WEBVTT 00:00:00.620 --> 00:00:07.100 Verse 17, Father, we pray that you, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:13.800 may give us now the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of you, having 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:18.559 the eyes of our hearts enlightened, that we may know what is the hope to which you have 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:24.699 called us, what are the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:27.679 immeasurable greatness of your power towards us who believe. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:30.719 Do this work in us now, in Jesus' name. 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:31.500 Amen. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:42.179 Today's scripture reading is found in the book of Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 15 to 23. 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:47.620 Please follow along in your bulletins, in your booklets, and also on the screen. 00:00:49.039 --> 00:00:50.780 Verse 15 reads, 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:56.899 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward 00:00:56.899 --> 00:01:03.560 all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:09.379 the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:16.879 and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:23.780 may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:29.280 in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:36.219 according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ, when he raised him 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:43.040 from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:49.620 and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this 00:01:49.620 --> 00:01:52.120 age, but also in the one to come. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:59.760 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 00:02:00.520 --> 00:02:05.760 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:06.760 Amen. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:10.060 Thanks be to God. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:15.360 Now, I don't know yet, I'm sure we've seen the news this week. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:20.620 I think the greatest world news, of course, was that the Queen of England, Elizabeth, died 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:21.140 this week. 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:26.439 Of course, she was a wonderful queen, and of course, the nation of England, it's mourning. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:32.500 I think for many people, as you read what people write about it, it feels like this real 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:40.360 source of stability is gone, right, because she reigned for 70 years, and, you know, presidents, 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:44.599 they come and they go, and prime ministers, they come and they go, but the queen was always 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:47.919 there, except that now, of course, she died. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.379 It's not unexpected, 96 years old, but big shock for people. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:56.860 And it's just one more thing, right, because the world is so unstable. 00:02:57.340 --> 00:03:02.240 People look around, and there's the disasters and the climate change and the wars. 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:06.219 And, of course, COVID and the restrictions have made such a mess of everything. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:11.680 And then here is one thing that we can look to for stability, and that's gone. 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:14.539 And I don't know how you respond to that. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.460 What do we do when life seems so uncertain, when all these things are happening? 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:22.759 I think it's very easy to just ignore it. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:24.639 You know, we just ignore it. 00:03:24.680 --> 00:03:26.020 We just look at our own little life. 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:28.320 And that is what we have under control. 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:29.439 That's what we can plan. 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:33.480 Of course, with COVID, we realize we can't plan life very well. 00:03:34.700 --> 00:03:37.260 Others of us, I guess we feel paralyzed, right? 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:38.560 We look at the world. 00:03:38.660 --> 00:03:39.520 What can we do? 00:03:39.600 --> 00:03:40.460 Where is it all going? 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:41.160 What is happening? 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:45.700 Well, it's so great that we're here in Ephesians. 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:51.859 Because, actually, as Paul is going to tell us, the world is really going somewhere. 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:53.579 There is a great plan. 00:03:53.719 --> 00:04:00.579 God has this great plan for all creation that we started with last week to this little church in Ephesus, 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:06.179 surrounded by powerful political and spiritual forces, scared. 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:08.839 You know, look at God. 00:04:08.959 --> 00:04:11.639 Lift your eyes to God's great plan for all creation. 00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:13.779 And that's what I want for us today. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.300 We want to look again more at God's moving. 00:04:17.479 --> 00:04:18.680 We're going to preach through the Bible. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:20.819 What is Paul doing today? 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:23.699 Well, it's still all about God's plan. 00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:28.639 He takes a long breath after the longest sentence in the Bible that we looked at last week. 00:04:28.919 --> 00:04:29.819 I don't know how you felt. 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:30.719 Very overwhelming. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:31.860 Very mind-blowing. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:35.419 Well, Paul prays for us. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:36.740 He prays for the Ephesians. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:37.519 He prays for us. 00:04:37.779 --> 00:04:39.680 Guys, take a deep breath. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:41.139 What do I really want? 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.500 You know, you've been telling us all these things, Paul. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:44.719 What do you want for us? 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:46.300 Well, here is Paul's prayer. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:48.399 What does Paul want? 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:52.919 Look, I want you to really know God and his plan. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:56.039 Guys, you miss all this. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:57.000 You miss everything happening. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:58.599 You miss everything, how you feel. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:03.120 Look, I want you to really know God and his plan. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:04.680 That's what you see, right? 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:06.240 So here's a prayer. 00:05:06.240 --> 00:05:09.060 And, of course, Paul thanks God for them. 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:11.620 Guys, praise God for you. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:13.060 I know God is saving people. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:14.300 He's doing this work. 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:17.040 He's choosing people and saving them. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:19.800 And I see that your church has formed wonderful. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:21.439 Thank God. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:23.540 But then he prays. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:25.439 And did you hear what he prays for? 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:27.680 I don't know what you pray for people. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:29.180 I guess we all, we're Christians. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:30.180 We pray for people. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.120 What do you pray for people? 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:33.500 Here is what Paul prays. 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:39.480 Pray for the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:42.660 I pray that your eyes of your heart might be enlightened. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:44.800 That you may know. 00:05:45.520 --> 00:05:45.740 Right? 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:46.700 It's all about knowing. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.460 Paul prays, I want you to really know this. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:54.080 Know God, the knowledge of him. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:56.660 Know things, his great plan. 00:05:57.200 --> 00:06:00.140 And not just kind of any bit of head knowledge. 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:04.240 No, I want this to be real, deep, spiritual knowing. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:07.120 You know, I want the spirit to work in you. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:09.340 I want the eyes of your heart. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:11.000 You know, your control center. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:12.540 I want that to be changed. 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:17.000 I want those eyes to be open so you can really grasp what's going on. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:19.139 That is what Paul prays. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:21.399 Of course, we need that, right? 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:26.500 How are we going to find out what happened before the foundation of the world? 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:27.160 We weren't there. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:30.300 How do we know what's going to happen at the end of time? 00:06:30.439 --> 00:06:31.120 We're not there. 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:32.000 Right? 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:33.480 God needs to reveal that. 00:06:33.620 --> 00:06:35.079 And we need to know it in our hearts. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:37.040 You know, only by God's work. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.819 But I don't know what you think of that. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.720 A prayer for knowledge. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:43.840 A prayer that we would know stuff. 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:48.699 Doesn't the Bible say, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up? 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:54.160 Isn't it better for Paul to pray that, you know, the Ephesians would love people and do stuff? 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.040 I don't know what you think. 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:59.780 Now, the letter isn't finished yet. 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:01.840 We're going to have lots of stuff to do in the future. 00:07:01.839 --> 00:07:05.739 But the question is, what kind of knowing is this? 00:07:06.500 --> 00:07:08.339 I mean, there's all kinds of things you can know, right? 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.699 I don't know what useless trivia you know. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.479 I used to work for London Underground. 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:18.099 I can talk about all the stations in order and those kind of things, but it's not very important. 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:22.000 Maybe you know all the lyrics to Encanto or Frozen. 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:24.419 Maybe you know the periodic table. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:29.100 Of course, in some cases, that's very useful, but it's not really life-changing. 00:07:30.340 --> 00:07:31.480 How about this? 00:07:32.140 --> 00:07:34.980 I want my children to know that I love them. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:39.120 That I, whatever they do, whatever they are, I love them. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:42.600 Now, that is information, but it's more than that, right? 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:43.540 It's relational. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.300 It's something that changes their life. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:48.740 If they know that I love them, they can rely on me. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:50.340 They will feel secure. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:54.379 They can always come to me with everything because they know that I love them. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:55.799 That kind of knowledge. 00:07:55.899 --> 00:07:57.259 And I think that's what we're talking about. 00:07:57.919 --> 00:08:01.539 That's what God wants because, okay, he has this great plan. 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:03.079 It's not just for our information. 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:04.679 It's not just for a pub quiz. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:07.799 Of course, God wants us to join in, right? 00:08:07.859 --> 00:08:12.239 For that to dominate our life, for us to get on board with that. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:16.819 But how can we get on board with a plan if we are feeling insecure, 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.779 if we look around and we don't know what's happening? 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:24.119 And so God says, hey, I want you to really know these things. 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:26.979 Because all these things, it's that kind of stuff, right? 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:28.179 What does he say we should know? 00:08:28.619 --> 00:08:33.579 I want you to know, verse 18, the hope to which he has called you. 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:39.740 I want you to know the amazing future that God has in store for you as part of this plan. 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:41.439 Amazing hope. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.480 Because I don't know what kind of hope you think we have as Christians. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:49.759 You ask people on the street, what's your great future when you become a Christian? 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:51.899 It's probably something like this, right? 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:56.919 Sitting on a cloud with a harp and a white dress. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:59.700 And that's really exciting, right? 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:03.539 I'm going to live in a Muslim country and get beheaded so that I can have this. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.000 No, right? 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:05.939 No. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:10.919 Paul says, look, God has this far greater, amazing future for you. 00:09:10.919 --> 00:09:14.120 And if you know that, yeah, that's something you want to live for. 00:09:15.319 --> 00:09:17.479 But not just the hope to which he has called you. 00:09:18.479 --> 00:09:22.899 The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:25.079 And that's a weird phrase, right? 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.860 His inheritance in the saints. 00:09:27.360 --> 00:09:30.079 Because it sounds like his glorious inheritance. 00:09:30.079 --> 00:09:31.419 Sounds like our great future. 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:32.819 But it's very weird, right? 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.680 Because it says, in the saints. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:36.400 Among the saints. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:38.720 What is his inheritance in the saints? 00:09:40.020 --> 00:09:45.100 Well, this isn't kind of the inheritance that comes kind of from God to us. 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:49.580 This is that we are God's inheritance. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.820 God has an inheritance. 00:09:52.060 --> 00:09:55.800 God has a very treasured possession he will get at the end of time. 00:09:56.420 --> 00:09:57.200 It's the church. 00:09:58.420 --> 00:09:58.980 It's us. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:09:59.700 Right? 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:01.800 And, you know, God has a great plan. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.500 What do we get? 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:03.420 We get last week. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.700 We get every spiritual blessing. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:05.920 What does God get? 00:10:06.020 --> 00:10:06.740 God gets us. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:08.640 We are his treasured possession. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:12.180 Which is quite an amazing thought, right? 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:15.220 That who would want me? 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:16.020 Who would want you? 00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:18.540 God wants to have us. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:21.740 But what does that mean if we are God's inheritance? 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:22.860 God's treasured possession? 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:25.020 Well, he cares for us, right? 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.500 We are very precious to him. 00:10:26.540 --> 00:10:27.980 He's really going to look after us. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:31.039 I mean, we moved house last month. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:32.060 A lot of stuff. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:36.320 You just throw it in a box and throw the box in the van and bring it to the new house. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:39.000 There's other stuff that's really precious, right? 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:46.139 And we wrap it up with lots of bubble wrap and we put it in that bag and put it in our own car so that it doesn't get lost and those kind of things. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:47.360 Right? 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.800 Because this is precious to us. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:55.759 Well, if you are God's treasured possession, he will look after you. 00:10:55.839 --> 00:11:00.000 He will make sure that, you know, things, you will make it. 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.579 He will make sure nothing will happen to you. 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:06.559 Which means, can you commit to him? 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.079 Can you commit to his plan? 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:08.579 Well, yeah. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.719 God will look after you. 00:11:09.859 --> 00:11:10.839 God cares for you. 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:14.660 And not just that he cares about you. 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:17.200 He has the power for it, right? 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:27.240 Because verse 19, third thing, what is the immeasurable greatness of his power towards us who believe according to the working of his great might? 00:11:28.840 --> 00:11:29.360 Power. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:29.440 Power. 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:37.860 Because, you know, it's nice if you care, but you need to be able to care to have the ability, right? 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:43.580 Like 10 years ago, there was this ferry in South Korea that capsized full of school children. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.240 And it was so sad. 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:47.180 And all these parents were crying. 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:49.220 These parents cared a lot about their children. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:52.000 But, of course, they were powerless to save them. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.899 God is not powerless. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:12:00.000 God has the immeasurable greatness of his power. 00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:04.419 He has unlimited power to, you know, to fulfill his plan. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:06.819 Unlimited power to get you there. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:09.919 Unlimited power to make everything go his way. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:14.639 I mean, if you know that, again, you can live for God, right? 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.579 You can commit to it. 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:19.199 If you know, you know, God has all the power to do this. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:22.439 So you can see these are life-changing things, right? 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.899 How great God's plan is. 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:24.939 How much he cares for you. 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.400 How much power he has. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.860 I can live for God. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.240 That is what Paul wants. 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:33.700 He's going to give a great example to that in a moment. 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:36.700 But for a moment, okay, this is what Paul prays. 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:38.200 That is Paul's priority. 00:12:38.840 --> 00:12:43.860 Hey, church, what I really want for you is to know these things, to grasp these things. 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.780 Again, is that our priority? 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:50.020 I mean, it's one reason why we focus so much on the Bible. 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:54.419 Because we want you guys to know God and know his plan, know what he's doing. 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:58.259 That's why we preach from the Bible and hear CG studies with the Bible. 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.399 But also prayer. 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.519 What do you pray for? 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:03.679 Again, you're going to your community group. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.600 Well, what do we pray for? 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:09.920 I mean, many Christians, they think you only need prayer if you're sick. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.480 You pray that you get better. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:13.860 Or when you don't have a job, you pray for that. 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:18.159 I once was in a group and I asked someone, you know, what can I pray for you? 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:19.540 And he said, well, I don't know. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.519 I'm unhealthy and my job's going well. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.600 I don't need anything to pray for. 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.240 No. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.420 Actually, God wants us to grow. 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:32.139 He wants us to, you know, know God better. 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:34.060 He wants us to know what God is doing. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.879 So it will transform us. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.800 It will change us. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:40.480 So, you know, this is something you can pray, right? 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:45.940 You know, during the week you're praying for your friends, for your Christian friends, for your group members. 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:50.480 Pray that, you know, as they get into the Bible, they would be transformed. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:53.620 That God would open their hearts. 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.940 Parents, I don't know what you pray for your kids. 00:13:56.700 --> 00:13:58.240 You know, what you need they will go to. 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:00.039 Their future spouse. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:04.340 Pray that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened. 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:06.840 That they would see God. 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:10.440 That they would see, you know, his great plan for them. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:13.360 And that that would transform them. 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:16.460 Again, this is what Paul would want, right? 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.300 Here is Paul. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.639 He can pray all kinds of things for them. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.279 What does he pray? 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:23.539 That we would really know this and be transformed by it. 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.299 But then, okay. 00:14:28.439 --> 00:14:29.500 Paul, tell us more. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.819 Because he said, I want you to know these things. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.439 But he then goes and answers his own prayer. 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:35.959 Look, let me give you an example. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:39.980 Let me give you an example of part of what God is doing. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.220 And he goes to, well, the exaltation of Christ. 00:14:44.439 --> 00:14:46.839 How Jesus was exalted. 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:49.960 We talk about his life, his death, his resurrection. 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:51.460 It's always a resurrection, right? 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.580 He ascended to heaven. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.519 And he's now seated at the right hand. 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:55.300 That's where he's going. 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:58.000 The power that, verse 20. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.740 That he worked in Christ. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.320 When he raised him from the dead. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:04.320 And seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:09.360 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.620 And above every name that is named. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:14.899 Not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:18.199 All this exalted language, right? 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:21.959 But, you know, Jesus exalted. 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:24.639 Let's just think about that, Paul says. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:25.980 You know? 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:26.980 Of course. 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:30.699 Great act of power, right? 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:31.720 That's a big thing here. 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:32.659 God's power. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.220 Jesus. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:34.959 You know, on Saturday. 00:15:35.139 --> 00:15:35.740 What was Jesus? 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.519 He was a corpse. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:36.959 Yeah? 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.600 Good Friday. 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:38.559 He died on the cross. 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:39.579 Saturday. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:41.000 He was a corpse. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.579 In a tomb. 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.759 Starting to rot. 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:47.259 Not very promising, right? 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.980 For God's salvation. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.960 But then he went, yeah. 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.220 God acted. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:56.000 And he went from corpse to king of the universe. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:58.040 God raised him from the dead. 00:15:58.520 --> 00:15:59.259 Exalted him. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:04.800 And now he is above every rule and authority and power and dominion. 00:16:05.660 --> 00:16:06.180 I don't know. 00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:07.560 When you hear that. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:10.160 What do you think of rulers and authorities? 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.379 Maybe you think of your manager. 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.580 Your boss. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.259 You think of national governments. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.639 You think of international bodies. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.080 Actually, in Ephesians, it's mainly spiritual. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.220 You know? 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:24.900 Even above whatever government there is. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:27.400 There are angels and demons ruling. 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:32.160 And, you know, Paul says, Jesus is above that all. 00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:36.220 Jesus is ruling above everything. 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:39.960 Every other God, everyone you can call on, Jesus, is far above that. 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:43.660 Now, what does that show? 00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:47.540 It shows incredible power, right? 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.800 Of course, the power of Jesus. 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:51.860 That he is now the king of the whole universe. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.879 The king of all creation. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:55.480 But look at the father. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.399 Look what he did. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:17:00.419 How he just took Christ and put him there and put the whole universe under him. 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:02.419 I mean, let me give an example. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.420 So, you know this family, maybe? 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:08.700 You know the second guy on the left, Bill Gates? 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:11.160 Now, he's now retired. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.700 He's also divorced. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.299 But think back a few years ago when he was the boss of Microsoft, right? 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:18.019 One of the richest men in the world. 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.980 One of the most powerful men in the world. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.700 Now, the guy on the left. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:24.000 And then all the way on the right is his son, Rory. 00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:25.259 He's now studying. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:29.840 And maybe when he's graduating, the job market isn't too good. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.759 And he's struggling to find a job. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:35.059 So, Bill has the ideal graduation present. 00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:40.039 I'm going to give him a majority share in Microsoft and make him CEO. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.779 That's a nice graduation present, right? 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:47.319 Rory suddenly becomes a very powerful graduate. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:51.160 But he stands in the shadow of his dad, right? 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.200 Who can just do this? 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:59.559 Who can just take a company of 220,000 employees, 200 billion revenue, and just here. 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.700 Give it to his son. 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:04.099 That's authority, right? 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.119 That's power. 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:09.720 And that's only a small thing compared to what God the Father did. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:14.079 Who gave the whole universe to Jesus as a footstool for his feet, right? 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:21.440 All creatures, all planets, all angels, and all demons, and Satan, all under Jesus' rule. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.299 That's power. 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:30.519 And then suddenly, well, you're not afraid, right? 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.220 Because, wow, here is God. 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:34.240 And look what incredible power he has. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:37.059 And not just a random power. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.900 I mean, this is part of God's plan. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:42.160 Remember last week? 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:42.920 What was God's plan? 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.500 We sang it this morning. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:46.019 I mean, you can go back one page. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.539 One verse 10. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:54.059 As a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in him, in Christ. 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.440 Things in heaven and things on earth. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:19:01.119 God's plan for the fullness of time is to bring everything united together under Christ. 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:05.139 Now, how important is Jesus' exaltation? 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:07.279 Well, that's basically it, right? 00:19:07.979 --> 00:19:11.259 You need to put Christ over everything and then everything together under him. 00:19:11.979 --> 00:19:13.619 Well, this is the big step one. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:15.079 Jesus over everything. 00:19:15.239 --> 00:19:20.479 And so, in terms of progress, God's plan is in principle done, right? 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.639 He's going to bring the whole universe under Christ. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:24.500 Well, Christ is over all. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.900 It's there. 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:32.280 Which is kind of, wow, God's plan is basically complete. 00:19:33.300 --> 00:19:33.420 Right? 00:19:33.560 --> 00:19:37.440 He just now needs to, Jesus needs to kind of exercise that and bring everything together. 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:40.480 But Jesus is already exalted over everything. 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.980 There's no need to fear. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.259 No one can stop him. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:45.140 He is already over everything. 00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.759 And that's great news. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:51.620 That is, you know, this plan is going to happen. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:54.979 I think that's, you know, so often we make our plans, right? 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.959 We have our plans for our job, our career. 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:01.679 And we have plans for our kids and plans for our retirement. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:05.579 And, you know, such tiny plans in a way, right? 00:20:05.739 --> 00:20:07.599 Plans for a few people for a few years. 00:20:07.959 --> 00:20:10.979 And here is God and his plan for the whole creation for all time. 00:20:12.439 --> 00:20:14.279 But how often do our plans work out? 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.239 Usually they don't, right? 00:20:15.959 --> 00:20:16.779 Things go wrong. 00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:20.719 And even if we don't mess it up, COVID or something comes along. 00:20:21.619 --> 00:20:26.839 Here is a much bigger plan and a plan that is complete. 00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:30.379 Because God can do it. 00:20:30.459 --> 00:20:31.919 Because God has all the power to do it. 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.959 Here is something you can get behind. 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.679 Here is something you can give your life to. 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:36.559 Right? 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.179 Incredible power. 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:41.279 But not just power. 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:44.839 Actually, those other things we can see are here as well. 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:48.379 Because if you look at verse 22, that's very interesting, right? 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.879 Okay, Jesus is head over all. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.059 Verse 22. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:57.519 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.759 Jesus is a gift. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:06.500 He gave Jesus to the church as head over everything. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:09.259 Now, how is Jesus being king a gift? 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.420 I don't know what you think. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.519 Jesus as king. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:14.640 I mean, we don't really like kings and rulers. 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.380 It seems scary. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.640 It seems distant. 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.680 But it's a gift. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.500 Now, let's go back to Bill Gates. 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.880 So now, let's not focus on Rory. 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:28.619 Let's focus on his daughter, Jennifer. 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:33.119 Jennifer, which is, we see God's care here. 00:21:33.219 --> 00:21:34.099 A few more photos. 00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:37.739 So his daughter, Jennifer, just got married. 00:21:39.479 --> 00:21:42.319 And Bill Gates really loves his daughter. 00:21:42.959 --> 00:21:45.539 And he wants her to be really good taken care of. 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:48.759 So now he gives a wedding present. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:53.639 He takes her fiancé, gives him a majority share in Microsoft, and makes him CEO. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:59.180 And then he knows that she's taken care of for all her life, right? 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:01.240 Now, that's still power. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:05.080 But it's now power given in love, right? 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.780 He loves his daughter. 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:11.000 And so, you know, I'm going to give you a CEO as husband. 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.540 I'm going to make your husband CEO. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:13.740 Right? 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.220 That is love. 00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:17.160 And that is what God did. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.140 He gave Jesus. 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:21.020 He made him king over everything and gave him to us. 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:23.799 Because, you know, we need a good king. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.299 We need a... 00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:27.599 Who do you want to be in charge? 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.440 You want a good ruler. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.599 I mean, the queen. 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:31.480 Why is everyone mourning? 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:33.039 Why is this... 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.160 Is there so many tributes? 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.819 Because she was such a wonderful woman, right? 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.660 She was a Christian. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.180 She was humble. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.240 She was a servant. 00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:42.839 She devoted her life to doing good for the people. 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:47.480 That's the kind of person you want to be queen or king, right? 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.859 A good ruler. 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:50.959 I mean, what was the opposite? 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:52.419 A totally evil ruler. 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:55.399 A communist dictator like Kim Jong-un, right? 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.259 When he dies, there's not going to be many tributes. 00:22:58.379 --> 00:23:00.679 Just a sigh of relief, to be honest, right? 00:23:02.219 --> 00:23:04.079 No, you want a good ruler. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.439 You don't want no ruler. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.139 That's also a mess. 00:23:07.219 --> 00:23:07.859 Look at Somalia. 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:10.759 No, we want, you know, a good ruler. 00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:14.979 And God, he loves us so much, he's given us the perfect king. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:17.819 The king who died for us. 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:20.380 The king who is so committed to us. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.059 Yeah, that he went to the cross for us. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:25.360 And he says, okay, I want you to rule the universe. 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:31.000 So that whatever happens, it's now controlled by Jesus, the king of love. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:34.700 I mean, that changes your perspective, right? 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.980 I mean, there's so much. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.620 It's a big, dangerous universe. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.900 So much that can go wrong. 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.700 How do we know it's not going to go out of control? 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:47.640 Well, because God gave Jesus the control center of the universe. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:48.620 Jesus is in charge. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.560 Jesus is on the throne. 00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:53.360 And now everything is under control by the king of love. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.500 And that's a gift to us, right? 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:57.240 And that shows God's care for us. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.120 I want you to make it. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:02.140 I want you to be there at the end as part of my plan. 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:06.300 And so Jesus is going to make sure that everything will go exactly my way. 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.600 It's a gift. 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.939 It's a wonderful gift. 00:24:10.219 --> 00:24:12.419 I mean, of course, it may not look like it. 00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:17.419 You see the world and you really think, wow, is this really going Jesus' way? 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:21.219 And that's where we need to have faith, where we're just very small. 00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:23.819 And God's plans are much bigger than us. 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:27.339 And we kind of need to trust that, you know, actually. 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.980 But what's the alternative? 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:31.439 What if the world is really out of control? 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:33.079 We couldn't live, right? 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.459 No, no. 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.699 Jesus is in control. 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.600 He's on the throne. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.900 He rose from the dead. 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.420 He's there. 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:41.860 And He's making sure everything is going to plan. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:47.000 Everything is going to make sure that, you know, we as a church will get there. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.120 Because we are His treasured possession. 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.759 We are His bride. 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.220 He wants us to be there. 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:56.220 And He'll rule the universe to make sure we'll get there. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.400 How wonderful, right? 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.080 Again, that's something you can give your life to, right? 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:02.139 It's something that assures us. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:05.740 When everything goes wrong in life, Jesus is on the throne. 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:06.439 It's fine. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.899 It'll be okay. 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.319 Wonderful. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:16.899 So that's, yeah, power, care, and finally, hope. 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:19.539 You know, look at the hope to which you've called us. 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:23.599 Because, again, this is, and that's here in the passage as well. 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:29.899 It's a little bit less obvious, but this passage tells us something about your great future. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.559 Verse 23. 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:38.599 What does it say about the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all? 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:40.980 The church is Christ's body. 00:25:41.219 --> 00:25:42.279 It's part of Him. 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.519 It's united with Him. 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:45.359 Of course, Jesus, He's so great. 00:25:45.439 --> 00:25:46.339 He fills the universe. 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:50.299 But, you know, as a church, we're connected to Him, united to Him. 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:52.980 What does it mean for your future? 00:25:54.139 --> 00:26:00.319 Well, the best thing to do is just make a drawing of the various body parts that we see in this passage. 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:03.559 Okay, so what does it say in verse 22? 00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:07.919 Well, God put all things under His feet. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.500 Okay, here. 00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:12.220 You can see that I've been to art school, right? 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:15.019 Everything is under Jesus' feet. 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:19.379 And He gave Him, Christ, as head over everything. 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:24.700 Okay, so here is Jesus' feet and the head over everything. 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.279 This is the end of time. 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:28.000 Now, where are you? 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:34.139 Well, the church, which is His body, right? 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.659 There's the church. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:37.879 Right? 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.639 That's the picture here. 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:45.960 You are part of Christ, and so you will be sharing in God's rule of the universe forever. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:49.840 I mean, we don't think about it like that. 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.019 But let me put it another way. 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.920 Just think about it. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:54.019 Jesus is the king of the universe, right? 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.620 And we are the bride of Christ. 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:59.460 Doesn't that make us the queen of the universe? 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.180 In some way. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:03.559 And the Bible doesn't put it like that. 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:05.319 But it says, right, we will reign with Him. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.460 We'll be sitting on thrones. 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:09.100 We'll be judging angels. 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:12.980 Because, you know, the church is God's special people. 00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:16.919 And we're united to Christ and we'll be sharing with Him in His reign. 00:27:17.219 --> 00:27:18.599 I mean, that was always the plan, right? 00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:23.019 God made Adam and Eve, and they were to have dominion over all creation under God. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.119 Of course, they sinned. 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:25.899 It all went wrong. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.819 Here comes Jesus, the second Adam. 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:34.740 And here is a new humanity that's going to reign with Christ forever. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.619 And that's us. 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:37.299 That's the hope here. 00:27:37.399 --> 00:27:39.200 That is your great future. 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:41.119 Sharing in Christ. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:43.099 Sharing His rule. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:47.399 Doesn't that kind of lift your eyes? 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:51.720 I don't know how you feel about your job and your life. 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.899 Ecclesiastes seems right, right? 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.939 Everything seems meaningless. 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:58.439 Your job seems so insignificant, so unimportant. 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.019 Not going anywhere. 00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:02.799 This is God's future for you. 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.439 This is what He is doing. 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:07.740 Doesn't that kind of lift your eyes a bit? 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:11.639 That, hey, look, you're not unimportant. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.480 You're not insignificant. 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:17.200 God has this great future for you. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:19.759 And actually, we can start in that now. 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.159 He has this plan. 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:23.179 Why don't we live for that now? 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.799 Why don't we get on board with that now? 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:27.599 Let's make God the center of our lives. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:28.539 And live for Him. 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:33.679 Isn't that so much more significant and important than your current job, right? 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:35.839 I hope we can see that. 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:38.679 I mean, these are amazing things. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.119 And they're mind-blowing things. 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:42.459 And they're things that we just need to think about, right? 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.799 I mean, that's what Paul wants. 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:46.099 He doesn't expect us to just now get up. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:51.419 He expects us to sit and meditate and think and grasp. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:54.559 But then, yeah, let this transform you. 00:28:55.379 --> 00:29:00.799 You know, being transformed by the idea that Jesus is on the throne with all power. 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:02.819 What that means for our lives. 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:04.099 What it means for our future. 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.339 So we can live for Him. 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:10.399 What an amazing thing, right? 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:14.419 So, yeah, that's all I can do at this time, right? 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.079 You know, know this. 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.899 Grasp this. 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.539 Let it change your heart. 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:19.500 Right? 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:24.779 And then, well, as we go on, as Paul tells us, okay, this is not what I want you to do. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.480 We can live for Him. 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.819 But just think about it this week, okay? 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.860 So I'm going to pray for us now. 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.120 And Ben's going to come up. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:36.940 And then we're just going to spend a few minutes just reflecting, taking in what you've just seen. 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:40.720 You know, read over your notes and pray and, yeah, meditate. 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.460 So let me just pray again. 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:52.220 Our Father, these are things that we could never know by ourselves. 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:54.559 How great You are. 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:57.879 How great Your plan is for all creation. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.879 Father, we want to know these things. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.139 We want to be changed by them. 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.339 We need Your help. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.700 We need You to work in our hearts. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:10.259 Because by ourselves, we're just concerned about the things of this world. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.279 Concerned about other things. 00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:13.679 Concerned about things that don't matter. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:16.200 So lift our eyes to Jesus. 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:18.559 Help us see Him on the throne, in His glory. 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.679 And what it means for our lives. 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.879 What it means for the world. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.759 What it means for the future. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:26.119 And would it change us? 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.839 Father, make us the church You want us to be. 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:35.720 By, you know, helping us be transformed by just such a deep grasp of You. 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:40.680 So please do that work in us now as we think, as we pray, and as we go on this week. 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:42.220 Being transformed. 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.059 In Jesus' name. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.899 Amen. 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:44.960 Amen. 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.460 Amen.