WEBVTT

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 Then Jesus told his disciples,

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 in the glory of his Father,

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 and then he will repay each person

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 according to what he has done.

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 Truly, I say to you,

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 there are some standing here

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 who will not taste death

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 until they see the Son of Man

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 coming in his kingdom.

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 Amen.

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 This is God's holy word.

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 It's great to be with you tonight.

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 If you notice in the bulletin,

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 the title is a little bit awkward.

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 It kind of went to a different line.

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 I think when I first picked up the title,

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 it was like,

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 what does it profit a man, dot, dot, dot,

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 the ellipsis.

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 But we'll end up putting half the question

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 instead of the whole question.

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 But I think it's a very important question

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 that we're answering tonight

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 of Jesus' question.

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 What does it profit a man

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 to gain the whole world,

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 yet forfeit his soul?

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 We all probably have this idea

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 of what an amazing life would look like.

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 Many of you may know,

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 I don't know if all of you would know

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 the name Tom Brady.

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 Tom Brady, a lot of you,

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 some of you,

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 yeah, as American football players,

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 many of you know I love American football,

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 coach at the University of Edinburgh,

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 American football team.

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 Tom Brady is considered

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 maybe the greatest NFL player

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 to have ever played.

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 He won like seven Super Bowls,

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 just retired after 23 years,

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 not long, a couple years ago.

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 Three MVPs.

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 There was actually,

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 there's a show in the U.S.

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 called 60 Minutes,

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 and it's like an hour long,

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 60 Minutes, clever name,

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 where they're interviewing people,

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 special stories,

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 those kind of things.

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 Well, after he'd won

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 his third Super Bowl,

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 he'd just signed

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 this massive $60 million contract,

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 which in 2005

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 was a whole lot of money.

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 He was,

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 his partner was a supermodel

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 that many of you may know

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 named Giselle.

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 He had everything

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 that you would consider

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 like a fulfilling life.

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 He had money, fame,

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 beautiful woman,

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 family,

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 this great, incredible

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 pinnacle of his career.

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 He actually went on

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 to have an even better career.

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 And as they're interviewing him,

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 they're asking him

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 about these things,

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 and he says,

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 to me, I look at this and say,

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 there's got to be more

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 to life than this.

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 You should really go look

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 to YouTube and look this up,

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 Tom Brady 60 Minutes.

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 It's really sad in some ways,

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 but also very insightful

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 that here you are

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 seeing a guy

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 who has reached the pinnacle

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 of everything that we would say

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 is an amazing life.

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 And he's like,

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 there's got to be more

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 to life than this.

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 And the interviewer actually asked him,

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 well, what do you think that is?

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 He said, I wish I knew.

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 And we're just like,

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 oh, we do know.

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 We know what your soul

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 is crying out for.

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 But he's saying,

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 there's got to be more

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 to life than this.

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 And this really hits

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 on what Jesus is talking

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 about here with his question.

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 What does it profit a man

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 to gain the whole world

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 and yet forfeit his soul?

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 Why did Jesus ask this question?

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 Well, if we look at the context,

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 the setting here,

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 Jesus has fed the 5,000.

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 He's walked on water.

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 He's performed a bunch

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 of miracles.

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 He fed 4,000 more.

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 And then it's quite interesting.

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 At the beginning of chapter 16,

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 it says the Pharisees

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 and Sadducees came up to Jesus

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 asking him for a sign from heaven.

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 So after he's done

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 all of these things,

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 they're like,

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 but show us a sign from heaven

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 that would authenticate your message.

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 It's like, seriously?

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 Sometimes evidence

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 for Jesus' identity

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 is just not enough for people.

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 And there will always be skeptics,

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 but they have witnessed,

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 they've seen,

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 and they're asking for a sign.

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 And later Jesus asks his disciples,

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 who do people say that I am?

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 And they tell them the rumors.

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 Some say you're John the Baptist,

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 come back from the dead.

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 Some think you're Elijah or Jeremiah

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 or some other prophet.

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 And then he responds,

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 but who do you say that I am?

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 Now that could have been

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 the question we talked about tonight,

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 question Jesus asked,

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 maybe the most important question,

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 who do you say that I am?

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 And in that moment,

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 Peter says,

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 you are the Christ,

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 the son of the living God.

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 And it says in verse 21

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 of chapter 16 in Matthew,

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 from that time,

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 Jesus began to show the disciples

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 that he must go to Jerusalem

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 and suffer many things.

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 Jesus must go and lose his life.

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 And Peter actually rebukes him for that.

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 He says, whoa, whoa, whoa,

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 this will never happen to you.

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 I think you're misunderstanding

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 the scriptures, Jesus.

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 Now he didn't say that,

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 but that's what he's implying.

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 You're the Messiah.

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 You're going to go to Jerusalem

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 and deliver us,

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 not go to lose your life.

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 What are you talking about?

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 And Jesus then rebukes him

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 and says, get behind me, Satan.

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 And then he says something

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 that's very important

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 for our passage in verse 23.

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 For you're not setting your mind

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 on the things of God,

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 but on the things of man.

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 And if we're honest with ourselves,

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 we often many times

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 can recognize this in our own lives

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 where it's like,

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 I know, I wish I was setting my mind

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 more on the things of God.

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 I'm thinking more

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 about the things in this life,

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 the things of man.

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 We're all tempted to do this.

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 It's something that's really

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 our default mode

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 to really more focus

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 on the things of man,

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 the things in this world.

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 We recognize this often.

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 We want this to be different.

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 But that's the setup

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 for Jesus' response here

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 in his question.

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 What does it profit a man

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 to gain the whole world

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 and yet forfeit his soul?

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 Or what can a man give

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 in exchange for his soul?

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 When he's asking this question,

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 he's actually giving us

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 the rationale for his statement

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 about the nature

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 of being his disciple.

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 So if you're trying

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 to gain the whole world,

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 you're not going to be

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 setting your mind

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 on the things of God

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 because his disciples,

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 he says,

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 to follow him,

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 he says,

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 you must deny yourself,

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 take up his cross,

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 and follow me.

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 To be his disciple,

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 you must deny himself.

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 We have to learn

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 to say no to ourselves.

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 This word literally means

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 to refuse or to resist

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 or to reject ourselves.

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 It's the idea

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 of forgetting oneself,

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 to lose sight of yourself

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 and your own interests.

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 It's like,

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 I'm an afterthought.

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 But it's actually,

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 denying yourself

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 is the same way later

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 as we'll see Peter

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 is denying Jesus

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 where he says,

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 I do not know this man.

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 It's kind of looking

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 at ourselves and saying,

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 I don't know this person.

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 It's an,

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 I'm an afterthought.

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 I'm not the main thing,

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 the center of the universe

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 like my default nature

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 thinks I am.

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 John Stott says,

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 this isn't just denying

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 things to myself

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 like to say no to sweets,

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 which I can have

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 a problem doing,

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 but it's to deny myself

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 to myself.

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 To deny myself

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 to myself.

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 It's denying my agenda,

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 denying trying to gratify

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 the pleasures

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 that are selfish.

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 Instead,

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 I must think about others,

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 put others before myself.

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 It's where we come

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 and say,

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 here's my plans,

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 Lord.

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 I lay them down

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 on the altar

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 to present them

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 before you

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 and say,

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 not my will,

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 but your will

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 be done.

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 To be his disciple,

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 we must deny himself,

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 it says.

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 And then it says

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 we must take up his cross.

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 The cross,

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 as we know,

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 is a symbol of shame

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 and humiliation.

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 And it's really hard

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 to imagine

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 what they would have

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 been thinking

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 when they heard this

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 because they did

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 understand the imagery.

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 They understood

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 that the cross

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 was a convicted prisoner

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 being marched

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 outside of town,

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 being led to pay

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 what was called

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 the supreme penalty.

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 It was a slave's death,

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 a traitor's death,

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 some common euphemisms

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 for taking up your cross

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 or for the crucifixion

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 was called

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 the extreme penalty,

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 the most severe punishment,

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 and there were Latin words

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 that are used

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 for these things

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 that I didn't dare

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 try to bring in

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 because I don't know Latin.

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 But the slave's punishment,

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 the wretched death,

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 all of these things

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 that they would have understood

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 when they heard

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 Jesus saying

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 you must take up

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 your cross.

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 Paul talks about

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 what this looks like

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 in Galatians 5, 24

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 when he says,

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 and those who belong

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 to Christ

00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:48.279
 have crucified

00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:49.180
 the flesh

00:08:49.180 --> 00:08:50.279
 with its passions

00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:51.019
 and desires.

00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:52.180
 So it's where we put

00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:54.000
 our sinful selfishness

00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.340
 on the cross

00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:56.360
 and say,

00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:57.600
 not my will

00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.860
 but your will be done,

00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:00.840
 dying to these desires,

00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:02.360
 dying to these passions,

00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:04.060
 crucifying them.

00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:05.720
 And also,

00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.539
 I think one of the reasons

00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.139
 he said that Jesus said this

00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.519
 is because crucifixion

00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:11.779
 was a slow death.

00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.039
 And so being his disciple,

00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.379
 taking up his cross,

00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.899
 is learning to die

00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.539
 to the flesh,

00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:18.679
 which is a slow

00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:20.039
 and painful process.

00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.620
 It's a slow death.

00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.080
 Luke even adds

00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:24.399
 when he records this

00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:25.340
 that Jesus said

00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:26.500
 that he must take up

00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:27.740
 his cross daily.

00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.460
 Our default mode

00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:30.319
 is to wake up

00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:30.919
 and to put ourselves

00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:31.860
 back on the throne

00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:33.299
 instead of back on a cross.

00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:34.759
 And Luke says

00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:35.379
 we must,

00:09:35.819 --> 00:09:37.000
 he records it

00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:37.899
 as we must take up

00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:39.219
 our cross daily,

00:09:39.219 --> 00:09:40.120
 learning to say

00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:41.879
 it is not about me

00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.819
 but embracing a life

00:09:43.819 --> 00:09:45.039
 that is about Jesus,

00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:46.599
 another's agenda

00:09:46.599 --> 00:09:47.740
 instead of my own.

00:09:48.459 --> 00:09:49.459
 So if you would come

00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:50.039
 after me,

00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:50.939
 if anyone would come

00:09:50.939 --> 00:09:51.359
 after me,

00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.659
 let him deny himself,

00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:54.139
 take up his cross

00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.019
 and follow me.

00:09:55.219 --> 00:09:56.079
 Follow me is

00:09:56.079 --> 00:09:57.579
 I go where you go,

00:09:57.719 --> 00:09:57.939
 Jesus.

00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.759
 I do what you do.

00:09:59.919 --> 00:10:00.979
 This is all about

00:10:00.979 --> 00:10:02.099
 following our Lord

00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:04.220
 and doing as he commanded.

00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.680
 And in following him,

00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:08.500
 we find our true lives.

00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.080
 We find our true selves.

00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.040
 Trading our agenda

00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:13.240
 for a lasting

00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.540
 and better one.

00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:15.940
 It's letting Jesus

00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:16.940
 set the direction

00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:18.159
 for our lives.

00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.040
 That's what it means

00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:19.920
 to follow him.

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.060
 And it's how we truly

00:10:22.060 --> 00:10:23.320
 gain life.

00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.360
 But it comes through

00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.960
 denying and dying.

00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:27.779
 I don't know where

00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.399
 I heard that

00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.100
 but just putting

00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:30.000
 those two words together,

00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.180
 it's actually really helpful.

00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:32.799
 denying and dying.

00:10:33.239 --> 00:10:34.399
 That's what it means

00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.719
 to follow Jesus.

00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:37.819
 Jesus is the Messiah.

00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:40.659
 They thought the Messiah

00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:41.599
 was going to come

00:10:41.599 --> 00:10:42.699
 and take power

00:10:42.699 --> 00:10:43.659
 but instead

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.539
 he is saying

00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:46.599
 I must lose my life.

00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.639
 The way of the kingdom

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.099
 is to lose your life

00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:51.199
 so that others

00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:52.339
 might find it.

00:10:53.059 --> 00:10:53.500
 Jesus says

00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:54.419
 whoever tries to save

00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.419
 his life will lose it

00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.219
 and whoever loses

00:10:56.219 --> 00:10:57.759
 his life for my sake

00:10:57.759 --> 00:10:58.740
 will find it.

00:10:58.740 --> 00:10:59.960
 This word life here

00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:01.000
 is not life

00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:01.799
 where it's like

00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.919
 breathing in and out

00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:04.159
 and life as opposed

00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:04.639
 to death

00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.480
 but it's actually

00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:06.379
 the word where we

00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:07.379
 get the word soul

00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.580
 or psyche.

00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:11.480
 It's your very identity.

00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:13.159
 Who you think you are.

00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:13.820
 Your core.

00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.379
 Your inner person.

00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:16.519
 You must be willing

00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.539
 to lose that

00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.700
 for Jesus' sake

00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:19.620
 and when you do that

00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.019
 you truly find it.

00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:21.519
 In other words

00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.220
 for the Christian

00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:24.139
 we let go of our lives

00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.419
 and we let go

00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:25.960
 of anything

00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:26.480
 that we're trying

00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.379
 to build our identities

00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.300
 on besides Jesus

00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.240
 besides Christ.

00:11:30.420 --> 00:11:31.519
 It means that

00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.600
 we subordinate

00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.580
 our thinking

00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:34.540
 about our own

00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:35.379
 personal issues

00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.780
 and serving ourselves

00:11:36.780 --> 00:11:37.960
 subordinate that

00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:38.480
 to Jesus

00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:39.100
 where it's about

00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.040
 serving Jesus

00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:41.300
 his interests

00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:42.320
 his agendas

00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:43.460
 his thoughts

00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.800
 obeying his commands.

00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:46.040
 So whether that's

00:11:46.040 --> 00:11:46.879
 our careers

00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.920
 whether it's

00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.960
 relationships

00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:51.300
 comfort and leisure

00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:53.460
 making a name

00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.080
 for ourselves

00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:54.759
 whatever we think

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.040
 success is

00:11:56.040 --> 00:11:58.060
 it's all laying that

00:11:58.060 --> 00:11:59.180
 at the feet of Jesus

00:11:59.180 --> 00:11:59.600
 and say

00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.200
 this is not about me

00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:03.379
 but this is about you

00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.520
 losing your life

00:12:04.520 --> 00:12:05.540
 in order to gain it.

00:12:06.780 --> 00:12:08.900
 So why would we embrace

00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:10.180
 this self-denial

00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:11.580
 and this self-death?

00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:14.000
 And Jesus gives the answer.

00:12:14.920 --> 00:12:16.400
 What would it profit you

00:12:16.400 --> 00:12:17.720
 to gain the whole world

00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:19.440
 and yet forfeit your soul?

00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.180
 Or what can you give

00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:22.340
 in exchange for your soul?

00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:25.180
 We know that

00:12:25.180 --> 00:12:26.620
 the right investment

00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.759
 is investing

00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:29.160
 in the soul.

00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:31.180
 The way of the world

00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:32.000
 is meaningless

00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.700
 and vanity

00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:35.379
 and yet our default mode

00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.480
 is to go that way

00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:38.200
 and so we must learn

00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:39.639
 to deny ourselves

00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.500
 take up his cross

00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.259
 daily and follow him

00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.600
 because

00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:43.320
 what can we give

00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:44.600
 in exchange for our souls?

00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:47.379
 The word soul here

00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.540
 is the exact same word

00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.700
 that's translated life

00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:50.720
 in the previous verse

00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:54.139
 but often when we hear this

00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.540
 deny yourself

00:12:55.540 --> 00:12:57.600
 take up his cross

00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.460
 follow me

00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:00.720
 whoever loses his life

00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:02.420
 for my sake

00:13:02.420 --> 00:13:03.120
 will gain it

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:05.560
 we tend to hear this

00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:10.220
 disregarding the things

00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.860
 of the world

00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.279
 material things

00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.860
 and we see this

00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.259
 as a test of our faith

00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.019
 or maybe even

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.180
 a deep burden

00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.559
 instead of understanding

00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.779
 that he's showing us

00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.739
 what it means

00:13:22.739 --> 00:13:23.479
 to flourish

00:13:23.479 --> 00:13:25.500
 to have a beautiful life

00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.659
 to have a life

00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:28.839
 that is true life

00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.259
 indeed

00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.719
 we hear these things

00:13:31.719 --> 00:13:32.659
 about denying ourselves

00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.519
 why is it

00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.519
 that that is such

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.279
 a burden

00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:37.019
 instead of Jesus

00:13:37.019 --> 00:13:37.439
 saying

00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.819
 let me show you

00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:39.399
 the way to find

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.099
 true life

00:13:40.099 --> 00:13:41.059
 because what does it

00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:41.639
 profit a man

00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.240
 to gain this whole world

00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.299
 and yet

00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.039
 forfeit

00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.959
 the soul

00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:47.579
 he's not trying

00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.699
 to deprive us

00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:50.399
 he's trying to show us

00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:50.879
 true

00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:52.539
 abundant life

00:13:52.539 --> 00:13:54.659
 and Jesus gets down

00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:55.679
 to the very heart

00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.199
 of things

00:13:56.199 --> 00:13:56.819
 when he says

00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:58.199
 gains the whole world

00:13:58.199 --> 00:13:58.839
 he's talking about

00:13:58.839 --> 00:13:59.839
 when we try to gain

00:13:59.839 --> 00:14:01.439
 everything the world values

00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:03.139
 anything that we would

00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.360
 set our hearts on

00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:05.360
 here on this earth

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.459
 and you know

00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:07.139
 we all

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.339
 dream

00:14:08.339 --> 00:14:09.719
 hear stories

00:14:09.719 --> 00:14:10.839
 of celebrities

00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:12.139
 or musicians

00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:13.219
 or whatever

00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:15.320
 the famously rich people

00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:16.259
 and how they've come

00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.100
 into this wealth

00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:19.019
 and we then hear

00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:20.019
 how miserable they are

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.560
 at some point

00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:22.519
 how they turn to a life

00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.420
 maybe of drugs

00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:23.879
 and alcohol

00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.100
 or just

00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.540
 broken relationships

00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:27.600
 by the way

00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.639
 Tom Brady and Giselle

00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.300
 are divorced

00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:30.660
 it's like we hear

00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.519
 these stories

00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.320
 of just

00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.519
 relationships

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.660
 broken lives

00:14:34.660 --> 00:14:36.440
 we hear all these things

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.180
 of people who've gone

00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.160
 after the world

00:14:38.160 --> 00:14:39.620
 but we're like

00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.840
 but I think I'd do it

00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:41.580
 a little bit differently

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.960
 I don't know that

00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.759
 that would happen to me

00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:45.040
 maybe that's the cross

00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:45.740
 you should give me

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.440
 Jesus is

00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.940
 seeing if I can handle

00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.620
 wealth

00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.600
 we just think

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.440
 things would be

00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:53.020
 different for us

00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:54.340
 but guys

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.759
 this is

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.620
 this is not a new

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.120
 problem

00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:57.139
 I mean obviously

00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:57.720
 it wasn't new

00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.180
 with Jesus

00:14:58.180 --> 00:15:00.660
 he's talking about

00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:01.520
 addressing people

00:15:01.520 --> 00:15:02.080
 that try to gain

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.740
 the whole world

00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:05.420
 but in Ecclesiastes

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.400
 chapter 2

00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:07.540
 verses 1 through 11

00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:08.720
 which is attributed

00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:09.740
 to Solomon

00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.960
 who was at the time

00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.440
 known as the world's

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:15.519
 wisest and wealthiest

00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.639
 person

00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.919
 this passage

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.639
 Ecclesiastes chapter 2

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.700
 verses 1 through 11

00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.639
 Solomon says

00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.639
 I said in my heart

00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.279
 come now

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.000
 I will test you

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.860
 with pleasure

00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.799
 enjoy yourself

00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.200
 and he goes on to say

00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.799
 that here are the things

00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:33.440
 that he pursued

00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:33.960
 he said

00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:35.460
 I made great works

00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.960
 I built houses

00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.299
 and planted vineyards

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:38.919
 for myself

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:40.059
 I made myself

00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.639
 gardens

00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.599
 and parks

00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:42.599
 and planted them

00:15:42.599 --> 00:15:43.679
 with all kinds

00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:44.539
 of fruit trees

00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.719
 I made myself

00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:46.219
 pools

00:15:46.219 --> 00:15:46.639
 from which

00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.919
 to water

00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.479
 the forest

00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:49.639
 of growing trees

00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.879
 I bought male

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.860
 and female slaves

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.500
 and had slaves

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.839
 who were born

00:15:52.839 --> 00:15:53.679
 in my house

00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:55.199
 had great possessions

00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.019
 of herds

00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:56.679
 and flocks

00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:57.860
 more than anyone

00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.699
 who was before me

00:15:58.699 --> 00:15:59.360
 in Jerusalem

00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.759
 he said

00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.360
 I also gathered

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.799
 for myself

00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:03.120
 silver and gold

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.839
 and the treasure

00:16:03.839 --> 00:16:04.439
 of kings

00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.240
 and provinces

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.699
 I got singers

00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:07.399
 both men and women

00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:08.539
 I had entertainers

00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.139
 people

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.759
 both

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.559
 and had many

00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:13.240
 women and concubines

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:13.939
 the delight

00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.980
 of the sons of man

00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:17.459
 so I became great

00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.399
 and surpassed

00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.480
 all who were before me

00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.019
 in Jerusalem

00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:21.679
 also my wisdom

00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.779
 remained with me

00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:24.720
 and whatever my eyes

00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.340
 desired

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.500
 I did not keep

00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:27.039
 from them

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.500
 I kept my heart

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.659
 from no pleasure

00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.419
 for my heart

00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:30.980
 found pleasure

00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.699
 in all my toil

00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.100
 and this was my reward

00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.819
 for all my toil

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:36.560
 then I considered

00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.540
 all that my hands

00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:38.500
 had done

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.320
 and the toil

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.020
 I had expended

00:16:40.020 --> 00:16:40.680
 in doing it

00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:42.100
 and behold

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:43.020
 all was vanity

00:16:43.020 --> 00:16:44.320
 and striving

00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:45.920
 after wind

00:16:45.920 --> 00:16:46.820
 and there was

00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.560
 nothing to be gained

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.200
 under the sun

00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.879
 he said

00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.240
 I went after everything

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.360
 I gathered anything

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.820
 that my heart wanted

00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:56.160
 and all was vanity

00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.360
 and striving

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.640
 after the wind

00:16:58.640 --> 00:17:00.020
 and we don't believe

00:17:00.020 --> 00:17:00.660
 that do we

00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.800
 like we think

00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.560
 it would be different

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.279
 if it was me

00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:05.000
 or maybe it's just me

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.000
 but like we really think

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.200
 we would be different

00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:11.179
 but yet Jesus is telling us

00:17:11.179 --> 00:17:12.419
 if you try to gain

00:17:12.419 --> 00:17:13.159
 the whole world

00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:14.579
 you forfeit your soul

00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:16.980
 and the way for true life

00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.099
 is deny yourself

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.619
 take up your cross

00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:20.700
 and follow me

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.440
 what does it profit a man

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.700
 to gain the whole world

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:26.079
 and yet forfeit his soul

00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:28.519
 and have you ever wondered

00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.279
 why this is the way

00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.319
 of the kingdom

00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.500
 the nature of the kingdom

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.440
 wouldn't it be possible

00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.400
 that Jesus denies himself

00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.220
 for us

00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.880
 and instead of us

00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:39.299
 and takes up his cross

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.000
 for us

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.680
 instead of us

00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.319
 why did he have to call us

00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:44.160
 to the same life

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.220
 why would he tell us

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.559
 that we must do this

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.099
 as well

00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:49.559
 I think a few reasons

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.299
 one I think

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.200
 because he knows

00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.059
 the human condition

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.160
 he understands

00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.339
 our sinful nature

00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.880
 we would pursue

00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:57.039
 the things of the world

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.799
 at the expense

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.420
 of our souls

00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:00.039
 if he didn't command us

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.819
 to do this

00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.839
 we would twist everything

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:04.420
 and make it about us

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:04.940
 I mean

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:06.039
 have you ever been around

00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.139
 anyone who's like

00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:07.740
 we would consider

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.819
 a little narcissistic

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.220
 where they make everything

00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.339
 about themselves

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.779
 miserable people

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.399
 to be around

00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:16.019
 but yet you flip that

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.740
 and turn someone

00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:18.099
 who is other centered

00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:20.460
 someone who wants to serve

00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.839
 who genuinely is about

00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.539
 other people

00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:25.039
 and they're amazing

00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.799
 to be around

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.139
 we love those kinds

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.639
 of people

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:30.720
 Jesus knows

00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.680
 when he's telling us

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.220
 that it's not about ourselves

00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.639
 to not deny ourselves

00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.319
 take up our cross

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.099
 and follow him

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:37.919
 that it's the way

00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:38.859
 of life

00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:42.180
 he also knows

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.480
 that

00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:44.579
 this is just

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.599
 the nature of the kingdom

00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:46.980
 because this is his nature

00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:48.180
 he tells us that

00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:49.220
 because when we

00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:50.039
 lay down our lives

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.440
 for others

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.000
 putting needs

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.680
 before our own

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.759
 we're demonstrating

00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.839
 God's very nature

00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:54.879
 God's very heart

00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:55.800
 we're displaying

00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:56.640
 his glory

00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.600
 to the world

00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:59.320
 that's what he himself did

00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:01.300
 that is the way of life

00:19:01.300 --> 00:19:02.220
 and he knows best

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.820
 and then I think

00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:04.660
 a third thing is

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.700
 he really just knows

00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.960
 what will satisfy us

00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.880
 he created us

00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:10.100
 and he knows

00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.140
 where true life

00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.380
 really is

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.460
 and he's just telling us

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.340
 the way of that

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:17.240
 as a little side note

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.100
 I came across

00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.400
 this article online

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.200
 as I was looking up

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.760
 something else

00:19:20.760 --> 00:19:21.160
 I was like oh

00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.140
 this is kind of appropriate

00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:24.720
 the title of the article

00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.920
 was Serving Others

00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:27.039
 in Brain Health

00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.539
 the Neurological Benefits

00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.299
 of Altruism

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.660
 it sounds really interesting

00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.100
 article

00:19:31.100 --> 00:19:33.400
 it says this

00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.819
 the effect of serving others

00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.759
 on the human brain

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.720
 is more profound

00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.019
 than most people realize

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:41.019
 altruism activates

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.920
 the same reward circuitry

00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:44.600
 that responds to food

00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:45.339
 and sex

00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.400
 drops cortisol

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.819
 floods the brain

00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.380
 with dopamine

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.460
 and oxytocin

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:51.000
 and in older adults

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.299
 measurably slows

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.660
 cognitive decline

00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:55.140
 helping someone

00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.400
 isn't just a nice

00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.259
 thing to do

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.940
 neurologically speaking

00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.820
 it's one of the most

00:19:59.820 --> 00:20:00.820
 potent brain

00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.880
 health interventions

00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.880
 available to you

00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:06.100
 God designed us

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:07.800
 so that even serving

00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.779
 other people

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:11.040
 is good for our own health

00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:13.960
 now they probably

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.620
 were thinking

00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.040
 this is an evolutionary thing

00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:17.400
 this wasn't a Christian article

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.180
 but Jesus

00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.300
 when he's telling us

00:20:20.300 --> 00:20:20.720
 these things

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.540
 he knows how we're made

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.720
 because he made us

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:25.099
 and he's not

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.579
 giving us a burden

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.879
 or placing on

00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:28.440
 like just

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.779
 just take it for the team

00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.319
 and trust me

00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.980
 it's like no

00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.279
 like this is the way

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.759
 of the kingdom

00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.879
 and it is good

00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.899
 and it is right

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.839
 and lovely

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.879
 and praiseworthy

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:39.019
 when we live

00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:39.480
 for something

00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.240
 beside ourselves

00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:42.099
 it actually blesses us

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.119
 in ways that we don't

00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.379
 even totally understand

00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:46.240
 so want us to get

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.920
 the fact that

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:48.420
 Jesus is not being cruel

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.460
 or giving us

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.240
 a terrible burden

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.899
 when he calls us

00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:51.720
 to deny ourselves

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.780
 and take us across

00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:54.460
 and follow him

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.580
 but it's literally

00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.620
 for our good

00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:58.019
 and for his glory

00:20:58.019 --> 00:21:00.960
 we feel

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.640
 because it's such

00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.380
 a hard battle

00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.540
 that it's a loss

00:21:04.540 --> 00:21:05.420
 for us to follow

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.019
 this way

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.540
 but David Livingston

00:21:08.540 --> 00:21:09.800
 the well-known

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.400
 Scotsman

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.060
 missionary

00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:12.019
 in South Africa

00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:12.960
 says this

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:15.340
 people talk

00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.040
 of the sacrifice

00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:16.620
 I made

00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.019
 in spending

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.920
 much of my life

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.700
 in Africa

00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.880
 is that a sacrifice

00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.740
 which brings

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.360
 its own blessed reward

00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.460
 and healthy activity

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.819
 the consciousness

00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.880
 of doing good

00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.380
 peace of mind

00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:29.319
 and a bright hope

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.680
 of a glorious destiny

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.360
 hereafter

00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:33.259
 away with a word

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:33.920
 in such a view

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.000
 and with such a thought

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:36.319
 it is emphatically

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.880
 no sacrifice

00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.960
 say rather

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.160
 it is a privilege

00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.600
 anxiety

00:21:41.600 --> 00:21:42.160
 sickness

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:42.799
 suffering

00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.360
 or danger

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.960
 now and then

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.799
 with a foregoing

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.019
 in the common conveniences

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.079
 and charities

00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.879
 of this life

00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:49.259
 may make us pause

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.039
 and cause the spirit

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.599
 to waver

00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.160
 and the soul

00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.759
 to sink

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.440
 but let this only

00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.240
 be for a moment

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.859
 all these are nothing

00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.359
 when compared

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.940
 with the glory

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.799
 with which will be

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.819
 revealed in

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.819
 and for us

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:01.220
 and then he says

00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.319
 I never made

00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.160
 a sacrifice

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:05.900
 this is what

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.759
 it looks like

00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.720
 to set your mind

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.720
 on things above

00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.160
 to understand

00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.019
 that losing

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.779
 our life

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.460
 means saving it

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:15.099
 focusing on

00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.539
 eternity

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.740
 is the blessed

00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.480
 life

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.480
 and following

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.099
 the example

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.740
 of our Lord

00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.839
 who lost

00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.559
 his life

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.519
 emptied himself

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.419
 so that we

00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.199
 could have life

00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:24.899
 in his name

00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.599
 as we've been

00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.319
 talking about

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.199
 that being

00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:28.219
 united to Christ

00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:29.099
 means that we

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.000
 have a relationship

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.759
 with God

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.639
 and then he calls

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.519
 us to do the same

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.439
 and that is a life

00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:35.699
 that is the opposite

00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:36.500
 of having a

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.099
 superiority

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.379
 mindset

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.439
 but it is one

00:22:39.439 --> 00:22:40.559
 that gives us

00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.119
 humility

00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.859
 when we trade

00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.719
 our agendas

00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:45.000
 for his agenda

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.240
 it's saying

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.059
 it's not about

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.339
 me

00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:47.759
 the way I

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.559
 spend my time

00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.319
 the way I spend

00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:49.920
 my money

00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.240
 it is not about

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.440
 me

00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.180
 but how can I

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.160
 use these gifts

00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:53.640
 that God has

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.119
 given me

00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.920
 to serve

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.759
 and bless

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.779
 others

00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:58.079
 and if you

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.579
 think about it

00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.319
 think about how

00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.220
 like when we

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.900
 are pursuing

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.500
 the ways

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.759
 of the

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.299
 or the things

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.980
 of this world

00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.920
 pursuing like

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.619
 a way to

00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.839
 gain the world

00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.720
 think about

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.440
 the worry

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.160
 and anxiety

00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.839
 that causes

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:11.720
 worry is like

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.119
 saying

00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:13.019
 I think

00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.379
 I know

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.019
 how a good

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.439
 God

00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:14.679
 would

00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.099
 what he

00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.379
 would do

00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:15.619
 in this

00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.059
 situation

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.479
 and I'm

00:23:16.479 --> 00:23:16.739
 afraid

00:23:16.739 --> 00:23:17.079
 you're just

00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.379
 not going

00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.619
 to come

00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:17.859
 through

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.159
 in that

00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:18.519
 way

00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.159
 I mean

00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:19.579
 think about

00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.000
 the people

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.799
 we know

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.859
 that have

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.519
 walked away

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:22.879
 from the

00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.139
 faith

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:24.479
 because God

00:23:24.479 --> 00:23:25.000
 didn't come

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.559
 through for

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.259
 them in the

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.319
 way that we

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.239
 thought he

00:23:28.239 --> 00:23:28.659
 should

00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:30.579
 but instead

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.539
 we've got to

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.359
 learn we

00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:32.879
 don't know

00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.299
 better than

00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.619
 God

00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:35.279
 so we trade

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.059
 our agendas

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.119
 for his

00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:38.159
 and it allows

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.559
 us to say

00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.199
 okay God

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.799
 in this

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.680
 thing that's

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.200
 going on

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.799
 what are you

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.259
 up to

00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.200
 what do you

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.620
 want me to

00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.019
 learn from

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.539
 this how

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:44.920
 are you

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.340
 wanting to

00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:46.080
 show yourself

00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:46.539
 to me

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.519
 in a way

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.920
 that we

00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.600
 will be

00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.180
 glorious

00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:52.000
 we must

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.620
 learn to

00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:53.160
 set our

00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:53.960
 minds on

00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.640
 things of

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.080
 God

00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:55.920
 not on the

00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.279
 things of

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.840
 man as he

00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:58.039
 told Peter

00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:59.100
 and this

00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.660
 changes the

00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.360
 way we see

00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.140
 everything it

00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.640
 changes even

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.160
 the way we

00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.000
 see suffering

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.980
 which

00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.740
 suffering is

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.360
 one of those

00:24:06.360 --> 00:24:06.980
 things that

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.700
 is like

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.860
 I was

00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:10.400
 actually supposed

00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:10.799
 to preach

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.240
 this sermon

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.740
 a few weeks

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.220
 ago and

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.799
 because of

00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.840
 some things

00:24:13.840 --> 00:24:14.720
 some crisis

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.340
 going on in

00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:15.880
 our family

00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:17.100
 I'm preaching

00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:17.700
 it three weeks

00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.900
 later it's been

00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.620
 three weeks of

00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.440
 hard suffering

00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:22.240
 and it's very

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.920
 tempting to

00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.660
 to doubt

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.200
 the goodness

00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.840
 of God

00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:29.140
 to doubt

00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.240
 that his

00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.960
 way is the

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.640
 best way

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.640
 but in those

00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.220
 times we

00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.299
 understand that

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.259
 he really knows

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.920
 what's good for

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.299
 us and we

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.220
 can see from

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.940
 his word

00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.359
 and when we

00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:40.019
 cling to him

00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:40.279
 and his

00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.240
 word that

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.980
 this suffering

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:43.000
 is producing

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.680
 wisdom

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:45.139
 it's producing

00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:46.599
 joy in ways

00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.480
 that we never

00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:47.740
 would have

00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.119
 understood

00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.899
 it's producing

00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.639
 endurance

00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.720
 as scripture

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.279
 says

00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.960
 it's producing

00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.740
 a courage

00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.379
 that maybe

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:54.980
 we needed

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:56.200
 but it's also

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.960
 producing a

00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.500
 humility

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.299
 and we just

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:58.899
 have to cling

00:24:58.899 --> 00:24:59.319
 to those

00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.940
 things and

00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.379
 say God

00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:00.859
 you know

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.579
 what's best

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.159
 more than

00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:02.720
 I do

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.740
 and so I

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.419
 trust you

00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:05.059
 in that

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:07.119
 setting

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.819
 our minds

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.539
 on the

00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:08.960
 things of

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:09.279
 God

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.720
 not the

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.099
 things of

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.359
 man

00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.879
 changes

00:25:10.879 --> 00:25:11.220
 the way

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.599
 we see

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.119
 all of

00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:12.559
 life

00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.559
 helps us

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:13.960
 to learn

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.539
 to see

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.319
 life in

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.819
 the way

00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.500
 that he

00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:16.960
 sees it

00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.379
 and that's

00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.759
 the nature

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.059
 of the

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.399
 kingdom

00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:20.359
 to deny

00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:20.899
 ourselves

00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.399
 take up

00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:21.980
 our crosses

00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.859
 and follow

00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.279
 him

00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.319
 greatness

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:24.960
 comes by

00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.720
 being last

00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.679
 saving your

00:25:26.679 --> 00:25:27.319
 life means

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:27.859
 we lose

00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.159
 it

00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:30.220
 and Jesus

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.940
 establishes

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:31.360
 kingdom

00:25:31.360 --> 00:25:32.580
 by losing

00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.080
 his life

00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:33.460
 he calls

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:33.800
 us to

00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:34.160
 do the

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.540
 same

00:25:34.540 --> 00:25:35.980
 and this

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.340
 is the

00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:36.980
 abundant

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:37.580
 life

00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.580
 it is

00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:39.140
 not

00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.140
 drudgery

00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.900
 it's not

00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.440
 a burden

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.200
 doesn't mean

00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.580
 it's always

00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.200
 easy

00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.279
 but it does

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.680
 mean it's

00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.040
 good

00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:45.680
 and it

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.300
 will glorify

00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:46.779
 him

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:48.040
 and be

00:25:48.040 --> 00:25:48.440
 for our

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:48.920
 benefit

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:50.259
 let's

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.500
 pray

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.300
 father

00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.560
 we

00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.200
 we just

00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.840
 acknowledge

00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:54.380
 right now

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:54.840
 together

00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.640
 that we

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.320
 are prone

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.779
 to try

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.099
 to gain

00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.519
 the world

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.619
 to try

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.939
 to go

00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.419
 after the

00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:01.740
 ways of

00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.240
 this world

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.379
 to find

00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:03.899
 success

00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.259
 in the way

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.419
 of the

00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:04.659
 world

00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.039
 to find

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.639
 success

00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:05.939
 and

00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:07.859
 even more

00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:08.299
 than that

00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.619
 lord

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.099
 we

00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.740
 we wake

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:09.899
 up

00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:10.539
 every day

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.000
 wanting

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.439
 to be

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:11.839
 the center

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.099
 of the

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.539
 universe

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.099
 to say

00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:13.259
 it's

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.639
 about me

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:13.939
 we don't

00:26:13.939 --> 00:26:14.279
 wake up

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.539
 wanting

00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.159
 to serve

00:26:15.159 --> 00:26:15.659
 we wake

00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:15.819
 up

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.019
 wanting

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.460
 to be

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.879
 served

00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.159
 and so

00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:18.740
 I pray

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.059
 that you

00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.559
 would help

00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:19.939
 us to

00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.359
 cling

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.779
 to you

00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.039
 and your

00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.439
 word

00:26:21.439 --> 00:26:21.720
 and the

00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.240
 promises

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.200
 and the

00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.639
 wisdom

00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.000
 and the

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.299
 goodness

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.759
 of this

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.179
 passage

00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.599
 that says

00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.000
 what would

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.139
 it

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.759
 profit

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.000
 you

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.539
 to gain

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:27.980
 the whole

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.399
 world

00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:28.960
 and forfeit

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.500
 your soul

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.879
 but instead

00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:31.980
 losing our

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.740
 lives for the

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.119
 sake of

00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.200
 really finding

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.559
 it

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.859
 to deny

00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.519
 ourselves

00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.279
 to take

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.599
 up our

00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.099
 crosses

00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.859
 and follow

00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.220
 you

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.619
 that is

00:26:40.619 --> 00:26:41.119
 the way

00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.639
 of true

00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.179
 life

00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.299
 that is

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.599
 the way

00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.119
 to abundant

00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.439
 life

00:26:44.439 --> 00:26:44.819
 help us

00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:45.339
 to trust

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.679
 you in

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:45.899
 that

00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.200
 so that

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.419
 when we

00:26:46.419 --> 00:26:46.799
 wake up

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.000
 in the

00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.299
 morning

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.599
 we will

00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.000
 really try

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.720
 to crucify

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.259
 the flesh

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.599
 with its

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.019
 passions

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.740
 and desires

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.379
 as Paul

00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:52.779
 says

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.220
 but this

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.460
 is a

00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:53.720
 daily

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.099
 thing

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.419
 Lord

00:26:54.419 --> 00:26:55.019
 and we

00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.339
 need your

00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.700
 grace

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.059
 to do

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.240
 it

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.799
 so please

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.339
 grant us

00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:57.899
 that grace

00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.579
 to grow

00:26:58.579 --> 00:26:59.539
 in these

00:26:59.539 --> 00:26:59.859
 things

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.819
 help us

00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.720
 to do what

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.119
 you said

00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.519
 and set

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.619
 our minds

00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:03.980
 on the

00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.339
 things of

00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.679
 God

00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.839
 and not

00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.339
 on the

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:06.759
 things of

00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.039
 man

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.039
 please help

00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.399
 us to do

00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.579
 this

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.000
 we pray

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.599
 in Jesus

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.000
 name

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.819
 amen

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:10.880
 amen

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:10.880


00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:10.900
 amen

00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:11.060


00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:11.060


00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:11.060


00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:11.060