WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.799 Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. Help us to engage with our minds what your Word has 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:10.419 to say to us this morning. Help us to engage with our hearts, Lord, that we would not be 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:15.960 apathetic to your truth, but that we would engage with it with our hearts, with our affections. 00:00:16.839 --> 00:00:23.559 Lord, would you pour out your Holy Spirit upon us? We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. You may be seated. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:33.600 Amen. So some of you maybe are new today. We are going through a series called Meditating 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:37.859 on God's Word. And so what we're doing is taking small sections of the Bible that are 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:43.519 either memorable, they're really good to memorize and feed on as we study them and read them, 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:49.280 contemplate. And they generally have one idea. So it's like one, two verses. They have 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:56.000 one or two ideas. And today we're looking at Colossians chapter 1, verse 28, particularly 00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:03.700 verse 28. So there's this one big idea, but there's also a big objection when we look at this verse. 00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:12.280 And the big objection is that as Canadians, we want to foster respect for other people's beliefs and 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:19.260 would rather just live and let live. As Canadians, that's what we value. And when it comes to 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:25.719 Christianity, one of the big objections is that it works in the opposite direction. You kind of have 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:31.439 to adopt the whole Christian belief, and then you have to make other people believe it as well. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:38.020 And it's your job that people would be overwhelmed by that faith, as if your faith was better than 00:01:38.020 --> 00:01:44.280 somebody else's. That's really the core of it. And that's just not cool with Canadians. We just don't 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:50.320 go there. So instead of doing what our culture tends to do is critique from far away, we're going 00:01:50.320 --> 00:01:54.859 to look at what the Bible has to say. So it would be helpful to me if you have your Bibles with you. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:02:01.460 And we're going to look over this verse over and over again. So I'll read it again. Colossians chapter 1, 00:02:01.459 --> 00:02:04.780 verse 28. It says, 00:02:04.780 --> 00:02:11.879 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:19.340 mature in Christ. So hearing words like this, alarm bells are probably setting off in our ears. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:27.039 What do you mean, proclaim? Like, is your belief better than somebody else's? Like here it's commanding us 00:02:27.039 --> 00:02:33.759 to proclaim the Christian faith. And as Canadians, we want to be agreeable. That's one of our highest 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:41.199 ethics. And it's what keeps, we believe that keeps us strong, is our unity. And we don't want to divide 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:47.319 things. So things like religion, we just have to see them as, you know, on the side. We have to put 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:52.379 them on the side and not have them as the center of our lives. So the Canadian claim would go something 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:58.400 like this. You can have Jesus, you can have Muhammad, you can have Buddha, you can have yourself if you're 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:06.900 a humanist, but we will all have to work together and unite and or find common ground in our humanity 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:11.680 because our humanity is what transcends all these different beliefs. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:21.040 So that's probably the more positive way of thinking, isn't it? This is something we call pluralism. 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:26.900 And we see it in our workplaces, in our schools, we hear it on the radio, we see it on the TV, 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:33.520 in politics, in the arts, in our local coffee shop. It's everywhere in Canadian culture. 00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:39.879 And it's the idea that all paths are equal. All paths are equal and not, there shouldn't be one path 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:45.780 that goes above another one and like all paths are equal. We don't want to assume that one is 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:51.319 better than the next. And that's the expected belief for Canadians. Several months ago, there was 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:58.319 a beautiful article written in the Huffington Post by Surjit Singh Flora that sort of hashed out this 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:04.500 Canadian ideal of pluralism, this goal that we have as a culture. He wrote, 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:26.459 Now, it's hard to disagree with this statement, isn't it? And as Christians, we find much common 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:30.040 ground when we hear something like this. And it's not only that we find common ground, 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:34.660 is that a list of virtues like this can be intimidating to Christians. 00:04:36.700 --> 00:04:41.680 It's not because that, you know, it has something better to offer, but it's so agreeable to us that 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:45.860 there's so many things that, you know, our Christian faith compels us to do things like that, yet 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:55.360 it's not the same. So resisting it makes us look like a threat, a threat to something that on the 00:04:55.360 --> 00:05:02.199 surface seems good. But here's the problem for our Canadian culture. The best that it can offer 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:08.560 is a list of good things to do, a list of good behaviors. And we all know that a list of good 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:14.199 behaviors is not really inspiring. It has its own limits. We know that when we tell a child to do 00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:20.960 something, they often don't do it. And if we're honest, as adults, things don't really change all 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:27.620 the time. We also have that thing continuing in our lives. So being told to be a better human is 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:34.379 not very life-changing. So here's the first point, if we can have it. Martin, or Sana, thank you. 00:05:35.159 --> 00:05:44.560 Christianity proclaims a person. Canada proclaims values. Christianity proclaims a person. Canada 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:52.780 proclaims values. British historian Tom Holland, who's an agnostic, said in a conversation that they 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:58.660 had with N.T. Wright, who's a Christian, he's a bishop of the American church, and he's a theologian 00:05:58.660 --> 00:06:04.939 apologist. So in a conversation that they had, Tom Holland, an agnostic, said, compacted in this very 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:10.699 small amount of writing, Paul's writing he's referring to, is almost everything that explains the modern 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:17.000 Western world. And also how the West has gone to shape concepts like international law and human 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:23.420 rights. Ultimately, they don't go back to Greek philosophers. They don't go back to Roman imperialism. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:30.000 They go back to Paul. Paul's letters, I think, along with the four gospels, are the most influential, 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:35.980 the most impactful, the most revolutionary writings that have emerged from the ancient world. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:42.220 Now, I'm not bringing this out to say that, you know, Canadian culture is actually Christian. 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:49.860 I don't think that's the case, or I'm not trying to say that the Apostle Paul is a superior human 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:56.259 being, but rather to show that when we talk about tolerance and equality, human rights, and so forth, 00:06:56.640 --> 00:07:02.980 they have a source. This idea comes from somewhere, which Tom Holland claims is the Christian gospel. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:10.000 So what does this mean for Canadians living in Canada? Does it mean that we, since we have a 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:16.240 distant heritage of Christian values, that we should just concern ourselves with being good Canadians? 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:21.200 Would that not be enough? Can we have our second point, Sana? 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:31.960 The gospel is inspired by a savior, not just a better way of living. The gospel is inspired by a savior, 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:38.219 not just a better way of living. This is hugely important because, like every other worldview, 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:44.839 Canadian pluralism or Canadian values present us with a potentially better way of living. It could 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:52.959 work in the end. So it's really just a list of things to do, and that's the starting point. It gives us 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:58.539 the task, and it says, go for it. Be a better human so we can live together in harmony. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:05.760 And on top of that, you can't, well, you can have your religion, the religion that you want, 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:10.200 as long as you're a good person, as long as you're tolerant in other beliefs, and that you don't push 00:08:10.200 --> 00:08:18.680 your beliefs on other people. So pluralism is often explained in this analogy. So there are three blind 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:25.360 people that are walking around in a zoo, and they arrive at the elephant. And so the one person who 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:29.920 obviously is blind, they can't see the elephant, they start feeling the elephant, and they feel the leg, 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:37.379 and they say, wow, like the elephant is big and round, and it's like a tree. But then the other person 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:45.600 says, no, no, no, I'm touching something that's very flat, very soft, and that's what the elephant is like. 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:50.580 It's flat and soft, almost like a stingray or something. And then the third person is saying, no, no, no, 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:56.860 you have it wrong. The elephant feels like a snake. It's narrow, and it's like, and they're touching 00:08:56.860 --> 00:09:03.040 the trunk, right? And so this is what, this is supposed to be compared, or supposed to be an 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:08.639 analogy for all the worldviews, that we only have a part of the truth, only a small portion of the 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:15.540 truth. But all together, everyone sees a little part of the truth. Now that sounds very, very humble, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:25.480 very tolerant. But here's the thing. There aren't only three people in the zoo. There has to be a 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:31.339 fourth person to say, no, no, no, that's not what the elephant is like. That's only part of the 00:09:31.339 --> 00:09:37.959 elephant. And the assumption is that this fourth person is not blind. This fourth person can see 00:09:37.959 --> 00:09:43.139 perfectly the full image. They don't just see a portion of it, or they don't just feel a portion of 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:47.759 it. They see the whole thing. That's why they can say, what you're touching is a leg, not the full 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:53.000 elephant, or the trunk, not the full elephant. So we have a problem with this worldview, is that when 00:09:53.000 --> 00:10:00.699 it says that all views are equal, it doesn't live up to its own standard. It self-implodes. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:09.480 Tim Keller, in response to this analogy, wrote, how could you possibly know that no religion can see the 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:16.259 whole truth unless you yourself have the superior, comprehensive knowledge of spiritual reality? 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:19.220 You just claim that none of the religions have. 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:28.120 So there's a problem with this. It claims that all religions are equal, and then you have to live up 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:34.500 to this standard in order to live in harmony. But in contrast to this, the Christian worldview 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:42.419 has a different starting point. It says that the gospel, the sacrificial love of God, God so loved 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:47.840 the world that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:54.639 life. That is the starting point of the gospel. And that's what we see in verse 28 here in the Bible. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:03.840 That it says, him we proclaim. Him we proclaim. It's not saying values we proclaim. This is a better way of 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:12.180 living. These are the 10 steps for your, I don't know, freedom or whatever, how to lose weight or 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:19.519 whatever, right? It's saying him we proclaim. It's a person, that there's a person who inspires us, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:27.360 a person who changes our life. And it's this love that Jesus had that led him to the cross. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:36.019 But first, he came to earth, took on human flesh, took on the human experience, and he became one 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:41.360 of us, lived a perfect life, and he went to the cross in order to save us, in order to save us from 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:48.200 this bondage that we have that is stuck, that has crippled us in our hearts and our souls. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:58.759 So Christianity is about the person and work of Jesus. Can we have our next point? Christianity is 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:06.800 about the person and work of Jesus. Friends, this is how we ought to read the Bible. We read it in the 00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:13.840 lens of Jesus. Whatever we read, we want to see Jesus. It talks about Jesus. This is how we grow 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:19.940 and spiritual maturity. We look to Jesus. We look to what Jesus has done, what he's accomplished, 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:27.680 who he is, the love that he has for us. And this is how we grow in joy. Our faith is completely 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:36.940 about the person and work of Jesus. So who is Jesus? And what did he do? This is a big question. We don't 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:43.720 have 10 hours to talk about this, but see, this is a good question. We were supposed to proclaim Jesus, 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:50.879 who is Jesus. The rest of chapter 1 in Colossians gives us a really, really good summary of that. 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:55.680 And I'm just going to condense it so that we can read it together. So if we can have the next point. 00:12:56.800 --> 00:13:02.780 So let's read that together. This is basically a summary of what Colossians 1 says about who Jesus is. 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:11.420 So let's read it together. Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation. He entered history to reconcile 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:19.279 us with God through his death on the cross. His resurrection is victory over death, providing us 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:27.659 eternal life by faith. He will make all things new at his return. Amen. Now you might be thinking, 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:34.679 Jonathan, this is all great, but there's a catch. I can smell it. See, I can accept that Jesus did all 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:42.059 these things, but that's not all. Now the expectation is that I'm going to have to jump through all these 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:50.099 religious hoops to impress God and become like every other Christian. Is that true? Now let's read 00:13:50.099 --> 00:13:54.039 again verse 28. So it says, 00:13:54.039 --> 00:14:12.179 See, as Canadians, we love our personal comfort. And when we read words like warning and teaching, 00:14:12.599 --> 00:14:18.219 again, the alarm bells, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, they go off. And we get uncomfortable by that 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:25.879 because as Christians, or it's trying to say that Christians only stay Christians because of fear 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:30.700 and brainwashing. So you get in, you get into the Christian faith, things are good, but then you have 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:37.860 to change your life. And then fear comes in and they try to fill you with fear so that you won't 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:45.379 leave. Is that really what's happening? No. Verse 28 is saying that when we are gripped by the gospel, 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:51.639 again, the first statement is so important. Him we proclaim so that when we are gripped by the gospel, 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:59.919 we in turn learn to live to God's glory. That is following Jesus' teaching not only in church 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:08.700 or at the Bible study, but at home, at work, on the road, etc. It's moving us to integrity. 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:17.220 So if we can have the video at this point. Last week, Daniel Avitan shared an illustration 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:23.259 from Seinfeld. And I was so inspired. I thought about it this week as I was studying this. I 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:30.540 thought another Seinfeld analogy. And so while Father George is away on vacation, we're opening 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:35.800 the big vault of Seinfeld analogies. And we're going to have a video this time. I'm trying to 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:46.879 outdo Daniel Avitan here. Okay, so what's happening here? George has two lives. And this 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:52.699 is what I will call the George Costanza syndrome, is that George has his relationship life, the 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:58.219 life where he goes dating with women. And I don't endorse the show because of a lot of the 00:15:58.219 --> 00:16:02.019 things that are happening in the show. But he has this relationship, George, and the independent 00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:07.799 George. And things are well when those two spheres never interact. They never intersect. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:15.659 Now, this is a human problem. This is not just the George Costanza problem. And if we have 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:25.220 our next point, that would be great. There's the church me and the everything else me. I fear 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:34.240 losing control of my life if I merge the two. See, this is a common problem. We want to have 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:40.000 control of our lives. We want to keep our faith here and have everything else there. Have our faith 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:48.060 on Sundays and have everything else happening under our own authority. And in our hearts, in our heart of 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:53.899 hearts, we say, stay over there, Jesus. When it comes to things like our retirement goals, our investments, 00:16:53.899 --> 00:17:03.240 our relationships, sexuality, leisure, work, ambition, etc. We want to have our own space. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:07.859 And we want to tell Jesus where he can go into our lives. 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:16.339 And it's as if our faith, I'll give an illustration, it's as if our faith was like parsley. Parsley on a 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:22.279 plate. You go to the restaurant, you order a nice dish, you have a bit of parsley, and this parsley is 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:26.920 supposed to spice up your dish. It's supposed to make it livelier, it smells better, it looks better, 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:36.000 has a bit of a taste, but ultimately it's not the dish. Jesus is more than parsley on a plate. He's 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:41.139 not a decoration that adds a bit of oomph to your life, like most people would see spirituality in 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:46.759 religion. It's a bit hip to have this worldview or, you know, you can get into a circle of friends or 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:55.140 what not. Jesus is not like that. I mean, think about it. If Jesus defeated death on the cross 00:17:55.140 --> 00:18:02.039 and invites us to share eternal life with him, how much should that change our lives? 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:10.559 Like seriously, if he really, really, really defeated death on the cross and opens up the door 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:17.359 of heaven so that we can have eternal life in the presence of God, how much should that change our 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:24.659 lives? Last year, some family members traveled to Spain, and I remember they were talking with my 00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:28.579 wife over the phone, and they were learning Spanish, or they were sharing Spanish words that they were 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:32.859 learning, and they were learning about the culture, the different foods, and the sites that they were 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:38.799 going to go visit, and it was fun. It was great, and that's usually what we want to do, is that if we want 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:43.940 to profit the most from our vacation, we look forward to it, and so we're going to prepare for it. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:47.480 And if we have our next point, Asana. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:55.399 While some say that life is not about the destination, but about the journey, 00:18:56.200 --> 00:19:03.899 the gospel says that the destination is so good that we journey in light of the glory that awaits us. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:09.720 While some say that life is not about the destination, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:15.800 but about the journey, the gospel says that the destination is so good that we journey in light of the glory 00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:19.720 that awaits us. This is the core of the Christian faith, of Christian maturity, 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:22.960 is that we want to live in light of the glory 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.580 that is to come. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:29.800 Our lives become interrupted by the gospel that Jesus 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:34.019 comes into our lives, and that the hope that we have, all these things, 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:36.119 really influence the way that we live 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.940 in our journey. 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.819 But the danger is 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.500 that we leave 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:43.799 this whole idea of Christian maturity 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.680 for other people. 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:48.079 Maybe you're more seasoned in age 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.740 than me, 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.839 at least, and you're thinking, well, this is 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:53.379 something for the younger generation. 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:55.480 They really need to hear something like this. 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.839 And if you're a teen, 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.799 you're probably thinking, I'm glad my parents are listening 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:02.099 because they're so stuck in 2005. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.899 I don't know what that means. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:04.740 But 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:08.559 maybe I'm just past that threshold. 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:11.659 But this text is not talking about the other person. 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:13.199 It's not calling the other person 00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:14.459 to Christian maturity. 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.659 If we read it again, 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.500 verse 28, 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.079 we see, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.879 warning everyone 00:20:19.879 --> 00:20:21.859 and teaching everyone 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.599 with all wisdom 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.500 that we may present 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.359 everyone 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.799 mature in Christ 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.539 three times, 00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.339 as Paul says, 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:28.139 everyone. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:30.559 This is an invitation for all of us 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:32.480 to experience and taste 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.440 the glory of God 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:35.259 breaking through darkness 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:36.180 in this life, 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:38.139 in every area of our lives. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.159 As a new Christian, 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.919 I thought that 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.659 when I was going to church 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:45.839 and was hearing the preaching, 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.399 I thought 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:48.940 I will have to abandon 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.119 my aspiration 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.119 of becoming a musician 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.539 and become a pastor. 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.059 And I was a bit bummed about that 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.960 because I love music. 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.480 I thought 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.579 that as a Christian, 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:57.639 the natural thing 00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.420 that you should do 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.859 is become a pastor 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.899 or work for the church 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:02.180 or do some type 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.319 of ministry. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.299 Is this what 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.000 Christian maturity 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.680 is all about? 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.460 And you might be wondering, 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:10.319 is this what, 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.920 is this, 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.399 like, 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.720 growing in Christian maturity 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.720 means that I have to 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.899 do these things 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.180 and 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.839 I don't see that 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.420 working with me 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.000 because I love science. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:21.339 I love art. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:21.880 I love, 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.599 I want to be a stay-at-home mom. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.359 I love computers 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.039 and I want to go 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.680 into these things. 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.519 I feel like God's 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.259 calling me to that. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.579 So what is Christian maturity? 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.619 I just don't know 00:21:31.619 --> 00:21:31.940 if we can have 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.819 our next point, please. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.380 Christian maturity 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.440 is bringing the goodness 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.960 and love of God 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.640 wherever we go. 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.740 See, 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.519 God has given us 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.240 gifts, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.559 talents, 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.859 interests, 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.799 so that we should 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.980 go into those areas 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.440 and bring the gospel, 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.660 bring the light 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:53.240 of God's good news 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.079 into those areas 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.019 so that these areas 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.940 can be restored, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.360 so these areas can, 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.960 so the people 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.839 in those places 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.640 can come to the saving 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.839 knowledge of Jesus Christ. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.680 That is Christian maturity 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.400 is learning to 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.620 see 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:07.160 our vocation, 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.860 our place of influence 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:10.740 as important 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.519 to God 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.500 and to see 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.160 and to hear 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.880 God's calling 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:15.240 in that particular place. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.880 This is why 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.720 we can be scientists 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.440 and engineers 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.259 and artists 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.180 and electricians 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.059 and politicians 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.660 and stay 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.319 or stay at home 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.039 moms or dads 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.500 and stay faithful 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.000 to Jesus 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:25.680 in that way. 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.400 Just a while back, 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.059 I met a friend 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.500 who had just recently 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.460 converted to Christianity 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.500 from Hinduism 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.220 and he told me 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.640 this story 00:22:35.640 --> 00:22:36.740 about a friend 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.839 who's also 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:38.460 a friend in common. 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:39.779 I know this other person 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.839 and they were 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.480 at university. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.100 They both live 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:42.920 in a residence, 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.000 in a Catholic residence 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.960 at UFT 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.900 and we all know 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:48.420 how university students 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.480 are filthy rich. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.180 They just have 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.740 too much money, 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:51.980 right? 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.299 But anyway, 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:55.180 what happened 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.700 was that 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.059 a lot of the young men 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.200 in that house 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.960 were struggling 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.640 with pornography 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.000 and so this other friend, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.619 the friend that we have 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.019 in common, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.640 he thought, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.599 you know what? 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.640 This is important. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.820 So I'm going to ask 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.740 the house, 00:23:10.800 --> 00:23:11.740 the people who run the house, 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.120 if they can get a filter 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:13.820 for the internet 00:23:13.820 --> 00:23:16.780 and that way 00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:18.040 these people will be able to, 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:18.980 these young men 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.640 will be able to fight 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.800 against pornography 00:23:20.800 --> 00:23:22.700 and so he did that. 00:23:22.780 --> 00:23:23.500 He asked and he said, 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.620 no, we can't do that. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.280 It's too much money 00:23:25.280 --> 00:23:27.480 and just couldn't believe it. 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.040 Like how, 00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:29.759 like how is that? 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:30.860 So anyway, 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:32.280 this filthy rich 00:23:32.280 --> 00:23:33.580 university student, 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.440 he's not rich at all, 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:34.900 by the way. 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.660 He's getting married 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.440 in a few months. 00:23:36.560 --> 00:23:37.140 Money's tight. 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:38.320 He's doing his masters 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:40.300 and he decides 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:40.920 to take on 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.200 the $250 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.120 that it costs 00:23:43.120 --> 00:23:44.100 to get the filter 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:45.220 for everyone in the house 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.420 and 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:48.820 this is, 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.580 this is what 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.320 I believe 00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:51.080 Christian maturity 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.880 leads us to do 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.600 is when we're gripped 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.240 by the gospel 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.600 that we want to see 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.020 other people 00:23:56.020 --> 00:23:56.900 be set free 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.640 to experience 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.660 the glory of God 00:23:58.660 --> 00:24:00.560 in all of life. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.360 At Church of the Messiah 00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.020 we have this, 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.120 this, 00:24:05.280 --> 00:24:05.940 I guess our motto 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.980 or vision statement 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.860 is that, 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:08.860 is to make disciples 00:24:08.860 --> 00:24:09.460 of all nations 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.059 who are gripped 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.640 by the gospel 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.480 and learning to live 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:12.220 for God's glory 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.420 and that's really 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.860 the core of Christian maturity 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:16.700 is that God's love 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.519 for us in Jesus 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.940 propels us. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.360 The beauty of eternity 00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.660 that was revealed 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.220 in Jesus 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.140 in his life, 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:25.259 in his ministry, 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.039 in his death 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.640 on the cross 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:30.440 is what inspires us. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:32.340 that's what makes us 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.180 want to change. 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.039 That's what makes us 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.299 want to experience 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.820 the truly beautiful 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:37.500 in life 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:39.039 which is the radiance 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.860 of God's glory. 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.799 It changes us 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:44.120 in the way we think 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.140 of our retirement goals 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.120 and our investments 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:46.940 in our relationships, 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.140 in our sexuality, 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.400 in our leisure, 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.220 in our work, 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.740 ambitions 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.220 so that we don't waste 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.120 our time pursuing 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.720 these things 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.840 but we see these things 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:56.519 in light of the gospel. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.240 We see these things 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.779 in light of Jesus Christ 00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:01.279 and we want to live 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.500 for what really matters 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.920 which is loving God 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:05.639 and loving others. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:09.220 Now just to wrap up here, 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.960 maybe you're here 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.579 and you're realizing 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:13.039 that you've had Jesus 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.200 in your life 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.339 but he was over here 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.379 and you had the rest 00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.099 of your life there. 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.019 What do I do? 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.859 Or maybe you've been 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:23.180 a Christian for quite some time 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.920 and you're realizing now 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.680 that you've loved 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.279 other things 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.779 above Jesus. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.700 Is there hope? 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.799 Well, this text 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:34.599 implies that yes, 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.220 there is hope 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.680 that when we believe 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.180 in Jesus, 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.099 we start walking 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.660 toward him 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.859 in steps of faithfulness 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:43.859 then we'll be able 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.940 to grow 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:47.299 into a godly service. 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:47.899 Our affections 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.740 will start changing. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.680 This idea 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:51.099 of being part of a church 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.660 is not just 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.680 to go there on Sunday 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.519 and leave right away. 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:55.119 We mingle with people. 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.899 We get to learn 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.460 from other people. 00:25:56.540 --> 00:25:57.200 We get to share 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.920 with other people. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.200 We get challenged 00:25:59.200 --> 00:26:00.040 by other people 00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:01.240 and we grow 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.800 in that way. 00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.540 But first, 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.140 it starts with 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:05.920 crying out to Jesus 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.880 and maybe you've never 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:08.259 really done that. 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.019 Crying out 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.019 to Jesus 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.700 in humility, 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.060 saying, 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:11.460 Jesus, 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:11.480 Jesus, 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:14.460 I need you. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.179 I need help. 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.980 I need the gospel. 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.819 And so, 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:21.559 here's the last point 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:24.279 and I think 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:24.940 this is good news. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.940 This is really 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.399 the core message 00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:28.599 of this text. 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.379 It says, 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.539 Jesus is my savior 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:32.240 before he is my teacher. 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.460 His salvation 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.359 teaches me 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.460 to live. 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.920 Now, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:39.000 this next point, 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:39.640 I'm going to, 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:40.259 I'm going to put up 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.579 a prayer 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.940 so that we can pray 00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.519 this together. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.140 Maybe this is your 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.200 conversion prayer. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:45.840 Maybe you've never 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:47.720 walked with Jesus before 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.799 and you want to have 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.880 Jesus, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.799 have the promise 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.279 of eternal life 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.660 with Jesus 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.319 and be transformed 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:58.319 by his likeness 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.660 and by the Holy Spirit. 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:01.460 we can pray this prayer. 00:27:01.540 --> 00:27:02.279 It's not about the words. 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.380 It's really about the heart. 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:05.500 And maybe 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.580 you've been wanting 00:27:06.580 --> 00:27:07.460 to deepen your allegiance 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.980 with Jesus 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.940 and 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.300 so this is a good 00:27:11.300 --> 00:27:11.880 first step. 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.820 So how about we stand 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.880 together 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:15.019 and we'll pray this. 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.540 Almighty God, 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.759 you entered 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.580 human nature 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:24.600 and experience 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.660 in the person 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.400 of your son, 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:27.360 Jesus Christ. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.180 I did not spare him 00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.940 from suffering 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.600 and death 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.880 but sent him 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:33.000 to die the death 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.660 we deserve 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:35.360 so we could have 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.720 the destiny he earned. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.380 Deepen in us 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.039 the knowledge 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.100 of your salvation 00:27:40.100 --> 00:27:41.539 and pour out 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.620 your Holy Spirit 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:44.019 that we may proclaim 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:45.220 Christ faithfully 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.340 and attain 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:47.400 godly maturity 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:48.620 to the glory 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.519 of your name. 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.920 Through Jesus Christ 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.480 our Lord. 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:52.539 Amen. 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.720 Father, 00:27:53.820 --> 00:27:54.400 would you pour out 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.039 your Holy Spirit 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.620 upon us? 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.360 Lord, 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.900 as we 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.340 seek to 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:59.419 to have 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:01.559 a good life 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.419 here in Canada, 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:03.079 help us to 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.599 live in reality. 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:05.759 Help us to be 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.839 real about 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.519 who we are 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:09.179 and to be real 00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:10.059 about who you are, 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:10.319 Lord. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.220 Would you lead us 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.759 to that place 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.240 where we can 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.179 abandon ourselves 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:13.659 to you 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:15.099 and that we can 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.859 trust you 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:17.419 and love you, 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:17.679 Lord. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.459 And then we can 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.139 love our neighbors. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.859 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:28:21.439 --> 00:28:21.720 Amen. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:21.819 Amen. 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:21.859 Amen. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:21.879 Amen. 00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:21.899 Amen. 00:28:21.899 --> 00:28:21.980 Amen. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.000 Amen. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.039 Amen. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.079 Amen. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.099 Amen. 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.119 Amen. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:22.639 Amen. 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:23.959 Amen. 00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:23.980 Amen. 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.000 Amen. 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.019 Amen. 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.019 Amen. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.000 Amen. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.039 Amen. 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.059 Amen. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:28.319 Amen.