WEBVTT

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 I wonder, friends, if you arrived at church today feeling ready for it.

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 I imagine the rain kind of would have put you off a bit.

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 But it's very hard for us to know whether we're prepared for church or not.

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 If you go looking, you can find lists of things to do to be ready for church.

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 They're mostly good lists, and they help you remove emotional and physical distractions before a Sunday.

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 Things like leave your phone on night mode from the night before.

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 Don't look at Facebook until church is over.

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 And my favourite, go to bed early Saturday night.

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 And that point was actually titled, it's okay not to have fun.

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 These lists, these lists are useful, but they miss the point.

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 As we prepare for church, we are actually like sprinters preparing for a race.

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 Each runner trains differently, but their training has the same goal.

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 They want to win.

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 And their training has the same preparation principle.

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 They want to get faster.

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 When we prepare for church, there's no right way of doing it, no list we must follow.

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 But like those runners, we commit to the same principle of preparation that helps us achieve our weekly goal,

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 which is to engage with God together his way.

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 So let's pray together before we look at God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, please speak to us in your word today by your spirit.

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 We long to engage with you together your way.

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 Show us how to be ready for church, prepared to love each other and love you.

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 Amen.

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 Cast your mind back to Sam's sermon from last week.

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 Do you remember what our five goals of corporate worship are?

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 Anyone remember?

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 Sam remembers.

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 Well done, Sam.

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 We're focused on God.

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 We're centred on Christ.

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 We're driven by the word.

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 And we want to do worship together excellently.

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 The thing we haven't talked about in detail yet is engagement with God.

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 When we come to church, we want to be engaged.

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 We want to do that his way every week at church.

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 But to do that, I want to say to you today that we've got to be ready.

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 So let me show you a preparation principle for gathering together to worship.

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 This principle is how God prepares us to engage with him and with each other.

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 So keep your finger in 1 John 4.

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 And if you've got a phone, it doesn't matter.

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 You're going to be flicking through menus anyway.

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 We're going to go to Psalms.

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 And let me just say now, when we turn to Psalms, I'm going to flick through a number of Psalms today.

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 They're going to be on the screen.

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 If you've got a phone, it's probably going to be too difficult for you to flick through all the different places.

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 So they're going to be on the screen.

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 And if you're making notes, write them all down.

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 You can look at them later.

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 Let's go to Psalm 121.

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 Take note of the title of this psalm.

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 A Song of Ascents.

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 This psalm and 15 others are a collection called Ascent Songs, compiled for Israel to sing as they went up to the temple in Jerusalem to worship together.

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 These psalms are steps, steps that ready Israel for corporate worship.

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 God's word here outlines a three-part preparation principle that we can follow where God prepares us, his church, in his word.

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 And the three parts are come, remember, and gospel.

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 If you're writing notes, three things that prepare us.

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 Come, remember, and gospel.

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 So we've got five come psalms that call us to lift our eyes to God.

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 As life rages around us, we're prone to turn away.

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 So these psalms encourage us to look to God and keep on walking.

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 So let's look at how each encourages our faith and lifts our eyes up to God.

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 So let's go 121.

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 Psalm 121 is a call for those who question God.

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 Lord, who is there to help me?

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 Where are you, God?

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 The psalm lifts our eyes to the sovereignty of God.

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 Let me read verses 2 to 8.

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 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

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 He will not let your foot slip.

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 He who watches over you will not slumber.

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 Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

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 The Lord watches over you.

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 The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

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 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

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 The Lord will keep you from all harm.

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 He will watch over your life.

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 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.

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 Guys, here God promises us answers when we come to him.

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 So bring the cries of your heart with you to church.

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 Come and lift your eyes to the throne of a sovereign God who has answers.

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 Psalm 123 is a call for God's subjects to come ready to do his will.

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 We're encouraged to look at our master for mercy, remembering our place in his care.

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 Let me just read the first two verses.

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 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

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 as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,

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 so our eyes look to the Lord, our God, till he shows us his mercy.

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 We come on Sundays to our master to obey his voice.

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 He is a merciful master and he cares for us.

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 So let's come and lift up our eyes to his mercy.

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 Psalm 131 is a call to humility.

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 We don't look towards Sunday with pride, trusting in our own works or abilities.

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 Rather, our hope is in the Lord's greatness.

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 My heart is not proud.

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 Lord, my eyes are not haughty.

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 I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me,

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 but I have calmed and quieted myself.

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 I'm like a weaned child with its mother.

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 Like a weaned child, I am content.

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 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forevermore.

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 Guys, we must not trust ourselves, but we hope in God.

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 So the call is come and lift your eyes to his greatness.

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 Psalm 132 is a call to remember God's promises.

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 Let's just read the first 12 verses together.

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 Lord, remember David and all his self-denial.

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 He swore an oath to the Lord.

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 He made a vow to the mighty one of Jacob.

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 I will not enter my house or go to my bed.

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 I will allow no sleep before my eyes or slumber to my eyelids

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 till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the mighty one of Jacob.

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 We heard it in Ephrathah.

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 We came upon it in the fields of Jar.

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 Let us go to his dwelling place.

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 Let us worship at his footstool, saying, Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place,

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 you and the ark of your might.

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 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness.

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 May your faithful people sing for joy.

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 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

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 The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke.

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 One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.

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 The Lord promised he would dwell in the temple, and he was found there.

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 He keeps his promises.

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 And for Israel, the promise to come was an eternal throne in Israel

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 with David's descendant as king.

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 And we see that promise fulfilled in Jesus' eternal reign.

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 So the call is, come, lift up your eyes to his promises.

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 And 134 is the final call to worship.

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 It's the psalm of arrival.

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 If you notice these psalms, 120 to 134.

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 134 is when you get to church.

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 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,

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 who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

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 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

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 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is maker of heaven and earth.

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 Here we praise the Lord in his presence together,

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 for it is right and good.

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 Lift up your eyes and praise.

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 So these first five psalms outline the first part of our preparation principle for church.

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 In your week, as you journey toward another time of corporate worship,

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 lift your eyes, see the greatness and mercy and promises of God,

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 and dwell on his sovereignty and rule.

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 The next three psalms we're going to look at are remember psalms.

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 They call to mind times of unity in corporate worship.

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 When something great and joyful happens,

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 we long to experience it again.

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 Psalm 128

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 is a reminder that blessing, peace and prosperity are from God.

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 Verse 1 to the beginning of 5.

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 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

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 You will eat of the fruit of your labor.

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 Blessings and prosperity will be yours.

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 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.

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 Your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

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 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.

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 May the Lord bless you from Zion.

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 Let's catch those last two words.

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 From Zion.

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 The psalm reminds us that our source of blessing is God

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 as a benefit of worshipping together.

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 Israel worshipped at Zion's temple,

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 and for us, we meet together at church.

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 Our benefit of gathering at church is God's blessing.

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 So first, we remember that when we gather,

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 we are blessed.

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 Psalm 133

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 takes the reminder of the previous psalm,

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 remember when we gather, we are blessed,

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 and hints how unity together,

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 now, in worship,

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 points toward heaven's blessings that are to come.

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 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity.

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 It's like oil poured on the head, running down the beard,

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 running down Aaron's beard, down the collar of his robe.

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 It is as if the Jew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

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 For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

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 even life forevermore.

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 Guys, the unity of God's people at church is a picture of eternal life and blessing together.

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 So remember, when we gather together, we glimpse our future, our blessed future together.

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 Psalm 122

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 is our reminder of the joy and gladness that worshipping God has brought us in life, in our life at church.

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 Just the first two verses.

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 I rejoiced with those who said to me,

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 let us go to the house of the Lord.

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 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.

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 Guys, here the psalmist has arrived in Jerusalem.

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 He's there, and he hears people around him saying,

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 let's go up to the temple.

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 And he's so excited to engage with God,

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 and he's with his people again,

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 that they go together rejoicing to the temple.

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 Imagine if people came in from the car park,

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 overflowing with rejoicing together to get here.

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 Wouldn't that be incredible?

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 Probably have to open the gates wider.

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 Just be a flock of crazy, rowdy, happy people coming into church every week.

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 Remember, when we gather, we are joyful.

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 So next Sunday, when you wake up,

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 and you forget what day it is,

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 and you look at your phone to remind you,

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 or your wife has to remind you,

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 or your husband has to remind you,

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 does your heart leap for joy

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 when you realise it's Sunday?

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 I invite you to dwell in daily remembering

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 that the blessing church is from God,

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 the overflowing joy that we share,

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 and the glimpse of a blessed eternity,

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 that this is for us.

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 If you've been doing the math,

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 we've got seven psalms left.

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 And these are just, they're just breathtaking.

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 Together, they portray Israel's thirst for God.

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 And that thirst is in the shape of the gospel.

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 We can't help but see Jesus as we read these words.

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 He is like the water that quenches Israel's thirst as we read them.

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 So I'm going to move fairly quickly.

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 Even if you've got a Bible, let's just look at the screen.

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 I'm going to power through these.

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 But I want you to look at how Israel is just hoping for the gospel here.

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 120.

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 Sin is rooted deep in us and we need God.

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 Verse 2 from the ESV says,

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 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

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 Psalm 129.

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 Man's sin-born wickedness has no place in his kingdom.

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 Verse 4 of ESV says,

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 The Lord is righteous.

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 He has cut the cords of the wicked.

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 But Psalm 130.

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 God hears our cry for mercy and forgives his people.

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 Verses 3 and 4 say,

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 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

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 But with you there is forgiveness,

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 so that we can with reverence serve you.

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 Psalm 124.

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 Without him we're trapped in sin, but with him we are saved.

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 Verses 7 and 8 of 124 say,

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 We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare.

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 The snare has been broken and we have escaped.

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 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

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 Psalm 125.

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 God is trustworthy and protects us, his people.

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 Verses 1 and 2 say,

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 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

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 which cannot be shaken, but endures forever.

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 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people,

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 both now and forevermore.

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 Psalm 127.

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 As a saved people, we're now free to work and parent our children,

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 knowing he does the work through us that lasts.

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 First two verses say,

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 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.

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 Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand, watch in vain.

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 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat,

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 for he grants sleep to those he loves.

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 And lastly, on 26.

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 Life's road is going to be painful, but God's promises remain.

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 Our joy is not yet, but we're looking forward ahead to a coming joy.

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 Verses 5 and 6.

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 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

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 Those who go out with weeping, carrying seed to sow,

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 will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

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 Can you see here Israel's thirst for the gospel?

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 Sin, judgment, mercy, forgiveness, freedom, protection, leadership,

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 and a future hope.

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 It's all there.

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 Part three of our preparation principle, guys,

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 is the gospel.

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 When we dwell in the word of the Lord daily,

00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:47.279
 reminding ourselves of his salvation,

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.659
 as Jordan Coughlin says,

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:54.159
 the hand of the gospel lifts our eyes to God.

00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:56.879
 The gospel lifts our head.

00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:59.639
 Our eyes glimpse the greatness of God,

00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:02.679
 and we remember the great promise of God

00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:05.439
 to meet with us when we gather.

00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:10.759
 That's three-part principle to get us ready for church.

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.539
 If you've got a Bible with you,

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.539
 you've probably got your fingers still in 1 John 4.

00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.900
 Let's turn there together right now.

00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.960
 1 John 4, verse 9.

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:29.180
 This is how God showed his love among us.

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:33.000
 He sent his one and only Son into the world

00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:35.799
 that we might live through him.

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:39.860
 This is love, not that we have loved God,

00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.660
 but that he loved us

00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:45.519
 and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:49.579
 Dear friends, since God so loved us,

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:52.980
 we also ought to love one another.

00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:56.059
 As we look to the gospel,

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:58.319
 we see God's love,

00:18:58.879 --> 00:19:03.879
 and in turn we love one another.

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:09.599
 God's commanded and correct response to the gospel

00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:11.639
 is love one another.

00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:16.720
 Guys, he wants us reflecting on the gospel on our own in the week

00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.980
 so that when we gather,

00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:20.440
 his love for us in the gospel

00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:23.860
 overflows to the one another that is church.

00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:26.940
 It's so simple and it's so effective.

00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:31.860
 Being prepared by God for church

00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:35.740
 means that we're prepared to love.

00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:39.599
 Being prepared by God for church

00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:42.000
 means we're prepared to love.

00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:46.319
 Let me share a story of such love in action

00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:48.180
 from summer camp earlier in the year.

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.339
 Hands up if you're at summer camp.

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.240
 Yay!

00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:57.420
 We were reading a big, hefty passage from Romans,

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.720
 the beginning of Romans,

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:01.620
 the really hard bit to read of Romans,

00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:04.479
 and a kid called Christian Whale

00:20:04.479 --> 00:20:08.359
 saw a first-time camper

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:11.119
 really struggling to even find Romans in the Bible.

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.179
 He probably had it upside down,

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.059
 probably really struggling,

00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.739
 and Christian saw it,

00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:16.719
 and he just got up from his seat

00:20:16.719 --> 00:20:17.919
 while we were reading it together,

00:20:18.479 --> 00:20:20.339
 went up quietly next to this kid

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.519
 and just whispered help

00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.919
 to get him to find the passage.

00:20:23.459 --> 00:20:24.839
 And this kid found the passage

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.699
 and was able to read along with us.

00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.279
 And without making a big deal,

00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.559
 he just went and sat back in his seat

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.000
 as if no one had noticed.

00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:34.679
 But we were so excited to see that

00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:36.980
 because he was so keen

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:39.940
 to see others see God

00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:42.500
 that he went out of his comfort zone

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.700
 and loved.

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.759
 When you land at church

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:51.200
 prepared by God in the gospel,

00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:54.359
 you, as verse 11 says,

00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:57.899
 ought to love others.

00:20:57.900 --> 00:21:00.140
 And I guarantee

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:02.040
 that if we are not prepared

00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:03.560
 for church this way,

00:21:04.040 --> 00:21:04.740
 verse 11,

00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:06.440
 we ought to,

00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:09.480
 that's going to feel like a duty.

00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.759
 But if we're prepared by the gospel,

00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:15.920
 loving others will flow

00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:18.240
 just like having to breathe in and out.

00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:21.120
 Let's have a look at verse 12.

00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:26.099
 No one has ever seen God,

00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:28.699
 but if we love one another,

00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.039
 God lives in us

00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:33.559
 and his love is made complete in us.

00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:39.039
 God is seen when we love each other.

00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.379
 Could this be a clue

00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:43.119
 as to how God's presence

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.959
 is uniquely experienced

00:21:44.959 --> 00:21:47.299
 when we engage with God together,

00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:47.879
 his way?

00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:49.960
 That's exactly it.

00:21:51.260 --> 00:21:52.720
 We see God

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:55.480
 as God's love in the gospel,

00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:57.160
 which compels us

00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:58.440
 to serve the church

00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.840
 and love each other.

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:04.380
 Whether it be serving on morning tea

00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:05.120
 in the mornings

00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.100
 or our music team

00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.820
 or prayer team

00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:08.260
 or a myriad of other,

00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:10.200
 even background ways of serving.

00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.160
 It overflows from us

00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.020
 in our speech,

00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:15.180
 eagerly encouraging

00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:16.300
 and praying for one another,

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.980
 seeking to hear what God is doing

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.299
 in the lives of our neighbours

00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:21.480
 and sharing his love

00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.519
 in your life

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.759
 with others.

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.779
 Loving one another

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.339
 is the picture

00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.919
 of an engaged

00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:31.559
 corporate worship gathering.

00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:34.259
 It is God's people

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.740
 loving and serving one another.

00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:40.399
 Well, let's catch this.

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.379
 If loving one another

00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:44.200
 is the command of God

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.140
 in response

00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:46.420
 to his love for us,

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.300
 it follows

00:22:48.300 --> 00:22:49.280
 that without

00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:50.740
 that love for others,

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:53.180
 we will not engage

00:22:53.180 --> 00:22:54.020
 with the service,

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.800
 the songs,

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.420
 the sermon,

00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:56.940
 the prayer,

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.700
 etc.,

00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.680
 if we are not actively

00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:01.020
 loving each other.

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.020
 Loving God together

00:23:03.020 --> 00:23:03.380
 authentically

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.540
 will not occur

00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:06.720
 without love

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.340
 for our neighbours.

00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:09.559
 We show love

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.000
 for God

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.679
 at church

00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:12.000
 by first

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.859
 loving others.

00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.919
 With love

00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.299
 for others

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.119
 as our priority,

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.019
 we are released

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:20.519
 from selfishness

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.039
 completely

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.899
 to love God

00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.819
 responsively

00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.939
 and authentically

00:23:23.939 --> 00:23:24.519
 at church.

00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.539
 Our prepared hearts

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.059
 are already

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.919
 looking to God,

00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:29.980
 craving the blessings

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.859
 church brings

00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.259
 and overflowing

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.839
 with love

00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.500
 and praise

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.779
 in the gospel.

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.180
 so authentic

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.980
 singing and prayer,

00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.379
 listening,

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:38.899
 reflecting,

00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.879
 declaring God's

00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.720
 truth together

00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:42.059
 can actually happen.

00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.399
 God is doing

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.700
 the work

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.460
 to prepare us

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.000
 for church.

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.740
 He is putting

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.779
 love for others

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.519
 in us

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.660
 by his gospel

00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.940
 and his love

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.420
 for us

00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.059
 in the gospel

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.339
 makes authentic

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:53.960
 worship

00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:55.319
 possible

00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:58.099
 and irresistible.

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.519
 And that

00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:03.039
 is a rightly

00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:03.759
 engaged

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:05.039
 ideal church

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.500
 service.

00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.400
 And I say

00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:06.940
 ideal

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.039
 because it's

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.480
 not what

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.559
 church looks

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.299
 like every week

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:10.879
 for us,

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.220
 is it?

00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:13.940
 It is what

00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.240
 we,

00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.500
 rather,

00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.599
 it is what

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.339
 we as a church

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:19.180
 aspire to be.

00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.619
 And here's

00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.660
 where I stand

00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:24.359
 in my preparation

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:24.980
 for church.

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.240
 I have this

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.879
 built-in

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:28.000
 sinful attitude.

00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.500
 I don't know

00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.339
 if you're like me

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.019
 but I know me

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.400
 and I know

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.200
 how sinful I am

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.680
 so I can talk

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.099
 about that.

00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.579
 But here

00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.019
 it is.

00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.160
 As long as

00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:37.940
 people around

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.980
 me let

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.279
 me,

00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.180
 I'll be able

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.799
 to engage

00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.319
 with God

00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:43.759
 and with his

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.079
 people.

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.660
 As long as

00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.359
 circumstances

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.859
 and people

00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.799
 allow me,

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.440
 this is my

00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:49.019
 selfishness

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.400
 speaking,

00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.559
 I'll be able

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.099
 to engage

00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.579
 with God.

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.980
 That means

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.019
 my wife and

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.480
 kids have to

00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:55.900
 be okay.

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.619
 I have to get

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.240
 to church on

00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:57.519
 time.

00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.299
 Without struggle

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.960
 of any kind,

00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.779
 traffic and

00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.319
 weather must

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.099
 flow perfectly.

00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.899
 My outfit

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.539
 has to match

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:02.859
 the weather

00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.259
 so I don't

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.779
 get too hot

00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.119
 because I get

00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.779
 super grumpy.

00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.879
 Technology,

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.480
 music and

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.899
 volunteers,

00:25:07.139 --> 00:25:07.519
 all that kind

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.959
 of stuff has

00:25:07.959 --> 00:25:08.519
 to go perfectly

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:08.919
 because I'm

00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.599
 in ministry

00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:09.899
 and it's

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.399
 very stressful.

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.779
 And if any

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.339
 of these fail,

00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:13.119
 I'm distracted

00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:15.059
 and grumpy

00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.599
 when church

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.099
 starts.

00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:18.679
 my struggle

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.359
 at church

00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.159
 is against

00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:20.919
 being dependent

00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:21.559
 on people

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.799
 and circumstances

00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.740
 allowing me

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.579
 to engage.

00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.500
 But

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.879
 his word

00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.779
 shows me

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.599
 that he

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.599
 prepares me

00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:34.379
 in the

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:34.819
 gospel.

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.139
 He prepares

00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:38.139
 us for

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.639
 church

00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.500
 in the

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:39.859
 gospel.

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.559
 I bet

00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:42.859
 today,

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.279
 more than

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.159
 many days,

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.199
 it was a

00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:45.759
 battle just

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.259
 to get

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.720
 here for

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.220
 you guys.

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.579
 Whether

00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:50.019
 you're 15

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.400
 and you're

00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:50.940
 still asleep

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.440
 on a Sunday

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:53.140
 or you're

00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.500
 battling

00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.259
 through traffic

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.379
 and six

00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:55.700
 foot of

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.000
 water

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.279
 in a storm

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.180
 which

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.119
 basically was

00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.420
 what my

00:25:59.420 --> 00:25:59.859
 daughter said

00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.319
 was happening

00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:00.680
 when she

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.279
 arrived so

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.960
 it was very

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.500
 difficult for

00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:02.759
 her.

00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.559
 She's two

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.059
 just so you

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:06.140
 know.

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:09.780
 being ready

00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.340
 for church

00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:10.860
 is actually

00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.360
 a week

00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:11.660
 long

00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.120
 journey.

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.380
 Let me

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.880
 encourage you

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.280
 to start

00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:14.740
 that journey

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.280
 right now.

00:26:15.520 --> 00:26:15.900
 Let's start

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.380
 it together.

00:26:16.860 --> 00:26:17.220
 Look around

00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.580
 the room.

00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.720
 Look at the

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.020
 good looking

00:26:20.020 --> 00:26:20.520
 people either

00:26:20.520 --> 00:26:21.060
 side of you.

00:26:22.560 --> 00:26:23.340
 Love these

00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.720
 people.

00:26:26.520 --> 00:26:27.240
 Let the

00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.800
 love of

00:26:27.800 --> 00:26:28.580
 God you

00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.420
 know in

00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:29.860
 Jesus

00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.740
 overflow.

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:33.359
 Sing

00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.799
 loud.

00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.160
 Show your

00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.539
 love for

00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:35.819
 God.

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.579
 It might

00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.380
 encourage one

00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.180
 who has

00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.099
 never sung

00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.079
 before to

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.680
 actually join

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:40.940
 in.

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.120
 And in

00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.599
 your week

00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.500
 use that

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.079
 preparation

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.720
 principle

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.660
 from the

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.400
 Ascent Psalms

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.640
 that we

00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.120
 looked at.

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.240
 Come

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.960
 remember

00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.839
 gospel.

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.680
 Looks like

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:52.920
 this.

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.440
 Look to

00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.279
 God in

00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.240
 whatever ways

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.539
 that he

00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:55.920
 leads you

00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.319
 to do it.

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:56.980
 Look to

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.099
 God craving

00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.680
 the blessings

00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.220
 that church

00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.599
 brings.

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.259
 Let the

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.259
 gospel fill

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.640
 you with

00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:01.980
 the love

00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.420
 of God

00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.039
 till it

00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.819
 overflows

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.359
 and you

00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.839
 land at

00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.140
 church

00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:06.240
 ecstatic

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:06.759
 on a

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.099
 Sunday.

00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.700
 Liberated

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.160
 from the

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.500
 selfish

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.200
 dependencies

00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:10.799
 of our

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.140
 normal

00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:11.440
 church

00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.079
 experience

00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.259
 so that

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.579
 we can

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.519
 wholeheartedly

00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.220
 love and

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.920
 praise our

00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.200
 God

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.879
 together.

00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:18.660
 Friends,

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.779
 that's what

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.539
 I want

00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.220
 God to

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.599
 do in

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:21.819
 you.

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.579
 That's

00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:22.960
 what I

00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:23.379
 want God

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.680
 to do

00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.119
 in me

00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.599
 and my

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.039
 family.

00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.279
 As we

00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.940
 prepare for

00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.920
 church and

00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.940
 engage in

00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:30.259
 corporate

00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.660
 worship

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.200
 together,

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.880
 let us

00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.519
 look for

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.360
 God to

00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.220
 prepare us

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.140
 to love.

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.059
 Let me

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.320
 pray.

00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:43.299
 Lord, we

00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:43.779
 long to be

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.360
 the church

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.960
 that your

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.559
 word here

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.259
 shows us.

00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:48.240
 Show us

00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.980
 ways to let

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.400
 the gospel

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.279
 shape us

00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:51.160
 and ready

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.460
 us and

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.200
 prepare us

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.120
 Lord to

00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.860
 love each

00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:55.140
 other.

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.400
 Prepare us

00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.620
 Lord to

00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.519
 love you.

00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:01.160
 Amen.