WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.580 Jesus, we thank you. 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:05.560 As we open up your word this morning, we thank you. 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:09.320 Whoever said anything about the end. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:12.179 And so we thank you that it is not the end. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:14.460 And in fact, the story continues. 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:18.740 And so we transition now into opening up your word 00:00:18.740 --> 00:00:21.620 and seeing what it is that you have in store for us. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:23.900 We thank you, Lord. 00:00:24.080 --> 00:00:24.920 In your name we pray. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:26.240 Amen. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:28.640 Can I invite us to stand for the word of the Lord? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.000 Amen. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:43.460 Reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians, chapter 1. 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:52.879 Colossians, chapter 1. 00:00:57.519 --> 00:00:58.600 Verse 13. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:12.180 Colossians, chapter 1, verse 13 says this. 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:15.879 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.879 and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:25.079 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:45.420 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:47.739 Please take a seat. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:55.019 Thanks, kids, for joining us as well. 00:01:55.140 --> 00:01:57.320 We thought it would be really nice for Easter Sunday to get together. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:01:59.640 So I appreciate you guys for being here. 00:01:59.980 --> 00:02:01.740 In case you are aboard, there is some. 00:02:02.240 --> 00:02:04.159 One, I promise you I'll keep this short. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:09.219 And two, if you're really kind of like struggling because of the darkness and all those things, 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:10.840 there are word searches at the back. 00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:13.280 Actually, I also like a good word search. 00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:16.340 So if you want, I've found a few and I've distributed them already. 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:19.219 And if you're an adult and want to do a word search, 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:21.039 then just pretend you're going for a toilet break and grab one. 00:02:21.479 --> 00:02:22.460 They're really fun to do. 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:29.680 So first question I want to ask is, has anyone spent any time in the UK here, in England? 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:34.879 Doesn't this morning feel like that? 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:36.719 Doesn't it? 00:02:36.819 --> 00:02:39.719 As I was walking, I was like, this feels familiar. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:41.120 What is this feeling? 00:02:41.740 --> 00:02:44.280 This doom and gloom that just goes, 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:46.800 I was a secondary school teacher when I was in England 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:51.219 and you'd get to school for 7.30, 8 and it's dark. 00:02:52.219 --> 00:02:55.699 And then you finish around three or four and it's dark. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:58.319 And then you walk out, you're like, oh, that's it. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:03.159 And as I was walking, I was like, well, Hong Kong has the most glorious weather 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:05.300 from what, October to March, April. 00:03:06.079 --> 00:03:08.939 And then the humidity comes and punches you in the face. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:11.060 And then it's this for a bit. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:12.979 And then it gets excruciatingly hot. 00:03:13.579 --> 00:03:18.099 But as I was walking, I was like, I don't remember this feeling of walking. 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:20.240 I was like, what is it like to just go from day to day, 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:21.879 having this gray around you? 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:23.640 And you realize actually you just get used to it. 00:03:24.140 --> 00:03:26.020 There's so many of our friends growing up in England had, 00:03:26.420 --> 00:03:27.340 it's called SAD, right? 00:03:27.480 --> 00:03:29.020 Where we just need the sunshine. 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:32.020 We need vitamin D and we have friends who buy lights to kind of help, 00:03:32.360 --> 00:03:34.659 kind of like, I don't know, just trick their bodies into thinking 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:36.500 that there's joy and there's hope in the world. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:40.439 But yeah, it just reminds me of that. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.219 And I wonder whether we actually often get used to living that kind of way. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:49.599 And on Friday, we talked a little bit about us becoming so desensitized to the cross, 00:03:49.699 --> 00:03:54.139 so desensitized to sin, so desensitized to the darkness that we live in, 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:56.759 that we actually end up getting very used to it. 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:02.900 Having lived here for a while now, I was like, whoa, I'm not used to this darkness in the day. 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:05.599 But I realized, but I grew up like this. 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:07.420 Why was it okay then? 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:10.800 And I'm looking now at the scriptures that we're going to go through. 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:12.780 It's only two simple verses and you can follow along. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.439 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:18.540 and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son 00:04:18.540 --> 00:04:22.939 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:29.360 The theme that I want to quickly share about today is this idea that God is trying to rescue us. 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:31.660 God is rescuing, that's the story of Easter. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:31.740 Easter. 00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:35.439 The question that I have though is, what is he rescuing us from? 00:04:35.640 --> 00:04:37.340 And what is he rescuing us for? 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:42.820 It's all right saying that Jesus comes and dies on the cross and lives again and he rescued us. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:44.380 But well, do we really feel that? 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:46.640 Do we really truly appreciate and understand that? 00:04:46.900 --> 00:04:49.740 Because if we do, then we must understand what he rescued us from 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:51.720 and what he is rescuing us for. 00:04:51.820 --> 00:04:55.100 Because when we get rescued, then we need to know where we're going. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:56.540 Otherwise, we're stuck in this abyss. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:59.540 We're stuck in this middle ground where we're actually neither here nor there. 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:03.720 So we look at the scripture and all I'm going to do is simply break down the scripture very quickly, 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:07.319 which is what is he rescuing us from and what is he rescuing us for? 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:09.400 And it says this, he has delivered us. 00:05:09.700 --> 00:05:11.060 Another translation is rescued there. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:14.260 So he delivered us from the domain of darkness. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:17.379 When did this domain of darkness begin? 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:21.599 It was the moment, the moment we started to believe that God doesn't really love us. 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:24.659 The moment we decided to actually, we can't really trust him. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:28.779 When that serpent ends up in the garden and says, did God really say that? 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:29.779 Oh, really? 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:31.420 He said that to you? 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:33.300 That means he's hiding something from you. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:34.740 That means he doesn't actually love you. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:37.099 That means he doesn't actually want what's best for you. 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:40.960 And that's the moment, that mistrust of God. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:44.260 That is the moment that causes us to go down this slippery slope. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:48.439 The fellowship have been going through the Genesis actually these last few months. 00:05:48.460 --> 00:05:49.840 And we're going to be going into that next week. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:51.180 And Gabe's going to start us off on Genesis. 00:05:51.400 --> 00:05:56.720 And you just see time and time again, whether it's Abraham, whether it's Jacob, 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:01.040 whether it's just humanity, just constantly just mistrusting God. 00:06:01.460 --> 00:06:02.420 Think about your sin. 00:06:03.260 --> 00:06:06.080 Just entertain me here for a second on Easter Sunday. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:07.359 Think about your sin. 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:11.419 If you keep peeling back or pulling on that thread, what is that sin really? 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:14.319 That sin really is just this mistrust of God. 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:18.459 You do what you do because you're like, God, actually, I know better. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:24.659 God, I know that you kind of want me to do this, but actually, I think I trust myself more. 00:06:24.799 --> 00:06:28.360 And what happens then is we keep going down that line and we make those decisions for ourselves. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:29.259 And where do we end up? 00:06:29.419 --> 00:06:33.079 We end up in the dominion of darkness. 00:06:33.279 --> 00:06:34.939 What does the word dominion mean? 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:40.199 Apart from being the fourth Jurassic World movie. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:42.579 What does the word dominion mean to you? 00:06:42.659 --> 00:06:44.939 Kalo, when I say dominion, what do you say? 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.259 You just shake your head. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:50.419 Dominion. 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:53.399 A realm. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:54.479 A realm. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:55.120 Correct. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:56.339 A realm. 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:57.000 A kingdom. 00:06:57.719 --> 00:06:58.639 A rule. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:00.159 Control. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:01.300 Right. 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:02.720 That's what it really means. 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:08.160 Ironically, if you go all the way back to the beginning of our story in Genesis 1, God creates man. 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:08.939 And what does he say? 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.520 You have dominion over creation. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:13.440 And what do you need to do? 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:14.600 You need to cultivate this. 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:18.340 You need to rearrange these raw materials so that they would then glorify me. 00:07:18.440 --> 00:07:19.320 They would worship me. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:20.840 They would look like me. 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:21.680 That's what he's saying. 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:24.740 And yet what happens is we were supposed to have dominion over creation. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:25.500 Yet what happens? 00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:29.860 We end up in the dominion in the realm of darkness ourselves. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:33.319 Think about what that actually means for you. 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:39.379 When you say dominion of darkness, well, this is a nice backdrop that we have right now. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:43.000 But we're also not saying that evil villain. 00:07:44.159 --> 00:07:47.240 We're also not saying Bane from Batman. 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:51.240 We're also not saying these evil villains that are here to destroy. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:59.620 Often the dominion of darkness that we live in is just things that we are now under the control of and we are kept in the dark with. 00:08:00.779 --> 00:08:02.740 Those things that we actually have. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:04.759 What are those things in Hong Kong? 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:09.960 What are those things in Hong Kong that actually force us to always live in that dominion of darkness? 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.000 I think one of just meritocracy. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:14.879 Wanting to work as hard as we can to get where? 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:15.540 Well, we don't know. 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:19.460 We just need to keep going to get as far up the ladder as we possibly can. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:22.259 But people have told us there's nothing at the top of the ladder. 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:22.860 It doesn't matter. 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:24.139 We have to keep going up. 00:08:24.460 --> 00:08:29.840 We are conditioned to keep going up this ladder further and further and deeper and deeper into what? 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:32.180 The dominion of darkness. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:33.139 Money. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:36.180 The love of money is the root of all evil, right? 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:37.600 It's that dominion. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:38.419 We need more. 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:39.700 We constantly need more. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.060 If we don't have it, we won't survive. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:41.940 But what about our children? 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.759 What about our offspring? 00:08:43.060 --> 00:08:44.399 What about the generations to come? 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:44.879 No, no, no. 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:49.899 That is a place that we go where we go, actually, God, we don't really trust you. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.319 We don't really trust you. 00:08:51.459 --> 00:08:53.179 And we're going to make those decisions ourselves. 00:08:53.340 --> 00:08:58.259 The dominion of just this polished exterior that we live in, that we need to present to 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:02.620 ourselves, that we need to come to every arena that we're in, every friendship group that we're in, 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:06.840 every church, every workplace, presenting ourselves in the best possible light. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:09.139 And then we're trapped in that. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:12.379 We're trapped in a world of filters that we apply to ourselves. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:15.899 That remains to be the dominion of darkness that we live in. 00:09:15.939 --> 00:09:19.000 Or maybe it's just this functional atheism that we have. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:22.419 You come to church on Sundays because that's what you were conditioned and brought up to do. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:23.919 Why? 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.939 Because you don't want to anger this God. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:33.659 And you want to stay on his good side so that your Monday to Saturday will be blessed and will be pleasing. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:35.559 And your work will go well with you. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.139 And your career will go well with you. 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:38.940 And your bank account will go well with you. 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:39.759 Here's the problem. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:43.620 God says all of those things that are not of me, they will end up controlling you. 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:45.639 You start off saying that you're in control. 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:49.679 But very, very quickly, they end up being the things that control us. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:52.399 What is the thing that controls Hong Kong people? 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.559 Yes, money. 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:55.700 It's our calendars. 00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:57.399 They control us. 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:58.980 It's our bank accounts. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.899 They control us. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:01.899 It's our friendship circles. 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.879 It's our social circles. 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:05.340 They control us. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:09.200 This dominion, this realm of darkness that we live in. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:13.020 And yet that is exactly how and where Jesus comes to rescue us. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:19.100 But when he rescues us, he rescues us in a way that actually we don't expect. 00:10:19.699 --> 00:10:23.220 Scripture tells us he's not just standing there saying, hey, you work your way up to me. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:31.960 Imagine a lifeguard standing by the side of the pool and seeing someone who's drowning under the dominion of darkness, not able to get themselves out. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:36.040 And the lifeguard stands there on the side and say, well, this is where you went wrong. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:40.900 You just didn't pay attention during your swimming lessons or you went deeper than you should have. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:45.879 So what you need to do is you need to start doing your friend crawl to climb back out. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:48.879 That is not what a rescue mission means. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:51.460 But so often, actually, we chuckle. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:53.840 But then actually, I wonder whether we sometimes see God like that. 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.379 We know that we are trapped in this darkness. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:11:01.980 And yet we have this picture of God standing by the poolside with his arms crossed saying, come on, then work your way back to me. 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.500 Work your way back. 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:04.740 Come back to me. 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:06.559 Earn the right to be with me again. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:08.019 Don't we sometimes have that? 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:12.000 Because we know that we're wallowing in this place and we think we have to get there ourselves. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.340 And that's not the gospel message. 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:16.860 The gospel message isn't God crossing his arms saying, you made some mistakes. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:19.319 You had one too many fractions, infractions this week. 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:24.139 What he's saying is I'm going to jump into the pool to bring you out. 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:26.600 So the rescue mission begins. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:27.199 And what happens? 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:28.699 The light enters into the world. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:34.740 The book of John talks about this, loves the imagery of light entering into the darkness. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:38.299 The word becomes flesh and says, hey, you can't rescue yourself. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.700 I am jumping in. 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.759 That is Jesus. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.360 That is the gospel message. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:45.039 What does he rescue us from? 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:51.680 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:56.180 So first thing, we need to recognize where we are being rescued from. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.680 We're being rescued from being under control of these things. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:05.000 We're being rescued from the need to feel as though we're in control of our own lives. 00:12:05.739 --> 00:12:06.839 The weight of that. 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:11.379 Society tells us, hey, everyone is their own God. 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:14.179 Everyone has to make their own decisions to climb wherever they need to climb. 00:12:14.439 --> 00:12:16.699 But the weight of that was never ours to bear. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:20.719 When what God is saying is you're not God. 00:12:20.819 --> 00:12:21.539 I am God. 00:12:21.699 --> 00:12:25.579 But now you're in this place where you can't get out and I am jumping in to rescue you. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.839 But where am I going to rescue you? 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:30.280 Not just to leave you on the side of the pool and just let you stay there. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:33.100 Though often I think a lot of us do stay there. 00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:36.940 Because we aren't recognizing that we're actually, we were drowning and that we needed saving. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:39.680 So then we sit by the pool and we don't really know where else we're going to go. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.320 But then he's transferring us to something. 00:12:43.680 --> 00:12:49.399 He's rescuing us from sin and death and being lost. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:54.160 And rescuing us for a place where there is life. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:57.480 Where we can see where we are found. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:00.000 We're taken to a new place. 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.319 And what is that new place? 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.860 This kingdom of his beloved son. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.839 So we're going from a domain of darkness into a new kingdom, a new realm. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.980 That is beloved. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:15.639 Imagine if we truly understood what that meant. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:18.259 That we were rescued when we were drowning. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:19.659 Why? 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.240 Because we were deeply loved. 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.980 And then we were brought out of the pool. 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.159 We're not just kept there. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:27.080 We are now transferred into another place. 00:13:27.180 --> 00:13:29.759 Romans 8 talks about this where we are no longer slaves. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:32.120 But we are now children of God. 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:37.399 And nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:40.740 This place where we are loved. 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:42.740 Truly loved. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.819 And so we go from being slaves of sin. 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:49.899 Being people who are trapped in this domain of darkness. 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:52.360 And now we enter into a kingdom where we are truly loved. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:54.360 Where we are a co-heir with Christ. 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:56.980 We go from rags to riches in one moment. 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:59.419 And that moment, that day, is today. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.059 Why? 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:04.019 Because this is the day where Jesus raises from the dead. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:07.419 And we realize now that we are not defined by our mistakes. 00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:10.600 We are not defined by the things that we've done wrong in the past. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.379 I think I've shared before my favorite movie. 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:15.240 My favorite Disney movie, sorry. 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.980 Is The Lion King. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.980 Who's watched the movie? 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:19.919 The Lion King. 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.100 Okay. 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.699 Yeah. 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:22.500 Yeah. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:22.759 Yeah. 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:22.939 Yeah. 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:25.579 Who's watched the theater show? 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:28.179 The one in Hong Kong? 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.019 Did you watch the one in Hong Kong? 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:33.340 We watched the one in the West End. 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:35.480 Oh my goodness. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.360 It's actually interesting. 00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:42.860 C.S. Lewis talks a lot about this. 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:49.300 A lot of the stories that we love in contemporary society are really just reflections of the story of Jesus. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.420 We can't help ourselves. 00:14:52.519 --> 00:14:53.600 We can't help ourselves. 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.500 It's always about this. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:58.560 It's always about this one main character who doesn't know who they truly are. 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:00.759 Or has made a mistake. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:04.039 Simba makes a mistake that defines his future. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:06.720 What is that mistake that he believes a lie? 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.299 He believes that it was his fault. 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:13.159 That Mufasa died because of him. 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:20.779 And so then he goes and he heads into the wilderness, into the jungle, into slash the domain of darkness. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:23.439 And he stays in this place. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:27.439 And he starts to forget really truly who he is because he makes two friends. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.720 And his diet changes massively. 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:33.139 And then he likes to just stay there. 00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:35.419 And sometimes we like to stay there. 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.079 Let's be honest. 00:15:36.579 --> 00:15:40.419 Sometimes we like to sulk and stay in that domain of darkness because it's just easier. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:46.039 Because sometimes hiding in the darkness means that what is inside us isn't exposed into the light. 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.419 So we stay there. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:49.360 But that wasn't what Jesus came to do. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:52.919 He didn't just come to rescue us from the darkness and leave us in a gray area. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:59.360 He came to rescue us from darkness and move us into the kingdom of his beloved son where we find out who we are again. 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:03.319 And so there's this beautiful moment where Simba's never heading back to the pride lands by himself. 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:06.980 There's a rescue mission that goes to find him. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:11.980 The rescue mission in the form of Nala, who comically is stronger than him. 00:16:12.140 --> 00:16:13.480 I know that existence very well. 00:16:14.900 --> 00:16:16.300 Why are you laughing so hard, Kim? 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:19.100 That laugh was inappropriately loud. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.820 But it's so true. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.540 So it wasn't even a joke. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.400 You should just shed a tear for me. 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:32.220 It's actually very rare that my beloved wife is stood at the back of the service because she's usually traveling around. 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.800 Yeah, she's stronger than me. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.320 Where did we get to? 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.400 You just completely made me lose my train of thought. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:44.700 Just the stronger wife. 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:46.980 Nala. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:47.940 Nala. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.800 Simba is needed in the pride lands. 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:52.080 He's forgotten who he is. 00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.260 But a rescue mission happens. 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:55.780 Rescues him from the jungle. 00:16:56.160 --> 00:17:00.320 Nala herself goes to find and then brings him back to the pride. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.400 Nala. 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:03.379 Did he ever stop being the prince of the land? 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.200 Did he ever stop being Mufasa's son? 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.420 Gen Z, Eli. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.279 I've never watched the Lion King. 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:08.980 Don't know what it's about. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.980 So who cares? 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:14.140 He never stops being Mufasa's son. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.860 He's just hiding from it. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:24.559 But once he returns, once he's transformed back into the kingdom of the sun, he realizes who he is. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:28.019 And when he goes back there, he sees someone else in control. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.119 Scar. 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:33.179 Though, of course, the Mufasa movie paints a wonderful story of just how he got to where he was. 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:38.099 But you see, it's just the picturing is just dark. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.779 There's no light. 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:40.919 There's no life. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:51.640 But when Simba steps back in, fights the battle that was only his to fight, wins, and suddenly light comes back into the kingdom. 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:57.960 He steps back in to his identity as a child of God, as a child of Mufasa in that case. 00:17:58.060 --> 00:18:00.620 But for us, isn't that the same for us? 00:18:01.300 --> 00:18:05.620 When we recognize that we were in the jungle, we were wallowing in the jungle, we couldn't really find our ways to get back. 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:10.519 We didn't really want to get back sometimes, but we know we needed to because this life wasn't what we were created for. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:13.919 But then Jesus comes and rescues us and brings us back out. 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:15.679 And then now we know who we are. 00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.919 We find out our calling. 00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:18.779 And what happens when you step back in? 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.399 You suddenly see that the Easter story is right here for us. 00:18:23.699 --> 00:18:27.619 That the Easter story shows that we are transferred from death back into life. 00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:29.879 A one of hopelessness now back into hope. 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:33.079 The one of meaninglessness now into purpose. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:36.419 That is the Easter story. 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:38.019 And this is where we jump in. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.799 Why is it so powerful? 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:44.279 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.960 What does it mean to be in that kingdom? 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:49.939 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.519 When you are a child of God, two things that you receive. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.379 First of all is redemption. 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:57.819 Redemption and then the forgiveness. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.279 What does the word redemption mean? 00:18:59.439 --> 00:19:00.899 It means to buy back. 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:06.259 It means to suddenly you reown whatever it is that you had before in the past. 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:11.100 Or for those of us who are in the church car parking WhatsApp group for Pacific Place. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:17.380 What one of the best things about Hong Kong is parking redemption in malls. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.680 It is such a good deal. 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:23.600 You can get free parking so long as you buy a pair of shoes. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.800 It's just the best thing. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:30.279 So every time I go, well, this is what a great deal. 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.139 I can't not. 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:35.980 But have a think for a second what it means when you drove into it. 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:37.039 Those of you who drove. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.379 Drove into a car park. 00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:38.940 What happens? 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.539 When you drive in. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.639 It happened, of course, as we drove into. 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:42.799 Let's say we drove in. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:44.339 Did you drive into Pacific Place today, Darren? 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:44.619 Okay. 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:46.839 You drive in and you go into a basement. 00:19:47.899 --> 00:19:49.839 The dominion of darkness is what I call it. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:53.379 And the moment you get a ticket, what is that? 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:59.899 That is the debt that you now have as you made the choice to enter into that dominion of darkness. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:00.679 Yeah? 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:01.759 Following me? 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:06.019 And then, that's why parking is evil. 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:08.099 But there is hope. 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:09.179 Paying for parking is evil. 00:20:09.459 --> 00:20:10.279 But there is hope. 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.919 You got to go buy a pair of shoes. 00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:16.759 Because what happens when you go buy a pair of shoes? 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.319 You get a receipt. 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:22.059 Now, it doesn't mean parking is free, of course. 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.419 Someone does have to pay. 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:29.139 But once you get that receipt, or once there are those of us who collect enough receipts 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:36.200 across lunch that we have, you can take it to the counter with your just head held high 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:43.359 and say, I do not need to pay this debt as I drove into this domain of darkness, 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.439 Miss Receptionist. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:47.460 Because I now have some receipts. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:53.400 Because my friends, Darren and Paul, spent a lot of money at Shake Shack. 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:55.820 And now I have their receipts. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.120 And now I get to drive out of this car park for free. 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.780 Brothers and sisters, that is redemption. 00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:09.360 That, there is nothing more appropriate to share about the gospel than the free parking that comes. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:13.680 The freedom that comes as we drive out of that car park, out of the domain of darkness, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:17.279 into the glorious light, knowing that we paid nothing to do it. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:22.019 That is what it means by being redeemed. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:24.779 Or another example, for those of you who are basketball fans, 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:31.080 there is this nation on the other side of the world called the United States of America. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.119 America. 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:34.319 And for the longest time, and sometimes still now, 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:39.559 humility isn't the word that I would use for that group of people. 00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:40.119 Right, Alex? 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:44.939 And so they would send out this basketball team for a few years. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.559 And it didn't really go well. 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:50.039 And they didn't really try hard because they thought they were the best in the world, 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:53.139 completely ignorant of the progress that the rest of the world had made in every front. 00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:58.920 And what happens is they took this team out to the Olympics and they played there in 2004. 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.780 And it didn't end well for them. 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:05.140 They lost to teams that they should not lose to. 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:07.340 Countries that were much smaller than them. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:13.360 And of course, in true American fashion, they turned that story into one of glory afterwards. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:13.620 Why? 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:16.420 Because in four years' time, they send out what is the team called? 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:17.960 The Redeemed Team. 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:20.100 The Redeemed Team. 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:25.679 Which is to take back what they lost through arrogance and incompetence. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:28.240 But you see, that is what it is. 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:33.519 We're rescued from this domain of darkness and we're put into this kingdom of the beloved son, 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:35.259 where we now have redemption. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:39.879 Where we are completely free to walk out of here. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.779 Not because we paid the price. 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:43.359 This is the key thing here. 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:47.379 Because until we realize that actually someone did something for us to be here, 00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:51.260 that these two guys went to collect receipts for me so that I could drive out of this car park, 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:55.040 that Jesus actually came from heaven down to earth to pay the price. 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:59.020 You see, sometimes when we come to think about we're just getting out of this sin, 00:22:59.100 --> 00:23:01.900 we're getting out of this darkness and we didn't do anything to do it. 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.240 Sometimes, you know what that means? 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.740 We don't really, we're not really grateful for it. 00:23:05.760 --> 00:23:08.160 We don't really truly understand the cost that was paid. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:11.280 We're not really, it's not really worth anything to us. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:16.619 But when we realize the lengths of what this beloved son did for us, 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:21.099 the redemption that comes from him. 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.920 Now, why do we believe this? 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:26.019 Why is this Easter story even important? 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.259 Why is it special? 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:30.579 Well, I would say it's important and special for only really one reason, 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:32.019 and that is because it really happened. 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.220 Because it's real. 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:35.680 That is it. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:41.580 Because someone really did, 2,000 years ago, die and then rise again. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.320 That he really did defeat death. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:47.840 Imagine if you and I approached death in a different way now. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.299 So often we don't. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.240 So often we're still filled with fear and anxiety. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:56.980 But yet, if we truly took what the Easter story is saying here, 00:23:58.080 --> 00:24:00.960 that really, there was someone who said that they would die 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.460 and that they would rise again. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:04.380 And then it actually happened. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:06.580 That changes everything. 00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:09.240 That changes everything. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:13.380 Maybe the key passage in Scripture that we must go back to every Easter Sunday 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.560 is 1 Corinthians 15, 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:16.600 where the great Apostle Paul says, 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:18.440 actually, forget everything else. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:21.300 It all hinges on whether he rose again. 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:23.580 Not that he was a nice guy. 00:24:23.760 --> 00:24:25.340 Not that he was a good teacher. 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.840 Not that he was a prophet. 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:29.880 But because he actually walked out of that tomb 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:32.280 and that the grave is truly empty. 00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:34.320 Because that changes everything. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:36.400 And now if that didn't happen, what Paul says, 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:39.680 is actually, James, you preaching here is useless. 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:43.380 Just because Jesus was a nice guy that died for us and that was it, 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:45.000 that's not enough. 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:48.580 He says, your preaching is useless. 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:50.240 Your faith is futile. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.660 So either the, 00:24:51.760 --> 00:24:53.660 John Mark Homer put this in a really nice way. 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:53.960 He says, 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.779 either the Easter story is true 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:58.180 or there are other things that are true. 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.400 And what are those other things? 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.440 That, well, 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.920 the followers of Jesus were liars. 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:07.299 That there's actually no hope after death. 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.700 That death is all there is. 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:11.279 So just eat, drink, be merry, 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:13.519 for tomorrow we die and that's it. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:18.240 That actually we're still stuck in our sins. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:20.180 We're still stuck in that basement car park. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.099 We're still stuck in that domain of darkness 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.139 and we're just staying there. 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:28.339 So the alternatives are really not that appealing. 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.500 But if Jesus really did rise from the dead, 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:31.980 and you say, well, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.460 what if it was just wishful thinking? 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.819 What if it was just a group of people 00:25:34.819 --> 00:25:37.139 who really missed the guy that they were following for three years 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:39.000 and now they just decided to make up stuff 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.740 just to keep going? 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:41.100 Well, here's the problem with that one. 00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:41.840 First of all, 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:43.259 now people are willing to die 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:45.980 for something that they don't really know is true. 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.720 But you see what happens is 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.420 when that comes under threat, 00:25:50.020 --> 00:25:51.700 when your life comes under threat, 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:54.080 then are you willing to keep to that lie? 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:57.320 The Watergate scandal that happened many years ago 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:59.680 from 12 powerful men that tried to keep a lie. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.780 It did not last long. 00:26:01.060 --> 00:26:03.660 Yet what you see here is a small group of fishermen 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:05.640 and working class people, Jews, 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:08.500 who encountered something 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:11.600 to the point where their lives were completely transformed. 00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:15.460 Cowards were transformed into the most courageous people. 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.740 Murderers like Paul were transformed completely. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.280 And then you wonder, 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.880 okay, there's something true about this. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:23.440 If you look at the historical account of the resurrection, 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.580 there's something else that's, 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.580 well, if you were making this story up, 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.580 you would not put in there. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.480 And what would that be? 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:31.280 You would not have the witnesses be women. 00:26:31.820 --> 00:26:32.240 Why? 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:33.240 Because in the ancient world, 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:34.259 they wouldn't be recognized. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:37.779 They wouldn't be actually allowed in court to testify. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:40.039 So if you were making up a story, 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.099 you don't put them in there. 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:42.799 Yet in the scripture, in the gospel accounts, 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.500 what you see here is the truth. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:46.779 You see different angles of the same story. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.640 And so what you see here is that 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:51.779 the author is simply just keeping a record of accounts. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.960 Well, then you say, well, maybe, 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:55.480 well, maybe he did die. 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.460 He did not rise again. 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.299 They just hid the body. 00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:59.680 They've had 2000 years to bring that body back out. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:04.039 But the Jews who were against the Christians 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.880 could have brought it out if they were the ones that hid it. 00:27:06.060 --> 00:27:06.600 But they didn't. 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:09.700 The Romans, they, if they hid it, 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:12.240 they could have brought it out at any point to say, 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:14.500 hey, all of this, everyone calm down, stop. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.259 Here's the body. 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.840 Everyone go back to their own lives. 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:19.119 And yet they couldn't find the body. 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:23.679 And so you look at all these different pieces of evidence 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:26.639 and you're like, hmm, something happened here 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:29.799 that changed the course of mankind 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:32.539 that leads us now to be living in 2026, 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:34.919 counting the years that that man lived. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:38.019 This is bigger than just someone dying. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:42.379 This is so big that it's someone who rises again. 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:46.259 And we have the forgiveness of sins. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:49.819 Can you imagine that every wrong thing 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.059 that you and I have done, 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:53.679 we can now just let go and say, 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.819 it's gone. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.179 I'm preaching to the choir here, 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.039 which is a term that we use, 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:03.339 which is actually, you guys are Christians here, 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:04.279 most of you. 00:28:05.959 --> 00:28:08.279 But let me tell you a danger of this. 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.299 As you're a follower of Christ, 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:13.480 this is a gift. 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:16.039 This is what we call grace. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.799 There's nothing you can do to earn this. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.759 Some of you are sat here, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:21.879 well, maybe I deserve to be transferred 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:23.099 from the dominion of darkness 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.759 over to the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.559 What do I need to do to get there? 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:29.399 The moment you say, what do I need to do? 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.379 You've actually missed the point. 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:35.539 Because some of us are in the mall, 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:37.659 scrounging around, looking for receipts, 00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:41.619 going, I need to collect as many receipts as I can 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:43.619 in order to get out of this car park. 00:28:44.479 --> 00:28:46.019 And that isn't the gospel, my friends. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:48.299 The gospel is when someone comes up to you, 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:50.199 just like Wes came up to me this morning 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:50.959 after his breakfast, 00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.939 and just gives me the receipt for free. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:58.559 Some of us go around thinking, 00:28:58.700 --> 00:29:00.059 I can't get out of here unless I work 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.680 and pay the price myself, 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.720 collect as many receipts as I can. 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.660 But the truth is, 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.059 there is only one who could afford it. 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:09.640 Only one who didn't have debt. 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:14.120 And that's how we get the forgiveness of sins. 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.960 Because the one who did no wrong, 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.240 the one who had a new, 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.799 no sin, 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:22.039 died for us so that we would become 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.819 the righteousness of God. 00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:24.099 We would have those receipts 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.079 that we needed to get out. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.139 So when you are transferred 00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:28.619 into the kingdom of the beloved son, 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.339 you have the redemption 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:32.319 and you have the forgiveness of sins. 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.500 And the moment you step out 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.419 and you receive that, 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.379 what do you become? 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.480 You become a child of God. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:38.180 You realize who you are. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:39.960 The great theologian, 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.159 that is Rafiki, 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.639 in the Lion King, 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:42.919 says, 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:47.099 remember who you are. 00:29:49.639 --> 00:29:50.899 My son laughed at that joke. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.259 That's good. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.779 That means that's a good joke. 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.599 Unless he's laughing at something else, 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.339 which is also true. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:00.419 Remember who you are. 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:03.500 What if this Easter Sunday, 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.159 we stepped out of here 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.599 from the darkness, 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.859 back into the light, 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.980 and now you know 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.659 that you are a child of God, 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.680 that you are beloved. 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.059 Chinese people, 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:19.000 for whatever reason, 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.419 actually for a number of reasons, 00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.559 we struggle with this idea 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:26.819 deeply of acknowledging 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:27.639 that we are loved, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.779 that we are beloved. 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.980 Maybe it's the love languages 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:34.159 that culturally we just 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.940 decide to ignore all of, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.919 apart from acts of service 00:30:37.919 --> 00:30:39.200 and financial provision. 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:43.120 So we all struggle 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:43.799 with this idea 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.440 of being loved. 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.840 What if I told you 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.620 that you are beloved? 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.279 You know what that requires? 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:52.080 Francis Chan says this, 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.960 that the word beloved, 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.960 if you break it up, 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.319 it means you have to be willing 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.960 to be loved. 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.400 What if 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:02.819 today 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:05.220 we receive the gift of Easter? 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:08.400 Arms open wide and says, 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.560 God, 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:11.620 I will let you love me. 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:14.840 I will let you rescue me 00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:16.560 from my drowning, 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:18.060 from my dominion of darkness 00:31:18.060 --> 00:31:19.259 that I have been under 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.660 the control of. 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.780 And I can be transferred 00:31:23.780 --> 00:31:26.259 into the kingdom 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:28.380 of the beloved son. 00:31:29.800 --> 00:31:30.040 Oh, 00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:30.860 the joyous moment 00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.640 that can happen 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:33.120 when we have access now, 00:31:33.440 --> 00:31:35.519 not as an outsider. 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:40.579 Christina and I, 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:43.200 we enjoy 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.559 traveling around Hong Kong, 00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.660 but we more recently, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.440 we have enjoyed 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.660 exploring the north. 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.059 The north being 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.139 the mainland 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.420 that 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:53.059 some of us 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.839 also like to go to. 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.000 But for the longest time, 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.680 she goes in with 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.759 her British passport 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.259 as a foreigner. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.759 Oh my goodness, 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.259 and the queue. 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.059 The queue to get 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.539 through immigration 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.700 is a painful one 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.859 because it really 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.559 is just a gamble 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.420 as who's in front of you 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:05.819 in the line 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:07.759 and what potential 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.460 criminals are there. 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.099 And of course, 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.980 as I'm waiting in the queue, 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.619 I'm just judging 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:12.119 every person in front of me. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.639 Why are you trying to get it? 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.039 Why are you stopping me 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.639 from accessing 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.359 the promised land? 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:20.240 Because we were foreigners. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.359 Of course, 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.319 we've now qualified 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:22.920 in the time 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.559 that we've had here 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.119 in Hong Kong. 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.759 We now get that special card. 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:26.599 Oh, 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:27.259 the liberation. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.639 Oh, 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.119 the freedom. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:28.839 Oh, 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.500 the efficiency 00:32:29.500 --> 00:32:30.239 when you don't need 00:32:30.239 --> 00:32:31.419 to speak to a single officer 00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:32.259 and you just get to walk 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.079 through the E channel 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:35.339 and you just get to go in 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.839 free. 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.719 You no longer have to queue 00:32:39.719 --> 00:32:40.359 as a foreigner, 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:42.019 as an outsider. 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.879 But we are transferred, 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.719 not because of us, 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.639 but because of what Jesus 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.179 did for us. 00:32:46.199 --> 00:32:47.259 Because someone came out 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.259 to rescue us 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:49.099 and bring us 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.959 into the kingdom 00:32:49.959 --> 00:32:51.000 so that we can live 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:52.799 who we are supposed to be 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.819 just like Simba. 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.399 Wouldn't it be nice 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:58.140 if this Easter Sunday 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.740 we did that, 00:32:59.300 --> 00:33:00.060 all of us today, 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:03.340 as loved children 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:04.220 of God? 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.780 We're going to spend 00:33:07.780 --> 00:33:08.640 a final moment now 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.800 as we ponder over 00:33:09.800 --> 00:33:10.440 this power 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:12.720 that comes 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:14.019 from the cross, 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.259 but also that 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.700 just permeates through, 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.720 reverberates through 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.480 the empty grave, 00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.420 the empty tomb. 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.600 The ripple effects 00:33:21.600 --> 00:33:22.940 that are still in play 00:33:22.940 --> 00:33:23.900 right now. 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:26.040 What if we lived 00:33:26.040 --> 00:33:26.580 like that? 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.540 Not as slaves to sin, 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:29.840 not as those trapped 00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:31.000 in the domain of darkness 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.540 in the basement, 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.620 but we stepped 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:36.140 into the marvelous light. 00:33:36.280 --> 00:33:36.720 We stepped 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:38.140 into who we truly 00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.900 are, 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.280 to live 00:33:40.280 --> 00:33:41.040 as we truly 00:33:41.040 --> 00:33:41.820 should, 00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:42.800 to experience 00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:43.380 the freedom 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.220 that we truly 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.960 have access to 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.820 right now. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.800 We're going to finish 00:33:49.800 --> 00:33:50.920 with some 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:52.019 morcing, 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:53.400 some response 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:54.139 to this. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.220 Often words 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.319 from the songs 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:57.059 give us the words 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.859 that we deeply need 00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:59.379 to be able to respond 00:33:59.379 --> 00:34:01.440 to this glorious gift 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.319 that has been 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.119 gifted to us. 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:07.160 Let us live 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.599 today 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:10.659 remembering that 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:12.219 it still may be 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.599 dark, 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:16.400 but that the kingdom 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.960 of God is 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.860 already here. 00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:19.500 not yet 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.180 in full 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:20.920 manifestation, 00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.640 but we know 00:34:21.640 --> 00:34:22.059 that day 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.460 is coming. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.120 Why? 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.240 Because the man 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.740 who said that he 00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.200 would die 00:34:26.200 --> 00:34:26.880 and rise again 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:27.519 told us so. 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.660 And that man 00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:29.260 still lives 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:29.760 and then he 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.300 says he will 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:30.820 be with us 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:31.420 till the end 00:34:31.420 --> 00:34:31.940 of the age. 00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.280 So go, 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.180 go and live 00:34:35.180 --> 00:34:35.800 as my children. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.200 Go, 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:36.980 be filled 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.620 with my spirit 00:34:37.620 --> 00:34:38.019 and you will 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.680 be my witnesses 00:34:38.680 --> 00:34:39.260 to Jerusalem, 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:39.860 to Judea 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.740 and to the ends 00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.160 of the earth 00:34:41.160 --> 00:34:42.320 and I will 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:43.700 be with you 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:46.359 because he 00:34:46.359 --> 00:34:48.299 lives in us. 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.019 Wouldn't it 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.579 just be great 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:53.379 if we lived 00:34:53.379 --> 00:34:53.779 in that way 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:54.059 today, 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.980 if we all 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.439 came out 00:34:55.439 --> 00:34:55.939 of the basement 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:56.859 today, 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:58.139 recognizing what 00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:58.679 we were rescued 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.799 from and what 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:00.399 we were rescued 00:35:00.399 --> 00:35:01.099 for. 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:02.859 We're surrounded 00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.559 by a world 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:03.980 that is still 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.259 drowning, 00:35:04.379 --> 00:35:04.719 that is still 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.019 dark. 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.299 Let us live 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.779 as children 00:35:08.779 --> 00:35:09.199 of light. 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:11.399 Jesus, 00:35:11.919 --> 00:35:12.379 thank you. 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.800 thank you 00:35:13.800 --> 00:35:14.240 for rescuing 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:14.559 us. 00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:18.140 Lord, 00:35:18.140 --> 00:35:18.380 we got 00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:18.700 ourselves 00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:19.860 into the 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.200 mess that 00:35:20.200 --> 00:35:20.860 we're in 00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:23.880 and yet 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.119 you, 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:27.660 rich in 00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:27.960 mercy 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:29.059 because of 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.460 the great 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:29.960 love that 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.380 you left 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:30.579 us, 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.760 the kindness 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:32.119 that you 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:32.599 showed us, 00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.519 remind us 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:36.820 what we 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.320 were rescued 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:37.599 from, 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:38.619 that we 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.220 were separated 00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:39.720 from you 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.960 without hope, 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:43.099 without you, 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.820 but then 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:45.579 you sought 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.139 after us, 00:35:46.240 --> 00:35:46.740 you pursued 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.039 us, 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:48.159 you drew 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:48.800 us closer 00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:50.659 back to 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:50.880 you. 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.579 And so 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:56.920 today, 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.300 we now 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:57.860 look to 00:35:57.860 --> 00:35:58.240 that day 00:35:58.239 --> 00:36:03.459 when we 00:36:03.459 --> 00:36:04.599 see in 00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:04.919 full 00:36:04.919 --> 00:36:05.479 clarity 00:36:05.479 --> 00:36:06.019 what we 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:06.419 were rescued 00:36:06.419 --> 00:36:06.759 for, 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:10.879 flourishing 00:36:10.879 --> 00:36:11.419 with you 00:36:11.419 --> 00:36:12.259 in eternity, 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:15.339 in a place 00:36:15.339 --> 00:36:15.619 where there 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:15.919 is no 00:36:15.919 --> 00:36:16.199 night, 00:36:17.399 --> 00:36:18.019 and I 00:36:18.019 --> 00:36:18.279 hopefully 00:36:18.279 --> 00:36:18.739 think no 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.199 rain and 00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:19.579 no doom 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.000 and gloom. 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:26.420 so we 00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:26.880 lean into 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.079 that 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.780 today. 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.559 We 00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:32.940 commit to 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.380 be followers 00:36:33.380 --> 00:36:34.059 who hold 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:34.699 that tension 00:36:34.699 --> 00:36:35.900 that your 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.320 kingdom is 00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:36.820 already here 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.199 but not 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:37.659 quite yet, 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.300 but it 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:41.739 matters not 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:42.300 because you 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:42.880 are here 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:44.320 with us. 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.059 Thank you, 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:47.280 Jesus. 00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:47.340 Thank you, 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:47.340 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:54.219 all glory 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:54.860 to God. 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.480 So church, 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.099 we go 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.880 in freedom, 00:36:58.579 --> 00:37:00.420 the freedom 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.079 that Christ 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.940 bought for 00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:02.340 us. 00:37:03.239 --> 00:37:03.400 You know, 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:03.880 in our home 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.300 this week, 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.820 we were 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.639 rehearsing 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.000 with our 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.260 daughter 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:07.840 that Jesus 00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:09.099 is alive 00:37:09.099 --> 00:37:10.480 and I 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:10.739 would just 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.079 pray, 00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:11.619 we'll just 00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:11.920 love to 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.260 pray that 00:37:12.260 --> 00:37:13.039 over each 00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:13.320 and every 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:13.960 one of us 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.400 as we 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:14.900 just meditate 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.579 and reflect 00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:17.179 on the 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:17.719 life that 00:37:17.719 --> 00:37:18.000 Jesus 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:19.460 has breathed 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.139 into us. 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.860 So in 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:22.240 your hearts 00:37:22.240 --> 00:37:22.599 now, 00:37:22.920 --> 00:37:23.699 would you 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.199 just rehearse 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:24.559 that in 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.159 the silence 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:26.240 that Jesus 00:37:26.240 --> 00:37:26.980 is alive, 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:29.599 that he 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.039 has given 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.800 his life 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.880 for us, 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.539 the fallen 00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.320 people out 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:33.840 of love 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.940 for us, 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.360 but because 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:36.659 he has 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.000 risen, 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:38.460 because Jesus, 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:38.940 you are 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.380 alive, 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:40.619 we can go 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:41.000 in freedom, 00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.740 we can grow 00:37:41.740 --> 00:37:42.440 full of 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:42.840 life. 00:37:43.740 --> 00:37:44.480 From this 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:44.860 place, 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.760 even to 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.220 places we 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:46.880 may feel 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:47.360 are lacking 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:47.699 life, 00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:48.000 Jesus, 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:48.579 we know 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:49.339 you're still 00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:49.659 present, 00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:50.019 that you 00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:50.679 desire to 00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:52.039 breathe life 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.719 into those 00:37:52.719 --> 00:37:53.099 places. 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.799 So Jesus, 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.399 we surrender 00:37:55.399 --> 00:37:55.899 our hearts 00:37:55.899 --> 00:37:56.319 to you and 00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:56.819 we surrender 00:37:56.819 --> 00:37:58.159 those places, 00:37:58.299 --> 00:37:59.179 those dominions 00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.859 of darkness. 00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:02.299 We just ask 00:38:02.299 --> 00:38:03.119 your spirit 00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:03.839 would free 00:38:03.839 --> 00:38:05.779 us from 00:38:05.779 --> 00:38:06.599 these dominions 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.039 of darkness 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.659 that we'd have 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.339 true freedom 00:38:08.339 --> 00:38:09.139 in Christ 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:09.699 as we go 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.159 to these 00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:10.500 places. 00:38:12.939 --> 00:38:13.639 We just 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:14.099 ask, 00:38:14.379 --> 00:38:14.519 Lord, 00:38:14.799 --> 00:38:15.179 because we 00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:15.559 know that 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.079 we can't do 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.500 it by our 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.119 own strength, 00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:18.900 that we 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:19.179 would go 00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:19.840 here from 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.739 here as 00:38:20.739 --> 00:38:21.219 your people 00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:23.279 to bring 00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:23.699 your kingdom 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.319 on heaven 00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:25.239 here on 00:38:25.239 --> 00:38:25.699 earth until 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.179 you return 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:26.500 again. 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:27.279 So Jesus, 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:27.960 we love 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.139 you, 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:28.599 we adore 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:28.860 you. 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:29.940 Thank you 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.340 for loving 00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:30.880 us first, 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.420 for going 00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:31.799 to the 00:38:31.799 --> 00:38:32.539 cross for 00:38:32.539 --> 00:38:32.920 us. 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:34.420 Jesus, 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.239 we proclaim 00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:35.860 as your 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.259 church that 00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:36.519 you are 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:36.819 risen, 00:38:37.340 --> 00:38:37.639 that you 00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.219 are alive, 00:38:39.299 --> 00:38:39.840 and that 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.019 you are 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:40.599 with us. 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.019 I pray 00:38:43.019 --> 00:38:43.319 this all 00:38:43.319 --> 00:38:43.559 in your 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:43.759 name, 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.059 Jesus. 00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:44.579 Amen. 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.079 Amen.