WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.759 Well, good morning, church. We are looking this morning at the book of Colossians. That's page 924 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:14.919 ! As we launch out into a new academic year as a church, today we want to talk a little bit about what Trinity is all about. 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:26.420 Next week, we're going to start our kind of regular fall sermon series in the book of Ecclesiastes, where we'll talk about finding lasting joy in a fleeting world. 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:33.280 But today, we want to talk about what's at the center of everything we do as a church. 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:39.880 Maybe you're new, or maybe you've been coming to Trinity for a couple weeks or months this summer, or maybe you've been coming for some time. 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:45.140 Either way, today we want to come back to what's at the heart of our ministry and our life together as a church. 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:53.200 I've been told that when you're sailing, if your bearings are just a few degrees off when you leave the harbor, 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:57.400 eventually you can end up very far from where you want it to be. 00:00:58.440 --> 00:01:09.879 So, it's good to come back to the compass, to come back to the center and make sure that we're charting our course according to the right direction, 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:12.740 to make sure we're keeping the main thing the main thing. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:17.020 And to do that, we want to look at the book of Colossians today. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:20.619 Chapter 1, verses 3 through 20. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:26.420 So, as we look at Colossians 1, let me pray, and then I'll read our passage for us. 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:34.060 Father, we do long to praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in one. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:40.359 As we come to Your written Word, God, reveal to us again afresh the incarnate Word, Jesus, 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:44.719 who lived, died, rose again, and ascended for us and for our salvation. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:50.459 Spirit, come, help us to understand the things that we consider. 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:55.340 And as we go forth today out into the world that You've made and that You love, 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:59.459 would we not just understand these things, but would we live these things to Your glory? 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:02.579 We pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:06.799 All right, Paul writes this in Colossians 1, starting in verse 3. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.919 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for You. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:17.139 Since we heard of Your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that You have for all the saints, 00:02:17.619 --> 00:02:19.739 because the hope laid up for You in heaven. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:27.739 Of this You have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to You, 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:32.500 as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing, 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:41.419 as it also does among You since the day You heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:45.000 Just as You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:50.520 He is a faithful minister of Christ on Your behalf and has made known to us Your love in the Spirit. 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.719 And so, from the day we heard, we've not ceased to pray for You, 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:00.939 asking that You may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:05.860 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:10.539 bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:14.079 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:16.199 for all endurance and patience with joy, 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:20.460 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified You 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:23.360 to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.080 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:32.580 and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 00:03:33.040 --> 00:03:37.140 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:41.780 He is the image of the invisible God, 00:03:42.480 --> 00:03:44.240 the firstborn of all creation. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:47.840 For by Him all things were created, 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:51.200 in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:53.700 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, 00:03:53.860 --> 00:03:57.640 all things were created through Him and for Him. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.180 And He is before all things, 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:02.640 and in Him all things hold together. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.939 And He is the head of the body, the church. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:08.620 He is the beginning, 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:11.020 the firstborn from the dead, 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:14.140 that in everything He might be preeminent. 00:04:14.139 --> 00:04:18.099 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:23.500 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:26.620 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:31.620 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:36.459 So I wonder if you've ever considered that 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:42.360 everyone really lives with what we might call a center, 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:44.399 with a center of some kind. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:46.980 It's sort of the thing that makes your life tick. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:49.040 It's the thing that holds everything else together 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.019 and kind of gives it meaning. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:54.280 For some people, family is their center. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:56.340 That's what gives their life meaning and purpose. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:57.620 It's why they do what they do. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:04:59.319 It fuels them for what they do. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:04.199 For other people, public service is their center, 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:04.959 we might say, 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:06.719 whether through their work 00:05:06.719 --> 00:05:08.399 or through their volunteer involvement. 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:11.379 Trying to make the world a better place 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:12.439 is what centers them 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:15.240 and gives their life meaning and energy and direction. 00:05:16.899 --> 00:05:18.259 We could list a lot of other things. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.180 And if that's true for individuals, 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.939 it's also true for communities too. 00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:25.339 Communities often have something that centers them, 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:26.219 that unites them, 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:28.539 and energizes them, and defines them. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:33.000 And this is true of churches as well. 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:37.860 Churches will often have what we're calling a center, 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:41.240 something that unites and energizes and defines them. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:45.139 It's the thing that they tend to always talk about. 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:46.620 It's the thing they get excited about. 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:50.379 It's the thing they think is most worth pursuing and proclaiming. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:54.560 Now, when we turn to the New Testament, 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:56.699 especially when we turn to the New Testament epistles, 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:00.300 we start to see that for the apostles 00:06:00.300 --> 00:06:02.199 and for the early churches, 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:04.360 that they had a center. 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:08.920 And they were quite clear about the thing 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:11.959 that united and energized and defined them. 00:06:12.500 --> 00:06:15.079 There is something that they talk about all the time, 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:17.199 and there's something that they get excited about, 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.019 and there's something that they think is worth pursuing and proclaiming. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:22.959 What is it? 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:29.139 Well, it's what Paul calls in verse 5 of our passage, 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:30.699 the gospel, 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:35.039 which literally means good news. 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:41.540 At the heart of the church is good news. 00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:47.200 And the challenge to every generation of Christians, 00:06:47.320 --> 00:06:49.800 the invitation for every generation of Christians, 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.300 is to keep the church a place 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:56.660 where it is this message of good news 00:06:56.660 --> 00:06:59.879 that unites and energizes and defines us. 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:03.000 And on the other hand, 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:05.219 there's a temptation before every generation of Christians, 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.959 a temptation before every local church, 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:10.060 is to put something else in the center. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:14.620 Because often we're tempted to think that something else 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:16.480 and something more is needed 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:18.480 to energize the church 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:19.800 and to impact our communities 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:21.300 and to change people's lives. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.300 And most of the time, 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.600 the other things that we're tempted to kind of make central, 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:29.120 oftentimes they're good things. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:32.399 Things like social concern, 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:34.839 things like spiritual formation, 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:36.819 things like heartfelt worship, 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:40.159 things like authentic community. 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:43.740 The church always faces the temptation 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.959 to take any one of those good things 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:48.519 and push it to the center of their life, 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.860 to make it the main thing. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:55.540 But the same thing always happens 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:57.219 when we take a good thing 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:58.159 and make it the main thing. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:01.700 And what happens is the whole thing 00:08:01.700 --> 00:08:03.280 starts to shake 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:05.460 and get off balance. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:09.220 Community actually starts to fracture 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:12.780 and worship starts to become performative and hollow. 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:15.300 And spiritual formation starts to become 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.620 a burdensome task of self-improvement. 00:08:18.620 --> 00:08:20.180 And social concern 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:22.840 starts to become a power game 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:25.179 where the ends justify the means. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.899 And suddenly, 00:08:28.119 --> 00:08:31.299 the church doesn't look like the church at all. 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:35.839 And the church doesn't certainly sound 00:08:35.839 --> 00:08:40.600 or look like the bearer of good news. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:45.980 So let's look at what Paul says here 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:47.460 about the gospel 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:49.300 in Colossians chapter 1. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.379 And let's see how this gospel, 00:08:51.800 --> 00:08:52.540 this good news, 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:54.220 is worthy to be the center, 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.720 not just of our church, 00:08:55.800 --> 00:08:56.779 but of our lives. 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:00.279 And we're going to see two things here 00:09:00.279 --> 00:09:00.960 in Colossians 1. 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:02.820 First, we're going to see what the gospel does. 00:09:03.420 --> 00:09:04.080 And second, 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:05.920 we're going to see what the gospel declares. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:09.199 So let's go deeper into that first point, 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:09.879 which is this. 00:09:10.479 --> 00:09:12.879 Keep the gospel central in your life 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:16.599 because of what the gospel alone can do, 00:09:16.979 --> 00:09:19.459 because of what the gospel alone does. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:22.019 And what exactly does the gospel do? 00:09:22.339 --> 00:09:24.199 Well, look with me again at verses 3 through 6. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:27.199 And pay particular attention to verse 6 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:28.679 as I read this paragraph again. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:29.079 Paul says, 00:09:29.339 --> 00:09:30.219 We always thank God, 00:09:30.299 --> 00:09:31.659 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:09:31.719 --> 00:09:32.579 when we pray for you, 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.719 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:37.700 and of the love that you have for all the saints 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:39.920 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:43.160 Of this you've heard before in the word of truth, 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:44.160 the gospel, 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.460 which has come to you, 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.120 as indeed in the whole world 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:52.300 it is bearing fruit and increasing, 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:55.519 as it also does among you 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.980 since the day you heard it 00:09:57.980 --> 00:10:01.040 and understood the grace of God in truth. 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:03.240 Did you see there? 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:05.919 What does the gospel do, 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.519 according to verse 6? 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:10.639 Not just in the whole world, 00:10:10.759 --> 00:10:11.759 but among you. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:15.299 Paul says it's bearing fruit 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:16.799 and it's increasing. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.840 In other words, 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.960 the gospel is changing you 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:24.100 and it's changing others. 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:26.200 It's changing you. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:27.659 You're bearing fruit. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.820 And it's changing others. 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:30.820 It's increasing. 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:33.960 You see, for Paul 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:34.960 and for the rest of the New Testament, 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:35.640 the gospel, 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:37.180 it's like a seed 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:39.740 that goes down into the soil 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:41.940 and it starts growing. 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:45.560 It starts a dynamic of change 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:46.900 that's unstoppable. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:49.500 It's like a depth charge 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.540 dropped into the ocean 00:10:50.540 --> 00:10:51.960 that explodes 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:53.560 and sends its reverberations 00:10:53.560 --> 00:10:55.100 out in every direction. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:58.540 It starts to change your life 00:10:58.540 --> 00:11:00.440 and it starts to change 00:11:00.440 --> 00:11:02.379 the life of others around you. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.259 Many years ago, 00:11:05.300 --> 00:11:05.899 some friends of ours 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.960 planted a strawberry patch 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:08.740 in their backyard. 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:10.159 And at first, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.720 the kind of plants sprung up. 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:12.360 It was sort of cool 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.279 and they produced 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.759 these beautiful red berries. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.879 They started bearing fruit. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.259 But then they discovered 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.259 something kind of troublesome 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.040 for their garden 00:11:19.040 --> 00:11:19.879 and for their backyard. 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:21.680 It was that these strawberries 00:11:21.680 --> 00:11:22.639 had actually sent out 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.180 these runners, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:24.300 these shoots, 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:25.599 and they just went 00:11:25.599 --> 00:11:26.719 in every direction 00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:27.620 out from the garden 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:28.479 into the yard. 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:29.279 And suddenly, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.039 they had strawberries 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:31.439 growing in every direction. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.839 And you see, 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:37.599 that's true of the gospel, friends. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:39.000 We often think of the gospel 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:40.259 as merely just kind of 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:41.219 the starting point 00:11:41.219 --> 00:11:42.219 of the Christian life. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:43.079 We think of it 00:11:43.079 --> 00:11:43.879 as sort of like the thing 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.939 that gets you in the door. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:47.319 And then we start 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:48.240 to mistakenly think 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:48.719 that there are all 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:49.740 these other things 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:52.059 that are really going 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:52.759 to change us 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.839 and really going to change 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:54.500 the communities 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.759 that we're a part of. 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:56.560 We think the gospel 00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:57.660 is what beginners need, 00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:58.680 but the mature 00:11:58.680 --> 00:11:59.700 need something else. 00:12:00.280 --> 00:12:00.720 And in fact, 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:01.340 that's actually 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.340 what the book of Colossians 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:02.980 is all about. 00:12:04.280 --> 00:12:05.139 Paul is saying, 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:05.660 no, 00:12:07.160 --> 00:12:08.820 the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.820 is completely sufficient. 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.440 Don't think you have to 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:18.420 move beyond the gospel 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.860 to deeper things, 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.660 that there's some supplement 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.439 out there 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:23.539 that's just waiting 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.659 for you to find 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:25.620 that's really going 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.559 to unlock the key. 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.059 No, Paul says, 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.319 what is the thing 00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:36.139 that keeps bearing fruit 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.860 in the life 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:38.539 of this church in Colossae? 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.839 Paul says, 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:43.179 since the day you heard it, 00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:46.199 since the day you heard it, 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.939 the gospel's been 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:48.100 bearing fruit in your life. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:52.019 It's kept on being 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:53.659 that catalyst of growth. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:57.200 It's been said 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.060 that the gospel's 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.759 not just the ABCs 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.700 of the Christian life, 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.100 that you eventually 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.820 have to graduate 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:03.300 and move on 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.220 to bigger and better things. 00:13:04.340 --> 00:13:04.639 No, 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.200 the gospel's the A to Z 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.200 of the Christian life. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.240 It's the beginning 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:09.820 and middle 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.980 and end. 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:13.940 Is it simple enough 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:15.060 that a child 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.000 can understand it? 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.460 Yes! 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.559 But is it profound enough 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.899 that the human heart 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:25.120 will never reach its bottom? 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:27.519 Also, yes. 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:30.340 It's like the ocean. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.559 You know, 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:32.139 even a child 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.240 can splash in the waves 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:33.740 as those waves 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.200 come up onto the sand. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:37.000 And even a child 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.639 can thrill 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.179 in the beauty 00:13:38.179 --> 00:13:39.399 and power of the ocean. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.000 But ask 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:41.240 the most brilliant 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:42.279 marine biologist 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.399 or ask 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.579 the most accomplished 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.399 big wave surfer 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.579 if they have plumbed 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.179 the depths 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.100 of the ocean's 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:49.980 beauty and power 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.980 and what will they say? 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.639 No! 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:54.939 There's so much more 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:55.659 to discover. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.639 There's so much more 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:58.559 to unfold. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.059 Friends, 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:03.679 that is the good news 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:04.500 of Christianity. 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:08.199 The good news 00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:09.139 will never grow old 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:09.980 or lose its power. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:12.120 since the day 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.039 you hear it 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.460 and every day 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.539 onward for eternity 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.060 it will be the power 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:18.159 and beauty 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:19.039 that bears fruit 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:19.639 and increases 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.740 that changes you 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.279 changes everything. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.019 Consider the changes 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.759 that Paul talks about 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:27.000 right here in verses 4 and 5. 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:28.340 He talks about 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:29.500 faith in Christ. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.460 They have a new trust. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:33.080 He talks about 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.340 love for the saints. 00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.300 They have a new mission. 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:37.960 He talks about 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.120 hope in heaven. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.879 They have a new future. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:42.899 Can you think of 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:43.960 a more complete description 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.860 of the Christian life 00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.460 and faith 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.240 and hope 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.060 and love? 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.240 That is what the gospel 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.460 produces and grows. 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:52.320 And look at Paul's prayer 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.659 in verses 9 through 14. 00:14:54.200 --> 00:14:55.440 What does he ask for? 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.419 In essence, 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.779 he's asking that 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.580 these things 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.360 would continue 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.279 to increase. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.799 That what they heard 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.759 would fill them. 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.580 That the Holy Spirit 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:06.399 would allow them 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:07.379 to start plumbing 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.720 the depths of the gospel 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.960 and what it means 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.799 in their lives. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:11.980 And so, 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.179 when it comes to love, 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.439 Paul prays that they 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.159 would bear fruit 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.379 in every good work 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:17.179 and increase 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.399 in the knowledge of God. 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:21.059 And when it comes 00:15:21.059 --> 00:15:21.519 to faith, 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.120 he prays that they 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.399 would be strengthened 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:24.460 with all power 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.899 according to his glorious 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:27.419 might for all endurance 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.460 and patience 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.220 with joy. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.220 Because what do we need 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.179 in our faith in this life? 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.139 We need endurance 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.139 patience 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:35.299 and patience 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:35.919 with joy. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.240 And when it comes 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.679 to hope, 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.439 Paul prays that they 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.419 would give thanks 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.279 to the Father 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.840 who's qualified you 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.539 to share 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.799 in the inheritance 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.500 of the saints of light. 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.960 You see, friends, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.519 in the gospel, 00:15:50.659 --> 00:15:51.419 they had received 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:53.000 the whole thing. 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:55.240 Everything God 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:55.980 wanted to say, 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.399 everything God 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.319 wanted to impart 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.460 was right there. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:02.000 Now the rest 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.019 of the Christian life 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.580 is unpacking 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:05.800 that great gift. 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:08.379 It's a bit like 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.360 a child in the womb, 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.060 you know. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.220 From the moment 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.879 of conception, 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:13.340 all of that child's 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.379 genetic makeup 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.160 is present 00:16:15.160 --> 00:16:16.340 in that single cell. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:17.660 Nothing more 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:18.519 needs to be added. 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:20.400 They're fully alive. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.480 But oh, 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.300 how that child 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:24.740 in the womb 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.440 will grow 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.620 and change 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.560 and give rise 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:28.360 to beautiful, 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.879 wonderful life 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.000 in the womb 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.100 and out of the womb. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.039 Through the infant 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:35.300 and toddler years, 00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:36.779 through elementary school, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.980 through the teenage years 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.980 and into adulthood, 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:40.399 it was all right there, 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:41.840 right from the beginning. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.560 Everything needed 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.659 to become a mature 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.919 man or woman 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.659 biologically, 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.379 the whole message 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.279 was right there 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.720 in that single 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:52.860 fertilized embryo. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.500 It didn't look like much, 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.679 but it was teeming 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.340 with life. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.980 The gospel's 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.860 the same way. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.220 It's all there. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.920 Everything that will 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.299 bring you 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.380 to full maturity, 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.759 to the full glory 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.819 that God intends for you, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.319 it's all in the gospel message. 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.559 And oh, 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.240 how profound 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.140 the gospel is. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.619 The entire Bible 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.299 unpacks 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.180 and unfolds 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.819 this message, 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.319 and we will spend 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.400 eternity plumbing 00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.000 the depths 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.900 of its wonder. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:26.000 The apostle Peter 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.040 says in his first letter 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:27.600 that the things 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.140 of the gospel 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.120 are so wonderful 00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:30.140 and so profound 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.740 that they are things 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.860 into which even angels 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.660 long to look. 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:37.840 So we must keep 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:38.700 the gospel central 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.700 in our lives, friends. 00:17:39.820 --> 00:17:40.380 We must keep 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.180 the gospel central 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:41.880 in our church 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:43.580 because of what 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.440 the gospel alone 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.900 can do. 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.060 It is the thing 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:46.759 that bears fruit 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.320 and increases. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.040 It changes us, 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.280 and it changes everything. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:53.079 But of course, 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.440 that brings us 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.119 to our second point, 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.359 right? 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.839 We must keep 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.680 the gospel central 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.579 in our lives 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.680 because of what 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.940 the gospel declares. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.240 Because at this point, 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:02.980 we have to ask, 00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.359 how does the gospel 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.200 do what it does? 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:06.460 If it is this wonderful, 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.139 productive, 00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:08.539 explosive thing, 00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:10.920 how does it do that? 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.259 Why is the gospel 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.019 alone the thing 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.720 that will bear fruit 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.180 in our lives 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.759 and increase? 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.299 Well, let's return 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.980 to verse 6. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.240 Again, Paul says, 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.900 the gospel has come 00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.660 to you as indeed 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.339 in the whole world 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.259 it's bearing fruit 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.880 and increasing 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:25.140 as it also does 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:25.759 among you 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.680 since the day 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:27.319 you heard it 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.900 and understood. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.180 Understood what? 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.680 What is it 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.440 that the Colossians 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:35.400 heard and finally 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:36.960 understood in the gospel? 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.640 What was the message? 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.740 What was the good news 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.259 that produced 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.980 such radical, 00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:43.339 ongoing change? 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.220 Since the day 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.759 you heard it 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.400 and understood 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:50.259 the grace of God 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.259 in truth. 00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:54.880 The grace of God 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:56.340 in truth. 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.200 That's what the gospel 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:01.560 and the gospel alone 00:19:01.560 --> 00:19:02.900 declares. 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:05.420 The grace of God 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.800 in truth. 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.160 Brothers and sisters, 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.920 at the end of the day, 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:12.880 do you know what produces 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.280 authentic community? 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:17.279 Do you want to know 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.059 what ignites 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:19.139 passionate worship? 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.500 Do you know 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.299 what motivates 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.339 and energizes 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.619 social concern 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.220 and creative 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.440 long-term love 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.180 for neighbors 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.799 and communities 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.299 and cities? 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.420 Do you know 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.960 what the heartbeat 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.200 of real spiritual 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.420 formation is? 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.879 It's the grace 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:38.500 of God 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.619 in truth. 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:43.019 Friends, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.439 the good news 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:43.819 at the heart 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:44.419 of Christianity 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.539 brings you 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:46.739 face-to-face 00:19:46.739 --> 00:19:47.659 with the grace 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.239 of God 00:19:48.239 --> 00:19:49.239 in truth. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.779 And how does it 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.239 do that? 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.859 It does that 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.439 because the good news 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:58.399 at the heart 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.099 of Christianity 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:00.359 brings you 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.199 face-to-face 00:20:01.199 --> 00:20:02.639 with the person 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.419 and work 00:20:03.419 --> 00:20:04.599 of Jesus Christ. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:07.679 who is this 00:20:07.679 --> 00:20:08.059 Jesus? 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.159 Read the Gospels 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:11.759 for yourself. 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:13.500 Do you see 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.899 Him there 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:15.419 calming storms 00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:16.959 and healing 00:20:16.959 --> 00:20:17.500 the sick 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.939 and giving sight 00:20:18.939 --> 00:20:19.579 to the blind? 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:21.759 What are we 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.179 to make 00:20:22.179 --> 00:20:22.579 of these 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.279 historical accounts 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.000 about Jesus, 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:27.439 these miraculous 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:28.399 things that the 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.359 historical records 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:30.179 testify to? 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.379 What are we 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:31.699 to make 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.240 of all that? 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:34.819 simply this, 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.319 that in Jesus 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.920 the Creator 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:41.000 has entered 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.799 His creation. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.220 And when it 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.660 seemed like 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.400 the waves 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.880 of brokenness 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.380 and sin 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.980 and darkness 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.400 had all but 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.120 overcome 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:51.299 God's good creation, 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.059 when it seemed 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:53.099 like the curse 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.599 of sin 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.640 had won 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:56.279 and that creation 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.559 was a lost 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.420 project 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.799 destined for 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.519 failure and 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.079 destruction, 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.179 salvation, 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.619 God 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:05.339 stepped in 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:07.939 to rescue 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:09.299 the creation 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.079 He loved, 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.480 to heal it, 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.220 to restore it, 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.720 to put things 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.159 right. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:20.279 Who else 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.059 could calm 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.939 the storms 00:21:21.939 --> 00:21:23.539 other than 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:23.960 the One 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.699 who had created 00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:25.299 the seas? 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.460 Who else 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.119 could restore 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.000 sight to the blind 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.599 but the One 00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.439 who separated 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:31.319 light from 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:31.699 darkness 00:21:31.699 --> 00:21:32.259 in the beginning 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.759 and called 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.179 it good? 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.559 Who else 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:35.959 could bring 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:36.539 the dead 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.740 back to life 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.500 but the One 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.019 who was the 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.879 author of life 00:21:40.879 --> 00:21:41.379 itself? 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:46.259 In verse 15 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.879 of our passage, 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.740 Paul says that 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.659 Jesus is the image 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.279 of the invisible 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.799 God, 00:21:51.459 --> 00:21:52.399 the firstborn 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.279 of all creation. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.879 For by Him 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.819 all things 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.519 were created 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.019 in heaven 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.940 and on earth, 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:58.940 visible and 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.379 invisible, 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.539 whether thrones 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.099 or dominions 00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:01.500 or rulers 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.079 or authorities, 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.039 all things 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.579 were created 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.339 through Him 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:05.700 and for Him. 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.420 And He's 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.619 before all things 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:10.160 and in Him 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.740 all things 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.519 hold together. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:16.180 now we can 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.879 often trip 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.359 over that word 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.119 firstborn, 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.700 can't we? 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.319 But what did 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.379 this rightful 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.740 owner of 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.420 everything 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:24.240 do 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.859 when He 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.720 came to 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.039 earth? 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:29.779 Imagine you 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.059 had made 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.500 the world, 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:32.940 you know, 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:35.099 and the whole 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.940 thing was being 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:38.420 totally messed up 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.879 and going to 00:22:38.879 --> 00:22:39.500 smash 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.440 because of 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:41.519 the people 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:41.819 you had 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.099 made in 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.339 the middle 00:22:42.339 --> 00:22:42.640 of it. 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.339 What would 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.619 you do 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:45.880 when you 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.460 came back 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.900 to earth? 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.400 What did 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:50.940 Jesus do? 00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.119 Did He 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:53.740 calm storms 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.039 and heal 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.420 the sick 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:54.759 and raise 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.079 the dead 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.359 and then 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.980 seize power 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.500 and crush 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:56.920 His enemies? 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.119 Did He 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.779 hit the reset 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.180 button 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.059 and just 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.859 blank it out 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:04.599 like we used 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:04.940 to do on 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.180 our old 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.759 Nintendos 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.099 when things 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.380 were going 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:06.619 bad? 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:06.839 You just 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.299 hit the reset 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:07.579 button. 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:07.920 Boop, 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.180 you're right 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.500 back at the 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.799 beginning. 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.480 Great. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:12.220 Is that 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.599 what Jesus 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.019 does? 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.519 No. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.079 Even though 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.680 Jesus Christ 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.440 has the right 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.220 to judge 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.680 all of 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.099 creation 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.740 because it's 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.119 His 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.140 and because 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.460 in Him 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:23.920 it all 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.279 holds 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.759 together, 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.119 He doesn't 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.680 come in 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.059 judgment. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.740 He comes 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.519 to save. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.759 He came 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.339 to reconcile 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:36.180 us to God. 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.180 He comes 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.180 to save 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.180 us to 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.180 God. 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.480 You see, 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:40.759 Jesus, 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.019 friends, 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:41.440 is not 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.820 just supreme 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:44.140 in creation. 00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.240 Jesus 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.539 also is 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:46.960 supreme 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.539 in redemption. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.279 Paul goes 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.740 on to say, 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.500 He is the 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.400 head of the 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.799 body, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.799 the church. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.460 He is the 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:56.840 beginning, 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.860 the firstborn 00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.880 from the dead, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.019 that in 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.980 everything 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:03.279 He might be 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.759 preeminent. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.900 for in Him 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.660 all the 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.140 fullness of 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.559 God was 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.039 pleased to 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.359 dwell, 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:07.980 and through 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.900 Him to 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.740 reconcile to 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.279 Himself all 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.700 things, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.440 whether in 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.079 earth or in 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.279 heaven, 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.359 making peace 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.960 by the 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.240 blood of 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.799 His cross. 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.980 You stand 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.279 now, 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:19.759 friends, 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.319 staring at 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:22.920 the heart 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:24.180 of the 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.720 good news. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.000 God 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.220 in Jesus 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.279 has 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.420 reconciled 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.079 sinners 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.279 to Himself. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.759 We were 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.599 dead in 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.400 our trespasses 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:36.900 and sin, 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.519 but Jesus 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.039 Christ 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:40.420 entered into 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.339 death for 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.799 us so 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.240 that we 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.779 could be 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.559 made alive. 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.960 The 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.740 firstborn, 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.819 the ruler 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.640 over all 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.339 creation, 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:50.940 became the 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.779 firstborn 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.779 from the 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.119 dead. 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.740 In other 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.119 words, 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.220 the very 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.119 source of 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:59.259 life has 00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.839 now become 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:00.480 the source 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.599 of new 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.740 life for 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.079 all who 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.500 believe. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.519 the 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.259 creator of 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.700 life went 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.400 down into 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.480 death so 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.039 that those 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.799 destined to 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.359 die might 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.740 live. 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.839 In our 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.119 sin, 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.480 we were 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.140 enemies of 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:16.019 God who 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.420 deserved 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.160 His wrath, 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.400 but through 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:18.819 Jesus, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.519 God was 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.299 pleased to 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.359 reconcile to 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:23.000 Himself all 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.599 things, 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.180 how, 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.779 making peace 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:27.099 by the 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.480 blood of 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.259 His cross. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.259 forgiveness. 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:31.319 In Him, 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.299 we have 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.200 redemption, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.059 verse 14 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.500 says, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.160 the forgiveness 00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:36.940 of sins. 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.839 This is the 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.240 grace of 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.599 God. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.359 In truth, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.619 in truth, 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:46.079 you see, 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.640 what God 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.599 did in 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.099 Jesus, 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.660 He did 00:25:49.660 --> 00:25:51.480 in truth, 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.680 in history, 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.940 in reality, 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.160 not just in a 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.460 realm of 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.500 ideas or 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.059 thoughts, 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.960 but here, 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.779 as real as 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.220 the blood 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.799 flowing through 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.420 your veins, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.759 as real as 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.039 the stars and 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.680 the sky, 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.440 and as real as 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.100 the dust of 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.660 the earth, 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.120 God dwelt 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.039 fully in 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.920 Jesus Christ 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.940 and accomplished 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.200 in history, 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.620 in creation, 00:26:17.120 --> 00:26:18.059 the redemption 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.880 of creation, 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:20.220 and the 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.800 rescue of 00:26:20.800 --> 00:26:21.200 history. 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:23.920 What God 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.300 did in 00:26:24.300 --> 00:26:24.540 Jesus, 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:24.940 He did 00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.600 in truth. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.040 And what 00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:29.580 God did in 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.840 Jesus, 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.420 He did 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.720 in grace. 00:26:33.780 --> 00:26:34.320 There's a 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:34.780 reason you know 00:26:34.780 --> 00:26:35.040 that the 00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.440 message of 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:35.920 Christianity 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.160 was called 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.320 good news 00:26:38.320 --> 00:26:38.780 from the 00:26:38.780 --> 00:26:39.280 very beginning. 00:26:40.780 --> 00:26:41.200 Just think of 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.800 all the words 00:26:41.800 --> 00:26:43.540 that the 00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.120 apostles could 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.520 have used 00:26:44.520 --> 00:26:45.340 to describe 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:46.780 this message 00:26:46.780 --> 00:26:48.120 of what God 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.119 had done 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.799 and revealed 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.479 and accomplished 00:26:50.479 --> 00:26:51.099 in Jesus. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.079 And they 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.500 called it 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.119 news. 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.339 They called 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.639 it a 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.859 euangelion, 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:58.119 a good 00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:59.559 message that's 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.079 meant to be 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.159 herald and 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.839 announced. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.439 And it's 00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:06.419 news because 00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.139 it's something 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.779 that's been 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.500 done. 00:27:10.459 --> 00:27:11.239 When the 00:27:11.239 --> 00:27:11.979 apostles proclaimed 00:27:11.979 --> 00:27:12.419 the death and 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:12.939 resurrection of 00:27:12.939 --> 00:27:13.139 Jesus, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.699 they didn't 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.759 come to 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.419 city after 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:15.959 city after 00:27:15.959 --> 00:27:16.459 city and 00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:16.719 say, 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.319 listen, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.659 we've 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.219 come to 00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:19.759 tell you 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:21.119 good advice. 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:22.919 We're 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.099 going to 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.439 start a 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:24.239 podcast to 00:27:24.239 --> 00:27:24.479 give you 00:27:24.479 --> 00:27:25.299 ten tips 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.019 on how to 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:26.639 live happier, 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.139 healthier, 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.719 and longer 00:27:27.719 --> 00:27:28.379 if you 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:28.939 just do 00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.179 it. 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.919 No. 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.099 They 00:27:34.099 --> 00:27:34.459 said we've 00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:34.739 come to 00:27:34.739 --> 00:27:35.059 tell you 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.699 good news. 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.779 Advice is 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.239 something you 00:27:39.239 --> 00:27:39.799 have to do. 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.639 News is 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:42.179 something that's 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:42.779 already been 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.079 done. 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.099 Christianity 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.599 is not a 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.079 message about 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.559 what you 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:47.960 have to 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.439 do to 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:48.939 reconcile 00:27:48.939 --> 00:27:49.720 yourself to 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.099 God, 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.059 to get 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.679 right. 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.199 Christianity 00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:55.500 is a 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:55.980 message about 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.559 what Jesus 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.139 has done 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:58.099 to reconcile 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.579 you to 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:58.899 God, 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.500 to put 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.960 you right. 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.439 It's not a 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:04.899 message of 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.519 works that 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.079 you have to 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.699 perform, 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.159 but of 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:09.500 grace freely 00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.740 offered and 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.279 received. 00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:12.919 Grace that 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:14.179 was incredibly 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:15.039 costly for 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.480 Jesus, 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.220 His own 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.799 blood was 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.139 shed, 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.000 but grace 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.299 that is 00:28:19.299 --> 00:28:20.519 utterly free 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.059 of charge 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.539 to you 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.899 and to 00:28:21.899 --> 00:28:22.139 me. 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.819 Just imagine 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.200 with me, 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:27.480 friends, 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.099 if you 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.659 really 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.519 understood 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:32.460 the grace 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.920 of God 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.420 and truth. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.460 What would a 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.159 church be like 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:37.639 that really 00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:38.379 understood, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.519 as Paul says 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:39.779 here, 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.779 the grace 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.299 of God 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.899 and truth? 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.139 Would we 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:44.759 not be a 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.339 people of 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.200 great faith 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.920 in Christ? 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.759 Would the 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.240 grace of 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.639 God and 00:28:50.639 --> 00:28:51.160 truth not 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:52.059 draw us 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.859 forth to 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.700 trust Him 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.119 more deeply 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:56.799 and to 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.319 place our 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.920 lives into 00:28:57.920 --> 00:28:58.599 His hand? 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.399 If that 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:01.899 is how 00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:03.119 much God 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:03.619 loves us, 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.079 can we 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:04.980 not entrust 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.579 our whole 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.119 lives to 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.299 Him? 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.279 If we 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.019 really understood 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.599 the grace 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.019 of God 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.500 and truth, 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.379 would we 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:15.160 not be 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.660 just a 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.000 people of 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.480 great faith, 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.180 but also a 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.539 people of 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.180 great hope? 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.460 In Christ, 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.779 we are 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.460 heirs of 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:22.759 the new 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.339 creation. 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.240 We will 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.819 be raised 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.160 with Him 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.700 in glory. 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:26.720 And that 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.099 means our 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.859 works in 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.720 this life 00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:29.279 are not 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:29.980 in vain, 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.740 that they 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.139 too will 00:29:31.139 --> 00:29:31.779 be swept 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.839 up in 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:33.039 the 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.440 resurrection 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.180 work of 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.619 God. 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:39.779 Our 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.139 works are 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:40.579 not in 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.839 vain in 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.200 this life 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.480 because 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.019 Jesus has 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.359 conquered 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.740 death. 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:43.680 And no 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.000 matter how 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.500 dark or 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.059 difficult the 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.680 days become, 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.319 the future 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:46.859 God has 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.460 in store 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.420 for creation 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:48.779 and for 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.240 His church 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.799 is radiant. 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.460 We have an 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:51.899 anchor of 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.299 hope that 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:52.700 holds us 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.160 fast in 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.639 the fiercest 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:54.039 storms. 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.460 Nothing 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.099 can shake 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.460 us. 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.440 But if we 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.059 really understood 00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.639 the grace of 00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:01.960 God in 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.220 truth, 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.139 we wouldn't 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:03.660 just be a 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.039 people of 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.960 great faith 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.660 and great 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.220 hope, 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:07.960 but we 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.360 would be a 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:08.759 people of 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.400 great love. 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.740 Having been 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.640 shown such 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:14.900 incredible love 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:16.039 by God in 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.519 Christ, 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:17.960 how could we 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.700 not turn 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.420 and love 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:19.799 others? 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:22.100 How could we 00:30:22.100 --> 00:30:23.079 not now go 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.400 and live a 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.319 life worthy 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.319 of this 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.700 gospel of 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.160 grace? 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.720 Friends, 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.480 for Christians, 00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:33.319 love ought to 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.620 be the 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.539 defining mark 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:34.879 of our 00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:35.319 lives. 00:30:35.459 --> 00:30:35.739 Why? 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.219 Because God 00:30:38.219 --> 00:30:39.219 demonstrated His 00:30:39.219 --> 00:30:39.859 love toward 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.879 us in this, 00:30:40.959 --> 00:30:41.459 that Christ 00:30:41.459 --> 00:30:42.699 died for us 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:44.119 and He's 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.619 poured His 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:44.979 love into 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:45.479 our hearts 00:30:45.479 --> 00:30:45.799 by the 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.399 Holy Spirit. 00:30:48.419 --> 00:30:49.179 Just think 00:30:49.179 --> 00:30:49.599 of how the 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.219 gospel of 00:30:50.219 --> 00:30:51.839 grace frees 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.679 you to 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.139 love. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.000 Consider, 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.479 what is it 00:30:56.479 --> 00:30:56.959 that keeps 00:30:56.959 --> 00:30:57.599 us from 00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:58.579 genuine love 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.019 of neighbor? 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.059 So many 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.519 things, 00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:00.819 right? 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.779 Sometimes we're 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.259 worried about 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.559 what other 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.039 people think 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.419 of us. 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.200 We're so 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.599 worried about 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:05.879 what other 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.279 people think 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.139 of us that 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.539 we stop 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.079 thinking about 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.700 how we 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.220 might actually 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.579 do some 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.859 good to 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.139 them. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.859 But you 00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:12.960 see, 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.399 the gospel 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:13.839 comes and 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.460 it frees us 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.759 from the 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.240 need for 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.980 human approval 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.879 because it 00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.119 says, 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:18.819 in Christ, 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.220 you are 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.740 now a 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.179 beloved 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:22.000 son or 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.779 daughter of 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.419 God. 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.000 It says 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.399 that we are 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:26.440 accepted by 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.099 the creator 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.639 of all 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:27.960 things. 00:31:28.059 --> 00:31:28.359 We've been 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:29.339 reconciled to 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.679 the one that 00:31:30.679 --> 00:31:31.240 holds all 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.000 things together. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.079 other. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:34.240 No human 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.880 approval could 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.319 compare to 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:35.660 that. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.240 So we're 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.660 free. 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.039 We're free 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.400 from what 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.000 others think 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.519 of us. 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.519 And now 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:42.839 we're free 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.160 to think 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.539 of them 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:45.880 and to 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.099 think of 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:46.420 how we 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.000 might really 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.519 love them. 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:48.980 You see, 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.660 we don't need 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:50.460 people anymore 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.319 for their 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:51.680 approval. 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:52.619 We don't 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.220 need them 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.440 so now we 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.819 can love 00:31:54.819 --> 00:31:55.059 them. 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:57.819 sometimes 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.200 what keeps 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:58.460 us from 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:58.779 genuine 00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.159 love of 00:31:59.159 --> 00:31:59.419 neighbor 00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:01.039 are the 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.419 hurts and 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:01.799 the wounds 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.039 of the 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.539 past. 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.539 You know, 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.059 we remember 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.480 how someone 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.139 ignored us 00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:06.559 or how 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.019 someone spoke 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.460 an unkind 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.019 word about 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.339 us and 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.119 our hearts 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.980 grow hard 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.460 and bitter 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.159 and then 00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:11.559 we stop 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.500 trusting not 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:12.859 just that 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:13.339 person but 00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.819 other people 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.179 too. 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:16.720 But the 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.740 gospel comes 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:19.119 and tells 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.480 us a 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.019 forgiveness 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.240 forgiveness. 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:22.160 That our 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.500 sins were 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.799 actually 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.339 infinitely 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.000 greater than 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.579 our neighbor's 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.079 sins against 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.480 us. 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.039 And rather 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.480 than hold 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:27.960 our sins 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.599 against us, 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.339 infinitely 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.859 great though 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:30.299 they were, 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.400 God forgave 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.240 all of our 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.639 sins in 00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:33.619 Christ and 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.400 reconciled us 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.960 to Himself. 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.579 And this 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.000 forgiveness 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:38.079 we've received 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.879 from God 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.980 begins to 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.519 soften our 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:40.960 hearts 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:42.279 towards our 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.680 neighbors, 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.839 even those 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.059 who've 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.700 wronged us. 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.920 Begins to 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.460 soften our 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.039 hearts towards 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.339 them. 00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:49.500 And we 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.000 start to do 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.559 the costly 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.000 work of 00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.480 forgiveness 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:54.079 because God 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:54.640 has done that 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.299 costly work 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.839 for us. 00:32:59.119 --> 00:32:59.660 You know, 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.140 sometimes what 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.619 keeps us from 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.259 genuine love 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:01.900 of neighbor is 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.559 simply the 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.839 idol of our 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.519 own achievements 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.180 or our own 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:05.579 pleasures. 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.799 We're consumed 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.359 with our own 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.119 projects and 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.720 plans and 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.339 prestige, 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.059 wanting to 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.599 make a name 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.079 for ourselves 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.579 in the world, 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:13.559 or we're 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.140 consumed with 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:14.400 our own 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.039 pleasures and 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.160 preoccupations, 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.019 not caring or 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.220 bothering with 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:18.859 what might bless 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.480 other people. 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:21.160 we're just so 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.880 caught up in 00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:22.740 ourself. 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.880 But the 00:33:25.880 --> 00:33:26.500 gospel of 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:28.019 grace is the 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:28.799 thing that opens 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.480 our eyes to 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.000 our neighbors. 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.539 It wakes us up 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.720 to the truth 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.720 that real, 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.400 lasting life 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:36.160 isn't found in 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:36.900 the fleeting 00:33:36.900 --> 00:33:37.819 accolades or 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.319 pleasures of 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.819 this world. 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.259 This world could 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.380 never satisfy 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:42.240 the human soul. 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:42.799 God's put 00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.759 eternity into 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.339 your heart. 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:46.000 do you think 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.579 the things of 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.199 this life could 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:49.379 fill what God 00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.220 has placed there? 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.199 No. 00:33:52.699 --> 00:33:53.879 Only the grace 00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:54.519 of God in 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:56.039 Christ can reach 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.799 to the depths 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.659 of our humanity 00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:59.039 and make it 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:00.500 whole and make 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.439 it satisfied. 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.699 And when we've 00:34:03.699 --> 00:34:04.859 tasted and seen 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.699 that the Lord 00:34:05.699 --> 00:34:06.579 is good, 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:09.500 those accolades 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.300 and those 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.860 pleasures of 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.360 the world, 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:14.119 they've lost 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.539 their power 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.079 over us. 00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:16.719 They don't want to 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.320 enthrall us 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:17.579 anymore. 00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:17.980 We're not 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.199 captivated by 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:19.980 their spell. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.280 We see life 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.059 differently now. 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:24.699 We consider all 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.340 people through 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.860 Christ. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.940 We see everyone 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.719 through the lens 00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.980 of God's grace. 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.779 And our desire 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.519 now isn't to 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.139 kind of get 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.659 out of this 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.480 world what we 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.219 want. 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.400 Our desire 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.960 now is to 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.679 see God's 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:38.059 grace glorified 00:34:38.059 --> 00:34:38.559 for what it 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:40.000 is and to 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:40.619 see others 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.299 come to hear 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:41.840 and understand 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:42.360 this grace 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:42.960 for themselves 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.639 so that they 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.579 too can 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:46.159 know the 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.659 only real 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.579 satisfaction and 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.019 joy in this 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.380 life. 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:54.219 So, friends, 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:54.920 we wrap up. 00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.639 At the center 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:57.380 of everything 00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.059 we do as a 00:34:58.059 --> 00:35:00.239 church must be 00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:01.539 the good news 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.079 of the gospel, 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:02.840 the grace of 00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.519 God and truth, 00:35:04.000 --> 00:35:04.719 the message of 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.539 who Jesus is 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.179 and what He's 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.519 done. 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:08.000 This is what 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.219 must energize 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:09.840 and unite 00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:10.980 and define us. 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.199 And the more 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.880 we hear it 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.440 and the more 00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.159 we explore 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:14.699 its depths 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.079 and the more 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.779 we work out 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.440 its implications, 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.139 the more it 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.940 will bear fruit 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.719 and increase, 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.639 not just here 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.199 in our church 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.900 among us, 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:21.659 but through 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.079 us out 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.659 in the world. 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:25.199 That seed 00:35:25.199 --> 00:35:26.119 that begins 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:26.739 in us 00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:27.460 will start 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.000 to grow 00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.699 and it 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:30.420 will go out 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.839 and even 00:35:31.839 --> 00:35:32.119 though it 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:32.920 starts small 00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.619 like a mustard 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.059 seed, 00:35:34.859 --> 00:35:35.699 it will begin 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.279 a movement 00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:37.759 that pushes 00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.759 down deep 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.519 roots that 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.299 can't be shaken, 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.659 that sends 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.480 branches out 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.379 to the sky 00:35:43.379 --> 00:35:46.019 and soon 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.440 even the 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.000 birds of the 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:48.519 air are 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.139 resting in 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:49.819 its shade, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.500 as Jesus 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.639 says in 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.239 his parables. 00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:54.239 And at the 00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.780 center of it 00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:57.340 all is 00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.019 Jesus Christ 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.599 our Lord, 00:35:59.179 --> 00:35:59.940 to whom 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.519 all glory 00:36:00.519 --> 00:36:01.179 belongs. 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.099 Friends, 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:03.760 Jesus is the 00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:04.280 good news. 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.800 He's the 00:36:05.800 --> 00:36:06.079 center. 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.719 In him 00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:08.480 all things 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:09.079 hold together 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:11.320 and if he 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:11.800 holds you 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.239 together, 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.139 then you'll 00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:14.719 be secure 00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:16.639 in life 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:18.039 and in death 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.500 and in 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:19.759 the life 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.139 to come. 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:21.559 Let's 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:21.779 pray. 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.519 Father, 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.059 our prayer 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.579 as we 00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:27.920 begin a 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:28.279 new school 00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:28.820 year is 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.259 that you 00:36:29.259 --> 00:36:29.519 would 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.420 captivate 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:30.980 us again 00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:32.159 by the 00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.900 wonder of 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.460 your grace 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.039 in Christ. 00:36:34.259 --> 00:36:34.579 Jesus, 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:35.820 by your 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.360 Spirit, 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:38.759 help us 00:36:38.759 --> 00:36:39.440 to see 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.940 and treasure 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.360 you in 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.360 fresh and 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:43.000 new ways 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.000 this year. 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.360 Would the 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:45.940 heartbeat of 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.559 our community 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.380 be this 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.679 grace in 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:50.220 truth that 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:50.559 is you, 00:36:50.659 --> 00:36:50.880 Jesus. 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.300 Exalt 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:52.700 yourself 00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:53.260 through us. 00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.240 We pray 00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:55.539 this in 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:55.840 your mighty 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.119 name. 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:56.500 Amen.