WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:19.820 Good morning. It is an honor and privilege for me to be here representing Mission to the World. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:25.080 And before we hear God's Word, I just want to offer a heartfelt thank you to Southwood 00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:33.479 for supporting Mission to the World missionaries and for your prayers and our joint commitment in seeing the Great Commission go forth to all the world. 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:39.719 Our scripture passage today comes from the book of Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:42.000 I'm sorry, chapter 6. 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:49.340 It's a very familiar passage and I'll be reading from verses 5 through 10, 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:54.359 really focusing on the last two verses of the Lord's Prayer. 00:00:55.079 --> 00:01:02.519 I'm describing the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer, but I wanted to read some of the context as well. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:10.219 So if you have your Bibles, please turn to Matthew 6, verses 5 through 10, or you can see it up on the screen. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:14.180 This is God's very own Word. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:29.060 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:32.360 that they may be seen by others. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:38.200 Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:48.320 But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:52.980 And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:59.560 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:04.040 for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:05.799 Do not be like them. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:10.240 For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:11.759 Pray then like this. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:15.060 Our Father in heaven, 00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:18.599 hallowed be your name. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:21.659 Your kingdom come. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:32.620 May God add His blessings to the reading of His Word. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:36.139 Please join me in a quick prayer before we hear the message. 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:38.800 Lord, we just pray for Your Holy Spirit 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:42.379 to come and to fill our time now, 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:45.519 that You would help us to understand Your Word. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:50.640 And help me, Father, please, to speak faithfully from Your Word. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:52.600 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:02:55.560 --> 00:03:00.100 We were doing our family devotions one night, as we often do, 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:03.879 and it was my turn to pray the Lord's Prayer, 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:06.719 which we do each time we do our devotions. 00:03:08.420 --> 00:03:10.780 And this particular night, I said to myself, 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:16.620 tonight I am going to pray so intentionally every phrase in the Lord's Prayer. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:19.580 I'm not going to just run through it from memory like I normally do. 00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:21.860 I want to think about each word 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:26.620 so that my kids can kind of see a model of this prayer. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:31.180 Well, I got to about the third phrase, and there was a pause. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:34.500 I forgot the next line. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:38.000 The kids started giggling. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.979 I must have been really tired, I think, that night. 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:43.639 And my kids had a field day with me. 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:48.639 Good job, pastor, missionary, coordinator. 00:03:48.759 --> 00:03:50.000 Don't even know the Lord's Prayer. 00:03:53.240 --> 00:03:55.120 I've always thought it was ironic 00:03:55.120 --> 00:04:00.259 how Jesus teaches His disciples not to pray repetitiously. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:06.060 But almost every week, we pray this prayer He's taught us 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.099 very repetitiously, almost mindlessly, religiously. 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:16.000 Well, the passage that we examined, that we read, 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:20.740 comes in the context of Jesus' disciples asking Him how to pray. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:25.519 And after teaching His disciples how not to pray, 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:29.500 Jesus gives this model prayer. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:34.339 But what is presupposed in this prayer 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:38.319 is a completely different way of looking at life 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:42.000 and our relationship with God. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:49.540 You see, Jesus doesn't want us simply to utter this prayer mindlessly, 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:50.720 repetitiously, 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:54.980 but to adopt the worldview, 00:04:56.840 --> 00:04:58.380 the set of values, 00:04:58.500 --> 00:05:01.580 the kingdom perspective that this prayer assumes. 00:05:03.520 --> 00:05:05.400 And you see, it's this perspective 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:08.040 that's almost behind this prayer 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:11.720 that helps shape, 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:12.820 I'm sorry, 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:14.720 helps shape our sense of purpose 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:16.580 and our direction in life. 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:21.439 And it also informs our collective call to world missions. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:23.659 And so today, 00:05:23.779 --> 00:05:25.000 we're going to be looking at 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.579 the first three phrases in this prayer, 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:28.699 the opening address, 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:30.439 Our Father. 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:33.459 And then second, 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:34.899 Hallowed be Your name. 00:05:35.039 --> 00:05:35.639 And finally, 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:38.039 Your kingdom come, 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:40.279 Your will be done on earth 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:41.419 as it is in heaven. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:46.800 Well, what is the first thing that we pray? 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.780 Our Father in heaven. 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:55.180 And what is presupposed is that we have 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:58.139 a relationship with God 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.100 as Father. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:03.460 You see, earlier in this chapter, 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:06.040 Jesus speaks against the hypocrites 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:08.960 who prayed in order to be what? 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:12.019 He'd be seen by men. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:14.719 You see, their problem was 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:17.000 they didn't have a genuine relationship 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:19.120 with God as Father. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:21.680 And even though they were religious, 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:25.439 their religion didn't go beyond 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.000 their culture. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:32.500 They were just acting as if they knew God. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:36.379 And so what we must recognize 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:37.560 before anything else 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:39.780 is the fact that we cannot engage 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:41.300 in any meaningful way 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:43.240 with mission. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.540 Or for that matter, 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:49.560 have any lasting peace or joy 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:51.259 in our hearts 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.040 unless 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:54.959 we have a relationship with God 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:55.840 as our Father. 00:06:58.660 --> 00:07:00.240 You see, much of the striving 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:02.779 that we experience in life, 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:05.040 whether we are conscious of it or not, 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:08.580 is really a striving to reconnect 00:07:08.580 --> 00:07:10.520 with the One who has made us, 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:12.260 the One who has created us. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.900 And so this prayer assumes 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:16.620 that we have a relationship 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.700 with God as our Father. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.480 But maybe there are some 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:27.840 here today 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:31.279 who do not yet know God 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:33.159 as their Father. 00:07:34.799 --> 00:07:36.439 And I'm speaking particularly 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.060 to the young people 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:39.079 here in the church 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:42.159 because you see, 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:44.259 having a genuine relationship 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.959 with God as Father 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:46.839 is different from 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:48.679 just growing up in the church. 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:51.719 It's different from just 00:07:51.719 --> 00:07:53.079 knowing the right answers 00:07:53.079 --> 00:07:55.060 to your Sunday school questions 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:58.439 or even saying 00:07:58.439 --> 00:07:59.379 the sinner's prayer. 00:08:01.979 --> 00:08:03.079 Having a genuine relationship 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.099 with God as your Father 00:08:05.099 --> 00:08:06.719 is only possible 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:08.039 by the Holy Spirit 00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:09.099 changing us 00:08:09.099 --> 00:08:10.579 from the inside out. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:12.959 It's a spirit 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:13.919 that convicts you 00:08:13.919 --> 00:08:14.860 of your sins, 00:08:15.539 --> 00:08:17.959 leads us to repentance 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:18.839 and faith, 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:20.879 helps make sense 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:21.480 of the Bible. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:23.959 And it fills us 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.079 with the fruit 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:25.899 of the Spirit, 00:08:26.019 --> 00:08:26.560 with love, 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:27.439 with joy, 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.139 with peace, 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:29.759 patience, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.300 kindness, 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:31.060 goodness, 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:32.939 faithfulness, 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:33.939 gentleness, 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:36.059 and self-control. 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.059 It is the Spirit 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:41.000 that guides us 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:41.860 and comforts us 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:42.460 in life 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.820 and adopts us 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:44.919 as the children of God 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:45.620 and enables us 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:46.700 to cry out to God, 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:47.019 what? 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:48.879 Abba. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.000 Father. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:50.960 Father. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.960 So do you know 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.419 the Father? 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.120 One of Ernest Hemingway's 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:03.080 short stories 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:03.939 tells of this 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:05.100 Spanish father 00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:06.779 who decided 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.460 to reconcile 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:09.439 with his son. 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:11.559 Son had run away 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:12.419 to the big city 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:13.039 of Madrid 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.759 and the father 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.639 wanting to reconcile 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:17.740 with his son, 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:18.519 remorseful, 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:21.480 took out an ad 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:23.879 in the El Liberal 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.740 newspaper 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:26.700 hoping that his son 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:27.680 who had run away 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.680 to Madrid 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:29.659 would read the paper 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:30.799 and understand 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.220 his heart. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:33.759 And so he took out 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.340 this ad 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:35.019 in this paper 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:36.220 and he wrote 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.480 Paco, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.220 that was his son's name, 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:42.139 meet me at 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:43.200 Hotel Montagna 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:44.200 noon Tuesday. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:54.120 Paco is a common name 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:54.720 in Spain 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.300 and so when the father 00:09:57.300 --> 00:09:58.320 went to the square 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:00.120 he found 800 young men 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:01.820 named Paco 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:04.300 waiting to be reconciled 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:05.960 with their father. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:10.660 Hemingway strikes 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:11.560 a chord in our hearts 00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.440 with this story. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:13.840 What child doesn't 00:10:13.840 --> 00:10:15.019 want to be reconciled 00:10:15.019 --> 00:10:16.480 with his father? 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.500 What child does not 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:20.280 want to be in good 00:10:20.280 --> 00:10:20.720 fellowship 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:22.360 with his father? 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:25.680 Now if this is true 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:26.900 with our earthly fathers, 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:27.860 how much more 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:28.480 is it true 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:30.040 with our heavenly father? 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.440 The Gospel of John 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.160 tells us 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:35.759 that all who receive Jesus, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.699 those who believe 00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:39.419 in his name, 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:40.600 call upon his name, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.120 will be given 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:42.159 the right to be called 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:44.879 the children of God. 00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:47.059 You see, 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:48.039 all of our prayers, 00:10:48.199 --> 00:10:49.079 all of our religion 00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:49.879 is worthless 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.139 if we do not have 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:52.339 a genuine relationship 00:10:52.339 --> 00:10:53.240 with God. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.579 And so if you have 00:10:54.579 --> 00:10:55.839 not yet received 00:10:55.839 --> 00:10:56.459 Jesus 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.500 or called upon 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:58.279 his name 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:00.819 for the forgiveness 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.819 of your sins, 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:04.060 do not wait 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:04.700 another day, 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:05.340 don't wait 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.060 another minute. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:08.260 Turn to him 00:11:08.260 --> 00:11:09.060 in faith 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:10.000 and repentance. 00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:12.320 Our father 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.420 calls to us 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:14.220 to come to him 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.220 and he writes 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:17.240 to us in the Gospel, 00:11:17.420 --> 00:11:18.220 all is forgiven. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:20.480 Love, Papa. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:26.379 Now the second phrase 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:28.180 assumes that our life purpose 00:11:28.180 --> 00:11:29.100 is not to hallow 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:29.940 our name 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:31.720 but to hallow 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:32.720 God's name. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.700 It's not about 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:35.639 our reputation, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.360 it's about 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.519 his reputation. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.279 It's not about 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:40.100 our glory, 00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:40.860 it's about 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.340 his glory. 00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:45.220 You see, 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:45.899 the Pharisees 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:46.539 and scribes 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:47.320 prayed in order 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:47.940 to be what? 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:50.760 to be seen 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:51.340 by men. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:53.380 What does this mean? 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:54.760 It means that 00:11:54.760 --> 00:11:55.320 they were more 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.120 concerned about 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:56.840 their own 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:58.340 reputation, 00:11:58.580 --> 00:11:59.920 their own name. 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:01.680 They wanted others 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:02.420 to speak well 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:02.680 of them 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.120 or to 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.680 hallow 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.660 their name. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.880 Jesus tells us 00:12:07.880 --> 00:12:08.740 that our orientation 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.500 in life 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.380 as the children 00:12:10.380 --> 00:12:11.040 of God 00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:12.500 is not to 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.380 hallow our name 00:12:13.380 --> 00:12:14.100 but to hallow 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.760 his. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:19.419 And so we exist 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.200 to honor, 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.139 to glorify, 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:21.720 to build up 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.120 the name 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.740 of our God 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:23.319 rather than 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:23.879 our own. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.000 But you see, 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.720 it's much harder 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:29.379 than it sounds. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.439 This past January 00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:33.379 there was a 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.539 Mission to the World 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:35.480 mission conference 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:37.159 on the west coast 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:38.200 in the sunny city 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:39.019 of San Diego. 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.840 It was a very special, 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:42.779 it still is, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.899 very special city 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.779 to me 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:46.259 and to my wife. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.319 We used to live 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:47.959 in San Diego 00:12:47.959 --> 00:12:48.919 for several years. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.559 It's where I went 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.299 to seminary, 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.179 where I served 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.139 in the presbytery, 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:55.639 where my wife 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.740 went to medical school, 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:58.000 where we had friends. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.340 And so I thought 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.360 finally I get to go 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:00.959 to a place 00:13:00.959 --> 00:13:01.419 where people 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:02.279 will know my 00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:04.120 name. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.159 I was one of the 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.159 speakers in the conference 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:07.980 and so I go 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:09.100 to register 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:10.340 and I 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.039 come to the desk 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.439 and they say, 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:12.620 well, 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:13.259 what's your name? 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:13.539 I said, 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:13.700 well, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:14.819 my name's Lloyd Kim. 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:17.139 Surely expecting 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.279 they would recognize 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:19.840 at least that I was 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:20.360 a speaker 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:20.939 and they said, 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.159 oh, 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:21.639 okay, 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:21.899 here, 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.539 here's your packet. 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:26.360 I was so offended. 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:29.580 During that conference, 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:30.159 the worship, 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.000 guest worship leader 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.200 came down 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:34.379 and he did a great job 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:34.799 and I said, 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.179 you know what, 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:35.879 I just really wanted 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.620 to thank you. 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.559 Just did an amazing job. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:38.899 And he said, 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.100 well, 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:39.860 thank you 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:41.360 and tell me again, 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.299 what's your role 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:42.759 around here? 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.059 I said, 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:44.240 well, 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.639 I'm kind of a speaker 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:46.000 and, 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:46.779 you know, 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:47.799 coordinate things 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:48.679 with missions of the world. 00:13:50.199 --> 00:13:50.979 Needless to say, 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:52.419 I was also again humbled 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:52.979 by that. 00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:54.500 Finally, 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:55.159 the last day 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:55.740 of the conference, 00:13:55.859 --> 00:13:57.559 I was rushing in. 00:13:57.599 --> 00:13:58.339 I was a little bit late. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.179 I didn't have my 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:00.639 conference tag on 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.259 and as I was going 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:01.979 through the doors, 00:14:02.939 --> 00:14:03.979 someone stopped me 00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:04.299 and said, 00:14:04.359 --> 00:14:05.059 did you register? 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:07.339 They thought I was 00:14:07.339 --> 00:14:08.279 trying to freeload. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:10.959 Needless to say, 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:11.879 God was telling me 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:12.479 something about 00:14:12.479 --> 00:14:13.699 my own preoccupation 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:16.959 with my name. 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:21.179 Jesus teaches us 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:21.639 to pray, 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:23.919 hallowed be your name. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.000 But how often 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.099 do we live out the prayer, 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:29.659 hallowed be my name. 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:34.379 But you see, 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.639 this phrase also has 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.939 a missions thrust. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:40.120 For we are asking God 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.120 that He would make 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:42.980 His name hallowed. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:46.000 The reason that we go, 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:48.079 the reason that we send 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:49.500 people to the nations 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.860 is because the nations 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.899 are not yet 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.659 hallowing 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:55.699 the name of our God. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:58.379 And so, 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:00.120 we pray that those 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.379 who do not yet know 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.640 the name of our God 00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:03.900 from every tribe, 00:15:04.640 --> 00:15:05.879 from every tongue, 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.900 from every nation, 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:09.140 would come to know Him 00:15:09.140 --> 00:15:10.080 as Father 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.340 and would also 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.340 hallow His name. 00:15:18.580 --> 00:15:19.780 The final phrase 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:20.820 we'll discuss today 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:23.040 is, 00:15:23.160 --> 00:15:24.000 your kingdom come. 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.720 Your will be done 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.259 on earth 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.980 as it is in heaven. 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.040 Now, 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.960 what would be the opposite? 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:35.280 My kingdom come, 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:35.759 right? 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:38.080 My will be done. 00:15:41.140 --> 00:15:42.180 This is what Jesus 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.740 was speaking against 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:45.020 when He criticized 00:15:45.020 --> 00:15:46.460 those who would pray 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.320 repetitiously, 00:15:48.520 --> 00:15:49.320 thinking that they would 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.160 be heard 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:52.000 for their many words. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.420 What were these people 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.200 trying to do? 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.140 They're trying 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.440 to manipulate God 00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.160 to give them 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:59.840 what they want, 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.640 to accomplish 00:16:01.640 --> 00:16:02.980 their will 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:04.000 above all else, 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:04.600 thinking they would 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.160 be heard 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:06.280 for their many words. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:07.960 But you see, 00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:08.759 our Lord wants us 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.900 to orient our life 00:16:09.900 --> 00:16:11.120 away from our own 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.100 personal agenda, 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:14.680 our own kingdom, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.220 towards His agenda 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.860 and kingdom. 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:18.960 wisdom. 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.519 This is what it means 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.659 to be a follower 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.259 of Jesus, 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.620 a disciple of Christ. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.779 People have often 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.379 asked me, 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:30.639 Lloyd, 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.519 what is your vision? 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.899 What is your vision 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.399 for mission 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.080 to the world? 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.120 And I often respond, 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.480 pretty simple for me, 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.240 my vision is 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.159 Jesus' vision. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.399 What did Jesus 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.139 want to see? 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.800 What did He preach? 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:48.639 preach, repent for the what? 00:16:49.599 --> 00:16:50.919 The kingdom of God 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.719 is at hand. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.439 How is He teaching us 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.019 to pray? 00:16:55.979 --> 00:16:57.359 Thy kingdom come, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.139 Thy will be done 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.859 on earth 00:16:59.859 --> 00:17:01.500 as it is in heaven. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.979 Jesus' vision was 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:05.240 to see God's rule 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.180 and reign 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.480 fill the earth. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:10.860 He wants to see 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.779 the heavenly kingdom 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.380 come 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:14.240 to the earth. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.720 This isn't just 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.539 a prayer for the 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.140 second coming, 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:18.160 which we certainly 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.799 desire, 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.200 but a prayer for the 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.220 power and the presence 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.740 of God 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.519 to be known 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.420 even today 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.880 here on earth 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.700 as it is in heaven. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.059 And we ask, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.519 well, what does 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.700 this kingdom look like? 00:17:30.900 --> 00:17:31.640 In any kingdom 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.819 you need citizens. 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.640 And so when a person 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.099 repents and believes 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:37.819 in the gospel, 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:39.139 submits himself 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:40.159 to the king, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.419 the kingdom advances. 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:44.259 And when the church 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.559 lives out the ethics 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.519 of the kingdom, 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.519 an ethic of radical 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.359 self-sacrifice, 00:17:52.959 --> 00:17:53.439 surrender, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.639 and submission 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:55.279 to the king, 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:55.899 when the church 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:57.259 lives out this ethic, 00:17:58.659 --> 00:18:00.399 the kingdom of God 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.259 is here. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:07.599 And when those 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.799 from every tribe 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:11.039 and every tongue 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.299 and every nation 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:14.180 worship the Father, 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.420 the kingdom of God 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.099 has come. 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:18.119 This is the vision 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.900 of our Lord 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.160 Jesus Christ. 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.180 Is this our vision? 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.960 Is this Southwood's vision? 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:32.900 After a speaking event, 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.160 a young college student 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.980 came up to me 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:38.360 and she thanked me 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.120 for the message 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.140 and then she went on 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:41.120 to share how 00:18:41.120 --> 00:18:43.440 how her mother 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:44.420 had passed away 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:46.660 just a month before. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.380 She started crying. 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:53.560 She said it was 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.180 an accident, 00:18:54.800 --> 00:18:56.260 something that could 00:18:56.260 --> 00:18:57.040 have been prevented. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.600 And she simply 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.600 couldn't understand 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:02.960 why God would 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.260 take her mother away. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.700 She had, 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.620 this young woman 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.320 had just given 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:09.360 her life to Jesus 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:10.640 several months 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.400 before this. 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:16.580 And then she looked 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.360 at me and she said, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.980 but now, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:18.900 Pastor, 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:19.740 I realize 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:22.660 he wants everything, 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:25.259 even my mother. 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:28.220 And I'm okay with it. 00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:30.960 I looked at her 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.500 and I said, 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.099 your faith 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.019 and your submission 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.359 demonstrates God's 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.380 rule and reign 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.180 in your life. 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.039 It's a picture 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.380 of the kingdom of God. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.519 You have encouraged 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:44.160 and strengthened 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.779 my faith 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.559 more than you know. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:49.879 You see, 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.619 our Lord teaches 00:19:50.619 --> 00:19:51.299 us to pray 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.159 that God's 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.579 will be done 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.279 on earth 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.079 as it is 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.619 in heaven. 00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:58.819 Because in heaven 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.119 there are no tears. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.919 There is no sorrow, 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.639 no sickness, 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.099 no injustice, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:07.659 no corruption, 00:20:08.419 --> 00:20:09.139 no abuse, 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.220 no brokenness, 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.460 no sin, 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.440 and no death. 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:15.360 And so when we pray 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.059 this prayer, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:16.860 we are praying 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:18.160 that Satan's kingdom 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.279 would be destroyed 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.700 and that the gospel 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.880 would go throughout 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:23.620 the world 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.740 and that the church 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.360 would grow 00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:26.380 in grace 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.799 and in holiness 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:31.580 and that Christ's reign 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.620 would indeed extend 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.820 to the ends of the earth 00:20:33.820 --> 00:20:35.259 and that He would return 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.740 in glory. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.359 We pray 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.900 that people 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.180 lost in hopelessness 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.019 would find hope, 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.019 that marriages 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.880 that are broken 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:41.960 would be mended 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.900 by grace, 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:44.019 and that the glory 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.859 of God 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.640 would indeed 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:47.120 fill the earth. 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.120 Beloved, 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:53.279 Jesus teaches us 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:55.019 to pray this way 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.420 because 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:57.660 that's how He prayed. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.259 He says, 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.620 Our Father. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:04.439 He considers us 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:05.000 His brothers 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.799 and His sisters. 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.419 He prays, 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.359 Hallowed be 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.599 Thy name 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:13.939 when His own name 00:21:13.939 --> 00:21:14.739 is mocked 00:21:14.739 --> 00:21:15.859 and ridiculed. 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.659 He prays, 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:19.139 Thy kingdom come, 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.379 Thy will be done, 00:21:21.439 --> 00:21:22.799 and then establishes 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.979 the very kingdom 00:21:23.979 --> 00:21:24.679 by submitting 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:26.279 to the Father's will. 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.619 Remember how He asked 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.139 the Father 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.739 to take 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.400 the bitter cup 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.859 from Him 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.400 in the garden 00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.359 of Gethsemane, 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.880 but then prayed 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.640 with resolution, 00:21:37.900 --> 00:21:38.099 not 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:40.019 My will be done, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.700 but Thine. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.240 What did it mean 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.839 for Jesus 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:48.380 to pray this prayer? 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.319 It meant that 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.940 He would willingly give, 00:21:53.120 --> 00:21:54.460 willingly sacrifice, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.400 and submit 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.200 to the suffering 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.120 and pain 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.920 of the cross. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.279 Jesus gave up 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.800 everything 00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:00.660 for the kingdom, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:04.500 and He calls us 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.380 to do the same. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.500 What are the implications 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:13.160 of this kingdom prayer? 00:22:15.300 --> 00:22:16.580 The implications 00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:17.960 are that we would live 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.000 wholeheartedly 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.759 for the kingdom, 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.960 submitting to our King, 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:26.019 seeking to advance 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:27.059 His will, 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.000 and His name 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.079 above all else. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.759 And you see, 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:31.839 this is where missions 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.799 comes in. 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.519 Our great commission 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.500 mandate to go 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.259 and make disciples 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.359 of all the nations 00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.180 is the means 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:40.180 by which the kingdom 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.139 of God advances. 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:42.059 And so, 00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:42.920 if we want to see 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.119 this vision of our Lord 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.579 come about, 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.980 we need to take seriously 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:49.420 our mission 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.900 in sending 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:51.660 and supporting 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:53.640 and going 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.420 to the nations 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.620 with the good news 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.160 of the kingdom 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:56.720 of God. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.960 Every dollar given, 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:02.759 every prayer 00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.740 lifted up, 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.040 every person sent 00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:06.279 or project supported 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.340 for missions 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.120 testifies 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.360 that the kingdom 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.240 of God 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.960 is real. 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:12.900 It declares 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.580 to the world 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:14.500 that we submit 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.980 to a living King 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.380 who rules the heavens 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.279 and the earth, 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:19.740 and it bears witness 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.460 that the kingdom 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:20.980 of God 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:21.720 has come 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:25.359 and that we seek 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.099 its advancement 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.000 here on earth. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.720 Can I suggest 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:34.399 maybe some practical 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.399 ways in which 00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:37.259 Southwood might consider 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:39.160 being involved 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.700 in missions? 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.720 It was wonderful 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.379 last night 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:42.079 to talk 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.139 with Sarah 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.119 about what the church 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.680 is doing 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.420 in the community. 00:23:46.180 --> 00:23:46.799 And I would say 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:47.819 amen to that. 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:50.240 those who are engaged 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.180 in mission here 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.660 will be the best 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.440 missionaries 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.819 overseas tomorrow. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.899 But one thing 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.660 that has been 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.879 in my mind 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.639 in terms of how 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.440 I might encourage 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.960 the churches 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.920 is to consider 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:04.559 tithing your members. 00:24:06.420 --> 00:24:06.879 Oftentimes, 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.920 churches give a tithe 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.720 to missions, 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.639 but very infrequently 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.379 would they think 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.539 of actually tithing 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.059 their members. 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.220 And what I mean 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.720 by that is 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.640 to have as a goal 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:20.019 as a church 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.660 to send 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.799 10% 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:24.100 of your congregation 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:25.019 to long-term 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.799 foreign missions. 00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:27.819 If you have 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.900 500 adults, 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.160 consider sending 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.700 50, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.960 25 unit, 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:33.100 25 families. 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.779 What does this mean 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.339 practically? 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.299 Instead of waiting 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.740 for the one 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.660 or two odd members 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:41.019 who feel a personal 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.880 call to missions, 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.920 the church actually 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.579 encourages, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.299 challenges, 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.380 and prepares members 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:45.940 to go. 00:24:46.760 --> 00:24:47.860 If the mission field 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:48.560 says we need 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.520 three families 00:24:49.520 --> 00:24:50.260 to start a new 00:24:50.260 --> 00:24:51.160 church planting work 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.840 in Myanmar, 00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:54.140 then the church 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:55.420 begins asking people 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.260 in the congregation 00:24:56.260 --> 00:24:57.120 to prepare. 00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.500 For those of you 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.180 who are parents, 00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:01.480 if you have three kids, 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:01.800 you know, 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.580 send one of them. 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.640 And don't send 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.540 the one you don't like. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.760 That goes for the 00:25:08.760 --> 00:25:09.800 church leadership too. 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:10.440 Don't send us 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.260 the troublemakers. 00:25:12.260 --> 00:25:13.260 Send your best. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.180 Send your elders, 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.039 your deacons, 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.279 your pastors, 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.259 your best evangelists, 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.220 your best disciples. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.180 Send them and see 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.200 how God will bless 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.819 this church. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.579 Maybe you're thinking, 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.799 we can't afford 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.359 to give away 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.279 our people to missions. 00:25:30.579 --> 00:25:31.400 We need every soul 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.240 to make this church 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.119 healthy and strong. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.279 Here's the thing, 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.640 beloved. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.539 You can't out-give God. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.980 I've seen it again 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.440 and again. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:42.660 I have a friend 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.660 who's a church planter 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:44.740 in Northern California. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.559 He was struggling. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.820 The church was barely 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:49.160 able to support him. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.420 But one of his members 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:50.640 says, 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.340 I want to go. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.380 And he wrestled 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.900 with it for over a year 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:56.080 but finally he said, 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:57.380 I can't keep you back 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.580 and let that family go. 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.279 And guess what God 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:01.279 did right after that? 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.759 Flooded that church 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.440 with new people. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.559 Another church 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.759 in Southern California 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:09.779 sent their pastor 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.839 to missions. 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.660 After he left, 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.900 the church grew even more. 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.400 It wasn't because 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.420 he was a bad pastor. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.839 Afterward, 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.500 the church sent an elder 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.039 and the church 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.900 grew even more. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.839 And finally, 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:25.059 they sent another elder 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.660 and the church 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:27.000 grew even still 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.579 and then people 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.660 didn't want to become 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:29.680 elders at the church 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:31.299 because they thought 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.440 if they became an elder 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.259 they would have to go 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.900 to missions. 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.060 missions. 00:26:38.800 --> 00:26:39.620 But of course 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.460 there is another way 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.200 to participate 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:44.660 and that is to go. 00:26:47.040 --> 00:26:48.259 Have you ever asked 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.720 if the Lord 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.720 is calling you 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:51.820 and your family 00:26:51.820 --> 00:26:52.360 to go 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.640 and invest your life 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.700 in making disciples 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:57.240 among the nations? 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:00.660 You see, 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.000 Jesus, 00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:02.080 he's entrusted us 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:02.800 with the gospel. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.880 And he gives us 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:07.140 authority and power 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.800 to proclaim 00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.840 the good news 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.640 of the kingdom. 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.880 It's not about us. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.040 And he gives us 00:27:13.040 --> 00:27:13.660 his spirit 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.560 which enables us 00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.259 to go forward 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.060 with confidence 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:17.680 and if you are afraid, 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.019 beloved, 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.060 his perfect love 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:20.780 casts out all fear. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.980 Your life 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.900 will never be the same. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.960 And so let me ask you, 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:28.540 Southwood, 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:30.720 what is your vision? 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:34.380 may our collective vision 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.680 be that the nations 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.460 would call upon God 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.220 as their father 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:41.539 and that the nations 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.620 would hallow 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:44.059 his name 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.380 and that indeed 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:46.140 his kingdom 00:27:46.140 --> 00:27:46.920 will come 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:49.180 and his will 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.799 be done 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.700 here on earth 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:53.059 as it is in heaven. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.620 Amen? 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.460 Let's pray. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:28:00.039 Father, 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.779 as we pray 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.500 this prayer 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.059 week in 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.720 and week out, 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:05.539 remind us 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:08.279 of the kingdom 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.200 perspective 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.700 that this prayer 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.360 assumes. 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.120 Help us, 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:13.400 Father, 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.440 be a people, 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.480 your people, 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.680 your citizens 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:18.340 living in the kingdom 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:19.180 here on earth, 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:21.039 testifying to the kingdom 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.480 in our decisions, 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.059 our relationships, 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.899 all that we do 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:26.339 and say. 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.619 May Southwood 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:30.680 be a church 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:32.200 that truly seeks 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:33.359 your kingdom first. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.500 Amen. 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:33.859 Amen.