WEBVTT

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 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

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 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

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 Join us.

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 We need the reminder of that song because life will disappoint you.

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 Friends may let you down, but Jesus has not and will not fail us.

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 He won't.

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 Amen?

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 Amen.

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 He won't.

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 We just wrapped up several weeks this summer talking about our relationships with God, walking with Jesus.

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 What it looks like for us day by day as he meets us right where we are in our lives.

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 If you were here, you'll remember that we marveled at the reality that God speaks to us.

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 So we treasure listening to him and his word and meeting him there.

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 And then perhaps even more amazing that God listens to us and so we can speak to him in prayer and meet him there.

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 We rejoiced in the gifts of baptism and the Lord's Supper to God's people to meet us there, to taste his grace together.

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 Together.

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 Right?

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 Right?

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 And in the past couple weeks, Pastor Derek has so helpfully reminded us that God makes space for us so that we can share that space with others.

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 Because we walk with Jesus and meet him every day in our relationships with one another in this family and with our neighbors all throughout our lives and everywhere God takes us.

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 Now we are about to jump back into our study of John's gospel that we are over halfway through.

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 We've been encountering the real Jesus, the historical man now in the final week of his life before the cross.

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 And this fall we get an inside look from his beloved disciple at these final intimate words to his disciples on the night that he's betrayed.

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 It's going to be awesome.

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 I can't wait to get back into that together but actually we're going to wait one more week.

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 Restart that study next Sunday.

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 Today I want to remind us of the importance of our relationship with Jesus one more time.

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 Both so that we remember what we've been talking about, what we've learned this summer, to reflect on that together.

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 And to kind of build a bridge toward diving back into John and remembering why it is we so desperately need to see Jesus, to listen to him, to love him.

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 As we go back to John and read more about him there.

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 We never stop focusing on walking with, in relationship, Jesus.

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 I want to look this morning at a hymn about Jesus in Colossians chapter 1.

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 I want to take a few minutes with you to take a deep breath of Jesus, to reflect on your life wherever you are, especially if you're starting a new year.

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 A new rhythm in many ways to consider what it could or should look like for Jesus to be in first place.

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 For your walking with Jesus, moment by moment, day by day, to be the supreme purpose.

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 The central foundation, the highest delight of your entire life.

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 Let's read Colossians 1, beginning at verse 15.

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 God's holy, inerrant, inspired word about his son, Jesus.

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 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

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 For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.

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 All things were created through him and for him.

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 And he is before all things and in him all things hold together.

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 And he is the head of the body, the church.

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 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

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 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

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 And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

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 This is God's word.

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 Let's ask for his help.

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 Father, would you renew our hearts?

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 Would you reorder our lives according to your glory and grace?

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 By your word?

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 By your spirit?

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 We ask you to do it even now for us this morning.

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 Change us forever.

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 We ask in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 I know many of you, like my family, have gotten to enjoy watching some of the Olympic competition this week.

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 See those golden moments when the athletes in first place step to the top of the podium to be honored as the greatest in the world.

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 Right?

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 The fastest, the strongest, the best at their craft.

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 Like these five amazing gymnast gold medalists.

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 It was incredible to watch.

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 Or like Katie Ledecky, the world's greatest distance swimmer who keeps finding herself on top of the podium year after year.

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 Can you imagine it?

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 So many amazing, gifted athletes all gathered together in one place competing.

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 And then out of all of those, for someone to finish in first place.

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 It's quite remarkable, isn't it?

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 It's a great achievement.

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 It's worthy of honor.

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 That word first, the best, the top ranked in the world is used of Jesus several times in our passage today.

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 It has even deeper meaning, even broader implications for us to see how and for what reason Jesus is in first place.

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 I want us to do really two things this morning.

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 First, for a few minutes, to wonder at the greatness of Jesus.

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 And then for a few minutes, talk about what difference that actually makes in our lives.

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 Is that greatness of Jesus coming home in the way that we relate to him and the way we live day in and day out?

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 So, Paul starts here by first praising Jesus as first in creation.

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 That word firstborn, which will be repeated in verse 18 to mark the second stanza of this hymn.

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 Here it means that Jesus reigns supreme over all creation.

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 He ranks first.

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 He's number one.

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 See, he made it all, didn't he?

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 He is not created.

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 Verse 16 is clear.

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 He is creator.

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 All things through him.

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 Just as we read in John chapter 1, through him all things were made.

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 Without him nothing was made that has been made.

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 Trees and flowers, bears and bugs and mountains and rivers, galaxies.

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 Spiritual beings.

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 Spiritual beings.

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 All of them spring to life by the word of his power.

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 Because he brings them into existence.

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 And don't miss, by the way, while Paul is pointing this out.

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 We're going to come back to this later.

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 But they all exist for him.

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 He is the goal of all creation.

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 That is how high ranking the firstborn is.

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 In fact, verse 17, it's not just that once upon a time he was the source of all of creation.

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 But to this very moment, he is the one who powerfully holds it all together.

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 Amazing.

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 The bigness.

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 The size of Jesus to be holding all of creation together.

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 Some of you study space, right?

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 You know a lot more about it than I do, okay?

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 Way more.

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 And you're still learning more about it.

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 And it is mind-boggling as you consider space how small the biggest, strongest of all of us feels in that vast space.

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 And yet the space that we study and that we explore, Jesus, is even in this very moment, he is sustaining it.

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 He is holding it together.

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 He is causing it not to explode.

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 Wow.

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 He's huge.

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 Remember, we've seen it when he walked among us, right?

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 This is the very Jesus who speaks and the powerful storm is still, right?

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 Who prays and five loaves of bread and two fish feed 5,000 plus people with multiple leftovers.

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 Who casts out a demon with a word.

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 Who turns water into wine by merely asking.

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 Who heals the worst diseases.

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 Who even raises the dead.

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 God, every power, every part of creation bows the knee to King Jesus.

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 He is supreme.

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 He is in first place.

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 Because he is, in fact, the one true God.

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 The image of the invisible God.

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 The one who makes the unseen seen.

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 The untouchable felt.

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 The unknowable known.

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 The idea here with that word is that it's not just a good copy.

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 But it's something that participates in the very essence of the thing that it represents or reflects.

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 That kind of image.

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 Somewhat like a sunbeam.

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 That is actually sun in itself, right?

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 As well as it's how we feel the sun.

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 The radiance of the glory of God, Hebrews says.

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 The one who was with God and was God, John says.

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 This is God himself.

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 In a way you can touch and know and see.

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 Jesus is first place in creation because he supremely makes the God that we so desperately need to know.

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 One we can and do know.

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 How wonderful that is.

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 As if that weren't enough cause for wonder and worship at the person of Jesus.

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 Stanza two then praises Jesus as first in the new creation.

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 Verse 18.

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 He is the head of the body, the church.

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 He is the beginning.

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 The first born from the dead.

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 See, God who once upon a time breathed life into humanity.

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 Now when he finds them dead and separated from himself.

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 He breathes new life into people, doesn't he?

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 He recreates them through the first born who rises from the dead.

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 Jesus is supreme over the most powerful forces we know.

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 Conquering sin and death.

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 Becoming the first one to rise.

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 Never more to die, but to reign forever.

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 God exalted him to the highest place.

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 First place.

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 First place.

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 And gave him the name above every name.

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 The name of King Jesus.

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 Supreme one.

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 First place.

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 Philippians 2 tells us.

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 Jesus Christ is Lord.

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 No one else.

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 He is God in his fullness.

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 Jesus Christ is Lord.

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 Not merely a peace or a part of God, but the true God himself.

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 Rising victorious to return to his throne where he has always reigned.

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 And as he does that, in rising to his eternal throne, Jesus brings to life the new people of God who were far from God.

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 Jesus brings to life the new creation of God that was suffering under the curse of God.

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 He reconciles all things, verse 20 says, to God by the blood of his cross.

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 Because he's the firstborn from the dead.

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 And many, many will follow.

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 See, his resurrection life is what gives us hope, right?

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 His resurrection body.

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 It heralds the renewal of all creation that is presently groaning or deteriorating.

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 His resurrection power today fuels our life and mission.

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 It's his resurrection presence at God's right hand that secures our adoption, our acceptance into the family of God.

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 As some of the many who live never more to die.

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 That's true of you.

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 Never more to die.

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 He will raise you with him forever with the Father.

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 That is good stuff, church.

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 This is why he is our head.

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 This is why we are his people that are part of the entire creation that was made for him.

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 We exist for his glory so that he will receive the praise that he deserves.

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 We were created by him and for him.

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 So we worship him.

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 Join me in that.

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 Let's worship Jesus today.

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 And every day with full hearts.

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 The only one who could give us life like that, right?

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 Because he is the firstborn over all.

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 The risen King Jesus is our head.

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 The one who started all of this for us.

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 The world's great creator.

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 The greatest re-creator.

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 The firstborn over all.

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 With the result.

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 The end of verse 18.

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 That in everything he might be preeminent.

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 Kids, preeminent is a fancy word for first place.

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 It's got that same word first in the Greek.

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 It may even be used here in this hymn as a title for Jesus.

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 Like the incomparable Christ.

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 The supreme one.

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 The first place gold medalist Jesus.

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 Now just consider this with me for a second as we begin to ask how this changes our lives.

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 These gold medalists right here are great athletes, aren't they?

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 World class gymnasts.

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 But do you think that the five of them, is there any chance those women would get first place in basketball?

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 On a track relay maybe?

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 Could the great Katie Ledecky win first place in weightlifting or tennis?

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 Is that likely?

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 I think not.

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 And yet Jesus is to be first place in everything.

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 In every stage of life, no matter how young or old you are.

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 In every area of life, no matter what you have on your schedule or agenda this week.

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 In every single life.

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 What about in your life?

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 Is that where he is?

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 See for most of us, most of the time,

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 what we experience in our lives is Jesus as one among many slices of life that we have to manage.

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 This right here is not the picture that the Bible gives us, to be clear.

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 I don't want you to be confused.

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 But you see Jesus here as one slice up there at the top of a pie.

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 And we have to manage all of these things.

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 With nothing at the center,

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 with nothing in first place,

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 supremely orchestrating the heart and goal of our lives,

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 what happens?

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 Our own instincts,

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 our desires,

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 our comfort,

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 they become central

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 and they direct us toward managing all these varied priorities,

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 including Jesus,

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 for our own purposes.

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 This is true for all of us.

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 We all have a lot of things to manage.

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 But I've been thinking,

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 especially this week of young people,

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 as you start a new school year.

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 Will you look at this pie with me for a couple minutes?

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 This is one I made a special for you.

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 You can read some of them.

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 You'll notice Jesus is still there.

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 Up there, kind of top right.

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 Life can be really challenging.

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 Can't it?

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 I mean, just think, young people,

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 all the relationships

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 that you're managing,

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 your family,

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 your friends,

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 all the classes at school,

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 the different subjects you're trying to learn,

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 what you look like,

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 what you're going to wear,

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 the hobbies you enjoy,

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 or the college you're getting ready for,

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 or the part-time job you have.

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 You got to check social media to stay in the loop.

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 You got to make sure you figure out what skibbity means,

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 because otherwise you might be left out.

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 I don't know what it means,

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 but some of you do.

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 And if you don't keep up with these things,

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 you're going to be left out, right?

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 That's an anxiety I would carry.

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:19.740
 And in the midst of all of that,

00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:21.200
 you're trying to manage,

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.379
 and so much more,

00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.460
 Jesus, too.

00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:28.339
 Jesus is, like, really important to you,

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:28.779
 isn't he?

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:31.839
 But it's all just so much,

00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:34.660
 so much to manage.

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:38.339
 You may even love Jesus so much

00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:40.700
 that you think what many of us do,

00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.920
 that what you really need to do

00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:46.480
 is make that Jesus slice of the pie a bit larger,

00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.480
 you know?

00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.119
 Like, read a devotional,

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:52.680
 or rush to youth group as many times as possible,

00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.960
 or join FCA,

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:57.440
 or something to make Jesus

00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.360
 get just a little bit bigger, right?

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.980
 I get it.

00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.160
 I've done that.

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.720
 But see what happens as the days go by,

00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:07.400
 and more and more people come in,

00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.600
 and more and more decisions,

00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.340
 and more and more responsibilities,

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.920
 they all get added into your life,

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.640
 and you start to feel pressure

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.060
 to squeeze it all in,

00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:18.920
 and somehow make it all make sense,

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:21.560
 and figure out who you are in the midst of that.

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.859
 And some of us hold that together

00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:25.679
 longer than others, right?

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:28.440
 But eventually, at some point,

00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:31.259
 it will just explode.

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.359
 It's just gonna fall apart.

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:35.919
 Maybe you've felt it,

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.839
 maybe you're feeling that it could be there

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:39.559
 in just a few days.

00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:44.359
 We feel this overwhelming confusion,

00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.399
 like, where do I even start

00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.679
 to pick up the pieces,

00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.419
 and know how to put my life back together,

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:52.740
 and figure out what I'm supposed to do.

00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:56.940
 It feels like way too much.

00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:59.840
 Kids, you know why it sometimes

00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:01.160
 feels like way too much,

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:03.200
 and you start to feel pressure and anxiety,

00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:05.259
 maybe even right now while I'm talking about it?

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:08.320
 Sometimes it feels like that because it is.

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.900
 It is too much.

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:14.360
 It is more than we can manage.

00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.319
 And so,

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:19.159
 God is speaking to you today from His Word

00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:20.859
 to tell you something that will help you

00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:22.439
 not just with this school year,

00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.039
 but with the rest of your life.

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:29.079
 Jesus first

00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:33.059
 in everything.

00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.259
 Everything.

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.979
 How many things do you leave out of everything?

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.539
 Nothing.

00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:40.479
 In everything.

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:44.279
 Don't start by trying to figure everything out.

00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.799
 It won't work on your own.

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:49.180
 Start by turning to Jesus.

00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:55.220
 Seeing how supremely valuable He is,

00:21:55.799 --> 00:22:00.240
 and then let Him direct all of those other things.

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:03.120
 See, it's not merely that Jesus needs to be

00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:05.019
 a bigger slice of your life.

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:07.619
 That will just build pressure for you, won't it?

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:12.240
 It's truly that He is first place

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:16.139
 in every aspect of your life.

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:19.359
 So slowly, maybe one piece at a time,

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.039
 you can start by asking,

00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:23.299
 what does it look like for Jesus

00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:26.759
 to be first place in my schoolwork?

00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.200
 That's a hard question.

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:31.379
 That'll take you a while to sort through.

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.720
 You can ask,

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.980
 what does it look like for Jesus

00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:36.140
 to be first place in my friendships?

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:38.380
 What does it look like for Jesus

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:40.279
 to be first place in my money,

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.660
 my free time,

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.880
 with my phone?

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.299
 But we need to ask all those questions

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.360
 because He is that worthy.

00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:51.299
 He is that wonderful

00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:53.360
 that He would be first place

00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.960
 in everything.

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.720
 Young people,

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.960
 if that seems tough to you,

00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:03.160
 you should ask your parents

00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:05.900
 how they're doing it, right?

00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:07.539
 So that they can help you.

00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.839
 But when you do that,

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:09.819
 when you go to your parents,

00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.860
 you need to be patient

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.279
 because if they're anything

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:14.100
 like the adults in my house,

00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:16.380
 they'll need to admit

00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.180
 that they don't live with Jesus

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.860
 in first place

00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:22.039
 in every area of life either.

00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:24.100
 They're still learning.

00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:27.019
 They're trying to figure that out

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.599
 and all that that means

00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.679
 in their life.

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.319
 But we need to do that together.

00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.879
 And don't you long to?

00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:34.240
 Don't you long for that

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.980
 to be more of what your life is like?

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.699
 Wouldn't that give our lives purpose

00:23:37.699 --> 00:23:38.839
 and direction

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:40.199
 and focus

00:23:40.199 --> 00:23:42.039
 so that we're not overwhelmed

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.959
 all the time?

00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.119
 But instead,

00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:44.879
 we're living the way

00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:46.379
 our Maker designed us to live,

00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:47.039
 to flourish?

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:50.920
 Y'all, it's hard

00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:53.039
 to keep Jesus in first place

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.279
 for a lot of reasons.

00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.039
 We have so many commitments

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:58.240
 that we may have to drop

00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:00.220
 or hold back on

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.899
 some good things

00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:03.259
 in order to make sure

00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.940
 we don't miss

00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.339
 the best thing.

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:08.240
 Our lives are so full

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.099
 of so much

00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.299
 that sometimes

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:12.259
 we have to simplify things

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.559
 or it will explode.

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.420
 Right?

00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.159
 You've been there.

00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.740
 It's hard to keep Jesus

00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.359
 at the center

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:21.399
 because living with myself

00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.119
 at the center

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.139
 is more natural.

00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:25.180
 It requires a lot less effort

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.779
 and a lot less intentionality.

00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:28.299
 I'm used to it.

00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:30.019
 I know how to live that way.

00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:33.099
 But it's also hard

00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.839
 for another reason

00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:35.339
 I want to be honest about

00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.379
 for a couple minutes.

00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:40.139
 Jesus being first place

00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.220
 in your life

00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:43.500
 is both better

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:45.139
 and worse

00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:47.620
 than the other things

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.820
 that take his place

00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.680
 in first place.

00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.600
 In other words

00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.920
 it's not always better

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:56.020
 in terms of how our lives feel.

00:24:56.180 --> 00:24:56.780
 That's a lie.

00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.360
 That's not what the Bible says.

00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:01.240
 It does not

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.400
 just make everything easy

00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.620
 all the time.

00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:06.899
 No.

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.459
 I wrestled with this

00:25:09.459 --> 00:25:09.839
 this week.

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.439
 I wrestled with

00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.639
 considering Jesus first

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.659
 multiple times

00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:14.339
 even as I was preparing

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.399
 to preach about it.

00:25:15.459 --> 00:25:16.119
 You think I could have

00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.879
 had a good week?

00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.119
 An easy week

00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.419
 of Jesus being first.

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.779
 It's all I was studying about.

00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.539
 And he brought a neighbor

00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.399
 into my path

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.379
 who was inconvenient

00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:27.139
 for me to love

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:29.319
 and didn't fit my schedule

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.359
 and I needed to sit

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:30.819
 and listen

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.019
 and I didn't have time

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.599
 I thought.

00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.179
 I struggled with

00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:37.199
 living with Jesus first

00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:38.079
 when my car repair

00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.500
 cost more than I expected.

00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:41.899
 I hadn't planned

00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:43.419
 to use the money that way.

00:25:43.459 --> 00:25:44.719
 I had other plans for it.

00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.959
 I struggled with it

00:25:47.959 --> 00:25:48.479
 when I felt

00:25:48.479 --> 00:25:49.419
 the decision Jesus

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:50.139
 wanted me to make

00:25:50.139 --> 00:25:50.799
 as a parent

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.740
 was disappointing

00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.779
 to my kids

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:55.159
 and I hate that feeling

00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:56.639
 of disappointing them.

00:25:56.640 --> 00:26:01.460
 If you consider

00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.640
 Jesus first place

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.480
 in your friendships

00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:05.860
 you may find yourself

00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.620
 left out

00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.460
 by a group

00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.460
 you really care

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.660
 to be liked by

00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:11.280
 because you're loving

00:26:11.280 --> 00:26:12.360
 someone who is

00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.259
 already lonely

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.540
 and left out

00:26:14.540 --> 00:26:15.700
 the way Jesus

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.480
 would love them.

00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.700
 It doesn't feel good.

00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.700
 If you decide

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.380
 to consider

00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:23.720
 Jesus first

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.720
 in your job

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:27.200
 it may at times

00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.980
 mean that you don't

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.380
 make quite as much money

00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:31.000
 or get to

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:32.420
 buy that car

00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.480
 or that dress

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:36.200
 if you consider

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.319
 Jesus first

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.759
 in your free time

00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.740
 you may decide

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.660
 he wouldn't have you

00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.440
 doing something

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:43.180
 that you enjoy doing

00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.240
 and you sacrifice

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.120
 that

00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:46.180
 in order to live

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.259
 with him.

00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:49.079
 You'll still have

00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:50.500
 hard family arguments

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.920
 still get news

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.720
 of cancer

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.240
 you'll still make

00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.460
 mistakes at work

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:58.079
 it does not

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.100
 magically

00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.860
 fix everything

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:02.180
 okay

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.519
 but

00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:05.799
 but

00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.720
 having

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.319
 Jesus

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.500
 in first place

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.100
 planning your life

00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.799
 around your

00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:12.059
 relationship with him

00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.220
 is better

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.700
 even when it

00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:16.000
 seems or feels

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.799
 worse

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:18.039
 don't miss this

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.180
 as you spend

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.000
 more time

00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.500
 with Jesus

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.519
 as his love

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.940
 for you

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.579
 transforms your life

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.879
 and your reality

00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:26.279
 living with him

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.139
 first

00:27:27.139 --> 00:27:28.699
 is best

00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:29.759
 it is

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.939
 best

00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.939
 because

00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:33.059
 no matter who

00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.039
 you're left out by

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.799
 you'll never be left

00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.779
 alone by him

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:38.500
 or without community

00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.480
 and his family

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.939
 you'll always have that

00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:42.879
 because no matter

00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:44.359
 what you can't afford

00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.519
 your value

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.699
 is secure

00:27:46.699 --> 00:27:48.019
 by the precious

00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.759
 blood

00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.159
 of Jesus Christ

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.240
 given for you

00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.359
 because no matter

00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:53.079
 what bad

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.000
 medical news

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.940
 you receive

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.920
 you're never

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.140
 without eternal

00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:57.519
 hope

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.500
 and the promise

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.299
 of a resurrection

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.220
 body that will be

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.839
 given to you

00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.620
 that will never

00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.099
 break

00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.059
 and will never

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.539
 hurt

00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.940
 and will always

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.579
 last

00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:08.019
 it's better

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.819
 even best

00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.779
 to consider

00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.180
 Jesus

00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:11.900
 first

00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.599
 because no matter

00:28:12.599 --> 00:28:13.519
 how challenging

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.620
 your marriage is

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.500
 you will be

00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.660
 tasting the love

00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:17.839
 of a perfect

00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.519
 spouse

00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.539
 who loves you

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.539
 unfailingly

00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.720
 and forever

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.779
 because no matter

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.440
 how badly

00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.059
 you mess up

00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:24.579
 at work

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.339
 or school

00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.119
 you'll always

00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.879
 have an identity

00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.900
 that's established

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.960
 outside of anything

00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.500
 you do

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.299
 or how well

00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.000
 you perform

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.720
 you'll be

00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.639
 safe

00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:34.000
 and secure

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.139
 and valuable

00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.279
 in Christ

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.740
 because no matter

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.740
 how many experiences

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.420
 you feel like

00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:40.160
 you're missing out

00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.019
 on in this life

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.879
 you'll never

00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.779
 run out of time

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.759
 through eternity

00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.700
 to explore

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.539
 every inch

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.180
 of God's

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.139
 glorious creation

00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:48.040
 and enjoy life

00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:48.700
 to the full

00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.540
 with Him

00:28:49.540 --> 00:28:50.380
 and with others

00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:50.900
 you love

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:52.200
 forever

00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.580
 see no matter

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.620
 whom you lose

00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:56.560
 or what it costs you

00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.400
 you'll have

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.040
 Jesus

00:28:58.040 --> 00:28:59.240
 Himself

00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.920
 the great King

00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:02.440
 over all creation

00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.100
 the powerful

00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:05.520
 sustainer

00:29:05.520 --> 00:29:06.700
 of the universe

00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:08.240
 the supreme

00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.040
 lover

00:29:09.040 --> 00:29:10.660
 of your soul

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.400
 He

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.420
 will be

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.520
 yours

00:29:13.520 --> 00:29:14.540
 always

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:16.779
 never

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.019
 ever

00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.680
 letting you down

00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:23.180
 Southwood

00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:23.920
 I'm inviting

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.480
 you

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.279
 again

00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.539
 I am

00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.359
 urging

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.079
 you

00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.399
 to join

00:29:30.399 --> 00:29:30.759
 me

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.599
 in the

00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.059
 journey

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:33.200
 of walking

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.319
 with Jesus

00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.139
 learning

00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.980
 together

00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:38.079
 what it means

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.920
 in our lives

00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.859
 to have Him

00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:41.259
 in first place

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.779
 in

00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.339
 everything

00:29:43.339 --> 00:29:46.099
 that's why

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.679
 we're still here

00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.220
 this morning

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.099
 I don't want

00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.899
 anyone to miss

00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:49.319
 this

00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.619
 in case you're

00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:50.919
 wondering

00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.759
 this is a journey

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:52.799
 that will not end

00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:54.059
 I'm committed

00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.919
 to keeping it

00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:56.000
 before us

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.659
 keeping us

00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:57.480
 on this journey

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.099
 in fact

00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:58.819
 as a church

00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.779
 it is our first

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.839
 core commitment

00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.759
 to being

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.559
 Christ

00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.379
 centered

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:05.299
 by which we mean

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.740
 in every slice

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.220
 of life

00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.259
 not just in our

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.740
 preaching

00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.059
 or on Sundays

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.279
 but in our mission

00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.519
 our shepherding

00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.539
 our serving

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.019
 in all of life

00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.019
 24-7

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.799
 365

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:18.920
 we must do

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.819
 this together

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:21.500
 we need one another

00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:22.079
 for this

00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.399
 right

00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:24.680
 we as your leaders

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.579
 are especially

00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.619
 trying to keep this

00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.700
 before us right now

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.639
 because we know

00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.680
 how vital it is

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.839
 and because we know

00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.960
 how hard it is

00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.740
 because we're living

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.319
 it with you

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.299
 it's a struggle

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.920
 for us

00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.500
 too

00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:38.379
 so especially

00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.400
 be listening

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:39.960
 in the days

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.480
 and weeks

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.340
 ahead

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.980
 be talking

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.560
 together

00:30:43.560 --> 00:30:45.060
 about how we

00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.980
 consider Jesus

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.560
 first

00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:47.920
 lots of ways

00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.460
 to have this

00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.020
 on your radar

00:30:49.020 --> 00:30:49.720
 as we go back

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.360
 to the gospel

00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:50.920
 of John

00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.520
 week in

00:30:51.520 --> 00:30:52.580
 and week out

00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:54.080
 and watch

00:30:54.080 --> 00:30:54.820
 and listen

00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:55.920
 to Jesus

00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:58.240
 hear his final

00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.240
 passionate

00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.360
 instructions to us

00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:01.140
 what it looks like

00:31:01.140 --> 00:31:02.400
 to live in relationship

00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:02.960
 with him

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.280
 as we gather

00:31:04.280 --> 00:31:05.140
 in grace groups

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:06.420
 to process together

00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.600
 what we're learning

00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.559
 and how this

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.259
 transforms our lives

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.439
 it's this first

00:31:11.439 --> 00:31:12.059
 place

00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.740
 Jesus

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.319
 that is

00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.079
 what will be

00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.719
 training our

00:31:14.719 --> 00:31:15.279
 grace group

00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:15.639
 leaders

00:31:15.639 --> 00:31:16.639
 to help you

00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:18.119
 walk in together

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:20.519
 as we gather

00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:20.819
 with

00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:23.179
 the parents

00:31:23.179 --> 00:31:23.759
 of kids

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:25.259
 and youth

00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:26.459
 and we're going

00:31:26.459 --> 00:31:27.119
 to talk about

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:27.980
 the very same thing

00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.980
 how we model

00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:30.039
 Christ centered living

00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.179
 and shape our kids

00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:32.139
 toward Christ centered

00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:33.019
 living together

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.299
 Jesus first

00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.039
 in parenting

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.879
 in work

00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.759
 in friendship

00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.519
 in time

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.960
 in money

00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.619
 in marriage

00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.220
 there's a lot

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.900
 to talk about

00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:42.519
 don't sit

00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.379
 on the sidelines

00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.299
 of this journey

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.420
 don't think

00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.480
 Jesus is okay

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.700
 with the bronze medal

00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.359
 hey he's a part

00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:48.879
 of my life

00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:49.559
 that's all he ever

00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:49.960
 wanted

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:51.079
 don't think

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.139
 you're the gold medalist

00:31:52.139 --> 00:31:52.759
 who will eventually

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.220
 sort your own life out

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.400
 it's just really busy

00:31:55.400 --> 00:31:55.960
 right now

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.680
 but you'll eventually

00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.379
 figure it out

00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:57.859
 no

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.660
 no

00:31:58.660 --> 00:32:00.200
 come back

00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.740
 and be a part

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.279
 of this now

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.680
 Jesus

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:03.359
 first

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:06.799
 one last

00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.079
 word of encouragement

00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:09.019
 for us

00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.500
 in this

00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:11.199
 this is especially

00:32:11.199 --> 00:32:11.959
 for those

00:32:11.959 --> 00:32:12.879
 who are like me

00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.979
 who feel convicted

00:32:13.979 --> 00:32:15.799
 when you hear this

00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:17.399
 maybe

00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.079
 like me

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.500
 it's because

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.419
 you've heard this

00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:20.299
 your whole life

00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.479
 and you're

00:32:21.479 --> 00:32:22.240
 you're kind of

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:23.299
 cynical about it

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.839
 at this point

00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.219
 you're a little

00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:24.719
 skeptical

00:32:24.719 --> 00:32:25.559
 you're like

00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.059
 yeah I mean

00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:27.159
 I've believed that

00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:28.079
 since I was a kid

00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.799
 but I don't feel

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.379
 like it's ever

00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:29.740
 kind of

00:32:29.740 --> 00:32:30.839
 taken hold of me

00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:32.279
 I don't feel like

00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.720
 it's ever

00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.799
 made the difference

00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.279
 that it was

00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.279
 supposed to

00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:36.339
 and so I don't know

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.859
 what's going to be

00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.980
 different this time

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.940
 I keep failing

00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.779
 to live the way

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.680
 that I should

00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:44.339
 that's actually

00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.039
 a good thing

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.519
 to feel

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.400
 because there's

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.299
 there's hope

00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.200
 right there

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:50.500
 first there's

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.220
 bad news

00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:52.400
 you're likely

00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.259
 to fail again

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:55.000
 probably this afternoon

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.019
 if I had to guess

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:58.380
 at considering

00:32:58.380 --> 00:32:59.579
 Jesus first

00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.779
 in everything

00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.679
 in your life

00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:04.399
 but there's

00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:05.599
 really good news

00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.439
 and I want this

00:33:06.439 --> 00:33:07.419
 to inspire

00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.039
 your heart

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.279
 in a new way

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.259
 and in fresh

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:10.859
 relationship

00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:11.419
 with Jesus

00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:13.339
 Jesus considered

00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.319
 us first

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.919
 for all the times

00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.960
 that we didn't

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.099
 consider him first

00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:20.119
 all of them

00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:21.960
 look at what

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.720
 follows this

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.519
 glorious

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.759
 Christ hymn

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:27.039
 it ends by saying

00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.939
 Jesus' cross

00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:28.759
 reconciles

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.740
 everything in the

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.579
 world to God

00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:33.180
 and as for you

00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:35.539
 you who were

00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.839
 once alienated

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.519
 from God

00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.160
 the Father

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.759
 who were

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:40.000
 hostile to him

00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.579
 in your mind

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.480
 who were doing

00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.000
 evil deeds

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:44.140
 even when you

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:44.700
 were doing

00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.859
 the most evil

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.579
 deed possible

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.299
 what's that

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.700
 removing God

00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.640
 from the center

00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.279
 the throne

00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:53.099
 of your heart

00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:54.500
 and your life

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:55.180
 that's the first

00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.960
 commandment

00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.240
 right

00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.359
 that we confessed

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.639
 earlier in the service

00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.439
 we've failed

00:33:59.439 --> 00:34:00.219
 to obey

00:34:00.219 --> 00:34:02.079
 even then

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.500
 Jesus has

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.939
 reconciled you

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:06.139
 by his death

00:34:06.139 --> 00:34:07.339
 so that he presents

00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.019
 you holy

00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:09.400
 and blameless

00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.859
 and above reproach

00:34:10.859 --> 00:34:12.039
 to his Father

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.319
 who has become

00:34:13.319 --> 00:34:14.980
 now and forever

00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.779
 your Father

00:34:16.779 --> 00:34:18.539
 what amazing grace

00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.139
 that Jesus

00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.460
 would do that

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.599
 instead of his

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.500
 own comfort

00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:24.199
 Jesus considered

00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.239
 us first

00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:26.059
 and what we

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.519
 would need

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.579
 and how much

00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:29.079
 he means to us

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:30.519
 so that we now

00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.859
 by his very

00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.500
 spirit

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.739
 given to us

00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:35.619
 can join in the

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:35.939
 journey

00:34:35.939 --> 00:34:37.239
 the exciting

00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:38.419
 costly

00:34:38.419 --> 00:34:39.659
 hard

00:34:39.659 --> 00:34:40.859
 fulfilling

00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:41.639
 journey

00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.639
 of considering

00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.359
 him

00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:45.000
 first place

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.699
 in

00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:47.219
 everything

00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:49.399
 what a gracious

00:34:49.399 --> 00:34:50.099
 Savior

00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:51.299
 let's ask for his

00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:51.639
 help

00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:56.739
 Jesus

00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.179
 we

00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:58.559
 renew

00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:59.239
 even now

00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.739
 our commitment

00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.719
 to relationship

00:35:01.719 --> 00:35:02.480
 with you

00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.319
 before anything

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:03.879
 else

00:35:03.879 --> 00:35:06.739
 oh Holy

00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.279
 Spirit

00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:08.179
 we ask

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.699
 for your

00:35:08.699 --> 00:35:09.000
 help

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.719
 because our

00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.219
 hearts

00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:10.779
 are so

00:35:10.779 --> 00:35:11.239
 prone

00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:11.940
 to wander

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:14.099
 and even

00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.420
 when

00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:15.219
 when our

00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:15.500
 hearts

00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:15.940
 come to

00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.179
 life

00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.460
 and our

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.799
 spirits

00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:17.279
 are willing

00:35:17.279 --> 00:35:17.739
 you know

00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.460
 our flesh

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.079
 is weak

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:20.059
 so help

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.480
 us

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.559
 we pray

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:21.880
 that we

00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.259
 would not

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.679
 just give

00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.279
 lip service

00:35:23.279 --> 00:35:23.819
 to Jesus

00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:24.699
 that we

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.099
 would not

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.480
 just

00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.819
 grow his

00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:27.380
 slice of

00:35:27.380 --> 00:35:27.880
 the pie

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:30.039
 but that we

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.699
 would experience

00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:31.500
 what it means

00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.019
 that he would

00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:33.380
 be preeminent

00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.840
 in everything

00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:36.500
 for his glory

00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.579
 and for our

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.380
 good we ask

00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.000
 it in his

00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.340
 name

00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:40.699
 amen

00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:43.099
 for more

00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.619
 information

00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.439
 visit us

00:35:44.439 --> 00:35:44.859
 online

00:35:44.859 --> 00:35:45.139
 at

00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.939
 southwood.org