WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540
 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620
 Join us.

00:00:12.220 --> 00:00:12.939
 Amen.

00:00:14.780 --> 00:00:18.420
 Last week we began a journey through the book of Daniel.

00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:25.920
 We began that journey by reading about the defeat of God's people.

00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:31.620
 His people suffering defeat against Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.

00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:37.460
 So God's people are going to be taken into Babylon where the rest of the book occurs.

00:00:38.620 --> 00:00:42.960
 Today Daniel and his friends are taken into exile in Babylon.

00:00:43.900 --> 00:00:50.280
 They're moved there and we begin to deal then with the question of when in Babylon?

00:00:51.680 --> 00:00:53.060
 How should we live?

00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:58.560
 What does it look like for God's people living in Babylon?

00:00:58.760 --> 00:01:07.700
 Here's this pluralistic culture much like the one we live in and God's people called to a singular devotion to Him.

00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:08.260
 How?

00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:10.240
 How can that happen?

00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:17.800
 In some ways it's the age-old challenge of being in the world but not of the world.

00:01:17.799 --> 00:01:24.340
 And there are at least four ways that Christians have approached this idea through the years.

00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:26.700
 The first is to isolate, right?

00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:36.620
 You're faced with this dilemma living in Babylon and one option is to isolate, to avoid all possible interaction with this culture.

00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:40.160
 To avoid contact with the world whenever possible.

00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:46.380
 Create a separate culture of your own that protects from the ills of the world and is entirely Christian.

00:01:47.580 --> 00:01:55.920
 This approach values safety and assumes, incorrectly I would say, that all evil is out there.

00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:04.719
 And we can, with some degree of success, avoid being defiled by avoiding being near the world.

00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:08.620
 A second option is to fight.

00:02:09.420 --> 00:02:12.860
 Even in an angry or belligerent way.

00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:17.759
 Always being angry about everything and always seeking to push back.

00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:24.120
 At every turn, the way I'm engaging the culture is by defeating it to gain control or power.

00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:27.439
 This approach values control.

00:02:28.399 --> 00:02:33.259
 It would seek to see Christians in the majority and would fight politically or socially

00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:38.680
 to see Christian influence in the culture increase by being in charge.

00:02:38.919 --> 00:02:41.319
 It's the we're going to win approach.

00:02:41.919 --> 00:02:44.459
 We're going to be stronger than they are.

00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:51.300
 Now, if you're among the older generations in this room this morning and you've lived most of your life in America

00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:53.780
 and particularly in the southern Bible belt,

00:02:54.540 --> 00:02:58.400
 some version of this approach is pretty much the air you breathe, right?

00:02:59.640 --> 00:03:05.120
 That you may have grown up and not actually felt at all like you were living in Babylon.

00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:12.540
 You may have felt very much like Christian principles ruled the day in many areas of society

00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:14.739
 and in the way that you engaged.

00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:17.739
 Christians have even used terms like moral majority

00:03:17.739 --> 00:03:21.180
 to talk about the way we engage with the culture,

00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:24.340
 that that's what we're going to have and that's how we'll live.

00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:29.099
 But if you're among the younger generations in the room today,

00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:32.899
 you've never experienced a world quite like that,

00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:34.399
 even in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:40.400
 Even growing up here, you're much more accustomed to a culture that disagrees with

00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.560
 or actively discourages your values and beliefs.

00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:50.379
 Younger Christians, you may have noticed, are in general not particularly interested

00:03:50.379 --> 00:03:53.700
 in striving to be in control of cultural institutions.

00:03:53.699 --> 00:04:00.419
 But rather, they're working to remain credible and relevant

00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:06.679
 as a minority in an increasingly dismissive and sometimes hostile culture

00:04:06.679 --> 00:04:08.479
 that they're growing up in.

00:04:09.679 --> 00:04:15.099
 And as they do that, the temptation for them is actually towards a third approach,

00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:17.039
 which is to assimilate.

00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:21.980
 To determine to be a part of the world in every way.

00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:26.620
 To take a passive, go-with-the-flow stance on most issues

00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:29.160
 and just hope to blend in and get along, right?

00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:33.960
 Not to attract too much negative attention or too much criticism.

00:04:35.220 --> 00:04:36.860
 This approach values acceptance.

00:04:38.460 --> 00:04:41.879
 In the end, perhaps, as other generations may notice,

00:04:42.660 --> 00:04:47.220
 may sometimes find themselves left with little distinctively Christian.

00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:51.340
 No distinctively Christian message at all, perhaps.

00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:56.819
 We all have personal tendencies as we think about how to engage, don't we?

00:04:57.140 --> 00:05:01.460
 Some of us to isolate, some of us to fight, some of us to assimilate.

00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:06.020
 But while there are moments where each of these approaches may be helpful,

00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:09.879
 in general, none of them is fully biblical.

00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:12.460
 Is there a fourth approach?

00:05:12.459 --> 00:05:16.319
 Is there another way to engage in a culture like Babylon?

00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:17.839
 Like ours?

00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:22.339
 Daniel will show us one as we read chapter 1.

00:05:22.739 --> 00:05:24.239
 And we will learn this,

00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:27.620
 that because God is supremely valuable,

00:05:28.299 --> 00:05:34.500
 we must maintain our distinctive identity in the world.

00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:38.240
 Because God is supremely valuable,

00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.360
 we must stay distinctive,

00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:45.759
 maintain that distinctive identity while engaging in the world.

00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.899
 Let's give attention to God's word

00:05:48.899 --> 00:05:52.259
 and see what this looks like for his people here in Babylon.

00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:54.740
 It's a lengthy section in Daniel 1,

00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:57.480
 but we'll start at verse 3,

00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:59.920
 after Nebuchadnezzar has conquered Israel.

00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:02.540
 This is God's word.

00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:31.580
 The wine that the king drank.

00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:34.040
 They were to be educated for three years,

00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.220
 and at the end of that time,

00:06:35.280 --> 00:06:36.800
 they were to stand before the king.

00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:39.699
 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah,

00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.520
 Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.

00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:45.660
 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names.

00:06:46.340 --> 00:06:48.160
 Daniel he called Belteshazzar.

00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.460
 Hananiah he called Shadrach.

00:06:50.780 --> 00:06:52.280
 Mishael he called Meshach.

00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:54.180
 And Azariah he called Abednego.

00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:59.020
 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself

00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:02.379
 with the king's food or with the wine that he drank.

00:07:03.159 --> 00:07:04.879
 Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs

00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.939
 to allow him not to defile himself.

00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:10.699
 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion

00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:12.419
 in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs.

00:07:12.799 --> 00:07:14.539
 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel,

00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:18.240
 I fear my lord the king who assigned your food and your drink,

00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:21.139
 for why should he see that you were in worse condition

00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:23.120
 than the youths who are of your own age?

00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:26.279
 So you would endanger my head with the king.

00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:30.399
 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs

00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.739
 had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:36.579
 Test your servants for ten days.

00:07:36.919 --> 00:07:39.579
 Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:42.639
 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths

00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:44.819
 who eat the king's food be observed by you

00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:47.419
 and deal with your servants according to what you see.

00:07:48.699 --> 00:07:50.419
 So he listened to them in this matter

00:07:50.419 --> 00:07:52.039
 and tested them for ten days.

00:07:52.739 --> 00:07:54.299
 At the end of ten days it was seen

00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:57.199
 that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh

00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:59.480
 than all the youths who ate the king's food.

00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:01.980
 So the steward took away their food

00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:03.199
 and the wine they were to drink

00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:04.639
 and gave them vegetables.

00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:07.600
 As for these four youths,

00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:09.280
 God gave them learning and skill

00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:10.780
 and all literature and wisdom.

00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.379
 And Daniel had understanding

00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:13.819
 and all visions and dreams.

00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:16.199
 At the end of the time when the king had commanded

00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:17.300
 that they should be brought in,

00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:18.840
 the chief of the eunuchs brought them in

00:08:18.840 --> 00:08:19.800
 before Nebuchadnezzar.

00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:21.699
 And the king spoke with them

00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.719
 and among all of them none was found

00:08:23.719 --> 00:08:27.259
 like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.800
 Therefore they stood before the king.

00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.779
 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding

00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:34.700
 about which the king inquired of them,

00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:36.679
 he found them ten times better

00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:38.600
 than all the magicians and enchanters

00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:39.960
 that were in all his kingdom.

00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:43.439
 And Daniel was there until the first year

00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:45.279
 of King Cyrus.

00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:46.779
 Pray with me.

00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:53.339
 Father, this is a familiar story

00:08:53.339 --> 00:08:54.459
 for some of us.

00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.259
 But it seems distant.

00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:59.299
 It happened a long time ago.

00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:00.860
 600 B.C.

00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:02.759
 Not a world we're familiar with.

00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.559
 Would you teach us about yourself

00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:07.679
 from your word this morning?

00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:10.919
 Would you show us what you would have for us?

00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:12.399
 This is your word

00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:14.100
 and so we ask your spirit

00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:15.620
 to teach us.

00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:18.220
 Would you make our hearts open

00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:21.319
 to what you would show us this morning?

00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.240
 We ask it in Jesus' name.

00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:24.319
 Amen.

00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.100
 As the story opens here,

00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:31.759
 what brings Daniel and his friends

00:09:31.759 --> 00:09:32.559
 to Babylon

00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:34.639
 is the king's plan

00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.100
 of complete assimilation.

00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:39.620
 It's in verses 3-7

00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:40.779
 that we just read.

00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.600
 The king has a plan

00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:44.439
 for complete assimilation.

00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:46.120
 Nebuchadnezzar wants to do what?

00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:47.959
 He wants to cement his power

00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:50.100
 over these newly conquered peoples,

00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:50.620
 doesn't he?

00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:52.139
 He wants to make sure

00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:52.939
 that he's in power

00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:54.539
 and that he stays in power

00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.860
 by taking the best

00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.559
 and the brightest of Israel

00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:59.720
 and making them Babylonian

00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:01.459
 in every way.

00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.799
 Daniel and his friends

00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:05.159
 are probably teenagers,

00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:05.939
 by the way,

00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:07.019
 when they are taken

00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.019
 from their homes

00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:10.000
 and dragged to Babylon.

00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:12.240
 enrolled in Babylon Prep.

00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:15.100
 The Babylonian public schools

00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.259
 are well known

00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.620
 for their excellence

00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.399
 in academics.

00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.000
 They're also well known

00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.059
 for their excellence

00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:23.120
 at inculcating

00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.700
 the Babylonian worldview

00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:26.600
 and way of life.

00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.340
 So classes on literature

00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:29.379
 and math

00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.320
 and medicine,

00:10:30.320 --> 00:10:34.640
 but also classes on omens,

00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:36.180
 astrology,

00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:38.580
 pagan religion,

00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.660
 and others most likely.

00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.540
 Don't miss that God,

00:10:44.780 --> 00:10:46.100
 who is at work here,

00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:47.300
 who we saw last week,

00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:48.220
 is in control,

00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:50.920
 has placed some of his beloved people

00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:52.200
 right there.

00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:54.120
 Right there

00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.960
 in the world.

00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.159
 The program of assimilation

00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:00.360
 that they're to undergo

00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:02.120
 includes new names,

00:11:03.320 --> 00:11:04.060
 a new diet,

00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.779
 new education,

00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:08.379
 the best of everything

00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.100
 that Babylon has to offer

00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:10.899
 with the intent

00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:12.679
 of communicating one message,

00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:15.179
 one thing that the king wants

00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:15.779
 these men

00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:16.539
 who would serve

00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:17.480
 before the king

00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.480
 to know,

00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.840
 the path

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:21.060
 to the things

00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:22.200
 that are really valuable

00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:24.860
 is to be like one of us.

00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:26.879
 All those things

00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:27.879
 you heard growing up

00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:28.480
 in Israel,

00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.320
 they're inferior.

00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.560
 We've conquered them.

00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.680
 That's not worthy

00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.340
 of following.

00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:35.980
 The path

00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.940
 to the really valuable things

00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:40.519
 is to be like us.

00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:43.000
 You hear that message

00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.519
 all the time,

00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:43.899
 don't you?

00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.320
 The path

00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.420
 to what's really valuable

00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.240
 is to be like us.

00:11:49.959 --> 00:11:51.199
 Maybe you've been

00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:52.120
 a part of a

00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.479
 friend group,

00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:56.099
 a workplace clique,

00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.679
 a sorority

00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:00.719
 that you've been engaged with

00:12:00.719 --> 00:12:02.319
 and the reality

00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:03.500
 is that backbiting

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.319
 and gossip

00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:08.379
 and demeaning criticism

00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.059
 of others

00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.319
 is really the language

00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:11.099
 of the land

00:12:11.099 --> 00:12:12.439
 in this group.

00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.939
 If you're going

00:12:13.939 --> 00:12:14.959
 to be a part of it,

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.480
 if you're going

00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.480
 to be in there

00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.080
 getting or staying in

00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:20.180
 requires compromising

00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:20.960
 your commitment

00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.759
 to Christ

00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:23.420
 to get what's

00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:24.220
 really valuable,

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.100
 to get in,

00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.759
 to be a part of that.

00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:29.460
 Caring for the marginalized

00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:30.560
 will just get you

00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:31.159
 marginalized.

00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.800
 You can tell that.

00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:34.080
 And then what good

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:34.600
 will you be,

00:12:34.680 --> 00:12:35.560
 you ask yourself?

00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.019
 Young people,

00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:40.399
 some of you

00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.159
 are going off

00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.720
 to school

00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:43.540
 and you're hearing

00:12:43.540 --> 00:12:45.019
 a message there

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:47.259
 that if you're going

00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.000
 to get what's

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.879
 really valuable,

00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.800
 that if you're going

00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:52.139
 to find love

00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.779
 and what's really

00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.200
 important in life,

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.180
 you will have to

00:12:57.180 --> 00:13:00.980
 have a sexual morality

00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.399
 like everyone else.

00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:04.399
 It's just normal

00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.080
 and expected

00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.700
 these days,

00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.120
 isn't it?

00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.379
 The commitments

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.580
 that your parents

00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.660
 have taught you

00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:10.659
 as you've grown up

00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.459
 are mocked

00:13:11.459 --> 00:13:12.360
 as ridiculous.

00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.120
 Nobody really

00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.360
 lives that way

00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:15.879
 anymore.

00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.779
 That's silly,

00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:18.939
 that's old-fashioned,

00:13:19.159 --> 00:13:20.519
 that's out of date.

00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.399
 And the relationships,

00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.360
 the guy or the girl

00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:25.899
 that you really need,

00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.740
 this is the only way

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.819
 you can get it

00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:30.079
 is to do

00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.459
 what everyone else

00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:31.939
 is doing.

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:35.000
 We all know

00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.900
 how valuable it is

00:13:35.900 --> 00:13:36.600
 to provide

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.360
 for our families,

00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:37.820
 don't we?

00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.340
 To have a good job

00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:40.500
 and to keep it

00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.180
 and to be able

00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.700
 to provide,

00:13:41.780 --> 00:13:42.340
 that's valuable,

00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:42.840
 isn't it?

00:13:43.520 --> 00:13:44.420
 It's very valuable.

00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.260
 And many of us

00:13:46.260 --> 00:13:47.500
 realize if we don't

00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:48.460
 fudge the numbers

00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.820
 like the rest

00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:50.420
 of the people

00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:51.080
 in the office,

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.700
 we'll lose the promotion

00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:54.840
 or the bonus

00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.800
 or the job.

00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.560
 And then if we

00:13:58.560 --> 00:13:59.620
 don't make the money,

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.520
 we won't be able

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.600
 to live in the right place

00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:04.639
 or get the valuable things

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.980
 to protect our kids

00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.460
 and that would be terrible

00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.159
 and after all,

00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.620
 it's just a very small

00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.220
 compromise

00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:11.539
 for such a big payoff

00:14:11.539 --> 00:14:12.840
 to be able to provide

00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:14.120
 for my family,

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:14.439
 right?

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.939
 We live in these places,

00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:19.399
 don't we?

00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:21.319
 Where does your heart

00:14:21.319 --> 00:14:23.259
 receive that clear message?

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.779
 The path to the things

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.240
 that are really valuable

00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.919
 is to be like everyone else.

00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.139
 You know,

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.659
 there's a reason

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.600
 my parents always

00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.460
 used to say to me,

00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.279
 if everybody else

00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.319
 jumps off a bridge,

00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.059
 are you gonna jump

00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.980
 off a bridge too?

00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.319
 Anybody else's parents

00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.220
 ever say that to them?

00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.919
 Why did we say that a lot?

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.120
 I mean,

00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.919
 it sounds silly,

00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:41.860
 but honestly,

00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:42.120
 you know,

00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:43.899
 I was a smart

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.659
 and sarcastic

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.580
 little kid sometimes.

00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.620
 Sometimes I thought

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.139
 to myself

00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:47.960
 but didn't have the guts

00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.519
 to say it,

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.319
 yeah,

00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.279
 maybe I would.

00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.399
 I mean,

00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.220
 because yeah,

00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:53.620
 if everybody else

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.379
 is doing it,

00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.580
 maybe they've found

00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.860
 what's really valuable.

00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:58.899
 Maybe they're

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.740
 in the right place

00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.360
 and they've figured

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.039
 something out

00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:01.860
 and I wanna,

00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.779
 at least I'd be,

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.659
 I won't be alone.

00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.600
 At least I'll be a part

00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.199
 of the group

00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:06.240
 even if they're wrong.

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.240
 You've felt that way.

00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:10.699
 There's safety in numbers,

00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.120
 right?

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.799
 Daniel determines

00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:15.740
 not necessarily.

00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.159
 Starting at verse eight,

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.679
 we see Daniel's commitment

00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:22.679
 to his distinctive identity.

00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:24.859
 His commitment

00:15:24.859 --> 00:15:26.399
 to his distinctive identity.

00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.759
 Look at verse eight.

00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.199
 What does Daniel do?

00:15:30.859 --> 00:15:31.699
 But Daniel,

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.879
 faced with this plan

00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:33.819
 of assimilation,

00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.599
 resolved that he would

00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:37.139
 not defile himself

00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.259
 with the king's food

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.099
 or with the wine

00:15:39.099 --> 00:15:39.759
 that he drank.

00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.399
 Daniel makes a decision.

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:45.679
 I'm not going to defile myself

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.279
 in that way.

00:15:47.859 --> 00:15:49.779
 He doesn't isolate himself,

00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:50.339
 does he?

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.580
 He doesn't try to just

00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:53.780
 avoid Babylon altogether

00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:55.019
 and to escape

00:15:55.019 --> 00:15:56.920
 from Babylonian education

00:15:56.920 --> 00:15:57.700
 or politics.

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.480
 No, he spends

00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.660
 the rest of his life in it.

00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:02.500
 He doesn't fight.

00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.280
 He doesn't angrily attack

00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:05.200
 those in charge

00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.000
 of the program

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.259
 and seek to take over

00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.200
 and be in charge.

00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:11.360
 But he doesn't assimilate either.

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.560
 He doesn't just go along

00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:15.259
 with this complete indoctrination

00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:17.000
 into Babylonian culture,

00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:19.019
 full loyalty to the king

00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.199
 and forgetting his Jewish heritage.

00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.360
 He doesn't do that.

00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:24.579
 Instead, he resolves

00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:26.199
 not to defile himself.

00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:28.340
 He commits to maintaining

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:30.259
 his distinctive identity

00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:31.279
 in some way

00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.679
 even in the midst of that.

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.159
 And so it's a fair question

00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.519
 to say,

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:37.899
 why here with the food and wine?

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.759
 Why is it there

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.240
 that Daniel draws the line?

00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.519
 You may think perhaps

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.620
 that it's because

00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.019
 of Jewish dietary laws

00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.960
 that Daniel,

00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:48.720
 these things would be unclean

00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.220
 and so Daniel decides

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.539
 he won't eat them.

00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:54.460
 That's actually not true

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.340
 in this case.

00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.539
 It wouldn't make sense

00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:58.000
 of why the wine

00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.860
 would be included

00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.019
 as not part of that.

00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.259
 And later in Daniel,

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.720
 we actually see him

00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.799
 probably eating

00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.359
 some of this very food.

00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.400
 So it seems like

00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.879
 it wasn't black and white

00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.519
 like that.

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.900
 You may think very reasonably

00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.500
 that the food

00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.539
 was offered to idols.

00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:14.200
 And so it was important

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.759
 for Daniel

00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:15.859
 not to partake of food

00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.839
 offered to idols.

00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.720
 Except that that really

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:20.200
 is not the context

00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.920
 we're in here.

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.379
 Plus, the veggies

00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.480
 probably would have been

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.139
 the same.

00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.480
 And he's happy

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.899
 to partake of those.

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.680
 The Bible doesn't tell us

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.799
 why specifically

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.379
 Daniel drew the line here

00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:33.740
 except that he determined

00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.500
 not to defile himself

00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.720
 in this way.

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:38.480
 So the particular reason

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:40.259
 why must not be the issue

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:42.240
 but rather that Daniel

00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.440
 determined to maintain

00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.440
 his identity

00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:46.160
 as a follower of Yahweh

00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.140
 in some way

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.599
 and not give himself

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.599
 wholly over

00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.900
 to dependence on

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.720
 and commitment

00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.700
 to the king.

00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.579
 Just taking it all in

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.460
 and just being loyal

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.359
 to the king.

00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.779
 It's a foothold

00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.519
 in that sense

00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.079
 for Daniel

00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.500
 in the midst of the program

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.079
 of complete assimilation.

00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.359
 A way not to forget

00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:05.279
 who he is.

00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.379
 Notice just a few things

00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.019
 about the way

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.180
 that Daniel engages

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.599
 the ungodly culture

00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.920
 at this point.

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.099
 He's not fearful,

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:15.500
 is he?

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.619
 But he's bold.

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.339
 Determining that he would

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.379
 take a stand here

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.240
 and going straight

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.440
 to the chief of the eunuchs

00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.160
 with his request.

00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.660
 He's willing to risk,

00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.079
 isn't he?

00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:26.879
 It's risky.

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.139
 Perhaps even risking

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.440
 his life to suggest

00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.099
 this idea.

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.139
 Verse 10 tells us

00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:32.039
 that it could cost

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.940
 the chief of the eunuchs

00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:33.519
 his head.

00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:35.039
 So it certainly was

00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:36.779
 risky for Daniel.

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:39.879
 In asking this though,

00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.579
 he's humble,

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.160
 isn't he?

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.980
 Not pridefully insisting

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.059
 that he knows better

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.379
 but asking permission.

00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.079
 And he's respectful.

00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.940
 Personally and patiently

00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:55.160
 engaging two different officials

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.799
 to ask for their help

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.539
 rather than taking to Facebook

00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.119
 as you would probably expect him

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.759
 to have done

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.119
 to rant about

00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:03.759
 the ridiculous new program

00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:05.519
 and the fools in charge of it.

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:08.000
 But he doesn't do that.

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.460
 Finally, he's dependent.

00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:14.180
 Verse 9 says,

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:17.240
 and God gave.

00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.200
 You hear an echo

00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:21.339
 from verse 2 last week?

00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:22.799
 And God gave.

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.980
 It actually happens again

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.559
 in this chapter.

00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:26.259
 Three times in the first chapter.

00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.700
 It'll happen in verse 17.

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.500
 We'll see in a minute.

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.700
 And God gave.

00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:32.059
 Who's still in charge?

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.319
 God is in charge.

00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.139
 God is the one

00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.460
 who gives Daniel favor

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:38.599
 in the eyes of these foreign officials

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:40.200
 who would really have had no reason

00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.119
 to listen to Daniel.

00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:45.960
 He's engaging in a foreign culture

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:48.019
 in a distinctive way.

00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:49.559
 In a way that's consistent

00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.919
 with his identity

00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:53.299
 as a follower of Yahweh.

00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:55.659
 And in a way that is not forcing

00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.619
 his own agenda

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.879
 to become reality

00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:59.819
 but is rather completely dependent

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:02.159
 on God to grant him success.

00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.160
 It won't happen

00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.840
 if God doesn't give him favor.

00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.779
 And these may seem like

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:09.000
 small things here

00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.100
 that we're talking about.

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.120
 In a decision not to eat the food

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.140
 and drink the wine.

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:15.160
 But in the small things,

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.580
 if you know the story

00:20:16.580 --> 00:20:17.920
 of the rest of Daniel,

00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.840
 you know God's offering here,

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.120
 Daniel and his friends,

00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:22.380
 a training ground

00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.680
 for idols

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:26.680
 and fiery furnaces

00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:29.279
 and lion's dens.

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.220
 A training ground

00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.100
 that allows them

00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:34.060
 to be distinctive now

00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:35.240
 in preparation

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:37.740
 for even more difficult days

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:39.340
 that lie ahead.

00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.120
 Friends, as followers

00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:43.560
 of Jesus Christ,

00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:45.480
 we have a distinctive identity.

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:48.000
 We are in Christ.

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.259
 And that is to be

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.400
 what primarily defines us

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:53.380
 in every facet of life.

00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:54.920
 That means, for example,

00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:56.400
 that we find value

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:58.539
 in that we are loved by God

00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:00.500
 and adopted into His family.

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:02.180
 So we are distinctively

00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:04.480
 not looking for our value

00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.900
 in the approval of others.

00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.340
 In worldly success

00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.759
 and accumulating the things

00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.460
 of the world.

00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.360
 In the comfort

00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.700
 and the fame

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.519
 that we might otherwise

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.320
 chase after.

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:17.680
 We rest in the grace of God

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.620
 for ourselves

00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:20.380
 and extend that grace

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:20.960
 to others

00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:22.140
 even at great cost

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.900
 to ourselves.

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.600
 And that is to be distinctive.

00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.980
 In fact, it is distinctive

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.300
 if you live and love

00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:30.320
 others like that.

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.700
 The point of Daniel 1

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.680
 is not to tell you

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.220
 that it's okay

00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.240
 to change your name

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.720
 but it's not okay

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.840
 to change what you eat.

00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.580
 That's not the point

00:21:40.580 --> 00:21:41.680
 of this chapter.

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.740
 It's not a detailed list

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.360
 of do's and don'ts

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.600
 for living in Babylon.

00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:48.080
 Do these particular things

00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.720
 but make sure

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.240
 you avoid the others.

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:52.859
 It's a reminder here

00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.839
 of the primacy

00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.240
 of our identity

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.640
 in Christ.

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.220
 That we sacrifice

00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:00.019
 that distinctive identity

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.359
 and blend in

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.299
 with our loyalties

00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.120
 and priorities

00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:04.220
 looking just like

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.980
 the world's

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:07.039
 at our own peril.

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.660
 We really can't go

00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.120
 any further

00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.980
 without stopping

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.980
 to admit

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:14.440
 how easy that is.

00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:14.700
 Right?

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.599
 How easy would it have been

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:17.140
 for Daniel

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.980
 just to go along

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.980
 with one more thing.

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:19.240
 Right?

00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:20.460
 Everybody else

00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.740
 is a part of the program.

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:22.720
 It would have been

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.720
 very easy.

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.140
 It wasn't even

00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:27.000
 best we can tell

00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.480
 individually more evil

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.500
 than any other part

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.220
 of the program.

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.620
 It didn't stick out

00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:33.039
 as the one thing

00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.799
 to avoid.

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:36.079
 How easy is it

00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.799
 just to give in

00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.019
 in one more area?

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.059
 Just to say

00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:41.400
 I'll buy what you buy

00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.860
 and pursue what you pursue

00:22:42.860 --> 00:22:43.940
 and I'll watch

00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.579
 what you watch

00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.059
 and I'll say

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.779
 what you say

00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.740
 and eventually

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.360
 over time

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.120
 just forget

00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.799
 that my life

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.639
 is to be shaped

00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.719
 distinctively

00:22:50.719 --> 00:22:51.839
 by who I am

00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.379
 in Christ

00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.059
 not by just

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.379
 receiving the air

00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.119
 that I breathe

00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.779
 around me

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.500
 every day.

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.339
 It's so easy

00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.719
 isn't it

00:22:58.719 --> 00:22:59.159
 just to go

00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.779
 with the flow.

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.439
 Some days

00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:01.759
 I feel like

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.039
 that's all

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.699
 I've got the energy

00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.119
 for.

00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.919
 Not to determine

00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.599
 to do anything

00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:06.039
 at all

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.000
 just kind of

00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.779
 whatever the culture

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.919
 seems to do.

00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:10.339
 It's like going

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:10.959
 through Atlanta

00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:11.659
 at the flow

00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:12.459
 of traffic

00:23:12.459 --> 00:23:13.479
 and you can look

00:23:13.479 --> 00:23:14.519
 up and not even

00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.179
 realize you were

00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:15.699
 going 80

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.360
 in a 55

00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:16.940
 right?

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.440
 It's natural

00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.160
 it's easy

00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:21.519
 it feels right.

00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.140
 It's so hard

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.160
 to resolve

00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.340
 not to defile

00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:25.960
 yourself

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.100
 to be committed

00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.700
 to your

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:29.400
 distinctive identity

00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.519
 to be driven

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.779
 in everything you do

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.880
 by who you are

00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:33.900
 in Christ.

00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.120
 That's hard.

00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.680
 You can't do it

00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:39.160
 without trusting

00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.980
 God's provision

00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.279
 of lasting

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.080
 blessing.

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.599
 That's what

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.639
 we see here

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.240
 at the end

00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:46.899
 of the chapter.

00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:48.559
 We see again

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.539
 in verse 17

00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.639
 that God

00:23:50.639 --> 00:23:51.799
 gave

00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.240
 this time

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.159
 blessing them

00:23:54.159 --> 00:23:54.839
 with learning

00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.759
 and skill

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.099
 and their

00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.759
 training

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.279
 and Daniel

00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.799
 particularly

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.500
 with expertise

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.199
 and vision

00:23:59.199 --> 00:24:00.679
 and dreams

00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:02.139
 so they far

00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:02.980
 surpass all

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.939
 the other youths

00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:04.519
 in the king's

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.199
 training right?

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.259
 Now that seems

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.899
 like a triumph

00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:07.419
 doesn't it?

00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.839
 There it is

00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:09.919
 they've conquered

00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.859
 they've won

00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:12.559
 everything's good

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.779
 stories over

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.759
 and there is

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.339
 blessing

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.759
 there is a

00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.639
 temporal blessing

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:19.259
 from God

00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:20.019
 God's people

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.759
 are honored

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.460
 but things are

00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.099
 not all good

00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.659
 for Daniel

00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.419
 and his friends

00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:24.879
 are they?

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.539
 And they experience

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.099
 some of that

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.119
 temporal protection

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:30.940
 blessing from God

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.720
 yes they do

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:33.319
 but also

00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.259
 quite a bit

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.879
 of suffering

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.039
 they spend

00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.539
 the rest

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.659
 of their lives

00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:39.119
 in exile

00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.779
 away from

00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.679
 the promised land

00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.779
 facing persecution

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.580
 at the hands

00:24:44.580 --> 00:24:45.120
 of jealous

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.640
 colleagues

00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:47.140
 and ungodly

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.900
 kings

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:50.480
 listen the

00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.299
 lasting blessing

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:52.180
 is not a few

00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.980
 good days

00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.220
 in Nebuchadnezzar's

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.420
 court

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.360
 it can't be

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.799
 can it?

00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.140
 But the thing

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.700
 that's really

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.539
 worth it for

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.240
 Daniel enough

00:24:59.240 --> 00:24:59.880
 to risk his

00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.720
 life in this

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:01.259
 case can't

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.620
 just be a few

00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.320
 good days of

00:25:03.320 --> 00:25:03.920
 being smarter

00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.539
 than the guys

00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.320
 around him

00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:07.100
 the lasting

00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.299
 blessing is

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.160
 God

00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.039
 himself

00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.619
 we see

00:25:11.619 --> 00:25:12.680
 that relationship

00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.279
 they have

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.740
 with God

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.339
 is highlighted

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:14.779
 there in

00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.500
 verse 17

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.519
 as God

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.180
 gives them

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.579
 learning

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.480
 and understanding

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.180
 particularly

00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.619
 Daniel

00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.019
 with the

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.379
 dreams

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:20.940
 and visions

00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.639
 where does

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.099
 that come

00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:22.539
 from?

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.000
 Whenever it

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.420
 comes up

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.420
 the interpretation

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.319
 of the dream

00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:26.779
 comes from

00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.099
 God

00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.619
 doesn't it?

00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:28.399
 It shows

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:28.879
 that Daniel

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:29.579
 understands

00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.460
 God's heart

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.960
 that he's

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.619
 a man

00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.519
 of God

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.039
 that he's

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:34.200
 in relationship

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.059
 with God

00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.779
 you see

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.159
 the gift

00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:37.859
 with lasting

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:38.440
 value

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.359
 is knowing

00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.539
 God

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:42.279
 a relationship

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.980
 with God

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.179
 is lasting

00:25:44.179 --> 00:25:44.639
 and is

00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.559
 strengthened

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.159
 by the

00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.619
 commitment

00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.179
 to that

00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:47.740
 primary

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.519
 and distinctive

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.200
 identity

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.740
 as his

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.240
 child

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.259
 in the midst

00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.919
 of temptation

00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.779
 to compromise

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:54.359
 or assimilate

00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.879
 it strengthens

00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:56.639
 the relationship

00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.659
 and the truly

00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:58.619
 valuable thing

00:25:58.619 --> 00:25:59.720
 is being his

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.960
 and eternally

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.639
 being his

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:04.960
 look at verse 21

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.360
 again

00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:07.600
 didn't probably

00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.100
 catch your

00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.560
 attention

00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:10.100
 Daniel was there

00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:11.000
 until the first

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.440
 year of

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.259
 King Cyrus

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.259
 until the first

00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.160
 year of King Cyrus

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.300
 we know at that

00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:17.920
 point in time

00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.560
 Daniel would have

00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:19.020
 to be in his

00:26:19.020 --> 00:26:19.460
 80s

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:21.000
 or older

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.900
 that's his

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.800
 entire life

00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.380
 right?

00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:26.759
 A note here

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.900
 about King Cyrus

00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.800
 to wrap up

00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.880
 the first chapter

00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.460
 that we said

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.080
 is about two

00:26:31.080 --> 00:26:31.840
 kingdoms in

00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.540
 conflict

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.519
 the kingdom

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.139
 of Israel

00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.720
 and the kingdom

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.379
 of Babylon

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.119
 Yahweh

00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.359
 and Nebuchadnezzar

00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.220
 they're in

00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.680
 conflict

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.460
 who's greater

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.299
 it appears

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.819
 at the beginning

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.399
 that Babylon

00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.279
 is greater

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.379
 and that Yahweh

00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.039
 is defeated

00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.460
 right?

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.399
 That's what we

00:26:45.399 --> 00:26:46.359
 saw last week

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:48.759
 but Cyrus

00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.279
 is not just

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.879
 another king

00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.940
 who steps in

00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.299
 after Nebuchadnezzar

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.700
 is gone

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.740
 Cyrus is a

00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.500
 Persian

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.619
 king

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:57.460
 his nation

00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.500
 has conquered

00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.299
 Babylon

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.259
 even in

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.799
 Daniel's

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.460
 lifetime

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.980
 Daniel

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.799
 is still

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.120
 there

00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:05.500
 still standing

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.160
 still

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.000
 serving

00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.840
 the king

00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:10.079
 kings pass

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.740
 kingdoms

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.940
 pass

00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.759
 but God

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.539
 remains

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.640
 in control

00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:18.559
 knowing him

00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.079
 therefore

00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.840
 is of

00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.640
 much

00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.700
 greater value

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.740
 than getting

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.240
 in with

00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.980
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.700
 do you see that?

00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.840
 if you just

00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:26.319
 got in with

00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:26.980
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.460
 he's gonna be

00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.740
 gone

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.059
 it's gonna

00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.460
 pass

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.480
 but knowing

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.019
 God

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.559
 is much

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.180
 greater

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.500
 value

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:34.000
 being connected

00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.960
 to his son

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.880
 is of much

00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.680
 greater value

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.440
 than being

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.960
 connected

00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.600
 to the power

00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.279
 players of

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.920
 society

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.160
 that's the

00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:41.559
 eternal

00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.180
 perspective

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:43.259
 that God

00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:43.980
 truly

00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.059
 lasts

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:46.559
 even kings

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:46.920
 pass

00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.259
 people

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.920
 people who

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.539
 seem to be

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.200
 powerful

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.080
 and valuable

00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:50.700
 and will really

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.120
 get us

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.500
 somewhere

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.459
 and they're

00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:53.179
 gone

00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.619
 but

00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.659
 God

00:27:54.659 --> 00:27:56.299
 remains

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:58.299
 kids

00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.819
 that's something

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.500
 that's hard

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.199
 to wrap your

00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:01.039
 minds around

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.139
 God being

00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.779
 eternal

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.779
 God lasting

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.339
 forever

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:04.779
 that's

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.399
 that's hard

00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:05.899
 to picture

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.559
 sometimes

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.079
 isn't it?

00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.459
 but that's

00:28:08.459 --> 00:28:08.939
 what's so

00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:09.459
 important

00:28:09.459 --> 00:28:10.079
 in this

00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.459
 passage

00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:10.959
 to

00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:11.859
 remember

00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:13.679
 God

00:28:13.679 --> 00:28:14.019
 is

00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:15.199
 so valuable

00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:16.699
 that knowing

00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:17.259
 him

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.799
 is a

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.259
 greater

00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.919
 treasure

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:20.579
 than having

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.539
 all the

00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.019
 treasures

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.000
 of the

00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.399
 world

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:24.039
 kids

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.299
 that's

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.439
 our

00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:24.720
 thing

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:24.939
 to

00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.220
 write

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.619
 down

00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.039
 about

00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.799
 God

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.039
 this

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.279
 morning

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.559
 it's

00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:27.919
 it's

00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.079
 what

00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.519
 Daniel

00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.019
 learns

00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.379
 about

00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.819
 God

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.240
 and what

00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.119
 enables

00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:31.659
 Daniel

00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.379
 to take

00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:32.939
 the stand

00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:33.279
 that he

00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.899
 does here

00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.480
 in chapter

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.939
 one

00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:36.039
 God is

00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.039
 so valuable

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.059
 that knowing

00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.819
 him is a

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.220
 greater

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.779
 treasure

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:41.039
 than having

00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:41.740
 all the

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.220
 treasures

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.500
 of the

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.879
 world

00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.859
 the most

00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.599
 valuable

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.199
 thing

00:28:46.199 --> 00:28:47.319
 is being

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.220
 his

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:50.199
 eternally

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:52.559
 remember

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:52.860
 y'all

00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:53.720
 in Christ

00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:55.019
 in that

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.539
 distinctive

00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.080
 identity

00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:56.539
 what do we

00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.039
 have

00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.400
 we

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:57.840
 forgotten

00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:59.799
 we have

00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:00.519
 every

00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.400
 spiritual

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.140
 blessing

00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.500
 the ones

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.759
 that

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.380
 really

00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.180
 last

00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.980
 we're

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.380
 children

00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:07.819
 of the

00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.279
 king

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.019
 the

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.740
 everlasting

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.340
 king

00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:10.779
 we have

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.100
 an

00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.640
 eternal

00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.340
 inheritance

00:29:12.340 --> 00:29:12.860
 that can

00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.220
 never

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.960
 fade

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.580
 away

00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:16.120
 listen

00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.539
 I know

00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:16.900
 all the

00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.240
 things

00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.620
 that we

00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:17.900
 long

00:29:17.900 --> 00:29:18.259
 for

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.680
 seem

00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.180
 so

00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.819
 valuable

00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.859
 and the

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.220
 way to

00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.619
 get them

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.039
 seems

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.599
 so

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.159
 simple

00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.759
 just

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.319
 blend

00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.839
 in

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.539
 and get

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.079
 ahead

00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:27.419
 just

00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:27.740
 blend

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.019
 in

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.419
 and get

00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.000
 love

00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.460
 just

00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.799
 blend

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.059
 in

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.439
 and get

00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:31.759
 what you

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.079
 really

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.659
 want

00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.500
 and need

00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:35.480
 but when

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.799
 you weigh

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.379
 things in

00:29:36.379 --> 00:29:36.980
 eternal

00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.859
 scales

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:39.619
 there's no

00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.240
 comparison

00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:40.779
 with the

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.399
 relationship

00:29:41.399 --> 00:29:42.419
 you have

00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:43.819
 with God

00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.519
 and the

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.000
 distinctive

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.579
 identity

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.059
 that you

00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.460
 have

00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.179
 in Christ

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.000
 it's

00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.500
 that

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.180
 grace

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.700
 that

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.259
 gift

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.519
 that

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:50.720
 he

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.160
 gives

00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:51.380
 us

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:51.580
 that

00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:52.000
 enables

00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:52.320
 us

00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:52.500
 to

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:52.880
 remain

00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.400
 committed

00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.680
 to the

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:54.940
 one

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.120
 who

00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.320
 has

00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:55.700
 committed

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.299
 himself

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.519
 to

00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.019
 us

00:29:58.019 --> 00:30:01.660
 I want

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.019
 to close

00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.660
 by talking

00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.299
 from my

00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.600
 heart

00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.160
 to the

00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:05.200
 younger

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.860
 generation

00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.880
 in the

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.019
 room

00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.240
 this

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.539
 morning

00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:10.160
 that's

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.720
 those

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.180
 of us

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.620
 I don't

00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:11.920
 know

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.320
 maybe

00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.600
 south

00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:13.920
 of our

00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.500
 40s

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.640
 something

00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.140
 like that

00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.420
 you can

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.420
 be a part

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:17.599
 of the

00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:17.759
 group

00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.039
 if you

00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.240
 want

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:18.720
 if you

00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:18.859
 know

00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.019
 you're

00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.200
 not

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.460
 you can

00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.720
 listen

00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.039
 in

00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.519
 anyway

00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.400
 all of

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:22.579
 us

00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:22.720
 who

00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:22.960
 Lord

00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.259
 willing

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.460
 are

00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:23.579
 going

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:23.779
 to be

00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.200
 around

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.180
 when

00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:25.440
 a few

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:25.779
 kings

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.279
 pass

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:28.539
 you know

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.339
 I wasn't

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.319
 a teenager

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:30.880
 too long

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.279
 ago

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.460
 sometimes I

00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:32.680
 think it

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:32.960
 was just

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.420
 yesterday

00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.700
 but even

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.240
 now in

00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:35.940
 my 30s

00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.519
 I remember

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:37.140
 and still

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.720
 say to

00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:38.119
 myself

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.400
 some of

00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.720
 the same

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.099
 things I

00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.400
 used to

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:39.720
 say as

00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.220
 a teenager

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:41.720
 one of

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.099
 those that

00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.740
 I find

00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:43.160
 saying to

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.500
 myself

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.799
 is you

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.119
 know what

00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:45.419
 I'll

00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:45.759
 follow

00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.319
 Christ

00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.979
 later

00:30:46.979 --> 00:30:49.419
 in that

00:30:49.419 --> 00:30:50.059
 area of

00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:50.599
 my life

00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.079
 I'll be

00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.519
 committed

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.739
 to Christ

00:30:52.739 --> 00:30:53.759
 later

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:55.500
 because to

00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:55.919
 be quite

00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:56.339
 honest with

00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:56.639
 you there's

00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:57.039
 so much

00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:57.719
 going on

00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:58.699
 there are

00:30:58.699 --> 00:30:59.159
 so many

00:30:59.159 --> 00:30:59.899
 areas of

00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:00.500
 life and

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.619
 I am so

00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.159
 busy just

00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.039
 one thing

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.500
 at a time

00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:03.739
 you know

00:31:03.739 --> 00:31:04.119
 what I'll

00:31:04.119 --> 00:31:04.479
 deal with

00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:05.039
 that another

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.539
 time

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.299
 I'll

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.679
 follow

00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.319
 Christ

00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.419
 later

00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:10.519
 you know

00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.839
 what I've

00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.639
 realized after

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.819
 telling myself

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:13.439
 that for

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.840
 a lot

00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.039
 of

00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.539
 years

00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.480
 it only

00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.240
 costs

00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.960
 more

00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.700
 later

00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.100
 to have

00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.460
 that

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.160
 distinctive

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.559
 identity

00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:24.680
 the cost

00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.380
 keeps going

00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:25.820
 up

00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:26.539
 not

00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.279
 down

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.620
 the cost

00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.200
 of following

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.600
 Christ

00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:30.240
 isn't going

00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.759
 down

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.840
 in our

00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.279
 culture

00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.820
 if you

00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:34.420
 won't pay

00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.100
 it now

00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:36.440
 you won't

00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:36.880
 pay it

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.259
 later

00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.940
 if you

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.220
 won't

00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:39.860
 sacrifice

00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.779
 for Christ

00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.240
 now

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.059
 you won't

00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.740
 sacrifice

00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.839
 later

00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.339
 that's

00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:45.259
 what God

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.779
 has taught

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.279
 me

00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.960
 don't say

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.519
 to yourself

00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.899
 after college

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:50.879
 after I get

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.279
 to go

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.639
 really enjoy

00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.579
 my life

00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:55.660
 then I'll

00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.460
 follow God's

00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:56.980
 model for

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.420
 morality

00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.440
 after I

00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.200
 get to have

00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.680
 my fun

00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:01.980
 don't say

00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.399
 to yourself

00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:02.720
 you know

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.700
 after I get

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.259
 the job

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.619
 that I

00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.819
 really need

00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:07.019
 once I've

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.440
 got that

00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:07.740
 job

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.819
 then I'll

00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.279
 start

00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.160
 working

00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.839
 honestly

00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:12.319
 and treating

00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.759
 others

00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.500
 respectfully

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.120
 that's when

00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.460
 I'll do

00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:14.720
 it

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:17.059
 don't say

00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.559
 to yourself

00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.220
 you know

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.380
 what

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.759
 after

00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.940
 after we

00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.660
 finally get

00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.200
 through this

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:21.720
 season

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.700
 and really

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.440
 get settled

00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.099
 then I'll

00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.660
 start making

00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.400
 my family

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.079
 the priority

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.500
 that they

00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:26.960
 should be

00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.420
 and loving

00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:28.019
 them the way

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.519
 that God

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.460
 tells me

00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.940
 to love

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.279
 them

00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:33.579
 don't say

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.019
 to yourself

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.480
 after I

00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.519
 get my

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.059
 kids out

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.259
 of the

00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.539
 house

00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.059
 take good

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.519
 care of

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:38.720
 them

00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.059
 protect

00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.579
 them

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.339
 and get

00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:40.680
 them out

00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:40.859
 of the

00:32:40.859 --> 00:32:41.059
 house

00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:41.720
 then I'll

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.079
 have a

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.539
 zeal for

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.119
 the lost

00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:43.619
 like you've

00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:44.259
 never seen

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.539
 then I'm

00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:44.839
 really going

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.220
 to care

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.980
 about that

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.720
 y'all I want

00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.079
 to stop

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.720
 saying those

00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.099
 things

00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:51.139
 I need you

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.680
 to help

00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:52.720
 me stop

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.920
 saying those

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.859
 things to

00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.420
 myself

00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:57.579
 it's not

00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.279
 going to

00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:58.940
 cost

00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.039
 less

00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:02.339
 and in

00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.039
 these early

00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.960
 small

00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.519
 decisions

00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.639
 we begin

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.240
 to set the

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.059
 pattern for

00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.799
 our lives

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.240
 for future

00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.079
 decisions

00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.720
 here's how

00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.000
 it works

00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.559
 if getting

00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.579
 what's really

00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.279
 valuable

00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.599
 in life

00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.879
 requires

00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.659
 setting God

00:33:17.659 --> 00:33:18.639
 aside now

00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:20.960
 why in the

00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.619
 world would

00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.220
 that change

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:22.579
 later

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:24.019
 if getting

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.639
 what's really

00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:25.379
 valuable

00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.639
 requires setting

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.339
 God aside

00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:27.859
 I'm not going

00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.559
 to change

00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.059
 that later

00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.480
 and bring

00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:29.899
 him back

00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.259
 in

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:32.900
 in other

00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.220
 words if

00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.779
 God's not

00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:34.299
 worth it

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.980
 now he

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.559
 won't be

00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.920
 then either

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:38.440
 but if you

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.359
 decide to be

00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:39.920
 distinctive

00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:41.359
 now if you

00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:42.220
 find following

00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.220
 Jesus to be

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.920
 worth it

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.420
 now even

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.000
 at great

00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.180
 cost he

00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.559
 will be

00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:48.079
 worth it

00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.660
 it will be

00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.180
 worth it

00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.740
 again

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.960
 later

00:33:50.960 --> 00:33:53.000
 because when

00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:53.579
 we say the

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.379
 cost of

00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:55.740
 following Jesus

00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.240
 of being

00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.259
 distinctive in

00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.099
 that identity

00:33:58.099 --> 00:33:59.240
 is not going

00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.119
 down that

00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:00.819
 means something

00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.500
 else has to

00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.099
 change doesn't

00:34:02.099 --> 00:34:03.839
 it if that's

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:04.279
 true you know

00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:04.700
 what has to

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:06.339
 happen God

00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.140
 has to become

00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:07.920
 more valuable

00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.800
 to us doesn't

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:10.420
 he if that

00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.039
 cost is going

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.780
 to go up he's

00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:12.260
 got to become

00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:13.119
 more valuable

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:15.360
 faster and

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.300
 more consistently

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.760
 remember what

00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.420
 said of Moses

00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.360
 in Hebrews 11

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:21.480
 by faith Moses

00:34:21.480 --> 00:34:22.300
 when he was

00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:22.940
 grown up

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.480
 refused to be

00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.119
 called the son

00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.719
 of Pharaoh's

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.679
 daughter choosing

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.239
 rather to

00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:28.099
 be mistreated

00:34:28.099 --> 00:34:28.819
 with the people

00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:30.039
 of God than

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.239
 to enjoy the

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:32.099
 fleeting pleasures

00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:32.879
 of sin

00:34:32.879 --> 00:34:34.719
 he considered

00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.759
 the reproach of

00:34:35.759 --> 00:34:37.179
 Christ greater

00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.459
 wealth than the

00:34:38.459 --> 00:34:39.139
 treasures of

00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.599
 Egypt for he was

00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.339
 looking to the

00:34:41.339 --> 00:34:42.379
 reward because he

00:34:42.379 --> 00:34:43.039
 had an eternal

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:44.479
 perspective he

00:34:44.479 --> 00:34:45.179
 considered the

00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:45.859
 reproach of

00:34:45.859 --> 00:34:46.819
 Christ greater

00:34:46.819 --> 00:34:47.519
 wealth than the

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.059
 treasures of

00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:48.859
 Egypt y'all

00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:49.539
 that's the choice

00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.039
 we're going to be

00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:51.139
 making next

00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:53.319
 generation the

00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:54.239
 choice will be

00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:56.099
 the reproach of

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.659
 Christ

00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:58.519
 over the

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.299
 treasures of

00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.299
 Egypt it

00:35:00.299 --> 00:35:02.179
 will cost and

00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.299
 Moses said even

00:35:03.299 --> 00:35:04.739
 reproach with

00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:06.619
 Christ is greater

00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:07.359
 value than the

00:35:07.359 --> 00:35:08.460
 treasures of

00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.199
 Egypt it reminds

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.940
 me of Jesus when

00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.779
 he's tempted by

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.579
 Satan what's he

00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.719
 tempted to do to

00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:15.440
 find control to

00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:17.659
 find comfort Satan's

00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:19.399
 way rather than God's

00:35:19.399 --> 00:35:22.480
 way and Jesus says

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.519
 God is so valuable

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:26.800
 he is so worth it

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:28.099
 that I'll choose the

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:29.199
 path that I know at

00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.199
 the end of it is what

00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:31.539
 waiting for me a

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:34.260
 cross torment and

00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:36.320
 pain and rejection by

00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:38.340
 my father is worth

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:41.900
 it Jesus says it's

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.420
 going to cost

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.440
 something and it's

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.300
 worth it to choose

00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:47.539
 that path he says

00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:50.400
 God is the treasure he

00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.380
 is the one of

00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:53.260
 lasting value

00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.880
 knowing God himself

00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:55.940
 is the treasure that

00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.280
 is most precious

00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:59.500
 solid joys and

00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.880
 lasting treasure

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:02.880
 none but Zion's

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:04.619
 children know

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:09.559
 so that's in front of

00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:11.619
 us if we're going to

00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:13.660
 be anything like what

00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:15.280
 God intends for us as

00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:17.019
 his church here at

00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.960
 Southwood in the years

00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:19.059
 to come if we're

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.179
 going to be God's

00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:21.840
 agent of changing the

00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:22.440
 world don't you want

00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:23.220
 to be a part of that

00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:24.079
 don't you want to be a

00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:25.619
 part of God's agency to

00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:27.179
 change the world to

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:28.559
 fill every person in

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.539
 every corner of

00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.380
 creation with his

00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.320
 glory that's what he's

00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:32.599
 doing and he wants us

00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.980
 to be a part of it if

00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.740
 we're going to get to

00:36:34.740 --> 00:36:36.240
 do that we will have to

00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:38.699
 learn together and we

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.619
 will have to help each

00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:41.659
 other remember in the

00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:43.880
 hard times that God is

00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:46.460
 supremely and eternally

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:50.340
 valuable pray with me

00:36:50.340 --> 00:36:57.320
 God we need your help

00:36:57.320 --> 00:37:02.179
 for that there's so

00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:02.980
 many other things in

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:05.280
 our hearts that seem

00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.260
 more valuable and that

00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:10.300
 we want we want to be a

00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:11.639
 community of people we

00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:15.139
 want to be your body that

00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:16.619
 truly believes that you're

00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:18.139
 worth whatever cost you

00:37:18.139 --> 00:37:20.839
 might ask us to pay that

00:37:20.839 --> 00:37:21.960
 truly believes that the

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.739
 people who have yet to

00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:25.679
 meet you are worth

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.000
 whatever cost we would

00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.859
 pay to show your love to

00:37:28.859 --> 00:37:32.639
 them we just confess that

00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:34.000
 many days it's not true

00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:35.759
 many days our choices are

00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:37.079
 for ourselves and our own

00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:40.739
 comfort and father I pray

00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:42.019
 that you would by your

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:43.880
 grace make yourself so

00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:46.440
 precious in our hearts so

00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:48.980
 valuable in our eyes that

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.380
 everything else would pale in

00:37:50.380 --> 00:37:53.320
 comparison I pray that you

00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.340
 would make the song we're

00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:56.519
 about to sing increasingly

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:59.980
 true of us would you make

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:02.980
 Jesus more valuable to us than

00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:06.639
 anything else that we would be

00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.719
 forever different that the

00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:09.219
 world would be changed because

00:38:09.219 --> 00:38:12.139
 Jesus was indeed the pearl of

00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:13.339
 great price and we did

00:38:13.339 --> 00:38:15.319
 anything to have him and to

00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:18.559
 share him with others do that

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:20.759
 work we ask in his name amen

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:26.459
 for more information visit us

00:38:26.459 --> 00:38:28.259
 online at southwood.org

00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:37.480
 k

00:38:37.600 --> 00:38:38.640
 you

00:38:38.640 --> 00:38:41.520
 you

00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:44.660
 you

00:38:48.160 --> 00:38:49.940
 you

00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:54.260
 you