WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860 Good morning, everyone. My name is James. It's nice to be with you this morning. 00:00:09.380 --> 00:00:17.879 Have you ever been deceived by something? Something that seemed authentic, but it turned 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:23.940 out to be fake? It may have seemed flashy and exciting, but it wasn't the real deal. 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:31.859 I remember when Alyssa and I first visited China. We went to Beijing about 10 years ago, 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:38.480 and we were struck by the food. It was so different to what we had grown up eating. 00:00:40.180 --> 00:00:46.920 What we thought authentic Chinese food was, was wonderful dishes like Mongolian lamb, 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:55.719 satay chicken, beef and black bean. These are kind of classic Chinese dishes, authentic Chinese 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:06.200 dishes, or so I thought. These meals usually had four parts, a meat, sauce, rice, and onion. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:14.500 That was the important fourth part. That's what I thought authentic Chinese food was for years. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:22.939 And then, we visited Beijing, and it was totally different. We saw what authentic 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:29.180 Chinese food was. First of all, the meat was often on the bone, and you would eat the meat off the bone 00:01:29.180 --> 00:01:35.200 and spit the bone out. And that was totally new to me at the time. And at the time, I remember 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:41.859 thinking, I know I'm in China, but this somehow doesn't seem authentic. I'm spitting bones out, 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:47.780 you know. It's not like what I've had at home. And where's the onion? I couldn't find it anywhere. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:58.159 But then I realized, this was the real stuff. That's where the authentic, awesome flavors come 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:05.420 from. And now, Alyssa and myself and our kids, we love trying all kinds of different foods. I'm not 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:11.460 just restricted to that, you know, very Western, satay chicken style dish, even though I still do 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:17.680 love it. If you think also that you've got the most authentic dish, I'm happy to try it. You can 00:02:17.680 --> 00:02:25.840 bring that in for me next week. No, no hands going out? No, fine. I was deceived into thinking that I 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:34.199 knew what real food was. We can be deceived into thinking we know what authenticity looks like. 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:43.840 It is often far more humble than we imagine. This is the same following Jesus. There is the real and 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:50.099 authentic good news about Jesus, that He died for us, that our sins are forgiven, that we are brought 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:57.079 into God into God's family. And this has nothing to do with us. It is all a gift of God's grace. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:07.379 But we can also be deceived. We can be distracted by flashier versions. A gospel that might seem more 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:15.000 exciting, but is actually just fake. We've been going through the book of 2 Corinthians over the last 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:23.960 10 weeks or so. As we're coming to the end, Paul, he is really worried about this new little church in 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:32.620 Corinth. We could summarize this whole letter of 2 Corinthians as, don't be deceived. This church 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:40.939 has been deceived by preachers who have come in, people that Paul calls super-apostles. And the church 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:48.159 in Corinth was in danger of following a different fake version of Jesus, one that was not authentic. 00:03:49.240 --> 00:03:54.919 And Paul calls them back, and he's going to show that he was not a fake apostle, but he's the real deal. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:03.780 He's the real apostle to the real Jesus. And he'll show that the real deal often doesn't look flashy. 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:12.000 It doesn't look powerful. Paul is humble because it is God that has the power. And so today for us, 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:17.639 we're going to consider whether we've been deceived and whether we're following the real Jesus. 00:04:18.459 --> 00:04:24.220 And we're going to make sure that we're following the real Jesus and make sure that we're not deceived 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:30.480 by other things going on around us in our culture. So please have your Bibles open to 2 Corinthians 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:35.640 chapter 10. It'll also be on the screen, but it's always good to have your Bible open in front of you. 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:42.840 Paul is going to hold up his ministry, and he's going to compare it with the super-apostles. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:47.640 And he's not just defending himself, but he's also teaching this little church 00:04:47.640 --> 00:04:55.200 to be able to discern what an authentic teacher looks like. I've got the button somewhere. Here we go. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:05:01.800 So first of all, we're going to see what the authentic teacher looks like. From chapter 10, 00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:02.479 verse 1, 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:15.939 Paul doesn't come out fighting against the super-apostles as they would. He doesn't wage a war 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:26.660 of words. He comes as the clay jar, weak and breakable. He comes like Jesus. He comes with 00:05:26.660 --> 00:05:34.379 the humility and gentleness of Christ. That's how he will rebuke and restore. He speaks with 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:40.740 gentleness, giving this church an opportunity to repent. He's not bringing condemnation. 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:47.819 He comes with humility, not weakness, but patience, because he knows that God has had 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:55.960 patience with him. And this is a bit strange, but Paul also comes begging. This is the leader, 00:05:56.759 --> 00:06:02.780 the apostle who planted this church, and he comes begging, because there are more important things 00:06:02.780 --> 00:06:10.040 than his own feelings. There are more important things than his own shame and the desire to save face. 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:13.420 He comes begging. Chapter 10, verse 1 again, 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:20.900 I appeal to you, I, Paul, who am timid when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I'm away, 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:29.600 I beg that when I come, I may not have to be as bold. Paul wants them to repent. Repent, 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:36.840 come back to the authentic Jesus, so I don't have to be bold with you. I beg you, come back to Jesus, 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:47.859 because if they don't, Paul will come with all of God's power. Not just in the flashiness and a powerful 00:06:47.859 --> 00:06:54.219 speech of the super-apostles, but he'll come with God's divine power, which, verse 4 says, 00:06:54.219 --> 00:07:02.919 can demolish strongholds. These super-apostles had come in, and they'd looked powerful and flashy, 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:09.500 and so the church in Corinth had judged by appearances. They saw that on the outside, 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:17.140 these super-apostles had flashy speech. They were really persuasive, and the church judged them 00:07:17.140 --> 00:07:23.800 like judging a book by its cover. They don't see them for who they are, and so Paul, instead of just 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:29.139 judging the book by its cover, he's going to open this book. Okay, well, let's consider who these super-apostles 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:36.519 are, and let's compare them with a real, authentic, humble apostle. Verse 12, 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:45.279 we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:51.399 themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. These super-apostles 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:58.039 have come in, and they're comparing themselves with each other. Hey, you look great. Hey, you look great, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:03.860 too. Oh, you know, look, do you know what? Let's pat each other on the back. Do you know what? How about 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:09.319 I write you a letter of recommendation, and I'll write you a letter of recommendation, and then we 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:16.960 can give them to each other, and we will look great ourselves. Aren't we great here? They're boasting 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:26.800 in themselves. This is not wisdom. This is just foolishness. Instead, what does an authentic 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:36.139 apostle do? Verse 13, we, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:41.840 to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us. Paul boasts in what God has given him. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:48.820 This is the church of Corinth. It's these people themselves, but these super-apostles are just 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:57.360 boasting beyond limits. Boasting of what God has done through Paul and through others. But Paul's boast 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:04.680 isn't about what he has done. It's about what God has done in them. And Paul closes this off. If you want 00:09:04.680 --> 00:09:11.220 to know who an authentic teacher is, an authentic teacher and apostle of God is, you should ask God 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:19.800 himself. Verse 18, it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:28.399 commends. Who is God commending? The church might not think it was Paul because they've been judging by 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:35.160 appearances. Paul has suffered and he has looked weak. As we've seen, as we've gone through this book of 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:42.500 2 Corinthians, Paul looks weak to the eyes of the world. But that's just outward appearance. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:51.039 And Paul here is identifying closely with Jesus. Christ, Jesus, is the one who was commended by God 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:59.959 even though he died. God raised him from the dead. And Paul, his work in ministry is very much like what 00:09:59.960 --> 00:10:06.600 Jesus did. In chapter 10, verse 1, he appealed with humility like Christ. And in the second half of 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:15.080 chapter 11, which we didn't read, Paul leans into how foolish people think he looks. And I can't help 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:21.100 but when I read this, it just reminds me of Christ's sufferings. Paul is saying, if you think I'm a fool 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:27.680 compared to these super apostles, guys, let me be up front. I am a much bigger fool than you realize. 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:35.219 You guys have got no idea how ridiculous I look. Let me be completely humble. Let me be completely 00:10:35.219 --> 00:10:44.099 up front. I will tell you how I look. Because Paul says, I know my worth because Jesus himself loves me 00:10:44.099 --> 00:10:50.379 and has given me a message to preach. And it's not because of how the world views me. And so Paul 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:58.279 makes this big list of how foolish he is in the eyes of the world. It's not going to be on the 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:02.580 screen. I'm going to go through it fairly quickly, but it's from the second half of chapter 11, 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.500 from verse 21. Have a look in your Bibles or on your phone. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:13.559 Whatever anyone else dares to boast about, I'm speaking as a fool, I also dare to boast about. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:19.739 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 00:11:19.959 --> 00:11:25.739 Are they servants of Christ? I'm out of my mind to talk like this. I am more. I have worked harder. 00:11:26.459 --> 00:11:31.500 I've been in prison more frequently. I have been flogged more severely. I've been exposed to death. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:37.879 Five times I received 40 lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was pelted with 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:43.359 stones. Three times I've been shipwrecked. I spent a day and a night in the open sea. I've been 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:50.139 constantly on the move. Danger in rivers. Danger from bandits. Danger from fellow Jews. Danger from 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:58.080 Gentiles. Danger at sea. Danger on the land. Danger from false believers. I've labored and toiled and 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:03.220 gone without sleep. I've known hunger and thirst and have gone without food. I've been cold and naked. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:10.480 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:17.320 Who is weak and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin and I do not burn inwardly? 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:24.120 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:33.240 This is radical, authentic humility here from Paul. These are things that you would hide away. 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:41.940 But Paul has endured much so he could spread the gospel. And he was able to do this because his 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:47.399 identity is fully in God. He is not worried about how the world is perceiving him. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:56.019 He knew he was commended by God. And he's gone to great lengths to give this church a framework, 00:12:56.019 --> 00:13:03.600 how to judge who an authentic teacher is. What is a teacher boasting about? Are they boasting about 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:15.000 themselves? Or the power of God to use even a weak clay jar? Are these teachers more concerned with 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:24.100 style over substance? Are these teachers more worried about outward appearance compared to how they 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:31.700 appear to God? Are they more worried about looking weak because they're trusting in themselves instead of 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:40.879 trusting God? I think this is a helpful framework for us as well. Who are the people that we are following? 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:48.639 And what is driving us to be like them? Do you know the people that you are following? 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:55.299 Is there someone in your life that you are seeking to follow in your Christian walk? 00:13:56.980 --> 00:14:04.819 And who are we becoming ourselves? Are we ourselves becoming authentic followers of Jesus with humility? 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:15.559 Or are we becoming people who are just a bit fake and flashy? If we've got kids, our kids copy the way 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:21.439 we behave. They copy the bits that we want them to copy. And they also have this wonderful knack of 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:27.899 picking up all our bad habits too. You can tell me about all those stories later. If you have younger 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:33.759 siblings, they often look up to older siblings and they want to emulate older siblings. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:41.519 You might love the way, you know, our dear brother Nick Freestone plays the guitar. And so, 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:46.659 you know, you see him on stage and you go, I want to play guitar like Nick. And so you start dressing 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:53.259 like him. You know, you wear a lot of scarves like Nick does. Notice he's not wearing a scarf today. It's 00:14:53.259 --> 00:15:02.240 getting warmer. And so we emulate those that we want to be like. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:09.899 to follow me as I follow Christ. And so this is a good thing that God has given us older brothers 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:16.860 and sisters in the faith to follow as they are following Christ. And it's good for us to be aware 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:23.620 of who we are as people are following us too. I'm the next gen pastor here at St. Paul's, 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:29.200 and that means I'm the leader of our kids in our youth ministries. They follow me even if they 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:35.600 don't realize it. The things that I talk about and value, they start to talk about and value. 00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:41.740 One of my favorite things to do, and one of my favorite parts of ministry, is working with our 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:47.259 young preachers. Those at our Friday afternoon Kids Club Boom, those at Kids Church on a Sunday 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:54.160 morning and Fridays. I love working with our young preachers. But it's always daunting when I give 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:59.620 advice. You know, I'll say something like, you know, when you're preaching, you could say something 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:04.860 like this. Let me just spitball, here's some ideas of what you could say. And then when I'm listening to 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:14.379 them, I hear my words come out of their mouth. And it's always scary for me. Because I have this area 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:22.340 of influence in my ministry. And so, for me, it's important that with this influence, that I have 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:30.379 humility like Paul, and don't become overconfident like the super apostles. Imagine if I started to 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:38.120 think like them, that it was all about me, and boasting the influence I would have in a damaging way. 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:44.159 I know that people are following me. I've got three kids, and they're following me, and I've got 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:49.580 this area of influence in ministry. And so, I need to make sure that I'm walking following Jesus, 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:56.980 so that I am commended by God. And for me, I also need to be walking following someone else. 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:01.100 And so, one of the things I've been doing recently is, I'm seeking a new mentor, 00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:06.059 so that they can keep me accountable. Someone that is following Christ. 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:14.799 So, two questions for us here at this point. Who are you following? And who is following you? 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:21.299 Who is making an appeal to you to follow Jesus, just like Paul does to this church? 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:28.879 Who have you given permission to, to speak words into your life that says, actually, 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:33.099 you've been deceived here, you need to come back to Jesus? 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:38.359 To call us out when we're running away, when we've been deceived. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:42.339 And are you becoming someone like Paul, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:46.819 who is humble, and who is aware of how God has gifted him, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:49.419 and someone that is worth following? 00:17:50.939 --> 00:17:52.779 Wouldn't it be terrible if we 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:56.179 became fake, or found out that 00:17:56.180 --> 00:18:00.340 that we love those who are preaching and presenting a fake gospel, 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:01.779 and we'd gone off 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:04.720 treasuring the wrong type of Jesus, 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.380 and people had followed us? 00:18:07.820 --> 00:18:09.740 The church in Corinth had been 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.560 deceived, 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:13.580 and they'd begun to follow the wrong people. 00:18:14.060 --> 00:18:16.080 Paul says, judge what God commends, 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.400 not the world. 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.220 Look at the ministry I've been involved in. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.340 It's about you, 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.799 not about me. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.519 And the church needed to step back and reassess 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:27.099 who they were following, 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.359 just like we need to. 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.000 Now, 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.339 this is also really helpful, 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.500 I think, for all of us, 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:35.419 to see how Paul reacts to these super apostles. 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:38.259 He could have defended his position 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.359 out of fear. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:40.720 You know, 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:42.419 he is the apostle, 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:43.299 and all of a sudden, 00:18:43.379 --> 00:18:45.399 his apostleship is being brought into question. 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.099 He could have gotten really aggressive. 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.859 He could have used his power 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:51.959 to reinforce that he was the apostle, 00:18:52.199 --> 00:18:53.419 and these guys were just fake. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:57.419 But he's not worried about himself, 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.979 because authentic humility 00:18:59.979 --> 00:19:02.099 focuses on the gospel. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.679 Authentic humility focuses 00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:07.799 on the good news of the gospel. 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:10.419 From chapter 11, verse 2, 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:37.800 Paul is so concerned for this church 00:19:37.800 --> 00:19:38.420 and where they're heading, 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:40.800 that he doesn't want them to be deceived 00:19:40.800 --> 00:19:42.240 from what they had believed. 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:45.380 They had this pure devotion to Christ, 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:47.140 but it's all changed 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:48.620 because of these false teachers 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:49.640 that have come in. 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.100 And they've been so deceived 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.039 that in verse 4, 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.960 Paul can say 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.539 that the Jesus they're following, 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.580 well, it's a totally different Jesus. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.580 It's not the real Jesus. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:04.360 They are following a different version of Jesus. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.279 Paul says, 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.920 you've been promised to God, 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:10.359 and Paul describes it like a marriage, 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:13.019 and he's the maid of honor. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.960 You think about the maid of honor, 00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.299 you know, maybe a girlfriend, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:19.059 and she's got this friend, 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.799 and she's introduced it to this guy, 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:23.139 and she's so excited to see them get married. 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:23.960 Paul is saying, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.779 he's that friend, 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.619 he's the maid of honor. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:28.399 He has introduced this church in Corinth 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.200 to God, 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:31.660 and he really wants them 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:34.299 to get to the end, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:36.980 to see the marriage of the church to Jesus. 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:39.259 He doesn't want them to be deceived 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.140 and to run away. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:42.200 And what Paul is saying is, 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.279 he wants them to be ready 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.420 and to wait for Jesus, 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:46.299 but instead, 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.259 they've run off 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:49.920 with a poor, 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.660 rip-off version of Jesus. 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.860 It's like every kind of romantic comedy 00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:55.779 where somebody gets left at the altar. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:59.059 Paul is so worried 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:01.039 that the church of Corinth 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:04.019 is going to leave Jesus at the altar 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:06.599 and run off with the bad guy. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:10.720 A poor, rip-off version of Jesus. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:16.639 Just as the serpent deceived Eve 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:18.240 away from following God, 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:22.779 these teachers are inciting the church away. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:26.000 Paul calls them Satan's servants 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.440 in verse 14 and 15. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:29.220 That is incredibly strong language. 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.799 In Genesis 3, 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:33.779 the serpent deceived Eve 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:36.200 with cunning and deceptive speech. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.859 And these false teachers 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.339 are doing the same thing. 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.700 They're deceiving this church 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:43.500 with cunning, deceptive, 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:46.500 but very attractive preaching. 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.579 But it's a fake gospel. 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.339 Now, it's not exactly clear 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:54.039 what their different version of Jesus was, 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:56.659 but it's likely that they have added 00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:59.599 to the requirement of faith in Jesus. 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:04.319 Faith in Jesus is a really wonderful thing. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.000 I think we can make the word faith 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.779 a little bit too mystical sometimes. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:12.720 Faith is trusting in someone's promises. 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.419 So, for Alyssa and I, 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:17.439 when we got married 12 years ago, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.079 whatever it was, 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:20.079 we made promises to each other. 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.980 And so, I am faithful 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:24.000 when I keep those promises. 00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:26.179 And Alyssa can have faith 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:27.839 that I will trust in those promises. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.899 That's what faith is. 00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:31.399 God has made promises to us 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:34.339 that Jesus has died for us 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:36.939 and that our sins are cleansed. 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:39.679 And so, we trust in God's promise. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.139 So, we can have faith. 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.259 Jesus has promised 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:46.039 that our faith will lead 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.879 to being in heaven with Him. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.720 And so, faith looks like trusting 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.180 in God's promise. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.579 But here, it seems like 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:57.059 these super apostles have come in 00:22:57.059 --> 00:23:00.059 and added to trusting in God's promises. 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:02.640 Whether it was circumcision, 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:05.259 whether it was following the law 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.299 or something else. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.960 In one sense, 00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:10.659 it seems to make Christianity 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.859 seem easier. 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.579 Do these things, 00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:15.279 follow these laws, 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.619 cut off this skin, 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:18.419 and it's all taken care of. 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.299 But Paul is so angry 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.299 because it destroys 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:24.740 what is good about the gospel. 00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:27.700 That God's love for us 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.500 is a gift. 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.839 One that cannot be earned. 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:33.839 Knowing Jesus Himself 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:34.899 is so important to Paul 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.420 for this church, 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.960 he doesn't even want to be 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:38.300 a financial burden on them. 00:23:38.540 --> 00:23:39.240 From verse 12, 00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.800 I will keep on doing 00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.640 what I am doing 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:44.380 in order to cut the ground out 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.900 from under those 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.100 who want an opportunity 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:48.840 to be considered equal with us. 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:50.500 Paul's saying, 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.720 these super apostles 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.420 are going to come in, 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.660 they're going to take your money, 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:54.759 and they're going to give you 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.480 a rip-off, 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:57.280 poor man's version of Jesus. 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.320 But I'm going to come in, 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.320 I'm not going to, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.759 I don't want to take your money. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.140 I've got a church in Macedonia 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.060 that's supporting me. 00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:06.680 All because he wants 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.500 to give them Jesus. 00:24:09.540 --> 00:24:11.400 There were false teachers then 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.940 that this church 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.040 needed to be aware of, 00:24:14.820 --> 00:24:15.759 but the reality is, 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.800 even for us today, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.680 there are 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:20.180 different versions of Jesus 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.920 out there. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.200 You'll encounter people 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.820 knocking on your door, 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.160 wanting to tell you 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.900 about a different version 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.660 of Jesus. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:28.820 Jesus. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.220 You'll hear other versions 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.660 of the Son of God. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.580 And so, 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.660 I've got four questions 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.340 for us 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:36.940 to help us 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:39.500 identify whether 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.519 someone is presenting 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.779 an authentic Jesus, 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.019 or whether 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:44.840 they've got a totally 00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:46.200 different view of Jesus. 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.560 So, 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.400 four quick questions 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.920 for us. 00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:50.120 The first question 00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:51.519 to help us identify 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.580 whether someone is 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:53.900 presenting a fake Jesus, 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.440 is, 00:24:54.540 --> 00:24:55.380 what is their source? 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:55.500 is, 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.760 anything other 00:24:57.760 --> 00:24:58.540 than the Bible 00:24:58.540 --> 00:25:00.600 is not reliable. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.740 2 Peter 1 says 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.160 that we don't follow 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.620 cleverly invented 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:07.000 stories about Jesus, 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.800 but we follow 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:09.240 eyewitness truth. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.060 Someone might come 00:25:11.060 --> 00:25:11.360 and say, 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.220 I've had a dream 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.820 about Jesus, 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.880 and so you need 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.640 to follow this 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.300 instead. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:18.159 But if it's not 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:18.859 consistent with 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.480 the Bible, 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.639 the Jesus who is 00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:21.220 presented to us 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.619 in the Bible, 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.379 we don't follow 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:22.899 that Jesus. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.980 The second question, 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:28.159 what is the message? 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.419 For the authentic 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:30.819 teacher, 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.379 Jesus is at the 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.559 very centre 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.379 of the good news, 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.379 of the whole Bible. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.399 For the fake 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:37.839 teacher, 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.359 Jesus will be there, 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.619 but He'll often 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.460 be over to one 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.899 side. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.819 The message 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.500 will be about 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.200 something else, 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.000 and they'll just 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.920 plug Jesus in. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.340 The message 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.039 might be about 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.500 making you really 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:49.819 great. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.340 Do you know what? 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.880 If you follow 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.220 Jesus, 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:51.920 you can be the 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.720 best version of 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:52.900 you, 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.600 and it's all 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.220 about you, 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.819 and let's make 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.259 you great, 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:55.700 and let's get 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.080 you as much 00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:56.559 money as you 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:56.819 can, 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.600 and let's make 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.340 you successful. 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.400 And we hear 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.580 that, 00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.000 we can think, 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.340 yes, 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:00.880 I want to, 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.420 do you know 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:01.580 what? 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.100 I would like 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.400 money, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.720 and I would 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:04.180 like to be 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.580 successful, 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.420 and Jesus is 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.700 going to help 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.279 me do that. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.160 But the problem 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.799 with that gospel 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.240 is, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.039 that is not good 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.039 news about Jesus, 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.559 that is good 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.980 news about 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.799 to make us 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.220 great, 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.180 but Jesus 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.000 himself is 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.380 great, 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.319 and we get 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.680 to follow 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:19.980 him. 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.880 The third 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.059 question to 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.480 help us to 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.140 understand whether 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:26.819 it's a real 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.640 Jesus or a 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.140 fake Jesus, 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.360 is what is the 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.759 character that 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.340 is produced? 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.600 True humility 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:35.120 will, 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.759 true teachers 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.160 will seek 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.700 humility, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:38.860 holiness, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.580 and gentleness, 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.059 whereas these 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.180 super apostles have 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.900 been boasting 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:45.160 outside, 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.860 themselves. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:46.940 And so, 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.420 what is the 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.120 character that 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.759 is produced 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.400 for us? 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:50.920 Lastly, 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.940 what is the 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.019 reason for 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.620 the message? 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.240 The authentic 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.100 teacher asks, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.160 what does God 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.900 have to say in 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:58.819 his word to 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.860 me today? 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.360 The fake 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.200 teacher asks, 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:02.620 well, 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.220 what do people 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.920 want to hear? 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.400 What is flashy? 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.240 What's going to 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.880 get in a big 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.819 crowd today? 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.720 What's going to 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.279 make this church 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.160 in Corinth grow? 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.319 And then I'll 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.059 add a Bible 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.779 verse onto that 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.619 or I'll stick 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.339 Jesus in there 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:16.660 somewhere. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:16.960 No, 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.059 no, 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.160 no, 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.879 what does 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.759 God have to 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.339 say to us 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:19.660 today? 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:22.139 We should not 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:23.099 be naive to 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.399 think that 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:25.279 everyone who 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.299 says that they 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.220 follow Jesus 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.379 is following 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.079 the same 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.619 Jesus. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.619 But we can be 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.119 prepared to 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.759 understand who 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.759 Jesus is from 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.859 the Bible and 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.920 to question other 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.680 people's view of 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:36.980 Jesus. 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.319 It's not just 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.259 teachers that can 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:42.799 deceive us away 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.339 from following 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:43.680 Jesus. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.919 This church in 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:45.519 Corinth had 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:47.099 confused outward 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:48.779 appearance with 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.639 God's blessing. 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.500 Paul has 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.220 corrected their 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:53.339 view and shown 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.700 what a humble 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.379 and authentic 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.159 apostle looks 00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:56.519 like. 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.799 But we can be 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.859 deceived too from 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.859 our culture around 00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.159 us. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.619 We can think a 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.319 certain picture of 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:05.659 success is God's 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:05.940 blessing. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.700 So, you know, 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.440 this is what it 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.180 looks like to be a 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.480 Christian. 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.700 Or this is what 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.500 it looks like to 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.860 be a successful 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:14.460 church based on 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.400 how our culture 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.819 defines success. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.799 We can think, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.539 you know, I 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.140 should be this 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.960 good by now. 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.579 If I'm a 00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:24.319 Christian, well, I 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.000 shouldn't really 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.299 sin in all of 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.920 these ways. 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:28.339 I should be this 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.740 mature. 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.759 I've been a 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.460 Christian for 15 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.360 years, so I 00:28:31.360 --> 00:28:32.140 should look like 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.519 this. 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.940 And, you know, 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.559 when I share my 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.019 feelings and my 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.740 problems and my 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.420 issues with my 00:28:39.420 --> 00:28:39.980 non-Christians, 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.339 they're always 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:40.779 like, why aren't 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.240 you a Christian? 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.259 Shouldn't you be 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:42.900 better than this? 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.220 I shouldn't have 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.960 to deal with this 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.160 sin. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.839 And the church, 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:49.819 well, our 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.099 society and our 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:52.720 culture defines 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:54.799 success by size 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.700 and numbers. 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.099 And so, shouldn't 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:58.279 my ministry that 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.200 I'm involved in be 00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.500 bigger? 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.319 Shouldn't my 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.240 church be bigger? 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.200 Shouldn't my 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.859 ministry be the 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.200 best? 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:04.779 Because that's 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.579 what success looks 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.039 like in our 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.400 culture. 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.720 But we can 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.400 judge by 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:11.079 appearances and 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.039 not how God 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.400 judges. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.519 We need to be 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:17.000 aware of how 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.139 our culture defines 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:20.160 success and make 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.119 sure that we don't 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:22.019 bring that into the 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.519 church. 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.059 Remember, this 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.879 church had 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:26.779 super apostles that 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.240 wanted to look 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.059 powerful, but Paul 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:30.160 looked weak. 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.700 I think a common 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.639 way we can be 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:35.599 deceived is thinking 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.679 that success looks 00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:38.939 like a size of 00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:39.439 a church. 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.599 We judge so 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:43.059 often based on 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.959 size and 00:29:43.959 --> 00:29:45.619 turnover in 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.619 companies and 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:48.159 in business that 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:49.859 we can judge by 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.740 outward appearance 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:52.399 as if this was 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.879 the best way to 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.419 test whether 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.659 something was a 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.639 faithful, authentic 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:58.279 church that's 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.980 faithful to God's 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.579 call to make 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.039 disciples. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.200 disciples. 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:03.159 We have this 00:30:03.159 --> 00:30:04.240 temptation to jump 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.859 on a treadmill of 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.920 competition and 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:08.759 comparison over the 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:10.420 size of a ministry or 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.420 over the size of a 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:13.240 church, thinking that 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:15.299 bigger must always 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:17.740 equal better, or 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.940 that a church of this 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:20.039 size, maybe a 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.940 smaller church is 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.159 better, and so we 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.099 shouldn't change. 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:25.619 But a small church 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.500 can be healthy 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.519 following an 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.779 authentic Jesus, but 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.599 a small church can 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.759 also be deceived. 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:34.619 A big church can 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.439 be healthy following 00:30:35.439 --> 00:30:36.579 God, but a big 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:37.459 church can be 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:38.439 deceived too. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.119 I've loved seeing 00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:42.699 some of the markers 00:30:42.699 --> 00:30:43.819 of a healthy church 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:45.379 here recently. 00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:46.839 Seeing all the 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:48.939 stories of people's 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:49.859 lives, how they've 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.679 been changed by 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:51.119 Jesus. 00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.339 In our social 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.379 media, on 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.279 Facebook, and in 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.639 the weekly 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.259 communication. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.099 I've loved seeing 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.899 what God has been 00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:58.219 doing. 00:30:58.959 --> 00:30:59.739 I've loved seeing 00:30:59.739 --> 00:31:01.259 that here, we are 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:02.519 not pursuing a 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.259 Jesus to make 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.259 ourselves look 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:07.339 great, but because 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.739 Jesus is wonderful. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.739 He is truly great 00:31:11.739 --> 00:31:12.739 and generous. 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.219 And there is 00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:15.879 truly nothing better 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:17.379 to do than to 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:18.079 treasure Him. 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.039 And that is what 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.079 success looks like as 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.559 a church. 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:24.359 When we joyfully get 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.599 to treasure God 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.099 together. 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.619 What we have been 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.419 doing this morning, 00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.259 that is what a 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.619 successful church 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:31.099 looks like. 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.859 When we are doing 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:33.240 that more and more 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.359 each week, instead 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.139 of treasuring 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:36.879 ourselves more. 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:41.379 I've been reading 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:43.019 about the history of 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:45.720 the church in China 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.240 recently. 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:47.920 And I've been reading 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.339 about the Taiping 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:51.140 Rebellion in the 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.900 1850s. 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.880 Has anybody heard of 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.940 the Taiping Rebellion 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.740 that happened in 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.839 China in the 1850s? 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.579 There's one hand up 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:58.960 in the corner. 00:31:59.120 --> 00:31:59.480 Thank you. 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.079 Oh, there's a couple. 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.440 Wonderful. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:00.940 Thank you. 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:03.160 It was led by a man 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.460 named Hong 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.320 Xiuquan. 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.440 And he received 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:09.019 a pamphlet with 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.900 information about 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.559 Christianity from 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:12.539 the Bible that had 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.340 been spread around 00:32:13.340 --> 00:32:13.980 by Christian 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.620 missionaries in 00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:14.900 China. 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.880 And while it 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:17.860 seemed like he 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.960 became a Christian 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.460 and wanted to see 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.299 China become a 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.320 Christian country, 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:23.820 he was following 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:26.220 a different version 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.400 of Jesus and a 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.420 different version of 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.820 the gospel. 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:31.500 He believed that 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:33.300 God wanted him to 00:32:33.300 --> 00:32:34.140 found a heavenly 00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.480 kingdom on earth. 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.460 He argued that 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.759 Jesus wasn't equal 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.400 with God. 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.779 You had God and 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.680 then you had Jesus 00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:43.460 and then he was 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:43.920 next. 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:45.039 This man, 00:32:45.160 --> 00:32:45.880 Hong Xiuquan. 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:48.120 And he had dreams 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:49.240 and visions that he 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.460 was to slay demons 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.700 and lead God's 00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:51.980 kingdom. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:55.400 He had been 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.860 deceived and had a 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.900 twisted version of 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.600 the good news of 00:32:58.600 --> 00:32:59.019 the gospel. 00:32:59.860 --> 00:33:00.740 And he'd made it 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.420 all about himself. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.940 He believed dreams 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.759 which contradicted 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.100 the Bible, which 00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:08.580 set himself at the 00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:08.820 top. 00:33:10.540 --> 00:33:11.840 Now, we might not 00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:13.519 think that we will 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.840 be deceived into 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:15.560 thinking that we 00:33:15.560 --> 00:33:16.420 need to lead a 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.240 rebellion here in 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.680 Chatswood. 00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:18.740 Is anybody wanting 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.340 to lead a rebellion 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:19.860 in Chatswood? 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.920 Maybe not. 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.680 But we can 00:33:23.680 --> 00:33:24.660 be deceived into 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.360 thinking that 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.980 Christianity is all 00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.759 about me. 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.799 Maybe we won't 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.640 make ourselves 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.860 just a rung 00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.980 lower than Jesus, 00:33:32.140 --> 00:33:32.980 but we will make 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.200 ourselves think that 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.860 God's purpose is 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:37.099 for me to look 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.339 good. 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.920 We place ourselves 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:41.019 over God's word 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:43.599 and we ignore the 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.539 parts that we don't 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:44.900 like. 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.640 Instead of humility 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.599 and accountability, 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.819 we'll fool 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.519 ourselves into 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.400 thinking that we 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.819 are okay on our 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.099 own. 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:55.539 We focus on our 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:57.159 own little kingdom 00:33:57.159 --> 00:33:59.019 in Sydney instead 00:33:59.019 --> 00:34:00.480 of on God's 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:00.779 kingdom. 00:34:02.439 --> 00:34:03.819 Let's be a church 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:04.619 that is humble, 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.619 knowing that God 00:34:06.619 --> 00:34:07.839 has chosen to love 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.840 us, not because we 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:10.039 are attractive, but 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.319 because He is 00:34:11.319 --> 00:34:12.179 wonderfully generous. 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.279 Let's be people who 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:14.980 are willing to 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.059 encourage and 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:17.599 correct others and 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.360 be people who are 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.500 corrected ourselves. 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:21.340 Let's be people who 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.960 long to follow Jesus 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.659 and not be deceived 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.539 into following a 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.739 fake Jesus that 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.579 makes it all about 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:29.679 us, but the very 00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:31.039 Son of God who 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.699 reveals His Father 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:33.219 to us. 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.199 Let me pray. 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.219 Dear Heavenly 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:39.840 Father, Lord, I 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.599 thank You that You 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:42.019 are indeed a good 00:34:42.019 --> 00:34:43.059 and generous God, 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:45.019 that You sent Your 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:48.360 Son who lived 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:50.360 with utmost 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.599 humility, who went 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:52.640 to the cross with 00:34:52.640 --> 00:34:53.500 humility, who 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:56.539 suffered even 00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.640 though He is 00:34:57.640 --> 00:34:58.940 God, who is 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.120 immensely powerful. 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:02.200 God, we thank You 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:02.920 that Your Son 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:04.260 suffered for us 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.640 and that You have 00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:06.579 raised Him from the 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.700 dead so that we 00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:08.860 can be brought into 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:09.460 Your family. 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.960 Heavenly Father, we 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:12.579 ask that You would 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:14.480 help us to be 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:16.539 people who are 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.800 not deceived into 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.800 following a 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:20.380 different version 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:20.920 of Jesus. 00:35:22.060 --> 00:35:22.940 Give us people 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.140 who are speaking 00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:24.940 to our lives 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.900 to keep us 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:27.039 accountable and 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.300 Father, help us 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:29.539 be aware that we 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.480 are all, 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.720 regardless of age, 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:34.539 people who have 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.560 others following 00:35:35.560 --> 00:35:36.060 us. 00:35:37.080 --> 00:35:38.960 Help us to be 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:40.560 like Paul, to 00:35:40.560 --> 00:35:41.840 follow You as 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:42.700 other people follow 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.980 us, so that You 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.700 would have all of 00:35:44.700 --> 00:35:45.060 the glory. 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:46.299 God, we pray 00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:46.779 this in Your 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:47.299 Son's name. 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:48.059 Amen. 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:51.139 One way that we 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.559 show our need 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:54.219 and our humility 00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:55.119 for Jesus, 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.099 towards Jesus, 00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:56.639 is with the 00:35:56.639 --> 00:35:58.199 physical sign of 00:35:58.199 --> 00:35:59.000 the Lord's Supper 00:35:59.000 --> 00:35:59.820 or Communion. 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:01.440 This is a regular 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.480 time in church 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.659 where we eat 00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.880 bread and drink 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.659 juice to remember 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:07.279 that Jesus' 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:09.420 body and blood 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.279 has been given 00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.139 and poured out 00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.719 for us. 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:13.079 And so we're 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.139 going to celebrate 00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:14.879 communion today. 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.439 If you've got 00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:16.179 children with 00:36:16.179 --> 00:36:18.039 you, please, 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.539 this is our 00:36:19.539 --> 00:36:20.379 family meal 00:36:20.379 --> 00:36:20.739 together. 00:36:20.839 --> 00:36:21.219 If you would 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:21.799 like them to 00:36:21.799 --> 00:36:22.939 partake in the 00:36:22.939 --> 00:36:23.619 wafer and the 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.799 juice, please 00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.299 do that. 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:26.699 And please, 00:36:26.899 --> 00:36:28.159 children, I 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:28.779 want to encourage 00:36:28.779 --> 00:36:30.279 you to reflect 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.980 on your hearts, 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:31.319 kids. 00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:33.019 The gospel isn't 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:34.279 just for adults, 00:36:34.359 --> 00:36:35.059 it is for all 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.500 of us. 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.379 And we all need 00:36:37.379 --> 00:36:38.059 to come before 00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:39.219 God in humility, 00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:40.599 dependent on God. 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.239 So we're going 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:42.420 to say the 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:43.420 words of a 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.319 confession on 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:45.119 the screen 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.539 together. 00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:46.319 Kids, you can 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:47.179 say this too. 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.480 Let's say this 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.299 loudly, knowing 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:51.420 that we need 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.319 God's help. 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.199 Let's pray. 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:56.159 Our Father in 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:57.360 heaven, you 00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:58.480 have loved us 00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.239 with a love 00:36:59.239 --> 00:37:00.000 that lasts 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.460 forever. 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.500 But we have 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.880 often gone our 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:05.219 own way and 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:06.139 rejected your 00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:06.980 will for our 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.440 lives. 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.219 We are sorry 00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:10.519 for our sins, 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.460 and turn 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.159 away from 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.400 them. 00:37:13.259 --> 00:37:13.739 For the 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.400 sake of 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:15.079 your Son 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.819 who died 00:37:15.819 --> 00:37:16.519 for us, 00:37:17.279 --> 00:37:18.059 forgive us, 00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:19.259 cleanse us, 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:19.960 and change 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.380 us. 00:37:21.339 --> 00:37:21.900 By your 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.880 Holy Spirit, 00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:24.279 enable us 00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:25.039 to live for 00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:26.339 you and to 00:37:26.339 --> 00:37:27.159 please you 00:37:27.159 --> 00:37:27.799 in every 00:37:27.799 --> 00:37:28.139 way. 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.179 For the 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.940 glory of 00:37:29.940 --> 00:37:30.519 our Lord 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.519 Jesus Christ. 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:32.460 Amen. 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:33.500 In 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.639 1 John, 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.319 it says that 00:37:35.319 --> 00:37:35.880 if we claim 00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.460 to be without 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.960 sin, we 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.480 deceive 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.000 ourselves, 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:39.760 but that 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.039 if we 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:41.059 confess our 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.639 sins, he 00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.460 is faithful 00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.320 and just 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:44.019 and will 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.659 forgive us 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:45.260 our sins 00:37:45.260 --> 00:37:46.480 and purify 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:47.000 us from 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:48.719 all unrighteousness. 00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:50.360 As a way 00:37:50.360 --> 00:37:50.920 of showing 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.740 our allegiance 00:37:51.740 --> 00:37:52.400 to Jesus 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.300 and our 00:37:53.300 --> 00:37:53.920 dependence on 00:37:53.920 --> 00:37:54.300 him, we 00:37:54.300 --> 00:37:54.719 come to 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:55.119 the Lord's 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.360 Supper, 00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.559 where we 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.079 will eat 00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:57.699 and drink 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:58.380 bread and 00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.099 juice together, 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.000 remembering 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:00.820 his life, 00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.460 death, 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.199 and resurrection. 00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:04.039 Jesus, who 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:04.480 on the night 00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:04.760 he was 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.280 betrayed, he 00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:05.800 took bread, 00:38:06.520 --> 00:38:06.980 and when 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.320 he had 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:07.900 given thanks, 00:38:07.960 --> 00:38:08.440 he broke 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.180 it, and 00:38:09.180 --> 00:38:09.600 he gave 00:38:09.600 --> 00:38:10.020 it to his 00:38:10.020 --> 00:38:10.420 disciples, 00:38:10.580 --> 00:38:10.780 saying, 00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:11.520 take and 00:38:11.520 --> 00:38:11.760 eat. 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:12.940 This is 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:13.540 my body 00:38:13.540 --> 00:38:14.140 which is 00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:14.900 given for 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.160 you. 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.400 Do this 00:38:16.400 --> 00:38:17.060 in remembrance 00:38:17.060 --> 00:38:17.700 of me. 00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:18.840 After 00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.380 supper, he 00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:19.780 took the 00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.700 cup, and 00:38:20.700 --> 00:38:21.280 again giving 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:22.220 thanks, he 00:38:22.220 --> 00:38:22.720 gave it to 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:23.280 his disciples, 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:23.600 saying, 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:25.100 drink this, 00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:25.880 all of 00:38:25.880 --> 00:38:26.040 you. 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:27.020 This is 00:38:27.020 --> 00:38:27.660 the blood 00:38:27.660 --> 00:38:28.220 of the 00:38:28.220 --> 00:38:28.780 new covenant, 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:29.940 which is 00:38:29.940 --> 00:38:30.440 shed for 00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:30.920 you and 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:31.440 for many 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:32.120 for the 00:38:32.120 --> 00:38:32.440 forgiveness 00:38:32.440 --> 00:38:33.340 of sins. 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:34.840 do this 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.600 as often 00:38:35.600 --> 00:38:36.000 as you 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.460 drink it 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.220 in remembrance 00:38:37.220 --> 00:38:37.760 of me. 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:39.039 And so 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:39.420 we're going 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:39.920 to celebrate 00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:40.420 this now. 00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:40.860 I'd like 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:41.300 to invite 00:38:41.300 --> 00:38:42.780 our helpers 00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.220 to come 00:38:43.220 --> 00:38:43.640 and hand 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:45.019 out the 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:46.160 juice and 00:38:46.160 --> 00:38:46.579 the bread. 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.400 Take this 00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:47.740 and hold 00:38:47.740 --> 00:38:48.120 on to 00:38:48.120 --> 00:38:48.440 this. 00:38:48.700 --> 00:38:49.079 We're going 00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.480 to all 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:49.840 eat and 00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:50.260 drink together. 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.620 Kids, 00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.000 don't eat 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.260 it just 00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:51.539 yet. 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.300 Hold 00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:52.600 on to 00:38:52.600 --> 00:38:52.760 it. 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:53.200 Don't 00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:53.400 crack 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:53.900 the cups. 00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:54.480 They're 00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:54.940 fragile. 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:56.420 And as 00:38:56.420 --> 00:38:57.460 you take 00:38:57.460 --> 00:38:58.260 this moment, 00:38:59.320 --> 00:39:01.079 just spend 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.460 a moment 00:39:01.460 --> 00:39:02.420 meditating on 00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.079 how God 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:03.840 has been 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:04.760 good to 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:05.059 you. 00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.180 Amen.