WEBVTT

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 Our reading today is from Romans 15, verses 5-3, on page 1141 of the Church Bibles.

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!

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 So that with one mind and one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

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 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth,

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 so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed,

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 and moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

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 As it is written,

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 Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles.

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 I will sing the praises of your name.

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 Again it says,

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 Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.

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 And again,

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 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.

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 Let all the peoples extol him.

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 And again Isaiah says,

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 The root of Jesse will spring up,

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 one who will arise to rule over the nations.

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 In him the Gentiles will hope.

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 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

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 so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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 Great, let's pray.

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 As we come to God's word, let's pray.

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 Father, we do thank you so much for your love and kindness to us.

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 And thank you that whoever we are and wherever we are from,

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 we find that in your word, by your spirit, you speak to us.

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 And so we pray that might be our experience this morning.

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 How we ask, Lord, that you might cut through the noise and the distractions in our hearts,

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 and that you might speak to us clearly.

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 That you might encourage us and challenge us and rebuke us.

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 Whether you might bring us life and hope in the Lord Jesus.

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 As we pray in his name.

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 Amen.

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 I think it's probably quite easy towards the end of a letter like Romans

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 to imagine maybe that we've covered all the important stuff.

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 So we've done things like sin and judgment and justification and sanctification

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 and all those kind of things.

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 And you might think, well, okay, surely now we're like just finishing off the last little bits.

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 Perhaps this is like school, you know, in June.

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 What are you actually doing in school in June?

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 You know, you're just watching DVDs by now.

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 All the main stuff has been covered.

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 And, you know, the teacher's just thinking about their holidays.

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 And you're just kind of winding up.

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 Well, listen, it's not like that in Romans, okay?

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 In Romans, it keeps going right to the very end.

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 And I think what we've got in these last few chapters are some really, really important implications,

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 especially for us in the place that we find ourselves as a church this morning.

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 Paul is going to tell us here that because Christ is for all people,

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 so therefore our church should be for all people.

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 You could put it another way, that the way Christ saves should shape the way that church behaves.

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 Paul's sentence in verse 7 is this, that Christ accepts the nations,

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 and so the church should accept the nations as well.

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 Now, I know this week that welcoming or accepting the nations has come under great scrutiny.

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 We've had riots, haven't we, in Northern Ireland this week on this issue.

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 But Paul is not making a political statement here about how open or closed the borders of a nation should be.

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 That's really outside the scope of what Romans 15 is about.

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 His concern is not so much for a nation.

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 His concern really is for the church.

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 And his point is that the church should have open borders to the nations,

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 for the very reason that Christ has open borders to the nations.

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 So that for us this morning, regardless of who we are or where we're from,

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 we're all welcome in the church of Jesus Christ.

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 Now, what I want to do with our time is to spend it in this passage

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 and to split it into essentially three slightly unequal parts.

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 The first part is just to think some more about what it means for Christ to accept all kinds of people

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 and how that works out in church life,

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 and then to think of some of the implications of that,

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 both for the glory of the Lord Jesus and for our good and our joy.

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 So let's start with Christ for all people means church for all people.

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 Christ for all people means church for all people.

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 Really, this is the center of the passage.

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 So let's have a look at verse 7.

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 Let me read it to you again.

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 Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you,

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 in order to bring praise to God.

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 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth,

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 so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed,

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 and moreover that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

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 Now, the language here, you might notice, is very similar to last week's passage.

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 Last week's passage, we were told to accept one another weak and strong

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 because God accepts us weak and strong.

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 But here the scope is wider, right?

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 The scope here is to our national identities,

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 specifically here, the nation of the Jews,

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 literally the circumcision in the passage,

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 and the Gentiles, literally the nations,

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 taethne, the uncircumcised.

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 And notice how Paul explains this.

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 Keep your eyes on the passage.

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 Christ's acceptance of the Jews,

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 how was that?

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 What was that like?

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 Well, it was by becoming a servant of them

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 on behalf of God's truth

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 to keep the promises made to the patriarchs.

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 In other words, Christ accepts or welcomes the Jews

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 by serving them according to God's ancient plan and promise.

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 A promise that was made generations before.

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 So Paul is not here so much interested in the nation of Israel

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 as we might think of it today.

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 He's rather thinking about the Old Testament Israel,

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 the people of the Old Testament promises,

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 the circumcision.

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 And his point is that Jesus came to serve those

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 who had faith in the Old Testament promises,

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 by fulfilling Old Testament promises.

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 So that the Jewish believer is to look at Christ and go,

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 he's exactly what I was waiting for.

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 He is the one I was looking for.

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 He is the fulfillment of all that was promised to us.

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 In other words, Jesus has not come to bring

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 some sort of distinct salvation for the Jews

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 and then a different distinct salvation for the Gentiles.

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 No, he's brought the salvation that was promised to Abraham,

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 Moses and David.

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 First for the Jews and then for the Gentiles,

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 as Paul put it in chapter one.

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 Perhaps you're one of those people who,

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 when you're waiting for a train or maybe you're flying somewhere,

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 that you perpetually check that you're on the right platform

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 or at the right gate.

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 You like that?

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 You're kind of worried,

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 am I really in the right place?

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 Am I going to get on the wrong train

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 and end up in the wrong place?

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 Is this my stop?

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 Is this my gate?

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 And in a sense,

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 that's Paul's kind of sense here

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 for the Jewish nation,

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 for the circumcision.

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 He's saying,

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 listen,

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 on platform,

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 Jesus,

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 you're in the right place.

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 This is going to the destination

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 that you were promised.

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 He is the one that you've been waiting for.

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 You don't need to wait for anybody else.

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 Climb aboard Jesus.

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 You'll end up exactly where Abraham said you would.

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 But,

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 and this is the key to all this,

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 it's not the destination of just the circumcision

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 or the Jewish destination.

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 The destination is not the nation of Israel

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 because verse nine,

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 look down at it,

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 these Old Testament promises given to Abraham

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 were not just so that the circumcision

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 might glorify God for his mercy,

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 but so that the nations

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 might also glorify God for his mercy.

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 Now,

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 to you and I,

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 that might not sound that radical,

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 right?

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 We're perhaps used to hearing it.

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 Okay.

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 What I think you're saying,

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 Steve,

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 really basically is that Jesus came

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 to save Jews and Gentiles.

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 Are you going to tell me something

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 I don't know yet?

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 Right?

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 You might think that's just

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 fairly common knowledge.

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 But in Paul's day,

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 this needed saying over and over again,

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 there were people contradicting this

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 all the time.

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 There are still people who contradict it.

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 But the truth is,

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 God does not have one plan for the Jews

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 and another plan for everyone else.

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 No,

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 there's one plan,

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 there's one saviour,

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 there's one promise,

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 there's one destination

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 all the way through the Bible.

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 And that destination is all nations

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 praising God through Jesus Christ.

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 Now,

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 that is so important to Paul

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 that he underlines it

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 with four Old Testament passages.

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 So,

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 he quotes David in Psalm 18,

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 I will praise you among the nations.

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 He quotes Moses from Deuteronomy,

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 rejoice you Gentiles with his people.

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 He quotes the psalmist in Psalm 117,

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 praise the Lord all you Gentiles.

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 Finally,

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 he quotes Isaiah in verse 12,

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 the root of Jesse will spring up,

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 the one who will arise to rule over the nations.

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 In him,

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 the nations,

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 the Gentiles will hope.

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 Now,

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 all that emphasis is really,

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 really important.

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 because it means,

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 doesn't it,

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 that I can look each of you

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 in the eye this morning

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 and say to you,

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 without any kind of qualification,

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 without having to kind of

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 make any sort of nuance

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 or sort of

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 make an exception in any way,

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 I can say to you,

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 listen,

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 this morning,

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 Jesus is your saviour.

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 He came for you.

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 Wherever you're from,

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 however you got here,

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 whatever your religious

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 or national background,

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 whether you've been to Jerusalem

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 or whether you grew up in Watford,

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 Jesus is the saviour for you.

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 In fact,

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 there is no other saviour

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 other than Jesus Christ.

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 And what you need to know

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 is that Jesus has no national preferences.

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 Yes,

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 he came in fulfilment

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 to the ancient promises

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 of the Jewish nation,

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 but he came to them

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 for the nations

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 that we might all praise him.

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 So again,

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 let me try and say it to you

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 as clearly as I can,

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 whoever you are this morning,

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 whether you feel like

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 you belong here or not,

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 what you must know

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 is that Jesus Christ

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 this morning

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 is calling out to you.

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 And he says,

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 come,

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 follow me.

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 I came for you.

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 Your problem,

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 he says,

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 the problem common

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 to all humanity,

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 my problem,

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 is not a political problem,

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 it's not a financial problem,

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 it's not even a geographical problem

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 that I might be

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 in the wrong place.

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 My problem instead

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 is a moral

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 and a spiritual problem

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 that you and I,

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 regardless of who we are,

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 stand before the holy God

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 who made us

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 in exactly the same way.

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 Sin

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 and condemned for us

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 because we've not lived

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 for him

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 or worshipped him.

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 And Jesus says,

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 listen,

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 I am the only one

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 who can deal

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 with that problem.

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 I am the only one

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 who can deal

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 with that problem.

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 And I came

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 not just for the Jews,

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 not just for the Brits

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 or the Jamaicans

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 or the West Africans

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 or the Brazilians.

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 I came for anyone.

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 And he does that

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 by taking on our guilt,

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 satisfying justice

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 in his death on the cross,

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 making us new

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 by the Spirit

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 and bringing life

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 and reconciliation

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 with the God

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 who made all of us.

00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.659
 And Jesus says this morning,

00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.479
 whoever you are,

00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:57.359
 wherever you're from,

00:11:57.739 --> 00:11:58.399
 come to me.

00:11:59.319 --> 00:11:59.779
 Come and hear

00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.319
 this ancient word of grace.

00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:02.479
 You know,

00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:04.519
 I previewed that

00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.279
 with Adam

00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.519
 just in a few words.

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:08.239
 I told him

00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:08.940
 that one would come

00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:09.500
 who would crush

00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.419
 the serpent's head.

00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:11.399
 That was me.

00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.379
 It was promised

00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:13.820
 to Abraham

00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:14.460
 who was given

00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:16.019
 circumcision as a sign.

00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.139
 It was then explained

00:12:18.139 --> 00:12:19.220
 to Moses in more detail

00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.740
 as he was given

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.759
 the law and the temple.

00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.659
 We shadowed it in David

00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.399
 who was the king

00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:23.960
 and the champion.

00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:24.899
 But now,

00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.440
 says Jesus,

00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.399
 I have come.

00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.740
 I fulfilled all of that.

00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.279
 I am the new Adam.

00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.320
 I am the circumciser

00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.340
 of hearts.

00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.899
 I am the new temple,

00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.639
 the new place

00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.139
 that you come

00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.100
 to meet with God,

00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.480
 the place the old temple

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.259
 was pointing to.

00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.759
 I am the final king,

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.519
 the champion.

00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.100
 So all that searching

00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:43.840
 that you've been doing

00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:45.379
 ends with Jesus Christ.

00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.920
 Christ is for all peoples.

00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.019
 That means,

00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:53.519
 next step,

00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.360
 so church should be

00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.300
 for all people.

00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:57.879
 Because we're told,

00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.480
 aren't we here,

00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.879
 that we are to accept

00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.279
 one another

00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.500
 in exactly the same way

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.980
 as Christ accepts us.

00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:04.800
 Now notice it really carefully.

00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:06.159
 Verse 7 does not say,

00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.800
 make sure the church

00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:09.300
 is for all kinds of people

00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:10.680
 as if the diversity

00:13:10.680 --> 00:13:11.800
 of nations in the church

00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:13.460
 is something that we are doing.

00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:14.659
 Essentially,

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.680
 the instruction is not that.

00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.240
 Essentially,

00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.019
 the instruction is,

00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:19.139
 don't stop this.

00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:21.120
 Don't resist this.

00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.320
 Don't stand in the way

00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.279
 of what Christ is doing.

00:13:23.720 --> 00:13:25.259
 Don't let your sinful tendency

00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.399
 to be unfriendly

00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.259
 and unwelcoming,

00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.320
 to be ungenerous

00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.720
 to those unlike you.

00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.560
 Don't let that stop the church

00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:32.759
 from being what Christ

00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.300
 has always made it to be.

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:35.639
 Instead,

00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.820
 take that acceptance

00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.560
 that you have from Christ,

00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:39.840
 that acceptance

00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.519
 that took you

00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.200
 from wherever

00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.620
 and whenever you were

00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.519
 and brought you

00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.279
 into God's family

00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:44.879
 by his grace

00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:45.420
 and his mercy

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.399
 and turn that around

00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.759
 and use that for others,

00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.540
 accepting them

00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:50.100
 in fellowship

00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.160
 in just the same way.

00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.060
 Maybe I can say to you

00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:54.399
 this morning

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.259
 if you're not a Christian

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.220
 and someone's brought you

00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.920
 to church this morning

00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:58.420
 and you wonder,

00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.519
 why is it

00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.639
 that the friendship

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.139
 that they extend to you

00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.539
 seems so much richer

00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.279
 and deeper

00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.000
 and better

00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.799
 and more loyal

00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.519
 than anything else

00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.079
 you've experienced?

00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:07.919
 Let me say that

00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.699
 is because

00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:11.019
 what you are experiencing

00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:12.000
 is the welcome

00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.259
 of the Lord Jesus Christ

00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.159
 through there.

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:16.019
 That's what he's saying here.

00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:19.039
 So we become conduits

00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.159
 for Christ's love

00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:20.819
 of the nations,

00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.939
 which the end of verse 7

00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:24.179
 brings praise to God

00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.199
 because really

00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.340
 it's his welcome

00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.539
 on display.

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:30.139
 Now before

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.539
 we think about

00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.419
 the implications of this

00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:32.899
 let's just

00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.779
 think about

00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.059
 the power

00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.659
 of what Paul

00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.339
 is saying here

00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:36.819
 for a moment.

00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:38.860
 Notice that Paul

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.319
 is assuming

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.159
 that it is possible

00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.579
 for a local church,

00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.019
 for the church in Rome

00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.879
 that he was writing to

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.659
 or our church

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.259
 now today,

00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:46.559
 it is possible

00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.599
 for us to contradict

00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:48.919
 the work of Jesus Christ.

00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.459
 I mean there are

00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:51.120
 a number of ways

00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.939
 of us doing that, right?

00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:52.919
 We could contradict

00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.759
 the work of Jesus Christ

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.219
 by saying something like

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.860
 Jesus wasn't really divine.

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.240
 That would contradict

00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:00.220
 the gospel, wouldn't it?

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:00.940
 Or we could say

00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.759
 Jesus didn't rise

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.259
 from the dead.

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.139
 That would also

00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.899
 contradict the gospel.

00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:04.740
 If you go to churches

00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.740
 and they say those things

00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.779
 they're not telling you

00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.200
 the truth.

00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.279
 Jesus is divine,

00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.480
 he did rise from the dead.

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.120
 But what Paul

00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.879
 is writing to

00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.000
 church in Rome

00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.820
 and saying to us

00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.340
 this morning

00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:14.899
 is he's saying

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.720
 no, there's another way

00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.279
 of contradicting

00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.639
 the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.080
 and that is by being

00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:20.220
 unwelcoming

00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.840
 to people who are

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.480
 not like you.

00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.259
 You can tell a church

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.080
 that loves Jesus

00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.460
 where Jesus is at work,

00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.399
 where Christ is present

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.019
 by his spirit,

00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:30.300
 not so much because

00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:31.060
 the music sounds

00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.759
 a certain way,

00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:32.100
 you know,

00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:32.399
 oh yeah,

00:15:32.460 --> 00:15:32.980
 those are the chords

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.660
 that Jesus plays.

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.620
 It's not that, is it?

00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:36.019
 Not because they dress

00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.840
 a certain way,

00:15:36.920 --> 00:15:37.700
 that's not proof.

00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:39.040
 Not because they all

00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.920
 look the same

00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:40.399
 or look like they're

00:15:40.399 --> 00:15:41.180
 from the same place.

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.320
 No, rather you can tell

00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.220
 that Christ is present

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.680
 in a church

00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.580
 because the person

00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.180
 next to you

00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:46.300
 who looks nothing like you,

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.480
 who sounds nothing like you,

00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.320
 who looks like they're

00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:48.920
 from a completely

00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.360
 different background to you,

00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.740
 turns to you and says,

00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:52.779
 hello,

00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:54.419
 welcome.

00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.899
 It's really lovely

00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.860
 to see you this morning.

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.639
 So pleased you're here.

00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:01.479
 And it's as we extend

00:16:01.479 --> 00:16:02.139
 that welcome

00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.019
 towards one another

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:05.399
 that we pass on

00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.000
 the acceptance

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.179
 of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:08.979
 It means, doesn't it,

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.399
 if you're in a place

00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:12.159
 where people just hang around

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.759
 with people who are

00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.919
 exactly the same as them,

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.500
 where people only really

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.059
 talk to people

00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:18.019
 who are the same age

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.039
 or the same background,

00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.799
 you're not really

00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.620
 in a church.

00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.759
 And the message here

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.340
 isn't, you know,

00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:26.120
 oh, what you really need

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.100
 to do is try harder

00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.699
 and dig deeper.

00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:28.720
 I mean, it does involve

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.220
 our effort,

00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.039
 but really this is

00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:30.939
 the power of the Lord.

00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.240
 This is his acceptance

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.679
 working into our acceptance.

00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:34.720
 And so we're not

00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.659
 to resist it.

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.419
 Don't resist the spirit.

00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.299
 Don't resist what he's doing.

00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.340
 You know, contrast that

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.120
 with what's been happening

00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.439
 in our nation this week.

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.899
 Or you could put it like this,

00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:46.179
 the mood of our nation

00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.759
 at the moment.

00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:48.059
 You know, the riots

00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.959
 and the trouble this week

00:16:48.959 --> 00:16:49.759
 are basically because

00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.539
 people are worried,

00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:50.839
 aren't we,

00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:51.859
 that we can't afford

00:16:51.859 --> 00:16:52.819
 to welcome people.

00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:54.179
 You know, if we open

00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:54.679
 our borders,

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:56.099
 it means less to go around.

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.359
 And like I'm saying,

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:58.319
 Paul is not commenting

00:16:58.319 --> 00:16:59.059
 on that directly.

00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.139
 He really is not interested

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.839
 in the nations of this world.

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.819
 He's interested in the kingdom

00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.799
 of God, the church.

00:17:04.159 --> 00:17:05.399
 And he's very clear,

00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:05.859
 isn't he?

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:08.019
 We can open the borders

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.220
 of church just like

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.019
 Jesus Christ has

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.319
 because the resources

00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.379
 for welcome are unlimited.

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:15.020
 That's why.

00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:16.920
 God is not limited

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.660
 in his resources

00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.480
 to welcome people.

00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:19.880
 He has endless resources

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:21.220
 of forgiveness and mercy

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.240
 for all who would come.

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.140
 And so we best make sure

00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.080
 whatever we do

00:17:25.080 --> 00:17:26.680
 that we don't with our attitudes

00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.700
 or our words to others

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.720
 close them down

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.840
 and block the pipeway.

00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.100
 So if you're a Christian

00:17:32.100 --> 00:17:32.540
 this morning,

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.500
 this is your home

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:35.220
 and you're welcome here.

00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.440
 If you've come through

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.540
 the door of Jesus Christ,

00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.700
 he stands wide open

00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.380
 to all people

00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.220
 of all backgrounds

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.440
 saying welcome home.

00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.700
 Welcome.

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.140
 Now the implications of this

00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.420
 are around verses 7 to 12.

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.799
 You may have noticed

00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:52.360
 if you're very, very observant

00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:53.200
 as the Bible was read

00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.039
 by Natasha earlier

00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.500
 that verses 5 and 6

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.360
 and verse 13

00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:57.299
 are very similar.

00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.700
 They kind of like

00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.740
 sandwich our passage

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.440
 between them.

00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.980
 So verse 5 and verse 13

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.440
 start in the same way.

00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.820
 May the God.

00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:08.360
 And then they both have a

00:18:08.360 --> 00:18:10.080
 so that following them.

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.419
 And really if you like

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:12.159
 these are sort of like

00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.079
 prayerful blessings

00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.019
 from Paul to the people.

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.220
 He's saying this

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:17.179
 I am praying this to God

00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:18.119
 I'm asking God for this

00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.199
 but I also want everyone

00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.439
 to hear so that you

00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:22.439
 know what I'm asking for.

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.980
 So let's deal with

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.059
 each of them in turn.

00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:26.119
 The first one is to do

00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.000
 with God's glory.

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.720
 God's glory.

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:28.980
 Look at verse 5

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.019
 let me read it to you again.

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.480
 May the God

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.699
 who gives endurance

00:18:32.699 --> 00:18:33.619
 and encouragement

00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.779
 give you the same

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.859
 attitude of mind

00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.939
 toward each other

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:39.000
 that Christ Jesus had

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.720
 so that with one mind

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.700
 and one voice

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.840
 you may glorify

00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:44.140
 the God and Father

00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.680
 of our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:48.480
 Now the first give

00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.240
 in that sentence

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:49.799
 in verse 5

00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.680
 is not actually there

00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.120
 in the Greek.

00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:51.840
 It's literally

00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:53.779
 may the God of endurance

00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.799
 and encouragement.

00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.480
 Just like verse 13

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.680
 is the God of hope

00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.220
 and we'll look at that

00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.640
 in a moment.

00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.940
 So here it is

00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.360
 God who possesses

00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:02.039
 the endurance

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.940
 and the encouragement

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:05.240
 and yes he gives it to us

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.519
 in passing it on

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.120
 to his people

00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.720
 the attitude of Christ

00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:10.259
 so that through

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.860
 the endurance

00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:11.940
 and encouragement of God

00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:13.279
 we might think

00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.799
 of one another

00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.759
 in the same way

00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.420
 as Christ thinks of others.

00:19:17.320 --> 00:19:18.080
 Now that's exactly

00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:18.740
 what we've been seeing

00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.000
 isn't it?

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.120
 Christ accepts us

00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:21.180
 so we've been given

00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.400
 this mind towards others

00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.759
 so we also accept

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.140
 one another

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.400
 on the same terms.

00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.840
 His acceptance

00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:28.580
 flows through us

00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:30.019
 and we do that

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.340
 don't we?

00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.080
 So that

00:19:31.080 --> 00:19:32.000
 verse 6

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.539
 in a wonderful unity

00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.660
 of mind and voice

00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:36.519
 we might glorify God

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.980
 and Father of our Lord

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.819
 Jesus Christ

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.779
 one voice

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:41.720
 proclaiming his glory.

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.079
 Perhaps we could put it

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.400
 this way

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.380
 gospel culture

00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.940
 if you like

00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.779
 gospel culture

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:49.519
 is both massively broad

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:52.400
 and also incredibly narrow

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:54.279
 at the same time.

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.000
 Right so gospel culture

00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.960
 the culture of the kingdom

00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:57.279
 of God

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.460
 is so broad

00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:00.980
 you cannot possibly express

00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.920
 the culture

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:02.360
 of the kingdom

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.680
 of God

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.860
 with just one

00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:05.819
 national culture.

00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.420
 You have to

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.400
 in order to represent

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.140
 gospel culture

00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.799
 it has to be

00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.039
 all nations.

00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:13.079
 We saw that didn't we

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.880
 and we're going to see it again

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.759
 in Revelation 7

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.519
 in a few moments.

00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:16.680
 So yes

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:18.480
 the sinful parts

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.660
 of those national cultures

00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:20.279
 they will be

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:22.079
 outside of gospel culture.

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:22.920
 It is

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.799
 it's broad

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.740
 but it's not so broad

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.599
 to scoop up

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.480
 the sinful parts

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.579
 of different people's cultures.

00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:27.779
 cultures

00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.099
 but it's bigger

00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.639
 than any one subculture.

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:33.059
 But it's also really narrow

00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.899
 because gospel culture

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:36.339
 is centered

00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.359
 unified

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.559
 one voice

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.559
 on Jesus Christ

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.779
 is united in him.

00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:42.159
 Not in such a way

00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.000
 that obliterates

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.839
 national identities

00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.699
 making one

00:20:44.699 --> 00:20:45.960
 national identity

00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.519
 and language

00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.519
 but by

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:49.099
 holding the breadth

00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.259
 of everybody together

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.740
 in one voice

00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.819
 in Jesus Christ.

00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:54.599
 And that's Revelation 7

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:54.919
 isn't it

00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:55.699
 that we were looking at

00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.420
 with the children.

00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.620
 After this I looked

00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.160
 and there before me

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.200
 was a great multitude

00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.299
 that no one could count

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.220
 from every nation

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.700
 tribe

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.120
 people

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:04.660
 and language

00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.900
 standing before

00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.380
 the throne

00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:06.860
 and the Lamb

00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:08.519
 wearing white robes

00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:09.640
 and holding palm branches

00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.299
 in their hands

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.200
 and they cried out

00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.160
 in a loud voice

00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.960
 salvation belongs

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.600
 to our God

00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:15.759
 who sits on the throne

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.539
 and to the Lamb.

00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.500
 Now notice

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.740
 you can still see

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.740
 in Revelation 7

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.380
 the different

00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:23.960
 national

00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.779
 and cultural differences.

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.660
 It's not

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:29.059
 one language

00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:30.799
 or one identity

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.799
 rather God

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.559
 is glorified

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.480
 by the unity

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.600
 of the diversity

00:21:34.600 --> 00:21:35.819
 who are worshipping him.

00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.120
 It's as they come

00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:38.940
 with all their

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.660
 different languages

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.600
 a great multitude

00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:41.779
 that no one can number

00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.579
 but they are singing

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.600
 praises to Jesus.

00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.960
 When I was a child

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.920
 my parents used to

00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:49.840
 take me to a

00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.700
 Christian conference

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.299
 in Wales

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.259
 in Aberystwyth.

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.460
 It was amazing

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:55.059
 I went every year

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:55.660
 I think between

00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.519
 the age of zero

00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:58.119
 and the age of 18.

00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.619
 It used to meet

00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.839
 in packed out

00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.000
 old churches

00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.039
 and they would sing

00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.579
 old hymns

00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.900
 and I listened to

00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:08.180
 some really amazing

00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.519
 preachers down the years

00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.700
 and that was mostly

00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.720
 because I was banned

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.720
 from the children's ministry

00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.319
 which is a totally

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.940
 different story

00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:15.039
 and you can ask me

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.400
 that later

00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.140
 if you'd like to.

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.500
 But from time to time

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.480
 one of these

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.740
 great Welsh preachers

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.599
 would say something

00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.359
 like this

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:22.759
 they'd say

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.259
 do you know what

00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:25.359
 this hymn is so much

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.259
 better in Welsh.

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.039
 In heaven

00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:31.400
 we'll all be singing

00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.120
 in Welsh.

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.480
 And I'd sit there

00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.079
 as a kid going

00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:37.120
 I can't even read

00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.900
 the road signs

00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.380
 in Wales.

00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.200
 Am I not going to be

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.039
 allowed to sing

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.980
 in heaven?

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.039
 And the truth is

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.299
 isn't it

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.019
 Revelation 7

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.980
 that says

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.339
 really

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:48.240
 Welsh is the language

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.640
 of heaven

00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:50.140
 but

00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:51.599
 so is English

00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:53.200
 so is Lingala

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.819
 so is French

00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.339
 so is Patois

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:58.019
 so is German

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.519
 so is Spanish

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.859
 they're all the languages

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.319
 of heaven

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.599
 and we will sing

00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:02.940
 together

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:04.559
 not in confusion

00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.740
 but in unity

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.579
 of the glory

00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.059
 of Jesus

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.480
 salvation belongs

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.900
 to him

00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:10.720
 he saved me

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.259
 what's that?

00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.779
 And so here's the thing

00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.579
 for us as a church

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.839
 God is glorified

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.480
 by us

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:18.000
 not by us enforcing

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.099
 a single strong culture

00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.879
 expecting everyone

00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:22.019
 to look the same

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.740
 and sound the same

00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.639
 and dress the same

00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:25.740
 we glorify God

00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.579
 not by aiming

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.599
 for young adults

00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.399
 or for families

00:23:28.399 --> 00:23:29.599
 or for people like this

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.419
 or people like that

00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:32.099
 we glorify God

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.899
 by the differences

00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.899
 between us

00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.919
 united in Jesus Christ

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:38.539
 and so the message

00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:38.899
 really is

00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.759
 come as you are

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.019
 come as you are

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.879
 you know

00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.279
 if you've got

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.679
 a great Scottish accent

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:45.140
 like Louise

00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.380
 praise God

00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:47.080
 in that language

00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:48.620
 in that accent

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.820
 we'd love to hear it

00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.940
 if you want to

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.920
 if you want to come

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.299
 in a suit and a tie

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.980
 you come in a suit and tie

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.580
 that's great

00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.600
 you're very welcome

00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.820
 if you want to come

00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.680
 to church

00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.820
 in a track suit

00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:00.480
 like a road man

00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.600
 you come to church

00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.279
 in a track suit

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.180
 you're very welcome

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.080
 we'd love to have you

00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:05.279
 if you want to wear

00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.160
 your national dress

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.120
 wear it

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.980
 you're welcome

00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.740
 if you want to clap

00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.720
 you clap

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.120
 not now

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.940
 but if you want to clap

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.720
 you can clap

00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:14.880
 if you feel a bit

00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.779
 uncomfortable clapping

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.319
 because you've got

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.559
 the same issue

00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.039
 that I've got

00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.900
 which is a lack

00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.799
 of rhythm altogether

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.579
 and it just makes

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.240
 it sound terrible

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.299
 then that's fine

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.960
 you just stand there

00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.380
 with your hands

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:23.940
 in your pockets

00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:26.779
 because we don't

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.700
 want to rob God

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.440
 of the glory

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.339
 that belongs to him

00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:30.980
 and the glory

00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.839
 that belongs to him

00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.720
 is that we're all

00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.220
 different

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.519
 but we're saved

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.279
 in the same way

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.160
 through Jesus Christ

00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.700
 now that doesn't mean

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.559
 that church is chaos

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.940
 and it doesn't mean

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.660
 either that church

00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.319
 is a platform

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.139
 for showing off

00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.919
 who you are

00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:44.859
 rather church

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.500
 is a platform

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.519
 for Jesus Christ

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.099
 to show off

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:48.539
 how great he is

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:50.359
 and so we focus

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:50.819
 on him

00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:52.639
 the second implication

00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.619
 here in verse 13

00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.439
 is slightly different

00:24:54.439 --> 00:24:55.039
 we've gone from

00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.960
 God's glory now

00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.139
 to look at our good

00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.159
 and let's think

00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.519
 about our joyful hope

00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.700
 our joyful hope

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:02.359
 let me read verse 13

00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:02.980
 to you again

00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.859
 may the God of hope

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:06.259
 fill you with all joy

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.879
 and peace

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:08.099
 as you trust in him

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.240
 so that you may

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.480
 overflow with hope

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.240
 by the power

00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:12.199
 of the Holy Spirit

00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:14.139
 notice here again

00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:15.599
 God is the possessor

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.199
 of hope

00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.619
 he is the God

00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.500
 of hope

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.919
 in fact as you look

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.699
 back at verse 12

00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:21.439
 you can see that

00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.059
 in a sense

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.859
 God is our hope

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:24.579
 our hope

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:26.199
 is to be with God

00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:27.179
 in him

00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:27.939
 the Gentiles

00:25:27.939 --> 00:25:28.459
 the nations

00:25:28.459 --> 00:25:29.179
 will hope

00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:31.299
 our hope then

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.159
 is to be

00:25:32.159 --> 00:25:33.279
 with God

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.339
 and notice

00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:34.980
 that this God

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.359
 of hope

00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.179
 fills us

00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.799
 with joy

00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.420
 and peace

00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.960
 as we hope

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.400
 in him

00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:40.660
 so that we are

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.940
 overflowing

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.620
 with hope

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.080
 or really

00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:44.200
 overflowing

00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.900
 with him

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.720
 as he fills us

00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.480
 with the spirits

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:48.360
 it's amazing really

00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:48.620
 isn't it

00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.259
 Paul wants us

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.700
 to remember

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.380
 that as hard

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.960
 as we're working

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.200
 now

00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.120
 as much

00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:52.600
 as we want

00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.320
 our church life

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:53.840
 to be brilliant

00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.340
 as much

00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:54.820
 as we want

00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.279
 to welcome

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.940
 and accept

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.400
 one another

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.279
 whoever we are

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.180
 wherever we're from

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.220
 still the gospel

00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.180
 is not just about

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.980
 now

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.740
 it's about

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.560
 the future

00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:05.140
 gospel is about

00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:05.820
 hope

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.659
 the church

00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:07.980
 is about

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.759
 something bigger

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.419
 and better

00:26:09.419 --> 00:26:10.419
 and more glorious

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:12.119
 than just local church

00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.379
 our hope

00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.319
 is not to be

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.960
 here

00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:16.539
 but is to be

00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.759
 with God

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.859
 with him

00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.559
 eternally

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.859
 in him

00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:22.059
 we want to be

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.119
 in the Revelation 7

00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.639
 crowd

00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.000
 don't we

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.399
 that we've been

00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.119
 thinking about

00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:26.259
 praising him

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.460
 and being with him

00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.759
 and notice

00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.019
 that

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.059
 it's that

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.819
 future hope

00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.480
 it's the hope

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.879
 of being there

00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.040
 that brings us

00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.940
 in the present

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.740
 joy

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.800
 and peace

00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:39.420
 because for all

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.940
 the wonders

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.760
 of local church

00:26:40.760 --> 00:26:41.220
 right now

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.620
 and for all

00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.120
 of the great

00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:42.660
 things that we

00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.240
 enjoy in

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.920
 Christian fellowship

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.520
 with one another

00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:45.780
 it is still

00:26:45.780 --> 00:26:46.540
 not quite

00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:47.100
 home

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:50.040
 and even if

00:26:50.040 --> 00:26:50.520
 we do a really

00:26:50.520 --> 00:26:51.120
 brilliant job

00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.800
 we will always

00:26:51.800 --> 00:26:52.440
 sense deep

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:52.960
 in our hearts

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.180
 somewhere

00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.580
 this is

00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.720
 this is just

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.300
 not quite

00:26:55.300 --> 00:26:55.720
 the right

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.380
 place

00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.840
 not quite

00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.660
 home yet

00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:02.320
 Andrew Barnett

00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:02.720
 and I went

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.840
 to some

00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:04.680
 lectures this

00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.279
 week at my

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.140
 old seminary

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.040
 in North

00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:07.360
 London

00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.800
 and we

00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.640
 sat in the

00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.320
 very same

00:27:10.320 --> 00:27:10.960
 lecture theatre

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.640
 that I'd sat

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.320
 in nearly 25

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:12.880
 years ago

00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.500
 to listen to

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.100
 my lectures

00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:14.980
 and as we

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.279
 were walking

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.660
 out Andrew

00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.080
 said to me

00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.759
 this must feel

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.160
 really good

00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.380
 for you

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.740
 it must feel

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.080
 like you're

00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:19.240
 coming back

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.800
 home in a

00:27:19.800 --> 00:27:20.060
 way

00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:21.440
 I explained

00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:21.880
 no it

00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.759
 didn't feel

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.019
 like that

00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.560
 at all

00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:25.320
 I remember

00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:25.759
 being there

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.380
 as a student

00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.980
 who couldn't

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.460
 afford the

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.800
 fees

00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.879
 so basically

00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:29.419
 I was allowed

00:27:29.419 --> 00:27:30.059
 to sit in

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.319
 on the

00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.700
 lectures

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.879
 as long

00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.819
 as I didn't

00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.399
 try and answer

00:27:33.399 --> 00:27:33.740
 any of the

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.259
 questions

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:36.240
 and you know

00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.579
 the lecturers

00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:36.919
 were very

00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.879
 kind to me

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.919
 and so were

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.139
 the other

00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:39.379
 students

00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:39.819
 but I never

00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.460
 really felt

00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:40.819
 like I

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.119
 should be

00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.440
 there

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.019
 and it

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.399
 was funny

00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.159
 just going

00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.799
 back to it

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.159
 so many

00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.599
 years later

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.079
 and still

00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.559
 having that

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:46.980
 same

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.519
 feeling

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.460
 I don't

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.680
 really

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.680
 really belong

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.019
 here

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.779
 I don't

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.220
 really fit

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.480
 in

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:54.119
 and we get

00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.419
 that don't

00:27:54.419 --> 00:27:54.839
 we in lots

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.200
 of different

00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.579
 places

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.279
 maybe you've

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.180
 experienced

00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:57.539
 it this

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.700
 week

00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:57.899
 we're

00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.299
 complicated

00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.000
 people

00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.399
 and any

00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:00.859
 sense of

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.399
 feeling at

00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:01.819
 home

00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.420
 is really

00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:02.980
 elusive

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.500
 this side

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:03.940
 of glory

00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.859
 we are

00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.519
 all of us

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:05.839
 aren't we

00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.180
 deeply

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.659
 insecure

00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:08.480
 and really

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.039
 what Paul is

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.559
 saying here

00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.099
 is that actually

00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.920
 that is not

00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.700
 really an issue

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:12.259
 of geography

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:14.019
 there is no

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.879
 place that you

00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.740
 could travel to

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.279
 that you would

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.279
 feel perfectly

00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.799
 at home

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.420
 as a Christian

00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.899
 and the problem

00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.379
 isn't just

00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.339
 imposter syndrome

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:21.960
 that you are

00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.559
 sat in that

00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.399
 lecture theatre

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.940
 full of all

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.559
 these really bright

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.119
 people and you

00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:25.619
 know that you're

00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.200
 not there on the

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.860
 same terms as

00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.440
 them like I

00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:27.720
 felt

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:29.019
 as if

00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.000
 oh if only

00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.380
 you had a bit

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.140
 more self-confidence

00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.660
 Steve then

00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.120
 you'd feel at

00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:32.460
 home

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.120
 it's not that

00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.559
 is it

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:35.000
 no those

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.360
 things are

00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.740
 really just

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.539
 symptoms of

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:36.900
 a deeper

00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.360
 problem

00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:38.860
 you know

00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.680
 if you feel

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.160
 a little bit

00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.500
 sort of

00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.180
 I'm not quite

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.580
 sure where I

00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:42.019
 fit in at

00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.220
 church

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.180
 actually there's

00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.460
 a sense

00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.759
 in which you

00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.180
 couldn't really

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.620
 move to

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.180
 another local

00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.580
 church and

00:28:45.580 --> 00:28:46.100
 find it much

00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.519
 better

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.080
 if you're

00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:48.400
 sitting there

00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:48.660
 think well

00:28:48.660 --> 00:28:49.059
 if only there

00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.299
 were more

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.779
 people my

00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.200
 age I'd

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.519
 feel a bit

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:50.880
 more at

00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.200
 home

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.180
 these are

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.000
 all symptoms

00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.539
 aren't they

00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.660
 the deeper

00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.380
 problem is

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.019
 that all of

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.039
 us live

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.799
 our lives

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.600
 in this

00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.860
 world away

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:01.200
 from God

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:03.019
 that despite

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.640
 his presence

00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.180
 being with

00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:04.720
 us by the

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.660
 spirit we

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.279
 are still

00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.980
 yet to be

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.799
 fully with

00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:08.519
 him as we

00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.120
 will be in

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.440
 glory and

00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.000
 while church

00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.400
 is meant to

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.019
 be the best

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.480
 of it this

00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.240
 side of glory

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.100
 the gospel

00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.720
 says that

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.819
 home is not

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.360
 the local

00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:16.940
 church but

00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.920
 home is with

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.500
 the Lord

00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.120
 that's our

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.480
 home

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:28.019
 because we're

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.420
 not getting

00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:28.720
 there in

00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.180
 our lives

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.180
 rather Christ

00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.160
 is taking us

00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.259
 home and

00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.960
 that brings us

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:34.080
 peace in the

00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:35.920
 present you

00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.819
 know we said

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.360
 earlier didn't we

00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.000
 about that feeling

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.799
 of anxiety of

00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.580
 wondering am I

00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.080
 really on the

00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.140
 right platform is

00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.620
 this really going

00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:42.620
 to be my bus am

00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:42.940
 I going to end

00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.420
 up in the right

00:29:43.420 --> 00:29:44.140
 place is this the

00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.779
 right plane am

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.160
 at the right

00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.620
 gate and that

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.640
 Jesus is saying

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.039
 to the Jewish

00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:48.880
 I am your

00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.660
 savior I will

00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.180
 take you to the

00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.180
 right place well

00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.920
 really what Paul

00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.460
 is saying here

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.000
 is this and in

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.740
 Jesus Christ you

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.600
 know you're on

00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.140
 the bus and he

00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:57.400
 will take you

00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:59.160
 home you will

00:29:59.160 --> 00:30:00.700
 be there and

00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.779
 however lumpy and

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.720
 bumpy the journey

00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:05.060
 is you will be

00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:07.060
 home so every

00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:08.360
 cultural gaffe we

00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.580
 make every

00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.640
 accidental offense

00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.380
 that we cause

00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.640
 will be one more

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.500
 little reminder

00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:13.860
 do you know

00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.500
 what your net

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.580
 you're not yet

00:30:15.580 --> 00:30:17.860
 home but you

00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.680
 will be one day

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:20.940
 and there we'll

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.620
 receive this

00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.680
 glorious welcome

00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:24.080
 from the king

00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:25.360
 who died for us

00:30:25.360 --> 00:30:26.460
 who says I've

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.240
 been waiting for

00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.820
 you welcome

00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:30.900
 home welcome

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:33.299
 home let me

00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:34.620
 pray as I

00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.039
 close

00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:49.720
 heavenly father we

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.759
 want to praise you

00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:51.680
 and thank you

00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:53.920
 that the lord

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.980
 jesus christ is a

00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.240
 savior for all

00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.299
 kinds of people

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:59.379
 that whoever we

00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.960
 are this morning

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.659
 wherever we're

00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:02.039
 from whatever our

00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:04.480
 backgrounds however

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.539
 good or bad or

00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.319
 otherwise we feel

00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.960
 like we've been

00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:09.680
 jesus is just the

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.299
 savior that we

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:12.420
 need and thank

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.119
 you that he is a

00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:14.220
 savior who promises

00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.659
 to bring us home

00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:17.159
 to be with you

00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:19.339
 eternally and

00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.879
 lord we want to

00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:21.559
 ask that this side

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.399
 of being home

00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.259
 that our local

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.240
 church would feel

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.559
 like a kind of a

00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:26.680
 mini oasis along

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.519
 the way a resting

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.619
 place a place of

00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:31.039
 peace and joy and

00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.639
 welcome and

00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:33.659
 acceptance and we

00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.240
 thank you that

00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.099
 because of where we

00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.960
 live and the time

00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.019
 that we live in there

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.220
 are so many different

00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.099
 people in this room

00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.099
 and we thank you and

00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:41.079
 praise you for each

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:42.480
 one of them we

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.139
 thank you for all the

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.220
 different stories in

00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:44.899
 the room of your

00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:45.659
 goodness and your

00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:46.299
 love and your

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.019
 kindness and your

00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.859
 mercy and we pray

00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.799
 that you would be

00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.099
 honored and glorified

00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.980
 as with all of our

00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.220
 differences with

00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.720
 united voice we

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:57.819
 praise jesus and as

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.559
 we point to his

00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.279
 glory and his

00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:00.940
 majesty in his

00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.600
 name we pray

00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:02.700
 amen