WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.720 Well, good morning, church. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:06.520 Our sermon text this morning is Genesis chapter 11. 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:11.480 Starting in verse 10, we're going to go through chapter 12, verse 4. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:17.839 That is page 8 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there. 00:00:19.260 --> 00:00:23.379 If you're new to the Bible, the big numbers are the chapter numbers. 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:25.100 The small numbers are the verse numbers. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.700 We're going to pick up our reading about halfway through our total sermon text this morning. 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:32.439 In chapter 11, verse 27. 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:37.060 Let me pray as we come to God's word. 00:00:40.260 --> 00:00:41.280 Speak, O Lord. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:43.980 Build your church. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:47.659 And fill the earth with your glory. 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:52.040 God, what a powerful prayer that is. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:55.379 Make it our own this morning. 00:00:56.839 --> 00:00:58.719 And make it a reality in our midst. 00:00:59.859 --> 00:01:02.579 Through the grace of Jesus and the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:03.100 Amen. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:06.539 Genesis 11. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:10.140 Picking up in verse 27 through chapter 12, verse 4. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:11.460 Let me read this for us. 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:14.579 Now, these are the generations of Terah. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:17.739 Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:19.579 And Haran fathered Lot. 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:24.939 Haran died in the presence of his father, Terah, and the land of his kindred, and Ur of the Chaldeans. 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:27.259 And Abram and Nahor took wives. 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:29.879 The name of Abram's wife was Sarah. 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:32.019 And the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah. 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:34.700 The daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. 00:01:35.459 --> 00:01:36.400 Now Sarah was barren. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:37.719 She had no child. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:43.379 Terah took Abram, his son, and Lot, the son of Haran, his grandson. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:46.359 And Sarah, his daughter-in-law, his son, Abram's wife. 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:51.000 And they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:54.000 But when they came to Haran, they settled there. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:56.879 The days of Terah were 205 years. 00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.799 And Terah died in Haran. 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:01.920 Now the Lord said to Abram, 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:08.180 Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:11.379 And I will make of you a great nation. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:16.560 And I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:19.259 I will bless those who bless you. 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:20.939 And him who dishonors you I will curse. 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:25.460 And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:29.879 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him. 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.480 And Lot went with him. 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:36.719 Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran. 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:46.439 Well, this morning, we've pretty much come to the end of our sermon series in Genesis 1 through 11. 00:02:47.100 --> 00:02:50.400 But, obviously, we haven't come to the end of the book of Genesis. 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:55.539 Actually, we've come to the critical turning point. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:02.219 And it's not just the critical turning point of the book of Genesis, but really of the whole Old Testament. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:08.120 This is the turning point that will set the course of the rest of redemptive history. 00:03:10.140 --> 00:03:11.000 This is it. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:17.800 This is where the story turns to something special and particular and saving and exciting. 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.600 This is where God's story takes its turn. 00:03:24.380 --> 00:03:30.320 And because of that, this passage is meant to serve as a turning point for our lives, too. 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:38.900 Here is a passage that, if you will hear it, if we will hear it, will turn your whole life around. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:43.220 Set you on a new trajectory and never leave you the same. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:51.860 What happens in Genesis, what happens in the life of Abram, later to be called Abraham, in the history of redemption, it can happen in your life, too. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:54.860 So, what is it? 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:57.120 What is actually going on here? 00:03:57.780 --> 00:04:01.340 Well, there are three pieces to this turning point that I want us to look at today. 00:04:01.579 --> 00:04:04.379 And they're all found in verses 1 through 3 of chapter 12. 00:04:04.379 --> 00:04:10.359 And the first thing that we see is the blessing that we all need. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:13.419 The blessing we all need. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:17.459 God calls Abram at the beginning of chapter 12 and says, 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:20.600 I will bless you. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:26.500 And then in verse 3, we see that this blessing is meant to reach all the families of the earth. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:33.339 What is this universal blessing that begins with Abraham and spreads to the ends of the earth? 00:04:35.779 --> 00:04:40.860 Now, in order to understand this blessing, we have to see it in the context of the book of Genesis so far. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:46.540 Because at first glance, it looks like it means nothing more than Abraham having a lot of descendants. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:47.920 I'll make you a great nation. 00:04:48.100 --> 00:04:49.540 And getting a great reputation. 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:51.000 I'll make your name great. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:56.120 Now, for Abraham, this blessing certainly does mean that. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:05:02.340 But the heart of this blessing, this universal blessing for all families of the earth, 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:04.160 it's much deeper than that. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:14.639 After all, material blessing isn't really what we ultimately need. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:16.500 Is it? 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:23.980 Of course, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't seek to sacrificially help others physically, 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:26.160 financially, socially, educationally. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:29.740 All those things are entailed in loving our neighbor as ourself. 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:30.580 They're good things. 00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:31.540 They are important things. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:33.020 They're worthy things. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:38.280 But what do we really need ultimately, eternally? 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:47.399 How many millionaires, though they have no material needs, humanly speaking, aren't really satisfied? 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:55.359 How many movie stars, though everyone recognizes their name and face, aren't really at peace? 00:05:55.360 --> 00:06:08.600 I was just, I've been reading a journal lately of a famous 20th century spiritual writer who spent some missionary time in Latin America. 00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:17.900 And he reflects on the fact that, though here he is in the middle of one of the poorest suburbs of Lima, Peru, ministering among the poor, 00:06:18.340 --> 00:06:20.980 still his heart aches for something more. 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:27.780 Why is it that even our best efforts at philanthropy can still leave our hearts longing? 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:34.439 What makes us think that more money and more approval will cure the deep ache that we feel? 00:06:36.739 --> 00:06:39.979 So what is this blessing, then, here in Genesis 12? 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:45.359 Well, consider with me, then, the context of Genesis. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:50.839 Back in chapter 11, verse 10, we're given another genealogy. 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:54.639 How many genealogies are we going to see in Genesis 1 through 11? 00:06:54.739 --> 00:06:55.619 Not another one. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:58.300 Yes, another genealogy, starting in verse 10. 00:06:58.420 --> 00:07:03.160 This time, from Shem, the son of Noah, down to Abraham, the son of Terah. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:07.220 And from Shem to Abraham is 10 generations. 00:07:08.780 --> 00:07:14.680 Now, if you've been coming to Trinity this fall, that might remind you of another earlier genealogy in Genesis 1 through 11. 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:20.819 In chapter 5, Genesis gives us the genealogy from Adam to Noah. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:26.300 And from Adam to Noah, you guessed it, there are 10 generations. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:33.379 So you start to see that there's a literary shape going on in this early part of Genesis. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:35.060 Think about it. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:37.779 In Genesis 1 through 5, what do we have? 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:44.100 Creation, fall, and then this sort of stretch of 10 generations. 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:47.600 In Genesis 6 through 11, what do we have? 00:07:47.820 --> 00:07:53.760 The flood and its new creation, the fall of Babel, and then 10 generations. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:08:00.740 You see, these 10 generations are a signal that God's redemptive plan is moving forward. 00:08:01.780 --> 00:08:06.460 We're taking a big leap ahead into the next significant event. 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:12.859 Now, what happened after the fall of Genesis 3 and 4 and those 10 generations? 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:15.120 The flood. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.959 Worldwide judgment. 00:08:20.299 --> 00:08:25.219 So what would we expect to happen after the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 in these 10 generations? 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:27.759 Humanity rebelling against God. 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:32.340 Again, seeking their own way and our own ambitions and their own kingdom. 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:35.899 If a flood fell the first time, what's going to come this time? 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:41.080 But this time, it's different. 00:08:42.400 --> 00:08:43.759 A flood doesn't fall. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:48.519 Instead, God makes a promise. 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:51.519 A binding promise. 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:53.780 A covenant with Abraham. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:57.040 I will bless you. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:00.639 Wonder of wonders. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:03.519 When humanity deserves judgment, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:06.600 God speaks a word of blessing. 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:11.039 And as he speaks that word of blessing, 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:15.620 don't you hear an echo of Genesis 1? 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:24.740 The story of God's creation in Genesis 1 resounds with blessing, does it not? 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:27.299 God delighting over his creation. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:28.740 Declaring it all good. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:31.299 Declaring it even very good. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:36.480 From the highest star to the most obscure atom, the whole thing. 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:37.560 Very good. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:41.779 And at the climax of that story of creation in Genesis 1 28, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:44.320 after God creates humanity in his own image, 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:45.180 the text says, 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:47.599 God blessed them. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:55.659 Now, we don't use this language of blessing much in our day and age, in our culture. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:57.219 Do we? 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:58.859 Sounds kind of weird, doesn't it? 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:00.659 I bless you, my son. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:02.399 I bless you, my daughter. 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:03.739 That's a strange language for us. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:04.239 I get it. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:10.600 But you know, we know the feeling when we get it, don't we? 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:16.700 Like a father or a mother who takes their child up in their arms and says, 00:10:16.919 --> 00:10:19.399 you, I love you. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:24.220 And I know you'll do great things and I will be with you every step of the way. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:24.840 It's you. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.039 Deep down in our bones, we know what it means to be blessed, 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:36.579 to be accepted, to be approved, to find favor in someone's eyes. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:41.259 Yes, we know it, even if we don't use this language for it. 00:10:41.579 --> 00:10:47.120 But perhaps we know it most, tragically, by its absence. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:53.360 Those deep wounds of rejection, of abandonment, 00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:58.919 we know at our gut level what blessing means because so often we don't have it. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:05.319 But deeper under those human rejections and abandonments, 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:10.299 even deeper still, the heart knows that divine blessing, 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.779 that peace with God intended in creation, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.839 that creational, divine blessing. 00:11:19.459 --> 00:11:22.500 Deep down we know it's been lost. 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:28.179 That we're actually out of joint with our creator, 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:30.519 that we're alienated from our true home. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:36.599 And again, is this not the story that we've been reading in Genesis? 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:39.120 Is this not the history of everyone and everything? 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:41.559 Creation begins in blessing, 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.539 but humans rebel against God, 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.899 reject God as God, 00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:46.559 and the result is curse. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.980 Genesis 3 tells the whole story. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:53.539 Genesis 4 describes the fallout. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:55.539 And the rest of human history, 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:56.000 and the rest of human history, friends, 00:11:56.079 --> 00:12:01.139 is the sad tale of creatures seeking some sort of remedy 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:06.699 for that lost blessing in created things rather than their creator. 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:11.639 Why doesn't the money satisfy? 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:14.179 Why doesn't the fame bring peace? 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:16.980 Because the real blessing you're longing for 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:19.579 isn't from a creature or a created thing. 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:23.560 You were made to have the blessing of your maker. 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:29.340 When God says to Abram, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.420 I'll bless those who bless you, 00:12:31.520 --> 00:12:32.879 and those who dishonor you, 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.720 I will curse. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:36.840 He's not just saying that the status of the nations 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:39.080 will be determined by their relationship to Abram. 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.500 But more than that, 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:42.860 God is promising in those words 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:46.140 to be Abram's defender and shield. 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:49.480 To be closer than a brother, 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.000 to be jealous over Abram like a lover. 00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:54.879 That's what these words are talking about. 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:58.819 The quality of the Lord's relationship with Abram now. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.279 And that's the blessing we need. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.819 To be right with God. 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:06.059 To have God no longer as our judge, 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.159 but as our friend. 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:16.159 But how in the world can God bless sinners 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.139 who deserve his curse? 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.439 This is the great problem, 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:24.139 the great question 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:27.459 that hangs pregnant over the entire Old Testament. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:32.240 In Genesis 6, after 10 generations, 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.419 it was a flood that fell, 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.779 and only a few were saved. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:37.159 In Genesis 12, 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.439 after the 10 generations, 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.659 we expect some sort of judgment, 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:42.159 but the flood doesn't fall. 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:46.659 On what basis does this blessing to Abram 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:49.179 for all families of the earth come to us? 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:54.860 And the answer to that question wouldn't come 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:58.819 for almost 1,500 years after Abram. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:14:03.640 The curse humanity deserved, 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.000 that you and I deserved, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.120 would actually fall like a flood, 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:10.500 but it would fall on another. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:15.780 It would fall on the true offspring of Abraham, 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:18.700 on the child born into Abram's family 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:20.680 who would take up our humanity 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:23.500 and live a life in perfect acceptance 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.860 with his heavenly father. 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:29.060 He would be utterly blessed. 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.560 God would say over him, 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.440 this is my beloved son 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:36.240 in whom I'm well pleased. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:39.480 And then at 30 years of age, 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.919 after walking in perfect, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.519 blessed fellowship with his father, 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:46.019 Jesus would go willingly to a cross 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:48.000 and become a curse for us. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:51.419 And all the wretchedness of sin 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:53.659 and all the dark intentions 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:56.100 and malicious thoughts of our hearts, 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:58.960 Jesus Christ would bear all of it. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.159 The Old Testament law said, 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:06.879 cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:09.320 And in the first century, 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:11.820 there was no greater expression of that 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:13.559 than a Roman cross. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:17.719 As the victims hung naked 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:22.099 and shamed and bleeding and mocked, 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.799 the pain of crucifixion was only matched 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:29.879 by the public humiliation and shame of it. 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:33.979 You see, the Romans saved crucifixion 00:15:33.979 --> 00:15:36.559 for the social nobodies. 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:41.179 This was the way the empire disposed of its trash. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:49.239 And there, God incarnate hung. 00:15:54.239 --> 00:15:57.239 The flood of human depravity 00:15:57.239 --> 00:16:02.019 and the curse of sin poured upon him. 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.259 Why? 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:11.319 So that the blessing you and I were created to have 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:13.019 could be ours once more. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:17.700 In love, Christ became a curse 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:20.439 so that a blessing might come to all nations, 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:21.159 to you and me. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.919 That's what Paul was getting on about 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:24.319 in that passage we read earlier. 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:28.299 The perfect blessed one 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:30.700 stands in our place of the curse 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:32.399 so that we, the cursed ones, 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.360 could receive a blessing. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:38.899 What wonderful good news. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:43.399 Consider then, friends, 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:46.000 that you cannot earn this blessing of God. 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.639 That's also part of what Paul's talking about 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:50.080 in Galatians 2 that we read earlier. 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:52.820 All who rely on works of the law, 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.200 that is your performance, 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.500 your pedigree, 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:58.539 all who rely on those things 00:16:58.539 --> 00:17:00.360 remain under a curse. 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.319 Could that be why 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.119 the harder we try to get peace 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:07.099 through achievement 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.400 and through approval 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:10.140 and through human relationships, 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.279 the harder we try, 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:13.180 the more peace seems so elusive. 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:17.059 Abram did nothing 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:18.720 to deserve God's blessing. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:23.339 He was just following his dad 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:26.620 on what seemed to be a fool's errand. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:31.100 You can do nothing 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:32.860 to deserve God's blessing. 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:36.180 It's not a reward for hard work done. 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:38.860 It's a gift given through the promise 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:40.440 purchased by Christ. 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:44.539 This blessing that we all need 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.860 is a great equalizer then, 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.320 is it not? 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.220 All of us, 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.000 rich or poor, 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.740 black or white, 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.480 male or female, 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.380 high or low, 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.539 all of us stand as equals 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.500 when it comes to what really matters. 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:57.779 All of us receive God's blessing 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.200 sheerly by grace as a gift. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.559 None can say, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.660 I deserved it. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.519 As one great old hymn puts it, 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:06.620 nothing in my hands I bring, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:09.039 simply to the cross I cling. 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:13.740 And that means we are all alike 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.620 in dignity as well. 00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.380 God took the curse 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:19.980 and promised the blessing 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.559 for all who believe. 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:24.259 Maybe you don't enjoy 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:26.799 many material blessing in this life, 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:29.779 but the Christian has a blessing 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.660 that makes every other blessing 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:33.920 seem like fool's gold in comparison. 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:36.680 The acceptance of God, 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:39.080 an inheritance in his kingdom, 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:42.039 the dignity of a child of God. 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:45.240 Each and every one of you 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:47.199 in Christ. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.579 So this turning point, 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.539 first, is about the blessing 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.899 we all need. 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:00.259 Second, it's about the departure 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.159 we must take. 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:06.759 God's blessing comes to Abram 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.700 through sheer grace, 00:19:08.100 --> 00:19:08.960 but in response, 00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.160 the Lord tells Abram 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.300 to go. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.240 Notice how verse one 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:15.380 moves from the general 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:16.140 to the specific. 00:19:16.800 --> 00:19:17.740 Go from your country, 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.740 your kindred, 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.920 and even your father's house 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.600 to the land that I will show you. 00:19:23.860 --> 00:19:25.320 And the great question here is, 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:27.960 will Abram believe God's promise 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.759 and go? 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:31.259 Now, don't think 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.740 that this was an easy decision 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.279 for Abram. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.099 Look at the text. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.220 He's getting old. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.579 His wife is barren. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.859 His familial duties 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.619 to his father 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.279 have moved him 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:44.720 halfway across the known world 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:46.119 from Ur to Haran. 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:46.879 And now, 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.259 his father has just died. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.319 Grieving his father, 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.700 Abram is a stranger 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.819 in a strange land, 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.680 now solely responsible 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.940 for his dead brother's son, 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.279 Lot, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.400 but with no children 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:57.920 of his own. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.640 Now, 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.759 what's a person to do 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.900 in that situation? 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.500 The natural thing to do 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.080 is to go back to Ur. 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:08.820 Go back to your homeland. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.660 Go back to your extended family 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.660 where you know people 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.900 and where you and Sarah 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.820 can settle down 00:20:14.820 --> 00:20:15.720 and hopefully find 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.860 some extended relative 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.680 to take care of you 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.440 in your old age. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.440 Isn't this what reason 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.460 and common sense 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.040 would demand? 00:20:24.040 --> 00:20:24.160 Isn't this what reason 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.180 and common sense would demand? 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:29.300 But then comes 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:30.620 the promise of God, 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:33.480 the promise of blessing, 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:35.820 if Abram will trust 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.600 God's word 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.700 and go. 00:20:43.280 --> 00:20:44.660 Now, unlike Abram, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.580 God isn't necessarily 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:46.400 telling us 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.680 to leave our physical 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.300 countries and homes. 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:51.340 Abram did have 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.540 a unique role 00:20:52.540 --> 00:20:53.740 in redemptive history. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:56.400 So, who are we 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.480 most like 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.660 in this story? 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.400 Well, I think you and I 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.240 must first 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.259 put ourselves 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.720 in the shoes 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:07.500 of those families, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.279 the nations. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.160 That is, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.140 all the families 00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.740 of the earth 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.519 in verse 3. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.079 That's us 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.140 in this story. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:18.160 But we have 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.700 a departure 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.339 to make 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.160 as well. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.120 because where 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:22.840 is blessing 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.660 to be found 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.300 for us? 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.240 Not in a piece 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:26.900 of land, 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.340 but in a person. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.240 What does the text 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.540 say? 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.340 In you, 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:35.740 Abram, 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.279 all the families 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.700 of the earth 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.440 shall be blessed. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.340 That is, 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.019 to receive 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.840 the blessing 00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.480 of God, 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.400 we must find 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.920 it in him. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:48.700 only by identifying 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.180 with Abraham's 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.820 family 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.740 is there any 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.100 hope 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:53.200 of anyone, 00:21:53.340 --> 00:21:54.519 of any family 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.460 getting God's 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.800 blessing. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.039 And as the 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.880 biblical story 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.680 unfolds 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.320 into the New 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:01.700 Testament, 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.560 we see in the 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:03.320 opening chapter 00:22:03.320 --> 00:22:04.360 of Matthew 1, 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.240 as the New 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.340 Testament opens 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:06.720 up, 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.700 that the 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.740 offspring of 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.279 Abraham, 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:10.800 the fulfillment 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:11.860 of this promise 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:13.060 in whom the 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:14.019 nations will find 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.660 their blessing, 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.060 the fulfillment 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:17.580 is Jesus. 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.940 How do we get 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.080 into the 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:22.800 spiritual family 00:22:22.800 --> 00:22:23.279 of Abraham? 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:25.039 It's not by 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.700 circumcision, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.400 but by uniting 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.300 ourselves in 00:22:28.300 --> 00:22:29.640 faith to Jesus 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.160 Christ, 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.100 the promised 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:32.680 one of Abraham, 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.900 the one in whom 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:35.060 all these promises 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:36.100 of blessing find 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:37.019 their yes in 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.360 God. 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:40.960 But identifying 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.320 with Jesus 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:44.600 certainly means 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:46.139 a departure. 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:48.119 A departure 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:49.039 no less 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.839 than that of 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.299 Abraham in 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.019 Genesis 12. 00:22:53.119 --> 00:22:54.419 Our identity, 00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:55.559 the thing that we 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.839 base our life 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.159 on, 00:22:57.419 --> 00:22:58.079 the thing that you 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.719 maybe could point 00:22:58.719 --> 00:22:59.199 to and say, 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:00.139 that's who I am. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.019 That center 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.980 of our life 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.119 has to shift. 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:08.079 the primary 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.739 identity of our 00:23:08.739 --> 00:23:09.519 life can no 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.159 longer be our 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.059 family background, 00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.079 our moral 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.839 uprightness, 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.599 our work 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.359 success. 00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:16.479 The primary 00:23:16.479 --> 00:23:17.739 identity must 00:23:17.739 --> 00:23:18.899 be the 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.659 person of 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.139 Jesus, 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.439 who he is 00:23:21.439 --> 00:23:22.279 and what he's 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.599 done. 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.559 And make no 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.399 mistake about 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:27.699 it, 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:30.259 God's blessing 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.179 is found 00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:32.519 nowhere else. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:35.319 God doesn't 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:35.799 bless Abraham 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.240 and say, 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.139 you will be 00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:37.879 one of many 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.099 spiritual roads 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.980 back to my 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.379 favor. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.379 It's not 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.079 what he says. 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:47.779 No, 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:49.200 only in you, 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:49.839 Abraham, 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:51.700 only in the 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.359 thing that I'm 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:53.359 starting with you 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.379 will all the 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.000 families of the 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.519 earth be 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.940 blessed. 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.660 Why? 00:23:58.660 --> 00:24:02.240 Because only 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.120 through Jesus 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:04.540 does God deal 00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:05.420 with the real 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:05.940 problem. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.920 Only in Jesus 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.900 does God deal 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:10.460 with the curse, 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.740 with sin. 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:13.740 I mean, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.220 think about it. 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:14.880 If there was 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:16.580 any other way 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.360 for us to get 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.620 back to God, 00:24:18.860 --> 00:24:20.060 why would God 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.040 send his only 00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:22.019 son to die 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.620 for us? 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.880 If his blessing 00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.400 could come 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.000 through some 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.600 other means 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.259 or some 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.100 other path, 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.079 why would 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.559 the father 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.039 allow his 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.859 only son 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.159 to bear 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.939 the curse 00:24:31.939 --> 00:24:32.379 and the 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.779 shame 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.779 of crucifixion? 00:24:35.959 --> 00:24:36.799 It's the 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.639 only way. 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.619 And so 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.459 we must 00:24:42.459 --> 00:24:43.059 make the 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.539 departure 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:46.419 from an 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.000 identity built 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.559 on whatever 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.619 we might 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.419 be trusting 00:24:49.419 --> 00:24:50.500 in to an 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.179 identity built 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:51.959 ultimately on 00:24:51.959 --> 00:24:53.759 Christ alone. 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:58.279 and that's 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:58.859 a radical 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.799 departure. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.279 More radical 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.859 than leaving 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.680 country and 00:25:04.680 --> 00:25:05.299 kindred and 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.039 father's house. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.660 In fact, 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.240 it's a departure 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.119 so radical that 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:10.640 according to the 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.099 New Testament, 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.019 you actually 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.720 can't make it 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.240 on your own. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:17.880 we cling 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.759 too tightly 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.160 to our 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.019 old identities. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.759 They're, 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.259 after all, 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.019 our security 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.099 and our 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.539 comfort 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.359 and our 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:25.720 hope. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.900 We don't 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.380 want to let 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:27.839 that go 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.519 and make 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:28.980 Jesus the 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.319 center of 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.799 our life. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.200 There's too 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.900 much at stake. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.299 There's friends 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.000 that I'll lose 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.700 and there's 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.380 pleasures that 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:35.920 I'll forgo 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.680 and there's 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.359 ridicule that 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.039 I'll receive. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:41.119 you can't 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:41.559 make this 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.000 departure 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.940 on your 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.180 own. 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.639 But 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.220 thankfully, 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:48.799 Jesus 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.019 didn't leave 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.779 us on our 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.000 own. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.579 After three 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.039 days in the 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.319 grave, 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.000 Jesus rose 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.399 again in 00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:56.700 power and 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:56.940 he spent 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.720 40 days with 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.319 his disciples 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.099 and then 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.659 ascended to 00:25:59.659 --> 00:26:00.079 the Father 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.559 in heaven 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.500 completing 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.299 his redemptive 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.119 work and 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.619 sitting at 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.119 the Father's 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.659 right hand 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.480 telling his 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.119 disciples to 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.099 wait for the 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.599 promise of 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:07.959 the Holy 00:26:07.959 --> 00:26:08.339 Spirit. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.319 And at 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.099 Pentecost, 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.099 the Spirit 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:13.079 came and 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.740 it changed 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.059 him from 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.740 the inside 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.199 out. 00:26:16.639 --> 00:26:17.319 And the 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.859 Holy Spirit 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.899 continues the 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.480 same work 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.039 today. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.500 The Spirit, 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:21.819 you see, 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.299 liberates us 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.480 to let go 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.139 of our old 00:26:25.139 --> 00:26:26.219 identities and 00:26:26.219 --> 00:26:27.299 to find the 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.980 beauty of 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.539 Christ and 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.240 take hold of 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.899 him and be 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.379 found in 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.679 him. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:31.639 This 00:26:31.639 --> 00:26:32.439 departure of 00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:33.059 faith is the 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:34.059 ongoing work of 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.779 the Holy Spirit 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.599 and he's doing 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.659 it today. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:39.419 all across 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:39.959 the world 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:41.179 as people 00:26:41.179 --> 00:26:42.279 release this 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.019 and take 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.539 hold of 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.119 their Savior. 00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:47.119 Perhaps 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:47.559 he's doing 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.119 it in you 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.500 right now. 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.359 Compelling 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.699 you, 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.159 calling you 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.259 to rest 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.779 in this 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.859 Savior who 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.659 loves you 00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.319 with an 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.099 infinite love 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.519 and to hear 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.099 the word of 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.019 divine blessing 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.959 your heart so 00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:04.039 longs to hear 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.180 you are my 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.599 son, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.599 you are my 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:06.940 daughter, 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.159 in you I'm 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:09.119 well pleased. 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.859 And as we 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:15.579 set out on 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.299 this departure, 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.839 the promise is 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.500 that the Spirit 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.720 never leaves us. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.259 You see, 00:27:23.319 --> 00:27:23.779 the departure 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.680 of conversion 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:26.079 is just the 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.740 start of a 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:28.220 lifelong pilgrimage 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.839 of faith. 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.480 In Hebrews 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.299 chapter 11, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.500 the author 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.440 talks again 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.000 about this 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.559 moment in 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.200 Abram's life 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.099 just like Paul 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:36.480 did in 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.500 Galatians 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.240 chapter 3. 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.259 Here in 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.779 Hebrews chapter 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.099 11, 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.019 Hebrews comes 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.700 back to this 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.099 moment in 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.819 Abram's life 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:46.659 talking about 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.419 how Abram 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.599 had to go. 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.500 Not knowing 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.159 what lie 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:51.619 ahead, 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.460 trusting God's 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:53.819 word. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:56.859 This 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.299 lifelong 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.659 journey 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:57.939 wasn't 00:27:57.939 --> 00:27:58.419 easy for 00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:58.799 Abram. 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.359 And the 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.740 reality is, 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:00.919 friends, 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.319 it won't be 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.720 easy for 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:01.980 us. 00:28:02.939 --> 00:28:03.259 There will 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.619 be years 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:03.759 of 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.439 discouragement 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:05.539 and trial. 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.039 Abram will 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.639 often find 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.220 himself in 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.139 trouble and 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.639 conflict. 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.379 At one point 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.740 in his life, 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:11.179 he has to 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:11.740 muster up an 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.839 army and 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.339 go lead a 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.339 liberation band 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.259 to free 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.259 Lot from 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:16.740 some kings 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:16.980 who had 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.240 kidnapped 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.539 him. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.399 There will 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.039 be years of 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.720 doubt and 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.519 uncertainty for 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.740 us. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.419 Abram and 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:23.799 Sarah have 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.039 remained 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.879 childless for 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.779 decades after 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.299 this moment, 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.859 wondering when 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.960 God would 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.559 ever do what 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.960 he was going 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.700 to do and 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.299 kind of doubting 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:32.680 it was going 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.579 to happen and 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.000 at one point 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.579 even laughing 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.619 because it 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.059 seems so 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.440 absurd. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.180 There will 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:39.639 be moments 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.599 of confusion 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.680 and pain. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.500 Abram was 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.019 called to 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.639 offer over 00:28:45.639 --> 00:28:46.500 his only son 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.279 to the 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.559 Lord. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.859 But through 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.279 it all, 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:54.279 God never 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.019 left Abraham. 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.000 Hebrews 11 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.299 says, 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:58.740 we're looking 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.960 forward to 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.079 a city that 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.920 has foundations, 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.399 whose designer 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.220 and builder 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.839 is God. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.660 The journey 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.440 of faith 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.420 may have 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.059 many twists 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.740 and turns. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.000 The road 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.519 may seem to 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.180 crumble beneath 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.940 us, but God 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.160 will bring us 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.779 safely home. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:18.819 So, Christian, 00:29:18.899 --> 00:29:19.359 if you're in a 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.139 season of trial, 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.799 of doubt, 00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:21.839 if you cannot 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:23.139 hear or feel 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:23.759 the blessing 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.480 of God at 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.279 this moment, 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.700 hold on. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.819 God has 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.660 not abandoned 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:29.940 you. 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.519 You remain 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.059 his beloved 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.420 child. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.960 Though all 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.399 the world 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.079 may shake 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.099 and crumble, 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.079 the crucified 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.599 and risen 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.779 Christ stands 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.420 up for you 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.420 and the Holy 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.279 Spirit abides 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.700 within. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.480 So keep 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.299 pressing on 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.419 God's 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:43.859 promise 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.379 remains 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.039 and nothing 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.019 can shake 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.299 it. 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.379 But as we 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:51.720 take this 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.279 departure of 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.599 faith, 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:53.700 trusting in 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.319 God's promise 00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:54.819 of blessing, 00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:55.399 there's a third 00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:56.119 element to this 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.759 turning point. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.740 We've seen the 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.279 blessing that we 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.299 all need and 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.779 the departure 00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.339 that we must 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.779 take. 00:30:02.659 --> 00:30:03.419 But third, 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.859 the mission 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.000 that we now 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.379 have. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:10.240 God tells 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:10.680 Abram in 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.200 verse 2, 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.220 I will bless 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.180 you and 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.519 make your 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.120 name great 00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:15.600 so that 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:15.860 you will 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.299 be a 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.620 blessing. 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.980 Abraham 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.380 was blessed 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.440 to be 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.400 a blessing. 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:25.240 Some of 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.720 my friends 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.299 in ministry 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.059 would probably 00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.380 say, 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:27.940 now that'll 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.299 preach. 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.140 Abram was 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.140 blessed to 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:32.039 be a 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.380 blessing. 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.480 What he 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.180 received was 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.940 meant to 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.200 overflow to 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.620 others. 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:37.960 Now imagine 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.380 the nation 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:38.819 of Israel 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.799 hearing Moses 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.420 recite this 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:40.980 story on the 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.380 verge of 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.920 crossing into 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.380 the promised 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.720 land. 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:44.480 What they 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.440 heard wasn't 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:46.080 just the 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:46.580 promise of 00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:47.100 God's blessing 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:47.880 for them, 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:48.460 but that 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.120 through them 00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:49.600 that blessing 00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.100 would come to 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:50.840 all nations. 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.560 They were 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.180 hearing that 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.660 they had a 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.820 mission to 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.660 bring blessing 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.440 to all the 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.960 families of 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.279 the earth. 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:56.800 And it's the 00:30:56.800 --> 00:30:57.779 same with the 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.440 people of God 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.160 today, with the 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.720 church today. 00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.940 In Christ, we 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.620 have received 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.860 every spiritual 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:03.480 blessing in the 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.140 heavenly places, 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.820 and that blessing 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:05.340 is meant to 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:05.980 overflow. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:08.240 Jesus says to 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.980 us, you're the 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.660 light of the 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.000 world. 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.660 You are the 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.279 salt of the 00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:12.579 earth. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.740 Your life isn't 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.480 meant to be 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.880 lived for 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.920 yourself, but 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.420 for the great 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.180 purposes of 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.779 God in the 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.099 world. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.339 There are 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.880 people groups 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:22.200 on earth 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.940 today who 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.539 have never 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.140 heard the 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.559 good news 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:24.920 of Jesus 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.380 Christ. 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.579 How will 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.480 we as a 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:29.059 church play 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.700 a part in 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.700 bringing God's 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.200 news of 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.799 blessing to 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.059 them? 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:35.519 Perhaps God 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:35.919 is calling 00:31:35.919 --> 00:31:36.879 your life to 00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.319 be a part of 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.639 that story and 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:38.960 to go. 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.759 There are 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.299 people right 00:31:42.299 --> 00:31:43.059 here in our 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.779 city who are 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.480 struggling to 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:44.919 find warm 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.480 places to 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.399 stay, to put 00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:46.879 food on their 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:47.819 tables, to get 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.299 through school 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.879 and graduate. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.799 How are we 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.539 as a church 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:51.399 bringing God's 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.919 blessing to 00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.179 them? 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.200 You see, 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.039 something happens 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.919 when you receive 00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:58.599 the good news 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.819 of Jesus, when 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.460 the Holy Spirit 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.179 unites you to 00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:01.619 Christ through 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:01.899 faith. 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.579 And you 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:02.940 become a 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.700 recipient of 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.259 grace, of 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.839 God's favor 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.339 and blessing. 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.259 What happens 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.799 is you start 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.659 to sit loose 00:32:07.659 --> 00:32:08.639 to a lot of 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.259 other stuff in 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.720 your life. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.559 Because the 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.799 reality is, at 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.279 a deep 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.579 spiritual level, 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.480 you don't need 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:16.960 it anymore. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.039 You don't need 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.399 to hoard 00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:21.119 possessions and 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.359 money. 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.899 In Christ, you 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:23.720 have an internal 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.059 inheritance that 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:26.460 will never fade. 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:27.500 You have a 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.599 dignity and a 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.779 worth that money 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.720 literally cannot 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.159 buy. 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:31.220 money. 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.019 So you can be 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.700 sacrificially 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.480 generous now. 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.460 Money has lost 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.300 its power over 00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:36.920 your life and 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.519 you can give it 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.820 away. 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.920 And you don't 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.400 need to cling 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.200 tightly to your 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.640 time. 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.279 In Christ, you 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.320 literally have all 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:47.000 the time in the 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.840 world and in the 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.420 world to come. 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.560 time. 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.940 So you can take 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:55.480 time to spend 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:55.980 with others. 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.460 And you can 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.820 make your 00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.539 schedule revolve 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.100 around things 00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:03.660 other than your 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.300 own entertainment 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:05.240 and your own 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.720 pursuits. 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.880 God doesn't want 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.720 the blessing to 00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.720 stop with you. 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:12.660 He wants it to 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.500 keep going. 00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:16.660 Question, how are 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.539 you blessing others 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.279 right here in your 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.879 church family? 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.220 How are you 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.240 actively serving and 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.960 loving others right 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.299 here? 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.440 You know, if we 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:26.240 should learn anything 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.980 from our modern 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:28.339 culture, it is that 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:29.579 mere consumption 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:32.079 makes us bored. 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:35.339 Man, how, okay, 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.079 true confessions, 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.299 how many of you 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:38.639 really wished that 00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:39.619 the Mandalorian that 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.500 just got released on 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.740 Disney Plus was 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.279 something you could 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.200 just stream all eight 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.879 episodes of? 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:45.480 If you have no 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:45.860 idea what I'm 00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:46.500 talking about, you 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.000 come up to me 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.740 afterwards and we'll 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:48.400 pray about it. 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.640 Right? 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.080 You want to just 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:53.120 binge it, but we 00:33:53.120 --> 00:33:54.160 got to wait every 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:54.600 week. 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:57.220 But how many of us 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.000 after binging that 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:58.780 Netflix show we've 00:33:58.780 --> 00:33:59.780 been waiting so long 00:33:59.780 --> 00:34:00.660 to see? 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.080 Gosh, we just feel 00:34:03.080 --> 00:34:03.720 so bored. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.800 It's just kind of 00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:07.040 icky. 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.720 Don't just be a 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:13.399 consumer in the 00:34:13.399 --> 00:34:14.199 spiritual family of 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.639 the church. 00:34:15.279 --> 00:34:16.179 Be a participant. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.459 Take up your part 00:34:18.459 --> 00:34:18.959 to play. 00:34:19.779 --> 00:34:20.359 Get about the 00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:20.679 mission. 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:23.139 Produce the show 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.959 that's unfolding 00:34:23.959 --> 00:34:25.079 right before your 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.500 eyes. 00:34:26.879 --> 00:34:27.879 You are blessed to 00:34:27.879 --> 00:34:29.199 be a blessing and 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.279 there in that 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:31.419 mission, you will 00:34:31.419 --> 00:34:32.179 find what you were 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.019 created for. 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.480 A deeper communion 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.119 with God. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:41.380 friends, you were 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:42.900 created to know 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.400 God. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.839 Jesus says, eternal 00:34:44.839 --> 00:34:46.559 life is knowing 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:47.279 me. 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:48.619 Has it ever struck 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.940 you that you need 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.299 to find God's 00:34:51.299 --> 00:34:52.039 face in the 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.359 mission? 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.299 Because that's 00:34:54.299 --> 00:34:54.980 where God meets 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.359 us. 00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:58.000 Because after all, 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.759 God is a 00:34:58.759 --> 00:34:59.880 missionary God. 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.739 When he wants to 00:35:02.739 --> 00:35:03.659 bless Abraham, he 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.719 sends him halfway 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:05.480 across the known 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:05.880 world. 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:08.240 God's a 00:35:08.240 --> 00:35:09.000 missionary God. 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.619 You will meet 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.059 him in the 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.360 mission. 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.240 God's a 00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:11.960 missionary God. 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.900 The father sent 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.400 the son. 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.660 And the son sent 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:16.160 the spirit. 00:35:16.660 --> 00:35:17.300 And the spirit 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.500 sends the church. 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.680 And there in the 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:20.500 sending, in the 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.900 going, God meets 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.200 us. 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.400 So friends, as we 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.220 conclude, is there a 00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.220 turning point for you 00:35:31.220 --> 00:35:32.680 in this passage? 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:35.699 Perhaps the 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.500 turning point is to 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.319 see that God really 00:35:37.319 --> 00:35:38.059 does love you. 00:35:39.259 --> 00:35:40.199 And that in Jesus, 00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:41.000 he's done everything 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.839 to bring you home 00:35:41.839 --> 00:35:42.599 and accept you. 00:35:44.619 --> 00:35:45.279 Perhaps the 00:35:45.279 --> 00:35:47.799 turning point is to 00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.599 stop trusting in 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.579 your own self and 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.399 your own accomplishments 00:35:50.399 --> 00:35:52.259 and to take the 00:35:52.259 --> 00:35:53.960 departure of faith in 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:55.319 Christ and to make 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:56.059 him the center of 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:57.480 your life and strike 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.799 out on the 00:35:58.799 --> 00:35:59.679 pilgrimage that he's 00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.379 calling you to. 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:00.480 you. 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.599 Perhaps the 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.340 turning point is for 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.700 you to hold on in 00:36:05.700 --> 00:36:06.640 the midst of trial, to 00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:08.099 keep putting one foot 00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:08.720 in front of the 00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:08.980 other. 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.539 Perhaps the 00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.320 turning point is to 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:15.820 join the mission, to 00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.420 find out how the 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.300 blessing of God is 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:18.559 meant to flow through 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:20.160 you to others. 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:23.980 But let us be 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:25.340 encouraged by the 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.820 last verse of our 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:27.240 passage. 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:29.059 The turning point for 00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:30.960 Abraham, the 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:32.099 point of his 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.940 spiritual departure 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:35.420 came when he was 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.659 75 years old. 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:39.500 You see, it is never 00:36:39.500 --> 00:36:40.719 too late to begin. 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.619 No matter how long 00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:43.400 you've spent searching, 00:36:43.820 --> 00:36:44.539 no matter how many 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:46.099 detours or mistakes 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:47.739 your life has made, 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.079 today can be the 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.659 turning point. 00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:52.659 The Lord called 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:54.460 Abraham and promised 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:55.099 him blessing. 00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:57.059 And in Christ, 00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:57.920 through his spirit, he 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.840 calls us today as 00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.099 well. 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.659 Let's pray. 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:11.199 Lord Jesus, we ask 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:13.079 that you would meet 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:14.299 us as we come to 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:16.340 your table and help 00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:17.000 us by your Holy 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:19.340 Spirit to make the 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.099 departures that we 00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:21.539 need to make so that 00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:22.500 we might live in line 00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:23.400 with the truth of this 00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:24.259 great blessing that 00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:25.139 you've given to us. 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:26.099 Amen. 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:26.219 Amen.