WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.719
 Please open in the scriptures to Matthew's gospel again.

00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:10.220
 We're going to look again at the passage we began last night,

00:00:10.939 --> 00:00:19.080
 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, beginning in verse 1 of Matthew 5.

00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:21.760
 I called an audible last night.

00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:25.400
 I didn't run this by Sean, but thinking about our time limitations,

00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.000
 I actually did this morning's message last night.

00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:30.719
 That's why when you got into your small groups,

00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:33.420
 you're looking at your devotional questions, your application questions,

00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:34.880
 they seemed a little bit out of sync.

00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:36.299
 They complement each other.

00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:40.859
 When we did this at Crossway, we did both passages two weeks in a row.

00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:47.240
 So I'm actually doing the message that originally was planned for last night

00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:50.240
 because we have more time this morning, although I won't be that much longer,

00:00:50.659 --> 00:00:51.480
 and we can linger.

00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:52.420
 But they're complementary.

00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.920
 So those of you who are leading those small group discussions,

00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:59.079
 I'll give you some questions to jot down,

00:00:59.539 --> 00:01:03.859
 and that will just make that transition a little simpler for you.

00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:09.939
 But let's read the scripture, and then I will pray for our time together.

00:01:10.180 --> 00:01:11.820
 This is God's word to us.

00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:16.079
 Matthew 5, beginning in verse 1.

00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:46.060
 Verse 1.

00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:49.780
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

00:01:50.379 --> 00:01:52.819
 for they shall be satisfied.

00:01:53.679 --> 00:01:58.640
 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:04.799
 Blessed are the poor in heart, for they shall see God.

00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:09.400
 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:13.659
 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

00:02:13.659 --> 00:02:15.960
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:20.699
 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you

00:02:20.699 --> 00:02:26.120
 and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:30.379
 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:35.740
 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

00:02:35.740 --> 00:02:39.640
 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste,

00:02:39.760 --> 00:02:41.820
 how shall its saltiness be restored?

00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:46.000
 It's no longer good for anything except to be thrown out

00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.920
 and trampled under people's feet.

00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:50.280
 You are the light of the world.

00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:52.920
 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden,

00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:56.660
 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket,

00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:58.400
 but on a stand,

00:02:58.740 --> 00:03:02.100
 and it gives light to all in the house.

00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:06.319
 In the same way, let your light shine before others

00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:09.039
 so that they may see your good works

00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:15.299
 and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:18.900
 Thanks be to God for his word.

00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:19.379
 Let's pray.

00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:23.759
 Father, as we've already sung this morning,

00:03:24.979 --> 00:03:28.199
 we are dependent on you,

00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:33.939
 and so, Lord, we bring now this time before your word,

00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:37.379
 and we invite the work of your Spirit in our hearts

00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:41.679
 that we might grow in our mission mindfulness

00:03:41.679 --> 00:03:45.519
 and in growing, join Christ more faithfully,

00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:52.659
 more fruitfully in the mission that he has called us to.

00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:54.719
 Help us to do that together,

00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:58.159
 and Lord, minister to us

00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:00.439
 out of your great love this morning.

00:04:00.520 --> 00:04:01.879
 We pray this in Jesus' name.

00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:03.479
 Amen.

00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.960
 If you were asked the question,

00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:10.819
 what was the most read article in the New York Times

00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:14.719
 in 2021,

00:04:15.159 --> 00:04:16.220
 what would you say?

00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:19.540
 Was it an article about the economy?

00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:21.459
 Certainly would be worthwhile

00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:23.600
 in light of the economic difficulties we face.

00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.180
 Was it an article about politics

00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:27.100
 because of the current rancor

00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:31.020
 and discord and political conversations?

00:04:33.580 --> 00:04:35.760
 Was it an article drawn from the culture wars,

00:04:36.320 --> 00:04:38.560
 which the church often finds itself

00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.700
 in the crosshairs of?

00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:43.560
 Maybe it was an article about Harry Styles

00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.840
 and his residency in Las Vegas.

00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:47.860
 It was none of those articles.

00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:50.260
 And you think about the New York Times.

00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:52.519
 It's read by millions of people every day

00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:53.579
 throughout the world.

00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:58.980
 It was an article about mental health.

00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:04.399
 The most read article in 2021

00:05:04.399 --> 00:05:06.860
 was not written by journalists,

00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:08.539
 nor by a political reporter,

00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.219
 nor by someone embedded on the war front.

00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:13.939
 It was by Adam Grant,

00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:15.639
 industrial psychologist,

00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:17.120
 Wharton Business School.

00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:19.240
 And he wrote this.

00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:23.019
 There's a name for the blah you're feeling.

00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:25.240
 It's called languishing.

00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:27.319
 How many of you have heard of that article?

00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:29.259
 Good.

00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:31.259
 I hadn't heard of it

00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:32.439
 when someone introduced it to me.

00:05:33.060 --> 00:05:35.100
 And I read a lot of articles

00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:35.920
 on the New York Times.

00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:38.600
 It's what Dr. Grant wrote.

00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:42.200
 At first, I didn't recognize the symptoms

00:05:42.200 --> 00:05:43.400
 that we all had in common.

00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.060
 Friends mentioned

00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:48.120
 that they were having trouble concentrating.

00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:50.400
 Colleagues reported

00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:52.600
 that even with vaccines on the horizon,

00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:53.520
 this is 2021,

00:05:54.200 --> 00:05:56.280
 they weren't excited about 2021.

00:05:57.439 --> 00:05:59.340
 A family member was staying up late

00:05:59.340 --> 00:06:00.939
 to watch National Treasure.

00:06:02.820 --> 00:06:04.620
 You know what that movie is.

00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:08.519
 Even though she knows the movie by heart.

00:06:08.840 --> 00:06:10.360
 And instead of bouncing out of bed

00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.860
 at 6 a.m., Adam writes,

00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:13.879
 I was lying there until 7,

00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:17.120
 playing Wordle with friends.

00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:19.300
 It wasn't burnout.

00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:21.579
 We all had energy.

00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:23.600
 It wasn't depression.

00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:25.600
 We didn't feel hopeless.

00:06:26.459 --> 00:06:29.500
 We just felt joyless.

00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:32.740
 And aimless.

00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:35.279
 And it turns out there's a name for that.

00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:37.620
 Languishing.

00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:42.019
 Languishing is a sense of stagnation

00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:42.939
 and emptiness.

00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:46.480
 It feels as if you're muddling through your days.

00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:47.399
 I love this.

00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:48.399
 He's such a good writer.

00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:51.379
 Looking at life through a foggy windshield.

00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:56.060
 I've had a few foggy windshields this fall.

00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:57.439
 It's really cold in the morning

00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.779
 or it's really warm outside.

00:06:58.779 --> 00:06:59.679
 It's cold in your car.

00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:01.979
 Imagine going through life

00:07:01.979 --> 00:07:03.379
 with a foggy windshield

00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:05.399
 and you're defrosted or snot.

00:07:06.679 --> 00:07:08.859
 And it might be the dominant motion of 2021.

00:07:11.739 --> 00:07:14.359
 In psychology, I'll conclude with this.

00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:16.239
 We think a lot about mental health

00:07:16.239 --> 00:07:19.299
 on a spectrum from depression to flourishing.

00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:21.539
 Flourishing is the peak of well-being.

00:07:21.799 --> 00:07:23.059
 You have a strong sense of meaning,

00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.759
 mastery, mattering to others.

00:07:25.539 --> 00:07:27.419
 Depression can be a valley of ill-being.

00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:30.280
 You feel despondent, drained, and worthless.

00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:34.960
 Languishing is the neglected middle child

00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:37.180
 of mental health.

00:07:37.520 --> 00:07:40.680
 It's the void between depression and flourishing.

00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:43.200
 The absence of well-being.

00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:48.660
 You don't fit the grid of symptoms of mental illness,

00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:51.480
 but you know you're not the picture of mental health.

00:07:51.780 --> 00:07:53.880
 You're not functioning at full capacity.

00:07:54.640 --> 00:07:56.240
 Languishing dulls your motivation,

00:07:56.540 --> 00:07:58.020
 disrupts your ability to focus,

00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:00.280
 triples the odds that you'll cut back on work.

00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:03.220
 It's beginning to appear more common

00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:04.300
 than major depression

00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:08.820
 and in some ways may be a bigger risk factor

00:08:08.820 --> 00:08:09.700
 for mental illness.

00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:13.360
 Part of the danger when you're languishing

00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.920
 is you fail to notice it.

00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:20.379
 You don't catch yourself slowly slipping into solitude.

00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.860
 You're indifferent to your indifference.

00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:26.839
 Understanding it better can help you

00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:28.819
 and help others like you.

00:08:29.919 --> 00:08:31.879
 I was talking to a millennial, an urbanite.

00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:34.279
 I'm a suburbanite, so I depend on these urbanites

00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.480
 to tell me what they're feeling.

00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:39.159
 And she said, describing herself and her peers,

00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:40.700
 she didn't use the word languishing.

00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:45.060
 She said, right now, I feel trapped.

00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:46.600
 Trapped?

00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:50.000
 Trapped by what?

00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:55.960
 And she began to describe a series of boundaries in her lives,

00:08:56.200 --> 00:09:00.159
 financial boundaries, living arrangement,

00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:05.220
 limitations, social, network, relational,

00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:10.080
 difficulties, job ceilings where advancements

00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:13.759
 didn't come in a timely way, emotional.

00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:21.779
 And I asked her, how does it feel to feel trapped?

00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:23.460
 This is a Christian woman.

00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:29.820
 And the word we agreed on, you're languishing.

00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:35.620
 What is the good news to a church on mission,

00:09:36.020 --> 00:09:40.740
 to a culture that is struggling with something

00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.980
 they can't even put a word to?

00:09:44.160 --> 00:09:47.780
 What is the good news to us when we, in honesty,

00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:50.220
 or a friend points out to us that spiritually,

00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.800
 we're languishing?

00:09:51.920 --> 00:09:52.800
 Don't hear what I'm not saying.

00:09:52.840 --> 00:09:53.840
 You can be very busy.

00:09:54.380 --> 00:09:55.480
 You can be full of energy.

00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:58.519
 You can be an extrovert in your personality,

00:09:58.680 --> 00:09:59.860
 or you can be an introvert.

00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:02.759
 You can be very radical.

00:10:04.879 --> 00:10:07.860
 What is the news of the gospel,

00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:10.480
 and how does it intersect with our mission,

00:10:11.680 --> 00:10:15.860
 mindfulness, when it comes to pointing people to Jesus?

00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:20.300
 I think it's found in the Beatitudes, among others.

00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:24.659
 It's found in those opening verses that we just read.

00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:27.100
 It's not the only thing the New Testament says,

00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:32.159
 but it says enough in these verses to remind us two things,

00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:36.820
 that being blessed in Christ, my first point,

00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:39.200
 motivates us to obey Christ in mission,

00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:44.160
 and that being blessed in Christ equips us,

00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:49.660
 equips us to bless others in mission.

00:10:50.400 --> 00:10:51.620
 So at the end of this message,

00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:54.640
 I want you to ask yourself the question,

00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:57.340
 not only what is a practical application

00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:59.320
 from today's message for my life,

00:10:59.900 --> 00:11:05.200
 but how does the blessed person in Christ

00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:09.800
 experience sufficient grace to be blessed?

00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:13.080
 You should be able to answer that without pause

00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:15.920
 when called upon by your small group leader.

00:11:16.020 --> 00:11:17.860
 How does the blessed person in Christ,

00:11:17.900 --> 00:11:19.720
 which describes every genuine Christian,

00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:21.900
 you are blessed in Christ,

00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:25.220
 according to Matthew 5 and 2 Corinthians 5,

00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.320
 where Paul says,

00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:28.280
 therefore you are a new creation.

00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:32.780
 How does the blessed person in Christ

00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:40.339
 experience grace sufficient to bless others?

00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.120
 Let's look at the text together,

00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:44.600
 put it in context briefly.

00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:48.899
 You are well taught by Dr. Wu,

00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:51.120
 although he's not a doctor right now.

00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:55.259
 And so I don't feel the need to belabor

00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:58.539
 some of these exegetical points.

00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:02.299
 But Jesus is seated on a mountain,

00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:06.199
 which denotes authority,

00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.279
 and he is teaching his disciples,

00:12:09.519 --> 00:12:11.819
 his soon-to-be Christians.

00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:14.199
 And he opens his mouth,

00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:17.459
 and he begins to announce to them

00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:19.600
 a series of blessings.

00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:20.299
 Verse 3,

00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:22.000
 blessed are the poor in spirit.

00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:22.899
 Verse 4,

00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.419
 blessed are those who mourn.

00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.059
 Verse 5,

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.539
 blessed are the meek.

00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:27.699
 Verse 6,

00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.139
 blessed are those who hunger

00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:30.519
 and thirst for righteousness.

00:12:30.519 --> 00:12:31.379
 Verse 7,

00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.799
 blessed are the merciful.

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.199
 Verse 8,

00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.620
 blessed are the pure in heart.

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:37.960
 Verse 9,

00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:39.500
 blessed are the peacemakers.

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.100
 Blessed are those who are persecuted

00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:43.220
 for righteousness' sake.

00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:44.799
 Blessed are you

00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.159
 when others revile you

00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.240
 and persecute you

00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:49.220
 and utter all kinds of evil

00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:51.179
 against you falsely.

00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:55.500
 And following each of the blessings

00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:57.579
 that he describes

00:12:57.579 --> 00:13:01.419
 is attached a promise

00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.359
 to the person

00:13:03.359 --> 00:13:06.419
 who fits that bill.

00:13:07.099 --> 00:13:10.439
 So for the poor in spirit,

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.679
 theirs is the kingdom.

00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.519
 For those who mourn,

00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.519
 they shall be comforted.

00:13:14.599 --> 00:13:15.099
 For the meek,

00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.259
 they shall inherit the earth.

00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:17.699
 For those who hunger and thirst,

00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:18.819
 they shall be satisfied.

00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.040
 For the merciful,

00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:21.320
 they shall receive mercy.

00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.800
 For the pure in heart,

00:13:22.900 --> 00:13:23.760
 they shall see God.

00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.720
 For the peacemaker,

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.300
 they shall be called sons of God.

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.160
 For the persecuted,

00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.740
 for righteousness' sake,

00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:30.440
 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

00:13:31.520 --> 00:13:32.720
 And for those,

00:13:32.900 --> 00:13:34.200
 when others revile you

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.260
 and persecute you

00:13:35.260 --> 00:13:36.400
 on account of Christ,

00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:38.900
 your reward is great.

00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:41.200
 It's quite a set

00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.980
 of declarations

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.760
 and promises

00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:48.519
 which begs the question,

00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.960
 how do we receive

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:54.220
 these blessings?

00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.620
 How do we receive

00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.539
 these blessings

00:13:57.539 --> 00:14:00.960
 through putting our trust

00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:03.379
 in Jesus Christ?

00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:06.159
 And then how do these blessings

00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:08.159
 inform the ethics

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:10.519
 of a Christian

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:12.279
 who is missionally mindful

00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:16.299
 and not culturally captivated?

00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.139
 Well,

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:24.319
 this is the simple explanation.

00:14:26.439 --> 00:14:28.120
 To receive the blessing

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.339
 of the Beatitudes,

00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:32.980
 you have to put your trust

00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:35.220
 in the blesser,

00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:36.980
 Jesus Christ.

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:41.120
 to receive the blessings,

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:44.279
 you have to put your trust

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:46.420
 in through faith in

00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:48.340
 as you turn from your sins

00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:50.320
 to him in Jesus Christ.

00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.800
 When I first became a Christian,

00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.320
 I was introduced

00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:53.879
 to the ministry of R.C. Sproul.

00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.840
 I love R.C. Sproul.

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.680
 When I read his book,

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.399
 Holiness of God,

00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:59.000
 on an airplane in California,

00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:00.399
 I was with my family on vacation.

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.539
 I was like 21, 22 years old.

00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.680
 It was a game changer.

00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.239
 I read several other books,

00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.000
 went to Ligonier conferences,

00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.259
 subscribed to Table Talk.

00:15:09.359 --> 00:15:11.239
 I was a Ligonier junkie

00:15:11.239 --> 00:15:12.159
 in the early years

00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.719
 of my Christendom.

00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:13.839
 But Holiness of God,

00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.819
 I've read it since then

00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.500
 two or three times,

00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:16.979
 stands alone.

00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.779
 And he introduced me

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:20.139
 to a teaching

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.479
 in Reformed theology,

00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.059
 which you are,

00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:23.879
 you are Reformed,

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.259
 where it talked about

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.679
 the order of salvation.

00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:28.759
 And if you don't know

00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.240
 what that is,

00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:30.279
 Sean can break it down

00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:30.959
 more articulately,

00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:31.399
 can I again?

00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:31.939
 But basically,

00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.639
 that when someone comes to Christ,

00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:36.079
 there is sovereignty

00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:37.699
 in God's election, right?

00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.739
 And then,

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.099
 through the calling

00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:41.819
 of the gospel,

00:15:42.739 --> 00:15:43.799
 there is regeneration

00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:45.059
 and then conversion.

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.719
 And then from conversion,

00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:52.179
 there is justification.

00:15:52.599 --> 00:15:53.979
 We receive Christ's righteousness

00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:54.599
 by faith.

00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:54.839
 Amen?

00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.000
 Isn't that glorious?

00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:59.979
 And then we're adopted

00:15:59.979 --> 00:16:00.719
 into his family.

00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:03.519
 And then there's growth

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.560
 into Christlikeness.

00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:06.620
 And then there's glorification.

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:09.040
 We see Jesus face to face

00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:10.279
 through perseverance.

00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:13.759
 And because I'm a slow student,

00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.720
 George,

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:16.000
 and I don't listen carefully

00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.639
 a lot of times,

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.240
 I began,

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:20.180
 and I imagine you have never done this,

00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.879
 I began to separate

00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.540
 the blessings,

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:26.840
 like links on a golden chain,

00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.639
 from the blesser.

00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.600
 In other words,

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.399
 I began to think more about

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.039
 the blessing,

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.139
 which are enormously significant,

00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.340
 and not the person

00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.620
 who bestows the blessing.

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.019
 And so,

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.480
 I was learning

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:43.360
 these links in the chain,

00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:46.379
 and my mind was being blown open,

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.960
 and my heart was being

00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.879
 renewed and revived,

00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.220
 and I was a new Christian,

00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.279
 and things just seemed

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.139
 to be coming together.

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.819
 But over time,

00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:56.500
 I became more focused

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:59.000
 on the links in the chain,

00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.639
 and I lost sight

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.919
 of the person of Christ.

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.379
 And although the links

00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:07.660
 in the chain analogy

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.319
 is helpful,

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.400
 it's woefully inadequate.

00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:13.980
 If we think of salvation

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.599
 more of the blessings

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.639
 than we've received,

00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:18.139
 than the person

00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:20.839
 that each of those blessings

00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.539
 points to.

00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:23.839
 And that's why I think

00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:25.099
 the deficit of teaching

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:26.119
 on union with Christ

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.859
 is hurt the church.

00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.779
 Because we think

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.559
 more about

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.519
 what we've received

00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.180
 from Christ

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.940
 than we think about

00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.440
 when we receive Christ,

00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:36.740
 we get it all.

00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.740
 We get it all.

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.980
 So I'm worshiping

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.799
 this morning with you,

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.420
 and I'm feeling,

00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.359
 even with two gallons

00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:47.159
 of Costco cold coffee in me,

00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.540
 not quite spiritually

00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:51.940
 like I should be,

00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.580
 and I have to speak,

00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:55.080
 and there's this little voice

00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:56.340
 of condemnation

00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:56.940
 that's beginning

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:58.759
 to ping in my soul.

00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:00.060
 Where do I go

00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:00.660
 in that moment?

00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:02.960
 Well, if I go

00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.940
 to the blessings

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.120
 that I'm justified

00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:05.759
 in Christ,

00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.580
 that's good,

00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:07.960
 but instead,

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.600
 I went to 2 Corinthians 5

00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:09.880
 and said,

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.080
 no,

00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.220
 I'm a new creation

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.820
 in Christ.

00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.859
 I'm fully accepted

00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.500
 in Christ.

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.819
 I am justified

00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.240
 because He

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.259
 has joined Himself

00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.899
 to me.

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:23.259
 I am being sanctified

00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.259
 because Christ

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.639
 is in me.

00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.659
 I will one day

00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.439
 be glorified,

00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.899
 not because I'm being faithful,

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.079
 but because He

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.059
 is committed

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:33.099
 faithfully to me.

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.339
 And as I grow

00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.500
 into that reality,

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:38.159
 I begin to realize

00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:39.740
 I, you,

00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.500
 are blessed

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.379
 in Christ.

00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.220
 Somebody say amen.

00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:43.900
 That's what I always

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.240
 gig up.

00:18:44.300 --> 00:18:44.800
 Thank you.

00:18:45.780 --> 00:18:46.680
 I know you're there.

00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.680
 You folks have

00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.500
 a lot of energy.

00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:49.440
 I was thinking,

00:18:49.520 --> 00:18:50.220
 they're going to be tired.

00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.420
 They drove two and a half

00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.560
 hours last night.

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.020
 Are you kidding?

00:18:53.020 --> 00:18:53.480
 You guys were up

00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.500
 partying at two

00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.040
 in the morning.

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.000
 I'm trying to sleep

00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.560
 last night.

00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.500
 There's a lot of energy

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.080
 in this room.

00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:00.740
 Wonderful.

00:19:03.060 --> 00:19:03.460
 So,

00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:07.580
 Jesus often says

00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.900
 hard things,

00:19:09.320 --> 00:19:10.480
 but the blessings

00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.520
 of the beatitude

00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.639
 is an invitation.

00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.039
 And for the Christian,

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.019
 it's a reminder

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:17.259
 that spirituality

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.099
 in Him

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.700
 is not a superficial thing.

00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:28.099
 When God's grace

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:30.440
 invades your heart

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.519
 through the person

00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.279
 of Christ,

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:36.680
 when God's grace

00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.220
 invades your heart

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.940
 through the person

00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.579
 of Christ,

00:19:41.380 --> 00:19:44.180
 it initiates

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:45.920
 blessings.

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.519
 One gentleman

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.360
 who I studied,

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.339
 David Turner

00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:55.319
 and his commentary

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.200
 on Matthew,

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.819
 wrote this.

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.759
 This isn't projected,

00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.559
 so just listen

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:01.259
 and be encouraged

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.799
 by this.

00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:03.100
 He's talking about

00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.500
 receiving Christ's blessings.

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:06.259
 God initiates

00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.920
 His salvific blessings

00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.920
 by graciously sending

00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.480
 His Son

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:11.579
 to save sinful

00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.519
 and broken people.

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.839
 They respond

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.039
 to Christ's invitation

00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.279
 to receive God's

00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.180
 promised salvation

00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.940
 by repenting

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.539
 of their sins

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.559
 and turning to Christ.

00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.299
 Christ's followers,

00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:21.859
 in turn,

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.819
 respond to Him

00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.200
 by blessing God

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.839
 with praise

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.900
 and obedient living.

00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.759
 Their present experience

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.539
 of God's kingdom

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.279
 through faith

00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.799
 in Christ

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.720
 motivates them

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.359
 to live

00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.220
 in light

00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.839
 of its future

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.360
 fulfillment.

00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.279
 The sermon's pattern

00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:35.980
 is to highlight

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.660
 the character

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.880
 of the blessed person

00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.200
 and then explain

00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.319
 the promise of God

00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.019
 realized through

00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.620
 a relationship

00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.960
 with Jesus.

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.680
 The sermon's pattern

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.700
 is to highlight

00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.539
 the character

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.920
 of the blessed person

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.319
 and then explain

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.200
 the promise

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.380
 of God

00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.259
 realized through

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.759
 a relationship

00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.360
 with Jesus.

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.740
 So when we receive

00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.140
 Jesus,

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:57.880
 we receive

00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:59.120
 all of these blessings,

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.019
 but that doesn't mean

00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:01.160
 we experience

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.980
 all of these blessings

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:05.420
 in the same way,

00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:07.500
 in the fullest way,

00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.680
 all of the time.

00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.839
 We progressively

00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:11.119
 grow into them,

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.519
 right?

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.920
 We progressively

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.559
 grow into our experience

00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.599
 of what it means.

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.420
 Let's look at the

00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:20.000
 first one,

00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.940
 to be poor in spirit.

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:26.240
 It's a great blessing.

00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:28.900
 to be poor in spirit,

00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:30.779
 as I flip through

00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.660
 my notes here,

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:34.740
 is to be completely

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.359
 dependent

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.880
 on Christ.

00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.559
 Not on the gifts

00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.740
 Christ has given you,

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.019
 not on the gifts

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.400
 that Christ the creator

00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.279
 endowed you with,

00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.759
 but to be poor in spirit

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.700
 is to completely

00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.339
 depend on,

00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.660
 there's few things

00:21:47.660 --> 00:21:49.839
 that more challenge me

00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.140
 than to be completely

00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:52.660
 dependent on Christ,

00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.180
 particularly in the areas

00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:56.059
 where I'm gifted.

00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.440
 where I'm already

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.200
 good,

00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.940
 where I have experience

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.500
 and I have skills

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.660
 and I've shown

00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.700
 effectiveness in it,

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.680
 like public speaking

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:06.640
 or teaching

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.539
 or my superior

00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.519
 athletic abilities

00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.440
 that Will can tell you

00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.740
 about.

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.960
 My first instinct

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.539
 is not to be

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.359
 completely dependent

00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:14.839
 on Christ.

00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:15.559
 My first instinct

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.299
 is to be dependent

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:18.859
 on me.

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.480
 And so I'm

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.359
 progressively

00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.980
 over time

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.000
 growing into

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.720
 this new reality

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.279
 of saying,

00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.740
 Lord,

00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.539
 thank you for the gift.

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.259
 Thank you for the ability.

00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.819
 Thank you for

00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.279
 how you have helped me

00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.880
 to serve others.

00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.460
 But Lord,

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.339
 this morning

00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.480
 I just commit

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.720
 my words,

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.619
 my mouth,

00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.279
 my arms

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.359
 that seem to move a lot

00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.039
 when I speak,

00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:43.279
 I commit it all

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.240
 to you.

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.000
 Make me more

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.480
 dependent on you.

00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.980
 Why?

00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.460
 Because it's a blessing

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:50.200
 to be blessed

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.680
 by Jesus

00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:53.340
 through a relationship

00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.819
 with him.

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.420
 How about

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.960
 blessed are those

00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.500
 who mourn?

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.620
 Verse 4,

00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.200
 for they

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.440
 shall be comforted.

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.980
 The mourning

00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.000
 in that

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.799
 is to take

00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.500
 sin

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.600
 seriously.

00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.840
 The same word

00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.160
 is found

00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.259
 in 1 Corinthians 5,

00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:13.799
 2,

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:16.279
 and James 4,

00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.279
 and both use

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.119
 the word mourning

00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:20.279
 to describe

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.299
 a deep sense

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:21.899
 of grief

00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.819
 and conviction

00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:24.759
 enabled by the Holy Spirit.

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.819
 It's specific.

00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:28.299
 It's pinpointed.

00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.180
 It's not condemning,

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.319
 but it is,

00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:34.559
 it is penetrating

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:36.759
 when we mourn

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.519
 over the sin

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.200
 of ourselves

00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.960
 or over the sin

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.399
 of others.

00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.279
 Psalm 119,

00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.160
 136 says,

00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.000
 my eyes shed

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.299
 streams of tears

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.680
 because people

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.720
 do not keep your law.

00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.359
 People do not

00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:46.980
 walk in covenant

00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.539
 with God

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.640
 according to the psalmist

00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.039
 and it causes

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.799
 him to mourn.

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.819
 The sense

00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.799
 of this blessing

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.599
 is that Jesus

00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.559
 calls his people

00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.500
 to a view of life

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:59.180
 that shuns

00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.759
 the light-hearted

00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.599
 attitude

00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.900
 regarding

00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:04.640
 serious issues

00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.839
 of sin

00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:07.779
 in our own hearts

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:10.680
 and in our context.

00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.960
 And yet,

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.819
 it promises

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.299
 his comfort

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.659
 comfort to those

00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.359
 who genuinely

00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.639
 take sin seriously.

00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.639
 There is comfort

00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:20.700
 in genuine repentance.

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.919
 Do you remember

00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:24.019
 the comfort

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.639
 that came to you

00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.619
 when you first

00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.419
 believed

00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:29.319
 the joy

00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:31.180
 of the revelation

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.319
 that your sins

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.480
 have been forgiven

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.960
 through the atoning work

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.460
 of Christ

00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.359
 on the cross?

00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:38.339
 I remember that

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.339
 as if it happened

00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:40.319
 last night.

00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:43.219
 I was blessed

00:24:43.219 --> 00:24:45.019
 by the blesser

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.439
 with the beatitude

00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.839
 of being

00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:49.419
 mournful.

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.360
 and it fueled

00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.060
 my repentance

00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:54.120
 and it has fueled

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.840
 my worship

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:56.140
 since then.

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:58.000
 We are to receive

00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.000
 and to grow

00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:01.060
 more into Christ

00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:03.039
 through this blessing

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:04.840
 as we perhaps

00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:06.360
 get out of ourselves

00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:08.500
 in looking to him.

00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.120
 I'll do one more

00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.019
 and then we'll move

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.480
 to mission.

00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.580
 I like this one.

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.180
 Power under control.

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.019
 Meekness.

00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:18.539
 Hmm.

00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.900
 Meekness.

00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:23.480
 Two things

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.620
 less described

00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:27.080
 in the eyes

00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.120
 of the culture today

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:30.580
 than meekness.

00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.539
 Gentleness.

00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.519
 Lowliness.

00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.000
 Meekness.

00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.640
 That's a mark

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.400
 of a true disciple.

00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.700
 That's a distinguishing

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.740
 evidence of grace.

00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.060
 Sinners were drawn

00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.560
 to Jesus.

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.420
 Broken people.

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.180
 Outliers.

00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:48.960
 Outcasts.

00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:50.740
 And some.

00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:52.840
 Elites.

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.360
 Yes, he spoke

00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.920
 with authority.

00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:57.019
 Yes, he worked miracles.

00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:58.660
 But his meekness

00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:00.620
 made him

00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:02.320
 approachable.

00:26:03.820 --> 00:26:04.580
 My wife,

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.500
 who I love to boast

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.480
 and she'll be here

00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.619
 later.

00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.220
 Hopefully she's on her way.

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.700
 As soon as you meet her,

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.420
 you'll say,

00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:11.960
 hmm,

00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.059
 he traded up

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.819
 in marrying her.

00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.779
 He got a break.

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.000
 That was kind of gone.

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:19.740
 She works in a,

00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.420
 on a college campus

00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:24.599
 in the arts department

00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:26.699
 and it is,

00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:28.299
 has a large population,

00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.779
 staff and students

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.939
 of

00:26:30.939 --> 00:26:33.879
 LGBTQ

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:36.559
 people.

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.879
 Students,

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.519
 faculty,

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.419
 staff.

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.719
 We're using more

00:26:43.719 --> 00:26:44.599
 personal pronouns

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.339
 in a workday

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.699
 than,

00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:46.939
 you know,

00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:49.039
 my,

00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.039
 my passwords

00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.299
 to my phone

00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.960
 has digits.

00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.320
 She does it

00:26:53.320 --> 00:26:54.019
 to be respectful

00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.840
 and because she's been

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.519
 told to do it

00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.680
 and required to do it.

00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.299
 Meanwhile,

00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.460
 a local church,

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.019
 a church that preaches

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.620
 the gospel,

00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.680
 but a,

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:03.940
 nonetheless,

00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:04.920
 a local church

00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.660
 in the town

00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.720
 where we have,

00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.880
 do our services,

00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.960
 is holding up signs.

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:13.460
 talks about

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:15.079
 the fags.

00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.539
 God hates

00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.240
 the gays.

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.579
 God hates

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.759
 and they're out there

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.400
 protesting

00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.960
 the LGBTQ

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:26.120
 group

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:26.680
 that's there

00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.340
 on campus.

00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.340
 Everyone in the shop

00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.779
 knows

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:34.779
 you're a Christian.

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.059
 In fact,

00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.600
 even worse,

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.539
 you're married

00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.460
 to a pastor.

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.460
 How do you respond

00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:42.819
 to that?

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:43.640
 Well,

00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:43.860
 first,

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.539
 she's grieved.

00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.059
 She's grieved

00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.640
 for those students

00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.559
 first that

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:51.740
 their identity

00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:53.240
 has become now

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:55.579
 anchored in

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.860
 these realities

00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.779
 that our culture,

00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:00.079
 that breaks her heart.

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:03.240
 Then she's angry

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:06.000
 because she's being

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.059
 grouped in

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.680
 with this group

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.500
 of protesters

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:11.160
 that

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.819
 isn't there

00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:13.279
 every week

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.779
 but is there

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.240
 enough

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.900
 that the whole

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.160
 campus is on edge

00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.720
 when they're there

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.779
 and the staff

00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.900
 look at her

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.319
 and say,

00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.160
 you're one of them.

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.140
 They may not say it

00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:21.339
 to her,

00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.220
 but they're thinking that.

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:22.940
 And so,

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.160
 no,

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.579
 this might surprise you.

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.819
 You don't get invited

00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:27.359
 to drinks on Friday night

00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.460
 when you're one of them.

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.619
 You don't get invited

00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:32.680
 to the pre-year

00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.700
 cookout

00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.079
 when you're one of them

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:36.460
 because you hate

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:38.500
 LGBTQ.

00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:38.740
 LGBTQ.

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.319
 And so,

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.519
 one by one by one

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.900
 beginning with her supervisor

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:47.420
 because she,

00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:49.720
 she has grown

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.880
 in meekness.

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.279
 She has

00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:57.319
 ministered Christ

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.000
 to them

00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.019
 through her words

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:02.160
 and through her actions.

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.560
 she has

00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.580
 been salt.

00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:05.720
 She has

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.540
 been light.

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.000
 And where she

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:10.420
 has not compromised

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.500
 and said,

00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.519
 I simply affirm,

00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.120
 affirm,

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:13.759
 affirm,

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.340
 agree,

00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:14.920
 agree,

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:17.320
 she has been

00:29:17.320 --> 00:29:18.200
 very clear

00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.000
 in her character

00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:20.320
 and in her speech

00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:22.540
 that Christ

00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.140
 does not

00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.940
 hate

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.160
 sinners.

00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.360
 sinners.

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.860
 And now,

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.240
 we're getting

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.080
 invited to cocktail

00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.519
 parties.

00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.500
 Praise the Lord.

00:29:33.540 --> 00:29:34.019
 Seriously,

00:29:34.540 --> 00:29:35.100
 I'm going

00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:35.940
 golfing with one

00:29:35.940 --> 00:29:36.700
 of these people soon.

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.380
 You never golf

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.779
 with someone

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.340
 if you think

00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:39.180
 they hate,

00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.640
 you know.

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:44.560
 she has

00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:45.040
 grown

00:29:45.040 --> 00:29:46.060
 in

00:29:46.060 --> 00:29:47.780
 the blessing

00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:49.600
 of the

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.180
 blesser,

00:29:50.280 --> 00:29:51.020
 the character

00:29:51.020 --> 00:29:52.000
 of meekness

00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:53.500
 in the face

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.420
 of hostility

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:56.140
 instead of

00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.600
 reacting

00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.700
 to it

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.140
 and becoming

00:29:59.140 --> 00:29:59.860
 defensive

00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:01.700
 in response

00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.180
 to it

00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.620
 or even

00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.280
 starting to get

00:30:03.280 --> 00:30:03.620
 into this

00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:04.460
 whole conversation

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.640
 about my rights

00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.680
 are being violated

00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.200
 and you won't

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.860
 speak to me

00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:08.460
 that way.

00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:11.840
 And the

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.720
 kingdom of

00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.340
 Christ

00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:14.799
 advances

00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.759
 through the

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.319
 meekness

00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.779
 of my wife.

00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.819
 I tell her,

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.480
 except for what I

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:20.819
 believe about

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.380
 complementarien,

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.980
 she should be

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.380
 the pastor

00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.160
 of Crossway Church

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.740
 because I'm ready

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.460
 to slug some

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.019
 of those people

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.680
 with the signs

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.220
 and so I need

00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.400
 more

00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.799
 of the

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:30.259
 blesser.

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.660
 My lack

00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.279
 of meekness,

00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.960
 it's under

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.539
 prioritizing

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.380
 in my conduct

00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.079
 and behavior.

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.140
 God

00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.180
 says to me,

00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:40.700
 Lord,

00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.700
 help me

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.840
 to grow

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:44.100
 through

00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:45.360
 standing

00:30:45.360 --> 00:30:46.559
 and receiving

00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.140
 more of

00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.000
 being transformed

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.500
 by the grace

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.460
 of God

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.460
 that I celebrate

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.340
 in my singing

00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.180
 may it invade

00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.740
 my heart

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.579
 that it would

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.620
 overflow

00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.700
 against people

00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.400
 who say

00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:58.279
 I'm their enemy.

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.940
 That's what it

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.759
 means to begin

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.299
 to become

00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.160
 mission mindful.

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.340
 We begin

00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.779
 to walk

00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.920
 and talk

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.839
 on mission

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.660
 with Jesus

00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.180
 in the blessings

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.519
 that he has

00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.440
 shared with us

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.759
 knowing that

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.339
 it's not a

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.399
 golden chain

00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:17.500
 of benefits

00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.139
 but rather

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.839
 it's a relationship

00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.740
 with him

00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.859
 where he shapes

00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.519
 us

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.039
 providentially

00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:25.420
 in relationship

00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.099
 with others

00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.319
 into

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:29.480
 the ethics

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.139
 of grace.

00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:32.880
 last point

00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:34.140
 the labor

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:35.720
 and so

00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.420
 how do we

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.180
 then

00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:39.080
 bring this

00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.259
 blessing

00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.700
 into

00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.820
 our work

00:31:42.820 --> 00:31:43.820
 into our school

00:31:43.820 --> 00:31:44.440
 into our

00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:44.960
 neighborhoods

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:47.579
 how can we

00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.220
 practice

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.600
 these realities

00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:49.900
 in our

00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.279
 relationships

00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:50.660
 with one

00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.059
 another

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.900
 in the church

00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.980
 be discipled

00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.340
 mutually

00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:54.160
 with one

00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.480
 another

00:31:54.480 --> 00:31:55.779
 be encouraging

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.360
 one another

00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.160
 be growing

00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.860
 and catalyst

00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.600
 for growth

00:31:58.600 --> 00:32:01.660
 if

00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:02.799
 Christ's

00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.279
 blessing

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.380
 of us

00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.220
 with himself

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.600
 motivates us

00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.180
 to obey

00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.500
 him in

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:07.840
 mission

00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:09.420
 our being

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.799
 blessed

00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.279
 my last

00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.700
 point in

00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.059
 Christ

00:32:11.059 --> 00:32:12.160
 equips us

00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.180
 in mission

00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.700
 first

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.860
 be

00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.640
 it's real

00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:16.920
 simple

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.539
 I teach high

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.060
 school students

00:32:18.060 --> 00:32:18.640
 go I keep

00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:18.900
 it real

00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.299
 simple

00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:20.740
 be the word

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.160
 blessed

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:21.620
 be

00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.700
 be

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:25.240
 prayerful

00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:27.920
 be

00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:30.799
 prayerful

00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:34.920
 every

00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:36.560
 turning point

00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.320
 in Jesus's

00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:37.960
 ministry

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.480
 in the

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:38.940
 gospels

00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.600
 recorded for

00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:39.900
 us

00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:41.380
 is preceded

00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.000
 by prayer

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.740
 followed

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.400
 by prayer

00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:45.619
 so much

00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.220
 so that

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.420
 the disciples

00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:47.920
 say to

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.200
 Jesus

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:48.640
 and all

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.079
 the gospel

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.440
 accounts

00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:49.980
 teach us

00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.220
 how to

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:50.440
 pray

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:50.900
 we don't

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.119
 know how

00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.420
 to pray

00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:51.660
 we're

00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:51.920
 religious

00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.279
 people

00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.720
 we don't

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:52.900
 know how

00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.200
 to play

00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.420
 we're

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.680
 religious

00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:53.980
 Jews

00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.559
 we don't

00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:54.759
 know how

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:54.940
 to pray

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.640
 teach us

00:32:55.640 --> 00:32:55.859
 how to

00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.140
 pray

00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.720
 sure

00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.759
 our

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.160
 father

00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.799
 it's

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.420
 relationship

00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:02.619
 you're

00:33:02.619 --> 00:33:03.140
 in me

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:05.759
 I am

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.980
 in him

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.859
 Colossians

00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.180
 3

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.400
 and the

00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:09.740
 spirit

00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:13.560
 is in

00:33:13.560 --> 00:33:14.019
 you as

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.299
 well

00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:15.180
 be

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.519
 prayerful

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:21.080
 L

00:33:21.080 --> 00:33:22.600
 listen to

00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.019
 God

00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:24.019
 the spirit

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:25.259
 and listen

00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.840
 to the

00:33:25.840 --> 00:33:26.200
 heart of

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.519
 others

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:30.259
 when Linda's

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.960
 here you can

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.539
 ask her about

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.080
 my listening

00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.660
 and she'll

00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.080
 tell you

00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:33.960
 he's growing

00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.799
 but I

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.460
 stink at

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:36.860
 listening

00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:38.819
 my mind's

00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.420
 so busy

00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.700
 and I

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.299
 know so

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:41.720
 much

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.140
 if you

00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.500
 knew as

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:42.840
 much as

00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.140
 I knew

00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.400
 Linda

00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:43.660
 you'd

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:43.940
 listen

00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.299
 more to

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.660
 me

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:47.500
 I've

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.680
 said

00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.140
 things like

00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.319
 that

00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:48.579
 can you

00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:48.960
 imagine

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.860
 31 years

00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:50.299
 of marriage

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:54.720
 it convicts

00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.620
 me

00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:59.980
 begs the

00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.420
 question if

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.940
 I struggle

00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.000
 listening to

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:03.120
 my wife

00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:05.159
 who's

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:05.559
 meek

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:07.279
 am I

00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:07.659
 really

00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.299
 listening to

00:34:08.299 --> 00:34:08.699
 God the

00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.039
 spirit

00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.299
 who is

00:34:10.299 --> 00:34:10.619
 meek

00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:10.900
 too

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:13.480
 he's the

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:13.719
 gentle

00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.319
 spirit

00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:15.880
 he's a

00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.199
 humble

00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.539
 holy

00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:16.900
 spirit

00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.460
 he doesn't

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.739
 come in

00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:18.079
 and kick

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.859
 tables over

00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:19.739
 and turn

00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:20.059
 up the

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.480
 CGI

00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:21.739
 and you

00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:21.960
 know

00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.839
 whatever

00:34:22.839 --> 00:34:23.339
 calls the

00:34:23.339 --> 00:34:23.719
 room and

00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:24.139
 shake and

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.500
 says I

00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:24.759
 got a

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.259
 message for

00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:25.440
 you

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.920
 I wish

00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:27.199
 he did

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.719
 sometimes

00:34:27.719 --> 00:34:28.179
 and maybe

00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:28.799
 he does

00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:30.420
 occasionally

00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:37.220
 it's

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.780
 remarkable

00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:38.220
 isn't

00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:38.539
 how many

00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:38.940
 times in

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.039
 the

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.519
 gospels

00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.860
 Jesus is

00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.280
 asked a

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:41.619
 question

00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:42.039
 how does

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.539
 he respond

00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:44.440
 he responds

00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:44.700
 with a

00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.099
 question

00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.480
 that means

00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:46.659
 he was

00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.180
 listening

00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:48.440
 he was

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:48.840
 listening

00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:51.519
 he wasn't

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.320
 leading with

00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.400
 just

00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.059
 announcements

00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.240
 and pronouncements

00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:56.180
 he was

00:34:56.180 --> 00:34:56.780
 listening

00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.360
 and as he

00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.180
 listened to

00:34:58.180 --> 00:34:58.800
 their question

00:34:58.800 --> 00:34:59.200
 he could

00:34:59.200 --> 00:35:00.019
 hear their

00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.600
 heart

00:35:00.600 --> 00:35:01.660
 he could

00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.380
 hear

00:35:02.380 --> 00:35:03.539
 their pain

00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.280
 he could

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.039
 hear their

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.720
 confusion

00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:07.900
 and he

00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.720
 answered

00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:10.019
 the person

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.320
 that was

00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:10.860
 really there

00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:13.060
 not many of

00:35:13.060 --> 00:35:13.320
 you have

00:35:13.320 --> 00:35:13.640
 heard of

00:35:13.640 --> 00:35:14.019
 this man

00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:15.039
 Will knows

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:15.160
 him

00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:15.560
 we've talked

00:35:15.560 --> 00:35:16.080
 about him

00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:17.560
 Jonathan

00:35:17.560 --> 00:35:18.340
 Charks

00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.900
 T-J-A-R-K-S

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.740
 he was a

00:35:20.740 --> 00:35:21.260
 senior editor

00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:21.700
 for the

00:35:21.700 --> 00:35:22.180
 ringer

00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:22.860
 how many of

00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.019
 you have

00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.260
 heard of

00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.080
 the ringer

00:35:24.080 --> 00:35:24.860
 so I know

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.480
 my audience

00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:25.700
 here

00:35:25.700 --> 00:35:25.980
 good

00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:27.039
 and he

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.680
 was

00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.100
 he did

00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.400
 a very

00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:29.039
 award winning

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:30.019
 NBA podcast

00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:31.179
 so you know

00:35:31.179 --> 00:35:31.519
 where I'm going

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:31.860
 to go with

00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:32.079
 this

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.500
 if you know

00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:32.900
 who Jonathan

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.380
 Charks is

00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.460
 T-J-A-R-K-S

00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:36.259
 Jonathan

00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:36.779
 didn't grow up

00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.299
 in the church

00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:40.639
 he's not

00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:41.239
 on the grid

00:35:41.239 --> 00:35:42.599
 like many

00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:42.799
 of your

00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:43.059
 neighbors

00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.739
 he doesn't

00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:43.960
 have a

00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:44.319
 copy of

00:35:44.319 --> 00:35:44.799
 the scriptures

00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.920
 multi-generational

00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:46.440
 biblically

00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:46.880
 illiterate

00:35:46.880 --> 00:35:47.179
 he doesn't

00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:47.460
 know who

00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:47.880
 Peter and

00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.440
 Paul are

00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.059
 not because

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.480
 he's dumb

00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:49.819
 but he's

00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:50.279
 just not

00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:51.039
 he didn't

00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.339
 grow up

00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:51.639
 with any

00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:51.880
 kind of

00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.299
 exposure

00:35:52.299 --> 00:35:52.639
 that

00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.480
 never been

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:53.839
 to church

00:35:53.839 --> 00:35:54.179
 doesn't have

00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:54.559
 a bible

00:35:54.559 --> 00:35:55.119
 doesn't have

00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.319
 any

00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:55.779
 biblical

00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.339
 storyline

00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:57.239
 resident in him

00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:59.439
 his best

00:35:59.439 --> 00:36:00.119
 friend when

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.439
 he was

00:36:00.439 --> 00:36:00.939
 writing for

00:36:00.939 --> 00:36:01.519
 the ringer

00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:02.659
 turned out

00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:03.319
 to be a

00:36:03.319 --> 00:36:04.279
 Christian

00:36:04.279 --> 00:36:05.799
 who's writing

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.459
 for the ringer

00:36:06.459 --> 00:36:07.079
 and covering

00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.759
 another NBA

00:36:07.759 --> 00:36:08.179
 team

00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:09.019
 Jonathan loves

00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.719
 basketball

00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:10.619
 Will loves

00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.039
 basketball

00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:11.399
 did you know

00:36:11.399 --> 00:36:11.519
 that

00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:13.459
 I don't

00:36:13.459 --> 00:36:13.979
 love basketball

00:36:13.979 --> 00:36:15.439
 I like

00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:15.739
 baseball

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.119
 but that's

00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.279
 right

00:36:16.279 --> 00:36:16.899
 I follow

00:36:16.899 --> 00:36:17.179
 along

00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:17.859
 so

00:36:17.859 --> 00:36:19.059
 love

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.439
 basketball

00:36:19.439 --> 00:36:20.019
 and his

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.859
 best friend

00:36:20.859 --> 00:36:22.019
 writes for

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.539
 the ringer

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.139
 about a

00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.459
 team

00:36:23.459 --> 00:36:23.939
 Jonathan

00:36:23.939 --> 00:36:24.739
 writes for

00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:25.199
 the ringer

00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:25.719
 about another

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.039
 team

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.439
 and he does

00:36:26.439 --> 00:36:26.879
 this award

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.059
 wedding

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.480
 podcast

00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:29.640
 and his

00:36:29.640 --> 00:36:30.220
 best friend

00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:30.660
 didn't know

00:36:30.660 --> 00:36:31.099
 this but

00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.539
 Jonathan

00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.119
 is searching

00:36:32.119 --> 00:36:32.599
 he is

00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:33.140
 spiritually

00:36:33.140 --> 00:36:33.599
 searching

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.160
 he's 24

00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:34.579
 25

00:36:34.579 --> 00:36:35.480
 no purpose

00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:35.980
 in life

00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.320
 he's tried

00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:37.820
 everything

00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.440
 spiritually

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:38.980
 tried it

00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:39.200
 all

00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:40.320
 finding

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.760
 nothing

00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:42.860
 and he

00:36:42.860 --> 00:36:43.280
 meets

00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:45.680
 his friend

00:36:45.680 --> 00:36:46.079
 ready

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:48.019
 for a

00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:48.320
 meal

00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.940
 and his

00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.519
 friend says

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.059
 I want to

00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:51.660
 invite you

00:36:51.660 --> 00:36:52.640
 to Trinity

00:36:52.640 --> 00:36:53.460
 Cambridge's

00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.860
 life group

00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.079
 is that what

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.300
 you call

00:36:55.300 --> 00:36:55.619
 your small

00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:55.920
 groups

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:57.340
 community

00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:57.760
 groups

00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:59.220
 he says

00:36:59.220 --> 00:36:59.500
 what

00:36:59.500 --> 00:37:01.579
 I want

00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:01.940
 to invite

00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:02.260
 you

00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:03.340
 to our

00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:03.700
 community

00:37:03.700 --> 00:37:04.039
 group

00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:06.659
 Jonathan's

00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.079
 like

00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:08.139
 why am I

00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:08.659
 good at

00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:08.980
 that

00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:11.159
 you can

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.539
 imagine

00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:11.900
 what he's

00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.139
 thinking

00:37:12.139 --> 00:37:12.680
 people do

00:37:12.680 --> 00:37:12.920
 in a

00:37:12.920 --> 00:37:13.220
 community

00:37:13.220 --> 00:37:13.539
 group

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:13.940
 animal

00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.740
 sacrifices

00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:15.480
 or

00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:17.760
 Costco

00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:18.460
 cults

00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.800
 you know

00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:19.000
 right

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:22.360
 because in

00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:22.900
 my community

00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:23.280
 group

00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:25.480
 there are

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:25.940
 people

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.880
 who genuinely

00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.500
 care for

00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:27.740
 me

00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:29.780
 and there

00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:30.120
 are people

00:37:30.120 --> 00:37:30.680
 I genuinely

00:37:30.680 --> 00:37:31.480
 care for

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.019
 and I'm

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.840
 investing in

00:37:32.840 --> 00:37:33.980
 and ready for

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.200
 this

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.019
 we meet

00:37:35.019 --> 00:37:36.120
 every

00:37:36.120 --> 00:37:37.060
 week

00:37:37.060 --> 00:37:41.620
 John says

00:37:41.620 --> 00:37:42.220
 okay

00:37:42.220 --> 00:37:43.180
 now what he's

00:37:43.180 --> 00:37:43.800
 not acknowledging

00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:44.400
 is he's

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.380
 starving for

00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:45.780
 this

00:37:45.780 --> 00:37:47.280
 he's

00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.780
 he's

00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.560
 languishing

00:37:48.560 --> 00:37:50.519
 and so he

00:37:50.519 --> 00:37:50.940
 goes

00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:53.180
 and he just

00:37:53.180 --> 00:37:53.620
 doesn't have a

00:37:53.620 --> 00:37:54.340
 category for

00:37:54.340 --> 00:37:55.040
 it like he

00:37:55.040 --> 00:37:56.000
 thinks Christianity

00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:57.140
 is a Sunday

00:37:57.140 --> 00:37:58.019
 service where you

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.860
 sing songs he's

00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.800
 never heard and

00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:00.440
 you listen to a

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.180
 message that he

00:38:01.180 --> 00:38:02.200
 can't understand and

00:38:02.200 --> 00:38:03.140
 you go home maybe

00:38:03.140 --> 00:38:03.660
 you get a cup of

00:38:03.660 --> 00:38:04.180
 coffee on the way

00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.980
 out and that's it

00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:06.980
 and he goes

00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.320
 again

00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:09.120
 it was good the

00:38:09.120 --> 00:38:09.760
 first time he goes

00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:11.100
 again and yeah he

00:38:11.100 --> 00:38:11.580
 didn't understand

00:38:11.580 --> 00:38:12.360
 everything that was

00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.500
 being said and

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.120
 they were reading

00:38:14.119 --> 00:38:15.299
 the Bible but he

00:38:15.299 --> 00:38:16.559
 was just struck by

00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:18.279
 the investment in

00:38:18.279 --> 00:38:18.980
 one another and

00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:20.099
 the care in one

00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:21.319
 another and then

00:38:21.319 --> 00:38:22.259
 someone came up to

00:38:22.259 --> 00:38:23.139
 him and said to

00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:24.339
 Jonathan can I

00:38:24.339 --> 00:38:25.199
 pray for you

00:38:25.199 --> 00:38:28.519
 wow pray for me

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.039
 I don't even

00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.519
 believe in the

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.980
 supernatural yes

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.679
 pray for me but

00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:33.179
 this is just hocus

00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:34.059
 pocus you know

00:38:34.059 --> 00:38:34.759
 what are we talking

00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.239
 about

00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:39.779
 Jonathan would go

00:38:39.779 --> 00:38:40.599
 to that life

00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.819
 group and become

00:38:41.819 --> 00:38:43.039
 friends with people

00:38:43.039 --> 00:38:43.719
 in that life

00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:46.279
 group and come

00:38:46.279 --> 00:38:47.159
 to faith in

00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:49.559
 Christ through

00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:51.179
 gospel realities

00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:52.159
 being displayed in

00:38:52.159 --> 00:38:52.819
 that life group

00:38:52.819 --> 00:38:53.319
 and then the

00:38:53.319 --> 00:38:54.699
 message before he

00:38:54.699 --> 00:38:56.379
 ever went to

00:38:56.379 --> 00:38:59.379
 church and then

00:38:59.379 --> 00:39:00.399
 two or three years

00:39:00.399 --> 00:39:01.119
 after he became a

00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:02.859
 Christian he was

00:39:02.859 --> 00:39:03.799
 diagnosed with one

00:39:03.799 --> 00:39:04.739
 of the rarest forms

00:39:04.739 --> 00:39:07.079
 of cancer I can't

00:39:07.079 --> 00:39:07.879
 pronounce it it's a

00:39:07.879 --> 00:39:08.839
 sarcoma where it

00:39:08.839 --> 00:39:10.399
 just metastasizes and

00:39:10.399 --> 00:39:12.139
 goes everywhere there's

00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:15.079
 no cure and he's a

00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:18.279
 two-year-old son and

00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:19.219
 he has a young bride

00:39:19.219 --> 00:39:21.159
 and he writes the

00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:21.960
 article for the

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:23.799
 ringer do you know

00:39:23.799 --> 00:39:26.239
 my son do you know

00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:27.259
 my son you know he's

00:39:27.259 --> 00:39:27.960
 talking about in that

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.179
 article on the ringer

00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:30.460
 this is Bill Simmons

00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.799
 right he's like the

00:39:31.799 --> 00:39:33.099
 CEO of the ringer

00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:38.039
 my life group knows

00:39:38.039 --> 00:39:40.279
 my son and will be

00:39:40.279 --> 00:39:41.380
 caring for him and

00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:44.119
 my wife after I die

00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:49.519
 is that what's going on

00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.279
 in your life group

00:39:50.279 --> 00:39:52.920
 is that what's going on

00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:56.579
 in mine or are we like

00:39:56.579 --> 00:40:00.360
 intellectualizing and

00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:02.639
 analyzing and

00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:05.480
 overthinking some

00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:08.299
 aspect of a text or a

00:40:08.299 --> 00:40:09.500
 theological debate and

00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:12.319
 missing missing the

00:40:12.319 --> 00:40:15.860
 blessing that when we're

00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:18.159
 with others we've now

00:40:18.159 --> 00:40:19.099
 an opportunity to listen

00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:20.179
 to God but we can

00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:22.039
 listen to their hearts

00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.880
 and begin to move

00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:25.440
 towards them as those

00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.480
 who have been invaded

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.659
 by the grace of God

00:40:27.659 --> 00:40:28.900
 yes truth is important

00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:30.099
 doctrinal discussions are

00:40:30.099 --> 00:40:31.539
 vital but if that takes

00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:33.260
 the place of caring for

00:40:33.260 --> 00:40:35.059
 one another then there's

00:40:35.059 --> 00:40:35.940
 whole pages of our

00:40:35.940 --> 00:40:36.920
 Bible we have to rip

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.980
 out because there's so

00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:40.059
 many commands to care

00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:41.320
 for one another encourage

00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:42.519
 one another pray for one

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.740
 another fulfill the law

00:40:43.740 --> 00:40:44.700
 of Christ and carry one

00:40:44.700 --> 00:40:45.980
 other's burdens that to

00:40:45.980 --> 00:40:47.099
 spend most of our time

00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:49.840
 doing anything else we're

00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:52.260
 not receiving the

00:40:52.260 --> 00:40:53.920
 blessings from the

00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:55.840
 blesser of the

00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:58.280
 beatitudes and we're

00:40:58.280 --> 00:41:01.760
 missing mission because

00:41:01.760 --> 00:41:03.300
 what Jonathan wants

00:41:03.300 --> 00:41:06.480
 E is to have a meal

00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:08.059
 with you and to

00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:09.280
 cultivate friendship with

00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:10.880
 you like Jesus did with

00:41:10.880 --> 00:41:12.820
 Zacchaeus and countless

00:41:12.820 --> 00:41:15.460
 others he not only was

00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:16.820
 he not anxious he teaches

00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:17.680
 disciples not to be

00:41:17.680 --> 00:41:18.760
 anxious about what they're

00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:21.200
 going to eat and drink

00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:24.859
 chapter six but he taught

00:41:24.859 --> 00:41:26.139
 them to be generous with

00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:27.399
 their food generous with

00:41:27.399 --> 00:41:28.739
 their table generous with

00:41:28.739 --> 00:41:30.399
 what God has provided with

00:41:30.399 --> 00:41:33.019
 non-believers we're trying

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:34.419
 to grow as a church I'm

00:41:34.419 --> 00:41:35.319
 trying to grow as a

00:41:35.319 --> 00:41:36.460
 pastor I'm trying to grow

00:41:36.460 --> 00:41:38.279
 as a follower of Christ if

00:41:38.279 --> 00:41:39.739
 to have people into my

00:41:39.739 --> 00:41:41.119
 home but if they won't

00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:42.159
 come into my home then

00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:44.119
 I'll come in theirs and if

00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:45.000
 they're too scared to let

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:46.039
 me in their home I'll join

00:41:46.039 --> 00:41:47.159
 them at the bar and if

00:41:47.159 --> 00:41:47.939
 they won't join me at the

00:41:47.939 --> 00:41:49.179
 bar I'll go to the football

00:41:49.179 --> 00:41:50.679
 game I'll be with the

00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:52.000
 people that I'm supposed

00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:54.019
 to be on mission with to

00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:56.539
 cultivate friendship so I

00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:58.099
 was so honored I was so

00:41:58.099 --> 00:42:00.639
 humbled I was it brought

00:42:00.639 --> 00:42:01.799
 me to tears I was so

00:42:01.799 --> 00:42:03.819
 blessed when a colleague

00:42:03.819 --> 00:42:07.719
 who objected to a local

00:42:07.719 --> 00:42:08.799
 high school having me in

00:42:08.799 --> 00:42:11.139
 the classroom I mean this

00:42:11.139 --> 00:42:15.299
 was this was like wow Lord

00:42:15.299 --> 00:42:16.940
 this I don't know are you

00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:19.860
 coming back soon he invited

00:42:19.860 --> 00:42:21.559
 me to play tennis with him

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:24.039
 he's a really good tennis

00:42:24.039 --> 00:42:25.480
 player not as good as you

00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.659
 but he's a really good

00:42:26.659 --> 00:42:29.559
 tennis player and this was

00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:32.220
 someone that was outspokenly

00:42:32.220 --> 00:42:34.820
 hostile to bringing a pastor

00:42:34.820 --> 00:42:36.340
 who's on YouTube into the

00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:38.000
 classroom to take the space

00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:40.280
 of a another teacher who's

00:42:40.280 --> 00:42:43.679
 sick with cancer and is

00:42:43.679 --> 00:42:48.940
 failing and here we are that's

00:42:48.940 --> 00:42:54.359
 how I hit my backhand and I

00:42:54.359 --> 00:42:55.519
 won which made it even

00:42:55.519 --> 00:43:01.639
 better but Christ won because

00:43:01.639 --> 00:43:05.559
 Bauer the pastor who's in

00:43:05.559 --> 00:43:07.759
 Christ spent two and a half

00:43:07.759 --> 00:43:10.679
 hours of his Saturday with

00:43:10.679 --> 00:43:13.199
 with someone he's my

00:43:13.199 --> 00:43:15.359
 Jonathan I don't know if he

00:43:15.359 --> 00:43:17.019
 has cancer but spiritually

00:43:17.019 --> 00:43:21.859
 it's just as if he does who's

00:43:21.859 --> 00:43:23.259
 your Jonathan Charks right

00:43:23.259 --> 00:43:25.399
 now providentially don't

00:43:25.399 --> 00:43:27.359
 overthink it who right now is

00:43:27.359 --> 00:43:28.339
 the Lord causing you to

00:43:28.339 --> 00:43:29.339
 intersect with they're not

00:43:29.339 --> 00:43:30.839
 too sick they might be writing

00:43:30.839 --> 00:43:32.159
 for the ringer they might not

00:43:32.159 --> 00:43:35.319
 play good tennis it's George but

00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:41.019
 someone is and if they're not

00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:46.059
 Christ invites you to have your

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:47.880
 eyes opened first the blessing

00:43:47.880 --> 00:43:50.720
 of the Beatitudes but secondly to

00:43:50.720 --> 00:43:52.280
 be an overflow of that grace to

00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:55.100
 that person pray today pray in

00:43:55.100 --> 00:43:58.600
 your small groups pray to listen

00:43:58.600 --> 00:44:01.220
 to him for the heart of others eat

00:44:01.220 --> 00:44:03.320
 together and cultivate friendships

00:44:03.320 --> 00:44:06.280
 through food and drink and tennis

00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:08.080
 and activities share the gospel

00:44:08.080 --> 00:44:11.340
 right in John in Matthew 6 Jesus

00:44:11.340 --> 00:44:15.059
 is our greatest treasure he is our

00:44:15.059 --> 00:44:17.140
 greatest treasure we get him we get

00:44:17.140 --> 00:44:20.480
 it all and then suffer patiently

00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:23.680
 when you're Jonathan

00:44:23.680 --> 00:44:28.640
 projects you

00:44:28.639 --> 00:44:33.679
 first time I saw myself on a meme by

00:44:33.679 --> 00:44:38.059
 high school students ready to kill

00:44:38.059 --> 00:44:38.480
 them

00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:43.259
 and what made it worse it was on the

00:44:43.259 --> 00:44:47.659
 big screen in my classroom and what

00:44:47.659 --> 00:44:50.379
 made it equally grating is it was based

00:44:50.379 --> 00:44:52.619
 on a sermon I had just preached from

00:44:52.619 --> 00:44:56.559
 Acts about Jesus being the king and I

00:44:56.559 --> 00:45:00.299
 walked in and there it was and I wish I

00:45:00.299 --> 00:45:02.279
 could say I was more holy but I was

00:45:02.279 --> 00:45:05.480
 ready to take that screen throw it out

00:45:05.480 --> 00:45:10.380
 the window and then find that and then I

00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:13.659
 thought and said hmm it was spirit of

00:45:13.659 --> 00:45:17.320
 God I guess they're watching you

00:45:17.320 --> 00:45:22.320
 see that's my trash can it's not my

00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:26.980
 trash it's my reputation they're moving

00:45:26.980 --> 00:45:33.160
 your trash can ridicule they're having

00:45:33.160 --> 00:45:35.920
 fun at your expense I'm an American

00:45:35.920 --> 00:45:38.519
 Christian you don't have fun at my

00:45:38.519 --> 00:45:45.600
 expense I have rights I'm a person of

00:45:45.600 --> 00:45:48.180
 authority I deserve respect I'm an old

00:45:48.179 --> 00:45:52.980
 person too this is ageism it was the

00:45:52.980 --> 00:45:57.839
 same goofy you know and then Jesus is

00:45:57.839 --> 00:46:01.679
 king I never did find out who memed it

00:46:01.679 --> 00:46:05.339
 but I realized I didn't need to because

00:46:05.339 --> 00:46:08.460
 ultimately it was the Lord he was

00:46:08.460 --> 00:46:10.960
 discipling me and in kingdom ethics

00:46:10.960 --> 00:46:14.980
 rejoice that means they're listening to

00:46:14.980 --> 00:46:19.480
 you they may not understand it they may

00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:22.980
 not respond to it but rejoice when your

00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:26.300
 reputation is diminished the faculty

00:46:26.300 --> 00:46:28.139
 heard about it my department heard about

00:46:28.139 --> 00:46:31.019
 they ridiculed me about it at lunch I was

00:46:31.019 --> 00:46:33.420
 defenseless at lunch I just they were

00:46:33.420 --> 00:46:37.400
 like did you see the meme is that a book

00:46:37.400 --> 00:46:42.840
 in the Bible Acts you go to a church yes

00:46:42.840 --> 00:46:46.480
 it's one of the best books of the whole

00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:46.860
 Bible

00:46:46.860 --> 00:46:52.079
 you said Jesus is a king we're in a

00:46:52.079 --> 00:46:53.820
 democracy what are you talking about

00:46:53.820 --> 00:46:59.600
 seriously I was to talk about that lunch

00:46:59.600 --> 00:47:02.519
 I I felt like this small when we got out

00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:05.300
 there trying to explain but then I've

00:47:05.300 --> 00:47:08.120
 just oh no Lord you're discipling me you're

00:47:08.120 --> 00:47:10.240
 teaching me you're helping me grow into

00:47:10.239 --> 00:47:14.459
 this blessing rejoice when people ridicule

00:47:14.459 --> 00:47:17.500
 you for great is your reward what's the

00:47:17.500 --> 00:47:20.359
 reward I don't know Jesus he's the

00:47:20.359 --> 00:47:25.699
 blesser I get more of him the story has a

00:47:25.699 --> 00:47:27.659
 happy ending I don't know if she was

00:47:27.659 --> 00:47:29.239
 responsible for the meeting when I closed

00:47:29.239 --> 00:47:31.699
 this but one of the students I had when

00:47:31.699 --> 00:47:33.000
 she was a freshman then again as a

00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:37.979
 sophomore and then senior year so I met

00:47:37.980 --> 00:47:39.740
 her when her teacher was sick I continued

00:47:39.740 --> 00:47:41.360
 on walk teacher being sick and then

00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:43.599
 after her teacher passed I took the

00:47:43.599 --> 00:47:46.079
 class I had her senior year I remember

00:47:46.079 --> 00:47:47.639
 when we were teaching about the great

00:47:47.639 --> 00:47:51.679
 awakening and my Bible in my classroom

00:47:51.679 --> 00:47:53.099
 although I wasn't reading from it I was

00:47:53.099 --> 00:47:54.420
 showing them you know the great

00:47:54.420 --> 00:48:00.159
 awakening and she said mr. Evans can

00:48:00.159 --> 00:48:03.099
 you explain again what is a you

00:48:03.099 --> 00:48:08.719
 evangelical a you angelical and she's a

00:48:08.719 --> 00:48:10.360
 sweetheart I'm like a you angelical and

00:48:10.360 --> 00:48:11.420
 she's pointing down to the word

00:48:11.420 --> 00:48:13.339
 evangelical she'd never seen that word

00:48:13.339 --> 00:48:17.239
 before and so you know because I'm

00:48:17.239 --> 00:48:18.960
 because I'm somewhat of a I don't know

00:48:18.960 --> 00:48:20.480
 what's that called mischievous I walked

00:48:20.480 --> 00:48:23.199
 right up and said I'm a you angelical

00:48:23.199 --> 00:48:30.219
 and I explained well Whitfield was a you

00:48:30.219 --> 00:48:34.039
 angelical and he would go out amongst the

00:48:34.039 --> 00:48:37.119
 people in the fields and he talked to

00:48:37.119 --> 00:48:40.839
 them about Christ of the Bible in ways

00:48:40.839 --> 00:48:43.179
 they could understand he didn't say come

00:48:43.179 --> 00:48:45.139
 to the city and attend the big cathedral

00:48:45.139 --> 00:48:47.599
 he said I'll meet you in the cornfields I'll

00:48:47.599 --> 00:48:49.659
 make you in the tree stump and he had this

00:48:49.659 --> 00:48:51.819
 oratory this voice he'd be heard you

00:48:51.819 --> 00:48:56.399
 know for miles and he had humor let's

00:48:56.399 --> 00:48:58.559
 say he was a perfect man but he could

00:48:58.559 --> 00:49:01.460
 preach God was anointing him and he he

00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:04.139
 explained the gospel in terms so I said

00:49:04.139 --> 00:49:10.059
 to her I'm a Christian I'm a follower of

00:49:10.059 --> 00:49:14.279
 Jesus he died for my sins I got that much

00:49:14.279 --> 00:49:16.579
 out before I thought this is when they

00:49:16.579 --> 00:49:21.000
 fire me she's now in college coming home

00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:23.840
 for homecoming two weeks and although she's

00:49:23.840 --> 00:49:26.480
 not a you angelical God in his providence

00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:30.840
 she just met a guy who's with campus

00:49:30.840 --> 00:49:34.840
 crusade and he seems to have her attention

00:49:34.840 --> 00:49:40.260
 hmm and she's getting more than you

00:49:40.260 --> 00:49:44.800
 angelicalism she's getting the character

00:49:44.800 --> 00:49:49.260
 of Christ in her context and realizing

00:49:49.260 --> 00:49:52.080
 something like Jonathan sharks I long for

00:49:52.080 --> 00:49:58.920
 this let's pray Lord we are here because

00:49:58.920 --> 00:50:02.560
 you have brought us here ultimately to not

00:50:02.560 --> 00:50:04.800
 just make us mindful of our mission but to

00:50:04.800 --> 00:50:10.040
 open our eyes to the people in our world the

00:50:10.040 --> 00:50:13.260
 relationships in our in our different

00:50:13.260 --> 00:50:18.540
 settings and spheres where we have the

00:50:18.540 --> 00:50:22.580
 privilege imperfect but nonetheless clear

00:50:22.580 --> 00:50:29.840
 privilege to demonstrate the realities of the

00:50:29.840 --> 00:50:34.300
 blesser Jesus Christ in our character in our

00:50:34.300 --> 00:50:37.240
 conduct and in our conversation and so Lord

00:50:37.240 --> 00:50:39.340
 where it's appropriate may there be specific

00:50:39.340 --> 00:50:43.980
 conviction specific not broad specific

00:50:43.980 --> 00:50:49.600
 conviction where we we have in our

00:50:49.600 --> 00:50:54.160
 relationships followed an artificial or

00:50:54.160 --> 00:50:58.600
 superficial spirituality reducing Christian

00:50:58.600 --> 00:51:01.360
 living to being nice putting out our

00:51:01.360 --> 00:51:05.019
 recyclables and not being mean to animals

00:51:05.019 --> 00:51:12.300
 Lord open our eyes to to see first your great

00:51:12.300 --> 00:51:15.719
 love for us in giving us everything everything

00:51:15.719 --> 00:51:19.860
 we need and want in you and then move us out of

00:51:19.860 --> 00:51:23.079
 ourselves and more into Christ that we can

00:51:23.079 --> 00:51:26.440
 first display in our character and then Lord

00:51:26.440 --> 00:51:30.360
 through our consistency in our relationships and

00:51:30.360 --> 00:51:35.099
 then through our conversation the reality of the

00:51:35.099 --> 00:51:43.039
 gospel the hope of glory Christ in us for your

00:51:43.039 --> 00:51:48.059
 glory for our joy we pray these things Jesus

00:51:48.059 --> 00:51:53.079
 said amen for our discussion times if I can

00:51:53.079 --> 00:51:55.200
 just do this Sean is that right just to give him a

00:51:55.200 --> 00:51:59.260
 question here's the question discussing

00:51:59.260 --> 00:52:05.280
 letters first how has Christ blessed you right

00:52:05.280 --> 00:52:07.140
 which was the question we began with last night but

00:52:07.140 --> 00:52:10.960
 let's go back to it how has Christ blessed you in

00:52:10.960 --> 00:52:16.100
 your relationship with him in order to be a blessing

00:52:16.100 --> 00:52:21.640
 to others and then secondly whom has Christ put in

00:52:21.640 --> 00:52:25.640
 your life who's your Jonathan right now and take a few

00:52:25.640 --> 00:52:28.020
 moments and pray for that person they may not have

00:52:28.019 --> 00:52:31.539
 cancer they have something far worse and we want to

00:52:31.539 --> 00:52:34.539
 pray being united and okay hope that serves you this

00:52:34.539 --> 00:52:35.179
 morning thanks

00:52:35.179 --> 00:52:35.840
 you