WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.259 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christchurch. 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:11.580 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:15.439 ! use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christchurch. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at Christchurcheastbay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:30.980 Our scripture reading this morning is from Colossians 1, 15-20. 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:34.620 This is from Paul's letter to the Colossians. 00:00:34.620 --> 00:00:42.219 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:50.579 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:56.140 or their thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. 00:00:56.879 --> 00:01:01.640 All things have been created through Him and for Him. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:08.439 He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. 00:01:09.739 --> 00:01:12.280 And He is the head of the body, the church. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:15.719 He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:19.299 so that in everything He might have the supremacy. 00:01:20.219 --> 00:01:26.019 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him. 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:31.819 And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:34.460 whether things on earth or things in heaven, 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:40.060 by making peace through His blood shed on the cross. 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:42.799 This is the word of the Lord. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:44.799 Thanks be to God. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:47.739 Well, Jonathan said my name is Paul. 00:01:47.939 --> 00:01:50.979 I am really delighted to be here. 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.719 I served as a pastor in Palo Alto for 19 years. 00:01:55.459 --> 00:01:57.000 Lived down in Mountain View. 00:01:57.819 --> 00:01:59.979 My wife and I have been married for 26 years. 00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:02.840 We have five kids that are all out of the house. 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:04.519 So we have this great season of emptiness. 00:02:04.700 --> 00:02:06.659 One of my sons is here with us this morning. 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:08.159 He lives not far from here in Berkeley. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:11.740 And my wife is a pastor in Redwood City. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:13.599 So, oh, I forgot I had a picture. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.000 I was like, what are they looking at? 00:02:15.299 --> 00:02:15.579 Okay. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:16.780 Yeah. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:17.819 So that's our family. 00:02:18.519 --> 00:02:20.639 That's me and my wife and our five kids. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:22.560 Yeah. 00:02:22.659 --> 00:02:25.879 It's a fun season of seeing what God is doing in new ways for us 00:02:25.879 --> 00:02:28.439 as we enjoy this empty nest season. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:32.139 It's really fun to be here at Christ Church with you. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:34.460 I've known Bart Garrett for a long time. 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:36.439 I've known Jonathan for a few years now. 00:02:37.079 --> 00:02:41.579 Denise and I, as Jonathan mentioned, have worked together for a couple of years. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:43.479 And so what a privilege it is to be here. 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:45.099 I feel like I'm already a part of the family. 00:02:45.560 --> 00:02:48.840 Gail was giving me a back rub up here in the front row. 00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:50.399 I've met some of the young kids. 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:52.219 So this is just wonderful. 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:53.179 What a gift to be here. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:56.739 And I love beginning a sermon by reading the scripture 00:02:56.739 --> 00:03:00.060 because I know that I've said something profound. 00:03:01.399 --> 00:03:05.219 If everything else is garbage, at least you've heard the word of God read. 00:03:05.659 --> 00:03:07.839 So you can rest easy in that. 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:12.300 When I was in college, I went to a school on the other side of the bay 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:16.360 that is of no importance in this city. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:22.860 But I went to a school and I took a class, 101 Psychology. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:27.879 And it was taught by a relatively well-known psychology professor 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:29.319 by the name of Philip Zimbardo, 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:34.099 who had established some notoriety for some dodgy things he had done 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:35.580 early in his career. 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:42.480 And this particular class was all about him. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:45.540 So he gave the lectures. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:52.560 We watched videos as part of the class featuring Philip Zimbardo. 00:03:53.160 --> 00:03:57.020 We read a textbook written by Philip Zimbardo. 00:03:57.520 --> 00:04:01.660 And we did exercises designed by Philip Zimbardo. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:06.280 So you could not have taken part in this class 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:09.719 without understanding who he was and his opinions 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:11.079 and how he fit into everything. 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:14.359 And it was a little bit awkward 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:17.459 because he was a kind of complicated person. 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:20.360 But what we're talking about this morning, 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.500 this passage that we're looking at this morning, 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.759 is in the same vein, but it's not about Philip Zimbardo. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:29.120 It's about Jesus Christ. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:34.719 And I figured this was a safe passage to preach at Christ Church 00:04:34.719 --> 00:04:42.860 because this is all about how Christ is literally in everything. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:47.960 Now, this should come as no surprise to you. 00:04:48.180 --> 00:04:52.100 I hope I'm not coming preaching something that is radically new 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:53.000 or radically different. 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:55.580 You're probably not going to walk away from here this morning 00:04:55.580 --> 00:04:58.259 with some big new ideas. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:00.500 But what I hope we're going to see 00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:07.660 is how embedded and present and powerful 00:05:07.660 --> 00:05:13.699 the person of Christ is in every moment of our lives. 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:17.079 Because if you've been a follower of Jesus for some time, 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:20.199 you believe in Jesus, you worship Christ, 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:22.220 you understand who he is. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:25.079 But I think a lot of us just don't really 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:28.879 experience the constant awareness 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.279 of how present Jesus is. 00:05:32.979 --> 00:05:34.939 I think that matters in two big ways. 00:05:35.099 --> 00:05:37.959 First, because as we walk around as individuals, 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:41.240 as we try to live our lives and figure out what to do 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:43.159 and make decisions and deal with our emotions 00:05:43.159 --> 00:05:45.659 and do all these things that the world requires of us, 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:50.599 we're not always aware of Christ's role 00:05:50.599 --> 00:05:54.019 in that detail of life. 00:05:55.079 --> 00:05:58.479 And then secondly, as we come together as a church 00:05:58.479 --> 00:06:01.180 and we worship and we try to get to know people 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:04.459 and we have studies and we eat fellowship lunches 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:05.719 and all these kinds of things, 00:06:06.039 --> 00:06:08.539 sometimes we're not even aware of the role 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:13.159 that Christ plays here among us as a community. 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:16.240 And so what's beautiful about this passage 00:06:16.240 --> 00:06:18.740 is it really lays out both of those things. 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:22.659 It talks about how Christ is prominent in creation 00:06:22.660 --> 00:06:26.900 and in everything, but also how Christ features 00:06:26.900 --> 00:06:28.300 in the church. 00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:32.180 We're gonna walk through this passage in two big chunks 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:35.360 and look at some of what the Apostle Paul says 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.880 about who Christ is. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:39.360 Now, I noticed I just learned 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:42.420 that there's some third graders in the room 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:45.260 for the first time sitting through service. 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.939 So I hope you brought a pillow. 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:51.019 So here's a little cue. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:52.639 Sometimes I do this when we have kids in the room. 00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:55.519 I want you to listen for two stories I'm gonna tell. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:57.539 I'm gonna tell a story about Legos 00:06:57.539 --> 00:07:00.199 and I'm gonna tell a story about football. 00:07:01.459 --> 00:07:04.519 So you young kids, the old people, you're fine. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:06.899 The younger kids, listen for those stories 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:09.000 as a way of making sure that you're paying attention, 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:09.379 all right? 00:07:09.379 --> 00:07:13.719 Okay, we're gonna start then with Colossians 1, 15 to 17. 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:15.939 And I think I'm gonna have the passage up here. 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:18.060 We're gonna just jump through this 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:22.920 and highlight some really significant phrases 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:24.959 that the Apostle Paul gives. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:26.500 The first one is this phrase, 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:29.360 the image of the invisible God. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:30.980 See if that gets highlighted. 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:32.420 There we go, perfect. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:37.980 All right, so this is kind of a interesting phrase 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:40.780 because image is something you see, 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:44.980 but an invisible God is something that can't be seen. 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:48.740 And so it's a conflict even in the language 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:51.020 that Jesus makes visible 00:07:51.020 --> 00:07:54.720 what otherwise would be invisible. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.220 The Greek word there is the Greek word for icon. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:00.740 It's what we use, 00:08:00.840 --> 00:08:02.140 what the church has used for a long time 00:08:02.140 --> 00:08:03.500 to represent truth. 00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:07.379 Your iPhone has lots of icons on them. 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:11.160 That represent something deeper. 00:08:11.780 --> 00:08:13.060 That's what Jesus is. 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:14.720 He is the representation, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:16.220 the physical manifestation. 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:19.259 He makes tangible God 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:23.460 whom otherwise is hard to see. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.480 The image of the invisible God. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:30.860 He's also the firstborn of all creation. 00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:32.720 Now this is interesting 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:35.060 because particularly in the ancient world, 00:08:35.059 --> 00:08:37.399 and it's still true in a lot of cultures today, 00:08:37.479 --> 00:08:40.539 being the firstborn was very important. 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:43.359 The firstborn had certain privileges, 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.599 had certain responsibilities. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:50.259 The firstborn was kind of the leader of the family. 00:08:50.859 --> 00:08:52.339 Now what's important here, 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:55.759 this Greek word firstborn is prototokos. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:59.419 Proto is the first and tokos is the word for born. 00:08:59.619 --> 00:09:00.059 The prototokos, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:02.239 what's important here is not so much 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.440 that he was the firstborn 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.519 because he wasn't really born, 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:09.799 but that he is the inheritor 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:12.560 of what God has designed. 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:15.379 That he is a unique representation 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:18.180 of who God is. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:21.539 He is first of all the world 00:09:21.539 --> 00:09:23.279 in terms of his importance. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:25.180 And we're going to see that come back again later 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:27.159 as in the second part of this passage 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:29.919 when we talk about Christ having the supremacy 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:32.079 over all things. 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:34.659 Third phrase here is 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:39.659 that he is over things in heaven 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:42.059 and things on earth. 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:44.919 Now when we read that phrase, 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:47.620 we think about the heavens 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.919 and to us, 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.600 because we're kind of in this religious setting, 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:52.480 we think heaven in a religious sense, 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:55.019 but what Paul probably meant by heavens 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:57.000 was more the sky, 00:09:57.659 --> 00:09:58.480 the space. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:00.420 So I want you to imagine, 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:02.700 some of you maybe have been in settings like this 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:03.500 where you are, 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:07.259 where you're somewhere that's very, very dark 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.899 and you're there at night. 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:10.620 Maybe you're on a camping trip 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.980 or you're out on the ocean somewhere. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:15.279 And if you imagine in your mind 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:18.080 what the heavens look like 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.220 when you're not in a city 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:23.020 and you see the stars, 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:27.100 you can see the stripe of the Milky Way. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:31.820 And the Apostle Paul is describing that image 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:33.780 to people in the first century 00:10:33.780 --> 00:10:38.420 that Jesus is creator of all of those things. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:41.759 And so we can imagine it from their perspective, 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.560 but we could also imagine it from our perspective 00:10:43.560 --> 00:10:44.960 because we see those stars 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:47.900 and we know a little bit more about what they are. 00:10:48.660 --> 00:10:51.620 We know that each of those stars are suns 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:54.879 with planets in their own galaxies, 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:59.259 in a size of space 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:02.280 that is completely unfathomable. 00:11:03.400 --> 00:11:08.040 And Jesus created all of that. 00:11:08.900 --> 00:11:10.200 That's what we're told. 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:13.040 The Jesus that we worship here today, 00:11:13.140 --> 00:11:14.420 the Jesus whose body and blood 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:15.620 we'll celebrate today, 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:17.759 the Jesus who died to save us, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.720 created all of that. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.620 Things in heaven 00:11:20.620 --> 00:11:22.500 and things on earth. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.299 Then we get this phrase 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:29.100 that he is over all powers, 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:31.939 whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:34.240 And these words signify 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:36.700 different kinds of authorities 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:38.879 in the ancient world. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.700 There were political authorities, 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:42.259 there were religious authorities, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.620 there were civic authorities, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:45.019 there were local authorities. 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:47.299 And the point that Paul is trying to make here 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:50.659 is that Jesus' authority is over all of those. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:54.000 For us then, we could imagine, 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.779 and I want to invite you just to think in your head 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:58.919 about what kinds of people 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:01.620 have authority over you. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:04.220 For kids, maybe it's your parents. 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:06.379 For students, your teachers. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:09.460 If you have a job, then your employer. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:12.120 If you started a company, then it's your investors. 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:14.299 There's local authorities. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:17.539 There's whoever runs Berkeley or the city you live in. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.259 There's statewide authorities. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.340 There's layers and layers of people 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:23.659 for all of us 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:28.080 who have some level of authority over our lives. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:31.240 Some of that we're grateful for. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:35.300 A lot of it, we are less than grateful for. 00:12:35.900 --> 00:12:36.940 And we don't like it 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:39.639 when people have authority over us sometimes. 00:12:40.920 --> 00:12:46.460 But Jesus rides above all of those layers. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.920 Not only is Christ above them, 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:51.080 but he instituted them. 00:12:51.160 --> 00:12:54.000 It says, in him all things were created. 00:12:54.200 --> 00:12:57.020 He created all of those levels of authority. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:59.079 Everything with authority over you 00:12:59.079 --> 00:13:02.740 is under the authority of Jesus. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:08.039 And hopefully, that makes it easier 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:10.600 to live under the authority of the people 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.819 whom Jesus has established over us. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:17.079 This next phrase is really cool. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.139 It's just so comprehensive. 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:21.319 We hear that Christ is, 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:23.759 everything was created in him, 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:27.019 everything is created through him, 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:29.919 and everything is created for him. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:34.600 Each of those phrases is uniquely important. 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:37.039 Everything is created in him. 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.319 And we don't, 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:41.240 this phrase occurs all throughout the New Testament 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:44.259 where we have this idea of being in Christ. 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:47.419 Christ, as if Christ were a sphere. 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:50.240 The image that comes to mind for me is one of those. 00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.340 Anybody have hamsters? 00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:52.740 Or kids have hamsters? 00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.980 You know those hamster balls? 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:56.559 It's like Jesus is a hamster ball, 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.679 and everything in the universe 00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:00.860 exists inside that hamster ball. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:02.319 Everything that happens, 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.259 all the stars, 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:04.139 all the everything, 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:05.120 all of our lives, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:07.759 everything is created in him. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:11.620 Jesus somehow contains all of us. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:15.240 But it also says everything was created through him. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:17.379 And so everything that is, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.139 everything that exists, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:21.440 was created through Jesus as the mechanism. 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:26.440 He was the way that things came into being. 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.899 You might think of Genesis 1, 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:32.139 where God speaks things into existence, 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:36.539 and then we find out later that Jesus is the word of God. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:39.360 So it was through the word of God 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:43.339 that things came to be. 00:14:44.599 --> 00:14:46.699 All things are created through him. 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:49.019 Now all things are also created for him. 00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:49.919 So they're in him, 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.719 they're through him, 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.799 but they're also for his benefit. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:55.480 And so Jesus is the one who receives 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:58.159 the goodness of all of creation. 00:14:59.099 --> 00:15:00.279 Here's the Lego story. 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.279 You guys ready? 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:06.240 So imagine kids building Legos. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.899 And you can imagine a kid building this, 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:11.980 this intricate Lego design, 00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:14.000 and then wanting to, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.720 to show their parents, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:16.779 and say, 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.819 look what I've done. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.379 Look what I've built. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:23.079 It's almost as if God built the world, 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:25.100 and then said to his son Jesus, 00:15:25.439 --> 00:15:27.139 this is for you. 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:32.379 All things are created for you. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:36.159 For you to enjoy and celebrate, 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.100 have the benefit of. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.620 In him, 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.480 through him, 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:40.960 for him, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.240 all of these things. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:45.279 And we're just piling layer upon layer 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:49.419 of how Jesus is really in literally everything 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:52.200 until finally we come to this last phrase 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.039 where it says that 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:57.259 in him all things hold together. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:00.860 And this is where our minds are really blown. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:03.360 That in Jesus, 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:07.360 all things hold together. 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.259 I want to invite you, 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:12.279 maybe you're wearing a shirt or a blouse or pants, 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.399 just feel the fabric that you're wearing. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:14.939 Just feel it. 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:17.660 So this fabric 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:20.140 would otherwise 00:16:20.140 --> 00:16:22.800 burst into atoms 00:16:22.800 --> 00:16:24.880 flying around the universe 00:16:24.880 --> 00:16:26.720 except for one thing. 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:28.400 Jesus. 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:31.380 You probably didn't think about that 00:16:31.380 --> 00:16:32.740 when you put on your clothes this morning. 00:16:33.180 --> 00:16:33.680 You probably didn't say, 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.520 thank you Jesus 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:36.860 for keeping the atoms of my clothes 00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:38.560 melded together 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:40.740 so that I can wear this outfit. 00:16:41.900 --> 00:16:43.320 But we just read 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.720 that all things 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.180 hold together 00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:46.780 in Jesus. 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:49.660 There's maybe some scientists in the room 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:51.240 and I'm going to very quickly reveal 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.640 the limits of my knowledge of physics. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.520 But my understanding of physics 00:16:54.520 --> 00:16:55.800 is that there is some understanding 00:16:55.800 --> 00:16:56.480 that there is a 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.520 kind of a universal force 00:16:58.520 --> 00:17:00.879 that holds things together. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.540 And then we read in the scripture 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:05.120 that Christ 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:07.860 holds all things together. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.880 And we realize that 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:11.380 Christ is literally 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.960 everywhere. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:15.419 That the reason I'm able to stand 00:17:15.419 --> 00:17:16.839 on this floor 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.839 is because the molecules 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:21.159 support me 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:22.779 through Christ. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.879 Now, this is a lot bigger, 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.939 a lot vaster, 00:17:28.179 --> 00:17:30.000 a lot kind of more comprehensive 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.539 than how a lot of us 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.139 are taught to think about Jesus. 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.879 This is so much 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:36.700 more cosmic 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:38.939 than Jesus was a 00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:40.220 God who became man 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.119 who died on your sins 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.000 so you could go to heaven. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.980 And he lived 2,000 years ago 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.759 and now we have church 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.559 to sing about him. 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.940 That's kind of the frame 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.920 a lot of us have 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.720 and yet this says 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.880 that Jesus literally 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:53.400 holds the universe together. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.740 Important thing about that for us, 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:58.039 there's many important things, 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.039 but one of the real 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.519 encouragements 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:02.519 is that 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:03.880 that Jesus 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.880 Jesus 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:06.540 is with 00:18:06.540 --> 00:18:07.480 us 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.540 as individuals. 00:18:10.260 --> 00:18:11.000 And so as 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.400 as unfathomable 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:12.960 as it is 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:13.440 that Jesus 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.720 is this 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:17.040 cosmic 00:18:17.040 --> 00:18:17.700 deity 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.500 that holds 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.500 the universe together, 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:19.860 it's 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:21.040 in the same breath 00:18:21.040 --> 00:18:21.840 we know that Jesus 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:23.880 walks with us. 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:25.540 He's present with us. 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:26.440 He knows 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.340 you. 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.200 He knows 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:31.720 in a very real sense 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:33.100 what you are experiencing. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.960 I went through a season 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.360 in my life 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:36.039 several years ago 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:38.059 of a lot of anxiety 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:39.480 and insomnia, 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:40.960 some depression 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.840 and 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:43.200 it was a really 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.819 kind of a pruning season 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.299 for me 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.360 where I was trying to 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:47.500 figure out how to deal 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.120 with some emotions 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.140 that were happening 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.420 and 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:52.160 there was an image 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:54.080 that was really helpful 00:18:54.080 --> 00:18:54.620 for me 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.279 in that season 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.680 and continues to be 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.140 of just 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:58.200 I would sometimes 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.640 imagine 00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.220 when I'm walking 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.560 into 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.720 situations 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.440 that cause me 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.720 anxiety 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.100 I would just 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.720 imagine 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.920 holding Jesus' 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.480 hand. 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.580 And I would 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.580 imagine it 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.460 but it wasn't 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.080 an imaginary 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:09.820 thing 00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:11.160 because Jesus 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:11.960 was there 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.640 with me. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:12.980 It was 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.940 it wasn't me 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.620 pretending 00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.480 it was me 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:16.660 acknowledging 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.299 the presence 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.720 of Jesus 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.420 with me 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.759 wherever I went. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.480 And what this 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.640 passage says 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.220 is that 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:24.340 the one who 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:25.259 holds all 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.140 things together 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:28.120 is also there 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.980 to hold our 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.380 hands. 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:33.320 And that's 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:34.400 that changes 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.860 everything. 00:19:35.560 --> 00:19:36.620 Changes everything 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.140 about every 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:37.980 situation you 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.400 encounter 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.960 about every 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:40.740 challenge you 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.040 face 00:19:41.040 --> 00:19:41.759 about every 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:43.600 mistake you've 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:43.900 made 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.520 that he's 00:19:44.520 --> 00:19:44.900 forgiven 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.320 and embraced 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:47.259 you for 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.700 about every 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.660 calling he's 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.180 given you 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.040 that he's 00:19:51.040 --> 00:19:51.620 invited you 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:51.860 into 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:52.580 he is there 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.020 with you 00:19:53.020 --> 00:19:53.560 the one 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:54.460 who literally 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.080 holds your 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.780 shirt together 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:57.160 also walks 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.740 with you 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.579 into this 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:58.940 world. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.220 Christ 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:02.019 holds all 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.759 things together 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:04.160 and he 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.899 holds us 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:05.920 as we 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.440 follow him. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.319 That's the 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:08.819 first thing 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.480 it's the first 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.920 part of this 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.960 passage and 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.539 it's um 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.579 it would be 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.720 enough if 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.119 that were all 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:14.700 Christ did 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.240 that is 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.259 that that's 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.819 enough to 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.559 just occupy 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.279 us for 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.480 for at least 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.059 a lifetime 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.879 to reflect on 00:20:20.879 --> 00:20:20.980 that. 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.460 But then Paul 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.240 goes on 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.839 and he 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:23.299 talks about 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.079 not just 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:24.579 Christ 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.819 holding all 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.839 things together 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.440 individually 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.059 but then he 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.500 moves on to 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:28.980 talk about 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.839 the church 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.420 and this is 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.900 where it gets 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:33.019 really practical 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.799 for a group 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.380 of people 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:35.519 sitting together 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.599 in a room 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.440 on a Sunday 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:37.839 morning. 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.460 He starts 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.079 by saying 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.140 that Christ 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.880 is the head 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:44.359 of the body 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.980 the church 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:47.819 and this is 00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:48.620 a image 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.740 that the 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.200 Apostle Paul 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.700 uses in 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.360 various ways 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:51.779 throughout the 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.259 New Testament 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.799 the image 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.519 of a body 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.240 and the 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.640 image of 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.140 the distinction 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.779 between a 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.960 head and 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.600 the body 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.340 of the 00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:58.819 human. 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.400 And so 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.100 it's an image 00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:00.500 he applies 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.100 to the church 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:01.539 he applies 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.299 it to marriage 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.140 in different 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.900 ways he applies 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.380 it a couple 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.160 different times 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.140 and what's 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.660 significant 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.500 about this 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.080 metaphor 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:09.799 is the 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:11.019 inseparable 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.680 nature 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.120 of the head 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.019 and the body. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.440 So 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:17.160 you know 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.920 this would be 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.460 a tragedy 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:18.960 but if I 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.279 were in an 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.539 accident 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.359 and I lost 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.039 my left 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.519 hand 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:23.519 I would 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.319 be a 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.779 person 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:26.079 without a 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.599 left hand 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.960 right? 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:29.319 If I 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.599 were in an 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:29.859 accident 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.399 and I lost 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:30.960 my right 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.420 leg 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.539 I would 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:32.879 be a 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.359 person 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.539 without 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.539 a right 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:35.980 leg. 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.500 If I 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.619 were in 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.000 an accident 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.940 and my 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.539 body 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.180 and my 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.700 head 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.559 became 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.299 separated 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.220 I would 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.500 not be 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.539 a person 00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.079 anymore. 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.440 My life 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:48.259 would end. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.180 So 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.099 the fact 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.680 that Jesus 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.200 is the 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.460 head 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.759 and we 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.059 are the 00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.399 body 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.480 one of 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.460 the 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:57.079 purposes 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.599 of that 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:57.940 metaphor 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.319 is to 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.680 say that 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.119 there is 00:21:59.119 --> 00:21:59.839 such an 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.379 intricate 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.159 unity 00:22:01.159 --> 00:22:02.159 between 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.779 Christ 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.559 and the 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:03.980 rest of 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.460 the church 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.139 that if 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.480 they are 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:05.839 to become 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.440 separated 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.759 they cease 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.799 existing 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.059 as such. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:12.519 Christ 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.399 so if 00:22:13.399 --> 00:22:15.019 by some 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.599 tragedy 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.700 Christ 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.259 church 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.579 were to 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:18.960 lose 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.000 Christ 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.399 its 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.159 connection 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:21.539 to 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.099 Christ 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.700 it would 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.079 cease 00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.599 to be 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.119 a church 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:27.019 because the 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.299 head and 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.759 the body 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.119 are 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.679 inseparable. 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.819 Jesus is 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.500 the head 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:32.879 of the 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.259 church. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:34.919 Then we 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.240 have this 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.839 phrase that 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.539 he became 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.319 in all 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.139 things himself 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.380 first. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:39.800 This is a 00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:39.960 really 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.320 unique 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:40.700 phrase. 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.540 He says 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:41.880 he is the 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.080 head of 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.380 the body 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:42.759 he is the 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.100 beginning 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.420 and the 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:43.880 firstborn 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:45.000 so that 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.940 in everything 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:46.640 he might 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.120 have the 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:47.720 supremacy. 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:48.820 Now this 00:22:48.820 --> 00:22:49.080 is a 00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:49.280 really 00:22:49.280 --> 00:22:49.759 weirdly 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.460 translated 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:50.860 phrase. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.120 The 00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.560 literal 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:51.900 Greek 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.400 there is 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.600 in order 00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.060 that he 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:54.320 may 00:22:54.320 --> 00:22:54.880 become 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.740 in all 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.320 things 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.100 himself 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.940 first. 00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.520 In order 00:22:59.520 --> 00:22:59.840 that he 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:00.300 may become 00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:00.780 in all 00:23:00.780 --> 00:23:01.080 things 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:01.540 himself 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:02.140 first. 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:02.640 You can 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:02.920 see why 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.400 they translated 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.680 it this 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.080 way because 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:04.720 that other 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.340 way doesn't 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:05.740 really make 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.180 sense. 00:23:06.820 --> 00:23:07.160 But the 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:07.860 idea is 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.460 that Jesus 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.120 is the 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.159 one for 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.079 the church 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.799 that goes 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.299 before. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.539 It's not 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.799 supremacy in 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.679 terms of all 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.599 the power 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.439 and authority. 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:18.739 It's 00:23:18.739 --> 00:23:19.519 supremacy as 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.539 the one who 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.159 charts the 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:21.500 way. 00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:22.819 Okay, you 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.199 ready for the 00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:23.879 football story? 00:23:24.959 --> 00:23:25.419 Okay, here's 00:23:25.419 --> 00:23:25.719 the football 00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:26.159 story. 00:23:27.739 --> 00:23:28.739 We went to 00:23:28.739 --> 00:23:29.119 a football 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.699 game several 00:23:29.699 --> 00:23:30.059 years ago. 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:30.539 Actually, my 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.119 son was with 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.500 me and it 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.699 was the 00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:34.239 San Francisco 00:23:34.239 --> 00:23:35.159 49ers, which 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:35.859 maybe aren't 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.339 popular here, 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:36.599 in the 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.359 Oakland Raiders 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.059 in a 00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.519 preseason 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:39.980 game. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:40.919 So if you're 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.419 familiar at 00:23:41.419 --> 00:23:41.879 all with the 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.179 sport of 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:43.240 football, these 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.579 are two 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:44.179 teams that 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:45.099 really love 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.539 each other. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.519 It's just 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.899 like a 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.539 shared 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.579 brotherhood and 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.059 affection 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:51.319 between these 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.720 two teams. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.000 That's a joke. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.659 They do not 00:23:54.659 --> 00:23:55.119 like each other 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.579 at all. 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:56.859 And so this 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.500 particular game, 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:57.939 there was a 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:58.299 lot of 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.679 emotion as 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.159 we're walking 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:01.599 into the 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:01.879 stadium. 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:02.879 And for 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.240 some reason, 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:03.539 it was a 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.119 preseason game 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.439 that hadn't 00:24:04.439 --> 00:24:04.919 figured out all 00:24:04.919 --> 00:24:05.579 the systems yet. 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.019 So it was 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.119 like one 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.879 entry point. 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.139 And there was 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:08.839 this crowd of 00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.399 people that 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:10.639 were pressing 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.279 against this 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.799 one entry 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.079 point. 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:12.379 And I 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.119 had, I 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.720 think, two 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.220 of my kids 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.579 there, maybe 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:14.960 three. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.639 But it was 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.679 kind of chaos. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:18.619 And there was 00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:19.319 fighting over 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:19.899 there and there 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.399 were screaming 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:21.199 over there and 00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:21.659 people had been 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.159 drinking over 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:22.480 here. 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:23.419 And so I 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.139 had my young 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.599 kids with me. 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:24.779 And I 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.679 remember I 00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:26.480 grabbed their 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.740 hands and I 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.599 just used my 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.699 body as like a 00:24:29.699 --> 00:24:30.480 tip of the 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:30.879 spear and I 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.740 just pushed my 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.119 way, like 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.359 literally dragging 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.039 them through this 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.039 crowd, trying to 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.539 get through the 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.819 gate. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.599 And finally we 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.099 made it through 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.819 and everything 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.279 was fine. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:41.059 So that's a 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.480 little bit about 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.099 what this passage 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.720 means by saying 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.180 Christ is in 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.680 himself first. 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.399 That he is the 00:24:47.399 --> 00:24:49.779 one that drags 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.839 us, that grabs 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.359 our hands and 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.720 pulls us. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.920 He is the one 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.299 that goes first 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:57.240 and drags us 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.799 along into his 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.240 purposes. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.480 Jesus. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.660 He is the one 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.819 that absorbs the 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.779 impact, that 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.740 takes the 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.400 risks, that 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:04.839 has the 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:06.019 vulnerability so 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.579 that we can 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:08.839 be who as a 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:10.039 church God 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.359 created us to 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.740 be. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.700 The passage 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.400 continues to 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.660 say that all 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.440 of God's 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.960 fullness dwelt 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.779 in Jesus. 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.700 And so this 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:22.539 unifier of the 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.480 church, the 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.359 head of the 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.240 church, is 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.039 God himself 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.599 dwelling in 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:30.440 him for our 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:30.920 sakes. 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.339 And then we 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.799 read that 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.079 through him, 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.779 through Jesus, 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.680 God reconciled 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.839 to himself 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.460 all things. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.859 And so now 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:43.680 we have these 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.799 double images 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:46.120 of Christ is 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.599 the creator 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:49.460 of all things, 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.519 but he's also 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.980 the reconciler 00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:53.400 of all things. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.339 All things 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.180 came into 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.279 existence 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.740 because of 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.140 Christ. 00:25:59.060 --> 00:26:00.039 And the 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:01.580 brokenness of 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.580 the world also 00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:03.680 is restored 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:05.120 because of 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.420 Christ. 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.019 Because Christ 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.460 literally drew 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.620 all things to 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.820 himself and 00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:11.860 reconciled them 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.960 in him to 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.220 the Father. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.240 You can imagine 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.380 Jesus just like, 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.740 remember when my 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.759 kids were very 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.560 little and they'd 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:21.920 be having some 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.539 conflict and you 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:24.539 just like wrap 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.359 wrap them both 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.960 in a hug. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:26.879 It's like, 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.859 until they stop 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.299 hitting each 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.519 other. 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.279 You know, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.159 it's kind of 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.559 what Jesus 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:30.960 does. 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.220 Just, 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:31.899 I'm going to 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:33.039 reconcile all 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.319 of you to 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.960 myself. 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.420 For the purpose 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.059 of this, 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:40.019 making peace 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.379 through his 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.859 blood shed 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.639 on the cross. 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:43.740 peace. 00:26:45.020 --> 00:26:46.060 Now, we 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.700 often read this 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.140 and we think 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.740 about peace 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.800 with God, 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.920 which is true. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.800 Jesus makes 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:51.259 peace with 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.740 God so that 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.140 we can be 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.740 reconciled to 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.120 the Father. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.480 But this 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.300 word peace, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.160 we read peace 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.560 and we think 00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:57.100 kind of like 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.540 zen. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.120 You know, 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.420 like, 00:26:59.280 --> 00:26:59.880 Jesus made 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:00.320 peace, 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.060 I'm okay. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.319 which is not 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.200 totally wrong, 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.019 but the word 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.500 is really 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.700 more about a 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.240 lack of 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.099 hostility, 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.119 about a 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.720 lack of 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.259 warfare, 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.000 about warring 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.940 entities that 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.500 have come to 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.240 a truce. 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.299 And so, 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.559 yes, 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.259 Jesus made 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.740 peace with the 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:16.960 Father, 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.859 but what's 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.619 also in view 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:18.899 here, 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.799 especially because 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.159 we're in the 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:20.679 context of 00:27:20.679 --> 00:27:21.179 talking about 00:27:21.179 --> 00:27:21.819 the church, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.839 is that Jesus 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.500 made peace 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.039 between us. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.019 Jesus stopped 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.879 the hostilities 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:28.840 between us. 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.380 And, 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.240 you know, 00:27:31.300 --> 00:27:32.000 maybe Christ's 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.280 church is 00:27:32.280 --> 00:27:32.660 different than 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:32.940 the other 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.420 churches I 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.600 know, 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:34.040 but other 00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:34.480 churches, 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.040 people hurt 00:27:36.040 --> 00:27:36.560 each other. 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.280 They disappoint 00:27:38.280 --> 00:27:38.960 each other. 00:27:40.020 --> 00:27:40.440 They make 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.600 mistakes that 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:43.980 affect even 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.640 generations. 00:27:46.260 --> 00:27:47.280 They lie 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:47.960 sometimes. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.600 They betray 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.400 trust. 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.820 And when that 00:27:52.820 --> 00:27:53.500 happens, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.980 what do you 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.260 do? 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.320 How do you 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:57.820 fix that? 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.180 How do you 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.660 come together? 00:27:58.780 --> 00:27:59.100 How do you 00:27:59.100 --> 00:28:00.220 continue to 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.960 worship together? 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.420 How do you 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.960 continue to 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.400 serve the 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.960 purposes of 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.580 God in your 00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:04.840 city? 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.240 How do you 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.720 keep doing 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.160 that when 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.340 this person 00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:07.860 did that 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:10.000 thing and 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.400 they're getting 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.920 away with 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.400 it? 00:28:12.780 --> 00:28:13.560 Except that 00:28:13.560 --> 00:28:14.140 they're not. 00:28:14.760 --> 00:28:15.680 Because Jesus 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:17.320 absorbs that. 00:28:17.520 --> 00:28:18.080 He makes 00:28:18.080 --> 00:28:18.580 peace. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.600 He absorbs 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.420 the hostility. 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.240 He creates 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.940 justice. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.660 And he draws 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.260 us together, 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:25.520 enabling us 00:28:25.520 --> 00:28:26.980 to forgive. 00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.640 And to 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.300 move past. 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:30.320 And to 00:28:30.320 --> 00:28:30.620 do the 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.300 hard work 00:28:31.300 --> 00:28:33.020 of 00:28:33.020 --> 00:28:34.380 discussing 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.720 it, 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.880 coming together, 00:28:36.040 --> 00:28:36.780 praying through 00:28:36.780 --> 00:28:37.740 a reconciliation. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.360 Jesus makes 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:40.780 peace through 00:28:40.780 --> 00:28:41.400 his blood 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.800 on the cross. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:42.899 peace. 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:45.000 What all of 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:47.159 this means is 00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:47.980 that Christ 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.000 doesn't just 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.700 hold all 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.519 things together, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.680 Christ also 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.460 holds the 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.700 church together. 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:55.359 Christ is the 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.740 one who 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.779 inhabits this 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:59.519 community and 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:02.259 keeps it from 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.579 splintering, from 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.740 going its 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.599 separate ways. 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:06.679 peace. 00:29:07.719 --> 00:29:08.240 Just like we 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.579 heard that 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.299 Christ is the 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.319 reason why my 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:12.039 clothes don't 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.099 split apart into 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.719 atoms in the 00:29:13.719 --> 00:29:14.019 universe. 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:14.879 Christ is the 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.879 reason why a 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.719 community of 00:29:16.719 --> 00:29:17.279 people who 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.099 follow Jesus 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:19.759 stays together 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:21.000 and has a 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.039 bond that 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.939 allows them to 00:29:22.939 --> 00:29:25.799 experience the 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.500 person of God, 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.000 love. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.339 Love for each 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:28.659 other. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:29.819 Love for the 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.139 world. 00:29:30.959 --> 00:29:31.419 That's what 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.039 Christ does. 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:33.459 Christ is here, 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.139 in this place. 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:35.060 is not just 00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:37.740 the God that 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.460 we come together 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.020 to worship. 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.420 He is present. 00:29:41.300 --> 00:29:41.960 He is the 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:43.480 sinew that 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.280 connects all of 00:29:44.280 --> 00:29:44.900 us together, 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.480 that helps us 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.000 to overcome 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.680 hurt and 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:49.380 find forgiveness 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:50.900 and serve his 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:52.180 purposes in the 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.560 world. 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:56.000 Christ holds 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.800 all of creation 00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.280 together. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.759 He is there 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.440 for me. 00:30:00.520 --> 00:30:00.980 And Christ 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.520 holds the 00:30:01.520 --> 00:30:02.400 church together. 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:03.580 He is there 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.980 for us. 00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:07.299 So I 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.899 opened up by 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:09.000 thinking about 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.799 this class 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.480 that I took 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.859 with Philip 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:13.299 Zimbardo and 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.059 this very kind 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.740 of Philip 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.659 Zimbardo-centric 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.659 view of the 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.439 universe that I 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:20.659 was forced 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.799 to endure for 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.559 a semester. 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:25.359 And that 00:30:25.359 --> 00:30:25.799 was great. 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.299 I learned a 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:26.639 bunch about 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.259 this particular 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.960 person, but 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.919 then it ended. 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.199 And yet, what 00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:30.899 we've talked 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:31.419 about this 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.279 morning is how 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.259 the person 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.740 of Jesus, 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:35.599 the Christ, 00:30:35.879 --> 00:30:36.599 the Son of 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.079 God, the 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.480 Word of 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:37.899 God, the 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.259 Prince of 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.740 Peace, all 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.000 of those 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.440 things, how 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.579 Christ is 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.759 literally in 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.460 everything, how 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.259 he walks with 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.799 us, how he 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.379 holds us 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:46.819 together. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.420 And I think 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.559 the big 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.299 takeaway for 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.839 me, because 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.359 if I think 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.399 about what 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:57.119 I expect 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.440 to do the 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:58.859 job of 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.440 holding things 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.920 together, it's 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:01.400 often that I 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.860 expect that 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:02.320 that's up to 00:31:02.320 --> 00:31:02.580 me. 00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:04.060 And maybe 00:31:04.060 --> 00:31:04.420 you're the 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:04.720 same. 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.060 That there's 00:31:06.060 --> 00:31:06.380 a lot of 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:06.740 things in 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.320 your life 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:09.400 where different 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:09.920 priorities, 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.060 different people, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.680 keeping different 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.460 people happy, and 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:13.900 you kind of feel 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.620 the burden of 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.660 like, I have 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.320 to hold it 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:16.759 together. 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.120 I have to 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.580 keep these 00:31:18.580 --> 00:31:19.200 things together. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.680 Or I have to 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.200 keep the church 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.940 together, or I 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.519 have to keep my 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:22.940 small group 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.759 together, or I 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.420 have to manage 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:24.840 this. 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:27.060 And so, this 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:28.380 word is a 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:28.880 word of 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.760 freedom, of 00:31:30.760 --> 00:31:32.640 release, of 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.760 rest, of 00:31:33.760 --> 00:31:35.660 grace, that 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.220 you don't have 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.700 to hold it 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.060 together. 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.920 That's not our 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.420 jobs. 00:31:40.060 --> 00:31:41.100 There is one 00:31:41.100 --> 00:31:41.980 who does that. 00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.080 There's a song 00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:43.540 I like, and 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:44.060 there's a phrase 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.560 in it that, 00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:45.980 singing to 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.720 Jesus, the 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.900 artist says, 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:48.960 I can never 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.840 let you down 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.700 because I never 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.480 held you up. 00:31:52.540 --> 00:31:53.240 And that's 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.700 beautiful. 00:31:53.820 --> 00:31:54.320 We can never 00:31:54.320 --> 00:31:55.320 let God down 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:56.220 because it's not 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.840 our job to 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.580 hold him up. 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.759 we don't have 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.359 to hold all 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.039 things together. 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.899 That job is 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:02.439 taken, and he's 00:32:02.439 --> 00:32:02.879 doing a great 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.519 job at it. 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.879 So, let me 00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:07.079 pray for us 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.659 that we could 00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.379 receive that, 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.519 that we could 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.460 live in that, 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.399 and that we 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:11.980 could go from 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:13.000 here with 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.259 that. 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:16.159 Father, thank 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.379 you. 00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.759 Thank you that 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:20.480 we are 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.039 created by 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.359 you. 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.059 We are 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.759 redeemed by 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.059 you. 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.439 We are 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:26.220 empowered and 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.819 sent out by 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.119 you. 00:32:28.439 --> 00:32:29.079 Thank you 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.919 that Christ 00:32:30.919 --> 00:32:31.559 is there, 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.639 that you are 00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:33.299 here with us 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:33.980 in Christ and 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.319 through the 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.960 Spirit, and 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.000 every second of 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.139 every day, in 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:37.599 all of our 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.279 decisions, in 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.740 all of the 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.259 creation we 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:39.699 encounter. 00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:41.699 I just pray 00:32:41.699 --> 00:32:42.299 you'd help us 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.039 to see that. 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:43.720 Help us to 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:44.220 develop the 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.779 habits of 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.259 living in 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.399 that, of 00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:48.399 appreciating it, 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:51.399 and of 00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:52.359 communing with 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.659 you more and 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:54.159 more as we 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:54.359 go. 00:32:55.199 --> 00:32:55.839 We love you, 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.119 Jesus. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.159 we're so 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.619 grateful you 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.119 love us. 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:58.959 We pray 00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.279 this in 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.659 your name 00:32:59.659 --> 00:32:59.919 and by 00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.299 the Holy 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.779 Spirit. 00:33:01.479 --> 00:33:01.739 Amen. 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:01.839 Amen.