WEBVTT

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 Father God, we thank you for the chance to gather tonight.

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 We thank you for your word.

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 We thank you that you're a God who wants us to know you.

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 You're a God who reveals himself to us through your word and through your people.

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 And God, we pray that tonight you might give us a real clear and fresh vision of you

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 so that we might live lives of adoration and action that are fitting

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 so that we might worship in a way that reflects your glory and your majesty.

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 Amen.

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 I remember when I was growing up, there was a girl that I went to school with

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 that I used to have arguments with.

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 I went to a Christian school, but it was mainly a Christian school in name.

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 Not many of my friends were Christians.

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 And even of those who said they were Christian, probably even fewer,

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 actually followed Jesus in any active way.

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 But this girl stuck out in particular.

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 I remember we were planning an event.

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 A whole bunch of people in our year group were planning a party.

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 We'd managed to find a location for this party.

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 We sorted out entertainment, food.

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 It was going to be great.

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 It was exciting.

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 We were looking forward to it.

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 It was planned for a Friday night.

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 And this one girl insisted that she would not come.

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 It's not that she didn't like the people who were going.

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 It's not that she wasn't on board with what we were going to be doing.

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 The thing was, she went to a church, a Seventh-day Adventist church,

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 and she believed that worshipping God was particularly important on one day of the week.

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 From sunset on a Friday to sunset on a Saturday, basically,

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 they did nothing that would be constituted as work or any kind of distraction from God.

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 And I remember in all of my youthful enthusiasm and probably in a slightly unloving way,

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 correcting her and explaining how ridiculous it was that she would do that

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 and that she would miss out on something fun

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 and that she would think that God would care what she did for a couple of hours on the Friday night

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 or, you know, that she could not worship God while she was there.

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 In hindsight, I respect her quite a bit for her discipline.

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 But at the time, what it did was make me ask the question a little bit,

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 not publicly because I was too proud for that,

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 but at least privately ask the question,

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 when am I supposed to worship?

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 Because my experience was I do it on Sundays.

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 I go to church on Sundays.

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 That's when we do the Jesus stuff,

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 usually on a Sunday afternoon because that's when it's more fun and exciting.

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 But that was just my experience of it.

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 And I was trying to figure out, well, she thinks it has to be on Friday night through Saturday,

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 and I think it happens on Sunday.

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 So who is right?

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 A few years later, in fact, not that long ago,

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 I was in hospital one Christmas for several weeks,

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 and I remember wandering out the front door for some fresh air,

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 just for a bit of a break,

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 and a lady was sitting there.

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 She'd been visiting someone else, and we just struck up a conversation.

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 Over time, we worked out that we both were followers of Jesus,

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 and we were talking about what we believed in,

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 and it came up talking about worship,

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 talking about when we worship.

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 And I talked about how I was part of a church,

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 and I was training for ministry,

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 and, you know, I loved Sundays.

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 It was great to go to church and have services and be with God's people.

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 And she slightly condescendingly smiled at me

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 and explained how real worship needed to happen at the beginning of each day.

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 And she explained the community that she was a part of

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 and how they got up at 6 a.m. every day to do their worship

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 and how that was the real worship that God wanted from his people.

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 And I, again, full of love and grace, gently corrected her

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 and from all of my wisdom and training explained how wrong she was.

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 But again, it left me just asking the question,

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 why do I do it on Sundays?

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 Why is that the immovable object in my week?

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 Why is that the time that I gather for worship?

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 Because there are a lot of different people

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 who think a lot of different things

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 about what right and true worship looks like.

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 We're spending four weeks talking about it.

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 So that says there's at least some confusion.

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 And in the passage that we come to in John 4 tonight,

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 we find a woman who we know believes in God.

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 We know has at least some desire to follow him.

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 She's expecting the Messiah to come,

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 so she knows a little bit about what God is about.

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 And so when she meets Jesus,

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 when she discovers that he is some sort of prophet,

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 she wants to ask him the question.

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 I'm a Samaritan, she says,

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 and so I think worship happens this way in this place at this time.

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 You're a Jew, and so you think it happens this way

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 in this place at this time.

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 Who's right?

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 What is proper worship supposed to look like?

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 And listen to Jesus' response.

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 This is really profound in chapter 4, verse 21.

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 Woman, Jesus replied,

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 God is spirit,

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 and his worshippers must worship in the spirit and in truth.

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 The answer God gives is,

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 sorry, the answer Jesus gives is classic Jesus.

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 He doesn't answer the direct question about which is the right mountain.

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 He takes her to where we were last week.

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 He says it's not about where you worship.

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 It's not about when you worship.

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 It's not about this mountain or that mountain.

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 It's not about what time of day,

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 what time of week,

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 or even how long.

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 It's about who you worship.

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 The thing that dictates what true worship looks like,

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 this is what we spent time on last week,

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 is who it is that you're worshipping.

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 They will tell you where it's supposed to be

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 and what it's supposed to look like.

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 In fact, Jesus tells us in this little few verses

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 that even the Jews,

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 who were God's chosen people,

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 who had God's law,

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 who were expecting God's Messiah,

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 don't have the full picture of God

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 and don't have the full picture of what worship is going to be

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 and the better worship that God wants.

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 Jesus says here,

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 God is spirit.

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 God can't be contained in one location.

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 He can't be contained in a particular time of day.

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 You can't program God.

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 God doesn't answer to your run sheet.

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 God doesn't show up when we think he should.

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 He doesn't fit our schedule

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 or our ritual or anything else.

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 We don't even have the ability

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 to draw ourself into God's presence.

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 So even if you found the apparent right place,

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 that doesn't mean you could just wander up and worship.

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 God is spirit.

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 He is present not in a time or a place,

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 but at all times and in all places.

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 God is bigger than any one location.

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 He's here as we gather now.

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 He's with you as you get in your car

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 and drive home after this.

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 He's going to be there while you fall asleep tonight.

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 He's going to be there when you're eating your breakfast,

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 when you're alone,

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 when you're working,

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 when you're at school.

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 He is always there,

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 always present

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 and always worthy of worship.

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 See, the problem with this woman's question

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 and the problem sometimes for us

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 when we ask the question of when do we worship

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 or where do we worship

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 or what should it look like is

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 that we are misunderstanding the God

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 that we are actually trying to worship.

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 We're trying to contain him into a block of time

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 or a type of service or a ritual

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 and when we do that,

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 we misunderstand two really important things

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 about who God is.

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 First of all,

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 it's like we're saying he's only there sometimes.

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 It's like we're saying God is kind of distant from us

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 and we've got to go meet him at his house

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 if we're going to relate to him

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 because that's what worship is.

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 It's relating and interacting with God

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 and if we say we worship

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 at a particular time or in a particular place,

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 what we're saying is

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 God is only in that particular time

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 or particular place

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 but God has made it clear that he's not distant.

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 The whole point of Jesus is God saying

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 I want to draw near to you.

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 It's God showing up to say

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 I want to relate to you.

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 I want to be present

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 and now by his spirit,

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 he dwells within us.

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 So he is always there.

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 You don't have to go to God's house

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 to relate to him

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 because you are God's house.

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 You don't have to go to a building

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 or a time of day.

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 God is everywhere

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 in every moment of every day.

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 But the second

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 and maybe the more dangerous misunderstanding

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 if you try and limit worship down

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 to a specific time or place

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 is that what you're saying is

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 he's only worthy of those times

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 and those places.

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 Remember, worship is really about

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 the one who's being worshipped

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 and if it's only about

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 an hour or two in the week

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 or 15 minutes at the start of a day,

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 if that's enough for God,

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 what does that say

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 about the majesty

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 and glory

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 and power

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 of the God

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 that you worship?

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 He doesn't seem

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 very impressive

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 if he just needs

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 an hour in your week

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 and the rest is up to you.

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 Worship is a response

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 to God

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 who has revealed himself

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 in Jesus.

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 He's revealed himself

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 as all-sufficient,

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 all-satisfying,

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 all-powerful,

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 creator and sustainer,

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 and he's worthy

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 of more

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 than we could possibly

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 give him.

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 So to think that worship

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 would in any way

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 be less

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 than every minute

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 of every day

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 in every task

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 that we do

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 is to misunderstand

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 the God

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 who we come to worship.

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 He is worthy

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 of unceasing,

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 exuberant,

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 extravagant,

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 enthusiastic worship

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 all the time.

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 I don't know

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 if any of you

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 have had the misfortune

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 of being in a long-distance

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 relationship.

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 I understand

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 it's essential

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 for some people

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 but reality is

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 it's not the best-case scenario

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 if you're going to

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 have a relationship.

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 You know,

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 you see them

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 once every so often

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 and there's so much

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 pressure in that time

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 when you actually

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 get to see them.

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 For three weeks

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 the best you've had

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 is phone calls

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 or if you're a little bit older

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 letter writing

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 or emails

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 or whatever it is

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 and so you finally

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 get to see them

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 for that few hours

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 or that weekend

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 and your whole relationship

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 has to exist

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 in that couple of hours.

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 All the affection,

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 all the joy,

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 all the care,

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 everything that you

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 were trying to get

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 out of that relationship

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 has to be given to you

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 in that small window

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 and what happens is

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 you get disappointed

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 because you can't squeeze

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 three weeks of love

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 and care and affection

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 into a couple of hours.

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 That's not how it works.

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 When we restrict worship

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 to an hour a week

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 or a part of our day

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 or a particular location

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 we treat God

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 like we're in

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 a long distance relationship.

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 We treat him

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 like he's not around

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 the rest of the time

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 and we wonder why

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 we're not as satisfied.

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 We wonder why

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 we're not as in awe.

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 We're not as in love.

00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:21.179
 And it's because

00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:21.879
 what we've done

00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:23.299
 is we make this

00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:25.039
 Sunday gathering

00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.899
 our worship

00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:27.319
 and we expect it

00:11:27.319 --> 00:11:28.099
 to be enough

00:11:28.099 --> 00:11:29.620
 to give us all the joy

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.779
 and all the strength

00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.000
 and all the encouragement

00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:33.259
 and all the satisfaction

00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:34.480
 that God promises.

00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.799
 That's not the point

00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:38.879
 of this gathering

00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:42.379
 because God is always there.

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.899
 God is always good.

00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:45.319
 God is always worthy

00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:46.500
 and he doesn't want

00:11:46.500 --> 00:11:47.779
 a long distance

00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.959
 relationship with you.

00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:51.219
 He wants to be present

00:11:51.219 --> 00:11:51.980
 in your life

00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.899
 all the time

00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:54.360
 and he is present

00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.039
 in your life

00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.679
 all the time.

00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:57.720
 Last week I mentioned

00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:59.059
 that church can often feel

00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:00.419
 like a shot in the arm

00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:01.439
 to get you through the week.

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.120
 It can encourage you.

00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.100
 It can strengthen you.

00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.100
 It can keep you going.

00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.620
 Sometimes you can map out

00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.819
 your emotion through the week

00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:09.500
 from church to church.

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.980
 But it's not the whole truth.

00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:16.399
 See, the quality

00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.699
 of our experience

00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.519
 as we gather

00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:19.980
 to worship God here

00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:22.860
 needs to be

00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.700
 and is

00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:25.080
 the overflow

00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:26.500
 of the worship

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.379
 and the relationship

00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.539
 that we have with God

00:12:28.539 --> 00:12:29.860
 the rest of the time.

00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.379
 You can't just

00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.399
 turn it on here

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.639
 and expect it to be

00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.100
 intimate

00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.860
 and on fire

00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.659
 and enthusiastic

00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:37.360
 and joyful

00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.720
 and a blessing

00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:40.820
 if you just ignore God

00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.420
 or treat him

00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:42.180
 like he's not there

00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:43.100
 the rest of the time.

00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:45.860
 You can't turn on

00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.440
 a relationship

00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.539
 and then turn it off.

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:49.399
 That's why long distance

00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.699
 relationships are difficult.

00:12:56.959 --> 00:12:58.059
 Coming to church

00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.539
 and gathering

00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.319
 as God's people

00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:00.319
 can be a shot

00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:01.099
 in the arm

00:13:01.099 --> 00:13:03.279
 but really

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.039
 it needs to be

00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.659
 an overflow

00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:06.219
 of a whole life

00:13:06.219 --> 00:13:06.980
 where you're already

00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:07.980
 living dependent

00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.559
 on Jesus

00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.419
 where you're already

00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:11.459
 getting to know him

00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:12.139
 in his word

00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.039
 where you're already

00:13:13.039 --> 00:13:14.360
 trusting in the forgiveness

00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.339
 that he offers you

00:13:15.339 --> 00:13:16.159
 where you're already

00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.319
 confessing your sin

00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:18.219
 and asking him

00:13:18.219 --> 00:13:19.279
 to change your heart.

00:13:20.719 --> 00:13:21.639
 If you're just

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.719
 doing it once a week

00:13:22.719 --> 00:13:23.639
 you're putting a pressure

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.579
 on this hour

00:13:24.579 --> 00:13:25.639
 this hour and 10 minutes

00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.740
 this hour and 15 minutes

00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:28.339
 that it can't hold

00:13:28.339 --> 00:13:30.159
 and at best

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.919
 your relationship

00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.779
 will be difficult

00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:33.199
 at worst

00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:33.939
 it won't work.

00:13:36.179 --> 00:13:37.000
 Romans 12

00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.659
 says to us

00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.879
 therefore I urge you

00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.799
 brothers and sisters

00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:41.379
 in view of God's mercy

00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.379
 to offer your bodies

00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.899
 as a living sacrifice

00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:45.719
 holy and pleasing to God

00:13:45.719 --> 00:13:47.500
 this is your true

00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.559
 and proper worship

00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:50.539
 in light of who God

00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.399
 has shown himself

00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:51.939
 to be

00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:53.100
 in giving his son

00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.679
 so that we might know him

00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.639
 a living sacrifice

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.000
 is what true worship

00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.719
 looks like.

00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.100
 Now

00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.740
 by definition

00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.240
 sacrifice

00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:05.240
 is complete.

00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.500
 You can't sacrifice

00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.680
 some of yourself

00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.680
 all the time

00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:12.200
 or all of yourself

00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.139
 some of the time

00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.279
 sacrifice

00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.840
 is all of yourself

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.039
 all of the time.

00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.200
 The only

00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:19.279
 right response

00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.399
 the only satisfactory

00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:20.980
 response

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.580
 to what God

00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.320
 has done for us

00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:22.899
 in Jesus

00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.680
 is a life lived

00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.659
 in faith

00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.519
 every day

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:28.100
 not for an hour a week.

00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:30.039
 It's a life lived

00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:30.620
 in obedience

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.340
 and affection

00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.019
 and commitment

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.799
 every day

00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:33.319
 not just

00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:34.179
 for an hour

00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:34.899
 or a day

00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.599
 or a morning

00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:36.519
 or whatever it is

00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.740
 you can't

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.279
 sacrifice

00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:38.899
 some.

00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.079
 The life

00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:41.740
 that is lived

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.399
 in faith

00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:42.919
 the life

00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.500
 that is a living

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:44.079
 sacrifice

00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:45.519
 is completely

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.539
 devoted to God

00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.139
 in any

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.659
 and every

00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.299
 circumstance

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.419
 and the key

00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:50.319
 in that Romans 12

00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:50.919
 verse is

00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:52.019
 it's in response

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.539
 to what God

00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.159
 has done for us

00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:53.620
 in Jesus.

00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.419
 Therefore

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.299
 in view

00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:57.359
 of God's mercy

00:14:57.359 --> 00:14:59.299
 because he has

00:14:59.299 --> 00:14:59.740
 called you

00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.459
 into a relationship

00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:01.080
 with himself

00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.980
 he invites you

00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.780
 to trust him

00:15:02.780 --> 00:15:03.980
 and lean on him

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:05.000
 and be satisfied

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.519
 in him

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.340
 in every minute

00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.100
 of every day.

00:15:08.440 --> 00:15:09.700
 God is spirit

00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:11.900
 and so the appropriate

00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:12.800
 worship of him

00:15:12.800 --> 00:15:14.360
 the worship he desires

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.320
 is worship

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.180
 that's in spirit

00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:16.940
 and in truth.

00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.040
 It's the gospel

00:15:18.040 --> 00:15:18.660
 shaped worship

00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:19.200
 that we talked

00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:20.019
 about last week

00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.879
 worship where we

00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:22.060
 are inadequate

00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:23.100
 within ourselves

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.019
 but confident

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:24.660
 because of what

00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:25.340
 God has done

00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:25.940
 in Jesus.

00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.160
 The way that

00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:29.580
 the Trinity works

00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.340
 in our relationship

00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:30.900
 with God

00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:32.040
 is we want

00:15:32.040 --> 00:15:32.660
 a relationship

00:15:32.660 --> 00:15:33.139
 with God

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.620
 the Father.

00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.200
 Jesus does

00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.700
 what needs

00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.180
 to be done

00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.740
 to make that

00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.220
 possible

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:38.340
 and the Spirit

00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.200
 connects us.

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.460
 So we call

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.220
 God our Father

00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.180
 through the Son

00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.180
 and by the Spirit.

00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.460
 Stick with me.

00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.480
 So what we mean

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.240
 when we pray

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.520
 we pray to the Father

00:15:47.520 --> 00:15:48.620
 in the power

00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.200
 of what Jesus

00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.800
 has done

00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:50.980
 by the Spirit.

00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.460
 What that means

00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.180
 for our worship

00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.540
 is we worship

00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.400
 in what Jesus

00:15:55.400 --> 00:15:55.940
 has done.

00:15:56.060 --> 00:15:56.840
 This is last week.

00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:58.100
 Jesus is our worship.

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:58.920
 He's the perfectly

00:15:58.920 --> 00:15:59.600
 obedient one.

00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.120
 He's the one

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.860
 who trusts

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.399
 and honors

00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.920
 His Father

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.860
 at all times

00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.180
 and so our worship

00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.600
 is in the Son

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.680
 and by the Spirit.

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.960
 What that means

00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:10.800
 is because the Spirit

00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.100
 is present in your life

00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.680
 always,

00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.120
 because the New Testament

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.080
 says that when you

00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.759
 trust Jesus

00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.340
 God places His Spirit

00:16:17.340 --> 00:16:17.899
 in you,

00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.279
 God is always there

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.580
 and always worthy

00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.100
 of worship

00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:24.060
 and by His Spirit

00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:24.940
 you are always

00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.580
 empowered to worship.

00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:26.720
 worship.

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.020
 You always have

00:16:29.020 --> 00:16:29.700
 what you need

00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.180
 to worship.

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.440
 You don't need

00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:31.900
 a building,

00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.420
 you don't need

00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.440
 a particular song,

00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:33.920
 you don't need

00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.860
 a particular group

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.420
 of people.

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.440
 All you need

00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.080
 is the Spirit

00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.600
 of God

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.580
 and what Jesus

00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.540
 has done for you

00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.500
 and you have

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.180
 those things

00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.340
 in every minute

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.340
 of every day.

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.360
 In 1 Corinthians 10

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.100
 Paul says,

00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.139
 this is his summary

00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.660
 statement,

00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:49.400
 whether you eat

00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:49.860
 or drink,

00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.620
 whatever you do,

00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.379
 do it all

00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.020
 for the glory

00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:52.560
 of God.

00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.480
 It's not about

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:53.940
 tasks,

00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:54.540
 it's not about

00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:54.980
 routines,

00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.539
 it's not about

00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.300
 some bits being

00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:56.940
 holy and other

00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.779
 bits being normal,

00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.340
 whatever you do.

00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.700
 It's all for

00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:02.460
 the glory of God,

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.600
 it's all an opportunity

00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.680
 to worship God,

00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:06.079
 it's all an opportunity

00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.059
 to depend on Him

00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.799
 and trust what He

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.599
 has done for you.

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.140
 The answer to the

00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:11.099
 when and where

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.140
 question for worship

00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:14.059
 is all the time

00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.079
 and everywhere.

00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:17.059
 There is no distinction.

00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:18.960
 But,

00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.339
 that does mean

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.400
 that we have to ask

00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.160
 perhaps the more

00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.060
 difficult question,

00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.640
 why do we do

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.360
 this then?

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.720
 If we can worship

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.500
 God whenever,

00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.200
 wherever,

00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.700
 without any of this,

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.779
 why do we bother

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.680
 gathering together?

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:36.019
 What's the point

00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.100
 of us taking an hour

00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.140
 or an hour and 15

00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:38.960
 on a bad week

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.100
 or a good week

00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.680
 depending on how

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.240
 you take it?

00:17:41.820 --> 00:17:42.660
 What's the point

00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.400
 of us doing that

00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:44.000
 each Sunday

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.019
 if we can just do it

00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.560
 all the time

00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.040
 and everywhere?

00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.259
 If I can worship

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.000
 God in the car

00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.640
 on the way home,

00:17:50.120 --> 00:17:50.759
 it's probably much

00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.300
 quicker for me

00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:52.120
 to just sit in my car

00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:52.640
 in the driveway.

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:56.640
 Why gather

00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:57.740
 for corporate worship?

00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.300
 Well,

00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.340
 as a starting point,

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.800
 God commands us to.

00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.320
 Hebrews 10

00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:04.620
 is going to be

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.120
 on the screen.

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.120
 Therefore,

00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.080
 brothers and sisters,

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.100
 since we have

00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:10.259
 confidence to enter

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.500
 the most holy place

00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.560
 by the blood of Jesus,

00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.560
 by a new and living way

00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:15.620
 opened for us

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.420
 through the curtain

00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.519
 that is his body,

00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:18.640
 and since we have

00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.820
 a great priest

00:18:19.820 --> 00:18:21.060
 over the house of God,

00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:22.779
 let us draw near to God

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.039
 with a sincere heart

00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.539
 and with the full assurance

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.680
 that faith brings,

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.519
 having our hearts sprinkled

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.359
 to cleanse us

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.440
 from a guilty conscience

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.740
 and having our bodies

00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:33.139
 washed with pure water.

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.399
 Let us hold unswervingly

00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:36.680
 to the hope we profess

00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:38.139
 for he who promised

00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:39.259
 is faithful.

00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:41.859
 So, so far,

00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.160
 the writer is saying,

00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.559
 because of what God

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.799
 has done in Jesus,

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.259
 let us draw near to God.

00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.799
 Let us worship him.

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:51.059
 We have access to him

00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.720
 because of God.

00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.980
 But then listen to what he says

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.299
 in the same breath,

00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.359
 in the same thought.

00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.019
 Verse 24,

00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.619
 let us consider

00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.259
 how we may spur one another

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.200
 on toward love

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.960
 and good deeds,

00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:04.000
 not giving up meeting together

00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.099
 as some are in the habit

00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:05.559
 of doing,

00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:07.599
 but encouraging one another

00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.539
 and all the more

00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.920
 as you see the day approaching.

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:12.279
 So, in the same breath

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:13.259
 as encouraging you

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.440
 to hold on to the hope

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.539
 that you have in Jesus,

00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.299
 in the same breath

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.420
 as saying hold on

00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:20.180
 to your heavenly desire

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.160
 and ambition

00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.960
 and anticipation,

00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.379
 he says don't give up

00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.139
 meeting together

00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:26.200
 as some are in the habit

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.640
 of doing.

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.240
 If you hear the message

00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.840
 of scripture

00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:31.840
 that worship is everything,

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.039
 that worship is full time,

00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.940
 that it's all of life

00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:35.940
 as a reason not to gather

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.220
 for worship like this,

00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:39.940
 then you've misunderstood

00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.160
 what we do

00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.019
 when we get together.

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.120
 You've misunderstood

00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.420
 that there is something

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.840
 unique and special.

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.620
 The church exists

00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:52.039
 to build one another up

00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.420
 and to glorify God,

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:55.259
 to mature one another

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.559
 and the church is,

00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.379
 by definition,

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.359
 a gathering.

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.000
 Ultimately,

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.079
 we are gathered

00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.339
 to the Father in heaven

00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.700
 through what Jesus has done

00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:06.099
 and it's a heavenly gathering,

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:08.240
 but it gets expressed

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.720
 when we do this.

00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.680
 This is a glimpse

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.980
 of what God has achieved

00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.619
 in eternity.

00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.980
 One day we will see it

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.579
 in its full magnitude

00:20:16.579 --> 00:20:18.339
 with those who have trusted Jesus

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.259
 from every tribe,

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.119
 nation and tongue

00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:21.220
 and generation,

00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:24.920
 but this is the church

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.980
 because the church gathers.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.920
 And so a Christian

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.940
 who by choice

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.259
 cuts themselves off

00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.920
 from the gathering

00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.799
 of God's people,

00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:36.960
 cuts themselves off

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:38.140
 from the source

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.079
 of growth and maturity.

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:43.120
 A Christian who chooses

00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.039
 not to gather

00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.839
 because they think

00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.380
 I can worship by myself,

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.360
 misses out on what God

00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.039
 has given them

00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.660
 to grow them

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.420
 and mature them

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.540
 and is ultimately

00:20:51.540 --> 00:20:54.220
 a malnourished Christian.

00:20:58.300 --> 00:21:00.259
 Our future eternal existence

00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.160
 is a gathering.

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.940
 It probably won't look

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.100
 a whole lot like this.

00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:06.060
 There might be little bits

00:21:06.060 --> 00:21:06.680
 that are familiar,

00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:09.240
 but it will be with God

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.700
 together.

00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.980
 If you've got a picture

00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.420
 of heaven

00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.540
 that is just you and God

00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:15.700
 hanging out one on one,

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.700
 I want you to know

00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.560
 that God has something

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.639
 better in store for you

00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.039
 than that.

00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.039
 God is going to bless you

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.960
 by surrounding you

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.619
 with a multitude

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.700
 of other people

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:27.039
 who he has loved

00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.240
 and purchased

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.399
 by the blood of Jesus.

00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.879
 And he's going to use them

00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.740
 for all eternity

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:34.619
 to reveal himself to you.

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.859
 We gather

00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.299
 because God commands us to,

00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.599
 because it feeds us.

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.659
 We gather

00:21:41.659 --> 00:21:42.579
 because that's what

00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.799
 forgiven people do,

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.779
 because it spurs us on.

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:48.619
 But one last one

00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:48.960
 that I think

00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.639
 is really important.

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.599
 We gather

00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.720
 because when we do,

00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:56.379
 we get to experience

00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:57.399
 God's presence

00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:59.460
 in a unique way.

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:02.099
 When we gather

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:03.500
 as God's people

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.460
 around his word,

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.119
 we get to experience

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.079
 God's presence

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.980
 in a unique way.

00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.440
 Now, we need to be careful

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.759
 how we articulate this,

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.920
 because we've already said

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.059
 that God is everywhere,

00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.299
 that God is present

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.000
 all the time,

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.619
 in every minute

00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:16.240
 of every day.

00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.639
 And so,

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.899
 we can't say

00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.279
 that he's more present,

00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.599
 because that wouldn't

00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:21.240
 make sense.

00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:24.180
 But there is

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.200
 something unique

00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.139
 in the New Testament

00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:27.359
 about what happens

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.079
 when God's people

00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.639
 get together.

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:30.480
 Let's look at a few passages

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.480
 on the screen quickly.

00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.659
 Matthew 18, verse 20,

00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:35.059
 where two or three

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.180
 gather in my name,

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.539
 there am I with them.

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.240
 This is a passage

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.039
 about prayer,

00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.440
 where people are agreeing

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.960
 in something,

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.919
 and Jesus says,

00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.740
 when that happens,

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.039
 there am I with them.

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.920
 When they gather

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:45.619
 in my name

00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.299
 for my purposes,

00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.619
 there am I with them.

00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.740
 1 Corinthians 5, verse 4,

00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.079
 when you are assembled

00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.899
 and I am with you

00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:52.420
 in spirit,

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.079
 and the power

00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:53.940
 of our Lord Jesus

00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.839
 is present.

00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.940
 This passage

00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:56.859
 is talking about

00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.379
 dealing with sexual immorality

00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.240
 amongst the body

00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.779
 of believers.

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.359
 It's a totally different

00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.680
 passage to the Matthew one,

00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.559
 but again,

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.680
 when they're assembled,

00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.980
 the power

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.879
 of the Lord Jesus

00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:07.480
 is present.

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.779
 Now, in both

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.680
 of those verses,

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.980
 surely it's redundant

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.079
 to say that Jesus

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.819
 is present

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:15.319
 when we've already

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.380
 heard it over and over

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:17.360
 throughout the New Testament

00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:18.599
 that when we put

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.680
 our trust in Jesus,

00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.380
 his spirit dwells in us

00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.380
 and is therefore present.

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.839
 Why mention it again

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.720
 unless there is

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.700
 something unique

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.599
 about the presence

00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.440
 that is being talked

00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.319
 about in these passages?

00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.180
 Many times

00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.680
 when we open

00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.319
 the New Testament

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.000
 and we hear that

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.519
 the spirit dwells in you,

00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.339
 what it means is

00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.279
 the spirit dwells

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:40.180
 in you's collective.

00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.639
 It's not to take away

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.180
 from the fact

00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.019
 that the New Testament

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.960
 says that the spirit

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.059
 dwells in you individually

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.019
 when you put your trust

00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.500
 in Jesus,

00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.839
 but over and over

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.559
 the New Testament

00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.859
 says that there is

00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.879
 something unique

00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.279
 about the communal

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.740
 presence of God.

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.299
 For the past,

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.799
 I can't even think

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.440
 how many years

00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.619
 I've been playing AFL

00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.399
 as part of a team.

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.279
 I've played in a few

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.920
 different teams

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.859
 and with varied degrees

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.539
 of success,

00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.099
 but each year

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.859
 from the point

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.819
 where I sign up

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.519
 on my form

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.199
 and I hand over

00:24:09.199 --> 00:24:09.639
 my money

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.839
 and I pay my registration

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.759
 and I get my uniform,

00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:13.459
 that's when I'm part

00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:13.939
 of the team.

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.319
 I become a member

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.879
 of the team

00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:16.519
 at that point.

00:24:18.199 --> 00:24:18.899
 But the time

00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.219
 when I'm most aware

00:24:20.219 --> 00:24:21.759
 of my role

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.459
 or my status

00:24:22.459 --> 00:24:23.419
 as a team member

00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.319
 is when I have

00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.359
 my uniform on

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.279
 and I'm gathered

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.139
 with the other members

00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.759
 of my team

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.359
 in preparation

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.519
 for playing a game.

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.899
 It's not that I'm

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.959
 less a team member

00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:32.779
 when I'm at home

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.659
 or at work

00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.500
 or watching TV

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.379
 or trying to recover

00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.099
 from the pain

00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.079
 that football causes.

00:24:38.439 --> 00:24:39.240
 My status

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.119
 doesn't change

00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.179
 but when I gather

00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:42.039
 with those people

00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.819
 my awareness

00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:43.759
 of my status

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.599
 as a team member

00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.199
 is heightened.

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.039
 In the same way

00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.759
 I am in Christ

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.059
 when I ask

00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.619
 for forgiveness

00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.579
 and I trust Jesus.

00:24:53.959 --> 00:24:54.859
 When I become

00:24:54.859 --> 00:24:55.639
 a Christian

00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:57.339
 Jesus places

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.079
 his spirit

00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.619
 in me.

00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:01.219
 But when I gather

00:25:01.219 --> 00:25:02.500
 with God's people

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:04.440
 my awareness

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.900
 of Jesus

00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:07.000
 my affection

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.160
 for Jesus

00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:09.880
 my desire

00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.839
 for his purpose

00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.640
 and his kingdom

00:25:11.640 --> 00:25:12.339
 is heightened

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:14.359
 because I'm surrounded

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:14.940
 by a group

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.420
 of people

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.099
 that share

00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.220
 that same experience

00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.339
 and that same status.

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.700
 Because remember

00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.640
 worship is

00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.740
 relational.

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.160
 Worship is about

00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.980
 relating to

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.500
 and loving

00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:27.119
 and adoring

00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:28.140
 our Heavenly Father

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.220
 and when we gather

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.200
 with God's people

00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:32.400
 we get to see God

00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.759
 through what he is doing

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.000
 in the people around us.

00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:37.160
 We get to see God

00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:37.740
 fresh.

00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.080
 We get a clearer vision

00:25:39.080 --> 00:25:40.019
 a fresh revelation

00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.539
 of him

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.140
 when we see

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.539
 a brother or sister

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.559
 satisfied

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.460
 and joyful

00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.120
 in God.

00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.140
 We get to see God

00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:47.680
 more clearly

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.519
 when we see a brother

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.019
 or sister

00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.039
 persevering

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.799
 in difficulty.

00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.700
 We get to see God

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.580
 as they sing

00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.819
 and celebrate

00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.580
 God's goodness.

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.759
 Corporate worship

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:59.379
 is a chance

00:25:59.379 --> 00:25:59.819
 for you

00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.720
 to encounter

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.819
 God

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.920
 fresh.

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.720
 Our time

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.140
 together

00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.619
 tonight

00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:09.259
 is a chance

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.539
 for you

00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.240
 to encounter

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.779
 God

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.619
 fresh.

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.359
 I wonder

00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.160
 if you arrive

00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.660
 tonight

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.039
 expecting God

00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.519
 to reveal himself

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.359
 expecting him

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.180
 to be present

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:24.680
 because he's here

00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.880
 in a unique way

00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:28.779
 because we are here

00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:30.039
 under his name

00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:31.019
 and around his word.

00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.860
 He wants

00:26:32.860 --> 00:26:33.740
 to show himself

00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.400
 to us

00:26:34.400 --> 00:26:34.799
 tonight

00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.980
 so that we might

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.980
 be more satisfied

00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.539
 in him

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.360
 so that we might

00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.000
 be strengthened

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:40.220
 to keep obeying him

00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.500
 so that we might

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.019
 love him

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.880
 as he deserves

00:26:42.880 --> 00:26:44.200
 so that we might

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.820
 trust him

00:26:44.820 --> 00:26:45.420
 more fully.

00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.920
 Did you come here

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.720
 to encounter

00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.900
 the living

00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.120
 saviour Jesus

00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:52.059
 or did you come

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.680
 for a sermon

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:53.220
 that wouldn't go

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.700
 too long

00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.279
 and might be

00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.640
 interesting

00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.839
 or did you

00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.539
 come for the music

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:59.400
 or did you

00:26:59.400 --> 00:26:59.819
 come for the

00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.600
 dinner afterwards

00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:02.039
 which we're not

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.420
 providing

00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.100
 just to clarify

00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:06.559
 what were you

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.980
 expecting

00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.539
 when you came

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:10.079
 God reveals

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.640
 himself

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.740
 in his

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.539
 gathered people

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.600
 for our sake

00:27:14.600 --> 00:27:16.019
 and for those

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.940
 who don't know

00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:17.579
 Jesus yet

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.179
 1 Corinthians 14

00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:19.980
 is a passage

00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.099
 that's correcting

00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.639
 a church

00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.519
 for some mistakes

00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.179
 that they're making

00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:23.879
 in their gathering

00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.899
 but it talks

00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.740
 about an unbeliever

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.259
 that wanders

00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.960
 into the church

00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.299
 meeting

00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.339
 and sees the church

00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.240
 being the church

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:30.099
 doing their thing

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.500
 singing

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.099
 praising

00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.539
 giving

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.699
 all those things

00:27:32.699 --> 00:27:34.279
 and they fall

00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.960
 down on their knees

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.599
 and respond

00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.480
 with surely

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.779
 God is among you

00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:40.480
 that's the response

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.460
 of an unbeliever

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.119
 who comes in

00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.179
 and sees the gathered

00:27:43.179 --> 00:27:44.039
 people of God

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.519
 together

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:46.619
 the presence

00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:47.259
 of God

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.220
 among his people

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.039
 is a gift

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.180
 to us

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:52.579
 it's a gift

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.460
 and an opportunity

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.599
 for us to see

00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.319
 and be fed

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.180
 and encouraged

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.339
 and have a fuller

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:57.879
 revelation

00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.920
 of who God is

00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:00.420
 every time

00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.379
 we gather like this

00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:01.960
 is a chance

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.480
 for somebody

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.240
 who doesn't know

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.579
 Jesus

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:04.619
 to walk into

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.019
 the room

00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:05.819
 and encounter

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.740
 God

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:10.460
 sometimes we

00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:11.259
 try and encourage

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.819
 you to bring

00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.519
 your unsaved

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:12.879
 friends

00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.380
 those who don't

00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:13.820
 know Jesus

00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.620
 along to church

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.320
 sometimes we have

00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:16.640
 special evangelistic

00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:17.000
 Sundays

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.880
 to help you do it

00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.780
 we don't need

00:28:18.780 --> 00:28:19.960
 special evangelistic

00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.360
 Sundays

00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.880
 the people of God

00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:22.440
 together

00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:24.160
 equals the presence

00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.640
 of God

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:27.240
 so every time

00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.680
 we gather

00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.460
 is a good time

00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.020
 to bring along

00:28:29.020 --> 00:28:29.740
 someone who doesn't

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.260
 know Jesus

00:28:30.260 --> 00:28:31.100
 because they can

00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:31.680
 encounter

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.680
 God's love

00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.400
 and grace

00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:34.640
 in our relationships

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.920
 in the way

00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:36.620
 that we serve

00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.160
 one another

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:39.860
 in the way

00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:40.420
 that we deal

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.120
 with suffering

00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.860
 and difficulty

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:44.179
 in the joy

00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:45.039
 and satisfaction

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.939
 and contentment

00:28:45.939 --> 00:28:46.500
 that we know

00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.419
 in spite of our

00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:48.199
 circumstances

00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:53.599
 corporate worship

00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.579
 is fed by the

00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.199
 worship we do

00:28:55.199 --> 00:28:55.899
 in the rest of our

00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.159
 week

00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.939
 but likewise

00:28:56.939 --> 00:28:58.679
 when we gather

00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.439
 and encounter

00:28:59.439 --> 00:29:00.299
 God together

00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.919
 it feeds the

00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:02.679
 worship that we do

00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.319
 in the rest of the

00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:03.619
 week

00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:06.019
 loving God

00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.119
 and obeying God

00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.139
 and encountering God

00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:09.179
 and reflecting on God

00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.279
 and responding to God

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.820
 together

00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:12.720
 helps us to keep

00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.580
 doing that in the rest

00:29:13.580 --> 00:29:14.000
 of the week

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:15.440
 it feeds both ways

00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.600
 and so I want to ask you

00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:18.380
 is that where our

00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.660
 Sunday gathering sits

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.920
 in your priorities

00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:21.500
 for the week

00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:25.400
 is this 5pm time slot

00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.600
 an immovable object

00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.340
 in your diary

00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.320
 because you know

00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.500
 that there is nothing

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.600
 more important

00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.799
 more beneficial

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.940
 more joyful

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:34.080
 that you could possibly

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:34.900
 do with your time

00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:37.340
 or is this locked

00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:37.680
 in

00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.019
 unless you get

00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.519
 a better offer

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:42.560
 is it immovable

00:29:42.560 --> 00:29:43.440
 except for when

00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.040
 there is a party

00:29:44.040 --> 00:29:44.880
 or a dinner date

00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.360
 or an exam

00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:48.080
 or an assignment

00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:50.759
 do you wake up

00:29:50.759 --> 00:29:51.820
 on Sunday mornings

00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:53.080
 just unable

00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:53.840
 to sleep in

00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.380
 because you know

00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.340
 that today is the day

00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:55.980
 you get to gather

00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.759
 with God's people

00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.980
 and enjoy his presence

00:29:57.980 --> 00:30:00.100
 or do you not really

00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:00.680
 think about it

00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.620
 until about 10 to 5

00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.160
 when you realise

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.740
 you are running late

00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.120
 and you need to

00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.800
 race here quickly

00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.980
 because God

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.919
 has designed this

00:30:06.919 --> 00:30:07.899
 to be a gift

00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:09.240
 for you

00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.319
 so part of our

00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.000
 challenge is

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.139
 we come here

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.700
 with our eyes

00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.359
 half closed

00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:17.399
 we come here

00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:17.899
 not ready

00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:18.980
 to encounter God

00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.879
 not willing

00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.700
 to hear him

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:23.059
 as he encourages us

00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.879
 not willing

00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.599
 to see him

00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.480
 as he strengthens

00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.980
 the person

00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.859
 next to us

00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:31.379
 this is a gift

00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.039
 from God

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.779
 this is an opportunity

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.899
 and a blessing

00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:36.960
 especially here in Sydney

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.599
 free from persecution

00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:41.240
 this Sunday gathering

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.200
 this service

00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.039
 this community

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.960
 has the potential

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.220
 to be more than a shot

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.319
 in the arm for the week

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:48.539
 this could be a life

00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.799
 transforming hour

00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.259
 for you

00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.160
 every Sunday night

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:53.619
 where you encounter

00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:55.240
 the risen Jesus

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.259
 have your heart

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.779
 re-inflamed

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.160
 to love him

00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.319
 and obey him

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.480
 and serve him

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:03.079
 and you go out

00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.660
 into the rest

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.200
 of your week

00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.940
 just busting

00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:05.660
 to keep

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.779
 loving him

00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.860
 and serving him

00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.680
 as you spend time

00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.200
 in your word

00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:10.019
 as you go to work

00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:10.579
 as you eat

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.220
 and drink

00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:11.819
 and do whatever

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.500
 it is that God

00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:13.259
 gives you to do

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.860
 all for his glory

00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:18.579
 today

00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.019
 today was really

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.379
 an answer

00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.099
 to a whole bunch

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.799
 of questions

00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:22.059
 there's still more

00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.500
 questions

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.000
 and we've got

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.500
 a couple more

00:31:23.500 --> 00:31:24.159
 weeks to go

00:31:24.159 --> 00:31:26.699
 it's not just

00:31:26.699 --> 00:31:27.219
 about where

00:31:27.219 --> 00:31:27.619
 and when

00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:29.839
 but also

00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.979
 why we do this

00:31:30.979 --> 00:31:33.419
 and all of it

00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:34.479
 comes back

00:31:34.479 --> 00:31:35.179
 to last week

00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:37.279
 it's all because

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.359
 of who we worship

00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:40.679
 worship is all

00:31:40.679 --> 00:31:41.159
 of life

00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.959
 because our God

00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:42.559
 is that big

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.199
 and that worthy

00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:45.240
 and this matters

00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.019
 because God

00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.240
 says this matters

00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.140
 because God

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.299
 has made this matter

00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.019
 because God

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.940
 has put himself

00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.420
 here when we gather

00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:55.360
 and said this is a gift

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.620
 this is an opportunity

00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.920
 this is a blessing

00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:00.960
 I read this morning

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.279
 in Psalm 121

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.640
 verse 3

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:05.059
 he will not let

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.860
 your foot slip

00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.819
 he who watches

00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.259
 over you

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.140
 will not slumber

00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:12.980
 our God

00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:14.100
 never rests

00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:16.080
 from doing

00:32:16.080 --> 00:32:16.680
 his work

00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.440
 he never rests

00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.460
 from being perfect

00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:20.220
 and just

00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:20.880
 and glorious

00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.640
 and holy

00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.480
 and righteous

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.040
 and loving us

00:32:24.040 --> 00:32:26.100
 and so he is

00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:27.220
 always

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.960
 worthy

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.000
 of our all

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.980
 in every minute

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.840
 of every day

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:34.220
 and that same God

00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.320
 who never rests

00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:37.659
 reveals himself

00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.599
 uniquely

00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.379
 when we gather

00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:40.139
 in his name

00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:46.819
 so let me finish

00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.939
 with the words

00:32:47.939 --> 00:32:49.000
 from Corinthians

00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:51.639
 because he's worthy

00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:53.279
 whether you eat

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.119
 or drink

00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:55.259
 or whatever you do

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:57.559
 do it all

00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.099
 for the glory

00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:58.619
 of God

00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:01.559
 whether you work

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.720
 or study

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.980
 or sleep

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.360
 or rest

00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:07.559
 or gather

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:09.960
 do it all

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.640
 for the glory

00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:11.140
 of God

00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:12.700
 because he's worthy

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:16.640
 let's pray

00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:22.600
 Father God

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.319
 we want to ask

00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:23.740
 that you would

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.339
 protect us

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:24.980
 from a small

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.720
 vision of you

00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.839
 we want to ask

00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.180
 that you would

00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.799
 stop us

00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:30.019
 from containing

00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:31.259
 you into a time

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.960
 or a place

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.720
 or a routine

00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.500
 or a ritual

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.240
 help us

00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.980
 to see you

00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:36.860
 in all of your

00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.000
 glory and majesty

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:39.019
 help us

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.579
 to grasp

00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.279
 the privilege

00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:41.079
 of knowing you

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:42.000
 and relating to you

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.940
 and worshipping you

00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:45.220
 help us

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.960
 to be people

00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.920
 who joyfully

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.500
 wake up

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.259
 every day

00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.660
 to give

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.380
 every moment

00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:50.880
 to you

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:53.180
 to lean on you

00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.740
 in faith

00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.400
 and to trust

00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.120
 your goodness

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:57.319
 help us

00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:57.880
 to be people

00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.579
 who delight

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.360
 in gathering

00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.299
 as your people

00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:02.119
 help us

00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:02.919
 to come here

00:34:02.919 --> 00:34:03.839
 expectant

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.359
 that you will

00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.159
 reveal yourself

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:05.919
 to us

00:34:05.919 --> 00:34:07.599
 help us

00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.259
 to invite

00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:08.960
 boldly

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.500
 knowing that

00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.019
 you will be

00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.539
 present

00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.440
 at the gathering

00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.159
 of your people

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:15.039
 help us

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.860
 to be transformed

00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:16.679
 as we meet

00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:16.960
 with you

00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.539
 each week

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:19.259
 may this time

00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:20.119
 truly be

00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:20.739
 a life

00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.320
 shaping

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.460
 hour together

00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:26.079
 may this

00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:26.599
 community

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.179
 be one

00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.980
 that reflects

00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:28.519
 the God

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:28.860
 that it

00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.539
 worships

00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:32.880
 we ask

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.440
 this in your

00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.019
 son's name

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.240
 amen