lets loose 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.500 of that stone. 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.859 It seems ridiculous 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:44.879 against this giant. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.720 But it hits him 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.200 in the temple, 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.900 knocks him out 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:51.279 and David runs up, 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.559 pulls the sword 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:54.099 out of that man's sling 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:56.039 and cuts off his head. 00:29:58.839 --> 00:30:00.980 There's an awesome painting 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:03.559 in the Metropolitan Museum 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.180 of New York City. 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.720 If you're ever 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.480 in New York City, 00:30:05.559 --> 00:30:06.180 it's worth going 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.879 to the Met 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.680 to see this. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:10.620 It's of this shepherd boy 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:13.960 holding this severed head 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.299 by the hair. 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:17.500 Glory of God. 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:21.200 You see, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.420 the ugliness 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:25.120 of a fallen world 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:26.640 is not ultimate 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.759 in your life. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:28.860 God is. 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:31.759 The ugliness 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.679 of a fallen world 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.699 doesn't determine 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.459 your identity. 00:30:34.959 --> 00:30:35.740 God does. 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.219 The ugliness 00:30:37.219 --> 00:30:38.319 of a fallen world 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.240 doesn't determine 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:40.099 your destiny. 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.359 God does. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.919 The ugliness 00:30:42.919 --> 00:30:44.059 of a fallen world 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.979 doesn't determine 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:45.759 your resources. 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.079 God does. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.240 And you only 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.979 will ever 00:30:50.979 --> 00:30:51.859 understand 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:54.599 the ugliness 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.439 that you face 00:30:55.439 --> 00:30:56.079 every day, 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:56.799 the ugliness 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.460 that will enter 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.159 the door 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.039 of everyone 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.679 in this room 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.579 in some way 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:02.839 when you see it 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:04.000 through the lens 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.539 of the stunning 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.519 beauty 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.740 of the Lord. 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.220 David has it right. 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.679 That peace 00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:16.119 in times 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.879 of trouble 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:18.240 begins 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:20.379 with sound theology. 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.460 But here I'm about 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.019 to say, 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.059 but it's rooted 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:24.220 in the worship 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.179 of God. 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:29.019 the thing 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:30.819 that will destroy 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:32.299 fear in your life 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.119 is the worship 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.679 of God. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.319 Because the more 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.099 that worship 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.859 helps you to see 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.919 his stunning 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.699 grandeur 00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:41.359 and beauty, 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.779 the smaller 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.939 those troubles 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:45.220 become 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.279 in your life. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.939 Now I want 00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.240 to give you 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.679 homework. 00:31:52.439 --> 00:31:53.259 I'm serious. 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.079 If you've got a pen 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.859 and piece of paper, 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:55.720 write this down. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.980 There will be a quiz. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.220 I'm going to give you 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:01.119 four things to do. 00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:03.500 Because I want 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.139 what we've talked 00:32:04.139 --> 00:32:04.939 about this morning 00:32:04.939 --> 00:32:05.699 to be practical 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.119 to you, 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.279 to be life-changing 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:07.819 for you. 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.960 I'm going to give you 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.859 four words. 00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:12.000 Four words that you 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.460 need to nail 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.179 into your life. 00:32:14.639 --> 00:32:15.799 Here's the first word. 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:16.899 Gaze. 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.740 Gaze. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:21.140 Make a commitment 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:23.400 every morning, 00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.279 first thing in the morning, 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.940 to take a few moments 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.920 to gaze upon 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:28.779 the beauty of the Lord. 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.319 I'm serious. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.259 Go to Isaiah 40, 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.480 which is a rift 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:39.180 on God's grandeur. 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.559 Go to the last few 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.579 chapters of the Proverbs 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.920 where God just displays 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.859 his splendor 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:46.399 in front of Job. 00:32:48.899 --> 00:32:49.799 Go to the first 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.479 couple chapters 00:32:50.479 --> 00:32:51.199 of Ephesians 00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.299 where God reveals 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.379 his sovereign grace. 00:32:53.639 --> 00:32:54.419 Go somewhere 00:32:54.419 --> 00:32:55.859 and just focus 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:57.839 on the beauty 00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.339 of the Lord. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.899 Start every day 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.799 by gazing 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.799 on the beauty 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.699 of the Lord. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.479 Second word 00:33:04.479 --> 00:33:05.500 is remember. 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.919 Remind yourself 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:11.400 that that beauty 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:13.660 defines your identity. 00:33:15.840 --> 00:33:17.019 That God is not 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.340 just these things. 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.740 He's these things 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.700 for you. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.400 Because I think 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.779 there are many of us, 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:25.100 I think you can 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:26.019 understand this term, 00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.200 who are identity 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.519 amnesiacs. 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.820 We're identity 00:33:30.820 --> 00:33:31.800 amnesiacs. 00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:32.860 We very quickly 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:34.240 forget who we are. 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.700 The troubles of life 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.980 cause us to forget 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.920 who we are. 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:39.400 Gaze, 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:40.980 remember, 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:42.980 third, 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.140 rest. 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:48.580 Let your heart 00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:49.500 rest. 00:33:50.080 --> 00:33:51.400 Not because you know 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.100 what's happening 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:52.920 in your life. 00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.100 Not because you 00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:55.120 figured it out. 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.300 Not because you 00:33:56.300 --> 00:33:56.960 understand. 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.539 Not because 00:33:58.539 --> 00:34:00.080 circumstances are easy, 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.539 but because God 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:02.460 is, 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.519 and he is 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.460 what he is 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.360 for you. 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.779 Your rest 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:10.139 in who he is 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:12.279 and your identity 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:13.440 as his child. 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.759 Fourth word, 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.380 now act. 00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.900 Let your 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:24.000 responses to life 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:26.679 be based on 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.519 gazing 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:28.900 and remembering 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:30.000 and resting 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.559 because the 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.420 Psalms say, 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:33.719 do not fear, 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.760 it only 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:36.340 leads to evil. 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.980 The decisions 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.699 you make 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.539 out of anxiety 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:39.980 and worry 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.500 or fear 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.780 are often 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.579 the ones 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.340 you live 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:44.059 to regret. 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.800 Gaze, 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:49.780 remember, 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.659 rest, 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.320 and act. 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:58.460 one thing 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.559 I desire 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:02.820 that I may dwell 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.360 in the house 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:03.840 of the Lord 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:05.700 and gaze 00:35:05.700 --> 00:35:06.559 upon the beauty 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:06.960 of the Lord. 00:35:07.180 --> 00:35:07.920 You will only 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:09.120 ever understand 00:35:09.120 --> 00:35:09.720 properly 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:11.120 and see clearly 00:35:11.120 --> 00:35:12.440 the ugliness 00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:12.880 of life 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.820 in a fallen world 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:15.440 when you view it 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:16.900 through the lens 00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:18.300 of the stunning 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:19.019 beauty 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:20.340 of your Savior. 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.840 Let's pray. 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:33.400 Lord, 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:35.160 how thankful 00:35:35.160 --> 00:35:35.900 we are 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.539 for this 00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.360 vignette 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.559 in the life 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.059 of David. 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:40.519 How thankful 00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:41.220 we are 00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:42.500 that we are 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:44.440 able to 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.200 eavesdrop 00:35:45.200 --> 00:35:46.180 on this moment 00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:48.380 and for the way 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:48.700 it 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:50.819 confronts us 00:35:50.819 --> 00:35:52.139 and encourages us. 00:35:52.819 --> 00:35:54.199 May we be people 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.899 who gaze 00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:57.659 and rest 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:59.359 and remember 00:35:59.359 --> 00:36:00.799 and then act 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:02.079 with hope 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:03.960 and courage, 00:36:05.399 --> 00:36:07.500 joy, 00:36:08.839 --> 00:36:09.399 and commitment 00:36:09.399 --> 00:36:12.239 because we've seen life 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.699 through the lens 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:15.219 of your stunning beauty. 00:36:15.859 --> 00:36:16.980 In Jesus' name, 00:36:17.419 --> 00:36:17.619 amen. 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:23.879 one of the things 00:36:23.879 --> 00:36:26.299 that always kind of 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:27.659 challenged me, 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.919 I think God challenges me 00:36:28.919 --> 00:36:29.879 and the church 00:36:29.879 --> 00:36:31.619 is how does the worship 00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:33.039 that happens, 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:33.859 the music, 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.579 the singing, 00:36:35.339 --> 00:36:35.899 the sermon, 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.679 the receiving 00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:37.500 of his scripture, 00:36:37.619 --> 00:36:38.480 how does that connect 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.239 with the worship 00:36:39.239 --> 00:36:40.599 that happens 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.500 throughout the week 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:42.839 24-7 00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:44.299 in our lives? 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:46.980 God reveals himself 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.620 to us, 00:36:47.680 --> 00:36:47.980 you know, 00:36:48.700 --> 00:36:49.660 week after week 00:36:49.660 --> 00:36:50.560 through the scripture, 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:51.360 through the message, 00:36:51.480 --> 00:36:52.180 through the music. 00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:53.880 How is he revealing 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:55.140 himself to me 00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:56.519 in my neighborhood, 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.440 in my workplace, 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.420 in my home 00:36:58.420 --> 00:37:00.500 and how am I responding 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:03.140 to what he's doing 00:37:03.140 --> 00:37:04.620 and what he's speaking 00:37:04.620 --> 00:37:05.280 to me 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.620 throughout the week? 00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:08.500 And one thing 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.239 that's so clear 00:37:09.239 --> 00:37:09.739 in scripture 00:37:09.739 --> 00:37:11.980 is that God tells us 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:13.480 the religion that is pure 00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.339 and faultless 00:37:14.339 --> 00:37:15.019 is this, 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:16.099 to look after 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:17.659 widows and orphans 00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:18.480 in their distress. 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:20.279 And in those days, 00:37:20.339 --> 00:37:21.219 in the days of scripture, 00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:22.079 widows and orphans 00:37:22.079 --> 00:37:22.599 represented 00:37:22.599 --> 00:37:24.480 the most marginalized, 00:37:24.839 --> 00:37:25.559 the most broken, 00:37:25.799 --> 00:37:28.639 the most poor people 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.779 in society. 00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:32.679 And the question, 00:37:32.819 --> 00:37:33.039 I guess, 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.879 is posed to me 00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:35.019 is what are we doing 00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:35.779 as a church, 00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.079 as an individual, 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:38.460 as a community group 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:40.599 to embrace that, 00:37:40.639 --> 00:37:42.139 to embrace that true religion 00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:43.839 and overflow 00:37:43.839 --> 00:37:45.659 what God has so richly 00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:47.480 lavished upon us. 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:49.279 And one community group 00:37:49.279 --> 00:37:51.259 within Watermark, 00:37:51.319 --> 00:37:52.259 one community group, 00:37:52.900 --> 00:37:53.359 I believe, 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.440 really caught that vision 00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.179 and God really 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:56.699 began using them 00:37:56.699 --> 00:37:57.539 to reach out 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:58.980 to the poor 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.960 in the Western District, 00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:00.779 the elderly, 00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:02.139 the homeless. 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.699 And from that, 00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:06.719 we've really seen, 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.500 I would say, 00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:08.320 God has begun 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:10.400 a grassroots movement. 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:10.719 You know, 00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:11.500 different groups 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:13.340 have gotten involved, 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.380 different individuals, 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.619 and they've partnered 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:17.199 with a Christian NGO 00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:19.480 called St. Barnabas Society. 00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:20.619 And they're based 00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.559 in the Western District 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.139 of Hong Kong 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:23.699 in the West Island area. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:24.759 And they reach out 00:38:24.759 --> 00:38:25.460 to these people. 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:27.500 And they're on the brink 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:29.159 of starting something new, 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.039 that God's starting 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.659 something new 00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:32.840 in this society. 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:33.900 And they want to reach out 00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:34.500 to children 00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:36.400 from low-income families 00:38:36.400 --> 00:38:37.420 all around the area, 00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:38.920 many public schools 00:38:38.920 --> 00:38:39.519 and those things. 00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.460 And Sam has been 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:42.260 just one of many people 00:38:42.260 --> 00:38:42.860 who have really 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:44.420 gotten their hands dirty 00:38:44.420 --> 00:38:45.579 and getting involved 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:47.059 with this organization. 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:49.420 So I just want to ask Sam 00:38:49.420 --> 00:38:50.440 if you could share 00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:51.400 with us a couple things 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.559 about what God 00:38:52.559 --> 00:38:54.420 has been showing 00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.039 and revealing 00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:55.059 and revealing 00:38:55.059 --> 00:38:55.840 about himself 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:57.960 through this new project 00:38:57.960 --> 00:38:58.519 with the children. 00:38:59.280 --> 00:38:59.500 Yeah, 00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:01.599 God's touched our hearts 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.539 and opened our eyes. 00:39:02.680 --> 00:39:04.059 And it's amazing 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:05.119 what God's doing 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:07.940 for our small community group. 00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:09.720 And in the shadows 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:11.420 of IFC, 00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:12.260 you know, 00:39:12.340 --> 00:39:13.900 where most of the investment 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.880 bankers work 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.659 in Hong Kong, 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.720 is St. Barnabas, 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.420 one of the, 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:19.639 you know, 00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.720 an area, 00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:22.439 it's a shelter 00:39:22.439 --> 00:39:24.459 and on the ground floor 00:39:24.459 --> 00:39:24.980 we know 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:26.039 that they serve 00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.739 a lot of meals 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:28.779 and they do so much 00:39:28.779 --> 00:39:29.480 for the needy. 00:39:30.759 --> 00:39:32.579 And it was around 00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:34.459 Chinese New Year 00:39:34.459 --> 00:39:35.559 when our community group 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:37.619 served at St. Barnabas 00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:39.599 and I remember 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:40.039 I was there 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:40.759 with my wife 00:39:40.759 --> 00:39:41.759 and our group 00:39:41.759 --> 00:39:43.559 and, you know, 00:39:43.659 --> 00:39:44.739 we were serving 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:46.259 some soup 00:39:46.259 --> 00:39:47.859 and I clearly remember 00:39:47.859 --> 00:39:49.980 a lady walked in 00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:52.420 and she came late 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:52.740 and they're meant 00:39:52.740 --> 00:39:54.199 to register their name 00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:55.280 and she walked straight in 00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:57.320 and she grabbed two 00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:58.599 loaves of bread 00:39:58.599 --> 00:40:01.240 and in my name, 00:40:01.300 --> 00:40:02.119 a bit naive, 00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:03.019 I looked at her 00:40:03.019 --> 00:40:03.599 and her eyes 00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.320 and that type of look 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:04.519 and said, 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.119 you're not meant 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:06.400 to really take that. 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:08.699 And she looked back at me, 00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:09.679 you know, 00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:12.240 with a broken heart 00:40:12.240 --> 00:40:12.820 and she said, 00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:14.380 it's for my children. 00:40:15.880 --> 00:40:17.099 And my heart broke 00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:18.240 then and there 00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.579 and I saw the need 00:40:19.579 --> 00:40:22.000 that as I looked around 00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:23.759 for that Chinese New Year meal, 00:40:24.279 --> 00:40:25.619 it was only the adults 00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:28.059 and God opened my eyes 00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:29.019 and opened my heart 00:40:29.019 --> 00:40:31.639 and the need is 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:36.179 there's 15,000 families 00:40:36.179 --> 00:40:38.439 living on a monthly income 00:40:38.439 --> 00:40:41.679 of less than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars. 00:40:41.679 --> 00:40:43.759 when you look at it, 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.619 that doesn't go far 00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.739 for when you've got children 00:40:46.739 --> 00:40:47.739 and these children 00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:49.000 require an education. 00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:50.539 You think, 00:40:50.679 --> 00:40:51.619 how much do you spend 00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.899 on your child's education? 00:40:55.899 --> 00:40:56.319 Yeah, 00:40:56.440 --> 00:40:57.819 it really opened our eyes 00:40:57.819 --> 00:41:00.059 and the need is there 00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:01.299 to do something. 00:41:02.759 --> 00:41:02.980 Yeah. 00:41:03.239 --> 00:41:04.559 God's really reached out 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.000 to them 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:06.799 through St. Barnabas Society 00:41:06.799 --> 00:41:08.480 and I guess the next question 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:09.179 that comes from that 00:41:09.179 --> 00:41:11.299 is how can you 00:41:11.299 --> 00:41:12.000 and I 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:12.719 and the community 00:41:12.719 --> 00:41:13.480 and our church 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:15.419 respond to what God's doing 00:41:15.419 --> 00:41:16.799 through St. Barnabas? 00:41:17.779 --> 00:41:17.960 Yeah, 00:41:17.980 --> 00:41:19.659 there was an individual 00:41:19.659 --> 00:41:20.799 in our Watermark community 00:41:20.799 --> 00:41:22.619 that came to our care group 00:41:22.619 --> 00:41:24.079 or came and said, 00:41:24.339 --> 00:41:25.359 do you think you can help 00:41:25.359 --> 00:41:26.259 raise some funds? 00:41:26.440 --> 00:41:27.619 What we'd like to do 00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:29.299 is on the second story 00:41:29.299 --> 00:41:30.699 of St. Barnabas 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.460 is build 00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:33.500 and renovate a place, 00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.480 a safe place 00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:36.139 for children to learn, 00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:38.019 a place where they can 00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:39.139 have a meal 00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:41.400 and just generally 00:41:41.400 --> 00:41:42.440 a place where 00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:44.239 families can unite 00:41:44.239 --> 00:41:46.779 and I reached 00:41:46.779 --> 00:41:47.519 from my back pocket 00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.139 and he sort of said, 00:41:48.239 --> 00:41:48.500 no, no, 00:41:48.519 --> 00:41:49.079 it's going to cost 00:41:49.079 --> 00:41:50.099 a bit more than that 00:41:50.099 --> 00:41:52.799 and so we thought, 00:41:52.920 --> 00:41:53.119 well, 00:41:53.259 --> 00:41:54.779 how do we go about 00:41:54.779 --> 00:41:57.920 having a response 00:41:57.920 --> 00:42:00.599 and he got together 00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:01.579 with a couple of others 00:42:01.579 --> 00:42:03.059 in the Watermark community 00:42:03.059 --> 00:42:05.400 and we went 00:42:05.400 --> 00:42:06.619 to the investment banks 00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.619 and we said, 00:42:07.980 --> 00:42:08.619 there's a need, 00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:10.239 will you help us? 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:14.940 And the response 00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.579 was yes 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:18.139 and so there's 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:19.299 one investment bank 00:42:19.299 --> 00:42:20.739 that's donating 00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.799 over a million 00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.960 Hong Kong dollars. 00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:25.639 There's another investment bank 00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.599 that has said, 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:28.400 every dollar 00:42:28.400 --> 00:42:29.719 that Watermark community 00:42:29.719 --> 00:42:30.360 raises, 00:42:30.880 --> 00:42:31.659 we'll match them, 00:42:32.159 --> 00:42:32.900 we'll match them 00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:34.240 dollar for dollar 00:42:34.240 --> 00:42:36.360 and it's just amazing 00:42:36.360 --> 00:42:38.800 and if we add up 00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:39.740 how much has already 00:42:39.740 --> 00:42:40.840 been raised, 00:42:41.240 --> 00:42:43.079 we're almost there. 00:42:43.700 --> 00:42:44.860 We're almost there 00:42:44.860 --> 00:42:46.619 to make a real difference 00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:48.000 to these low-income families 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:48.639 and households 00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:50.599 and it's amazing 00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:52.480 how God touches our hearts 00:42:52.480 --> 00:42:53.639 and opens our eyes 00:42:53.639 --> 00:42:55.619 and we're in a position 00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:57.119 to almost have this 00:42:57.119 --> 00:42:58.139 community 00:42:58.139 --> 00:43:00.300 for these low-income families. 00:43:00.300 --> 00:43:01.220 amazing. 00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:03.180 And so all of this 00:43:03.180 --> 00:43:04.860 is in a way 00:43:04.860 --> 00:43:05.500 leading up 00:43:05.500 --> 00:43:07.360 through the next Sunday, 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.420 the next two Sundays, 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:08.960 we'll be hearing 00:43:08.960 --> 00:43:09.539 a little more 00:43:09.539 --> 00:43:10.539 about the things 00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:11.880 that God is doing 00:43:11.880 --> 00:43:12.760 in the community 00:43:12.760 --> 00:43:13.539 in our church 00:43:13.539 --> 00:43:15.200 from a grassroots level 00:43:15.200 --> 00:43:17.240 leading up to the Sunday 00:43:17.240 --> 00:43:18.400 of December 8th 00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:19.500 and that whole week 00:43:19.500 --> 00:43:21.200 leaders have made 00:43:21.200 --> 00:43:21.660 a decision 00:43:21.660 --> 00:43:22.940 that that Sunday 00:43:22.940 --> 00:43:23.580 and that week 00:43:23.580 --> 00:43:24.280 all the tithes 00:43:24.280 --> 00:43:24.720 and offerings 00:43:24.720 --> 00:43:25.720 that we receive 00:43:25.720 --> 00:43:27.519 will be dedicated 00:43:27.519 --> 00:43:29.140 completely to community service 00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:30.039 and church planting 00:43:30.039 --> 00:43:31.539 and it's just 00:43:31.539 --> 00:43:32.500 an amazing opportunity 00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:33.559 for us to maximize 00:43:33.559 --> 00:43:34.599 the connections 00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:36.539 and just the resources 00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.259 and blessings 00:43:37.259 --> 00:43:39.259 that God has poured out on us. 00:43:39.900 --> 00:43:41.119 So let me just pray 00:43:41.119 --> 00:43:42.739 for St. Barnabas 00:43:42.739 --> 00:43:44.039 and this entire initiative. 00:43:44.699 --> 00:43:45.279 Just pray with me. 00:43:45.819 --> 00:43:46.960 Father, thank you so much 00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:49.059 that you are not simply 00:43:49.059 --> 00:43:49.519 a God 00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:51.639 that is with us here 00:43:51.639 --> 00:43:52.460 for a couple hours 00:43:52.460 --> 00:43:53.659 on a Sunday 00:43:53.659 --> 00:43:55.920 but that you are at work 00:43:55.920 --> 00:43:57.179 in people's lives, 00:43:57.179 --> 00:43:58.739 in people's homes, 00:43:58.739 --> 00:44:00.460 all across the neighborhoods 00:44:00.460 --> 00:44:01.119 of Hong Kong. 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:02.940 So Lord, I pray for the city. 00:44:03.539 --> 00:44:04.980 I pray about the poverty, 00:44:05.859 --> 00:44:06.779 the brokenness. 00:44:06.919 --> 00:44:07.839 Lord, we know that 00:44:07.839 --> 00:44:11.519 underlining every physical 00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.399 and material 00:44:12.399 --> 00:44:13.619 and emotional need 00:44:13.619 --> 00:44:15.059 is a spiritual brokenness. 00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.539 So Lord, I pray that 00:44:16.539 --> 00:44:17.980 that as we go forth, 00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:20.399 as we pour out 00:44:20.399 --> 00:44:22.179 everything that you've given 00:44:22.179 --> 00:44:22.859 to us, Lord, 00:44:22.919 --> 00:44:23.639 you would show us 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.359 how to reach, 00:44:24.859 --> 00:44:25.960 reach these people. 00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:26.480 I want to pray 00:44:26.480 --> 00:44:27.780 for St. Barnabas Society 00:44:27.780 --> 00:44:28.639 for the great work 00:44:28.639 --> 00:44:29.340 that they do, Lord. 00:44:29.380 --> 00:44:29.980 I pray that you would 00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:32.000 keep them fixed on you, Lord. 00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:33.539 That they would gaze at you. 00:44:33.619 --> 00:44:35.260 They would remember, Lord, 00:44:35.320 --> 00:44:37.079 and they would act boldly, Lord, 00:44:37.119 --> 00:44:37.820 out of your grace 00:44:37.820 --> 00:44:38.460 and your power. 00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:39.179 And Lord, 00:44:39.220 --> 00:44:40.059 that we can simply 00:44:40.059 --> 00:44:41.079 be humble servants 00:44:41.079 --> 00:44:42.599 that come alongside them 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:43.860 to encourage them, 00:44:44.280 --> 00:44:45.400 to challenge them 00:44:45.400 --> 00:44:47.019 and be a light 00:44:47.019 --> 00:44:47.880 in this world, Lord. 00:44:47.900 --> 00:44:48.780 That all people 00:44:48.780 --> 00:44:49.960 who see our good works 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:51.320 will glorify 00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:52.720 the God 00:44:52.720 --> 00:44:53.519 who created us 00:44:53.519 --> 00:44:54.340 to do good works. 00:44:54.340 --> 00:44:55.760 We pray these things 00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.460 in Jesus' name. 00:44:56.620 --> 00:44:56.840 Amen.