WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading comes from Genesis, Matthew, and John.

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 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen.

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 In Genesis chapter 12, we read,

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 Now the Lord said to Abraham,

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 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you,

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 and I will make of you a great nation.

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 And I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

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 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse.

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 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

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 And in Matthew chapter 4, we read,

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 While walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

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 And he said to them,

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 Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

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 And in John chapter 20, we read,

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 On the evening of the day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked, where the disciples were for fear of the Jews.

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 Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,

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 Peace be with you.

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 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

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 Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

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 Jesus said to them again,

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 Peace be with you.

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 As the Father has sent me,

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 even so I am sending you.

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 And when he had said this,

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 he breathed on them and said to them,

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 Receive the Holy Spirit.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great. Thank you, Jonah.

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 Will you join me as we pray together?

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 And we're going to pray this morning.

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 We often like to pray for other churches in Hong Kong.

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 We're going to pray for GCC, Gospel Community Church.

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 Ian Ma is one of the new leaders there.

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 And so, just so you know, when we pray for him,

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 that's who he is.

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 Ian is from GCC.

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 We're going to pray for them this morning.

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 But let's pray together.

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 Great and glorious God,

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 God, this morning we gather as a church family

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 to praise you and to glorify you,

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 to lift up your name,

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 and to give you the worship that you deserve.

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 Father, in this world,

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 we are constantly being pulled in a thousand directions

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 with innumerable concerns and worries on our hearts.

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 God, this morning we've gathered

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 to have our eyes set on you

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 and to focus,

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 to know you

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 and to know that our peace and our hope

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 is not found in any of the great things

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 that you've given us,

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 but it's found in you.

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 Father, this morning we acknowledge

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 that the one thing that deserves

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 our greatest attention and devotion,

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 the one thing for which we were made

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 is to glorify you

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 who have given us our being

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 and to be a blessing to those

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 that you've brought across our path.

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 And yet, Father, so seldom is that

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 our true motivation.

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 We live for ourselves

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 without much regard to your great glory and honor,

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 without thinking about the good of others.

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 Oh, Father, forgive us, we pray.

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 God, we pray that you will do a deep work in our hearts,

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 each one of us,

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 that we will truly learn to live for you

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 and your glory

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 and live the well-being of others.

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 God, particularly in times like this

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 when the brokenness of our world is so evident,

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 may we, your people,

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 be truly salt and light in the city at this time.

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 God, as we go from this place,

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 may we be sent by you into our city

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 as agents of healing and restoration.

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 God, we long for our city to experience your peace,

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 for the anxiety of our hearts, God,

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 to be stilled,

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 and for the restlessness, God,

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 with which we,

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 as so many of our city are struggling,

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 God, to be eased.

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 Father, come, we pray,

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 come to our city and use us.

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 God, as Isaiah said,

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 here we are, send us, God.

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 Use us, we pray.

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 Father, this morning,

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 as we look at your word,

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 we pray that you really will speak to us.

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 We've said it a thousand times,

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 but God, we're not interested

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 in just the opinions of man.

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 We're not here just to be inspired or encouraged.

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 We're here to encounter you, the living God.

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 We want you, God, to speak to us.

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 And so we pray, God, this morning

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 that your word will come alive.

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 God, we pray that the message of your scriptures

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 will speak to us today.

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 God, take my words,

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 and anything that's not of you,

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 we pray it will fall aside, Lord God.

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 Come and speak to us, we pray.

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 We want to meet with you, God,

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 in your word today.

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 God, this morning,

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 as we look across our city,

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 we want to pray for our friends

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 at GCC, Gospel Community Church.

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 We want to pray for Ian Marr,

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 the new pastor there.

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 And God, as he's getting established

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 in that church and finding his feet,

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 we do pray for him.

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 We bring him before you.

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 We pray for unity around the church leadership.

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 We pray that they will be on the same page

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 and there'll be deep levels of trust and oneness.

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 Thank you for bringing Ian there.

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 Thank you for the work of Rob and Joy Penner

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 over the last five years or so.

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 Thank you for that community

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 that really does love your gospel.

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 And God, we pray that as they go into this new season,

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 that you will lead them and guide them.

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 As they are seeking to establish vision

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 for the church this year,

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 we pray that they will capture your vision

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 for their church.

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 God, we pray for their mission

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 and their outreach,

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 that for their position near PolyU

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 and other campuses,

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 we pray to use them, God,

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 to really bless the city.

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 Establish them deeply on the gospel,

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 we pray.

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 And then finally, Father,

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 we pray for our great continent of Asia.

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 We pray in the,

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 as we are grappling with the middle

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 of the coronavirus.

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 Father, we pray,

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 especially this morning,

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 for South Korea and Japan

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 who have experienced unprecedented increases in cases.

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 We pray, God,

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 for profound wisdom

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 for the leaders of those countries.

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 We pray for the doctors

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 and the medical staff

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 that are working

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 and on the front lines

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 of encountering that.

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 We pray for government officials

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 and all decision makers.

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 God, we pray that you will give them wisdom

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 how to contain the virus

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 and see it come to an end.

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 And so we pray for our brothers

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 and our sisters

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 and our friends and family

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 and the people of South Korea and Japan,

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 especially this morning.

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 Be with them, we pray.

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 Pray for believers

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 to find their hope in you,

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 Lord God, today.

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 Pray for those that are sick and suffering.

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 Won't you strengthen them

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 and encourage them

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 and bring loved ones around them

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 that can really point them

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 to the hope of Christ.

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 We pray these things, Lord Jesus,

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 in your wonderful

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 and your powerful name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:12.659
 Okay, I forgot to introduce myself.

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 If you don't know me,

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 my name is Kevin

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 and one of the leaders here.

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 Now, if you're new to Watermark,

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 to let you know what you're doing,

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 Chris mentioned it.

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 In fact, I don't feel like

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 I need to preach a whole lot

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 after Chris and Tiffany.

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 They kind of summarized

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 everything I was going to say.

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 Okay?

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 But just in case you weren't listening,

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 let me say it again.

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 We are working through our values

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 as a church,

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 those things that, you know,

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 are on websites and bulletins

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 and get referenced a lot.

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 But are seldom actually defined

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 or clarified.

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 And so we're spending

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 a couple of weeks,

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 12 weeks in total,

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 looking at these three topics.

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 The gospel.

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 What is the gospel?

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 What does it mean

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 to be centered on the gospel?

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 Community.

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 And mission.

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 And those three things

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 are really important

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 to each one of us individually,

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 but also to us

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 as a church family.

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 And so the gospel

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 is the heart of Watermark.

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 It really defines

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 who we are,

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 our identity,

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 why it's our reason

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 for existence.

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 Okay?

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 Without the gospel,

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 let's close shop.

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 We're done here.

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 Community is shaped

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 by the gospel

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 because God's worked

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 in our hearts.

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 We are now

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 a community of believers.

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 And community defines

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 how we relate

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 to one another.

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 Mission,

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 which is what we're going

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 to look at

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 for the next couple of weeks,

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 is what is our purpose?

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 Why has God put us here?

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 What are we to do,

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 those of us

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 that have encountered

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 this living God?

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 And so the next five weeks,

00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:38.379
 we're going to be looking

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 at this theme of mission.

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 Now, today's sermon

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 is a little bit different

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 to usual.

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 Normally,

00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:44.100
 we work through

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 a passage of scripture

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 and we expound it.

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 Today,

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 we're going to step back

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 and we're going to try

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 and get an overview

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 of the Bible story

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 from beginning to end.

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 We're going to look

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 a little bit at Genesis 12

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 that was read to us earlier.

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 And we're going to try

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 and get a thematic

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 understanding

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 of God's heart for mission

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 and what does that mean

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 for His people

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 by looking at the Bible.

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 Okay,

00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:06.279
 so a little bit different,

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 but that's where

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 we're going today.

00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:08.980
 Now,

00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.059
 how many of you

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 have bought a book

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 or been given a book,

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 fiction or non-fiction,

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 opened it up

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 halfway,

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 somewhere in the middle,

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 and started reading

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 at chapter 17?

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 Okay?

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 Now,

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 if it's a textbook

00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.679
 and you're cramming

00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:25.379
 for an exam,

00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.459
 you're allowed to do that.

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 But generally,

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 if it's a story,

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 that's not a good way

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 to read a book,

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 right?

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 Why is that?

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 Well,

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 because you're not going

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 to know what's going

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 on the plot line

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 of the book.

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 You might pick out

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 a few main characters,

00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:40.280
 you might sort of get

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 the plot line

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 of the book,

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 but even if you

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 kind of understand

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 what's happening,

00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:44.900
 you're going to have

00:09:44.900 --> 00:09:46.860
 a very superficial reading

00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:48.440
 of that book.

00:09:49.540 --> 00:09:50.300
 Many of us

00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:51.320
 make a similar mistake

00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:51.940
 when it comes

00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:52.600
 to the Scriptures.

00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.259
 We open up the Bible

00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.100
 at the New Testament

00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:55.819
 and we say,

00:09:55.939 --> 00:09:56.100
 okay,

00:09:56.179 --> 00:09:57.639
 let's get to the good news,

00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:58.620
 and yet,

00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:00.299
 we try to make sense

00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:01.039
 of what's going on

00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.340
 without understanding

00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:03.379
 the storyline

00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:05.240
 or the narrative arc

00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.319
 of the Bible.

00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.740
 The Scriptures

00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.080
 actually has

00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:10.340
 a storyline to it.

00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.580
 It's the story

00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:12.240
 of what God

00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:13.279
 is doing in the world,

00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:15.220
 and understanding

00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:16.039
 that story,

00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:16.879
 that narrative,

00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.799
 is critical

00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.120
 to understanding

00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:20.120
 all the individual

00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:21.319
 parts of the Bible.

00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.920
 And so,

00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.700
 let's briefly revisit

00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.540
 the storyline

00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:26.180
 of the Bible

00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:27.600
 and then see

00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.820
 how this idea

00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.980
 of God's mission

00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.840
 and our mission

00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.760
 fits into that.

00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:32.540
 So,

00:10:32.700 --> 00:10:33.160
 the storyline

00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:33.620
 of the Bible

00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.940
 starts off like this.

00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:35.700
 It starts off

00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:37.260
 in Genesis 1-2

00:10:37.260 --> 00:10:38.900
 with God's creation.

00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:40.960
 And there we see

00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:41.840
 that everything

00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.560
 that exists

00:10:42.560 --> 00:10:44.240
 from giant galaxies

00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:45.460
 and solar systems

00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:47.420
 to subatomic particles,

00:10:47.820 --> 00:10:49.260
 everything that exists,

00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:50.420
 exists because

00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:51.719
 the Creator God

00:10:51.719 --> 00:10:52.839
 has brought them

00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:53.799
 into existence.

00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:54.379
 Okay?

00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:55.740
 And the pinnacle

00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.539
 of this creation

00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.699
 is humankind.

00:10:58.379 --> 00:10:58.839
 I know,

00:10:58.979 --> 00:10:59.779
 sometimes it's hard

00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:00.299
 to believe,

00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:01.479
 but it's true.

00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.240
 God has said

00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:02.919
 that the pinnacle

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:03.699
 of His creation

00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:04.879
 is humankind.

00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.500
 He has made us

00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:07.879
 for relationship

00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:08.279
 with Him.

00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.179
 And so,

00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.399
 the Bible's account

00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.219
 of creation

00:11:11.219 --> 00:11:12.299
 gives us

00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:13.479
 some of the answers

00:11:13.479 --> 00:11:14.879
 to the biggest questions

00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:15.659
 that we as humans

00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.219
 have.

00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:17.599
 Who am I?

00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.199
 Why am I here?

00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.759
 What's my purpose

00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.259
 in life?

00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.560
 What does it mean

00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.240
 to be human?

00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:24.879
 Are we gods

00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.540
 or are we merely animals

00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:27.240
 that have somehow

00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.300
 evolved more than

00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:28.960
 other animals?

00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.280
 And the answer

00:11:30.280 --> 00:11:31.100
 that creation

00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:31.900
 gives us

00:11:31.900 --> 00:11:33.540
 is that we are not gods.

00:11:33.900 --> 00:11:34.920
 Sorry to tell you that.

00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.980
 Sorry to disappoint.

00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:38.240
 We are not just animals

00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.120
 that have evolved

00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:40.220
 more than other animals.

00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:41.840
 We are a specific

00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:43.540
 type of creature,

00:11:44.060 --> 00:11:45.120
 a specific species,

00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:47.600
 made in God's image

00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.220
 to know Him

00:11:49.220 --> 00:11:50.159
 and enjoy Him

00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.000
 and be in a relationship

00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.379
 with Him,

00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.980
 but also to steward,

00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.480
 in other words,

00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.980
 to look after His creation

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.820
 for His glory.

00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.080
 That's what it means

00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.580
 to be human.

00:11:58.080 --> 00:11:59.500
 We are made in God's image

00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.919
 to know Him deeply

00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:01.679
 and love Him

00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:02.440
 and enjoy Him

00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.240
 and to look after

00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.159
 His good creation

00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.320
 for His glory.

00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.340
 Now,

00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.460
 however,

00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.820
 not very long,

00:12:10.960 --> 00:12:12.139
 before we are almost

00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:13.539
 out of the starting blocks,

00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:14.919
 things go wrong

00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.719
 with the world

00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:16.899
 and with this order.

00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.059
 The good order

00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:18.860
 that God created

00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.480
 and designed

00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.339
 gets corrupted

00:12:20.339 --> 00:12:21.120
 and we call this

00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:23.199
 the fall of creation.

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.860
 And so in Genesis 3,

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.980
 we see that

00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.480
 rather than as human beings

00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:28.659
 we are living

00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.939
 a joyful relationship

00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:30.480
 with God,

00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:30.980
 our Creator,

00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.500
 rather than loving Him

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.279
 and enjoying Him,

00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:34.360
 as human beings,

00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.000
 we decide

00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.939
 we want to be

00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:36.620
 our own gods.

00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.179
 Rather than

00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.659
 stewarding His creation,

00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.919
 we want to rule it.

00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:41.919
 We want to own it.

00:12:42.219 --> 00:12:43.059
 Rather than living

00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:44.099
 for His glory,

00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.000
 we want our own glory.

00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:48.139
 And that brings about

00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:50.779
 disastrous consequences.

00:12:51.979 --> 00:12:53.259
 The result is that

00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.559
 sin and wickedness

00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.659
 weaves its way

00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.000
 into every aspect

00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.759
 of life,

00:12:58.079 --> 00:12:58.859
 every aspect

00:12:58.859 --> 00:13:00.659
 of human experience

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.379
 and existence.

00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:03.439
 And friends,

00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:04.019
 that's why there's

00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.739
 so much pain

00:13:04.739 --> 00:13:05.719
 and brokenness

00:13:05.719 --> 00:13:06.559
 in our world.

00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.539
 It's why there's

00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.359
 so much heartache

00:13:08.359 --> 00:13:08.919
 in our world.

00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:10.860
 And we see this

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.719
 weaving of brokenness

00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:13.779
 in four dimensions.

00:13:13.979 --> 00:13:14.360
 Actually,

00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:15.379
 in every area,

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.439
 but four primarily.

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.339
 We see it physically.

00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.159
 And so now,

00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:19.819
 as human beings,

00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.620
 we are subject to

00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.299
 decay,

00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:22.599
 disease,

00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:23.620
 death.

00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:25.120
 Our bodies don't work

00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.099
 the way that we're meant to.

00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:27.699
 Our world is broken.

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.379
 And so our physical world

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.879
 is broken

00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:30.939
 and subject to decay

00:13:30.939 --> 00:13:31.519
 and death.

00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:32.599
 But also,

00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.620
 relationally,

00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.819
 where we're meant to

00:13:34.819 --> 00:13:35.659
 love and serve

00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.219
 one another

00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.180
 in relationship,

00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.500
 now we use

00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.040
 one another.

00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:39.680
 And so we see

00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:40.139
 as a result

00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.259
 things like sexism

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.060
 and racism,

00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.120
 wars,

00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:43.920
 animosity,

00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:44.779
 bitterness,

00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:45.860
 resentment,

00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:46.820
 mistrust,

00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.160
 all these things.

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.639
 Another way we see

00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.580
 it is personally.

00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:52.139
 So our relationship

00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:52.800
 with ourself

00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.480
 is broken.

00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.379
 And so now,

00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:55.160
 either we suffer

00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:56.759
 from self-exaltation,

00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:57.740
 self-worship,

00:13:58.200 --> 00:13:58.980
 I am God,

00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.800
 or we battle

00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.279
 things like anxiety,

00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:03.940
 insecurities,

00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.500
 depression,

00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.160
 and so our relationship

00:14:07.160 --> 00:14:07.779
 with ourselves

00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.300
 is broken.

00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.899
 But most significantly,

00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:10.700
 our relationship

00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.340
 with the God

00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:12.340
 that made us

00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.240
 for himself

00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.580
 is broken.

00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:15.759
 And so whereas

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.620
 we were designed

00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.660
 to live in joyful

00:14:17.660 --> 00:14:18.759
 relationship with God,

00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.320
 loving and enjoying Him,

00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.639
 now we are alienated

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.139
 from Him

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.420
 and under His

00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:24.259
 just judgment.

00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.840
 And so the problem

00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.060
 with sin in the world

00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.940
 is not just that

00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:29.500
 we've broken

00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.920
 one or two rules,

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.460
 it's not just that,

00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:33.000
 oh, you know,

00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:34.180
 we've kind of done

00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:34.920
 a few wrong things

00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:35.599
 and God's now

00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:36.339
 going to scold us.

00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.339
 The problem

00:14:37.339 --> 00:14:38.219
 with sin in the world

00:14:38.219 --> 00:14:39.519
 is that the whole world

00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.939
 is now out of sync.

00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.899
 There's a misalignment.

00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:44.639
 It's now out of kilter.

00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.120
 And as a result,

00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:47.279
 every aspect

00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:49.120
 reels under the effects

00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.719
 of this broken world

00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:51.519
 in which we live.

00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.959
 And we see this

00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:54.539
 straight after

00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:56.219
 the fall in Genesis 3.

00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:57.699
 So Genesis 3 happens

00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.699
 and the next couple

00:14:58.699 --> 00:14:59.219
 of chapters,

00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.559
 if you read Genesis,

00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.659
 are pretty depressing.

00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.019
 In chapter 4,

00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.340
 Adam and Eve's

00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.240
 first son,

00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:05.740
 Cain,

00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.960
 rises up

00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.199
 and murders his brother

00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:09.639
 because he's not

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.439
 getting on with his brother

00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.019
 and so he just

00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:11.919
 kills him.

00:15:12.439 --> 00:15:13.519
 Then one of Cain's

00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.139
 descendants,

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.319
 a guy called Lamech,

00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.779
 one day he's boasting

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.620
 to his wives

00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.720
 and he's got two wives

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.600
 and he's boasting to them

00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.000
 and he's saying,

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.699
 you think Cain was bad?

00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.779
 You've seen nothing.

00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.379
 He's saying,

00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:24.399
 Cain killed a man,

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.000
 I've killed a man

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.259
 just because he wounded me.

00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.699
 If Cain's revenge

00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.639
 was sevenfold,

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:31.000
 mine is 77.

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:33.080
 So that's the descendants

00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.600
 of Cain.

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.779
 And then we get to

00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:35.419
 chapter 6

00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.580
 and there's the flood

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:38.200
 and the world is broken

00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.500
 and people die.

00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:41.279
 And then we carry on

00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.320
 in chapter 11.

00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.519
 Chapter 11's interesting.

00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:44.340
 There's the story

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.620
 of the Tower of Babel.

00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:46.600
 Do you remember that story?

00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.019
 And the Tower of Babel

00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.500
 is interesting

00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.539
 because it's a story

00:15:49.539 --> 00:15:50.779
 of great unity.

00:15:51.340 --> 00:15:52.120
 God's people

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.960
 come together,

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.500
 the nations are united

00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:56.000
 but they're not united

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.639
 for good,

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.159
 they're united for evil.

00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.899
 They come together

00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:00.799
 in unison

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.419
 and say,

00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:03.459
 let's fix our own world.

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.339
 Let's solve our own problems.

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.980
 We will make ourselves

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.120
 great again.

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.679
 And so they're united

00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.639
 in their rebellion

00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.620
 against God.

00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:11.919
 They say,

00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.919
 God, we don't need you.

00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.339
 We'll fix our own problems.

00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:15.179
 Thank you very much.

00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.559
 And they come together

00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:18.019
 and the result,

00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.519
 the same as Genesis 3,

00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:20.879
 is disastrous.

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.740
 There's division,

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.199
 there's disunity,

00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:26.179
 people are spread out.

00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:28.479
 And rather than unity

00:16:28.479 --> 00:16:29.539
 and joy and love,

00:16:29.979 --> 00:16:32.199
 division and disunity ensues.

00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.500
 And so when we read

00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:34.939
 the scriptures

00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.679
 from the beginning,

00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.919
 not just starting

00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.779
 somewhere in the middle,

00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:39.719
 the storyline we encounter

00:16:39.719 --> 00:16:40.699
 is that the God

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:41.879
 who made us in the world,

00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:43.099
 made a beautiful world,

00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:43.939
 as we sang earlier,

00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.799
 a good world,

00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.419
 a world of good creation

00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.599
 for us to enjoy

00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:48.719
 and to steward

00:16:48.719 --> 00:16:49.739
 and to enjoy Him.

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.899
 But because of sin,

00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.399
 that world has become corrupted.

00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.179
 And now our relationship

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.919
 with ourselves,

00:16:56.579 --> 00:16:57.500
 with our world,

00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.839
 with each other,

00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.979
 and with our God

00:16:59.979 --> 00:17:01.179
 is broken.

00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.460
 Now,

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.679
 the incredible message

00:17:06.679 --> 00:17:07.259
 of the Bible

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:09.619
 is that God gives us

00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:11.559
 not just good advice

00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:13.779
 how to fix our world ourselves,

00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:16.480
 God comes with some good news,

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.819
 or biblical word,

00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:18.980
 with the gospel.

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:21.680
 God comes with some good news

00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.019
 that is big enough

00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.579
 and comprehensive enough

00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:26.940
 to address every dimension

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.640
 and every aspect

00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:30.420
 of the brokenness

00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.559
 and the fallenness

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.500
 of our world.

00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.620
 In other words,

00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.799
 the Bible shows us

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.960
 that rather than God

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.220
 abandoning the world,

00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:37.720
 saying,

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.759
 well, that didn't work very well,

00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.539
 let's try again,

00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:42.059
 God moves into His world

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.900
 to redeem

00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.140
 and to rescue

00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.519
 and to put right

00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.640
 that which is wrong

00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.220
 with the world.

00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.740
 And that's almost

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:50.580
 what the entire Bible

00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.520
 is all about.

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.980
 Other than chapters 1 and 3

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.540
 in Genesis

00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:55.340
 that talk about

00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:55.860
 how the world

00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:56.880
 got to the state

00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:57.340
 that it's in,

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.340
 other than right at the end,

00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.340
 Revelation 21 and 22

00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:01.980
 that talks about

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.000
 how it's all going to end,

00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.780
 almost the entire story

00:18:04.780 --> 00:18:05.360
 of the Bible

00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.600
 is the story

00:18:06.600 --> 00:18:07.800
 of what God is doing

00:18:07.800 --> 00:18:08.740
 to put the world

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.520
 right again.

00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:10.500
 That's what the Bible

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.360
 is all about.

00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:12.300
 God's mission

00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:13.079
 to rescue

00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.180
 and redeem

00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.419
 and reconcile

00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:16.940
 His broken world.

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.200
 And then finally,

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.399
 we get to the last story

00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:21.059
 of the last chapter

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:21.720
 of the storyline

00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.139
 which is the new creation.

00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.279
 God moves

00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.539
 and Jesus returns

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.440
 and everything

00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.139
 that is wrong

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.039
 and broken with the world,

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.960
 He makes untrue

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:30.559
 and He brings about

00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.500
 His new creation.

00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:32.720
 No more tears,

00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.700
 no more pain

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.299
 or agony

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.599
 or anguish

00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.919
 anymore.

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:37.759
 Okay,

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.799
 so you got the storyline

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.359
 of the Bible,

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:39.740
 right?

00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:40.759
 Okay.

00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.279
 Now here's the question

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.640
 we need to ask.

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.240
 That chapter 3,

00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.460
 God's mission

00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.440
 to put right

00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:48.440
 a broken world,

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:50.079
 how is that going to happen?

00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:52.220
 How does God go

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.099
 about doing it?

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.259
 Well,

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.019
 the answer we find

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.879
 in Genesis 12,

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.019
 which we read earlier,

00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:00.039
 is not what we first expect

00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:01.940
 because the answer

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:03.000
 is that God

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.920
 is going about

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.660
 rescuing

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.519
 and redeeming

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.119
 His world

00:19:06.119 --> 00:19:07.779
 but He's going to do it

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.839
 through His chosen people.

00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:12.599
 Let's read Genesis 12

00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.240
 together

00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.359
 and take a look at it.

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:14.819
 Okay,

00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.119
 so if you've got your bulletin,

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.519
 look at Genesis 12

00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.000
 with me.

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.279
 It all starts off

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:19.980
 with this man

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.740
 called Abraham

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.160
 and so one day

00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:22.900
 God appears

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.339
 to this man

00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:23.859
 called Abraham

00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:25.879
 and He reveals Himself

00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.240
 to him

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.500
 and He calls Abraham

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.240
 to be part

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.240
 of his mission,

00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.279
 his plan

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.039
 to rescue

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.000
 and redeem

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.980
 this broken

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.859
 and fallen world.

00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.460
 And so look at verse 1,

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.220
 look at the first thing

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.720
 God says.

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.160
 He calls Abraham

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.539
 and He says,

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:38.940
 Abraham,

00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:41.220
 go from your country,

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.440
 from your family

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.659
 and from your father's house

00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.740
 to the land

00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.740
 that I will show you.

00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.000
 So the first thing

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:47.240
 He does

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.579
 is He sends him away.

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.200
 Okay,

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.659
 He sends him on a mission.

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.159
 He says,

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.599
 I know you're from this area,

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.659
 Ur of the Chaldeans.

00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.079
 I want you to leave

00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.379
 your family background

00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:58.019
 and go to a land

00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.339
 that's not your own

00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:01.079
 but that I'm sending you to

00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.839
 and I will lead

00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.440
 and guide you.

00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:04.599
 And so He sends him out.

00:20:05.219 --> 00:20:06.459
 But that's not all

00:20:06.459 --> 00:20:07.019
 that God says

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.559
 because look at verse 2.

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.099
 God accompanies

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.000
 this commission,

00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.659
 this call to trust Him

00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.259
 and obey Him

00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.579
 with a promise

00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.859
 or in the biblical word

00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.359
 a covenant.

00:20:16.959 --> 00:20:18.399
 A covenant is a solemn oath.

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.379
 It's a promise

00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.119
 that God makes

00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.839
 and it's a promise

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.740
 that's full of grace

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:23.339
 because look what He says here

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.119
 in verse 2.

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.219
 He says,

00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.400
 Go leave your family

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.240
 and I will make of you

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.460
 a great nation.

00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.200
 I will bless you

00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.539
 and make your name great

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.900
 so that you

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.319
 will be a blessing.

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.860
 Now remember,

00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:38.480
 Genesis chapter 11,

00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.339
 we've got the story

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.440
 of the Tower of Babel,

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:40.759
 right?

00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:42.220
 And what is the thing

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.100
 that the people

00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.000
 that are building

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.799
 the Tower of Babel,

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.980
 what is their motivation?

00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.420
 We will make ourselves

00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:50.259
 great again.

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.019
 Okay?

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.380
 God comes to Abraham

00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.360
 and he says,

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.960
 I will make you great.

00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.120
 See,

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.080
 when the people say

00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:59.700
 we will make ourselves great,

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:01.740
 the result is destruction

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.060
 and heartache

00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:04.140
 and pain.

00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:06.280
 God comes along to Abraham

00:21:06.280 --> 00:21:06.620
 and says,

00:21:06.800 --> 00:21:07.020
 Abraham,

00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:08.100
 I'm not here to give you

00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:08.740
 good advice

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.460
 how you can make yourself great.

00:21:10.780 --> 00:21:11.960
 I will make you great.

00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:12.880
 And that, friends,

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.600
 is the gospel.

00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:14.560
 See,

00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.260
 whenever we try

00:21:15.260 --> 00:21:16.240
 and make ourselves great,

00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:16.920
 whenever we try

00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.520
 and rescue

00:21:17.520 --> 00:21:18.780
 or redeem ourselves,

00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.480
 whenever our life ambition

00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.680
 is I will save myself,

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.400
 friends,

00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.720
 that is always,

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:27.100
 always going to end up

00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.860
 in destruction

00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:28.779
 and heartache

00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.240
 and pain.

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.220
 The way to encounter

00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:33.240
 the God of the Bible

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.080
 is to come to him

00:21:34.080 --> 00:21:34.560
 on our knees

00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:35.000
 and say,

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.860
 God,

00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.560
 have your will

00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.200
 in my life.

00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.900
 And so God comes to Abraham

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:39.160
 and says,

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.519
 Abraham,

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.660
 not you will make yourself great,

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.120
 I will make you great.

00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:45.019
 And what does that mean?

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:45.920
 He says,

00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.519
 I will make you

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.320
 a great nation.

00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:48.000
 That means

00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:48.640
 I will give you

00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.480
 a large family.

00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:50.480
 You will be fruitful

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.360
 and abundant.

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.719
 And so he's talking

00:21:52.719 --> 00:21:53.959
 about Abraham's descendants,

00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:54.719
 his offspring.

00:21:55.699 --> 00:21:55.979
 Now,

00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.179
 in some ways,

00:21:57.719 --> 00:21:58.659
 it's a little random,

00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.079
 right?

00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.099
 I mean,

00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:01.740
 God chooses

00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:04.059
 this one 75-year-old man

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:06.379
 who's married to Sarah.

00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:07.419
 They are barren.

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.579
 They cannot have any children

00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.439
 in the middle of Iraq.

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.079
 And he says,

00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.479
 Abraham,

00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:13.119
 I want you to leave your family,

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:15.779
 go across the Arabian Peninsula

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:17.359
 and go and settle

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.959
 in a land

00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:18.799
 that I will tell you

00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.979
 and I will give you

00:22:19.979 --> 00:22:20.740
 a great family.

00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.980
 Pretty random.

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.559
 Why would God do that?

00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.359
 What's the point?

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.779
 Well,

00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:29.120
 let's look at what he says.

00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.259
 He says,

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.000
 I will make you

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.920
 a great nation.

00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.660
 I will bless you

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.920
 and make your name great.

00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:35.640
 Why?

00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:38.539
 So that

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:40.000
 you will be

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.620
 a blessing.

00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:41.819
 So why is God

00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.380
 doing this?

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.839
 God's pouring out

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.779
 his blessing on Abraham

00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.599
 in order

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:47.099
 that through Abraham

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.019
 blessing

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.740
 might come

00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.279
 to the world.

00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.119
 He says,

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.759
 I will bless

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.559
 those that bless you.

00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.200
 I will curse

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.160
 those that curse you.

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.599
 And through you

00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:56.139
 or through your descendants,

00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.180
 through your offspring,

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:59.059
 all the families

00:22:59.059 --> 00:23:00.019
 of the world

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:01.019
 will be blessed.

00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.119
 So Abraham,

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.339
 I'm going to rescue you.

00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:04.460
 I'm going to redeem you.

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.500
 I'm going to save you

00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:06.319
 and bless you.

00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.559
 I'm going to draw you

00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.420
 into my story.

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.240
 I'm going to turn

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.099
 your life around.

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.539
 But my blessing

00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:13.220
 is not to end with you.

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.700
 You are to be a conduit

00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.200
 through which

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.879
 my blessing

00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.639
 then flows

00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.560
 to the people

00:23:17.560 --> 00:23:18.560
 of all the world,

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.340
 all the nations

00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:19.980
 of the earth.

00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:22.100
 One author

00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:23.000
 put it like this.

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:24.740
 Abraham's blessing

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:26.100
 was intrinsically

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.700
 tied

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.580
 to the blessing

00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.380
 of other people.

00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.980
 In God's call,

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.100
 these two things

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:32.320
 could never be separated.

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.780
 He could not just

00:23:33.780 --> 00:23:34.520
 take the one,

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:35.560
 the blessing

00:23:35.560 --> 00:23:36.380
 that God gave him,

00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:38.140
 and leave the other one.

00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.420
 They are one

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.860
 and the same thing.

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.340
 So God promises

00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.580
 to bless Abraham.

00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.100
 That's only one side

00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:45.540
 of the coin.

00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:46.099
 The other side

00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.779
 of the coin is

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.960
 I'm going to send you

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.920
 to be a blessing.

00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.599
 And what does that mean

00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.119
 in the grand storyline

00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:52.819
 of the Bible?

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.420
 What does it mean

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.019
 when God says

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.119
 you are going to be

00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.000
 my blessing?

00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.139
 Well it means

00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:58.220
 he's going to send him out

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.720
 to be part of God's mission

00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.659
 to rescue and redeem

00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:01.159
 the world.

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.440
 So do you follow

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.240
 the logic here?

00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:03.960
 The storyline

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.599
 of the Bible is

00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:06.159
 God is at work

00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:07.639
 rescuing and redeeming

00:24:07.639 --> 00:24:08.399
 a fallen world.

00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:09.899
 God chooses

00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.740
 some people

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:12.099
 and then blesses them.

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.359
 He then says

00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:13.960
 the blessing

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.159
 isn't to stop with you.

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.140
 It is to go

00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:16.940
 through you.

00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.040
 You are to be

00:24:18.040 --> 00:24:18.680
 my agents

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.620
 through which I redeem

00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.580
 and rescue the world.

00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.200
 So God comes to Abraham

00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.759
 and says Abraham

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.600
 I'm going to pull you

00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.580
 into my story

00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.960
 and through you

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.900
 I will accomplish

00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.800
 my mission

00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:28.560
 to rescue

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.300
 and redeem

00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:30.820
 a broken world.

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.840
 Does that make

00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.340
 any sense?

00:24:35.580 --> 00:24:36.140
 Okay

00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:36.680
 I'm going to have

00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.400
 to work a little harder.

00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.320
 Okay

00:24:38.320 --> 00:24:40.940
 Do you follow

00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:41.560
 that storyline?

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.720
 Okay

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.060
 great

00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:43.540
 thank you.

00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.779
 Okay

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.879
 now you might say

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.700
 okay

00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.139
 boomer

00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.279
 that's all

00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.960
 very interesting

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.619
 or maybe

00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.339
 not very interesting

00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.759
 but what does it

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.299
 have to do

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.859
 with me?

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.980
 If you're a Christian

00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.619
 this morning

00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.399
 okay

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:57.940
 and that may not

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.500
 be the case

00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.200
 you might be

00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.019
 a spiritual seeker

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.559
 in which case

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.599
 you're so welcome

00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.599
 great to have you here

00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:04.379
 if you're a Christian

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:04.879
 this morning

00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.700
 that has

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.480
 everything

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.279
 to do with you

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:09.039
 because this passage

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.879
 in Genesis 12

00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:11.899
 becomes the defining

00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.660
 paradigm

00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.180
 by which the people

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.879
 of God

00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:16.420
 are then defined

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.859
 in the rest of scripture

00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:20.180
 in the rest of the Old Testament

00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.119
 and the New Testament

00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:22.480
 God's call to Abraham

00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.379
 is God's call

00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:24.579
 to every one of his people

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:26.619
 that he will bless us

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.680
 in the gospel

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.980
 in other words

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.980
 that through us

00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.139
 his blessing

00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.980
 his redemption

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.099
 reconciling

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:34.500
 mission in the world

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:36.259
 can come to pass

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:39.160
 this is what it means

00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.880
 to be the people

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.380
 of God

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.619
 to be part

00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.460
 of God's people

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.640
 means to be part

00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.859
 of God's redemptive

00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.140
 plan in the world

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.500
 every person

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.259
 that God calls

00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.839
 to know

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.559
 and love him

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.920
 he also sends out

00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:51.859
 as his missionary

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.000
 into the world

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.380
 and so throughout

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.039
 the Old Testament

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.660
 this is what

00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.579
 the nation of Israel

00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.599
 is all about

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.099
 they are meant

00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.000
 to be a light

00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:00.140
 to the nations

00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.700
 okay

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:02.160
 God's chosen people

00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.740
 who are called

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.400
 to be a light

00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.019
 to nations

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.339
 and so

00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.799
 look at Psalm 67

00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.319
 with me

00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.960
 I think I've got it

00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.859
 on the slides

00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:09.039
 look at this amazing

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.460
 scripture

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.279
 Psalm 67

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.139
 if you ever want

00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.819
 to pray a prayer

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.480
 for watermark

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.339
 this is a great

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.920
 prayer to pray

00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.319
 okay

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.480
 look at what it says

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:18.079
 may God be gracious

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.720
 to us

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.759
 and bless us

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.700
 yes please

00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.059
 may you make

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.660
 your face

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.980
 shine upon us

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.819
 glory

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.319
 okay

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.440
 God shine

00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.660
 your face upon us

00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.639
 why

00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.920
 that we may get

00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.599
 bigger and bigger

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.139
 that our finances

00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.900
 may increase

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.000
 that people

00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.759
 may look at us

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.040
 and say

00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:35.519
 wow

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.140
 that's an amazing

00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:36.540
 church

00:26:36.540 --> 00:26:37.480
 look at watermark

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.820
 why should God

00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.440
 bless us

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.080
 why should he

00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.820
 pour his face

00:26:40.820 --> 00:26:41.460
 out upon us

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.880
 why should he

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.500
 be gracious

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.080
 to us

00:26:43.080 --> 00:26:44.160
 look at verse 2

00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.680
 that your ways

00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.100
 oh God

00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:46.960
 may be known

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.680
 on the earth

00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.759
 your saving power

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:51.440
 amongst all the nations

00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.080
 so in Afghanistan

00:26:53.080 --> 00:26:54.759
 and in Iraq

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:56.000
 and in Indonesia

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.180
 and in Bangladesh

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.539
 and in South Korea

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.180
 and Japan

00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.200
 and Indonesia

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.259
 and Myanmar

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.140
 and Laos

00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:03.700
 in every country

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.320
 in Asia

00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:06.160
 may your ways

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.720
 be known

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.120
 oh God

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:08.360
 your saving power

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.960
 amongst Asia

00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:12.000
 let all the peoples

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.759
 that's not just

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.460
 watermarkers

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:13.960
 and Christians

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.620
 that's those people

00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:15.900
 out there

00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:17.060
 may all the nations

00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.620
 praise you

00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.000
 oh God

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.160
 may the peoples

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:19.940
 praise you

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.400
 let all the nations

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.240
 in the furthest

00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.420
 corners of the world

00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.279
 be glad

00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:25.319
 and sing for joy

00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.279
 because they've

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:26.720
 encountered

00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.759
 your good news gospel

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.700
 isn't that an amazing verse

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:31.420
 look at Isaiah 42

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.519
 God says to Israel

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.700
 I am the Lord

00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.680
 I have called you

00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.319
 in righteousness

00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.960
 I will take you

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.579
 by the hand

00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.539
 and I will lead you

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.779
 I will give you

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.379
 as a covenant

00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.139
 for the people

00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.660
 to be a light

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.039
 to the nations

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.779
 to open the eyes

00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.480
 that are blind

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.579
 to bring out

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.099
 the prisoners

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.879
 from the dungeon

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.039
 from the prison

00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.819
 those who sit

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.619
 in darkness

00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.599
 friends isn't that

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.599
 what Tiffany said earlier

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.779
 there are people

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.599
 in our city

00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.959
 that are trapped

00:27:56.959 --> 00:27:57.919
 in the prisons

00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:58.740
 and the dungeons

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.980
 not physical prisons

00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.000
 but in the dungeon

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.699
 of despair

00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:03.059
 in the prison

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.299
 of despondency

00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.179
 and anxiety

00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:06.019
 and depression

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:07.240
 and God's got

00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.399
 a good news message

00:28:08.399 --> 00:28:09.019
 a gospel

00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.759
 to bring them

00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.480
 deliverance

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.059
 and healing

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.699
 and freedom

00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:12.399
 and restoration

00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.919
 to bring good news

00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.639
 to our world

00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:16.339
 but how's he gonna do it

00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:17.799
 he's gonna do it

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:19.139
 by causing his people

00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:20.240
 to be a light

00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.639
 to the nations

00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.839
 or think of Jonah

00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.099
 God sends Jonah

00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.399
 to Nineveh

00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:26.740
 and so Christopher Wright

00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:28.459
 he's one of the foremost

00:28:28.459 --> 00:28:29.039
 theologians

00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.659
 on this subject

00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.519
 he says this

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:32.720
 at the most fundamental level

00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:34.019
 who were these people

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.879
 called Israel

00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.779
 in the Old Testament

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.099
 and what were they there

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.659
 for anyway

00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:39.480
 to be a vehicle

00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.980
 of God's mission

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:42.279
 for extending

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.379
 God's blessing

00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.279
 to the nations

00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.539
 and for Christians

00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.139
 who are we

00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.099
 and what are we here for

00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:48.619
 the answer

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.559
 is the same

00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.619
 the answer

00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.460
 has to be

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.000
 sorry

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.700
 the same answer

00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:53.359
 has to be given

00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.500
 and indeed is given

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:56.019
 we are also

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.579
 to be the people

00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.139
 through whom

00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.799
 the nations

00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.619
 are blessed

00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.659
 so in other words

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.240
 of saying that

00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.940
 to be part of God's people

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.000
 is to be part

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.720
 of God's mission

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:06.559
 to be part of God's people

00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.059
 is to be part

00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.179
 of his redemption plan

00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:09.200
 to bring healing

00:29:09.200 --> 00:29:09.859
 to the world

00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:11.259
 now

00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.200
 as we read

00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.740
 the Old Testament

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.339
 one of the things

00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.299
 we quickly read

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.319
 quickly realize

00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.659
 is that Israel

00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.980
 God's people

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.400
 who are meant

00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.100
 to be a light

00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:19.920
 to the nations

00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:21.380
 rather than

00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:22.120
 bringing healing

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.720
 and redemption

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.440
 to the nations

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.720
 pretty soon

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.240
 they become

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.300
 just like the nations

00:29:26.300 --> 00:29:27.600
 and so they're meant

00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.460
 to go out

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.920
 to influence

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.360
 the nations

00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:31.380
 and to point them

00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.200
 to the good news

00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.840
 of Yahweh

00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.720
 the saving God

00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.980
 but pretty soon

00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.600
 rather than

00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.740
 influencing the nations

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.860
 they are influenced

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.060
 by the nations

00:29:39.060 --> 00:29:40.440
 and so

00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.580
 throughout the Old Testament

00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:43.080
 they become

00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:43.779
 more and more

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.460
 like the people

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.040
 around them

00:29:45.040 --> 00:29:45.759
 they eventually

00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.500
 start making

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.240
 alliances

00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.460
 political alliances

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.559
 they start marrying

00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.059
 the people

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.980
 of the other cultures

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.619
 they take on

00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.240
 their practices

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.980
 and their customs

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.180
 and very soon

00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.880
 they start taking

00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.720
 on their idols

00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.180
 and their gods

00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.160
 and so while

00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:58.640
 there are a few

00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.480
 bright moments

00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:01.059
 Joshua and King David

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:02.059
 by and large

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.079
 things get progressively

00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:04.079
 worse and worse

00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.460
 and worse

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.279
 until Israel

00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.619
 is almost extinct

00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.700
 they get taken

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.400
 into exile

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.880
 Jerusalem is in ruins

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.460
 the temple

00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.140
 is destroyed

00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:12.099
 and Israel

00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.660
 is almost extinct

00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.940
 and so you get

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.299
 to the end

00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.019
 of the Old Testament

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.579
 you think

00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.720
 is there any hope

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.660
 I mean

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.879
 are God's plans

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:20.839
 just lying on the floor

00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.299
 and tatters

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.559
 what happened

00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.099
 to the people

00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.579
 of Abraham

00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.200
 what happened

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.639
 to his great descendants

00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.059
 that were going

00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:27.139
 to rescue the world

00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.139
 what happens

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.119
 to God's mission

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.019
 to bring hope

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.440
 and healing

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.700
 to this broken world

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.359
 are God's plans

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.019
 for redemption

00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:35.579
 ruined forever

00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:39.519
 throughout the Old Testament

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:41.299
 especially the prophets

00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:43.919
 God continues to speak

00:30:43.919 --> 00:30:45.139
 and in the midst

00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.759
 of some of the most

00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.819
 dire and broken

00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.419
 situations

00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:48.759
 God makes a promise

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.480
 and his promise

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.919
 is this

00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:50.940
 that his word

00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.519
 to Abraham

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.680
 is still intact

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.879
 that God

00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.559
 is still

00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.440
 through the nation

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.819
 of Israel

00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.599
 through the people

00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.119
 of Abraham

00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.919
 going to bring hope

00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.440
 and healing

00:30:58.440 --> 00:31:00.200
 to a broken world

00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.480
 but how is he

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.220
 going to do that

00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:05.079
 into this context

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.940
 the stunning announcement

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.100
 of the New Testament

00:31:08.100 --> 00:31:09.539
 comes

00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.840
 and the New Testament

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.299
 tells us

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.100
 that the answer

00:31:12.100 --> 00:31:13.200
 to what the whole

00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.080
 of the Old Testament

00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.180
 has been painting

00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.299
 is this

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.380
 that God

00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:18.420
 will once again

00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.100
 send

00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.640
 a descendant

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.420
 of Abraham

00:31:21.420 --> 00:31:22.799
 someone from

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:24.019
 within Israel

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.900
 and yet who is

00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.980
 completely different

00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.539
 to Israel

00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.940
 someone who would be

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:29.059
 so faithful

00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.900
 when they had been

00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.519
 rebellious

00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:31.759
 one who would be

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:33.240
 obedient to God

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.440
 even in the midst

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:36.160
 of desert temptations

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.580
 and even to the point

00:31:37.580 --> 00:31:38.200
 of death

00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.120
 on a cross

00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:40.940
 one who didn't grasp

00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.880
 and seek blessing

00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.540
 for himself

00:31:42.540 --> 00:31:43.759
 but who poured out

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.279
 his life

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:44.940
 for the blessing

00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:46.120
 of the whole world

00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.140
 one who

00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.300
 through his death

00:31:48.300 --> 00:31:49.680
 and subsequent resurrection

00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.820
 would bring about

00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:52.100
 not only the restoration

00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:53.000
 of Israel

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.880
 but the promised salvation

00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:56.000
 to the ends

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.660
 of the earth

00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:58.779
 and who was that one

00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:00.500
 the Messiah

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:00.900
 right

00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:02.700
 Jesus Christ

00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.720
 and that's why

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.700
 the gospel writers

00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.660
 and Jesus himself

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.980
 make such a big deal

00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.620
 about the fact

00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.200
 that Jesus

00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:09.380
 is an Israelite

00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.000
 he's a Jew

00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:11.279
 he's a descendant

00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.860
 of Abraham

00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:14.220
 he's one from Israel

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.540
 one of Abraham's

00:32:15.540 --> 00:32:16.140
 offsprings

00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:16.860
 that is going to bring

00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.820
 true hope

00:32:17.820 --> 00:32:18.500
 and true healing

00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:20.220
 to this broken world

00:32:20.220 --> 00:32:21.460
 and so Jesus

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.400
 true Israel

00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.580
 does what God's people

00:32:23.580 --> 00:32:24.480
 were meant to do

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:26.120
 but could never do

00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:27.560
 in fact Jesus

00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:28.540
 does so much more

00:32:28.540 --> 00:32:30.420
 and so how does he do it

00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:32.200
 Jesus takes upon himself

00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:32.980
 one day

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:34.839
 all the brokenness

00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:36.220
 of the entire world

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.200
 upon himself

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:39.259
 and he swallows death

00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.420
 and he swallows destruction

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:42.279
 and he reverses

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:44.200
 and he deals a death blow

00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.360
 to the curse of sin

00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.700
 so that healing

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.240
 and redemption

00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.079
 may really come

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:49.240
 on the cross

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.240
 Jesus experiences

00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.660
 the full consequences

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.180
 of sin

00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.000
 in a broken world

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.480
 physically

00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:55.299
 his body is left there

00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.900
 for decay

00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:57.740
 and he experiences death

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.860
 socially

00:32:58.860 --> 00:32:59.920
 he's cut off

00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.640
 from relationships

00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:01.820
 and even his best friends

00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.740
 are denying him

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:03.820
 betraying him

00:33:03.820 --> 00:33:04.580
 selling him

00:33:04.580 --> 00:33:05.940
 for 30 pieces of silver

00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:07.100
 personally

00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.620
 he experiences

00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.320
 the depth

00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.100
 of anxiety

00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:11.240
 as he cries out

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:11.740
 to his father

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:11.960
 and says

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.160
 father where are you

00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.300
 do I really have

00:33:14.300 --> 00:33:15.160
 to drink this cup

00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.840
 but ultimately

00:33:16.840 --> 00:33:17.700
 spiritually

00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.620
 he is cut off

00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.220
 from the God

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.520
 that

00:33:19.520 --> 00:33:21.620
 from his father

00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.960
 he's cut off

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.340
 from God

00:33:23.340 --> 00:33:23.960
 as he faces

00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.800
 God's wrath

00:33:24.800 --> 00:33:25.580
 and his judgment

00:33:25.580 --> 00:33:27.400
 and so on the cross

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.259
 and the resurrection

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.440
 Jesus brings

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.640
 the central point

00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.180
 of the story

00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.720
 of redemption

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.480
 that God

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.019
 would accomplish

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.539
 for us

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.119
 on our behalf

00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:34.599
 what we could

00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.180
 never do

00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:36.200
 for ourselves

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.220
 that Jesus

00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:38.160
 the perfect Israel

00:33:38.160 --> 00:33:38.980
 the sinless one

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.400
 would stand condemned

00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:40.980
 in our place

00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:42.039
 that we the imperfect

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.539
 people

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.980
 could still be included

00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.960
 in God's redemption

00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.660
 and reconciliation

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.920
 purposes

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.799
 and so when Jesus

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.619
 dies on the cross

00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.759
 he doesn't just die

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.119
 for Israel

00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:52.299
 he dies to the whole world

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.160
 so that now

00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.619
 every nation

00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:56.220
 including South Africans

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:58.799
 and Chinese

00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:00.940
 and Koreans

00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.319
 and Australians

00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.480
 and Americans

00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:04.299
 and everyone else

00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.620
 can be included

00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.759
 in the people

00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.559
 of God

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:08.940
 so that now

00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:10.260
 salvation can come

00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:11.340
 to us

00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.380
 and as the New Testament

00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:12.659
 says

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.699
 we now are part

00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.380
 of the people

00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:14.880
 of Abraham

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:16.740
 and so what does it

00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.860
 mean for you and I

00:34:17.860 --> 00:34:18.400
 if you're a follower

00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.780
 of Jesus

00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.420
 to be part of

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.240
 the people of God

00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:21.400
 to be part of

00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.300
 the people of God

00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.199
 means to be part

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.820
 of the mission

00:34:23.820 --> 00:34:24.360
 of God

00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.220
 to be part of

00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.720
 his redemption

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.259
 purposes

00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:27.619
 and that's exactly

00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.159
 what we see

00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.639
 when we get

00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.439
 to the New Testament

00:34:29.439 --> 00:34:30.259
 and the Gospels

00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:31.739
 throughout the New Testament

00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.859
 becoming a Christian

00:34:32.859 --> 00:34:33.679
 is not just

00:34:33.679 --> 00:34:34.599
 joining a religion

00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:36.679
 it's being reconciled

00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.159
 to God

00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:38.039
 and then joining

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:39.359
 his redemption plan

00:34:39.359 --> 00:34:40.039
 to bring healing

00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.699
 and hope

00:34:40.699 --> 00:34:41.639
 to a broken world

00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.539
 and so

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:44.039
 in Matthew chapter 4

00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:45.879
 Chris referenced it earlier

00:34:45.879 --> 00:34:47.399
 Jonah read it to us earlier

00:34:47.399 --> 00:34:48.859
 in Matthew chapter 4

00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:50.159
 Jesus comes along

00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.759
 and he calls

00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:53.239
 his very first disciples

00:34:53.239 --> 00:34:54.359
 so Jesus

00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:55.179
 he's on his own

00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.799
 and he's about

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.239
 to launch

00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:57.199
 his public ministry

00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.179
 he's about

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.480
 to call

00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:59.739
 his first disciples

00:34:59.739 --> 00:35:00.359
 and they happen

00:35:00.359 --> 00:35:01.000
 to be fishermen

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.239
 and so what does

00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:02.859
 he say to them

00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.819
 he says

00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:05.039
 come and follow me

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:06.519
 and then what

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:08.319
 and I will make you

00:35:08.319 --> 00:35:09.059
 fishers of men

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:10.719
 to the very first

00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:11.219
 disciples

00:35:11.219 --> 00:35:11.699
 he says

00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.839
 come and follow me

00:35:12.839 --> 00:35:13.639
 and I'm going to

00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.599
 send you out

00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:16.000
 to be my people

00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.579
 through whom

00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.739
 the world is blessed

00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:19.419
 I will bless you

00:35:19.419 --> 00:35:20.339
 so that you can be

00:35:20.339 --> 00:35:21.339
 a blessing to the world

00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:22.920
 and in the next chapter

00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.920
 in chapter 5

00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.840
 Jesus says to his disciples

00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:28.000
 you are the light

00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:29.039
 of the world

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:30.519
 or isn't that what

00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.320
 God has been saying

00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:31.720
 to Israel

00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.500
 throughout the whole

00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.260
 of the Old Testament

00:35:33.260 --> 00:35:34.340
 you are to be a light

00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:34.960
 to the nations

00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.920
 a light to the nations

00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.820
 and Israel

00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.840
 can't do it

00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:39.039
 but Jesus comes

00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:40.000
 and he says to his disciples

00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:41.440
 you are the light

00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.760
 of the world

00:35:42.760 --> 00:35:44.000
 you're the people

00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.460
 through whom

00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.260
 redemption

00:35:45.260 --> 00:35:46.000
 and reconciliation

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.740
 is going to come

00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.720
 as you point to me

00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:49.239
 and then at the end

00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.159
 of Matthew's gospel

00:35:50.159 --> 00:35:51.079
 Matthew 28

00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:52.579
 what is the last thing

00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.299
 that Jesus says

00:35:53.299 --> 00:35:54.039
 to his disciples

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.239
 as he is about

00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:55.959
 to go to heaven

00:35:55.959 --> 00:35:57.980
 all authority

00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.079
 in heaven

00:35:59.079 --> 00:35:59.639
 and on earth

00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.559
 has been given to me

00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:02.019
 go therefore

00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:03.019
 and make disciples

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.919
 of all nations

00:36:03.919 --> 00:36:05.019
 baptizing them

00:36:05.019 --> 00:36:05.759
 in the name of the Father

00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:06.259
 the Son

00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:06.859
 and the Holy Spirit

00:36:06.859 --> 00:36:08.619
 and know that I am with you

00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:10.079
 to the ends of the age

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.239
 so notice this

00:36:11.239 --> 00:36:12.819
 the very first thing

00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:13.699
 that Jesus says

00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.439
 to his disciples

00:36:14.439 --> 00:36:15.919
 is follow me

00:36:15.919 --> 00:36:17.179
 and I will send you out

00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:18.579
 the very last thing

00:36:18.579 --> 00:36:19.219
 that Jesus says

00:36:19.219 --> 00:36:19.899
 to his disciples

00:36:19.899 --> 00:36:21.339
 is wait in Jerusalem

00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:22.119
 for the Holy Spirit

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.619
 and then go

00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:26.799
 throughout the story

00:36:26.799 --> 00:36:28.199
 of the Bible

00:36:28.199 --> 00:36:29.319
 from beginning to end

00:36:29.319 --> 00:36:30.759
 God is at work

00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.960
 resting and redeeming

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.379
 his broken and fallen world

00:36:33.379 --> 00:36:35.059
 how is he going to do it

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:36.279
 he is going to do it

00:36:36.279 --> 00:36:37.119
 through his people

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:39.259
 those that have encountered

00:36:39.259 --> 00:36:39.859
 the grace

00:36:39.859 --> 00:36:40.839
 and the glory of God

00:36:40.839 --> 00:36:42.159
 those whose lives

00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:42.960
 have been changed

00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:43.559
 by Jesus

00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.279
 and the gospel

00:36:44.279 --> 00:36:45.559
 and who now take

00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.019
 the gospel

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:47.079
 to the ends

00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.619
 of the earth

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.840
 and so finally

00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:49.380
 in John

00:36:49.380 --> 00:36:50.179
 we read that

00:36:50.179 --> 00:36:51.179
 Jesus after

00:36:51.179 --> 00:36:52.320
 he dies on the cross

00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:55.099
 he comes to his disciples

00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.000
 after his resurrection

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.599
 and he says

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.179
 surprise

00:36:57.179 --> 00:36:58.639
 no he doesn't say that

00:36:58.639 --> 00:37:00.480
 he says

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.300
 as the Father

00:37:01.300 --> 00:37:02.259
 has sent me

00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:04.059
 so I am sending you

00:37:04.059 --> 00:37:06.079
 so I am sending you

00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.759
 friends

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.559
 God's mission

00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.739
 is the starting place

00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.619
 for understanding

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.440
 the church

00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:12.860
 and so what that means

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.199
 friends

00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:14.139
 is that to be part

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.679
 of the people

00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.239
 of God

00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:17.159
 is to be part

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.940
 of God's mission

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:19.519
 and so part

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.079
 of what it means

00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:20.759
 to be a Christian

00:37:20.759 --> 00:37:21.579
 and this isn't just

00:37:21.579 --> 00:37:22.500
 true for the pastors

00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:23.239
 or the elders

00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:24.059
 or the staff

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.500
 or the young lifers

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:26.259
 or those that are

00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:27.039
 in ministry

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.579
 part of what it means

00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.359
 to be a follower

00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:29.859
 of Jesus

00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:31.099
 is that in each

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:31.900
 and every aspect

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:32.539
 of life

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.259
 whether you are

00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:34.179
 walking the dog

00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.339
 whether you are

00:37:35.339 --> 00:37:36.199
 sitting on the bus

00:37:36.199 --> 00:37:37.420
 whether you are

00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:37.920
 having coffee

00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.420
 at your favorite

00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.099
 coffee shop

00:37:39.099 --> 00:37:40.440
 whether you are

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.519
 teaching a class

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.579
 whether you are

00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.259
 teaching your children

00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:43.620
 at home

00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:44.120
 because they have

00:37:44.120 --> 00:37:44.560
 been off school

00:37:44.560 --> 00:37:45.300
 for six months

00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:47.780
 whether you are

00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.940
 on a date

00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.820
 with your wife

00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:50.760
 or a date

00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:52.400
 with your future wife

00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.780
 whether you are

00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.600
 considering moving

00:37:54.600 --> 00:37:55.300
 countries

00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:56.460
 whether you are

00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.380
 considering what

00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:58.120
 school to send

00:37:58.120 --> 00:37:58.940
 your children to

00:37:58.940 --> 00:38:00.100
 whether you are

00:38:00.100 --> 00:38:00.820
 having a barbecue

00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.580
 with friends

00:38:01.580 --> 00:38:02.240
 whether you are

00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:02.840
 taking care

00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.500
 of your elderly

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.100
 parents

00:38:04.100 --> 00:38:05.120
 whether you are

00:38:05.120 --> 00:38:05.880
 meeting your new

00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:06.300
 neighbors

00:38:06.300 --> 00:38:07.160
 or making a

00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:07.940
 business deal

00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:11.100
 God's call

00:38:11.100 --> 00:38:12.000
 to those that

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.540
 have encountered

00:38:12.540 --> 00:38:13.180
 his grace

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:14.599
 is to be

00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.019
 those that

00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.279
 have been

00:38:15.279 --> 00:38:15.799
 blessed

00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:16.319
 so that they

00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:16.699
 can be a

00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.139
 blessing to

00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:17.480
 others

00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.799
 to join

00:38:18.799 --> 00:38:19.239
 God's

00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:19.719
 redemption

00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:20.579
 and reconciliation

00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.319
 plan

00:38:21.319 --> 00:38:22.839
 to bring healing

00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:23.480
 to this hurting

00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:23.919
 world

00:38:23.919 --> 00:38:25.039
 and so

00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:25.839
 Christopher Wright

00:38:25.839 --> 00:38:26.500
 again says it

00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:26.940
 like this

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.879
 when God

00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.599
 said about

00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.139
 his great

00:38:29.139 --> 00:38:29.779
 project of

00:38:29.779 --> 00:38:30.539
 world redemption

00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.799
 in the wake

00:38:31.799 --> 00:38:32.619
 of Genesis 12

00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:34.059
 he chose to do

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.759
 so not by

00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.299
 whisking

00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.159
 individuals up

00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:36.659
 into heaven

00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:38.039
 but by

00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.759
 calling into

00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:39.299
 existence

00:38:39.299 --> 00:38:40.119
 a community

00:38:40.119 --> 00:38:40.899
 of blessing

00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:42.139
 starting

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.360
 starting with

00:38:42.360 --> 00:38:42.940
 one man

00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:43.280
 and his

00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:43.940
 barren wife

00:38:43.940 --> 00:38:44.619
 and then

00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:45.240
 miraculously

00:38:45.240 --> 00:38:46.240
 transforming them

00:38:46.240 --> 00:38:46.920
 into a large

00:38:46.920 --> 00:38:47.559
 family within

00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:49.300
 several generations

00:38:49.300 --> 00:38:50.420
 and then into

00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:50.980
 a nation

00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:51.660
 called Israel

00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.720
 and then through

00:38:52.720 --> 00:38:53.760
 Christ into a

00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:55.019
 multinational community

00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:55.539
 of believers

00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.480
 from every nation

00:38:56.480 --> 00:38:57.920
 all through the

00:38:57.920 --> 00:38:58.320
 story

00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.340
 God has been

00:38:59.340 --> 00:39:00.780
 molding a people

00:39:00.780 --> 00:39:01.720
 for himself

00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:02.900
 but also

00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:03.920
 a people for

00:39:03.920 --> 00:39:04.300
 others

00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:05.619
 as Genesis 12

00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:05.980
 says

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:07.280
 I will bless

00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:07.639
 you

00:39:07.639 --> 00:39:08.219
 so that

00:39:08.219 --> 00:39:08.960
 you will be

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.420
 a blessing

00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:10.539
 and through

00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:10.960
 you

00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:11.800
 all the

00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.179
 nations

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.519
 of the

00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:12.900
 world

00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.659
 will be

00:39:13.659 --> 00:39:14.079
 blessed

00:39:14.079 --> 00:39:15.099
 friends

00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:15.480
 this is

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:15.860
 what God

00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.199
 is doing

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:16.460
 in this

00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:16.760
 world

00:39:16.760 --> 00:39:17.639
 and this

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:17.860
 is what

00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:18.320
 he's called

00:39:18.320 --> 00:39:18.659
 us

00:39:18.659 --> 00:39:19.300
 to join

00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:19.420
 him

00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:19.619
 on

00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:20.760
 now

00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:21.179
 as we

00:39:21.179 --> 00:39:21.460
 come to

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:21.860
 a close

00:39:21.860 --> 00:39:22.780
 what does

00:39:22.780 --> 00:39:23.119
 this mean

00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:23.619
 for us

00:39:23.619 --> 00:39:25.219
 firstly

00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:26.400
 if you're

00:39:26.400 --> 00:39:26.880
 not a follower

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.320
 of Jesus

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:28.000
 this morning

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.699
 we're so

00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:29.139
 glad you're

00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:29.360
 here

00:39:29.360 --> 00:39:30.500
 I hope

00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:30.760
 that in

00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:31.119
 some ways

00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.360
 you've

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:31.760
 come to

00:39:31.760 --> 00:39:32.199
 see the

00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:32.599
 essence

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:32.960
 of what

00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:33.480
 the Bible

00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:33.800
 is all

00:39:33.800 --> 00:39:34.119
 about

00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:35.159
 the Bible

00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:35.599
 is not

00:39:35.599 --> 00:39:35.940
 a book

00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:36.279
 of good

00:39:36.279 --> 00:39:36.659
 advice

00:39:36.659 --> 00:39:36.960
 how to

00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.319
 improve

00:39:37.319 --> 00:39:37.759
 your life

00:39:37.759 --> 00:39:38.719
 the Bible

00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:39.119
 is not

00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:39.519
 a self

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:39.719
 help

00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:40.259
 project

00:39:40.259 --> 00:39:41.659
 the heart

00:39:41.659 --> 00:39:42.239
 of Christianity

00:39:42.239 --> 00:39:42.860
 is that

00:39:42.860 --> 00:39:43.900
 every one

00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:44.339
 of us

00:39:44.339 --> 00:39:45.299
 are broken

00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:45.779
 because of

00:39:45.779 --> 00:39:46.500
 the consequences

00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:47.039
 of sin

00:39:47.039 --> 00:39:48.059
 but God

00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.739
 hasn't left

00:39:48.739 --> 00:39:49.079
 us there

00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.559
 out of his

00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:50.440
 profound

00:39:50.440 --> 00:39:51.099
 love for us

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.039
 his magnificent

00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:52.599
 love

00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:53.659
 God has

00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:54.599
 moved towards

00:39:54.599 --> 00:39:55.360
 us in grace

00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.279
 and he's

00:39:56.279 --> 00:39:56.900
 healing and

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.799
 reconciling and

00:39:57.799 --> 00:39:58.400
 redeeming a

00:39:58.400 --> 00:39:58.940
 broken world

00:39:58.940 --> 00:39:59.639
 and that means

00:39:59.639 --> 00:40:00.619
 the world at

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.279
 large but also

00:40:01.279 --> 00:40:01.819
 means your

00:40:01.819 --> 00:40:02.480
 life and my

00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:02.799
 life

00:40:02.799 --> 00:40:04.059
 and primarily

00:40:04.059 --> 00:40:04.599
 that happened

00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.199
 when Jesus

00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:05.579
 went to

00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:05.960
 the cross

00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.539
 and he took

00:40:06.539 --> 00:40:07.059
 my sin

00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:07.539
 and he took

00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.099
 your sin

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.880
 upon himself

00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.400
 so that you

00:40:09.400 --> 00:40:10.139
 can know him

00:40:10.139 --> 00:40:10.380
 and be

00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:11.460
 reconciled to him

00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.420
 that your sin

00:40:12.420 --> 00:40:13.139
 can be removed

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:13.579
 and you can

00:40:13.579 --> 00:40:14.579
 come back into

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.619
 joyful relationship

00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.159
 with the God

00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:16.880
 who made you

00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:17.559
 for himself

00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:18.880
 and who loves

00:40:18.880 --> 00:40:19.340
 you more than

00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.079
 you'll ever know

00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:21.420
 friends if you're

00:40:21.420 --> 00:40:22.039
 not a follower of

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.799
 Jesus this morning

00:40:22.799 --> 00:40:23.799
 don't leave this

00:40:23.799 --> 00:40:24.480
 place the same

00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.219
 way you came

00:40:25.219 --> 00:40:26.519
 know him

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.559
 look to him

00:40:27.559 --> 00:40:28.539
 turn to him

00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.739
 find hope and

00:40:29.739 --> 00:40:30.239
 healing and

00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:30.639
 reconciliation

00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:32.119
 in Jesus

00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:33.799
 Jesus came

00:40:33.799 --> 00:40:34.339
 for you

00:40:34.339 --> 00:40:34.659
 and for

00:40:34.659 --> 00:40:34.920
 I

00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:35.739
 you can

00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:36.119
 know him

00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:36.739
 this morning

00:40:36.739 --> 00:40:38.159
 come to him

00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:38.739
 this morning

00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:40.759
 for those of us

00:40:40.759 --> 00:40:41.119
 that are

00:40:41.119 --> 00:40:41.619
 Christians

00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:44.199
 the story of the

00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.019
 Bible means that

00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:46.359
 part of being

00:40:46.359 --> 00:40:48.099
 part of God's

00:40:48.099 --> 00:40:48.619
 family

00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.859
 or his people

00:40:49.859 --> 00:40:50.599
 is being part of

00:40:50.599 --> 00:40:51.099
 his mission

00:40:51.099 --> 00:40:52.480
 and like we said

00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.219
 earlier that's not

00:40:53.219 --> 00:40:54.019
 just for the staff

00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.559
 or the elders

00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.380
 it's for every

00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:56.279
 follower of Jesus

00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:57.440
 and so the question

00:40:57.440 --> 00:40:58.179
 I want to ask you

00:40:58.179 --> 00:40:59.000
 very gently is

00:40:59.000 --> 00:40:59.739
 are you part of

00:40:59.739 --> 00:41:00.299
 God's mission

00:41:00.300 --> 00:41:01.620
 in each and every

00:41:01.620 --> 00:41:02.519
 aspect of life

00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.100
 are you saying

00:41:03.100 --> 00:41:04.420
 yes to joining

00:41:04.420 --> 00:41:05.220
 God in what he's

00:41:05.220 --> 00:41:06.519
 doing in the

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:06.860
 world

00:41:06.860 --> 00:41:08.380
 and then thirdly

00:41:08.380 --> 00:41:09.140
 for those of us

00:41:09.140 --> 00:41:09.680
 that are part of

00:41:09.680 --> 00:41:10.180
 Watermark

00:41:10.180 --> 00:41:11.860
 if this is your

00:41:11.860 --> 00:41:12.660
 church family

00:41:12.660 --> 00:41:14.640
 what does this

00:41:14.640 --> 00:41:15.280
 mean for us

00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:16.320
 well as a church

00:41:16.320 --> 00:41:17.080
 family we are

00:41:17.080 --> 00:41:17.960
 very far from

00:41:17.960 --> 00:41:19.160
 perfect obviously

00:41:19.160 --> 00:41:19.660
 right

00:41:19.660 --> 00:41:20.560
 if you're here for

00:41:20.560 --> 00:41:21.140
 a couple of weeks

00:41:21.140 --> 00:41:21.840
 you'll know that

00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:23.380
 one of the things

00:41:23.380 --> 00:41:24.120
 we want to try and

00:41:24.120 --> 00:41:25.039
 do is we want to

00:41:25.039 --> 00:41:26.200
 orientate our whole

00:41:26.200 --> 00:41:27.019
 church around who

00:41:27.019 --> 00:41:27.860
 God is and what

00:41:27.860 --> 00:41:28.680
 he's doing in the

00:41:28.680 --> 00:41:29.000
 world

00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:30.539
 and if God

00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.320
 if mission is

00:41:31.320 --> 00:41:32.280
 central to what

00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:33.000
 God is doing

00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:33.980
 it means it must

00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:35.539
 be central to who

00:41:35.539 --> 00:41:36.260
 we are as a

00:41:36.260 --> 00:41:36.579
 church

00:41:36.579 --> 00:41:37.880
 as has often

00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.460
 been said

00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:40.179
 it's not that

00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:41.179
 God's church

00:41:41.179 --> 00:41:42.599
 has a missions

00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:43.099
 program

00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:44.380
 it's that God's

00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:45.699
 mission has a

00:41:45.699 --> 00:41:46.119
 church

00:41:46.119 --> 00:41:47.360
 God is doing

00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:47.900
 something in the

00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:49.219
 world and that

00:41:49.219 --> 00:41:49.960
 mission has a

00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:51.219
 church by which

00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:51.880
 to carry that

00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:52.199
 mission

00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:53.340
 and that's going to

00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:53.940
 mean a couple of

00:41:53.940 --> 00:41:54.579
 things and so let

00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:55.119
 me just give us

00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.719
 two of them

00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:56.539
 it means firstly

00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:57.340
 that some things

00:41:57.340 --> 00:41:57.940
 might need a

00:41:57.940 --> 00:41:58.360
 change

00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:59.640
 I don't know

00:41:59.640 --> 00:42:00.140
 what those are

00:42:00.140 --> 00:42:00.840
 I'm not announcing

00:42:00.840 --> 00:42:02.260
 any new plans

00:42:02.260 --> 00:42:03.340
 here but there

00:42:03.340 --> 00:42:03.860
 might be some

00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:04.760
 adjustments for us

00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:05.380
 as a church over

00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:05.840
 the next few

00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:06.539
 months or years

00:42:06.539 --> 00:42:07.680
 it might mean we

00:42:07.680 --> 00:42:08.360
 need to change the

00:42:08.360 --> 00:42:08.860
 way that we do

00:42:08.860 --> 00:42:09.840
 community groups as

00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:10.620
 we say yes to

00:42:10.620 --> 00:42:11.200
 God's mission

00:42:11.200 --> 00:42:12.539
 it might mean we

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:13.220
 need to change the

00:42:13.220 --> 00:42:13.720
 way we do our

00:42:13.720 --> 00:42:14.860
 budget both

00:42:14.860 --> 00:42:15.820
 individually and as

00:42:15.820 --> 00:42:16.920
 a church as we

00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:17.940
 prioritize God's

00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.460
 mission in the

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:19.680
 world it might mean

00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:20.500
 we need to say yes

00:42:20.500 --> 00:42:21.900
 to some programs and

00:42:21.900 --> 00:42:22.539
 no to other

00:42:22.539 --> 00:42:24.039
 programs but chances

00:42:24.039 --> 00:42:25.079
 are as we align

00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:25.980
 ourselves to God's

00:42:25.980 --> 00:42:27.360
 mission that might

00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:27.800
 mean some

00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:28.559
 adjustments and

00:42:28.559 --> 00:42:29.120
 they might not

00:42:29.120 --> 00:42:30.360
 be comfortable but

00:42:30.360 --> 00:42:31.039
 we want to say yes

00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:31.519
 to Jesus

00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:33.079
 the second thing it

00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:33.680
 means is this

00:42:33.680 --> 00:42:36.579
 is that it might

00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:37.039
 mean that our

00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:37.800
 comfort and our

00:42:37.800 --> 00:42:38.820
 convenience is going

00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:39.880
 to be challenged as

00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:40.700
 we say yes to

00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:41.680
 joining God in his

00:42:41.680 --> 00:42:41.980
 mission

00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:43.460
 at times things will

00:42:43.460 --> 00:42:44.720
 be difficult at

00:42:44.720 --> 00:42:45.420
 times things will be

00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:46.800
 uncomfortable no

00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.720
 doubt God is going to

00:42:47.720 --> 00:42:48.599
 ask us to embrace

00:42:48.599 --> 00:42:50.000
 suffering remember in

00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:50.360
 the book of

00:42:50.360 --> 00:42:51.300
 revelation the

00:42:51.300 --> 00:42:52.920
 witnesses always end

00:42:52.920 --> 00:42:53.780
 up dead for some

00:42:53.780 --> 00:42:55.099
 reason their heads

00:42:55.099 --> 00:42:55.940
 always get beheaded

00:42:55.940 --> 00:42:57.079
 but don't worry

00:42:57.079 --> 00:42:57.699
 they come alive

00:42:57.699 --> 00:43:02.219
 again but no doubt

00:43:02.219 --> 00:43:03.219
 as we say yes to

00:43:03.219 --> 00:43:04.199
 Jesus that's going to

00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:05.279
 mean some of us being

00:43:05.279 --> 00:43:06.420
 sent as missionaries

00:43:06.420 --> 00:43:07.319
 to the furthest

00:43:07.319 --> 00:43:08.179
 corners of the world

00:43:08.179 --> 00:43:09.839
 it may mean some of

00:43:09.839 --> 00:43:11.059
 us saying no to

00:43:11.059 --> 00:43:12.219
 high paying careers

00:43:12.219 --> 00:43:13.779
 it may mean some of

00:43:13.779 --> 00:43:15.059
 us just doing our

00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:16.099
 ordinary jobs but

00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:16.719
 with a different

00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:17.920
 purpose and goal in

00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:19.860
 mind no doubt as we

00:43:19.860 --> 00:43:20.819
 say yes to Jesus

00:43:20.819 --> 00:43:22.519
 it's going to involve

00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.679
 some challenge but

00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:24.380
 you know what friends

00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:25.059
 it's going to be a

00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:26.280
 glorious and wonderful

00:43:26.280 --> 00:43:27.200
 adventure and we'll

00:43:27.200 --> 00:43:28.019
 get to the end of our

00:43:28.019 --> 00:43:29.280
 lives with very few

00:43:29.280 --> 00:43:29.860
 regrets

00:43:29.860 --> 00:43:34.240
 Jeremy Julie can I

00:43:34.240 --> 00:43:35.280
 call you guys up here

00:43:35.280 --> 00:43:37.000
 let's I don't really

00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:38.440
 know how to respond I

00:43:38.440 --> 00:43:39.320
 was thinking about this

00:43:39.320 --> 00:43:41.980
 all morning I feel like

00:43:41.980 --> 00:43:42.720
 we need to respond we

00:43:42.720 --> 00:43:43.400
 going to respond in

00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:44.860
 song but maybe you can

00:43:44.860 --> 00:43:46.519
 maybe just come before

00:43:46.519 --> 00:43:48.500
 our God and let's

00:43:48.500 --> 00:43:49.920
 respond in prayer let's

00:43:49.920 --> 00:43:50.780
 come before our Father

00:43:50.780 --> 00:43:51.660
 sorry I know that was a

00:43:51.660 --> 00:43:52.400
 little clumsy but

00:43:52.400 --> 00:43:55.840
 let's come before God

00:43:55.840 --> 00:43:59.740
 Heavenly Father great

00:43:59.740 --> 00:44:01.720
 and glorious God you

00:44:01.720 --> 00:44:02.860
 are rescuing and

00:44:02.860 --> 00:44:03.960
 redeeming this broken

00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:05.119
 world and God that is

00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:06.280
 good news for us because

00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:08.860
 each one of us here need

00:44:08.860 --> 00:44:10.160
 your rescue work done

00:44:10.160 --> 00:44:12.200
 our own hearts God we

00:44:12.200 --> 00:44:13.519
 feel the effects of a

00:44:13.519 --> 00:44:15.519
 broken world we see it

00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.579
 in ourselves we see it in

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:18.519
 our relationships we see

00:44:18.519 --> 00:44:19.400
 it all around us

00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:22.340
 Father for those of us

00:44:22.340 --> 00:44:23.300
 that are Christians we

00:44:23.300 --> 00:44:24.420
 start off saying thank

00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:26.340
 you praise you God all

00:44:26.340 --> 00:44:28.200
 glory to you for moving

00:44:28.200 --> 00:44:29.639
 into our world God thank

00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.940
 you God that you sent

00:44:30.940 --> 00:44:32.820
 your son Jesus thank you

00:44:32.820 --> 00:44:34.059
 Jesus for sending the

00:44:34.059 --> 00:44:35.180
 Holy Spirit to come and

00:44:35.180 --> 00:44:36.559
 rescue us and change us

00:44:36.559 --> 00:44:39.619
 but God like Isaiah we

00:44:39.619 --> 00:44:41.320
 hear you saying whom will

00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:43.599
 I send Father we want to

00:44:43.599 --> 00:44:45.019
 respond and saying here we

00:44:45.019 --> 00:44:48.000
 are send us God include

00:44:48.000 --> 00:44:49.280
 us in your rescue plan

00:44:49.280 --> 00:44:51.059
 include us in your plan

00:44:51.059 --> 00:44:52.480
 to redeem and reconcile

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.699
 this broken world

00:44:53.699 --> 00:45:00.440
 Father if we honest as

00:45:00.440 --> 00:45:01.380
 Chris was saying earlier

00:45:01.380 --> 00:45:02.860
 so often we don't do this

00:45:02.860 --> 00:45:03.920
 because of all sorts of

00:45:03.920 --> 00:45:04.800
 things in our lives it's

00:45:04.800 --> 00:45:05.679
 not because of lack of

00:45:05.679 --> 00:45:06.800
 information we know the

00:45:06.800 --> 00:45:08.579
 gospel it's not because of

00:45:08.579 --> 00:45:10.920
 lack of opportunities it's

00:45:10.920 --> 00:45:12.079
 God because our hearts are

00:45:12.079 --> 00:45:13.280
 often turned in on

00:45:13.280 --> 00:45:13.880
 ourselves

00:45:13.880 --> 00:45:17.380
 Father we want to come

00:45:17.380 --> 00:45:18.500
 before you this morning in

00:45:18.500 --> 00:45:19.680
 repentance we want to say

00:45:19.680 --> 00:45:20.579
 we're sorry God

00:45:20.579 --> 00:45:23.099
 we're sorry for the many

00:45:23.099 --> 00:45:24.320
 times we've lived for

00:45:24.320 --> 00:45:25.740
 ourselves rather than you

00:45:25.740 --> 00:45:29.099
 we're sorry God for the

00:45:29.099 --> 00:45:30.360
 many times we've lived for

00:45:30.360 --> 00:45:31.460
 our own glory rather than

00:45:31.460 --> 00:45:31.700
 you

00:45:31.700 --> 00:45:34.619
 God where we've received

00:45:34.619 --> 00:45:35.920
 your extravagant blessing

00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:37.380
 but haven't wanted to be a

00:45:37.380 --> 00:45:38.800
 blessing to others because

00:45:38.800 --> 00:45:39.500
 it's uncomfortable

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:42.679
 Father forgive us we pray

00:45:42.679 --> 00:45:45.239
 but don't just forgive us

00:45:45.239 --> 00:45:46.179
 change us God

00:45:46.179 --> 00:45:49.280
 God send us out as a light

00:45:49.280 --> 00:45:50.320
 to this nation

00:45:50.320 --> 00:45:52.400
 to this great city

00:45:52.400 --> 00:45:54.059
 and to the nations of the

00:45:54.059 --> 00:45:54.440
 world

00:45:54.440 --> 00:45:57.480
 Father I pray for businessmen

00:45:57.480 --> 00:45:58.739
 and businesswomen here God

00:45:58.739 --> 00:46:00.619
 that as we go from Hong Kong

00:46:00.619 --> 00:46:02.119
 maybe this week as you send

00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:03.519
 us out to the cities across

00:46:03.519 --> 00:46:03.940
 Asia

00:46:03.940 --> 00:46:06.500
 Singapore and Japan and

00:46:06.500 --> 00:46:08.519
 Indonesia wherever we go

00:46:08.519 --> 00:46:10.019
 God may we go with a

00:46:10.019 --> 00:46:11.340
 sense of your commissioning

00:46:11.340 --> 00:46:12.719
 it's not just our

00:46:12.719 --> 00:46:13.840
 companies that's sending us

00:46:13.840 --> 00:46:15.119
 you sending us to be a

00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:16.259
 light to the nations

00:46:16.259 --> 00:46:18.539
 use us we pray Father

00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:23.199
 Father have your way in us

00:46:23.199 --> 00:46:23.679
 we pray

00:46:23.679 --> 00:46:26.579
 Amen