WEBVTT

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 If you're new here, or if I'm new to you, it's more than likely.

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 Like Ralph said, my name's Alan. I'm not the normal preaching pastor here.

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 I'm not even normally in Ireland. This is new for me.

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 But Johnny's on sabbatical, so I'm just here for a few months.

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 And if you want to turn to the book of Colossians, that's where we'll be this summer.

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 It's page 1182 in your pew Bibles there.

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 Page 1182. And we'll be in chapter 1, verses 3 through 8 this morning,

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 looking at Paul's explanation of what it means to be growing in the gospel,

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 or what it means for the gospel to be growing in us.

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 So Colossians 1, verses 3 through 8.

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 I'll read, and then we'll pray, and we'll dig in here.

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 Paul says in verse 3, he says,

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 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.

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 Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus,

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 and of the love you have for all God's people.

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 The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven,

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 and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you.

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 In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world.

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 Just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it,

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 and truly understood God's grace.

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 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,

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 who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

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 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, would you be with us this morning?

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 Would you be glorified through the proclamation of your word?

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 Would you open our eyes that we would see,

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 open our ears that we would hear,

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 that we would clearly see the truth of the gospel in your scriptures?

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 Would we not try to change your word to fit our demands for this world?

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 But would you change us by your Spirit?

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 Would you conform us more and more to the image of your Son, Jesus Christ?

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 It's in His name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Alright, we're going to step backwards a little bit this morning.

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 So, keep your finger or a bookmark in Colossians,

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 and then I'm going to ask you to go all the way back to Genesis 1.

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 And if you don't know where that is,

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 just go to the beginning of your Bible,

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 and turn the page, and you're there.

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 Well, you might get a table of contents.

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 But after the table of contents comes Genesis 1.

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 It's the very beginning of the Bible.

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 And Genesis chapters 1 and 2 are what we call the creation account.

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 Okay, and if you're not familiar with this part of the Bible, it's okay.

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 Genesis 1 is going to give you the big picture view of creation.

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 And then Genesis 2 is going to zoom in.

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 I'm from Southern California, so I like movie thinking.

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 Zoom in with the camera real close into the Garden of Eden,

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 and you're going to see the first two human beings, Adam and Eve,

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 in the Garden of Eden.

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 And what we see in the Garden is that God gives three different commands to the first humans.

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 Okay, the one that's the most well-known is actually the third command.

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 And that is,

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 Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

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 Okay, we probably hear that one the most.

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 Do not eat the forbidden fruit.

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 But that's the third command in the account of creation.

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 The one we probably know just a little bit less,

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 but you might have heard before,

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 is the command of dominion.

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 That's the second command.

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 That mankind, man and woman, together,

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 they should rule over and care for planet Earth.

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 They should, in a wise and skillful and loving way,

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 steward all of this creation that God has given us.

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 Okay, He created the heavens and the earth.

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 He created the skies and the seas and the land,

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 and all the things that are there,

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 the birds and the fish and the animals.

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 And then He puts man and woman in charge,

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 and He says,

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 now take care of it.

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 Rule with wisdom and skill,

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 and take care.

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 He says to work the garden,

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 and to take care of it.

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 Work there literally means to till the land.

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 Anybody that has ever been in a garden knows you have to work the garden a little bit.

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 You've got to encourage the growth.

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 He says work the garden,

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 and then take care of it.

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 It means to guard it.

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 Guard God's creation.

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 Now that's the second command.

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 The first command.

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 We go just to the first half of Genesis 128.

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 And God simply says in His first command to human beings,

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 He says,

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 Be fruitful and increase in number.

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 Be fruitful and increase in number.

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 Now we have to think for a moment here what's going on.

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 Sin has not entered the world through humanity yet.

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 Adam and Eve are without sin.

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 So every child they have is born sinless at this point.

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 So every time they are fruitful and they multiply,

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 they are increasing God's people on planet earth.

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 That's the original design.

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 It was God's design and command

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 that His people,

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 and we looked last week at what it means to be His people,

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 that His people should bear fruit

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 and increase in number.

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 That's the original design.

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 And the problem comes in Genesis 3.

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 The serpent comes in and he tempts Adam and Eve.

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 And they clearly violate God's third command

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 when they eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree.

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 In Christianity we refer to this as

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 the account of the temptation in the fall.

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 Adam and Eve,

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 they fall.

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 Sin enters the world through humanity.

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 And then the Bible teaches that

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 every human being born of man

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 from that point forward

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 is not increasing God's people on planet earth,

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 but it is increasing sinful humanity.

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 Every one of Adam's offspring,

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 they perpetuate the problem of sin.

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 And so because of the fall,

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 it is sin which is fruitful

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 and increases on planet earth.

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 So God's design

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 increased His people on planet earth.

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 The fall results in an increase

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 in sin instead.

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 And then one chapter later

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 we see the devastation that this causes

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 when Cain and Abel,

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 brothers,

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 Adam and Eve's sons,

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 Cain rises up and attacks his brother Abel

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 and kills him.

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 And now think for a moment

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 what's going on.

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 God's people are not increasing.

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 But because of sin,

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 God's people are turning on each other.

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 Sin is increasing

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 at the cost of human life.

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 God says to Cain,

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 what have you done?

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 Your brother's blood

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 cries out to me from the ground.

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 And God's first command to humanity

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 has been not only clearly violated,

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 but it has turned bestial.

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 It has turned humans against each other.

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 I want you to imagine with me,

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 if you would, for a moment,

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 Adam and Eve's shame,

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 their disappointment,

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 their utter despair

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 as they watch even their own children

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 turn on each other

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 and kill each other,

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 as they watch the effects of the fall

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 play out in a way that

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 God's people are not increasing,

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 but sin is increasing

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 at the cost of human life.

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 And then I want you to consider with me

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 their shock and their joy

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 if they could hear Paul's words

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 in Colossians 1.6.

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 If they could hear somehow

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 thousands of years later,

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 Paul say,

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 the Gospel is bearing fruit

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 and growing

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 throughout the whole world.

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 You see, what once looked like

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 a long lost hope for Adam and Eve

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 had by Paul's day

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 somehow become a reality.

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 And that is that the Gospel

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 was bearing fruit

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 and increasing the number

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 of God's people

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 on planet Earth.

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 And last week we saw

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 that Colossae,

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 who Paul and Timothy

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 are writing to,

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 is just this little,

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 unimpressive town

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 at the edge of the Roman Empire

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 who really would have

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 no reason to think

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 that anything good

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 would ever bear fruit

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 and increase

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 to the point that

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 they would receive it.

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 But Paul asserts

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 this foundational truth

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 that somehow,

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 in his day,

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 the Gospel is fulfilling

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 God's original creation design

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 for humanity.

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 Somehow,

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 some way,

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 from Adam and Eve

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 to Paul,

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 the Gospel is

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 fulfilling God's original design

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 for humanity.

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 God is still

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 increasing his people

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 on planet Earth

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 against all odds,

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 against everything

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 that it looked like

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 was wrong

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 in Genesis 3

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 and in Genesis 4,

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 somehow God's made it right

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 by Paul's day.

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 And so we naturally

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 would ask,

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 well,

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 how is that possible?

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 How has God

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 flipped the script

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 on sin?

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 And what Paul's

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 assuming here,

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 in a way,

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 is that the church

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 of Colossae

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 realizes that

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 it's possible

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 because God

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 is increasing

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 his people

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 through faith.

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 See,

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 it's not possible

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 that two,

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 even Christian

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 human beings

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 have a child

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 and that person

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 is born as

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 a child of God.

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 Jesus makes it

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 very clear

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 in John 3

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 when he's talking

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 to Nicodemus,

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 it's not by

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 birth of the flesh,

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 it's not by

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 will of man

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 that someone

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 enters the kingdom

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 of God,

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 but it's by being

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 born again,

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 born from above,

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 born of faith.

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 Paul says,

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 God's people

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 are now

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 a people of faith.

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 And they're

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 bearing fruit

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 and increasing,

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 not naturally,

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 but supernaturally,

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 born from above.

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 And what Paul's

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 going to do

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 in this passage

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 now is he's

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 going to talk

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 about three things.

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 He's going to say

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 faith comes

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 from hearing.

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 And then he's

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 going to explain

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 that faith

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 leads to loving

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 and loving

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 leads to serving.

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 And what we'll

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 see is that

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 as those three

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 work together,

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 all of that

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 brings about

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 more hearing,

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 more faith,

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 more loving,

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 more serving,

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 and the gospel

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 increases God's

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 people on

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 planet earth

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 just like he

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 designed from

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 the beginning.

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 So first of all,

00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.200
 faith comes

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 from hearing.

00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.659
 Colossians 1,

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 we'll read

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 through verses

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 3-6 again,

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 and take note

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 of faith

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 and hearing.

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 We always

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 thank God,

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 the Father

00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:36.679
 of our Lord

00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.460
 Jesus Christ,

00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:38.080
 verse 3,

00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:38.720
 Paul says,

00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:40.139
 when we pray

00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.600
 for you.

00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:41.980
 But why is

00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:42.620
 Paul thanking

00:11:42.620 --> 00:11:43.179
 God when he

00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:43.659
 prays for them?

00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.860
 Because we

00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:45.419
 heard of your

00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:46.519
 faith in

00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.480
 Christ Jesus

00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.240
 and the love

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:49.600
 you have

00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:49.940
 for all

00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.519
 God's people.

00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:52.680
 The faith

00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:54.000
 and love

00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.600
 that spring

00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:55.120
 from the

00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:55.879
 hope

00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.960
 stored up

00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:57.240
 for you

00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:57.720
 in heaven,

00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.200
 about which

00:11:59.200 --> 00:11:59.659
 you have

00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.080
 heard in

00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:01.500
 the true

00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.019
 message of

00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:02.539
 the gospel

00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.480
 that has

00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:03.860
 come to

00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.120
 you.

00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:05.399
 In the same

00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:05.560
 way,

00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:05.980
 the gospel

00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:06.460
 is bearing

00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:06.940
 fruit and

00:12:06.940 --> 00:12:07.560
 growing throughout

00:12:07.560 --> 00:12:07.899
 the whole

00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:08.240
 world,

00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:09.120
 just as it

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.440
 has been

00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:09.980
 doing among

00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.460
 you since

00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:10.980
 the day

00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.039
 you heard

00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:13.539
 it and

00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:14.539
 truly understood

00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:15.620
 God's grace.

00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.860
 Faith comes

00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.679
 by hearing.

00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:20.659
 God's people

00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:22.059
 increase by

00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:23.480
 having faith

00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:25.179
 in hearing

00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:25.899
 in what they

00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.500
 hear in the

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:26.899
 message of

00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.339
 the gospel.

00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.259
 So the

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.740
 true message

00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.319
 of the gospel

00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:31.879
 came to the

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.120
 people in

00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:33.620
 Colossae.

00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.259
 The people

00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:35.839
 heard the

00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.279
 true message

00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:36.860
 of the gospel.

00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:38.399
 The true

00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:38.899
 message was

00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:39.379
 about the

00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:39.959
 hope stored

00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.339
 up for them

00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:40.679
 in heaven.

00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:41.120
 I think we

00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.559
 sang it in

00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.419
 the second

00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:42.779
 or third

00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:43.079
 song.

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.620
 The hope

00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.019
 stored up

00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.299
 for us

00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:45.079
 in heaven,

00:12:45.399 --> 00:12:45.939
 namely being

00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:46.799
 Jesus Christ.

00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:48.360
 And that

00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.000
 this message

00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:49.879
 led to

00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.340
 faith in

00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:50.579
 Jesus.

00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.120
 So a few

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.480
 things to

00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:51.659
 note.

00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:52.460
 The word

00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:52.980
 gospel,

00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.159
 it just

00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:54.720
 simply means

00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.340
 good news.

00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:56.699
 Literally

00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:57.419
 good news

00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:58.199
 to humanity.

00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.240
 We have

00:12:59.240 --> 00:12:59.919
 bad news

00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.379
 in Genesis

00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.100
 3 and 4.

00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:01.840
 We need

00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.240
 some good

00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:02.559
 news at

00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:03.059
 that point.

00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:03.639
 And by

00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.139
 Paul's day

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:04.620
 we have

00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.699
 good news.

00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.100
 That's all

00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:06.439
 that means.

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.000
 Good news

00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.779
 to humanity.

00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:08.559
 So you

00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.039
 can understand

00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:09.460
 Paul to

00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:09.860
 be saying

00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:11.039
 the Colossians

00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.480
 heard the

00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:12.199
 true message

00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:13.179
 of the good

00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:13.679
 news that

00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.019
 had come

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:14.379
 to them.

00:13:14.739 --> 00:13:15.199
 They probably

00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:15.559
 didn't get a

00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:15.899
 whole lot of

00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:16.259
 good news

00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.899
 in Colossae.

00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:17.500
 So they

00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.019
 probably took

00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.299
 note.

00:13:19.239 --> 00:13:19.879
 Good news

00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:20.239
 has come

00:13:20.239 --> 00:13:20.799
 to humanity.

00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.419
 And then

00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:22.739
 secondly,

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.620
 the essence

00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.019
 of this

00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.500
 good news

00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:24.839
 is that

00:13:24.839 --> 00:13:25.179
 there is

00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.000
 hope

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.059
 beyond what

00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.579
 this life

00:13:27.579 --> 00:13:27.979
 here on

00:13:27.979 --> 00:13:28.379
 earth has

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:28.839
 to offer.

00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.059
 Namely,

00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:30.579
 that there is

00:13:30.579 --> 00:13:31.000
 something

00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:32.359
 greater beyond

00:13:32.359 --> 00:13:33.120
 this life.

00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.359
 And now,

00:13:34.459 --> 00:13:35.399
 if you're a

00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.000
 Christian or

00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:36.319
 if you're

00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:36.699
 not a

00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:37.039
 Christian,

00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:37.979
 we have to

00:13:37.979 --> 00:13:38.500
 just be honest

00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:38.799
 with each

00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:39.000
 other,

00:13:39.359 --> 00:13:40.039
 there's not a

00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.439
 ton to hope

00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:40.979
 for here on

00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:41.519
 planet earth.

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.360
 There's some

00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.139
 good stuff.

00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:45.220
 By God's

00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:45.579
 grace,

00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.399
 the common

00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:46.879
 grace he's

00:13:46.879 --> 00:13:47.240
 given us,

00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:47.919
 there are some

00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.860
 good things on

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.399
 planet earth.

00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.079
 But if we

00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:51.079
 really think about

00:13:51.079 --> 00:13:51.899
 what we're hoping

00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:53.039
 for in this

00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.159
 life on this

00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.500
 earth,

00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:55.620
 the list probably

00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.500
 gets pretty short

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.159
 pretty quickly.

00:13:58.079 --> 00:13:59.340
 I'm struck being

00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.439
 in Ireland that we

00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:01.500
 walk past ruins.

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.600
 We don't have ruins in

00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:03.279
 the United States.

00:14:03.439 --> 00:14:04.419
 We're just a couple

00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.220
 hundred years old.

00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.960
 But we walk past

00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:07.420
 ruins,

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.120
 we drive past

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.639
 and we visit

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:08.860
 them,

00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.279
 and we call

00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:10.720
 them ruins.

00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.580
 Do you guys

00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.060
 call them ruins

00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.259
 too?

00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:13.759
 Is that just,

00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.379
 it's not just

00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:14.840
 an American thing,

00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.620
 we call them

00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:15.960
 ruins.

00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.720
 But think,

00:14:18.440 --> 00:14:19.340
 those ruins

00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.180
 were somebody's

00:14:20.180 --> 00:14:20.940
 dreams come

00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:22.920
 true once

00:14:22.920 --> 00:14:23.680
 upon a time.

00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.639
 Those ruins,

00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:26.379
 we were at the

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.080
 Rock of

00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.480
 Castle,

00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:29.259
 the castle in

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.700
 Care,

00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.440
 Care Castle.

00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.320
 And we take

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.560
 a tour and we

00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:34.840
 just take

00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.399
 pictures and

00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:35.620
 we say,

00:14:35.660 --> 00:14:35.780
 oh,

00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.180
 that's really

00:14:36.180 --> 00:14:36.519
 nice,

00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:37.320
 these old

00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:37.600
 rocks.

00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.220
 This was

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.780
 somebody's

00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:39.879
 mansion once.

00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.100
 I hope their

00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:43.879
 hope wasn't in

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:44.940
 that rock.

00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.420
 Not that rock.

00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:51.960
 There's a man

00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.860
 named King Solomon

00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.420
 in Scripture.

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.240
 He has it all.

00:14:58.440 --> 00:14:59.400
 He's the third

00:14:59.400 --> 00:15:00.139
 king of Israel.

00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.060
 He is the

00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:01.920
 wisest king.

00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.500
 He has all

00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:04.980
 wisdom.

00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:06.840
 He is

00:15:06.840 --> 00:15:08.200
 unbelievably

00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:08.840
 wealthy.

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.519
 The wealth

00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.399
 of which you

00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.779
 and I will,

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.679
 if we're honest

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.120
 with each other,

00:15:13.159 --> 00:15:13.779
 we will never

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.340
 have the kind

00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:14.860
 of money King

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.519
 Solomon had.

00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.679
 He owns

00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.580
 cities.

00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.580
 I hope to

00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.419
 own a house.

00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.179
 He owns

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.139
 cities.

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.039
 He has

00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:27.320
 navies at

00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:27.960
 his command.

00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:29.620
 Armies at

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.220
 his command.

00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.680
 orchards.

00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.220
 Everything you

00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:34.120
 can ever

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.279
 hope for

00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:35.779
 here on

00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.379
 planet earth,

00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:37.460
 King Solomon

00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.180
 has it.

00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:40.460
 And then

00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.500
 at the end

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.740
 in Ecclesiastes

00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.440
 1, he just

00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:43.779
 writes,

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.519
 meaningless,

00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:47.779
 meaningless.

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.500
 Utterly

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:50.940
 meaningless.

00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.700
 Everything

00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.340
 is

00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:55.040
 meaningless.

00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:58.279
 And that

00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.299
 phrase is

00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:01.179
 bad news

00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:03.179
 if our

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:03.679
 only hope

00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.159
 is here on

00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.740
 planet earth.

00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:06.779
 See,

00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.379
 Solomon, he

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.740
 realizes he's

00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.139
 going to die.

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:11.819
 The navies

00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:12.500
 will sail at

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.039
 somebody else's

00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.360
 command.

00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.699
 The armies

00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:16.399
 will march to

00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.000
 somebody else's

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.279
 orders.

00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.639
 His money

00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.039
 will go to

00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.659
 his kids,

00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:21.199
 which he's

00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:21.639
 looking at.

00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:25.340
 the cities

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:25.939
 will appoint

00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:26.519
 new rulers.

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.539
 The people

00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:27.879
 will get a

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.340
 new king.

00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.639
 And he'll

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.019
 be gone.

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.799
 He says,

00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.259
 it's bad

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.639
 news.

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.539
 It's bad

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:36.960
 news.

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.899
 That's why

00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:40.419
 the gospel

00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.319
 is good

00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:43.100
 news that

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.480
 there is

00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.659
 hope beyond

00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.399
 this life.

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.059
 There's

00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:48.700
 hope beyond

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.159
 the here

00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.580
 and now.

00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.419
 And the

00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:52.759
 good news

00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.259
 about this

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.960
 hope is

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.299
 that it's

00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:54.899
 true.

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.199
 It's not

00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.899
 fake news,

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.340
 as we would

00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.720
 say in the

00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:57.939
 States.

00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.639
 It's true

00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.500
 news in

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.379
 Jesus Christ.

00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.340
 It's the

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.759
 true message

00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.180
 of the

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.639
 gospel.

00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.279
 As one

00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:08.819
 author notes,

00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.500
 that the

00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.379
 truth of

00:17:10.379 --> 00:17:11.019
 the gospel

00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.039
 is the

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.519
 key that

00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.299
 unlocks the

00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:13.799
 mind from

00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.500
 slavery to

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:14.819
 idols,

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.180
 which we'll

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.519
 see in a

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:15.960
 few weeks.

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.779
 It's the

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.180
 light that

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.240
 dispels the

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:18.940
 darkness of

00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.220
 errant

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.559
 thinking.

00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:19.960
 It's the

00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.519
 power that

00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.559
 liberates

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.339
 and delivers

00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:22.799
 us from

00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.399
 the domain

00:17:23.399 --> 00:17:23.940
 of darkness,

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.619
 as Paul said

00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.059
 in Colossians

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.619
 1.13,

00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.419
 to the

00:17:26.419 --> 00:17:27.440
 kingdom of

00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.879
 the beloved

00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.200
 son.

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.700
 The gospel

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.179
 is the

00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:30.259
 true message

00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.879
 of the

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:31.940
 true hope

00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.559
 we have

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.460
 in heaven,

00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:34.099
 namely

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:35.119
 Jesus Christ.

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.379
 Christ really

00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:38.819
 lived.

00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:40.480
 He really

00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:40.879
 died.

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.379
 He really

00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.079
 rose again.

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.220
 He really

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.119
 ascended to

00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.519
 heaven.

00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:46.599
 And that's

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.079
 really where

00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.519
 our hope

00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:47.940
 is.

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:49.720
 God

00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.680
 is the

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:50.940
 truth.

00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:51.559
 And our

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.180
 faith in

00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.840
 him comes

00:17:52.840 --> 00:17:53.940
 by hearing.

00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:55.640
 The people

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.160
 in Colossians

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.380
 say they

00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.980
 heard the

00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.880
 good news

00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.920
 of the

00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.500
 hope that

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.000
 was stored

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.320
 up for

00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:01.740
 them in

00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:02.080
 heaven,

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.220
 the truth

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:03.799
 of Jesus

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.360
 Christ.

00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.620
 Let me

00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.100
 just pause

00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:07.539
 here for a

00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:07.840
 moment and

00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.240
 ask you,

00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.779
 if you're

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.100
 not a

00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:10.360
 Christian,

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:10.759
 if this

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.460
 is newer

00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:11.900
 to you,

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.519
 I'll just

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.299
 throw it

00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.559
 out there.

00:18:13.620 --> 00:18:13.840
 Does this

00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.340
 make sense

00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:14.660
 to you?

00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.640
 If it

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.160
 makes sense,

00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.519
 great.

00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:17.860
 If it

00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.279
 doesn't make

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.640
 sense,

00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.380
 I'll be in

00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:19.700
 the back

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.140
 afterwards,

00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.680
 come see

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.040
 me and

00:18:21.040 --> 00:18:21.600
 ask me any

00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:22.140
 questions you

00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:22.420
 have.

00:18:22.820 --> 00:18:23.420
 I'll talk

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.700
 with you,

00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:23.980
 one of the

00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.380
 elders will

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.740
 talk with

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:24.900
 you.

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.820
 It is

00:18:25.820 --> 00:18:27.019
 eternally

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.660
 important to

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.000
 us that

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.480
 this makes

00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:28.960
 sense to

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.160
 you.

00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:30.300
 And I

00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:30.580
 know we

00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:30.940
 just went

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.560
 fast and

00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:32.460
 in less

00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:32.880
 than 20

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.360
 minutes we

00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.220
 covered the

00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.779
 majority of

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.100
 scripture.

00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:36.279
 So I'm

00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.620
 sure you

00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:37.180
 have questions.

00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:38.860
 So it

00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.240
 doesn't make

00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:39.500
 sense,

00:18:39.580 --> 00:18:39.820
 come and

00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:39.980
 ask.

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.500
 If it

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.000
 does make

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.340
 sense,

00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.860
 if what we

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.320
 just covered

00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:43.140
 so far makes

00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.019
 perfect sense to

00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.060
 let me just be

00:18:45.060 --> 00:18:45.759
 very pointed

00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:46.240
 because I

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.540
 can do

00:18:46.540 --> 00:18:46.759
 that.

00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.340
 I'm the

00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:47.660
 visiting

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.220
 preacher and

00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.680
 just ask

00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:48.800
 you,

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.320
 where's

00:18:49.320 --> 00:18:49.779
 your hope?

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.700
 Where is

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.080
 your hope?

00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.620
 Where was

00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.480
 it this

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:53.840
 week?

00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:55.960
 Where has

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.740
 it been so

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.220
 far this

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:57.500
 year?

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.000
 Is it in a

00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.420
 promotion?

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.360
 Is it in an

00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:00.660
 item?

00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.440
 Is it in a

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.900
 thing that

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.600
 moth or rust

00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:02.920
 are going to

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.320
 destroy?

00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:06.680
 Is it in

00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.220
 your children?

00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:08.500
 Don't put

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.900
 that burden

00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.320
 on them.

00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.300
 Where is

00:19:11.300 --> 00:19:11.840
 your hope?

00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:13.700
 Is your

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.080
 hope

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.579
 truly in

00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.359
 Jesus

00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.939
 Christ

00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.000
 in heaven?

00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.279
 It's one

00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.639
 thing to

00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:22.059
 say it.

00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.299
 It's one

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:22.599
 thing to

00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:22.939
 just kind

00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:23.059
 of,

00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:23.679
 yeah,

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.059
 I hope

00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.399
 in Jesus.

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:24.819
 It's a

00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.199
 whole other

00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:25.679
 thing to

00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:26.839
 truly have

00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.220
 your hope

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.699
 in Jesus.

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.399
 And then

00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:31.819
 if you

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.119
 would say,

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.379
 yeah,

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.099
 pastor,

00:19:33.199 --> 00:19:33.679
 absolutely,

00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.279
 my hope

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:34.740
 is in

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.159
 Jesus.

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:35.919
 Amen.

00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:36.799
 Praise

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.139
 God.

00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:37.720
 Are you

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:38.119
 telling other

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.699
 people about

00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:38.879
 it?

00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.299
 Are you

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.699
 telling other

00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.220
 people about

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.960
 the hope

00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.660
 you have

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.140
 stored up

00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.400
 for you

00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.799
 in heaven?

00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:46.140
 Because to

00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.680
 have good

00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:47.200
 news,

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.400
 to have

00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.120
 good news

00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.460
 about

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.799
 something to

00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.420
 be hopeful

00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.000
 for and to

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.620
 not share it

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.120
 with somebody

00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.980
 would be

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.460
 utterly

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.120
 despicable.

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.120
 It'd be a

00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.579
 tragedy.

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.160
 It'd be

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.960
 heartbreaking to

00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:01.319
 find out

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:01.819
 somebody had

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.539
 good news

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.220
 that you,

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:06.019
 you could put

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.539
 your hope in

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:06.900
 and they didn't

00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.400
 share it with

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:07.559
 you.

00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:10.619
 we have

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.679
 to love

00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.279
 people by

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.839
 sharing the

00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.159
 good news

00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:13.399
 of the

00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:13.740
 gospel.

00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.119
 So faith

00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:15.599
 comes by

00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.019
 hearing,

00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.099
 but doesn't

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.679
 stop there.

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.519
 Paul says

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.460
 it leads

00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.720
 to loving.

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.259
 Look at

00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.899
 Colossians 1

00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.220
 with me

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.480
 again.

00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.079
 Faith

00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.559
 comes by

00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.960
 hearing and

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.220
 now it's

00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.700
 going to

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.240
 lead to

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.519
 loving.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.899
 Verse 4,

00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:30.440
 Paul says

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.539
 we have

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.039
 heard of

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:32.539
 your faith

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.980
 in Christ

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.619
 Jesus and

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.759
 of the

00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.259
 love you

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.899
 have for

00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.700
 all God's

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.080
 people.

00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:39.560
 And we

00:20:39.560 --> 00:20:40.019
 just pause

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.200
 there and

00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:40.560
 say we've

00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:40.820
 heard this

00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.080
 before,

00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.460
 haven't we?

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.820
 God's

00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:42.100
 people.

00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:42.540
 Yeah,

00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:42.780
 we heard

00:20:42.780 --> 00:20:43.460
 in verse 2,

00:20:43.540 --> 00:20:43.820
 that's who

00:20:43.820 --> 00:20:44.500
 he's writing

00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:44.700
 to,

00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:45.259
 God's

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.820
 people in

00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:46.259
 Colossae,

00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:46.980
 same phrase.

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:48.980
 We heard

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.519
 the love

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:49.900
 you have

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.240
 for all

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.500
 God's

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:50.720
 people,

00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.340
 the faith

00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.620
 and love

00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.820
 that spring

00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.340
 from the

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:54.840
 hope stored

00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:55.280
 up for you

00:20:55.280 --> 00:20:55.660
 in heaven.

00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.100
 The faith

00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.019
 and love

00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:00.100
 that spring

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:00.540
 from the

00:21:00.540 --> 00:21:01.060
 hope stored

00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:01.460
 up for you

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:01.759
 in heaven.

00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:02.300
 Faith

00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:02.700
 comes by

00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.040
 hearing,

00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.420
 faith leads

00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.300
 to loving.

00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:06.540
 Okay?

00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.320
 Now here's

00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:07.580
 the deal

00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.100
 with love.

00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.980
 I use this

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.420
 word all the

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.460
 time and I

00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.800
 don't really

00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:12.220
 mean it the

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.759
 same way Paul

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.280
 means it and

00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:13.640
 you probably

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.120
 do the same.

00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.840
 I'll give you

00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.259
 an example.

00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:15.980
 I love

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.540
 Irish ice

00:21:16.540 --> 00:21:16.759
 cream.

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:17.920
 I absolutely

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.000
 if this were,

00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.240
 you know,

00:21:19.300 --> 00:21:19.840
 if I could just

00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.440
 admit stuff,

00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.259
 I love

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:21.720
 Irish ice.

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.620
 It's incredible.

00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.420
 We don't have

00:21:23.420 --> 00:21:24.519
 obviously Irish

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.180
 ice cream in

00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.560
 America.

00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.360
 Okay?

00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.080
 It doesn't

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.740
 taste the same.

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.500
 You should,

00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.100
 part of me just

00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.560
 want you to go

00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.100
 to America to

00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:30.980
 taste how terrible

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.560
 the ice cream

00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:32.480
 is there and

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.440
 then you will

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.660
 say I love

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.680
 Irish ice cream.

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.400
 Here's the

00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.600
 thing.

00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.420
 I also say I

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.220
 love my kids.

00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:38.799
 Right?

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:39.759
 I mean,

00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:40.440
 today's Father's

00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.600
 Day.

00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:41.299
 They were so

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.560
 sweet.

00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.060
 They wrote me a

00:21:42.060 --> 00:21:42.880
 little card and

00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.360
 I say I love

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.720
 my kids.

00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:43.880
 Now,

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.920
 I don't mean to

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.340
 say that I love

00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.680
 Irish ice cream in

00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.820
 the same way I love

00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:49.320
 my kids.

00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:49.620
 Right?

00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.279
 And I hope they

00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.839
 know that because

00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.659
 they hear me say I

00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:53.739
 love you and they

00:21:53.739 --> 00:21:54.599
 hear me say I love

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.099
 ice cream.

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.959
 But if the two

00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:56.719
 came down to it,

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.699
 I would clearly

00:21:57.699 --> 00:22:00.079
 choose my children

00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.279
 over Irish ice cream.

00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:01.479
 Right?

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.179
 Why are you laughing?

00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:03.139
 I would clearly

00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.479
 choose my children

00:22:04.479 --> 00:22:05.779
 over Irish ice cream.

00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.339
 But we use that

00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.879
 word and that's

00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.139
 okay.

00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.819
 We don't have any

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.559
 ill intents.

00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:10.859
 Right?

00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:12.359
 We say all kinds

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:12.859
 of things.

00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.139
 I love this.

00:22:14.199 --> 00:22:14.819
 I love that.

00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:16.079
 We use the word

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.559
 and we mean

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.179
 different things.

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:17.719
 That's just how

00:22:17.719 --> 00:22:18.319
 language works.

00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.879
 That's okay.

00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.639
 But we want to

00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.319
 pause here and say

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.399
 what does Paul mean?

00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:23.939
 What does Paul mean

00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.759
 when he says that

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.119
 they have a love

00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.979
 for each other?

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.879
 And thankfully

00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:30.679
 Paul defines love

00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.299
 in the way that

00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.159
 he's using it

00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.759
 in scripture

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.939
 in a letter to

00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:34.539
 another church

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.519
 called 1 Corinthians.

00:22:36.479 --> 00:22:37.819
 And there he writes

00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.939
 this incredible

00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.939
 definition of

00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:41.539
 biblical love.

00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:42.719
 Okay?

00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:44.119
 Love he says

00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.959
 is patient.

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:48.239
 Love is kind.

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.500
 It does not

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:50.779
 envy.

00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.000
 It does not

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.359
 boast.

00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.419
 It is not

00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:53.879
 proud.

00:22:54.919 --> 00:22:55.599
 Love does not

00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.419
 dishonor others.

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.000
 It is not

00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.639
 self-seeking.

00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.739
 It is not

00:22:58.739 --> 00:22:59.679
 easily angered.

00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.339
 It keeps

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.199
 no record

00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:02.119
 of wrongs.

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.500
 Love does not

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.239
 delight in evil

00:23:05.239 --> 00:23:06.039
 but rejoices

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.139
 with the truth

00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:07.799
 that always

00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.419
 protects,

00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.799
 always trusts,

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.179
 always hopes,

00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:13.439
 always perseveres.

00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.439
 This is Paul's

00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:15.279
 definition of love.

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.799
 And so if we

00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.240
 take that

00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.279
 definition and

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.819
 we bring that

00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.440
 into Colossae,

00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.079
 I think we can

00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.039
 start to see why

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.379
 he always thanks

00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.160
 God for the

00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.019
 people in Colossae

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:25.079
 when he thinks

00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:25.899
 of their faith

00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.180
 and the love

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:27.920
 that has sprung

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.480
 from their hope

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:28.799
 in heaven.

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.480
 Because he's

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:29.940
 saying when I

00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.399
 think of the

00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.160
 church in Colossae,

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.160
 I think of a

00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.039
 people that are

00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.019
 patient with each

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.279
 other.

00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.299
 A church that is

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.180
 kind with each

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.420
 other.

00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.420
 A church that is

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.399
 humble and not

00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:41.099
 proud of one

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.799
 position over

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.099
 another.

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:43.960
 He says I'm

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.940
 seeing and

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.579
 hearing about a

00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.160
 church that is

00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.940
 gentle, that is

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.860
 forgiving each

00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.579
 other, that

00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:50.539
 rejoices in

00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:50.900
 truth.

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.799
 A church that

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.660
 protects each

00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.420
 other, that

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.420
 trusts in God,

00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.600
 that hopes for

00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.360
 heaven and

00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.680
 perseveres through

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:59.039
 hardship together.

00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.840
 And when Paul

00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:01.660
 defines their love

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:03.079
 as a church for

00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:04.059
 each other in

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.940
 that way, that

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.700
 is absolutely

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.819
 something to

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.160
 thank God for.

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.400
 And that's what

00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:09.819
 he's doing.

00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.819
 He's saying the

00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:12.779
 church in

00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.400
 Colossae

00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.500
 loves each

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:14.759
 other.

00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:15.820
 They heard the

00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.980
 gospel and the

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.940
 hearing turned to

00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:19.000
 faith and the

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.780
 faith has turned

00:24:19.780 --> 00:24:21.160
 to love and this

00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.080
 church loves each

00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.740
 other in a way that

00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.660
 all of us would

00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.340
 want to be a part

00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.019
 of this church.

00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:28.000
 And notice it's

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.640
 not some private or

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.660
 secret or hidden

00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.340
 love that they

00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:31.660
 have.

00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.420
 It's very

00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:33.840
 visible.

00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:36.920
 It's visible to

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.620
 the point that

00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.920
 others have seen

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.259
 it.

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.060
 And they're

00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:41.720
 telling each

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.120
 other, they're

00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.579
 telling other

00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:43.459
 people about

00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.279
 the love that

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.519
 this group of

00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.819
 God's people has

00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.479
 for each other

00:24:47.479 --> 00:24:48.379
 right here in

00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:48.979
 Colossae.

00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.459
 And so I'll

00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:53.099
 just pause here

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:53.579
 again and I'll

00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.959
 ask you, how

00:24:54.959 --> 00:24:55.679
 are we doing at

00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.579
 loving others in

00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.159
 this church?

00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.079
 Would people

00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.819
 characterize

00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.819
 Caragalline Baptist

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:04.519
 Church as a

00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.399
 church that is

00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:07.039
 patient, kind,

00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:09.259
 humble, selfless,

00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:11.180
 gentle, forgiving,

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.500
 rejoicing in

00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.879
 truth?

00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.680
 Well, they say,

00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.539
 you've got to go to

00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.180
 Caragalline Baptist

00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.799
 Church because they

00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.779
 protect each other,

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.119
 they trust in God,

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.240
 they point each other

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.180
 to the hope that they

00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.700
 have in Jesus, in

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.579
 heaven, and they

00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.400
 persevere through

00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.319
 hardship together.

00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:27.059
 Because that's what a

00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:28.039
 biblical church looks

00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.420
 like.

00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:31.539
 If we can look at

00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.180
 this church and we

00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.359
 can say, absolutely,

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.480
 that's this church,

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.460
 praise God.

00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:37.759
 Praise God for what

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.880
 he's doing through

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.259
 his spirit in this

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.180
 group, just like in

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:41.680
 Colossae.

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.960
 If not, then we say,

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.640
 well, what do we do?

00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.700
 Well, it's simple, the

00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.120
 Bible is clear.

00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:48.019
 We take a step back

00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.500
 and we fix our eyes on

00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.279
 the hope we have in

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.759
 heaven, we proclaim the

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.779
 gospel to each other,

00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:54.500
 we dig into God's

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.079
 word together, we get

00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.380
 into scripture, we

00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.340
 speak truth to each

00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:59.680
 other, we proclaim the

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.460
 gospel to each other,

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.380
 we sing songs of the

00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.079
 gospel like we're

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.380
 doing, we hear the

00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:05.319
 truth proclaimed from

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.460
 scripture, and we

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.679
 huddle up together, and

00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.819
 we dive back into the

00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.960
 gospel together, and

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.919
 that gospel produces

00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:13.119
 love through us.

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:15.859
 It bears fruit and

00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:17.000
 increases in us.

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.980
 So if we look around

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.240
 at our life at all, or

00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:21.019
 at the church's life,

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.679
 and we say, man, we

00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:22.500
 should be a more

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.299
 loving church, what's

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.819
 the solution?

00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.339
 Paul says the gospel

00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.220
 is the solution.

00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.619
 Get into the gospel.

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:30.019
 It will fuel our love

00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.679
 for each other.

00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:35.059
 And then what Paul says

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.480
 is, if faith comes by

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.179
 hearing, and if faith

00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:39.639
 leads to loving, well,

00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:40.339
 it's just a logical

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:42.019
 conclusion here, loving

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.079
 leads to serving.

00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:44.460
 Now here's the

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.859
 temptation.

00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.399
 We're tempted to swap

00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:46.779
 the order.

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.079
 We're human.

00:26:49.419 --> 00:26:50.779
 We're tempted to try it

00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.460
 on our own and say,

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.139
 here's what I'll do.

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.480
 In order to be a

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.519
 faithful Christian, I'll

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.980
 start serving, and if I

00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.980
 serve everybody long

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.899
 enough, I'll really start

00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.500
 loving them.

00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.500
 And anybody that's ever

00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.679
 served next to somebody

00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.559
 for too long knows

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.579
 that's not going to work.

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:04.159
 But we think I'll serve

00:27:04.159 --> 00:27:05.019
 long enough, then I'll

00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.039
 start loving them, and if

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.899
 I start loving other

00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.579
 Christians, then I'll

00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.240
 believe in God.

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:10.000
 And that's tempting, but

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.899
 it's absolutely backward.

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.439
 Remember, faith comes by

00:27:12.439 --> 00:27:12.839
 hearing.

00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:14.399
 Faith leads to loving.

00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:16.019
 Loving leads to serving.

00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.240
 Paul says in verse 4, he

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:21.179
 says that him, Paul and

00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:25.119
 Timothy, they heard of the

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:26.659
 faith in Christ Jesus and the

00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:28.220
 love that they had for all

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.679
 God's people.

00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.559
 Well, how did they hear

00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.960
 about this?

00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:30.960
 How did Paul and Timothy

00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:32.460
 hear about what's going

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.200
 on in the church in

00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.620
 Colossae?

00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.660
 Well, he tells them in

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.160
 verse 7.

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.279
 You, the church in

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.240
 Colossae, you learned it

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.380
 from Epaphras.

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.900
 Epaphras was trained by

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.259
 Paul.

00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.440
 You can see in chapter 4,

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.860
 I think verse 7, he was

00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:47.440
 taught the gospel by Paul.

00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.680
 He came to Colossae.

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.000
 He preaches the gospel

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.319
 there.

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.819
 And then what Paul says is

00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.160
 he's a fellow servant,

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.559
 verse 7, and a faithful

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:59.319
 minister of Christ on our

00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.759
 behalf.

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.539
 He told us of your love

00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.640
 in the Spirit.

00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:06.259
 Now, Paul uses two key

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.720
 words there.

00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:08.279
 He is, Epaphras is a

00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.779
 servant.

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:11.220
 Literally, word is slave.

00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.480
 Someone who's in total

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:14.140
 obedience to a master.

00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:16.259
 Paul says, Epaphras is in

00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:18.539
 total obedience to Christ

00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:21.299
 Jesus for the church in

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.840
 Colossae.

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.740
 And then he says,

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.340
 furthermore, he is a

00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.000
 minister.

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:28.359
 Epaphras is someone who

00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.960
 attends to the needs of

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.240
 another.

00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:33.559
 In this case, Epaphras is

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:35.059
 someone who attends to the

00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.700
 needs of others by delivering

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:38.619
 the good news of the hope

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:40.740
 that is to be had in Jesus.

00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:43.299
 He has served and ministered.

00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.619
 He heard the gospel.

00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.859
 He then went and served them.

00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:48.220
 He proclaimed the gospel.

00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:50.920
 And then they, through the

00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:52.180
 gospel, start to love each other.

00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:54.360
 They love each other visibly by

00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.340
 serving each other.

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.620
 And all this starts with just

00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.600
 one person hearing and

00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.500
 proclaiming the gospel.

00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.060
 Right?

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.240
 Epaphras is to the church in

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.580
 Colossae what Johnny is to the

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.940
 church here in Caragalline.

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.039
 He heard the gospel.

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:09.900
 And then he has been a

00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:11.640
 faithful servant and minister

00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:14.060
 to this church in this city,

00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.580
 in this country, I think around

00:29:15.580 --> 00:29:17.980
 the world, Johnny has, just

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.980
 like Epaphras was.

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:21.680
 And it just starts with

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.579
 hearing the gospel.

00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.500
 Somebody told this pastor,

00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.039
 Johnny, your pastor, somebody

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.920
 told him the gospel.

00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.559
 And he heard it and he

00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.079
 believed.

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.860
 And then he loved in such a

00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.920
 way that he served by

00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.360
 proclaiming the gospel.

00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.579
 And what happens is when

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:41.720
 someone faithfully loves and

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:43.319
 serves and ministers to

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:46.079
 others, they too become

00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.900
 faithful believers.

00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:49.480
 Think about that word Paul

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.240
 just used here.

00:29:51.060 --> 00:29:52.800
 Epaphras is a faithful

00:29:52.800 --> 00:29:55.040
 servant and minister.

00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:57.340
 And what do we see last

00:29:57.340 --> 00:29:57.620
 week?

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:59.060
 In Colossae there were

00:29:59.060 --> 00:30:00.460
 faithful brothers and

00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.360
 sisters in Christ.

00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:04.240
 The gospel is producing

00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.720
 fruit.

00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.960
 The gospel is increasing

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:09.060
 and growing the number of

00:30:09.060 --> 00:30:09.660
 God's people.

00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:09.720
 faithful.

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:17.360
 I have no doubt that many

00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:19.279
 of you have been immensely

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:22.500
 blessed as Johnny, like

00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:24.259
 Epaphras, has dedicated his

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:27.080
 life to serving, to loving,

00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:30.560
 to shepherding, to ministering,

00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:32.960
 many of you through all the

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.960
 ups and downs of life.

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:38.799
 He's given his heart and soul

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:41.600
 into this little church, lovingly,

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.400
 joyfully.

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:45.279
 And praise God that he's got

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:47.019
 some time to rest and re-energize

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:48.500
 and recharge and you're going

00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.900
 to have a whole new Johnny when

00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:50.420
 he comes back.

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:52.019
 I guarantee you he'll be fired

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.000
 up and ready to go.

00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:58.059
 And God works through men like

00:30:58.059 --> 00:30:58.380
 Johnny.

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.900
 And he works through men like

00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.420
 Epaphras.

00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:04.100
 And you know what's amazing is

00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:05.840
 he works through men and

00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:08.940
 women from Colossae to

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:12.460
 Keragoline, from 65 AD to

00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.320
 2019.

00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:16.200
 And we have this incredible

00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:21.640
 privilege of joining God in

00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:23.980
 fulfilling his original design

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:26.320
 for humanity.

00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:32.220
 We too can proclaim the gospel

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.899
 to each other.

00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:37.220
 We too can be faithful brothers

00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:39.740
 and sisters who love each other.

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:42.019
 Not like we love Irish ice cream,

00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.639
 but how Paul defines love.

00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:45.259
 And we can love that way too.

00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:48.659
 We too can serve each other,

00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:50.679
 not so that we'll be loved by God,

00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.480
 not so that we can try to love each

00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.819
 other, but because we love each

00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.019
 other.

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.119
 Why do we love each other?

00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.819
 Because God first loved us.

00:31:56.879 --> 00:31:58.119
 How do we know God first loved us?

00:31:58.619 --> 00:32:00.019
 Because he sent his son.

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:04.680
 He sent his son to be our

00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:04.980
 savior.

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:08.319
 And his son lived the life we

00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:08.799
 couldn't live.

00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:10.119
 He died the death we should have

00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:10.359
 died.

00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.740
 He rose again.

00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:13.059
 He ascended to heaven.

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:15.779
 And our hope is in him in heaven,

00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:17.460
 not here on earth.

00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:25.039
 In closing, I'll just remind you

00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:27.960
 that every Christian,

00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:31.220
 everybody who calls himself a

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.100
 Christian, everybody who says,

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:35.079
 I have faith in the good news

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:37.160
 of Jesus Christ,

00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:39.519
 they heard it from somebody else

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.880
 first.

00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:41.019
 I know I did.

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:43.059
 And I guarantee you,

00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.960
 if you sit down this evening

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.859
 and you just think through,

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:47.160
 how did I ever learn about Jesus?

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.960
 You heard it probably.

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.420
 You heard it.

00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:52.319
 Because someone else spoke it.

00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.839
 Someone else spoke the truth

00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.400
 of the gospel.

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.660
 You heard it.

00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.940
 That hearing led to faith.

00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:04.580
 And so we are also evidence

00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:06.740
 of the fact that God is,

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.460
 through the gospel,

00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.680
 fulfilling his original design

00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.620
 for humanity.

00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.799
 And we don't have to be

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:15.720
 clever or creative

00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:17.580
 or think of unique ways

00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.620
 in which to share the gospel.

00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:20.440
 We can simply just tell people

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.700
 the truth

00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:24.580
 of what God created the world

00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.000
 to be,

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:27.680
 what happened in Genesis 3 and 4,

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:30.360
 and what we are witnesses of today.

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.799
 There's a guy that,

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.840
 in the church I pastored

00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.580
 back in the States,

00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.279
 his name was Rick.

00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:41.140
 And he was a hardworking guy.

00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:43.320
 He was an auto mechanic.

00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:45.380
 Worked his job.

00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:47.420
 Loved the Lord.

00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.320
 Loved his family.

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.259
 And told me,

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:51.580
 I really want to serve

00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.360
 in God's kingdom.

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:54.600
 As he learned the story of God,

00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.980
 as he saw God's redemptive plan unfolding,

00:33:57.080 --> 00:33:57.360
 he said,

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.839
 how in the world, though,

00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.839
 could I ever serve

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.519
 in God's kingdom?

00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.099
 And it's interesting,

00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:03.759
 because all I said is,

00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:05.019
 Rick, can you speak?

00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:07.559
 And obviously he could.

00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:07.899
 He said,

00:34:07.939 --> 00:34:08.699
 yeah, I can speak.

00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:09.219
 I said, okay.

00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:12.519
 Well, can you tell people

00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.039
 about God?

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.380
 Can you just tell them

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:16.279
 the story of God?

00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.880
 Well, not perfectly,

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.900
 but can you read Scripture with them?

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.179
 Well, yeah,

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:21.159
 I can read Scripture with them.

00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.880
 Rick ended up becoming

00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.799
 the overseer

00:34:24.799 --> 00:34:25.659
 of our missions group

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.159
 at church,

00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:27.940
 because he learned

00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.819
 he could go anywhere

00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.440
 in the world,

00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:31.639
 and he could sit with someone,

00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.799
 and even if he didn't

00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.699
 speak their language,

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.719
 he could point to Scripture

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:38.039
 and be with them

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.579
 as they read the story of God,

00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.420
 as they saw

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.920
 and heard

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.239
 the good news

00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:44.199
 of Jesus Christ.

00:34:44.199 --> 00:34:48.079
 Let's join God

00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.839
 in his mission.

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.399
 Let's enjoy

00:34:51.399 --> 00:34:52.399
 the role that we have,

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.819
 the place that we are

00:34:53.819 --> 00:34:54.619
 in history,

00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:56.139
 where we get to be a part

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.960
 not of increasing sin

00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.779
 here on planet Earth,

00:34:59.939 --> 00:35:01.639
 but we get to be a part

00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:03.279
 of God fulfilling

00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:04.419
 his design

00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:06.139
 right here on this Earth,

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.779
 increasing his people

00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:09.119
 through his gospel,

00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.679
 which we have the joy

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.939
 of proclaiming to each other.

00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.319
 Amen?

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.820
 Let's pray.

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.539
 Father,

00:35:17.620 --> 00:35:18.580
 we thank you so much

00:35:18.580 --> 00:35:19.320
 for your gospel.

00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:22.940
 God,

00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.220
 even a short glimpse

00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:26.160
 into Genesis 1-4

00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:27.180
 just reminds us

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:28.620
 of how amazing

00:35:28.620 --> 00:35:29.660
 you created everything

00:35:29.660 --> 00:35:30.880
 and how far

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:31.760
 we had fallen.

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.680
 Thank you

00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:39.080
 for the hope

00:35:39.080 --> 00:35:39.900
 we have in heaven.

00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:42.220
 thank you

00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:42.900
 for the hope

00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:44.079
 we have in Jesus Christ.

00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:44.500
 Thank you

00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:46.099
 for sending people

00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:47.139
 into our lives

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:48.800
 to speak the gospel

00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.559
 into our lives.

00:35:49.660 --> 00:35:49.920
 Thank you

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.860
 for putting us

00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:51.360
 in a church

00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:51.860
 where we can

00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.920
 speak the gospel

00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.539
 to each other,

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.940
 we can love each other,

00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:56.500
 we can serve each other,

00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.880
 because we are a family

00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.780
 that you've created

00:35:58.780 --> 00:36:00.180
 through your spirit,

00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.139
 by your word.

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.400
 Thank you

00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:04.519
 that we get to be a part

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.579
 of you fulfilling

00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.539
 your design

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.240
 for creation,

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.700
 that we get to be a part

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:10.019
 of the increasing number

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:11.019
 of your people

00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:12.519
 here in Caroline,

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.639
 in Cork,

00:36:13.779 --> 00:36:14.199
 in Ireland,

00:36:14.319 --> 00:36:14.679
 and beyond.

00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.399
 Thank you

00:36:17.399 --> 00:36:18.039
 that this doesn't

00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.980
 depend upon us,

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.219
 God,

00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:19.799
 but this is

00:36:19.799 --> 00:36:20.719
 your word

00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.359
 going out

00:36:21.359 --> 00:36:22.559
 by your spirit

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.759
 for your glory.

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:25.059
 Amen.

00:36:27.439 --> 00:36:28.739
 If you'd stand with me,

00:36:28.819 --> 00:36:29.559
 we're going to

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.279
 close out

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.000
 with one song,

00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.939
 All Creatures

00:36:32.939 --> 00:36:33.819
 of Our God and King.

00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:33.899
 Amen.

00:36:33.899 --> 00:36:33.939
 Amen.

00:36:33.939 --> 00:36:33.960
 Amen.

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.739
 Amen.

00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:40.359
 Amen.

00:36:40.939 --> 00:36:41.599
 Amen.

00:36:41.859 --> 00:36:42.000
 Amen.

00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.419
 Amen.

00:36:42.859 --> 00:36:42.939
 Amen.

00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:43.539
 Amen.

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.579
 Amen.

00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:47.480
 Amen.

00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:47.679
 Amen.

00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:48.199
 Amen.

00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:48.439
 Amen.

00:36:48.439 --> 00:36:49.639
 Amen.

00:36:49.859 --> 00:36:56.339
 Amen.

00:36:56.339 --> 00:36:56.960
Aši

00:36:56.960 --> 00:37:26.940
 Thank you.

00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:56.940
 Thank you.

00:37:56.960 --> 00:38:26.940
 Thank you.

00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:56.940
 Thank you.

00:38:56.960 --> 00:39:26.940
 Thank you.

00:39:26.960 --> 00:39:56.940
 Thank you.

00:39:56.960 --> 00:40:26.940
 Thank you.

00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:28.960
 Thank you.