WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.160 Today's reading is from Ephesians chapter 4 verse 17 to chapter 5 verse 2. 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:11.640 Starting in verse 17 we read, the new life. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:18.379 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:20.760 in the frutility of their minds. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:26.120 They are darkened in the understanding, alienated from the life of God, 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:28.660 because of the ignorance that is in them. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:35.600 Due to their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:38.719 greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:45.640 But this is not the way you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, 00:00:46.340 --> 00:00:47.859 as the truth is in Jesus. 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:53.060 To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life, 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:56.299 and is corrupt through deceitful desires. 00:00:56.299 --> 00:01:00.199 But to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:02.320 and to put on your new self, 00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:08.120 created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:14.040 Therefore, having put away falsehood, 00:01:14.660 --> 00:01:17.640 let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:20.740 for we are members one of another. 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:23.520 Be angry and do not sin. 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:26.420 Do not let the sun go down on your anger, 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:29.080 and give no opportunity to the devil. 00:01:29.860 --> 00:01:31.580 Let the thief no longer steal, 00:01:31.579 --> 00:01:33.399 but rather let him labor, 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:36.500 doing honest work with his own hands, 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:40.019 so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:43.439 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:46.480 but only such as is good for building up, 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:48.759 as fits the occasion, 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:51.780 that he may give grace to those who hear, 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:54.980 and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 00:01:55.560 --> 00:01:58.200 by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:04.140 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:05.579 be put away from you, 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:08.099 along with all malice. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:10.180 Be kind to one another, 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:11.420 tenderhearted, 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:13.219 forgiving one another, 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:15.479 as God in Christ forgave you. 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:16.959 Therefore, 00:02:17.179 --> 00:02:18.379 be imitatis of God, 00:02:18.899 --> 00:02:20.119 as beloved children, 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:21.939 and walk in love, 00:02:22.299 --> 00:02:23.659 as Christ loved us, 00:02:24.139 --> 00:02:25.699 and gave himself up for us, 00:02:26.339 --> 00:02:28.699 a frequent offering and sacrifice to God. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:30.219 This is the word of God. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:42.000 All right. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:42.859 Thank you, Margo, 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:44.179 for that warm introduction, 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:45.040 and thank you, Kevin, 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:45.680 for that introduction. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:47.540 So, again, 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:48.520 my name is Margo. 00:02:48.860 --> 00:02:50.680 I'm part of Oasis CG. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.219 I'm also working with Young Life right now, 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:56.580 and part of my identity is also as a Hong Konger, 00:02:57.080 --> 00:02:58.659 and I don't know if you know Hong Kongers, 00:02:58.740 --> 00:02:59.800 what do we love to drink? 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:01.360 Ice lemon tea. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:02.500 And, of course, 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:03.159 you know, 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:04.680 being health conscious as I am, 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:06.460 I always ask for less ice and less sugar, 00:03:06.980 --> 00:03:07.219 right? 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:08.860 And, you know, 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:09.420 growing up, 00:03:09.460 --> 00:03:11.240 that's like my favorite drink, 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:11.420 right? 00:03:11.420 --> 00:03:12.200 Ice lemon tea. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:13.019 And I really, 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:15.139 really wanted to have an ice cream, 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:16.939 which was just like ice lemon tea. 00:03:17.619 --> 00:03:18.199 And so one day, 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:19.339 when I was a small child, 00:03:19.459 --> 00:03:21.719 I remember I was walking with my parents in Beijing, 00:03:21.839 --> 00:03:22.319 we're traveling, 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:24.099 and I walk across the store, 00:03:24.459 --> 00:03:26.699 and then this store was selling like ice cream, 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:27.060 I think, 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:28.919 and then it said lime sherbet. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:31.500 And I was like lime equals lemon, 00:03:31.839 --> 00:03:32.099 okay? 00:03:32.959 --> 00:03:33.359 Sherbet, 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:34.780 kind of like ice cream, 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:35.219 I guess. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:38.659 And so I was like spending 10 minutes just like begging my parents, 00:03:38.779 --> 00:03:38.859 like, 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:39.339 please, 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:39.759 please, 00:03:39.839 --> 00:03:40.339 I really, 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:41.859 really want this lime sherbet. 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:42.479 Like, 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:42.819 please, 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:43.379 mom, 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:43.619 like, 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:43.879 please, 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:44.279 dad. 00:03:44.799 --> 00:03:45.659 And my parents were like, 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:45.939 ah, 00:03:46.019 --> 00:03:46.239 like, 00:03:46.339 --> 00:03:47.060 I don't think so. 00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:47.299 Like, 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:47.539 hey, 00:03:47.619 --> 00:03:47.779 you know, 00:03:47.779 --> 00:03:48.399 we're in a hurry. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:49.279 But then like after, 00:03:49.379 --> 00:03:49.500 you know, 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:50.739 a huge tantrum, 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:51.139 they're like, 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:51.439 okay, 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:51.739 okay, 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:53.119 here's your lime sherbet. 00:03:53.239 --> 00:03:53.419 Okay, 00:03:53.459 --> 00:03:53.619 like, 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:54.219 be happy. 00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:56.300 And I was like the happiest kid in the world. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:59.280 And when I put that lime sherbet in my mouth, 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:02.560 I realized it tasted nothing like ice lemon tea. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.560 It was like a sour bomb had went off in my mouth. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:07.539 And I realized I was like, 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:08.159 I was crying. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:08.579 I was like, 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:09.120 oh my gosh, 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:09.800 this is so bad. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:10.699 And my parents, 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:10.919 you know, 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:11.659 being good parents, 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:11.960 they're like, 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:12.199 no, 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.699 you must finish your lime sherbet. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:14.419 Right? 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:17.860 And so I was probably like the saddest looking kid in the world, 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:19.560 like eating lime sherbet out in the street. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:20.920 And people were probably like really confused. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:22.180 And the thing is like, 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:24.160 and the reason I tell this story is because, 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:27.260 I think sometimes we have this expectation of like what it is. 00:04:27.260 --> 00:04:27.460 Right? 00:04:27.520 --> 00:04:30.100 But in versus the reality of this. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:35.580 And I think often Paul paints in Ephesians and then kind of the passage we're just reading, 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:38.020 how the church is such a beautiful church. 00:04:38.140 --> 00:04:38.300 You know, 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:39.400 people are changing. 00:04:39.620 --> 00:04:40.580 People are transforming. 00:04:40.820 --> 00:04:41.560 People are growing. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:42.120 You know, 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:43.160 people are no longer stealing, 00:04:43.300 --> 00:04:44.980 but are now like generous to one another, 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.580 like all these amazing things. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:47.260 And you know, 00:04:47.260 --> 00:04:47.780 sometimes, 00:04:47.880 --> 00:04:50.120 sometimes we do feel like that. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:50.460 Right? 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:50.960 We feel like, 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:51.200 man, 00:04:51.260 --> 00:04:51.740 we're growing. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:52.160 You know, 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:53.280 I feel like, 00:04:53.640 --> 00:04:53.800 you know, 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:55.840 some people in my CG was just saying recently, 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:56.620 like they feel like, 00:04:56.680 --> 00:04:56.780 wow, 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:59.180 they've like really been changing in the past few months. 00:04:59.260 --> 00:04:59.600 And wow, 00:04:59.640 --> 00:05:00.280 that's amazing. 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:01.160 That's great to hear. 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:02.880 But sometimes it's also, 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:03.640 it feels like, 00:05:03.900 --> 00:05:04.100 you know, 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:09.360 church doesn't necessarily meet the expectation of what that is. 00:05:09.580 --> 00:05:10.440 It isn't always perfect. 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:11.720 You might feel like, 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:11.940 oh, 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:12.960 I remember sometimes, 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:13.180 you know, 00:05:13.200 --> 00:05:14.500 you speak truth and love. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:16.100 It completely backfires. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:16.480 Right? 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:17.780 You feel like, 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:17.980 man, 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:19.600 the church could be doing so much more. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.560 Like you're really passionate about evangelism, 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:22.980 about serving young people, 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:24.000 but you know, 00:05:24.020 --> 00:05:25.120 other people aren't there yet. 00:05:25.840 --> 00:05:26.800 And maybe you feel like, 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:27.040 wow, 00:05:27.400 --> 00:05:28.580 church is great. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:28.920 You know, 00:05:29.280 --> 00:05:30.240 I know a lot of people, 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:30.920 but I feel like, 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:31.300 you know, 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:31.879 it's not, 00:05:32.140 --> 00:05:33.340 I don't feel like I'm like, 00:05:33.400 --> 00:05:35.220 can be super vulnerable around these people. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:36.600 And even for myself, 00:05:36.640 --> 00:05:38.400 I remember when I was leading CG, 00:05:38.900 --> 00:05:39.720 where this one session, 00:05:39.720 --> 00:05:40.259 I was like, 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:41.520 it was just me and this other guy. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:42.520 And I was like, 00:05:42.780 --> 00:05:43.000 dang, 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.160 like maybe we need to close down our CG. 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:45.939 Right? 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.060 And it's like, 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:48.540 sometimes it's hard. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:51.759 And I think here in Ephesians, 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:52.879 Paul talks about, 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:53.100 you know, 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:54.600 this cosmic plan of Christ, 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.019 adoption to the gospel, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.519 all these really great things. 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:59.220 And then there's this perfect, 00:05:59.360 --> 00:06:00.579 loving community church. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:02.040 But then there seems to be somewhere, 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:03.360 there's like a gap in between. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:03.699 Right? 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.459 And that's where we're going to go today. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:06.660 And here, 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:09.040 Paul tells us in today's passage, 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:11.160 that we can only have this loving church. 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:12.439 We can only love others 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.740 by the daily renewal 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:15.000 of our identity 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.040 as God's new creation. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:16.620 Okay, 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:17.399 let me repeat this. 00:06:17.779 --> 00:06:19.139 So Paul tells us 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:21.019 that we can really only love each other 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:22.719 through the daily renewal 00:06:22.719 --> 00:06:24.060 of our identity 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:25.060 as God's creation. 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:27.600 And he starts off 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:29.000 with our hardened hearts. 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:29.819 Right? 00:06:29.939 --> 00:06:30.879 In verse 17, 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:31.259 18, 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:32.339 he paints this picture 00:06:32.339 --> 00:06:33.120 of our old life. 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:34.399 What were we like before? 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:34.980 You know, 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:35.879 our old minds, 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:36.860 our old hearts. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.779 And the key idea 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:39.899 in verse 18 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:40.420 is that, 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:40.819 you know, 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:41.519 our hearts, 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:43.079 all these issues 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:43.980 from our life 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:45.040 actually came down 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:46.360 from our hardened hearts. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:48.339 And that basically just means 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:48.980 like our hearts 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:49.819 were like stone 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.360 and it progressively hardens 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:52.040 and, you know, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:53.360 no matter what other people say, 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.279 like we're just not going 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:55.000 to listen to them. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.019 And it progressively develops. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:57.639 Right? 00:06:57.719 --> 00:06:58.920 So this hardened heart, 00:06:59.079 --> 00:06:59.379 you know, 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:00.600 leads to us being ignorant 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:02.279 of how we can live life, 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:04.139 ignorant of how we can love others well. 00:07:04.659 --> 00:07:06.420 And it leads to being alienated 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:06.960 from God 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.699 and also ends up 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:09.699 us being stuck 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:10.939 in these loops of sin, 00:07:11.080 --> 00:07:12.100 these patterns of sin 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.280 that we feel like 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.140 we can't get out of. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:15.960 I remember when I was 00:07:15.960 --> 00:07:17.040 a teenager, 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:17.939 actually, 00:07:18.140 --> 00:07:19.400 I feel like I was always 00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:20.720 stuck in these patterns of sin. 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:21.480 Right? 00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:21.980 I remember 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:23.439 myself, 00:07:23.580 --> 00:07:25.240 I was a super prideful kid, 00:07:25.780 --> 00:07:25.939 you know, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.060 always trying to seek 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:28.120 external validation, 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:28.840 you know, 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:30.160 trying to get the highest grade, 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:31.620 trying to compare myself 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.280 with other people. 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:32.879 My heart 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:33.900 was just so hard. 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:34.679 I was just captured 00:07:34.679 --> 00:07:35.620 by this idea that, 00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:35.799 man, 00:07:35.859 --> 00:07:37.099 I needed to achieve 00:07:37.099 --> 00:07:37.839 a lot of things 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.539 so that I would have value. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:41.120 And I remember 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:42.939 I was just being a huge jerk 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.339 and this heart, 00:07:44.859 --> 00:07:45.039 you know, 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.060 led to me just behaving 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:47.319 like really poorly 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.519 and just like treating 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:49.479 my friends really poorly. 00:07:49.899 --> 00:07:50.799 I remember belittling them, 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:51.819 belittling them, 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:52.779 you know, 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:53.500 trash talking, 00:07:53.679 --> 00:07:53.819 you know, 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:54.539 as all good 00:07:54.539 --> 00:07:55.659 like teenage boys do. 00:07:56.519 --> 00:07:56.799 And yeah, 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.259 I remember, 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:57.739 you know, 00:07:57.779 --> 00:07:58.939 in my cringiest moment 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.279 where I was in math class 00:08:00.279 --> 00:08:01.099 and we're just like 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:02.239 trash talking to each other 00:08:02.239 --> 00:08:03.179 and I remember 00:08:03.179 --> 00:08:03.659 I was like, 00:08:03.739 --> 00:08:03.859 okay, 00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:04.259 it sounds better 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:04.759 in Chinese, 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:05.379 trust me, 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:06.279 but I was like, 00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:06.759 you know, 00:08:06.819 --> 00:08:07.659 who is the idiot 00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.739 and who is the genius? 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:09.739 And I was telling a friend 00:08:09.739 --> 00:08:10.819 and I was like, 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.599 the class was like silent 00:08:12.599 --> 00:08:13.859 and I was like, 00:08:13.919 --> 00:08:14.519 for a split moment, 00:08:14.599 --> 00:08:14.859 I was like, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:15.179 yeah, 00:08:15.419 --> 00:08:16.039 I got him. 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:17.419 And then I realized 00:08:17.419 --> 00:08:17.979 that actually I was 00:08:17.979 --> 00:08:18.500 the biggest idiot 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:19.039 in the room, 00:08:19.099 --> 00:08:19.319 right? 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:21.159 And so, 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.599 it was like all these things 00:08:22.599 --> 00:08:23.199 that I was like 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:23.879 treating my friends 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.419 really poorly. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:26.500 I was stuck in this loop 00:08:26.500 --> 00:08:27.819 and I felt the consequences. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:28.099 You know, 00:08:28.179 --> 00:08:28.979 I didn't feel 00:08:28.979 --> 00:08:30.979 like I was any better. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.460 I constantly felt stressed 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:33.940 and it was like, 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:34.899 no matter what I did, 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.560 I couldn't get out 00:08:35.560 --> 00:08:36.000 of this loop. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:37.200 I couldn't, 00:08:37.420 --> 00:08:38.899 through my own new insights, 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:39.920 get out of these behaviors 00:08:39.920 --> 00:08:41.800 and whenever someone told me, 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:41.940 like, 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:42.080 hey, 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:42.300 you know, 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.360 when I went to church sometimes, 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:43.580 like, 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.080 people were like, 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:44.220 oh, 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:44.460 you know, 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.220 love your friends, 00:08:45.300 --> 00:08:45.460 okay, 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:45.620 like, 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:45.860 okay, 00:08:46.400 --> 00:08:47.560 and then I would find ways 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:49.100 to change my behavior 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.740 a little bit 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:50.840 but it feels like 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:51.600 I'm still stuck, 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:52.100 right? 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:52.360 I would, 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:52.480 like, 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:53.160 find other ways 00:08:53.160 --> 00:08:53.340 to, 00:08:53.400 --> 00:08:53.460 like, 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.600 trash talk my friends 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.700 and, 00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:56.600 yeah, 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:56.879 you know, 00:08:56.940 --> 00:08:57.440 even now, 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:57.680 like, 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:58.900 God's redeemed my heart 00:08:58.900 --> 00:08:59.940 and it's great 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:02.000 but sometimes these old patterns 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:03.519 of sin still exist, 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:04.220 right? 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:05.400 And it's not just like, 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.280 and Paul doesn't talk about, 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:07.400 oh, 00:09:07.400 --> 00:09:08.160 just one or two sins, 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:08.940 it's all our sins, 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:09.160 right? 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:09.980 And maybe for you, 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:10.639 it's status, 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:10.980 right? 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.480 Security. 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:13.280 Maybe it's prestige, 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:13.519 you know, 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.180 finding approval 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:15.699 from others, 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:15.919 like, 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:16.599 there's these things 00:09:16.599 --> 00:09:17.219 that kind of hook 00:09:17.219 --> 00:09:17.919 into our hearts 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.919 and we feel like, 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:19.159 man, 00:09:19.219 --> 00:09:20.079 sometimes we're just stuck 00:09:20.079 --> 00:09:21.159 in these loops 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:22.939 and that's why I think 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:24.159 Paul reminds us, 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:24.399 right, 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:25.000 as Corinthians, 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.819 that actually we can't 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:27.659 lift ourselves up, 00:09:28.099 --> 00:09:28.239 you know, 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:29.500 we as flawed people, 00:09:29.979 --> 00:09:32.159 we can't use our own knowledge, 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.979 our own strength 00:09:32.979 --> 00:09:33.979 to lift ourselves up. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:34.319 Actually, 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:35.079 what we need 00:09:35.079 --> 00:09:36.259 is a new heart, 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:36.879 right? 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:37.459 Like, 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:37.779 with our, 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:38.579 I don't know if you guys 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:39.620 ever experienced this 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:39.819 but, 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:40.059 you know, 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:40.839 when I was a teenager, 00:09:40.979 --> 00:09:41.719 my mom was always like, 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:41.899 oh, 00:09:41.959 --> 00:09:42.159 you know, 00:09:42.459 --> 00:09:43.079 clean your bed, 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:43.839 pack your room 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:44.759 and I was like, 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:44.979 yeah, 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:45.159 yeah, 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:45.399 yeah, 00:09:45.479 --> 00:09:45.679 okay, 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:45.959 mom, 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:46.199 okay, 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:46.399 mom, 00:09:46.479 --> 00:09:47.059 but it would just go 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:47.579 from one year 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:48.479 to out of the other year 00:09:48.479 --> 00:09:49.319 or like, 00:09:49.479 --> 00:09:49.659 I mean, 00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:50.659 unpopular colleague 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:51.500 said something 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:52.939 or unpopular boss 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:53.359 said something, 00:09:53.439 --> 00:09:53.679 you're like, 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:53.939 yeah, 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.120 yeah, 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:54.179 yeah, 00:09:54.239 --> 00:09:54.479 okay, 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:55.199 but then it kind of 00:09:55.199 --> 00:09:55.599 just like goes 00:09:55.599 --> 00:09:56.159 from one year 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.219 out of the other year, 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:57.799 right? 00:09:57.819 --> 00:09:57.959 Like, 00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:58.559 our hearts 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.519 are so hardened 00:09:59.519 --> 00:09:59.899 that, 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:00.519 you know, 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.120 even though like 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:01.899 people give us 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:02.479 new advice, 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.339 new ideas, 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:04.359 it's like hard for us 00:10:04.359 --> 00:10:05.239 and even if you look 00:10:05.239 --> 00:10:05.879 at humanity, 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:06.319 like, 00:10:06.339 --> 00:10:06.779 I used to work 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.379 for a humanitarian 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:07.859 organization 00:10:07.859 --> 00:10:08.779 and I think 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:09.799 as a collective, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.099 like, 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.139 we've come so far, 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:11.779 you know, 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:13.159 we've had so much progress 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.580 but if you just look 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:15.340 at the news today, 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:16.159 racism, 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.220 war, 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:18.000 suffering, 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:18.899 it seems like 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:19.779 we're stuck in these 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:20.659 like old patterns, 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:20.899 right? 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:21.139 Like, 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:22.100 no matter how hard 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:22.840 we try, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:23.940 we can't get out 00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:25.120 and I'm all for, 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:25.779 you know, 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:26.580 podcasts, 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:26.960 you know, 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.240 I'm the podcast person 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.360 or like self-help books, 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.519 I love those, 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:30.980 you know, 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:31.680 don't get me wrong, 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:32.279 go for it, 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:32.779 read it, 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.879 but those aren't 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.699 going to dramatically 00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:35.720 change our hearts, 00:10:35.839 --> 00:10:36.459 change our lives 00:10:36.459 --> 00:10:38.279 and what we need, 00:10:38.459 --> 00:10:38.699 Paul, 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.439 thankfully, 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:39.679 you know, 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:40.600 doesn't just leave us here 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:40.759 like, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:40.939 oh, 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.199 okay, 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:41.659 good luck, 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:42.399 you know, 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:43.339 he uses the word 00:10:43.339 --> 00:10:43.639 but, 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:44.600 which is, 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:44.740 you know, 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:45.360 one of Paul's 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:45.980 favorite words 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:47.779 and he tells us 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.860 in the next section 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.059 that actually what we need 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.319 is this constant renewal 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:53.120 in our new identity 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.120 and verse 20, 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:56.259 it talks about how, 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:56.620 hey, 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:58.379 our minds are no longer, 00:10:59.059 --> 00:10:59.339 you know, 00:10:59.419 --> 00:11:00.199 the old minds 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.220 no longer darkened, 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.439 we've now learned 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.000 Christ, 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.220 I want to pause here 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:05.720 for a moment, 00:11:06.020 --> 00:11:06.760 what does it mean by, 00:11:07.020 --> 00:11:07.200 oh, 00:11:07.440 --> 00:11:08.500 we're just learned Christ, 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:09.240 you know, 00:11:09.280 --> 00:11:10.520 it's actually not about 00:11:10.520 --> 00:11:11.160 just, 00:11:11.300 --> 00:11:11.560 obviously, 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:12.060 it's great, 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.500 the teaching of Jesus 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:14.020 is great, 00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:15.040 knowledge, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:15.680 new knowledge 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.580 that Jesus gives us, 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:17.060 amazing, 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.120 but the key thing 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.220 is actually our goal 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.180 as Christians, 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:22.160 as apprentices to Jesus, 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:24.200 is to become like Jesus, 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.200 our goal is not 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:27.400 to have new knowledge 00:11:27.400 --> 00:11:28.200 and that helps 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:29.160 with how we live our life, 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:30.000 our goal is to become 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.040 like Jesus 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:33.299 and in verses 22, 00:11:33.819 --> 00:11:34.519 he talks about how 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.740 we put on our old self, 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.019 you know, 00:11:36.099 --> 00:11:37.639 our self that was corrupting, 00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:38.819 that was degenerating 00:11:38.819 --> 00:11:39.959 and this is a beautiful image 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:40.759 and he said, 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:42.059 we said yes to Jesus already, 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.339 we put on this new self 00:11:43.339 --> 00:11:45.059 and so even for those 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:46.099 who haven't said yes to Jesus, 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:47.000 that's totally okay, 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:47.579 you know, 00:11:47.599 --> 00:11:48.639 he's inviting you every day 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:50.279 and so this is a process 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.039 that's already happened, 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:51.259 right, 00:11:51.319 --> 00:11:52.679 putting off the old self, 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.039 putting on the new self 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:56.719 but why does Paul remind us 00:11:56.719 --> 00:11:58.519 even though it's already happened, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.219 right, 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:01.579 and it's because we often forget 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:04.339 and we need this daily renewal, 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:05.699 it's like a person, 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.199 you know, 00:12:06.419 --> 00:12:07.559 needing to have food 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:08.439 every single day 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:10.159 or a plant needing nutrients, 00:12:10.559 --> 00:12:11.879 we need renewal 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.360 as verse 23 talks about, 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:15.000 our mind needs constant renewal 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.839 and while we cannot earn it, 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.019 we cannot earn our faith, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.259 we cannot earn our salvation, 00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:22.860 daily renewal requires effort, 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.779 okay, 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.639 let me repeat this, 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.259 so our faith, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.960 our walk with Jesus, 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.620 while it cannot be earned, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:32.340 requires effort in our walk, 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:33.860 now I don't become 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.320 a better apprentice to Jesus, 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:37.680 I don't become a better Christian 00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:39.740 just from sitting on Sunday service 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:42.600 and just like passively absorbing 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.980 what the preacher is saying, 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:48.180 we need to work in our faith, 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:48.980 right, 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:51.320 and a lot of it actually is about, 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:51.779 you know, 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.839 what the Bible calls like 00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:53.559 spiritual disciplines 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:54.639 or what we can call today 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:55.679 as like daily habits, 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:55.879 right, 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.360 habits like God's word, 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.419 listening to God's word, 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:58.980 prayer, 00:12:59.579 --> 00:12:59.720 you know, 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:00.259 solitude, 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:00.879 silence, 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.679 all these good things 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.639 or even like engaging 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.480 in a community 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.759 that challenges you 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.139 but still loves you, 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:06.679 right, 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.480 there's all these like 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.559 great habits, 00:13:08.839 --> 00:13:10.399 things that we can renew ourselves 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.919 in God every day 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:14.079 and if that sounds hard, 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:14.899 it's because it is, 00:13:14.959 --> 00:13:15.120 right, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.019 21st century, 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:19.899 we are in this hyper-connected society 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:21.079 where we always need to be 00:13:21.079 --> 00:13:21.980 on top of the news, 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.259 we're always checking up 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.340 on what's our favorite sports team doing, 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:25.799 how, 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:26.439 yeah, 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.539 maybe checking our emails 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.199 quite a lot 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.659 and we feel like, 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:30.059 you know, 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.980 we're constantly needing 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.740 to be on top of things 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.559 and so I want to present you 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.740 kind of two scenarios. 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.100 First scenario is, 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:38.840 I don't know what you do 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.819 when you wake up in the morning 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:41.480 but I think for most of us, 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:41.720 we, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.160 you know, 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.800 check our phones, 00:13:43.260 --> 00:13:43.420 right, 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.340 whether that's in the bathroom 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.600 or like somewhere else. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.480 You're just doing your daily routine 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.580 and you're like, 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.220 you know, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.100 checking your emails, 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.220 going social media 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.360 or like reading the news 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.780 and there's always something 00:13:53.780 --> 00:13:55.379 that maybe annoys you 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.260 or like triggers you 00:13:56.260 --> 00:13:57.560 or like just gives you anxiety 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:57.860 like, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.060 wow, 00:13:58.140 --> 00:13:58.920 this world is like 00:13:58.920 --> 00:13:59.780 not a great place, 00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:00.600 right, 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:02.440 and versus scenario two 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.320 where, 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:03.840 you know, 00:14:03.880 --> 00:14:04.320 you're still doing 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.160 your morning routine 00:14:05.160 --> 00:14:06.160 but you're just spending 00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:06.940 10 minutes, 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:07.740 10 minutes 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.800 just reading the word of God 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:10.279 and sometimes, 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:10.519 you know, 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.240 it doesn't penetrate 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.899 super deeply 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.019 but that's okay, 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:13.759 right, 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.519 you're reading about 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.519 God's steadfast love 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.799 and just like reminding yourself 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:16.959 like, 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:17.199 okay, 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:17.519 yeah, 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.539 I'm a child of God 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:20.059 and you have this small 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:20.740 sense of peace 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.240 and then you get out 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:22.659 the door, 00:14:23.219 --> 00:14:23.419 you know, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.120 in these two scenarios, 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:24.979 you both get out the door, 00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:25.979 you run to the MTR, 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.259 right, 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.719 because we're always 00:14:26.719 --> 00:14:27.659 in a hurry in Hong Kong 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:29.099 and you come across 00:14:29.099 --> 00:14:30.399 your first battle of the day, 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:31.859 a slow walker, 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.559 right, 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.240 and you're like, 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:34.879 okay, 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:36.659 okay, 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.459 if you think about it, 00:14:37.479 --> 00:14:38.879 in which of these two scenarios 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:40.220 are you going to have 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.419 the most patience 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:42.460 with the slow walker, 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.259 right, 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.580 and I'm always guilty of it, 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:44.860 right, 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:45.419 I'm always like, 00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:45.639 oh, 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.320 trying to just like 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.299 get across them really quickly, 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:47.460 like, 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.299 why can't you walk faster, 00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:48.879 right, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.519 and it's like, 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:50.779 wow, 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.360 actually, 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.320 what I realized is, 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.580 and what Paul is saying 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.960 is that behavior change 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.360 comes from a heart 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.600 and our mind transformation, 00:14:58.520 --> 00:14:58.740 right, 00:14:59.180 --> 00:14:59.860 and actually, 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:01.120 the battle is already lost 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.660 how you started the day, 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:02.980 you know, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.180 the battle isn't 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:05.500 in that MTR slow walker 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.879 or in that office space 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.460 where you have this 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.320 really annoying colleague 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.660 that, 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.060 you know, 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:10.200 that constantly talks, 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.480 it's actually won 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.460 or lost in the morning, 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:13.379 right, 00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:14.940 how are we spending our time 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:16.540 feeding our minds 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.300 and feeding our hearts? 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.060 We have a choice, 00:15:18.140 --> 00:15:18.379 actually, 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.920 we're not just passive people, 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.500 you know, 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.700 mindlessly absorbing 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:23.220 social media, 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.720 mindlessly absorbing technology 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:27.060 where we can choose 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:27.920 what we can feed 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.580 in our hearts 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.680 and our minds 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:32.580 and we need this 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.480 constant renewal, 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:36.140 reminding of this new identity 00:15:36.140 --> 00:15:37.020 in God's creation 00:15:37.020 --> 00:15:39.440 and as a psychology major, 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.780 I love looking at just research, 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:41.400 reading books 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:42.460 and actually research 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.420 has also shown that, 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:43.920 you know, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.960 behavior change 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.980 comes from change 00:15:46.980 --> 00:15:48.000 in our identity, 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.180 right, 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:50.200 and that's why every day 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:50.960 we actually need 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.780 the daily renewal 00:15:51.780 --> 00:15:52.820 of our new identity. 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.100 Who are we really? 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.019 Am I just a office worker? 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:58.940 Am I just a younger brother? 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.019 I'm actually a new creation 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.440 as well, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:01.840 right, 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:03.400 and it's hard 00:16:03.400 --> 00:16:03.800 because, 00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:04.200 you know, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.879 I think Paul used the idea 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.660 of like new clothes 00:16:06.660 --> 00:16:07.460 and old clothes. 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:08.560 You know, 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:09.639 even though our new clothes 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.440 fit really well, 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:11.860 you know, 00:16:11.920 --> 00:16:13.200 are probably more practical, 00:16:14.040 --> 00:16:15.019 aren't as worn, 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.780 don't have holes, 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.060 there's something more comfortable 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.300 about wearing these 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.080 like old clothes. 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.620 Like I have this camp t-shirt 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.639 from like 10 years ago 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.539 that I just keep wearing 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:23.179 from my pajamas. 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.000 Like, 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.399 I should probably throw that out. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.539 It's probably not very, 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.539 not very great. 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:28.679 But it's like, 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:28.879 yeah, 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:29.639 there's something about 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.919 these old clothes 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.159 that we feel more comfortable in. 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:33.940 And that's why 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:35.259 Paul constantly 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:37.460 asks us to renew ourselves 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.500 so that we don't forget. 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:42.279 And moving on, 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:42.960 Paul, 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.360 you know, 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.399 in the next verse, 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:44.580 right, 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.480 he uses the word therefore. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:45.879 You know, 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:47.279 another of Paul's favorite words, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:47.899 therefore. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:50.319 And what does he do here 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:50.980 when he talks about, 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.179 you know, 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:51.759 the next section, 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.179 how do we love each other well? 00:16:53.579 --> 00:16:54.399 He connects actually 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:55.799 the vertical dimension, 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:57.139 like our relationship with God 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.459 with the horizontal, 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:00.240 which is how we love each other well. 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:01.539 And he wants us to, 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.819 he wants to point out 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:04.119 kind of the insight, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.599 which is, 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:06.000 actually for a lot of us, 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.119 how we love each other well 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:09.759 depends on how our relationship 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.819 is secure in God. 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.319 Are we being renewed 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.559 in his identity every day? 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.220 Right? 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.480 We can't force ourselves 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.799 to change our behavior 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.359 through willpower alone. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.299 It might work for a while, 00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.379 but it won't last. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:20.759 Right? 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.599 He's telling us that, 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:21.799 wow, 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:23.559 we need to renew ourselves 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.539 in God every day 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.720 so that we can love each other. 00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.440 And how do we love each other? 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:27.819 Well, 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.019 we model ourselves 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.059 after Christ. 00:17:31.659 --> 00:17:33.099 And I think the really cool thing 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:34.240 is here Paul talks about 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.700 it's no longer just, 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.480 you know, 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.399 avoiding sin. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:38.879 And, 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:39.879 you know, 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:40.559 sometimes we're like, 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.359 I don't know if you heard, 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:41.539 like, 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:41.679 oh, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.000 you know, 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.380 rules of life. 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:43.660 It's like, 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:43.839 okay, 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.779 just don't be a jerk. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.559 Don't be, 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.019 don't be a bad person, 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.220 right? 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.339 That's how you should live life. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:48.519 Like, 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:48.779 okay, 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.720 you can do anything else, 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.920 but just don't be a jerk. 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.460 Right? 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:51.740 Actually, 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:52.539 Paul doesn't say that. 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:52.880 He says, 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.180 actually, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.519 you know, 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.779 we have to no longer sin 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:58.740 and love each other. 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.039 Right? 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.980 In verse 24, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.660 25, 00:18:00.900 --> 00:18:01.059 sorry, 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:01.440 he says, 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.700 you know, 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.660 we no longer lie, 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.519 but speak the truth. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.940 We no longer steal, 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.640 but we're being generous 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.339 with each other. 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.039 29, 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.039 no longer gossip, 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.759 but say words 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:13.000 that really encourage each other. 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:13.279 No, 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:13.759 31, 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.220 no longer be bitter, 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:17.519 replace it with tender heartedness 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.420 and forgiveness. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.500 And so the idea is, 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:22.460 we're just no, 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.879 we're not just no longer sinning. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.899 We're trying to love each other. 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.399 And actually, 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.599 Paul has this really great insight 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.500 into our behavior. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.159 See, 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.319 we, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.379 the tricky thing is, 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.019 we can't replace 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.659 our sinful behavior 00:18:32.659 --> 00:18:33.940 with nothing. 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.639 It's like, 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:36.960 for example, 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:37.559 I don't know, 00:18:37.559 --> 00:18:38.799 sometimes I tell myself, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:38.980 like, 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.200 okay, 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.539 Marco, 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:39.960 like, 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:40.740 today, 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:42.460 you need to stop using your phone so much. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.659 You've been on your phone too much. 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.579 So I keep telling myself that. 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.099 And I'm like, 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.319 okay, 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:46.639 no, 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:48.000 but you stop to carry your phone around 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.240 because it's, 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:51.139 you need to communicate with other people. 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.000 And so, 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:52.319 you know, 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.139 you go about your day, 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.339 you're at a bank, 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:54.819 you know, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.859 lining up to ATM 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.720 or you're in a bathroom 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.579 with nothing to do. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.819 And what do we do? 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.399 We pull out our phones, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:00.759 right? 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.799 Automatically. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.220 I'm like, 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:02.980 on social media 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.700 and I'm like, 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.559 I catch myself. 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.079 Five minutes later, 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.299 I'm like, 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:05.539 okay, 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.879 what did I just do? 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.359 And it's like, 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.940 when we tell ourselves 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:10.960 not to do something 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.619 but don't replace it with something, 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:14.940 we automatically go back 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.759 to that old thing 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.379 that we're doing. 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.139 And so, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.720 for us, 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:19.500 it's, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.940 we can only substitute 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:22.519 a sinful behavior, 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.480 a sinful act 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.519 with a loving act. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:26.019 That's the only way it works. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:28.480 And what does that look like today? 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.639 Well, 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.240 for example, 00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:31.920 I don't know about you guys, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.980 but during the fifth wave, 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.640 I was complaining quite a lot 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:34.920 about, 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.099 you know, 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.920 government policies, 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.000 COVID policies, 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.279 whatnot. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.620 Instead of doing that, 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.880 let's pray for the government, 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:40.500 right? 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:43.839 Instead of ghosting conflicts, 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.779 which is super easy 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.620 to do these days, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.140 you know, 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.059 just don't respond 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.200 in a phone text. 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.579 Engage in conflict. 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.380 Engage in a loving way. 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:55.339 Instead of feeling bitter 00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:56.620 that other people 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.799 aren't where you are, 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.079 like, 00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:58.319 man, 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.500 like, 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.099 church could be doing 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.640 so much more, 00:19:59.759 --> 00:19:59.839 like, 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.059 man, 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.140 we could be serving the poor, 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.240 we could be serving 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.160 these communities, 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.280 we could be doing more. 00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:06.380 Having that patience, 00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:06.800 right? 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.540 Instead of doing that, 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:08.280 having that patience, 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.080 being inviting, 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:11.080 instead of being bitter. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.080 And this is maybe, 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.220 this is also a really tricky one. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.940 Because I think so often 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.920 we want to present ourselves, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.720 you know, 00:20:18.780 --> 00:20:19.520 as spiritually good. 00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:19.940 You know, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.400 we're all, 00:20:20.540 --> 00:20:20.640 like, 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:21.660 not that, 00:20:21.780 --> 00:20:21.800 oh, 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.360 we're perfect, 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:22.740 but like, 00:20:22.780 --> 00:20:22.900 oh, 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.120 you know, 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.560 we're kind of, 00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:23.720 like, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.580 put together, 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.140 right? 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.940 Sometimes you go to church, 00:20:26.020 --> 00:20:26.300 people ask, 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:26.420 like, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.000 how are you doing? 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:27.380 You say, 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.020 good, 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:28.560 you know, 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.100 and that's kind of, 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:29.220 like, 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.220 how the conversation goes. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.200 But it's like, 00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.380 yeah, 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.039 it's super easy, 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:32.259 right? 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.660 Just to, 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:32.839 like, 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:35.180 have that facade 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.759 and just say, 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.019 okay, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.279 you know, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.059 things are going okay. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.579 And you know what? 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.799 Sometimes you are doing good. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.960 That's totally cool. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:42.400 But I think a lot of times also, 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.579 and I think we're all 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.160 going to get there, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.900 we're going to experience 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.960 that one way or another. 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:47.380 It's like, 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:48.860 we're just spiritually dry. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:49.680 Right? 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.220 We feel like, 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.440 oh, 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:50.980 okay, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.339 I've been, 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.480 like, 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.059 pouring out, 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.720 or work has been so hard, 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.519 and I just feel like 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.880 disconnected from God. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:56.799 I feel like, 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.019 okay, 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:59.279 I haven't been reading my Bible 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.740 for, like, 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.440 three weeks. 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:01.059 It's like, 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.220 yeah, 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.960 things are tough. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.359 And I think the temptation 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.259 is just to stay 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.359 at things are tough, 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:06.879 but also, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.079 like, 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.319 okay, 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.500 I'll deal with this alone, 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:08.740 right? 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.519 I think in Chinese, 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:09.819 we say, 00:21:09.879 --> 00:21:10.000 oh, 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:12.380 we don't want to bother 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:13.819 other people with our problems. 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.799 But I think here, 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.799 what Paul is also saying, 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.019 it's like, 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.160 hey, 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.960 let's not lie to each other, 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.279 right? 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.940 Let's actually just be honest. 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.299 Hey, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.859 where are we at right now? 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.299 And the really cool thing is, 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:24.559 you know, 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.220 Jesus didn't come for the healthy, 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:26.460 right? 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.160 He came for the sick. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:29.079 And the church isn't a place 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.859 actually full of 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.700 super healthy people. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.440 The church is actually 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.460 a hospital of people 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.180 who are just working 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:33.779 out their faith. 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.579 Doesn't that, 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:35.740 like, 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:37.000 a beautiful imagery 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.759 of what the church is like? 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.119 Wouldn't that be amazing 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:40.539 if, like, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.740 we're all doing all this? 00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.319 You know, 00:21:42.339 --> 00:21:42.980 we're all changing. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:43.839 You know, 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.440 we're all, like, 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.480 trying to figure out 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.119 what does it mean 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:47.799 to be an apprentice to Jesus 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.279 in the 21st century? 00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.160 You know, 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:50.980 working out their faith, 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.599 being vulnerable, 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.920 speaking truth and love, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.500 even though, like, 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.220 there will be setbacks. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.380 Like, 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.440 we're all going to keep growing 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.059 that way. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.640 Now, 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:01.180 if all of that sounds hard, 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.720 it's because it is, 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.420 it is hard, 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.000 right? 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.059 It's just like going to the gym. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:05.680 You know, 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.400 you don't start off 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.700 like the rock. 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.180 Or it's like, 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.660 you know, 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.720 behavior change is hard. 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.740 And loving is also 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.360 actually hard, 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:13.780 right? 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:15.259 We feel like sometimes 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.860 we're in this comfort zone 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:17.300 and it's, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:17.840 yeah, 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.380 it's just nicer 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:19.640 to stay in this comfort area 00:22:19.640 --> 00:22:20.960 without going out. 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:24.700 We feel like, 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.320 you know, 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.840 when we love other people, 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:27.860 you know, 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.580 you send a text like, 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:28.780 hey, 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.040 you know, 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.620 how's it going? 00:22:30.100 --> 00:22:31.200 Other people don't respond. 00:22:31.320 --> 00:22:31.519 You're like, 00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:31.700 oh, 00:22:31.780 --> 00:22:32.000 okay, 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:32.360 fine. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:33.420 I don't know what's going on. 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.440 But a lot of people 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.100 don't love back 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.600 the same way 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.240 that you might love 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.719 other people, 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.139 right? 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.319 And it feels like, 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.459 oh, 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:38.799 you know what? 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.679 It's just easier 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:40.319 not to like, 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.379 take that extra step 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.139 and like, 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:42.959 ask how they're doing. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.740 And I think opening up 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.399 also means, 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:45.759 you know, 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.539 loving other people 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.399 also means caring. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.439 And that means 00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:50.119 you're also going to 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.000 have a chance 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.759 of being disappointed, 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:52.599 right? 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.539 Whether that's, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:53.740 you know, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.480 CG drama. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:55.899 I remember, 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.480 yeah, 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:56.819 that's, 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.579 I mean, 00:22:57.719 --> 00:22:58.039 ask around, 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.779 this definitely happened. 00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:01.159 People saying hurtful 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.959 things to each other 00:23:01.959 --> 00:23:03.139 in CG are like, 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:03.380 you know, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.180 you speak truth 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.620 and love 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.360 but then people 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:05.740 just like, 00:23:06.060 --> 00:23:07.020 respond like, 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.460 horribly. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.300 And, 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:09.640 yeah, 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.540 loving also just means 00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:10.720 like, 00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:11.280 interruption, 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:11.960 right? 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.520 It's like, 00:23:12.520 --> 00:23:13.580 you have this well-laid 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:14.360 weekend plan 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.900 but suddenly, 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.120 like, 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.920 someone has an issue 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.340 and then, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.600 okay, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.400 you need to cancel 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.920 those plans 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.620 or you need to like, 00:23:19.840 --> 00:23:20.640 spend less time 00:23:20.640 --> 00:23:21.520 going hiking 00:23:21.520 --> 00:23:22.020 and just like, 00:23:22.080 --> 00:23:22.759 spending that time 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.380 with that person 00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.180 because there is like, 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.920 some sort of crisis 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.380 happening. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:27.100 And, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.760 sometimes we have 00:23:27.760 --> 00:23:28.080 this like, 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.960 mental bank account 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.160 in our heads 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.940 where we're like, 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.200 okay, 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.700 we're like, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.780 keeping score a little bit 00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:34.100 of like, 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.820 how we love 00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:35.400 and, 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.600 you know, 00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.020 we always, 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.340 you know, 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.360 whenever we give love, 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:37.560 you know, 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:38.040 we withdraw 00:23:38.040 --> 00:23:39.000 but then we always 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.800 want to receive it back, 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:39.960 right? 00:23:40.020 --> 00:23:40.840 We don't ever want 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.160 to be like, 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.980 completely empty. 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.260 Like, 00:23:42.300 --> 00:23:42.780 we kind of have 00:23:42.780 --> 00:23:43.400 like a love tank 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.060 or a love bank 00:23:44.060 --> 00:23:46.280 and here actually, 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:47.200 Paul reminds us 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.780 of the gospel, 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.380 right? 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.300 Because it's actually 00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:50.780 too hard on our own. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.600 In verse 32, 00:23:52.760 --> 00:23:53.380 he tells us 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:55.100 that even when 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.660 our debt, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.500 our bank account 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:56.940 of God 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.820 was deeply, 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.640 deeply in the negative, 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.160 he forgave us 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.700 and he sacrificed himself 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.520 who, 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.340 he who was 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.520 of immeasurable worth 00:24:05.520 --> 00:24:06.900 so that our bank 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.720 accounts of love 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.380 can also be 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.180 of immeasurable worth, 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:09.620 right? 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.920 And so we can actually 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.800 just keep on giving 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:12.380 this love, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:12.640 right? 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.340 Because we're drawing 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.480 from this huge reservoir 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.580 of love 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.600 that just doesn't run out. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:18.440 And, 00:24:18.560 --> 00:24:18.760 you know, 00:24:18.820 --> 00:24:19.240 sometimes, 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.080 yeah, 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.320 we can love 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:21.960 without being, 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.840 feeling like, 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.080 oh, 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.119 we're going to be hurt 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.819 because, 00:24:25.159 --> 00:24:25.299 you know, 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.899 God calls us 00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:26.619 beloved children 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:28.419 even though 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.240 sometimes we feel like, 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:29.379 oh, 00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.240 this ugly blob, 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.119 this dirty blob 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.119 and, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.359 like, 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.939 actually, 00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:34.919 we can keep on going 00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:36.379 because he loves us 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.279 as this ocean of love 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.819 in Ephesians, 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.000 right, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.879 which is so wide, 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:39.919 so long, 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.079 so high, 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:41.839 and so deep. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.599 This ocean of love 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.179 that just 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:45.740 overcomes 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.699 any suffering 00:24:46.699 --> 00:24:48.059 or any disappointment 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.079 that are just buckets 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.339 compared to this ocean. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:53.399 and even for myself 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:53.899 this week, 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.279 man, 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:54.939 it's been 00:24:54.939 --> 00:24:56.119 a hard week. 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:57.859 I was just, 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.139 no, 00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:58.559 even I was, 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:58.679 like, 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.299 working on a sermon 00:24:59.299 --> 00:24:59.899 on Saturday. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.639 I was like, 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:00.859 okay, 00:25:00.959 --> 00:25:01.359 Saturday, 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:02.179 last week, 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.419 I was like, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.659 okay, 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.459 this is a dedicated time 00:25:04.459 --> 00:25:05.119 for a sermon. 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:05.819 Like, 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.019 okay, 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.459 I'm just going to, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:06.619 like, 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.000 sit here 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.740 and just work on it 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.539 and I get, 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:09.720 like, 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.539 a student 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:10.960 who's, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.160 like, 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.039 I'm in some sort 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.819 of life emergency. 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:13.880 I'm like, 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.200 okay, 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:16.400 should I reach out 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:16.880 to that student? 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.299 I was like, 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.500 okay, 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:17.779 fine, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.420 I'll talk to them. 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.299 I met up with them 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.759 really quickly. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:20.339 What I thought 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.660 might be, 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:20.799 like, 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.660 an hour conversation 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.000 became, 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.120 like, 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.279 a five-hour conversation. 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.059 I was like, 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.220 oh, 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.620 my gosh, 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.160 all right, 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.779 now I'm like, 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.599 or, 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:26.819 like, 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:27.160 you know, 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.980 throughout this week, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.880 I remember just people, 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.079 like, 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.319 constantly dropping the ball 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.819 and I'm like, 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.099 okay, 00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:31.440 I have to, 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:31.579 like, 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.420 pick up their slack 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.339 and then, 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.140 really hard 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.900 to be patient 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.900 with people 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.500 and, 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:41.700 you know, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.240 even me, 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.660 I was, 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:42.779 like, 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.299 super aware 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.920 that my sermon 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.559 was coming up 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:44.799 about, 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.019 okay, 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.660 how we love people 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.279 so I need to be, 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:46.420 like, 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.059 super aware, 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.339 okay, 00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.640 how I need to love people 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.000 well, 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.539 right, 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.559 but, 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:50.720 man, 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.220 let me tell you, 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.839 I struggled, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.099 like, 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.700 big time. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.519 I struggled big time. 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.279 My heart was just, 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:54.420 like, 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.640 bitter at different moments 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.700 and I realized, 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:56.900 like, 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.160 man, 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.039 I needed prayer. 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.039 I was, 00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.180 like, 00:25:59.220 --> 00:25:59.700 constantly praying, 00:25:59.779 --> 00:25:59.859 like, 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.039 God, 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.220 like, 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.440 you know, 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.660 I'm, 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:00.799 like, 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.779 kind of bitter at this moment 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:10.400 even though it was really hard 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.579 that actually, 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.079 you know, 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:12.460 even though, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:12.620 like, 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:12.799 man, 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.579 I have to constantly, 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:13.819 like, 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.059 forgive, 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.740 constantly, 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.120 like, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.339 interrupt myself 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:16.640 and, 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:16.799 like, 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.740 be patient with people, 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.019 like, 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.220 actually seeing that 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.160 how sinful I was, 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.319 you know, 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.880 a reminder of actually 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.779 and how much love 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.940 and how much patience 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.940 God had with me 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:26.700 and how much he forgave me 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:28.940 even when I was a jerk, 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.000 when I was impatient, 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.900 even when I was grumbling 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.299 and, 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:34.039 you know, 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.660 living in love 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.720 in the 21st century 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.259 is really hard, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:36.599 right, 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.299 in the fast-paced Hong Kong, 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.960 where everything is moving 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.599 really quickly 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:43.000 but God's grace is enough. 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.559 God's grace is enough 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:46.099 each day to give us strength, 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.660 renew ourselves every day. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:48.460 So, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:48.700 friends, 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.859 that is why every day 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:51.920 we actually need to renew ourselves 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:53.640 in this abundant love 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.700 that God has for us 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.180 so that we can live out 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.259 as his new creations 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.660 and walking in love 00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.460 as his children. 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.740 Let us pray. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.200 Dear Father, 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:06.140 thank you for this time 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.880 I'm able to, 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.079 yeah, 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:08.079 just read the word 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.039 and talk about 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:10.199 just how you've been working 00:27:10.199 --> 00:27:10.759 in our lives, 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.000 Lord. 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.720 And Father, 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.839 I just pray that every day 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.879 we see just how desperate 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.899 we are for your love 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.779 because this world, 00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:17.039 man, 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:18.379 just takes our attention away 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:19.779 and it's so easy 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.519 to be impatient, 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:21.859 so easy to be unloving, 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.500 so easy to be in a hurry 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.039 and so easy to, 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.319 yeah, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:25.879 withdraw, 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.240 Lord. 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.759 But Father, 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:28.139 we know that your grace 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:29.220 and your love 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.059 is so wide, 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.699 so big. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.399 It's like an ocean of love 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:34.059 that we can just drown in, 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.220 Lord, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.740 and everything 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.799 that, 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.799 yeah, 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.380 comes our way, 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.620 Lord, 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:39.599 it just pales in comparison. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.460 And Father, 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.460 I just pray that every day. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.019 We're reminded 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.240 that we need to 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.220 make that effort, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:44.500 Lord. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.180 You know, 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.220 our faith isn't earned, 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:48.000 but we do require effort. 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.480 And Father, 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.120 I just pray that, 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.279 yeah, 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.180 we just work that, 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.960 work out our faith 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.039 and figure out what this means 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.900 to live out being a Christian 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:55.039 in the 21st century, 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.299 Lord. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.359 Let's pray that, 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.539 yeah, 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.819 as we come out this week 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:59.339 that we're just continually renewed 00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:01.279 and that whatever comes up at work 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.299 or in our CG, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.559 Lord, 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.659 that we are just renewed 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.379 in your love, 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.480 renewed in your, 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.539 a new identity 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.959 that we can live out 00:28:07.959 --> 00:28:08.980 in ways that continue 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.519 to love you 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.559 and model after you, 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:10.980 Jesus. 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:13.039 I pray that in Jesus' name, 00:28:13.199 --> 00:28:13.379 amen.