WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:04.219 Well, good morning, church. Let's pray as we come to God's Word. 00:00:08.019 --> 00:00:16.260 Father, thank you for the privilege of listening to your Word preached among these people and in this place 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:22.800 for the last two decades of my life. And thank you for the honor of proclaiming you. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:27.879 We pray that your Spirit would fill me and that you would fill all of our hearts 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:30.559 as we listen and receive what you have for us today. 00:00:31.419 --> 00:00:33.399 Pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:44.299 Well, before I jump into the sermon, I want to thank you all for your support and provision of our sabbatical this summer. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:49.200 My family and I spent the month of July driving to Montana and back. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:51.759 Yeah, it was over 6,000 miles. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:58.479 And along the way, we visited a few people who had played sort of key roles in our spiritual lives in different seasons. 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:02.420 So we visited the woman who had led Jane, my wife, to Christ in high school. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:05.179 She lives in Wisconsin with her family. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:12.319 We also visited the couple who are our campus ministers with InterVarsity in college and our mentors afterwards when I was working for InterVarsity. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:21.359 And we spent a week in Montana with one of Jane's college friends, a bridesmaid at our wedding, who also worked with me on InterVarsity staff. 00:01:21.459 --> 00:01:26.419 And so this trip gave us many opportunities to look back on different seasons of our lives 00:01:26.419 --> 00:01:34.560 and think about the people that God had placed alongside us and to lead us and to mentor us and to walk with us. 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:40.659 At the same time, this trip was a new adventure into places we had never been. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:45.680 Driving through the Great Plains and seeing the mountains, I thought it was clouds. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:51.760 And then I realized they were the mountains, if you've ever been on that drive on I-90. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:58.920 And for me, driving through the sort of vast prairies and then seeing the towering mountain peaks 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:05.540 gives a particular sense of how small we are before the majesty and the wisdom of our Creator God. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:10.819 You know, we get to live in this world, we get to study it, we get to—we're responsible to maintain it, 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:13.860 but we didn't make it and we don't ultimately control it. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:20.620 And I think when you're in the middle of God's vast creation, that's an impression that is valuable to hold on to. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:24.759 So our trip this summer helped us to look back on God's faithfulness in the past 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:30.159 and to anticipate the next stage in our journey as we move to leading a new church. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:33.599 So thank you for giving us that time. It was a blessing to us. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:36.980 This morning, I want to give you some parting words from the Scriptures. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:42.860 Now I realize some of you are—it's maybe your first time here, or you're new to town, or you're new to the church, 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:44.379 and you don't know me from Adam. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:49.120 So the fact that I'm leaving, it doesn't register high on your radar. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:53.640 But I think that these words, first of all, they're from the Bible, 00:02:53.819 --> 00:03:00.039 so they are—all Scripture is useful for helping all of us in any situation. 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:04.620 But I think particularly they'll speak to any of you who are in any kind of transition or change 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:08.540 or sort of looking towards a new future, a new season. 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:14.680 So I said back in June, whenever we're facing any significant transition, any loss or change, 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:18.620 any new challenge or opportunity, the Scriptures encourage us to look back on God's faithfulness, 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:24.939 and consider what we can learn from the past, as well as to look forward with trust and hope 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:28.719 in God's unchanging character and God's unshakable promises. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:30.719 So that's what I want to do today. 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:33.500 So if you turn with me to Hebrews chapter 11, 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:39.099 I want to look at a few words from the last three chapters of Hebrews. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:46.519 Now, if you have read the book of Hebrews, you might know the main theme of this book in the New Testament 00:03:46.519 --> 00:03:49.599 is the unparalleled greatness of Jesus. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:57.019 So for the first ten chapters, the author unpacks this theme and emphasizes it over and over. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:04:02.840 So he starts by demonstrating that Jesus is greater than the angels, than all the heavenly beings. 00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:05.180 He rules and commands them all. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:09.180 And then he goes on to say that Jesus is greater than all human leaders, 00:04:10.260 --> 00:04:14.120 greater than all the previous leaders that God has sent to his people. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:17.639 He's a prophet greater than Moses. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:20.259 He's a priest greater than Aaron. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:22.740 And he's a king greater than David. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:26.600 So you see these themes woven through the book of how Jesus is our great high priest 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:29.199 and sort of God's final word to us. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.719 And finally, that he's a better sacrifice. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:39.459 He's the ultimate atoning sacrifice who makes a way for us to be cleansed from our sins once and for all, 00:04:39.539 --> 00:04:44.839 to come freely and fully into the presence of God without any hindrances 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:48.539 and without needing anything other than him. 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:56.159 So for ten chapters, the author of Hebrews eloquently unfolds the unparalleled greatness of Jesus. 00:04:56.160 --> 00:05:00.200 And then in the concluding chapters of the book, he gives some very practical instructions 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:03.380 about what it looks like to live a life of faith. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:07.240 That is of trust and looking to Jesus. 00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:09.880 How to move forward by faith in Christ. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:11.580 So I want to look at three key truths. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.100 One's in chapter 11. 00:05:13.320 --> 00:05:14.379 One's in chapter 12. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:16.100 One's in chapter 13 this morning. 00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:18.379 So first truth is found in chapter 11. 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:25.040 And I want to read chapter 11, verses 1 and 2, and then 8 to 10, and then 13 to 16. 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:26.260 So let me read these verses. 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:32.360 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:36.340 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 00:05:37.260 --> 00:05:38.379 Going down to verse 8. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:45.520 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:48.879 and he went out not knowing where he was going. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:56.040 By faith he went to live in the land of promise as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, 00:05:56.219 --> 00:06:02.560 heirs with him of the same promise, for he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.019 whose designer and builder is God. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:06.980 Verse 13. 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:10.220 These all died in faith. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:16.300 Not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, 00:06:16.700 --> 00:06:20.720 and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:25.259 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:29.160 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:30.960 they would have had opportunity to return, 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.900 but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:42.099 Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. 00:06:42.799 --> 00:06:49.379 So the truth that we see in this part of chapter 11 is that God's people are always pilgrims. 00:06:50.299 --> 00:06:54.159 Now Abraham is the particular example that verses 8 through 10 highlight, 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:58.879 and one of the pivotal moments in Abraham's life recorded in Genesis chapter 12 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:03.359 is when God calls him to leave behind his ancestral homeland, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:09.220 to leave behind the previous source of his security and identity and belonging, 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:14.259 and to move to a new land that he had never been to and had no previous connections in. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:18.340 And verse 9 says it was by faith in God's promises 00:07:18.340 --> 00:07:23.020 that Abraham obeyed God's command to embark on that pilgrimage. 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:30.079 And then in verse 13 through 16, we see that this wasn't just an unusual pattern in Abraham's life, 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.979 but there's a broader pattern in the lives of all the people of God through the ages. 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:37.120 Verse 13 says, 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:40.500 These all, all the men and women of faith, 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:45.659 acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth seeking a homeland. 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:50.199 In other words, God's people are always pilgrims. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:55.519 Now, this doesn't mean that followers of Jesus should be completely disconnected 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:58.579 from the places where God puts us for a time. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:07:59.639 Right? 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:05.360 God did not create us as disembodied spirits floating around and attached to nowhere in particular. 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.500 No, he made us embodied creatures. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.599 He put us in a particular time, in particular places, 00:08:10.599 --> 00:08:14.839 so that we would inhabit those places fully as his image bearers. 00:08:14.839 --> 00:08:22.859 One example of when God's people were called to do this is in Jeremiah chapter 29 in the Old Testament. 00:08:23.219 --> 00:08:27.359 The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon. 00:08:28.179 --> 00:08:32.120 And they were living in a strange and uncomfortable land, right? 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:35.399 They had been captured and taken there, where they did not want to be. 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:40.139 And some of them were completely fed up with the Babylonian culture, 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:43.279 and they just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:46.179 But God sent them an unexpected message. 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:49.360 If you read Jeremiah 29, it's... 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:50.620 And his message was, 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:55.980 Settle down, build a house, plant a garden, and raise your family. 00:08:55.980 --> 00:09:02.279 And seek the good of the city where I have sent you. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:07.960 Pray for its flourishing, for in its flourishing you will find your flourishing. 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:10.539 In other words, God was saying to his people, 00:09:10.680 --> 00:09:14.159 Invest in this place for as long as God keeps you there. 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:21.519 One church we visited this summer described their mission in four words. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:26.179 It's gospel, community, worship, and place. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:27.679 Right? 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:31.620 Now the first three are sort of what you expect to hear from a good, solid church, right? 00:09:31.699 --> 00:09:35.199 The gospel is at the center of what we believe, the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:37.500 Worshiping God is our central... 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:39.399 It's sort of what gathers us together each Sunday. 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:41.340 Community is what we want to build together. 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:44.860 But I thought that was an interesting way to put their fourth commitment, place. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.279 And they described it this way. 00:09:46.939 --> 00:09:50.000 We seek rootedness in a transient culture. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:55.940 We seek to engage our city and its people on the common ground of love for this place. 00:09:56.059 --> 00:09:57.059 They were in Whitefish, Montana. 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:58.539 It's a beautiful place. 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:04.259 We call our members to consider how they may enjoy this place, knowing and loving its people, 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:08.320 serve this place, caring for the lonely and poor and vulnerable within it, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:16.360 and prioritize relationships within this place with those who are near at home, work, school, worship, and play. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:21.659 I think that's putting the principle of Jeremiah 29 into practice. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:22.879 So let me encourage you. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:27.460 If God has brought you to New Haven, settle down here and get involved in this community 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:32.139 and find a solid church that you can really sink your... 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:34.300 Sink your teeth into is the wrong metaphor. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:35.940 But, right? 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:37.019 Like, enjoy. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.639 Like, embed yourself within the community. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:41.240 Don't, right? 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:44.699 Don't just be sort of floating around from place to place and rooted nowhere. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:45.699 Right? 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:47.100 Enjoy this place. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:48.220 Enjoy New Haven. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:52.240 Serve New Haven and prioritize the people who God has put next to you, 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:59.379 where you're living, where you're working, where you relax and play, and in church. 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:05.100 So it's right for us, and do that even if you only expect to be here for a short time, 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:10.559 or even if you find some aspects of this place uncomfortable or alienating. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:11.879 Right? 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:16.639 It's right for us to be committed to the places that God puts us for a time. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:22.860 But, you know, however much God may call us to invest in particular places at particular times, 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:26.039 the truth of Hebrews 11 is also true. 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:29.740 God's people are always called to be pilgrims on a journey. 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:36.620 You see, none of the places that God calls us to inhabit for a time is our true home. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:45.099 For our entire earthly life, we are pilgrims on a journey toward our true home in the heavenly city of God. 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:53.399 And so each time that we must physically move on from a place that we have known and loved for a long time, 00:11:53.399 --> 00:12:01.039 or each time that we must stay and say goodbye to a loved one who is moving on, 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:06.439 we can remind ourselves that God's people are always called to be pilgrims. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:12.980 And God himself is the only unshakable, unchangeable reality of our journey. 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:21.379 And when we accept our status, our call to be pilgrims, we can know that promise of verse 16, 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:25.120 therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:30.399 Earlier in Hebrews it says Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.240 because he fully shared our humanity. 00:12:33.420 --> 00:12:36.200 He called us to belong to him. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:41.420 For many years I assumed that I would be here in New Haven and at Trinity indefinitely, 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:43.560 perhaps until I would retire or die. 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:48.360 This place and this church have been my physical and spiritual home 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:52.460 for literally half my earthly existence the last 20 years. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:56.560 And so at times it's been a painful process to let go of that assumption 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:58.580 and to surrender some of my attachments. 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:02.860 But in that process God has drawn me to cling to himself 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:05.360 in ways I never would have imagined. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:09.020 Over the last several months I've journaled once or twice a week, 00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:13.000 writing out my prayers and processing my thoughts and emotions. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:17.440 And as I read over my journal entries I'm struck by how many prayers God has answered. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:23.540 Now if you told me a year ago that I'd be preaching my last sermon at Trinity today, 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.200 I probably would not have believed you. 00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:31.120 But if you told me 20 years ago on the first Sunday of September 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:34.080 when I walked into Trinity Baptist Church as a junior in college 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.040 that I would still be here 20 years later, 00:13:36.040 --> 00:13:37.840 I definitely would not have believed you. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:45.080 I guess I'm not very good at predicting how my life is going to unfold. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:51.660 But honestly, I don't know many people whose life has unfolded exactly the way they expected. 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:56.420 If your life's unfolded exactly how you expected, just wait a couple years. 00:13:56.419 --> 00:14:05.099 Along the way God sends us unwanted afflictions as well as unforeseen blessings. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:11.059 And you know both of those things are reminders that God is God and we are not. 00:14:11.979 --> 00:14:14.219 And he's gracious to give us many good gifts 00:14:14.219 --> 00:14:18.039 and he's entirely within his rights to take any of them away at any time. 00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:22.219 But the invitation he extends to us in every transition, 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:25.679 in every loss, in every change, in every new challenge, a new opportunity, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:33.039 is to cling to him and continue on the next phase of our pilgrimage toward the heavenly city. 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:38.559 You know, sometimes when we find ourselves in an uncomfortable place 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:41.019 or in the midst of a difficult season 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:43.779 or looking back on a very good season, 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:49.360 we can be tempted to idealize some season of life that has already passed. 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.019 Right? 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:53.379 We call it looking back on the good old days. 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:54.059 Right? 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:54.939 Nostalgia. 00:14:56.319 --> 00:15:01.439 And the Bible actually warns us that nostalgia can be a trap. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.919 In other words, constantly wishing that we could go back 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:08.439 to some other place or some other time. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.459 Ecclesiastes 7.10 says, 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:14.180 Do not say, Why were the old days better than these? 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:16.440 For it is not wise to ask such questions. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.700 Ecclesiastes is fairly blunt. 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.480 Once when I was about 12, 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:24.060 I was riding my bike down the street near my house 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.639 and I noticed something. 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:26.600 I don't remember what it was, 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:29.379 but I noticed something and turned my head for a few seconds 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:31.820 and I rammed into a mailbox. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:33.840 Thankfully, I was wearing my helmet. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:38.340 And then I turned back to see how in the world I had hit that mailbox 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.680 and I rammed into the next mailbox. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:43.699 After the second mailbox, I learned my lesson. 00:15:44.739 --> 00:15:45.859 Watch where you're going. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.179 Right? 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.620 And there's a spiritual truth here. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.319 Right? 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:52.579 Our posture is to be like Abraham in verse 10, 00:15:52.859 --> 00:15:55.919 looking forward to the city with foundations, 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:58.219 whose architect and builder is God. 00:15:58.319 --> 00:16:02.719 Yes, we can and should look back on God's faithfulness in the past 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:06.980 and learn from our mistakes in the past and the hard seasons in the past. 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:12.379 And yet, our gaze is not to be fixed on somewhere in the past. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:16.240 Our gaze is to be looking ahead to what God has for us next 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.820 and ultimately looking ahead to the glorious future He's promised 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:21.540 in the eternal city of God. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.539 Right? 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.980 Verse 15 says, 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.599 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:30.219 they would have had opportunity to return. 00:16:30.599 --> 00:16:34.079 But as it is, they desire a better country, a heavenly one. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:38.459 You know, the last prayer in the Bible is Revelation, 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:40.539 the end of Revelation 22, 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.419 and it's only three words. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:44.519 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:47.899 You know, 20 years ago, 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:50.379 I probably didn't pray that prayer very much, to be honest. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.100 Because I had a lot ahead of me. 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:53.600 Right? 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.319 I was in college. 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.939 Life was going well. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:59.659 And, you know, I would see that prayer in the Bible 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:01.299 and say, yes, come, Lord Jesus. 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:04.639 But also, there's a lot of other things I'm really looking forward to. 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:07.400 You know, the longer you go through life, 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:11.660 I think God is training us to pray that prayer. 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:16.220 Because the best things that we enjoy in this world 00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:19.420 only pale in comparison to what's to come. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:22.660 And all the hard stuff and all the afflictions 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:26.940 are meant to remind us that this world isn't our home. 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:31.080 And so I think it takes a long time sometimes, 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:33.100 but I think God is training us to be able to pray 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:35.220 those last words of the Bible. 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.120 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.500 With all our hearts. 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:41.859 So that's the first truth we see. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:44.180 God's people are always pilgrims. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.960 We are always called to be pilgrims on a journey. 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:49.759 The second truth I want to highlight 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:53.220 is found in chapter 12, verses 1 and 2. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.839 So let me read these verses 00:17:54.839 --> 00:18:00.759 that come at the conclusion of sort of the 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:03.180 men and women of faith of chapter 11. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:03.839 It says, 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:33.819 Now Hebrews chapter 11 is our long list 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:36.159 of our spiritual mothers and fathers in the faith. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:39.819 And verse 1 of chapter 12 calls these saints 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.519 the great cloud of witnesses. 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:44.379 They've finished their earthly journey. 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:47.700 They're sort of like spectators in the stands, 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.259 bearing witness to the faithfulness of God 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:52.700 who's brought them all the way to the finish line. 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:56.960 And we can derive a lot of encouragement and wisdom 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:00.580 from the stories of faithful saints who've gone before us. 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:04.960 Both those we've known personally, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:09.019 as well as those who we only have read or heard about from others 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:11.880 or from reading books or from the Bible. 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:13.560 But you know, 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:16.360 the conclusion of this great chapter 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:19.240 of men and women of faith, 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.580 it doesn't say, 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.720 fix your eyes 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:24.880 on those faithful saints who've gone before us. 00:19:25.340 --> 00:19:25.940 No, it says, 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.460 look to Jesus, 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:31.000 the founder and perfecter of faith. 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:32.980 That word founder 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.240 can also be translated author, 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:36.600 pioneer, 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.740 champion, 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.480 or even trailblazer. 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.620 You see, 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.559 the path that God calls us to walk 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:45.480 with all its unexpected twists and turns 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.759 has been blazed by none other 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.960 than Jesus Christ himself. 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.279 You know, 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.339 if you're traveling through unfamiliar territory, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.799 it's important to know 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.819 who has gone before you. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.740 Who has laid down this road 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.579 and who is committed to maintaining it? 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.480 You know, 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:05.920 when we were traveling through South Dakota this summer, 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.940 we went on a lot of dirt roads. 00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:10.900 There are actually three kinds of dirt roads. 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:13.060 So there are maintained dirt roads. 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:16.400 And the speed limit is normally 55 on those. 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.180 You sort of realize, 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.420 no, you shouldn't go to the speed limit. 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.460 But there are maintained ones. 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.600 And then there are others that say 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.460 minimal maintenance, 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.800 travel at your own risk. 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.080 And then there are others 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:30.400 that are usually just like a track 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.519 that ends in a cornfield 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.360 that says, 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.360 no maintenance, 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.779 travel not recommended. 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:38.660 One of the places we stayed this summer 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:40.740 was down eight miles of dirt roads 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.740 in western South Dakota 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:43.059 near the Badlands. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.639 And about halfway down those dirt roads 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.960 when all we could see was cows 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.759 and grasslands 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.799 and barbed wire fences, 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.480 Jane turned to me 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.339 and said something like, 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:52.480 how exactly did you choose this place? 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.379 Now, okay, 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.119 I planned the trip, 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.879 but every place, 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.940 I emailed her, 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.940 showed her at one point, 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.480 right? 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.339 She said, 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.259 how exactly did you choose it? 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.740 I said, well, 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.299 it had lots of good reviews online. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.200 And she said, 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.039 I think this might be 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.759 a bit too far off the beaten track. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.960 And I said, 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.319 well, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.900 I'm just following the directions 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:13.799 they gave us. 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.019 Thankfully, 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.220 we made it without incident. 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:20.240 We didn't see any strange wildlife 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:21.559 along that road. 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:23.720 But you know, 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.259 when you're in unfamiliar territory, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.839 it matters whose road 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.839 you're traveling on 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:29.339 and it matters whose directions 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.199 you're following. 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:33.279 Many of the commands in the Bible 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.839 are not easy for us, 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:37.259 for people like us to follow. 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.039 We sang that song, 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.240 prone to wander, 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:40.559 Lord, 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.159 I feel it, 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.859 prone to leave the God I love. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:45.659 We're prone to turn off the road 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:48.139 and find ourself in a ditch. 00:21:49.419 --> 00:21:50.439 Sometimes God calls us 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:52.059 to walk a road that seems hard, 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.039 a road of sacrifice 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:56.099 and suffering in obedience to him. 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.799 But Hebrews says, 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.379 let us run with endurance 00:21:58.379 --> 00:22:01.659 the race marked out for us. 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.519 In other words, 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.879 let's continue on the path 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.500 that God has laid out for us 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.159 obeying his word 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:10.279 because Jesus has walked that path. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.859 Every step of that path, 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.220 Jesus has walked before us. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.480 He endured the cross 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.799 for the joy set before him, 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.119 the joy of bringing us 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.980 with him to glory. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.319 See, 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.279 the message of the Bible 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:22.180 is that Jesus has done for us 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.579 what we could not do 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.639 for ourselves. 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:27.259 He has lived a life 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:29.259 of complete faith 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.699 and obedience to God. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.039 All right, 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.279 if you read the stories 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.379 of Jesus' life in the gospel, 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.659 the way he treats other people 00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:36.679 with love and honor, 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.919 the way he endured suffering 00:22:38.919 --> 00:22:39.519 and hardship, 00:22:40.899 --> 00:22:42.019 look at him. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.299 I remember when I was, 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.500 I don't know, 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.359 maybe about 10, 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:49.039 maybe even less, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.460 a little younger than that, 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.480 and I was listening to 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.059 the pastor of the church 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.680 I grew up in, 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:55.160 just preach about the character 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.759 of Jesus and his compassion 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.640 and his humility 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:59.299 and his love, 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.660 and it just, 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:05.099 I realized I was proud. 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.039 I was arrogant. 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.819 I wasn't like Jesus 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.140 in so many ways. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.099 You know, 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.940 I'd grown up in the church, 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.319 I'd heard it, 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:14.099 but I remember it really struck me 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.140 just looking at the character 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:15.460 of Jesus, 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.079 how much I did not live up to that. 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.679 But the message of the Bible 00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:20.000 is God has done for us 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.379 in Jesus 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:21.319 what we could not do 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.899 for ourselves. 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.460 We could not cleanse us 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.939 from ourselves from our sins. 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.299 We could not make a way 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.519 for ourselves to come before God, 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.599 but Jesus has. 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:31.059 He's paid the price for our sins 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:32.519 in his death on the cross. 00:23:33.659 --> 00:23:34.960 And in his resurrection, 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.259 he's triumphed over death 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.199 and made a way for us 00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:38.359 to come into God's presence. 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.679 So that's the invitation. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.139 If you're new to Christianity, 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.919 if you're just exploring, 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:43.919 visiting, 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.839 or here with a friend, 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:47.179 that's what Jesus, 00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:48.480 that's what Christianity 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.139 is all about. 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:52.699 It's not proving ourself 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:54.319 or a list of things 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.099 that we have to do 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.539 or not do. 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.959 It's about the person of Jesus. 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.359 So I encourage you, 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.779 look at who Jesus is 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.199 and consider him. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.119 These words say 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.559 he's the author and the finisher, 00:24:09.139 --> 00:24:10.519 the founder and the perfecter. 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:12.039 And that word perfecter means 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.439 someone who brings something 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:14.619 to its appointed goal, 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.539 or end. 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.279 Right? 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.359 Jesus is not only the one 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:20.139 who begins our journey of faith, 00:24:20.199 --> 00:24:20.759 he's the one 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.359 who has promised to accompany us 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.439 all the way to the end 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.759 of our earthly pilgrimage. 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:27.119 So don't let anything distract you 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.359 from fixing your eyes 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.839 on Jesus and looking to him. 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.579 You know, 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.000 one of the books 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.379 that has shaped my understanding 00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.519 of being a pastor 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.119 and that I've returned to 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.679 over the years 00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.000 is called 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.959 The Art of Pastoring. 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.959 It was written by David Hanson 00:24:39.959 --> 00:24:41.240 out of his experience 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.839 as a pastor 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:43.079 in rural Montana 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.839 for many years. 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.220 And the main idea 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.899 that he develops 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.399 in his book 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:48.059 is that a pastor 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.779 is called to be 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.319 a parable of Jesus. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.980 And to some extent 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.399 he would say 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.000 this is the calling 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.679 of every Christian, 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.500 but his book 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.359 particularly focuses 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.519 on what that looks like 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.099 for pastors. 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:58.480 Here's a little 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.159 of what he says. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.439 He says, 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.880 a parable is a story, 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.100 right? 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.360 Jesus told many parables, 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.120 a story about something known 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:06.440 that sheds light 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.759 on something unknown. 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.360 So its purpose 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.440 is not to tell people 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.440 what they already know, 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.880 but to bring something new, 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.000 unforeseen, 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.960 and surprising 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.900 to the hearer. 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.279 So he says, 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:17.840 as a pastor, 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.039 I'm a known quantity. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.920 People see me, 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.660 they know me, 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.100 they hear me, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.900 I listen to them, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.960 but by God's grace 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:25.460 when I do these things, 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:27.500 people don't just encounter me, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.480 they encounter the one 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.380 who I represent. 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.720 People encounter Christ. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.420 But then he asks this question, 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.740 he says, 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:38.180 how can my oft-broken life 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:40.019 reflect and convey 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.299 the living, 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.859 intimate Lord of the universe 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.119 into everyday lives 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.559 of my oft-broken people? 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.440 Am I Jesus? 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.500 No. 00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.519 So then he uses an analogy 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.180 from fishing, 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.099 because he spends 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.960 a lot of time fishing. 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.759 He says, 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.039 I'm just a hook 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.480 with some feathers 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:59.220 and threads on it. 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.440 As I follow Jesus 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.400 throughout my day, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.519 I fish for people 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.180 for God. 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.420 Ultimately, 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.400 what I am 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.039 is the bait. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.700 Pastors bring Christ 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.200 to people 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.880 and then quickly 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:12.000 become unimportant, 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.319 unnecessary 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.779 to the important thing, 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.180 the parishioner's 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.900 relationship 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:18.019 with Jesus. 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.620 So he says, 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.660 pastors who make people 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.559 habitually dependent 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.299 on them 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.759 can fall into many traps. 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.819 But pastors who walk 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.339 with Jesus 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.659 and whose lives 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.599 reflect Jesus 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:31.000 and who attract people 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.720 so that they get 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.559 hooked by Jesus 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.639 are doing exactly 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.459 what God made them 00:26:34.459 --> 00:26:34.819 to do. 00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:37.399 So if God has used 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.480 my words 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.579 or my presence 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.559 or my prayers 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.839 to help you 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.399 connect with Jesus, 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.919 then I praise him. 00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:46.359 Because that's 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.279 an amazing privilege. 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:49.299 It's a glorious mystery 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:51.199 to be used by God 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:52.179 in that way. 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:55.000 But as I leave, 00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:55.940 my greatest hope 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.299 is that your connection 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.039 to Jesus 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.480 would grow even deeper 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:01.880 in this next season. 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:02.820 That you would look 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:03.240 to him 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.820 as the author 00:27:04.820 --> 00:27:06.200 and the perfecter 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.320 of your faith. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.560 The one who has 00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:10.940 drawn you to himself 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.860 through whoever 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.740 he may have used. 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:15.140 The Apostle Paul said 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.140 in Philippians 4 and 9, 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.160 whatever you have learned 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:18.299 and received 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.180 and heard 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.220 and seen in me, 00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.420 practice these things 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.640 and the God of peace 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.660 will be with you. 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.560 So if there's anything 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:26.380 true or helpful 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.360 or godly or wise 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:28.460 that you have seen in me 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:30.299 or learned from me 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:31.420 or my wife Jane, 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.519 my encouragement is 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.880 put it into practice. 00:27:35.820 --> 00:27:36.400 Pass it on. 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.360 Share it with somebody else. 00:27:40.060 --> 00:27:41.460 So from chapter 11 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.580 we see that God's people 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.640 are always pilgrims. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.380 From chapter 12 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.180 we see that Jesus 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:46.200 has gone before us 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.820 on our journey 00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:48.740 and finally in chapter 13 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.539 at the end 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.960 we see that God equips 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:53.380 everyone whom he has called 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.799 to follow Jesus. 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.079 Go to 13, 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.400 chapter 13, 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.019 verse 20. 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:01.180 I want to finish 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.200 with these last two verses, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.059 20 and 21. 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.319 Now may the God of peace 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.319 who brought again 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:07.819 from the dead 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.539 our Lord Jesus, 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.920 the great shepherd 00:28:09.920 --> 00:28:10.519 of the sheep 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.599 by the blood 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.500 of the eternal covenant, 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.059 equip you 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:15.500 with everything good 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.120 that you may do his will, 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.739 working in us 00:28:18.739 --> 00:28:19.559 that which is pleasing 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.139 in his sight 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.539 through Jesus Christ 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.259 to whom be glory 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.039 forever and ever. 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:23.819 Amen. 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:25.779 You know, 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.719 almost every New Testament 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.399 letter ends 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.399 with a word of blessing 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:30.019 and this was not 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.059 a common practice 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:32.399 in other ancient letters. 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.500 Most ancient letters 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.439 just ended with 00:28:34.439 --> 00:28:35.039 farewell, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.599 short and sweet. 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:38.339 But Christian letters 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:39.879 very frequently ended 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:41.299 with a word of blessing. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.559 Sometimes it was short, 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.699 grace be with you. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.559 Right here, 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.279 it's a little longer. 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.839 But it's the writer 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:49.159 entrusting his brothers 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.279 and sisters in Christ 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.539 into God's faithful 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.720 and merciful hands. 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.819 Look for a moment 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.500 at this blessing. 00:28:55.679 --> 00:28:56.679 Verse 20 looks back 00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:57.700 on what God the Father 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.639 did for Jesus. 00:28:59.339 --> 00:28:59.659 Namely, 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.079 he raised Jesus Christ 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.779 from the dead. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.299 Our great shepherd 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.259 who laid down his life 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.559 for us 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.319 has been raised 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.200 never to die again. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.039 And then verse 21 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.619 looks forward 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:10.159 to what he promises 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:11.200 to do for us. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.539 He will equip us 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.440 with everything good 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.839 so that we may 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.000 do his will, 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.920 working in us 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.700 that which is pleasing 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.220 in his sight. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.539 So you see, 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.899 the logic of this blessing 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:24.039 is if God raised Jesus, 00:29:24.159 --> 00:29:25.039 our great shepherd 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.899 from the dead, 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.519 then he is more than able 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.460 to equip us, 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.599 Jesus' sheep, 00:29:30.139 --> 00:29:31.480 with everything we need 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:33.119 to accomplish his will. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.399 So this prayer 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.359 is not just a wish. 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.680 The writer of Hebrews 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.720 is not just saying, 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.700 bye, 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.779 hope it all goes well 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.160 for you. 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.319 No, 00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.640 it's a strong word 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.680 of affirmation 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:48.460 from the God 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.660 who loves us deeply 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:51.079 and who is sufficient 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:52.299 for our every need. 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:55.319 May this God, 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.620 the God of peace, 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:58.200 the God of glory, 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.880 the God who raised 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.660 Jesus from the dead, 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.380 equip you 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:03.039 with everything good 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.799 that you may do 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.640 the Lord's will. 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:05.279 And you might ask, 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:06.480 what is God's will? 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:07.720 Well, 00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:08.500 very simply, 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.700 it's to endure 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.519 in faith, 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.079 hope, 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.740 and love. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.200 If you look at the last 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:14.079 three chapters of Hebrews, 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:14.799 we could do this. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.180 Chapter 11's about faith, 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.339 chapter 12's about hope, 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.599 chapter 13's about love. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.599 So if you want to know 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:22.319 what God's will for us is, 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:24.000 start with those three things. 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:25.720 Right? 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.240 And this blessing 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.279 is that God would equip us 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.460 with everything we need 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:32.339 to hold on to faith, 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.680 to hold fast to hope, 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:36.000 and to endure 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:37.359 in loving one another 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.959 as he has loved us. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.919 This is my prayer 00:30:40.919 --> 00:30:42.259 for you 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.359 as a church. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.979 It's my prayer 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:45.559 for the pastors 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.199 and the elders, 00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:46.979 for the deacons 00:30:46.979 --> 00:30:47.619 and the staff, 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.299 for the members 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.919 and the attenders 00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:49.419 of the church, 00:30:49.459 --> 00:30:50.399 that God would equip you 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:51.339 for all the challenges 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.839 and all the opportunities 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:54.419 that are now before you, 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.539 and all the ones 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.259 that will come your way 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.759 in the future, 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:58.519 the ones you might expect 00:30:58.519 --> 00:31:00.039 and the ones you cannot foresee. 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:02.099 And that you would know 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.359 Jesus ever more deeply 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.639 as your great 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.240 and good shepherd, 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:07.259 that you would live deeply 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.480 into your union with him 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:10.140 and see him continuing 00:31:10.140 --> 00:31:10.920 to work out 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:11.759 what is pleasing 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.319 in his sight. 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.559 Over the past few weeks, 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.460 I've reflected on 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.660 some of the work 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.680 that I've seen God do 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.500 in many of you 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.180 over the years. 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.200 It's been so encouraging 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.799 to do that. 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.120 You know, 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.259 sometimes we don't do that 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.680 very well. 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.900 We don't sort of step back 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:26.240 and look at not just 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.900 the last week 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.819 or the last few days, 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.559 but, you know, 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.279 the last year 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.779 or five years 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.539 or ten years 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.380 or twenty years. 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:34.340 And it's been so encouraging 00:31:34.340 --> 00:31:35.020 to think about 00:31:35.020 --> 00:31:35.480 some of the things 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.260 that, some of the ways 00:31:36.260 --> 00:31:37.240 God has been faithful 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:39.060 to so many of you 00:31:39.060 --> 00:31:40.320 who I have come to know 00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:41.820 and spend time with. 00:31:42.540 --> 00:31:44.200 And just seeing God's 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.100 sustaining people 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.740 through affliction 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.960 and bringing people 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.240 to faith in him 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.500 and sustaining their faith 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.100 through trials 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:51.660 and growing them 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.560 in different ways, 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:54.760 it's a wonderful thing 00:31:54.760 --> 00:31:55.540 to look back on. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:59.720 Also, God has been faithful 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.779 and merciful to us 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:02.220 as a family 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.500 in so many ways 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:03.899 through you. 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.819 It's been an honor 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.399 to have been one 00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:06.960 of your pastors. 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.399 God has used many of you 00:32:09.399 --> 00:32:11.079 in my life 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:11.899 and my family's life 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:12.519 over the years. 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.980 Your prayers 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.259 have not been in vain. 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.200 Your words of encouragement 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.639 have been heard. 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.500 Your admonitions 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.559 and hard questions 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:23.079 have been appreciated. 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.759 Your hospitality 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.440 and friendship 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:27.220 has been a blessing. 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:28.920 Your thoughtful input 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.519 and feedback 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.819 have helped 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.779 to shape 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:33.779 who I am 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.379 and who we are. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.680 We wouldn't be 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.500 who we are today 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.119 without you 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:37.920 and we wouldn't be ready 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:39.119 to take this next step 00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:40.839 apart from what 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.500 we've learned here. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.700 So I thank God 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:45.140 for how he has worked 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.879 through you 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:47.319 to do what 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.440 these verses say, 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:49.299 to equip us 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:50.519 with everything good 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.619 for carrying out his will 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.819 and we pray and trust 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.480 that he would continue 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.079 to do so 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.460 in this next step 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.000 of our journey. 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:58.039 The last word 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.919 I want to leave you with 00:32:58.919 --> 00:33:00.220 is just a couple 00:33:00.220 --> 00:33:00.759 of reflections 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.759 on Psalm 23. 00:33:02.919 --> 00:33:03.159 Right? 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.240 This benediction 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:05.039 talks about Jesus 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.859 as the great shepherd 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.419 of the sheep 00:33:06.419 --> 00:33:08.059 and it's that shepherd 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.839 that Psalm 23 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:09.480 talks about. 00:33:10.439 --> 00:33:11.419 Psalm 23 begins 00:33:11.419 --> 00:33:12.079 by talking about 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.460 how Jesus leads us. 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.519 The good shepherd 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.119 leads us 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:16.079 into green pastures. 00:33:16.179 --> 00:33:17.099 He goes ahead of us. 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.460 And then in the middle 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:18.960 it says, 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:20.299 even though I walk 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:20.840 through the valley 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:21.299 of the shadow 00:33:21.299 --> 00:33:21.720 of death 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.380 I will not fear 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:23.480 for you are with me. 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.799 Jesus walks beside us. 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.500 And then the last verse, 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.039 verse 6, 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.279 says, 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:29.160 surely goodness 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:30.660 and steadfast love 00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.680 will follow me. 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.799 Did you hear that word? 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.740 That word follow me 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.900 can mean 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:38.480 to chase you down, 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:41.319 to actively pursue. 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.460 Right? 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:45.420 Jesus goes before us, 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.700 Jesus walks with us 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.500 and Jesus even 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.580 comes behind us 00:33:48.580 --> 00:33:50.840 to protect us. 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.100 Right? 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.560 When you're walking 00:33:53.560 --> 00:33:56.039 through an unfamiliar place 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.019 you worry 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.320 about what you can't see 00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:59.100 as well as 00:33:59.100 --> 00:34:00.180 about what you can see. 00:34:01.300 --> 00:34:02.080 And the Bible says 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:03.080 Jesus is all 00:34:03.080 --> 00:34:04.080 of those things. 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.200 He goes before us, 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.560 He walks beside us 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:08.320 and His love 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:08.960 and mercy 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.680 will follow us 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:11.700 all the days 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:12.320 of our life 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:13.800 until we return 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.619 to dwell in His house 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:14.960 forever. 00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:17.260 So as we continue 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:18.099 on our pilgrimage, 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.460 let's do so 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.139 looking to Jesus. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.480 I want to close 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.079 with a prayer 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:26.760 that someone else 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.099 has written 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.019 but that I thought 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:29.380 would be appropriate 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.820 for today. 00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.380 It's a prayer 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.659 for leaving 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.700 and continuing 00:34:33.700 --> 00:34:34.940 on our journey 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:35.380 with Christ. 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.420 So let us pray together. 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.480 Friends and saints 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.639 and fellow pilgrims, 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.579 we part now 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.380 in the confidence 00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:45.900 that in our diverging 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.740 paths we walk 00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:47.539 the same road 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:49.460 fanning the same flame 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:51.000 and that in time 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.800 we will meet again 00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.960 in a fellowship 00:34:52.960 --> 00:34:54.220 forever unbroken. 00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:56.119 By your spirit, 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:56.720 O Christ, 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:57.900 make us faithful 00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.700 in the meanwhile 00:34:58.700 --> 00:35:00.500 as we go out 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:00.960 to labor 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:02.519 in the diverse fields 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.079 to which you 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.019 have assigned us, 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.720 laboring unto 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:06.700 that better meeting 00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:08.360 and unto that 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.240 new made world 00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:10.880 that is yet promised 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.820 and that has already 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.200 begun. 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.660 O Spirit of God, 00:35:15.400 --> 00:35:16.480 be as present 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.220 in our parting 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.559 as you were 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:19.340 in our gathering. 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:20.780 Be present 00:35:20.780 --> 00:35:21.440 in our journeys, 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.019 be present 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:23.079 in our days to come, 00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.579 be present 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.320 in our works 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:25.660 and in our words 00:35:25.660 --> 00:35:26.940 and in our hearts. 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.320 Be present 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:28.900 in the bonds 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.539 of our community, 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.340 Lord Christ. 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.900 Be ever at work 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.500 among us 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.320 and through us. 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:35.119 Amen.