WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading for today comes from Deuteronomy chapter 6.

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! Please follow along in your Bibles, on the screen, or in your bulletin.

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 Here, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

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 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

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 And these words I command you today shall be on your heart.

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 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,

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 and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

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 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

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 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates.

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 And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers,

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 to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you with great and good cities that you did not build,

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 and houses full of good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig,

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 and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, and when you eat and are full,

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 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,

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 out of the house of slavery.

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 It is the Lord your God you shall fear.

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 Him you shall serve, and by his name you shall swear.

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 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who were around you.

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 For the Lord your God is in your midst, is a jealous God,

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 lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you,

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 and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

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 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massa.

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 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God,

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 and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.

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 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord,

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 that it may go well with you, that you may go in and take possession of the good land

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 that the Lord swore to give to your fathers by thrusting out all your enemies from before you,

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 as the Lord has promised.

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 And at verse 20 we read,

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 When your sons ask you in time to come,

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 what is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?

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 Then you shall say to your son,

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 We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt,

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 and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand,

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 and the Lord showed signs and wonders,

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 great and grievous,

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 against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household before our eyes.

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 And he brought us out from there,

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 and that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.

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 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes,

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 to fear the Lord our God,

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 for our good always,

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 that he might preserve us alive,

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 as we are this day.

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 And it will be righteousness for us,

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 if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God,

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 that he has commanded us.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Great, thanks Annabelle.

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 Let me pray for us,

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 and then let's dive in.

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 Father God,

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 as we come to your word this morning,

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 this passage which is so famous,

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 but so important.

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 Oh God,

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 we pray that you write these things in our hearts,

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 Lord.

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 Help us to know and hear you,

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 and understand what you have to say to us.

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 Lord,

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 we want to love you abundantly,

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 and so help us,

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 Lord,

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 to understand and to apply your word.

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 In your name I pray.

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 Amen.

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 I wonder how you feel about change.

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 Some people love change.

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 Some people can't stand change.

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 Some people love every few years kind of changing the furniture in their house,

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 and their bedrooms,

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 and just,

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 you know,

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 something fresh or new.

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 Some people like leaving things exactly the way they are for the next,

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 you know,

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 30 years.

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 Some people love changing jobs,

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 and cities,

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 and careers,

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 and cars,

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 or something like that.

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 And some people,

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 if you stay in the same job,

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 in the same city,

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 in the same country,

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 in the same home,

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 for the next 20 years,

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 you will be as happy as Larry.

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 I don't know who Larry was,

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 but happy as Tiffany,

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 okay?

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 How do you feel about change?

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 Well,

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 I ask you this question because we at Watermark are in a season of change.

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 If you are new to our church,

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 in three weeks time,

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 we are moving from this venue to a new venue in Wong Chuk Hang.

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 We have been in Parkville for the last 15 years,

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 and for the first time,

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 we are going to be moving to our new venue in Wong Chuk Hang.

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 And there is going to be a lot of change.

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 We are going to be moving from a school hall,

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 into a new office venue.

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 We are going to be moving from somebody else's space,

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 that we borrow on a Sunday,

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 to our own space,

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 that we use permanently.

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 We are going to be moving from a place where we sit up,

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 and break down each week,

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 to a place that is more permanent,

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 and we can make our home.

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 And so,

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 there is going to be lots of changes.

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 Maybe changes in our community.

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 Maybe new people come.

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 There is going to be lots of changes.

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 How do we feel about that?

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 How do we feel?

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 Over the next couple of weeks,

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 we want to consider,

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 that as there is lots of change going on in our church,

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 there are some things,

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 in fact the most important things about Watermark,

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 must not change.

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 Must remain unchanged.

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 Our venue can change,

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 but our values must not.

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 Where we meet can change,

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 but who we are,

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 what we love,

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 what we prioritize,

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 should stay the same.

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 And so,

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 like the enduring waves of the ocean,

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 or the great mountain cliffs,

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 I love the picture behind us,

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 the most important things in life,

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 and the most important things in our faith,

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 and the most important things about Watermark,

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 should not change,

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 and should remain unchanged.

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 And so,

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 the next few weeks,

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 we're going to be looking at some of these things,

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 and reminding ourselves,

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 of the eternal truth,

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 the thing that make us,

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 who we are.

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 And so today,

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 we're looking at this very,

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 very wonderful,

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 and famous passage,

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 in the book of Deuteronomy.

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 And,

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 Deuteronomy is a very special book,

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 if you don't know the book of Deuteronomy,

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 I encourage you to read it,

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 on your own sometime.

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 But the book of Deuteronomy,

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 is Moses' final words,

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 of instructions,

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 before one,

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 he passes away,

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 and two,

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 the nation of Israel,

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 leave the wilderness,

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 and go into the promised land.

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 I don't know if you've ever had,

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 a loved one,

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 that is either very old,

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 or maybe very sick,

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 and you get a call from the hospital,

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 saying,

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 we think they do not have,

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 much longer to live.

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 We think you should come,

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 and have your final conversation.

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 As you go to the hospital,

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 what would you want to say?

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 What would you want to hear?

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 What would that final conversation involve?

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 Moses here,

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 is about to pass away,

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 and he's been the leader of Israel,

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 for 40 years,

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 and he's now having his final sermon,

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 his final conversation,

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 to the nation of Israel.

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 But it's also,

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 the final set of instructions,

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 he's going to give them,

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 as they go into the promised land.

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 It's kind of like,

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 if you're a parent,

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 and your child,

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 transitions from one stage of life,

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 to the next,

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 you might,

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 give them a set of words,

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 right?

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 Maybe your child,

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 turns 13,

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 then they become a teenager.

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 It's a new stage of life.

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 Or maybe they go off to college,

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 or they're about to get married,

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 and you take your daughter out for dinner,

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 or you write her a letter,

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 and say,

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 things are about to change.

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 But these things,

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 I want you to remember.

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 I want you to know this.

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 Don't forget this.

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 You affirm them,

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 you encourage them,

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 but you also speak them,

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 the things that you want them to remember.

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 As the nation of Israel,

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 is about to go,

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 into the promised land,

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 Moses gives them his final words.

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 And so,

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 let's look at,

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 what he's going to say.

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 And so,

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 this is,

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 what Moses is going to say to them,

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 is going to shape,

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 who they're going to become,

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 for generations.

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 And so,

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 look at what Moses says here.

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 Look at,

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 chapter 6,

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 verse 4.

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 He says,

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 Hear,

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 O Israel,

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 the Lord our God,

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 the Lord is one.

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 Now,

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 this passage,

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 in Jewish communities,

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 is known as the Shema.

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 Shema is the Hebrew word for hear,

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 to listen,

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 and it's,

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 because it starts off,

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 it says,

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 Hear,

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 O Israel.

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 Jewish families,

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 will recite this prayer,

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 every morning,

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 and every evening,

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 and when they put their kids to bed,

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 it's the last thing,

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 that they'll say to their children,

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 before their children fall asleep.

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 Hear,

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 O Israel,

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 Shema,

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 or Yisrael.

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 Hear,

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 the Lord our God,

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 the Lord is one.

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 It's kind of like,

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 when you,

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 when you say to your kids,

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 sorry,

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 lots of kids analogies this morning,

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 when you say to your kids,

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 listen up,

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 look me in the eye,

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 right?

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 You really want to get their attention,

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 they're kind of all over the place,

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 and say,

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 look me in the eye,

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 I want you to hear what I'm saying.

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 That's kind of what God is saying to Israel.

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 Listen,

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 hear,

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 O Israel,

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 I've got something important to say to you.

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 And what does he have to say?

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 Hear,

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 O Israel,

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 the Lord our God,

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 the Lord is one.

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 In ancient cultures,

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 the various nations and countries,

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 all had their own gods,

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 and deities,

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 and ethnicities,

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 right?

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 So,

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 the God of the Canaanites,

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 they would have their gods,

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 and the Babylonians,

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 they would have their gods,

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 and the Persians would have their gods,

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 and they would say,

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 and Israel,

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 they've got their God,

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 right?

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 He's Yahweh.

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 But Yahweh here says,

00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:44.159
 actually,

00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:44.320
 no,

00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:45.659
 that's not the way it is.

00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:49.299
 I am not just one of a plethora of gods,

00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:52.379
 like a buffet that you can just choose which god you want to serve.

00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:54.379
 I am the one.

00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:56.200
 I am the one true God,

00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:57.820
 the uncreated one.

00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.840
 I am above every culture,

00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:01.100
 every nationality,

00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:03.360
 every nation's god,

00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.059
 or deity.

00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.100
 I'm not just one of a variety of gods.

00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:08.120
 I am the Lord,

00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:08.820
 the God,

00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:09.419
 the one,

00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:10.799
 over all people.

00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:12.620
 I'm the one who brought all people,

00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:13.220
 all nations,

00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:13.980
 all civilizations,

00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:14.840
 into existence,

00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:15.879
 all the cosmos,

00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:16.620
 into existence.

00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.060
 The one uncreated being,

00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:22.360
 who has had no beginning and no end,

00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:23.580
 I am the Lord,

00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:24.920
 who's God over everything.

00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.460
 I am the Lord,

00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.019
 the God.

00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:28.399
 But,

00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.860
 but God's not only saying,

00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.139
 I am the one existentially,

00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.639
 factually,

00:10:32.780 --> 00:10:33.500
 though that is true,

00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.580
 he's also saying,

00:10:34.580 --> 00:10:36.660
 I am the one relationally,

00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:37.800
 personally,

00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:38.700
 covenantally.

00:10:39.420 --> 00:10:40.000
 In other words,

00:10:40.160 --> 00:10:41.460
 God is saying to Israel,

00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:43.600
 I am the one for you,

00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:45.580
 the one and only God that you should serve.

00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:46.400
 It's like,

00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:47.780
 when Claire and I got married,

00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:51.200
 Claire became the one,

00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:51.700
 right?

00:10:52.220 --> 00:10:54.040
 There are lots of ladies in my life,

00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:54.900
 lots of friends,

00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.160
 but Claire is the one,

00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.200
 the one and only,

00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:58.420
 right?

00:10:58.420 --> 00:10:59.759
 The one that I give my heart to,

00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.600
 my affection to,

00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.379
 the one I adore,

00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:02.460
 the one I give myself to.

00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.500
 God here says,

00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.840
 hear O Israel,

00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.139
 the Lord,

00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:07.679
 the uncreated one,

00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.919
 he is the one,

00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:09.779
 existentially,

00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.460
 factually,

00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:11.000
 that's true,

00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:11.600
 ontologically,

00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.320
 but also personally,

00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:13.720
 relationally,

00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.899
 I'm the one for you,

00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:16.899
 the one God that you should serve.

00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.059
 And friends,

00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:18.559
 in some ways,

00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:18.960
 this is,

00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:21.259
 the very heart of the Christian faith,

00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:24.279
 is that the God that made all things,

00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.679
 is existentially,

00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:27.360
 factually,

00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.620
 above all things,

00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.200
 that's true,

00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:30.700
 but the heart of Christianity,

00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:32.660
 is that this God is also relational.

00:11:33.640 --> 00:11:35.200
 He's not just an idea,

00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.660
 he's not just a philosophy,

00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:37.560
 a thought,

00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.780
 he's relational,

00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:39.820
 he wants to know us,

00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.820
 he wants us to know him.

00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.720
 He wants to be the one,

00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:43.940
 sovereign,

00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:44.980
 the one Lord,

00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.780
 the one God of our hearts,

00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.660
 that rules our hearts.

00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:49.800
 And because,

00:11:50.140 --> 00:11:51.360
 he is the one God,

00:11:51.400 --> 00:11:52.660
 who is above all things,

00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:53.580
 that has implications,

00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.820
 for the way we relate to him.

00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.320
 And so look at what verse 5 says,

00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:58.040
 hear O Israel,

00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.079
 the Lord our God,

00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:00.000
 the Lord is one,

00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.019
 verse 5,

00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:01.799
 therefore,

00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:04.379
 you shall love the Lord your God,

00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:06.480
 with all of your heart,

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:08.339
 with all of your soul,

00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:10.000
 and with all of your might,

00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:11.459
 or with all of your strength,

00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:12.360
 all of your abilities.

00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:13.500
 The word might there means,

00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:14.360
 your resources,

00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:16.360
 your economic resources,

00:12:16.599 --> 00:12:17.980
 your physical resources,

00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:19.579
 with all of your being.

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:20.840
 Now,

00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:22.560
 many of us will know that,

00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.200
 many hundreds of years later,

00:12:24.520 --> 00:12:24.680
 you know,

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.820
 1500 years later,

00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.620
 somebody comes to Jesus Christ,

00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.400
 and says,

00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:28.740
 Jesus,

00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.500
 there are 600 laws,

00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.360
 in the Old Testament,

00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.080
 okay,

00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.639
 in the first five books of the Bible,

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.680
 there are 600 laws,

00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:36.160
 which is the most important?

00:12:37.020 --> 00:12:39.160
 And Jesus comes to this very verse,

00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:39.520
 and says,

00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.860
 this is the most important,

00:12:40.900 --> 00:12:41.879
 out of all of them,

00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:43.520
 to love the Lord your God,

00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:44.720
 with all your heart,

00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.780
 and all your soul,

00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.000
 and all your mind,

00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:47.580
 Jesus says,

00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.420
 and all your strength.

00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:49.539
 And Jesus says,

00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:50.339
 and to love others,

00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.579
 this is the summary,

00:12:51.699 --> 00:12:52.679
 of the entire Bible.

00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:53.799
 You want the Bible,

00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:54.479
 in two verses?

00:12:55.059 --> 00:12:56.459
 Love God supremely,

00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.740
 and love others.

00:12:58.379 --> 00:12:58.979
 And Jesus says,

00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.339
 this is what it's all about,

00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:00.839
 to,

00:13:00.839 --> 00:13:02.699
 sums up the entire Old Testament,

00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.939
 to love God.

00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.599
 The most important thing,

00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.799
 about us as a church,

00:13:07.139 --> 00:13:07.939
 and us individually,

00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:10.240
 is not which building we meet in,

00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:11.459
 buildings will come and go,

00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:13.360
 it's not how popular,

00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:15.159
 or unpopular we are as a church,

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.679
 it's not how big,

00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:17.620
 or how small we are,

00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.840
 those things are not important.

00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.600
 Pastors will come and go,

00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.560
 people will come and go,

00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:23.220
 the most important thing,

00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.340
 about us as a church,

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.480
 is this.

00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:27.419
 Are we those who,

00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:29.220
 who comes down to this question,

00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:31.659
 who love the Lord our God,

00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:34.019
 who treasure him,

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.539
 who prioritize him,

00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.560
 above all else,

00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:40.840
 who revere and prize him,

00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:42.899
 who delight in him,

00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:45.279
 who adore God,

00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.659
 above everything else,

00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.139
 in our lives.

00:13:49.139 --> 00:13:49.620
 So God says,

00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:51.579
 this is the most important thing.

00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:52.459
 Watermark,

00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.139
 the building,

00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:53.480
 okay,

00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:53.720
 sure,

00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.059
 Viva,

00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.699
 it'll be nice,

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:54.919
 sure,

00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.939
 but that's not important.

00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:56.679
 Okay,

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.679
 there's car park there,

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.500
 fantastic,

00:13:58.919 --> 00:13:59.819
 that's not important,

00:13:59.939 --> 00:14:00.120
 right?

00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.740
 There's an MTR line there,

00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:02.799
 that's,

00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.299
 that's not the most important thing.

00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:05.659
 Watermark,

00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:06.860
 the most important thing about us,

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:07.860
 is will we be a church,

00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:08.899
 that loves,

00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:10.100
 loves God,

00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.300
 with everything that we are,

00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:12.840
 and all that we have.

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:15.060
 But as we think about that,

00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.580
 there's something strange,

00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.580
 about that commandment,

00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.100
 isn't there?

00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:19.440
 Because it's,

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.360
 there's something strange,

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.519
 about commanding,

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.860
 one's affections.

00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.620
 You know,

00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:24.899
 I can,

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:26.320
 I can tell my children,

00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:26.940
 what to do,

00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.200
 you will be home,

00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:29.340
 by a certain time,

00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:29.879
 okay,

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:32.139
 or please make your bed,

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:32.960
 okay,

00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.259
 or whatever it is,

00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:35.580
 but to command,

00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.899
 somebody's affections,

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:38.059
 that's a bit more difficult,

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.439
 right?

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.620
 There's some things,

00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.819
 that either you do love them,

00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.679
 or you don't love them.

00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.519
 You love dumplings,

00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.699
 or you don't love dumplings,

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:44.039
 okay?

00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.240
 You love broccoli,

00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:46.279
 or you don't love broccoli.

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.139
 It's a bit hard to,

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:48.879
 command somebody's affections.

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:49.840
 But actually,

00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.399
 the Bible has no problem,

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:53.019
 commanding our affections,

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.799
 and telling us,

00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:55.759
 you must delight in God.

00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:56.620
 You,

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.419
 you must,

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.259
 you shall,

00:14:58.579 --> 00:14:59.579
 revere God.

00:14:59.959 --> 00:15:01.579
 You shall be in awe of God.

00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:03.100
 Why does the Bible do that?

00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.519
 And the reason is,

00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.100
 in the Bible,

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.940
 to love something,

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.759
 is a combination,

00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.000
 of both our commitment,

00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:10.980
 and our affections.

00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:13.200
 Both what we devote ourselves to,

00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.680
 and what we delight in.

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:15.820
 So,

00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.120
 if you think about it,

00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:19.040
 to love something supremely,

00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.740
 to be the most important thing,

00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.139
 involves both of those things.

00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.720
 When I say to Claire,

00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.120
 I love you,

00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:25.980
 it means,

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.360
 I delight in you.

00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:29.220
 You bring such joy to my life.

00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:31.019
 My life is better because of you.

00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:33.759
 I love waking up in the morning,

00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.179
 and knowing you're part of my life.

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.659
 But love,

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.000
 it can't just be affections,

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.340
 because,

00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:39.279
 to be honest,

00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:41.419
 affections do go up and down.

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.199
 Sometimes I'm self-seeking.

00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.480
 Sometimes I love myself,

00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.279
 more than my wife.

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.019
 Actually,

00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.120
 often I love myself,

00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:47.659
 more than her.

00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.819
 That's a problem,

00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.179
 right?

00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:51.360
 So if my love for is only,

00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:52.600
 based on how I feel,

00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:52.939
 okay,

00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.319
 that's not a very solid love,

00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:54.699
 commitment.

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.460
 But if love is only,

00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.519
 based on commitment,

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.279
 well that's a bit stoic,

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.579
 right?

00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.100
 Imagine I come to Claire one day,

00:16:01.160 --> 00:16:01.400
 and say,

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:01.800
 love,

00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.920
 here are some flowers.

00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:03.960
 She says,

00:16:04.020 --> 00:16:04.720
 they're lovely,

00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.340
 thank you.

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.800
 And I say,

00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:06.500
 yeah,

00:16:06.540 --> 00:16:07.259
 well I made a commitment,

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:07.800
 once a year,

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.600
 I'd buy you flowers,

00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:09.320
 this is the day,

00:16:09.420 --> 00:16:09.580
 so,

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:09.900
 you know,

00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:10.400
 take them,

00:16:10.520 --> 00:16:12.160
 and 3rd of August next year,

00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.340
 you can expect another bunch.

00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:13.940
 Okay?

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.720
 There's no heart,

00:16:14.780 --> 00:16:15.480
 there's no affection.

00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:16.980
 That's not very loving.

00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:18.400
 Love,

00:16:18.400 --> 00:16:19.820
 both involves commitment,

00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.259
 and affection,

00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.040
 delight,

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.720
 and devotion.

00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:25.920
 God comes to us,

00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.340
 and he says,

00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:27.000
 watermark,

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.879
 my people,

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.060
 those that know me,

00:16:29.599 --> 00:16:30.759
 love the Lord your God,

00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:32.019
 give yourself to me,

00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.799
 but don't just,

00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:34.539
 as formal stoic commitment,

00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.019
 devote yourself,

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.939
 delight in me,

00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:39.099
 let me be the most precious thing,

00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.339
 in your life.

00:16:41.479 --> 00:16:41.919
 And God says,

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.959
 let this happen in all of our life,

00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:45.059
 with all of our being,

00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.500
 and all of our doing.

00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:48.239
 A few years ago,

00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.899
 I read the book,

00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.639
 Shoe Dog,

00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:51.059
 which is by Phil Knight,

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.179
 the creator of Nike,

00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:53.079
 if you haven't read it,

00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:54.199
 it's a wonderful book,

00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.340
 really enjoyable,

00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:56.240
 but there's a line,

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.300
 that really stood out to me,

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.660
 listen to what Phil Knight says,

00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.120
 he says,

00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.500
 in many ways,

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.860
 he's talking about his growing up,

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:02.640
 he says,

00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.100
 in many ways,

00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:04.799
 my father was a conventional Christian,

00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.580
 a believer in Jesus Christ,

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.160
 but he also worshipped,

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:09.519
 another secret deity,

00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.080
 respectability,

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.620
 a colonial house,

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.519
 a beautiful wife,

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.500
 obedient kids,

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.880
 my father enjoyed,

00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.660
 all these things,

00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.080
 but what he really loved,

00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.360
 above all else,

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:21.099
 was his friends and neighbors,

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.819
 knowing that he had them,

00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.899
 right,

00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:26.519
 I love Jesus,

00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:27.919
 but actually there's a secret,

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.579
 there's a God,

00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.240
 there's a deity,

00:17:29.379 --> 00:17:30.479
 there's an idol in my heart,

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.059
 respectability,

00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.179
 being admired,

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.219
 revered,

00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.699
 by those around me,

00:17:36.479 --> 00:17:36.719
 friends,

00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.359
 how easy it is to come to worship,

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.019
 on Sundays,

00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:40.279
 declare God's greatness,

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:41.000
 and his goodness,

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.779
 and on Mondays to Fridays,

00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.179
 there's another secret deity,

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.740
 in our heart,

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.359
 and God says,

00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.619
 if you want to flourish,

00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:49.039
 if you want to be the people,

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.099
 that I'm calling you to be,

00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.059
 buildings,

00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:51.599
 buildings,

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:51.920
 whatever,

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:52.740
 wherever you are,

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:55.019
 the most important thing,

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.680
 love me with all of your hearts,

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.500
 with all of your soul,

00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.420
 with all of your being,

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.259
 with all of your doing,

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.180
 listen oh Israel,

00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.079
 the Lord our God,

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.879
 the Lord is one,

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.079
 and in a sense,

00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:06.139
 we get that in verse 6 to 9,

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.519
 look at,

00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.460
 here is a picture,

00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:10.779
 of someone whose entire life,

00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:12.059
 all of their being,

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.779
 all of their doing,

00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.779
 everything they do with their hands,

00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.879
 everything they look at with their eyes,

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.440
 everywhere they go,

00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.200
 their business,

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.880
 their home,

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.560
 their family,

00:18:21.780 --> 00:18:22.860
 all of their being,

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.820
 all of their doing,

00:18:24.260 --> 00:18:25.300
 is shaped,

00:18:25.760 --> 00:18:26.860
 by the one,

00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.800
 and the majesty of God,

00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:29.240
 look at what verse 6 to 9 says,

00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.680
 and these words,

00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:32.520
 these words I command you today,

00:18:32.580 --> 00:18:33.760
 shall be on your heart,

00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.900
 you shall teach them diligently,

00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.820
 to your children,

00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:38.720
 talk of them when you sit in your house,

00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:40.160
 when you walk by the way,

00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.320
 when you lie down,

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.120
 and when you rise,

00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:43.640
 bind them as a sign,

00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.360
 on your hands,

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:46.000
 tie them as frontlets,

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.920
 between your eyes,

00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.039
 you shall write them,

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.500
 on the doorposts of your house,

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.880
 and on your gates,

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.339
 in all of your doing,

00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.059
 in all of your being,

00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.119
 everywhere you go,

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.339
 let my words,

00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.619
 let who I am,

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.640
 shape you,

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.380
 and who you are,

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.920
 and again,

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.960
 we may feel like,

00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:01.560
 hang on,

00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:03.620
 but God's talking about loving him,

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:05.060
 and now he's talking about his commands,

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.700
 and his words,

00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:07.280
 and how do those two things relate,

00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:09.820
 how do you feel friends,

00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:12.340
 when somebody rejects your words,

00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:14.120
 again,

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.620
 hypothetically,

00:19:15.760 --> 00:19:16.620
 just take your children,

00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.140
 right,

00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.780
 how do you feel,

00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.720
 when your children ignore you,

00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.340
 right,

00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:22.560
 you say to your child,

00:19:23.060 --> 00:19:24.340
 please don't pick up your phone,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.300
 put your phone down,

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.820
 and they pick it up,

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.540
 and look at it,

00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:27.799
 right,

00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.119
 or maybe you say to,

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.839
 somebody at work,

00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.680
 hey,

00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.159
 please can you do that thing,

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.440
 and get that report to me,

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.099
 and they say,

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:36.859
 no,

00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.079
 that's not my job,

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.500
 or you say to your child,

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:39.859
 hey,

00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:41.460
 please be home by nine o'clock,

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:41.779
 right,

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.379
 and they come home at midnight,

00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.519
 how do you feel,

00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.720
 you don't just feel slightly annoyed,

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.019
 you feel frustrated,

00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.619
 why,

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.159
 why,

00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:51.079
 we feel disrespected,

00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.680
 when somebody ignores our words,

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.700
 it's not just the words,

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.659
 that are coming out of our breath,

00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.220
 they're actually ignoring us,

00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:59.139
 when someone rejects what I say,

00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.639
 it's actually rejection of me,

00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:02.279
 God says here,

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:03.759
 take my words,

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.940
 what I speak to you,

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:06.319
 and write them on your heart,

00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.579
 let them be precious to you,

00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.639
 let them be important to you,

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:08.879
 why,

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.960
 because I am precious to you,

00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.619
 because I am important to you,

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.779
 so how we deal with loving God,

00:20:14.899 --> 00:20:15.759
 part of that means,

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.200
 loving his words,

00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.539
 what he says to us,

00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.819
 his heart,

00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.700
 the way he shares his heart with us,

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:22.940
 friends,

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.259
 when God calls us to love,

00:20:24.340 --> 00:20:24.799
 and treasure,

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.440
 and delight,

00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.539
 and in his words,

00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:26.980
 and his command,

00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.900
 he's calling us to delight in him,

00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:30.440
 with all of our being,

00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:31.940
 and all of our doing,

00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.100
 friends,

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.920
 and all the change,

00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:35.059
 that's going to happen at Watermark,

00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.980
 of the next few weeks,

00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.420
 and months,

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.759
 this is one thing,

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.080
 that should remain unchanged,

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.860
 in a hundred years from now,

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.500
 when we're all,

00:20:41.840 --> 00:20:43.539
 six foot down in the grave,

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.059
 if Watermark still exists,

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.580
 let this be the one thing,

00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.580
 that is true of us,

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.659
 this is a church,

00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.939
 that loves the Lord our God,

00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.699
 with all our heart,

00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.179
 soul,

00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:51.579
 mind,

00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.119
 and strength,

00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:53.679
 now here's the question,

00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.159
 why,

00:20:54.699 --> 00:20:55.819
 why is that important,

00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:57.439
 in this passage,

00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:59.119
 Moses gives us three reasons,

00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.559
 I want to try and run through them,

00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.439
 relatively quickly,

00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:01.779
 okay,

00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:02.839
 three reasons,

00:21:02.919 --> 00:21:03.899
 why this must be,

00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:05.000
 the most important thing,

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.919
 for us as a church,

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.980
 and most important thing,

00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:07.779
 for us individually,

00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.659
 the first reason is this,

00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.319
 because of the danger,

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.960
 of self-sufficiency,

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.379
 when things go well,

00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.960
 the danger of self-sufficiency,

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.019
 when things go well,

00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.480
 many years ago,

00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.940
 Claire and I had some good friends,

00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.160
 actually they still are good friends,

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.900
 but back in Cape Town,

00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.480
 South Africa,

00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.059
 and this couple,

00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.900
 a few decades older than us,

00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.819
 a little bit older than us,

00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.360
 and these friends,

00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:34.259
 many years before we'd known them,

00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:36.220
 had fallen on some very difficult times,

00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:38.539
 they had decided to start a business,

00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.680
 and so they borrowed some money from the bank,

00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.120
 started this business,

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.500
 and the business bombed,

00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.900
 it completely failed,

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.779
 and so now they're in tons of debt,

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:49.220
 and so the wife,

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.940
 had to go out,

00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.840
 and get some work,

00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.100
 and the guy,

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.340
 Christo is his name,

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:54.900
 for a couple of months,

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.960
 he was selling soap and candles,

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.400
 out of the back of his car,

00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.519
 as a way of making ends meet,

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:02.140
 just to put food on the table,

00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.579
 and put his kids through school,

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.640
 selling soap and candles,

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.559
 out of the back of his car,

00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:09.680
 but he was actually,

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.299
 accomplished businessman,

00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:11.980
 in some ways,

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:13.000
 and so he got a job,

00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.840
 at an IT firm,

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.759
 and he worked his way up,

00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.339
 worked his way up,

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.059
 and eventually,

00:22:16.199 --> 00:22:17.199
 after about 15 years,

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.039
 he became the CEO,

00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:19.779
 of this IT company,

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:22.039
 and then his management team,

00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.059
 they bought the company,

00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:23.720
 from the owners,

00:22:24.079 --> 00:22:24.819
 a few years later,

00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.679
 they sold it,

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.240
 at a premium,

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.579
 and my friend Christo,

00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.480
 did very well,

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.480
 and so,

00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.660
 by the time we got to know him,

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:32.120
 he was pretty successful,

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.140
 financially successful,

00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.500
 and one thing,

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.360
 that Christo said to me,

00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:35.799
 was this,

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:38.200
 success and prosperity,

00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:40.559
 will always test my faith,

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.299
 far more than failure,

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.000
 ever will,

00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.920
 and that always stood out to me,

00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.180
 that someone had gone through,

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.279
 such a hard time,

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.299
 wasn't scared of going,

00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:48.960
 through difficulty,

00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.200
 but was more afraid,

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.480
 of financial success,

00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.539
 and prosperity,

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:54.019
 because he knew,

00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.480
 that it had the potential,

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.019
 the propensity,

00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:00.140
 to damage his faith,

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.319
 now look at what God says here,

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.160
 in chapter 6,

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.180
 look at verse 10,

00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:06.500
 when the Lord your God,

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.680
 brings you into the land,

00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.319
 that he swore to your forefathers,

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.099
 to give you,

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.880
 with great and good cities,

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:12.880
 that you didn't build,

00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.759
 and houses full of good things,

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.680
 that you didn't fill,

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.819
 and cisterns,

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.880
 that you didn't dig,

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.120
 and vineyards,

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.839
 and olive trees,

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.880
 that you didn't plant,

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.380
 when you eat,

00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.299
 and are full and satisfied,

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.879
 take care,

00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.500
 lest you forget,

00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.220
 the Lord,

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.139
 who brought you,

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.159
 out of the land of Egypt,

00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:32.039
 out of the house of slavery,

00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.079
 friends success,

00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.359
 prosperity,

00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.659
 comfort,

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.440
 convenience,

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.740
 have an inherent danger,

00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.579
 built into them,

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.539
 which is that,

00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.639
 we can easily become,

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:44.139
 susceptible to pride,

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.220
 or self-sufficiency,

00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:46.680
 because we start,

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.059
 to look at the things around us,

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.879
 the good gifts,

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.019
 that God brings,

00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.740
 and gives us,

00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.779
 and we start to think,

00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.919
 these things,

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.980
 are come our way,

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.440
 because of our brilliance,

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.940
 because of our genius,

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.740
 look,

00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.740
 I've got everything,

00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.420
 under control,

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.480
 because I am somebody,

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.559
 who's able to keep things,

00:24:01.579 --> 00:24:02.220
 under control,

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.779
 and we start to look,

00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.180
 and think,

00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.120
 you know what,

00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.779
 I think I've got life,

00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.400
 under control,

00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.799
 and we forget,

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.660
 the Lord our God,

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.120
 look at verse 12 and 11,

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.259
 when you eat,

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:13.160
 and are satisfied,

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.279
 take care,

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.279
 lest you forget,

00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:15.819
 the Lord,

00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.839
 who brought you,

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.860
 out of the land of Egypt,

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.440
 out of the house of slavery,

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.620
 to forget God,

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.220
 doesn't mean,

00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:22.599
 you know,

00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.879
 to have a lapse of memory,

00:24:24.439 --> 00:24:24.659
 like,

00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:24.879
 hey,

00:24:24.939 --> 00:24:25.939
 who is the God again,

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.459
 what is this,

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.919
 Jesus,

00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:28.500
 that's right,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.259
 it doesn't mean,

00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.459
 to forget Jesus name,

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.519
 it means that,

00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.199
 who God is,

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.879
 just fades into the background,

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.799
 becomes smaller,

00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.279
 and smaller,

00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:35.799
 and smaller,

00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.379
 until he's no longer,

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.980
 plays a role in our life,

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:41.259
 and when God's blessings,

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.000
 are disconnected,

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.059
 from relationship,

00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.220
 from loving him,

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.220
 above all else,

00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:46.539
 the blessings,

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.480
 and the good things,

00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.460
 that he gives us,

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:50.319
 can actually corrupt our faith,

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.559
 and make God small in our eyes,

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.839
 as the other things become big,

00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.779
 and as we become big,

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.620
 in our own eyes,

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.860
 and so friends,

00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.880
 as we move to Viva,

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.000
 it will be more comfortable,

00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.160
 it will be more convenient,

00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.559
 there's hopefully,

00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.400
 going to be a lot of things,

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.200
 that are nicer,

00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.200
 friends,

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:04.720
 let's make sure,

00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.559
 that God is big in our hearts,

00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.380
 majestic in our eyes,

00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.480
 and that we love him,

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.520
 above all else,

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.700
 the danger,

00:25:12.060 --> 00:25:13.280
 of when things go well,

00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.460
 but then,

00:25:14.540 --> 00:25:15.720
 there's also a second danger,

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.100
 the opposite side,

00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.080
 the danger,

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.340
 when things go wrong,

00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.980
 and the danger here,

00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:21.620
 is bitterness,

00:25:21.800 --> 00:25:23.020
 or hard heartedness,

00:25:23.800 --> 00:25:26.160
 when things go wrong,

00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:28.020
 when God,

00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:29.880
 doesn't seem to be near,

00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.520
 one of the things,

00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.420
 that can happen,

00:25:32.520 --> 00:25:32.860
 is we can,

00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:33.780
 we can grow,

00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.760
 our hearts can get hard,

00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:35.000
 and say,

00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:36.020
 God where are you,

00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:37.280
 I thought you meant to be faithful,

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.639
 you meant to be good,

00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.559
 God promises,

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.000
 that he will be with us,

00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.440
 but that doesn't always mean,

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:43.980
 that he promises,

00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.240
 life is going to be rosy,

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:45.720
 or easy,

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.779
 Jesus said,

00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:50.000
 in this world,

00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.019
 you will have trouble,

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.059
 in this world,

00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:52.700
 things are going to be,

00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:53.720
 hard and difficult,

00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:54.399
 especially,

00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.700
 if you choose to follow me,

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.980
 but take heart,

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.000
 I've overcome the world,

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.599
 Jesus mean,

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.180
 doesn't mean,

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.480
 that life is always going to be easy,

00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:01.980
 but he means,

00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:03.099
 that he will be with us,

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.160
 and friends,

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.539
 one day Christ will return,

00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:07.039
 and all the suffering,

00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:08.019
 and all the darkness,

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.740
 and all the things,

00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.319
 that are wrong,

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:11.180
 and the world will be put right,

00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:13.059
 but between now and then,

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.259
 things will sometimes,

00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.920
 be challenging,

00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.899
 look at what verse 16,

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.460
 says here,

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.119
 Moses says,

00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.779
 you shall not put,

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.720
 the Lord your God,

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.659
 to the test,

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.180
 as you tested him,

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.839
 at Nasser,

00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:25.980
 but rather,

00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.819
 you shall diligently,

00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.799
 keep the commandments,

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.759
 of the Lord your God,

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.480
 his testimonies,

00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.119
 and his statutes,

00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.899
 that I command you,

00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.519
 what's Moses talking about,

00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.619
 when the nation of Israel,

00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.419
 left Egypt,

00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:36.719
 they were passing,

00:26:36.959 --> 00:26:37.559
 through the wilderness,

00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:39.279
 and they're in the desert place,

00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.659
 and they come to a place,

00:26:40.699 --> 00:26:41.619
 where there is no water,

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.319
 and they're thirsty,

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.139
 and they're hungry,

00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:44.959
 and they're grumpy,

00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.839
 and they're frustrated,

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.779
 and they're agitated,

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.459
 and they come down the hill,

00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.839
 and they expect to find water,

00:26:49.919 --> 00:26:50.639
 and there is no water,

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:52.059
 and what happens,

00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.519
 they start getting angry,

00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:53.959
 and bitter,

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.659
 and they start accusing Moses,

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.419
 Moses,

00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.759
 how can you bring us here,

00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.279
 and the accusations,

00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.639
 start to turn towards God,

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.159
 God,

00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.199
 are you good,

00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.580
 are you trustworthy,

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:04.580
 God,

00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.160
 maybe you should have,

00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.080
 just left us in Egypt,

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.140
 we were better off,

00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.220
 as slaves in Egypt,

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.059
 than your people,

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.580
 in the wilderness,

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.900
 and their hearts,

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.580
 grow hard,

00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:11.940
 and bitter,

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.200
 and they start to grumble,

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:13.960
 and complain,

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.279
 and get angry,

00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.000
 towards God,

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.039
 and towards his people,

00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:20.180
 and of course,

00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.120
 God does provide them,

00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.440
 with water,

00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.259
 and they keep going,

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.900
 but Moses names,

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.460
 that place,

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.100
 Massa,

00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.220
 which means testing,

00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.100
 or Meribah,

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.180
 which means grumbling,

00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.980
 and complaining,

00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.980
 because of their accusation,

00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.019
 and their accusing,

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.700
 and their challenging,

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.200
 of God,

00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.480
 what's happened,

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.339
 hardship has come their way,

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.539
 and when things,

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.319
 are not working out,

00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.339
 the way that they expected,

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.440
 they thought they were,

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.319
 going to walk straight out,

00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:41.680
 of Egypt,

00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.099
 into paradise,

00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:43.940
 and when things,

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.019
 didn't work out their way,

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.839
 their hearts grew hard,

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.900
 and they started to grumble,

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.440
 and complain,

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.579
 and accuse one another,

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:50.900
 friends,

00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.839
 in this life,

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.680
 things will get hard,

00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.319
 if you're a follower of Jesus,

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.140
 you're going to have to live,

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.740
 by faith,

00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.299
 from now,

00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.460
 until the day you die,

00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.960
 and there will be challenges,

00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.960
 and there will be conquests,

00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.759
 and there will be things,

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.599
 that you have to overcome,

00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.740
 and the temptation,

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.579
 is to either,

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.960
 let me put it this way,

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.960
 suffering will either,

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.799
 make us better,

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:09.019
 or it will make us worse,

00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.360
 it will either make us,

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:10.940
 more humble,

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.920
 and God dependent,

00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.180
 or it will make us,

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.059
 hard and bitter,

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.120
 and self-sufficient,

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:17.380
 and when suffering comes,

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.579
 the challenge,

00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.539
 is to keep our hearts,

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.539
 soft towards God,

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.680
 rather than hard-hearted,

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:24.099
 this is the most important thing,

00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.559
 hear,

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.420
 oh people of God,

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.500
 the Lord our God,

00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.559
 the Lord is one,

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.299
 so love the Lord your God,

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.039
 with all our heart,

00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.379
 and keep our hearts,

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.500
 soft towards him,

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.599
 thirdly,

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:36.159
 why should we love God,

00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.980
 with all our hearts,

00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.960
 here's the main reason,

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.659
 because long before,

00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.379
 we ever,

00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.819
 decided to love God,

00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.399
 God loved us,

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.659
 and moved towards us,

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.639
 in amazing grace,

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.059
 look what he says here,

00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.179
 in verse 20,

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:51.420
 Moses says,

00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.799
 in time to come,

00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:53.560
 when your sons,

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.299
 or your daughters,

00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.100
 ask you,

00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.279
 what is the meaning,

00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:57.100
 of the testimonies,

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.820
 and the statutes,

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.380
 and the rules,

00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.259
 that the Lord your God,

00:28:59.340 --> 00:28:59.980
 commanded you,

00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.440
 then you shall say,

00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.019
 to your son,

00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:02.519
 and your daughter,

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.360
 we were once slaves,

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.960
 in Egypt,

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.440
 and the Lord brought us,

00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.019
 out of Egypt,

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.360
 with a mighty hand,

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.480
 the Lord showed signs,

00:29:09.580 --> 00:29:09.980
 and wonders,

00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.860
 great and grievous,

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.680
 against Egypt,

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.500
 and against Pharaoh,

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.060
 against his household,

00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:16.140
 before our very eyes,

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.259
 in other words,

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.460
 there comes a time,

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.420
 in future generations,

00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:22.259
 when the nation of Israel,

00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.920
 might not remember,

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.019
 God's great deliverance,

00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.839
 and the children,

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.299
 are going to come,

00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:27.099
 to their parents,

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.500
 and say,

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.480
 mom dad,

00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:29.920
 why should we love God,

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.579
 why should we serve him,

00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.819
 why do we obey,

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.599
 all these commands,

00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.099
 and the laws,

00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.759
 these things are so uncomfortable,

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.400
 why do we confess our sin,

00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.259
 and have communion,

00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.859
 and go to prayer meeting,

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.119
 and give our tithes,

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:42.680
 and offerings,

00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:44.039
 God why do we do,

00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:45.079
 so many sacrifices,

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.980
 can't we just live,

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.640
 for ourselves,

00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:47.779
 God this is going to be,

00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.619
 so much easier,

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.200
 and Moses says,

00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.240
 when your children,

00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.160
 ask you that,

00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.519
 you tell them this,

00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:55.460
 we were once slaves,

00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:55.899
 in Egypt,

00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.980
 we were once dead,

00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.879
 and lost,

00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.160
 and God,

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.639
 by his amazing grace,

00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.259
 and because of his,

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.440
 profound love for us,

00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.839
 God moved towards us,

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.259
 and rescued us,

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.660
 and saved us,

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.319
 friends in the Bible,

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.500
 rescue from Egypt,

00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:14.059
 is always an analogy,

00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.679
 a picture,

00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:18.099
 of God's great rescue,

00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.339
 of those people,

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.659
 who've come to trust in him,

00:30:20.679 --> 00:30:21.220
 and love him,

00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.299
 from hell,

00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.679
 and darkness,

00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.099
 and judgment,

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.079
 and depravity,

00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:26.980
 forever,

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.079
 remember how,

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.359
 just as God's people,

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:30.919
 were delivered,

00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:31.599
 from judgment,

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.759
 that came upon Egypt,

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:34.419
 by the blood of innocent lambs,

00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.619
 who died in their place,

00:30:35.679 --> 00:30:36.839
 that they could be set free,

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.500
 so we too,

00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.220
 who are in Christ,

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.959
 have been delivered,

00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.859
 from the judgment,

00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.659
 that we deserve,

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.679
 that our sin deserves,

00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.199
 by the blood of Jesus,

00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:45.259
 the lamb of God,

00:30:45.459 --> 00:30:46.699
 who died in our place,

00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:48.099
 that we can be set free,

00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.480
 and Moses tells the people here,

00:30:50.539 --> 00:30:51.240
 that when they come,

00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:52.019
 to the promised land,

00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.379
 they will be tempted,

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.379
 to forget,

00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.679
 the great,

00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:57.119
 and awesome deliverance,

00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:58.039
 that God undertook,

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:59.119
 to save them,

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.839
 and their sacrifices,

00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.959
 and their service to God,

00:31:01.959 --> 00:31:03.459
 will easily become dry,

00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.980
 and meaningless routines,

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.299
 they'll go through the motions,

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.799
 and they'll come every Sunday,

00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.960
 and they'll do their thing,

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.940
 and they'll sing the songs,

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.099
 but their hearts,

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.299
 would have forgotten,

00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.359
 what God did for them,

00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:15.139
 and Moses says,

00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.119
 don't let that happen,

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.180
 don't let that happen,

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:19.180
 remember what God did for you,

00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:21.220
 remember his amazing love for you,

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.720
 remember when you were lost,

00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:24.259
 and you had nothing to give him,

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:26.019
 God moved towards you,

00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:28.039
 and gave everything to save you,

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.139
 friends you and I,

00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:32.200
 were once lost in our depravity,

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.899
 we were dead in our sin,

00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:37.120
 we were deserving,

00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:38.460
 of judgment and hell,

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:41.960
 but God in his great love for us,

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.440
 determined to show,

00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:45.580
 the immeasurable riches,

00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.540
 of his kindness,

00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.100
 and his grace,

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.019
 and his love towards us,

00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.860
 he came to us,

00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.519
 he sent his son,

00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.700
 Jesus to die on the cross,

00:31:55.780 --> 00:31:56.800
 the lamb of God,

00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:57.500
 who will be slain,

00:31:57.660 --> 00:31:58.040
 innocent,

00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:59.180
 shed his blood,

00:31:59.940 --> 00:32:01.460
 so that we who are slaves,

00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.920
 can be set free,

00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:03.500
 and delivered,

00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:06.319
 why should we love the Lord our God,

00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.880
 because long before,

00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.759
 we had done anything for him,

00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.680
 his great love,

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.720
 rescued us,

00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:15.400
 friends why should we give anything to God,

00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:18.380
 because he gave up everything for us,

00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.480
 in the book of,

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.700
 one John in the Bible,

00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:25.319
 God writes this,

00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.400
 well he says this,

00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.819
 this is the love of God,

00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:29.839
 made known to us,

00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.920
 that God sent his only son into the world,

00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:33.320
 that we might live,

00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.880
 this is love,

00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.360
 not that we loved God,

00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.600
 but that he loved us,

00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:39.259
 and sent his son to us,

00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:40.740
 to be an atoning sacrifice,

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.660
 for our sins,

00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:43.380
 we love him,

00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.800
 because he first loved us,

00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.940
 friends why does God love us,

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:49.380
 not because we good,

00:32:50.300 --> 00:32:51.200
 not because we moral,

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:53.039
 not because we devoted,

00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:55.000
 not because we strong,

00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:57.100
 not because we beautiful,

00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:59.279
 not because we've got a great building,

00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:01.339
 not because we've got great pastors,

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.740
 why,

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.879
 because when we had nothing,

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:05.940
 nothing,

00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.379
 nothing,

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.799
 nothing,

00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.619
 he sent his son,

00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:10.139
 he set his love upon us,

00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.259
 and actually the book of Deuteronomy,

00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:12.319
 says this again and again,

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.460
 in chapter seven,

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:13.980
 God says,

00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:15.379
 why do I love you,

00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.720
 is it because you're the biggest,

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.000
 no actually Israel,

00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:18.759
 you're the smallest,

00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:21.099
 is it because you're mighty and strong,

00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.079
 no Israel,

00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.099
 actually you're weak,

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.740
 is it because you're righteous,

00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.720
 and holy and moral,

00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:27.079
 no actually Israel,

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:28.100
 you weren't very righteous,

00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.319
 and moral and holy at all,

00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:31.279
 why did God love Israel,

00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.779
 he loved them,

00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.100
 simply because,

00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.819
 he chose to love them,

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.079
 friends why does God love you,

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:40.700
 simply because he's chosen to love you,

00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.240
 and he demonstrated that,

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:44.240
 by sending his son to die on the cross,

00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.539
 and so friends,

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:47.460
 when our own hearts question us,

00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:49.140
 and the voice inside of our head says,

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:51.100
 why should we serve God and honor him,

00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:53.180
 why should we make these sacrifices,

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:55.140
 why don't you just live for yourself,

00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.259
 do what you please,

00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:57.440
 if it feels good,

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.259
 it must be good,

00:33:58.600 --> 00:34:00.180
 you remind yourself,

00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:02.220
 when I was a slave to sin,

00:34:02.320 --> 00:34:03.360
 and dead in my sin,

00:34:03.560 --> 00:34:05.300
 Jesus Christ went to the cross for me,

00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.620
 God loves me,

00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:08.059
 and gave everything for me,

00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:10.000
 now I can give everything to him,

00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:10.960
 and friends,

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.980
 when things are tough,

00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:13.599
 and change feels hard,

00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:15.320
 and you're tempted to run away,

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.980
 or you're tempted to grow bitter,

00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:18.160
 or resentful,

00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:20.160
 or you're tempted to become self-sufficient,

00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:22.000
 you remind yourself,

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.460
 when I had nothing,

00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:25.119
 Jesus gave everything for me,

00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:26.500
 he loved me,

00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:28.619
 and now I get to love him in return,

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:29.820
 and friends,

00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.980
 when your own heart tells you,

00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:32.960
 to compartmentalize your life,

00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:35.059
 to give yourself to God on Sundays,

00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:36.980
 and to yourself the rest of the week,

00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:39.139
 you tell yourself,

00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:41.079
 I once a slave to sin,

00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.760
 I was dead in my sin,

00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:44.820
 but God being rich in his mercy,

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:46.139
 because of his great love,

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.400
 with which he loved me,

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.780
 made me alive with Christ,

00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:50.360
 and raised me up with Christ,

00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:52.380
 and now I get to serve him,

00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:54.099
 and love him in return,

00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.400
 watermarked,

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.960
 many things that are going to change,

00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.140
 over the next couple of months,

00:34:58.660 --> 00:34:59.660
 and the next few years,

00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.039
 but here's one thing,

00:35:01.120 --> 00:35:02.059
 that must not change,

00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.220
 here's one thing,

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:04.220
 that must stay strong,

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.180
 and unchangeable,

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.019
 like the great oceans,

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.380
 tides of the ocean,

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.640
 and the enduring cliffs,

00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:10.519
 the mountain cliffs,

00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:13.019
 here oh people of God,

00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.079
 the Lord our God,

00:35:14.160 --> 00:35:15.340
 the Lord is one,

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.599
 the Lord is the one,

00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:18.299
 so let's love him,

00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:19.319
 with all of our hearts,

00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:21.159
 with all of our souls,

00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:22.920
 with all of our mind,

00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.019
 with all of our strength,

00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.599
 with all of our being,

00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.559
 and all of our doing,

00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:28.739
 love him till our dying breath,

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.299
 let me pray for us,

00:35:30.739 --> 00:35:31.639
 as we come to him,

00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:33.279
 Lord Jesus,

00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.380
 we do love you,

00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:36.339
 God we must confess,

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.400
 our love is imperfect,

00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.639
 it's up and down,

00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.500
 but God thank you,

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:42.219
 that though our love is so imperfect,

00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:43.279
 your love for us,

00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.279
 is not up and down,

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.360
 it's not imperfect,

00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:47.099
 God you don't love us,

00:35:47.120 --> 00:35:48.340
 just when times are going well,

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.820
 you don't love us,

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:51.500
 just when times are going not well,

00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:53.340
 you are as consistent,

00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.720
 as the ocean waves,

00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.579
 you are consistent,

00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:57.240
 as the mountain peaks,

00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:58.340
 that have been around,

00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:59.220
 for millennia,

00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:02.220
 God your love is unchanging,

00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:03.740
 and therefore we are not consumed,

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.120
 Jesus for those of us here,

00:36:06.160 --> 00:36:06.760
 that are struggling,

00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:07.559
 to know your love,

00:36:07.620 --> 00:36:08.280
 for those of us that,

00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:10.180
 feel far or distant,

00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.099
 for those of us God,

00:36:11.180 --> 00:36:12.460
 for whom you have become,

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.500
 small in our hearts,

00:36:14.180 --> 00:36:14.880
 for those God,

00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:15.500
 who may be,

00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:17.200
 the hardship of life,

00:36:17.640 --> 00:36:19.039
 has made our hearts hard,

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.800
 God by your spirit,

00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:21.240
 and your grace,

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:22.820
 once you move towards us in love,

00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:24.960
 once you melt our hearts again,

00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.280
 and cause us to sing,

00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:28.539
 cause us to delight in you,

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.500
 God for those of us,

00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.780
 who the commitment is strong,

00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:33.160
 but our affection is low,

00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:35.180
 help us to treasure you,

00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:36.079
 and to adore you,

00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.920
 with all of our hearts we pray,

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:39.440
 in your great name,

00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:40.559
 Amen,

00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.000
 Amen.