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 Happy New Year, everyone. Good morning. Excited, excited as we gather. I know it always feels chaotic when you show up here, especially between 11 and 1110 when everyone shows up. It reminds me a little bit of just, can you imagine in the early church when it first started and just the Lord added to their number daily and just the chaos that it would have been just putting 3,000 people into the same space.

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 It would have often felt a little bit chaotic, but I feel as though the people, on the most part, my guess is that they would have known why they were coming. And that's what we're trying to constantly remind ourselves. Why are we even here? Why are we bothering to come here to church on this Sunday morning when the weather outside is glorious? We could be doing so many other things. Why are we choosing to all cramp out into a small room to hear from this book? Why? That's the question that I wanted to actually spend the next few weeks to talk to us about because I realized we've been doing this little

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 experiment for three years now. And a lot of you have joined us recently and you haven't heard this, heard me talk about what church really is before. And I realized before we even move into the vision, I first need to tell you a little bit about the burden because every vision is birthed out of a burden. It's birthed out of a, what do, what did I see? What did Christina see in terms of what we experienced here? And we just come up to the seven year mark now of being in Hong Kong. And so what are we going to actually do here?

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 We're going to talk a little bit about just the burden that was on our hearts. If you've been around us for a long time, then you will have heard this before. As I was preparing this sermon, I felt as though actually, this is pretty much just the greatest hits of all the things I talk about. So if you are here and you're like, oh my goodness, James, I've been with you for a good few years now, then I'm sorry. You will have heard this many times before. But someone once told me, if you want someone to remember anything, you have to at least say it seven times. Seven times. That's a lot. So we're going to try and do this. So today will be about the burden and what really we've learned, what I've learned being in Hong Kong.

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 And then we'll move into the next few weeks and talk about what church really is and what we're really hoping for it to be. But before all of that, even as Aaron was praying, I was like, I need prayer and I need to submit myself and we need to submit ourselves to the word of God here. So I'm going to invite Julian at the birthday boy to come up to do the scripture reading for us. Can we give him a round of applause?

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 We had a great celebration with this man yesterday and he's going to administer to us through the word.

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 As is our usual posture. I invite everyone to stand as we read the word of the Lord.

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 Today's reading is from chapter two, the acts of the apostles, verse 42, the fellowship of the believers.

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 And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

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 And all came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

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 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

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 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need.

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 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

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 And the Lord added to their number day by day, those who were being saved.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Praise be to God. Thank you, Julian. Please take a seat.

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 Thank you.

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 All right. A few disclaimers before I jump into what I'm about to say.

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 Having been here for seven years and just filled with joy, filled with lots of things that we've we've been able to learn.

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 I'm about to share some of them that maybe I would feel are unique to my experience here in Hong Kong, that growing up in England, I did not get to see that much.

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 And so but I want to say a few things before I share those things, just in case that you thought this was just going to be James ranting about church.

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 This is not what this is. OK, this is not me venting and ranting, complaining about all the things that I've seen and all the churches and all the problems.

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 That is not what this is. I have a growing, deep, deep love for the church in Hong Kong about what the Lord is doing here.

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 And these are just some of the things that I've observed and have actually been foreign to me and Christina as we've come into this city here.

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 And so I wanted to say that. And it is a combination of the things that we actually I've shared a lot over these last few years.

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 The other thing is I will share what I've observed and then I will also share what we're trying to do.

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 But when I say that, I emphasize on the word trying, that I'm not here showing you a problem and then presenting to you the perfect solution that we've come up with.

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 But this experiment will continue to be an experiment, continue to be one of trial and error, continue to be one where some people will be disappointed often.

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 And I was told a quote a few years ago that leadership is welcoming people on this suboptimal journey where there are limited resources, limited time.

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 And everyone's going to be disappointed in some way. But can we disappoint you at a rate that you can absorb?

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 Or rather, can you join us on this journey and go, OK, what is the Lord actually doing here?

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 What does he actually why is he actually put you here? What's the purpose of that?

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 So that's what I'm doing. There is going to be no shade that is going to be thrown to other people.

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 There is only one way to the Father and that is Jesus Christ.

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 But there are many ways to worship Jesus. There are many ways to there's many songs to sing.

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 There are many kinds of songs that we can sing. There are many ways that we can turn the seats and do the seating.

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 There are so many ways. So for me, as I sit here, go, OK, Lord, what is it that you have for us in this next chapter?

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 I approach it with a with a with a sense of reverence and awe and humility going, I will make mistakes.

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 That's something that we talked about yesterday, just knowing that there are needs out there that we will not be able to fulfill.

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 But that's not necessarily the only reason why we gather. We gather here to worship God.

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 Can we, in the best way possible for this flock, point you to Jesus?

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 I think that's it. If you spend any time with us, my prayer is that you come in and then you leave and you just you have that hunger for Jesus more.

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 You look like him more. You think like him more. That's the only prayer that we have here.

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 So this is just another context. We have some friends visiting from the UK just to give me a blast from the past and reminded me that actually my context and Christina's and Joe's actually growing up in England and Francis as well.

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 It's a very different context. OK, we went to a Chinese church in England and the Chinese churches in England gather as Chinese people, not basically on any theological kind of convictions, basically because we're Chinese.

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 That's it. And we want to stick together. And Chinese churches, what do they do the best at? Food, food.

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 And so you gather around food, you gather around because there's nothing else to do in England.

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 So then you go to church. And so you go to the same church with your same friends for years and you see each other every week because there's really nothing else to do.

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 And so it doesn't really matter whether the worship is good or not. Usually, mostly, it's not really that good.

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 It doesn't really matter whether the sermons are good or not. Usually, again, it's challenging.

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 But we just gather because that's the only thing to do.

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 And then we come to Hong Kong. Oh, my goodness. I was so excited when I first got to Hong Kong.

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 One of my jobs when I first got here was to go and explore the different churches just to learn, just to see.

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 And I was like, wow. These worship teams, they sing in tune. They play in time.

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 There's smoke machines. I thought only white people could do that kind of stuff.

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 Chinese people could, too. This is like a show. This is a show.

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 This is really good. But wait, people don't really talk to each other.

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 Oh, wait. The service is finished and they leave.

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 And I was like, oh. And then no one's actually spoken to me.

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 How interesting.

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 When you walk into a church in England, everyone will know that you are new because it's been the same group that grew up together.

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 Now, you can, it is possible for you to attend a church.

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 Here's the thing. I think you could do this at this church, too.

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 So I'm not throwing any kind of darts here.

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 It is very possible for you to come and attend this gathering service and not speak to a single person for a whole year and have no one know you.

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 Can you nod your head if you agree? Has anyone tried that?

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 That can happen here.

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 But in Hong Kong, there's so many churches.

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 There's multiple churches. There's 1,300 churches in Hong Kong.

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 OK. And at every MTR stop, there's a different church.

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 And I was talking to friends yesterday. Actually, this church here, I think we're very blessed in the sense that I think we probably gather in the most convenient building in the whole of Hong Kong.

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 That is my guess.

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 Why? Because Almaty is probably the most well-connected station.

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 And if you look at Amorti station and all the exits, and trust me, I know them all, A, B, C, D, E, F, A is probably the most convenient one.

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 The one that you don't need to really walk outside anywhere.

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 The biggest McDonald's. The busiest McDonald's in the world is underneath us.

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 That's how much the Lord loves me.

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 So it's really good. It's really, I'm really glad that you find this church convenient.

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 But here's the flip side of that convenience is that this is the easiest place for you to show up just to kind of tick the box and then for you to continue with your day.

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 So what am I talking about when I talk about churches is that, hey, if you're here and you're serious about wanting to follow Jesus,

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 then what is it that we need to do as a family, as a community to get around you together?

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 That's my hope.

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 But before I even talk into the scripture that Julian read, and I promise you, if you're here for the first time, then I promise you,

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 usually we start with scripture, we go through scripture and we end with scripture.

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 Today, I'm going to share a few observations that just what I've learned about church in Hong Kong.

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 And then we will finish with what scripture is showing us about what the answer to church is.

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 OK, so if you are someone who's like expository Bible every minute of the whole sermon, usually we do try to.

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 OK, but this one we're going to do slightly different.

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 So do come back next week and hopefully we'll have something more for you.

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 OK, so the first thing I have learned about Hong Kongers and I'm talking about you.

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 So before you look at the person next to you, oh, maybe you should do that.

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 Just turn to the person next to you and go, he's talking about you today.

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 He's talking about you.

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 This is not about me.

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 I'm not holding, taking responsibility for this.

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 So this is the first thing that I found.

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 Remember my context.

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 I grew up in a place where the friends that you have, you did not choose.

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 They were of the same race, bullied in the same way.

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 And so they gathered together and because their parents dragged them to the same place and there's nowhere else to go.

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 OK, there are people who are nodding.

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 You know this.

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 You know this is truth.

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 So but you come here and it's different.

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 You come here and there's so many different options to choose.

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 But here's the thing that I found over the last seven years that I've learned is that people do want community.

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 But they don't want commitment.

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 They do want community, but they don't want commitment.

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 Why?

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 The biggest thing with Hong Kong probably is the issue of busyness.

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 My goodness.

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 How we can fit so many things into a day.

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 And I've told you guys this before.

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 I used to do two things.

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 I used to work in Admutti with the church and also be in Jordan for Young Life.

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 I kid you not, six minutes.

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 I can run from the Young Life office to the MTR station, jump on the MTR and get to church.

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 Six minutes.

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 I don't know how I did it.

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 There were a couple of old ladies I had to push across the platform.

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 But it worked.

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 And I could fit 11 meetings into a day.

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 Busyness.

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 Whereas in the UK, I mean, 11 meetings a week would be impressive.

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 Busyness.

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 Are you too busy?

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 I'm deeply impacted by an article that was written by a Wall Street journalist in 2012 called Laura Vanderkam.

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 And the title of the article is, are you as busy as you think?

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 Isn't that the first thing that we say to each other?

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 Hey, Julian, how are you doing?

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 Actually, no, maybe not you.

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 Hey, Flo, how are you doing?

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 Good, good, busy.

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 That's always what we say.

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 Right?

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 And that's always what we're thinking.

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 And the truth is we are busy.

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 We do fit a lot of things in.

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 But the article talked about, actually, are you truly as busy as you think?

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 Or are you actually simply just saying it?

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 So when you say, oh, I would have loved to do this.

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 I would have loved to been in this community.

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 I would have loved to gone to this worship.

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 I would have loved to serve there and do this.

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 And maybe serve at St. Barnabas this weekend.

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 But sadly, I'm too busy.

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 And she reframes the way I approached how I even used that term.

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 And she said, instead of using the four words, I am too busy.

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 Why don't you change it and use a different word, which is, it's not a priority.

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 Just try it.

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 I would love to read the Bible, but I'm too busy.

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 Why don't instead you say, I would love to read the Bible, but it's not a priority.

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 See how it makes you feel.

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 Because the truth is, that's what we're really saying.

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 The word priority entered into the English dictionary in the 14th century as such, just priority, singular.

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 In the 19th century, we started to see records of it changing.

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 And it became priorities.

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 It became plural in the 19th century.

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 Isn't it interesting?

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 But that word itself doesn't really make sense if we truly think about it, because there should really be only one priority.

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 But the moment we start flooding our schedules with all these different things, suddenly we say we are too busy, when actually what we're really saying is that it is not a priority.

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 People want community, but they can't really commit.

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 People want community, but they prefer convenience.

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 Again, a friend that actually also lived in the UK and so knew the lifestyle there, which is basically, and if you're from North, you know, you spend time in North America, you probably know the same thing, which is my mom lives in LA.

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 If you want to travel anywhere, how long does it take to travel?

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 One hour.

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 Anywhere you go is going to be at least one hour, because that's just, it's baked into your schedule, is that where you have to go.

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 In Hong Kong, that's not the case.

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 Six minutes, I can cross the harbor.

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 But there's a friend in England who we used to laugh at Hong Kongers and say, oh, you know, these guys, they can't even cross the harbor.

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 It's so hard.

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 Hong Kong Island people just don't want to go to Kowloon.

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 It's just too inconvenient.

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 Sonny's just nodding with just resentment and bitterness.

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 But you live in the mountains, that's like a whole other thing.

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 And recently I spoke to him and he worships at a different place.

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 He's like, yeah, I've got a small group that I really want to go to, but I can't.

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 And I'm, okay, if I say the place, then it might shame him.

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 I live in Repos Bay, but there's small groups in Central.

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 It's just too far.

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 I was like, bro, too far?

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 It's like 15 minutes max.

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 And then, of course, he was like, yeah, I guess.

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 But there's something about the way we approach, or even when we talk about communities, I would love to have community.

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 I really would.

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 I would love to do life with people.

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 I would love to invest time with people.

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 But could they meet at my house?

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 Could they cook dinner for me?

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 Could they come on, actually, no, Wednesday's bad, because I've got tennis.

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 Maybe Thursday.

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 We want community, but we also want convenience.

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 And actually, that's not going to work.

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 We want community, but we also want to stay very comfortable.

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 When we say comfortable, we're talking about spending time with people that sometimes make us uncomfortable.

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 We were talking about this as a group of leaders yesterday.

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 When we talk about doing small groups, we're not just talking about friendship groups.

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 We're not just talking about doing life together.

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 That is not what we're talking about.

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 Okay, that already sounds good, because the bar is so low.

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 Because so often, people who believe in Jesus and go to church, they literally just attend a service, and then they leave.

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 Because they've just watched the show, and then they move on.

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 But what we're saying here is that, actually, not only should we just do life together,

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 but we should also then actually help each other grow deeper in the word.

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 And 90s sitcom reference here, but I was like, actually, Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, they did life together.

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 But that's not a life group.

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 That's not a small group.

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 They just hung out at a coffee shop together.

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 That's doing life together.

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 But what we're trying to say is, when you do a group, it's not just with people that you get along with,

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 not just with people who you share hobbies with,

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 but it's people who share the same love for Jesus with, who may be different,

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 who actually, in the outside world, you probably wouldn't spend any time together,

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:38.139
 but because of Christ, you do want to spend time together.

00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.920
 That's the difference.

00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:45.139
 But sadly, we want to stay within our comfort zones, talking to people who understand us.

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:51.060
 We want community, but we also prefer comfort.

00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:54.980
 And of course, add that to the fact that in Hong Kong, there is a whole transience that happens.

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.840
 Every two, three years, people move.

00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.840
 And that makes it, of course, extra hard.

00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.720
 And we were talking yesterday.

00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:04.819
 Actually, in Hong Kong, if you meet someone once a month, you're practically best friends.

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.600
 Right?

00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.720
 That's a lot of commitment.

00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:11.779
 To meet someone once a month, to be good friends with people.

00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.380
 Oh, I've known this guy for so long.

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.980
 We're so close.

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.720
 How often do you meet?

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.259
 Twice a year.

00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.059
 Right?

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.400
 Genuinely.

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:22.539
 Whereas, in other parts of the world that are less busy, actually, that's pathetic.

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.960
 I mean, twice a year.

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:31.319
 You add that to the fact that when we meet, often we don't actually go into the deeper issues, the personal issues.

00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:37.680
 I had a pleasure of meeting Gab's brother and Kim as well.

00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:40.079
 And it was really fun just talking to her for the first time.

00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.140
 And she just went straight in.

00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.240
 She's like, I'm an introvert.

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.840
 I don't really like talking and kind of do small talk.

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:46.199
 I wanted to dive straight in to talk about it.

00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.519
 I was like, that is so refreshing.

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:51.659
 Because we can spend our whole lives, our whole friendship doing small talk.

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.819
 And actually, I don't really know you.

00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.859
 I just know what football team you like.

00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:57.199
 I just know what work you do.

00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.819
 I know how much you hate your boss.

00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.699
 And that's about it.

00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:01.939
 But to go deeper.

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.459
 It's that same thing that I keep saying.

00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:05.699
 Can we be people who go, hey, tell me more?

00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:07.179
 Wait, you just said that.

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.199
 You just said you had a bad week.

00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.799
 Well, tell me more.

00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:09.759
 Why is that week bad?

00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:14.799
 Can we be people who are actually genuinely committed to caring for each other and even

00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.059
 just showing curiosity?

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:20.839
 Because I think we're so busy, sometimes we don't even really care what other people are

00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.140
 thinking.

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:25.160
 And so we end up in this place where we say we do want community, but we really can't

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:29.039
 have, we don't have the commitment to actually get to the community that we want.

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:33.319
 So then we say, well, why don't we just stay at home and watch YouTube church and just

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.259
 watch an online service?

00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:35.379
 And here's the problem with that.

00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:39.299
 There's nothing necessarily wrong with watching sermons online.

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:41.879
 But why would you want to do it apart from the body of Christ?

00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:44.700
 Why would you want to do it on your own?

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.720
 Sanctification.

00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:49.419
 Jonathan Lee said, man, says this sanctification is a community project.

00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:52.299
 God means to change us through each other, through one another.

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:55.839
 Sanctification is a community project.

00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:59.220
 And I'll talk a little bit more later about why we need people.

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:03.200
 Second is we want to be known, but we don't want to be vulnerable.

00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:06.720
 We want to be known, but we don't want to be vulnerable.

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.639
 And I've shared this quite a few times this last few weeks.

00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:16.320
 It's the one that Queenie shared with me by Tim Keller, that our greatest desire is to

00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:18.320
 be known and loved, right?

00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:21.900
 But to be loved but not known is simply just superficial.

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:26.580
 To be known but not loved is our greatest fear.

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:30.220
 That they would find out about us and then decide, actually, I don't love you.

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.259
 I don't want to love you.

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:35.900
 But to be fully known and truly loved, that's what we are craving the most.

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.379
 That's what you want the most.

00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:39.379
 That is the love that God can give us.

00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:43.299
 That is the love that this community, when you gather, when we gather is saying, hey,

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.759
 I'm going to find out a bit more about you.

00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.579
 And I'm going to find out how quirky you are.

00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:48.900
 And I'm going to find out the kind of music that you listen to.

00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:53.240
 But all those things, even though they're different to me, I'm going to love you more because of those things.

00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:57.579
 Every time I find out more about what you're worried about, your selfishness and all these

00:19:57.579 --> 00:20:00.680
 kind of things, it's going to cause me to love you more.

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.940
 That's the kind of community that we're hoping for.

00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.960
 But we're afraid of that.

00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:07.359
 We're afraid that people will find out enough about us that they will then be put off and

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:10.180
 they will then ignore us and then use busyness as an excuse.

00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:14.779
 We want to be known, but we are not willing to be vulnerable.

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:19.500
 And social media is probably the biggest problem here when it comes to that.

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:22.940
 Because we go online and we see everyone doing all these incredible things.

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:27.460
 And yet we compare that to our own lives because no one really puts their lowlights online.

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:30.140
 They only put the best parts online.

00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:33.960
 So you see only their best parts, but you can see all your parts.

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:38.980
 And so then you feel, well, I can't let them see my low parts because that will be shameful.

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:42.059
 When the truth is they have them too.

00:20:42.980 --> 00:20:45.420
 And that's why they keep putting only their highlights.

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.920
 And that's where social media is.

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.339
 We have to be super, super careful.

00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.660
 In terms of what we present online.

00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.660
 And we know this.

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:56.099
 And I've been there when you see something nice.

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.940
 You're like, I want to post this.

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.640
 I want to share this.

00:20:58.039 --> 00:21:00.440
 Well, then my encouragement to you is, well, do share it.

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:02.339
 It's nice to see the highlights of your life.

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:05.380
 But actually, if we're to do life together, it will be also really nice to see the low parts.

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.920
 Also nice to see the hard parts.

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.319
 Share about what you're going through.

00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:13.099
 Can we be those kinds of people that are willing to be vulnerable?

00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:16.920
 And you find out actually once you open up and once you take that first step.

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:20.220
 Honestly, I've been with friendship groups that have known each other for years, for their whole lives.

00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:22.019
 And they don't know each other that well.

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:27.160
 But when we sit together and talk and I start sharing about some of the struggles that I have, some of the problems that I'm facing.

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:33.220
 Actually, you realize, oh, there's really not that much to be scared of because you realize everyone's in the same boat.

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.040
 Everyone's struggling through the same things.

00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:40.440
 Everyone's having a problem in their marriage with their kids, with their work.

00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:43.440
 And you realize, oh, actually, this is a safe space to do it.

00:21:43.540 --> 00:21:50.640
 Can we, as a church, be that kind of safe space so we can be known and loved and be willing to be vulnerable?

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:56.220
 Henry Nouwen says this, community is a place where the person you least want to live with always lives.

00:21:56.740 --> 00:22:02.320
 In community, we are called to confess our brokenness, forgive each other, and celebrate the gift of life together.

00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:06.280
 We were going through Ephesians 4 yesterday as a group of leaders.

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:08.240
 And Paul just keeps talking about it.

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:10.080
 If you're going to be together, you have to be humble.

00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.800
 You have to be gentle.

00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.860
 You have to bear with one another.

00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:13.580
 You have to just love one another.

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:15.580
 He's like, just look, just bear with one another.

00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.940
 Be patient with one another.

00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:17.580
 Why?

00:22:17.800 --> 00:22:19.100
 Because people are weird.

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:21.240
 My wife thinks I'm weird.

00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:23.399
 And about many things.

00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.459
 Matthew's just nodding.

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:27.959
 Your wife's just, well, she's carrying you in your marriage.

00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:32.399
 But, you know, Matthew can't survive on his own.

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.179
 He's in our life group, by the way.

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.759
 So we talk a lot about this.

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.839
 But don't you realize that we are all weird?

00:22:39.199 --> 00:22:43.859
 But the moment, the thing is, we walk into a church and we're expecting cool people who understand us,

00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:49.059
 who we can vibe with and do life with together and be fun and happy and all the happily ever after together.

00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:51.299
 And then you start seeing some of their quirkiness.

00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:54.799
 Start seeing some of their weird traits that come out.

00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:58.959
 The thing that music does to Gabs and Julian.

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:02.480
 And then they start dancing in this really disturbing way.

00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.219
 And I'm like, wow.

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:06.200
 I love these men.

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.960
 But they are so weird.

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:14.140
 I think it was only a recent revelation for me that actually when I walk into a church,

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:18.259
 how about I just expect and accept that everyone is a sinner?

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.380
 That everyone is broken.

00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:24.000
 That everyone is flawed and are going to say stupid things.

00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:26.059
 Are going to do stupid things.

00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:29.740
 And the call is to love despite all of those things.

00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:32.819
 Isn't that what church is supposed to be?

00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:39.519
 Some other people say to us, I do like Christianity.

00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:42.059
 I do like, I am a follower of Christ.

00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.319
 But I don't really go to church.

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.140
 I don't like the church.

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.059
 I've been hurt by hypocrisy.

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:52.240
 I've been hurt by people who say one thing and do another thing.

00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:55.740
 So therefore, and actually, or just my church is just the demographic doesn't fit me.

00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.539
 It's just the sermons aren't good.

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.759
 The worship isn't good.

00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.740
 And so I don't really go.

00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:03.740
 And so actually, no, I've grown a certain distaste for the church now.

00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.119
 Here's the problem.

00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.419
 Let me just ask you the question.

00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:12.059
 Is it possible for you to come and say to me,

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:15.980
 James, I quite like you as a human being.

00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:20.659
 I'd like to spend some time with you, but I just hate Christina.

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:23.819
 I just really don't like Christina.

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.859
 So I like you, James.

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.659
 I want us to hang out.

00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.779
 But Christina, can she not come?

00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:32.859
 Is that possible?

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.179
 The answer is no.

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.859
 And yet with Jesus, we do just that.

00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:40.219
 We say, Jesus, we like you.

00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:40.979
 We believe in you.

00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:42.619
 But we actually don't like your bride.

00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:44.979
 We don't like your church.

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:49.240
 The church is broken with people who have let us down, who have disappointed us.

00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:50.459
 And so we would rather not.

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:52.000
 We would like to just be with you, Jesus.

00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:54.539
 And I think Jesus is saying, I'm so sorry.

00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.359
 You cannot do that.

00:24:55.419 --> 00:24:56.359
 The church is my bride.

00:24:57.399 --> 00:25:00.019
 Every time you see a flaw in the church,

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.859
 it should draw you closer to the church

00:25:01.859 --> 00:25:02.859
 because it should be like,

00:25:02.939 --> 00:25:05.740
 Jesus loves you so much and died for you.

00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:07.319
 I am called to do the same.

00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:09.959
 We should be the ones running towards the flaws,

00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:11.740
 towards the people who have problems,

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.740
 as opposed to, oh, that group's weird.

00:25:13.979 --> 00:25:14.359
 I'm leaving.

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.159
 Can you see?

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.699
 Can you see what we've done?

00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:20.539
 Can you see what we've reduced church to?

00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:23.500
 And then we say, well, I do want to be closest to God.

00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.639
 Well, when was the last time you went to church?

00:25:24.719 --> 00:25:26.000
 Well, maybe a few months ago.

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:29.019
 Well, how can you expect to get closer to God,

00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:32.240
 to the head, without getting anywhere near the body?

00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:34.459
 That doesn't work either.

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:38.360
 And we don't think about it often at that level.

00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.960
 We think, well, maybe we can get by with the sermon.

00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:40.579
 We'll read a book.

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.680
 No, no, the only way you get close to God

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.940
 is to get close to his body,

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:47.480
 with all its imperfections, with all its flaws.

00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.079
 That's how we do it.

00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.620
 So that's the problem.

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.279
 We want to know God, but we can't find the time,

00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:54.200
 or we just simply don't want to approach his body.

00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:56.440
 And that's where we end up in this place

00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.900
 where let's try and do it alone.

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.700
 But again, it comes back to that same thing.

00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:01.920
 Sanctification is a community project.

00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.980
 You cannot do it alone.

00:26:03.060 --> 00:26:05.740
 Even the great apostle Paul needed people around him.

00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.360
 What makes you think,

00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:10.640
 what makes me think that I can do it on my own?

00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.800
 Every time I talk to someone who's like,

00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.860
 I really want to read the Bible,

00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.779
 but I'm struggling to read it.

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.300
 I'm like, well, great, let's do it together.

00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.220
 It doesn't take long.

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:20.180
 We can read something together every day.

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.880
 It takes five minutes.

00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:22.000
 Let's just start there.

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.980
 We need people around us

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:26.759
 who are willing to do that with us.

00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.600
 Say, oh, you're struggling?

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.019
 That's okay.

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:33.099
 We need people around us to be able to do that.

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.220
 We want to know him more,

00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:40.279
 but we just can't because it's really hard

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:42.599
 and it's really boring and we don't have time.

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:45.599
 Well, here's a challenge that I will propose to you.

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.200
 You say you don't have enough time for community

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.039
 and time for church.

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.879
 Why don't you do this?

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.339
 Why don't you do a little experiment with yourself?

00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:53.400
 The amount of time that you spend on Netflix

00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:57.079
 equal that with the time you be with church people.

00:26:57.079 --> 00:27:01.099
 How about we spend time with people

00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:03.139
 just as much as we watch TV shows?

00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:03.759
 And you may be like,

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:06.539
 James, do you know how hard that is?

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.339
 Do you know how many hours of Netflix I watch?

00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.299
 That would be impossible.

00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:12.399
 It was a challenge that I showed to myself

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.720
 when I was in my early 20s

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.419
 where I would play on this console

00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.379
 that none of you will remember

00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:18.720
 called the Dreamcast.

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.960
 Anyone remember the Dreamcast?

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.859
 Kayla remembers.

00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.679
 Thank you, Ken.

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.220
 Thank you.

00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:25.679
 Then, of course, I graduated onto the PS3,

00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.220
 played FIFA a lot.

00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:28.320
 And then I really felt,

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.420
 man, I don't have time.

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.299
 I don't really have appetite

00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:32.000
 to even read the Bible

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:34.940
 because I'm in the middle of my season

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.840
 and Arsenal are about to win

00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:38.360
 in this fantasy world.

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.720
 Or maybe this year.

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:44.060
 And so then I challenged myself,

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.519
 okay, okay.

00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.299
 I do want to read the Bible.

00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.100
 I do want to pray.

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.779
 I just find it hard

00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.900
 and I prioritize other things.

00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.299
 It's not that I don't have time.

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.480
 It's just that it's not a priority.

00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.539
 Why don't I do this?

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.839
 If I play FIFA for two hours,

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.500
 I'm allowed to do that with no guilt,

00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:00.099
 but let me commit to reading the Bible for two hours.

00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:02.399
 Let me equal it at least.

00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.559
 That's the challenge I set myself in my early 20s.

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.399
 And it was amazing.

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.619
 You should just have seen

00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:10.119
 my FIFA consumption drop straight down.

00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.559
 Ended up playing 25 minutes instead.

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:13.920
 That's it.

00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.240
 I'm done.

00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.480
 Try it.

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.299
 You're like, oh, well, praying is hard.

00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.379
 Okay, well, why don't you do this?

00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.900
 The amount of time you spend on IG,

00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.700
 use that time to pray.

00:28:25.820 --> 00:28:26.680
 Like, what, James,

00:28:26.760 --> 00:28:28.080
 do you know how many hours I spend on IG?

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.260
 That'll be a lot of praying.

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.820
 Well, exactly.

00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:32.700
 Well, why don't you just cut the IG down to five minutes

00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.720
 and you pray for five minutes?

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.400
 That's okay too.

00:28:36.520 --> 00:28:38.120
 It's the same thing that Thomas Merton says.

00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:40.020
 It's the very desire to please God

00:28:40.020 --> 00:28:40.960
 is what pleases God.

00:28:41.520 --> 00:28:42.980
 It's not you have to tick this box.

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.820
 Can you just imagine?

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:46.520
 It's the father just wants you to be with him.

00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.319
 So any attempts that you have

00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:50.119
 for 60 seconds or for 60 minutes

00:28:50.119 --> 00:28:51.059
 or whatever it is,

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:52.599
 he just wants you to be trying.

00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.059
 I'm filled with joy

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:56.940
 every time my kids are trying something, right?

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:59.099
 I've said before that my children,

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.920
 my daughter especially,

00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.480
 who likes to draw,

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:03.039
 she will never ever draw me a picture

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.980
 that I do not like.

00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.180
 Never.

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:07.259
 I will have no idea what she's drawn,

00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.460
 but it doesn't matter.

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.799
 I love it.

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.440
 Because that's the heart of God.

00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.059
 That's the heart of a father.

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.160
 He simply wants us to try.

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:17.340
 And we do want to.

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.220
 We just sometimes struggle with this.

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.740
 And it comes down to this thing again.

00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.500
 I think some of us need to unlearn

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:24.140
 what it means to be a Christian.

00:29:25.040 --> 00:29:26.200
 Because we think when it becomes,

00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:27.620
 we become a Christian,

00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:29.680
 basically we are committing to following

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:31.480
 this rigid set of rules

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:33.779
 so that we are complying with a God

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:35.019
 that is holy up there,

00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:35.779
 giving us commandments

00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.620
 that we need to follow.

00:29:37.800 --> 00:29:38.920
 Even the 10 commandments,

00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.820
 there has to be a moment

00:29:40.820 --> 00:29:41.540
 where we realize,

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:41.800
 wait,

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.400
 he's not here about

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.700
 to talk about compliance.

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:46.380
 He's here for connection with me.

00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:48.039
 Those commandments are there,

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.500
 built,

00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:50.400
 so that I can have a connection with him.

00:29:50.580 --> 00:29:52.319
 He's not here just for the rules

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.120
 that I can follow.

00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:54.000
 He's actually here

00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.400
 for a relationship with me.

00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.880
 It's connection over compliance.

00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.279
 It's relationship over rules.

00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.740
 The moment you get that,

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.940
 that is when the light bulb

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.700
 switches on and goes,

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:01.960
 wait,

00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.960
 I don't have to do this.

00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.480
 But I would like to.

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.240
 I would want to.

00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.559
 Or I would want to want to.

00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.200
 Honestly,

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.620
 that's where I'm mostly at sometimes.

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.819
 I want to read the word,

00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:16.220
 but I don't really.

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.900
 But I want to want to.

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.120
 And honestly,

00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:21.539
 I think the Lord is so gracious

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.600
 and so compassionate

00:30:22.600 --> 00:30:25.120
 that even that pleases him.

00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.819
 Would we be willing to try that?

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.740
 And the other thing is,

00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.080
 if you can't do it on your own,

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:32.720
 if you want to be on fire with God,

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.400
 and this is something

00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.860
 that I actually do.

00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.180
 And Julian,

00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.080
 when he was praying with us

00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:35.940
 in the pre-service prayer,

00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.819
 he had this picture

00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:38.939
 of a burning fire,

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:40.439
 logs piled on top of each other,

00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.439
 keeping the fire going.

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:44.000
 In my moments of dryness,

00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:45.259
 what I do is

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.519
 I find people who are on fire.

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.980
 When I find people who are on fire

00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.839
 and all I need to do

00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:51.240
 is spend a little bit of time with them

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:53.839
 and then I catch that fire again.

00:30:55.939 --> 00:30:57.099
 Just a log on its own,

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.879
 trying to burn,

00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.039
 won't last very long.

00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:02.439
 But if you just get yourself with people,

00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:04.139
 that's why we do the groups.

00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.839
 Hebrews 10 says this,

00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.459
 don't stop meeting one another.

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:09.599
 Keep encouraging each other

00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.599
 until the day draws near.

00:31:10.919 --> 00:31:12.539
 Stir each other up in love

00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.559
 and good works.

00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.679
 Do it together

00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:15.519
 because you won't be able

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.359
 to do it on your own.

00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.679
 It is a community project.

00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:20.619
 Find the people who are on fire.

00:31:21.699 --> 00:31:22.139
 And finally,

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.579
 we do want closeness with God,

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.459
 but there's one thing

00:31:24.459 --> 00:31:25.839
 that we have to lay at the door

00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:27.559
 before we have that closeness with Him

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:29.179
 is we want closeness,

00:31:29.179 --> 00:31:30.779
 but often we want to retain control.

00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.299
 It is terrifying

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:35.519
 when you get close to this holy God

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.920
 because when you get close

00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.539
 to this holy God,

00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.980
 He will tell you to do things

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.779
 that you don't actually

00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.619
 really want to do.

00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:43.119
 So I think that's sometimes

00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:45.259
 the reason why we stop at the door

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.500
 because we're like,

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:46.819
 you know what,

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.920
 I want to get close to you,

00:31:48.139 --> 00:31:49.019
 but I'm actually afraid

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.920
 of what that means

00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:50.740
 when I get there

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:52.879
 because I'm actually living

00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:54.819
 knowing that I'm not doing

00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.940
 the thing that you want me to.

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.460
 And so we hold Him back.

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.440
 But one of the things

00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:01.619
 about when we get close to God

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.339
 is that we do have

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.119
 to surrender control.

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:05.039
 When we get close to Him

00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:05.259
 is that,

00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:05.579
 okay, well,

00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:06.899
 genuinely,

00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.059
 you have to take the wheel.

00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.339
 I will go wherever

00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.439
 you call me to go.

00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.419
 I will stay

00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:14.899
 even when I want to leave.

00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.079
 What that is

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.259
 is just a surrender of control.

00:32:19.479 --> 00:32:20.979
 If we want that closeness with God,

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.639
 we must surrender.

00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.619
 There is no way about it.

00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:25.139
 He cannot let you

00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:27.099
 continue to be the driver

00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:27.839
 of your own life.

00:32:28.979 --> 00:32:30.079
 He's either Lord of all

00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.899
 or not at all.

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.179
 That's the challenge.

00:32:34.919 --> 00:32:35.839
 So often we say,

00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:36.980
 Jesus, come into my house.

00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:39.000
 Come into the living room.

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.199
 We will hang out together.

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.500
 Maybe we'll even sit

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.599
 at the table together to eat.

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.339
 But that room,

00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.059
 you cannot go into.

00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:44.699
 That room,

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.359
 you cannot go into.

00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.159
 My career,

00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.099
 you cannot touch that.

00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:50.139
 We step into this issue

00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:50.879
 of syncretism,

00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.980
 which is we basically combine

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:54.659
 two beliefs together.

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.099
 We have a belief

00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.960
 that Jesus is Lord,

00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.539
 that everything on this world

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.740
 will fade away,

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.180
 that is not as important

00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.920
 as what we are about to receive.

00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.279
 We hold on to that,

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.619
 that Jesus is the one

00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.359
 who died for us

00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.659
 and loves us

00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.819
 and rose again for us.

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:09.819
 But on the other side,

00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.399
 we hold this,

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:10.819
 actually,

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.059
 we want to continue

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:13.799
 to pursue the worldly values

00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.799
 of luxury,

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.599
 of comfort,

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.399
 of pleasure.

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.240
 And so then you mix

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.879
 the two together,

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.680
 it becomes this kind of

00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.980
 syncretized kind of faith

00:33:21.980 --> 00:33:22.879
 where it's kind of like,

00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.299
 actually,

00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:24.779
 I love Jesus

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.899
 and He will provide me

00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:26.639
 with the work

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.399
 and the lifestyle

00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:27.940
 that I want.

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.779
 The moment something happens

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:31.340
 and it always happens,

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.600
 we will always have loved ones

00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.000
 that we lose,

00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.980
 we will always have things

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.680
 that don't go our way.

00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.799
 The moment that happens,

00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.680
 it tests our faith.

00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.660
 And we're like,

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.180
 well, Jesus,

00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.860
 are you really real?

00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.759
 Well, Jesus is like,

00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.559
 well, of course I'm real,

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.600
 but you've merged

00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:44.500
 two opposing beliefs together.

00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.640
 You've made,

00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.920
 you've thought that

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.940
 I'm most interested

00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.660
 in your comfort

00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.220
 and your luxury

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.880
 in this side of eternity

00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:53.539
 when I'm most interested

00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:55.680
 in your eternal communion

00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:57.120
 with me in heaven.

00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.740
 It doesn't mean

00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.640
 I don't care about

00:33:59.640 --> 00:34:01.900
 what you have in this life,

00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.700
 but you've got to put it

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.279
 in the right order.

00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:06.740
 Look at it from Jesus' vantage point

00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.240
 and that's why

00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:07.980
 He allows suffering.

00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.280
 Every time we suffer

00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:09.980
 is an opportunity

00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.500
 for Him to come to us

00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.700
 and go,

00:34:11.740 --> 00:34:11.880
 hey,

00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.240
 look to me.

00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.039
 Can you see what I see?

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:18.000
 But often we say

00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.880
 in this baby stage,

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.340
 which is,

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.360
 Jesus,

00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.500
 you're here just to provide for me

00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:22.579
 for the things that I want.

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.539
 Not the things that I need,

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.539
 but just the things that I want.

00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:27.059
 And the moment I've got them,

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:28.139
 I actually discard you.

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:31.219
 And that's one of the greatest ironies

00:34:31.219 --> 00:34:32.119
 of life in Hong Kong

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:34.219
 is that we walk with so many people

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:35.300
 and we pray with people,

00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.199
 especially as they graduate

00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.179
 and go through university

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.500
 and then we're praying,

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:39.139
 what are we praying for?

00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.039
 Pray that I get this job.

00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:40.980
 And then the moment

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.619
 they get the job,

00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:43.099
 that job becomes the thing

00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:44.179
 that pulls them away from God.

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.019
 Right?

00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:46.699
 How often does that happen?

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.099
 Think about the job

00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:49.099
 that you're in right now

00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:50.480
 and how you prayed for God

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.800
 to give you that job.

00:34:52.759 --> 00:34:53.460
 And fast forward

00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.119
 two, three months,

00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:54.360
 you're like,

00:34:54.420 --> 00:34:54.519
 yeah,

00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.380
 but I'm really struggling

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:57.259
 with just spending time with Him,

00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:57.759
 with prayer,

00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.300
 with studying,

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.119
 with serving.

00:34:59.420 --> 00:34:59.659
 Why?

00:34:59.779 --> 00:35:00.320
 Because of your job.

00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:00.519
 Well,

00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.659
 that doesn't make sense.

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.380
 Why would God give you something

00:35:03.380 --> 00:35:04.759
 that will pull you away from Him?

00:35:06.400 --> 00:35:07.579
 We need to recalibrate

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.079
 our beliefs

00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:09.000
 of what we're actually

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.559
 thinking God provides

00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:10.980
 for us here,

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.639
 what He cares about the most.

00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.739
 When we surrender control,

00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.000
 what we realize

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.699
 is that actually

00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.800
 what we get

00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:21.559
 isn't just

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:23.159
 a lame kind of life,

00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.039
 but it's actually freedom.

00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:26.059
 We think we're free

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.900
 when we're away from Him,

00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.579
 but we're actually not.

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:29.079
 We are slaves to the things

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.920
 that have taken over our lives.

00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:33.300
 That's why God says,

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.119
 worship me,

00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:34.900
 worship only me,

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.139
 not because He's a self-centered God,

00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:36.880
 but because He's saying,

00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:37.820
 all the other things

00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.360
 that you worship

00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.039
 will corrupt you,

00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.960
 they will consume you.

00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.440
 We've all been there

00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.240
 when we've turned

00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.280
 a good thing into God

00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:44.980
 and that thing consumes us.

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:46.940
 But God says,

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.480
 worship me.

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:47.680
 Why?

00:35:47.780 --> 00:35:48.380
 Because I'm the only,

00:35:48.620 --> 00:35:50.039
 not only will I not corrupt you,

00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:51.180
 not only will I not consume you,

00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:52.120
 I will complete you.

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.620
 If you worship me

00:35:54.620 --> 00:35:55.200
 with your job,

00:35:55.260 --> 00:35:55.720
 you will see

00:35:55.720 --> 00:35:56.820
 the true satisfaction

00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:58.120
 that comes with

00:35:58.120 --> 00:35:59.300
 what I created you to do.

00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:02.019
 If you worship me

00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:03.160
 with your relationships

00:36:03.160 --> 00:36:03.840
 and with your family,

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.220
 you will see

00:36:04.220 --> 00:36:05.260
 the true contentment

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:05.840
 that comes

00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:07.120
 when you and your household

00:36:07.120 --> 00:36:08.640
 both all trust in me.

00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.560
 But these idols

00:36:11.560 --> 00:36:12.140
 that we build up,

00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:12.960
 these counterfeit gods

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.860
 that we have in this world,

00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:15.480
 and they're all good things.

00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:19.440
 But for us Chinese people

00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.140
 who have grown up

00:36:20.140 --> 00:36:20.640
 with maybe

00:36:20.640 --> 00:36:21.900
 these Chinese values

00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.980
 often passed down,

00:36:23.080 --> 00:36:23.539
 not from Jesus,

00:36:23.640 --> 00:36:24.420
 but from Confucius,

00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:26.740
 we have to ask ourselves,

00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:28.760
 are we following

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.940
 Confucius' teachings

00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:30.960
 or are we actually

00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.139
 surrendering and submitting

00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:33.559
 to the Lord of all,

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.680
 Jesus Christ?

00:36:35.700 --> 00:36:36.500
 There's a difference.

00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.559
 And often I think

00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:39.180
 we merge the two

00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:40.139
 and then we wonder,

00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:40.460
 actually,

00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.139
 we don't really look

00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:42.380
 any different

00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.700
 to those outside.

00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:45.200
 So anyway,

00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:46.639
 that's my little bit

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.000
 of sharing.

00:36:47.240 --> 00:36:47.920
 So the question really

00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.280
 then is,

00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:48.900
 then what?

00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.579
 If those are the problems,

00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.539
 if we really want community

00:36:51.539 --> 00:36:52.059
 but we struggle

00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.059
 with commitment,

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.380
 if we say we want

00:36:54.380 --> 00:36:55.340
 to spend time with God

00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.039
 but we actually

00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:57.500
 don't put Him

00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.420
 as a priority,

00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:00.300
 when we want to be known

00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:01.039
 but yet we aren't

00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.840
 willing to be vulnerable,

00:37:02.240 --> 00:37:03.099
 then what do we do?

00:37:03.320 --> 00:37:04.559
 What is the solution

00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:05.599
 that Scripture offers us?

00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:06.340
 What is the example

00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:07.380
 that we see in Scripture

00:37:07.380 --> 00:37:08.780
 where people are added

00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:09.880
 to a group

00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:12.180
 filled with awe and wonder?

00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:13.039
 Where is that?

00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:13.800
 That is in the book

00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.900
 of Acts chapter 2

00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.740
 and this is where

00:37:15.740 --> 00:37:17.260
 I want to quickly show you

00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:19.079
 that actually Acts chapter 2

00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:21.039
 shows us a description

00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:23.079
 of what a community,

00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:25.119
 when they catch the vision,

00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:26.440
 when they are set alight

00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:27.799
 on what they actually do.

00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.400
 Acts 2,

00:37:28.460 --> 00:37:29.319
 Dallas Willis says this,

00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:29.719
 Acts 2,

00:37:29.799 --> 00:37:30.559
 the passage that Julian

00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.199
 read at the beginning,

00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:33.400
 Acts 2 presents a picture

00:37:33.400 --> 00:37:34.799
 of their discipling community.

00:37:35.199 --> 00:37:35.759
 They weren't just

00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:36.619
 listening to teaching,

00:37:36.860 --> 00:37:37.840
 they were applying it

00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.699
 in shared life,

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.139
 in economic reality,

00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:41.639
 in worship and in meals.

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.860
 Spiritual formation

00:37:42.860 --> 00:37:43.880
 happened at home

00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:45.400
 and also in the temple courts.

00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.539
 They grew together.

00:37:49.159 --> 00:37:49.659
 If you ask me,

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.420
 what is church about?

00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:51.279
 It's we have to be

00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:52.019
 making disciples.

00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:52.920
 It is not about

00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:53.920
 building a church service.

00:37:54.060 --> 00:37:54.620
 It is not about

00:37:54.620 --> 00:37:55.980
 running more and more programs.

00:37:56.260 --> 00:37:57.220
 It is are we making

00:37:57.220 --> 00:37:58.280
 disciples of Jesus?

00:37:58.600 --> 00:37:59.560
 By you being here,

00:37:59.700 --> 00:38:00.460
 are you looking

00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:01.860
 and following Jesus

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:03.600
 more and more every day?

00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:04.840
 That is it.

00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.760
 That is all that

00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:06.840
 we're looking for here.

00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.760
 Why do I have such

00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:08.820
 a big conviction about church?

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.940
 Why do I have this

00:38:09.940 --> 00:38:10.960
 big conviction about

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.960
 you need to be together?

00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:13.560
 Because Jesus said two things.

00:38:14.260 --> 00:38:14.640
 He said,

00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:16.380
 if you forget everything else,

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:16.760
 He says,

00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.460
 love God

00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:18.500
 and love people.

00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:20.239
 That's it.

00:38:21.860 --> 00:38:22.539
 And my conviction

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:23.400
 is that you cannot do

00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.159
 either of those things

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:25.099
 without people around you.

00:38:27.539 --> 00:38:28.679
 The greatest commandment,

00:38:29.019 --> 00:38:29.519
 to love God

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.159
 with all your heart,

00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:30.780
 soul, mind and strength,

00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.619
 to love your neighbor

00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.300
 as yourself.

00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.280
 And then what does He say?

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.000
 The Great Commission,

00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:35.239
 make disciples of all nations.

00:38:35.699 --> 00:38:36.719
 So those things

00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:37.840
 all require

00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:39.099
 other human beings

00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:40.900
 to be in your orbit.

00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.340
 All of those things

00:38:42.340 --> 00:38:43.179
 you cannot do

00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:43.739
 in isolation.

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:45.139
 You must have

00:38:45.139 --> 00:38:45.940
 other people around you.

00:38:46.179 --> 00:38:46.920
 That's why we gather.

00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:48.139
 Because if we're going

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:49.119
 to follow God's commandment,

00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:49.780
 if we're going to follow

00:38:49.780 --> 00:38:50.460
 His Great Commission,

00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.980
 we must have people

00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.740
 around us.

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:54.400
 And you see exactly here,

00:38:54.680 --> 00:38:56.119
 that is what Acts 2

00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:57.079
 is doing here.

00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:58.280
 And so when we gather,

00:38:58.519 --> 00:38:59.539
 what could possibly gather

00:38:59.539 --> 00:39:00.680
 this group of people together

00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:02.019
 who are willing to surrender

00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.840
 their worldly ambitions,

00:39:03.139 --> 00:39:04.280
 who are willing to be vulnerable

00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:04.860
 to one another,

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:06.059
 who are willing to go out

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:06.960
 of their way

00:39:06.960 --> 00:39:09.300
 to spend time

00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:09.880
 with someone else

00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.619
 when we would rather

00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:11.300
 be at home

00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:12.360
 just watching their favorite

00:39:12.360 --> 00:39:12.940
 Netflix show?

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:13.800
 What is that?

00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.840
 What is required

00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.659
 to even have

00:39:15.659 --> 00:39:16.599
 that kind of commitment

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.420
 what is it?

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.199
 It's not the speaker.

00:39:18.339 --> 00:39:19.159
 I guarantee you,

00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:19.920
 it is not the speaker.

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:21.000
 You may like a speaker

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.639
 and their sermons

00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:22.500
 once or twice

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.360
 and then they start

00:39:23.360 --> 00:39:24.239
 to say the same thing again

00:39:24.239 --> 00:39:24.819
 and then you start

00:39:24.819 --> 00:39:25.179
 to kind of be,

00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:26.559
 well, he said that before.

00:39:26.819 --> 00:39:27.719
 It's not even the worship

00:39:27.719 --> 00:39:28.299
 because you can get

00:39:28.299 --> 00:39:28.839
 worship anywhere.

00:39:29.319 --> 00:39:30.039
 It's not actually

00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.539
 the location.

00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:31.319
 It's not the convenience.

00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:32.400
 The only things

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:33.059
 that really matter

00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:34.539
 I can see are hidden here

00:39:34.539 --> 00:39:35.500
 in Acts chapter 2

00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.900
 and I want to quickly show you

00:39:36.900 --> 00:39:37.880
 before I finish.

00:39:38.079 --> 00:39:38.799
 The first thing is

00:39:38.799 --> 00:39:39.940
 it needs the people of God

00:39:39.940 --> 00:39:40.460
 to be hungry.

00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.940
 You look at that passage.

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:44.239
 If you're just following along

00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:44.599
 in the Bible,

00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.460
 there's Acts chapter 2

00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.619
 verse 42 to 47.

00:39:46.820 --> 00:39:47.679
 You see these people,

00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:48.579
 they are filled with awe

00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:48.940
 and wonder.

00:39:49.280 --> 00:39:50.220
 They are glad and generous.

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.420
 No one is in need

00:39:51.420 --> 00:39:53.079
 and that whole community,

00:39:53.240 --> 00:39:53.920
 the whole staple

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.480
 of that community

00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:56.440
 is joy and generosity

00:39:56.440 --> 00:39:57.579
 and you're like,

00:39:57.639 --> 00:39:58.659
 I want to be part of that.

00:40:00.119 --> 00:40:01.380
 How do I get to be part of that?

00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.099
 How do I create

00:40:02.099 --> 00:40:03.000
 that kind of community?

00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:04.079
 Well, I'm saying here,

00:40:04.139 --> 00:40:04.340
 actually,

00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:05.220
 you cannot create it

00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:05.760
 by yourself

00:40:05.760 --> 00:40:07.199
 but Acts shows us

00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:09.019
 how it actually came to be.

00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:09.920
 The first thing is

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.880
 the people of God

00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:12.900
 need to be hungry for Him.

00:40:14.039 --> 00:40:14.920
 That's the main thing.

00:40:15.159 --> 00:40:15.880
 That's the first thing.

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.960
 If you rewind

00:40:16.960 --> 00:40:18.380
 back into Acts chapter 1,

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:20.039
 Jesus flies into heaven.

00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:20.639
 He says,

00:40:20.719 --> 00:40:21.219
 I'll be back

00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:22.019
 and then He says,

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:22.739
 but I'll be with you

00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:23.599
 till the end of the age.

00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.300
 And then He says,

00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:25.759
 wait,

00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.940
 wait in Jerusalem.

00:40:27.239 --> 00:40:27.759
 So suddenly,

00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:28.420
 He flies off

00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.579
 and a group of us here,

00:40:29.759 --> 00:40:30.360
 we're just sat here,

00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:31.219
 about 500,

00:40:31.340 --> 00:40:32.039
 so there's a little bit more,

00:40:32.340 --> 00:40:32.679
 we're just like,

00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.579
 well, now He's gone,

00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:34.099
 what do we do?

00:40:34.159 --> 00:40:34.539
 Well, He said,

00:40:34.599 --> 00:40:35.300
 go back to Jerusalem.

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:37.159
 Well, He didn't say what to do

00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:38.000
 when you go back to Jerusalem.

00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:39.659
 So they all went back to Jerusalem.

00:40:40.019 --> 00:40:41.179
 Some probably went home

00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:42.039
 but then there was a group

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.359
 that was like,

00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:42.639
 no,

00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:44.099
 it cannot be just

00:40:44.099 --> 00:40:45.219
 to go back home

00:40:45.219 --> 00:40:46.819
 and then to do our own thing.

00:40:47.319 --> 00:40:48.399
 It must not be that.

00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:49.599
 There must be something more.

00:40:49.659 --> 00:40:50.319
 So they got together

00:40:50.319 --> 00:40:51.019
 in an upper room

00:40:51.019 --> 00:40:51.980
 and they prayed

00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:53.679
 and they spent time praying.

00:40:53.779 --> 00:40:54.139
 Do you know how long

00:40:54.139 --> 00:40:54.579
 they prayed for?

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.079
 Does anyone know?

00:40:58.799 --> 00:40:59.359
 Any guesses?

00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:02.199
 10 days.

00:41:03.879 --> 00:41:04.559
 10 days,

00:41:04.799 --> 00:41:06.079
 a room of 100 and something people

00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:07.039
 in a room praying.

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.940
 They saw something

00:41:08.940 --> 00:41:09.759
 that they couldn't unsee.

00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:11.539
 They met a person

00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.319
 who they cannot forget

00:41:12.319 --> 00:41:14.199
 and so instead of going home

00:41:14.199 --> 00:41:14.759
 to continue

00:41:14.759 --> 00:41:16.099
 with the latest TV show,

00:41:16.239 --> 00:41:17.379
 they went and they prayed

00:41:17.379 --> 00:41:18.399
 for 10 days.

00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:20.179
 Can you imagine

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:20.980
 by the ninth day,

00:41:21.179 --> 00:41:21.579
 you're like,

00:41:21.699 --> 00:41:21.859
 hmm,

00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:24.039
 is this a waste of time?

00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.619
 Was I imagining things?

00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:26.899
 But the commitment

00:41:26.899 --> 00:41:28.000
 continued to drive them

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:28.559
 and what happens

00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:29.259
 after the 10th day?

00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:30.619
 The Holy Spirit comes down.

00:41:31.299 --> 00:41:31.659
 The people,

00:41:31.799 --> 00:41:32.899
 if we want to be

00:41:32.899 --> 00:41:33.920
 a spirit-filled community,

00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:35.359
 we need to be a people of God

00:41:35.359 --> 00:41:36.179
 who are hungry for Him.

00:41:37.159 --> 00:41:40.079
 Anyone who studies

00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:41.279
 any of the spiritual revivals

00:41:41.279 --> 00:41:41.839
 that have happened

00:41:41.839 --> 00:41:42.440
 over the years,

00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.099
 what is the one thing

00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.539
 that they say?

00:41:43.759 --> 00:41:45.019
 God comes where He's wanted.

00:41:46.339 --> 00:41:47.460
 God comes to those

00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:48.379
 who actually are hungry,

00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:49.199
 hungry for Him.

00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.539
 Blessed are those

00:41:51.539 --> 00:41:52.259
 who hunger and thirst

00:41:52.259 --> 00:41:52.679
 for righteousness

00:41:52.679 --> 00:41:54.059
 for they shall be satisfied.

00:41:55.480 --> 00:41:56.079
 But in Hong Kong,

00:41:56.159 --> 00:41:57.179
 we don't get hungry

00:41:57.179 --> 00:41:58.339
 because we eat

00:41:58.339 --> 00:41:59.219
 five meals a day.

00:41:59.679 --> 00:42:00.559
 We have snacks

00:42:00.559 --> 00:42:01.039
 and drinks

00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:02.079
 and bubble teas

00:42:02.079 --> 00:42:03.359
 and so we're never hungry.

00:42:03.599 --> 00:42:04.219
 That's why fasting

00:42:04.219 --> 00:42:04.719
 is important

00:42:04.719 --> 00:42:05.739
 because when you're fasting,

00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:06.559
 you're reminded

00:42:06.559 --> 00:42:07.619
 of the feeling of hunger

00:42:07.619 --> 00:42:08.379
 and then you point

00:42:08.379 --> 00:42:09.079
 that feeling of hunger

00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:09.599
 towards Him.

00:42:12.279 --> 00:42:13.079
 So the first thing

00:42:13.079 --> 00:42:13.440
 that you need

00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:14.239
 is the people of God

00:42:14.239 --> 00:42:15.399
 being hungry.

00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:16.299
 The second thing

00:42:16.299 --> 00:42:16.799
 that you need,

00:42:16.879 --> 00:42:17.099
 of course,

00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:17.940
 is the Spirit of God.

00:42:18.319 --> 00:42:19.379
 We can do everything

00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:20.619
 that we try to do here.

00:42:21.019 --> 00:42:22.140
 We can stand up

00:42:22.140 --> 00:42:22.539
 for the Word.

00:42:22.619 --> 00:42:23.680
 We can do volleyball afterwards.

00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:24.700
 We can do lunch afterwards.

00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:25.760
 We can do all these small groups.

00:42:26.200 --> 00:42:26.940
 None of it will work

00:42:26.940 --> 00:42:28.019
 if the Holy Spirit isn't here.

00:42:28.640 --> 00:42:29.619
 So you need the Holy Spirit

00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.519
 of God to come down

00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:31.480
 on His people,

00:42:31.840 --> 00:42:32.900
 pour out on all flesh

00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:34.940
 and that's how we are united

00:42:34.940 --> 00:42:35.780
 because otherwise,

00:42:35.940 --> 00:42:36.740
 I can't really think

00:42:36.740 --> 00:42:37.360
 of a reason why

00:42:37.360 --> 00:42:38.200
 I would like to hang out

00:42:38.200 --> 00:42:38.579
 with Trevor

00:42:38.579 --> 00:42:39.780
 outside of church

00:42:39.780 --> 00:42:41.280
 because we are

00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:42.079
 very different people

00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:44.180
 but it's because

00:42:44.180 --> 00:42:45.059
 of the Spirit of God,

00:42:45.720 --> 00:42:46.900
 because of our love

00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:47.320
 for Jesus,

00:42:47.500 --> 00:42:48.640
 that's what unites us.

00:42:48.639 --> 00:42:50.319
 So that's what causes us

00:42:50.319 --> 00:42:51.239
 to spend time together

00:42:51.239 --> 00:42:53.480
 because otherwise,

00:42:53.579 --> 00:42:54.619
 it's just a worldly friendship.

00:42:55.960 --> 00:42:56.359
 And so you need

00:42:56.359 --> 00:42:56.920
 the people of God

00:42:56.920 --> 00:42:57.359
 to be hungry,

00:42:57.599 --> 00:42:58.559
 you need the Spirit of God

00:42:58.559 --> 00:42:59.139
 to move

00:42:59.139 --> 00:43:00.159
 and then you need

00:43:00.159 --> 00:43:00.739
 the Word of God

00:43:00.739 --> 00:43:01.239
 to be preached.

00:43:01.299 --> 00:43:02.099
 And what is the Word of God?

00:43:02.379 --> 00:43:03.019
 Peter preaches

00:43:03.019 --> 00:43:04.079
 the sermon of his life,

00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:05.500
 probably his first sermon actually.

00:43:06.179 --> 00:43:07.299
 After Pentecost happens,

00:43:07.420 --> 00:43:08.339
 there's a lot of confusion

00:43:08.339 --> 00:43:08.739
 and chaos

00:43:08.739 --> 00:43:09.619
 and what does he do?

00:43:09.779 --> 00:43:10.480
 He stands up

00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:11.000
 and he says,

00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:11.779
 guys,

00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:13.980
 let me explain to you

00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:14.839
 what is happening here.

00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:16.179
 This Jesus

00:43:16.179 --> 00:43:17.339
 whom you crucified,

00:43:17.340 --> 00:43:20.300
 was then raised up

00:43:20.300 --> 00:43:21.980
 and then he's coming back.

00:43:22.019 --> 00:43:22.440
 What does he do?

00:43:22.620 --> 00:43:23.740
 He presents what they call

00:43:23.740 --> 00:43:24.340
 the kerygma,

00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:25.240
 which is the gospel,

00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:26.740
 which is the life and death

00:43:26.740 --> 00:43:28.039
 and the resurrection of Jesus

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:29.780
 and what he actually did.

00:43:30.240 --> 00:43:31.720
 We would do well

00:43:31.720 --> 00:43:33.240
 to focus everything

00:43:33.240 --> 00:43:33.880
 that we do

00:43:33.880 --> 00:43:35.039
 on what Jesus did

00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:36.340
 and who Jesus is

00:43:36.340 --> 00:43:37.519
 and how he is still here

00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:37.940
 right now.

00:43:38.579 --> 00:43:39.980
 It cannot be about us,

00:43:39.980 --> 00:43:41.420
 it has to be about him.

00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.079
 So the gospel

00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:43.240
 has to be preached.

00:43:43.800 --> 00:43:44.360
 The gospel

00:43:44.360 --> 00:43:45.420
 has to be applied

00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:46.940
 into every sphere

00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:48.059
 and every aspect

00:43:48.059 --> 00:43:48.780
 of our lives.

00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:49.800
 The people of God

00:43:49.800 --> 00:43:50.420
 have to be hungry,

00:43:50.700 --> 00:43:51.440
 the spirit of God

00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:52.420
 has to fall on people

00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:53.700
 and then the word of God

00:43:53.700 --> 00:43:54.820
 has to be opened up.

00:43:55.159 --> 00:43:55.800
 If you're sat

00:43:55.800 --> 00:43:56.639
 in a friendship group

00:43:56.639 --> 00:43:57.579
 of fellow believers,

00:43:57.920 --> 00:43:58.579
 maybe you should ask

00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:59.079
 that question.

00:43:59.960 --> 00:44:01.059
 What's going to

00:44:01.059 --> 00:44:02.119
 distinguish us

00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:03.300
 between

00:44:03.300 --> 00:44:04.920
 just a worldly group

00:44:04.920 --> 00:44:05.360
 of friends

00:44:05.360 --> 00:44:06.480
 and a group

00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:07.159
 that actually commits

00:44:07.159 --> 00:44:07.820
 to following Jesus?

00:44:07.980 --> 00:44:08.039
 Well,

00:44:08.079 --> 00:44:08.820
 open up the word

00:44:08.820 --> 00:44:09.420
 together.

00:44:11.519 --> 00:44:12.440
 Play board games

00:44:12.440 --> 00:44:13.420
 together by all means

00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:14.940
 but then spend time

00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:16.340
 to pray together.

00:44:17.059 --> 00:44:18.100
 Be that brave soul

00:44:18.100 --> 00:44:18.380
 that says,

00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:18.559
 hey,

00:44:18.640 --> 00:44:19.059
 before we leave,

00:44:19.160 --> 00:44:21.039
 can I pray for you?

00:44:22.360 --> 00:44:23.400
 Can we be those kinds

00:44:23.400 --> 00:44:23.860
 of people

00:44:23.860 --> 00:44:25.120
 that just operate

00:44:25.120 --> 00:44:26.460
 in a different way

00:44:26.460 --> 00:44:27.720
 to those in the world?

00:44:28.620 --> 00:44:29.360
 If we can

00:44:29.360 --> 00:44:30.039
 and then we gather,

00:44:31.519 --> 00:44:32.000
 then the Lord

00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:32.760
 will continue

00:44:32.760 --> 00:44:33.539
 to bless us

00:44:33.539 --> 00:44:34.900
 not with more people

00:44:34.900 --> 00:44:36.680
 but with joy,

00:44:37.120 --> 00:44:37.720
 with generosity

00:44:37.720 --> 00:44:38.440
 and you see

00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:39.440
 the interesting thing

00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:40.119
 that happens here

00:44:40.119 --> 00:44:41.200
 is when that gospel

00:44:41.200 --> 00:44:41.820
 is preached,

00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:43.280
 what are the people?

00:44:43.460 --> 00:44:44.500
 They are cut to the heart.

00:44:44.579 --> 00:44:45.940
 Acts chapter 2 verse 37.

00:44:46.900 --> 00:44:47.579
 They're just sitting there

00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:47.760
 going,

00:44:48.019 --> 00:44:49.139
 we crucified him.

00:44:49.500 --> 00:44:50.579
 It was my sin

00:44:50.579 --> 00:44:51.820
 that was on the cross.

00:44:53.380 --> 00:44:54.139
 But then I'm filled

00:44:54.139 --> 00:44:54.559
 with hope

00:44:54.559 --> 00:44:55.000
 because not only

00:44:55.000 --> 00:44:55.679
 was it my sin

00:44:55.679 --> 00:44:56.240
 that he took

00:44:56.240 --> 00:44:57.619
 but now it's his life

00:44:57.619 --> 00:44:58.460
 that he's giving to me

00:44:58.460 --> 00:44:59.240
 so that I can have

00:44:59.240 --> 00:45:00.119
 this abundant life

00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:00.760
 that I can live.

00:45:01.440 --> 00:45:02.519
 And we can all sit here

00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:02.740
 and go,

00:45:03.039 --> 00:45:03.700
 I know there's

00:45:03.700 --> 00:45:04.800
 so many things

00:45:04.800 --> 00:45:05.900
 that Jesus died for me

00:45:05.900 --> 00:45:08.200
 and now that I am

00:45:08.200 --> 00:45:08.880
 freed from

00:45:08.880 --> 00:45:11.019
 and when I'm freed from it,

00:45:11.019 --> 00:45:12.139
 I am filled with reverence

00:45:12.139 --> 00:45:12.800
 and awe for him.

00:45:13.099 --> 00:45:13.760
 And when we are

00:45:13.760 --> 00:45:14.340
 a people who are

00:45:14.340 --> 00:45:15.039
 filled with reverence

00:45:15.039 --> 00:45:15.340
 and awe,

00:45:15.500 --> 00:45:16.720
 we are filled with the joy

00:45:16.720 --> 00:45:17.599
 that comes with that

00:45:17.599 --> 00:45:19.059
 and then that spurs us on

00:45:19.059 --> 00:45:20.039
 into being just generous.

00:45:20.619 --> 00:45:21.460
 And that's why you see

00:45:21.460 --> 00:45:21.980
 in Acts 2

00:45:21.980 --> 00:45:23.320
 that there is no one in need.

00:45:23.420 --> 00:45:24.119
 You see later,

00:45:24.920 --> 00:45:25.960
 human nature takes over.

00:45:26.619 --> 00:45:27.500
 Greed comes in.

00:45:28.280 --> 00:45:29.320
 But when people of God

00:45:29.320 --> 00:45:30.119
 are hungry for him,

00:45:30.360 --> 00:45:31.180
 when the spirit of God

00:45:31.180 --> 00:45:32.380
 falls on a group of people

00:45:32.380 --> 00:45:33.500
 and when the word of God

00:45:33.500 --> 00:45:34.079
 is preached,

00:45:35.660 --> 00:45:37.180
 you see praise explode

00:45:37.180 --> 00:45:39.200
 amongst the people.

00:45:40.220 --> 00:45:41.099
 And not only that,

00:45:41.619 --> 00:45:42.420
 not only are the people

00:45:42.420 --> 00:45:43.619
 within glad

00:45:43.619 --> 00:45:44.320
 and happy

00:45:44.320 --> 00:45:45.660
 and generous

00:45:45.660 --> 00:45:46.840
 and rejoicing,

00:45:47.099 --> 00:45:48.099
 the people outside

00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:49.059
 and they have favour

00:45:49.059 --> 00:45:50.440
 amongst all people.

00:45:51.140 --> 00:45:51.800
 Isn't that fun?

00:45:52.340 --> 00:45:53.200
 That people would look

00:45:53.200 --> 00:45:54.160
 from the outside in

00:45:54.160 --> 00:45:54.420
 and go,

00:45:54.559 --> 00:45:54.820
 wow,

00:45:55.599 --> 00:45:56.360
 this community

00:45:56.360 --> 00:45:57.340
 is so filled with joy.

00:45:57.559 --> 00:45:58.160
 If you're here

00:45:58.160 --> 00:45:58.760
 for the first time,

00:45:58.820 --> 00:46:00.079
 I pray that you'll meet people

00:46:00.079 --> 00:46:01.300
 who you look and go,

00:46:01.420 --> 00:46:01.579
 wow,

00:46:01.579 --> 00:46:03.019
 they're filled with joy.

00:46:04.360 --> 00:46:05.900
 They're not as self-centred

00:46:05.900 --> 00:46:07.639
 as those outside.

00:46:09.259 --> 00:46:10.360
 But not out of pride,

00:46:10.460 --> 00:46:11.159
 but out of humility,

00:46:11.299 --> 00:46:11.819
 out of reverence

00:46:11.819 --> 00:46:12.579
 and awe for him.

00:46:13.299 --> 00:46:14.860
 Can we be that kind of church?

00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:16.460
 Can we reverse

00:46:16.460 --> 00:46:17.739
 the ways of this world?

00:46:18.119 --> 00:46:19.099
 That's why Romans 12 says,

00:46:19.219 --> 00:46:20.119
 let's not conform

00:46:20.119 --> 00:46:20.799
 to the patterns

00:46:20.799 --> 00:46:21.500
 of this world.

00:46:22.059 --> 00:46:23.400
 And it is so hard

00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:24.079
 in Hong Kong

00:46:24.079 --> 00:46:24.599
 because there are

00:46:24.599 --> 00:46:25.380
 so many things

00:46:25.380 --> 00:46:26.179
 of this world

00:46:26.179 --> 00:46:26.840
 that are right

00:46:26.840 --> 00:46:27.539
 in your face.

00:46:30.279 --> 00:46:31.119
 Because even though

00:46:31.119 --> 00:46:31.880
 we need people,

00:46:32.380 --> 00:46:32.920
 it's people

00:46:32.920 --> 00:46:34.400
 that often drag us down,

00:46:35.480 --> 00:46:36.099
 distract us,

00:46:37.059 --> 00:46:37.639
 pull us away

00:46:37.639 --> 00:46:38.599
 from the Lord.

00:46:39.199 --> 00:46:40.059
 But can you imagine

00:46:40.059 --> 00:46:41.839
 if there really was

00:46:41.839 --> 00:46:42.440
 a group of people

00:46:42.440 --> 00:46:43.420
 that were hungry for God

00:46:43.420 --> 00:46:44.099
 individually,

00:46:44.500 --> 00:46:45.659
 coming together,

00:46:46.000 --> 00:46:46.359
 praying,

00:46:47.440 --> 00:46:48.859
 and the Spirit of God

00:46:48.859 --> 00:46:49.579
 falls on them,

00:46:50.079 --> 00:46:51.099
 and they open up the Word

00:46:51.099 --> 00:46:51.759
 and highly just

00:46:51.759 --> 00:46:52.359
 are dependent

00:46:52.359 --> 00:46:53.179
 on this book.

00:46:53.839 --> 00:46:54.619
 Can you imagine

00:46:54.619 --> 00:46:55.339
 the impact

00:46:55.339 --> 00:46:55.960
 and the effect

00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:56.960
 on each person

00:46:56.960 --> 00:46:57.460
 in this room?

00:46:57.460 --> 00:47:00.039
 That's the prayer.

00:47:01.860 --> 00:47:02.599
 That we would not

00:47:02.599 --> 00:47:03.320
 just be believers

00:47:03.320 --> 00:47:04.619
 or observers

00:47:04.619 --> 00:47:05.280
 or consumers,

00:47:05.579 --> 00:47:06.159
 but that we would be

00:47:06.159 --> 00:47:06.480
 followers,

00:47:07.460 --> 00:47:07.720
 lovers

00:47:07.720 --> 00:47:09.280
 of the Lord.

00:47:12.840 --> 00:47:13.599
 Packer says this,

00:47:13.659 --> 00:47:14.599
 the marks of the Spirit's

00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:15.360
 ministry were joy,

00:47:15.480 --> 00:47:15.820
 generosity,

00:47:15.940 --> 00:47:16.360
 and praise.

00:47:16.780 --> 00:47:17.840
 This is the authentic

00:47:17.840 --> 00:47:19.179
 climate of a Spirit-filled

00:47:19.179 --> 00:47:19.679
 community.

00:47:20.400 --> 00:47:21.079
 And then Keller adds,

00:47:21.199 --> 00:47:22.059
 their joy and unity

00:47:22.059 --> 00:47:22.880
 were so striking,

00:47:23.000 --> 00:47:23.619
 they had the favor

00:47:23.619 --> 00:47:24.179
 of all people.

00:47:24.179 --> 00:47:25.699
 authentic community

00:47:25.699 --> 00:47:26.379
 is,

00:47:26.960 --> 00:47:27.739
 at its core,

00:47:28.219 --> 00:47:28.899
 evangelistic.

00:47:29.859 --> 00:47:30.859
 Can we be a group

00:47:30.859 --> 00:47:31.219
 of people

00:47:31.219 --> 00:47:31.759
 that is just so

00:47:31.759 --> 00:47:32.299
 attractive

00:47:32.299 --> 00:47:34.899
 to those outside?

00:47:36.019 --> 00:47:36.819
 Because we know

00:47:36.819 --> 00:47:37.440
 this world

00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:38.359
 is in a dark place

00:47:38.359 --> 00:47:39.039
 and it needs light.

00:47:41.139 --> 00:47:41.839
 What's uncomfortable

00:47:41.839 --> 00:47:42.599
 for us is that

00:47:42.599 --> 00:47:43.460
 Jesus looks at us

00:47:43.460 --> 00:47:43.899
 and goes,

00:47:44.460 --> 00:47:45.239
 you are going

00:47:45.239 --> 00:47:45.799
 to be the light.

00:47:46.859 --> 00:47:47.679
 You are going

00:47:47.679 --> 00:47:48.299
 to be my light.

00:47:48.839 --> 00:47:49.759
 And you won't

00:47:49.759 --> 00:47:50.659
 survive and do it

00:47:50.659 --> 00:47:51.099
 on your own,

00:47:51.179 --> 00:47:52.099
 but you need people

00:47:52.099 --> 00:47:53.199
 around you.

00:47:54.179 --> 00:47:56.159
 that is church.

00:47:57.559 --> 00:47:58.519
 That is the

00:47:58.519 --> 00:47:59.599
 ecclesia,

00:48:00.179 --> 00:48:01.339
 the assembly,

00:48:02.679 --> 00:48:03.399
 the gathering

00:48:03.399 --> 00:48:05.099
 of God's people.

00:48:06.199 --> 00:48:07.159
 And I pray

00:48:07.159 --> 00:48:08.039
 that we would be

00:48:08.039 --> 00:48:08.779
 a people who are

00:48:08.779 --> 00:48:09.639
 hungry for Him,

00:48:11.000 --> 00:48:11.719
 who are filled

00:48:11.719 --> 00:48:12.339
 with His Spirit,

00:48:13.359 --> 00:48:14.460
 reliant on His Word.

00:48:16.440 --> 00:48:17.500
 And then He can take us

00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:18.419
 wherever He wants us

00:48:18.419 --> 00:48:18.679
 to go.

00:48:20.399 --> 00:48:21.039
 We're going to move

00:48:21.039 --> 00:48:21.919
 into a time of communion

00:48:21.919 --> 00:48:22.659
 and then a final

00:48:22.659 --> 00:48:23.460
 response song now.

00:48:23.460 --> 00:48:25.400
 I want to invite you.

00:48:25.860 --> 00:48:26.599
 I've said a lot,

00:48:27.420 --> 00:48:30.360
 but I feel as though

00:48:30.360 --> 00:48:31.139
 there might be one thing,

00:48:31.260 --> 00:48:32.019
 and this is where you

00:48:32.019 --> 00:48:33.679
 now have to talk to God,

00:48:33.940 --> 00:48:34.679
 talk to the Holy Spirit

00:48:34.679 --> 00:48:34.960
 in case,

00:48:35.019 --> 00:48:35.840
 what's the one thing

00:48:35.840 --> 00:48:36.659
 you want me to retain

00:48:36.659 --> 00:48:37.260
 from this?

00:48:38.840 --> 00:48:39.519
 How do you want me

00:48:39.519 --> 00:48:40.019
 to respond?

00:48:40.199 --> 00:48:40.720
 What's the one thing

00:48:40.720 --> 00:48:41.480
 that really stands out

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:41.740
 to me,

00:48:41.800 --> 00:48:42.220
 Holy Spirit,

00:48:42.280 --> 00:48:43.059
 what are you impressing

00:48:43.059 --> 00:48:43.740
 onto my heart?

00:48:44.360 --> 00:48:46.000
 Before we take the elements,

00:48:46.099 --> 00:48:47.000
 I invite you just to spend

00:48:47.000 --> 00:48:47.860
 a moment of reflection.

00:48:49.460 --> 00:48:50.119
 And the question

00:48:50.119 --> 00:48:51.079
 might be super simple.

00:48:51.079 --> 00:48:52.059
 It might simply be,

00:48:52.400 --> 00:48:52.599
 Jesus,

00:48:53.239 --> 00:48:55.019
 what are you saying

00:48:55.019 --> 00:48:55.319
 to me?

00:48:57.440 --> 00:48:57.799
 Jesus,

00:48:58.380 --> 00:48:59.719
 what are you saying

00:48:59.719 --> 00:49:00.019
 to me?

00:49:00.819 --> 00:49:01.920
 I invite you to ask

00:49:01.920 --> 00:49:03.000
 that question of yourself

00:49:03.000 --> 00:49:05.319
 and then we'll take

00:49:05.319 --> 00:49:07.000
 the bread and the wine.

00:49:07.000 --> 00:49:20.880
 so God,

00:49:20.920 --> 00:49:21.300
 we pray,

00:49:22.900 --> 00:49:24.440
 come and fill us.

00:49:28.039 --> 00:49:29.980
 Come and fill us here today.

00:49:34.199 --> 00:49:35.719
 Disrupt our lives,

00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:40.379
 point us towards you,

00:49:40.539 --> 00:49:40.779
 Father.

00:49:43.779 --> 00:49:45.959
 That as we go from here today,

00:49:46.779 --> 00:49:49.279
 that our lives would be

00:49:49.279 --> 00:49:50.659
 glorifying to you

00:49:50.659 --> 00:49:52.159
 in all that we do.

00:49:54.579 --> 00:49:55.719
 That our hearts wouldn't be

00:49:55.719 --> 00:49:56.899
 to glorify ourselves,

00:49:57.419 --> 00:50:00.599
 but in all that we say

00:50:00.599 --> 00:50:01.419
 and think and do,

00:50:01.659 --> 00:50:01.839
 Father,

00:50:02.779 --> 00:50:03.319
 that it would be

00:50:03.319 --> 00:50:04.459
 to glorify you.

00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:07.739
 and praise you

00:50:07.739 --> 00:50:08.739
 with all that you have

00:50:08.739 --> 00:50:09.379
 given us.

00:50:11.039 --> 00:50:12.219
 In your name we pray.

00:50:13.359 --> 00:50:13.799
 Amen.

00:50:13.799 --> 00:50:13.959
 Amen.

00:50:14.779 --> 00:50:15.259
 Amen.