WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.160 Thank you so much, Johan and Amy and Zachy back. Zach's back. Well done, buddy. And love that you came up and the first thing you did was offer a handshake. 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:20.539 It made me more determined to give you the biggest bear hug after the service as well. We do hugs here, not handshakes. 00:00:20.759 --> 00:00:27.300 But great to see everybody. And what a special morning. These really are just highlights in our church calendar. 00:00:28.020 --> 00:00:32.140 And what we're going to do now just for the next 20 minutes or so is just turn to the Bible. 00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:40.100 And this is what we do as a church every Sunday morning as we gather. We just work our way through a different book of the Bible. 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:47.140 It's one of the core beliefs that we have, that when we open our Bibles, that this is no ordinary book. 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:53.939 No, we hear the voice of the living God. We hear the voice, the word of our creator. 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:59.219 And the Christian is someone who's found that to be true. 00:00:59.659 --> 00:01:09.599 Or here's how a man called Christopher Ashe, he puts it, the word of God gives us the only reliable map of the world as it truly is. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:13.559 In fact, I wonder if you heard the survey that was done a few weeks ago. 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:20.500 I remember driving home a few weeks ago listening to Radio 2 and they were reporting the fact that, 00:01:21.399 --> 00:01:26.379 did you know the number of the Bibles bought in the UK between 2019 and 2024? 00:01:27.259 --> 00:01:30.879 In that period, it increased by 87%. 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:33.560 Now, that's just fascinating, isn't it? 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:40.979 All sorts of reasons people would want to buy a Bible, but we'd be naive, I think, to reject that conclusion 00:01:40.979 --> 00:01:47.939 that there's something going on in our culture right now as people regain an interest in spiritual things. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:53.239 But this is what God's word claims to be, claims to be his voice. 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:56.420 And so that's why we open this every single Sunday morning. 00:01:57.079 --> 00:02:01.839 And particularly to all of us today, particularly if you're here and you wouldn't call yourself a Christian, 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:06.119 maybe you've come, you're one of Zach's friends or family, maybe you've just come along this Sunday. 00:02:06.199 --> 00:02:07.379 We'd love that you're here. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:14.819 But here's the invitation to come to the Bible and to taste and see that the Lord is good. 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:21.459 And so we've been journeying through this letter of two Corinthians together since the autumn. 00:02:21.459 --> 00:02:25.239 And this is the final installment in this little series that we've been in. 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:28.239 This letter written by a man called Paul. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:32.959 And he's written it to a church that he founded, 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:37.740 made up of people that he knows and loves living in the city of Corinth. 00:02:37.740 --> 00:02:41.659 And Corinth is a city that loves the impressive. 00:02:42.919 --> 00:02:44.120 Loves the impressive. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:51.639 And Paul's big idea to this church is that they've been dazzled by these super apostles 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:57.239 who've offered to them a Jesus who's on the world's terms, if you like. 00:02:58.079 --> 00:03:00.959 And they're beginning to buy it, beginning to think about it. 00:03:01.039 --> 00:03:05.180 And Paul's been pleading with them, no, no, come back to me and my gospel. 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:07.199 Maybe you can think about it like this. 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:11.539 I remember well my cousin returning from holiday a few years ago. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:16.039 And she's parading a brand new pair of sunglasses. 00:03:16.739 --> 00:03:21.379 And ones that she was telling everyone that she'd got at a bargain price. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:26.159 But on closer inspection, what she'd actually been sold weren't a pair of Ray-Bans. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.919 They were in fact a pair of Ray-Bombs. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:33.839 But she knew exactly what she was doing and we all had a good laugh at this. 00:03:33.899 --> 00:03:36.099 But have you ever had an experience like that in your life? 00:03:37.319 --> 00:03:40.819 You've been left asking yourself, saying, hang on a minute. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:42.339 Is what I've been sold? 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:44.780 Is what I've got in my hands? 00:03:44.859 --> 00:03:47.000 Is it the real thing? 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:56.699 Paul knows that that's exactly what these Christians in this church in Corinth are asking themselves when it comes to the message about Jesus. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:01.139 That he's passed on to them and that they've got in their hands. 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:03.460 They're asking themselves, is this the real deal? 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:09.800 The reason they're asking the question is that a group of people that Paul ironically calls, 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:16.379 if you've got the text there, verse 11 of chapter 12, he calls them the super-impostles. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:22.960 And they've infiltrated this church family and they're spreading a different message about a different Jesus 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:26.180 and what it means to follow him. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:32.879 One which elevated them in their claims to higher plane spirituality. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:40.100 And at the same time, it undercuts and downplays Paul and his message of weakness and a crucified Jesus 00:04:40.100 --> 00:04:42.800 that he's been offering to the Corinthians. 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:47.600 And you'll see a concise summary of that in verse 4 of chapter 13. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:50.199 Paul's speaking about Jesus. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.259 And what's the crux of his message? 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:56.360 It's that he's been crucified in weakness. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:04:59.779 And that's the truth, isn't it? 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:04.739 That the Christians follow a king who came to earth, was rejected by his own, 00:05:05.179 --> 00:05:07.559 and who was ultimately handed over to death. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:09.479 This is our king. 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:11.099 This is the king that we follow. 00:05:11.559 --> 00:05:13.959 The cross, the place where he dies. 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:16.619 It looks to the watching world. 00:05:17.619 --> 00:05:19.199 It did then, it does now. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:25.579 It still looks like utter foolishness, weakness, and it looks like defeat. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:31.879 And yet, see Paul write this about the same Jesus who rose from the dead. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:35.120 He says, he now lives by the power of God. 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:42.419 And when we put our faith in this Jesus, and that's the invitation to all of us this morning, 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:47.399 when we put our faith and trust in his work on the cross for us, 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:50.740 like Zach was saying, the place where he goes, 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:55.379 he bears the punishment that our sins deserve on himself. 00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:57.800 When we put our faith in him, 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:03.960 we can know complete forgiveness of our past, of our present, and of our future sins. 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:10.639 He takes our sins and he shares with us his resurrection life. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:13.160 If you want to think about it like this, 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:15.939 Jesus is the ultimate impact sub. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:18.839 The cross is the place. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:20.920 It is the place of the great substitution. 00:06:21.339 --> 00:06:22.620 He takes our place. 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.719 And by faith in him, we get his life. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:31.800 And he shares with us his spirit. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:33.259 Do you see Paul write that? 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:37.120 Who comes to dwell, to live in, 00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:39.220 the believer. 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:42.779 Changing us not from the outside in, 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:46.539 but changing us from the inside out, 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:51.819 and changing us to be more into the likeness of Jesus. 00:06:52.179 --> 00:06:54.939 That theological heart of this letter, 00:06:55.099 --> 00:06:56.779 we saw a number of weeks ago, 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:59.599 chapter 3, verse 18. 00:07:02.119 --> 00:07:03.719 And we, Paul writes, 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:06.579 who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, 00:07:07.859 --> 00:07:09.500 just means we look at Jesus, 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:12.459 are being transformed. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:15.579 And that's that wonderful caterpillar, 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:16.939 two butterfly word, 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:18.079 metamorphic, 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:19.660 being transformed. 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:22.019 We're being transformed into his image. 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:25.259 With ever increasing glory, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:27.259 which comes from the Lord, 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:29.220 who is the spirit. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:32.160 So this message of the crucified Jesus, 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:34.939 dying on a cross, 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:36.579 but risen, 00:07:37.719 --> 00:07:39.399 and living by the power of God. 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:40.060 Paul's saying, 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:43.019 that's what my message of weakness does. 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:46.899 And so before Paul comes back, 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.980 verse 1 of chapter 13, 00:07:49.100 --> 00:07:49.560 do you see it? 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.540 For the third visit, 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:54.740 he wants the Corinthians to wake up 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:56.980 and make their choice. 00:07:58.159 --> 00:07:59.800 No more sitting on the fence. 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:03.019 No more foot in both camps. 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:05.079 No more thinking that they can have their cake 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:05.879 and eat it. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:08.279 The decision really is, 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:11.180 will they continue to entertain 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:13.939 these false apostles 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:16.339 and their message of spiritual superiority, 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.199 a Jesus in the image of the world, 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:22.839 or will they be restored to 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:25.899 and all in with his gospel? 00:08:28.199 --> 00:08:30.240 It's the only thing that works, Paul's saying. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:31.939 It's the only thing that works. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:35.039 And here we are some 2,000 years later 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:37.600 and hearing Zach's testimony this morning, 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:40.639 being reminded that it's the only thing that works, 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.899 that can truly transform a person 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:45.419 from the inside out. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.379 And so Paul says, 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:47.559 as he finishes his letter, 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:49.940 verse 5 of chapter 13, 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:52.220 he says, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.600 examine yourselves 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:56.800 to see whether you are in the faith. 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:57.820 Test yourselves, 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:59.420 which is code for stop, 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:00.560 think, consider, 00:09:01.060 --> 00:09:02.899 and choose today 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:04.340 who you are going to serve. 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.840 And the Bible's full of those moments, 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:08.360 isn't it? 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.040 If you know the Bible story, 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:11.360 it's full of those moments 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.899 where God raises up leaders 00:09:12.899 --> 00:09:13.560 who say, 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:14.519 challenges people, 00:09:14.800 --> 00:09:16.160 which way are you going to go? 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.839 Which way are you going to serve? 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.419 That's Paul's plea. 00:09:25.079 --> 00:09:26.839 And yet here's the encouragement to them, 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:27.439 verse 6, 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.600 Paul wants them to know 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.500 as they do this, 00:09:31.219 --> 00:09:32.659 that he has passed the test. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.019 Right? 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:35.259 He's the real deal. 00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:38.000 Compared to these super apostles, 00:09:38.199 --> 00:09:38.939 he's the real deal. 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.939 Two quick things we see in this passage 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:43.400 that show us that he is the real deal. 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.280 Here's number one. 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:47.420 It is how he perseveres with people. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:51.360 So these Corinthians have seen in Paul 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:54.780 the marks of a true apostle. 00:09:55.780 --> 00:09:58.680 And he says them at verse 12 of chapter 12, 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:01.640 signs and wonders and miracles. 00:10:01.640 --> 00:10:02.960 You can think of those things 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:05.180 like God's public seal of approval 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:07.580 on Paul and his message 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:09.280 in the eyes of the watching world. 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:12.700 And he never took money from them 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:15.200 as so many speakers in Corinth did. 00:10:16.520 --> 00:10:18.400 And they struggle with that. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:19.420 They're thinking to themselves 00:10:19.420 --> 00:10:20.520 that you don't take money. 00:10:20.660 --> 00:10:21.660 What's the catch? 00:10:21.760 --> 00:10:23.500 We've got in our culture that phrase. 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:25.520 And growing up in the west of Scotland 00:10:25.520 --> 00:10:26.520 had this all the time. 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:28.280 There's no such thing as a free lunch. 00:10:28.380 --> 00:10:29.220 What's the catch? 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.140 What's the string? 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.000 And Paul said, 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:31.320 no, 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:33.300 I just wanted you to see 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:35.140 that what I was offering, 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:36.100 my message, 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.060 wasn't just another 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:39.000 first century TED talk 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:40.800 that the super apostles were doing. 00:10:41.380 --> 00:10:43.000 It was something completely different. 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.240 I wanted you to see it in your minds. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:47.680 And yet the Corinthians 00:10:47.680 --> 00:10:50.080 continue to question his credibility. 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.300 And yet here he is, 00:10:51.380 --> 00:10:51.980 verse 13, 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.300 talking about his plans, 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:55.380 not once but twice, 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.860 to go back a third time. 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:58.160 And you ask yourself, 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.900 why not just give up on them 00:11:00.900 --> 00:11:01.540 at this point? 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:05.120 Baseball umpire, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:05.640 strike one, 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:06.160 strike two, 00:11:06.380 --> 00:11:08.080 I'm out of there on strike three. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.860 Plenty more spiritual fish in the sea. 00:11:11.280 --> 00:11:12.560 Why does he not give up on them? 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:13.860 Answer, 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:17.200 because he loves them. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.420 Verse 14, 00:11:20.520 --> 00:11:21.520 the only way he can think 00:11:21.520 --> 00:11:22.400 to describe it 00:11:22.400 --> 00:11:25.040 is that he's like a parent. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.200 Do you see it? 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:28.379 He's like a parent. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:29.940 That's his heart for his children. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:31.740 That's how he sees this relationship. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:32.460 You know, 00:11:32.520 --> 00:11:33.700 our oldest girl turned 10 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.540 a few weeks ago 00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:35.500 struck me 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:36.500 that I have now been a parent 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.240 for a decade. 00:11:39.160 --> 00:11:40.140 And of all the mistakes 00:11:40.140 --> 00:11:40.800 that I've made 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:42.160 and all the regrets 00:11:42.160 --> 00:11:43.240 that I have, 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:45.900 I just say the old cliche is true. 00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:47.379 Where does the time go? 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:48.960 But see if I had to sum it up 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:49.560 in two words, 00:11:49.640 --> 00:11:50.540 the things that the Lord 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.420 has taught me, 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.840 sum it up in two words, 00:11:53.280 --> 00:11:54.340 joyful sacrifice. 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:58.840 Some days you're playing good cop, 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:00.680 some days you're playing bad cop, 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.980 but really at the end of the day 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:03.460 you'll do anything for them. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.660 to see them continue 00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:06.840 to grow and flourish. 00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.680 And that's what he's saying here. 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.440 Verse 14. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.340 I'm not a one man 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:15.440 traveling salesman 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:17.060 that as soon as the interest 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:17.960 is dried up, 00:12:18.020 --> 00:12:18.820 I'm moving on 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.879 and getting a new patch. 00:12:19.940 --> 00:12:21.879 I'm just following the money. 00:12:22.020 --> 00:12:22.740 What's Paul saying? 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:23.879 I don't want your stuff. 00:12:24.640 --> 00:12:25.940 I'm here for your stuff. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.300 We live in a world like that, 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:27.759 don't we? 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.540 That so often that we wonder, 00:12:29.660 --> 00:12:31.180 why are people friends with me? 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:33.360 Is there something 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.419 that they're not telling me? 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.019 Is there something 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.800 that they want? 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:37.700 But he's saying, 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.620 I didn't want your stuff. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.180 I'm genuine. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.659 I don't need your applause. 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:43.159 I take it the super apostles, 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.320 Paul knows fine well 00:12:44.320 --> 00:12:45.919 that that is tied up 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.639 with their interest 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:47.300 in the Corinthians. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:47.740 He's saying, 00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:48.460 I don't want your stuff. 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.720 I want you. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.820 In fact, 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.580 verse 15, 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.660 I will gladly spend 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:57.240 and be spent 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:59.860 for your well-being. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.500 So why does he continue 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.300 to go back? 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.580 Why does he continue 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.460 to have these Corinthians 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.180 in his heart? 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.800 Why does he continue 00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:10.120 to persevere with them? 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:12.400 Because he loves them. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:15.720 It's the mark of Christ's 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.100 stamp of approval 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:20.940 and the shape of Christ 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:21.720 in his life 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.759 that he perseveres 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.360 with people. 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:26.300 And secondly, 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:27.159 here's the second thing 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:27.620 that shows you 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.300 to the real deal. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.240 He's really serious 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:30.879 about sin. 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:33.360 Again, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.279 see Paul's heart 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.000 for these believers, 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.879 verse 19. 00:13:36.040 --> 00:13:37.100 Everything that he does, 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.940 everything he does 00:13:38.940 --> 00:13:40.259 is for their 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.100 strengthening. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.340 You might have 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.300 building up there. 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.040 It's the same thing. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.139 The skin in the game 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.740 is that he wants them 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.599 to live lives 00:13:47.599 --> 00:13:49.299 that display to the world 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.500 God's glory 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:52.120 as they grow 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.740 over time 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.759 bit by bit, 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:56.000 slowly by slowly, 00:13:56.939 --> 00:13:57.959 one step back, 00:13:58.079 --> 00:13:58.939 two steps forward, 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.799 grow more like Jesus. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.219 And that's how he wants 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:04.019 to find them 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.259 on this third visit 00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.319 when he goes back. 00:14:06.599 --> 00:14:07.879 He doesn't want to find, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.199 do you see how he lists 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:09.939 the things? 00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:13.459 A church full of 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.700 discord. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.639 Verse 20. 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.480 A culture of jealousy, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.480 of rage, 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:25.320 of selfish ambition, 00:14:26.280 --> 00:14:27.900 of slander, 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:28.639 of gossip, 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.960 of arrogance, 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.019 of disorder, 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:32.700 of sexual immorality. 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:32.900 Now, 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.180 why does he name it all? 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:34.879 That's what I've been 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.000 asking myself this week. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:38.259 Why not just summarize it 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:40.060 as unhealthy culture? 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:43.559 I take it Paul knows 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.179 that this stuff 00:14:44.179 --> 00:14:46.459 is endemic in Corinth, 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.199 right? 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.839 You read 1 Corinthians, 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:50.099 the one just before this, 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.619 and you see it everywhere. 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.779 Paul knows that this stuff 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.219 is all over the place 00:14:54.219 --> 00:14:54.939 as the culture 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:55.859 begins to seep 00:14:55.859 --> 00:14:56.719 into the lives 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:58.159 of the church. 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.019 But I also, 00:14:59.139 --> 00:14:59.819 he take it, 00:14:59.859 --> 00:15:00.739 he names it 00:15:00.739 --> 00:15:02.579 so that when they 00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:03.579 examine themselves, 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.500 when they stop, 00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:06.699 that they'll see it 00:15:06.699 --> 00:15:07.439 in their lives. 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:11.300 It's like when we all 00:15:11.300 --> 00:15:11.840 get out of bed 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.340 in the morning 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.220 and we stand in front 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.700 of the mirror 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:18.300 and you see bed heads, 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.400 makeup everywhere, 00:15:21.260 --> 00:15:22.340 stuff in your teeth 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.040 and you just think to yourself, 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.600 I need a shower. 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:26.000 That's the kind of thing 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.980 that Paul's saying here. 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:28.680 When he shows them it, 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.920 he's showing them the mirror 00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:32.180 and he's saying, 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.760 do you see this stuff 00:15:33.760 --> 00:15:34.820 as you examine yourself 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.440 in your heart? 00:15:35.640 --> 00:15:37.120 Even if it's the roots of it, 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.800 Paul wants them 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:40.060 to nip it in the bud. 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.640 And this is the truth, 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:42.940 isn't it, 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.700 that we're celebrating 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:44.160 this morning 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.820 and remembering 00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:45.820 that God has saved 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.380 the Christian 00:15:46.380 --> 00:15:49.160 out of the old pattern 00:15:49.160 --> 00:15:49.760 of life. 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.620 He's called us 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.700 out of 00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:55.660 and from the darkness 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.960 to live in the light 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.180 and to live for him. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.900 A Christian is not just 00:16:00.900 --> 00:16:01.660 someone who's made 00:16:01.660 --> 00:16:03.340 a few different life choices. 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.560 A Christian is somebody 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.879 for whom Jesus 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.639 has sought 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.500 and bought 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.339 and died for 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:10.019 on the cross. 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:11.719 The Spirit lives inside, 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:13.299 the old has gone 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:14.539 and the new has come. 00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:17.699 And one of the telltale signs 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:18.839 of the Spirit's work 00:16:18.839 --> 00:16:19.779 in our lives 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.559 is that we see it 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:22.639 for what it is. 00:16:23.979 --> 00:16:25.539 And the Spirit in us, 00:16:25.619 --> 00:16:27.399 he changes our desires. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.319 So the things 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:29.879 that we used to love, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:33.240 we now think to ourselves, 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.399 that is darkness. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.000 I once heard somebody 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.220 talk about this like 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:40.399 orange juice. 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.919 Many of us love 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.559 orange juice, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.120 I imagine. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.600 However, 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.980 I imagine none of us 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.039 like it just after 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.019 we've brushed our teeth. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.679 And why is that? 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.899 I take it it's because 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.240 our palate has changed. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:00.039 And that's the kind 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.460 of change 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.180 that Paul's talking 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:01.740 about here. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:04.079 When Christ has came 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.000 and invaded your life, 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.519 when the kingdom 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:06.480 has broken in there, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:06.940 friends, 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.079 he changes our palates, 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.039 he changes our spiritual tastes. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.359 The sin we used 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:13.920 to find enticing 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.700 and almost, 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.200 can I say, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.519 endorphin producing, 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.720 we now find 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:21.079 odious. 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.279 And I wonder 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.099 if the super apostles 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.960 are wandering around 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.840 saying this stuff, 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:27.019 it's not ideal, 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.860 but it's okay. 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.960 It's just part of life. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.420 Maybe the Christians 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:32.860 have found 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:34.340 in these super apostles 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.819 are more palatable 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.740 Christianity. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:37.620 Really, 00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.720 they're like little children 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.279 who run to mum 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:41.220 and get one answer. 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.480 They don't like that answer 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.720 and then they run to dad 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.279 and try and get 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.019 a different answer. 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.680 At least that's how 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.740 it works in our house. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.340 But Paul says, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.480 if I come and see it, 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:54.559 I'll be so grieved 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.299 if I find 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.440 that you haven't 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.420 see the word there, 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.799 repented 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:00.079 of it. 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:02.339 Why? 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.059 Not just because 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.700 he's got his 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.819 tail up. 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.819 It grieves 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.559 God's heart. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.019 And out with faith 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.500 in Jesus, 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:12.880 friends, 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.460 it brings 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.079 God's 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.160 judgment. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:17.240 And so we've 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.160 got to ask ourselves, 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.500 where do we see 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.220 ourselves 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:22.180 in this list? 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.720 I think so often 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.500 my problem, 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:24.779 friends, 00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:25.380 I wonder if it's 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.519 your problem as well, 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.960 is that when we see 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.080 this stuff in our lives, 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.480 we put out the bunting. 00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:32.660 When in actual fact, 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.220 we should be 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.580 waving the red flag. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.980 We need people 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.740 in our lives 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.920 who will call us 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.060 out in love 00:18:40.060 --> 00:18:41.680 on this stuff. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.960 Paul is serious 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.700 about sin. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.380 Because what's 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.140 on offer here 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.519 is life knowing 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.660 the living God, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.660 life with the God 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.580 who created us, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.720 and life lived 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.720 the way that the God 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.220 who made us 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.500 designed it to be lived, 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.660 where we don't run 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.880 away from him 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:58.559 to the darkness, 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.900 but to repent, 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:02.000 to find forgiveness 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.600 in Jesus, 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.420 what he's done for us 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:03.840 at the cross, 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.220 and turn back to the God 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.840 who made us 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:06.559 and loves us, 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.160 who made us in his image, 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.100 and who made us 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:10.299 to live in relationship 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.600 with him. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.539 That's what's on offer 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.160 this morning. 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:16.080 Paul's series 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:16.700 about sin, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.200 verse 2 of chapter 13, 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.500 he's warning them. 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.120 Again, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:20.759 he's not mincing 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.220 his words, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:21.480 is he? 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.600 He's warning them. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.400 And if he returns 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:26.140 and he sees blatant sin 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.279 in this church family, 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.640 he will not spare 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.059 calling it out, 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.759 calling a spade 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.559 a spade. 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.299 Why? 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.500 Because he loves 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.019 these people 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.059 and he loves the Lord 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.680 and his glory 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.240 and renown. 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.039 He's not afraid 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.140 to say the hard thing 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.440 and make the right call. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.460 Verse 10, 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.519 he does it all 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.620 under the authority 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.640 given him 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:47.680 by the risen Jesus. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.240 And just notice, 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.080 just as we finish 00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.539 this morning, 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.660 how counter-cultural 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.620 and otherworldly 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.259 this is. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.620 When our world says, 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.240 let your heart 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.500 and passions run free 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.600 like wild bison 00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:03.320 on the plane, 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.580 Paul says, 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:06.220 cease sin 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.180 for what it is 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:09.480 and put it to death. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.400 In our world says, 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.019 you need to live 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.779 your truth. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.940 Paul says, 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:17.039 you need to hear 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.840 God's truth. 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.759 No matter how unpopular 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.460 it makes me, 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.400 no matter how much 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.279 you want me gone, 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:24.080 because Jesus says, 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.220 the truth 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.340 will set you 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:27.259 free. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.299 Now here's the question 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.259 as we bring this together 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.820 this morning. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.720 Who does Paul 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.940 remind you of here? 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:35.740 And the answer 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.460 is Jesus. 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:40.660 The great pursuer 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:43.180 of wayward souls. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:44.620 You know, 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.380 there was once 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.500 an English poet 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.820 called Francis Thompson. 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.299 Do you know what 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.360 he once called Jesus 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.220 in one of his poems? 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.460 He called him 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.640 the hound from heaven. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:56.180 Jesus came from heaven. 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:57.420 He came with our scent 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.400 in his nostrils. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:00.460 He came to seek us 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.920 and to save us. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.100 And the wonderful truth 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:04.400 for every single believer 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.960 is that Jesus came 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.120 looking for us 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:08.700 well before 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:10.080 we ever went 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:11.539 looking for him. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.539 And the truth is, 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:14.980 and Zach, 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.860 you hear this this morning, 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.519 that Jesus 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:18.480 doesn't give up 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.600 on us. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.840 Faith in him 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.680 means that no matter 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.340 if you are struggling 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.980 this morning, 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:26.560 friends, 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.700 know that his grip 00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.380 on you 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.440 is way stronger 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.180 than your grip 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.700 on him. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.700 Jesus is not like 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.400 an employer 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.539 who having hired 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.660 someone is saying 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.279 to himself 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.279 a few months in, 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.519 I wish I'd asked 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.720 a few more questions 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.019 at interview. 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.460 When he died 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.980 on the cross, 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:45.240 he died for all 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.960 of our sin. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.340 He knew exactly 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.900 what he was taking on. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.600 And the truth is 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:52.100 that we have given 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:54.279 Jesus ample evidence 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.180 for him to give up 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.720 on us. 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:58.200 And yet the wonder 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.299 of grace 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.620 is that none of it 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.259 has changed 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.940 his mind 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.339 about us. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.880 And so Paul warns 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.440 and he loves 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:11.160 and he woos 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.579 and he says 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.400 to the Corinthians 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.620 to be restored 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:16.819 to my gospel 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:19.180 is to be restored 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.759 to Jesus 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.420 who loves you 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:21.079 and holds you. 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.360 You know, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.059 just as we close, 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.740 I remember one of my 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.380 first Sundays 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.039 at Brunsfield 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:28.759 nearly 13 years ago 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.279 and some of you 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.920 might have been around 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:31.220 then to have witnessed 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.920 this event. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.420 There were three 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.400 Chinese girls 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.380 who came to Edinburgh 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.859 for a university placement 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:38.700 and they were here 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.779 before heading home. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.759 And as I got here, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.799 I remember hearing stories 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.480 about how they'd come 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.099 to faith 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.200 during their time 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.539 in Scotland 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:48.420 and I witnessed 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.220 their baptism. 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.380 It was a wonderful morning 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.279 seeing three people 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.960 being baptized 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.859 but I remember 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.480 in particular 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.500 one of those girls 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.680 who will just call Jay 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.900 because of the live stream 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:58.819 meeting this girl 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.339 called Jay 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:01.259 and Jay was so aware 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.599 of what it would cost her 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.960 to go back to China 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.380 and to declare 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.920 that she followed Jesus. 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.839 What it was going to cost her 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:13.220 in her society, 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.619 what it was going to cost her 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.859 in terms of her family, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.940 what it potentially 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.759 could have cost her 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.000 in terms of her career 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:22.460 aspirations 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.460 and being really blown away 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.039 by this girl 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.220 who was really prepared 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.279 to count the cost 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.200 for following Jesus. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.680 But here was the million dollar 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:30.660 question. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.359 Is he worth it? 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:36.039 Is he worth it? 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.339 And we knew we wouldn't hear 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.619 from her for a long, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.339 long time 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.380 just because of the risk 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:43.519 involved in communication 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.299 but a few years went by 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.940 and I remember the day 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.980 when John and I, 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.240 John who I worked with 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.099 at the time he used to be 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:51.339 the former pastor here, 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.240 got the shortest 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:54.339 of emails from her 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:56.900 and he just simply said, 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.839 got engaged, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.559 husband and I 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.700 going to Bible college 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:02.539 hoping to plant a church 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.920 and that was it. 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.579 Please pray. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:07.940 But he was this young girl 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.339 who moved to this country, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.420 fell in love with Jesus, 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.640 found in Jesus 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.759 someone who knew her, 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.759 who had died for her, 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.500 who loves her 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.440 and was holding her 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.180 and thought, 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.400 I want to follow him 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.680 with the rest of my days 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.759 when I go back home, 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.040 fully prepared 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:23.320 to count the cost 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:25.300 of following Jesus, 00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:26.340 our crucified king. 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.519 And so let's be encouraged 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.840 as we hear Zach's story 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.400 this morning. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.019 Is he worth it? 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.980 Is he worth it? 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.160 You know, 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.380 together resoundingly 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.019 we say, 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:37.519 don't we, 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.519 as we come together 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.420 on a Sunday morning, 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:41.259 yes he is. 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:44.019 So let me just close then 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.120 by reading these words 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:47.659 as we pray 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:49.679 from verse 11. 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.479 Finally, 00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:53.619 brothers and sisters, 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.479 rejoice. 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:58.799 Strive for full restoration. 00:24:59.239 --> 00:25:00.299 Encourage one another. 00:25:00.439 --> 00:25:01.339 Be of one mind. 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:03.019 Live in peace. 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.599 And the God of love 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.419 and peace 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:07.299 will be with you. 00:25:08.459 --> 00:25:10.099 Greet one another 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.059 with a holy kiss. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.299 Zach, 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.119 you'll get one of them later. 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:14.759 All God's people here 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.759 send their greetings 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.739 and here's 00:25:16.739 --> 00:25:18.039 how we leave it. 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.119 May the grace 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.679 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:25:21.679 --> 00:25:23.579 and the love of God 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:25.099 and the fellowship 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:26.339 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.500 be with you all. 00:25:28.219 --> 00:25:28.659 Amen. 00:25:29.219 --> 00:25:29.579 Amen. 00:25:29.699 --> 00:25:30.139 And so Father, 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:30.779 we thank you 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.559 for this morning 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:34.279 and we just thank you 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:36.119 for being reminded again 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.739 that you, 00:25:36.959 --> 00:25:37.439 Lord Jesus, 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.379 are the one 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.719 who came to seek 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:40.679 and to save. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:42.160 you are the one 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.940 in whom 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:44.920 there is life 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:46.279 and life to the full. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:47.880 And Father, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.700 we thank you 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.340 this morning 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.560 for being reminded 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.820 of the challenge 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:54.420 to make the decision 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:56.500 but also being reminded 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.600 of the encouragement 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.320 that it is 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.779 that there is none like him. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.060 Father, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.039 convince our souls 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.500 this morning 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.279 whatever's going on 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.960 in our lives 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:04.519 as we contemplate 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.340 that question, 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.060 is he worth it? 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.839 to follow 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.079 this crucified king, 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.220 to embrace 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.859 the pattern 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.440 of weakness 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.079 being the way 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.740 of strength. 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:14.899 Is he worth it? 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.179 Father, 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:16.139 convince our souls 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.720 this morning. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:17.819 Yes, 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.279 he is. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.440 And so it's 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.319 in his strong 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.460 and in his mighty name 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:21.899 we pray. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.039 Amen. 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.039 Amen. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.179 Amen. 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:24.179 00:26:24.179 --> 00:26:26.179 Amen.