WEBVTT

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 Amen.

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 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Psalms.

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 The book of Psalms.

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 We're going to be in Psalm 34, verse 3 this morning.

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 We've been going through the Gospel of John,

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 and we're going to take just a brief break from the Gospel of John for the month of January

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 to remind ourselves of our mission and vision as a church.

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 So this morning we're in Psalm 34, just one verse, verse 3.

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 And when you've found that in your Bibles, I ask that you please, if you're able,

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 let's stand together for the reading of God's Word.

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 Psalm 34, verse 3.

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 It says,

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 It says,

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 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord, this is a life-defining verse for me and for us.

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 So I pray now as we begin the new year together in your Word

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 that you would draw our hearts to affirm this verse with everything we are.

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 And we ask this by the power of your Spirit at work in us.

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 In the name of Christ, our Savior.

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 Amen.

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 And please be seated.

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 There are not many verses that stir my heart the way that this one does.

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 Not many verses that compel me to worship and to exalt in the glory of God the way that this one does.

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 It is a powerful verse.

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 And my family knows that I love this verse.

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 In fact, one of the gifts that I received for Christmas this year was a framed picture where each of my three children had handwritten this verse out.

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 Each one of them by hand.

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 I had it framed as an absolute masterpiece.

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 And they said that it's for me to hang up in my office here at church.

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 Although, to be honest, I'm having a hard time deciding where to put it.

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 Because to be truthful with you, it could just as appropriately be hung up in my home.

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 This is a family-defining verse for my family.

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 It's a life-defining verse for me.

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 And it has become for us a church-defining verse for our church community.

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 This has become our verse.

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 Our mission statement as a church is drawn from this verse.

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 Psalm 34 verse 3.

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 The call that David makes is,

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 Oh, magnify the Lord with me.

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 Let us exalt His name together.

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 That's the call.

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 And our mission as a church family is to answer that call.

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 So our mission as a church family is,

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 We exist to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 It is a church-defining, mission-defining, identity-defining, direction-defining verse for us.

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 If you or anybody else ever asks,

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 Well, what is Sea Wee Bay about?

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 This verse is the answer.

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 So my prayer for you and for us together as we begin a new year, 2024, together,

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 is that we would hang this verse as a purpose-defining banner over every facet of our lives.

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 That's my prayer for us.

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 And so my aim today, very simply, is just to remind us of this mission.

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 To remind us of our purpose to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 And so I have just two observations to make this morning from verse 3 of Psalm 34.

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 Two observations to make this morning.

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 First, is that the name of the Lord is worthy of exaltation.

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 The name of the Lord is worthy of exaltation.

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 And to state the obvious here, with David calling us to magnify the name of the Lord,

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 to magnify His glory, to exalt in His name,

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 David clearly believes that the name of the Lord is worthy of exaltation.

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 That He is worth being magnified.

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 Meaning, David believes that God is worthy of all of our praise.

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 You know, we should be clear what we mean when we say words like magnify and glory and exalt.

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 These are very Christian words.

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 It's kind of Christianese.

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 And sometimes we speak this way.

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 And the meaning gets a little bit lost when we say these things over and over and over and over again.

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 And so we need to be careful to define and to clarify,

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 well, what exactly do we mean when we say magnify the glory of God?

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 Well, to magnify His glory means to make a really big deal out of who He is.

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 It means to make Him central.

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 To make Him not just an accessory to your life,

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 but to make Him primary in your life.

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 To make Him and His glory your ultimate boast.

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 To make His glory your ultimate aim.

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 To make Him the ultimate deepest delight of your heart.

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 Your ultimate joy.

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 And so what this looks like practically for you

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 is that now all of your speech is aimed towards magnifying the glory of God.

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 And now if this is your aim,

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 what this looks like is all of your thoughts are taken captive and made obedient to Christ.

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 It looks like all of your actions,

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 all of your motives,

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 everything that you do throughout your day-to-day life

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 is aimed towards this great end.

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 To magnify the glory of God.

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 That we would live as if this were the greatest thing in the universe

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 because our heart is convinced that it is.

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 That's magnification.

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 That's exaltation.

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 That's what David says God is worthy of.

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 And that, I believe, is meant to be the aim of your life.

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 John Piper says it like this.

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 You've heard me quote this before.

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 He says that there are two types of magnifying.

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 There is microscope magnifying,

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 where you make something that's very small appear to be big.

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 And then there is telescope magnifying,

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 where you make something very big appear to you as big as it actually is.

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 And so you take a microscope and you aim it at an ant,

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 and that tiny little ant becomes much bigger in your sight.

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 Bigger than it actually is.

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 You take a telescope and you point it upwards at the moon,

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 and now you begin to see with greater clarity

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 the shape, the color, the brightness, the texture.

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 All of it is seen more clearly.

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 All of a sudden it is magnified.

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 That's what we mean when we say we want to magnify the glory of God.

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 We want to make the biggest, greatest thing in the universe

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 big and great in our lives,

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 in our hearts,

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 in our families,

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 in our church,

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 in our community,

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 because we believe from our heart

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 that He is worthy of complete and total exaltation.

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 I want you to just take a minute

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 as we begin the year together

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 and take an honest assessment of your heart right now.

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 As you hear this call from David

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 to come to magnify the Lord with me,

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 let us exalt His name together.

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 This call to make God's glory primary in your life.

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 I want you to ask yourself,

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 does your heart agree

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 that the Lord is worthy of this type of magnification?

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 Does your heart resonate with this call on your life

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 that God is worthy of not just part of you,

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 but all of you?

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 And if not,

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 then I want you to ask yourself,

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 well, what is taking His place?

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 The truth is,

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 your heart will worship something.

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 It will worship someone or something.

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 Our hearts are made,

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 we are created to worship.

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 It will magnify someone or something.

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 Our problem tends to be,

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 because of the effects of sin in our lives,

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 our problem is that

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 our hearts tend to microscope magnify

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 small, trivial, passing, fading things.

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 We microscope magnify small things,

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 and in doing so,

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 we fail to look up and realize

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 that there's far greater glory to be enjoyed.

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 That's what sin is.

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 That's what sin does in our hearts and in our lives.

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 Sin is giving anyone or anything other than God

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 the honor that God alone is due.

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 Sin is pointing the telescope of our hearts

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 at small things and making much of them

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 when God alone is worthy of all honor and praise.

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 C.S. Lewis, in his book,

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 The Weight of Glory,

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 he says it like this.

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 It would seem that our Lord finds our desires

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 not too strong but too weak.

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 We are half-hearted creatures

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 fooling about with drink and sex and ambition

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 when infinite joy is offered to us.

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 We are like an ignorant child

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 who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum

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 because he cannot imagine

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 what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.

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 We are far too easily pleased.

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 So I'll ask you again this morning,

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 Church,

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 is your heart convinced

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 that God is worthy of all praise?

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 You might be coming into the new year

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 with a bit of a spiritual limp.

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 You believe, you profess with your mouth

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 that God is worthy of all praise.

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 Yes, he's worthy of all honor.

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 But if we're honest,

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 maybe your heart is a little bit slow this morning.

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 If that's you,

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 well, how do we stir our heart up

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 to magnify his glory?

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 How do we stir our heart up

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 to exalt in his name

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 the way David's calling us to do?

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 How do we begin to point

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 the telescope of our hearts

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 upward at his glory of God

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 so that we might see him more clearly

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 and love him as he deserves?

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 Well, let me make a few suggestions

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 for you this morning.

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 First, consider his attributes.

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 Consider his attributes.

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 Who else is perfectly holy?

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 Where else can you turn?

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 Anywhere on the earth

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 to find someone

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 or something completely pure,

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 the fount of all goodness,

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 totally, completely good and pure.

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 Where can you find that

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 anywhere in the world?

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 Who else is all powerful,

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 without rival, without equal?

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 Who else is all knowing,

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 the fountain, the source,

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 the giver of all truth

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 and wisdom and knowledge?

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 What other pleasure,

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 what other joy

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 is infinite,

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 eternal,

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 unchanging?

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 We praise good things here on earth

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 despite their flaws,

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 but the God we worship

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 is flawless,

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 eternally,

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 totally good.

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 That's who he is.

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 There's no one like him.

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 Consider his works of creation.

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 How easy is it

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 to just ignore the miracle of creation?

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 And how foolish are we

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 that week after week,

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 day after day,

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 we spend our lives

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 in God's creation,

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 yet we're so dull

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 to the glory

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 of what God has made.

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 We're so blind

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 to the creator of it all.

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 Consider,

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 who else created all things?

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 Who else holds all things together?

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 Who set the sun

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 and the moon

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 and the stars in their place?

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 Who knit you together

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 in your mother's womb?

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 Who commands the wind

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 and the waves?

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 Who tells the waters

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 where to go,

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 where to stop,

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 and to go no further?

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 Church,

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 if your heart is slow

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 to exalt in the Lord,

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 find in any part of creation

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 something that's worthy

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 of admiration

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 and trace it all the way

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 back up to the source.

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 Consider his work of creation.

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 But don't stop at creation.

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 Consider his works of redemption.

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 who else is so full

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 of mercy

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 and grace

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 towards sinners?

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 Who else is

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 so full of justice

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 and loving kindness

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 to not spare his own son,

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 but to graciously

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 give him up for us all

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 that sinners like us

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 might be saved?

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 Now, there's a reason

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 why we focus our aim

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 at the gospel,

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 that we exist

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 to magnify the glory

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 of God

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 specifically

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 in the gospel

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 of Jesus Christ.

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 Why do we do that?

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 Why do we say

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 in the gospel

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 specifically?

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 Well, it's because

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 we believe that

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 the gospel of Jesus Christ

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 is where the glory of God

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 is most clearly seen.

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 This is where our hearts

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 are transformed

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 to love Him.

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 This is where you and I,

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 as we explore the depths

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 of the love of God

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 for you in Christ,

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 this is where we grow

00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.779
 in Christlikeness.

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.179
 This is where we will spend

00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.399
 the rest of eternity

00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.759
 delighting in God's kindness

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:10.199
 to us in the gospel.

00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.659
 If you're slow this morning

00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.919
 to praise Him,

00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.519
 if you feel that your heart

00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:16.000
 is dull towards the Lord

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.740
 this morning,

00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:18.839
 fix your mind

00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:20.199
 on the cross.

00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.519
 Remind your heart

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.699
 of God's love for you

00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:25.019
 in the gospel.

00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.299
 Set your mind

00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:28.139
 on things above

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.220
 where Christ is,

00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.799
 seated at the right hand

00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:31.299
 of God,

00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:31.759
 risen,

00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:33.159
 reigning,

00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:33.719
 ruling,

00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.240
 and returning.

00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.819
 Consider His work

00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:38.259
 of redemption.

00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:41.139
 And last suggestion

00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.779
 here on this point,

00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:46.240
 to consider His purpose

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:48.539
 in all of these works.

00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.019
 Consider His purpose

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:54.719
 in all of these works.

00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:55.419
 Do you ever wonder

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:57.339
 why does God do any of this?

00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:00.939
 Why does God create the world

00:15:00.939 --> 00:15:01.860
 to begin with?

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.860
 Why does God bother

00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:05.340
 to save unworthy sinners

00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.279
 like you and me?

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.960
 And why does God do

00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.300
 anything that He does?

00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.019
 I'll tell you,

00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.519
 the answer that the Bible gives

00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:15.159
 is that God's highest aim

00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:17.019
 in everything God does

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.820
 is the magnification

00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:20.419
 of God's glory.

00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:23.060
 That is why He does

00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:24.240
 what He does.

00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.980
 There's no higher purpose

00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:27.539
 than this.

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.980
 If there were a higher purpose

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.440
 than this,

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.880
 God would be all about that,

00:15:30.880 --> 00:15:32.020
 but there's not.

00:15:32.380 --> 00:15:33.680
 So everything He does

00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.880
 is to the great end

00:15:34.880 --> 00:15:35.880
 that His name

00:15:35.880 --> 00:15:36.880
 would be magnified

00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.400
 in all the earth.

00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.100
 It is to that end

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.080
 that He made the world,

00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:42.320
 the heavens declare

00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.580
 the glory of God.

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.420
 And it's to that end

00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:47.080
 that He redeems sinners.

00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:49.000
 If you are a Christian,

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.460
 we need to know

00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:52.100
 His glory

00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.280
 is the goal

00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.760
 of your salvation.

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:59.000
 Did you hear that great purpose

00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.460
 as Randy read

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.620
 from Ephesians chapter 1

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.139
 this morning?

00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.819
 I hope you heard it

00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:05.259
 just over and over

00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.720
 and over and over

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.259
 and again

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.659
 throughout the book of Ephesians

00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.179
 like a beating drum,

00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:11.519
 that great purpose

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.659
 that Paul lines out

00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:13.519
 for our salvation.

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:14.240
 Listen to this.

00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.059
 He says,

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.239
 He predestined us

00:16:17.239 --> 00:16:17.939
 for adoption

00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:18.779
 to Himself

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.619
 as sons

00:16:19.619 --> 00:16:20.819
 through Christ Jesus

00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:22.379
 according to the purpose

00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.179
 of His will

00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.619
 to the praise

00:16:24.619 --> 00:16:26.439
 of His glorious grace.

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.059
 Do you hear that?

00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:28.619
 In Him

00:16:28.619 --> 00:16:29.419
 we have obtained

00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.179
 an inheritance

00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.979
 having been predestined

00:16:31.979 --> 00:16:32.939
 according to the purpose

00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.379
 of Him

00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.579
 who works all things

00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.639
 according to the counsel

00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.399
 of His will

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.539
 so that we

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.339
 who were the first

00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:39.139
 to hope in Christ

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:39.699
 might be

00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.939
 to the praise

00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:42.279
 of His glory.

00:16:43.359 --> 00:16:43.739
 In Him

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.299
 you also

00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.820
 when you heard

00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.720
 the word of truth

00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.360
 the gospel

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.240
 of your salvation

00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:48.899
 and believed in Him

00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.560
 were sealed

00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.220
 with the promised

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.000
 Holy Spirit

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.360
 who is the guarantee

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.220
 of our inheritance

00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:54.159
 until we acquire

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.139
 possession of it

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.539
 to the praise

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.940
 of His glory.

00:16:58.060 --> 00:16:58.720
 Do you hear it?

00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.500
 Chapter 2

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:02.320
 We were all dead in sin

00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.100
 but God

00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:04.620
 being rich in mercy

00:17:04.620 --> 00:17:06.839
 because of the great love

00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:08.059
 with which He loved us

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.660
 even when we were dead

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.980
 in our trespasses

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.740
 made us alive

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.279
 together

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.099
 with Christ

00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.779
 by grace

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.779
 you have been saved

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.440
 and raised us

00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.379
 up with Him

00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.599
 and seated us

00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:19.980
 with Him

00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:21.039
 in the heavenly places

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.200
 in Christ Jesus

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:22.779
 Why?

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.799
 Verse 7

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.680
 chapter 2

00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.359
 So that

00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.779
 in the coming ages

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:29.079
 He might

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:30.440
 show us

00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:32.059
 the immeasurable

00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.799
 riches

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.059
 of His grace

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.960
 in kindness

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.859
 toward us

00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.240
 in Christ Jesus

00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.059
 Did you hear that?

00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.720
 Our eternity

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.420
 Christian

00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:43.779
 will be spent

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:45.220
 exulting

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.640
 in the limitless

00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.259
 depth

00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.660
 of God's love

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.380
 for you

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.800
 in Christ Jesus

00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:53.660
 All of eternity

00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:55.340
 will be spent

00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.640
 magnifying

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.580
 His glory

00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.820
 in the gospel

00:17:58.820 --> 00:18:00.100
 of Jesus Christ

00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.360
 exulting

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:01.920
 in the gospel

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.700
 of His grace

00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.840
 every day

00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.940
 if there is such a thing

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.460
 in eternity

00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.860
 every day

00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.400
 will be filled

00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.600
 with new reason

00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.480
 to praise Him

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.279
 for His kindness

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.559
 to praise Him

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.439
 for His goodness

00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.259
 to praise Him

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.480
 for His undeserved

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.559
 mercy and grace

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.079
 towards us

00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.659
 who believe

00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:17.959
 to the praise

00:18:17.959 --> 00:18:19.319
 of His glory

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.240
 forever

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.919
 we were saved

00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:22.719
 for that

00:18:22.719 --> 00:18:24.539
 you were created

00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:25.779
 for that

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:27.199
 that is why

00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:28.500
 God chose you

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.619
 that is why

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.639
 Christ died

00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.199
 for you

00:18:31.199 --> 00:18:32.159
 that is what

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.859
 we have to look

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.439
 forward to

00:18:33.439 --> 00:18:34.099
 in eternity

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.199
 that is what

00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:35.819
 this church

00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.659
 is about

00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:37.840
 and so the question

00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.380
 again

00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:39.660
 are you living

00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.300
 in line

00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:41.460
 with that purpose

00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.019
 right now

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:50.400
 let me humbly

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.620
 suggest to you

00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:53.600
 that you will

00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.620
 never be satisfied

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.600
 with your life

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:57.759
 until the glory

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.460
 of God

00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.880
 is its ultimate

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.400
 purpose

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:03.519
 you will never

00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.300
 be satisfied

00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:04.880
 with anything

00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.840
 else you find

00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.959
 on this earth

00:19:06.959 --> 00:19:08.799
 you will never

00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.500
 be satisfied

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.379
 with your life

00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:12.240
 until God's glory

00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.799
 and the magnification

00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.759
 of His glory

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.740
 is your highest aim

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:18.779
 let this verse

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.879
 define your life

00:19:19.879 --> 00:19:20.419
 church

00:19:20.419 --> 00:19:22.220
 magnify

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.579
 the glory

00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:24.939
 of God

00:19:24.939 --> 00:19:25.759
 exalt

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.959
 His name

00:19:26.959 --> 00:19:28.139
 but as you do

00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:29.519
 as you

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.459
 as you consider

00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.000
 how you might

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.059
 orient your life

00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.240
 around this great aim

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.679
 let me draw

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.259
 your attention

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.580
 to my second

00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.420
 observation

00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:38.480
 which is that

00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:39.000
 second

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.200
 we are called

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.140
 to exalt

00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:43.220
 His name

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:44.519
 together

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:46.799
 together

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:46.840
 together

00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:49.180
 this is a

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.380
 corporate

00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.720
 summons

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.180
 to exaltation

00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:53.759
 when you read

00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.340
 this verse

00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.420
 it is good

00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.560
 it is right

00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.700
 and it is appropriate

00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.420
 to think

00:19:58.420 --> 00:19:59.860
 how can I

00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.799
 make this the aim

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.220
 of my life

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:02.740
 that is good

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.960
 but what I want

00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.440
 you to notice

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.200
 here is that

00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.279
 the call here

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.299
 is not primarily

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.539
 for you

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.500
 alone

00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:11.500
 this call

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.059
 is not just

00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.779
 for scattered

00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.899
 individuals

00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:15.200
 to magnify

00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.720
 the glory

00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.259
 of God

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.839
 in their own

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.399
 way

00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:18.079
 on their own

00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.639
 terms

00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.319
 on their own

00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:19.899
 time

00:20:19.899 --> 00:20:21.319
 as individuals

00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:23.879
 sadly

00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:25.460
 that is how

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.500
 many think

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.099
 about the

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.859
 Christian life

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.199
 I don't know

00:20:28.199 --> 00:20:28.439
 if you have

00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:29.099
 noticed this

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.339
 but

00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.699
 individualism

00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.459
 has just

00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:33.339
 consumed

00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:33.839
 American

00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.459
 Christianity

00:20:34.459 --> 00:20:36.500
 and that

00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.139
 makes sense

00:20:37.139 --> 00:20:38.039
 doesn't it

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.539
 because that is

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.019
 the American

00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.359
 way

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.719
 we are

00:20:40.719 --> 00:20:41.839
 independent

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.719
 we think

00:20:42.719 --> 00:20:44.079
 we are

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.119
 self sufficient

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.759
 we do

00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.339
 what is best

00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.979
 for us

00:20:47.979 --> 00:20:49.099
 and then we

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:49.559
 take that

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.219
 independent

00:20:50.219 --> 00:20:50.839
 mentality

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:51.379
 into our

00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.719
 lives

00:20:51.719 --> 00:20:52.779
 as Christians

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.259
 and we

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.719
 think

00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:54.399
 wrongly

00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:54.879
 we think

00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.079
 well

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.159
 my relationship

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.659
 with God

00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:57.039
 that is on

00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.440
 my own

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:57.920
 terms

00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.980
 it is in

00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.000
 my way

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.740
 it is by

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.460
 myself

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.079
 that is my

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.940
 business

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.319
 and then we

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.139
 treat the

00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:05.440
 church

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.059
 in those

00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:06.500
 terms as

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.720
 well

00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.220
 so long

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.779
 as it

00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:09.079
 benefits me

00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.500
 so long

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.000
 as I like

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.480
 the songs

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.740
 that are

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.379
 being sung

00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:11.759
 so long

00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.720
 as I

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.180
 understand

00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.579
 and I

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.099
 appreciate

00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.559
 what the

00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:14.859
 pastor

00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.299
 has to

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.539
 say

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.139
 that Sunday

00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.839
 so long

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.399
 as I am

00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:17.680
 getting

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.079
 something

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.619
 out of it

00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.420
 then I will

00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:19.940
 come on

00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.519
 my terms

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:20.819
 in my

00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.220
 own way

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:23.339
 our own

00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.859
 spiritual

00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.659
 growth

00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.920
 well that is

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.539
 my business

00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:28.279
 as my

00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.480
 personal walk

00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.099
 with the

00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.339
 Lord

00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:30.759
 it is nobody

00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.659
 else's business

00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.819
 what I do

00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.839
 how I think

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.839
 how I practice

00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:36.139
 my Christianity

00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.500
 how I handle

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.779
 my personal walk

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.399
 with the Lord

00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.359
 it is all

00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.740
 very personal

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.980
 and individual

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:45.440
 we should know

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.440
 that that may be

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.460
 the American way

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.159
 but church

00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.680
 that is

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.460
 totally

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.319
 foreign

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.639
 to how the Bible

00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:53.539
 speaks about the

00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:54.319
 call to follow

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:54.879
 Christ

00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.879
 Christianity

00:21:56.879 --> 00:21:59.559
 is inherently

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.839
 corporate

00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.079
 do you hear that

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.799
 in the call of

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.419
 David here

00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:04.839
 he says

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:06.119
 magnify the

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.599
 Lord

00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.839
 with me

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:09.439
 let us

00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:10.159
 exalt his

00:22:10.159 --> 00:22:10.439
 name

00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:11.659
 together

00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:13.819
 you may have

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.259
 heard it said

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.879
 before that

00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:16.539
 faith is always

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.379
 personal

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.500
 but it is never

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.240
 private

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.720
 have you heard

00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.000
 that

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.299
 and that's

00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.659
 true

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:23.540
 you should

00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:24.100
 absolutely

00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:24.580
 you should

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.480
 have personal

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.400
 individual

00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.140
 faith in

00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.720
 Jesus Christ

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.900
 you must

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.680
 have personal

00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.220
 faith in

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.920
 Jesus Christ

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:31.700
 if you're

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.000
 going to be

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.620
 a genuine

00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.560
 Christ follower

00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.940
 but don't

00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.100
 for a second

00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.900
 believe that

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.800
 that personal

00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:38.759
 faith is a

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:40.200
 totally private

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.040
 matter between

00:22:41.040 --> 00:22:41.940
 you and God

00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:43.000
 that doesn't

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.040
 involve anyone

00:22:44.040 --> 00:22:44.440
 else

00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:45.220
 far from it

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.740
 Christianity

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.540
 is not

00:22:48.540 --> 00:22:50.040
 an individualistic

00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:50.500
 religion

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:52.299
 it is a

00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.039
 corporate

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.400
 religion

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:56.059
 and sure

00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.700
 you can be

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.160
 a Christian

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.880
 without ever

00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.440
 being a part

00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.839
 of a church

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.279
 of course

00:22:59.279 --> 00:22:59.759
 you can

00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.539
 the same

00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.880
 way you

00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.160
 can be

00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.740
 an arm

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.380
 and not

00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:02.799
 be attached

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.319
 to a body

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:05.599
 the same

00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:05.900
 way you

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.140
 can be

00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.559
 a brick

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.019
 and not

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.599
 be connected

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:07.980
 to a

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.279
 building

00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.980
 of course

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.759
 you can

00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.680
 be those

00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.059
 things

00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.380
 but you

00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:12.700
 were not

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.119
 meant

00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.700
 to be

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.660
 you were

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.640
 not made

00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.460
 to be

00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:16.799
 that's not

00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.559
 the purpose

00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.079
 for which

00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.400
 you were

00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.779
 made

00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.339
 an arm

00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:19.900
 or a

00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.200
 brick

00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.559
 it may

00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:20.940
 be

00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.740
 that the

00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.059
 building

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.580
 could benefit

00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.140
 from you

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.460
 and you

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:23.799
 from the

00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.080
 building

00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:24.539
 the body

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.000
 could benefit

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.500
 from you

00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.920
 and you

00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.840
 from the

00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.140
 body

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:28.380
 you can

00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.700
 tell

00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:31.180
 this strikes

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.500
 a nerve

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:31.920
 with me

00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:34.539
 I'll be

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.000
 honest with

00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.400
 you church

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.880
 I'm

00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:38.299
 I'm tired

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.420
 of seeing

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:41.059
 American

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.779
 Christianity

00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.700
 the way

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:44.180
 the songs

00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.940
 on the radio

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:46.400
 the way

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.940
 that people

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.680
 speak about

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.360
 their relationship

00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.839
 with the

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.139
 Lord

00:23:49.139 --> 00:23:49.399
 and their

00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.979
 relationship

00:23:49.979 --> 00:23:50.579
 if there

00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.079
 is one

00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:51.779
 to the

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.179
 church

00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.559
 they speak

00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:53.959
 about it

00:23:53.959 --> 00:23:54.419
 as if all

00:23:54.419 --> 00:23:55.000
 God wants

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.559
 is a million

00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.639
 only children

00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:58.959
 but the plan

00:23:58.959 --> 00:23:59.379
 of God

00:23:59.379 --> 00:24:00.319
 from before

00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.859
 the ages

00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.339
 began

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:03.000
 was not

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.639
 to adopt

00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.399
 just a million

00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.519
 only children

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.079
 it was to

00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:07.459
 form a

00:24:07.459 --> 00:24:07.959
 family

00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:09.299
 of many

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.740
 brothers

00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.639
 and sisters

00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.519
 throughout

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.359
 the world

00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:13.099
 not only

00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.419
 you

00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:14.039
 but you

00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.019
 and you

00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.959
 and you

00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:17.000
 and you

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.159
 together

00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:20.419
 there's a

00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.740
 story of the

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.519
 great evangelist

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.319
 D.L. Moody

00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:25.019
 D.L. Moody

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.639
 was visiting

00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.279
 a church member

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.019
 who had been

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.559
 absent

00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.619
 for some time

00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.259
 and like a good

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:30.079
 pastor does

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.799
 he noticed

00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.679
 and he went

00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.459
 to go speak

00:24:32.459 --> 00:24:32.980
 with him

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.219
 and when he

00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:35.559
 found the man

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.159
 he was outside

00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.319
 sitting by a fire

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:39.500
 and as Moody

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.219
 sat down

00:24:40.219 --> 00:24:40.659
 the man

00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:41.500
 told him

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:41.819
 he said

00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.460
 I believe

00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.059
 I can be

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.039
 just as good

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.720
 of a Christian

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.960
 outside the church

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.939
 as I could be

00:24:46.939 --> 00:24:47.740
 inside of it

00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.899
 that's a common

00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.740
 line of thinking

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.439
 maybe you felt

00:24:50.439 --> 00:24:50.919
 that way

00:24:50.919 --> 00:24:52.539
 and so Moody

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.059
 did better

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.799
 than I would have

00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.019
 he said

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.000
 nothing at all

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.599
 instead

00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.960
 he reached

00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.339
 for a pair

00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.000
 of tongs

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.619
 and he grabbed

00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.480
 one burning

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.500
 coal from the

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.859
 fire

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:04.359
 very quietly

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.980
 set it off

00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.639
 to the side

00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:07.259
 and they sat

00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.319
 there in silence

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.859
 as they watched

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.839
 that one coal

00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.419
 go from

00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.379
 red hot

00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.220
 to totally

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.960
 cold

00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.580
 while the rest

00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:14.220
 of the gathered

00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:14.640
 coals

00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.180
 in the fire

00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.240
 burned on

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.920
 and once

00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.820
 that one coal

00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.300
 had clearly

00:25:19.300 --> 00:25:19.780
 died out

00:25:19.780 --> 00:25:20.560
 still not saying

00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:20.920
 a word

00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.480
 D.L. Moody

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.200
 grabbed the tongs

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.760
 once again

00:25:22.760 --> 00:25:23.500
 picked up

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.500
 the cold coal

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.720
 placed it back

00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.840
 alongside the others

00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.380
 in the fire

00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.080
 and sure enough

00:25:28.080 --> 00:25:28.660
 what happened

00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.620
 the black coal

00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.580
 steadily began

00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:31.660
 to turn orange

00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:33.280
 and began

00:25:33.280 --> 00:25:34.380
 to warm again

00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:36.860
 Moody got up

00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.860
 without saying

00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:38.320
 a word

00:25:38.320 --> 00:25:39.300
 to go home

00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:40.100
 and the man said

00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.379
 pastor thank you

00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:41.919
 for the sermon

00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:43.699
 I'll see you

00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:44.399
 next Sunday

00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:49.980
 church if you

00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.059
 feel a little

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.859
 bit cold

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.179
 in your

00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.759
 affections

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.159
 for the

00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.439
 Lord

00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:55.919
 I don't know

00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.359
 if there's a

00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:56.839
 better way

00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.359
 to warm

00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.919
 the affections

00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:58.519
 of your heart

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.859
 than to gather

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.619
 together with

00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.339
 God's people

00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:03.519
 I can't tell you

00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.159
 how many times

00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.259
 your faith

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.939
 has encouraged

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.279
 me

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.700
 as I hear

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.799
 you sing

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.000
 songs of

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.360
 worship

00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.960
 as I

00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.160
 speak with

00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.299
 you

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.960
 as I hear

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.400
 your words

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.039
 of encouragement

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.940
 as I hear

00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.279
 the ways

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.920
 you're struggling

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.660
 with this

00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.400
 you're succeeding

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.940
 in this

00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.360
 the Lord's

00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:19.820
 working in

00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:20.220
 your life

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.559
 here

00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.480
 you want

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.920
 to learn

00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.279
 this

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.580
 you have

00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:22.779
 this

00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.299
 question

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.440
 your faith

00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.080
 encourages

00:26:25.080 --> 00:26:25.860
 me

00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:27.460
 I know

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:27.900
 you've felt

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.340
 some of that

00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:29.019
 same stuff

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.539
 haven't you

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:32.899
 even if

00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.319
 you're doing

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.159
 great

00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:35.000
 spiritually

00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.259
 and you

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.920
 don't see

00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.379
 what in the

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:37.639
 world you

00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.079
 could possibly

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.579
 gain from

00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.079
 being a part

00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.519
 of a church

00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:39.980
 I would

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.720
 challenge that

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.059
 thought

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.059
 but could I

00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.839
 just suggest

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.019
 that maybe

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.879
 others could

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.579
 gain from

00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:45.960
 you

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.779
 and maybe

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.059
 your spiritual

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.740
 well being

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.779
 isn't only

00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.960
 about you

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.599
 maybe others

00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:54.559
 could gain

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.139
 from what the

00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:55.680
 Lord is doing

00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.460
 in your life

00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.899
 maybe you

00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.599
 could be blessed

00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.440
 and be a

00:26:58.440 --> 00:26:59.159
 blessing as a

00:26:59.159 --> 00:26:59.519
 part of

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.400
 a family

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.539
 in ways

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.019
 that are far

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.639
 greater than

00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.460
 just on

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.099
 your own

00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:06.059
 we have to

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.720
 remember that

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.619
 when we're

00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.420
 called into

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.660
 union with

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.339
 God our

00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.139
 Father through

00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.480
 personal faith

00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.980
 in Jesus

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.579
 Christ

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:15.500
 we are also

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.519
 called into

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.460
 union with

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.200
 all of our

00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.000
 brothers and

00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.279
 sisters in

00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:20.799
 Christ

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.460
 that's the

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.099
 universal

00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.000
 church

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.859
 the invisible

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:26.799
 church

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.420
 brothers and

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.900
 sisters from

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.639
 every tribe

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.460
 tongue and

00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:29.940
 nation who

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.480
 will spend

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.380
 eternity

00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:32.840
 exalting in

00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.819
 the glory of

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:35.299
 God together

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:37.140
 but do you

00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.480
 know where

00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.799
 that invisible

00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.000
 unity is most

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.160
 clearly seen

00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:42.480
 and most

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.840
 clearly experienced

00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.680
 on this side

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.319
 of eternity

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:48.039
 it's right

00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:49.299
 here in the

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.600
 local church

00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:52.460
 right here

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.700
 in the local

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.299
 church

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.339
 church

00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:56.659
 now I just

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.419
 fear that

00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:58.259
 many of us

00:27:58.259 --> 00:28:00.180
 have simply

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.059
 lost the

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:01.799
 meaning and

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.379
 the purpose

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.200
 of the local

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.839
 church

00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:06.240
 the local

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.680
 church is

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.299
 meant to be a

00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.240
 foretaste of

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.180
 the glories of

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.759
 eternity

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:11.759
 glory of

00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:11.779
 glory of

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.779
 glory of

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.700
 glory of

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:14.980
 God

00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.440
 we offer

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.920
 one another

00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.480
 forgiveness

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.259
 and mercy

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.440
 we comfort

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.940
 one another

00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.200
 in our

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.680
 affliction

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.480
 we encourage

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.960
 one another

00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.480
 and build

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.940
 one another

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.339
 up

00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.779
 and we lift

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.319
 up our

00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.279
 hearts together

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.180
 to magnify

00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.019
 the glory of

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.319
 God

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.200
 that's what a

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.900
 church is

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.700
 for

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:31.359
 and if you're

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:31.799
 a part of

00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:33.039
 this church

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.759
 I know you

00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.200
 know what I

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.480
 mean

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:36.160
 church we

00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.759
 are blessed

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.500
 here

00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:39.660
 this church

00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:39.940
 is a

00:28:39.940 --> 00:28:40.380
 family

00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:45.000
 there are

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.400
 many

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:47.200
 metaphors

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.579
 throughout the

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.079
 New Testament

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.259
 that give us

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.720
 pictures of

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.140
 what a

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.519
 church

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:51.360
 is

00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:52.779
 I'll have you

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.200
 know none

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.680
 of them are

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.640
 individualistic

00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:57.380
 we are

00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.240
 we are

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.839
 the bride

00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.480
 of Christ

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:01.200
 we are

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.700
 the temple

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.180
 of the

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.980
 living God

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.620
 we are

00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:05.119
 a priesthood

00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:05.579
 we are

00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.059
 a kingdom

00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.899
 of priests

00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.699
 we are

00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:08.399
 a spiritual

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.539
 army at war

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.859
 with the

00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:10.419
 powers of

00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:10.879
 darkness

00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.359
 but you know

00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.519
 most fundamentally

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.479
 the most common

00:29:14.479 --> 00:29:15.239
 way that the

00:29:15.239 --> 00:29:15.739
 New Testament

00:29:15.739 --> 00:29:16.859
 speaks about

00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.799
 the church

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:19.359
 is as a

00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:19.859
 family

00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:22.179
 the church

00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:22.679
 is a

00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.259
 family

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.039
 of the

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.779
 redeemed

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:27.159
 I went

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.439
 home

00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:28.259
 for Christmas

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.839
 you all know

00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.279
 I wasn't

00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.939
 here

00:29:29.939 --> 00:29:30.879
 last week

00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.279
 I missed

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.459
 you

00:29:31.459 --> 00:29:32.659
 I wasn't

00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:32.899
 here

00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.159
 but I

00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.660
 went home

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.519
 and I

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:34.940
 gathered

00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.700
 with my

00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.360
 physical

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.040
 family

00:29:37.040 --> 00:29:37.740
 three sisters

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.279
 on one

00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.580
 side

00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.100
 two on

00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.560
 the other

00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:40.060
 lots of

00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:40.519
 nieces and

00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.960
 nephews

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.580
 grandparents

00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.400
 uncles

00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:42.880
 aunts

00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.279
 cousins

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.540
 all of us

00:29:44.540 --> 00:29:44.980
 have different

00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:45.600
 places that we

00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.200
 call home

00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.480
 we have

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.160
 different tastes

00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:47.460
 different

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.200
 personalities

00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:49.140
 we've all

00:29:49.140 --> 00:29:49.700
 had different

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.019
 experiences over

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.860
 the past year

00:29:51.860 --> 00:29:53.740
 but we come

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.820
 together because

00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:55.640
 we share a

00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:56.259
 common bond

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.580
 we're

00:29:57.580 --> 00:29:58.460
 family

00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:58.960
 family

00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:01.200
 the church

00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.759
 at a

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.259
 basic

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.140
 fundamental

00:30:03.140 --> 00:30:03.940
 level

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.940
 is a

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.779
 family

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.039
 much

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.620
 truer

00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:07.940
 than

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.400
 flesh

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.980
 and blood

00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.380
 and as

00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.980
 a family

00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.960
 as diverse

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.500
 and as

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:11.940
 distinct

00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.360
 as we

00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:12.779
 may be

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.039
 as

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.019
 individuals

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.120
 as a

00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:15.640
 family

00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.920
 we share

00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.559
 several

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.640
 key things

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.539
 in common

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.039
 think about

00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.420
 this with

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:20.819
 me as we

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.140
 close

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:23.160
 as a

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.799
 family

00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.680
 every one

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.059
 of us

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:26.680
 shares a

00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:26.960
 common

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.539
 past

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:29.659
 we were

00:30:29.659 --> 00:30:30.639
 dead

00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.779
 in our

00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.519
 trespasses

00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.339
 and sins

00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:33.740
 in which

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.319
 we once

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.039
 walked

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.519
 every one

00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:35.940
 of us

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:37.079
 we have

00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.339
 different

00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.039
 stories of

00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.299
 what that

00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:38.779
 looked like

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.019
 in your

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.279
 life

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.500
 we have

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:39.700
 different

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.500
 experiences

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.379
 of what

00:30:41.379 --> 00:30:41.919
 that looked

00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.339
 like in

00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:42.779
 your own

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.259
 rebellion

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.839
 against the

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.079
 Lord

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.460
 but we

00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.000
 share a

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.299
 common

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.700
 past

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.139
 we know

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.500
 what we

00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:46.859
 have been

00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:47.339
 saved

00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.799
 from

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.619
 but praise

00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:50.119
 God

00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:50.539
 that we

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.480
 share a

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.039
 common

00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.839
 salvation

00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.859
 we share

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.779
 a common

00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.439
 hope

00:30:56.439 --> 00:30:57.059
 a thousand

00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.699
 unique

00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.259
 different

00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.279
 testimonies

00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.899
 but one

00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:00.519
 common

00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:00.980
 theme

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.519
 the word

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.019
 of God

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.599
 came to

00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.099
 you in

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.779
 power

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.939
 and you

00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.639
 believed

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.720
 by the grace

00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.199
 of God

00:31:07.199 --> 00:31:07.799
 that Christ

00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.639
 Jesus came

00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.240
 to save

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.939
 sinners

00:31:09.939 --> 00:31:11.179
 of which I

00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:11.419
 am the

00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:12.000
 foremost

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.519
 that Christ

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.159
 Jesus

00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:15.359
 has lived

00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.139
 and died

00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:16.819
 and risen

00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.659
 to save

00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.039
 you from

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.299
 your sin

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.980
 by the grace

00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.379
 of God

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.039
 you believed

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.399
 and you were

00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:21.899
 washed

00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:22.800
 you were

00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.500
 sanctified

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.300
 you were

00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:25.180
 redeemed

00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.540
 by the

00:31:25.540 --> 00:31:25.840
 power

00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.400
 of God

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:27.320
 every

00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:27.820
 member

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:28.420
 of this

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:28.860
 church

00:31:28.860 --> 00:31:29.160
 says

00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.800
 yes

00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:30.100
 that's

00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:30.280
 my

00:31:30.280 --> 00:31:30.720
 story

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:33.200
 because

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.080
 of this

00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:35.600
 church

00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:35.980
 we

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.600
 share

00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:36.860
 a

00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.480
 common

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.580
 aim

00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:40.080
 it's

00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:40.220
 the

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.600
 family

00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.040
 motto

00:31:41.040 --> 00:31:42.420
 we

00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.060
 exist

00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:44.420
 to

00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.040
 magnify

00:31:45.040 --> 00:31:45.600
 the glory

00:31:45.600 --> 00:31:46.240
 of God

00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.259
 in the

00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.700
 gospel

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.380
 of Jesus

00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.140
 Christ

00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:50.140
 together

00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:51.660
 this

00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:51.980
 is the

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.620
 great

00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.240
 banner

00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.900
 that hangs

00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.259
 over

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:54.720
 every

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.340
 ministry

00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:55.900
 of this

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.460
 church

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.360
 the

00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:57.680
 great

00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:57.980
 banner

00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.240
 that

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.820
 hangs

00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:59.080
 over

00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.480
 every

00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.300
 member's

00:32:00.300 --> 00:32:00.840
 life

00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.100
 as

00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.800
 individuals

00:32:01.800 --> 00:32:02.820
 the

00:32:02.820 --> 00:32:03.080
 great

00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:03.320
 banner

00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:03.540
 that

00:32:03.540 --> 00:32:03.800
 hangs

00:32:03.800 --> 00:32:04.140
 over

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.520
 our

00:32:04.520 --> 00:32:05.000
 identity

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.560
 together

00:32:05.560 --> 00:32:06.259
 corporately

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.060
 as

00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.660
 Sea Wee Bay

00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:09.800
 church

00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:10.380
 how will

00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:10.820
 you make

00:32:10.820 --> 00:32:11.420
 this your

00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:11.820
 aim

00:32:11.820 --> 00:32:12.660
 this year

00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:14.480
 to magnify

00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.080
 the glory

00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.600
 of God

00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:17.899
 I should

00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.959
 probably ask

00:32:18.959 --> 00:32:19.339
 first

00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.119
 are you

00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:20.679
 a part

00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:21.079
 of a

00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:21.359
 local

00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:21.799
 family

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.119
 of

00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:22.559
 believers

00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.959
 it

00:32:23.959 --> 00:32:24.240
 doesn't

00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.500
 have

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:24.799
 to be

00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.099
 here

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:26.339
 but I

00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:26.480
 would

00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:26.919
 encourage

00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:27.159
 you

00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:27.439
 if you're

00:32:27.439 --> 00:32:27.759
 not a

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.019
 member

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.519
 of a

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:28.879
 church

00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.379
 somewhere

00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:30.079
 meaningfully

00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.359
 where you

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.139
 can link

00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.619
 arms

00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.059
 together

00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.500
 and be

00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:32.959
 a part

00:32:32.959 --> 00:32:33.319
 of the

00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:33.939
 family

00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.879
 consider

00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.319
 how you

00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:35.659
 might do

00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:35.839
 that

00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.079
 this

00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.379
 year

00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:38.259
 and for

00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:38.459
 those

00:32:38.459 --> 00:32:38.819
 who are

00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.139
 a part

00:32:39.139 --> 00:32:39.439
 of this

00:32:39.439 --> 00:32:39.699
 church

00:32:39.699 --> 00:32:40.159
 Sea Wee Bay

00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:40.740
 how do

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.500
 we plan

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.779
 to magnify

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.480
 his glory

00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.099
 this

00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.000
 year

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.599
 well we've

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.000
 identified

00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.859
 three ways

00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:48.299
 three ways

00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.839
 we'll explore

00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.220
 them throughout

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.579
 the rest

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.160
 of January

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.119
 we aim

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.420
 to enjoy

00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.099
 God

00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.819
 to equip

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.779
 the saints

00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:57.119
 and to

00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:58.220
 evangelize

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.140
 the lost

00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:01.000
 those are

00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:01.420
 our three

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:01.940
 buckets

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.619
 to enjoy

00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.640
 to equip

00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.359
 and to

00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:06.220
 evangelize

00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:06.539
 but over

00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:06.859
 the next

00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.460
 three weeks

00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:07.819
 I've

00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.599
 I've felt

00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.480
 compelled

00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.920
 to explore

00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.700
 how we might

00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.259
 accomplish

00:33:12.259 --> 00:33:13.539
 these aims

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.680
 more specifically

00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.759
 through

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.960
 prayer

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:19.460
 my desire

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:19.980
 for us

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:20.400
 as we go

00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:21.100
 into 2024

00:33:21.100 --> 00:33:21.820
 is that we

00:33:21.820 --> 00:33:22.640
 would enjoy

00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.080
 him

00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.180
 in prayer

00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.920
 and that you

00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.500
 as a church

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.320
 family would be

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.160
 equipped

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.640
 to pray

00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:31.279
 and that we

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.060
 would pray

00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:32.779
 and desire

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.940
 and ask the

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.820
 Lord earnestly

00:33:34.820 --> 00:33:35.960
 to send laborers

00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.720
 into his harvest

00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.120
 field

00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:37.680
 that we would

00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.580
 commit

00:33:38.580 --> 00:33:40.160
 to magnify

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:40.860
 his glory

00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.980
 through prayer

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.120
 and that's where

00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:43.500
 we're going

00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.080
 Lord willing

00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:45.179
 in the weeks

00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:45.639
 to come

00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:46.659
 let's pray

00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:54.159
 Lord there is

00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:54.779
 nothing greater

00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:55.220
 that we could

00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.879
 give our lives

00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.299
 to than

00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:56.819
 your glory

00:33:56.819 --> 00:34:00.000
 we confess

00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.759
 the tug

00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.059
 and the

00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.639
 pull

00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:03.119
 of so many

00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:03.720
 worldly

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.819
 desires

00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.480
 and worldly

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.059
 pleasures

00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.720
 fleeting

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.419
 things

00:34:07.419 --> 00:34:08.279
 we microscope

00:34:08.279 --> 00:34:09.279
 magnify

00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:10.380
 small

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:10.900
 things

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.880
 and ignore

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.240
 the call

00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:13.840
 on our lives

00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.480
 to magnify

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.060
 your glory

00:34:15.060 --> 00:34:16.840
 so we pray

00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.500
 Lord if there

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.160
 are any here

00:34:18.160 --> 00:34:19.360
 who have

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.140
 not yet

00:34:20.140 --> 00:34:20.660
 tasted

00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:21.180
 and seen

00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.500
 that the

00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:21.820
 Lord is

00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.060
 good

00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:22.440
 would you

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.680
 would you

00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.140
 draw their

00:34:24.140 --> 00:34:24.400
 hearts

00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:24.980
 to the glory

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.400
 of God

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:25.920
 and the gospel

00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.400
 of Christ

00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.040
 even now

00:34:27.040 --> 00:34:27.640
 as I pray

00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:29.440
 and Father

00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.000
 we ask

00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:31.280
 that together

00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:31.860
 as a church

00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:32.260
 family

00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:32.840
 as we step

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.200
 forward

00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.740
 into the new

00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.080
 year

00:34:34.080 --> 00:34:34.560
 Lord

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.440
 that we

00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.940
 would be

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.460
 defined

00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:36.900
 by this

00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.500
 great call

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:39.019
 would you

00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:39.400
 do it

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:39.940
 in us

00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:40.480
 we pray

00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.840
 in Jesus

00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.199
 name

00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.599
 amen