WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.240
 So as we start today, I have to tell you about a fictional disease that I suffer with.

00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:10.700
 It's called grocery store amnesia.

00:00:11.120 --> 00:00:12.839
 Here's how grocery store amnesia works.

00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:17.920
 I walk into the grocery store to buy the things that we need,

00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:19.879
 the things that my wife and I might have talked about,

00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:23.100
 and I can't remember a thing that I'm supposed to get.

00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:26.100
 And so what happens then is I'm standing there in the grocery store,

00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:28.519
 and I'm like, oh, I don't know, what do I need?

00:00:28.560 --> 00:00:29.780
 And I get some few things.

00:00:30.300 --> 00:00:32.679
 And then, you know, a couple of days later, I get home,

00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:35.079
 and I go to make those blueberry muffins, and guess what?

00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:37.320
 There's no eggs because I forgot to get it.

00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:39.340
 It doesn't work out so well.

00:00:39.880 --> 00:00:47.620
 So one of the things I've discovered to address this issue of grocery store amnesia, right,

00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:49.879
 is to make a list before I leave.

00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:52.340
 So before I leave to go to the grocery store,

00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:56.519
 I stand in the kitchen, and my wife and I will put together a list,

00:00:56.799 --> 00:00:59.060
 and I tap that list out on my phone.

00:00:59.060 --> 00:01:01.359
 And you know what happens when I go to the grocery store then?

00:01:01.580 --> 00:01:08.040
 As I'm standing there, I can remember the things I was supposed to get because it's on the list.

00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:14.500
 And then, during the week, it goes so much better because the food that we wanted to have,

00:01:14.600 --> 00:01:15.980
 we actually have in our house now.

00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:17.140
 So I'm able to enjoy it.

00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:21.960
 As we look at our message today, what we're going to be finding is a pattern similar to that,

00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:25.880
 a pattern of standing in the present where we remember the past,

00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:29.280
 and it provides our hope for the future.

00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:35.719
 Three main points we're going to look at today are going to deal with the past, the present, and the future.

00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:38.900
 And I'll be explaining those to you as we come up.

00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:42.280
 The first thing we want to look at, number one, is the past.

00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:47.920
 And it's, remember, you were once far off.

00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:53.560
 Now, the word remember occurs at the beginning of our passage this morning.

00:01:53.560 --> 00:02:01.799
 So in verse 11 and 12, the verses are started with the idea of remember, the command to remember.

00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:10.879
 Now, the Bible speaks often of this idea of remembering, of remembering what God has done.

00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:15.460
 And in fact, in the Ten Commandments, the Fourth Commandment,

00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:20.259
 we're told to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:23.599
 So there on the Sabbath day, that present day when we stand,

00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:27.060
 we're able to look back, and we're told, six days you had to labor.

00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:30.239
 So we remember back to those six days that we had to labor.

00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:33.060
 And we have that hope that we're able to look forward to the future.

00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:35.679
 And we say, I had six days to labor.

00:02:35.739 --> 00:02:37.019
 I'm taking this day as a break.

00:02:37.359 --> 00:02:41.859
 And these next six days to work, they're going to be sufficient for what I need.

00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:48.340
 Also, the idea of remembering occurs in the feast that are listed in the law.

00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:54.280
 So the law that was provided to Moses has a number of feasts that are provided in those.

00:02:54.560 --> 00:03:00.300
 And in fact, in Leviticus 23, there's seven feasts that are listed in there.

00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:04.719
 Each of those has the idea of remembering God's previous intervention,

00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:08.420
 and then looking forward to the hope that is to come.

00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:13.840
 And in the New Testament, we also have the idea of remembering.

00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:19.319
 In fact, Sunday morning, here in our worship service, we have an act of remembering.

00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:21.200
 It's called the Lord's Supper.

00:03:22.180 --> 00:03:26.000
 So our Lord's Supper, we're told, in remembrance of me.

00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:27.920
 It's how our Lord's Supper goes.

00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:30.080
 So here we are in the present.

00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.500
 We consume the elements of the juice and the bread.

00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:40.520
 And we remember, we look back and remember the sacrificial death of Jesus on our behalf.

00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:42.639
 And we look forward.

00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:45.199
 We have that hope that we look forward to,

00:03:45.639 --> 00:03:49.659
 that we recognize that Jesus has initiated a kingdom that has not yet been fulfilled.

00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:53.680
 So as we think of our own lives,

00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:56.479
 one of the things I want to pause and encourage you

00:03:56.479 --> 00:04:03.060
 is that do you have times when you can remember the work of God in your life?

00:04:04.340 --> 00:04:06.099
 Because in the moments of the present,

00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:08.299
 there will be challenging times that come.

00:04:08.899 --> 00:04:10.560
 There will be difficult moments that come.

00:04:10.959 --> 00:04:15.179
 And you will want to be able to remember the work of God in your life.

00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:17.819
 And in remembering, you will look to the future,

00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:18.779
 and you will say,

00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:20.839
 God provided for me in the past.

00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:22.719
 It may be difficult in the present,

00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:25.819
 but I have hope in the future.

00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:29.660
 Specifically in this passage,

00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:32.580
 we are told to remember.

00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:34.220
 And this passage is to the Gentiles.

00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:35.759
 So the Gentiles are called to remember,

00:04:36.280 --> 00:04:39.460
 you were once far off from God.

00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:42.600
 So this message is directed to the Gentiles

00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:47.200
 who were at one time separated from God's chosen people.

00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:52.080
 Let me provide a little information for us regarding this passage.

00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:55.759
 So as we think and see God working through the Old Testament,

00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:58.620
 we see that God has chosen the nation of Israel

00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:01.300
 to reveal his power through this nation,

00:05:01.599 --> 00:05:03.879
 to reveal his character through this nation.

00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:05.279
 And as a result,

00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:06.519
 requiring,

00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.039
 to understand God,

00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:10.379
 meant coming through the nation of Israel.

00:05:10.539 --> 00:05:12.539
 So people could come through the nation of Israel.

00:05:12.539 --> 00:05:15.839
 It wasn't that God said there was no place for Gentiles.

00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:16.759
 Not at all the case.

00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:17.839
 And we'll actually see that later.

00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:18.819
 But that God said,

00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:19.579
 as you come,

00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:21.879
 you'll come through the God of Israel.

00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:25.639
 So we see that God was indeed accessible to the Gentiles,

00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:29.060
 but it was only through the nation of Israel.

00:05:31.159 --> 00:05:33.339
 So the Gentiles are called to remember,

00:05:33.639 --> 00:05:35.600
 you were once far off.

00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.399
 And in fact,

00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:38.339
 here in the passage,

00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:39.420
 we see in verse 11,

00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:41.159
 it's reminding the Gentiles

00:05:41.159 --> 00:05:43.040
 that the Gentiles in the flesh

00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:44.839
 called the uncircumcision.

00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:48.219
 It's back to the act of circumcision,

00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:52.239
 which was a way of determining Israel from its neighbors.

00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:56.299
 And so the men of Israel would be circumcised,

00:05:56.599 --> 00:05:58.239
 whereas those who were not,

00:05:58.279 --> 00:05:59.819
 were not part of their community.

00:06:00.919 --> 00:06:02.599
 I think of David,

00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:05.000
 as he was about to slay Goliath.

00:06:05.479 --> 00:06:07.399
 And he sees that enemy of God.

00:06:07.979 --> 00:06:10.519
 And how does he refer to that enemy of God,

00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:11.759
 who he is about to slay?

00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:15.740
 He says he is that uncircumcised Philistine.

00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:17.759
 So that is how David recognizes

00:06:18.459 --> 00:06:20.360
 this person is not part of God's plan.

00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:22.180
 It's that act of circumcision.

00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:25.800
 We see also in verse 12,

00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:30.180
 it says that the Gentiles were separated from Christ.

00:06:31.599 --> 00:06:34.579
 The idea of Christ and Messiah

00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:37.939
 are the same idea in two different languages.

00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:40.519
 And so when it says they were separated from Christ,

00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.719
 the understanding is that they're separated from Jesus,

00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:45.319
 it is that they're separated from the coming Messiah.

00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.560
 So while Israel looked forward to a Messiah

00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:48.799
 who would deliver them,

00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.039
 the Gentiles did not have a hope in that plan,

00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.019
 because they were separated from the hope

00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:54.120
 that came with the Messiah.

00:06:56.299 --> 00:06:58.240
 The third way that we see in this passage,

00:06:58.359 --> 00:07:01.060
 how Gentiles were told that they were far off from God,

00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:02.639
 they were being reminded they were far off from God,

00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:04.159
 once again comes in verse 12,

00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:06.699
 when they're told that they were alienated

00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:08.479
 from the commonwealth of Israel.

00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:10.840
 Israel, once again, is that place of hope.

00:07:12.520 --> 00:07:16.000
 Continuing there, they're told four times in this passage,

00:07:16.080 --> 00:07:17.980
 they're told that they have been separated from God.

00:07:18.020 --> 00:07:20.900
 We see that they are strangers to the covenants of promise.

00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:23.900
 And there in verse 12, it continuing,

00:07:24.900 --> 00:07:27.120
 they are having no hope.

00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:31.800
 And finally, we see for the sixth instance

00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.720
 of where the Gentiles are told

00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:35.060
 that they are separated from God,

00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.120
 without God.

00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:38.519
 It says, you are without God in the world.

00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.579
 Six times, six times,

00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:42.459
 Paul declares to the Gentile believer,

00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:46.139
 you were once alienated from God.

00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:51.019
 With those six times that Paul is saying it here

00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:51.660
 in this passage,

00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.939
 it's a reminder to the people,

00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.120
 let me be clear,

00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:56.980
 you were once separated from God.

00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:00.959
 That remember in verse 11, though,

00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.759
 is prefaced with the word.

00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:04.540
 It's prefaced with the word,

00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:05.519
 therefore.

00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:08.959
 So therefore is a transitional word.

00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:11.180
 And it causes us to link back

00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.720
 to the previous section of scripture

00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:15.199
 to see why do these people need to remember

00:08:15.199 --> 00:08:17.019
 their separation from God.

00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:20.639
 We see there in the previous section,

00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:24.199
 Gentiles were called to remember

00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:25.319
 their previous status.

00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:27.039
 And they were called to look back,

00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:29.599
 reminding that they have been saved by grace.

00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:31.219
 They have salvation,

00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:32.340
 which is a gift of God.

00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:35.360
 They have received salvation

00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.699
 entirely by the gracious action of God.

00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:40.600
 Salvation is not merited,

00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.759
 not earned, not deserved.

00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.600
 So the question that we have here,

00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:45.540
 is that the Gentiles,

00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:48.840
 after hearing of their unmerited salvation

00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.080
 that they received

00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:52.399
 by the virtue of God's graciousness,

00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:53.120
 are reminded,

00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:54.779
 remember,

00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.700
 you were once alienated from God.

00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:58.620
 So the question that we have here,

00:09:00.060 --> 00:09:01.940
 why did the Gentiles

00:09:01.940 --> 00:09:03.899
 need to be reminded

00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:05.460
 of their previous status?

00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:07.920
 Why did they need to be reminded

00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:11.180
 that they were once alienated from God?

00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:14.319
 The answer?

00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.079
 Probably.

00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:17.539
 Because they forgot.

00:09:17.859 --> 00:09:18.620
 Or they at least

00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:20.279
 were in the act of forgetting.

00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.459
 The reason for their forgetting,

00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:24.519
 we don't know for sure.

00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:25.620
 But we can speculate.

00:09:26.719 --> 00:09:27.339
 One of the things to know

00:09:27.339 --> 00:09:28.639
 is that this writing

00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.500
 that's taking place

00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:30.359
 for the Gentile believers

00:09:30.359 --> 00:09:34.179
 is 30 to 35 years after Jesus,

00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:35.859
 after the time of Jesus' death

00:09:35.859 --> 00:09:36.859
 and resurrection.

00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:38.059
 And so the church

00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:38.979
 has been going on

00:09:38.979 --> 00:09:40.359
 for that length of time.

00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:43.000
 And what we likely have here

00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:43.979
 is that we are now

00:09:43.979 --> 00:09:45.679
 in the second generation

00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.939
 of Gentile believers.

00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.879
 So that first generation

00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:50.159
 understood their status,

00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:51.839
 whereas that second generation

00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:53.500
 didn't entirely know

00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:55.719
 what their previous history was.

00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.279
 So as a result,

00:09:59.859 --> 00:10:01.000
 they're not understanding

00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:03.519
 their previous alienation from God.

00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.500
 Because they can't understand

00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:07.379
 their previous alienation from God,

00:10:07.579 --> 00:10:09.339
 they're not fully able to grasp

00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:11.700
 their current standing with God.

00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:15.519
 This idea of generational forgetting,

00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:18.180
 it reminds me of immigrants

00:10:18.180 --> 00:10:19.800
 who come to the U.S.

00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:21.899
 And so when an immigrant family

00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:23.399
 comes to the U.S.,

00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.120
 often that very first family

00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:25.660
 that comes

00:10:25.660 --> 00:10:27.620
 becomes slightly Americanized,

00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:28.800
 but still very much

00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:29.920
 from their home country.

00:10:30.420 --> 00:10:32.139
 By that second generation

00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.300
 of the immigrant family,

00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:35.060
 the people,

00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:35.700
 the children,

00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:38.360
 become mostly Americanized.

00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:40.120
 and just a little bit

00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:40.879
 of the homeland.

00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:42.560
 By the third generation,

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:45.139
 that once immigrant family

00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:47.879
 is almost entirely Americanized.

00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:49.240
 They've forgotten

00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.180
 that homeland

00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:51.100
 from which they came.

00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.340
 In the same way,

00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.100
 the Gentiles

00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:54.019
 are forgetting

00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:55.500
 where they were.

00:10:55.500 --> 00:11:00.600
 So why do the Gentiles

00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:01.539
 need to remember?

00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.620
 What is important about this?

00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.279
 The things we see

00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.059
 is that a person

00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:07.559
 to recognize

00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:10.299
 their hope-filled future,

00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:12.879
 they need to understand

00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:15.720
 their hope-barren past.

00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.320
 To see the hope

00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:18.120
 that they have coming,

00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:18.960
 they need to know

00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.840
 the hopelessness

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.740
 that they were in.

00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:23.139
 Now the people of Israel,

00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:25.340
 they were well aware

00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:27.179
 of their hopeless state

00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:29.059
 as they were waiting

00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:30.240
 for hundreds of years

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:32.279
 for a prophet to come.

00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.580
 God had gone silent upon them.

00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.539
 And they could even look

00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.539
 at their own history

00:11:36.539 --> 00:11:37.539
 over the course

00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:39.519
 of the last 500,

00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.500
 600 years

00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.539
 of feeling abandoned by God.

00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.740
 And while there's been

00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.659
 moments of hope,

00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.220
 they feel that God

00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.240
 has left them.

00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:48.139
 And they find themselves

00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:49.159
 looking for that Messiah.

00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:49.860
 They anticipate

00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.659
 that Messiah.

00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:50.740
 Messiah.

00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:52.759
 The Gentiles were not

00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:53.740
 part of that plan.

00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:55.740
 The Gentiles didn't have

00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.819
 that same angst

00:11:56.819 --> 00:11:58.199
 that was part of their culture.

00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:02.319
 And so the Gentiles,

00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:04.100
 as they have found themselves

00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:06.100
 in the family of God

00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.699
 and with the rival of Jesus,

00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.339
 they need to have

00:12:10.339 --> 00:12:12.319
 that same hope for the future

00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:14.939
 that the people of Israel

00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:15.579
 are able to have.

00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:16.879
 And the way that they're able

00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.500
 to do that

00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.919
 is by Paul reminding them,

00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:19.539
 remember,

00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:20.799
 you weren't even part

00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.399
 of the plan.

00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:22.699
 You weren't even

00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:23.360
 in the family.

00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:25.539
 But now you're in the family

00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.699
 and now you're part

00:12:26.699 --> 00:12:27.679
 of God's plan

00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:28.500
 moving forward.

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.319
 Second thing we want

00:12:32.319 --> 00:12:32.719
 to look at

00:12:32.719 --> 00:12:34.860
 regards to the present.

00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.079
 And that's that

00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:39.599
 Jesus brings peace.

00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:43.039
 So the Gentiles

00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.159
 were once separated

00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:47.500
 by a dividing wall

00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.379
 of hostility.

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:51.379
 Let me read verse 14 for us.

00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.539
 For he himself,

00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.439
 that is being Jesus,

00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:55.719
 for he himself

00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:56.539
 is our peace

00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.919
 who has made us

00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.639
 both one

00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.079
 and broken down

00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.000
 in his flesh

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.379
 the dividing wall

00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:04.480
 of hostility.

00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:07.379
 So this dividing wall

00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.059
 of hostility,

00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:08.819
 that's what's keeping

00:13:08.819 --> 00:13:09.819
 the Gentiles out.

00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:12.100
 this is likely

00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:13.520
 a remark

00:13:13.520 --> 00:13:14.740
 on the design

00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.820
 of the temple.

00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:18.200
 Now in the temple

00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:20.500
 there was a dividing wall.

00:13:21.060 --> 00:13:21.640
 And there was

00:13:21.640 --> 00:13:22.740
 a dividing wall

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.260
 between the court

00:13:24.260 --> 00:13:25.320
 of the Gentiles

00:13:25.320 --> 00:13:27.400
 and the temple proper.

00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:29.200
 So the Gentiles

00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.660
 were not actually able

00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:31.640
 to enter

00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:32.840
 into the temple.

00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.260
 In fact,

00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.700
 on that dividing wall

00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:37.220
 there was a sign.

00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:37.840
 And here is what

00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:38.740
 the sign said.

00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:40.820
 No foreigner

00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.879
 may enter

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.980
 within the barricade

00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.840
 which surrounds

00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.180
 the sanctuary enclosure.

00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.419
 Anyone

00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:47.519
 who is caught

00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:48.220
 doing so

00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:49.720
 will have himself

00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.379
 to blame

00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:51.480
 for his

00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:53.220
 ensuing death.

00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.659
 Now perhaps

00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:57.279
 you might think,

00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:57.840
 oh,

00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.960
 they just put up

00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.379
 the sign

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.180
 and they didn't

00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:01.500
 really mean it.

00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.620
 Well,

00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.299
 do know

00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.879
 that Paul

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.060
 who is writing

00:14:06.060 --> 00:14:07.000
 the book of Ephesians,

00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.399
 he was arrested

00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.919
 because it was believed

00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.259
 that he brought Gentiles

00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:12.419
 inside of that

00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.220
 dividing wall.

00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:15.199
 So in Acts 21

00:14:15.199 --> 00:14:16.879
 you can see

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.899
 the account of Paul

00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.779
 being arrested

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.039
 for violating this.

00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:20.980
 And we see,

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.459
 here is the remark

00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.220
 of the people there

00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:24.100
 from Acts 21.

00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:24.799
 He,

00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.559
 that being Paul,

00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.600
 he even brought

00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.220
 Greeks

00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.079
 into the temple

00:14:28.079 --> 00:14:30.120
 and has defiled

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.699
 this holy place.

00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:34.600
 they were serious

00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.200
 about keeping Gentiles

00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.480
 out of the temple.

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:42.060
 So this literal wall

00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.940
 that was in the temple design

00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.740
 was not part

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.660
 of God's original design

00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:48.259
 for the temple.

00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:50.960
 Let me provide a little bit

00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.980
 of temple background

00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:52.920
 knowledge for you.

00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:54.879
 So the first temple

00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.420
 that was built

00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:56.940
 is called Solomon's Temple.

00:14:57.560 --> 00:14:58.320
 It's built about

00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.300
 a thousand years

00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:00.400
 before the time of Jesus.

00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:02.120
 And there,

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.039
 as Solomon,

00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.759
 as he has,

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.139
 the temple has been finished.

00:15:05.459 --> 00:15:07.100
 There is a prayer

00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.819
 of dedication

00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.539
 that he prays.

00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.480
 And it comes from

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.779
 1 Kings chapter 8

00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.819
 beginning in verse 41.

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:12.860
 You can turn there

00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.199
 if you want

00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:14.199
 but I'm about to read it

00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:15.019
 so don't feel like

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.559
 you need to turn there

00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:16.000
 but you can.

00:15:17.459 --> 00:15:18.079
 And one of the things

00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:18.779
 I want you to see

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.740
 in this portion

00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.519
 of this prayer

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.740
 that Solomon prays

00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.220
 for the temple

00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.919
 is I want you to see

00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.519
 how the temple

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:26.519
 was for all people.

00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.679
 And I also want you

00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:29.899
 to see how God

00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.439
 was using Israel

00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:33.019
 to proclaim himself

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.860
 to all people

00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.740
 which is an idea

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.579
 that we talked about

00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:36.559
 a few moments ago.

00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:38.120
 Let me read for you

00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.539
 from 1 Kings chapter 8.

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.159
 And once again

00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.399
 this is Solomon praying

00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.399
 at the dedication

00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:43.179
 of the temple.

00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:45.079
 Likewise

00:15:45.079 --> 00:15:46.559
 when a foreigner

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:47.719
 who was not

00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.000
 of your people Israel

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.879
 comes from a far country

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.120
 for your namesake

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.699
 for they shall hear

00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.579
 of your great name

00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:55.939
 and your mighty hand

00:15:55.939 --> 00:15:57.559
 and your outstretched harm

00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:58.859
 when he comes

00:15:58.859 --> 00:15:59.559
 and prays

00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.599
 toward this house

00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:02.059
 here in heaven

00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.959
 your dwelling place

00:16:03.959 --> 00:16:05.739
 and to do according

00:16:05.739 --> 00:16:06.859
 to all for which

00:16:06.859 --> 00:16:08.199
 the foreigner calls to you

00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:09.179
 in order that

00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:10.039
 all the peoples

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.579
 of the earth

00:16:10.579 --> 00:16:12.199
 may know your name

00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:12.919
 and fear you

00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:15.399
 as do your people Israel

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:17.000
 and that they may

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.399
 know that this house

00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.319
 that I have built

00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.259
 is called

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:22.219
 by your name.

00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.439
 The temple was

00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.219
 for all people.

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.179
 That temple

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.539
 eventually gets destroyed

00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:32.179
 and then another temple

00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:32.979
 is rebuilt.

00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.219
 And this second temple

00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:38.659
 is then remodeled

00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:40.059
 by Herod

00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:41.419
 who is essentially

00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.039
 the governor

00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.079
 of Judah.

00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:44.739
 And this remodeling

00:16:44.739 --> 00:16:45.199
 of the temple

00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:45.959
 takes place

00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:46.719
 really close

00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:47.739
 to the time of Jesus.

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.299
 And during this remodel

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.739
 of the temple

00:16:50.739 --> 00:16:51.899
 it was significantly

00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:52.539
 expanded

00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:54.119
 and this dividing

00:16:54.119 --> 00:16:55.699
 wall was added.

00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.779
 We will find

00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:00.259
 that Jesus

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:01.519
 figuratively

00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.779
 breaks down

00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.460
 that literal

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.200
 wall

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.899
 in the temple.

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:08.680
 we see in verse 14

00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.780
 that He Himself

00:17:09.780 --> 00:17:10.440
 is our peace

00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.220
 and has broken

00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.060
 down

00:17:13.060 --> 00:17:13.920
 this barrier.

00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.920
 So within a decade

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.880
 of this writing

00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:21.780
 the Romans

00:17:21.780 --> 00:17:22.820
 would come in

00:17:22.820 --> 00:17:24.120
 and they would

00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:24.759
 literally

00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.740
 break down

00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.880
 that literal

00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.540
 wall

00:17:27.540 --> 00:17:28.960
 and would destroy

00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.500
 the temple

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.320
 and the

00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:31.220
 obviously

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.100
 wall with it.

00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:34.799
 So we see

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.299
 that Jesus

00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.079
 brings peace

00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.759
 and essentially

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.279
 Jesus

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.500
 rewrites the rules

00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.799
 for the Gentiles

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.699
 to access God.

00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.419
 No longer

00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:44.719
 is Israel

00:17:44.719 --> 00:17:45.699
 the exclusive

00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:46.579
 conduit

00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.179
 to God.

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.500
 Now Jesus

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.019
 comes

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.659
 and takes

00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:50.359
 that place

00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.559
 and now Jesus

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.519
 becomes this new

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:52.899
 conduit

00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.919
 able to bring

00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.879
 all people

00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.339
 to God.

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.000
 Jews

00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.899
 and Gentiles

00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:57.519
 both are able

00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:58.419
 to come to God

00:17:58.419 --> 00:17:59.740
 through Jesus.

00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:01.960
 And we see

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.880
 in verse 15

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.000
 that Jesus

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.720
 was abolishing

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.940
 the law of commandments

00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.900
 expressed

00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:09.319
 in ordinances.

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.920
 And ordinance

00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:12.059
 that word there

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.000
 is dogma.

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.380
 That's actually

00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:13.980
 what the word is.

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.880
 So it's another way

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.500
 of saying law.

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.240
 So as you hear that

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.200
 it can sound

00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.839
 a little awkward

00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.819
 but think law

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.339
 when you hear it.

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.220
 So Jesus came

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.039
 to abolish

00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.980
 the law of commandments

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.839
 expressed

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.460
 in the ordinances.

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.880
 So with Jesus

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.220
 abolishing the law

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:29.359
 the question has

00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.459
 does the law

00:18:30.459 --> 00:18:31.579
 still apply to us?

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.199
 Can I just do

00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:33.839
 what I want?

00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.719
 Thinks to Jesus

00:18:35.719 --> 00:18:36.919
 the law is gone.

00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.699
 I'm free.

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.779
 There's no more law

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.519
 on me, right?

00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.379
 No.

00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.479
 No, of course not.

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.679
 So as you have

00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.299
 those thoughts

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:47.939
 if you have those thoughts

00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:49.599
 if you have those thoughts

00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.799
 the idea that you

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.359
 are no longer

00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:51.919
 under the law

00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.599
 the rules

00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.939
 from the Bible

00:18:53.939 --> 00:18:55.079
 no longer apply to you.

00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:57.059
 I'm going to pass along

00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.659
 some advice

00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:58.500
 that I tell myself.

00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.579
 So this is advice

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.259
 to me

00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:01.039
 and maybe it's

00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:02.259
 applicable to your own life.

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.859
 And what I tell myself

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.279
 is never cease

00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.900
 to marvel

00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:07.059
 at the powers

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.960
 of self-deception.

00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.619
 So when people

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.259
 come to the law

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.539
 and say

00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.500
 hey is that still

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.440
 pertained to me?

00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.440
 Does that still

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.079
 pertain to me?

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.579
 They often do that

00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.779
 when they are trying

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.759
 to justify

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.900
 actions

00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.900
 that they know

00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.119
 are against God's plan.

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:26.199
 and through some

00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:27.419
 sort of roundabout

00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:29.039
 weird rationalization

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.599
 misapplication

00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.119
 of the scripture

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.979
 they come

00:19:31.979 --> 00:19:32.459
 and they say

00:19:32.459 --> 00:19:33.859
 the law doesn't

00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:35.019
 really apply to me.

00:19:36.439 --> 00:19:37.459
 So what we find

00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.099
 is that Jesus

00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.959
 in abolishing the law

00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:42.719
 he does not

00:19:42.719 --> 00:19:44.359
 why Jesus abolishes

00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.599
 the law

00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.259
 he does not

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.939
 entitle you

00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:47.559
 he doesn't entitle you

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.119
 to have sex

00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.619
 with your boyfriend

00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.019
 or girlfriend.

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.299
 He doesn't entitle you

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.279
 to do pornography.

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:54.480
 Jesus abolishing

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:54.839
 the law

00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.180
 does not entitle you

00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:57.019
 to gauge in

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.819
 deceptive business

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.299
 practices.

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.940
 Doesn't entitle you

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.660
 to be greedy.

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.259
 Jesus abolishing

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.619
 the law

00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.500
 doesn't mean it's

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.000
 okay for you

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.559
 to have temper

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.039
 explosions.

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.299
 All those are

00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:07.180
 still against

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.899
 God's plan.

00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.460
 These are wrong

00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.399
 sinful actions.

00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.740
 Do not

00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:13.920
 do not find

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.319
 yourself

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.099
 using the

00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.220
 sacrificial death

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.119
 of Jesus Christ

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:17.879
 the son of God

00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:18.680
 in order to

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.740
 justify your own

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.519
 sinful behaviors.

00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.899
 the passage

00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.680
 does say though

00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.099
 that Jesus

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.299
 did abolish

00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:26.779
 the law.

00:20:27.399 --> 00:20:28.059
 It is exactly

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.619
 what it says

00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.660
 and let us

00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.180
 understand how

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.680
 he did that.

00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.379
 So Jesus

00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.819
 abolished the

00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.799
 purpose of the

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.000
 law.

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.440
 The purpose of

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.839
 the law was

00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.379
 to bring people

00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:37.779
 to God

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.759
 so that they

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.420
 could understand

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.379
 who God was

00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:42.059
 and the character

00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.500
 of God

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.759
 the law was

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.160
 provided

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.619
 to say

00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:45.160
 here is who

00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.599
 I am.

00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.359
 Jesus now

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.319
 comes and is

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:49.980
 able to be

00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:50.759
 that conduit

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.180
 once again

00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.039
 that brings

00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.560
 people to

00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:52.779
 God.

00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:53.880
 And in

00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.340
 fact Jesus

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.180
 explains this

00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.680
 idea of

00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.299
 abolishing

00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.539
 the law

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.539
 when he

00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.279
 says in

00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.240
 Matthew 5

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.820
 this is

00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.500
 Jesus talking

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.120
 do you not

00:21:02.120 --> 00:21:02.500
 think that I

00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.920
 have come to

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.539
 abolish the

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:03.920
 law of the

00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.279
 prophets?

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.220
 I have not

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.660
 come to

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.019
 abolish them

00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:08.080
 but to

00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:09.220
 fulfill them

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:11.140
 because Jesus

00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.660
 is moving

00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.539
 towards that

00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.160
 purpose of

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.519
 the law

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.539
 which is to

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.019
 bring people

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.259
 to God.

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.779
 He says I

00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.220
 will become

00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.900
 that way to

00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.160
 God.

00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.940
 what we

00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.320
 find is that

00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:19.920
 Jesus did

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.560
 not abolish

00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:21.279
 the tenets

00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.960
 of the

00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.200
 law.

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.259
 So we

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.860
 still have

00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:26.040
 laws that

00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.320
 we are

00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:26.700
 called

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.279
 expectations

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:27.920
 that we

00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.480
 are called

00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.300
 to follow

00:21:29.300 --> 00:21:31.060
 and these

00:21:31.060 --> 00:21:31.779
 expectations

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.259
 that we are

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.640
 called to

00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.460
 follow and

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:33.960
 issues of

00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:35.200
 morality those

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.680
 are the ones

00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.080
 that we need

00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.460
 to follow.

00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.240
 And there's

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.180
 ways as we

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.720
 look back on

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.200
 the law there's

00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.720
 some things we

00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.300
 don't follow and

00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:40.860
 there's reasons

00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.259
 for that.

00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:41.860
 But when it

00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.620
 comes to issues

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:44.040
 of morality we

00:21:44.040 --> 00:21:44.800
 follow those.

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.359
 One of the

00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.700
 things that I

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.099
 also want to

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.639
 see is that

00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:48.639
 Jesus brings

00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.440
 reconciliation

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.299
 with God.

00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.700
 We see in

00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.659
 verse 16 that

00:21:52.659 --> 00:21:53.899
 Jesus reconciles

00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:54.940
 us both to

00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.039
 God in one

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.700
 body through

00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.240
 the cross

00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:59.299
 therefore killing

00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:00.339
 the hostility.

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.180
 So we're told

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.839
 again that he

00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:04.339
 reconciles us

00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.819
 both.

00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.180
 That us both

00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.559
 is Israel

00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.399
 and Gentiles

00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:08.720
 both.

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:09.960
 And we see

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.500
 that Jesus

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.359
 brings peace

00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.819
 between God

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.460
 and the person.

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.019
 Jesus

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.119
 reconciles us.

00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.139
 This idea of

00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:17.259
 reconciliation is

00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.559
 a great way of

00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.359
 understanding the

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.960
 work of God.

00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.299
 We recognize

00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.619
 that when

00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.519
 people were

00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.759
 originally created

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.519
 there was no

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.519
 separation between

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.099
 them and God.

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.940
 There in the

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.000
 Garden of Eden

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.599
 there was a

00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.440
 perfect relationship

00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.359
 between God and

00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.200
 his created people.

00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.639
 But when sin

00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.460
 enters the world

00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.019
 that splits that

00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.759
 relationship and

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.720
 separates people

00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.220
 from God.

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.700
 And sin now

00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:43.000
 keeps us away

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.639
 from God.

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:45.039
 But Jesus

00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.680
 comes to

00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.900
 reconcile that

00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.440
 relationship.

00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.299
 To put it

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.119
 back together.

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.799
 So we find

00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.759
 that Jesus

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.319
 is able

00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.480
 to reconcile

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.779
 us to God

00:22:58.779 --> 00:23:00.039
 by virtue of

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.480
 his nature

00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.519
 and his death

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.200
 upon a cross

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.180
 and his

00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.579
 subsequent

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.200
 resurrection.

00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:06.059
 Jesus is able

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.940
 to offer us

00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.799
 reconciliation.

00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:07.859
 reconciliation.

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:10.159
 So the question

00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:10.940
 I have for you

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:13.059
 is have you

00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:15.200
 accepted the

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.700
 reconciliation

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:17.480
 with God?

00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.180
 Have you

00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:19.119
 accepted the

00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:20.099
 peace with God

00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:20.819
 that Jesus

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.220
 offers?

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.220
 To each of us

00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.659
 we have a choice

00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:26.940
 to make.

00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.039
 Do we choose

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.799
 to follow God?

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.619
 Do we choose

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:33.119
 that reconciliation

00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.879
 that Jesus

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.559
 offers us?

00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.839
 So if you

00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.519
 find yourself

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.139
 today and you

00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:37.819
 say I don't

00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.259
 know what that

00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:38.619
 means.

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.299
 I don't know

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:40.819
 what it means

00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.819
 to be reconciled

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.239
 to God.

00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.459
 Don't leave

00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:45.179
 this place

00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:45.699
 this morning

00:23:45.699 --> 00:23:47.000
 without talking

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.439
 to someone

00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:48.519
 and say I need

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.259
 to know more

00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.259
 about what it

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.799
 means to be

00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.759
 reconciled to God.

00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.159
 And perhaps

00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:53.799
 there's some of you

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.939
 today who you

00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.659
 are considering

00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.339
 that choice

00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.759
 and even as

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.339
 you walked in

00:23:58.339 --> 00:23:59.439
 today you

00:23:59.439 --> 00:23:59.919
 found yourself

00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.199
 saying I don't

00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:01.740
 know God

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.859
 I feel you

00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.439
 working on my

00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.399
 life but I'm

00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:06.359
 not ready to

00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.459
 submit to you

00:24:07.459 --> 00:24:08.659
 and receive that

00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.559
 reconciliation that

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.079
 peace that you

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.599
 have to offer.

00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.740
 Consider today

00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.059
 today is the

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.379
 day to fully

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.000
 submit yourself

00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.279
 to God so

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.919
 that you can

00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:19.079
 experience that

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.679
 reconciliation that

00:24:20.679 --> 00:24:21.899
 peace with God.

00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:26.380
 during our

00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.100
 service each

00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:28.720
 week we have

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.340
 a time of

00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:30.040
 a passing of

00:24:30.040 --> 00:24:30.440
 the peace.

00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.000
 And so during

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.440
 our service we

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.120
 have a time

00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.340
 where we are

00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.840
 able to take

00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:38.120
 the peace that

00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:38.800
 we have received

00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:39.840
 with God.

00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.680
 So through

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.420
 Jesus we have

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.220
 peace with God

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.300
 and we are able

00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:44.660
 then to extend

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:46.200
 that peace to

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:46.940
 those within our

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.340
 community.

00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.560
 As we think of

00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:51.540
 that ability to

00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.099
 extend peace on

00:24:53.099 --> 00:24:54.259
 a horizontal level

00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.599
 as a result of

00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.220
 the peace that we

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:56.940
 have vertically

00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.680
 as we look up

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.159
 towards God.

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.440
 I am reminded of

00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.339
 the world of

00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.180
 which we live in

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:04.440
 which is a world

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.899
 without peace.

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.500
 It doesn't take

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:11.240
 much information

00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:14.700
 searching to find

00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.319
 the results of

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.920
 nationalism,

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.819
 ethnic cleansing,

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.899
 religious wars,

00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.039
 political vitriol,

00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:21.519
 racial injustices,

00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:23.500
 mass killings.

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.700
 Each of these

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.240
 things is a

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.119
 reminder to us

00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:28.379
 of the peace

00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:30.139
 that is lacking

00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:31.039
 in our world.

00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.920
 The deficiency of

00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.619
 peace that we have.

00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.440
 You can't go on

00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.259
 social media

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.519
 without being

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.519
 reminded of the

00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.559
 lack of peace

00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:40.420
 within our world.

00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.319
 So we find

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.259
 ourselves in a

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.879
 world that

00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:45.019
 desperately needs

00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.599
 peace.

00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:45.659
 peace.

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.399
 Even when we

00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.980
 think that in

00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.719
 our homes,

00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.939
 across our land,

00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:52.199
 there's a 50%

00:25:52.199 --> 00:25:53.519
 divorce rate among

00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.199
 people who are

00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:54.500
 married.

00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:56.899
 If we can't manage

00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.819
 peace in our own

00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.179
 homes, imagine how

00:25:59.179 --> 00:26:00.480
 depraved we are of

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.619
 peace once we step

00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.480
 outside of it.

00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.379
 And I will tell you

00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.219
 that in a world

00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:06.139
 without peace, and we

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.159
 live in a world

00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:09.059
 without peace, we

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.079
 know the answer.

00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:11.159
 The church knows

00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:11.740
 the answer.

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:14.160
 peace will come

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.839
 not through any

00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:15.799
 human institution,

00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.200
 human idea.

00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.200
 And while these

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.339
 institutions and

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.660
 these efforts that

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.240
 are made on the

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.120
 part of people,

00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.140
 they have some

00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.940
 benefit to the

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:27.120
 symptoms of the

00:26:27.120 --> 00:26:28.120
 conflict around us.

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.200
 They do not

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.279
 address the root

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.440
 cause of the

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.539
 conflict around us.

00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.779
 And the root

00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.460
 cause of the

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.279
 conflict around us

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.059
 is that people do

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.640
 not have peace

00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.079
 with God.

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.420
 And if you do

00:26:40.420 --> 00:26:41.180
 not have peace

00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.579
 with God,

00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.279
 there is no way

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:42.700
 that you are able

00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.779
 to extend peace

00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.319
 to others.

00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.900
 Our world suffers

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:50.319
 from a case of

00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.039
 psychological

00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:52.480
 transference, a

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.039
 collective case of

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.740
 transference.

00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:57.220
 We look at the

00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.440
 animosity that we

00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:00.420
 have with God, and

00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.779
 we direct that to

00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.640
 those around us.

00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.259
 So when we look

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.599
 and we see the

00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:06.500
 depraved nature of

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.900
 our world, a world

00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.620
 that so desperately

00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:11.079
 needs peace, the

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.939
 answer comes through

00:27:11.939 --> 00:27:12.279
 Jesus.

00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.299
 The answer comes

00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.339
 with people first

00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.299
 finding peace with

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:16.960
 God above.

00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.879
 And when they have

00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.500
 peace with God

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.799
 above, they are

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.740
 able to extend that

00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.819
 peace to those

00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.419
 around them.

00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.859
 As we think of

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:29.480
 this idea of peace

00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.579
 and being able to

00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:32.339
 extend peace with

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.879
 those next to us,

00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:36.940
 provide a warning.

00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.820
 I want to

00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.020
 provide a warning.

00:27:38.020 --> 00:27:38.420
 It's this, that

00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.540
 many, many churches,

00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:41.900
 many churches cannot

00:27:41.900 --> 00:27:42.840
 maintain internal

00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:43.220
 peace.

00:27:43.760 --> 00:27:44.800
 And if you have been

00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.960
 involved in more than

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.080
 a handful of churches,

00:27:47.300 --> 00:27:48.420
 you have probably

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:50.040
 experienced churches

00:27:50.040 --> 00:27:51.980
 that do not have

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.700
 peace within their

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.500
 own group.

00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:56.440
 And I will tell you

00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.519
 this, it is

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:59.119
 impossible for a

00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:00.619
 church to share

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.799
 the peace that

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:02.579
 comes through Jesus

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:04.099
 Christ if they

00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.279
 themselves cannot

00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:06.220
 experience the peace

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.960
 within their own

00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.359
 community.

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.259
 So as we think of

00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.819
 our church, as we

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.400
 think of Trinity

00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:16.140
 Cambridge, let us

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.359
 protect the peace

00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.099
 that we have.

00:28:18.099 --> 00:28:24.559
 As we continue

00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.159
 on our past, we

00:28:25.159 --> 00:28:25.899
 come to the third

00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:27.500
 section, which is

00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.179
 the future, that

00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:28.759
 which we have to

00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:28.980
 come.

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.319
 And the future is

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.219
 our ongoing

00:28:31.219 --> 00:28:32.879
 spiritual temple.

00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:36.299
 And in verse 18,

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.639
 what we have is a

00:28:38.639 --> 00:28:40.219
 great example of the

00:28:40.219 --> 00:28:41.339
 Trinity being brought

00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:41.659
 together.

00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.219
 And so before we

00:28:43.219 --> 00:28:43.879
 read verse 18,

00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:45.779
 provide just a bit of

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.459
 background knowledge

00:28:46.459 --> 00:28:46.859
 for us.

00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:49.819
 So the Trinity is a

00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:52.000
 term that is not

00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.179
 found in the Bible.

00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.619
 The term itself is

00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.519
 not found in the

00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.719
 Bible.

00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:58.199
 But the doctrine to

00:28:58.199 --> 00:28:59.500
 which it reflects is

00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.519
 clearly taught.

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:01.879
 And so when we come

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.819
 to the idea of

00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.319
 Trinity, it's a very

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.839
 Christian word.

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.899
 But when you go to

00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.559
 look for your Bible,

00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.419
 you wouldn't find it.

00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.399
 But once again, the

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.279
 doctrine is clearly

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.479
 there.

00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.240
 And the doctrine is

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.500
 this.

00:29:13.500 --> 00:29:15.319
 It is that God is

00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.759
 three and one.

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.519
 So there is three

00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.839
 persons to God, the

00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:21.240
 Father, Son, and

00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.179
 Spirit, the Son being

00:29:22.179 --> 00:29:22.500
 Jesus.

00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.679
 And the Father, Son,

00:29:24.719 --> 00:29:25.759
 and Spirit make one

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.079
 God.

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:28.359
 They are distinct, yet

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.740
 the same.

00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:31.339
 And when we come to

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.879
 this doctrine, it

00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:33.899
 could be like, well,

00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:34.979
 that's confusing.

00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:37.199
 Well, you know, it's

00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:37.879
 probably a good thing

00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:39.459
 for us that aspects of

00:29:39.459 --> 00:29:39.979
 God are a bit

00:29:39.979 --> 00:29:40.399
 confusing.

00:29:40.719 --> 00:29:42.319
 Otherwise, God would be

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.139
 a lot like us.

00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.420
 And we don't want a

00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:45.259
 God that's a lot like

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.500
 us.

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.940
 We want a God that's a

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:47.500
 little bit more

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.620
 complicated than we are.

00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.540
 So when we come to

00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.480
 the Trinity, we're

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.500
 reminded that there's

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.759
 things about God that

00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.880
 we just can't quite

00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.460
 understand.

00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.940
 And that's a good

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.180
 thing.

00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.460
 And I mention the

00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:59.120
 Trinity because in this

00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.940
 passage here in verse

00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:01.080
 18, we are going to

00:30:01.080 --> 00:30:03.160
 find all three persons

00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:03.759
 of the Trinity

00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.080
 mentioned.

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.680
 And so it's nice to

00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.420
 find a spot in the

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.200
 scripture where you'll

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.360
 see all three persons

00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.120
 mentioned together.

00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:11.719
 Let me read verse 18

00:30:11.719 --> 00:30:12.339
 for us.

00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:14.119
 For through him, that's

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.839
 through Jesus, for

00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:16.539
 through him, we both

00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:18.539
 have access in one

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:20.799
 spirit to the Father.

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.919
 And so there we have

00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:24.639
 the Son mentioned

00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.019
 Jesus.

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:28.519
 We have access in one

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:30.459
 spirit to the Father.

00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.399
 As we see those

00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:36.939
 together, if you're like

00:30:36.939 --> 00:30:38.379
 me, I prefer kind of

00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.660
 images to be able to

00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.160
 work with.

00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.720
 And so images will

00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.800
 help me better

00:30:42.800 --> 00:30:44.400
 understand this idea

00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.180
 of the Trinity.

00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:47.900
 And so the Bible also

00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.840
 in another portion

00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:50.320
 provides a great image

00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:50.980
 of the Trinity.

00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.940
 And that comes in the

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.180
 baptism of Jesus.

00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:57.140
 And so we find this is

00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:58.260
 recorded in Matthew

00:30:58.260 --> 00:30:59.240
 chapter 3.

00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.840
 So in the baptism of

00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:02.540
 Jesus, Jesus as he's

00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.960
 being baptized comes out

00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:04.420
 of the water.

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.460
 And we're told that the

00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:08.260
 spirit descended on

00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.980
 him like a dove.

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.019
 And then there is a

00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.240
 voice from heaven, the

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.000
 voice of the Father,

00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.960
 that says, this is my

00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.319
 Son, whom I love.

00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:19.059
 With him I am well

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.480
 pleased.

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:23.319
 So we have that idea of

00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.180
 the Trinity being

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.119
 presented here.

00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.940
 And once again, it's

00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.420
 hard to understand, but

00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.119
 that's a good thing.

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.879
 Because our God is a big

00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.279
 God.

00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:34.160
 As we continue on our

00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:35.899
 passage, we're going to

00:31:35.899 --> 00:31:39.119
 see that the Gentiles are

00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.759
 fellow citizens with the

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:40.980
 saints.

00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.619
 I want to read verse 19

00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:42.960
 for you.

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:45.680
 So then you are no longer

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:47.680
 strangers and aliens, but

00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.139
 you are fellow citizens with

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.920
 the saints and members of

00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:51.899
 the household of God.

00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:54.680
 Gentiles have equal status

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.379
 with Jews.

00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:55.420
 Jews.

00:31:56.660 --> 00:31:58.000
 So as we come, we see

00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:02.440
 that the Gentiles have peace

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:04.040
 with God through Jesus.

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.020
 And now they're able to

00:32:05.020 --> 00:32:06.560
 extend that peace with

00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:08.820
 also the Jewish followers on

00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:10.100
 that horizontal level.

00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:13.939
 And as the passage continues

00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:15.779
 on, it comes to this idea

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:17.419
 of a re-envisioned temple.

00:32:18.419 --> 00:32:20.539
 And the passage speaks of a

00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:23.480
 figurative temple that will

00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:26.439
 include both Jews and

00:32:26.439 --> 00:32:27.000
 Gentiles.

00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:31.419
 And there in the passage, it

00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:33.039
 describes this temple being

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.419
 built.

00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:35.019
 And the language that is used

00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:35.959
 there is very much kind of

00:32:35.959 --> 00:32:37.419
 this construction building

00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:37.919
 language.

00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:40.140
 And so I want you to follow

00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.779
 along with me, beginning in

00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.519
 verse 20.

00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:45.480
 And I want you to cue in on

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:47.120
 the construction language, the

00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:48.840
 building language that's taking

00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.920
 place there as it describes

00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:52.039
 this temple being put

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.480
 together.

00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:55.700
 This temple is built on the

00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:58.060
 foundation of the apostles and

00:32:58.060 --> 00:32:58.560
 prophets.

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:02.620
 Christ Jesus himself being the

00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:05.660
 cornerstone, whom the whole

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:09.040
 structure being joined

00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:12.920
 together grows into a holy

00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.259
 temple in the Lord.

00:33:15.080 --> 00:33:17.100
 In him you are also being

00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:20.040
 built together in a dwelling

00:33:20.040 --> 00:33:23.120
 place for God by the Spirit.

00:33:24.800 --> 00:33:27.320
 So as we see this temple, we see

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:29.380
 this temple being put together.

00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:31.720
 But this temple is not yet

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.140
 complete.

00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:34.140
 It is in the process.

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.440
 It is ongoing.

00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:37.040
 This figurative temple that's

00:33:37.040 --> 00:33:38.780
 described here is an ongoing

00:33:38.780 --> 00:33:39.460
 being built.

00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:41.820
 And today, we call that temple

00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:43.020
 the church.

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.900
 And as we think of the church,

00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:51.080
 we know the church is not a

00:33:51.080 --> 00:33:51.340
 building.

00:33:51.780 --> 00:33:53.460
 It's a gathering of people who

00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.700
 collectively follow Jesus.

00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.800
 And when we think of ourselves

00:33:56.800 --> 00:33:58.400
 meeting this morning, we're happy

00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:00.540
 the church is not a building.

00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:02.720
 Because as we are meeting here

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:04.460
 today, we are in a Portuguese

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.339
 social club.

00:34:05.819 --> 00:34:06.559
 But you know what?

00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:08.099
 The church can meet in a

00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:09.559
 Portuguese social club because

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:12.059
 we are a group of people who

00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:13.599
 have joined together that says

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.880
 we're going to follow God.

00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:21.259
 This temple, or the church as we

00:34:21.259 --> 00:34:23.800
 think of it, has a blueprint.

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:26.639
 Here's the blueprint that's

00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:28.420
 described for us here in this

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.739
 passage.

00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:30.599
 The first thing is the

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:32.799
 cornerstone is Jesus.

00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:35.379
 That's where it all is.

00:34:35.979 --> 00:34:37.439
 And as we think of that

00:34:37.439 --> 00:34:38.939
 blueprint of the temple, that's

00:34:38.939 --> 00:34:39.959
 the same blueprint that our

00:34:39.959 --> 00:34:40.779
 church wants to have.

00:34:42.299 --> 00:34:43.500
 That's the same blueprint that

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:45.079
 the church needs to have.

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:47.419
 The cornerstone is Jesus.

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.439
 It all starts there.

00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:50.719
 If we don't build on and around

00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:52.639
 Jesus, then it all falls apart.

00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:56.699
 The foundation is the apostles and

00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:57.159
 prophets.

00:34:58.099 --> 00:34:59.039
 And we can think of that as our

00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.259
 Bible, our scriptures, that

00:35:00.259 --> 00:35:01.539
 read those, what we have for

00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:01.699
 them.

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:05.699
 It is a dwelling place for God by

00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.139
 the Spirit.

00:35:08.319 --> 00:35:11.579
 And in this, you, we, are being

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:13.239
 built together.

00:35:13.239 --> 00:35:19.019
 The key point for us today is that

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:21.599
 the church is a group of people who

00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:23.459
 are being built together.

00:35:23.939 --> 00:35:25.219
 The cornerstone is Jesus.

00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:27.239
 We have the apostles and the

00:35:27.239 --> 00:35:28.419
 prophets, which are the foundation.

00:35:28.979 --> 00:35:30.319
 We have the Spirit that's work

00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:30.959
 among us.

00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:34.099
 But it is the people from all

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.759
 nationalities, from all backgrounds,

00:35:35.939 --> 00:35:39.119
 who are being put together, built

00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:39.699
 together.

00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:44.239
 As we think of this idea of being

00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:46.359
 built together, something I want to

00:35:46.359 --> 00:35:48.939
 remind you of, and it's this, is that

00:35:48.939 --> 00:35:50.460
 church membership is important.

00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:52.619
 Church membership is important.

00:35:52.799 --> 00:35:54.279
 Because in church membership, that's

00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:56.019
 our decision to say we're in it

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:56.539
 together.

00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:58.579
 We are going to be built together.

00:36:00.379 --> 00:36:03.239
 Now, I must be honest with you, in

00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:05.859
 being around people, in being in

00:36:05.859 --> 00:36:09.019
 churches, one of the things that I've

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:11.699
 discovered that, that's in the

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:13.860
 Christian community, I wouldn't say

00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:15.039
 the church, but in the Christian

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.920
 community is this, is what I would

00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:18.719
 describe as the churchless

00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:19.179
 Christian.

00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:21.059
 I don't really think there's such

00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.219
 thing as a churchless Christian.

00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:24.219
 Like, it doesn't, that doesn't make

00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.579
 any sense.

00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.800
 It's a nonsense term.

00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:28.900
 But there are people who try to live

00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:31.360
 the life of the churchless Christian.

00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:33.239
 And here, here, here are the things

00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.420
 that we hear from the churchless

00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:34.739
 Christian.

00:36:34.739 --> 00:36:37.959
 I can listen to a sermon on a

00:36:37.959 --> 00:36:40.159
 podcast and just get the same thing

00:36:40.159 --> 00:36:41.079
 as I do on a Sunday morning.

00:36:42.799 --> 00:36:44.819
 So, obviously, church is more than

00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.699
 listening to a sermon.

00:36:48.959 --> 00:36:52.579
 And, yeah, this doesn't really make

00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.019
 sense, right?

00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:55.039
 As you think, it's about life together.

00:36:55.959 --> 00:36:57.439
 And if you think that listening to a

00:36:57.439 --> 00:36:59.839
 podcast, listening to a sermon online is

00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:01.279
 life together, that's not it, right?

00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.980
 So, that's, that's bad.

00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:05.920
 Here's the other thing that I hear, I

00:37:05.920 --> 00:37:07.000
 hear from the churchless Christian.

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:10.040
 I just can't find a church that fits

00:37:10.040 --> 00:37:10.740
 me.

00:37:11.500 --> 00:37:13.400
 There are some things I'm looking for in

00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:13.840
 the church.

00:37:14.080 --> 00:37:16.019
 I've tried lots of them, but they just,

00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:17.420
 they're not a good fit for me.

00:37:18.160 --> 00:37:19.280
 There's just little things about them.

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:23.820
 And then, then finally, people don't

00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:25.220
 often exactly want to phrase it like

00:37:25.220 --> 00:37:27.160
 this, but they communicate this to you.

00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:28.180
 Here's what, here's, here's one of the

00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:28.340
 things.

00:37:28.600 --> 00:37:29.700
 You know, I've just got so many

00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.500
 weakened commitments.

00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:33.439
 I just can't really, you know,

00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:35.099
 commit to attending church regularly.

00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:36.480
 I've just got so many other things

00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:37.079
 going on.

00:37:38.239 --> 00:37:40.159
 And I will tell you the flaw of the

00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:41.980
 Christian, the flaw of the churchless

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:46.279
 Christian is that it's all about the

00:37:46.279 --> 00:37:47.000
 individual.

00:37:48.359 --> 00:37:50.379
 The churchless Christian wants a church

00:37:50.379 --> 00:37:53.159
 that fits into their schedule, that

00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.399
 matches all their tastes and

00:37:54.399 --> 00:37:54.799
 preferences.

00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:57.239
 They want a church that doesn't

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:58.639
 interfere with their social schedule.

00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:02.139
 They want a church that's me, me, me, me, me.

00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:05.819
 And if it's all about me, we can't be

00:38:05.819 --> 00:38:06.819
 built together.

00:38:08.839 --> 00:38:12.319
 So in Trinity, Cambridge, we strive to be

00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:12.899
 built together.

00:38:13.399 --> 00:38:15.239
 And the way that we do that is through

00:38:15.239 --> 00:38:16.039
 church membership.

00:38:18.000 --> 00:38:20.919
 It's not mystical about church membership.

00:38:21.579 --> 00:38:22.939
 It's not weird or awkward.

00:38:24.279 --> 00:38:25.699
 It's like strange.

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:28.139
 It's just our way of saying we're in it

00:38:28.139 --> 00:38:28.579
 together.

00:38:30.379 --> 00:38:33.879
 It's our way of saying it's not I, it's we.

00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:36.859
 It's not me, it's us.

00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.759
 There's not some sort of kind of group

00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:42.519
 thing where we leave our differences.

00:38:43.779 --> 00:38:45.299
 Within our church membership, we have

00:38:45.299 --> 00:38:47.379
 people who have an array of political

00:38:47.379 --> 00:38:47.739
 beliefs.

00:38:47.839 --> 00:38:48.759
 We have people who have different

00:38:48.759 --> 00:38:51.219
 backgrounds in regards to nationality,

00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.000
 ethnicity.

00:38:52.000 --> 00:38:55.039
 If we were to probe people's ideas on

00:38:55.039 --> 00:38:56.820
 social ideas, we would see different

00:38:56.820 --> 00:38:57.599
 things coming up.

00:38:57.860 --> 00:39:00.519
 We are different in so many respects.

00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:03.780
 But we set aside all those things that

00:39:03.780 --> 00:39:04.619
 would divide us.

00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:06.139
 All those things that the world says

00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:07.159
 should divide us.

00:39:07.780 --> 00:39:08.960
 And we say, you know what?

00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:10.059
 Those are part of me.

00:39:10.260 --> 00:39:11.760
 But I must set those aside for the

00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:12.840
 basis of our church membership.

00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:15.059
 Because my commitment to Jesus Christ

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:16.920
 is superior to all those things.

00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:20.980
 my willingness to follow Jesus is

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:22.900
 greater than whatever ideologies I

00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.099
 hold.

00:39:23.680 --> 00:39:25.539
 And so when we come to our church, we

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:27.180
 say we're joining together as part of

00:39:27.180 --> 00:39:27.579
 this church.

00:39:27.900 --> 00:39:29.260
 It's that we're saying, you know what?

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:31.119
 We're in it together.

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:34.220
 We are going to be built together.

00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:41.980
 And as we know, living in the culture

00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:44.099
 of this area, living in the culture of

00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:45.639
 Cambridge, or perhaps you're in a

00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:47.759
 surrounding community, the culture of

00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:50.719
 New England, being a Christian and

00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:53.219
 living a committed life is challenging.

00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:56.259
 It is challenging because our culture

00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:57.659
 tries to pull us away.

00:39:58.559 --> 00:40:02.339
 Our culture doesn't respect the idea of

00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:02.699
 church.

00:40:03.879 --> 00:40:04.539
 And that's okay.

00:40:04.759 --> 00:40:05.839
 We know that's the case.

00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:10.539
 But as we think of our culture and its

00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:14.359
 eagerness to absorb us in its ungodly

00:40:14.360 --> 00:40:19.300
 ways, I have the image of a predator and a

00:40:19.300 --> 00:40:19.519
 prey.

00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:23.760
 And we as Christians are the predator.

00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:28.500
 And our culture is the predator that seeks to

00:40:28.500 --> 00:40:29.059
 take us away.

00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:33.079
 And you know what predators do when they come

00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:33.820
 upon the pack?

00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:36.480
 They look for the ones who aren't in it.

00:40:36.940 --> 00:40:38.640
 They look for the ones who've gotten themselves

00:40:38.640 --> 00:40:39.539
 away from the group.

00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:44.480
 And as we think of our church membership, we're

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:46.519
 being built together so that we're together.

00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:47.679
 We're in the group.

00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:51.380
 So when that predator comes to pluck us away, it'll

00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:53.219
 say, oh, they're so tight I can't get in.

00:40:53.699 --> 00:40:55.779
 But if you find yourself veering away from the

00:40:55.779 --> 00:40:58.539
 church, stepping away from the church, that predator

00:40:58.539 --> 00:40:59.579
 will pluck you away.

00:41:01.159 --> 00:41:04.860
 We come, we say, this church membership, what is that

00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:05.220
 about?

00:41:05.940 --> 00:41:07.860
 It's being built together.

00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:10.920
 It's being built together because we say, you know

00:41:10.920 --> 00:41:11.200
 what?

00:41:11.620 --> 00:41:13.039
 Together we can follow Jesus.

00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:16.840
 Together we can set aside our differences because we

00:41:16.840 --> 00:41:17.920
 choose to follow Jesus.

00:41:18.800 --> 00:41:21.059
 And our culture will not pull us away.

00:41:21.519 --> 00:41:23.760
 We will not be pulled away from the faith.

00:41:26.599 --> 00:41:28.099
 Let me close this in prayer this morning.

00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:34.159
 God, we come to you this morning.

00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:39.199
 God, we do ask that you would build us together.

00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:41.759
 That you would build this church together.

00:41:42.199 --> 00:41:45.920
 God, that you would take the individuals, those who are so

00:41:45.920 --> 00:41:48.259
 different here, and build us together.

00:41:48.400 --> 00:41:49.039
 And God, we ask.

00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:51.420
 We ask that you would protect the peace that is here.

00:41:52.360 --> 00:41:54.900
 God, we're thankful for the peace that we have.

00:41:54.900 --> 00:41:58.500
 We're thankful for the love that our church community has.

00:41:59.240 --> 00:42:01.960
 God, we ask that you would protect it and continue to

00:42:01.960 --> 00:42:02.320
 grow it.

00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:04.059
 We ask all of this in your name.

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:04.760
 Amen.