WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.259 We're reading Matthew 19 verses 3 to 12 and after I finish this particular passage we'll move on to Matthew 20 verses 20 to 28. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:15.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.399 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:39.399 So they are no longer two but one flesh. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:43.159 What therefore God has joined together let no man separate. 00:00:44.299 --> 00:00:45.299 They said to him, 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:53.420 Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and send her away? 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:56.440 He said to them, 00:00:56.440 --> 00:01:00.800 Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:03.140 But from the beginning it was not so. 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:04.820 And I say to you, 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:10.500 Whoever divorces you is his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery. 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:12.680 The disciples said to him, 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:17.879 If this is the case of a man and his wife, it is better not to marry. 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:19.620 But he said to them, 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:24.800 Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 00:01:25.640 --> 00:01:31.080 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men. 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:36.380 There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:37.300 --> 00:01:40.300 That the one who is able to receive this, receive it. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:45.000 Matthew 20 verses 20 to 28. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:56.379 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:58.239 And he said to her, 00:01:58.819 --> 00:01:59.780 What do you want? 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:01.480 She said to him, 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:09.159 Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:10.719 Jesus answered, 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:13.259 You do not know what you are asking. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:16.599 Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink? 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:18.319 They said to him, 00:02:18.459 --> 00:02:19.280 We are able. 00:02:20.139 --> 00:02:21.199 He said to them, 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:27.120 You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:30.939 but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my father. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:35.120 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 00:02:35.959 --> 00:02:37.699 But Jesus called them to him and said, 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:41.439 You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:44.879 and their great ones exercise authority over them. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:46.939 It shall not be so among you. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:51.579 But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 00:02:52.339 --> 00:02:55.519 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave. 00:02:56.299 --> 00:02:59.539 Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:02.579 and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:03.580 Thank you. 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:08.460 Well, good morning. 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:11.740 My name is Dave. 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:12.740 I'm the pastor here. 00:03:12.820 --> 00:03:14.640 If you're visiting, a warm welcome to you. 00:03:16.200 --> 00:03:18.220 Will you pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:34.439 Father, as we have just sung, I pray that we would just soak in the joy that you have saved us, 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:39.579 that our names are written in the book of life for all who have trusted in Jesus. 00:03:39.579 --> 00:03:47.900 And I pray that as we trust you for salvation, that we would trust you in all your words to us. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:49.659 That they're for our good. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:51.919 So please be with us now. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:52.960 Give us understanding. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:54.900 Help me to be truthful and clear. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:03:56.979 Teach us all. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:03:58.020 In Jesus' name. 00:03:58.180 --> 00:03:58.460 Amen. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:07.360 Well, I once visited a church where, as Ephesians 5 was being read from the front, 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:14.200 about wives submitting to husbands, I could hear this giggling. 00:04:15.160 --> 00:04:16.980 And it wasn't just in one spot. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:19.420 It was just, it kind of spread. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:24.480 And I looked around and husbands and wives were just looking at each other, smiling. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:29.300 And the sermon was preached in that moment. 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:31.240 As if. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:41.400 But if we don't effectively just dismiss the difficult passages that speak about being men and women, 00:04:42.020 --> 00:04:43.100 there's something else. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:46.660 I don't know about you, but I find ugly. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:49.319 And I even see it at Christian weddings. 00:04:49.319 --> 00:05:01.339 On one occasion at a Christian wedding, the sermon was to decry how society is just so wrong and awful. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:08.159 And there was no attractive alternative focusing on Jesus that was offered. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:15.560 On another occasion, the main message was elevating traditional marriage. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:20.339 And it was basically saying the very best human life is in Christian marriage. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:28.419 And I just felt for every single person in the room because the inference was unmistakable. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:29.159 You couldn't miss it. 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:30.579 You're missing out. 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:35.179 On the best life if you're not in a Christian marriage. 00:05:36.179 --> 00:05:38.099 One was this battle cry. 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:39.879 Society evil. 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:41.019 We've got it right. 00:05:41.179 --> 00:05:44.099 The other is this idolatry. 00:05:45.859 --> 00:05:51.279 Marriage and children is where life is found. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:58.759 We're starting a five-week series on what the Bible says about men and women. 00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:08.079 The elders have decided to do this for some time because it obviously impacts so much of our daily life. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:10.079 How we walk with the Lord. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:12.159 How we walk with the Lord. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.139 It's too important not to look at. 00:06:14.839 --> 00:06:16.719 But here's our main goal for the series. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:25.160 We want this to be a compelling picture of manhood and womanhood. 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:31.920 The church is called to be a compelling picture to the world. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.820 That God's ways are good. 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:39.079 We shouldn't be embarrassed about what God has to say. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:44.139 Everything he says to us is true and good and for our thriving. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:50.419 So this series, I don't want it to be a battle cry. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:51.800 We've got it right. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.519 I don't want it to be idolatry. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:06.899 I want our hearts won over to the beauty of God's ways, which I've been praying lots. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:13.219 Please be praying for this series because it's going to be hard for this to be a compelling picture. 00:07:14.859 --> 00:07:19.299 Not because it is a compelling picture, but because of our attitudes that we bring to it. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:25.480 So this series, Emma and I have been married for almost 12 years now. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:29.960 And having chairs on the staff team, working so well together. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:31.500 And I've been to Bible college. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:34.439 I've had a week's study leave looking at this topic. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:43.139 I'm pretty sure I'm close to arriving at the pinnacle of all God has to say on this topic. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:49.080 And I just want to share the bounty of my wisdom with you all. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.699 I've tested it over many years now. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:53.420 It's profound. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:57.300 So I'm glad there's finally... 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.280 It took a while for you to start laughing. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:05.660 Here's what really happened. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:10.199 When I re-looked at this issue, looking at passages I've studied before, 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:17.040 I was expecting that I might need to soften my convictions or firm up my convictions. 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:20.780 But God's word did something strange. 00:08:21.260 --> 00:08:24.800 It stretched me in two ways simultaneously. 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:29.520 Now, I don't think that's because I'm confused. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:34.320 I think that's what God's word does. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:39.700 When God speaks, he breaks our little boxes we've put things in. 00:08:39.700 --> 00:08:43.020 And he stretches us in unexpected ways. 00:08:43.160 --> 00:08:52.480 So are you ready to have God's word break your boxes, your ideas, 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:56.780 and stretch you in ways you're just not expecting? 00:08:56.779 --> 00:09:05.319 As we talk about this over morning tea and a small group, 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:08.439 some people's ideas are going to offend you. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:09.639 Fantastic. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:13.679 What a great opportunity to learn from them. 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:20.319 To let God speak is not simple. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.559 It's not comfortable. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.319 It's not theoretical. 00:09:24.479 --> 00:09:25.959 There's something about this topic. 00:09:26.099 --> 00:09:28.179 I could even feel the tension in the room. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:29.399 I don't know if I'm the only one. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.419 It's so much more quiet in here. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:33.779 It's lovely. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:35.239 But I think it's tension. 00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:41.519 But there's something about this topic that's personally threatening, isn't it? 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:47.439 It addresses something very deep about who we are as a man or a woman. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:10:00.519 But then again, can't we relax and explore with curiosity where we don't quite fit the gender stereotypes? 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.960 Like, let's think of masculinity for a second. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:09.319 Height is a marker of masculinity. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.480 Don't tell me it's not. 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.940 I won't believe you. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.639 Able to grow a beard. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.440 That fathers will get up at 5 a.m. if they're loving their families. 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:27.580 Or tall, dark, and handsome. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.920 Zero out of three. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:32.820 Like, it's okay. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:36.180 Because my deepest identity is as a child of God. 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:38.840 I belong to the Son. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.899 It's okay. 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:46.360 This series evaluates me as a husband and as a father. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:50.320 I sense my failure. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:54.279 And probably the older you are, you'll sense your failure even more. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.820 I'm guessing that's just going to increase for me. 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.580 It's terrifying to look. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:02.200 But then again, nothing that is revealed. 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:05.860 Jesus has already died for all that. 00:11:06.860 --> 00:11:09.100 If he reveals it, it's to forgive. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.700 It's to heal. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:12.039 It's to mature. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.860 We don't have to be scared of looking. 00:11:17.339 --> 00:11:30.299 This series requires an honest, curious evaluation of the models of being men and women that we've inherited from society, from our parents, from church. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:36.719 But then we shouldn't be threatened about that either, I don't think. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:41.299 Like, we're all in God's image and we're all broken. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:50.199 Of course, everything in society and church and parents, there's things to affirm and there's things to reject. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:57.440 We are entering a heated political, social topic. 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:02.759 But then again, we've just been in Hebrews. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.920 We've just been called last week, come outside the camp. 00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:09.720 Isn't our citizenship in heaven? 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.920 Aren't we called to be salt and light? 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:17.079 You've got to stand out if you're salt and light. 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:30.479 This series is threatening because there's actually a lot of complexity to the debates that rage around this topic among Christians. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:47.659 But I think there, too, we can relax because among those we disagree with, we have an ocean more in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ than the little trickle on this topic. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:55.860 Like, even if that person sides with whoever you find repulsive. 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:00.759 No, I'm glad you laughed. 00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.179 That's good. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.000 That's it. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:09.259 Don't you have much, much, much more in common, even with someone on the very opposite end of this debate? 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:19.840 But this topic will also be really threatening for those who have been, there's some deep personal trauma for some. 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:22.600 I just want to acknowledge that. 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:30.600 But then where else are you going to find but in God's word, healing, balm? 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:36.980 Where are you going to find a good father in God? 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.000 Where are you going to find a husband in Jesus? 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:41.200 Who is totally trustworthy. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:44.379 There's healing in God's word. 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:46.779 There's liberation from the past. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.460 There's words to give you lament. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:58.120 So instead of all these threats, there's so many threats to this topic. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.559 They're not reasons not to go into it. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.600 They're reasons we really should go into it. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:06.879 We need God's word to bring truth and guidance and healing and hope. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:10.200 So I hope you're looking forward to the series. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.159 Here's where we're headed. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:14.879 Next week we're going to look at Genesis 1 to 3. 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:17.860 Obviously there's so many passages we could go to. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:22.679 We had to pick what we thought were some key ones to give us our bearings. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:25.459 So we've got Genesis 1 to 3, God's good design. 00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:32.519 Then the next week we're going to look at how this applies to marriage in Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3. 00:14:33.839 --> 00:14:38.179 And then the next week we're going to look at how it applies in ministry in the local church. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:41.839 So that's Galatians 3, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 11. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.919 That's going to be a big week to get through all that. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:57.679 And then the final week we're going to look at there's gender specific instructions in Titus 2 that are more general than either marriage or local church. 00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.319 So we're going there. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:02.259 But just a word to parents in this series. 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:05.839 I'm going to be conscious that some of the kids are in the room. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:09.540 It's not going to be a PDHP lesson. 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:13.280 So I'll try and be conscious of that. 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.160 So what's today about then? 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:23.980 Today is about addressing some unseen foundations as we approach this topic. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:27.379 Presuppositions we bring in. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:32.100 Before we even read God's word, 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:38.120 we can bring presuppositions in that can already decide where we're going. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:43.519 Think of it like the current in a flooding river. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:47.399 You've got these things that you're clinging. 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.700 We all do. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:51.040 We have these presuppositions we cling to. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:53.920 It's already deciding the direction you're flowing in. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:16:01.000 So we need to address four things I think in particular. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.159 There's probably more than this. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:05.659 I want to lay, I'm mixing metaphors here, I know. 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:10.080 I want to lay four foundations because it will give us stability, 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:14.940 give us guidance when we come to look at the other passages. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.639 So how we do theology. 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:21.220 Is God's word really the authority? 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:25.519 Secondly, understanding the times we're living in. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:31.419 Third, we're going to look at Jesus' model for authority. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:36.279 And fourth, Jesus' model of submission. 00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:38.539 So that's where we're headed today. 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:43.399 In all these, Jesus must be our starting point. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.179 Okay, so first, who's the authority? 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.419 How do we do theology? 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:54.699 Who's just looked at their phone because you think this is irrelevant? 00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:57.679 Don't do that. 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.199 This is not theoretical. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:02.719 This is an extremely practical question. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:08.139 Let me give you a few quick examples of things we can look to for authority 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:09.519 that isn't God's word. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.000 Experience. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.299 Experience. 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:19.099 Michael Bird in his little book, he's a great teacher in Melbourne. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:27.200 In his little booklet, he describes this evangelical conference for pastors in America. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:33.759 And the conference got so full, like the women's renew yesterday, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:41.500 it got so full, but in their case, they had to ask some people not to come. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:47.539 It was up to them in the end, but can you please give up your place for other pastors to come? 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:50.859 And what they did was they asked the women to give up their seats. 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:56.940 Now, he critiques that, and I agree wholeheartedly with him. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:03.119 They didn't draw the line down if women were in pastoral ministry, they should have a spot. 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.140 That's his critique, and I agree with it. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:14.400 He went a step further, and he admits in his book this was a point where he started questioning 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:17.799 the doctrines of scripture on this topic. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:23.819 It's a classic example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:29.879 It was this, instead of calling evangelicals, be consistent with what you teach, 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:37.100 that disgust made him re-evaluate the doctrines themselves. 00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:48.480 We can also evaluate our own reason as the authority. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:53.940 So it may not be experience, but our own reason and logic. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:19:00.599 There are a lot of, what do you call it, fine-sounding, that wasn't very fine-sounding, 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:04.380 fine-sounding ideas circulating in this debate. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:07.700 Like, stuff written on this topic is huge. 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.740 I want to give one example. 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:21.079 I was surprised to find that the meaning of head in Ephesians 5, husband's head of the wife, 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.900 as Christ's head of the church. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:29.940 Have you ever heard the interpretation that doesn't mean authority, it means source? 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.539 I don't know if anyone's come across that. 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.099 Yeah, source. 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:44.240 Now, you will come across it every now and then, but I was surprised to find that there is very thin ground to stand on there. 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:53.159 Like, it's these two extra-biblical Greek literature kind of vague uses of the word, 00:19:53.419 --> 00:20:00.059 and the Greek dictionary that everyone trusts for Greek translation says does not mean source. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:07.179 And yet, I don't know, people just put it out there as an alternative option, 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:12.159 trying to avoid the uncomfortableness of Scripture. 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:19.599 I think that's an example of putting your own reason above Scripture. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:23.139 You just reinterpret words. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:32.680 So we can elevate our experience and the disgust we feel and maybe the pain. 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:37.180 I know there's people in this room with great pain in this area, 00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:42.420 but even there, it's God's word that needs to speak into that pain. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:47.400 So experience for our own reason and logic. 00:20:48.120 --> 00:20:49.300 Another one is tradition. 00:20:50.020 --> 00:20:51.940 We can elevate tradition. 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:58.380 Now, I'm not saying all these sources don't supplement our understanding. 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.559 Of course they do. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:05.860 The problem is when it trumps Scripture. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.000 So, for instance, tradition. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:13.940 In pre-marriage counselling, I opened the first booklet, 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:18.680 and it's got advice for a Christian home from the 1940s or something. 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:23.180 And the advice, it was wonderful. 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:27.360 Before a man comes home from a gruelling day of work, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:30.220 the wife should get the kids dressed, 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:33.000 and they shouldn't be fighting. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:36.380 It should be a calm environment, and the house tidied up. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:42.700 She should refresh her make-up so that there's this peaceful environment for him to enter. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:49.059 So I'll give you a recommendation if you look after pre-marriage counselling. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.200 I can tell you where to go. 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:57.460 I was disappointed to find out the counselling didn't stay on that track. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:22:10.620 Now, the point is, that was a legit advice in Australian Christian culture only a few generations ago. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:16.420 You can't just accept tradition uncritically. 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:21.539 Unfortunately, I haven't found a scriptural basis for that advice. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:24.460 I'm trying to make a joke. 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.500 No one else finds it funny. 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:34.500 Now, all these things, experience, our own reason, tradition, whatever that tradition is, 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:40.200 there's something much, much, much more at stake than even men and women on this. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.639 It's the authority of Scripture. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:47.019 Not just paying lip service to it. 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:57.859 Can God's voice really pierce your heart and speak into the details of your life? 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:05.779 I'm guessing AI relationships, when they become more common, 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:16.000 an AI thing relating to you is just going to affirm your ideas and affirm your desires. 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.420 That's not a real person. 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.319 You know what a real friend does. 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:23.799 They cross your will. 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:28.019 They disagree with you. 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:37.019 Do you have a real God who can disagree with you and cross your will? 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:39.480 Because a real God can love you. 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:52.740 Now, I'm not claiming that the church's position is the only ones who take God's word as the authority. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:57.319 There's many believers who come to different convictions over this, 00:23:57.940 --> 00:24:00.400 who really try to make God's word the authority. 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:05.140 So that's the first foundation. 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:08.259 Are we really treating God's word as the authority in this? 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:12.079 The second one we need to address and put in place is, 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:14.980 do we understand the times we're living in? 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:21.920 This one has helped me make sense of the complexity in the debate. 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:27.200 But it's also because in Scripture, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:32.359 there's seemingly contradictory statements that just sit side by side. 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:37.519 And I think understanding the times we live in makes sense of that. 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:44.439 To know where God's history is headed and where we're located in God's plan. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.539 We aren't only. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:50.319 It's obviously, we're obviously in God's creation. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.799 We're creatures. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.979 We're on earth. 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:55.659 We're in God's original creation. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:25:03.259 But the eternal age of heaven has already broken in. 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:06.600 We're in it now. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:15.060 We're living in this overlap of the first creation and the new creation. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:22.440 And so, of course, there's going to be these seemingly contradictory statements side by side. 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:28.240 I think this critiques our evangelical church culture. 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:32.480 Most of us speak of marriage assuming it's a positive thing. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:35.299 Don't we talk about marriage? 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.100 It's positive. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.340 You've just got to work out how to do it. 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:42.200 And we talk about singleness as if it's negative. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:45.660 You've got to redeem something good from it. 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:48.180 At least you've got more money and time. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:54.960 In Matthew 19, Jesus critiques us here. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:59.340 If you want to open up to Matthew 19. 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:07.100 Jesus does paint an extremely high, good view of marriage. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:13.560 Marriage is meant to be a giving of oneself to your spouse. 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:16.320 A union of body and soul. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:20.919 In the eyes of God, and he doesn't play pretend. 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.839 He sees things as they are. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:26.899 He sees a married couple as one flesh. 00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:29.799 Two individuals in one body. 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:32.139 One entity somehow. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:39.319 Now, this isn't a series on marriage per se. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:42.639 So I'm not going to go into the details about divorce here. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:52.879 But it's clear that what Jesus says is case for divorce is very, very restricted. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:55.980 That's why the Pharisees and the disciples react. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:27:00.559 There's no exit ramps. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:04.000 And the disciples think, better not to marry. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:09.660 Like, marriage is only attractive if you can get out. 00:27:11.140 --> 00:27:12.680 Better not to marry. 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:19.820 So Jesus has such a high view of marriage that he makes his own disciples very uncomfortable. 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:25.659 But then Jesus agrees with his disciples. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:29.819 But not for the reasons they're thinking. 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:33.960 It is better not to marry. 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:39.440 Not everyone can accept what you... 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:43.680 I think when he says not everyone can accept this saying, it's their saying. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:45.140 It is better not to marry. 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:53.220 And then he talks about eunuchs in ancient times. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:28:01.980 Eunuch was in a royal court and they're altered so that they don't ruin the royal bloodline. 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:06.480 To use Cheser's country metaphor, a bull becoming a steer. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.940 Thanks for that illustration. 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.860 Verse 12. 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:20.379 The alternative to this high calling in marriage is living a life of celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.459 Another high calling. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:27.419 You are devoted, body and soul, to Jesus. 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.719 Serving in his kingdom. 00:28:31.939 --> 00:28:33.179 Advancing his goals. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.159 Marriage is good. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.139 It is good. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.740 It is God's idea. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.419 High calling. 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.359 Great gift. 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:43.919 Singleness for the sake of the kingdom is good. 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.740 Better. 00:28:51.459 --> 00:28:53.579 I almost didn't go far enough, did I? 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.339 Jesus says better. 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:07.399 Our secular age can't imagine what we have in Christ. 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:13.080 It's as if sexual expression and romantic hope is not optional. 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:15.300 It's essential to a fulfilled life. 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:22.060 But Jesus lived the most fulfilled life as a single man. 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:30.060 Consider the spiritual family of the Apostle Paul. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.059 His family is huge. 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:35.440 His family is huge. 00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.839 It is huge. 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:46.879 There will be people in heaven with a bigger family, in a sense, because of how much they've devoted, invested in the lives of people, in teaching and mercy. 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:52.520 And even a family just all around the Christmas tree. 00:29:52.520 --> 00:29:59.700 If we look at things through the lens of Christ, singleness is better. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.620 And singleness is where we're headed. 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:13.340 The question is, how can Jesus change or add to Genesis? 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:17.199 Because in Genesis, God says, be fruitful and multiply. 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:22.359 The pinnacle in Genesis, which we'll see next week, is marriage and children. 00:30:23.959 --> 00:30:27.159 But then listen to what he says in Luke chapter 20. 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.459 You might remember the story. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:31.139 Some Sadducees are coming to question him. 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.399 A wife's husband dies. 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.959 She marries multiple husbands. 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:39.019 Whose husband will she be in the resurrection? 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:41.559 And this is Jesus' reply in Luke 20. 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:49.480 The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:57.879 But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:05.539 For they cannot die anymore because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:15.420 Revelation 21, we are looking forward to Christ and the church. 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:20.839 The church is the bride prepared for her husband. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:32.480 The intimacy we will have, and not sexual, the intimacy we will have with Christ and one another will make marriage obsolete. 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:37.140 I struggle to imagine what that is like. 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:41.039 But that must be pretty good. 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:49.519 If that connection that I think is built into us from creation, it's going to be obsolete because we've got something better. 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.440 That's where we're headed. 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:55.120 And we've got a taste of it now by his spirit and in the church. 00:31:55.119 --> 00:32:03.839 Now, it's just a taste, but my main point isn't actually about marriage and singleness. 00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:07.039 My main point is understanding the times we're living in. 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.679 We're in the overlap of the ages. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.139 We are in the first creation. 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:13.439 But the eternal kingdom is broken in. 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.319 Marriage is good. 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.259 Singleness is even better. 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:26.220 So that's the second foundation. 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:31.180 We're in the overlap of the ages. 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.500 All right, third foundation. 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:41.059 Jesus must be our starting point when it comes to our ideas, our pictures about authority, leadership. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:59.579 Something I'm coming across as I listen to arguments for and against any distinction in men and women and the roles of men and women is treating authority as if the essential characteristic of authority is power. 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:02.059 Power to make decisions. 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:18.919 Sometimes all that people have to say about what it means for husband to be head is that if there's a stalemate in a decision, and it's a really important decision, then the man has to have the final call. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:21.319 That's basically all some people can say. 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:25.059 I think we can say more than that. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:26.259 Let me just say now. 00:33:26.319 --> 00:33:27.440 We'll come to that in a couple of weeks. 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:45.059 At one extreme of the debate, we've got someone like Douglas Wilson who talks of a godly family and uses the language of father rule, uses military metaphor. 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:55.019 The wife is lieutenant general, extremely high rank in authority, but the husband is the general, just above, the highest rank. 00:33:55.019 --> 00:34:01.839 Now, the language focuses on rank, power, rule. 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:13.739 Now, before we think that's just that end of the debate's problem, I reckon I'm seeing it in the opposite end of the debate as well. 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:23.420 Michael Byrds, I've already talked about him, speaking on wives and husbands, asked the question, should husbands ever submit to their wives? 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:35.139 He says, I think male headship is in a sense normative, but headship will mean bowing that head to the wife in many matters pertaining to marriage. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:44.320 I think what he's getting at there is this same assumption that it's about decision-making. 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:49.480 The husband will bow the hand over the decision-making. 00:34:49.480 --> 00:35:01.460 There seems to be the same emphasis that authority is about, rank and power to make a decision. 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:03.860 Now, authority obviously includes decision-making. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:05.480 I'm not... 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:12.480 Of course it includes that, but is it the essential characteristic of it? 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:14.039 Is that what we are to focus on? 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:20.599 I think Jesus blows that way of thinking out of the water. 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:26.500 In Matthew chapter 20, if you want to flick over to 20 verse 20. 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:34.420 The 12 disciples believe Jesus is the Messiah. 00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:36.039 He is about to be crowned. 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:39.099 He's going to rule everything. 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:41.739 And they know they're the inner circle. 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:45.099 They're about to be the cabinet. 00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:47.079 They're going to have the highest position. 00:35:48.279 --> 00:36:02.679 And then James and John, through their mother, request to be the closest to Jesus, left and right, the highest rank, the highest honour, the highest authority. 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:11.759 And the other disciples aren't shocked at their pride, seeking power for themselves. 00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.639 They're jealous. 00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:19.859 Even what sounds more noble... 00:36:19.859 --> 00:36:20.339 Hang on. 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.460 Keep this flat. 00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:22.899 We're equals here. 00:36:23.419 --> 00:36:30.359 That can come from the same heart that wants power and rank and authority. 00:36:30.360 --> 00:36:35.300 It's just, if I can't have it, we've got to share it. 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:37.420 It can come from the exact same heart. 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:46.340 Seeking it and being jealous of it. 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:51.220 And Jesus speaks into this in verse 25. 00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:54.859 You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:58.519 And their great ones exercise authority over them. 00:36:58.779 --> 00:37:00.759 It shall not be so among you. 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:05.500 But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 00:37:07.379 --> 00:37:11.339 And whoever would be first among you must be your slave. 00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:21.640 Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:32.120 That way of thinking about rank and power, Jesus says, you've got to get rid of that. 00:37:32.240 --> 00:37:33.140 That is worldly. 00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:37.400 The verb lord it over. 00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:40.960 He is not speaking into the misuse of power. 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:43.559 James and John, it's not the context. 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:46.119 James and John, they're willing to suffer. 00:37:47.839 --> 00:37:48.940 It's not the context. 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:50.279 The verb doesn't mean it. 00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:52.480 He's not talking about the misuse of power. 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:57.400 Jesus is talking about the world exercises lordship. 00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.259 I'm above. 00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.739 I'm in authority. 00:38:00.739 --> 00:38:03.139 That way of thinking. 00:38:03.379 --> 00:38:05.899 Isn't that in your workplaces? 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:07.899 It's everywhere, isn't it? 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:11.179 Politics, society, sports team. 00:38:13.759 --> 00:38:14.899 I'm in charge. 00:38:15.159 --> 00:38:17.619 It's got no place in Jesus' kingdom. 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:24.259 It's not dismantling all authority. 00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:25.719 They are apostles. 00:38:26.819 --> 00:38:29.439 They have the highest rank in the church. 00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:35.679 But don't focus on being over. 00:38:37.399 --> 00:38:39.679 Don't focus on having power. 00:38:41.559 --> 00:38:43.379 You want to know what kingdom authority is? 00:38:43.479 --> 00:38:45.839 You think servant. 00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:49.959 And in case we miss the point, slave. 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:54.740 It's so hard to get your head around, isn't it? 00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:58.420 We just struggle to think that way. 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:12.500 Whoever ends up being on Jesus' left and right, I'm assuming it's because they are closest to being the slave of all. 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:20.199 Because Jesus himself, he gives himself, I am the supreme example. 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:24.539 Isn't that why we worship him? 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:35.320 Even as the son of man, you can't get a higher authority. 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:39.500 Son of man came not to be served but to serve God. 00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:45.760 And to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:50.860 James and John are thinking power and Jesus is thinking Jerusalem. 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:53.139 Death. 00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:56.179 I'm going to be your slave. 00:39:58.900 --> 00:40:01.099 That's authority in Jesus' kingdom. 00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:11.059 Isn't that why we worship him? 00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:13.319 Isn't that why he's great? 00:40:19.319 --> 00:40:19.799 Authority. 00:40:22.019 --> 00:40:23.019 I'm a slave. 00:40:25.319 --> 00:40:26.759 It's revolutionary stuff. 00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:31.700 If we got this point, I think it would take so much heat out of this whole debate. 00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:37.640 So I want to ask some piercing questions. 00:40:37.840 --> 00:40:45.220 If you insist on gender roles, how much is that an attempt to solidify your own control? 00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:50.760 To get the respect you deserve. 00:40:50.760 --> 00:41:00.360 If you defend equality, how much is that? 00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:05.300 Just like the other ten disciples, it's from a heart of jealousy. 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:08.260 The fear of losing control. 00:41:13.100 --> 00:41:15.400 Or, and there is an awe. 00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:24.000 How much is it because you see the greatness of being a slave? 00:41:28.420 --> 00:41:33.760 The cross changes, it should change our thinking about authority. 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:39.300 This sentence is not just speaking to authority. 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:42.340 It is the heart of Matthew's gospel, arguably. 00:41:43.340 --> 00:41:45.000 Isn't it the heart of the gospel? 00:41:45.400 --> 00:41:51.960 So there's the third foundation we've got to have in place. 00:41:52.300 --> 00:41:54.019 Authority, slave. 00:41:55.820 --> 00:41:56.760 And it's beautiful. 00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:58.660 It's wonderful. 00:41:59.160 --> 00:42:01.860 And the fourth, and this will be the most brief, 00:42:02.900 --> 00:42:08.240 Jesus must be our starting point when it comes to the word submission. 00:42:08.780 --> 00:42:11.400 Am I allowed to say the word, the S word? 00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:20.460 Do we hear submission and think inferior in worth and dignity? 00:42:23.820 --> 00:42:32.420 Do I have more personal worth and dignity over many of you in this room because I'm a pastor? 00:42:32.420 --> 00:42:41.019 I just want to linger for a bit there. 00:42:42.220 --> 00:42:46.800 I'm hoping your answer is no, in case you're wondering. 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:58.940 And yet, our intuitive gut reaction when we talk about this, about gender, is that it attacks personal worth and dignity. 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:02.360 It doesn't. 00:43:03.760 --> 00:43:04.960 Look at the cross. 00:43:04.960 --> 00:43:12.260 The cross of Jesus is not about being inferior in worth. 00:43:14.360 --> 00:43:19.599 Submission isn't even something we're meant to put up with and resenting it secretly in our heart. 00:43:21.199 --> 00:43:24.019 At the cross, submission is beautiful. 00:43:24.260 --> 00:43:25.639 It's meant to be praiseworthy. 00:43:25.639 --> 00:43:31.379 Did you notice the small intriguing detail in the passage? 00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:35.599 It's not Jesus' choice who sits on his left and right. 00:43:36.420 --> 00:43:42.679 He's the son of man and he doesn't decide those places of honour. 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:44.159 That's the father's choice. 00:43:44.719 --> 00:43:51.259 You can't read the gospels without seeing that the son submits to the father. 00:43:51.260 --> 00:43:59.080 His submission to the father is one of the most fundamental reasons he died for you and me. 00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:11.380 The father sent him into the world and the son submits and came willingly, knowing he was headed for the cross. 00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:15.340 The father gives him words and deeds to do in his ministry. 00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:20.220 And John's gospel talks about it's his delight to obey. 00:44:20.219 --> 00:44:22.199 He does nothing on his own authority. 00:44:24.839 --> 00:44:29.419 He says it satisfies him like food to obey his father. 00:44:31.019 --> 00:44:34.119 Father's will was for his son to go to the cross. 00:44:34.959 --> 00:44:36.459 Not my will but yours be done. 00:44:39.480 --> 00:44:43.859 There's no inferiority in the Godhead, in our triune God. 00:44:43.860 --> 00:44:52.740 Father, son and spirit are in complete partnership, equal in divine glory and power and essence. 00:44:52.920 --> 00:44:54.440 There's no inferiority. 00:44:57.620 --> 00:44:58.640 Philippians 2. 00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:09.340 It's because Jesus humbled himself, submitting to the father that he says, 00:45:09.340 --> 00:45:17.380 He went to the cross out of submission to his father. 00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:23.700 We are called to submission in so many different contexts in life. 00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:25.640 We're all under submission somewhere. 00:45:25.639 --> 00:45:35.480 We have the opportunity to display the glory of the son when we do that voluntarily to please God. 00:45:37.960 --> 00:45:46.019 If our assumption is that submission is inferior in worth, the problem isn't in God's word. 00:45:46.019 --> 00:45:48.880 Look at the cross. 00:45:51.420 --> 00:45:57.079 The whole universe will be praising the son because he's submitted to the father. 00:45:57.380 --> 00:45:58.679 It's praiseworthy. 00:45:59.519 --> 00:46:01.480 It's beautiful in God's sight. 00:46:01.480 --> 00:46:10.780 Well, that's a lot to take in. 00:46:11.099 --> 00:46:13.119 Sorry for why I'm apologising. 00:46:13.280 --> 00:46:14.340 I think they're important things. 00:46:15.519 --> 00:46:17.460 I hope you're looking forward to the series. 00:46:18.639 --> 00:46:21.320 I just want to finish with one question. 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:26.460 In terms of the authority, the real authority we're bringing to God's word, 00:46:26.460 --> 00:46:33.619 in terms of understanding the times we live in, in terms of what we think of when we think of authority and submission, 00:46:34.400 --> 00:46:36.579 it's so important. 00:46:38.699 --> 00:46:41.720 Is Jesus and his cross your starting point? 00:46:46.440 --> 00:46:50.059 Is that the foundation we're going to start from? 00:46:51.179 --> 00:46:52.139 Will you pray with me? 00:46:52.360 --> 00:46:52.699 Let's pray. 00:46:56.460 --> 00:47:15.579 Father, convince our hearts that your son's authority and submission is wonderful 00:47:15.579 --> 00:47:21.960 because we're still so caught up in worldly ways of thinking. 00:47:22.679 --> 00:47:24.480 So please conquer our hearts. 00:47:24.480 --> 00:47:34.219 So that we might praise you as we ought and so that we might live out true authority 00:47:34.219 --> 00:47:37.619 and true glad-hearted submission. 00:47:39.219 --> 00:47:40.920 Father, be with us in this series. 00:47:41.800 --> 00:47:45.440 Make us a church who love to wrestle with your word. 00:47:46.900 --> 00:47:48.559 I pray all these things in Jesus' name. 00:47:48.800 --> 00:47:49.059 Amen.