WEBVTT

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 My original plan for this morning was to preach Matthew chapter 6 and verse 1.

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! That's not a typo on your bulletin.

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!

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 It felt really just really horrible.

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 I'm improving now and I'm certainly glad to be with you.

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 I wasn't actually sure I was going to be here.

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 That's why Mr. Jeff led this morning.

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 I gave up talking about Calvin because I just wasn't sure if I was going to get to be here.

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 As a small addition, I know that some of you hearing the name John Calvin in church,

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 the hairs on the back of your neck might have bristled.

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 A little bit.

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 Sadly, in a lot of circles, John Calvin gets a bad rap.

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 Some would say, because of his theology, that he would have been anti-mission.

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 But in fact, the school that he led in Geneva became known as Calvin's School of Death

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 because young men who came to train there were so compelled by the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

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 they went home to the places that they were from.

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 And most of them were martyred within a year.

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 There's a great deal of missionary zeal that came out of Calvin's work and teaching amongst those men.

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 So I didn't think I was going to get to be here.

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 I wasn't sure.

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 Very glad to be with you.

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 But I didn't really believe myself nearly prepared enough to begin Matthew chapter 6.

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 So today I've dusted off some old notes, made some revisions to them,

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 because I want to give you a clear picture of why Christ Family Church exists.

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 And I'll have you know that I had no idea that Jordan was going to lead us in that song

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 before selecting this text for this morning.

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 My prayer for this morning is that our time will be informative for you if you are new to our fellowship.

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 It is our great desire to connect you to Christ and to his church.

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 And if you are not new to our fellowship, that you will be reminded why the church gathers and why the church goes.

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 Now the vision statement for Christ Family Church is as follows.

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 I hope it's become familiar to you.

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 Christ Family Church exists to glorify God by experiencing, proclaiming,

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 and displaying the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things to all peoples.

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 Now, when we talk about vision statement, we're simply saying this is the purpose for which our church,

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 and I would contend that all churches exist.

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 I don't mean by this that I fell asleep one night and woke up with this statement in my mind.

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 I don't think this is a unique thing to our fellowship,

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 but it's a way to speak about why it is that we are called together as a people for God's praise.

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 And it is based largely from Colossians chapter 1, verses 15 through 20,

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 which we're going to read together now.

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 Before I read the text, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for His glory and our good.

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 And as such, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 In Colossians chapter 1, beginning in verse 15.

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 Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

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 For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

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 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.

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 All things were created through Him and for Him.

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 And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

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 And He is the head of the body, the church.

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 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

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 that in everything He might be preeminent.

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 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

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 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things,

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 whether on earth or in heaven,

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 making peace by the blood of His cross.

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 Now, every part of God's word gives testimony about Jesus Christ.

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 In Luke chapter 24 and verse 27, we can read the account of Jesus' appearance to two of the disciples after His resurrection,

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 where Luke records for us,

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 and beginning with Moses and all the prophets,

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 He, Jesus, interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

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 In John chapter 5, verse 39, Jesus says of the Scriptures,

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 It is they that bear witness about Me.

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 But of all the Bible's teaching concerning Jesus,

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 perhaps none is more significant than the text before us today.

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 You see, beloved, the reality of who Jesus is demands our affections and our obedience.

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 Because if we say that we are disciples of Jesus Christ,

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 we are not saying that we are following a mere man,

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 but God Himself.

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 And we have a great confidence in claiming Christ as our teacher,

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 because the reality of who Jesus is makes sure the promises of God.

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 Paul writes in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 20,

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 For all the promises of God find their yes in Jesus Christ.

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 That is why it is through Him that we utter our amen to God for His glory.

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 It is important to know that verses 15 through 18 of this morning's text

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 are thought to be a cosmic, Christological hymn.

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 Many scholars believe that Paul is citing a modern hymn of his day

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 or a modern confession of his day.

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 There are many interesting arguments to this point,

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 but I will not bore you with my explanation of them.

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 They consist primarily of sentence structure comparison.

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 But the case is made that what he is doing is citing something that was common in their day.

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 Even more important to know is the focus of this cosmic, Christological hymn.

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 And that focus is the preeminence, or we could say, the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

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 Last half of verse 18.

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 That in everything He might be preeminent.

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 Which means to be supreme or to be first in all things.

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 Above all else.

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 That's what it means to be preeminent.

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 Paul also states this reality in Philippians chapter 2 verses 9 through 11 where he wrote,

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 God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.

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 So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

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 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

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 To the glory of God the Father.

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 So according to Paul, Christ is first in all things.

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 He is preeminent or supreme.

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 But how should we consider the truths contained within this text concerning the preeminence of Christ?

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 You may already be going, okay, great.

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 Of what importance is that to me today?

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 The Puritan John Owen wrote in his book entitled,

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 The Glory of Christ the Following.

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 The revelation made of Christ in the blessed gospel is far more excellent,

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 more glorious,

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 more filled with rays of divine wisdom and goodness

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 that the whole creation and the just comprehension of it,

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 if attainable, can contain or afford.

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 Without this knowledge,

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 the mind of man,

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 priding itself in other inventions and discoveries,

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 is wrapped up in darkness and confusion.

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 This, therefore, deserves the severest of our thoughts,

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 the best of our meditations,

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 and our utmost diligence in them.

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 For if our future blessedness shall consist in living where he is

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 and beholding his glory,

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 what better preparation can there be for it

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 than a constant previous contemplation of that glory

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 as revealed in the gospel,

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 that by a view of it we may be gradually transformed

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 into the same glory.

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 The Christian eternity will be filled with the wonderment of Christ.

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 So we should seek to know him now,

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 that he might be exalted in our minds and in our lives.

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 You could say that we need to rightly understand the supremacy of Jesus Christ

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 so that we would experience,

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 proclaim,

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 and display his excellencies in all things to all peoples.

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 What we think about Jesus Christ

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 is going to influence everything else that we do.

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 Let me then encourage a constant previous contemplation.

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 And to help you do so,

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 let us consider the text together in the following structure.

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 So number one, this is the outline for our text,

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 and I'll go back through it with great care.

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 Number one, Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is God.

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 We see this in verses 15 and verse 19.

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 Secondly, Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is the Lord of the universe.

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 Verses 16 and 17.

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 Third, Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is the head of the church.

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 Verse 18.

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 And fourth,

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 Jesus Christ is preeminent because of his redemptive work.

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 Verse 20.

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 So firstly,

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 Jesus Christ is preeminent because he is God.

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 Verse 15,

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 Paul writes,

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 He is the image of the invisible God,

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 the firstborn of all creation.

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 Paul says that by looking at Jesus,

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 we see an image of God.

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 The Greek word here is icon.

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 Image or likeness.

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 We're familiar with this term in our day.

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 Something that represents something else.

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 The scriptures refer to man as the icon of God.

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 But we are not perfectly so.

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 Much like a shattered piece of glass returns a poor reflection,

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 so it is with us.

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 Jesus, however,

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 is both the perfect representation and the perfect manifestation of God.

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 The man without sin.

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 Created in God's likeness.

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 Hebrews chapter 1,

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 the first half of verse 3 tells us

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 that Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God

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 and the exact imprint,

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 or the Greek word we get facsimile from,

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 the exact facsimile of his nature.

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 Christ shines forth God's attributes

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 as the sun gives light and heat to the earth.

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 Jesus is himself God.

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 John chapter 1 and verse 1,

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 in the beginning was the Word,

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 and the Word was with God,

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 and the Word was God.

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 So as we behold Jesus Christ,

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 we behold God the Father.

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 Paul proceeds to describe Jesus as the firstborn.

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 And the Greek word here can mean simply firstborn.

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 It can have a chronological in the family meaning to it.

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 But it is most commonly used to refer to someone's position or their rank.

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 From the Arians of the early church to the Jehovah's Witnesses of our day,

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 those who seek to repudiate the deity of Jesus Christ

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 refer to this phrase in Colossians chapter 1.

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 But they fail completely to note its context.

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 They fail to note the following two verses

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 in which Paul represents Jesus as the Lord of the universe,

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 specifically verse 17,

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 and he is before all things.

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 He was not created.

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 Jesus himself is the creator.

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 And verse 19,

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 for in him all the fullness of God

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 was pleased to dwell.

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 So Jesus Christ is preeminent

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 before all things created,

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 and in him all the fullness of God

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 was pleased to dwell.

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 Jesus is where all that could be known

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 or experienced of God is to be found.

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 This is why Jesus was able to say

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 in John chapter 14 and verse 9,

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 whoever has seen me

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 has seen the Father.

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 So, Jesus Christ

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 is preeminent

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 because he is

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 God.

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 Secondly,

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 Jesus Christ is preeminent

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 because he is the Lord

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 of the universe.

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 Verses 16 and 17

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 speak to this.

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 For by him all things were created

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 in heaven and on earth,

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 visible and invisible,

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 whether thrones or dominions

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 or rulers or authorities,

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 all things were created

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 through him

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 and for him.

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 And he is before all things,

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 and in him all things

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 hold together.

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 Jesus Christ

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 is supreme

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 as the creator

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 of all things.

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 That is everything

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 that we can see

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 and everything

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 that we cannot see.

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 They were all created

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 by Christ

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 and for Christ.

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 By him

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 and in service

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 to him.

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 This is an absolutely

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 magnificent thought

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 which should capture

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 our minds.

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 John confirms this

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 in John 1,

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 verse 3.

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 Speaking of Christ,

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 all things were made

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 through him

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 and without him

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 was not anything

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 made

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 that was made.

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 The entire universe

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 was created

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 by him

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 and for him.

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 In 2012,

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 a picture was released

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 that the Hubble Space Telescope

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 had captured

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 which was the farthest

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 ever view

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 into the universe.

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 A photo that reveals

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 thousands of galaxies,

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 billions of light years

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 away.

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 The picture,

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 which is called

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 Extreme Deep Field

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 or XDF

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 if you're googling it,

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 combines

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 ten years

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 of Hubble telescope

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 views

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 of one patch

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 of sky.

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 It is

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 absolutely

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 astounding.

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 It is

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 incredible

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 to look at

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 and to behold

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 and to imagine

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 the vastness

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 of the universe.

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 I really encourage you

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 to look it up

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 and have your affections

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 turned

00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:49.000
 to the one

00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:49.840
 who created

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.480
 the universe.

00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.480
 Psalmist writes

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.280
 in Psalm 19,

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.660
 1,

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.360
 the heavens

00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.879
 declare the glory

00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.520
 of God

00:16:57.520 --> 00:16:58.820
 and the skies

00:16:58.820 --> 00:16:59.360
 above

00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.920
 proclaim

00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:02.139
 his handiwork.

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.500
 We can now

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.240
 see that

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.339
 with technology

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.539
 louder

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.660
 than ever

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.500
 before.

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.480
 There is a

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.039
 greater

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.279
 proclamation

00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.720
 of Jesus'

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.680
 supremacy

00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.220
 as we look up

00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.559
 to the universe

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.379
 that he

00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.759
 created.

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.799
 It was created

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.519
 by him

00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.339
 and it was

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.259
 created

00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:24.139
 for him.

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.619
 Jesus Christ

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.500
 is preeminent

00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.440
 as he was

00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.839
 before all

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.460
 things.

00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:29.859
 The beginning

00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:31.939
 of verse 17.

00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.779
 Jesus says

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.299
 to the Jews

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.240
 in John 8,

00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.299
 verse 58,

00:17:36.859 --> 00:17:37.039
 Truly,

00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:37.339
 truly,

00:17:37.459 --> 00:17:38.219
 I say to you

00:17:38.219 --> 00:17:39.259
 before Abraham

00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.299
 was,

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:42.019
 I am.

00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:43.479
 And he's there

00:17:43.479 --> 00:17:44.559
 referencing Exodus

00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.159
 chapter 3,

00:17:45.219 --> 00:17:46.139
 verse 14,

00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:47.439
 where God

00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:48.240
 said to Moses,

00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.519
 I am

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:51.179
 who I am.

00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.539
 Jesus had

00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.500
 no beginning

00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.179
 and he has

00:17:56.179 --> 00:17:57.439
 no end.

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.719
 He has

00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.240
 no origin,

00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.500
 but he is

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.440
 the originator

00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.620
 of all

00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.980
 things.

00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.319
 So he is

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.819
 preeminent

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.420
 as he was

00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.200
 before all

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.720
 things.

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.180
 And he is

00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.240
 preeminent

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.920
 as the

00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.900
 sustainer

00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.400
 of all

00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:13.799
 things.

00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.299
 Not only

00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:14.779
 creator,

00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.360
 but also

00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.400
 the sustainer

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:16.839
 of all

00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:17.220
 things.

00:18:17.360 --> 00:18:17.660
 The last

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.019
 part of

00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.799
 verse 17,

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.039
 Paul writes,

00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:21.519
 and in

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.519
 him all

00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:23.259
 things

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.140
 hold

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.200
 together.

00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.700
 The writer

00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.120
 of Hebrews

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.659
 says in

00:18:27.659 --> 00:18:28.379
 chapter 1,

00:18:28.419 --> 00:18:29.319
 verse 3,

00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:30.459
 he upholds

00:18:30.459 --> 00:18:31.199
 the universe

00:18:31.199 --> 00:18:32.419
 by the

00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:33.699
 word of

00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.399
 his power.

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.199
 Not only

00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:36.500
 were all

00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.939
 things created

00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.539
 by him

00:18:37.539 --> 00:18:38.079
 and set

00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.879
 into motion

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.579
 by him,

00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.339
 but all

00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.219
 things are

00:18:41.219 --> 00:18:41.839
 also

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.000
 sustained

00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.199
 by him.

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:44.939
 Everything

00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:46.059
 stays in

00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.019
 its sway

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.000
 by the

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.299
 mighty

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.839
 word

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.939
 of Jesus

00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:50.799
 Christ.

00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.619
 Everything

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:52.899
 in the

00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.199
 universe,

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.259
 as far as

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.699
 we know,

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.179
 at least,

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.759
 is made

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:57.100
 of atoms,

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.400
 protons,

00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.180
 electrons,

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.640
 neutrons,

00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:02.120
 protons and

00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:02.560
 neutrons

00:19:02.560 --> 00:19:03.039
 packed into

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.500
 a nucleus,

00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.220
 electrons

00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.840
 whirling

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.480
 about the

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.759
 outer edge.

00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.019
 I've told

00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.420
 you everything

00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.039
 I now know

00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.140
 about atoms.

00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.000
 Scientists

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.779
 have labored

00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.120
 over the

00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.160
 past century

00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.920
 to explain

00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.340
 away the

00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:17.799
 existence

00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.620
 of God,

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:19.720
 but they

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.160
 have failed

00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:20.700
 to explain

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.240
 how it is

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:21.519
 that the

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.560
 atom remains

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.139
 in its

00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.879
 orbital

00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:25.379
 state.

00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.599
 Carl K.

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.299
 Darrow,

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:29.159
 a physicist,

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:29.919
 is cited

00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:30.359
 in a book

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.879
 entitled

00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.759
 The Atom

00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.700
 Speaks

00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.980
 in reference

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.359
 to what

00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:34.819
 scientists

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.559
 are calling

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.759
 the strong

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.579
 nuclear

00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.859
 force.

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.679
 He writes,

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.220
 do you

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.960
 grasp what

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.019
 this implies?

00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.139
 It implies

00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.419
 that all

00:19:45.419 --> 00:19:45.839
 the nuclei

00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.599
 have no

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.139
 right to

00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:47.659
 be alive

00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.139
 at all.

00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.139
 Instead,

00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.559
 they should

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.139
 never have

00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.819
 been created

00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.200
 and if

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.599
 created,

00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:51.919
 they should

00:19:51.919 --> 00:19:52.419
 have blown

00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.399
 up instantly.

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.699
 Yet here

00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.119
 they all

00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.619
 are.

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.459
 Some

00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.459
 inflexible

00:19:57.459 --> 00:19:58.240
 inhibition

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.779
 is holding

00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.679
 them relentlessly

00:19:59.679 --> 00:20:00.259
 together.

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.619
 The nature

00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.019
 of the

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.439
 inhibition

00:20:02.439 --> 00:20:03.259
 is also

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.219
 a secret,

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:06.019
 one thus

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.579
 far

00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.439
 reserved

00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:08.799
 by nature

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:10.139
 herself.

00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.579
 Science

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.259
 hasn't

00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.699
 answered

00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:15.539
 this question

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.439
 of what

00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:17.319
 the strong

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:17.959
 nuclear

00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:18.659
 force

00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:20.099
 is.

00:20:20.459 --> 00:20:20.939
 Here this

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.240
 physicist

00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.620
 says,

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:21.940
 it's

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.700
 impossible.

00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:23.860
 It's

00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.460
 impossible

00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:24.920
 that the

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.279
 world

00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.900
 exists

00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.620
 that is

00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.019
 bound

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:27.519
 together

00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.620
 in this

00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:28.980
 way.

00:20:29.100 --> 00:20:29.600
 It's

00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:29.980
 nature

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.620
 that holds

00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.720
 the secret

00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.240
 and we're

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.920
 working to

00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:34.019
 figure it

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.100
 out.

00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.380
 Science

00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.700
 has yet

00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.120
 to answer

00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.420
 this

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:37.920
 question,

00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:38.600
 but the

00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.200
 Bible

00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.559
 has.

00:20:41.320 --> 00:20:41.820
 Paul,

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.200
 under the

00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.700
 inspiration

00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.600
 of the

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.039
 Spirit,

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.000
 tells us

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.160
 exactly how

00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.799
 this happens.

00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.799
 He tells

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.200
 us that

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.379
 the

00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:49.019
 strong

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.639
 nuclear

00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.899
 force

00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.819
 is

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.099
 Jesus

00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.759
 Christ

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.519
 and the

00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.039
 word

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.899
 of his

00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.339
 power.

00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.480
 This is

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.119
 incredible.

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.019
 The very

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.399
 thing

00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:59.000
 holding us

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.779
 all together

00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.559
 right now

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.399
 and flying

00:21:01.399 --> 00:21:02.259
 off into

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.720
 pieces

00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.460
 all over

00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.019
 the place

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.980
 is the

00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.240
 mighty

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.779
 power

00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.940
 of Jesus

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.159
 Christ's

00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.480
 word.

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.720
 Jesus has

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.039
 said,

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.799
 be this

00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.279
 way,

00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.720
 orbit in

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.019
 this

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.659
 fashion,

00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.019
 bond in

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.420
 these

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:15.960
 pairs,

00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.139
 and it

00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:17.839
 will not

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.160
 cease

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.619
 happening

00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.079
 in that

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.400
 way

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:19.920
 until he

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.379
 says,

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.259
 stop.

00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.500
 It's

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:22.920
 astounding.

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.639
 So,

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.059
 number one,

00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:25.559
 Jesus Christ

00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:25.960
 is preeminent

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:26.400
 because he

00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.039
 is God.

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.099
 Number two,

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.639
 Jesus Christ

00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:29.200
 is preeminent

00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.779
 because he

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.119
 is the

00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:31.480
 Lord of

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.980
 the universe.

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:32.879
 He made

00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.299
 it and it

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.619
 exists for

00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.740
 him and

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.359
 his praise.

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.139
 Third,

00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.759
 Jesus Christ

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.460
 is preeminent

00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.639
 because he

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:41.920
 is the

00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:43.000
 head of

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.379
 the church.

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.639
 And we

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:43.960
 see this

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.339
 in verse

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:46.000
 18.

00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.299
 Paul writes,

00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:48.480
 and he

00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.720
 is the

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:48.980
 head of

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.459
 the body,

00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.379
 the church.

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.339
 He is

00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.859
 the beginning,

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.480
 the first

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.099
 born from

00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.519
 the dead,

00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:53.839
 that in

00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.919
 everything he

00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.859
 might be

00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.459
 preeminent.

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.500
 So,

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.119
 he is the

00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.919
 head of

00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.339
 the body.

00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.559
 There are

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.099
 many metaphors

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.359
 in the New

00:22:02.359 --> 00:22:02.659
 Testament

00:22:02.659 --> 00:22:03.199
 used to

00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:04.399
 describe the

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.779
 church.

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.559
 It is

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.980
 called a

00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.459
 family,

00:22:06.699 --> 00:22:07.559
 a kingdom,

00:22:08.199 --> 00:22:09.059
 a vineyard,

00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.879
 a flock,

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.799
 a building,

00:22:10.959 --> 00:22:11.439
 and a

00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.059
 bride.

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.619
 But none

00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:13.919
 is more

00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.220
 helpful,

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.939
 an understanding

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.339
 of its

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:16.079
 form and

00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:16.779
 function than

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.319
 that of a

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.899
 body made

00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.439
 of many

00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.720
 parts with

00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.500
 Jesus Christ

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.399
 as the

00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:21.679
 head.

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.439
 This metaphor

00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.139
 helps us to

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.500
 see the

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.639
 church as

00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.240
 a living

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.159
 organism,

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.559
 inseparably

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.279
 tied together

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.439
 with life and

00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.740
 mission by

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.199
 the living

00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:33.079
 Christ.

00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.519
 This thing

00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:34.959
 does not

00:22:34.959 --> 00:22:35.879
 exist apart

00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.519
 from Jesus

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.639
 as its

00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.619
 head.

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.059
 He gives

00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:39.419
 it its

00:22:39.419 --> 00:22:39.980
 life and

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.319
 he gives

00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:40.839
 it its

00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.759
 mission.

00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:43.160
 He controls

00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.940
 every part

00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.220
 of it.

00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.799
 He coordinates

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.480
 together the

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.420
 diversity of

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.359
 gifting and

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.400
 ministry for

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.960
 the sake of

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.480
 his name.

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.259
 Jesus does

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.420
 not merely

00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.740
 save the

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.279
 church, but

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:56.879
 he is the

00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:58.019
 head of the

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.559
 church also,

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.379
 giving it

00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:02.359
 life and

00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:02.900
 giving it

00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.440
 direction.

00:23:05.240 --> 00:23:05.980
 He's the

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.900
 head of the

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.220
 body.

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.220


00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.059
 He is the

00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.980
 beginning.

00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.620
 Jesus is the

00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.940
 originator of

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.279
 the church.

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.539
 He is the

00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.039
 beginning.

00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:17.799
 The Greek

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.579
 word here has

00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.360
 a two-fold

00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.740
 sense of

00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:22.000
 both source

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:24.059
 and primacy.

00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.460
 In Ephesians

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.500
 1, verse 4,

00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.100
 Paul states

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.539
 that God

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.759
 chose us in

00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.920
 him before

00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:31.120
 the foundation

00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.100
 of the

00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.559
 world.

00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:35.059
 He is its

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.240
 source and

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.039
 without him

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.779
 it does not

00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.379
 exist.

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.220
 Paul goes on

00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.159
 to say that

00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.700
 he is the

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.460
 firstborn from

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.339
 the dead.

00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.720
 And here we

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.579
 see that same

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.639
 Greek word for

00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:50.539
 firstborn that

00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.299
 speaks of

00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.960
 order,

00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.700
 order of

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.359
 progression.

00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.259
 And what he's

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.000
 saying here is

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.819
 not that,

00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.240
 because there

00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.639
 were certainly

00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.339
 those who were

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.079
 raised before

00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.539
 Jesus,

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.319
 Lazarus as an

00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.779
 example.

00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.159
 But what Paul

00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.920
 is saying is of

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.560
 all those who

00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.860
 have ever been

00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:09.019
 raised or will

00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.480
 ever be raised

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.240
 from the dead,

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.360
 he is of the

00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:15.140
 highest rank.

00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.279
 He is the

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.920
 most important,

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.140
 right, as the

00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:20.039
 source and the

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.920
 head of the

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.300
 church.

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.580
 He is

00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:23.980
 preeminent.

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.300
 So he's

00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:26.680
 preeminent

00:24:26.680 --> 00:24:27.200
 because he is

00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.100
 God, because he

00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:29.160
 is the Lord of

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.620
 the universe,

00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.480
 because he is

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.180
 the head of

00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:32.740
 the church.

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.080
 Fourth and

00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.960
 lastly, Jesus

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.460
 Christ is

00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.000
 preeminent

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.700
 because of

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.360
 his redemptive

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.120
 work.

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.160
 Verse 20,

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.920
 Paul says,

00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.340
 and through

00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:43.940
 him to

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.680
 reconcile to

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.500
 himself all

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.160
 things, whether

00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.900
 on earth or

00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.360
 in heaven,

00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.960
 making peace

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.319
 by the blood

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:50.980
 of his cross.

00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.660
 There are

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:54.420
 many ways in

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:54.819
 which our

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.600
 salvation is

00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.819
 explained in

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.259
 the scripture,

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.720
 and they are

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.259
 all wonderful

00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.720
 in their own

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.559
 right.

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.160
 We are

00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.380
 justified.

00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.360
 We once

00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:04.780
 stood before

00:25:04.780 --> 00:25:05.420
 God guilty

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.220
 and condemned,

00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:07.320
 but in

00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.060
 Jesus Christ

00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.600
 we are

00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.320
 declared

00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:10.980
 righteous.

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.120
 Not just

00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.860
 innocent, but

00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.500
 we're given

00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:15.020
 perfection in

00:25:15.020 --> 00:25:16.000
 Christ.

00:25:16.840 --> 00:25:17.500
 We are

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.080
 referred to

00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:19.100
 as forgiven.

00:25:19.520 --> 00:25:20.020
 We once

00:25:20.020 --> 00:25:20.420
 stood before

00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.000
 God as

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.160
 great debtors,

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.720
 but the debt

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.700
 has been paid

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.640
 by Jesus

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:26.740
 Christ and

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.580
 now forgotten.

00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.700
 Our sins

00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.060
 have been

00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:30.840
 cast as far

00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:31.400
 as the east

00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.580
 is to the

00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:32.960
 west.

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.780
 We are

00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.740
 described as

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.740
 adopted.

00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.700
 We once

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.400
 stood before

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.480
 God as

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.700
 strangers,

00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:43.300
 but in

00:25:43.300 --> 00:25:44.280
 Jesus Christ

00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:44.740
 we are

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.960
 made children

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.160
 of the

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:48.080
 Most High.

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.360
 We're

00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:48.960
 called

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.820
 His own

00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.140
 and made

00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:50.740
 part of

00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.000
 His family

00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.640
 with all

00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.140
 of the

00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:54.300
 rights and

00:25:54.300 --> 00:25:55.160
 rewards that

00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.500
 come with

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:55.760
 that.

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.640
 All those

00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:57.980
 things are

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.620
 wonderful,

00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.100
 beautiful

00:25:59.100 --> 00:25:59.660
 pictures of

00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:01.040
 our salvation,

00:26:01.260 --> 00:26:01.360
 but

00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.360
 reconciliation

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.240
 is one

00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:03.899
 of my

00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.799
 favorites of

00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.240
 these

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.559
 explanations.

00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.699
 Reconciliation.

00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:09.619
 We once

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.299
 stood before

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.639
 God as

00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.799
 His enemies,

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.879
 angrily

00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.759
 shaking our

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.899
 fist at

00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:17.899
 Him and

00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:18.479
 His ways,

00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:19.199
 wanting to

00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:19.699
 rule the

00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:20.439
 world for

00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:21.859
 ourselves,

00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.059
 thinking we

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.799
 even know

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.479
 how to do

00:26:24.479 --> 00:26:25.559
 such a

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:25.859
 thing.

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:27.859
 But in

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:29.199
 Jesus Christ

00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:30.219
 we are

00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:31.179
 made God's

00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:32.359
 friend.

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.559
 The Greek

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.159
 word for

00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:35.859
 reconcile

00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.479
 means to

00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:39.139
 change in

00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.399
 relationship.

00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:41.799
 So we

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.699
 receive

00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:45.179
 in salvation

00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:46.699
 this idea

00:26:46.699 --> 00:26:47.659
 of reconciliation,

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.719
 a change of

00:26:48.719 --> 00:26:49.519
 status.

00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.439
 We go from

00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.599
 enemies to

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.699
 friends.

00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.379
 It's a state

00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.200
 of being.

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.200
 It's who

00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.160
 we are.

00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:56.680
 And this is

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.360
 not conditioned

00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:58.480
 on what

00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.120
 we do,

00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.380
 but it's

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:00.960
 who we

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.720
 are because

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.620
 God has

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.920
 done it.

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.380
 Jesus has

00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.740
 reconciled us

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.440
 to God.

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.020
 And so now

00:27:10.020 --> 00:27:10.800
 those who

00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:11.260
 have been

00:27:11.260 --> 00:27:12.160
 reconciled,

00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:12.660
 because we

00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:13.280
 have new

00:27:13.280 --> 00:27:13.700
 identities,

00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.360
 we live

00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.180
 different.

00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:16.100
 But it's

00:27:16.100 --> 00:27:16.980
 that identity

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.440
 that changes

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.340
 the way we

00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.820
 live and

00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:20.540
 not the

00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.180
 other way

00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.060
 around.

00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.720
 Beloved,

00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.580
 we are not

00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:25.519
 different in

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.120
 degree.

00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.240
 Every other

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.000
 religion in

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.600
 the world

00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.180
 is teaching

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.900
 this.

00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.660
 Different in

00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.240
 degree.

00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.580
 A striving

00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:34.080
 for,

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.920
 a hoping to

00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.720
 be better

00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.360
 than,

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.700
 that we

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:36.960
 would be

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.380
 accepted.

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:38.900
 We are

00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.759
 different in

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.740
 type.

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.080
 That's a

00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.759
 wonderful,

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.720
 wonderful

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:45.320
 reality.

00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:46.980
 Paul wrote

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.279
 in Romans

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:47.840
 chapter 5

00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.360
 verse 10,

00:27:48.359 --> 00:28:03.319
 And Paul

00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:05.219
 says that

00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:05.779
 Jesus is

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.399
 reconciling

00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:07.299
 all things,

00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:07.799
 whether on

00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.579
 earth or

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.799
 in heaven.

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.039
 In Genesis

00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.619
 chapter 1

00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.079
 verse 3,

00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:13.559
 we see that

00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.219
 after the

00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:14.579
 world was

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.419
 created by

00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:16.240
 and for

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.699
 Christ,

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.079
 that it

00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.799
 was very

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.199
 good.

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.980
 All of

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.419
 this goodness

00:28:22.419 --> 00:28:23.359
 was marred

00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:24.899
 by man's

00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.619
 sin.

00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.519
 My wife

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.139
 weeded our

00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:28.879
 yard quite a

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.460
 bit yesterday.

00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.359
 That's a

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:31.240
 result of

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.759
 the corruption

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.559
 of creation.

00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:33.819
 That's part

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.960
 of sinfulness.

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.480
 Things don't

00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.939
 grow where

00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:36.500
 they're supposed

00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.980
 to grow

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:38.399
 any longer.

00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:39.480
 My not

00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.220
 feeling well

00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.740
 at the end

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.199
 of this

00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:41.859
 week was

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.559
 part of

00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:42.819
 this

00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.859
 cursedness

00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:44.480
 that exists

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.799
 in the

00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:46.139
 world.

00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.860
 But all

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.440
 of that

00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.100
 will one

00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:49.100
 day be

00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:50.420
 restored.

00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.060
 The

00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.580
 reconciliation

00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.940
 of mankind,

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.120
 although

00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:56.000
 primary,

00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.300
 most

00:28:57.300 --> 00:28:58.000
 importantly,

00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.900
 is just

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.460
 one aspect

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.180
 of Christ's

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.759
 restorative

00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.660
 work.

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.620
 And so we're

00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:04.060
 going to live

00:29:04.060 --> 00:29:04.680
 one day as

00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:05.100
 those who have

00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:05.660
 been reconciled

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.020
 to God

00:29:06.020 --> 00:29:06.700
 in Christ

00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.940
 in a world

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.960
 that will be

00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.960
 reconciled to

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.259
 God,

00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:10.820
 that will be

00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.700
 set straight

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:13.200
 all together.

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.000
 what a

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.860
 thing to

00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.620
 think about

00:29:15.620 --> 00:29:16.200
 and look

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.920
 forward

00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.340
 to.

00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.620
 And Paul

00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.019
 tells us

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.480
 that Jesus

00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.259
 did this

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.980
 by making

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.720
 peace by

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.160
 the blood

00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.340
 of his

00:29:26.340 --> 00:29:26.720
 cross.

00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:27.700
 Jesus'

00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.120
 death on

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.440
 the cross

00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:28.840
 was the

00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:29.559
 means by

00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:30.019
 which our

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.539
 reconciliation

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.500
 is made

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.600
 possible.

00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.680
 The wrath

00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.140
 of God

00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.819
 poured out

00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:35.559
 on Christ

00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:37.059
 in that

00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:37.920
 place.

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.180
 On the

00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.500
 cross,

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.160
 Jesus Christ

00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:41.019
 became the

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.500
 enemy of

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.859
 God,

00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.720
 and God

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.460
 justly

00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.200
 punished

00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.259
 him as

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.660
 such so

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.339
 that we

00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.079
 might be

00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.880
 reconciled

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:49.019
 to God.

00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.539
 Jesus Christ

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.519
 is preeminent

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.380
 because he

00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:53.880
 is God,

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.880
 because he

00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.180
 is the

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.539
 Lord of

00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:55.940
 the universe,

00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.500
 because he

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:56.779
 is the

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.240
 head of

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.680
 the church,

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.359
 and because

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.660
 of his

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.299
 redemptive

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.160
 work.

00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.019
 So what

00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.400
 does all

00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.460
 this have

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:04.859
 to do

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.720
 with the

00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.099
 existence

00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.079
 of Christ's

00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:07.279
 family

00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.680
 church?

00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.259
 Well,

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.720
 for all

00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:09.960
 of the

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.460
 aforementioned

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.039
 reasons,

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:12.640
 Jesus Christ

00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.359
 is of

00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.259
 highest

00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:15.039
 ranking

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.119
 and should

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.900
 be worshipped

00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:17.420
 as such,

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:17.960
 and this

00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.599
 is why

00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:19.240
 the church

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.859
 gathers,

00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.339
 and this

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.019
 is why

00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.160
 the church

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:24.240
 goes.

00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:25.839
 Whether

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.420
 or not

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.640
 you are

00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.160
 part of

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.759
 this church

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.819
 or ever

00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:30.000
 will be,

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.000
 you exist

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:33.039
 to glorify

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:34.119
 God by

00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.660
 experiencing,

00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.619
 proclaiming,

00:30:35.819 --> 00:30:36.339
 and displaying

00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.420
 the supremacy

00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.839
 of Jesus

00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:38.380
 Christ in

00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.160
 all things

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.180
 to all

00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.240
 peoples.

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.039
 those who

00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.460
 have been

00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.480
 reconciled by

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:44.960
 his death

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.220
 on the

00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.519
 cross

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.119
 rightly

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.819
 should

00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.599
 experience,

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.039
 proclaim,

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.559
 and display

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.160
 his supremacy

00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:49.960
 in all

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.839
 things to

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.339
 all peoples.

00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.740
 And this

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.240
 is not

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.400
 a burdensome

00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:55.319
 task because

00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.880
 Jesus Christ

00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:58.299
 is preeminent.

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.880
 We can

00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.940
 cast all of

00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.599
 our anxieties

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.480
 and fears,

00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.440
 our doubts,

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.420
 our troubles,

00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.859
 our depressions

00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:06.500
 on him.

00:31:06.500 --> 00:31:08.019
 because he

00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.579
 is preeminent

00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.240
 there is no

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.000
 situation that

00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:10.980
 escapes his

00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.440
 attention or

00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.579
 his power.

00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.559
 Because he

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.180
 is preeminent

00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.759
 there is no

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.779
 circumstance that

00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.720
 surprises him

00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.579
 or evades

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:21.000
 his providential

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.140
 control.

00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.839
 Because he

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.720
 is preeminent

00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:27.059
 he is our

00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.099
 confidence in

00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:29.720
 life and

00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.160
 death.

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.720
 And because he

00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.880
 is preeminent

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.420
 he is the

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.259
 reason we can

00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.220
 boldly share

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.360
 the good news

00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:36.600
 of his

00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:36.900
 kingdom.

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.960
 The reality

00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.400
 of who

00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.259
 Jesus is

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.319
 demands our

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.740
 affections and

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.900
 our obedience.

00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.420
 The reality

00:31:45.420 --> 00:31:46.140
 of who Jesus

00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.180
 is makes

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.200
 sure the

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.019
 promises of

00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.000
 God to

00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.360
 us.

00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:50.839
 So,

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:52.779
 let us be a

00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:54.220
 people who

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.079
 set ourselves

00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.240
 to a constant

00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.279
 previous

00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.839
 contemplation of

00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.600
 who Jesus

00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:01.279
 is as we

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.279
 await our

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:02.860
 future

00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:04.640
 blessedness.

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.339
 In closing,

00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:07.160
 let me remind

00:32:07.160 --> 00:32:08.200
 you of the

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.059
 words of

00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.500
 John Owen.

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.240
 This therefore

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.880
 deserves the

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.700
 severest of

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.279
 our thoughts,

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.779
 the best of

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.600
 our meditations,

00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.400
 and our

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:19.259
 utmost diligence

00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.559
 in them.

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.579
 Let's pray

00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:21.880
 together.

00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320


00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.320