WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620
 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:19.280
 We have made our way through Ephesians to the end of chapter 5. We're getting close. Hang in there.

00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:26.000
 We've made it to the part of Ephesians where Paul begins to address marriage and family relationships.

00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:33.579
 And so we're going to slow down for about four weeks and get to talk about those really important subjects together over the next four Sundays.

00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:37.980
 We're not only going to talk about it during worship on Sunday mornings,

00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:43.039
 but we'll have a chance to sit down together over lunch and have a dialogue and a Q&A.

00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:49.640
 There's a lot to talk about these days with these significant issues, and some of it's better done conversationally.

00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:55.480
 So we're going to do that at what we call Pastors on the Patio. That's scheduled for September 1st, by the way.

00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:01.179
 So we'll have a lot of opportunity to be talking about these things together in the weeks ahead.

00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:10.319
 But I want us to remember as we talk about marriage that these verses we're about to read are not isolated from the rest of Ephesians.

00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:17.120
 The whole book of Ephesians has been talking and teaching us about how we are connected in Christ.

00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:21.659
 Connected to God through Christ and then also to each other.

00:01:21.659 --> 00:01:29.399
 That we're linked together into one body to house the Spirit of God, to magnify the grace of God.

00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:38.819
 So when you see this image of the hands being held, remember that that's just one link in the larger chain.

00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:44.840
 That when we've talked about Ephesians all the way through, we've used a different image for the book of Ephesians,

00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:46.000
 but it looks very similar.

00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.319
 You see the hands being held there?

00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:55.719
 Those hands are just one piece of the larger body, the family that God has brought together through His Son.

00:01:56.219 --> 00:01:58.939
 We're not leaving that in order to talk about marriage.

00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:04.159
 We're talking about a particular relationship within the body of Christ.

00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:09.199
 One link in the larger family established for God's glory and for our good.

00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:19.239
 So all of us, married, single, divorced, young and old, all of us are to be living as God's holy and beloved children,

00:02:19.399 --> 00:02:20.839
 filled with the Spirit.

00:02:22.019 --> 00:02:26.359
 It's in that context I want you to hear the following words that you hear at many weddings.

00:02:27.099 --> 00:02:30.879
 They are God's words and needful for all of us this morning.

00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:34.879
 Ephesians 5 at verse 22, the Word of God.

00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:39.359
 Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.

00:02:39.819 --> 00:02:46.780
 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior.

00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:52.539
 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:57.800
 Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:03.659
 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,

00:03:03.659 --> 00:03:10.259
 so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,

00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:13.319
 that she might be holy and without blemish.

00:03:14.419 --> 00:03:17.659
 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.

00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:20.680
 He who loves his wife loves himself.

00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:24.479
 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,

00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:28.939
 just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body.

00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:33.960
 Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:37.060
 and the two shall become one flesh.

00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:44.620
 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:48.800
 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,

00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:52.860
 and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:54.319
 Pray with me.

00:03:54.319 --> 00:04:00.659
 Father, thank You for this, Your Word.

00:04:02.959 --> 00:04:05.659
 We are grateful that You have not left us alone,

00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.000
 but have given us Your guidance for our lives.

00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:12.039
 You have spoken into our lives,

00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:15.639
 and we, Your people, would desire to hear from You this morning,

00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:19.159
 not from any man, but to hear Your words.

00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:22.620
 Holy Spirit, You must speak to our hearts.

00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:26.439
 Would You do what You love to do and shine the spotlight on Jesus,

00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:28.639
 that we would see Him clearly,

00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:30.840
 that we would love Him more,

00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:32.920
 and that it would change our lives.

00:04:33.840 --> 00:04:36.180
 We do ask that You would do that in His name.

00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:37.519
 Amen.

00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:42.600
 Ah, marriage.

00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:47.259
 Isn't it just always like that?

00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:49.420
 Don't you love marriage?

00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:52.779
 Cinderella and Prince Charming,

00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:55.719
 gazing into each other's eyes,

00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:58.500
 dancing through life together.

00:04:59.300 --> 00:05:01.620
 Such a wonderful picture, isn't it?

00:05:02.099 --> 00:05:04.159
 Marriage, that's what we're going to talk about.

00:05:04.620 --> 00:05:08.019
 Now, you're chuckling because this is a fairy tale, isn't it?

00:05:08.039 --> 00:05:09.579
 That's what we call Cinderella.

00:05:09.719 --> 00:05:10.920
 We call it a fairy tale.

00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:13.379
 Most of the marriages that you and I know

00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:15.980
 don't look like this most days

00:05:15.980 --> 00:05:18.500
 and don't spend most of our time doing that.

00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:21.399
 That's not what you think of

00:05:21.399 --> 00:05:23.219
 when you think of marriage.

00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:25.620
 But I do think in many ways

00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:27.939
 we dream and we hope

00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:29.860
 that marriage will make us like that,

00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:30.279
 don't we?

00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:32.500
 I'll be honest.

00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:34.399
 When I was engaged to Christi,

00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:37.620
 I remember thinking something along those lines.

00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:40.540
 I was pretty sure at that point in my life

00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:42.639
 that I was somewhere close to Prince Charming

00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:46.560
 and that marrying my Cinderella

00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:49.319
 was basically just going to finish the process.

00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:51.600
 Any small things that were lacking,

00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:53.399
 she was going to come in

00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:56.340
 and of course be delighted to be with me.

00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:58.240
 Of course, that was a given.

00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:00.280
 But yeah, there were some rough edges

00:06:00.280 --> 00:06:01.720
 and she'd rub some of those off

00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:05.040
 and then not all of life would be easy.

00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:06.300
 I knew that,

00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.240
 but we were going to be together

00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:09.220
 and we were going to be

00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:11.900
 looking lovingly into each other's eyes

00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:14.720
 and dancing all the time

00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:15.960
 no matter what was happening.

00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.640
 That's what marriage was like

00:06:18.640 --> 00:06:19.939
 coming out of college.

00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:23.640
 You may not have ever used those words exactly.

00:06:23.820 --> 00:06:24.680
 Hopefully I didn't.

00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:27.400
 But you've probably thought something

00:06:27.400 --> 00:06:29.040
 not too different from that.

00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:31.400
 When we think about marriage

00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:33.000
 and when we talk about it,

00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.000
 we do think a lot about

00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.600
 how it's going to make us

00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:38.519
 the best version of me, right?

00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:41.139
 How's it going to make me a better me?

00:06:41.459 --> 00:06:44.100
 That marriage is going to make me feel good

00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:45.959
 and fulfill my desires,

00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:48.779
 the unmet longings that I have.

00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:50.639
 That it will make my life better

00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.620
 and more fulfilling.

00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:53.220
 That's what marriage is about.

00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:54.480
 I'd suggest to you

00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:56.120
 that's the standard view of marriage

00:06:56.120 --> 00:06:57.879
 in our culture these days.

00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:00.399
 That marriage is primarily about me.

00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:04.359
 I believe it's similar in our minds too.

00:07:05.299 --> 00:07:07.799
 That we say things when marriage gets hard

00:07:07.799 --> 00:07:09.879
 like this just isn't working for me.

00:07:10.659 --> 00:07:12.339
 This isn't what I expected.

00:07:12.479 --> 00:07:14.219
 This is not what I signed up for.

00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:18.060
 We talk in marriage about things like compatibility

00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:21.060
 by which we often mean

00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:23.339
 somebody who I can enjoy,

00:07:23.539 --> 00:07:24.879
 I can get along with.

00:07:25.179 --> 00:07:27.399
 Someone who will make me a better person,

00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:30.479
 that I can partner with and benefit from.

00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:33.259
 It's in many ways about me.

00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:36.679
 And not all of that is wrong or bad in itself.

00:07:37.719 --> 00:07:39.339
 But I think we misuse

00:07:39.339 --> 00:07:41.419
 and overemphasize that perspective.

00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:44.299
 And we miss God's highest intent.

00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:47.799
 His grand design for marriage.

00:07:48.299 --> 00:07:49.659
 Notice in this passage

00:07:49.659 --> 00:07:50.819
 what Paul does

00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:53.419
 as he starts talking about our relationships.

00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:55.199
 When he talks about marriage

00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:57.720
 he doesn't even stay on husband and wife.

00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.540
 Like you'd think

00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.699
 if you were going to talk about marriage

00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:00.439
 that's what you got.

00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.300
 Husband and wife.

00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:04.140
 Paul can't stop talking about Jesus

00:08:04.140 --> 00:08:06.080
 and the church, can he?

00:08:06.900 --> 00:08:08.840
 Almost every time he gets started.

00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:10.540
 And in case you haven't noticed

00:08:10.540 --> 00:08:11.960
 when he gets to verse 32

00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:12.680
 he says,

00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:15.240
 by the way all of this that I'm saying

00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.040
 what I'm really talking about

00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.500
 is Christ and the church.

00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:22.379
 It's a mystery he says.

00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:24.459
 But from the very beginning

00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:26.199
 of the institution of marriage

00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.259
 in the Garden of Eden

00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:29.779
 this is what God has been intending to do.

00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.240
 It's the mystery of marriage

00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.000
 Paul says.

00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.740
 God designed marriage

00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:37.580
 to display the remarkable relationship

00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:40.659
 between Christ and the church.

00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:43.039
 This is first and foremost

00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.279
 what marriage is about.

00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:45.600
 And when we lose sight

00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.360
 of this chief goal and purpose

00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.560
 the consequences are devastating

00:08:49.560 --> 00:08:51.139
 in our marriages themselves

00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.379
 and beyond.

00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.100
 Just think about what happens

00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.899
 in a culture

00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:57.639
 when we forget

00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:00.519
 that marriage is not all about us

00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:01.440
 and our fulfillment

00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.620
 but about a higher purpose.

00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.659
 That it's not designed

00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:05.960
 to fulfill my desires

00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:07.480
 and make me fulfilled.

00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.300
 That that's not the only thing

00:09:09.300 --> 00:09:10.139
 that's going on.

00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:13.039
 When God's intention for marriage

00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:15.139
 is downplayed or sidelined

00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.919
 there's very little to limit

00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:19.039
 the damage that we will do.

00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:19.580
 Is there?

00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:21.919
 We shouldn't be shocked

00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:23.220
 at the culture around us

00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:25.019
 losing sight of the priority

00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.899
 of God's intent for marriage

00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:29.159
 when we've often lost sight

00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:29.960
 of it in the church.

00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:31.439
 And we have.

00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:31.980
 Haven't we?

00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:33.220
 In many ways

00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.220
 we've lost sight of marriage

00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:37.480
 as part of this greater story

00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.120
 that God's designed it for.

00:09:39.439 --> 00:09:40.539
 We've allowed marriage

00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:41.179
 in many ways

00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:42.159
 to become an idol.

00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:45.159
 To become the ultimate story.

00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:47.000
 To be the fulfillment

00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:48.639
 of Christian living.

00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:49.860
 Is to be married

00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:51.339
 with a couple of kids.

00:09:52.179 --> 00:09:53.419
 That that's the high point.

00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:55.620
 And so in doing that

00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.459
 we've made unmarried people.

00:09:58.199 --> 00:09:59.860
 Those committed to celibacy

00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:01.199
 because of desires

00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:02.279
 they wrestle with.

00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:04.459
 Feel in many cases

00:10:04.459 --> 00:10:06.240
 less than fully Christian.

00:10:07.439 --> 00:10:09.100
 As though the Apostle Paul

00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:10.100
 or Jesus Himself

00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.060
 was missing out

00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:11.899
 on the essence

00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.740
 of the fullness

00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:14.240
 of abundant life.

00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:18.580
 While harping regularly

00:10:18.580 --> 00:10:20.399
 on biblical sexual ethics

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:21.759
 we've compromised

00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.879
 biblical standards

00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:23.779
 for divorce

00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:25.000
 and remarriage.

00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:28.320
 We've taken the discussion

00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:30.560
 of roles between husband and wife

00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:31.379
 and we've made it

00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:33.080
 pragmatic or political.

00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.519
 We've started talking about it

00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.220
 in terms of

00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.740
 what will make me happy

00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:39.940
 or what will play well publicly

00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:41.960
 or what just works best

00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:42.799
 for us.

00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.259
 And we've taken it out

00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.060
 of the context

00:10:46.060 --> 00:10:47.519
 that God gives it to us

00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.220
 in right here

00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.379
 in this passage

00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.700
 of part of the greater story.

00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.860
 And we've done that

00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.340
 in our marriages

00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:56.480
 haven't we?

00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.080
 For all these things

00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.220
 and for many more

00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:02.639
 we need to repent

00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.720
 church.

00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:05.539
 We need to repent

00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.719
 for the many ways

00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:07.899
 we have made marriage

00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.039
 about me

00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.599
 and my fulfillment

00:11:10.599 --> 00:11:12.360
 rather than about God

00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.059
 and His glory.

00:11:15.339 --> 00:11:16.259
 Because Paul says

00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.259
 this remarkable

00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.860
 glorious relationship

00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.819
 between Christ

00:11:19.819 --> 00:11:20.480
 and His church

00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.559
 that's the one

00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:22.639
 that's the real story.

00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.959
 The great story

00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:25.039
 of which human marriage

00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.819
 is a picture

00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:27.240
 or a shadow.

00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.659
 So he's telling us

00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.299
 in this passage

00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.819
 don't get so caught up

00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.659
 in the how-tos

00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.779
 of human marriage

00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.039
 that you miss

00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.759
 the whole point.

00:11:36.839 --> 00:11:37.939
 Don't get distracted

00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:38.980
 in the next few weeks

00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.299
 by trying to fix

00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:41.079
 your own marriage

00:11:41.079 --> 00:11:42.659
 and miss the reason

00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:44.120
 that yours exists.

00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:44.819
 Don't you do that

00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.740
 when you come to a passage

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.360
 like this?

00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.199
 Either you think

00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.319
 oh no he's going to try

00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:49.259
 to fix my marriage.

00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:50.179
 Or you think

00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:50.879
 oh maybe he's going to

00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.699
 fix my marriage.

00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.679
 Isn't that the first thing

00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:54.259
 we think

00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.639
 when we open

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.339
 to this passage?

00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.860
 Don't get caught up

00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.779
 either in dreaming

00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:00.179
 of being Prince Charming

00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.759
 or Cinderella

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.219
 in your story

00:12:03.219 --> 00:12:05.099
 and miss the real

00:12:05.099 --> 00:12:06.139
 Cinderella story

00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.199
 that you are already

00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:08.000
 a part of.

00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:10.219
 And Paul's so focused

00:12:10.219 --> 00:12:11.219
 on that story

00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:12.339
 that we get chapters

00:12:12.339 --> 00:12:13.279
 of it in the midst

00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:14.279
 of his discussion

00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.819
 on marriage

00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:15.819
 of him talking about

00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:17.239
 relationship between

00:12:17.239 --> 00:12:18.639
 husbands and wives.

00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:20.159
 Each of these chapters

00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.439
 sounds a little bit like

00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:23.179
 things we sometimes say

00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.379
 with a little bit

00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:25.139
 different twist

00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.939
 on each of them

00:12:25.939 --> 00:12:27.039
 and I'll explain that

00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.639
 as we go.

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:29.599
 But what's that

00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.360
 great story?

00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.940
 What is the story

00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.980
 that Paul can't stop

00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.399
 telling that we have

00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:34.899
 to hear?

00:12:35.940 --> 00:12:37.000
 The first chapter

00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.080
 in the real

00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.279
 Cinderella story

00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:41.159
 is love at first sight.

00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.480
 What do we read

00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.399
 in verse 25?

00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:47.360
 Christ loved

00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.899
 the church.

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:52.399
 Christ loved

00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.460
 the church.

00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:55.000
 Maybe that doesn't

00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.820
 strike you

00:12:55.820 --> 00:12:56.879
 as remarkable.

00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.580
 Maybe you're used

00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:59.399
 to hearing that.

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.560
 Maybe that seems

00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.420
 like old hat

00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:02.100
 and after all

00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.779
 when Cinderella

00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.600
 shows up

00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.019
 looking like this

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:07.940
 we kind of expect

00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:08.779
 Prince Charming

00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:09.480
 to have this

00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.779
 love at first sight

00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.659
 experience,

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.080
 don't we?

00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:14.019
 It's not something

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:15.060
 surprising to us

00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.460
 at all.

00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:16.879
 But we,

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.639
 God's people,

00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.620
 the church,

00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.720
 we haven't had

00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.620
 a fairy godmother

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.460
 clean us up.

00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.759
 We're the Cinderella

00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.040
 dressed in rags,

00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:26.100
 beaten,

00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.720
 abused,

00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:28.560
 neglected

00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:30.759
 for years.

00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:33.860
 Jesus sees

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.840
 someone created

00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.100
 for greatness

00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.440
 and relationship

00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:39.080
 relegated to being

00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.159
 a scullery maid,

00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:40.480
 right?

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.920
 That's the story.

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.259
 She was created

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.279
 for something more,

00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.279
 to be great,

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.659
 to have royal blood,

00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.740
 to be in relationship

00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.159
 and she's serving

00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.399
 as a scullery maid

00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.579
 and Jesus sees

00:13:51.579 --> 00:13:52.579
 that Cinderella

00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:54.500
 and He loves

00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.100
 her.

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.379
 Remember what

00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.500
 God's people are like?

00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.439
 Ezekiel 16

00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:01.379
 paints a graphic

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:01.899
 picture.

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.500
 On the day you were

00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:03.919
 born,

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.100
 your cord was not

00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.559
 cut,

00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.299
 nor were you

00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.240
 washed with water

00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.000
 to cleanse you,

00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.059
 nor rubbed with salt,

00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:09.819
 nor wrapped in

00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:10.879
 swaddling cloths.

00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.519
 No eye pitied you

00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.559
 to do any of these

00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.319
 things to you

00:14:14.319 --> 00:14:15.139
 out of compassion

00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:15.759
 for you,

00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.519
 but you were cast

00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.399
 out on the open

00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:18.860
 field,

00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.659
 for you were

00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.579
 abhorred on the

00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.019
 day that you

00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:21.519
 were born.

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.339
 And then God

00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:23.719
 comes,

00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.179
 and when I

00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.240
 passed by you

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.980
 and saw you

00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.740
 wallowing in your

00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.139
 blood,

00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.319
 I said to you

00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:28.939
 in your blood,

00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.459
 live!

00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.459
 I said to you

00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:31.079
 in your blood,

00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:31.740
 live!

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.659
 I made you

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.620
 flourish like a

00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.240
 plant of the

00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:34.639
 field.

00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.939
 At first sight,

00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.879
 abandoned,

00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.620
 bloodied,

00:14:40.579 --> 00:14:41.139
 neglected,

00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:42.139
 and God

00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:42.579
 says,

00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.399
 live!

00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:44.879
 Live!

00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.399
 I love you!

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.620
 Isaiah 62

00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.299
 paints another

00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:50.740
 picture.

00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.740
 You shall no

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.500
 more be termed

00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.200
 forsaken.

00:14:54.100 --> 00:14:55.240
 Your land shall

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.139
 no more be termed

00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.700
 desolate,

00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.139
 but you shall be

00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:59.060
 called my delight

00:14:59.060 --> 00:14:59.860
 is in her and

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.899
 your land married.

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.139
 For the Lord

00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.080
 delights in you

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.679
 and your land

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.500
 shall be married.

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.799
 As the bridegroom

00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.799
 rejoices over the

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.139
 bride,

00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.360
 so shall your God

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.860
 rejoice over you.

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.799
 What's the first

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.120
 sight?

00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.159
 Forsaken,

00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:15.220
 desolate,

00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.379
 nothing to offer,

00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:19.100
 and God says,

00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.720
 that's the one

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.120
 I see.

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.179
 I will rejoice

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.100
 over you.

00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.860
 I love you.

00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.399
 The first chapter

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.100
 of the story

00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.919
 sees us

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:29.320
 muddying ourselves

00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.200
 on the filth

00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:30.860
 of the world,

00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.279
 right?

00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.879
 Turning away

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.480
 from God,

00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.460
 running away

00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.100
 from Him,

00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.120
 seeking after

00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:36.700
 ourselves,

00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:37.740
 undeserving,

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.019
 forlorn,

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.620
 but God

00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.559
 loves us.

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.440
 God loves us.

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:45.879
 Isn't that

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.399
 amazing?

00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.399
 Can you believe

00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:49.080
 that He walks

00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.580
 into that,

00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.200
 that that's the

00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:50.879
 first glimpse

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.299
 He gets

00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:53.139
 and He loves

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.480
 us?

00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:54.340
 It's where the

00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.259
 courtship between

00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.080
 Christ and the

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.299
 church begins

00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.220
 with Jesus

00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.080
 seeing the

00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.039
 beauty for which

00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.960
 we were created

00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:02.019
 through the

00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.799
 ugliness

00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.600
 of our sin

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.559
 and the mess

00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.980
 of our lives.

00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.519
 Is that all

00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.240
 you can see

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.220
 when you look

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.779
 at your life?

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.019
 For some of us,

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.960
 the ugliness,

00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:15.900
 the mess,

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.840
 is all we can

00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.180
 see.

00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:19.139
 Let me tell you

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.540
 something.

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:22.780
 God loves you.

00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:25.040
 He loves you

00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:25.660
 with a love

00:16:25.660 --> 00:16:26.660
 so broad

00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.780
 and wide

00:16:27.780 --> 00:16:28.480
 and high

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.019
 and deep

00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:30.139
 that it begins

00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.780
 before the

00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.680
 foundation of

00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:32.320
 the world

00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.780
 and He comes

00:16:33.780 --> 00:16:34.480
 after you

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.620
 to love you

00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.860
 not because

00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.519
 of how beautiful

00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.100
 you are.

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.720
 It's love

00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.480
 at first sight

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.800
 not because

00:16:42.800 --> 00:16:43.420
 we are so

00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:44.039
 naturally

00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.539
 lovable

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.159
 but because

00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.080
 He is so

00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.779
 naturally

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.600
 loving.

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:49.879
 That's how

00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.500
 the story

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.659
 begins.

00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:53.480
 The love

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:53.879
 of Jesus

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.620
 for us

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:56.180
 is such

00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:56.680
 that it's not

00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:57.480
 merely a feeling

00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:57.920
 is it?

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:58.800
 What does the

00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.340
 rest of the

00:16:59.340 --> 00:16:59.740
 verse say?

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.680
 It has action

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.320
 attached.

00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.480
 Christ loved

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.000
 the church

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.580
 and what?

00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.539
 What was the

00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.319
 result of that

00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:05.559
 love?

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.500
 He gave

00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.620
 Himself up

00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:08.660
 for her.

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.440
 Verse 25

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:11.779
 You've seen

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.519
 couples before

00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.380
 so excited

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.259
 for their

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.960
 wedding day

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.480
 that you would

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.100
 say oh they're

00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:16.880
 dying to be

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.259
 together.

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:19.059
 And that's a

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.779
 phrase that we

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.740
 use but in

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.400
 this case it's

00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.299
 actually true.

00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.400
 There was no

00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:27.279
 way for these

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.700
 two to be

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.500
 together except

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.539
 through death.

00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.620
 The only way

00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.600
 the pure prince

00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:33.360
 could be with

00:17:33.360 --> 00:17:34.160
 his impure

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.480
 princess was to

00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.460
 come and die

00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:36.960
 for her.

00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.220
 In this

00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.019
 Cinderella story

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.440
 the prince

00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:39.920
 couldn't just

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.940
 stay far away

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.619
 in the castle

00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:42.579
 sitting back

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.599
 waiting for all

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.420
 the lovely women

00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:45.319
 to come so he

00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.940
 could make his

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.440
 choice.

00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.180
 Now that's not

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.819
 how this one

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.279
 worked.

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:51.139
 In this story

00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.180
 the prince was

00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.299
 required wasn't

00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.460
 he?

00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:53.980
 Listen

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.740
 don't let this

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.579
 get old to you

00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.559
 I know how it

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.519
 feels you know

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.240
 this story.

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.779
 Listen the prince

00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.819
 leaves his

00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.359
 castle.

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.539
 He has to

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.720
 come and seek

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.859
 after the

00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.019
 lost princess

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.039
 the one who's

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.779
 been abandoned

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.680
 he had to

00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.480
 come after his

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.039
 bride and

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.299
 pursue her to

00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.019
 his own

00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.839
 death.

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.720
 From heaven

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.299
 he came and

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.099
 sought her to

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.160
 be his holy

00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.940
 bride.

00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.240
 With his own

00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:23.160
 blood he bought

00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.359
 her and for

00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.819
 her life he

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:26.399
 died.

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.619
 He gave

00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.680
 himself up

00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:30.119
 for us.

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.819
 He took our

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.319
 place.

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.720
 He suffered the

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.599
 agony and the

00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.639
 disgrace and the

00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.480
 tears that were

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.799
 rightfully ours.

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.359
 he gave himself

00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:41.240
 up for us.

00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:41.859
 He was

00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:43.539
 crucified in

00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.839
 our place.

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.759
 And he dies

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:49.279
 so that we can

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.940
 be together.

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.659
 By his death

00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.500
 we are united

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.460
 in this mysterious

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.619
 relationship we

00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.559
 call union

00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.279
 with Christ.

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.720
 Marriage to the

00:18:58.720 --> 00:19:00.079
 king of glory.

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.240
 Verse 30 says

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.899
 we're members

00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:04.879
 of Christ's body

00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:06.299
 connected to him

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.259
 and that

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.279
 Paul says

00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.299
 is why a man

00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.220
 leaves his father

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.019
 and cleaves to

00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.759
 his wife and

00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.619
 they become one

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.039
 flesh.

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:13.779
 Why?

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.799
 Why does a man

00:19:14.799 --> 00:19:15.279
 do that?

00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.079
 Why does a man

00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.000
 leave his father

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.700
 and mother and

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.379
 cleave to his

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:18.659
 wife?

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.779
 Because Jesus

00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.940
 left his father

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.279
 to cleave to

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.839
 us.

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.099
 So that we

00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.720
 could be one

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.200
 with him.

00:19:26.659 --> 00:19:27.339
 So that we

00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:28.200
 could know true

00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.859
 and deep

00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:30.119
 relationship with

00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:30.399
 him.

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.419
 So that all

00:19:31.419 --> 00:19:32.419
 the benefits of

00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:33.379
 his sonship,

00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.379
 the rights and

00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.140
 privileges he

00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.080
 had as a son

00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.880
 of the father

00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:38.560
 could be ours.

00:19:40.300 --> 00:19:40.700
 Why did he

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.120
 have to do

00:19:41.120 --> 00:19:41.440
 that?

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.200
 Why did Jesus

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.840
 have to come

00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:44.440
 and die so

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.820
 that those

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.460
 things could be

00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:45.780
 true?

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.420
 Because he

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.360
 knew that we

00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:48.960
 would let go

00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.780
 of him if he

00:19:49.780 --> 00:19:50.340
 didn't hold

00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:52.000
 tightly onto us.

00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.140
 And so Jesus

00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.020
 who didn't

00:19:54.020 --> 00:19:54.760
 consider his

00:19:54.760 --> 00:19:56.100
 privileged position

00:19:56.100 --> 00:19:56.620
 in heaven

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.620
 something to be

00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.280
 grasped,

00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:59.060
 something to

00:19:59.060 --> 00:19:59.820
 hold on to,

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.240
 considered you

00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.080
 something to

00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:02.680
 hold on to.

00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:03.400
 Amen?

00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.380
 That's what

00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.300
 Jesus valued.

00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.759
 That's what he

00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.220
 thought was

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.060
 valuable enough

00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:09.759
 to hold on to

00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.280
 it tightly.

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.320
 You.

00:20:11.780 --> 00:20:13.720
 He came to

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.220
 seek his

00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.580
 bride.

00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.600
 He gave

00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.800
 himself up

00:20:17.800 --> 00:20:18.440
 for us.

00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.980
 So great is

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.060
 his love for

00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.640
 his bride.

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.840
 So great is

00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:23.580
 his love for

00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:24.040
 you.

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.900
 So great is

00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.420
 his love for

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.860
 us.

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.000
 That's how the

00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.700
 story goes.

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.480
 But amazingly,

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.259
 he doesn't

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.960
 even stop

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.380
 there.

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.720
 He continues

00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:37.059
 the cleansing

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.140
 and purifying

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.019
 of his bride

00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.180
 through washing

00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:41.120
 with water in

00:20:41.120 --> 00:20:41.720
 the word.

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.420
 Verse 26.

00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.660
 He nourishes

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:46.140
 and cherishes

00:20:46.140 --> 00:20:46.620
 her.

00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.099
 Verse 29.

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.900
 When we use

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.500
 the phrase

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.740
 you complete

00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.180
 me to talk

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:53.579
 about our

00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.220
 relationships,

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.299
 I think we

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.779
 mean something

00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.420
 like what I

00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:56.900
 thought before

00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.519
 I got married.

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.299
 That you take

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.400
 a B plus guy

00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.599
 and you complete

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:00.740
 him.

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.240
 You turn him

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.779
 into an A,

00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.079
 right?

00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.599
 You help him

00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:04.799
 finish things

00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.039
 off.

00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.779
 Make the best

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.779
 version of me

00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.599
 that I can

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:07.920
 be.

00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.299
 And that may

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.940
 be true in

00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.740
 many marriages,

00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.299
 guys, that's

00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.039
 exactly what's

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.279
 happened.

00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:14.039
 That does

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.940
 sometimes happen,

00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.099
 but it often

00:21:16.099 --> 00:21:17.579
 misses the point

00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:18.240
 of marriage.

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.819
 Because what

00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.620
 happens in this

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.519
 great story is

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.140
 not that a B

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.039
 plus guy turns

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.759
 into an A.

00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.240
 Jesus comes

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.099
 and he takes

00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.699
 an F,

00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:27.859
 a hopeless

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:29.000
 and abandoned

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.059
 mess.

00:21:30.599 --> 00:21:31.519
 And he washes

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.000
 and cleanses,

00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:34.299
 nourishes and

00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.579
 cares for me.

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.139
 Look back at

00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.059
 Ezekiel 16.

00:21:39.219 --> 00:21:40.079
 What does God

00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:40.319
 do?

00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.279
 Then I bathed

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.859
 you with water

00:21:41.859 --> 00:21:42.379
 and washed

00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.059
 off your blood

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.619
 from you and

00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.299
 anointed you

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.899
 with oil.

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.439
 I clothed

00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:47.139
 you also with

00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:48.159
 embroidered cloth

00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:48.919
 and shod you

00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:49.759
 with fine leather.

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.719
 I wrapped you

00:21:50.719 --> 00:21:51.399
 in fine linen

00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.099
 and covered you

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:52.639
 with silk.

00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.719
 And I adorned

00:21:53.719 --> 00:21:54.399
 you with ornaments

00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.240
 and put bracelets

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:55.960
 on your wrists

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.500
 and a chain

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.039
 on your neck

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.000
 and I put a ring

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.559
 on your nose

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.120
 and earrings

00:21:59.120 --> 00:21:59.700
 in your ears

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.400
 and a beautiful

00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.599
 crown on your head.

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.079
 Let's keep reading.

00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.700
 There's a little bit

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.660
 more on the next slide.

00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.120
 Thus you were

00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.740
 adorned with

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.620
 gold and silver.

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.519
 Your clothing

00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.740
 was of fine linen

00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.319
 and silk

00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.400
 and embroidered cloth.

00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:18.000
 You ate fine flour

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.000
 and honey and oil.

00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.440
 You grew exceedingly

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.640
 beautiful and advanced

00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.279
 to royalty

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.680
 and your renown

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.359
 went forth

00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.220
 among the nations

00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.380
 because of your beauty

00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.980
 for it was perfect

00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:30.120
 how through the splendor

00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.860
 that I had bestowed

00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:32.460
 on you

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.519
 declares the Lord God.

00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.620
 God is intent

00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:38.259
 on us being beautiful

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.839
 isn't he?

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.380
 He's intent

00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.600
 on making his people

00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.380
 a beautiful

00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:44.620
 and glorious bride

00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.600
 and there's no

00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:46.420
 fairy godmother

00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.279
 to dress up

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.420
 the ragged bride.

00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.839
 It's only Jesus'

00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.680
 blood

00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.620
 that washes

00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.759
 his bride clean

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.600
 and clothes her

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.459
 in white.

00:22:54.459 --> 00:22:56.480
 It's his spirit

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.179
 who remains

00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:57.879
 with her

00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.719
 working with his word

00:22:59.719 --> 00:23:00.859
 to make her pure

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.079
 and beautiful.

00:23:02.419 --> 00:23:03.240
 Day by day

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.199
 exposing her

00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:05.119
 to the glories

00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.859
 of her Savior

00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.639
 revealed in God's word.

00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:09.199
 He will perfect

00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:10.399
 the bride.

00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:10.540
 bride.

00:23:13.540 --> 00:23:14.540
 And so this great

00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:15.500
 Cinderella story

00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.160
 ends

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.940
 as do

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:18.120
 all good stories.

00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:18.620
 How?

00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:21.680
 Happily ever after

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:21.900
 right?

00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.280
 With the bride

00:23:23.280 --> 00:23:23.920
 and groom

00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.759
 living

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.680
 happily

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.940
 ever after.

00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.680
 Jesus wants

00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.460
 a permanent

00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.540
 relationship

00:23:30.540 --> 00:23:31.540
 with his bride.

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.820
 Look at verse 27.

00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:34.160
 He presents

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.740
 the church

00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.240
 perfect

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.420
 to himself.

00:23:36.800 --> 00:23:37.720
 He finishes

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.279
 the work

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:38.819
 and lives

00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.759
 in relationship

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.519
 together

00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.380
 forever.

00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.220
 The church

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.299
 without spot

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.480
 or wrinkle

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.799
 or any other

00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.400
 blemish

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.220
 holy

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:49.740
 and blameless.

00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.920
 Do you feel

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.319
 like that

00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:53.839
 personally?

00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:56.460
 Without spot

00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.400
 or wrinkle

00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.180
 or any other

00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.660
 blemish

00:23:58.660 --> 00:23:59.920
 holy and blameless?

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.700
 Do you feel

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.039
 like that

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.700
 about yourself?

00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.779
 Do you feel

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.160
 like that

00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.079
 about the church

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.779
 corporately?

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.359
 Is that the way

00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.879
 she looks

00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.399
 to you?

00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:10.980
 Listen,

00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.119
 if your answers

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:13.619
 are no I don't

00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:15.299
 and no she doesn't,

00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.579
 let me remind you

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.119
 of something.

00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.359
 Jesus

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.539
 will

00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.700
 see that

00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:21.339
 that happens.

00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.460
 He will

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.579
 restore his church

00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.559
 to the absolute

00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:25.079
 beauty

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.279
 and the perfect

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.839
 holiness

00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.859
 for which she

00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.559
 was created

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.460
 so that just

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.000
 as it's always

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.759
 supposed to be,

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.099
 he will live

00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.839
 an intimate

00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:33.599
 relationship

00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.179
 with her

00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:35.079
 forever

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:36.039
 and ever.

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.119
 That's where

00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.619
 your story

00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.039
 is headed

00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.619
 whether it

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.099
 feels like

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.539
 it today

00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.219
 or not.

00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:43.579
 To be honest

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.199
 in our culture

00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.799
 I feel like

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.779
 that almost

00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.579
 seems too good

00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.099
 to be true

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.740
 these days,

00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.559
 doesn't it?

00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.279
 I mean we

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.099
 see pictures

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:51.719
 even of Prince

00:24:51.719 --> 00:24:52.179
 Charming

00:24:52.179 --> 00:24:53.000
 and Cinderella

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.099
 riding off

00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.679
 after their

00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:54.980
 wedding

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:56.119
 and happily

00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.899
 ever after

00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.480
 is below

00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.219
 this picture

00:24:58.219 --> 00:24:59.119
 and we

00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.439
 think

00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:00.619
 yeah well

00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.639
 we'll see

00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:03.080
 and we'll

00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.680
 see won't

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:03.900
 we

00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.620
 I just

00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.400
 don't know

00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:06.400
 I'm not

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.060
 sure if they

00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.600
 really meant

00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.140
 the words

00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.880
 they just

00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.240
 said to

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.700
 each other

00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:11.220
 there are

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.880
 tough roads

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.420
 ahead

00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:14.020
 I'm just

00:25:14.020 --> 00:25:14.640
 not sure

00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.720
 if it's

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.180
 going to

00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.040
 be as

00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:17.840
 happily ever

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.540
 after as

00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:19.620
 they are

00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.320
 feeling like

00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:20.960
 right now

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.920
 and I

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.420
 believe this

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.900
 is one of

00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.520
 the primary

00:25:23.520 --> 00:25:24.480
 reasons why

00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.320
 the Bible

00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:25.820
 would say

00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:26.340
 that God

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:27.440
 hates divorce

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.259
 even though

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.020
 he allows

00:25:30.020 --> 00:25:30.560
 it because

00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:31.000
 in this

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.940
 broken world

00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.900
 people sometimes

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.859
 need protection

00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.859
 from the

00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.619
 harm of one

00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:35.880
 who has

00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.740
 broken covenant

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.319
 with them

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.619
 right

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:39.440
 God knows

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.799
 that

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.019
 but he

00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.940
 hates divorce

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:43.160
 because the

00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.839
 marriage that

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.539
 our marriages

00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.119
 are supposed

00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:45.940
 to reflect

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.940
 is a lasting

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.319
 one

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.400
 a permanent

00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.180
 relationship

00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.119
 one where the

00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.019
 husband loves

00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.779
 and forgives

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.079
 even his wife's

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.059
 worst repeated

00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.779
 failures

00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:57.160
 I'm not

00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.819
 intending to

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.440
 berate you

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.960
 if you have

00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.599
 walked through

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.539
 the pain

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.199
 of divorce

00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:02.059
 not at all

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.219
 I'm trying

00:26:03.219 --> 00:26:03.759
 to offer

00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.259
 you the

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.799
 glory

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.659
 and the

00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.179
 hope

00:26:06.179 --> 00:26:06.819
 of a

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.299
 perfect

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:07.799
 marriage

00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.539
 because none

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.039
 of us

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.899
 has a

00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.299
 perfect

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.759
 marriage

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.599
 none of us

00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.000
 has a

00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.259
 marriage

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.939
 that lasts

00:26:12.939 --> 00:26:13.919
 eternally

00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:14.779
 but the

00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.279
 love of

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:15.779
 Christ

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.559
 is fixed

00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.139
 on his

00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:17.559
 own

00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.919
 eternally

00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:20.240
 he'll love

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.779
 his own

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.779
 to endless

00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.719
 day

00:26:22.719 --> 00:26:24.139
 a relationship

00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.419
 with absolutely

00:26:25.419 --> 00:26:26.179
 unending

00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.680
 love

00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.320
 completely

00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:29.960
 inexhaustible

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.539
 forgiveness

00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:32.140
 and eternally

00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.039
 renewed

00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.840
 passion

00:26:33.840 --> 00:26:35.120
 is hard

00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.480
 for us

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.039
 to imagine

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.799
 but it is

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.539
 exactly

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.360
 what we were

00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.080
 created for

00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:40.500
 that's exactly

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.060
 what God

00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:41.500
 made us

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.799
 for

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.840
 is that

00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.279
 kind

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.100
 of relationship

00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.920
 and Jesus

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.620
 is preparing

00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.259
 his church

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.380
 to be presented

00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.100
 to himself

00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:49.160
 so that that

00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.759
 can happen

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.580
 to enjoy

00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.460
 that relationship

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.420
 forever

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.700
 church

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.740
 your marriage

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.279
 to Jesus

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.320
 will outlast

00:26:56.320 --> 00:26:57.160
 the best

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.019
 human marriage

00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:59.600
 it's the one

00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.259
 that lasts

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.060
 forever

00:27:01.060 --> 00:27:02.460
 the eternally

00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.800
 lasting marriage

00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:04.440
 is between

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.900
 Jesus

00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.160
 and his church

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.860
 and no matter

00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.700
 how many times

00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.420
 you felt like

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.539
 yours won't stand

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:09.840
 that

00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:11.000
 that marriage

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.680
 that you can be

00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.220
 a part of

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.460
 will

00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:14.200
 it will last

00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:15.259
 forever

00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.759
 because your

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.680
 bridegroom

00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.759
 will never

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.539
 fail you

00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.740
 that's the hope

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.380
 of the gospel

00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.060
 it's why

00:27:23.060 --> 00:27:23.460
 the great

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.960
 story of

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.260
 scripture

00:27:24.260 --> 00:27:24.820
 ends in

00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.280
 revelation

00:27:25.280 --> 00:27:26.000
 with a

00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.260
 wedding

00:27:26.260 --> 00:27:27.060
 right

00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:27.880
 with the

00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.560
 wedding supper

00:27:28.560 --> 00:27:29.020
 of the

00:27:29.020 --> 00:27:29.320
 lamb

00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.820
 and when

00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:30.300
 the bride

00:27:30.300 --> 00:27:30.740
 shows up

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:30.960
 for the

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.180
 wedding

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.460
 supper

00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:31.800
 look at

00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.060
 what it

00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.320
 says

00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:32.740
 revelation

00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.340
 21

00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:34.300
 I saw

00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:34.820
 the holy

00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:35.220
 city

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.740
 new

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.200
 Jerusalem

00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.980
 coming down

00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.300
 out of

00:27:37.300 --> 00:27:37.500
 heaven

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.120
 from God

00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:38.860
 prepared

00:27:38.860 --> 00:27:39.440
 as a

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:39.940
 bride

00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.640
 adorned

00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:40.980
 for her

00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.380
 husband

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.920
 and I

00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.200
 heard a

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.700
 loud voice

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.060
 from the

00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:44.300
 throne

00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:44.660
 saying

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.140
 behold

00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:45.780
 the dwelling

00:27:45.780 --> 00:27:46.240
 place

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.720
 of God

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.080
 is with

00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.420
 man

00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.280
 he will

00:27:48.280 --> 00:27:48.700
 dwell

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.180
 with them

00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.460
 and they

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:49.740
 will be

00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.340
 his people

00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:51.120
 and God

00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.500
 himself

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.860
 will be

00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.459
 with them

00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:52.939
 as their

00:27:52.939 --> 00:27:53.479
 God

00:27:53.479 --> 00:27:54.579
 that's

00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.059
 where it's

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.539
 going

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.539
 he will

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.119
 be with

00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.379
 us

00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.000
 forever

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.819
 he will

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.379
 dwell

00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.219
 with us

00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:00.899
 as our

00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.459
 God

00:28:01.459 --> 00:28:02.759
 we will

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.139
 live

00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:03.819
 happily

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.459
 ever

00:28:04.459 --> 00:28:05.059
 after

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.139
 glory

00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:07.319
 glory

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:07.859
 glory

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.379
 right

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.299
 it will

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.879
 be like

00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.219
 that

00:28:10.219 --> 00:28:10.759
 it's

00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.259
 going

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.659
 there

00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.240
 you can

00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.459
 look

00:28:12.459 --> 00:28:12.959
 forward

00:28:12.959 --> 00:28:13.819
 to it

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.699
 that is

00:28:14.699 --> 00:28:15.439
 my favorite

00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:15.819
 part

00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.339
 of the

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.559
 real

00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:16.979
 Cinderella

00:28:16.979 --> 00:28:17.539
 story

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.819
 my favorite

00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:19.059
 part

00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.579
 I hate

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:19.859
 getting to

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.079
 the end

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.479
 of a good

00:28:20.479 --> 00:28:20.740
 book

00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:20.980
 and then

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.180
 it's

00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:21.539
 over

00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.519
 right

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.960
 don't

00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.299
 you hate

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.640
 that

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.460
 I have to

00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:24.660
 go back

00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:24.880
 to the

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.160
 start

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.579
 and start

00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:25.799
 over

00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.059
 again

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.920
 the real

00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.400
 Cinderella

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:28.019
 story

00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.900
 never

00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.480
 ever

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.319
 ends

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.740
 he

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.480
 keeps

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:31.960
 loving

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.240
 us

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:32.940
 and keeps

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.359
 living

00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.440
 in relationship

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.079
 with us

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.799
 do you

00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.180
 know

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.539
 that

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.420
 bridegroom

00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:39.220
 oh do

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.759
 you know

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.319
 that kind

00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.039
 of love

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.579
 have you

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.440
 experienced

00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.980
 his love

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.380
 for you

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:43.920
 like that

00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:44.539
 can you

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.160
 wait to

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.880
 be with

00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.319
 your

00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:46.779
 savior

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.740
 forever

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:52.299
 we call

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:52.799
 all of that

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.279
 the real

00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.859
 Cinderella

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.400
 story

00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.079
 we often

00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.740
 call it

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.319
 the gospel

00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:58.099
 the good

00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.460
 news

00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:58.920
 of Jesus

00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.400
 Christ

00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.059
 the message

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.500
 of his

00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.819
 grace

00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.279
 and it's

00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.880
 the story

00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.380
 I want

00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:03.039
 all of us

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.460
 to leave

00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.859
 here this

00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.200
 morning

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.120
 enthralled

00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.500
 with

00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.120
 it's not

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:07.440
 that our

00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:07.779
 marriages

00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.579
 are unimportant

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:10.920
 it's just

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.200
 that they're

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.720
 not first

00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.259
 and foremost

00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.160
 about us

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.339
 they become

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.200
 most beautiful

00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.220
 and most

00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.759
 what God

00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.259
 intends

00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:17.759
 for them

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.980
 when they're

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.860
 retellings

00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.740
 or pictures

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.960
 or snapshots

00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.900
 of that

00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.920
 great story

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.220
 the story

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.700
 of the

00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.279
 glorious

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.940
 prince

00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.460
 who

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.539
 comes down

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.200
 from his

00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.700
 throne

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.840
 to seek

00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.519
 after the

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.400
 abandoned

00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.100
 princess

00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:34.740
 and sacrifices

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.580
 everything

00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.620
 to rescue

00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:36.960
 her

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.319
 to restore

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.980
 her to her

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.960
 original beauty

00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.360
 and to live

00:29:41.360 --> 00:29:42.019
 with her

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.299
 forever

00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:45.480
 forever

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:45.839
 we'll talk

00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.159
 over the

00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.619
 next couple

00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:47.000
 of weeks

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.419
 about what

00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.759
 it looks

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.099
 like

00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.599
 for our

00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:48.960
 marriages

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.839
 to retell

00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.879
 that great

00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.379
 story

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.240
 to be a

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.579
 picture

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.000
 of the

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.579
 remarkable

00:29:53.579 --> 00:29:54.339
 relationship

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.859
 between

00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.399
 Christ

00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:56.339
 and his

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.819
 church

00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.519
 but one

00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:58.740
 of my

00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.000
 favorite

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.539
 examples

00:29:59.539 --> 00:29:59.919
 of that

00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:00.319
 is this

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.700
 story

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.220
 told by

00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.839
 a surgeon

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.940
 Richard

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.460
 Selzer

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:03.940
 in a book

00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.339
 called

00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:05.000
 Mortal

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.599
 Lessons

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.180
 Notes on

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.680
 the Art

00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.720
 of Surgery

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:09.359
 the surgeon

00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.299
 describes a

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:10.899
 scene that

00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:11.519
 he witnesses

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:11.859
 in a

00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.759
 recovery room

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.759
 after he

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.400
 has performed

00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.920
 surgery

00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.559
 to remove

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.119
 a tumor

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.660
 from the

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.099
 cheek

00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:18.039
 of a

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.240
 young

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.640
 lady

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:20.079
 the surgeon

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.559
 writes

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.039
 this

00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.940
 I stand

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.319
 by the

00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.559
 bed

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.940
 where a

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.160
 young

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.440
 woman

00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.960
 lies

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.619
 her face

00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.740
 post-operative

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:28.140
 her mouth

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.000
 twisted in

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.619
 palsy

00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.500
 clownish

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:32.119
 a tiny

00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:32.779
 twig of

00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.299
 the facial

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.700
 nerve

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.140
 the one

00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.460
 to the

00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.779
 muscles

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.240
 of her

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.660
 mouth

00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.440
 has been

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.059
 severed

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:38.440
 she will

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.980
 be thus

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.480
 from now

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.819
 on

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.099
 the surgeon

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:41.700
 had followed

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.379
 with religious

00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.880
 fervor

00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:43.400
 the curve

00:30:43.400 --> 00:30:43.740
 of her

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.140
 flesh

00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:44.700
 I promise

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.240
 you that

00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.980
 nevertheless

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.720
 to remove

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.200
 the tumor

00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.580
 in her

00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:48.900
 cheek

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.460
 I had

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.980
 to cut

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.800
 the little

00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.200
 nerve

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:53.400
 her young

00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:53.760
 husband

00:30:53.760 --> 00:30:54.120
 is in

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.500
 the room

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.660
 he stands

00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.000
 on the

00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.360
 opposite

00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:56.760
 side

00:30:56.760 --> 00:30:57.020
 of the

00:30:57.020 --> 00:30:57.320
 bed

00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:57.560
 and

00:30:57.560 --> 00:30:58.500
 together

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.060
 they seem

00:30:59.060 --> 00:30:59.720
 to dwell

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.100
 in the

00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.440
 evening

00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.120
 lamplight

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.680
 isolated

00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.500
 from me

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.200
 private

00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.700
 who are

00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:04.900
 they

00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.380
 I ask

00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:05.960
 myself

00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.040
 he and

00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:07.300
 this

00:31:07.300 --> 00:31:07.900
 wry

00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.420
 mouth

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.040
 I have

00:31:09.040 --> 00:31:09.480
 made

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:10.400
 who gaze

00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:10.740
 at each

00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:10.960
 other

00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.440
 and touch

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.660
 each

00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:11.860
 other

00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.140
 so

00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.700
 generously

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.519
 greedily

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.380
 the young

00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:14.660
 woman

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.279
 speaks

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.740
 will my

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.059
 mouth

00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:17.559
 always

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.100
 be like

00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:18.500
 this

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.860
 she asks

00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:21.460
 yes

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:21.860
 I say

00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.279
 it will

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.380
 it is

00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:23.700
 because

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.160
 the nerve

00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.620
 was cut

00:31:24.620 --> 00:31:27.000
 she nods

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.340
 and is

00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:27.779
 silent

00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.740
 but the

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.160
 young man

00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:30.759
 smiles

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.799
 I like

00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.059
 it

00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:34.120
 he says

00:31:34.120 --> 00:31:35.160
 it's

00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.500
 kind of

00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:35.860
 cute

00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:38.079
 all

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.479
 at once

00:31:38.479 --> 00:31:38.839
 I know

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.179
 who he

00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:39.539
 is

00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.839
 I

00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.259
 understand

00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:41.899
 and I

00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.339
 lower

00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.639
 my

00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.139
 gaze

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.399
 one

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:44.779
 is not

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.199
 bold

00:31:45.199 --> 00:31:45.500
 in an

00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.000
 encounter

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.539
 with a

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.939
 god

00:31:46.939 --> 00:31:49.659
 unmindful

00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.299
 he bends

00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.879
 to kiss

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.459
 her crooked

00:31:51.459 --> 00:31:51.839
 mouth

00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:53.039
 and I

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.500
 am so

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.079
 close

00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.659
 I can

00:31:54.659 --> 00:31:55.179
 see how

00:31:55.179 --> 00:31:55.879
 he twists

00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:56.519
 his own

00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:56.939
 lips

00:31:56.939 --> 00:31:57.539
 to

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.059
 accommodate

00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.779
 to hers

00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.000
 to show

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.279
 her

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.240
 that their

00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:01.659
 kiss

00:32:01.659 --> 00:32:02.339
 still

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.959
 works

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:05.140
 he twists

00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.240
 his own

00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:06.640
 lips

00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:08.240
 to accommodate

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.039
 to hers

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:10.220
 to show

00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.539
 her

00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.559
 that their

00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.019
 kiss

00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:13.039
 still works

00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:14.579
 and

00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:15.220
 Selzer says

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.860
 when he sees

00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.200
 that

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.900
 it's like

00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:18.279
 watching

00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.779
 god

00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:21.240
 a broken

00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.940
 bride

00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.940
 who can't

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.340
 fix

00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:23.640
 her

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.340
 brokenness

00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:26.079
 but

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.920
 a loving

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:29.259
 bridegroom

00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.140
 who

00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:31.279
 condescends

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.079
 moves

00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:32.920
 toward her

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.660
 twists

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.400
 his own

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.940
 lips

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.440
 as it

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:35.740
 were

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.500
 so that

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:36.740
 their

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.560
 relationship

00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:38.720
 can work

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.580
 again

00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:40.539
 do you

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.060
 see

00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:41.600
 your

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.140
 savior

00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:44.580
 the bride

00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:45.519
 eyes

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.080
 not her

00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:46.480
 garment

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.440
 but her

00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:47.940
 dear

00:32:47.940 --> 00:32:49.500
 bridegroom's

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.340
 face

00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:52.440
 his

00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:53.180
 face

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:55.500
 for you

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.100
 twisted

00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:58.519
 beaten

00:32:58.519 --> 00:33:00.840
 bloodied

00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.839
 love

00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:03.859
 and yet

00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:05.159
 oh how

00:33:05.159 --> 00:33:06.059
 glorious

00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:07.519
 and

00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.019
 precious

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:09.599
 let's

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:09.919
 pray

00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:15.919
 Jesus

00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.659
 thank you

00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:18.619
 would we

00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:19.119
 see

00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.079
 your face

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.659
 this morning

00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.159
 that we

00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:22.019
 might actually

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.579
 believe

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.199
 someone would

00:33:23.199 --> 00:33:23.699
 love us

00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:24.279
 like that

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:28.399
 father

00:33:28.399 --> 00:33:28.740
 would you

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.440
 captivate

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.039
 our hearts

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.539
 with the

00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.240
 love that

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:31.539
 you have

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.160
 shown to

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.819
 your people

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:34.539
 in sending

00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.200
 your son

00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.460
 as we

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:36.920
 come to

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.639
 this table

00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:38.099
 with the

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.700
 picture

00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:39.879
 of the

00:33:39.879 --> 00:33:40.299
 savior

00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.779
 who would

00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.339
 accommodate

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:41.980
 himself

00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.019
 to our

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.960
 brokenness

00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:45.119
 in order to

00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.819
 make us

00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.500
 his bride

00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.119
 forever

00:33:47.119 --> 00:33:48.019
 overwhelm

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.819
 us and

00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:49.200
 give us

00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.099
 great joy

00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:51.420
 we ask in

00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:52.039
 his name

00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:53.099
 amen

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:58.139
 for more

00:33:58.139 --> 00:33:58.659
 information

00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.459
 visit us

00:33:59.459 --> 00:33:59.959
 online

00:33:59.959 --> 00:34:00.359
 at

00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.259
 southwood.org