WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, equipping, 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:08.040 and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:10.140 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:12.759 Pastor Patrick Daly preaches insightful sermons 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:14.000 from the Word of God, 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.000 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:19.300 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:22.000 Well, good morning, Ontario. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.800 How are we all doing this morning? 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:25.920 Good. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:28.400 It is great to be with all of you here this morning. 00:00:28.399 --> 00:00:30.599 My name is Patrick Daly, 00:00:30.599 --> 00:00:33.679 and I have the privilege of serving as the pastor here 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:36.079 at Ontario Community Church. 00:00:36.079 --> 00:00:41.079 Today, we are going to go over the book of Philemon, 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:46.079 and we're gonna do what's called a thematic exposition. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.840 We are going to go have an overview over the book 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:54.519 and find the connections with the Kinsuki art. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:57.719 Many of you have seen Kinsuki art before, 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:02.039 where there is a broken bowl or a piece of pottery 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:03.960 that is piece back together, 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:07.039 and it has a little gold in the cracks. 00:01:07.039 --> 00:01:11.039 And we'll discover the connections with them. 00:01:11.039 --> 00:01:13.879 Today's sermon and scripture reading, 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:18.200 we are asking God to speak to us through His Word, 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:20.719 through His reading and through His study. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:23.079 We're gonna learn about transformation, 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:26.159 forgiveness, and restoration. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:29.200 And before we begin with our sermon today, 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.359 I wanna ask all of you this question. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:34.319 It may resonate with you. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:37.439 Have you ever felt broken, 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:40.959 or have you ever felt that you're not good enough? 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:43.319 Perhaps you have felt a moment in your life 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.159 where you felt useless. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:48.519 Maybe there was a, you felt a void, 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:51.679 or something that is missing in your life, 00:01:51.679 --> 00:01:54.359 and you just wanted to have meaning. 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:56.599 You wanted something more to this life 00:01:56.599 --> 00:02:01.599 than the superficial, the material possessions, if you will. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:04.879 I want us to think of that question 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.280 as we proceed this morning. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:10.120 I know that for many of us in this life, 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:12.120 many of us search for something. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:15.039 We feel that there's something that's missing, 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:16.400 and we want to find that, 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:19.759 and sometimes we turn to the wrong things. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:23.199 To fill that void, sometimes we go to drugs, 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:25.560 we go to alcohol or gambling. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:27.280 Sometimes it's pornography, 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.479 or something that will never fill that void. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:33.919 But it is in Christ that makes us whole, 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:36.479 that brings restoration and healing. 00:02:37.799 --> 00:02:39.879 I want us to think about these things 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:40.839 as we go through. 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:43.199 We're gonna learn about a man 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:47.000 who was considered to be useless, 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:50.239 and he became useful. 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:53.800 For in being useless, it is a reminder 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:56.280 in the story of Philemon, 00:02:56.280 --> 00:02:59.520 about someone who was once a slave, 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:04.520 and Paul is making an appeal for him to be a free man. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:07.760 Not just as a slave, 00:03:07.760 --> 00:03:12.760 but as one who was a sinner, having freedom in Christ. 00:03:13.760 --> 00:03:16.879 For it is God who is the great transformer 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:20.200 of our minds and our hearts. 00:03:20.199 --> 00:03:22.679 He takes that which is broken, 00:03:22.679 --> 00:03:25.399 and he pieces us back together. 00:03:25.399 --> 00:03:27.879 It is in him that we find new life. 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:31.000 We find new identity in Christ, 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:33.399 and we are rendered useful 00:03:33.399 --> 00:03:36.079 when we make that decision for him. 00:03:36.079 --> 00:03:38.560 When we say yes to Jesus Christ, 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.759 when we receive that gift of salvation in him. 00:03:42.679 --> 00:03:44.239 So we're gonna pray, 00:03:44.239 --> 00:03:46.479 we're gonna read this book together, 00:03:46.479 --> 00:03:49.280 and we're gonna go deeper into the Word of God. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:51.039 And since this book is shorter, 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:52.080 we should read it together. 00:03:52.080 --> 00:03:54.319 But first, let's go ahead and open in prayer. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:55.319 Let's pray together. 00:03:56.199 --> 00:03:58.759 Father, we thank you for this time 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:01.719 and this opportunity for all of us to come together 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.319 in love and in unity. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:06.759 We have sung some great songs. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:08.680 It is a way for us to worship you, 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:11.199 to glorify you and to honor you. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.120 For you are the sovereign God. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.080 You are in control. 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:18.759 You are the great potter, and we are the clay. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:21.240 It is time for us to open your Word. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.639 We ask that you let your Word speak to us. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:28.240 May our minds be open to what your Word has to say, 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:33.240 and may our hearts be open to live and to love like you. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:36.319 May the message today inspire us. 00:04:36.319 --> 00:04:38.360 May it motivate us. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:41.039 May it move us to make a decision for you, 00:04:41.039 --> 00:04:44.719 to grow in you and to go in your holy name. 00:04:44.720 --> 00:04:48.880 Let it be done according to your will. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:52.760 We are like broken vessels without you, 00:04:52.760 --> 00:04:57.480 but in finding you, like the ancient art of Kintsuki, 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:00.760 where broken pottery is mended together. 00:05:00.760 --> 00:05:02.840 We are made whole. 00:05:02.840 --> 00:05:07.840 We are made more valuable, and you give us purpose. 00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:11.400 It is because of Jesus' life, death, burial, 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:14.799 and resurrection, we are offered salvation 00:05:14.799 --> 00:05:19.199 through Jesus Christ, and it is in you that we live, 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:21.560 and it is in you that we love. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:23.439 Be with us this morning. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.879 Be with us this morning. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.599 It is in Jesus' name that we pray, 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:28.319 and we all say together, amen. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.519 Amen. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:32.439 I want us to turn to our Bibles on, 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.479 it's gonna be page 1186. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:40.319 Part of a thematic exposition, 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:43.040 we have the opportunity to open the word of God 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.199 and read it together, so feel free to read out loud, 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:48.439 or to just follow along. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:52.480 We use our Pew Bibles, the ESV, 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:55.560 the ESV blue pew Bible that you'll find. 00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:57.959 If you use another translation, that's fine. 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:02.399 AJV, new page, NIV, whatever it is. 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:07.399 So it's the letter of Paul to Philemon. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:12.599 I'll give you guys a little bit more time. 00:06:15.359 --> 00:06:16.199 All right. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:20.399 So let's read it together. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:23.759 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:25.919 and Timothy our ruler. 00:06:25.919 --> 00:06:29.079 To Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:34.079 and Afia our sister, and Arcephus our fellow soldier, 00:06:34.279 --> 00:06:36.319 and the church in your house, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:40.039 grace to you, and peace from God our Father, 00:06:40.039 --> 00:06:42.800 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:47.759 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:51.120 because I hear of your love and of the faith 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:54.000 that you have toward the Lord Jesus, 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:55.759 and for all the saints, 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:58.919 and I pray that the sharing of your faith 00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:02.199 may become effective for the full knowledge 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:07.199 of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.920 For I derive much joy and comfort from your love, 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:15.280 my brother, because the hearts of the saints 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:18.160 have been refreshed through you, that's beautiful. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:21.200 The hearts of the saints have been refreshed. 00:07:21.200 --> 00:07:24.040 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:27.480 to command you to do what is required, 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:31.120 yet for love's sake, I prefer to appeal to you. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.920 Paul could have commanded Philemon here, 00:07:33.920 --> 00:07:36.160 but he chooses to appeal. 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:39.960 I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner, 00:07:39.960 --> 00:07:44.040 also for Christ Jesus, I appeal to you 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:48.400 for my child, Onesimus, whose father 00:07:48.400 --> 00:07:51.280 I became in my imprisonment. 00:07:51.280 --> 00:07:52.920 Now listen here. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:56.480 Formally, he was useless to you, 00:07:56.480 --> 00:08:01.480 but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:06.759 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:11.080 Sending my very heart, that's very heavy language. 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:13.840 I would have been glad to keep him with me 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:17.480 in order that he might serve me on your behalf 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:20.160 during my imprisonment for the gospel, 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:22.960 but I prefer to do nothing without your consent 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:27.759 in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion, 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.639 but of your own accord. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:36.600 For this perhaps is why he was parted for you for a while, 00:08:36.679 --> 00:08:39.360 that you might have him back forever, 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:42.840 no longer as a bond servant, 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:46.600 but more than a bond servant. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:50.360 As a beloved brother, especially to me, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.399 but how much more to you both in the flesh and in the Lord. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:57.120 So if you consider me your partner, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:00.039 receive him as you would receive me. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:03.200 If he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:05.560 charge that to my account. 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:08.600 I, Paul, write this with my own hand. 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:13.600 I will repay it to say nothing of your owing me, 00:09:13.560 --> 00:09:15.519 even your own self. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:20.000 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you and the Lord. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.600 Refresh my heart in Christ. 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:25.320 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:29.159 knowing that you will do even more than I say. 00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:32.519 At the same time, prepare a yes room for me, 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:35.840 for I am hoping that through your prayers, 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.879 I will be graciously given to you. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.519 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ, 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:43.480 Jesus sends greeting to you. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:47.600 And so do Mark, Aristicus, Demis, and Luke, 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:49.200 my fellow workers. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:53.960 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:56.200 We have just read together the book of Philemon. 00:09:56.200 --> 00:09:57.200 Congratulations. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:05.759 There is so much to unpack here. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.840 I want you to keep in mind 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:10.040 that we are doing a thematic exposition. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:13.520 We're going over the major themes and the major verses. 00:10:13.520 --> 00:10:14.800 In the coming weeks, 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:17.620 we will do a line by line exposition of it. 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:21.440 But for now, we're going over the main themes. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:22.879 So this book of Philemon, 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:25.799 it's different than many of the other Pauline letters 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:29.480 or epistles, in the fact that this letter 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:33.580 is more focused on something that is more specific, 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:35.820 something that is more personal. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:39.440 This is considered to be the most personal letter 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:41.680 in all of scripture. 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:43.799 It is a part of our Bible, though. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:47.519 And like every book of the Bible, we should read, 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.919 we should study, and we should apply it. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:53.960 Paul doesn't introduce himself as an apostle. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:57.879 So there's really no formality like the other letters. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:11:01.720 Paul begins by writing a personal letter to Philemon 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:05.679 about one person, Onesimus. 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:08.439 There is not a variety of theological topics 00:11:08.439 --> 00:11:11.240 or issues like the other letters. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:15.840 This letter is written between Paul, Philemon, 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:18.639 in regards to Onesimus. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:20.600 Of course, there are other letters 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:23.879 and there are deep themes that we can find in here. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:26.860 Paul wrote to Timothy and to Titus. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:29.240 There's other letters that provide guidance 00:11:29.240 --> 00:11:32.840 and encouragement and instruction for the early church. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:35.639 In the other letters, there is theological depth. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.840 There's formality. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:40.840 But it's not really the case in this letter. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:44.600 This letter tells the story of one man 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:48.560 and one situation, Onesimus. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:52.000 The name of this man, and here's a fun fact for you, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:57.000 the name Onesimus, it's defined as profitable. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:03.120 It is defined, you know how names have meanings behind them. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:07.120 Onesimus, it means profitable or useful. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:10.240 And what's so interesting about this letter is, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:15.240 Onesimus was once useless and now he is useful. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.799 It's a play on words. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:19.680 It's as though Paul is saying, 00:12:19.680 --> 00:12:24.680 useful was once useless and now he's useful again. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:29.600 Paul goes on on, he's being thankful about the love 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:31.200 that Philemon has for others 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:34.220 and the faith that he is sharing to each other. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:37.240 It brings great joy and it brings great comfort to Paul 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:39.480 because of the hearts that have been refreshed. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:42.720 I love that language, the refreshing of the hearts. 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:46.080 The idea of being refreshed is allowing for someone 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:50.800 to be rested or to have that sense of calm. 00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:54.039 I wish for my heart to be refreshed, don't you? 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:59.620 Paul could have commanded Philemon to take back Onesimus, 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:04.200 but instead he chooses to appeal to him instead. 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:09.200 And this is the main theme that is found in verse 11. 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:13.600 Formally, he was useless to you, 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:18.600 but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:22.240 We learn that Onesimus is being sent back by Paul 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:26.259 to Philemon and this is not an easy thing to do. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.840 It is hard for Paul to do this 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:31.940 because Onesimus is a bond servant to Philemon 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:34.400 as it says in verse 14. 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:39.400 He did not want to do anything without Philemon's consent. 00:13:39.640 --> 00:13:44.480 Just as it says in the text, he wants your consent. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.840 And it can be said that Paul 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:47.880 did not want to take advantage of Philemon. 00:13:47.880 --> 00:13:51.120 He wants to send Onesimus back. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:54.600 In sending Onesimus back, Paul appeals to Philemon 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:59.600 to take him back not as a bond servant, not as a slave, 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:02.960 but something that is more than that. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:04.639 As a brother. 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:08.399 Can you imagine how controversial that was 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.000 back in biblical times? 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.200 Where it was common to have slaves, 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:16.000 where it was common to have bond servants. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:20.519 Paul is saying to Philemon, he is rendered useful. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:25.519 Send, I'm sending him back, take him in as a brother in Christ. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.420 And we can see two meanings here. 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:30.959 No longer as a slave to sin, 00:14:30.959 --> 00:14:35.099 but also no longer as a literal slave. 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:40.159 That must have been very controversial at that time. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.039 Can you imagine? 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:46.199 But that goes to show you the change 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:49.759 that has happened in Onesimus's life. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:53.039 He was once useless, but now he is useful. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:56.799 And that's very heavy, very difficult language. 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:59.359 I don't want to be rendered useless. 00:14:59.359 --> 00:15:03.479 I don't want to be viewed upon as useless to God. 00:15:03.479 --> 00:15:05.799 I want to be useful to the Lord. 00:15:06.959 --> 00:15:10.740 And I hope we all in the same way want to be useful. 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:16.559 To take him back as a brother, very powerful language. 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:20.159 Towards the beginning of the book, we see that Philemon, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.919 he is referred to as beloved, 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:26.620 just as Onesimus is later on in the letter, 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:31.620 which goes to show how close Onesimus was with Paul. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:36.320 Paul wishes for Onesimus to not go back to his former life 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:39.320 in being a slave or a bond servant, 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.919 but to be received as a beloved brother. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:45.840 And this is very significant because Paul is seen, 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:50.840 Onesimus as a close friend, someone who is beloved. 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:53.480 And I'm reminded of what Galatians chapter three, 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.680 verse 28 has to say, some of you may know this, 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:59.019 that there is neither Jew nor Greek. 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:02.680 There is neither slave nor free. 00:16:02.680 --> 00:16:05.039 There is no male and female, 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:10.039 for you all are one in Christ Jesus. 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:16.320 Paul offers to pay all that Onesimus has done wrong. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:21.080 Now, we don't know to what extent, what did he do? 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.920 Well, we know he ran off, 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:24.319 and we know that there's some wrong 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:26.639 that was done between Philemon and Onesimus. 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:28.799 He could have stolen, he could have cheated, 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:31.719 and he could have swindled, and we don't know the extent. 00:16:31.719 --> 00:16:36.719 But what we do know is that the wrong that Onesimus did, 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:41.199 Paul is willing to pay it back all to him. 00:16:41.199 --> 00:16:43.719 And Paul goes on to write about the debt 00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.240 that Philemon owns to Paul. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:47.759 It's very light-hearted language 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:52.439 because Paul helps lead Philemon to Christ. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:56.760 So it's like, oh, well, you owe me because you're saved. 00:16:56.760 --> 00:16:58.120 You know, the debt's being paid off, 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.560 so he's being funny in that. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.960 This can be understood as, 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:04.080 it also can be understood as an actual debt 00:17:04.080 --> 00:17:06.320 that was owed, some scholars say. 00:17:06.320 --> 00:17:09.920 But it's more commonly that Philemon is owing Paul 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:11.440 the spiritual debt of salvation, 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:14.039 but he's just messing around, if you will. 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:18.519 Paul did play a part in Philemon's conversion. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:21.840 And we have to realize that the debt of salvation is not, 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:23.759 it's not a debt that can be repaid. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.399 It's just, this is part of Paul's appeal 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:32.399 to restore Onesimus, to receive him as a brother. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:36.799 And Paul has faith in Philemon that he will do more 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:39.000 than what he is saying and requesting a room 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.119 to be given to him and perhaps those 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.559 who are traveling with him. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.480 Then we go to the end of the text 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:48.359 where the fellow workers are greeting Philemon 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:51.399 in the letter, and that is the book of Philemon. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:54.420 In a nutshell, that is the overview of it. 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:59.480 This book is short, but it is a book of scripture. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:04.480 We shouldn't ignore, we shouldn't neglect any of the Bible. 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:08.440 Every book of the Bible should be read. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.640 It should be studied. 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:15.680 We should never be afraid or ashamed of the gospel 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.140 or any book of the Bible. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:20.880 Now, wanna go back to verse 11 here. 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:23.300 This is the critical verse that we find. 00:18:24.520 --> 00:18:28.120 He was useless to you, but now he is indeed 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:31.160 useful to you and to me. 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:34.840 The unique thing about this book is, like I said, 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:37.900 Onesimus means useful. 00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:42.220 I'd love to have a name like that, being useful, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.440 but it kinda keeps you in check, 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:46.040 making sure you're staying on the straight and narrow, 00:18:46.040 --> 00:18:46.880 if you will. 00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:50.440 He went from being useless to useful. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:55.160 He went from being a slave to sin to freedom in Christ. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:57.640 And Paul is making this appeal. 00:18:57.640 --> 00:19:02.080 He is no longer a slave to sin, but he is free in Christ. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:04.120 Let's make him a free man. 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.440 What a statement. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.160 What a statement that is. 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:13.200 And this transitions into what we can learn 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:15.920 and what we can take away from this book. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.880 I don't know about you, 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:23.880 but I feel that we can identify with Onesimus. 00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:26.280 We can relate to him. 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:31.120 It is hard language, but it is truth. 00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:33.600 When we live a life without God, 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:38.600 we are, in the eyes of God, we are rendered useless. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:41.200 Without Christ at the center of our lives, 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:43.560 we are but nothing. 00:19:43.560 --> 00:19:46.120 We are but broken without him. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:51.039 We are lost without him and we cannot do it on our own. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:54.679 We are sinners that are in need of a savior. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:59.679 And this is where there is a connection with Kinsugi pottery. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:02.919 This letter from Paul to Philemon is a reminder 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:06.919 that we were once useless, but we become useful 00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:09.479 when we make a decision for Christ. 00:20:09.479 --> 00:20:13.159 To choose Christ is to realize that we are indeed, 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:18.160 we are broken and it is in him that we are restored. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:21.400 We are made whole and we are given salvation 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:23.480 by saying yes to Jesus Christ, 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.440 just like the thief on the cross said, 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:29.000 Jesus, remember me when you go into your kingdom, 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:31.000 when you enter into your kingdom. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:35.600 Kinsugi is defined as golden joinery. 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:37.680 It's a traditional Japanese art form 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:41.060 that involves repairing broken pottery. 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:46.059 And it puts, you see gold in the cracks, powdered gold. 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:51.899 We have to remember that it is Christ 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:55.659 who is the creator, redeemer and sustainer. 00:20:55.659 --> 00:20:59.460 And you'll find in your notes that this is mainly connected 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:04.460 with Colossians chapter one verse 15 through verses 20. 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:07.019 And we can go on and on about these verses, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:11.200 but just read it for yourself on there. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:14.940 Christ as creator. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:21.299 This is where you see a whole, if you will. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:24.740 Right, it is our original state. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:27.259 It is like our original state before sin. 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:30.480 Thing without sin in the world. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:33.059 There was that connection with God. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:37.539 And in Kinsugi art, perfect, unbroken pottery. 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:40.539 God created us in his image, 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:43.339 just like how he created the heavens and the earth. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.779 God made us. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:49.139 Our God is everlasting and all things were created by him. 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:51.859 Many of you have heard before that God is the potter 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:54.980 and we are the clay, we are the work of his hands. 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:58.299 And before sin entered the world, we were once whole. 00:21:58.299 --> 00:22:02.419 This original creation was before sin entered the world. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:07.420 And once sin entered, we were rendered broken and useless. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.940 That's harsh words. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:13.700 Even as I'm saying this, that's not easy. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:19.779 The original piece of pottery, it was whole. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:22.420 It was serving its purpose. 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:25.340 But because sin entered the world, broken, 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:29.060 like a bowl that falls to the ground. 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:32.980 We have Christ as redeemer. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:39.980 The redemptive path is redemption from sin through Christ. 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:44.980 It is not about what you do. 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:48.539 It is about what has been done by Jesus Christ, 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:51.700 fulfilling the many prophecies, his life, his death, 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:54.019 his burial, his resurrection. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:57.740 And in Kinsugi art, it's mending broken pottery. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:23:00.940 Together with gold. 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:04.940 Christ redeemed us by his death, his burial, his resurrection. 00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:07.980 There was a pastor that I once knew who would say that 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:10.980 Jesus reversed the curse of sin. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.740 Jesus reversed the curse. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:18.740 Like I said, Christ redeemed us from our sins. 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:22.980 Will you receive the gift of salvation? 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:25.740 Sin introduced brokenness into our lives 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.460 and the image that I can think of is a piece of pottery 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.740 that is breaking or shattering. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.740 You know the sound when something breaks, 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:36.299 a plate, a bowl, your favorite coffee cup. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:41.099 It is through Christ. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:44.099 It is through making a decision through Christ. 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:47.259 We are redeemed and we are restored. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:51.099 God takes our brokenness and makes something beautiful 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:52.539 out of it. 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:56.539 The art of repairing something that is broken with gold 00:23:56.539 --> 00:24:00.539 is symbolic for redemption and restoration. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:03.539 Instead of being discarded and thrown away, 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:06.539 we have the chance to run to the Father, 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:10.539 to choose Jesus Christ, to receive that gift of salvation. 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:14.539 And Christ restores us just as the broken pieces 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:18.539 are gathered, cared for, and put back together. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.539 The pottery is placed back together. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:24.539 It's made with gold and it adds value to the pottery. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:31.539 It makes the piece, the bowl, the plate, the cup even. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:35.539 It makes it far more valuable than it was to begin with. 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:38.539 For when we choose to have Christ in our life, 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:42.539 it is as though we are being made pure, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:44.539 being made whole again. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:47.539 For God uses us for greater purpose, my friends. 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:50.539 It is in Christ that we live. 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:54.539 He takes that which is broken and pieces it back together 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:59.539 for His purpose, for God's plan. 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:05.539 God gives each and every one of us the opportunity to choose Him. 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:08.539 For when we choose Him, we must remember, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:12.539 God will never leave you or forsake you. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.539 We are not left or forgotten. 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:19.539 For God takes us, He makes us whole again. 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:22.539 Seek that relationship. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:27.539 Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:30.539 And finally, we have Christ as sustainer 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:33.539 based off of Colossians chapter 1 verse 17 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:36.539 and the other verses. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:39.539 Continual protection and care in Christ. 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:42.539 That doesn't mean that, look, 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:46.539 you are protected by Christ but we still live in a fallen world. 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:49.539 We still live in a broken world where 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.539 it's almost as though you're walking through 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:54.539 and you see many plates that are broken on the ground. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:57.539 You see many bowls and cups. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.539 They need repairing from God our Father. 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:02.539 They need to be mended whole. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:04.539 That is why we share the gospel. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:07.539 That is why we share in our testimony. 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:11.539 Because God is the great transformer of culture. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:14.539 He is the great transformer of our lives. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:17.539 He pieces us together. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:20.539 So we have continual protection and care in Christ 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:23.539 and in Kintsugi art, strength and pottery. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:26.539 It is more beautiful. 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:28.539 It is more valuable than before. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:31.539 It is Christ who puts us back together 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:34.539 and it does not stop once we are made whole. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:37.539 When we make a decision for Christ, 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:41.539 it is not the end, it is the beginning. 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:45.539 We receive salvation and we begin on the path 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:48.539 of doing good in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:51.539 the name above all names. 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:56.539 If someone fixed your grandma's precious China, 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:59.539 wouldn't you be appreciative of that? 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:02.539 If someone put that together, 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:06.539 let's say you had a friend visiting your house, 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:09.539 I am sure many of you have this happening before. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:15.539 And they knocked the plate on the ground and it shattered. 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:18.539 What if they took that plate and they fixed it together? 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:21.539 You would be very appreciative of that. 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:25.539 God takes us as that broken pottery. 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:29.539 The oopsidazies is sin, if you will. 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:34.539 Sin entering the world separates us from God. 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:39.539 But to know that we can be restored and rendered useful, 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:43.539 just like Onesimus, what went from useless to being useful, 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:46.539 is very powerful language. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:49.539 It doesn't matter what you have been through. 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:52.539 It doesn't matter how broken you are. 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:56.539 It doesn't matter how bad things have gotten, 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:59.539 how overwhelmed you are, how depressed you are. 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:02.539 When you come to Christ, it is to come to the potter. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:05.539 It is to come to the Creator and to seek refuge. 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:08.539 It is to seek comfort. It is to seek shelter. 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:11.539 It is to seek continued protection. 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:14.539 Seek first the kingdom of God. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:18.539 We need to seek a relationship first and foremost with Jesus Christ. 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:22.539 We need to admit that we are broken. 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:24.539 Is any of us perfect here? 00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:26.539 I'd like to talk to you after. 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:28.539 Is anyone perfect here? 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.539 Let's have a discussion here. 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:33.539 We need to admit we are lost and broken without Him. 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:36.539 Let us be on a path that is towards Christ. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:41.539 And it all begins on making that decision for Jesus Christ. 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:44.539 It is saying yes and believing in Him. 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:47.539 Many of you know John 3.16, 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:51.539 for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:57.539 that whoever, whoever, everyone, everybody, 00:28:57.539 --> 00:29:00.539 not the elites, not the rich, not the people who, 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:04.539 I donate $10 million, I built these houses. 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:09.539 No, no, no. Everyone, everyone, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:13.539 whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:15.539 That is the beauty of the Gospel. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:18.539 It is for everyone. 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:23.539 We have learned about the main theme in Phrygina, 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:27.539 going from useless to useful. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.539 In the next, in the coming weeks, 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:31.539 we're going to go over line by line. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:34.539 Who are all these people in Philemon? 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:37.539 What, do we know anything about Onesimus? 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:39.539 Do we know anything about Philemon? 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:41.539 Where is the connection in Scripture? 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:44.539 We'll go over that in the next few weeks. 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:47.539 We've learned about Paul who is writing to Philemon 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:49.539 to take Onesimus back. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:52.539 Being useless to useful, 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:54.539 I want to be useful to God. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:58.539 And I hope that all of you want to be useful. 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:01.539 May we no longer be slaves to sin, 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:05.539 but may we have freedom in Christ. 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:08.539 Not freedom to sin, freedom from sin. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:11.539 We learned about Kinsugi. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:14.539 It is the art of fixing that which is broken 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:17.539 and making it more valuable than once before. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:20.539 There is a connection with sin nature 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:24.539 and how God has offered us a way for restoration, 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:29.539 for healing of the brokenness that is in this world. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:31.539 God is that constant. 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:34.539 And this ever-changing fog of culture. 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:39.539 Culture may change, and heck, we change sometimes. 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:41.539 But God is that constant. 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:43.539 I need a constant in my life. 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:47.539 This world's changing way too much for not a young guy. 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:49.539 I can't imagine for you older people 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:51.539 the amount of change that's happening. 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:54.539 The point is, God is that constant. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:56.539 The firm foundation. 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:58.539 And even though we are broken, 00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:00.539 even though we are imperfect, 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:04.539 God loves us despite our imperfection. 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:06.539 Say yes to Jesus Christ. 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:08.539 Christ's sacrifice on the cross, 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:10.539 it redeems us for we are forgiven 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:12.539 and we are set free from sin. 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:16.539 No longer to live the former life of brokenness, 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:20.539 but to live a new life in a new state, if you will. 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:26.539 Be mended together in the hands of the Father. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.539 The agape love that God has for us 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:34.539 reminds us how God finds beauty in our imperfection. 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:38.539 God exhibits love, even though we are imperfect, 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:40.539 even though we fall short. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:43.539 Come to the Father. 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:46.539 Be whole again. 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:48.539 And even though in this life, like I said, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:51.539 we make mistakes, we sin, we blunder, 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:53.539 we screw up, don't we? 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:55.539 God is there for us. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:58.539 Kinstugy is about fixing that which is broken 00:31:58.539 --> 00:32:00.539 and giving it new life, 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.539 making it more valuable, 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:04.539 just like how God takes that which is broken, 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:07.539 our lives gives it new life, 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:11.539 new identity, new purpose, 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:14.539 and restoring us to Him. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:17.539 We are made more valuable. 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:19.539 Do you feel lost? 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:21.539 Do you feel broken? 00:32:21.539 --> 00:32:23.539 Do you feel useless in life? 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:28.539 If you do, I encourage you to seek that relationship 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:31.539 with Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:33.539 and just as we have gone over, 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:35.539 the Creator, the Redeemer, and Sustainer, 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:37.539 in Him we find purpose, 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:42.539 in Him we find comfort and safety. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:47.539 In Him we become useful. 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:51.539 Just like how Onesimus was once useless and became useful, 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:53.539 he changed his trajectory, 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:57.539 so much so that the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to Philemon saying, 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:59.539 this man has changed man. 00:32:59.539 --> 00:33:01.539 He didn't have to write the letter. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:06.539 Can you imagine if Onesimus went back to Philemon? 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:09.539 After he stole and did all the bad things? 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:11.539 But no, Paul is making an appeal. 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:14.539 This is a changed man. 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:16.539 I have to tell you about this. 00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:19.539 I am appealing to you, Philemon. 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:22.539 I think of all of how you refresh other Christians. 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:26.539 Consider that this man is useful to you 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:30.539 in the same way that he's useful to me. 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:33.539 And we think once again of John 3.16, 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:36.539 whoever believes in him should not perish, 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:38.539 but have eternal life. 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:40.539 And the closing question, 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:46.539 how can God, the Kinsuki artist, heal and restore you? 00:33:46.539 --> 00:33:48.539 God takes our brokenness. 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:51.539 He takes our flaws and our imperfections. 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:53.539 He takes everything that we are. 00:33:53.539 --> 00:33:55.539 And when we choose Him, 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:57.539 He turns our lives. 00:33:57.539 --> 00:34:01.539 He turns it around into something beautiful. 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:06.539 We have a testimony about how God works in our lives. 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:08.539 He gives us purpose. 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:12.539 And may you, each and every one of you, 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:17.539 be on a path of restoration and sustainability in Christ 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:21.539 that comes first through choosing Christ. 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:23.539 May you choose Christ. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:26.539 May you grow in Christ. 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:28.539 And it doesn't stop there. 00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:31.539 May you grow in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:34.539 proclaiming the gospel, sharing your testimony, 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:37.539 sharing your faith with others, 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:40.539 and spread the gospel. 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:45.539 For Jesus Christ is the light of the world. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:49.539 I don't know about you, but I need some light in my life. 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:52.539 The more I learn about how culture is changing, 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:56.539 I know I need Jesus who is there for me. 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.539 He won't forsake me. 00:34:57.539 --> 00:35:01.539 He won't let me down like others have. 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:03.539 Christ is the constant. 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:06.539 Let's pray together. 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:09.539 Father God, we thank you for giving us this time 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:11.539 and this opportunity for us to come together 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:13.539 and go over the truths of your Word 00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:15.539 and the connections that we find in Scripture 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.539 and in real life. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:18.539 You, God, are the comforter of the week. 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:20.539 You give us the chance to come to you 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:24.539 when we ourselves are broken and rendered useless. 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:26.539 Without you, we are nothing. 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:30.539 But in you and through you, you restore us. 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:34.539 You pick us up and put our feet on solid ground. 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.539 You heal our brokenness. 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:37.539 You give us new life, identity, and purpose. 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:39.539 I pray for those who do not know you. 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:42.539 May they see that life is greater in knowing you. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.539 I pray for the ones who are distant. 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:46.539 May they come and return to you. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:47.539 And for the ones that know you, 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:49.539 may they be people who are encouraging others 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:52.539 to come to know you, to become a follower of you, 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:55.539 and to live, learn, and love like you. 00:35:55.539 --> 00:36:00.539 Be with us today as we wrap up this sermon 00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:03.539 and as we leave this place. 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:05.539 It is in Jesus' name that we pray 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.539 and we all say together, amen. 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.539 Amen. 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:11.539 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.539 Sermon Podcast. 00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:14.539 For more about our church 00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:16.539 and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:20.539 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:25.539 May God's blessings be with you.