WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.179 If you would please take your Bibles and turn them to Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:09.179 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.840 What's known as the first missionary discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:39.600 And Pastor James has walked through this chapter with you so far. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:43.920 And we are this evening at the end of this chapter. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:49.659 And we look forward to what God has to say to us this evening through his word. 00:00:50.019 --> 00:00:55.060 Let me read these verses before we pray and ask for God's help. 00:00:55.940 --> 00:01:00.100 This is God's word. Matthew chapter 10 verses 32 onwards. 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:08.620 Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:14.879 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.900 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.760 I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:26.020 For I have come to turn a man against his father. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:28.180 A daughter against a mother. 00:01:28.859 --> 00:01:31.500 A daughter-in-law against a mother-in-law. 00:01:32.260 --> 00:01:36.040 A man's enemies will be the members of his own household. 00:01:36.960 --> 00:01:41.400 Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:46.280 Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:51.500 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:54.820 Whoever finds their life will lose it. 00:01:55.480 --> 00:01:58.780 Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 00:01:59.740 --> 00:02:01.820 Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:06.180 And anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:12.639 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:18.959 And whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 00:02:19.839 --> 00:02:25.039 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, 00:02:25.779 --> 00:02:31.039 truly I tell you that person will certainly not lose their reward. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.339 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God lasts forever. 00:02:35.459 --> 00:02:35.899 Let us pray. 00:02:35.899 --> 00:02:35.979 Amen. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:35.979 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:35.979 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:35.979 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:35.979 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:48.019 Dear God, we ask for your help this evening. 00:02:48.179 --> 00:02:56.399 We ask that the same Holy Spirit who inspired these words centuries ago would speak to us from his word. 00:02:57.519 --> 00:03:03.519 We pray, O God, that he would teach us what it means to be a disciple. 00:03:04.060 --> 00:03:08.099 That he would teach us to put our faith into action. 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:08.180 Amen. 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:14.960 We ask, O God, that he would take these truths and plant them deep in our hearts. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:24.259 Even the hard truths that we are sometimes reluctant to hear, would you soften our hearts to receive them. 00:03:25.299 --> 00:03:27.759 We pray and ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:28.419 Amen. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:28.500 Amen. 00:03:30.059 --> 00:03:40.239 In these few verses, in these 12 verses, Jesus has a few things in mind. 00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:45.379 He wants us to profess him before the world. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:50.479 He wants us to prize him before every earthly bond. 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.959 He wants us to live a life of paradox. 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:59.540 And he wants us to live it to win the prize. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:05.879 So if I could summarize what we just read, I would say what I said just now again. 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:12.740 Jesus calls his disciples to profess him before the world. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:16.560 Prize him before every earthly bond. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:18.800 Live a life of paradox. 00:04:19.660 --> 00:04:23.519 And live that life to win the prize. 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.779 Those will be our four points this evening. 00:04:25.919 --> 00:04:26.680 Profess Christ. 00:04:28.299 --> 00:04:29.399 Prize Christ. 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:33.019 Live a life of paradox. 00:04:33.719 --> 00:04:38.560 And fourthly, live that life to win the prize. 00:04:39.599 --> 00:04:40.240 Profess him. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:41.180 Prize him. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:42.519 Live a life of paradox. 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:45.879 Live that life to win the prize. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:51.779 In verses 32 and 33, Jesus reminds us that we need to profess him. 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:56.839 You remember that Jesus is calling his disciples, his 12 disciples. 00:04:57.539 --> 00:05:10.159 In the beginning of the chapter, we read that Jesus called his 12 disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and illness. 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.160 Have you ever asked yourself the question? 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:14.380 Have you ever asked yourself the question, why 12? 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:16.160 Why 12 disciples? 00:05:16.320 --> 00:05:22.160 I think Jesus is calling 12 disciples particularly because he is remaking Israel. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:25.180 Israel had 12 tribes. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:30.480 So, here Jesus is reconstituting, remaking Israel in his image. 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:42.860 And he is calling 12 apostles, 12 disciples to carry that message forward from Jerusalem, from within the Jews first and then to the rest of the earth. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:57.759 So, you may read these verses, these 12 verses and say, maybe that message, that call to profess Christ, to prize him, to live a life of paradox and to live it to win the prize is for those 12 people. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:03.960 But I think, by extension, those principles apply to us, even this very evening. 00:06:03.959 --> 00:06:11.180 And so, he reminds us in verses 32 and 33 that we ought to profess Christ. 00:06:11.359 --> 00:06:22.819 So, Jesus says this in verse 32, whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge me, acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:29.659 In the ESV, right before this verse starts, there is a so, there is a therefore. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:34.880 And that is actually hinting at what has come before this text. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:48.580 And you remember that in the verses prior, in verses 29 and 31, for example, Jesus is reminding the disciples of his providential care of every single detail in the universe. 00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:51.120 So, in verse 29, we read this. 00:06:51.120 --> 00:07:02.240 Verse 30, 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:05.920 And even the very hairs of your heads are all numbered. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:07.939 So, do not be afraid. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.600 You are worth more than many sparrows. 00:07:10.840 --> 00:07:18.100 Jesus is reminding his disciples, his 12 disciples, of the providential overruling of his universe. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:20.220 God rules the universe. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:24.080 There is no maverick molecule in the universe. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:27.380 Everything happens according to God's plan. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:31.800 There is nothing out of order in God's economy. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:43.960 And God, in the person of Jesus Christ, is reminding us this evening to actually think of that providential care of God's people. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:48.979 And out of that security, profess him. 00:07:48.979 --> 00:07:51.279 What is provident, you may ask? 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:59.120 And in our Westminster Confession of Faith, in chapter 5, paragraph 1, we are told this. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.680 This is how it reads. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:16.959 God, the creator of all things, does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:28.939 according to his infallible knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his will, to the praise of the glory of his own wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy. 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:41.779 And in paragraph 7, we are told that this providence of God takes care of all creation, but especially God has a care for his church. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:52.100 So we read there that God's providence takes care of all creation, but he cares for his church in a very special way, and works everything for her good. 00:08:52.779 --> 00:09:03.699 So the soul there that is missing in your NIVs, which is present in the Greek and in the ESV, is actually pointing to God's providential care. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:10.419 And as you are reminded of God's providential care, now you are motivated to profess Christ. 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:18.019 You have a security from which to confess Christ, to acknowledge him before all men. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:20.299 Do you know Christ? 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:24.179 You have to know Christ in order to proclaim Christ. 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:30.979 Just in the Gospel of Matthew, we are told many things about the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:40.000 You remember the very first verse, chapter 1 of Matthew, says Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 00:09:40.419 --> 00:09:42.579 He is truly man. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:44.399 He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:46.019 He was born of a virgin. 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:49.339 He will save his people from their sins. 00:09:49.439 --> 00:09:52.059 He will be called Emmanuel, God with us. 00:09:52.099 --> 00:10:02.679 Or you go to chapter 5 and you hear about Jesus Christ as the new Moses who goes up on a mountain to give a clearer, clearer exposition of God's law. 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:07.719 I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets. 00:10:07.819 --> 00:10:10.019 I have come to fulfill them, Jesus says. 00:10:10.319 --> 00:10:16.979 And he says, if you harbor hate against your brother, you have committed murder in your heart. 00:10:17.059 --> 00:10:22.479 Do you know that Jesus who proclaimed that and gave that exposition of God's law? 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:28.720 Or you could go to chapters 8 through 10 and you can read the nine miracle stories. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:33.340 The story of the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:37.139 And he says, take care, daughter. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:47.960 And Jesus demonstrates his power to show that the miracles he is performing are a picture of the kingdom to come. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:58.439 Where in that kingdom the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the mute will speak, the lame will leap for joy. 00:10:58.440 --> 00:11:03.520 You could go to chapter 11, the next chapter, and you could read Jesus' own invitation. 00:11:04.660 --> 00:11:11.300 Where he says, come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:16.480 Or you could go to chapter 13 and read the parables, the stories about the coming kingdom. 00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:20.440 Where we are told that Jesus is the sower who sows the seeds. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:23.440 And he is the king who has brought his kingdom. 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:25.240 You could go on and on. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:27.780 That's just half of the book of Matthew. 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:32.039 You can know Christ by going to his word. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.600 Do you know Christ? 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:41.839 You must know him as these things and more in order to confess him. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:45.059 Do you know about his two natures? 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:48.579 He is truly God, truly man. 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:51.059 Do you know Jesus Christ as Savior? 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.159 Do you know him as King? 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:57.639 Do you know that he came to seek and save the lost? 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:00.480 Do you know him as the King of kings and the Lord of lords? 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:03.500 Do you know Jesus Christ in his suffering? 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.539 He was a man of sorrows. 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:08.240 He was acquainted with grief. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:10.879 Do you know Jesus Christ in his glory? 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:13.779 As risen from the grave. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:19.919 Do you know him as seated in the heavenly places advocating for you? 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:24.299 Do you know him as your high priest? 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:28.860 Do you know him as your living and reigning and returning king? 00:12:28.979 --> 00:12:35.139 Do you know him as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all history and all creation? 00:12:35.319 --> 00:12:36.860 Do you see him in the scriptures? 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:38.139 Do you see him in the Old Testament? 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:43.860 Do you see him as the center of all the scriptures? 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:51.679 When you know Jesus Christ in these ways, you begin to know the outskirts of who he is. 00:12:51.679 --> 00:13:03.039 And as you know him in these ways, you learn that as you know him, you are indeed known by him. 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:11.699 As you are known by him, you realize that he is closer to you than you are to yourself. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:19.700 And in that knowledge, though adversity comes, though there is oppression and there is persecution, 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:22.160 you learn to confess him. 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.720 You learn to confess him. 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:25.940 You claim him as your savior. 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:30.280 And you share the gospel with those who are lost. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:38.080 You remember the story of Polycop from the second century, the bishop of Smyrna. 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:41.280 He was a disciple of the apostle John. 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:48.280 He had served the church for a long, long time. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:56.720 And at the end of his ministry, he was dragged into a Roman festival before the Roman proconsul. 00:13:57.540 --> 00:14:03.500 And they urged him to swear by Caesar and curse Christ. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.820 He is 86 years old. 00:14:05.820 --> 00:14:07.280 Do you remember how he replied? 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:09.100 Do you? 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.460 This is what he said. 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:16.300 He says, 86 years have I served Christ. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:19.560 And he has done me no wrong. 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:24.420 How then can I blaspheme my king and my savior? 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:30.680 You may not be dragged in front of the Roman high courts today. 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:42.199 Maybe you'd be dragged to the parliaments, to the police stations here in Scotland for proclaiming the message of the gospel of repentance. 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:45.099 But do you profess Christ? 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:48.879 Do you confess him by words? 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:53.240 Nobody becomes a believer by you bringing them a bowl of soup. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.000 Although that is wonderful. 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:59.740 Although we should adorn the gospel with good deeds. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.340 But you have to speak up. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:04.179 You have to use words. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.179 Jesus who created the gospel of Jesus. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:07.179 Jesus who created the world. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:11.459 Who is in charge of every molecule in all creation. 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:13.099 Who is in charge of your life. 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.000 The parts of your body. 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:18.739 He is working all things for good. 00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:23.979 So that not one of your hair can fall on the ground without his permission. 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:25.899 He cares for you. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:28.079 He knows every detail about you. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.899 And he asks you to be bold. 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:32.879 He asks you to be bold. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:37.179 But if you deny him before men, Jesus says, 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:41.919 who at worst can only kill the body, 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:46.939 he will deny you before his father in heaven. 00:15:47.379 --> 00:15:48.779 A bold call. 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.460 A hard word. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:54.720 But here is the call to profess Christ. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:57.860 The call to profess Christ. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:02.620 Do you profess Christ in all the spheres that you are involved in? 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:06.779 The next call is to prize Christ. 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.919 If you think this is a hard word, 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:11.939 the next call is a harder word. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:15.179 So profess Christ in verses 32 and 33. 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.019 That's our first point. 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:18.699 Our second point is prize Christ. 00:16:19.059 --> 00:16:21.519 34 through 37. 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:24.360 Verses 34 through 36. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.240 This is what he says. 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:30.539 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:33.799 I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:38.259 For I have come to turn a man against his father. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:40.259 A daughter against a mother. 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:43.079 A daughter-in-law against a mother-in-law. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:47.959 A man's enemies will be the members of his own household. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:53.240 Does it seem contradictory to you? 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:57.220 Does it sound contradictory to you? 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:03.080 That Jesus would say that he has not come to bring peace? 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:08.819 If you just do a survey of what the Old Testament has said, 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:12.380 you remember the prophecy of Isaiah who says, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:15.200 he shall be named the Prince of Peace. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.000 Isaiah 9.6. 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:20.640 You remember the angels foretelling Jesus' birth, 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.640 and they say glory to God in the highest, 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:26.540 and on earth peace and goodwill to men. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:29.560 Jesus himself in John 14 would say, 00:17:30.040 --> 00:17:31.520 peace I leave with you. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.820 My peace I give to you. 00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:35.100 Not as the world gives. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:38.379 Or after the resurrection, 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:40.599 in John 20, he says, 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.939 peace be with you. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.079 As the Father has sent me, 00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:45.279 so I am sending you. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:48.219 And he calls us to be peacemakers, doesn't he? 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:50.240 He says, blessed are the peacemakers, 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:54.139 for they shall be called the sons of God. 00:17:54.459 --> 00:17:56.219 Or in Romans 12.18, 00:17:56.419 --> 00:17:59.000 live peaceably among all men, 00:17:59.199 --> 00:18:00.859 as far as it depends on you. 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:04.659 And the apostles called Jesus peace. 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:07.699 In Ephesians 2.14 and 17, 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.899 we are told that he is our peace. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:13.500 He came and preached peace to those who are far off. 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:15.639 In 1 Thessalonians, he says, 00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:19.240 now may the Lord of peace sanctify you completely. 00:18:19.439 --> 00:18:21.099 2 Thessalonians 3, 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:25.740 now may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times. 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:27.699 Is Jesus contradicting himself? 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.659 I don't think so. 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:33.579 I think the answer to that question is in verse 37. 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:35.460 In verse 37, 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:37.559 he gives us that answer. 00:18:37.699 --> 00:18:37.960 He says, 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.079 anyone who loves their father or mother, 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:44.319 is father or mother more than me, 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.899 is not worthy of me. 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:49.699 Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me, 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:52.379 is not worthy of me. 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:53.820 In other words, 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:59.520 Jesus did not come to bring disruption to your family. 00:19:00.020 --> 00:19:05.120 Jesus did come to rightly order your loves. 00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:11.480 He wants you to prize him above all earthly bonds. 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:14.380 Do you prize Jesus Christ? 00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:17.720 It means that as you profess Christ, 00:19:18.280 --> 00:19:20.500 there will be a position in your families. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:23.420 And more than not, 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:26.400 it actually comes from people who are closest to you, 00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.579 people who know you. 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:31.079 It means to prize Christ, 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.160 there will be a position. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.019 As you love him, 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.519 and as you love his law, 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:40.740 you will have to make decisions 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.859 between choosing him 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:45.839 or choosing to compromise. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:49.899 It may look different in different families, 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.839 but the crux is this. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:56.159 Your loves have to be rightly ordered. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:58.559 You have to love the Lord your God, 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.439 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:04.139 with your heart, soul, strength, and mind. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:06.340 And there's also another truth. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:09.820 There is a dividing line 00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:11.540 that runs through human history 00:20:11.540 --> 00:20:12.680 from the very beginning, 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:14.020 from the beginning of the Bible. 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:15.580 We are told that 00:20:15.580 --> 00:20:19.580 there are two lines of humanity 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:21.940 that are characterized by two loves. 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:27.020 One line is characterized by love for God, 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:30.380 and the other line is characterized by love for self. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:32.980 You see this division from the very beginning. 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:34.260 You remember the division 00:20:34.260 --> 00:20:36.380 between the seed of the serpent 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:38.440 and the seed of the woman 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:40.040 in Genesis 3. 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:42.740 Or you remember the distinction 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.400 between the seed of Cain 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:46.980 and the seed of Abel 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:50.360 and then Seth in Genesis 4 and Genesis 5. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:54.060 That line runs through 00:20:54.060 --> 00:20:56.400 every period of history, 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:58.060 every empire, 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:01.500 and sadly in every family. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:07.799 Jesus here wants our utmost loyalty. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:11.399 He wants us to prize him 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:14.559 above all earthly bonds. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.940 Do not make idols 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:19.740 of your family relationships 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:23.579 at the expense of worshipping the true God, 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.759 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:27.619 He is a jealous God, you see. 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.240 He is a jealous God. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:33.379 In the words of the Scottish Puritan, 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.720 Samuel Rutherford, 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.480 set not your hearts 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:40.339 on the flowers of this world. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.799 They shall fade and die. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.919 Prize the rose of Sharon 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:48.059 and the lily of the valley, 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:50.859 for he changes not. 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.859 Prize Christ. 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:57.659 Prize the rose of Sharon. 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:59.659 Prize Christ the maker, 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.419 the redeemer, 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.919 the friend, 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.019 the high priest. 00:22:03.979 --> 00:22:05.399 He changes not. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.339 Or in the words of the psalmist 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.479 in Psalm 45, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:12.599 Jesus is the most handsome 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:15.079 of all the sons of men. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:18.859 O beloved church of God, 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:21.960 he is your betrothed. 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:24.639 You are bound to marry him. 00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:26.299 You are his bride. 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.220 He loved you 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:29.259 before the stars were made. 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.879 He emptied himself 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:32.500 by becoming like you. 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:35.019 He gave himself to pursue you. 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.919 He ransomed your soul 00:22:36.919 --> 00:22:38.179 on the day that he died. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:41.039 He demands your love. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.860 Of 10,000 strong, 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:46.660 he is the fairest in heaven 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.360 and on earth. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.100 Cherish him, 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.799 treasure him, 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.580 and prize him. 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:55.299 Psalm 45, verse 10. 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.860 Listen, O daughter, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.539 and pay careful attention. 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.299 Forget your people 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.500 and your father's house. 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:05.400 Let the king be enthralled 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.680 by your beauty. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.019 Honor him. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:11.380 For he is your Lord. 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.200 Profess him, 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.120 prize him. 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.120 And thirdly, 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:20.180 live by paradox. 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:22.140 How do you prize Christ? 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:23.420 One of the ways you can do 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:26.200 is to live by paradox. 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:27.900 That is our third point this evening. 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.640 Live by paradox. 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:32.420 Verses 38 and 39. 00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:36.880 In verse 38 and 39, 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.720 Jesus says this, 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:39.960 whoever does not take up their cross 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.839 and follow me 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:43.500 is not worthy of me. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.799 Whoever finds their life 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.839 will lose it. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.860 And whoever loses their life 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:50.059 for my sake 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.299 will find it. 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:53.140 You see the parallels 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.059 in verses 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:56.299 where he says, 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.779 anyone who loves their son 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.299 or daughter 00:23:58.299 --> 00:24:00.160 more than me 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.120 is not worthy of me. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.500 And he repeats the same 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.440 in verse 38. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:06.420 Whoever does not take up their cross 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:07.200 and follow me 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:10.220 is not worthy of me. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.440 What does that mean? 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.059 It means 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.700 that we are called 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.619 to imitate 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.599 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:20.359 One theologian said, 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.359 imitation of Christ 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:24.359 is the heart 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:26.759 of the spiritual life. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:29.079 imitation of Christ 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.619 is the heart 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.779 of the spiritual life. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.180 For some 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.619 from some 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.579 for some disciples 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.839 who are called 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.900 in this very passage, 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.119 imitating Christ 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.140 actually meant 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.879 dying 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:43.980 as Jesus did. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:46.279 They professed Christ, 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.299 they prized Christ, 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.160 and they were 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.359 crucified for it. 00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:51.779 You remember 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.379 the story 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:53.819 of Peter 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:56.279 gathered from 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.199 tradition, 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.359 early Christian tradition 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.059 that he was 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:01.119 crucified upside down 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.779 in Rome. 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.500 And he requested 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.199 to be 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.979 crucified upside down 00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:06.699 because he felt 00:25:06.699 --> 00:25:07.919 unworthy to die 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.740 in the same way 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.639 that Jesus died, 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.259 the right side up. 00:25:11.659 --> 00:25:12.179 Oh, Andrew, 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:12.879 Peter's brother, 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.119 who was crucified 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:17.099 on an X-shaped 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.199 cross 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:18.859 in Greece. 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.339 He was 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:21.299 bound to the cross 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:23.119 and the legend 00:25:23.119 --> 00:25:23.659 goes 00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:25.119 that he preached 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.119 for two days 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.599 before dying. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.220 Crucifixion 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.059 was a slow death, 00:25:29.199 --> 00:25:29.659 you remember. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.399 Oh, Philip. 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.299 They say that 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.959 they crucified 00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:35.500 his head first 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:38.119 in modern day 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.779 Turkey. 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:39.779 So, Nathaniel 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:41.099 was flayed 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:42.179 alive 00:25:42.179 --> 00:25:43.220 and then crucified 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.879 in Armenia. 00:25:45.919 --> 00:25:47.179 For those disciples, 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.000 that's what it meant, 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.079 but what does it mean 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.000 for us now? 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.259 Does it mean 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:53.919 that we carry 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:54.839 physical 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:56.859 wooden crosses 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:58.879 and start 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.500 mimicking 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:01.259 the historical 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.240 actions of Jesus? 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.319 Does it mean 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.819 that we put 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.299 on a shore? 00:26:06.179 --> 00:26:06.919 If you look 00:26:06.919 --> 00:26:07.519 at church history, 00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:08.740 you'll find 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.720 that certain 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.720 monastic traditions 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.720 and mystical 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.579 traditions, 00:26:13.699 --> 00:26:14.119 they actually 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:14.699 attempted 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:16.440 to replicate 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.559 and reenact 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.559 the crucifixion. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.100 And they 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:22.779 found it 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.779 to be meritorious. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.900 They found it 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.400 to bring 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.940 the merit 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:26.759 before God. 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:27.799 But 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.500 carrying the cross, 00:26:29.620 --> 00:26:30.980 taking on the cross 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.660 and following Jesus 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.940 is not really 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.460 a costume 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.059 to wear, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.420 is it? 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.380 It is a way 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.900 of life. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.480 It means 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.440 sharing 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.279 in the suffering 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.240 of Christ. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.819 It means 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.359 a life 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.680 of self-denial 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.680 and a life 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.859 of self-forgetfulness. 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.539 It means 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:47.000 active obedience 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.480 to God, 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.559 doing God's will 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.420 within 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.359 specific circumstances, 00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:52.700 the modern 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.460 callings 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:53.799 that He 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.299 has called 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.680 us to. 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.799 It means 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.759 that if you're 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.279 working in 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.660 government, 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.339 you follow 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.339 Jesus Christ 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.019 and His law 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.759 to the very end. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.220 If you work 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.779 in industry, 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.640 business, 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.579 wherever you 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:06.220 work, 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.160 you live 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.720 with a 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.080 willingness 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:08.920 to forfeit 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.640 everything, 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.040 wealth, 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.000 worldly pleasures, 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:13.000 family ties, 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.779 even your own 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.940 life for the 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.860 sake of Christ. 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.480 But it also 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.100 involves 00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:20.500 a tearing 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:20.980 down. 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:21.740 You have to 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.200 say no 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.880 to yourself. 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.300 There's self-denial, 00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:25.140 isn't it? 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.779 You have to say 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.279 no to 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.360 your sinful 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:27.940 self 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:29.060 and you have 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.680 to be willing 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.360 to endure 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:30.960 hardship. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.960 And more 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.540 often than not, 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.100 it means 00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.700 being okay. 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:40.120 with being 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.600 called a 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:40.880 bigot 00:27:40.880 --> 00:27:42.700 or an 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.080 unloving 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:43.620 person 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.660 for your 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:45.540 views on 00:27:45.540 --> 00:27:46.279 Christian 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.820 teachings, 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.220 on sexuality 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.019 and marriage. 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:50.480 It means 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.920 professing 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.320 Christ 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:51.940 and prizing 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.480 Christ 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:54.360 and not 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.040 giving in 00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:56.360 to self-protecting 00:27:56.360 --> 00:27:56.820 fear. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.800 It means 00:28:00.800 --> 00:28:02.320 learning 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:03.259 to live 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.200 by 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.340 paradox. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.060 Verse 39, 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.540 whoever 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.659 finds 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:07.920 their 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.319 life 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.039 will 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.379 lose 00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:09.700 it. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.159 And whoever 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:11.619 loses 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:11.920 their 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.259 life 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:12.779 for my 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.099 sake 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.839 will 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.139 find 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:14.319 it. 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:14.779 If you 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.700 try to 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.079 grasp 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.519 onto 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.039 life, 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.200 you try 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:18.839 to hold 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:19.420 on to 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.779 life and 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.399 your possessions, 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.399 you will 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:22.859 lose it. 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.359 It's paradoxical. 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:25.960 But if you 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.639 lose your 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.859 life for 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.460 my sake, 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:28.920 for Jesus' 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.420 sake, 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.079 and the 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.460 gospel, 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.559 you will 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.240 find it. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:34.640 it means 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.220 looking at 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.859 your world 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.099 through the 00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.740 lens of 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.240 the cross, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.240 looking at 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.839 the world 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.720 the right 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.120 side up, 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.559 which is 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.559 the upside 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.259 down way 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.380 of how 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.819 people usually 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.380 look at the 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:46.700 world. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.000 It means 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.359 to 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:51.660 see everything 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.500 through the 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.120 lens of the 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:53.359 cross. 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:55.039 as the 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.159 first prayer 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.479 in the 00:28:56.479 --> 00:28:58.179 book called 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:58.619 The Valley 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.079 of Vision. 00:29:00.459 --> 00:29:01.079 It is to 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.799 realize that 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.139 the way 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:04.039 down is 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.459 the way 00:29:04.459 --> 00:29:04.919 up. 00:29:05.219 --> 00:29:05.819 It is to 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.019 realize that 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.479 the way 00:29:07.479 --> 00:29:08.279 to be low 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.539 is to be 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.859 high. 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.259 It is to 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:11.579 know that 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.099 the broken 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:13.699 heart is 00:29:13.699 --> 00:29:14.219 the healed 00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:14.539 heart. 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.039 It is to 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.399 know that 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:16.699 the contrite 00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:17.259 spirit is 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.139 the rejoicing 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.740 spirit. 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:20.659 That the 00:29:20.659 --> 00:29:21.259 repenting 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.519 spirit is 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.259 the victorious 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.379 soul. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:25.779 It is to 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.119 know that 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.660 to have 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.220 nothing 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:29.680 is to 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:29.980 possess 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.579 everything. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.319 It is to 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.779 know that 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.240 to bear 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.960 the cross 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.960 is to 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.460 wear the 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:34.839 crown. 00:29:35.980 --> 00:29:36.379 It is 00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:37.259 to realize 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.460 that when 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.559 the night 00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.279 is the 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.759 darkest, 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.720 that's 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.099 when 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:44.819 stars 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.660 shine 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.640 the 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.039 brightest. 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.539 Do you 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:51.460 live 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.500 by the 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:52.980 way of 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.500 the cross? 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.640 Does your 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.299 life take 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:55.779 the way 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.799 of the 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.120 cross? 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.720 Do you 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.360 see your 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.839 life through 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.360 the lens 00:29:59.360 --> 00:29:59.700 of the 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.039 cross? 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.519 Maybe when 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:02.779 you were 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.079 young, 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.019 when you 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.440 were first 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.940 converted, 00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.779 you heard 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.200 the scandalous 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.900 message of the 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.660 gospel and 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.380 you were 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:09.819 moved. 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.839 But over 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.160 time, 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:14.500 you've 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:14.900 kind of 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.980 lost that. 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:16.039 But 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:20.140 have you 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:20.660 lost the 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:22.299 edge of 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.759 your Christian 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.220 life? 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:24.700 Christian 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.980 life is 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.419 a life 00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:26.859 that is 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.559 marked by 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.319 paradox. 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:29.899 Profess 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.359 Christ, 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:30.779 price 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.839 Christ, 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.440 and live 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.960 by paradox. 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.220 And 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.700 fourthly, 00:30:37.419 --> 00:30:38.359 and lastly, 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.419 live it 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:40.180 to win 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.039 the prize. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.519 Live it 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:41.799 to win 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.159 the prize 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.579 in verses 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.339 40 and 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:43.799 42. 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.980 Anyone 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.319 who 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:47.720 welcomes 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.099 you, 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:49.599 Jesus 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.059 says, 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.819 welcomes 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.099 me. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:54.559 And 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:54.799 anyone 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.039 who 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.539 welcomes 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.380 me, 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:56.839 welcomes 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.180 the one 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.599 who sent 00:30:57.599 --> 00:30:57.819 me. 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.380 Whoever 00:30:59.380 --> 00:30:59.880 welcomes 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.420 a prophet 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.019 as a 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.299 prophet 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.960 will 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:02.539 receive a 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.039 prophet's 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.480 reward. 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:04.579 And 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:04.860 whoever 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:05.339 welcomes 00:31:05.339 --> 00:31:05.839 a person 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.140 as a 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.360 righteous 00:31:06.360 --> 00:31:06.860 person 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:07.680 will 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.220 receive 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.579 a 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:08.819 righteous 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.500 person's 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:09.880 reward. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.620 And 00:31:11.620 --> 00:31:12.140 if anyone 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.579 gives 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:13.200 even a 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:13.480 cup of 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.059 cold water 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:14.539 to one 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:14.899 of these 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.200 little 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.519 ones, 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.059 who is 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.259 my 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.680 disciple, 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:17.759 truly, 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.559 I tell 00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:18.839 you, 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:19.920 that person 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.180 will 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:20.680 certainly 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.180 not 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:21.960 lose 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.259 their 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.759 reward. 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.200 You 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.420 remember 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.019 the stories 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.639 of people 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.159 receiving 00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.579 prophets. 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:28.859 You 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.139 remember 00:31:29.139 --> 00:31:29.539 the story 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.019 of Elijah 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.119 who was 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.619 received 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.200 by the 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.519 widow 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.559 of 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.180 Zarephath 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.519 in 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.379 1 Kings 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.039 17. 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.700 And 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.159 the story 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:38.799 of Elisha, 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.059 Elijah's 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.519 disciple, 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:41.920 who was 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:42.399 received 00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.639 by the 00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.119 Shunammite 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.480 woman 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:46.200 both 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.539 women 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.960 had 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.360 lost 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:47.700 their 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:48.420 sons. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.779 And 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.259 they 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.960 were 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.400 hospitable 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.160 to Elijah 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.740 and Elisha 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.160 and they 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.099 received 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:55.579 their 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.000 reward. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:56.480 They 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.079 received 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.099 their 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.339 sons 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.740 back. 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.420 But 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.640 who 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.039 else 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.680 also 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:04.200 received 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.900 their 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.140 reward? 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.519 It's not 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.039 just the 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.299 prophet, 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:06.700 but it's 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.259 also the 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.019 ones who 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.360 received 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:08.519 them, 00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:09.200 the women. 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.620 They 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.380 received 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:12.039 their 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.660 rewards, 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:13.620 Jesus 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.039 says. 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.759 Jesus 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.279 is making 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.819 a distinction 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:16.319 between 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.700 the prophets 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.159 and the 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:19.119 ones who 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.659 received 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.259 those 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.680 prophets. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.440 In 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:22.839 modern 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.420 parlance, 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:23.740 he is 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.159 making a 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:24.480 distinction 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.879 between 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.240 what we 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.639 call 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:27.059 goers 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.700 and 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.440 senders. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.839 Goers 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.319 are the 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.259 ones who 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.480 say 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:35.240 that I'm 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:35.700 going to go 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:35.920 to the 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.539 mission field 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.159 and I'm 00:32:37.159 --> 00:32:37.399 going to 00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:37.819 preach the 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.619 gospel to 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.440 unreached 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:39.720 people 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.240 groups. 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.600 And 00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:41.980 senders 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:42.240 are the 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.880 ones who 00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:44.019 host 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.440 people, 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.140 give them 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.900 hospitality, 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.840 support the 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:48.900 work abroad 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:49.640 with 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.360 resources. 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:52.559 So goers 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.180 and senders, 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.600 and Jesus 00:32:53.600 --> 00:32:53.980 says, 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.779 regardless of 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:56.120 what you're 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:57.700 called to, 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.200 it'll be one of 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.559 those two 00:32:59.559 --> 00:32:59.820 things. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.140 You are 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.620 either a 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:00.960 goer, 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.519 someone who 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.140 goes to 00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:03.279 proclaim 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.340 the gospel, 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.019 or you're 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.559 a sender, 00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:08.319 you will 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.240 receive the 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.959 same reward. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.919 What a 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.339 scandalous 00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:11.919 message is 00:33:11.919 --> 00:33:12.220 that? 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.839 It means 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.439 that missionaries 00:33:14.439 --> 00:33:14.839 are really 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:16.039 not upper 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.740 class citizens 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.319 in God's 00:33:17.319 --> 00:33:17.699 economy. 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:19.859 Pastors are 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.319 not upper 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:20.919 class citizens 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.500 in God's 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:21.819 economy. 00:33:23.439 --> 00:33:24.179 The one 00:33:24.179 --> 00:33:25.279 who goes 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.939 and plants, 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.099 he receives 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.599 the reward, 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:28.199 and the one 00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:29.379 who shows 00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.839 hospitality and 00:33:30.839 --> 00:33:31.539 supports that 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:31.839 work, 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.179 they receive 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:34.319 the same 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:34.919 reward. 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.379 Do you 00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:36.839 actively 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.939 partake in 00:33:38.939 --> 00:33:39.659 God's 00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:40.019 mission? 00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:42.039 Do you 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.220 give to 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.799 the church? 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.099 Ralph 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.539 Winter, 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:47.480 an American 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.980 missiologist, 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.799 he talked 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.279 about 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.519 wartime 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.000 living, 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:53.119 wartime 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:53.439 living, 00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:55.259 and you're 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:55.599 probably 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.819 familiar with 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:56.980 that. 00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:58.139 During the 00:33:58.139 --> 00:33:58.500 World War 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:58.779 II, 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:00.919 you probably 00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:01.319 know better 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:01.839 than I do. 00:34:02.419 --> 00:34:02.740 You come 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.119 from Sri 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:03.279 Lanka, 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:03.679 you made 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.340 sacrifices 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:04.880 to fight 00:34:04.880 --> 00:34:05.299 that war. 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.519 You know 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.300 the Clydeside 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.360 shipbuilders. 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:10.700 You remember 00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:12.300 the factories 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.159 that pivoted 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.119 from manufacturing 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.599 civilian luxury 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.360 items to 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:18.559 building trains 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.159 and tanks 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.700 and ships. 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.380 You remember 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.320 wartime 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.920 rationing, 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.240 people 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.900 voluntarily 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.740 giving up 00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.800 sugar and 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.200 meat 00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:29.380 and petrol 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.400 and other 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.880 resources, 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.380 all kinds 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:31.900 of resources 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.820 so that they 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:33.200 could be 00:34:33.200 --> 00:34:33.760 forwarded to 00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.119 the front 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:34.500 lines. 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.559 Maybe you 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.119 remember 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.500 stories about 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.180 the dig 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:41.099 for victory 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:42.320 or maybe you 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:42.800 heard it from 00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.360 your parents 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:43.599 or your 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.019 grandparents. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:45.619 Campaigns to 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:47.079 grow vegetables 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.559 in your backyard, 00:34:49.220 --> 00:34:49.720 in your front 00:34:49.720 --> 00:34:50.099 garden, 00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:51.480 so that 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.860 resources can be 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.539 allocated to the 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:53.800 front. 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:56.380 wartime 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.100 living really 00:34:57.100 --> 00:34:58.100 means shifting 00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:59.420 priorities. 00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.220 Do you 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:01.640 live a life 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.240 that is 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:03.080 luxurious, 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.600 that is 00:35:04.600 --> 00:35:05.260 self-centered, 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:05.880 that is 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:06.900 self-loving? 00:35:07.620 --> 00:35:08.060 Do you live 00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.860 for this world 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:10.720 or do you 00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:13.180 make your 00:35:13.180 --> 00:35:13.860 priorities 00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:15.620 centered on 00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:16.019 the coming 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.620 kingdom? 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.860 Do you 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:19.060 view your 00:35:19.060 --> 00:35:19.380 money, 00:35:19.580 --> 00:35:20.080 your time, 00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:21.440 your careers 00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:23.059 as a means 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.720 for personal 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:25.539 comfort or 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.059 peacetime 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.800 pursuits? 00:35:28.240 --> 00:35:29.059 If you 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.920 have the 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.619 attitude of 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.559 a wartime 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.820 living, 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.619 then you 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.519 would have 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.280 simpler budgets, 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.360 frugal living, 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.240 live more 00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:39.179 sacrificially, 00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:41.440 live more 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.300 driven by the 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:42.860 mission of the 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.260 church. 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.440 Your lifestyle 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.039 would be 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:47.260 reallocated, 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:47.980 your resources, 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.619 your time. 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.000 You would 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.720 focus on the 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.240 work of the 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:51.639 church. 00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:52.779 Has your 00:35:52.779 --> 00:35:54.619 life been 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:56.359 retooled for 00:35:56.359 --> 00:35:57.079 God's purposes? 00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.579 Or are you 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.799 still manufacturing 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:03.319 luxuries for 00:36:03.319 --> 00:36:03.819 yourself? 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:05.639 The frontiers 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.639 of global 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:07.799 mission are 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:08.799 no longer 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.919 far, far 00:36:09.919 --> 00:36:10.739 away in 00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:11.219 the east 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.639 or in the 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.299 global south. 00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:15.299 Some of them 00:36:15.299 --> 00:36:15.779 are already 00:36:15.779 --> 00:36:15.979 here. 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.559 The frontiers 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.119 are here, 00:36:17.759 --> 00:36:18.119 whether you 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.539 like it or 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:18.859 not. 00:36:19.779 --> 00:36:20.379 Globalization 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:20.860 has meant 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.680 that nations 00:36:21.680 --> 00:36:22.079 have come 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:22.400 to our 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:23.220 doorsteps. 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:23.460 In 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:23.880 Edinburgh, 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.240 there are 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:28.400 about 24% 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:29.079 of Edinburgh's 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:29.599 population 00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:30.740 have come 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.940 from 170 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.780 different 00:36:32.780 --> 00:36:33.840 countries. 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:34.920 170 00:36:34.920 --> 00:36:35.840 different 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:37.039 countries. 00:36:37.160 --> 00:36:38.079 24% of 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.340 Edinburgh. 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.059 But how 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:40.380 about the 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:40.760 remaining 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:42.300 British people? 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.619 76% 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.799 of British 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:48.000 people live 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.719 in Edinburgh 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.339 and only 00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:50.259 about 2% 00:36:50.259 --> 00:36:50.719 of them 00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:52.500 are church 00:36:52.500 --> 00:36:52.739 going 00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:53.199 believers, 00:36:53.559 --> 00:36:54.519 evangelicals. 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.279 So the 00:36:57.279 --> 00:36:57.779 frontiers are 00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:57.940 here. 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.519 How do you 00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:59.980 support the 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.679 work of your 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.059 church? 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:02.119 How do you 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:02.579 support the 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:02.920 work of 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.259 Buklu? 00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:04.739 How do you 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:05.719 support the 00:37:05.719 --> 00:37:06.539 pastor, the 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.139 elders, the 00:37:07.139 --> 00:37:08.599 deacons, the 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.359 musicians, the 00:37:09.359 --> 00:37:09.799 volunteers? 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:11.940 Do you 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.780 take away 00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:13.200 from their 00:37:13.200 --> 00:37:13.800 work or do 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.500 you add to 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:14.820 it? 00:37:15.280 --> 00:37:15.800 Do you 00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:16.940 give to your 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:18.000 church so 00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.620 God's work 00:37:18.620 --> 00:37:18.920 can be 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.600 supported here 00:37:19.600 --> 00:37:20.019 in Edinburgh 00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:21.760 or do you 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.940 hold 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:25.200 resources for 00:37:25.200 --> 00:37:25.640 yourself? 00:37:27.060 --> 00:37:27.740 Jesus says 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.820 that there is 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.420 a reward. 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.480 There is a 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:30.760 reward. 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.360 And in one 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.420 sense, the 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.100 reward is 00:37:33.100 --> 00:37:34.100 described to 00:37:34.100 --> 00:37:34.660 us in verse 00:37:34.660 --> 00:37:35.140 14. 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:36.780 Jesus says 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.340 anyone who 00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:37.960 welcomes you 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.680 welcomes me. 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:40.079 and anyone 00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:40.799 who welcomes 00:37:40.799 --> 00:37:41.599 me welcomes 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:43.159 the one who 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.699 sent me. 00:37:44.819 --> 00:37:45.539 So in one 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:45.899 sense, the 00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:46.980 reward as you 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.579 labor for the 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:47.960 sake of the 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.579 church is that 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:51.359 you get the 00:37:51.359 --> 00:37:51.799 Lord Jesus 00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.159 Christ. 00:37:52.299 --> 00:37:52.739 And once you 00:37:52.739 --> 00:37:53.199 get the Lord 00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.779 Jesus Christ, 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:56.460 you get God 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.000 the Father. 00:37:58.000 --> 00:37:59.619 That is a 00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.059 reward. 00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:01.480 That is the 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:02.359 highest reward 00:38:02.359 --> 00:38:03.539 anyone can 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:03.879 get. 00:38:04.919 --> 00:38:05.299 It's to 00:38:05.299 --> 00:38:06.319 receive God 00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:08.099 as their 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.519 ultimate 00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:09.039 price. 00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:10.699 But there 00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.259 is also 00:38:11.259 --> 00:38:12.839 reward in 00:38:12.839 --> 00:38:13.619 another sense 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:14.380 that we 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:15.119 don't like 00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.819 hearing about. 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.279 And that 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:18.179 is that 00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:19.159 implicit in 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:19.759 these texts 00:38:19.759 --> 00:38:20.599 is the 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:21.799 idea that 00:38:21.799 --> 00:38:22.719 there is a 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:23.420 thing that's 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:23.980 called the 00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.460 prophet's 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:24.819 reward. 00:38:25.940 --> 00:38:26.719 And that's 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.360 different from 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:29.159 other rewards. 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:29.219 rewards. 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.539 And in 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:32.679 fact, the 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:34.519 Bible talks 00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.579 much about 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.299 rewards. 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.179 In 1 Corinthians 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:38.679 3.8, every 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.279 man shall 00:38:39.279 --> 00:38:40.299 receive his 00:38:40.299 --> 00:38:41.159 own reward 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.099 according to 00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:42.719 his own 00:38:42.719 --> 00:38:43.079 labor. 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:44.859 Or in 00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:45.739 Luke 19, the 00:38:45.739 --> 00:38:46.779 story, and 00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:47.319 Jesus says, 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:48.639 you shall have 00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:49.739 power over 00:38:49.739 --> 00:38:50.879 ten cities, and 00:38:50.879 --> 00:38:51.440 you shall have 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.279 power over 00:38:52.279 --> 00:38:53.559 five cities. 00:38:53.839 --> 00:38:54.359 Faithful 00:38:54.359 --> 00:38:55.019 servants are 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.199 given authority 00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:56.839 over different 00:38:56.839 --> 00:38:58.159 numbers of 00:38:58.159 --> 00:38:58.439 cities. 00:38:59.259 --> 00:38:59.879 What does 00:38:59.879 --> 00:39:00.239 that mean? 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.799 It means that 00:39:01.799 --> 00:39:02.619 yes, we do 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.819 get our 00:39:03.819 --> 00:39:04.759 reward in 00:39:04.759 --> 00:39:05.159 God. 00:39:05.319 --> 00:39:06.419 We get the 00:39:06.419 --> 00:39:06.819 Lord Jesus 00:39:06.819 --> 00:39:07.299 Christ. 00:39:07.439 --> 00:39:08.019 He is our 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.399 treasure. 00:39:08.599 --> 00:39:09.759 We get the 00:39:09.759 --> 00:39:10.179 Father. 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.339 We get the 00:39:12.339 --> 00:39:12.659 Spirit. 00:39:13.419 --> 00:39:14.039 But our 00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:15.480 capacity to 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:17.599 rejoice in 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.779 God would 00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.500 differ in 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:19.759 heaven, 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:21.519 depending on 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.439 our labor, 00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:23.239 depending on 00:39:23.239 --> 00:39:23.819 what we do 00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:24.399 with the gift 00:39:24.399 --> 00:39:24.839 that we have 00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:25.539 been given. 00:39:26.199 --> 00:39:27.099 God has 00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:28.079 given his 00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:28.739 church gifts. 00:39:28.859 --> 00:39:29.079 He has 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.539 given you 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.859 unique gifts. 00:39:32.299 --> 00:39:32.899 Do you 00:39:32.899 --> 00:39:34.279 put them 00:39:34.279 --> 00:39:34.759 to good 00:39:34.759 --> 00:39:35.480 use, or 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:35.779 do you 00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.299 bury them? 00:39:37.939 --> 00:39:38.219 Do you 00:39:38.219 --> 00:39:38.619 bury your 00:39:38.619 --> 00:39:39.059 talents? 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:41.559 In one 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:41.919 sense, I 00:39:41.919 --> 00:39:43.079 think the 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:43.799 whole rewards 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:44.299 argument is 00:39:44.299 --> 00:39:45.460 given to us 00:39:45.460 --> 00:39:46.019 so that we 00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.799 may actually 00:39:46.799 --> 00:39:47.419 work, because 00:39:47.419 --> 00:39:47.960 the scandal 00:39:47.960 --> 00:39:48.339 of the 00:39:48.339 --> 00:39:48.919 gospel is 00:39:48.919 --> 00:39:49.719 that you 00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:50.359 can never 00:39:50.359 --> 00:39:51.059 earn a 00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:51.539 place with 00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:51.919 God. 00:39:53.839 --> 00:39:54.559 And because 00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.219 that is such 00:39:55.219 --> 00:39:55.659 a scandal, 00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:57.619 automatically 00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:58.379 human beings 00:39:58.379 --> 00:39:59.079 think that 00:39:59.079 --> 00:40:01.679 everything is 00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:01.980 equal. 00:40:03.879 --> 00:40:04.980 And we 00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.619 treat God 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.239 as if he 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:07.379 is the 00:40:07.379 --> 00:40:07.679 equal 00:40:07.679 --> 00:40:08.480 employment 00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:09.039 opportunity 00:40:09.039 --> 00:40:09.599 officer. 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:11.679 We 00:40:11.679 --> 00:40:12.980 flatten the 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.719 teachings of 00:40:13.719 --> 00:40:14.179 the scriptures. 00:40:14.719 --> 00:40:15.159 So yes, 00:40:15.359 --> 00:40:16.500 the scandal 00:40:16.500 --> 00:40:17.299 of the 00:40:17.299 --> 00:40:17.899 gospel is 00:40:17.899 --> 00:40:18.639 that if 00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:19.339 you put 00:40:19.339 --> 00:40:19.839 your trust 00:40:19.839 --> 00:40:20.219 in Jesus 00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:20.579 Christ, 00:40:20.659 --> 00:40:21.119 you will 00:40:21.119 --> 00:40:21.980 get God. 00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:24.199 God, but 00:40:24.199 --> 00:40:24.440 you are 00:40:24.440 --> 00:40:25.219 given gifts 00:40:25.219 --> 00:40:25.719 in order 00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:26.079 that you 00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.579 may work 00:40:26.579 --> 00:40:27.019 them for 00:40:27.019 --> 00:40:27.599 the glory 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:28.780 and the 00:40:28.780 --> 00:40:29.320 growth of 00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:29.659 God's 00:40:29.659 --> 00:40:29.960 kingdom. 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.320 I 00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:32.240 shouldn't 00:40:32.240 --> 00:40:33.059 flatten that. 00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:35.579 Do you 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:37.780 live your 00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:38.800 life to 00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:39.719 win the 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.119 prize? 00:40:41.400 --> 00:40:41.920 Do you 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.559 put your 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:43.719 talents to 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:45.199 good work? 00:40:45.199 --> 00:40:47.199 God's 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.379 It's a 00:40:49.379 --> 00:40:49.819 question we 00:40:49.819 --> 00:40:50.239 have to 00:40:50.239 --> 00:40:51.859 ask ourselves. 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:52.939 Do you 00:40:52.939 --> 00:40:54.319 give these 00:40:54.319 --> 00:40:55.119 little ones a 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:55.439 cup of 00:40:55.439 --> 00:40:56.119 cold water? 00:40:56.619 --> 00:40:57.480 Because they 00:40:57.480 --> 00:40:58.759 are the 00:40:58.759 --> 00:40:59.619 disciples of 00:40:59.619 --> 00:41:00.000 the Lord 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:00.199 Jesus 00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:00.659 Christ. 00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:03.619 Do you 00:41:03.619 --> 00:41:05.219 dig for 00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:05.659 victory? 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:07.439 Polycarp 00:41:07.439 --> 00:41:08.579 certainly 00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:09.559 received 00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:11.099 his reward. 00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:12.940 The 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:13.340 Shunammite 00:41:13.340 --> 00:41:13.900 woman who 00:41:13.900 --> 00:41:14.659 took 00:41:14.659 --> 00:41:15.219 Elisha 00:41:15.219 --> 00:41:15.519 in 00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:16.739 surely 00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:17.420 received 00:41:17.420 --> 00:41:18.460 her 00:41:18.460 --> 00:41:18.940 reward. 00:41:19.779 --> 00:41:20.000 Jesus 00:41:20.000 --> 00:41:20.719 calls his 00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:22.019 disciples to 00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.699 profess him 00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:24.559 before the 00:41:24.559 --> 00:41:26.699 world and 00:41:26.699 --> 00:41:27.420 prize him 00:41:27.420 --> 00:41:29.279 above every 00:41:29.279 --> 00:41:30.539 earthly bond. 00:41:30.900 --> 00:41:31.320 He calls 00:41:31.320 --> 00:41:31.820 us to live 00:41:31.820 --> 00:41:32.480 a life of 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:33.239 paradox. 00:41:33.679 --> 00:41:33.940 The way 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.679 down is the 00:41:35.679 --> 00:41:36.239 way up. 00:41:37.920 --> 00:41:38.539 And he 00:41:38.539 --> 00:41:39.440 calls us 00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:40.039 to live 00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:40.900 that life, 00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:41.960 that paradoxical 00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:42.780 life, that 00:41:42.780 --> 00:41:44.360 foolish life 00:41:44.360 --> 00:41:46.119 to win 00:41:46.119 --> 00:41:47.420 the prize. 00:41:48.559 --> 00:41:49.559 May he 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:50.039 find us 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:51.860 faithful as 00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:52.539 God does 00:41:52.539 --> 00:41:52.940 his work 00:41:52.940 --> 00:41:53.720 among us 00:41:53.720 --> 00:41:54.159 here in 00:41:54.159 --> 00:41:55.139 Bucklew and 00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:55.500 Edinburgh. 00:41:56.360 --> 00:41:58.200 May we 00:41:58.200 --> 00:41:59.220 hear from 00:41:59.220 --> 00:41:59.500 the Lord 00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.079 Jesus Christ, 00:42:00.260 --> 00:42:01.059 well done, 00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:02.559 good and 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:03.240 faithful servant. 00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:04.740 May we 00:42:04.740 --> 00:42:05.559 run our 00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:06.320 race to 00:42:06.320 --> 00:42:07.440 win that 00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:07.840 prize. 00:42:07.840 --> 00:42:10.300 God's 00:42:10.300 --> 00:42:11.000 word and 00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:11.320 his 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:11.640 preaching 00:42:11.640 --> 00:42:12.079 of it. 00:42:12.079 --> 00:42:13.720 May God 00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.360 add his 00:42:14.360 --> 00:42:15.420 blessings to 00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:15.620 it. 00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:16.019 Let us 00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:16.220 pray. 00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:18.820 God, we 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:19.140 thank you 00:42:19.140 --> 00:42:19.480 for your 00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:19.760 words. 00:42:19.860 --> 00:42:20.120 We thank 00:42:20.120 --> 00:42:20.760 you for 00:42:20.760 --> 00:42:21.500 these simple 00:42:21.500 --> 00:42:22.260 truths we've 00:42:22.260 --> 00:42:23.200 always known. 00:42:24.740 --> 00:42:26.720 But we 00:42:26.720 --> 00:42:27.220 know, 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:27.640 God, that 00:42:27.640 --> 00:42:28.960 we need 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:29.300 fresh 00:42:29.300 --> 00:42:29.740 reminders. 00:42:29.739 --> 00:42:29.939 others. 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:32.239 So awaken 00:42:32.239 --> 00:42:32.659 us to 00:42:32.659 --> 00:42:32.939 these 00:42:32.939 --> 00:42:33.639 realities, 00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:34.679 show us 00:42:34.679 --> 00:42:36.619 the state 00:42:36.619 --> 00:42:37.219 we're in, 00:42:37.639 --> 00:42:38.359 and give 00:42:38.359 --> 00:42:38.939 us a sense 00:42:38.939 --> 00:42:40.699 of what 00:42:40.699 --> 00:42:41.099 you're doing 00:42:41.099 --> 00:42:41.379 in the 00:42:41.379 --> 00:42:41.679 world, 00:42:41.879 --> 00:42:42.379 cause us 00:42:42.379 --> 00:42:44.500 to have 00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:45.779 that joy 00:42:45.779 --> 00:42:46.119 of our 00:42:46.119 --> 00:42:46.559 salvation 00:42:46.559 --> 00:42:46.979 that we 00:42:46.979 --> 00:42:47.539 had 20 00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.039 years ago, 00:42:48.259 --> 00:42:48.819 50 years 00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:49.119 ago, 00:42:49.459 --> 00:42:50.000 when we 00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:50.799 first 00:42:50.799 --> 00:42:51.779 beheld 00:42:51.779 --> 00:42:52.539 Christ in 00:42:52.539 --> 00:42:52.939 his glory. 00:42:53.159 --> 00:42:53.479 Help us 00:42:53.479 --> 00:42:54.879 to live 00:42:54.879 --> 00:42:55.279 our lives 00:42:55.279 --> 00:42:55.799 faithfully, 00:42:55.939 --> 00:42:56.239 help us 00:42:56.239 --> 00:42:56.739 to live 00:42:56.739 --> 00:42:57.179 not for 00:42:57.179 --> 00:42:57.619 ourselves, 00:42:57.799 --> 00:42:58.440 but for 00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:58.799 the sake 00:42:58.799 --> 00:43:00.119 of Jesus 00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:00.599 Christ. 00:43:01.699 --> 00:43:02.000 We commit 00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:02.639 our weeks 00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:02.980 into your 00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:03.239 hand. 00:43:03.379 --> 00:43:04.179 We ask 00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:04.480 that you 00:43:04.480 --> 00:43:04.819 would bless 00:43:04.819 --> 00:43:05.139 us as 00:43:05.139 --> 00:43:05.559 we go. 00:43:06.960 --> 00:43:07.399 Would you 00:43:07.399 --> 00:43:08.299 give us 00:43:08.299 --> 00:43:08.779 safety as 00:43:08.779 --> 00:43:09.219 we travel? 00:43:09.379 --> 00:43:09.739 Would you 00:43:09.739 --> 00:43:11.239 be with 00:43:11.239 --> 00:43:11.719 our children? 00:43:12.679 --> 00:43:13.039 We pray 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:14.239 for pregnant 00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:14.759 mothers in 00:43:14.759 --> 00:43:15.199 this room, 00:43:16.119 --> 00:43:16.559 and those 00:43:16.559 --> 00:43:17.299 who long 00:43:17.299 --> 00:43:17.599 to be 00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:17.919 pregnant. 00:43:18.799 --> 00:43:19.679 We pray 00:43:19.679 --> 00:43:20.199 for our 00:43:20.199 --> 00:43:20.940 various needs. 00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:22.339 We pray 00:43:22.339 --> 00:43:22.619 for the 00:43:22.619 --> 00:43:22.980 needs of 00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:23.500 this church. 00:43:23.619 --> 00:43:23.819 Would you 00:43:23.819 --> 00:43:24.539 be glorified 00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:25.960 in raising 00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:28.039 young men 00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:28.760 and young 00:43:28.760 --> 00:43:29.720 women in 00:43:29.720 --> 00:43:30.199 this church 00:43:30.199 --> 00:43:30.519 who can 00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:31.900 serve you 00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:32.780 in the 00:43:32.780 --> 00:43:33.400 hard places 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:34.440 and in 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:34.720 the hardest 00:43:34.720 --> 00:43:36.260 place that 00:43:36.260 --> 00:43:36.559 is our 00:43:36.559 --> 00:43:37.099 front doors. 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:38.059 We pray 00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:38.340 and ask 00:43:38.340 --> 00:43:38.599 all of 00:43:38.599 --> 00:43:39.059 these things 00:43:39.059 --> 00:43:39.720 in the 00:43:39.720 --> 00:43:40.039 name of 00:43:40.039 --> 00:43:40.480 Lord Jesus 00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:40.940 Christ. 00:43:41.240 --> 00:43:41.519 Amen.